Jan
03

Open Thread: It was 36 years ago today…

By Benjamin Kabak

Few Yankee fans realize it, but Jan. 3 is actually a rather significant day in Yankee history. It was on this day in 1973 that a syndicate headed by George M. Steinbrenner III paid a meager sum of $10 million to the Columbia Broadcasting System for the New York Yankees.

In today’s dollars, the Yankees cost Steinbrenner and his group around $47,843,468.47 or what Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter make an a season. That price was, according to The Times article about the sale, a real steal, and CBS took a loss on their investment. “It’s the best buy in sports today,” Steinbrenner said about the Yanks. “I think it’s a bargain. But they [CBS] feel the chemistry is right. They feel they haven’t taken a loss on the team.”

While Steinbrenner bought the team after it a decade of losing seasons and its first sub-one million attendance season since World War II, he has, as we all know, turned the franchise into the premier team in sports with six World Series championships over the last 36 years, a new stadium and a run of attendance topping the four million mark. Needless to say, the team is worth far more than $47 million today.

Meanwhile, the best part of the article announcing the sale is the final quote from Steinbrenner. “We plan absentee ownership as far as running the Yankees is concerned,” he said. “We’re not going to pretend we’re something we aren’t. I’ll stick to building ships.”

Truer words are often spoken.

Anyway, use this thread as your evening open thread. We’ve got two NFL playoff games today, and the Nets, Rangers and Islanders are all in action. Just play nice.

The photo above is of Yogi, George and Billy Martin in 1976 and comes via The Daily News.

Posted on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 at 7:00 pm in Open Thread.

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342 Comments »

Manimal says:

???

You mentioned the Ranger’s game and you didn’t advertise yourself at Blueseat Blogs, Is your reign as temporary writer over?

Kevin G. says:

Ben wrote the article, not Mike.

 
Mike A. says:

Ben wrote this post, otherwise I would have plugged it. I’ll be covering over there another day or so.

http://blueseatblogs.com/

Manimal says:

I could have sworn I saw that Mike posted it. Guess not.

 
 
 
 
Manimal says:

BTW, that Steinbrenner quote is SOO ironic.

“Truer words are often spoken.”

Nice turn of phrase, Ben. You have ridiculous upside.

 
'The' Steve says:

He also said

“I am dead set against free agency. It can ruin baseball.”

http://www.brainyquote.com/quo.....enner.html

 
 
radnom says:

I’ve alway gotten a kick out of that Steinbrenner quote.

And holy crap, apart from being more muscular, Yogi really looks very similar to how he does today.

 
Pel says:

Pffft… $10M wouldn’t even get you an old Andy Pettitte in today’s economy.

 
Joey H says:

Gee. Another masterpiece in Petes 4398 posts!

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200.....-vacation/

How he spent his vacation. As if anyone but his sheep give a rats ass.

Kevin G. says:

You’ve really grown to hate LoHud

Joey H says:

No. Just Pete’s retarded posts.

 
 
Pel says:

What kind of sheep are you? Hate sheep?

Joey H says:

I don’t hate anyone. I just dislike Abraham’s unprofessionalism.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

On Hot Stove Live just now, they said “the Yanks have already addressed their issues, signing power pitchers CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, and switch hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira.”

I giggled with joy like a school girl.

Joey H says:

Good now I am more secure with my masculinity knowing I wasn’t the only one.

Mike A. says:

And now these three idiots all unanimously agreed that “there’s no way they can have him [Joba] in the rotation.”

Erg.

Joey H says:

Yup. See my post below. They were doing well too. Shame Shame Shame.

 
VO says:

is the off season going that slow that their back on that?

Joey H says:

Listen. Right off. I think when you have a guy who has the kind of mental make up and raw stuff that he does, you need to try to start him. It isn’t often you get a guy like this that can come along and blow people away. It isn’t like he wasn’t a starter and the Yankees are going about this evil plan to get him to start.
Heck, he might end up like Kerry Wood and may be best suited in the pen. which would be fantastic. But you just need to give the kid a chance to start.

 
 
Ivan says:
 
Jake H says:

I’m so tired of that debate when really it shouldn’t be a debate at all.

 

And now these three idiots all unanimously agreed that “there’s no way they can have him [Joba] in the rotation.

I can only assume that we’re going to have an outfield of Damon-Gardner-Nady, with Swisher at first, and Mark Teixeira as our 8th inning pinch hitting specialist. That way, when the game is truly on the line in the 8th inning, the only one that matters, we can ensure that our dangerous, pinch hitting offensive weapon gets into the game, whether the scheduled hitters are the 2-3-4 slots or the 6-7-8 slots. We can’t allow simple chance to dictate the 8th, we need the keep Tex on the bench so we can “shorten the game” and allow Jeter, Matsui, Posada, and the other regulars to focus their offensive production on the first 7 innings, and let Tex and ARod close out games offensively.

