Kevin Garnett Celtics introduction

KG's first regular season home opener in Boston:

Motor Sports Gearing Up All Over the World

The popularity of motor sports all over the world is on the rise. At the highest level, this reality is reflected by the presence of four athletes from the racing domain among Forbes’ list of the top 25 earners in sports in 2007: the current Formula One champion, Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen, at No. 4 with $40 million; a retired Formula One legend, Germany’s Michael Schumacher, at No. 5 with $36 million; a Grand Prix motorcycling superstar, Italy’s Valentino Ross,i at No. 11 with $30 million; and the five-time NASCAR champion, America’s Jeff Gordon, at No. 21 with $24.5 million.

NASCAR has never been more popular, as the NEXTEL Cup Series has created a playoff-type atmosphere with its season-ending Chase for the Cup. With three races remaining in this third season of the Chase, Gordon holds a slim nine-point lead over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson, who narrowed the gap with his eighth win of the season last Sunday in Atlanta. Even though most elite drivers like Gordon and Johnson are part of multi-car teams, many people assume auto racing to be a completely individual sport featuring drivers who are a bunch of ultra-competitive macho men. This certainly seems to be a valid conclusion, especially in light of the ongoing feud between Roush Fenway Racing teammates Carl Edwards (currently fourth in the Chase) and Matt Kenseth (eleventh). After the finish of the Oct. 21 Subway 500 at Martinsville, an irate Edwards physically confronted Kenseth in an infamous scene that has been replayed hundreds of thousands of times by YouTube viewers. NASCAR’s culture simply doesn’t allow for backing down on or off the track, but this kind of scary excitement doesn’t say much for sportsmanship or teamwork. Check out hotheaded Edwards despicable display below:



Yet Gordon and Johnson’s relationship offers a much more positive example for young fans. A big part of why these two are running first and second in the standings is that they actually communicate well and share information with one another in order to dominate the rest of the field. It’s refreshing to know that even at the highest level of the ultimate individual sport, there’s still room for cooperation.

Meanwhile, as NASCAR speeds toward Taft with the construction of the new track at Enos Lane and Interstate 5, the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS) comes to Taft’s Honolulu Hills Raceway this weekend and next for the final bike and ATV races of the season. While the events will bring a lot of visitors who will boost revenues for local businesses, what’s even better is that they highlight the positive impact that motor sports enthusiasts produce for the community.

Just ask eight-year-old Kenny “Nac-Nac” Owens, currently the “Featured Rider” on taftracing.com. Kenny loves racing because he gets to compete with friends and hang out with his family at the races. Just as the community comes together to rally around more traditional sports entities like the 8-1 Taft Wildcats football team (Good luck against Arvin!), so, too, can this kind of collective spirit be found on the track.

Check out Kenny's favorite Moto superstar, Travis Pastrana completing the first double backflip in competition history at the 2006 X-Games:



Whether our children are singing and dancing on stage, chasing a ball on grass, or racing dirtbikes in mud, shouldn’t we recognize the benefits of any form of performance? As our kids develop their bodies and minds through practice, exercise, competition, and teamwork, our communities are also made stronger as we come together to witness and celebrate our shared values like dedication to a common cause, determination to face challenges and improve, and participation in something bigger than the self.

Week 8 NFL recap: FAVRE!!!

Brett Favre hit Greg Jennings with an 82-yard bomb on the first play of overtime to defeat the Broncos 19-13 on Monday night. After a rough second half in the loss to Chicago and a poor performance in a win over Washington where a couple of underthrown deep passes had (foolish) critics questioning his arm strength, Favre bounced back against Denver's 6th-ranked pass defense, finishing 21 for 27 with 331 yards and two touchdowns. Even better, Favre torched both of Denver's All-Pro cornerbacks: Jennings burned Dre Bly to win the game, and in the first quarter, rookie James Jones beat Champ Bailey deep with a 79-yard touchdown.

