Fu2rman on Sports and Society

A-Rod Gets MVP Nod

2005-11-15T01:31:00.000-08:00

There Is Justice In Baseball.

I was concerned over nothing.

A-Rod won the MVP award today, just like he should have.

NEW YORK (AP) -- For all their big hits, fielding was the difference between Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz when it came to balloting for the American League's Most Valuable Player.

A-Rod won the award for the second time in three seasons in a vote that rewarded an all-around player over a designated hitter. In his second season as the New York Yankees' third baseman, Rodriguez received 16 first-place votes, 11 seconds and one third for 331 points from the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Ortiz, the DH for the Boston Red Sox, got 11 firsts and 17 seconds for 307 points. Los Angeles Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero received the other first-place vote and was third with 196 points.

I still want to know what chuckleheads out there voted for Ortiz first, or Vlad for that matter!

Come on, the choice was obvious.

This Is Freakin' Funny!

2005-11-15T00:39:00.000-08:00

This is Big Mike, he's The Kid From Brooklyn.

Big Mike shows us how Yankee Stadium might have the answer to Airport security in this clip.

Check it out.

It is really funny, in that it makes a lot sense.

Go check out The Kid From Brooklyn, he has lots of these brief, but amusing clips.

As well as being funny, he speaks the truth.

He's freakin' great!

All Together Now!!!

2005-11-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

This so much more interesting than anything else going on in sports right now.

Forget the still undefeated Colts, and Peyton Manning finally beat the Super Bowl champion Patriots tonight, to break an 0-7 streak.

Forget Terrell Owens being dropped from The Eagles for the rest of the year.

This story has it all.

It's got drinking, lesbian sex, actually public lesbian sex, cheerleaders, bar fights, and best of all, drunken lesbian cheerleaders in jail!

And I'm only talking about two women here. These are my kinda girls

Two Carolina Panthers cheerleaders were arrested at a bar where witnesses told police the women were having sex in a restroom stall, angering patrons waiting in line.

Renee Thomas, 20, of Pittsboro, N.C., and Angela Keathley, 26, of Belmont, N.C., were taken to Hillsborough County Jail early Sunday. Witnesses said the women were having sex with each other in a stall at the club in the Channelside district.

Thomas was charged with battery for allegedly striking a bar patron when she was leaving the restroom...

This is Thomas on the left, and Keathley on the right.

The Top Cats, the Panther cheerleaders don't have either girls profile on their website, but they still had one picture of Angela...

See, she's pretty hot, what was the problem at the bar?

Just like chicks to be all jealous and insecure.

I saw a short interview of the "patron" on TV earlier, and she's the typical bitter, out of shape plane jane kind of woman that would resent fine women like these, and I have no doubt she let my girls know it!

I'm sure it went something very close to this...

Whah, Whah, I couldn't get in the stall, and you're hot, and my husband is going to stare at you, and I hate you, 'cause you're young and you are getting more attention than me, Whah, Whah.

So Thomas gave her a pretty nice shiner.

Sounds perfectly acceptable to me.

The team has kicked both girls off the team, "for contuct embarrassing the team."

Well ladies, with a resume like you just created this weekend, you are finally qualified to shake your ass for The Raiders.

No Gold For A-Rod

2005-11-02T01:19:00.000-08:00

No big surprise here.

I knew Alex Rodriguez was a long shot for a Gold Glove, even though he had the numbers.

No big deal, he is still one of the best third basemen in the game, and it was only his second year at the position.

So who is the AL Gold Glove third baseman?

Erik Chavez of the A's.

And this is the fifth, (and last), year in a row that he has won the award.

On the award...

Chavez, who struggled to throw to first base in June because of inflammation behind his right shoulder, thought Texas' Hank Blalock might be the leading candidate this year.

``When you have a streak intact, you want to keep it going as long as you possibly can,'' said Chavez, who committed 15 errors. ``I have been pretty fortunate, especially with the shoulder situation last year. The past four or five years, I've felt pretty lucky. I don't really expect anything. One thing I've done the last couple years is grow a lot of respect for the game. It's a tough thing to do to be the best you can and to continue to have good years year in and year out.''

I also like Blalock, but let's look at some basic numbers.

Errors, Put-Outs and Fielding Percentage.

A-Rod
12 116 and .971

Blalock
11 96 and .973

Chavez, the winner
15 121 and .966

That is a tough call, but Chavez got the nod, and Congrats to him.

But based on that, you have to give A-Rod the AL MVP.

He put up Gold Glove worthy numbers, and who's bat would you rather have, Chavez or A-Rod?

Or another way to ask, as his batting numbers are more than comparable to David Ortiz, who's glove would you rather have?

A-Rod is the most complete player in the game today, and is no doubt, The AL MVP.

I Guess I Have To Clarify

2005-11-01T01:24:00.000-08:00

I always thought my posts on becoming the GM of a team, had some common sense understandings.

In particular, just because I would go after a free agent, or propose a trade, it doesn't mean I would get them.

I've always thought that everyone understood that.

I was wrong.

Anonymous said...: I just have to tell you- i am not a dodger fan, so i don't really care about depodesta one way or another; but you sound like a complete idiot- have you ever seen the Seinfeld episode where George tells jerry that he has figured out a way to get Griffey, Bonds, and Sheffield in the same Yankee outfield???
That is basically what you sound like- do you really think the dodgers are going to replace five position players and two-thirds of their pitching staff???
Stop whacking off to unrealistic acquistions and come back to earth, then maybe we can have an intelligent conversation about baseball.

Look at that!

I got called out big-time.

Of course I didn't suggest anything even close to a Bonds, Griffey and Sheffield outfield, but I like his enthusiasm.

In reality, I suggested adding Matt Lawton to the outfield of Jose Cruz Jr.and Milton Madley, oh, I mean Bradley.

That is hardly an OF that would strike fear in their opponents, but oh well.

So, going forward, just because I throw free agents names out there, keep in mind, they are just the best options for the team to pursue.

And knowing that one team would not get to pick and choose whoever they want, I throw out all possible good options, at numerous positions.

I wish Anonymous would have left his name so he could claim his post.

He is obviously smart about the game, I loved his question...

do you really think the dodgers are going to replace five position players and two-thirds of their pitching staff???

Although, I only wanted to sign 2 starting pitchers, last I checked, that's not 2/3 the pitching staff.

They do have a bullpen, and I'd stick with Brazabon and Gagne in the 8th and 9th.

One must keep in mind, as an outsider to any organization, one will never know what restrictions one is dealing with, i.e. budgets, team chemistry, and other intangibles.

I am out here giving the best options.

No need for the name calling, unless you want to go that route, but you will lose, 'cause...

I am The King.

It's Been NOT So Nice Knowin' Ya...

2005-10-30T01:37:00.000-08:00

Yeah, you're smiling in this picture.

But Mr. Paul DePodesta, you've got to go!

And today was my lucky day, (and I can see Bahb doing backflips already!).

The Dodgers fired DePodesta today!

Why?

``Our high expectations were not met,'' McCourt said at an afternoon news conference at Dodger Stadium. ``I like Paul. He has many positive attributes. It was difficult, but at the end of the day, that's my job, to make difficult decisions.''

This could be my chance.

I am ready to take over the mess that DePodesta left, especially since I won't be working for the Yankees after the Cashman re-signing.

I couldn't do any worse than DePo, The Dodgers went 71-91 in the worst division in baseball.

And that is after taking over a team that won the division last year, despite his questionable late-season trades of Paul LoDuca and Guillermo Mota, for Brad Penny and Hee-Seop Choi.

It was a strange trade at the time, Penny was coming off an injury, Choi had nothing going for him except a high On-Base percentage. Meanwhile, they rejected a trade from the Astros (I forget the details) that would have sent Mota to the 'Stros, stating Mota was not for sale.

Losing LoDuca was crazy, he was the clubhouse leader. It made no sense.

All I would have to do is hire a manager, and get this team to .500, and I'm golden until '07.

Yes, manager Jim Tracy was fired Oct. 3, and no replacement has been hired.

I don't think Tracy was the problem, and neither did the Pirates. They hired Tracy 8 days later.

Here's my early thoughts on running the Dodgers.

I'm only going to talk about free agent signings, I'll get to trades later.

We need pitching.

Free agents that should be sought, are first and foremost, AJ Burnett. Burnett is going to be in huge demand, so if getting him is going to tank the budget, keep looking.

I also like Jarrod Washburn, the move to the NL would be good for him. And he is the best lefty under 40 out there.

I like Kevin Millwood for the same reason, the move back to the NL.

In the infield.

Look to get Joe Randa from the Padres at 3rd Base, or even Bill Mueller from the Red Sox.

At 1st Base, look at Kevin Millar from the Red Sox, or Daryle Ward from the Pirates.

Adding an outfielder would be important.

I would start with Brian Giles of the Padres. But I also like Juan Encarnacion, but he may be over priced since he will be in high demand for teams looking for an outfielder.

Let's talk Matt Lawton, he could be an easy sign at $5 mil per year. He'll steal you bases, get about 20 HR's and hit about .280, for 5 mil a year, you could do worse.

As a new GM, I would have to make one really big money trade.

And that would be for Jorge Posada.

I would go after him for sure. I don't know what trades would have to be made, I would have to talk to Brian Cashman, but I'd do everything within reason to make that happen.

Jason Phillips is a good catcher, nothing wrong with him; but bringing a star to the team would energize the city and the team. Plus, Posada is a great leader, and it seems the Yanks are ready to move on. Posada's production was down this year, but that is compared to the Yankee sluggers, and on an off day he is still better than Phillips.

There you go, that is year one of The Fu2rman's regime as Dodger GM.

DeBerry Didn't Get Fired!?

2005-10-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

College Football Coach for Air Force keeps his job after saying...

DeBerry mentioned that the Horned Frogs "had a lot more Afro-American players than we did and they ran a lot faster than we did."

"It just seems to me to be that way," he continued. "Afro-American kids can run very well. That doesn't mean that Caucasian kids and other descents can't run, but it's very obvious to me that they run extremely well."

This was DeBerry's response to the 10-48 ass kicking his team took from TCU.

TCU's QB put up 302 passing yards, completed 20 of 28 passes for 2 TD's and ran 6 times for 42 yards, scoring another TD. TCU also rushed for 4 more TD's.

Essentaially, The Air Force Falcons can't stop the passing game, TCU QB stated "It was like pitch-and-catch"

Seems like those white Cornerbacks can't keep up with black Receivers.

Well, that makes sense.

How many white Cornerbacks can you name in the NFL?

I'll help you, since Jason Seahorn retired, none.

Air Force has other issues to deal with...

Due to post-collegiate service requirements and physical limitations regarding military craft, Air Force is somewhat hindered in its recruitment of football players. Using schemes that minimize those disadvantages, DeBerry is 164-99-1 with the Falcons, guiding them to 12 bowl games.

Pretty impressive.

However, DeBerry should have known better.

I understand his frustration, he is not playing on a level playing field.

Maybe next time he should say something like this...

We have a squad full of young men that have had the honor of serving their country with dignity, becoming good citizens in the country they have heroicly represented, and will be successful components in the fu2r of this great country. These young (read black) men beat us today, but at best, 3 of them will make it to the NFL.

I only hope the rest of these young (again, read black) men have spent time in class to learn something, or they will be a drain on our society. College scholarships for football only last so long.

Would that have been better?

Or would that have been way more insensitive?

I'm glad DeBerry apologized, I know he made his comments out of his frustrating year, but you can't say things like that in his position.

Also, I'm glad he apologized because it saved his job.

And a damn good job he's done, considering the hurdles that he has in front of his team.

That Should Be Me

2005-10-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

That should be me in the picture.

Instead, Brian Cashman is going back to the Yankees for 3 more years.

Cashman will be working for a little better than $5 million over the life of the contract.

Now I'm saying that really should be me.

I guess all of I have left to say is, Good Luck Brian, and keep my seat warm!

Simply Unbeatable

2005-10-28T18:58:00.000-07:00

The Chicago White Sox celebrated with the city of Chicago today at a downtown bash.

I can't really say The White Sox were the best team this year, they reminded me a lot of the 2002 Anaheim Angels.

Lightning in a bottle, that is the best way to explain it.

The Sox are a really good team, that was insanely hot, and every break went their way.

Their pitchers were unbelievable, they got timely hits, and if a call was questionable, it went their way.

I don't want to take anything away from the Sox, they played great post season baseball.

Better than anyone else, that's for sure.

The Astros were so disappointing.

They played ok, they only lost by 2 runs twice, and 1 run twice.

It was 4 well played, close games.

But they couldn't buy a timely hit.

So they got swept, and deserved to...

Congrats to the White Sox.

Is It Peyton Manning's Year?

2005-10-25T00:28:00.000-07:00

It seems so thus far.

Peyton is not putting up insane numbers like he did last year, but he is finding a way to win, a la Tom Brady.

Last year Peyton and The Colts put up a ton of points, but never played defense. And they did ok with that. But not good enough to get by Brady's Patriots in the end.

This year, defensive improvements have them undefeated.

The Colts defense has allowed the least amount of points in the AFC, while outscoring everyone except The Chargers.

Unfortunately, The Chargers have no defense, and have given up twice as many points as The Colts, so they under .500, at 3-4.

Peyton and The Colts have everything rolling right now.

They are 7-0, they are scoring plenty of points, and not allowing points.

If you find yourself in Vegas, check the odds on Indianapolis, it may be worth some money.

USC #2?

2005-10-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

Texas passes USC in BCS

You read it right. And from the picture, it appears Pete Carroll knew it was coming.

The key letters in BCS of course are BS, 'cause that is what the BCS poll is.

In 2003 USC got edged out of the title game, in favor of (1)Oaklahoma and (2)LSU. When LSU won the game, and USC won The Rosebowl, we had co-champions, you know, the thing the BCS ranking was supposed make a thing of the past.

The BCS has Texas and USC so far ahead of number 3 Virginia Tech, that there is little danger of either team missing the Title Game. That is unless one of them totally tank, so this number 2 rank should only motivate them win.

On top of that, USC is top-ranked in The Associated Press media poll, the USA Today coaches' poll and the Harris Interactive poll.

So what is everybody worried about....????

Matt Leinart And The NFL

2005-10-18T00:30:00.000-07:00

It was suggested that I get on the USC bandwagon.

I think from my praise of the Trojans, it is safe to say that I have been a fan for a really long time.

But that is not the point of this post.

My point is to delve into the potential NFL career of Matt Leinart.

First, I am super impressed with the fact that he gave up a huge NFL contract to play one more year in college.

That is more than refreshing.

You simply don't see anyone giving up literally millions of dollars to play for free.

That speaks volumes.

I don't know what that says, but it speaks volumes.

Here's what I think it is, or at least two possibilities.

One, Leinart knows how good he is, and went back to play just for the love of the game. Or...

Two, he is afraid to take the next step.

Of course it could be that he didn't want to play for the horrid 49'ers, and he wanted to take his chances with next years draft.

If he is playing for the love of the game, I am going to be a bigger Leinart fan than I already am.

Leinart came back and will break about every record in college football, hopefully he doesn't see that as his heyday. If he does, he will fail in NFL.

If it was fear that kept him out of the last draft, I'll say this.

Leinart will not be a decent QB in the NFL, he will either be one of the best, or he will fail.

And his psyche will decide that. And he has not fully shown where his head is.

I hope, as a Leinart fan, that he becomes a great NFL QB, but only time will tell.

And That'll Do It For The Angels

2005-10-17T01:02:00.000-07:00

And that is the look of defeat.

The Angels just couldn't put together any offense.

I have been listening to Angel fans complain about the umpires every single day since the call that ended game 2.

But it's not the umpires that lost the series, it was the Angels bats, or lack thereof, that lost them the series.

Aside from 2 batters in the 9th inning of game one, all 5 White Sox starting pitchers went the distance. Tonight Jose Contreras felt left out, since he left game one early, he went ahead and pitched a complete game tonight.

That's four complete games in a row by White Sox pitchers!

You can't win if you can't even knock out the starting pitcher.

The Angels ended up with a .175 Batting Average against the White Sox, that will never get it done, not in the post season.

Here are some ugly stats.

Vlad went 1 for 20
Garrett Anderson 3 for 17
Bengie Molina and Chone Figgins 2 for 17
Orlando Cabrera 4 for 20
Darin Erstad 4 for 17
Adam Kennedy 4 for 14

The Angels were outscored 23-11 in the series.

No need to blame anyone else, that tells the tale right there.

I said a few days ago that Mike Scioscia needed to get this team up after the disappointment in game 2 if he wanted to be known as one of the best managers of all time, he didn't do that.

Scioscia is a great manager, but so is Atlanta's Bobby Cox.

And what Cox is showing us all is that you can win your division 14 years in a row, but if you only have one World Series win in that time...

Nobody cares

Talk About Eeking One Out

2005-10-16T01:56:00.000-07:00

USC has looked something like dominant this year.

They haven't looked totally dominant.

They haven't shown up, for the most part, until the second half in many of their wins.

But until the Notre Dame game, they have won in convincing fashion in the second half.

Notre Dame proved to be a different animal.

Notre Dame was so close to beating SC, that the team, the coaches and their whole sideline was walking out on the field to celebrate their win.

But a Matt Lienart fumble that went out of bounds with 3 seconds on the clock kept SC alive.

On the next, and final play of the game, Lienart spun away from tacklers to find the endzone, securing a 34-31 win over Charlie Wies and his Fighting Irish.

Yikes, best game I've seen in a long time, especially since USC was the ultimate winners of the game.

USC may or may not be the best college team ever, but they have everything going for them.

Every coach, every recruiter, and every school, dream of such a season. USC will have the best recruiting classes for years to come.

Even though this team will be picked clean by the NFL, jump on this bandwagon while you can.

Angels Are On The Ropes

2005-10-16T01:02:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would say that after the Angels beat the Yankees.

