- 12:07 PM
- 04/19/24
Go Cougars!? Ok, Ok, I got nothing...
posted by sfts2 at 01:14 AM on January 27, 2009
There's not much top say about this that hasn't been said, but I'll just say you can push kids, but to think that not letting them stay hydrated is not only stupid, but definitely borders on criminal. In barely related news
posted by sfts2 at 01:10 AM on January 27, 2009
As much as you might hate Bonds, he's nothing, nothing compared to Maddox.
posted by sfts2 at 11:58 PM on January 23, 2009
I just wish they'd stay out of sports all together.
posted by sfts2 at 11:47 PM on January 23, 2009
Its hard for me vote for a line that has one superstar and two other competent players. That is sort of why I'd go for the French Connection over a couple of others. All three players were very good and they played very well as a unit, and were together for a few years.
posted by sfts2 at 11:42 PM on January 23, 2009
As a coach, I'd rather lose big than have the other team stop competing hard. That's more embarrassing to me. I can't speak for every kid I've ever coached and JMHO.
posted by sfts2 at 11:37 PM on January 23, 2009
Personal fav? French Connection.
posted by sfts2 at 05:18 PM on January 21, 2009
I'm sure Mariotti is thinking about his free trip to China, something he could not afford, being a national sports writing figure. That is just silly.
posted by sfts2 at 06:29 AM on August 29, 2008
Dude, you're brutal. With 9 seasons batting over .300 and a lifetime BA of .298 with just about 2600 hits, I'm not sure journeyman is the right adjective.
posted by sfts2 at 03:12 PM on May 05, 2008
I love that Angell quote...and a very nice photo set.
posted by sfts2 at 10:02 AM on March 04, 2008
The NCAA is clearly once again out of step with reality, and it seems entirely appropriate for them to sanction schools who cannot provide a reasonable level of security to fans and players. And to the posters above. This behavior has NOTHING to do with the internet, cell phones, blogs or anything like that. Just because similar behavior gets exhibited in those media, doesn't mean that it any kind of cause. The cause is poor parenting. Period. But thats a whole 'nother discussion.
posted by sfts2 at 01:18 PM on February 29, 2008
Great read, what an interesting story...
posted by sfts2 at 02:40 PM on February 14, 2008
Calling Bob Knight a hypocrite is farther from the truth than anything that I have ever heard. There is no coach that is more passionate or caring about his players in the game. No one is is more concerned about doing things the right way. He was tired, not able to give it his best, and tried to do what was in the best interest of the program. As he always did. Yeah, his temper was a problem, but I believe that even the tirades were often scripted and designed to fire up his players and to get through to players that letting their own weakness get in the way of what they wanted to accomplish. Great coaches and great men do that. A flawed man, but a great one. IMHO
posted by sfts2 at 08:46 AM on February 06, 2008
I tend to think that if you really think about what it means to be a coach, and try to tune out the noise from the TV pundits, its hard to not respect Bob Knight. His positives seem to outweigh his negatives by so much. Forget the on court accomplishments. He turned boys to men.
posted by sfts2 at 11:15 AM on February 05, 2008
I'm so glad there's nothing else that these morons should be working on. IMHO, this and the steroid crap is driven by a childlike desire to bask in the radiated glow of celebrity heroes and garner some non-CSPAN TV facetime.
posted by sfts2 at 11:48 AM on February 01, 2008
Where do you think Maddox learned all that crap.
posted by sfts2 at 02:45 PM on July 19, 2007
If I had a dollar for all the times someones has enlightened me about how tough it is for kids to play professional sports, well, I'd be rich as a professional athlete. To me, a big part of supporting kids in their athletic dreams is to teach them life lessons like: to achieve a dream takes lots of work - and a little luck, you don't get cut - you cut yourself, and lots of people will explain to you why you will fail. I ignored all of these people and have had both my son's ignore them too. Both have a shot (I know, I know - a small shot) to play professional ball. If they do not achieve their dream, they both have a Plan B, and will have learned another valuable life lesson. The possibility of failure is not a reason not to try. Agree completely, about the specialization issue - kids don't need to specialize very early at all, just leads to burnout.
posted by sfts2 at 10:43 AM on June 06, 2007
Drood, Whats the title of the best video in that series in your opinion...I'm going to buy one for a biker friend movie night I'm planning...TIA
posted by sfts2 at 11:06 AM on May 30, 2007
Great friggin' post.
