April 2007 Archives
April 29, 2007
-
Useful file convertor for documents, audo, and video. Especially useful for Word Prefect and MS Works files.
-
Are Wings playoff tickets too expensive?
-
Too expensive? Careful analysis says yes.
April 28, 2007
Dan Cleary and Todd Bertuzzi have been the two best Red Wings all playoffs long.
Cleary's play today (another gigantic short-handed goal and lots of physical play) might turn him into a widely "sung" Wing. But for now, he can still be BTP's Unsung Red Wing of the Game™.
Wings 3, Sharks 2: 5 down. 11 to go.
1:24, 3rd Period: ...to the neighbors downstairs. Pavel Datsuyk just scored what should be the game-winning goal. I hope you understand the whooping and the stomping.
6:05, 3rd Period: Hasek has come up big so far on the penalty kill. KEEP IT UP!
18:34, 3rd Period: Dan Cleary, shorthanded, game-tying goal!!! It's a whole new series! NBC Announcer "The Joe's alive!"
2-2 tie. 4 down. 12 to go.
2nd Intermission: The Sharks pushed back a little in the second half of the period, but did not score. The game will be won by the team that plays sixty full minutes. Let's do it Wings fans.
10:09 2nd Period: Let's tie it up. Right here.
San Jose has settled down a little, but the Wings are keeping the pressure on. I have a special surprise for the next Wings' goal, so I'm hoping it comes soon.
The period ends with Wings fans on their feet, urging on their penalty killers. Again, this is what I'm talking about.
Two more periods. I'm now live-blogging the comeback.
Goal Zetterberg. From the outside, but the goal damn well was Jiri Hudler's fault. He crashed the net and visibily distracted Nabakov without ever touching the puck.
2-1, Sharks. 4 down. 12 to go.
So here I am watching the beginning of the Wings/Sharks game, and the Wings have ALREADY given up a goal! Ack!
Still, too early to panic. Here are BTP's Keys to Victory in today's game.
1. Hasek will be fine.
He's been ace so far during the playoffs. The first period on Thursday, wasn't awesome, but both goals were real tough to stop. He slammed the door the-
I take that back. Hasek just left the net and gave up a second goal. Disastrous.
2. More shots right from the front of the net.
Both of San Jose's goals on Thursday came from shots right at the front of the net. Too often, the Wings settled for long shots from the outside. Nabakov wasn't giving up too many rebounds.
They have to make the extra pass and get the puck to the net before taking the shot. This is a problem for the Wings almost every year in the playoffs. If they don't do it today, they will not win.
3. Get the fans in the game.
Empty seats? During the playoffs? Wings fans, what's wrong with you?
Kukla's Korner blames Wings management, and I think there's something to that. They love their Red Sox here in Boston, and look what the Golden State Warriors did for their fans last night.
Still, this is the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If you can't get yourself worked up, hand in your Winged Wheel and give me your tickets. Come on, Wings fans, let's will this team to victory.
Yeah, we're down 2-0 in a game we have to win. I don't care. 4 down. 12 to go.
I had a hand in putting together the email sent today by the Bill Richardson campaign. Richardson is the only Democrat in the race who would bring all the troops home from Iraq within the calendar year.
This is music to the ears of this "bring 'em home" Democrat.
Bill Richardson is the only major candidate who would withdraw ALL American troops troop from Iraq before the end of 2007. At the debate in South Carolina, he repeated his commitment to leaving behind no residual force.
Every other major candidate supports leaving at least some troops behind. While others refine and rephrase their positions, Bill Richardson is the only major candidate who is committed to getting all our troops out and ending this war.
Last night, the Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks by 18 points, taking 2 games to 1 lead in their first-round playoff series with the NBA's best team.
My college roommate Adam, the San Jose Mercury News Warriors fan blogger, is absolutely losing his mind at these events. He was at the game last night, and it's obvious that after a 13-year playoff drought, the Dubs fans aren't ready to go home any time soon.
