Blog

Briefly. (beach day yesterday)

Trivia #1: What team won the 2015 NBA Championship?
Trivia #2: What team won the 2015 Stanley Cup?
Trivia #3: What team won 2015 World Series?
Trivia #4: What team won the Super Bowl in 2015 (Super Bowl XLIX)?

The Red Sox have 5 players batting over .250.

Speaking of the Red Sox (who was???) Cal Ripken Jr. was interviewed during the game the other night. Cal was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February and is now cancer free. Good for him! He was a very good interviewee but I think Dennis Eckersley took it a little too far when he compared him to Willie Mays.

Speaking of the Red Sox, part duex, the headline reads “The Philadelphia Phillies solidified their bullpen by acquiring Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman and cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox.” What??? Those guys suck!

Wellness checks. Do you even know what they are??? Medical physicals, colonoscopies, mammograms. Go get yours now, if not for you for the people around you.

I’m planning on having my favorite drink this weekend. It’s call “a lot!”

Not only did the Twins’ Kenta Maeda fall 3 outs short of the MLB season’s first no-hitter, his team let up 3 runs and Minnesota finally won in 12 innings giving him a painful “no decision.”

Useless information, supposed to fire my imagination: “‘Hottest Mom in the World, Joleen Diaz, shares her beauty, fitness tips”

I’d be willing to bet that not a single school (elementary, middle, high school, college) has at least one student test positive for the virus this school year. It’s gonna be a shit-show.

Even a blind man knows when the sun is shining.

How is it that it seems the same guys/players get hurt each season? Guys currently out of the lineup for extended periods of time – Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gordon Wayward, Steven Strasburg.

Lori Loughlin et al, I can’t be bothered.

In case you’re not paying attention, and possibly live on another planet, the Boston Celtics are now up 3-0 on the Toronto Raptors in Round 1 action and the Boston Bruins eliminated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 in their first round series. For you non-Boston fans out there, bear with us!

I was watching kids ride their bikes through the campground the other day. Remember, every bump, as little as it may have been, was an opportunity to jump! Similarly, was it just me who tried to jump and reach every beam I walked under as a kid??

There are no introduction songs for batters in MLB. Why? Can’t we try to keep some sort of normalcy?

Larry King, love him or hate him, the poor guy (now 86) lost a 65-year old son and a 51-year old daughter just a few weeks apart recently.

If you dump a bunch of potato chips onto a plate, am I the only one who eats the small chips first and saves the big ones for last?

The temperature in Death Valley, NV last Sunday was 130 degrees. The National Weather Service is still verifying the reading and, if it is correct, it will be the highest temperature in over a century. In 1913, the temperature in Death Valley was 134.

Trivia #1 answer: What team won the 2015 NBA Championship? – The Golden State Warriors
Trivia #2 answer: What team won the 2015 Stanley Cup? – The Chicago Black Hawks
Trivia #3 answer: What team won 2015 World Series? – The Kansas City Royals
Trivia #4 answer: What team won the Super Bowl in 2015 (Super Bowl XLIX)? – The New England Patriots

Be careful out there everyone!

“There are men high up there fishing,
Haven’t seen quite enough of the world,
I ain’t seen a sign of my heroes,
And I’m still diving down for pearls.

Let me flow into the ocean,
Let me get back to the sea.
Let me be stormy and let me be calm,
Let the tide in, and set me free.”

– The Who

Briefly,

Trivia #1: Who is the only person to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame three times?

Trivia #2: Who is Joonas Korpisalo?

Playoff hockey! ‘Nuf said.

I’m giving up drinking whiskey for a month. Sorry, bad punctuation. I’m giving up. Drinking whiskey for a month.

People often ask me (never), “Ed, where is Deion Sanders? Deion recently signed on with Barstool Sports and will host his own podcast. Sanders had been one of the longest tenured members of the NFL Network but refused to take a pay cut when his contract renewed.

