For the 5th time in their last 6 tries the Patriots have lost in Miami. 

​As soon as Gostkowski missed that extra point I had an uneasy feeling.  Whenever he misses an opening PAT things do not end well for the Pats.  The Patriots last two playoff losses included missed Gostkowski PATs on their first touchdown of the game. To add to a nightmare day for Steve, he also missed a 42 yarder that would've given the Patriots a two score lead in the 2nd quarter.

You don't need to be John Madden to know that leaving (at least) 7 points on the field does not usually bode well. Not a winning formula. This Patriots defense is not good enough to survive games where the offense leaves points on the field.  Inexcusable mistake my Brady, who otherwise played well to take a sack with no timeouts to end the first half. That the type of mistake you haven't seen in decades by TB12. Brady didn't know the timeout situation which is extremely hard to believe. ​

I need to reiterate. This is NOT a sky is falling loss, (thankfully the Texans lost too) no major injuries, the offense played really well at times, specials teams (which is a third of the game) outside of the kicker were good; highlighted by two blocked punts.

However his loss does for sure show that two-time defending AFC champion Patriots are mere football mortals; especially on the road. No matter how great Tom Brady plays, if you play sloppy football you can be beat, and usually will be beat.

The loss drops the Patriots to 3-4 away from Gillette Stadium; luckily they are undefeated at home. But there is a high probability the Patriots will not have home-field like usual. They still have to worry about getting a bye, making next week's game against the Steelers a virtual must win. A loss could have the Patriots end up at the 4 seed playing the Chargers (or possibly Chiefs) in the wild-card round.

In all my years as a Patriots fan, I don't think I can remember a more shocking loss given where the game was. Obviously shit like 18-1 is more shocking, but I mean in a vacuum, the Pats lost in Miami, something they've done 10 times with Brady. By no means does this mean the Patriots can't win the Super Bowl. Who knows in a Super Bowl DVD we could see a segment of how this loss became a turning point?

This game was won. Simple as that. That's what blows. Yes, the Patriots played poorly, but they were one play away from coming out of Miami with a win. That's what the Patriots have had in their bag of tricks for nearly twenty years, ugly wins in games they let teams hang around in.  Then they give up a miracle play thanks to some lackadaisical football. Not something you see out of this team. Why the fuck was Kyle Van Noy playing zone around the line of scrimmage? Stephon GIlmore basically just was checking his text out there. Nothing about that play defensively makes any fucking sense. It was like the guys out there all just assumed someone else would make a play. Nobody did, and (for now) the Miami Dolphins playoff hopes are very much alive. This is where the Patriots lack of speed, or any sort of defensive play-makers is missed greatly.

I just can't believe they allowed some bullshit lateral touchdown. It'd be one thing if was a loss like last year where they were outplayed from whistle-to-whistle. But to lose a game by allowing the longest play from scrimmage in league history is tough to swallow.

PREACHHHHHHHHH Mike Reiss!!

Belichick coached teams pride themselves on situational football, and on that play they sure were lacking situational awareness. I didn't realize at the time that McCourty was off the field when Gronk was inserted to defend a potential Hail Mary. Normally I don't really have an issue with putting large, athletic pass catchers back to knock shit down. I've seen guys like Randy Moss and Julio Jones make interceptions in those very situations. I'm not as mad about Gronk being in, as I am that Devin was out.  

But if you're gonna do that I'd expect it in a spot where a Hail-Mary is possible, not when the ball on the Miami 31 yard-line.

Despite a solid game by Gronk, he still doesn't seem like himself, or nearly as explosive as he once was. Even though Josh Johnson somehow scored a touchdown today, 2011 was a LONG time ago. The days where Gronk is the best athlete on the field are over.  It felt like an over-thinking, trying to be cute mistake. Don't take out arguably your best defensive player on the most critical point in the game. That's just how I would do things. 

P.S.


Obviously losing, especially in that fashion fucking sucks, but to see Gronk get exposed like that broke my heart. He's one of my favorite athletes of all-time, but this year has shown that injuries (and even age) are starting to catch up to him.  Gronk of 2 years ago makes that play. I really would not be shocked to see him gone in 2019 given how Belichick does things and his lack of being "Gronk".

I'm not a 52 year old black lady, so I haven't seen many of Tyler Perry's movies, only thing I can remember is when he was Ben Affleck's lawyer in Gone Girl, but I mean I still am pop-culturally aware enough to know who the guy is. 

Normally I feel like people can be sort of cynical with shit like this "he's only doing it for the press" or "when's his next movie coming out?" dumb shit like that. 