Before I get to the basketball action, the fans need their due. I’ve never been to a game like tonight’s – not in the NBA, college, high school, middle school, whatever. The team got a standing ovation when it took the floor for the lay-up line. The PA system was drowned out for much of the night by the cheers and chants. The fans were tying so hard to show their support that we took to cheering during the Warriors’ free throws. There were no moments of silence. The energy was there from the beginning to end. Some favorite moments: fans chanting “Warriors” as the Mavs players unloaded their bus at the edge of the Arena parking lot; the fan with the “Bill King, We Believe 1975-76” sign; the Warriors giving every fan a “We Believe” t-shirt and sign, even if they weren’t as cool as the ones made by a single dedicated fan; Matt Barnes wearing the “We Believe” shirt during warm-ups with the Comcast logo cut out; the chants of “MVP” for Baron, “Cuban Sucks,” “Barkley Sucks,” and “over-rated;” the guy next to me telling stories about taunting Benoit Benjamin from his old seats two rows behind the visitors’ bench; watching Mark Cuban jump up and down; and finally the waves and waves of noise. Even if the players hadn’t fed off the crowd’s energy (which they clearly did), it was a religious revival for the Warriors’ faithful. We believed and they delivered.
Here at BTP, We believe in the Warriors. Adam has been a fan through all the lean years, and I am so happy he's getting a chance to live through such a wild ride.
Plus the Dubs are damn likable, featuring the giant heart of Saginaw, Michigan's own Jason Richardson. Go Warriors.
In other news, the Pistons can finish off their first round sweep today, setting long-fabled "Detroakland" apotheosis of basketball in the NBA Finals.
April 27, 2007
Since I had to sit through last night's Democratic debate for work, I figured you - the BTP readers - should be subjected benefit from my exclusive and insightful analysis. Without further ado...
1. The candidates need better coaching.
MSNBC tried to be just a little edgy by asking for one sentence answers, shows of hands, and only letting a few candidates respond to each question. They also limited almost every answer to just 30 or 60 seconds.
The candidates, however, still did their best to fill up those 30 to 60 seconds with rambling, long-winded answers that said almost nothing! They know the format of the debate in advance. You'd think they'd come up with ultra-short explanations of their most important positions and plans.
I think I find this especially aggravating because my whole job is basically boiling down political bloviating to just a few bullet points suitable for the web and email. It's actually quite difficult to say your piece succinctly and powerfully. But no one said running for President was easy!
One question that stuck in my mind as particularly poorly answered was when John Edwards was asked how he'd pay for his health care plan. The question was fair, and Edwards did a good job trying to turn it into an opportunity to actually explain his plan.
The problem was, he just went on and on. He's not going communicate all the finer details of his solution to the healthcare crisis in 30 seconds. And by saying more than just the basics, he opens himself up to gaffes.
So, as a public service to John Edwards and all the other candidates, I will answer the question for him. Mr. Edwards, I give you permission to steal this answer. To the other candidates, let this be a guide for how to respond to debate questions.
MODERATOR: Senator Edwards, you have said you would raise taxes to pay for a health care plan. The question is: Which ones?
ANSWER: My health care plan does two things:
- Lower your health insurance bill.
- Provide critical health care for the 47 million Americans who don't have any coverage.
I don't have time to go into all the details now, but you can read all about it on my website, johnedwards.com.
To pay for my plan, I would repeal George Bush's unfair tax cuts that gave huge >windfalls to the very rich.
I timed myself. 15 seconds.
Here's a bonus answer for Sen. Biden on the issue of judges and abortion.
MODERATOR: Senator Biden, as president would you have a specific litmus test question on Roe v. Wade that you would ask of your nominees for the high court?
ANSWER: Yes. Roe is established law under the constitution.
Some say "litmus tests" are scary. I say it's second-grader speechifying: Saying what you mean, and meaning what you say.
