June 24, 2004
Sports Headlines You'll Never See

SCREWED BY UMPIRE, VENUS GAGS ON SPREM
Betcha no sportspage editor would have the guts to do it.
Posted by: annika at
04:19 PM
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Posted by: Shelly S. at June 24, 2004 09:07 PM (PcgQk)
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Sports page no, but you, too, may have a career writing headlines for the front page of the New York Post.
Posted by: Dave J at June 24, 2004 09:51 PM (x8mt5)
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I watched the final tiebreaker in this match, and I have a wardrobe question-- what kind of bra were these women wearing?
Both women have attractive breasts which are appropriate to their bodies. It would be unusual to see such thin women with larger breasts. For all I know, larger breasts might even hinder athletic performance a bit-- I don't know. But I'm watching the tiebreaker, and I'm looking at a 4 nipple show. Were these women even wearing bras? If so, why would athletes choose such sheer bras? These thin and athletic women do not have immense breasts- but you would think they would want very solid support when they are being so athletic. Now that I'm watching women in all kinds of sports- from soccer to volleyball to table tennis championships- I think this is a legitimate topic for discussion.
Posted by: gcotharn at June 24, 2004 09:52 PM (AaBEz)
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BTW- Can't get your headline out of my head. An all-time classic.
Posted by: gcotharn at June 24, 2004 10:04 PM (AaBEz)
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Jeez gcotharn, let it go, and enjoy the sport. They're so much more fun to watch than the guys.
Posted by: Casca at June 24, 2004 10:56 PM (q+PSF)
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Shelly-- Sprem\'s the surname of Venus\'s opponent.
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Kim at June 25, 2004 09:17 AM (8c4Q2)
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(I have no idea why those damn slashes appeared in my post, either.)
-Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Kim at June 25, 2004 09:19 AM (8c4Q2)
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Now I'm watching Hantikova(sic) vs. Sharikova(sic), and it's pretty much the same story as Venus vs Sprem. Hantikova and Sharikova are both wearing tennis dress/outfits from Nike. You can see that they have on some type of bras, which may even be built into the dress/outfits. The dress fabric is very sheer and stretchy on the top part of the outfits-- sort of like a one piece bathing suit. I guess this is just the next generation of tennis dress/outfits, and it gets the job done that needs to be done. It's hard to call these tennis dresses. To me, they are a hybrid between a tennis dress and a one-piece swimsuit.
As to the previous criticism of my post, I notice I did use the term "breast" quite a few times. Big deal. It was just a dashed off 30 second comment, and I get to focus on breasts because I'm a man. If you prefer men who don't focus on breasts, well, good luck to you. I think equal rights means I can comment on tennis attire when the mood strikes me!
Posted by: gcotharn at June 25, 2004 10:16 AM (AaBEz)
Posted by: Harvey at June 25, 2004 05:10 PM (ubhj8)
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It was disappointing to read ESPN doing everything it could to discredit (the unfortunately named) Sprem.
Posted by: Dan at June 25, 2004 07:10 PM (bwuYV)
Posted by: Radical Redneck at June 26, 2004 05:38 AM (Z4h8Q)
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Excellent effort, Annie. I'll be chuckling the rest of the day here at work.
Posted by: physics geek at June 28, 2004 12:29 PM (Xvrs7)
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June 15, 2004
Lakers Eulogy
If the Lakers lose tonight, it will be because they did not get the ball to Shaq on every posession. Larry Brown knows that Kobe will try to take the game on his shoulders, and like last Sunday, Kobe will be triple teamed. Get the ball in to Shaq and stay in the triangle offense.
But they won't do that. Because guys like George and Medvedenko think they are good, instead of hacks, which is what they really are. They will come downcourt and throw up jumpers with 15 on the shot clock, like they always do.
If Detroit wins, much as i love my Lakers, i will have to admit that the best team did win.
Posted by: annika at
04:31 PM
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Hear, hear!! Bad boys, bad boys....
Posted by: Dawn Summers at June 15, 2004 05:18 PM (HLOeu)
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heh, maybe they should wear masks..it's workin' for Rip!!
ps East Coast - represent!
Posted by: jimi at June 15, 2004 07:40 PM (lN8eP)
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too bad the lakers lost.
Posted by: jey at June 15, 2004 11:05 PM (TxkuL)
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The next guy Slava blocks out on will be the first! All these shorter Pistons crashing the boards...it would have been nice if Shaq had a little help.
Posted by: G Turk at June 16, 2004 08:53 AM (8xavh)
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Thanks for the link.
It was an amazing game.
Not necessarily because I wanted to see the Pistons win (I always root for the underdog), but because of how they performed on the court. I haven't seen a team play as a "team" like that (from the Eastern Conference anyway) and execute plays with such ease in a long long time.
Posted by: Amy at June 16, 2004 10:46 AM (RpVKX)
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Uh oh... no posts today?
Annika, are you ok?
There's always next year...although Kobe may be a New Yorker (or inmate) by then...
Posted by: Dawn Summers at June 16, 2004 12:47 PM (HLOeu)
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The Lakers lost! They suck! They are done! It's all over! No more! Goodbye! Hated while you were here, hate you no less while gone! Fuck you!
The Lakers lost! They suck! They are done! It's all over! No more! Goodbye! Hated while you were here, hate you no less while gone! Fuck you!
The Lakers lost! They suck! They are done! It's all over! No more! Goodbye! Hated while you were here, hate you no less while gone! Fuck you!
The Lakers lost! They suck! They are done! It's all over! No more! Goodbye! Hated while you were here, hate you no less while gone! Fuck you!
ps. I hate the Lakers!