LF-Damon
SS-Jeter
1B-Swisher
3B-Cody Ransom
DH-Matsui
C-Posada
RF-Nady
2B-Cano
CF-Gardner

8th inning offensive “setup man” – Mark Teixeira
9th inning “closer” – ARod

= 162-0.
Q.E.D.

Kevin G. says:

That is the best idea ever!!1!!1 Why hasn’t supid Girardi thought of this yet?

See? Nobody does stupid as smartly as me.

Kevin G. says:

Wouldn’t it also make sense to start Molina and put Posada on the bench to make the game even shorter?

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inman says:
 
 
'The' Steve says:

I hate to break it to you, but

“Damon-Gardner-Nady”

. . is going to be our everyday outfield.

BTW-Welcome back, and happy new year!

Thanks. And, I think Damon-Gardner-Swish is going to be our everyday outfield, and Nady goes to the bench. But that’s just my guess.

 
 
 
Kevin says:

I want to hear what Francessa(and all of the sports personalities actually) would say if someone from say RAB called his show and told him why Joba should be a starter by stating the facts.

Matt says:

Something tells me, the call wouldn’t last very long.

 
 
 
 
 
Manimal says:

Front Office Manager(starring billy Beane) is coming out January 26, we should get a PS3 league going if we get enough people.

Joey H says:

Funny you mention that. I saw something about that as I was researching something else. Looks like it might be interesting. Baseball games are only fun because of the transactions.

 
Mike A. says:

Your Rule 5 eligible relievers will be mine!!!

 
 
Joey H says:

AHH MLBTV had to start this whole Joba shit AGAIN!

 
Ivan says:

If Joba pitch for let say the Padres or Astros, and neva pitch in relief, would this be eva an arguement?

Joey H says:

(Reading Closely) I am going with no. Because they (Massive sports media{EPSN MLBTV ect.}) don’t have a hate fetish for the Pads or the ‘Stros.

whozat says:

Honestly, if he’d never come to the bigs as a reliever, even with the Yanks, this STILL wouldn’t be an argument. Which only highlights how idiotic it is to think that Joba should be in the pen.

Ivan says:

Yea but Price came up as a reliever for TB and NOBODY thinks he should be a reliever.

whozat says:

He didn’t “come up” as a reliever…he pitched in 5 games in the regular season, and then the post-season. It’s a very different situation, aside from the Yankees/TB contrast.

 
 
 
 
 

Seeing the Arizona Cardinals lining up in victory formation in January is unsettling.

Ivan says:

I,ve seen everthing now……….well almost everything in concern with the Pirates and Lions.

 
'The' Steve says:

Could be worse, could be the Bengals.

Or the Lions.

Yeah, but everybody knew the Lions and Bengals sucked. The Cardinals were supposed to suck too, that’s their thing, that’s what they do. Now, they’re about to go to the second week of the playoffs. That’s just freaky.

It’s like watching Pooh Richardson and Loy Vaught leading the Clippers into the playoffs. You have to check your pupils to make sure you’re not hallucinating.

Manimal says:

Almost like the Rockies in ‘07. How the hell did they win so many consecutive games?

 
 
 
 
Joey H says:

Yeah, What do you guys make of the DeRosa/Indians trade ? I think it is terrible.

Ivan says:
Joey H says:
Randy says:

great pickup for the tribe.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Great pickup for the Tribe. DeRosa’s not as good as his 2008, but he’s a very good player that can play six positions. Tribe didn’t give up much for him; Jeff Stevens was the guy they got for Brandon Phillips a few years ago.

also the guy who blew every save in the olympics

 
 
 

So LDT is gonna play with a detached groin tendon?

I’m reminded of the action figure they released of him:
http://assets.espn.go.com/phot.....lt_300.jpg

Joey H says:

Nothing hurts more than a groin injury. I can speak first hand.

How long is LaDanian signed through? Doesn’t letting Michael Turner walk seem like a bad idea now? Remember everyone killing the Colts for letting Edge walk? Hmmm, that seems like a good idea now.

RB’s have expiration dates. That’s a fact. Sure, LaDanian will probably bounce back and have a decent 2009, but how many good seasons do you really think he has left in him? One, two tops…

Looks like a mistake. Keep the younger, fresher back, even if the older, more celebrated back is a league MVP.

Joey H says:

You are asking the wrong person my friend. I know nothing about the in depth NFL. I am a baseball Basketball guy.

 
Manimal says:

He signed a 8/60 mil deal in 2004, so that means 2012.

Manimal says:

And don’t forget about Sproles, dude can run. why keep Turner when LT has the highest contract for a running back ever?

No, I know the Bolts were over a barrel, there was no way they could pay both LDT and Turner. I’m just saying, maybe they shouldn’t have given LDT that mammoth deal back in ‘04. We constantly harp on the dangers of giving pitchers lengthy contracts in baseball… it’s dangerous to give runningbacks lengthy contracts in football. They’re a ticking timebomb, even the great ones. When they hit that wall, it’s all over.

Mike A. says:

Well, the main difference is that MLB contracts are guaranteed, NFL deals are not.

