The World is Back on its Axe-is

There are a lot of things going awry in the world today:

1. Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
2. The wealthiest country in the World cannot provide efficient, cost effective health care for all its citizens
3. The ‘recovery’ is contained to Wall Street, where we pay bonuses to ingrates who would not have jobs if not for Government intervention
4. Our Congress is banana republic quality
5. Sarah Palin
6. The Yankees are World Series Champions
7. The Lakers are NBA Champions

But, when you get down to what is really, really, really important: Cal won the Big Game over Stanford.

OK, bear with me my readers who are not part of Golden Bear Nation (do I owe the Red Sox a royalty for using the word “nation”?), but what I am about to write will serve as an allegory for all of you who did not attend Football Factory Universities (Florida, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Penn State, Ohio State, USC, Michigan, Florida State, Notre Dame).

You see, for the rest of us for whom an outright conference championship or a Rose (BCS) Bowl bid is a dream not an expectation, the unexpected win over Stanford reminded me why I follow sports, and, of course, why it often causes more depair than joy.  But it is the unexpected joy that, like Al Pacino in the Godfather, that reels you back in.

Let me set the stage:

Cal was supposed to contend for the Pac 10 Title, yet again.  But some early season spotty wins gave me pause; pause that was confirmed by blowout defeats to Oregon and USC (combined score 72-6).  I fully expected Cal to mail it in from then on, just as they did in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s (with the exception of 1991) and 2007, when they rose to #2, only to collapse to a 6-5 record.

Plus, Stanford (aka known as ‘Furd) was on a roll.  They destroyed the aforementioned USC and Oregon teams, scoring 106 points, and Toby Gerhart was making a strong case to be invited to the Downtown Athletic Club in early December.  Stanford was expected (I expected) to kill us; the game was on ‘The Farm” as the campus is affectionately known (that is if a farm had, instead of animals, a bunch of spoiled kids who drive Mercedes and have their own golf course and mall).

Instead, after giving ‘Furd a 14-0 lead via a long TD run (Gerhart) and a blocked punt that led to a TD, Cal dominated.  Rolled up almost 500 yards of offense and ran for over 200.  Of course, this being Cal, it was still a six point game thanks to some strange play calling.  ‘Furd coach Harbaugh goes for it on 4th and 8 when trailing by 3 from inside his 20 despite 3+ minutes on the clock and all 3 timeouts.  They don’t make it.  Tedford one-ups him on the “WTF” scale by going superconservative, taking a knee on 3rd down, then settling for 3 points.

I understand making them go for a TD versus a FG, but Jeff, last time I checked, TD is worth 7 (ok, they have to make the extra point).

Stanford marches down the field and then Gerhart breaks 432 tackles on a screen pass to get to the Cal 11.

Now at this time I am only following the game on my phone as a) I forgot I have Versus (great TV package for the Pac 10); b) my child is in the tub; c) I am not allowed to swear or throw the remote control.  My heart is sinking and racing at the same time.  When I see “1st and 10, Cal 11″ I immediately start to text my friend Schming with “how can we settle for three, let Gerhart get open……….” far exceeding my 160 characters I am allowed to text by ATT.

But (Howard Cosell voice) just before I hit send, Schming texts me “What an interception!”

I only “attended” the game via cell phone play by play.  Yet I have been in a good mood for 48 hours now.  Is Cal football too responsible for my mood?  OF COURSE IT IS!!!!!!!!!!  But at least, on November 21, 2009, I was rewarded.

And that, my fans of Auburn, Georgia, BYU, Notre Dame (Charlie Weis version), Washington, Northwestern, even Stanford can relate to.

Now I should stop here, but there are some other Big Game factoids that are too interesting to pass up.

Most Big Games are between at least one team that stinks, if not two.  This was the first time since 1991 that both teams had 7 wins.  In fact, in my opinion, it was the most important Big Game since 1982, and that game was not necessarily so big before the game, as it was after.  To recap:

Cal was in the first year of the Joe Kapp era and was a surprising (and unfortunately not repeated) 6-4.  ‘Furd was in the last year of the John Elway era, with no bowl appearances yet.  This was in the BC, not BCS, era when New Year’s Day Bowls were Rose, Orange, Sugar, Cotton and not every team in Div 1 (oops, FBS) qualified.

The game was AMAZING even without the last play.

Wesley Walker, no, not Wes Welker (Wesley Walker was better as he was LEGALLY BLIND IN ONE EYE, BUT WAS A GREAT COLLEGE AND NFL, YES NFL, RECEIVER), and Mariet Ford made great catches to give Cal leads. 

Elway staged the first “Drive” of his career. Facing 4th and 13 in his own end zone practically, he hits Emile Harry for 18.  He then marches down the field where Mark Harmon, the ‘Furd kicker, not this doofus who played at UCLA, kicked a FG with 4 seconds to go.

Stanford is going Bowling and Cal is going down.  Until The Play (Yes MSG will not elaborate here because this is the college football equivalent of Kennedy getting shot — macabre but accurate metaphor; if you were alive you know it).

Still memorable after 27 years!

Of course, being older and more dispersed, we don’t attend all Big Games anymore.  Yes MSG is too young to have seen The Play, and lives too far to have seen this year’s game.  Only my friends Rob and Silent Q (for you readers, they attended the Cal Minnesota Jahvid Best 5 TD performance game) have provided me with vicarious thrills.

Rob attended, as he rightfully proclaimed to Yes MSG, because he is a true sports fan and prefers to smell the astroturf (SIC) than just cyber attend and blog (guilty as charged).  [Rob once invited Yes MSG to see an Arizona Wildcats v Cal basketball game; I declined as we stunk and they were great.  Cal won].  I have not heard Rob this excited since, well, since Cal beat UCLA (and Reggie Miller) in hoops for for the first time in 25 years (back in 1986), and since that time he has been tremendously successful professionally and personally (3 kids).  He even channeled his enthusiasm and figured out that cell phones can call and text across state lines.  His priorities are RIGHTFULLY messed up!

