Like it or not, you live in one of the nation's hotbeds for high school hoops intensity. High school ball in Southeast Missouri is like high school pigskin in Texas. We might not have the top Division One talent that jumps out of the east coast, but the rivalries are thick, the blood cold, and the competition fierce.
You need look no further than the recent blogs and responses on this very website to grasp that fact. As a website becoming known for it's freedom in exercising the right of the first amendment, with Mark driving the Steam Engine, it's obvious the local attention has centered almost entirely on high school basketball.
We're all partial to our alumni, that's normal. But as a young man removed from high school by five years and as a fan who has yet to see a local high school game this season, I'm going on record as an unbiased blogger. Take it as you will. Some of you will never buy that, some you of will know it to be true.
The question I raise now, at the crux of the Christmas tournament, is whether or not high school hoops in Southeast Missouri has reached an all-time high..or an all-time low?
If you compiled a list of some of the things said in response to Mark's blogs in the past few weeks, the verdict could go either way. To a weary onlooker, one might think the area is full of bloodsucking vultures as fans, and continuing with rivalries between schools that could get physical and nasty. It wouldn't be far-fetched to assume that Mark needs a bodyguard for his own safety following some of the hate mail he's received. I'd be willing to bet when Jamie Hall started this website, he never thought some of these things would be said about his staff.
Going so far as to make references towards body parts and sexual preferences is pretty much a giant leap over the invisible line in the sand. And for any high school athletes or students who have read these comments, you owe an apology. Seriously. Your comments are disgusting, immature, and so completely inappropriate that I'd be surprised if you're getting a good night's sleep.
I'm assuming that last paragraph makes me one of Mark's boyfriends, not just a concerned citizen who worries about the crap we're throwing in the ears of our younger generation. It seems boyfriend status would be the most logical assumption, considering most posts have chosen to ignore the positives within the website's blogs and have focused on the negatives.
In all reality, nothing has been decided and nothing has been accomplished. ND fans are sticking up for Mark, and the majority of non-ND fans are treating him like he's Satan. Between Charleston, Sikeston, and Notre Dame fans the banter is all the same: each school is saying the exact same thing about each of the other schools. According to the majority of the bloggers, we're all bad sports, all of our teams play dirty and all the coaches are ignorant.
I'd be willing to put my job at this website on the line with the outcome of a questionnaire polling the results of 100 local basketball players on their feelings towards opposing players. I'm betting that the majority of them would have nothing but good things to say. It's odd, wouldn't you say, that the players get along and the fans don't?
And whoever had the "yarbles" to even consider Coach Scott as not a "genuinely good guy" is completely off their rocker. I'd be willing to bet there isn't a high school coach in the country who isn't a good guy. Each one of them has the same resume: teaching youngsters the concept of team while surviving on short pay. Donating time and patience for very little money towards the good of future generations...we should all be so generous. So let's move on, any high school coach is a good person. Period. Get over it.
On the other side of the coin, the interest is high and the talent exciting. For the first time in what seems like decades, the competition is on a level field. From Class Five all the way down to Class one. It's not far-fetched to think that on any given night, Bell City could beat Charleston, Charleston could beat Sikeston, Sikeston could beat Notre Dame, Notre Dame could beat Jackson, Jackson could beat Scott County, Scott County could beat Cape Central, and Cape Central could turn the tide on Scott County the next week and the entire chain go in reverse. And that's just within the immediate circumference of Cape Girardeau.
As I type, Jackson is hoisting the Christmas tournament trophy. How easily could it be the other way around? How easily could Cape Central be playing Charleston? Or current (and soon-to-be former) semosportsweb.com #1 Bell City be taking on previous semosportsweb.com #1 Scott County for the championship? #1 Bell City fell this week to #16 Scott City and unranked Cape Central, #2 Charleston fell to #12 Notre Dame, and #7 Jackson won the Christmas tournament.
Are you kidding me? Who's the new #1? Who's the new #2? And 3? And 4? And 5? High school hoops has always been exciting, but this year could be something special. Maybe we should put down our hate faces and start talking about how good we have it. Considering the argument I just made, I don't see much of a reason to be angry right now.
These are teenage kids. And they're playing at an extremely high level of intense competition. This is the stuff they'll never forget, don't tarnish it with derogatory comments, cheap shots, and anger.
And if you can't help yourself, then at least quit cowering behind the name "anonymous." Nobody is going to remember you a year from now anyway, but at least with a name we'll know who's got the unreasonable chip on their shoulder for the time being.
As a self-admitting former trash talker, let me be the first to tell you that you'll look back on some of your posts five years from now and be completely embarrassed. And if you're older than me, and even further removed from the rush of high school competition, and you're STILL talking trash and taking part in some of the things said, then let me be embarrassed for you.
Let's all be adults and make this season an all-time high for high school basketball instead of all-time low.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
2007 Award Show
In all reality, it was a year of agony for professional sports. Baseball's doping history proved real, and extremely embarrassing. Professional football was stroked with cheaters as well, although they got off the hook much easier. And it wasn't just the players, "Spygate" centered on coaches. Professional basketball turned out to be corrupt - to few's surprise - and their end of the deal concerned the officiating. The NFL and NBA had a number of players gunned down, or caught with guns, in gang-related or other obscure events. MLB was associated with at least four well-known drinking and driving charges, two of which resulted in deaths. Surprisingly enough, it was the NHL that made out best this year amongst the big time professional sports. Their ratings are growing, the stars are flourishing, and not a single player has blurted out steroid allegations against a household star.
On the college scene, college football didn't make out much better: the call for a playoff system grew louder with the BCS' obvious money-driven scheme. The notorious BIG BOYS of college football couldn't get to where they were supposed to be without the help of the black suits. And, unlike the past, this season, it was obvious. NCAA hoops is living in an exciting time of parody. Florida became the first repeat champion since Duke in 1991 and 1992. Duke cleaned up its name, finding their lacrosse boys to be innocent of any major crime. Mizzou and Illinois each had impressive and exciting seasons in football. And low and behold, Southeast Missouri State is on the edge of proving themselves a legitimate OVC threat once again in hoops.
