Wednesday, March 04, 2009

SCRAPING THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL

Not much going on these days, so Picasner had to search for some comments.

***THE ORIOLES COME THRU***
Following the Yankees lead in recognizing the plight of the fans, the Orioles have come up with a little promotion to aid economically challenged fans. The Birds will award ONE free ticket for fans on their birthday. It can be used any day in the month of their birthday except games against the Yanks or the Red Sox. Normally $8 a ticket, these seats are located "...in the upper portion of the third deck." So high, I guess, that if the Oriole game is boring, you could turn around and watch the Washington game, some 35 miles away...providing it's not a cloudy day. I don't think these are 'obstructed view' seats, just 'distant view'. The most outstanding thing about this is, you only get ONE ticket. According to the Orioles, most people want to celebrate their birthdays alone. More likely, they don't want to admit they're Oriole fans to any of their friends or relatives.

***STEVE PHILLIPS MEET BOB MATTHEWS***
In the race for the pinnacle of sports ignorance, this is a virtual tie. Phillips edges ahead with this little gem: In a round table discussion of the upcoming season, Phillips was asked if he thought Brad Penny of the Red Sox would be effective this year. On and on raves Phillips, saying, "Oh yes, he's healthy and in the best condition of life. He'll give the Sox 25 -30 quality starts." Good news, right? The next day, Penny was scratched from his first spring training start because of stiffness in his shoulder. Steve, don't you get sick of being right all the time?
Okay Matthews, its your turn.

***OUR SOURCE WAS THE NY TIMES***
So you know it's gospel, right Vod? Athletes, both college and pros, continually get bigger, stronger, faster and more talented as the years go by. Most basketball players from the 60's couldn't keep up with today's players, for example. But here's an interesting little tidbit: the free throw, that 15-foot, unguarded shot should be the easiest to make. Since a large number of games are decided in the last couple of minutes by the foul shot, don't you think that coaches would see that their players would be as proficient as possible? If the overall college average in the 60's was 69% and the pros was 75%, what do think it is today? 80% and 85%? 90% and 95%? Nope. It's still 69% and 75%. Forty years and no progress. Unbelievable.
It is also interesting that the worst shooters seem to be big men, such as Shaq or Wilt Chamberlain. I watched Syracuse last night and you could make money betting that Onuaku, the Syracuse center, wouldn't hit the backboard, net or the rim from the foul line. Hell, he's only got a 50% chance of hitting the floor.

***A-ROD TO THE DOCTORS***
Apparently he has a cyst on his hip. Girardi says he was a little sore all last year. Why did they wait till now to do something? Now, he might not be able to play in the WBC. Well, how about that?

***MANNY GOES TO LOS ANGELES***
It seems he heard a rumor that spring training had started. I guess he's going to "take charge of these negotiations, himself." "What team is this again, Scott?" Picasner will keep us all informed.

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