The Noise Factor

A few things first before I get this going…

- The "All Star Blogger Show" was great last night, I had a blast.  It was great to be on with Frank, MeanD and AK47.  Mean brought it the same way he brings it on his blogs.  I know AK47 was a bit down after the show but I along with many bloggers here know how good of a writer he is and earned the right to be there.  I may tune in live next week as it’s at 10 PM, but I will definitely hear the show on archives on the Thursday.  Thanks to the callers who contributed.  It certainly added a different twist to the show.  And Frank deserves kudos for getting this all started.

- Must thank Demonicume for his outstanding work on the realsportsblogger.com website.  The site looks very professional and looking at my section I am glad Demon knows what he is doing.  NO WAY would I have figured out how to set my page up like that.

- Podcast link for What’s The Deeley-O?: http://chevpodcasts.blogspot.com/ 

Big participation this week.  Check it out:

ShooterB

1)  You’ve probably already heard, but A-Rod was seen this past weekend in Toronto with a "Mystery Blonde". 
First question, that mystery blonde didn’t happen to be anyone you
know…did it?  Hopefully it wasn’t your girlfriend, because she looks
like she could bench press a Volvo.

- It would have been more impressive if she could bench press a pickup truck with "This is our country" by John Mellancamp in the background. 

 

2)  The story goes on to say that A-Rod and his crew spent some time at the Brass Rail strip club.  Did you see him there?  Or were you tossing nickels at The Bald Beaver strip club instead?

- Funny thing is I’ve been invited to hit up the Brass Rail but have never been.  2 most reputable strip clubs are that one and "Whiskey A-Go-Go’s".  I went there once and may as well have thrown nickels.   

 

3) 
If A-Rod caught some sort of sexually transmitted disease while in
Toronto, does he have do get a special permit to cross the Canadian
border?

- He should.  That is worse than SARS. 

 

4)  Here’s a somewhat serious
question.  With Kobe Bryant wanting out of L.A., would you want him
playing for Toronto if they could work out a deal?  What would you
think a Kobe-Bosh 1-2 punch?

- Bosh would have to be part of the trade in my mind.  Bargnani and Ford would not be enough, plus that would cost Toronto a ton. 

 

5) 
Since the Michael Vick dog-fighting scandal, I started to wonder about
our hoser friends of the North.  Has there been any news about Roy
Halladay being linked to a moose-fighting scandal?  Or was it
angry barbarian beavers?

- Doc races cars on the Rogers Center field.  He looked like he enjoyed it more than sex.

 

Chuxtory

What’s the deeley-o……… I’m wondering about the Canada/ Australia
relationship, with you both being the bastard step- children of the
English Crown,…. They have Australian rules football, rugby, and hot,
blond surfer chicks…. and you guys have………. well, hockey,
curling ……..and fur parkas, …… and….. uhmmmm…… moose…

 Do ya HATE’ em?? Don’t ya just want to nuke that big assed island
off the map….. go ahead, you can tell me….. it wont start an
international incident, or anything….

- If I had a choice between being a bastard or not existing I’ll take bastard every single time.  Not being "planned" isn’t the end of the world.  Or is it?

 

1steelerfan1

1) There’s a rumor in the Northwest section of the U.S. that Bigfoot,
otherwise known as Sasquatch, is actually an illegally imigrated.
Canadian. Is this true and would it be a male of female. How many days
growth of hair is that Canadian sporting?

- The hair is grown during the hockey playoffs, everyone knows that.  Want to know the gender check the podcast. 

 
2) If there was no Hockey league anymore, what would Canada’s beloved sport
become?
 
    A) Cricket ?

    B) Lacrosse ?

    C) Empty Molson bottle tossing ?

- B and C.  Curling steeler, not Cricket.  Otherwise I’d be on the National Team (or not)
 

 3) Canadian women are often refered to as "perky." Is this because of
their-
 
    A) Attitude ?

    B) Spiked hair from too much "hair treatment" ?

    c) Naturally cooler Canadian air temperature
?

- Perky?  Did I miss something here?  

 

Miracle 

Dan I’m sure you have read the reports that A Rod was
seen in Toronto recently going out to dinner with two
unknown males and a mystery blonde.
How long have you and Eric known A Rod? And were
those knockers real on that hooker?

Last week in Alabama (that’s US for you hosers
without a map) an 11 year old boy killed a wild pig
that weighed over 1,050 pounds (that’s 476.27 Kilograms)
After the report many fat celebrities including Rosie
O’Donnell were fearful for their lives, so they tried
to head north of the boarder where the hunting season
for celebrities was over. She was caught trying to
lumber across the Canadian border without her birth
certificate. Authorities were however able to
identify her by her hoof print.

They confiscated 8 dozen jelly and glazed doughnuts,
5 quarts of butter, a large plastic phallic object
with “Mamba” written on the side, a map of the
Markham area with smiley face stickers marking the
locations of local buffets, and a book entitled
“Dan’s Pocket Guide to the Markham Mudslide”

http://www.monsterpig.com/

- I’m not going to lie, but that is one monster pig.

…And that is all folks.  Next week it’s your turn to get peppered with questions from CANADIANS.  I’ll see if NeoAC and the rest of my Canadian crew has anything for you.  I will post a few questions on my blog before next Thursday’s show to prepare you.  You can hear my show replayed RIGHT NOW (5:15PM EST - Deeley-O will be on around 7:05-7:10).  www.chevradioam.com is where it’s at.  Cheers.

29 Comments

With the recent victory for John Smoltz it not only gave him win number 200 for his career but it triggered a number of bloggers attention, prompting the question "Is he a hall of famer?".  

A while back I went position by position around the horn to breakdown which guys are locks for Cooperstown and who was borderline.  What we will here is go by team and use the headings "In" and "Maybe".  Maybe are those considered to be borderline players or players who may have some questions to answer, if you catch my drift.

Baltimore Orioles

In: None
Maybe: Miguel Tejada - Just turned 31, he sits 24 RBI’s short of 1000 and has been widely considered one of the best shortstops in the game since the decade began.  He also has an MVP under his belt, has hit over .300 5 of the last 6 seasons and has driven in over 100 runs 6 of his last 7 seasons.

