The Incredible Jackass

Before I return to some sports talk regarding the NFL and NBA, Thursday marks the start of my work week. I'd like to share my feeling about that and the fact that it will be sub-zero today as well as Friday. What I like most about this clip isn't that he's a fucking moron, but the sounds he makes after his injury. It reminds of sounds we all make when getting hurt badly. It makes me laugh today. Just a reminder though, I do not think bodily harm is funny, but it does make me laugh when someone obviously is doing something they shouldn't be. Skaters for example: Wear proper gear! Yokels: Lay off the beer and whiskey.

Two Funny Clips!!!!!!!!!

And I found the Following comes from the people from buzzcuts and withleather.com
This makes me laugh really hard and it shouldn't. I've hurt myself like this a few times. Thank God the young body is so strong. Do not watch if you hate people hurting themselves.

Cubs Talk...and another Cardinal Moron

Well, here we are. January 8, 2009. The Cubs have made some very controversial moves during this off-season. Some moves have been good, some bad, and always leave plenty of room for arguments and speculation.
In order to dump salary, the Cubs trades utility man Mark DeRosa to the Cleavland Indians for three minor league pitcher. I believe two single A, and one from double A. Many, many women will be buying tickets to a White Sox game when the Indians come to town. Many men are furious that we gave up arguably our most valuable player. I am certainly sorry to see him go. That move was tough to swallow, but what is done is done.
Another move that Jim Hendry made was just a day or two ago, finally shipping Jason Marquis and his salary to Colorado, for Luis Viscaino. It's not so much who we acquired, but who we dumped. Not one person I have talked to about the Cubs ever respected or enjoyed having Marquis on the Cubs. Although he was one of the better bottom rotation pitchers in the league statistically, no one cares. He just doesn't fit with Cub fans, and that's fine with me. Sometimes you have to look at the team objectively, but we are a passionate people.

Then enter Milton Bradley. He crazy. This is one of the bigger risks Hendry has made in recent memory. Yes, M.B. had the best ops. in the league last year. That is on base plus slugging percentage. He had around 22 hr's and 77 rbi's. He's the kind of offensive compliment the Cubs said they were looking for. He's a switch hitter and will play right field. Defense will be his problem, and he is a bit injury prone. He's really a DH, but he does have the athleticism to play out there, but right field is extremely difficult at Wrigley. All those day games in the heat might equal dehydration and pulled muscles. Fortunately as of now, Reed Johnson and Kosuke Fukodome will platoon the centerfield position, seemingly covering the ground that Bradley can't get to. That's a plus. Milton Bradley can be a hothead, and I just hope he is determined to help win it all with us, and can control any outbursts against fans, players, opposing players, play by play guys in the booth, and umpires. I don't mind an occasional helmet slam, bat pounding and the like, but he needs to control himself. That being said, welcome Milton, and good luck.

Aaron Miles was an earlier free agent signing. This was really a head scratcher. Pinella got his wish I guess. We now have Fukodome, Bradley, Fontenot, Miles, Hoffpauir, Sam Fuld and Koyie Hill as our left handed hitters. A couple of these guys won't make the roster, but it looks like we will have plenty of lefty's to choose from.
The question is defense. Aaron Miles and Mike Fontenot? Yikes. I mean I really don't know about this one. Miles stinks out there. I've seen him. He is scrappy, and we he played against the Cubs at the plate, I never felt good about it. In the field he is poor. Fontenot is better out there. I see a platoon at 2nd as well.
(Trevor Hoffman just signs a one year with the Brewers)

My overall (emotional) opinion is that if we can't get a Brian Roberts(which we are not), or trade for Jake Peavy, then the Derosa trade does not make sense to me. It's all or nothing for the Cubs this year, and maybe next. They will have to rebuild this team eventually, as everyone gets older and their skills diminish.

The Cubs probably will make one more move. I can't speculate on anything I've heard or read. The new potential owner could be named this week, and that should spin the wheels to their final moves before pitchers and catchers report.

Enjoy this video. Another idiot Cardinal fan. Don't cry buddy, he's not THAT good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idQmNjMICnA

you have to copy and paste this one, but it's goooood Cub fans!!!

NFL Divisional Round

I kept up with picking half the NFL games correctly last week-end. My winners were Arizona and Philadelphia, my losers being Miami and Indianapolis.
I expect to continue that trend this week, picking from the heart instead of the awful truth.

