Chico de Oro....Kurt Warner.

2009-02-02T11:32:00.003-06:00

Pittsburgh won, but, most importantly, Kurt Warner proved he's a baller. Not only did he quarterback one hell of a game, he also was the only person in football to receive the "NFL Man of the Year" Award before the game.

Set aside the fluke pick and miraculous runback at the end of the half, that was bonehead. And forget about the fumble late in the game, it was miracle he was actually making people think, there for a moment, that this game STILL was not over. Ageless wonder? Yep. Possible Hall of Fame quarterback? Yep. It is possible, fellas.

Was that the greatest Super Bowl ever? I wouldn't know because I was watching it on Yahoo's game channel in the only place in the Ophir house we could get a wireless internet connection, which might as well have been behind the fridge and under two blankets. So, technically, I wasn't even watching. I was eating canned chili and fritos and staring at a friend who wouldn't stop shooting his bebe gun at a string of empty beer cans.

If it wasn't for Kurt Warner playing in this one, I would have forgotten it was Super Bowl Sunday. That's how out of touch I am. Turns out, I probably missed the greatest Super Bowl ever played.

But could it really have beaten Patriots over Rams? Is Kurt Warner magical? Does everything he touch turn to gold?

Or am I just being obsessive about an old fart who's just about washed up?

A lesson in Manhood

2009-01-09T15:25:00.004-06:00

Nobody seemed to really dig on my Ryan Willen swine, did they? Cheap shot? Or the truth? With Ryan Willen, last year, Notre Dame was a better team. This year, without Ryan Willen, they are not. That's the truth.

Now the difference between the truth and a cheap shot? Well, an anonymous poster saying that I suck constitutes a cheap shot. Are we all clear on the two definitions?

Hm, the truth hurts sometimes. I understand your pain. Next year will I write that ND was better, post Michael Porter? Sure. If you'd like.

Find another team? Do you want me to start cheering for KU? What the hell? Bad play calling is bad play calling, there's no way around it. Fourth and one is no time to run a shotgun play and turn one yard into 8. Every once in a while, you know, to throw defenses off, that's fine with me. BUT EVERY SINGLE TIME? Bob Stoops laughs his ass off anytime he's playing Mizzou and they turn a third or fourth and short into a third or fourth and long. Seriously. I'll bet he laughs inside. I bet a bunch of coaches do. You guys keep talking about MU being an elite program, 30 wins in 3 years? There's teams all over the country that have done that. Mizzou can't win big games. They never have. Oklahoma makes them look like a bunch of whipped city boys in Sears buying their girlfriends' $50 panties. Year after year. After year. They're not elite. They're good. They win some ballgames. However, the coaching staff doesn't get them ready to play the big boys. And you have to beat the big boys, fellas.

And my blogs don't suck near as much as Christenson' play calling does. There's truth to that.

Grow up and be a man? How about some of you start taking a little responsibility of your own and signing your names on your posts. Until then, I don't see any room in the trash talking business for any of you. In the world of shit-talk, there are rules. Number one: You're not allowed to cower behind an anonymous name and bash someone from the comfort of your cubicle.

That's pretty much the only rule, but that IS a rule. I like reading all your post, but please don't make me put an "anonymous" block on the blog. That seems foolish to have to do. You are all adults right? My name is David Unterreiner. Next to my blog there's a briefing about me. You know who I am. You know where I'm from. You know where I live. And I don't even know your name. But yet, you tell me that I suck. That's balls.

It's good to see some Cape Central fans on the site. I could be wrong, but it seems they've come few and far between in the past. We're happy to have you. I miss the old ND-Cape Central rivalry. A little less talk back then, and a lot more action. Playing ball against those Cape boys was more fun than just about anything back then. A few of these current local rivalries could take a tip from that one. Damn right we didn't like each other. The players didn't like the players, the fans didn't like the fans, and the schools didn't like the schools. But you know what, nobody got on the Internet every single day behind an anonymous name and started bashing each other. Everything was bottled up and released on game day. The fans cheered hard, the players played hard, and everybody was trash talking everybody else. And then it was over. The game was over, the hard feelings were over. And we waited until next time.

Alright. Give it to me.

Shit-talkin' never gets old

2009-01-02T15:46:00.003-06:00

There's nothing like an angry Reddog from Sikeston to get me out of the woods and back to the computer. I figured somebody would start talking some shit sooner or later about me never writing, but I didn't assume it would be trash talk in regards to Sikeston and Notre Dame. I should've figured.

When Mark called and told me I had a post after two idle months I was a bit surprised. But it's good to know at least one guy out there still, for one reason or another, remembers me as a trash-talking blogger. I'm not sure where that reputation came from, but I guess I'll take it.

Cheers to Sikeston for puttin' a whoopin' on Notre Dame twice thus far this season. Perhaps the tide has changed. Sikeston seems to be the better team, post-Ryan Willen. I have no qualms about admitting that, in case homeboy thought I was going to try to defend Notre Dame and make sappy excuses about why the blue couldn't hang with the red, which I've never done. It's cool, though.

Mark speaks the truth in his response; I've been away from a computer for a couple months now. I must say it's been fantastic. The only local sports updates that I've heard of are the ones I get when I talk to the family, and I haven't had any time to blog about. I've completely lost touch with St. Louis sports scene, and my lone exposure to traditional sports in the last two months was Mizzou's bowl game last weekend, which was nice. It was good to see the Tigers get a win. It's obvious that, defensively, they're about as good as 11 rocks in a bag. You could pull 11 homeless guys off the streets and tell them you'll feed them for one night if they play defense for your football team, and they would've made the Tigers look bad. There are some bright spots at the linebacker position, but for the most part they were downright pathetic.

I was also happy to hear Dave Christenson will be moving on to be the head coach at Wyoming. Some may miss the guy, but his completely ignorant play-calling and his fear of making smart play calls on short yardage situations will certainly not be missed by this man. Farewell Dave.

It was a pleasure getting to watch Chase Daniel play these last four years. I wish his senior campaign would've played out better for him, but you can't win 'em all. Here's to hoping that he goes on to a successful professional career.

Between the Blues, the Rams, and the Cardinals these days there just isn't all that much to talk about. The Cardinals' front office has done an impressive job of making the media and some of the people in St. Louis think they're making major improvements to their ballclub. But that's a hoax. Kahlil Greene sucks. And Trever Miller isn't much to talk about either. The truth is simple: The front office needs to go out and sign or trade for an impact player.

I'm a complete advocate of using the farm system to its fullest capabilities and bringing up young talent through your organization, but the truth is that young players need quality, proven, talented veterans to learn from. These middle line guys that the Cardinals have been signing for the last five years now, who are kind of good but not really all that good ballplayers, just aren't going to cut it anymore. Go out and get another big bat or another ace starter and lets win some damn ballgames.

Alright. I'm outta here. It was fun writing again. Happy New Year.

What are Sports?

2008-10-31T16:32:00.003-05:00

It's been a while. The Phillies have won the series. Mizzou proved, once again, that they don't know how to prepare to play against a legitimate national title contendor. The NBA started. The NHL started. And the Rams won a game. All of this since the last time I've seen a computer. Scanning the last month's worth of stories from the St. Louis sport's web pages has been like sitting down to a tree full of wiffleballs on Christmas morning. Surprising, but pleasant.

*Who would've thought firing a football coach could cause such a drastic change in performance? Count me on the side that did. Bottom line is that Scott Linehan just couldn't get the job done. I wouldn't expect to see him on the sidelines as a head coach again...at any level.

*I was starting to give in to all of you Pinkel lovers. I was really starting to come around. He was proving to me that he could head up a load of talent on the turf and field a title contendor. And then Mizzou had two huge games in a row, and came out flatter than Kansas. Most people blame that on the coach.

*Philadelphia? Tampa? Who really cared?

*Carp is coming back and the Birds are going to sign Manny. Write it down.

I'm outty.

Smoot Reigns Supreme

2008-09-07T23:08:00.002-05:00

If you haven't checked out JBar's blog, "Watch Chris Cooley's Draft," then you should. It's hilarious. It's priceless watching Redskin players hating on Marion Barber and Reggie Bush. Sex boat party pioneer Freddy Smoot reigns classic comments, picking "Steve 'I'll beat you up' Smith", then he claims he doesn't even need Jon Kitna because he's got Tommy Brady...oops. He tells Jason Campbell's girlfriend she's going to regret picking Reggie Bush, then goes on to say Matt Ryan ain't nothing but a "pair of shoes." When Colt Brennan picks Lendale White, Chris Cooley claims it's a "gay pick," then he proceeds to say, "I'm not real happy with my options right now" immediately before he picks Campbell, his own quarterback.

Plus, there's dumb hot chicks in the video. And, apparently, after seeing the fetish we have with Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, etc, etc, etc, Americans love watching dumb hot chicks.

So...check it out.

Plus, he's better than you at fantasy football. So take his advice.

No Fun League set to Snap

2008-09-07T11:22:00.005-05:00

How weird is it to see a different quarterback wearing a Green Bay helmet? To me, it looks like Aaron Rodgers has no business in that color. Nonetheless, I'm rooting hard for him and I hope he does well. If anybody deserves a shot in this league, it's him. Not to many highly touted NFL players sit still for four years without making a peep. I think that says a lot about what kind of guy he is. Here's hoping Rodgers tears it up this year, and brings Green Bay back to the playoffs.

I was watching the pregame show on FOX and saw Keyshawn Johnson there. I got to thinking about the old man and I decided there has never been a player that has had so much success just from talking himself up. "Key" was a decent baller for a couple years but he was never as good as he made himself up to be. These days he's landed a gig on a pregame show where millions of people take his opinion about the sport seriously, all the while believing he was one of the game's best receivers. He ranks nowhere near the top of the game's best receivers and he said absolutely nothing smart on the pregame show. In fact, in the few minutes I listened to him, twice he stated, "I'll keep this short, I agree with Coach Dikta." Wow. Inspiring.

Along the bottom line, I noticed that they are now making fantasy "projections" for players. For example, Drew Brees is "projected" to throw for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against the Bucs today, according to Fox. Really? I wonder who the brain behind this is, and I'd like to meet the complete idiots that actually pay attention to that stuff. We can't predict the future, folks. Neither can Fox.

I'm glad young Matthew Leinart gets the pine to start the season. Maybe this will help him come to the realization that he's not that special. Kurt Warner was in his prime six years ago and he took advantage of it. Leinart should take this opportunity to watch and learn from Kurt. He should be buying Warner dinner and asking for secrets. This is an embarrassment for Leinart, who only three years ago was seemingly immortal. I hope the playboy learns his lesson.

Any guesses as to how the J.T. O'Sullivan and Mike Martz era is going to turn out?

There was a time when I thought Chad Johnson was a great thing for the NFL. He was a great receiver with a clever attitude. He had fun, but it was a good fun. It was fun for the fans, fun for the players, fun for the media. He wasn't like the Randy Moss and the Terrell Owens of old, making headlines for being ignorant and ornery. He was making headlines because he was simply enjoying the game of football. But I've lost all hope and all respect for the guy. Why can't making millions and millions of dollars, being one of the most known people in professional sports, and playing the game you love be enough? I'm over Chad, I hope he disappears. I wish he would've kept his promise and went and played in the Arena league, or Canada, or somewhere else. Somewhere where the media could give a rats ass about what his name is. You know you're a troubled soul when being Chad Johnson, future Hall of Fame wide reciever, isn't enough attention for you. He needs counseling, and a good ass kicking.

We should hire Ditka to do the deed.

Dear Miles, Swallow your...words?

2008-09-06T16:40:00.003-05:00

Now that the Old Indians are up I-70 and sitting underneath 60,000 people in the locker rooms of Faurot, I'm wondering if that bold prediction by Miles Edwards is starting to sit uncomfortably in his stomach. I would guess that his words are probably turning into loose stool somewhere down near his colon. But maybe I'm wrong, I guess. Maybe some of these SEMO boys are on to something, maybe they know something we don't know. Maybe MU is slightly worse than Southwest Baptist, and SEMO can pull this one out as well.

But, I doubt it. And not even anonymous' boy Dave Christensen turning fourth and ones into fourth and nines are going to save SEMO. This one is going to be sloppy, I don't care who's playing and who's not playing. The difference is simply size and speed.

The most interesting storyline with this entire scene is that the great people of Missouri have to either travel to their local Buffalo Wild Wings or pay Pay-Per-View$29.99 to see the contest. I'll spare the local television stations an ass chewing because I'm assuming there's a legal process involved that is prohibiting them from carrying the game. If that is so, then shame on the legal process. When a state has their Big 12 team amongst the nation's top ten football teams, they should be televised locally every single game. Somebody is at fault here. Although the game isn't going to be that great of game to watch, it's still a big deal. It's an event. SEMO and the black and gold are meeting for only the second time in history. Since Fox Sports Net is acting like a greedy, money loving big business, KFVS12 should have stepped in and fought 'till their last breathe to bring this game to the people of Cape Girardeau.

It's a crying shame. I come all the way home, and I can't even watch Missouri play Southeast Missouri. Pitiful. And obnoxious.

Hate to break it to you, Miles, but you're going to look like an idiot on this one. Go Tigers.

Weatherspoon Rings the Orange out of "Juice"..twice. And then Stinkel nearly blows everything.

2008-08-30T22:45:00.005-05:00

Sean Weatherspoon comes up with a HUGE interception, shows exceptional class by pretending to "ring the Juice" from the orange and in the meantime gives MU a much needed BIG MO boost.

Only to have our headcoaching genius in the form of Gary Pinkel come out throwing for the second possession in a row, using absolutely no time and completely burning up two possessions. In the process, Jeremy Maclin is taken to the locker room on a golf cart for X-Rays.

I don't know who is calling the plays for MU this season, but you can tell its going to be another frustrating year of shotgun plays on third and shorts. The defense has also failed to make numerous second half adjustments, the most glaring being the lack of safety coverage downfield. The defense has been burnt numerous times down the right side line because of lack of communication and blown coverage. I know it's early in the season, and these things will probably work themselves out, but when you're planning and talking like your going to be national title contenders, this type of crap needs to be worked out before your season opener.

And for all of you Pinkel fans who think I'm going to be easy on him this year just because he got outcoached twice last year by the same guy in critical games, give me a break. I'm not giving him a hall pass by any means. Once he shows me that he can put his ego aside and start running normal plays on third and short, and not depending on Maclin for every game breaking play...then we'll talk.

He's doing better, but it's because he's nailed his offseason recruiting. I don't really see any improvement in his coaching style. He's still an average head coach at best.

THIS JUST IN:
FOURTH AND ONE. 3:29 to go. Up by Ten. PINKEL CALLS A QUARTERBACK SNEAK FROM THE SHOTGUN. ON FOURTH AND ONE. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Nobody in the world pisses me off more than Pinkel. He's damn lucky Sean Weatherspoon is here to save his ass. It's a good thing he's able to get great natural talent on the field, because he sure as hell can't make good decisions on the sideline.

And save the "spread offense" argument. I don't care how the spread works, and I don't care if you're supposed to always be from the 'gun. This is how football works: on fourth and one, up by ten, with under five to go. You play from under center and you POUND THE PIGSKIN DOWN THEIR THROATS.

I should be coaching that football team.

Dig out your Black and Gold

2008-08-30T18:05:00.006-05:00

Alright all you sappy Pally's. I'm away for three weeks and people are bashing Mizzou over on Mark's blog. That's not right, folks, that's damn wrong. And exactly one hour and twenty four minutes before boot-off against the Fighting Illini, let me say this...those suckers in Orange don't stand a chance.

Illinois, along with Kansas, took home the biggest prize in the BCS season last year when they each got spots in bowl games for no apparent reason. It seemed that the idiots runnin' the show at BCS headquarters went dumb in crunch time again, and proved to the world they're no smarter than a sack of nickels. The Illini and Jayhawks are damn lucky the two darts hit their states instead of the Show-Me, and tonight Ron Zook and Juice Williams are going to pay for 8 months of Chase Daniel's agony.

It's probably a good thing I'm not partying in the parking lots of the Jone's Dome, because chances are good a couple of those good ole' boys from the other side of the river, all decked out in their hunter orange, would've crossed a line or two. I remember being at Union Station before this game all through college, and I have to say that Illinois fans are about the strangest fans I've ever seen. For never winning anything ever, they walk around like their God's gift to football, much the same way Tom Cruise thinks he's God's gift to the world. Neither of them are.

And as long as Gary Pinkel doesn't act the fool, Mizzou is going to paint that orange red and party all over The Ed tonight.

-----

*Well, one possession down and MU made Illinois' defense look like a bunch of dead inflatable dolls. You boys down in Cape Girardeau have to be asking yourselves what in the hell you got yourself into putting the Black and Gold on your schedule. That oughta be a complete blood bath.

*I have the privalege of watching tonight's game with two fellow MU graduates. It's a rare sighting finding two other alumn in this town. Cheers to the boys in black,
7-Zip.

*At the half...things are looking good for the Tigers. It did seem like Chase was having a little trouble there late in the first, and early in the second, but he's putting it all together now. First game nerves, maybe?

*Not sure about Illinois. Flashes of good football, but I'm not ready to give them any real credit. One hell of a catch by Will Judson, and a big ole boy who found something he never thought he'd find is about all I can say for them. There offense doesn't seem to be anything special yet, nor does their defense.

*Throw it up for JMAC.

*45-35. MU's defense seems to be a little lackadasical so far this half. We're making Juice look good.

*Does anybody think SEMO will stop Mizzou even once next week?

On This Eve

2008-07-12T12:40:00.001-05:00

On This Eve

When the field is perfect, and you’re pretty sure all the teams are showing up. When the hotdogs and the hamburgers are bought, the coolers are full of soda, and Howards is out of wiffleballs. When the bats are taped, handles gripped, and you can’t sleep because you keep thinking about the smell of the dew on the grass when you’re taking your warmup tosses from third to first. And the dirt on the basepad is perfect. You can’t sleep because, in your daydream of tomorrow your cleats feel sharp, the ball feels perfectly formed into the palm of your throwing hand, the sleeves on your shirt are cut to the exact specification of your best.

On this Eve, as the 14th annual Wackfest lingers, you can’t sleep because this is two pure days of nothing but bat and ball. You can’t sleep because this is the only time in the year you get to play three games in one day, in anything. You can’t sleep because three games means three chances for a game winning double into the rightfield gap. You can’t sleep because your thinking about three chances for a tie game all-out, balls-to-the-wall, parallel-to-the-earth, bone busting full speed diving catch to save three runs in the top of the last. You can’t sleep because this is three chances for a walkoff. This is three chances for the people to leave saying, “you just had to be there.”

On this Eve, whether you’re defending a title or chasing your first wiffleball championship, you can’t sleep because this is your big leagues. This is your show. This is your Braggin’ Rights game. Four on four. A white ball and a yellow bat. No gloves. No managers. No season tickets. No jersey sales. No umpires. Just the love of the game.

Your walkoff is one pitch away.

WACKFEST 2008

Mulder's little buddy!

2008-07-08T11:53:00.002-05:00

I just got off a three day raft trip with Mark Mulder's off season neighbor and good buddy. I found out this information after I made the comment that the Cardinals could pull a strong playoff push together if Carpenter got healthy and "Mulder got his head out of his ass."

It was a pleasant surprise when he told me he had talked to Mark the previous night. Oops. Once we became friends again, and I explained my frustration with the once upon a time "Cardinal ace," he gave me a little insight on Mulder.

Apparently, despite the huge contract and millions of dollars for doing nothing, Mulder actually IS frustrated with his slow progress. According to my source, he is getting closer, he has reassembled his delivery, and he's hitting the strike zone more often than not. But its been three days since they last talked and since I've seen anything concerning Mulder, so chances are good that there's been another setback, although I haven't seen anything in print that suggests that.

He did tell me that he and Mark played golf together the week before Spring training. That's pretty...fishy? Last time I checked you use your shoulders quite often in the sport of golf, and if Mulder swings a golf club like he's been throwing a baseball over the last three years, which is pretty much completely out of control, then I can't imagine golf being a good thing for Mulder. Especially when we're paying him millions of dollars.

Who's sick of Marky Mark?

Pushin for the playoffs.

2008-06-24T12:37:00.004-05:00

I started laughing my ass off yesterday when I heard that the Cubs had won 14 in a row. I'm not sure why, there is reason to believe that they're not a laughing matter these days. But still, how can you contain your smile when this is happening?

Remembering back to the days in Black and Gold in Columbia, it would be right about now that the Cubbie hats would start appearing by the dozen in every classroom. Only to be shamefully discarded to the back of the closet come "let-down" October.

True, Chicago will be tough to catch at this point. But with the Cardinals in the mix of the Wild Card show and three former aces looking to get comfy amidst our rotation within the coming months, I still have good feelings about this team finding its way into the postseason.

We need some hard bonding glue while Pujols is riding pine. But if we can keep it together for a while, Tony will get his backup platoon ready to ride. And we all know what happens when 83 win Cardinal teams get into the playoffs...

We pound the lead out of the Mets.

Still fightin'

2008-06-09T13:29:00.003-05:00

Ahhhhh, I finally got out of that damn state. Jamie wasn't lying when he posted my headline, I was certainly getting surly and looking for a Yankee to fight. And just as I thought I was homefree, just when I thought I was safe...I got on the plane and for our "viewing pleasure" United Airlines was nice enough to allow us to watch a televised program at no fee due to a delay in our flight. Um, the televised program was an interview with Derek Jeter on some local television station. It was Jeter and the guy interviewing him and about 513 sappy, sorry, good-for-nothing Yankee fans who idol Jeter as if they get to go to his skyrise in the Bronx when their time comes. Needless to say, I was pretty frustrated.

Then, I get to my hotel in Denver for the night and catch Sportscenter highlights for the first time this summer. And what do I see? Carlos Zambrano beating the hell out of a water cooler. Apparently this guy has won eight straight and has just been throwing lights out, then he gets rocked one game and he acts like a immature, irresponsible child on national television. Folks, that kind of behavior is not cool. And if you're a high school athlete, please realize that professionals that handle themselves this way are not really professionals. They're just rich ignorant assholes who are good at what they do, and, as a nation, we spoil them.

If you get your ass handed to you out there, tip your hat and go get 'em next time.

I'm out. I bet it's hot in the midwest, isn't it?

This Damn Yankee State

2008-06-04T07:48:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm porched up in Jersey in a studio high rise staring across the Hudson at the Big Apple. In town for a wedding, the plan was to swing up the Bronx last night and catch my favorite ballers Scotty Ballgame and David Eckstein stick it to the damn Yankees.

But it all hit the fan when Coach decided to throw Joba. And everybody in New York quit their jobs and just had to get a ticket to see this cat throw 62 pitches and allow four runs in less than three frames. Tickets jumped from $25 to $300 overnight and, just as quickly, my chances of seeing a game in the "House that Ruth Built" went up in smoke.

So instead, I sat in Connolly's, an Irish pub in Manhattan, and drank one $10 12-ounce bottle of Budweiser and said "enough's enough." I saw Rolen bring one in, threw my ten spot on the bartop, screamed "Go Cardinals" and got the hell out of there.

More than anything else, I wanted to go to Yankee stadium to see what all the hoopla was about with Yankee fans claiming to be the best in the world. It seemed to me, just from being in the city last night, they kind of just like to wear Mickey Mantle jerseys and cheer for the Yanks because its "cool, man." Because if you're going to spend $10 on a bottle of beer in Manhattan you better be cheering hard for somebody while you're drinking it. You heard me?

This place is weird, I'm not the first to say it. I'm a lot more comfortable walking around Busch Stadium where I know that a guy with a Carpenter jersey isn't going to beat the hell out of a guy with a Pujols get-up. I saw Mantle and Ruth come to near blows on the PATH train back to Jersey last night. I'm sure it was an ego thing. This town simply isn't big enough for the both of them, one of them needs to get punched and recognize he's just here for a short stay in the other's town.

Have you ever seen Musial and Dean in a fist fight below the arch? Doubtful.

Let's all go to Chicago and fight the Cub fans. Who's in?

Four and a Half Minutes

2008-05-27T16:25:00.002-05:00

Seriously. Here I go.

*It's time to toot the ND horn once again. Love to the old school, love for the blue doggie pride. Three trips to the tournament in a single year is impressive, taking two of them home is even more impressive, and hitting a .1000 at the big show is serious braggin' rights. There should be no trash talking here between schools, a big congratulations is in order across the board for the ND athletic program.

*I was on the train yesterday and somebody was talking to me about football. I told him that I was born and raised just south of the St. Louis area. He said, "Oh yea, I'm a huge Blues fan." Seriously guys, its ok if you don't know what your talking about when it comes to sports, but don't pretend to. And for those of you slow folks out there who didn't get it: we were talking football, the Blues are a hockey team.

*I'm glad Mark is on the NBA bandwagon, because I could care less.

I'm outta here.

DeWitt is Big League

2008-05-15T13:27:00.006-05:00

.478 in his last eight games. 11 rbi in his last seven, and 13 in his last ten. His overall batting average is up to .317. And he jacked his first career homerun on Monday night, then followed that up with another on Tuesday, albeit in unusual fashion. It was an inside job, stoic and sly, that capped a five run Dodger come back.

But it wasn't even legging out a four bagger that had Blake DeWitt giddy. His bases loaded two out, two run single in the third made a 4-1 Mets lead nearly vanish just as quick as Dodger fans are starting to forget about NO-MA.

Remember when Nomar came into the league? For the first couple years, he was big time. I mean, he was on par with A-Rod and Jeter for two years. He was being taken top ten in fantasy drafts. I don't care how many injuries he's had, it's still surprising to see a local Sikeston product stealing this once-upon-a-time Hall of Famers night gig.

And he's doing just that. On Monday, Dodger manager Joe Torre said the job was Nomar's when he got back, but only 24 hours later he doubled back on himself. "I don't have to make that decision now," said Torre.

But soon enough he will. And the DeWitt craze is coming. The Dodgers just added a Sikeston affiliate to their broadcasting scheme, and I would assume DeWitt jerseys are being printed somewhere. Maybe even in bulk.

I hope he's real. And it seems as though he is. Pitchers have had time to figure him out, they just can't break him.

My question: how do I get Dodgers baseball in Durango? I'm on the DeWitt Wagon. And if you want on too, you better hurry. Sign up here at dewittsportsweb.com. But do it quick, you'll be sleeping with the horses and the hay if you wait much longer.