Boston Red Sox

In: Manny Ramirez - One of the best hitters since 1995 who has driven in 100 runs practically all but once since then.  He will reach 500 homeruns and will have a career average well over .300.  No MVP’s but owns a World Series MVP.

Curt Schilling - No Cy Youngs for Curt but one of the most clutch pitchers of his time.  He also has a World Series MVP with Arizona and has won 20 games 3 times.  Pitched for some terrible Philly teams that probably hurt his record in the beginning but he has 211 career wins right now.

Maybe: David Ortiz - Turning 32 later this year and only has 240 homeruns for his career.  Since 2003 he has been a hall of fame calibre player but it’s his late start to success that may keep him out.  His clutchness is what personafies greatness, but he will need another 3 or 4 dominating seasons to push him into Cooperstown.

New York Yankees

In: Derek Jeter - He’ll reach 3000 hits, barring injury, and will also go down as one of the most clutch players of his time.  He reminds me of Paul Molitor a lot.  Despite questionable gold glove awards, an above average defender at shortstop.  A lock for the first ballot.

Alex Rodriguez - He should reach 3000 hits as well along with 600+ homeruns.  The question is how many homeruns will he have when his career is all said and done.

Roger Clemens - It’s only a matter of when he gets in.

Mariano Rivera - Best closer of our time - he will get in regardless of who holds the saves record.

Maybe: Jorge Posada - Maybe the hot start to 2007 has convinced me that he’s worthy of at least a look at Cooperstown.  His .273 career average does not overwhelm anyone.  He may get in years from now because he was part of the dynasty Yankee teams, but he has a lot of work to do.  He has improved significantly behind the plate but must continue to urinate on his hands to get closer to the hall with the bat.

Andy Pettitte - He could hit 200 wins this year.  If he pitches another 3 or 4 years people may look at his numbers and the teams he has played for and say ‘he was a true winner, he should be in’.  If someone decides that, it better not be within the first 10 years of his retirement.

Hideki Matsui - If his numbers in Japan are combined with his MLB numbers, his career looks damn good.  I think he needs to be more dominant with the bat on American soil before anyone takes him seriously for the Hall.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

In: None
Maybe: None (as of yet)

Toronto Blue Jays

In: Frank Thomas - Between 1991-1997 he was Albert Pujols before Albert Pujols.  When you have a run like Big Hurt had, you put yourself into a great position to reach Cooperstown.  500 bombs or not he is in.

Maybe: None

Chicago White Sox

In: None
Maybe: Jim Thome - He defined the term "prolific homerun hitter" during his time.  He is 22 bombs short of 500.  He needs another 2 good years and he should be good to get into the Hall.  But with his injuries nobody is quite sure if he can make it long enough to reach Hall of Fame credentials.

Cleveland Indians

In: None
Maybe: None (Grady Sizemore hasn’t done anything to make a case yet)

Detroit Tigers

In: Ivan Rodriguez - Dominating defender of his time at the Catcher’s position and he can hit the baseball as well.  He will get in on the first ballot.  He could do it all behind the dish.  The final piece to his game was complete when he helped the young Marlins to a title in 2003.

Maybe: Gary Sheffield - Still 36 bombs short of 500 and he is not getting any younger.  He will turn 39 this year and there wasn’t a point in time where you could have said "Sheffield is a top 3 dangerous hitter".  Thomas was, Sheff was not.  Plus BALCO does not help his case either.

Kansas City Royals

In: None
Maybe: None

Minnesota Twins

In: None
Maybe: Johan Santana - Barring injury he has a great look for today’s generation of pitchers.  All the locks for the Hall from the pitcher’s position are all from the 80’s and 90’s.  Johan could be one of those next generation guys who gets in.  But he must stay healthy.  His 2 Cy’s look damn good on him.

LA Angels

In: Vladimir Guerrero - A career .325 hitter who has very little protection around him yet still produces every single year.  He is 31 and still needs 1100+ hits for 3000 and already has 348 bombs.  If he doesn’t reach the 3000 or 500 milestones, he should still make it in.

Maybe: Francisco Rodriguez - He’s 25 years old, the closest thing to Rivera-like dominance and already has 121 saves.  Give him another 10 years and how many saves could he rack up?  

Oakland Athletics

In: Mike Piazza - Best hitting catcher of our time and perhaps any time.  No questions here.

Maybe: None

Seattle Mariners

In: Ichiro Suzuki - If he passes 2000 hits in his career, which he should, he should be in.  His major league professional baseball career statistics will look sensational when he retires.

Maybe: None

Texas Rangers

In: None
Maybe: Sammy Sosa - If the appearance at Congress hurt Mark McGwire’s chances it will hurt Sosa’s.  Now Sammy’s career stats look incredible and he will most likely get in, but there is skepticism.

Atlanta Braves

In: John Smoltz - Clutch starting pitcher, dominating closer.  I like those two reasons for Smoltz to get in.

Maybe: Chipper Jones - Being hurt every year is killing his chances.  He was the best third baseman of the 1990’s, but will that be enough to push him in?  He needs to hang around for another 3 or 4 years and pad his stats to get him in.

Andruw Jones - Longevity will get him in.  He has been around for years and began his career at 19.  Otherwise he has never been considered the best all-around centerfielder in baseball until recently.  He will have a nice looking career when he retires.

Florida Marlins

In: None
Maybe: Miguel Cabrera - His career has begun like a Hall of Famer.  He’s only 24 and he already has a career .310 average and over 100 bombs.  At this pace he’ll have his plaque.

New York Mets

In: Tom Glavine - 300 wins makes you a lock, especially in this era.  2 Cy Youngs does not hurt either.  Neither does a World Series MVP.

Pedro Martinez - He won’t get to 300 wins but his dominance will get him in.  The numbers he put up in this era of huge offense has been nothing short of spectacular.

Maybe: Carlos Delgado - He has never been the best first baseman in the league but he has consistently put up big numbers each year.  I say if he reaches 550 he should be in.  One thing is for sure: He has been relatively the same size since he arrived in the bigs in 1994.