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True. But, in order to dump LDT in order to keep Turner (what they probably wanted to do last offseason), the Bolts would have gone through like 2 years of cap hell. You can get out from the roster spot, but you flood your cap number with dead money.

 
 
 
 
 
 
'The' Steve says:

Hey its not your fault. You were young, growing up on a farm and you had no idea how strong goats can be.

 
 
 
 
 
Randy says:

i’m happy with the mlb network so far, but between the joba debate and the complete railing of aj’s contract i’m getting a little annoyed. i know 99% of us don’t like the five years, but i mean come on. why is aj’s contract being used as a reference for every free agent that hasn’t signed (that’s an exaggeration, but it feels that way)?

Mike A. says:

I’ve enjoyed it too. I like that HSL is a nightly thing, and having players on is pretty cool too.

Manimal says:

Yeah like Harold Reynolds literally making Cuddyer get the ball off the wall of the “studio 42 stadium”, or whatever the fuck they call it, and throw it when it goes off the wall. Pretty cool stuff.

 
Randy says:

yeah i agree. they seem to get a little more in depth than some other shows which is good and the emphasis on adding current and ex players is good.

i also like that they clearly want their analysts to have differing views and really challenge one another. they’re not really going on script or muting themselves.

i will say that i think i liked harold reynolds more when he was with espn than i do now.

 
 
 
GG says:

Did anyone notice on the espn poll yesterday i think about Manning win the MVP the whole map was blue(cool with him getting it) except new england was all red(thought he didnt deserve it)?? Gosh those are some bitter bastards up there!

Manimal says:
Manimal says:

I’m wearing my Giants jersey to school on monday, just for kicks. Should be a blast.

Joey H says:

Gonna bring your G-Men lunch box too? lol

Manimal says:

I have Giants Boxers.

 
 
 
 
 

My MVP ballot:

1.) Peyton Manning, IND
2.) Ed Reed, BAL
3.) James Harrison, PIT
4.) Chris Snee, NYG
5.) Drew Brees, NO
6.) Albert Haynesworth, TEN
7.) Michael Turner, ATL
8.) Troy Polamalu, PIT
9.) Adrian Peterson, MIN
10.) Jordan Gross, CAR

Mike A. says:

You forgot Dustin Pedroia.

Peter Gammons’ MVP ballot:

1.) Matt Cassel, NE
2.) Tedy Bruschi, NE
3.) Tom Brady, NE
4.) Matt Light, NE
5.) Dustin Pedroia, BOS
6.) BenJarvus Green-Ellis, NE
7.) Rodney Harrison, NE
8.) Matt Ryan, ATL
9.) Oil Can Boyd, BOS
10.) Mosi Tatupu, NE

Joey H says:

Honorable Mention- Jason the All Star Varitek.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Joey H says:

“Hi, I’m Joe Buck. And my .. *looks around* Tim McCarver is… well taking a shit and will be with us shortly” Mlb net.

 
Joey H says:

Anyone else think that the Rays will need more than just 5 starters next year?

Ivan says:

Oh yeah. The rays are not gonna go through the season like in 08 with the same starters healthy for the entire year. No Way.

'The' Steve says:

They were very healthy last year, and pretty lucky. They didn’t score many runs and got career years out of a few bullpen guys, Balfour and Howell being the most glaring. But they do have Price coming next year, and should spend some money this off season to add some pop. But I still think they take a big step back and wind up in 3rd place in 09.

 
 
 
 
Kevin G. says:

Colts vs. Chargers. Who do you guys got? I’m thinking Colts-27 Chargers-17

Manimal says:

31-24 colts.

Anyone else think its is really stupid how they are playing in San Diego? An 8-8 team is hosting a 12-4 team in the playoffs. Absolutely retarded.

Kevin G. says:

I agree, and I looked at your latest blog post and it said the Giants can only play the vikings or the cardinals. Cool, those are two teams I think the Giants will beat.

Manimal says:

Wait a second. I am SO confused.

Manimal says:

OK, I got my seeds wrong(multiple times lol)

Minnesota won the Division, so they are higher ranked than Eagles. So we play Eagles or Arizona.

Kevin G. says:

Thanks, you made me look like an idiot.

 
 
 
 
 
 
'The' Steve says:

Looks like the Padres have a new owner

“Buster Olney looks at the fallout for the Padres now that former D’Backs CEO Jeff Moorad has agreed in principle to buy the club with the help of some investors.”

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....oorad.html

Manimal says:

Yep, should make things interesting in the NL West (since there hasn’t been a good team there since… I can’t even remember.

Manimal says:

‘01 Diamondbacks probably.

Mike A. says:

‘02 Giants were in the WS.

 
Joey H says:

‘03 Giants had more wins.

http://www.baseball-reference......2003.shtml

Heh, I looked and I was like, “How the hell does a team that got 132 starts from Kirk Rueter, Jesse Foppert, Jerome Williams, Damian Moss, Kurt Ainsworth, Kevin Correia, Dustin Hermanson, Jim Brower, Chad Zerbe, Ryan Jensen, Brian Powell, and SIDNEY FUCKING PONSON win 101 games?!?!?!”

