Major League Baseblogger

Hello out there. I hope everyone had a good week and and are still trying to stay warm. When is this weather going to heat up? That stupid little groundhog is never correct. He said there was supposed to be six more weeks of winter on February 1^st. Nice lie. I have a favor to ask from readers. I need some questions to work with. I used to love doing the Soundoph Sesh, but haven’t had any material to work with lately. It would help immensely, and would be greatly appreciated. Please put all questions in the comments section. This entry is going to be a fun one. As usual, I am going to talk about sports and music, but today there is a fun twist that most of you should enjoy. Have a good week, and please don’t throw beer bottles at 18 year olds cars.

Sports Shots

It seems like the media kind of shuns Memphis because they play in Conference USA. Don’t be fooled America. John Calipari and the Tigers are going to be prepared for a dog fight Monday evening in San Antonio. I was pleased to see Memphis get their chance to play for it all. I have always liked John Calipari, and really hope he can get it done against Kansas. The Jayhawks are the most deserving team in the national championship game. I thought UNC was unbeatable, and Kansas had me proved wrong by halftime. Monday evening’s matchup should be a pretty good one. There will be talent all over that floor on Monday night. I want Memphis to win, but think Kansas will be the team cutting down the nets.

Do these Bengals ever learn? Stupid (former) Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry is in trouble with the law again. Chris Henry punched 18 year old Gregory Meyer in the face, and then threw a beer bottle at Meyer’s car, breaking the passenger side window. “That’s assault brotha.” Henry will be charged with criminal damaging, and misdemeanor assault. Stories like this baffle me to no end. Henry has been in trouble with the law a handful of times in the past. How many trips to the courtroom are going to make this kid realize he shouldn’t ever leave his house? With all of that paper he is making, couldn’t he bring the party to his own home? If Henry is found guilty, it should abruptly end his 2008 season. Have you guys seen the new alternate orange jerseys the Bengals will be wearing this season? I think they look something like this.

Brownie Bites

Thursday evening, Browns defensive back Kenny Wright was arrested with almost two ounces of marijuana. Judging by the picture, I am going to assume that it was some potent stuff. I can’t believe Wright was able to make an attempt at running away from the cops. The more I thought about the situation, the more I realized that Wright doesn’t have much to lose. Wright’s is a nine year veteran with seven interceptions. It’s not like Wright is full of potential. Wright is a sub – par defensive back whose career is coming to a close. He is playing for one of the worst defenses in the NFL as well. I am not saying this is right, but it isn’t like Tom Brady is getting busted with green. Wright really disappointed me here. He put me down 0 – 1 in the Browns Vs. Buckeyes bets. I would have bet my life that an OSU frosh would have gotten in trouble before a Browns player did.

Turkey anybody? The rumor out of the coaches meetings is that the Browns are under consideration to host the night game on Thanksgiving. How fun would that be? Thanksgiving, in the Muni Lot, with thousands of drunken Browns fans, I can picture it now. Hopefully, this will be confirmed within the next few weeks. A Thanksgiving game is nice, but the league needs to stop shafting the Browns. Can’t we play on primetime TV on a Monday or a Sunday? It makes me so mad that one of the NFL’s most storied franchises can’t get any airtime. And when the Browns are on TV, it’s highlights of other teams running us over, returning a kick for a score, or picking a pass for six.

MLBoring

Monday’s weather reminded me of October. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Football season wasn’t a month old, baseball wasn’t deep into the playoffs, and Notre Dame hadn’t lost its first 4 games. Unlike most baseball fans, I wasn’t too thrilled about the opening day of the MLB. I want to talk about some of the reasons I don’t put too much effort into being a diehard baseball fan. I won’t use the whole steroid scandal against baseball either. I think baseball today is a pretty clean game. I am sure there are some players slipping through the cracks, but that is probably likely in other sports as well.

1. Baseball is Boring

Unless you are attending a game, people can’t honestly say they enjoy watching baseball on TV. The players sit around and wait to do everything. Players wait to bat, wait for pitches, wait for balls to be hit to them, and wait to come into the game to pitch. There isn’t any action in a game when players are just waiting around. I need something action packed, on the go, and fun to watch. Baseball isn’t quite that.

