- 11:32 PM
- 12/30/24
I lived in Michigan for 6 years until moving away a couple years ago, and still work remotely for a company based in Michigan. It's amazing any work is getting done today.
posted by LionIndex at 05:34 PM on January 22, 2024
Since the Rangers brain trust is basically all former Padres (even if they were also involved with the Rangers at some point in their playing careers), I'm going to pretend the Padres had something to do with it.
Bonus for a UVa pitcher on the mound at the end of it.
posted by LionIndex at 05:55 PM on November 02, 2023
So. How 'bout that increasingly misnamed Big Ten.
I wonder what happens with the (also increasingly misnamed) Pac-12 schools that are left. Does the Big Ten want more of them? Do leftovers from raids by them and the (possibly yet to be correctly named) Big Twelve join the Mountain West? Does the SEC even want a part of it if the best they can get is Cal and Stanford? Would Cal and Stanford even join the SEC?
posted by LionIndex at 07:21 PM on August 04, 2023
Also Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson. Jason Fitz seemed to be a radio-only guy, but I enjoyed the shows he was on. All I know Joon Lee for is super-homer coverage of the Mets/Padres playoff series last year - no matter what happened it was something Mets did or failed to do, not the Padres doing it to them.
posted by LionIndex at 04:46 PM on June 30, 2023
Unfortunately, it doesn't really seem to affect my ability to watch a game anyway. I either get cable (which I already made the decision not to do years ago), or I pay for the MLB app, which articles have told me is only good until Sunday (as far as watching in my home market without blackout restrictions).
posted by LionIndex at 06:13 PM on May 31, 2023
Duke lost the NCAA Lacrosse championship though. I'm not sad.
posted by LionIndex at 10:38 AM on May 30, 2023
I mean, there's not really any viable candidates that are much closer to the border than Phoenix is already?
San Diego is a decent sized market and has had a minor league hockey team for a long time now, but our arena is still the building that housed the Clippers when they played here. There's a redevelopment project on the boards for the area, including a new arena, but getting it built is still a long way out.
posted by LionIndex at 07:46 PM on May 18, 2023
Hopefully baseball follows suit after the Bally bankruptcy stuff earlier this year.
Watching Padre games is pretty much the only reason I'd get cable (aside from decent reception since a nearby mountain blocks communications with transmission antennas), but I'm not paying over $1000 a year to watch the Padres on TV.
posted by LionIndex at 07:45 PM on April 30, 2023
In San Diego, we have two sports talk stations, one CBS, one Fox. Local and afternoon drive times are still local shows, even if we're down to one local pro sports team.
When I lived in Michigan up to around a year ago, the local ESPN station that I listened to had gone from local-ish talk to statewide talk. Afternoon show went from a couple local guys to Bill "Huge" Simonson, who's a huge idiotic homer and I'm guessing doesn't take callers because he can't handle people telling him how stupid he is.
posted by LionIndex at 01:07 PM on April 27, 2023
I'll agree that seeding has been a bit off and preference has been given to teams from conferences that don't deserve the benefit of the doubt that they're apparently being given, but major conference schools schedule a bunch of games against the little guys every year, mixed in with a few out of conference games against big conference schools either out of TV contract obligations or because they're participating in an early-season tournament (which mid-major schools also participate in). So Virginia, my alma mater, generally has a 30 game schedule. 20 of those games are in conference. One game for the last 23 years has been against a Big Ten school for the ACC - Big Ten Challenge, part of a contractual obligation to ESPN (this year we played Michigan). Lately we've been doing the early season tournaments (and winning them) so that ends up being a couple games (Illinois and Baylor this year). The other 5-7 games are smaller schools, generally in the geographic are of the school - this year on the schedule we had Monmouth, NC Central, Northern Iowa (frequently a tournament team), James Madison (who have beat us recently), Maryland-Eastern, and Albany (also gets to the tournament every once in a while). Also Houston, which has been a powerhouse lately but is still in a mid-major conference (that changes next year when they join the Big Twelve). A quarter of the schedule every year is hardly "rarely if ever".
