Excuse Me Sir, You're Standing On My Throat

How The Sports World Is Beating Me Down Lately

It's been a while since my last post and I know you're probably thinking that I am a lazy bag.  That I don't care to stick to this nice little side project I have kicked off on the tail end of this past summer's scintillating World Cup...you'd probably be right in most cases (I am pretty lazy), but not here.  The truth is that I am burnt out with the sports world right now.  

My teams have been miserable in 2014.  The Mets actually did the best they could but still ended up below .500 in the win column and really showed zero life at the plate.  The bright side is ace pitcher Matt Harvey returns to the rotation next season and that is a very bright side indeed, but it's not enough to get excited about just yet.  

Manchester United (my favorite soccer team) has been so far below average this season that they just keep making transactions, roster shake ups and increasingly annoying predictions from their front office.  Brand new head coach Louis Van Gaal has been flapping his gums since the summer as to how he was going to shake things up at Old Trafford and revitalize the club who has struggled mightily since the departure (retired) of United demi-god Sir Alex Ferguson.  The team lacks identity as all of their players of yester-year are now gone…Ryan Giggs is on the coaching staff but that doesn't seem to be helping…at all.

The Jets make me just sad.  There is very little upside this season other than at least we now know that Geno Smith is not the QB of the future.  Rex Ryan has benched him a few times already during games and has now decided to flat out start Michael Vick this week.  Geno completed more passes to players on the other team (3) than his own (2) before getting the hook.  It's sad, I have removed emotions from the mess and am looking forward to the playoffs.

Moving right along on the Melancholy March, things haven't improved around the NFL with regards to the domestic and substance abuse policies.  Since the start of the season, players have been arrested, arraigned, sentence and so on…it's pretty depressing when you think about getting excited about an organization that allows this type of thing to go on while raking in the dough and not giving back enough to the fans.  

But you know what?  It's our own fault.  Heck, a report came yesterday that at the miserable Jets-Bills game a few fans got into scuffles in the stands with one of them getting knocked out cold.  Is this what we really want to do with our Sundays?  And it's both sides.  The report quotes a high level of intoxication, Buffalo fans being obnoxious and a Jets fan punching his face off.  That's too stressful for my tastes on Sundays.  I have chosen a different path with sports lately, it's one of indifference most the most part.  I enjoy watching small doses and find some stories utterly fascinating like the Royals playoff run (not going well lately) and the lead up to the insanity that will surely come about when the college football mafia begins to determine which teams will be competing in their brandy new COLLEGE FOOTBALL SUPER PLAYOFF EXTRAVAGANZA!!!  Slow golf clap….

Maybe I am just being a crotchety old man who is having a tough time dealing with a recent rough patch with his favorite teams, but the other day while I was working through my drawers of clothing, rotating my warmer weather clothes into the bins for storage and colder weather gear into the drawers I can across a few items of clothing - 

1.  Marc Sanchez jersey (not sure why this wasn't burned)

2.  Jose Reyes jersey (see comment above)

3.  Carlos Beltran & K-Rod t-shirt jerseys smashed into the back of one drawer (you can tell I have been lazy in rotating some years)

4.  And worst of all - Darrelle Revis jersey (a really nice one that was a Christmas gift from my mother-in-law, incredibly thoughtful!)  The saddest thing about the Revis scenario is now he plays for the Patriots…

Honestly, I have no answers…

Hope this brightened your day by comparison!

HAPPY WATCHING!!!

Hey Matt Harvey, Take It Eeeezay! & Welcome to The WEEKEND

Harvs Told by Coach Collins to Slow Down

It's Friday (almost night) and the feelins' right!  Friday is upon us and while it can be super exciting in the summer with beach, bbq, booze and bikinis in the not too distant future sometimes it helps to SLOW DOWN and make sure everything is in order first.  Does the car have gas in it?  Have I procured the necessary provisions?  Did I check the traffic report to avoid the 2 hour delay for the 1.5 hour delay (it does make a difference)?  Do I have my tan in a can ready?...for the record I do not use that.  You get the idea...it really helps to have some of this stuff prepped and ready to go for a successful weekend.  