Silent Q could not attend because his friends are old, and he had to attend a 50 year old’s birthday party (at the VFW I think).  However, Silent Q, whose FIRST Big Game was the one in 1982, now has a lovely daughter, Lil Q, who attends Cal, and last Saturday was her FIRST Big Game.  Wow. If you were to attend two Big Games in the past 30 years, those would have been them, and Silent Q’s family hits the jackpot.  Good for them.

Phew!  Blogging is tiring.

Too exhausted to write more, but promise to be back later in the week with:

• Civil War is for the Rose Bowl
• Charlie Weis watch, but Connecticut really deserved the win
• Why the Pac 10 is inarguably the best conference this year
• Random NFL thoughts
• Thierry Henry – noted diplomat

Yes MSG looking forward to the Sun Bowl (or similar).

The BCS According to Senator McCain

 

Yes MSG is currently in DFW along side Senator John McCain*.  You remember him?  Sarah Palin’s running mate?  Anyway, he is a football fan, and has even threatened some kind of Anti-trust action in the past, so who better to give a late season evaluation:

1
Florida
9-0

Urban Meyer is quite a coach, an although they have not dominated, have been very consistent and overcome any hiccoughs in the road, just like Obama did against Hillary.

2
Alabama
9-0

Saban can really build a program.  Maybe he can take over for McChrystal in Afghanistan.  After all, people expected years for Alabama to return to prominence, and he did it in 2.  At that rate, he defeats the Taliban in 2 months.

3
Texas
9-0

Mack Brown is a whiner.  Reminds me of the Democrats – Pelosi and Reid especially.

4
TCU
9-0

Christians – deserved to be ranked higher.  (No offense to non-believers or those that have another Deity)

5
Cincinnati
9-0

Hmm, kind of mixed here on their worthiness.  Reminds me of W — on the one hand, Cincy’s state of Ohio gave Bush the election in 2004.  On the other hand, Ohio gave Bush the election in 2004.

6
Boise State
9-0

Idaho, where Boise is for those of you who do not know, voted for Palin and me in 2008.  Should be ranked higher.

7
Georgia Tech
9-1

Also voted for me in 2008, and I love the Triple Option as I am old enough to remember it in its original form: the Wishbone.

8
LSU
7-2

Yet another McCain state, but more importantly, McCain loves the State of Louisiana, as he hold the record for most Beads thrown by a Senator during a single Mardi Gras.  (Wow, and I thought that would have been Kennedy.)

9
USC
7-2

Ranked ahead of an Oregon team that shellacked it recently?  Reminds me of the seniority system we have in the senate, even though we like to talk “meritocracy.”  Drop ‘em down despite the fact that Coach Carroll probably votes Republican.

10
Iowa
9-1

The Sarah Palin of teams.  Some surprising victories, but when you drill deeper (get it drill?  I kill myself), was doing it with smoke and mirrors.

11
Ohio State
8-2

My Gosh; seeing them in the BCS Rose Bowl (which we will) would be like seeing me run for Prez again in 2012.  The public has had enough.  I take back what I said about Iowa; at least they would be fresh, if inept in the Rose Bowl.  Wait, just like Palin!

12
Pittsburgh
8-1

Pennsylvania is a strange state as it feels conservative but votes Democratic.  More to the point, though, Pitt gave us, and more particularly the Cardinals of Arizona, Larry Fitzgerald.  Man is a beast and no one carry the corn row and spectacle look better.  Rank ‘em higher.

13
Oregon
7-2

Tree hugging liberals that change Jerseys more often than John Kerry changes opinions.  However, deserved to be ranked higher than USC.

14
Miami (FL)
7-2

Nothing like retreats on South Beach.  Should be ranked #1.

15
Houston
8-1

Hmmm, the Bush family adopted home.  Publicly, I would rank them ahead of Miami.  Privately, would not rank them at all.

16
Utah
8-1

The most liberal school in the most conservative state.  Holding my vote for BYU.  Utes go down.

17
Arizona
6-2

Home State.  Forget what I said about Miami; Congress will ensure that AZ ends up in the Rose Bowl.  (Of course, giving Congress control of anything probably means AZ ends up in the Insight.com Bowl.)

18
Penn State
8-2

I am tired of these guys; let Arlen Spector rate them.

19
Oklahoma State
7-2

(Aside to aid: Did T Boone’s check clear?  Oh, OK.)  Really, despite choking every big game forever, this team has potential.  Reminds me of JC Watts when he was in Congress.  What?  He was from Nebraska, a ‘rival’ of Okie State.  Nevermind.  This is too complicated.

20
Wisconsin
7-2

The Big 10 is overrated.  Finally some Straight Talk.

 

Senator McCain says that he only agrees with the Top 20; and that the Top 25 is a Liberal creation to include yet more people in its pampering, “everyone is a winner,” type way.  Therefore, in his honor, there will be no coverage of teams 21-25.

21
Virginia Tech
6-3

22
Brigham Young
7-2

23
Oregon State
6-3

24
South Florida
6-2

25
West Virginia
7-2

* Just to ensure that the all-knowing, seeing, regulating Government does not prosecute me, Senator McCain had nothing to do with these picks and the above is strictly the Yes MSG representation of Senator McCain might have said, had he been asked to be this week’s Guest BCS Evaluator on this blog.

Is there a (Sporting) G*d?

For regular readers of my blog — Mom, you there – you know the question in the title is one that constantly perplexes me during sports season.  I raised the religious aspect during some key college football games, such as TCU v BYU.  So let me continue with the Yes MSG perspective on G*d and Sports.  After all, Kurt Warner cannot be your only source.

