Recent Comments by charlatan

LeBron Chooses Miami

Without Bosh as a potential to Chicago, I can't really see Lebron making a go at anywhere but Cleveland now. Le sigh.

posted by charlatan at 03:12 PM on July 07, 2010

Soccer Player Gives Opponent a Flying Kick to the Face

If you only started watching sports in 2004, I can understand how you might think that.

posted by charlatan at 02:36 AM on August 26, 2009

Federer Outlasts Roddick in Longest Wimbledon Final Ever

Men's tennis has become much more interesting in the last few years with the decline of the overpowering serve/volley game

Federer won 37 of 39 service games. Roddick won 38 of 39 service games.

I don't think this was the match to make that argument.

posted by charlatan at 03:57 PM on July 05, 2009

Rain Game Enters World Series Lore

I think they should shorten the season to 16 games. It works for football.

posted by charlatan at 02:34 PM on October 28, 2008

Gimme a High Four!

You mean where he quoted from the article?

Can't blame the kid for doing this. And it is just a pinkie that would have sustained a lifetime of perpetual issues. Easy decision.

posted by charlatan at 08:00 PM on October 18, 2008

Cowboys Acquire Roy Williams in Trade with Lions

I'm not so sure giving up a 1st and 3rd rounder is a good gamble to upgrade an otherwise strong receiving corps when it's their defense that could use more fortification.

I can't complain, though; this brings some semblance of solace considering I have four fantasy teams with Romo as my QB.

posted by charlatan at 08:12 PM on October 14, 2008

Spitz spits fit

Mark Spitz trained just as hard, if not more, than Phelps. After winning his seven golds, Spitz came back to the US as a heartthrob that graced several magazine covers and rode the talk show circuit. But there was something amiss. He came off as completely boorish and uncharismatic in interviews (think Pete Sampras, only not humble).

Turns out he had spent so much time honing his craft as a swimmer that he had never been trained around enough peers to fully comprehend social dynamics. It took him a few years of being in the spotlight to figure it out, but it seems the narcissism is still there. Growing pains (in his 20s).

Also of note, the US training in the 70s far surpassed techniques used in other countries. Now you have countries like Australia and France who share the same universal modes of training, and today's field is far more competitive.

posted by charlatan at 02:02 PM on August 13, 2008

NBC to Stream NFL games live on the Internet this season.

Being a Jew, definitely. I'm mad and bitter at the world.

posted by charlatan at 04:39 PM on July 26, 2008

NBC to Stream NFL games live on the Internet this season.

1 game/week? Screw it, I'll stick to Sopcast and watch my 6 games at once on my comp screen.

posted by charlatan at 01:22 PM on July 26, 2008

You can't do without Shaq!

For a guy with this, how can anyone take what he's saying at face value?

posted by charlatan at 09:19 AM on June 27, 2008

Fukudome doesn't find racist T-shirts in Wrigleyville funny

Would the same outrage occur if it was an image of a shirtless, hairy, bib-overalled, southern, white guy spitting tobacco juice saying, "Shazam!"? For a white player in Japan, yes.

posted by charlatan at 12:49 PM on April 19, 2008

Stanford Knocks Off No. 2 USC

I work at a restaurant in Palo Alto, and the whole place froze for the final 15 minutes of the game. Then everyone started going crazy. I think one thing I've grown to realize over the years is how great a system USC has, and how that system can make decent athletes look like superstars. Just look to the NFL for the mediocrity that is Leinert, White, Bush, and Mike Williams. All studs in NCAA ball, but none can rise up in the pros. I was actually talking with Chad Hutchinson last night, and we both agree that Booty is well overrated if he can barely succeed in USC's system.

posted by charlatan at 04:29 PM on October 07, 2007

Most Popular NFL Teams (in Order): Cowboys, Colts, Steelers, Packers

Speaking as a fairweather fan, I can attest to our powers of destroying teams we support. Look at the job we did on the GS Warriors in the playoffs. What was once home to loud throngs of core Oakland-area fans became the coliseum of Silicon Valley socialites once they got past Round 1 of the playoffs against the #1-ranked Mavs. Ticket prices shot through the roof and quiet rooters replaced the decibel-blaring charge of the core fans. Homecourt advantage lost its dominance. Then we moved on to the next underdog after the Jazz trounced them. We're really like a pack of vultures.