How does this make any sense when referring to New York Mets' ace pitcher Matt Harvey's return from Tommy John surgery (October 22, 2013)?  Well, I will tell you...coach Terry Collins basically called Harvs and said (not a direct quote), "Looks pal, you are not playing in 2014.  Pump dem brakes, enjoy the sights and sounds of summer, get your stuff in line for 2015 and overall just slow down.  It is this simple, everyone loves Harvey's drive and tenacity but it doesn't mean squat to the Mets and Mets fans around the world (there's gotta be a Mets fan or two in Japan) if he doesn't come out dealing like an ace in 2015.  I really don't know why this is still a difficult concept for him to grasp.  He has been pushing and pushing to pitch in 2014 since he had the surgery last fall.  

Obviously no one really knows what Harvey is thinking because even when he leaks out middle finger flipping photos on his Twitter account (now closed, photos can be found with a quick Google search.  This blog is too classy to post that here!) he somehow seems to not have anyone's but his own best interests in mind.  What is sorta baffling about this situation is that ego and catering to the fans who fill the seats when you pitch aside is that your employer (at least publicly) has stated numerous times that they want you to slow down and be 1000% for 2015.  Maybe I missed something but is there a medal awarded for fastest recovery from TJ surgery?  Does it matter if your elbow craps out mid-season and everyone wants to lock you in a box and send it out on raft into the abyss of Mets disappointments?  I really do hope for the sake of baseball and Mets' fans Harvey does listen and Slow Down!

Grilled Cheese Sports Round Up Time!!

+  Ladies and Gentlemen, The English Premier League kicks off tomorrow morning (our time coverage starts around 7AM EST).  The slate of games is not the most exciting but just getting the season going is exciting enough.  It's going to be interesting as many of this past World Cup's stars are around.  Can Man City hang on to its title or will Arsenal, Chelsea or one of the other bigger teams wrest it away.  Could be a dark horse this year as well...but history says otherwise.

+  Pure and simple - I am in Florida, went out for dinner and drinks last night...saw 80 seconds of the Jags-Bears game...Bears looked terrible.  Blake Bortles looked pretty solid.  If bored and looking to research his story Google - bortles girlfriend.  

+  Vince Young finds a new gig working as a fundraiser for University of Texas.  Seems like a good fit aside from the seeming mental instability and the rumors that he had trouble learning the NFL playbooks...I guess the pitch is "look at what I did with little to nothing going with the mental piece/being a student of the game"..."so can you!!"  Like a weird infomercial.  Best of luck though, you were a great college player.

+  In other football related news it seems like the good ol' New York Jets have failed again.  This time in one of the more lame ways possible.  They tried to hire/entice once Fan of The Century Fireman Ed back to the stadium to lead is legendary J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS! chant and FAILED!!  You see Fireman Ed said enough is enough roughly 2 years ago after the infamous Buttfumble game (if you have to ask, don't ask me).  Apparently fans thought the long time staple at Jets home games was becoming nothing more than a corporate stooge for Woody Johnson (great name!  next in line is his cousin Slippery or Aunt Anita).  Johnson owns the Jets, sorry about not stating that before.  So Fireman Ed got fed up with the abuse and now watches the games from home...presumably wearing the fireman's hat.  Anyway, seems the Jets tried/begged him to come back and give one of the much maligned franchises nothing that the fans could kinda call a tradition, outside of underachieving and Ed wasn't interested.

That my friends is all that I have for this glorious Friday afternoon.  Keep it real this weekend and don't forget to SLOW DOWN at least once in a while!!

Happy watching!!

MLB Trade Deadline is Approaching, Call Your Agent and Stop Whining!!

The MLB Trade Deadline is coming up this Thursday!

Welcome to Tuesday!!!

The trade deadline has been a great time in baseball history for some franchises, making sick deals right at the end to prepare for that playoff run.  While other franchises, it's a way to sell away young talent for underachieving bloated contracts.  It works this way both in fantasy baseball and in real baseball.  I can't tell you how many times I was either a seller or buyer heading into the fantasy baseball trade deadline (which varies based on the league) and seemingly always found the short end of the deal.  BUT I guess that is what comes from looking at baseball talent/transactions from the angle of a Mets fan.  It's funny, it's not fun (Howard Stern Show reference for those interested).  But what I have been thinking about more frequently this time around the deadline is what if the rest of us non-professional sports playing folk were to be subjected to a trade deadline.  Who's a seller and who's a buyer?  I for one am I buyer.  Just hear me out....

