The Final Scoretag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog/2132008-07-19T05:42:37ZNewsday's Jim Baumbach, Anthony Rieber and (sometimes) Chicago Norm bring you the best -- and the worst -- of the sports world.Movable Type 3.36Whatever happened to the Hall of Fame?tag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1149672008-07-19T05:25:23Z2008-07-19T05:42:37Z That's the title of a 1994 book by Bill James. But first, the book was published under the title "The Politics of Glory." I don't know this for a fact, but I'd bet the book title was changed when...Anthony Rieber
That's the title of a 1994 book by Bill James.
But first, the book was published under the title "The Politics of Glory." I don't know this for a fact, but I'd bet the book title was changed when the publisher realized no one knew what the heck the book was about. How can you sell a book about the Hall of Fame without "Hall of Fame" in the title?
I am a Jamesian. His reearch has affected my thinking as a baseball fan and writer ever since I started collecting "The Baseball Abstract" back in the 1980s.
With "The Politics of Glory" in mind (it examines in great detail the selection process for the baseball Hall through the years and explains the many mistakes that have been made), and with the induction next weekend of Goose Gossage as the backdrop, I put together a list of the 100 top Hall of Famers for this Sunday's Newsday.
The premise of the article was simple. Is Gossage really a Hall of Famer? Do you have to be a legend, or a great player, or is very good and even good enough to get you into Cooperstown? Who are the best of the best -- the top Hall of Famers?
As I explain in the article, there are 234 players in the Hall. I set out to pick out the very, very best (what I call the legends and the great players). I wasn't trying to get to any particular number, just going player-by-player. I came up with 92 players who I think of as legends or great players.
My editor read over the list and suggested a few additions. We agreed to make the list The Newsday 100 because 100 is a nice, round number and sounds better than The Newsday 92 -- just like the title of James' book was changed, I presume, for marketing reasons.
Check out the article, and the list, and let me know what you think. It's a little more impressive and easy to follow, I think, if you look at it in the newspaper, but if you live outside the Newsday circulation area, you'll have to read it on your computer.
You can comment here, of course, but please note we will have a live chat on Monday at 2 p.m. so you can ask me questions about The Newsday 100 or just tell me why you think so and so should be on it or so and so shouldn't.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Here's the link to the article and list.]]>
Do you tattoo? If so, we want to knowtag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1147142008-07-18T14:49:51Z2008-07-18T15:00:24Z Really, are you so proud of a sports team or icon that you have him or her permanently etched on your skin? If so, Newsday's Barbara Barker wants to talk to you for an upcoming story. Knicks on your...Chicago Norm
Really, are you so proud of a sports team or icon that you have him or her permanently etched on your skin?
If so, Newsday's Barbara Barker wants to talk to you for an upcoming story.
Knicks on your shoulder?
Dale Senior on your bumper?
Mr. Met on your forearm?
Are you this guy?
Just email her at barbara.barker@newsday.com. Who knows, you may become famous and someone will get a tattoo of you.
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Chuck Culpepper sighting!tag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1147962008-07-18T13:52:45Z2008-07-18T14:07:29Z So i'm electronically thumbing through Newsday when I see our British Open story is by Chuck Culpepper of the LA Times. Chuck Culpepper! He was with Newsday for a few years. Incredibly talented writer, and a great guy. I...Anthony Rieber
So i'm electronically thumbing through Newsday when I see our British Open story is by Chuck Culpepper of the LA Times.
Chuck Culpepper! He was with Newsday for a few years. Incredibly talented writer, and a great guy. I didn't know him that well. But what I did know i liked. He's one of the few people in this biz no one ever has a bad word to say about. That's something among jaded journalists.
The other distinction Chuck held during his time at Newsday is he once walked from Yankee Stadium to Shea Stadium (or the other way, I forget) between games of one of those two-stadium Subway Series doubleheaders and then wrote about it.
I wonder if Chuck knows he was eclipsed this season by our own Baumbach, who RAN between the stadiums during this season's event while someone fired paint gun pellets at him?
What? Oh, I guess I'm getting Baumbach's wacky stunts mixed up. I won't rest until Baumbach is fired out of a cannon at the Super Bowl!
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Hellboy's dad is the guy who invented PSLstag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1147382008-07-18T11:11:54Z2008-07-18T10:24:31ZIs there a single Giants fan out there who thinks that Personal Seat Licenses are a good thing? Forty thousand dollars for the privilege of being able to buy the four tickets to Giants games that your family has been...Chicago Norm
Is there a single Giants fan out there who thinks that Personal Seat Licenses are a good thing?
Forty thousand dollars for the privilege of being able to buy the four tickets to Giants games that your family has been buying for years, only in a newer stadium? And then you still have to pay for the tickets.
No problem, your kids can always work their own way through community college instead of going to NYU.
