124 Comments
author

Youtube follows Twitter's lead and does something about QAnon. [Zuckerberg sweating intensifies]

https://twitter.com/BrandyZadrozny/status/1316764977139716103

Expand full comment
author

Name a Cal player who is/was not "the right size" for his/her position, but is/was still a great player

Expand full comment
author

Syd'Quan Thompson

Expand full comment
author

Joe Igber. Came to Cal at 5' 8" 190 lbs, then bulked up his lower body at Cal so he looked quite stout. But he was pretty nimble for a bowling ball and had his trademark skip back to the huddle.

Here's a fun article as to why Cal's running back (Igber) sucked in Electronic Arts' 2002 NCAA Football video game and why it's still relevant today.

https://www.sfweekly.com/news/dont-hate-the-player-are-college-athletes-working-for-a-degree-or-working-for-a-cartel/

Expand full comment
author

Yo, if you need a house built, ya boy Joe Igber is an architect with his own firm in the Bay Area.

https://sedrconsulting.com/about-structural-engineer-oakland-san-francisco-california/

Expand full comment

I also thought about Joe. Still remember him chilling out in the stands after the big game win in 2002 while Boller was being hoisted on shoulders.

Expand full comment

Iheanyi Uwaezuoke

(At 6’2”, 198 lbs, he was actually a prototypical-sized WR, I just thought he needed a shoutout!)

Expand full comment

Malik McMorris?

Expand full comment

What? Perfect size.

Expand full comment
author

Today in Covid

Expand full comment

It seems some folks in Harris's campaign train have tested positive, sensibly they put the team's travel on hold until they know the extent.

Expand full comment
author

Elsewhere in college

Expand full comment
author

Chanticleers take down #21 Louisiana 30-27 with a last-second FG. It helps when you have the ball for nearly 40 minutes.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401215311

Also, their offensive line is an inspiration.

https://twitter.com/therealkwat/status/1316563810090659841

Expand full comment

We watched the second half of that game; quite fun. Most fun game so far: Ole Miss vs Bama, that was amazeballs.

Expand full comment
author

Saban, AD Byrne test positive for covid

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30116627/alabama-football-coach-nick-saban-athletic-director-greg-byrne-test-positive-covid-19

"I found out earlier this afternoon that I had tested positive for COVID-19," Saban said in a statement. "I immediately left work and isolated at home. At this time, I do not have any symptoms relative to COVID, and I have taken another PCR test to confirm my diagnosis."

The second-ranked Crimson Tide play host to No. 3 Georgia on Saturday.

Saban, who is working from his home, was upbeat as he addressed reporters on a Zoom call Wednesday night, joking that "something must be bad wrong -- as much as I look forward to these Wednesday press conferences -- for me not to be there with you today."

The 68-year-old Saban said he was feeling fine before the positive test result, which he said surprised him.

"I feel fine, so I'm not really concerned that much about my health, but you never know," Saban said. "Look, I basically feel like when we're in our own personal bubble here, everybody is in a much safer place. I think as soon as you travel, you get exposed to a lot more things and a lot more people."

Expand full comment
author

I wonder if the mild symptoms from Trump and Saban will embolden chuckleheads in places like Alabama to be even more cavalier about ignoring recommendations about social distancing and avoiding large gatherings.

Expand full comment

I'm not sure chuckleheads needed Trump and Saban to be more cavalier about ignoring recommendations.

Expand full comment

Cincinnati at Tulane game postponed to Dec. 5. 3rd game involving a top 10 team this weekend postponed.

Expand full comment
author

Something with spots

Expand full comment
author

My son. He has his mother's freckles.

Expand full comment

Spotted Dick

Expand full comment
author

Skunk

Expand full comment
author

OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY

Expand full comment
author

Trump uses DOJ to litigate personal civil cases on his behalf

https://www.businessinsider.com/stephanie-winston-wolkoff-sued-by-doj-melania-trump-book-2020-10

Expand full comment

They'll lose this for sure, NDAs are not really enforceable in this context.

Expand full comment

This will be curious, since once the DOJ is not beholden to trump, will they drop or settle for nothing on these?

Expand full comment
author

Tried to vote this morning by dropping off absentee ballots. Very very long lines and drop-boxes are not allowed by NC law. Line was several hours long. Abandoned attempt. Wife will drive to Board of Elections's office this afternoon (40 minute drive, one way) and walk absentee ballots inside, which is reportedly faster because it isn't a polling station.

Expand full comment

Voted on Tuesday via the ballot box. Alameda County has a tracking system where you can follow the progress of the ballot online through the system. Currently it shows the ballot was picked up, checking to see when it is counted.