Ok, so you have been working at the same company for a couple of years, doing your thing...kicking butt, taking names...making moves.  Rising through the ranks and honestly probably posing threats to upper management.  You sign a deal like this - X number of years for Y number of clams.  You're locked in for say 4 years...fine no big deal.  You like working there, you are pretty cool with the group working there and the chick who works the coffee shop around the corner kinda knows your name and doesn't charge you the full amount for a 20 oz coffee every time you walk in at 7AM...which is nice.  

You're in year 2 of the 4 year deal, and let's just say Evil Bank, Globo Gym or wherever it is that work starts to well come undone at the seams.  The managers above and below you start getting itchy about golden parachutes and are constantly checking their 401Ks on Vanguard.com.  You realize this is not going to end well.  You call in your agent who (which this is how life should really work) sits done with your immediate manager and has a real heart-to-heart (I think that's how it's spelled) about your future, the way in which you'll be compensated in the future, blah blah blah.  This guy is a shark, and honestly he doesn't give a (insert expletive statement here) about Company XYZ.  He is there to cut them to pieces, get you the most money you can and subsequently he can and move on to sushi, sake and a good laugh.  *about those jerks*

Basically, the immediate manager at Company XYZ says, ok Larry (let's call the agent Larry, I kinda like a Larry.  Short for Lawrence (very regal) but chooses Larry...He is trying to get it done)) we are not able to continue paying your client (insert you here) and we think it's best that we trade him to Company ABC for a pair of interns and a copy room guy to be named later.  If your client (you) proves his contract is worth it they can pick up the team option for 2016 and 2017...if not you're on your own.  How does that sound?  Your agent says that's fine...under two conditions - the rest of season's salary will be paid up front (the dollars are worth more today than they will be tomorrow) and schedule 3 bobble head days centered on me, and not those crappy minor league level ones.

You shake hands, you are moving on with contract in tack, the rest of the year's worth of salary paid up front and you still get to get physical at your new team (company) where of course you will kill it and get a new big contract...Obviously.  Sick bobble heads and hazing the new interns before you leave is an added bonus.  Doesn't that make more sense than, your company goes semi-under, your skills are deemed worthless in the eyes of a worthless management crew and you are now left scrambling for a team to contribute to?  This is the MLB trade deadline and how things work...we should apply this to all aspects of life.

Whew, that was far too long winded but I felt like it was relevant given the time in sports.

Let's now look at the current trade deadline rumors - 

1.  Matt Kemp for Jon Lester straight (the what?) up...I don't get it.  Kemp has not been the same and Lester has beaten cancer and is a 3 time All-Star, 2 time WS winner and owns 1 career no-hitter.  Kemp is not bad but I think injuries and a lackluster few years outside of his monster 2011, he has been good but not great.  They are just about the same age Lester (30) and Kemp (29), but I think Lester provides more value overall.  20-20 outfielders are around, aces are not.  Thoughts?

2.  AJ Burnett to the Pirates for random schmo and how much the Phillies get to pay of AJ's salary.  I think AJ Burnett is awesome.  He really has done a great job of pitching in the majors the last bunch of years...as long as it's not in New York.  His strikeout rate is solid, he throws strikes and really cuts down NL lineups.  The Pirates were smart to not over pay for him in this past off-season and honestly, if they get him for the right price, it's a big win.  Phillies management must be kicking themselves this year...and last and the year before than...and next year...

3.  David Price goes no where.  I would put $50 on it.  He goes no where.  Would love to be proven wrong and he goes to the Mets, but I doubt it.  Bank on that my friends! Don't do this - 

4.  I really don't know.  There are usually a number of odd salary dump deals and random veteran deals (AKA the Marlon Byrd deal last year to the Pirates) that kinda make sense but no one really cares about...well not that many people.

It's going to be a fun filled next few days my friends, let's see where this goes (hint - it may go nowhere at all)!  

