Sports are so competitive......   :(

SL

They really put up Sacto's logo?

The upshot: SIX games in FOUR days.

Memo to CNN: Put the L.A. Kings logo up, not the SACRAMENTO Kings when you're doing this stuff.

Here's the fun part though. Game 4 LA-PHX in the NHL is Sunday at noon. LAC-SAS is 7:30PM. What if we have a multiple OT game?!

Gotta love it on one hand b/c Stern will be left holding the bag. NBC rules over ABC. Look, I"m hoping for clean Kings sweep, but the OT game would have its fun on another level I reckon.

Cecil the Sagehen looks pretty tough to me. Seeing as how Popovich used to coach there, I should have known about them - my bad.

SL

How about the tat that matches the hat?  

And the dress, the jewelry, and the belt.

Oh, and don't forget the bra strap! 

Ugh!  Ugh!  Ugh!

As in Ugh-leee!   

SL

I would submit the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens also as a name.

Just my 2 cents worth....

SL

Walk backward to the gallows,

you can still hear the crowd cheering.

Walk backward to the gallows,

you can still see the crowd cheering.

For you.

Walk backward to the gallows,

so you do not see the metronome of live. 

Walk backward to the gallows,

all of life is but prologue to death.

Walk backwards to the gallows,

The sun dappled upright so familiar.

Walk backward to the gallows,

it's another game day for you to play.

Walk backward to the gallows,

there where pride is swallowed.

Walk backward to the gallows,

waving at the glory as it fades.

Walk backwards to the gallows,

Why is no one throwing you the ball?

Walk backward to the gallows,

the center of the place moans.

Walk backward to the gallows,

now the crowds and noise are dim.

Walk slowly to the gallows,

you still need not turn.

Walk backward slowly to the gallows,

the carpet of fame is now tattered.

Walk backward to the gallows,

It may be time to turn around.

Walk quickly to the gallows,

The ultimate in hiding lies in truth.

Walk quickly to the gallows,

They will be your last great triumph.

Stand slowly 'neath the gallows,

Their strength is your promise of fame.

Hang beneath the gallows,

Now you know the truth

but few others will. In death you will find exoneration.

For a life deserving of the gallows,

Death holds all lies and all truths.

The gallows presents all lies and truth.

It was a great game until you reached the precipice. 

How about the tat that matches the hat?  

And the dress, the jewelry, and the belt.

Oh, and don't forget the bra strap! 

Ugh!  Ugh!  Ugh!

As in Ugh-leee!   

flamingo hate is unflattering...

And the dress, the jewelry, and the belt.

Oh, and don't forget the bra strap! 

Ugh!  Ugh!  Ugh!

As in Ugh-leee!   

Never!

Not even if I could! 

So, the million dollar question is...

WOULD YOU ?????? 

“You know, I think it would be a good idea if Jason went to college.”

Steve spat coffee on the soon-to-be-replaced carpet. “You're f$%^&*g nuts, bro. That kid barely got outta Hutch Reform....”

“There's a difference between USC and Hutch.”

Steve seemed to suddenly be suspended in animation. There was a pause.

“I'll agree he isn't quite prepared for it. Yet, but he's been reading....”

“USC isn't prepared for him. And remember those books you sent him in prison? He used the paper as rolly.”

“Uhm, I don't believe I know....”

“Rolly, rolling papers for weed, marijuana, thirteen.”

“At least he read the books first....”

“Dude, drop it.”

It's that time of the year when the young, at least the graduating young, begin to hanker after the freedom, alcohol, sex and drugs that seem to be the staples of an American Education these days. And, in some cases this is a good thing, they do need to further their education although with the declining standards of public education they probably need to attend college or university to upgrade them to where they should have been when they left high school. That aside, friends have told me that they want them to have the same experiences they had, the fun, the camaraderie, the football/basketball/hockey/baseball etc teams. The old school spirit. In short, they want to relive their past through their child who, they will learn in time, will show up with a whole new set of experiences that will shock their parents and cause them to wonder if sending their young to work on an off shore drilling rig mightn't have been a better idea.

I think we can safely say that this rush to romanticizing the past and wanting to pass it on is a father/son thing. Certainly my father wanted me to attend his Alma Mater (Williams) but, having gone to a military boarding school in South Africa, I found the location, size and single sex policy not to my taste. I honestly believe he knew he was beating a dead horse when, one fine day in fall, we arrived on campus and “had the tour”. I remember that Frankie Thom, then the Athletic Director, and he had been in the same class-'28-and theirs was more a reunion hen it was “showing me around”. And if you ever want the prototype for a New England campus in the fall with the leaves turning and students who actually look like students, then I would refer you to Williamstown, Massachusetts. From our arrival I feel safe in saying he knew this was a courtesy visit for me and old home week for dear old Dad. Here's how he knew: When our car pulled up, the driver opened the door, my father, cigarette in mouth, got out and he and Mr. Thom began to beat each other on the back. I got out, stubbed my cigarette on the pavement, looked over the top of my sun glasses and was introduced. The “tour” such as it was, consisted of their reliving old times and my playing-ineptly-the role of dutiful son attempting to exude interest.

