other pictures from my great seats at the knicks/ nets game are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/picodulce/sets/72057594070337955/.

Seton Hall?

The Mountaineers had enough Gansey; Seton Hall got Pittsnogled-- but no hugs from the Herber (pronounced Hair-Bear). Seton Hall beats West Virginia to advance to 7-4 in the conference, losing to what WVU coach John Beilein called the rugged "New Jersey defense."

Huh.

NCAA, we have a problem. Not with West Virginia-- they are haing their mid-season crisis, they will get spanked by U Conn this Saturday, and then re-commit to attempts at defense. No. It's the recurring Seton Hall problem. No one wants to see Seton Hall in the tournament. Their fans don't want to see them in the tournament. Putting them in means a team that is actually interesting-- Northern Iowa, perhaps, or St. Joseph's, maybe, or even Michigan-- will be bounced.

And then, we all know what's going to happen. For some reason CBS will think that ass-part of Jersey is in the New York "region" and instead of watching a good game we'll be subjected to a Seton Hall-Wisconsin paint-drying session, for the rights to play the molasses-paced Pittsburgh Panthers. We'll take naps in our buffalo wings and wake up to a final of 47-44, because each team made 10 free throws apiece in the last 2 minutes. I like defense as much as the next guy. I'd just prefer it in the NIT.

I have seen one thrilling Seton Hall game. It was an accident. Shaheen Holloway wrecked his ankle playing against the Temple Owls in 2000 and Ty Shine took control of the point guard duties.

He had no idea what he was doing, and it was evident from the start of the second half. He was tentative, he was a little out of sorts. And then he said, forget it. Started jacking shots. And they kept going in. Oh, Temple has the lead? Three. Oh, it's overtime and we can't get into Temple's zone? Three.

They lost in the next round, Tommny Amaker got a new job at a real school (Michigan), and Seton Hall has been boring viewers, players, and fans ever since.

Maybe it was strength of schedule

Good News: Not even a win against Morehead State could help the #1 ranked Huskies of UConn, as tonight they go down to the #4 ranked Villanova Wildcats. The loss leaves UConn 7-1 on the season against ranked teams and 7-0 against teams with an RPI under 214.

Bad News: Now that means, barring that Poet laureate Blue Devil J.J. Redick doesn't get into a car accident, Duke will be #1.

Other notes: Villanova is now in the top spot in the bloated Big East conference, followed by West Virginia and UConn. Right now, Jay Wright is celebrating by studying film so they don't get Pittsnogled. West Virginia plays Seton Hall tomorrow night. Congratulations Jay!

Eddie Sutton might not reach 800 career victories, as he has taken medical leave following a drunken automobile accident. Sad that he won't be coaching, but lucky to be alive.

tee hee, go duke!

Like Jerome Bettis at the After Party

Congrats to the Steelers on their Superbowl victory. And Hines Ward on the MVP. And Jerome Bettis, who is rather bubbly, for being able to retire on top and with a joyous jiggle.

And congrats Pepsi for grossing us out with “Brown and Bubbly.” No, it doesn’t refer to me. Or to Greg. Or to Neverecho. More to come in the brown and bubbly future.

Enough of "Johnny Bitch Lately"

I have been trying as hard as I can ‘not’ to get into the Johnny Damon mix here. First of all, it was over covered in media constantly looking to capitalize on the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry. Frankly, I didn’t want to bother. What more could I say that would be different or add into a story that was already over blown. Yes, it was the biggest baseball story in the offseason, but I like to think the staff of AIA tries to post material different to most other sports media outlets.

However, the Johnny Damon situation has blown me to a new level. You just can’t stop talking can you? After you got the contract ‘you’ wanted, you still find a need to bitch:

"'He (New Sox Centerfielder Coco Crisp) is a guy they wanted. It was clear in the papers they were wanting other center fielders as soon as the season was over. The fact that my jersey went for half price after the season, that kind of tells you something. -- 1.29.06, Johnny Damon to Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune

“Manny (Ramirez) really wants out of Boston, just so he can relax and chill,' Damon told (Yankee’s broadcaster Michael) Kay. 'If he played for the Mets, he probably wouldn't be able to chill much. But I think the Yankees would be a perfect fit for him, as well as for David Ortiz.'" -- 2.1.06, Tyler Kepner, New York Times

First off all, let me say as a Sox fan, I stay pretty level headed. I don’t ‘hate’ the Yankees, but I love the rivalry, so I hate the Yankees. Other than the first four days of March Madness, there is no time in sports that I enjoy more. Like watching Duke/UNC, regardless of how good or bad a team may be, you will always get top-notch baseball, played with passion and love. You can’t ask for more.