Happy Watching!
-Shaun

Johnny Manziel Repents & A Quick Look at The 4-6-3 DP

Johnny Manziel Repents & A Quick Look at The 6-4-3 DP

Welcome to Saturday! It's so nice to see, and not a minute too soon.  You feel like a summertime shady place, a warm embrace and...well that is about as far as I can get it.  Finding your missing shoe lace?  In times of need, seeing a friendly face?  Wait, that last one wasn't that bad...put that one at the end.  Ok, so Saturdays are about to ramp up - NCAA Football (Rutgers' first season in the BIG14, it's dumb to call it the BIG10 there are 14 teams in it) and the beginning of the Barclay's English Premier League (EPL) season.  Soccer doesn't end with the World Cup, it only gets feistier because everyone is playing for lands, titles and money. (bad Braveheart reference).  Let;s dive into it and see what's going on in the world of sports this Saturday.

1.  "Johnny Football" Johnny Manziel has been a naughty boy (again) and was photographed rolling up a $20 bill in a bathroom in Las Vegas.  I assume it was to make it fit as efficiently as possible into the bathroom attendant's pocket.  More space equals more money, and Johnny can avoid to slip the bathroom attendant a crispy Andrew Jackson (is it ever all about the Jacksons?  Maybe that one time they had that E! True Hollywood story about Tito and Jermaine).  BUT the Cleveland Browns organization, who drafted him this past April, did not think he was being a good tipper and a model newly minted millionaire...oh no!  They took this photo to mean that he was crushing copious amounts of cocaine into his face with this rolled up twenty dollar bill.  As far as I know, there is no evidence either way (should have been a lawyer), it's just all about how you look at it. The old adage is that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Maybe I am wrong here and probably so...Johnny has reportedly apologized for "rookie mistakes".  Is he already paving the way for when he reads the defense wrong and fires a sick pass into the waiting arms of the free safety for a pick 6?  I hope not!  Come on Johnny - Cleveland needs you...a lot.

2.  6-4-3 Double Play - for those of you who do not know what this means, it is when a batter in baseball hits a ground ball in the infield (with a runner on first) that is then fielded by the shortstop (6), thrown to the second baseman (4) who gets a force out at second and then fires the ball over to the first baseman (3) to get the batter out at first.  When executed properly it is majestic, the perfect combination executing what you practice and finely honed individual skills.  One of the best things about this play is that more often than not the most grateful player after the aforementioned play is over is the pitcher (1).  He may have walked the player on first or given up a sharply hit ball up the middle and feels like garbage about either play.  He is relieved to have the bases cleaned up and loves his infielders for it.  On the other hand, the manager of the other team is far from happy and doesn't give a damn about how flawlessly the second baseman turned on a dime and fired a strike to the first baseman.  He just fired his chaw at the batboy and headed into the clubhouse for a breather.

What am I getting at?  Good question - The board who oversees the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame has announced that they will reduce the number of years of ballot eligibility from 15 to 10.  While this seems to the casual follower of baseball to be not a big deal...that whole do your business in the pot or get off thing, what it really means is that players who enjoyed the Steroid Era or JUICE BALL, now have less time to politic and rework their image in the public's eye (I'm looking at you Mr. McGwire and your batting coach gig).  The thing is 10 years is a ton of time to get inducted into the Hall of Fame anyway. It shouldn't take the Baseball Writer's Association of America 10 years to figure out if you are "Hall-worthy" or not.  Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Roger Clemens you have been put on notice and it doesn't look good.  Not to belabor the point, but the Hall of Fame inductee with the highest voter approval rating...not Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron or Cal Ripken Jr...nope Tom "Tom Terrific" Seaver.  Yep, you got it.  Deal with it.  

Moving along as this is getting quite long winded, let's wrap up what's new in the 'hood.

Mets - win 3-2 over Brew Crew.  Yanks - win 6-4 over Bluebirds.  Both play today at 7PM and 1PM respectively.  Jake Peavy to the Giants (making that playoff push I guess).  Red Bulls play Arsenal FC tonight at 5PM in Harrison New Jersey - Get out there if you can!  See the RBs and some of the EPL's greats.  Outside of that, enjoy the summer Saturday and keep it real.

Happy Watching!

-Shaun

You Threw It Where? And Other Friday Vittles

Good afternoon my friends!