You miss me

2008-04-30T17:47:00.002-05:00

Sorry guys, but I'm in and out again. I know its been a while since I've blogged and I'm here to tell you it's going to be a little longer. But soon enough.

And I'll make it special. Hope everyone is well.

Yep. The Tigers are back to their old, sucky ways.

2008-04-18T20:09:00.003-05:00

I owe ultimate thanks and shout-outs to my boy, Babe Ruth, who saved me the completely unnecessary hassle of explaining to the anonymous postman that he was being completely ignorant while talking about the Tigers being "back to their same ole ways." But I'm going to explain it anyway.

I'm not exactly sure what was going on with that response. But please, don't question my knowledge of baseball when you're being completely ignorant. If you have something smart and well thought-out to post, please do so. I appreciate those posts very much, even if they aren't parallel with my own opinions.

What I said in my last blog was absolutely true in every respect. The Cardinals are playing much better baseball than any of the "experts" suggested they would. Across the board, the big guns who "know" baseball were picking the Cardinals to finish below Chicago, Milwaukee, and Cincinnati. As of now, we lead the Cubs by a game, the Brewers by 1.5, and the Reds by four.

To have the gut to suggest that the Cardinals were supposed to be playing as well as they are AND to say that the Tigers "suck," then to ask when they became a dominant baseball team is, well....gutsy. And uninformed.

It was also said that the true "shocking" story of the baseball season thus far is the Kansas City Royals. Your Royals have lost five of their last eight. Which is anything but shocking. It's true, it was a nice, kosher cup-of-tea story while it lasted. But everybody and their uncle Tom knew it wasn't going to last. Which is why I didn't call their start "shocking." It was luck. The 'Birds continue to play well, and will continue to play well. They're young and enthusiastic. They have proven Big-Leaguers in both the field and on the mound. They have a Hall of Fame coach, and one of the best pitching skippers in the game. We have good fans, strong support, and smart baseball people at the helm. The Royals have none of the above. Mark Grudzielanek doesn't count. Alex Gordon isn't proven. Mark Teahan is probably the most known name on that roster, and he's never batted over .300, never hit more than 20 homeruns, and never drove in more than 70 runs. They have Brett Tomko. We had Brett Tomko in 2003, he was old and decrepit and useless then.

I'm not a baseball expert, by any means. And I don't get paid big bucks to be accurate when I talk baseball. Or any other sport, for that matter. But I promise that I do my best to not just talk out of my ass. When I say the Tigers are supposed to be good, they're supposed to be good. It's not like I said the Royals were supposed to be good, or the Pirates. What I said was that the Royals are playing the way a team with Gary Sheffield, Magglio Ordonez, Edgar Renteria, Placido Polanco, Ivan Rodriguez, Carlos Guillen, Miguel Cabrera, and Brandon Inge should be playing.

That's eight "could-be" All-Stars batting in that lineup right now. And when "should-be" All-Star Curtis Granderson gets back, they'll move "could-be" All-Star Inge to the bench. That's a good ballclub. I don't need big bucks to know that this team isn't back "to their old ways" and they sure as hell don't suck.

But hey, I love getting burly about baseball.

------

Here's a tidbit from Bryan Burwell in a recent column. The column concerns why we continue to talk about race in sports, and he uses many great examples. As many of you know, at least the ones who have been reading this blog since it's beginning, I'm not a big fan of Burwell. However, I think he made some great points in this column. I share this with you, because, in all honestly, who the hell doesn't respect Tyler Hansbrough:

"It's because Tyler Hansbrough — clearly fatigued by the intentional and unintentional insinuations that all his hustle and hard work cover up some glaring lack of athleticism — interrupted a questioner during the NCAA Tournament last month and asked him to talk to the opponents he outplays every night on his way to becoming national college basketball player of the year to see if they thought he was a good athlete."

Props to Hans.

Cardinals shocking the Baseball World.

2008-04-14T16:21:00.002-05:00

Is anybody else maybe possibly hopefully starting to get a little itch concerning the Cardinals possibly being the real deal?

Sure, there are still 150 games left. Big Papi is batting BINGO numbers. 0.7.8. The powerful Tigers look as bad as the Royals should be and the Royals, for a while anyway, looked as good as the Tigers should be. Nobody is really even paying attention to the Red Sox-Yankee series yet. The greatest closer, statistically, in the history of the game has two losses, one blown save, and an era over 7.00.

The season is still early. BUT, the Cardinals have exemplified many reasons to consider them more than bottom feeders. The offense is stroking, the starting pitching has done it's job pretty damn well so far (outside of the last two against the Candlestickers), and the bullpen is holding its own.

Mark Mulder seems to have shades of his old self so far in his rehab mission. Joel Pineiro was shaky in his first start, but I believe there's reasons to be optimistic about him. Chris Carpenter and Matt Clement, both prominent pitchers in their past, are still shelved. If the rotation can continue to string together quality starts, we can continue to buy time and resist the urgency to rush pitchers back into the rotation.

Who knows how long our pasty gluey puzzle of a rotation can hold up? And who knows how long this so-so lineup can continue to produce?

Nonetheless, the Cardinals are being talked about on the sports talk airwaves and the questions are all the same: "Will they continue this?" The answer across the board is a resounding "NO." But, in all honesty, the experts are hardly ever right. And that's the downright truth. Those guys rely on statistics that are drummed out of nowhere and make little sense, or at least have little relevance to baseball. They never rely on their gut, unless they're talking about the BoSox or Yanks.

But I'm telling you that my gut tells me we're the real deal. I didn't feel that way last year, I really didn't. The last time I felt that way was 2004, when we strung together a so-so ballclub that was so sub-par feeling that it featured Ray Lankford. On opening day, I looked at my buddy Jeff Fahrner and said "there's something special about this team." They ended up in the World Series.

Something different seems to happen when the odds are stacked against the Cardinals. Something special seems to happen when the odds are stacked against Tony LaRussa. Or at least when we have SOME legitimate talent.

This year's team has talent, it may be young but its ripe. And LaRussa knows how to manage a ballclub. I'm saying we've got something special here. And I wouldn't just throw that comment out there and risk my previously undiminished record when it comes to counting "special" Cardinal clubs.

Just watch. And listen and laugh as the experts stumble over their words the rest of the way.

A Whole Load of Ass-kissing

2008-04-04T20:01:00.006-05:00

Let me start by saying two things about the baseball season thus far.

The first involves bashing my favorite ignorant and half-stupid baseball columnist Jeff Passan who said these things about the Cardinals:

On the Cardinals accepted mediocrity for the season: "True enough, though the Cardinals seem stuck in that abyss of mediocrity that swallows so many teams. New GM John Mozeliak sees enough in the cupboard not to clear it out completely, and so Pujols delays the inevitable Tommy John surgery that will keep him out for a year to play with a team that will acquaint itself with mediocrity only under the most fortuitous of circumstances."

On Rico Washington's comment: "We’ve got great fans here in St. Louis.”
Passan: "Didn’t take long to brainwash him, either. Cardinals fans think highly of themselves because they clap for a strong throw or a well-executed sacrifice or hustle to prevent a double play. In reality, it’s their blind loyalty that’s most admirable, their willingness to pack stadiums even when the Cardinals stink."

And on the most storied tradition in all of sport's opening days: "Clompy the Clydesdale is complaining about hoof pain."

Jeff Passan can kiss my ass.

True, I've written numerous times about St. Louis fans being bandwagoners. But that's only because I've been around, I've seen how quickly St. Louis fans take Jason Isringhausen's pitching and took Scott Rolen's defense for granted. For fans that do know A LOT about baseball, it seemed ironic and stupid to me that fans were jumping ship on players so quickly.

But for Passan to say that we should stop attending ballgames at Busch Stadium in order for management to improve spending, and from there, our ballclub, ranks as one of the most ignorant things I've ever heard. Where does this guy get off talking about St. Louis fans this way?

He's from Kansas City. If I saw him in the streets tomorrow I'd ask him where low attendance and craphole fans has gotten his franchise the last 39 years. 23 losing seasons, and only one winning season in the last 12 years. That's where.

No thanks, Passan. We have no interest in sucking that bad. Keep your uneducated and completely ignorant thoughts to yourself. We here at the mighty semosportsweb.com would rather read "War and Peace" 415 times and look at a fat, naked J-Lo than have to read your crap and look at your picture.

And secondly, I'm already sick of hearing about Coors Light's new cans. When is Coors Brewing Company going to stop making better cans and start making better beer? It would be easy to sell your crappy product if it didn't taste like mud water. Forget about your trendy cans, and start making good beer. That's the key to your success.

And last but not least, the next time you're drinking real beer send out a toast to the St. Louis Cardinals puttin' it to all the baseball experts who think we're going to suck and be the worst team ever.

I momentarily regretted yelling violently at Steve Phillips as he sat on the field doing a postgame ditty following the Cardinals World Series victory. I was harsh enough towards the man that he actually took the time to acknowledge me with a head nod during a commercial break. And to be honest, I felt like I was giving St. Louis fans a bad name there for a minute. But after hearing all these guys continually give their nods to the coast teams with the big budgets and simply signing everybody else off so early in the season, without really studying the potential of these teams, especially the Cardinals...they can kiss my ass too.

Yes, I was actually rooting AGAINST Blake DeWitt. C'mon, dude. Are you serious?

2008-04-02T21:28:00.006-05:00

Well, I know that I'll have at least one pissed-off reader angered to hear that I was actually leaving the broadcast of one of the only Cardinal games I'll get to see all season in order to catch Blake DeWitt's at-bats for the Dodgers on Monday afternoon.

Back early from my river trip due to a few river problems, I was getting to enjoy one of the only Cardinal games I'll get to see via the television this season. The Cardinals playing the Rockies. They come few and far between. But, despite my alliance and obvious bias towards my alma mater Notre Dame, and, for some reason, the percieved notion that I hate all things Sikeston, it was me that was giving up my precious time with the St. Louis Redbirds to watch my supposed bitter rival Blake DeWitt take a couple swings at the big league level.

I must say, there has never been a more frustrating post for me to read on any of my blogs. I could care less where DeWitt's from. And I'm pretty sure most of my readers will agree that I've been anything but unfair when it comes to addressing the rivalry between Sikeston and Notre Dame. When I was in high school, it really wasn't a rivalry. We didn't get along with Cape Central, and we didn't really like Jackson. But Sikeston? Never have I had a hard feeling towards them. The most memorable night of my high school career took place in Sikeston, in fact.

Do you really think I wasn't proud to see a Southeast Missouri product playing at the big league level? Do you really think, after 6 years, that I haven't made peace with even the bitterest of my high school rivals at Cape Central? I seem to remember mentioning in a blog earlier this season that one of my favorite high school basketball memories was watching Jeff Beck drain three's against us every single time we played them. Do you know who was guarding him when he was hitting those bombs? Me. Do you have any idea how frustrating that was when I was the opponent playing against him? The one guarding him? I wanted to knock the kid out, I even remember losing my temper one game in his gym and fouling him on a three point attempt. There's no excuse for that. Coach Brian Brandtner about knocked me three rows deep for that move.

I can say without hesitation that if I ran into Jeff Beck today in the streets of Durango, I'd buy him three of the finest beers we brew in this town.

I'm over it, guys. And sorry to rant on all of you who don't deserve the rath. But for those of you who are stuck on calling this site NDSPORTSWEB.com. Move on. The reason you keep coming back is because we talk about Sikeston sports on this website more than any other website in the area. Bottom line.

This is a big deal. A local kid starting for the Los Angeles Dodgers on opening day? You've got to be a complete moron to not excited about that. I was on the edge of my seat watching DeWitt bat. And do who know who I was sitting with? Scott Wittenborn. If there's one guy in the history of Notre Dame that's going to have a problem with Blake DeWitt, it's Wittenborn. And do you know what he was doing? He was hardly letting me watch the Cardinals because he wanted to see DeWitt play defense as well. He was stoked.

Get off the horse. Notre Dame is not the devil. Us ND kids get just as excited as everybody else when we get to see a local kid make it to the big time.

And I'm probably one of the biggest Duke fans in this country, but every single ounce of blood in my body is Carolina blue this weekend because I'd love, absolutely LOVE, to see Tyler Hansbrough win a national championship. And then I'd like to see him come back next season and become North Carolina's all-time leading scorer. There's just simply no bad blood anymore concerning my high school rivals and myself.

And you should probably stay off Mark's case as well. Because you'd be digging yourself a deeper ditch if you called him out on this issue. The minute he heard that DeWitt was getting the start, he called both me and Jamie Hall and told us about it. He was just as excited as us.

Sorry it didn't get immediate blog attention. I was just getting back into town, and Mark was out of town. And then Jamie put it right on the front page.

Congratulations, Blake. Here's hoping the best for you and your future. We'll be paying attention to your every move. But forgive us if we're not blogging every step of the way. When you have one of the greatest Hall of Fame managers in the history of the game talking about you in the postgame press conference, we probably seem like small pees here at semosportsweb.

But we're paying attention. And we're rooting hard. And I'm sure the same goes for everybody in this area.

Doubtful, but Playoffs are a Possibility for the Cardinals

2008-03-22T20:54:00.004-05:00

From the few early-bird Cardinal comments, there seems to be little hope and less angst for the upcoming Cardinal season. Surprise, surprise. Don't forget that we won the World Series two seasons ago. And don't forget what the Rockies did last season with a young, energized lineup.

We've got our core, cornerstone ballplayer in Albert Pujols. And now we've surrounded him with kids who are ready to get their shot in the big leagues. That kind of energy can go a long way. With a group of youngsters out to prove themselves, expect infield ground balls to be run out, outfielders to be diving dirty, and a little more than just a little "spring in our step" as this season gets underway.

In all honesty, I think we the Redbirds could end up in the playoffs. We'd have to win the division, no doubt. The wild card is not a possibility. But c'mon, nobody can really be sure that the Cubs aren't going to screw everything up again this year. And from where the Reds and the Astro's sit, I'm not sure they're in much a better boat than St. Louis. You can forget about Pittsburgh. I think they're still a year or two away, they have neither the talented youngsters that the Cardinals have or the experience you need without the young guns.

The Brewers are where we're going to have to fight. They are obviously the clear-cut favorites in the division. But remember how bad they were in the final months of last season? Maybe they're a team that just got hot for a while last season, and then came back to play, poorly, within themselves. Maybe not.

They certainly have the talent to be great. But whether they can string it together or not is a different question, and we don't know the answer yet. So don't ink them in quite yet.

Houston has little to no offense, still. And the Reds are..well, the Reds. I would assume there's no need for me to go on a Cub-bashing rampage right now, we all know what to expect from them. Yes, on paper they may be the best team in the division. But, they are still the Chicago Cubs.

The Cardinals need to have a few things fall into place right away. First and foremost, Tony LaRussa has to put the haunting memory of last season and all of it's horrors behind him and get back to becoming a top tier skipper. Secondly, we need to have at least two pitchers step up in Carpenter's absence and throw shut-down ball. I wouldn't be surprised if this happens either. Reports out of Jupiter are that Mark Mulder is throwing pretty well. In his 30 pitch session today, he threw 16 of his last 18 pitches for strikes, broke a bat on a pop-up, and got a hitter to look silly chasing a ball that broke late into the dirt. All of these are good signs. If Matt Clement or Kyle Lohse can step up on a weekly basis, or if Braden Looper can throw like he did early last year...then all of a sudden we have the best pitching staff in the division. Easy. We know what we're getting from Wainwright, we just need a little help from the other guys. All we really need to do is stay healthy, and in the hunt, when the All-Star break hits. Soon after there is a chance we get a major retool with Carpenter .

If we can stay tight early, we can break late. Write that down.

*I'll be away for the next two weeks on a river trip. Enjoy your time without me. And we'll cheers again soon.

Going Old-School

2008-03-18T20:01:00.003-05:00

Well, that's pretty much why Mark and I always fight. He comes out to Colorado for a lesson in blogging, then he goes home and steals my idea about breaking down the winter sports season. There's nothing more I can say, he pretty much covered it.

It was a hell of a season, that's for sure. Between all the feuding and rivalries and between the games and taunting, it wasn't easy being a blogmaster on a Southeast Missouri Sports site. You guys are ruthless.

Trying to figure out what crosses the line and what toes the line was tough. And it seemed it was always one of the two, never did I feel like I, or many of the responses I received were safe bets or sure things. If I said one thing, I was an ND homer. If I said another thing, then I wasn't being fair to my alum. The same went for you guys. Sikeston fans couldn't say anything to please ND fans, and ND fans couldn't say anything to please anybody. And so the world turns.

It's fun, isn't it? For the most part, I must admit, that I'm proud of this blog and the responses that I got. For the most part, everything was clean and the cheap shots were kept to a minimum. For the most part, everybody was nothing more than excited to talk about high school hoops. And, for the most part, that's a good thing.

I hope we didn't put to much pressure on the athletes, or to much strain on any parents who read these blogs and might see something about their child that causes them to lose sleep. If so, that certainly wasn't the idea behind my blogs.

The main SEMO interest is basketball, obviously. And that's over. But there is plenty more high school sports to come in the next few months, as well as many more great high school athletes to watch. So don't put the creative thoughts away yet.

It's a little more tough for me to follow these SEMO spring sports from Colorado, simply because they don't get as much play on the Internet as basketball does. And the Internet is pretty much all I've got. And I don't even have that.

So I'll probably be getting back to the old-school goods. "Two Minutes of Fun" and "The Grind" are on the list. Basically, it seems I'll be going back to just throwing out names of old athletes that we'd all love to see perform one more time. I'll let the local kid get back to covering the local sports. And all of his fans can go back to his blog, and my loyals can stick with me through another painful lag in time.

Why does nobody want to talk about the Cardinals anymore? Unless, of course, I go on blasting Mark McGwire for being no better than Roger Clemens. Then I get your interest, or at least a few of you. But that's old news, and I don't even believe that anyway. Roger is by far the worst thing to hit baseball since...the strike, I guess.

All said, this is the busy season for me out here in Colorado. I'm out of town a lot, sometimes for weeks at a time. I won't forget about you, don't forget about me. And stay on me, tell me how lazy I'm being on my blogs when I haven't posted in a while.

I will say, I've never had so much fun writing than I did these last few months. I enjoyed every single one of your comments, (yes, I read them) and I hope they continue.

Cheers to the spring. Baseball season, baby.

Thoughts as they Occur on ND-SCW

2008-03-08T14:21:00.013-06:00

Well. We're about set to tip it up for the State Championship. I'm following the gig live on MSHSAA's website. They've put together a pretty good webcast here. I'll be trying my best to stay with it as we go. Feel free to add thoughts if anyone is out there.

A big, bold prediction by Young Son Kramer, if the claims are true. We'll see how it goes. But when high school athletes start predicting victories in state championship games, you get the feeling the kid has got a little bigger head than his shoulders are built for. And I wonder if that will be his demise.

Stay tuned.

----

Absolutely rousing rendition of our National Anthem by Mary Bauer. Good work, Mary!

*Notre Dame 9-7: I can tell you right now that its a hell of a lot harder to sit here and watch your brother from 1200 miles away then it is to just get phone calls every quarter. You can stop thinking about it for a few minutes when you're not watching, but it's pretty much tight butt-cheeks the whole way when you're watching.

So far, so good. Soderberg started with two quick turnovers and a missed three point attempt, but got back on track with a long bomb to tie the score at 7.

*That Mauer? kid from SCW is shooting 50% from the floor, and 52% from the arc this season. It seems like these guys can shoot the ball a little bit. So far they've nailed three from downtown, but have taken 8 attempts. I expect the same gunslinging attitude the rest of the way. They can't beat ND in the paint. That much is obvious.

*End of first. ND 19, SCW 18. A couple thoughts. Willen, Williams, and Himmelberg slinging back to back to back threes was huge. ND finishes the quarter 3-4 from downtwon. SCW finished 4-7 from downtown, or so they say. But I think I've seen at least 8, and possibly nine three point attempts from SCW.

Soderberg finishes the quarter with nine points. His pregame guarantee aside, I must say that I'm already sick of seeing him limping around when he doesn't have the ball and then taking it to the hole like he's got four good wheels when he does have it. I don't doubt he's in pain, but spare me the details, kid.

*22-22, 2:54 to go in the 2nd quarter: In the first couple minutes of the quarter, ND got away from going inside and they couldn't convert. No need for lazy passes either, not at this stage. And I've seen a couple made on ND's side.

ND will have to clean up better on the defensive boards. SCW is too good of a perimeter team to get second chances.

SCW is scary. They won't go away. And I doubt ND will either. But SCW has some guards that certainly look like they aren't afraid to step up and make big shots. So I expect some of that down the stretch of this game, as ND keeps picking away inside. Be ready for a nail-biting finish, this one is going to be barn-burner.

*28-28. Halftime. Logan Glueck had a big play off the bench, out of the timeout. He grabbed a rebound on a missed Willen shot, made the lay-in and drew the foul. Good hustle off the bench, a little spark for ND.

Unofficially, we had 8 ties and 8 lead changes in the first half with the biggest lead being a ND three point advantage. Soderberg finished with 12. Willen had 16.

The disputed call about Soderberg's three point attempt was the right call. Soderberg did attempt to get a shot off, but that idea came to him long after contact was made. It was a scary play, though. Especially seing it on replay. I'm glad both kids are ok.

MSHSAA is doing a damn good job with this broadcast. The video isn't as clear as KFVS12's webcast, but the play-by-play is tremendous and they're using FSN headers and footers, and stat bars. It looks a lot like a collegiate game because of it. Not to mention, both of these teams were playing collegiate style basketball in the first quarter. Both teams were extremely patient when they needed to be, and both teams pushed the ball when they needed to. The second quarter wasn't near as pretty. I have to say that ND is the team that looks to be a little nervous. Some unnecessary turnovers are taking place, and that's what allowing SCW to stay in it.

Watch for the drive and kick-out that SCW is making look very good. One guard to the other. So far, ND doesn't have an answer to it and it could bite them in the end. They need to be a little quicker.

*ND 39-32. End of third. Willen touched the ball 5 of 9 trips down the floor for ND (last second shot wasn't counted). But only two of those touches were in the post. And he stepped up, took a big risk, but got the charge call on Soderberg.

They did it without him that quarter. But he'll have to answer Soderberg's attempt to take this game over. You can see it in Kramer's eyes all the way from here, he's going to be trying to some stuff here in the last quarter.

*Man I'm nervous as hell. Pacing like crazy. I'm not sure that I like the stall method. Let's play some basketball and keep our momentum.

*Well, hale. It worked. Way to go Bulldogs. Man oh man, I remember just four years ago a boys basketball state championship at ND was unheard of. It wasn't even worth thinking about. Now it's reality.

Good defense got it done, and efficient offense. Willen ended up with 19. Greer had 12. Williams 7, Himmelberg 5, Unterreiner 3, Logan Glueck 2. Only three players scored for SCW. They ended up 6-21 from behind the arc, missing their last 13 attempts. Some of them were a bit crazy, a little early. ND never stopped playing smart, that was the difference.

Twenty years since the last one. 573 wins now Paul Hale. Kudos to him. Great coach and I know those kids love playing for him.

Way to Go Bulldogs!

Webcast Quote of the Night: Announcers were talking about the numerous state championships that most of those ND kids have won, then they said: "And they're all great football players as well. You can just tell, all of them are strong and well-built. Not only do they have great soccer and basketball teams, but they have an excellent football team as well."

Tippin Hats to ND

2008-03-07T22:45:00.003-06:00

I didn't get to see it due to prior obligations, but from the quarterly cell-phone updates I was getting I'd imagine tension was tight at the former Page Laurie Arena.

Apparently a Lincoln-Prep stud caught fire in the first half, draining five three pointers and keeping the game in-check. I would imagine that a combination of brutal defense and pounding away in the paint by the Bulldogs eventually wore Lincoln down.

I'll be in front of the computer tomorrow for the 'Ship. It seems that I keep hearing two completely different accounts about this St. Charles West team. Some people say there's no way they can be beat, and other's say they seem beatable. Obviously, they aren't immortal. Winning their final two games on a buzzer-beater and an overtime rally. Word is their a little short, with good guard play.

I hope this match is everything it's hyped up to be. It could be a high school championship of epic thrill. It's my hope that everyone in Columbia tomorrow gets to see one hell of a basketball game. It's too bad it has to be played at Mizzou Arena, a place tainted by bad basketball and thug life. Not to mention, it resembles, in no way, a high school basketball atmosphere.

I know. I know. It's good for the kids. But imagine a state championship being played in a little high school gym? The crowd should be a factor at this stage. The students are the sixth man. Why not create a Notre Dame-Sikeston atmosphere for the biggest game of the year?

Maybe something to think about. Dream about it. Dream about being able to sit close and being involved in the game rather than sit 311 feet away, needing every bit of your eye glasses to see your favorite player.

Good luck to the 'Dogs. Get some, baby.

Notre Dame's the Real Deal

2008-03-01T20:46:00.004-06:00

From a long way away, tuning in through KFVS12, it seems Notre Dame is damn near unbeatable. I've heard all about this St. Charles West team, and I believe that they're good. But you'd be hard-pressed to convince me they're a better team than Notre Dame.

In my honest opinion, and remember that I haven't seen them play LIVE this entire season, anything besides a Notre Dame state championship would be a surprise. As a team, as an entire team, they look pretty tough. This defense simply breaks teams down, disects the internal, and then goes to work on what's left.

And that's obvious from exactly 1,251 miles away. I can't imagine what it looks like from 30 feet.

I was hit by a response on my blog about not needing to be afraid to give a thumbs up to my alum: well, here it is...

ND, you're the ****.

You get the point.

You put it to Sikeston. You embarrassed DeSoto. And now you've made St. Clair look like they didn't belong anywhere but the bottom of a district bracket. You're good. You've got your stuff together.

All there is now is not buckling under the pressure. I've seen a few high school games in my short-lived days, and you're one of the best teams I've seen play. Nobody stands in your way.

Handle the ball. Stay calm. D up. And get some rings.

A Step Back to St. Louiey

2008-03-01T00:08:00.002-06:00

It's been a while since we've walked the pavements of St. Louis. In the midst of the busy, bustling high school hoops season, it seems nobody really cares to talk about the sports scene up I-55 for the time being.

The Cardinals and Rams each had terrible seasons. And the Blues are no sure thing for a playoff slot, needing to make up only six points but having to jump four teams. So, we have little to talk about.

