One of the things that has really interested me when it comes to sports is the publicly financed ballpark issue. Many of the professional stadiums are either built with public funds or heavily renovated with public financing.
This comes on the heels of the news that the Florida Marlins stadium proposal failed.
The factoid that intrigues me the most is many owners say that they need a new ballpark to remain competitive. They need a new ballpark to keep payroll the same or increase it. But no city ever gets that promise in writing and I wonder if the promise could even be enforceable in court. It's even more appropriate when we look at this debacle in South Florida.
The Florida Marlins state they desperately need a new stadium. They cite their poor attendance figures, while ignoring the fact that the team is run by the ultimate miser, Mr. Jeffrey Loria. They also ignore the fact that South Florida doesn't really care all that much about baseball. They have finished in the bottom three for attendance almost every season save for 1997 when Wayne Huizenga spent boatloads to buy a title and then promptly disbanded the team.
They finished 15 out of 16 teams in the NL for attendance the year they won the World Series. South Florida is hot, muggy and rains frequently. Plus it's Miami and people have better things to do than attend baseball games. Even if you got the Miami residents a roof to protect them from the elements, I don't know if they'd come. And the best part is the Marlins play at least 9-10 games a season against the Mets and you would think with the huge NY ex-pats population down there, they'd increase the attendance figures drastically. The one game against the Mets that broke 30k was the home opener.
The Marlins fanbase is small but loyal. But I don't think a significantly larger sum of persons will attend games if they build a new stadium. Even if the cash-strapped area/county/city doles out a dime, it will be a dime too much. The Marlins owner can afford to build his own stadium, he just doesn't want to.
You could see the conversation going something like this:
Owner: We promise to spend money and field a competent team.
City: We build you a stadium you can afford yourself.
Owner: yes, but I'll spend money, ignore the fact that I never have before.
City: Can we get that promise in writing?
Owner: No.
City: So why else should we build you a stadium that is even partially financed by the city?
Owner: OMG BASEBALL
City: Every dollar we give you for the stadium you'll just pocket for yourselves. You won't improve the team much, and even if the team just needs to spend 30 million to field a very good team, you wouldn't do it. No deal.
Owner: But baseball?
City: Dude, this is Miami. We'll go to the club. Move your team to Portland.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Monday, October 08, 2007
It's been a while, but I thought I would do a reader post for once.
In major league baseball, who is your favorite player on your least favorite team?
And why.
And why.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Jewish Apatosaurus
Again, Shawn Green isn’t slow. He’s actually quite fast. He’s just got the reaction speed of a Dinosaur to a Giant Life-Ending Meteor.
Shawn Green as a Apatosaurus.
Giant Meteor in the sky.
Shawn Green blinks.
Giant Meteor gets closer.
Shawn Green chews on tree.
Meteor gets even closer.
Shawn Green poops.
Meteor hits.
Jewish Apatosaurus dies.
Jewish Apatosaurus gets scared.
fin.
Something I came up with on Metsgeek.
Shawn Green as a Apatosaurus.
Giant Meteor in the sky.
Shawn Green blinks.
Giant Meteor gets closer.
Shawn Green chews on tree.
Meteor gets even closer.
Shawn Green poops.
Meteor hits.
Jewish Apatosaurus dies.
Jewish Apatosaurus gets scared.
fin.
Something I came up with on Metsgeek.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
What grinds my gears
A lack of sports etiquette at sporting events. Those d-bags who get up during play and block your view, especially the ones who fricken stand in front of you and start talking to a friend. This past weekend I had to yell at two losers who stood up right in between me and the view of play, completely blocking the view of half of our section, and having a goddam conversation! I had to yell at them, "YOU ARE NOT INVISIBLE." And they still didn't move. Fricken jerks.
IT IS NOT AN INTERMISSION. TALK DURING INTERMISSION OR GO UP OUT OF THE WAY OF PEOPLE AND CONDUCT YOUR CONVERSATION WITHOUT BLOCKING ANYONE'S VIEW, ***-HATS.
This happens for baseball, every place I have been, hockey at BU, hockey at MN, hockey at SCSU, every where.
People arriving late for sporting events, and going to their seats while play is going on. Either show up on time, or wait until a stoppage in play, or if you absolutely must be impatient, go to your seat when play is at the other end. I also hate the people who walk down all the way, then realize their seat is on the wrong side and make the entire row of people get up, often during play, to get to their seats. I hate those people. Look at your ticket before you go down the long staircase, talk to the usher, I don't care. Don't expect me to want to get up, inconvenience an entire row, AND inconvenience all the fricken people behind us who are getting their view blocked. And then don't whine when I say wait until the play goes by, and tell me you spent your money to come to the game. You spent your money to see the game, but that doesn't give you the right to block the view of the other people who came to the game and paid their money too.
