rician blast

From an MSNBC article on his original comments: In an interview with The Associated Press, Shula laughed when asked if the Patriots deserve an asterisk if they finish 19-0. “That’s not for me to say,” the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach said. “They were penalized, after the first game, wasn’t it? They had a No. 1 draft choice taken away, and (coach Bill) Belichick was fined, and the team was fined. ... “Since then they’ve been playing within the rules, and their accomplishments should be recognized. But if there was something that happened to diminish what they’ve accomplished, then that has been noted.” Shula coached the Miami Dolphins to a 17-0 record in 1972, still the NFL’s only perfect season. He caused a stir when he first made critical comments regarding the Patriots scandal to the New York Daily News on Monday. “You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They’ve got it,” Shula told the newspaper. “I guess you got the same thing as putting an asterisk by Barry Bonds’ home run record. I guess it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and a No. 1 draft choice was taken away during that year of accomplishment.” Where does he say "yes it should be asterisked?" He said he guesses it will be noted that they were fined and punished. Talk about a total overreaction by Pats fans and players. Another media creation where the writers throw out the bait and players and fans bite. I will say this...Shula should know better than to even afford anyone the opportunity to use his comemnts for such sensationalism, so f*** him anyway.

As I said in the "Where Will ARod Land" thread...

I'm looking for expansion of the rule...Nothing like a 5 hour baseball game. Actually I think it's a smart idea. I would also like it if they'd employ some methods to speed up the game. In one Sox-Yank game I was timing seconds between pitches...45 seconds was not uncommon, depending on who was at bat. That's ridiculous, although I am sure teams are happy about the added beer and other concession sales.

Tru dat. Schilling is a smart guy and I think he also realized that it could pay dividends, in terms of his standing in Boston sports folklore, not to drag this thing out and look like a money grubbing athlete.

Docs: "Mr. Steinbrenner, we did everything we kid...but your son pulled through anyway"

I'm not sure how I'll feel about this come the 2008 season but right now, reflecting on the the Sox winning 2 titles in 4 years, I've come to realize something. For me, it's not all about winning. I went to my first Sox game when I was 7. I remember walking up the ramps as we headed to our LF grandstand seats, and I recall finally getting a look at the field, the wall, Reggie Smith was in LF shagging flies, George Scott was there, I got Rico's autograph. I remember the smells, the sounds, I remember it all. I've always been a name on the front kind of fan. I don't get too enamored with individual players, especially superstars. I have always appreciated character and effort as much as talent. I love watching Manny hit, but I equally enjoy watching Ellsbury run the bases. I like seeing guys play hard, enjoy playing the game, and perform as great teammates, not individuals. IMO, baseball is the sport that chemistry means the least because individual performances go such a long way towards team success. Doesn't mean I don't want to see them play as a team, though. I think both the 2004 and 2007 teams showed a lot of the characteristics that I like to see. My concern with ARod IS his character. I think he plays to the camera, I think he assumes (often correctly) that the camera is always on him, I think he feels he is bigger than the team, bigger than the game. I don't like his prancing, the way he sashays out on the field, I don't appreciate some of the tactics he's employed on the field or some of the things he's said off the field. I think he's a phony. All this being said, I am concerned that his presence, even if the Sox win the WS with him, will diminish the experience FOR ME since I've built up a dislike for the guy over the years based on his plastic persona. Selfish? Maybe, but I think the Red Sox can win multiple titles without him, and I'd like to see them try. The Sox are already big-spenders and could be accused of buying a title, a la the NYY. I'm ok with that...but there are limits beyond which I'm afraid the overall experience of being a Sox fan, for me, will be devalued. I've said before, if ARod lands in Boston, I'll support him, and maybe, just maybe, he'll show us all something we haven't seen to date...character. And if they win a another WS title, I guess I'll be happy...but I just can't guarantee that it won't feel a little tainted...a little cheaper...than 2004 and 2007. It's simply not all about winning at all costs for me, and I guess that's why I'm not a Yankees fan (no offense intended).

Waddya mean, Crunch? If I have my numbers right, last time I checked the 07-08 NHL Salary Cap was a touch over $50m and the B's were only $500k under the cap. I agree that historically the Jacobs were tight-assed and it cost the team in terms of the on-ice product. Now, though, the fact that the Bruins STILL suck is due to their innefectiveness in the salary cap-era. I believe their FO and their scouting must be horrible. Chara looks nothing like a $7.5m player Bergeron is over-paid at $4.75m Marco Sturm hasn't earned his $3.5m Mark Savard is quite a playmaker and might be worth his $5m if he had someone to pass to . Right now he is the B's top scorer...at #57 in the league. Other teams come up with young kids who fly, battle, check, score...The B's can't seem to find them. Doesn't matter who is coaching, they just seem to lack heart, talent and depth. Maybe THAT is where they're being cheap now...hiring s***** scouts, s***** FO guys, etc. and it translates to lousy talent and character in their players.