posted by sfts2 at 08:56 AM on May 29, 2007
Soccer and Americans. What koyaaan said seems reasonable, but if Americans are too 'something' to appreciate soccer, how do you explain the love of baseball. Maybe we just don't like soccer as much? Great goal, and the Messi goal was MUCH more impressive than the Maradona.
posted by sfts2 at 07:37 AM on April 21, 2007
I was at this game with my son. It was a great day. Fans definitely showing Arod the love, even before this. The real story here is 3 strong outings against a tough team by young Yankee pitchers.
posted by sfts2 at 06:00 AM on April 20, 2007
Good player^h^h^h^h^h^h hitter. Nutjob.
posted by sfts2 at 09:54 AM on April 18, 2007
Gillespie out, Boeheim in.
posted by sfts2 at 01:27 PM on April 12, 2007
57-1 is UFB. My son's college team had a DH similar to this this past weekend. Won the first game 24-0, scoring 14 before the first out was recorded, and he pitched the second winning 14-0 in 5 IP. Sort of lame. The coach had him working on his breaking ball, throwing 3 or four per AB, only throwing FB if he got behind. I thought this was bad. The stuff upthread about stats is very true.
posted by sfts2 at 09:33 AM on April 11, 2007
I did not like Stephon Marbury (I'm a huge Knicks fan...till the reign of Thomas) until I read this article. 'I'd rather own than be owned' A classic.
posted by sfts2 at 03:46 PM on March 29, 2007
A big part is quite simple. Baseball requires a lot of room and big infrastructure. Fields, equipment, umpires, and endless supply of balls at 8 bucks a pop. Inner city? Difficult. The lack of fields in my areas constricts many teams from forming. Also, with a rising Hispanic influence, you have the emergence of soccer. Lacrosse is competeing strongly for the best athletes any wayLastly, again in my area, all of the baseball leagues are run by white people, with very little participation by black men. I know htere is a very subtle racism that enters into this, although I do not think it would stand in the way of a determined black player, more like they do not seek out or recruit good black athletes like they might a young white player.
posted by sfts2 at 09:44 AM on March 15, 2007
At the risk of not jumping to conclusions, does it seem weird to anyone else that although it is not known (or disclosed rather) what his relationship with the woman was, he is not allowed to return to his own home? And that 'the fight moved outside' while he was trying to leave, where upon she launched a pan through his windshield? Now, I think Artest is a moron. Here's my guess. Ron picks up or has brief relationship with some NBA hanger-on, decides to end it, and gets into fight with aggressive woman. Having 0 self-control, he slaps her around, and tries to leave, she follows him outside, realizing that her only chance of a payday is to cause some kind of scene and settle. Who knows, but it sure wouldn't surprise me, as I have always thought of him as being an idiot with no judgement, not a aggressive bully.
posted by sfts2 at 08:57 AM on March 06, 2007
I've always liked Wells and got to watch him a bit during his time with the Yanks. A competitor, played hurt, always good for a quote, and he definitely can field his position and is a great athlete. Maddux too, except for the quote thing. Its good to see the old guys can still play. Just like the Mets...
posted by sfts2 at 10:52 AM on March 02, 2007
yay-yo You seem to not understand the difference between the normal acceptance of risk of playing a sport, and watching a coach and player attempt to deliberately hurt your child (possibly). You also don't seem to realize the difference between 11 year old recreational sports and professional football. A blindside hit is not an illegal move with the goal of injury, and Manning is not an 11 year old rec wrestler. Whatever your own opinion is, it is nothing more than that, regardless of how strongly you believe it. No one condones the parent's actions, but I also think that 'over the top' parenting is just as bad a 'over the top' coaching and I can empathize with the parent who saw it happening to his child and then exercised bad judgement by reacting emotionally. Don't confuse media hype with the evidence of your own eyes. The kid wasn't thrown 10 feet, blah, blah, blah, and it certainly did not subject him to physical risk greater than the sport he was participating in. Papers like to sensationalize this stuff to help them sell papers.
