- I don't care what Kyler Murray tweeted when he was 15 years old. I didn't care what Josh Hader tweeted, either. The news outlets that report such things are more vile than anything a 15-year-old boy might be thinking.
- We had a good discussion yesterday in the comments section concerning the election of Harold Baines and Lee Smith to the Baseball Hall of Fame. I really enjoyed watching Harold Baines throughout his career; he was a rock-solid player and a true gentleman who is a credit to the game. That's not nearly enough to make him a Hall of Fame member, however. Lee Smith was a dominant closer for over a decade, in the transition period between the Goose Gossage-style multi-inning dominators of the 1970s and the one-inning matadors of the current era. Smith is a borderline case in my estimation, but as we start sorting the great from the okay in terms of modern era pitchers, Smith is certainly a defensible choice. I do worry about the various Veterans Committees that the HOF is currently employing becoming similar to the committees of the 1970s, when a lot of dubious guys were honored because, at bottom, they were pals with the committee members.
- Another question -- is Joe Mauer a Hall of Fame player? Yes, I think so. If you consider him a catcher, which he was for the majority of his career, his overall numbers and defensive effectiveness are clearly above the bar. If you consider him a first baseman, not so much. His career numbers don't rank high on the all-time list, but he was, in many cases, a great player. Kirby Puckett had a similar career arc, although his career was cut short. The numbers are important in considering players, but the eye test still has value. If you watched Mauer and Puckett play, you saw greatness on a regular basis.
- I'm not going to write about the latest efforts from the Trump Scandal Factory for at least a few days. I remain convinced a counterpunch is in the offing, but it's not yet clear when that will happen.
- The Packers are pretty much dead for this season and it appears the Vikings are in trouble, too. Somewhere in California, a guy we know is smiling.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Lightning Round -- 121118
A few random thoughts:
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12 comments:
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I won't say Kyler Murray is a victim, but only because everyone is a victim these days. What vilifying him shows us is both the sad state of journalism where expose' is viewed as far more newsworthy than the celebration of achievement and editors (who once really provided some adult supervision) are now just a title for someone who's been around a year longer than the reporter. I think those who've never seen the way it was, think this is the way it has always been.
Joe Mauer shouldn't be a tough call, but I think it will be. I agree he was a premier catcher, playing in a secondary market, and probably the best in the league when he was catching. The question is will the HOF remember the # of All-Stars, Gold Gloves, and MVP nominations and view them as decisive when it comes time to vote?
I think those who've never seen the way it was, think this is the way it has always been.
Exactly, John.
Somewhere in California, a guy we know is smiling.
Fake news. :-D
Amen about Kyler Murray. He was using a term linked to "non-standard sexualities" in a derogatory way, just like about 99% of the kids I grew up with. Is that really news? If we're going to penalize people for stupid things they did in junior high, where the heck was the media regarding a guy who went through high school and college stoned? Why is it a big deal for a 15 year old kid who played football, and not for a 22 year old man who became a community organizer after law school?
Re: Journalism and childhood slurs. If some dipshit journalist is going to try take down a Heismann winner or anyone else I want to know said journalist's sins. It should be a point/counterpoint kind of deal.
Jesus said, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone" for a reason. It seems journalists think they are a superior brand of person. The damn fools don't seem to realize that in this day and age they might be the next one getting burned on the fire. I sincerely hope that they are.
If we're going to penalize people for stupid things they did in junior high, where the heck was the media regarding a guy who went through high school and college stoned? Why is it a big deal for a 15 year old kid who played football, and not for a 22 year old man who became a community organizer after law school?
Thoughtcrime must be punished, even if you no longer have those thoughts.
It seems journalists think they are a superior brand of person. The damn fools don't seem to realize that in this day and age they might be the next one getting burned on the fire. I sincerely hope that they are.
Oooh -- thoughtcrime! Did you see Time Magazine's Person of the Year? Journalists are now saints, baby, including the scions of arms dealers who were up to their eyeballs in intrigue.
Kyler Murray should say, "If you think the thoughts of 14-year-olds are important, then here is another one: 'Eat me.'"
I see that StarTribune film critic Colin Covert has just resigned after having been found to have committed serial plagiarism over the past 30 years. It originally came to light early last month when a reader recognized a direct lift from an old Pauline Kael column and forwarded it to the editors (there are a couple editors left, apparently). Subsequent research turned up several other instances.
I see that StarTribune film critic Colin Covert has just resigned after having been found to have committed serial plagiarism over the past 30 years. It originally came to light early last month when a reader recognized a direct lift from an old Pauline Kael column and forwarded it to the editors (there are a couple editors left, apparently). Subsequent research turned up several other instances.
I thought it odd when Colvert mentioned that he didn’t know anyone who’d voted for Nixon in his review of The Incredibles 2.
I thought it odd when Colvert mentioned that he didn’t know anyone who’d voted for Nixon in his review of The Incredibles 2.
LOLOLOLOLOL
Brilliant, D!
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