Random Thoughts
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1. People can say whatever they want about Jose Canseco, but I’ll go to my grave saying he was the most entertaining player to watch at-bat in the history of Red Sox baseball. Nobody, and I mean nobody, could turn away when Jose was at the plate. Whether it be him hitting 900-foot HRs and staring at his bat like he missed it, his incessant twitching or his 3-pitch strike outs when he screwed himself into the ground, nobody had better entertainment value then Jose Canseco.
2. And speaking of entertaining Red Sox players from the past, by far and away the best thing to come out of the Jose Canseco steroid fiasco is the fact that Mike Greenwell is now trying to claim rights on the 1988 MVP Trophy.
"Where's my MVP?" said Greenwell, now a Fort Myers real estate developer and a volunteer assistant coach for the Riverdale High School baseball team.
"He's an admitted steroid user," Greenwell said of Canseco. "I was clean. If they're going to start putting asterisks by things, let's put one by the MVP. "I have a problem with losing the MVP to an admitted steroids user."
Only the Gator could make these types of comments without me even batting an eyelash. Say whatever you want about Mike Greenwell, but it didn’t matter whether he was sliding head first into first base, attacking Mo Vaughn with a baseball bat or cold-cocking Louis Rivera on a shallow pop up to SS, Greenwell was one Red Sox you could never take your eyes off.
3. For a long time the Stool has been taking shots at Bill Simmons. I’ve explained why I started disliking him a million times already and I realize it’s probably getting old so maybe this will be the last time. I also realize that some people loves hearing me bash the guy and others hate it. Regardless I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I didn’t write this random thought. As many people know Bill Simmons is having a well publicized intern contest at ESPN. The following excerpt was emailed to me (I don’t read him anymore) and is from an article he wrote last week explaining why he wants to have the contest….
“Back in the the mid-90's, I was absolutely stuck in life -- I wanted a sports column and there was no possible way to get one (remember, the Internet didn't really exist yet) without doing grunt work in a newspaper for 10-12 years and waiting for some of the older writers either to retire, get bought out or get hit by a bus. Do you realize that there hasn't been a white male hired as a sports columnist in Boston in 12 years? It's true. If professional sports worked like newspapers, LeBron James would be sitting on the bench in Cleveland right now while Mark Price, Craig Ehlo, Austin Carr and Brad Daugherty took his minutes. But that's a whole other story. Some day, I may even tell it. Here's the point: I know what it's like to be out of college -- with no freaking idea where your life is headed, with nobody giving you a chance, with your parents leaning on you to get a real job -- only you can't shake the feeling that you just need one lucky break. In my case, nobody ever gave me a break, so I ended up going on the Internet and forging my own path. I wouldn't recommend this, by the way -- I almost gave up about 600 different times, and I didn't even make $30,000 in a single year until I was 30. Not good times. Then again, it got me where I needed to be. And I'm hoping that this contest helps one person get where they need to be some day. That's why we're having it. Also, it's going to be immensely entertaining. Just wait.”
Now the reason I felt compelled to bash Simmons yet again is because this man is full of crap. I honestly believe that. Bill Simmons saying that the reason he wants to do this intern contest is to help somebody get to where he is one day is like Pedro Martinez saying he went to the Mets because of respect and not money. Keep in mind that before I started Barstool Sports and for a full 6 months after the Stool launched I called Bill Simmons virtually every day and explained what I was doing and asked if he could spare a minute to talk and lend any possible advice. He never returned my phone call. NOT ONCE. Then he turned down a request to do an interview with us via email because he said he didn’t like publicity. Months later after contacting him again, he told us that he would never help us with anything because we published the fact that he denied our interview request and expressed our disappointment with him. The rest is pretty much history. And just to clarify, I’m not bashing Bill Simmons the writer. He is my favorite writer of all-time dating back to his Digital City Boston days. Instead, I am bashing Bill Simmons the man. In many respects he is the Pedro Martinez of journalism and eventually this will be exposed. Just wait.
4. I’ve been saying from the beginning of the year that BC basketball is very good. In fact, it wouldn’t shock me to see them in the Final Four. I fully expected the Eagles to beat Syracuse this past Saturday Night and they did. The Eagles were clearly the better team and it was a very impressive victory. But if I was a BC alum I would be ashamed of myself. Was I dreaming or did the Superfans storm the court after beating Syracuse? Are you kidding me? BC is ranked ahead of Syracuse. The game was played at BC. The Eagles were a 2 point favorite. In other words they were supposed to win the game. Only a school that isn’t used to the big time would storm the court after a winning a regular season game that you are favored to win and doesn’t end in a buzzer beater. How about acting like you’ve been there before. Syracuse fans must have been laughing watching that display at the Heights. It’s almost as if 99% of the students in attendance had never been to a college basketball game before. I’d say this is the final nail in the coffin in terms of my argument that Boston College is not a tier 1 athletic program. Sure they have some very good years like this year, but schools that are used to winning don’t storm the court during regular season basketball games where they are the favorites. They just don’t.