But today's news that Sir Issac Bruce would no longer be wearing the horns, and instead moving across the division to reunite with former Rams coach Mike Martz, was the St. Louis wake-up call that I needed.

From what I can tell, the Rams are in a complete re-boost of their organization. According the St. Louis Post Dispatch's Jeff Gordon, it wouldn't be a surprise if a third of the Rams roster is different next year. The organization has been penny pinching in all corners of the couch in hopes to land at least one impact defensive player off the free agent list. A number two spot in the draft allows for trading possibilities, or just a really damn good pick. Although, it seems St. Louis can't hit the nail on the head with their first round picks.

Also, Trent Green may be coming back to St. Louis as a backup quarterback option. I'm sure he's anxious at the chance to play football for a real team again, instead of the hell-hole they call Chiefs football.

As for the Cardinals. Hasta la vista to Cardinal favorite Scotty Spiezo. It was a nice run, what with the red facial hair and all, but you can only screw up so many times. And there's no need to dumb this situation down at all. I feel bad for Speezy, but the Cardinals did the right thing in cutting ties. I get the feeling that drinking and driving will not be tolerated within the organization any longer. Unless, of course, it's Albert Pujols or Chris Carpenter or former steroid user Juan Gonzalez.

But, in all honesty, how long were the Cardinals planning on milking the late-career success of Scott Spiezo? He was great in our World Series run, and he's been clutch many times over the last two seasons, but enough is enough. Not even Bo Hart was good forever.

Lid on the Bucket: A few thoughts about ND-Sikeston

2008-02-23T19:22:00.003-06:00

It's always every one's fear, will there or will there not be a lid on the bucket when your team comes to play? From what I could tell from a computer desk 700 miles away, Sikeston brought a lid with them.

Shots just didn't seem to fall for the red Dog's tonight. Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes the bar eats you. It's a shame, I was hoping for a better game. A nail biter that came down to the wire. But, in the end, the blue and white got the best of the district. And my hat's off to Notre Dame.

There was no doubt that both teams deserved to be there. Sikeston not being able to muster the points tonight certainly doesn't make them a poor, undeserving team. They belonged there. My hat is off to Sikeston as well. This was my first time getting to see them play a full game, and as far as I'm concerned, all the trash-talking from Sikeston fans was legitimate. The red Bulldogs put a quality team on the floor this season, and made a noble effort come tournament time. Sometimes the ball just doesn't go down.

And I'm a believer. Michael Porter is one hell of a basketball player. He handles himself very well out there, and it was a pleasure getting to see him play.

As for Notre Dame, the task continues. There is work to be done. It's time to represent the district and the region as they continue to play on. I know that most people think the winner of tonight's game has a pretty good shot at being in Columbia in a few weeks. But it's tournament time, and this is where upsets love to live. So be careful, Notre Dame. Don't be on that high horse just yet.

Keep working. And make the region proud.

*Kudos to KFVS12 on another great Webcast product.

It's Snowing Here As Well

2008-02-22T18:32:00.003-06:00

Getting hosed by the weather, huh? All those pretty face-painted boys and girls who were ready to throw down against the other Dogs tonight are going to have to wait 24more hours, huh?

Can you handle it? Are you munching on all the snacks around the house? Are you staying up late, watching Jay Leno and laughing even though nothing is funny? I'm not talking about the players, or the coaches, or the parents. I'm talking about the bloggers who have consistently been at it on this web site for over a month now. Is the wait killing you?

How does it feel to know that within 24 hours you'll either be rejoicing in triumph or trying quickly to come up with excuses for your previous posts?

I'll be tuned in tomorrow night on the KFVS webcast. I'll do my best to dish out some thoughts as they go for any of you chumps that missed out on a ticket and want someone to talk to during the game.

Get ready. I hear this is the biggest and most hyped high school game in Southeast Missouri in many a year. May the best Dogs win.

Fortunately, Banter doesn't decide No.1

2008-02-08T19:31:00.000-06:00

So South Iron failed in their quest to become No.1 in our hoops poll. Nobody can decide who should be ranked above everyone else. Area fans apparently thought I was joking when I said I found a girl that could beat Porter and Willen. Scott County is ranked three spots ahead of Bell City, despite two less wins and a loss to the Cubs. Nobody seems to care about that injustice. And everything seems to boil down to Feb. 22 when the Dogs in red meet the Dogs in blue.

And for Christ's sake, let's hope that everybody is healthy so we can stop listening to the cheapskate excuses about Ryan Willen and Austin Greer being hurt, or about Sikeston having bad shooting games and missing their three point threat. It's all crap. Each team fields five players every single game, you win or lose with those five. That's your team for that night. If you can't beat the other team, then you lose. It doesn't matter whether you think you were the better team that particular night, because you weren't. You lost. Plain and simple.

The better TEAM is the team that can adjust when things aren't going their way. The best TEAM is the group of kids that can come together without their star player. Willen and Porter might be the best players in the area, but that doesn't mean their team is the best team. Until Notre Dame proves it can win big games with or without Willen, it can't claim to be a great TEAM. Until Sikeston proves it can find ways to win despite having a bad shooting night, it can't claim to be a great TEAM.

Once the class sizes are aligned and there's no clear advantage due to school size and talent pools, similar to the situation with Notre Dame and Sikeston, the best team in the region is the team that figures out how to win with the five guys their coach has on the floor. There's nothing more to it.

If you can't win without Willen, then maybe you're just four guys relying on someone else. If you can't find a way to win while shooting poorly, then maybe all you are is a team with one attribute, lacking many others. Neither one of those characteristics goes far in my book when it comes to distinguishing the best from the better.

So the verbal shots and lame-ass excuses aside, there's only twelve guys at a time on Feb. 22 that will decide who's the better team for the time being. Ten ballers and two coaches. So yap it up all you want, but when SEMO high school hoops hits the big time on Feb. 22...your banter doesn't mean jack.

High school hoopers take note: MU hoops is becoming a terrible example

2008-02-01T20:11:00.000-06:00

There is little doubt that the University of Missouri's hoops program is STILL in shambles. Unable to recover from the all-too-memorable Quin Synder era, the Tigers are in the headlines yet again for the wrong reasons.

This list of MU mishaps is getting long, too long. Colorado football is no longer the laughingstock of shambled programs in the Big 12. Missouri basketball is.

It's too early to turn the cold shoulder to Mike Anderson. In all fairness, he hasn't been given a long enough shot to shoulder all the blame for this team. A lot of the problem still lies in the shadow of Coach Q, many of the players involved in the fight last weekend outside Club Athena were Coach Q's boys. And Anderson deserves a round of applause for the disciplinary actions he took this week.

But at some point, and hopefully sooner rather than later, somebody needs to step up and make this stop. Whether it be the president, the athletic director, or the head coach taking charge, it needs to happen. This program needs a new direction. A positive direction. If Q's old players are going to continue to act like thugs and hooligans in the streets of Columbia, then drop their scholarships, kick them off the team, and start the hell over.

Bottom line.

Send the message to the new recruits that this is a program following the football teams' direction. This is a program in rebuilding mode, and it won't take much, but it can't stand for selfish, egotistic BS off the court.

It's hard to say whether or not those guys were just coming to the aid of a friend in need. In all fairness, I won't rule it out. Maybe it was legitimate. But I doubt it. I've been around that campus long enough to know that those players are worshipped. Students bow and pray at their feet. Girls fling their panties at them.

If they can't handle being bullied around by one or two drunk guys at a bar, if they can't just turn the other cheek and move away from the bad man making faces and turn toward the 98% of the bar that thinks they're god ... if they can't handle themselves, then they should be punished.

You're not going to convince me that Hannah was in a situation where he couldn't have walked away. I wasn't there, but I'd be willing to bet that this is an issue of somebody stepping on the little man's pride. And the little man just couldn't handle people laughing at him.

When you're getting a free ride to a Big 12 school to play basketball, you don't need to prove your worth. We know you're a stud. Walk away. Or fight ... and have your name involved with negative commentary all across the country. Your choice.

And high school hoopers take note: You're on the basketball team, which automatically makes you one of the coolest kids in the school. Don't blow it because some punk is jealous.

Uh-oh. I know a Girl that's better than You.

2008-01-26T21:48:00.000-06:00

Southeast Missouri is a place for high school hype. Much, much more hype than there is in this little southwestern corner of Colorado. And SEMO has seen it's fair share of excellent female hoop talent in the high school field. But I found a chick that might just be able to take all of you high school boy hoopers to the cleaners. And to make it even better, she's cuter than all your girlfriends...combined.

I won't indulge her name, just to save face. In the current world of technology, you guys would be facebook'n her the minute you're done reading this. You'd be demanding her email address and trying to set up a one-on-one in your driveway. And ten minutes after she dropped the first bucket on you, you'd be trying to figure out where you lost your jock strap.

She's not big, you won't hear of any chicks in future Women's NCAA tournaments from Southwest Colorado. But just because she won't be a DI star, doesn't mean she couldn't put Ryan Willen on the pine. She's got an Old-School Tim Hardaway one-handed crossover, and she comes equipped with Jason Williams style passing. She's got flare.

If some of you high school boys saw her play, every one of you would be saying: "Oh, hell no. I could take her." But you'd be thinking about that one-on-one at night before you go to bed. And your top ten list of excuses, just in case you couldn't hack it, would be perfected long before you laced them up.

It's too bad she's not a local, it would be fun to set some games games up. But feel free to travel west, boys. Ashley Millham once traveled all the way to Durango to get her ass kicked by me at the local rec center. You could come the distance to get a sore butt too, if you feel so inclined.

Ryan Willen first. Michael Porter next. And then any of you other hoopers that want your shot. Line up.

*Remember Mark's blog on this topic?

Two Minutes of Fun

2008-01-23T16:10:00.000-06:00

Where are the Jackson folks? I never hear from you guys. Do you really think you can beat Charleston? Are you losing sleep thinking about it? With number one on the line, and with SEMO's recent skid into the losing column, this game takes center stage in the area. Coming off a huge win at home against old-school numero uno Sikeston, and with South Iron breathing down your neck like a nagging girlfriend, the pressure is on. And if you don't think this is a big opportunity for Coach Scott to heave a laugh into his critics face (which are abundant on this website), then you're off your rocker crazy. The boys in red and black have beat Notre Dame and Sikeston in the past couple of weeks and now have a shot to knock off Charleston, not as feared as they once were, but Charleston nonetheless. And getting back to South Iron, are you really ready to relinquish the throne to a small school? Or does it stay in Jackson?

IS IT SAFE TO SAY:
*Archbishop Raymond Burke needs to step back for a minute and ponder his actions as Archbishop? I don't believe his job is to publicly criticize basketball coaches on their political beliefs. Let the man go, it's not your job to bark at him. I think there are few other problems existing in your area that should be addressed first and foremost. When everybody has a home and everybody is well fed in the St. Louis area and the crime rate isn't one of the worst in the countries, then maybe you can start your media campaign. But until then, your job is promote love.

*A five game losing streak isn't going to help the Blue's media campaign?
*Eli may be the next Peyton? One interception in his last four is looking awful Brady-like.
*Watching the playoffs from the couch might inspire the Ram's offensive line to quit being pansies and start playing football?

I hate to say it, but the Patriots win this one by 21. Enjoy your chips and salsa though.

And Jackson, SOUTH IRON IS BREATHING DOWN YOUR NECK.

SEMO-Murray takes Big Stage

2008-01-18T20:35:00.000-06:00

Not 24 hours after my anti-Sports TV rant, I notice that SEMO and Murray State take center stage on ESPN2 at 1 p.m. next Saturday. Now that's tempting.

And won't it make a few loyal readers happy to know that now I sit here, such a short time later, and ponder whether or not I go back on my daring dialect of the night prior and get my back of chips and soda ready?

If I do, then I open myself up for the violent "hypocrite" chants. And, being that I'm already known as a bandwagon fan who doesn't like sports, I'd hate to have the hypocrite title on my watch as well. It wouldn't look good for me and could cast a shadow on my blossoming blogging career.

I've yet to see Semo play this season. The prospect is tempting. It's not like I renounced all my possessions and moved to Nepal, you know? All I said is that I don't miss watching sports on TV. I suggested walking around the woods as a substitute. So it's ok for me to peak at the TV from time to time, right? That doesn't make me a terrible person, does it?

Should I do it? Or not? Should I watch a SEMO team, that hasn't knowingly cheated since the Ron Shumate-era, put a serious ass-whoopin on Murray State? Or should I just read about it on the AP wire?

You tell me. Are they worth the watch at the risk of my ego and character marching to the forefront and taking the bullets for my sports soft side?

Will SEMO fans ever forgive me for ostracising television the week prior to SEMO's big time ESPN2 matchup with OVC rival and bitter enemy Murray State?

Or can they trust that SEMO tickets as a gift for my first first reconciliation is still the best gift I've ever received? Can they trust that my heart broke when I saw, from the very top row of a packed Show-Me-Center, Aubrey Reese float one over Bud Eley's hand and into the bottom of the net for a Murray State buzzer beater? Can they trust that when my dad introduced me to Luther Bond, and I got the honor of shaking the big guy's hand, I didn't wash my hands for two weeks? Can they trust that I still hear the echo's of "threeeeeeeee point basket by #3 Cuuurtis SHELLtonnn." Can they trust that I still bleed red blood?

Or is all hope lost? What should I do? Watch or no?

Blow Up Your TV

2008-01-17T16:45:00.000-06:00

I promised a Roger Clemens rant. But I think I'm over it. Today, I saw the bigger picture. And Roger Clemens is right in the front of it, so instead of ignorantly lambasting him to no avail, I've decided to take a slightly different rout than a rant.

At work today, one of my fellow employees asked me if I caught some episode of some television show on TV last night. I replied no, explaining that I don't have a TV. He asked me, "What? But don't you miss all your sports shows and games?"

I sat there a minute, letting the realization that I don't miss them sink in and trying to figure out an explanation as to why I don't miss them. Then it hit me: "No, Moe, I don't miss them at all. It's corrupt. Everything, every sport is corrupt. And why would I miss watching overpaid multi-millionaires, that I have no relationship with, play sports?"

Before you correct me, I already understand that sports is a tradition all over the world. And I understand that 60,000 people in a stadium, rooting for a single team, is a good thing. In fact, I know it's a GREAT thing. It's a shame us crazy sports fans can't rally 60,000 of us into a stadium for more important issues. But nonetheless, that many people being together for a common cause has helped Americans through many tough trials and tribulations. I understand WHY sports is good. Don't get me wrong.

But the reason I don't miss watching it on TV anymore is because it's gone dirty. And I mean filthy. You name it, we've got it. The steroid issue plagues sports across the board. Almost every major sport has been hit, whether publicly or privately. The NBA has been hit with corrupt officiating and a gangster, fight-for-the-win attitude. The NFL had two cases this season of illegal "spying" on the other teams. Baseball, cycling, and track and field are all so deep in their own steroid issues that they can't see out of their holes. People will always come back for baseball, that much has been proven, but the other two...

Fingers are crossed.

And I doubt hockey is innocent either. It's hard for me to say fighting in the NBA is bad and fighting in the NHL is good, isn't it? But that's not the only thing going on in the professional hockey circuit. The greatest player EVER was rumored to be involved with a very serious gambling ring, and don't think they've completely avoided the steroid issue either. It's just that nobody cares.

College sports? Please. There is just as much, if not more, corruption, lying, and cheating across the board at the collegiate level than there is the pros.

So I do I miss it? No. Not the slightest bit. I follow the local teams online, but I seldom flock to a sports bar anymore to catch a glimpse. Mizzou, this season, was the exception. And rightfully so.

But what is there to miss? I've caught two Durango high school hoops games in the past two weeks. One Lady Demons game, and one boys game. And they were absolutely thrilling. And that's all I need.

I don't need a TV in order to watch great sports. I don't need a TV to watch great athletes. It's all over the place. And the sports that you'll get the biggest kick out of are the ones that aren't corrupted, that know no money, and still have players in their game that believe PLAYING THE GAME is the most important part.

Try it. Tune that garbage out. Screw Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Screw Marion Jones and Tim Donaghy. Forget about the college coaches that cheat, and the big money men in college football that consistently ruin the season. Forget it all. Go for a hike in the woods. You'll be happier.

Is Rolen a 'Jay?

2008-01-12T23:28:00.000-06:00

Man, I'm telling you, you could hear me moaning from a mile away when I caught wind that the Cardinals were moving Scott Rolen. I didn't care if we were getting Johan Santana, I was going to convince anybody around it was a terrible idea. I didn't care, I wasn't in the mood for it.

I'm better now. And once again, I'll echo the thoughts of St. Louis Post Dispatch columnist, Jeff Gordon, although not as entirely this time. I'm ok with this trade, but only because it makes Scott Rolen happy.

I'm not on the Troy Glaus bandwagon quite yet though. This is a guy who's battled his own fair share of injuries in the past, has never hit for average, and has never been known for flashy glove work. I'm a high-average, hard-nosed defense kind of guy. Troy Glaus doesn't fit the profile. His offensive production will need to improve before I'm on the wagon with this trade.

If he is healthy and can hit the ball, then I'm sure I'll come around. But I don't want to hear all this about Albert Pujols needing protection. Troy Glaus isn't that scary. The Yankees have seven guys batting in their lineup that are scarier than Glaus. The Tigers have six, and the Mets have five. We need guys that can hit behind both Glaus and Pujols in order to apply proper protection.

I'm rooting for him. I remember liking him when I was a little kid and he played for the Angels.

And cheers to Scott Rolen. It was a damn pleasure watching you play baseball. You're the first ballplayer I'll ever mention to my kids. It took you and Mike Matheny wearing Cardinal red to remind me how I wanted to teach my kids to play: arms out, butt out, eye on the ball, hustle all the way.

STOP THE BS

2008-01-11T19:27:00.000-06:00

I'm on a bus, and I'm honking at Rick Majerus to get the hell out of my way. Who's honking with me?

"It's like being a step-parent," Majerus says. "I didn't pick them, they didn't pick me."

Hold on, Cowboy. True, St. Louis hoops hasn't seen anything as big as you in it's history, but that doesn't mean you're getting a hall pass from scrutiny. We're paying you millions of dollars to coach and get the best from the kids you've got, not to whip up some BS excuse about how these aren't your kids.

These are your kids, Ricky. These are your boys. These are the soldiers. As their coach, you march with them. Not behind them, griping to your buddies about how great it's going to be in a couple years when you'll have it all your way.

These are your men. Don't be a coward. It's not what we want in a basketball coach, and it's not fair to the kids.

Plus, it contradicts all those great things we've heard about you.

I like you, guy. And that's why I'm not going to split your time on this blog page with my rant on that completely disloyal, sulking, dishonest, cheating, ruthless lying Roger Clemens. You get this day alone, but tomorrow...I'm taking Roger down. And it's going to be harsh. And I don't want you to hear it. So straighten up your act.

The Big Show - Handing out the Hardware

2008-01-05T21:24:00.001-06:00

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.

A Tribute....to "Two Minutes of Fun!"

2008-01-04T19:49:00.001-06:00

Who wants to be the most dysfunctional family in America? The Spears Family raises their hand from the front row. Tara Reid is bordering on cracked-out "I can't get no room service," pyscho-woman. The chances of Barry Bonds DHing next year in the sorry-excuse-for-a-baseball league AL are getting slimmer by the denial. Luther Bond. Roger Clemens and the 60 Minute Interview that will live in infamy. Jackson High School basketball at the Christmas Tournament. Sikeston High School Hoops in the semosportsweb high school hoops poll. Matt Clement in a better looking red. Mark Mulder's recovery. Chris Carpenter's recovery. That son-of-a-gun Aaron Miles - who's always on base. The poor folks in Nevada and the gamblers in Las Vegas. Marion Jones and her bombshell self having to give it all back. Rhode Island basketball. Bron-Bron and Kobe-yashi. Kariya Blues, Timo, and Dreyfus.

What's fatter? The lies of Roger Clemens or Jennifer Love Hewitt's ass on a tabloid cover?

Is it safe to say:
*Kansas still didn't deserve a spot in a BCS game?
*All the chatter from Illinois fans to Mizzou fans at the Border War game concerning Illinois' bid to the rose bowl has been hushed by the mighty Trojans?
*The parents of the young man who impregnated the youngest Spears' child don't know whether to be angry or confused: how much money can they get out of this?
*With the addition of Matt Clement, the Cardinals still haven't reloaded their rotation?

Quips:
Greg Cote, Miami Herald: “This just in. Bobby Petrino, who jilted the Atlanta Falcons for Arkansas, and Rich Rodriguez, who dumped West Virginia for Michigan, have been named co-winners of the 2007 Nick Saban Integrity Award.”

David Caraviello, NASCAR.com: “The purists are howling. They fire off e-mails about Toyota and Juan Montoya that border on racist. They want to know why the Nationwide Series dares to compete in Canada and Mexico, when there are perfectly fine tracks here in the good ol’ USA. They start tossing out references to Pearl Harbor at the mere mention of a Camry. . . . They want to know what all these foreigners like Dario Franchitti and Jacques Villeneuve are doing in a series that was supposed to be all-American.”

Mark Kriegel, FoxSports.com: “Trent Edwards, rookie out of Stanford, threw for more touchdowns than Matt Leinart, Heisman winner out of USC. Then again, so did Vinny Testaverde, who won the Heisman midway through Ronald Reagan’s second term.”

Jay Mariotti, Chicago Sun-Times: “As feared, this was The Stepdaddy of Them All, the biggest Hollywood mismatch since the babe and fat guy in ‘Knocked Up.’ As feared, this was USC’s ‘first scrimmage of next season,’ as mouthy alum Keyshawn Johnson had woofed. As feared, the Fighting Illini were blown out of the 2008 Rose Bowl almost as badly as they were blown out of the 1984 Rose Bowl, which suggests they try the Outback Bowl or Champs Sports Bowl next time.”

Greg Cote, Miami Herald: “In Thursday’s Orange Bowl Classic, I like Virginia Tech over Kansas in a close game. Unless the result is determined by the two coaches in an all-you-can-eat buffet. Then I will take KU’s Mark Mangino. Big. Really big.The payout to both OBC teams will be worth millions. Kansas is expected to break even, after deductions for Mangino’s meals per diem.”

Mark Kriegel, FoxSports.com: “Los Angeles Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas proclaimed that David Beckham would have a greater impact on the landscape of American sport than Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan. Becks, as he is known, played a total of 252 minutes for the Galaxy, approximately 40 minutes less than the press conference to introduce him and wife Posh.”

I'll be back tomorrow with my 2007 Awards Show.

Area High School Hoops Hit New High...or Low

2007-12-29T19:47:00.000-06:00

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.

2007 Award Show

2007-12-28T15:04:00.000-06:00

Other 'Border War' doesn't seem to have the same POP

2007-12-22T20:08:00.000-06:00

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.

I want cheese with my whine

2007-12-21T18:59:00.000-06:00

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.

Debating the Edmonds Deal with the two guys on my shoulder

2007-12-15T19:57:00.001-06:00

"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.

2007-12-15T19:09:00.001-06:00

All Steamed Out

2007-12-14T21:54:00.000-06:00

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.

Hats off to OU: And down with this absolutely insane, no sense, money-driven, power hungry system.

2007-12-01T22:01:00.000-06:00

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.

Can I just say this one thing?

2007-12-01T21:03:00.000-06:00

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.

Cardinals: Two Headlines They Didn't Want

2007-11-30T19:40:00.000-06:00

Well, apparently they wanted one of those headlines. But nonetheless, signing one of the league's notoriously bad baseball players to head up your most important infield position doesn't really wax charming.

No, seriously. He's really one of the worst players in the league. Check out some of these stats that were compiled by the St. Louis Post Dispatch's Bernie Miklasz:

****
Izturis has never been much of a hitter; from 2001 through 2007 he was among the worst in the majors.

Maybe the worst, if you buy into OPS (onbase + slugging) as a measure. Izturis literally had the worst OBP + SLG in the majors from 2001-2007 with an anemic .629.

We could forgive his lack of power if Izturis made himself useful by drawing walks and getting on base to set up innings. But Izturis doesn’t even do that. His career OBP is a hideously bad .295.

From 2001-2007, only four hitters had a worse OBP: Neifi Perez (.285), Tony Batista (.287), Pedro Feliz (.288) and Deivi Cruz (.293).

The Izturis walk rate is terrible: one for every 21.09 plate appearance.

Basically, the man is an out machine.

In terms of slugging percentage, only Brad Ausmus (.321) and Abraham Nunez (.324) displayed less pop than Izturis (.334) from 2001-2007.

In the Bill James stat, Runs Created/27, Iztirus was third-worst in MLB from 2001-2007, with a rate of 3.13. That means if Izturis took every at-bat for your team in a game, your team would score 3.13 runs. (By contrast, having nine Albert Pujols in your lineup would have produced 9 runs per game from 2001-2007).

Izturis has some speed but he’s been caught stealing 37 times in 99 career attempts, and hasn’t had more than 8 steals in a season since 2004.
****

Cardinal fans: Cesar Izturis is not the answer to any of our problems. In fact, the 'Birds are actually coughing up 2.85 million to add another problem. The idea of signing a guy that doesn't hit and hasn't been able to field since 2004 just makes absolutely no sense.

You have to wonder if the signing had anything to do with taking some attention off the Cardinals other headline this week: the embarrassing video that's just been released of Tony LaRussa's roadside sobriety test.

I'm being serious, the Izturis signing is so bad you have to wonder if they Cardinals were desperately trying to move the media's focus in a different direction. And it worked. Most Cardinal fans are wondering if this is the stupidest acquisition in Cardinal Nation since Homer Peel was brought to St. Louis in a deal with the Phillies for Pete Alexander and Harry McCurdy way back in 1929. The following season, Peel hit .164 and his career on-base percentage was .294 - that's only one tenth lower than Izturis'. That's not batting average, that's on-base percentage. That's downright awful.

This is one of only a few things the Cardinals could have done this offseason that will actually make our division rivals happy. Lou Piniella actually walked in to Jim Hendry's office this week, looked him right in the eye and said, "can you believe they did that? Ha, I'll be damned. That's something else. You want a drink, Jimmy Boy? Just one. Just a little whiskey to celebrate?"

With Junior Spivey at least there was hope. Only a slimmer, but there was hope that he wouldn't be the worst player to ever wear the birds on the bat. With Izturis, there's no hope. That's 2.85 million...down the drain.