The controversy on the Southeast Missouri high school scene was wide, as per the usual. The high school hoops show is just getting fired up, and there looks to be a grand follow-up season to last year's area success. Charleston finished as state champs in hoops and Notre Dame's soccer team brought home a ring as well. Bell City and Notre Dame found itself in Columbia, along side Charleston, for the hoops' final four. Jackson landed in the Christmas tournament final for the fifth consecutive time, and it's football team went to the final four. On the softball diamond, both Kelly and Notre Dame went to the final four. (I'm sure there was more, but it's tough to keep tabs from a distance. For those who can list other team accomplishments, or individual accomplishments, that deserve to be recognized please post them.) Numerous "small sports" across the area produced state qualifiers and state champions. And the only "doping" accusations were off-the-wall comments on blog boards concerning Tom Petty's favorite girlfriend. A number of teams look to be able to compete on a statewide level this coming season as well.
All across the board, from Pee Wee ball to the Bigs, the story lines mounted up. There's simply no way to mention them all. So, at the break of this new year, here's my non-systematic award show:
Most Embarrassing Moment for St. Louis Fans: The release of Tony LaRussa's sobriety test on the world wide web. The video proved to be far worse than originally reported. LaRussa was hammered drunk, and the following news of Josh Hancock's death didn't combine for a banner year in Cardinal baseball headlines.
Most Enthusiastic Move in a Positive Direction Among St. Louis teams: The St. Louis Blues and the addition of top tier stars Paul Kariya and Andy McDonald, the acquisition of youngsters Erik Johnson and Brad Boyes, and the re-signing of veteran All-Star Keith Tkachuck. The Blues upper management proves to its fans that it's serious about putting St. Louis back on the hockey map. The continuing development of youngsters within the organization and revived attraction from big-name stars gives St. Louis one of the brighter 10-year futures in the national hockey league.
Greatest High School Moments: The combination of great team performances across the board went a long way in pushing Southeast Missouri onto the map with the well-known St. Louis powerhouses. Although many fans in the area don't seem to want to cheer together, they damn well should. The greatest high school moment of 2007 didn't come from a single team or individual, but rather it came as a region. More than one state championship, a plethora of state qualifiers, and a copious amount of individual talent that's finding its place in colleges across the nation all amount to one thing....St. Louis be warned. Southeast Missouri is for real.
Most exciting thing to watch as a baseball fan: The collapse of the New York Mets. Adding Carlos Beltran, Pedro Martinez, Carlos Delgado, Tom Glavine and Billy Wagner added 306.5 million to the payroll in the offseason alone. My friends, there wasn't another NL team CLOSE to the Met's payroll. With that talent, they were a shoe-in for the pennant.
Um...It was "glee bordering on euphoria" watching this colossal giant collapse like Goliath. 17 games to play. A seven game lead. Not even Bob Knight could choke something this big. What made it worse, or better, was their final seven game homestand: losing six of the seven to the Nationals, Cardinals, and Marlins - none of which had winning records. The Phillies flew past the Mets and into the playoffs, the division rival Phils took all eight of their final meetings against the Mets. And on the final day of the season, Hall of Famer Tom Glavine turned in an impressive seven run first inning, getting only one out, in an 8-1 loss to Florida.
Saddest Affair in professional sports: Doping.
Of all the athletes who have been caught red-handed, there is one I like bashing the most. And I wish I could say it better, but I can't. So I'll let an unknown yahoo.com sports writer tell it for me:
"Let's see, before he left Boston he said he wanted to be closer to his family but ended up in Toronto, proving he was either fibbing or failed geography. Then he abandoned Toronto so he could join a team that won 114 games in 1998 and collect a couple of World Series rings with a team that hardly needed him. While in New York, he managed to become Public Enemy No. 1 for Mets fans by drilling Mike Piazza in the coconut and then throwing a shattered bat at him in the Series. Then, after accepting all the fare-thee-well honors and accessories from the Yankees he "retired" to Houston, where he would perfect the process of playing the franchises he supposedly loved off against one another.
So there was no shortage of baseball fans who must have reveled in the Rocket's season of discontent in 2007. After signing a prorated $28M deal with the Yankees in May — that would earn him $17,442,637 and cost the team an additional $6.98M in luxury tax penalties — Roger Clemenswent 6-6. In other words, the Yankees shelled out more than $4M per win. Clemens lasted less than three innings in his only ALDS start, hobbling off the mound with a leg injury.
Things only got better for Rocket haters after the season when the Mitchell Report landed with a thud on the pitcher's toe. In light of Brian McNamee's testimony, Andy Pettitte's corroborating confession and C.J. Nitkowski's endorsement of McNamee's character, Clemens — whose career took an obvious steroid arc — has become increasingly isolated with his denials. The world is waiting for that defamation lawsuit, Roger. Wouldn't it be fun to watch George Mitchell, prosecutor of more than 1,000 cases, cross-examine Clemens under oath? C'mon, Roger, go for it. Roger? Roger?"
And there you have it. Oh, how there was so much more. But for me, these topped the list. Remind me of the things I missed, and cash in with some of your own.
My congratulations goes out to all the high schools and high school athletes who accomplished their goals and dreams this season. There is no better time to play sports than in high school, and for those of you who rose to the top of the high school world, you deserve to be cheered. For the others, there's always this year.
Here's to 2008, may it be one hell of a year.
On the college scene, college football didn't make out much better: the call for a playoff system grew louder with the BCS' obvious money-driven scheme. The notorious BIG BOYS of college football couldn't get to where they were supposed to be without the help of the black suits. And, unlike the past, this season, it was obvious. NCAA hoops is living in an exciting time of parody. Florida became the first repeat champion since Duke in 1991 and 1992. Duke cleaned up its name, finding their lacrosse boys to be innocent of any major crime. Mizzou and Illinois each had impressive and exciting seasons in football. And low and behold, Southeast Missouri State is on the edge of proving themselves a legitimate OVC threat once again in hoops.
