Buster Olney: Colossal Hack

And I quote:

" The Rockies won 76 games last year, and with Tulowitzki at shortstop this year, they are 86-72. Well, actually, they are 84-67, because on those days when Tulowitzki hasn't played, Colorado is 2-5. As of today, Tulowitzki has been on the field for 84 Colorado victories this year. The Brewers were 28-19 when Braun was promoted to the big leagues, and are 1-1 on the days he hasn't played. So this year, Braun has been on the field for 52 Milwaukee victories. If Tulowitzki was a left fielder, or a right fielder, maybe the fact that he has played in thirty-two more victories than Braun wouldn't mean so much. "

Lets review
1. Tulowitzki has been on the field for more victories than Braun
2. Tulowitzki is not a corner outfielder
Ergo
3. Tulowtizki has been the best rookie in the national league

Facts Buster Olney may wish to consider:
1. Fuck that
2. Colorado has more wins
3. Shortstops are not infinitely more crucial to team wins than corner outfielders
4. Seriously, we're talking about 10% of a team's plate appearances, 0% of balls pitched, and maybe 15% of balls fielded that Tulowitzki is responsible for. But hey, 32 wins sounds more impressive.
5. Ryan Braun is cockslapping the ball at historic rates
6. Ryan Braun is cockslapping the ball at historic rates despite missing seven weeks of the season
7. Tulowitzki is putting up tremendous numbers for a rookie SS, yes, but HE'S DOING IT AT COORS MOTHERFUCKING FIELD.

Let the record show that BCB acknowledges Tulowtizki's higher WARP, however he attributes this exclusively to the Coors advantage. He cites Tulowitzki's .962/.721 Coors/not-Coors OPS split as evidence.

The Hit List

McNabb was the first to fall

Manning didnt exactly "man up" in this picture or on the field

Nick Barnett called upon the spirit of the Packer Nation

to stop LT and the Chargers

The Vikqueens are going to be in for some trouble next Sunday

Talk about that, Packers Coolaid, and the 3-0 start in this thread

Guess Who?

My original inclination was to do a first person, slightly frustrated Francisco Cordero for not facing the 3-5 hitters for Houston TWICE last night, but this is too good to pass up. Yes, Milwaukee faces 8 games against teams with .500+ records in the next 11 days, but you forget that nobody wants to see the Brewers win more than Bobby Cox and Tony LaRussa. Your mentee's job is in jeopardy and you open a four game set against him, who do you send out? That's right, old flat brim. Somewhere, Tony LaRussa is scrambling to pick up Ben Ford while finalizing Pujols' move to the DL.

So it's Oneupsmanship you want?

Counterpoint

Real live analysis

On the Brewers' playoff chances:


Playoffs? Yes. I think we're going to see more than our fair share of wins these last two weeks for two reasons: series against the Astros and Cardinals and a manager that will finally effectively leverage his goddamn bullpen. We've seen Yost use Cordero in the 8th with leads and runners on. We've seen Turnbow get the hook when he doesn't have his command. Nedly knows that he can't damage anybody too badly in the next two weeks, so he's performing as an effective manager instead of playing for stats like saves or slotting players in certain innings. It won't be perfect, and our bullpen isn't the most talented on earth, but we're in less danger of blowing three run leads cause Greg Aquino needs to get some work.


Yost is also playing the best players in the outfield. Yes, this means Gross, Hart, Dillon, and Mench. Jenkins has been studying Hall's swing lately, and each have (rightfully) been removed from the starting lineup. Hall, meanwhile, makes me wish HGH were still legal in the majors. The first four give us the best chance to win.

Outfield stats for the last 30 days:


Hart: .408/.444/.697
Gross: .258/.328/.454
Dillon: .303/.343/.424
Jenkins: .180/.206/.262
Mench: .324/.395/.627
Hall: .217/.288/.433

The biggest threat is that the Cubs may not lose a game the rest of the season. They play Cincinnati 5 more times, Pittsburgh 3 times and Florida 3 times. They've kept up wtih a hot(ish) Brewers team for the last few weeks. The Brewers postseason chances are at about 25-30% right now and diminish significantly with each Cubs win.

Will the Packers ever lose a game?:

Let's face it, the Green Bay Packers have assembled the most dominant defensive force in the league. There isn't a single player in the NFL that would start over any of our current starters. Maybe Nitschke would if he were still alive. The offense scored 35 points this week and was still not firing on all cylinders. I expect no fewer than 52 points this week hosting San Diego.

Outlook on the balance of Notre Dame's season;

Shark Sandwich

Do Not Pitch to Me

I eat fastballs for breakfast.

I am the 2007 NL MVP!

Bru, you're a big Marlins fan, aren't you?

I think I can see you on the third base side.

Hi, pitchers intentionally walk Craig Counsell to face me, and with good reason...

Start Talking or I Will Kick You

Lincoln Park Chad Society

This is brilliant:

About Being a Chad

You’ve got the looks, you’ve got the money. What else do you need? Well, a good car, a “tight” condo and a trophy wife. You were born with good looks and daddy gave you a trust fund. Now it’s time to live in Lincoln Park and live how everybody else wants to live.

[...]



Chad’s Job

You work in the Financial District of the loop.

Taking the Brown line out of Lincoln Park into the loop is a privilege. You enjoy cramming into the Brown line southbound cars with the business class wearing your pressed shirt, sporting your leather briefcase or messenger bag. How many times a day do you get a cuddle up next to a cute blonde who smells like flowers since she just got out of the shower? Smile and nod, I’m sure you will see her at the corner of Madison and Franklin later when she is walking to Cosi.

The Sporty Hangout

Monday nights are spend at $1 burger night at Kinkade’s on Armitage.
Beer? A dollar for a burger (well cheese is a $0.50 add-on), how can you go wrong? There’s nothing like watching five sports games all at once. Often times you will hear your group of guy friends say, “dude, did you see that play?” or “wasn’t that an awesome play” and swap an irrelevant high-five in honor of your favorite sports team.

(Bru thanks his brother for the tip.)

WTF?!?

The Road Island School of Design calls themselves the NADS, and their war chant for the hockey team is GO NADS! This wonderful mascot is lovingly referred to as Scrotie.

One shining moment

Meeting a legendary piece of shit brings out the best in LIFM. Who's the bigger eyesore on society? Honestly, my Aunt Mary was dancing with this "thing" at that bar and wanted me to take a picture with her new admirer, so I tried my darndest to ruin it. The result is something of Rockwellian Americana.

Enjoy!

Rick Roll

I know I have been MIA lately (mainly due to blockage at work), but I offer you my triumphant return.