Posted by: Radical Redneck at June 17, 2004 01:32 AM (Eg7dC)
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May 16, 2004
Fantasy Team Update
My fantasy team is still mired in 7th place, despite my latest couple of genius moves. i picked up
Joe Kennedy of Colorado (hopefully he won't crash and burn*); dumped
Mike MacDougal who's never fully recovered from a stomach virus and was sent down last week; i replaced
Marlon Anderson at 2nd base with
Orlando Hudson of the BJ's (.296-5-21), i got a good feeling about him; and i dumped middle reliever
Guillermo Mota for a true closer,
Billy Koch of the White Sox, which will hopefully net me more saves.
But today, perhaps you heard, Milwaukee's Ben Sheets punched out 18 batters! Yah, i got 'im! Not only that, but the only run scored against him today was a 410 foot blast by Andruw Jones. Yah, i got 'im too!
What's really holding me back in the Yahoo! league is home runs and RBIs. Thank God for my twin belters: Beltre and Beltran, both of whom i got, and both of whom have 10 homers apiece. Still, i'm waiting for Bagwell and Jones to start hitting like i know they can.
* That was in poor taste, i know.
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07:41 PM
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I can understand the need for a true closer, but mota will give good k's and era...bagwell will come around, he always does.
Posted by: Scof at May 17, 2004 03:07 PM (c7VcA)
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May 13, 2004
Four Tenths Of A Second!
What is it about So Cal teams and the last minute, come from behind, miracle shot?

Amazing!
Update: Read ESPN's Page 2 column: "Livin la vida Lakers."
Posted by: annika at
09:58 PM
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I was in a room full of Spurs fans (well, really just one). It was terrifyingly silent, mere moments after the screams of joy.
Posted by: other Annika at May 13, 2004 10:21 PM (KakeX)
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No kidding! What a dramatic game.
Tried to email you earlier, but your email address apparently isn't working. I've blogged about some "beneath the surface" circumstances that surround Nicholas Berg's death, and I think you'd be interested.
Also, been blogging up a storm, and I'm proud of my posts, if you want to scroll. I love to write. I'm sort of compelled to write. Blogging has improved my (amateur) writing so much!
Congrats on the Laker game!
http://theendzone.blogspot.com/2004_05_01_theendzone_archive.html#108450894947951595
Posted by: gcotharn in Texas at May 13, 2004 10:38 PM (0GNJF)
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what a great game
and nice work getting all those pictures together so quickly!
this was the game of the year.
Posted by: tony at May 14, 2004 12:12 AM (/w+Uo)
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While the last minute was exciting, everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that the game, as a whole, was LOUSY. Both teams were inept on offense, and the Lakers were horrible the last quarter and a half. Shaq looked asleep, Malone disappeared after the first quarter, Kobe was sucking air--outside the last 30 seconds, the game was terrible. Neither team deserved to win.
Posted by: DBrooks at May 14, 2004 06:09 AM (YixpN)
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As a Spurs fan I must admit that it took at least an hour for me to get my head to stop spinning.
Screw the Lakers. Los Angeles is the devil's playground and they represent Satan as far as I'm concerned. Go Spurs, go!
Jason H.
Austin, Texas
Posted by: Jason H at May 14, 2004 06:15 AM (yDD8m)
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well, i'm not a fan of either team, but it sure seemed obvious that the catch and shoot took longer than .4. san antonio's gripe is legit, but human error is part of the game. gotta live with it. regardless, hell of shot by fisher. in fact, hell of shot by kobe, then duncan, then fisher. crappy game but great finish.
Posted by: blu at May 14, 2004 08:28 AM (lj3Ju)
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The clock may have started late, but on the previous play, it stopped late. Jackson asked for more time, but didn't get it. So it all evened out, imho.
Posted by: annika! at May 14, 2004 09:15 AM (zAOEU)
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The only part of the game I was able to watch? The last second. My lord it was worth it. Just jumped right off the couch and was yelling my head off.
Posted by: Scof at May 14, 2004 10:17 AM (XCqS+)
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April 21, 2004
Fantasy Baseball Tip
If you see a rookie from Asia, by all means pick him up. He'll often be ranked low and overlooked by the other league members. And he might just kick ass his first year, since no one will have any experience with him. Think Nomo and Ichiro in their rookie seasons.
This year i picked up Hee Seop Choi and Kazuo Matsui under the radar. Choi is currently tied for fourth place in the NL with 5 home runs. And he's playing for the defending champs, so i expect him to improve as the season goes on. Matsui is hitting a respectable .302 right now, although i may dump him for José ValentÃÂn pretty soon.
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April 18, 2004
In Which annika Ponders The Question: "Should i Succumb To Peer Pressure And Root For The Home Team?"
The Dodgers have the best record in baseball. They just finished a sweep of the San Francisco Giants, their great rivals. i caught two of the three games on TV. Each game was a one run victory. i don't think i've ever seen the Dodgers sweep a series with San Francisco, although i'm told they did it when Pac Bell opened.
Now my best friend Betty, who grew up here, is needling me to be a Dodger fan. i'm also feeling the pressure from Scof, way over there in Texas. But you know the Dodger-Giants rivalry is bigger than you or me or anyone. It's been going on for 100 years! It just might be the most heated rivalry in all of sports. It's certainly up there with the Yankees-Red Sox, the Raiders-Broncos, or even the Celtic-Rangers rivalries for longevity.
Still, i've never really been a big Giants fan. i always followed them, but i grew up in Oakland and i'm really an Athletics fan, if you wanna know the truth. i still remember vivdly one of the greatest, and most disappointing, events in all of sports history: Kirk Gibson's two strike, two out, pinch-hit walk-off homer, bottom of the ninth inning, game one of the 1988 World Series, off ace reliever Dennis Eckersley, to spur the Dodgers on to upset my A's for the World Championship.
Can i forgive them? Well, they're in different leagues, so i can conceivably root for both my A's and the Dodgers. i do like a team with history, and the Dodgers have that. So, now that i am a resident of Los Angeles, i will give it a try. And it helps, too, that i have Odalis Perez, Guillermo Mota, and Adrian Beltré on my fantasy team. Go Dodgers!
