Pete Rose may or may not be a lot of things, but a couple seem indisputable. His 4256 Major League Baseball hits are the most of all time. This record will stand forever. Even the best hitters in modern times make WAY too much money to bother hanging around long enough to approach Pete's mark. Even if they could. Longevity in baseball ain't what it used to be.
The other is Rose was never exactly the brightest star in the universe. There have been times when he just can't seem to get out of his own way, and is made to suffer accordingly.
We all know Rose received a "lifetime" ban from baseball for betting on games, particularly games he was a part of. It has never been even remotely insinuated that Rose bet against his own team. That would definitely have been a conflict of interest and a big time no-no. But that has been well documented over the years and is not the point.
Way back in 1989, Rose submitted to this ban from baseball on the condition his case would be reviewed at a later date -- hopefully in a favorable light -- once the media driven witch hunt had died down. A plea bargain, if you will. He didn't have to do this. It's not like he was a serial rapist or mass murderer. He liked to gamble on a lot of sporting contests, but basically never hurt anybody. He, and whatever sorry attorneys he had representing him at that time, had miscalculated.
It would take a full 8 years before he got a "parole" hearing. Motion denied. Along came a new Commissioner, one Bud Selig. The ever gutless Bud man wouldn't even hear his case. Another 18 -- count em -- 18 years passed. In the meantime, bank robbers, kidnappers, and even the lowliest of lows child molesters obtained relief from their "life" sentences. Even Charles Manson got a couple hearings. But not Pete Rose. He had bet on baseball, dammit. The Holy Grail had been irreparably violated. Right.
And besides that, he had lied. Well gee. If we banned all the liars the good old USA would pretty much stop. No politicians would be qualified to hold office. Ninety percent of the media would be out of jobs. Prosecutors, cops, and defense attorneys? Are you kidding? Certain members of the clergy have despicably withheld their awful truths for years. Most of your friends would go away because they've all lied to you at one time or another. And you'd probably have to ban yourself, because -- c'mon -- you've done it too. So can we dispense with lying being some sort of unspeakable heinous crime? It happens every minute of every day. Who's kidding who?
Just yesterday Pete Rose finally got another hearing in front of a new baseball Commissioner, one Rob Manfred. The good Mr. Manfred rode the coattails of the above mentioned hapless Bud Selig for many years. At least Selig once owned a baseball team -- the Milwaukee Brewers -- so it's presumed he wasn't totally clueless when it came to the game itself, despite his many foibles when he was in charge.
Manfred was just a high-falootin lawyer in a suit lying in wait for his next big opportunity. And it finally came. No doubt with Budman's recommendation, the MLB owners approved him as their next Commissioner in January of 2015. Pretty much just another company man to take whatever heat might arise while the billionaires remain in the background. This was business as usual, and certainly no surprise. Far be it from such owners to ever consider making a truly unbiased objective person their point man.
So after those 18 years, Manfred finally deigned to hear Rose's appeal. Of course, it was a slam-dunk before it ever happened and a total waste of time. The fix had long been in, and remained. Motion denied once again.
Manfred would ramble on as to how Pete Rose wasn't truthful enough, and was still gambling. He hadn't learned his lesson, changed his ways, and therefore would remain "barred".
Yet one is left to wonder ---- Just what is the big deal about Pete Rose gambling after all these years? Like drinking alcohol, it's certainly not illegal. In fact, gambling is heavily sponsored and promoted more than ever these days.
Even discounting gambling meccas like Las Vegas, it's rampant most everywhere else. Every state has their lottery, countless varieties of scratch-off tickets, Keno, and an endless supply of other come-ons to the wagering public. One need not look far to find a local bookie that will take all manner of sports or number bets. Bars and offices routinely have "square" sheets, particularly on football games. Buy a square or two and hope your numbers hit.
Baseball isn't like that, you say? Balderdash. During the season, most newspapers, including the one that sponsors this blog, feature the odds, including over/under every day in their sports section. It seems the height of hypocrisy for some journalists to rail against Rose for betting on games when the very publication they work for has long been handicapping everything sports related under the sun. Name the game, and the odds are right there in black and white for their readers to see. Why would they print such a thing if they wanted to discourage gambling? It makes no sense whatsoever.
But for now, Pete Rose remains the poster child in Major League Baseball's kangaroo court. Another gutless Commissioner has weighed in and nothing has changed. To the surprise of nobody, Manfred took the easy way out. Keep the status quo.
Peter Edward Rose is now 73 years old. He has been in baseball exile for 26 years. When, if ever, he will get another "hearing" is unknown. But it's a pretty good bet, no pun intended, that he won't be around in another 26.
It could very well be Charlie Hustle will go to his grave never having taken his rightful place in the Hall of Fame. Besides his all-time hitting record, he was a 17 time All Star at five different positions. An MVP. World Series champion. The enormity of the numbers he put up on the field during his long and storied career scream for induction.
If I could advise Rose, I would tell him this.....
Stop sucking up to a system that was never going to give you a fair chance in the first place. No more apologies, because they make no difference whatsoever. Just go do whatever makes you happy and feel good about it. Screw the "man", because he screwed you in the first place and continues to do so.
Know that you might not live to see it, but your plaque will be in Cooperstown someday. It will happen eventually -- because it has to. When the stodgy old farts set in their misguided Puritan ways finally pass on and objective thinking people take their place -- they will right this long travesty of justice. Your kids and grandkids will be rightfully proud of what you accomplished finally being officially recognized.
Bottom line. Pete Rose has been lynched as a "bad example". Truth is, he never did anything that wrong in the first place to deserve the outrageous punishment that has befallen him ever since. A travesty indeed.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
A St. Louis fool
If you're anything like me -- no, check that -- if you've got any sense, then you've felt it deep down inside here and there over the years. That would be when someone else does something so irritating and colossally stupid you just want to shake them silly and scream, "WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU? NOBODY CAN BE THAT DUMB!!!". We see it all the time on the road with nitwit drivers, not to mention other walks of life. Such an incident recently happened in Edward Jones Stadium, home of the St. Louis Rams.
Quick question: Who is Edward Jones and how did he get an NFL stadium named after him? Answer below.
But first the back story. The Rams were hosting the Detroit Lions on 12/13/15. A battle of the have-nots. In the whole scheme of the NFL this game mattered little, if at all. Just another one that had to be played.
Yet along the way a milestone was reached. Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a pass to receiver Golden Tate which put Stafford over the 25,000 career passing yards mark. He was actually the youngest to ever do so. Not that this much mattered either, because while Stafford is racking up his own gaudy stats, the Lions remain -- well -- the Lions. They're not going to be contenders any year soon, let alone sniff a Super Bowl.
Thing is, Tate was -- surprise!! -- oblivious such a landmark was at hand for his QB. So in his usual infinite wisdom, the good Mr. Tate heaved the ball into the stands in St. Louis. Somebody, so far unknown, wound up with a souvenir genuine NFL football. Their's to keep. Whether or not it was a misguided Lions fan -- and there are certainly legions of those -- that had made the trip to St. Louis to watch his/her heroes -- poor koolaided thing -- is also unknown. More likely it was a Rams fan.
But the Lions' staff was aware of the "historic" football and wanted it back for Matthew Stafford. Into the stands they went to find it. So pretend you're that fan and think about what happened next.
You likely aren't aware of the significance of that football, but it's obviously important to somebody for some reason, or they wouldn't have sent "officials" into the stands to retrieve it. You don't have to give it up. It's already yours, courtesy of the aforementioned Golden Tate. Like a foul ball or home run in baseball, once the ball is in the stands, it becomes the property of whoever caught it.
