Friday, April 17, 2009
New Poll: Bulls versus Celtics
New poll this AM in honor of the beginning of the NBA Playoffs beginning. We'll toss it out to all of you. Who wins in the Bulls-Celtics match up? I'd say given the all around supremacy of the Bulls and especially the city of Chicago versus that settlement in the northeast known as Boston, it's a relatively simple choice. Bulls in 4. ;)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Get To Know Your Musers: Josh Fenderman
Who are your favorite teams college and pro?
Raiders, Gators, Mets..in that order.
Who is your one favorite sports team above all others and why?
Above all the teams, I still have to go with the Raiders, even though we are struggling right now, I still have had more fun cheering that team on because so many people hate them! Although I feel I am betraying my Alma Mater...next time I go to Gainesville, I will have to ask St. Meyer for forgiveness...
Who are the five women on your Celebrity Exemption list?
Megan Fox
Stacy Kiebler
Heidi Klum
Adriana Lima
Shakira
Man, it's hard to stop at 5...
What's the worst thing you ever said to a woman?
If you "Expletive Deleted" I will come over, if not, I am tired and drunk, and don't really want to hang out.
What is your favorite sports moment?
Charles Woodson picking off the first pass in Superbowl XXXVII setting the raiders up 1st and 10 inside the Bucs 30, 3 minutes into the game.
Most heartbreaking?
The following 57 minutes of the Superbowl XXXVII
What team would you purposely wish harm upon because you hate them beyond all rational thinking?
University of Tennesse Volunteers. They are all pig F**kers..
What is your favorite movie quote?
Really? Surely, you can't be serious...
If Sports Musing Readers take away just one piece of knowledge from you, what do you want that to be?
Tera Patrick is a registered nurse.
Raiders, Gators, Mets..in that order.
Who is your one favorite sports team above all others and why?
Above all the teams, I still have to go with the Raiders, even though we are struggling right now, I still have had more fun cheering that team on because so many people hate them! Although I feel I am betraying my Alma Mater...next time I go to Gainesville, I will have to ask St. Meyer for forgiveness...
Who are the five women on your Celebrity Exemption list?
Megan Fox
Stacy Kiebler
Heidi Klum
Adriana Lima
Shakira
Man, it's hard to stop at 5...
What's the worst thing you ever said to a woman?
If you "Expletive Deleted" I will come over, if not, I am tired and drunk, and don't really want to hang out.
What is your favorite sports moment?
Charles Woodson picking off the first pass in Superbowl XXXVII setting the raiders up 1st and 10 inside the Bucs 30, 3 minutes into the game.
Most heartbreaking?
The following 57 minutes of the Superbowl XXXVII
What team would you purposely wish harm upon because you hate them beyond all rational thinking?
University of Tennesse Volunteers. They are all pig F**kers..
What is your favorite movie quote?
Really? Surely, you can't be serious...
If Sports Musing Readers take away just one piece of knowledge from you, what do you want that to be?
Tera Patrick is a registered nurse.
Reflections on Citi Field
Below is a great review of Citi Field by another muser. As we get this blog started we're still signing folks up. If you like this review, encourage the self proclaimed "Luddite" to sign up.
***********
OK I got to see Citi Field last night, and my impressions are below. Overall I give the stadium very high marks. They did a fabulous job. These comments are purely about the stadium -- I'll leave out the debates over economics and the necessity of a new stadium for another time:
-- The Jackie Robinson Rotunda is excellent, and I don't see it as a problem or overdone at all. As Mike said, he broke the color barrier in NY. It makes sense for the Mets to honor him since he was on one of the NL teams the Mets replaced. Outside of the rotunda there's nothing else overwhelmingly Robinson. No griping necessary about this, IMHO.
-- There is loads of space. And you really can still feel like you're involved when you go to get food, beer, etc. They're even playing it on the radio in the bathroom (useful when the beer and burgers need a little time to finish making their way through your system).
