With the start of the World Cup, I can't help flashing back to that one special day back in 1975.
As a young boy growing up in the Bay Area in the 70's, our home was dominated by big three in sports. What three, you ask? Nascar, Golf and Hockey ... oops, wrong post. Football, basketball and baseball. I learned that sports were more than just the love for the game -- it was passion you had for your team. I lived in a home where the Raiders, Warriors and A's ruled the roost. Naturally, I grew up a Cowboys and Laker fan. I was an A's fan, probably because they won a lot when I was little and my Dad would let us skip school so we could go to playoff games and World Championship parades, but looking back I think I needed a reason for my family to keep me around.
I was usually thrown out of the house every Sunday in the fall, normally for about three hours. Yes, I rooted hard for any team playing the Raiders, and it never took long for me to get the boot. I was always welcomed back home with open arms soon after the game.
It was one of those Sundays after getting the boot back in '75 that I was milling around in my front yard and found a can. It was an Olympia beer can. Yes! Olympia beer. Lucky Lager only came in bottles. I started kicking this can around. I thought, "Maybe I can dribble it like in basketball, but with my feet." I was running around the neighborhood kicking this can. Up and down the street I went for what seemed like hours.
My older brother's friends came out on their bikes, riding in front of me yelling at me, throwing "Mike & Ikes," trying to mess me up. I thought they were a bunch of hooligans. Soon my Dad came out and said to me, "Son, you can come in now." I looked at some of the younger neighborhood kids and told them that I was going to dribble that can down to the gutter and kick it in so I could score a point and win the game I'd just invented. There were about 8 boys watching, and they ran to the curb waiting for me to come down and score. I remember right before I took the shot, looking up and seeing the boys pushing and shoving each other off that curb because they didn't have enough room to stand. I shot and scored ... game over!
As I laid in bed that night I thought about the game I had just created. My mind was going a mile a minute. What if I used a round ball instead of a can? It could be played anywhere. Grass, dirt, and/or pavement. I could use giant hockey goals. The teams would have to go back and fourth for a couple of hours before one team would be allowed to score. Because no one scored, I could have rowdy fans ... call them hooligans and have them throw anything they wanted at opposing players. It could be played on a very small, enclosed field where there wasn't enough room for fans to watch so they would have to fight to get in. It would be a sport for those kids that couldn't hit or catch a baseball; dribble, make a basket, or throw; catch, run or tackle ... football. Remember, this was the 70's and we had 7-Up (the un-cola) and I created this game that was the un-sport. The following Saturday, I was watching the Wide World of Sports and they were showing this game from England called "soccer." It was exactly like the sport I thought I created. I thought about the age of the earth, and realized I was only an eyelash from inventing my new sport.
World Cup starts today and just like in years past, I will put on my Red, White and Blue colors to show support for Team USA, but I'm once again pulling for that team from Brazil. I remember Stanfurd (Cal fans spell it that way) stadium in '94. Those fans really know how to party.
"Wise Guy"
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Three Blind Mice (four in the MLB)
I'm sure most of you saw the call made by Jim Joyce that cost Armando Galarroga a place in baseball history by throwing the 21st perfect game in over 120 years of baseball.
As a fan of baseball, I am disappointed any time a call goes against a player and blows his chance at history, unless he plays his home games in San Francisco.
As an umpire who has umped hundreds of games, I'm really disappointed with all the "Monday Morning Umpires." It is easy to make a call when you have 7 different camera angles, and can take a play that takes about 6 seconds from contact to the ball in the glove. ESPN shows it in "super slow mo" and it takes about 15 seconds, and then freezes the frame at the point of contact with the bag. The umpire, in that 6 seconds, has to move from his position up the 1st baseline, running in about 25-30 feet at a 45 degree angle to get in the proper position, while picking up the ball and following it from throw to glove, while watching the batter's feet hit the bag, AND while listening to the pop of the glove. Then you add the fact that the pitcher is running to the bag as he catches it, and in fast motion the difference between safe and out is about 3/10th of a second. Jim has about a second to react, and a second to make the call. I applaud Jim for coming out and saying that he is sorry he blew the call that cost Armando a perfect game. Jim is one of the best umps in the majors, and he shouldn't have to see three different segments on Sports Center each hour about the call. I like the way ESPN gets an old manager and a front office guy to talk about how bad the call was, and how they need replay. Do you believe any manager would ever come to the defense of an umpire? Hey, manager or front office guy ,there is a reason that you're on TV and not still with a team ... YOU WERE FIRED!!!