What’s up with box scores of professional sporting events? They no longer post attendance numbers…

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Dr. Anthony Fauci is receiving death threats.

I keep receiving emails stating that whoever will GUARANTEE that I lose 90 pounds in 5 weeks. If I lost 90 pounds period I’d be dead!

The lowly Boston Red Sox are batting.249 as a team with a team ERA of 5.24.

Does anybody remember laughter?

The Yankee’s Giancarlo Stanton is on the DL yet again and will miss 3-4 weeks with a bum hamstring. What a bum!

I’m sipping my quarantine coffee right now. It’s just like normal coffee but it has margarita in it and also no coffee.

Trivia #1: Who is the only person to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame three times? – Eric Clapton

Trivia #2: Who is Joonas Korpisalo? – Joonas is the goalie for the Columbus Blue Jackets who faced an NHL playoff record 88 shots the other night in a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in five overtimes. (DYK: 62 Tampa shots were blocked in that game!)

”Red solo cup I fill you up
Let’s have a party let’s have a party 
I love you red solo cup I lift you up
Proceed to party proceed to party”

– Toby Keith (my deepest apologies to those offended by my going country on you. This tune just cracks me up)

Briefly. (albeit, Saturday)

Trivia #1: The other day Detriot’s Tyler Anderson set a major league record for a reliever by striking out 9 consecutive batters. Who holds the MLB record with 10 AND bonus, which one of the following did not strike out 9 consecutive: Tyler Anderson, David Cone, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister, Aaron Harang, Ricky Nolasco, Jake Peavy, Mickey Welch

Trivia #2: Lord & Taylor,  which has filed for bankruptcy, was founded in what year? – 1800, 1826, 1851, 1894, 1902, 1949?

So it is written, so it shall be done.

The University of Connecticut became the first, not the last I’m sure, FBS school to cancel its 2020 football season.

With the plethora of home deliveries since this whole Covid bullshit began, “Prime Time” has taken on a whole new meaning with Amazon Prime.

So what happens nowadays with the MLB’s foul balls? I imagine they first need to be disinfected? Then what? Are they donated?

Speaking of MLB, why aren’t announcers at the game ballparks? I should first say that I am talking about the Red Sox because I haven’t bothered watching other games. I mean, they are announcing while watching the games just like we are, on TV! What kind of analysis is that?

For you (us) Red Sox fans, our leadoff hitter, Andrew Benintendi, is batting .061 and has struck out 15 times in 33 at bats.

We have all had that moment in our youths when we found out that the Who’s song “Baba O’Riley” was not entitled “Teenage Wasteland”

So Mike Tyson says that he thinks he can beat Conor McGregor in a boxing match. Hmmm. Tell me, which one do we root for???

Don’t blame a clown for acting like a clown. Ask yourself why you keep going to the circus.

How in God’s name are kids allowed to graduate high school without taking, and passing, a course in dishwasher loading?

Trivia #1 answer: The other day Detriot’s Tyler Anderson set a major league record for a reliever by striking out 9 consecutive batters. Who holds the MLB record with 10 AND bonus, which one of the following did not strike out 9 consecutive: Tyler Anderson, David Cone, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister, Aaron Harang, Ricky Nolasco, Jake Peavy, Mickey Welch – Tom Seaver struck out 10 batters in a row and David Cone never struck out 9 consecutive batters

Trivia #2 answer: Lord & Taylor,  which has filed for bankruptcy, was founded in what year? – 1800, 1826, 1851, 1894, 1902, 1949?

“There are places I’ll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain

All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I’ve loved them all”

– The Beatles

Briefly. (hmmm)

Another personal milestone, consecutive days alive!  

Trivia #1: In the 1830’s, which was NOT on the daily schedule of a student at Colgate University? – Self study, Private devotions, Exercise by manual labor, Chapel, Reading and studying, Studies and recitations

Trivia #2: What is the nickname of Colgate University?