There's some weird thing going on with whatever criteria the selection committee is using where the Big Ten gets a ton of bids and consistently fails to deliver commensurate results in the tournament, while the ACC is being penalized for some reason, and I could see that logic being extended to other smaller conferences that only get one bid, and that's probably why the 12 is such a common upset - it's usually a small conference team that crushed everybody against a middling power 5 team, and that situation seems to be spreading down to lower seeds in the bracket where 13-15 seeds are winning a lot more frequently and 15s are even making the sweet 16 with some regularity, which used to be unheard of.
posted by LionIndex at 10:05 PM on March 26, 2023
The number I thought I remembered x being was actually right, and I didn't make it up. There have been three final fours without 1 seeds: 1980, 2006, 2011
posted by LionIndex at 01:29 AM on March 25, 2023
No, this is the first time ever with no 1 seeds in the eight. I don't know about the final four - the normal articles went around before the tournament started listing how to pick your bracket just based on the historical performance of different seeds, and I think I might remember there being advice to have at least one 1 seed in the final four because there have only been x final fours without them, but I don't remember what x was or if I'm imagining that.
Today was also the first 6 vs 15 seed game ever.
posted by LionIndex at 01:26 AM on March 25, 2023
Whoa, slow down there - lost to a 13 seed in 2021 and missed the tournament entirely last year.
posted by LionIndex at 09:06 PM on March 16, 2023
Boeheim out after 47 years at Syracuse. Tony Bennett at UVa is now the only ACC coach with a national title.
posted by LionIndex at 05:56 PM on March 08, 2023
I had the same thoughts as Howard. Flat or partially raised base doesn't seem like it'd be all that great for the runner, or at least not an improvement over the current situation. Totally flat base doesn't give the first baseman a surface to put his back foot against when he's stretching out for the ball.
I can see somewhere in the robo-ump future where as long as the runner breaks a plane defined by a sensor before the first baseman catches the ball while his foot is also in a sensor area the runner is safe, or something of that nature.
posted by LionIndex at 04:49 PM on March 01, 2023
I think the Chiefs have a long way to go to catch Brady-era Pats (similar for Mahomes to catch Brady), but getting to the Super Bowl 3 out of the last 4 years, winning 2, and the one year they didn't make it they lost in overtime of the conference championship game? I'm OK with calling that a dynasty in an era where parity is (maybe?) a bit more enforced than it was 20 years ago. And Mahomes has 2 SB wins, 2 season MVPs, and 2 SB MVP awards? Some fawning is OK. I'd call the 90s Cowboys a dynasty, and they only won 3 SBs with Aikman only winning one MVP (in an era where QBs didn't automatically get the MVP award).
posted by LionIndex at 08:24 PM on February 14, 2023
People talking about Morocco defeating all their colonizers at the World Cup, but not mentioning the Almoravids. It's the Deconquista.
posted by LionIndex at 07:08 PM on December 13, 2022
I'm all for finding Steve Garvey and suiting him up right now.
posted by LionIndex at 01:53 PM on October 23, 2022
Under the radar: Tatis' suspension for next season has been reduced by a minimum of 11 games.
posted by LionIndex at 01:55 PM on October 16, 2022
Yep. I'm pretty bewildered by the whole thing, but beating the Dodgers was basically winning the World Series for the Pads, so expect a big emotional letdown and Phillies sweep.
Actually kind of upset with the Phillies for ruining a chance to knock out all 100-win teams in the playoffs.
Who could've predicted that the way the Pads would get this far would be that the bottom of their lineup would start absolutely torching everybody?
posted by LionIndex at 01:50 PM on October 16, 2022
Looking for the Padres to make for a competitive series against the Dodgers with no coast to coast travel factoring in.
Sure, but the Pads have put together a 5-14 record against the Dodgers over the course of the season without travel issues so...
Having watched the Pads play the Dodgers over the last few years, it's really just amazing how stressful it is - like, for the whole game, it's "OK, we got Betts out, who's up next? Oh, fuck, this guy?" "OK, we chased Kershaw and they're bringing in a guy from the bullpen, who is it? Oh, fuck, this guy?" I felt pretty comfortable against the Mets last night going into the later innings with even just a 4-0 lead, knowing what we had available in the bullpen, but I haven't felt like that playing the Dodgers for a long time with almost any lead.
posted by LionIndex at 12:02 PM on October 10, 2022
I'm pretty busy re-reading ESPN's predictions where 27 of 31 experts picked the Mets to advance.
posted by LionIndex at 11:53 PM on October 09, 2022
Eh, if the Padres are going to go 1-2, I'd almost prefer it happen someplace else.