- There is no (Sporting) G*d: The Yankees won the World Series (and for all those fans talking about how it has been 9 long years – shut your pie-hole)

- There is a (Sporting) G*d: Notre Dame lost to Navy (admittedly, could have been a kind gesture on the part of the “Fighting” Irish in honor of Veteran’s Day)

- There is no (Sporting) G*d: The Cowboys lead the NFC East (Gosh, the Iggles frustrate me.  How do you give up a 49 yard TD pass on 3rd and 14?)

So right now, the “No (Sporting) G*ds” have it, but the season is young. 

However, if the Cowboys were to win the Super Bowl, this would be the first time that all 3 major sport title holders, were the Most Loved/Most Hated (that is: There IS A G*d / There is NO G*d) representative of the respective sports.  Consider if you will:

• The Lakers are current NBA title holders (Calm down Celtic fans, you might be equally loved, but certainly not equally hated)
• The Yankees are current MLB World Series title holders (Calm down Red Sox fans, you might be equally hated, but are only equally loved by inbred Boston-ites)
• The Cowboys could be NFL title holders (Calm down Patriot fans, you are neither as loved or as hated, although Tom Brady might be)

So I guess my position on the (Sports) Almighty will have to wait until Playoff time.

On to some College Football thoughts:

• Iowa was finally exposed, losing to Northwestern, knocking them out of BCS contention.  At first I felt relief that a pretender was deflated.  Then I got to thinking: unless you attended a perennial college football power — Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC, etc. — the season Iowa was having is the one we all want.  Something that is rather magical, and certainly not common.  So the fact that they lost, and have to go to Ohio State next week (without their QB or first string RB) means that they will go from potential BCS participant and likely Big 10 Champion to some obscure Jan 1 bowl in only two weeks, actually makes me sad.  I have been there with Cal, and basically it sucks.
• Notre Dame did its part for Veteran’s Day (Wednesday the 11th) by losing to Navy.  Notre Dame would definitely fit the Most Loved / Most Hated College Football Team, and I fit in the latter category.  However, after losing to Navy, and watching Charlie Weis on the firing line, again, I actually felt bad for the man.  Some of this is his doing, with his arrogance, but some of it is not.  Conversely, I don’t feel so bad for Jimmy Clausen.  I get tired of hearing about how he is a Heisman Candidate because he leads the nation in Passing Efficiency.  Heisman candidates do not continually have to rally their teams from behind against weak competition, and they don’t fumble and throw interceptions in the red zone and then take the game clinching sack in the last minute.  Plus, Jimmy goes pro next year and makes millions — he will be OK.
• The likely BCS title game — Fla/Ala v Texas — could be hard to watch.  None of the teams appears that impressive, and continuing my Most Loved / Most Hated theme from above, each of these teams fits into the Most Loved (by their parochial fanbase) / Most Hated by everyone else.  Right now the game is looking like having to choose between Paris and Kim in a Cat Fight (although the Cat Fight would be fun to watch ).

And some Pro thoughts:

• Aaron Rodgers for Alex Smith trade?  Green Bay just lost to winless Tampa Bay.  Coupled with his two losses to the Minnesota Favres, Aaron might need a change of address.  Sure, he leads the league (or is close) in passer rating, and the losses could be pinned on the Green Bay defense, offensive line and lack of special teams, but eventually it all comes down to the QB.  And as much as I hate to say it, Aaron looks more like a guy who will put up great stats on a bad team so far.  Conversely, and yes he has a tremendous supporting cast, Fav-ruh is the kind of QB who can change a game.  His arm is still sick — throws to beat the Niners and Ravens could not be thrown by almost any other QB.  Certainly not Aaron Rodgers.And while Alex is now back in the starting lineup with the Niners, there is some baggage there too.  Plus., the Niners stink.  The 3-0 start was a mirage; Yes MSG knew that.   So let’s right the wrong from 2005, when the 49ers should have taken Rodgers with the overall #1, and then Alex Smith could (should?) have gone to the Pack later on.
• Speaking of Quarterbacks who put up big numbers on losing teams, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Jay Cutler.  The Bears traded for him, gave him a $20M extension, and he has led them to a 500 record.  Nice work Chicago.
• How did everyone miss so badly on Tom Brady?  Seriously?  He has great leadership, great pocket presence, and a great arm.  And this makes him a 6th round draft pick?  I know Michigan was not amazing during his tenure, but with the combine, etc., I cannot see how he lasted so long.  A 2nd rounder?  3rd?  OK.  But considering the absolute stiffs that are regularly taken in these early rounds, I am amazed that in retrospect, that Brady did not go earlier.

Jerry Hairston Jr.

Phew.  After the Game 5 debacle, I was worried the Yankees would choke and that Jerry Hairston Jr. would not get his long awaited ring. 

Sure, the Yankees spent a combined $420M on contracts for Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett. 

Sure, the combined salaries of the aforementioned 3, plus Jeter and A-Rod, total almost $900M. 

Sure, the Yankees payroll, is $200M and at least 30% above its next insufferable competitor, the Red Sox.*

But for those that know baseball, it was the trade deadline acquisition of Mr. Hairston from the Reds (again, the Rich get Richer) that put the Yankees over the top.  He will join the names Cairo, Brosius, Curtis, as THE key ingredient in Yankee Championship lore.   So it is nice to see the non-pitcher free agent gambles on Hairston and Teixeira (combined 2009 Salary of $22,650,000) work out.

* I must, in deference to my fellow blogger, CraigBe, give props to the Yankees.  After all, after signing the trio, only a World Series Championship would be considered a success, so I have to give the Yanks credit for answering the challenge.