These devilish PSLs are nothing new. Some colleges have done this for years, and Dallas' Cotton Bowl required them for some events as early as 1960.
That said, there is a special place in the netherworld for whoever first thought of PSLs. And I'd like to think that he gets to share eternity in the same room -- without a toilet, and all they get to eat is Taco Bell refried beans -- as the person who invented amortized compound interest. ]]>
Terrell Owens has given his blessing to Jessica Simpson and Tony Romotag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1147742008-07-18T11:06:24Z2008-07-18T10:05:40ZApparently T.O. no longer sees Jessica Simpson as a jinx to the Dallas Cowboys. In fact, he says he was kidding all along when he said he wanted her banned from Texas Stadium. He told USmagazine.com, "She is welcome to...Chicago Norm
Apparently T.O. no longer sees Jessica Simpson as a jinx to the Dallas Cowboys.
In fact, he says he was kidding all along when he said he wanted her banned from Texas Stadium.
He told USmagazine.com, "She is welcome to the stadium anytime. I told her she can come down and sit in my section. I’m sure she will be back!”
That's great news for Giants fans because, let's face it, Jessica Simpson really is a jinx.]]>
Frozen outdoors hockey game tickets already reach the boiling pointtag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1147612008-07-18T11:01:59Z2008-07-18T10:09:46ZWayne the Red Wings fan was all excited about flying to Chicago for the Jan. 1 outdoor NHL game between his Wings and the Blackhawks at Wrigley Field. So he checked out the prices. Airfare: Jackpot! $147 round trip from...Chicago Norm
Wayne the Red Wings fan was all excited about flying to Chicago for the Jan. 1 outdoor NHL game between his Wings and the Blackhawks at Wrigley Field.
So he checked out the prices.
Airfare: Jackpot! $147 round trip from Islip to Midway Airport.
Lodging: Double jackpot! Surprisingly, Chicago Norm actually has people who not only don't hate him, but are willing to let him stay in their homes. (Chicago Norm's sister is currently not included among them.)
Tickets: Busted! StubHub prices are already through the roof, ranging from $449-$2,449.
(Disclaimer in case my sister actually reads this: Sorry, just kidding. It's that crazy sense of humor of mine that you love so much.)
Oh, well. Except for sitting outside less than a mile from the lake for three hours in minus-12 windchill, it would have been a blast. And I was really looking forward to going to the Cubby Bear Lounge afterwards and watching the Yuppies swill Old Style and appletinis.
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I hope WWE's Stacy Keibler washes her delicates before selling them on eBaytag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1147732008-07-18T10:51:54Z2008-07-18T09:51:52ZIn honor of WWE's Great American Bash Sunday at Nassau Coliseum . . . WWE diva Stacy Keibler is selling more of her used clothing on eBay. In some of the listings, she even calls herself WWE diva Stacy Keibler,...Chicago Norm
In honor of WWE's Great American Bash Sunday at Nassau Coliseum . . .
WWE diva Stacy Keibler is selling more of her used clothing on eBay. In some of the listings, she even calls herself WWE diva Stacy Keibler, which is kind of amusing seeing that the diva title is more of a dig than an honor.
So anyway, among Stacy's offerings this week is her lovely "Black & White Zebra Swim Suit trimmed in HOT PINK !!" featured in the Aug., 2002, RAW Magazine and 2003 WWE Mini Magazine.
When I looked at this listing earlier this morning while searching for things that might amuse our Final Score readers, there were 60 bids and the thing was up to $460, from her opening price of $150.
Is this like a cross between the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Weird Science, where crazed WWE fans buy Stacy's undies and wear them on their head to Wrestlemania?
Does she wash them before selling? (One of eBay's anti-pervert rules disallows listings involving unwashed used clothing, but how can they monitor this?)
I wanted to give her some credit for smart marketing but that quickly changed to pandering-creepy after seeing another listing, entitled "STACY KEIBLER'S Fringed Wrap from Photo Shoot."
We know where that's been, and she knows that we know where that's been, and that's pretty much all I have to say.
Except for this:
One of the featured matches in Sunday's Bash at the Coliseum is an NYC Parking Lot Brawl between John Cena and JBL. I just hope that they will be fighting over a dented fender and not some of Stacy Keibler's undies.