Unlike some of the NFL's other elite teams, the Packers are winning with class, too. Just listen to the humble Jennings in a post-game interview with Suzy Kolber:


Meanwhile, the Pack's win iced dp's best week yet in underdog predictions. Only dp's stubborn refusal to believe that the Bengals actually do completely suck this year prevented a perfect 5-0 mark. While Chincy bungled their way to an seventh-straight home loss against Pittsburgh, dp's road warriors all won: Philly 23-16 at Minnesota, Buffalo 13-3 at NY Jets, and New Orleans 31-10 at San Francisco, and of course Green Bay.

As if capping dp's triumphant week 8 wasn't enough, Favre's dramatic game-winning pass also gave all three of dp's X Country Packbackin fantasy squads improbable come-from-behind victories. That's right: by the end of regulation Monday night, dp trailed his opponents by less than ten points in all three matchups, only to snatch victory at literally the last possible moment.

When it was all over, dp could hardly be happier if he was a member of the Boston Red Sox.
Week 8 record: 4-1 (10-3 overall)
Season: 19-13 (77-39 overall)

Georgia On My Mind: Lemons, Not Peaches

Genarlow Wilson woke up this morning in his own bed to enjoy his third day of freedom since being released from prison. He spent 32 months behind bars for receiving consensual oral sex from a 15-year old sophomore girl (who admittedly instigated the act) when he was a 17-year old senior. He was finally released on Friday when the State Supreme Court ruled that his 10-year mandatory minimum sentence as a sex offender constituted cruel and unusual punishment.

Georgia's State Attorney General Thurbert Baker said he hopes Friday's ruling puts "an end to this issue as a matter of contention in the hearts and minds of concerned Georgians and others across the country who have taken such a strong interest in this case." Back in June, after a judge ruled that Wilson's punishment was cruel and unusual, Baker appealed the decision, and Wilson remained locked up. dp wishes that Friday's ruling put an end to Baker's political and legal career. Hopefully, the good people of Georgia will demand Baker's resignation.

As Wilson was losing nearly three years of his life, the man who prosecuted him, Eddie Barker, had said, "We can set aside his sentence. Legally, it's still possible for us to set aside his sentence and give him a new sentence to a lesser charge. But it's up to us. He has no control over it." In fact, the archaic law under which Wilson was prosecuted was changed in the wake of his trial, but it inexplicably wasn't applied retroactively. dp hopes that Barker's self-righteous megalomania causes his head to explode before he can bark up the wrong tree again.

Barker's boss, Douglas County District Attorney David McDade, said he disagreed with the Supreme Court's decision, but he respects the court "as the final arbiter." dp does not respect McDade, considering him a disgrace to the notion of justice and a menace to Douglas County society.

Meanwhile, Wilson refuses to criticize these madmen who have conspired to make his life a living hell. dp hopes that the former football star, homecoming king, and honor student can reclaim his once-promising potential. Go get 'em, Genarlow. At 5' 9" and 170 pounds, you're a much bigger man than any of the fatcats in Georgia's judicial and legislative branches ever will be.

Week 7 NFL Recap: Perspective on the Art of Picking

Courtesy of Indy's thorough 29-7 thumping of the Jags, dp salvaged a mediocre round of picks in Week 7, going 3-3 in his bid to select six road winners. Not quite the donkey prognosticator, dp merely broke even in picking the week's toughest games.

But that's the nature of this prediction business. dp's priorities for making five or six picks each week are plain and simple:

1) Remember that dp only picks outright winners; he doesn't mess around with the point spread because he's philosophically opposed to what it represents. True competitors only care if they won or lost. For example, Green Bay is a 3-point underdog at Denver in Week 8. Suppose the Pack, trailing 28-20 with a minute left, drives down the field for a touchdown, but then fails to score the game-tying two-point conversion and loses 28-26. Well, Green Bay may have covered the spread and pleased a few heartless gamblers, but no one in the Packer locker room or any self-respecting cheesehead is happy with the loss. (By the way, as the astute reader has no doubt surmised, Green Bay over Denver will be dp's first upset special for Week 8.)