Earlier this season, when Red Sox star Johnny Damon announced that he was signing with the Yankees for 52 million over 4 years, I was heartbroken. There was a breakdown from Lucchino’s office, just like there was with the Theo resigning. People in Boston, on a whole, were not mad at Damon, but angry with the Red Sox front office run by the big ego of double L. The organization was weakened. Flaws exposed. This would not have happened under Theo’s watch. Damon claimed, “I wanted to stay,” and, “they just wanted me more” Well, at $52 million over 4 years, I guess he was right because, seriously no other team would pay that kind of baked beans for a declining contract (remember Bernie Williams).

Now, I am not going to argue whether he deserves it or not. Regardless of talent, a player is worth whatever he brings to a team, whether it be wins, butts in seats, or jerseys on backs, it is an investment and if someone is worth the investment, make the deal.

Now, we all know how it will be the first time Johnny steps out of the visitor’s dugout. The Boo Birds will be in high glory just remind Johnny Judus of his actions. But, that is part of the fun and he expects it. However, there are two types of boos. The boos that are fun boos because an old friend is in the pinstripes and the boos of hatred. People in Boston were sad at Johnny leaving but he was still the local boy. The anger was directed at management. Through the boos, the Fenway Faithful would have welcomed their boy home. Believe me because I know how this works.

When Mark Bellhorn came back to Fenway in the dress grays sporting that large blue “New York” across his chest, he got a standing ovation because he understood that this is how the games works. He was grateful to be a part of historic team, but they parted ways when his average barely skimmed over the Mendoza Line for most of the season. Boston released him and the Yanks picked him up. He didn’t toss the Sox management under the bus. He thanked people, acknowledged good times and moved on. It was graceful. Boston remembered, Bellhorn remembered and all was good.

Ok, you might fight this argument because Bellhorn was let go by the Sox as opposed to Damon who chose to sign with the Yanks. And, that is true. In fact, it proves my point. Bellhorn had all the more reason to throw the Sox under the bus. He would have more bitterness. But, he didn’t because, unlike Johnny Damon, he is not an egotist.

Since the Sox won the World Series in 2004, Johnny became more outspoken. Before he was just a team player. A Dirtdog. An Idiot in the loveable sense. But, after the World Series, he fluffed his hair a bit more. He ‘offered’ his opinions to the media on how Curt Schilling should train. He publicly ripped manager Terry Francona for not assigning Mike Timlin the closer job when Keith Foulke went down. The media fluffed him. The fans fluffed him. He wrote a book (??) and did a media tour. The spotlight was on him and he sucked it in. During 2005, Sox fans across the Nation watched little Johnny transform into a superstar.

When the offseason came, he signed with the Yankees because the “they wanted him more.” In other words, it was about respect.


Oh, that again?? Haven’t we heard this one already??

Pedro Martinez is still bashing Grady Little and Sox management for lack of respect. What is it about guys getting what they want (the big inflated contracts) and then bitching about it? I am so sick of that hit and run!




So, I only have one thing to say: Johnny, you got your money, now shut the fuck up!

You got want you wanted, a top payday that no one else would touch – many in NY and Boston would say you were overpaid. Regardless, you are on a winning team, a competitive team, and a team with major tradition where the city will embrace you with love like a son but that is not good enough is it? If you really cared about staying with the Sox you would not have retained Scott “bloodsucker” Boras to be your agent. You could have followed Bronson Arroyo’s lead, but no you didn’t really care about staying with the Sox, did you. It is not the question of ‘them’ wanting you more, but what ‘you’ wanted more.

And honestly Johnny, that’s ok. I’m not bitter that you took the money and ran. This is a business, just ask Mark Bellhorn. Get as much money as you can because the shelf life of an athlete is shorter than any other occupation and I might do the exact same thing if I were in your position. However, I would turn to my new teammates and buddy up instead of swerving to run your old fans over as you cruise down the Pike.

We still would have embraced you. We would have booed you, but it would have been tough love because you were there, a major piece of the bridge to the first championship in 86 years. But, no you had to go piss on that. So, to that, I say good riddance. You are getting 52 million dollars to play for the most historic franchise in sports history. I put the whole thing aside and wanted so bad to root for you. But, you insult me as a baseball fan. I don’t feel bad for you. Shut the fuck up and play.