… and then I looked at Barry Bonds’ 2003 line:
550 PA’s, 133 hits, 148 walks (61 intentional), 68 XBH, 58 strikeouts
.341/.529/.749/1.278
231 OPS+, .506 wOBA

Great googily moogily.

Oh, and from the four year stretch from 2001-2004, that ‘03 campaign was Barry’s WORST year. My head just exploded.

whozat says:

You and your stupid OPS+. His offensive contributions were completely negated by his failure to not bring a recliner into the clubhouse.

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'The' Steve says:

Ruth threw a piano in a lake once, if that counts.

 
 
Mike A. says:

Cobb did beat a crippled dude to within inches of his life, IIRC.

 
'The' Steve says:

Allegedly. There’s not much behind that rumor, and the stuff about him being racist is also very likely to be overblown.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ty_Cobb

People have to sell books, you know. So they say outrageous things, often based on very little.

I read a book on Ruth a few years back that claimed he was part Black, because there were pix of him with a dark suntan from playing outside all day for months on end. It also claimed his mother may have not known his paternity, since his parents weren’t married when they had him. Meanwhile, he was a dead ringer for his Dad, who was white as a ghost.

 
Matt says:

Brick killed a guy!

 

Yeah, there were horses, and a man on fire, and I killed a guy with a trident.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UWS says:

Fucking Arizona Cardinals. *mutters*

Don’t tell me you’re a Falcons fan…

UWS says:

No, I’m a Giants fan (and I don’t totally hate the Jets). Was rooting for Matty Ice, though. He’s like the anti-Vick. And I really effin’ hate Kurt Warner.

So, as a Giants fan, who do you want? Eagles or Cardinals? Gotta be Cards, right? The healthy, motivated Eagles can beat anyone…

UWS says:

That IS true. I didn’t watch much of the Cards-Falcons game, so I don’t know how much of the Cards’ win was due to the ATL’s own ineptitude…

Meh, the Cards looked decent; their OL did a good job of shutting down JohnAbe (no relation to PeteAbe), but I don’t see them posing a real threat to the G-Men.

Eagles are the real wildcard in the playoffs. They’re the only team this weekend I see as able to knock off either the Giants or Panthers.

Manimal says:

Did you notice how when they said Abraham only had 1 tackle he tackled the WR in a reverse for like a 15 yard loss. Epic fail.

They did ok, they did a lot of long plays, seems like they bombed it to Fitzgerald every play. Boldin got banged up a little but he will be back.

They did rush Matt Ryan very well, their O line couldn’t really do anything about it.

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Awesome name for an NFL safety: “Melvin Bullitt”

Stupid, dorky nickname for an NFL quarterback: “Matty Ice”

UWS says:

Whatevs, dude.

Anyway, the truly stupid nickname for an NFL running back: “LT.” There’s only one LT, and he ain’t wearing the Chargers uni.

Hence, I always refer to him as LDT.

I respect Lawrence Taylor’s gangsta.

Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

Aaaawww. Your first fight.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Fun fact: In 1932, Babe Ruth posted an OPS+ of 201; that wasn’t even in the top ten of his career. Unbelievable!

Fun Fact #2: in 1920, Babe Ruth’s first professional season with at least 600 plate appearances, he had a wOBA of .600.

You read that correctly.

SIX HUNDRED.

Kevin G. says:

Pardon my ignorance, but what’s wOBA?

 
 
 
 
'The' Steve says:

Another site has a thread asking “Should we get Andruw Jones?” which got me to thinking.

If you wanted to build the WORST team humanly possible, regardless of what it would cost, who would you want?

CF-Andruw Jones (.158/.256/.249 last year)
RF-Melky Cabrera
LF-Wily Mo Pena
1B-Daric Barton
2B-Tadahito Iguchi
SS-Tony Pena Jr
3B-Morgan Ensberg
C-Jason Varitek
DH-Jose Vidro

Manimal says:

With a Rotation of Zito, Ponson, Igawa, Nate Robertson and Brandon Backe

'The' Steve says:
 
 
Joey H says:

Trade ‘Tek for the Met’s catcher.

'The' Steve says:

Schneider? Nah, Tek’s got him beat by plenty.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....qual=false

Joey H says:

Yeah. But at least Tek tries.

'The' Steve says:

You’re right. His gritty .220 is much better than Scnieder’s sissy boy .257.

And Brian Schneider doesn’t accessorize his uniform with snazzy stars and stripes…

http://allstarsportinggoods.fi.....ees_30.jpg

 
 
 
 
 

C- The ‘Tek
1B- Richie Sexson
2B- Adam Kennedy
SS- Bobby Crosby (he hasn’t had an OBP north of .300 since 2005)
3B- Juan Uribe
LF- Brad Wilkerson
CF- Andruw
RF- Gary Matthews, Jr.
DH- Jose Vidro

SP- Ponsnerian (Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner melded into one fat, dorky-looking blob of craptastic starter)
RP- Byung-Hyun Kim
Closer- Fransisco Rodriguez

Now, I need to go take a shower.

