Happy Leap Year.

Baseball Prospectus and Ron Shandlers Baseball Forecaster arrived at my door today, I don’t have to work, and there’s a case of cold beer in the fridge. I just wanna play Ice Cube real loud and get drunk while reading tables of numbers…

It’s a good day…

State’s in Town. MSU @ WI **LiVe**

8:25 – picking this up after work, 10:20 left in the 1st half, MSU 16 – WI 14. Izzo just subbed out his entire starting lineup to keep his guys fresh, but after a Badger dunk it’s tied at 16. I understand why he did it, but he was dumb to do it.

8:27 – MSU guy travels when he gets caught in between 3 WI defenders. Butch hits his second three. , Badgers lead with 8:12 left after MSU puts in their starters back in.

8:29 – Spartans get called for traveling again. They were solidly in control, but Izzo subbing 5 guys simultaneously messed up the MSU rhythm. If it ain’t broke….

8:33 – mad scramble for a loose ball sends 4 or 5 players to the floor. Possession to WI with a pt lead and 6 minutes left.

8:34 – Joe Krabbenhoft knocked down a 3? Here is his picture…

8:35 – Now Butch hits a 3, score is MSU 20 WI 24. Marcus Landry gets a two back from MSU. 4 minutes left and MSU calls a timeout. Former Badger Devon Harris drops 21 points and 5 dimes in 18 minutes tonight and it seems like a good omen with UW now leading by 6.

8:40 – Drew Nietzel is 0/5 so far. Badgers still up by 6 with minutes left in the half.

8:43 – Badgers are taking too many threes. It’s been a while since anyone scored. Timeout with a minute left. In fact its been almost 3 minutes since the last basket by either team. MSU’s Lucas gets a runner to go, UW 26 MSU 22 with 30 seconds left in the half, and another Timeout means that Bo Ryan will draw up a play for the last shot, although I’d prefer a shot with about 7 or 8 seconds to allow a second chance. Now the announcers are telling everyone about the winter Madison’s had, as if its funny. Landry hits a 2 with 10 seconds left, and MSU won’t get the last shot off. Half ends with UW up 28-22. There’s Erin Andrews…

8:52 – ESPN’s calling this week in college basketball “Judgement Week” which is also the working title of the 4th Terminator movie, which follows an elderly Arnold around the retirement home with John Conners grandmother. I just think its a bit melodramatic.

I just saw a great commercial for this. I concur.

But back to the game – Goran Suton is really keeping the Spartans in the game. He’s got 12 points to lead all scorers. Strangley, Michigan State is out-rebounding the Badgers 16-12, but trail by 6.

9:05 – Spartans draw first blood in the second half, and cut the lead to 4. The refs aren’t going to call too many fouls, and the team that adapts best will win. 18 minutes left now, and the Badgers are playing tough defense.

9:08 – a couple UW free throws are followed by a runner by MSU’s Lucas. 16 minutes left now, UW inbounds with a short shot clock. it seems like the Badgers are forcing a lot of bad shots, but so is MSU.

9:12 – Krabbenhoft just fell over going up for a dunk. He looked like a deer on ice. MSU travels again, and then the Badgers miss another shot, and there’s been one mad FG by both teams combined this half.

9:16 – There’s now two made FG’s as Flower’s gets a layup in transition. He’ll shoot a free throw, but with 6:30 gone in the 2nd half it looks like this game could end up in the 40’s. The announcers want the low score to not seem so bad, comparing it to a pitching duel, but go back to UW- Duke to see what happens when a good defense meets a great offense. Drew Nietzel’s misses again and is now 0/6. I’ll save the disparaging comments for after the game.

9:22 – UW and MSU both get points on consecutive possessions. How did that happen?

9:24 – a Flower’s three makes it a 7 point WI lead, but Nietzel hits his first shot of the game (a three) to cut it back to 4. Both teams are picking up the pace. Annoucer just said quick release. get it? Quick Release?

9:26 – Butch hits a couple FTs to extend the WI lead to 6. Both teams are playing pretty good help D. Bo Ryan bio time, as the announcers completely gloss over the job he had at UW-Platteville. I guess 352 wins and 4 D3 championships are easy to forget. MSU cuts the lead to 5. Krabbenhoft hits a two with his foot on the three point arc. Who knew he had that kind of range?

