Upon the next World Series Champion

If you have a free minute, and and extra hundred dollars or so, so may want to get Vegas/Atlantic City/your locla sports book on the line, and put the money on the Chicago Cubs. Why, you ask?

Last night, the Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the franchise's first World Series since 1917. This win comes on the heels of last year's Red Sox World Series sweep, their first title since 1918. The Chicago Cub franchise now stands along for prolonged droughts since their last championship, with their win coming in 1906. If both colors of Sox can do it, why not the Cubbies?

While i am at it, I must congratulate the White Sox on their victory. They took care of an exhausted Houston team who was never really in this Series, and their 4 CGs in the ALCS, and sweep of the Red Sox in the ALDS was just strong baseball. This team looked like a juggernaut out of the old Yankee mold, where Texas got stomped, then the ALCS opponent won at most two games, then the Series was over in 4 or 5.

~~ HI CHARLIE, MR WHATIF HERE. SORRY TO INTERRUPT BUT: " WHATIF THE YANKEES HAD COME IN AS THE WILDCARD INSTEAD OF BEATING THE RED SOX
OUT FOR THE AL EAST? OR WHAT IF THEY HAD JUST TAKEN CARE OF THE ANGELS? WOULDN'T
THEY HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THE WHITE SOX? THAT'S ALL FOR NOW

On a final note, take out the random Marlin and Diamondback titles and the AL owns the world series. 96,98-2000, 2002, 2004, 2005. Step your game up NL.

Upon a busy sports weekend

The world of sports had a busy weekend, and I have been a bit tardy on commenting.

Joe Torre confirmed his return to the Yankees earlier last week. I am glad to see him back, even if I do not always agree with his managerial decisions in close games. Torre has not failed to get his team to win the pennant in his tenure, and that is certainly saying something to his credit. However, this continued falling one or two steps short will not continue to play well.

Speaking of baseball, I have forced myself to watch some innings of the World Series, and there has been some decently compelling baseball going on. Walk-off homers by notoriously powerless base-stealer Scott Posednick off of suddenly shaken closer Brad Lidge, grand-slams by Paul Konerko, manager Ozzie Guillen making the right-arm touch signal for a righty-reliever out of the pen, then further clarifying by making the "fat-righty" signal, by thrusting his arms wide at his midsection. this gesturs served to distinguish between Cotts and Jenks (who came in hurling pitches the gun captured at 100+ MPH). The Sox lead 2-0, and Cubs fans everywhere are getting excited. If the Red Sox (1918), and White Sox (1917), manage to break super-long World Series droughts in consecutive years, who will bet against the Cubbies knocking off baseball's longest drought?

The Giants got another late-game TD march from Eli (Tom Brady)Manning, and they knocked off the hot Denver Broncos. Manning showed composure in a tough situation again which, dare I say it, older brother Peyton lacks? Plaxico Burress looks like a great addition to this team, as he plays the wide-out position as well as any receiver we have had on Big Blue, and often uses his towering height to go up ofer a corner to haul the ball in. Armani Toomer also contributed by snagging the game winning TD.

The Jets have Atlanta tonight for MNF on the road. Coin-flip on whether this will be a bounce-back game for Vinny and the Jets, or a romp for the Falcons.

On a Fantasy Football note, the addition of Heath Miller at the TE position payed nice dividends for my team. Priest Holmes is still productive despite splitting time with Larry Johnson. Donald Driver subbed nicely for my boy Steve Smith on his bye week. Need a solid night from Curtis Martin (with no Mawae) and a slow day from Coles.

The Knicks have looked decent in the pre-season, managing to come to a 3-3 record thus far. The second unit has impressed with energy that Larry Brown must love. Nate Rob, David Lee, and Channing Frye have all had their stand-out moments. Q has seen limited action, but Eddy Curry looks to be a great addition in the middle. The mood for the season is cautious optimism, hoping the the individual performances will gel into a team effort.


Finally, I know you have to make it there, but the White Sox would have had NOTHING for the Yankees. DAMNIT!

Upon another Stop Award

and the stop award goes to... VH1 countdown/commentary shows

I may be a bit late to the party with this, but can we stop with the damn countdowns and comment shows? "The 50 Lamest Videos", "the best week ever", "the 75 hottest Senior Citizens"...etc. I know MTV hardly ever shows music, but they have original programming. VH1 is trotting out the same tired formula again and again, and conveniently not having to pay for new programming. Here's how I envision the conversation between execs going:
"Hey, lets just go to the vault and dig out some old videos, then hire some third rate commedians to mock these videos!"
"Cool, do you think we can get some D-list washed-up celebrities to contribute?".
"Of course, but we have to make sure that they also carry themselves as though a 2 year sitcom in 1971, or a stint on reality television makes them far better than the artists in these videos."
"Awesome, do you have a better lighter, I can't get my crack rock to light up"
"No problem. I have another great wrinkle. When we do a commentary show about something, let's borrow on the formula that worked really well with the first I love the 80's. I bet that won't ever get old. We could probably even replace the funny people we got for the first show with people who attempt to be funny like them."
"Brilliant. Remember that one guy with the dry sarcastic wit? Can we get someone who makes jokes like that, only they don't really know how?"
"Good call. Let's also get a black commedian, any black commedian, regardless of whether they are funny. Say, I think my crack buzz is running out. What do you say we let that retarded monkey we keep in the basement finish this up while we go score some krills?"

