Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Clemens Pulls Out of Hope Prematurely
On Monday Roger Clemens pulled out of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic faster than a hypodermic needle from a buttock. Clemens, a two-time winner of the Hope pro-am, won’t be able to make his opening round tee time on Jan. 16 because it conflicts with his appearance at the Congressional hearing to investigate the findings of former Senator George Mitchell’s report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.
Pulling out of the Hope is just another case of bad timing for the Rocket, who waited nearly a month before publicly responding to his former trainer Brian McNamee’s allegations that he injected Clemens with steroids in 1998, 2000, and 2001. In his defense, the Rocket has since blasted off with a full arsenal of name-clearing tactics: initial statements released through his lawyers, then the Internet video denial, the “60 Minutes” interview, and finally Monday’s bizarre press conference which featured a taped phone conversation between McNamee and Clemens. To top off his monumental profession of innocence, Clemens’ legal team also filed suit in Texas charging McNamee with defamation.
What a joke that the House Oversight Committee feels compelled to put Clemens and other players like Clemens’ friend and former Yankees and Astros teammate Andy Pettitte on parade. Let the Rat save some time (and taxpayers’ money) with a news flash: lots of baseball players have injected performance-enhancing drugs and popped pills like candy. Or Vioxx “like they were skittles,” as Clemens did. Baseball’s dirty secret is now (over)exposed; stringent drug testing is in place (though the Rat agrees with Mitchell in thinking that baseball would be best served by an independent lab like WADA), and cheaters are punished. Case closed.
We don’t need any more political grandstanding and Congressional finger wagging. The stench of baseball’s dirty laundry is already overpowering. What’s the point of airing it out again? The Rat wonders why Congress can take time to grill a bunch of overpaid athletes, but can’t pass a spending bill, much less address real issues like immigration laws and health care reform.
The Mitchell Report offered several common sense suggestions to strengthen baseball’s drug testing program, but it also recommended that baseball not get caught up in trying to retroactively punish players. Accept the fact that mistakes were made and steroids were a problem, but adopt a policy of forgiveness and allow the game to move on with a clean slate.
And seriously, leave the Rocket alone. He may be a megalomaniacal mercenary, but it’s that warrior mentality that has helped him overpower and dominate batters for the last twenty-four years. Out here in the desert, we like it when our heroes wear black hats and are a little mean and intimidating. Especially a hero as successful as Clemens, who’s won 354 games and seven Cy Young awards in a superlative career in Boston, Toronto, New York, and Houston.
Roger, we know you “don’t give a rat’s ass about the Hall of Fame,” but the Rat will give you the benefit of the doubt. You said you deserved at least that much, and you’re right. The Rat is also shocked and angered at the all-too-American reaction of “guilty until proven innocent.” Even if it turns out you’re dirtier than the dirty rat who killed my brother, you’re still the greatest pitcher of our generation. Granted, that generation is the Steroid Era, but let’s let bygones be bygones. Let’s move on without further tarnishing the game. No matter what happens, you’ve got the Rat’s support for a first-ballot Cooperstown plaque whenever you stop unretiring. In the meantime, give ‘em hell in Washington next Wednesday, and then head for the friendlier confines of La Quinta to play golf on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Tournament director Mike Milthorpe is just one among the many of us who hope to see you there.
Pulling out of the Hope is just another case of bad timing for the Rocket, who waited nearly a month before publicly responding to his former trainer Brian McNamee’s allegations that he injected Clemens with steroids in 1998, 2000, and 2001. In his defense, the Rocket has since blasted off with a full arsenal of name-clearing tactics: initial statements released through his lawyers, then the Internet video denial, the “60 Minutes” interview, and finally Monday’s bizarre press conference which featured a taped phone conversation between McNamee and Clemens. To top off his monumental profession of innocence, Clemens’ legal team also filed suit in Texas charging McNamee with defamation.
