[Rickkyboy]

I think he is gone to Cleveland. Meanwhile some intrigue from Seattle:

http://www.boston.co...wks_seek_pioli/

[Rickkyboy]

Forgot to add in that I think Holgrem was a knucklehead for leaving GB to run the whole ship in Seattle. Unless it was a chance to live nearer to the ocean and play grab *** with Paul Allen's money.

[Miserable Fellow]

It'll always a mystery to me why the Pats' staff wasn't raided before now, except for Rob Ryan. It'll be interesting to see what happens next year. Because of healthy returns (Watson, Poole, Klecko, Sam, Ashworth, maybe Law) and anticipated additions, their roster is almost certain to be more talented than it was during the playoffs, but there also is the anticipated effect of lost assistants. Would it be possible to see the most talented Pats team of them all fall short?

TLL- If you were able to write that live mock draft site, it would have a broad appeal to many, I'm sure. Here's a thought. Instead of having each person be a GM, maybe anyone sitting in on a live draft could vote for who they think the pick should be, and the program picks the most popular pick. It'd be less dependent on having people show up. You would get a lot of traffic and could hold it repeatedly.

Note: I have a project cooking in the BSMW Only folder. Check it out in "The Brucies" thread.

[Box Score]

Both good idea, mis.

Heading to VT with Fine Print and Mrs Score for the weekend.

I don't want to.

[rrsafety]

Rickkyboy, on Feb 12 2005, 07:31 AM, said:

I think he is gone to Cleveland.  Meanwhile some intrigue from Seattle:

http://www.boston.co...wks_seek_pioli/

Didn't Pioli say he was staying....hmmm, was he being less than truthful?

[Rickkyboy]

When he declared he was staying, it was after Cleveland expressed interest I believe. From the article, this is the Pres of Football Ops which might be a bigger step up, but it is unkknown whether he wants to interview.

[DUKA]

I must say an OUTSTANDING job on the front page by Rich.

[tiny]

links up :ph34r:

whoops - DUKA beat me too it.

This post has been edited by tiny: 12 February 2005 - 08:36 AM

[rrsafety]

Is Rich, Brian? :lol:

[Thats History Pal]

Rich – nice job with the front page – again!!

Sorry to see that you’ll be cutting back, but understand. Just know your work here has been appreciated and well read.

[Mark]

rrsafety, on Feb 12 2005, 08:09 AM, said:

Didn't Pioli say he was staying....hmmm, was he being less than truthful?

Seattle receiving permission to speak with him and Pioli engaging in serious talks to run things in Seattle are two separate and distinct entities.

[Mark]

tiny, on Feb 12 2005, 08:36 AM, said:

links up  :ph34r:

whoops - DUKA beat me too it.

GODDAMIT!

I was hoping to be able to mock Borges' writing awards. Naturally, those were the only 3 agenda free columns written all year.

[Len]

Thats History Pal, on Feb 12 2005, 08:49 AM, said:

Rich – nice job with the front page – again!!

Sorry to see that you’ll be cutting back, but understand.  Just know your work here has been appreciated and well read.

I don't know if Rich has children. But doing the links on weekends is a time drain and time you can't get back. To me, after doing links on Saturdays and Sundays for close to a year, it became a drag on my time and it took away from attention to my kids (and also kept me from going to the gym). It's two to three hours plus a day. For Bruce, this is a business and the perspective is a bit different. For Rich, thank you for the tireless ours of linking. Six months is quite a contribution.

[Mark]

Len was first to get burned out on the weekend links. Now everyone's doing it.

Whatever.


Thanks Rich, and everyone else who takes the time.

[Pats67]

I guess in order to do the links, you have to read the stories, right?

See, that's a big drawback right there.

[charlie]

Rich -- best finishing note around these parts since Teddy Ballgame's last at bat in 1960.