posted by LionIndex at 12:08 AM on October 08, 2022
Eh, if the Padres are going to get swept, I'd almost prefer it happen someplace else.
posted by LionIndex at 10:12 AM on October 07, 2022
Seattle is not who I would have guessed for the Padres, either. Neither would I have guessed that they'd put the Angels and Dodgers together instead of Giants-Dodgers. But I guess if the pairings are one NL team vs one AL team, sure, fine.
posted by LionIndex at 01:33 AM on August 25, 2022
Alternate theory: the Padres did what they did before the trade deadline because they already knew what was coming, and in the future they'll trade Tatis off to get rid of his contract and re-sign Soto.
posted by LionIndex at 01:04 AM on August 14, 2022
I don't know what the Padres would have done if they knew Tatis was going to be suspended, but it might well have been nothing. There's been talk of moving him to the outfield anyway, where he'd probably take the place of Trent Grisham in the starting lineup - whether he'd play center or Profar moves to center and Tatis plays left (now that rightfield is handled by Soto) is up for debate. But, they've got Bell at 1B, Cronenworth at 2B, Machado at 3B (he could also maybe move to short and have Drury play 3B?), and Ha-Seong Kim is doing perfectly fine filling in at SS for the time being (he's not all-world, but competent).
posted by LionIndex at 05:36 PM on August 13, 2022
Was I summoned to this thread?
posted by LionIndex at 12:32 PM on June 16, 2022
Here in Michigan, people are surprised Juwan Howard made an appearance at the Oscars.
posted by LionIndex at 08:40 PM on March 28, 2022
Babies are pretty expensive these days, so coupons help. And apparently with kyte babies you can tie them to a string and they'll fly in the air?
posted by LionIndex at 02:06 PM on March 27, 2022
Extremely small sample size, but the one UWisc grad, still residing in Wisconsin, I know is not a fan of DangeRuss and commentors on his facebook page aren't either.
posted by LionIndex at 03:29 PM on March 08, 2022
Seems like a complimentary coney would be more appropriate for the Harbaugh decision, TBH.
posted by LionIndex at 06:57 PM on February 03, 2022
Yup. Burrow also has a chance to become the first QB to win a Heisman, College Natty, and Super Bowl.
Leading me to wonder about what Gino Torretta is up to these days should be some kind of crime.
posted by LionIndex at 11:52 AM on January 31, 2022
I, living in Michigan at the moment, don't see Harbaugh leaving UM, but I could very well be wrong.
I think Flores gets a new HC job before the end of the week.
posted by LionIndex at 07:25 PM on January 10, 2022
I wouldn't have guessed that the Malice happened during my SpoFi tenure. Lotta n00bs in that old, old thread.
posted by LionIndex at 03:48 PM on August 12, 2021
I know Va Tech hasn't won a title because every time UVA wins a title in anything, the UVA twitterverse posts a picture of an empty trophy case located in Blacksburg. This year: Lacrosse! 2nd title in a row with a 3-year championship reign!
posted by LionIndex at 03:52 PM on June 30, 2021
I've heard that etymology for Rio Road, and always thought it was a little bit suspect given that 1) Rio Road happens to go right along the river, and 2) there's a town in the mountains in Virginia called Buena Vista, pronounced "byoo-nah vista". Plus, it's also signed as route 631.
posted by LionIndex at 07:54 PM on June 20, 2021
It's also the first Orioles complete game no-hitter since Jim Palmer's in the late 1960's. That may be the longest streak of it's kind in the majors.
The Padres entered major league baseball in 1969 (same year as Palmer's no-no) and hadn't gotten a no-no until about a month ago.
posted by LionIndex at 02:11 PM on May 06, 2021
He's tied for the lead with 7 other guys, so maybe "A home run leader" is better phrasing. Cuz I know the Padres aren't playing today, so Tatis can't pitch.
posted by LionIndex at 03:14 PM on April 26, 2021
The Ringer had an article a while back on some of the reasons for it (possibly against it) and possible impacts.