What a joke that the House Oversight Committee feels compelled to put Clemens and other players like Clemens’ friend and former Yankees and Astros teammate Andy Pettitte on parade. Let the Rat save some time (and taxpayers’ money) with a news flash: lots of baseball players have injected performance-enhancing drugs and popped pills like candy. Or Vioxx “like they were skittles,” as Clemens did. Baseball’s dirty secret is now (over)exposed; stringent drug testing is in place (though the Rat agrees with Mitchell in thinking that baseball would be best served by an independent lab like WADA), and cheaters are punished. Case closed.
We don’t need any more political grandstanding and Congressional finger wagging. The stench of baseball’s dirty laundry is already overpowering. What’s the point of airing it out again? The Rat wonders why Congress can take time to grill a bunch of overpaid athletes, but can’t pass a spending bill, much less address real issues like immigration laws and health care reform.
The Mitchell Report offered several common sense suggestions to strengthen baseball’s drug testing program, but it also recommended that baseball not get caught up in trying to retroactively punish players. Accept the fact that mistakes were made and steroids were a problem, but adopt a policy of forgiveness and allow the game to move on with a clean slate.
And seriously, leave the Rocket alone. He may be a megalomaniacal mercenary, but it’s that warrior mentality that has helped him overpower and dominate batters for the last twenty-four years. Out here in the desert, we like it when our heroes wear black hats and are a little mean and intimidating. Especially a hero as successful as Clemens, who’s won 354 games and seven Cy Young awards in a superlative career in Boston, Toronto, New York, and Houston.
Roger, we know you “don’t give a rat’s ass about the Hall of Fame,” but the Rat will give you the benefit of the doubt. You said you deserved at least that much, and you’re right. The Rat is also shocked and angered at the all-too-American reaction of “guilty until proven innocent.” Even if it turns out you’re dirtier than the dirty rat who killed my brother, you’re still the greatest pitcher of our generation. Granted, that generation is the Steroid Era, but let’s let bygones be bygones. Let’s move on without further tarnishing the game. No matter what happens, you’ve got the Rat’s support for a first-ballot Cooperstown plaque whenever you stop unretiring. In the meantime, give ‘em hell in Washington next Wednesday, and then head for the friendlier confines of La Quinta to play golf on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Tournament director Mike Milthorpe is just one among the many of us who hope to see you there.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Taft College Cougars Win Soccer State Title
Taft College defeated Santa Rosa Junior College 2-1 in double overtime on Sunday at Fresno Pacific University to capture the California Community College Men's Soccer Championship. Sophomore forward Carlos Aguilar scored the winning goal with just a few seconds remaining. Despite controlling much of the early action, the Cougars trailed 1-0 at halftime. Aguilar, since dubbed "Hero" by his elated teammates, also scored Taft's first goal in the game's 58th minute to tie the score. Freshmen midfielder Sergio Valle had the assists on both goals. In the second half, the Bear Cubs constantly launched shots in threatening to regain the lead, but Taft goalkeeper and team captain Victor Chinchilla made eight saves to help Taft force overtime. Chinchilla was named tournament MVP for his strong play in leading the Cougars to the title.
Taft entered the postseason with the state's No. 9 ranking and first had to beat undefeated No. 1 Mt. San Antonio College in the semifinals before facing No. 2 Santa Rosa. The Cougars pulled off a dramatic victory over Mt. SAC by winning 5-4 on penalty kicks after regulation ended in a 1-1 tie. Chinchilla made a clutch save on the Mounties' first attempt, providing all the margin Taft would need. Head coach Angelo Cutrona characterized the last two games as the toughest of the season. "There's just a tremendous amount of talent on both of those teams," he said. "We were the underdogs going into the tournament, and we have a feeling a little bit that we stole it this year."
Cutrona's modesty aside, Taft entered the season with high expectations. The Cougars lost a 1-0 heart-breaker to Cerritos in last year's championship game but still ended up ranked No. 4 nationally. Taft got off to a surprisingly slow start this year despite the return of 13 sophomores. The low point of the season came on Oct. 5, when the Cougars lost 4-3 to College of Sequoias, suffering their third defeat in four games. Yet the Cougars kept faith and regrouped to win their final 12 games of the season to claim the championship.