posted by charlatan at 02:18 PM on October 03, 2007

Most Popular NFL Teams (in Order): Cowboys, Colts, Steelers, Packers

Proud bandwagon-hopper here. I like to root for winners. I live in the Bay Area, and the 49ers and Raiders are laughing-stocks of the league. What, am I to sit in the wings waiting for them to bloom in five seasons? No, I enjoy watching the game to the bitter finals with a cause to celebrate. This season, I'm a Pats, Cowboys, Colts, Favre, and Vince Young fan. I guarantee I know more than 90% of each fanbase too about "their" teams. I probably also cheer way louder and am more enthusiastic. Am I probably missing something? Sure. Nothing beats a resurgence after several heartbreak seasons backing the same pony. But here's the thing: who am I backing exactly? To me, I like to back players. Meaning I've been a Green Bay fan for several years and will probably stop once Favre retires. I'm in my mid-twenties and have lived eight different places since I was born. I'm moving again in a few months. Geography's out of the question. So do I choose a team off of team colors? What's left? That's right: the players. And coaches. Personnel changes, as do my allegiances. Just to add a little perspective for the oft-quiet minority of your token fairweather fan.

posted by charlatan at 03:39 AM on October 03, 2007

Stephen Ireland busted for lying.

Because having a miscarriage in Ireland is akin to not being able to hold your vodka in Russia.

posted by charlatan at 01:10 AM on September 15, 2007

Bobby Cox is about to break the all-time ejection record.

I heard he also lures children into his van.

posted by charlatan at 12:54 PM on July 19, 2007

Poll: Rooting for Bonds Divided by Race

Didn't Hank Aaron take greenies? I guess that's fair game, then.

posted by charlatan at 04:03 AM on July 17, 2007

Howard fastest in history to 100 homers

I'd be more impressed if he wasn't turning 28 this year. Guys like Griffey, ARod, Bonds, etc. started playing full seasons by 20. Still, pretty remarkable to beat the mark by 60 games.

posted by charlatan at 02:03 AM on June 28, 2007

LeBron James is on another level now

Jesus, what the hell is it about sports that brings out the Neanderthal? Also: the true test for Lebron will be Bruce Bowen.

posted by charlatan at 04:49 PM on June 01, 2007

Fisher returns, lifts Jazz in OT

And todate who has had the greatest impact coming out of high school. Hard to answer that until we can get retrospective analysis in the future on KG and Kobe's current impact.

posted by charlatan at 04:05 PM on May 10, 2007

For Ripken, a preview of Cooperstown

Those are some fitting diatribes for your handle. All joking aside, interesting read, thank you. My uncle works at the library across the street from the Hall and does research for the institution. He always has great stories too.

posted by charlatan at 02:39 PM on May 10, 2007

Fisher returns, lifts Jazz in OT

Bit of trivia for the uninitiated...Derek Fisher is the only player in the NBA drafted from a non-D-I school (discounting foreign and high school players). I loved his entrance into the game, like straight out of the WWE.

posted by charlatan at 02:33 PM on May 10, 2007

Bulls 0

They were outrebounded 60 to 32 and outshot 53% to 42%...and still managed to push the game into OT. This is some of the most amazing basketball I've ever witnessed. The Warriors are salvaging the NBA.

posted by charlatan at 02:27 PM on May 10, 2007

Pistons 4

They need to flat-out stop using Al Harrington. He's like a bloated seal weighing down a group of dolphins.

posted by charlatan at 04:08 PM on April 30, 2007

The New Color Line in American Baseball is Green

Let's not forget kids on the street in places like the Dominican Republic play with sticks and stones. Is it really fair to say anyone in America is disenfranchised?

posted by charlatan at 02:43 PM on April 22, 2007

Basketball is a Confidence Game

Grant Hill is 34 years old.

posted by charlatan at 04:46 PM on November 05, 2006

'Don't You Need at Least One Good Quarterback to Make a Controversy?'