-- Aesthetically its gorgeous, especially from the outside. I really liked getting off the subway and looking at a beautiful brick facade (with many Mets pictures lining the outside, for anyone worried about nothing celebrating the Mets), flower beds, benches and open space. Beats the crap out of knowing you have to traverse thin walkways around concrete walls to get to a gate that always seem far away. Although I found myself sentimentally pining in the original direction I used to walk.-- I love the bricks laid out with messages from fans.
-- They did lie about obstructed views. There are many. Not a big deal, just annoying that they touted how there were no obstructed views.
-- Beer is really f'ing expensive. $7.50 domestic beers. Ouch!
-- Lots of space, and plenty of room to hang out before and during the game (clearly more conducive to drinking, which of course is why they charge $7.50 a beer).
-- Plenty of food choices, unlike the limited selections of Shea.
-- MUCH easier to walk up a few flights of stairs (I was in the upper deck) than to go up the old Shea ramps.-- Entrances all around and they seem more well-managed.
-- Weird not seeing the subway out in right like you used to; makes it tough to tell when lots of people are coming late or when the seats are clearing during a lousy game (as if any of that matters).
-- Not sure whey they don't have a K-corner scoreboard, unless I just missed it.
-- Gonna be tough to hit home runs, but outfielders will have their hands full when balls ricochet around.
-- When you get to the upper decks there really isn't the incredible legroom they spoke about, but you do have a cup holder for your beer.
That's about it. Glad I got to see the first ever Mets win at CITI Field. Let's Go Mets!
***********
OK I got to see Citi Field last night, and my impressions are below. Overall I give the stadium very high marks. They did a fabulous job. These comments are purely about the stadium -- I'll leave out the debates over economics and the necessity of a new stadium for another time:
-- The Jackie Robinson Rotunda is excellent, and I don't see it as a problem or overdone at all. As Mike said, he broke the color barrier in NY. It makes sense for the Mets to honor him since he was on one of the NL teams the Mets replaced. Outside of the rotunda there's nothing else overwhelmingly Robinson. No griping necessary about this, IMHO.
-- There is loads of space. And you really can still feel like you're involved when you go to get food, beer, etc. They're even playing it on the radio in the bathroom (useful when the beer and burgers need a little time to finish making their way through your system).
-- Aesthetically its gorgeous, especially from the outside. I really liked getting off the subway and looking at a beautiful brick facade (with many Mets pictures lining the outside, for anyone worried about nothing celebrating the Mets), flower beds, benches and open space. Beats the crap out of knowing you have to traverse thin walkways around concrete walls to get to a gate that always seem far away. Although I found myself sentimentally pining in the original direction I used to walk.-- I love the bricks laid out with messages from fans.
-- They did lie about obstructed views. There are many. Not a big deal, just annoying that they touted how there were no obstructed views.
-- Beer is really f'ing expensive. $7.50 domestic beers. Ouch!
-- Lots of space, and plenty of room to hang out before and during the game (clearly more conducive to drinking, which of course is why they charge $7.50 a beer).
-- Plenty of food choices, unlike the limited selections of Shea.
-- MUCH easier to walk up a few flights of stairs (I was in the upper deck) than to go up the old Shea ramps.-- Entrances all around and they seem more well-managed.
-- Weird not seeing the subway out in right like you used to; makes it tough to tell when lots of people are coming late or when the seats are clearing during a lousy game (as if any of that matters).
-- Not sure whey they don't have a K-corner scoreboard, unless I just missed it.
-- Gonna be tough to hit home runs, but outfielders will have their hands full when balls ricochet around.
-- When you get to the upper decks there really isn't the incredible legroom they spoke about, but you do have a cup holder for your beer.
That's about it. Glad I got to see the first ever Mets win at CITI Field. Let's Go Mets!
Caps Drop Game 1 to Rangers
If all you saw was the first period of last nights game you might think the Caps would have won. The Caps had a frenzied attack mixed with some hard hitting. However, after 60 minutes the Rangers walked away up 1-0 in the best of seven series with a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals. There are so many elements one can point to as a reason for winning or losing. Most of them were thrown out the window last night. In the end it came down to goal tending and Lundquist prevailed.