That said, there's no way they deserved to win today. How the hell do you pitch to Bonds with first base open, when he's doubled and homered already against the same pitcher? What kind of Jim Tracy brain fart was that? i could see if Gagne were on the mound, but Jeff Weaver? Come on! The Dodgers were lucky to escape with a one run win today.
Posted by: annika at
06:50 PM
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Well, Annika, I'm an As guy, and I was at Cal when Kirk Gibson hit that damned home run and broke our collective green n' gold hearts.
But I have no particular brief for the Giants. I rooted for the A's in the quake series of 1989. And I have gradually come round to the Dodgers; it was Mike Piazza's rookie season in 1993 that did it for me. I don't care much for baseball, of course, so it's easy for me. It's not like I am being asked to switch from Cal to Stanford, or Celtic to Rangers, or the 49ers to the Rams, or Newcastle to Sunderland. Those would be hard. Blithely adopting Dodger Blue is easy.
Oh yeah, and Go Sharks GO!
Posted by: Hugo at April 18, 2004 08:08 PM (TOkNs)
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The Dodgers? The team we love to hate; it seems we're getting to be a lot like the Cubs fans, doesn't it?
We all ridicule them, then go out and die with them. I've been ready to give up my primo four field box seats in aisle 6 for the last five years, but somehow when renewal comes around, my masochistic self won't let me just tear up the piece of paper.
Maybe next year? (Don't ever believe they can stay where they are now with the crap pitching they've got, especially Weaver)
Posted by: shelly s. at April 19, 2004 05:16 AM (rZmE1)
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Isn't it amazing how much stock we put into what teams we root for? I caught myself trying to frame an argument for not rooting for the *spit* Dodgers. LOL
Raiders. Sharks. Giants. Yay!
Posted by: Ted at April 19, 2004 07:12 AM (blNMI)
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Oh happy day! go annika and go dodgers!
Posted by: Scof at April 19, 2004 07:48 AM (XCqS+)
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Yes, Dodgers-Giants is definitely one of the great rivalries, but nothing else comes remotely close to the Sox and the Yankees: that's metaphysical, on a whole other plane. Unless you're a part of it--unless you've melted into the mob at Fenway or, um, that other place somewhere in the Bronx--you simply cannot understand. It is NOT pretty. It's really quite scary.
But that said, Dad's from Brooklyn, and though he never forgave them leaving, he still couldn't hate them for it. Go Dodgers! I'll take my Sox over them in the World Series if it comes to that (and my adopted state's Marlins in the NLCS), but for now I can have my cake and eat it too.
Posted by: Dave J at April 19, 2004 01:01 PM (VThvo)
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Go Dodgers!!
#$%@ the Giants.
The A's are a respectable team that you can be proud of, even though the pitchers don't hit.
Posted by: Steve S. at April 19, 2004 09:26 PM (AT2MA)
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See what I mean annika? Dodger fans have no class.
Posted by: Ted at April 20, 2004 07:14 AM (blNMI)
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"U need a good ********, I need a good **** and as well as your **** I would like to give u a good ******* as well."
Don't we all?
That's a text-sex quote from David Beckham, star of the kick-ball team Real Madrid. i'm not a big kick-ball fan, but i am curious as to how Beck can accomplish those things without using his hands.
Beck is a Sinatra fan too, i see. He also cracks on Singaporean men, how rude.
Alerted to this bit of naughtiness by Breanagh McTavish.
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April 13, 2004
Behold! For a Giant yet walks the earth
i thought tonight might be an appropriate night to re-post my one and only baseball related sonnet:

Behold! For a Giant yet walks the earth.
With shoulders of rock, striding forth he wields
Thirty-two ounce, thirty-four inches girth
Maple Excalibur, from which he deals
Four hundred foot jacks, right side of the plate
Six-sixty-
one homers, five hundred base steals;
Never swings early, nor ever swings late,
Inside the box hit, outside the box wait.
He cares not for me, and cares not for you
Cares not a whit for the bat when heÂ’s through,
And straightening up, and seeing the view
Watches the ball fly until itÂ’s a dot,
And then, only then, begins he his trot
Don’t say to him “bring it” – it will be brought!
More: The very prolific Scorebard says it in haiku.
Posted by: annika at
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Nice work, Annie! I'm not even a baseball fan, and
still I like it!
Posted by: Matt Rustler at April 14, 2004 04:29 AM (of2d1)
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It's amazing what a little Steroids can do for you when it comes to baseball.
Posted by: Tom at April 14, 2004 05:53 AM (HJfl9)
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Tom,
It is entirely possible for a superior athlete like Bonds to decide, later in his career, to put on 40-60 lbs. and become a "power" hitter--without steroids.
Granted, there is circumstantial BALCO evidence against him..but remember BALCO also sold legal nutritional supplements ranging from protein powder to exotic herbs.
I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Posted by: Jason O. at April 14, 2004 06:41 AM (loMDg)
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I think it sucks that no matter what the truth is, this steroids rumor will hang over all of Bonds' accomplishments this year like an untyped asterisk.
Posted by: Dawn Summers at April 14, 2004 07:44 AM (HLOeu)
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Way to go Barry! GO GIANTS!
Posted by: d-rod at April 14, 2004 07:53 AM (N7QC9)
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Bonds always had tremondous talent, it is too bad he was corrupted during his years at that shitty university ASU. That corruption directly lead to his decision to play for SF, where upon arriving he was further corrupted into the beast we know today. I mean who in the hell wants to play for a team dressed like pumpkins that's never won a world series?
And he will never win because Bonds is an egotistical jerk. Bonds thinks of Bonds first, anyone else on the team be damned. So what? Well so what, that's the way he is, staring at his homers as if he's god's gift to the game. Live and let the punk live I guess. What can you do if he refuses to sign autographs so as to keep their value high? Money and prestige are all that matter to him.