posted by sfts2 at 11:37 AM on February 21, 2007
Isn't the situation basically that the kid with the known hurt shoulder was subjected to an illegal chicken-wing hold and the dad in question stopped the action by throwing the kid and confronted the coach/cameraman about 'thats not how the sport should be coached' Thats what I seemed to have gleaned from the articles and the posts. The guy over-reacted and should have some consequences but he was probably right - at 11 year old rec wrestling thats (targeting an injury to gain advantage) not appropriate coaching. I had a similar issue with a football coach with my 10 year old son, where the opposing coach told his player to cut-block my son - which was illegal (albeit a well-known technique at the pro level) I didn't rush the field, but the coach and I had words very similar to the dad in question, and I was pretty pissed.
posted by sfts2 at 04:01 PM on February 20, 2007
I think he was going to be fired (or at least Jones wanted to or was going to start taking a bigger role) and Bill said screw it and left. Either that, or he intentionally screwed them. I don't think he would have waited till now to retire if it was his decision alone.
posted by sfts2 at 03:38 PM on January 22, 2007
On the TD at the back of the endzone, I didn't think the relevant rule was "would he have landed inbounds if he hadn't been pushed?" I was watching with the sound off at our baseball workout, so I heard no commentary, and it seemed clear to me that his heel were OOB before he jumped, and I thought you couldn't go out of bounds and be the first person to touch the ball. Surprised they upheld that call.
posted by sfts2 at 08:25 AM on January 22, 2007
This company threw in a few Elvis style jumpsuits to close the deal.
posted by sfts2 at 03:44 PM on January 10, 2007
51 days is friggin' ridiculous for many reasons. Not a factor though. Who know, but OSU didn't show up, even after the kick return. Tressell was thoroughly outcoached. I heard Urban Meyer goes to Miami next year.
posted by sfts2 at 08:49 PM on January 09, 2007
Lies, damn lies, and statistics. I'm with'holden' You can say from other evidence that maybe Arod gets tight in big spots. Its not like that can't be understood, being a 25m man in the Big Apple on a team that defines 'Just win, baby' I'm wondering though how much pitchers stay away from him in those same big spots. Surely, versus blowouts, he is going to see less hittable pitches in big spots, as anyone will, but more so I'd think. Also, those stats are from one of his worst years. What about for his career? 66 AB is not a lot, and I'd be wary of drawing conclusions from that small sample. At that level one big multi-homer game and your entire point is disproven, at least the homer frequency part. 4 in 69 AB is probably pretty close to the numbers you compare to. Even 97 AB is a pretty small sample. To prove this point from a statistical sample you need a career, even a season's worth might only define that season. No respect, I say. Kaat needs to be in. I don't have a problem with Belle out, or Raines, Rice and the Big Cat should be in...the rest of those guys? Meh.
posted by sfts2 at 08:40 PM on January 09, 2007
I think 'Melo should put on dress for cold-cocking someone and then back-peddling faster than George Bush. And I'll second the flagrant foul on the entire Knicks dis-organization. What a joke. Sad to see this proud franchise fallen so low.
posted by sfts2 at 08:07 PM on December 18, 2006
And not worried about the fact that no one watches pro basketball much anymore.
posted by sfts2 at 11:49 PM on December 02, 2006
One thing not captured by numbers is the guy's ability to do brain dead shit in big spots. Chase a 3-0 pitch in the dirt, whiff on hi/away 0-2 offering, throw to the wrong base etc. Maybe he has gotten better in this regard the last couple of years, as I haven't watched him - he may have matured. He surely is a physically gifted player and can mash, but aren't the Cubs more than a bat away from contention? Where is he going to play OF or 2b? The just signed Derosa for $13m/3 years. Derosa can play outfield as well... I also wonder what the over/under is on number of games until Pinella's head explodes dealing with this guy?
posted by sfts2 at 08:51 AM on November 20, 2006
I don't like Bobby Knights personal style, and I would not want to hang with him for very long. But, one thing you can say, the man cares about his kids, and as the parent of a college athlete and as someone that is involved at a certain level with college baseball and knowing many college coaches, to have a coach that truly cares about your kid is sort of unusual. Not unheard of by any means, but you could do a lot worse than Bob Knight as a coach for your student athlete regardless of his personality, style, politics, or whatever. Sometimes a little tough love is in order for kids to excel, and that is why they go play for him, because they want to excel. He takes it a little far sometimes, and he isn't perfect, but what situation is ALL good?
