I think the article title is kind of clickbaity precisely because world-class gymnastics has already changed their scoring system (ditching the 10 point system that is still in collegiate women's gymnastics) to properly reward someone like Biles who is able to do skills that no one else could do. There are some issues about how much Biles' accomplishments are overlooked during the non-summer Olympic month, but as the article has said, Biles' skills mean that everyone else has no chance of beating her (even if she doesn't land her routines perfectly). Like in figure skating, there are some arguments as to why it might be bad that one or two remarkable jumps overshadow the need to hit on the rest of the program/routine. I don't dispute Jemele Hill's claim that Biles' moves are not rewarded justly, but there is always going to be some inherent scoring biases in these kinds of sports.
By the way, I'll just reiterate that it's great that college women's gymnastics is still on the 10-point system since that does allow more student-athletes to compete and for more teams to be in contention for the championships every year. The men's side uses the Olympic scoring system and there are basically only 2-3 schools that can vie for the team championships.
In the article, they did say that some of her most difficult moves get lower scores, perhaps to dissuade others from attempting them. She says she'll keep doing them because she can.
Even if I hadn't heard of Simone Biles before, as a general dope on gymnastics, I could 100% tell how much better she is than everyone else. I don't know off the top of my head if there's anyone else that's got that kind of a performance gap behind them
More fun to leave out the "right now". I think Nadia Comeneci was as dominant in her day. In other sports, Kim Yuna was way above the pack at her peak. Edwin Moses was unbeaten in over 100 races over 10 years.
Not sure if Steph counts. He's not the most dominant person in the game (too small for that), but as far as reinventing the game via the 3-point shot and having the top several seasons in number of 3s made (by a long shot) – minus the one or two that Klay has – AND doing it this past season with minimal support...I think he was on pace to top his 402 were the season to be 82 games.
From the nerdier end of being too online: some of you may know of Tom Nichols, a conservative academic who is known for being a "Never Trump" conservative and for causing a tempest in a twitter teapot by posting a couple of years ago that Indian food is garbage. Former US Attorney Preet Bahara came up with the idea of a fundraiser for COVID relief in India around the idea that he would take Nichols out for Indian food and Nichols would keep eating as long as people kept donating. They raised $75k.
Jim Rainey (former LA Times and Daily Cal reporter) is writing a book about The Play - if you have memories of The Play or thoughts on its significance, here's a google form to fill out - he may call people for interviews
Jim Rainey and I am a veteran reporter, columnist and editor, mostly at the Los Angeles Times. It all started for me as Sports Editor of the Daily Californian in 1981, the year before "The Play." Now I am finishing research for a book on (hat tip to Joe Starkey) “the most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heartrending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of college football!" I need YOUR help. Below are a few questions about what you remember. Give me the short-form version here and I'll follow up for deeper interviews with those who offer some of the most unusual / irresistible 1982 Big Game memories
Has anyone ever figured out who the guy in the brown jacket was? The one that was right next to the officials as they huddled and came out with his arms up?
No longer near me, but I love the coastal bike path that runs from the Pacific Palisades to Torrance. Great for people watching, tons of available stops for food/drinks or beach fun. You just want to ride north in the morning and south in the afternoon due to the wind/sand that can whip up.
Years ago, my favorite bike path was from Inspiration point out to the old Nike missile site - especially before everyone else discovered it. I used to take my son out there for bike rides all the time.
i mostly ride on the road, but i am looking forward to riding the carriage roads in Acadia NP when we are there in late Jul this year.
they are very well maintained crushed gravel roads without a single bump or pothole. none if it is too challenging, but there are some nice ups and downs and the scenery is great.
Shanghai has been working on redeveloping the Pujiang Riverside (which runs through it in a Northeast to Southwest bending direction). They've added a bunch of bike paths nearby and many of my rides at least touch on nearby the river.
Going to make dual pasta salads for a 3 year old's birthday party on Sunday. One with romesco sauce, and one a more traditional mustard/mayo based pasta salad.
