Saturday, October 18, 2003
GAME ONE BELONGS TO THE MARLINS
Well, we may have a World Series worth watching after all.
This reminds me of "Major League", when the owner of the Indians is hated by everyone. In the Marlins case, it is Jeffrey Loria. The Indians go on to beat the Yankees to win their division in the movie. And who knows, if Juan Pierre can be the table setter he's been all year long, the Marlins could very well beat the Yankees in the World Series.
Anyways, the true star of Game 1 has to be Dontrelle Willis. What does the Alameda, California native do to impress us once again? Well, he pitched 2 2/3 innings of shutout baseball in Yankee Stadium. He came in for starting pitcher Brad Penny, who gave up 2 runs in 5 2/3 innings. Willis didn't allow a hit until the 8th inning, when he gave up back-to-back base hits by Bernie Williams and Hideki Matsui. He had two strikeouts, including K'ing Derek Jeter.
It was nice to see Dontrelle rebound from his so-so performance in the NLCS against the Cubs. OK, I'm being generous there. But sue me. Dontrelle was one of my classmates at Chipman Middle School in Alameda, California during the 6th and 7th grade. 10 years ago, Dontrelle, me, and the rest of my classmates were on a camping trip in the Oakland Hills during the middle of October.
10 years later, Dontrelle is pitching at Yankee Stadium in Game 1 of the World Series. That's just freaking cool as far as I'm concerned.
Marlins in 7. Sure, the Florida fans don't deserve a championship. But Dontrelle does. And that's what matters here.
This reminds me of "Major League", when the owner of the Indians is hated by everyone. In the Marlins case, it is Jeffrey Loria. The Indians go on to beat the Yankees to win their division in the movie. And who knows, if Juan Pierre can be the table setter he's been all year long, the Marlins could very well beat the Yankees in the World Series.
Anyways, the true star of Game 1 has to be Dontrelle Willis. What does the Alameda, California native do to impress us once again? Well, he pitched 2 2/3 innings of shutout baseball in Yankee Stadium. He came in for starting pitcher Brad Penny, who gave up 2 runs in 5 2/3 innings. Willis didn't allow a hit until the 8th inning, when he gave up back-to-back base hits by Bernie Williams and Hideki Matsui. He had two strikeouts, including K'ing Derek Jeter.
It was nice to see Dontrelle rebound from his so-so performance in the NLCS against the Cubs. OK, I'm being generous there. But sue me. Dontrelle was one of my classmates at Chipman Middle School in Alameda, California during the 6th and 7th grade. 10 years ago, Dontrelle, me, and the rest of my classmates were on a camping trip in the Oakland Hills during the middle of October.
10 years later, Dontrelle is pitching at Yankee Stadium in Game 1 of the World Series. That's just freaking cool as far as I'm concerned.
Marlins in 7. Sure, the Florida fans don't deserve a championship. But Dontrelle does. And that's what matters here.
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OMAHHH
Add Omar Minaya as "on the list" of Mariner GM candidates to be interviewed. Wonder who else will be talking with them.
I forgot how much being sick sucks...
I forgot how much being sick sucks...
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Friday, October 17, 2003
KARMA IS A BEYOTCH
This is the old case of "you never count your chickens before they hatch."
Back to my regularly scheduled programming: Listening to the new Outkast "Speakerboxx/The Love Below" double CD.
Back to my regularly scheduled programming: Listening to the new Outkast "Speakerboxx/The Love Below" double CD.
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IT'S A DAY LATER
And Grady Little hasn't been fired yet? Shocking. Not really, but whatever.
By the way, did you know that the girl in "Skin" is dating the son of the district attorney?
By the way, did you know that the girl in "Skin" is dating the son of the district attorney?
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SIMMONS GOLDEN ONCE AGAIN
Once known as the Boston Sports Guy, ESPN Page 2's Bill Simmons comes through with a Red Sox postgame column for the ages.
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Thursday, October 16, 2003
PORT LAND
ESPN has reported that Mike Port, the assistant general manager of the Red Sox, will take over as the new GM of the Mariners within the next 2 days.
I don't know a whole lot about Port. I know that he was with the Angels during the 1980s and has been with Boston since 1993. But I hope the M's know what they're doing here.
But I guess we'll find out soon...
