When Powerful People Are Angry, Scores Change
09/11/11 20:48 Filed in: College Football
17 to 14. NO! 23 to 14. Huh? Really? But......
Yea, just like me, I turned off the brain surgeons yesterday, thinking they squeaked by on a field goal. But today, well, just how does a score change hours after the game ends? It's a cinch if you're the university of spoiled children and you have rich and powerful supporters like Laker honcho Jerry Buss, who has been known to bet a bundle, a REAL bundle, on the occasional trojan football game. Six figures, easy; rumors say seven figures.
Lets start at the game, and work from there. In the waining seconds, usc had a three point lead, as the Utes lined up for a game tying 41-yard field goal attempt. The kick was blocked by brain surgeon Matt Kalil, and the ball caromed into the paws of CB Torin Harris. Harris took off due east for the end zone, but while he ran towards the parasol, uh, peristyle, mad-cap brain surgeons, showing their usual decorum and law-abiding morality, raced onto the field, resulting in the throwing of a flag, apparently before Harris reached the promised land.
Here's where things get tricky. The flag could have been for unsportsmanlike conduct, or for improper celebration under a brand-spanking new rule where a player who taunts or overly celebrates on his way into the end zone is denied the TD. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty is, however, a dead ball penalty, and as the game ended on the play, in theory it could not be enforced. See the video below and see the improper celebrating before the play ended, as virtually every "student" athlete in usc football attire ran onto the field. But, you can also hear the referee say the penalty was for unsportsmanlike conduct:
So, the fans went home thinking the final score was 17 to 14. But hold on, folks. As ESPN deemed it, there was, hours after the game ended, a "collaborative effort between the PAC-12 and USC", " resulting in a score change. But who from usc was involved, and really, why? Well, informed sources tell theHoundDawg that the instigator was none other than Laker bossman Buss, who was among the throngs of bettors who wagered on their beloved brain surgeons, giving eight or eight-and-one-half points. Thus, a three point win and they lose, but add a touchdown and they beat the spread. Well it just so happened that PAC-12 Commissioner Larry Scott was in attendance, and lo-and-behold, Buss managed to get his ear, and after this "collaborative effort", the score was revised to 23 to 14, and Buss was a winner! Yea!
The result has been havoc on betting parlors across the US. Those offshore outfits deal in credits rather than cash, so they could revise their payouts after the fact. But Vegas books and others paid out millions to people betting the brain surgeons would not cover, and then had to pay out millions more to the trojan faithful who put their bucks where their mouths are, such as the head Laker guy.
But this is the thing: How many times have we seen absolutely horrendous calls by officials, including refs failing to call touchdowns that happened, and calling touchdowns that never happened? Often on review, the conference will sanction the refs, taking them off games, fining them, even firing some. But they NEVER, EVER go back and change the ruling causing a different outcome or different score in the game. NEVER, even if justice demanded that it be done.
We will just have to see if this is a one-time-only move, or a landmark decision by the new PAC-12 to be followed in the future, where players and fans alike may not know who won for days or weeks after the final buzzer.
Yea, just like me, I turned off the brain surgeons yesterday, thinking they squeaked by on a field goal. But today, well, just how does a score change hours after the game ends? It's a cinch if you're the university of spoiled children and you have rich and powerful supporters like Laker honcho Jerry Buss, who has been known to bet a bundle, a REAL bundle, on the occasional trojan football game. Six figures, easy; rumors say seven figures.
Lets start at the game, and work from there. In the waining seconds, usc had a three point lead, as the Utes lined up for a game tying 41-yard field goal attempt. The kick was blocked by brain surgeon Matt Kalil, and the ball caromed into the paws of CB Torin Harris. Harris took off due east for the end zone, but while he ran towards the parasol, uh, peristyle, mad-cap brain surgeons, showing their usual decorum and law-abiding morality, raced onto the field, resulting in the throwing of a flag, apparently before Harris reached the promised land.
Here's where things get tricky. The flag could have been for unsportsmanlike conduct, or for improper celebration under a brand-spanking new rule where a player who taunts or overly celebrates on his way into the end zone is denied the TD. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty is, however, a dead ball penalty, and as the game ended on the play, in theory it could not be enforced. See the video below and see the improper celebrating before the play ended, as virtually every "student" athlete in usc football attire ran onto the field. But, you can also hear the referee say the penalty was for unsportsmanlike conduct:
So, the fans went home thinking the final score was 17 to 14. But hold on, folks. As ESPN deemed it, there was, hours after the game ended, a "collaborative effort between the PAC-12 and USC", " resulting in a score change. But who from usc was involved, and really, why? Well, informed sources tell theHoundDawg that the instigator was none other than Laker bossman Buss, who was among the throngs of bettors who wagered on their beloved brain surgeons, giving eight or eight-and-one-half points. Thus, a three point win and they lose, but add a touchdown and they beat the spread. Well it just so happened that PAC-12 Commissioner Larry Scott was in attendance, and lo-and-behold, Buss managed to get his ear, and after this "collaborative effort", the score was revised to 23 to 14, and Buss was a winner! Yea!