9 oz package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, halved if large
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
2 ounces prosciutto, minced
2 tablespoons Parmesan, grated fresh
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or to taste
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
4 scallions, minced
basil leaves for garnish
PREPARATION
In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the orzo for 7 to 8 minutes or until it is just al dente, drain it in a sieve, and refresh it under cold water. Drain the orzo well and in a bowl toss it with 1/4 cup of the oil. In a small saucepan simmer the artichokes in the broth for 6 to 7 miutes, or until they are just tender, drain them well, and add them to the orzo. In a small bowl whisk togethr the egg yolk, the vinegar, the mustard, and salt and pepper to taste, add the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk the dressing until it is emulsified. Whisk in the mince basil and pour the dressing over the orzo ixture. Add the prosciutto, the Parmesan, the lemon juice, the parsley, the scallions, and salt and pepper to taste, toss the sald and garnish it with basil leaves. Serve room temperature or chilled.
(I don't know why they fuss with the artichoke hearts like that, I just used canned)
I think it is a testament to how good this movie is that I know exactly what point in the movie you are referencing. As to whether I agree, sorta. See FiatSlug, below.
I like the uncertainty, too. Audiences often want clear cut resolution, so that's why I commented as I did.
Reportedly the ending that Hitchcock wanted was the four people in the roadster spying the Golden Gate as they drive toward San Francisco - covered in birds.
The studio reportedly thought it was too much and audiences wouldn't be able to handle it. So, they nixed it. The Birds was released in March 1963. I could see how some folks of that era might have thought that ending would be over the edge. Personally, that ending would have been fantastic...and chilling.
Oregon state rep Mike Nearman (R) is the first-ever expelled from that legislature. He was on video surveillance letting armed protestors into the statehouse when in session in December. He then put his own party members in an awkward position by denying he knew anything about it. Then a smoking gun video surfaced last week of him actively coordinating the event.
Individual Republicans have added to those comments in recent days. On Wednesday, state Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, penned an account of why he was urging Nearman to resign. Post concluded that Nearman had lied to him and other Republicans about what evidence existed about his intent on Dec. 21.
“About five weeks ago, as one of the closest colleagues he has in the Capitol, I asked ‘is there ANY further video or other evidence?’” Post wrote on his personal website. “He said ‘no.’ That is the crux of the problem: he lied. To me personally and to the Republican caucus.”
-----------
So does that mean if the Senator didn't lie and outright said that there was video evidence he would not have voted to expel? He freely admits he let people in.
The Oakland A’s have been hot to begin the month of June, but they were cooled down for one night by an old teammate.
Former A’s pitcher Mike Minor tossed seven sparkling innings for the Kansas City Royals and Oakland fell 6-1 at the Coliseum, finding themselves on the wrong side of one frustrating rally followed by a late power show.
The home team never got anything going at the plate. They put a stray runner on base in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th but never strung together any rallies. In the 4th inning Jed Lowrie connected for a solo homer, and that was the only time they even reached second base. Their final 13 batters were retired in order.
It started raining here in late afternoon and game was called pretty early. It's been raining all morning and it looks iffy to clear for tonight. There's a possibility of back to back doubleheaders this weekend.
The Dodgers and Pirates knew rain was on the horizon for their series finale on Thursday. The rain eventually came during the eighth and the the game was called after an hour delay. Luckily for the Dodgers, they were able to have the 6-3 lead, which resulted in them leaving Pittsburgh with the victory.
Mookie Betts got this game started with a bang. On the third pitch he saw, Betts crushed a homer over the center field fence. That was his first homer in nearly a month, as the last homer he hit was on May 18 against the D-Backs.
Betts was making an impact not only at the plate, but with his glove as well. In the second inning, he made an incredible catch and had an even better throw to prevent a run and have an inning-ending double play.
I know a guy who is the President of an alumni club. While I cannot disclose which university it is, the incoming freshman class for all students from the Southeast is 47.9% Asian/Pacific Islander, 9.1% African American, 17.4% Latino/Chicano.