Here is my official stance on that potential take:

Even if he (or anybody else) does something like this with an ulterior motive, who gives a shit? It helps people in need which is the most important thing, while also giving the illusion that you care about others. A classic win-win if you will. You get to look like a good human-being, and kids get to have presents on Christmas. I'm not even saying that's the case, from what I can see Madea seems like a pretty good dude.  But sure, saying you were trying to do it anonymously seems a tad disingenuous, but idk how anybody in their right mind could be against this?

Shit like this just warms my dead heart this time of year. Being a child of divorce I've seen both sides of growing up with and without, I've had Christmases where I got everything I could've ever wanted, and Christmases where the gifts were each other. Seeing people who have the means to do so help out those less fortunate just really makes me happy.  What's wild is that he spent 434K which isn't even a 10th of a percent of his networth. It's something I'd love to be able to do someday.  Perhaps I'll run the Barstool toy-drive in 3 years?

Back in my pizza days we used to come up with hypotheticals and would you rathers all shift long to pass the time when we weren't slinging pies.  They're a lot fun, don't need to go much deeper than that. Hypotheticals similar to this one have come up in the past, but this one really caught my eye. I love the desert island type hypos where you can only have a certain number of something. 

Here are what I would pick if all 5 of my fingers became drink dispensers that become the only things I can drink for the rest of my life:

​

Poland Spring Water

This is a no brainer and you're a complete hardo if you omit it. Water is fucking awesome and the perfect drink. Nothing like some ice cold water after exercising, or to relieve the coughing after ripping a dab. Water is literally the source of all life and if you'd rather have sprite or something above it you're a garbage person. Soda is for children and poor people. 

I often say I am not a healthy guy, but hands down the healthiest thing about me is how much water I drink. My fluid level is always on point. I crush water. It's a must as the big man. 

It is vital to realize that not all water is created equal. Don't you dare bring that "mineral-infused" aka salty ass dasani or aquafina in my face. Poland Springs is the goat and what I'm picking. It's better than tap, it's better than Lyfewater, Fuji, whatever other hoity toity waters you can think of.  Plus I could dispense Poland Spring water to wash myself which wouldn't be the worst thing. A finger (from a distance) baday would be sorta cool I guess.

​Bud Light

For the many, not the few. Good ole, Budweiser Light. 

If you want some crafty, double-brewed, maple stout for the rest of your life, go for it. I'm picking the most popular beer in America. I've been drinking Bud Light since I was 14. Bud Light is just so versatile and good despite what dudes with 8 inch long beards will tell you. It's like the Diet Coke of beer in the sense that it's everywhere. You can have it at a cook out or a nice dinner. Unlike diet coke it gets you drunk which is an instant trump card. 

1% Milk

I am definitely not the milk drinker I once was, in high school I'd have like a half gallon a day, now half gallons go bad in my fridge. But 1% milk (or however you take it) is a must include when discussing hypothetical drink restrictions.

Imagine this: 

It's Christmas eve, you just made cookies with your spouse and kids, and all you have to pick from is 4 different types of beer and blue gatorade because you thought you'd be 22 forever. 

Fuck that.
​
Milk is essential as a drink with basically any dessert, I don't wanna think about a warm, chewy brownie without a tall glass of milk. Don't even get me started on cereal. You're eliminating cereal as a meal for the rest of your life if you get rid of milk, unless you're Michael Irvin.  Milk is a must include.

Arnold Palmer

A golf legend who's greatest impact may have been in the beverage game. 

Much better out of the can than in the bottle, I don't know if it'd be possible to have it dispense from my finger in can form, but since this is a situation where my hand becomes a soda gun, I think I can make the own rules. 

A.P. goes great by itself, or even better as a mixie.

​

Tito's Vodka

For when I need to get drunk in a way that requires less fluid ounces. I'm definitely more of a jack guy, but I'd rather have AP on the list than diet coke, so Tito's survives. This hypo says nothing about squeezing limes. It's not the best choice for a shot, but for sure doable. A great complement to the Arnold Palmer pick. The 007 is my favorite summertime drink, but with 3 ingredients it's not happening when I only have 5 choices for the rest of my days. Bonus can use it as a disinfectant if I'm ever cut lost in the woods and wanna clean out a wound before I get eaten by bears.


What 5 drinks would you pick if suddenly your hand turned into a drink dispenser?

What I'm about to say is going to make me sound like a sore loser, but I don't really care. Much like the fact that Imagine Dragons blow, and are just the Big Bang Theory of rock music; this needs to be said.

I like many of you,  love fantasy football.  It's a great excuse to stay in touch with your friends (although I'm not too sure the dudes in my league feel the same way, but that's not what this is about), it let's you flex your sports-knowledge muscles, have an avenue to be competitive, and (most importantly) potentially win yourself some money. ​​ It's fucking awesome, I don't need to try to sell you fantasy football right now. We're all on board here.

