Tossing batting practice…while trying to understand how people can complain it's cold and then go out and have baseball practice; in shorts.
 
Congratulations to Jim Rice for the long overdue induction into the Hall of Fame. Rice was known as a bit of an ogre to the media and fans but I have nothing but fond memories of him taking the time to be young to a young child (me) many years ago.
I understand people have issues with his induction, and while some people say there isn't a definitive argument in favor of him getting in, I have yet to hear of a good one for keeping him out.
The fact his on base percentage wasn't  high enough? Well, if OBP were the be all end all stat guys like Scott Hatteberg would be raking in the big bucks.
Look getting on base is important, but so is extra base hits, and driving in runs. That's what Rice was paid to do, it didn't always work out for him, but the game was different in his era.
And for the record, of the top 10 in walks in the 70s only three are in the HOF. Of the top 21 in on base percentage only 6 are in the HOF.
In the 80s the number is a little greater but still not much better. I don't expect the Hall to be opening it's doors to the likes of Ken Singleton, Sal Bando or Gene Tenace anytime soon.
The home road splits are a tough argument to me if people are going to apply modern logic of Sabermetrics then what about the fact that ballparks are so much smaller today? That might have changed the way Rice approached a certain at-bat, numbers can't quantify everything a hall of famer is, like Justice Potter once said, "I know it when I see it" and I will trust the players of that era, who definitively say he was as dangerous a hitter as there was in that era.
 
I hope everyone enjoyed their Boston Sports Christmas, also known as NY elimination day.
I know I couldn't wait to open my presents that were the NY Daily news and Post.
It's been an unprecedented third elimination day party in four months. Though in fairness the Yankees were like a daily execution for a month before they were officially eliminated.
So much for that immortality for Eli, and Teflon Tom Coughlin, hehehehe.
 
I'd say we're going to miss Josh McDaniels but since Bill hardly let's his assistants talk I don't really know much about him, then again he called a crap game in the Super Bowl so I say good riddens, I hope his Bronco teams struggle with pass protection in big games too.
The loss of Brad Seely might hurt on special teams, but as long as Dante Scarnechia is around, (which he probably will be until about two weeks after his death) I think the special teams will remain solid especially since Belichick keeps his hand involved in that phase.
 
I was watching the Wake Forest/UNC game Sunday night and while my first reaction was holy crap Wake is 4th in the country! But upon further review I see why, this Point guard they have in Jeff Teague was very impressive, good enough that despite never having heard of him before tonight, I had to check out if he's an NBA prospect, and he is in fact a lottery pick in 2010 mock draft, which I think is a mockery in and of itself.
 
The Tar Heels still suck defensively yet they're adjusted defensive ranking is 15th even more shocking is Duke is number one in that category.
I think both numbers are a reflection of who they played in nonconference play. I was surprised to see NC is among the national leaders in steals per game, but I'm not sure if that's a product of the tempo they play or the competition or both. When the final numbers come out just after the brackets do, I'll have a better idea  and will make my picks accordingly.

  Is Jake Delhomme the worst quarterback to almost win a super bowl?
Trent Dilfer, mark Rypien and Jeff Hostetler are considered be the three worst to ever actually win one, but Doug Williams has the lowest career QB rating of a champion.
In Super Bowls decided by seven points or less, Delhomme is clearly the leader in the clubhouse for worst to almost win one, but his career numbers would be better than Dilfer Rypien and Williams.
 
 
Whenever the NFL honors the punt pass and kick winners, those kids never ever look like they even play football, at best they look like future Salary Capologists. I mean even Scott Pioli played college football.
I guess if they're going to dedicate their lives to kicking then they might have a future.
Which reminds me, if somehow someway I ever manage to procreate which god willing (see I'm already getting religious down here) won't be for a long time, I will absolutely be steering my child towards throwing lefthanded and punting/placekicking.
Backup quarterback and Bullpen catcher are two of the best jobs in America, but there is a small timeframe in which you can do either of those. Kickers and situational left handed relievers can play into their forties, and 25 years at the league minimum can add up nicely.
It doesn't require much athleticism, see Mitch Berger, Morten Anderson or Jesse Orosco, which is a good thing since athleticism is not a trait possessed in my genetics.
If my child becomes one of those professions I would consider myself a successful parent, even if I have to be Earl Woods and tie his right hand back behind him, or make him kick balls off a tee until his foot bleeds.

Just to remind everyone, I was 4-0 in the wackiest divisional round in history, too bad I don't actually gamble, I'll be back to continue my best Carnak impression later this week.