Littledodgers9team

Baseball Overdose

2006-09-25T05:38:00.000-07:00

Posted at 11:34 PM

And you think football refs are bad

2006-08-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

Watched the Ike Quartey-Vernon Forrest fight on Saturday and I gotta say just when I thought football and basketball refs were bad, but I was reminded why boxing judges are by far the worst as Forrest was given the unanimous decision. I was not alone in thinking Quartey won the fight as the announcers, along with my dad, were just as shocked to see the scorecards as they were announced. Considering Forrest got a point deducted for a low blow, he still won all 3 cards while HBO had it 7-3 for Quartey. I thought it was a close fight back and forth for a while until the 9th when Forrest got a point deducted for a low blow. IMO, that sealed the match for Quartey as he continued to fight and win rounds. Boxing really needs some changes if it wants to get back to where it was back in the day. There is too much corruption with too many sanctioning bodies and "championship" belts to go along with them it's ridiculous. Nobody knows any of the fighters anymore as each sanctioning body has their own rankings which make no sense.

The Dodgers continued their hot streak with a 7-3 win over Florida, their 9th consecutive win and 2nd consecutive road series sweep, 3rd overall. The Blue Crew will go for their 10th straight win tonight as they open a 4 game series with Colorado at home. This is the beginning of a 10 game homestand for the Dodgers. Let's see how long this streak can last, hopefully throughout the weekend as they play the Giants. I'll be heading to Chavez Ravine tomorrow to see Greg Maddux's Dodger Stadium debut, I can't wait.

Media Day just took place for Michigan, signaling the start of practices coming tomorrow. From reports it looks like many players have come back leaner which is good. It will be interesting to read reports during camp about which players are stepping up to earn starting positions especially on the right side of the OL and the second starting CB. Antonio Bass was seen doing some light jogging which is great to hear but it is still unknown if he will ever play again as the test won't be taken for a while. It is also reported that James McKinney will be out for the season which I hadn't heard before. The other bad news regarding the NCAA clearinghouse issue concerns Quinton Woods most likely as he was not at media day. The same thing happened with John Thompson a couple years back, IIRC so hopefully it will get sorted out so he can get out there and practice. Also nothing new to report on the Marques Slocum front, we'll have to wait and see about his appeal. MGoBlog has more details from Media Day, as well as a great offensive recruiting board update. We're only 26 days away from the season opener I can't wait to get to Ann Arbor on the 2nd.

What's on my desk?

2006-08-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

A question for writers that has been circulating the blogosphere recently is “what’s on your desk?” Since I’m in Connecticut I will have to answer by memory.

My iMac desktop computer (the half egg shell model with the monitor on a Pixar type neck, that was so cool until the new model and now it’s passé).

Mouse on a UCLA mouse pad.

External Hard Drive (back up EVERYTHING, people).

Printer.

Froggy Gremlin childhood toy.

Bob Hope in Dodger uniform bobblehead. (which makes as much sense as Odalis Perez in a Dodger uniform.)

Cup o’ pens.

Fathers Day cards.

Family photos.

A Gary Larson FAR SIDE card showing the BEWITCHED writing staff brainstorming in the fourth season. Brilliant notions like: “What if Endora casts a spell on Darren?”

Allstate accident report I was supposed to fill out in 2003.

Plastic Bob’s Big Boy (I’m a Bob’s Big Boy fanatic and can never figure out why that checkered jumpsuit look didn’t catch on.)

Five old drafts of my musical, with practically every page dog eared.

XM radio program guide.

A hard bound copy of GREAT PRETENDERS: MY STRANGE LOVE AFFAIR WITH ‘50’s POP MUSIC by Karen Schoemer. (Fun reading. I recommend it.)

My SPORTS ILLUSTRATED 2006 swimsuit model desk calendar. I can’t wait for another Michelle Alves week.

A spec pilot from my rabbi.

A spindle of CD’s that includes albums from Frank Zappa and Joanie Sommers.

Dodger Stadium and Pauley Pavilion replica paperweights.

Lucite encased picture of me with AfterMASH writing staff (that includes Larry Gelbart).

Vintage typewriter from 1890 with the carriage return arm on the right side. Still easier to write on than using FINAL DRAFT.

93/KHJ Boss Radio mike flag.

Box of brads and paper clips.

My bobblehead collection which includes Harry Caray, Speedy Alka-Seltzer, and Jesus Christ.

Emmy consideration Linda Eder interviews horse lovers ANIMAL PLANET DVD.

And -- Oh God – I think there’s still a sandwich.