But here's the problem.

The Angels have not been able to get to the White Sox bullpen.

Mark Buerhle, Jon Garland and now Freddy Garcia, (pictured) have all pitched complete games. And Jose Contreras in game one got pulled in the 9th with one out.

The Angels have only faced the White Sox bullpen for 2/3 of one inning in 4 games.

Neal Cotts came in and faced 2 batters in the game one loss to the Angels.

This is not the way to beat the White Sox.

The White Sox have a great pitching staff, no question, but they are weak in the bullpen. The way to beat the Sox is to get to the bullpen early.

The only hope the Angels have is that they face Contreras again tomorrow, hopefully he is tired from his long outing on Tuesday. And then Buerhle is tired and then Garland...etc. you get the idea.

But I wouldn't count on it.

I just hope the Halo's can put together some hits.

It seems they are in fact deflated from the umpire ending the game on them in Wednesdays defeat. Just for the record, the Ump didn't cost them the game, he just ended the game. The chance of the Angels scoring a run against The Sox was pretty slim anyway.

They have no offense to speak of.

The Sox have outscored the Angels 17-8 so far.

Vlad has 1 hit in 16 at bats, Anderson has 2 hits in 16 at bats, B. Molina is 2 for 13, Figgins-1-14, oh, I could go on.

This is a team that needs to pick up a bat tomorrow if they want to play any more this season.

I will now say, Scioscia is not yet in the class of a Joe Torre, he is not showing that he can pick up his team in the tough times.

But please, Mike Scioscia, prove me wrong, win this damn series!

PLEASE, PROVE ME WRONG!

The Angels Will Beat The Sox

2005-10-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

Why?

Because the Sox are deluding themselves, thinking they deserved a win they didn't.

Meanwhile, the Angels are telling themselves the truth by saying they deserved a loss in a game which was robbed from them:

Mike Scioscia could have claimed "We Wuz Robbed."

There was certainly enough controversy about the ninth-inning play -- a pitch in the dirt or not -- that led to the Angels' 2-1 loss in Game 2 of the ALCS Wednesday night.

But only a few minutes after Scioscia was arguing with the umpires, he calmed down, said his team didn't play well enough and credited the White Sox.

That's typical of Scioscia's career-long demeanor, keeping things on an even keel, rarely ranting, seldom getting too high after a win or too low after a defeat. He tends to emphasize that it's how his team plays, not who the opponent is or where the game is played.

You can only be as hard on your opponent as you are willing to be on yourself. You've got to kick your own ass, before you can kick the ass of the other team.

There's No Crying In Baseball!!!!

2005-10-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

All I've heard since last nights bad call, I don't think I need to clarify the play in question, is how the Angels were robbed, the umpires decided the game, we need instant replay, etc. etc.

Here's a question, did I whine about the questionable call on Robinson Cano supposedly running out of the baseline, and getting called out? I mean that would have loaded the bases for Bernie Williams, instead it was the 3rd out, didn't the umpires affect the outcome of the game? Maybe, we'll never know.

But did I cry about it? Did I even mention it?!

No! I blamed Hideki Matsui for going 0-5 and stranding 8 baserunners. Read it here.

1. If one bad call decides the game, you didn't score enough runs.

2. Josh Paul should have tagged Pierzynski, just in case, you see this all the time! Josh Paul needs to take some responsibilty for the loss.

3. Pitcher Kelvim Escobar gave Pierzynski second base. He put him in scoring position! Escobar needs to take some responsibility for the loss.

4. Lastly, Mike Scioscia didn't go out and calm Escobar down, he should have had a quick meeting on the mound, got the team together, and battled for the last out.

I think Mike Scioscia is a great manager, however, one thing that bothers me about him, is he constantly runs out on the field to whine to the umpires. Anyone that knows me has heard me say that over and over. And now it came back to bite him and his team in the ass.

Bahb said it pretty well, and I'll let his comment sum this up....

Bahb Damf said...
Here's how we can all know whether or not the Angels will win the Penant. If they whine and cry about that umps stupid effing call last night, then they will lose.If they admit that they gave up a stolen base and a hit after the call and that that's what caused them to lose, then they will win.

Will The Angels Win The Penant Or Will They Puss Out?

2005-10-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

It will become very obvious by today or tomorrow. Here's how we will know.

If the Angels whine and cry - and blame the pathetic excuse for a umpiring crew - for their loss last night, then they will lose the frickin' Penant.

If they act like men and admit they lost because

1) Jarred Washburn choked in the first inning, and blew that simple grounder like he was Leslie Lesbian-softball player

2) they gave up a stolen base in the ninth inning, even though

EVERYBODY

INCLUDING MY BLIND GRANDMA

KNEW IT WAS COMING

3) they gave up a hit, driving in the winning run, after that

THEN AND ONLY THEN will they win.

A man admits it when he fucked up. A pussy blames the umpires, his boss, his mommy, his wife, etc.

Looking To Next Year

2005-10-11T01:59:00.000-07:00

I have said so many times that Brian Cashman needs to be fired, and the humble Fu2rman needs to take the helm as GM of The Yankees.

Well, it's time.

Cashman's contract is up, and it just so happens, I am available.

Here's my plan.

First of all, Cashman has taken his unlimited budget and squandered it. And finally some of his mistakes are fixable.

I do not resign Bernie Williams, Kevin Brown, Tino Martinez, Tom Gordon, Alan Embree, or Ruben Sierra. That just cut $39 million out of the payroll.

I do make sure to sign Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano to new contracts, I want both of those guys around, even though Matsui was basically a no-show in the playoffs this year. He's too good to let go.

I would look to deal Gary Sheffield, but there is not a better right fielder out there at the moment, and not many teams could afford him anyway. So he stays.

The Yankees need a Center Fielder, a set up pitcher/heir to Mariano Rivera's throne as a fu2r Closer, a younger Catcher, that doesn't cost $11 million per year, and starting pitching.

I would also like to trade Mike Mussina, Randy Johnson, and Carl Pavano, but nobody would be able to afford them.

Under my reign, it goes like this...

Let's talk free agents.

I would sign Chicago White Sox First Baseman Paul Konerko. Great power, and a great glove, and only 29 years old.

Then I pick up the Orioles Closer BJ Ryan, he is less interested in a closers job, and more interested in winning a World Series. Ryan would be the set-up man, but in '07 he would have the closer job, on the most celebrated team in sports history.

Next you gotta get The Marlins AJ Burnett. Other potential choices would be Jarrod Washburn, (which would give you a Lefty) and Kevin Millwood, all three will go for about the same money, but I go with Burnett just based on age. Burnett and Millwood are a little bit of an injury risk. I considered Millwood and Washburn due to their success in the American League, (Burnett is a National Leaguer, and it seems to be hard for them to make the transition). I'd still go for Burnett, his strikeout count, WHIP, and ERA are all solid, even adjusted against the DH.

Last, I go after Angel Catcher Bengie Molina.

Now with an extra 1st baseman, and cather...

Deal Jorge Posada to a team that could use a big name to help fill seats, The KC Royals come to mind.

Trade Posada for Catcher John Buck (he'll be the backup Catcher), and pitcher Zack Greinke. Greinke is a 22 year old pitcher that has had little success in KC, but he gets zero run support, but has so much potential. He would be a work in progress, but I think the risk is worth it. If Greinke could study under the Veterans in NY, and have some of the best coaching, he would become a great pitcher.

The most predictable move, and the one I can see Cashman trying to make, is getting Johnny Damon to play Center Field. He would be a great pick-up, but he dissed the Yanks by saying he didn't want to play for them. But as we all know, money talks, and bullshit walks. Well, let bullshit walk, Damon can go elsewhere. Plus, he throws like a girl.

Deal Jason Giambi to Anaheim, sorry, LA of Anaheim, in exchange for Darin Erstad (who will play Center Field) and Dallas McPherson. Money-wise, it is a wash.

I would take the risk of injury prone McPherson and make him a DH. He could then be the backup 3rd baseman, and if you need to sit Derek Jeter, A-Rod would play Short-Stop and McPherson plays 3rd.

Of course the Angels may not go for that.

No worries, deal Giambi and either Chien-Ming Wang, Shawn Chacon, or Jaret Wright to the Twins for Starting Pitcher Johan Santana. The Twins need an big bat in the lineup. They would need a solid pitcher in return, Wang or Chacon would be the best choice, since money is a concern. And since Ruben Sierra is a cheap DH, he'll be a Yankee for one more year.

Here's my Yankee starting lineup...

Rotation

Mike Mussina
Randy Johnson
AJ Burnett
Carl Pavano
Jaret Wright

Bullpen

Mariano Rivera-Closer
BJ Ryan-Set-Up
Aaron Small
Chein-Ming Wang/Shawn Chacon
Al Lieter
Tanyon Sturtze

1st Base

Paul Konerko

2nd Base

Robinson Cano

3rd Base

Alex Rodriguez

SS

Derek Jeter

LF

Hideki Matsui

CF

Darin Erstad

RF

Gary Sheffield

DH

Dallas McPherson

I just saved the Yankees almost $34 million.

What so you do with that money?

Rebuild the farm system that has been raped by Cashman to try to win a title over the last 5 years!

The most important thing to note is...

You cannot simply buy a ring, you have to build a team, work the chemistry, develop players.

Look at the late 90's Yankees, they were mostly out of the Yankee farm system, with big contracts to fill the holes.

Seriously, the only player that impressed me in this post-season was rookie Robinson Cano.

See what I mean?

Oh UNHAPPY Day!

2005-10-11T00:43:00.000-07:00

Here Frankie Rodriguez records the final out of the deciding game five over The Yankees.

Yep, that's Hideki Matsiu recording his 5th out of the game. He went 0-5 and left 8 men on base.

The Angels won by 2 runs.

Matsui was uncharacteristically cold tonight, what can you do?

The Angels simply shut down The Yankees powerhouse offense.

Congratulations to the LA or OC or Anaheim, or....Well congrats to the Angels, they deserved to win this series.

I will be rooting for the Angels the rest of the year, I'm seeing 2002 all over again.

GO ANGELS!!

Oh Happy Day!

2005-10-10T01:34:00.000-07:00

The Yankees were able to force a game 5 in Anaheim in the best of 5 series against the Angels.

Tonight both teams took a shutout into the 6th inning, and that is when the scoring began.

The Angels picked up 2 runs when Juan Rivera walked and was sacrificed to second. Then consecutive doubles by Chone Figgins and Orlando Cabrera gave them a two run lead. In the Yankee's half of the inning they picked up one run with a Gary Sheffield single that scored Alex Rodriguez.

The pivotal play came in the seventh inning.

After rookie, (and quickly becoming one of my favorite Yankees) Robinson Cano scored to tie the game, Derek Jeter hit into a fielders choice that made for a close play at the plate.

John Lackey and Bengie Molina of the Los Angeles Angels argue a call with home plate umpire, Alfonso Marquez. While Molina argued briefly that he had tagged Jorge Posada, Posada said he knew his leading leg was on the plate before the catcher touched him with the ball.
(AFP/File/Nick Laham)

Molina can argue that call all he wants, but the replay shows that he may have tagged Posada with his glove before he touched the plate, but Molina had the ball in his throwing hand and not in the glove. It was a great call by Marquez.

Then we enter the eighth inning, and from the PA you hear the all too familiar sound of Metallica's 'Enter Sandman'. What all Yankee fans know is that Enter Sandman is Mariano Rivera's entrance song.

And he was lights out.

Rivera pitched the eighth and ninth, he gave up zero runs, zero hits, and struck out two.

Both teams should be getting ready to land in Southern Cal as I type this, and this series is now a one game winner take all.

Ahh, just the way it should be, the best teams, fighting it out right down to the last game.

What About Those Kids From USC?

2005-10-09T01:46:00.000-07:00

Here you see LenDale White tearing it up!

He scored 4 Touchdowns yesterday.

Not bad, the guy that is not Heisman frontrunner Matt Leinart, or Reggie Bush.

Let's just look at the NFL for one minute.

Who is going to get Leinart, Bush, and White?

Well first of all, the first draft picks today would be Green Bay and Houston, both of which have very young recently drafted QB's, Houston is playing David Carr, and Brett Favre has his just drafted (Aaron Rodgers) replacement on his bench.

So where does Leinart fit in?

Baltimore.

If they continue on the path they are on, they would be able to draft Lienart.

But Green Bay and Houston would draft before them.

Currently, both teams could use Bush or White, so expect them to go before Leinart, and then Leinart goes to Baltimore.

That would be the best situation for Matt Leinart, picked 3rd, in the first round, by Baltimore.

Maybe Leinart knew something more than we did when he decided not to be drafted by the 49er's in last years draft.

I mean come on, would you rather be the number one draft pick Ryan Leaf, or 6th round, 33rd draft pick Tom Brady?

Who has had the better career?

Have you even heard of Ryan Leaf?

Leinart with the Ravens would fill that QB hole they've had forever. They don't have a marquis Receiver, but with Jamal Lewis at Running Back, and a very formidable Defense, Baltimore would be a great fit for Leinart.

One thing is for certain, USC will be picked clean by next year's NFL draft.

So us USC fans must relish this very special team that we have the privilege of watching this year.

Get A Load Of This!

2005-10-09T00:35:00.000-07:00

If you have read the Miss Eyre and Fu2rman blog, you know my friend G. Escobar is home from his second tour of Iraq.

Now, G grew up in Anaheim, graduated from an Anaheim High School, the whole 9 yards, so he's obviously an Angel fan.

We went to a bar in Anaheim to watch the 2nd Angel/Yankee game.

Of course, I was the only Yankee fan in the place.

Then 3 cute blondes roll in, and G starts talking to them. One says she's a Yankee fan. Of course G is disgusted, and says, go sit with my friend The Fu2rman!

I say, Come on over here, this is the Yankee section!

So she sits down in G's seat, and we start talking. All the while I'm thinking, thanks G, cute blonde, hot little bod, I owe you one G!

Then I notice someone around me has some bad BO.

Teddy, a guy that G and I know is on the other side of me. He works construction, and looks like he came from work to watch the game.

My thought of course is, I hope she doesn't smell him as much as I do, she may think it is me that smells!

Then I think about it, Teddy has been sitting next to me for about 15 minutes. I better confirm this.

So I lean over to Teddy, and ask him, so how's work?

I wasn't listening to a word he said, I was only interested in confirming his maleodor, and convincing him to go somewhere else.

Well I confirmed one thing, it was not Teddy that smelled.

I turned my attention back to Blondie, and the smell seemed to be gone.

Maybe it was someone that was standing behind me, and now he's gone, I'm golden, Blondie won't think it was me, game back on.

So I start chatting her up again.

Then she reached for her beer, and damnit if I didn't get a whiff of that awful BO again.

It was her! It was Blondie that stunk!

WTF!

How does a good looking person go out, dress up, look good, and still totally disregard personal hygiene?

It is simply criminal.

With One Game In the Book

2005-10-05T01:10:00.000-07:00

Well except the fact that Houston and Atlanta play their first game later tonight.

Yanks beat the Angels
White Sox beat the Red Sox
Cardinals over the Padres

Any surprises there?

Of course there are, The Yankees got to my Cy Young winner, Bartolo Colon early. But he came back to pitch a great game. He was simply outpitched by Mike Mussina. It was an easier win than I expected.

However, the amazing Yankee offense couldn't score any more runs after the 2nd inning, that should be a concern. The Yanks have about as potent an offense as you could ever want, and now they have a full bullpen Al Leiter gives you a lefty to go to. The key to Yankee success is getting their starter deep in the game, once you get into the 6th inning, you can throw Leiter, Embre, Sturtze, Felix Rodriguez or Mendoza. I know, none of those names instill fear in you, but then you have Tom Gordon in the 8th, and The Great Mariano Rivera in the 9th.

The Angels are no slackers in the bullpen either, the Donnelly/Shields, and Frankie Rodriguez is something to be feared.

One of these teams is going to start putting runs on the board, the one to do that first, will win.

The White Sox crushed the Red Sox, 14-2, the big concern here is that usually when a team destroys another, they pretty much have shot their wad, to put it a porn reference to it.

The White Sox are going to have to keep knocking out the starting pitchers of the Red Sox. The Red Sox have the worst bullpen in the playoffs, so if you can get to them early, the Red Sox will fall.

Oh, the poor Padres, they were almost good with Jake Peavy, but he got rocked for 8 runs. And now he's hurt, and out for the season. Sorry Pad's have a nice time enjoying the best weather in the country, 'cause there will be no reason to leave San Diego as the post season rolls on.

Well Since You Put It That Way

2005-10-03T00:48:00.000-07:00

Pastorius said... Fu2rman,
There may be one closer in history who deserved to win the Cy Young; Mike Marshall of the 1972 Dodgers.

As my memory serves, he appeared in 110 games, saving close to 50, and posted a 1.20 ERA.

That's the most dominant closer ever, if not Eric Gagne.

Based on those numbers, Mariano Rivera is definitely deserving of the Cy Young.

I did some checking on Mike Marshall. I have to correct a few things, first you are referring to the 1974 season, and he did in fact win the Cy Young.

Also, I will show his exact numbers momentarily.

We must also keep in mind that the game was different then, the role of the set-up man was not yet defined, closers then would average 2 innings per game, and would enter the game in any situation.

Today, with the set-up role defined, closers only see one inning of work per appearance, except in that occasional situation when they finish the 8th inning, and then close the 9th. Today, unless a closer hasn't worked in a while, they won't get in the game unless there is a save opportunity.

So saying that...

Here are the numbers, Marshall '74 vs. Rivera '05.

I'm going to throw out a bunch of stats here, so to simplify, I'll put Marshall in Red, and Rivera in Yellow.