As far as the old ballcoach is concerned, that video is downright embarrassing. It puts to rest the idea that LaRussa was just barely over the legal limit and it makes all of those coaches who were with him that night look like irresponsible and immature stone-cold liars.

Number one: who lets their friend drive when they're in that kind of condition?

And I'm not even sure what number two is. Number one is lambasting. It's like your best friend punching you in the face for absolutely no reason. People could have died. I guess number two would be the fact that LaRussa is completely embarrassed right now and the guys with him are going to get off the hook. We've already forgotten about them, this one's on Tony. In the words of Lee Corso, "not so fast, my friends."

This is me calling those guys out, whoever they were. Part of this blame lies squarely on their shoulders. It wasn't like LaRussa, or anyone he was hanging out with, couldn't afford a taxi.

There's a clear cut message here. Don't drink and drive. Park your truck in a secure, safe location at the beginning of the night and sleep in the back of it. It works people. Maybe not as well in St. Louis as it does in small-town Durango, but it works. The idea is to be smart, one way or another.

There's a t-shirt I've seen with a no-smoking sign on it and under the sign it reads: "there are cooler ways to die." Killing yourself in a drinking and driving incident is not one of them. In fact, it doesn't even rank in the top ten of coolest ways to die.

So all and all, this is an embarrassing week for the Cardinal organization. The Izturis thing is terrible, but it doesn't compare to the punch in the gut LaRussa got when he woke up this morning and saw that his roadside test was all over the national media.

You have to wonder if that's even legal?

Is there a big football game tomorrow?

MU and the OU boys

2007-11-28T16:43:00.001-06:00

I've got a few rare moments during the week so I figure I'll take a shot at wrapping my head around this weekend's game.

KU seems so long ago, doesn't it? There's a whole new set of problems on the Tiger plate and nobody seems to be picking them to finish the meal. And I'll be honest, OU scares the aged crap out of me. Much scarier than Kansas. Much scarier.

MU has to score early and often, the three series downtime that happened in the opening minutes against KU won't work against a Bob Stoops team. The Tigers have to be relentless, smart, and effective. If we give OU the same field position that we constantly gave Kansas, the Sooners will be laughing all the way to the bank. Six after six after six. And they won't miss their PAT's or field goals.

The biggest difference between KU and OU may not be the skill level on the field. But, more likely, is the fact that OU is no stranger to the big game. Stoops knows what to say in the locker room. Stoops knows what play to call when he needs an offensive boost. The Sooners will be bigger, better, and smarter than KU. No doubt about it.

All that said, and my fears and nerves aside, I'm taking the Tigers by 4. And I guarantee those final few minutes the Tigers wil have the ball and something will go wrong in the play-calling scheme and we'll be outraged. The Sooners will take position and be driving straight to Mizzou's death. However, the Big D comes up likes bats out of hell and the only thing the "experts" will be able to say is, "well...it SHOULD be USC and Ohio State.

The Bed Bugs Bite

2007-11-24T17:54:00.000-06:00

Was I the only one who couldn't sleep last night? Was I the only one who crawled out of bed this morning at 6:30 a.m. on a day off and starting walking around the house kicking the floor, waiting for the time to pass? ESPN Radio 930 AM has been loud all day long in my place, I even went to Home Depot and bought an extension cord that could span from my house to the barn so I could listen to college football jabber all day long while working on a canoe. I had to do something, the house cats were starting to look at me weird as I wore lines in my kitchen floor pacing back and forth.

I haven't eaten.
I haven't slept.
I haven't talked to anybody.

*A few pregame notes to consider. West Virginia looked pretty much untouchable against Connecticut today. With that romp, WV made a serious statement about the quality of their football team. They scare me. No doubt. And I think if they take care of business next weekend, then they're a shoe-in for the national title game. And I don't see them having any problems next weekend.

*A few of my suspicions were confirmed from yesterday. During the nine hour span of College Gameday on ESPN radio, the national title contenders list was almost dead on with what I mentioned yesterday. The experts are even giving LSU a little love still.

Cousin Paul pointed out to me that LSU had two losses, not just the one that I had mentioned in yesterday's blog. Both of those losses coming from unranked teams. Considering that...I'd say they've blown their chance.

It seems most of these "experts" think USC is playing the best ball in the nation right now, followed by Georgia and West Virginia. And I'm not sure who it was but two of these football talkers came on ESPN radio this afternoon and gave their "real top five."

Guess what? Neither one of them had Missouri or Kansas in their top five. Are you kidding?

Hey. Look. The truth is this, maybe USC is playing the best ball in the country right now. But they didn't take care of business when they had to. Ohio State didn't take care of business when they had to. LSU didn't take care of business when they had to.

Missouri and Kansas have. So has Georgia and West Virginia. So excuse me...but I've got a memo to all those "experts" who can't seem to stop sniffing Pete Carroll's ass: take your west coast wine party back to California, buy a surfboard, wear your shorts slightly below your hipbone, and start calling all your friends "bro."

Missouri. Kansas. Border War. Next.

IN GAME STUFF:

*First quarter: Looks as though both teams are a little nervous. MU is the first to settle down. Two scoring opportunities to KU's none in the first quarter has got to provide a little excitement.

*Good to see Daniel settle down and start using other recievers outside of Maclin. He might be the most versatile on the squad, but Kansas has him zeroed in. We have so many other threats, USE THEM!

*Will Franklin can't make that mistake as a senior. Keep your head on your shoulders.

*Maclin's injury could seriously change the dynamics of this game. Let's hope it's nothing major. He had a legit chance at breaking both the opening kickoff and a punt in the first quarter. The kid is the real deal.

*I had heard that Ole Mangino was big. But I simply had no IDEA that he was that big.

Second Quarter Stuff:

*HUGE PICK. From the All-American. Let's hear those West Coast cheese and cracker eaters talk a little bit more about MU's defense. It may still be early, but so far we're completely shutting down this "incredible" KU scoring machine.

*Tony Temple is looking healthy. Averaging about ten a carry right now. That's good to see.

*It's nice to have tight ends that catch the ball, then immediately start looking for a blue jersey to just plow over.

*KU's cheerleaders don't compare to the Golden Girls. The Jayhawk cheer squad just looks out-of-place, unfit, without a clue, and a little frumpy (which means..."not appealing").

*WOW. Chase Daniel is special. And he just made Kansas' defense look like a special needs squad. How in the heck do you allow him to run backwards 30 yards, then come forward - all on third and goal from the 11 - and find an open reciever five minutes later? By the way, Alexander is the early front runner for the Horse Trailer Player of the Game.

*I can't hate on Pinkel right now because we're beating the #2 team in the nation by 14. BUT...what is up with these short high kickoffs? Why are we letting Kansas play with a short field every possession? Any answers? One twenty yard pass and KU is in field goal range? That doesn't make sense to me.

*Field goal off the yellow, BABY! Kansas is certainly struggling on MU's end of the field. A pick at the duece and a missed field goal has got that that KU offense feeling like that undersized kid you played coaches pitch baseball with when you were 8 years old. You know, the kid that forgot his cleats, then, surprisingly... actually hit the ball on their first at-bat, but forgot to drop the bat on their way to first. You know...that kid.

*Despite the 14 point lead and KU's failure to convert big plays thus far, I'm still as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

*Hey. If you're going to go for it on fourth and one. And you're going to throw the football. Then you HAVE to throw it beyond the first down marker. Not in front of it. That was a bad decision by Daniel, and not a great play call by Pinkel. TEMP22 has been running all over that defense, give him the rock.

*How about this MU red zone DEFENSE. CLAP CLAP. DEFENSE. CLAP CLAP. DEFENSE! BABY.

*You're on your own for the second half. I'm off to a more a cozy spot for frame #2. Go Tigers. Howl at that full moon BABY!

MU, KU hold own destiny

2007-11-23T20:28:00.000-06:00

Missouri and Nebraska. Maybe.
Missouri and Oklahoma. Maybe.
Missouri and Texas...Um...Maybe.
BUT Missouri and Kansas as the College Gameday Showdown. Unheard of.

You could have won serious amounts of mula had you bet in the preseason that MU and KU would be a big enough game to merit this amount of national attention. How beautiful is it to tune into ESPN radio and hear them talk about Midwest schools like this? It's all over the Internet, the tv, and the radio.

There is no doubt this is the biggest game, in any sport, between these two schools ever. And that could have probably been debated up until 5 o'clock this afternoon when Darren McFadden went off for 205 yards rushing and four total touchdowns to boost unranked Arkansas over current #1 LSU in three OT's.

There's been only one other time in my life when I was whoopin Pig Suey, and that was only because I was at a Razorback game. But you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm calling the hogs tonight.

Also adding to the measure of the game's intensity is the fact that USC knocked off #6 Arizona State. The Sundevils were a one-loss team until this afternoon and still had a slimmer of hope at a National Title shot. Those hopes have now vanished and the usual national-title contender that is USC is also slim-hoped with two losses.

Texas A&M knocked off #13 Texas on Friday as well, assuring a spot for Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game.

The table is set for both the Jayhawks and the Tigers. Each team needs to take care of business in order to have a shot at the National Title. The winner of tomorrow's game will have to beat Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship, anything short of a victory will most likely condemn both KU and MU, considering their midwest status won't sit well in the Top 25 polls.

I would assume that if the Tigers can "upset" Kansas tomorrow, then KU's national title hopes will immediately vanish considering their lackluster schedule. I would think that KU would have to win out in order to play for the title.

I'm also assuming the same goes for MU. Two losses probably won't get you in the title game. However, EVERYTHING changes if Connecticut can top #3 West Virginia. Ohio State's season is over, and they've finished with one loss. That means the Buckeyes will be sitting on their couches the next two weeks praying for all three of MU, KU, and West Virginia to lose. If MU beats Kansas tomorrow and West Virginia is upset, then you can expect Ohio State to be playing the winner of the Big 12 Championship game for the ring. Despite it's two losses, Oklahoma may still have a chance as well.

LSU probably isn't out of this either, despite the headlines. Although losing this late in the season never sits well in the polls. Hawaii is in a tough one right now with Boise State, but if they could pull it off then they'd still be undefeated and they'd also would have to merit attention.

The way I see it, teams to watch are Georgia, LSU, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Hawaii, and Ohio State. It's too crazy still to predict, plus you never know what the computers are going to spit out. All that said, I would think Missouri sits among the top of the 1-loss teams because they're loss came against #5 ranked Oklahoma and happened early in the season. But if they finish with two losses, don't hold out much hope. We have to win.

It's always crazy this time of year in college football. It's nice to be in the mix, isn't it?

I'm sticking with my previous prediction. Black and gold by 17.

Bet your pants: this will be a dandy.

2007-11-17T19:14:00.000-06:00

Get your bagged ice by Friday and make sure the cooler is well stocked in plenty of time. By Border War gametime next Saturday, Rhodes101 will be out of everything you need.

If you haven't called your pastor and told him you'll be missing out on the Saturday 5 o'clock service, "I'll see you Sunday." If you haven't got your pantry well stocked with the always delicious Triscuit crackers, whatever you have left of your Esicar sausage supply, and two blocks of Colby Jack. If you haven't looked your significant other in the eye and said, "Honey, I need this. You have to let me." If you haven't done all of that...you're simply crazy.

Crazier than Pauly Shore at a house party on a Saturday night. Crazier than Britney Spears in a bind. You'd be even crazier than the actual fact of the matter: The University of Missouri and the University of Kansas each have football teams in the BCS's Top Five. And they'll decide their national title hopes in a town near you.

Can you imagine what it will be like on those campus's this week? I'm assuming the anxiety on the MU campus will rival the week preceding the MU-KU hoop fest the season the Tigers were ranked #2. There was a petition, signed by 23,000+ students, sent to President Bush requesting a troop withdrawal from Iraq and a new focus on bombing the **** out of Kansas.

I'm assuming things will be the same. And the campus in Lawrence will be no more innocent in their exotic hateful attitude towards MU.

It's not far-fetched to say that this is the most exciting weekend in sports history for these two campus'.

Make sure all you're TV cables are well connected, you're not going to want to miss this.

****

It's hard to take this KU football team seriously. I mean, football at Kansas? I know Missouri isn't the biggest football school either, but people have always known that MU had a football team. Before this season, you heard so little about the Rock Chalks. We used to laugh at them in college. Now they're supposedly better than us? And we're #5 in the nation. Soon to be #4 when the new rankings come out and Oregon drops.

That's pretty nuts. I haven't seen them play this year and I'd love to hear what you think about them if you have. Maybe they are the real deal.

I don't think it's all alumni-bias but I certainly get the tinkling sensation that the Tigers will run the Jayhawks right out of Kansas City. For some reason I think this one is a no-doubter. Maybe it's all those jokes on KU I've been used to. I don't know. But I'm taking the Tigers by 17 or more.

***

One other side note. I know it's already been talking about a lot on this website, but I wanted to congratulate the Notre Dame Bulldogs on their state run last weekend. I was lucky enough to be in town for it and they were a privilege to watch.

I can honestly say, not as an ND alum, but simply as a fan of sports that their team was one of the most fun teams I have ever seen. Everybody that asks me about it, I tell them all the same thing: "I've never seen a team with such great composure." You can talk all you want about talent level and a great senior class, but this team won because of composure.

Any athlete has played in games of major magnitude and we all know how easy it is to get frustrated, angry, and therefor be distracted from playing your best game. In the two games I saw, I didn't see one single player ANYTIME OR ANYWHERE ever show a negative emotion. They couldn't be broken. They played so confidently in each other that there was never any doubt in their minds that they were going to be State Champions.

While the other two teams were consistently kicking the ball away after whistles, pushing and shoving and taking cheap shots, and running their mouths to the refs, Notre Dame never got distracted and never stopped playing soccer.

So my congratulations to that team. They were well deserving of that ring. And most importantly, they won the right way. One of the most inspiring team sports performances I've ever seen. Way to go, Dogs.

Get off his case

2007-11-08T18:37:00.001-06:00

Ok. The next time someone asks me how I feel about former Cardinal great Luther Hackman getting knocked up for taking performance enhancers, I'm going to say the exact same thing the second time as I'm going to this time. Let him juice that bad-ass body until his testicles are the size of a worn-out eraser on a 1973 Bic pencil. The truth: the juice isn't going to help. He's old, he's washed up, and he was never really that good in the first place.

So chalk up a place for him in your card-playing, late-night Cardinal conversation talks of the future because that's exactly what Hackman is to us...HISTORY.

You can also get off Gary Pinkel's case while you're at it. I simply cannot believe that I've sat here for two months now, throughout the entirety of the college football season, and let you so easily bad-mouth Pinkel.

Not only have you ripped his play calling worse than A-Rod's contract rips off baseball teams, but you've been absolutely relentless in playing potty-mouth with his coaching style.

I can track numerous claims back to all of you..."the shotgun will never work," "why does Temple always start eight yards behind the line of scrimmage?"

You even made a reference and sent along a picture of Pinkel next to an "I'm with Stupid" t-shirt.

Well, now it's my turn. And I only have one question: who's laughing now you lousy bandwagon Mizzou football fans who only claim to love Pinkel when he's got his team number 6 in the nation?

Huh, who's laughing now?

See ya at Faurot.

I'm Being Outrageous

2007-11-02T19:26:00.001-05:00

At one time I was the guru of blogging on this website. I was number one. My blogs per month were waxing the competition. I brought you "Two Minutes of Fun," "The Grind," and the famous but quickly dying "Questions and Answers with Timo."

Now I'm getting my ass handed to me on a platter.

Mark makes me look foolish with the video.
JBar is killing it with the football updates.
And Jamie Hall is being Tom Brady on a website: just making it happen.

I'm the lost kid with no frame of reference who wanders into the movie theater and ask what's going on. Soon you'll be telling me to shut up.

I'm stumped right now. I've got no guys to interview. Jason's handling the football scene. All I care about is hockey and every time I talk about that, my blogspace gets less and less popular.

So I'm going out on the limb here. I'm playing Hasselbeck at the end of regulation. I'm making bold predictions.

ON THE LOCAL SCENE:
*Your worst nightmare is coming true. You know as well as I do that AROD would look terrible in Cardinal red. He just would. But you also know as well I do that it's happening.

AROD wants to play with the other best player in the game. And David Eckstein, in all likelihood, could be gone. So he'd be back to his old homestead at short. He'd fit like a glove in that lineup. And there's new management looking to make a strong first impression on Cardinal faithful. And Tony doesn't really want to rebuild. And you're starting to believe, aren't you?

You won't be laughing when he yanks 81 long balls and rakes 197 rbi next year in red.

*The Rams will no doubt go winless. I hate to say it, but I don't see much hope. As per the usual, Bulger is banged up. The O-Line is non-existent, thereby voiding both the passing game and the rushing game. And the defense isn't really scaring anybody. The second best running back in the league doesn't even look good right now.

It's just that...it seems so emotionless, doesn't it? Does anyone get the feeling that the Rams just don't feel like playing football this year? They're simply not enthused. They're nothing special on turf. They're nowhere close to a playoff football team. And Scott Linehan, after only a season and a half, is out the door. The formula isn't right at The Ed right now, and it's a hapless season.

*My Tigers play My Buffs tomorrow in Boulder. It's a fire fight and when the smoke clears the his six shooter is already back in Daniel's holster. Pig being out is important, but it doesn't make THAT big of a difference. Tigers by 27.

ON THE NATIONAL SCENE:
*Patriots over Colts. That's easy. Golden Boy Tom Brady to Reborn-football player Randy Moss twice in the fourth. And the blood will stay on the sword through the playoffs as well.

As the Rams go winless, New England goes undefeated. Brady gets even more girlfriends. And comes back even better next year.

*Johan Santana is getting dished. He'll be in Blue next season. Can't decipher whether it's L.A. blue or New York blue. Mets not Yankees. At least the Mets realize they need pitching to win. I'm starting to wonder if the BOSS is completely oblivious to that.

"Darnit. It's just that....you know...geez...I just really didn't wanna lose."

I'm out. Back in the SEMO next week. Faurot Field for a Tiger Trouncing on Saturday. See ya there.

Anderson's Inherited Nightmare

2007-10-19T23:25:00.000-05:00

Missouri basketball is starting to look a lot like Cincinnati basketball, Bob Huggins style. There's two major differences, however: Mike Anderson's last name doesn't rhyme with thuggin, and Missouri actually graduates the majority of it's hoopers.

But lately...the Tigers are starting to look like a group of thugs who can't stay away from the men in blue.

Last week was the latest in a series of four incidents that have put a dark tarnish on the Men's basketball program at the University. A tarnish school officials hoped would vanish with the dismissal of Coach Snyder.

Certainly there could be some speculation that the recent outlandish behavior by the men's squad can still be linked to the Snyder-era, after all it's only been two years removed. But in all honestly, some of the blame rest square on Anderson's shoulders as well.

That is if you can blame a coach for his players acting foolishly.

Most recently, 22 year-old senior Darryl Butterfield was arrested for punching a 20 year-old female following a dispute. Butterfield was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of third-degree domestic assault.

Previously, senior center and Missouri's prominent post-presence Kalen Grimes was arrested for taking part in a fight in north St. Louis County. It was rumored that Grimes beat his victim with the butt of a pistol. He was later charged with felony assault and dismissed from the team.

Only two days before that, Anderson's nephew DeMarre Carroll suffered a gunshot wound to the foot during a fight outside a downtown Columbia nightclub.

And in February, Anderson's son, Michael Anderson Jr., was arrested on a DUI charge.

So far...Anderson's resume isn't much brighter than what Q had to offer. Time will tell whether he's capable of handling this team and turning Missouri back into a legitimate college basketball program.

Snyder failed in all aspects...so far Anderson has failed in the most important one: teaching his boys how to be gentlemen.

Testimony to Pinkel's Poor Play Calling

2007-10-13T19:42:00.000-05:00

Third down and two. Second Half. Down by seven. On the road. Against a really good defense.

I GOT IT!

Let's let our best wide receiver line up at quarterback and try to convert.
Better yet, let's take the ball out of our Heisman candidate quarterback's hands and also take our best wide receiver out of the receiving corps and see if he can run this offense better than the best quarterback in the Big 12 can?

Why the hell not?

Does that sound stupid to any of you? This is pretty much divine evidence into the recent argument the anonymous poster on Mark's blog started, concerning Pinkel's wisdom in play calling.

This particular candidate for "worst play call of the season" wound up being intercepted, followed promptly by an Oklahoma scoring drive.

Comparing this to baseball. This is like Albert Pujols at the plate, and Yadier Molina on second. Instead of pinch running Kerry Robinson for an extremely slow Yadi, LaRussa would instead elect to leave Yadi on second and pinch hit Robinson for Pujols.

That's pretty much what this is like. Take a talented receiver (baserunner) and let him play quarterback (pinch hit) instead of doing something he actually excels at.

If this type of stupidity happened in baseball, and you had time in between action to analyze it....you'd think Gary Pinkel is just as frustrating as I think he is.

Currently: Oklahoma 23, Mizzou 10

UPDATE

Missouri just took a one point lead on a four yard run. Chase Daniel is starting to lock in here in the second half. This could be an exciting half of football. You needed faith to think the Tigers could be leading in the second half in Norman.

I'm heading to the BrewCo to catch the end of this one. Go Tigers!

Unraveling the Week

2007-10-12T18:50:00.000-05:00

Was there anything sexier than watching the Tigers put a whoopin down on the boys from Nebraska? I mean...anything? Firing Walt Jocketty sure as hell wasn't sexier than that. The Cubs getting swept in the first round is pretty darn close, but didn't we all pretty much know that was coming? And the Yanks going down, that was as nice as Jennifer Love Hewitt in "Can't Hardly Wait," but JLove Hewey in "Can't Hardly Wait" isn't even close to Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, AND Lucy Lu in "Charlie's Angels." And that was a terrible movie...thereby making Mizzou over Nebraska even sexier than that.

Recently I was reamed on Mark's blog about my known hatred for Gary Pinkel. He's starting to make me look like a fool I guess. He's got the stripes in the Top 10, and there's no shame in that. I'll tip my hat to him for now...

But I'll also say I think his "all shotgun, all-the-time" system is stupid. And just because I'm tipping my hat to him doesn't mean I won't be ready to jump into a steroid rage the next time he blows an easy W.

And my disliking a coach and doubting his play calling doesn't mean I'm not a fan. And if anybody can get on here and look this computer screen right in the eye and say, honestly, that you've never been pissed at the coach of your favorite team...then I commend you. We all commend you.

MOVING ON:

I don't know what to think about this Walt Jocketty thing. I guess my thinking is simple: we won the World Series last year. We did it with a beat-up lineup, a doubtful rotation, and a young bullpen. Jocketty didn't actually go out there and win games himself, but he and Tony LaRussa seem to have a knack for winning. I don't think one miserable season is enough to can the big man.

Yes, he's made some questionable moves over the last three years. But I always thought, and still do, that Cardinals fans are constantly barking up the tree about needing a big name pitcher. And you don't get a big name pitcher without dealing prospects. What did Walt do? He went out and got a Cy Young candidate who had the most wins of any left-handed pitcher over the previous five years. A lefty at that.

We asked, he gave. It just didn't work out.

And how sick were many Cardinal fans about never having a consistent second baseman? I'm not sure if that was a common sentiment, but among the people I hung out with it was talked about often. And finally, Walt went out and took care of those wishes. How the hell would he know that Adam Kennedy was going to be a flop? And it's not like we're paying him All-Star money. You might as well get over this one. That was not a bad signing. A sparky, energetic ballplayer who straight hustles is exactly what the Cardinals needed at second base. It's simply too bad it didn't work out. But don't blame Walt for that.

He brought you Mark McGwire for hardly nothing. He brought you Larry Walker for hardly nothing. He got you Jim Edmonds and signed you Albert Pujols. He brought in Chris Carpenter and was able to resign Chris Carpenter. He landed Scott Rolen. And he brought you Mark Mulder at a cost. Those are all All-Star's, who at the time the deal was made were the best in the league at what they did.

I'd be willing to bet you're hard-pressed to find a more potent resume than that during a GM tenure. And you can't say the Yankees or the Sox, because they're playing on a different floor level.

I'm not sure, maybe it was time. There's a new cast coming to Busch next season, a super-young cast. It's a change of the winds right now, and maybe it was time to clean house. I still think it was the wrong decision, and if I have to choose between a guy that brought us the aforementioned ballplayers and a money-tight, ornery Bill DeWitt...I'm taking BIG WALT every single time.

C'mon. Somebody fight me. It doesn't sit well with me that Mark is getting all the anger directed at him.

A Wall of Madness

2007-10-06T19:52:00.000-05:00

Just letting it be known that I'm pissed off. I just found out moments ago, ON SATURDAY, that BIG Walt Jocketty has been canned by the Birds front office.

I'm so mad I could spit.

More on this later. I'm going to calm myself down first. And I need to get to where I need to be to watch this ass-whooping that Mizzou is about to put on the 'Skers.

Let me know what you think about this Jocketty deal and the Izzy signing. And goTigers!

I gotta say

2007-09-29T20:21:00.000-05:00

I wasn't expecting the Sooners to come out and get beat by Colorado when I wrote that the winner of the Missouri-Nebraska affair next weekend would be 42-point underdogs to OU. I thought OU would roll all season. Maybe there's a weakness.

And the Texas goes down as well, that makes me about as happy as Mike Vick gets when he sites a bag of Tom Petty's Last Dance.

What a weekend for College Football.

Game of the Decade?

2007-09-28T19:54:00.000-05:00

Going back as far as only five years, I'm hard pressed to remember a more important game for the Missouri Tigers than their match-up with Nebraska next weekend.

You could argue that those Independence Bowl games were more important, but were they really? What did they mean? It was the damn Independence Bowl. I actually fell asleep at halftime - at the game, in Shreveport - three years ago. The last time I saw a Missouri-Nebraska game, you can be sure as hell that I wasn't sleeping.

But, in my short tenure as a Missouri fan - which I am now more than ever - there hasn't been a game with bigger implications than next Saturday's at Faurot. The stakes are huge, and simple...the winner gets the edge in the Big 12 North. Whoever comes out on top is the early favorite for the privilege of being 42-point underdogs in the Big 12 championship game against Oklahoma.