(Edited at 2:15 A.M. CDT: Port will interview for the M's GM job this weekend. ESPN jumped the gun there)
I don't know a whole lot about Port. I know that he was with the Angels during the 1980s and has been with Boston since 1993. But I hope the M's know what they're doing here.
But I guess we'll find out soon...
(Edited at 2:15 A.M. CDT: Port will interview for the M's GM job this weekend. ESPN jumped the gun there)
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THIS IS A JOKE
ESPN wants all 18 Marlins fans to be "correspondents" on their Sports Nation page during the World Series.
Here are the four questions ESPN has asked potential Marlins correspondents:
1. Why did you become a Marlins fan?
2. Describe in some detail your best moment as a Marlins fan.
3. Describe in some detail your worst moment as a Marlins fan.
4. Where do you watch your team's games and why?
I just sent in my application. Here are my answers.
1. I'm a "Marlins fan" because they are in the World Series.
2. Last night, when the Marlins won the National League pennant.
3. Huh? What are you talking about?
4. Not at that dump known as Joe Robbie Stadium.
Yes, I hope you all detected the sarcasm there. I hate the pathetic fanbase of South Florida. They are the 2nd worst fanbase in all of sports. Atlanta tops them all, though.
The Marlins will be playing in their 2nd World Series in 11 seasons while the Mariners are still waiting for their first opportunity to play in the Fall Classic. Sickening.
Here are the four questions ESPN has asked potential Marlins correspondents:
1. Why did you become a Marlins fan?
2. Describe in some detail your best moment as a Marlins fan.
3. Describe in some detail your worst moment as a Marlins fan.
4. Where do you watch your team's games and why?
I just sent in my application. Here are my answers.
1. I'm a "Marlins fan" because they are in the World Series.
2. Last night, when the Marlins won the National League pennant.
3. Huh? What are you talking about?
4. Not at that dump known as Joe Robbie Stadium.
Yes, I hope you all detected the sarcasm there. I hate the pathetic fanbase of South Florida. They are the 2nd worst fanbase in all of sports. Atlanta tops them all, though.
The Marlins will be playing in their 2nd World Series in 11 seasons while the Mariners are still waiting for their first opportunity to play in the Fall Classic. Sickening.
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JUST A LITTLE BIT, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF MY HATE FOR YOU
Grady Little must be fired at noon ET Friday. He single handedly lost the American League pennant for the Red Sox the minute he went out the mound and ASKED Pedro Martinez if he still wanted to pitch. If you're a real manager, you take Pedro out ASAP. Bring in Mike Timlin, who's been money all postseason. Take some chances.
And guess who hit the game winning home run for the Yankees?
Aaron Boone.
Midseason acquisitions are overrated. Damn the Mariners ownership for not doing what it takes to win a championship. That's the difference between the M's and the Yankees.
Aaron Boone is our generation's Chris Chambliss, he of the 1976 game-winning HR to send the Yankees to the World Series, only to lose to the Reds in 4.
Boston fans, I'm already joining y'all in the mass vomiting session right now. Carry on.
And guess who hit the game winning home run for the Yankees?
Aaron Boone.
Midseason acquisitions are overrated. Damn the Mariners ownership for not doing what it takes to win a championship. That's the difference between the M's and the Yankees.
Aaron Boone is our generation's Chris Chambliss, he of the 1976 game-winning HR to send the Yankees to the World Series, only to lose to the Reds in 4.
Boston fans, I'm already joining y'all in the mass vomiting session right now. Carry on.
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WELL?
Is anyone else ready to watch the World Series that Nobody Wanted to See? I sure as hell don't want to see it, and this sucks because I have to root for the damn Marlins. Ugh. Two ass owners haven't met in a big game like this since those rat bastards Wellington Mara and Art Modell met in the Ravens/Giants Super Bowl.
And no, I'm not watching any sports for the rest of tonight so I can miss out on all the Yankee ass-kissing. Thank you, goodnight.
Only one thing matters now.
GO SEAHAWKS.
And no, I'm not watching any sports for the rest of tonight so I can miss out on all the Yankee ass-kissing. Thank you, goodnight.
Only one thing matters now.
GO SEAHAWKS.