posted by LionIndex at 05:52 PM on April 15, 2021
He went to my high school. :D
posted by LionIndex at 09:51 AM on April 10, 2021
I'm taking this as a personal challenge. "backup catcher" "putting on the shift"
Briefly considered and rejected: "can of corn"
posted by LionIndex at 02:44 PM on April 09, 2021
I don't know, I don't think of many of the recent champions or final four teams as banking too heavily on 1-and-dones. Kentucky and Duke are the main ones; Kansas, Arizona, and UNC do a little bit but don't base their whole teams on it. Kentucky and Duke have certainly won championships on that model, but they're not running away with everything every year. Then there's the odd team with one phenom that doesn't end up doing much. But Virginia and Villanova (to say nothing of fellow recent final four teams like Michigan, Michigan State, Texas Tech, Auburn, etc) work much more gradually.
posted by LionIndex at 03:27 PM on April 06, 2021
They are not - VCU under Shaka Smart made it to the Final Four, also as an 11 seed, but those are the only two.
Fun fact: 11 seeds have an all-time .500 record against 1 seeds (4-4). That will obviously alter somehow this weekend.
posted by LionIndex at 11:52 AM on March 31, 2021
Giving my coworkers a hard time about it as we speak.
posted by LionIndex at 09:12 AM on March 12, 2021
I think the Raiders are first in the karma line, post JaMarcus Russel. But also, please understand that Leaf wasn't just a busted draft pick, he was utter trash as a person.
posted by LionIndex at 07:47 AM on January 22, 2021
A few other teams are thinking "Damn...the Chargers...Brees, Rivers, Herbert - what magic lamp have they been rubbing?
I like to think it's karmic payoff for drafting Ryan Leaf.
posted by LionIndex at 09:17 PM on January 20, 2021
Yeah, I'd the Chargers would be the best situation. You already have a decent QB, a pro-bowl quality #1 receiver, an effective running back, a few other decent offensive options, a pretty good defense with a few top level rushers and DBs. Get a decent O line and overcome the curse that causes ridiculous losses and you're all set.
posted by LionIndex at 04:38 PM on January 05, 2021
No, I pronounced it like you would if you were crossing a mountainside at a continuous elevation, not like "Travis" with an S inserted in the last syllable.
Doh, I meant Travis with an R in the last syllable
posted by LionIndex at 07:00 AM on December 31, 2020
No, I pronounced it like you would if you were crossing a mountainside at a continuous elevation, not like "Travis" with an S inserted in the last syllable.
posted by LionIndex at 06:53 PM on December 30, 2020
That's one of the first things you learn growing up in Michigan, how to pronounce "Sault" properly.
My 2nd day in Michigan I went to set up a bank account, and mentioned Traverse City. The teller said "now I know for sure you're not from Michigan."
posted by LionIndex at 04:48 PM on December 30, 2020
Talib has covered at least one game previously - given the broadcasts that I have available to me (I only get Fox over the air), I'd assume it was a Lions game a few weeks back.
posted by LionIndex at 09:29 AM on December 21, 2020
Does any other football team have t-shirts associated with it that say "just once before I die"?
posted by LionIndex at 12:32 PM on November 29, 2020
Maybe they'll be able to pry Eric Bieniemy away from KC.
posted by LionIndex at 10:16 PM on November 28, 2020
I'm not entirely sure how it works, but I'm guessing it's the same as a graduate transfer for basketball?
posted by LionIndex at 10:15 PM on November 28, 2020
Joe Buck did make a Woofie shoutout to all the guys playing in that game making huge contributions. Besides the QBs, Nyheim Hines had a huge night.
posted by LionIndex at 12:06 PM on November 13, 2020
relevance for this site: championship winners will visit the White House again.
posted by LionIndex at 03:50 PM on November 07, 2020
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
Then there are teams on the other side of the front office coin...
I lived in Michigan for the late 20teens and early 2020s, and was driving home listening to the afternoon sports talk show discussing the upcoming Pistons-Bucks game, where one host just wanted to tank and not even try any more so that they wouldn't be stuck with something like the 15th pick. At the time, the Bucks were getting to the playoffs but hadn't won a title yet and their core three players were: Giannis, who was actually the 15th pick; Malcolm Brogdon, who was a 2nd round pick (and still got the ROY); and Khris Middleton, who was actually drafted BY THE PISTONS. It was just ... dude, draft position is not your problem here.
Also a year or two earlier, the Pistons had pick #12, and took Luke Fuckin' Kennard when Donovan Mitchell and Bam Adebayo were on the board.