Games 106/78
Innings Pitched 208.3/78.3
Saves 43/21
ERA 1.38/2.42
Stikeouts 143/80
Strikeouts per inning 1.025/.687
WHIP
(Walks+Hits per Innings Pitched) .87/1.18
Batting Average Against .177/.238
Record 15-12/7-4

As you can see, Rivera has the edge on Marshall on many of those stats, twice as many saves, a better ERA and batters had less success against him. The others, you can chalk up to less opportunity to rack them up, i.e. less innings pitched, of course less strikeouts.

But I still say, no Cy Young for Rivera.

I'm glad Marshall got the award and all, but it was a different time.

He was not a closer by today's standards.

He logged almost 3 times the innings because he didn't sit in the bullpen if there was no save opportunity. And like I said in the last post, one element that today's closer never has, is Marshall's 15 wins.

Actually, by today's standards, a closer shoud not factor in too many decisions, every loss means a blown save, and many wins only mean he blew a save at home, and his offense bailed him out in the bottom of the 9th. The top 10 closers this year averaged 8 decisions, Rivera has 11, that's a little high.

I agree that Marshall was a deserving Cy Young winner, but again, he was not like today's closer.

Now let's talk Eric Gagne real quick.

I'd put Gagne right next to Rivera. Not ahead.

He's amazing, without a doubt, but so is Rivera.

If Gagne was healthy, and he and Rivera were both free agents, and I had the opportunity to sign one of them, I have to admit, I would sign Gagne.

But not because I think he is better, but only because he is almost 30 years old, and not about to turn 36 like Rivera.

I was serious, there should be an award for the most dominant closer, by today's standards, and it should be called the Mariano Rivera Award.

This Will Be A Great Test

2005-10-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Who is the American League MVP?

If the votes don't come in for the obvious choice, the award will be meaningless.

Here are the front runners...

The Boston Red Sox Designated Hitter, David Ortiz.

And,

The Yankee's 3rd Baseman, Alex Rodriguez.

I know what you are all thinking, of course the Fu2rman is going to say A-Rod deserves it, he's a Yankee fan.

Well, you're right, but let me show that I come to my decision based on reason, and not my love of the Yankee's.

My favorite player is Mariano Rivera, I've said that many times. His name has been thrown into the hat as a Cy Young candidate.

I say, that is totally wrong!

A Cy Young winner should never be a closer. Even though Rivera is the most dominant closer ever, he doesn't deserve a Cy Young.

Once Rivera retires, I propose the Mariano Rivera Award, for the best closer of the season!

However, a Cy Young winner should be able to put up a stellar ERA, 15-20 wins, a low WHIP (walks+hits per innings pitched), and rack up a fair amount of Strikeouts.

We should not even be talking about Rivera, we should be talking about Bartolo Colon of the Angels, Johan Santana of the Twins, and maybe Mark Buehrle of the White Sox.

I'll leave it at that.

Just like a closer should not win the Cy Young, a DH should never be considered for the MVP, unless he absolutly destroys everyone in all the Batting stats.

And David Ortiz did not do that.

We'll look at the basic stats, Batting Average, Homeruns, RBI's, Runs, and Stolen Bases.

I'll put the numbers side by side, Ortiz in Red Sox Red, and A-Rod in Yellow, since I can't do pinstripes.

Batting Avg. .318/.299
Homeruns 48/47
RBI's 147/130
Runs 124/118
Stolen Bases 21/1

If A-Rod never took the field to play defense, you would have a good race, but he does, and does it well.

A-Rod, in 159 games has made only 12 Errors, and has a .971 Fielding Percentage.

With stats like that, he should also be in the running for a Golden Glove.

So on top of A-Rod being an outstanding defensive player, he has a better Batting Average, 1 more HR, more Runs scored, and actually finds time to steal bases, but trails in RBI's.

If Alex Rodriguez loses this award to David Ortiz, the award is meaningless.

A Classic Redux

2005-09-29T22:38:00.000-07:00

New York Yankees' Joe DiMaggio, left, and Boston Red Sox's Ted Williams pause for an exchange during an exhibition game in St. Petersburg, Fla., in this March 14, 1949 photo. In 1949, their fates came down to the final two games of the season. Boston held a one-game lead with two to play at Yankee Stadium. The math was simple for the Red Sox. Win a game and win the pennant. The challenge was a bit more daunting for the Yankees, who had no margin for error. Lose one and they were done. They'll do it again this weekend at Boston, three games to decide the American League East championship. (AP Photo)

And here we go again!

The Yanks go to Boston to play 3 games, with a one game lead to face the Red Sox. This is the only division that hasn't been decided.

The interesting thing about this weekend is that there is a Wild-Card spot still open, and the Sox are tied in that race.

Basically, the Yanks need 2 games in Boston to win the division.

And if that happens, the Sox need the Indians to get swept by the White Sox, which won't happen, since the White Sox have already clinched their division.

This, makes things so complicated, but basically, it comes down to this... If the Red Sox don't win 2 games, it could be over for them. The Yankees really need to win 2 games, or they are flirting with disaster.

Yikes! This couldn't have been better if it were scripted...

How Can You Not Love Derek Jeter

2005-09-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

I'm just a little confused.

Click here to see the whole story, but basically Derek Jeter was threatened.

The Daily News reported that the hate mail to the Yankees' 31-year-old captain called him a ``traitor to his race'' for dating white women. It warned him ``to stop or he'll be shot or set on fire,''

So Derek has a white mother, and a black father, who can he date?

I love the fact that he and his parents have transcended race barriers to make such a great kid.

It is every fathers dream to have their boy grow up to be the captain of the Yankees, or maybe that's just my dream. But either way, what is wrong with poeple, if you can find a lasting love in this day and age, whatever their race, why would you pass it up?

Derek, in a totally true to form, pure class move, downplayed the letter.

You gotta love this guy, even if you hate him for being winner.

How Bad Is Raphael Palmeiro?

2005-09-23T23:29:00.000-07:00

What kind of dumbass is this guy?

Raffy is in trouble, so what is a guy to do?

Chuck a teammate under the bus!?

Yep, that's exactly what he did.

He claimed that he took a B-12 injection furnished by teammate Miguel Tejada that must have been laced with the steroids that made him test possitive for steroids.

MLB asked Tejada to give then a sample of the serum that he gave to Raffy.

This is the dumbest investigation I've ever seen.

So long story short, Tejada gives MLB a straight B-12 sample, and they clear him of all implications.

Now Raffy is asked to not be a part of the O's team ever again.

Of course Tejada's little cocktail tested legal!

I guess Raffy's career is over, who's going to want him now?

Good luck on that Hall of Fame thing...

I'm Not Counting Any Chickens

2005-09-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

With tonights win over the Orioles, The Yankees have taken a full game lead over the Red Sox.

But like the title says, I'm waiting to see a chicken hatch.

With 10 games left, and the last 3 being against the Red Sox, this has to be about as exciting as it gets. You couldn't make this stuff up...

Two Weeks Of Whaaat?!

2005-09-20T00:55:00.000-07:00

The Football season is 2 weeks in and like so many years before, we're all asking What is going on!

Let's start with Baltimore.

The Defensive powerhouse that supposedly was going to be even better this year, has given up 49 points in 2 games and are currently 0-2.

And I drafted Baltimore's D- on my Fantasy team, and a few rounds too early I might add, and now they are headed for my bench!

And don't get me started on Cincinatti...

They made Minnesota look like a college team, and not a good one.

They forced big time Quarterback Dante Culpepper into 5 interceptions, and Running Back Michael Bennett into 2 fumbles, 7 turnovers?!!

They beat up on the Browns in week one. The Bengals have only allowed 21 points, while scoring a 2nd best in the NFL 64. More than enough to put them at 2-0.

Tampa Bay looks like a defense to be feared again.

They've given up all of 16 points in two games, and are sitting pretty at 2-0.

Rookie RB 'Cadillac' Williams looks good already, rushing for 148 and 128 yards with a touchdown in each of his first 2 games.

Oh and poor Green Bay.

First, they lose Pro-Bowl Wide Receiver Javon Walker to a season ending knee injury.

And then Brett Favre has had a really rough start.

He managed to throw 3 touchdowns this past week, but that is the extent of his TD passes. That alone would be ok, but if you add in his 4 interceptions, and now we have a problem. He's also fumbled 3 times, The Packers were able to recover 2 of them, but this is cause for concern. Especially when their defense has given up 17 and 26 points in week one and two respectively.

Green Bay is 0-2.

Ahhh, and my beloved Chargers...

They brought back all of their starting playoff team, they had Superbowl aspirations, they have the best Running Back in the game, and they are 0-2.

The Chargers lost their first game by 4 points, and this week by 3 points.

They are showing a weakness against the passing game. What can I say?

A couple other notes...

Watch for some coaches heads to roll very soon. Two come to mind.

St. Louis will be firing Mike Martz, that should have happened already. He was handed a great team, how do you fail? Well he has found a way, hope retirement treats you well Martz.

And get ready for The Vikings to cut Mike Tice loose. He couldn't control Randy Moss, so he was dealt to the Raiders. The Vik's new owner can't like his new investment so far, see ya later Tice.

Is it a coincidence that they are both named Mike?

While we're on the Mike bashing, how about one more for good measure, Mike Holmgren?

Seattle has talent, they have as big a budget as you can ask for, and the ex-Packer guru couldn't turn this program around. In Holmgren's last year of his contract, I don't think he's expecting an invitation back next year.

What does it all mean?

Well let's be realistic, it means nothing.

It is entirely plausible that any of these 0-2 teams could win 8 of their next 14 games and eek their way into the playoffs, and likewise, these 2-0 teams could lose 8 of their next 14 and get edged out.

You just never know, that's why they play the whole season, and not just 2 weeks.

But we are having fun, aren't we?!

A Couple Other Places You Must Read...

2005-09-20T00:47:00.000-07:00

Here are two great examples from two blogs I read on a regular basis.

First is my boy Pastorius over at CUANAS.

This is a post about the latest negotiations with North Korea, always check Pastorius' commentary on the events, he is sure to add insight with a very appropriate US twist, to bring it down to earth, so we can all understand it. On this one he quotes The Godfather, Vito Corleone to bring it home.

CUANAS on North Koreas agreement to drop NUKE program

Second is a The Astute Blogger, Pastorius turned me on to him. This guy comes up with things that I wish I would have thought of, I can't think of a greater compliment. Here is one example...

The Astute Blogger on PORKBUSTING

Enjoy, and read them often, they can be linked from my site, just click on them on the right side of this page.

What are you waiting for?

MLB Postseason

2005-09-18T00:45:00.000-07:00

Some interesting stuff going on in the AL, I'll tell you what.

If the season ended today, the Red Sox would win the East, The White Sox would take the Central, and The Angels get the West, with The Indians getting the Wild Card nod.

But the season didn't end today.

So check this out...

Unless there is a total collapse by the White Sox, which could happen, they are 3-7 in their last 10 games, they win the Central. Or, they could lose the lead to the Indians, they are on a 9-1 run in their last 10. Either way, the Indians are 3.5 games behind, but .5 games ahead in the Wild Card standings.

Out of the West, the only team going to the post season will be the Division Champ. The Angels are currently 2 games up on the A's. The A's are not playing all that great, so if they don't make a big run real quick, they'll be sitting home watching the playoffs. I hope they have some comfy couches.

The East is a very different animal.

You have the Red Sox 5-5 in their last 10 games, and a 1.5 game lead on the Yanks.

The Yanks are on a 8-2 run over the last 10, and finally putting together some important wins over teams that have given them problems in the past.

Just like the West, there is a good chance that to make the postseason out of the East, a Division Championship will probably be necessary.

The Sox just grabbed 2 really important wins from the A's, and the Yanks are on a 6 game win streak.

OK, I know, I'm here to make predictions, so what is going to happen?

Indians pass The White Sox, and steal the Central, Angels win the West, and The White Sox eek into the Wild Card. In the East, The Yanks take over first place this week. Before the end of the season, they have Baltimore twice, and the Blue Jays, they will have 1st place before that is over. Then they play 3 games against the Red Sox to close the regular season.

It goes like this...

White Sox (wild card) against the Yanks
Cleveland against the Angels

Yanks win, Angels win and meet in the ALCS.

Next I'll make sense of that National League for you.

Like I Said...

2005-09-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

Here are 2 posts you must read.

First, are we failing in Iraq?

What does the newly elected President say...

And

This has nothing to do with Iraq, or does it?....

I am having a hard time getting over the fact that the mainstream media is still trying to make a mockery of our fight against terrorism.

Why?

What purpose does it serve?

They can go ahead and tear down this country, but once they do, then what?

They give up their freedoms?

What does that serve?

Please help me understand.

Sorry For My Absence

2005-09-15T22:31:00.000-07:00

I have had almost a week of not posting anything.

I had the unfortunate experience of attending my aunts funeral.

I have lost a fair amount of my family, all of my grandparents have past, I've lost a couple friends recently to unfortunate circumstances, but this one was hard.

I spent the week with my cousins, one is about 5 years older, another is a year older, and the other is about 4 years younger than me.

And they are dealing with the loss of their Mother.

It really brings life home.

Life is precious, you need to talk to your parents, you need to be OK with them, any issues, should be resolved, you should have everything completely communicated with them at all times, just in case one of you should go.

'Cause you never know.

The weirdest thing is, the most blessed thing...

I have my first nephew being born. My Dad and I were racing home just in case our little Fu2r Yankee was early.

He was not, and now I'm sitting and waiting for the call that my little nephew has arrived.

So please excuse my lack of posting.

My emotions have run the gamut, sadness and crying with my family, to excitement and joy with my family.

Strange how life works, I lose a relative, and gain a new one.

The circle of life is a beautiful thing.

It would be even more beautiful if my nephews name was as I suggested, Mariano Rivera B*****, or Derek Jeter B*****, but that is not going to happen.

My sis went with Ty, as in Ty Cobb, and we will share my middle name as in William, so we're all good.

Again, I have some great stuff waiting to go off on, and I will, but give me a day or two to go through my little rollercoaster ride.

Thank You My Friends....

My Friday Morning With Marcus

2005-09-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

Let me give you some more background on Marcus.

He is 10 years older than me.

I have always been taught to respect my elders, and Marcus makes it so easy.

Today he pointed out something that as a white male I have never even thought of.

He said, I'm tired of hearing about black people complaining about slavery.

I cringed. I can't wait to hear this, I said.

Marcus added, No, Fu2rman, seriously, how many white people died to ensure freedom for the slaves?

I would never have dreamt of making such a bold statement. But I have those PC rules to play by.

So with my mouth agape, he added, A whole lot of white people fought for the rights of the Black man.

That was a statement I have never even pondered.

And it took a black man to point it out.

He said, Who is still alive that were slave owners? Those days are over, and a whole lot of white people are responsible for making that happen.

Still reluctant to say too much, I said, Yeah, the Civil War was a very violent time in our history.

Yes! And we can't forget what this country fought for, the rights of black people that were truly oppressed! Not like todays oppression, where a black man can get a good job, but chooses to take from the system, and claim oppression.

All I could say was, Wow! Marcus, you teach me something everytime I talk to you.

He laughed and said, I don't know about that.

Then we got to talking about his new wife, and the new woman I'm dating, and some topics that were less serious.

However, then I mentioned I was dating a great woman that has been a US citizen for 2 years, she is from Mexico.

He asked about the language barrier.

I explained that she spent her first 7 months here learning English, and she speaks great English.

Marcus about jumped up and down and said, See, if I went to another country, I'd get educated so I could communicate in my new country!

That is about the most un-PC comment one could make in So. California!

I would be crucified for making such a comment, but Sandra the woman I am speaking of and Marcus, a black man are saying it.

And oddly enough, Sandra is working in Real Estate and Marcus is in food distribution to a major restaurant. Both financially successful.

I don't know, maybe they should be looked down upon for acclimating and taking the success that this country can provide if you are willing to embrace this capitalist ideal we have created.

This Is Why I'm Here

2005-09-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Many of you have watched the progression of the Fu2rman Blogs, first with Speaks, and then it shifted to Sports, and now evolved into Sports and Society.

Well this is the perfect post the show how the two are related.

<<This is Kanye West.

First he is a 'rapper' and not very impressive at that, but that is what they call him.

If you listen to his stuff, he sounds kinda like if you took a guy that was supposed to sing sissy little boy band songs, but you made him throw around the 'N'-word, and pretend to be 'hard'.

If you look at this picture you'll get what I mean.

This guy couldn't find edge if Public Enemy, Ice T and NWA had him surrounded.

But somehow, he's popular. Whatever...

At a telethon last week, he called GW Bush out as a Racist. Fine, he's allowed to do that, especially since he and Celine Dion would make a much better duet that he and Li'l Kim.

I'm getting to my point, seriously.

The NFL decided to stick with West as part of their kick-off show to start the NFL season. Fine, he should appeal to the sissy little Boston/New England fans, but Raider Nation? I don't think so.

Well I was wrong about one thing.

And this is my point that I said I would get to.

Freddie Prinz Jr. announced they were cutting away to Los Angeles for Kanye's performance.

The Foxboro crowd booed West through most of his set.

I freakin' love that!

Of course there is no audio, as the audio was from LA, and the boos were in the stadium where they would eventually play some football.

But I hope Kanye West is one crappy wanna-be rapper that is on your list of do-not-buys.

He is mine, and really, not only because I won't put money in his pocket to afford him the opportunity to be an idiot out in the public eye, but because he is little more than a packaged product, that took off. He made the mistake of thinking he had something to do with it.

This guy is one of my most recent examples of, if you get it on the radio, sheeps will buy it.

Chuck D where are you? These new 'rappers' must make you ill, sellouts all of them!

Are Ready For Some Football!

2005-09-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

Football starts in on Thursday. And I can't wait.

The Raiders are about to go to New England to play the Super Bowl champs, the Patriots.

This could be a great game, and here's why.

Randy Moss signed with the Raider Nation, was there ever a better trade in the history of sports?