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SOMETHING SEEMS REALLY WRONG ABOUT THIS
Seems that the Prime Seat Club in Vancouver is something where season ticket holders can sell tickets they won't use on the team's website...for a profit, which is split 55/45 in favor of the season-ticket holder. In Denver, the Avalanche allow season-ticket holders to sell tickets on the team's website, but without the profit due to some anti-scalping laws. In addition, the Prime Seat Club does not allow selling for below the face value. It's weird, really weird.
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IT'S TRUE!
Guess what? Maybe Rick Neuheisel really WAS a crappy recruiter. After all, the team that's on the field for the Huskies right now has seniors that were a part of his first recruiting class...
Anyway, here's article one and article two, from the Times.
Anyway, here's article one and article two, from the Times.
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Wednesday, October 15, 2003
I HATE THIS WORLD RIGHT NOW
---Arnold is the California governor
---Every damn Fox promo for "Skin" and "The O.C."
---And of course, the Florida Marlins going to the World Series.
They don't have any fans and their ownership is terrible. Keep in mind that the Marlins owner, Jeffrey Loria, is one of the big reasons why the Montreal Expos are in the rut that they are in today.
The thing is, I like this Marlins ballclub. They are young and exciting. But this is wrong. These loyal Chicago Cubs fans are getting the shaft once again. I watched the WGN postgame show for 5 minutes and had to turn it off, because I felt so damn bad for those people.
And one more thing: The Fox crew was pro-Marlins all the damn way. Why was former Marlin Al Leiter allowed to do commentary in the booth during the NLCS? I know he's a Met now, but man, the guy was just irritating as hell.
This is nitpicking here, but Thom Brenneman and Leiter's ties looked teal to me. I don't know about anybody else here, but if you are a NATIONAL TV announcer, you need to be impartial at all times. Yes, we know Miguel Cabrera is going to be a special player. Yes, we know that Josh Beckett is the second coming of Curt Schilling.
Three glorious words come to mind right now for me: Go Red Sox. Beat the Yankees in the Bronx tomorrow night and sweep the damn Marlins. Get it done.
---Every damn Fox promo for "Skin" and "The O.C."
---And of course, the Florida Marlins going to the World Series.
They don't have any fans and their ownership is terrible. Keep in mind that the Marlins owner, Jeffrey Loria, is one of the big reasons why the Montreal Expos are in the rut that they are in today.
The thing is, I like this Marlins ballclub. They are young and exciting. But this is wrong. These loyal Chicago Cubs fans are getting the shaft once again. I watched the WGN postgame show for 5 minutes and had to turn it off, because I felt so damn bad for those people.
And one more thing: The Fox crew was pro-Marlins all the damn way. Why was former Marlin Al Leiter allowed to do commentary in the booth during the NLCS? I know he's a Met now, but man, the guy was just irritating as hell.
This is nitpicking here, but Thom Brenneman and Leiter's ties looked teal to me. I don't know about anybody else here, but if you are a NATIONAL TV announcer, you need to be impartial at all times. Yes, we know Miguel Cabrera is going to be a special player. Yes, we know that Josh Beckett is the second coming of Curt Schilling.
Three glorious words come to mind right now for me: Go Red Sox. Beat the Yankees in the Bronx tomorrow night and sweep the damn Marlins. Get it done.
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UGH...
The Cubs fans don't deserve this. They don't. They've suffered for way too long. And man, if you think that fan that put hands out toward the ball in Game 6 was getting railed today, just wait till tomorrow. People are going to blame that guy in the stands for losing the series. Of course, there's a ton of other factors, but sheesh...
This once again means...the Mariners management should have done everything possible to make the playoffs AT ALL COSTS. Why? Look what just happened. THE FRIGGIN MARLINS!! They were down 3-1 in the damn series and now they're playing for (cringe) ANOTHER World Series title? *Vomiting* This damn team beat the Giants in the first round, and they'd won 100 games going in. They overcome a 3-1 deficit and beat the Cubs including the final two games at Wrigley. Point is, just get into the playoffs...it's a total clean slate from there.
Here's a sickening thought: there's a chance that we could be looking at a seven-season span (1997-2003) where we may have one WS title for Arizona and TWO WS titles for Florida. This is SO DAMN WRONG.
This once again means...the Mariners management should have done everything possible to make the playoffs AT ALL COSTS. Why? Look what just happened. THE FRIGGIN MARLINS!! They were down 3-1 in the damn series and now they're playing for (cringe) ANOTHER World Series title? *Vomiting* This damn team beat the Giants in the first round, and they'd won 100 games going in. They overcome a 3-1 deficit and beat the Cubs including the final two games at Wrigley. Point is, just get into the playoffs...it's a total clean slate from there.