Carlos Beltran - Needs a LOT of work as he’s already 30 and doesn’t come close to the statistics needed to be in the Hall.

David Wright - If he keeps this pace up he’ll be in.  But it’s too early to tell, like Cabrera.

Philadelphia Phillies

In: None
Maybe: Chase Utley - Will need to continue to be the best second baseman in the league for another few years and he will be a Hall of Famer.  This guy can mash.

Washington Nationals

In: None
Maybe: None

Chicago Cubs

In: None
Maybe: Carlos Zambrano - He may not be pitching well this year but at 25 years old he has a lot of years to put up enough numbers to be one of the best pitchers of his time.

Aramis Ramirez - He has over 200 homeruns and he is only 28 years old.  He has an outside shot but he needs some massive production over the next 6 or 7 years to give him a real shot.

Cincinnati Reds

In: Ken Griffey Jr. - The player of the decade (1990’s) will get in.  Wonder what his numbers would have been if he was healthy.

Maybe: None

Houston Astros

In: Craig Biggio - Longevity will get him in.  Getting to 3000 hits because he hung around to get it will get him in.  To me he is not a first ballot hall of famer but you cannot keep him out.

Maybe: Roy Oswalt - He has over 100 wins and he has not turned 30 yet.  He has also been healthy through his career with the exception of groin troubles back in 2003.  Solid pitcher.

Milwaukee Brewers

In: None
Maybe: None

Pittsburgh Pirates

In: None
Maybe: None

St. Louis Cardinals

In: Albert Pujols - He’s Albert Pujols, he’s 27 and he’s already in.  You know he has to have amazing numbers to have people concede his entry already.

Maybe: None

Arizona Diamondbacks

In: Randy Johnson - The most dominating lefty pitcher over the last decade and a half until Johan Santana took to torch away.  He struck out over 300 batters numerous times and has a few Cy Youngs under his belt.  Easy Hall of Famer.

Maybe: None

Colorado Rockies

In: None
Maybe: Todd Helton - Being in Colorado hurts his chances, otherwise he’d have a better look at Cooperstown.  His career average is .333 which should get him in right?  Wait and see.

Los Angeles Dodgers

In: Jeff Kent - For about 8 seasons, beginning in 1997, he was the best second baseman offensively in baseball.  Sheer dominance at his position with the bat.  Also a former MVP, he has all the criteria for a second baseman to enter the hall.

Maybe: Nomar Garciaparra - A dominant hitting shortstop in his prime.  His problem is he’s 33 years old.  Sports a career .317 career average but all those injuries has derailed what was once a hall of fame calibre career.

San Diego Padres

In: Greg Maddux - Best pitcher of the 1990’s, won 4-straight Cy Youngs and should have been the 1995 National League MVP, sporting one of the greatest pitching seasons of mankind.  Enough said.

Trevor Hoffman - The All-Time saves leader has done it over and over again.   Tough to keep him out with the numbers he will have after his career is done.

Maybe: Jake Peavy - Like Zambrano, he’s young (25 years old).  He needs to avoid injury, and that’s obviously easier said than done.

David Wells - He has 232 career wins but his career ERA is over 4.  I wouldn’t put him in but some may differ with this opinion.

San Francisco Giants

In: None
Maybe: Barry Bonds - BALCO scandal has created doubt.  You may think he should be in without question, except if you ask if the voters will get him in you may have some doubt in the back of your mind.  Therefore, he get’s stuck on maybe.  If it were my vote?  Damn, give me 5 years to think about it.

Quick NHL Prediction: Anaheim in 7.  High scoring and low scoring will take place.
 

10 Comments

The hit song by Live will not be featured in this post but sports takes certainly will.  As we approach June the playoff runs in the NBA and NHL will wind down and we will be looking forward to the NFL season a couple months away.  But here are some points from this week I must hit before the night is over…

Baseball

- The father of Josh Hancock is suing those responsible for his son’s death.  Hopefully his own son can seek legal counsel because he will need it when his father is through with him.  Let’s run down the list here: speeding, drunk driving, driving with a cell phone (an offense in my parts), reckless driving and marijuana in the car.  This kid lacks self-discipline.  

When you are going to have a drink or two or seventeen you need to be responsible for your actions, regardless of how intoxicated you are.  Is this the kind of behavior his father condoned during Josh’s first 18 years of his life?  If so, questionable parenting becomes an issue.  We aren’t here to speculate whether or not he was a good dad but to blame someone else for his death is absolutely absurd.

- The moment Jason Giambi began to speak earlier this week was his first mistake.  If there was anyone who should have the gag order place on him it would be Giambi.  I’ve never liked hypocrisy (even though we’ve all done it), but his comments obviously proved that he is a hypocrit.  First his comments about Alex Rodriguez and now this.  If the New York Yankees are serious about winning a championship in 2008 I would void his contract and use that money to get either Andruw Jones or Ichiro.  It’s not like Giambi can carry a team on his back anymore.

Couple of points with this situation: 1) The positive greenie test was an "F-U" message from the MLB.  They are basically saying, "Screw with us and we’ll let you pay for it".  Seems like these positive tests are only leaked out when it is convenient for the MLB (like Barry’s positive test).  That shows the ballplayers need to stay quiet or they will go after you for something.  Because the first positive test is suppose to be kept private.  That’s twice they’ve leaked out positive tests…2) How many positive tests of any kind have they kept or covered up in the past?…3) How can Giambi say those comments knowing that if anyone became a "whistle-blower" they would either be subjected to losing their job or even worse.  Even if someone wanted to spill the beans on steroid use they do not want to risk their job or worse…4) People have suggested giving immunity to those who’ve used to entice them to come out and admit they used.  Awarding someone who got away with something against the law is bullcrap.  That still won’t solve the ongoing problem with today’s players.  Having yesterday’s stars come out only proves what we’ve speculated for some time.

- Anyone that feels Boston has taken the division need to remember 4 numbers: 1978.  It’s May 25th and it is a very long season.  This division is not Boston’s yet.  Over the next 100 games Boston could go 59-41 while the Yankees go 69-31 and we have a tight race to the end.  Funny, that scenario is conceiveable.