Now on to some other interesting tidbits:

• Hideki Matsui was the MVP of the World Series.  He joined the Yanks in 2003, so this was his 7th season in the majors.  And you CANNOT be interviewed in English?  Really?  English is so difficult, more so than Japanese, that you cannot answer postgame questions in English?  Every year, a bunch of kids come to the states from all over Latin America.  They are usually 16 or so, and are not particularly educated.  They are certainly not Japanese Professional Baseball League veterans who are in their 20s.  Yet they learn English, unless testifying before Congress (see Sosa, Sammy).  Hideki, and while I am at it, Ichiro, c’mon, learn the language.  If Yes MSG spent 7 years blogging in Japan, well, let me just say, Arigato!
• Kate Hudson is Penny Lane.  Seriously, she is a Celeb groupie.  First she marries Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes.  Then she hangs with 7 time TDF Champion Lance Armstrong.  And now A-Rod.  Amazing success who is a 5 as an actress, and about the same as a ‘looker.’
• One writer wrote about how theYankees ‘elusive’ 27th title.  Can a 27th title be elusive?  The only professional sports team within shouting distance is the Montreal Canadiens, with 24.  And they won most of those when there were six teams in the NHL.  Well, considering that the Yankees closest baseball pursuers are the Cardinals with 10 titles, the A’s with 9, the Red Sox with 7, and the Dodgers with 6 (out of a second most 18 WS appearances behind the Yankees 40), I guess we will not hear that line for a while again.
• Jeter, Rivera, and Posada all joined the Yankees 15 year ago and won their 5th titles.  That is an amazing Rookie Class.  The best closer in history, a HOF shortstop, and a borderline HOF catcher.  This is amazing player development that gets overshadowed by all the Free Agent signings.

OK, then.  Baseball is over, so now we can get away from Tim McCarver and Joe Buck, and back to what matters, Football!

 

Mythbusting

Now Yes MSG could focus on giving you World Series tips.  But I cannot possibly provide the insight that my more well-heeled brethren at SI and ESPN are providing.  Just today, for example, they both had the same story on the Phillies: that to win, Ryan Howard, who led the majors in HR and RBIs, but who is currently 3-19, with one RBI and 12Ks, needs to turn it around.  Of course, for a guy who hit 0.207 against lefties in the regular season, and is facing Andy Pettitte, well, unlikely.  Anyway, I can only someday hope to give such insight.  In the interim, let me go ahead with some myth busting.

• The Phillies should have started Cliff Lee in Game 4.  Let’s remember a couple of things — it was 4-4 going into the 9th.  Leading 4-3 in the eighth, Yankee fans were none too “Feliz” when Pedro tied it up with a solo HR off of Joba Chamberlain.  So up to that time, Joe Blanton and the relievers had allowed a not great/not bad 4 runs.  Unfortunately, Phillie fans had to be talked off of the “Lidge” when Brad allowed Damon to get on, then steal second and third on a single pitch, resutling in him being ‘unable’ to throw his slider with a runner on third for fear of a passed ball.  Um, boys, this is the major leagues….OK, bear with meCliff Lee pitched game 5, fully rested.  He gave up 5 runs in 7 innings, albeit 3 of those runs came in the eighth (he got no outs).  So who is to say he would not have pitched worse on three days rest?  No, the Phillies potentially lost the series in Game 2, when they squandered Pedro Martinez’ fine outing, and would have been better off sacrificing Cole Hamels pathetic outing.  Of course, this decision was not really one that could be challenged, as pitching Cole at home, where he ERA is about a run lower, was a no brainer.
• Baseball has parity as teams like the Marlins have won World Series.  This article says it all, and while I do not totally agree with the author, I think that the whole Dynasty Theory (people like seeing the Yanks and Red Sox in the series) overvalues the post season TV ratings at the expense of the regular season and fandom.  Think about it.  Bud Selig is concerned with Post Season TV ratings – always better with big market teams — and the Fox game of the week — always better with big market teams.  What he is not concerned with are the local ratings for the Mariners, Royals, Rockies, etc.And yes, Small Market teams do get hot and make the post season.  But with the exception of the Twins, and previously the A’s, there is little consistency here.  These teams make limited runs — limited = one year, then lose their best players to the big market teams in Free Agency.  Anyone remember CC pitching for the Indians, then the Brewers?  Teixeira in Texas?  Holladay in Oakland?  Mauer in Minnesota.*  It is nice when you can afford to make these kinds of mistakes, but only Yankees, Red Sox and a few others can afford disasters on the Giambi, Kevin Brown level.  Other teams are saddled with those contracts for years. * OK, Mauer has not left Minnesota as a Free Agent, yet, but expect him to go to NY or Boston.Now I am not absolving teams from spending their money unwisely (see Giants, San Francisco – Zito, Barry), or not caring (see Royals, KC), but having such a huge disparity makes the margin for error so slight for the majority of teams not in large markets (unless, of course, the owners are in divorce court — see McCourts, Dodgers).  I think this will hurt baseball in the medium term, but then again, having never been a front runner, maybe I am an outlier. 

  For a more eloquent discourse of this, read the article I mention above.