The result has been havoc on betting parlors across the US. Those offshore outfits deal in credits rather than cash, so they could revise their payouts after the fact. But Vegas books and others paid out millions to people betting the brain surgeons would not cover, and then had to pay out millions more to the trojan faithful who put their bucks where their mouths are, such as the head Laker guy.
But this is the thing: How many times have we seen absolutely horrendous calls by officials, including refs failing to call touchdowns that happened, and calling touchdowns that never happened? Often on review, the conference will sanction the refs, taking them off games, fining them, even firing some. But they NEVER, EVER go back and change the ruling causing a different outcome or different score in the game. NEVER, even if justice demanded that it be done.
We will just have to see if this is a one-time-only move, or a landmark decision by the new PAC-12 to be followed in the future, where players and fans alike may not know who won for days or weeks after the final buzzer.
theHoundDawg |
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Nelson Rosario's Astounding Catch
09/03/11 20:58 Filed in: College Football
Earlier today, UCLA played its season opener against the University of Houston. With the hopes and dreams of a new season in the hearts and minds of the Bruin faithful, the game was a redux of the past several seasons, featuring the defense giving up big plays, QB Kevin Prince suffering an injury, and a victory within reach slipping away.
There was, however, one highlight that will live on for years - one of the most remarkable catches EVER in the recorded annals of football. Is was on the opening play of the second half when back-up QB Richard Breuhaut threw long down the middle to perhaps the most talented Bruin of the 21st Century, WR Nelson Rosario. Rosario made a catch like none I have seen before in my 50+ years of watching football. He pulled the overthrown pass in with one hand with the defender on top of him, and caught it with the defender between him and the ball. You have to see it to believe it:
There was, however, one highlight that will live on for years - one of the most remarkable catches EVER in the recorded annals of football. Is was on the opening play of the second half when back-up QB Richard Breuhaut threw long down the middle to perhaps the most talented Bruin of the 21st Century, WR Nelson Rosario. Rosario made a catch like none I have seen before in my 50+ years of watching football. He pulled the overthrown pass in with one hand with the defender on top of him, and caught it with the defender between him and the ball. You have to see it to believe it:
| theHoundDawg |  UCLA Bruins Full-Size Game Time Football - $29.95 |
AEG Lobbyists Begging for Special Treatment
09/02/11 14:25 Filed in: NFL
As AEG has passed the local hurdles, local politicians in their over-stuffed pockets, it is on to Sacramento, to cajole, pander and extort state legislators to provide special treatment in easing vital environmental protection laws and in exempting them from litigation designed to offer a dose of reality.
As described in my Aug 10, 2011 post, "Football in LA, the CONS", billionaire Philip Anshultz and his AEG thugs can buy what they want, and put up a pretty good smokescreen, so that voters, especially football fans among them, don't see, and in reality, don't care.
Funny, the LA haters are now the allies of those of us who think that AEG should at the very least, follow the rules designed to protect the future of California, and to some extent, insure future generations of breathable air and majestic lands.
A pending bill by LA's own Sen. Alex Padilla would make a mockery of the judicial process in an effort to steamroll the AEG stadium, totally removing the TRIAL COURT from the litigation process, and handing all such matters regarding the stadium over to an appellate court with unrealistic expedited procedures, apparently eliminating such useless elements of litigation as FACT FINDING.
Just like the teabaggers at the Federal level, the special interests begging for freedom from the laws of the state of California so they can pocket more and more billions, couch their begging in terms of jobs: "Let us break the law when ever and where ever we want, and we will create jobs; don't let us break the law, or delay our breaking the law, and those jobs will be lost."
Screw them. They need us, not the other way around.
As described in my Aug 10, 2011 post, "Football in LA, the CONS", billionaire Philip Anshultz and his AEG thugs can buy what they want, and put up a pretty good smokescreen, so that voters, especially football fans among them, don't see, and in reality, don't care.
Funny, the LA haters are now the allies of those of us who think that AEG should at the very least, follow the rules designed to protect the future of California, and to some extent, insure future generations of breathable air and majestic lands.
A pending bill by LA's own Sen. Alex Padilla would make a mockery of the judicial process in an effort to steamroll the AEG stadium, totally removing the TRIAL COURT from the litigation process, and handing all such matters regarding the stadium over to an appellate court with unrealistic expedited procedures, apparently eliminating such useless elements of litigation as FACT FINDING.
Just like the teabaggers at the Federal level, the special interests begging for freedom from the laws of the state of California so they can pocket more and more billions, couch their begging in terms of jobs: "Let us break the law when ever and where ever we want, and we will create jobs; don't let us break the law, or delay our breaking the law, and those jobs will be lost."
