Archive for the ‘Sports’ Category

Well, Murdoc checked to see if anything had changed about Major League Baseball’s ridiculous blackout rules in the three years since I first tried MLB.tv.

Yes. Major change indeed.

Instead of home games being blacked out, it now appears that road games are also blacked out.

So I live two and a half hours from Detroit and cannot watch Tigers games live on MLB.tv. I think that’s stupid in the 21st century and pretty much turns MLB.tv into a no-go, but that’s the way it was in 2008. But now when the Tigers go on the road, say to Seattle, I also could not watch them.

I just cannot imagine what sort of sense that makes.

Here is an MLB blackout map on Wikipedia. It seems similar to the one I found in 2008, including the monumentally dumb idea of calling Iowa the “local market” of six Major League teams despite the fact that not a single MLB team is in the state at all.

Murdoc would sure like to watch the Tigers this year. He’s willing to pay. But he’s not sure that subscribing to cable (and not even the basic package at that) is worth it. The Murdocs just don’t watch enough television to make it worth it.

Quicken Loans Carrier Classic is Prepared for Anything

Production is underway on the Quicken Loans Carrier Classic basketball game aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

The Michigan State Spartans are set to take on the University of North Carolina Tar Heels at the first ever college basketball game on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.

Preparations to set up for the event have been taking place throughout the week, with the construction of bleachers seating 7,000 people and a full basketball court on the flight deck of Carl Vinson.

Sailors assigned to the “Seahawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41, are assisting with the setup of the event. Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Marco Gilio and Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Carlin Henderson have donated over 30 hours of their time assisting with the construction of the event. In return, the squadron will be giving them tickets to the event.

The game will be played on Friday, Veterans Day, 11/11/11. Magic Johnson and James Worthy will be honorary team captains. A secondary court with smaller stands is being built on the hangar deck in case of foul weather.

Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Marco Gilio, Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Aaron Armellini, and Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Carlin Henderson, all assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41, volunteer to set-up bleachers for the Quicken Loans Carrier Classic basketball game aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The three will get free tickets to the game. The Michigan State University Spartans are playing the University of North Carolina Tar Heels aboard Carl Vinson for the first ever Quicken Loans Carrier Classic on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Amanda Huntoon/Released)

More photos below.
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They took our bailout money. Now they made a commercial telling us we don’t know anything about them.

They tell us about “the hottest fires,” “hard work,” “conviction,” and “know how.” But they don’t mention “other peoples’ money.”

Murdoc loves it when someone takes the cash he earned by living at a profit and uses some of it to buy two-minute Super Bowl commercials to get in his face and tell him how things are in a city and company that’s living at a loss.

This is the Motor City, and this is what we do: Chrysler workers at Jefferson plant accused of using drugs during lunch

Oh, and Murdoc has been to Detroit. Many times for many reasons. It’s pretty much a pit and the corruption seems to rival that in Kabul.

UPDATE: Meanwhile:

This is the Motor City, and this is what we do:
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said the automaker was in talks to refinance its expensive government loans

He says the interest rates are unfair and wants a better deal because he still lost money.

Detroit Tigers’ Armando Galarraga has perfect game stolen from him

Jerry Crasnick at ESPN.com:

Inevitably, the game’s sad ending is going to elicit an outcry for expanded use of instant replay. It’s a worthwhile debate, but consider this for a second: How gratifying would it have felt if Joyce’s botched call was followed by a trip to the replay booth, a five-minute conference, the umpiring crew emerging from the tunnel and Joyce throwing up his right arm with an “out” sign.

Yes, Galarraga would have had his perfect game, on paper, but that single transcendent moment of celebration is something that can never be retrieved.

So it’s what we have is better? Crasnick is saying that it’s preferable to have an immediate wrong call than a delayed right call. What kind of sense does that make.

Operation Opening Day

Send a piece of home to troops serving in the United States Armed Forces!

“Operation Opening Day” is intended for transplanted Detroit Tigers fans currently on military duty at home and abroad. The DVD presentation of Opening Day 2010 is a gift from Mario Impemba that features the game telecast of the Detroit Tigers defeating the Cleveland Indians, 5-2 and all the festivities surrounding the annual Detroit holiday. This project is also made possible through the cooperation of the Tigers and Major League Baseball Productions.

To receive this special gift, complete the form below with a valid military address — APO address, SPO address, FPO address, military base or ship address. “Operation Opening Day” will be mailed solely to valid military addresses as the gift is intended for the men and women currently serving our country.

Great idea! Go Tigers!

I’ve just been notified that Murdoc’s application for next April’s Boston Marathon has been approved.

Folks, that is lifetime dream that has just been given the green light.

Red, white and blue, through and through

The flag traveled around the world and through the deserts of Afghanistan and Iraq. Sgt. Felix Perez brought it from home as a reminder and an amulet. The flag never left his Army backpack.

It accompanied Perez to Dolphin Stadium on Tuesday night.

Team USA baseball has been pretty much a disappointment in recent years. More often than not they’ve stumbled badly. But their comeback win against Puerto Rico is a big story, and Perez was there to see it. In a wheelchair due to wounds suffered in the Army, he cheered for USA even though the vast majority of the crowd was pulling for Puerto Rico. He had the last laugh as USA came back in the bottom of the ninth to win.

On the way out, the 27-year-old Perez placed the flag in his lap and leaned over to a security guard manning Gate G. He was hoping some players from Team USA might sign it. The security guard led Perez and his sister to the U.S. clubhouse, and the flag went inside.

“The next thing I know,” Perez said, “I’m getting called to come back in there.”

He spent a half-hour in the clubhouse with the team, and everyone signed the flag.

Though a lot of folks in America don’t take the World Baseball Classic very seriously, Perez isn’t one them:

“We’re the U.S.,” Perez said. “This is our game. … This is the world. You’re representing your country. What is more honorable than representing your country?”

Isn’t that offensive to our friends the Taliban?

Just askin’…

Former Military Blogger charged with tackling Pats linebacker Junior Seau

Todd Kobus, who used to blog at lostiniraq.com, was arrested for tackling Junior Seau during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. Not only did Todd leap over a seven foot wall, but he tackled one of the toughest NFL players in the league. If you ask me, Todd is pretty hardcore but not the sharpest tool in the box.

More details on exactly what happened. Executive summary: He’s a moron.

Also, WaPo sports columnist John Feinstein writes the second amendment “should be abolished“. Executive summary: He’s a moron.