Friday: Postseason dawns; Beamer the pitchman; Charlotte — you kidding?
THE BASEBALL POSTSEASON OPENS TODAY with the Rays facing the Rangers (5:07 p.m., TBS) and the Tigers visiting the Yankees (8:37 p.m., TBS). Gotta figure every Justin Verlander start is a must-win for Other John’s Motor City Kitties. Yankees, who counter with CC Sabathia, are 6-to-5 favorites in today’s game and 3-to-2 favorites to win the series. Texas (C.J. Wilson) is 8-to-5 over Tampa Bay (rookie Matt Moore) both today and in the series. Here’s today’s column about the joy of watching baseball games that matter.
-Ken Rosenthal reports that Terry Francona is expected to part ways with the Red Sox. GM Theo Epstein says “nobody blames what happened in September on Tito.”
FUN STORY BY RANDY KING TODAY ON FRANK BEAMER’S ROLE AS PRODUCT PITCHMAN. Check it out here. “I tell them right up front … this thing is only going to be so good,” Beamer says of taping commercials. “So when it gets to that point, I’m going to tell you, ‘there’s no use taking more takes!’ It’s not going to get any better. It’s only going to be so good. To be honest with you, I don’t feel very natural at that. I don’t think that’s one of my real, real pluses.”
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
-Hokies wide receiver Jarrett Boykin is expected to play against Clemson. He was not listed on yesterday’s injury report.
-Pitt blows out No. 16 South Florida, 44-17, in a pivotal Fearless Forecasters tilt.
-Tonight’s game is Utah State at BYU (8 p.m., ESPN).
-Tennessee’s AD says the SEC needs to discuss further expansion – and soon.
UPDATE: 10 A.M. Ralph Friedgen says he burned his Maryland diploma.
NASCAR
-Interesting story from Dustin Long about Charlotte Motor Speedway using a controversial YouTube video as a track promotion. Here’s the story. Here’s the uncensored video (warning: bad language, and you will be dumber after watching it).
-I don’t know why anybody would think using this video would be a bright idea in any way. And the guy’s explanation for using the N-word? Priceless. “I was also drinking that night,” Anthony Dennis said. “Where I grew up at, I grew [up] around black people up in Ocean View. They don’t take offense to it. “I understand it’s still not appropriate. It’s just how I talk sometimes when I’m excited. Hanging around a lot of black people and stuff, I just pick it up. With today’s culture and the hip-hop and stuff, that’s what I listen to right now — you just hear it every day, you hear it in the rap songs that I listen to and stuff. I’ve got people in the family that is black and they don’t trip about it. That’s all it was. I didn’t say “er,” it was the ‘a’ on the end of it.”
-Wow. Charlotte, you’ve outdone yourself.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
-Here’s Robert Anderson’s prediction column for tonight’s games. He’s got Christiansburg topping Franklin County, Salem beating William Fleming and William Byrd nipping Glenvar by a field goal (see you there!)
NAME THAT TUNE
-Nobody got yesterday’s: “If I Stay,” by Tracy Byrd. I realize that was a little obscure. Here’s an easier one:
You know what I’m sayin?
I got every dog in my neighborhood breakin down my door
I got Spuds McKenzie
Alex from Stroh’s
They won’t leave my dog alone with that …
September 30, 2011 - 7:47 AM
Pitt blows out No. 16 South Florida, 44-17, in a pivotal Fearless Forecasters tilt. * * *
What a joke!! As of the end of the game, and in fact, Friday morning; the FEARLESS FORECASTERS has not been closed and the Writers picks displayed. It has been that way all year. I’m sure they, and others, will get that one right. LOL
WHY ?? I think it is that way to give the writers more time to get picks/spreads from Las Vegas. That info should be made available to all FORECASTERS.
You’ve really got to wonder why CMS would perpetuate every negative stereotype about NASCAR fans. Seriously, the person that introduced the promotion related to the video as a possibility and every person who approved it should be fired immediately.
I also love the way the wife throws the responsibility for the video going to YouTube on her son. Of course, that’s a lie. Who would bother staging – and it was obvious that it was staged, and probably practiced too – such a clip without the intent of distributing it?
Favorite Tracy Bird song is “Keeper of the Stars” but I should have known “If I Stay” I remember in “The Rookie” his first game for the then named Devil Rays was against Texas in Texas. Not that that means anything but I think I will pull for them. Good story in the other `burgs News and Advance about local product Demitri Knowles today. Because of our receiver situation, he might get on the field tomorrow. Boykin says he reminds him a little bit of Desean Jackson. High praise. Yesterday I wondered what in the world is Frank Beamer doing in the Boonesboro Kroger-then I looked closer.