Bottom line is people do not gain thirty-five pounds of muscle in their late thirties without a little bit of help. The fact that he can use that muscle very well is a testament to his skillz, but the guy is an anathema to everything good the game is about. He makes it too easy not to root for him, he's a punk yet he is the toughest out in baseball. When all is said and done he'll be remembered with the same reverence that Ty Cobb garners today. He's the Dan Marino of baseball. Give me Ichiro anyday, hands down.
...
...sorry for the grandstanding, but that was just a knee-jerk rant, it had to come out. 'Tis a nice piece of work you wrote annika, i think it aptly expresses the mix of good talent and crappy character that is Bonds. "Never swings early, nor ever swings late,...He cares not for me, and cares not for you" good stuff
Posted by: Scof at April 14, 2004 08:37 AM (XCqS+)
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We'd make ye trashtalkin' scalawag walk the plank up here matey!
Posted by: d-rod at April 14, 2004 10:05 AM (CSRmO)
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Bonds's personality doesn't matter: but he should respect the game. There's a segment of baseball (& the media) that still holds a grudge against MLB for segregation & the negro leagues. I believe Bonds holds the Babe's record in utter disdain because sluggers like Josh Gibson were not allowed in MLB. Which is fine: That's his opinion.
Perspective: When the Babe hit 60 in '27 that was something like 14% of all home runs in the american league that year...Bonds would have to hit 400+ to equal that.
Furthermore, Bonds (and every other black player in MLB) sees the giant check every 2 weeks because the Babe made the game of baseball popular like no other athlete has even come close to doing in any sport with just maybe the exception of Pele.
The Babe wasn't even the best Yankee ever: That's Lou Gehrig who, without his disease, would have put up the scariest numbers in MLB history. Ruth was the most important person ever in baseball, however, and Bonds's disdain shows his naivete.
Posted by: Jason O. at April 14, 2004 10:59 AM (loMDg)
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This asshole doesn't deserve this much attention. He is a thug.
Posted by: shelly s. at April 14, 2004 12:44 PM (AaBEz)
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One thing about it, whether you grow big and strong by using steroids or not, you still have to be able to hit the ball ... period. Nothing assists in that task.
Posted by: Kang A. Roo at April 14, 2004 04:45 PM (JCxVY)
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"I mean who in the hell wants to play for a team dressed like pumpkins that's never won a world series?"
Get a clue, and go check some baseball history. The Giants have worn black and orange for nearly a century, and they've won a respectable number of World Series.
Posted by: Ted at April 15, 2004 06:27 AM (blNMI)
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Ted you could use the clue:
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~scofield99/images/giants_trophy.jpg
The SF Giants have never won a world series and I don't see how they ever will.
Posted by: Scof at April 15, 2004 10:26 AM (XCqS+)
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Impressive talent with words there, but no mention about Bonds' steroid use? His HEAD is two sizes bigger.
Regarding Bonds being a "jerk," I disagree. He's not a social animal, more like a loner. Doesn't talk to media much, doesn't mingle with fans. Prefers his own company. This does not make one a "jerk," does it?
Posted by: Mark at April 16, 2004 05:21 PM (Vg0tt)
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Everyone gets bigger in their 30's and 40's. I weighed 195 when I played competitively and 230 now. Age and beer are the cause -- never took a steroid in my life.
As to Bonds, he was the greatest BEFORE he got bigger. Why isn't anyone questioning Annika? I have a pic of her in 2001 with skinny arms. Now her biceps would make Bonds proud. Don't tell me she put on all that beef "working out"
Posted by: Wolf at April 03, 2005 06:42 AM (JzmnO)
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Green Jacket Dinner
i was so happy to see Phil Mickelson finally win a major, and
in such an exciting way last Sunday. His family had a tough time last year, but he never whined about it or used it as an excuse for not winning. He seems like a really great guy.
And his favorite dish happens to be lobster ravioli. i love lobster ravioli, too. i had a great one in San Francisco last weekend. Here's a recipe i googled, from Emeril. i may give it a try someday when i'm feeling ambitious. With lobster meat, not live lobster, of course. i'm too squeamish to kill the poor things myself.
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I've never had lobster in any form. I am a huge fan of ravioli, so I might be pursuaded to one day try this. I
think I could bring myself to start out with live lobsters.
Posted by: Annika (the other one) at April 13, 2004 10:20 PM (YZTVQ)
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Phil's winning the Master's was a great thing to watch. In fact, the entire broadcast was probably the best golf I've ever seen on television.
Two holes in one on 16 within ten minutes time, K.J. Choi's holing out a 5 iron on the 11th hole, Ernie Els making two eagles, and of course, Phil's stellar play.
Looking back, if Phil doesn't make that par putt on 10, he's looking a bogey or worse. That putt was key, allowing him to make birdies coming in, capped off with a courageous putt to win on the 18th.
Two predictions: one, having won his first, Phil will have the confidence and know he can and will win numerous majors; and two, look for lobster ravoli on next year's Masters Champions dinner menu.
Posted by: joe at April 14, 2004 05:06 AM (e2tKl)
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Mmmmmm...lobster. The sound it makes soon after it goes into the boiling water is not REALLY screaming; it just kind of sounds like it. :-p Thanks for the recipe, since anything even remotely connected to New Orleans is bound to be a culinary delight (even though the smaller lobsters native to the Gulf aren't as good for eating as the Atlantic ones).
Posted by: Dave J at April 14, 2004 07:28 AM (VThvo)
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March 28, 2004
annika's Secret Fantasy Baseball Player Ranking System
i can't wait for baseball season to begin. One reason is my new, as yet untested, secret fantasy baseball player ranking system. After two sub-par finishes in Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball leagues, i have decided on a more scientific approach. Okay, quasi-scientific. i don't have enough free time to develop a really scientific system.
Because i love you, i'm going to let you in on it. The system is based on the fact that the Yahoo! public leagues rely on only five offensive* stats: batting average, runs, home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases. The fantasy baseball guides out there (i'm using Lindy's) have their own ranking systems that take into account additional stats that are irrelevant to the Yahoo! leagues. Therefore i didn't think the comprehensive rankings should be trusted to pick the most useful players according to the more limited Yahoo! categories.
