Don’t believe me? Look closer.
A Confiscated Letter from Kanye West to Dan Gilbert
December 30, 2010 by 12 Comments
These Bears Are Riding Horses. Let’s Smile About That, At Least Briefly.
July 9, 2010 by 42 Comments
I don’t write out of character often, but I think I owe it to you all to sit down and be as bare and honest with you as I can because of the turd-rito that we just got served at Señor Yames’ Cafe. I can be bare and honest because I’m sitting on my couch naked, and I want you to know that I’m determined to get through this even if my laptop burns a hole through my thigh. It doesn’t help that I keep getting emotional and stopping because this is my last post here*.
Very often sports and our favorite teams are a diversion for us. Though we have athletes who represent our city, we more or less are aware that they are just guys who are really good at what they do and happen to play in the city that they happen to play in. Even when they sign multi-year deals and do charity work around the city, we kind of know that they’re more or less mercenaries or sorts, playing for our team because we pay their bills.
There are times when the players that we cheer for transcend that. [Read more...]
Friday World Cup Quarterfinal Recap
July 2, 2010 by 8 Comments
So, many of us like the footy. A few don’t. Cool. Those of us who watched today, let’s discuss. There’s some video at the end for those who don’t like to read lots of words.
Brazil v. The Netherlands:
Brazil played a beautiful first half which displayed their fantastic footskills. While the lone goal occurred on a brilliant through ball to Robinho, the entire first half was a steady wave of Brazilian offense, occasionally broken up by a dive by a Dutch player. Going into the half, the Dutch looked broken. [Read more...]
NBA Free Agency Report: Anonymous Exec Thinks LeBron To Bulls A “Done Deal” (UPDATED)
June 27, 2010 by 31 Comments
To borrow from Frowns, it’s Stupid Time. So, we get to hear a report every day or so about LeBron and things happening (even when nobody really knows what’s happening, except for LeBron). Today’s story du-jour comes from The New York Times (the Times!). While the Times were careful with their wording, ESPN Chicago has run with it and used much more absolute language.
Since I’m a bigger fan of quoting the less sensational, here’s what The Times had to say:
[T]he meetings might not be much more than a formality. The executive, who did not want to be identified discussing a player who is not yet a free agent, said he had gathered from discussions with his fellow N.B.A.executives that James was strongly leaning toward joining the Bulls in tandem with another free agent, Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors. [Read more...]
Hey Let’s All Be Twitter Buddies
June 27, 2010 by 39 Comments
Twitter can be a very useful tool. I enjoy it to gather information about sports, politics, news, science, and also jokes (mostly jokes). It’s also a great way to interact. I realize that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a tool that a lot of folks that are part of this community use.
With that in mind, I thought it would be good to let folks leave their Twitter handles in the comments on a post in order to further the interaction between folks. I know this isn’t going to be for everyone, but hey – it’s a slow day. [Read more...]
Matt LaPorta Called Up, To Start Today at 1B
June 27, 2010 by 12 Comments
Following last night’s trade of Russell Branyan to Seattle for prospects Juan Diaz and Ezequiel Carrera, the Tribe are seemingly without a first baseman. To remedy this, Matt LaPorta has been recalled from AAA Columbus, where he has been hitting .353 since being sent down. According to Terry Pluto, LaPorta has fixed his swing while in Columbus to remedy issues that lingered following surgery for turf toe and a bad hip.
LaPorta should be playing every day at first base, getting experience at the major league level. Hopefully now that the team’s gone all-in as a “rebuilding” team we’ll see the young guys contributing and growing as they get every day play in Cleveland.
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Photo Credit: Kevin Pataky/MiLB.com
Reds Hand Tribe Seventh Straight Loss
June 27, 2010 by 3 Comments
Before last night’s exciting Branyan news came out, the Tribe played a baseball game in Cincinnati. Justin Masterson started the game with a solid first four innings, but made an error on a comebacker in the fifth that allowed the Reds to tie the game at 3-3. Masterson took the mound again in the sixth, giving up a single, advancing the runner on a wild pitch, then giving up an RBI double and a single. By the time Masterson left the game, he’d fully earned the loss and had two more runs charged to him, as David Herrmann gave up two sacrifice flies to the Reds.
Offensively, the Tribe opened the game with a nice first inning, as Shin-Soo Choo walked, stole second, and scored on a Carlos Santana double. The Tribe capitalized again in the fourth, starting the inning single-double-double to score two runs. Following a strikeout, a Trevor Crowe walk loaded the bases, but Choo grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Tribe managed to manufacture one more run in the top of the ninth, but could not climb back into the lead.
The Tribe will be playing in Cincy one last game today at 1:40 to close out interleague play for the season. As things currently stand, the Tribe are 4-13 against NL teams this season.
While We’re Waiting: LeBron’s Decision, John Simon, Midfield Woes, and Hardesty
June 27, 2010 by 19 Comments
While We’re Waiting is a place to sulk and recover from saddening/maddening losses. If you’ve got some linkage for us, pass it along. We certainly appreciate the help.