Baltimore vs. Tennessee

Baltimore scorched the Dolphins. They never had a chance. The worst game of last week-end. This defense is playing better than any I've seen in a while. We'll see what Pittsburgh does this week.
The Ravens are a scary team right now. Tennesse's defense is no slouch either, and if Baltimore has trouble moving the ball, the game might be all about field position and field goals.
I'm picking Baltimore here. They are great against the run. Chris Johnson/Lendale White have been great this year, but McGahee/Mclain will offset them. Do you sense a boring game here. I certainly do. If I had my way, San Diego would go to the Superbowl. Ravens move on to the AFC Championship.

Arizona at Carolina

Carolina, Carolina, Carolina. Two great backs, a seasoned quarterback, a great wideout, and a defense that plays great at home.
I can't imagine Arizona going in and beating this team. It could happen. Big ups to the Cards for getting a playoff win last week. The defense showed up a bit. This is the end of the road though.

Philadelphia vs. New York

Can you really ask for anything more than a rivalry game? These two teams HATE HATE HATE each other, and there will be blood. I wanted the Giants to beat the Pats last year like everyone else outside the New England area, but the truth is that I hate the Giants. I can't pick them, and won't pick them.
With Plaxico Burress out for the year, you can see that he is sorely missed on offense. They are completely different. The Eagles have two great cornerbacks, and a pro-bowl safety in Brian Dawkins. Their focus should be on the run, and play man to man in the passing game, hopefully not giving up the "big play".
Philly will win this one on the road to meet the Panthers in the NFC Championship.

San Diego at Pittsburgh

In the AFC we have three great defensive teams. Then we have San Diego. I'm at the end of my post, and don't have much to say on it. I'm dissappointed L.T. is hurt again, although Sproles was fantastic in his place. Against the Steelers. No way. Big Ben is coming back from a big concussion, and his offensive line has been horrible this year.
In week 11, the Steelers won 11-10, in a very tight game. If the Steelers offense can't sustain a few drives, San Diego may have their revenge. This one is difficult to predict, but since I want to, I'll go with the home team fresh off a bye week. San Diego has to travel after an emotional win.
Steelers face the Ravens in the AFC championship, opening up the doors for an all Bird Superbowl. One, the symbol of The United States of America. The other, a bird that scared the hell outta that poor dude.

Before I come down on Jim Hendry, last minute Football Picks

I meant to break down the Sunday Football games, but as I am trying to battle a cold, I've had no will for it. Next week I'll talk about the Mark De Rosa trade to the Indians(our new favorite team?), the Aaron Miles signing(shit for defense), and the potential Milton Bradley signing(shit, I'd rather have Dunn). Also, if we don't get Peavy, this off-season has hurt the Cubs.
Anyway...
I'm so hyped for the playoffs today. I have to work during much of them, but they'll have to wait for cocktails in between plays and commercial drinks, cuz I don't play that. Except for my waiter and friend Phil, he does not like dawdling service.

I covered the two games today.
I like Arizona if they contain the running game. Good luck, I know.
Arizona 31, Atlanta 30

The Chargers defense is playing much better Under Ron "Chico" Rivera.
Peyton Manning has just won his third MVP, and the Colts are seemingly healthy.
L.T. and Gates are ailing a bit, but they will go. They might get hurt during the game though, so I expect a close one. I said Adam Vinatieri would win it with ten seconds left in regulation, and I'm sticking to that.
Prediction
Indy 27, San Diego 24

Sunday's games include Baltimore at Miami, and Philly at Minnesota

Baltimore/Miami should be a defensive nightmare for both teams. I like Joey Flacco, but I see him having a bad day which will leave it up to Ed Reed and company. Chad Pennington is the comeback player of the year for good reason, and if he does what he's done all year by minimizing mistakes, the Dolphins could get their first playoff win since I don't care when. Both teams will run the ball a ton, and I like the 3 headed monster of Baltimore. McClain has been a beast! I see a field goal win here as well. I've never had a care for any of these teams. Let this be an emotional pick.
Great story for Pennington. Kudos to Ricky Williams for playing the whole year trouble free. Ted Ginn, Bess, Martin, Brown coming back from a tough injury, Porter crazy, WILDCAT!!!!!????? Sporano out coaches Harbaugh.
Miami 20, Baltimore 17