The controversy on the Southeast Missouri high school scene was wide, as per the usual. The high school hoops show is just getting fired up, and there looks to be a grand follow-up season to last year's area success. Charleston finished as state champs in hoops and Notre Dame's soccer team brought home a ring as well. Bell City and Notre Dame found itself in Columbia, along side Charleston, for the hoops' final four. Jackson landed in the Christmas tournament final for the fifth consecutive time, and it's football team went to the final four. On the softball diamond, both Kelly and Notre Dame went to the final four. (I'm sure there was more, but it's tough to keep tabs from a distance. For those who can list other team accomplishments, or individual accomplishments, that deserve to be recognized please post them.) Numerous "small sports" across the area produced state qualifiers and state champions. And the only "doping" accusations were off-the-wall comments on blog boards concerning Tom Petty's favorite girlfriend. A number of teams look to be able to compete on a statewide level this coming season as well.
All across the board, from Pee Wee ball to the Bigs, the story lines mounted up. There's simply no way to mention them all. So, at the break of this new year, here's my non-systematic award show:
Most Embarrassing Moment for St. Louis Fans: The release of Tony LaRussa's sobriety test on the world wide web. The video proved to be far worse than originally reported. LaRussa was hammered drunk, and the following news of Josh Hancock's death didn't combine for a banner year in Cardinal baseball headlines.
Most Enthusiastic Move in a Positive Direction Among St. Louis teams: The St. Louis Blues and the addition of top tier stars Paul Kariya and Andy McDonald, the acquisition of youngsters Erik Johnson and Brad Boyes, and the re-signing of veteran All-Star Keith Tkachuck. The Blues upper management proves to its fans that it's serious about putting St. Louis back on the hockey map. The continuing development of youngsters within the organization and revived attraction from big-name stars gives St. Louis one of the brighter 10-year futures in the national hockey league.
Greatest High School Moments: The combination of great team performances across the board went a long way in pushing Southeast Missouri onto the map with the well-known St. Louis powerhouses. Although many fans in the area don't seem to want to cheer together, they damn well should. The greatest high school moment of 2007 didn't come from a single team or individual, but rather it came as a region. More than one state championship, a plethora of state qualifiers, and a copious amount of individual talent that's finding its place in colleges across the nation all amount to one thing....St. Louis be warned. Southeast Missouri is for real.
Most exciting thing to watch as a baseball fan: The collapse of the New York Mets. Adding Carlos Beltran, Pedro Martinez, Carlos Delgado, Tom Glavine and Billy Wagner added 306.5 million to the payroll in the offseason alone. My friends, there wasn't another NL team CLOSE to the Met's payroll. With that talent, they were a shoe-in for the pennant.
Um...It was "glee bordering on euphoria" watching this colossal giant collapse like Goliath. 17 games to play. A seven game lead. Not even Bob Knight could choke something this big. What made it worse, or better, was their final seven game homestand: losing six of the seven to the Nationals, Cardinals, and Marlins - none of which had winning records. The Phillies flew past the Mets and into the playoffs, the division rival Phils took all eight of their final meetings against the Mets. And on the final day of the season, Hall of Famer Tom Glavine turned in an impressive seven run first inning, getting only one out, in an 8-1 loss to Florida.
Saddest Affair in professional sports: Doping.
Of all the athletes who have been caught red-handed, there is one I like bashing the most. And I wish I could say it better, but I can't. So I'll let an unknown yahoo.com sports writer tell it for me:
"Let's see, before he left Boston he said he wanted to be closer to his family but ended up in Toronto, proving he was either fibbing or failed geography. Then he abandoned Toronto so he could join a team that won 114 games in 1998 and collect a couple of World Series rings with a team that hardly needed him. While in New York, he managed to become Public Enemy No. 1 for Mets fans by drilling Mike Piazza in the coconut and then throwing a shattered bat at him in the Series. Then, after accepting all the fare-thee-well honors and accessories from the Yankees he "retired" to Houston, where he would perfect the process of playing the franchises he supposedly loved off against one another.
So there was no shortage of baseball fans who must have reveled in the Rocket's season of discontent in 2007. After signing a prorated $28M deal with the Yankees in May — that would earn him $17,442,637 and cost the team an additional $6.98M in luxury tax penalties — Roger Clemenswent 6-6. In other words, the Yankees shelled out more than $4M per win. Clemens lasted less than three innings in his only ALDS start, hobbling off the mound with a leg injury.
Things only got better for Rocket haters after the season when the Mitchell Report landed with a thud on the pitcher's toe. In light of Brian McNamee's testimony, Andy Pettitte's corroborating confession and C.J. Nitkowski's endorsement of McNamee's character, Clemens — whose career took an obvious steroid arc — has become increasingly isolated with his denials. The world is waiting for that defamation lawsuit, Roger. Wouldn't it be fun to watch George Mitchell, prosecutor of more than 1,000 cases, cross-examine Clemens under oath? C'mon, Roger, go for it. Roger? Roger?"
And there you have it. Oh, how there was so much more. But for me, these topped the list. Remind me of the things I missed, and cash in with some of your own.
My congratulations goes out to all the high schools and high school athletes who accomplished their goals and dreams this season. There is no better time to play sports than in high school, and for those of you who rose to the top of the high school world, you deserve to be cheered. For the others, there's always this year.
Here's to 2008, may it be one hell of a year.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Other 'Border War' doesn't seem to have the same POP
Maybe it's because I'm off campus now, but it certainly seems like Missouri v. Illinois in St. Louis used to pack a lot more punch.
It wasn't even the headline this evening on the St. Louis Post Dispatch's website. Instead, the Post elected to plaster a picture of new Cardinal minor league pitcher and former draft choice Cliff Politte in a White Sox uniform. And that's great. It's good to see a local kid with great support as he returns triumphantly to his home state.
But I'm not sure he should get top billing over the college hoops war that has consistently been a great match up over the previous years. And I think calling Politte's return "triumphant" is probably far-fetched.
So what's the deal? Am I missing all the hype because I'm out of town? Were people excited going in? And why were there still tickets available moments before gametime? Last year, my good buddy and sports mentor, Jeff Fahrner waited outside in freezing cold weather from 5-8 in the morning to steal tickets on the first day they went on sale. They were sold out in a matter of hours.
My best guess is that the Missouri media and fans are drained on Mizzou after their BCS snub, thereby generating less excitement for the "Braggin' Rights" game.