When I heard Moss was going to Oakland, I thought, that makes a lot of sense, this is a match made in heaven, or maybe hell, but what's the difference, it's a perfect match.

Add to that coach Bill Belichick's lost his two top guys, Romeo Crenell and Charlie Weis, his offensive and defensive coordinators. Tom Brady has a sore shoulder, and is probable, and Wide Receiver David Givens is questionable.

Bill also can't really prepare for Randy Moss in the Raider offense, he doesn't have any tapes to go to.

But, if I were a betting man, which I'm not, I still like the Patriots in this game.

In more news, Jerry Rice retired.

And good for him!

He didn't feel like being the number 4 guy in Denver. And why not?

He's the greatest receiver of all time.

There has been a great debate about the fact that Jerry Rice is the best Football Player ever.

That is a ridiculous question.

You may be able to pick the best Basketball player of all time, he only shares the court with 4 other guys. You may be able to make that argument about the best Baseball ever, if they play their position well, and can hit and put up numbers, but Football is a totally different animal.

Who was better, Joe Montana or Steve Young when Rice picked up 3 rings?

See what I mean?

You have to compare football players, position-by-position.

Jerry Rice is the best receiver I've been alive to see.

Then we have to talk about the Saints.

They don't have a home.

Whatever happens, I hope they do all they can to not abandon the New Orleans community.

It may be that the Superdome has to come down.

I hope if it does, the Saints management works with the city to be a part of Louisiana.

There is a rumor that they could come to Los Angeles.

Actually, that has been a topic of conversation for a few years, but LA won't support a team.

They couldn't support the Rams, so the Raiders moved in.

If Los Angeles couldn't keep the Raider-Nation, LA should never have a team, period!

The other rumor I've heard is that The Chargers go to LA, and the Saints go to San Diego.

From the Saints point of view, this makes sense.

The Chargers, my favorite team, might be able to make an impact on the LA market, if they can have another winning season.

The Saints could do well in San Diego, that city loves their losers for some reason.

Maybe it is the perfect weather, the beach commuinty with a rather acceptable cost of living for what you get that has them so indifferent to winning.

Unfortunately, The Chargers are a good team. But they have some other good teams in their division, including the Moss-Era Raiders, the defense enhanced, always powerful offense of the Chiefs and the always running Broncos.

If they can overcome that, I would say, Chargers, go back home to LA.

They were originaly from LA.

And then the Saints would have a nice spot to continue on their losing ways, and still have the support of their community.

Look at the Gaslamp district and the Garden district. Mardi Gras, and Street Scene...

This would be a natural transition for New Orleans fans.

But again, abandoning New Orleans is not right...

But watch the Fu2r, I see things, they tend to happen.

All Right You Chuckleheads

2005-09-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

You know who you are!

These people are scanning our blogs that have built some readership, and post anonymously some crap about, nice blog, and if you want to 'click here' I can sell you, a home business, a weight-loss drug or penis enlargement I saw on my friends blog.

I don't think they even read our blogs, but I hope they read this...

I promise your comments will be deleted forever from my site.

I will not let anyone see your BS in your comments on my page, so don't bother posting it!

Bonds Back?

2005-09-07T01:14:00.000-07:00

Barry Bonds took the field today with the Giants at Dodger stadium for some pregame practice.

He is not ready to be activated, but it looks like he will be very soon.

He looked good shagging balls, and taking some batting practice and running some bases. That leap into the wall in this picture looks promising for the slugger. Especially since if he is to be anything other than a pinch-hitter he is going to have to play left field, being in the Designated-hitterless National League.

I have said many times that I am not a fan of Bonds, and I hoped he wouldn't pass Ruth or Aaron as the all time Homerun leader.

However, I heard a stat today that could change my mind.

In his last two years, he has seen about 7000 pitches, he swung and missed only 250 of them.

That's not even human.

Steroids or not, that is un-freakin'-believable!

If he does pass Ruth and Aaron, I won't be disappointed.

As a matter of fact, let me reluctantly say for the first time ever...

Good luck Barry.

Don't Call It A Comeback!

2005-09-07T00:38:00.000-07:00

I had to break out a little L.L. Cool Jay on ya' here.

Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong is considering a comeback?

No really Lance, don't call it a comeback!

Wouldn't you have to miss at least one race to call it a comeback?

Didn't you retire like 10 minutes ago?

Whatever...

Good luck on number 8, keep kickin' French ass, I love that...

Great Article From An Emailer

2005-09-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

This was a link sent by a reader.

It showed how after only one generation of poverty, crime, and illegitimacy, the early Irish emigrants were able to turn racial stereotypes around, to become not only productive members of society but respected members of our country.

I happen to be part Irish, and I've never been ashamed to say that. And I can thank the man the article was written about for that.

It is sort of a biography of one Irish leader, 'Dagger John' Hughes.

Leaders (if you still consider yourself a leader after reading this) of the Black, Hispanic, and any other races that feel their people are being treated unfairly in our society, should take notes.

As the article says, in so many words, personal responsibility and strong morals work, and victim mentality and excuses do not.

Check it out.

The article is very long, so I won't post any of it here, but I highly recommend you take the time to read it.

Thank you Grandma C, you seem like a smart lady, except for that calling me a dog thing.

Oy, What Can I Say?

2005-09-06T01:14:00.000-07:00

This is the face of a crazy woman.

Her appearance on Larry King was about the most insane thing I've seen in a long time.

Read this in your best Canadian accent.

"I open the television, there's people still there, waiting to be rescued, and for me it's not acceptable," Celine Dion said on CNN television's "Larry King Live" late Saturday.

"I know there's reasons for it, I'm sorry to say, I'm being rude, but I don't want to hear those reasons,"

If you think that is 'rude' she went on to say that there is a focus on these poor people looting, stealing TV's and 20 pairs of jeans, they are poor, maybe they have never touched those things, let them touch them for once in their life.

Oh, did I mention, along with reading that in your best Canadian accent, do it while sobbing...

Hey Celine, what about the people that own the stuff that is being stolen? You don't care about them? Peoples houses are being looted and vandalized, that you find acceptable, because the people that are doing these crimes are poor? The business owners that are having their stores robbed is no problem for you, because the thieves are poor, and have never touched these things?

Go back to Canada.

And then there is this piece of work...

New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin.

Now he is blaming the lawlessness on the fact that many of the left behind were drug addicts. They were jonesin' for drugs, that is what made them loot, rape and shoot at rescue helicopters.

Now watch as he blames GW Bush for not sending drugs to these people, they need their fix!

And in a move of pure hypocrisy, he is now saying that the people that won't leave the city will be denied drinking water to encourage them to leave.

That's great.

This is a guy that has no clue what he is doing.

Add his, put a moratorium on press conferences, get off your asses speech, while he states that in a press conference, and then does more press conferences.

He simply needs to step aside, shut up, and let those with a clue handle the situation.

Marcus Speaks

2005-09-05T01:04:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned, Marcus and I got to talking about black leaders saying how blacks are not as well represented in Major League Baseball, and Hispanics are taking over.

Is that a bad thing?

And why might that be happening?

Well things are very different than they were, even 20 years ago.

I liken it to the Italians in the early days of baseball.

Where else could an uneducated, discriminated against young Italian man succeed in that world?

Sports and entertainment.

In the early days, Italians were white enough for baseball, even if they were blocked from the good jobs that regular white folks could get.

As stereotypes lifted, Italians got educated and moved into good jobs, thus not limiting themselves to sports and entertainment. And their presence diminished.

The same is true for the Black men of today.

They are a long way from being where the Italians are, but the drop in their MLB presence shows a move in the right direction. But they still have a long way to go.

As Marcus points out...

My neighbors baffle me.

They have a 17 year old boy, and they are pushing sports like no other.

He never hears any emphasis on grades. He can't understand, because he sees such a difference in the climate of employers than when he was trying to get ahead.

Sports are great, but with so much opportunity, why would you put all your sons eggs in one basket, He says, We're in a different time now!

I agree, perpetuating a stereotype is sad, to say the least.

He says that these parents, are in essence, telling their son that the only way he can be successful is to play football.

My comment was, Why football? Of all sports, it is the one that will get you hurt faster than any other.

We had a good laugh and He said, Of course, play golf!

Or Tennis, I added, Especially since those are the sports that you can make the most money!

You know, and not have a 300 pound beast trying to break you in half.

Like I said, a long way to go, but with Fathers like Marcus out there, everything will work out.

Can We Stop The Bush Bashing?

2005-09-05T00:56:00.000-07:00

It seems the media won't let up on GW Bush over Hurricane Katrina.

They say he must be a racist for not resonding to the devestation caused by Katrina. They say he didn't respond because it was poor black people that were affected.

But let's check some facts...

Here is a timeline of the events, I'm only going to post the main points, but you can read the whole article here.

On Saturday August 27, Nagin issued a voluntary evacuation request late in the day. He was hesitant to order a mandatory evacuation because of concerns about the city's liability for closing hotels and other businesses.

OK, concerned about the legality of the situation? That is a shame, I guess this litigious society we have accepted, bit us in the ass again.

On Sunday August 28, Katrina became a Category 4 hurricane [3]. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin declared a mandatory evacuation of the city, and opened the Superdome to those who couldn't leave the city

An estimated 90,000 were still in the city when Katrina made landfall on August 29, causing severe damage to most of New Orleans.

He had a day to help evacuate his city, and he opened the Superdome...

The Astute Blogger illustrates this well here.

Just as Nagin has criticized others, Nagin's performance in the Hurricane Katrina crisis has been criticized as well. Nagin was criticized for not calling a mandatory evacuation until Sunday morning.

As mayor, Nagin was responsible for establishing evacuation centers, controlling first responders and keeping local order. Yet apparently there were no meals ready to eat (MRE's) stored at his designated evacuation center - the Superdome. There was no water purification equipment on site, no chemical toilets, anti-biotics or anti-diarrheals stored for a crisis. The mayor had not designated any medical staff to work the evacuation center. The city had not established a secure sick bay within the Superdome.

He doesn't mention that part when he is criticizing GW Bush.

The city had not sent police or other vehicles through the poorest neighborhoods with evacuation announcements prior to the storm. There were no functioning backup emergency communications radios available for police or fire-rescue. Additionally, the city stored the school buses on low ground where they were flooded and then not available for evacuation.

And you don't hear that either...

On the morning of Friday September 2, 2005, Nagin continued his criticism of authorities--particularly those on the federal level--for referred to on September 1, 2005 as "the biggest goddamn crisis in the history of this country" yet the formal request for federal assistance came only that afternoon of September 2, 2005 in a meeting called by President George W Bush on Air Force 1 held at the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana.

The media had reported the situation days before but without a request for assistance from the Governor federal officials were powerless to act under the Posse Comitatus Act.

So Gov. Kathleen Blanco was slow to act, not Bush.

It really doesn't do any of us or the people in the affected areas to point fingers, but lets get the facts straight.

What is becoming a big concern for me is the hatred of our President that is perpetuated by the media.

Obviously, I am a Republican.

However, I was not a big fan of the hatred that the Right had for Bill Clinton either.

I didn't vote for him either time, but, he was my President. I didn't always agree with him, but I supported him. And, both times he ran, I unsuccessfully used my vote to elect someone else.

For the record, I thought the impeachment of Clinton was ridiculous. If a husband or wife is caught cheating, what is every human being on the planet going to do?

Deny it!

It sucks that he happened to have to answer for it under a grand jury indictment.

Seriously people, support your President, you'll have an opportunity to vote for someone else soon enough.

But for now, stop dividing our country!

I Have So Many Directions I Can Go Off On...

2005-09-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

I'll try to stay on point, but I could go 'Ray Nagin' at any time.

Well speaking of the Mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, did you hear him go ballistic?

"They flew down here one time two days after the doggone event was over with TV cameras, AP reporters, all kind of goddamn Â excuse my French everybody in America, but I am pissed," Nagin said.

Nagin said he told Bush in a recent conversation that "we had an incredible crisis here and that his flying over in Air Force One does not do it justice ... I have been all around this city and that I am very frustrated because we are not able to marshal resources and we are outmanned in just about every respect."

OK, reel it in a little bit here Ray, and don't you worry about any comparisons to Rudy Giuliani, there won't be any.

And here's why, you knew your city was going to be hit, and hit hard, you had a warning. New York had no warning.

You, as the Mayor, had some responsibility here to set your city up, as you knew this was coming, you did very little.

With no warning, Giuliani made a name for himself as a great leader.

With days of warning, Ray, you've shown yourself to be a man that can point a finger.

I know this man is panicking, and I say that shows his love for his city and his people, and I respect that.

But hold it together man. How are you going to lead your people when you can't even hold it together?

I asked a question just before Katrina hit, who out there would be coming out to help us?

Well, thankfully, my pessimismm was not warranted.

The help coming from all over the world, from Governments and the private sector alike, is nice to see.

Early reports were saying that GW Bush was declining aid.

That disappointed me.

If we had to go it alone, fine, we could have done it, but let's not be snobs.

How can you say to a friend? Yes, we can use the help, but we're too good for your money.

Enter Condoleezza Rice.

I want to express the heartfelt thanks of the President, the United States Government and all Americans, to the leaders and citizens of the many nations and international organizations that have already offered kind and generous support. Organizations like the United Nations, NATO, the Organization of American States, the European Union, and others are showing their solidarity with us during this time.

You have the updated list of countries from every corner of the globe that are offering their help, countries like Canada and Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Israel, China, Azerbaijan, the Philippines, El Salvador, Australia, Turkey and many others. I want to note in particular that we received a generous offer of support from Sri Lanka, a country that, as we speak, is still recovering from its own massive natural disaster. Every contribution is important; and over the past few days, I have been in contact with a wide range of officials from other nations and international organizations to respond to these offers of support.

I believe it was Pastorius that said Conde Rice was the best, next Republican Presidential Candidate out there, I thought he was very optimisticc at the time, and now I am too.

Let me take you in just one more direction, and thank you for sticking with me so far.

Every Friday I have the privilege of talking to a distubutor for my restaurant. He asked me a question today.

'If you were in need, would you start shooting at the people trying to rescue you?

I let out a small chuckle, not because I found the question funny, but because I knew where this was going.

You see, Marcus is a black man, and he and I can relate on so many issues.

He is one of only two friends that I can talk about Black people, White people, Asians, whatever, without being called a racist.

If Marcus and I had the same conversations we have about life with my white friends over the phone, they would call us both racists.

Sorry, I'll get back on topic, Marcus was so angry that anyone could be so selfish as to shoot at rescue people just so they could continue to loot.

I had to ask what he considered looting, as in, if you need food and water, and a store has been abondoned, is that looting, or survival? (BTW, CUANAS pointed that out the day after Katrina).

He said, NO! they were stealing sports equipment!

I didn't see that, but I'm not saying it didn't happen.

He was really upset that these people were so foolish and they just caused more deaths in their own community, and for what?

I have little more to say, and I don't know how to end this post.

But I guess I just want to say that Marcus and I must be the 'Regular Guy' meter for the United States, he is a black, working family man, and I am a young single white man, and we've never disagreed on any topic, and believe me, we've tried!

As this is actually a slow weekend for my restaurant, and Marcus was going into a 3 day weekend, we spent about an hour just chit-chatting, I will post many of our topics in the upcoming days.

Well This Is Interesting

2005-08-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

What a difference a week makes.

The once written off Oakland A's are now holding a 2 game lead over the Los Angeles Angels of the city Arte Moreno is ashamed to be a part of. I still say Arte can go **** himself.

This is why I take some satisfaction in watching this happen.

And what is the best part of this whole thing?

The Yankees are at the top of the Wildcard standings. And the second best part is that the Arte's Angels are third in the Wildcard standings.

That man is a devil to Orange County Sports, and now he has cursed the Angels.

Fu2rman Speaks Again

2005-08-30T03:15:00.000-07:00

I know I like to vent on many subjects, The Red Sox, Brian Cashman, and The French just to name a few.

But let it be known, when there are props to be given, I'm there.

Let's take the French, for example.

My friend at CUANAS just posted this.

It seems the French have a 'set' on them afterall.

Aug. 29, 2005 - As the going gets tougher for the U.S. military in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region, one ally has stepped up despite a recent straining of ties: France......

....."It's France's wish to show that we are cooperating in the fight against terror and in support of you in Afghanistan," said French Air Force Col. Gilles Michel, who oversees his country's air force role in the theater. "We told the Americans, 'If you need some assets, we will provide them.'"

So France is interested in fighting terror.

Good to know.

CUANAS adds....

Something has snapped with France, it seems. Not only are they helping us out like this, but they are actually far tougher on domestic terrorists than we are.

Read that link, it may surprise you, it did me.

While I'm on a SPEAKS roll, let me ask 2 questions.

1. Will anyone in the world come through and help us out with the devastation that hurricane Katrina caused?

and

2. If they do, will it be widely reported?

I ask these two questions for these reasons.

The US is usually the first to jump in and help when another country has a catastrophe, whether they need our help or not. We are always there for anyone. But it seems the world loves to talk shit on us whenever they get the slightest opportunity. So now that we have one of our great cities virtually under water, are they going to be there to help?

My second question comes because of this. With the twisted main-stream media, will they squash reports of help we get from the world, and claim the lack of support is due to our lack of popularity due to our involvement in Iraq?

We'll soon see...

I Love David Wells

2005-08-30T02:38:00.000-07:00

Not like something unnatural or anything, I just love the insane.

Wells was hoping to play for the Yankees, again, but he pissed of The Boss last time he was in New York. So, he is a Red Sock this year. He has had two, 2 year stops in New York already in his illustrious career. He won a World Series once in each of those stops.

Our boy Wells is going to have a nice vacation, being suspended for 6 games.

His suspension was the result of a confrontation with umpires, where he made contact, and spit at them. Of course he denies this.