Nebraska will be coming off a rocky last three weeks, depending on how it goes against Iowa State this weekend. Two weeks ago they took it on the chin to No.1 ranked USC 49-31, and last week they barely edged Ball State 41-40. They stand at No.25 in the most recent AP poll, five spots behind the Tigers.

Missouri, on the other hand, hasn't been legitimately tested. Oh, they've tested themselves once or twice in the second half; but they've yet to really be threatened. They've won their four games by a total of 69 points, no team getting any closer than Illinois in week 1. In the three games since, Chase Daniel has thrown for ten touchdowns and rushed for one, he's thrown for 952 yards in those three games.

Jeremy Maclin has developed into a primetime Big 12 player, fitting nicely into an absolutely explosive offense - possibly the best in the country. The Missouri defense seems to be maybe, possibly - although I hesitate in saying it - finding its place in all of this.

And although I'm not a fan of Gary Stinkel...he seems to have a knack for big games.

To say it old school, all that ranking crap gets thrown off the back of the train next Saturday. The numbers don't mean a damn thing. This is Missouri and Nebraska and the last time the Huskers marched their corn into Columbia, the goalposts were torn down, there was punches thrown between Nebraska players and Tiger fans, 21 people were arrested, at least one car - that I can remember - was trampled, and Harpos might've made more money selling alcohol that night than George Bush did stealing oil.

Expect a lot of the same. Wish I could be there. I actually turned down a chance to fly in for it. Can you believe that? If I would've known Elton John - the King of Ivory - was going to be playing at the arena formerly known as "The Paige" Friday night...I certainly wouldn't have missed it.

If I remember correctly, there's going to be a lot of college kids waking up around 8 with some pretty serious headaches...that will most likely be promptly cured by Friday's night's leftovers and a plethora of Energy drinks. They'll be bar-b-queuing cheap hotdogs and running routes in parking lots, bouncing footballs off Hummers. By gametime, 7:15 p.m., most of them will all be jacked up on Augie's best, chanting "we ain't got time for no damn 'SKERS."

They'll be waiting, impatiently waiting, to get their chance at every college football fans dream...tearing down the yellow polls and marchin their drunk asses to Harpos.

I would've been studying, of course. Months ago, a reader posted that they had visual evidence otherwise. But I'm not real sure what they're talking about.

You wanna know what I think?

2007-09-21T22:42:00.000-05:00

You wanna know what I think about Steven Jackson?
*Go read Jason's blog about "the big three" all playing worse than two 6 year-old boys fighting over the same girl. It's just ugly, mean, and somebody's going to get hurt. Whether it hurts your fantasy team...or, as per us St. Louis fans, it actually hurts your team. Jason makes a great point about Jackson and missing O-Line Granddaddy Orlando Pace...we can't blame Jackson's pour start on Pace's absence. Last season Pace missed the last seven games and Jackson averaged 106 yards rushing per game. There goes that excuse.

You wanna know what I think about Barry Bonds not being back with the Giants next season?
*I actually care more about the latest Bill Walsh sighting than I care about whatever Barry Bonds is doing with his shortened life. I'd rather sleep in the back seat of a white 15-passenger van for the rest of my life than have to hear about Barry Bonds one more time. The attention this guy gets is out of control, it's more annoying than a soccer coach in a post-game interview telling you fifteen times or more that "we control our own destiny." And that crap is just as annoying as three four year-olds screaming in your ear for two hours straight.

What do I think about the Patriots and their spygate?
*Ask Steve Rosenbloom of Chicagosports.com: “If you cheat and win, at least you get something out of the deal, but if you’re a sleazebag and you lose, then you’re Isiah Thomas.”

Or Jay Leno: “There’s a lot of different versions of what happened (in the O.J. situation) but, luckily, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was there and videotaped the whole thing.”

And my thoughts on Tank Johnson...I couldn't agree more with Elliot Harris of the Chicago-Sun Times: “Former Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson, who is suspended for the first eight games of the season, signs with the Dallas Cowboys because the Cowboys were the first team to contact him. Well, that and possibly the impression that almost everyone in Texas shoots off firearms at home.”

On Big 12 rival Texas Longhorns, just ask Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel: “Now we know why Texas players don orange jerseys, right? Because they can wear them to the game on Saturdays and to pick up roadside trash on Sundays.”

And, Scott Ostler from the San Francisco Chronicle on dumb driving: “Memo to Indiana Pacers’ forward Shawne Williams: If you’re going to drive your car with no driver’s license, expired plates, and a stash of marijuana, you might want to consider using your turn signal. It’s the little stick on the left side.”

I'm outy. Mizzou and Illinois State this weekend. Illinois State is ranked 14th in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA). Their record is 1-2 though. I can't figure that out.

The Tigers have cracked the Top 25 in both polls, holding on to the last spot in each. Go Tigers. Go Blues. Go Rams. And..um..Go Cardinals.

Rams, Cardinals, and Puke...Oh my!

2007-09-18T20:23:00.000-05:00

The Rams are 0-2...for the season...and at home. The Cardinals have won one game in their last twelve. And I throw up in my mouth a little bit every time I watch either of them.

Last night looked promising...didn't it? Sitting at the Ballpark Pub having a few friendly Budweiser's and watching Monday Night Football. Charles Barkley...of all people...announced that the Phillies had blown an 11-run lead. My heart jumped...this was the turnaround - the motivation - that we needed. We were set to make another run, and this time we would finish. And about the time I had convinced my cousin Butch that it was true and real this time...ESPN came on with a game update and we saw Ryan Howard blast a two run job into the yard. Bullshit.

Am I giving up? Well...I can't. Mainly because it seems like all I ever do is blast St. Louis fans for being bandwagoners. But, for crying out loud, if you haven't given up hope yet, then hope must vanish around the next corner. This season just doesn't have the same feeling as the last one. I don't get the sense that this team can pull it together and make the playoffs, much less make a run if they get there.

The truth is that between opening day and today...this is a rebuilt team. Without their ace staffer. Their opening day second basemen, third basemen, right fielder, and center fielder are no guarantees to get the start.

Bottom Line: It's tough to win ballgames when things get that weird.

***As for the Rams. Well, word out of St. Louis - as per Bernie Miklasz and Jeff Gordon's online columns - is that Scott Linehan is on the hot seat already. Fans apparently are calling for a mid-season Jim Haslett call-up (which is weird...considering our defense sucks), or a possible Marty Schottenheimer return, and even...hold your breathe...a mad Mike Martz return. No word yet on whether or not Ram fans are rooting for Lawrence Phillips and Tony Banks to come back and spearhead the offense.

What this team needs is a conductor. Somebody to teach the defense that missing 17 tackles on fourth and one is unacceptable. Somebody to teach the offense that Marc Bulger isn't a punching bag that's going to last forever. Somebody to conduct this team just as fine as Richard Dreyfus once conducted his opus. Right now, they look like 50 cent trying to conduct a Bach concert. Yet...they don't look as bad as the Cardinals. Your fat neighbor doesn't even look as bad as the Cardinals.

I damn near stepped in corn and pepperoni ridden bear poop today. And that didn't look as bad as the Cardinals.

A naked picture of Rosanne getting it on with Dan doesn't look as bad as the Cardinals.

The sounds my cousin Paul makes when he gets out of bed in the morning aren't even as bad as watching the Cardinals.

Right now...it's sad, real sad...but I'd rather stare at a velvet painting of a whale and a dolphin getting it on than watching the Cardinals try to pitch and the Rams try to tackle.

Let's hope next week is better. I don't think it can be worse.

It's a damn good thing Britney Spears is keeping us entertained with her hapless, no-good, no-hearted, and absolutely pathetic attempt at being sexy during the VMA's last week. Even having to look at her fat, shapeless body dressed in nothing but ugly underwear that made her face look fat was better than watching the Cardinals. In fact, I watched her performance seven times on youtube. I've only watched the Cardinals once in the last 15 days.

Dear Abby,

Am I even a fan anymore?

Sincerely,
Major Hypocrite and Heartless Moaner

1,2,3,4....A Weekend of Goods in Missouri

2007-09-15T18:30:00.000-05:00

The most exciting thing about this weekend is the Tour of Missouri rounding out the first of it's many future stops in St. Louis. The second most exciting thing about this weekend is the fact that Missouri's offense continues to look more and more impressive. Third, the fact that the Cardinals could potentially win a game against the Cubs, snapping a (as I write - between doubleheader games at Busch) nine game losing streak. It seems we haven't won in ages, so a win would feel as good as a sex addict finally getting the proper fix after two months in the Big House. And fourth and foremost is a Rams game at home.

***Starting at the top, I'll continue to simply urge you to make the trek to the Big City tomorrow and watch the finish of the Tour of Missouri. As I've said before, getting the chance to see world class athletes up close like this is a rare opportunity. This isn't baseball or football, where you see the world class athletes but, in reality, they're so distant from you that they feel like immortal souls. The sport of cycling seems to be a bit different, although I can't go on a paragraph bash about how cycling stands out because it's so much cleaner and is littered with less cheats than the big sports....because we all know it isn't. But what I can do, enlisting my experience in the Durango area and being surrounded by world-class cyclists as evidence, is suggest that these athletes are much less corrupted - all in all - from the spotlight of being a world class athlete. If you get the chance, mingle with them - something you can't do with pro football, baseball, or basketball players, and learn for yourself.

These guys work harder than most athletes, and they seem to be a hell of a lot nicer too. Go show them your respect.

Here's a Race Update from the St. Louis Post Dispatch, following Saturday's finish:
"Danny Pate of Colorado Springs, Colo., rode to a solo stage win and George Hincapie of Greenville, S.C., kept his race lead for the fourth day Saturday in stage 5 of the Tour of Missouri.
Pate (Team Slipstream), a former junior world time trial champion, escaped from two other riders to claim the 126.8-mile Jefferson City to St. Charles road race in 4 hours, 50 minutes and 21 seconds.
John Fredy Parra (Tecos de la Universidad) of Colombia was second, and Jeff Louder (Health-Net) of Salt Lake City was third, both eight seconds behind Pate. Hincapie (Discovery Channel), who assumed the lead after winning stage 2, finished 25th in the main field, 2:26 behind the stage winner.
Pate maintained his 1 minute, 40-second race advantage over William Frischkorn of Boulder, Colo. David Canada (Prodir-Saunier Duval) of Spain is third overall, trailing by 2:22, with Dominique Rollin of Canada fourth, trailing by 2:23."

***Secondly, Missouri's offense seems to be untouchable right now. Two touchdown passes and a TD run for Chase Daniel adds to his impressive and ever growing eleven touchdowns over the course of the squad's first three games. Adding to West Michigan's trouble this week was wide receiver Jeremy Maclin's 275 yards of total offense (96 yards receiving, 52 yards rushing, 96 returning kickoffs, and 31 yards returning punts). "He obviously had a great day catching the football and on punt returns and kickoff returns," Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel said. "We find different ways to get him the ball because he can make things happen. He's just got to keep working harder, which he will. He's a great young man. He can do a lot of things to change a game fast." The Tigers were 23rd in total offense going into this week, ranked in the top ten in both passing and receiving. I would imagine that those stats only got better.

If you cut out the early second half collapses, which have allowed Illinois, Ole Miss, and West Michigan to make scary attempts at comebacks, we have to like what we're seeing out of the Tigers right now. "We take each game one week at a time, and it was all about coming out and dominating today," MU defensive lineman Lorenzo Williams said. Yeah...well, let's try dominating for an entire game, instead of just half of a game.

Elsewhere in the Big 12, Oklahoma looks damn near unbeatable and Nebraska will get a true test tonight against the Booty-led USC Trojans. The Sooners have won their first three games by 158 points - the most dominant start to a season since the Sooners outscored their opponents 169-6 in 1972. But as it stands, Mizzou is holding its own and things are looking good on the home front for now. Once Big 12 play starts, things could go another direction. We shall see....

***When it comes to the Cardinals and deprived sex addicts...everybody's just depressed. Seriously, winning a game would feel like a junkie or an addict...of any kind....getting a long awaited fix. I don't even like talking about this.

NEXT.

The Rams take on the Gold Miners at home this weekend. Division game. Huge rivalry. Two of the most exciting running backs in the game. A young and upcoming quarterback vs. a savvy veteran. Two teams nobody has any clue if they're going to be great or absolute trash. It's got THRILLER written all over it.

or

The 49ers could absolutely roll over a one week old but terribly depleted, aching, and probably completely atrocious offensive line, leading to a SF rout. Let's hope for the classic. But without Pace and Steussie, the Rams are going to have be magical to knock of Frank Gore and the boys.

*for info on fantasy football teams and players this week, check out Jason's blog.

Here's to hoping the Cardinals win, the Rams win, and you get off the couch and go watch some bike racing tomorrow. As for me, well, I'll figure something out.

Tour of Missouri Hits Home: Your Complete Guide

2007-09-08T19:00:00.003-05:00

Cycling doesn't get the attention it deserves in the great Show-Me-State.
Despite the copious amounts of riders that peddle across the Heartland's county roads, enjoying the rolling green hills of Missouri's back country...very few are aware that one of the nations premier bike races is about to make its home in our backyard.

Somebody call the diesel drivers and tell them to get their chew ready, this is prime time. Not only will they get to honk and spit at bikers next week, they'll get to honk and spit at some of the world's best bikers.

From September 11-16, professional cyclists from more than 20 countries, representing 15 of the world's top teams will cover 600 miles from Kansas City to St. Louis.

And this isn't just your typical Sunday stroll through the county, this is competitive cycling at it's best. The Tour of Missouri, in it's initial year, is slated as one of the nation's top three stage races, behind the prestigious Tour de Georgia and Amgen Tour of California.

Cycling in Missouri doesn't get the same amount of attention, or respect, that it does in the Western U.S.; but nonetheless, next week all Midwesterners will get a chance to see numerous Tour de France riders as well as a plethora of up-and-coming riders who are considered to have legitimate shots at etching their names on the long list of cycling greats. You'd be a damned fool to miss this.

Your complete Tour of Missouri guide is below.

QUICK FACTS:
*Dates: September 11-16, 2007
*Estimated Total Miles: 600
*Number of Teams: 15 (all professional, elite)
*Total Cyclists per Team: 8
*Number of Cyclists: 120
*Ranking: 2.1 (third highest in North America, in terms of prestige)
*National Television: Versus
*Sanctioning: International Cycling Union, USA Cycling
*Presenting Partners: State of Missouri, Missouri Division of Tourism
*Event Management and Marketing: Medalist Sports, KOM Sports Marketing
*More information: www.tourofmissouri.com
*Travel Information: www.VisitMo.com

STAGE 1: Tuesday, September 11
*Kansas City to Kansas City, road race, 85 miles
*Start: 1 p.m.
*Estimated Finish: 4:30 p.m.
*This out and back course will start in the uptown section of Kansas City in the trendy Plaza District and route north into the rolling Missouri countryside, passing through North Kansas City, Farley, East Leavenworth, Beverly, Tracy, and Platte City. After a few potential breakaway attempts, the 120 cyclists should enter the final three, five-mile circuits en masse for a finish that will likely feature the top sprinters jousting for position and a chance to not only win the stage but capture the Missouri Tourism Yellow Leader's Jersey. The final circuits will feature some of Kansas City's world-famous fountains. The first point for the Michelob ULTRA King of the Mountains competition will be awarded.

STAGE 2: Wednesday, September 12
*Clinton to Springfield, road race, 125.6 miles
*Start: 11 a.m.
*Estimated Finish: 3:30 p.m.
*After an hour transfer south to the quaint town of Clinton, near the trailhead of the state-long Katy Trail, racers will meander through the flat to rolling terrain farther south to the All-American city of Springfield. The race will start in the historic district of Clinton before heading adjacent to Highway 13, passing through the towns of Fair Play, Aldrich, and Walnut Grove, including an Edwards Jones sprint line in the town of Stockton, before racing into downtown Springfield and two final circuits. Barring a potential odd breakaway, this should be another day for the top sprinters in the field. With time bonuses on the road and at the finish line, a change in the race leadership is possible.

STAGE 3: Thursday, September 13
*Branson, individual Time Trial, 18 miles
*Start: 11 a.m.
*Estimated Finish: 1:55 p.m.
*The caravan will transfer 45 minutes south to the booming tourist town of Branson. The Landing, a new development along the river, will play host to the start of an individual time trial with a finishing climb rolling up to Shepherd of the Hills, at about 1,300 feet. KOM points will be awarded for the final climb up to the finish. Dubbed "the most decisive day" of the inaugural Tour of Missouri, this 18-mile time trial features very hilly terrain with stretches on a four-lane highway that will keep speeds high for the top time trialists. Branson is known for showmanship; therefore, the winner of this stage needs to put on a big performance with the likely result being the yellow fleece which he and his team will most likely need to protect all the way to St. Louis.

STAGE 4: Friday, September 14
*Lebanon to Columbia, road race, 133 miles
*Start: 10:30 a.m.
*Estimated Finish: 3:25 p.m.
*The Caravan once again will transfer, this time 90 minutes north to the agriculture hub of Lebanon, for the start of this lengthy stage. The race will snake through the towns of Guthrie and Ulman, highlighted by a sprint in Jefferson City and points available for the Edward Jones sprint jersey. The longest stage and potentially the most difficult of the inaugural event, the first part of the race will be flat before rolling as it gets closer to Missouri's beautiful rivers en route to the finish in the educational center of Columbia. The race will finish near the campus of the University of Missouri in the heart of downtown Columbia. It will be a double bonus for Missouri Students as it is Parent's Weekend.

STAGE 5: Saturday, September 15
*Jefferson City to St. Charles, road race, 126.6 miles
*Start: 11 a.m.
*Estimated Finish: 3:40 p.m.
*The caravan will make a short 30 minute transfer to Jefferson City for the start of the penultimate stage of the race. Starting against the backdrop of Missouri's Capitol building, this stage is another difficult one, despite no major climbs. Though starting dead flat for the first 25 miles, the course features a serpentine route along Highways 94 and 100 along the Missouri River, passing through the heart of Missouri's booming wine country, hitting Augusta, Herman, and Washington en route to the finish in beautiful and historic St. Charles, the second oldest American settlement west of the Mississippi. The race finishes near the famous Lewis and Clark Rendezvous and passes near Davy Crockett's house and includes a quarter mile stretch near the finish line over bricks on St. Charles' historic Main Street. With a reported 6,000 feet of undulated climbing, this stage is ripe for a breakaway that could stick, or at bare minimum challenge the race leader and his team.

Stage 6: Sunday, September 16
*St. Louis, circuit, 74 miles
*Start: 1 p.m.
*Estimates Finish: 3:40 p.m.
*The race makes a short jaunt south and east to Missouri's largest metropolitan area - St. Louis. Peering down Market Street, riders will glimpse the famous Arch as they start. The start will take place at St. Louis' famous Union Station. Riders will race seven circuits of 10-plus miles through urban terrain. The race, likely a promenade of sorts, still could feature a breakaway of riders way down in the general classification. The course moves west and back east, driving through the northeast part of Forest Park, which played host to the 1904 World's Fair and Olympics. The course sandwiches St. Louis University, passing by the north and south-side of the campus. With the Cubs at Cardinals and the 49ers at Rams taking place during the early part of the race, the finish could see spill-over crowds from those two sporting events, making the finale one to remember for this sports-crazy town. Either way, the backdrop is something the overall champion won't soon forget.

THE TEAMS:USA National Team, Discovery Channel, BMC, Colavita-Sutter Home, DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed, Health Net-Maxxis, Jelly Belly, KodakGallery-Sierra Nevada, Navigators Insurance, Prodir-Saunier Duval, Sparkasse, Slipstream-Chipotle, Symmetrics, Tecos, Toyota-United.

***Information provided by VeloNews

2007-09-08T19:00:00.001-05:00

This Week's Idiot: Jeff Passan

2007-09-07T22:23:00.000-05:00

Raise your hand if you're an idiot.

Hmmm... why is Jeff Passan the only one raising his hand? Surely there's more idiots in the crowd.

However, it seems this week's candidate is the first fool to shove his hand up Rick Ankiel's ass and blow this nonsense right out of proportion.

Passan says, in his yahoo.com article on Friday, "the author of baseball's greatest story this season – the one guy in whom everyone, Cardinals fans or otherwise, wanted to believe – was allegedly just like Barry Bonds: seeking glory through needles."

What? What? What? Let's get one thing clear, I've been extremely vocal and a big advocate of ridding the game of illegal substances, whether it be steroids or some small pill that big leaguers are poppin. If it's illegal, ban it. And ban the player.

That said, there is a fine line, and I mean a FINE line between Rick Ankiel and Barry Bonds. There is a fine line between Rick Ankiel and Mark McGwire.

What is that line?

Well, for starters, what Ankiel did and took was not illegal. It is now. But it wasn't then. Secondly, for anybody who is able to read, comprehend, and understand the basics of a story without feeling the urge to get your name on the front page of a multi-million dollar, yet sub-par sports URL, would clearly see Ankiel's history and quietly, and respectfully, take into consideration the HUGE possibility that what Ankiel took was a substance, recommended by doctors, to help him overcome an injury.

The Comeback Kid was injured. The 'Natural' took a legal substance, recommended by his physicians, to help overcome a serious injury. Would we not do the same? If your family doctor told you that in order to heal properly and efficiently you needed to take a certain medicine, would you look at him and say "no."

"Um, sir, in my own non-professional, non-medical opinion I think you're out of line by suggesting that I get healthy."

Is that what idiot Passan would say? No, he wouldn't. He would nod his head and say yes, then go home and ask his wife to help him swallow the horse pills because he's too big of a pansy to do it himself.

He goes on in his column:

"So expect more names to emerge, more legacies to fall, more stories on pharmaceuticals instead of far home runs. Busch Stadium crackled with life as Ankiel smacked his eighth and ninth homers Thursday, and after the Cardinals' 16-4 victory, La Russa started to wax on how Ankiel was a "marvel."

"It is kind of amazing," he said, "isn't it?"

Actually, no. Not anymore.

Not in the least.

So, less than two hours after the premature and ill-informed news was leaked about Ankiel, Passan and his yahoo buddies gathered around their water cooler and all must have openly agreed that Rick Ankiel is trash and everything he's done in the last month is worth nothing. Of course, they didn't consider the fact that they knew absolutely no facts, they had heard not a single person's story - neither Ankiel's nor Major League Baseballs, nor had they taken the time to consider a reasonable, yet less interesting storyline.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we've found a bigger idiot than Gary Pinkel.

Of course, Pinkel has a chance to regain his throne tomorrow, as he usually does every Saturday during football season.

Until then, take this bullshit media hype about Ankiel with a grain of salt. And until we know at least one truth, sit back and enjoy the Cardinals run into the postseason.

***Disclaimer: this blog was written at a time when the only fact about the Ankiel case that was known is that what he took wasn't illegal when he took it. If it turns out that Ankiel is a lying cheat and a doper, then I'll be sure to blast him as well. But no matter how the case turns out, Passan - as a "professional" journalist -is absolutely and completely out of line, and his horsecrap opinion is rooted in absolutely nothing of relevant importance.

Too Close to Not be Pissed

2007-09-01T19:05:00.001-05:00

We certainly learned one thing about the Missouri Football team on Saturday, following their near choke job against an Illinois team led by a backup quarterback: the play calling hasn't gotten any better.

For those of you who look at the 40 points that the Tigers posted and say, "well, forty points, the play calling must have been decent."

WRONG.

Consider these bonehead play calls by Gary Pinkel and his challenged coaching staff.

***A failed two point conversion in the SECOND QUARTER. Had the Tigers simply kicked the extra point, the smart play, they would have held a four point lead with 14:10 remaining in the fourth quarter, following an Illinois touchdown, rather than a one position, three point lead. Kicking the PAT would have also relieved some pressure down the stretch as the Tigers would have been leading by 7 as opposed to 6 in the closing minutes.

The bottom line is that you don't freak out, panic, and decide to attempt a two point conversion in the second quarter when you had a chance to take a 15-6, eight point lead. This call must have been made by a mentally challenged piece of the coaching personal.

***There isn't an easier way to explain the double reverse call in the third quarter with a 17-point lead either. A double reverse with a 17 point lead? Are you kidding me? Why? This brings forth a very frustrating aspect of the Tiger's play calling, why the hell do we spend half of the game in the back field?

Every SINGLE play starts with a three to four yard loss due to Pinkel's retarded shotgun scheme. First down and goal from the one, the ONE, in the first quarter and Pinkel calls four consecutive shotgun plays. FROM THE ONE. I understand he gets a hard-on for the shotgun, and I also realize he's said that his offense will play out of the shotgun the entire season. But, c'mon. Any idiot is smart enough to put at least one play that starts under center for situations like these. Why not line Martin Rucker up as fullback and have Tony Temple complete the I formation and just pound the ball across the line with one of those two guys. We saw today that Rucker can play out of the backfield, as well as move a pile of seven guys. Why not use him?

You want another example...how about the third and one shotgun pass with 12:31 remaining in the fourth? Um...for crying out loud.

***This brings me to another point concerning Tony Temple. You have to feel bad for this guy. I mean really bad. Chances are good that he could be a conference leader in yards from scrimmage if only he didn't have to gain four yards before he gets back to the line of scrimmage. EVERY SINGLE carry poor Tony Temple has to start four yards in the red. This is terrible coaching. Not to mention, every single running play takes an hour and a half to develop. The kid has no chance.

Dammit Pinkel. Get your boy under center and let's play some old school football and get this pansy ass, softball crap out of here.

OTHER NOTES:
*You have to like the way Chase Daniel (37-54, 358 yds, 3 TDs) looked from series to series. He made some pretty impressive escapes today and, for the most part, was dead accurate...considering this was the season's first game.

*Martin Rucker is a superstar. Bottom line. Getting him involved in the game early was crucial. This offensive squad has so many weapons, as shown today (Rucker, Chase Coffman, Sweat William Franklin, Danario Alexander, Tommy Saunders, and Jeremy Maclin). With this corp group of recievers and tight ends, Daniel will be able to keep defenses on their toes the entire season.

*Speaking of Alexander and Maclin...what pleasant surprises. Big games for each.

ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL:

*Somebody needs to dress up as a dirty pig and be at next week's game. How about the game Pig Brown had? Two fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown) and a goal line interception with the game on the line. A nice start.

*The ESPN2 announcers, I'm not sure who they were, quoted Gary Pinkel as saying that freshman defensive back Carl Gettis is the "best defensive back I've ever seen." High praise for a kid who played on the other side of the ball up until this year.

