Empathy In The Loss of Hometown Players
by baseballgirl on Jul 9, 2010 8:00 AM PDT
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PrintNOTE: The Texas Rangers have acquired Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners for Justin Smoak and minor leaguers. Thread is here.
In case you were living under a rock these last 24 hours (and maybe not even then), you couldn't help but have heard the news about LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers in favor of the Miami Heat.
For actual discussion of the news, you can go here, or here. If you want my opinion on the LeBron James special, see this quote from the open letter from Cav's owner Dan Gilbert:
This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.
However, the rest of Dan Gilbert's open letter is unfathomable to me. No matter how badly, selfishly or horribly LeBron treated the city of Cleveland in recent weeks, how can an owner trash his former franchise player to the magnitude that Gilbert did in his letter? Love him or hate him, LeBron played hard every single night in Cleveland for seven years and brought Gilbert and the Cavs more money, excitement and notoriety than anyone else in the sport could have. Surely that is worth something, no? Would a classier reaction have been for Gilbert to express his disappointment in the decision and how things were handled in recent weeks, but wish LeBron the best and thank him for seven sold-out seasons, five playoff runs, and an appearance in the NBA finals for his basketball team? More to the point, can any of us imagine a similar open letter to the fans from an A's owner after the departure of Giambi,Tejada, Zito, or Thomas?
This isn't about LeBron James. This is about the loss the city of Cleveland is experiencing, and believe me; I know how they feel.
Disclaimer: I've never lived in the city of Oakland. The closest I've lived is 45 miles away, and I currently live 400 miles away, so I have no personal stake or vested real-estate interest or opinion about the city the A's call home. Yet, I take it as personally as anyone when Oakland--the stadium, the team, the fans, the city--is snubbed by a player who chooses to play elsewhere.
On an intellectual level, I do understand. If you are offered more money, more fame, a sold-out crowd every night, and everything else that comes with playing in a big city (or in LeBron's case, all of the perks that make Miami not Cleveland), how can you pass up the chance? Do I really expect hometown player loyalty for an entire career? Do you?
I felt the loss of Barry Zito and Frank Thomas to a much lesser extent. The Giants made a ridiculous offer to Zito; one that I would have been disgusted if the A's had made, so it seemed a no-brainer. Likewise, when Frank Thomas made his financial situation public and I knew he needed the money that Toronto was offering, I was happy to thank him for 2006 and call it a good run.
But when Giambi signed with the Yankees, he ripped out a piece of my green and gold heart and threw it on the ground and stomped on it in the process. He didn't hold a three-ring circus to drag out the process, and if we're being honest, the A's aren't entirely blameless in the loss, but it still hurt like hell. Why not Oakland? Why aren't we good enough to have nice things? We've been around since the 1900's, too; we have pennants to hang and stories of the good old days to tell. And let's not forget; Rickey Henderson and Reggie Jackson were ours first.
Giambi's absence left a gaping hole in Oakland, and I was still numb when Tejada left. But looking back, did I want the best for both of these players in their future careers? I would have to say yes. I don't hold any ill will towards either of them personally; they did what they needed to do in their careers.
But I know how Cleveland feels. It's the worst form of betrayal; that your player wants to play somewhere else. Your player wasn't traded; he chose to leave. And no matter how many time you try to rationalize his decision, and no matter how many reasons he gives, the bottom line is that you feel that your city isn't good enough for the player. And that hurts.
Current Series
3 game series vs Angels @ Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
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Los Angeles Angels Friday, Jul 9, 2010, 7:05 PM PDT Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80. |
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| Sat 07/10 | 6:05 PM PDT | |
| Sun 07/11 | 1:05 PM PDT | |
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Comments
Actually, no. LeBron turned down more in Cleveland for Miami, although maybe the tax
difference made up for that. I’m not sure. Beltre and Scutaro turned down more from the A’s to play for the Red Sox. The A’s could have signed Giambi if it were only about money. But he wanted to play for the Yankees, because they are the Yankees.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 8:23 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Beltre was not offered more money by the A's. He was offered the same deal by Philly and about the same from the BoSox
The A’s didn’t make a legit offer to Giambi
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Source?
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions
The A's met Giambi's demand at the 11th hour.
Not that it really matters.
SIG SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP. INQUIRE WITHIN.
It does to me. Now I'm justified in my disdain for him.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
I meant in the sense of him signing with Oakland.
I’m pretty sure it had already reached the point that he was going to go sign with New York, and then Beane finally said “Okay, here’s 6/90 and a full NTC, just like you wanted” but he’d already decided that he was leaving.
SIG SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP. INQUIRE WITHIN.