2) dp scours each week's schedule for upset specials, going against the grain to select underdogs. If he can't find five upsets, he then picks the games with the lowest point spreads and hence the most uncertainty. In fact, other than Indy's Monday night blowout, the games dp picked this week were decided by one score or less: Baltimore lost 19-14 at Buffalo (incorrect), Tampa lost 23-16 at Detroit (incorrect), Tennessee escaped with a 38-36 win at Houston (correct), Kansas City won a 12-10 squeaker at Oakland (correct), and Philly lost 31-28 at Denver (incorrect) on a last-second field goal. All of these games went down to the wire. dp could have just as easily gone 1-5 or 5-1 with a few (un)lucky breaks.

In short, dp's choices are risky business. It's easy to only back the big favorites and rack up a superficially impressive record. Actually, while dp is 15-12 (55.6% accurate) in his documented upset special and coin flip games, he's 52-24 (68.4% accurate) in all other games in 2007. But I don't bother writing about these ones because the relatively big favorites generally win.

To put dp's performance in perspective, compare his 67-36 (65% accurate) overall season record to some other benchmarks. In ESPN's weekly SportsNation poll, voters have chosen the winner 59% of the time, compiling a 61-42 record. Meanwhile, ESPN's AccuScore computer projection has picked 64 winners for 62% accuracy. Finally, of ESPN's panel of 9 NFL experts, only Mark Schlereth (69 winners picked) tops dp. With the season not yet halfway completed, we'll see where it all ends up, but dp, like original Flicksters Johnny Cash and Tom Petty, won't back down.




Week 7: 3-3 (10-4 overall)
Season: 15-12 (67-36 overall)

Week 7 Picks: Flick Six Road Warriors

dp takes the double secret dirty dog dare to pick only road winners in Week 7. Most gambling experts say this is the donkey pinning the tail on the NFL schedule, but dp, like LL below, is doing it, and doing it, and doing it well (with three road dogs). Doing it, and doing it, and doing it well (with three road faves).

That's right, dude, mark it "6." In the first frame, notch "3" slight road underdogs- Tampa Bay at Detroit, Tennessee at Houston, and Kansas City at Oakland- three winners, good as gold.

And in the second frame, mark "3" road favorites- Baltimore at Buffalo, Pittsburgh at Denver Sunday night, and Indy at Jacksonville in the game of the week Monday night- 3 more gold strikes.

To commemorate the Risky Six in Week 7, dp, he of the perpertual free High Five, is supersizing an extra 20% to produce an even 6-fingered, mutant-ninja-turtled, on-the-road-winning High Six.

So FLICKsters, be sure to flick an extra digit in your hand jives this week. That's right y'all: FLICK SIX.

Answers to Life's Biggest Questions

Check out this great clip of "crazy sports scenarios" brought to life by writer Todd Gallagher. If you've ever wondered how much of a head start you would need in order to beat an Olympic champion in a sprint, or if you could convert a sumo wrestler to an NFL player, you will find your answers here.



Check out Todd's book, Andy Roddick Beat Me With a Frying Pan, for more strange encounters of the sporting kind and more answers to questions like these: Can I beat Andy Roddick in tennis if he plays with a frying pan? Do professional darts throwers make great beer pong partners? Why don't NHL teams employ the absurdly fat goalies who simply cover the entire net with their flesh?

Yo flicksters, do you have any questions of your own for the sequel?

FLICK test

If poop stains aren't always brown, then the silver lining of dp's Columbus Day weekend football dump would be today's much-anticipated home installation of DIRECTV. Goodbye, bitter hangover; hello, NFL Sunday Ticket. dp awoke this morning (okay, it was noonish) knowing that he would finally be able to watch the Packers (and FLICK over to the Patriots, Lady Flick's Redskins, and every other team to boot) every single Sunday guaranteed. Not to mention a sick cable package with HBO (plus the free premium pack of second-tier movie channels like Stars, Skinemax, Showtime, etc.) For the first time since leaving L.A. last month, dp and Lady Flick could dvr Flight of the Conchords, and catch Bret and Jemaine beyond YouTube clips like the one below.

Alas, for the second time in two weeks, the technician failed to show up during the appointed 12-5 pm window. For the second time in two weeks, the dharma prince sensed something was fishy at 4 pm, when there was still no sign of the techie's arrival. For the second time in two weeks, dp's telephone inquiries were rebuffed first by an automated hold machine, second by a Halsted Communications rep who claimed the techie claimed there was no one home (while I've literally been sitting in the window seat above the front door since 12:30) and then would only offer to reschedule again, and third by DIRECTV's nonexistent customer service. Today, flaky Lacey, after seemingly trying to help by intervening in a conference call with Hallsted, lost dp in a deadend phone loop, and the signal eventually went busy. At this point, dp was deeply pissed.