***It looks to me like the bottom line is simple. This team has talent on both sides of the ball, if the play calling gets better (which it won't) the Tigers have a chance to do some pretty impressive things this year. As it is, however, with an ignorant shotgun format on offense and an idiot calling plays on the side line, expect a couple frustrating losses to teams the Tigers should beat...costing them the Big 12 North.

Juan's Face...and Ankiel's Glory

2007-08-31T21:49:00.001-05:00

Getting the chance to tune into the Cardinals game tonight via ESPN.com's gamechannel, all the while keeping track on the Cardinals forum on STLtoday.com. Unfortunately I didn't get to see Juan take one of the face, or Rick's bash but it's a pleasure seeing that little white ball leave the stadium with the bases loaded...even if it is from my computer.

Some highlights from the forum tonight:

From ozziethesaint: "(Juan) didn't duck out of the way like he does when he plays right field."

"Have fun on the DL Juan. Now you can't steal at-bats from better players."

***Why can't people give this dude a break? He's batting .283 on the season. Better than Rolen, Duncan, Edmonds, Molina, Kennedy, Ludwick, Spiezo, Bennett, and Preston Wilson.

From krazy2k: "Tony's next smart move should be demoting Anthony Reyes to the bullpen."

From Dennis7474: "Have never liked Juan's play, but by no means was happy to see this happen. Hopefully he can make a full recovery. I was hoping, if that's the right word for the situation, that it hit him in the mouth and not the eye. As for the sick posts, we all knew they were gonna happen. Some people crave attention, no matter how they get it."

***Ah...there's the answer I was looking for. The previous posts from ozziethesaint is from a "sick" and "perverse" person who "craves attention."

COMMENTS ON ANTHONY REYES:

"Tony's next smart move should be demoting Anthony Reyes to the bullpen."

"I've defended him, rationalized his performance, believed in his ability despite dismal performance after dismal performance -- no longer. The truth is it's not run support, it's pitch selection and location.
Why not pound your fastball rather than hanging looping, hanging curves? Sadly, the window to deal him when his value was high is a faint memory.
He shouldn't start another game for the Cardinals.
And this, my friends, from a true believer."

"Most frustrating guy on the team." -Bernie Miklasz

"It hasn't been a good year for either Kip Wells or Anthony Reyes. I think Reyes will be back next year, but I don't feel the same way about Wells.
I just don't understand this. He had strung together a few good outings not too long ago, and now this is his third consecutive sub par start. And there may have been excuses such as poor run support, poor defense, or the wind at Wrigley Field. There is no excuse tonight. He just flat out wasn't very good.
I will be curious to see how Reyes can bounce back from this tough season as we move into 2008. I have a hard time believing he will start the season 2-13 again."

"It is very frustrating. There is no pitcher on that roster that we've all hoped to see succeed more than Reyes. We've all followed him with high hopes for years. He tantalizes with brilliant performances, but more often than not he fails. I do agree that his time is surely running out with this organization."

"It's just not going to happen with him and while I'm one of the last guys on the planet to give up, I have. There has to be some mental deficiency explanation."

***There you have it, Bird fans giving up on both Reyes and Encarnacion.

Thought you guys might enjoy those thoughts from other Redbird fans. Let us know what you think about these two guys, and put a word in for Ankiel as well.

Have a good night. And a great win for the Birds' tonight. And an even better loss for the Cubbies. Cheers.

Not a Fightin Chance for Illini

2007-08-31T19:09:00.000-05:00

...or so most Mizzou fans think. But remember that embarrassing loss to Iowa State last year in clutch time? Remember two seasons ago when the good ole Tigers capsized against a poor New Mexico team? Surely no one has forgotten that Pinkel and Co. have bitten the dust two of the last three years to a terrible Kansas Jayhawk squad?

So what makes the believers believe this season? Maybe it's the renewed confidence of head coach Gary Pinkel and his 6.5 million dollar nest, or the fact that football experts are mentioning the Tigers in their preseason talks. Perhaps its the exciting young quarterback Chase Daniel and the high-flying Big 12 offense. Maybe, just maybe....

But Mizzou fans..beware. Myself included. Don't go more than knee-deep in the hype. This is a mediocre football program with much to prove this season and beyond. The squad is led by a questionable coach who has a career losing record in the Big 12 (20-28). Not to mention, a bulk of the team is young with much to learn. Don't believe this team won't make stupid decisions on the field (remember Will Franklin's touchdown-to-be last season?) Daniel is a young man still and although he seems to be invincible under pressure...remember this is only his second season as a starter.

The Big 12 isn't an easy nest to lay your egg in. The stakes are high and the pressure is on. This isn't the OVC, baby. Samford isn't on the schedule. A 56-point season opening loss won't be something to laugh about. People won't be saying "let's wait until we get a home game." Mizzou must win now. They must win tomorrow. And they must win many more times this season. The Independence Bowl won't cut it this year. Second place in the North won't cut it this year.

All the hype adds all the pressure. Let's cross our fingers and hope the boys in black and gold can stay focused, determined, and able to handle the big show. Opening up on ESPN2 is the real deal. Playing at the Ed is the big time. Pinkel better have his boys ready to fight this season, or there's going to be more alumn and fans jumping off the bandwagon quickly.

Deck out in your best black and gold plated birthday suit, be in downtown early enough to get nice and funny so you're not shy about contributing to the ruckus, and be ready to heckle the hell out of anybody in puke orange. I'm jealous. And I'm envious of all you lucky fools who get to be there.

Think of me. Call me. I'll be bellied up at Cuckoo's eating fried chicken and drinking some of Augie's finest. And if there's a stupid three yard sweep play called on a third and long, I'll be causing a little ruckus of my own.

"We're gonna go inside, we're gonna go outside, inside and outside. We're gonna get 'em on the run boys and once we get 'em on the run we're gonna keep 'em on the run. And then we're gonna go go go go go go and we're not gonna stop til we get across that goal line. This is a team they say is... is good, well I think we're better than them. They can't lick us, so what do you say men?"

Only Two Back, Jack.

2007-08-28T19:02:00.000-05:00

THIS JUST IN: "Jason Isringhausen, the Cards' all-time leader in saves, has been with the team for six seasons now, but this year has been arguably his best. He pitched a scoreless May and has converted 27 of 29 saves with a 1.50 ERA." Write that down and stuff it in your mouth all you ignorant fools who hate on the best closer the Cardinals have had in 15 years. "Oh, let's trade him. He's terrible. He's old. He's hurt. Here he comes, he's going to blow the game for us." Until I moved out of Missouri, I was so sick and tired of hearing about everybody in Cardinal nation gripe and moan about Jason Isringhausen. It was the stupidest moaning I've ever heard in my life. Realize a good thing when you have it.

And to all those who stuck with Izzy through a rough spell, thank you. You know a good thing when you see it.

I'll avoid the same ole song and dance of me telling you that the Cardinals are going to make the playoffs. You know that by now. And you're starting to believe again. Aren't you?

As I was reading Mark's T5 blog this week, and was reflecting on Starbury's comments, I got to thinking: why is beating dogs any different than killing deer? These dogs aren't domestic, they were born and bred to fight each other. I'm not defending Mike Vick, by any means, but think about it....and tell me what you think. Because the issue isn't going away any time soon. Kind of like Maria Sharapova isn't getting ugly any time soon. You can put that on your chalkboard also.

*Issac Bruce weighs on the Vick issue at yardbarker.com. He also guarantees an MVP season. Draft him early.

Ricky Clemons is BACK, but nobody ever doubted him. Did they? He signed a pro deal to launch retarded shots from stupid positions in untimely moments somewhere in Poland. I've heard they're feeding him cheeseburgers and fries under the table. The kid just can't do it clean. He's like Kalen Grimes in that sense. That said, I guess playing ball in Poland is better than beating innocent bystanders in the head with a pistol. Kudos to Clemons.

Speaking of Mizzou...this is certainly the most excited I've been about Mizzou football in a long time. I couldn't get over the players 'pride and ego' while I was on campus there, but now that I'm off....I'm stoked about this season. Even Mizzou coaching great Gary Pinkel says "I feel it." Usually that means he feels another three yard sweep play on 3rd and 11. But maybe not. Maybe this is the year. Maybe this is his year. We need to fire him, in my opinion. But I'm pulling for him this season. I want the team to win the damn Big 12. And if he's at the helm than so be it. Let's just win some football games. It's all about ball, baby. Even if it is made of pigskin.

And speaking of pigskin...why isn't the NFL in trouble for killing pigs in order to make their footballs? Or is that whole pigskin thing just a saying? C'mon guy.

I've gotta jet, the clearance deal from DirectTV on the Poland Pro Basketball package is over in twenty minutes. Step to the 'Lu.

Ankiel the Gem in Cardinals Rusting Armor

2007-08-11T21:07:00.000-05:00

...and in right field, for the future, ladies and gentlemen we give you THE LOLLIPOP KID: RRRRRRIIIIICCCKKKKK AAANNNNKIEl! Somebody call Sports Illustrated and tell them their Ankiel-O-Meter just exploded like Barry Bonds' head. Somebody call the Cubs front office and tell them we've got a new weapon, tell them that, unlike their sorry organization, we know what to do with our pitching prospects when they suck on the mound. Call the commissioner and tell him he needs to be in St. Louis watching a real athlete do incredible things, not a fat, overweight, big-headed, steroid using slug hit long balls with a fungo bat. In St. Louis (post-McGwire era), we know how to play real baseball. And Rick Ankiel, sports fans, is the best thing to happen to St. Louis since Bartman pissed Moisture Aloe off.

Seriously, we're running out of time. But from my seat out west I think Ankiel makes up 4 of the 6 games himself. The CoRockies are taking care of business against the sorry Cubbies in the seventh (not that we're worried about the Cubs). And, like I've been saying all along, the Brewers are destined for a colossal collapse. It'll happen.

The Birds have a long way to go, but the Lollipop Kid is a reason to get excited about being at Busch Stadium again. As for me, I've worked out a deal with the Durango Joes coffee company across the street from my crib that allows me to borrow one of their laptops with high speed wifi each evening so I can listen to Shannon's voice take us into the playoffs right from the comfort of my front yard hammock.

Not all of you have it as nice as me, but at least you can still go to Busch. When you get there, if Jack Clark is sitting in your seat, kick his ass out. And make him buy you a Budweiser. And let him know that he's been terrible for me in Nintendo's RBI baseball all season long. He's batting a measly .246 with 13 homers. You gotta expect more out of Jack Clark.

What's your thoughts on Ankiel? Is he the real deal or is another Anthony Reyes?

Get real people. We're going to the playoffs.

Blood and Guts...not Dope

2007-07-26T19:49:00.000-05:00

One of the many things I've learned since moving west to Durango, Colorado is that cycling kicks ass. Bottom line. But I've got a radical idea concerning international competitive cycling...do away with it. Gone. Doneski. For a whole year. Let's break this thing down and start it over again. Tell these no good, cheating punks to find a living somewhere else.

Can somebody please stand up and be the next Lance Armstrong? Can somebody please stand up and be somebody, anybody, that isn't pumping illegal fluids into their blood stream? Please. How in the world has cycling turned into baseball? Sadly enough, Lance Armstrong is the reason for all this. He was too good for the sport. Yes, EPO was kicking almost thirty years ago but the truth is that the heavy stuff didn't start until Armstrong got the world wearing yellow bracelets. Everybody wanted to be Lance Armstrong. And many of the "professional" riders in the sport wanted it just a little too much. And like fishing with dynamite, the International Cycling Union started plucking dead beat cyclist from the "big head, small testicle" pool faster than you can say "Barry Bonds sucks under pressure."

The whole thing is sad. Respect for the sport of professional cycling is on the verge of death by syringe. And although it isn't near the event in the heartland of Missouri that it is in southwest Colorado, eyes should be open to the fact that it's not just youth baseball players and young, macho men wrestlers striving to be donned "professional" in their respective sports that need to worry. All of a sudden, parents have to start worrying about their 15 year-old going out on a long road bike on a county road near you. How sick is that? Armstrong has faded, and many of the new names don't ring a bell; nonetheless, the Steve Nash's and the Albert Pujols' of cycling are going down faster than Lindsay Lohan can swallow a milligram of Valium.

In this town, people believe there's a savior. The possible future of cycling resides only blocks away from this keyboard. Tom Danielson is dope free. He's clean. He's the real deal. The locals swear by it. He swears by it. I've never met the guy, but my recent fondness of cycling has brought me to a single hope: Tom Danielson, you better be clean. Held out of the feature rider spot for Team Discovery Channel due to a life-threatening stomach illness, Danielson has resorted to watching this year's tour from the couch.

"It's obviously very difficult to watch the race," said Danielson during a recent interview with the Durango Herald's Aaron Unterreiner. Spanning from the prospect of a feature rider to another angry viewer during this year's tour and it's doping fiasco has put Danielson in a tight spot when it comes to his sport. "I think all of us in the peloton of cyclists are asking this to stop, please stop - just stop," Danielson said. "If the message wasn't clear enough before, it's clear now. The sport is going to clean up. It looks bad for the sport, but at the same time it looks good for the sport."

Looks good? Kind of like Barry Bonds and Rafael Palmeiro look good for baseball? Supposedly, that isn't the kind of "good" Danielson was referring to. "It's gonna take time, it's gonna take messages. It's not worth it. It's not at all. We hope that the message is clear. Personally, watching the race, I think the sport will be in a better place after this black period."

The "black period" in cycling has hit an all-time low during this year's Tour in which four cyclists and two teams in the last week have withdrawn due to doping allegations, including, for the first time ever, a rider wearing the yellow jersey.

Cycling will never be as popular as baseball. But the fact is simple: it's a sport nonetheless. And just like every thing else, being the best and being famous comes with a mountain of pressure. And as the pressures continue to build up in every aspect of society, what we can hope for, as fans, is somebody to come along and revive the spirit of true competition once again.

As far as cycling goes, I don't know if Danielson is the answer or not. But it's time for professional athletes all across the globe to step up and be true professionals, and begin winning the old fashion way...with blood and guts.

The Quick 'N Easy

2007-07-24T19:01:00.001-05:00

Fresh of the boat, I'm wondering what to be more excited about in the near future. The Cardinals winning their next seven games, Dante Hall's new St. Louis birthday suit, or Paul Kariya's nice, slick blue skates. Truth is, can Kip Wells really beat Carlos Zambrano tonight? Can he beat anybody, for that matter, or has he already had that one brilliant start we signed him for? Dante Hall's probably too old for me to be giving him this much hype, and Paul Kariya has to take a young team and lift them to stardom in one year or less or the Blues are going to lose more fans. And more fans. Get your Kariya jersey's now, my buddy Jeff is buying up every single one in the St. Louis area. So you better special order yours.

What's more exciting: Lindsey Lohan going back to rehab or the exciting potential of that Milwaukee collapse I keep talking about? Is that going to happen, or should I shut up?

And speaking of the Cardinals. Apparently Carpenter is scheduled for Tommy John surgery early next week? Am I hearing this right? If it's true, or if it's not true, what the hell are the Birds going to do at the deadline? Are we contenders or not? To break it down, we've got two teams ahead of us as of right now. This Chicago series can go a long way in determining where we stand for the stretch run, especially considering a four game stint with the Brewers follows. All of which are at Busch.

My thoughts, however, are if we don't win both of these upcoming series, then we have to stay put and try to lace this thing together with what we've got. I certainly don't feel like we should trade for lineup help, for two reasons: first and foremost, it's our pitching that needs desperate help (I don't expect Carp or Mulder this season), and secondly, where would we trade? Our outfield is set for the future with Duncan, Rasmus, and Ankiel (I think?) Our infield is solid, for the most part, but I guess there is a possibility of packaging Scotty Ballgame in a deal with a young pitcher (Reyes) for a quality starter. But who? Dontrelle Willis is the only guy that interest me on the market, and despite my infatuation with him early in the season, he sucks right now. And I don't want him on my team.

If we do make trades, I think they have to be for players who are under contract for more than this season. And also, will Walt Jocketty really be motivated to help this team if the rumors about him not being around in the future are true? Another something to think about. This team is going to have to get hot and they're going to have to do it with the player's they have right now. So somebody step up and throw strikes.

Eleven games left against the Cubbies. Ten left with the Brew Crew. There's plenty of time to spoil some cork parties in the NL Central. But the bottom line is that we have to motivate and start kicking ass. Bottom line. So get your ass out to Busch stadium with your case of Budweiser and get those Cardinals some damn W's.

Here's to Zambrano being absolutely terrible tonight. Cheers.

You've Been Great...

2007-07-14T20:39:00.000-05:00

...even while I've been gone. It's been a long time indeed, and I miss every one of you guys, my loyal fans. (Although not a single response to my absence was posted on the blog response board, thereby leading me to the conclusion that I don't actually have any loyal fans.) Anyway, on to it..

MY SUGGESTION to the St. Louis Blues: Don't screw this up. Paul Kariya and Keith Tkachuk is a step above Bill Guerin and Keith Tkachuk. Kariya is undisuputably one of the best front line players in the game of hockey, and we all know that 'Chuckers has a knack for the back of the net. Get these two some defensive support and let's win some damn hockey games.

MY SUGGESTION to the St. Louis Cardinals: Um? Stay healthy. If I was Pittsburgh, Houston, or the Cincy right now I'd be saying.."for God's tap dancing sake, get that busted ass, piece of unhealthy drog crap out of my worryin way." But I'm not them, I'm assuming that they're just happy with the conclusion that they're terrible baseball teams. It amazes me that with all the injuries the Cardinals have endured, there is still three teams worst than them in the division. Eight games out? And only the Cubs and Brewers in our way. I'm still holding out hope, because I've seen way to many collapses in baseball lately. So my suggestion: bunt the guy over, and somebody gap one. Let's win some damn baseball games.

MY SUGGESTION to the St. Louis Rams: Get Dante Hall the damn ball.

And last, but - trust me - certainly not least: MY SUGGESTION to the University of Missouri Basketball team: I warned you. From day one. Ever since that gigantic man with the 636 tat on on his right bicep walked into my house and stole my John Mayer LIVE at Any Given Thursday dvd from my movie collection. I warned you and you never listened. So now, take my suggestion: allow the law to throw Kalen Grimes in jail. Because, after all, beating somebody in the head with the butt of a sawed-off shotgun is much worse than tax evasion...or any of the other stupid, jail-time laws we throw people in jail for. Throw him in jail, lock him up, and make him learn his lesson: Playing basketball for a notorisously ruined, and terrible basketball program doesn't make you a big shot. It just means your big, but not good enough to play for a good team.

And also MY SUGGESTION to the University of Missouri: I also warned you to fire Gary Pinkel before he ruins another football season. But I bet you won't listen...

A Sport, and a Tradition, Missouri Misses

2007-06-20T21:03:00.001-05:00

I've been lucky enough to get the chance, and the experience, over the last five years to participate in some of America's most amazing whitewater boating. I've been privileged to travel across state lines on rivers, in canyons, that very few people knew even existed. I've been given the chance, time and time again, to sleep in an ancient mining town that is only accessible by water. And I've been honored to get the chance to work among, and learn from, some of the country's greatest whitewater guides.

One of which, sadly, is no longer with us. Last weekend was the two year anniversary of Darrel Bogenrief's tragic death on a whitewater trip between Durango and Silverton, Colorado. Darrel passed while trying to save a customer from drowning in a class five rapid. His courage transcended all expectations of boatmen. He went above and beyond rescue protocol in an attempt to save the life of a man he knew for only three hours. And if he wouldn't have gone as far as he did, nobody would've blamed him. But that was Darrel, a guide who put everybody in his boat far above himself. And it cost him his life. And I doubt he'd have it any other way.

Despite hardly knowing Darrel, I'd no doubt consider him a companion, a fellow boatman, and a friend. I've heard his stories, heard his jokes, and read his words in notebooks buried deep in mountain rock in places only a select few know about.

So this past weekend, on a memorial trip honoring Darrel on the day of his death, I was privileged to get the experience of a lifetime. For the first time in two years, the guides who were with Darrel the day of his death resurfaced on the boating ring. Guides who'd long lost the motivation to travel back to Silverton, Colorado to run the same rapid that took their best friends life were on the mountain again. The same guys, all four of them, who grew up together, went to high school and college in Denver together, lived together, and eventually moved to Durango together in order to pursue a sport all of them loved. These guys, the same who were in boats helping Darrel with a fatal rescue, gained the courage to get back in the boat and face the emotional nemesis of Ten Mile Rapid on the Upper Animas river.

For one reason. It was Father's Day. And Darrel's dad, "Bogey" decided it was time to conquer that rapid. He decided it was time to pay respects to his son, his love for boating, and to the river that took his life. And he was bringing the good old boys back with him. It was Father's Day. And Bogey wanted to be with his son. And there was only one way to do it. Get on the river and get through Ten Mile Rapid, the last rapid his son ever ran.

Can you imagine the emotion?

There's a touching memorial to Darrel high above Ten Mile, deep in the woods, buried underground. His life jacket, his helmet, a picture, and a bottle of his favorite. For the first time since Darrel was taken, the old friends and the dad gathered around the memorial. All alone, as somewhere Darrel watched, and they poured one out for him, as per tradition.

I couldn't imagine the emotion in the boats behind us, the emotion in our own was touching enough. Later on in the day, I got the honor and privilege to speak with Bogey. Obviously, you're not sure what to say in a situation like that. A good friend put it bluntly, "walk up there, introduce yourself and say 'it's good to see you up here, Bogey.'"

So I walked up there. "Bogey. My name's Dave. I didn't really know Darrel but I just wanted to let you know that I'm glad to see you up here. It means something to all of us."

"You ever been up to his memorial, Dave?"

"No I haven't sir. I figured I'd leave that to his close buds."

"Do me a favor. Next time you're up here, take a hike over there and tell him I said hi. Don't be afraid. He was just like the rest of you guys. He's a boatmen and just like all the other boatmen he's part of your heritage."

That's when it hit me. Two guys I hardly knew, Bogey and Darrel, somehow made it so simple. Honor your past. And live on.

It was possibly the most touching words ever said to me. Maybe the coolest thing ever said to me. There I was, standing in the middle of mountains, in a place I knew so little about, on a river that could have its way with me at any time. And an old, wise man telling me how to stay on top: respect the sport, Dave.

It's a lesson that relates to all sports, all across the world. Whether it's hustling out a groundball or sliding a little harder in the half court defense. Or paying your respects to a lost friend who paved the way for so many of us lucky boatmen.

Honor the sport. Love the sport. Respect the sport. And go hard.

Arguments against Redbirds sound familiar

2007-06-12T15:48:00.001-05:00

The famaliar ring of naysayers across Cardinal Nation is back. And to no surprise. I've said many a time that Cardinal Nation can often be seen as a bandwagon tribe, drinking Budweiser and sporting Molina jerseys when we're winning, but also bitching and moaning when the team is down. There's no difference this season. The birds got off to a terrible start, dead bats and sour pitching included. They dropped to nearly ten games back from a lackluster and young Brewers squad, sending many Cardinal "faithful" squaking for LaRussa's badge, crying for the deal of the century from humble Walt Jocketty, and questioning whether all the hype around Reyes, Wainwright, and Duncan was called for.

To no surprise. And truthfully, you can't be expected to always be on the team's back and never question moves or ideas from the coaching staff and front office. This is part of being a fan. It's our job to study the game, and suggest different approaches. It's healthy to talk about deadline deals involving the dishing of young talent. All that's great.

But another thing to remember is that the Cardinals are only 5.5 games out BEFORE the All-Star break. And if you're noticed a recent trend across baseball the last couple of years: pre-All Star break records mean little. The last few years many teams have charged late in the season to either make or seriously take a run at the playoff bubble. Don't expect anything different this season.

There's been mention on the response board that the Cardinals are going to wear down, tire out, and fail to make the run. But don't be so sure. We've had to default to a number of young and inexperienced pitchers to fill the roles of starter and reliever. And it's true...a young bullpen has the tendency to tire down. And pitchers like Looper and Thompson, who've spent the majority of the recent seasons in the bullpen, aren't used to throwing so many innings over the course of the season. But the Brewers are a young team as well and they lack the one thing the Cardinals don't...leadership.

I wouldn't worry too much about the Cubs. Because they're the Cubs. And forget about the Reds, Astros, and Pirates. The Astros are rebuilding and the Reds and Pirates are still at least a year or two off from making a serious run in the central. That leaves the Birds and the Brews. And when it comes to proven clubhouse leaders the Cardinals have the upper hand. And this leadership will come into play as the season drags on. Guys like Pujols, Carpenter, Rolen, Edmonds, Eckstein, and Isringhausen and the experience and leadership they bring will be the difference in the division.

Cards by 3.

Sincerely, World Champions

2007-06-05T22:24:00.001-05:00

To Whom it May Concern in Milwaukee,

This is an open letter to inform your professional baseball organization that they're dead meat. By which I mean...a minnow in the mouth of a shark. A mouse in the mouth of a big cat. Dead in the water. Doneski. To put it short: you're the fish and we're the dynamite.

This happens every year. But to your credit you held on a little bit longer this season. In fact, you're still holding on. A measly six game lead that you can see dwindling in your best nightmares. You're not even worried about us, you know we're going to win the division, but what you're really thinking right now is: we have to hold off Piniella's Cubs.

Everybody jumped on your bandwagon right away. ESPN. FOX. MLB. Whatever. Whether you think he is or not, J.J. Hardy isn't Albert Pujols. And did you see So Taguchi tonight? Have you seen So Taguchi period? He's closer to Ichiro than Hardy is to Pujols. Scotty Ballgame's heating up (.319 the last month), Jimmy Edmonds is hot (.292, 3 homers the last week), and Prince Albert is..well...King of Baseball (.313, 5 dingers, 14 rbis the last month). Brad Thompson's got four wins in five decisions since coming over from the 'pen. And did we mention we've closed the gap to six games AND we have Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder coming back. Mulder, traveling with the Cardinals and throwing off the mound is getting scary close. Not to mention BIG Walt Jocketty in the general manager's box. WOW.

And you. Well, you've got a team of youngsters bound to collapse in the second half. Simply put.

Get off your high horse, Milwaukee. It's over. Congrats on the extended run but we're coming for you. And we've got the best player in baseball and the best pitcher in the national league getting ready to hunt.

And our beer is better than yours.