But the "staff", likely with a security contingent (see cops) in tow, explains to you this particular football is very important to Matthew Stafford. Their presence is likely intimidating. If you will only give it back, they promise Stafford and/or the Lions will send you a bunch of his autographed paraphernalia in return. Also they promise not to escort you into a dungeon somewhere under the stands to be interrogated for a few hours as being an "uncooperative" patron. So you buckle under and surrender it. Did I mention intimidation?
At that point, you became a fool. Good grief, an NFL football itself is worth a hundred bucks, and what good is a bunch of Matthew Stafford signed junk if it ever shows up at all? Especially if you were a Rams fan. A Lions fan? Well, OK, never underestimate their naivete and gullibility, but you'd think even one of those downtrodden heathens would have more sense in a situation like this.
If I'm that fan, here's what I say. Right now, this ball belongs to me and I have every intention of leaving the stadium with it and taking it home. If Matthew Stafford wants it for his trophy case, here's my phone number. Tell him to call me -- in person.
Further tell him the starting price is $20,000. If I don't hear from him in a couple days, his price goes up and I list it on eBay for whatever it will fetch.
Let's get real. Stafford is making over $20 MILLION this year. The price for this milestone football represents a mere one-thousandth of his yearly salary. Twenty grand might be a nice chunk of change to an average person but it's peanuts to Stafford. Besides that, he can probably talk the dopey Ford family into ponying it up FOR him, if he's that much of a tightass. Lord knows, the Ford's have shelled out countless millions, from the front office down to the practice squad, over the decades in their seemingly never-ending quest to keep their team a clown act. And it's worked. The Fords worrying about a measly twenty grand would be like an average citizen diving into a dumpster to fetch a penny. It's just not worth the hassle.
As has been argued in this space many time before, Lions' fans that get their hopes up and think Super Bowl every year definitely qualify as some kind of fools.
Answer to question. Evidently Edward Jones is the CEO of a big multinational investment firm. It was started by his ancestors almost 100 years ago. A big bucks outfit indeed that plays with other people's money. About a decade ago they got banged for some shady dealings, and had to cough up a $75 million fine to the feds. In their world, just more chump change. And somehow this outfit was allowed to buy the naming rights to the Rams stadium. Where's Roger Goodell and his holy crusaders when you need them?
But whoever caught that football in St. Louis and traded it off for some worthless Matthew Stafford paraphernausea is just a total moron.
PS. Hi J and S. As your self-admitted B variety goes, not too shabby indeed. See ya at the office.
Quick question: Who is Edward Jones and how did he get an NFL stadium named after him? Answer below.
But first the back story. The Rams were hosting the Detroit Lions on 12/13/15. A battle of the have-nots. In the whole scheme of the NFL this game mattered little, if at all. Just another one that had to be played.
Yet along the way a milestone was reached. Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a pass to receiver Golden Tate which put Stafford over the 25,000 career passing yards mark. He was actually the youngest to ever do so. Not that this much mattered either, because while Stafford is racking up his own gaudy stats, the Lions remain -- well -- the Lions. They're not going to be contenders any year soon, let alone sniff a Super Bowl.
Thing is, Tate was -- surprise!! -- oblivious such a landmark was at hand for his QB. So in his usual infinite wisdom, the good Mr. Tate heaved the ball into the stands in St. Louis. Somebody, so far unknown, wound up with a souvenir genuine NFL football. Their's to keep. Whether or not it was a misguided Lions fan -- and there are certainly legions of those -- that had made the trip to St. Louis to watch his/her heroes -- poor koolaided thing -- is also unknown. More likely it was a Rams fan.
But the Lions' staff was aware of the "historic" football and wanted it back for Matthew Stafford. Into the stands they went to find it. So pretend you're that fan and think about what happened next.
You likely aren't aware of the significance of that football, but it's obviously important to somebody for some reason, or they wouldn't have sent "officials" into the stands to retrieve it. You don't have to give it up. It's already yours, courtesy of the aforementioned Golden Tate. Like a foul ball or home run in baseball, once the ball is in the stands, it becomes the property of whoever caught it.
But the "staff", likely with a security contingent (see cops) in tow, explains to you this particular football is very important to Matthew Stafford. Their presence is likely intimidating. If you will only give it back, they promise Stafford and/or the Lions will send you a bunch of his autographed paraphernalia in return. Also they promise not to escort you into a dungeon somewhere under the stands to be interrogated for a few hours as being an "uncooperative" patron. So you buckle under and surrender it. Did I mention intimidation?
At that point, you became a fool. Good grief, an NFL football itself is worth a hundred bucks, and what good is a bunch of Matthew Stafford signed junk if it ever shows up at all? Especially if you were a Rams fan. A Lions fan? Well, OK, never underestimate their naivete and gullibility, but you'd think even one of those downtrodden heathens would have more sense in a situation like this.
If I'm that fan, here's what I say. Right now, this ball belongs to me and I have every intention of leaving the stadium with it and taking it home. If Matthew Stafford wants it for his trophy case, here's my phone number. Tell him to call me -- in person.
Further tell him the starting price is $20,000. If I don't hear from him in a couple days, his price goes up and I list it on eBay for whatever it will fetch.
Let's get real. Stafford is making over $20 MILLION this year. The price for this milestone football represents a mere one-thousandth of his yearly salary. Twenty grand might be a nice chunk of change to an average person but it's peanuts to Stafford. Besides that, he can probably talk the dopey Ford family into ponying it up FOR him, if he's that much of a tightass. Lord knows, the Ford's have shelled out countless millions, from the front office down to the practice squad, over the decades in their seemingly never-ending quest to keep their team a clown act. And it's worked. The Fords worrying about a measly twenty grand would be like an average citizen diving into a dumpster to fetch a penny. It's just not worth the hassle.
As has been argued in this space many time before, Lions' fans that get their hopes up and think Super Bowl every year definitely qualify as some kind of fools.
Answer to question. Evidently Edward Jones is the CEO of a big multinational investment firm. It was started by his ancestors almost 100 years ago. A big bucks outfit indeed that plays with other people's money. About a decade ago they got banged for some shady dealings, and had to cough up a $75 million fine to the feds. In their world, just more chump change. And somehow this outfit was allowed to buy the naming rights to the Rams stadium. Where's Roger Goodell and his holy crusaders when you need them?
But whoever caught that football in St. Louis and traded it off for some worthless Matthew Stafford paraphernausea is just a total moron.
PS. Hi J and S. As your self-admitted B variety goes, not too shabby indeed. See ya at the office.
The last unbeaten. Carolina
As was mentioned in this space a couple days ago, it wouldn't have come as a huge surprise if the Golden State Warriors succumbed to the Milwaukee Bucks. Sure, the Warriors were 24-0 and the Bucks in last place in their division with a paltry 9-15 record. But Golden State was playing the last game on a grueling 7 game road trip and had been taken into double overtime just the night before in Boston. They were running on fumes. And so it came to pass. The Bucks thumped the Warriors and they are unbeaten no more.
It was just a matter of time. Somebody was going to knock them off. As good as they are, nobody in their right mind ever thought Golden State would go through the whole season without suffering at least a few losses. And it's probably just as well for them. The pressure of the winning streak is over.
Though several teams in the NFL started the season with winning streaks, only one remains. The Carolina Panthers. Now at 13-0, they've already wrapped up not only a playoff spot, but a first round bye and likely home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. They would have to stumble badly in their 3 remaining games while the 11-2 Arizona Cardinals ran the table to lose that advantage.
And the odds of that happening are long indeed. Consider the Panthers' remaining games:
@ NY Giants. True, from week to week, nobody knows for sure whether Eli's coming or going, and head coach Tom Caughlin can bonehead it up with the best/worst of them, but the Giants are most certainly an unpredictable bunch. Currently at 5-7 in the pretty much pitiful NFC East division, one would think the Panthers would cruise. But just when one writes off the Giants as midgets, they'll rise up and do the seemingly impossible. Remember when they knocked off the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl a few years back? Who saw THAT coming?
