Blog

Briefly. 

Roy Halladay, recently voted into the MLB HOF, will have a logo-less baseball cap on his plaque. Halladay, killed in a plane crash in 2017, played 12 seasons with Toronto and 4 with the Phillies though with the Phillies threw a postseason no-hitter, just the second time that has been done and a perfect game. Roy’s widow announced the family’s decision. My take? Bitch! DYK: Halladay himself said in a 2016 visit to Toronto that he would go in as a member of the Blue Jays. Honor the guy’s wishes! 

Trivia #1: Which team’s logo did each of these players go into the MLB Hall of Fame with? Mike Piazza (Dodgers or Mets), Randy Johnson (Mariners or Diamondbacks), Greg Maddux (Cubs or Braves), Andre Dawson (Expos or Cubs) 

I know, I know, it’s Super Bowl season. BTW, I can’t wait for Sunday! What? The Super Bowl isn’t until a week from Sunday? Damn! 

Trivia #2: Who holds the record for most career Super Bowl fumbles? John Elway, Roger Staubach, Chuck Foreman, Jim Kelly, Fran Tarkenton, Tom Brady? 

Really, how can you root for Rams’ coach McVay with that haircut? 

How about the Rams’ Greg Zuerlein’s 92-yard game winning field goal. Right down the middle. 

Tony Romo. Too bad you couldn’t play football as well as you can analyze football. Question? Does he stay in the booth or get a coaching gig? 

The New England Revolution signed Justin Rennicks as a homegrown player. What da heck does that mean? 

I’m sure, somewhere along the way, I’ve mentioned Steve Gleason, former New Orleans’ Saints player, and his battle with ALS. On the night the New Orleans Superdome reopened after hurricane Katrina, it was Gleason who blocked a punt for the Saints and brought the house down. Fox did a nice piece on him last Sunday. Diagnosed in 2011, Gleason has helped raise millions of dollars in the fight against ALS. Last year he became the first NFL player to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

So the word is out that Greg Shiano is going to be the next defensive coordinator of the Pats. That tells me that Belichick just flat out loves the guy as is because I don’t see him taking time out during the playoffs to do an interview. Gotta be a Rutgers thing.

If you recall, I featured Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice” last week. If you recall, when CBS was going to a commercial break early in Sunday’s Pats/Chiefs game, what did we hear??? 

Quote of the week: “We want the ball!” – Matthew Slater 

You golf aficionados probably know but, aside from the new LPGA rules allowing players to leave the stick in while putting and the new requirement to drop balls from knee height, DYK many players are arguing that the biggest rule is “no lining up.” Rule 10.2(b)4 prohibits caddies from standing behind the golfer once the player has begun to address their ball in preparation of taking a stroke.

I eat fresh blueberries. I like ‘em. On the container for this particular brand the label reads “the berry that cares.” What da heck does that mean?! 

I have a week to change this but for now – Pats 33, Rams 20 – games ends with a pick-6. 

R.I.P. Maryann Rorke (78) – my aunt, as beautiful a person as there was.

R.I.P. Larry “LP” Panaro (92) – one of the greatest!

R.I.P. Dennis Duval (55), HHS Class of ’81. Too young, too young 

Trivia #1: Which team’s logo did each of these players go into the MLB Hall of Fame with? Mike Piazza (Dodgers, Mets), Randy Johnson (Mariners, Diamondbacks), Greg Maddux (Cubs, Braves), Andre Dawson (Expos, Cubs) – Piazza – Mets, Johnson – Diamondbacks, Maddux – Cubs, Dawson – Expos

Trivia #2: Who holds the record for most career Super Bowl fumbles? John Elway, Roger Staubach, Chuck Foreman, Jim Kelly, Fran Tarkenton, Tom Brady? Roger Staubach (5) 

“Gonna hitch a ride
Head for the other side
Leave it all behind
Never change my mind
Gonna sail away
Sun lights another day
Freedom on my mind
Carry me away for the last time”

Briefly. (maybe I should change this??) 

Another Black Monday this past Monday as the Bruins lost, in OT, to the Frozen Evil Empire while the Celtics lost to the lowly Nets. Brutal.

Trivia #1: Name the two people the AFC and NFC Championship trophies are named after.

Trivia #2: Name the NFL franchise that submitted a name change to the NFL league offices but cancelled the change because of an abrupt newspaper headline? 