Sincerely,
World Champions

The A-Rod Bash

2007-05-31T00:34:00.000-05:00

"He's also a gigantic, whining pansy who wears pink low-cut underwear to bed at night and wakes up each morning complaining about a hangnail."

That's how I put it. Has this guy lost his mind? Has he gone straight mad? And why aren't more people outraged about his childish tendencies on the baseball diamond?

His latest episode: screaming in the John McDonald's ear as he passed by, forcing McDonald to drop the ball. This is the kind of crap that happens in t-ball. Not professional sports. This happens in the movies. Not in real-life on a diamond with a bunch of adults.

I'm sorry if you're starting to feel like this post is becoming an A-Rod bashing, but I can't help myself. This idiot should be fined, embarrassed, and suspended for acting like a 6 year old.

Does it not just make you cringe seeing him on Sportscenter, laughing like the whole situation was funny.

That's two Sportscenter episodes thus far this summer, and both of them have caught A-Rod acting like a pansy.

Baby Dolls are for Yankees

2007-05-29T14:21:00.000-05:00

It was a week of firsts for me. It was the first time I was able to catch an entire Sportscenter episode since the summer began. And it was also the first time I got to watch any bit of Cardinal substance on TV. On Sportscenter, I, fittingly, caught the evening that contained A-Rod's cheap shot at Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Obviously A-Rod's cowardliness came to no surprise and I was left laughing at his stupid post-game comments.

Let's get one thing straight. This kid is a hell of a baseball player. But he's also a gigantic, whining pansy who wears pink low-cut underwear to bed at night and wakes up each morning complaining about a hangnail. Then proceeds to take cheap shots during baseball games the way someone who's on baseball's highest pay-roll team and is 11 games out of first place would. The Yankees suck. And I'll be the first to say nothing makes me happier.

The Cardinal game I got to catch was yesterday's 6-2 let-down at Coor's against the Rocks. I was hoping, and was supposed to, make the trek north to catch the series but I got sidetracked with a better option. Can you believe that? A better option than watching the Cardinal game? Never thought I'd say it.

It blows my mind however that my first Cardinal game of the summer came without Rolen, Edmonds, and Duncan in the line-up. I don't understand why Tony does this. Why take all the homerun threats (besides Pujols and Taguchi) out of the lineup? Our lineup isn't scary when it's at its best, and it looks like a team the Nationals would field without Edmonds, Ballgame, and Baby Dunc. Sit them one at a time if they need rest, but not all three. C'mon, Tony. Are you losing your edge?

Is Tony losing his edge?

Game 2. Softball. Tomorrow night. Jose...any predictions?

The Things I Hate Most

2007-05-17T21:08:00.000-05:00

Wow, I didn't know anybody cared about the NBA. I wasn't even aware that anybody cared enough to get mad about it. I was listening to Dan Patrick's interview with David Stern and, basically, Dan told him exactly what you guys are saying. Dan said it was a conspiracy theory and the punishment actually benefited the aggressor. Stern's response: rules are rules.

Rules are rules. I've been a Suns fan since day one. I hate the NBA, but if I had to choose a team it would still be the Suns. And I would make Paul Westphal the GM. They did get screwed. But rules are rules and Mr. Amare came off the bench and that entitles him to a one game suspension.

But save yourself the misery and watch something better.

Larry...everyone's entitled to their own opinion. But smashing hockey right to my face is risky. C'mon. Hockey is a GREAT sport.

I appreciate the stats, Jose. Although it's fairly difficult to strike out looking. But since you're so concerned and interested, here's my line.
1st - Groundout to third.
3rd - Line drive basehit to left
5th - Walk
6 - Homer to left

20-8 was the final. Good guys.

The post-game, beer consuming conversation came to our most hated athletes. Spawned by our hatred for all things NBA. I thought I'd pass on my ten most-hated baseball players, and the reasons why.

#10 - Jose Reyes: My kind of baseball player, but why the hell does he have to whine and moan every time a strike is called against him? Shut up and play ball. Quit looking for the camera.
#9 - JD Drew: It's too bad he's never really been THAT good. Then I'd really hate him. But bottom line is that he's a money dweller. And he's overpaid.
#8 - Michael Barrett: It's tough to hate a guy that's not really any good. At all. But the kid's a Cardinal killer.
#7 - Carlos Zambrano: Shut up and pitch.
#6 - Johnny Damon: Speaking of money dwellers. This guy had the entire city of Boston at his fingertips. He was the poster boy for baseball. He was everywhere. Then he split town to play for the hated Yanks and take more money. They once said that 2004 Boston team was "a bunch of idiots." Damon is the biggest one of them all.
#5 - Barry Bonds: Steroids aside, this guy is a jackass asshole. His own recliner? His own TV? Jackass. Asshole.
#4 - Gary Sheffield: It all stems from one play. A couple years back. Ball goes into the corner, Gary goes after it, fan interferes, Gery throws punch. It happened. It was obvious. The camera's caught it. The fan was in the wrong as well, I'll admit. And I wouldn't have cared so much about the play but my cousin Paul swears to his grave that the fan threw a punch (when, in reality, he simply got excited, reached down, and tried to grab a ball - it happens EVERY SINGLE GAME. Why would a fan throw a punch at Gary Sheffield? This doesn't make sense. Was he sitting there telling his buddy: "hey, Mike, if someone hits a ball into the corner this game and Sheffield somehow happens to be right in front of us as the ball passes, I'm going to throw a cheap shot at him. It'll be perfect.") Paul also swears that Shef didn't throw a punch in retaliation. Why he feels the need to wrongly defend a Yankee (at the time) is beyond me. The fan got excited, Shef threw a punch (and missed). And he landed in my top four because of Paul.
#3 - Derek Jeter: Solid ballplayer. I mean GOOD. But ESPN makes this guy out to be the second coming of Christ. He's not from Nazareth, people. And the play a couple years ago where he caught the ball in fair territory then dove into the stands for no apparent reason wasn't THAT great of play. It happens all the time, but ESPN glorified it and made it the PLAY OF THE YEAR? C'mon. This was the same season Jim Edmonds went 25 yards back on a ball against the Reds, scaled the wall, and with his backhand took a homerun away that was a good four feet over the wall. Jimmy's play was ten times better than Jeter's. And Jeter's ugly.
#2 - Alex Rodriguez: One of the best players in baseball. Bottom line. But for some reason, in 2004, he felt the need to swat at Doug Mirabelli's glove in the ALCS to knock a ball out on a play at first. This is something a sore losing, schoolboy pansy does. THEN he proceeds to pretend he did nothing wrong, the way a three year-old girl cries to her mommy when someone takes a piece of her toy train set. The cameras were on, he was guilty. Own up to it and be a man. For crying out loud.
#1 - Roger Clemens: Wow. He's not that good. What he is though is a self-indebted, attention-wanting, over-paid, old man. The last time he pitched in the powerful American League, his ERA was near 4.00. He can only last five innings. And, brace yourself, he took steroids. The league covered it up. Wow. I really really really dislike this guy.

In a New York subway series, I'm taking the Mets. EVERY SINGLE TIME. But that won't ever happen because Carlos Beltran can't hit Adam Wainwright when it counts. Therefore, the Mets will never get back to the series.

That was knee-buckling. Who's your top ten? Go Cards.

Give Me Back MY PULSE.

2007-05-14T21:02:00.000-05:00

To put it simply: I've been without a pulse. Finals week engulfed me. A roadtrip across the country exhausted me. I finished school, moved to Durango, Colorado, and have been working ten hours a day every day since. I'm sick, tired, and I need to blog.

So..fresh from my new digs in D-Town, let's get back to the basics. Here's how sad it is...I've been given late night access to the local newspaper office (thanks to the Durango Herald Sports Staff) and I can't find the Cardinals on the TV. Why the hell aren't the Cardinals televised all across the world? The lack of respect for the World Champs is disgusting. I could care less about the Suns-Spurs or the Cavs-Nets. The NBA sucks. I want the Cardinals.

So..I need help. Until today, I've had no internet access. Local sports radio only gives the score of the Cardinal game, no details provided. Three consective shutouts? Two for the other team. Nasty. Who's been doing what?
*Is Albert a king once again?
*Has Jimmy got RBI number 2 yet?
*Is Duncan still mashing? Does our pitching staff still look like pigs rolling in shi*?
*Have any of you naysayers given in and adopted the name "Ballgame" for Scotty Rolen yet?

Can anybody help? I'll get back in the mix, I promise. But for now, I need help catching help. And can any of you with mad smarts and wiring capability somehow wire the Cardinal game to the drive-in theater screen located behind my house? With our technology, surely this can be done. By tomorrow.

Not that anybody cares, but I have my first softball game on Wednesday night. Any predictions?

Sincerely,
Lost

News of Hancock Prompts Beer Ban

2007-05-04T12:34:00.000-05:00

The news is out, Cardinal pitcher Josh Hancock was legally drunk at the time of his wreck, at almost twice the legal limit. Apparently he was talking on his cell phone at the time of the crash as well. So the speculation is over and the worst nightmares are confirmed. Nonetheless, it's sad to see him go.

The news, reported by the St. Louis Police Department this morning, has prompted a St. Louis Cardinals Organization press conference. The conference is taking place as I type and the basic idea behind it is that the team will be incorporating a zero-tolerance policy on the organization's members. The details are sketchy at this point, but it sounds like there will be no more beer in the clubhouse and no more drinking after games. It's hard to say what "zero-tolerance" means at this point. I would imagine it's not legal for the Cardinals to say to its members, "you can't drink at all." But who knows? Maybe there's a legal clause that states when an organization is paying you millions and millions of dollars, they have control over your social life as well. We should know all the details soon.

Many locals have been calling for this. Others won't understand it. There's two ways of looking at it, I guess. Most of the time, you're not allowed to crack into a cold beer at the office after a long day of work. Essentially, that's what the Cardinals are doing. Their job is baseball. Their office is the clubhouse. If you can't do it at a sky rise while working for a multi-million dollar industry, then why can you do it while working on a baseball field?

On the other hand, beer has always been a part of baseball. Banning beer from the clubhouse is like banning cigarettes at bars. It's UN-American, but they're doing it anyway. In the end, they're both a good thing - there's no debating that. But how far do we go? Yes, the athletes are old enough to be responsible for themselves. But, on the other hand, Major League Baseball probably shouldn't allow their players to drink at the ballpark and then drive home...simply for the safety of other people.

I'd be down with a two beer limit to all players while at the ballpark. Or having Major League teams install a breathalyzer that players must blow into before they're allowed to leave the clubhouse. This wouldn't be expensive, and it would make things safe.

I don't agree, however, with banning beer completely. This is baseball. Let's make it safe while still honoring the tradition.

I understand it's not about the legends of baseball at this point, it's only about saving lives and making things as safe as possible. But you have to admit that imagining Babe Ruth up there in baseball heaven during the Cardinals press conference today is entertaining. With the news of a beer ban in the clubhouse, you can just see Babe leaning on a wooden bat with a big ole fat cigar hanging from his mouth and a beer in his right hand. He's probably looking at Gehrig and grumbling, "damnit, Lou, you believe this shit?"

Sadly Enough, American Media has Come to This

2007-05-02T15:24:00.000-05:00

For the second time in a week, The St. Louis Post Dispatch has fallen on harsh criticism. Last week, readers were ignited by Cardinal coach Tony LaRussa over an article that ran on the front page of the sports section bashed the history of the division rival Chicago Cubs. This week, the paper found itself neck deep in debate again after a story ran on the front page of the paper suggesting that Josh Hancock had been drinking at the time of his fatal accident.

Last week's basis: a franchise that hasn't won a World Series since it wouldn't accept a goat's ticket 98 years ago.
This week's basis: an account from "a man named Vince."

Has the Post Dispatch crossed the line? The topic is certainly up for debate and opinions regarding the paper are forming rapidly. Many locals are in rage over the paper's "sketchy" reporting but are left with nowhere else to go for their news, considering the Post Dispatch is St. Louis' single source for city-wide news. Other citizens are standing behind the paper's editors and reporters, claiming they're simply doing their job. So who's right and who's wrong?

The debate will go on, but there's one thing for certain: the Post Dispatch did not run Tuesday's article concerning Hancock's alcohol consumption without being sure it had its back covered. For those that think "Vince" simply called up the paper's front desk Monday evening and started rattling on about his night at Mike Shannon's bar with Josh Hancock, you're wrong. In the contemporary age of easily-brought lawsuits that we live in, there is absolutely NO WAY that the Post Dispatch didn't have numerous sources and and accurate accounts of Hancock's night before it ran this story. They protected their backs. If not, then they're are in for some serious court time.

The real dimwits in this situation are "Vince" and his "anonymous" wife. For what reason did they feel the need to report their knowledge to the Post Dispatch? The right thing to do would have been to call the St. Louis Police Department and tell them what they know, leaving the rest up to authorities. For some reason, this wasn't the case. They wanted publicity and they were cowards about it, refusing to give up their full names. The way I see it, if you're so sure that Hancock was under the influence then why try to hide your identities? If they weren't willing to put their reputation on the line with this testimony, then they never should have come forward to the local media.

I have no problem with "Vince" telling what he knows, but I do think he went about it the wrong way. He told the wrong people what he knows and he did it as a publicity stunt. There is no other way of looking at. He could certainly give us the excuse of "I wanted the people of St. Louis to know what really happened." This is hogwash, the truth would've come out soon enough. Eventually we all are going to know the whole truth behind the tragic events, we didn't need to learn it from an anonymous source. This was nothing more than a publicity stunt, and "Vince" and his faceless wife should be ashamed. If they had a son or a daughter killed in an accident such as this, would they want some "no-namer" without any pure evidence leaking the story to the press? No, they wouldn't it.

So, considering all that, do I think the Post Dispatch was wrong in relaying the story? No, I don't. I think it's shady, and if I would've been the editor of that paper than I certainly wouldn't have allowed the story to run. But I'm not the editor, and I realize that the Post Dispatch has an agenda and it was simply trying to fulfill that agenda. It's job is to report ON the news, not necessarily to simply report the news. Comparing it to another contemporary event taking place, do you really think even half the crap the Post Dispatch reports about the War in Iraq is completely accurate? Absolutely not. And that goes for every newspaper in this country. The stuff they print about the war is no more grounded in fact than this story about Hancock was. And it's probably even worse, considering the government has access to most of those stories first and can certainly hide some things, while twisting others. Reporting ON the news is what America media is all about, and that won't change. Bottom line.

It's a shame we had to hear the news like this, but the Post Dispatch has people talking about their newspaper. And that's what they want. The paper itself is national news right now, the sports columnist's are national news, the editors are national news. I'm not saying their goal is to reap fame from Hancock's tragedy, but I don't they're losing sleep over it.

The truth is, whether the story came from "Vince," another local, or from one of their columnists - it was coming. St. Louis wasn't going to wait until the toxicology report came back. And you'd probably be lying if you said you didn't suspect, almost immediately, that Hancock had a few drinks that evening. The speculation was coming, and the news will come next week. We all know that chances are good they'll say the same thing.

For now, since the report has been broken, I'm ok with the Post Dipatch continuing with this story. The family has already heard their suspicions confirmed and now we must treat this as a lesson. If it takes continued reporting on this issue to get it through people's heads that drinking and driving is dangerous, then keep on reporting it. Hancock's death was tragic and unfortunate, but we must learn from it.

Majerus or Not, SLU is still SLU

2007-05-01T14:39:00.000-05:00

Lets get one thing straight right now, Rick Majerus is a badass basketball coach. He's good. Check his credentials. He's on the map. His name can be whispered in the same sentence as Coach K, Roy Williams, and Bob Knight. Bottom line. He may not have the wins those three big timers have, but there's no doubt that, given the players they have, Majerus would be considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game.

SLU's hiring of him is a great move, probably the best move they could've made in terms of enhancing their basketball program. But there's one thing it seems all the big time professional columnists and experts are missing: SLU is still just SLU. In case you've never been to SLU's campus on a Friday afternoon, it resembles a nursing home at 1 o'clock in the morning. The place is a ghost town. It's dead. Lifeless. All the students are gone for the weekend, commuted back to their off-campus homes, out of the gates that surround the campus. There are no student demonstration rallies taking place, there are no students lounging in the grass, there are no students riding bikes or skate boards around the campus sidewalks. Everybody's gone. The biggest weekend gathering around SLU's campus, from what I can tell, is the post-bar munchie line at the Del Taco across the street. And rumor has it, Del Taco doesn't even exist anymore. Probably because their food sucks...but that's beside the point.

Tell me, how impressed is a student-athlete going to be when they get the routine campus tour of ghost-town on a spring time Friday afternoon? Probably not very impressed.

You want another reason Majerus will be incapable of turning this program into a national top 50 like everybody thinks he can, how about the other local schools he's competing against? We've got a top 25 Southern Illinois program just across the river, a respectable program in Illinois who's made a recent final four run, a solid rising program at Missouri State, and an improving Missouri Tiger team right up I-70. Every one of these schools has a campus life, whether it be Friday afternoon or Sunday evening. These campus' are alive with energy. They aren't commuter campus' that quickly release students when the weekends come around. The action is the campus. SLU has a broad downtown St. Louis that spreads everybody apart. They have Laclede's Landing as their party spot, a commuting distance from campus, that mixes SLU students with the local eight to fivers. It's easy to see, SLU simply is not conducent to student life. In reality, the only thing that seperates SLU from the often-dissed UMSL is a better education. How is SLU going to compete recruiting wise?

The only benefit they have at this point is Majerus. And let's be honest. A 59 year-old man that weighs around 350 pounds and has had a serious dose of heart problems that have caused him to quit midseason three different times isn't going to be around forever. Let's hope the best for his health and for this program. But don't buy into the Post Dispatch's frenzy about SLU all of a sudden being a midwest powerhouse. It simply won't happen. The best we can hope for is that Majerus straightens this awful program out and gets it moving in the right direction for the next guy in the coaching line.

Hancock's Loss Serves as a Reminder of Better Days

2007-04-29T18:41:00.000-05:00

Not the best way to wake up, huh? Cardinal Nation went to bed angry last night after an 8-1 beating from the rival Cubs, the bats didn't hit and the pitches weren't outs on the Redbirds side. Waking up on Sunday was supposed to bring a beautiful morning with the hopes of a Cardinals victory to cap the weekend series. Instead, nature put everything into perspective. All of sudden, the last thing on the minds of Cardinal fans were lame bats and poor pitching. For a couple hours on a lovely Sunday morning, Cardinal Nation went into shock and baseball, once again, took a proper backseat to the harsh reality that there are things more important than a losing streak.

There's no need to rehash the events of the last 24 hours, we've all heard about them more than we needed to. Cardinal Nation and the sport of baseball not withstanding, the tragic loss of Josh Hancock shook the athletic world into it's place, it proved the mortality of superstars, and reminded all of its fans not to take this pasttime for granted.

Receiving the scary phone calls, that come too early in the morning to be good news, left many fans lying in bed remembering the baseball tragedies of the past. It left us realizing that these things happen every day, and made us ask why it gives us goosebumps when it happens to star athletes. In the end, we realize these great athletes aren't better people than any of us, but within them they hold that dream that sports fans have of being great. We go in our backyard and pretend we're on the mound in the bottom of the ninth of a game 7, the world's best hitter is in the batter box and we hurl that fastball without ever giving them a chance to catch up to it. Or maybe we're on the other end and the world's best pitcher is on the mound and we take him 511 feet deep in walk-off fashion.

Childhood dreams that most of us never got to experience. And when one of those lucky few who did experience it pass away in tragic form, a little bit of us goes with them. And we know, as sports fans, that their lives weren't any greater than ours but, nonetheless, we were living through them a little bit. And it's sad to see that go.

It happens every day to great people all around the world, yes. But there are those few instances, like today, that remind us to get back in the backyard and pretend we're Ozzie Smith making diving plays up the middle on tennis balls that come bouncing back off a brick wall. Or pretending we're Willie McGee tracking a fly ball that dad threw off the deck and making a shoe string grab to save a run. Or making like Vince Coleman in a game of hot box with the neighborhood kids, sliding hard into the T-Shirt that made a base. And although we may not actually get out the dusty baseball mitt and the bucket of balls, we are still reminded of those great days. Of those childhood dreams we had. And still have.

Days like this remind us that we won't be here forever for the great Cardinal-Cub rivalry. And those days of playing pick-up ball with the kids around campus aren't going to last forever. All we can really do is use these days as reminders, make the most of what we got, and maybe, just one more time in our growing age, sneak into a basement and pretend we're taking the hill in a game 7 with a St. Louis Championship on the line.

*Share your well wishes to the Hancock Family and your childhood baseball memories and dreams in our forum.

LaRussa, Miklasz have BEEF

2007-04-28T02:23:00.000-05:00

The Post Dispatch runs an article about why the Cubs will never win the World Series, Tony LaRussa whines about it and refuses to answer questions from Post Dispatch reporters, Bernie Miklasz stands up to him at the news conference, and the exchange becomes heated and has to be finished in a private room. Allow me to renege...maybe this is a soap opera as bad as the Yankees-Red Sox.

But it's not. And, once again, the Cardinals and the Cubs have a barn burner while the Red Sox blow out the Yankees.

LaRussa took offense to the article that ran in the Post Dispatch Friday morning and made his beef with Miklasz in the post game news conference. Who knows why LaRussa had such a problem with it, maybe he really was offended that a high class newspaper would trash a Major League Franchise or perhaps he just doesn't want to upset his little coaching buddy, Lou Pinellia. Who knows? Two men jabbing at each other...Bernie says it happens all the time and the cameras just happened to be rolling tonight.

"These little bouts of silliness occur more than you know, and in every sport," wrote Bernie on his 'Pressbox' board on STLtoday.com. "It's just that the cameras were there this time and made it much bigger than it really is. This was like seeing how sausage is made -- it ain't pretty. But it happens every day."

LaRussa won't say anything. Maybe because he got outmanaged tonight and he's pissed about that, or because the defending champs can't seem to score when they get runners in scoring position. I'd be pissed too.

I think the LaRussa/Miklasz bashing is over though, Bernie has released numerous statements on his "PressBox" about the incident and he claims both men have moved on and this mess is already behind them.

"Do I like Tony? Absolutely.
Do I respect Tony? Absolutely.
Will I allow him or anyone try to intimidate me or other reporters? No.
Is this over? As far as I am concerned, yes."

It may be over between those two grown men but it's far from over on the "Pressbox" board where the same group of ten or eleven guys have stayed up all night hounding Bernie about this, saying they wish "a few of the players would kick his fat ass" and even going to the extent of calling in a death threat to his voicemail at the Post Dispatch.

Can you say childish? Immature? Over-the-line, Sparky?

The thing that gets me though is that Bernie continues to respond to these people on his board as though he feels he needs to defend himself.

"My favorite, so far, is that I 'was trying to get attention.' Why would I need attention?" Bernie wrote. "Like me or not, I think we'd all agree that people in the market know me, and that I've established a name and a career here. I also get pretty regular turns on ESPN, and on some national radio shows."

Wow, Bernie. Sounds like you're getting pissed and protective of your image. In my opinion, the man did his part. He stood up for his colleagues and he stood up for Post Dispatch in general. So Bernie, give it up man. Put it behind you. Don't let these dudes on your board bring you to this level. Whether we like you or not, we don't need to know your press credentials.

I'm a Bernie fan. And having dabbled in the field of sports journalism, I think what he did was right. But I also think, at this point, it's time for him to move on.

Unless, of course, he keeps getting death threats.

Is There Anything Sexier than Cards-Cubs?

2007-04-27T12:20:00.000-05:00

All anybody wants to talk about is the Yankees and the Red Sox. The greatest rivalry in baseball. The greatest rivalry in sports. The Great Bambino. Derek Jeter. Alex Rodriguez. Mariano Rivera. Dice-K. Manny Ramirez. Big Papi. Curt Shilling. The Boss. Joe Torre. Blah, blah, blah.

Get over it, national media. Get over it ESPN. Get over it Fox. As of 12:23 P.M. on Friday, the top three stories on ESPN.com's baseball page had the words "New York Yankees" and "Boston Red Sox" in the first paragraph. There wasn't a single mention of the Cardinals and the Cubs weekend rivalry series on the ENTIRE page. Are you kidding me?

Last weekend, the national media pretty much failed to realize that they were even playing baseball in Chicago. While the Red Sox disposed, three games to none, of the Yankees, the Cardinals and Cubs played an "instant classic" on Sunday night. Both teams came from behind, the game went into extra innings, then baseball's greatest player hit the longest homerun of the season in dramatic fashion to eventually win it for the Cardinals. You know what the opening highlight on ESPN was? A series of clips from Boston-New York.

Don't get me wrong, I understand how it all works. I don't really blame ESPN for playing towards their coast audiences, they're trying to make money. We all are. But it boggles my mind that they'd put those highlights before a game that will surely go immediately into their "instant classic" archive. They'll be showing that Cardinals-Cubs game for years to come...and it didn't even lead on their nightly Sportscenter. Pathetic.

Sounds like a rant, doesn't it? Well, it is. The Cardinals and the Cubs are sexier than Jessica Simpson, Jessica Alba, and Jessica Biel combined. The Cardinals and the Cubs are sexier Madonna in her prime. Sexier than Marilyn Monroe and her wind blown skirt. If you're a chick, it's sexier than David Beckham and Tom Brady in a hot tub together. It's sexier than Brad Pitt in Fight Club. Why does the National Media keep getting this wrong? Why do they not care?

This rivalry is more exciting than the Red Sox-Yankees, anyway. It's about baseball, not about politics. It's about America's pasttime, not a baseball edition of another FOX reality show. It's about the players on the field, not about some multi-millionaire dollar GM and another young, hip GM from Boston. Neither of whom could hold a candle to Walt Jocketty.

Tonight Jason Marquis goes against his former team, the defending World Champions at that. Rich Hill will pitch this weekend as well, one of the best in the game thus far this season. Two of the best first basemen in the majors are playing against each other. One of the hottest hitters in the league in Aramis Ramirez will be on the field. Lou Pinellia and Tony LaRussa will be trying to outwit each other. Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen..two of the greatest defensive players of all time will be there. Young, exciting talents such as Chris Duncan and Ryan Theriot will be on hand.

Or you could watch New York-Boston and see a bunch of overpaid...nevermind.