There aren't anymore questionable calls to date this year than any other years, but you wouldn't know it listening to a Sports Center anchor who has never participated in any sport above high school level. You just have more cameras at more games looking for those calls to put on highlight reels.
The human factor has been part of the game, and always will be. The MLB umpires are the very best at what they do. You have to remember that they are human too!
We just need to hear more "Good Game Blue."
The Sports Wise Guy
As a fan of baseball, I am disappointed any time a call goes against a player and blows his chance at history, unless he plays his home games in San Francisco.
As an umpire who has umped hundreds of games, I'm really disappointed with all the "Monday Morning Umpires." It is easy to make a call when you have 7 different camera angles, and can take a play that takes about 6 seconds from contact to the ball in the glove. ESPN shows it in "super slow mo" and it takes about 15 seconds, and then freezes the frame at the point of contact with the bag. The umpire, in that 6 seconds, has to move from his position up the 1st baseline, running in about 25-30 feet at a 45 degree angle to get in the proper position, while picking up the ball and following it from throw to glove, while watching the batter's feet hit the bag, AND while listening to the pop of the glove. Then you add the fact that the pitcher is running to the bag as he catches it, and in fast motion the difference between safe and out is about 3/10th of a second. Jim has about a second to react, and a second to make the call. I applaud Jim for coming out and saying that he is sorry he blew the call that cost Armando a perfect game. Jim is one of the best umps in the majors, and he shouldn't have to see three different segments on Sports Center each hour about the call. I like the way ESPN gets an old manager and a front office guy to talk about how bad the call was, and how they need replay. Do you believe any manager would ever come to the defense of an umpire? Hey, manager or front office guy ,there is a reason that you're on TV and not still with a team ... YOU WERE FIRED!!!
There aren't anymore questionable calls to date this year than any other years, but you wouldn't know it listening to a Sports Center anchor who has never participated in any sport above high school level. You just have more cameras at more games looking for those calls to put on highlight reels.
The human factor has been part of the game, and always will be. The MLB umpires are the very best at what they do. You have to remember that they are human too!
We just need to hear more "Good Game Blue."
The Sports Wise Guy
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Say it ain't so Joe ... So Joe!!!
The past couple of weeks there have been rumblings about players and teams stealing signs from opposing teams. I don't know why this was even a story, because this has been going on for over 100 years. It got me thinking about why steriods was such a big deal, especially when you look at baseball as a whole.
Baseball has always been the one sport where players tried to gain an advantage whenever they could, legal or not. The reward for such behavior for some was the Hall of Fame. Don Drysdale and Don Sutton were caught rubbing vasoline on baseballs. The Niekro brothers were tossed for using the fingernail file. Gaylord Parry hid the vasoline on his zipper because the ump would never check there.
Batters using the corked bat. See Sammy Sosa, Albert Bell and Chris Sabo. It seems that as long as you can get away with it, it's ok.
Ty Cobb sharpened his cleats to a point so that when he slid into a base his intent was to come up high and cut the fielder. These are all forms of cheating. Runners on second base try to steal signs and relay them to the batter. The Greatest HR ever --Bobby Thompson -- was tipped off by a guy with bionoculars in the centerfield scoreboard.
Why is the infield grass at Dodger stadium 1 1/2" higher than that of Fenway Park's? It benefits the pitcher by slowing the ball down and has the opposite effect in Fenway. Why are all new stadiums built with a short fence that benifits their slugger? It is all about having an unfair advantage.