Basketball

- The playoffs have taken a turn for the worse for excitement.  Sorry to say it, but it has.  For those who’s favourite teams are still in it I can imagine you disagree.  However, from an overall fan perspective these two matchups do not have the steam it needs to have.  In the East, the play has been tough to watch.  We also know how Cleveland cannot matchup to at least 6 teams from the West, probably more.  As much as we try to forget that it cannot be ignored.  We’ve seen it for ourselves; Donyell Marshall not hitting an open shot (story of the Cavs this year), and Larry Hughes missing a jumper that should be knocked down routinely by high school and college players at any level from any province or state.  That is your #2 team out of the East folks.  Not good.

In the West it has been a simple case of mismatching.  I got a bit of flack on suggesting the re-seeding method, that way giving us the best case matchup in the Conference final.  Instead we’ve seen a solid Utah Jazz team take the much easier route to the Conference final.  Put it this way: If Phoenix played Golden State and lost, while Utah played San Antonio and won we would have at least respected both teams for ripping 4 of the best teams in the regular season.  Even if one of those teams made it there would have been a bigger build-up for it.  This conference final has very little build-up as is.  The only thing they have going for them is recent history, as they along with the Los Angeles Lakers have represented the West in the NBA Finals every year since 1997 with the exception of last year.  These are two good teams without question, but we’ve been cheated out of bigger excitement.

By the way, who’s pumped for Detroit v. San Antonio Part II?  Or Utah v. Cleveland?  Anyone?

Football

- What a hell of a week for the NFL as we saw a bunch of things go down: Chris Henry, A.J. Nicholson, Justin Miller, the ongoing Mike Vick stuff, Clinton Portis…not a great week AT ALL. 

Speaking of Portis, here is a great scenario for you: Say you have invited someone into your home and you decide to assault them physically.  Shouldn’t that be ok?  Clinton Portis must think so because it is YOUR HOME.  You can break the law but if you do so in your own home that is A-OK.

- Keyshawn Johnson retires and has nice statistics.  Why is it that when I think of him as a New York Jet I think of an impact player, but as a Buc, Cowboy and Panther I think very good wide receiver?  Good receiver to have when his mind is straight, can block on running plays but is he a Hall of Famer?  Let’s just say he is definitely not a first-ballot HOF.

Hockey

- Let’s clear this up right now: This is NOT a Canada v. US matchup.  The Ottawa Senators are playing for a Stanley Cup to bring back TO OTTAWA and NOT Canada.  Anyone in Canada who believes this is a total whackjob.  Then again, if they only like hockey and hate other sports or think hockey is the best sport ever has a terrible opinion.  There are players from all over the world on both teams so this has nothing to do with countries but has more to do with the thill and the opportunity to play for the ultimate prize in hockey.  One thing is certain: if Ottawa wins the Stanley Cup the Toronto Maple Leaf fans will be really ticked off.  Therefore I’m cheering for Ottawa.  I am expecting the series to have low scores and high scores.  I’d bet on Anaheim to win but Ottawa would be a great story after all the meltdowns they have had in the past.

Sidenote: J.S. Giguere is playing for history by potentially winning his second Conn Smythe trophy.  Dear Roberto Luongo: That is how you carry a team. 

Cycling

- May be in worse shape than baseball right now when it comes to drugs.  Could there be more coming out in the near future?

…

I will be participating this upcoming Wednesday on the "Fox Sports Blogger Show" with Frank Irizarry.  MeanDovine has confirmed he will be on as well and I am looking forward to rapping with them on some sports topics.  Frank told me it will be on at 11PM which is good as I get up at 6AM to prep for my show (CHEAP PLUG: Weekdays 9AM-Noon EST on www.chevradioam.com)

Please check out Frank’s blog for more info on the "Fox Sports Blogger Show"

 

8 Comments

The moment your team is eliminated from the playoffs or from playoff contention is the time you keep quiet from any smack talk towards another team that has faired better than you during the year.  That should be the unwritten code for sports fans everywhere.  Why crack on someone’s team when your team was brutal?  That’s pure hypocrisy.  If us fans can show some humility and sportsmanship then all is good.  But all the baseball fans can talk junk all they want over the next 4 months.  But let’s start this blog…

Basketball 

- No matter how you looked at this matchup, a great team was going to be eliminated and it was going to leave a bad taste in people’s mouths.  The Phoenix Suns happened to be the fall team in the matchup and as playoff observers without any bias, people probably would prefer to see the Suns over the San Antonio Spurs for entertainment value.  However, I am in the opinion that this matchup should have went down one round later.  Yes, Utah could have upset the Spurs and even Golden State could have bumped Phoenix.  However, basketball fans would have much rather have taken their chances to see a Phoenix/San Antonio conference final.  No matter how good Utah is, the West final has lost it’s lustre and that is unfortunate.  Least I can say that 3 of the top 6 NBA teams made the final four and Utah is part of that 6.

- Also part of the 6 are the Detroit Pistons who finally found a way to beat Chicago.  Despite P.J. Brown’s first half of his basketball life, the Bulls could not capitalize as they were up 5 heading into halftime.  This matchup showed us the vulnerability of Detroit who should have squashed Chicago much easier than they did.  As for Cleveland, they have yet to face a quality playoff opponent yet and we’ll finally get to see them play a real team in Detroit (Thank god their series with New Jersey is over - that was was trainwreck).  Expect this series to be in Detroit’s favour but don’t ask how many games it will take because that will be decided by Detroit.  It is their series to lose.

Hockey

- Heading into the Buffalo/Ottawa Eastern Final we knew one team would have a serious heartbreak when they’d get eliminated.  For Ottawa it would have been a deeper cut to an already severe wound of past playoff failures.  But they FINALLY prevailed and it’s Buffalo that has to wonder ‘what if’.  This is a Sabres team that dominated the East for the entire regular season.  They came up just short last season when they thought they had the Stanley Cup finals appearance within their grasp.  Now they will lose at least one top star, potentially two.  They will walk into next season with a talented team but certainly not as deep as this year’s squad.  Needless to say it was going to be hard to see one of these teams not make it as both franchises have skeleton’s in their playoff closets.  One more point about Buffalo: They remind me of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1992-94.  They nearly made the Stanley Cup final in 1993 only to be an uncalled penalty and a Wayne Gretzkey performance of the ages away from getting the Toronto/Montreal hockey superpowers matchup.  Then, like Buffalo did this season, the Leafs began the 1993-94 season with 10 wins in a row.  Toronto then lost to a team who use to fall short and dissapoint in the playoffs despite having great talent: The Vancouver Canucks.  Like Ottawa, they were the class of their division back in the early 1990’s and won the Campbell Conference despite not winning the division that year like they did in year’s past.

