Congratulations to the Phillies and their entire organization on last nights win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The last three and a half inning played last night were as good as the rest of the series. The Phillies turned out to be the better team in this short series. And that's what they pay off on. Whoever wins four first is the champ. I really think if they played the Series ten times, both of these teams could win five. They were both that good. I think the difference for the Phillies was closer Brad Lidge.
I got a kick out of the fans at the ballpark in the post game hype when trophies were being presented. The knowledgeable fans from the "City of Brotherly Love" booed the snot out of Commissioner Bud Selig. Those people who sat in a freezing rain on Monday night, and then had to come back to winter cold last night because of Selig's arrogance, had every right to boo the moron who calls the shots at MLB.
October 30, 2008
October 29, 2008
Random thoughts on the World Series
It's been an interesting World Series to this point. The Rays and Phillies are both fun teams. I have enjoyed what I have been able to see of it. But Major League Baseball (MLB), as I have written before, has sold it's soul to the devil (Fox Sports). Otherwise, I and many, many millions of others could have stayed awake to see a great game three last Saturday night. I finally turned it off at midnight. Think about the poor fans in the Eastern time zone who had to sit up until almost two in the morning to see the finish.
The umpiring has been bad and so has the weather. Why is it that one guy can change the rules of a great game that has been played for years? Each umpire calling home plate is a little different. But, the rules book clearly defines a strike and a ball. So, why don't they all call it the same? And, it's not just the plate umpire. A horrible call was made at first base Saturday night and an even worse one made on Sunday night at third base. If these guys are the best baseball has...then it is hurting. As far as the weather Commissioner Bud Selig says they will stay in Philadelphia until Thanksgiving if needed. Gee, I wonder how that makes the Rays and their families feel? You can almost hear the execs in the NFL suite laughing from here.
Despite the poor management by Selig and his moron advisers, the game thrives. Just think how much more popular it would be if someone who knew what they were doing was actually calling the shots.
The umpiring has been bad and so has the weather. Why is it that one guy can change the rules of a great game that has been played for years? Each umpire calling home plate is a little different. But, the rules book clearly defines a strike and a ball. So, why don't they all call it the same? And, it's not just the plate umpire. A horrible call was made at first base Saturday night and an even worse one made on Sunday night at third base. If these guys are the best baseball has...then it is hurting. As far as the weather Commissioner Bud Selig says they will stay in Philadelphia until Thanksgiving if needed. Gee, I wonder how that makes the Rays and their families feel? You can almost hear the execs in the NFL suite laughing from here.
Despite the poor management by Selig and his moron advisers, the game thrives. Just think how much more popular it would be if someone who knew what they were doing was actually calling the shots.
October 26, 2008
Where are the Cops?
I mentioned earlier I went up to Columbia yesterday for the Mizzou football game. One thing that hasn't changed even with people more aware of fuel prices and energy consumption is the blatant dis-respect for the speed limit on Interstate highways.
I set my cruise on 70 both ways and with the exception of a few tractor trailers I was passed by everyone. And the worst offenders seem to be the owners of BMWs, Mercedes and Cadillac SUVS, Hummers and other gas hogs.
Why am I and others who drive the speed limit or drive smaller cars or hybrids trying to conserve energy while these hogs do as they please? I think it's time for the state to get serious about fining those people who speed along in these monster vehicles. Maybe if the state used a multiplier on speeding tickets like it does using horsepower for license renewal it might slow some people down. And, I don't mean an $80 or $100 ticket. I mean $250-$300 speeding tickets. And while the law is being changed let's double the points on everyone for speeding. That would send a message. It's time to get serious.
But, it won't happen because many of the lawyers who write the laws own the gas guzzlers and won't want to deal with it.
I set my cruise on 70 both ways and with the exception of a few tractor trailers I was passed by everyone. And the worst offenders seem to be the owners of BMWs, Mercedes and Cadillac SUVS, Hummers and other gas hogs.