At lunch everyone realized that an education at Williams was not in my future. We went to the Inn-every town such as Williamstown has an Inn, I think it's mandatory-for lunch and more remembering old times and old places. A young server-a local college boy beyond question-asked if we would like a drink before lunch; We would. Mr. Thom had a dry Martini, my father had a Bourbon and water and I had a Bourbon neat with a water chaser. Mr. Thom looked puzzed. My father offered an explanation.

“His grandfather taught him to drink and the old man doesn't believe in cocktails or mixed drinks.....” The server who was goggle eyed explained that unless I was twenty one, he couldn't serve me. Certainly I looked 21, acted 35 and, frankly, didn't care whether I had a drink or not but there was now a point to be made.

“Young man, I appreciate your vigilance however I'm served at the Copley, the St. Regis, the Paris Ritz and the Twenty One Club. Draw your own conclusions.” I then took out my cigarette case, offered it to the gentlemen, took out a Dunhill and lit up. Drinks were promptly served.

Leaving town later in the day my father asked what I'd thought of the Berkshires-he knew better than to ask about Williams-and I said, “What Berkshires? You mean the hills North of town?” Defeated-again-he said that, locally, those were considered mountains and took out his flask. We passed it back and forth as we rolled toward Boston.

The young today do it very much differently I'm told. They go where their “crowd” in going regardless of the minutiae for admittance such as grades and how close they came to not graduating. Some few are aware of the economic burden this will put on their families and, for years, have been working, saving money, trying to find a school that at once fit their needs and was still economically feasibly. I want that young person to have a full ride scholarship even if their topic is Library Science. As to the rest to whom the thought of graduating is a far off thing without consequence or meaning, they want a summer to raise hell followed by the forced march that education can occasionally be. Dreary rules such as showing up for classes, homework-which many feel ended in High School-being responsible for themselves....come as a set back to what they've heard about “college life” It's a shock to them that they cannot go to Padre or South Florida or Cancun all the time. Spring break actually occurs only in Spring and other holidays must be spent with their families who welcome them, and months of laundry, home. (That place where they have to take you in.) Some actually do achieve an education but many “learn stuff”. Take your pick.

As the word has got round that I'm literate and went to university, parents and grandparents of their offspring often send them to me for counseling. And I do although the selfsame parents and grandparents are not usually pleased with my suggestions. It's been nearly fifty years since I graduated so I've had some time to think this through and draw some observations. Also, I live in the real world where money must be made-unless you live on the island of Yap where's it's literally made from stone-and a way to make it must be found regardless of whatever your educational interests might be. And I tell the kids what I've in mind for them and, surprizingly, they're agreeable even if their families are not. When I finished school I was a whizz at Physics, Applied Mathematics and could speak a number of foreign languages. Circa 1965 this would get you a job. Today it will not and one of the things that over the years I've regretted is that I do not know how to do much of anything. I cannot change a tire, unclog a toilet, start a lawn mower, change the spark plugs, paint a wall.......etc.

My suggestion is that these young people put school off for a bit and learn a trade, something they can take with them and find employment almost anywhere. And I care not what it is, just something that interests them and to which they'll commit the time to attend and finish. But I'm not done yet. After they finish one of these proprietary schools, I propose they work for a year or two and THEN go to college. Now you have a young person who can support themselves, understands what constitutes an education and why they want one, can still have fun and will come away a really well educated person in the larger meaning of the term.

Meanwhile back in the surreality that is my home, Jason does want to learn something, how to ride a motorcycle. Clearly he's never going to join the police motorcycle patrol but I'd rather he learned properly and I'll approve that. When I can be rational about it, I realize he's actually very bright. Perhaps Steve is right, USC isn't ready for him. However, I wonder about the University of Kansas......?

Thanks for reading.

http://www.kwch.com/kwch-photos-aerial-pictures-of-tornado-damage-20120415,0,4359965.photogallery

We may have more members from that area, so if I left anyone out, I apologize and I hope you post their name so we can include them.

SL

​And, unfortunately, ​Love and Basketball​ isn't on the list, either.  

​I'd fix it, but the list is too long for me to remember all those movie titles!  

Remember the Titans was a very good movie, its really hard to pick one favorite in football....

IMO, Jerry McGuire is not a football movie. But Cruise did have a football movie, All the Right Moves. It was decent.

Jerry McGuire is basically a chick flick with an athletic supporter.  That doesn't mean it's not a good movie.  Wasn't Cuba Gooding Jr nominated for an Academy Award for that movie?

I'm not familiar with School Ties, but I will check it out.  I voted for Remember The Titans.

SL

Jerry McGuire = good

My favorite actually might be School Ties. Like McGuire, it's probably not a FB movie, it's just that FB is the "boat" to take you along for the ride.

It deal with anti-semitism in the 1950's. Made in 1991, it has a raft of up and coming stars who had not hit their prime-

Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser, Anthony Rapp. Ed Lauter- one of my favorite character actors- really does a great job with his part at the beginning of the movie. Lots of weighty issues in the film which are expertly handled.