'The' Steve says:

I know, just the thought off having Ritchie Sexson on my team makes me feel dirty, too.

 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

I have a better idea, how about the worst team money can buy?

C – All-Star Jason Varitek
1B – Richie Sexson
2B – Jeff Kent (I might change this to Orlando Hudson if he gets signed to a three-year deal with an AAV of $10M)
3B – Casey Blake (not because of his recent three-year deal, but because Ned Coletti and the Dodgers traded uber-hitting, catching prospect, Carlos Santana in a package for him)
SS – Julio Lugo (nice one, Boy Genius)
OF – Gary Matthews Jr.
OF – Andruw Jones
OF – Jose Guillen

SP – Barry Zito
SP – Carlos Silva
SP – Matt Morris (I know he’s retired, but, come on, this was that bad)
RP – Francisco Rodriguez (you wait and see…)
P – According to Steve Lombardi, any pitcher ever acquired/yet to be acquired in Brian Cashman’s history/future as General Manager of the New York Yankees.

Russ Ortiz, Darren Dreifort, and Adrian Beltre should be in there somewhere…

Jamal G. says:

As for Ortiz and Dreifort, I was going off of the past couple of years. Also, Fangraphs says that Beltre has been worth $55M over the past four seasons; he has been paid $50.6M by the Mariners over the aforementioned time period.

 
'The' Steve says:

Carlos Silva, anyone?

 
 
Nickel says:

I heard Sammy Sosa’s looking for a contract.

 
'The' Steve says:

Pfft. You call that the worst team in Baseball? HAH! Your team is WAYYYY better than my team.

I win. Or lose. Or something.

C- David Parrish
1B- Brian Buchanan
2B- Andy Stankiewicz
SS- D’Angelo Jimenez
3B- Drew Henson
LF-Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens
CF- John-Ford Griffin
RF- Lyle Mouton
DH- Shelley Duncan

SP- Sam Militello
RP- Alex Graman
Closer- Russ Springer

'The' Steve says:

I bow in awe of your ineptitude.

Bravo.

 

I actually laughed when I saw this team

 
 
 
 
whozat says:

Last offseason, Baseball Analysts or The Hardball Times (can’t remember which) did a couple pieces about the worst infield money could buy, the worst OF, and maybe the worst rotation. Like, most-craptacularity-per-buck.

The answer was basically the 2008 San Francisco Giants ;-)

Not, not quite. In seriousness, I think it was basically their entire outfield, and parts of their infield too. And Barry Zito. There were other players from other teams too, but there were a LOT of giants on there.

Brian Sabean = supergenius

Mike A. says:

I’m pretty sure they’ll add some sort of bat – whether it’s Manny, Dunn, Abreu, Burrell or other has yet to be determined – and if they do they’ll win that division. You watch.

Meh, it’s the NL West. Give a room full of monkeys an annual 75M budget and they’ll win the NL West a few times each decade.

 
 
 
 
 
UWS says:

Peyton Manning’s hair? Really? It’s a playoff game and they’re discussing Peyton’s HAIR?

Goodbye, cruel world *shoots self*

CUT THAT MEAT! CUT THAT MEAT! CUT THAT MEAT!

 
Matt says:

It’s Madden and Michaels. What else do you expect? Intelligence?

 
 
GG says:

The baseball Gods are going to turn Gardner into a HOFer for scoring the last run at Yankee Stadium!

 

That KFC Honey Barbecue Wings commercial is currently the dumbest thing on TV.

However, I would totally love to have some Honey Barbecue Wings right now, so it is effective. It’s still horribly stupid and unfunny, though.

 
Mike A. says:

Wow. Way to go Colts.

 

Fun Fact #3 (pending verification):

Darren Sproles’ nickname in high school was “The Raging Christmas Tree”.

No, I don’t get it either.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Sproles

Jamal G. says:

That’s racist; just because he’s black, he has to be personified as a botanical organism? Such bullshit, yo.

 
 
 
UWS says:

Indy = fucked.

NBC primetime booth crew = terrible.

UWS = going out.

1) Indy will come back to win.
2) Agreed.
3) Have fun.

 
 
Manimal says:

Wow, that was a fumble.

 
Manimal says:

I hate when random teams play Enter the Sandman. Its not the same.

Didn’t Hoffman start using that before Mo did? I can’t remember…

Manimal says:

Thats way before my time. Couldn’t tell ya.

 
Matt says:

You mean Wagner? I thought Hoffman used “Hell’s Bells.”

And I think Wagner used it once like…a month before Mo started doing it? Whatever, Wagner can’t carry Mo’s son’s jockstrap, let alone Mo’s.

That’s right, my bad.

Sorry, I’m not a deathmetal junkie, I’m out of my field here.