Another important point, of which all fantasy baseball players are aware, is that you are forced to pick players from each position category. Catchers are, by nature of their position, going to produce lower stats in the five categories, than say outfielders. Unless you get someone like Pudge, but there's only one Pudge. Still, you are forced to fill one spot on your lineup with a catcher, and there are only a few quality catchers out there.
If there are 12 teams in the league, chances are i'm not going to get Pudge. Some other fool is going to try to draft him in the first round, so i'd never put him on my list. i need to figure out a way to pick the best player with regard to the five categories, but a player that the other league members might overlook.
For example, here's how the Lindy's guide ranks catchers:
- Mike Piazza
- Javy Lopez
- Jorge Posada
- Ivan Rodriguez
- Mike Lieberthal
- Jason Varitek
- A.J. Pierzynski
- Jason Kendall
- Ramon Hernandez
- Bengie Molina
- Paul Lo Duca
- Charles Johnson
- Benito Santiago
- Jason LaRue
- Toby Hall
According to my quasi-scientific system, here's how i would rank the catchers:
- Ivan Rodriguez
- Jason Varitek
- A.J. Pierzynski
- Javy Lopez
- Jorge Posada
- Mike Lieberthal
- Jason Kendall
- Ramon Hernandez
- Benito Santiago
- Bengie Molina
- Jason LaRue
- Paul Lo Duca
- Greg Myers
- Charles Johnson
- Mike Piazza
You can see that my system drops Piazza from first to fifteenth, which might seem incredible to you. First off, i've never been a big Piazza fan. As a baseball player, he's selfish, he's not a leader, and he seems aloof and disinterested most of the time, unless somone's chucking a bat at him. As far as stats go, he just didn't do it last year. Sure, i'll admit Mike was injured and missed three months. If he returns to form, he'll probably be a great fantasy pick. But my system has no sympathy for injuries; that's the "scientific" part of my quasi-scientific system. Anyways, let the crowd go after Pudge and Piazza, i'm looking for the dark horses.
What i do first is determine the top ten players in each statistical category. i do it a little different than most statistical tables, so my list yields a few more players when there's a tie. Normally, the statistical tables will count each tied player towards the total ten in the top ten. So you'll might see numbering like: 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 6, 7, 7, 7, 10. Since i don't care how many guys are on the list, as long as their stats are in the top ten, i won't skip over numbers like that. Thus, if there's any ties, my list would include guys who might be lower on another statistical list. Using the example above, my list might look like this: 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, and so on. Using my system, the tenth player on ESPN's or Lindy's list would be the sixth player on my list in the above example.
i do this ranking for each offensive category that Yahoo! uses. This way, i can see if a player will help me in stolen bases for example, even if his sucky stats in other categories make him less desirable in non-Yahoo! leagues. i don't really care about a guy's on base percentage or his total hits, since Yahoo! doesn't use them.
Once i find the top ten stats for each category i assign a cutoff number, which is the tenth stat in the list. For instance, the tenth highest amount of runs by a catcher (using my top ten list) was 52, by Cincinatti's Jason LaRue. Then i go through the list of all players in a specific position and assign a point to any player who's stat for that category is in the top ten for other players within that position. (It does no good to rank, say catchers against outfielders on stolen bases; you'd never see a catcher in the top ten.) Therefore, i would give one point to all catchers with 52 or more runs.
Once i go through all five stats, on all players in a position, i get a number ranging from zero to five. Additionally, i'll give a break to guys who are close to the top ten in a certain category, or who did poorly due to injury, yet had a good 2002 season. Instead of a point for that particular stat, i'll give those guys a "+." If a player has a plus, he will automatically move to the top of the list for players with his 1-5 point total. For instance, Mike Piazza got only one point from my system (his batting average was in the top ten for catchers last year), but i gave him a "+" in three other categories because of his past performances. That put him at the top of all the other “one point” guys on my list.
Here's my catcher's list with my point system attached:
- Ivan Rodriguez (5)
- Jason Varitek (5)
- A.J. Pierzynski (4+)
- Javy Lopez (4)
- Jorge Posada (4)
- Mike Lieberthal (4)
- Jason Kendall (4)
- Ramon Hernandez (4)
- Benito Santiago (3+)
- Bengie Molina (3)
- Jason LaRue (3)
- Paul Lo Duca (2+)
- Greg Myers (2+)
- Charles Johnson (2)
- Mike Piazza (1+)
After assigning pluses, i rank guys with the same amount of annika points by their ranking according to Lindy's.
There's still some brainwork that needs to be done. That's the "quasi" part of the quasi-scientific system. For instance, what do i do with Atlanta's catchers, Eddie Perez and Johnny Estrada? Eddie is ranked higher than Johnny on my system, but Johnny is expected to be in the starting lineup this season. Obviously i'd want Johnny rather than Eddie, since he'll have more at bats. That's where my system needs some tinkering.
Another potential flaw is that my system relies on the previous year as a predictor of future performance perhaps too heavily. The sophmore slump isn’t taken into account, nor are potentially good rookies or veterans who are on the downhill side of their careers. i try to minimize this by adding or withholding a “+” when the opportunity exists.
But all in all, i think my secret system is good for identifying the dark horses among the rankings put out by the magazines and websites. It's time consuming to go through all the positions and assign points, then rank them. i've been doing it little by little for the past few weeks, during my breaks at work.
i think i'll put Jason Varitek or A.J. Pierzynski at the top of my draft list as catcher, since they seem to have been under-rated by both Lindy's and Yahoo!'s ranking systems. Actually, i had A.J. on my last two fantasy teams and he's always been good to me. Now that he's on the Giants, i have another reason to like him.