Trivia #3: Alexander Ovechkin is the 8^th member of the NHL’s 700-goal club. Which of the following is not? Brett Hull, Marcel Dionne, Gordie Howe, Jaromir Jagr, Wayne Gretzky, Phil Esposito, Mario Lemieux, Mike Gartner

Sometimes I wonder if all of this is happening because I didn’t forward that message to 10 other people. 

I was going to bash the Red Sox and then they go and win two games in a row. Well, I’m bashing them nonetheless. Bad team! Superstar youngster Rafael Devers is on pace to make 25 errors in this 60 game season which would be 69 over the standard 162 games. Conversely, Christian Vasquez is then on pace to hit 25 homeruns, 69 over a full season. Pitching? Who are these guys? The team ERA is 5.29 which frankly is far better than I would have guessed.  

Red Sox pitching have hit 8 batters and no one has been suspended. 

Radio guy Will Fleming is a goof, period. Poor Joe Castiglione. A proud product of Colgate University, Joe’s too nice a guy to say anything though.  

Speaking of Will, he was saying how good the Sox must have felt the other night scoring two runs against the great Met, Jake deGrom. The guy threw two wild pitches in the same inning! He threw two wild pitches all of last year and two wild pitches the season before as well.

DYK: In Spanish, Colgate translates to “go hang yourself.” – really 

So I’ve seen all of these advertisements for “The Secret to Bouncing Back From A Few Drinks.” Hey, if you can’t handle it, get out! 

The Bruins play, for real, on Sunday! The Celtics play sometime too as well. I’m not too excited about the NBA, obviously… 

Quote for the week: “Ringo isn’t even the best drummer in the band!” – Paul McCartney (allegedly, once upon a time) 

While I think the MLB cardboard cutout fans in some stadiums are ridiculous, there is not much funnier than a line drive, foul ball catching one of them in the face! 

We were eating corn on the cob the other night. My wife took a full ear, ate half, put it down, ate other food and then finished the ear later. Huh? I can’t do that. If I pick up an ear of corn, I eat the whole thing, at once! Doesn’t you? 

The Patriots released DB Lenzy Pipkins. Really.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: The MLB Toronto Blue Jays will be playing their home games in Buffalo, NY. Editor’s note: Buffalo? Who’s going to watch?
This week’s sign of the apocalypse, part deux: With all of the postponed games due to Covid concerns, MLB is considering playing 7-inning double headers. 

I once drove through Buffalo. I swear you could smell it as you approached city limits. 

If one gets cremated how will one ever be able to rollover in his/her grave? 

Yesterday golfer Bryson DeChambeau called an official over to argue that his ball landed in the rough next to a fire ant hill. He asked for a free drop under the “Dangerous Animal Condition” rule. Ya, Bryson, right. 

Facebook said I added to my story. I didn’t even know I had a story! 

Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong. 

Trivia #1 answer : In the 1830’s, which was NOT on the daily schedule of a student at Colgate University? – Self study, Private devotions, Exercise by manual labor, Chapel, Reading and studying, Studies and recitations – Self study

Trivia #2 answer: What is the nickname of Colgate University? – The Raiders

Trivia #3 answer: Alexander Ovechkin is the 8^th member of the NHL’s 700-goal club. Which of the following is not? Brett Hull, Marcel Dionne, Gordie Howe, Jaromir Jagr, Wayne Gretzky, Phil Esposito, Mario Lemieux, Mike Gartner – Mario had 690 goals in his career

“Six o’clock. TV hour
Don’t get caught in foreign tower
Slash and burn, return
Listen to yourself churn
Lock him in uniform and book burning, bloodletting
Every motive escalate. Automotive incinerate
Light a candle, light a votive
Step down, step down
Watch a heel crush, crush
Uh oh, this means no fear; cavalier
Renegade and steer clear!
A tournament, a tournament
A tournament of lies
Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives
And I decline

It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)” 

– R.E.M.