Steaming mad on full tilt, dp was definitely poised to do something crazy, much like this angry grandma:
Sick_Of_Waiting_75_Year_Old_Woman_
Smashes_Up_Comcast_Office_With_A_Hammer

But then dp remembered his damn philosophy (pertaining to both dignified protest and due process), and... FLICK, dp just let it go. If Albi the Racist Dragon can learn to rise above discriminatory persecution, so too can dp.

Really, that's the only test a prospective FLICKster must pass: s/he should be able to live and let be. So, dp will flick away DIRECTV insanity... until we meet again Oct. 16 for take three.

In the meantime, here's a fun test to measure another important FLICKster characteristic, gambling instinct:

Gambler's quiz

Billy Mitchell Watch at Goonies.com Hits 11 Days: Hang Tough, Noahbk, for the Right Stuff

Just as dp feared back on Sept. 26, Billy Mitchell, aka Mr. Pacman, has indeed given goonies.com the slip. But Noahbk deserves better than Blinky, Pinky, Inkey, and even Clyde. If B-Mitch is in fact a true champion, he should grant goonies.com an interview and remain true to his word. Never surrender your good name, Billy. Never. Likewise, never FLICK somebody over who didn't have it coming to him. And the only thing coming to Noahbk is a rabbit's foot rush and a pile of the house's chips at the blackjack table. B-Mitch, dp suggests you listen to original FLICKster Tony Montana.

Seriously, B-Mitch, sack up and deliver the good word to goonies.com. Or risk the wrath of FLICKsters and Goonies the world over, from Noah Big Kat, to Scarface, to Bret, Jemaine, Murray, and the dharma prince himself, who FLICKs karmic bolts of justice from his high post in Mount Olympus (er, New Haven.)

NL Ring Game: Predictions for Baseball's Postseason Poker Showdown

Tonight: Red Sox to go up 1-0; Rockies to go up 1-0; Diamondbacks to go up 1-0; all to win series.

In California baseball this season, it's better to be divine than merely pious, as Anaheim's cherubs of Los Angeles are in and San Diego's priests are out of the playoffs. In postseason baseball this October, it's better to be lucky than good, as the tough-luck Padres discovered on Monday in the wild card tiebreaker against the Rockies.

With an 8-6 lead in the bottom of the 13^th and all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman on the mound to close out the win, the Padres could taste the champagne of the imminent post-game celebration. Yet the Rockies capped an improbable 9-8 comeback victory when, despite not crossing home plate, Colorado's Matt Holliday was fortuitously called safe with the game-winning run. Replays showed that after Holliday tagged from third base on Jamey Carroll’s shallow fly to right and slid headfirst into home, catcher Michael Barrett blocked Holliday’s left hand from touching the plate. Regardless, umpire Tim McClelland signaled safe, ending San Diego’s season in dramatic walk-off fashion. Check out the replay below.

With the postseason heating up this week, here’s a preview of each Divisional Playoff series. Matchups are evaluated logically (Head), emotionally (Heart), and instinctively (Gut). [Editor’s note: all predictions were made before Thursday’s games]

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Rockies-Phillies: Colorado leads series 1-0

