Recent Comments by grum@work

Enter the NFL Playoff Pickem

My picks:

Seahawks by 6
Jaguars by 13
Bills by 17 (lock)
Vikings by 13
Bengals by 20 (lock)
Cowboys by 3
Passer: Joe Burrow
Rusher: Saquon Barkley
Receiver: Stefon Diggs
Player with interception: Matt Milano

posted by grum@work at 04:12 PM on January 13, 2023

NHL Playoff Pickem: Stanley Cup Finals Round

My picks:

Lightning in 7
Top goals: Stamkos
Top goalie (save %): Andrei Vasilevskiy
Team scoring 6 goals: Avalanche
Game 1 winner: Avalanche
Top assists: Kucherov
Conn Smythe: Kucherov
Top penalty minutes: Perry
Tiebreaker: 44

posted by grum@work at 07:06 PM on June 13, 2022

NHL Playoff Pickem: Third Round

My picks:

Avalanche in 7
Lightning in 5
Top goals: McDavid
Top goalie (save %): Andrei Vasilevskiy
Team scoring 6 goals: Oilers
Team with shutout: Lightning

posted by grum@work at 08:13 PM on May 30, 2022

NHL Playoff Pickem: Second Round

My picks:

Lightning in 7
Avalanche in 4
Hurricanes in 5
Oilers in 7
Top goals: Connor McDavid
Top goalie (save %): Antti Raanta
Team scoring 6 goals: Oilers
Game 1 winner: Hurricanes

posted by grum@work at 09:37 PM on May 16, 2022

Enter the SportsFilter NHL Playoff Pickem

My picks:

Hurricanes in 5
Maple Leafs in 6
Wild in 5
Oilers in 6
Penguins in 7
Panthers in 4
Avalanche in 4
Wild in 5
Top goals: M.Tkachuk
Top goalie (save %): Darcy Kuemper
Team scoring 6 goals: Maple Leafs
Game 1 winner: Panthers

I'm picking the Flames over the Stars in 5.

posted by grum@work at 07:31 AM on May 02, 2022

David Ortiz First Ballot Hall of Famer

But what Rose did, was after his playing career.

He was in a position of power (manager) on a MLB team, so what he did was WORSE than if he did it while he was a player.

If he was a player and betting on games he participated in, then the only effect he can have is what he, himself, does on the field. He can't influence the outcome of the games except when he is batting, fielding, or running.

As a manager, he could affect the outcome of the game in so many different ways. Starting pitcher choice, batting lineups (where/whom), reliever usage (when/whom), pinch-hitters (when/whom), hit-and-runs or bunts (when/whom), and defensive alignments (when/whom) are all under his control as the manager.

Any and all defense for Rose is just pathetic in my eyes.

Comparing what he did to players who used PEDs and were not punished (like Clemens, Bonds, Mays, etc) is ridiculous.

If you want to keep Ramirez and Rodriguez out of the hall for being suspended for PED use, I have no problem with that. There were specific rules and they broke them.

The fact that the commissioner during the PED era (Selig), managers that obviously knew and benefited from the PED usage (LaRussa), and other players suspected of using PEDs (I.Rodriguez, Ortiz) are already in the HOF completely neuters any reason why Bonds and Clemens shouldn't get elected to the HOF when they come up for the Modern Era committee vote in the future.

posted by grum@work at 07:00 AM on January 27, 2022

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

Happy Bat Flip Day!

It's not an official holiday in Toronto/Ontario/Canada...yet.

posted by grum@work at 11:09 AM on October 14, 2021

Jack Grealish to Man City for £100m

I wonder if they might have wanted to save a few pounds in case something else came out on the market.

posted by grum@work at 09:04 AM on August 06, 2021

Yankees Fan Throws Baseball at Red Sox Outfielder

Recent developments in the story suggest that it was a 16-year-old kid who was taunted/peer-pressured into throwing the ball back by the bleacher creatures around him. He then tossed it back and accidentally hit Verdugo.

posted by grum@work at 08:51 AM on July 19, 2021

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

Yes.

Wow, my link got absolutely mangled in the cut/paste process.

posted by grum@work at 09:00 AM on July 17, 2021

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

LET'S GOOOOOOOO!

posted by grum@work at 07:03 PM on July 16, 2021

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

England makes a major tournament finale.

The Toronto/Montreal Stanley Cup streak is broken.

I...I just don't know how to handle these momentous historical anomalies...

posted by grum@work at 10:52 PM on July 07, 2021

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

Habs win game 4.