In that case Schott is a complete idiot. If he was willing to meet the demands
he should have done so earlier, and not subjected me to Kendall, Kotsay and Loiaza
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
this
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
I enjoyed Loiaza.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 9, 2010 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions
He was like a drunken, Mexican Miguel Batista
Who can’t get on board with that?
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
He was scary and exciting and potentially self-destructive.
Every inning was completely unpredictable. He was a starting pitcher for our team and he couldn’t pitch. Do you realize how amazing he was? He was pure guile. He had no talent. He had an 84 MPH fastball and it went downhill from there. He would get up on the rubber and look at the batter and say, “Hey! What’s that over there?!” and when the batter was distracted, he’d throw a pitch.
He was amazing.
He was my hero.
He was…Esteban.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 9, 2010 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
"Ah, sí, my friend"
“You have to this point witnessed me slop my way to a 3-1 count. But you have erred grievously, contrincante, for I have yet more to offer. Can you truly be prepared when I deliver to you— yet more slop?!”
/whack
/jog around the bases
/A’s lose by 10
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
I saw him in a crowded bathroom at a Vicente Fernandez concert in San Jose.
There’s no more to the story. Just thought you’d want to know that.
I'm here to talk about the past.
He's the guy that sounds like Bruce Springsteen en Espanol, right?
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 9, 2010 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
He was on the radio a lot at work last year.
Yeah, I actually had a real job last year. I worked in a taqueria. They ended up overstaffed, and one of the other employees needed the job a lot more than I did, so I sort of laid myself off.
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 9, 2010 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Her husband was on disability and it was about to run out
Whereas, I was just working there because I liked working there.
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 9, 2010 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions
kinky
Zooey Deschanel!
Cluck 'em all and let the Chick sort 'em out - DMOAS
by ChickenStanley on Jul 9, 2010 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions
there's no more to this story
winkwink
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 9, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
so you're denying having sex
with our number five starter in a dirty men’s restroom?
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 9, 2010 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Are you saying that our fifth starter is an international pop star?
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 9, 2010 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I remember the A's offered him 6/90
but not the full ntc…according to some reports at the time Giambi’s agent called the lack of the ntc the sticking point…of course this might all just have been posturing
its in the giambi interview from last year.
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Lebron is giving up around $30 Million to play with the Heat
It’s not always about the money. Lebron wants to be a champion and we shouldn’t fault him for that.
It seems in any industry, if people are able to move to get what they want, it is seen with optimism. Sports is one of the few exceptions because so many others are involved. As fans we make gut decisions on other people’s business strategies. It’s tough, but because of this, I never faulted Giambi for taking the money and the chance to win championships that he was afforded in NY.
If anything, Cleveland should blame Cavs management for not sacrificing everything to give Lebron some players to put Cleveland over the edge. If he had two more good position players in their prime, Cleveland would have a championship and still have Lebron to call their own. And for a guy who was trying to buy the loyalty of Tom Izzo, he should be ashamed of himself slamming Lebron for his lack of “loyalty.”
As much as we don’t like it, sports are business. At the end of the day, I think Lebron made a great business decision for him and his legacy.
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
my only problem with Giambi's signing with NY
was his comment on Letterman’s show. The A’s offered him quite a bit of $$ (not as much as the Yankees, but still quite a bit)…but Giambi is not a hometown guy, being from Southern California. If his lifelong dream (or his dad’s) was to wear pinstripes, fine. And it’s not like he was healthy enough to give full value for the Yankee contract.
As for short-term A’s, both Johnny Damon and Jason Isringhausen indicated that they were interested in re-signing with Oakland provided Giambi did as well. Apparently they would have liked to keep the 2001 team intact.
Interestingly, Lebron reportedly didn’t take the highest $$ offer.
My problem was that our best player signed for a team that would have been worse than
ours had he not signed there, not primarily for money — although Schott’s cheapness didn’t help — but because of some silly mystique.
I don’t blame Giambi – these things happen – but I do blame Schott and now Wolff for not making Oakland a more attractive place to play for players and to watch a game for fans.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions
To clarify, Jason stopped being one of "us" when he left and I didn't see him as anything
different from Eric Karros when he returned in 2009.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions
It was hard to call their offer cheap
I believe it was 6 years/$90M, IIRC. That’s not exactly chump change. He would have been the highest paid player in the division short of A-Rod. That’s what killed me, because it was clearly about money and fame (which soon became infamy).
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! - danmerqury
by cuppingmaster on Jul 9, 2010 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions
He said he went there for a Championship...
…but with or without Giambi, we would be better than them for the next two years. The Yankees didn’t win a single world series with Giambi. I Iiked to think of it as the “Giambi Curse.”
Other kids may be sayin' hi-ho, but The Gooch just says yo.