@ Atlanta Falcons. Well gee, the Panthers just obliterated the Falcons 38-0. A beat down. A rout. Even though this game will be played in Atlanta, it's hard to believe the Falcons will be 38+ points better playing the same team at home two weeks later.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They're 6-7, and mediocre on their best day. Isn't this the same team with the crab leg swiping rookie quarterback that can't seem to get out of its own way in recent years? And they're going to go into Charlotte to face the vastly superior Panthers when Carolina is returning home after two road games for the regular season finale in front of their own rabid fans? Well, good luck with that.
Bottom line is it's entirely possible, perhaps probable the Carolina Panthers will finish the regular season undefeated. But that's when things might get dicey for Cam Newton and company.
Somewhere along the line in the playoffs they're going to have to play the likes of the Green Bay Packers or Arizona Cardinals. Either of these teams is capable of going on the road and winning a big game.
But there's a team far more dangerous. The Seattle Seahawks. True, they started out slow this year and are currently 8-5, but few would doubt the SS storm troopers have rounded back into championship form in recent weeks. They look formidable on both sides of the ball. Though they'll likely be a "wild card" team, don't sleep on Seattle. Love them or hate them, the Seahawks are the real deal and will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
Yet for now the Carolina Panthers are the only undefeated team remaining. Here's hoping they win their next 3 games to polish off a perfect regular season.
The reasoning behind that thought is two-fold. First, Cam Newton is the undisputed leader of the Carolina Panthers. Besides his obvious talent, he's an all-around nice guy. Newton's fan friendly to a fault, so far a model citizen, well and soft spoken, and hasn't taken on the holier-than-thou personna that so many other sports stars have succumbed to. It's impossible NOT to like him, and therefore his team.
And secondly I, for one, want to see the surviving members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins team -- the only team to run the entire table for a year -- including capping it off with a Super Bowl win -- squirm one more time. Yours truly is sick and tired of these guys getting together every year to toast themselves as the only "perfect" team in history. Forty two years later and they remain haughty.
It's long past time they had company. Can the Panthers actually pull it off? Maybe, maybe not, but they're the only ones that have a shot at doing so.
So go get em boys. First things first. Trash Eli, retrash the Falcons, and field dress the not-so-big Bucs. Enjoy the bye week and get ready for the big boys that will come next. I'm rooting for ya......
It was just a matter of time. Somebody was going to knock them off. As good as they are, nobody in their right mind ever thought Golden State would go through the whole season without suffering at least a few losses. And it's probably just as well for them. The pressure of the winning streak is over.
Though several teams in the NFL started the season with winning streaks, only one remains. The Carolina Panthers. Now at 13-0, they've already wrapped up not only a playoff spot, but a first round bye and likely home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. They would have to stumble badly in their 3 remaining games while the 11-2 Arizona Cardinals ran the table to lose that advantage.
And the odds of that happening are long indeed. Consider the Panthers' remaining games:
@ NY Giants. True, from week to week, nobody knows for sure whether Eli's coming or going, and head coach Tom Caughlin can bonehead it up with the best/worst of them, but the Giants are most certainly an unpredictable bunch. Currently at 5-7 in the pretty much pitiful NFC East division, one would think the Panthers would cruise. But just when one writes off the Giants as midgets, they'll rise up and do the seemingly impossible. Remember when they knocked off the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl a few years back? Who saw THAT coming?
@ Atlanta Falcons. Well gee, the Panthers just obliterated the Falcons 38-0. A beat down. A rout. Even though this game will be played in Atlanta, it's hard to believe the Falcons will be 38+ points better playing the same team at home two weeks later.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They're 6-7, and mediocre on their best day. Isn't this the same team with the crab leg swiping rookie quarterback that can't seem to get out of its own way in recent years? And they're going to go into Charlotte to face the vastly superior Panthers when Carolina is returning home after two road games for the regular season finale in front of their own rabid fans? Well, good luck with that.
Bottom line is it's entirely possible, perhaps probable the Carolina Panthers will finish the regular season undefeated. But that's when things might get dicey for Cam Newton and company.
Somewhere along the line in the playoffs they're going to have to play the likes of the Green Bay Packers or Arizona Cardinals. Either of these teams is capable of going on the road and winning a big game.
But there's a team far more dangerous. The Seattle Seahawks. True, they started out slow this year and are currently 8-5, but few would doubt the SS storm troopers have rounded back into championship form in recent weeks. They look formidable on both sides of the ball. Though they'll likely be a "wild card" team, don't sleep on Seattle. Love them or hate them, the Seahawks are the real deal and will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
Yet for now the Carolina Panthers are the only undefeated team remaining. Here's hoping they win their next 3 games to polish off a perfect regular season.
The reasoning behind that thought is two-fold. First, Cam Newton is the undisputed leader of the Carolina Panthers. Besides his obvious talent, he's an all-around nice guy. Newton's fan friendly to a fault, so far a model citizen, well and soft spoken, and hasn't taken on the holier-than-thou personna that so many other sports stars have succumbed to. It's impossible NOT to like him, and therefore his team.
And secondly I, for one, want to see the surviving members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins team -- the only team to run the entire table for a year -- including capping it off with a Super Bowl win -- squirm one more time. Yours truly is sick and tired of these guys getting together every year to toast themselves as the only "perfect" team in history. Forty two years later and they remain haughty.
It's long past time they had company. Can the Panthers actually pull it off? Maybe, maybe not, but they're the only ones that have a shot at doing so.
So go get em boys. First things first. Trash Eli, retrash the Falcons, and field dress the not-so-big Bucs. Enjoy the bye week and get ready for the big boys that will come next. I'm rooting for ya......
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Detroit Lions. End the suffering.
Most everyone in the civilized world is at least dimly aware of the Detroit Lions. After all, they're an NFL franchise and there are only 32 of them. And the NFL is a very big deal indeed -- a multi-billion dollar industry. The proverbial gorilla in the room of sports from late August until early February every year.
Sure, there's lots of other sports action going on. College football, the NHL and NBA have fired up again, NASCAR is winding down to their "Chase", and even the baseball playoffs and World Series happens in this window. True, there's always soccer games, and somewhere a golf or tennis tournament is going on, but when the mighty NFL showcases its wares they take center stage in the American world of sports. Anyone who would doubt that need only ask sports bar owners, bookies, and the Nielsen TV ratings people who's who when it comes to the numbers in the fall and early winter.
There are a few teams that always seem to be contenders. The New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers come to mind. Can you remember the last time either was just terrible? Me neither. The Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers are perennially in the hunt.
Lots of them have had their ups and downs over the years. Like Dallas, the NY Giants, Redskins, San Fran, and several others. Those franchises are cyclical. They've all won multiple Super Bowls, but also been bottom feeders over the decades.
And then there's the Detroit Lions. They are the flat-liners of NFL history. The last time the Lions won anything of note was way back in 1957 -- fittingly enough the same year the Ford Motor company was about to debut it's ill-fated Edsel. This was 10 years before the first Super Bowl would even be played. Another bit of dark irony is William Clay Ford, the late but long-time owner of the Lions, purchased a controlling interest in the team on the exact same day John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. November 22, 1963. A day that shall live in infamy indeed.
Forty nine Super Bowls have been played. The first was in 1967. To put that in historical perspective, the Tet offensive of the Viet Nam war hadn't happened yet. A guy named Lyndon Johnson was the President. Woodstock was two years in the future. Firebirds and Camaros were brand new. The Beatles were still churning out hit songs. The original Star Trek TV series was in the works, but wouldn't debut for several more months. If it seems like a very long time ago, that's because it was.