[charlie]

On page 3 of the Boston Globe today there's a story on the drug/homicide problem in Baltimore (similar population to Boston but they had 31 murders in January while Boston had, at most, 2 or 3). Within the story which touches on a black market gang produced DVD that threatens snitches appeared this line that shocked me:

Quote

National Basketball Association star Carmelo Anthony, a Baltimore native, appears briefly in the DVD, standing next to a man who warns that anyone who tips off police about drug deals will ''get a hole in his head." Anthony does not speak in the video but appears in the credits. He has since said he will assist in a campaign against drugs and violence.

If the writer has this right, how is this not bigger news? This is far worse than anything Artest has done (IMO).

Baltimore Witness Intimidation

As much as this pains me to say it, I can't imagine the mileage (sp?) Gerry Callahan would get out of this.

[rrsafety]

Mustard and Johnson on WEEI:

"If you could take magic pill that would make you much better at what you do..."

*click*

[rrsafety]

from today's NY Times:

The husband of a couple married for 72 -- count 'em, 72 -- years: "My wife is a wonderful person. She never asked for anything, and I never gave her anything."

:lol:

[Zambingo]

Tremendous job Rich!

[Pats67]

Rich, perhaps there is a way you can produce 'special assignment' work in the future, in a manner that will lessen your time obligation but allow your perspective to continue to be heard.

[Len]

rrsafety, on Feb 12 2005, 09:35 AM, said:

Mustard and Johnson on WEEI:

"If you could take magic pill that would make you much better at what you do..."

*click*

If you could take a magic pill and get rid of two non-full time WEEI hosts, which ones would you get rid of? :lol:

Wow, so many choices and so little ammunition.

[Boda]

I'll pile on here and say great links, Rich. You will be missed on Saturday mornings. In the old days, I used to look forward to Will McDonough's Saturday treatise of a column. These days I find myself looking forward to your extra long Saturday links. Today's effort, especially the Borges stuff, may have been your best. Tip of the cap to you.

[rrsafety]

[rrsafety]

[NASCL]

Fordham -3

Syracuse +3.5

Central Michigan +10

Maryland +3.5

On a 6-0 streak in college but pros have been checking in around .500.

[Chief]

Great job on the Borges Analysis Rich. I dont think anyone has ever denied that Ron could pen a good sentence. Thanks to your research, we now see how that retard can win all these awards.

Heard on ESPN Radio this morning at 2:00 am: IAL hosting with Jags doing updates.........

[KT the Brick]

Giambi Not in the Clear Yet

Quote

The Yankees harshly disputed a published report yesterday that implied they may have known Jason Giambi had previously used steroids when they signed him in 2001. They admitted that they had deleted the word "steroids" from his seven-year, $120 million contract but said they had replaced it with a phrase that would encompass steroids, human growth hormone and other illegal drugs. . . According to several sources, the presence of the word "steroids" is almost irrelevant when it comes to determining whether the Yankees have ways to terminate Giambi's pact because there are a variety of general clauses under which steroid use would fall.
The language in Giambi's contract - which has four years and $82 million left on it - says the team may withhold salary from a player for the "use or abuse of any illegal substance, including but without limitation ..." and then goes on to list a variety of examples. It also has a general "other chemical abuse or dependency" clause that gives the team latitude in definition, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. . .

The fact that they apparently took out the word "steroids" from the standard player's contract is very relevant. If there is any ambiguity as to what the "general clauses" dealing with illegal substances cover, the fact that the word "steriods" was specifically removed strongly suggests that they were not intended to be covered by the contract. Also, the "use or abuse of any illegal substance" clause probably won't help them either, because, if I recall, the "cream" and the "clear" were not technically "illegal" during the time period Giambi has admitted to using them.
This is all just wishful thinking on the part of Yankee aplogists. They are stuck with this guy and his $82 million.