The Patriots used man coverage 51.6 percent of coverage snaps, tops in the NFL. Look for more zone coverage on Sunday. Classic Belichick. 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Costco has sold out of the 26 lb. mac & cheese tub that has a 20-year shelf life. 

I know, one play does not make for a game however, Sean Payton’s call on the fake punt last Sunday did turn that game around. Ballsy, and it worked! 

I hope you enjoyed National Pizza Week this past week. 

Could this be the highest scoring championship weekend of all-time? 

The word “rooves”, though not standard, is acceptable as the plural of “roof.” However, “gooves” is not an acceptable word as the plural for “goof.” Two goofs are two goofs, period. 

Unranked Syracuse’s OT upset victory over #1 Duke was the Blue Devils first home loss as a #1 team to an opponent other than North Carolina. 

The most googled food in 2018 was Unicorn Cake. Really. White cake with rainbow sprinkles, topped with many dollops of buttercream. 

Going out a winner, you’re doing it wrong. 31-year old Andy Murray lost in the opening round of the Australian Open, his first opening round loss in a Glam Slam tournament in a decade. Earlier in the week Murray announced he would be retiring in 2019.

A report organized by EAT, a Swedish non-profit seeking to improve the food system, says that red meat is linked to increased health problems and consumption should be limited, but we knew that. They go on to say that producing red meat takes up land and feed to raise the cattle, which also emit the greenhouse gases. In layman’s terms, an overabundance of cow farts are bad for the environment. Eat more chicken! 

Just not right. A highly intoxicated customer went into a Waffle House in Lithonia, GA. He proceeded to pass out with his head on the counter. One employee placed salt, a slice of cheese and a squirt of ketchup on the back of the customer’s head, while the other was behind him propping his arms up like a puppet. Footage has since been removed from Instagram and both employees have been fired. 

In a related story, a KFC employee in Florida was arrested for battery and fired from her job after tossing a couple boxes of chicken and biscuits at a customer in the drive-thru. What’s wrong with these people? 

Now, back to Cody Parkey. Remember him? The Chicago Bears’ kicker who double-doinked a field goal that would have won the game over the Eagles? The Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago staged a challenge such that any fan who went down and kicked a 43-yard field goal would get free beer for one year. None of the 101 who tried made the field goal. Since no one won, the company decided to donate $20,000 to a charity of Parkey’s choosing. Nice. Search for the video (google.com). Classic. 

Few things in life are more useless than a 1^stquarter basketball score, a 7-day forecast (especially in New England) or how the stock market is doing at 11:00am on any given day. 

Quote of the week: “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. 

R.I.P. Mike Barry (67) – just a flat-out, good guy. What a smile he had! 

Trivia #1 answer: Name the two people the AFC and NFC Championship trophies are named after. – AFC – Lamar Hunt, founder and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs and founder of the AFL; NFC – George Halas, longtime owner and coach of the Chicago Bears

Trivia #2 answer: Name the NFL franchise that submitted a name change to the NFL league offices but cancelled the change because of an abrupt newspaper headline? In 1970, the Patriots submitted the name “Bay State Patriots.” Press releases were sent out and the morning headline read: “BS Patriots to hire Bell as coach.” Shortly thereafter, the “New England Patriots” was submitted instead. 

“I’ve seen it before
It happens all the time
You’re closing the door
You leave the world behind

You’re digging for gold
Yet throwing away
A fortune in feelings
But someday you’ll pay”

Briefly. (kinda, not) 

In 2009, the Saints finished 13-3 with losses to the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Panthers. They then beat the Colts in the Super Bowl. In 2018, the Saints finished 13-3 and lost to those same three teams. Will we see a SB rematch with the Colts? 

Trivia #1: The Patriots are 10-1 following a first-round bye. Who was the only team to beat them?

Trivia #2: Antonio Brown led the NFL in receiving yards despite missing the final two games of the regular season. Who is the other player in the Super Bowl era to lead the NFL in receiving yards despite missing two or more games? (tough one) 

Strava, the social network for athletes, has discovered that Saturday, January 12 (tomorrow) is the fateful day for New Year’s resolutions. According to the study, about 80 percent of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions. So, are you there yet?? 

In all due respect to Scal, Tommy Heinsohn is back! Well, almost. During last Friday night’s Celtics broadcast, Mike Gorman and Scal got Heinsohn on the phone during the second quarter. Insightful as always, it was good to hear him again. 