2. There was one good question.
MODERATOR: [I]f, God forbid a thousand times, while we were gathered here tonight, we learned that two American cities have been hit simultaneously by terrorists and we further learned, beyond the shadow of a doubt it had been the work of Al Qaida, how would you change the U.S. military stance overseas as a result?
It's a terrifying prospect, but it's a really good question. There's no challenge more presidential than leading the nation through a crisis. I would encourage future debate moderators to ask more of these rhetorical questions. I think they at least give us a glimpse to how a candidate would react if thrust into such an awful situation.
I thought the answer last night were good, if not great. The big thing missing on this issue was some real emotion. Governor Richardson came closest when insisted on answering the question when it was his turn to talk a few questions later.
There are two emotions that would have been good to show in the face of this question: sadness and anger. Perhaps sadness would be seen as a sign of weakness, but it sure seems like it would be genuine.
Most of the answers talked about the need for swift and serious retribution, which is fine enough, but insisting on bombs and guns isn't quite the same as righteous anger that evil people would take the lives of innocents.
It would have been nice to see more passion in the responses.
3. Mike Gravel is nuts.
But he still wins the Al Sharpton Award as the "Democrat we all secretly want to vote for." Yeah, he seemed crazy and cantankerous, but he also was real clear that war should not be a tool of foreign policy. Sad to think that's crazy talk in today's politics, but it shouldn't be.
What kind of stuff should go on a great campaign website?
Here's what I have so far:
- Front Page Features
- Sign Up
- Contribute
- About the Candidate
- Issue Statements
- Latest News
For my purposes, I see "Latest News" as something of a catch-all for Press Releases, Favorable Press Coverage, Campaign Event Previews / Recaps, Photos, and Video. (Shh...don't tell my client, but it's essentially going to be their campaign blog.)
I can imagine for a bigger race, you'd draw finer distinctions between those different content areas.
Anyway, is there anything I'm missing?
April 26, 2007
-
According to the latest research, reality may not exist when we are not observing it. In other words, there is no ACTUAL standard of what's happening. It's all in the observation.
-
Cute.
-
Guide to retirement accounts for the self-employed.
-
Neat looking conference. Should I go?
-
Fax over Skype. Looks promising.
-
I appreciate that his sayings are almost all focused on being happy, experiencing everything, and charting your own path.
April 24, 2007
-
Sweet looking new tool for coding websites. Everything you need, all in one app.
-
A great overview of the previously linked Coda
April 23, 2007
-
This is pretty cool. Modest Mouse and Apple have made available a boatload of green screen video files for their new single. Amateur filmmakers can enter a contest to make their own music video.
-
Lots of buzz recently about Twitter - something of a cross between away messages and blogs. Interesting to see that Facebook as been doing the same basic thing for over a year.
-
Jonesy on Placido Polanco.
-
Perfect.
Barely 24 hours after getting clobbered by the Flames backup goalie, Red Wings hero Johan Franzen scores the series-winning goal in double overtime.
See you in the second round! 4 down. 12 to go.
April 22, 2007
...the new mascot of Baltimore's own Mobtown Maulers - DIRTY FRANK!!!
UPDATE: See Frank photos from other Flickr users on my Favorites Page.
I wanted to address Tigers hub-bub from this week's Bill Simmons chat:
Craig (Kalamazoo, Michigan): As a Tiger fan, how long do I have to wait untill I get to see Zumaya with the closing job?Bill Simmons: It's completely illogical. It makes no sense. He's the best reliever on the team, but the 3rd-best reliever (Jones) closes games. My buddy Hench and I whine about this all the time because we have Zumaya on our AL team -- when Jones blew the KC game this week, we were going nuts. If you're the Royals, who would you rather face in the 9th -- 103 MPH throwing unhittable Zumaya, or a guy who looks like he was just signed from a semi-pro beer league? It makes no sense.
I disagree with Simmons entirely here.