2. Season Length

162 games, are you kidding me? Some might argue that these players actually work for their money, but come on. They aren’t working too hard in the dugout, waiting to wait for their pitch. Baseball season is too long. Whether you are a fan or not, you can’t truthfully tell me that you are interested in every single game. Games 40 – 120 are an absolute bore to me. Nothing really matters until the final twenty games of the season. The season needs to be cut down drastically.

3. The Fans

Half empty stadiums and barely cheering after homeruns should be proof that the baseball season is too long. Baseball fans are terrible. Unless you are watching the Yankees and Red Sox play, you won’t be seeing that playoff-type atmosphere that fans commonly see in the NFL and the NBA. The fans are undoubtedly the reason for this. They get sick of paying close attention to a season that is too long.

4. The Salary Cap

There needs to be parity in a league full of unevenness. Again, you can’t really tell me that the Royals, Pirates, or Blue Jays have a legit chance at winning the World Series this season. The past four World Series winners have all had pretty big payrolls that I am sure not every team could compete with. Will there ever be a day when the Orioles and Blue Jays are battling for the American League East’s top spot on a consistent basis? Not just the Yankees and Red Sox.

5. Coverage

So I flipped on ESPN last night and of course, Baseball Tonight was on. I woke up this morning and of course, Peter Gammons was talking about who the front runner for the MVP was going to be. Give me a break Mr. Gammons. I can’t handle episodes of Sportscenter that focus on 80% baseball. Being a diehard sports fan, I really struggle with the end of the NBA season. The end of the NBA marks the start of my toughest 80 days as an avid sports follower. It’s the time of year when baseball is America’s only major sport. If I want to watch sports, I am forced to have baseball shoved in my face.

Even though it sounds like I totally hate baseball, I will admit to a few things that I do enjoy.

1. The Postseason

More evidence that the baseball season is too long: the fans. Fans of playoff bound teams come out of the woodwork to support their teams. Where were these fans all season? I can answer that for you. They weren’t caring, but now they understand that the season matters. I must say, I do the same thing myself, so I won’t hate. Anyways, Major League Baseball brings it during the playoffs. Close games and “new” fans help make the Major League Baseball postseason intense.

2. A – Rod

I don’t know much about baseball, but when it’s all set and done, Alex Rodriguez is going to go down as the greatest baseball player to ever step to the plate. Let’s break this down real quick. Barry Bonds career homerun record is 762. Alex Rodriguez currently has 519 homeruns. A – Rod is 31. He has only had one season with less than 30 home runs. Let’s assume Rodriguez plays until he is forty and averages 30 home runs per season. A – Rod finishes with 789 homeruns. Ladies and gentleman, we will have a new homerun king.

I am going to still touch on the Tribe from time to time, but don’t expect me to cover all 162 games this season. Nice job taking two of three against division rival. Not a good job in Oakland, losing the first two in the three game series. Only 157 games left in the season. That’s plenty of time for a lot of things to happen.

Cavs Blurb

I will talk about the Cavs in my next entry, but I can pretty much sum up my thoughts in a few sentences. They are a bad basketball team. Nothing else can be said right now. The Cavs give up leads, don’t make shots, and leave shooters wide open. For the first time all season, I don’t think this team has a shot to win the East. From Believeland to One and Doneland, it’s all too familiar with Cleveland sports.

Top 5 Felons

Since everyone is getting in trouble, I thought it would be fitting to give my top five sports criminals. I am not picking players that got in trouble for something little, or after their careers ended. I am picking players who got in trouble, and it ruined their careers. I was hoping former Nebraska standout Tommy Frazier would make this list, but he just didn’t have the talent for the NFL.

5. Lawrence Phillips

Dick Vermeil (yes, he cried at Phillips press conference the day he was cut) says that Phillips was potentially the greatest running back he has ever coached. Phillips led Nebraska to a national title back in 1994, and was poised to make a name for himself in the NFL. St. Louis picked Phillips with the sixth pick in the draft in 1996, and he never paned out. Domestic abuse, child abuse, and assault with a deadly weapon ruined Phillips career. Lawrence Phillips now awaits trial where he could face up to twenty years in prison.