Why am I and others who drive the speed limit or drive smaller cars or hybrids trying to conserve energy while these hogs do as they please? I think it's time for the state to get serious about fining those people who speed along in these monster vehicles. Maybe if the state used a multiplier on speeding tickets like it does using horsepower for license renewal it might slow some people down. And, I don't mean an $80 or $100 ticket. I mean $250-$300 speeding tickets. And while the law is being changed let's double the points on everyone for speeding. That would send a message. It's time to get serious.
But, it won't happen because many of the lawyers who write the laws own the gas guzzlers and won't want to deal with it.
Sign Poll...Update
A couple of weeks ago I wrote that based on campaign yard signs Barack Obama was well ahead of John McCain in my neighborhood or at least along the routes I walk. But, the gap has narrowed. I have seen a lot more signs put up by McCain backers in the last week or so. There are still more Obama signs, but it is a lot closer with just nine days until election day.
A Rebound Game
Mizzou bounced back last night shutting down the Colorado Buffaloes 58-0. It was a great evening to be outside watching the Tigers and the house was sold out.
To say the Buffaloes are a bad team is an understatement. But, Mizzou played it's best game since Nebraska three weeks ago. Chase Coffman was outstanding and set the NCAA record for most catches in a career by a tight end. (And he has four and up to as many as six games left in his career in Columbia). Coffman made one of the most remarkable catches I have ever seen in the first quarter at the back of the end zone to start the Tigers' scoring onslaught. Then in the second quarter he leaped over a Colorado defender to tack on another ten yards on a play that was already a first down.
The Defense looked good, but still has some issues to work out if it has hopes of going to a good bowl game. All in all a great night to be outside in mid Missouri celebrating homecoming with 68,000 of my "closest friends".
To say the Buffaloes are a bad team is an understatement. But, Mizzou played it's best game since Nebraska three weeks ago. Chase Coffman was outstanding and set the NCAA record for most catches in a career by a tight end. (And he has four and up to as many as six games left in his career in Columbia). Coffman made one of the most remarkable catches I have ever seen in the first quarter at the back of the end zone to start the Tigers' scoring onslaught. Then in the second quarter he leaped over a Colorado defender to tack on another ten yards on a play that was already a first down.
The Defense looked good, but still has some issues to work out if it has hopes of going to a good bowl game. All in all a great night to be outside in mid Missouri celebrating homecoming with 68,000 of my "closest friends".
October 20, 2008
...and Beaten Up by the Longhorns
It wasn't much fun Saturday night to watch the Tigers get their butts kicked by a powerful Texas Longhorn football team. There's no need to revisit the score. I just hope that the country didn't tune out before the second half, because Mizzou's offense finally got un-tracked. Still Texas was by far the better team and their foot speed stopped the Missouri spread offense just as it did the Oklahoma offense.
Oh well, I guess I wont be going to a BCS game in January.
Oh well, I guess I wont be going to a BCS game in January.
October 12, 2008
Whooped by the Cowboys
I've written at length about my beloved Missouri Tigers. And you would be correct to say I have done my share of bragging on them. Well last night, they got beaten a better team. Oklahoma State came into Columbia as a double digit underdog and stuffed Mizzou's high power offense 28-23. The Cowboys forced three Chase Daniel interceptions in the second half and allowed the Tigers to convert only two of nine third downs all evening. With the loss the Tigers fall to 5-1 and number 11 in the AP poll.
Oklahoma State is very good and may be good enough to win the Big XII conference. I hope the Tigers can win the North division and play the Cowboys again the first weekend of December.
The Tigers now prepare for the newly #1 ranked Texas Longhorns this Saturday in Austin. Texas got there by knocking off the former number one Oklahoma Sooners in the "Red River Rivalry" game yesterday afternoon 45-35.
Oklahoma State is very good and may be good enough to win the Big XII conference. I hope the Tigers can win the North division and play the Cowboys again the first weekend of December.
The Tigers now prepare for the newly #1 ranked Texas Longhorns this Saturday in Austin. Texas got there by knocking off the former number one Oklahoma Sooners in the "Red River Rivalry" game yesterday afternoon 45-35.