If true, then I guess they wanted to guarantee New York DIDN"T talk with them.

From Schilling's blog (38Pitches) on the 1st day of FA: "So the first day of Free Agency begins. I cannot divulge names because the teams involved asked that I not do so at this point, but the first day resulted in initial contact with 3 teams. Kind of weird to be doing this with no agent but at the same time pretty cool. All three discussions were very informal, with the clubs expressing interest in potentially working together next year. Two of the teams were on the list of teams mentioned earlier, one was not." Love the guy, but sometimes he is too much. I'm not sure whether to file this under smart business man or self-promoting wind-bag. At any rate he isn't going to get the Sox FO to blink, they already know what they're willing to do in terms of Schilling and what goes past the line...it's we fans who have to wait and see. What he CAN influence is public perception, which irks me...I don't like when people buy into one side or the others take on the negotiations and then blame either the team or the player for the aftermath.

Agreed, why jump into that potentially s***** situation. Heck, maybe he could land in the Bronx after Girardi pisses off the Yanks brass and gets himself s***-canned.

It sounds really nice the way he phrased his intentions, but it's also subject to interpretation. Possible interpretations? He IS loyal and truly feels he should stay longer given the opportunity granted him by the Sox. He is not quite ready to manage a team and would like a little more seasoning. Pittsburgh...the city, the team and the organization...f***ing sucks and there's no way in hell he's going to go there...and he'll wait for better options. I'm just happy he's sticking around.

heh, heh, heh.....no. It would be absolutely fkn beautiful. But if that were to happen you could almost guarantee that there'd by cries of collusion. In fact, in this case, I'm all for collusion.

Ya sure it's ok? Wouldn't want to stray off topic if it bothers you, das.

That's why I take the rickshaw when I'm in the city.

PC, so that would be what....15 minutes...in the civilized worlds of CT and Mass where they've gotten rid of the horse and carriage?

If the Sox sign ARod, to me, as of this moment, they will have: Jumped the Shark http://www.jonmetzler.com/blog/wp-content/Fonzie_jumps_the_shark.PNG Sorry, maybe there's something wrong with me, but I don't want this embarrassment of riches associated with the Red Sox. I don't want them to become the "new evil empire". I feel like there'll be a stigma attached to any team for whom Mr. Rod plays, and I'm not comfortable with him bringing that to Boston. Would I root for him? yes. Would I maybe even like the guy at some point? could be, maybe in the right situation he could break out of his type-cast character and be perceived in a better light. My gut tells me we don't want this guy folks, regardless of his obvious on-the-field talents.

tainted supplement? bwahahahahahahahahaha!

Great thread. In other equally fascinating news I'm about to adjust my junk for comfort's sake.

Didn't Schilling come into camp in awful shape purportedly due to all the time he put into starting up his Company? IF that is somewhat behind him, I think you could make a case that he could come into the 2008 campaign in much better condition and actually improve...not fall off...from 2007. Schill's a smart guy, a competetive guy and a proud guy...if given a 1 yr deal I have to believe he's going to do what it takes in the off-season to be better than competetive and I suspect he'd get 15-16 or so wins. If I'm the Sox I make this deal.

Aaron Boone? ********. Grady Little got Grady fired. You had to fkn bring this up, huh? Trying to kill me? That game represents one of the worst nights of my life. When he sent Pedro out in the 8th I said to my wife "What is Little doing? we're going to fkn lose." Sure enough, the wheels started falling off, and Grady ignored the fact that his BP had been dominant and stuck with Pedro. I was reduced to a xanax popping, beer drinking fool...by the time Boone hit the winner, I was so fkn numb it was ridiculous. Quite possibly the worst job of managing I have ever...or will ever...see.

Interesting talk on EEI today. Apparently (forgive me if I'm repeating something you've heard) there has been some discussion on actually setting up a "pitching rest schedule"...a way to actually build in rest time to the rotation. Assuming the team can stay near the top of the playoff picture throughout, I like the idea. Wonder if some pitchers would balk at it, worrying they won't get as many starts as they might like?