“That’s Nine Years of Frustration”
The Leafs will play playoffs games in HD for the first time in franchise history.
— @bruce_arthur
For Boston
“Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave”
— America
Respect
“He scored the go-ahead run that first day in the major leagues, and we’ve been trying to catch up with him ever since.”
— Bill Clinton, as baseball retires Jackie Robinson’s No. 42
(Source: Sports Illustrated)
Chamberlain’s Cookie Duster
Joba’s new mustache rules. Welcome back, baseball.
Festivus Maximus
To most people, Festivus has everything to do with Seinfeld, an aluminum pole, the “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength”. In Baltimore it carries a totally different meaning.
When the 2000 Baltimore Ravens started their playoff run in the month of December, Coach Brian Billick forbid his players from mentioning the word “playoffs”. Forbid and actually threatened to fine any player who even whispered the word. The team needed a code word and it was decided that “Festivus” would be that phrase. Similarly, once into the playoffs, the club was not supposed to mention the pinnacle — the Super Bowl. From that point on, the city of Baltimore has referred to Super Bowl as Festivus Maximus.
Happy Festivus Maximus, everyone.
Sammy the Tortoise
As the legend goes Colin Kaepernick got a pet tortoise when he was ten years-old. At that time, Sammy the tortoise, was so tiny he could fit in the palm of Kap’s hand. These days, Sammy is a little larger.
And it continues. Is there anything not to like about this kid?
Jack
Quartherbacks thould wear drethes.
— Jack Lambert
One-Two-Three Chuck!!
“And my vision
That I’m living
Is to see two more daughters
Getting married
Dance at their wedding
And then
hoist that Lombardi
Several times”
— Coach Chuck Pagano in a very emotional locker room speech.
Get well soon, Coach.
Rested
Well, on the bright side, Stephen Strasburg will be nice and fresh for the 2013 season.
The Epitome of Team
“Get in here, everyone get in here… Look into each other eyes, now! Look into each others eyes, I want one more day with you, it’s the most fun, the best team I have ever been on, and no matter what happens we must not give in. We owe it to each other, play for each other. I need one more day with you guys. I need to see what Theriot will wear tomorrow, I want to play defense behind Vogelsong because he’s never been to the playoffs. Play for each other not yourself, win each moment, win each inning, it’s all we have left.”
— Reverand Hunter Pence
Folks, this is playoff baseball.
The Astounding Athletics
“It was all part of the plan.”
— Billy Beane
And on the final day of the 2012 season the Oakland A’s rally from a 5-1 deficit to sweep the Texas Rangers and capture the AL West title. A team full of rookies out playing the best team of the regular season. If you squint a little bit and back away from your screen you could convince yourself Yoenis Cespedes is a right handed Mr. October.
Apologies
Sorry things have been so quiet around these parts. I’ve been busy watching a pennant race.
“Enough is Enough”
USADA cannot assert control of a professional international sport and attempt to strip my seven Tour de France titles. I know who won those seven Tours, my teammates know who won those seven Tours, and everyone I competed against knows who won those seven Tours. We all raced together. For three weeks over the same roads, the same mountains, and against all the weather and elements that we had to confront. There were no shortcuts, there was no special treatment. The same courses, the same rules. The toughest event in the world where the strongest man wins. Nobody can ever change that. Especially not Travis Tygart.
Guilty. Innocent. Who knows? That’s one hell of a statement on some extremely disappointing news.
He Ain’t No Miss
We’ve seen a few misses at the number one spot. He ain’t no miss.
—Mike Tomlin, after Sunday’s preseason game vs. Colts
A Chitwood & Hobbs Field Report