You know what, screw it. I wish my rant could changes but it won't. Do yourself a favor this weekend and watch the Cardinals and Cubs at Busch. Save the hogwash, whiny, sissy soap opera crap for daytime weekly television. Right where it belongs.

Go Cardinals!

Say It Ain't SIMO

2007-04-26T14:02:00.000-05:00

It looks as though the Tachi-Bomb is making its way back into the bigs. Former Cardinal hurler Jason Simontacchi is slated to make one or two more starts in AAA Columbus, Ohio - the AAA affiliate for the Washington Nationals - before being called up to the majors. Simo' will take hill tomorrow, Friday, then be considered as an immediate call-up.

Simontacchi is expected to join the 'Nats next week to help boost a struggling rotation, and an overall terrible baseball team. Jim Bowden, Wasington's GM, said "If he throws well, I think one more start or maybe right after this start he'll be ready to be called back up here."

If you remember, Simontacchi was a pitching hopeful for the Cardinals that never really panned out. He was part of that promising era of Rick Ankiel and Mike Lincoln, all of whom played but none of whom ever made significant impacts on the Cardinals big league squad.

Simo' finds his way to the nation's Capitol to pitch for one of the worst teams in baseball history. Off to a terrible 6-15 start and already 7.5 games behind the New York Mets in the division, Washinton holds no hope for success over the next three or four years and probably much longer than that. Seriously, if you look at their lineup and their rotation, it will blow your mind as to how they'd even win 6 games all year.

Here's to hoping Simo pitches well and keeps the Nat's in the ballgame, which would mean he'd have to throw shutout ball for about 8 innings each start, but Washington isn't necessarily the place to revive a career. Hopefully he keeps his ERA down because the win column won't attract any future bidders. He could throw twenty games and he might win two.

Either way, cheers to Simo. He's had a long road, littered with injuries and high socks, and I hope he stays above water long enough to get a shot somewhere else.

Rams Trade for Hall

2007-04-25T13:37:00.000-05:00

In a much needed move to boost the Rams special teams, the squad has traded a fifth round draft pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for return man/wide receiver Dante Hall.

Hall, 28, is getting up there in age but there's no doubt that he's still one of the best in the game when it comes to returning the football. He's burned the Rams numerous times before, and it'll be nice to have him on our side. Basically, it will be nice to simply have someone who can catch the football and have a chance at breaking off a long one. Don't get me wrong, Hall isn't going to turn our special teams into one of the game's best, he isn't the same explosive athlete he was in 2003 when he turned the league on it's head with his dazzling returns. However, it is certainly an improvement for the Rams, who haven't had a true kick returner since Tony Horne in the early portion of the decade.

“We have filled a need with one of the top players in football at his specialty, returning punts and kicks,” Rams coach Scott Linehan. “Dante will fit in nicely on our special teams and can be utilized as a receiver in certain situations.”

To put it simply, the Rams Special Team unit has sucked since Mike Martz took over coaching duties. Last season, St. Louis was the sixth worse team in punt returns, averaging 7.8 yards per return. The Rams were 26th in kickoff returns, averaging 21.3 yards. Hall's numbers have declined since his peak season in 2003, when he averaged 25.9 yards per kickoff return (two for TDs) and 16.3 yards per punt return (with two TDs).

In 2006, his seventh NFL season, Hall averaged 22.8 yards for 53 kickoff returns and 8.9 yards for 27 punt returns, one for a touchdown. He also caught 26 passes, two for TDs.

Hall is certainly still a feared return man in the league and the Rams can expect better field position simply from having him back there; however, a fifth round draft pick isn't a small price to pay for a player on the decline of his career either. It will be interesting to see how this turns out. One of the needs the Rams had to address in the draft was a return man and there was speculation that they would use their first round pick on Ted Ginn Jr. to fullfill this role. The benefit of trading for Hall is that now the Rams will pass on Ginn Jr. and draft an every down guy, most likely on the defensive end of the ball.

Hall, who is 5-foot-8 and 187 pounds, is third in NFL history with 11 kick returns for touchdowns, behind Brian Mitchell (13) and Eric Metcalf (12). He has a career average of 24.0 yards for 360 kickoff returns and 10.0 yards for 188 punt returns -- all with the Chiefs.

Hall also needs one more kickoff return for a touchdown to break the record of six he now shares with Ollie Matson, Gale Sayers, Travis Williams and Mel Gray.

*The Associated Press and The St. Louis Post Dispatch contributed to this story.

Ballgames to be Won, and Defended

2007-04-25T01:16:00.000-05:00

Speaking of turning over in your freezer, if I would've known Alex Gonzalez was going to have the game of his life against Kip Wells tonight I wouldn't have traveled through hours of rain to watch it. Somebody call the governor and have him issue a formal letter of apology from Brad Thompson, who came in and promptly had his typically pathetic performance tonight. Wisconsin might not apologize for its cheese, but Missouri must apologize for Thompson. His babyface needs to go back to preschool and learn how to get a 6 year old out before he pitches again. Terrible. Just terrible.

It seems everybody is blaming the bats right now. The pitching is worse than the bats. Bottom line. Wells, Wainwright, and Reyes are pitching terrible. Looper is holding this thing together, but somebody is going to have to step up. And it's not going to be Randy Keisler. And, despite his "long-toss" session Tuesday afternoon, I'm starting to think Carpenter is done for the year. The silence from the coaching staff just isn't right. Don't be surprised when Carp's elbow flares up again on Saturday after his session, and he's shelved for 60. Then we'll talk trades, because Looper, Wainwright, Reyes, Wells, and Keisler is not going to cut it. I'm pulling for Carp, hardcore, and I have faith in the rest of the rotation but it needs an anchor and a two-man. It's not time to panic yet, but every game matters. And if Carp is shelved, it's time to get a move on. I hope I'm wrong about Carp, but I got a bad feeling.

Ted Williams was an awesome baseball player, a true hard-nosed grinder at the plate that just straight hit. From everything I've heard about him, he played the game right. Fundamentally sound and full speed. He hustled..always. Simply a prime example of how the game should be played. Scott Rolen plays the same way, all-out hustle, hard-nosed, and fundamentally sound. He homers and hustles around the bases. He makes plays at third, puts his head down, and gets ready for the next pitch.

I think Ted Williams would be proud, and I don't think he'd mind one bit if we used "Ballgame" to refer to Scott Rolen. And if he's going to turn in his freezer, then it's simply to get a better view of Scott Rolen hustling out a ground ball. And I'm the one writing the blog, so I'm going to do it anyway and I'm going to take the angle that Teddy Ballgame is down with it.

And if anybody's turning over in their graves it's Hank Aaron and Roger Maris...pissed off about all these fake baseball players breaking their REAL homerun records.

Yes, your Majesty

2007-04-23T13:34:00.000-05:00

I saw a Cubs fan walking around campus this morning wearing a shirt that said, "Cardinal fans take it in the Pujols." It made me wonder where Ryan Dempster takes it? And to be honest, if he didn't suck already then we'd have to be comparing him to "Who's Your Daddy Brad Lidge" right now after Mr. Pujols took him about 913 feet onto Waveland Sunday evening. Mr. Dempster...meet your majesty. Like I said, Dempster was no Lidge but if he was then you could consider him donseski. Am I the only one who just absolutely loves, more than anything, breaking the Cubs little hearts? I hate the Cubs.

*All of sudden, Jason Marquis can pitch like a Cy Young candidate. What the hell happened? Or is this just a hot start leading up to another laughable second half?

*Does Michael Barrett have a chip on his shoulder?

*I named my cat after Scott Rolen. And, after Sunday, you know why.

*Bernie Miklasz had a column this morning about the "MV3" coming back to life. I'm not sure if they're back or not, I certainly wouldn't put all my chips in that basket. But if they regain some power and Scotty Ballgame can hit around .300 behind Pujols, then we're going to be alright. Chris Duncan can bash, ignore that low average last week. If Pujols starts hitting again, Duncan is going to see many more fastballs in that 2-hole.

*Will Anthony Reyes ever get out of the first inning without giving up a run?

*Kip Wells goes tomorrow. He needs another dominant performance to get that confidence back up, we need him to anchor us until Carp gets back. Braden Looperstar can't do everything himself.

*If you guys figure out where Dempster takes it,let me know.

And (more than) 1...Straight to Jail

2007-04-19T14:17:00.000-05:00

Who would've guessed that when the And1 Mix Tape Street Balla's came to Columbia for an exhibition showdown with a team of former Mizzou ballers (most of which probably came from the Quin Snyder era), the game would end in a brawl, police would be called in, and numerous players would end up in jail?

Well, I, for one, certainly would've guessed it. And I doubt I was the only one.

The details are sketchy at this point, but the boys Sik Wit It, The Professor, Half Man Half Amazing, High Octane, Shane the Dribbling Machine, Main Event, and others squared off with (as of now) unknown former Tigers and things got nasty.

The only details I have at this point are from a radio report on KFRU that interviewed a local police officer who said, "there was a fight that started on the field, then carried over into the stands. Both benches cleared and everybody was fighting. We finally got things under control and evacuated the field, but then fights broke out outside the gym in the outdoor area."

The field? I was confused if he meant "the court" or if he was referring to an And1 player's name.

The game was played at a local high school, Rock Bridge High. A great example was set for our local high school athletes. But, what can you do? These are professionals and they'll dribble you to death if you don't like it.

If, and when, I find out more I'll be sure to let you know. It should be interesting to see who the former MU players were that were involved with this. Any guesses?

Blues, Johnson Agree to Terms

2007-04-18T23:48:00.000-05:00

Blues win the Stanley Cup! Expect that to be the headline come next May. The Blues and 2006 first overall draft pick have agreed to terms that will put Erik Johnson on the Bluenote opening day roster for the opening of the 2007/2008 season. On Wednesday, Johnson and the Blues were busy sealing the deal on a three-year entry-level contract that will give Johnson a $765,000 base salary and an $85,000 signing bonus. It's possible he could earn $3.7 million in 2007-08 if he were to meet all of his incentives, which include being named MVP of the Stanley Cup finals and being named to the NHL All-Star game.

Neither of those are all that unreasonable???

However, there are other incentives for Johnson to increase his bank account, although the details are fuzzy. It is said that he will earn bonus cash for his amount of ice time and point production that could bring a payday around $2 million in 2007-08.

Whether it's the sport of hockey, or it's simply Erik Johnson, he made a rare decision last year to forgo the instant money and attend school at the University of Minnesota for one more year, displeasing many Blues fans. However, at 19, he thinks he'll be more prepared to play in the pro's this coming season.

"I just think it's going to be fun stepping in next year and having an impact ... compared to coming in this year and having growing pains."

In late 2006, the International Ice Hockey Federation named Johnson the best defenseman at the World Junior Championship in Sweden, making him only the second U.S. player in tournament history to receive the honor. Johnson finished as the top scorer for his country with four goals, six assists and 10 points in seven games. He had at least a point in his last six games.

Johnson will fill in nicely on a young Blues team, helping to solidify an already exciting defense. If Eric Brewer continues to skate at the high level he was near the end of the season and Jay McKee comes back from a series of nagging hockey injuries, Johnson could contribute to one of the most highly toted defenses in the league next season. Manny Legace will be back in net for the Blues.

Johnson is another piece of the rebuilding puzzle in St. Louis, he adds to the youth of promising forwards Lee Stempniak and Brad Boyes. If the Blues upper management can find a way to add a big time veteran goal scorer in the offseason to help Stempy and Boyes up front, then it would certainly be safe to get excited about Blues hockey again. The signing of Johnson, who will be the sixth defensemen on the squad, brings about interesting trade possibilities as well, as the Blues look to add a veteran or another young talent. Add a stud or two in the offseason, similar to the moves President John Davidson made last offseason, to the plethora of young talent the Blues have already and you could get an extremely exciting and energetic hockey squad.

The Rant

2007-04-17T22:18:00.000-05:00

If you can't hack it, then you can't hack it. But last time I checked, Chris Duncan could hack it, so PUT HIM BACK IN THE LINEUP. There's going to be a big time star heading to the Scottrade Center this offseason, so buy your Blues jersey's now and tell your local stitching professional to get ready. The Rams are going to pick Ted Ginn Jr., I just know it, everyone will go nostalgic to the Mike Martz days. Speaking of Mike Martz, the Detroit Rams still suck. If you're a believer in a quick return for Chris Carpenter then you better start praying extra hard, because there's something going on that we don't know about. But either way it's better than over-paying for a DL-bound Jason Schmidt, he can't go on the 30 day DL, because there is no 30 day DL...there's only 15 or 60. Rumor has it the Cards will face former pitchers Matt Morris and Jason Marquis within a few days of each other. Why do I have a feeling Albert Pujols is saving his 5-5 coming out party for Marquis? That sorry sack of...Cubbie.

IS IT SAFE TO SAY:
*Anthony Reyes' first innings are starting to become way to reminiscent of Matt Morris' famous first innings?
*SLU's firing of Brad Soderberg was long overdue?
*After watching Ricky Williams' ploy for reinstatement, somewhere L.P. is thinking of a comeback?

MU's Kelly Leaves Masters Feeling Privaleged

2007-04-16T15:58:00.000-05:00

University of Missouri senior John Kelly stepped foot on the ever-prestigious, heavenly ground of Augusta National last weekend, instantly ingraining a moment he'll never forget. Kelly, 22, qualified for the "tradition unlike any other" after finishing second in the U.S. Amateur last month.

Despite missing the cut by only two strokes, Kelly had much to remember in his first golfing major. He finished as the low amateur for the tournament with his 77-77 on Thursday and Friday for a two round total of 154, beating the next closest amateur by two strokes. Kelly was consistent with his scoring, penciling an even par 36 on the front both days, while coming home with a 41.

"The back nine is a more risk/reward nine where you can make some good numbers or you can make some big numbers" Kelly said. "It was just a few bad swings on the back nine that got me. It wasn't that I was folding under the pressure by any means."

MU golf coach, Mark Leroux, agreed with Kelly's assessment, "He was swinging particularly well, probably the best I've ever seen," Leroux said. "Then I got a chance to look at some photos and videos of his swing and looking at it in slow motion, it looked just perfect."

The chance to play with the professionals was an encouraging step for Kelly, who hopes to turn professional sometime in the future. He is slated to play in the U.S Open this summer, but the Masters was his first step. Paired with Jerry Pate, two time Masters Champion Seve Ballesteros (1980, 1983), and Ben Crenshaw (1984, 1995 Champion) in practice rounds, Kelly praised their advice.

"They were helping me out a lot around the greens, telling me to be patient," Kelly said. "This was a good stepping-stone to realize that I can play with these guys. I've seen up close and in person how those guys perform. They are very patient people, you can see they are confident in their abilities. They have tremendous work ethics. If you can do your best at emulating them, you're going to be all right."

Kelly looks forward to graduation in May, in hopes of spending more time polishing his game.

"I'm not going to have to be worrying about some biology test I'm going to be taking on Tuesday, or some paper that's due next Thursday," said Kelly. "I'm going to be able to wake up at 6 a.m. and lift weights and go to the golf course and work on whatever I need to."

Despite missing the cut and the late semester worries back on campus, Kelly said the experience will rank among his most memorable.

"That first tee shot is something I'll never forget." he said. "That feeling of nervousness, of wanting to hit a really good drive in front of all those people. Being so nervous and so anxious to get started, and then I got a huge ovation. I got chills and almost had a tear in my eye."

*with contributions from Catherine Crane, senior staff writer for The ManEater

Two Minutes for Grinding out a Rant

2007-04-15T18:55:00.000-05:00

...with special guest: Don Imus, reborn slugger Albert Pujols, leader of the youth movement: Chris Duncan, and the never surprising, but always stupid Gary Pinkel.

*A sweep and a split marks much improvement for the Cardinals. The three game set with the Pirates exemplified a couple of things: the importance of well-timed pinch hitting, the fact that you can sweep a series without really hitting the ball hard, and that the Pirates still suck.

The 'Birds are certainly putting things together as we get deeper into the first month of this season. Phat Albert looked like he's getting closer and closer to being back in the king's chair Sunday with his two homers and four rbi against the Brew Crew. Some at-bats still look like a high schooler trying to hit Nolan Ryan, but it won't stay like that for long.

Chris Duncan heads the youth movement for the Cardinals, and he's silencing all his offseason critics with a scorching start (3 dings, +.400 BA, 4-5 Sunday). I was skeptical, I'll admit, but I'm on the bandwagon. And you can't really blame me for just jumping on it now, I drafted him, preseason, in two of my three fantasy leagues.

*In spring ball, Gary Pinkel has given those Mizzou fans another reason to call for his head. Remember when he tried to turn Brad Smith into a pocket passer? Well, he's outdone himself yet again, giving the majority of the practice snaps to Chase Patton, not multi MU record holder Chase Daniel. Last season, Daniel was like polished steel, wearing his gun outside his pants, his 3,527-yard total hammered the Mizzou single-season passing record by more than 1,000 yards. He made those few who remembered Terry McMillan quickly forget Terry McMillan, shattering his TD pass record, that stood since 1969, by ten touchdowns, for a total of 28. Pinkel says, "we're going to be working out of a two-quarterback system much more often next season." This comment came out about the same time he told reporters at ESPN.com "He's doing great. I've never been around a total quarterback like this before, and I've had five NFL QBs. And I hope the Chris Chandlers and Mark Brunells don't get mad when I say this, but he's the best natural leader I've coached and the most accurate guy I've ever seen."

Ah, screw it. Let's bench him.

A lot of football coaches are confusing. But Gary Pinkel borders on the line of mentally challenged. Most people in Columbia seem to be brushing this off as a publicity stunt, considering Chase Patton played high school ball here in town. But I'm not buying it, I actually think Pinkel is so stupid that he's going to take the ball out of Daniel's hands next season, making a potent, and proven, offensive attack much more vulnerable. But, hey, he's the coach, not me.

*Here's another question to consider regarding the Don Imus situation: Was MSNBC's decision to fire Imus infringing on the right of free speech granted to every citizen in the U.S.A by the first amendment?

I'm not saying either way, I'm just interested in hearing what you guys think. NBC's Dateline ran a special on this tonight, and a civil rights leader (I didn't catch his name) was saying the decision to fire Imus infringed on free speech. Obviously, Imus works for the company, and the company can do whatever they want. So no artificial answers here, we all already understand that NBC the right to can Imus. But furthermore, what is this saying about negligence towards the right to free speech?

Or is it more like, "shutup with political rant bullshit, Dave. This is a sport's blog, not a place to discuss the first amendment. Go Cards!"

In the Wake of Imus

2007-04-13T14:33:00.000-05:00

Allow me a moment to step away from the St. Louis scene to focus on something slightly more important, the ongoing issue caused by long time sports radio talk show host, Don Imus - who, at one time, was considered to be one of America's Top 50 most influential people. WOW.

The comments don't need to be repeated here, you've heard them many times. They were uncalled for, unnecessary, racist, and ...hold your breathe...sexist? Although you wouldn't know it from the nationwide response, would you? There's no debating the comments were degrading to African Americans, but there is also no debating that the comments were degrading to women. But where are the female voices? The Reverend Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson both had something to say, standing up for the African American race. But their job isn't to defend women, it's to defend African Americans.

So where are the chicks fighting for girl power? Annika Sorenstam was asked about the situation this week, her response: "I haven't heard about it." Nancy Lopez was asked about it at the same event, her response: "I'm not sure what you just asked me. I have not read anything or heard anything." Please, EVERYBODY has heard about this.

Who else can we turn to? Oprah? I heard she had a show about it, but I wasn't able to see it. Good for her. The WNBA stars? I'll give you mad props if you can name ten WNBA players off the top of your head, right now, go...

What's my point? My point is simple, one of the most important lessons that has come of this entire situation is that the female athletes lack a voice. There isn't a single women in sports today who is willing to stand up strongly for her gender. Mike Bianchi of the Orlanda Sentinel wrote an excellent article last night asking where the Billie Jean King's of female athletics have gone? Where's the next Martha Burk? Who will speak up for the girls? Anybody? Sorenstam, probably the most popular female athlete in the world, had nothing to say. Lopez, a female golfing pioneer, had nothing to say. I haven't heard from Lisa Lobo, Pat Summit, or Natalia Coughlin. Have you?

Take the scenario of Augusta National, an all-male private golf club. Imagine if the restrictions included no African Americans. Just imagine the outcry, the rage that would have taken place had Augusta continued to be an all-white establishment. There would have been riots. But, a few years ago, when there was a push for the club to allow women onto it's golf course, there was a hustle-bustle for awhile, then silence, then it was all those females concluding: "oh, well, boys will be boys." This makes no sense, why the hell shouldn't girls be allowed to play golf at Augusta? What makes the rich, white men up at Augusta so damn special that they think they're so much better than women? How is this happening, in America? The land of the free. How can we allow one establishment to get away with this? Why doesn't someone stand up to Augusta. All it would take is for Tiger Woods to say, "um, you know what, I'm not playing here any longer until you allow females the right to play here also." Literally, that's all it would take. Augusta would lose so much money, they would become so scrutinized that they would have to give in. Or the females could just stand up for themselves once again and not give in so easily. Picket, riot, make a bunch of noise from the parking lot during each one of Phil Mickelson's backswings. None of this is worse than Augusta playing God and deciding that they're better than the females. Seriously, that's about as bad as it gets. And they get away with it.

Someone speak up for the women. This country needs a female athletic icon who is willing to speak up for her gender. It needs girl power. It needs Sorenstam or Summit to make a BOLD public statement stating that the female athletes of this generation, and the next, won't stand for sexist discrimination any longer. It won't stand for Jim Rome talking about Sorenstam's breast size on his radio show. It won't stand for being called "hos" by some hotshot radio host who, somewhere along the line, thought he was granted heroic immortality. It won't stand for the segregation at Augusta. This country needs female athletes, some of the strongest, toughest women in the world, to stand up and fight for themselves. Bottom line.

Either they stand up or they keep getting pushed around by ignorant fools sitting safely behind microphones in a closed-in, window-paned room. Men who can sit there like cowards and discriminate because they know there won't be any outrage. Unless, of course, they dip into racial issues. The African Americans have leaders who aren't afraid to stand up for their race. God bless them.

But the women? Nobody. It's a damn shame.

Carp Soon to Hit DL

2007-04-09T12:16:00.000-05:00

Another flare up in his pitching elbow will most likely land Cardinal Ace Chris Carpenter on the retroactive 15 day disabled list. It hasn't been announced yet by the Cardinal organization that this will occur but it's a pretty safe bet once you sort through all the crap they're feeding the media about it.

Carp played catch on Friday, and then threw a side session Saturday, but woke Sunday morning with the same swelling he had after his opening day start. Something is wrong. He gets a MRI today and we'll hear that he's making a DL stint by tomorrow evening, I would guess. It will most likely be the 15-day DL, but don't go into shock if he's not bumped to the 30-day. There's no need in pushing him now and costing him the season, let's just hope this isn't extremely serious and is going to require surgery. But it's certainly something you have to be thinking if you're a fan.

Blake Hawksworth is the go-to guy at this point, it seems. He'll most likely get the call for tomorrow's start at Pittsburgh, or perhaps they will bump him to later in the week.

Fresh, Squeezed Rant

2007-04-07T18:25:00.000-05:00

The first series of the year at Little Tike Park got under way on Friday with the Cardinals first victory of the season, 4-1. One day later, I sit here watching Carlos Lee hit "Babyface" Brad Thompson's first pitch of the game 207 feet into the left field bleachers and I realize that I need a moment. To get pissed off.

How did Major League Baseball allow such a field to be constructed? Literally, this is completely beyond me. This field...nicely put, is the most idiotic and stupid thing to happen to sports since Don Denkinger's blown call in the 1985 "Show-Me Series." The only thing I can think happened is that the Astro's organization got together and decided to hire a bunch of interior design majors - who failed out of their high school design class for being stupid - told them to come up with the stupidest thing their combined sub-zero iq's could think of, and then got permission, somehow, from Major League Baseball to build it.

It's not even creative, it's stupid. It's not revolutionary, it's mentally challenged. It's not a baseball field, it resembles a wiffleball field that a bunch of drunk, right-hand hitting college kids designed one night so they could hit a bunch of homeruns to the short porch in left. And for kicks and grins, they decided to slap a pole in centerfield because they thought it would be funny for the outfielders to shotgun a beer, spin around three times, then try to track down a wiffleball that was perfectly fungo'd to centerfield, hoping he'd run into the pole and they could all get a good laugh.

There's a pole in centerfield. If you would've told me 10 years ago that the Houston Astro's were going to construct a field that had a pole in centerfield, I would've looked you right in the eye and said, "there is absolutely nothing I could possibly think of that would is more retarded than that."

But I was wrong, the "creative" idiots that designed the field went one up on me...they put the pole on a hill...in center field.

Can you imagine how it went?
Field Designer Number One: "Hey..I got it. Left field can be 350 feet short, we'll put three different sized walls, a bunch of curves and angles, and we'll even slap a flag pole out in center to show the great state of Texas and our wonderfully, patriotic president how proud we are of our country."
Field Designer Number Two: "Wait, wait, wait. I got it. Let's make left field 320 feet, then let's put the flag pole on a hill so the flag can be higher, this way W can see it all the way from the Oval Office."
Rest of Field Designers, simultaneously: "Ha. Ha. Ha. That's funny Mike. Let's do it."
Field Designer Number Three: "Let's get drunk first."
Rest of Field Designers, simultaneously: "Good Idea."

This is how the Astro's official site explains the field: "Three wall heights, various angles in the corners and power alleys, a 30-degree, uphill slope - "Tal's Hill" - for a center field warning track, and a flag pole in the field of play create unique actions for any ball that gets past an outfielder."

Could you imagine trying to explain to Roberto Clemente or Stan Musial or Willie Mays or any other baseball great, "Um yea, things are little different here. The sizes of the walls are completely different every ten feet or so. These walls create a bunch of weird shapes and stuff too, by the way. Then there's a flag pole and a big hill in centerfield, so be careful. We really think it will create unique action."

Those guys would have sat down and said, "screw this. I gave up playing street ball in alleyways when I was ten."

It won an award, "Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Project." That's great. Only it's not a civil engineering project, it's a damn baseball stadium.

It actually surprises me that they don't have frisbees as bases, a chain-link fence in right field, and a dinner bell that Mrs. Biggio rings when supper is ready.

There's only one thing stupider than the design of this ballpark: the idiots in baseball's hierarchy that allowed it.