Matt says:

“Enter Sandman” is the only Metallica song I can stand for more than five seconds.

VO says:
Manimal says:

hahahahahahha third that.

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Mike A. says:

Old Metallica was the shit. Basically anything before and including the Black Album is an all-time classic. Then they lost their balls.

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Jamal G. says:

Fuck that, Death Magnetic is awesome. I love “All Nightmare Long” (on the album).

 
Mike A. says:

You have much to learn, young grasshopper. That album just happens to suck less than any of their previous five albums. It doesn’t hold a candle to Kill ‘Em All or …And Justice for All.

 
Jamal G. says:

Yeah, I guess you’re right; that was just my first time listening to a full album from them.

 
Jamal G. says:

Oh, speaking of all this rock stuff, Slipknot is playing at the Garden on February 5th; fuck yes!!!

 
Mike A. says:

I saw them many years ago at Ozzfest. The drum player was playing a set of three metal garbage cans instead of a regular drum set. It rocked, surprisingly.

Their first album > any of their other albums.

 
Mike A. says:

Oh, and the whole masks thing has gotten stale. And nine band members is just unnecessary. At least three of them just run around stage and nothing else.

 
Jamal G. says:

Heh, for $100-$125 a pop, I want as much BS as they can possibly fit on that stage.

 
 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Hah. Metallica and AC/DC are far from death metal.

Matt says:

I hate when people label music wrong, especially using the “E” word that I now refuse to use because no one knows what the fuck it really means.

 

Hah. Metallica and AC/DC are far from death metal.

See? I know so little about metal and deathmetal that I didn’t know Metallica and AC/DC were metal and not deathmetal.

Mike A. says:

General rule of thumb: the number of fat guys in the band is directly proportional to how “death metaly” they are.

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VO says:

talking about mos son remember him tht time on the road trip he was the bat boy, he looked good in tht unifrom i think its perfect mos heir can b his son

 
 
 
 
Matt says:

Would anyone–and I mean anyone–be even remotely–and I mean remotely–interested in reading a big part of a 20 page paper I wrote two semesters ago comparing the Iliad and the Odyssey to “The Natural” if I put that up on my blog?

Manimal says:

How much will you pay me :P

I probably would. Not all 20 pages, but most.

Matt says:

Haha.

It’s only half of the paper. The other half is comparing the Iliad and Odyssey to “The Searchers,” which is John Wayne’s most badass movie. I don’t even like westerns but that movie is one of my favorites.

 
 
 
'The' Steve says:

I hope Mangini gets the Browns job. He got totally screwed by the Jets and their idiot owner.

I disagree. I don’t think Mangini deserved to be fired for Brett Favre inexplicably turning into Browning Nagle in December.

But Mangini did deserve to be fired for other reasons. Namely, our inability to be a physical team despite having extremely physical players.

What did Mangini in was that for 2008, Favre ran Mangini and not the other way around. Maybe he was doomed by an unsolvable situation, but Favre was dictating the offense, and his dictation was piss-poor. When you’re the head coach and you defer to what your QB wants to run, your QB better put of Peyton Manning-like results or you’re both getting the hook.

Manimal says:

Don’t you think if Farve ran Mangini, They would pass more and play more Packers style football(since thats all hes ever known)

Week 16 is Exhibit A. The Jets play the Seahawks in a snowstorm on the West Coast.

Favre threw the ball 31 times, we ran the ball 25 times. In crappy conditions. We looked like we were afraid to mix it up with a team that had been mailing it in for three months.

 
 
 
Matt says:

As a Giants fan, I feel like the firing of Mangini was perhaps premature. The two situations are different–specifically the QB situation–I remember myself, and most Giants fans, calling for Coughlin’s head. The Giants stuck with him and won the Super Bowl.

I mean, I didn’t follow the Jets too closely this year and I’m not too familiar with their internal struggles but part of me says that firing Mangini may’ve been premature. Starting off when you lose a coach OR a quarterback is rough enough, now it looks like they’re going to lose both.

 
 
VO says:

i afree with tommiesmithjohncarlos, he did desrve to get fired for other things like the play calling and such, i think the best play i saw out of the jets was the last play of the season that lateral, but even that took 2 trys to get right

What’s funny was spending the past 10 days in Florida… I was in Miami wearing my Jets jersey and a Dolphins fan starts cracking on me for winning the division with Pennington and such…

I told him to enjoy it while it lasts. It’s easy to get a last place schedule, replace some horrid scrubs with some league-average vets and leap from last place to first place; that happens every year. We’ll see what happens when Pennington faces the Ravens, Steelers, and Titans defenses.

And we’ll see what happens next year when the Wildcat novelty has fully worn off and Pennington and Brown actually have to win games the normal way. Color me unimpressed.

Manimal says:

Giants have an impossible schedule next year, its crazy.

Yeah, the Dolphins (and my Jets, although we couldn’t capitalize on it) had a last place schedule and got the AFC West (shitty) and NFC West (shitty) on their 2008 slate.