Then the people who get up to wave. Who the hell are you? A loser? I thought so. Stop waving at the camera, or being on your cell phone and waving. Yes, your wife is pretending not to know you, and she wasn't even doing that when you painted half your body red and yellow for your son's little league game and that time when you dressed as a Klingon and tried to eat live maggots with chopsticks.
The worst part is that the guys that do it are in the best seats in the house. Instead of thanking God for the once in a lifetime experience of sitting in the best seats in the house, and just watching the game with a view better than that on TV, they're fricken waving like a numbskull.
IT IS NOT AN INTERMISSION. TALK DURING INTERMISSION OR GO UP OUT OF THE WAY OF PEOPLE AND CONDUCT YOUR CONVERSATION WITHOUT BLOCKING ANYONE'S VIEW, ***-HATS.
This happens for baseball, every place I have been, hockey at BU, hockey at MN, hockey at SCSU, every where.
People arriving late for sporting events, and going to their seats while play is going on. Either show up on time, or wait until a stoppage in play, or if you absolutely must be impatient, go to your seat when play is at the other end. I also hate the people who walk down all the way, then realize their seat is on the wrong side and make the entire row of people get up, often during play, to get to their seats. I hate those people. Look at your ticket before you go down the long staircase, talk to the usher, I don't care. Don't expect me to want to get up, inconvenience an entire row, AND inconvenience all the fricken people behind us who are getting their view blocked. And then don't whine when I say wait until the play goes by, and tell me you spent your money to come to the game. You spent your money to see the game, but that doesn't give you the right to block the view of the other people who came to the game and paid their money too.
Then the people who get up to wave. Who the hell are you? A loser? I thought so. Stop waving at the camera, or being on your cell phone and waving. Yes, your wife is pretending not to know you, and she wasn't even doing that when you painted half your body red and yellow for your son's little league game and that time when you dressed as a Klingon and tried to eat live maggots with chopsticks.
The worst part is that the guys that do it are in the best seats in the house. Instead of thanking God for the once in a lifetime experience of sitting in the best seats in the house, and just watching the game with a view better than that on TV, they're fricken waving like a numbskull.
Melky and Hughes versus Milledge and Pelfrey
Gov'Nah.
Hughes is a superior prospect to Pelfrey according to many, so I will say Hughes > Pelfrey, maybe even a substantial difference. However, Cabrera was never a high-caliber prospect and I don't know if his bat can carry him as a corner outfielder.
We'll see if Cabrera can replicate his success, but I'm wary of a guy who posts a .751 OPS in his first full major league season and his stats in the minors showed no sort of ability to hit .751 at the major league level. The highest he hit at the Minor league level (in a decent sample size) was 779 in Tampa.
The problem isn't with his glove, FRAA rates Melky very well, but his bat is just not good enough to warrant a starting corner outfielder spot on the Yankees. The Yankees would be well suited to sell high on Melky, because he might fall back to Earth in 07.
Milledge is still a superior prospect to Cabrera. While he only hit .690 in his first taste of the Show, his minor league statistics show much more upside than Cabrera. Before Cabera's 2006 Norfolk stint, he showed no signs of having a major league caliber at-bat. Could Cabrera build on this success and be a legitimate starter in the majors? Of course. But I'm still skeptical of Cabrera's long term value, while I believe Milledge, if given enough time in the corner outfield, can be a solid player at the major league level, maybe even an all-star.
They're both around 22, so they're both young (Milledge is 8 months younger and will be 22 on 4/5), and people can argue about Milledge's mental makeup because he had troubles in the locker room versus Melky being a model citizen according to the media.
In conclusion, Milledge > Melky, and Hughes > Pelfrey. The reason I would trade Milledge is because the most value for him is playing him in CF, where he is best used. His lower SLG %(if the power never shows) will not hurt him as a CF, but would as a RF or LF. A common misconception is that it is easy to make a transition to a corner outfield slot from CF. Yes, you still have all the range that allowed you to play solid defense in CF, but in CF you can see the ball much better and judge it. You don't have to deal with the ball changing direction on you unexpectedly, because looking at the ball dead on you have a much easier time reacting to the ball changing direction. CF is the easiest position to play in the majors if you have the range for it. It's also easier on your knees, because the cuts are easier to make. You also don't have to deal with foul territory.