These are just a few examples of widespead cheating that have always existed, and always will. This takes us to the Peds (performance enhancers). Why is it considered acceptable for a player who is losing his vision or wants to improve what God gave him to undergo lasik surgery? But if a player took Peds for a quicker recovery, so that he is able to play longer, or keep his body fresh, that is not ok. I see them both as cheating. He has 20-20 vision and with surgery has 20-15 or 20-10. There is now talk that medicine prescribed for people with ADD/ADHD helps batters concentrate when they are at bat. There has been a very high percentage of high school and college baseball players being diagnosed with this disability.
I'm sick and tired of old timers complaining about how they would never have taken roids or other Peds. Do you think Mickey Mantel would have taken it to help get him back on the field? You bet your ass he would. He took anything and everything to get him back on the field, including horse tranquilizers ... probably a steriod. You think the Great Bambino would have said no if he knew he could stick it to the Yankees by hitting 30-40 HRs after the Yankees dumped him? I don't believe the Bash Brothers were the first. I'm sure Peds were around probably 20 years before. See the Olympic athletes from eastern block countries in the late 60'- thru today. Are you naive enough to believe that none of those drugs found baseball players in the 70's? Of course they did, but no one knew anything about it.
I am in no way condoning the use of Peds in any sport, but I am tired of baseball claiming that their sport was pure before the steriod era. Hey Commish, there was never a problem with speed/uppers in the 60's and 70's, or Coke (blow) in the 80's, right? So the next time you hear about Mac, Clemons, Raffy, Sammy or any other Juicer, just remenber this ... it's just baseball!!
The Sports Wise Guy
Baseball has always been the one sport where players tried to gain an advantage whenever they could, legal or not. The reward for such behavior for some was the Hall of Fame. Don Drysdale and Don Sutton were caught rubbing vasoline on baseballs. The Niekro brothers were tossed for using the fingernail file. Gaylord Parry hid the vasoline on his zipper because the ump would never check there.
Batters using the corked bat. See Sammy Sosa, Albert Bell and Chris Sabo. It seems that as long as you can get away with it, it's ok.
Ty Cobb sharpened his cleats to a point so that when he slid into a base his intent was to come up high and cut the fielder. These are all forms of cheating. Runners on second base try to steal signs and relay them to the batter. The Greatest HR ever --Bobby Thompson -- was tipped off by a guy with bionoculars in the centerfield scoreboard.
Why is the infield grass at Dodger stadium 1 1/2" higher than that of Fenway Park's? It benefits the pitcher by slowing the ball down and has the opposite effect in Fenway. Why are all new stadiums built with a short fence that benifits their slugger? It is all about having an unfair advantage.
These are just a few examples of widespead cheating that have always existed, and always will. This takes us to the Peds (performance enhancers). Why is it considered acceptable for a player who is losing his vision or wants to improve what God gave him to undergo lasik surgery? But if a player took Peds for a quicker recovery, so that he is able to play longer, or keep his body fresh, that is not ok. I see them both as cheating. He has 20-20 vision and with surgery has 20-15 or 20-10. There is now talk that medicine prescribed for people with ADD/ADHD helps batters concentrate when they are at bat. There has been a very high percentage of high school and college baseball players being diagnosed with this disability.
I'm sick and tired of old timers complaining about how they would never have taken roids or other Peds. Do you think Mickey Mantel would have taken it to help get him back on the field? You bet your ass he would. He took anything and everything to get him back on the field, including horse tranquilizers ... probably a steriod. You think the Great Bambino would have said no if he knew he could stick it to the Yankees by hitting 30-40 HRs after the Yankees dumped him? I don't believe the Bash Brothers were the first. I'm sure Peds were around probably 20 years before. See the Olympic athletes from eastern block countries in the late 60'- thru today. Are you naive enough to believe that none of those drugs found baseball players in the 70's? Of course they did, but no one knew anything about it.
I am in no way condoning the use of Peds in any sport, but I am tired of baseball claiming that their sport was pure before the steriod era. Hey Commish, there was never a problem with speed/uppers in the 60's and 70's, or Coke (blow) in the 80's, right? So the next time you hear about Mac, Clemons, Raffy, Sammy or any other Juicer, just remenber this ... it's just baseball!!