Next year, they’ll have the first-place schedule and the AFC South (Colts, Titans) and NFC South (Panthers, Falcons, Bucs). Goodbye, 11-5, hello, 7-9.

 
Manimal says:

They will host Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Carolina, Arizona, Oakland and San Diego. They will visit Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Denver and Kansas City.

 
Kevin G. says:

From the Giants official website

HOME: Atlanta, Carolina, Oakland, San Diego, Arizona
AWAY: New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Denver, Kansas City, Minnesota

It couldn’t find a schedule with the dates.

 
Matt says:

I think they can definitely beat ATL/OAK/ARI at home, probably San Diego, too.

New Orleans’ passing attack will eat them up, they can beat Tampa in Tampa, Denver and KC should be wins, and Minny as well–unless it’s a situation like it was last week and the Giants have nothing to play for.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Joey H says:

It seems like every NJ Net game I watch is an instant classic.

Kevin G. says:

How much do you want to bet it’s another buzzer beater?

Joey H says:

I hope. But I am sick and fuckin tired of Brooke Lopez and his non agressive clumsy play.

Matt says:

Then don’t watch Hasheem Thabeet next year. If he were only more coordinated and like…half a percent more nimble, UConn would be unstoppable. But, alas, Can You Feel Thabeet has the hands of Jhonny Peralta and can’t play consistent offense.

Joey H says:

Wade flat out raped him on both ends of the court tonight. And Lopez is probably the worst finisher in the league, He gets muffed every second chance opportunity

 
 
 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Peyton Manning is a tricky bastard.

You know, that’s a good idea? I’ll just cut it up, maybe put it in a fruit salad…

whozat says:

Do you have transcripts of every Peyton Manning commercial, Saturday Night Live appearance, and humorous post-game press conference like…indexed and searchable in some sort of home-built Google search appliance? With an Anchorman appendix?

 
 
Matt says:

Yeah. I am. Fourth floor. Gonna get a massage.

 
 
Manimal says:

That was pretty smart. I think Cromartie was blitzing but he ended up covering Wayne. Heads up move but a tad too late. Genius move by peyton.

Heh, Cromartie was standing with his feet in cement looking at the sideline. Wayne was 5 yards past him before he realized the ball had been snapped. Horrible mental lapse.

That’s friggin PEYTON MANNING at midfield. Keep your head in the game.

Manimal says:

ha I meant the guy that was paying attention, I thought it was Cromartie.

 
 
 
 

Here’s the NFL scheduling formula, FWIW:

http://www.footballinjuries.com/rotation.htm

“Under the new scheduling formula, every team within a division will play 16 games as follows:

Home and away against its three division opponents (6 games).

The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (4 games).

The four teams from a division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle (4 games).

Two intraconference games based on the prior year’s standings (2 games). These games will match a first-place team against the first-place teams in the two same-conference divisions the team is not scheduled to play that season. The second-place, third-place, and fourth-place teams in a conference will be matched in the same way each year.”

2009 rotations:
AFC East: AFC South, NFC South
AFC North: AFC West, NFC North
AFC South: AFC East, NFC West
AFC West: AFC North, NFC East
NFC East: NFC South, AFC West
NFC North: NFC West, AFC North
NFC South: NFC East, AFC East
NFC West: NFC North, AFC South

So, the Fish should get a 2009 schedule of:
Jets 9-7
Jets 9-7
Pats 11-5
Pats 11-5
Bills 7-9
Bills 7-9
Titans 13-3
Colts 12-4
Houston 8-8
Jaguars 5-11
Panthers 12-4
Falcons 11-5
Buccaneers 9-7
Saints 8-8
Steelers 12-4 (first place AFC North team)
Chargers 8-8 (first place AFC West team)

Heh, enjoy it while it lasts, Dolphins fans. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Jamal G. says:

You know what’s kinda cool/dorky? I figured out the NFL scheduling format after playing countless seasons in Madden NFL’s franchise mode.

Heh, one of the reasons I stopped playing NCAA football was my frustration with their inability to correctly program the actual college scheduling. I got sick and tired of never playing teams in my own conference…

Mike A. says:

Seriously? You’d think conference play would be a no-brainer to be included in a video game. They did have conference play in NCAA Baseball, but the schedule wasn’t true to life in terms of what day they played (ie weekend series).

I played a dynasty as Colorado and never once played Oklahoma. Ditto with Alabama and Florida.

Pitiful.

 
 
 
 
 

All the Chargers cheerleaders on the sidelines literally look like Barbie dolls.

That’s not a compliment.

Mike A. says:

All the Chargers cheerleaders on the sidelines SoCal women literally look like Barbie dolls.

Fixed.

 
Manimal says:

Coming from the guy who lived in San Diego haha

 

Speaking of SoCal, my wife was watching the Kardashians show earlier today and Kim Kardashian was hanging out with Reggie Bush at a fundraiser his charity was having to raise money for Katrina victims in NOLA. They said his charity was named “The 619 Foundation” and I had to attempt to explain to her why Bush (from San Diego) would name a foundation for an area code that it’s not in the city where he lives and gives to.