At the same time it's incredibly frustrating and frankly infuriating because at the end of the day it's out of your control. To me fantasy football is skill-based, but luck is for sure a huge factor.  It takes skills because you have to have some sort of clue how football works, and who is worthy of being rostered. You can make all the "right" moves, but at the end of the day you have no impact on what a player does on a given day.  Dudes get hurt, game plans change etc. You start some dude who scored 23 points the week before and follows it up with 3.4. Killer stuff. You can dominate all season, but in a one game scenario anything can happen. 

To me it's like the whole theory of Moneyball with the analytics getting on base by any means necessary and run prevention.  Over the long sample size of the regular season it worked out, and the A's won, and won a lot, but come playoff time it doesn't matter. The numbers that over 162 games even out, do not in a one game situation.  It's similar to that in fantasy as well.  You can do everything to put your team in the best spot to win. You can have two of the top 5 scoring running backs all season on your roster and still lay and egg. But it's not like you're gonna bench a Todd Gurley type. So what do you do? You see games like last week where fullback James Develin scores two touchdowns for the Patriots inside the one-yard line instead of a Tom Brady, Sony Michel or Rob Gronkowski.

Not to make this post entirely about me, but in the last four years in my league I've finished either 1st or 2nd in the regular season stands AND in points scored. I'm 37-15 over that time frame. Hands down the model of consistency. I win at a .712% clip. However I have become sort of a Washington Capital, Andy Reid like figure with my playoff futility.  I am a joke. I am a laughing stock. I cannot seem to win the big one. 

It's not just losing, but how I lose. Dez Bryant gets held to one catch against the Giants, and then fumbles on that one catch, scoring 140+ points and still losing, years back in another league I started Matt Stafford over Russell Wilson in a game where Wilson ran for three touchdowns.

Heres my last four seasons:

2015: 1st overall 9-4
Lost in semi-finals by 1.1 points

2016: 1st overall 10-3
Lost in first round by 4.6 points

2017: 2nd overall 9-4
Lost in semi-finals by 3.8 points

2018: 2nd overall 9-4
​??? 

Hoping like the Capitals that 2018 can be my time.

​Although I'm the 2 seed again, I was the unlucky one to match-up against the arguably the most talented roster in the league (on paper) despite dominating throughout the regular season, I do not like my chances. As of now I'm like a 14 point underdog AS THE TWO SEED. It's looking like for yet another year Ole Dozo is gonna have to wait to have his Steve Young moment.

It just sucks because it's like I'm talking to a wall with people. It's like the office trying to convince you Hilary Swank is hot. I am good at Fantasy Football, damnit!!! I get it, winning championships is how sports are judged, even fantasy sports, but I think what I have done in fantasy has shown how much luck is a factor.  The numbers speak for themselves.  I've been top 2 in my league 4 years in a row, and as of now still haven't even made the finals. The playoffs are kind of fluky. The 8 seed has won my current league 3 times since 2013.  Going back to 2010 I've been in 3 different leagues, and made the Final 4 like 8 times in 12 overall seasons with no ring.  FUCK THAT. I am Andy Reid with better hair and clock management skills. Sure I could make better decisions throughout the year, but to year, after year be consistently among the best teams in the league with nothing to show for it. It's sooooooooo frustrating to be better than a team for an entire season only to have it go up in flames against a 6-7 team that backed into the playoffs. I feel like I'm just venting to nobody right now but God damn it feels good to get it out. Fuck the fantasy playoffs, unless of course I win it all this year, in which we can all agree the playoffs are the only way to truly  measure success. 

I remember when the Red Sox traded for Eovaldi. My biggest takeaway was that I was cool with getting rid of Jalen Beeks, after his first start at Fenway I had seen enough. Dude is Henry Owens 2.0, I'm more than all-set with that.  Then when Eovaldi pitched 7 shutout in his first start as a Red Sox I was all-in on this dude I had forgotten about from the Yankees a few years back.
​

​ 
A few weeks ago I laid out my-ideal-red-sox-off-season.html. Two of those things have already happened; first the club brought back World Series MVP to a one year deal, and postseason hero Nathan Eovaldi is coming back for 4 years. To paraphrase myself they didn't let emotions from a World Series run cause them to overpay.

I love this deal more than gay Greg on Curb loves his sewing machine.

And I must say, this is a fabulous deal for the Boston Red Sox.

I was worried that some team would overreact to Eovaldi's postseason performances and throw him something with an AAV (average annual value) north of 20 million which personally would be where I draw the line. I love Nate and what he could potentially do, but I've said it a million times the Red Sox (despite their league high payroll) need to find ways to save money for when Mookie's deal is up. With Nate's new deal's AAV a shade under 17 million per season, this deal turns into somewhat a bargain for a guy who could end up becoming more than a middle of the rotation guy. I expect him to become the team's 3rd starter once Porcello (likely) leaves in free agency.  Considering the contract that Sox gave Porcello when they traded for him was I believe 4 years-88 million they have found a replacement with better stuff for less money. Personally for Nate it's not too bad of a deal either considering where this guy was going into 2018. Didn't pitch in 2017, making 2 million bucks for the lowly Rays after getting released by the Yankees. Great call by them to let this guy go btw.