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LeBron’s gonna decide for LeBron: “Has this process sometimes led to mistakes? Of course it has. But James has no qualms with his belief system. One of his favorite things to say is that he doesn’t have any regrets about his major decisions. If he stays true to himself, he won’t have any regrets about this huge decision, either. Because he’s going to be the one to make it.” [Windhorst, PD]
America Needs You Open Thread
June 26, 2010 by 65 Comments
Guys, I’m not gonna fuddle around with this. The USA is in the elimination round of the World Cup. Awesome, awesome things happened at the end of the Algeria game to make this a possibility. Bro Biden would say that today’s game is a big [something] deal. Chill Clinton stayed in South Africa just for this game. I’m out at the bar with Eli (Pour House, Penn Ave SE DC – Steelers bar yes, but today we’re AMERICANS, folks). Those of you who are around, leave your thoughts here as the game progresses – and even afterwards!
And get pumped. You know, for ‘Merica.
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Photo Credit: (REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi)
Is this our Armageddon?
June 26, 2010 by 12 Comments
One of you guys said yesterday that Kelvin Sampson as coach of the Cavs is our Armageddon scenario. This is the mental image I got. Don’t blame me. Blame the fine folks at Pabst.
<BRIGHT FLASHES>
<A phone rings>
Kelvin Sampson answers his phone. It is Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, calling him back. “No”, Gilbert says. He hasn’t heard from LeBron. Quite frankly, nobody has. Even the great Tom Izzo could not get a hold of LeBron, Gilbert tells Sampson.
Furiously pacing, Sampson tries to think of a way to reach out to LeBron. Even a one-way dialogue is better than no dialogue, he thinks. He thinks “what would Bruce Willis do?” and it hits him. Pen comes to paper. Things finally come together.
<Strings, some piano, and a little bit of love> [Read more...]
Indians 3, Reds 10
June 26, 2010 by 3 Comments
The Indians opened a weekend series in Cincinnati last night, and came away losing the 9th of their last 10. While managing 9 hits, the Tribe only managed to produce 3 runs which come off of home runs from Carlos Santana (2-run) and Jhonny Peralta.
Pitching-wise, the Aaron Laffy got hit early and often by the Reds. Laffey went 4 innings, giving up 5 runs. Reliever Joe Smith did the team no favors, giving up 4 more runs in 2 innings of work. In a sharp contrast, Cincy starter Aaron Harang went 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits. [Read more...]
While We’re Waiting: Zone Blocking, End of an Era?, Footy Fun, and Burnin’ Stones
June 26, 2010 by 1 Comment
While We’re Waiting is where we chill every morning. If you guys see things that are proper chillin’ and want us to share, send them to our tips email address. If you want to proper chill with me today, I’ll be at the Pour House on Capitol Hill watching America go all America in Ghana’s faces. To the links!
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Dawgs By Nature is running very thoroughly through Zone Run Blocking schemes for Joe Thomas et. al. I don’t know what it all means, but I like abstract art, and it resembles that. [Rufio, Dawgs By Nature]
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This Week In Sports: Furthering Our ADHD
June 11, 2010 by 29 Comments
Quite a week, yes? There were some Izzo-to-the-Cavs rumors. Stephen Strasburg made his first start, and now Carlos Santana has finally been called up. The MLB Draft occured. The NBA Finals are on, with a random role player from one of the two teams stepping up to help win every game. College football is looking to change significantly on the horizon. USC got hit extremely hard with sanctions by the NCAA. Somewhere in the footnotes of the week, you’ll see that Oregon’s starting quarterback was kicked off the team. Lord Stanley’s Cup was just awarded to the delegates from Chicago. Oh, and the World Cup kicked off this morning.
With all those things being listed, I’m gonna go all Buddy The Elf on you guys. What’s your favorite sports story of the week?
Some Clarification On The Izzo Story
June 9, 2010 by 162 Comments
To borrow from Brian Cook, “apologies to the locals: this is pure meta”. Disclaimer up front: I am not trying to be self-congratulatory or shower ourselves with praise. I want to put things out there so that we can all be on the same page.
Earlier today, we broke the news that Tom Izzo told his team he is going to take the Cavaliers’ coaching job. We have since been bandied about as ‘some blog’, had our credibility denounced, and been generally cast aside. There are numerous people who claim contrary to our reports. We stand by what we have reported. This post isn’t about the rumors in specific, but a look at what transpired today, and how it all fits into journalism, bloggery, and where we fit into all of this.
All of this began over the weekend, when we got a report that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is pushing very hard to get Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. I published this information Sunday afternoon along with other rumors that had been covered elsewhere. At this point, Izzo had been rumored but we had the first report that things really were picking up. Soon afterwards, Brian Windhorst and Adrian Wojnarowski put out tweets that solidified our story that talks were picking up. [Read more...]