Head: The Phillies have the best starter in the series in Cole Hamels and the NL's most potent offense, led by the majors' best-hitting infield with SS Jimmy Rollins, 2B Chase Utley, and 1B Ryan Howard, all of whom are MVP candidates. With CF Aaron Rowand and LF Pat Burrell having career years, it would seem that the Phillies have too much firepower for the Rockies to contain. Yet Jeff Francis did just this in Wednesday’s Game 1, allowing only 4 hits and 2 runs to out-duel Hamels and give Colorado a 4-2 victory.
Heart: In spring training Jimmy Rollins predicted the Phillies would win the NL East. Until the last day of the regular season, no one believed him. Rollins believed and, through the force of his will, pushed the Phillies all year long to get there. That's an MVP. Plus, the Phillies made the latest, greatest comeback in baseball history to beat out the Mets, whom they trailed by seven games on Sept. 12. That’s heart.
Gut: But all logic aside, in the end, how can you bet against a team that's won 15 of 16 games? Even though Philly also stormed back to make the playoffs, these Rockies just seem to have an extra special something. They made it this far only because Matt Holliday proved that you actually can score without hitting home. That kind of good fortune is priceless. Weigh the overwhelming evidence favoring the Phillies, then flick, let it go. As any tournament poker player knows, in the short term- like a 5-game series- it's good to be the guy on a rush. Colorado will ride it all the way to the World Series. Rockies win series in 4.

Cubs-Diamondbacks: Arizona leads series 1-0

Head: The Diamondbacks, despite having the best record in the NL at 90-72, were actually outscored 732-712 for the season. Credit manager Bob Melvin for making all the right moves to win a lot of close games. He’s handled his pitching staff like a wizard, as was the case again in Wednesday’s Game 1, when he preserved ace Brandon Webb’s 3-1 win by getting two scoreless innings of relief from Brandon Lyon and Jose Valverde. The Cubs also rely on excellent pitching, with the NL's second-best ERA of 4.04. Yet Webb, last year's Cy Young,, who will definitely win again in Game 4, meaning the Cubs will have to win Games 2, 3, and 5 to advance.
Heart: It's a no-brainer to pull for the Cubs. Since 1908, from the curse of the goat to the meddling of Steve Bartman, it's been nothing but heartache for Wrigley's faithful. No one deserves to win more than Cubs fans. The Red Sox finally got their title in ’04 after 86 years, and the cross-town White Sox got theirs in ’05 after 88 years, so why can't the Cubs join them this year, right?
Gut: Wrong. The Cubs never win. Ever. Not in 99 years. Usually in Texas Hold ‘Em, no matter how bad you're beat on the flop, you have that one-out miracle left in the deck, perhaps that fourth ace, or a royal flush filler, or runner-runner to a straight. Unfortunately, sometimes you're the Cubs, who, after a century of heartbreak, are drawing dead. Diamondbacks win series in 5.

Check back Thursday for dp's American League preview.

Milwaukee Brewers 2007 Report Card

Although the Brewers did record their first winning season since 1992, 2007 still must be considered disappointing given that the Brew Crew spent 133 days in first place in the NL Central before ultimately falling 2 games short of the Chicago Cubs and missing the playoffs. (A small consolation for dp: with Sunday's victory over the Padres, the Brewers not only helped pave the way for Colorado to complete its incredible stretch run to secure the wild card spot, the Crew also won their 83rd game of the season, nudging just past the over-82.5-season-wins bet a former colleague placed for dp back in March.)

Steven Colbert knows brat-loving Brewers fans won't forget the Brew Crew's September blues.


With the Milwaukee Brewers' 2007 season over and nothing left to do but overeat comfort food and dwell on such a sad finish, dp, the discerning professor, hands out report cards for all the Brewers' regular players, pitchers, and principal decision makers.

STARTING LINEUP: B

The Brewers led the majors in home runs, bashing a club-record 231 bombs, yet were only 11th in runs with 804 and 21st in batting average at .262, revealing an over-reliance on the longball to score runs. The Brewers hit for power but need to do a better job in 2008 playing small ball. First, the defense, ranked 25th with .982 team fielding percentage, needs to tighten up. Second, the Brewers need to learn how to manufacture runs in low-scoring games. To do so, the Brewers need to improve their 21st rank in OBP, and exhibiting more patience at the plate is the key that can drive this development. Better pitch selection will lead both to more walks and more favorable pitches to hit when pitchers get deeper in the count. In turn, more baserunners plus a higher batting average equals more runs. If young free swingers like J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun can lead a team revolution in better pitch selection, the Brewers could join the offensive elite with the likes of the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, and Tigers.