I know nothing about basketball (and I'd like to keep it that way), but didn't James pick the Heat to win?
Cos he’s being joined by two other elite players isn’t he?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I thought the TV announcement was a bit of a stuck up thing to do
But I also think the blue chip HS athletes doing the same thing deciding where they will be going to “school” is too. So maybe Lebron wanted to live that moment he decided to skip out on by jumping straight to the NBA.
The "taking my talents" wording was pretty arrogant too.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions
He's not talented?
I mean if anything his speech shows people need to go to college. It wasnt very eloquent but ESPN is equally to blame here.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
I thought 'the Decision' program by ESPN was laughably bad.
So I agree with Gilbert there. However, I agree with BBG too – he should have just said “we’re disappointed, but we thank James for 7 great years here.”
Instead he came off as an amateur – to the point where James’ decision is justified if that guy has a hand in the day to day running of the team. He’s far too emotional for something that’s a business.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
yep
you’d expect that from fans… but from the owner seems a bit ridiculous. James at least made people care about basketball again in Cleveland.
well, too the owner was probably posturing some to demonstrate to
the fans “that he’s as upset as they are” – so, see you should not blame me!
alaska A residing in northern Idaho.
I purposely did not watch. I, too, thought it was kind of arrogant.
"Are those new tarps? Or did they paint 'em?" Mark Ellis
Can't wait until
the Miami Heat play @ Cleveland next year….wow oh wow! If you think the boos for Giambi when he returned for the Coliseum were bad, I can’t imagine what it will be like for Lebron…
Personally, i felt he dragged the whole process out way to much. A very simple internet release would of sufficed, but he had to make it a nationwide announcement that he didn’t want to be in Cleveland (forgoing any interviews with the new coach kinda clued us in that early)….
"Twenty minutes," says Jack Sr. "Thank god for Billy Beane."
"Any fan that wants us to do that is going to be disappointed because that just isn’t us." - Wolff
"Just play for the name in front of the uniform.." - Dallas Braden
Also this...
is what he turned into being a Yankee…yuck!
but i really had no ill will when he returned back to us again, albeit stinking up most of last year was kind of a bummer…
I wonder how Cleveland fans would react if LEbron wanted to go back to the Cabs at the end of his career for retirement?!
"Twenty minutes," says Jack Sr. "Thank god for Billy Beane."
"Any fan that wants us to do that is going to be disappointed because that just isn’t us." - Wolff
"Just play for the name in front of the uniform.." - Dallas Braden
What a Circus
The owner is right about LeBron in playoffs. He tanked it against the Celtics.
What was Frank Thomas' financial situation in 2006?
Could someone please elaborate on this I didn’t realize he was in financial trouble.
by BenGrieve:thenatural on Jul 9, 2010 9:27 AM PDT reply actions
Big gambler, apparently.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Actually, I think he was robbed by his financial advisor
If I recall the details, he was left with almost nothing.
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
Oh really? Sure I read something about him having a gambling addiction.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
You could be right...but I remember him being robbed too
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Jul 9, 2010 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
and he took significantly less money to stay in Chicago.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 9, 2010 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Frank Thomas?
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 9, 2010 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions
I loved the owner's letter
Talk about cathartic.
We develop a relationship with the players we root for. Many genuinely care about them—and yes that caring is almost entirely tied to performance. Still, we care a great deal.
So when the player leaves, we often feel betrayed. Many Cleveland fans feel that way. He did a nice job of venting his own and those fans anger.
The A's actually offered Giambi $90 million
I cursed him and the yankees didn’t win a world series in his tenure. Now you can’t put lebron up there with Kobe and Jordan if he wins championships with the heat.
by gambler on Jul 9, 2010 9:45 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
I loved the letter by Gilbert
it was awesome and exactly what should have been said. Lebron was a dick throughout this entire process.
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 9:52 AM PDT reply actions
Oh no doubt...
But does that erase the last seven years of what LeBron gave him?
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
No but when you're feeling betrayed- right or wrong-
and you don’t allow yourself enough time to let things digest, you are fairly likely to respond irrationaly, and surely likely to leave out any good parts.
I'm here to talk about the past.
It was an open letter. Those things take time. It's not like a reporter thrust a microphone in his face
30 seconds after the news broke – and quite frankly he should have guessed the guy was leaving.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
It's a good point.
But I’ve written things from the heart before. Speaking of, I read somewhere that Gilbert should write letters for anyone who has ever been dumped. Hehe.
I'm here to talk about the past.
I'm thinking of dropping him a line actually.
He captures the jilted lover essence really well. I could probably do with having one of those bad boys on stand by.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
He should have went with the obsessed stalker approach.