The Sports Wise Guy
Monday, May 31, 2010
Chicken Little, please come out! The sky is falling ...
Yes! The sky is falling according to all you Giants fans. Yes! It's time to shut it down and start to look to next year. Why, you ask? Timmy had another subpar outing.
In his past 3 starts, Mr. Lincecum has 15 1/3 inn., surrendering 14 runs, walking 15, while striking out only 14. These are hardly the numbers that you expect the 2 time Cy Young winner to have. Or is it? Let's take a look at the season as a whole. He has 11 starts -- 72+ innings with over 85 k's vs. 30 BB's, 3.15 era and a 5-2 record. Baseball is a season of peaks and valleys. That's what is great about baseball ... you don't know who is going to show up on any given day.
People have often asked me why I hate the Giants and my response is usually it's all of their "Humm Baby" fans. You guys all drive me nuts. Every week it's the same thing. You go from being just one "big bat" from winning it all to it's time to trade all your veteran players and go with the youth movement. Hey, Giants fan! Your problem is not Timmy or Barry (the clock will strike 12) Zito, it's the fact that you're the worst hitting, run scoring team in the majors. You are the only fans in the majors that would take a player like Pablo Sandoval and make him out to be the Albert Puljos of the West. Now you put the weight of the world on Buster Posey. Good luck, and a great way to ruin your young stud.
You fans have to look only at your front office for the reason that you won't, and never will, be world champions. You throw stupid money at the wrong people (see Barry ... yes, both of them), and then you surround them with veteran players that are about 5 years past their prime. For this I thank you all, I will be around for a long time.
The Sports Wise Guy
In his past 3 starts, Mr. Lincecum has 15 1/3 inn., surrendering 14 runs, walking 15, while striking out only 14. These are hardly the numbers that you expect the 2 time Cy Young winner to have. Or is it? Let's take a look at the season as a whole. He has 11 starts -- 72+ innings with over 85 k's vs. 30 BB's, 3.15 era and a 5-2 record. Baseball is a season of peaks and valleys. That's what is great about baseball ... you don't know who is going to show up on any given day.
People have often asked me why I hate the Giants and my response is usually it's all of their "Humm Baby" fans. You guys all drive me nuts. Every week it's the same thing. You go from being just one "big bat" from winning it all to it's time to trade all your veteran players and go with the youth movement. Hey, Giants fan! Your problem is not Timmy or Barry (the clock will strike 12) Zito, it's the fact that you're the worst hitting, run scoring team in the majors. You are the only fans in the majors that would take a player like Pablo Sandoval and make him out to be the Albert Puljos of the West. Now you put the weight of the world on Buster Posey. Good luck, and a great way to ruin your young stud.
You fans have to look only at your front office for the reason that you won't, and never will, be world champions. You throw stupid money at the wrong people (see Barry ... yes, both of them), and then you surround them with veteran players that are about 5 years past their prime. For this I thank you all, I will be around for a long time.
The Sports Wise Guy
Saturday, May 8, 2010
If only I had AAA...
It was mid-April. For most of us on the Left Coast that is the start of the hockey season. Yes! For those of us from California, hockey starts with the NHL play-offs. As a Bay Area guy the Sharks are my local flavor.
On April 14th I wandered out to the back shed. As I wandered, I began to dream of Lord Stanley's Cup residing in San Jose, CA. I opened the shed doors and pulled the cover off an automobile. What kind you ask? One that did not run. Its been awhile since I have driven this vehicle. I normally don't have to drive because I'm usually taken for a ride. Just like the Sharks against the Avalanche, it took awhile to get it running. With hard work and many long nights, I got my baby purrrrrring ... like a ... Shark?!?!
The pistons began to fire on all cylinders. Heatley, Marleau, and Thorton were revving up. This car ran on special high performance fuel called Joe Pavelwski and had a Evgeni Nabokov drive train.