Yes, I know if i don't like it don't watch, but the TV quality bar is pulled lower and lower the more crap we allow on air without some sort of protest. And yes, this is probably the closest I will come to doing something about it, but still.....

VH1, those clip and commentary shows.... STOP!

Upon the End of an Error

Yesterday at approximately 4:00 PM EST, the Knicks bid farewell to the player who has become the poster-boy for all that is wrong with NBA contracts, Allan Houston. At the fairly young age of 34, Houston decided that his oft-operated upon knees simply did not have it in them anymore.

When Allan Houston signed with the Knicks from Detroit, he was envisioned as the outside scorer who would complement the aging warrior Patrick Ewing. Injuries prevented Ewing from playing at full strength with Houston in the strike-shortened 1999 season, and he was entirely absent when the Knicks were steamrolled by the Spurs in that year's Finals. For the rest of his Knick tenure, including the years following Ewing's departure, Houston was a 20-1-1 player who shot excellently from 3-point range, had a stellar FT%, and didn't have much to speak of in the other statistical categories. His biggest Knick moment, on the court, came when his last-second jumper bounced on the rim again-and-again, before dropping in and eliminating the Miami Heat.

In 2004-2005, Allan played about 30 games and earned $17,531,250!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry, but each one of those exclamation points was necessary). Let me just show you the chart to see where is salary fits in:

RANK PLAYER SALARY
1) Shaquille O'Neal, Miami $27,696,429
2) Chris Webber, Sacramento $17,531,250
3) Allan Houston, New York $17,531,250
4) Kevin Garnett, Minnesota $16,000,000
5) Jason Kidd, New Jersey $14,796,000
5) Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana $14,796,000
7) Ray Allen, Seattle $14,625,000
7) Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Portland $14,625,000
7) Allen Iverson, Philadelphia $14,625,000
7) Antoine Walker, Atlanta $14,625,000

That's right folks. Houston was earning more than anyone but Shaq and Webber(and C-Webb's deal was made when he was arguably heading toward being more valuable than Shaq). When Houston signed his $100 million deal, it change the game for everyone who was up for a contract after that, much more significantly than the A-Rod deal did for baseball. Hell, his deal may have convinced Texas that such insane numbers were possible. Also, this dead weight contract spent on a non-productive player hand-cuffed the Knicks for years. they are still not out of the hole, and carry the league's highest payroll again.

I say happy trails to Allan, who rightly retired after allowing the Knicks to use the luxury tax exemption which was prematurely named "The Allan Houston Rule" to cut the money owed to JYD. I wish he could have lived up to his Reggie Miller-esque potential, but that's what injuries do. Maybe we will see a Grant Hill down the road, but I doubt it.

Upon popular demand

Some people have requested an increase in non-sports posting, to complement the sports that I frequently obsess over. I in no way plane to stop talking about sports, or even lessen the amount of sports I talk about now. However, I do have other things on my mind. For instance:

The Stop Award- The Stop Award will be presented to any person, thing, or event that happens to be bothering me, which I feel needs to stop. There will be no limit on how many can be handed out, or any other qualification on the Stop Award (other than my own personal whim). Let's begin.

and the Stop Award goes to- the phrase bling bling When a phrase that originated in the slums on Louisana and gained national fame in Cash Money artist BG's song of the same name, is utilized by the Monsignor during a homily, it is the surest sign ever that this expression must be retired. (speaking of the cross as jewlery) "This symbol of our faith has been turned into bling-bling by many celebrities". he strung the words closely together, and delivered them in a sing-song fashion. Blue-haired old ladies nodded knowingly. While I agree with the spirit of the message, I can not accept this word's continued existance in the common vernacular, especially when a priest is in effect quoting a rapper.

If you still happen to use the expression "Bling Bling"-STOP!

(see this will be fun)

Upon another end

2005- done. Same as 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001. Still no number 27. A-rod for MVP??!? How about a hit? Unit cant pitch worth a damn in his own start, throws lights out when its way too late. Bernie can't play the outfield right? Fine job Bubba Crosby did out there. Bernie can still be effective with the bat huh? Nice 0-5 as the DH, leaving Giambi in at first to blow throws to the plate.

A phone call has been placed to Acme. The dynamite is own its way, and I have a feeling that the Yankees as we have come to know an love them will be blown sky-high.

Seriously, can you be less clutch than A-rod? Even with all his crap he could have driven in something big in the 9th. You can live with a Posada GIDP, or Tino, or one of the slow runners. However, 48 HRs and 120 RBI should not result in a rally crushing ground out.