Now to a match up very close to my heart. Eagles at Vikings. I grew up an Eagles fan. They played the Giants in the first football game I remember watching. Eagles lost and I took pity on them. I also dug those uniforms. I liked the Bears as a child, but Philly was #1. I became a real Bear fan after Philly lost the Superbowl to New England, and left Philly to die. I still like the Eagles, but my childhood love affair is gone forever, as the memories remain.
Onto the Vikings. I am soft for Adrian Peterson. I chose him in the 5th round of my fantasy draft last year, and tapped myself on the back. I love great running backs. When you grow up with Walter Payton, you love running backs. Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith(hated him though), Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell, Dorsett, Allen, Bo Jackson, the Icky shuffle. Love. Great. Backs. A.P. has much more to prove as far as longevity and production to be mentioned with those greats, but he could be on his way. Too bad he's in the central division of the NFC.
The defense is okay. Sometimes they show up with Jared Allen, and sometimes they don't. Bernard Berrian can make a play or two every now and then, but Tavaris Jackson might get crushed by an Eagle defense that mutilated the Cowboys last week. McNabb is hot, Westbrook is a freak. Jimmie Johnson is one of the best defensive coordinator's in the NFL. Philly all the way.
Philadelphia 34, Minnesota 13

Have a wonderful opening weekend of the NFL playoffs. Talk to you next week.

Ahhhh...Oooohh NFL post-season continued

at

Saturday, January 3, 2009! 4:30 p.m.

Losers of four of their last six to end the season, the Cardinals need the offense to return to form, and make the most of their possessions. Arizona is dead last in the entire NFL in rushing, averaging 73.6 yards per game. That's pitiful. While Tim Hightower has 10 td's, he averages only 2.8 yds a carry. The meat and potatoes of the Cards is the passing game. They have 3 of the top 22 receivers in the game. Larry Fitzgerald ranks number 2, with 96 receptions for 1431 yds and 12tds. At 16, is Anquan Boldin, who was rocked all year by big hits and facials has 89 receptions for 1038 yds and 11 tds's. Steve Breaston ranks 22nd, with 77 rec. for 1006 yds and 3 complimentary touchdowns.
Kurt Warner was unbelievable this year! Although he may be out in the MVP race, he had the third best passer rating. He threw for 4583 yards and had 30td's to 14 int's. One of the better stories in the league full of assholes.
Cardinal defense is about as good as Atlanta's. They rank 22 to Atl's 21.

The Falcons as well are one of the better stories in the NFL. Matt Ryan(rookie) helps take Atlanta to the playoffs, along with Micheal Turner(freak), and Roddy White.
Matt Ryan ranks 13th in the league in passing, completing 61.1 % of his passes. Tony Romo(who missed the playoffs) completed 61.3. Ryan threw for 3443 yds, with 16 td's to 11 int's.
Northern Illinois alum Michael Turner was second in the NFL in rushing. I put this guy in the mix of MVP candidates. 376 carries for 1699 yds, with 17 td's. That's and average of 106.2 a game.
The Falcons have only one receiver, and that's Roddy White, who ranks 4th in the league with 88 receptions for 1382 yds and 12 td's. After him you have Michael Jenkins and others I care not too mention.
This season for the Atlanta fans was maybe the greatest ever for them. Sure, they made the Superbowl under Dan Reeves, but they didn't stand a chance, and Eugene Robinson embarrassed the whole franchise for being arrested for soliciting a prostitute.
Best season ever. In your face Vick! In your face.
So.... who wins
Again tough to predict.
If the Cardinals can stop Turner, they have a shot at this. I'm sure the Falcons game plan is to run it down their throats with Turner and Norwood, control the clock, and limit Matt Ryan mistakes. I'd double Roddy White and takes my chances.
For Arizona, the passing game is fine. They need to RUN THE BALL. I would start Edgerin James, I really would. He has the experience, and should be fresh from being in the doghouse. They get a run game to run some play-action, and I see Arizona running away with this one.
I give the slight edge to Arizona if this happens, and they can play some sort of defense.
Arizona 31, Atlanta 30!

AHHHHHHH, The Post-Season

Thanks to bloggers at I Dislike Your Favorite Sports Team.
I joined their Pro Football pick em and finished 5th out of 19. Not too shabby, but still, look at the winning percentages. Football is one of the hardest to predict winners. The winner of the pick em had a 0.539 winning percentage. I correctly picked 122/256 games. That is a winning percentage of 0.476. Almost fifty %, but not quite. My four year old could probably pick half the games right just by asking her who will win, like Houston or Chicago. MMMmmmmmm.......Houston Daddy!
So thanks again IDYFT! Also, Andrew Wice of IDYFT is now a published author. Check it out. Your book is on my list of many sir.
Now since I'm a .0476 expert at picking NFL games, let's look at the post-season and makes some educated picks!