Expand full comment

Just make sure it doesn't say it was put in the circular file...

Expand full comment

Sorry about the difficulty bit I'm encouraged because I'm hoping/assuming the strong early vote is motivated anti-Trump voters.

Expand full comment

If it is democrats, I wonder if the republicans underestimated the will of people voting him out of office by reducing the number of polling places and trying to remove mail in voting. Like people will think, "Oh it isn't safe to try to mail in vote and I'm not driving 50 miles or standing in line for 8+ hours to cast my vote"

Expand full comment

so many people are out of work, though...stand in line all day to vote? better than sitting on the couch in my birthday suit day drinking.

Expand full comment
author

FET: I came home after work in 1999 to find my roommate on the couch watching TV and drinking a beer. He was butt nekked. It was the last time I sat on that couch.

Expand full comment

how about standing in line in your birthday suit day drinking? Combine both...

Expand full comment
author

PRO

Expand full comment
author

Bleacher Report: AD to re-sign with Lakers

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1316757570426736640

Expand full comment

Yes!

Expand full comment
author

Falcons only manage a field goal in 15-3 loss to Rams

https://www.truebluela.com/2020/10/14/21516489/dodgers-blowout-innings-management-braves-nlcs-pitching-plans

The Dodgers seemed to think they could carry over the offensive momentum from their furious seven-run near-comeback rally from Tuesday night into Game 3, and they managed to do just that on Wednesday with a 15-3 blowout of the Braves.

Game 3 of the NLCS was over with the Dodgers’ 11-run first inning, an MLB postseason record. After that, Wednesday night became a strategy session and an exercise in innings management for a series that could potentially last seven games in seven days.

Mookie Betts, for instance, singled, walked, and scored twice in his four at-bats, and he only played three innings on defense. He was removed with a 14-run lead, a rare opportunity for in-series rest for a pillar on offense.

Same for Corey Seager, who was out after four innings in the field, having already homered, doubled, and singled in his four at-bats, scoring three runs and driving in three more.

The Braves got Freddie Freeman, the possible MVP favorite with two home runs in this series, and catcher Travis d’Arnaud, their cleanup hitter and a former Dodger, out of the game after three innings. But the real game within the game was with the pitchers.

Old friend Grant Dayton had to relieve Braves starter Kyle Wright in the first inning, then had one of the classic take-one-for-the-team outings. He recorded six outs but allowed eight runs on eight hits, throwing 62 pitches, and after allowing his fifth hit of the third inning alone he was mercifully lifted by Braves manager Brian Snitker.

The real hero for the Braves was Huascar Ynoa, who relieved Dayton in the third inning and just kept pitching. The 22-year-old right-hander got Atlanta nearly through the seventh inning, helping them use only five pitchers in a blowout loss.

But that Ynoa threw 92 pitches in his four innings might throw a wrench into the Braves’ future plans. Before the series, Ynoa was mentioned as a possible option to start later in the series, or at least take down some bulk innings in Games 4 or 5. Now with Ynoa burned and Bryse Wilson, who has pitched longer than three innings twice this season, starting Game 4, the Braves bullpen will be busy the next few days, whether or not Max Fried goes on short rest in Game 5.

Expand full comment
author

By the way, the actual Falcons may be the latest team to have a COVID outbreak. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30119829/sources-atlanta-falcons-shut-facility-4-positive-coronavirus-tests

Expand full comment
author

I am still annoyed about Snitker using Ynoa yesterday. He really should have just saved the pen and let some position player (Pablo Sandoval?) go lob pitches for 6 innings to maximize the Braves' chances of winning games today and tomorrow (I personally prefer for Fried and Anderson to go on regular rest). His argument that all the key bullpen guys are available today is kind of overlooking tomorrow.

Anyhow, having this postseason success in a low leverage situation may help Ynoa in the long term (or have no impact).

Expand full comment

I didn't watch the game after it was 11-0 so I didn't realize the Braves used a reliever they might actually need later in mop-up duty. That seems . . . not smart.

Expand full comment
author

It's that pride and "respect the game" thing on a big stage. Gabe Kapler got some heat two years ago when he had Kingery just lobbing the ball for two innings in game 1 of a DH that was a 24-4 loss to the Mets (I was actually at those games in Phillies, just because it was a single gate doubleheader). He got some heat from the Philly local media. https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/phillies/gabe-kapler-defends-using-scott-kingery-roman-quinn-pitch-in-one-ugliest-phillies-losses-youll-ever-see

Expand full comment
author

Wasted opportunity for Panda to pitch

Expand full comment
author

So Ynoa is definitely not going to available. Snitker also used Jacob Webb and Shane Greene, both of whom haven't pitched yet, but might be needed (as the 5th and 6th guy out of the pen in the ideal world) for today and tomorrow. We shall see how much the Braves "winning" the last 6 innings by a 2-0 score will carry over today (since that's always the laughable narrative every postseason).

