From Spy
Though I may not agree with Ms. Rapinoe's attitude toward the White House, I will give her props for her answer yesterday, in which she said this is a great country and we should strive to be better.
She's right and she's right. So in the footsteps of "Family Feud," she gets the "good answer! good answer!"
Good luck in the tournament, Coach.
Spy -
Thanks my man, and I completely agree with Megan Rapine's answer after the hubbub after she said "Bleep the White House" earlier in this World Cup.
Hey, I completely understand that a lot of people are never going to like Donald Trump. I also understand those who turn down invitations to the White House because of those emotions.
But I appreciate Rapinoe seeing that she is a real-life role model to millions of young American females and she went over the top, especially with her word choice.
As for the Fightin' Signal 8s, we play at 8:30 this morning and got a huge pool play win over Parkwood in the opener. We got two today trying to get into the double-elimination bracket this weekend.
From Jules
Here's a random question: With all this talk about bullpens, why in the actual heck are coaches and managers still "calling the bullpen" from a phone that looks like it was in my parents' kitchen in 1985? Maybe they can get an extra long cord to stretch it into the tunnel and have a private conversation. Shouldn't they just send a text to the pen to let them know who should start throwing? Is there some kind of MLB Handbook that requires that phone? Or maybe Brian McCann put it in his contract to return to Atlanta to make sure they play the game the right way.
Jules -
Excellent point. Considering how stale baseball can be in so many directions - seriously the manager needs to wear the baseball pants and the jersey? - maybe we should just be thankful that they are not using smoke signals or carrier pigeons.
This also brings up the point that in a game in which they still use hand signs for pitches and offensive options, why do they cover their mouth with their gloves?
I think you could trim significant time off of baseball games with technology in the hats and helmets of the players on each side.
No more elongated looks into the catcher and shaking off three signs to go back to the first sign.
No more batter stepping out every single time with someone on base - especially in an age when the stolen base has been completely devalued.
But Jules is right. It would put McCann into such a snit he would like charge the press box.
Rushmores
Rushmore of movies with a holiday in the title: Christmas Vacation, Christmas Story, Halloween, Independence Day which is on the so bad it's fun short list.
Rushmore of Tom Cruise movies: All the Right Moves, Rainman, A Few Good Men and Top Gun. (My favorite role for Cruise was the agent in Tropic Thunder. Man, Tropic Thunder is the most recent movie that could never be made today, don't you think?)
Rushmore of best movies from books: Godfather, the Bond collection, Shawshank, Silence of the Lambs
Rushmore of sports faces from 2019: Tiger at Augusta, Zion everywhere, Pats at the Super Bowl, Clemson over Alabama.
From Todd -
Do you think there will be multiple Bravos with more than 40 homers and 100 rbi's?
Todd -
Yes, but the only real doubt for mess that other than Freddie Freeman, it could be different dudes in different categories.
For example, Freddie is on pace to do both.
Ronald Acuna Jr. will get to 40 homers, I believe. Josh Donaldson may as well.
But because Acuna hits lead-off and Donaldson's around .250, I'm not sure they will get to 100 RBIs.
But I think with the way Dansby Swanson has been swinging the bat, that the young shortstop will get to 100 RBIs. (Having Acuna on in front of you almost 40 percent of the time helps that mission. A lot.)
From Henry
5 at 10,
As usual I thoroughly enjoy reading and listening. A couple of questions
What is it about Le Batard's show that you like so much? Sometimes I think they're schtick is funny, sometimes it seems like they're trying too hard to be "different" or antagonizing. From the outside, you do not seem like someone who would enjoy them as much opposed to the more "traditional" shows so I'm curious what about them that you're drawn to?
Also, having Get Up and First Take on the TVs at our office all day, you really get to see how repetitive they are this time of year with their topics - i.e. lets debate for the 26th time this week where we think fits best for KD, Kyrie, etc. I understand there isn't much to talk about that interests the general public this time of year but you'd think with the resources ESPN has they could come up with something else. Their TV numbers must tell them otherwise.
Thanks Coach!
Henry -
Excellent question, and LeBatard's personal views and mine normally do not coincide.
But the show is exquisitely produced and choreographed and that impresses the heck out of me.
In some ways it is like a sports radio Seinfeld. You know the cool kids and their idiosyncrasies and all the inside jokes.
They play their roles perfectly - again like Seinfeld - and the creativity of the side pieces (Looks like game, Sports whisperer, Demon of sports debate, etc.) is unmatched.
And your second point plays into it as well.There's only so much NBA, where will Kawhi go?, talk you can take.
(And I, like many others loved Mike and Mike. Golic or Wingo? Not as much.)