Here's a sickening thought: there's a chance that we could be looking at a seven-season span (1997-2003) where we may have one WS title for Arizona and TWO WS titles for Florida. This is SO DAMN WRONG.
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I LOVE BEING WRONG SOMETIMES
Yeah, I guess I forgot that the Yankee pen is nowhere near as good this year as it has been in years past. Some great plays by Bill Mueller at third base, and I really didn't think Trot hit a home run when it left his bat in the 9th.
Here's to hoping another Clemens/Pedro matchup doesn't degenerate into what it did last time...
Here's to hoping another Clemens/Pedro matchup doesn't degenerate into what it did last time...
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YANKEES WIN
What else can you expect me to say when I'm sitting here in the bottom of the 6th inning with Todd Jones pitching, and Bronson Arroyo has already taken the mound? What the hell is this?! Surely this makes Grady Little even more of an idiot. Not like Tim Wakefield burns his arm out throwing knuckleballs...
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CHOICES
One thing that may come up more often this year than last for the Canucks is this -- Cloutier or Hedberg? Luckily with a decent backup goalie you can have the choice, as opposed to last year when they had that hack Peter Skudra.
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I'M SICK
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
ROCK, PUCKS, AND LOVE IN THE ATL
Morgan Rose, drummer of one of my favorite bands, Sevendust, has posted the following message on the web:
"The first week of October found me with one of the biggest emotional roller coaster rides in my life. On Oct. 5, my daughter turned 4 years old and I was in Charlotte, N. C. I would be returning home on the 6th. As I was leaving the show in N.C., I checked my messages to find out my friend Dan Snyder, who had been fighting for his life in Atlanta after being in a car accident a week earlier, had passed away unexpectedly. Things had been looking up in his recovery, and just like that, he was gone. He was an unbelievable man. He was to play with the Atlanta Thrashers this year. Having defied odds his whole life to become a player in the National Hockey League. I, as well as many others, will miss him dearly. Also in the crash was another friend of mine, Danny Heatley, who will face the emotional, as well as physical, fight of his life, having lost a close friend and teammate. I will give him any support I can. My friend Joey gave me Snydes' Jersey that he wore all last year and now I keep it with me everywhere I go, to have a piece of him near me at all times.
"As most of you know, this band has lost too many friends and family members over the last year, but as we have done before, we will help each other through this. Dan was just 25 years old. Two days later, our 4th album was released and we happened to be playing in Atlanta. The show was awesome. Our Atlanta friends giving us the crazy support we've now gotten accustomed to. We dedicated 'Angel's Son' to Dan Snyder and Danny Heatley. It was a beautiful tribute. After playing S.C. the next night, we returned home to relax with our families and refuel. Now we are back on the road until Thanksgiving. We are thankful for having what we have, which is the greatest families and friends, the best support teams around us, and most of all, life, which is so precious. It should never be taken for granted. We thank everyone for their incredible loyalty to this band and so look forward to seeing everyone soon. In closing, I would like to ask everyone of you to say a prayer for the Snyder and Heatley families, for their journey through life will be incredibly tough. God Bless You All."
"The first week of October found me with one of the biggest emotional roller coaster rides in my life. On Oct. 5, my daughter turned 4 years old and I was in Charlotte, N. C. I would be returning home on the 6th. As I was leaving the show in N.C., I checked my messages to find out my friend Dan Snyder, who had been fighting for his life in Atlanta after being in a car accident a week earlier, had passed away unexpectedly. Things had been looking up in his recovery, and just like that, he was gone. He was an unbelievable man. He was to play with the Atlanta Thrashers this year. Having defied odds his whole life to become a player in the National Hockey League. I, as well as many others, will miss him dearly. Also in the crash was another friend of mine, Danny Heatley, who will face the emotional, as well as physical, fight of his life, having lost a close friend and teammate. I will give him any support I can. My friend Joey gave me Snydes' Jersey that he wore all last year and now I keep it with me everywhere I go, to have a piece of him near me at all times.