I believe the comparison of both pairs of prospects is a wash. It really depends on what the trading partner needs. Many teams in baseball crave a strong defense CF that can hit with an .800 OPS. Both pitchers are in the upper echelon of pitching prospects and both possess the upside of being a #1 and #2 in the major leagues, something every team in the league can use more of. While Hughes might be the best pitching prospect in baseball, the difference between he and Pelfrey is not so large that a team wouldn't love to have Pelfrey in their system.
With Melky and Milledge, it's also a matter of perception. Do you want the player who showed little to no Major League worthiness in the minors, then exploded in his Age 22 season at AAA(relative to his previous seasons) or do you want the guy who showed his worthiness of being a top prospect all throughout the minors and then struggled his first time up, playing a position he had never played before?
The arguments can be made that you want the sure thing with Melky over the potential of Milledge. It's all up to you.
Hughes is a superior prospect to Pelfrey according to many, so I will say Hughes > Pelfrey, maybe even a substantial difference. However, Cabrera was never a high-caliber prospect and I don't know if his bat can carry him as a corner outfielder.
We'll see if Cabrera can replicate his success, but I'm wary of a guy who posts a .751 OPS in his first full major league season and his stats in the minors showed no sort of ability to hit .751 at the major league level. The highest he hit at the Minor league level (in a decent sample size) was 779 in Tampa.
The problem isn't with his glove, FRAA rates Melky very well, but his bat is just not good enough to warrant a starting corner outfielder spot on the Yankees. The Yankees would be well suited to sell high on Melky, because he might fall back to Earth in 07.
Milledge is still a superior prospect to Cabrera. While he only hit .690 in his first taste of the Show, his minor league statistics show much more upside than Cabrera. Before Cabera's 2006 Norfolk stint, he showed no signs of having a major league caliber at-bat. Could Cabrera build on this success and be a legitimate starter in the majors? Of course. But I'm still skeptical of Cabrera's long term value, while I believe Milledge, if given enough time in the corner outfield, can be a solid player at the major league level, maybe even an all-star.
They're both around 22, so they're both young (Milledge is 8 months younger and will be 22 on 4/5), and people can argue about Milledge's mental makeup because he had troubles in the locker room versus Melky being a model citizen according to the media.
In conclusion, Milledge > Melky, and Hughes > Pelfrey. The reason I would trade Milledge is because the most value for him is playing him in CF, where he is best used. His lower SLG %(if the power never shows) will not hurt him as a CF, but would as a RF or LF. A common misconception is that it is easy to make a transition to a corner outfield slot from CF. Yes, you still have all the range that allowed you to play solid defense in CF, but in CF you can see the ball much better and judge it. You don't have to deal with the ball changing direction on you unexpectedly, because looking at the ball dead on you have a much easier time reacting to the ball changing direction. CF is the easiest position to play in the majors if you have the range for it. It's also easier on your knees, because the cuts are easier to make. You also don't have to deal with foul territory.
I believe the comparison of both pairs of prospects is a wash. It really depends on what the trading partner needs. Many teams in baseball crave a strong defense CF that can hit with an .800 OPS. Both pitchers are in the upper echelon of pitching prospects and both possess the upside of being a #1 and #2 in the major leagues, something every team in the league can use more of. While Hughes might be the best pitching prospect in baseball, the difference between he and Pelfrey is not so large that a team wouldn't love to have Pelfrey in their system.
With Melky and Milledge, it's also a matter of perception. Do you want the player who showed little to no Major League worthiness in the minors, then exploded in his Age 22 season at AAA(relative to his previous seasons) or do you want the guy who showed his worthiness of being a top prospect all throughout the minors and then struggled his first time up, playing a position he had never played before?
The arguments can be made that you want the sure thing with Melky over the potential of Milledge. It's all up to you.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
England versus Spain(68th minute onward)
Pesky word limits for posts.
Joey Barton is warming up. I guess McClaren doesn’t really understand the concept of friendlies, but he really doesn’t really understand even the most basic concepts of football, so that isn’t too surprising.
Brilliant goal out of nothing by Spain’s Ineista. The exact opposite of what England has been doing, taking something and making nothing out of it. I doubt England will score, McClaren has shown that he likes losing 1-0 more than 2-0 than scoring himself.
Nice pass by Lampard. I can compliment him when he does something positive, it’s just so rare to be able to say something positive about him. And way off by Phil Neville.
You have six subs McClaren, you’ve only used one, fricken pick some people who might score.