You want your best relief pitcher pitching when the game is on the line. This is one of the core beliefs of the "sabermetrics" school of baseball analysis immortalized in Moneyball. However, the old-school coots running the game still think there's some magic ability to getting three outs in the 9th inning with no one on base. So we apply this inflated value to the so-called "save situations."
In reality, however, games are more often on the line when the starter or a middle reliever gets into a jam towards the end of the game, but before the 9th. If Zumaya is truly the Tigers best reliever - I think that's fair - I'd much rather have him come on to record two outs with the bases loaded in the 7th than face the bottom of the order with nobody on in the ninth.
However, if he were the "closer," Jim Leyland would have to answer all sorts of questions using him in the non-traditional situation. Under the current arrangement, the Tigers can deploy their best reliever (Zumaya) whenever they need to. Plus, they have the best of all possible worlds, because Todd Jones is a pretty top-notch reliever in his own right. Yeah, he's probably a tick or two behind Zumaya, but there's no denying his success at closing out games.
Sorry about your fantasy team, Bill, but the Tigers are marching to the World Series. Using their best reliever in the most important spots is a key component of their winning formula.
PS - Tigers win today in extra innings. Huzzah!
-
Leyland BRISTLED. Today's game is already in extra innings. A win sure would be sweet.
April 20, 2007
So, I have two choices on how to deal with this video published by the fundamentalists at the American Family Association. I can make a reasoned, detailed, point-by-point refutation of all the distortions, inaccuracies, and fear-mongering contained therein.
Or I can mock it mercilessly. Hm...tough one.
Moral of the Story: If the Democrats let us beat our kids, Virginia Tech never would have happened.
The sad part is that I'm not really even joking. This dreck is disgusting.
-
Manny being Manny. Long form. For the New Yorker
-
Tips for designing a small business website. Actually - useful for just about anything.
-
From the review: Think of it as "The Full Monty" blown to smithereens.
April 19, 2007
-
Granderson pays tribute to a DALC Detroit Tigers fan who died at Virginia Tech. It's corny, but I feel a connection to this particular victim. He was, apparently, a lot like me.
-
Doc Jensen's pre-game writeup on last night's Lost. The episode was fantastic, I thought, drawing powerful parallels with the story of Isaac and Abraham. This essay, however, asks: Are the Others trying to kill God?
April 17, 2007
On Sunday, the Wings played another dominating game en route to a 3-1 win and a two game series lead. It's been great fun to be a Wings fan for the last week or so.
Over the course of two games, there were only about 10 minutes where the Winged Wheel didn't look absolutely dominating in every aspect of the game. Even then, they simple looked better than a Calgary team that was desperate to get something going.
So often, the Wings have gotten beaten by a hot goaltender. This year, they're playing so well that Mikka Kiprusoff's acrobatics are merely preventing blowouts, not stealing games.
However.
It's always fun to win the games you're supposed to win. The old saw goes that a series doesn't get started until the road team wings. Tonight, it's up to the Wings to keep the foot on the accelerator and go out and make it a series.
The pressure is on. Don't let up.
2 down, 14 to go.
-
Trading pro atheletes like stocks could be right around the corner.
April 16, 2007
-
Former Michigan coach takes over at Harvard. Nice to see an African-American in a coaching position at the old alma mater.
-
One of the best players in baseball. Basically Albert Pujols without the power, but with All-Star level speed and defense.
April 15, 2007
In the comments to my previous post, my dad reminded me of the fun we had at the 2003 Frozen Four college hockey championships in Buffalo, NY.
Our team - Michigan - lost one of the semifinal games in a thrilling double overtime, so this event doesn't have the oomph of some of the other ones I mentioned. Still, this is definitely one of my sports-watching highlights.
For one, college hockey is still relatively small-time. Instead of feeling like a big corporate sales event like other majors sports championships, the Frozen Four feels like a community revival. Fans from all over the country descend on one city for a weekend of competition and catching up.
I think a great example of this spirit is that my dad and I were basically able to walk into the presentation of the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey's Hiesman. The family atmosphere at the Frozen Four operates on a simple "the more, the merrier" standard.
