Nov 2008
What's Up With Dodgers' Staff? Part II
11/23/08 17:34 Filed in: Baseball
Well, the staff might have just gotten a lot thinner
with word today that "Ace" Chad
Billingsley slipped on some ice at his Pennsylvania
home, and suffered a broken leg. He had surgery to
insert a plate, but the medicos say he'll be out of
his cast in two weeks, rehabing in less than two
months, and ready for spring training.
Sure.
The Dodger starting staff now features veterans .......... ??
OK - this is it:
Hiroki Kuroda - Major League Starts: 31
Clayton Kershaw - Major League Starts: 21
James McDonald - Major League Starts: 0
theHoundDawg
Sure.
The Dodger starting staff now features veterans .......... ??
OK - this is it:
Hiroki Kuroda - Major League Starts: 31
Clayton Kershaw - Major League Starts: 21
James McDonald - Major League Starts: 0
theHoundDawg
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More to Add to Chris Erskine's All-Ego Sports Team
In this morning's LA Times, Chris Erskine wrote an
interesting piece on the egos of sports
personalities, All-Ego Sports Team starts here.
Most of Erskine's selections are right on: Al Davis, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Tom Lasorda, Shaquille O'Neal, the Williams sisters, Isiah Thomas, to name a few. But, there are some that I do not think really belong in this group, and most notable is Mark Cuban, who Erskine includes because of his referee-baiting and due to his recent problems with the SEC. The SEC allegations are only that, and yet to be proven, and even if true, do not amount to an ego-driven event, but rather a profit-driven event. As to his referee baiting, I respect and applaud his refusal to kneel down to the powers-that-be who refuse with their power of the checkbook to allow any rightful criticism of incompetent officiating.
In reading this commentary, I was struck by the vast group of ego-driven sports personalities who Erskine failed to include. The likes of the late George Steinbrenner (I know, I know), Peter Ueberroth, who ran baseball, and the LA Olympics, as his own little dictatorships, Pete Rozelle, who did the same with the NFL, Michael Vick, Stephon Marbury, that 85 receiver guy with the Bengals, not to mention a couple of other current wide-outs, TO and R Moss, all need to be included in ANY such list, as does every single person ever associated with NASCAR (I know, I said in my first ever post here that I'd NEVER mention that group, but, common, ego, dictionary, picture, NASCAR ....).
But, the trophy has to be named after the University of Spoiled Children conglomerate of wide receivers that they passed on to the NFL, or at least tried to. Keyshawn Johnson and Curtis Conway broke records for egotism that no professional athlete could ever even dream to equal. However, proving that there is some justice in the world, or at least in the world of sports, they were actually exceed in their egotism by two brain surgeon wide-outs who did not make it in the NFL, R.J. Soward and Michael Williams.
But, the trophy goes, unanimously, to another trojan brain surgeon, the most egotistical, conceited, megalomaniacal jerk who ever transgressed the LA sports landscape - John McKay, the king of the put down, who never let pass an opportunity to ridicule another coach or a player from another team.
theHoundDawg
Note: I know its been too long since my last post, but the work and pressures of surviving in today' society have kept me away from here. I'll try my best to not let it happen again.
Most of Erskine's selections are right on: Al Davis, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Tom Lasorda, Shaquille O'Neal, the Williams sisters, Isiah Thomas, to name a few. But, there are some that I do not think really belong in this group, and most notable is Mark Cuban, who Erskine includes because of his referee-baiting and due to his recent problems with the SEC. The SEC allegations are only that, and yet to be proven, and even if true, do not amount to an ego-driven event, but rather a profit-driven event. As to his referee baiting, I respect and applaud his refusal to kneel down to the powers-that-be who refuse with their power of the checkbook to allow any rightful criticism of incompetent officiating.
In reading this commentary, I was struck by the vast group of ego-driven sports personalities who Erskine failed to include. The likes of the late George Steinbrenner (I know, I know), Peter Ueberroth, who ran baseball, and the LA Olympics, as his own little dictatorships, Pete Rozelle, who did the same with the NFL, Michael Vick, Stephon Marbury, that 85 receiver guy with the Bengals, not to mention a couple of other current wide-outs, TO and R Moss, all need to be included in ANY such list, as does every single person ever associated with NASCAR (I know, I said in my first ever post here that I'd NEVER mention that group, but, common, ego, dictionary, picture, NASCAR ....).
But, the trophy has to be named after the University of Spoiled Children conglomerate of wide receivers that they passed on to the NFL, or at least tried to. Keyshawn Johnson and Curtis Conway broke records for egotism that no professional athlete could ever even dream to equal. However, proving that there is some justice in the world, or at least in the world of sports, they were actually exceed in their egotism by two brain surgeon wide-outs who did not make it in the NFL, R.J. Soward and Michael Williams.
But, the trophy goes, unanimously, to another trojan brain surgeon, the most egotistical, conceited, megalomaniacal jerk who ever transgressed the LA sports landscape - John McKay, the king of the put down, who never let pass an opportunity to ridicule another coach or a player from another team.
theHoundDawg
Note: I know its been too long since my last post, but the work and pressures of surviving in today' society have kept me away from here. I'll try my best to not let it happen again.
"I Don't Understand That Call"
11/08/08 16:31 Filed in: College
Football
While watching the first half of UCLA-Oregon State
game:
As the TV feed goes on and off, and the radio play-by-play is used to fill the dead air, there is an amazing similarity between what the tv and radio announcers and commentators are saying. Practically in unison, they all utter the same phrase: "I Don't Understand That Call". Over and over again. And that statement is not unique to this one game - we've heard it all season long.
