General Sports Discussion (Be Warned!)

[Admin Dirk]

Originally Posted by Raylorne

Maybe we’ll go 1-1…

If it must be this way, then we'll lose the first one, you lose the second.

[Ildrahil]

Okay, great football talk but I watched football back in the 70s. You know, when you were allowed to tackle a QB, no matter what his name was. In fact, the bigger the name the harder the hits. I just can't get into it any more.

So, let me say this...Lets Go Mets! Yes, I'm one of those poor slobs who likes the NY Mets. They've been my favorite sports team since 1969, when as a young kid really getting interested in sports for the first time I watched with my dad as they went from the basement to the World Series. They've let me down a few times since then, but I'm loyal. So, here's to my Mets staying healthy and making it to World Series and beating the snot out of the Yankees...or Red Sox. Either works fine by me.

[Admin Dirk]

so, what do you think about the pitch clock?

[orcbane]

Gotta say, the pitch clock has made spring training games way more watchable. There's a bunch of side-by-side videos of a pitcher striking a batter out in the time it used to take to deliver 1 pitch or even a pitcher throwing an entire inning in the time it used to take to deliver 1 pitch.

I think people will grumble about it this year, but soon enough people will just enjoy baseball games more than they used to and not realize why.

[Ildrahil]

I'm going to hold my verdict for a bit longer but so far I like what I see. It certainly changes the game. I think it's actually harder on the batter and that's okay. These endless sequences of stepping out of the batters box and knocking the dirt off of your shoes to get into the pitchers head, which usually you don't anyway, will now end. I've seen a few strikes called because the batter isn't in the box quickly enough. I like that...so far.

[Raylorne]

I suppose for lack of another sport to be interested in currently I shall take a passing interest in baseball this year.

Let’s go Bluejays!



Also free agency was kinder to the eagles than I worried it would be. Hope the draft goes our way.

[Admin Dirk]

I was talked into putting together a march madness "pick" for our work (free to play, why not?).

I know nothing about Colleges, and next to nothing about Basketball, and care zero about it. But, hey, pick a bunch of random names, and see what happens.

By Friday mid-day, I was tied with 25% of the group for 2nd place. Another 25% were tied for first place, so that's not really saying much. Friday night's games should separate a few more, and this weekend will split us up a lot. I'll see where I stand on Monday now...

[Zagros]

""No bracket survives through the first weekend of play..." - Moltke the Younger, probably

As with most years, Dirk's prediction is probably right. My daugter's "pick based on colors" and "pick based on coolness of the mascot" brackets are doing okay.

Based on the state of my bracket, I'm now pulling for Princeton to win it all. They made it two rounds farther than Purdue anyways.

[Squeak]

So is anyone on this thread a hockey fan? I know there are a lot of Canadians here, so I'm hoping there are at least a few.

I'm a half-season ticket holder to the Dallas Stars and today is game 1 of the playoffs .vs the Wild.
I think it will come down to the Stars and Oilers in the West, and my analytical mind has to sadly think that the Oilers have the edge.

Regardless of who comes out of the West, I don't think Boston can be beat this year. I'm just hoping the Stars can get there, because I'll enjoy the ride.

[Raylorne]

I live in Toronto. I cheer against the leafs. I’m not popular in sports bars.

[Admin Dirk]

Originally Posted by Raylorne

I live in Toronto. I cheer against the leafs. I’m not popular in sports bars.

Fixed that for you.

[Squeak]

Was at the Stars 2OT loss yesterday. Amazing game, but frustrating as well. The refs missed SO many calls you would think they didn't want a team located in the south to advance in the playoffs.

Here's hoping the next few games tilt our way.

[Dark Asterisk]

I have family in Dallas and have been to some Stars games. We had a family reunion type deal at a rink in Dallas and the Stars practiced there I got a couple of pucks.

[Squeak]

Nice!

As far as the Stars/Wild, Dumba better hope it is not a blowout (either way), because if it is the headhunting will begin. Hockey needs to get past the whole goon for hire thing.

Anyway, 6 of the 8 home teams lost in game 1. I feel a little better knowing Colorado, Vegas, Devils and the Leaf’s lost as well.

[orcbane]

I can't imagine how much it must suck to be a sports fan in Oakland.

When the Oilers left Houston, I didn't care (never was an Oilers fan). But when the Astros threatened to leave, I was terrified.

Going from three major sports teams to zero in just a few years... that's gotta be devastating.

My sympathy to any Athletics fans. Their time in Oakland has been, at times, amazing to watch.Even as a recent addition as Division rivals with the Astros, I'm still a fan of the team from watching Rickey Henderson, Mark McGwire and Dennis Eckersley do amazing things during my early baseball-watching days.