Scootie and Jimmy, I hope that both are you are wrong. But, I fear that you are not. And, I know it is just football (and in the scheme of things may not matter 1 iota), but it still stings to know that we may never see the Bears play in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day. I have wanted to see that for 30 years. I look forward to it each year (more than a National Championship, although I don’t really know why). It’s like a little bit of hope died. And I think that hope is the biggest ingredient in the “soup” that is being a Cal fan. At least it is for me.
Agreed. And that’s not to say Cal won’t be good, or even win the P12, in the future...my fear is the year(s) they do ball out, the Rose is not a P12/B10 matchup, and an expanded CFP will just increase the off-years & add timing issues for the Rose.
But I too would simply be delighted to see that end zone painted blue & gold...been waiting nearly 40 years. Again, sigh... ;-)
The Notre Dame issue is one I think they need to look at. If the Top 4 spots are guaranteed to conference champions, what happens if a team like ND has an undefeated season (playing mostly Power 5 competition as they always do) and would clearly be among the Top 4 teams going in to the playoffs? Should they really be shunted down to a 5 seed because they're not in a conference?
Probably best to have an exception for Independent teams to be in the Top 4 if they are ranked that high.
Hmm, I guess I'm not swayed by the moral arguments here. To me the top regular-season teams should all at least have a chance to play their way into a first-round bye. I don't care how evil Notre Dame is, it's the principle of the thing.
It's not simply a moral argument, though...as an independent, ND will not have had to win a Conference Championship game against a quality opponent, unlike the other 4...now you're going to give them a bye, too?
If the CFP is going to make a rule that the top 4 spots are reserved for Conference Champions, then the answer, and one that is literally right there on the table, is pretty simple...join a conference and win it. The CFP is calling the shots.
Notre Dame wasted no time joining a conference when it served their interests during the pandemic...and they'll do it again.
And I don't think ND is evil, I just dislike when there are entities with privileged status and special rules that do not apply to others, in this case 105+ Division 1 schools, all by virtue of being the best team in the land half a century ago.
Well, if the goal is simply to force them into a conference, then okay. I'm just thinking of the playoff structure from the standpoint of how it exists now: if an independent Notre Dame is 12-0 and ranked #2 in the country, it would look ridiculous to have them seeded #5 in the tournament, nor would it be fair to the players/coaches on that team to have them in that spot.
Exactly, Scootie. Notre Dame has enjoyed privileged status for years now by virtue of just being Notre Dame, and I take pleasure in them getting blown out...screw them. The CFP has so drastically changed the dynamic of college football, and the Independents are one of the casualties....as is the tradition of the Rose Bowl, unfortunately.
Notre Dame isn't an independent out of some noble aspiration or because they've been shunned by a major conference. Quite the opposite - Notre Dame has remained independent for reasons related to self-interest and couldn't possibly give a fig about conferences except where it suits their interests.
Their current arrangement with the ACC is testament to this view. ND's football team plays five ACC opponents each year on a rotational basis. This helps ND fill out its schedule and keeps them from having to fill the schedule with body bag games. Also, their basketball teams and non-revenue sports are now integrated into the ACC conference schedule. In other words, their scheduling worries in non-football sports are largely resolved by ACC membership AND they can keep their TV contract with NBC and all the money that goes with it. They don't have to share football TV revenue with others as they would if they were full conference members in football.
The fact that they get any consideration at all as an independent in the CFP setup is a consideration no one else gets. I don't think that BYU has that luxury.
Okay, but it's also not like Notre Dame was just handed this deal by some powers from on high. They have it because of the audience they have always commanded. The ACC is willing to make that deal with them because of that. If they didn't have that power they would have already been forced into a conference by now.
My argument isn't that it's "right" for Notre Dame to be independent, only that a playoff structure that demands "conference champions only" for the top spots isn't adequately reflecting the current CFB reality.