1. 2B Rickie Weeks: C-
Rickie deserves a lot of credit for working back into the leadoff slot and providing the Brewers with a September spark. In his last 39 games, he was arguably the best leadoff hitter in baseball, as he hit 11 home runs, stole 13 bases, scored 40 runs, drew 33 walks and posted a .429 OBP. During this stretch over the final quarter of the season, Weeks hit .292 to raise his average from .206 on August 18 to .235 on September 30. Still, if it weren't for this late resurrection, Rickie would've gotten an F for the season. He hit 5 homers in April, then batted only .193 in May, June, and July. He bottomed out on July 31, when, sporting a .212 BA and in the midst of a horrible 7 for 66 slump, he was demoted to the minor leagues to work on his swing. A lingering wrist injury that ended his 2006 season may partially explain Weeks' midseason swoon. His strong closing burst in September suggests that he has finally fully recovered and could be on track for a breakthrough performance in 2008.

2. SS J.J. Hardy: B
J.J. Hardy was hot in April and May, even drawing early MVP talk back in mid-May when he briefly led the NL in homers. Through 2 months, J.J. was hitting .302 with 15 HR, 46 RBIs and a .917 OBP. He began cooling off in June, and after sustaining a back injury on June 20, Hardy was hardly the same: he hit a home run in his return 4 games later, then went on a 35-game homerless drought, finally connecting again on August 10. He did bounce back to post solid numbers in August and September and regain his role batting second in the Brewers lineup. Overall, Hardy hit .277 with 26 HRs, 80 RBIs, and 89 runs. While Hardy's struggles at the plate in June and July corresponded with the Brewers struggles to win games, dp can hardly complain about a solid comeback season in which Hardy played 151 games to dispel the notion that he's injury-prone. He's not Hanley Ramirez or Jimmy Rollins, but Hardy looks to be an above-average run producer at shortstop for a long time.

3. 3B Ryan Braun: A-
Although Colorado SS Troy Tulowitzki will warrant closer consideration now that the Rockies have furiously fought their way into the playoffs with last night's thrilling victory over San Diego in the wildcard tiebreaker, Braun should be a lock for NL Rookie of the Year. Despite not being promoted to the majors until May 25, Braun led all rookies with a .324 BA, 34 HRs, .634 SLG, and 1.004 OPS. Additionally, Braun amassed 97 RBIs, 91 runs, and 15 SBs, comparing favorably to stud fantasy third basemen like David Wright, Chipper Jones, and Miguel Cabrera. Braun even won the NL Player of the Month award for July. Still, Braun, whom Ned Yost often lifted for a defensive replacement to protect a lead in the late innings of close games, has room to improve. With 26 errors and a horrible .895 fielding percentage in 112 games at third base, Braun has to work hard this offseason to shed the derisive "E-5" nickname critics have coined. If Braun can mirror the defensive upgrade that Rickie Weeks has achieved on the other side of the infield, he will help bolster a Brewers defense that ranked 13th in the NL with a .982 fielding percentage.

4. 1B Prince Fielder: A
While Fielder's hopes of the NL MVP may go unfulfilled in light of the Brewers' playoff elimination, he nonetheless logged a positively princely 2007, becoming at 23 the youngest player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs in one year. On a young team marred by inconsistent performances, Fielder cemented the cleanup slot in a shifting lineup and consistently produced big hits all year long, finishing at .288 BA/.395 OBP/.618 SLG with 50 HRs, 119 RBIs, and 109 runs. Fielder won the NL Player of the Month Award for May, and may very well be in line for another award for September, when he hit .333 with 11 home runs and a Bonds-like 1.212 OPS. (Then again, dp wouldn't be surprised to see Colorado LF Matt Holiday, the catalyst for the Rockies' improbable playoff run, win both the September and the MVP award.) Although we have to say, "Good night, sweet Prince" for now, the sky is the limit for Fielder in 2008.

5. RF Corey Hart: B+
Corey Hart provided a real offensive boost once he earned a full-time starting role in the outfield. With 24 HRs and 23 SBs, Hart became the fifth Brewer to join the 20/20 club, and his .295 BA (an even more impressive .339 w/RISP) was the team's second-best. He hit well all over the lineup, finally settling into the 5-hole and providing good protection for Prince Fielder. Hart is also 6' 5", ridiculously good-looking, eminently lovable to fans and teammates alike, and the fastest man in Milwaukee. Add in a 22-game hit streak, a clutch September (.330 with 6 HRs and 20 RBIs), and a sweet FLICKname (forthcoming), and the future gleams bright for Corey "Bigtime" Hart.