Since then, the USA has cycled through a lot of Presidents. After Johnson came Nixon. Then Ford, Carter, Reagan, Daddy Bush, Bill Clinton, W Bush, and Barack Obama is winding up his second term. A whole lot of stuff has happened over those decades. Vast strides have been made in the world of medicine and technology to say the least.
But what has not is the Detroit Lions ever making it to a Super Bowl, let alone winning it. The fiftieth one will be played in February and the Lions won't be there -- again.
The Honolulu blue and silver franchise has always been unique in a comical sort of way. They've long had incompetent ownership, even more incompetent front office personnel and, oh my, the list of clown coaches is long. Throw in botched drafts and Keystone Koppish play on the field. If there's a way to screw something up -- they'll eventually find it. The poster children in the world of sports for Murphy's Law. Yes, they'll catch a break now and again, but it's fool's gold. Always has been.
The Lions have long been the ultimate tease to their fans and ever-faithful media. They'll do just enough for their Pollyannish press to hype them -- and the dutiful lemming fans will continue to believe -- year, after year, after year, after decade.
But this team isn't going anywhere this year, let alone the Super Bowl. And they won't next year either, or the year after that, or the years following. If William Clay Ford wasn't a clueless enough owner, now his widow Martha and her daughters are in charge. They recently hired someone who had been handling their "estate" to run the franchise. The man, one Rod Wood, knows absolutely nothing about professional football. He himself admitted as much. Wood said the only NFL team he could possibly fit in with were the Lions. Is that pitiful? Comical? Just another typical Lions hire?
Current head coach Jim Caldwell's former record when being in charge of a team on the field speaks for itself. He's a loser and over his head again -- especially with the sad sack Lions. It may take a couple more years to play itself out, but Caldwell will be hitting the road eventually and the always lovable Fords will conduct another "nationwide" search for the best candidate available to replace him. Kind of like they did with their Prez, Mr. Wood. It's comical.
Calvin Johnson may or may not be a Hall of Fame candidate in the future, but he's never going to sniff a Super Bowl with the Lions. Here's hoping he can still walk when he's 40. The beatings he has taken over the years while trying to haul in passes in double and triple coverage have taken their toll.
Matthew Stafford in the Hall? Not a chance. He might rack up a lot of passing yards every year, but that's only because the Lions have never put together a decent running game. Stafford HAS to throw. And at that, he's always been prone to making boneheaded decisions. Besides, when's the last time you heard of an NFL QB getting a plaque in the Hall when he lost far more games than he won? It ain't gonna happen. Stafford isn't all that, never has been, but he's the best QB the Lions have had in a long time. Not exactly a ringing endorsement in the whole scheme of things.
Nevertheless, the suckers will always maintain there is hope when it comes to the Lions. They will faithfully either buy their tickets or root, root, root for their heroes while watching them on TV.
Though famed circus showman Phineas Taylor (PT) Barnum took his last breath way back in 1891 -- some 124 years ago -- it seems a shame PT wasn't around to buy the Lions. He was fabulously rich too and nobody knew how to play on suckers better than Mr. Barnum. As he once said, there's one born every minute. Lions fans and their media would be fertile ground indeed for PT. But alas, Willy had his decades, now Martha is in charge, and when she goes on to where PT resides, her girls will take over. And then likely THEIR kids. Good luck with that. How's another half century of bumbling sound?
The solution? Easy. Right now the St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Oakland Raiders are all considering a move to Los Angeles or a nearby suburb in the very near future. At least one, and possibly two, will make the move, perhaps to share a brand new stadium.
The Lions should throw their hats in that ring. It's long become obvious they'll never accomplish anything in the otherwise woeful city of Detroit. So why not move and get a fresh start?
First, they'd have to send out a few feelers as to whether the folks in LA would even want such a sad sack franchise in their midst, but if the Angelenos grudgingly approved it could benefit a lot of people in the long run.
Sure, the run of the mill Lions lemmings would be outraged, but they never had any sense anyway. Besides, it would save them a lot of money and heartbreak in future years. Every year those dopes get their hopes up, and every year they wind up disappointed. This is not going to change in Detroit. Call it tough love or whatever, but it's for their own good. They'd figure it out eventually -- maybe.
And the sports writers that continue to hype and sell the Lions year after year? It's hard to say whether the koolaid warped their minds over the years or whether they've known better all along but continued as carnival barkers to prey on the suckers. If the Lions move to LA, they'd have to get another job. And that job might well require them to be -- gasp! -- open, objective and truthful. Heavy on the objective. No namby pamby catering to the moronic faithful or BS allowed. Imagine that.
So for the sake of the already suffering city in many ways, for the sake of integrity in journalism, and mostly for the sake of the generations of idiots that didn't/don't know any better -- never have and never will -- I hereby propose the Fords mercifully and quickly sell the Detroit Lions franchise and let the new owner move them out of town. Forever. If not to LA, then whatever other city will have them. Good riddance, and it would finally end the suffering.
Whether they realize it or not, the suckers are long overdue for a break.
Sure, there's lots of other sports action going on. College football, the NHL and NBA have fired up again, NASCAR is winding down to their "Chase", and even the baseball playoffs and World Series happens in this window. True, there's always soccer games, and somewhere a golf or tennis tournament is going on, but when the mighty NFL showcases its wares they take center stage in the American world of sports. Anyone who would doubt that need only ask sports bar owners, bookies, and the Nielsen TV ratings people who's who when it comes to the numbers in the fall and early winter.
There are a few teams that always seem to be contenders. The New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers come to mind. Can you remember the last time either was just terrible? Me neither. The Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers are perennially in the hunt.
Lots of them have had their ups and downs over the years. Like Dallas, the NY Giants, Redskins, San Fran, and several others. Those franchises are cyclical. They've all won multiple Super Bowls, but also been bottom feeders over the decades.
And then there's the Detroit Lions. They are the flat-liners of NFL history. The last time the Lions won anything of note was way back in 1957 -- fittingly enough the same year the Ford Motor company was about to debut it's ill-fated Edsel. This was 10 years before the first Super Bowl would even be played. Another bit of dark irony is William Clay Ford, the late but long-time owner of the Lions, purchased a controlling interest in the team on the exact same day John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. November 22, 1963. A day that shall live in infamy indeed.
Forty nine Super Bowls have been played. The first was in 1967. To put that in historical perspective, the Tet offensive of the Viet Nam war hadn't happened yet. A guy named Lyndon Johnson was the President. Woodstock was two years in the future. Firebirds and Camaros were brand new. The Beatles were still churning out hit songs. The original Star Trek TV series was in the works, but wouldn't debut for several more months. If it seems like a very long time ago, that's because it was.
Since then, the USA has cycled through a lot of Presidents. After Johnson came Nixon. Then Ford, Carter, Reagan, Daddy Bush, Bill Clinton, W Bush, and Barack Obama is winding up his second term. A whole lot of stuff has happened over those decades. Vast strides have been made in the world of medicine and technology to say the least.
But what has not is the Detroit Lions ever making it to a Super Bowl, let alone winning it. The fiftieth one will be played in February and the Lions won't be there -- again.
The Honolulu blue and silver franchise has always been unique in a comical sort of way. They've long had incompetent ownership, even more incompetent front office personnel and, oh my, the list of clown coaches is long. Throw in botched drafts and Keystone Koppish play on the field. If there's a way to screw something up -- they'll eventually find it. The poster children in the world of sports for Murphy's Law. Yes, they'll catch a break now and again, but it's fool's gold. Always has been.
The Lions have long been the ultimate tease to their fans and ever-faithful media. They'll do just enough for their Pollyannish press to hype them -- and the dutiful lemming fans will continue to believe -- year, after year, after year, after decade.