Credit Cutrona, the Central Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2006, for helping the team rebound. After experimenting with different combinations during the slow start, Cutrona settled on a 4-4-2 alignment: four defenders, four midfielders, and two forwards. "We eventually got into that formation, and it just worked better for our team," said Cutrona. "I don't necessarily use the same formation every year. I try to look at what the team has to offer with individual talent and build a formation around those individuals, instead of trying to build individuals around my formation."
Cutrona identified Taft's 3-0 victory over Fresno City College on Oct. 19 as the turning point of the season. "We dominated the entire game and stopped two of the best forwards in the state, one of which [Andrew Felt] got [second-team] All-American," he said. "We faced Fresno City three times, and we shut them out three times. That's when, between the coaches, we said, 'You know what? This team is the real deal, we got a great defense, and we can do this.' That was the pivotal point, I think."
With the Cougar's state championship following last season's runner-up finish, Cutrona is building a soccer dynasty on the Westside. Although there is no competition to determine a national champion, Cutrona is hopeful that Taft (19-4-3) will receive a high ranking. Cutrona said, "We’re still waiting on the national pool. We’re looking at No. 2 in the nation or quite possibly No. 1, but I believe it’s going to be a difficult decision for the judges. We have our fingers crossed."
The youthful Cutrona brings solid soccer experience to Taft College. He grew up in Orange County and won a CIF title in high school soccer, then won the 2000 NCAA Division II national championship playing for Cal State Dominguez Hills. After graduation, he became an assistant coach at Fullerton College under Jim Gasso, whom Cutrona still considers to be his mentor. Cutrona became Taft's head coach six years ago and has worked hard to build up a strong program even though Taft regularly competes against much larger schools. "The only way we can win here is through hard work," Cutrona said. "Hard work, dedication, long hours.... Soccer's my passion so I like putting in the hours. I had to look hard and pick up players that were willing to do the same thing."
Yet Cutrona doesn't measure success only in terms of on-field performance. In his six years at Taft College, he has helped many of his former players move on to play soccer and earn degrees at four-year schools like UC Irvine, Cal State Bakersfield, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Fullerton, and UNLV. Cutrona said, "It's a big part of my job.... It's not just about winning, or winning titles or awards, it's about these guys going on to play and fit in at the next level. Not only to get to the next level but be able to compete at the next level. Getting them prepared, that's my job."
Many of this year's players are being scouted, and this week in particular Cutrona has been talking with coaches about scholarships while telling his players to study. "I asked the guys to get to the LRC [Learning Resource Center] and put in a little work, academically," he said.
Meanwhile, Cutrona is already excited about next year. Nine freshmen will return, including Valle and two other key starters, defenders Osvaldo Lopez and Taylor Rivas. "Those [two] are some tough dudes," Cutrona said.
"If we don't get a national title this year, next year the guys are gonna have to look really hard at getting a great record, right at the beginning," he said. "Zero losses, that would be nice. So that's something to shoot for."
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Week 14 Recap
dp got back on track in Week 14 in a big way: He won the Flicksters' NFL picks league with a 14-2 record. (Actually, two other Flicksters went 15-1, but dp only lost four points on his misses: one for the Eagles and three for the Rams (The Cincy curse strikes again.)) dp was the only Flickster to correctly predict the Texans' triumph over the Bucs. dp also correctly predicted the exact total of 48 points for the Monday night Saints-Falcons game.
Of course, dp's two missed also happened to be two of his Flick Picks, meaning that an otherwise magical week only netted a 3-2 record in this column. Oh well.
Week 14: 3-2 (14-2 overall)
Season: 35-26 (140-68 overall)
Of course, dp's two missed also happened to be two of his Flick Picks, meaning that an otherwise magical week only netted a 3-2 record in this column. Oh well.
Week 14: 3-2 (14-2 overall)
Season: 35-26 (140-68 overall)
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Week 14 Flick Picks: Stubborn as an Ass
Tampa (-2.5) at Houston
Both teams are battling injuries, but it now appears that the Texans are hurting worse with QB Matt Schaub out, Ahman Green on injured reserve, Ron Dayne nursing a sore ankle, and the offensive line banged up and left with little depth. Meanwhile, Bucs QB Jeff Garcia is a game-time decision. Nonetheless, I'm hoping that Jeff Garcia is rusty and turns the ball over a bunch of times. Against better judgment, I'm sticking with my initial hunch and picking Houston.
