I see things and read things that make me wonder and sometimes I can blow them off and, well, other times I can’t. But it is getting to the point where every time I turn around something makes me want, no, need to say…Are you freakin’ kidding me? A lot of you have already posted on some of this stuff and I have commented on a lot of your posts. But I just need to throw in my comments for anyone who visits my blog to read and either respond to or just move on. It’s all good, one way or the other. Let me start from last night and retrace the weekend.
I sat down to watch the Giants-Phillies game last night and to enjoy a night of baseball and see if Barry Bonds could hit his 745 career HR.
I am one of those who really want Bonds to break the record and then get into the HOF. I don’t get west coast games very often and when I do they are usually on late and I don’t stay up to watch them. So an evening game on ESPN figured to be one of the few times I will be able to watch Bonds until he gets close (and they start updating me on everything from his AB’s to his bowel movements) to breaking Aaron’s record. Are you freakin’kidding me? I didn’t even see Bonds in the dugout or hear his name mentioned in connection with the game in progress. I got to hear a lot of Willie Mays but not Bonds. Oh, well, so much for trying to figure out baseball scenarios. I’ll get over it because in the next few weeks the Bonds attacks will increase and I’ll end up so ticked off that when they interrupt what ever it is I am watching to show me his historic HR (and it will be) I’ll scream loud and cheer on the athletic achievement and watch him round the bases with a smile on my face. That will make up for missing him last night.
However, speaking of Barry Bonds, there was important news regarding him last night that came out during the game.
Are you ready for this? In a poll conducted by ABC and ESPN black people are more supportive of Bonds in his pursuit of the all-time HR record than white people are. Significantly more supportive. Are you freakin’ kidding me? No freakin’ s—t. Duh, thanks ABC and ESPN for conducting a poll to tell me what common sense had already led me to believe. Where or where would I be without solid information like this to guide me through my evening of baseball watching? I needed this important information almost as much as I needed the report last week that white referee’s called more fouls on black players in the NBA than on white players. Thank you so very much for that little racial shot. Are you freakin’ kidding me? It’s no freakin’ wonder we can’t get out of the stone-age in regard to racial issues when we are being force fed “studies” like this ####. Sadly, I found Joe Morgan’s attempts to justify Bud Selig’s and Hank Aaron’s support or non-support of Bonds more acceptable than the ABC/ESPN poll. And that is pathetic.
Speaking of pathetic.
I ordered my first PPV event in years and years on Saturday night when I ordered the De La Hoya/Mayweather, Jr. boxing match. I got the under-card bouts and got to watch Marc Anthony’s fine rendition of our National Anthem. I got to see Mayweather and his group in prayer and I got to watch De La Hoya crack his jaw a couple of hundred times and then my screen went black. Are you freakin’ kidding me? The picture never came up again and I ended up tracking the fight round by round on ESPN online. It’s kind of hard to discuss the fight with anyone on Monday when you didn’t get to see it. The good thing about this is that even though I spent an hour and a half on hold with my cable company and expected a major battle of my own over billing, they had already reversed the order and would not be billing me for what I didn’t get to see. Cool! But, alas, I digress (not much of a shock there).
Back to pathetic.
I realized that I had not ordered a PPV boxing event in many, many years, not only because I think boxing has more issues than MLB and Paris Hilton combined, but because of the commentators. Are you freakin’ kidding me? I have absolutely no freakin’ idea how Jim Lampley became a HOF broadcaster. It must be the hair. Or maybe it is because he actually looks, and sounds, like there is life left in him compared to Larry Merchant. I watched the most painful interview I HAVE EVER SEEN when he interviewed Floyd Mayweather, Sr. I listened to the interview and I still have no idea what Sr. said or why Merchant is allowed ringside with a microphone in his hand. Merchant should retire, seriously. He was annoying years ago and he has only gotten worse. So, from my perspective, another good thing about losing the picture for the fight meant that I didn’t have to listen to these two twerps ramble on for another hour or more.
As for the fight itself.