Coming into last night's action we were looking at a match up of a great offense with average goal tending vs a solid defensive team with great goal tending. Along this line, one of the keys to watch was New York's top ranked penalty kill vs Washington's power play which was 2nd in the league during the regular season. The Caps scored twice in seven opportunities on the man advantage. It wasn't enough however.
Puck possession is a big part of Washington's offense. They generate so many opportunities because of this. And it all begins with the face off. Closing out the season C David Steckel won over 75% of his face offs. With help from C Nicholas Backstrom, who won 13 of 18, and C Sergei Federov the Rangers were outplayed. These wins led to 35 shots on the NY net minder.
Henrik Lundquist was on top of his game ending with a .914 save %. He made some spectacular saves all night and came up big when he needed to. At the other end there were a lot of questions surrounding Jose Theodore on whether or not he would turn it on in the post season after a mediocre regular season. The answer was a resounding no.
Jose Theodore surrendered 4 goals on 21 shots for an .810 save %. 69 seconds after Tomas Fleischman put the Caps up 1-0 in the second period Theo gave up a soft goal to Scott Gomez. There were some questionable non calls by the refs on this play but regardless it was not a particularly challenging shot that Theo could not handle. It was a shot that was as soft as humanly possible and it managed to dribble through. It was a goal he should not have given up in the post season and one Cap fans saw too much of in the regular season. When the Caps needed a big save Theodore was not there. The best save was made by the goal post. Because goalies receive most of the blame in a loss this is not to say that all the blame falls on Theodore.
Two of the three goals scored by the Rangers in the second period came on the power play. Because timing is crucial when playing goal it is certainly possible that because of the play of the Caps, Theo never got into a rhythm. He faced 21 shots and only 6 in the third. There were defensive gaffs that also cost them. In particular the game winner that was scored by Dubinsky. D Jeff Schultz over pursued Dubinsky and lost his footing. This left the Ranger 1-on-1 with Theodore. He then proceeded to rip a shot top shelf over the catching glove. Lundquist then shut the Caps down to end the game.
Boudreau will most likely stick Theo in net for game two. During the regular season he tended to go with the hot hand but I don't think he is anxious to plug in the rookie Varlamov. Last year Huet was lit up by Phily and I was certainly expecting to see Kolzig the following game but Boudreau went back to Huet who was fantastic. This situation is a little different because there is a lot of pressure for the Caps to go deep into the playoffs. Last year they were just happy to be there. If Theodore struggles look for Varlamov in game 3 if Brent Johnson is not back from injury which is not likely.
Coming into last night's action we were looking at a match up of a great offense with average goal tending vs a solid defensive team with great goal tending. Along this line, one of the keys to watch was New York's top ranked penalty kill vs Washington's power play which was 2nd in the league during the regular season. The Caps scored twice in seven opportunities on the man advantage. It wasn't enough however.
Puck possession is a big part of Washington's offense. They generate so many opportunities because of this. And it all begins with the face off. Closing out the season C David Steckel won over 75% of his face offs. With help from C Nicholas Backstrom, who won 13 of 18, and C Sergei Federov the Rangers were outplayed. These wins led to 35 shots on the NY net minder.
Henrik Lundquist was on top of his game ending with a .914 save %. He made some spectacular saves all night and came up big when he needed to. At the other end there were a lot of questions surrounding Jose Theodore on whether or not he would turn it on in the post season after a mediocre regular season. The answer was a resounding no.
Jose Theodore surrendered 4 goals on 21 shots for an .810 save %. 69 seconds after Tomas Fleischman put the Caps up 1-0 in the second period Theo gave up a soft goal to Scott Gomez. There were some questionable non calls by the refs on this play but regardless it was not a particularly challenging shot that Theo could not handle. It was a shot that was as soft as humanly possible and it managed to dribble through. It was a goal he should not have given up in the post season and one Cap fans saw too much of in the regular season. When the Caps needed a big save Theodore was not there. The best save was made by the goal post. Because goalies receive most of the blame in a loss this is not to say that all the blame falls on Theodore.