St. Louis at Cincy (-4.5)
I'm going to stubbornly follow suit here and back the Rams even though QB Marc Bulger suffered a setback in practice Thursday and won't play. With Gus Frerotte also injured, the Rams will start third-stringer Brock Berlin. Cincy's defense is so bad that it won't matter: RB Stephen Jackson should get 25-30 carries, allowing the Rams to control the clock and open up play action for Berlin. Look for St. Louis to win a shootout 34-31.
New York (-2) at Philly
Eli Manning's perennial second-half swoon continues and the Eagles win a close one at home.
San Diego (-3) at Tennessee
The Chargers will roar past the slumping Titans and win going away, 35-13.
Cleveland (-4) at New York Jets
The Browns get back on track, while the Jets crash back to reality after blowing out Miami last week.
Both teams are battling injuries, but it now appears that the Texans are hurting worse with QB Matt Schaub out, Ahman Green on injured reserve, Ron Dayne nursing a sore ankle, and the offensive line banged up and left with little depth. Meanwhile, Bucs QB Jeff Garcia is a game-time decision. Nonetheless, I'm hoping that Jeff Garcia is rusty and turns the ball over a bunch of times. Against better judgment, I'm sticking with my initial hunch and picking Houston.
St. Louis at Cincy (-4.5)
I'm going to stubbornly follow suit here and back the Rams even though QB Marc Bulger suffered a setback in practice Thursday and won't play. With Gus Frerotte also injured, the Rams will start third-stringer Brock Berlin. Cincy's defense is so bad that it won't matter: RB Stephen Jackson should get 25-30 carries, allowing the Rams to control the clock and open up play action for Berlin. Look for St. Louis to win a shootout 34-31.
New York (-2) at Philly
Eli Manning's perennial second-half swoon continues and the Eagles win a close one at home.
San Diego (-3) at Tennessee
The Chargers will roar past the slumping Titans and win going away, 35-13.
Cleveland (-4) at New York Jets
The Browns get back on track, while the Jets crash back to reality after blowing out Miami last week.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Unlucky Week 13: Black Cat JInx
dp frantically posted Flick Picks early Sunday morning and then, instead of settling into the sofa for a Sunday football teletrifecta, dp and lady flick fled the coop in pursuit of two (partially) black (and tan) cats. A wild kitty chase led us to the bowels of Central MA, where we rescued these two Himalayan kitties, dp's dynamic Persian duo, Samson (below right) and Delilah :
Aren't they adorable? Their only apparent downside is their subversive effect on certain NFL games. Surprise, surprise! Longhaired riddler Samson and queen of nag Delilah hexed dp's picks this day. That's right, flicksters: dp donkey punched his way to a 1-4 record in Week 14. Doh! Hey kitties!
Worse, dp went 0-3 in fantasy football this week, thanks in large part to the double whammy of Brett Favre's injury. (Not only did Favre get knocked out of a game for only the seventh time during his record 249-game (269 counting playoffs) consecutive start streak, he amassed negative fantasy points for all three of dp's X Country Packbacking fantasy squads.) dp had already locked up first place in the Koopa Troopa League, but he could have clinched playoff berths in Vick's K-9 Kennels and the peerless Empyreal Dynasty, respectively.
Instead, Tony Romo's four touchdowns eliminated dp from Vick's 6-team playoff dog fight; and dp now faces a must-win Week 14 showdown with GSS's Brady-to-Moss Death Machine, the scary message-board menace and league-leading Empyrealest at 11-1, in order to assure a spot in the semifinals.
Worst, dp went 8-8 and finished second-to-last in this week's FLICK PICKS competition, plummeting him from third to ninth for the season. Another week like this, and dp's postseason fantasy hopes will lie in the (giant corporation-sponsored) Toilet Bowl.