[Zambingo]

charlie, on Feb 12 2005, 08:32 AM, said:

On page 3 of the Boston Globe today there's a story on the drug/homicide problem in Baltimore (similar population to Boston but they had 31 murders in January while Boston had, at most, 2 or 3).  Within the story which touches on a black market gang produced DVD that threatens snitches appeared this line that shocked me:
If the writer has this right, how is this not bigger news?  This is far worse than anything Artest has done (IMO).

Baltimore Witness Intimidation

As much as this pains me to say it, I can't imagine the mileage (sp?) Gerry Callahan would get out of this.

Somewhat OT, if you like a good police read, David Simon wrote a tremendous book called "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets." He followed Baltimore detectives around for a year in the early 90s and chronciled their job. The TV show was based on this book. Baltimore was one frightening place then. And I'm guessing it hasn't gotten much better.

[Jyrki Lumme]

Did anyone else read tiny's "teaser" about Borges yesterday, then load today's links and think "Celtics???? WTF?!?!?" :lol:

Great job as always, Rich.

[Turd Furguson]

Baltimore, its like a drunken uncle's Philadelphia.

[NumberFour]

Awesome job on the old FP, "Rich"
:P

[Moes Tavern]

charlie, on Feb 12 2005, 08:32 AM, said:

On page 3 of the Boston Globe today there's a story on the drug/homicide problem in Baltimore (similar population to Boston but they had 31 murders in January while Boston had, at most, 2 or 3).  Within the story which touches on a black market gang produced DVD that threatens snitches appeared this line that shocked me:
If the writer has this right, how is this not bigger news?  This is far worse than anything Artest has done (IMO).

Baltimore Witness Intimidation

As much as this pains me to say it, I can't imagine the mileage (sp?) Gerry Callahan would get out of this.

Charlie, I posted this story about a month ago. I was shocked back then that it wasn't a bigger story. I think that just points out the major problem with the NBA today. This caused zero concern in the NBA world. We're not far from worse things happening on an NBA court someday.

[Brian]

Moes Tavern, on Feb 12 2005, 11:39 AM, said:

Charlie, I posted this story about a month ago. I was shocked back then that it wasn't a bigger story. I think that just points out the major problem with the NBA today. This caused zero concern in the NBA world. We're not far from worse things happening on an NBA court someday.

This helps explain why the NBA is the least liked sport. The NBA now seems to thrive on thugs. The NBA needs more people like Jordan, Bird and Magic.


Great job on Borges, Rich. Its amazing that the three articles he won the award for had nothing to do with the currant Pats.

[singaporesoxfan]

Someone on SoSH was saying that he'll remember Pedro for throwing Tito under the bus, and not for his great seasons in Boston. Fine - he was certainly high maintenance, and he exited in a not-nice way. But admitted Pedro fanboy that I am, I decided that I'm really tired of hearing the "diva" tag applied to him. I think it's almost the equivalent of calling him "uppity".

So I decided to do the research on how the "diva" tag evolved, using Nexis.

First mention of Pedro as a diva (I sifted through numerous early articles on how Derek Jeter was dating diva Mariah Carey - heh) was by Bill Reynolds, in the ProJo, June 12, 2001:

Quote

Remember the playoff series against the Indians three years ago, the one in which the Sox were down, 2-1, and decided to go with Pete Schourek rather than come back with Pedro on only three days rest? Remember how controversial it was at the time?

In retrospect, it makes sense. Even then, the Sox were aware they were dealing with a pitcher who had to be protected, like some diva who lives by her own rules.

Second reference was also by Reynolds, Dec 12, 2002, in an article on "most popular athletes in Boston", with Pedro at #3:

Quote

Once, [Pedro] would have been first, arguably the best pitcher of his generation in one of the best baseball towns on the planet. But it's more complicated now. He's been hurt by the perception that he's a baseball diva, by his leaving the team early at the tail end of the 2001 season, and by his seemingly constant harping that he's going to "shut it down" when things aren't going well.