Two of the three goals scored by the Rangers in the second period came on the power play. Because timing is crucial when playing goal it is certainly possible that because of the play of the Caps, Theo never got into a rhythm. He faced 21 shots and only 6 in the third. There were defensive gaffs that also cost them. In particular the game winner that was scored by Dubinsky. D Jeff Schultz over pursued Dubinsky and lost his footing. This left the Ranger 1-on-1 with Theodore. He then proceeded to rip a shot top shelf over the catching glove. Lundquist then shut the Caps down to end the game.
Boudreau will most likely stick Theo in net for game two. During the regular season he tended to go with the hot hand but I don't think he is anxious to plug in the rookie Varlamov. Last year Huet was lit up by Phily and I was certainly expecting to see Kolzig the following game but Boudreau went back to Huet who was fantastic. This situation is a little different because there is a lot of pressure for the Caps to go deep into the playoffs. Last year they were just happy to be there. If Theodore struggles look for Varlamov in game 3 if Brent Johnson is not back from injury which is not likely.
Other Notes: After 14 seasons Viktor Kozlov scored his first career playoff goal. Here is the link for Capitals Insider. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/
Get to Know Your Musers
In an effort to better equip you with the ability to praise and ridicule the Sports Musers, we will run a reoccurring segment to be know as "get to know you musers." There is one basic rule for the musers. They must answer all of the questions below, but they may answer them however they choose.
The first victim, er volunteer is Josh Fenderman. Look for his post coming soon in which he will answer the following questions:
Who are your favorite teams college and pro? Who is your one favorite sports team above all others and why?
Who are the five women on your Celebrity Exemption list?
What's the worst thing you ever said to a woman?
What is your favorite sports moment? Most heartbreaking?
What team would you purposely wish harm upon because you hate them beyond all rational thinking?
What is your favorite movie quote?
If Sports Musing Readers take away just one piece of knowledge from you, what do you want that to be?
The first victim, er volunteer is Josh Fenderman. Look for his post coming soon in which he will answer the following questions:
Who are your favorite teams college and pro? Who is your one favorite sports team above all others and why?
Who are the five women on your Celebrity Exemption list?
What's the worst thing you ever said to a woman?
What is your favorite sports moment? Most heartbreaking?
What team would you purposely wish harm upon because you hate them beyond all rational thinking?
What is your favorite movie quote?
If Sports Musing Readers take away just one piece of knowledge from you, what do you want that to be?
Bruce Pearl the Rapper
If you have not seen this yet, it is quality. I gotta give Bruce Pearl props. The man loves his team, his school and his players. He's also willing to do anything for them. How else do you explain this?
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Play Duke basketball and it may land you...at Michigan playing football?
According to Sports Illustrated sources are saying that former Duke guard Greg Paulus is discussing the idea of going to the University of Michigan to play quarterback. If he does this, he will certainly be taking a odd route to a potential football career. There are certainly other odd stories out there. Antonio Gates didn't play a single down of college football, only basketball, but I'm unaware of anyone else playing 4 years of one sport then transfering to a different school to play a different sport.
Lest we think the Wolverines are losing it, they aren't the only one interested. Paulus previously had a tryout with the Green Bay Packers.
So the question is, wise move?
Lest we think the Wolverines are losing it, they aren't the only one interested. Paulus previously had a tryout with the Green Bay Packers.
So the question is, wise move?
Washington Post: Man Removes Car Flag, Gets Clocked by Motorist
Great article, via another muser. I'd vote man with the flag was a tool bag, but the guy getting punched got what he deserved.
Man Removes Car Flag, Gets Clocked by Motorist
By Martin Weil
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 15, 2009; B04
A man who grabbed a Dallas Cowboys flag from a car in downtown Washington was punched in the face yesterday, startling passersby in an area that is home to lawyers, lobbyists and expensive shops and restaurants.
It occurred about 6 p.m. in the 1700 block of L Street NW, at a site just west of Connecticut Avenue, where few expect fisticuffs. Commuters were hurrying toward the Farragut North Metro station, and the car was stopped in traffic, police and witnesses said.