Bonus Old Testament factoid: Sampson was so sweet that honey coated the carcass of the lion he tore apart with his bare hands (Judges 14.5-9)!
Bonus Old Testament factoid #2: The Biblical Samson once slew 1000 men with an ass's jawbone (Judges 15.15)!
Bonus factoid 3: Did you hear the Good Wuerd? The Suited Connector knows football. Value his comments highly. Meanwhile, dp vows to dig productively for Week 14 Upset Specials.
Week 13: 1-4 (8-8 overall pending Pats (-20.5) over Baltimore Monday night)
Season: 32-24 (126-66)
Aren't they adorable? Their only apparent downside is their subversive effect on certain NFL games. Surprise, surprise! Longhaired riddler Samson and queen of nag Delilah hexed dp's picks this day. That's right, flicksters: dp donkey punched his way to a 1-4 record in Week 14. Doh! Hey kitties!
Worse, dp went 0-3 in fantasy football this week, thanks in large part to the double whammy of Brett Favre's injury. (Not only did Favre get knocked out of a game for only the seventh time during his record 249-game (269 counting playoffs) consecutive start streak, he amassed negative fantasy points for all three of dp's X Country Packbacking fantasy squads.) dp had already locked up first place in the Koopa Troopa League, but he could have clinched playoff berths in Vick's K-9 Kennels and the peerless Empyreal Dynasty, respectively.
Instead, Tony Romo's four touchdowns eliminated dp from Vick's 6-team playoff dog fight; and dp now faces a must-win Week 14 showdown with GSS's Brady-to-Moss Death Machine, the scary message-board menace and league-leading Empyrealest at 11-1, in order to assure a spot in the semifinals.Worst, dp went 8-8 and finished second-to-last in this week's FLICK PICKS competition, plummeting him from third to ninth for the season. Another week like this, and dp's postseason fantasy hopes will lie in the (giant corporation-sponsored) Toilet Bowl.
Bonus Old Testament factoid: Sampson was so sweet that honey coated the carcass of the lion he tore apart with his bare hands (Judges 14.5-9)!
Bonus Old Testament factoid #2: The Biblical Samson once slew 1000 men with an ass's jawbone (Judges 15.15)!
Bonus factoid 3: Did you hear the Good Wuerd? The Suited Connector knows football. Value his comments highly. Meanwhile, dp vows to dig productively for Week 14 Upset Specials.
Week 13: 1-4 (8-8 overall pending Pats (-20.5) over Baltimore Monday night)
Season: 32-24 (126-66)
Week 13 Flick Picks: Articulate your Toes
Well, Dallas donkey punched da Packers 37-27 last night, defying dp's prediction of Packer dominance in Big D. dp's analysis depended in part on the strong play of two key Packers defenders, cornerback Charles Woodson and sack-happy defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Both players were listed as questionable with injuries, but unfortunately both were declared inactive just before kickoff. Clearly, Green Bay could not contain T.O. and Tony Romo without them. dp, the good doctor predictor, has been downgraded accordingly to donkey picker.
Worse, the Cowboys added further injury to insult in the second quarter, when cornerback Nathan Jones blitzed and nailed Brett Favre's throwing arm, causing an interception and knocking Favre out of the game with an injured elbow. (Favre also separated his other shoulder at some point in the game, quite possibly on the same play or perhaps during his first interception, when he unleashed a deep pass only to be crushed by Stephen Bowen.)
Thursday's game serves as a perfect example of the increasing degree of difficulty in navigating the NFL crosswinds. As the regular season wears on in December, each game's X factor keeps gettting bigger because of the unpredictability of injuries, worsening weather (witness the Miami at Philly rain-dance debacle last Monday night), and the fluctuating motivations of teams that have either been eliminated from or clinched playoff berths. While dp gambled and lost with the injury bug Thursday night, he is confident that, much like a finely tuned Yogi, he can articulate his toes to derive maximum benefit from exercising NFL Flick Picks. Indeed, the downward-phasing dog dp's Sunday predictions are still in play.