"As most of you know, this band has lost too many friends and family members over the last year, but as we have done before, we will help each other through this. Dan was just 25 years old. Two days later, our 4th album was released and we happened to be playing in Atlanta. The show was awesome. Our Atlanta friends giving us the crazy support we've now gotten accustomed to. We dedicated 'Angel's Son' to Dan Snyder and Danny Heatley. It was a beautiful tribute. After playing S.C. the next night, we returned home to relax with our families and refuel. Now we are back on the road until Thanksgiving. We are thankful for having what we have, which is the greatest families and friends, the best support teams around us, and most of all, life, which is so precious. It should never be taken for granted. We thank everyone for their incredible loyalty to this band and so look forward to seeing everyone soon. In closing, I would like to ask everyone of you to say a prayer for the Snyder and Heatley families, for their journey through life will be incredibly tough. God Bless You All."
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WOW
If I were commissioner of baseball, this would be my first act of duty:
Posting this on every gate in every Major League ballpark. I.E.: DO NOT ALLOW THIS FAN TO ENTER THE BALLPARK.
To that guy: Official Major League baseballs run from 12 to 15 bucks at the ballpark souvenir stands. 20 bucks at Wrigley Field, because the Tribune Company love the dollar dollar bill, y'all. Hell, I would give you my official Jeff Cirillo signed Major League Baseball. I could wash off Cirillo's signature and give you the ball for free, if you want a ball so damn bad.
Cubs fans, I feel for you guys right now. I only hope that Kerry Wood pitches the game of his life tomorrow night and gets the Cubbies into the World Series. If not...hoo boy.
Posting this on every gate in every Major League ballpark. I.E.: DO NOT ALLOW THIS FAN TO ENTER THE BALLPARK.
To that guy: Official Major League baseballs run from 12 to 15 bucks at the ballpark souvenir stands. 20 bucks at Wrigley Field, because the Tribune Company love the dollar dollar bill, y'all. Hell, I would give you my official Jeff Cirillo signed Major League Baseball. I could wash off Cirillo's signature and give you the ball for free, if you want a ball so damn bad.
Cubs fans, I feel for you guys right now. I only hope that Kerry Wood pitches the game of his life tomorrow night and gets the Cubbies into the World Series. If not...hoo boy.
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GOOD RIDDANCE, STANLEY STEAMER
Mariners advance scout Stan Williams, formerly the M's pitching coach from 1998-1999, has left Seattle to take the same position with the Devil Rays.
Now we can find a guy who will actually have a clue on scouting unknown pitchers.
Josh (Twin) Towers, Mark (I played basketball at Wazzu) Hendrickson, Eric (Not As Good as Demetrius) DuBose, Doug (What The Hell?) Waechter, Jocquan Benoit (?), Billy (Not Talented) Traber, and Scot Shields ring a bell, Mariner fans?
Those are a few of the pitchers who beat the Mariners during the 2003 season. Sickening, isn't it?
Now we can find a guy who will actually have a clue on scouting unknown pitchers.
Josh (Twin) Towers, Mark (I played basketball at Wazzu) Hendrickson, Eric (Not As Good as Demetrius) DuBose, Doug (What The Hell?) Waechter, Jocquan Benoit (?), Billy (Not Talented) Traber, and Scot Shields ring a bell, Mariner fans?
Those are a few of the pitchers who beat the Mariners during the 2003 season. Sickening, isn't it?
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Monday, October 13, 2003
MADDEN AND STU SCOTT
Stu: "Who do you like better, Real Ike (Isaac Bruce) or Video Ike?"
Madden: "Oh, I like the Real Ike"
Remember kids, Madden has to keep selling his video games, even if the cover boy, Michael Vick, is hurt. And Stu is helping him do that.
Anyways, tonight's Monday Night game is ATLANTA-ST. LOUIS?!? Egads.
No big deal though, since Game 4 of the Yankees/Red Sox ALCS is on at 7...that's compelling TV, not the Battle of Mark Harmon Bulger and Douglas Johnson.
One more note about ESPN: Robin Bakay is better than Nick Bakay. She's a MILF. There, I said it.
Hey, I lied! The new NBA Live 2004 promo was just on and Vince Carter is the coverboy this year. Dear God, please give Vinsanity some very bad luck in 2003-2004, please?
Thanks in advance,
Jeremy
Madden: "Oh, I like the Real Ike"
Remember kids, Madden has to keep selling his video games, even if the cover boy, Michael Vick, is hurt. And Stu is helping him do that.