The independents are: Army, BYU, U-Mass Amherst, UConn, Notre Dame, Liberty, and New Mexico State. Designing a system around 5% of the FBS, only one of whom has any sustained success at a national level, would be distorting current CFB reality for one team.
Who's designing a system "around" Notre Dame? It's just to account for the eventuality of a team like them having a high ranking in some seasons, so the tournament field looks as good as possible.
My position is that Notre Dame shouldn't be getting any sort of dispensation because it's independent. ND is getting dispensation because ND has historically been given deferential treatment in bowl games, the BCA, the BCS, and now the CFP.
The structure of the CFP should nudge them into a conference, not give them an out to remain independent.
Was on campus yesterday pickup up some library books for No 1. Got a Hot Link at Top Dog and stopped by the student store since I got there a little early. There is still plenty of overpriced Under Armour clothing there.
Twitter is blowing up now because it just discovered that Cal's former starting OLB Cameron Saffle is featured in Doja Cat's latest video... about 2 minutes onward in with blue hair.
Anyone know what is happening with Under Armour deal?
Gymnastics Doesn’t Know What to Do With Simone Biles’s Dominance
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/06/simone-biles-excellence-resistance-greatest-athlete/619149/
I think the article title is kind of clickbaity precisely because world-class gymnastics has already changed their scoring system (ditching the 10 point system that is still in collegiate women's gymnastics) to properly reward someone like Biles who is able to do skills that no one else could do. There are some issues about how much Biles' accomplishments are overlooked during the non-summer Olympic month, but as the article has said, Biles' skills mean that everyone else has no chance of beating her (even if she doesn't land her routines perfectly). Like in figure skating, there are some arguments as to why it might be bad that one or two remarkable jumps overshadow the need to hit on the rest of the program/routine. I don't dispute Jemele Hill's claim that Biles' moves are not rewarded justly, but there is always going to be some inherent scoring biases in these kinds of sports.
By the way, I'll just reiterate that it's great that college women's gymnastics is still on the 10-point system since that does allow more student-athletes to compete and for more teams to be in contention for the championships every year. The men's side uses the Olympic scoring system and there are basically only 2-3 schools that can vie for the team championships.
In the article, they did say that some of her most difficult moves get lower scores, perhaps to dissuade others from attempting them. She says she'll keep doing them because she can.
Jemele Hill says "Simone Biles is the greatest athlete in the world today."
i mean, there is definitely an argument there on her behalf. So totally dominant
Even if I hadn't heard of Simone Biles before, as a general dope on gymnastics, I could 100% tell how much better she is than everyone else. I don't know off the top of my head if there's anyone else that's got that kind of a performance gap behind them
Maybe Wayne Gretzky. I think he has more points on assists than anyone else has total points (goals + assists).
I should have been more clear to say "right now."
More fun to leave out the "right now". I think Nadia Comeneci was as dominant in her day. In other sports, Kim Yuna was way above the pack at her peak. Edwin Moses was unbeaten in over 100 races over 10 years.
Not sure if Steph counts. He's not the most dominant person in the game (too small for that), but as far as reinventing the game via the 3-point shot and having the top several seasons in number of 3s made (by a long shot) – minus the one or two that Klay has – AND doing it this past season with minimal support...I think he was on pace to top his 402 were the season to be 82 games.
Ann Killion (SF Chron sports columnist) agrees.
Too Online
From the nerdier end of being too online: some of you may know of Tom Nichols, a conservative academic who is known for being a "Never Trump" conservative and for causing a tempest in a twitter teapot by posting a couple of years ago that Indian food is garbage. Former US Attorney Preet Bahara came up with the idea of a fundraiser for COVID relief in India around the idea that he would take Nichols out for Indian food and Nichols would keep eating as long as people kept donating. They raised $75k.
https://twitter.com/PreetBharara/status/1403225803710685185?s=20
Clever and hilarioius!
Interesting!