New York Jets at Miami (-1.5)
Miami nearly pulled off a huge upset at Philly last week, and the Dolphins realize this game represents their best chance to avoid a winless season. Head coach Cam Cameron feels that desperation just as acutely as his players, so look for Miami to effectively execute his game plan (a heavy dose of Jesse Chatman on the ground to control the clock and limit turnovers) and play with more passion and purpose than we'd expect from an 0-11 team.
Atlanta at St. Louis (-3)
Even though QB Marc Bulger has been ruled out with lingering symptoms from last week's concussion, the Rams will get by on the strength of a fully healthy Stephen Jackson.
Cleveland at Arizona (-1)
It seems as though the Cardinals should be able to run and shoot with the high-flying Browns, as Cleveland's "defense" couldn't stop a botttle with a cork. Yet karma tips the scales in Cleveland's favor: the Browns have given up more points than any team in the NFL, but QB Derek Anderson, WR Braylon Edwards, and TE Kellen Winslow keep making enough big plays to help the Browns win. That momentum continues here. Long-suffering Browns fan and original Flickster Eli "FJ" Shibowitz deserves as much. Cards QB Kurt Warner is likely to amass a ton of yards, but he'll find a way to lose the game in the end- even if he has fumble away the winning touchdown in his own endzone in overtime.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans (-3)
Bucs QB Jeff Garcia may play, but it won't matter. The Saints continue their playoff push by gaining ground on Tampa in the NFC South.
Denver (-3.5) at Oakland
Someone has to win, right? The Broncos still have life, while the Raiders can't steal much more than a shred of pride in this lost season.
Worse, the Cowboys added further injury to insult in the second quarter, when cornerback Nathan Jones blitzed and nailed Brett Favre's throwing arm, causing an interception and knocking Favre out of the game with an injured elbow. (Favre also separated his other shoulder at some point in the game, quite possibly on the same play or perhaps during his first interception, when he unleashed a deep pass only to be crushed by Stephen Bowen.)
Thursday's game serves as a perfect example of the increasing degree of difficulty in navigating the NFL crosswinds. As the regular season wears on in December, each game's X factor keeps gettting bigger because of the unpredictability of injuries, worsening weather (witness the Miami at Philly rain-dance debacle last Monday night), and the fluctuating motivations of teams that have either been eliminated from or clinched playoff berths. While dp gambled and lost with the injury bug Thursday night, he is confident that, much like a finely tuned Yogi, he can articulate his toes to derive maximum benefit from exercising NFL Flick Picks. Indeed, the downward-phasing dog dp's Sunday predictions are still in play.New York Jets at Miami (-1.5)
Miami nearly pulled off a huge upset at Philly last week, and the Dolphins realize this game represents their best chance to avoid a winless season. Head coach Cam Cameron feels that desperation just as acutely as his players, so look for Miami to effectively execute his game plan (a heavy dose of Jesse Chatman on the ground to control the clock and limit turnovers) and play with more passion and purpose than we'd expect from an 0-11 team.
Atlanta at St. Louis (-3)
Even though QB Marc Bulger has been ruled out with lingering symptoms from last week's concussion, the Rams will get by on the strength of a fully healthy Stephen Jackson.
Cleveland at Arizona (-1)
It seems as though the Cardinals should be able to run and shoot with the high-flying Browns, as Cleveland's "defense" couldn't stop a botttle with a cork. Yet karma tips the scales in Cleveland's favor: the Browns have given up more points than any team in the NFL, but QB Derek Anderson, WR Braylon Edwards, and TE Kellen Winslow keep making enough big plays to help the Browns win. That momentum continues here. Long-suffering Browns fan and original Flickster Eli "FJ" Shibowitz deserves as much. Cards QB Kurt Warner is likely to amass a ton of yards, but he'll find a way to lose the game in the end- even if he has fumble away the winning touchdown in his own endzone in overtime.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans (-3)
Bucs QB Jeff Garcia may play, but it won't matter. The Saints continue their playoff push by gaining ground on Tampa in the NFC South.
Denver (-3.5) at Oakland
Someone has to win, right? The Broncos still have life, while the Raiders can't steal much more than a shred of pride in this lost season.
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