Anyways, tonight's Monday Night game is ATLANTA-ST. LOUIS?!? Egads.
No big deal though, since Game 4 of the Yankees/Red Sox ALCS is on at 7...that's compelling TV, not the Battle of Mark Harmon Bulger and Douglas Johnson.
One more note about ESPN: Robin Bakay is better than Nick Bakay. She's a MILF. There, I said it.
Hey, I lied! The new NBA Live 2004 promo was just on and Vince Carter is the coverboy this year. Dear God, please give Vinsanity some very bad luck in 2003-2004, please?
Thanks in advance,
Jeremy
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WAY BEHIND, I KNOW...
[post edited...THIRD downs instead of first downs toward the end]
I'll try to knock down the Seahawks in this here post...which still doesn't make up for my lack of baseball and late-ass/half-ass high school football input. Sorry to the anticipatory readers out there (however so many there may be), I'll get to it.
The Hawks are friggin' 4-1. They simply manhandled the 49ers in just about every way in the first half. They led 17-3 at half, and had led 17-0 until Owen Pochman (Pooch-man) hit the field goal at the end of the half after hooking one wide right earlier in the half. SF fans were left in longing for their beloved Mike Cofer from the glory years to come in and split the uprights.
What kept the 49ers in this game? Well, at times their defense wasn't too bad. At times, the Hawks offense wasn't coming through. Most notably, the Seahawks had some untimely and stupid penalties. It almost seemed like the penalty-happy Raiders teams of past had slapped on Seahawk blue for the day (okay, not quite as ferocious and ghetto, but bear with me).
Untimely penalties, straight from the play-by-play...
- A Garcia-to-Streets 29-yard pass in the beginning of the first quarter put the 49ers on the Seattle 38. Ken Hamlin probably shouldn't be going full bore into the receiver if the receiver's that close to being out of bounds and definitely if he isn't already. So, a 29-yd pass turns into a 44-yd pass on the late hit. The Niners took the ball from the Seattle 23 and Pooch-man missed the field goal attempt.
- Beginning of the 3rd quarter. SF has great field position after a crappy Tom Rouen punt. They have a fresh set of downs at the Seattle 34. Garcia throws incomplete to TO. Garrison Hearst gets stuffed for no gain. This brings up a 3rd-and-10. Or at least it would have if Antonio Cochran didn't get nailed for taunting. Third-and-10 from the Seattle 34 turns into a new set of downs at the Seattle 19. Yuck. SF scored a touchdown three plays later.
- The drive was already crappy. The Hawks had the ball around the 4-minute mark of the 3rd qtr at their own 26 after the punt. Hass got sacked. From the 22, Alexander got the four yards back that were lost on the sack. Third-and-10 from the 26, right? Chris Terry gets called for holding. Second-and-24 from the Seattle 12. It's somewhat moot because Hass got picked on the next play.
- SF got the ball right after that the Hasselbeck pick around the 3-minute mark of the 3rd qtr from the Seattle 34. Garcia threw incomplete to Weaver. The situation is dire already, this would have left a 2nd-and-10, but still deep in Hawk territory. This is where Hamlin gets flagged for roughing the passer, which was debatable on replay, if I remember right. Anyway, this turns into a new set of downs from the Seattle 19 -- in the red zone. Garcia took a keeper for a touchdown four plays later to bring the Niners within one point.
- To end the third quarter, the Hawks got the ball after the Niners scored a touchdown to get to a Seattle 17-16 score. The Hawks took over from their own 34. Alexander ran for 2 yards. Darrell Jackson caught the ball on a great pass play and went for 11 yards and a first down. Hasselbeck hit Jackson again for a 6-yd strike for the first play of the 4th qtr. So, 2nd-and-4 from the SF 47. Backup fullback Heath Evans is nailed for unnecessary roughness. Now it's 2nd-and-19 from the Seattle 38. Hass threw incomplete to Jackson. On a 3rd-and-19, Hass took a keeper for one measly yard. So it's 4th-and-19 from the 38, right? Rouen can at least keep the Niners to suitable field position, even though he's crap, right? Not when the ref sees Hass spike the ball in frustration and assume he spiked it at one of the defenders. Back that punt up back to the 24. SF gets the ball at their own 40. Great field position, and they'd use it to get the go-ahead field goal. SF 19-17.