6. LF Geoff Jenkins: C+
Jenkins, the resident grandpa of the Brew Crew with 10 years' experience in Milwaukee, provided just about what could be expected of a 33 year old who doesn't hit lefties well (.215 BA in 2007). A consummate professional, Jenkins accepted a reduced role this season, appearing in 132 games and platooning in left field, mainly against right-handed pitchers. Though Jenkins' .319 OBP was his lowest since his rookie year, he did belt 21 home runs, exactly his career average, to rise to 2nd on the Brewers' career homers leaderboard, trailing only Robin Yount. With a $9 club option on Jenkins for next year, it's unclear whether he'll be back for an 11th season in Milwaukee. With the Brewers' glut of young talent, he may be expendable enough for the club to try to trade, or even simply buyout his contract for $1 million and let him become a free agent.

7. CF Bill Hall: D
Easily the biggest disappointment for the Brewers, Hall hit only .254 with 14 home runs and 63 RBIs after hitting .270/35 HR/85 RBIs in 2006. His .OBP dropped 150 points to a pedestrian .740; he hit only .227 after the all-star break; and by season's end he wasn't even a full-time starter, platooning in the outfield and hitting 7th or 8th in the order. Hall did lead the Brewers in doubles with 35, but he also led them in strikeouts with 128 and finished 9th in slugging percentage, even trailing pitcher Yovani Gallardo. Hall wins dp's personal Worst Fantasy Pick Ever award, as dp, thinking he'd get a lot of lineup versatility with Hall's 2B/3B/SS/OF status, selected him in the 2nd round of the Empyreal Dynasty's draft. Hall went on to post the 706th-best fantasy performance of the season. In one small whiff of positivity, Hall did make a successful position change, transitioning from SS to CF to allow for J.J. Hardy's return, but if Hall's bat doesn't regain its pop in 2008, he may not have a spot in the lineup at all.

8. C Johnny Estrada: C-
Scheduled for arthroscopic surgery on Thursday to repair knee cartilage damaged on Sept. 22, Estrada disappointed in his first year as the Brewers' backstop. To be fair, Estrada played through a nagging hamstring strain that bothered him for months. nonetheless, dp would think that a catcher should have good knowledge of the strike zone and could theoretically differentiate balls from strikes, but Estrada proved dp wrong, managing to draw only 12 walks in 120 games. It's not like he was knocking the cover off the ball and didn't have to exhibit patience: he managed only a .278 average with 10 homers. He didn't fare very well behind the plate, either, throwing out only 11 of 84 attempted base stealers. The Brewers would benefit from a new look at catcher next year but will probably have to settle for the hope of a healthy Estrada whose improved offense compensates for his weak defense.

STARTING PITCHING: C+

Overall, the Brewers starters were decent, going 60-47 with a 4.80 ERA (8th in NL). While no one was especially good, no one was exceptionally bad, either. Ben Sheets went 12-5 with a 3.82 ERA but missed 10 starts due to injury. Jeff Suppan, signed in the offseason to be the #2 starter, was predictably average, soaking up 200+ innings to go 12-12 with a 4.62 ERA. Dave Bush was no better, going 12-10 with a 5.12 ERA. Chris Capuano struggled and had some bad luck, including a 20-game winless streak, to go 5-12 with a 5.10 ERA. Claudio Vargas managed to go 11-6 but also posted a 5.00+ ERA. Considering that the Brewers' original top three starters-Sheets, Suppan, and Capuano- went almost two months (late June to late August) without a victory, it's amazing the Brewers were able to contend for the playoffs at all. That realization alone is enough to generate optimism for a first-place finish in 2008. Combine it with Yovani Gallardo's impressive rookie campaign (9-6 with a 3.67 ERA in 17 starts), and the 2008 Brewers should pitch more like the staff that accumulated a 4.10 ERA before the all-star break.