I know Evo has had multiple Tommy Johns, but this is a deal that makes sense for both parties, and I'm wicked pumped to have this guy back in a Red Sox uniform. I love stats, but they don't tell the entire story, the rest of the team loves this guy, making it a great clubhouse move in addition to a smart baseball decision. David Price can twitch stream his excitement at some point today.

​
In October Evo was a stud, of course highlighted by his 6 inning relief effort in game 3 of the World Series, Eovaldi pitched 22.1 innings in October allowing only 4 runs. It wasn't Sale or Price, but Eovaldi who was the Red Sox best pitcher in October.  He went 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA over 6 appearances (2 starts) striking out 16 batters while only walking 4 en route to a World Series title. The "Rover" was Alex Cora's not so secret weapon in the playoffs helping bridge the gap to Kimbrel when many Red Sox fans (including myself) worried going into October who would fill that role?

​While part of me is worried that the Red Sox might have over-used him in October since there was the potential they'd let him walk.  Part of me feels like they handled him in October like he wasn't part of the long term plans.  I get it Alex Cora has forgotten more about baseball than I know,  but pitching someone multiple times in between starts is something we haven't seen since black weren't allowed to play. I'm definitely concerned with how it could impact him going forward; but in the same breathe he could be totally fine. It was only 22 innings.

However, it appears to me Eovaldi and his cheese biting at 101 seem to have figured things out post- TJ surgery. 

Here's to more of these type of moments in 2019 and beyond. Eov is back, the Red Sox are still the best team in baseball, excited to see what else they do this off-season.

Song: It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)
Artist: The 1975
Album; A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships

In an era where people are more self-obsessed than ever, to me the dumbest thing that has come out of the "instant gratification" age is the Gender Reveal video.  I fucking hate these things like poison.  They are the "meeting that could've happened over email" of social media posts. These are the most unnecessary of the social media posts going.  Look, I love to share stuff about myself online that nobody gives a shit about too,  this website for example. But at least I'm trying to make people laugh. These ass holes are just bragging about the fact their eggs aren't scrambled. Congrats on the sex, again!

People have decided that not only is a lengthy social media post revealing that you're expecting not enough, but now an elaborate production is necessary to tell your 517 facebook friends who don't give a fuck that you're having a daughter.  Congrats. 

Sure the videos can be unintentionally funny at times, Gordon Hayward's "daddy's always happy" video being a prime example of such. 

But for the most part it's the same thing,  people finding out the gender of their unborn baby, while I root for a miscarriage. 

I don't even understand the whole reason for the party. Like are there gifts?  What do you get someone for a gender reveal party other than new friends? Like you're pregnant, you can't even get fucked up. Maybe a glass of red wine for the antioxidants or a nice contact high at absolute best case scenario? Idk.  I just cannot fathom a worse place to be on earth, than sober at a gender reveal party. 

Enter, Dennis Dickey, a (I would have to assume former) Border Patrol agent who thought it'd be a good idea to shoot at explosives to tell the world he's having a son.  It appears this reveal truly did backfire, as it caused a 45,000 acre fire that caused over 8 million dollars in damage.

In the terms of his settlement, Dennis Dickey has to pay back $500 a month for 20 years. $220,000 in total. Which all things considered isn't that bad. He's lucky nobody fucking died during due to his stupidity. I mean what was the end game here dude? .04 seconds of blue for your redneck friends to like on the facebook app of their cracked iPhone 4s? How can he be "smart" enough to make this explosive but dumb enough to not know that fire + trees = bad? 

Personally, I'm upset this guy doesn't have to pay back the full 8 million. Fuck that.  Over 45,000 acres of this great nation is ruined because your dumbass thought an explosion in the middle of a dry ass desert was a good idea. I think this is clear evidence that this guy should not be a father.  He might as well have just set his target up in a match factory, I mean look at that thing before it goes off.  It might as well be in the jungle.

I'd like to think there can be a happy ending from this story, maybe this will be a teaching moment for this nation and cause people to think? I mean fads come and go, there was a time where people got tricked into thinking a rock was a god damned pet, so anything is possible?  I'm really just hoping 20 years from now we can laugh at how stupid and egomaniacal the age of gender reveal ceremonies were and not the loss of a national park due to wild-fire.

As for those of you reading this, if you're with child, next time just tweet it out and worry about raising your kid instead of getting likes from people you wouldn't even call to tell you're expecting.