Luckily, the Seahawks managed to go the final 14:04 without getting penalized, but not before they accumulated eight penalties for a mammoth 105 yards.
In the big clutch moment, after the Hawks got their own go-ahead field goal to put them up 20-19, SF had the ball from their own 29. They got nailed for a false start. From their own 24, Hearst ran for three yards. Garcia went incomplete to Wilson. Garcia hit Wilson for a key third-down strike and a first down to put them at their own 43. In the first play after the 2-minute warning, Hearst ran up the gut and was stripped by a passing Chad Brown. Hamlin fell on the ball and that was basically the game. The Hawks wore down the last 1:55 to put them at 4-1 heading into what should be two "gimme" games.
And thankfully, the Seahawks played such an awesome first half that it made up for all the crappy play and pure frustration of the second half. Until that last fumble. That was incredibly clutch.
And these last two stats I jacked from Dan Patrick just now. The Hawks convert 46% of THIRD downs (nuts!!) and are plus-10 in giveaway/takeaway difference.
I'll try to knock down the Seahawks in this here post...which still doesn't make up for my lack of baseball and late-ass/half-ass high school football input. Sorry to the anticipatory readers out there (however so many there may be), I'll get to it.
The Hawks are friggin' 4-1. They simply manhandled the 49ers in just about every way in the first half. They led 17-3 at half, and had led 17-0 until Owen Pochman (Pooch-man) hit the field goal at the end of the half after hooking one wide right earlier in the half. SF fans were left in longing for their beloved Mike Cofer from the glory years to come in and split the uprights.
What kept the 49ers in this game? Well, at times their defense wasn't too bad. At times, the Hawks offense wasn't coming through. Most notably, the Seahawks had some untimely and stupid penalties. It almost seemed like the penalty-happy Raiders teams of past had slapped on Seahawk blue for the day (okay, not quite as ferocious and ghetto, but bear with me).
Untimely penalties, straight from the play-by-play...
- A Garcia-to-Streets 29-yard pass in the beginning of the first quarter put the 49ers on the Seattle 38. Ken Hamlin probably shouldn't be going full bore into the receiver if the receiver's that close to being out of bounds and definitely if he isn't already. So, a 29-yd pass turns into a 44-yd pass on the late hit. The Niners took the ball from the Seattle 23 and Pooch-man missed the field goal attempt.
- Beginning of the 3rd quarter. SF has great field position after a crappy Tom Rouen punt. They have a fresh set of downs at the Seattle 34. Garcia throws incomplete to TO. Garrison Hearst gets stuffed for no gain. This brings up a 3rd-and-10. Or at least it would have if Antonio Cochran didn't get nailed for taunting. Third-and-10 from the Seattle 34 turns into a new set of downs at the Seattle 19. Yuck. SF scored a touchdown three plays later.
- The drive was already crappy. The Hawks had the ball around the 4-minute mark of the 3rd qtr at their own 26 after the punt. Hass got sacked. From the 22, Alexander got the four yards back that were lost on the sack. Third-and-10 from the 26, right? Chris Terry gets called for holding. Second-and-24 from the Seattle 12. It's somewhat moot because Hass got picked on the next play.
- SF got the ball right after that the Hasselbeck pick around the 3-minute mark of the 3rd qtr from the Seattle 34. Garcia threw incomplete to Weaver. The situation is dire already, this would have left a 2nd-and-10, but still deep in Hawk territory. This is where Hamlin gets flagged for roughing the passer, which was debatable on replay, if I remember right. Anyway, this turns into a new set of downs from the Seattle 19 -- in the red zone. Garcia took a keeper for a touchdown four plays later to bring the Niners within one point.
- To end the third quarter, the Hawks got the ball after the Niners scored a touchdown to get to a Seattle 17-16 score. The Hawks took over from their own 34. Alexander ran for 2 yards. Darrell Jackson caught the ball on a great pass play and went for 11 yards and a first down. Hasselbeck hit Jackson again for a 6-yd strike for the first play of the 4th qtr. So, 2nd-and-4 from the SF 47. Backup fullback Heath Evans is nailed for unnecessary roughness. Now it's 2nd-and-19 from the Seattle 38. Hass threw incomplete to Jackson. On a 3rd-and-19, Hass took a keeper for one measly yard. So it's 4th-and-19 from the 38, right? Rouen can at least keep the Niners to suitable field position, even though he's crap, right? Not when the ref sees Hass spike the ball in frustration and assume he spiked it at one of the defenders. Back that punt up back to the 24. SF gets the ball at their own 40. Great field position, and they'd use it to get the go-ahead field goal. SF 19-17.