Briefly.

Trivia #1: The Walker School is a prerequisite for some actors and actresses employed to work on which television program?
Trivia #2: Other than Donald Trump, who is the only president since William Howard Taft not to throw out an Opening Day first pitch?
Trivia #3: What slugger nicknamed the “Big Donkey” is tied with two Hall of Famers for the Opening Day home run record with eight in his career? – Travis Hafner, Dimitri Young, Tony Clark, Adam Dunn, Dave Kingman, Rob Deer

The Red Sox over bet sounds good this season, doesn’t it? Looks to be 9.5 tonight. I’m in.

After all these years of NFL preseason and MLB spring training, it will be interesting to see whether more guys get hurt or if there are any other effects other than in the owners’ wallets.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: The Washington Football Team

Tonight I’ll be watching the Boston Baseball Team take on the Baltimore Baseball Team

The guy who wears his face mask in his car, alone, with the windows up is the same guy who goes to bed by himself and wears a condom.

I really don’t mind the sound of fans being pumped in to an empty stadium. Better than soundless, says me.

Who is this guy Murphy and why does he get to make so many laws?

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The U.S. wastes 2 million hours figuring out where the tape roll starts.

Quote for the week: “A home opener is always exciting, no matter if it’s home or on the road.” – Yogi Berra

So some genius simulated the Patriots’ season 20+ times with three different scenarios based on Cam Newton. First, with a 78 rating, which is what he was pegged for 2020, the Pats went 6-10. Second, a rating of 85 which was his rating before the 2019 season, they went 7-9. Finally, with a rating of 88, which was his rating prior to the 2018 season and before any serious injury, Cam went off. Great season and the Pats went 11-4-1. So, what does all this mean? Well, in the final scenario, the Cowboys beat the Bills in the Super Bowl… 

Massachusetts ranked 19th in alcohol consumption among the 50 states. Now, some people lesser than me might take that as a challenge. BTW, New Hampshire was #1.

So instead of a mask, you wear a “face shield.” Like a mask, this is to capture the particles that can infect you. So, let’s say it works before you reach up and pull the mask down to speak, eat, drink, whatever. Then you pull it back up, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat 11 thousand times before you take if off. Help me with that.

Trivia #1 answer: The Walker School is a prerequisite for some actors and actresses employed to work on which television program? – The Walking Dead (yes, there is training to walk like a zombie!)
Trivia #2 answer: Other than Donald Trump, who is the only president since William Howard Taft not to throw out an Opening Day first pitch? – Jimmy Carter
Trivia #3 answer: What slugger nicknamed the “Big Donkey” is tied with two Hall of Famers for the Opening Day home run record with eight in his career? – Travis Hafner, Dimitri Young, Tony Clark, Adam Dunn, Dave Kingman, Rob Deer – Adam Dunn

“Don’t let us get sick
Don’t let us get old
Don’t let us get stupid, all right?
Just make us be brave
And make us play nice
And let us be together tonight”

– Warren Zevon

Briefly. Still on vacation. 

Trivia #1: Who is Frank Beard and what is the irony, I think, about his name?

Trivia #2: Golf legend Seve Ballesteros started golfing at a young age with only two clubs. Which ones?

Roll on two!

Ask your doctor about extra strength Fukitol, when life just blows. 

The Minnesota Wild have given Dean Evason his first head coaching job promoting him from his prior interim position. I’m sorry but I’m not sure of the relevance of that news…

Facebook said I added to my story. I didn’t even know I had a story!

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: The Ryder Cup has been canceled as well as the Rose Bowl Parade and the Ivy League football season. The hits just keep coming. 

Massachusetts’ nudist camps have reopened with “strict guidelines.” I can only imagine. 

Trivia #1: Who is Frank Beard and what is the irony, I think, about his name? – Frank Beard is the drummer/percussionist in the rock band ZZ Top and the only member of the three person band who does not have the band’s signature long white beard. 