posted by sfts2 at 10:56 AM on November 15, 2006
I agree that confidence is key to success but I have to admit that I am not sure what I am supposed to see on the sidelines to prove it! Its hard to imagine the level of confidence that Iverson (small, poor, inner-city punk kid) must have had to persevere to achieve what he has. Its not just in the game but also off-the-court where you need it throughout your entire 'careeer' to the point where you are in a position make that game winning shot at the pro level. It might be hard for some to take (oh, that guy is so arrogant etc) but I expect all that really achieve at that level of play need to have it to a large degree.
posted by sfts2 at 05:45 PM on November 04, 2006
Machete's are the weapon of choice in the Caribbean, sort of like switchblades in the 50s or a 9 these days.
posted by sfts2 at 03:07 PM on October 30, 2006
And Ray Knight made the error that allowed the Sox to go up to begin with earlier in that game.
posted by sfts2 at 02:58 PM on October 30, 2006
Missed the 3 minute edit rule. Upon rereading much of you wrote above, I do question, this comment. "Offensive numbers is the only thing that counts." because I think this is just your opinion, and not necessarily what the individuals who vote for the award take into account given that they might not be as stats oriented as you and many fans are.
posted by sfts2 at 11:19 AM on October 30, 2006
justgary, I am not voting for best offensive performer or any other award, and I don't care how anyone selects one. My point is only that if you read the original link, and you can denigrate that it doesn't specifically say 'this is why' he was selected, you have the individual for whom the award is named, and the Commissioner of the body awarding it both talking about 'intangibles' in the context of why he was selected. I guess you can feel free to seek deeper meaning, I'm just reading and taking things at face value. Whatever. I don't have a problem using stats, I have a problem with just using (abusing) them. However, that point of view isn't really relevant to my original post at all - which was basically what seems to me to be ignoring what was obviously a highly critical criteria for the award, and reducing it to an argument of statistics. Its really less of any problem with what you might have written and more with the Fire Joe Morgan blog. Having said that, and in a desire to answer your question, you said it above, stats don't win games. Best offensive performer would be selected by based upon my judgment based upon my observation of a significant body of work, and potentially somewhat tempered by stats on who best helped his team win games and championships from the offensive side. Its a subjective thing, and rightfully so. Trying to reduce it to, and argue it using win shares and VORP and the rest of it loses much of what is fundamentally true about the game of baseball as played on the field. In my opinion.
posted by sfts2 at 11:06 AM on October 30, 2006
Just as a very quick check on the utility of statistics as a measure of baseball performance, you know, the kind where you actually step between the white lines and stuff. The Cards ranked 17th, 16th, and 11th in the league in hitting, pitching, and fielding. FWIW
posted by sfts2 at 09:57 PM on October 29, 2006
jg, Read the article again. You can pick any nits with my wording that you want. If you want to really refute my point, find somewhere where it says what the criteria is for selecting this 'awardee' and find something that says that it should be based on any kind of statistical measure. Some people, including many who actually played the game or are actually involved with it in roles besides being a fan, don't weigh stats so heavily as fans do. Except of course, come contract time.
posted by sfts2 at 09:41 PM on October 29, 2006
justgary, You should read your own links. Its justyou that interprets 'best offensive performer' as best offensive statistics. Multiple paragraphs in first link with both Aaron and Selig talking about how Jeter 'carries himself' off the field as being the reason he won.
posted by sfts2 at 08:29 AM on October 29, 2006
...and win the WS MVP, getting 8 hits in his last 11 AB. Average? He's a pesky sparkplug... :-) a 5'7" ML SS that hits .292. Lucky? The harder he works, the luckier he gets.
posted by sfts2 at 05:05 AM on October 28, 2006
30% deviation in the bounce? Wow, I'd complain too.
posted by sfts2 at 02:50 PM on October 27, 2006
Absolutely, positively deliberately put in there by a disaffected Cowboy zealot. I mean, seriously, the rat crawled inside the salad container, and died? Unlikely. Someone put the salad in the container and missed the huge solid object? Unlikely, and virtually identical with the 'sfts2 theory of deliberate salad rat insertion'. And they think Philly fans are tough.
posted by sfts2 at 02:05 PM on October 27, 2006
This makes me sad. He always seemed to be a class act.