• Iowa is the 4th best team in the nation.  I appreciate the Hawkeyes ability to make tremendous comebacks, but you cannot be BCS Title Game material and have benefited from: a)  not one, but two blocked FGs (consecutive plays at that) to beat Northern Iowa; b) Michigan State playing an absolutely indefensible defense, rushing 7 and leaving DBs with man-to-man coverage when Iowa faced 4th and Goal from the 7 (THE SEVEN); why not play 7 on the goal line and rush 4?; c) Indiana being the victim of misfortune — driving for a TD or FG, a pass is deflected 3 times into the hands of an Iowa defender who races almost 90 yards for a TD — and a terrible TD overturn by a blind replay ref — Indiana had scored a TD and the video seemed to show the receiver with a leg down in the end zone, as was the call on the field, but the replay ref says the receiver is out of bounds, nullifying the TD, and then Indiana misses the FG.  So that is at least 1 17 point turnaround in an 18 point game.  Iowa cannot possibly emerge unscathed from its visit to Ohio State.
• USC beat itself.  OK, this is only a myth that needs to be busted in LA.  Oregon worked USC so get over it Trojan fans.  Look, and I hate to say this, but there is no ignominy in defeat, especially when this was your first loss by more than 7 points since 2001.  No, that is not a typo.  That stat is so incredulous that I cannot even fathom it. 
• Florida / Alabama will play University of Texas in the BCS Title Game.  Sorry, cannot bust this one.  LSU is unlikely to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Florida has not more difficult games, unless you count South Carolina and the “ol Ball Coach.”  And Texas was vulnerable but either played cupcakes, an injury riddled Oklahoma, and pretenders.  Now they are rolling and face no one of consequence from here on out.
• Brett Favre is the reason the Vikings are 6-1.  We all know that I think Fav-ruh is insufferable; however, I have enjoyed his renaissance this year, and he is playing well, especially against Packers — 7 TDs and no INTs.  However, while Favre has a QB rating of about 130 in the two games against the Pack, versus Rodgers 110, do you really think that if you changed QBs, the Vikes would not have won both games with Rodgers.  Rodgers has a long ways to go to be Favre, but give him Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin and Jared Allen, sack Favre 14 times in two games, and I think we know the answer.  No QB, even one as good as Brett, can make up the talent difference between the Pack and the Vikes.

Myths?

Busted!

Sports B(C)S

Yes MSG is going internatonal tomorrow (ok, only Canada) to catch U2, so got to cover a lot today as no guarantee I post again before Saturday.  Scroll to the bottom if you just want the Kardashians and the sordid EScaPades(N).

So let’s start with the BCS.

1	Florida	7-0
2	Alabama	8-0
3	Texas	7-0
4	Iowa	8-0
5	USC	6-1
6	TCU	7-0
7	Boise State	7-0
8	Cincinnati	7-0
9	LSU	6-1
10	Oregon	6-1

Florida, Alabama and Iowa all should have lost, and, it is hoped, they will.  Seems just in a year like this one.  Texas will not lose as they don’t play anyone. Oklahoma State does not have Dez Bryant, because he, like PacMan Jones and Michael Crabtree, sought out advice from Deion Sanders, and that does not end well for anyone, except, perhaps, Deion.  So Dez gets to sit out the year, and despite another year of eligibility, will turn pro.  In fact, Yes MSG predicts that Dez has already attended his last class at OSU.

And exactly how is USC 5 when it lost to a mediocre Washington team?  Anything to stop it from being TCU and Cincinnati I guess. But perhaps Oregon will take out the Trojans and then we get to see how rigged the system is.  Would a one-loss Oregon pass undefeated TCU, Cincy and Boise? 

Here is hoping for a complete mess!

And what about those NFL QBs?

Favre had a fumble returned for a TD and threw a pick six, so at least he finally lost.

the Niners decided that Shaun Hill was not going to lead them to the Super Bowl.  Really?  Look, I appreciate that he is a gamer, but unless you are Trent Dilfer backed up by a sick defense, you are not winning the Super Bowl with Shaun Hill.  Now whether you win with Alex Smith….who knows. 

You remember Alex Smith?  First pick in the draft when the Niners should have taken Aaron Rodgers.  At least he was not as bad a draft pick as JaMarcus, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Vince Young, Brady Quinn (who cannot beat out Derek Anderson – seee below), Matt Leinart, etc.

(OK, not a QB but instead of rehashing how stupid it was to give Matt Cassel, of the 72 QB rating, $63M, let’s talk about the troubled Larry Johnson.  I will not comment here, but this is a great article by Joe Posnanski)

Quick Soccer Interlude.

I know everyone says Europe is so much more sophisticated and mature than the USA.  In many walks of life it may be but definitely not in sport.  I was catching a bit of the Champions’ League and the advertising around the stadium basically says “Say No to Racism.”  Really?  We have to s-p-e-l-l that out for people?  Apparently we do.  Seems that Euro soccer fans like to chant racist things against opposing players, especially when African or of African descent.

I am not saying that racism is dead here in the USA, but having attended sporting events for almost 40 years, I have never heard anything that would require this kind of advertisment.  Unless it was, of course, “Say No to Racism (sponsored by Budweiser).”

Tough call for the next topic, but let’s go with Basketball and save the Sexual Escapades at ESPN for later.

So the NBA started this evening, which will fortunately allow me to avoid all the Yankee worship* that starts tomorrow. 

*Sorry, but the Yanks spent $420M on Sabathia, Tex and Burnett (toss in Jeter and Arod’s contracts and you are already at salaries of $900M (no, that is not a misprint)), so I just enjoy it more when the Yanks spend $100+M on the Giambi’s and Kevin Brown’s of the world.  I hope the Phils take ‘em, but nevertheless, the salary discrepancy numbers are ridonculous.  In fact, if you want a good baseball story, check out Dodgers owners, the McCourts, divorce proceedings.  Here is a little sampling:

Jamie McCourt’s filing states she is seeking reinstatement as the team’s CEO as well as access to perks including travel by private jet, stays at five-star resorts and use of the Dodgers owners’ suite. She wants $321,000 a month in spousal support if reinstated to her former position. If not, she believes she should be paid nearly $488,000 per month.