Screw them. They need us, not the other way around.
| theHoundDawg |
No Metta World Peace for Ron Artest, Yet
08/26/11 11:33 Filed in: NBA
At a time when sports officials at all levels are rightly concerned with criminal behavior on the part of fans, still little concern is evident for the illegal and oft-times dangerous conduct of athletes.
Granted, though his public conduct over his two seasons with the Lakers has been benign, Ron Artest is still the epitome of the athlete whose on-court actions should have led to a lifetime ban from the NBA, as well as criminal prosecution. In the spirit of other such criminals as Juan Marichal (who "only" attacked another player with a deadly weapon) and Frank Francisco (who committed the ultimate assault against unsuspecting fans), Artest should never had been let back in after his part in the infamous player-fan brawl in Detroit one fall eve in 2004. For his part in assaulting fans and players alike, Artest was suspended the laughable count of 86 games. He served several suspensions afterwards for various additional assaults against coaches, teammates, and cameramen, and also served jail time for a conviction for domestic assault.
But he is a changed man, so they say.
Making headlines this offseason, Artest has announced to the world his desire to effect a legal name change to Metta World Peace. With a court hearing set for today on his application, it seemed strange that he would not himself appear in court, as the publicity-seeking Artest is not one to miss any photo-op.
Well, low and behold, the reason for his non-appearance became clear as his application was delayed, and he avoided arrest (Artest Arrest, how apropos) by not showing up, as the Court announced he could not proceed until several outstanding warrants were resolved. Awaiting details, my guess is there is more involved there that a speeding ticket or two.
Granted, though his public conduct over his two seasons with the Lakers has been benign, Ron Artest is still the epitome of the athlete whose on-court actions should have led to a lifetime ban from the NBA, as well as criminal prosecution. In the spirit of other such criminals as Juan Marichal (who "only" attacked another player with a deadly weapon) and Frank Francisco (who committed the ultimate assault against unsuspecting fans), Artest should never had been let back in after his part in the infamous player-fan brawl in Detroit one fall eve in 2004. For his part in assaulting fans and players alike, Artest was suspended the laughable count of 86 games. He served several suspensions afterwards for various additional assaults against coaches, teammates, and cameramen, and also served jail time for a conviction for domestic assault.
But he is a changed man, so they say.
Making headlines this offseason, Artest has announced to the world his desire to effect a legal name change to Metta World Peace. With a court hearing set for today on his application, it seemed strange that he would not himself appear in court, as the publicity-seeking Artest is not one to miss any photo-op.
Well, low and behold, the reason for his non-appearance became clear as his application was delayed, and he avoided arrest (Artest Arrest, how apropos) by not showing up, as the Court announced he could not proceed until several outstanding warrants were resolved. Awaiting details, my guess is there is more involved there that a speeding ticket or two.
| theHoundDawg |  adidas Los Angeles Lakers #15 Ron Artest Purple Net Player T-shirt - $24.95 Retail Price: $34.95 |
Angels Part Deux - Their Three Man Starting Staff
08/16/11 19:31 Filed in: Baseball
Early last year, I discussed Tony Reagins' misguided decision to sign free agent pitcher Joel Pineiro ("Angels Pay, But Don't Learn Any Lessons" Jan 22, 2010). Pineiro was a decent 10-7, 3.84 in limited duty last year, but this season has reverted to his true form, compiling a 5-6 record and a 5.34 ERA, on the strength of a super impressive streak of six games over which he pitched 18-2/3 innings while giving up 27 earned runs, and losing his starting spot in the process. Add that to the Scott Kazmir debacle, and the Angels have the best top three starters in the American League, maybe on a par with the Phillies in all of baseball, and, in the words of CA governor Jerry Brown, "Smoke and Mirrors" in the rest of the rotation.
The result of the utter failure of Kazmir and the shoulda-seen-it-comming performance of Pineiro has been a rushed Tyler Chatwood getting a staring role, and the Garrett Richards debacle. Who knows who will be filling out the Angels' rotation over the next six weeks.
It is a testament to the talents of Mike Scioscia, the over-powering abilities of Jared Weaver and Dan Haren, and the incredible streak of brilliance that Ervin Santana has hit, that despite this, asI I said yesterday, were it not for the Vernon Wells trade, the Angels would be in first place in the AL West.
The result of the utter failure of Kazmir and the shoulda-seen-it-comming performance of Pineiro has been a rushed Tyler Chatwood getting a staring role, and the Garrett Richards debacle. Who knows who will be filling out the Angels' rotation over the next six weeks.
It is a testament to the talents of Mike Scioscia, the over-powering abilities of Jared Weaver and Dan Haren, and the incredible streak of brilliance that Ervin Santana has hit, that despite this, asI I said yesterday, were it not for the Vernon Wells trade, the Angels would be in first place in the AL West.
| theHoundDawg |  |