Blog

Briefly. 

Trivia #1: Who was the first goalie to shoot and score a goal? Ron Hextall, Martin Brodeur, Curtis Joseph, Patrick Roy, Kip Manseau, Bernie Parent

Trivia #2: Who played on five different MLB teams, coached three different MLB teams as well as in Japan and currently serves as the Athletic Director at Sacred Heart University?

Trivia #3: What former MLB player once threw 250 pitches in 17 innings of the quarterfinals of the 1998 summer high school baseball tournament, one day after a 148-pitch complete-game shutout?

Trivia #4: This weekend’s Genesis Open has had previous names in the past. Which of these was not one of them? – Nissan Open, Pacific Open, Los Angeles Open, Nissan Open?

4 trivia questions! Again?! 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Major League Baseball has decided to rename the disabled list as the “injured list” out of concern that the term “disabled” for injured players falsely conflates disabilities with injuries and an inability to participate in sports. 

For the first time in American history, one of the leading causes of deaths – vehicle crash – has been supplanted by opioid overdoses. According to a new report from the National Safety Council, Americans are more likely to die from a drug overdose than they are to die in a car crash. 

So on Tuesday the Celtics, without Kyrie and fresh on back-to-back pathetic outings, beat the red-hot Sixers. Meanwhile, the same day they announce top offensive player David Pastrnak will be out for at least a couple of weeks, the Bruins end the Blackhawks winning streak. Go figure! 

Quote of the week: “I always wanted to go to Switzerland and see what the army does with those wee red knives.” – Billy Connolly 

Who is Nick GIlder? 

2020 Tokyo Olympic medals will be made of recycled materials. Organizers said in a statement on Feb 8 that they expect to collect enough obsolete electronic devices (discarded smartphones, digital cameras and other obsolete handheld games and laptops) by the end of March to reach the amount that will be required to manufacture all Olympic and Paralympic medals. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, you’re doing it wrong. Hooters has announced that its annual “Shred Your Ex” promotion is back, during which customers can destroy a photo of an ex in exchange for 10 free boneless wings – with the purchase of any 10 wings – to enjoy at a participating Hooters location on Feb 14^th. (sorry to be late with the news… hope you enjoyed!) 

Trivia question #2 hint: He once coached the Red Sox.
Trivia question #3 hint: He once pitched for the Red Sox. 

Unsigned reliever Craig Kimbrel might not get everyone’s love and he did have some shaky appearances last season but DYK he has averaged 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings, has been an all-star in seven of eight full seasons and his 91% career save percentage is superior to Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. 

Headline of the week: “Fitness model bit by pig.” – I’m sure the guy resents that remark. 

Trivia #1 answer: Who was the first goalie to shoot and score a goal? Ron Hextall, Martin Brodeur, Curtis Joseph, Patrick Roy, Kip Manseau, Bernie Parent – Ron Hextall

Trivia #2 answer: Who played on five different MLB teams, coached three different MLB teams as well as in Japan and currently serves as the Athletic Director at Sacred Heart University? – Robert “Bobby V” Valentine (“Valentine” – come on, try to keep up)

Trivia #3 answer: What former MLB player once threw 250 pitches in 17 innings of the quarterfinals of the 1998 summer high school baseball tournament, one day after a 148-pitch complete-game shutout? – Daisuke “Dice-K” Matsuzaka

Trivia #4 answer: This weekend’s Genesis Open had previous names in the past. Which of these was not one of them? – Nissan Open, Pacific Open, Los Angeles Open, Nissan Open? – Pacific Open 

“Danger in the shape of somethin’ wild
Stranger dressed in black, she’s a hungry child
No one knows who she is or what her name is
I don’t know where she came from or what her game is

Hot child in the city

Hot child in the city

Runnin’ wild and lookin’ pretty
Hot child in the city” 

(by Nick Gilder) 

That’s all I got…

Briefly. (hmmm) 

Trivia: Who are the top five in games played by a pitcher in a Red sox uniform? 

After the Bruins and Celtics each won on Sunday afternoon was there any question that the Patriots would win? 

Also on Sunday, Mookie Betts won Chris Paul’s 2019 CP3 Celebrity Invitational (bowling). 

If Sports Illustrated can get away with giving the “Sportsman of the Year” award to the Golden State Warriors, I say give the Super Bowl MVP to the Pats “D”. 

Speaking of the Patriots’ defense, it will be debated forever. Has it been Brady, Belichick or both of them for the past 18 years? 

Check the numbers – Punting yardage 417, offensive yardage 260, punts 9, third down conversions 3. 

The Patriots allowed a total of 122 rushing yards in their three playoff games. 

Super Bowl? What Super Bowl, say those in New Orleans. Now, we all know March 14 (3-14) is PI Day. New Orleans has added a new event to their calendar. January 20 will now be known as “No-PI Day.” (you may have to think about that for a minute) 

Not only do the Super Bowl winners get more money this year than last, $180,000 which is up $6,000 from last year, but they get more of it in their pockets due to the fact that Georgia has a lower tax rate than last year’s location, Minnesota. 

Going out on top, you’re doing it wrong. 17 seconds into the final run of her career, Lindsey Vonn (babe) crashed during the final event of her Super-G career on Tuesday at the world championships in Sweden. 

You have to make a deposit in order to make a withdrawal. 

The Sox’ equipment trucks headed south on Monday. In a related story, we turn the clocks ahead in four weeks. 

