So far, Irving has been unwilling satisfy New York City mandates and become vaccinated to play home games, but the turbulence of the ongoing NBA season has caused the organization to reconsider their preseason decision to fully sideline Irving, sources said. https://t.co/OdfJT6Kd26
It’s kind of hard to argue that the unvaccinated Kyrie is a danger to the team when all over the NBA, NHL & NFL games are being delayed and postponed by COVID breakouts among fully vaccinated players but I give yahoo sports credit they give it their best shot:
The harm, aside from common sense, science and everything believed to be true about teams with championship aspirations, consistent standards and chemistry concerns, seems to open a sliding door that may never be closed again, as Irving will be allowed to play in road games — except for Toronto.
Alas both common sense and science suggests that it’s Kyrie and not those who banned him that were right.
Now this doesn’t change the fact that Kyrie brings the same non-covid baggage that he always carried before there was such a thing as a pandemic and the fact that he almost immediately ended up in the COVID protocols means a delay in the Nets getting him on the floor.
But the bottom line is that Kyrie’s return is a blow to the narrative that has been pushed by the various sports teams in solidarity with the Biden Administration on the vaccine but reality doesn’t care about the narrative and the reality of the cost of cancelled games in cash is starting to have an effect to the point where leagues are reconsidering rewriting the rules concerning COVID protocols.
The NFL and the NFL Players Association continue to discuss changes to their COVID-19 protocols that could ease the burden on vaccinated individuals, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The two sides are working to test vaccinated players less frequently and address player concerns about the number of vaccinated, asymptomatic players who are being forced to miss games because of positive tests.
The real losers in all of this are the players who took the jab and feel like chumps who’ve been played:
The NFLPA has been under pressure in recent weeks from players who are upset because they feel they were effectively forced to get vaccinated (because of the far stricter rules that apply this year to unvaccinated individuals) and as a result of the proliferation of COVID-19 variants are now testing positive and missing games anyway. This has led to player dissatisfaction with other of the league’s COVID-19 mitigation strategies, such as mask wearing and physical distancing in team facilities.
Now as I’ve said repeatedly I have no problem with people getting the vaccine if they feel the cost benefit analysis works for them and I’m sure there are plenty of players in the all the major sports who took the vaccine and thought it was the right move for them.
Kyrie didn’t think so and in the long run it’s worked out for him, and if nothing else he will always be one up on those who took the vaccine unwillingly to play and now feel like chumps.
You have to feel a bit bad for the Detroit Lions. They always play on Thanksgiving and they always lose on Thanksgiving and this year they lead for the entire 4th quarter until the final second of the game.
How does a team stay that bad for that long?
The Baseball hall of fame didn’t vote anyone in. Bonds and Clements lost out because of steroids’ and Curt Schilling the top vote getter lost out for being conservative.
The irony of course is that both Bonds and Clemens had HOF careers before the allegedly started juicing. As for Curt is is the type of pitcher that wins you championships but sports writers are notoriously on the left so they’ll leave him out without a question.
I have two simple Hall of Fame tests either one in my opinion qualifies or disqualifies a person, when they conflict I can go either way.
If you have to think if a person belongs in the Hall of Fame, then they don’t belong.
The single best test if a person belongs in the HOF is if you were afraid of (vs your team) or wanted him there(when on your team)at bat, pitching or fielding with the game on the line.
By rule two all of them belong in, by rule on Bonds and Clemens certainly do
Was talking to a friend who hates the Lebron stuff. He no longer follows basketball and blames it’s fall not on LeBron but on Jordan.
He says that Jordan changed the game to the degree that everyone wants to be him but they don’t seem to have his nature. It’s all about themselves.
Basketball has become a most selfish sport.
Here in New England there is a serious case of Big Mac fever. The Patriots’ five game winning streak has gone to people’s heads. It’s easy to forget that all five games where against weaker teams, in fact on one station five weeks ago one of the hosts specifically noted that these last five weeks were a chance for the team to climb back into the mix.
Now people are seriously talking superbowl again.
The NFL would love it but I wouldn’t put a whole lot of money on that myself.
Finally I’ve very proud of the international Tennis organization who is not standing still when it comes to Peng Shuai and China.
Many other organizations, such as the NBA and the IOC would have folded, they did not.
Cowardice is contagious but so is courage. That’s what they’re so afraid of.