History.

Is.

Inevitable.

posted by grum@work at 11:51 PM on July 05, 2021

NHL Playoff Pickem, Stanley Cup Edition

My picks:

Canadiens in 7
Top goals: Point
Top goalie (save %): Carey Price
Team scoring 6 goals: Canadiens
Game 1 winner: Lightning
Top assists: Kucherov
Conn Smythe: Price
Top penalty minutes: Weber
Tiebreaker: 18

History, man. You can't fight history.

posted by grum@work at 02:49 PM on June 28, 2021

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

LEHKONEN! HEROS NATIONAL!

Why doesn't Sportsfilter like the accented e?

Also, the three players that got a point on that OT winner...it was their first points of the series.

posted by grum@work at 10:07 AM on June 25, 2021

NHL Playoff Pickem: Conference Finals Edition

My picks:

Canadiens in 7
Lightning in 7
Top goals: Tiffoli
Top goalie (save %): Carey Price
Team scoring 6 goals: Lightning
Team giving up 0 goals: Canadiens

posted by grum@work at 12:34 PM on June 14, 2021

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

By the way, I'm not sure if everyone knew this piece of information, but it might be important going forward for any NHL predictions:

Since the foundation of the NHL (1917) one thing has remained true for every single season of its history:

If a Toronto team plays a Montreal team in the playoffs, the winner of that series wins the Stanley Cup.

Toronto Maple Leafs/St. Pats/Arenas
vs
Montreal Canadiens/Maroons

It does not matter. It has ALWAYS worked out that the winner of that series (at any point in the playoffs) wins the Stanley Cup.

1918 - Arenas beat Canadiens for Stanley Cup
1925 - Canadiens beat St. Pats in semi-finals, win Stanley Cup
1932 - Maple Leafs beat Maroons in semi-finals, win Stanley Cup
1935 - Maroons beat Maple Leafs for Stanley Cup
1944 - Canadiens beat Maple Leafs in semi-finals, win Stanley Cup
1945 - Maple Leafs beat Canadiens in semi-finals, win Stanley Cup
1947 - Maple Leafs beat Canadiens for Stanley Cup
1951 - Maple Leafs beat Canadiens for Stanley Cup
1959 - Canadiens beat Maple Leafs for Stanley Cup
1960 - Canadiens beat Maple Leafs for Stanley Cup
1963 - Maple Leafs beat Canadiens in semi-finals, win Stanley Cup
1964 - Maple Leafs beat Canadiens in semi-finals, win Stanley Cup
1965 - Canadiens beat Maple Leafs in semi-finals, win Stanley Cup
1966 - Canadiens beat Maple Leafs in semi-finals, win Stanley Cup
1967 - Maple Leafs beat Canadiens for Stanley Cup
1978 - Canadiens beat Maple Leafs in semi-finals, win Stanley Cup
1979 - Canadiens beat Maple Leafs in quarter-finals, win Stanley Cup
2021 - Canadiens beat Maple Leafs in first round...

posted by grum@work at 11:55 AM on June 08, 2021

Edmonton Ex-Eskimos Unveil New Name

That works for me.

They can even do a "throwback" helmet and still use the EE logo.

posted by grum@work at 07:51 PM on June 06, 2021

Enter the NHL Playoff Pickem Round 2

Revised picks:

Jets in 7

posted by grum@work at 01:09 PM on June 02, 2021

Majors May Disqualify Osaka for Refusing to Do Interviews

There are some things that don't add up. A self proclaimed private person and introvert handling things in such a public and declarative manner for one.

Being public means that people have to talk about it, and maybe if they talk about it people will start to understand and won't belittle or demean an athlete who has mental health issues. Given the responses that have come out, that was probably wishful thinking...

The kicker for me is the fact that she took questions after her match from a Japanese broadcaster that she is under contract to, then said sorry, no media appearances.

I'm going to guess that the questions and discussion topics from the Japanese broadcaster were of a friendly variety, and probably not in an adversarial tone.

posted by grum@work at 07:36 AM on June 01, 2021

Enter the NHL Playoff Pickem Round 2

My picks:

Bruins in 6
Lightning in 6
Avalanche in 6
Top goals: MacKinnon
Top goalie (save %): Tuukka Rask
Team scoring 6 goals: Avalanche
Team giving up 0 goals: Lightning

posted by grum@work at 10:22 AM on May 29, 2021

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

I'm generally not a fan of alternate jerseys that deviate too far from the standard, but these Chicago White Sox "City Edition" jerseys are amazing.