Wells lost his appeal, and alleges he lost because Commissioner Bud Selig is retaliating against him for his criticism of the Commish.

Wells has said that Selig has drug his feet on the steroid issue, especially in the Raphael Palmeiro issue. Wells asserts that Selig waited until after the Hall of Fame induction to make it public.

I have to admit, it wouldn't surprise me.

As a businessman, and a baseball fan, I agree with David Wells on one thing.

It's time for Bud Selig to resign.

Selig may be doing everything right, but he has a perception problem.

It's time for him to go.

If Selig loves the game, he will resign, and let someone take over that can come in with the perception that he is tough on steroids, and will clean up baseball.

Even if the new guy sticks to the status quo, a new face would do wonders for baseball.

Go ahead David, keep talking shit, even if you don't always have a strong relationship with facts.

OK, Just One More...

2005-08-30T02:30:00.000-07:00

Here's another 'ova' for you to ponder.

This is Ekaterina Bychkova the 97th ranked 20 year old Russian that upended 5th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in the US Open.

Just a side note, Kuznetsova, not that cute.

See why I'm going on the Russian Woman's Tour?

This was actually one of the few pictures of Bychkova, as this is her first Grand Slam Tournament.

But I imagine, if she can go on winning in the Open, we'll be able to see a lot more of her.

I know who I'm rooting for.

I wonder if she does that woman's tennis porn-starlett OHHH! UHHH! with every shot?

Fu2rman Speaks

2005-08-28T05:24:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I started this sports site after I was writing on political topics on Fu2rman Speaks.

I got many questions about sports on that site, so I started this one, and signed off on that site.

Especially since there were 1000's of blogs to read about politics, but not many with my take on sports, so here we are.

However, from time to time, I find something that is not sports related that must be stated.

Today is one of those days.

I have an employee that is very liberal, she graduated from Berkley and everything, (let me note, she is waiting tables for me, and miss tax and spend, doesn't claim all her tips).

But I digress.

She also thinks we are in the wrong war, at the wrong time, or whatever BS John Kerry tried to pull on us in his unsuccessful, (Thank God) bid for the Presidency.

So tonight after I got home from work, I was reading my friend over at CUANAS, and I ran across a post of his. He referenced a post from The Astute Blogger.

It was about the most profound thing I have read in a long time.

This is the link, click on this, and read it!

If you support our efforts in Iraq, it will be preaching to the chior, and you will love it.

But if you are an anti-Iraq-war-type, I really want you to click on that and read.

If that doesn't expose anti-war-types, that are supposedly about human rights, I don't know what will.

Think about this.

If you are about human rights, how can you ask your country, the most powerful country in the world to turn their backs on genocide and poverty?

If we bail on Iraq, like we did on Viet Nam, that is what you are advocating.

There is a big media push to Get Out Of Iraq.

But think about this. And thank you CUANAS, these are his words,

South Korea is free, so it is LIT UP. Same people - north and south. The south had poorer resources in 1952 - and was poorer in GDP, too. But now it is richer. One of the richest ecomnonies in the world. WHY!? Freedom. The south of Korea is FREE. Freedom creates prosperity.

The difference betweem Vietnam today and what South Vietnam MIGHT have been - if the Lefties in the Democrat Party hadn't pulled the plug - is just as stark. If the Left hadn't pulled the plug on the South Vietnamese government in 1975, then the South of Vietnam would be as rich and as free as the South Korea. We might be driving SOUTH VIETNAMESE cars instead of South Korean cars!

Now that is a pretty good lookin' KIA, (a subsid. of Hyundai) they stole the classic Bentley lines, which is pretty smart. You can't afford $300K for a car? Fine, we'll turn one out for less than 10% of that sticker price!

None-the-less, I'll stick with my Mercedes.

Oh, but wait, if you did your homework along the way, we occupied Germany for 50 years, as well as Japan.

Any of you drive Japanese cars?

Any problem with that occupation?

I'll just leave it at that...

Just So We're Clear

2005-08-27T02:21:00.000-07:00

I am not a dog when it comes to women's tennis, seriously.

And I'll prove it.

In this shot of Hantuchova, if I were a dog, I would say something like, "Hey, what's going on with that racket, man I wish I was your racket right now!"

But that isn't right, I wouldn't say that.

Or this.

Maria Sharapova was the number 1 ranked player in the world, for about 5 minutes, but still, that is an amazing feat for a woman that has only been a woman (18 years old) for 4 months.

If I were a dog I would make some comment about her grip, and how her mouth is open looking like she is doing her 'seal' immitation.

But I would never say that.

I would ask, 'Have you ever seen Sharapova play, or rather HEARD her play?'

It's all, OHHHH! UHHHH! OHHHHH!

Even the best porn starletts could take a lesson!

But that is something a dog would say, but not me, I would never make such a comment.

That brings me to Anna Kournikova.

If I were a dog, I would make some comment about how 'I love a woman that doesn't wear panties, ever, even during a match!'

But again, I am not a dog.

I hope this clears the air.

I am just a guy that respects the talent of great women tennis players who's names end in 'ova.'

I'm Gonna Be A Women's Tennis Groupie

2005-08-26T06:41:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, I'm serious!

However, I'm going on the Eastern European/Russian circuit.

Did you see Daniela Hantuchova lose to Lindsey Davenport yesterday?

It looked like Davenport was going to roll right over Hantuchova, but she came back to give Davenport a run for her money.

But who cares?

That's not why we watch women's tennis.

Have you seen the talent that the Russian's and Eastern European's are crankin' out?

Plus, some of them can actually play a pretty good game of tennis, but again, who cares?

Look how hot they are!

Another Opportunity To Hate The French

2005-08-25T01:46:00.000-07:00

I hate to state the obvious about these people, but they make it so easy.

The French still can't, and won't, swallow the fact that an American came to their country and schooled them at their own game.

The French paper L'Equipe is saying that they have proof that Lance Armstrong cheated.

They have analyzed a frozen urine sample from 1999, the first year Armstrong won the Tour de France.

They claim they found EPO, a drug that stimulates red blood cells to allow them to release more oxygen.

There are a couple issues here.

First, they didn't test for this enhancer in 1999. That doesn't make it right, if, and I say if, Armstrong used it.

But second, since they weren't testing for it, they better retest everybody.

If one person knew it wasn't being tested and tried to get away with it, so did a whole lot of others.

Are the Tour officials going to test everybody's frozen pee?

I doubt it.

While we're at it, they better test the '98 winners urine, and '97, and so on.

But they won't.

It was won in '98 by an Italian, and in '97 by a German. I bet the French are OK with that.

The French should be a little embarrassed, having not won The Tour since 1985.

Maybe that's why they are so bitter.

Let me give you an example in reverse and show how an American handles it.

1988-89

A young French Motorcross rider named Jean-Michel Bayle, not only won the 125cc and 250cc motorcross World Championship, but also won the French Supercross series, while adding a couple US event wins to his resume.

1990

One year later he entered the far more competitive US Supercross series and took second overall.

1991

The following year he not only took first overall in the US Supercross series, becoming the first European rider to ever win an American Supercross series, but also picked up the overall win in the 500cc outdoor series.

That alone would make for an impressive career, but he didn't stop there.

At the height of his motocross career, he quit the off-road sports to begin a new career on the road.

1993

Bayle entered the 250cc World Championship, a road racing series.

If you know anything about motorcycle sports, you know that the only thing that off-road and on-road have in common is the fact that they are both done on two wheels, beyond that, they are two different worlds.

It took Bayle a few years to fully make the transition, but....

1997-98-99

Bayle won three 500cc World Championships in a row.

Even today, American journalist, and Americans that follow motorsports will tell you, Jean-Michel Bayle is bar none, the most versatile and talented rider the sport, as a whole, has ever seen.

A far cry from those bitter French.

Things Are All Wright In New York

2005-08-23T01:14:00.000-07:00

Yankee starter Jaret Wright had another quality start tonight against the Blue Jays.

As I said before, I was not very excited about his last win, it was against the Devil Rays.

But here's the deal, the D-Rays had just come off a sweep of the Cleveland Indians when they lost to Wright. They came back to beat the Yanks in the next two.

After the Yankee series they completed a 3 game sweep of Texas.

In the last 10 games, Wright is only one of two pitchers to hand them a loss. While the D-Rays are still a last place team, they seem to be playing quite the spoiler.

Cleveland is at the top of the stack of wild-card hopefuls, as are The Yankees, and Texas may have held onto wild-card aspirations, had they not been swept by the Rays.

So I have a little more faith in Jaret today, and The Yankees in general.

The Blue Jays were blanked tonight, partially due to an infield in grounder that resulted in Shea Hillenbrand being thrown out at the plate by 2nd baseman Robinson Cano. The following double play got Wright out of the forth with a shutout intact.

With tonights win his return from injury has amounted to 13 1/3 innings with 2 earned runs, giving him a 1.35 ERA, and two wins.

It looks like The Yankees actually have a starting rotation that you could call respectable, with Mike Mussina, Randy Johnson, Jaret Wright, Al Lieter, and Shawn Chacon.

I'd love to ask Brian Cashman and The Boss if Randy Johnson is all they hoped he would be.

Of course I'm kidding, that would surely get me whacked.

I am surprised myself, he simply got old in the off-season. He is nothing like he was last year.

Johnson hasn't won any of his last four starts, and his last start against the White Sox was just ugly, he gave up 4 homeruns in one inning.

He has already given up 29 homeruns, he has only given up 30 homeruns once in his career.

With 39 games left in the season, and 7 or 8 of them his games, he's going to destroy that record.

Geez, the only pitcher that has given up more homeruns this year is Cincinnati's Eric Milton with 35, add in Johnson's bad back, and he could lead the MLB in homeruns allowed.

Not bad for winning 5 Cy Young Awards.

But I digress.

The Yankees are looking good going forward, they have their pitching staff getting healthy, you couldn't ask for a scarier offense, and they have one of the best closers in the game.

Any concerns?

Uhh, how about some middle relief?

Yankees Are On The Right Track

2005-08-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

Since my last post, The Yankees have beaten the AL Central leading White Sox, twice. The Angels have played the Red Sox 3 times, beating them twice.

This puts the Yanks 3 games out of first, and only a 1/2 game out of the Wildcard.

This is playoff preview weekend.

The Red Sox are in Anahiem, likely their opponent in the ALDS, and The Yanks are in Chicago, likely their opponent in the ALDS.

So how's that working out so far?

Score it like the Yanks 2, White Sox 0. And Angels 2, Red Sox 1.

My big concren was that the White Sox were going to give The Yanks problems. I feel much better now.

And with the Yanks only 3 games from taking 1st place away from the Red Sox, what if they over take them?

Well then the playoff picture I painted changes to Sox vs. Sox, and Angels vs. Yankees.

That would benefit the Red Sox. The Angels always play the Yanks tough. The Yanks are 4-6 against the Angels.

The best thing the Yankees could do is let the Red Sox win the division, let the Sox play Anaheim (sorry, living 10 minutes from Angel Stadium, I will NEVER call them Los Angeles, Artie Moreno can bite me), the Angels and Sox are 3-3 against eachother this year.

Have you ever hoped for 2nd place?

Me either, but this a strange year.

The Yanks And The Wildcard

2005-08-17T01:13:00.000-07:00

It appears with only 44 games remaining, the Yankees are going to have to hope for a miricle, or a wildcard spot in the playoffs.

They are 4.5 games behind the Red Sox, and they don't appear to be able to gain any ground.

Not a problem, they are only 1.5 game out of the wildcard spot behind the Oakland A's.

The A's caught fire after the All-Star break, but like a married couples sex life after the honeymoon, they have cooled off, big time.

In the last 10 games the A's are 5-5, the Yanks are 7-3.

So if a wildcard spot is their fu2r, in as the playoffs are concerned, what does that mean?

It means they are going to have to play the Chicago White Sox in the AL Division Series.

That is probably the best matchup the Yanks could hope for.

The Angels should win the AL West, unless they choke like they always do, except that one time in 2002.

If the Yanks have to play the Angels, they are in trouble. The Angels, even when they sucked, have been able to hang wins on the Yanks. And now that they are good, forget it, the Angels would probably win.

So this would make the matchups go like this.

Angels vs. Red Sox
Yankees vs. White Sox

I would predict the outcome to be similar to last year, Yanks and Red Sox win their series'.

And then what?

Yanks vs. Red Sox in the ALCS?

Great, but I don't think either team has what it takes to win the World Series.

If the AL wins the Series this year, I'll be surprised.

If the Yanks do end up in the wildcard against the White Sox, that is going to make the next few days interesting.

The Yanks play a 3 game series against the White Sox starting Friday.

So far the Yanks are 1-2 against them this year.

But they have all been 1 run games, and the most either team has scored is 3 runs. And that was the Yanks, and Mariano Rivera saved that game. The other 2 games were 2-1 White Sox, and Rivera blew a save in one of those games.

What is the '05 fu2r for the Yanks?

That depends on how Jaret Wright looks against a real team, how Randy Johnson holds up down the stretch, and who they can pick up off waivers.

The White Sox will probably nab Ken Griffey Jr., hey doesn't he play Center Field?!

The Yanks need a Center Fielder, and to keep Griffey out of the oppenents lineup would be right out of the Yankee playbook.

The Yankees are playing catch-up, which we haven't seen in many years.

It seems the wheels are falling off, and The Fu2rman is ready to step in for Brian Cashman.

Boss, please, let me take this over, I'll have The Bronx Bombers in the Series next year!

Barry Bonds Back?

2005-08-16T23:48:00.000-07:00

Barry Bonds says he may be back in September.

I'll believe it when I see it.

The most concerning thing in this article is...

Giants manager Felipe Alou was cautiously optimistic as he looked at a printout from Bonds' Web site before Tuesday night's game at Cincinnati.

Alou had to read this from a printout from Bonds' website?

Would this make Barry Bonds the worst teamplayer/teammate in the history of sports?

I have to think about that, Terrrell Owens is pretty bad.

I'm seeing another post coming on here.

Who would you rather go into battle with, TO or Bonds?

Watch The NY Headlines Go Nuts.

2005-08-15T23:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, Jaret Wright made his return to the starting rotation of the Yanks today.

How'd he do?

He won.

He pitched a solid 6 1/3 innings, he gave up 4 hits and walked 1, while striking out 2. He gave up 2 runs.

Not bad, and with this win, and Schilling and the Sox losing, The Yanks are only 3.5 behind the Sox.

Like I was saying, watch the headlines in New York tomorrow, Wright Is Back! Yankees Season Saved!

Oh, by the way, did I mention they beat the Devil Rays?

Let's not get too excited yet. You just beat the team with the worst record in the entire American League.

This Isn't Pretty

2005-08-15T22:25:00.000-07:00

Boston's Curt Schilling gave up 3 runs, on 4 hits, and 2 walks in the ninth inning tonight to blow his second save, and pick up his 4th loss of the season.

"He's not the Curt Schilling that finished last season,'' teammate Johnny Damon said. "He needs some work, he knows it. He'll find it. Hopefully, he'll get another opportunity (Tuesday) and he'll close it out for us.''

That doesn't sound very supportive to me, Johnny, I wouldn't want you as my teammate.

Consider, Johnny, Schilling is not a closer, he's a starter.

Starters can have a rough start, like giving up 3 runs in the first inning they pitch, only to settle in and pitch 5 or 6 more solid innings.

It has happened to Schilling, it happens to all pitchers once in awhile.

As a closer, Schilling has 9 saves....

Wait, does it sound like I am defending a Red Sock?

I almost forgot, I hate the Red Sox!

Sorry, I lost my head for a second.

OK, here we go---

In Schillings last 5 appearances...

He's pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up 7 earned runs, mixed in there he gave up 3 homeruns.

His record in those games,
1 Win,
1 Blown Save (that equaled)-
1 Loss, and
1 Save.

That is beautiful to this Yankee fan.

Didn't I say a week before the trade deadline that the Sox need a closer?

I think it went something like this.

July 20th, 2005
...they have Curt Schilling as their closer right now. I don't know what to think about that. He should really be in the starting rotation, so they would be wise to go after either Eddie Guardado of Seattle, or Brian Fuentes of Colorado. Fuentes has been hot lately, and he pitches in Denver where balls fly out of the park like, well I don't know what, but I could probably hit one out there. Guardado has 21 saves on the year and he is pitching for about the worst team out there. To put that in perspective, Joe Nathan of the possible Wild Card Twins, leads the AL with 26...The Fu2rman

Just like I could run the Yankees better than Brian Cashman,
the Lakers better than Mitch Kupchak,
I could also run the Sox better than Theo Epstein.

But I would never do that, have you seen the chicks in Boston?

YUK!

Once Again...

2005-08-15T22:05:00.000-07:00

Well, as I said on the 12th, Phil Mickelson would win the PGA Championship.

And when I say someone's going to win, what happens?

They Win!

And, as usual, I was right, Phil won his second major of his career.

Let me say congradulations...

To ME, for being right again.

Did you think I was talking to Phil? What in the hell does he care what I say?

He just made $1.17 million, for a weekend of playing freakin' golf!

It's A Train Wreck, What Can I Do?

2005-08-12T22:11:00.000-07:00

I can't look away!

As much as I don't want to pay attention to such a chucklehead like Terrell Owens, it's too big to not say anything about.

Let me start by making two points.

1. Owners ask players to take pay cuts, they can cut them and not pay them, there are plenty of ways owners renegotiate contracts.

2. Terrell/TO is an idiot, and so is his agent.

I was not against TO holding out for more money.

His return from a broken ankle to play in the Superbowl was more than impressive. He didn't do much for his team, but he had a couple big catches. He actually impressed me as someone that should be respected. I respected him.

And then he fires his old agent, hire Drew Rosenhaus, and here we are.

Here's my problems with this whole thing.

Rosenhaus is what is wrong with sports, and he's destroying TO in the process.