Any-hoo, she gets me watching the show, and I think the other one (not Kim and not the big, older, mannish looking one) is the cutest of the three. Don’t know her name, but I think she’s cuter than Kim Kardashian, because Kim has that same plastic-looking face to me. She looks all cut up and fake like a doll.

JMHO.

Ivan says:

Your talking about khole? Yea she’s bangin.

Ivan says:

my bad Kourtney is technically the oldest one and arguebably the best lookin one.

 
Ivan says:

That’s Kourtney, she’s also the oldest.

How old are they? I was assuming she was the YOUNGEST. Shows what I know.

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Ivan says:

Kourtney is currently 29 going on 30 this year,

Kim is currently is 28 going on 29 this year

Khloe is currently 24 going on 25 this year.

 

Huh. Looks like the good eggs were at the front of the ovary, huh?

 
 
Mike Pop says:

Ivan is a little intrigued with these girls eh?

 
 
 
 
 
Manimal says:

I’d do all three.

Not the big one. She’s straight Austin Powers.

“That’s not your mother, that’s a MAN, BABY!!!”

Mike A. says:

Hey, you don’t look at the mantle when you’re poking the fire.

Jamal G. says:

Wow. No words for that one, just wow.

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Mike A. says:

Joe gets credit for that one.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Wait, I do have words for that one: giggidy, giggidy.

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Quagmire (with a trashy girl on his arm): Hang around little guy, I’ll be back later (he winks).
Stewie: Oh very well. I suppose I’ll go and pump the chemical toilet. (Eyes the trashy girl.) apparently, you’re about to do the same.

 
 
 
GG says:

yea, the big one is realll grimey…i bet she gives great dome though, having such hot sisters her whole life, im sure she was forced to figure something out to her advantage

 
Manimal says:

Yeah true, I didn’t know she looked like shrek till I actually saw a picture.

Here, allow my wang to give you a running commentary on this picture, from left to right:

http://www.realtelevision.net/.....egirls.jpg

“oh yeah, oh yeah, OH GOOD GOD NO!!!!!”

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Mike A. says:

Oh come on, she’s not THAT ugly.

 

I wouldn’t hit that with Bea Arthur’s dick.

 
 
 
 
 
Manimal says:

All the way on the left. Not Kim (in the middle) and not the she-male on the right.

Ivan says:

Khloe is the big bitch on the right. Not that I have a problem with big bitches but yea Khloe lags behind those two by alot.

By the way, giving all your kids the same first initial = epic fail.

I’m looking at you, Roger Clemens.

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GG says:

the she male/oldest is f-in hot

Manimal says:

alright she is decent but take away the make up and thats where she and her other two sisters are WAY different.

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GG says:
 
Manimal says:

Hence the term “Malibu Barbie”

 
 
Ivan says:

Yo Jamal, what college you currently going to?

Jamal G. says:

Lehman; hopefully NYU Tisch by the Fall term.

Ivan says:

oh. I thought you went to a CUNY that’s why.

Jamal G. says:

Lehman is a CUNY.

Oh, and TSJC… eh, probably.

Jamal G. says:

Wait, why am I admitting to this?

 

I dated several Tisch girls in my day. All of them cute, sweet, wholesome young women with a touch of batshit insane mental retardation.

I asked this one chick (I may have mentioned her on here before) to show me some “acting” one time and she said Let me show you “crackhead”. I practically slept next to her with one eye open every night afterward. Couldn’t shake the feeling she was going to stab me in my sleep.

Joey H says:

In your day? Lol I really thought you were some young 21 year old head case (in a way we have all come to love of course)

I’ll be 32 in July.

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Ivan says:
 

Heh, touche.

I was born in the year 1977. On the Gregorian calendar, to anticipate that one…

 
 
 
Manimal says:

hahahahaha that was the most innocent comment for he first line and a half then it went absolutely down hill.

That’s kind of what our relationship was like, too…

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Jamal G. says:

Yeah, you’re right, I do have some underlying insanity in me. Knowing me, that would probably just make me fall for her. What can I say, I like “different”.

 
Mike Pop says:

This is the one that was in the dirty movies?

You’re gonna have to be more specific, Mikey…

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Mike Pop says:

“In bed by 8 and home by 11!” Oh!!

 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

oh my bad.

Well the reason I ask cuz I might go to a CUNY too. City Tech.

 
 
 

You’re an actor? That explains your latent insanity.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Wow, I’ve never seen a first down spot that close. Once the clock gets down to two mins, don’t they just have to get the ball into LT’s hands and let him do the rest?

Manimal says:

His Pelvis might fall off. Keep going to Bennett and yeah that was mad close, it was like they were exact.

Mike A. says:

It’s only a flesh wound.

 
 
 

Heh, if you would have told a Chargers fan in 2007 that their 2008 playoff season would ride on the legs of Michael Bennett and Jacob Hester, they would have laughed in your face.