Congrats to St. Louis, which finally won after years of underachieving under Tony LaRussa. Never thought I'd see them win while Genius Tony was manager.
Funny thing - St. Louis hadn't won a World Series since 1982's Brewfest. Philly hasn't won since 1980. Yet Phillies fans consider those ancient times compared to St. Louis fans, who seem to enjoy the game more and bitch less.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Vanderbilt 45, Duke 28
Vandy rolled up 516 net yards of offense as the Commodores cruised to an easy win at Wallace Wade. Duke averaged just 3.9 yards per pass, while Vandy averagd 9.6.
Next loss: November 4, vs. Navy.
Hey, at least Temple won.
Next loss: November 4, vs. Navy.
Hey, at least Temple won.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Title IX: Past its Prime?
Two recent articles highlight the problems of title IX:
From ESPN:
Can male athletes sue now?
And from the NYT:
In the middle of the meet, back here on the James Madison campus, the university had announced it was eliminating men's cross country and track, along with eight other, mostly men'’s, sports to comply with Title IX, the federal gender-equity law.
"“Title IX was created in 1972 to prevent sex discrimination, and it was needed,"” Jennifer Chapman, a senior on the womenÂ’s cross-country team, which is not being eliminated, said four days later as she led a protest rally of 400 students on campus. "“But look what'’s happening now. We rode the bus home from Pennsylvania for four hours, 14 guys and 19 girls all crying together. How is that supposed to have been Title IX'’s intent?"”...
...Jacob Torok, a sophomore swimmer, sat in the convocation center last month as officials announced the sports that would be terminated. Eight months earlier, as a freshman at the University of New Hampshire, Torok had received similar news when officials there did away with the men'’s swimming team in a wave of Title IX-related cuts.
"“This time, I thought I was having a nightmare and I'’d wake up,"” said Torok, who spurned scholarship offers from two other universities when he transferred to James Madison. "“But now I wonder how this can keep happening."”
-------------------------
It should be noted that James Madison and New Hampshire don't have Division I football teams (they field Division I-AA teams). They don't have 90,000 fannies in the seats on Saturdays, not do they have 120 players on their full rosters. It also means no weekly games on TV, unless they get a local channel or CN8 once in a while.
Apparently Title IX means women's sports are staying because they have rights, but men's sports get the shaft "just to comply."
From ESPN:
Can male athletes sue now?
And from the NYT:
In the middle of the meet, back here on the James Madison campus, the university had announced it was eliminating men's cross country and track, along with eight other, mostly men'’s, sports to comply with Title IX, the federal gender-equity law.
"“Title IX was created in 1972 to prevent sex discrimination, and it was needed,"” Jennifer Chapman, a senior on the womenÂ’s cross-country team, which is not being eliminated, said four days later as she led a protest rally of 400 students on campus. "“But look what'’s happening now. We rode the bus home from Pennsylvania for four hours, 14 guys and 19 girls all crying together. How is that supposed to have been Title IX'’s intent?"”...
...Jacob Torok, a sophomore swimmer, sat in the convocation center last month as officials announced the sports that would be terminated. Eight months earlier, as a freshman at the University of New Hampshire, Torok had received similar news when officials there did away with the men'’s swimming team in a wave of Title IX-related cuts.
"“This time, I thought I was having a nightmare and I'’d wake up,"” said Torok, who spurned scholarship offers from two other universities when he transferred to James Madison. "“But now I wonder how this can keep happening."”
-------------------------
It should be noted that James Madison and New Hampshire don't have Division I football teams (they field Division I-AA teams). They don't have 90,000 fannies in the seats on Saturdays, not do they have 120 players on their full rosters. It also means no weekly games on TV, unless they get a local channel or CN8 once in a while.
Apparently Title IX means women's sports are staying because they have rights, but men's sports get the shaft "just to comply."
Psycho Babble
And we forgot to mention Fox canning broadcaster Steve Lyons for on-air comments he made during the Tigers-A's series.
From MSNBC:
Fox baseball broadcaster Steve Lyons has been fired for making a racially insensitive comment directed at colleague Lou PiniellaÂ’s Hispanic heritage on the air during Game 3 of the American League championship series.
You might perceive it that way at home if you had listened to this (from the NYT):
Piniella said that expecting similar production would be “like finding a wallet on a Friday night and looking for one on Sunday and Monday, too.” Four minutes later, they had moved to different subjects and Piniella said something in Spanish. “The bilingual Lou Piniella,” Brennaman said.
Lyons said: “Lou’s habla-ing some Español there, and I’m still looking for my wallet. I don’t understand him, and I don’t want to sit close to him now.” The three laughed and continued calling the game.
The Dodgers did not fire Lyons from their broadcast team, which should prove interesting in their offseason. Plenty of other ex-players to choose from out there. Yes, Lyons is outspoken. But there's a difference between being outspoken and saying stuff in a locker room, and saying stuff to a nationwide TV audience. Dumbass.
From MSNBC:
Fox baseball broadcaster Steve Lyons has been fired for making a racially insensitive comment directed at colleague Lou PiniellaÂ’s Hispanic heritage on the air during Game 3 of the American League championship series.