Football

- You won’t go to mini-camp and now you will?  Dear Brett Favre: Make up your mind and stick with it.  This reminds me of his play on the field - questionable decisions.

Baseball

- Is there something up commissioner Bud Selig’s sleeve?  I did not understand ignoring the homerun record by Barry Bonds - until now.   There could be one thing he wants to acheive by failing to show up for it and that’s to send a message to fans and baseball that this record is worth nothing to him (I would understand it, but it’s not the right move).  The other thing could be that he’s sitting on evidence that could clearly cream (pun intended) Bonds’ career for good. 

Currently I am near the end of the book "Game of Shadows".  I am about 260 pages into it and the book has blown me away thus far.  If Victor Conte had played his cards close to the vest perhaps he would still be supplying to this day.  Though we have no evidence of other people designing undetectable performance enhancers as we speak, you know there are people out there producing and handing them to current athletes.  We don’t know the extent of how far or how bad this has gotten out of hand in all sports, much less baseball or the Olympics.  And even more importantly, you want syringes and pills taken away from the high school kids who are looking for a pick-me-up to get into Division 1 Colleges or to get drafted as soon as possible - depending on the sport.

OTHER

- It’s Victoria Day weekend and the fireworks are blasting off so loud outside my house that I keep thinking Jeff Weaver is giving up bombs to 12 year old kids at the local ballpark.  This will go on all night so I hope you guys sleep well for me tonight because I certainly won’t.  Especially if Brad Lidge comes in to relieve Weaver.

 

2 Comments

The beautiful part about sports is you cannot run and you cannot hide.  This isn’t like politics where something could happen that becomes a matter of public record and a politician will attempt to lie about how they voted on an issue or what they have said on record.  Better yet, they can tell you their favourite baseball player is Manny Ortez.  But while we sort out whether they are on the level or are just B.S. artists, we have sports on live and we pick for ourselves what we get out of it.  Everything about sports is right in front of you and that is the best part of it.  We can see events for ourselves and determine our own point of views on how things go down.  If we never had extensive coverage on sports we would have screamed ‘conspiracy’ during Game 4 of the Spurs/Suns game.  But since we saw it for ourselves would could formulate our own opinions.  That is why sports is so good.

- But what’s not so good has been the play of the East Conference teams.  Watching the New Jersey v. Cleveland Game 5 last night made me want to scratch the walls until my fingers bleed.  Horrendous basketball, especially in the second half of the game.  Donyell Marshall played 7 minutes and that was 10 minutes too long.  And this comes after the Detroit Pistons failed yet again in their attempt to finish off the Chicago Bulls.  We talked up Detroit so much because in the second half of the regular season they stepped their game up after acquiring Chris Webber.  Now we have looked like fools as they have failed to pull the trigger to finish the Bulls off.  Credit to Chicago for fighting but Detroit has looked so bad I wonder how they got up 3-0 in the first place.  But that is not a fight we should get into as the NBA East is simply inferior to the West.  We are witnessing the NBA out of the West Conference, while the NBA East is playing for the NBDL title.  I’m sorry, the East is the B-league and they haven’t played well enough to deserve better credit than the West Conference.  There is a good reason why the NBA First Team comes from the West, and deservingly so.

- The Phoenix Suns ran out of gas with their 6-man system yesterday as they lost a game they had within their grasp.  I wondered why they went with just the 6-man system but after about 5 seconds I understood that there was no way the Suns could have done anything more as they have only played the same 8 every single game.  Yes I know Pat Burke played but 3 minutes does not count.  When I looked at their roster there was one guy perfect to play in that game.  He’s a veteran who has played in big games before, he’s not what he once was but he probably has a ridiculous bank account: Former Wolverine and Phoenix Spokesman Jalen Rose.  Last night was a Jalen Rose type of game, perfect for his intensity and mentality.  He could have given the Suns 10 strong minutes, which would have meant less touches for Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa, and that would have been a good thing last night.  Whenever they tried to run the offense and hold the ball they exposed why Steve Nash is the MVP of that team.

- Regardless of the victory last night, Buffalo didn’t exactly light the world on fire.  Now that 9-second goal was phenomenal because it set a tone for the Sabres, but right after that the Sabres were out-played by Ottawa.  Thank Ryan Miller for the victory because without it they are cleaning their lockers out as we speak.  For Buffalo to win, Miller will have to steal this series like no other goaltender has stolen a series before.

- Chris Pronger’s hit on Tomas Holmstrom is an example of what is bad about hockey.  Hockey experts will say that it’s ‘part of the game’, but that is bullcrap.  It needs to be taken out.  That cheap shot being down 4-zip is like Kyle Farnsworth throwing a 100 MPH at Manny Ramirez’s head when down by 9 and Manny’s hit 2 bombs in the game.  Or like hitting Peyton Manning extremely late in the knee when down by 3 TD’s.  Or for a basketball reference, throwing a forearm shiver on a player going for a lay-up when your team is down 15.  So tell me, if it’s not right in those other sports why is it ok in hockey?  The answer is simple: It isn’t, but people have accepted it and that’s bush.

- Was it just me or was Bronson Arroyo’s last pitch last night a total strike?

- Who is talking Toronto FC and why?  Not even Toronto is talking Toronto FC.

Thanks to Miracle and Shooter for their continued hard work and commitment to my show.  I appreciate all the support.  Have a great long weekend everyone!

7 Comments

For the next person who wants to trade for Christina Ricci I have a little advice for you: SHE HAS BEEN TRADED! It was weeks ago. Regardless, I thank Miracle’s intense efforts to secure her back on American soil but you don’t need to give me 3 American States for her. She’s your sex-kitten now. By the way, Miracle was 4 DAYS EARLY! Massive commitment.

