Monday Random Thoughts
1. I’ve already made it clear that I’m a huge Little League World Series fan. And in all my years of watching this event I’m not sure I’ve ever rooted for a team more than Florida. And it has nothing to do with baseball. Instead it has to do with the fact that Marianna Bichette (wife of Dante Bichette and mother of Dante Bichette Jr) is clearly the hottest MILF in the history of Little League Baseball. And anytime young Dante does something good, the cameras spend about 10 minutes watching Marianna celebrate which is fine by me. I actually feel bad for the other mothers on the Florida team. She makes them all looks sickly by comparison. I think if I was another parent on the Florida team I wouldn’t even sit near her because it’s too demoralizing for your self esteem.
2. Everything is starting to fall into place for the Sox. It has been announced that Curt Schilling is going back into the starting rotation. This is a decision that had to be made. The Red Sox had no chance to defend their World Series title without him at the top of the rotation. Now the next key is for Keith Foulke to return to the closer role. I like Mike Timlin as much as the next guy but I simply don’t trust him closing games. If both Schilling and Foulke can be 85% of what they are when healthy, I’d say the Sox are the favorites to win the World Series this year. It’ll also be interesting to see how the Sox use John Papelbon in the post season. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that this guy is the real deal and should play a big role in the Sox rotation the rest of the way. I just can’t decide whether he should be a playoff starter of a long relief man. Right now I’m leaning towards him being the #3 starter.
3. Today’s link of the day is the Jim Everett vs. Jim Rome interview that we discussed a few weeks ago. This should clear up any confusion about Jim Everett repeatedly punching Jim Rome in the face.
http://media.ebaumsworld.com/jimeverett.mpg
Reader Email
Email #1
El Prez,
Sorry about the angry email the other day. Bad day at work makes me need to vent the anger some way. My bad! I’ve been reading your magazine since the first issue and I’ve generally I’ve liked what I seen. I just wish you would stay focused to your mission, which was to talk about sports and life’s idiosyncrasies through the eyes of the common man. Please don’t turn your paper into a wussy Maxim rag where you spend most of your time writing about reality programs and celebrities in between pictures of semi clothed women. Seriously, we don’t need that!
As for you talk show, you are fine, but you really need to spice things up a little, maybe bring in some other cohosts. I had your program on the other day and my wife summed it up by saying that you guys were really boring and childish. It hurts me to hear this, because I really want you guys to succeed. If you need help with radio ideas feel free to ask me, I’ve got tons of them. Maybe you should do a shout out to your readers asking them what they would like to hear on your program in order to get them to listen to you.
I know you are working 24/7 trying to get this paper to be profitable. It is a huge undertaking and I’ve been rooting for you guys from the start. I know I could never do it. Sorry that many of my emails may seem negative, but I’m only complaining because I want you guys to succeed by getting better. Also, I can’t help it. I’m an Irish guy growing up in Boston; complaining and being negative is part of our DNA. Never take an Irish guy’s complaints too seriously. It just means we care. When we stop complaining, then it is time to worry.
That’s it for now.
Angry Bill
But here’s the thing. We are sort of like a mini maxim and I have no problem with keeping it that way. After all, the Maxim business model seems to have worked out okay for them. More importantly do you know why Barstool has taken the path it’s taken? Because I’ve listened to the advice of our readers over the past two years. So while I appreciate your opinion and want to hear it, I think you’re in the minority. As far as the radio show goes this is a little bit different. It very well could suck, but I’m not sure your wife is the demographic we're trying to please.
Email #2
Hey Prez::
Watched Tommy Lee as well but then read in a review that he is not "officially enrolled" in school----thought so when you watched him pick out book for classes that were all over the place subject wise--
Coach
I just don’t know what the point of doing a totally fake reality show is? It seems like misrepresentation to me and somebody should be thrown in jail for it.
Email #3
El Prez, I wish I had written this e-mail a couple weeks ago. you'll understand why in a moment. I am a little disappointed that you haven't touched on a certain topic: the Boston Cannons and Major League Lacrosse. As you most likely already know, lacrosse the is the fastest growing sport in the country on all levels. The NCAA Div. 1 championship game boasts the highest attendance of any NCAA final game except basketball (and yes, that includes football even though it's really not NCAA at that point). Sports Illustrated had a 7-page article on the sport, so they have figured it out. Why not you? You have one of the most successful teams in your back yard. The Cannons, who play at Nickerson Field, only lost two games all season, including breaking an 8-game win streak of the Baltimore Bayhawks. The Cannons are also only one of two teams to play in the playoffs every year. The sponsors have figured it out. BudLight, Tommy Hilfigger, and New Balance are all huge sponsors and ESPN broadcasts a game every week and the deuce is broadcasting the championship game live on Sunday.
Next year the MLL is expanding from its current 6 teams (Boston, Long Island, Baltimore, Philly, Rochester, and New Jersey) to 10 teams (adding LA, Chicago, Denver, and someone else.. forget who). The MLL playoffs are being held this weekend at Nickerson.
Unfortunately, the favorite were Boston but they lost to the Long Island Lizards Friday night. Sunday afternoon's championship should be a great game though, Baltimore vs. Long Island. I don't think you'll have an issue out in time, but if you do, tell your readers to go. Tickets are only like $10. Yes, I used to work for them, but I believe everything I say.
It's a great sport to watch. Just as physical as hockey (including being able to slash your opponent all you want), high-scoring games (average is like 16 goals per team), cheap tickets (season tickets to the Cannons are only $105), and fan friendly (all players stay for as long as it takes to sign FREE autographs after every game). How about just a little love for lacrosse?
- Jailberd from Merrimack Valley
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.