TO has been an idiot most of his career, he has been a bad teammate, and a distraction to his team.

With the 49er's he talked crap on his Quarterback, now with the Eagle's, he is talking crap on his Quarterback.

His endzone antics are really amuzing, but the number of high-fives he leaves hanging on the sidelines have to piss of his teammates. He clearly celebrates what he does as an individual and not for what it means to the team.

He was a distraction in San Fran, and now he is not just a distraction in Philly, he's a kick in their nuts!

Remember when TO got traded from the 49er's?

The '9er's got screwed. They were sending TO to Baltimore for a 2nd round draft pick. Then TO refused to play for Baltimore, he was only going to play for a good QB, and signed with Philly, the deal basically fell apart.

So the 49er's lost the draft pick and their receiver.

It is now safe to say, TO is going to screw you if you sign him, and add Rosenhaus, and you should not touch this guy.

The Eagles should just release him, period.

The Eagles made the NFC Championship without him.

Then they sign him, he get's hurt, and they make it through the playoffs to the Superbowl without him, he did not win them a Superbowl by playing in the Bowl, why do they want him?

Well here's why.

They let another big mouthed Wide Receiver, Freddie Mitchell go, (he's now in Kansas City), he is no TO, but he helped boost the Eagles to a Superbowl appearance in TO's absense.

And now Todd Pickston is out for the year with an injury.

Now what?

Crumble to TO and Rosenhaus bullshit?

I hope not, but the window of opportunity is closing on the Eagles, and TO and Rosenhaus don't care who's fingers they slam in the window.

It Is Still Early

2005-08-12T21:31:00.000-07:00

This was an intersesting story, but it's still early so I'll be brief.

If you listened to all the 'experts' you'd have thought Tiger Woods was the only player playing in the PGA Championship.

Today, Tiger was fighting just to make the cut.

It would have been the first time he'd missed a cut in a major, ever.

He made the cut by making birdie on 18, talk about cutting it close with a +4, 144. If Tiger pars 18, his 145 sends him home early.

This was his 36th major of his career, still never missing a cut, ever.

So Phil Mickelson is the man to beat going into the weekend.

He holds a 3 stroke lead at -8, that would be 12 strokes ahead of the unbeatable Tiger.

I've always liked Phil, and Tiger, but I always wanted Phil to give Tiger a little more competition, instead of the one-sided-ass-kicking that went on for so many years. So I'm rooting for Phil here.

His biggest competition...

I say watch out for Vijay Singh, he's at -3, and there is something about him going into this weekend.

Maybe it's that Phil looks like a golfer, and Vijay looks like he keeps himself in shape.

That could come in handy, 'cause they're gonna sweat. The weather in Jersey is nasty, 90+ degrees, possible thunderstorms, humid as all hell.

Davis Love III is only 4 strokes off, and Retief Goosen is only 6 back.

Phil is my pick, but I still say...

Watch out for Vijay.

This Is Some Bull****

2005-08-09T23:59:00.000-07:00

Arbitrators reduce Kenny Rogers suspension to 13 games.

I don't believe for one second that Rogers learned his lesson.

When he turned himself in to the Arlington Police on misdemeanor assault charges, he was talking more shit to a cameraman filming the arrest.

20 games would be a long suspension for an everyday player and I would agree, excessive.

But as a starting pitcher, Rogers only pitches every 5th game. So in essence, a 20 game suspension means he sits out only 4 games.

Now he will miss only 2 starts, hardly a just penalty for such bad behavior.

Here's the deal, if you choose to be a pro athlete, an actor, a politician, anything that has you in the public eye, you are going to have photographers, and media around you all the time. If they are not around you, you probably won't have a career.

Rogers has been in the majors since 1989, he knows better!

This was a travesty of justice, plain and simple.

Best Ad Campaign Ever!

2005-08-09T23:55:00.000-07:00

How brilliant is this?

Hard rockin' bands that judge their success on the quality of the groupies they attract has been, for some time, called "Cock Rock."

My definition may not be perfect, but you get the idea.

There is no way in hell that any respectable company would ever put out an ad campaign called Cock Rock.

BUT!....

Burger frickin' King busts this out!

They call it Coq Roq, as in Coq, the French word for Rooster.
Burger King is advertising their new chicken fries, it's frickin' brilliant!

They address the question, why did the coq cross the road?

Because there is a hot chick with chicken fries on the other side!

Don't get me wrong, if I'm in the mood for drive-thru fast food, Burger King is the last place I'd pick.

Maybe I'm just bitter because I don't like them using my title to peddle crappy fast food, I AM THE KING!

But I gotta give them credit for making Coq Roq a household word.

Not since Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky got everyone talking about blowjobs have I seen such inappropriateness become acceptable conversation.

Go eat some chicken fries.

And Roq out with yer Coq out!

We can say that now...

Gene Mauch Dies At 79

2005-08-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

Back in the day, when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were not yet even the Anaheim Angels, but still went by the California Angels, and before '95 when I gave up on them once-and-for-all, back when I still loved the team, a man named Gene Mauch ran the show.

Unfortunately, Ol' Gene will probably leave a legacy for his big chokes late in the season.

In 1964 he and his Philly's held a 6 1/2 game lead with 12 games to go, and lost 10 straight, and in the process, the pennant.

In '82 he and the Angels were up 2-0 in the ALCS, only to lose 3 straight.

In '86, still with the Angels, he was one out away from the World Series when they blew a 3 run lead to Boston. Boston took the next 2 games, and went to the Series.

The pitcher in that game, Donnie Moore, ended up taking his own life in his garage in Anaheim Hills three years later.

That is an unfair legacy.

In his 26 years as Manager, Mauch was the NL Manager of the year 3 times, only 5 other managers in MLB history have managed more games than Mauch, and he is 11th all-time in wins. He leads managers like Joe Torre, Tommy Lasorta, Earl Weaver, and Whitey Herzog, some big names, to say the least!

"When you played against him he looked like a robot, but when you got to know him you learned how passionate he was about the game,'' Yankee manager Joe Torre said Monday. ``He was a very classy, very generous, very caring man.''

To emphasize this point, I will tell you the one little tidbit I remember about the man, I was pretty young when he was the skipper of the Angels...

Mauch was hired by the Angels, and was always #4. But, the Angels already had a #4, he was 2nd baseman Bobby Grich. Of course, Mauch took a different number, #44.

Then, the Angels signed one Reggie Jackson, and Mauch, being the good leader, gave up his #44, and gave it to his new superstar.

Some may be thinking how insignificant!

But in the superstitious world of sports, that was huge!

That was also in '82.

The year they tanked the ALCS!

Coincidence?

Maybe not.

After that the Angels tanked again in '86, and then again in '95.

See, Reggie Jackson was the curse!

Of course that curse was lifted from the Angels in 2002.

But I digress...

Gene Mauch showed great character, and I hope his legacy shows him as a great manager, not a manager that is linked to teams that crumble.

Gene Mauch, our prayers go out to you and your family.

Rafi, Rafi, Rafi......

2005-08-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

Even the freakin' leader of the free world has Raphael Palmeiro's back!

Can George W. Bush bail out Raphael?

It doesn't matter, Bush merely said, "Raphael Palmeiro is a friend. He testified in public and I believe him."

Big deal...

Here's how it goes down, "W. you said you believed him, and now it is obvious that he lied, how do you respond?"

This is me as W, "He's a friend, ya always stand by a friend, right? Until, he is proven a li-er, wouldn't you do the same for one a yer friends?"
God Damn Right I Would!

Oh, yeah, that was me, sorry I got carried away.
(I'd kill to co-own a baseball team with W!)

But see what I mean?

G.W. didn't really go out on a limb, but I give him props for throwing Rafi any support he could.

I still want Rafi to be innocent.

Bahb and I were on the phone the other day, he is in the Seattle area visiting his son on the midget basketball tour. In case you don't remember, or this was before your time, check the link.

Anyway, I was saying to him, and in my last Rafi post, that I would wait for the facts.

I am still not calling this fact, but the steroid reportedly found in his test, was not one of those little, oops, I didn't know that was in my supplement/cream, it was the good stuff...

Stanozolol.

The you can play-year-after-year-after-year, to rack up 3,000 hits and 500 homeruns, kinda steroids.

The same steroid that got Ben Johnson stripped of his Gold Medal and World Record from the '88 Olympics!

Bahb and I were discussing Rafi's compelling statement, "...I'm not a crazy person, I'm not stupid..."

That makes a lot of sense....

Unless, MLB has turned it's back for so long, and only gave up little chuckleheads to appease the masses to make them believe they were strong on anti-steroid policy, only to turn their back on the big guys.

Rafi apparently thought of himself as a big guy, and may now have the treads of a Grey Hound Bus across his back.

Let me show you what I mean, I'll be Bud Selig for a moment...

"OK, check it out, we can totally save the league, by showing we are tough on the Steroids. Sure, our plans to ruin Bonds are busted, he's staying out for the season, but who else is expendable? Raphael freakin' Palmeiro! He's only been an All-Star a handful of times, he has an S-load of hits and HR's, but there are still questions about him deserving entrance to the Hall-Of-Fame, he's perfect! Take him down boys."

Let me go ahead and bring this all back around...

I could just tell you the answers here, and you'd all, of course, just believe me, but let me call on a new friend at Baltimore Orioles Sound Off.

BOSO, would have some great insight here. I don't know, if you clicked on his link, he may have already posted on the Rafi topic....

Steroids? Are You Serious?

2005-08-02T01:01:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad I spent so much energy posting about Raphael Palmeiro being a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Now, as it turns out, he tested possitive for steroids and will be serving a 10 game suspension.

Well just-in-freakin'-time!

I have had tickets to the Angels/Orioles game this Wednesday since late May...

And why....?

At the time I wanted to see the first place Orioles, and breakout 2nd baseman Brian Roberts, and mega-stud, and All-Star MVP shortstop Miguel Tejada, and 2 fu2r Hall of Famers, Sammy Sosa, and Raphael freakin' Palmeiro, in person!

Well, the O's have tanked, and are sitting quietly in 4th place behind the freakin' Blue Jays, Roberts has cooled off big-time, he's hitting .230 over the last month, Tejada is still a stud, but Sosa is having a slow month, hitting a big .256 (it's hard to do well without the steroids and corked bats), and Palmeiro is going to be serving his 10 game suspension, and spending time with his family...

I can't wait for this game!

I gotta say, Raffy's statement was, well, interesting.

He holds strong to the fact that he never knowingly used steroids. I hope he is telling the truth. I was really pulling for the guy. I have never been a big fan of his, I have never followed his career, but I had a huge amount of respect for him.

Now, I'm not so sure.

I'll wait until more of the facts are in.

Bottom-line is this, how will this affect his induction to the Hall of Fame?

This could be the touchstone that Barry Bonds goes up against.

Seriously, steroided Barry would be back in the Giants lineup right now, crackin' homeruns. But, steroidless Barry announced that he is not likely to return this year.

Big surprise...

Trade Deadline, Deals, Rumors...

2005-07-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

A deal that has happened, Yankees trade two minor leaguers for Colorado's Shawn Chacon.
Who the hell is Shawn Chacon, you ask?

That is a great question...

Chacon has been pitching in hitter friendly Coors Field, he showed some promise in '03 with an 11-3 record. It's typical of pitchers in the altitude of Coors, to have a high ERA, the ball seems to fly out that park with ease. Chacon turned in a 4.59 ERA in '03, not bad for calling Coors home.

Then last year he was moved to the bullpen as the closer.

Why?

I have no idea!

He picked up a respectable 35 saves, but his ERA ballooned to 7.13, and he put almost two men on base per inning! That's not very good.

Back to this year

Chacon is back in the starting rotation, but he is having trouble winning games, in 12 starts he's 1-7.

I know some people get bored reading stats, but this is a great one, check it out...

Chacon's ERA is a decent, 4.09, however, it is 4.97 at Coors field, and a very solid 3.12 everywhere else. And with The Yankee's, he'll not pitch at Coors field again this year!

Not a bad deal, but National League pitchers in the American League tend to have trouble, ask Randy Johnson.

Other done deals.

San Diego's Phil Nevin goes to Texas. SD has been trying to deal him to get a good number 4-5 starter. They acquire Chan Ho Park in the deal. SD is holding 1st place in the NL West over the Dodgers, Parks old team. Parks may get to make his old team look bad, how fun for him.

After 15 days with Colorado, former Oakland A Erik Byrnes, is on his way to Baltimore. The exchange? Larry Bigbie. This is an outfielder for outfielder deal, and their numbers are too similar to figure out who really got the better deal.

A really fun rumor...

Manny Ramirez, Red Sox nut-job has asked for a trade for about the 4th year in a row. Manny is rumored to be involved in a three team deal between his Sox, the Tampa D-Rays, and the NY Mets.

Essentially the Mets end up with Manny and the D-Rays closer Danys Baez

The Sox end up with the Met's Mike Cameron, and the D-Rays Aubrey Huff.

And as usual, the last place D-Rays get 2 prospects from each team.

Let's evaluate.

I don't get it.

The Mets have Braden Looper as their closer. Why do they need Baez?

The Sox really need to get Baez, on top of Cameron and Huff, in this deal. Huff since Trot Nixon is hurt in right-field, and Cameron if he is to fill Manny's spot in left-field, and Baez since they have Curt Schilling as their closer.

Well never mind, now I heard the deal is just about dead.

The Sox want more from the Met's, the Met's don't want to give more, so they all agreed to give themselves a 12:00 noon tomorrow deadline, to make or kill the deal.

The Red Sox David Ortiz, was ripping the press for cheapening what Manny has done for the Sox and the city of Boston, (Tonight Boston booed Manny to a 0-3 night at the plate).

Hey David, do you think Manny asking to leave the crappy city of Boston for the last 4 years, even after winning a World Series there last year had anything to do with it?

Just checking.

I don't see this trade happening, however, as a Yankee fan, I'd love to see Manny sent out of the division. He and Ortiz combine for more RBI's than any tandem in baseball right now. Break that up, and hello Sox fighting for the Wild-Card.

This Is Not A Sports Post, But...

2005-07-27T01:19:00.000-07:00

And you thought you had heard the last of Fu2rman Speaks!

This is too good not to post.

I found this really interesting.

I had a conversation with one of my employees, she has very Liberal views.

We discussed her claiming all her tips so she could pay all the taxes that she owed. She explained that she shorted the government, in that she didn't claim all of her income. Even after voting for every social program she could.

I was not surprised, Liberals have a tendancy to overlook their beliefs when it doesn't benifit them.

See, the hipocracy has trickled down to even grass-roots Liberals.

Check this out....

Things that make you think a little:

There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq in January.
In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the
month of January. That's just one American city,
about as deadly as the entire war-torn country of Iraq.

When some claim that President Bush shouldn't
have started this war, state the following:

a. FDR led us into World War II.

b. Germany never attacked us; Japan did.
>From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost ...
an average of 112,500 per year.

c. Truman finished that war and started one in Korea.
North Korea never attacked us.
>From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost ...
an average of 18,334 per year.

d John F. Kennedy started the Vietnam conflict in 1962.
Vietnam never attacked us.

e. Johnson turned Vietnam into a quagmire.
>From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost ...
an average of 5,800 per year.

f. Clinton went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent.
Bosnia never attacked us.
He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three
times by Sudan and did nothing. Osama has attacked us on
multiple occasions.

g. In the years since terrorists attacked us , President Bush
has liberated two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled
al-Qaida, put nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran, and North
Korea without firing a shot, and captured a terrorist who
slaughtered 300,000 of his own people.

The Democrats are complaining
about how long the war is taking.
But ..
It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno
to take the Branch Davidian compound.
That was a 51-day operation.

We've been looking for evidence for chemical weapons
in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton to find
the Rose Law Firm billing records.

It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the
Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard
than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after his
Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick

It took less time to take Iraq than it took
to count the votes in Florida!!!!

Our Commander-In-Chief is doing a GREAT JOB!
The Military morale is high!

The biased media hopes we are too ignorant
to realize the facts

But Wait there's more!

WHAT SENATOR JOHN GLENN SAID

JOHN GLENN (ON THE SENATE FLOOR)
Mon, 26 Jan 2004 11:13

Some people still don't understand why military personnel
do what they do for a living. This exchange between
Senators John Glenn and Senator Howard Metzenbaum
is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive
impromptu speech, but it's also a good example of one
man's explanation of why men and women in the armed
services do what they do for a living.

This IS a typical, though sad, example of what
some who have never served think of the military.

Senator Metzenbaum (speaking to Senator Glenn):
"How can you run for Senate
when you've never held a real job?"

Senator Glenn (D-Ohio):
"I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps.
I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions.
My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different
occasions. I was in the space program. It wasn't my
checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the line. It was
not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the
daily cash receipts to the bank."

"I ask you to go with me ... as I went the other day...
to a veteran's hospital and look those men
with their mangled bodies .. in the eye, and tell THEM
they didn't hold a job!

You go with me to the Space Program at NASA
and go, as I have gone, to the widows and Orphans
of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee...
and you look those kids in the eye and tell them
that their DADS didn't hold a job.

You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in
Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends
buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch

You stand there, and you think about this nation,
and you tell ME that those people didn't have a job?

What about you?"

For those who don't remember ..
During W.W.II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney
representing the Communist Party in the USA.

Now he's a Senator!

11 Days Until The Trade Deadline

2005-07-20T01:02:00.000-07:00

Well what can we expect from the Yanks and Sox?

Yankees

I am a little a surprised they didn't swoop on Preston Wilson considering they are so weak in Center Field. The Nationals grabbed him. But expect the Yanks to make a big play for Randy Winn of Seattle. He's hitting about .270, with 5 HR's, and even steals a few bases. But it's Winn's defense that would give the Yanks a piece they are missing.