Expand full comment

No 3 wondered if Bellinger (I think it was) would get hate because he swung on a 3-0 pitch and up big and hit a HR. I said that it's the playoffs.

Expand full comment
author

From the Braves fans POV, I think there was more hate toward Turner for rather obviously an intentionally kick of a bounced pitch for a key HBP in that first inning.

Expand full comment

The announcers did say that he approached Culberson about throwing. I guess he figures if he didn't use key relievers then they can be used today and tomorrow and hope the starters go deep in game 6.

Expand full comment

Booooo, but it's only one game.

Expand full comment

it would appear that the Rams managed to score only FGs as well. 5 of them!

Expand full comment

Or they went for two on one of the TD's.

Expand full comment

wise guy

Expand full comment

Or six safeties with a field goal.

Expand full comment

2 TDs with a 1 point safety.

Expand full comment

I was about to post an article for this game but had to look closer because I didn't think the Rams played last night...

Expand full comment

Braves Bounce Back. Atlanta uses a 6 run 6th to chase both Kershaw and Graterol, and roll to a 10-2 win, taking a 3-1 lead in the series over the LA, and suddenly the Dodger dominance yesterday is already a distant memory.

Expand full comment

Correa with a walkoff CF HR wins it 4-3 for the Astros. Blue Rays not only lose a 1 run game, for just the 7th time this year, but they have lost 2 of the more winable games in the series, after taking a 3-0 lead, against a stretched pitching staff. 5 rookies pitched for Houston in a 4-3 extra inning win. Add that to the list of unprecedented things that have happened this year.

Expand full comment

Correa has more HRs in the playoffs than he had in the regular season.

Expand full comment

Rumor has the Padres offering Tatis 12/400. If that's true he should absolutely do it.

https://twitter.com/IngMayobanex/status/1316745957577576453

Who knows what will happen with the new CBA.

Expand full comment

He seems to be a unique talent. 12 years is a long time to be tied up with the Pads though, who knows what kind of contracts we'll see over the next 4-5 years?

Expand full comment

Yeah let's see how long Machado is loved in SD. They've go ta lot of money tied up into like 5 players.

Expand full comment

Daryl Morey stepping down as Houston Rockets GM, sources say

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30120824/daryl-morey-stepping-houston-rockets-gm-sources-say

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is stepping down, sources told ESPN.

In the aftermath of Houston's elimination from the NBA's restart in Orlando, Florida, Morey approached owner Tilman Fertitta with the idea of leaving the job, and the sides quietly worked through an exit agreement to conclude his 13 seasons running the franchise's basketball operations, sources said.

Expand full comment

He gave a GREAT commencement speech when my daughter graduated at Northwestern. Really great, and I had the feeling he was a bit hungover.

Expand full comment

I don't think the Rockets were ever going to win a championship with their current style. With Morey and D'Antoni leaving, maybe they'll change their O.

Expand full comment
author

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with their style. Other teams have imitated it (to a lesser degree and won) and they could have won with better luck and personnel. Nonetheless, they had a lot of years and chances that a change is very much understandable.

Expand full comment

The problem may be Harden, who is great but tends to pull a disappearing act at some point in every postseason.

Expand full comment

In the past I thought it was due to overuse during the season. Didn't have that reason this playoff. I can't remember which analyst said it, but he said that once he passed the ball he just stood there way off outside the 3 point line and just watched. Said Harden should run around screens and stuff like Curry and others do.

Expand full comment

That's the thing, he seems to have one way of playing offense and if that isn't going well (usually it does!) then he doesn't do anything else. Guys like Curry, LeBron, Kawhi, are adaptable.

Expand full comment

I don't know if they could have won with their current style, but trading for Westbrook certainly did not help. He doesn't quite fit with the system.

Expand full comment

He can't shoot the 3 but he can penetrate and pass for an open 3. Maybe they thought they could fix his shot?

Expand full comment

Without a big man to give him space in the paint, he's limited in that regard as well.

Expand full comment

Hall of Famer, San Francisco 49ers great Fred Dean dies at 68

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30118914/hall-famer-fred-dean-dies-age-68

Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Dean died late Wednesday night. He was 68.

"The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Fred Dean," Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said in a statement. "He exemplified many of the values learned from this great game -- commitment, integrity, courage -- over the course of his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with Fred's wife, Pam, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations."

