11/05/24
November 10, 2009
SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
In an effort to do this quickly but with a nod to CindyKerry's noble sensitivities, I decided to cuss out all of the remaining Yankees at once. Here we go:
gee willikers AJ Burnett, gracious me Joba Chamberlain, great scott Phil Coke, heaven's to betsy Chad Gaudin, gee whiz Phil Hughes, durn Damaso Marte, balderdash Andy Pettitte, cripes Melky Cabrera, blimey Robinson Cano, shoot Johnny Damon, drat Brett Gardner, land sake's Jerry Hairston, jeepers Eric Hinske, blast and tarnation Derek Jeter, jiminy Hideki Matsui, gadzooks Jose Molina, huzzah Jorge Posada, by jingo Mariano Rivera, pshaw David Robertson, hot diggity C.C. Sabathia, criminy Alex Rodriguez, my word Nick Swisher, egads Mark Teixeira
I believe there is someone missing, but I only listed the players that played in a minimum of one game per baseball-reference.com, having already taken care of Alfredo Aceves and Brian Bruney. Special thanks to Haversack for providing all the alternative swears.
posted by Demophon at 11:56 AM on November 10, 2009
A night in the life of a Phoenix Coyotes ticket holder.
Still, at every stoppage in play his eyes keep sweeping the vast landscape of empty seats and he's gripped by a cocktail of unpleasant emotions. He feels embarrassed because he knows that there is a huge predatory faction among NHL fans who thrive on criticizing his city, and for them this sort of turnout is like ambrosia. At the same time, his shame is accompanied by a stewing anger because he's here supporting his team, and yet against all logic he and the others who are here to see the game are the ones getting the lion's share of the blame for the team's financial struggles.
It's not incredibly well written (faux third-person!) but it does seem heartfelt.
posted by rumple at 12:06 PM on November 10, 2009
Related: Phoenix-area teams suffering from economy. In which the housing market and local unemployment are implicated - though this is surely a problem most places. But 5885 people for an NHL game is not so good. I do respect the Coyotes team a ton though for playing so hard and effectively this season. I'd like to think it doesn't have something to do with losing Gretzky and hiring a professional coach - but it most likely does. It's a rare superstar player who becomes an effective coach (Jacques Lemaire, maybe) -- they've never had to think as hard about the game as the average player and maybe it is incomprehensible to them how to go beyond opening the gate and saying "be talented out there!".
posted by rumple at 12:13 PM on November 10, 2009
Golf balls are destroying the world.
posted by graymatters at 04:12 PM on November 10, 2009
Of those thousands in American waterways, more than I would like to admit are mine. I promise, though, that not a single one is intentional, and I'd gladly take back the Titlists.
posted by tahoemoj at 04:30 PM on November 10, 2009
"Keep your balls on the fairway or invest in a stock of biodegradable balls."
Words of wisdom, my friends. Words of wisdom.
posted by THX-1138 at 04:43 PM on November 10, 2009
The AL Gold Glove team was announced today. I'm waiting for the post to appear on this site and the Jeter bashing to begin.
posted by dyams at 05:18 PM on November 10, 2009
I'm waiting for the post to appear on this site and the Jeter bashing to begin.
The post is coming soon enough, I'm sure. But there's no need to bash Jeter. Bash the voting system. The Gold Glove award has been sham since (at least) 1999, when Palmeiro won it playing a grand total of 28 games at first base. Take the voting away from the managers and we may see the award go to those players that are more deserving.
posted by goddam at 05:37 PM on November 10, 2009
In an effort to do this quickly but with a nod to CindyKerry's noble sensitivities, I decided to cuss out all of the remaining Yankees at once. Here we go: posted by Demophon at 11:56 AM on November 10
My son is still laughing. Thanks for the consideration, and great words.
posted by kerrycindy at 09:14 PM on November 10, 2009
posted by BoKnows at 09:27 PM on November 10, 2009
Jeter? Gold Glove?
(Bash On)
Real lack of quality defensive 'stops in the AL, apparently. Has anyone ever seen a highlight of a Jeter defensive play?
(/Bash Off)
Really, although it's hard to believe as he's always looked like a 2nd baseman playing short, he is the best at his position in the AL.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:26 PM on November 10, 2009
There are better gloves in baseball, and those with better range. When it comes to a shortstop who is smart, aware of what's going on every play, and puts himself in the right position to make big play though, Jeter is unmatched.
Having Teixeira at first base this year didn't hurt either.
posted by dyams at 08:48 AM on November 11, 2009
Rangers were never known as a very good fielding team overall when Teixeira was there, but he probably saved them almost as many errors as the infielders did make when he was there.
That said, does anyone ever get a gold glove if they do not also have the offensive numbers to get the attention?
posted by graymatters at 02:39 PM on November 11, 2009
does anyone ever get a gold glove if they do not also have the offensive numbers to get the attention?
I don't know, Omar Vizquel and Adrian Beltre were both good offensive producers when they were winning back to back Gold Gloves recently, but they were not even close to being near the top offensively at their positions. But I do see your point, the majority of the time it seems the top hitters get the credit for being spectacular with their gloves. I guess it's because lineups are generally filled with the guys who can hit, not just field.
posted by dyams at 03:14 PM on November 11, 2009
does anyone ever get a gold glove if they do not also have the offensive numbers to get the attention?
Joe Posnanski asked the same question at the end of his Gold Glove blog post: "How likely is it that the best offensive players are ALL the best defensive players too?"
posted by yerfatma at 03:22 PM on November 11, 2009
Michael Bourn just won a Gold Glove in the NL. Fast, good on the bases, but not even close to the top offensive outfielders in the NL.
posted by dyams at 04:23 PM on November 11, 2009
Yadier Molina also won a Gold Glove in the NL and he is nowhere near the top of offensive production at the catcher position, but easily deserving of the defensive award. As is every year, some GG's are spot-on and some are absolutely debatable.
posted by BoKnows at 06:14 PM on November 11, 2009
The San Antonio Spurs, without Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, put up 130 points against the Raptors last night, proving that playing the Raptors is effectively playing a street ball team; all flair and no defense.