Speaking of the Celtics, it was Black Thursday last night as both the Celtics’ and Bruins’ winning streaks came to a halt. 

So Chicago Bears’ kicker Cody Parkey’s missed field goal was tipped? Lucky for him though it may have been ruled that way too late, after his reputation was sealed. 

Speaking of Parkey, Kobe Bryant showed his support on Twitter tweeting; “We’ve all been there Cody…” What?! We have? You have? Not quite Kobe. Very few athletes had a moment like Cody Parkey had last Sunday. As Chris Collingsworth called it; “a double doink!” 

Watch closely on Sunday during the Pats/Chargers game. The NFL’s first female referee, Sarah Thomas, who debuted in 2015, will become the first female referee to officiate a playoff game.

Also on Sunday will be the California Strong Celebrity Softball Game at Pepperdine University to raise funds for Californians impacted by dual tragedies in the fall – the Oct. 7 shooting at a bar in Thousand Oaks and all of the wildfires. Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich, who lost his home in a fire along with teammates Ryan Braun, Mike Moustakas and team owner Mike Attanasio, are some of the organizers. Also participating in the game are the likes of Justin Turner, Eric Hosmer, Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, Jamie Foxx, Reggie Miller (Braun’s neighbor), Adam Sandler and Charlie Sheen. All proceeds will go directly to victims. Nice! 

Pitchers and catchers report in 5 weeks. 

People ask me all the time about Mets’ superstar, Tim Tebow (never). 31-year old Tebow just got engaged to the 2017 Miss Universe winner, 23-year old Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters. 

Robbery, you’re doing it wrong. Eric Cupernell, from MA, was caught red-handed on Tuesday stealing valuables from a house. He has been convicted of burglary 50 times! 

The Red Sox will be holding auditions for new talent to fill approximately 17 spots to perform the national anthem this spring at JetBlue Park. If you can carry a tune, be at the park in Fort Myers, FL on January 16 (5-7pm) or the 17^th (4-7pm). Good luck! 

Ticket prices at Monday’s College Football National championship were at historic lows – $177 the morning of the game and as low as $126 the week prior. Face value was $475. By comparison, last year’s ‘Bama/Georgia game tix were roughly $1,700. The location might have had something to do with that, Santa Clara California. That’s quite a trip for Clemson/Alabama fans to make clear across the country. That and, aren’t we all sick of Alabama (and Clemson?)? 

Did you see Deshaun Watson on the Clemson sideline Monday night? Hey, it’s not like he has to watch game film in preparation for this weekend or anything. 

Dallas Cowboys’ receiver, Allen Hurns. I saw him lying there on the field, face down, with his right foot facing as if he was on his back. Neither of the commentators mentioned it and I then watched the replay. That was, and is, the last time I will watch either the replay or that picture of him lying on the field. Gruesome. 

Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft has been awarded Israel‘s 2019 Genesis prize. Widely known as the “Jewish Nobel” prize, it is granted each year to a person recognized as an inspiration to the next generation of Jews through professional achievement and commitment to Jewish values. The $1 million award will be donated to initiatives combating anti-Semitism, other forms of prejudices and what some portray as attempts to delegitimize Israel.  

R.I.P. The Captain, Daryl Dragon of Captain and Tenille (76) of renal failure.

R.I.P. Verna Bloom (80) from complications of dementia. Bloom played Mrs. Marion (Dean) Wormer in the 1978 classic, Animal House. DYK, she was also Clint Eastwood’s lover in High Plains Drifter? 

Trivia #1: The Patriots are 10-1 following a first-round bye. Who was the only team to beat them? – The New York Football Jets in 2010.

Trivia #2: Antonio Brown led the NFL in receiving yards despite missing the final two games of the regular season. Who is the other player in the Superbowl era to lead the NFL in receiving yards despite missing two or more games? – Josh Gordon in 2013. 

“Mother, do you think they’ll drop the bomb?
Mother, do you think they’ll like this song?
Mother, do you think they’ll try to break my balls?
Ooh, aah, mother, should I build a wall?”

Briefly. 

Trivia #1: What schools played in the first College Football Playoff National Championship game (2014) and who won?

Trivia #2: Where did the first international McDonald’s open? – Japan, United Kingdom, China, Mexico, Canada?

