Tendown August 9, 2015

186 is here. This is Tendown 187.

I'm out of town next week; back with 188 on the 23rd.

1. The US is not a democracy.

2. 

3.

4. Charles Haley. Hall of Fame.

5. Grantland did a thing last week about Tom Cruise, there's probably a link, you can track it down if inclined.  Here's my vote for the ten best Crusie movies of all time.

         1. Risky Business
         2. Magnolia
         3. The Color of Money
         4. Rain Man
         5. All the Right Moves
         6. Jerry Maguire
         7. A Few Good Men
         8. Tropic Thunder
         9. Collateral
         10. Top Gun

6. Risk assessment.

7. VRA turns 50.

8. Every Week Until He Stops - Vote For Bernie Sanders.

9. Arian Foster - Atheist.

10. And so, it ends.

And now, your moment of Zen...

I'll be back next time.  If there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim

         

Tendown August 2, 2015

Tendown 185 is here. This is Tendown 186.

1. Trump's lawyer needs to take a continuing education course.


2. 


3. Looks like this Jon Stewart Leaving Thing is Real.


4. Every Week Until he Stops - Vote For Bernie Sanders.

5. 

6. What is terrorism?

7. Phil Gramm means this. Believes it to be so.

GRAMM: It’s the one form of bigotry that is still allowed in America, and that’s bigotry against the successful … My friend Ed Whitacre at AT&T, if there’s ever been an exploited worker, even though they made a big deal about him getting $75 million when he retired, the man added billions of dollars of value, he was exploited, it was an outrage!

8. Posey.

9. Look what came back.

10. Why all the police shootings?

And one more...

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time....if there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim

100 Games In - Predicting the Rest of the 2015 MLB Season

I'll do this again at 120 games.  Here's were we are.

AL

East
1. NYY 89
2. Toronto 84 WC2
3. Baltimore 82
4. Tampa
5. Boston

Central
1. Kansas City 92
2. Minnesota 82
3. Detroit
4. CWS
5. Cleveland

West
1. Houston 88
2. LAA 87 WC1
3. Texas
4. Seattle
5. Oakland

NL

East
1. Wash 88
2. NYM 84
3. Atlanta
4. Mia
5. Phil

Central
1. StL 98
2. Pitt 90 WC1
3. Chi 85
4. Cin
5. Mil

West
1. LAD 91
2. SFG 86 WC2
3. Ariz
4. SD
5. Col

And the Best Players of 2015...

Catchers
1. Buster Posey SFG 5.6
2. Stephen Vogt Oak 2.7
3. Russell Martin Tor 2.65
4. Yadier Molina StL 2.5
5. Yasmani Grandal LAD 2.4

First Basemen
1. Paul Goldschmidt Ari 6.4
2. Adrian Gonzalez LAD 4.55
3. Joey Votto Cin 4.45
4. Miguel Cabrera Det 3.9
5. Anthony Rizzo ChC 3.8

Brandon Belt SFG 3.05

Second Basemen
1. Jason Kipnis Cle 3.8
2. Dee Gordon LAD 3.65
3. Jose Altuve Hou 3.35
4. Brian Dozier Min 3.3
5. Joe Panik SFG 3.2

Shortstops
1. Brandon Crawford SFG 4.8
2. Jhonny Peralta StL 2.7
3. Xander Bogaerts Bos 2.65
4. Carlos Correa Hou 2.25
5. Andrelton Simmons Atl 2.2

Third Basemen
1. Manny Machado Balt 5
2. Josh Donaldson Tor 4.4
3. Nolan Arenado Col 3.95
4. Todd Frazier Cin 3.85
5. Justin Turner LAD 3.7

Matt Duffy SFG 3.25

Left Fielders
1. Yoenis Cespedes Det 3.4
2. Brett Gardner NYY 3.3
3. Justin Upton SD 2.9
4. Alex Gordon KC 2.65
5. David Peralta Ari 2.65

Nori Aoki SFG 1.7

Center Fielders
1. Mike Trout LAA 6.25 AL MVP
2. Lorenzo Cain KC 5.05
3. AJ Pollock Ari 3.75
4. Kevin Kiermaier TB 3.75
5. Mookie Betts Bos 2.75

Angel Pagan SFG -1.45

Right Fielders
1. Bryce Harper Wash 6.5 NL MVP
2. Nelson Cruz Sea 3.9
3. Giancarlo Stanton Mia 3.7
4. JD Martinez Det 3.2
5. Jose Bautista Tor 2.8

Hunter Pence SFG 1.5

DH
1. Alex Rodriguez NYY 2.9
2. Prince Fielder Tex 2.65

SP
1. Zach Greinke LAD 6.15 -Cy
2. Dallas Keuchel Hou 5.55 -Cy
3. Max Scherzer Wash 5.45
4. Dallas Keuchel Hou 5.55
5. Sonny Gray Oak 4.6
6. Jacob DeGrom NYM 4.5
7. Felix Hernandez Sea 4.05
8. Chris Sale CWS 3.9
9. Gerrit Cole Pit 3.9
10. Carlos Martinez StL 3.85

Madison Bumgarner SFG 2.85
Chris Heston SFG 2.05


RP
1. Wade Davis KC 3.15
2. Mark Melancon Pit 2.75
3. Dellin Betances NYY 2.75
4. Trevor Rosenthal StL 2.7
5. Aroldis Chapman Cin 2.65

Tendown July 26, 2015

184 is here.  This is Tendown 185.