Something Fatal Attraction-ish.
I'm here to talk about the past.
No joke...
It was brutal.
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Jul 9, 2010 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
yes
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, maybe LeBron has been a dick,
but that Gilbert letter was comical and ridiculous. And not just because of the font.
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
I loved it I wish he owned a franchise that I rooted for.
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Sure, if you're a fan of billionaire crazy cat ladies.
I get some of it, and the first half was fine. But he went off the deep end at around the bold-faced line.
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
No I really don't think he did
James made dissing the team that drafted him and gave him everything he wanted into a fucking narcassistic TV show.
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Oh, no argument here on that one.
LeBron handled this horribly, and Dan Gilbert and the entire city of Cleveland is absolutely right to be livid. But an owner needs to have more class than this. And more…sanity? The letter is like something I’d read from some dude on Facebook, not the owner of a professional American sports franchise.
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
by danmerqury on Jul 9, 2010 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why should the owner have more "class" and I really don't think that what he did lacked class.
I didn’t know owning a sports team makes you beholden to higher standards.
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions
I have one good reason to root against Miami now
My Yankee Loving, slegnA supporting Roomy went to the U of Miami many years ago. He is a Dolphins and Now a Heat fan.
My life just got slightly worse for that.
I used to like LeBron but this circus that he put on coupled with the fact that he did tank against Celtics and is in love with himself, now makes me root for the Lakers to repeat again just to shove it up his arse and my roomy’s arse.
So he's a Canes fan too? Awesome.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Man, Trainman rooting against your team is no joke
I almost feel bad for those guys now.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
Does your roommate have horns?
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 9, 2010 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions
No those belong to the guy wearing the Yankee shirt and Giants hat the other night.
I'm here to talk about the past.
I knew I'd find an exception to my general discomfort with captial punishment
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
I'd rather die quickly than be tortured with capsacin
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 9, 2010 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Agree with your whole post 100%.
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
Owners are cartoon characters
“The Old-Man Billionaire,” “The Mad Genius,” “The Wealthy Fan”— most of ‘em fit into some sort of cliché caricature or another. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve never really looked to ownership as setting the personality of the franchise. Which is a long way of saying I like the lack of class here— he’s commiserating with his people, the fans, and he’s promising to sign enough big checks to make it all better.
Also, everything he said about LeBron is true.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
You could just start rooting for the Cavs.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I hate basketball. Its so slow and boring.
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions
no
the first 3/4ths of the game are meaningless unless its a blow out which isn’t fun. And the last quarter is so unbelievably slow it takes like 5 years to play the last 5 minutes of a close game. Fouls are ridiculous and make no sense and slow the whole thing down. Winning isn’t even important since teams get into the playoffs with losing records. The playoffs take almost as long as the season.
The whole thing is dull slow and boring as all get out.
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wasn't trying to be a dick
I was just trying to make an observation that this is what every non-baseball fan says about baseball. To have it turned around on basketball is humorous to me (whatever the merit of your argument, which I support in most respects).
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
I know :-)
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
It's what people say about soccer too....funny....I never think of soccer as a slow boring game!
On the Daily Soccer Fix someone described soccer and baseball as extreme opposites in the sport in how they are played and the pace of the game. How baseball is very methodical and soccer is more random. Linear in thought vs. random in thought. I guess it takes a certain kind of person to love both sports! (I tried to find the exact post but could not!)
"Are those new tarps? Or did they paint 'em?" Mark Ellis
Not that big of a basketball fan either,
but I’ve never heard “slow and boring”.
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
OMG, that is fucking hilarious.
Did you see this, Pam?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Heh. No.
That’s awesome. I needed that today.
I kinda wish this could be my sigline:
Like daffodils in motherfucking spring.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Anyone else seen this?
She’s a bunny boiler if ever there was one.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Oh - the first part (incase you didn't know about it already)
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Hahahahahahahahahahaha
So awesome.
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Jul 9, 2010 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Ichiro
the 3D experience
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Jul 9, 2010 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
I was watching the Mariners broadcast last night
To say the guys in the booth were amused by this would be an understatement. They got the PR people to give her a Mariners gift basket, and I’m not sure why. After all, OMG, Ichiro touched her!
by coffee roaster on Jul 9, 2010 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions
"Please enjoy this gift basket"
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand sign this waiver so we can use this footage whenever we want.”
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
I'm fairly certain that the waiver is already given
as terms of the ticket. That’s why I never sit in the lower decks.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
What's a bunny boiler?
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! - danmerqury
by cuppingmaster on Jul 9, 2010 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
You've never seen Fatal Attraction?
Oh and two mentions of Fatal Attraction in one thread. That’s got to be a record.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Hehe, weird.