Carragher? Richards? Why not Richards to replace the invisible Phil Neville who is only visible when it’s a negative contribution to England’s chances to win? Why not put on more attack minded players? Why not have Barry replace Neville and put up another attacker? We gain nothing by only losing by one compared to losing by two!
Look everyone, England can play the long ball strategy. Wait…that hasn’t worked for us in how many games?
Wait…Jermaine Defoe was healthy enough to play in this game and you started Crouch over him? I hate you McSven. I hate you so much.
Lampard dispossessed again, 69th minute.
Blatant foul by Navarro on Crouch, should have been a penalty. That’s two blatant penalties England should have gotten in this game. 70th minute.
Wait…and he replaces SWP? :face meet palm:
Well, at least Downing on for P-Neville. Fabregas on for Villa…wait…Fabregas was available and you didn’t start him? Or replace one of the Spanish midfielders who played so terribly? Aragones is almost as stupid as McSven.
Barton on for Lampard. Apparently 79 minutes of watching Lampard suck was enough for McSven.
82: Ok, Barton took that guy out, but it was awesome. If that was in the box and happened to an England player play would be waved on.
83: Defoe might have done something with it but it took a cruel bounce.
85-86, England spends an entire minute passing behind their half way line, then passing to each other around the halfway line, and doing little to nothing to score. This would be perfectly acceptable if the scores were reversed. But this isn’t a tournament and England does not go through with a 0-1 result and get nothing for losing 1-0 compared to 2-0. Try and score a goal dammit!
87: Wow. Crouch gets fouled outside the box and is called for the foul. Apparently looking like a baby giraffe is a foulable offense.
87-90: England pretending they’re not losing.
Two minutes of added time
91: That’s what Crouch does best, the announcer exclaims. Yes, looking terrible, he’s great at that.
And that's that, another terrible loss for McSven and the boos came raining down on England as they left the pitch. Well deserved boos.
Joey Barton is warming up. I guess McClaren doesn’t really understand the concept of friendlies, but he really doesn’t really understand even the most basic concepts of football, so that isn’t too surprising.
Brilliant goal out of nothing by Spain’s Ineista. The exact opposite of what England has been doing, taking something and making nothing out of it. I doubt England will score, McClaren has shown that he likes losing 1-0 more than 2-0 than scoring himself.
Nice pass by Lampard. I can compliment him when he does something positive, it’s just so rare to be able to say something positive about him. And way off by Phil Neville.
You have six subs McClaren, you’ve only used one, fricken pick some people who might score.
Carragher? Richards? Why not Richards to replace the invisible Phil Neville who is only visible when it’s a negative contribution to England’s chances to win? Why not put on more attack minded players? Why not have Barry replace Neville and put up another attacker? We gain nothing by only losing by one compared to losing by two!
Look everyone, England can play the long ball strategy. Wait…that hasn’t worked for us in how many games?
Wait…Jermaine Defoe was healthy enough to play in this game and you started Crouch over him? I hate you McSven. I hate you so much.
Lampard dispossessed again, 69th minute.
Blatant foul by Navarro on Crouch, should have been a penalty. That’s two blatant penalties England should have gotten in this game. 70th minute.
Wait…and he replaces SWP? :face meet palm:
Well, at least Downing on for P-Neville. Fabregas on for Villa…wait…Fabregas was available and you didn’t start him? Or replace one of the Spanish midfielders who played so terribly? Aragones is almost as stupid as McSven.
Barton on for Lampard. Apparently 79 minutes of watching Lampard suck was enough for McSven.
82: Ok, Barton took that guy out, but it was awesome. If that was in the box and happened to an England player play would be waved on.
83: Defoe might have done something with it but it took a cruel bounce.
85-86, England spends an entire minute passing behind their half way line, then passing to each other around the halfway line, and doing little to nothing to score. This would be perfectly acceptable if the scores were reversed. But this isn’t a tournament and England does not go through with a 0-1 result and get nothing for losing 1-0 compared to 2-0. Try and score a goal dammit!
87: Wow. Crouch gets fouled outside the box and is called for the foul. Apparently looking like a baby giraffe is a foulable offense.
87-90: England pretending they’re not losing.
Two minutes of added time
91: That’s what Crouch does best, the announcer exclaims. Yes, looking terrible, he’s great at that.
And that's that, another terrible loss for McSven and the boos came raining down on England as they left the pitch. Well deserved boos.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
England versus Spain
How the hell does Dyer not score in the second minute? He put it in the only place Casillas could make the save.