But this team isn't going anywhere this year, let alone the Super Bowl. And they won't next year either, or the year after that, or the years following. If William Clay Ford wasn't a clueless enough owner, now his widow Martha and her daughters are in charge. They recently hired someone who had been handling their "estate" to run the franchise. The man, one Rod Wood, knows absolutely nothing about professional football. He himself admitted as much. Wood said the only NFL team he could possibly fit in with were the Lions. Is that pitiful? Comical? Just another typical Lions hire?
Current head coach Jim Caldwell's former record when being in charge of a team on the field speaks for itself. He's a loser and over his head again -- especially with the sad sack Lions. It may take a couple more years to play itself out, but Caldwell will be hitting the road eventually and the always lovable Fords will conduct another "nationwide" search for the best candidate available to replace him. Kind of like they did with their Prez, Mr. Wood. It's comical.
Calvin Johnson may or may not be a Hall of Fame candidate in the future, but he's never going to sniff a Super Bowl with the Lions. Here's hoping he can still walk when he's 40. The beatings he has taken over the years while trying to haul in passes in double and triple coverage have taken their toll.
Matthew Stafford in the Hall? Not a chance. He might rack up a lot of passing yards every year, but that's only because the Lions have never put together a decent running game. Stafford HAS to throw. And at that, he's always been prone to making boneheaded decisions. Besides, when's the last time you heard of an NFL QB getting a plaque in the Hall when he lost far more games than he won? It ain't gonna happen. Stafford isn't all that, never has been, but he's the best QB the Lions have had in a long time. Not exactly a ringing endorsement in the whole scheme of things.
Nevertheless, the suckers will always maintain there is hope when it comes to the Lions. They will faithfully either buy their tickets or root, root, root for their heroes while watching them on TV.
Though famed circus showman Phineas Taylor (PT) Barnum took his last breath way back in 1891 -- some 124 years ago -- it seems a shame PT wasn't around to buy the Lions. He was fabulously rich too and nobody knew how to play on suckers better than Mr. Barnum. As he once said, there's one born every minute. Lions fans and their media would be fertile ground indeed for PT. But alas, Willy had his decades, now Martha is in charge, and when she goes on to where PT resides, her girls will take over. And then likely THEIR kids. Good luck with that. How's another half century of bumbling sound?
The solution? Easy. Right now the St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Oakland Raiders are all considering a move to Los Angeles or a nearby suburb in the very near future. At least one, and possibly two, will make the move, perhaps to share a brand new stadium.
The Lions should throw their hats in that ring. It's long become obvious they'll never accomplish anything in the otherwise woeful city of Detroit. So why not move and get a fresh start?
First, they'd have to send out a few feelers as to whether the folks in LA would even want such a sad sack franchise in their midst, but if the Angelenos grudgingly approved it could benefit a lot of people in the long run.
Sure, the run of the mill Lions lemmings would be outraged, but they never had any sense anyway. Besides, it would save them a lot of money and heartbreak in future years. Every year those dopes get their hopes up, and every year they wind up disappointed. This is not going to change in Detroit. Call it tough love or whatever, but it's for their own good. They'd figure it out eventually -- maybe.
And the sports writers that continue to hype and sell the Lions year after year? It's hard to say whether the koolaid warped their minds over the years or whether they've known better all along but continued as carnival barkers to prey on the suckers. If the Lions move to LA, they'd have to get another job. And that job might well require them to be -- gasp! -- open, objective and truthful. Heavy on the objective. No namby pamby catering to the moronic faithful or BS allowed. Imagine that.
So for the sake of the already suffering city in many ways, for the sake of integrity in journalism, and mostly for the sake of the generations of idiots that didn't/don't know any better -- never have and never will -- I hereby propose the Fords mercifully and quickly sell the Detroit Lions franchise and let the new owner move them out of town. Forever. If not to LA, then whatever other city will have them. Good riddance, and it would finally end the suffering.
Whether they realize it or not, the suckers are long overdue for a break.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Golden State. Warriors indeed
Everybody pretty much knows about the Golden State Warriors. They're defending world champs and have started this season on a long win streak. Currently, it stands at 24-0 and counting. It's a truly impressive run but, given some other factors, flat-out amazing. Consider:
Of their 24 wins, 14 of them have been on the road. Only 10 home games so far. Of course, this will balance out as the season progresses, but it also means the Warriors have a slightly home-friendlier schedule in the future. And good luck beating these guys in their own house -- the Oracle.
Since November 28, almost two weeks ago, the Warriors haven't slept in their own beds. That's because they had to embark on a grueling 7 game road trip that took them all over the country, including Toronto.
No team in the history of the NBA has ever swept a 7 game road trip. No matter how good they were, it's just too hard. Throw in a different city every couple days, sometimes back-to-back games, all those air miles, being shuffled from planes to buses to strange motels, to hostile arenas filled to the nosebleed brim with hostile fans, and it will take its toll on the finest conditioned and most talented athletes eventually. Both mentally and physically. That's why no team has ever been able to pull it off before. It's-just-too-damn-hard. Especially when every team they face is bringing their A-game at home trying to knock off the champs in front of their own rabid fans. Brutal.
Your truly thought the contest earlier tonight with the Warriors visiting the Celtics was a "trap" game. The streak would come to an end. It has to eventually, right? And the Beantowners are no slouches these days. After basically blowing it up a couple years back, President Danny Ainge is slowly but surely rebuilding the Celtic roster through the draft picks he acquired. They can play and will get better in the future. But that's a story for another day.
And sure enough the Celtics gave the Warriors all they could handle. The game had to go into two overtimes before the Warriors narrowly prevailed. And let's not forget Golden State was without the services of a few key players, notably sharp-shooter Klay Thompson. And it was the sixth game of the grueling road trip mentioned above. If ever they were ripe to get beat, that was the time and place.
But somehow they pulled out yet another victory. The fourth quarter (and overtimes) in Boston was definitely gut check time for the Warriors. Yet they found a way.
Golden State's reward? Take a shower, put on civilian clothes, hop on a bus to the airport, and fly to Milwaukee for the next game the following night (Saturday). Another motel, more bus rides, and more crazy hostile fans to face in the arena when it's showtime.
True, the Bucks aren't exactly a top-flight team, but the Warriors have to be gassed. And also true is this will be a "getaway" game for Golden State. Somehow slog through it and -- hurray -- they finally get to go back to the comforts of home again. Just one more plane ride of a few thousand miles.
Will they suffer a let down against the otherwise inferior Bucks and get beat? It's entirely possible. Or will they gut out the last road game to be the first to ever finish the 7 game road sweep?
If the Warriors win in Milwaukee, they have a long home stand that awaits them coming up next. The most notable game is against Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas day two weeks hence. And wouldn't that be quite the Christmas present for NBA fans if the Warriors were still undefeated when Lebron and company hit town for a mini rematch of last year's Finals? You just KNOW the Cavs would bring everything they have.
And for whatever it matters, let's also not forget Golden State continues on their win streak while their head coach Steve Kerr remains out rehabbing a back problem. They have Luke Walton (Bill's boy) calling the shots. A mere novice.
Yet that's the thing about Golden State. You or I could probably "coach" these guys. Sure, Steph Curry gets a lot of attention -- as well he should -- but as a team, they're so good they could run on autopilot, and pretty much have under Luke.
But first the stop in Milwaukee. If they want to complete the road sweep and go 25-0 the Warriors have to handle the Bucks. Most everyone would consider Golden State a heavy favorite in this game. And well they should be, even without the services of Klay Thompson. The Warriors would be crazy to rush him back into action for this game. Much smarter to sit him out for a few more days until they get home and his ankle has had a chance to heal some.
