The Rocket IS Back

Roger Clemens has decided to return to baseball and pitch for the Houston Astros. Read more about it here.

The End of the Line

I think the Pistons are going to reach the end of their playoff run tonight. If you're wondering how the best team in the league got to this point, here's a quote from Bob Wojnowski:

They got here by taking the easy way out, by blaming the coach, by thinking they were better than they were, or assuming the opponent wasn't as good. To be fair, tonight will mark the Pistons' 82nd playoff game in four years, a full extra season of toil. They look worn down, mentally and physically, which was always the risk.

Read the rest here.

The Return of the Rocket?

ESPN is reporting that Roger Clemens has agreed to return to the Houston Astros. The Astros are denying the report, calling the situation "status quo." The Rocket returning is certainly interesting, but what's taking so long? I guess when you're 40+ and a great pitcher you can just sit back and wait for a sweetheart deal.

Can You Believe It?

It's Memorial Day and the Tigers are still the best team in baseball, at least record-wise. They have the best winning percentage at .700; the next best is .653 by the White Sox. Sit back and enjoy. (Photo from AP)

Hall of Heroes

Hall of Heroes lists many servicemen whose heroic efforts are worthy of special note. Might be worth while stopping by on Memorial Day.

Poor Hugo

Hugo Chavez, the "president" of Venezuela, is unhappy about the upcoming video game Mercenaries 2: World In Flames. Or at least his supporters are unhappy. The game is set in a war-torn Venezuela. So, obviously, it must be a plot to prepare the American people to overthrow Chavez. Of course! It's brilliant. A whole generation of soldiers ready to fight Chavez, errr, if they can afford the PS3's $600 price tag. Not that I'd be against overthrowing the crazy commie. Here's all you need to know: "But Cuba doesn’t have a dictatorship – it’s a revolutionary democracy." Or maybe this: "The grand destroyer of the world, and the greatest threat ... is represented by U.S. imperialism." Or maybe one more: "Everyday I become more convinced... that it is necessary to transcend capitalism. But capitalism can’t be transcended from with capitalism itself, but through socialism, true socialism, with equality and justice. But I’m also convinced that it is possible to do it under democracy, but not in the type of democracy being imposed from Washington." (All from WikiQuote) Those crazy dictators. Makes me want to play Mercs 2.

$250...

...or less. That's how much Nintendo's new console will cost. That's more or less what Nintendo fans expected, but it's good news anyway, especially when compared to the hefty price tag of the PS3.

In other Nintendo-related news, Gamedaily.com has a fun article up about the history of Mario. It's really quite amazing how many hit games have been spawned from the franchise.

Up, up, down, down...

This is one of the funniest comics I've ever seen. Look closely at the position of the hands if you don't get it at first. If you still don't get it, well, you haven't played near enough Contra. Or you could just read up on the object of the comic here.

Ghost Rider

I have to say that I've never been a big fan of Ghost Rider. But, if nothing else, you have to admit that he looks really cool. And never more cool than in these trailers. I'm a little apprehensive about Nicolas Cage, but on the other hand, he did take his stage name from a Marvel comic book character. Hopefully this will be as cool as it looks.

Joey on the Lions

Joey Harrington didn't complain while he was Lion, even under the strain of tremendous pressure and derision. Well, now that he's gone to Miami he's free to share his real feelings about the team. Check it out here.

They Didn't Blow It

Well, I'm surprised. The Pistons didn't blow it in game 7 tonight. They played some defense and sent LeBron home. Good riddance. Can you imagine how commentators are going to be slobbering over him next year? Ugh. Now that the ship is righted, it's time to finish this thing off. Go to work, Pistons.

Note to Gatorade

Playing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" behind footage advertising the World Cup? Simply unacceptable.

Great Expectations

John Clayton has an article up on ESPN.com about 1st round WR picks and their failures. Here's a stat: "Eleven of the 16 first-round receivers taken between 2000 and 2003 haven't or won't get second contracts from the teams that drafted them." Interesting reading.