I have absolutely no connection with the White Sox, the south side, or Chicago (other than a nice visit 5 years ago), and I'm fighting the urge not to buy one.

posted by grum@work at 12:02 PM on May 28, 2021

Phil Mickelson Did What?

It was a classic Mickelson round, too.

Just when it looked like an easy walk in the park, he started putting the ball in terrible locations. But, just like he almost always does, his recovery shots were phenomenal.

That second shot on 18, with the crowd around him like that, was fantastic.

posted by grum@work at 09:00 AM on May 24, 2021

Enter the NHL Playoff Pickem

rumple: Your picks don't work. You have the Wild and Vegas both winning, but they play each other. Use the link post title to enter your picks.

posted by grum@work at 03:12 PM on May 18, 2021

Enter the NHL Playoff Pickem

My picks:

Capitals in 7
Hurricanes in 6
Oilers in 5
Avalanche in 5
Panthers in 7
Penguins in 7
Maple Leafs in 6
Golden Knights in 5
Top goals: Matthews
Top goalie (save %): Philipp Grubauer
Team scoring 6 goals: Maple Leafs
Team giving up 0 goals: Avalanche

If the Leafs can't get to the semi-finals this year...

posted by grum@work at 03:11 PM on May 18, 2021

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

A pretty rare moment (first time in almost a century) in baseball tonight.

The home run leader for the season is going to be the starting pitcher in an MLB game.

posted by grum@work at 02:48 PM on April 26, 2021

Will a 'Super League' blow up global soccer? Here's what we know after bombshell announcement

Howard: Don't forget the WHA trying to step up against the NHL back in the 1970s. Just like the AFL/ABA, the smaller league eventually was (partially) absorbed into the bigger league.

The dissolution of the minor league baseball system this off-season is SORT OF like this. Instead of this large interconnected system of Rookie/A-/A+/AA/AAA teams, they major league teams sliced off 60% of the teams and pulled them into the official minor league system. The remaining minor league teams have to get by on their own as independents.

posted by grum@work at 09:46 PM on April 19, 2021

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

I assume it's just random chance that the last few days have seen some absolutely outrageously lopsided scores in the NBA for this season.

Every 40+ point differential in the NBA this season, and four of them have been in the last two days:

                                                                                
Rk              Date                    Team               Opponent +/-    Final
1     Fri Apr 2 2021         Toronto Raptors  Golden State Warriors +53 W 130-77
2    Sun Dec 27 2020        Dallas Mavericks   Los Angeles Clippers +51 W 124-73
3    Sun Feb 28 2021       Memphis Grizzlies        Houston Rockets +49 W 133-84
4     Sat Apr 3 2021  Portland Trail Blazers  Oklahoma City Thunder +48 W 133-85
5    Tue Dec 29 2020         Milwaukee Bucks             Miami Heat +47 W 144-97
6     Sat Apr 3 2021               Utah Jazz          Orlando Magic +46 W 137-91
7     Sat Apr 3 2021         New York Knicks        Detroit Pistons +44 W 125-81
8     Fri Jan 8 2021         Houston Rockets          Orlando Magic +42 W 132-90
9    Sun Mar 21 2021        Dallas Mavericks Portland Trail Blazers +40 W 132-92

posted by grum@work at 08:45 AM on April 04, 2021

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

This hit by Nikita Zadorov on Patrick Hornqvist may be the biggest, banished-to-the-shadow-realm, clean hockey hit I have ever seen.

posted by grum@work at 11:18 PM on March 25, 2021

Blue Jays Will Use TV Audio on Radio Broadcasts

I'm not a fan of this plan, but they've got the right guy to be broadcasting the play-by-play: Dan Shulman.

He's been the voice of ESPN radio baseball broadcasts for years, so he knows how to do it.

I'm going to hold final judgement until I hear how Shulman performs for the first few games.

posted by grum@work at 08:47 AM on March 10, 2021

Daniel Snyder is the Kindest, Bravest, Warmest, Most Wonderful Human Being I've Ever Known in My Life

I loved it. The WFT is much better than Cats. I'm going to see it again and again.

posted by grum@work at 08:35 AM on March 09, 2021

EA Sports is Returning to the College Football Game

They try to match the skill level of the players in the game to real life by assigning statistical ratings for various physical components: speed, size, strength, stamina, skills, intelligence.