First off, Cleveland lost at home, with Shaq and LeBron, to the Celtics.  So now the Cleveland sports fan has realized:

• The Shaq-uisition (get it?) was a disaster.  The Celts are better than the Cavs. LeBron will sign elsewhere next offseason.  Add to this….
• The Browns are absolutely atrocious, and their QB, Derek Anderson, has a QB rating of 40.6, and their coach is an a-hole.  Was better when Modell moved the Ravens (nee Browns) to Baltimore
• The Indians were one win from the World Series in 2007, with, ironically, CC Sabathia going, and still lost three straight to Boston.  Now they have to watch two ex-pitchers, CC and Cliff Lee, go against each other in game 1 of the World Series.  Excuse them if World Series ratings are rather low in Cleveland
• They live in Cleveland

In other BBall news:

- Blake Griffin is hurt and not playing; but of course, he is a Clipper

- Baron Davis is banged up after a single game.  Of course he is, he is Baron Davis, AND he is a Clipper

- Lamar Odom married Khloe Kardashian.  He would have done better choosing Door Number 2 or 3 or 4 on Let’s Make a Deal.

Khloe Kourtney  Kim  Bruce

Finally, before we move on the Steve Philips Lewisnky-type scandal, check out this article on how Antoine Walker may have blown $100M in career earnings, and how his mom may not be the best Forensic Accountant out there.  The fact that Antoine had a “VC” (Walker Ventures LLC) and a Real Estate company (AW Realty LLC) might have been two warning signs.  I mean, with $100M in earnings, and say $40M net after taxes, agents, splurging, etc.  I would rather invest in real estate than just take my $4M a year in interest. 

Finally Mr. Phillips of ESPN.

ESPN seems to have a sordid history of sexual misconduct — Phililps, Harold Reynolds, Mike Tirico (he survived as he is the equivalent of the star Running Back), Stu Scott — but some of this story takes the proverbial cake.  The New York Post has the most comprehensive coverage, and the letter his mistress wrote his wife is Fatal Attraction.  It is disturbing and absolutely compelling in itself.  And in true Lewinsky style, his choice in mistresses seems to be as good as his selection of players while GM of the Mets.  Judge for yourself, but I think he just traded in his job and marriage for a .220 hitting shortstop who is never making it to AAA, much less the Big Leagues.  Not to mix sports metaphors, but this is the Infidelity equivalent of Ryan Leaf.

You are an Ex_GM, a good looking 46 year old, you made millions, and this is your choice?  His wife is probably pi$$ed AND embarra$$ed!  More the latter I expect.

CFB Wrap Up – The Religious Version

If Tim Tebow (amongst 1000s) can invoke the Great Almighty, then so can Yes MSG.  Plus, it is obvious that G*D rained out the Yanks-Angels (ironic, huh?) Game 6 so that he could focus on the following Religious Battles:

• Christians (TCU) v Mormons (BYU): Well, this was supposed to be a tight battle pitting two elite non-BCS programs.  38-7, TCU.  BYU now has lost two games this year, both at home, against Christians and Baptists (Bobby Bowden of FSU, even if most of his players aren’t) by giving up 94 points. 

  Yes MSG also was able to catch #1 High School QB prospect, Jake Heaps, last night in person.  After shredding the oppponent for 300+ yards in about 3 quarters, and in the rain, residents of Provo should be pleased that he will be replacing Max Hall none too soon.

• Notre Dame (Holy Cross Catholics) v Boston College (Jesuits): The Eagles had lost their two previous road games by giving up 73 points to Clemson and Va Tech.  So the fact that they only lost by 4 (20-16) despite 5 turnovers including an egregious last two minute interception, was somewhat of a moral victory.  For Charlie and Jimmy, has to be somewhat of a moral defeat.  Fighting tooth and nail to win over mediocre Purdue, Michigan State, Washington and now BC, well….just enough to keep Charlie around for another year, making ND’s opponents happy.  In year five, with heralded recruit Clausen, and they are squeaking out these victories.  I know a BCS Bowl means money, but the beat down…well, ND should be targeting the Poulan Weedeater Bowl
• Hedonists (USC) v Beavers (Oregon State): OK, not really religions in the modern sense, but if you still believe in Paganism, then this qualifies.  SC won but gave up a ton of yards. Should make next week’s de facto Pac-10 Championship showdown in Eugene, Oregon super exciting. 

Non Denominational Review

• Oregon, in their 100th uniform of the year (seriously, they are like spoiled teenage girls who never wear the same thing twice), got their QB, Jeremiah Masoli, back, and then throttled Washington 43-19.  The most impressive stat was LaMichael James 154 yards on 15 carries.  Not so much the yards per carry as the fact that Oregon has a LaMichael and a (suspended) LeGarrette.  Heck, I hope they reinstate Mr. Blount just so the Ducks can have a backfield of La and Le.  has to be a first, doesn’t it?
• TCU is the real loser in all this as they cannot rise in the polls when teams like Alabama squeak out a 12-10 victory over Tennessee, mainly because Lane Kiffin decided to go conservative and let his FG kicker attempt a 44 yarder to win, as opposed to run another play or two to get closer.  Compounding the error was that Tennessee cannot block, and DL Cody blocked his SECOND FG of the day. 

  Otherwise, we could have had a one-loss Alabama, potentially upsetting a Florida in the SEC Title game, eliminating both squads, and giving us Cincinnati v TCU National Title Game that we all want.

Seriously, no one, not Alabama, Texas, Florida, seems worthy of the National Title Game, so why not two relative unknowns.  But TCU, Cincy, Boise, all need some help, and each time Florida gets help from the Refs (against Ark) or “Bama benefits from the fact that Lane’s dad coaches defense and NOT special teams, we are closer to two big name, but average squads providing us with a defensive snoozefest in Rose Bowl II.

Heck, we could even get Iowa, who needed a 4th down and goal from the 7 TD with no time on the clock to beat Michigan State.  I have to ask Coach Dantonio how he could possibly have single coverage on a big receiver at that time.  Not like they were going to run it in from the 7.  Strange.  And another crushing loss for Michigan State, who, if you recall, overthrew a wide open receiver in the end zone, and lost to ND.