5. Sticking with BC hoops for a bit, it is clear that this team is underrated. Not only was it a slap in the face for the Eagles only to be 2 point favorites at home on Saturday, but there is no way they should be ranked 6th in the country. Going into the week they should have been no worse than 3rd in the country behind Illinois and arguably behind Kansas. Right now they are the #2 team in the country end of discussion. Illinois is obviously #1. If you only have one loss and you play in the Big East nobody else should be ranked ahead of you unless they are undefeated. Don’t you get the feeling that if the season ended today the Eagles still may not get a #1 seed? That would be a total joke. Maybe it all stems from the fact that Jared Dudley just looks like a stiff. He always seems like he has slumped shoulders and just doesn’t look intimidating. It’s hard to fathom how good this guy really is until you see him play a lot and you realize he’s no fluke. This is sort of the deal with the entire BC team. You look at them and see nothing special, but they simply make all the plays all the time. I know this is blasphemy in these parts, but they remind me of the Pats in some ways.
6. Who knows if Tedy Bruschi will ever play football again? Regardless, if he does or doesn’t, he should be a first ballot Hall of Fame guy. Also, Tedy will always have a career here in New England if can’t play anymore. Guys like Lawyer Milloy always talk about how the Pats underpay their superstars and how Super Bowl rings don’t feed your family. Well in the case of Tedy Bruschi can there be any doubt that playing for less in New England was the right decision? Like I said, who knows if he will ever play again? We all hope he does and will miss him sorely if he doesn’t. But if he can’t make it back to the field, at least he went out on the highest of high notes. Bruschi will always be a legend around these parts. He will never have to pay for a meal around here and can probably do speaking and commercial gigs for as long as he feels like it. If ever a guy was forced to retire early because of a freak accident with no regrets on his career and his life set, I’d say Tedy Bruschi is the guy.
7. Am I the only one that has noticed ESPN Classic is suddenly showing live games with everybody from the announcers to the players to the crowd acting like it’s a game played from the mid 80’s? I’ve seen this twice in recent weeks with college hoops and I’m not a big fan. It is thoroughly confusing.
8. I have a question. How much would you pay if you could watch 24 non-stop at the conclusion of yesterday’s episode or any episode for that matter? I think I’d pay $200 and this is coming from a broke man. I don’t think I’ve ever been hooked on a show as much as 24. I’m not saying it’s my favorite show of all time, but I have a hard time dealing with 10:00 pm every Monday night. And by the way, do you think CTU can show Edgar some god damn respect and get somebody to save his mother? He’s the one who found the freaking mole in the first place.
9. ESPN is doing their annual “hottest female athlete” contest. Per usual, they included a ton of unqualified candidates. It’s similar to how they put Nomar and Mia Hamm in the top 10 most attractive athlete couples. I probably love Nomar more then anybody else on the planet but even I know he ain’t that pretty on the eyes. Anyway, it’s so obvious that there are only 3 contenders for the title of World’s hottest female athlete. Drum role please….Anna Kournikova, Amanda Beard and the softball pitcher. And the winner is Anna Kournikova by a landslide. Listen, people may be bored with her, but you don’t go saying that Karl Malone is better then Michael Jordan in his prime and you don’t knock off Kournikova until she either has a kid or turns 40.
10. So guess what I saw yesterday in the car parked next to me at Dunkin Donuts? If you guessed the World Series Trophy you’d be right. I’ve never been one of those guys that get googly eyes when I see pro athletes, but my legs turned to jelly at the sight of the trophy. I may have even spooked the people in the car who were guarding it as I stared right into the window for 5 minutes. I still can’t believe the Sox won the freaking World Series. Apparently the trophy is on a whirlwind tour to different high schools throughout MA to show it off.
11. I’ve always sweat Usher a little bit. I never wanted to give the guy credit that he was that great of a singer. Maybe it is the way he dances. It just freaks me out. And while I still don’t like his dancing style, I must admit I like his new song “Caught Up.” And say whatever you want about him, the man just churns out the hits.