Luckily, the Seahawks managed to go the final 14:04 without getting penalized, but not before they accumulated eight penalties for a mammoth 105 yards.
In the big clutch moment, after the Hawks got their own go-ahead field goal to put them up 20-19, SF had the ball from their own 29. They got nailed for a false start. From their own 24, Hearst ran for three yards. Garcia went incomplete to Wilson. Garcia hit Wilson for a key third-down strike and a first down to put them at their own 43. In the first play after the 2-minute warning, Hearst ran up the gut and was stripped by a passing Chad Brown. Hamlin fell on the ball and that was basically the game. The Hawks wore down the last 1:55 to put them at 4-1 heading into what should be two "gimme" games.
And thankfully, the Seahawks played such an awesome first half that it made up for all the crappy play and pure frustration of the second half. Until that last fumble. That was incredibly clutch.
And these last two stats I jacked from Dan Patrick just now. The Hawks convert 46% of THIRD downs (nuts!!) and are plus-10 in giveaway/takeaway difference.
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Sunday, October 12, 2003
DISTURBING
A few disturbing things I've seen during the baseball coverage on FOX:
---the new M&M's commercial with the old guy signing "The Candy Man" song
---the Subway commercial with Ned Flanders in a Kentucky cheerleading outfit
---Thom Brenneman, Steve Lyons, and Al Leiter kissing the Florida Marlins' ass every chance they get
---the Pedro Martinez/Don Zimmer incident
---FOX's assumption that we want to see the crew with their gay cell phones when they are voting on some asinine question, i.e. who loves josh beckett more? thom, psycho lyons, or leiter? vote now!
Seahawks on at 7:30 here...I'm waiting for T.O. to get laid out tonight!
---the new M&M's commercial with the old guy signing "The Candy Man" song
---the Subway commercial with Ned Flanders in a Kentucky cheerleading outfit
---Thom Brenneman, Steve Lyons, and Al Leiter kissing the Florida Marlins' ass every chance they get
---the Pedro Martinez/Don Zimmer incident
---FOX's assumption that we want to see the crew with their gay cell phones when they are voting on some asinine question, i.e. who loves josh beckett more? thom, psycho lyons, or leiter? vote now!
Seahawks on at 7:30 here...I'm waiting for T.O. to get laid out tonight!
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USE YOUR HEDBERG
The Moose, Johan Hedberg, tossed a shutout (of only 14 shots) in his first game in net for the Canucks, a 3-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers in GM Place, a.k.a. "The Garage." Matt Cooke had two goals and an assist. Trevor Linden had two assists. Jiri Slegr got his first goal since February of 2002 with a shorthanded goal in the second period.
Here's some game photos: photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5, photo 6, photo 7
Next week for the Canucks: Monday at Columbus, Thursday at Detroit, and Saturday at Minnesota. Yeah, let's hope for 2-1 out of that trip.
By the way, Minnesota had the potent goalie duo of Dwayne Roloson and Manny Fernandez last year and used them both effectively. This year, the Canucks have Dan Cloutier and Johan Hedberg, who may be an even better duo than the Minnesota guys.
[Later add: an article of exactly how Ed Jovanovski managed to roll up 27 penalty minutes in the last game, and another article on Matt Cooke, who had three points]
GO CANUCKS!!
Here's some game photos: photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5, photo 6, photo 7
Next week for the Canucks: Monday at Columbus, Thursday at Detroit, and Saturday at Minnesota. Yeah, let's hope for 2-1 out of that trip.
By the way, Minnesota had the potent goalie duo of Dwayne Roloson and Manny Fernandez last year and used them both effectively. This year, the Canucks have Dan Cloutier and Johan Hedberg, who may be an even better duo than the Minnesota guys.
[Later add: an article of exactly how Ed Jovanovski managed to roll up 27 penalty minutes in the last game, and another article on Matt Cooke, who had three points]
GO CANUCKS!!