P.S.

I do feel really shitty for this kid. You get to live your whole life knowing that you're the reason you're family is poor.  Yikes. I'm sure his father won't take it out on him at all. Every time you look at that kid you get a reminder that kids will ruin your life.

I love baseball and history, so the Baseball Hall of Fame is important to me.  It's a big deal. These guys will live on in baseball lore forever.  It means something. There's an exclusively.  It's not like the basketball hall of fame where anybody who retired with over 15 ppg makes it in. 

I don't love all of it. The days of 3,000 hits or 500 HR being automatic tickets to Cooperstown are no more. It's a case by case basis to me, but to me those milestones should get you in. There is still a heavy "this is exactly what is wrong with baseball" vibe to the way a lot of it goes into which guys go in. There's examples of guys who should be, but in aren't, or had to wait way too long to get in because of pettiness by voters (old, many times out of touch sportswriters). There's dudes who won't vote for anybody on the first ballot just because someone 30 years ago didn't get a high enough percentage of votes.  I think it's a fucking joke that Pete Rose is kept out.  But despite the flaws, I'm a big fan of the HOF and what it means to be a Hall of Famer.  I love all of it.  The speeches, the stories, the pieces of the fame kept at the hall.

One of my favorite thing about whenever the ballot is announced is the poor guys who for sure had nice careers, but could receive no votes to stay on the ballot for the following year, your Travis Hafners, Ted Lillys and Jason Bays of the baseball world just don't look right being in the same realm as a Mariano Rivera.  It's crazy to see some of these names already on the ballot, 2013 season doesn't seem that long ago.  These are guys who's entire careers I witnessed a baseball fan. I grew up as a baseball fan watching these guys. It makes your boy feel v old. 
​
A trip to Cooperstown is close to the top of my life bucket list, I think when Papi gets inducted (which should be on the first ballot) I'll go to the ceremony. That's my guy. I went to his final regular season home game. 

Shitty game, that ended with the Blue Jays clinching a wild card spot.

Whatever, we're here for the HOF. 

I'm definitely skeptical about steroid guys making it into the hall; especially if they were the caliber of player you could just tell wouldn't have been nearly as good without them, a Ken Caminiti type player for example. Not a hall of famer at all, but just a pure steroid guy imo. 

But a Roger Clemens type to me is a completely different story. 

You never see 10 guys make it in on one ballot, but since you're given 10 votes. I'm picking 10 guys I think are worthy of the Hall of Fame. FTR I think over time more than 10 of these listed guys should/will get in. But this is what your boy Doz' ballot would look like if he had one for 2019. Team pictured in players photo is team I believe they should go into HOF with.
​

RP Mariano Rivera
New York Yankees 1995-2013

The easiest pick of the list is Mariano Rivera. Mo is the greatest closer of all time. so of course he's a first ballot Hall of Famer. He pitched for the last true dynasty in baseball. The New York Yankees of a run that truly went from 1995-2004. They had division titles after, but it was not the same. IMO Mo is the best player of the 90's Yankees dynasty. 

Mo is the all-time leader in saves, games finished, and ERA+. I still don't really understand ERA+ but baseball nerds say it matters a lot. His counting stats are incredible. 652 regular season saves, another 42 in the post season. Nearly 700 in total for his career. 

The numbers are stupid. 

5 World Series Rings. 

Career 0.70 post season era. 
2.21 in the regular season.

1999 World Series MVP, 2003 ALCS MVP, 2013 All Star Game MVP (used in the 8th inning, what a shame)

​13 Time All-Star
5 Top 5 Finishes for Cy Young

Last man to wear #42. What a way for the number to go out. As a Red Sox fan I have a great appreciation for Mariano Rivera. No way you watch the whole video, I didn't even. but Mo is a Yankee I'll always respect and not hate. 

Favorite Mariano Rivera Moment:

I can't believe there's no clip on Youtube, but has to be when the Red Sox fans cheered him on 2005 Opening Day and how he played along. Awesome moment. 

​SP Roy Halladay
Toronto Blue Jays 1998-2009, Philadelphia Phillies 2010-2013

One of the greatest pitchers of the 2000's Roy Halladay IMO is without a doubt a Hall of Famer. His unfortunate, and untimely death in a way immortalized him even more, he may have not been a 1st ballot HOFer, but I think with his passing he for sure will make it in.

Doc was at times the lone bright spot on a lot of mediocre Jays teams of the 2000's. I think he finished in 3rd place like 18 years in his 16 year career. 203-105 record, but is a prime example of how wins should be much lower on the factors of determining how great a pitcher was. Doc ate innings, 4 times leading the league, a career 3.38 era in an era of offense when he had many starts against the Red Sox and Yankees at the high of their offensive era. 2117 strikeouts, to only 592 walks. 1.178 WHIP.