At

Saturday, January 3, 2009! @8:00 p.m.
It doesn't seem right that Indy has to travel, but San Diego is the Division winner? Well, after the Chargers really spanked the Broncos, they took over.
The Colts won nine in a row to end the season, including wins against The Patriots, Steelers, and San Diego. They also have a win versus Baltimore this year.
Joseph Addai, who was the consensus top five picks among fantasy running backs, was a dud riddled with injuries all year. 155 carrries for 544 yds and 5 td's. Dominic Rhodes has virtually the same stats, but with one more td. Rhodes also caught more passes out of the backfield: 45 to Addai's 25. Addai topped 100 yds once versus Houston, and Rhodes has the second higest with 86 yds against lowly Detroit.
So the running game is weak. Let's see if they rest up enough to be a factor.
It's been all Peyton Manning and his Wideouts. All have been sensational(including Marvin Harrsion). Manning ended the regular season with 4000 yds and 27 td's after an awful start, earning him MVP consideration.
The CHARGERS have really had a bad season defensively. They are all about offense.
Phillip Rivers completed 65% of his passes, throwing for over 4000 yds with 34 tds's, passing the great Dan Fouts for all time touchdown thrown by a Charger!
For L.T., it wasn't a bad year at all. 1110 yds rushing with 11 td's. Not his freakish self, but looked very good that last game vs. Denver.
The Charger wideouts have been good as well with a core of Chambers, Jackson(leader),Gates, and Floyd.
The Chargers did not beat any good teams this year, aside from New England, but that was early in the season, before Cassell found his horny.
Charger losses include Cardinals, Buffalo, New England, New Orleans, Pitt, INDY, Atlanta. Wins: Two wins each vs. Oakland and Kansas City, Tampa, Denver.
San Diego ranks 25th in the NFL in Defense, and only avg. 0.57 sacks a game.
Indy ranks 15th, and always seems to show up in big games.
Darren Sproles should be a factor in this game, giving San Diego great field position from kick/punt returns.
Prediction? I see this being a great, great game. Who makes the defensive stop when it's needed seems to be the story here.
I think Manning should pick apart the defense, and Adam Vinatieri kicks a field goal with under ten seconds, winning the game in regulation. Bye Bye Turner.

Tomorrow I will go over Atlanta at Arizona, and Baltimore at Miami.

The Greatest Fans in Sports

It was horribly cold on Sunday. One of those days if you're walking, the wind blows straight through you and you're face is numb instantly. The kind of cold where you walk backwards to avoids the winter gust. My car was stuck in the ice and spent 45 minutes out there. I would like to thank the Saint that pulled over with a metal shovel to get mine out, and then sticking around to help the guy parked in back of me. Again, thank-you. When I got back inside, I could not move my fingers and I had that pins in my heart feeling. My hands, my skin are dry and raw a little earlier this year, as winter has truly come full force this season. Leaving the house sucks, whether if it's to go to work, shop, eat, etc.

That brings us to Monday. Monday Night Football. Green Bay at Chicago Bears.
I was actually fortunate enough to be up for the regulation comeback, and Robbie Gould field goal to seal victory in overtime.

Good for them. A win next week at Texas, coupled with a Vikings loss, will qualify the bears for the playoffs.

Too my point though. Football fans are hard core. I would never imagine going to a game in these conditions. I have never been to a football game, and never will. I hate the cold and refuse to subject myself to that. Take off my shirt and pour liquids over myself. Chicago, Green Bay, Ohio, Pitt, Philly, Buffalo and the like. The fans will show up no matter what, and for that they have to be the greatest fans in the world(all due respect to the crazy soccer fanatics, props to you too).

I couldn't find very good cold weather Bears footage, so i bring you......
FOREIGNER!!!!!!

Someone Has to Say It

Hey man. Yo, T.O. I'm hungry bitch. What are you doing. Don't tell me you're sitting at Starbuck's again, trying to write your way out of Dallas. Do me a favor before you go? Put some food in my dish. Water in my bowl. Jolly my ass.
I called Romo and Witten. They were at IHOP drawing up plays brother. You got no one. Just me. Meow. Just come home and let me lay on you and make you clean up hairballs.
I really wished you turned off the TV. It doesn't soothe me. Thanks for leaving ESPN on. You are tired son!!!
I don't know why no one will come out and say it. They are cowards.
Here's the skinny:
You are a jerk. A low life. You kill every team you have ever played for. You are a cry baby and a sore loser. You are selfish, greedy, and have no idea what football is about. You are a pain in everyone's ass, and don't get me started on the Hall of Fame. Who's gonna vote for you. Meow. You care more about your media coverage than running crisp routes, and waiting for the ball to come your way. You're old too bro. You are getting soooo old. You don't have too much left in the tank. Everyone in the league hates you. Go dance with the stars or some shit. You haven't won a danm thing in your life and never will with your horribly childish attitude. Don't worry, Drew Rosenhaus loves you though. He will defend you to the end. The end of your dough. Meow.
I feel bad for Dallas. I mean, not that bad, they did have one of the best teams in the 90's. The gots lotsa Superbowls and are America's team. You gotta feel for Romo and Witten though. They look like they enjoy what they do. Even if you do have a great game, score a touchdown, and Dallas wins Sunday, it doesn't matter. You're like Dennis Rodman when he played for the Spurs. They'll win when you are gone.