Trivia #2: Golf legend Seve Ballesteros started golfing at a young age with only two clubs. Which ones? – A three iron and a putter. 

R.I.P. Mike Ryan (78) – Haverhill’s own Mike Ryan played 11 seasons in the majors as a catcher. Known for his defensive prowess he played a team-high 79 games as catcher for the ’67 Red Sox during their “Impossible Dream ” run. He was Tony Conigliaro’s roommate. 

Briefly (very, I’m on vacation)

Trivia #1: How many golfers have won at least 10 majors?

Trivia #2: In a game of bingo, which number is represented by the phrase “two little ducks?”

You said everything would be back to normal after June. Julyed!

The MLB schedule is out… so I hear. 

Speaking of the MLB, the game’s best player, Mike Trout, whose wife is expecting their first child, is considering opting out. 

River keeps on flowing, never worried about where it’s going…

Trivia #1 answer: How many golfers have won at least 10 majors? – Jack Nicklaus (18), Tiger Woods (14), Walter Hagen (11)

Trivia #2: In a game of bingo, which number is represented by the phrase “two little ducks?” – 22

Roll on 2!

R.I.P. Charlie Daniels (83) – Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member, released 32 albums from 1970-2016.

Be careful out there 

“Some may come and some may go
He will surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moment’s sunlight
Fading in the grass

Come on, people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now”

– The Youngbloods

Briefly.

Trivia #1: Of the 31 NHL teams, how many are based in Canada?

Trivia #2: Who holds the best rookie passer rating in NFL history? – Dan Marino, Robert Griffith III, Dak Prescott, Tom Brady, Cam Newton

Trivia #3: What is the rarest M&M color?

I would have to say I like the Patriots’ Cam Newton signing. If he can stay on the field (I guess he has to get there first) I think he is an improvement over Hoyer and Stidham.

Any true bourbon connoisseur will tell you that bourdon mixed with anything is an insult to the bourbon. Now, while I wholeheartedly agree, I will also say that on a hot, sunny, summer’s afternoon there are few drinks as refreshing as an ice cold bourbon and coke.

Smile 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Fedex has asked Dan Snyder and the Washington Redskins to change their name, federal officials have asked the same and Nike has pulled all of its Redskins’ gear from its shelves.

Weather is such a mindset. Perfect example: A 60-day is a 60-day. Why does it have to be so much more enjoyed in January than it is in June?

I’ll believe professional sports are returning when I see it for myself. Players/staff/personnel are coming down with the virus left and right while some players are opting out of playing out the upcoming season (all sports). Still a long ways to go. 

The word “POLITICS” is derived from the word “poly’ meaning ‘many’ and ‘ticks’ meaning ‘blood sucking parasites”. 

Quote for the day: “I never said half of those things.” – Confucius 

Attorney to the judge: “I’d like to request a brief recess, Your Honor, as the witness’s pants are on fire.”

R.I.P. Carl Reiner (98) – Legendary comedy writer, director and performer. Reiner created “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and directed films including “The Jerk.” (I just watched him the other night playing Saul Bloom in “Ocean’s Thirteen”) Funny guy.

Trivia #1 answer: Of the 31 NHL teams, how many are based in Canada? – 7 (Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks)

Trivia #2 answer: Who holds the best rookie passer rating in NFL history? – Dan Marino, Robert Griffith III, Dak Prescott, Tom Brady, Cam Newton – Dak Prescott

Trivia #3 answer: What is the rarest M&M color? – Brown

Happy 4th!

“And I keep fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you’re dead you can’t
But I’d rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave

So as sure as the sun will shine
I’m gonna get my share now, what’s mine
And then the harder they come
The harder they fall, one and all”

– Jimmy Cliff

Briefly. (very)

Trivia #1: What team drafted Vince Carter in 1998 as the fifth overall pick in the NBA draft?