A 4 yard pass on 3rd and 9, a quarterback draw when the tailback can't even get back to the line of scrimmage because the defense is in the backfield practically on the snap, and a total reluctance to even try throwing a pass 20-plus yards down field.
Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow distinguished himself at BYU and USC, and came to UCLA with great anticipation of a revived, energetic, and high-powered offense,
Well, the offensive line has been a nightmare, they started the season with zero experience at quarterback, the running game has been a joke, the receiving corp is 90% freshmen and sophomores, all compounded by play-calling that has been overly conservative, unimaginative, and has, to an extent, compounded the other problems, rather than making the best of strengths and trying to minimize weaknesses.
With Taylor Embree and Terrance Austin, and now with the return of Marcus Everett, there is a deep threat in the receiving corp, and Kevin Craft has shown he can fire the medium range pass, so he should have plenty of arm to get the ball deep to these guys. A few long gains like that, and Kahlil Bell and Derrick Coleman might even find a little running room.
Leaving the field, Rick Neuheisel told the sideline reporter that they'll try something different in the second half.
We'll see.
theHoundDawg
As the TV feed goes on and off, and the radio play-by-play is used to fill the dead air, there is an amazing similarity between what the tv and radio announcers and commentators are saying. Practically in unison, they all utter the same phrase: "I Don't Understand That Call". Over and over again. And that statement is not unique to this one game - we've heard it all season long.
A 4 yard pass on 3rd and 9, a quarterback draw when the tailback can't even get back to the line of scrimmage because the defense is in the backfield practically on the snap, and a total reluctance to even try throwing a pass 20-plus yards down field.
Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow distinguished himself at BYU and USC, and came to UCLA with great anticipation of a revived, energetic, and high-powered offense,
Well, the offensive line has been a nightmare, they started the season with zero experience at quarterback, the running game has been a joke, the receiving corp is 90% freshmen and sophomores, all compounded by play-calling that has been overly conservative, unimaginative, and has, to an extent, compounded the other problems, rather than making the best of strengths and trying to minimize weaknesses.
With Taylor Embree and Terrance Austin, and now with the return of Marcus Everett, there is a deep threat in the receiving corp, and Kevin Craft has shown he can fire the medium range pass, so he should have plenty of arm to get the ball deep to these guys. A few long gains like that, and Kahlil Bell and Derrick Coleman might even find a little running room.
Leaving the field, Rick Neuheisel told the sideline reporter that they'll try something different in the second half.
We'll see.
theHoundDawg
What's Up With Dodgers' Staff?
11/06/08 08:46 Filed in: Baseball
It looks like the Dodgers are taking the initiative
and making an offer to Manny, but what is up with the
Dodgers' starting staff? What does Ned Colleti have
in the works?
With Derek Lowe a free agent and little being heard about re-signing him, and now with Brad Penny gone, is this the Dodger's starting staff:
Chad Billingsley - Major League Starts: 68
Hiroki Kuroda - Major League Starts: 31
Clayton Kershaw - Major League Starts: 21
James McDonald - Major League Starts: 0
??
theHoundDawg
With Derek Lowe a free agent and little being heard about re-signing him, and now with Brad Penny gone, is this the Dodger's starting staff:
Chad Billingsley - Major League Starts: 68
Hiroki Kuroda - Major League Starts: 31
Clayton Kershaw - Major League Starts: 21
James McDonald - Major League Starts: 0
??
theHoundDawg
Politics Over (Almost) - Back to the NBA
11/05/08 12:52 Filed in: NBA
Longtime NBA star Kevin Johnson has been elected
Mayor of Sacramento, Ca. This was an interesting
race, full of scandal and intrigue. Johnson made
headlines with "Luis the Security Guard", after a
long-time city employee was fired for giving Johnson
an unauthorized tour of city hall facilities. Johnson
had his own problems, however, as his federally
funded St. HOPE Academy came under investigation by
the US Attorney's office, due to allegations that
students at one or more of the schools run by the
Academy, instead of spending their time being
educated, were instead gofers for Johnson, running
errands, washing his car, etc. That investigation is
still pending, but Johnson amassed 57% of the vote,
and introduced "Luis the Security Guard" during his
acceptance speech, and has promised to re-instate him
to a city job.
"Me First Shoot First" Allen Iverson will not be a good fit in Detroit, and he promises to do just as much for the Pistons as he did for Denver. The Nuggets pulled off a real heist in this deal, getting Chauncey Billups and two other bodies, and now look like they can be the "team" they hoped they would become when they traded for Iverson three years ago.
I think I mentioned I thought the Clippers would be improved this season. They might still be, if they only have to play the first half of each game. In their first 4 outings this season, the 0-4 Clippers have been outscored 212 to 142 in the second half. Omit the first game, and that stat is 168 to 93.
theHoundDawg
"Me First Shoot First" Allen Iverson will not be a good fit in Detroit, and he promises to do just as much for the Pistons as he did for Denver. The Nuggets pulled off a real heist in this deal, getting Chauncey Billups and two other bodies, and now look like they can be the "team" they hoped they would become when they traded for Iverson three years ago.
I think I mentioned I thought the Clippers would be improved this season. They might still be, if they only have to play the first half of each game. In their first 4 outings this season, the 0-4 Clippers have been outscored 212 to 142 in the second half. Omit the first game, and that stat is 168 to 93.
theHoundDawg