Here is the link to our Podcast so you can check it out live: http://chevpodcasts.blogspot.com/

If it isn’t up just yet, give it some time. Here is an alternative place you can check: http://odeo.com/audio/12630253/view.

- Here are the participants:

Miracle

Off the bat this week I have to offer another attempt
to trade for Christina Ricci.
This is from an msnbc article:

“Christina Ricci is comfortable being naked”

We’ll give you Alaska, Hawaii, and Ohio. That’s one
hell of a deal, Alaska has….well…enough about Alaska
how aboouuuutt Hawaii? Hula girls, volcanoes, high
taxes, malaria…ok forget those last two. To be
complete honest we’d like to get rid of Ohio anyway.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18537951

 

- We cannot trade what we don’t have anymore. But Hawaii does sound like a good idea.

Last week I was trying to book a flight to Las Vegas
and one of the hits in my search was a Canadian Air
flight. From an experience I had on that airline 10
years ago I started referring to them as “Canadian
Scare” Do Canadians have a similar name for that
group of underachieving Hosers in the sky, or do you
just get totally wasted on Molson before flying?

- Air Canada is sloppy, so that means we go above Molson and hit hard liquor if we are forced to ride A.C.

Can you tell me if the following Canadian laws apply
to the town of Markham:
1. Businesses must provide rails for tying up horses.
2. It’s illegal to climb trees.
3. Citizens may not publicly remove bandages.
4. The city is classified as a no-pee zone.

- I don’t climb trees but I pee beside one sometimes without any horses watching while I am taking off my bandage.

I am passing around a sign up sheet for all of those
that are interested. It’s a “Request for Congenial
Visits with Paris Hilton” form.
All you need to do is fill in your name, email, shoe
size, and preference of
A. "Front Door”
B. “Back Door”
C. “Other”
D. “All the above”

- Hopefully she’ll show some life during this visit.

ShooterB

1) The Toronto Raptors seemed eager to get home after losing in the first round of the playoffs. What is the biggest reason they didn’t beat New Jersey to advance? - "Coach of the Year" Sam Mitchell just isn’t a very good coach - The Raptors were afraid Jason Kidd would beat them like a woman if they challenged him - Canada’s "Hoserfest" Beer Festival was scheduled at the same time of the second round, and the Raptors didn’t want to miss
it - The Raptors shoot with the accuracy of a post-sex urination

- The Raptors found out that Molson & jelly donuts aren’t good halftime snacks

*I would have to say post-sex urination, both in accuracy and in lack of smoothness.

2) TRADE ALERT:
OK, since you are unwilling to trade Natasha Henstridge…here’s
another deal. B-movie actress Shannon Tweed for Steve Nash. You can
argue that Nash already belongs to Canada, but since the Phoenix Suns
technically own him…he rightfully belongs to us. Think
about it, Toronto badly needs an experienced ball-handler like Nash.
And Shannon Tweed is the exactly the kind of professional ball-handler
I’m looking for, too. Nash likes to hit 3’s…and Shannon doesn’t mind
getting hit by groups of 3. And just for a little icing on the cake, the next time you’re in the States…I’ll buy you a coupon for one free
lap-dance at The Husky Beaver, where you will enjoy your choice of the finest women New Mexico has to offer. Do we have a Deeley-O?

*Trade is complete

3) I just realized that I tried to trade for a 50-year old porn star. Is there any possibility of
adding a "menopause clause" to the contract?

*Yes and we’ll even add a box of Trojans to sweeten the pot.

4)
If you could be one of these Hollywood sissies from a sports movie
for one day, just to get some prime-time tail…which would you choose? - Jonathan Moxon from Varsity Blues: He got an offer for dessert in the form of a whip cream bikini. - Crash Davis in Bull Durham: He got to bump uglies with praying mantis woman Susan Sarandon - Jake Taylor in Major League: Got to round the bases with former hottie Rene Russo, who now looks like something from the wax museum - Keanu Reeves in The Replacements: Scored with a very under-rated babe, Brooke Langton

*Brooke Langton is totally underrated as I loved her in Melrose Place. She was also in Friday Night Lights, the TV version, banging a high school senior. That guy hit the top 3 hotties on the show and could have gotten the coaches daughter if he wanted to complete the Grand Slam. Nonetheless, my order is this:

1) Moxon for Ali Larter with the dessert package

2) Keanu getting the cheerleader

3) Jake Taylor taking a then-hot Rene Russo

4) Crash taking a very overrated and overused Susan Sarandon

Again, make sure you click on the above links to hear the segment in it’s full version. To e-mail me, send to: chevradionoise@gmail.com.

10 Comments

It’s pouring rain and lightning bolts outside the windows here near Toronto Canada.  Funny that I would mention where I am from seeing that you would already know that information based on what you see in my info section to the right.  But apparently not being American automatically makes you less than knowledgeable in sports than an American.  At least, that has been presumed to be true - otherwise why would the line, "I see you are from Canada" be written down based on a differing opinion?

I have no clue how to handle the prejudices of being less than sports-savvy due to my current residence so I’ll just go about my business by the only means I know how: Talk sports anyway I know how.  I’ll also take the argument as a sign that at least I’ll stick to basketball, otherwise I may have to pull out the anti-American card that I tend not to use since I don’t have a problem with Americans.  So for those that have never read a blog posted by me, a Canadian citizen, this is how I roll:

- Suspensions were layed down to Robert Horry of the San Antonio Spurs as well as Boris Diaw and Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns.  So the Spurs lose their 7th or 8th player (give or take where you slot Brent Barry) for two games, while Phoenix loses their 7th (Diaw) and their big man in the middle for just one.  Already people have begun to concede Game 5 to San Antonio because Phoenix is lost without Amare.  I find that to be interesting because although he and Diaw are key members of the team I seem to recall recent history as a springboard to my argument still giving Phoenix hope:

Last year Amare Stoudemire played 0 seconds during the Suns run to the Conference Finals, and they also had Kurt Thomas out as well.  The way I see it, they are playing with virtually the same team as they did last season.  Now, this does not mean the Suns will take Game 5 as the Spurs starting 5 plus Manu Ginobili off the bench remain the same.  However, discounting the Suns because they lose Amare doesn’t make sense after what they did last year without their two big men in the playoffs.  I don’t expect a Suns win, but seeing they are back in Phoenix anything can happen.  And, if they beat the Spurs will Steve Nash prove his worth yet again?  We’ll wait and see, but he’s the MVP of that team without question.