4. Rae Carruth

Carruth didn’t have the potential like some of these other athletes did, but his story is the most serious. Carruth is a former wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers. He is currently serving 18 years in prison after conspiracy to commit murder. This dummy had his friends kill his pregnant girlfriend in a drive by shooting. The odd part is that Carruth stopped his car in front his girlfriends as the shooters opened fire. People really think they can get away with murder these days?

3. Art Schlichter

Gamblers should pay attention to this section. This is what happens when a gambling problem spirals out of control. Former Ohio State great Art Schlichter was drafted with the fourth pick in the 1982 NFL draft, and by 1987 gambling ruined his career. Schlichter was arrested for illegal gambling in 1987 where it was discovered that he bet on the NFL. That’s a big no – no. Between 1995 and 2006, Schlichter spent the majority of the time in jail.

2. Maurice Clarett

“What could have been.” It’s the only thought that comes to mind when people say his name. Guns, Goose, speeding, police chases, Israeli mobsters, U – turns, robbery, and stick ups. These words all described the life of Ohio’s next great running back. It is more of a sad story to me than anything else. Mo Clarett is currently serving a 7 and a half year jail sentence for carrying unlicensed guns, and robbery.

1. Michael Vick

Who needs stock when you have Bad News Kennelz to invest in? Vick makes this list because his current dog fighting case has ruined his career. This was the player that scouts thought was going to revolutionize the quarterback position. Vick was one of the young players bound for Canton. Now Vick is bound to a jail cell, revolutionizing soap on a rope devices.

Music Mania

Ludacris – Stay Together

I haven’t heard much from Luda lately, but he rhymes well on this track. It’s a very creative approach to a song, by one of the best rappers in the game. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.4559/title.ludacris-stay-together

Ryan Adams – Come Pick Me Up

This guy is touring with Oasis this summer. Three absolute drug addicts (Noel, Liam, Ryan) on a tour bus for several months. Saying it should be pretty crazy would be an understatement. I predict three trips to rehab, or a canceled tour. This is one of Adams better songs. Adams will continue to show up in this section because I love his dedication to music. This guy pumps out new albums all of the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRnoh86FD2A

Wu Tang Clan – Triumph

Everyone should have heard this song. This is one of their old singles from Wu Tang Forever. Just a solid song that shows why the Wu are one of the best rap groups ever. These guys lyrical skills are amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF62gPPjL-c

Phish – Bouncing Around the Room

One of the few Phish songs I can say I really enjoy. The song is catchy, fun, and upbeat. Give it a listen, I am sure people will enjoy this one. Sorry, I couldn’t find a studio version. But check out these hippies in this video, they are pretty funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfdcHOtAxhY

Presidents of the United States of America – Peaches

How spectacular was this song? I am starting to think I have an obsession with music from the 90’s. Peaches is the song that sprung this band into their fifteen minutes of fame. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19McuaPKjI8

I am going to save the music twist until next time. I have an idea for a contest that should be a good time for everyone involved. I need to iron out a few of the details first. I will explain more in my next post. Sorry for the delay.

Youuuuuuuuu….Kinda

I was listening to Nick Swardson’s stand up album titled Party. Swardson is one of the characters that star in Grandma’s Boy. You will always remember him for his “Sh*t’s weaaaaaaaaak.” comment. If this skit does not make you laugh, you can stop reading my blogs from now on. I have heard this probably around 100 times, and laughed almost everytime.

Thanks Jay for the top 5 shoe idea, I don’t want to hear you whine anymore. Please vote for Housers band, Urban Transit to play at 5 fest at OU. They are a pretty talented group of musicians. Check out their my space at. Listen to break. It’s a million dollar song. http://www.myspace.com/urbantransitmusic.

vote5fest@yahoo.com

Send and email to that address. Please put Urban Transit in the subject line and ship it. Music to play, plenty to say.

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