I had high hopes of seeing Roger Clemens in pin-stripes again, but I don't think it's going to happen. I hope I'm wrong, but The Astros have been surging lately, and still have a real shot at the Wild Card. They still have to take over the Cubs in their division, and the Braves in the East. I wouldn't bet on that, but it is more than possible, so expect the Astros to hold on to him.

What has become painfully apparent is that you need left handed pitchers to beat the Sox. Well The Yanks have added Al Leiter. That's a good start, especially since who else is out there?

Who you ask?

Mark Redmond of the Pirates or Odalis Perez of the Dodgers. Both have pretty inflated ERA's but they would add a Lefty to the rotation. Caution, pitchers going from the National League to the American League don't always do so well, to say the least.

Let's get to the Sox

Red Sox

Don't expect them to do much.

However, they have Curt Schilling as their closer right now. I don't know what to think about that. He should really be in the starting rotation, so they would be wise to go after either Eddie Guardado of Seattle, or Brian Fuentes of Colorado. Fuentes has been hot lately, and he pitches in Denver where balls fly out of the park like, well I don't know what, but I could probably hit one out there. Guardado has 21 saves on the year and he is pitching for about the worst team out there. To put that in perspective, Joe Nathan of the possible Wild Card Twins, leads the AL with 26.

Either way, the race is heating up. Both teams will want to win the division, otherwise there is a very good chance that they will be edged out of the Wild Card spot by the Twins or even the Indians.

What I hate to say is that unless the Yankees can keep playing as well as they have lately, it's going to be all about The Angels.

Solid pitching, great bullpen, and no problem scoring runs.

That's what championships are made of.

Speaking Of The Hall-Of-Fame

2005-07-15T23:02:00.000-07:00

Pete Rose

He should be put in The Hall.

However, his legacy should read,

...Accomplishments, blah blah blah, and end like this...

These accomplishments speak to a brilliant career, but Rose's gambling kept him out of The Hall-Of-Fame for many years, and he is still banned from ever participating in Baseball again.

Or something like that.

The Worst PR People Ever

2005-07-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

Raphael Palmeiro just picked up his 3,000th, and 3,001st Hits tonight.

That puts Raphael in 25th place on the all-time hits list.

Now let's add the 566 Homeruns he's racked up.

Only three other players can boast the stat, 3,000 Hits and 500 Homeruns.

That is Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Eddie Murray. And now Raphael freakin' Palmeiro.

Now I ask you, how is it even possible that anyone is debating his Hall-Of-Fame entrance?

Raphael has more hits than Barry Bonds (2,730) and Babe Ruth (2,873), all with about 20 year careers.

It doesn't look like Raphael is slowing down very much, and even at 40, he could come back for another year or two. He is only 34 Homeruns away from 600 (that would place him 5th all-time). He has 15 in the first half of this year, add another 15 for the 2nd half, and he would only need 19 all of next year to hit 600.

This is pretty freakin' impressive if you asked me.

So why is there a debate about him getting in the Hall?

He's only been an All-Star like, 3 times, I didn't check my facts there, but that's not the point. The point is he is not a regular All-Star.

Yeah, OK, maybe that's a good argument. The talking heads on all the sports channels make that point over and over and over again.

BUT, let the Fu2rman point something out...

These are the same wankers that complain that fans should not vote, because they don't pick the best players, they pick the most popular players.

So WTF?

These ESPN/FOX/What freakin' ever network people make my argument for me, then argue against it in Raphael's case.

Here's the real problem, Raphael has no PR!

Unless of course you recall the Viagra ads.

Ridiculous.

He needed a great PR guy like, 5 or 10 years ago. This would have put him on at least an All-Star team or two, (being a popularity contest and all).

Then, nobody could say that a guy that has put up Ruth/Bonds numbers is not worthy of the Hall-Of-Fame.

Here are some fun stats,

Barry Bonds leads Raphael by less than 20 RBI's.

Bonds is 12th all-time in RBI's. Raph should pass him by years end, he's on pace to get 50 more this year.

Raph is 8th all-time in Homeruns, and you wouldn't believe the names he is ahead of.

This is a first ballot Hall-Of-Famer, period!

Welcome Back, Curt.

2005-07-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

The Sox finally fixed their closer problem.

Kolbe, Timlin, and then there was Schilling.

Curt Schilling was back tonight, and thank god, for Red Sox Fans!

Or, at least for Yankee fans.

A-Rod gave Curt a very warm welcome with a 2-Run Homer following Gary Sheffields leadoff double, to break the tie in the top of the 9th. You can ask my little Baby Doll of the night if I called that shot.

Then to close the 9th inning, comes Mariano Rivera.

I have to admit, I was afraid, very afraid.

He blew his first 2 saves (well, only 2 saves) on that very mound early this year.

But that was just after recovering from a bit of the bursitis in his elbow.

And what freakin' happened tonight!?

Rivera struck out all three batters he faced, all swinging.

Did he face the weak part of the line-up?

No, he fanned Johnny Damon, Edgar Renteria, and David Ortiz.

And that puts the Yankees only 1 1/2 games out of 1st place!

Who's Running The Lakers?

2005-07-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

Is it Phil Jackson or Mitch Kupchak?

Lakers are about to deal either Caron Butler or Chucky Atkins to get Kwame Brown.

Kwame F***ing Brown, you ask?

I know, you could see if you could somehow shed yourself of some salary, Divac, Grant, and any of their anchors on the salary cap.

But we are looking at giving up, in one case, Chucky Atkins, 31 y/o Point Guards $4.5 million salary. The other option is Caron Butler, 25 y/o Small Forwards $2.5 million salary.

Well, I was skeptical too.

As a matter of fact, I was ready to bash the Laker GM on this move. I couldn't believe what I was reading when I was drinking all day with this little hottie, and saw the headline scroll across the Yankee game I was watching. I even commented about that to this chick.

But check this out....

The smart move is to deal Butler, and his $2.5 million. Kwame should play for that salary.

Why is that smart?

The Lakers lacked an inside presence, and 23 y/o, 6' 11", Power Forward/Center would allow LaMar Odom to play Small Forward where he is more comfortable.

That would allow Kwame to bounce back and forth, with Chris Mihm at Center, and Brian Grant at Power Forward.

Here's the risk.

Kwame is a bigger headache than Kobe.

This is either going to be the most brilliant move ever, or the biggest catastrophe.

I bet my money like this...

If it works, Phil gets the credit.

If it fails, Kupchak gets blamed.

Either way, I would hate to be named Kupchak right now.

Why Do We Keep The French Around?

2005-07-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

Last week London was awarded the 2012 Olympics over Paris, among other cities including New York.

The Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe said that Tony Blair and the London bid leader Sebastian Coe, 'crossed the line' by criticizing other cities.

First you frickin' idiot, if you are trying to sell your product, wouldn't it be natural to show how it is better than your competitor's product?

I think New York would have been a terrible place for them, and I love New York!

Second, you insensitive f#@%, don't you think Tony Blair and the people of London have enough to think about right now after the cowardice attacks on their city?

I have no use for these people, F#@% Delanoe, F#@% Paris, and F#@% the French in general.

What have they done lately anyway?

Tribute

2005-07-11T01:20:00.000-07:00

I'm not here to talk any crap.

Not this time.

Today I am going to talk about a good friend that was taken way before his time.

My friend, affectionately known as 'I'm Rick James, Bitch!', that was his fantasy team's name.

RJ was just killed in a car accident.

RJ and I set up a few fantasy leagues together.

The best thing about RJ was that he would actually inspire me to talk trash, I usually talk plenty of trash, but he inspired me to another level.

RJ, I miss you already, and I went ahead and drank your part as well as mine tonight.

RJ and I are not at the top of our league, but we are both close to the top, I'm going to keep his team going, because I know if I let his team go down in his absense, he'd be pissed at me. And if I make it to Heaven with him, I know I'd hear about it!

RJ, your already missed.

I Told You So, Again

2005-07-09T00:03:00.000-07:00

I had a great offer, again, being such a perfect being, it happens.

A commenter said he would rather lick my ass than BOW to my greatness.

Maybe he said KICK, not LICK, but whatever.

First, I've explained to ya'll, I don't go that way. Otherwise I would have had Bahb's brother long ago.

Anyway, I pissed off a little chucklehead by saying that David Eckstein is better than Angel Shortstop, Orlando Cabrera.

Seriously, who is in the All-Star game, and who is on vacation?

With Cabrera on the DL, the Angels are still 7 games ahead in 1st place.

How is that possible?

Well it's not hard to replace an adequate defensive Shortstop, and add Cabrera's weak .234 Batting average, 22 RBI's, 4 Homeruns, and only 5 Staolen bases.

Enter Maicer Izturis.

In less than half the games he has a .325 Batting Average, 10 RBI's, and 0 Homeruns, (but with Vlad, Anderson and McPherson, you get 34 HR's), are you gonna miss 4 measly HR's?

No, and Izturis has 4 Stolen bases already.

This is why the Angels could spend way too much money on a Shortstop that is not only worse than the one you let go, but is also on the DL, and a minor leaguer is filling his little shoes.

Hey Artie, if you want to run a winning team, go ahead and call The Fu2rman...

I Told You So

2005-07-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

Angels get what they deserve.

On December 22 I said that Angel fans are going to miss David Eckstein and not like his replacement.

Well, as Eck's replacement Orlando Cabrera sits on the DL, Eck is on the way to start in this years All-Star Game.

You may ask, but if Cabrera was healthy would he be an All-Star?

Hell no, he is a streaky hitter at best, he is very solid as a defensive guy, but that is obviously only half the game.

I'm glad Eckstein got out. I just wish St. Louis would have played in Anaheim, or Los Angeles of Anaheim, whatever the F#@%, during the inter-league games so Angel fans could see what a bad decision the Angels made.

And once again, I show why I am The Fu2rman, The King, I called this in December!

This is where you all bow.

WTF Is Wrong With Women, Another Example

2005-07-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

Yeah, here we go again.

This one was really unbelievable, and even another woman was annoyed with this broad.

(That alone makes me think that we're doing fantastic work here, smart women are starting to turn on stupid women, I just wish there was more than a small handful of smart women).

I'm at Smart & Final picking up some things for my business. I shopped like you're supposed to, walk in pick up what you need, pay and go. Should be about a 3 minute trip.

But then there is the line, the line of one frickin' woman!

She was buying a box of individually wrapped carrot cakes. Of course my thought was 'hmm, too lazy to bake a carrot cake, she'd rather sacrifice and eat some awful preservatives than actually make something that...' nevermind, you get the idea.

So she is fumbling around for her membership card, and says, "Oh, my husband must have the card, can I just put in my phone number?" So she fumbles around with the ATM/Membership device on the counter. The cashier waits, and looks at the growing line she is going to have to deal with, and says, "Sorry, it didn't take, what is it, let me punch it in."

At this point, I'm like how much is this purchase? How much could she possibly be saving?

So I look at the screen, and the frickin' carrot cakes cost all of $3.75!

THREE DOLLARS, and SEVENTY FIVE FRICKIN' CENTS!?!?!?!?!

You've got to be kidding me.

Even if you get 10 % off, you're wasting the time of people out trying to do business, make the world a better place, so you can save 38 frickin' cents!?

The cashier was female, and she was doing everything she could to be nice, you could see the insincerity on her face when she handed the woman her change and said, "Thank You."

As I sarcastically said "How you doin'?" You could see by the grin on her face, that she was equally annoyed with another woman with something Wrong With Her.

Women, I hate to keep bringing up these examples, but you make it so easy.

Surprise Yankee

2005-07-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

Jason Giambi is on fire!

Well what do you expect, he admitted to using steriods, he was on the verge of being sent to the minors, and playing in New York. Who could get anything going with all that pressure.

Well as most of you know the Boss has been making 'statements' over the last week, he turned 75 yesterday, he's talked about turning the team over to his son-in-law (which is dumb, he should be turning the team over to The Fu2rman).

Nobody has been talking about Giambi, and low-and-behold, Giambi has started hitting. Today he went 3-4 with homerun and 2 RBI's to raise his average to .268, and left the game to a standing O in the 6th inning. Add yesterdays 2-3 and 3 RBI's, oh, and both hits were homeruns.

Over the last week he's hitting .400 with 3 homeruns, and 5 RBI's, not a bad week for Jason.

One last thing for the day about the Yankees, despite playing badly, and everyone talking about what a bust this team is, the Yanks are only 4 games out of first.

As of right now, the Yankees are up 12-2 in the 7th against 2nd place Baltimore, and the first place Red Sox have to play a pretty solid Texas Ranger team, in Texas, where they were defeated last night.

Yankee fans, you can start coming out of hiding.

What The F#@% Is Wrong With Women?

2005-07-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

The Fu2rman has another social question, much like,

"What the hell is wrong with stupid women that still write checks in line at...well...any-frickin'-where!"

and

"Why is it OK for woman to talk about shopping at work, but when the guys talk sports, it's all how stupid, talk about something interesting".

Like purses? Would that be better? you little attention whore...

Here's the new social question for my boys out there, and some of the women that get it...

OK, so I'm trying to get some food before one of the biggest beer drinkin' weekends of the year, I'm at one of those restaurants that are right between fast food and sitting down and being waited on, you know, you gotta go up and order, and they call your name, but you can sit down to cuisine much better than Taco Bell or McDonalds.

Great, right?!

Right!

But then I hear it, the crying baby, and another kid making some screeching sound. The cries are coming from a stroller being pushed by a fairly hefty woman, and her husband, a regular looking guy like myself trailing a couple steps behind.

My first thought was, 'oy, poor guy, noisy kids, fat wife in sweat-pants and a T-shirt, he's gotta be thinking, how in the hell did this happen!'

But then I noticed, by the annoyed look on his face, (it looked a lot like mine), that he was not part of this noisy gaggle of woman, girl and baby.

Well good for him!

However, he took his food to go, but I was stuck-and only 1/4 of the way through my meal.

Guess where biggie fries and her squeaky kid and crying baby decided to sit?

On the other side of the restaurant where nobody was sitting?

No.

The same side of the restaurant, but on the other end where nobody else was sitting?

No.

Any frickin' table other than the one that right frickin' next to mine?

Again, NO!

That's right, 20 tables to choose from, and she picks my little corner.

So I had to check, I was frickin' close enough, and nope, no wedding ring.

Surprised?

Not me, sweat pants don't keep husbands, and that big ass would make me run.

Of course, she has a stroller, she probably hasn't lost her baby weight!

Nope, she handed the kid in the stroller a quesadilla, and he fed himself.

So this is a two part social question...

1) Why do woman think it's ok to get fat and give up on looking anything close to feminine after a couple kids, (she probably did it so she could be fat and lazy and collect alimony).

2) And most importantly!) She is not my frickin' mistake, why does she pass 19 tables to sit next to me!

People, talk to me, WHY?

Jerry Maguire Has Gone Insane

2005-06-29T02:00:00.000-07:00

Jerry Maguire?

Yeah, I know, it's hardly sports, but seriously, when did Tom Cruise go insane?

Cruise had a nice chat with Matt Lauer on the Today Show.

He mentioned the fact that Psychiatry was a 'psuedo-science', there was the the thing about Cruise explaining to Lauer, 'here's the problem, you don't know the history of psychiatry, I do!'

OK Dr. Cruise, do tell...

He has said there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance.

Tom, you may want to rethink that, how else are you explain your idiotic outbursts!

Seriously, I wish these freakin' socially retarted actors and rockstars would shut the hell up and stay in their little lands of make-believe, and stay out of politics, psychiatry, and whatever other liberal bull-shit they'd like to impose on regular people.

I'm sick of the Sean Penn's and Johnny Depp's, and their ridiculous USA bashing, and now Tom Cruise, jeez!

Do they not realize that they live a multi-million dollar life that 99.9% of the world can't even relate to? And ironically enough, that other .1% of us are the ones that put them there.

Please follow me on this one people, don't support anything that will put money in this chuckleheads pocket!

No more Top Gun rentals, no more Mission Impossible, 1 or 2, no Rainman, no Cocktail, and most importantly, NO War of the Worlds!

Let this movie tank!

Allow me one question, is anyone else suspicious that Cruise (43 next week), has become engaged to Katie Holmes (26), and does the release of Cruises' War of the Worlds, and Holmes' Batman raise any eyebrows?

The funny thing about this, (and I'm going to bring it back to sport here), is that Tom Cruise fired his agent. He didn't like his handlers telling him what to do, so his sister is managing his career, 'cause she lets him do and say whatever he wants.

He doesn't have a sane person to keep him out of trouble.

There is another Star that fired his agent recently.

LeBron James fired Aaron Goodwin, you know, the guy that negotiated $135 million in ensorsements. He hired a high school teammate Maverick Carter, and has looked at turning over some of his management duties to Def Jam Records.

Not very smart.

Rap artist's agents haven't proven themselves to be capable of keeping their stars out of trouble, or even prison in some cases.

Now that Goodwin has laid the groundwork, his career should be pretty easy to manage, however, LeBron will have to go to New York or Los Angeles in '07.

Would you rather have Maverick negotiate that for you, (and I'm not talkin' Tom Cruises' Maverick), or Aaron Goodwin?

If I didn't live in reality, I'd say Maverick, 'cause he was the Top Gun, and Iceman was just a wanna-be!, but from a business stand-point, please, give me Goodwin.

Oh well, he'll have Phil Jackson to deal with, Mitch Kupchak will be long gone by then.

Oh Yeah

2005-06-23T21:52:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Sorry I missed 2 out of the 15 series in the NBA post-season.

Can anyone else top that?

Not if you work for ESPN, TNT, or FOX SPORTS.

Hmmm.

I'm thinking job openings...

Not really, being right all the time just gets you shunned by the networks, they need some kind of drama...I would end all that, and just tell the world who's going to win.

Next year I may just miss a few more picks to add to the drama, maybe then the networks will give me a job.