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Al Arbour's revenge: I play paintball with/against Islestag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1147562008-07-18T03:53:55Z2008-07-18T03:57:40ZThe Islanders took the players attending their rookie camp to a West Babylon indoor arena to play paintball on Wednesday night, and they let me tag along. Here's my recap of the experience. There's also a video of my experience...Jim Baumbach
Here's my recap of the experience. There's also a video of my experience on that Web page, shot by my brave colleague Marc Serra, who dodged paintballs in the process. Enjoy.]]>
Why wasn't Tom Seaver at the All-Star Game?tag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1147552008-07-18T03:52:11Z2008-07-18T03:55:38Z Click here to find out why....Anthony RieberClick here to find out why.]]>
Full moon over centerfield Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, 7/17/08tag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1147372008-07-18T01:39:07Z2008-07-18T01:41:11ZAnthony Rieber
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Does Buddy Garrity know that his daughter is dating Derek Jeter?tag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1145562008-07-17T15:33:38Z2008-07-17T15:32:24Z Uh, last time I looked, Minka Kelly's character in Friday Night Lights was still in high school. Lyla Garrity has gotten herself into some predicaments, but this would top them all if her daddy found out. (Don't worry, Minka...Chicago Norm
Uh, last time I looked, Minka Kelly's character in Friday Night Lights was still in high school.
Lyla Garrity has gotten herself into some predicaments, but this would top them all if her daddy found out.
(Don't worry, Minka is really 28, not 17.)
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Guess which two Yankee wives were ranked among baseball's five hottesttag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1145482008-07-17T15:15:35Z2008-07-17T15:21:33ZSure, this is trash, but . . . In honor of the All-Star Game, CelebTV.com ranked baseball's five hottest wives, and two Yankees made the list, although one may not be a Yankee wife for long. Interesting, only one is...Chicago Norm
Sure, this is trash, but . . .
In honor of the All-Star Game, CelebTV.com ranked baseball's five hottest wives, and two Yankees made the list, although one may not be a Yankee wife for long.
Interesting, only one is married to a player who wasn't a Yankee or Met at one time.
Here they are, in suspenseful, countdown order:
5. Cynthia Rodriguez
4. Lisa Guerrero, wife of former Yankee Scott Erickson
3. Lisa Dergan, wife of Rockies outfielder Scott Podsednik
2. Michelle Damon (pictured)
(drumroll)
1. Anna Benson, wife of former Mets pitch Kris Benson
Chicago Norm apologizes for this tasteless post and promises never to do it again.
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Minka Kelly sightingtag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1145462008-07-17T14:48:41Z2008-07-17T15:06:12ZHard-working Newsday reporter Katie Strang noticed our photo of Minka Kelly below and told me this story: "I saw her at the All-Star Game. She was looking hot as hell. Tan vest, jeans, fedora. Stunning though. You can quote me...Anthony Rieber
Hard-working Newsday reporter Katie Strang noticed our photo of Minka Kelly below and told me this story:
"I saw her at the All-Star Game. She was looking hot as hell. Tan vest, jeans, fedora. Stunning though. You can quote me on that."
Nice.
A-Rod, Madonna, Derek Jeter, Minka Kelly, David Wrighttag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1145272008-07-17T14:26:32Z2008-07-17T14:33:42Z Are all in this item from the Post's Page Six via Yahoo. It sounds like people really don't like A-Rod. Shocker....Anthony Rieber
Are all in this item from the Post's Page Six via Yahoo.
It sounds like people really don't like A-Rod. Shocker.]]>
A-Rod divorce spoof a hit at the old ballparktag:weblogs.newsday.com,2008:/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog//213.1144922008-07-17T11:02:53Z2008-07-17T07:50:29ZNow THIS is entertainment. The Grand Prairie (Texas) Airhogs topped last month's Win-A-Funeral promotion by a mile Wednesday night with a between-innings send-up of Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez's divorce trial. There also was a dance contest to, you guessed it,...Chicago Norm
Now THIS is entertainment.
The Grand Prairie (Texas) Airhogs topped last month's Win-A-Funeral promotion by a mile Wednesday night with a between-innings send-up of Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez's divorce trial.
There also was a dance contest to, you guessed it, Madonna songs. Here's the story.
This promotion, in which fans dressed like Alex, Cynthia or Madonna got into the ballpark for a dollar, totally cracks me up and more than makes up for the horrid Win-A-Funeral contest in which the winner proudly announced that "God still has me around for a reason; to win a funeral."
I'm starting to think that I really blew it last month by not trying to go to an Airhogs game when I was in Grand Prairie visiting relatives.
In case you're wondering, Grand Prairie is the next town to Arlington, home of A-Rod's former team, the Texas Rangers.
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Does she wash them before selling? (One of eBay's anti-pervert rules disallows listings involving unwashed used clothing, but how can they monitor this?)
I wanted to give her some credit for smart marketing but that quickly changed to pandering-creepy after seeing another listing, entitled "STACY KEIBLER'S Fringed Wrap from Photo Shoot."
We know where that's been, and she knows that we know where that's been, and that's pretty much all I have to say.
Except for this:
One of the featured matches in Sunday's Bash at the Coliseum is an NYC Parking Lot Brawl between John Cena and JBL. I just hope that they will be fighting over a dented fender and not some of Stacy Keibler's undies.
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