England dominated the first 5-6 minutes and could have 2-3 goals but were absolutely terrible in the final buildup.
What the hell? Phil Neville? Why not Micah Richards?
Crouch has looked awful. If you cannot control passes put right on your foot, you don't deserve to start in the Premiership let alone start for ENGLAND.
I have no idea why England would sometimes pass to themselves with head passes in the middle of the pitch, especially in a build up it is stupid unless the pass is perfect. Since their passes weren't perfect, chest the ball down and use your feet.
If Crouch isn't going to get any calls, show any ability to use his feet, then what good is he? If the rules are called correctly by the referee he should draw about a half dozen penalties with the way he is man-handled in the box. He is constantly fouled whenever he is in the penalty area.
Dyer's run in the 16th minute was beautiful, until he passed the ball to SWP, who coughed it up, almost instantly.
Spain 17 minutes in has looked absolutely shite. And then there's Morientes missing an absolute sitter in the 18 minute. There's the Morientes we know and hate, Liverpool! How he missed there was astounding. That chance came out of nothing.
England does not have many defenders who are strong passers besides Gary Neville and Ashley Cole, so any midfielder who passes back to the defenders should be fined until they realize that unless used to milk time off of the clock, is absolutely stupid. You have strong attack minded players and great defenders, and the best stamina of all the countries in the world, and you should PLAY ACCORDINGLY. Attack, attack, attack. Stop letting up. I know it might not be the English way, but this team is built to play a 3-4-3 and attack attack attack. Every time England should have taken the game to Spain they patiently passed back, and refused to take advantage of Spain's pathetic, disjointed defending.
Lampard gets taken out, no call in the 21st, 22nd, absolutely awful tackle and there should have been a yellow and a free kick outside the box.
Crouch gets called for a foul in the 23rd, Crouchy don't you know if you commit the blatant fouls you get called for them, but they can basically sexually assault you and get away with it? God Crouch, if you can't use your head well, what the hell are you there for?
30th minute, first real contribution by Lampard besides being fouled and not getting the free kick back in the 21st-22nd.
Nice move by Silva in the 32nd to hit Neville in the face. Good composure not to get mad about it, Rooney would have eaten Silva. And what the hell Crouch is having all of his giant jersey pulled and has to jump on the Spanish guy to even make an attempt for the ball.
Stop fouling Crouch. This is the point in time as the manager that Crouch is subbed for, completely useless. I also sub for Lampard here. Well, I wouldn't have even named Lampard to the squad, he's that pitiful in an England shirt.
I think I've figured out SWP's place for England. Any time they are winning, we sic Hargreaves and SWP on the opposing team and have them harass constantly. Without more playing time I can't see any other use for SWP, he's been ridiculously rusty.
Ah, the 36th minute, where Lampard takes all day, eventually stops, then tries a long pass to Crouch.
1. Why Crouch?
2. Why no pressure on Spain when they have looked like teenage boys on their first date with the village bicycle? How does McClaren not DEMAND the team attack? We could have 5-6 goals by now with how lost the Spanish defense looks.
And Crouch misses again, because he is terrible, a PERFECT pass by Gerrard. Well, perfect except he thought Crouch didn't suck and passed him the ball. Come on Crouch, you at least have to hit the net there. If you passed it Dyer would have had a tap-in, but you went for all the glory yourself, and looked like a chump.
And Lampard tries a head pass at the halfway line again. What the hell. Stop doing that. Unless you are a world class header, use your feet, because you coughed up the ball again doing it that way.
I like SWP, I really do, but what the hell is he trying to do when he boxes out like a basketball player to try and protect the ball? The Spanish guy just knocked you down!
And another backpass in the 42nd. Spain must be giggling at this display of offense from England.
43rd, SWP tries the box out method again, gets easily dispossessed, and Spain takes possession in England's third.
Villa should have gotten a yellow in the 45th for shooting after the whistle into Foster. That made no sense to me for him to do that, but no call.
A crazy dive by a Spanish player on a challenge from G-Neville, but you know, he could take lessens from Christiano Ronaldo, that was very embellished. The challenge was awkward, but he clearly had made the choice to dive even before contact was made.
Second Half. Torres on for Morientes. I have no idea why Morientes started over Torres, but I do know Torres couldn't have missed that sitter any worse than Morientes. Gareth Barry on for Gerrard, yes, let's replace one of the few people who looks somewhat competent out there, and leave on Lampard.
Nice pass in the 47th, but Spain couldn't get to the end of the cross and it's a goal kick.