Additionally, this was a great time for me to hang out with a bunch of my dad's college friends. Basically just a good excuse to feel like I'm growing up a little, so I can finally hang out at the adult's table.
All in all, a great experience. Good enough for the my third best in-person sports experience ever.
So I'm watching Fox News Sunday for client work AND because a friend will be featured, and Chris Wallace just asked Al Sharpton if he will protest Timbaland. Not totally absurd, but Wallace said something like "I'm not familiar with Timbaland myself, but I understand he's just as bad as the other rappers."
So...How can Wallace ask anyone to protest anything he's never actually listened to?
Sigh....this is what I get for watching Fox News.
April 13, 2007
Another great question of the day from Dan Shanoff:
What was the greatest sporting event you ever saw live in-person?
For me, the top two contenders are easy. Picking just one is a little tougher.
Wings win the 1998 Cup for Vladdie vs. 2006 World Series
Essentially, I like hockey just a little more than I like baseball. However, as my first love, I think I get more emotional over baseball. Essentially, my dad took me to loads of Tiger games over the years, so there's a strong emotional connection to baseball games. But I've still never seen a Wings game in-person at the Joe. (Weird, I know.)
Still, just going to Game 1 of a World Series the Tigers eventually lost can't top being there the night your team wins it all. There's no better way to feel like you're a part of something bigger than yourself. That night remains one of the top 5 moments of my life.
Now, talk to me around Halloween, when I'm celebrating with a million Tiger fans in Hart Plaza. Might be a different story...
April 12, 2007
But guess who has the best record in the American League? That's right....YOUR Defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers!
After tonight's 5-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, our record stands a 6-4. The .667 winning percentage is tied with Minnesota for tops in the league.
BTP's MVP of the Portion of the Tigers Game I Actually Saw Award™ goes to Joel Zumaya who filled in for a resting Todd Jones and earned his first save on the season. Thanks to a wild pitch and a Texas League double, Zoom Zoom actually allowed both of his inherited runners to score, but I think that belies how well he pitched.
Wild pitches and fluky hits happen, but Zumaya struck out Alex Rios to end the Blue Jays rally in the eighth and retired the side in oder in the ninth. Perhaps a bit untraditional, but he slammed the door shut before it was too late. I'll take it.
Big, big thanks to my parents, who gave me the MLB Extra Innings cable package as an early birthday present. That means that I'll be able to cheer my head off for the Tigers all summer long AND bore you to tears with even MORE recaps of the Tigers march to the World Series title. We all come out winners!
A boring, ho-hum 4-1 victory over Calgary to open the Red Wings' drive to the Stanley Cup. That sound you hear is all of Greater Michigania breathing a deep, deep sigh of relief at a gritty, professional, and dominating start.
I'll give BTP's Unsung Red Wing of the Game Award™ to Pavel Datsuyk. Yes, he scored a nifty goal on a little mini-breakaway. But I bet you didn't see him start that play with a gritty play to kick the puck to a team teammate, despite the presence of two Flames.
Reminded me of the grit and determination usually showed by a certain former Red Wings centerman this time of year. Datsuyk has struggled in the playoffs before, but that play sure made me breathe easier about his effort this time around.
And of course, Versus didn't even show the replay until two periods later.
1 down, 15 to go.
-
Another great dessert from Giada.
April 10, 2007
-
Hint: yes.
-
Red Wings start Thursday. Comcast can't install til Friday. Grrrr...
The NHL Playoffs start this week. Wings vs. Flames, 7pm ET, Thursday.
I have just one thing to say: 0 down, 16 to go.
The high point of an otherwise up-and-down first week for the Defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers was undeniably Pudge Rodriguez's 9th-inning, three-run, game-winning home run yesterday. I caught the game on radio, and I'm still reveling in the glory.
(We'll ignore, please, today's uninspiring loss to the Orioles. That means you, Martino.)