posted by sfts2 at 11:49 PM on October 14, 2006
Surprise. An ex-baseball player nicknamed 'Psycho' says something stupid, and network fires him. Note to Fox's management: Perhaps you should not hire guys nicknamed Psycho? God, I can't stand Fox's baseball coverage anyway. I hate the constant closeups of the pitcher's nose, although the hockey puckish pitch tracker was sort of cool. Guess they needed to find a use for that technology.
posted by sfts2 at 11:46 PM on October 14, 2006
dyams, I don't think you can consider other charges during a trial for something else, but IANAL. I also think you have a different experience with 8 year olds than I do!
posted by sfts2 at 01:57 PM on October 13, 2006
Thats fine, I love being challenged! I agree that I made examples that were different or a little absurd. My point was that there is a continuum of circumstances, and where do you draw the line? I do not argue against quick and severe negative reinforcement of the coach's behavior. I might have suggested psychiatric evaluation or community service or fine or something if they are bringing charges. Clearly this was a case of prosecutorial over imagination and a criminal case being brought where there are not appropriate criminal statutes, but 'corruption of a minor?' I guess everyone was/is trying to do the right thing. Its just weird.
posted by sfts2 at 01:55 PM on October 13, 2006
littlelebowski, I understand the emotion, what I do not understand is the mob mentality that thinks that an 8 year old throwing a baseball at another kid is a jailable offense. The kid wasn't even injured. (Not that I think we need to wait until he is, but that certainly speaks to the level of danger that the bad judgement led to) My money is on that his parents are hoping to cash in on the hysteria that this seems to have caused. And no, to answer your question, I do not believe it should warrant jail time. I do not actually think that physical violence is appropriate, that statement was a little hyperbole or only meant in a figurative sense. I wouldn't condemn a league sponsored blanket party though. As far as being an adult in a authority role. He is not a trained professional like a teacher, but even if he was I don't think I would advocate jail. He is a dad that volunteers his time to ostensibly help out kids. He did a really stupid thing. Years of jail? Please. How much time will the next pedophile congressman get? Or the murdering drug dealer. What do we do with the dad who advises his kid to beat up the bully that is picking on him. Jail? The teacher who does the same thing. The dad that lets his son's friend ride his dirtbike without a helmet. Or doesn't seat belt his kids in the car. Terrible judgement is not a crime. What is the culpability of the parent of the kid who threw at the kid? I'm responsible for my 20 yearold who drinks, why not my 8 year old that assaults etc. Playing sports involves physical risks, sometimes those risks are due to the game, sometimes the abject idiocy of the adults. I had a kid cut block my 10 yo in a football game because his dad the coach told him to. Jail? Where does it stop? I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.
posted by sfts2 at 01:20 PM on October 13, 2006
This is just so fucked up, on every level. From, if what was was alleged actually occured, an idiotic youth coach, to the state of our society where something like this warrants jail time, to where people on this board are cheering him going to jail and wishing physical harm to a father and husband. Wow, and 8 year old kid throwing a baseball is now assault. I am sure the autistic kid is scarred for life. This should have been dealt with in the community by the league and the kids parents/father slapping this idiot silly, not by the criminal justice system. What a screwed up world. I don't know what to think.
posted by sfts2 at 11:55 AM on October 13, 2006
Its not a loophole, its a specific exclusion. Why should they pay it? Plus Howard_T is right, its probably not up to the Union, unless they wanted to pay. I didn't know he was a replacement player. I wonder if anyone on the teams he played for actually cared?
posted by sfts2 at 11:44 AM on October 13, 2006
I think its sort of lame, and the excuse the coaches used rings hollow to me. I don't know that much about football recruiting, but in baseball, coaches and scouts couldn't care less than about stats that you rack up. The are looking to project natural tools and ability, but realize that the competition is meaningless for the most part. Its probably similar for football. If this kid was really any good I expect that he would have already been recruited during his Junior year. Maybe the coach is a neophyte. Its not something that signals the end of Western Civilization as we know it though.
posted by sfts2 at 03:14 PM on October 06, 2006
Wow. He's tough alright, but perhaps not so smart. I hope he comes back strong, I admired his Dad's play for years. Perhaps a wake up call to Buc mgt to get a O-Line?
posted by sfts2 at 08:46 AM on September 25, 2006
Dead athletes' brains show stunning damage
And they put Gene Upshaw's initials on every field and uni this season, the guy who has done more to screw injured players than anyone else in history.