It's time everyone climbs aboard this bandwagon as we head back to San Jose. Let's hope the Sharks can win it in 5 so I don't have to drive this wagon back to Hockey Town, USA (Detroit) for game 6. I know it won't make it home for game 7, and AAA won't tow this type of vehicle!
Go Sharks!
On April 14th I wandered out to the back shed. As I wandered, I began to dream of Lord Stanley's Cup residing in San Jose, CA. I opened the shed doors and pulled the cover off an automobile. What kind you ask? One that did not run. Its been awhile since I have driven this vehicle. I normally don't have to drive because I'm usually taken for a ride. Just like the Sharks against the Avalanche, it took awhile to get it running. With hard work and many long nights, I got my baby purrrrrring ... like a ... Shark?!?!
The pistons began to fire on all cylinders. Heatley, Marleau, and Thorton were revving up. This car ran on special high performance fuel called Joe Pavelwski and had a Evgeni Nabokov drive train.
It's time everyone climbs aboard this bandwagon as we head back to San Jose. Let's hope the Sharks can win it in 5 so I don't have to drive this wagon back to Hockey Town, USA (Detroit) for game 6. I know it won't make it home for game 7, and AAA won't tow this type of vehicle!
Go Sharks!
Friday, April 2, 2010
The end was near...
With the start of MLB season just a few days away, I thought this would be a perfect time to share this story. Most people do not know just how lucky I am to be writing this post. I have always been a happy-go-lucky guy. I've been blessed with great health, a great wife, kids, and friends. My life seems simple or ordinary. That would be a simple life for a sports nut, or looking back now, a sports wise guy.
I am going to share with you my brush with death. Yes, death. It happened back on Saturday, October 22, 2002. Events that would change my life and those in SF and Anaheim forever! I woke up that Saturday morning, and just like most Saturdays in the fall: Yard work, Cal football, and then getting ready for some buddies coming over in the evening to draft our fantasy basketball teams online with friends and family in the Bay. I remember telling my buddies that we will even put on the World Series ... LOL.
For the most part the day was uneventful. It was a warm fall day. Nothing strange or unusual that would tip me off about the events that were about to unfold that evening. I have talked to people that have had near death experiences. There is the one where a person leans forward to change a radio station and a stray bullet just misses hitting them in the head; the person who walks off a plane and finds out later the plane crashesl; or a car runs a red light and comes within a whisker of hitting the driver's side of the car. I had nothing like that. You see, I often thought whenever the good Lord decided it was my time, I would leave this earth and people would smile and say, "I thought he would leave in a manner like this." Let me explain.
That evening we began the draft right about the time the World Series started. The Giants were up 3 games to 2 over the Angels. I remembered my "rooting" pecking order for baseball. A's first, team in their division, American League, and then anyone playing against the Giants. I didn't give the game much thought. I knew the Angels would win Game 6 that night, and then Game 7 the next night. All would be right in the universe. Looking back, you might say that is exactly what happened. What you may not know is the events that unfolded during Game 6 that changed how I look at life today. Most of you either know, or have figured out just reading my blog, how much I loathe the Giants. Most who know me have heard me say, "Not in My Lifetime!"
The Giants will not win the World Series while I walk on this earth. It is a statement that I believe to be true!
Now most fantasy drafts last about 3-4hours when you get about 12 guys together. Drafts often start slow -- you have guys drinking beer or spirits so you get duplicate picks -- and there is a lot of trash talking throughout the process. This draft finished right about the time the game ended.