PF — Picks come out in Thursday’s paper. Writers can’t change them after 3 p.m. Wednesday. Open longer for readers (or at least it’s supposed to be). When I log in, I can see all the writers picks…Maybe they don’t show them to readers when they log in, but they’re in Thursday morning’s paper and do not change.
And I was kind of joking, actually. I really don’t take FF all that seriously. Just a running gag around here.
Exactly abdnva.
Funky Cold Medina by Tone Loc
And Verlandar unfortunately doesn’t have a very good post-season track record, though it is limited because this is only their second post-season trip in recent history. I think having Fister there too will help, he actually pitched much better down the stretch. The Tigers need to make sure they hit both Nova and Garcia, and they’ve hit Sabathia pretty hard too. Ought to be interesting. If they throw Verlander and Fister twice each in the ALDS (assuming it goes 5), I really like their chances.
I watched part of that Nascar video and then turned it off. Makes my hometown area look pretty bad. Ocean View is a sketchy part of Norfolk, though the city has basically tried to bulldoze the bad parts and replace them with high-dollar condos. But I really wonder, how on earth did that not raise some red flags for officials? Dumb.
Heard that Francona may wind up in Chicago with the White Sox, since he spent some time there previously. One thing is for sure, they’ll have a less interesting manager if that happens. Regardless of whether or not you liked Ozzie, the dude was entertaining as hell.
Drew scores. Nice job.
O.J. — Yep. I just don’t get how anybody can watch that video and say, “Hey! Let’s reward these people and salute them as great representatives of our fan base!” Incredible.
It’ll be good having Boykin back in the line up. We’re going to need every receivers possible if Tech is going to keep the winning streak alive.
Any changes to the Vegas’ point spread or favorites for the game tomorrow?
I remember going to Daytona parties at some friend’s houses in Virginia Beach, you know, when Nascar was still somewhat compelling to watch (early-mid 90′s). We’d have like 15-20 people there, all watching on a big screen (rear-projection in those days), all cheering and having a good time, no profanity…there were kids there. Many of us were Earnhardt fans, so we endured quite a lot of futility and last-lap letdowns. I think the worst I heard there was a ‘damn’ one of the times he faltered late. Of course that was pre youtube, and when recording something meant lugging out a 30-pound camera that took VHS tapes…so it wasn’t likely that ‘for fun’ recording would have occurred anyway.
Serves as a good reminder though, it’s more easy than ever to catch people behaving poorly, since almost every cell phone (and all smart phones) all have cameras and the ability to record video, and with a few button clicks, can be uploaded to facebook, twitter, youtube, or other sites within moments of happening. So, while it can help capture the best of humanity, it also frequently, and now seemingly more often, captures and spreads the worst, especially when people don’t know they’re being recorded…
Winning Game 1 would be nice for the Tigers, but it is by no means a must-win. The Tigers lost both of Verlander’s starts against the Yankees this season and still won the season series 4-3. The starting pitching matchups favor Detroit especially when you consider that the Yankees are going with a 3-man rotation and Game 5 would likely feature the rookie Nova against Verlander.
Saying Verlander doesn’t have a good post-season track record is kind of silly when you consider that his only appearance in the postseason was after his rookie season. I’d also point out that the Tigers won the one game he started against the Yankees that postseason (against Mike Mussina in Yankee Stadium).
I’ll take those odds, Aaron.
Trevor — Spread’s holding steady at Hokies by 7.
This is a big weekend as a Detroit sports fan. The Tigers have the ALDS against the Yankees. The undefeated Lions head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in probably their first ‘true’ test of the season. And the Red Wings wrap up the pre-season, with the regular season starting next week.
And for the first time since 2006 (and one of the few in the past 2 decades), we’re coming to October with more than just the Red Wings to actually pay attention to. It can be tough being loyal to franchises that go through rough patches, but ultimately rewarding when they finally put it all together.
At least the 50-year ‘Curse of Bobby Layne’ is finally over for the Lions. Holy mother of football, that completely stunk!
Whether it perpetuates a stereotype about NASCAR fans or not is irrelevant; its offensive. The Promotions Department at CMS, and the executives in the organization, in effect rewarded the participants who created this piece of garbage and they justify their position and actions by stating that they only wished to show people who “have passion for the sport.” Ridiculous.