Pitching Wins Hermanson Mon 29, ERA Hermanson Mon 1.82, IP Soto Cin 285 1/3, K’s Soto Cin 347, Avg against Soto Cin .196 WHIP Hermanson Mon 1.00 HR/9 Berenyi Cin, Anderson Pit 0.33, Saves Urbina Mon 35.
NL Playoff results
Wild card 2009 Nationals over 1993 Mets
Division Series 1982 Reds over 2000 Phillies 4 games to 2
Division Series 2009 Nationals over 1998 Expos 4 games to 3
League Championship series 2009 Nats over 1982 Reds 4 games to 1
World Series
2009 Nationals over 1970 Royals 4 games to 3
The SD Jones memorial .500 teams league is a league (all teams were no better than 2 games over .500 or no worse than 2 games under) Initial season . Games are scheduled for Tuesdays. AM Only 2 series are left to play in the entire league
Avg Carew Min .356, OBP Trout LAA .432, SLUG Trout LAA .616, Runs Trout LAA 138, Hits Carew Min 235, 2B Cabrera Det 55, 3B Durham ChW, 20, SB Carew Min 65 BB Trout LAA 119 HR Trout LAA, Howard Wash Cabrera Det 45, RBI Cabrera Det 148
Pitching
Wins Verlander Det 24, ERA Clemens Bos 2.31, IP Blyleven Minn 313, K’s Blyleven Min 297 , Avg against Cahill Oak .204, WHIP Darwin Bos 0.97, HR/9 Bibby Cle 0.30, Saves Knowles Wash Lyle NYY 33
AVG Clemente Pit .362, OBP Mitchell Cin .439, Slug Helton Col .614 Runs Larkin Cin 134, Hits Clemente Pit 234, 2B Cirillo Col 67, 3B Clemente Pit 23, SB Pierre LAD 82 BB Ashburn Phil 122, HR Helton Col 37, RBI Helton Col 141
Pitching Wins Scherzer Wash 23 ERA Scherzer Wash 2.38, IP Scherzer Wash 302, K’s Scherzer Wash 367, Avg Against Scherzer Wash .208, WHIP Scherzer Wash 0.95, HR/9 Reed StL 0.28 , Saves Face Pitt 37
3rd League All time any time Great Teams League (3rd season) Games scheduled Friday evenings. Two teams have been picked up since the last posting (oddly not the Orioles)
Avg McGee StL .365, OBP Morgan Cin .457, Slug Kendrick Wash .611, Runs Morgan Cin 114, Hits McGee Stl 186, 2B Rizzo Cubs16 40, 3B McGee StL 19, SB Morgan Cin 71, BB Morgan Cin 106, HR Ga;arraga Atl, Aaron Mil 37, RBI Foster 117
Pitching Wins Maddux Atl 18, ERA Tudor StL 1.75, IP Maddux Atl 231, K’s Johnson Arizona 295, Avg against Tudor StL .181, WHIP Tudor StL 0.82 HR/9 Buhl Mil 0.34, Saves Chapman Cubs16 32
If you are interested in taking over the management of any of the online leagues teams contact me in comments.
As a bonus here are the standings of our face to face draft league which first began playing in 1987 in Fitchburg Massachusetts. We have two divisions with 4 teams each playing a 60 game season every other Saturday at Zeda’s Pizza in Fitchburg MA. The individual leagues are named for deceased members of the league. Five teams make the playoffs, the best record gets home field throughout and 2nd best record of the division leaders gets a home series against the best non-division winner while the final two teams play a one game playin for the right to face the best division winner in the playoffs.
New players are always welcome
Lynn Division
W
L
PCT
GB
WCGB
Tampa Bay Rays (x)
41
19
.683
—-
n/a
San Francisco Giants(w)
35
25
.583
6
Bye
St. Louis Cardinals(w)
32
28
.533
7
Home
Colorado Rockies
24
36
.400
17
2
w clinched at least wildcard game x clinched playoff spot
Dan Division
W
L
PCT
GB
WCGB
New York Yankees (XY)
39
21
.650
—-
n/a
Washington Nationals
28
33
.459
11 1/2
_____
Seattle Mariners
27
34
.442
12 1/2
E
San Diego Padres
17
43
.283
22
E
Playoff results
Wild card playin StL over Washington
Playoffs round 1 NYY over SF 4 games to 2
Tampa over Stl 4 games to 3
World Series Tampa over NYY 4 games to 3
The 1969 Draft league is a continual draft league in its first season (1969) All teams drafted full rosters (max 35) while being allowed to keep one player from the teams picked. In subsequent season (next year 1970) teams will retain rights to new rookies plus 4-12 currently held players based on their finish. There are no wildcards and 1969 rules are in play.