Doc's best days may have been in Toronto, but his biggest moments were in Philly. His 2010 season was legendary. Cy Young winner, perfect game, and first post season no-hitter since Don Larsen's Perfect Game in the 1956 World Series. 

Doc Halladay was an 8 time All-Star. 2 time Cy Young winner. He finished in the Top 5 in Cy Young Voting 7 times, including six straight seasons from 2006-2011. 

Favorite Roy Halladay Moment:

​
DH/3B Edgar Martinez
Seattle Mariners 1987-2004

Sure he was a DH for most his career, but after 9 years on the ballot, this is Edgar's last chance on the regular ballot. He deserves to be in. Perhaps it's because he played on Seattle his entire career, a team who had success, but never fully blossomed into a true winner.

In my eyes Edgar Martinez is a Hall of Famer. He's at worst 1b for greatest DH ever. Whether you like the DH or not, it's been a part of baseball for over 40 years. He is one of the best men ever to do it, he's a Hall of Famer.

Career .312/.418/.515 hitter. 309 HR, 1261 RBI. 514 doubles. 

7 time all-star. 5 time silver-slugger, 2 time batting champ. These are hall of fame numbers. If the 95-2001 Mariners ever even make a World Series, he's likely already in imo. In October Martinez numbers weren't jaw dropping but in 34 career playoff games he drove in 24 runs, although 10 came in one series. 

With a shade over 70% of the votes cast last year, I really hope this is the year Edgar gets his due.


​

SP Roger Clemens
Boston Red Sox 1984-1996, Toronto Blue Jays 1997-98, New York Yankees 1999-2003; 2007, Houston Astros 2004-2006

Roger Clemens is one of the greatest pitchers of all time. His numbers speak for themselves.

7 time Cy Young Award Winner
7 time ERA leader
11 time all-star 
2 time triple-crown winnner
2 time World Series Champ

354 wins
3.12 era
139.6 WAR

6 20 win seasons

It's his 7th time on the ballot, just like the guy I'll get to next. There are obvious steroid allegations, but in my eyes just from his Red Sox career alone Roger should be in the HOF. He may he have done what hundreds of other players of his era did, but I am of the school of thought that you can't erase an era. The steroid era helped save baseball, you cannot just act like it never happened. The Rocket belongs in Cooperstown.

LF Barry Bonds
Pittsburgh Pirates 1986-1992, San Francisco Giants 1993-2007

Barry Lamar Bonds is the greatest hitter of this generation, steroids or not. All-time home run leader.

7 time MVP
8 time Gold Glove winner
14 time All-Star
11 time Silver Slugger
2 time Batting Champ

If you go on Barry Bonds baseball-reference you'll see a lot of bold. This man was a pitcher's nightmare. For four seasons in a row Barry Bonds OBP was over .500. You'll never see that again. Last year he received 56.4% of the vote. Likely won't get in this year, much like Clemens, they will be forever linked, but in my eyes they both should be in Cooperstown because the first halves of their careers between alleged steroid use began they were already HOFers.

SP Mike Mussina
Baltimore Orioles 1991-2000, New York Yankees 2001-2008

Mike Mussina was a very good pitcher, for a really long time. Mussina's ERA was under 4.00 for 12 of his 18 major league seasons. His conventional numbers might not be jaw dropping, but he's a guy who's HOF case has been made by the advanced numbers.

Fans around my age will likely remember Mussina more for his Yankee days, I know I do, his best days were in Baltimore, and his brightest moment was in a series he didn't win a game in. All 5 of his all-star appearances were in Baltimore. In the 1997 ALCS, a series the O's would lose to the Cleveland Indians in two starts Mussina pitched 15 innings, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits and 25 strikeouts. How the Orioles didn't win I'll never understand?

My biggest Mussina takeaway is how the knock against him his entire career was how he never won 20 games, then he finally did in his final season, making many wonder what he may have had left in the tank. Although I hate the Yankees it kind of bums me out he didn't stay one more year to be a part of that 09 team. This is a guy who just pitched and did what he was supposed to do, and ended up having a fantastic career. Twice made it to the World Series, but never won. 

Mussina is 20th all-time in strikeouts with 2,813. 

270 wins. 
3.68 ERA.
7 gold gloves. 

SP Curt Schilling
Baltimore Orioles 1998-1990, Houston Astros 1991, Philadelphia Phillies 1992-2000, Arizona Diamondbacks 2000-2003, Boston Red Sox 2004-2007

Curt Schilling Red Sox jersey was my first ever baseball jersey so I may be biased here.