“If I offended anybody, I’m truly sorry,” Lyons said in a phone interview. “But my comment about Lou taking my wallet was a joke and in no way racially motivated.”
You might perceive it that way at home if you had listened to this (from the NYT):
Piniella said that expecting similar production would be “like finding a wallet on a Friday night and looking for one on Sunday and Monday, too.” Four minutes later, they had moved to different subjects and Piniella said something in Spanish. “The bilingual Lou Piniella,” Brennaman said.
Lyons said: “Lou’s habla-ing some Español there, and I’m still looking for my wallet. I don’t understand him, and I don’t want to sit close to him now.” The three laughed and continued calling the game.
The Dodgers did not fire Lyons from their broadcast team, which should prove interesting in their offseason. Plenty of other ex-players to choose from out there. Yes, Lyons is outspoken. But there's a difference between being outspoken and saying stuff in a locker room, and saying stuff to a nationwide TV audience. Dumbass.
How about those (ex) Phillies?
Scott Rolen homered in last night's 7-1 Cardinals win in game 1 of the World Series, and later scored again on an interference call. Placido Polanco (profiled here) has played well for the Tigers. The story mentions he didn't get much playing time because of Chase Utley. The real reason he didn't stay was the Phillies couldn't afford to bench 3B David Bell, Rolen's replacement, since his salary was too high. The irony was that Bell was dumped to Milwaukee this year. Don't forget RP Todd Jones, who played well for the Tigers this year.
Miami 20, Duke 15
Against a Miami squad missing quite a few players following the Miami-FIU brawl, Duke almost pulled the upset. Thad Lewis was intercepted by Miami and time ran out. Earlier, Duke had pulled to within 20-15 but their 2-point conversion failed. This proved costly later as the Devils had to score a TD to win.
Duke outagined Miami in total yards, 373-334, and held Miami to just 37 rushing yards. And for the second straight week, Duke scored on a safety.
Next loss: October 28 vs. Vanderbilt
Duke outagined Miami in total yards, 373-334, and held Miami to just 37 rushing yards. And for the second straight week, Duke scored on a safety.
Next loss: October 28 vs. Vanderbilt
Florida State 51, Duke 24
Since we were off last week, a double dipping of Duke losses. The first:
Florida State gave Duke a whoopin by 26. The Devils scored almost as many points (24) as they had previously all season (27), but a loss is still a loss. Duke gave up 478 yards. FSU averaged 7.8 yards per rush, while Duke managed just 1.5.
Even when Duke did something good, they paid. After John Talley returned an interception 46 yards for a TD, the extra point was blocked and run back for a safety by FSU's Patrick Robinson. Ugh.
Next loss: October 21 vs. Miami
Florida State gave Duke a whoopin by 26. The Devils scored almost as many points (24) as they had previously all season (27), but a loss is still a loss. Duke gave up 478 yards. FSU averaged 7.8 yards per rush, while Duke managed just 1.5.
Even when Duke did something good, they paid. After John Talley returned an interception 46 yards for a TD, the extra point was blocked and run back for a safety by FSU's Patrick Robinson. Ugh.
Next loss: October 21 vs. Miami
Flyers Fry Clarkie, Hitch
According to ESPN, Flyers' GM Bobby Clarke resigned and coach Ken Hitchcock was fired earlier today. The Flyers are 1-6-1 and Team President Ed Snider was furious at the slow start, waiving three players after Philadelphia's 9-1 loss to Buffalo.
Ouch. I always thought Snider had Clarke's back, but this time he didn't. And with Comcast shopping for buyers for the Sixers, the Flyers will become Snider's super-duper priority once again. I take pity on whomever lands the new GM job.
Ouch. I always thought Snider had Clarke's back, but this time he didn't. And with Comcast shopping for buyers for the Sixers, the Flyers will become Snider's super-duper priority once again. I take pity on whomever lands the new GM job.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Yankees Lose! Yankees lose! Yankees lose!
Did I mention the Yankees lost? No? Lots of off-season changes coming for both the Yanks and Sawx. Hopefully if Joe Torre gets canned, the Phillies will come to their senses, fire Charlie "what's a double switch" Manuel and grab Joe.
Buck O'Neil RIP
Buck O'Neil dies at 94. Joe Posnaski of the Kansas City Star with the obit.
What a positive attitude. What a man. It's a shame he wasn't voted into the Hall of Fame, but I'm sure that error will be corrected soon.
-P
What a positive attitude. What a man. It's a shame he wasn't voted into the Hall of Fame, but I'm sure that error will be corrected soon.
-P
Alabama 30, Duke 14
Duke had a 14-10 haftime lead (I know, we were shocked when we saw the ESPN bottom line scroll), but got blown away in the 2nd half.
Next loss: October 14 vs. Florida State
Next loss: October 14 vs. Florida State
Virginia 37, Duke 0
Time slipped away, so 2 posts in 1 day on the Dukies. No offense, no defense.
Next loss: at Alabama, October 7.
Next loss: at Alabama, October 7.
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