On the other hand, Varitek is a solid player on an American League team that will be a contender again next year. His power numbers are better than A.J.'s but his batting average is not as good. They each crossed the plate 63 times. Tough choice; i can't decide yet. Tune in later if you're curious. i'll post a link to my team on the sidebar, like i did last year.
* i haven't used my system for pitchers, but the same concept should probably work on them, with a few adjustments to distinguish the value of relievers as opposed to starters.
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1
Quite a passionate presentation.
I'm willing to bet that there are also magazines out there (or soon to be published) that can also help in ranking players.
Good luck to u!
Posted by: Mark at March 28, 2004 03:49 PM (Vg0tt)
2
Another baseball fan at MuNu! Alrighty then!
I'm doing an analysis on the greatest hitters of all time over at my joint. Come by and let me know what you think.
I was going to try to do a fantasy league myself, but I think I'll miss the boat this year. Maybe I'll just watch your team and see what the hell is supposed to happen!
Posted by: Madfish Willie at March 28, 2004 05:46 PM (lZgx6)
3
damn that's alot of analysis. ...damn...
...you should put LoDuca higher up since he is going to have a breakout year, plus he'll probably get some time at 1b and OF too. Good hitter, good guy. i'm biased because he is a dodger as you know.
public league? i did a private one last year but no one besides mean really played in it the lazy bastards...
Posted by: Scof at March 28, 2004 09:00 PM (uluG3)
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Lo Duca? Yah right, just as soon as Beltre has his long awaited break out year. i won't hold my breath.
Posted by: annika at March 28, 2004 09:23 PM (O3Pis)
5
Annika where were you when I needed you to help me prep for my own baseball fantasy league? I was wire to wire last place last year, and hoped to improve this year. If I had had access to your super secret system I might have done better in my auction on Saturday. Alas, another season is wasted for me.
Posted by: The Maximum Leader at March 29, 2004 05:17 AM (MeCkf)
6
A heads-up to fellow annika denizen baseball nuts about the kick-ass documentary
Up For Grabs, which I had the pleasure of seeing at a film festival a few weeks ago. The film is about the battle for the Bonds #73 home run ball between Patrick Hayashi and Alex Popov. Although perhaps SFers and ex-SFers like annika are sick of the story, the documentary is quite fascinating and extremely entertaining. I'm not entirely sure if it has a distribution deal yet, but hopefully someone will pick it up (ESPN? PBS?) and make sure itÂ’s shown somewhere, somehow during this year's baseball season.
Posted by: robofrost at March 29, 2004 09:00 AM (OPYfK)
7
They both will be great this year! I guarantee it!
Posted by: Scof at March 29, 2004 11:34 AM (XCqS+)
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How about that Cubs pitching staff.

Kinda frightening.
Posted by: Mark at March 30, 2004 04:14 PM (Vg0tt)
9
i've always hated Greg Maddux. He's so smug.
Posted by: annika at March 31, 2004 09:15 AM (zAOEU)
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ugh! My season is already ruined. I knew Prior might be gimpy going into the season, but now I find out that he's going to be out for months and not weeks. D'oh.
You've got a great ranking system, btw.
Posted by: Trevor at March 31, 2004 03:33 PM (COhUH)
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March 26, 2004
Maybe It's Not Right To Laugh, But...
What makes Anna grimace?

Besides the fact that she couldn't hack it as a pro, now there's this.
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That's precisely why she WOULDN'T be grimacing!
Posted by: Radical Redneck at March 26, 2004 09:08 PM (+QXne)
2
"Oh, God, no-- not now! Not during the tennis match! Oh, Jeeeesus--!
"HRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!"
Ploop.
The shit heard 'round the world.
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Kim at March 27, 2004 09:25 AM (w2ALR)
3
Annika,
To say Anna couldn't hack it as a pro is accurate, but she probably had the agility and mental aptitude of a good player. She made, however, the conscious decision not to submit herself to exstensive strength training, requistite to modern competition. It came down to vanity, she wouldn't sacrifice her femme-form for the East German, andro-morphic profile necessary to launch a salvo of 123mph serves. As a shallow guy watching tennis, I'd rather not have to look for a five o'clock shadow to discern whether or not it's a men's match, so I support her choice, Wimbledon be damned.
From a different angle, I think power is becoming too dominant in tennis and baseball, to the exclusion of skill and dexterity. Pitchers are constrained, anatomically, to certain speed limits, as localized strength training has little impact on velocity. Batters, utilizing modern training and supplements can however, effectively over-power the guys on the mound, changing the dynamics of the game. The same holds for tennis; training can strengthen the muscle groups invovled in serving, but human reaction time is essentially impossible to improve. The dude or dudette with largest lats dictates the course of the match, and the importance of other factors diminishes.
Jasen
Posted by: Jasen at March 27, 2004 06:13 PM (hgVnk)
Posted by: Karol at March 27, 2004 07:22 PM (AGo3+)
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i could probably beat Anna one out of ten times.
Posted by: annika at March 27, 2004 07:29 PM (TaxF3)
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DAAAAMN! I'll be a lot more careful about what I say to you from now on.
Posted by: Casca at March 28, 2004 02:35 PM (BRVtJ)
7
Goes to show ya what I know: I thought she was
a golfer. Also, 'ccordin' to what was tol' to me by some of the gals in an old law office where I worked in Dallas, one of the lead attorneys in that office had the distinction of havin' the world's smallest penis, a situation they say he easily rectified by keepin' a big roll of $100s in the essential portion of his shorts.
Posted by: notGeorge at March 29, 2004 02:40 PM (JCxVY)
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March 20, 2004
Ha Ha Ha Roll Tide!
Ha Ha Ha Ha!
Bye bye Stanford, you were so overrated!
i love it. Oh baby, ain't second round upsets a bitch?!
Now that the season's over for him, maybe Josh Childress is free to go make the next House Party movie.
Woooo hoooo!
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Oh they had a little party down in Newport, there was Harry there was Mary there was Grace...