Oh the burden of being so good....

I Am The King

2005-06-23T21:33:00.000-07:00

The Pistons fought hard, but unfortunately they were doomed on June 8th.

That would be the day that I picked The Spurs to win the NBA Finals.

Go ahead, all hail The King, The Fu2rman!

There was some talk among friends about Tim Duncan wearing Laker colors...

I don't think so, and here's why.

The Spurs have Duncan signed through 2010, and Ginobili and Parker signed through 2011.

That will make Duncan and Ginobili 34, and Parker 29 at the end of their contracts.

They have cap room to build a team around them. They are only a middle of the road spender, so this team would need a Mitch Kupchak to screw that up.

Again, I am the KING!

It Comes To This

2005-06-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Spurs/Detroit game is they about to start, they are reading the starting lineups as I type.

Have you noticed how everyone has flip-flopped, back-and-forth, and back again?

Well, not The Fu2rman, I'm still Spurs all the way.

Go Spurs!

For the record, after 14 series, I've picked 12 right.

Will it be 13 of 15?

More On Phil & Kobe

2005-06-18T00:39:00.000-07:00

Bahb brought up some great points.

I really liked Kobe's reason for not taking Phil's meeting.

He said that if Phil didn't take the job, he didn't want to be blamed for it, so he would stay out of it.

That would have been a great idea last year, kid.

I still think it was Kobe that drove Rudy T out. Why else would he leave so quickly? Some trumped up health story?

I say, because Kobe wouldn't let him coach, and Rudy wasn't getting any support from the front office, AKA the Buss Family.

Once Rudy walked, and The Clippers were officially the best team in LA, Kobe was out of the decision-making process.

As for the Kobe trade.

Next year the Lakers have zero salary cap room.

Nobody is going to take Brian Grant, or Vlade Divac, they're too old.

What would you get for LaMar Odom right now? Not much. Although I would keep him anyway, I think he has very good upside potential that Phil can bring out.

You could try to trade some of the others, Caron Butler, Chucky Atkins, Chris Mihm or Luke Walton, but again, what are you going to get for them?

It would pretty much come down to trading 1 for 1. So you gain nothing.

The only way to free up enough cap room is to trade Kobe.

That would free up a lot of money to pick up at least 2 very good players. It's not going to get you a Duncan, Garnett or LeBron, but there are plenty of others that would love to play for Phil that are more affordable.

Wait until next year when Grant's contract is up, and that frees you up to get a marquis player.

Yao Ming will be available that year, plus you have a year to assess if you even want Ming.

I could be wrong here, but I think Divac's contract is also up that year, so more money freed up.

By the way, did you here Kupchak's comment about Vlade? He said when they signed him, he was one of the top 4 centers in the NBA.

What planet is Kupchak from?

So we're talking Tim Duncan, Shaq, Yao Ming, and then Vlade freakin' Divac?

I don't think so!

You could have a Chris Mihm as your Center if you have a Nowitzki, or Amare Stoudemire or either Wallace as a Forward/Center.

I'd even take Marcus Camby, Zyndrunas Ilgauskas or even Mehmet Okor over Divac. Seriously, if you called him a top 10, maybe you could get away with it, but top 4, please!

Sorry about the side-track.

The only way the Lakers are going to be able to afford any talent to improve the team is to trade Kobe.

What will be interesting is this, how will Phil Jackson will do as a personel guy?

There are 3 types of people in sports...

1) Players
2) Coaches
3) Personel People (GM's)

Great players usually don't make good coaches, great coaches usually don't make good personel guys.

Of course there are exceptions, but how about Magic Johnson as a coach? The last time the Lakers didn't make the playoffs was Coach Magic's Lakers.

Soon Phil will get to show if he really is The Zen Master.

Well, exept for the fact that he was never a great player.

Kevin Mc"Tyson's"Bride

2005-06-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

Guys, here's the whole truth.

Kevin McBride will never again make as much money as he made to fight Tyson.

Especially since Tyson burned him sooooo bad.

I am paraphrasing here but it was something like this,

Tyson: "That's it, I'm done fighting. If I can't beat a guy like this, no offense Kevin, I can't compete with real fighters".

You see, McBride is trying to piss Tyson off by calling him a homo nipple-bitter.

He's trying to coax him into a rematch.

McBride wants to get paid. And he'll never do that fighting anyone but Tyson. He just wants one more big payday from a Tyson fight.

And how can you blame him.

Who's going to pay to see him fight....ummmm.........I can't even think of another name that he would even fight.

Boxing has nothing going for it right now.

People are going to keep paying to watch the "Tyson Train Wreck" for years to come.

It won't ever matter if he is good, or if he can compete for the title, people just want to see the spectacle that is Mike Tyson.

Someone's Having Fantasies

2005-06-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

From Fox Sports:

Boxer Kevin McBride says Mike Tyson took a bite out of him during McBride's sixth-round TKO triumph over the former heavyweight champion last Saturday night, according to a report in The Sun of Great Britain.

"Tyson is crazy. He bit my nipple," McBride reportedly said. "I didn't realize it at first but he had his teeth around it. I just felt a strange sensation and then realized what he'd done. He could not get up high enough to bite my ears — good job he wasn't a midget, otherwise he would have bitten something else."

Is it just me, or is this guy having one of the Freudian seizures? I mean, really:

Dear Forum,

I never thought this would happen to me, but I was in the ring with Iron Mike, and he started to bite my nipples. I knew that he wanted to go down on me, but I was too busy punching him in the head. That's the way my relationships with men are. I punch them in the head, and money is left on the nightstand.

If we could have only had a little more time in the ring, I know it would have been love. For now, I'll just have to be content with titty-play and the knowledge that I got more off Mike than Evander ever did.

Memo to McBride, from now on when guys bite your nipples, spare us the freakin' details. You gotta keep some things to yourself, my friend.

What Do You Mean, Phil Jackson?

2005-06-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

I'll tell ya what it means. Kobe is gone. Phil called Kobe to meet with him before the Lakers would hire him. Kobe didn't want the meeting.

At some point, both the Lakers and Phil Jackson decided it doesn't matter whether Kobe and Phil met. Phil would be the coach, no matter what.

That means they decided it doesn't matter what Kobe thinks.

That means Kobe is gone.

First, he's gone from the decision-making process of the Lakers.

Second, he's gone from the Lakers.

Expect the Lakers to trade Kobe.

Phil, Are You Out Of Your Mind?!

2005-06-14T21:20:00.000-07:00

Remember this?

So why does Phil Jackson want to coach LA again?

Here's the plan.

Phil wanted to be head coach and GM, now is his chance.

Mitch Kupchak is useless.

Seriously, what has he ever done?

Besides put them at the salary cap for next year, lock in contracts that are not tradable, and screw them for next year.

Actually, he did put a really shitty team together this past year and gave them a couple good draft picks.

The Buss family just gave the team to Phil Jackson.

Just watch, I know you've been listening, I'm always right.

Kupchak just doesn't know it yet...but he just been replaced.

If you have MK's email, you might send this to him.

He's not so bright, someone let him know, it's time to work on his resume.

NBA Finals

2005-06-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

Is it going to be an easier series than anyone expected?

Will the Pistons even win one game?

Well, if they don't win tonight, any fu2r wins will be meaningless, they cannont win 4 straight against the Spurs. And I don't want to hear any, 'what about the Red Sox crap'.

I must admit, I'm even a little surprised that the Spurs are up 2-0.

I thought for sure the Pistons would win game one. It usually takes game 1 to get your rhythm back after an 8 day layoff like the Spurs had.

It only took them about half a quarter.

They've played 8 quarters of basketball, the Pistons outscored the Spurs in the 1st, but since then have only managed to tie them in the 3rd quarter of the 2nd game. Otherwise, it's been all Spurs.

I thought game 1's 15 point win was a blowout, (by Finals standards, C'mon, these are the best 2 teams in the league, right!), but Sunday's 21 point win was just too easy for the Spurs.

We shall see what tonight brings, I really hope the Pistons show up tonight.

Of course I want to be right and see the Spurs win, but please, entertain me along the way.

Pistons-Spurs

2005-06-11T01:01:00.000-07:00

I guess The Spurs are off to a pretty good start.

While everyone was talking about the Pistons defense, this, and the Pistons defense that, nobody was mentioning the Spurs defense.

They were the number ranked 1 defense this year.

I was actually expecting the Pistons to win game one.

The Spurs were off for 8 days, usually it takes a game to get back in the rythm of the playoffs. The Pistons were in a groove, even after a very rollercoaster series with the Heat.

The first quarter was evidence of that, it looked like the Pistons were going to be too much for the Spurs. Then the Spurs went into half-time down only 2 points. Aside from the first quarter, the Spurs outscored the Pistons in every quarter.

So I should be really excited and start telling you how great I am, right?

Not yet.

My only concern is that the Spurs may get complacent, let their guard down, and allow the Pistons to get back in this series.

After all, they held the Pistons to 69 points, and beat them easily by 15.

A loss would actually be good for the Spurs, unless they can keep the same intensity they had in the second half of Thursday's game. They outscored the Pistons 49-32 in the second half.

I still don't think a win or two by the Pistons are going to make a difference in the long run, the Spurs should win this series.

And, like I already said, they will...

Maybe Not Zack

2005-06-11T00:43:00.000-07:00

I've been talking about The Yankees picking up Kansas City starting pitcher Zack Greinke.

Well tonight I watched the slaughter that was Greinke vs. The Arizona Diamond Backs, I'm sure you can tell where this is going.

My boy Zack gave up 15 hits and 11 runs in just 4 1/3 innings!

That's just shy of a 23 ERA, and a WHIP of 3.926.

Ouch...

At least ex Dodger Shawn Green had a good night, he went 3 for 4 with a pair of Homeruns, 5 RBI's and a double, (all off Greinke). Green hadn't hit a Homerun in over a month.

Zack tried to help himself with a Homerun of his own, a solo shot in the fifth.

Not bad, maybe the Yankees are not the place for you, maybe a National League team where you can make use of that bat!

Zack has been solid up until this start. Not perfect, but he has quite a few quality starts, and even beat the Yankees in his last start. He went into this game with a 4.91 era, but this should put him over 6.00.

Greinke next start is either against The Dodgers and Derek Lowe, or The Astros and Roger Clemens. For Zack's sake, I hope he get the Astros, they never put runs on the board with Clemens pitching.

I mean geez, Clemens has a 1.667 ERA and is 4-3.

How do not go insane giving up less that 2 runs per start and you are barely over .500. Not only that, he has 12 starts so he only figured into 7 decissions.

The Astros offense Sucks.

I think I'd have a decent chance to win a game against Clemens, so Zack has a great chance. I hope he gets that matchup instead of LA.

Good luck Zack...

NBA Finals

2005-06-08T23:57:00.000-07:00

I'll keep this kinda brief.

Spurs win the Finals.

Here's why...

Even though everyone keeps talking about the Pistons defense, do you know how had the number 1 rated defense this year?

The Spurs.

The Pistons have some offensive threats, but I'll stick with Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker.

The Spurs have had a full week to rest, at home, since they have home court advantage.

Add The Spurs bench, with the Robert Horry factor.

Series goes to The Spurs.

How Good Am I?

2005-06-07T01:29:00.000-07:00

Unlike the other supossed sports experts, I stuck with my Pistons pick.

When eveyone else was jumping ship, and changing horses mid-stream and jumping on the Heat bandwagon and whatever other cliches you can think of, The Great Fu2rman held strong with the Pistons.

Not that I wasn't a little worried, not that I wasn't concerned that the Pistons would be able to win a game in Miami, but I always stay with my original pick.

Good thing too...

Because...

The Pistons finally did it, they beat The Heat in Miami.

Game 7 and the Eastern Finals go to The Pistons.

So I was right, again, but this shouldn't suprise anyone, it doesn't suprise me.

What does that put me at for the NBA Playoff picks?

12 out 14?

Yeah, 12 out of 14, that's pretty good right?

Stay tuned and I'll tell you who wins it all.

Time to celebrate my genious.

I'm peace 'n out...

Ain't This A Bitch, Part 2

2005-06-05T04:52:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody, Bahb here.

I'm gonna try to address the questions Fu2 raises in the previous Ain't That a Bitch post.

So, 49er's PR guy, Kirk Reynold, makes a video of him hanging out with hookers, bribing city officials, and boozing it up. And somehow this is supposed to be making a point about team spirit, or something?

Well, listen. Let's face it, team spirit is for the queers in the choir. Football players don't give a dimpled dumb about team spirit. They just want to get their asses out on the field and shatter some kneecaps.

I'm going to be honest with you here. I understand that this video that Reynolds made is supposed to be controversial in some way. I'm not exactly sure why. To me, it would be controversial if the 49er's PR guy wasn't out hanging with hookers and bribing city officials. I mean that what PR guys are supposed to do, right?

Some Japanese businessman comes to town and says, "Mr. 49er'san. Hyundisake car company want to invest many, many yen in your team. When do we see stlipper?"

I mean, what's the PR guy supposed to do? Say no? "No, Mr. Hyundysake, no stlipper for you.. Just give me your money."

And what if the City Official comes to him and says, "You know Mr. Reynolds, we got one of them Habitat for Homos environmental groups picketing down at City Hall, saying that Hyundisake Car Company sucks the big one on pollution, and they want us to ban all Hyundisake SUV's within the City limits.

Well, listen, the only answer to such a thing is to set up a sting so you can catch one of the Homo-habitat guys getting lucky (I use that word loosely) with one of buddies in the back seat of a Hyundisake SUV.

This kind of, uh, operation, takes some seriously greased palms. One cannot fault PR-guy Kirk Reynold's for doing what needs to be done.

I think what we're all missing here, in all our hysteria (everybody calm down) is that the first principle of any city, of any government, of any group of We the People is

THE FOOTBALL HAS GOT TO GO ON!

Ain't no Elton John concert gonna interfere. No civil rights groups. No spotted owls. Nothing. We can not allow such things to get in the way. A provident society is built on the the will of it's people to enjoy the pursuit of their happiness. (It's right there, in the Bill of Rights.) Therefore, any society worth it's salt must be organized around it's football team.

What kind of men would we be if we allowed such things to get in the way of football? The answer is, NO KIND OF MEN.

What? Do you want to be like that frickin Orange County, and just let your football team run away from you, and go to St. Louis, or something. Damn, grown men wear their sweaters tied around their necks, down in that frickin' Orange County.

And really, Fu2, as far as that question about whether or not any of that PR film was Irony, or whatver; As far as I know Irony is a small town in England where they send the little ladies to learn them how to be good domesticakes; you know, how to cook, clean, and iron.

That's the only Irony I know about.

Still Alive

2005-06-05T01:20:00.000-07:00

Tonight the Pistons totally decimated the Heat, 91-66.

66?

Ouch!

Yeah, yeah, I know, Dwayne Wade sat this one out.

And, like the whole series, the Pistons continued showing up every other game.

I have a big question...

A strained rib muscle is going to keep Wade out of a game of this magnitude?

This is the post-season, you better be really hurt if your not going to suit-up.

Is this injury worse than we are being told?

Is he going to be effective at all on Monday?

Was this a ploy, let Wade rest this one, we'll just give up this game and win it at home in game 7?

Whatever the case, my reputation rests on the Pistons actually playing 2 games in a row.

Well, maybe not my entire reputation, but you know what I mean...

At Least The NBA Can Make Me Happy...

2005-06-03T22:59:00.000-07:00

Well kinda.

The Pistons only seem to want to play every other game.

That ain't gonna fly boys, you gotta win 2 in-a-row now.

At least I haven't lost that series yet, and unlike so many of the talking heads on all our favorite sports shows, I'm not John Kerrying the series.

You know, by picking the 'Pistons' but only after I picked the 'Heat' first!

No no, not The Fu2rman, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong.

I can be that way, 'cause it doesn't happen very often.

Like for instance, in the first round of the playoffs, 6 of 8.

Not great, but respectable to say the least.

Second round, 4 of 4.

That was nice.

Round three, so far, 1 of 1. With one to go, and I'm still in it, not looking great, but still in.

So far this year, 11 of 13.

I was just looking at TBS to see what Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Magic Johnson and anybody else had predicted, and I can't find a damn thing.

Why do you think that is?

They are not 11 of 13, that's why!

However, Steve Kerr at Yahoo! seems to always keep his picks up, and he's 12 of 13.

OK, even I'm impressed.

Yankee Shopping List

2005-06-03T22:30:00.000-07:00

Since I mentioned Zack Greinke, let me elaborate.

He just got his first win of the season against the Yanks. Why do I keep this guy on my fantasy team if it took him this long to get his first win?

He is only 21, he has a 4.23 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a .255 batting avg. against.

These don't sound like great numbers, but check this out...

In his last 10 starts he has one complete game, (that he lost after giving up only 3 runs), 2 no-decissions after giving up only 1 earned run, another no-decission after giving up no runs!

It goes on, he had 2 rough outings where he gave up 5 and 6 earned runs, and 2 others that he gave up 4.

See the potential here?

Put my boy Zack with Yankee pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, and life is good.

Think about it, next year at this time, Greinke will be 22, and ready to take on the world...or The World Series...

I've already mentioned shopping for a new closer.

The Yanks must sign and start grooming a closer. I threw out a couple names before, I'll say again, Yhency Brazoban from the Dodgers, and Brandon Lyon from the Diamondbacks. Lyon is on the DL at the moment, but had a great start, so Brazoban is the better choice.

However, will the Dodgers part with him? Probably not, so assess Lyons health, and go from there. Both are ready to assume a set-up role on a team like the Yankees.

You'd think Orioles 2nd baseman Brian Roberts would be at the top of the list.

Of course he is, but what are the chances The O's are going to let him go?

Zero and none.

Let's leave it at that for the moment.

I don't want to give Brian Cashman all the answers!