SL

Absolutely AWESOME to see him come through in the end and to let his emotions flow once he holed it out.

​Congrats, Bubba!

Well done, Bubba!!!

SL

Cain: 15+5 signing bonus/2012, 20/2013-17, 21/2018 (club option with a 7.5 club buyout).

However, the club option becomes guaranteed if he pitches 400 innings total in 2016/17 total and is not on the DL at the end of the 2017 season. There are minor bonus provisions- 100K - 500K for certain personal achievements.

Votto's contract STARTS in 2014. He's already getting paid 38 over three years ending in 2013. It's bit more back loaded:

12/2014, 14/2015, 20/2016, 22/2017, 25/2018-23. 20/2024 (club option with 7 buyout).

FULL NO TRADE CLAUSE

He basically is locked in until he is 40 years old!

I've been to this site many times. Most of these mega contracts are guaranteed and only modestly back-loaded. Performance rewards are few and far between.

I'm beginning to feel better about boycotting MLB games, but at least it's not the NBA with these guys.

1. These are all heavily back loaded.

2. To actually get those monies one would have to single handedly win the world series and only then if one pitched the ball and then struck it for the winning run.

3. There are requirements such as position in which the team finishes, personal numbers such as RBI etc and mandatory appearances before some parts are paid.  And, I should guess, there are far more than that.

However, should these be straight forward pay or play contracts, the clubs are fools and I want the names of the attorneys who represented the players in these negotiation. PJ

1. Don't even compare this to Zito. Zito's #'s were slowly detiorating for the four years after leading up until that crazy deal.

2. Cain's non W/L #'s are far better than Zito on virtually every measure coming into his deal.

3. The guy is a workhorse, does not get injured, and is a model of consistency.

4. Then there is the issue of the 2010 post-season. We are still waiting for somebody to get an earned run on him.

I agree that pitchers are a big risk. I've advocated that clubs should basically "burn their young arms out" before they get to FA and then let them walk. To my memory really only Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux justified their mega $$$ deals in the last 30 years.

I will say that I am happy for the small market fans of Cincinatti.  The Reds have finally signed a young star to a long term contract.

MATT CAIN HAS A LOSING RECORD IN THE MAJORS.

I understand Wins and Losses are sometimes arbitrary and should not be used to measure the value of starting pitchers.  That being said, to me, it is absolutely crazy, wacky, nutty, ludicrous, INSANE, to offer a losing pitcher this kind of deal.  As much as I Iove the game of baseball, this kind of contract pisses me off to no end.  Did the Giants learn ANYTHING from the Barry Zito fiasco.  Evidently not...

But that is back now, so we should not have these random spammers anymore.

We (admin) see when a new member joins and also when they make posts.

We handle it when we log on.

So...

Thank you, but these posts are unnecessary.

I could open up a Badda Bing? No, but I would have fun spending it!

Seriously, I would buy or rent a vehicle that would be worth driving on the autobahn and then I'd just go for it!  

And, after that experience, I bet I'd probably want to drive and race a NASCAR at least once, as well as own and sponsor a team.

Can you tell... I love to go fast!  

Of course, I would hire the premier CPA/estate-financial planner on the planet first. 

SL

PJ: The classic headline I remember hearing about was in the 1934 World Series when Dizzy Dean was hit in the head by a thrown a ball by the SS or 2B when he was trying to break up a double play. "Dean beaned in head. X-rays Show Nothing."

I'm very glad to see it's the professionals who've screwed up this time, PJ!  

But, I also have to admit, I recently made a post indicating that my ultimate March Madness fantasy would be to see the "two KU's" in a Finals match-up this year. 

Ooops.  

Along the same line, they've had trouble sorting out the University of Kansas (KU) and the University of Kentucky (UK). It hasn't happened but I fear the day they write about a match between the two teams and banner it with, "KUUK" plays. Or, of course, "UKKU". Neither adds much to sports journalism although probably grabs reader interest in that one would want to know what the hell they meant. Two Eskimos played each other? For what? The Snow Ball Bowl?

I realize that what they were trying to do was cram two stories into one headline but, really, some editor should have thought twice and pulled it. But perhaps I'm wrong, I often am, but why put confusion in the mind of an already confused public?   PJ

UPDATE.....UPDATE....UPDATE

Fox News, switching from sports to Entertainment has now told us that, "Klum and Bullock were shooting Tequila". I don't even want to suggest I think I know what they mean as I do not. However, my question is why would two seemingly nice ladies draw down on a helpless Agave plant?  PJ

So are any of y'all going to watch too?

I also liked "The Natural"

Hoop Dreams was a great documentary but I tend to separate them from "regular" movies.

Another sports related movie that I love is "The Blind Side."   "Remeber the Titans"  is also a great one.

I note that Hazel Brooks, the gold digger in the movie, also appeared in "The Basketball Fix" in 1951, starring John Ireland. I've never seen that one, but she seems to have a resume of 'shady' movies --- and she's a great postwar tough-talkin' glamor girl.