PROFESSOR JULIUS KELP'S ENDLESS SUMMER CHEMISTRY TEST

2006-07-31T21:37:00.000-07:00

I don't know what the weather is like where you you are, but here in the aggressively sunny, and dry, and brown-baked paradise that is Southern California it is, shall we say, unpleasantly warm. This is not the cheery picture of the SoCal lifestyle our civic leaders would like us to promote-- no images of bare-cheeked Coppertone kids frolicking on miles of unspoiled, sun-splashed beach, no peachy pictures of teens cruising with the top down, the summer breeze mussing their Brylcreem and Aqua-Net-sculptured hairdos, shall be propagated from this site. No, sir, I'm here to tell you that Los Angeles in summer is a hell-like place to be, good only for seeking out air-conditioned spots like libraries, movie theaters and indoor swimming pools during the day, and the breezy, multi-colored beauty of sunset over the San Gabriels as seen from the top deck of Dodger Stadium at night.

It's also good for pasty-faced professors with lawsuit-worthy dental work to head to the basement laboratory (it's cooler down there, you see) and concoct more head-scratching challenges for you, the faithful SLIFR reader. And though the main faculty is off for the summer months (none of that multi-track nonsense at this institute of higher learning), some of our fine staff have stayed on in order to serve the student population who choose to indulge in some hopefully air-conditioned film studies, in full anticipation of returning to a full curriculum in the fall.

One such teacher is the man who is at the helm of this latest SLIFR quiz, head of the Department of Ineffable Chemistry and Star Quality at SLIFR U. He is the famous (some might say infamous, some might say simply disturbed) Professor Julius Kelp, whose Endless Summer Chemistry Test it is my pleasure now to present.

The rules are the same as they always have been-- that is, there are no rules, there are no "right answers," and the more verbiage you feel like pouring into the answers you submit the better. I always enjoy reading the most long-winded of responses, which shouldn't really surprise anyone familiar with my terse, hard-boiled, economical prose style.

The only thing I ask is that, when you do submit your answers, you remember to attach the question number and the question itself to the beginning of each of your responses. The quiz is long enough that it is sometimes hard to remember, especially for some of the more oblique answers, just what the question was.

As usual, I'll let this play out for a month or two, probably into September, and then come back and assess whether I'll have another nice, handy roundup of answers ready for you at the back end or whether we'll be staring down the barrel of yet another professorial cop-out. We shall see.

But for now, sharpen your number twos, prep your beakers and your Bunsen burners and roll out your element charts. The Professor Julius Kelp Endless Summer Chemistry test begins... now!

1) Does film best tell the truth (Godard) or tell lies (De Palma) at 24 frames per second? (Thanks, Peet)

2) Ideal pairing of actors/actresses to play on-screen siblings

3) Favorite special effects moment

4) Matt Damon or George Clooney?

5) What is the movie you’ve encouraged more people to see than any other?

6) Favorite film of 1934

7) Your favorite movie theater*

8) Jean Arthur or Irene Dunne?

9) Favorite film made for children

10) Favorite Martin Scorsese Movie

11) Favorite film about children

12) Favorite film of 1954

13) Favorite screenplay written by a writer more famous for literature than screenplays

14) Walter Matthau or Jack Lemmon?

15) Favorite character name

16) Favorite screenplay adapted from a work of great literature, either by the author himself or by someone else

17) Favorite film of 1974

18) Joan Severance or Shannon Tweed?

19) jackass: the movie-- yes or no?

20) Favorite John Cassavetes Movie

21) First R-rated movie you ever saw

22) Favorite X-rated film (remember that, while your answer may well be a famous or not-so-famous hard-core film, the "X" rating was once also a legitimate rating that did not necessarily connote pornography)

23) Best film of 1994

24) Describe a moment in a movie that made you weep

25) Ewan McGregor or Ewan Bremner?

26) One of your favorite line readings (not necessarily one of your favorite lines) from this or any year

27) What, if any, element in a film, upon your hearing of its inclusion beforehand, would most likely prejudice you against seeing that film or keeping an open mind about it?

28) Favorite Terry Gilliam Movie

29) Jean Smart or Annie Potts?

30) Is it possible to know with any certainty if you could like or love someone based partially on their taste in movies? If so, what film might be a potential relationship deal-breaker for you, or the one that might just seal that deal?

* This is a repeat from one of the first quizzes, but so many new folks are participating that Professor Kelp felt it might be fun to see what those who didn't get a crack at this question before might have to say.

May all the summer blockbusters you encounter be worth every penny and all the under-promoted titles you see shine with a brilliance that belies their relatively meager budgets. Good night, good luck, and God bless! (With apologies to Edward R. Skelton and Red Murrow)

What I can’t describe

2006-07-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

1. Gagné in the ninth. I have had the pleasure of being inside Dodger Stadium when Eric has jogged in from the bullpen with the good guys up by 3 runs or less at the end of the game. Welcome to the jungle.