It's only the Bucks -- right? But don't be surprised if -- well -- something unforeseen happens. Never underestimate the wrath of the basketball gods when it comes to NBA history being made.
I'm just saying......
Of their 24 wins, 14 of them have been on the road. Only 10 home games so far. Of course, this will balance out as the season progresses, but it also means the Warriors have a slightly home-friendlier schedule in the future. And good luck beating these guys in their own house -- the Oracle.
Since November 28, almost two weeks ago, the Warriors haven't slept in their own beds. That's because they had to embark on a grueling 7 game road trip that took them all over the country, including Toronto.
No team in the history of the NBA has ever swept a 7 game road trip. No matter how good they were, it's just too hard. Throw in a different city every couple days, sometimes back-to-back games, all those air miles, being shuffled from planes to buses to strange motels, to hostile arenas filled to the nosebleed brim with hostile fans, and it will take its toll on the finest conditioned and most talented athletes eventually. Both mentally and physically. That's why no team has ever been able to pull it off before. It's-just-too-damn-hard. Especially when every team they face is bringing their A-game at home trying to knock off the champs in front of their own rabid fans. Brutal.
Your truly thought the contest earlier tonight with the Warriors visiting the Celtics was a "trap" game. The streak would come to an end. It has to eventually, right? And the Beantowners are no slouches these days. After basically blowing it up a couple years back, President Danny Ainge is slowly but surely rebuilding the Celtic roster through the draft picks he acquired. They can play and will get better in the future. But that's a story for another day.
And sure enough the Celtics gave the Warriors all they could handle. The game had to go into two overtimes before the Warriors narrowly prevailed. And let's not forget Golden State was without the services of a few key players, notably sharp-shooter Klay Thompson. And it was the sixth game of the grueling road trip mentioned above. If ever they were ripe to get beat, that was the time and place.
But somehow they pulled out yet another victory. The fourth quarter (and overtimes) in Boston was definitely gut check time for the Warriors. Yet they found a way.
Golden State's reward? Take a shower, put on civilian clothes, hop on a bus to the airport, and fly to Milwaukee for the next game the following night (Saturday). Another motel, more bus rides, and more crazy hostile fans to face in the arena when it's showtime.
True, the Bucks aren't exactly a top-flight team, but the Warriors have to be gassed. And also true is this will be a "getaway" game for Golden State. Somehow slog through it and -- hurray -- they finally get to go back to the comforts of home again. Just one more plane ride of a few thousand miles.
Will they suffer a let down against the otherwise inferior Bucks and get beat? It's entirely possible. Or will they gut out the last road game to be the first to ever finish the 7 game road sweep?
If the Warriors win in Milwaukee, they have a long home stand that awaits them coming up next. The most notable game is against Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas day two weeks hence. And wouldn't that be quite the Christmas present for NBA fans if the Warriors were still undefeated when Lebron and company hit town for a mini rematch of last year's Finals? You just KNOW the Cavs would bring everything they have.
And for whatever it matters, let's also not forget Golden State continues on their win streak while their head coach Steve Kerr remains out rehabbing a back problem. They have Luke Walton (Bill's boy) calling the shots. A mere novice.
Yet that's the thing about Golden State. You or I could probably "coach" these guys. Sure, Steph Curry gets a lot of attention -- as well he should -- but as a team, they're so good they could run on autopilot, and pretty much have under Luke.
But first the stop in Milwaukee. If they want to complete the road sweep and go 25-0 the Warriors have to handle the Bucks. Most everyone would consider Golden State a heavy favorite in this game. And well they should be, even without the services of Klay Thompson. The Warriors would be crazy to rush him back into action for this game. Much smarter to sit him out for a few more days until they get home and his ankle has had a chance to heal some.
It's only the Bucks -- right? But don't be surprised if -- well -- something unforeseen happens. Never underestimate the wrath of the basketball gods when it comes to NBA history being made.
I'm just saying......
Idle thoughts and who cares?
You know those blue tablets you can put in the water tank of your toilet? Miracle flush or whatever? Don't bother. Even an idiot like me figured it out. All those things do is turn the water blue to hide what always goes on. After a month's worth of flushes when the water finally clears again, you're still going to have a seriously stained toilet to scrub. Been there, done that. Who's kidding who?
The Montreal Canadiens currently sit atop the league in points. This is big news in Quebec. But in America where the vast majority of NHL teams reside, 95% of sports fans couldn't care less. This is football season -- dammit. The colleges are gearing up for their annual bowl extravaganza, their Final Four has yet to shoot it out to decide a champion, and the NFL is in the home stretch of their regular season. January will be glorious when the NFL playoffs begin again. So who cares about hockey right now?
Same with basketball. The colleges haven't even begun conference play yet. We'll be bombarded by the "rankings" every week, but who cares? Nothing matters until the NCAA tournament starts, and that's a few months off.
The NBA has exactly one relevant story going on. The Golden State Warriors winning streak. Can they break the record? Other than that, who cares about pro basketball? Wake me up when the playoffs start in the spring, and we'll start sorting out who's who in the pecking order. We haven't even got into serious winter yet.
It's almost comical how major league baseball teams have been hyping their recent acquisitions through trades. Every team seems to be a winner. They will tell you so. They got exactly the right players to fill certain shortcomings, while giving up little in return. Thing is, it also defies logic, not to mention the universal law of sports physics.
For every winner, there has to be a loser. But all these teams will gear up shortly for their "promotional" tours in their home states to show off their latest multimillionaire super-heroes. Look out World Series, here we come. And BTW, come on down to the ball park to watch us play in a few months. We've got gourmet food, the finest of brews, comfortable seating, and great ticket prices. This can all be yours, and you can catch up on that missed house payment later. What could be more exciting than that? Such a deal.
In reality, this doesn't even rise to the "who cares? level. Going to a major league baseball game in the spring is nothing short of having NO life elsewhere. So much to do and things to be enjoyed. A baseball game to help pay the ridiculous salaries these clowns routinely haul down -- as in a million bucks a start for a pitcher with a losing record that only actually plays maybe 5 times a month? Really? If you just have to, watch it on TV. Buy a 12 pack of beer, 12 pack of pop, order up a couple large pizzas with different toppings -- and the average family of four can enjoy the same baseball game in the comfort of their own home. No muss, no fuss, plus not miss a house payment to fight their way through the nightmare of parking and into the ballpark to find their seats, where about one out of every five fans in attendance is a certifiable nut job anyway.
This is atmosphere? And further hope their vehicle is still there, or at least not missing too many parts when they finally return to it. Then good luck with the traffic as the thousands of other mostly drunken revelers jog for position in the parking lot, then hit the highway all around them.
Yes, yours truly has been to many games over the decades in all the major sports. How many I have no idea. Likely in the hundreds. Bleachers, end zones, nosebleed section, waited through rain delays, and froze my butt off in blizzards. Occasionally I coughed up enough bucks or had a connection to get good seats. Right behind a dugout. Courtside. A long time friend and season ticket holder couldn't make the game so I got a couple spots right behind the glass at a hockey game. Corporate level at the 50 yard line from a lady I used to date that had a very rich daddy. Fond memories indeed. Sat in a luxury suite once, but never did figure out the fascination, much less the price tag that came with such arrangements. Yes, it came with a lot of amenities, but one had to have binoculars to actually see what was going on down on the field. You're there to watch the game -- right? So what's the point in paying big money to sit way up in high-falootin nose bleed section to watch the ants scurry around far below? Never did understand that.
Of course the media will always hawk their local teams. Go see them live and in person. Yet one must remember they get in for free, are afforded the best of seats in the press box, and most of their whims are catered to. It's not like they're paying for food and drink. That's complimentary. Even if it wasn't, they'd surely either charge it on some sort of employer offered expense account, or at the very least write it off on their taxes as a working expense. Average fans don't have those options. A difference, with a bit of hypocrisy thrown in. Do as they say, but you have to pay for it and they don't. But it's the nature of the beasts and who cares? Just see it for what it is.