Are you drained on good ole Mizzou? Is the rise of their football program also the demise of the hoops show? Or is Mike Anderson just not as exciting as a coked-out Coach Snyder?
Or maybe, just maybe, SEMO is stealing the thunder with their 4-0 start in the Ohio Valley Conference.
____
And while we're talking about lack of excitement. It's tough to get anybody to care about the Blues, but there is reason for excitement within the organization. The guys at the helm are making gigantic strides forward and are apparently very serious when they talk about bringing Stanley Cup caliber hockey back to St. Louis.
The recent move to trade St. Louis favorite Dougie Weight for new Blue Andy McDonald was a life-size improvement to our offense. Plugging Micky D with exciting youngster Brad Boyes, aged and wise veteran Keith Tkachuck, and daunting superhero Paul Kariya is reason to clap.
Kudos to the Blues management for taking a risk in trading Weight and adding to a lineup that's already set to make a playoff push.
____
It's going to be a shame to miss the Christmas tournament this year. Obviously, it's one of the best times of the year for high school basketball. Congrats to the Notre Dame girls and to the tournament organizers, it sounds like the girls side of the show went extremely well.
Here's to hoping the boys version goes off with dramatic style, three-point ending flare, a Homer Drew genius call by Coach Scott to give Jackson a second round win, Dom Johnson-type crossovers, Jeffrey Beck sized three pointers, Tyler Cuba type defense, and one hell of a crowd showing.
It's Southeast Missouri's prime sporting showcase, no doubts about it. You'd be a darn fool to miss it.
It wasn't even the headline this evening on the St. Louis Post Dispatch's website. Instead, the Post elected to plaster a picture of new Cardinal minor league pitcher and former draft choice Cliff Politte in a White Sox uniform. And that's great. It's good to see a local kid with great support as he returns triumphantly to his home state.
But I'm not sure he should get top billing over the college hoops war that has consistently been a great match up over the previous years. And I think calling Politte's return "triumphant" is probably far-fetched.
So what's the deal? Am I missing all the hype because I'm out of town? Were people excited going in? And why were there still tickets available moments before gametime? Last year, my good buddy and sports mentor, Jeff Fahrner waited outside in freezing cold weather from 5-8 in the morning to steal tickets on the first day they went on sale. They were sold out in a matter of hours.
My best guess is that the Missouri media and fans are drained on Mizzou after their BCS snub, thereby generating less excitement for the "Braggin' Rights" game.
Are you drained on good ole Mizzou? Is the rise of their football program also the demise of the hoops show? Or is Mike Anderson just not as exciting as a coked-out Coach Snyder?
Or maybe, just maybe, SEMO is stealing the thunder with their 4-0 start in the Ohio Valley Conference.
____
And while we're talking about lack of excitement. It's tough to get anybody to care about the Blues, but there is reason for excitement within the organization. The guys at the helm are making gigantic strides forward and are apparently very serious when they talk about bringing Stanley Cup caliber hockey back to St. Louis.
The recent move to trade St. Louis favorite Dougie Weight for new Blue Andy McDonald was a life-size improvement to our offense. Plugging Micky D with exciting youngster Brad Boyes, aged and wise veteran Keith Tkachuck, and daunting superhero Paul Kariya is reason to clap.
Kudos to the Blues management for taking a risk in trading Weight and adding to a lineup that's already set to make a playoff push.
____
It's going to be a shame to miss the Christmas tournament this year. Obviously, it's one of the best times of the year for high school basketball. Congrats to the Notre Dame girls and to the tournament organizers, it sounds like the girls side of the show went extremely well.
Here's to hoping the boys version goes off with dramatic style, three-point ending flare, a Homer Drew genius call by Coach Scott to give Jackson a second round win, Dom Johnson-type crossovers, Jeffrey Beck sized three pointers, Tyler Cuba type defense, and one hell of a crowd showing.
It's Southeast Missouri's prime sporting showcase, no doubts about it. You'd be a darn fool to miss it.
Friday, December 21, 2007
I want cheese with my whine
Do you understand what's it like to compete with a guy who blogs on high school sport rivalries on a consistent basis? It's a lot like B.J. Armstrong hoping to get asked for an autograph when Michael Jordan is around. It's probably like Robin trying to get a date with Catwoman when Batman is flying around the room. It's impossible. Trying to blog about interesting subjects within the realm of Southeast Missouri Sports and not having high school athletics at your fingertips is like a police scanner report without an NBA player's name in it. It's not happening.
To be quite frank, you're hurting my feelings.
I try to be interesting. I could talk about the Mitchell Report but it seems the only time anybody cares to talk about the subject of steroids here is when I mention that Mark McGwire is a lying cheat who deserves his stats banished and his name mum in the Hall of Fame discussion.
Then all anybody does is hate on my opinion on McGwire and then go on to say that Barry Bonds rightfully deserves his own room in the depths of hell. To be frank, it's extremely hypocritical and I get sick of it.
I could talk about the ongoing discussion that's taking place concerning the T.O., Romeo, and Jessica Simpson debate. You know, when T.O. opened his mouth and jokingly referred to Simpson as a "distraction," saying "Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite – in this locker room or in Texas Stadium. With everything that has happened, obviously with the way Tony played and the comparison between her and Carrie Underwood, I think a lot of people feel she has taken his focus away. Other than that, she was high on my list until last week."
I mean, I'm a Jessica Simpson fan. But this isn't a nude, action movie scene website where you can look at alluring pictures of her. 
And..really...how long can sports fans actually talk about Jessica Simpson? Pretty soon they're going to start saying she looks like a horse and we'll go back to talking about Barry Bonds. 
Hey. Pay attention. Quit staring.
So what can I do? We traded Edmonds, I got nothing. I wrote a very compelling, and fairly controversial blog on the BCS and their screwing of certain college football teams. I even went so far as to refer to some men at the top, who are probably extremely nice gentlemen in many ways, as "power-driven, oil-drilling, multi-millionaire big money, greedy, power-tripping, unrealistic, slime-ball execs." I got one response.
Those are hot topics. And yet nobody seems to care.