Trivia #2: Which team did Vince Carter NOT play for in his NBA career? – Nets, Mavericks, Hawks, Magic, Clippers, Kings, Suns.

Revenge is a meal best served cold.

The National Women’s Soccer League will be the first professional sports team to start up again amidst the coronavirus pandemic when players take the field on Saturday. You’re welcome…

I’m glad I learned about parallelograms in high school math instead of how to do my taxes. It really comes in handy during parallelogram season. 

Vince Carter officially retired after 22 years. He is 43 years old. The 2000 Slam Dunk Contest winner is considered one of the greatest dunkers of all time and averaged 16.7 points per game in his career.

Me to my son: “I would put this song in my all-time, top 5 song list.” My son to me: “Dad, you have about 35 songs in your top 5 song list.” 

Quote for the week: “The only we have to fear is fear itself.” – Not FDR but Tom Brady as he and the Bucs continue to practice against the NFL’s recommendations. 

Speaking of TB12, he is very close to my “go away” list. 

Speaking of baseball… my nephew’s Jr. Legion team starts up in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait to watch some live baseball!

Trivia #1 answer: What team drafted Vince Carter in 1998 as the fifth overall pick in the NBA draft? – The Golden State Warriors. Tricky because he won the Rookie of the Year award in 1999 with the Toronto Raptors.

Trivia #2 answer: Which team did Vince Carter NOT play for in his NBA career? – Nets, Mavericks, Hawks, Magic, Clippers, Kings, Suns. – He did not play for the Clippers

“Never been awake
Never seen a day break
Leaning on my pillow in the morning
Lazy day in bed
Music in my head
Crazy music playing in the morning light”

– Pilot

Briefly.

Happy Juneteenth.

Happy Father’s Day this Sunday.

Tomorrow, Saturday is also the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in many parts. Enjoy.

Trivia #1: The summer solstice is a celebration of what? – Fire, light, the sun, nature, spirit

Trivia #2: Which year was golf’s last appearance at the Olympic Games before returning to the line-up of sports in 2016? – 1896, 1904, 1912, 1924, 1928

Trivia #3: Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson began his Major League career with which team? (this is a little tricky)

Trivia #4: Who holds the NFL record for receptions by a rookie in one season?

Trivia #5: Who was Lee Jun-fan?

Tiz the Law

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Bill Nye “The Science Guy” claims to own more than 500 bowties.

13-year old Micah Harless of Weatherford, TX reeled in an 844 lb., 11ft 6in tiger shark off the shore of Port Aransas. It was a 5-hour battle.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: I saw a woman driving her car, alone, windows up, wearing a mask… and texting.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse part deux: The all-new Ford Bronco was set to debut in the spring but was delayed by issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It will now debut on July 9, OJ Simpson’s birthday.

Boston Red Sox prospect and last year’s fourth-round draft pick, pitcher Noah Son, received official orders to report to flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola, fulfilling his naval commitments.

Did you know on the Canary Islands there is not one canary? And on the Virgin Islands? Same thing – not one canary there either!

Have you watched any golf since the PGA has returned? Bryson DeChambeau has bulked up by some 40 pounds since last year. He’s a big dude.

My philosophy regarding golf: Grip it and sip it!

Trivia #1 answer: The summer solstice is a celebration of what? – Fire, light, the sun, nature, spirit – The summer solstice is a celebration of light

Trivia #2 answer: Which year was golf’s last appearance at the Olympic Games before returning to the line-up of sports in 2016? – 1896, 1904, 1912, 1924, 1928 – It was 1904

Trivia #3 answer: Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson began his Major League career with which team? – The Kansas City Athletics

Trivia #4 answer: Who holds the NFL record for receptions by a rookie in one season? – Anquan Boldin (101) in 2003

Trivia #5: Who was Lee Jun-fan? – Bruce Lee

 “Help me, help me, help me sail away
Well give me two good reasons why I oughtta stay
‘Cause I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazing on a summer afternoon

– The Kinks