HI!!!! I'm Drew Rosenhaus, and I'm a Dick. I spend too much time on Sportscenter. I'm rich. I don't care. I'm a liar and I'm fine with that. I have no compassion for mankind. Did I mention I'm rich. Richer than you.....asshole. Oh man.. Hawaii kicks ass this time of year. How's that car warming up. Get your Christmas shopping done yet? Ha Ha Ha. Go on with your bad self. I'm getting my people strap ons.

WINTER MEETINGS

AHHHHH. Beautiful. Warm. Home.

Well here we are, 12 months later, deep in a recession that is slowing down activity during the GM meetings in California, and now the winter meetings in Las Vegas.
One story has come out the the agent for Rafael Furcal has been quoted as saying he doesn't believe teams don't have the money to dump on free agents. While that may be true, aside from a few of the big market teams, everyone has to be careful with money, or they may really find themselves in a huge hole if the economy is a slow healer.

That being said C.C. Sabathia reportedly will sign the most lucrative pitching contract in history with who else? The Yankees. 7 years/160 million. It seems ridiculous yes, but I feel it's a great move for them. I mean it does tie up even more money, but Yankee pitching has been terrible for them and everyone is desperate to get back to the World series and compete with the Red Sox again. Sabathia's arm might fall off, and the team could finish last in the great Al East, but it's always worth a shot to the Yanks.
Of the top ten free agents available according to ESPN, only one has signed. The aforementioned C.C. Sabathia.
Teixeira, Manny, A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, Furcal, Adam Dunn(Hendry loves him I think, but too expensive, and too many K's), Milton Bradley, Oliver Perez, and Pat Burrell are still waiting for the dominoes to fall.

On the Cubs front: All indications lead to the conclusion that Jake Peavy is the top priority along with a left-handed hitting outfielder. This trade is even more complicated than the Brian Roberts trade rumors of last off-season. The Cubs will be trading players, prospects and the like for Peavy. A third or forth team is to be included for this deal to happen.
Jake Peavy costs a lot of money. 4 years/63 million with an option in 2013 for 22 million.
Jason Marquis and his 9.875 million needs to go in order for this to go down, or so I've heard all this morning. Padres may seem willing to take him on if the Cubs eat a few million of his salary. The Phillies and Orioles are named as the teams involved in this 3 or 4 way trade. I hate to report what I've been reading, but one of the rumors is Cub favorite and heart breaker Mark DeRosa going to the Phillies. He was arguably one of the best players for the club last year, but it is a cost cutting move to acquire Peavy, and also make room for that left handed bat in right field.
Get it? I don't.
Personally, I would love to have Peavy and a lead off hitter. A couple of lefty's in the line-up would be nice for balance, but with all this chatter the Cubs middle infield would be Theriot and Fontenot. I'm not too hot about that. Offensively, both have been better than expected, but the defense will be shaky.
Have the Cubs soured on Kosuke Fukudome already? Hey, coach him. They spent 40 mill. on a guy who's great defensively, runs the bases well, but has a gaping hole in the swing. Are you telling me he cannot eradicate his mistakes? I don't know why we need a left handed right fielder when we just signed him. Trade him then, find someone who will take him. There's always someone out there.
Besides that, I'd still want Brian Roberts if DeRosa goes.

Long post I know, but I might not right on the Cubs for a while if activity is slow.

Second option for the Cubs is signing Randy Johnson for one year, and I repeat, a left handed hitting right fielder. The Peavy trade is the first order, and I expect this to happen before Christmas, so both teams can look elsewhere and not be left out of the rest of the free agents.
Alright, I'm done with that.

Let's wrap it up, with some trades and free agent signings that have already taken place.