The way I see it, in the Yes MSG parallel universe:

• Florida loses to Arkansas
• Bama loses to Tennessee
• Iowa loses to MSU

Your BCS then looks like this:

1. Texas (OK, they should lose to someone, but…..)
2. Boise State
3. Cincinnati
4. TCU
5. USC (OK, they are currently ahead of TCU, but TCU will have beaten BYU, Clemson and Virginia all on the road, be undefeated, and, in my opinion, ahead of an SC team that lost to Washington)

Instead, probably Bama or Florida gets Texas, unless all of them lose to someone, as they should (but may not), USC loses to Oregon (distinct possibility) and I am certain Iowa loses at the Horseshoe.  So I will keep alive the dream of Fox promoting the BCS Title Game with “Horned Frogs – Bearcats!!”

In fact, the lack of a ‘deserving’ champion also pertains to the Heisman.  Tebow is (barely) winning and throwing for like 130 yards a game, not to mention two Pick-Six today that single-handedly kept Mississippi State in the game.  Bradford is in a sling.  Have you heard Colt McCoy’s name this year?  And beating Oklahoma with 130 yards passing is not exactly showing up in Big Games!  Mark Ingram — good RB, but not exactly Dorsett-esque, and had a crucial fumble that would have cost Bama the game, again if Kiffin could manage the clock and his o-line could block for a FG.

Speaking of Dorsett, why not give the award to Freshman RB Dion Lewis, who in 8 games has over 1000 yards rushing, average like 5.7 per carry, and has 11 rushing TDs.  Seriously, all the top candidates are winning because of their defenses, or making crucial errors, but this kid is Pittsburgh.  If he lights it up against ND, and Pitt wins on National TV, I suggest he will not win, but will get LOTS of attention.

OK – off to sleep so that I am rested for the NFL tomorrow.

The Essence of Taste

So there is lots to cover and not much time. So let’s go stream of consciousness, grammar and logic be damned:

The BCS

Polls are out; some observations:

• Florida. Overrated.  Cannot score and squeeks one out versus Arkansas, because Ark cannot kick a FG; will lose to Alabama in the SEC championship game
• Alabama. Somewhat challenged on offense, but D is good and their running back Mark Ingram could win the Heisman.  (Oh, and his dad is ex-NFLer Mark Ingram, who is now in prison for fraud)
• Texas. They should lose to someone as their offense really stinks.  However, they got by Bradford-less Oklahoma so not a lot of challenges left.  The next Oklahoma State Big Win would be its first, but that is our best hope for Mack Brown haters
• Cincinnati.  QB has a broken arm or something, again, but he might play and considering the state of the Big East, could end up against Alabama in the title game — that will really screw up the BCS if it happens
• Iowa.  Please, do not subject us to the Big 10 again; I prefer Cincy.  Iowa stinks and so does their offense.  They only beat Penn State due to two great Defensive plays, squeeked by Northern Iowa and Arkansas State, so save it.  And even though Ohio State is the poster child for underachieving Big 10 teams, that is going to be a tough matchup for Iowa in the Horseshoe.  Should also be U-G-L-Y.  Read about it
• USC.  Had a chance to step on ND’s neck then almost blew it.  Not sure how good they really are, but no one can say they duck tough matchups.  If they beat Oregon in Eugene, with all the Phil Knight mojo, then they could end up in the Rose Bowl on Jan 7th, not Jan 1st. 

  [ND Interlude: OK, I still think they are overrated as no team that is very good should have tough games against Michigan State, Purdue and Washington -- one maybe, three no -- but I do respect Jimmy Claussen.  Not sure if he is the real deal or not, but obviously has a penchant for end-of-game heroics (or almost heroics). 

  Now the SC almost-victory seems to be Charlie Weis' specialty.  He parlayed the Bush Push into a 10 year extension.  This close loss, thanks to a late Matt Barkley INT, probably gets him another year as long as he only loses at most one more game. So for all those that think Charlie is limited, ND fans and enemies alike, this means Weis 2010 is almost a given.  If Claussen stays around, might be ok, if not.....Poulan Weedeater Bowl]

• Ga Tech. If you have not watched the Triple-Option with Jerome Nesbitt running it, you have to watch it.  Like the Wishbone of OK in the mid-1980s.  Pretty exciting and risky too, which adds to the excitement
• Oregon. Beat SC and go to Rose; lose and go to El Paso

The Pros

• Kyle Orton looks a lot better than Jay Cutler; Cutler always makes the big mistake
• Favre is a miracle 39 yarder and a missed FG from being a human 4-2; but then again, he is not 4-2
• Sanchez, the San-chise, is now Sans-win in three straight games
• Brady can throw in the snow
• How bad is Philly’s D if JaMarcus Russell completes 17 of 28 for 224 yards and a TD
• Jim Zorn had play calling duties taken from him and given to a guy who has not been in the NFL since ‘04 and who was playing Bingo in the UP.  Um, Jim, get your ESPN NFL Countdown audition tape ready

OK, not much funny stuff this week, although Yes MSG is quite pleased with the Yanks and Dodgers losing on walk-offs.  So here is hoping for the Fox Nightmare (no, not Bill O’Reilly coming out of the closet with Rush) of Phils-Angels

Yes MSG out!

Rushing to Buy the Rams

I am sure that by the title you all know what this is about — Rush Limbaugh buying the Rams.  The story is rather old now, and it has just been reported by the WW leader that the group has decided to proceed without Rush.  But let’s backtrack a bit because I think an important point has been missed. (See bottom in blue for this point if you are in a hurry)

Background

It started with a potential player revolt, although judging by the Rams recent performance, the players have already revolted and stopped playing, led by, I believe, Mathias Kiwanuka:

“All I know is from the last comment I heard, he said in [President] Obama’s America, white kids are getting beat up on the bus while black kids are chanting ‘right on,’” Kiwanuka said, per the New York Daily News.  “I mean, I don’t want anything to do with a team that he has any part of.  He can do whatever he wants, it is a free country.  But if it goes through, I can tell you where I am not going to play.