Tuukka is now the winningest goalie in Bruins’ franchise history (252). Speaking of Bruins franchise history, Patrice Bergeron became just the 5^th player to play in his 1,000^th game with the Bruins. That’s a lotta chowdah! 

The Virginia Tech Men’s basketball team beat North Caroline State on Saturday by a score of 47-24. The 24 po1nts was the lowest by a D1 team in the shot clock era. Meanwhile, The University of Virginia now has 9 games allowing fewer than 60 points, tops in D1. 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Two sisters, Anna and Lucy DeCinque, self-described as “the world’s most identical twins” aim to get pregnant by their shared boyfriend and, if the law would allow it, marry him. Lucky guy? I’m not so sure… 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse, part deux: a 27-year old Indian man, Raphael Samuel, announced via social media that he is going to sue his parents, claiming he didn’t give his explicit consent to bring him into the world. He is a follower of antinatalism, an ideology that believes it is morally wrong for people to procreate and takes a nihilistic approach towards human life, saying that humanity brings only suffering. Oh, by the way, both his parents are lawyers. 

Trivia answer: Who are the top five in games played by a pitcher in a Red sox uniform? Bob Stanley (637), Tim Wakefield (590), Jonathan Papelbon (396), Mike Timlin (394), Derek Lowe (384) – Roger Clemens had 383. 

R.I.P. Frank Robinson (83) – MLB’s first African-American manager, Rookie of the Year in 1956, the only player to win MVP in both the AL and NL and won the triple crown in 1966 with Baltimore. Robinson was elected into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility and hit 586 homeruns (10^th all-time). DYK: Robinson has the captain of a high school state championship basketball team with Bill Russell in Oakland.

R.I.P. Henry A. Jaume, Sr (65) – Died Sunday at 1pm hours before the Super Bowl. Why the mention? He was an Army vet, police officer, native of New Orleans and a Saints fan. His obituary read “Determined not to watch Super Bowl LIII”

“I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly
I’d fly above the trees
Over the seas
In all degrees
To anywhere I please

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah”

Briefly. 

A new personal best: Consecutive days alive! Let’s all enjoy! 

Trivia #1: Which team scored a record 35 points in one quarter in a Super Bowl? Washington, Dallas, San Francisco, LA Rams, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Oakland

Trivia #2: Name the two AFC players and four NFC players who won Offensive Player of the Week honors twice this past regular season. (no one won it three times)

Trivia #3: What city has hosted the Super Bowl the most times?

Trivia #4: Who was the first quarterback to throw for 400+ yards in a Super Bowl? Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady, Kurt Warner, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Kenny Stabler 

DYK: At every Super Bowl, two Lombardi trophies are present in the unfortunate event that one is accidentally destroyed in the celebrations.
DYK: Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest U.S. food consumption day, following Thanksgiving.
DYK: With all their recent championships, Bill Belichick and Nick Saban have never won it all in the same year. 

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,” reads the unofficial motto of the US Postal Service. However, this past Wednesday, the USPS suspended service in some areas including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and parts of Illinois because of “extreme weather conditions” as the polar vortex rolled through. 

Did you see any of the Pro Bowl? They don’t tackle! It’s like two-hand touch. Pathetic.

You don’t like the numbers you got in the pool? Remember, the Pats beat Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII by a score of 32-29. 

You may have heard this but the entire Rams team have a total of 5 years Super Bowl experience. Tom Brady has 8. 

Two big changes coming to Tampa’s Tropicana Field this baseball season. First, it will become the first cash-free sports venue in North America. Accepted payment methods will be credit cards, mobile pay and Rays gift cards. It is intended to cut transaction times in half at concession stands, team stores, etc. Also, another change to the ballpark experience is the elimination of more than 5,000 seats from the upper deck. The intent here is to create a more “intimate” experience for the fans. Capacity will be at 25,000-26,000 seats, 10,000 fewer than any other MLB stadium. You watch, they still won’t sellout. 

So Pats fans have a “been there, done that” attitude, eh? 35,000 fans showed up in Foxboro in relatively cold weather to send the team off. I understand in LA about 11 fans did the same for their team. 

Someone told me it takes five sheep to make one sweater. I didn’t even know they could crochet! 

I wouldn’t want to be a Saints fan, I get that.  But really, they have no argument, other than that the referees involved should be fired (executed?). It wasn’t even the last play of the game and there was no guarantee the call would have led to a win.

Quote of the week: “It is not how old you are, but how you are old. “ – Jules Renard 

Trivia #1 answer: Which team scored a record 35 points in one Super Bowl quarter? Washington, Dallas, San Francisco, LA Rams, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Oakland – Washington in SB XXII

Trivia #2 answer: Name the 2 AFC players and 4 NFC players who won Offensive Player of the Week honors twice this past regular season. (no one won it three times) – AFC: Patrick Mahomes, Ben Roethlisberger – NFC: Todd Gurley, Drew Brees, Amari Cooper, Ryan Fitzpatrick

Trivia #3 answer: What city has hosted the Super Bowl the most times? Tie – Miami and New Orleans 10x each

Trivia #4 answer: Who was the first quarterback to throw for 400+ yards in a Super Bowl? Kurt Warner (414 in 2000) 

In case I don’t see you tomorrow, “Happy Groundhog Day!” 

“I’m Mister White Christmas, I’m Mister Snow.
I’m Mister Icicle, I’m Mister Ten Below.
Friends call me Snow Miser, whatever I touch,
turns to snow in my clutch.
I’m too much.”

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!