This sucks.

Upon the Jets Game

Vinny Testaverde points out his new position on the Jets QB depth chart.

Yesterday my father and I joined the fine folks of Section 215 in the Meadowlands for the Jets-Bucs game. The game was a birthday present from me to my father, as well as my first visit to an NFL contest. I have now been to see a NY team come out on top in all four major professional sports.

The game itself was not spectacularly well played, but still proved to be exciting. The Jets won 14-12, and got 2 rushing TD from Curtis Martin. Coles had some big catches, and even Doug Jolley contirbuted in the passing game. Vinny was feeling the love from the home crowd, and played an effective but not dazzling game. The defense again looked strong, creating turnovers, getting after Greise, and stopping the Bucs on a late-game march to attempt the GW FG. This was the good news.

On the down side, penalties, miscues and turnovers still made this team look shaky. Cotchery bungled the first punt-return after the Jets D held on the opening possession of the game, giving the ball back to Tampa and allowing their first score of the day. The Jets also muffed an end of the half squib kickoff which also gave the ball back to the Bucs. Mike Nugent, whom the Jets used a high draft pick to select, missed 2 field goals. The Jets went to the Ohio State kicker early in the draft to help avoid misses like the ones in the playoffs which cost Doug Brien his job. While Curtis Martin did find paydirt twice, he only ran for 50-odd yards, and the Green running game is certainly not the corps that drove 28 to the rushing title last year.

I'll stick with the positives. We avoided the rain that threatened all day, the Jets won, and I am a big 1-0 at NY NFL games. (plus we only got lost 3 times on the way there and once on the way back).

Upon the Jewish holidays

I am not jewish, but I think I may appreciate their holy days as much as the most Orthodox among them. The place where I work is not very free with the scheduled days off, but this week I had Tuesday and Wednesday off for Rosh Hashana. Combined with the vacation day which I took on Monday, I was able to have a 5-day weekend. Now, we have Monday off in celebration of Columbus Day, two days of work, and then Thursday off to celebrate the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur. These most holy of days have resulted in 5 days off in 10 days of work, and two extended weekends (one of my doing, one scheduled). You gotta love it.

Upon Quick Updates

Playoffs have arrived, and the Yankees are once again champions of the AL East. We are tied 1-1 heading back to the Bronx, after a Game 1 victory, and an error-filled Game 2 loss. We should be heading into the Unit start up 2-0, but on the plus side we do not have to win another road game in Round 1 if we take care of home. Maybe we should hire the UnderArmor guy to come and speak to the team ("We must protect this house!!"). Jorge's homer off off K-Rod is also encouraging, as we have shown that we can come back against the Angels before. Wang deserved better than he got, as gaffes cost him a win.

In speaking of gaffes, Tony Crappuccino pulled a Buckner, allowing a grounder to go right through the wickets. The next batter Iguchi hit a 3-run bomb, and the White Sox beat the Red Sox to take a 2-0 series lead. The Sox could be in real trouble, and though their recent track record shows success with their backs to the wall, I will paraphrase Rick Pitino: "Pedro Martinez isn't walking through that door, Derek Lowe isn't walking through that door, and Dave Roberts isn't walking through that door". This year's Sox are not last year's, and the odds are the odds for a reason. You can only defy them so many times.

The Padres were dealt a blow when Jake Peavy went down, to injury with a fractured rib, and in flames when he got bombed in Game 1 by the Cards. San Diego staged a late rally, but the Cards have a chance to sweep this series. Houston beat up on Atlanta and the signs that the trend of NL East pennant and out may continue abound. This Astro team pitches a lot like the champion Yankees from 2000.

The Knicks have apparently swung a deal bringing in Eddy Curry and his bad heart, plus 250 year old Antonio Davis, in exchange for my boy Mike Sweetney, Tim Thomas, and Jermaine Jones. If Curry can be healthy, he is a big beast in the paint who shoots just slightly under Sweet's FG%. He is a young guy with athleticism (when properly motivated) and could benefit this team a lot. I will miss Sweetney, whose game I really loved, but the PF glut on the roster would have him struggling for minutes. the projected starters now:

PG: Marbury
SG: Crawford
SF: Richardson
PF: Channing Frye ?
C: Eddy Curry

And Back-ups:

PG: Super Nate Robinson
SG: Allan Houston, Super Nate
SF: Trevor Ariza, Penny
PF: David Lee, Antonio Davis, Malik Rose, Mo Taylor
C: Jerome James, Frye, Davis

Now this team could go either way on you. You may have a collection of talent, and no real team. Or, under Larry Brown's guidance, you may have a contender for the 5-8 spot in the East. I choose to think B. Frye is a PF in the NBA anyway, Curry is a big body with ability, and the Marbury/Crawford/Q show should get the buckets. Super Nate off the bench, Trevor and Lee, tough guys to get boards. Im on board.


And yes, I did watch hockey last night, and yes I did miss it while it was gone.