AL
East
W
L
PCT
GB
Baltimore Orioles
12
8
.600
—–
Cleveland Indians
11
11
.500
2
Washington Senators
10
10
.500
2
NY Highlanders (Yankees)
9
13
.409
4
West
W
L
PCT
GB
Minnesota Maul of America (Twins)
13
9
.591
—–
Oakland A’s
13
9
.591
—–
Chicago White Sox
9
13
.409
4
Seattle Pilots
9
13
.409
4
AL Leaders
Avg Billy Williams balt .444, OBP Harmon Killebrew Cle .516, Slug Frank Howard Wash .768, Runs Jimmy Wynn Cle 19 , Hits Billy Williams Balt 36, 2B Dick Green Oak, Johnny Callison Wash 8, 3B Billy Williams Balt , Ron Fairly NYY, Johnny Callison Wash 4, BB Mike Fiore Sea 26, HR Frank Howard Wash 10 , RBI Harmon Killebrew Cle 27
Pitching Wins Andy Messersmith Balt 4, ERA Mel Stottlemyre Cle 1.83 , IP Larry Dieker NYY 41, K’s Sam McDowell Cle 49, Avg Against Jerry Koosman Oak .152, WHIP Jerry Koosman Oak 0.82, HR/9 , Wally Bunker Oak, Mike McCormick Sea 0.00 , Saves Tug McGraw Twins, Moe Drabowski Wash 6
NL
East
W
L
PCT
GB
New York Metropolitans (Mets)
17
8
.680
—–
Pittsburgh Pirates
12
10
.545
3 1/2
Montreal Nos Amours (Expos)
8
12
.400
6 1/2
Atlanta Braves
7
13
.350
7 1/2
West
W
L
PCT
GB
Los Angeles Dodgers
14
8
.636
—–
Cincinnati Cin City (Reds)
13
9
.591
1
St. Louis Cardinals
14
11
.560
1 1/2
San Francisco Seals (Giants)
4
18
.182
10
Leaders NL
Avg Bobby Tolan Mets .376, OBP Rusty Staub Mon .485, Slug Reggie Smith LAD .761, Runs Reggie Smith LAD 21, Hits Bobby Tolan Mets 41, 2B Curt Flood StL 9, 3B Sal Bando Mets, Jerry Grote Pit, Tim McCarver mets, Bobby Murcer SF, Reggie Smith LAD, Doug Rader Pitt, Rich Reese Stl, Maury Wills Stl 2, BB Willie McCovery LAD 21 SB Cesar Tovar mets 7, HR Dick Allen Reds 8, RBI Bobby Tolan Mets Hank Aaron Atl 21
Pitching Wins Tom Seaver Mets 5, ERA Nelson Briles StL 1.50, IP Bob Gibson Mets 50 1/3, K’s Bob Gibson StL 46, Avg against Jim Palmer SF .170, WHIP Jim Palmer 0.84, HP/9 Dave McNalley SF 0.00 Saves Ron Taylor Mets 7
We Expect to expand by at least 2 teams next season
Yesterday Tom Brady and the Bucs beat the Patriots 19-17 in what is almost certainly Tom Brady’s final game in Foxborough, unless some other team hires him when the Bucs contract runs out.
How much do you think a team one QB away might offer him when he’s 47?
I really question the Pat’s decision not to go for it on 4th an 3 at the end & going for the FG that just missed. I mean with a full minute on the clock does anyone actually think Brady would have failed to drive his team to FG range?
While no sane person thought that Pat would have this game I’m seeing an awful lot of praise for young Mack Jones who apparently did well (I was working so saw none of it). The various talk radio shows are full of praise for him.
I wonder what Boston talk radio would have been saying about Cam Newton if had led the Pats to a 1-3 start? Actually I don’t wonder at all.
The Boston Redsox scored in the 9th inning to dramatically seal not only the wild card but a home game against the hated New York Yankees to start the playoffs.
Despite a home game winner take all wild card game vs the Yanks apparently tickets aren’t flying off the shelves. Just a few years ago such seats, particularly vs the yanks would have been gone the moment they were available, today not so much.