So slow plodding fullbacks are noticeably different than speedy lithe wide receivers. Strong armed pocket quarterbacks will be different than noodle-armed running QBs. 300lb linemen will tend to overpower their smaller opponents, but maybe the smaller guys are faster/more maneuverable...

posted by grum@work at 09:14 PM on February 03, 2021

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

STRETCH to stay onside!

posted by grum@work at 11:53 PM on January 31, 2021

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

The closest you can get to making a free throw, without actually making the free throw.

posted by grum@work at 08:21 AM on January 26, 2021

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

What does the arena operator do at an NHL game during intermission when there is no one in the stands?

If you're curious, they did win.

For the old folks here, the music is from 70s TV game shows "Card Sharks" and/or "Double Dare".

posted by grum@work at 11:41 AM on January 14, 2021

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

Because it could only happen to the Knicks, they somehow ended up with two different players wearing #23 on the back of their jersey's last game.

Mitchell Robinson and Reggie Bullock both had #23 on the back of their jerseys. Bullock had his correct number (#25) on the front of his jersey, but for some weird reason had #23 on the back of his jersey.

In summary, the New York Knicks.

posted by grum@work at 12:24 PM on December 27, 2020

Robinson Cano Suspended for 2021 Season Over PEDs

He's making ~$24million a season until he turns 40, and he still used PEDs?

What a maroon!

Now, if the 2021 season is only 60 games again, does he get off lightly, or do they stretch it into the 2022 season as well?

posted by grum@work at 08:32 PM on November 18, 2020

The Miami Marlins make history with hiring of Kim Ng as general manager

She's been considered a GM candidate for over a decade now, so this was probably long over due.

posted by grum@work at 12:19 AM on November 14, 2020

Chicago White Sox Hire Tony La Russa as Manager

The last "Tony La Russa is old" statistic:

- Currently, the second oldest manager in the majors is now Dusty Baker. When Dusty Baker was a player, the last manager he ever had was...Tony La Russa, in 1986.

posted by grum@work at 10:01 AM on October 30, 2020

Chicago White Sox Hire Tony La Russa as Manager

and a reputation for being player-friendly.

He hasn't always been that way.

In 2016: "I would not, to the best of my ability, I would not sanction somebody taking a knee.
"I think that's disrespectful, and I really question the sincerity of somebody like Kaepernick. I remember when he was on top. I never heard him talk about anything but himself. Now all of a sudden he's struggling for attention and he makes this big pitch. I don't buy it. And even if he was sincere, there are other ways to show your concern. Disrespecting our flag is not the way to do it."

...
And again: "No, sir, I would not allow it. ... If you want to make your statement you make it in the clubhouse, but not out there, you're not going to show it that way publicly and disrespectfully."

In 2020, he's kind of walked it back: "I know in 2016 when the first issue occurred, my initial instincts were all about respecting the flag and the anthem and what America stands for. There's been a lot that's [gone] on in a very healthy way since 2016, and not only do I respect but I applaud the awareness that's come into not just society, but especially in sports. If you talk about specifically baseball, I applaud and would support the fact that they are now addressing [and] identifying the injustices, especially on the racial side."

posted by grum@work at 08:25 PM on October 29, 2020

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

So...that was a hell of a finish to Game 4 of the World Series!

Every mistake made on that play that I could see after watching the replays:

  • Dave Roberts put Jansen in/left Jansen in.
  • Jansen threw a bad pitch.
  • Taylor bobbled the ball.
  • Muncy threw the ball to the wrong side (always throw up the line so the catcher can watch the runner while fielding the ball).
  • Umpire/someone did not clear the bat out of the way, and Smith stepped on it.
  • Smith mishandled the throw.
  • Jansen didn't back up the plate.
  • Third base coach waved in Arozarena.
  • Arozarena fell down.
  • Phillips kept running to 3rd (blocking Arozarena's retreat option if he needed it).

posted by grum@work at 01:23 AM on October 25, 2020

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

Taiwanese baseball highlight:

Outfielder robs a home run, but only reveals he's caught the ball after batter is deep into his home run trot. Stunned looks from everyone!

That's the most cold-blooded thing I've ever seen on a baseball field. I love it.

posted by grum@work at 10:14 AM on October 16, 2020

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

In the Log Cabin With My Favorite Player: Appreciating Traditional American Masculinity Through Homoerotic Language in Baseball Fandom

For instance, when the user "jonginator" posted the team pitcher Luis Severino's stats, he titled his baseball stats post, "Get Your Lube and Whip Out Your Dicks Kids, Here is a New Fangraphs Article about Severino."

posted by grum@work at 03:35 PM on October 01, 2020

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

33,000 tests, and no positives. The NHL playoff bubble has been a success.

posted by grum@work at 10:07 PM on September 28, 2020

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

The super-slow-mo of Adebayo's block on Tatum is amazing.