Matt Holiday traded to the A's for Huston Street.
Catcher Gerald Laird traded from Texas to Detroit for prospects.
catcher Ramon Hernandez traded from Baltimore to the Reds for utility man Ryan Freel.
Javier Vasquez traded by the Sox to the Braves for prospects.(I believe I heard this morning that Ozzie said he hoped Javier dies! No kidding!)
SS Edgar Renteria signs with the Giants.
Pitcher Mike Hampton signs with the Astros. Clickety Clack.
Mike Lamb(3B) signs with Brewers. Who cares.
Casey Blake signs with the Dodgers, and Mark Loretta I think as well.
SS Khalil Green traded to the Cardinals from San Diego.
RP Alan Embree signs with the Rockies.
Dustin Pedroia signs six year contract with Boston
Closer Francisco Rodriguez signs 3 year/37 million contract with the Mets. Have fun missing the post-season K-Rod!
Kerry Wood has a deal in place, but no announcement yet with the Indians. 2 years/21 million. Good for you buddy. Good for you.

Hope you come back to read more. If you made it this far, thank-you.

Cuts Like A Knife

A report from the Chicago Sun-Times came out December ninth that Derek Rose needed stitches for his arm, from an injury he sustained in bed by a knife.

This is one of the silliest accidents you can have. Aside from sneezing and throwing out your back ala Sammy Sosa.
My only question? How high was this guy?
Do you cut and prepare food in bed? I don't. I usually leave that to the kitchen, and I almost never eat food in bed. Rose got up to get a bottle of water, and when he went back to bed, forgot the knife was there, thus lacerating himself.
I believe him, I do. I was talking to a friend who made a good point. He's 20 years old. Excited. Lively. A great rookie.
He most likely got that bottle of water, was pretending to dribble it on the way back to his room, and then jumped in bed like he was executing a slam dunk, while saying "I'm so rich bitch!".

He wasn't talking about crosschecks

This is Sean Avery. NHL. Now this will probably be the last time I talk about hockey unless we have a reunioun of sega hockey.(awesome game) I was running on the treadmill yesterday and caught this clip which made me laugh out loud, which made me an even creepier young man at the gym watching all the boobies bounce.
I've seen all the shows(i.e. pti, around the horn, Rome,) and they all hate this guy. The league kinda hates this guy. He's Dennis Rodman essentially.
I don't watch hockey. I like it, but you know....the NFL, MLB, NBA
May I be the first to say it?(although it's sounds like he's jealous and his feeling were hurt) You rock Sean Avery! College kids around the world love if now!


Well that was that. Funny huh? Sloppy seconds is a phrase uttered eternally everywhere. It's embarrasing to hear him say this, but hilarious.
Here is a montage of Avery, with a cover of "I don't wanna grow up", by Tom Waits.

Thank-You Mom!

Beautiful isn't it? The Lombard Falcons. A local Park District team for all age groups and levels. Just look at those colors. I loved them. Purple and white with a falcon on the helmet.
Like many kids my age way back when, I loved Football. I remember waking up on Sunday mornings at my Grandparents, opening up the Trib or Times, and circling all the teams I thought would win that day, while eating my eggs, sauasage and wheat toast. They still do it sometimes today, but it was usually just the helmets of teams going up against each other and some info and stats, and of course the point spread.
I was an active child. I played soccer, baseball, played football in the field all day, tag, you name it. When I saw these kids in these uniforms though, I really wanted to join the Falcons.
NO WAY! UH Uh! NEVER! Those were probaly some of the things my Mom said when I asked to play. My Grandma was in agreement. I may have cried alone somewhere, and I didn't really bother them much after that. I knew when no was no. They talked about the risk of injury, that I wasn't big enough for those other kids, etc..
Who knows if I had gotten hurt, but I do know this: Being 34 years old, my body has general aches and pains and the like. If I had played and maybe worked out like these guys do, played high school football(yeah right, that would never happen, I am tiny, my Mom was right,) I would definitley be in way more pain than I'm in now.
College and into the NFL. My Lord! Many of these players have poor quality in their lives, can't walk, diabetes, heart disease, early death. All for playing the game they love, and I can't blame them. It's awesome! As a child, it produced a lot of great times and memories, whether watching it on the television, or playing with my friends on Jackson Field.
So thank-you Mom for saying No! I love you for that.
I would not have wanted to get hit like this poor fellow.

The Crow is supposed to eat anything with fur

SEND IN THE CLOWNS

Clowns could play better.
That little girl that can dribble three balls is already a better ball handler than Ben Gordon.