I no interest in hearing what the participants in the video have to say; their video speaks volumes on its own and their actions clearly demonstrate their positions, their beliefs and their moral character. They need speak no more and I have nothing to gain by listening to them ever again.
The employees and executives at CMS need to step up and say and do quite a bit at this juncture, and a few people need to seek other employment, perhaps at positions for which they are better qualified for. I’m thinking maybe trash collector; they seem to be good at finding it.
Well said, L.J.
I am in no way condoning the video, but sometime, I think the marketing department use controversy to gain attention.
Why would Victoria Secret be so popular? Not because of the beautiful sheer gown, but because they practically parade 80% naked women around to sell their product.
When they stir feeling, by using controversy or sexual appeal, and get people to talk about it, they have done their job.
It’s like Geico – they must hire the most creative marketing minds to sell their brand. I once came home and said, “I have great news. I just saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico.”
I only did that to get laughs, but the point I am trying to make, it got the brand to sear itself into my mind by quoting those nonsense quotes.
Whether the viral is a piece of trash or a marketing gem is subject to interpretation. You either like it or hate it.
They have us talking about it. They did their homework. Now it may backfire on them in a big way.
5-0….that is the key number for tomm night. Tech will be this mark my word. This will finally shut up the people that doubt the greatness of this team. A big ole butt-kicking should make America realize that this team is bound for greatness. The National Championship is well in site and this team will be one for the record books. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO……Hokies
Here is what I want to know – what kind of moron videos themselves watching TV? That is just bizarre on so many levels.
Then, puts it on the internet? I guess the alcohol was still pumping through the veins when it was put on You Tube, because surely you wouldn’t do that – post it – stone cold sober, like the next day, would you?
Man I love this blog. Brings back great memories of being a kid and hoping that your crazy uncle showed up for Christmas just to see what idiotic things he would say. Of course all the adults would cringe when he would walk through the door but the kids couldn’t wait till he started talking gibberish. Kind of like Cousin Eddie.
OJ as a long time Astros fan I feel your pain and joy. I hope your boys have better luck this October than my stros did a couple of years ago.
Aaron,
As a UM alum, what’s your take on Fridge’s comments?
Don’t like ‘em. I’ve said before that they way it was handled was not great, but much of it was of Ralph’s own making (demanding contract extension AFTER agreeing to coach-in-waiting deal, thereby running off OC, etc.) He’s playing the victim card to the Nth degree. The sad thing is the media up there isn’t challenging him on any of it.
Why would media challenge RF, esp in MD? Better story this way, and clearly Edsall hiring is not popular. Note: the measure of the success of that hire, of course, will take a couple of years, not four weeks.
I’d like to congratulate all the blog readers who have not stooped to the easy joke regarding the disposition of RF’s diploma and what it says about AM’s academic documentation. Now that I think about it, that may make for an interesting subject, especially with Katarina Witt, er, Waugh participating on the blog as well….
I would have expected that couple to be honored at Kentucky Speedway, given the smooth way they ran their first race this year, rather than CMS. Wait…aren’t they owned by the same guy?
I think Verlander will step up here. The best story, however, has to be Moore, starting his second game in the bigs in Game 1 of this series.
Is it really a better story this way, or is it just perpetuating a falsehood? I like Ralph, I really do, but I like Beamer and London, too, and wouldn’t be shy about challenging either if they refused to accept any responsibility for their fate in a similar situation.
I’m not saying the radio guy should have done it — he was probably blindsided by the response, and he got Ralph on there to talk about ex-Terps on the Ravens, not Ralph himself — but somewhere along the way, as that story was unraveling, the real reasons for the split needed to be detailed. Instead, everyone just wrote how Ralph got jobbed and how classy he is. So people believe Ralph got jobbed, when in reality he tripped the dominoes himself…and I wouldn’t characterize these comments he’s making (and others like them) as particularly classy.
Have to wonder, though, if Ralph’s diploma was in Fire Management.
I can’t say I don’t blame Ralph for his ill-feeling toward Maryland. Yes, part of the blame went on Ralph’s shoulder, and the other part was the AD’s impatience.
Too often we hear about how impatient fans become toward their coach. “You promised the world, and you haven’t deliever! It has been 10 years!” kind of thing.
Certain percentage of Tech fans are that way every year, especially toward Stiney.