“I am not going to draw a conclusion from a person off of one comment, but when it is time after time after time and there’s a consistent pattern of disrespect and just a complete misunderstanding of an entire culture that I am a part of, I can’t respect him as a man,” Kiwanuka added.

Eventually, the Commissioner chimed in:

“I’ve said many times before, we’re all held to a high standard here,” Goodell said. Then he continued: “I would not want to see those comments coming from people who are in a responsible position in the NFL — absolutely not.”

So the group with Limbaugh found his money came with too many stings [sic] attached.  But Rush was not done expanding the issue:

“This is not about the NFL, it’s not about the St. Louis Rams, it’s not about me,” Limbaugh said. “This is about the ongoing effort by the left in this country, wherever you find them, in the media, the Democrat Party, or wherever, to destroy conservatism, to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative.  Therefore, this is about the future of the United States of America and what kind of country we’re going to have.”

Wow, buying an NFL Team has now become a referendum on the future of the USofA.

Conventional Reasoning

Rush’s bid has mainly been subject to ridicule, according to him, because he is a conservative.  Um Rush, what do you think most NFL owners are?  Tree hugging liberal democrats?  C’mon.    Heck, even Commissioner Roger Goodell is married to Fox News (that bastion of Liberal media) Anchor Jane Skinner , whose father was Chief of Staff for noted lefty, George H. W. Bush.  The anti-conservative argument does not hold water.

Some have said that it would be OK if Louis Farrakhan bought a team, but not Rush.  Um, no it wouldn’t.  Mr. Farrakhan’s anti-semitic comments would keep him out of the club.  Just like Rush’s anti-African American leanings are doing to him. 

Yes, Keith Olbermann is as liberal as Rush is conservative, but he is more prone to spew invective against Bill O’Reilly than against an ethnic group.  That does not preclude him owning a team or contributing to Football Night in America.

Blaming this on conservatism is the dumbest thing I have heard.

Anyway, the above arguments are the obvious ones discarded by all except the Black Helicopter crowd that thinks this is part of the left wing media conspiracy. 

The Omission

Now, here is the quote by Rush that is most often used to impugn him:

“I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.”

Rush said this in 2003.  Two Thousand and Three!  Like many of today’s Conservatives, what is he?  Stuck in the 50s when dad worked, mom stayed at home, a marriage was between a man and a woman, and quarterbacks were white?

Really?  Last time I checked, “Black” quarterback Doug Williams had won the Superbowl in 1-9-8-7.  And since that time:

• Warren Moon had put up a significant portion of his Hall of Fame numbers
• Steve McNair had led the Titans to a Super Bowl
• Michael Vick was selected first in the NFL Draft
• And Tony Banks had had a completely unremarkable/disappointing career (significant in that he was a flameout, not a ‘black’ quarterback flameout

So for Rush, in 2003, to presume that the media somehow needed a black quarterback to be successful, well…….he was (and is) an uninformed, bombastic, idiot (at least as far as the NFL is concerned, but perhaps as far as everything is concerned). 

Of course, those traits would not preclude him from owning an NFL team, and in fact speak in favor of his candidacy.

Yes MSG Guide to Parenting

Yes MSG has two kids under the age of 4.  And sometimes, the myriad activities cause me to miss some sporting action.  I did not know how to sum up my thoughts; but then of course, I see that Bill Simmons did it for me.  I have a minor addendum after.

Important note: Being a parent of young kids sucks. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. About six months ago, I wanted to start a Twitter account of quotes my wife screamed in the heat of those my-kids-are-driving-me-crazy-moments such as these: “If you don’t stop crying, I am going to stick you in the microwave!!!!” and “Fine, climb up the stairs again; I hope you fall down, I really do!” She wouldn’t let me because she thought child services would arrest us. The truth is, every parent snaps from time to time. We can’t help it. Our kids’ job is to suck all forms of life from us, frighten us, embarrass us in public and prevent us from sleeping until they turn 4. We pretend it’s not so bad when, really, it’s mostly horrible and even somewhat indefensible. But — and this is a big but — they parcel out just enough, “Wow, I’m so glad I had kids” moments to make it all worth it. And that’s what Halloween is: an entire “Wow, I’m so glad I had kids” day. At least until they eat too much chocolate and wake us up at 5 the next morning because they’re Exorcist vomiting. But I digress.

So I figure you have to incorporate your child’s (mis)behavior into an opportunity.  For instance, last night the older boy did not want to eat, bathe, etc.  Just wanted to watch TV (not MNF, but Dora or something).  So he got a timeout (aptly named) and had to go to his room.  Now how long should a time out last?  Well, using the Yes MSG Associative Property of FTO — Flexible Time Outs — it should last as long as a tranche of action in the game you want to see.  For example, last night, it lasted long enough for me to watch the Phillies score 3 runs with two outs in the ninth to eliminate the Rockies, and qualify for the NLCS versus the Dodgers.  Had Yes RPG not misbehaved, Iwould have missed that.  Plus, I could not hear his screaming over the TV volume!

But that was not all….

The two month old, Yes RPG II, did not want to sleep after feeding, so Yes CPG, the missus, was delayed in coming down for dinner.  Being the good husband that I am, I did not want to eat without her.  Of course, this also afforded me the opportunity to watch Chad Henne (now the second most famous Chad in Florida being “Hanging” Chad) and Ronnie Brown (Wildcat) drive the Dolphins down the field for the winning TD with only 7 seconds remaining.

So see, Simmons is right, but it helps to incorporate discipline and sports watching for a rewarding Parenting experience.  I can now say that without my two, I would not enjoy Halloween as much, or have seen two great sporting finishes!