All-time leader in playoff victories. A stat that for sure matters. A true winner. Dude just got it done when it mattered most. 2001 World Series Co-MVP. 3 time World Series champ. Had some memorable moments and seasons for three different teams. Despite all the teams, many may not want to claim him because of shit I really don't wanna get into. I know a lot of New Englanders have turned their back on Curt Schilling, but I have not. Dude ended the fucking curse. Bloody Sock. Do I need to keep going?

Numbers:

216 wins. 
3.46 ERA
3116 strikeouts (15th all-time)

4 time top 5 finisher in Cy Young voting, including 3 second place finished. 

11-2 in the postseason with a 2.23 ERA. 
4-1 with a 2.06 ERA in 7 World Series starts.

To me, winning championships is the most important thing about playing and watching sports. We can get enjoyment out of other things in the game, and reckongize that simply counting rings isn't want differentiates who is better over a career. Nobody thinks Chuck Knoblauch is better than Ted Williams. But in October Schilling was literally all-time. That combined with the stretches of brilliance over a long career gets him in (eventually) in my eyes. The hardest thing about Curt Schilling's case is what hat does he wear? The Phillies, D-backs and Red Sox all have strong claims. Most seasons in Philly, won his first WS and had best seasons of his career in Arizona, helped Red Sox break curse, and won two World Series in Boston. 

1B Todd Helton
Colorado Rockies 1997-2013

One of the best first basemen in all of baseball for a few years. IMO Todd Helton is the most deserving Rockies player of a spot in Cooperstown. I get the whole Coors Field thing, but does that just mean if you played for the Colorado Rockies you're ineligible for the Hall of Fame?

From 2000-2004 Todd Helton was a 5 time all star, 3 time Top 10 MVP finisher, 3 gold gloves, 4 silver sluggers. 

For his career Helton hit 369 home runs, drove in 1406, with a slash line of .316/,414/.539.

2000 NL batting champ. 

Helton likely won't make it in on the first ballot, possibly may never make it, but as a career one team guy, he is the face of the Colorado Rockies, if they are ever gonna get someone in (and it's not Larry Walker) it should be Todd Helton.

Let's not forget he was a key part of the 2007 Colorado Rockies. One of the most improbable World Series teams of all time. Even though they got swept by MY Boston Red Sox, they are still a team with a legacy. That 21 of 22 or whatever it was run is all-time. 

OF/1B Lance Berkman
Houston Astros 1999-2010, New York Yankees 2010, St. Louis Cardinals 2011-2012, Texas Rangers 2013

At first glance you might not think Fat Elvis is worthy of a HOF spot, but I am gonna prove you wrong.

I was actually thinking about this very topic last night, then the ballots came out, sort of weird, but whatever, I love Manny and think he should get in, but I mean it's hard to overlook the steroids, and how he quit on the Red Sox. Sammy Sosa I think is a pure product of steroids.

Lance Berkman quietly had 6 top 10 MVP finishes on some pretty good Astros teams.

Hit .293/.406/.537 for his career. 366 home runs, 1234 (fun!) RBI,  422 doubles, 6 x All-star.

59th all time in walks. 
43rd all time in OBP% ( .406%)
39th all time in slugging % ( .537%) 

Played a major part of the St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series championship. Hit .436 in the 2011 fall classic. With a key hit in the game 6 rally that kept their season alive.  A career .317 playoff hitter, batted .410 in 11 World Series games, 9 home runs and 41 RBI. 

Lance Berkman's 162 average is 32 HR and 106 RBI. To me he has a very intriguing HOF case.
​

What do you think? Who would you vote for? I would also love to see Manny, McGriff, Andruw Jones, and Larry Walker get their due. I think Andy Pettite is borderline, he's usually lumped in with Mussina and Schilling, and if Schilling is gonna get in then I can definitely see people who want Andy ins POV.

November 15th, 2018 was not a good day in the professional life of Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy. In a loss to the Seahawks that really hurt the team's playoff chances, pushing them below .500 past the midway point of the season, McCarthy had at least two (didn't watch the whole game) crucial mental errors that ultimately led to his team's defeat.

​First he didn't challenge what appeared to be a clear drop deep into the 4th quarter on a drive that would lead to the game-winning score.

I almost understand it, with only one time out you don't wanna lose it and be out of time outs in the 4th quarter. That being said, this was a pretty big fucking moment in the game and pretty obvious call. This is why you don't waste timeouts unless you absolutely have to. I know many may disagree but I feel like you almost are better taking a delay of game than giving up a timeout in a close game. Time outs save the most precious resource in a game; time. Something the Packers simply ran out of thanks to poor coaching by one of the most overrated coaches in the NFL.

The Seahawks were down 24-20 at the 50 yard line with a little under 7 minutes to play. This play brought them inside the red-zone down to the 16 yard line. Kind of a big change play imo.  2nd and 10 at midfield is a lot different than 1st and 10 inside the 20. Might want to have the boys take a look. Mike was like me at Thanksgiving when someone offers me corn, all set. 3 plays later the Seahawks took the lead for good. Corn is vile and has no real nutritional value, and is much better in bread and taco shell form.