After a standout collegiate career at linebacker for Louisiana Tech, Dean entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the then-San Diego Chargers in 1975. He was moved to defensive end right away and quickly became one of the league's best edge rushers, landing his first Pro Bowl berth in 1979 and an All-Pro and Pro Bowl spot in 1980.

Expand full comment
author

Mean Fred Dean, the Dean of Sacks

Expand full comment

The number of HOF players in both baseball and football that we have lost this year is not just sad, its scary.

Expand full comment

a friend of mine wrote this blog post about Whitey Ford

be warned it is a long and personal baseball story.

https://johnericgoff.blogspot.com/2020/10/my-15-seconds-with-chairman-of-board.html

Expand full comment

I remember him as Hunter in the TV show in the mid to late 80s.

Expand full comment

Think that was Fred Dryer.

Expand full comment

oh...duh. reading fail. I misread the name. I read the whole article and the whole time I read it was fred Dryer. I Guess that's what I get when I'm supposed to be paying attention to the call I'm on.

Expand full comment

Yes it was. Since I wasn't a 9ers fan I didn't even know he was a football player.

Expand full comment

Assterisks save their season with a Jose "I Cheated" Altuve and George "I also cheated" Springer HR. Almost let the Rays tie the game in the 9th.

Expand full comment
author

CAL

Expand full comment
author

Go Bears!

Expand full comment
author

[paywall] NYT: At Cal football, a covid survivor keeps watch over football’s return. Andrew McGraw, assistant athletic director of football administration, tested positive for Covid-19 more than four months ago. “This is no joke,” he said

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/sports/ncaafootball/cal-football-pac-12.html

Expand full comment

Cal doing fan cardboard cutouts for $50.

https://cal-bears-fan-cutouts.aaaflag.com/

Expand full comment

I just learned that "chiminea" is a real word.

Expand full comment

i think they are strange, but people seem to love theirs

Expand full comment

Liquor

Expand full comment

Absinthe. Made from the shrub wormwood. I bought a bottle once and sipped it while I was writing a novella, which sadly remains unpublished. It's supposed to cause euphoria and hallucinations.

Expand full comment

on a separate note, an absinthe rinse w/ an old-fashioned makes for an excellent sazerac

Expand full comment

maybe i'll pause on the nightly negroni, for a sazerac tonight ...

Expand full comment

how did that go?

absinthe was not available legally in the US for a long time. but it is available currently mostly because the stuff that caused "euphoria and hallucinations" was deemed to be a result of urban legend or other contaminations.

still, it is a prevalent notion ...

Expand full comment

Not that much different from a typical reaction to alcohol, didn't notice any hallucinations. They started selling it in the U.S. in 2007. St. George is one of the common brands.

Expand full comment

Has anyone heard of "A Midwinter Nights Dram" rye whiskey by High West Distillery? No 1 wanted me to check if there are places around here that might have it. I checked BevMo and K&L's website but didn't find it.

Expand full comment

i have had High West before but never heard of this one. it appears to be pretty hard to find and $150-300 if you can

Expand full comment

can you get me one too if you find some?

Expand full comment

They have it at Epicurean Trader in the city. Orderable online for $180 https://the-epicurean-trader.myshopify.com/collections/rye-whiskey/products/high-west-distillery-a-midwinter-nights-dram-rye

Epicurean Trader is a great little shop that does big business in craft booze, and is right down the street from me. Opening one soon in the Ferry Building too.

Expand full comment

Thanks Scootie. I'll check it out.

Expand full comment

$180? There are better drams out there at that price point.

Expand full comment

No 1 said it should be around 80-100. Wonder if the 180 is because it's hard to find out here.

Expand full comment

I'm not sure why he wants this one.

Expand full comment

A thought. Would folks be able to assemble on tightwad hill this season with social distancing and masks? I suspect the campus police will cordon off the area, but who knows. Also, someone has to fire off the canon when we score.

Expand full comment

Sadly, that person is not YWC

Expand full comment

heh...I was going to suggest it wouldn't be YWC in my comment.

Expand full comment

I would assume they would let rallycom be there but not the public. Are there places higher up off Centennial drive where you can look into Memorial?

Expand full comment

There is a place on the way down from the LHS where you can see the stadium and part of the field from Centennial, but nothing as good as tightwad.

Expand full comment

Is there a college team with a skunk as a mascot?

Expand full comment

Is there a clever analogy here that I'm totally missing?

Expand full comment
author

The analogy is the diversity of global economic barriers to the lower-middle-class based upon people's educa... just kidding.

It's just a picture of a skunk doing a handstand and then me wondering if all skunks do that or if it is just spotted skunks and then me going down the Wikipedia hole to find out that skunks spray different stuff.

I can understand that a peek into my brain can be... confusing.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

Jacquizz Rogers

Expand full comment