The Play and the Big Game
Jim Rainey (former LA Times and Daily Cal reporter) is writing a book about The Play - if you have memories of The Play or thoughts on its significance, here's a google form to fill out - he may call people for interviews
Jim Rainey and I am a veteran reporter, columnist and editor, mostly at the Los Angeles Times. It all started for me as Sports Editor of the Daily Californian in 1981, the year before "The Play." Now I am finishing research for a book on (hat tip to Joe Starkey) “the most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heartrending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of college football!" I need YOUR help. Below are a few questions about what you remember. Give me the short-form version here and I'll follow up for deeper interviews with those who offer some of the most unusual / irresistible 1982 Big Game memories
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLjSV4dqEk3gqlLr0HSMMDkq4HqLYpxXwQatESIaBTo6Vhlg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&fbclid=IwAR1cMJi30jt5XaoQqyI6YckDkpTKWDUJCxAhnbgR7T9ggu0soItmnbaUPNo
Cool. I was there. I will fill this out.
I was in 7th grade and listened on the radio.
I was 8 and had no knowledge of what Stanford or Cal was.
Has anyone ever figured out who the guy in the brown jacket was? The one that was right next to the officials as they huddled and came out with his arms up?
Bike Trail
No longer near me, but I love the coastal bike path that runs from the Pacific Palisades to Torrance. Great for people watching, tons of available stops for food/drinks or beach fun. You just want to ride north in the morning and south in the afternoon due to the wind/sand that can whip up.
Years ago, my favorite bike path was from Inspiration point out to the old Nike missile site - especially before everyone else discovered it. I used to take my son out there for bike rides all the time.
Wow, memory time. I ran a race out the trail and back sometime in the late 70s.
i mostly ride on the road, but i am looking forward to riding the carriage roads in Acadia NP when we are there in late Jul this year.
they are very well maintained crushed gravel roads without a single bump or pothole. none if it is too challenging, but there are some nice ups and downs and the scenery is great.
Shanghai has been working on redeveloping the Pujiang Riverside (which runs through it in a Northeast to Southwest bending direction). They've added a bunch of bike paths nearby and many of my rides at least touch on nearby the river.
https://www.yirent.com/upload_region/2017-12/0.19219100%201514272906.jpg
DBD Test Kitchen
Left over Thai chicken curry from a few weeks ago, had it in the freezer (dinner tonight).
Going to make dual pasta salads for a 3 year old's birthday party on Sunday. One with romesco sauce, and one a more traditional mustard/mayo based pasta salad.
Next time...
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/orzo-and-artichoke-salad-50094063
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups orzo
3/4 cup olive oil
9 oz package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, halved if large
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
2 ounces prosciutto, minced
2 tablespoons Parmesan, grated fresh
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or to taste
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
4 scallions, minced
basil leaves for garnish
PREPARATION
In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the orzo for 7 to 8 minutes or until it is just al dente, drain it in a sieve, and refresh it under cold water. Drain the orzo well and in a bowl toss it with 1/4 cup of the oil. In a small saucepan simmer the artichokes in the broth for 6 to 7 miutes, or until they are just tender, drain them well, and add them to the orzo. In a small bowl whisk togethr the egg yolk, the vinegar, the mustard, and salt and pepper to taste, add the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk the dressing until it is emulsified. Whisk in the mince basil and pour the dressing over the orzo ixture. Add the prosciutto, the Parmesan, the lemon juice, the parsley, the scallions, and salt and pepper to taste, toss the sald and garnish it with basil leaves. Serve room temperature or chilled.
(I don't know why they fuss with the artichoke hearts like that, I just used canned)
I don't get it either. Wouldn't simmering the hearts in broth for 6-7 minutes just make them mushy?
I'll file this away. I threw in artichoke hearts into my traditional one.
DBD AV Club
What is a good movie with a bad ending?
The Abyss.
Old Yeller
Office Space
Well, maybe this doesn't exactly fit, But I thought Air Force One should have ended about 2/3rds of the way in. Would have been a lot crisper.