(the sound, however, is nightmare fuel)

posted by grum@work at 10:12 AM on September 16, 2020

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

In case you missed the highlight:

Vladdy Guerrero Jr. did a straight steal of second base, and it wasn't even close.

That's a BIG man stealing a base right there.

posted by grum@work at 11:21 PM on September 07, 2020

Milwaukee Bucks Boycott Game 5 of Playoff Series

The Lakers and Clippers have voted to boycott the NBA season. Most other teams voted to continue. LeBron James has exited the meeting.

I have no idea where this is going to end up, but this is historic.

posted by grum@work at 12:30 AM on August 27, 2020

Milwaukee Bucks Boycott Game 5 of Playoff Series

Chris Webber's take reminds everyone it was 4 years ago today when Colin Kaepernick first knelt during an anthem.

posted by grum@work at 07:55 PM on August 26, 2020

Milwaukee Bucks Boycott Game 5 of Playoff Series

Kenny Smith walked off the set of "Inside the NBA" in solidarity with the players.

posted by grum@work at 07:37 PM on August 26, 2020

Milwaukee Bucks Boycott Game 5 of Playoff Series

The Magic have refused the forfeit, and the NBA has canceled all of the games for tonight.

It is suspected that all of the games tomorrow will also be canceled, as the Raptors/Celtics were hinting at striking (since boycott means not buying, and what they are doing is striking) as early as yesterday.

posted by grum@work at 05:53 PM on August 26, 2020

Over Two Minutes of MLB Players Cursing in Empty Stadiums

"Sorry."

posted by grum@work at 01:42 AM on August 22, 2020

Thom Brennaman Makes Anti-Gay Comment on Hot Mic During Reds Game

Reds fans say he was talking about the San Francisco/Oakland World Series in the previous segment.

The apology home run call sounded almost like an SNL skit. All that was missing was the "this home run and apology is brought to you by Blue Emu, America's number one emu oil formula" tag at the end.

posted by grum@work at 09:42 AM on August 20, 2020

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

Dale Hawerchuk had the misfortune of being one of the best players in the league during the time when two of the greatest players in history were also playing.

He's the best definition of "underrated super star".

posted by grum@work at 12:26 AM on August 19, 2020

Body cam and long distance camera footage released showing Masai Ujiri's run-in with Almeda County sheriff deputy.

According to the deputy:

- Ujiri did not identify himself
- Ujiri did not show credentials
- Ujiri was the one to strike first
- Ujiri punched him
- Ujiri struck him hard enough that he required worker's compensation

posted by grum@work at 12:20 AM on August 19, 2020

Fernando Tatis Jr.'s grand slam draws ire of manager Jayce Tingler, Texas Rangers

Every manager in the game is going to take issue with a young player ignoring a sign to take a pitch.

Fine, but you don't publicly air that issue to the media when he hits a grand slam and your team has won.

You go to him in private and say something and that's it.

posted by grum@work at 10:31 PM on August 18, 2020

Fernando Tatis Jr.'s grand slam draws ire of manager Jayce Tingler, Texas Rangers

Who the fuck is Jayce Tingler?

The answer should be "former Padres Manager, now bagging groceries at the local Piggly Wiggly".

posted by grum@work at 04:44 PM on August 18, 2020

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

I have now watched the ends of the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 12th longest games in NHL history as they happened. I'm not sure how I missed #5.

Once it gets into a 3rd overtime, I start hoping it'll be the one that breaks the record.

I've only had a rooting interest in two of those listed long overtime games (a loss to Philly and a win over Ottawa), so as a neutral observer most of the time it's just fascinating to watch.

posted by grum@work at 09:57 AM on August 12, 2020

Enter SportsFilter's NHL Playoff Pick 'Em

I was going to make my picks, but to emulate my Leafs I've decide not to show up in the end.

*sigh*

posted by grum@work at 01:24 AM on August 11, 2020

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

This is called a "four-base error".

posted by grum@work at 06:37 PM on August 09, 2020

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

1/5th of the teams in MLB are not playing this weekend because of covid19 issues.

It feels like the MLB car has blown a tire in the first lap and they are going to be trying to change it in the middle of the race without going into the pits...

posted by grum@work at 01:54 PM on July 31, 2020