Are people really that retarded to believe the Cowboys are in the shits alone because of TO? Jesus. As for the Cowboys themselves, they're a pretty solid team, just can't execute the small things right to win games. I'd say it's a matter of discipline, just don't know where Tuna fits into the whole mold of losing his ability to field a winning team.

posted by charlatan at 08:38 AM on October 25, 2006

The Best Deal Ever

That was awesome. Thanks.

posted by charlatan at 06:05 PM on July 31, 2006

First World Cup semi-final lives up to the hype.

Ufez, you have to be shittin me.... I was vacationing in France (Eax en Provence) the night the French won the Cup, and I, too, was at a crowded fountain-roundabout celebrating. I can't testify to the exact location, but I recall older, wide-and-high buildings about, near a bridge, cars being stopped from passing by the throngs of people, and one particular car speeding off, leaving drunk fools to fall off from hanging on at 30 mph. That'd be funny if we were in the same place.

posted by charlatan at 03:26 AM on July 06, 2006

First World Cup semi-final lives up to the hype.

The Italians were playing some world-class soccer today. In terms of momentum, they and the French seem to have it in them. Well, that's my guess for the finalists, anyway.

posted by charlatan at 04:07 AM on July 05, 2006

Good hitters are few and far between.

Just to clarify some math that bothered me.... Biggio is on pace to break it in a year. Jeter is on pace to break it in 5-6 years. So the gap is 4-5 years. (I don't know how you came up with 8.)

posted by charlatan at 02:47 PM on July 04, 2006

France stop the samba.

Euro 2006.

posted by charlatan at 02:04 PM on July 02, 2006

Did Schuey really cheat at Monaco?

I thanked him for the effort. The knock against the writing is the hope to clue people in on submitting clearer pieces to the front page. When I have to trudge through something due to poor grammar and walk away with more questions than answers about what the story relates to (with no links to reference, to boot), that's not a sign of a good article.

posted by charlatan at 06:58 PM on June 07, 2006

Did Schuey really cheat at Monaco?

So we're into censoring constructive criticism here....I'm now aware.

posted by charlatan at 06:33 PM on June 07, 2006

So much for Pujol's run at the HR and RBI records

This assuming his stated age is accurate.

posted by charlatan at 03:29 AM on June 05, 2006

This is your ballplayer and this is your ballplayer on 'roids. Any questions?

A whopping $337.

posted by charlatan at 10:34 PM on February 28, 2006

Bode "rocked" at the Olympics

http://www.livejournal.com There you go.

posted by charlatan at 06:00 PM on February 25, 2006

Bode "rocked" at the Olympics

These are misguided comments. He got to where he is by living a certain lifestyle, from the training to the qualifying races to the Olympic events. And so he was off during his Olympic runs. So be it. Don't knock a guy who's been doing things the way he always has, just because corporate USA decided Bode would be the poster boy of 2006.

posted by charlatan at 04:37 PM on February 25, 2006

Big Ben Parties Like A Champ!

Yayyyy, he knows how to get down with some friends in his garage.

posted by charlatan at 07:34 PM on February 01, 2006

Stone Cold Lock: Jacksonville Over New England

Everytime someone says Who Dey I just think of Uday. Hussein.

posted by charlatan at 04:05 PM on January 06, 2006

Top 10 All-Time Point Guards

Umm, where's Tony Parker? I call BS.

posted by charlatan at 12:57 PM on December 02, 2005

Brett Favre turns one over ... to a fan

Some girl ran onto a court one game to hug Wally Sczerbiak.

posted by charlatan at 05:28 PM on October 31, 2005

The NBA's ugliest Uniforms

Oh man, graymatters, I was laughin for days at that. Based on their list, I gotta say the Hawks '99 looked pretty slick.

posted by charlatan at 12:25 PM on October 31, 2005

WS Ratings suck! Thank you, FOX!