"It's crazy," said D.C. police Lt. Eric Hayes of the 2nd District. "It doesn't make sense."
But, he said, someone snatched the flag from a car, apparently threw it down, and crossed the street. "By the time he got across, someone exited the car" and struck him in the face, Hayes said.
It might have been motivated by team loyalty, he said. Or the motorist might have been particular about who touched his car.
One witness said she saw a "big tall man walk up to this guy and hit him across the head." Then, she said, the tall man "got back in his car and drove off."
She said that the motorist "just hit the man and walked off" and that he picked up an object from the ground, which might have been the flag.
The man who was hit fell and struck his head on the sidewalk, she said. Ringed by the concerned and the curious, the man lay facedown on the pavement.
"He was out cold for a good five minutes or so," the witness said.
Police said a man was taken from the scene for treatment of a bruised forehead.
Man Removes Car Flag, Gets Clocked by Motorist
By Martin Weil
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 15, 2009; B04
A man who grabbed a Dallas Cowboys flag from a car in downtown Washington was punched in the face yesterday, startling passersby in an area that is home to lawyers, lobbyists and expensive shops and restaurants.
It occurred about 6 p.m. in the 1700 block of L Street NW, at a site just west of Connecticut Avenue, where few expect fisticuffs. Commuters were hurrying toward the Farragut North Metro station, and the car was stopped in traffic, police and witnesses said.
"It's crazy," said D.C. police Lt. Eric Hayes of the 2nd District. "It doesn't make sense."
But, he said, someone snatched the flag from a car, apparently threw it down, and crossed the street. "By the time he got across, someone exited the car" and struck him in the face, Hayes said.
It might have been motivated by team loyalty, he said. Or the motorist might have been particular about who touched his car.
One witness said she saw a "big tall man walk up to this guy and hit him across the head." Then, she said, the tall man "got back in his car and drove off."
She said that the motorist "just hit the man and walked off" and that he picked up an object from the ground, which might have been the flag.
The man who was hit fell and struck his head on the sidewalk, she said. Ringed by the concerned and the curious, the man lay facedown on the pavement.
"He was out cold for a good five minutes or so," the witness said.
Police said a man was taken from the scene for treatment of a bruised forehead.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
"Boy, me and you are gonna PARTAYYYY"
CB40 here crashing the party. I'm the reason for the Kelly Clarkson mention in the first poll, mainly because everyone's jealous of my impeccable music taste and fondness for the greatest pop singer of our generation.
But this is SPORTSMUSINGS, or should I say THE ORIGINAL SPORTSMUSINGS, so let me get to it.
Here are some quick favorite random sports movie Quotes:
--"Boy, me and you are gonna PARTAYYYYY" -Sinbad, "Necessary Roughness"
(OR "Welcome to Foot........BALL!" -Kathy Ireland)
--"Who the Hell is Happy Gillmore?" -Verne Lundquist, um, hello!
(OR "The Price Is Wrong, Bitch! -Bob Barker)
--"Where's the Wolf?" -The Coach from Teen Wolf :-)
(OR from a recent episode of HIMYM: "They have a Teen Wolf on their team, Kenny!" -Jason Segel)
But this is SPORTSMUSINGS, or should I say THE ORIGINAL SPORTSMUSINGS, so let me get to it.
Here are some quick favorite random sports movie Quotes:
--"Boy, me and you are gonna PARTAYYYYY" -Sinbad, "Necessary Roughness"
(OR "Welcome to Foot........BALL!" -Kathy Ireland)
--"Who the Hell is Happy Gillmore?" -Verne Lundquist, um, hello!
(OR "The Price Is Wrong, Bitch! -Bob Barker)
--"Where's the Wolf?" -The Coach from Teen Wolf :-)
(OR from a recent episode of HIMYM: "They have a Teen Wolf on their team, Kenny!" -Jason Segel)
Top 10 Overrated Mets Prospects
via a yet registered fellow muser....
in no particular order the top 10 most overrated Mets Prospects:
alex escobar
floyd youmans
billy beane
shawn abner
gregg jeffries
lastings milledge
alex ochoa
ed yarnall
ed hearn
matt peterson
additions? subtractions?
in no particular order the top 10 most overrated Mets Prospects:
alex escobar
floyd youmans
billy beane
shawn abner
gregg jeffries
lastings milledge
alex ochoa
ed yarnall
ed hearn
matt peterson
additions? subtractions?