SWP earns a corner, but he should have done more with it, he should have shot the ball as soon as it was passed to it, but waited and let the defender deflect it out. 48th.
Gareth Barry skies it, sorry Barry we already have a Frank Lampard to do that for me.
Nice pass to Lampard in the 48th, but an even better tackle by Spain. But again, we're attacking here.
Oh look, 49th minute and there's passing backwards, followed by Spain taking possession. Shocking. Stop playing negative f-ing football, England.
Crouch with a contribution that wasn't negative. Took until almost the 50th minute, but that's ok. We're still waiting for half the England team to do something positive.
Yikes, 52nd minute and the Spanish player tries his best Crouch impression. And then a nice dive hoping for a penalty. Dude, this is a friendly, don't be a puta.
Lampard tries to run past someone, brilliant idea Frank. Easily dispossessed.
That was no attempt to get the ball in the 55th, and a foul on Dyer in the box. Absolutely luck-driven defending by Spain. He got Dyer and not the ball, and somehow that's not a foul and a penalty? **** Is this referee from Argentina?
Yech. Gary Neville, that was a terrible attempt at goal.
Great keep in by Rio in the 67th minute. Sick move to get there and keep the ball in play.
Ah, and Lampard coughs it up again. Shocking I say, 68th minute.
Nice shot by Spain in the 68th, but right on target and Foster makes a nice save.
This is the first time England has not dictated play, and it's more than 2/3rds of the way through the game. England has dominated, and while that is not saying much, England has nothing to show for Spain's lacklustre performance.
England dominated the first 5-6 minutes and could have 2-3 goals but were absolutely terrible in the final buildup.
What the hell? Phil Neville? Why not Micah Richards?
Crouch has looked awful. If you cannot control passes put right on your foot, you don't deserve to start in the Premiership let alone start for ENGLAND.
I have no idea why England would sometimes pass to themselves with head passes in the middle of the pitch, especially in a build up it is stupid unless the pass is perfect. Since their passes weren't perfect, chest the ball down and use your feet.
If Crouch isn't going to get any calls, show any ability to use his feet, then what good is he? If the rules are called correctly by the referee he should draw about a half dozen penalties with the way he is man-handled in the box. He is constantly fouled whenever he is in the penalty area.
Dyer's run in the 16th minute was beautiful, until he passed the ball to SWP, who coughed it up, almost instantly.
Spain 17 minutes in has looked absolutely shite. And then there's Morientes missing an absolute sitter in the 18 minute. There's the Morientes we know and hate, Liverpool! How he missed there was astounding. That chance came out of nothing.
England does not have many defenders who are strong passers besides Gary Neville and Ashley Cole, so any midfielder who passes back to the defenders should be fined until they realize that unless used to milk time off of the clock, is absolutely stupid. You have strong attack minded players and great defenders, and the best stamina of all the countries in the world, and you should PLAY ACCORDINGLY. Attack, attack, attack. Stop letting up. I know it might not be the English way, but this team is built to play a 3-4-3 and attack attack attack. Every time England should have taken the game to Spain they patiently passed back, and refused to take advantage of Spain's pathetic, disjointed defending.
Lampard gets taken out, no call in the 21st, 22nd, absolutely awful tackle and there should have been a yellow and a free kick outside the box.
Crouch gets called for a foul in the 23rd, Crouchy don't you know if you commit the blatant fouls you get called for them, but they can basically sexually assault you and get away with it? God Crouch, if you can't use your head well, what the hell are you there for?
30th minute, first real contribution by Lampard besides being fouled and not getting the free kick back in the 21st-22nd.
Nice move by Silva in the 32nd to hit Neville in the face. Good composure not to get mad about it, Rooney would have eaten Silva. And what the hell Crouch is having all of his giant jersey pulled and has to jump on the Spanish guy to even make an attempt for the ball.
Stop fouling Crouch. This is the point in time as the manager that Crouch is subbed for, completely useless. I also sub for Lampard here. Well, I wouldn't have even named Lampard to the squad, he's that pitiful in an England shirt.
I think I've figured out SWP's place for England. Any time they are winning, we sic Hargreaves and SWP on the opposing team and have them harass constantly. Without more playing time I can't see any other use for SWP, he's been ridiculously rusty.
Ah, the 36th minute, where Lampard takes all day, eventually stops, then tries a long pass to Crouch.
1. Why Crouch?
2. Why no pressure on Spain when they have looked like teenage boys on their first date with the village bicycle? How does McClaren not DEMAND the team attack? We could have 5-6 goals by now with how lost the Spanish defense looks.