Quite simply: The Chicago Bulls are a horrible team, and as I viewed last night's pounding by Portland, I wondered if we are one of the worst Franchises in the NBA.
I hate this team.
I hate watching this team.
I was there during the Tim Floyd era. My lord that was awful. Scott Skiles? He was doing well, until the team got sick of him. Now with Vinny, the Bulls are even more terrible. At this point, the first pick in the draft, Derek Rose, is the best player we have. I say we start dumping every single person on this team, except Rose, so we don't scar him with continual losing and ill attitudes. I know financially this is a pipe dream, but in hypotheticals, it makes sense.
It is time for John Paxson to exit. His drafts have been poor, and his dedication to his players is weak. Sports is the business of winning. I'm so glad Pax decided to hold onto Deng, instead of getting Kobe.
There is so much wrong with this team, where do you start really?
Ben Gordon plainly sucks. Sure, he can score 30 points every now and again, but he cannot dribble, pass, defend, and when he goes to the hole "strong", he gets mutilated.
Deng can't get to the hole. Nocioni is now scared of it, and just chucks up three pointers. Tyrus Thomas could be a beast, but where is the coaching and hard work?
Kirk Hinrich is injured, and not very good anyway, Larry Hughes and his 12 million a year is another overpaid chucker.
Joakim Noah? You're kidding me right? A bench player at best right now, whose shot is 10 times uglier than a Cartwright free throw. Florida is that way you spoiled little brat.
Thabo is nothing at all. A non-factor game in and game out.
Wow, who have I missed. Drew Gooden. A starter yes, but he can be better utilized somwhere else.
Kudos to Aaron Grey, who is getting better, and looks to be working his butt off.
Welcome Lindsey Hunter, a champion and veteran. I hope this experience doesn't make you retire mid-season.
I loved Paxson as a player, and as a person has always seemed sincere and hardworking. As a player he ran guys out of the gym. As a General Manager it is vice versa. The hiring of Vinny Del Negro is mind boggling. The Bulls don't need a first year coach on a team that has no identity, awareness or cohesiveness.
It is time for Pax to step down. He had his chance. A rookie GM tried his best, and I'm sure this run will make him way better in the future if anyone gives him another shot, because I'm sure as hell not paying a single dime until they put a team out there I enjoy watching. I actually haven't been to a game in years.
One more thing. Time to bring the hammer down on appearance. I'm not a stickler for this. I'm all about self expression and being yourself, but all the players need to clean up. They have not earned the right look like idiots, just because they play like them. Noah, Nocioni, cut you hair and trim that face. Thabo, get rid of the rows. Gooden, get rid of that shit. No one in the league takes any of you seriously.

A stat that needs to be looked at

Last night in the bottom of the seventh the Cubs have a 5-2 lead. Carlos Marmol comes in to give up three runs on a Ray Durham bomb! Then Fontenot hits a solo shot to give the Cubs a 6-5 lead. Kerry Wood comes in for the save, and Carlos Marmol gets the win? There's something wrong with that. It happens all over the league, and it's mind boggling. I believe that win should go back to the starting pitcher. Dempster in this case. Or perhaps Kerry Wood should get the win AND the save. Or shit, give the win to Mike Fontenot. Marmol did nothing to earn that win. Nothing! Any perspective on this from any readers, please share.

The Cubs have won two out of three at AT&T Park against the Giants. Can they beat Tim Lincecum? This kid(and I mean kid,) is unreal.
He's 9-1, with a 2.38 era, and 114 strikeouts to 43 walks. Opponents are batting a shabby .233 off him.
Sean Gallagher takes the mound for the Cubs. His last outing was poor, and I see a Cubs loss tonight against this young phenom for San Fran. The Cubs bats are great this year, but with Aramis away and Soriano on the D.L. still, we lose quite a bit.
Jim Hendry has been one of the better General Managers around the league as far as picking up players at the break. His off-season moves for free agents has been superb as well, considering the Cubs buy many free agents and trade for players. Right now we have Soto and Theriot playing well out of the minor leagues. Who else is there? The Cubs just can't get it together down there.
The Cubs rotation is was a mess without Zambrano in it. I feel no confidence throwing Dempster, Gallagher and Marshall in a series. You saw what the White Sox did to them! I give all the credit in the world to "Dumpster", who is still looking for his first road win. He's been great this year, and I believe he can continue his success, but if you have a series when Gallagher and Marshall pitch two of the three, you're done for. No question about it. Add Marquis in the mix? Shit man.



I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Jim Hendry is quoted as saying that he and the organization is not handcuffed by potential buyers on trades, pick-ups and spending more money. We need to get somebody in here for the second half. I don't see the end of the century of pain with this staff. Now, I understand pulling off a deal like this can be difficult, considering the Indians might not like any players we could package for him. We could give him an extension though, as opposed to let's say the Brewers. Erik Bedard might be on the block, and he has one more year on his contract, which would be more desirable.
Will we see Jeff Samardzija get a start this year?
Cubs are slumping and limping into the All-Star break. A three game series at the Cardinals ends the first half for the Cubs.
They should be healthy and ready to go after that, and I'm reaaly looking forward to the trade deadline................ Obviously.