9:32 – Neitzel can’t buy a shot. TV graphic shows that UW has only 1 turnover in the game. There’s 6 and a half left and Erin Andrews gets some airtime, but strangley they don’t show her on the screen, instead opting for dejected Spartans on the bench. Badgers lead 41-34

9:37 – Neitzel misses a three (again) and Brian Butch hits another three. someone just said “pronation” Here is a picture of Brian, as Erin Andrews is talking again, but is still not on the screen. Strange. Not as strange as all the backhanded compliments the announcers are giving Butch. He hits again, and the Badgers are running away now, 50-36.

9:42 – Butch is now 4/7 from beyond the arc. He’s probably the prototype that Bo Ryan looks for to run his swing offense. A seven footer that plays fundamental defense and can also play in the post as well as the perimeter.

9:45 – Hughes gets a bank shot to go in, and after MSU a bucket back its 55-38 with 2 and a half to go. It’s within the realm of possibility that the Badgers will hold the Spartans under 40. That’s probably the only reason I’m still watching.

9:48 – Krabbenhoft gets popped in the face and after UW controls a rebound (that’s right, MSU is still at 38) the officials stop play with 2:12 left in the game.

9:49 – ESPN2 names Michael Flowers as the player of the game on account of Drew Nietzel being held to 3 points, can’t disagree. MSU gets a two to spoil the Badgers chance at a sub 40 defensive performance. There’s a minute and a half left, and if UW can run the clock down here, they’ll have a chance to limit MSU to one more ….THERE”S ERIN ANDREWS!!! wow. I can’t believe it took this long for her to get some screen time. The announcers are praising the Nitty Gritty, despite the fact that they play that terrible Birthday song 5 times an hour. MSU gets another 2, but being held to 40 some points is still freakin’ embarrassing.

9:55 – Clocks done, game’s over, Badgers win 57-42. Here is a picture…

The Winter of Our Discontent.

Yes, I know, I’ve been on an unannounced hiatus. It doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of page views, as a good portion of my hits are related to the fact I host images of Gisele Bundchen and Jessica Simpson. I’ve resigned myself to the idea that people are less interested in what I have to write and more interested in titties. I must confess that my interest in sports also pales in comparison to my interest in boobs. I am no different than the average person who stumbles across this blog.

On the topic of sporting events: My copy of the 2008 Baseball Prospectus has finally shipped. Hooray. Upcoming is my preseason preview of the Brewers prospective bullpen lineup, as well as other baseball related content(hopefully including T’s Mets preseason thoughts). Trevor has promised an in-depth fantasy guide. Will he deliver? You decide.

In addition…

I have been promising the second episode of the Sparano’s. Will I deliver? If I don’t soon someone else will rip off my idea….Oh wait. Sparano’s — Soprano’s … It’s an easy word play, someone probably has already done what I wanted to, only better. So here’s what y’all came here for in the first place…

Until next time…

Because I am Lazy…

…I give you snow related car accidents….

and finally…

No Freakin’ Way. I Don’t Believe.

Its a joke right?  It’s got to be.  There’s no way that this man is a vegetarian.

Is there?  I’ve read the article, but I can’t help but suspect that he’s sneaking in some fatback on the side.  (Tangent: Prince said that his wife gave a book about how it was mean to eat meat and that’s why he’s now a vegetarian.  I just wonder if she held out on him until he agreed to substitute cottage cheese for double cheese burgers.  Also, did she inspire this change because (a) She was genuinely concerned for his health.  (b) She is genuinely concerned about ‘animal rights’ or (c) she was tired of having to lift up his belly to….you know.  ???)

Personal Prejudice against PETA aside, other things are happening that involve the Brewers.  Mostly the pitchers, so here goes…

Brewer’s Starting Rotation

The Brewers don’t know what to do with Carlos V. and  Ben Sheets wants to stay healthy.  What’s new about this?  Nothing, really.  Here’s how I see the Crew’s starting rotation coming together…

1. Ben Sheets – Ace of the staff.  Wants to be healthy, but won’t be.  Penciled in here as the Crew’s #1 starter, and will be when he’s not on the DL.

2. Yovani Gallardo – The New Hope.  Young guy with big potential.  Pitched very well for a Rookie last year, and is #2 on my rotation, but may end up at Yost’s #3

3.  Jeff Suppan – The 6 million dollar man.  Gave the Brewers an adequate showing last year, and will likely give them the same this year.  Definitely getting a starting job.