I know your team doesn't have a real owner, but don't you have someone who's job it is to look at replays  to check and see if a call is worth challenging? Do you need to sell more Packer stock? Because to me, even with the erratic catch rules in this league, it is pretty clear this ball it the ground. That challenge flag has to be thrown.

But, despite everything I just said, I can almost overlook all of that. Because either way you were gonna get the ball back with enough time to retake the lead, or try to run the clock out. Maybe he thought that timeout was more valuable for a game-winning drive? Idk man I'm tryna put myself in his shoes, but it's tough. I am a smart football mind.

This is where Mike McCarthy made one of the dumbest decisions I have ever seen. 

With 4:20 (nice) remaining in the game the Packers were trailing by 4 facing a 4th and 2 on their own 33 yard line. With only one timeout remaining the Packers chose to punt.

​My only question is

When asked McCarthy said he considered going for it. 

That picture does him no favors, just captures a look of confusion. Like he knows he fucked up. Dude what are you even talking about with "playing the numbers"? You wanna play the numbers? Here are a couple for you.

12.

That's the number of Aaron Rodgers, you know, that dude who's played quarterback and been the miracle child for idiots who think Tom Brady isn't the best quarterback in the NFL. Regardless of what I think about A-a-ron, he's pretty damn good.  He's pulled a rabbit out of his ass a few times. What you did by punting is basically say you trust your defense (who isn't a hall of famer quarterback) to get you the ball back with enough time to re-take the lead.  If I'm going down, I'm going down swinging with my best guys. At 4-4-1 going into the game, it was time to put your nuts on the table and say let's go. This was just simply coward football.

150-ish.

That's how many rushing yards your defense already allowed before the final drive. How could you feel confident they would get you the ball back? With three solid running backs, plus maybe the most athletic QB in the league, I would not like my chances here. With the amount of time remaining and the time out situation, the Seahawks could milk some serious time off the clock (which they did). How can you believe in this defense more to get you a stop, than Aaron fucking Rodgers to get you 6 feet??? Just go in the gun 5 wide and he could scramble for it. I just don't understand this chicken-shit, pussy mindset by the Packers.


2. 

That's how many chances you have if you go for it. By punting you only have one. Hope you force a punt. Even if you fail on 4th down the game is still not over, there's over 4 minutes left in the game and you have two clock-stoppages left.  This situation reminds me a lot of the Patriots-Saints game in 2013. Down 1 with like 4 minutes left the Patriots went for it deep in their own territory, failed, allowing a FG, but were still able to get the ball back (after throwing an INT) with enough time to drive the field for a game winning TD.

Sure the Seahawks would've gotten the ball pretty close to field goal range, basically already in Seabass' range, but a FG would still keep the game a one score game. Now a touchdown ties it. But regardless, from my many years of madden this is the clear call. Look I get a video game isn't real life, but by going for it you're actually giving yourself more chances. Plain and simple. And it's not like it was fucking 4th and 11. It was 4th and 2. That is extremely make-able. Even with poor team numbers 4/11 on 4th up to this point in the year, to anybody with a brain, this is the right call. It's not a position you wanna be in, but if I'm McCarthy I'm playing to my strengths. And my strength is Aaron Rodgers. Taking the ball out of his hand in that spot is essentially inexcusable. 


Even Pete Carroll was shocked, and from reading between the lines thought it was a dumb move, and if Pete Carroll is questioning your decision making, you know you done fucked up. 

“I was a little relieved,” Carroll told reporters after the 27-24 win via Pro Football Talk.  “I really did like that they punted the ball to us right there, because we knew we had a shot to kill the game if we could, and kill the clock, and we did it. The thing about that that’s important is our belief in the running game, and we get the ball in that situation. It was like, oh here we go, this is our time. It’s four-minute time. Thrilled to see that happen. The mentality that’s coming around in those guys up front and the runners and all that, it’s really important, it’s obviously really valuable too, and it’s great to see that happen.”
​
via: clutchpoints.com/seahawks-news-pete-carroll-a-little-relieved-packers-decided-to-punt-on-fourth-down/

Even as it happened I knew the Packers made a mistake. I loveeeeeeeee Trump styled tweets when shitting on someone, it's hilarious idgaf.

This is why I understand that people think Belichick is why Brady is the GOAT because of how smart he is, and that Aaron Rodgers has a pussy-boy coach who would rather go down with a sinking ship then try and jump off. Punting was basically conceding the game. It's soft, it's embarrassing, and if I was a Packers fan I would think this was the straw that broke the camel's back. It's time for McCarthy to go.