I think it is a testament to how good this movie is that I know exactly what point in the movie you are referencing. As to whether I agree, sorta. See FiatSlug, below.
Agreed. But then you'd miss all the drama with the MiGs and the rescue at the end.
Signs
The Birds.
I think the ending is good, even if there's some uncertainty. Hitchcock had a different ending that he wanted to use but the studio nixed it.
Do you know about that ending and is that the ending you would have wanted?
I think the uncertainty is what makes it a great ending - nothing is explained. Didn't know about an alternate ending.
I like the uncertainty, too. Audiences often want clear cut resolution, so that's why I commented as I did.
Reportedly the ending that Hitchcock wanted was the four people in the roadster spying the Golden Gate as they drive toward San Francisco - covered in birds.
The studio reportedly thought it was too much and audiences wouldn't be able to handle it. So, they nixed it. The Birds was released in March 1963. I could see how some folks of that era might have thought that ending would be over the edge. Personally, that ending would have been fantastic...and chilling.
Nah, the ending is just fine.
Saving Private Ryan
Yeah. Agree on that.
Our Crumbling Democracy
Texas: Spend money to improve ROI and reliability of the electrical? That's for communists.
Also Texas: Spend money to keep out brown people. Fuck yeah.
https://twitter.com/CNN/status/1403214434005364737
The Proud Boys' most prominent lawyer seems like a nice guy /s
https://sunlight-reports.com/the-most-proud-boys/
He doesn't just crash administrations, economies, democracy, and international alliances... he also crashes weddings.
https://twitter.com/Out5p0ken/status/1376368459500691576
I think if you book a wedding at Mar-A-Lago you kind of want that to happen. But yeesh.
Oregon state rep Mike Nearman (R) is the first-ever expelled from that legislature. He was on video surveillance letting armed protestors into the statehouse when in session in December. He then put his own party members in an awkward position by denying he knew anything about it. Then a smoking gun video surfaced last week of him actively coordinating the event.
https://www.opb.org/article/2021/06/10/oregon-house-of-representatives-vote-mike-nearman-expulsion-state-capitol-incursion/
Individual Republicans have added to those comments in recent days. On Wednesday, state Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, penned an account of why he was urging Nearman to resign. Post concluded that Nearman had lied to him and other Republicans about what evidence existed about his intent on Dec. 21.
“About five weeks ago, as one of the closest colleagues he has in the Capitol, I asked ‘is there ANY further video or other evidence?’” Post wrote on his personal website. “He said ‘no.’ That is the crux of the problem: he lied. To me personally and to the Republican caucus.”
-----------
So does that mean if the Senator didn't lie and outright said that there was video evidence he would not have voted to expel? He freely admits he let people in.
Good question.
The answer is probably YES.
Adam Schiff calls for investigation after report of his phone records being seized by Trump DOJ
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/10/adam-schiff-investigation-trump-doj-493343
Today in Covid 19
Coronavirus tally: New daily COVID-19 cases falls in the U.S. to snap 3-day streak of increases
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/coronavirus-tally-new-daily-covid-19-cases-falls-in-the-us-to-snap-3-day-streak-of-increases-2021-06-11
Pro
Anthony Rizzo is vaccine-hesitant.
https://twitter.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1403363805573402624
He had an epic AB this afternoon. Fourteen pitches, including nine two-strike fouls. Last pitch was a homer to right.
Nuggets beat the Clippers 117-111
*Jazz
Yay!
oops...yup
Bucks beat the Nets 86-83
This was possibly the ugliest second half ever played.
The only saving grace was that the lead was never more than a possession away from being tied or changing.
The first half wasn't exactly a thing of beauty either.
Game #64: A’s have Minor setback in loss to Royals
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2021/6/10/22529116/oakland-game-64-kansas-city-royals-score-result
The Oakland A’s have been hot to begin the month of June, but they were cooled down for one night by an old teammate.