Around Sports

Brett Favre "itching to come back"? I hope he decides soon for all us fantasy geeks. What a "fuck you" that would be to Aaron Rodgers. What a "fuck you" that would be to rest of the NFC North. Sick em' Bears!

The Seattle Super-Sonics are paying 75 Million to leave the city. They have been there 41 years, winning a championship in 1979. This whole deal was soooooo shady, with David Stern going along with it. Seattle should be furious. What a bunch of dicks. I always liked the Sonics team colors, and I'm sorry to see them go. The team of Gary Payton, Kemp, Detlef(however you spell it), Hawkins, Sleepy Sam, etc, was as exciting of a team that I ever witnessed. I am sorry to see them go, even though I am in bed for most of those games at home.

Coming Soon

Fantasy football fun!!!!

Cubs look to sweep the O's as well

Classic Lou and Oz.

I fully expect the White Sox to get some sort of revenge at U.S. Cellular field this upcoming weekend, after being decisively swept by the Cubs in Wrigley. The Cubs will throw Gallagher, Dempster, and then Marshall. Not ideal, but with they way Aramis, Lee, Edmunds, and others are swinging the bat, the Cubs may be able to keep it up in a homerun field. Everyone on the Cubs is playing well. Soto is struggling a bit at the plate, but already looks like a veteran behind the dish. He calls a great game, and pitchers seems pleased to have him.

The Cubs start host the Baltimore Orioles tonight at 7:05. Sean Marshall(0-0), makes his first start againt Jeremy Guthrie(3-7).
The three starters for Baltimore this series is a combined 10-12 with 5.00 earned run averaged, as opposed to the Cubs 13-8 and 4.43.
Baltimore is 21st in MLB in batting with an average of .257, and 18th in pitching, with an e.r.a. of 4.14. The Cubs are 2nd in MLB in batting and 4th in pitching.
The odds say we at least win this series, but Baltimore really spreads the power around. Home-run leaders for the O's include Huff(14), Markakis(12), Luke Scott912), Kevin Millar(11), and Melvin Mora with 10. Brian Roberts is a true threat on the bases, so Marshall will really have to watch his stretch on the mound.
Marshall had pitched well in the minors, and earlier this year has given us some help from the pen. His carrer e.r.a. is over 4.5, but he's been here before, and his help with Zambrano out is critical. I've always been down on his cardiovascular fitness. He doesn't cover first fast enough, and always seemed to be "winded" by the fourth or fifth inning, but that's just my impression. I've never heard management address that. Good luck to him tonight.
The Cubs throw Lilly on Wednesday and Marquis on Thursday.

With the Brewers starting to come on, and the Cardinals hanging around, there will be no easy road before the All Star break. The Cubs have a heavy road schedule until the end of July, so it's important to get all the players at full health for Lou to manage.

GO Cubs Go!

Sweet Lou Whitaker

I took my daughter to the pool today and noticed I had left my copy of "Lonesome Dove" in the city. Damn! I pulled out the old reliable Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract revised, published in 2001. Great book to have lying around to learn about each decade of baseball since 1870. He also rates the top 100 players at each position, gives history, opinion and analysis. The analysis is not something I'm crazy about. Gimmee the plain stats. No sabermetrics, win shares and other goofy mathematical formulas. I don't need to think about it that hard.
That being said, Sweet Lou Whitaker is rated as the 13th best second baseman. I looked at his career stats as I am home now, and believe he is got to be on the cusp of THE Hall of Fame.
Here is some basics.
19 seasons
5 time All-Star
World Series Champion
2369 hits
420 doubles
65 triples
244 home-runs
1084 r.b.i.'s
.276 lifetime batting average.

I won't go into comparisons, you can do that for yourself. Believe me, he compares. I remember him well as a player I knew when I was a kid, first starting to watch the game. This awesome, awesome game.

What really caught my attention was the description by James that Whitaker was known as being an airhead.
Here is the exact excerpt by James on Whitaker:

One time he showed up in the All Star game wearing an ill-fitting sort of uniform purchased from a souvenir stand, since he had forgotten to take his uniform to the game. Another time, when an airplane buzzed Tiger Stadium, Whitaker dived to the ground, and was so shaken up that he had to come out of the game. He was a hell of a player, though, and he knew how to play the game. He ranks ninth among all second basemen in runs scored, in RBI, and in total bases, and he was an above-average fielder.

That made me laugh out loud today, and thought I would share that.

Nice Sweep of the Chicago White Sox by the Cubbies this weekend baby!!!!!!!!!

That's it till next week. Simpson Addict I Am