October 05, 2008
Indebting Future Generations
I have been so busy with other things, that I really haven't had time to write about the US government giveaway to the nation's financial industry.
I can see the need for propping up the industry to avoid a terrible recession or worse. But, on the other hand I don't think we should be borrowing money from the Chinese and other nations who don't particularly care about our future.
I also dislike the fact that not only will my generation, and our children's generation, our grand-children's generation and their children and grand-children pay for it, but that those generations will most likely not have the standard of living that my generation has experienced.
I am still trying to figure the whole thing out. But, one thing I am disgusted by is a $200 million earmark for the Virgin Islands rum industry. Give a politician an inch and he'll take a mile.
I can see the need for propping up the industry to avoid a terrible recession or worse. But, on the other hand I don't think we should be borrowing money from the Chinese and other nations who don't particularly care about our future.
I also dislike the fact that not only will my generation, and our children's generation, our grand-children's generation and their children and grand-children pay for it, but that those generations will most likely not have the standard of living that my generation has experienced.
I am still trying to figure the whole thing out. But, one thing I am disgusted by is a $200 million earmark for the Virgin Islands rum industry. Give a politician an inch and he'll take a mile.
A Century and Counting
It's been a century since the Chicago Cubs have won a World Series. And they won't be winning one this year either. The Scrubs completed their annual meltdown last night, being swept by the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
See you next year Cubbies. Have a good winter.
See you next year Cubbies. Have a good winter.
How 'Bout Them Tigers
My beloved Missouri Tigers stomped Nebraska last night 52-17. The Tigers scored on ten of 12 possessions and Nebraska was clueless most 0f the game about what Missouri was doing.
The win is particularly sweet to me since it had been 30 years since Mizzou had won in Lincoln. This one win isn't a payback but it's a start.
For years Nebraska was said to have some of the best fans in the country. Well, apparently losing has changed some of their "great" fans into obnoxious asses. And the same can be said of at least one Nebraska player. Chase Daniel, Mizzou's quarterback, said he had extra motivation last night after being spit on by a Cornhusker player. Daniel took the high road and refused to name the player, but also made the allegation that Nebraska is one of the dirtiest football teams he has played.
The bottom line is Missouri 52 - Nebraska 17. Mizzou 5-0; Nebraska 3-2
The win is particularly sweet to me since it had been 30 years since Mizzou had won in Lincoln. This one win isn't a payback but it's a start.
For years Nebraska was said to have some of the best fans in the country. Well, apparently losing has changed some of their "great" fans into obnoxious asses. And the same can be said of at least one Nebraska player. Chase Daniel, Mizzou's quarterback, said he had extra motivation last night after being spit on by a Cornhusker player. Daniel took the high road and refused to name the player, but also made the allegation that Nebraska is one of the dirtiest football teams he has played.
The bottom line is Missouri 52 - Nebraska 17. Mizzou 5-0; Nebraska 3-2
October 04, 2008
Fear and Loathing in Chicago
Now the sound of the choking has doubled in the Windy City. The "Scrubs" looked even worse behind their "ace" crazy Carolos Zambrano then they did in Game 1. And last night the South Siders were handed their second loss in a row by the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Cubbies will probably be finished off by very early Sunday morning and the same fate awaits the the White Sox tomorrow. Bye Bye Chicago.
The Cubbies will probably be finished off by very early Sunday morning and the same fate awaits the the White Sox tomorrow. Bye Bye Chicago.
October 01, 2008
What's That Sound Coming from Chicago's North Side?
I watched the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs tonight 7-2 in the first round of Major League Baseball's playoffs. The North-Siders had everything going their way and still blew a lead. The Cubs made it through the National League season without having their August or September swoon and finished with the best record in the league.
But, every year you know the Cubbies are good for a collapse. It started a little later than most years, but I think that's the sound I hear tonight coming from the North Side.
But, every year you know the Cubbies are good for a collapse. It started a little later than most years, but I think that's the sound I hear tonight coming from the North Side.
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