I suspect wokeball has something to do with it, but in fairness a price tag of over $200 for the worst bleacher seats likely has much more to do with it.
Finally after 9 Days and 500 picks the draft for my new 1969 Draft league is over.
Officially Mr Irrelevant, the last pick in the draft in round 34 was the NYY taking Mets outfielder Rod Gasper, but because the San Francisco giants deferred their last two picks as they were unavailable at draft time the final actual pick was Giants infielder Don Mason. If anyone is interested the full draft list is here.
Players who were not suggested go on the waiver wire which starts after week 5 but earlier for some teams who deferred draft picks for early waivers, which can be handy if an injury or suspension comes up.
This is the list of players available on waivers in the 1969 league as of this moment. Rather curious who is picked first.
Batters:
Aaron Tommie Taken Montreal Early Waivers Round 2 Pick 2
Adair Jerry Taken Chicago White Sox Early Waivers Round 2 pick 1
Alvis Max
Amaro Ruben
Baker Frank
Barry Rich
Barton Bob
Bateman John
Beauchamp Jim
Billings Dick
Blefray Curt Taken NY Mets Early waivers round 1
Bobb Randy
Boehmer Len
Bosch Don
Bowens Sam
Boyer Ken
Breeden Danny
Brinkman Chuck
Brooks Bobby
Brown Gates
Brown Larry
Browne Byron
Bryant Don
Burda Bob
Campanis Jim
Campbell Dave
Cannizzaro Chris Taken by Washington Early waivers round 1
Chaney Darrel
Charles Ed
Christian Bob
Clark Ron
Collins Kevin
Corrales Pat
coulter Chip
DaVanon Jerry
Davis Bill
Davis Ron
Dean Thomas Taken Early waivers 2nd round Washington
Donaldson John
Duncan Dave
Ellis John
Etheridge Bobby
Fairey Jim
Floyd Bobby
Gabrielson Len Taken Early Waivers 2nd Round Pittsburgh
Gamble Oscar
Geiger Gary
Gil Bus
Gosger Jim
Gutierrez Cesar
Hague Joe
Hall Jimmie
Haney Larry
Harrell John
Harrison Chuck
Healy Fran
Heath Bill
Hermoso Remy
Hershberger Mike
Hicks Jim
Hinton Chuck
Holman Gary
Hriniak Walt
Hutton Tom
Jackson Sonny
Jeter Johnny
Johnson Lou
Jones Dalton
Kelly Van
Kendall Fred
Keough Joe
Kolb Gary
Krug Chris
Lahoud Joe
Lee Leron
Llenas Winston
Lock Don
Lyttle Jim
Manuel Charlie
Martin JC
Matchick Tommy
May Dave
McGraw Tommy
McDonald Dave
McFadden Leon
McNulty Bill
Miller John
Morales Jerry
Nagelson Russ
Nelson Dave
Northey Scott
Oliver Gene
Oliver Nate
Oyler Ray
Paepke Dennis
Pagliaroni
Peterson Cap
Phillips Adolfo
Qualls Jim
Quilici Frank
Ranew Merritt
Reid Scott
Renick Rick
Repoz Roger
Ricketts Dave
Rico Fred
Rios Juan
Robinson Bill
Robles Rafael
Rogers Buck
Rollins Rich
Roznovsky Rick
Ruberto Sonny
Rudolph Ken
Satriano Tom
Scheinblum Richie
Shannon Mike
Shopay Tom
Simpson Dick
Sipin John
Slocum Ron
Smith Dick
Snyder Russ
Spangler Al
Spence Bob
Spriggs George
Stahl Larry
Stanley Fred
Stephenson John
Stewart Jimmy
Stinson Bob
Stone Gene
Stone Ron
Stuart Dick
Tartabull Jose
Tatum Javis
Tepedino Frank
Tischinski Tom
Torres Hector
Valdespino Sandy
Velazquez Freddie
Vidal Jose
Ward Pete
Watkins Dave
Webster Ramon
White Bill
Whitfield Fred
Wicker Floyd
Williams Jim
Woods Ron
Pitchers
Allen Lloyd
Arlin Steve
Baldschun Jack
Baney Dick
Barber Steve (Taken Chicago W Sox early waivers wk 1 1st pick)
Da Techguy's (no longer backup) Blog 