And even though one of those mentions was mine, I didn’t get the bunny boiler reference either. I do now {shudders}.
I'm here to talk about the past.
I have no idea who that guy is though.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Jim Leavitt
Former head football coach at South Florida. He slapped a kid.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
OK, but I still don't get how that fan is a bunny boiler.
Is there audio I’m not hearing?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I like how she mouths OMG i have to call my mom
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
"Jesus, he touched me.....OMG I have to call my mom!"
Crazy, crazy, crazy girl.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I wanna see her facebook status today. =P
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
If Ichiro touched your leg you wouldn't go a little crazy?
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 9, 2010 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions
I'd probably call the police.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I'd probably try to slip him my phone number.
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 9, 2010 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
It was so sensual looking
Ichiro = James Bond.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
Nah, look how quickly he backs off when she reaches to touch him.
He’s scared.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Justin Wilson, ladies'n'gen'lm'n...
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 9, 2010 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I'll let Paul and Ringo know.
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
Oooof
I don’t worship at the Beatles altar like most, but I would never stoop so low as to label them a boy band.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
Yeah - music icons is probably a better label.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Heh, well okay.
But still, as far as the “OMG HE TOUCHED ME!”-type hype, the Beatles were one of the first.
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
We do. All those girls are crazy too.
Which is to say all girls are crazy.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Oh I know...that had nothing to do with the four players who choose to leave :-)
I just meant that WE had them before THEY did ;-)
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Jul 9, 2010 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
I got your point ;-)
And it’s not like Reggie hasn’t done enough to alienate A’s fans with his Yankeeness of late. Though I guess that’s a different topic altogether.
Speaking of Rickey, where the hell is he?
I'm here to talk about the past.
He was at the ball park next to Wolff for one of the Yankee games.
I figure he’s still roving around the minors, right?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I must have missed that.
Thought he was supposed to be working with Rajai. Oh wait.
I'm here to talk about the past.
I'd much prefer him working with the kids.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
He could teach them Spanish.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Living under a rock
The ONLY place I’ve heard about LeBron James is here on AN.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Lucky you. I made the mistake of going to a bar last night and watching the TV.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
You can trash your former star player...
… when he turns his rejection of you, your city, and your team into a grand, self-serving 1-hour nationwide spectacle. Seriously, what an asshat. He didn’t just desert his hometown— he slow-roasted it on a spit for the country to watch.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
by Joey C. on Jul 9, 2010 10:25 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Cleveland isn't LeBron's hometown. He's from Akron. The Akronese still like him.
Akronians? Akronites? Akronidniks?
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Tell that to Oakland people who don't want the A's in San Jose.
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Well, that's indireclty what I'm getting at
The Cleveland fans feel as though they’re LeBron’s hometown team, sort of by proxy.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
Ah yes, like San Franciscans think they're in Silicon Valley.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions
Aykroydians
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Jul 9, 2010 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Different group entirely.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Well
we’re all Aykroydians along with Murrayites and others of the family Ghostbusterous
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Jul 9, 2010 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Akronish.
Though I like Akronese the best.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Although Amish is better than Amese.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I think James has been poorly advised through this whole situation.
As you say, the 1 hour nationwide special was a bit much. That said, the Cavaliers owner should have handled the rejection with more grace.
Failing that he should have just gone the whole hog, called a press conference and said: “Fuck you, Lebron.”
I read today he’s going to reveal information about James’ mum and her affair with his teammate. You say classy, Mr Gilbert.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
He's already pulled out his whole "Watch the tape, Lebron quit on us in the playoffs" material already.
Gotta have an ace in the hole.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
His last home playoff game was no doubt a stinker.
But whatever. Gilbert should now focus on, I don’t know, the players he still has?
I'm here to talk about the past.
Do they have any players?
Again I don’t follow basketball, but I’m lead to believe it’s the Lebron James show in Cleveland. They built their team around him.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
From what I understand, they kinda didn't.
It was basically Lebron James and a bunch of scrubs.
Jordan had Pippen and some really, really good role players
Kobe had Shaq, and then Gasol.
LeBron has never had a really good supporting cast. I can’t blame him one bit for wanting to go and play with another one of the top 5 players in the league, and another all star type.
I do think he handled the situation like crap though.
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What mike said.
Except the scrubs part. The Cavs are slightly better than that.
And I think it’s funny this whole “he can’t win without {insert name here}”. No star player won a title on his own. None of ’em.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Let's see, Mo Williams
Delonte West.
Antawn Jamison.
Um…
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh………………..