Things seem to be moving right along with the draft and the game until the top of the 5th. The Giants scored 3 to take a 3-0 lead. I felt a little uneasy, but I didn't worry too much. The top 6th and the 7th the Giants scored 1 run each to take a 5-0 lead going into the 7th inning stretch. Remembering what I said and how much I believe it to be true, I knew I was living on borrowed time. My heart began to race. I started feeling dizzy and I started to have body aches. I knew the Giants didn't have a Bill Buckner or the Angels a Bucky "%$^#" Dent or even Aaron Boone. I started to see a bright light coming toward me, and then I noticed this guy with a black hooded robe and a sickle in his hand. He was drinking all my beer. I knew that the "Rally Monkeys" seemed to have run out of magic. That is when I realized that I must take matters into my own hands if I wanted to keep living. I ran into my 2-yr-old son's room and grabbed a stuffed monkey and put it on my back. I became that monkey. I declared that because I was the monkey, the Angels would turn things around and win the game. My buddies laughed! One was a Giants fan and he just smiled. I looked at the hooded guy now eating all my food. He told me that soon I would not have to worry about having leftovers. I winked and said, "Maybe the Beatles are the walrus but I am the monkey!" I started to send out texts, one after another, that with each hit I was getting stronger. The Angels scored 3 runs in the 7th and the 8th to take a 6-5 lead. I was about the size of Kong when the game ended. The hooded man told me he had to leave, but promised to be back in about 60 years. I smiled and thought was I going to die of old age, or would that be the year the Giants finally win it all? Either way, I didn't care because I would have lived a long and fulling life and I wouldn't be here to witness the unspeakable! Game 7 went like most though, and I knew. John Lackey pitched the game of his life, the Angels won the Series. You now know it was not John or Dusty pulling Ortiz in game 6. It was a man who transformed himself into the real "Rally Monkey" that changed everything.
We live our lives trying to get the monkey off our backs and keep it off. I just want all you Giant fans to know ... I am the monkey that is on your Giants' backs and have no plans to come off anytime soon (52 more years).
As the 2010 season starts just remember: The Giants suck and I'm alive to tell you that.
Wise Guy
I am going to share with you my brush with death. Yes, death. It happened back on Saturday, October 22, 2002. Events that would change my life and those in SF and Anaheim forever! I woke up that Saturday morning, and just like most Saturdays in the fall: Yard work, Cal football, and then getting ready for some buddies coming over in the evening to draft our fantasy basketball teams online with friends and family in the Bay. I remember telling my buddies that we will even put on the World Series ... LOL.
For the most part the day was uneventful. It was a warm fall day. Nothing strange or unusual that would tip me off about the events that were about to unfold that evening. I have talked to people that have had near death experiences. There is the one where a person leans forward to change a radio station and a stray bullet just misses hitting them in the head; the person who walks off a plane and finds out later the plane crashesl; or a car runs a red light and comes within a whisker of hitting the driver's side of the car. I had nothing like that. You see, I often thought whenever the good Lord decided it was my time, I would leave this earth and people would smile and say, "I thought he would leave in a manner like this." Let me explain.
That evening we began the draft right about the time the World Series started. The Giants were up 3 games to 2 over the Angels. I remembered my "rooting" pecking order for baseball. A's first, team in their division, American League, and then anyone playing against the Giants. I didn't give the game much thought. I knew the Angels would win Game 6 that night, and then Game 7 the next night. All would be right in the universe. Looking back, you might say that is exactly what happened. What you may not know is the events that unfolded during Game 6 that changed how I look at life today. Most of you either know, or have figured out just reading my blog, how much I loathe the Giants. Most who know me have heard me say, "Not in My Lifetime!"
The Giants will not win the World Series while I walk on this earth. It is a statement that I believe to be true!
Now most fantasy drafts last about 3-4hours when you get about 12 guys together. Drafts often start slow -- you have guys drinking beer or spirits so you get duplicate picks -- and there is a lot of trash talking throughout the process. This draft finished right about the time the game ended.