4. Carlos Villanueva – Remarkable last season in only his second year, he’s got the skill to be a solid starter.  Yost and Maddux will be well served to let this young man start, although he could end up in long relief.  But he wouldn’t be needed in long relief if the starting pitching was better.  Confused?  Don’t be.  Even if Carlos isn’t named as a starter out of spring training, just wait a month for Sheets to sprain something and Carlos will get some starts.

5. ???

Here’s where all this gets tricky.  Parra, Vargas, Capuano and Bush are essentially vying for the one spot.

Given how the Brewers handled Carlos V. last year, I’m discounting the possibility that Manny Parra will be named a starter.  He’s talented, sure, but erring on the side of caution has been a trademark of the Crew, even when they desperately needed starting pitching last season.  I’d expect to see him in relief only.
So its really between Vargas, Capuano and Bush.  All 3 finished last season with an ERA of 5.09 to 5.12.  Not inspiring I know.

Claudio Vargas finished with an 11-6 record, despite a WHIP of over 1.5 and ERA of 5.  How?  Was it blind luck, or just the knowledge of the offense that they needed to score a lot because Claudio gets knocked around?  Something to consider: Claudio’s 07 performance is pretty close to his career average.

Chris Capuano had a miserable year.  Not just on account of his 5+ ERA (which is over half a run higher than his career average.)  He went months without a win.  Blind luck or the result of pitching 219+ innings the previous two years in a row?  I think the guy just burned out last year, and answering the question: Can he come back? probably can’t be answered by the end of Spring Training.

The Bottom Line?

5. Dave Bush – Will be the #5 starter for your Milwaukee Brewers!  He finished just a half run above his career average and has been by and large injury free.  Not only has he been a workhorse for two years now, but he has a better K/BB ratio than Capuano and Vargas.  He’ll get the nod for the final spot.

Not to worry for Cappy, Claudio and Manny.  There’ll be plently of spot starts and long relief opportunities.  Plus should anyone screw the pooch the Brewers have plenty of options, no?

Will He Be Back?

Who cares??  Does it matter now?  With training camp months and months and months away??  Personally I’m more interested in who the Packers might draft, Who they franchised, and who’s recovering from severe injury.  Favre will tell us soon enough.  Besides, it’s almost time for March Madness, and soon afterward there’ll be baseball.  Then its still a matter of 5 or so months until training camp even starts.  So unbunch the panties and play some Madden if you really can’t stop thinking about Favre long enough ponder Bubble Teams and Cactus League Baseball.  Either that or debate the call of Tails that gave the Falcons the third overall pick.

 

Blame Games and Buck’s Basketball

Who’s fault is the Buck’s suckitude?  Do I blame Larry Harris, GM extraordinaire?  Do I blame an owner meddling?  Do I blame the players?  I don’t think I’ll be making the trip to Milwaukee to see the Bucks play this year.  If I want to see sub-par basketball that borders on comedy I’ll go see Semi-Pro.

Bo Ryan Loves Tall Minnesotans

Here’s the proof.   I wish I was 6-8.  Oh, and while we’re on the subject of Big 10 Basketball, Kelvin Sampson got fired, which means I have to keep this picture in the can for a couple years until he gets hired and then fired again…

 

 

 

What? When Did Gooden Grow that Beard?

I knew he had facial hair, but damn. Thicker than my beard. Not thicker than this guy’s beard…

But still pretty thick.

Here’s a shot of some beard on beard action that fans in Cleveland will be missing since the epic trade.  (click to enlarge) As much as Ben Wallace and Wally S. can help out the Cavs I don’t think it was good idea to trade Gooden.  11 points, 8 rebounds are good for a Power Forward on a team with LeBron James.  I can see the whole aspect of wanting to deal Hughes for a bonafide 3 point threat, and they got that in Wally S.  I’m skeptical, however, of whether this will work out to be a case of addition by subtraction or subtraction by addition.  Also Props to Danny Ferry for getting Delonte West from Sam Presti.  To celebrate that, here is another picture of the newest Chicago Bull, Dwight Gooden’s Beard…

“Ride it, My Pony!”

End of the day?  Maybe this trade is great for the Cavs, maybe not.  Theyre a playoff team either way.  Chicago makes out alright, getting Hughes and Gooden, and they don’t have to pay Ben Wallace.  The Sonics get….Um, Donyell Marshall?  Also, Joe Smith goes to Cleveland.  I had 5th row seats for the Bucks vs Raptors at the Bradley Center a few years back when Joe Smith dove 3 rows deep after a loose ball.  I told him “way to hustle.”  It was the only positive thing I would say, aside from encouraging Tony Kukoc to drive on Brian Cardinal.  But enough about a totally irrelevant story.