For me, this week has been a chance to enjoy the contributions of Gary Sheffield, the Tigers' highest-profile off-season addition. I think it's fair to say that Sheff came to Detroit with a negative reputation: surly demeanor, steroids allegations, former Yankee-dom.
But in three small ways, Sheffield has won me over.
1. That home run last week.
Always nice. :)
2. His "Small Ball".
During the 8-run inning last week against, Sheff strung together a couple of tiny plays that added up in a big way.
First, he was batting when Placido Polanco stole second. Obviously, the batter can't take too much credit for a steal, but we've all seen them screw it up from time to time.
Second, during the same at-bat, he drew a walk. Last year, the Tigers drew the third fewest bases on balls in the majors. Improving this statistic is basically the only way they can improve their offense. It's nice to see Sheff bringing patience to the Detroit lineup.
Finally, that same inning, he scored from second on a hit to centerfield. The play didn't look like much until the announcers replayed it a few times. Turns out that seconds before the pitch, Sheffield glanced around the diamond to see where the defense was positioned. He was able to break for third at the crack of the bat BECAUSE HE KNEW THE DEFENSE COULDN'T CATCH THE FLAIRED SINGLE.
Three tiny details, all in the middle of a huge inning. I don't think that's coincidence.
3. His sense of history and responsibility.
Last week, the Tigers announced Sheffield would wear number 42 this weekend in honor of the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier.
At the time, he was to be the only Tiger paying this special tribute. MLB has since allowed any player who wants to participate, but it's still neat to know Sheffield wanted it more than any other Tigers.
Additionally, the article outlines some of his many off-field accomplishments, including winning the Thurman Munson Award for community service in 2004. Always good to have someone like that on the team.
Welcome to Detroit, Mr. Sheffield. It's an honor to have you with us. If you have a chance, go check out Hart Plaza. You'll be spending a lot of time there come late October.
April 7, 2007
-
Obama as college professor? Remember, he had to win over A LOT of southern Illinois, right across the river from Iowa.
-
FYI, Tigers centerfielder has started a blog. So far, it's pretty good. It can be hard for atheletes trained in execution, not analysis, but I always think it's neat to hear about the mental side of the game.
-
Nothing says racist like coming unhinged at the thought of illegal immigrants!
April 5, 2007
A few days ago, I posted this NY Times story about how Apple and EMI records announced the sale of music with "DRM" anti-copying and piracy technology. At the time, I was a little dismissive of the announcements importance.
Apple and EMI announce higher quality audio with zero usage restrictions. File this under great news that shouldn't really affect anyone too noticeably.
This morning, I read a post on the Wired "Cult of Mac" blog that analyzed some of the long-term ramifications of the deal. It's a theme that has played out on the blogs over the last few days. Based on my previous comments, you might imagine that I feel like it's all much ado about nothing. You'd be right.
The Wired blog post had a couple of minor factual misconceptions, so I was motivated to comment in respond. Once I start writing, I decided to add in my "It's no big deal" analysis in a little more detail. I thought I'd reproduce it below.
Ultimately, it sure seems like the EMI announcement is much ado about nothing. Like, yeah, sure…fewer restrictions and higher fidelity are a good thing. No complaints there. It just doesn’t seem to me like it will change things a whole lot.
It doesn’t seem to me like there’s been a massive popular outcry about the restrictions or audio quality of current songs. Plenty of super-geeky bloggers have complained about not being able to put their iTunes tracks onto their Linux-based, DIY portable Tivos. And the odd audiophile cluck-clucks about lossy encoding, but it just seems like most people don’t care at all.
The ONLY time I’ve ever run into the usage restriction is when I wanted to post tracks to my blog. Other than that, I’ve downloaded from iTunes, transferred to my iPod painlessly, and not batted an eyelash. I don’t have 5 computers. I don’t burn a whole lot of CDs.
I’m not at all suggesting that people NEVER run into the DRM restrictions. Just that the vast majority don’t. How many people actually have music blogs?