And Crouch misses again, because he is terrible, a PERFECT pass by Gerrard. Well, perfect except he thought Crouch didn't suck and passed him the ball. Come on Crouch, you at least have to hit the net there. If you passed it Dyer would have had a tap-in, but you went for all the glory yourself, and looked like a chump.
And Lampard tries a head pass at the halfway line again. What the hell. Stop doing that. Unless you are a world class header, use your feet, because you coughed up the ball again doing it that way.
I like SWP, I really do, but what the hell is he trying to do when he boxes out like a basketball player to try and protect the ball? The Spanish guy just knocked you down!
And another backpass in the 42nd. Spain must be giggling at this display of offense from England.
43rd, SWP tries the box out method again, gets easily dispossessed, and Spain takes possession in England's third.
Villa should have gotten a yellow in the 45th for shooting after the whistle into Foster. That made no sense to me for him to do that, but no call.
A crazy dive by a Spanish player on a challenge from G-Neville, but you know, he could take lessens from Christiano Ronaldo, that was very embellished. The challenge was awkward, but he clearly had made the choice to dive even before contact was made.
Second Half. Torres on for Morientes. I have no idea why Morientes started over Torres, but I do know Torres couldn't have missed that sitter any worse than Morientes. Gareth Barry on for Gerrard, yes, let's replace one of the few people who looks somewhat competent out there, and leave on Lampard.
Nice pass in the 47th, but Spain couldn't get to the end of the cross and it's a goal kick.
SWP earns a corner, but he should have done more with it, he should have shot the ball as soon as it was passed to it, but waited and let the defender deflect it out. 48th.
Gareth Barry skies it, sorry Barry we already have a Frank Lampard to do that for me.
Nice pass to Lampard in the 48th, but an even better tackle by Spain. But again, we're attacking here.
Oh look, 49th minute and there's passing backwards, followed by Spain taking possession. Shocking. Stop playing negative f-ing football, England.
Crouch with a contribution that wasn't negative. Took until almost the 50th minute, but that's ok. We're still waiting for half the England team to do something positive.
Yikes, 52nd minute and the Spanish player tries his best Crouch impression. And then a nice dive hoping for a penalty. Dude, this is a friendly, don't be a puta.
Lampard tries to run past someone, brilliant idea Frank. Easily dispossessed.
That was no attempt to get the ball in the 55th, and a foul on Dyer in the box. Absolutely luck-driven defending by Spain. He got Dyer and not the ball, and somehow that's not a foul and a penalty? **** Is this referee from Argentina?
Yech. Gary Neville, that was a terrible attempt at goal.
Great keep in by Rio in the 67th minute. Sick move to get there and keep the ball in play.
Ah, and Lampard coughs it up again. Shocking I say, 68th minute.
Nice shot by Spain in the 68th, but right on target and Foster makes a nice save.
This is the first time England has not dictated play, and it's more than 2/3rds of the way through the game. England has dominated, and while that is not saying much, England has nothing to show for Spain's lacklustre performance.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Thoughts about RF for next season
There has been a lot of blame levied at Shawn Green, and a lot of Mets fans don't think he is the answer in RF next season. Some of us have even advocated waiving Green and eating his entire salary. Some have thought that Green should be traded in a straight salary dump so we don't have to pay his whole salary while getting a roster spot back.
The facts are clear. The Mets have 4 other outfielders who I project to play better than Green next season.
Carlos Beltran, of course, Moises Alou(even in a 100 games or so), Endy Chavez(who will put up great defensive numbers), and even Ben Johnson.
The problem with Green is that if he used to use performance enhancing drugs, he stopped using them. It's also might be that he's older, but he's nosedived since 2002, 2003 was his Age 30 season, not necessarily in his prime, but certainly within the time frame of the usual prime for a positional player.
With his rapidly declining defensive skills, and his bat going the way of the 10 Lost Tribes, Shawn Green has lost his right to command a starting spot in most starting lineups, especially one as good as the Mets'.
With his negative defensive values, and his league average bat, he's no longer a fit for the Mets, especially in a starting role.
Thankfully, Willie Randolph isn't handing the starting job right to Green, and surprisingly he's looking at Lastings Milledge to fight Green for the job at Spring Training. It's a refreshing tactic in this day and age when a manager might actually give the job to whoever the best player is instead of giving it to the established guy.