Dodger Stadium

2006-07-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'm at Dodger Stadium for game 6 of the road trip, blogging on my Treo. My friend, Chris, hooked me up with suite tickets so I'm in the lap of luxury tonight. It's raining intermittently but I think they're going to get the game in. The Dodgers were my favorite team during the 12 years that I lived on Kauai because they were my Grandpa's favorite. He even took me to two games in the mid-90's during they heyday of Piazza and Karros. The stadium is just as beautiful as I remember it and my seats are much better. This is the second time that I get to see one of my fantasy pitchers start a game. Jake Peavy gave up 7 earned in 4 innings the first time, so let's hope Brad Penny does a little better. He's facing the hated Giants and their left fielder, He Who Must Not Be Named. I'll definitely have my booing shoes on. The game starts at 7:40 and I'll try to write about it in a timely manner. Go Dodgers!!!

Booth movement and some major college football news.....in MAY

2006-07-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

So because they no longer have the rites to Monday Night Football, ABC is pooling their resources to put together a major college football primetime package beginning this season with Notre Dame at Georgia Tech.

The goal is to pair some of the top match-ups of the season in this package, and get the "big named" teams their primetime slot. Among the teams featured, Notre Dame will be on three times, against Tech, Michigan State and USC (and maybe again in the Rose Bowl if they fall there), Ohio State is featured twice, Michigan twice, and USC three times.

(Editors note: The highlight for me personally is that October 14th game with the Alma Mater extracting revenge on Mecheatagain at Beaver Stadium. Finally we get them at University Park for the first time since 2001. Go ask THE Ohio State's Troy Smith how much he enjoyed last year's primetime game at the Beav. Oh, and your homegrown referees won't save your ass this year either.)

But the package itself is a great idea, it's the first time that network television will carry a college football primetime series, and the weeks where there is a dual broadcast, the other game will be picked up by either ESPN or ESPN2 meaning you get three primetime games likely in one weekend.

ABC is smart in the sense that they have picked college football "cash cows" USC, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan to lead this new adventure and they are also going with a 12-day selection package too, meaning that games from November 11 on, they will select the games they will air 12-days before hand. Good choice, this way, much like the NFL Flex schedule they can get the best match ups from the conferences they choose to air.

ABC is also carrying the Rose Bowl (only) during the BCS, so they keep some of the traditional Rose Bowl teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and USC close to the vest in the hopes that maybe they can land a match up with any one of those three in their lone BCS game. Remember the other three BCS games move to Fox beginning this season.

There are other movments in the college football world as well.

NFL Network will air the Insight.com bowl beginning this year, this to go along with their airing of live regular season NFL games for the first time. That, plus they will take the top five games from each week and re-air them in full, it's the network broadcast too.

Keith Jackson announced his retirement weeks ago, so ABC will scramble to fill his shoes and the booths are being switched around right and left. Brent Musberger will work with Bob Davie on the ABC Primetime game, Mike Patrick and Todd Blackledge (who moved from CBS) will do the ESPN primetime game, and former ABC'er Gary Danielson takes Blackledge's roll as lead analyst on CBS' coverage of the SEC this season. This means that (my idol) Brad Nessler and Bob Greise will be the lead afternoon team on ABC and they will keep Gary Thorne on the other game during the afternoon (Since Mike Tirico is now the MNF guy)

All we know about Fox's coverage of the BCS is that Thom Brennaman will call one of the games (the title game, maybe the "Plus-one" game?) and the rest of the crew, analysts and all will be named later. You could stay in house and get guys like Joe Buck or Troy Aikman, but it might be wise to go outside and get someone else. As long as it isn't the guys they use on the Fox Sports Net studio show during Saturday telecasts, it'll be OK. But Fox definitely has the shallowest of broadcasting talent pools, specifically when it comes to play-by-play and college sports.

Those changes are inline with what the NFL booths look like with Greg Gumball moving back to play-by-play, James Brown jumping from Fox to CBS and Michaels and Madden jumping to NBC, Collonsworth and Bryant Gumball jumping to NFL Network.

It just goes to show that the booth movement is almost as crazy as free agency in other sports.

Dodgers Stadium

2006-05-08T01:25:00.000-07:00

When Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley was negotiating with the city of Los Angeles in 1957 over the deal that would take the Dodgers out of Brooklyn, he and a county supervisor took a helicopter ride over Los Angeles to look for potential stadium sites. When they flew over the undeveloped 300-acre lot at Chavez Ravine, surrounded by freeways and within sight of the downtown skyline, O’Malley is said to have pointed and asked, "Can I have that one?" The supervisor replied, "No problem."Dodger Stadium was baseball’s only privately financed stadium built since Yankee Stadium (1923) and until Pacific Bell Park (2000). Until Denver’s Coors Field was built in 1995, Dodger Stadium and Chicago’s Wrigley Field were the only National League parks built exclusively for baseball. The Los Angeles / California Angels shared Dodger Stadium from April 17, 1962 until September 22, 1965. The stadium was known as Chavez Ravine when the Angels were playing there.

Dodgers Stadium

2006-02-26T20:35:00.000-08:00

Dodgers Stadium, in Los Angeles, California, has been the home of the Los Angeles Major League Baseball team since 1962. It was also the home of the Los Angeles Angels between 1962 and 1965.