Former A’s pitcher Mike Minor tossed seven sparkling innings for the Kansas City Royals and Oakland fell 6-1 at the Coliseum, finding themselves on the wrong side of one frustrating rally followed by a late power show.
The home team never got anything going at the plate. They put a stray runner on base in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th but never strung together any rallies. In the 4th inning Jed Lowrie connected for a solo homer, and that was the only time they even reached second base. Their final 13 batters were retired in order.
Giants with the day off.
It started raining here in late afternoon and game was called pretty early. It's been raining all morning and it looks iffy to clear for tonight. There's a possibility of back to back doubleheaders this weekend.
Dodgers pick up sweep in Pittsburgh
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/10/22528392/los-angeles-dodgers-mookie-betts-mlb-news-julio-urias
The Dodgers and Pirates knew rain was on the horizon for their series finale on Thursday. The rain eventually came during the eighth and the the game was called after an hour delay. Luckily for the Dodgers, they were able to have the 6-3 lead, which resulted in them leaving Pittsburgh with the victory.
Mookie Betts got this game started with a bang. On the third pitch he saw, Betts crushed a homer over the center field fence. That was his first homer in nearly a month, as the last homer he hit was on May 18 against the D-Backs.
Betts was making an impact not only at the plate, but with his glove as well. In the second inning, he made an incredible catch and had an even better throw to prevent a run and have an inning-ending double play.
Aaron Rodgers' two biggest problems with the Packers might have just been revealed by one of his close friends
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/aaron-rodgers-two-biggest-problems-with-the-packers-might-have-just-been-revealed-by-one-of-his-close-friends/
Maybe Aaron should focus on his VC fund.
http://www.rx3growthpartners.com/
Should probably get a secure site (https)...
Other College
Demetris Robertson has entered the transfer portal
https://twitter.com/mzenitz/status/1403468557334335489?s=19
He’s playing in the NFL if he stayed at Cal.
Colorado's starting QB transfers to Oregon State
https://twitter.com/sam_noyer/status/1403419271183552515
He is from Beaverton, so it's not really surprising.
I know a guy who is the President of an alumni club. While I cannot disclose which university it is, the incoming freshman class for all students from the Southeast is 47.9% Asian/Pacific Islander, 9.1% African American, 17.4% Latino/Chicano.
College Football Playoff 12-team expansion: SEC, Group of Five among winners; Rose Bowl tops losers
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-12-team-expansion-sec-group-of-five-among-winners-rose-bowl-tops-losers/
I hate this. It basically kills the Rose Bowl.
Scootie and Jimmy, I hope that both are you are wrong. But, I fear that you are not. And, I know it is just football (and in the scheme of things may not matter 1 iota), but it still stings to know that we may never see the Bears play in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day. I have wanted to see that for 30 years. I look forward to it each year (more than a National Championship, although I don’t really know why). It’s like a little bit of hope died. And I think that hope is the biggest ingredient in the “soup” that is being a Cal fan. At least it is for me.
I “Sigh” too.
Agreed. And that’s not to say Cal won’t be good, or even win the P12, in the future...my fear is the year(s) they do ball out, the Rose is not a P12/B10 matchup, and an expanded CFP will just increase the off-years & add timing issues for the Rose.
But I too would simply be delighted to see that end zone painted blue & gold...been waiting nearly 40 years. Again, sigh... ;-)
The Notre Dame issue is one I think they need to look at. If the Top 4 spots are guaranteed to conference champions, what happens if a team like ND has an undefeated season (playing mostly Power 5 competition as they always do) and would clearly be among the Top 4 teams going in to the playoffs? Should they really be shunted down to a 5 seed because they're not in a conference?
Probably best to have an exception for Independent teams to be in the Top 4 if they are ranked that high.
Notre Dame can go fuck themselves IMO.
Yes, this.
Yes they should be. Get the fuck into a conference or GTFO. I have no problem with them paying for their own choices.
Hmm, I guess I'm not swayed by the moral arguments here. To me the top regular-season teams should all at least have a chance to play their way into a first-round bye. I don't care how evil Notre Dame is, it's the principle of the thing.
