Happy Birthday
Happy 71st birthday to Mr. Jim Kaat, a former baseball player and 7-time Emmy winning broadcaster. Kaat boasts the third longest pitching career in Major League History having pitched from 1959-1983. During that span, he played for the Washington Senators / Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Trivia of the Week
Jim Kaat played for 25 seasons in the Majors. Who are the only 2 pitchers that had longer tenures? Extra Credit: What were their respective tenures in MLB?
Answers to October 31's Trivia of the Week
Saban is considered part of this man's coaching tree. Bill Belichick
Extra Credit: For which two NFL teams did Saban act as Defensive Back coach and Defensive Coordinator respectively? Houston Oilers and Cleveland Browns
The Best Team Wins
For anyone who doesn't already know - which excludes everyone who reads this blog - the New York Yankees have officially won their 27th World Series. Their first in the New Yankee Stadium - rather appropriate - and my guess is the last for the foursome of Jeter, Rivera, Pettitte, and Posada as team members. An odd stat... Every time the Yankees have won since 1961 (9 of 27 times), a Democrat has been in the White House. A little more analysis shows that 20 of their 27 WS wins come in years when a Democrat was in the White House, leaving just 7 of those with Republicans. Interesting...
The Best Team Wins II
Did something today I haven't done in a while. I went to see a Pee Wee football game to watch a kid I've tutored. It was the championship game between the Bulldogs of Richmond (though not exactly sure where 'Richmond' is in these parts) and the Knights of Ballard. The 2 teams had battled earlier in the year to a 7-7 tie, making them undefeated coming into the game. The Knights scored first on a long run from their tailback. But they could not convert on the extra point. 6-0. The Bulldogs roared back with a drive of their own before the half making it 6-6. It seemed the Dogs would score before the half, but they were stopped on 4 straight downs inside the 5. Come the second half, it was all Bulldogs. Their offense scored again. And the defense kept the Knight off the field. Final score: Bulldogs 13 - Knights 7. The right team won...
Upset Alert - NCAA Football
Northwestern takes down Iowa. Yeah, I know, Iowa lost its QB. But don't tell me that a team gets to #8 based on its QB alone. And if that's true, well, see ya later Hawkeyes. Northwestern 17 - Iowa 10.
Stanford beats Oregon. No defense in this one as they scored 93 points between them. Stanford 51 - Oregon 42.
I suppose it's worth mentioning that Ohio State beat Penn State today, though at 15 and 11 respectively, I can't consider this as much an upset as some of the others. Then again, given the 17 point difference, perhaps it is. Ohio St 24 - Penn St 7.
And the biggest travesty of the day? Navy sinks Notre Dame. Again. I don't mean to jump on any bandwagons, but see ya later, Charlie. Navy 23 - Notre Dame 21.
TD's NFL Picks - Week 9
Keeping it short and sweet this week. Gotta clean house.
Washington @ Atlanta
The Redskins are terrible. Zorn should not even be in the vicinity not to call plays. And then there are the Falcons who are still annoyed that they lost to a beatable Saints team. TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay @ Tampa Bay
Have you heard? In the battle of the Bays, Tampa has decided to don their throwbacks. My first thought was, 'Oh God, really?' My second thought was, 'It makes sense this year at 0-7'. TD chooses: Green Bay Packers
Miami @ New England
Miami blew out the Patriots in their last game last year. But last year is not a good indication of this year's reality. Methinks Brady, Moss, and Welker will tame the WildKat. TD chooses: New England Patriots
Kansas City @ Jacksonville
In this battle of the bad, you have in one corner a Jags team that I saw mutilated by the Seattle Seahawks who were themselves mutilated by the Arizona Cardinals. Yeah, not so good. And in the other corner you have a once proud franchise that has dwindled to the point of obsolescence and ridiculousness (see Larry Johnson). Who wins? I'll put my money on Maurice. TD chooses: Jacksonville Jaguars
Houston @ Indianapolis
Could be a shootout, but whenever I say something like that, it never seems to come to fruition. So I won't say it. Instead, I'll say that Peyton's having a great year and generally does well against division foes. TD chooses: Indianapolis Colts
Baltimore @ Cincinnati
Close to a game of the week. It's a must win for the Ravens. It's a more than nice-to-have for the Bagels. Cincy comes off a bye. Baltimore comes off a good win against the Broncos. I think the Ravens have the momentum. But I'm concerned about choosing against the Bagels. Eh, well, I'll make this about my alma mater. Go Blue Hens. TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens
Arizona @ Chicago
It's about that time of year when Chicago starts to get a tad bit nippy. And Arizona ain't about nippy. Generally. But Arizona has actually been better away from home this year. The better team? TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals
Carolina @ New Orleans
Don't underestimate John Fox. Sean Payton won't. TD chooses: New Orleans Saints
Detroit @ Seattle
Everyone around here has this expectation that the Seachickens will destroy the Lions. I personally don't think so, especially if Calvin Johnson is in the lineup. Still, Qwest Field can be intimidating with the 12th man. TD chooses: Seattle Seahawks
San Diego @ New York Giants
You know what I think happened to the New York Giant Defense these past three weeks? Good teams and no Spags. Well, they better get their heads out of their hind parts and start playing like they've been there. Will they in this game? Something tells me they will. TD chooses: New York Football Giants
Tennessee @ San Francisco
Two weeks ago and this is San Fran by far. Now, I'm not so sure. Can Vince Young make that much of a difference? Yes, but not because of his talent. Rather it's because teams haven't seen him recently - he's somewhat of an unknown - and he gives the offense - an offense I don't think is bad - a spark. Still, San Fran has done well under Singletary and can win this game. In fact I think they will win this game. TD chooses: San Francisco 49ers
Dallas @ Philadelphia
Great Sunday Night Game. I wish it weren't for the lead in the NFC East, but I can't complain overly much given the Jints rancid play. Romo does well in the regular season. But it seems Philly will have all of its offensive weapons for the game. I don't put it past them to pull it out against the Cowboys at home. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh @ Denver
And a great Monday Night Game. Go figure. Denver's licking its wounds; and it better figure out how to reduce the exposure many thought were coming in the Baltimore game. I think Pittsburgh will find a way to disrupt the O-line and Orton as the Ravens did. I know, Denver deserves respect. But watch out for the Steelers. TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers
And there you have it. Another week of rants and raves. Until next I write, happy sporting...
No comments:
Post a Comment