Did you hear that? Wait, stop moving...stop breathing (your mouth-breathing might scare it away), it kinda smells like it...stop moving!  Yep, if you look (slowly) around the corner, it's the weekend.  Don't you dare scare it away or I will find you.

Today is Friday and I will be mixing in some more links to very interesting and cool sports stories so that you can not only read about them but view what I am talking about (with my commentary of course.)

1.  I am a big fan of the Howard Stern Show.  I have listened to him for a long time and find the format of the show entertaining and creative.  The production manager Gary Dell'Abate (Dell-Ah-Bah-Tay) who is both an instrumental part of the show's production and a target for ridicule time and time again has been noted for one of the worst opening pitches in baseball history (this is a known fact...like gravity)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfLIyT8HExY I saved you the hassle of having to watch a Domino's Pizza commercial on MLB.com, jerks.  Anyway, it's fantastic.  If you didn't know about it, now you do...you're welcome.  BUT WAIT!!! relax Gary, it's fine, really it's fine...because (also at a Mets game, pattern developing...Mr. 50 Cent got a little wild with his first pitch as well) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83FHj53QBHY Not a good throw and made more awkward by the lefty-ness of it all (sorry southpaws).  The thing is, and this is what I love about the Howard Stern Show is that you're only as ridiculous or on the hot seat as you can be for that moment.  They cast such a wide net that you can feel safe letting yourself take some criticism because it'll be on some tomorrow, and that's the best.  Keep it light.

2.  (This happened Thursdsy night)  You know it's bad when a play in sports makes it to CNBC and it's not curling (they love curling coverage and so do I).  But this one made it on to their mid-morning coverage and was pretty special.  It involved Ryan Raburn (Detroit Tigers OF/INF) figuring out how to get the baseball back into the infield as quickly as possible after a base hit down the LF line. Just watch, it explains itself - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnm9l54KWjw It's not pretty, but it gets worse - http://deadspin.com/5796016/heres-your-mlb-play-of-the-season-as-ryan-raburn-assists-a-home-run So there's that too.  I am sorry to say this but maybe, just maybe he is some how involved in a point shaving/baseball reverse version of that.  (Thanks to YouTube and Deadspin for those links.)  And I really do think Ryan Raburn just got the bad end of two very unfortunate plays.  You don't make it to the major league in any sports and not know how to play...it's just sometimes...it seems like you don't.  Ryan Raburn has played 9 years in major league baseball = not too shabby.

3.  Before I get into other things there is one more link and then I'm done - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaYuxTj4yh4 OK, so the quality is toilet and I am pretty sure the telecast was hard to hear, but hey that's Mariah Carey throwing out a first pitch in high heels and a very, very shiny jacket. It is what it is.

4.  On to more local sports, today as was brought to the forefront of my brain by my fellow Mets fan Ed - the Good Ol' Mets are possibly thinking about putting in a referendum to the Wilpons to have the GM think about pursuing, if they can find the dough and scour the farm system (which they can) for Colorado Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki.  He is a phenomenal player when healthy but that's just it, how do you gauge how healthy an injury prone player can be?  I think that this calls for replacing all human baseball players with robots.  It makes all the sense in the world.  Broken down half way through the contract?  Wrench, oil and maybe a little side action and the robot is back. Done!  This whole human thing is kinda looking silly.  My advice to the Mets don't leverage the farm, you don't want it to be a let down. Last link (I think it works here) - http://www.cc.com/video-clips/aot4gb/futurama-bean-machine apologies for the commerical beforehand but I couldn't another link.  

That's about I have for today.  If you are still reading and you have any great nicknames you have for sports players or celebrities, I would like to start a contest for who have the best.  Doesn't have to be dirty in nature (yes there are a lot of Sanchez's out there) but the more creative the better.  Not everyone is named Jerricho "Cotch Man Doodle" Cotchery.

Have a great weekend and...

Happy Watching!

-Shaun

Beat Up The Beat!!

Hey Everybody!  I hope you're making your way closer to Friday…

Today's theme is going to be "Beat up the Beat"!!  Not sure if everyone remembers that from the MTV smash hit The Jersey Shore, but I sure do.  Lovin' Jerz and reppin' the Shore, no doubt son.  Basically when the gang would go out clubbing looking for chicks that were DTF they would pull out a few dance moves (most notably The Fist Pump) and exclaim that they wanted/needed to beat up the beat.  Well, I can't say that I will be doling out advice on dance moves…that's more a Cosmo or Teen Vogue thing and I don't want to steal their thunder, no sir.  No - instead today it will be a beat down on the POLICE BEAT going around the sports world today.  So here we go!