The LA Chargers were 12-4 and won their division. The Pats were 11-5 and won theirs. Not only do the Chargers not have a first round bye like the Pats, but they have to travel across the country for this weekend’s game. Too bad, huh? 

A video circulating around the internet has social media users divided over whether “Sesame Street” character Grover dropped the F-bomb. The video appears to show the blue puppet telling Rosita, “Yes, that sounds like a f—–g excellent idea!” I tell you, I watched it and don’t think there is any question he said it.

Eagle’s quarterback Nick Foles had a $1 million incentive if Philadelphia goes to the playoffs AND he plays in 33 percent of the team’s plays. He bruised his ribs during last Sunday’s game and fell short, playing in 32 percent. I bet those ribs really hurt now! 

There are signs outside all of the conference rooms where I work. The signs either read “vacant” or “in use.” That’s not right. It is either “vacant” and “no vacancy”, or “in use” and “not in use.” You can’t mix them.

In case you missed it… Buffalo Bills’ defensive tackle Kyle Williams ended his 13-year career, all with Buffalo, last Sunday. As a sendoff, the team called his number and he caught a 9-yard pass towards the end of the game. Very cool. 

A baby born in Massachusetts in 2016 can expect to live 80 years and eight months, three months longer than one born the previous year. State health officials attributed the increase to years of health promotion efforts, such as anti-smoking campaigns and near-universal health, but the increase would be even higher without the 2,154 opioid-related deaths in 2016. 

Former Red Sox player Kevin Youkilis is on the MLB HOF ballot. Really? Though he was in the top 10 in the AL MVP voting twice, he has a career batting average of .281, only 150 homeruns and 1,053 hits. Known for getting on base (career .382), he stole 26 bases in 10 years! 

Headline that made me laugh out loud: “Jimmy John’s delivery driver found hiding stash of weed in sandwich” 

The Red Sox signed pitcher Carson Smith to a minor league contract. I’m rooting for his arm this year, not for him. I hope he can help the Sox but I care much less about him this season. 

Here is why LeBron James will never be the greatest of all time. Because he says he is. Any decent person downplays any such talk and respects others he/she is compared with. Blowhard. 

R.I.P. – Former Purdue student Tyler Trent (20) on Tuesday from a rare bone cancer. Millions of people learned of Tyler’s story when he was profiled on College GameDay the morning of Purdue’s game against then undefeated Ohio St. last October 20. Tyler predicted victory for the two-touchdown underdog Boilermakers and Purdue went on to win in a landslide. In the two months that followed, he won the Disney Spirit Award and the Sagamore of the Wabash award, the highest civilian award given to Indiana citizens. Four days before his death he attended the Music City Bowl in Nashville after he and his family were flown there by Colts owner Jim Irsay. The Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment has raised more than $100,000 and a bobblehead in the likeness of Tyler helped raise money for The V foundation. Touching. 

Trivia #1 answer: What schools played in the first College Football Playoff National Championship game (2014) and who won? Ohio St. beat Oregon 42-20

Trivia #2 answer: Where did the first international McDonald’s open? – Japan, United Kingdom, China, Mexico, Canada? – Canada (1967) 

January 4. Not a bad year, so far! 

“It’s the time of the season
When love runs high
In this time, give it to me easy
And let me try with pleasured hands

(To take you in the sun to) Promised lands
(To show you every one)

It’s the time of the season for loving”

Briefly. 

Trivia #1: Of the following people, who was not in the top 10 list of people Googled in 2018: Brett Cavanaugh, Urban Meyer, Donald Trump, Eminem, Cardi B, Khloe Kardashian?

Trivia #2: Which school did not finish in the top 10 of the Associated Press College Football Rankings for the 2017-2018 season: USC, Auburn, Oklahoma, TCU, Penn State, UCF? 

My idea of a white Christmas is a white sand beach. 

I looked out the window on Christmas morning. There was no Mercedes in the driveway but I have to be honest, I was looking for the newspaper. 

In “who cares” news, Rick Pitino is reportedly finalizing a deal to coach basketball in Greece. 

Irony of the week (year?) – This past Wednesday’s First Responder Bowl was cancelled after repeated lightning strikes and a forecast of continued bad weather. Though Boston College had a first quarter 7-0 over Boise State, the game was consider to be “no contest.” The game’s sponsor, ServPro, a provider of water cleanup services has an ironic slogan: “Like it never even happened.”