Glory be to God and all that, the hated Farm is out. Roll Tide indeed, Annika!
Off to the Conga Room.
Hugo
Posted by: Hugo at March 20, 2004 07:34 PM (r5lEF)
2
damn, I had their overated azz going to the 3rd round.
Posted by: jim at March 20, 2004 09:37 PM (lN8eP)
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Hey Kidd! I don't know what it is about this here groove that's makin' me move. But it sure is funky.
I never took you for a fan, Annika.
Posted by: Kin at March 21, 2004 12:28 AM (ZQldT)
Posted by: Scof at March 22, 2004 12:22 AM (pSJpd)
5
Vanderbilt, dead-eye shooting group of smart players....Did anyone see that back-door cut and that pass with 7 seconds left?? NC State was in shock...
And the best thing is, the media will continue to sell them short all week, adding more locker room billboard quotes....
Posted by: Jason O. at March 22, 2004 06:27 AM (QyDeG)
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All I can say is: "GO POKES!!!"
Anyone watch Oklahoma State dismantle Memphis? That was the most fun I've had since OSU beat Texas for the third time this year!
I don't want to jinx it, but this team could win it all. (How do you keep your fingers crossed in cyberspace?)
OOOOOOOO-SSSSSSSS-UUUUUUUU
Posted by: John at March 22, 2004 06:35 AM (7UPKM)
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February 19, 2004
The Best Sports News In Years
AstroTurf maker Southwest Recreational Industries is
going out of business. Professional athletes and their knees have every right to be happy about this. As a sports purist, i believe football and baseball should be played on grass, not carpet, and i hope that no other companies sprout up to replace SRI.
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Here in Cincinnati--don't say it, but I'm a native Chicagoan--the Bengals are removing natural turf for a synthetic turf that looks like grass, performs like grass, and is easier on the body than the Astroturf we've come to love/hate.
The reason--the footing w/natural turf is terrible, and saw a couple of players hurt their knees when trying to cut, slipping in the process.
Posted by: joe at February 19, 2004 08:45 AM (y4B5L)
2
I, for one, think all Super Bowls should be played in Green Bay. Or perhaps Fargo.
Posted by: ken at February 19, 2004 11:26 AM (SSqFk)
3
After ten years of marching band, I have to say that I hate astroturf too and am glad to see it going away. With all the dance techniques involved in colorguard, astroturf is the WORST thing to perform on. Especially wet/damp/mildly unhappy astroturf. And real grass doesn't rip your skin when you fall on it.
Now, on the other hand, the ridiculously deep, lush grass at Soldier Field pre-renovation was pretty damn tough to perform on, too. Can't we have a happy medium?
Posted by: lorie at February 19, 2004 12:06 PM (PPPwU)
4
Unfortunately there are still other artificial turf companies out there. But, there have been some other interesting options that are being tried. The Detroit Lions and others have put in a new surface:
http://www.fieldturf.com/
It's too new for me to have played on, but it's got to be better than the old style of artificial turf.
Posted by: Trevor at February 20, 2004 03:31 PM (COhUH)
Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 20, 2004 08:03 PM (jtW2s)
6
Yes, grass is definitely softer on the feet and more comfortable for marching band. However, the athletic department will usually not let the band or anyone else even close to the field for rehearsals.
Posted by: Colorguard at August 21, 2005 03:34 PM (ikgtx)
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February 17, 2004
Sports Analogy
Howard Dean is the Dan Jansen of American politics. Remember Dan Jansen, the speed skater? He was supposed to win every race, but he kept falling down. He wouldn't quit, though.
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Yeah, except Dan Jansen actually won something at the end.
Posted by: glenn at February 17, 2004 03:26 PM (JWs/7)
2
How about another Dan, Dan O'Brien of the Reebok "Dan vs. Dave" ad fiasco?
Posted by: Scof at February 17, 2004 04:59 PM (Me9IN)
3
Dan O'Brien also eventually won the gold (1996) as well as three world championships. He also held the world record for a while.
Posted by: Kurt at February 18, 2004 11:14 AM (/7AX2)
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February 01, 2004
Did You Ever Doubt Me?
New England 32, Carolina 29. The Pats win by one field goal. i said they'd win by two. The Pats didn't cover the spread. i said they wouldn't. i told you to take the Panthers plus 7 points. i hope you did. Did you take the over? i should have told you about that too.
i am awesome!
It was actually a pretty good game, too. Good defensive play in the first half, big offensive plays in the second. i was cheering for both offenses in the fourth quarter, because i wanted my predictions to come true. My friends were looking at me funny.
When New England made that 2 point conversion, i thought i would have a push, but then Carolina tied it up and i knew i was golden. Didn't i point out that Vinatieri was going to be key? Yes, i did.
i am so awesome!
P.S. i missed the whole halftime tittie fest, since i was out on a beer run. i can't stand Janet anyway and Justin bugs me. Apparently, Zomby wasn't impressed. And Shae's blog has good coverage of the er, uncoverage.
i did catch the National Anthem and was gratified to see Beyonce sing it with grace and dignity, unlike her ass-shaking spectacular from last Fourth of July in front of General Grant's tomb.
Link thanks to Michele.
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I think Yahoo may have it wrong; that move looked deliberate to me, and I
thought (although the camera was pretty far back) that she had her nipple covered with latex or something.
Posted by: Matt Rustler at February 01, 2004 08:23 PM (of2d1)
2
I am finished with my rant, so I thought I'd check out what you had to say about the halftime show.
The Houston paper has a pic that shows that she was wearing a flesh colored cloth over her mammary projectile. The CBS Sportline poll asking which moment is the most memorable called what happened a "wardrobe malfunction." Uh, yeah. How can something planned be a malfunction? I know so many kids who were watching that show. I am so disgusted. I thought Janet had more class than that.
She had said that she was going to have a special surpise guest at the show and I guess the surprise guest was her "exposed" breast.