1.  One of the bigger collapses in a Major League Baseball career was carried out by one Chuck Knoblauch.  For those who didn't know, he got a ridiculous case of the yips while playing for the Yankees and essentially couldn't throw a fielded groundball from the second base slot to the first baseman.  It was painful to watch and I kinda felt bad for the guy, but he played for the Yankees so I didn't mind it as much.  He was arrested for "allegedly" assaulting his wife.  The Twins (who he used to play for before went on to pinstripes) were planning a nice Chuck Knoblauch Day or something along those lines…that has been cancelled.  Come On Twins!!! They said allegedly!!

2.  This is a short one.  Ray Rice is suspended for two games this season by the Roger Goodell Mafia.  Punch your lady friend to the floor in an Atlantic City elevator and you get two days off from work.  Something seems odd here on a few levels.  If you are going to have your employer suspend you for something you did at a casino (which it looked like he gave her a good one in that elevator) then you gotta do a little more than 2 games.  What message are we sending our kids?  Especially all of the kids in the casinos!!  On the other hand, if my wife pushes me down the stairs at the mall or something, I am pretty certain that her employer doesn't send her an email saying to take two weeks off, just saying.

3.  Justin Blackmon is currently a suspended NFL wide receiver who had a fantastic college career and ultimately wound up being a top 10 (if memory serves me right) draft pick at the NFL draft.  He was you guessed it arrested today for drug possession. Guess why he is a currently suspended NFL wide receiver...nailed it, drugs.  I hate these stories I really do because addiction issues in America do not get the attention they deserve. I know we are the master's of our own lives but sometimes it's not that simple. Be that as it may, it seems like Mr. Blackmon is on a 'can't stop won't stop campaign' and honestly as the younger folk say YOLO!!!  (You only live once)  but it might be cool to live once, to 85 with a few duckets in the buckets my friend.

4.  Mets lost 9-1 to the Brew Crew, ouchie....  Yanks won 4-2 in the BX against the Texas Rangers and we are now every so closer to the trade deadline.  Tomorrow, I will give you a sweet update on trade rumors, trades that have happened and my usual 10 minute update on all the cool points in sports.

Much love my friends! It's almost Friday!

Happy Watching!

-Shaun

Long Day, Only Tuesday - Pain is on the Horizon

Good evening to the insomniacs out there and good morning rest of you!  It's Tuesday night and the feeling's right for a little baseball round up.  I have been awake mostly since 4:15 this morning (not by choice) and have learned a lot about myself and early morning television programming in the process.  

The early morning is actually a great time to catch up on sports broadcasting...SportsCenter (SC) is more streamlined because they assume that if you're watching at 4:17AM that you are either getting up really early for work and don't have time for those ridiculous fluffy, sob pieces they do about the local cheerleaders who can't make the trip to "nationals" because they didn't sell enough bundt cakes...OR they assume that you have meth induced insomnia (which I do not have), but just the regular inability to sleep for more than 4 hours at a time.  What ever the reason is, I really, really enjoy this early morning SC.  The issue comes around at lunch time when you have been up since 4:15 and the only takeaway is that you really know how the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff is sucking lately or that last night (Monday) the Yankees committed 5 errors in one game.  It's cool and all but man does it make simple tasks like working the microwave in the break room tough.  Time to give up that habit.

Let's dive in to what is new and relevant in the sports world - 

1.  This - http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/26077901/nationals-fan-shows-off-very-curly-w-beard-on-instagram  It's pretty cool and while my beloved New York Mets are fighting off the Nats for a playoff spot, how can you hate on this guy.  This exemplifies determination and fanhood about as best as you can.  And I hope he subscribes to the Movember movement which is right around the corner...my wife is cringing already. Remember this one? (2013) - 

2.  Donald Sterling backtracks again.  Doesn't want to sell the LA Clippers, hates wife (I get it), hates anyone who is black (I don't get it), and is suing anyone who has called his direct line in the past 3 years.  What is the process these days for determining insanity?  I get it that he is old...I can only imagine the stupid things I will probably think are real when I am old.  (I have watched more Scooby Doo and Spongebob Squarepants than anyone in their right mind should).  What I don't get about his whole thing is this - 1.  You seemingly hate African-Americans. 2. You are old and do not really need the money from the sale of the team.  3.  You hate African-Americans and you own a professional basketball team.  4.  I don't even know how numbers 1 and 3 coexist for this long...he has owned the team since 1981.  No one knew about this until now??