The only thing I can think of is to talk about high school sports, and I'd hate to steal Mark's thunder. But I'm going to steal a little bit anyway, and only because I too want to weigh in on that Notre Dame and Sikeston game.
I just want to say a few things. I watched nearly every minute of that game on KFVS12's webcast. Not once, not one single time, did I see a negative confrontation between opposing players. NOT ONCE. Which makes me wonder, why is it that high school athletes are setting better examples than aged high school sports fans? Really, the tides have turned? We're now supposed to look towards our youth for a better example set? I saw a hell of a lot more maturity on that basketball court between the Sikeston and Notre Dame players than I'm seeing on Mark's blog response board.
But that's cool. I mean, maybe I'm the only one who thinks it's embarrassing to be talking about high school kids they way you're doing it.
Last but not least, will at least one of you give some props to Marc Bulger, who continues to get beat up worse than Robin Givens in a Mike Tyson reality T.V. show.
And I don't mean to belittle you. I appreciate the attention all of you have given our website, but I was just hoping that some of you might pick it up and start competiting with Jose and givemethat, who are trying hard to keep me in business.
To be quite frank, you're hurting my feelings.
I try to be interesting. I could talk about the Mitchell Report but it seems the only time anybody cares to talk about the subject of steroids here is when I mention that Mark McGwire is a lying cheat who deserves his stats banished and his name mum in the Hall of Fame discussion.
Then all anybody does is hate on my opinion on McGwire and then go on to say that Barry Bonds rightfully deserves his own room in the depths of hell. To be frank, it's extremely hypocritical and I get sick of it.
I could talk about the ongoing discussion that's taking place concerning the T.O., Romeo, and Jessica Simpson debate. You know, when T.O. opened his mouth and jokingly referred to Simpson as a "distraction," saying "Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite – in this locker room or in Texas Stadium. With everything that has happened, obviously with the way Tony played and the comparison between her and Carrie Underwood, I think a lot of people feel she has taken his focus away. Other than that, she was high on my list until last week."
I mean, I'm a Jessica Simpson fan. But this isn't a nude, action movie scene website where you can look at alluring pictures of her. 
And..really...how long can sports fans actually talk about Jessica Simpson? Pretty soon they're going to start saying she looks like a horse and we'll go back to talking about Barry Bonds. 
Hey. Pay attention. Quit staring.
So what can I do? We traded Edmonds, I got nothing. I wrote a very compelling, and fairly controversial blog on the BCS and their screwing of certain college football teams. I even went so far as to refer to some men at the top, who are probably extremely nice gentlemen in many ways, as "power-driven, oil-drilling, multi-millionaire big money, greedy, power-tripping, unrealistic, slime-ball execs." I got one response.
Those are hot topics. And yet nobody seems to care.
The only thing I can think of is to talk about high school sports, and I'd hate to steal Mark's thunder. But I'm going to steal a little bit anyway, and only because I too want to weigh in on that Notre Dame and Sikeston game.
I just want to say a few things. I watched nearly every minute of that game on KFVS12's webcast. Not once, not one single time, did I see a negative confrontation between opposing players. NOT ONCE. Which makes me wonder, why is it that high school athletes are setting better examples than aged high school sports fans? Really, the tides have turned? We're now supposed to look towards our youth for a better example set? I saw a hell of a lot more maturity on that basketball court between the Sikeston and Notre Dame players than I'm seeing on Mark's blog response board.
But that's cool. I mean, maybe I'm the only one who thinks it's embarrassing to be talking about high school kids they way you're doing it.
Last but not least, will at least one of you give some props to Marc Bulger, who continues to get beat up worse than Robin Givens in a Mike Tyson reality T.V. show.
And I don't mean to belittle you. I appreciate the attention all of you have given our website, but I was just hoping that some of you might pick it up and start competiting with Jose and givemethat, who are trying hard to keep me in business.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Debating the Edmonds Deal with the two guys on my shoulder
"When you look at Jim Edmonds' contribution to this organization over the last eight years, it really became clear when you look at what he's done for us, relative to what we were going to get back in something like this -- on the surface it doesn't make a lot of sense," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said on Saturday, following the announcement that Hall of Fame centerfielder Jim Edmonds had been dealt to San Diego, along with 1.5 million dollars, for a single A infielder named David Freese.
You're right, Mr. Mozeliak. It doesn't make much sense. And my initial reaction was to absolutely blast you in a very unforgiving manner. In fact, I went so far as to write an entire blog that made you out to be somebody with about as much sense as Jamaal Tinsley.
But then I did some research, right before posting, and maybe I am beginning to understand. Not sold yet, Mr. GM. You're not Walt Jocketty after all. BUT, maybe I see your side.
Here's a snipet of my original blog:
"Semosportsweb to the St. Louis Cardinals front office: What the hell is going on?
Ok, I can't speak for my fellow teammates here at the website, but I'll speak for myself when I ask that question. What the hell is going on at Busch Stadium these days? Is there something in the water? Is John Mozeliak eating to many ballpark franks?
Let me see if I can understand this. And you guys feel free to tell me if I'm wrong. The Cardinals couldn't afford to pay David Eckstein, who's a far-cry better than the sappy love story that's taking place with Cesar Izturis, four million dollars. But they can afford to throw away a Hall of Fame centerfielder AND TWO MILLION DOLLARS for a single A ballplayer? WHAT?
What would I have done? I think I would've kept Edmonds and the money and plugged it towards a one year deal with Eckstein, thereby avoiding the Izturis disaster that is bound to be as bad, if not far worse than the Junior Spivey signing.
-------
But now I'm rethinking this entire thing. Maybe this trade does make sense. In fact, maybe it makes a hell of a lot of sense. It doesn't forgive the Izturis thing, but nothing ever will. However, it might be the start of a positive movement for a Cardinals club that is clearly, CLEARLY, in a rebuilding stage.
The bottom line: it frees up some money. Ridding itself of Edmond's contract is obvi-ously the incentive here. It's not like it frees us up to bid on an over-the-hill, cheating, lying, and eroding Roger Clemens when he decides to pull his typical Alex Rodriguez publicity stunt shortly after spring training. But it does free up some room.