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
How many teams in the Western Conference would Mo Williams start for? Maybe one in Memphis, but that’s it. Delonte West is below average. Anthony Parker is below average. Antawn Jamison is good at best, but really played like crap in the playoffs. Shaq made them worse, Varejao has no offensive game at all and Mike Brown screwed up by not playing J.J. Hickson more. That’s why Brown was fired. He made horrible in-game adjustments and isn’t an offensive coach at all. One of his assistants drew up the plays.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Mo had a pretty good first half
Frankly, I wouldn’t mind having him on the Blazers.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
Cleveland won 61 games last season. They just went from a 60-win team to a 30-win team.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Honestly, yes. I don’t see 12 losses on their schedule. The Lakers will get them once and the Magic will get them once, but other than that, I just don’t know. Maybe the Bulls will get them once. Maybe the Mavericks will get them once. I don’t see how they can lose 12 games.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd be willing to work for league minimum. Just putting it out there.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
As of right now, only Mario Chalmers is under contract. They did draft four guys in the second round this year and those guys will sign for the rookie minimum and therefore will not count against the cap. They can still sign guys for the veteran’s minimum if Wade, Bosh and James do eat all of their cap room. They did clear $5 million with the Beasley trade last night since all they received were future draft picks.
As for their other starters mattering, I don’t think so. They’ll find a defensive center (or just re-sign Joel Anthony, the one they had) and a shooter. Those are their two biggest needs. They lead the race to sign Mike Miller, a veteran sharpshooter with great handles for a wing and a high basketball IQ.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I've heard some less-than complimentary things about Miller of late.
BTW, Raj, go outside some time, will ya?
I'm here to talk about the past.
Hey, I picked up pizza last night and went to the grocery store this morning after staying up with my friends all night.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
atta boy
I can’t keep up with one sport, let alone 3 (or more). But I really need to set you up with one of my nieces before your brain goes on stat overload.
I'm here to talk about the past.
That sounds interesting.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I am in favor of this.
Were you planning on giving him to one of the good ones or one of the evil ones?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
It's called the sun. It's everybody but Monkeyball's friend
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 9, 2010 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Ah.
I read that he’s playing with Wade? He’s good, right? And Bosch (I don’t wanna even bother spell checking that).
It just seems like he got tired of trying to win it all on his own and wanted to play with some super stars (cos nobody wanted to go to Cleveland).
But yeah he handled it all very badly. His PR man needs firing.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Superstars doesn't even cut it.
Wade and Bosh are really, really freaking good. It’d be like if Alex Rodriguez left Texas to go play with Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, and CC Sabathia.
Oh, wait.
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
by danmerqury on Jul 9, 2010 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
snicker
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Jul 9, 2010 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Nicely done.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
hehe
Still, nothing is guaranteed. It took A-Rod a few years to get that ring. Actually Tex and CC came after A-Rod. ;-)
And how about the reverse effect? The Mariners lost Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr, and A-Rod- over three straight seasons- and then won a gazillion games without them.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Wade is one of the top 5 players in the league
Bosh is probably top 20 or something
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Wade is a top three player without a doubt along with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Those three guys are on a whole different level compared to the rest of the league. They play both ends of the court better than guys like Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony and they have a lot more playmaking ability.
Among all big men, Bosh is ranks third in the league in my mind behind Dwight Howard and Dirk Nowitzki.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions
They’re really close and I don’t know if I can pick a side. Bosh has a higher PER and a narrowly better TRB%, but Gasol is more efficient although Bosh averaged 24 points per game. That’s not easy to do. I guess I’d give Gasol the edge because he’s a better shot blocker and passer while being a more efficient scorer, so I’d have to bump Bosh down to fourth. If I’m building a team for the future, though, I’m probably taking Bosh depending upon what else is on the roster since he’s 26 and Gasol is 30.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I love that term. "Among all big men."
Like all basketball players aren’t freakishly tall.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Basically, but I classify them as point guards, wings and big men.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I think it's funny
that basketball players say they have “positions” and then run all over the place.
I’ve never really thought about it like that, but I don’t think you need a center and a power forward and a shooting guard and a small forward and a point guard. You just need a floor general (essentially a point guard), two wings without both being undersized and two big men.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions
My understanding of basketball is that you just put 5 better players than the other team
on the court and pick up the win.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Well, you need a bench.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
What's wrong with that, if they're both single?
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Well it's a little out of line, considering it's with his teammate.
But I’m referring more to the fact that the owner is threatening to release private details about it.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I'unno
I kinda like my owner having my back and saying we’re gonna win a championship before the bad guys do. Whether or not it’s feasible.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
I like the guys in charge of my favourite teams to be professional, or at least fake it.
The guy is acting like a fan, which is never a good thing when you’re making the decisions. Can’t be too emotional in a business like this.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Ah
I like the fan types. I would love to have Mark Cuban own my team.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
Not for me. The money men have to step aside and let someone who knows what they're doing run things.