More Mass Effect

You can check out some new screens at Game Banshee.

Power Rankings

ESPN.com has their Power Rankings up, and guess who's #1? Well, it's the White Sox. But the Tigers, who have the best record in the league right now, are #2. And they were close to being 1, and could even be considered 1A. Did you know that "the Tigers' pitching staff leads the majors in ERA (3.13) and shutouts (7)." This is simply amazing. Hopefully the Tigers can keep it going and help wash away the bad taste of the Pistons suicidal end to their season.

Minnesota, here we come

Tickets have been ordered for the 2006 Baseball Trip. I've got 6 tickets coming, so if Matt bails out, hopefully Adam has a "friend" or a "co-worker" who can be our 6th ticket. Tickets are $25/person ($21+$3 service charge+$0.50 delivery fee = $25). Peace out.

Wallpaper 5-16-06

More New Super Mario Bros. goodness:

New Super Mario Bros.

I just saw a commercial for the New Super Mario Bros. I want it. It's old school Mario action. And you can play as a giant Mario and destroy everything in your path. Everything you never knew you always wanted in a Mario game. Sigh. My poor wallet.

Around the NFL

Some news from around the NFL:

-The Dolphins have signed Marcus Vick. Mark my words, the Fish will regret this move before the end. Marcus hasn't changed, but he's suckered some people in. Of course if Nick Saban takes a fall, I can't say it will hurt my feelings much.

-The Lions have re-signed Jeff Backus, their best lineman. Took them long enough to make the right move.

-Doug Flutie has decided to retire. If you can't go out on top, I can't think of a better way to leave than that drop-kick.

-Joey Porter has plans to be an idiot. To the president. Because apparently winning the Super Bowl and going to the White House for a celebration earns you the right to have a one-on-one complaint session. Running your mouth to reporters is one thing, to the president is something else entirely. I hope his ego is actually this big and some Secret Service agents take him down. Moron.

Flying Monkeys

You have to love a comic that features flying monkeys emerging from certain orifices. Check out today's Dilbert.

Re: Mass Effect

I kinda like this character myself. By the way, spend that money Adam. You need to spoil yourself, because you can't forget to look out for #1. Someday, I don't know, perhaps there might be someone who thinks you should spend your "toy" money elsewhere.

Mac vs. PC

I'm not a big fan of Macs, or Apple in general. I'm also not usually a fan of ads where one company directly attacks another. So you can guess that I'm really not a fan of the latest Mac commercials. This comic from Ctrl+Alt+Del pretty well sums up what I've been thinking.

HK-47 Quotes

I don't think I really explained how cool HK-47 is in my previous post about Mass Effect. You really need some examples of his dark humor to really appreciate him. So, here's some quotes:

HK-47: Statement: HK-47 is ready to serve, master.
Revan: You don't need to call me master, you know.
HK-47: Query: Don't I? I was under the assumption that organic meatbags such as yourself enjoyed such forms of address.
Revan: "Organic meatbags?"
HK-47: Retraction: Did I say that out loud? I apologize, master. While you are a meatbag, I suppose I should not call you as such.
Revan: You just called me a meatbag again!
HK-47: Explanation: It's just that... you have all these squishy parts, master. And all that water! How the constant sloshing doesn't drive you mad, I have no idea...
Revan: Neither do I, come to think of it...
HK-47: Statement: Now do you understand the travails of my existence, master? Surely it does not compare to your existence, but still...
Revan: I survive. Somehow.
HK-47: Commentary: As do I. It is our lot in life, I suppose, master. Shall we find something to kill to cheer ourselves up?

HK-47: Can I break his neck now master? It's been a long time fantasy of mine...
Revan: Maybe later...
HK-47: Did you hear that meatbag? "I'LL BE BACK!"