Since the club is already rebuilding, and we know that staff ace Chris Carpenter is likely to miss most of the season and we also know that Mark Mulder might just be the nightmare we've all feared, then why not plug your outfield with the guys that are going to be there two years from now. Now seems like as good of time as any to start this entire turnover.
Chris Duncan, Rick Ankiel, Colby Rasmus, Skip Schumaker, and Ryan Ludwick are all major league ready. Perhaps none of them are going to WOW us with spectacular over-the-wall catches the way Edmonds might, but there is no denying that the Cardinal youth movement is ignited with excitement.
So I'll forgive you, Mr. GM. And I won't spit fire yet. And I'll be patient with our toddlers. But you're walking a thin line. And had Edmonds himself not requested and ok'd this deal, then it might be a different story.
But we want to like you. We really do. Please make it easy on us. No more of this Izturis crap. You probably already know this but Cardinal Nation doesn't take it well when the favorite pieces of our puzzle are shipped out of town.
And if you piss Scott Rolen off again, I'm gonna come at you like a spider monkey.
Friday, December 14, 2007
All Steamed Out
I don't even care anymore. The magic has vanished. Baseball is ruined. Mizzou got stiffed. Miami will never beat Tom Brady. And in the past hour, I've retired from fantasy sports.
I'll try to explain my illness tomorrow evening.
Sorry about the lack of blogging lately. I've kind of been on a western swing tour and haven't been in town much. But I'm back and I've got some bashing to do.
We'll see you tomorrow.
By the way, props to KFVS12 on the webcast of tonight's Notre Dame-Sikeston game. They sported an extremely clear picture, nice camera work and gave me the opportunity to watch the 'dogs play the 'dogs at the dawg pound some 750 miles away. And it was a hell of a game to boot.
I'll try to explain my illness tomorrow evening.
Sorry about the lack of blogging lately. I've kind of been on a western swing tour and haven't been in town much. But I'm back and I've got some bashing to do.
We'll see you tomorrow.
By the way, props to KFVS12 on the webcast of tonight's Notre Dame-Sikeston game. They sported an extremely clear picture, nice camera work and gave me the opportunity to watch the 'dogs play the 'dogs at the dawg pound some 750 miles away. And it was a hell of a game to boot.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Hats off to OU: And down with this absolutely insane, no sense, money-driven, power hungry system.
While MU and OU where still playing second half pigskin, Ohio State was already drinking heavily in celebration. And the rest of us are shaking our heads wondering how in the hell the college football system has been able to destroy yet another great year in the NCAA.
Ohio State is in. They will be playing for a national championship. Jim Tressel is already looking at game film.
#1 Missouri couldn't pull off the upset against #9 Oklahoma, and now two-loss LSU will most likely jump Georgia and take the other spot in the national championship game. And every single big money, greedy, power-tripping, unrealistic, slime-ball exec in college football can sleep happy tonight. Crap on the little guys and put money in my pocket.
Here's what I don't understand. Neither Ohio State nor LSU, the two teams most likely playing for the National Championship, has a more impressive resume than the Tigers. Both of them lost late in the season, but both of them will get in because the system favors the big name schools. The USC's, the Ohio States, the Michigan's, and the LSU's all get special treatment because of the human side of the polls. Because the ratings will be up. Because Missouri, Kansas and Georgia don't put people in the seats.
Forget about the fact that there wasn't a more exciting team to watch this year in college football than the Tigers. Forget about the fact that Georgia is playing just as well, if not better, than anybody else in the nation right now. Neither team puts people in the seats.
And you can excuse the Georgia thing. They didn't even win their division within their conference. So I can excuse that.
And Kansas? C'mon. Let's be realistic. They don't belong in the national championship. I understand their only loss came to #3 Missouri, but they didn't play anybody. They beat Kansas State, who was ranked #24 at the time, but that was it. Great season, but not good enough.
But Missouri...I'll need an explanation that I'll never get. Because the second that clock hit 0:00 in tonight's game, every power-driven, oil-drilling, multi-millionaire at the head of the college football scheme immediately made a silent agreement to never talk about Missouri again.
Ladies and gentlemen...these people belong in a mental institute. They are absolutely crazy. We let people like this, people with no real drive outside of money and power, run so many aspects of this country. Including college football. You should not forgive them. You should not watch any college football on New Year's day. We are the only reason anything will change. We have to boycott. We have to riot. We may even have to burn cars.
Here's my question. Why can't a team like Missouri get in with two losses? They're strength of schedule is arguably better than both Ohio States and LSU's this season. They're losses are no different, one early and one late. Yet, the Tigers may not even make a BCS game with two losses. I'm not talking about a national championship. I'm talking about a BCS game. They most likely won't even be considered one of the best 8 teams in the country.
People, that ranks with the craziest things you've ever heard. That stuff is O.J. Simpson crazy.
The BIG 12 has four teams in the top 25. The only conference with more teams in the top 25 is the Southeastern conference, where LSU lives. In the Big Ten, where Ohio State resides, there are three.
So tell me. Why would Missouri not even get a look and Ohio State is a shoe-in. Both Missouri's losses came against Top 10 teams, Oklahoma both times. The first time, OU was #5. This time they're #9. Both times they were favored to win. #9 was favored to beat #1 tonight. WOW.
Ohio State lost to #15 Illinois and never beat a team ranked higher than #23. No team they beat is currently ranked in the top 25. Of course, you have to give them credit for not only beating, but whooping up on the likes of Youngstown State, Akron (4-8), and Washington (4-8).
LSU took it on the chin to Kentucky and Arkansas, neither of which are ranked in the top 25.
So there you have it. A team without a single "good" win and a team that lost two games to unranked opponents will get in over a Missouri squad that lost to a top ten team twice. It doesn't make any sense that LSU should be in over them. Absolutely no sense. Put Virginia Tech in. That's a big money school. But please...LSU and Ohio State?
One more time. Ohio State beat absolutely NOBODY. Not a single win against a top 25 team. And LSU lost TWICE to unranked opponents.
I just made it very clear and obvious...neither team deserves what they're going to get.
