The American Game

By mw2828, Section MLB
Posted on Wed Jan 09 2008 at 10:05 PM EST
More on: Baseball, Steroids, America (all tags)

Picture this. You're twenty three years old, a third round draft pick, skipped school to grab that bonus, nothing to fall back on. This competition is fierce, and you've been left behind, lapped in fact. In an idyllic youth, a minor celebrity in a small town, you were the special one. Gifted. Bigger, stronger, faster, beloved by all, took pride in the popularity, destined for greatness.

(1260 words in story) Full Story

RANKLED RICE FINDING FEAR FINAL RESORT

By mw2828, Section MLB
Posted on Tue Jan 08 2008 at 4:52 AM EST
More on: Jim Rice, Hall of Fame (all tags)

The North Pole- The latest controversy over Baseball's Hall of Fame voting took a bizarre turn last night, as Jim Rice, former American League MVP, intentionally petrified five to ten sportswriters in an apparent attempt to scare up some votes... the good old fashioned way.

(3 comments, 960 words in story) Full Story

My drunken Jets solution

By mw2828, Section Journals
Posted on Sat Dec 22 2007 at 4:25 AM EST
More on: I'm wasted (all tags)

Trade Vilma and a second round pick for McNabb
Draft McFadden

Presto!

Who agrees?

(1 comment) Comments >>

Five telltale signs that your NFL team sucks this year

By mw2828, Section NFL
Posted on Fri Dec 21 2007 at 7:21 AM EST
More on: New York Jets, Why (all tags)

As a Jet fan, I've been through enough down seasons to recognize certain enduring characteristics of losing, echoing through the smelly, lonely halls of defeat. I present my data. Feel free to compare and contrast your experiences:

(2 comments, 1375 words in story) Full Story

A haiku for Justin McCareins

By mw2828, Section Journals
Posted on Sun Dec 16 2007 at 5:00 PM EST
More on: (all tags)

Flying football in sight  
Spiraling
Clank

Comments >>

The Gift and the Curse

By mw2828, Section MLB
Posted on Fri Nov 02 2007 at 5:46 AM EST
More on: New York Yankees, Alex Rodriguez (all tags)

"I like songs about drifters - books about the same.
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane.
Walked on off to another spot.
I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want."

-Modest Mouse, The World at Large

OK, quiet down for just a second, cease and desist with the anger and indignation. Because I love telling this story, never get tired of it.

It was an unbearably hot afternoon at Yankee Stadium. We're playing Texas, Juan Dominguez on the mound. Alex Rodriguez is at the plate, in the midst of a phenomenal 2005 season, carrying the team.

(1487 words in story) Full Story

The Replacements: Ten Options for Life After A-Rod

By mw2828, Section Journals
Posted on Thu Nov 01 2007 at 10:31 PM EST
More on: (all tags)

Matt's top ten recommended third baseman to replace A-Rod:

(927 words in story) Full Story

Flashes of Night

By mw2828, Section MLB
Posted on Sat Sep 29 2007 at 5:25 PM EST
More on: Yankees, Blue Jays (all tags)

There was Carl Pavano, the supposed anchor turned albatross, battling on Opening Day of the 2007 season, searching futility for a strikeout pitch. He appears out of place in Yankee pinstripes, assuming a secondary skin, awkwardly wrenching arm overhead, seeking the pristine mechanics and precise command that bought him to the doorstep of stardom. Yes, seems too long ago, when Pavano, young, healthy, and fearless, owned the consensus as the top pitcher within 05's hot stove menu. Matt Clement was deemed erratic, Pedro Martinez dubbed weathered. He was the one.  

(2 comments, 3927 words in story) Full Story

Another Pennington injury: Lame... Reaction by Jet fans: Lamer

By mw2828, Section Journals
Posted on Wed Sep 12 2007 at 1:24 PM EST
More on: Chad Pennington (all tags)

[The following isn't directed at all Jet fans. If you are able to read this message and comprehend it, you probably don't fall into the blanket statement.]

I was just pondering, in between classes, the exact ratio of mentally competent, sane Jet fans, versus those who utilize a football team as a creative outlet for misery and contempt. I'm thinking 50-1 is a solid ballpark hypothesis.

(8863 comments, 513 words in story) Full Story

The Tempest

By mw2828, Section MLB
Posted on Tue Jul 17 2007 at 6:06 PM EST
More on: MLB, ESPN, Gary Sheffield, Barry Bonds (all tags)

Of course it matters. This is Hank Aaron we're talking about here, enduring proof that greatness can be discovered within consistency, Hank Aaron, class act, a hero in this and future generations, transcendent of the vicious scorn that compromised his time. This is Hank Aaron, baseball's all-time home run king, a living legend.

This is his mark, what he earned. That is the symbol of a bygone era, what could have existed that never came to pass, what should have been but never was.

It's an idea, a fantasy, for those who wouldn't quit dreaming.

(1141 words in story) Full Story