Which one hired Buck Martinez?

Oh man, not sure to be honest haha... Honestly, at the time, I thought hiring Buck was a good idea, but in the eind, it didn't turn out to be a good idea. Good commentator though. Cito is the only good manager they've had (I guess Cox was OK, but he jumped ship, so fuck him).

If there's any Pittsburgh Pirates fans still out there, I feel for you. I don't know what the hell that franchise is doing. They sure like to dump halfway decent players and they are the doormat of the National League year after year. That organization is in an eternal rebuilding mode. Spend some fucking money or sell the fucking team to someone who will!

I wouldn't exactly call myself a fan of the team, but I do watch Pirates games quite often, living in the Pittsburgh area. I haven't been a real fan of them since the late-90's. Even back then I had gotten sick of the cycle of rebuilding. After we lost the early 90's guys (Van Slyke, Bonds, etc.) it became a story every year of "Oh, we have these guys in the minors, once we call them up we'll contend". And then the highly touted guys either turned out to be a bust, or they were traded away. And when we did get a legit star or popular player, we usually wouldn't pay to keep him. That's been going on for 15 years or more now.

Yep. I give you credit for watching them at least that much. It must be hard watching a team that you know has no shot at getting into the playoffs. They built the new ballpark for revenues and they still refuse to put together a plan. And then every once in awhile they'll make a head scratching move like when they traded for Matt Morris in the middle of the season. The Pirates haven't been good since they had Barry. Doug Drabek, Van Slyke and John Smiley. That was eons ago.

If I grew up watching the Pirates, Royals, or Reds, I'd probably be insane by now (especially considering the powerhouses they had back in the day).

I wouldn't mind seeing a salary cap brought in though (like that'll ever happen). Things were far more interesting when anyone could build a contender. Now you either need a fuckload of money or a shitload of luck to win it all. Back in the 80s, if I remember correctly, there was a 7 year stretch where a different team won the division. Now its either Boston or New York... yawn... (I guess Tampa Bay made things interesting last year though).

However, I'm more pissed off about crappy players making tons of money, as opposed to teams spending tons of money. You get mediocre players making like 10+ million per year now (and they barely deserve a minor league contract).

The NHL seems a lot better in this regard. I hope MLB follows their example, but that'll probably lead to a lengthy strike (and if that happens, I hope MLB parts way with the MLBPA... I'd prefer scabs instead of all these steroid pumped assholes anyway).

Yeah the Royals used to be a fantastic team back in the day. Now, anyone who follows KC and Pittsburgh must be a masochist. The Royals are pretty much counterpart to the Pirates in the AL. They are teams that make you wish there was a salary cap(never gonna happen). Or at least a high salary floor.
I couldn't agree with you more about there always being those one players who make a shitload and don't do jack or are simply awful while making all that money. Examples that come to mind from the past and more recent are Gil Meche, Jorge Fabregas, Mo Vaughan, Carla Pavano and Russ Ortiz. Ugh.

The late 70s and early-mid 80s they were quite formidable. Not sure what the fuck happened. I guess trading off any decent player and not drafting enough good players.

Another thing: the league desperately needs a cap on signing bonuses for draftees. That's really what's fucking over the small market teams. I think MLB is the only pro sport which doesn't have that capped. Its funny how pieces of crap like Mark Prior signed a 12 million signing bonus.


Barry Zito? haha ~20 mil a year for a mediocre pile of shit who's only pitched one good season. Then again, that's the Giant's fault. Toronto's big-assed contract to Vermin Wells is just as bad. The Mets signed some crappy pitcher to a 12 mil/year contract last off-season (forgot his name). I'm sorry, but pitchers with an ERA around 4.50 with a .500 winning percentage doesn't deserve over 2 million/year. I don't mind guys like Santana, Halladay, etc making a lot (hell, Halladay is a fucking bargain), but shitty pitchers don't deserve squat. You're better off going with minor league pitchers - same result, vastly cheaper.

[edit] Actually, maybe a trade of Zito for Wells could work? That's kinda like swapping dirty laundry though.

Ahh yes, Mark Prior. He was a gem of a prospect though with elite stuff so I can't fault the Cubs for paying the money such a talent commanded at the time. Unfortunately for them, he got injured and would get hurt just crossing the street thereafter. The Twins now couldn't be more happy that negotiations for him fell through in the draft from the money Scott Boras wanted for him because in the end they got a future hall of famer Joe Mauer instead.

Oh let's not forget Kevin Brown!! Fucking worthless piece of shit, primadonna ballplayer after signing that contract in '99(the largest ever up to that time).

I'm not doing so good in the NRL tipping this round. 3/7 so far, only because I got yesterday's games. The contenders are being shown against the pretenders, it seems.

Also, really bad luck against the Demons to lose after the siren. That mark was probably a 50-50 call, but it was paid and Richmond rejoiced.

I only got 3/8 this week as well, and one of them was a default win because of the Panthers drawing with the Warriors. To be fair though, the Sea Eagles never looked like losing to Wests, it was a hell of an upset round.

For the AFL though, 7/8, had a perfect run until the damn Bombers ruined everything. As for the game you mentioned, I was surprised that two lowly teams could create such a magnificently thrilling ending. I honestly couldn't tell whether that final mark was correct, but I think he was just barely within his rights to have the mark.

My bosses were worlds apart at work last night, the Tigers fan obviously being unbelievably happy with the Hawks fan cracking the shits and being grumpy all night

anyone see the jays game today? what a gong show.

At least he'll no longer have to watch that shambles that is Newcastle United "perform" on a weekly basis. Is now a good time to say he'll be turning in his grave? All joking aside, he was a great manager. He did wonders for Newcastle when he joined them a few years back.