- How does New Jersey shoot 27 of 75 (36%) when 4 guys combine to shoot 15-18?  Especially since none of the star players figure into any of the 4 guys!  That is horrible.  All they had to do was get either Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter or Jason Kidd to hit 33% and they win Game 4.   I know people want to give Cleveland credit for an improved defense but let’s just call it how it is: Two weak East teams who would not be in the playoffs if they were in the West.  Lebron James on a sprained ankle is killing Jersey as they have no answer for him.  And although I do not overhype Kidd as a point guard, he has played very well in the playoffs.  Granted, anyone can jack up T.J. Ford as I saw many point guards do this year against Toronto (But I still like Ford, a lot), but Kidd has shot better from the field aside from last night (He’s been adequate rather than horseshit).  But make no mistake about it as Kidd continues to punish weak playoff teams guys like Parker, Baron and Nash continue to smash better opponents.  And someone should tell Jersey’s big men to rebound because you can’t have your guards being 1-2 easily in the rebounding stat sheet.  That cannot happen and should not happen.

- Tonight’s Utah v. Golden State game probably has more anticipation and excitement than any Utah or Golden State game this year.  It’s good that they are playing a game that any basketball fan would be excited to tune in for.  Where I would probably have baseball as the primary channel for the west coast game tonight, I will be glued on Utah/GS.

- Someone should tell Detroit that they can finish Chicago off anytime.  Tough to beat teams when the switch is off.  They are down by double-digits again.   And the momentum has been in Chicago’s favour all night.

- Did Barry Bonds say he’s too old for "childish Acvtivities" when referring to Curt Schilling?  Interesting coming from a guy who’s childish behaviour around the media ("Get that camera out of my face") has been well-documented.  Right or wrong, he can’t say that if he didn’t hear everything as he conceded to the media that he didn’t hear it. 

- Do I need to continue reading about Clemens throw well in a bullpen session?  Even Daisuke Matsuzaka says Roger is getting too much media attention over his comeback.  Unless he rips his yam-bag I could care less until he pitches in the MLB.

- Even though Roy Halladay may have an appendectomy, nobody is 100% convinced that the Blue Jays are telling the truth about his injury after not handle B.J. Ryan or Brandon League very well.  They practically need a doctor’s note just to prove the injuries which means they have lost credibility as a franchise. 

- If anyone can come back from a 3-0 deficit in hockey I would say the Buffalo Sabres.  If there is one team that could blow a 3-0 series lead it would be Ottawa.  But I think the series is done unless the Sabres start playing Sabre hockey, fast up and down play, hard hitting and finishing plays.  They need to exploit their strength which is scoring.  Ryan Miller has proven he can steal games but he can’t steal games when you score zero.  Regardless of the outcome, they are both good teams and Toronto Maple Leaf fans hate both.  They also don’t know the words "winning", "common-sense" or "success".  Truly unfortunate.

…What’s The Deeley-O is back on this Thursday and MIRACLE has busted out of the gate fast with an e-mail.  So if you want in and want to know about Canada or Canadians or just want a point of view from a Canadian, send an e-mail full of your questions to: chevradionoise@gmail.com.

If you need some direction and you’ve never sent an e-mail, check an old podcast of "What’s The Deeley-O" at: http://chevpodcasts.blogspot.com/. 

3 Comments

Let’s just step right into it and blow the roof off this mother…

- Sources say Green Bay Quarterback Brett Favre has asked for a trade.  Supposedly he is unhappy with the organization’s inability to land wide receiver Randy Moss.  Favre seemed to have been on-board with obtaining Moss after Favre ran Javon Walker out of town.  Is Brett a total moron?  He could have walked away from Green Bay 2 years ago to take a shot at winning with another team but stayed in Green Bay for two reasons…1) He did not want to tick off the loyal Packer fans since he’s been there for many years and is a fixture in the city, and 2) He wanted to look like a total hero if Green Bay got back to the promise land.  

Now that the window of hero opportunities has nearly closed, he’s now looking to get out and play for a winner.  He had his chance to leave and should have left a couple years ago.  The difference between two years ago and now is poor timing, because people will still be upset that he wanted out of Green Bay.

- The whole debate raging about Barry Bonds in terms of racism, the record and where he stands in baseball history.  Here is how you can look at this situation correctly: It doesn’t matter what colour your skin is, a jerk is a jerk, period.  If you are an A-hole there will be little sympathy for a person.  The record will more than likely be broken unless, god forbid, something were to happen to Bonds.  Regardless, Bud Selig has to be there when it happens.  I can understand why he doesn’t want to be there and I agree with Hank Aaron’s stance, but Bug Selig runs Major League Baseball and must save face by going to the record-breaking game.  As for where he stands in terms of greatness, he’s a .299 career hitter who got REALLY good when connected with BALCO.  Looking at his full body of work, he isn’t close to being the best ever.  Numbers aside, wouldn’t the greatest player need a championship ring?  If not, let’s make Dan Marino THE greatest quarterback of all-time, or Marcel Dionne a top 5 hockey player ever, or Dominique Wilkins being one of the best NBA players ever.  Baseball history did not begin in 1980 - a player’s domination matters when it comes to naming the greatest of all-time.

- People continue to convince themselves that playoffs don’t matter when it comes to the Most Valuable Player award.  If that were the case, why does it feel strange to see Dirk Nowitzki be named the MVP?  It’s strange because he played below MVP standards and lost in round 1 of the playoffs.  As much as we want to keep telling ourselves that the MVP is pure regular season we know the playoffs will make us change our minds about a player’s MVP worth.  I know I changed my mind during the playoffs.  I was one guy who felt Dirk deserved the award.  Then again, I also put Tim Duncan in the top 4 MVP candidates list, and he’s proving why he should be there based on his play against the Phoenix Suns.