Next 4 references? All Bill Reynolds: Jan 25, Feb 18, April 10, April 29 of 2003. I always thought the Diva nickname started with Shank. I was wrong.

[singaporesoxfan]

Also found in the course of our research. We made fun of Jim Donaldson here for his column giving up on the Sox after they were 0-3 down in the ALCS in 2004:

Quote

The idiots are all those fools who truly believed this would be the year the perennially disappointing Sox -- who haven't won a World Series since 1918, nor even a pennant since 1986 -- would finally beat the 26-time, world-champion Yankees, who now are on the brink of playing for a 27th title.

Only a bunch of idiots would continue to put their faith in this chronically overpaid and underachieving aggregation of ill-kempt characters, this wild-and-crazy bunch of hirsute fun lovers who gleefully pop open champagne bottles to celebrate finishing second for the seventh straight season.

Sure, they're loose. They're also losers.

(ProJo, Oct 17, 2004)

Well, here's his column on the Sox after they were 0-2 down in the ALDS in 1999:

Quote

Even if Martinez is able to recover in time to pitch in Game Five, which is doubtful, the Red Sox would have to win the next two at Fenway this weekend with the recently-rehabilitated Ramon Martinez and journeyman lefty Kent Mercker on the mound against the hard-hitting Indians for Pedro to get another turn.

There's about as much chance of that happening as there is of Reggie Jefferson being named team captain next season.

So bring on the plump diva to sing "Turn out the lights, the party's over."

The Red Sox are done. Their season is finished.

When you're talking about most playoff-caliber teams, Yogi's right: It's not over 'til it's over.

But these are the Red Sox we're talking about.

It's over.

(ProJo, Oct 8, 1999)

You'd think, having been wrong on one epic comeback he would learn to be a bit more wary. It's not that he gave up on the team: plenty of people did. But to give up in 1999 because "these are the Red Sox we're talking about"??

[Brian]

singaporesoxfan, on Feb 12 2005, 12:13 PM, said:

Someone on SoSH was saying that he'll remember Pedro for throwing Tito under the bus, and not for his great seasons in Boston. Fine - he was certainly high maintenance, and he exited in a not-nice way. But admitted Pedro fanboy that I am, I decided that I'm really tired of hearing the "diva" tag applied to him. I think it's almost the equivalent of calling him "uppity".

So I decided to do the research on how the "diva" tag evolved, using Nexis.

First mention of Pedro as a diva (I sifted through numerous early articles on how Derek Jeter was dating diva Mariah Carey - heh) was by Bill Reynolds, in the ProJo, June 12, 2001:
Second reference was also by Reynolds, Dec 12, 2002, in an article on "most popular athletes in Boston", with Pedro at #3:
Next 4 references? All Bill Reynolds: Jan 25, Feb 18, April 10, April 29 of 2003. I always thought the Diva nickname started with Shank. I was wrong.

How do you feel about him showing up 10 days early for Mets spring training when he was always late while here?

[charlie]

I'm shocked we've made it to lunch and Mark hasn't referenced David Caruso or Suzanne Somers as it regards Rich's departure from Saturday's links.

[The Gimp]

Brian, on Feb 12 2005, 12:21 PM, said:

How do you feel about him showing up 10 days early for Mets spring training when he was always late while here?

1st week on the job with a new employer. Of course he'll be on his best behavior.

As far as that whole late-to-spring-trining thing goes, and the diva thing in general, the Sox are just a responsible as he was. Most managers know, an employee will only try to get away with what you let them get away with. A nice stiff fine, or suspension for each day he missed would have done the trick.

[Patrick Pass]

Miserable Fellow, on Feb 12 2005, 07:59 AM, said:

It'll always a mystery to me why the Pats' staff wasn't raided before now, except for Rob Ryan.  It'll be interesting to see what happens next year.  Because of healthy returns (Watson, Poole, Klecko, Sam, Ashworth, maybe Law) and anticipated additions, their roster is almost certain to be more talented than it was during the playoffs, but there also is the anticipated effect of lost assistants.  Would it be possible to see the most talented Pats team of them all fall short?