BULLPEN: D+

Milwaukee lost a major-league leading 16 games in which they blew a lead of three runs or more. Even worse, the Brewers lost a whopping 10 games during August and September in which they held a lead entering the 7th inning. (To be fair, they did manage to win four games after trailing in the 7th inning. Still, a 4-10 record in comeback situations isn't the mark of the playoff team. Had the Brewers simply gone 7-7 in these games, they would have surpassed the Cubs.) Unquestionably, the bulk of the blame for these self-induced defeats lies in the Brewers' faltering bullpen, which, ironically, was once lauded as a lockdown, airtight force earlier in the season. Indeed, other than closer Chad Cordero, who posted a 2.98 ERA, a .213 BAA, and 86 Ks in 63.1 IP while converting 44 of 51 save opportunities, every key Brewer reliever struggled down the stretch. After breaking Pedro Lopez's jaw with a pitch on July 26, 7th inning setup man Matt Wise fell apart, posting a 9.00 ERA in August and September. Derrick Turnbow, normally the 8th inning link to Cordero, blew up for a 9.35 ERA in September. Scott Linebrink, acquired in late July from San Diego, gave up 14 runs (10 earned) in 23.1 innings in August and September. Ned Yost didn't have any reliable relief options in close games, so it's hard to totally blame him for the Brewers' slew of come-from-ahead losses.

MANAGEMENT: B-

Understandably, manager Ned Yost hasn't escaped criticism for his perceived contributions to the Brewers' fall from first. Owner John Attanasio gave Ned a vote of confidence last Tuesday, but Yost has taken a lot of heat from the media for his constant lineup changes, among other things. Yet part of the reason he’s shuffled the lineup so much lies in the fact that many Brewers, as noted above, have had inconsistent years. Both Attanasio and GM Doug Melvin value stability and continuity, so Yost's post looks to be safe for another year. Meanwhile, Melvin had a mediocre year in terms of his personnel moves. Melvin's big in-season trade, obtaining RHP Scott Linebrink from the Padres to bolster the bullpen, didn't really work out. In terms of the free agents he signed, the picture is still underwhelming. Johnny Estrada underperformed and now requires surgery, while Jeff Suppan, a dependable starter to be sure, isn't really worth $65 million.

Yet in terms of finances, Attanasio cashed in this year as the Brewers set a new attendance record, attracting 2.8 million fans to Miller Park. Additionally, with increased corporate sponsorship brought about by the team's success, the Brewers may even be able to increase a $68 million payroll a bit further to add a missing piece or two.

2008 OUTLOOK

If only the Brewers can stop hemorrhaging runs after the sixth inning (they were outscored by 65 runs in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings), reaching the playoffs seems a realistic goal for 2008.

Be sure to check the FLICKsport Rap frequently for dp's Brew Crew updates throughout the offseason.

Will Ferrell Goodbye Dan Marino

Good bye, Dan Marino. The world already knows that Brett Favre is better than you ever were, but now it's official. Pushing his career TD passes total to 422 on Sunday,Favre has surpassed nearly all of Dan Marino's records. Only Marino's career yardage mark remains, but Favre lurks within reach, needing 2,657 yards in 12 games to surpass 61,361 this season.

dp FLICKs two thumbs up for Will Ferrell's moving farewell to the great Dolphin flinger.

It seems sad to look ahead and realize that Favre is only holding the torch momentarily before passing it on to Peyton Manning.

But it seems to dp, that if you live your life like a candle in the wind,

you can FLICK your way to all kinds of records. And then just let it go.

Brett Favre's 421st Career TD - Record-breaking TD pass

Check out Favre's record-setting toss to Greg Jennings yesterday.

Brett Favre is the greatest QB of all Time!!

Check out duffbeer421's tribute to #4.

President's Race 9/27/2006

Farewell, RFK!

To give you a sense of RFK Stadium, check out the presidential sausage race from last night's game- the last Nationals game ever to be played at RFK, as the Nats are set to move into a sparkling new facility next spring. Look for dp's stadium feature coming soon to the FLICKsport Rap.

Barry Bonds #756

Flight of the Conchords - Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros

Here's a couple of kindred FLICKsters, Jemaine and Bret, riffing around their FLICKnames