Uh oh. My significant other got off work and just walked in. Timeout.....
Well OK then. I feel much better, and she left to go home with a smile. These are good things. Very good things.
Now where was I? Idle thoughts? Who cares?
But I'm still going to have to scrub that damned toilet tomorrow..,.....
The Montreal Canadiens currently sit atop the league in points. This is big news in Quebec. But in America where the vast majority of NHL teams reside, 95% of sports fans couldn't care less. This is football season -- dammit. The colleges are gearing up for their annual bowl extravaganza, their Final Four has yet to shoot it out to decide a champion, and the NFL is in the home stretch of their regular season. January will be glorious when the NFL playoffs begin again. So who cares about hockey right now?
Same with basketball. The colleges haven't even begun conference play yet. We'll be bombarded by the "rankings" every week, but who cares? Nothing matters until the NCAA tournament starts, and that's a few months off.
The NBA has exactly one relevant story going on. The Golden State Warriors winning streak. Can they break the record? Other than that, who cares about pro basketball? Wake me up when the playoffs start in the spring, and we'll start sorting out who's who in the pecking order. We haven't even got into serious winter yet.
It's almost comical how major league baseball teams have been hyping their recent acquisitions through trades. Every team seems to be a winner. They will tell you so. They got exactly the right players to fill certain shortcomings, while giving up little in return. Thing is, it also defies logic, not to mention the universal law of sports physics.
For every winner, there has to be a loser. But all these teams will gear up shortly for their "promotional" tours in their home states to show off their latest multimillionaire super-heroes. Look out World Series, here we come. And BTW, come on down to the ball park to watch us play in a few months. We've got gourmet food, the finest of brews, comfortable seating, and great ticket prices. This can all be yours, and you can catch up on that missed house payment later. What could be more exciting than that? Such a deal.
In reality, this doesn't even rise to the "who cares? level. Going to a major league baseball game in the spring is nothing short of having NO life elsewhere. So much to do and things to be enjoyed. A baseball game to help pay the ridiculous salaries these clowns routinely haul down -- as in a million bucks a start for a pitcher with a losing record that only actually plays maybe 5 times a month? Really? If you just have to, watch it on TV. Buy a 12 pack of beer, 12 pack of pop, order up a couple large pizzas with different toppings -- and the average family of four can enjoy the same baseball game in the comfort of their own home. No muss, no fuss, plus not miss a house payment to fight their way through the nightmare of parking and into the ballpark to find their seats, where about one out of every five fans in attendance is a certifiable nut job anyway.
This is atmosphere? And further hope their vehicle is still there, or at least not missing too many parts when they finally return to it. Then good luck with the traffic as the thousands of other mostly drunken revelers jog for position in the parking lot, then hit the highway all around them.
Yes, yours truly has been to many games over the decades in all the major sports. How many I have no idea. Likely in the hundreds. Bleachers, end zones, nosebleed section, waited through rain delays, and froze my butt off in blizzards. Occasionally I coughed up enough bucks or had a connection to get good seats. Right behind a dugout. Courtside. A long time friend and season ticket holder couldn't make the game so I got a couple spots right behind the glass at a hockey game. Corporate level at the 50 yard line from a lady I used to date that had a very rich daddy. Fond memories indeed. Sat in a luxury suite once, but never did figure out the fascination, much less the price tag that came with such arrangements. Yes, it came with a lot of amenities, but one had to have binoculars to actually see what was going on down on the field. You're there to watch the game -- right? So what's the point in paying big money to sit way up in high-falootin nose bleed section to watch the ants scurry around far below? Never did understand that.
Of course the media will always hawk their local teams. Go see them live and in person. Yet one must remember they get in for free, are afforded the best of seats in the press box, and most of their whims are catered to. It's not like they're paying for food and drink. That's complimentary. Even if it wasn't, they'd surely either charge it on some sort of employer offered expense account, or at the very least write it off on their taxes as a working expense. Average fans don't have those options. A difference, with a bit of hypocrisy thrown in. Do as they say, but you have to pay for it and they don't. But it's the nature of the beasts and who cares? Just see it for what it is.
Uh oh. My significant other got off work and just walked in. Timeout.....
Well OK then. I feel much better, and she left to go home with a smile. These are good things. Very good things.
Now where was I? Idle thoughts? Who cares?
But I'm still going to have to scrub that damned toilet tomorrow..,.....
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Steph Curry. The lunacy has begun-- again
It seems every day in every game, one thing or the other is always the greatest. So sayeth the hyperventilating talking heads, sometimes known as sports announcers.
According to them, every dunk in basketball is "spectacular". Truth is, dunks in pro and college basketball are as routine as making 6 inch putts in golf. Spin it all you want, but this is nothing special and the ball is expected to go in the hole. It only becomes unusual when a player misses either.
Some still maintain the back to the plate catch Willie Mays made off the fly ball hit by Vic Wertz was the greatest of all time. Nothing could be further from the truth. In modern times countless major league outfielders routinely make such a catch -- and even better ones -- almost on a daily basis.
Debates will rage forever as to who was the greatest player ever in their particular sport. Once upon a time it was Gordie Howe in hockey -- until Wayne Gretzky came along and shattered all his records in a much shorter amount of time played.
In golf, Tiger Woods was on course to become the greatest ever -- until he crashed and burned. Nobody talks about him breaking Jack's records anymore, but the media was all over it for over a decade. Every move Tiger made was replayed over and over. Now he's all but done. A Hall of Famer, yes. The greatest of all-time, not even close.
Many continue to say Muhammed Ali was the "greatest" in boxing, as the former Cassius Clay was fond of proclaiming himself. But even disregarding the beatdowns he absorbed as an aging fighter, he lost to Joe Frazier, was thoroughly thumped by Ken Norton, and even got whupped by Leon Spinks during his supposed prime. LEON SPINKS!! This is hardly the resume of someone that should be considered the greatest.
Baseball has it's "greatest" arguments in every phase of the game. Best hitter, most home runs, best starting pitcher, etc., etc. There is no definitive answer, only fodder for even more worthless stat monsters every time some guy comes along and gets on a hot streak for a while.
The latest is one Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Already there are whispers that he could become the "greatest". It truly is laughable.
In pro basketball, Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest of all time, and he was a terrific player indeed. But everything MJ could do, a guy named Lebron can do better these days -- and more. Ah, but what about all those titles? Truth is, championships are vastly overrated when it comes to any particular player.
Gretzky wouldn't have won those Stanley Cups without a highly skilled team around him. Same with Bill Russell and the 50's-60's Celtics. He had some serious help. Ditto for Jordan and the Bulls of the 90's. Put Michael on a last place team, and he wins ZERO titles. Lebron had to leave Cleveland to team up with D-Wade, Bosh, and company in Miami to get a couple rings. Add in Magic Johnson and besides Kareem, the showtime Laker squad he had around him. Bird needed Parish and Mchale.
The list is long in various sports of how one player is glorified for his greatness, but likely wouldn't have won squat without a terrific supporting cast. Sure, all these players were very good in their own right, but titles should not, repeat NOT define greatness. Ernie Banks, anyone? Yet that misleading stat persists to this day courtesy of the talking heads and other media.
Right now, Steph Curry and the Warriors are riding the hottest of streaks. They seem almost invincible. Besides being defending world champions, they've started off this season 23-0, and lately won their first 5 games of a 7 game road trip. No team has ever swept a 7 game road trip before in the NBA. Only the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks stand in the way of this sweep being completed. The Beaners are a little better than average and the Beertowners not so good. It's entirely possible, perhaps likely, the Warriors return home 25-0 to start a home stand. And good luck beating these guys on their home court.