I am continually bothered by the severity of defensive penalties in the NFL. Holding is an automatic first down, no matter, while pass interference is a first down from the spot of the foul. Meanwhile, offensive pass interference is 10 yards, period. That’s not right. 

Players, some starters, have been suspended from schools like Clemson, Alabama and others for various reasons and will not play in their school’s respective football bowl game. Can you imagine the embarrassment for those players and their families and the travel plans that are now basically moot? Nice going boys! 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A San Francisco-based physician is warning people about “selfie wrist”, a form of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by people using their phone’s camera to take a photo of themselves. 

Climate scientists have warned that 2019 may be warmest year on record due to a possible El Nino event exacerbated by global warming. Force the fluids! 

And how can I not mention the stock market? Stocks are dropping the most since the Great Depression, Wednesday saw the biggest single day gains in history while yesterday saw the biggest one-day turnaround ever. Incredible! 

Did you see Baker Mayfield stare down  his former coach Hue Jackson during the game last week’s game? What a punk. 

For the second time in history, a human-made object has reached the space between the stars known as interstellar space. Voyager 2 was launched in 1977 and is now more than 11 billion miles from Earth. 

There are people out there who still think women should not be on the golf course. Here’s fuel for their argument. The Si Phirom resort in Central Thailand has a golf course with a  river flowing through it. A simple rope and pulley-operated ferry is used to get golfers from one side to the other. Two South Korean tourists drowned when their golf cart was knocked off the platform leading to the ferry by their wives’ golf cart which rammed into theirs. 

Trivia #1 answer: Of the following people, who was not in the top 10 list of people Googled in 2018: Brett Cavanaugh, Urban Meyer, Donald Trump, Eminem, Cardi B, Khloe Kardashian? Believe or not, Donald Trump

Trivia #2: Which school did not finish in the top 10 of the Associated Press College Football Rankings for the 2017-2018 season: USC, Auburn, Oklahoma, TCU, Penn State, UCF? USC finished #12 

“Don’t surround yourself with yourself
Move on back two squares
Send an instant karma to me
Initial it with loving care” 

Happy New Year to all! 2019 – It’s got to be better.

Briefly.

Today is the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight. That means beginning tomorrow each day gets longer. I’ll have that rum drink by the pool in no-time!

Celebrating Christmas, you’re doing it wrong. A man fell to his death last Friday morning while trying to climb a Scottish town’s 20-foot tall Christmas tree.

Trivia #1: The practice of cutting down Christmas trees for Winter celebrations was introduced by whom, when? French, Germans, Polish, Indians – in the 5^th century, 8^th century, 14^th century, 17^th century?

Trivia #2: What is the Celtics winning percentage on Christmas day? – .419, .227, .835, .500, .667? 

Back during Red Auerbach days, the Celtics only hosted one Christmas Day game (1964) because Red didn’t want the team staff to have to work on the holiday. The Celtics host Philly next week on Christmas Day.

“I don’t believe in statistics. There are too many factors that can’t be measured. You can’t measure a ballplayer’s heart.” – Red Auerbach

What a great idea it is, as a Christmas gift, to put someone you know and love onto the New England Patriots’ season ticket waiting list – say the Patriots themselves. It is only $100. I emailed them and asked how long the wait list is. While they wouldn’t give a number, they did say that this past season they offered tickets to those who got onto the list mid-year 2003! Do the math. Holding on to $100 a pop for more than 15 years ya, Krafty Bob is making a little money on that. 

Let’s not go back to last Sunday’s Pats/Steelers game. Let’s just move on, beat Buffalo, beat the Jets and let the playoffs begin.

The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote: “Stink, Stank, Stunk!” 

The Patriots’ statement regarding Josh Gordon: “We support Josh in his continued efforts to focus on his health. His attempt to do so is a private and personal matter, which we intend to respect.” – I’m not sure what’s up but I feel bad for the guy. 

I saw a headline entitled “Bracketology – Vols a #1 seed”. Come on! The tournament is more than 2 ½ months away! 

This is a recording. Why can’t the NFL look more closely at the schedule and figure things out. The LA Chargers played last Thursday night and have a home game this coming Saturday against Baltimore. Baltimore has to travel across the country on short rest. Not that I’m rooting for Baltimore but that’s a disadvantage.

Don’t be a dick and leave your shopping cart in the outskirts of the parking lot. Put it in one of the corrals that are in most every lot or better yet, walk the cart back to the store. 