Things seem to be moving right along with the draft and the game until the top of the 5th. The Giants scored 3 to take a 3-0 lead. I felt a little uneasy, but I didn't worry too much. The top 6th and the 7th the Giants scored 1 run each to take a 5-0 lead going into the 7th inning stretch. Remembering what I said and how much I believe it to be true, I knew I was living on borrowed time. My heart began to race. I started feeling dizzy and I started to have body aches. I knew the Giants didn't have a Bill Buckner or the Angels a Bucky "%$^#" Dent or even Aaron Boone. I started to see a bright light coming toward me, and then I noticed this guy with a black hooded robe and a sickle in his hand. He was drinking all my beer. I knew that the "Rally Monkeys" seemed to have run out of magic. That is when I realized that I must take matters into my own hands if I wanted to keep living. I ran into my 2-yr-old son's room and grabbed a stuffed monkey and put it on my back. I became that monkey. I declared that because I was the monkey, the Angels would turn things around and win the game. My buddies laughed! One was a Giants fan and he just smiled. I looked at the hooded guy now eating all my food. He told me that soon I would not have to worry about having leftovers. I winked and said, "Maybe the Beatles are the walrus but I am the monkey!" I started to send out texts, one after another, that with each hit I was getting stronger. The Angels scored 3 runs in the 7th and the 8th to take a 6-5 lead. I was about the size of Kong when the game ended. The hooded man told me he had to leave, but promised to be back in about 60 years. I smiled and thought was I going to die of old age, or would that be the year the Giants finally win it all? Either way, I didn't care because I would have lived a long and fulling life and I wouldn't be here to witness the unspeakable! Game 7 went like most though, and I knew. John Lackey pitched the game of his life, the Angels won the Series. You now know it was not John or Dusty pulling Ortiz in game 6. It was a man who transformed himself into the real "Rally Monkey" that changed everything.
We live our lives trying to get the monkey off our backs and keep it off. I just want all you Giant fans to know ... I am the monkey that is on your Giants' backs and have no plans to come off anytime soon (52 more years).
As the 2010 season starts just remember: The Giants suck and I'm alive to tell you that.
Wise Guy
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Top 10: Fantasy Baseball Draft
As I get ready for our 17Th Annual Fantasy Baseball Draft, here is a list of the top 10 things I will hear tonight during our draft:
10. I will give you my 14th pick for your 1st pick ... you'll save salary!
9. I can't believe you took that player that early. I was going to take him 5 rounds later!
8. I did not know he retired/is injured and out for the season. My brother, (Terry Allen football), I'm still laughing 18 years later?!?!
7. Someone will say that the player is listed playing multiple positions in my wife's Sunset Magazine Fantasy Baseball Issue or insert any other off the wall publication.
6. I thought I had more salary available, I need to trade down.
5. I have to run a quick errand. I should be back before (insert a name here) finally makes his pick. ZZZZZZ!
4. What? I already have 5 pitchers ... owner picking a player that he does not need.
3. Anyone have an updated cheatsheet? I haven't been crossing out players picked and I need!
2. Last round: 5 or 6 guys saying, "I have the ultimate sleeper pick" Only Mr. Wise Guys' truly is Mr. Sleeper Pick)!
1. Every player after the draft ... On paper this is my year (exception Ry).
This not a Top 10, but once again I will remind everyone -- if it weren't for that $%#@ hurricane during the playoffs 2 years ago, I would have won my 5th title.
Wise Guy
10. I will give you my 14th pick for your 1st pick ... you'll save salary!
9. I can't believe you took that player that early. I was going to take him 5 rounds later!
8. I did not know he retired/is injured and out for the season. My brother, (Terry Allen football), I'm still laughing 18 years later?!?!
7. Someone will say that the player is listed playing multiple positions in my wife's Sunset Magazine Fantasy Baseball Issue or insert any other off the wall publication.
6. I thought I had more salary available, I need to trade down.
5. I have to run a quick errand. I should be back before (insert a name here) finally makes his pick. ZZZZZZ!
4. What? I already have 5 pitchers ... owner picking a player that he does not need.
3. Anyone have an updated cheatsheet? I haven't been crossing out players picked and I need
2. Last round: 5 or 6 guys saying, "I have the ultimate sleeper pick" Only Mr. Wise Guys' truly is Mr. Sleeper Pick)!
1. Every player after the draft ... On paper this is my year (exception Ry).
This not a Top 10, but once again I will remind everyone -- if it weren't for that $%#@ hurricane during the playoffs 2 years ago, I would have won my 5th title.
Wise Guy
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