The only charismatic person on either team spent his time in the dugout. It's the same deal in the NBA. The Spurs and Pistons, two of the most (apparently) lifeless teams managed a 30% hit to NBA Finals ratings.

posted by charlatan at 10:34 AM on October 28, 2005

Podsednik's shot sinks Astros in Game 2

Chisox have won 14 of their last 15 games against heated contendors with everything on the line. Incredible.

posted by charlatan at 12:37 PM on October 24, 2005

Amare out for up to four months.

I'm glad this all comes a couple weeks before we all fantasy it up.

posted by charlatan at 07:49 PM on October 11, 2005

Catching a home run ball is great, but what about two!!!

Haha, what did the kid do?

posted by charlatan at 09:16 PM on October 10, 2005

Yankees stay alive

Nah, I want the Yankees to go on. Chicago/Anaheim would make for a snorefest.

posted by charlatan at 03:36 AM on October 10, 2005

Playoffs don't need Berman's embellishments

No one will ever be as bad as Dennis Miller. Unless we're gonna throw Joe Morgan's name out there: during the Yanks-Angels game last night, after it began raining...."if both pitchers had to be taken out of the game, Joe Torre would not like that trade-off of losing Randy Johnson for Paul Byrd. He wouldn't like it at all." I couldn't stop laughing.

posted by charlatan at 01:51 PM on October 08, 2005

Done.

The curse lives on. Time to fish that piano out of Willis Pond.

posted by charlatan at 06:45 PM on October 07, 2005

Sweep

The curse lives on. Time to fish that piano out of Willis Pond.

posted by charlatan at 06:44 PM on October 07, 2005

Is it time?

Then there's the 7th. Intangibles. For Yankee fans to justify Jeter.

posted by charlatan at 02:08 PM on September 24, 2005

Is it time?

Eh, I don't know about this one.... Sure, Ortiz isn't on the field, but then guys like Thome or Giambi thrown into 1B doesn't exactly make them fielders, and Giambi's won a MVP award before. Maybe if Ortiz's numbers were a bit larger in comparison to the competition. You know, Barry Bonds-esque. (And how trite of the article to point out Ortiz leads in HR, RBI....and HR/AB and RBI/AB ratio, as if the two don't go hand in hand).

posted by charlatan at 01:29 PM on September 24, 2005

Eh. Good idea, but pretty bland execution. Too much far-reaching for a funny (Jose Canseco representing the A's; can we stay topical?). Thanks for the link though, a couple alright ones.

posted by charlatan at 05:28 PM on September 17, 2005

Clemens' Mother Dies Today, He Will Pitch Tonight To Honor Her

Good for him. The day my mom dies, you can bet whatever passion I'm into will be thoroughly dedicated to her. Save grieving for once you've gotten a monster out of your system.

posted by charlatan at 06:17 PM on September 14, 2005

Javon Walker out for the season , Torn ACL

Favre is the best QB in the history of the game. Just my opinion.

posted by charlatan at 09:03 PM on September 12, 2005

Javon Walker out for the season , Torn ACL

Welp, there goes my fantasy team.

posted by charlatan at 06:00 PM on September 12, 2005

MLB 2005 Salary vs Performance.

It'd be a lot more profound if both the W-L and salary columns were distributed on an axis rather than numerically, given it's suppossed to be a visual treatment. But interesting anyway, thank you.

posted by charlatan at 12:19 AM on September 12, 2005

What's bigger? Connors in '91 or Agassi today?

You know, pulling out the "troll" card seems to be the new lazy defense any time anyone has a dissenting opinion. "Oh my, he has an opinion, it's communicated passionately, and it's different from mine....troll!" Let's grow up and stick to the issues.

posted by charlatan at 04:01 PM on September 11, 2005

What's bigger? Connors in '91 or Agassi today?

Class? What a stupid thing to care about when it comes to competition or deciding who's achievements are greater. I never understand the antipathy when it comes to athletes like Tyson, T.O., Bonds, or guys like Connors. Who gives a shit about their attitude? Judge the way they dominate a sport and nothing else. Being a jackass comes into strategy for some, also. Judge performance, not candor. QED

posted by charlatan at 08:40 PM on September 10, 2005