TLL- If you were able to write that live mock draft site, it would have a broad appeal to many, I'm sure.  Here's a thought.  Instead of having each person be a GM, maybe anyone sitting in on a live draft could vote for who they think the pick should be, and the program picks the most popular pick.  It'd be less dependent on having people show up.  You would get a lot of traffic and could hold it repeatedly.

Note: I have a project cooking in the BSMW Only folder.  Check it out in "The Brucies" thread.

It actually started last year when Rob Ryan was raided and quarterbacks coach John Huffnagel. Its picking up speed this year.

[Funkhouser]

I just wanted to let everyone know that awfulplasticsurgery.com has provided me with a new avatar. That site also has a lot of pictures of one "stumbling, vodka soaked jinx". :lol:

[TikiAndTorch]

Would anyone mind if I lit the mojo box on fire?

[singaporesoxfan]

Brian, on Feb 12 2005, 12:21 PM, said:

How do you feel about him showing up 10 days early for Mets spring training when he was always late while here?

I'll go with what the Gimp said. But I understand people have very different positions on the Pedro issue - not just opposite positions, but a whole panoply of them.

What I was interested in was the way the specific label "diva" crept into use with Pedro - was trying to figure out whether it was a sort of common feeling that arose in people, or whether it was just some people using the label initially and having it stick.

[Ozzy]

Len, on Feb 12 2005, 01:56 PM, said:

If you could take a magic pill and get rid of two non-full time WEEI hosts, which ones would you get rid of?  :lol:

Wow, so many choices and so little ammunition.

Thats the problem with voting for the "Best/Worst" of radio hosts. To be the best, dont you have to be at least.......good? :blink:

[LarryLegend]

Brian, on Feb 12 2005, 11:50 AM, said:

This helps explain why the NBA is the least liked sport. The NBA now seems to thrive on thugs. The NBA needs more people like Jordan, Bird and Magic.
Great job on Borges, Rich. Its amazing that the three articles he won the award for had nothing to do with the currant Pats.

I agree that the "Thug Life" attitude that many NBA stars have isn't exactly selling in "Middle America,", but I don't think that is where the NBA is headed.

Since Jordan retired many have commented how unwatchable the NBA brand of basketball had become and how unlikeable many of the stars the NBA was marketing were. I can agree on both counts, however....

I'd put much more emphasis on the "unwatchable" portion of the argument than the "unlikeable". The New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Detroit Pistons nearly took down the whole league after they had some success by employing defensive strategies that were equivalent to the NHL's trap. It is no mistake that the two leagues that took the biggest hit over the last 10 years were dominated by defenses that were not good for Nielsen ratings, while Baseball's juiced ball era and the NFL kept chugging along.

I, and many other NBA fans, thought Carmelo was much smarter and mature than he apparently is. But, then again these kids make mistakes. Even my namesake was in caught in a bar fight during the playoffs.

So, while I can't disagree with Moe or Brian, I don't think the old rules apply. The NBA is slowly improving, and kids like LeBron James and Dwayne Wade are the future. They are not caught up in the "Be Like Mike" win the game all by myself attitude that guys like Vince Carter and T-Mac have accepted.

It will take time, but eventually even the most ardent anti-NBA observers will note that the NBA will be on the rise again.

[TikiAndTorch]

LarryLegend, on Feb 12 2005, 01:12 PM, said:

I agree that the "Thug Life" attitude that many NBA stars have isn't exactly selling in "Middle America,", but I don't think that is where the NBA is headed.

Since Jordan retired many have commented how unwatchable the NBA brand of basketball had become and how unlikeable many of the stars the NBA was marketing were.  I can agree on both counts, however....