And it would be crazy to put Georgia in, the other option for the BCS, considering they didn't win their conference and their two losses came to #14 Tennessee and unranked South Carolina. If they get in and Missouri doesn't...I'll be livid. Absolutely tear-out-my-own-teeth pissed off. If any team in the nation should get in the national championship game without winning their conference, it's Missouri. At least we won our damn division.
Even despite me breaking all this down and pointing out how stupid it is...even now none of can grasp how stupid it is. You can go to bed tonight and lie awake for 8 hours trying to justify the news you're going to hear tomorrow evening when the selection show comes on, and you STILL wouldn't be able to come up with anything logical. After EIGHT hours.
I'm speechless. I feel like I live in a nation of idiots. I'm surrounded by people who don't know common sense from stupidity. Who don't know their left hand from their right hand. Surrounded by people who wake up in the morning and don't know how to tie their shoes. That's how stupid this is.
And I'm not talking about any of you guys. I'm sure after reading your comments, that every one with any sense is going to agree with me. And if you don't, you're a crazy person. Move to Columbus, Ohio and you'll fit right in. Buy a Buckeyes jersey, schedule a bunch of Class 1 high schools to play, sit on your ass the last two weeks of the season, and enjoy your national championship game. But be weary, the idiots down there are so ignorant to their own luck that they can't even put together a whole sentence. That's the truth, I'm listening to ESPN radio right now and people from Columbus are calling in and they're making about as much sense as Nick Saban.
My hats off to the Sooners. I don't hold any grudges against them. They were so much better than the Tigers tonight, it wasn't even funny. They won in the trenches, both of their lines were better than both of Missouri's. They were better coached and their schemes were better on both sides of the ball.
And congrats to Missouri for one hell of a season. They captivated an entire state. And sparked just as much media attention as the Cardinals did in their World Series run. They have nothing to be ashamed of and everything to look forward to.
And so do we as Missouri fans. The next ten years or so could be very exciting.
It's a crying shame however that the NCAA has allowed money to ruin a collegiate sport. The athletes don't get paid. They aren't living in multi-million dollar mansions in Malibu. No, they're sleeping in bunk beds and eating three hour old spaghetti and crusty, stale bread rolls in a dining hall somewhere. And yet, all their hard work and championship hopes are determined by money. Something these players have none of.
That's pretty sad. Do your part and boycott New Years day. And listen closely, you won't hear about Missouri again until they play their bowl game. And you'll barely hear about them then.
Pretty crazy, huh. Along with Virginia Tech and West Virginia, and maybe....MAYBE....USC, they are one of only those four teams that deserve a shot at the national title. And they won't even be talked about. Not a single peep.
Ohio State is in. They will be playing for a national championship. Jim Tressel is already looking at game film.
#1 Missouri couldn't pull off the upset against #9 Oklahoma, and now two-loss LSU will most likely jump Georgia and take the other spot in the national championship game. And every single big money, greedy, power-tripping, unrealistic, slime-ball exec in college football can sleep happy tonight. Crap on the little guys and put money in my pocket.
Here's what I don't understand. Neither Ohio State nor LSU, the two teams most likely playing for the National Championship, has a more impressive resume than the Tigers. Both of them lost late in the season, but both of them will get in because the system favors the big name schools. The USC's, the Ohio States, the Michigan's, and the LSU's all get special treatment because of the human side of the polls. Because the ratings will be up. Because Missouri, Kansas and Georgia don't put people in the seats.
Forget about the fact that there wasn't a more exciting team to watch this year in college football than the Tigers. Forget about the fact that Georgia is playing just as well, if not better, than anybody else in the nation right now. Neither team puts people in the seats.
And you can excuse the Georgia thing. They didn't even win their division within their conference. So I can excuse that.
And Kansas? C'mon. Let's be realistic. They don't belong in the national championship. I understand their only loss came to #3 Missouri, but they didn't play anybody. They beat Kansas State, who was ranked #24 at the time, but that was it. Great season, but not good enough.
But Missouri...I'll need an explanation that I'll never get. Because the second that clock hit 0:00 in tonight's game, every power-driven, oil-drilling, multi-millionaire at the head of the college football scheme immediately made a silent agreement to never talk about Missouri again.
Ladies and gentlemen...these people belong in a mental institute. They are absolutely crazy. We let people like this, people with no real drive outside of money and power, run so many aspects of this country. Including college football. You should not forgive them. You should not watch any college football on New Year's day. We are the only reason anything will change. We have to boycott. We have to riot. We may even have to burn cars.
Here's my question. Why can't a team like Missouri get in with two losses? They're strength of schedule is arguably better than both Ohio States and LSU's this season. They're losses are no different, one early and one late. Yet, the Tigers may not even make a BCS game with two losses. I'm not talking about a national championship. I'm talking about a BCS game. They most likely won't even be considered one of the best 8 teams in the country.
People, that ranks with the craziest things you've ever heard. That stuff is O.J. Simpson crazy.
The BIG 12 has four teams in the top 25. The only conference with more teams in the top 25 is the Southeastern conference, where LSU lives. In the Big Ten, where Ohio State resides, there are three.
So tell me. Why would Missouri not even get a look and Ohio State is a shoe-in. Both Missouri's losses came against Top 10 teams, Oklahoma both times. The first time, OU was #5. This time they're #9. Both times they were favored to win. #9 was favored to beat #1 tonight. WOW.
Ohio State lost to #15 Illinois and never beat a team ranked higher than #23. No team they beat is currently ranked in the top 25. Of course, you have to give them credit for not only beating, but whooping up on the likes of Youngstown State, Akron (4-8), and Washington (4-8).
LSU took it on the chin to Kentucky and Arkansas, neither of which are ranked in the top 25.
So there you have it. A team without a single "good" win and a team that lost two games to unranked opponents will get in over a Missouri squad that lost to a top ten team twice. It doesn't make any sense that LSU should be in over them. Absolutely no sense. Put Virginia Tech in. That's a big money school. But please...LSU and Ohio State?
One more time. Ohio State beat absolutely NOBODY. Not a single win against a top 25 team. And LSU lost TWICE to unranked opponents.
I just made it very clear and obvious...neither team deserves what they're going to get.