3.  This will be my last one and a quick one - the Yankees traded Yangervis Solarte for Chase Headley and $1MM.  Pretty cool if your Solarte, the Yankees are directionless without Tanaka and CC...and it won't get much better when A-Roid comes back next year and what's also pretty awesome for Solarte...well it's two fold - you got traded for a legitimate baseball player in thirdbaseman Headley but you were valued so much that the other guys threw in a cool $1MM just to make it all seem right.  That's pretty awesome.  I would love to move jobs to a different bank and the acquiring bank throws in a $1MM to make that move happen.  Good luck to all and Solarte gets to play in sunny San Diego...the home of Ron Burgundy and sunshine.

That's all I have for you tonight...the Yankees are in the 80th inning and the Mets are just getting started.  Hope you all have a great night and a happy Wednesday.

*** Sign up for updates so you don't miss a post (Rachel helped me get that part up and running)  and leave a comment or something if you have time, if not...no big. ***

Happy watching!

-Shaun

Welcome to The Weekend!

Quick recap on this grey Saturday morning - 

Baseball's back as I mentioned yesterday.  CC Sabathia is undergoing season ending knee surgery, see you in 2015 CC...and have a cheeseburger! You haven't been the same.  

Mets win! (8 of their last 9 games) and continue to roll towards the .500 mark.  

Yanks also win!  4-3 and are now 1 game above .500. Mediocrity reigns supreme in NY baseball this year, but sometimes you just have to be good enough to make the playoffs, right Mr. Manning?  

Rory McIlroy is shooting a sexy 11 strokes under par as the British Open (also just The Open Championship) continues today at the Royal Liverpool GC at Hoylake, England.  American golfers tend to struggle with this tournament compared to say the Masters or US Open.  Sometimes less is more (when it comes to booming drives and fairway blasts), and sometimes less is less...you can't be good at everything.

So on to something on the more serious side. This story came out months and months ago but the Minnesota Vikings finally made the decision to suspend Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer for homophobic remarks made towards former punter Chris Kluwe in 2012.  Two thousand and twelve!!  Why you take so long?  (I was asked this by a kid waiting in line behind me at Starbucks the other day...They ran out of Verona Blonde and I froze, I just froze.  I am sorry pal, you'll have to wait like 8 more seconds to order your 20oz Creamsicle latte with an extra 4 shots of espresso.  Give it a rest, and you're like 10, you shouldn't need coffee - go eat some Pixie Stix or something) Where was I?  Oh, man...lost track.  Oh right, Chris Kluwe, homophobic remarks and a suspended football coach.  I could not behappier with the Vikings decision to take action here.  What is however, semi-infuriating but is generally the case in sports is that the punishment does not fit the crime.  (Suarez, sorry bud I just can't let it go) The coach got suspended for 3 games without pay (which at least is something). BUT if I roll into work one day and make pretty much any comment that someone finds the least bit offensive, like say - Yo! You are a fatty or hey, lady do you think it is appropriate to put lipstick on your lips and most of your front teeth (which I may say at some point) I would be fired.  Not on the spot of course but they would call me into a room later that day and ask did you say blah, blah, blah and I would say maybe and then they would give me some stupid severance package and a firm shoving out the front door by security.  That's how it happens in the real world.  Mike Priefer - I don't know you or what you said, but have a little class and do your job and go home.

Ok - little side of things now.  Looking for a good time?  Check out the following website - http://thechive.com/ (most peeps know about it, but if you don't...it just makes life happier and provides plenty of time killing fun while in the supermarket or DMV)  You're welcome!

Saturday - here we come!  Let's play this one out and see where it goes.

Happy watching!

-Shaun