Nevertheless, now the chatter has turned to Curry and his "all-time" possibilities. Granted, he's a superb ball handler with various spectacular moves and can shoot the lights out with eye-popping shots that catch nothing but net from all over the court at times. Very impressive stuff indeed.
At least in the modern era. But there was another guy that could do everything Steph Curry is doing these days decades ago, if not more, and was quite the showman himself.
Enter the late Pistol Pete Maravich. I'm thinking in a game of one on one (or "horse") in their primes, Maravich would take Curry all day long every time. But PP didn't have the supporting cast when he played in the NBA that SC currently enjoys. A difference -- a big one.
This is not to say Steph Curry isn't a tremendous talent. He most certainly is. But even mentioning him in the conversation of the "greatest of all time" is ludicrous. He can dribble and shoot with the best of them, but ask yourself this question: Do you think the Cavs would trade Lebron for him even up, even though James is four years older? Would the New Orleans Pelicans give up Anthony Davis? How about the lowly Pistons? They have a big guy named Andre Drummond. AD might only score 15 a game, but he'll haul down 15 rebounds and block a few shots as well. No way would the Pistons swap him for Curry.
Right now, Stephen Curry is in the exact right place, at the exact right time, to compliment the exact right team with his skills. Obviously, it's working out in a magnificent way so far this year. 23-0 is 23-0. And this Warrior team has a legitimate shot at posting the best single season record ever in the history of the NBA. That's a lot of history and would finally give the meth-heads, AKA sports announcers something worthwhile to rant about.
But the greatest of all time?
Please. Give Steph and the Warriors a couple years until free agency (see shameless greed) and the salary cap hammers hit them over their collective heads, and the hot-shot kid from Davidson and this Warrior team will be little more than a footnote in history.
But for now, rock on. It's fun to watch a team on such a roll that has a chance at history.
And keep a healthy supply of industrial strength Xanax on hand just in case they actually pull it off.
No, not for the players of course. For the talking heads. They will definitely need to be heavily medicated if something truly noteworthy really occurs in the world of sports -- lest they spontaneously combust in their utter rapture -- though that would be interesting indeed to watch in high-def on TV. And OMG, the replays in slo-mo. Priceless. Way better than watching Tiger eat a banana......
According to them, every dunk in basketball is "spectacular". Truth is, dunks in pro and college basketball are as routine as making 6 inch putts in golf. Spin it all you want, but this is nothing special and the ball is expected to go in the hole. It only becomes unusual when a player misses either.
Some still maintain the back to the plate catch Willie Mays made off the fly ball hit by Vic Wertz was the greatest of all time. Nothing could be further from the truth. In modern times countless major league outfielders routinely make such a catch -- and even better ones -- almost on a daily basis.
Debates will rage forever as to who was the greatest player ever in their particular sport. Once upon a time it was Gordie Howe in hockey -- until Wayne Gretzky came along and shattered all his records in a much shorter amount of time played.
In golf, Tiger Woods was on course to become the greatest ever -- until he crashed and burned. Nobody talks about him breaking Jack's records anymore, but the media was all over it for over a decade. Every move Tiger made was replayed over and over. Now he's all but done. A Hall of Famer, yes. The greatest of all-time, not even close.
Many continue to say Muhammed Ali was the "greatest" in boxing, as the former Cassius Clay was fond of proclaiming himself. But even disregarding the beatdowns he absorbed as an aging fighter, he lost to Joe Frazier, was thoroughly thumped by Ken Norton, and even got whupped by Leon Spinks during his supposed prime. LEON SPINKS!! This is hardly the resume of someone that should be considered the greatest.
Baseball has it's "greatest" arguments in every phase of the game. Best hitter, most home runs, best starting pitcher, etc., etc. There is no definitive answer, only fodder for even more worthless stat monsters every time some guy comes along and gets on a hot streak for a while.
The latest is one Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Already there are whispers that he could become the "greatest". It truly is laughable.
In pro basketball, Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest of all time, and he was a terrific player indeed. But everything MJ could do, a guy named Lebron can do better these days -- and more. Ah, but what about all those titles? Truth is, championships are vastly overrated when it comes to any particular player.
Gretzky wouldn't have won those Stanley Cups without a highly skilled team around him. Same with Bill Russell and the 50's-60's Celtics. He had some serious help. Ditto for Jordan and the Bulls of the 90's. Put Michael on a last place team, and he wins ZERO titles. Lebron had to leave Cleveland to team up with D-Wade, Bosh, and company in Miami to get a couple rings. Add in Magic Johnson and besides Kareem, the showtime Laker squad he had around him. Bird needed Parish and Mchale.
The list is long in various sports of how one player is glorified for his greatness, but likely wouldn't have won squat without a terrific supporting cast. Sure, all these players were very good in their own right, but titles should not, repeat NOT define greatness. Ernie Banks, anyone? Yet that misleading stat persists to this day courtesy of the talking heads and other media.
Right now, Steph Curry and the Warriors are riding the hottest of streaks. They seem almost invincible. Besides being defending world champions, they've started off this season 23-0, and lately won their first 5 games of a 7 game road trip. No team has ever swept a 7 game road trip before in the NBA. Only the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks stand in the way of this sweep being completed. The Beaners are a little better than average and the Beertowners not so good. It's entirely possible, perhaps likely, the Warriors return home 25-0 to start a home stand. And good luck beating these guys on their home court.
Nevertheless, now the chatter has turned to Curry and his "all-time" possibilities. Granted, he's a superb ball handler with various spectacular moves and can shoot the lights out with eye-popping shots that catch nothing but net from all over the court at times. Very impressive stuff indeed.
At least in the modern era. But there was another guy that could do everything Steph Curry is doing these days decades ago, if not more, and was quite the showman himself.
Enter the late Pistol Pete Maravich. I'm thinking in a game of one on one (or "horse") in their primes, Maravich would take Curry all day long every time. But PP didn't have the supporting cast when he played in the NBA that SC currently enjoys. A difference -- a big one.
This is not to say Steph Curry isn't a tremendous talent. He most certainly is. But even mentioning him in the conversation of the "greatest of all time" is ludicrous. He can dribble and shoot with the best of them, but ask yourself this question: Do you think the Cavs would trade Lebron for him even up, even though James is four years older? Would the New Orleans Pelicans give up Anthony Davis? How about the lowly Pistons? They have a big guy named Andre Drummond. AD might only score 15 a game, but he'll haul down 15 rebounds and block a few shots as well. No way would the Pistons swap him for Curry.
Right now, Stephen Curry is in the exact right place, at the exact right time, to compliment the exact right team with his skills. Obviously, it's working out in a magnificent way so far this year. 23-0 is 23-0. And this Warrior team has a legitimate shot at posting the best single season record ever in the history of the NBA. That's a lot of history and would finally give the meth-heads, AKA sports announcers something worthwhile to rant about.
But the greatest of all time?
Please. Give Steph and the Warriors a couple years until free agency (see shameless greed) and the salary cap hammers hit them over their collective heads, and the hot-shot kid from Davidson and this Warrior team will be little more than a footnote in history.
But for now, rock on. It's fun to watch a team on such a roll that has a chance at history.
And keep a healthy supply of industrial strength Xanax on hand just in case they actually pull it off.
No, not for the players of course. For the talking heads. They will definitely need to be heavily medicated if something truly noteworthy really occurs in the world of sports -- lest they spontaneously combust in their utter rapture -- though that would be interesting indeed to watch in high-def on TV. And OMG, the replays in slo-mo. Priceless. Way better than watching Tiger eat a banana......
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