Tim Neverett, who spent the past three season calling Red Sox’ games alongside Joe Castiglione on WEEI, is joining the Dodgers and will do select games on radio and television. Apparently Neverett let his contract run out rather than return to WEEI in part due to the contentious atmosphere at the station. Hmmm. 

R.I.P. Penny Marshall (75) – DYK she directed “A League of Their Own” – great flick! 

There’s no place like home for the holidays. 

Trivia #1 answer: The practice of cutting down Christmas trees for Winter celebrations was introduced by whom, when? French, Germans, Polish, Indians – in the 5^th century, 8^th century, 14^th century, 17^th century? The Germans in the 8^th century

Trivia #2: What is the Celtics winning percentage on Christmas day? – .419, .227, .835, .500, .667? – .419 (13-18) 

“It’s that time of year when the world falls in love
Ev’ry song you hear seems to say “Merry Christmas,
“May your New Year dreams come true”
And this song of mine in three-quarter time
Wishes you and yours the same thing, too” 

Merry Christmas to you all and if you don’t celebrate Christmas, well then, Merry Christmas!

Briefly. 

Baby, it’s cold outside! 

Trivia #1: Last week Tom Brady set the NFL mark for most career touchdown passes with 582. Peyton Manning had held the record for 5 years. What player has held the career touchdown lead for the most years (20)? – Sammy Baugh, Fran Tarkenton, Y.A. Tittle Curly Lambeau, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas?

Trivia #2: What state has the lowest population? Alaska, Rhode Island, North Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho? 

I am here to entertain and sometimes I try to get a laugh out of you. Other times, like here, I don’t even have to try, but merely give you a headline that was out there this week: “Jose Canseco pitches himself to Trump for Chief of Staff job.” 

When was the last time a team threw a Hail Mary pass to the middle of the field? Right. And this is why Gronk was out there for the last play of last week’s debacle in Miami? Maybe it’s just me but I think McCourty cold have made that tackle. 

Speaking of which, Golic & Wingo did their Good/Bad/Ugly bit on Monday morning. Thankfully, for the Pats, Golic & Trey figured the Bulls 56-point loss to the Celtics on Saturday night was uglier than the Pats’ finish. They were spared from that segment. Saturday night’s game was the largest margin of victory in Celtics history and the biggest loss in Bulls’ history. 

College bowls games begin tomorrow. Here we go! 

Saw an article, “14 things they don’t tell you about getting older.” 14!!! I’m up to about 37! 

The Celtics have now won 7 in a row? Figuring it out? 

After watching last night’s game I think it is clear there is no dominant team in the NFL. Maybe Chicago can do it with that defense of theirs. Either way, good news for the Patriots in that they are far from dominant themselves. 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand wrote that James Bond has a chronic alcohol consumption problem at the ‘severe’ end of the spectrum, and should seek help. “When he drinks, Bond engages in risky behavior like having sex with enemies – sometimes with guns and knives in bed.” (you cannot make this sh!t up) 

Tickets for the 2019 Boston Red Sox go on sale tomorrow, 10am. 

Andrea Gaylord fled her home in Paradise, CA during the wildfires that broke out last month. Her dog  Madison, a male Anatolian shepherd mix, was left behind. Gaylord requested that someone check on her dog as she could not go back to her home. Though Madison was apprehensive and kept her distance, he was left food and water regularly. When Gaylord was able to return to her burned home, Madison was there watching over the remains, and waiting for his owner, after more than a month. 

Alex Cora was being interviewed down at the winter meetings in FL. He spoke of how difficult it is to hit from the 6^th inning on with specialty pitchers throwing so hard, throwing nothing in the strike zone but all over the edges of the plate. He said he himself would probably not get past Triple A in his day. 

Trivia #1 answer: Last week Tom Brady set the NFL mark for most career touchdown passes with 582. Peyton Manning had held the record for 5 years. What player has held the career touchdown lead for the most years (20)? – Sammy Baugh, Fran Tarkenton, Y.A. Tittle Curly Lambeau, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas? – Fran Tarkenton (1975-1994). It wasn’t Y.A. Tittle. I just like saying his name.