Does Michael Jackson need his sibling to expose herself in front of millions of people right now? Is that helping his case?
Okay. I'm finished... I have to calm down and get to bed. I have to work tomorrow and a job interview Tuesday (yay!).
You didn't miss ANYTHING during the halftime show.
Posted by: Shae at February 01, 2004 09:10 PM (9lKAK)
3
Surprise, surprise, surprise... CBS says they knew nothing about the incident and Justin says it was an unfortunate accident. I looked at the picture again and really couldn't tell if anything besides her hand was covering herself, but still... I am interested in knowing, if it was a wardrobe malfunction, what WAS supposed to happen when he reached over there? How is it that he grabbed and pulled the fabric so hard that it ripped off -- and it was an accident?
Hmm... I'm sure this will get more interesting over the next few days... and look for a skit on Saturday Night Live soon.
Posted by: Shae at February 01, 2004 09:26 PM (9lKAK)
4
I'm following Annika for all my football betting needs next year. Do you do NHL, too?
As for "wardrobe malfunction", I call bullshit. That was planned, she had the tassle on, and it was simply meant to be controversial. I've already said my piece on my overall feeling on the subject, but to lie about it afterward is just pathetic.
Heh. Not that I have an opinion on the subject...
Posted by: zombyboy at February 01, 2004 09:42 PM (X7Bhq)
5
Yes, yes, the Jacksons are all freaks. I question how any of those poseurs ended up on stage in the first place. Now Toby Keith would have given us a powerful and emotional halftime instead of banality.
As for the game... One rarely sees such pathetic officiating in the NFL. The fix was in. If you don't believe me, TIVO back to the last NE TD, and watch the receiver as he comes off the line, grabs the DB and shoves him to the ground before running 25 yards down the field to make the catch. Pathetic.
Posted by: Casca at February 01, 2004 09:51 PM (RXTfP)
6
Ha ha Shae. "Mammary projectile" is a good one.
Zomby, i know about as much about hockey as i know about football.

Casca, if Toby Keith had been doing the halftime show, i might have stuck around for it.
Posted by: annika! at February 01, 2004 10:27 PM (doUdg)
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This sort of thing is becoming more common for has-been stars. first the Britteny Madonna kiss now this. Their overwhelming lack of talent is not keeping them in the spotlight so they have to do something.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at February 02, 2004 07:58 AM (UquFN)
8
hell. i didn't even know they were still playing football this time of year.
who was playing anyway?
:-)
arf
coyote
Posted by: coyote at February 02, 2004 03:42 PM (cfoFZ)
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My [Most Excellent] Bowl Prediction
Many people have wondered why i haven't posted my prediction for today's [Most Excellent] Bowl game. (Okay, one person wondered.) So here it is.
Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots. Funny, neither team represents an actual state, just a large region. New England is favored by 7 points. The field is neutral of course, since the game is being played at Reliant Stadium in Houston. But i heard somewhere that Carolina has never practiced on artificial turf until this week. That sounds funny, but if it's true could it factor in somehow?
Friday, Rush Limbaugh said the game will be close. He picked the Patriots, but didn't think they'd cover the spread. That makes it very tempting for me to predict that the Patsies will cover.
It's really not that hard of a game to handicap, though. Tom Brady, besides being just about as adorable as any football player i've ever seen, can also show flashes of greatness on the field when it counts. And don't forget that NE has Vinatieri and [Most Excellent] Bowl experience on their side.
So, i say Carolina won't roll over, but New England will pull it out by six. Therefore, take the Panthers and the 7 points, if you get the chance.
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January 27, 2004
Francken Chop Blocks A Heckler
Comic, and big fat idiot, Al Francken
took down a heckler at a Dean rally yesterday.
'I got down low and took his legs out,' said Franken afterwards.
What's the penalty for that, fifteen yards?
Wise-cracking funnyman Al Franken yesterday body-slammed a demonstrator to the ground after the man tried to shout down Gov. Howard Dean.
Francken says he did it because he believes in free speech.
'I'm neutral in this race but I'm for freedom of speech, which means people should be able to assemble and speak without being shouted down.'
Am i the only one who sees the irony in this? Al wants to protect freedom of speech by tackling someone who tries to exercise it.
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1
I'm just trying to figure out why the tackle-ee hasn't asked Franken be charged with assault and battery.
Posted by: Victor at January 28, 2004 05:33 AM (L3qPK)
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Because the heckler obviously isn't good enough, smart enough, darn it, Franken doesn't like him?
Okay, trite, but still.
hln
Posted by: hln at January 28, 2004 10:12 AM (CWwGn)
3
Charged, schmarged. Oughta
sue him for assault and battery.
Posted by: Matt at January 28, 2004 12:45 PM (of2d1)
4
Hey Annie,
I like the new digs....
Anyway, I am definitely not a hater, but Al Franken is one those guys I'd be more than happy to (pardon the misogynist phrase) "bitch slap." He such a pompous little prick. And, not to get too shallow, but the guy couldn't be much more of a dork. Can you imagine him and, fatso, Michael Moore trying to pick up women in a bar....a disgusting yet hilarious image.
Blu
Posted by: Blu at January 28, 2004 02:17 PM (PB2FD)
5
Much as I dislike Al Franken, the heckler was a Lyndon LaRouche supporter, and they're a bunch of shitferrets if ever there were shitferrets.
Pity they didn't beat each other up, though.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at January 28, 2004 03:54 PM (jtW2s)
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"Shitferret." I think I'm going to have to add that to my list of favorite neologisms I've encountered on blogs. ("Merdiwitted" and "asshat" are two others.) Nice job, Pixy.
Posted by: Matt at January 28, 2004 09:24 PM (of2d1)
7
The thing about LaRouchians is they're mostly harmless. ..just a chihuahua yapping away in the corner. Every now and then I pick up a copy of their newspaper, The New Federalist, and laugh my face off.
Posted by: Victor at January 29, 2004 05:34 AM (L3qPK)
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