It’s been a Good Day.

Thanks to Dane 101 for the link.  I was just kidding when I said that I wrote myself in, just thought I would point that out quick.  Who did I actually vote for?  Let me first tell you who I didn’t vote for.  I didn’t vote for McCain, because he’s wrong about Iraq, too old, and has a strange growth on his jaw.  I didn’t vote for Huckabee because he’s crazy.  I didn’t vote for Ron Paul, because he wants to eliminate the IRS, and while I don’t particularly like paying taxes, I DO like federally funded highways, internet infrastructure, medicare, social security, etc.  I didn’t vote for Hillary Clinton because she couldn’t figure out the “evidence” about Iraq’s “WMD’s” was bullshit, even though I could smell it on my couch in Wisconsin.  Who did I vote for?  I voted for Obama.  And he won.  He’s going to win the nomination, and he’s going to win the general election.  I wouldn’t trade that for a Packer’s Super Bowl victory.

But since this blog is essentially about sports…

Yovanni Gallardo is getting his knee scoped?

Shaq as a Sensei?

Stupid NCAA Men’s BB Drama?

Is it me, or is there nothing interesting going on in the wide world of sports tonight?

You’ll Vote, and You’ll like it Bitch.

I voted just now.  Here is a picture of my ballot.

It was so easy.  It only took about 35 minutes between driving to my polling place, filling out my change of address form, voting and then getting home.  I just have one question….Who drives to the polling station, stands in line, fills out paperwork when necessary and then votes for Uninstructed Delegation?  It’s a little like asking a bartender to surprise you.  Sometimes you get something you like, but other times she brings you (a) Something fruity with an umbrella or (b) Some skunked up selection from the back of the cooler that should have been discarded a month ago.  So who did I vote for?  I wrote in my own name, just like I do every year for every office.

Now I know you’re asking yourself…Where Do I Go To Vote??!?  The answer is simple, at least if you live in Madison.  The Office of the Clerk has a website that tells you where to go and what to bring if you aren’t already registered.

In other news…  The Patriots want another over-the-hill slow linebacker.  Hmmm.

Also the Badgers take on the Illini tomorrow at 8 pm, so even though I will be at home thanks to Charter/Big Ten Network Standoff I will not be watching the game from the comfort of my living room.  Thank you Money, you are the root of all blackouts.

Freezing Rain?!? More Snow?? What do You mean Earlier?

Yesterday, around noon, I was all settled in. My favorite shows had been downloaded, my lunch was made, and I had a nap planned for the early afternoon.  Then the phone rang.  It was work.  I told myself that I wasn’t going to pick up.  I had a hangover to nurse and a sandwich and a blanket.  But I picked it up anyway, and this is what I heard: “You need to come in early…”

What do you mean early?  I have today off.  Right?   WRONG.  Oh my good God was I wrong.  So instead of enjoying a Rob & Big mini-marathon, followed by an afternoon of popcorn TV I enjoyed a 13 hour shift.  Super.  So Here’s some of what I was going to write yeasterday, but mostly its not what I was going to write yesterday

Eric Gagne is Sorry.  A Sorry Sack of Shit.

Why do I keep thinking that I will curse more at Gagne than any other Brewer over the upcoming season?  This is why.  I’m sorry about the distraction but not being overpaid on the basis of a few roided up seasons? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t give a fuck that you juiced, I’m just pissed that you can’t get away with it now that you’re a Brewer.  I’m also pissed that you haven’t pitched for shit since you stopped.  See this for my general opinion on the whole Steroids thing.

Deaven George (still) Hates NJ.

But that won’t keep Mark Cuban from his Quixotic quest to have Jason Kidd on his team.  Probably should have just payed Steve Nash, huh guy?   Then you wouldn’t have to pay Van Horn just to make this whole fucking thing work in the NBA Trade Machine.  You know who I feel bad for in this deal?  Devon Harris.  He’s got to move to New Jersey (that’s one strike) and play with Vince Carter, who’s got to hate this whole situation more than George and may or may not quit on the Nets in a couple weeks (that’s two strikes) and no matter how well the kid plays it will never be as good as Kidd performed and he’ll be reminded of that by the local media (that’s strike three).  Imagine stepping out of Steve Nash’s shadow and into Jason Kidd’s.