It's not simply a moral argument, though...as an independent, ND will not have had to win a Conference Championship game against a quality opponent, unlike the other 4...now you're going to give them a bye, too?
If the CFP is going to make a rule that the top 4 spots are reserved for Conference Champions, then the answer, and one that is literally right there on the table, is pretty simple...join a conference and win it. The CFP is calling the shots.
Notre Dame wasted no time joining a conference when it served their interests during the pandemic...and they'll do it again.
And I don't think ND is evil, I just dislike when there are entities with privileged status and special rules that do not apply to others, in this case 105+ Division 1 schools, all by virtue of being the best team in the land half a century ago.
Well, if the goal is simply to force them into a conference, then okay. I'm just thinking of the playoff structure from the standpoint of how it exists now: if an independent Notre Dame is 12-0 and ranked #2 in the country, it would look ridiculous to have them seeded #5 in the tournament, nor would it be fair to the players/coaches on that team to have them in that spot.
Exactly, Scootie. Notre Dame has enjoyed privileged status for years now by virtue of just being Notre Dame, and I take pleasure in them getting blown out...screw them. The CFP has so drastically changed the dynamic of college football, and the Independents are one of the casualties....as is the tradition of the Rose Bowl, unfortunately.
Cal may NEVER go to another one....ever. Sigh....
Notre Dame isn't an independent out of some noble aspiration or because they've been shunned by a major conference. Quite the opposite - Notre Dame has remained independent for reasons related to self-interest and couldn't possibly give a fig about conferences except where it suits their interests.
Their current arrangement with the ACC is testament to this view. ND's football team plays five ACC opponents each year on a rotational basis. This helps ND fill out its schedule and keeps them from having to fill the schedule with body bag games. Also, their basketball teams and non-revenue sports are now integrated into the ACC conference schedule. In other words, their scheduling worries in non-football sports are largely resolved by ACC membership AND they can keep their TV contract with NBC and all the money that goes with it. They don't have to share football TV revenue with others as they would if they were full conference members in football.
The fact that they get any consideration at all as an independent in the CFP setup is a consideration no one else gets. I don't think that BYU has that luxury.
ND has a pretty sweet deal from my perspective.
Okay, but it's also not like Notre Dame was just handed this deal by some powers from on high. They have it because of the audience they have always commanded. The ACC is willing to make that deal with them because of that. If they didn't have that power they would have already been forced into a conference by now.
My argument isn't that it's "right" for Notre Dame to be independent, only that a playoff structure that demands "conference champions only" for the top spots isn't adequately reflecting the current CFB reality.
The independents are: Army, BYU, U-Mass Amherst, UConn, Notre Dame, Liberty, and New Mexico State. Designing a system around 5% of the FBS, only one of whom has any sustained success at a national level, would be distorting current CFB reality for one team.
Who's designing a system "around" Notre Dame? It's just to account for the eventuality of a team like them having a high ranking in some seasons, so the tournament field looks as good as possible.
Good point.
My position is that Notre Dame shouldn't be getting any sort of dispensation because it's independent. ND is getting dispensation because ND has historically been given deferential treatment in bowl games, the BCA, the BCS, and now the CFP.
The structure of the CFP should nudge them into a conference, not give them an out to remain independent.
Cal
(Inter)Mezzo reopening June 15
https://www.dailycal.org/2021/06/10/berkeley-residents-anticipate-upcoming-mezzo-reopening/
Was on campus yesterday pickup up some library books for No 1. Got a Hot Link at Top Dog and stopped by the student store since I got there a little early. There is still plenty of overpriced Under Armour clothing there.
Nice.
Go Bears!!!
Twitter is blowing up now because it just discovered that Cal's former starting OLB Cameron Saffle is featured in Doja Cat's latest video... about 2 minutes onward in with blue hair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI3xkL7qUAc
Proof: https://twitter.com/cameronsaffle/status/1403415423450636290