Bottom line: bigger, better features that are obviously pro-consumer are great things. I’m not at all opposed. It just seems like everything thinks this will be earth-shattering. I really doubt it.
April 4, 2007
-
Ex-top draft pick, ex-drug addict kicks his demons and makes the Show. A nice story.
April 3, 2007
-
A neat idea, although I don't think it will be particularly earth-shattering. It's basically just an unscientific national poll. That said, it could turn one low-enagement voters. That's a plus.
April 2, 2007
Congrats to the Gators for winning tonight's NCAA basketball tournament. It's kinda nice that the whole "5 guys refused NBA money to came back and win another championship" angle worked out.
However, it is the official opinion of BTP that their victory tonight was completely illegitimate. Michigan should have been playing Ohio State instead.
-
Apple and EMI announce higher quality audio with zero usage restrictions. File this under great news that shouldn't really affect anyone too noticeably.
In honor of Opening Day, former Daily Quickie honcho Dan Shanoff offers this challenge:
Speaking of MLB, the blog Rumors and Rants had a thing where they asked people for their favorite all-time MLB player. My answer: Ryne Sandberg.It was interesting that I immediately filtered the question as my favorite CHILDHOOD player, as if your favorite player back during your formative years of fanhood (ages 10-14 or thereabouts) have greater weight than a player you may develop a love for as an adult.
So, obviously, I want to know who was YOUR favorite MLB player? (Or "is," if that's the case.)
First of all, my favorite childhood player was always Darrell Evans, a BLTR first baseman who, at 38 years old, slugged 40 homers for the 1987 AL-East winning Detroit Tigers.
My favorite current player is probably Justin Verlander. I really got a kick out of seeing his MLB debut with my dad in Cleveland on July 4th, 2005. And it was made that much more special seeing him pitch in the World Series.
I have plenty of love for Carlos Guillen, Kenny Rogers, and Joel Zumaya, but if I had to choose, I think JV is my favorite.
So, the obvious question for the peanut gallery: Who's your Tiger?
(Fine, Tracy, you can pick a Red Sox player.)
Additionally, I have a few responses to Dan's meta-analysis of the "politics" of picking your favorites:
First, I think the era you identify with your favorite player has a lot to do with how your sports fandom evolves. I think he's right that for most people - even a professional sports write link himself - they hit their fan peak as a little kid. There's just nothing sweeter or more "innocent" than a little kid digging baseball.
For me, however, I'm a bigger sports fan now that I was as a kid. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty close. You're talking to the kid that stole the Sunday sports section back when they used to publish every player's stats across 4 pages and analyzed every last batting average for every last team.
(1987 AL Batting Champs: Boggs, .363; Molitor, .353, Trammell, .343)
But in my adulthood, sports has become the major way I stay connected to my Michigan roots. My parents and virtually all of my childhood friends have moved away from Flint, so this is one of the only ways I feel connected.
Add to that a pretty unprecedented level of success (3 Stanley Cups, 1 NBA Championship, 1 College Football Title, 1 World Series Appearance) that almost precisely corresponds to my absence, and it's easy to see why I feel a closer tie to sports today.
All of that is a fancy way to say that I like Justin Verlander more now that I liked Darrell Evans as a kid.
I will add two additional corollaries to picking your favorites.
One, I don't trust people who pick their "favorite player" from anything other than their "favorite team." I have all the respect in the world for the Cal Ripkens and the Ken Griffeys and the Alberrt Pujols, but you gotta pick your favorites from the team you live and die with. You just gotta.
Second, picking the All-Star from your favorite team is just too easy. This choice is about who you are as a person and what values you will instill in your long-distant offspring. Your "favorite" player has to show some style!
Happy Opening Day, BTP readers. Here's to a big (ain't no party like a) Detroit Party in Hart Plaza roundabouts Halloween.
April 1, 2007
-
According to ESPN, the Tigers will win the World Series. FYI.