And it would be crazy to put Georgia in, the other option for the BCS, considering they didn't win their conference and their two losses came to #14 Tennessee and unranked South Carolina. If they get in and Missouri doesn't...I'll be livid. Absolutely tear-out-my-own-teeth pissed off. If any team in the nation should get in the national championship game without winning their conference, it's Missouri. At least we won our damn division.
Even despite me breaking all this down and pointing out how stupid it is...even now none of can grasp how stupid it is. You can go to bed tonight and lie awake for 8 hours trying to justify the news you're going to hear tomorrow evening when the selection show comes on, and you STILL wouldn't be able to come up with anything logical. After EIGHT hours.
I'm speechless. I feel like I live in a nation of idiots. I'm surrounded by people who don't know common sense from stupidity. Who don't know their left hand from their right hand. Surrounded by people who wake up in the morning and don't know how to tie their shoes. That's how stupid this is.
And I'm not talking about any of you guys. I'm sure after reading your comments, that every one with any sense is going to agree with me. And if you don't, you're a crazy person. Move to Columbus, Ohio and you'll fit right in. Buy a Buckeyes jersey, schedule a bunch of Class 1 high schools to play, sit on your ass the last two weeks of the season, and enjoy your national championship game. But be weary, the idiots down there are so ignorant to their own luck that they can't even put together a whole sentence. That's the truth, I'm listening to ESPN radio right now and people from Columbus are calling in and they're making about as much sense as Nick Saban.
My hats off to the Sooners. I don't hold any grudges against them. They were so much better than the Tigers tonight, it wasn't even funny. They won in the trenches, both of their lines were better than both of Missouri's. They were better coached and their schemes were better on both sides of the ball.
And congrats to Missouri for one hell of a season. They captivated an entire state. And sparked just as much media attention as the Cardinals did in their World Series run. They have nothing to be ashamed of and everything to look forward to.
And so do we as Missouri fans. The next ten years or so could be very exciting.
It's a crying shame however that the NCAA has allowed money to ruin a collegiate sport. The athletes don't get paid. They aren't living in multi-million dollar mansions in Malibu. No, they're sleeping in bunk beds and eating three hour old spaghetti and crusty, stale bread rolls in a dining hall somewhere. And yet, all their hard work and championship hopes are determined by money. Something these players have none of.
That's pretty sad. Do your part and boycott New Years day. And listen closely, you won't hear about Missouri again until they play their bowl game. And you'll barely hear about them then.
Pretty crazy, huh. Along with Virginia Tech and West Virginia, and maybe....MAYBE....USC, they are one of only those four teams that deserve a shot at the national title. And they won't even be talked about. Not a single peep.
Can I just say this one thing?
Les Miles is going to be the head coach in Ann Arbor next season. I don't really care what he says two hours before his SEC championship game. College football head coaches are straight-faced liars who typically have very little loyalty to their school.
Of course, there are those honest, humble, and loyal coaches such as Joe Paterno at Penn State. So I'm not lumping every coach into the "Nick Saban Web of Lies," but, all the same, it never surprises me to hear of a coach bolting from a previously great situation.
Miles has nothing to lose by staying at LSU. I'm not positive but I'm pretty sure there is less pressure at the helm of LSU than there is as a Wolverine. Michigan's season comes down to one thing: beating Ohio State. If you lose to Ohio State, you're a failure. Bottom line.
Do you want to know why Lloyd Carr "resigned" (was fired) from Michigan? Here's why:
During his 12 year tenure, he was 121-40. Michigan won or shared five Big Ten Titles, and in 1997 his team was the Associated Press' National Champion.
121-40? That's a pretty damn impressive resume. But what he couldn't do was beat the Buckeyes. And that's all that matters. Forget about the fact that he's maintained a national title contender for 12 years. That's nothing. Forget about the fact that he's won the Big Ten five times. And of course...screw winning a national championship. Why does that matter?
Oh...wait just one second. I forgot to mention that in his 12 year tenure he beat Ohio State six times, only one less victory than Ohio State had over him.
But...you know...what have you done for me lately? I guess.
If you're Les Miles, you're crazy for even thinking about going there. You're setting yourself up for failure. Major failure.
Nonetheless, look for Miles in Michigan black and gold by next week. And if I'm wrong and the speculation that LSU has already come to terms in a new deal with Miles than I'll eat my words and start crying about something else. But I don't buy into Miles little whining session this afternoon.
In all reality, I just had to complain about something in order to keep my head on straight during this MU-OU game. I could care less about Michigan or LSU. And Ohio State doesn't even exist in my mind.
Of course, there are those honest, humble, and loyal coaches such as Joe Paterno at Penn State. So I'm not lumping every coach into the "Nick Saban Web of Lies," but, all the same, it never surprises me to hear of a coach bolting from a previously great situation.
Miles has nothing to lose by staying at LSU. I'm not positive but I'm pretty sure there is less pressure at the helm of LSU than there is as a Wolverine. Michigan's season comes down to one thing: beating Ohio State. If you lose to Ohio State, you're a failure. Bottom line.
Do you want to know why Lloyd Carr "resigned" (was fired) from Michigan? Here's why:
During his 12 year tenure, he was 121-40. Michigan won or shared five Big Ten Titles, and in 1997 his team was the Associated Press' National Champion.
121-40? That's a pretty damn impressive resume. But what he couldn't do was beat the Buckeyes. And that's all that matters. Forget about the fact that he's maintained a national title contender for 12 years. That's nothing. Forget about the fact that he's won the Big Ten five times. And of course...screw winning a national championship. Why does that matter?
Oh...wait just one second. I forgot to mention that in his 12 year tenure he beat Ohio State six times, only one less victory than Ohio State had over him.
But...you know...what have you done for me lately? I guess.
If you're Les Miles, you're crazy for even thinking about going there. You're setting yourself up for failure. Major failure.
Nonetheless, look for Miles in Michigan black and gold by next week. And if I'm wrong and the speculation that LSU has already come to terms in a new deal with Miles than I'll eat my words and start crying about something else. But I don't buy into Miles little whining session this afternoon.
In all reality, I just had to complain about something in order to keep my head on straight during this MU-OU game. I could care less about Michigan or LSU. And Ohio State doesn't even exist in my mind.
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