Its another sad day for football ... Xabi Alonso is poised to sign for Real Madrid for an estimated £30m. :'( This a big loss and an unnecessary departure. Benitez really screwed up here by trying to sell arguably our best player last season to Juve just so he could bring in that overrated tripe Gareth Barry. NOW WE HAVE NEITHER OF THOSE PLAYERS! We desperately need to keep hold of Mascherano now and add a playmaker/winger to our team, preferably someone who can also slot into the center in front of Mascherano. Aquilani has been stated as our replacement from Roma and he's a decent enough player. I'd also like to see us push on and get a striker (David Villa would be nice).

Wish we could have kept him.

Damn, you REALLY hate the Geordies

I don't really. I have a close friend who supports them and I'm so used to the banter between us that I insult Newcastle even when he's not around.

Woke up to some good news - WE'VE AGREED A FEE OF £20M FOR ALBERTO AQUILANI! Subject to a medical, of course. I've seen him a few times and heard that he's a great talent. A bit injury prone but, apparently, that's due to the training scheme at Roma, not the player himself. Looks like a good deal. We should still have some money available, so hopefully we can bring in someone like Silva, or Villa.

Bloody awesome, I think I'm no expert on players as I'm still relatively new to this sport, all I know is what's good for Liverpool is what's good for me

Melbourne Victory kick off the A-League season tonight against Central Coast, I was desperate to go to the game but of course I had to cover other peoples shifts at work, can't wait until all that crap is over. I like attending football better than AFL solely for the crowd getting far more into it. Still, at least someone (SEN 1116) is awesome enough to cover the game, so I'll be able to listen, and maybe catch the last of it on TV.

West Coast beat those dogs!

I'm really glad that NFL is back even if it is just the pre-season

Carlton beating the Cats, West Coast won against the Dogs, and the Dockers beat Port. What an absolutely insane week in the AFL.

Let me be the first to bring up Greg Inglis and utterly condemn him for what he did. Whether or not he is a superstar for the club I follow is irrelevent - there's little excuse for beating the shit out of your girlfriend, and the Storm were right to sack him. I hope he's prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Yeah, I know. The Bulldogs losing may be costly for them, as Collingwood have overtaken them. I guess it also quashes the rumour of Fremantle tanking.

Not that any of this matters either way - St. Kilda will win the premiership.


This is...news to me. Pretty shit, if it's true.

jays just beat the yanks

HAHA AND RIOS IS GONE!!! best day ever.

haha rios says he doesnt know the reason he was released.

fuck i am so fucking glad we got rid of this airhead i can hardly contain myself.

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Rios = 5 tool talent, 5 cent brain. He's a lazy, absent-minded, classless asshole. It should be funny to see Ozzie Guillen (in Chicago) tear him a new asshole when he plays like a total ass.

Good hitting outfielders are rather common, and Rios was quite mediocre. 12 million/year is way too high for such minimal output. He's played long enough that I doubt he'll develop anymore - this is the best he'll probably ever get.

American NBA fans, can you please settle a score for me:

Is the Boston team pronounced the KELT-ics? or the SELT-ics?

haha there was this discussion over celtic frost.

all sportscasters in NA say SELTics, ive never ever heard anyone say "the boston KELTics.

i love ozzie and agree that this will be funny. im not sure alexis is going to last in chicago.

Damn, that means my friend wins

Yup, it's the Seltics, not Keltics. Spelling can be a tricky one. Next time, before a bet, just youtube something like that.

Even I knew it was seltics and I know nothing about basketball. I heard it in American History X and am used to saying it that way because of the "soccer" team, Glasgow Celtic.

4 days until the start of the Premiership!

SELT-ics, though I think regularly it's pronounced KELT-ic if it's associated with things such as the name of the language faimly.

*EDIT: Changed the post a bit.*

Finally! It's tough being a football fan in America. They have this sport called football, but the only two people who use their feet are constantly ridiculed. America in a nutshell right there.

Anyway, Go Latics! May they never fix the JJB pitch.

Preseason for the Chiefs starts Saturday!!!! I'm predicting we go 4-0 in the exhibition games. We start the season at Baltimore, so the euphoria will probably wear off soon after that.... all well, everyone is happy this time of year. Go KC!

I must say, I totally did not envision Michael Vick going to the Eagles. This season is interesting all ready..

The others that don't walk alone

31 hours till the start of the Premiership, and not long after that, the Liverpool game!

Yeah, it's very dissapointing. But it does help that we won the super bowl and the cup last year.

The Cup victory was sweeter for them because a Super Bowl is expected. It's a Steeler town but Sidney Crosby should be given the key to the city.

Ha! I do imagine its tough. Are you American? If so, Wigan is an odd choice for a team to support. Going for the underdog?

I watched 2 matches today - Blackburn vs Man City and Newcastle vs Reading. Saw the end of Everton vs Arsenal, too. Of course, I caught the extensive highlights for all of today's games.

Wigan were excellent today. Their first goal was a spectacular one. Got yourself a good player there, and a good manager! The team completely swept Villa off the field. They couldn't handle you at all today. Speaking of which, HAHA! Love the fact that Everton got trounced 6-1 at home by Arsenal - who were a joy to watch - yet again.

Great day today. So happy REAL football is back.

immortalshadow666, did you manage to catch any play today? Our game starts in a number of hours. Very excited.

no one wants a key to pittsburg

did anyone just see babalu sobral get his shit rocked by mousasi?

I saw that, it certainly didn't last long. Gegard looks pretty good.

yeah, i'm eager to see if he gets through the super hulk tournament. what did you think of the carano/cyborg fight? i thought it was pretty entertaining but really showed how technically lacking female fighters (even at the top level) can be. that said, i'll definitely be watching cyborg's next fight.