There are two ways to look at this, one that Willie is making these comments as a tactic to dispel the rumors that the Mets have come to believe Lastings won't be a star, and therefore the comments pronounce Lastings won't come cheap and has a place in the Mets future. The second, is that he legitimately wants to give Lastings a real chance to win the job and consign Green to the bench, or another team.
The fact of the matter is that RF is the only question mark for the Mets, the only position where the player currently projected to start is going to perform under league average or right around it.
For most teams, that's acceptable, having a weak link. Maybe for the Royals or the Pirates, but not for the Mets, especially when he hits .257/.327/.440 lifetime (.767 OPS) against lefties. Especially playing a position that requires a strong arm(which he lacks) and less than adequate range.
So no matter how nice Green is, he's not a righty, he can't hit for the power that he needs to play a corner OF slot, and he doesn't have range.
No one is saying he's a terrible player. He's just not good enough to start for the Mets and there's nothing personal about it. People look to his postseason performance as an indicator to give him a job for next year. Nothing could prove that he doesn't deserve the job more.
He hit .313/.405/.406 in the playoffs. He had three extra base hits. So, 7/10 hits were singles. All together, it means he hit singles and he walked. Which is great, except the fact that he's a corner outfielder. We need power from that position, and an OPS not around 800, if we're getting subpar defense.
So respect the possibility that the Mets would be stronger without Green than with him.
Addition, by subtraction, by addition(of Ben Johnson.)
The facts are clear. The Mets have 4 other outfielders who I project to play better than Green next season.
Carlos Beltran, of course, Moises Alou(even in a 100 games or so), Endy Chavez(who will put up great defensive numbers), and even Ben Johnson.
The problem with Green is that if he used to use performance enhancing drugs, he stopped using them. It's also might be that he's older, but he's nosedived since 2002, 2003 was his Age 30 season, not necessarily in his prime, but certainly within the time frame of the usual prime for a positional player.
With his rapidly declining defensive skills, and his bat going the way of the 10 Lost Tribes, Shawn Green has lost his right to command a starting spot in most starting lineups, especially one as good as the Mets'.
With his negative defensive values, and his league average bat, he's no longer a fit for the Mets, especially in a starting role.
Thankfully, Willie Randolph isn't handing the starting job right to Green, and surprisingly he's looking at Lastings Milledge to fight Green for the job at Spring Training. It's a refreshing tactic in this day and age when a manager might actually give the job to whoever the best player is instead of giving it to the established guy.
There are two ways to look at this, one that Willie is making these comments as a tactic to dispel the rumors that the Mets have come to believe Lastings won't be a star, and therefore the comments pronounce Lastings won't come cheap and has a place in the Mets future. The second, is that he legitimately wants to give Lastings a real chance to win the job and consign Green to the bench, or another team.
The fact of the matter is that RF is the only question mark for the Mets, the only position where the player currently projected to start is going to perform under league average or right around it.
For most teams, that's acceptable, having a weak link. Maybe for the Royals or the Pirates, but not for the Mets, especially when he hits .257/.327/.440 lifetime (.767 OPS) against lefties. Especially playing a position that requires a strong arm(which he lacks) and less than adequate range.
So no matter how nice Green is, he's not a righty, he can't hit for the power that he needs to play a corner OF slot, and he doesn't have range.
No one is saying he's a terrible player. He's just not good enough to start for the Mets and there's nothing personal about it. People look to his postseason performance as an indicator to give him a job for next year. Nothing could prove that he doesn't deserve the job more.
He hit .313/.405/.406 in the playoffs. He had three extra base hits. So, 7/10 hits were singles. All together, it means he hit singles and he walked. Which is great, except the fact that he's a corner outfielder. We need power from that position, and an OPS not around 800, if we're getting subpar defense.
So respect the possibility that the Mets would be stronger without Green than with him.
Addition, by subtraction, by addition(of Ben Johnson.)
Something that amused me greatly.
Tom O'Brien left Boston College to become the head football coach at North Carolina State, replacing the departing Chuck D'Amato.
It's never a good sign for a new hire for your school when his former school's fanbase is happy to see you go.
Fire Tob!
Not only did they have their own website, they couldn't even spring for firetomobrien.com
Somewhere some guy named Tob is fearing for his job.
Note: I am exceptionally pleased with the "Mission Accomplished!" banner on the site.
It's never a good sign for a new hire for your school when his former school's fanbase is happy to see you go.
Fire Tob!
Not only did they have their own website, they couldn't even spring for firetomobrien.com
Somewhere some guy named Tob is fearing for his job.
Note: I am exceptionally pleased with the "Mission Accomplished!" banner on the site.
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