 

Jonathan KarlVerified account‏@jonkarl

JUST IN: ABC/WP Poll. The Front Runner - @realDonaldTrump Trump 24 Walker 13 Bush 12 Huck 8 Rubio 7 Paul 6 Poll taken Thu-Sun (1/2)

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5:00 PM - 20 Jul 2015

1. Every Week Until he Stops - Vote for Bernie Sanders
2. So, what's the difference between this and the GOP supported religious objections to serving gay people?  Except that if a county clerk doesn't want to fill out your marriage license you have to go to the next town and there's a gun shop on every block in Florida.
3. The Bonds Prosecution is Over.
4. And now, a few thoughts from Brooke Hogan...

Brooke Hogan ~If You Knew My Father~ By Brooke Bollea If you knew the dad I knew, you'd know his tender heart. He'd never want to hurt his fans, or family from the start. If you knew my father, you would know how hard he fought... and the way it brought a smile to people light, medium and dark. We always fight a battle that people never see, and sometimes when you're hurting, you don't think logically. Human isn't perfect, and perfect is not he, but I can tell you one thing, it's just not what it seems. Cause If you knew the dad I knew, you'd know he raised me well. He taught me folks are so much more than shades could ever tell. And If you knew my father, you would know he's down to earth. He may have slammed the giant, but remembers life's true worth. If you knew my father, if you just walked in his shoes... then you would know that microscope that comes with yellow boots. If you knew my father, you would see your own in mine. And if he was your father, you could never find divide. Cause me- I bet your father or someone that you love Maybe regrets something they wish they'd never done. So if you know my father, remember he's a man, and you would crave relief if people judged everything you did. The lord says to forgive them, don't be the one to stone... so please remember his strong arms when you were all alone. The lives he's changed, the friends he's made, the people he's inspired... It makes me sad to see my dad defeated and so tired. If you knew my father, you would know just how he's hurting... For he loves every one of you, regardless of your story. And if you met my father, I know he'd give you love! He'd lift you up, apologize and give you all a hug. For those who think you know my father, remember who you are. We all can make mistakes and carry ugly scars. Because I know my father, I can promise this- Just like you and I, things we don't mean can sometimes slip. We all continue learning. This life can be so rough... So if you know my father, please try not to be tough. My father has a daughter, and I have feelings too. And if I knew your father, I would do the same for you.

5. What happened to Sandra Bland?

6. 

7. I'm waiting for the poll of evangelical Christians that says Trump's a better Christian than the Pope.

8. Lets Deport His Relatives.

9. Guns.

10. Meanwhile, in Florida...

And one more...

Blame. The. South.

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time....if there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim

Will Brady Actually Serve A Full Four Game Suspension?

The following is a sponsored post. 

Will Brady Actually Serve A Full Four Game Suspension?

The NFL seems to be in no hurry when it comes to coming to a conclusion on Deflate Gate. They originally handed

out a bunch of fines and suspensions, and that included a four game suspension 

for Tom Brady for his part. He decided to go through an appeal process, which has been now dragging on for a 

while. As we wait, what suspension will Brady actually be facing?

Missing four games in a 16 game season is obviously a pretty big deal. People in fantasy football 

are very hesitant to invest into him, and New England could possibly lose some games during that stretch. It would be 

frustrating to say the least, but they are feeling confident that it will be reduced at least a little bit.

It has been extremely frustrating to follow this drawn out process, as the NFLPA officially

 appealed the suspension in the middle of May. We are now more than two months after that 

appeal process started, and the preseason is right around the corner as well. New England should

be informed whether or not they will have their starting quarterback available to play.

The most common thought right now seems to be that the suspension will be cut in half, and 

Brady will only serve two games. He is obviously fighting to have the entire suspension

 removed, but they might not be able to pull that off. Keeping it at four games seems a little bit absurd, especially 

when you look at some of the suspensions handed out for other more serious and severe issues. It is always going

to be somewhat of a judgment call, but the vast majority feel like four games is overkill.

For now, New England is preparing Jimmy Garoppolo to start the season. The second year player out of Eastern

Illinois obviously lacks experience, but New England has been teaching him the system for over a year now. As long

as he can act as a game manager, the team should still do  well with their schedule.

Look for a definite answer sooner rather than later from the NFL. It seems unlikely that they 

would be able to drag this into the month of August. In a way, it pretty much feels like last 

season is still not over until this is all settled. Considering New England is trying to defend their title, 

it is a pretty big decision.