Trivia #2 answer: What state has the lowest population? Alaska, Rhode Island, North Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho? – Wyoming 

R.I.P. Sondra Locke (74) – “Nag, nag, nag” 

“Who would believe you were a beauty indeed
When the days get shorter and the nights get long
Lie awake when the rain comes
Nobody will know, when you’re old
When you’re old, nobody will know
That you was a beauty, a sweet sweet beauty
A sweet sweet beauty but stone stone cold” 

Good night everybody!

Briefly. 

Not-so-happy Pearl Harbor Day.

Trivia #1: What was Winston Churchill’s full name?

Trivia #2: Who was the last non-quarterback to win NFL MVP? Shaun Alexander, Adrian Peterson, Ray Lewis, LaDainian Tomlinson, Barry Sanders, Kahil Mack

Trivia #3: Who is the only player enshrined in the NFL HOF and in the CFL HOF? Fred Biletnikoff, Warren Moon, Joe Theismann, Doug Flutie, Joe Montana

Welcome back Nathan Eovaldi. I don’t care whether the Sox do anything else this off-season, keeping Nathan was key. I don’t care whether he starts or closes. He’s back!

Last Friday Anchorage, AK experienced a magnitude 7.0 earthquake. DYK, Alaska averages 40,000 earthquakes per year, with more large quakes than the other 49 states combined. 

You can buy John Henry’s Boca Raton mansion for a cool $25M. 

Tom Brady is 79-19 against the AFC East, losing 10 of those to the Dolphins. Using a term my brother likes, I think the Pats crush on Sunday. 

I called out Mookie Betts last week for what a phenomenal year he has had. A friend informed me that he also bowled a perfect game in 2018. 

Baker Mayfield, welcome to the NFL. Is he as bad as he was last Sunday? Probably not. But is he good? Time will tell. 

Why isn’t a male zebra called a zebro?

Quote of the week: “Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.” – from a fortune cookie I got recently. 

Granted Green Bay is having a lousy season but Mike McCarthy was not the problem. Catering to the superstar (Aaron Rodgers), I guess. 

Forget that he was released by the Kansas City Chiefs, Kareem Hunt will no longer appear on the roster in Madden NFL 2019! 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Huffpost, a liberal news site, was lampooned after saying Christmas classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was “seriously problematic” over claims that it features sexism and bullying. Among observations made online was the suggestion that the TV classic was a story about racism and homophobia, while calling Santa Claus abusive and bigoted. 

R.I.P. – George H. W. Bush (94). A true legend.

Trivia #1 answer: What was Winston Churchill’s full name? Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill.

Trivia #2: Who was the last non-quarterback to win NFL MVP? Shaun Alexander, Adrian Peterson, Ray Lewis, LaDainian Tomlinson. – Adrian Peterson

Trivia #3: Who is the only player enshrined in the NFL HOF and in the CFL HOF? Fred Biletnikoff, Warren Moon, Joe Theismann, Doug Flutie, Joe Montana – Warren Moon 

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

I love you guys…

Briefly. 

This is nothing wrong with getting in the Christmas spirit now. In fact, I highly recommend it. 

What is/was Mount Ida College’s nickname?

Rick ‘Nifty’ Middleton leads the Bruins all-time with 25 career short-handed goals. Who is second? 

Speaking of Mount Ida… the school closed its doors back in May amidst financial problems and sold out to UMass Amherst which is using it as a satellite. This past week a few students filed suit claiming the school falsely represented itself during the years leading up to its demise. 

Did you see the Bruins-Islanders game last night? It was nifty. BTW, where was Bobby Orr?? 

DYK: Rick “Nifty” Middleton is 6^th in the NHL all-time in shooting percentage at 19.72% and tops amongst players who played 1,000 games. In 1981-82, when he scored a career-best 51 goals, he connected on an astounding 25.2%. 

I’ll take college football over the NFL. College basketball over the NBA. MLB over college baseball. College hockey over the NHL, unless of course Doc Emerick is calling a playoff game and then it doesn’t matter who is playing, at any level. 

Perfect headline: ‘Way-Too-Early 2019-20 MLB Free Agent Rankings.’ Yup. Not reading that one. 

How about Mookie Betts! He won a batting title, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger Award, MVP, World Series and he and his girlfriend had a baby. Good things happen to good people.