12. The naming rights to the Fleet Center went on sale on Ebay starting February 16th. The naming rights for one day that is. Yup, El Presidente is throwing his hat in the ring to get the Fleet named “The Barstool Sports Center” or maybe “The Stoolie Center” for 24 hours. Don’t worry though I do have a back up plan if I don’t win the auction. If by chance, I can’t buy the naming rights to the Fleet Center I’ll settle for advertising on Jeff Bagwell’s ex wife’s cleavage. This is another advertising space that is for sale on ebay. This is the exact description of the Bagwell cleavage property
“As seen in numerous magazines including FHM, Playboy, InStyle, Razor and People; countless swimsuit layouts, television shows and movies, swimsuit model and actress Shaune Bagwell will place your company's ad, slogan or logo across her cleavage and wear strapless dresses, tops, and bikinis for 30 days!!!! Swimsuit photos of Shaune featuring this ad will be placed in their own gallery on Shaune's website for the remainder of 2005! *no obscenities, please*”
13. Did everybody see that Pedro Martinez showed up early to Mets training camp? He must think everybody else is real stupid. I’d respect him a lot more would if he just pulled his normal diva routine. Regardless, the fact that Pedro showed up on time isn’t the point of this random thought. I saw a picture of him lifting 1 lb. dumbbells and it was clear he shaved his armpits. That’s weird.
14. What is going on with the television show Gastineau Girls? I’ve watched it 3 times and still have no clue what the purpose of it is? And I’m totally confused why the doorman is a central character. I just keep praying that Mark Gastineau will somehow make a cameo appearance.
15. I hope everybody saw the ad in this week’s issue for our March Madness Party at the Place on March 18th. Now we realize that most people will have to take a day off from work to attend, but I think it is well worth it. Keep in mind that it is the day after St. Paddy’s Day. Therefore, it is the perfect day to play hooky and enjoy some college hoops. There is nothing better then the first round of March Madness and you owe it to yourself and to me to attend. The Place will be providing free food as well. C’mon you can’t beat that. It’s time for the Stool to flex its muscle and prove that we can draw a crowd when we want to.
Reader Email
Email #1
I haven't written in to random thoughts in a while, but I need an opinion on this. Cheap Seats, that show on ESPN Classic with those weird twins. I've watched it a few times, and as much as I try to hate it, I catch myself laughing every time. Does this make me a loser or is it actually a good show.
Pat
I haven’t watched enough of this show to comment. Does it have a specific time slot and is it only on ESPN Classic? If it’s only on Classic maybe that’s why I haven’t seen it much. I really don’t work that into my rotation.
Email #2
I noticed today that espn.com posted 2005 fantasy baseball rankings. I proceeded to spend the next hour mulling over the list of the top 100. I've pretty much spent my entire day pondering who I'll choose when draft day comes around. Is this normal, or am I crazier than most baseball fans? Also, this reminded me of a story I've been meaning to tell you guys. Last year my league held our fantasy draft at the Hooters on Friend St. by the Fleet. We had trouble finding a time we could all get together, so it was about a week or two into the baseball season when we finally met. The 4th quarter of the Celtics last regular season game was on TV as we got started. About an hour into the draft my buddy Dizzle yells out "Hey, there's Ricky Davis! And Marcus Banks too!" Sure enough, it was them, with an entourage of about six other guys.(On a side note, if you didn't recognize their faces there's no way you'd believe they are NBA players, Banks is about 5'10'' and Ricky might be 6'4", but he can't possibly weigh more than a buck-eighty.) Anyway, the amusing part of this story is that Marcus was wearing a Maryland Len Bias jersey. A couple hours and several pitchers of beer later we finished drafting, and on our way out we past the table were Ricky and Marcus were sitting. Most of us said things like "Nice game!" and "Good luck in the playoffs." When my boy Dizzle drinks he has a way of saying ridiculously blunt things. He's not usually trying to be rude, but things come out of his mouth that nobody would every say in an unimpaired state. Anyway, here's the exchange of words than occurred:
Dizzle: "Len Bias, you know he's dead, right?"
Banks: "Yeah, man."
Dizzle: "You think maybe it's bad luck for a Celtic's rookie to wear his jersey?"
Banks: "Nah, man."
Dizzle: "Alright. We're expecting big things from you in the playoffs!"
Banks: "Yeah, man."
And then they shook hands. This got me wondering, does the NBA have some sort of pre-training camp school where they teach rookies how to deal with drunk fans? I thought for sure my buddy was about to get smacked in the face, or at least that some members of their crew would have said something offensive in return. But, the whole thing went down nice and civilized.
As crazy as this sounds, I don’t think what your buddy “Dizzle” said was that crazy. It may be a bit brash, but I’m not sure I like Celtics rookies wearing Len Bias shirts either. And more importantly what is your buddy Dizzle’s real name? As a side note I heard Dick Vitale say the other day he thought Len Bias was the only guy he’s ever seen who could have challenged Jordan for the title of best player ever. I think I cried a little when he said that.