Is LeBron James the Apple Inc. of Sports?
June 6, 2010 by 15 Comments
I really like sports. I also really like technology, and more specifically Apple products. My Macbook, though held together by duct tape due to my own stupidity, is my baby. My iPhone is indispensable. I’m looking forward to the day when I can change my setup to desktop + iPad for my computing. So this is an article that will likely interest me and no one else. It’s either one of the most lucid comparisons I’ve ever drawn, or it’s completely contrived. OK, the disclaimers have happened. Read away.
Two (non-political) things that impossible to avoid over the past few weeks in the media have been LeBron’s impending free agency and Apple’s newest devices – the iPad and the likely-to-be-announced-Monday new iPhone. In thinking about the two parties involved (LeBron and Apple) I’ve come to the conclusion that the two are extraordinarily similar in many aspects. I’ve listed a number of areas they’re similar and drawn examples of each so that it’s clear.
Hype: [Read more...]
NBA Rumors – Izzo, Mo, Delonte, Toronto
June 6, 2010 by 22 Comments
Note: there is a Finals game today. OK – got that out of the way. As Brian Windhorst pointed out in a recent column, this is the time of year where NBA trade talks start to gain traction. Most teams prefer their trades made before the draft, which is on June 24th. In addition, many teams hire their new coaches prior to the draft. The Cavs are one such team that needs a coach, and is likely to look at trade scenarios.
Touching on the coach rumors first, sources close to WFNY have let told us that talks between the Cavs and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo are picking up steam. While Izzo is a Michigan guy, so is Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. It’s quite apparent that Gilbert is not afraid to throw money around, and though Izzo has passed up the chance at NBA jobs before, the money offered may be so much that it would be very difficult for Izzo to turn down. [Read more...]
Tribe Pitching Shuts Down Chicago Once Again
June 6, 2010 by 7 Comments
The Indians took the field last night in Chicago coming off of Justin Masterson’s first win of the season, with The Fury facing off against Jake Peavy. The Indians got a superb performance from Talbot, who guided the Tribe through seven innings, allowing one run on six hits. Talbot was supported by two runs off of Peavy, who went seven innings as well.
The Indians scored two in the fourth frame, off of singles from Trevor Crowe, Shin-Soo Choo, and Austin Kearns. Kearns drove in Crowe, and eventually scored after a passed ball and a subsequent balk by Peavey. The White Sox got one run back in the bottom of the fourth after a two-out RBI single by Ramon Castro.
[Read more...]
While We’re Waiting: Enabling LeBron, The Bulls’ New Coach, and Predicting the Tribe Firesale
June 6, 2010 by 8 Comments
While We’re Waiting is a page that sometimes I forget to write the header for, and when that happens you guys don’t realize it’s a place where we round up nifty net articles and present them to you for your use. If you see something you like on the net, send it our way.
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“Most of all, Gilbert had become the biggest enabler of LeBron James and his inner circle, and that only promises to get worse. Ferry never loved the players’ pregame skits, the hiring of James’ buddies, the associates’ riding on the team plane, but Gilbert seldom said no to anything. He behaved like the permissive parent who believed his kid would love him more if he spoiled him rotten. And it got the Cavs a superstar, James, who never respected anyone and a cast of associates who had the run of the place. Had James wanted Ferry to still be the GM, Gilbert would’ve backed down and Ferry would have a new contract.” [Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo]
Absolutely Important Things: Madden Team Ratings
June 5, 2010 by 9 Comments
Some of you folks out there like to play video games. Many believe in silly Madden Curses (no worry, folks – Breesus is on the cover, not a Cleveland Football Brown). What people believe in most of all, though, is the validity of the rankings of players and teams. Why they do this, I do not know.
Gamespot has the breakdown of the NFL rankings based on Madden team score. As contrived as “power rankings”, to be sure – but this has artificial intelligence! The Browns moved up one point overall in their ranking from 2009, from a 69 overall score to a 70. THIS IS ABSOLUTE PROOF THAT THE BROWNS ARE BETTER WITH MIKE HOLMGREN IN THE FRONT OFFICE. The Browns are ranked 28th overall (haters gon’ hate), and fourth in the division.
Division ranks are as follows: [Read more...]
Justin Masterson Gets First Win Of Season
June 5, 2010 by 5 Comments
The Indians took the field in Chicago last night in the first game of a three-game set against the White Sox. Prior to last night’s start, Masterson had lost 17 straight starts and had not won a game since last August. While pressure has certainly been mounting on the lynchpin of the Victor Martinez trade, results have been lacking.
Masterson has certainly been well-aware of the lack of productivity. While the Indians’ offense hasn’t always been the friendliest for him, the lack of results in the W column have certainly been noticed.
Masterson’s line for the night was as follows: 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 1 K, 1 HR on 108 pitches. While not the prettiest line, Masterson managed to keep the damage light, only giving up a run on a home run by Hanley Alexei Ramirez in the fourth. [Read more...]