I'd put much more emphasis on the "unwatchable" portion of the argument than the "unlikeable".  The New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Detroit Pistons nearly took down the whole league after they had some success by employing defensive strategies that were equivalent to the NHL's trap.  It is no mistake that the two leagues that took the biggest hit over the last 10 years were dominated by defenses that were not good for Nielsen ratings, while Baseball's juiced ball era and the NFL kept chugging along.

I, and many other NBA fans, thought Carmelo was much smarter and mature than he apparently is. But, then again these kids make mistakes. Even my namesake was in caught in a bar fight during the playoffs.

So, while I can't disagree with Moe or Brian, I don't think the old rules apply. The NBA is slowly improving, and kids like LeBron James and Dwayne Wade are the future. They are not caught up in the "Be Like Mike" win the game all by myself attitude that guys like Vince Carter and T-Mac have accepted.

It will take time, but eventually even the most ardent anti-NBA observers will note that the NBA will be on the rise again.

I'm a little afraid to reply to a basketball post. :lol: However, there's a book coming out in the next few weeks about how the hip-hop culture took over the NBA. If you go to the BSMW store and check out the new/coming soon category, it's listed in there. (cheap plug)

[Len]

I'll remember Pedro as one of the best pitchers I've ever seen AND as a diva. That is the quintessential Pedro. One went along with the other.

[God]

LarryLegend, on Feb 12 2005, 01:12 PM, said:

I agree that the "Thug Life" attitude that many NBA stars have isn't exactly selling in "Middle America,", but I don't think that is where the NBA is headed.

Since Jordan retired many have commented how unwatchable the NBA brand of basketball had become and how unlikeable many of the stars the NBA was marketing were.  I can agree on both counts, however....

I'd put much more emphasis on the "unwatchable" portion of the argument than the "unlikeable".  The New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Detroit Pistons nearly took down the whole league after they had some success by employing defensive strategies that were equivalent to the NHL's trap.  It is no mistake that the two leagues that took the biggest hit over the last 10 years were dominated by defenses that were not good for Nielsen ratings, while Baseball's juiced ball era and the NFL kept chugging along.

I, and many other NBA fans, thought Carmelo was much smarter and mature than he apparently is. But, then again these kids make mistakes. Even my namesake was in caught in a bar fight during the playoffs.

So, while I can't disagree with Moe or Brian, I don't think the old rules apply. The NBA is slowly improving, and kids like LeBron James and Dwayne Wade are the future. They are not caught up in the "Be Like Mike" win the game all by myself attitude that guys like Vince Carter and T-Mac have accepted.

It will take time, but eventually even the most ardent anti-NBA observers will note that the NBA will be on the rise again.

"Thug Life NBA?"

Rae Carruth and Ray Lewis and OJ want their doo-rags back.

Regardless of the rest of the nation, the reason the NBA doesn't get any "burn" in this city is cause WEEI got boned when the Celts didn't re-up with them.

Screw the big picture, Pete fat-azz & Company would be drooling all over themselves if they hosted the games.

Long live Ryen R!

[Len]

Adam Schefter says Brady is worn out.

Quote

BRADY BUNCHED

It would seem like Patriots Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady has the life, wouldn't it? Three Super Bowls. Millions in the bank. Hollywood looks to go along with a Hollywood girlfriend.

And that's what I thought, Brady has the life.

Until I spoke with Brady after he arrived in Hawaii.

Tom Brady's charmed life can be exhausting.     
Brady looked worn out. He sounded worn out. He was worn out. My guess is that Brady would be happy to crawl out of his skin for a few weeks, head off to a place somewhere in Europe where very few people would recognize him, and disappear from the world he has created.

In his world, there's too much fuss, too much attention, too much spotlight, too much demands, too much of everything and not enough privacy and rest.

Getting those things would mean more to him, far more to him, than any signing bonus the Patriots might reward him with this offseason.

[tiny]

thanks for all the shouts :)