- Buffalo is down 2-0 to Ottawa?  The Sens are going back to Ottawa in complete control of this playoff?  Damn what just happened?  The Sens are finally putting things together for the first time in years.  This entire decade has been filled with underacheivement and dissapointment when they have had better talent than accomplishments.  They would run into a Toronto Maple Leafs team who would hang their hat on a top-notch goaltender to save them, and then they just fell short against New Jersey in 2003 and Buffalo rolled them last year.  Now it’s Buffalo that’s on the ropes.

These two teams match up very well and whichever team loses this series will have a huge dissapointment in their season.  Unfortunately they are both worthy of being the final because they are the two best teams out of the East. 

- Rory Sabbatini said Tiger Woods was "beatable", then proceeded to shoot himself out of The Players Championship after being tied for the lead after the first round.  He can say that while he’s up 7 or 8 shots on Tiger but would he have said that with Tiger being 1 shot behind him?  No.  Sabbatini is VERY beatable and very stupid for saying that.  He should focus on his own game and nobody elses because he isn’t good enough to talk crap about anyone. 

That is all.  Deeley-O Thursday.  I’ll check back in before then.
 

46 Comments

When I began blogging back in December of 2005 my identity to everyone was simply "The Dan". Nobody knew my name until I announced that I was hosting a show and hoped some passionate and knowledgeable sports fanatics from Fox blogs would take a peak. Thereafter, my indentity was revealed and I clearly was not The Dan no more. Well, I’m still The Dan but you know what I mean.

The inspiration of The Dan came from one day a long time ago where I must have been in the middle of something with my mother where I noticed that she was busy doing whatever she likes to do and whatever she feels the need of doing. To clear that ackward sentence: she likes sewing, she needs to cook herself dinner (and the family because we rely on her - we admit it). But she was feeling down and a little sad. I wasn’t sure why but I had this feeling it had to do with something she didn’t want to tell me anyway. Nonetheless, she showed me a sewing project she was working on right after a sensational dinner and since I knew she was not in a cheerful mood, I uttered this line:

"You aren’t just a mom and you aren’t just my mom. You are The Mom".

She just said ok and that was that, but I felt I stumbled onto something. That something was to make my mother realize that she means a lot to me and I want to see her happy with herself. I reminded her all the time that she was The Mom. Why? Because I wanted to pump her up, make her feel proud of herself, uplift her spirits, have some fun with her etc. I just wanted to do whatever I could to let her know just how much she meant to me and tried to put a smile on her face at the same time. Even if I had to be silly I wanted her to be in a happy mood. But this weekend she is in a good mood; her favourite baseball player is Carl Crawford and he’s taking on the Blue Jays.

But now you all know the background of how I became "The Dan".

Lastly I just want to thank The Mom for everything she has done for me: driving me to all my games and tournaments growing up, for never missing a single high school baseball game of mine or my brothers (a span from 1993-2001 she attended every game), for taking me to Blue Jays games when she didn’t like going downtown, for busting my nads to clean up or do chores around the house, for loving me and ofcourse giving birth to me, and for leaving a note for me yesterday saying she was out for a bit and signing the note with the name "The". I don’t think she’s ever made me laugh harder in my life. I can say that she’s in much better spirits these days and I have never been more proud of my mother than I am today.

Happy Mothers Day Mom. To me, you are THE Mom.

8 Comments

Check out the podcast of today’s segment: http://chevpodcasts.blogspot.com/

We had a couple guys who’s hearts were in it but perhaps they were sidetracked with something that’s going on in their day-to-day lives.  Nonetheless, I greatly appreciate their support of my show as well as this segment.  Every week they bring their A-game and I certainly cannot complain about anything they submit every Thursday.  ShooterB and Miracle, you guys are clutch.

ShooterB:

- Several moments in sports have a special meaning for fans. 
Michael Jordan’s game winner in the finals, Kirk Gibson’s home run,
etc.  Tell us about 2 or 3 moments like that which Canadians hold
sacred.

…Could be Donovan Bailey, any Wayne Gretzky highlight, Joe Carter’s bomb, or Ed Sprague’s, or Roberto Alomar’s off Dennis Eckersley…

 

- Based on your blog of "cheap plugs"…which celebrity, sports or otherwise, do you think has the best rug job?

…One guy I did not mention would be Rick Vaive.  Totally white but his rug looks good.  Theismann has a good whig… 

 

-
Have you seen Spiderman 3 yet?  And if so, do you have strange sexual
fantasies about Tobey Maguire & K.D. Lang?  Do you know of a good
therapist that can help with that?  Not for me…uh, it’s for a friend
of mine.

…I saw Spiderman and finally enjoyed it.  Hate the character of Peter Parker until he was corrupted by venom.  Once he became a dink, I enjoyed it. 

Miracle:

I was probing some Canadian
web sites, non porn of course, and I thought I would first share this
public service announcement:

“CANMORE, Alta. - Some of
Alberta’s popular recreation areas are ripe for encounters with grizzly
bears, according to a new report.

The report, commissioned by
the province of Alberta, warns of grizzly encounters in the Bow Valley
and Canmore, in particular, during the summer months as the animals
descend on the area to feast on buffalo berries and pic-a-nic baskets.

 

Trade Alert:

We really don’t use Alaska
that much, so how about we swap Alaska for Christina Ricci? And we’ll
even let you have Celine Dion, The Guess Who, and Martin Short.

But we will not trade William
Shatner at this time.

- We already dealt Ricci along with Carrie-Anne Moss, a share of Niagara Falls and 2 Jelly donuts for Jenna Jameson, Elisha Cuthbert and an educational book: "Basketball For Dummies: A Hoser’s
Guide to the NBA".  So We cannot take Alaska off your hands.  Besides, we already have The Guess Who and we don’t want Martin Short anymore.  20 years ago maybe but not today.

Please check out the podcast link above to hear it in full.  Cheers.

BTN every weekday 9AM-Noon.  Tomorrow is Fantasy Friday so check it out here: www.chevradioam.com.

 

10 Comments