Like, for example, Blackburn Rovers were owned by a guy called Jack Walker – a lifelong fan. He made his millions in the steel industry and bought the club. First thing he did was put a great manager in charge and then stepped aside and let him weave his magic.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I'm with you, as long as the purse strings are open and the money flows
I want an owner willing to buy a championship.
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 9, 2010 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions
They were.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Sure, as long as the decisions are made by a GM and CEO, and not the owner/fan
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions
To be fair, he's put an even bigger bullseye on his back.
If they don’t win a title- and soon- the criticism he is facing now will feel like a walk in the park. I assume he knows that.
I'm here to talk about the past.
He didn't sound like the most self aware person on the interview. It's like he assumes multiple NBA titles.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I missed the interview, but he should be careful.
Many atheletes- Giambi included- assumed greener pastueres and greater glory- and were wrong.
I'm here to talk about the past.
by 67MARQUEZ on Jul 9, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Look, I don't have a hate-on for LeBron
But it’s not “like” he assumes multiple NBA titles— he does assume them. You know why he insisted on having his decision made so soon? Why he put his suitors on a strict 2-a-day schedule? Because he has a movie to shoot. A movie that is “very important” to him.
But I guess you gotta take time out from your busy schedule winning championships to shoot a movie every now and then.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
A movie? About what?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
That's going to flop. Jordan was internationally famous. Does anyone know who James is outside of your shores?
NBA fanatics not withstanding (and there aren’t many of them over here I don’t think).
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Yeah, I'm not predicting box office gold on this one
Not to mention the potential moviegoers Bron-Bron may have alienated after yesterday.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
A mockumentary no doubt.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions
this has been the best thing i've read on the subject:
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/article/lebron_james_and_puppy_dogs/
“Seven years ago, Cleveland obtained a local piece of property that was deprived the chance of choosing another city in America. Now, that piece of property has decided to go somewhere else.”
Why don't you make like a tree, and get out of here.
"Give up your boyhood/girlhood dreams of hometown stars and loyal athletes."
“Get hip to the idea that it’s a business, and that every move an athlete makes will be motivated by which pile of money is more embarrassingly large. After all, we can all agree that we were cheated by never seeing Cal Ripken, Jr. in a Yankees jersey.”
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
Why would he have wanted to go to the Yankees? The A's were the team of the late 1980s.
it’s tough to ‘support the laundry’, especially when the teams are losing on a consistent basis. - OldhamA
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 9, 2010 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Maybe lebron left because he was mad Shaq banged his mom
by gambler on Jul 9, 2010 11:23 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
The fact we're all talking about this
and going oohh what a vitriolic letter is exactly what the NBA wants. Everyone lock stock and barrel has fallen into the marketing trap.
What would be more interesting would be for the Cavs to announce a boycott of ESPN for pandering and creating this shit – of course no-one will do that because it might actually cost some money and actually create genuine divisions instead of all this phony crap
by Shed on Jul 9, 2010 12:18 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
What marketing trap?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
So I guess you guys buy into the idea of: "there's no such thing as bad PR."
If the Cavalier’s marketing ploy is to come off as a amateurish club that makes decisions based on emotion, then sure, congratulations. Job done.
If they want to come off as a NBA franchise though – yeah, that’s not happened.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Every national news station was talking about LeBron
Every. CNN, FOX, MSNBC.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Of course they were. He's the biggest player in the sport. That's not marketing, that's just reporting.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
This. exactly.
LeBron probably got a good chunk of that 30MM difference between the two contracts for doing the ESPN special.
And all the marketing now that South Beach has LeBron Fever and I’m sure the under-40 population in South Beach has rushed out and bought LeBron jerseys, his sneakers, etc, probably finished off the rest of the reputation. The Cleveland people already had their jerseys and shoes.
ESPN easily raked in millions of dollars in the additional ratings for Sportscenter prior to the signing, and in the Decision special.
Had he agreed to sign with Cleveland, or if it was remotely likely he stayed with Cleveland, there would not have been a special. The special was only announced on Tuesday. This is after he had claimed that he’d have a decision by Monday. Obviously, hello ratings ploy.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
I would given him more respect if he signed with the knicks
At least he could have claimed to be trying to build a champion from nothing. Gilbert is standing up for the Cleveland ticket holders. It matters less how he appears to everyone else.
by gambler on Jul 9, 2010 12:38 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I would have given him more respect if he signed with the Nets
Because, y’know, New Jersey.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
I'd have given him more respect if he'd retired from basketball and tried his hand at American Football.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I would given him more respect if he signed with the knicks
At least he could have claimed to be trying to build a champion from nothing. Gilbert is standing up for the Cleveland ticket holders. It matters less how he appears to everyone else.
by gambler on Jul 9, 2010 12:38 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Except potential free agents are going to see his hissy fit and scratch Cleveland off their list.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
He tried for 7 years to build a championship from nothing. Didn't work.