Are you freakin’ kidding me? I kept hearing that Mayweather, Jr. wanted to fight De La Hoya in his prime. Did he mean his prime or De La Hoya’s prime? Because honestly, and I know there will be those who disagree with me, how can any fighter be considered “in his prime” when he has lost 3 of his last 5 fights. You can be in great shape and condition, as De La Hoya said he was, and not be in your prime. Skills diminish with age and time. Is this De La Hoya’s prime? And if it isn’t his prime anymore did Mayweather, Jr. accomplish what he wanted? Sure he won another belt but I wonder how many people will mention in the years to come that De La Hoya wasn’t the De La Hoya of old. I have already heard it from a few people. When they show it on television in a couple of weeks I will be able to make my own opinion. But I know what I used to think of De La Hoya and I thought had he not had a few distractions along the way he had the boxing world at his fingertips. And hadn’t he been away from the ring for a while before coming back for this fight? Hey Floyd, you won the fight and you are a very, very good fighter…but I don’t think this De La Hoya is in his “prime.” I think he is past it.
It was funny watching ESPN prior to their airing of the Phillies-Giants game -- they had to justify why anyone should bother to watch the game since Bonds wouldn't be starting.
Bob Ley did the morning SportsCenter, and to paraphrase what he said, "The Phillies and Giants will be playing at 8:00 tonight, but Bonds is not scheduled to start. But he could possibly pinch hit!"
I love all the "freakin kidding me" posts. Keep 'em coming. That's a riot about the PPV. That would be my luck. As for Bonds, Pearl about has me talked into acceptance for him to the Hall. Enjoyed the post as always, nice job.
yeah coach tell it like it is. That #### about more black people support Bonds than white people gets my blood boiling. So freakin what. It's common sense not a news flash. It also has less to do with racism and more to do with identifying with someone of your race. Sounds similar but it's totally different. I mean what's the point other than trying to stir the pot?
Ultra - see what happens when you sit down to watch the game and they are in the 3rd inning. I missed all of that. Like I said, pretty soon all we'll be seeing is Bonds. I won't necessarily mind that but if he slumps at all it gets really long having everything pre-empted for every at bat. Thanks for the comments. I appreciate your visit.
steelerfan - I appreciate the kind words. Thankfully the cable company had it covered or I could have been more aggressive than, say, Oscar De La Hoya (of course, that is just what I heard).
rivjo - they force feed us this #### like they are doing us a public service. If that is what they want then put the hard copies of these worthless studies in the port-a-pots in public parks so we cn wipe our butts with them. Then again that wouldn't do me any good, I don't #### in those things. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
I have to agree with you on the Merchant - Mayweather Sr. interview. I think a grand total of one question was actually answered, and I'm still not sure if the answer applied to the question.
I was also looking forward to seeing Bonds take a step towards history on Sunday, even though I despise him. Sadly, it wasn't to be. Now I have to wait for Fox to actually not show the Yankees on a Saturday before I can see him.
Regarding Bonds, I hear you. No matter what anyone says, he's the greatest hitter I've ever seen in person. Of course, if you mention that, people will start throwing BALCO and surliness to reporters and problems with teammates around. Ok, all valid. However, the guy's baseball skill level is like few anyone has or possibly ever will see again. Separating the guy's personality from his unbelievable skill level goes a long way here.
Excellent point about De la Hoya. I also don't think anyone can be considered "in their prime" if they've lost more fights than they've won of late.
Manrub - the worst interview ever. If Lampley was a HOF broadcaster he should have bailed his partner out not let him go down with the, well...whatever that was. We'll all see a lot of Barry fairly soon I would guess.
Marty - Thank you for the kind comments nd for visiting.
Nooch - I don't really get into Bonds' personality and whatever because I think if I were subjected to all of the ridicule I'd carry an attitude as well. He is one helluva ball player. I have a couple of friends who play professional ball and they wish they had that swing. They think he is very impressive. Who am I to argue.
I can't wait to finally see the fight but my guess is that this isn't the Oscar De La Hoya of a few years ago, no matter how controversial his losses have been. I don't think Mayweather beat the "in his prime" De La Hoya. Thanks for the visit and the kind words. Always appreciated from you. C'mon college football!
I am an educator and a coach. I was a goaltender in hockey until my playing days finished but now coach hockey and soccer. Once a goaltender always a goaltender. I am an Oklahoma Sooners fan, hold most professional athletes in low regard and have no time for prima donna athletes who think they are better than others who were not fortunate enough to get where these guys, or girls, are. I don't think celebrity puts anyone higher than anyone else in any capacity which, I think, is contrary to our society perception.