OH NOSE!!!

Andrew Bogut wants to play for a winning NBA team??  The Bucks are so screwed.  Just gimme a beer now because I’ll need one so bad in a month that you couldn’t get me one fast enough.  This whole Bucks being terrible thing is too much, so instead of 200 words about why the Bucks have gone 2-8 over their last 10, I’m going to ask you to click here to view a beer “family tree”.  I found this after an argument with a coworker about the distinction between ales and lagers.  Most of my personal favorites are Ales, while he prefers Lagers.  Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good Lager as well, however I cannot drink Bock beer.  I don’t know exactly what makes a Bock a Bock, but it turns my stomach.  Give a Porter, a Pilsner, a pale ale or lager.  Give me a stout or wheat beer, or an IPA.  Just never order me the Maibock.

 More about Beer.

I hate the Heineken Draught Keg.  With a passion.  $18 at the liquor store and this is what happened.  Assembly of the “draught” system goes with incident.  The first glass out of the keg?  all foam.  The whole glass.  Here is picture…

Now it feels like a keg party!!!  WHOOOO FOAM!!!!   It wouldn’t have been terrible, but here are some pics of beers poured afterward (click to enlarge.)

  

These were pretty representative of how this ugly motherfucker pours.  95% foam, guaranteed.  Also, another complaint I have is how messy the fucking thing is.  First off the tapper drips, which is one part annoying now and a second part annoying later when you have to clean it up.  My final complaint is that not only does the tapper drip, but the top also can leak and fill the top of the keg with Hollands Finest.  Here are more pictures…

Apple Cart in Summary…

 Bucks stink, Brewers need to trade some pitching, Mark Cuban is a ego maniac, and instead of spending $18 on a “mini-keg” spend it on a treasure chest of Natty or Beast.  You’ll enjoy your experience more.

 

What Time’s the Game Start?

Working hard for the money this morning, I had that moment of panic that hits when something seems to happening much much sooner than you anticipated. I have tickets to the UW hockey game tonight. GOOD TICKETS. Right on center ice. Earlier in the week my Dad had called to tell me that game was on for 7. This led me to tell my boss that I could indeed work Saturday morning. I’m all good and fine until about noon, when I start seeing a dozens of people making their way towards the Kohl Center decked out in Red and White. This is when that moment of panic strikes, coupled with a miniature adrenaline rush. I flip my stereo from Sirius to terrestrial, and lo….

I had forgotten that the Badgers were also playing basketball in Madison today. What this meant was I am retarded for panicking because the hockey game will be pushed back as the Kohl Center employees remove the basketball court to reveal the ice beneath. So I listened to the Badgers just barely beat the Gophers while I drove today.

Final Score? UM -56 UW – 65

I know that 65 points won’t cut it in March, but I am truly happy that it was enough today. The truth is that the Badgers didn’t so much WIN the game as the Gophers LOST it. Minnesota went from 8:44 left in the 2nd half (when it was tied at 45) until 4:19 when they hit a 3 to make it 48-52 without scoring. That’s a full four minutes and twenty five seconds without a single point. Should I attribute that to Wisconsin’s defense and rebounding or to Minnesota not having the kind of talent that Tubby Smith is used to having?

At the end of the day (or mid-afternoon if you’re me) I gotta think that Minnesota is only going to get tougher to beat every year that Tubby coaches the Gophers. He’s a great coach who’s only hindrance is going to be convincing athletes to move to snowy Minneapolis / St. Paul. In conclusion: Kentucky fans are idiots. Raggin on this guy for having one 10 loss season. How’s Billy Gillespie doing these days? 13-10? Way to run Smith out of town, Minnesota thanks you.

**Tangent** Minnesota has a canidate for best name in the Big Ten. Meet Jamal Abu-Shamala

I know, I know…He doesn’t look like an Abu-Shamala, which only serves to elevate the awesomeness of his name even higher. (When the UW radio guys were saying his name it sounded almost like Jamal Abushe-yo-mama, which puts him even further over the Badgers Wquinton Smith and Purdue’s E’Twaun Moore and Nemanja Calasan. Also He wins the Unlikeliest Jamal award in Mens Division I Basketball.)

Now I have to go drink Beer and watch Hockey.