I'm here to talk about the past.
I'm so happy he didn't become a Knick
The last thing NY and its fans need is a championship team in another sport.
I’ve always enjoyed the failure of the Knicks to win any championships for more than three decades.
I can now look forward to that streak continuing.
There is no "i" in Teamocil. At least not where you'd think.
by GreenNGoldSooner on Jul 9, 2010 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Cleveland should be contracted,
with the best buildings dug off their foundations and hauled to Dayton as infill development.
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 9, 2010 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions
The funny thing is
Giambi & Miggy were PED users. If they had both stayed, we would have been a laughingstock, after the whole Bash Brothers thing, and furthermore, would we have even won more games with them? I dont think so.
The only guy I wish we never gave up was Tim Hudson. Everyone else left in their decline years and didnt really blossom into anything great. Miggy had a couple of unreal years, as did Giambi, but would they have gotten us over the line or hindered us? I think the latter.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
by PL78 on Jul 9, 2010 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
but they still played for the A's while taking PED's
so even though they were on other teams when everything came out it still was a black mark on Oakland. Oakland is forever linked to Steroids because of Canseco, McGwire, and Giambi among others.
Man, what an epic team the Athletics would have had if they had the money to keep Giambi, Tejada, Chavez, Hudson, Mulder, Zito, Damon, Dye, Foulke, etc all together for any extended time.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Yeah, if those dudes make their team a laughingstock...
… we are that laughingstock already.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
How would the A's not have been better with Giambi and Tejada?
and are the Yankees a laugingstock with PED users A-Rod and Petite?
You think 90% of fans dont passionately hate A-Rod?
They do.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
What's wrong with the other 10%?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
The PED/Giambi parasite shit would've been messy....
But the A’s would’ve won 2 or 3 championships if Giambi signed.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
A's fans can emphathize
I did feel sorry for Cleveland last night. Sadly, a lot of cities are seeing the same re-run with their sports’ heroes leaving for other venues. Oakland has seen its franchise chipped away throughout the last four decades or so. So, it is appropriate that we as A’s fans provide some empathy for Cleveland fans.
As a casual basketball fan, I found myself watching “The Decision,” which probably beat most of what is offered on TV nowadays.
It was campy, and a nice gesture by James to boost money for charity.
It is better to remain loyal in whatever we do in life, but I think sports and loyalty might be oxymoronic as most anything else in this twitter/tweeter/cellphone/connected world.
We are all indeed connected, but it is not ultimately with or by human technology my friends.
Best regards
I don’t feel bad for Cleveland anymore. They all hate LeBron now and wouldn’t take him back according to the guy that was OTL this afternoon. Cleveland had seven years to put something around James and they failed. They did a poor job of building a team around their star.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
"LeBron played hard every single night in Cleveland for seven years "
Really? Did you watch the playoffs?
The A's are a fairly quiet team, and then there's Ben Sheets. Sheets, as a kid, must have been thrown out of every library in Baton Rouge. ~ Scott Ostler
Are you Dan Gilbert?
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 9, 2010 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I did...and I dont buy the quittign crap.
Guys like LeBron dont quit in the playoffs…..it’s ridiculous.
Bring back Hammer.
It's like LeBron saying the "true fans will understand"
Um… broseph? Do you understand the sort of people “true fans” tend to be? He must have meant the accountants will understand.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
I guess the rangers get Lee
Same division… Rangers probally have to give up a lot.
WTF GEREN?!?!?!
by robbo650 on Jul 9, 2010 2:22 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Smoak
Is the centerpiece, plus “3 other minor league players” according to MLB Trade Rumors.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/07/yankees-may-be-close-to-acquiring-cliff-lee.html
by bakerbeachboy on Jul 9, 2010 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I can't find the prospects the Rangers gave up
Hopefully, a lot of the really good ones.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
Smoak and 3 others
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
YES BUT WHO ARE THE OTHERS PAMELA?
AND WHY AM I YELLING Oh caps lock there we go.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
I don't know sweet pea.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
here
likely right-handed pitcher Blake Beavan, right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke and second baseman Matt Lawson.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
link
http://blog.prorumors.com/2010/07/rumors/new-york-yankees-on-brink-of-landing-cliff-lee/
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Ahhhhhhhhh, thank you
Beauty and brains/internets savvy.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
I knew I liked you.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Suck up.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."