Who's Hot and Who's Not?
So all besides the obvious choice, the Cubs, who's hot right now?
Besides the obvious choice, the Mets, who's not right now?
Besides the obvious choice, the Mets, who's not right now?
NFL Schedules
For those who follow the NFL's new policy of making every minor announcement the kind of show we would expect from a guy running for President, you'll be pleased to know that the NFL will announce its 09 schedule tonight at 7pm.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Where my augies at?
I picked one of the less offensive of my pseudonyms.
Roll call.
Augie Phonics = Bleeding heart lib from Nowheresville, RI. 47 Kids, Yankee Corporate Rooter(TM) and a BCS fluffer.
Roll call.
Augie Phonics = Bleeding heart lib from Nowheresville, RI. 47 Kids, Yankee Corporate Rooter(TM) and a BCS fluffer.
A Serious Question
The NFL in its infinite wisdom has decided to start the draft at 4pm. This conflicts with the Red Sox vs. the Yankees and the Cubs vs. the Cards. Are you likely to watch one of the baseball games or the draft?
I'm going with the baseball game if we get the Cubs and Cards in this area. It's bad enough that the NFL has been able to push the draft to the edge of nonsense with 24 hour a day coverage that starts when the SuperBowl ends. It makes that craving for football even stronger. But it's cruel to make us choose between rivalry games and the Detroit Lions' selection of Michael Crabtree with the first overall pick. And for that I cannot reward the Commish.
I'm going with the baseball game if we get the Cubs and Cards in this area. It's bad enough that the NFL has been able to push the draft to the edge of nonsense with 24 hour a day coverage that starts when the SuperBowl ends. It makes that craving for football even stronger. But it's cruel to make us choose between rivalry games and the Detroit Lions' selection of Michael Crabtree with the first overall pick. And for that I cannot reward the Commish.
Urcleon's Hat
Now that Urcleon's Hat has joined the party, the appropriate question is:
Where would you most expect to see the hat?
A) Atop the head of a retired engineer at the 16th hole of a golf course in "the Villages"
B) in a grabage can
Where would you most expect to see the hat?
A) Atop the head of a retired engineer at the 16th hole of a golf course in "the Villages"
B) in a grabage can
Phillies TV man Kalas dies at 73
Phillies TV man Kalas dies at 73
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4064793
WASHINGTON -- Longtime Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas has died at the age of 73, team president David Montgomery said Monday.
Kalas, who had also filled a voiceover role for NFL Films since 1975, was taken to a hospital Monday after passing out in the broadcast booth before Monday's game against the Washington Nationals.
Montogomery's voice was cracking as he said "we have lost our voice."
The 73-year-old Kalas, known for his distinctive "Outta here!" call on home runs, was found by the Phillies director of broadcasting at about 12:30 p.m., Montgomery said.
Kalas joined the Phillies in 1971. Before that, he was an original member of the Houston Astros' broadcast team from 1965-70.
In 2002, he received the Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award for his contributions to the game.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4064793
WASHINGTON -- Longtime Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas has died at the age of 73, team president David Montgomery said Monday.
Kalas, who had also filled a voiceover role for NFL Films since 1975, was taken to a hospital Monday after passing out in the broadcast booth before Monday's game against the Washington Nationals.
Montogomery's voice was cracking as he said "we have lost our voice."
The 73-year-old Kalas, known for his distinctive "Outta here!" call on home runs, was found by the Phillies director of broadcasting at about 12:30 p.m., Montgomery said.
Kalas joined the Phillies in 1971. Before that, he was an original member of the Houston Astros' broadcast team from 1965-70.
In 2002, he received the Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award for his contributions to the game.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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