So GM is slashing thousands of jobs and shutting down five plants. Production will cease on the following vehicles: Chevy Volt, Chevy Cruze, Chevy Impala, Cadillac CT6, Cadillac XTS and the Buick LaCross. My brother and I recently rented a Chevy Cruze. Lousy car in that the keys get locked in it far too easily…

Al Horford, underrated and mostly underappreciated. Yet, he is getting an awful lot of flak lately. 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Massachusetts, birthplace of Thanksgiving Day. A day full of tradition. Where several state high schools moved their Thanksgiving Day football games from Thanksgiving Day to the night before. Why? Because it was too cold Thanksgiving morning. For the record, Haverhill High School did not reschedule! 

Speaking of high school football, and forgive me for not mentioning this at the time, but the Triton High School football team “qualified” for the playoffs. They finished the regular season 0-7 and were outscored 286-42. 

Adrian Beltre. Google his highlight reel. Classic! 

It’s Jimmy V week in college hoops. One of the greatest traditions going. Beat cancer! 

Can the injury bug get any worse for the Bruins? 

There is nothing like a good BLT. Do you know what else goes with bacon? More bacon! 

Great timing last Saturday night when, during halftime of the ND/USC game, John Moore scored the game winning goal as the Bruins beat the Canadiens. 

In case you were wondering, Hanley Ramirez is playing in the Dominican Winter League for Tigres de Licey, where he is batting .300 through 6 games, with two doubles and a homerun. 

So you can now purchase recreational marijuana at retail stores in Massachusetts. Go figure. 

You can take your three-point shot. I still like the game more without it. 

What is/was Mount Ida College’s nickname? – The Mustangs

Rick ‘Nifty’ Middleton leads the Bruins all-time with 25 career short-handed goals. Who is second? – Brad Marchand (23)

 

“They’ll stone ya when you’re at the breakfast table

They’ll stone ya when you are young and able

They’ll stone ya when you’re trying to make a buck

They’ll stone ya and then they’ll say “good luck”

Tell ya what, I would not feel so all alone

Everybody must get stoned.”

Briefly. 

Trivia #1: The Oakland A’s Bob Melvin won the AL Manager of the Year award, his third such award. Seven other managers have won three MOY. Of the following, which one did/has not: Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Lou Piniella, Dusty Baker, Buck Showalter, Joe Maddon, Joe Torre

Trivia #2: What do David Price and Justin Verlander have in common – 4.10? 

Love, it’s a bitch. 

The Red Sox are raising ticket prices for the 2019 season. Shocking! “Diamond” games (Home Opener, Dodgers series, Yankees games) are going up by 10% while all other home games are rising 1.6%. Can you say “Baseball Tavern?”

“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!” – Tell me please, who is happy and doesn’t know it??

This was the first year since 2010 that Clayton Kershaw did not receive a single Cy Young vote.

Headline: New York City man plays the same numbers for 25 years, hits $343.9M Powerball. How about another headline that many others can relate to? Countless Americans play the same numbers for 25 years and win nothing! 

Did anyone see Roger Godell at the Seattle/Green Bay game last night? Have you seen him lately in Foxboro? Chicken. 

We’ll see if the Celts have turned it around tonight, versus Toronto. 

Oh, you had to shovel snow this morning? You poor bastard. At least your house didn’t burn down, or you’ve been without heat since September, or any number of things people with real problems are dealing with. 

I read a headline where a 102 year old veteran recalled serving in WW II. Recalled serving in WW II!!! I’m pretty sure by tomorrow I won’t remember even reading that headline! 

If it makes you feel any better, the Patriots’ remaining schedule is ranked the second easiest in football. 

Raising money for charity, you’re doing it wrong. James Dobson of Lebanon, ME had embarked on a cross-country charity trip on a recumbent bicycle to raise money for children with cancer. On day 44 he was struck by a car on a Mississippi highway and killed. Ouch 

I know many in Bruins Nation were hoping Tuukka’s personal leave was a lot longer than three days. 

Trivia #1: The Oakland A’s Bob Melvin won the AL Manager of the Year award, his third such award. Seven other managers have won three. Of the following, which one did/has not: Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Lou Piniella, Dusty Baker, Buck Showalter, Joe Maddon, Joe Torre – Joe Torre

Trivia #2: What do David Price and Justin Verlander have in common – 4.10? – They share the same golf handicap. 

“Yeah when you call my name

I salivate like a Pavlov dog

Yeah when you lay me out

My heart is beating louder than a big bass drum alright

 

Yeah, you got to mix it child

You got to fix it,

Must be love

It’s a bitch, alright”