[Speaking with a Jawa who refers to 'Ghosts in the desert']
HK-47: Explanation: Two per cent probability that the miniature organic is simply looking for trouble and needs to be blasted. That may be wishful thinking on my part, master.

HK-47: Definition: 'Love' is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope... Love is knowing your target, putting them in your targeting reticule, and together, achieving a singular purpose against statistically long odds.

Additional Voices: There's something out there... it got the other submersible already.
HK-47: Suggestion: Perhaps we could dismember the organic? It would make it easier for transport to the surface.
Additional Voices: Hey! Y-you... you can't rip me to pieces! I'll die!!
HK-47: Amendment: I did forget that. Stupid, frail, non-compartmentalized meatbags!

HK-47: Suggestion: Electrocution work well. Evisceration and Decapitation are also effective, or, um, so I've heard.

HK-47: Statement: HK-47 is ready to serve, master. Observation: Notice that I did not ask if you need anyone killed. You may be curious as to why. Answer: That is because you told me to stop asking if you needed anyone killed. So I have. From now on, I will simply say, "I am ready to serve." Yes, ready to serve. In whatever way a common protocol or utility droid might serve. It seems that is my lot in life. Not to kill.

HK-47: Statement: Pain is really the only reliable means by which truth may be obtained. Or so I choose to believe.

I'm not sure that does him justice, but it's a start. You can here him in another quote here. Also, here's a Jolee Bindo quote, just for kicks:

Jolee Bindo: I guess you could say I did it all for the Wookiees.
Revan: The Wookiees?
Jolee Bindo: The Wookiees!

It's Early

It's really too early for preseason rankings to amount to anything. They're silly at this time of year. And also mandatory. Here are some from Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, who happens to be my favorite writer on Yahoo. It has nothing to do with the fact that he's a fellow Spartan alum. Really.

Mass Effect

Bioware is my favorite video game developer. They made Knights of the Old Republic, which is probably my favorite game ever. I've played that game for over 100 hours easily. During the Christmas break when I first had a chance to play I only took a break to eat, sleep, and let Andy have a turn. It has three of the best Star Wars characters ever in it: Jolee Bindo, Canderous Ordo, and HK-47, who is himself possibly the best SW character ever. Most of the movie characters aren't near as cool as these guys. They also made the game Jade Empire which I'm also a big fan of. It's nearly as addictive as KOTR even though I wouldn't be as inclined to be interested. Great game. Both games were widely considered the RPGs of the year when they came out.

So where's the news? Bioware is releasing a new game, Mass Effect, on the Xbox 360. Which is bad news in a way: it's going to suck up many hours of my life and many dollars out of my pocket to buy a 360. Sigh. But I don't think I've ever been so excited about a video game. You can see a trailer and pics at IGN, where this pic is from.

Finally

Joey Harrington has finally been traded to the Miami Dolphins. The Lions will receive an undisclosed draft choice. Without recapping the entire offseason, let's just say getting rid of Harrington has been a huge mess. I'm not hugely anti-Millen like some are, but this surely wasn't a skillful trade.

In celebration...

...of Big Ben's fourth defensive POY award, a Ben Wallace wallpaper:


Enjoy.

Make Room

Ben Wallace needs another spot in his trophy case. Today, he became only the 2nd player to win NBA defensive player of the year honors 4 times (the other is Dikembe Mutombo). You can read quotes from the press conference here. Congratulations to Big Ben.

Turn your hamster...

...into a fighting machine! This is awesome:


Hat tip: The Corner.

Civil War

Let me ask you a question. How many times do comics get mentioned in the New York Times (not that I actually have much respect of that paper, but it's usually not into such things)? Well, Marvel's "Civil War" summer event has managed that feat (there's also a newer story I couldn't find a link to). It's also been mentioned on NPR and ABC News. Pretty decent press for comics. If you want to see a preview of the story, click here.

Bizarre Stat Line

Here's an interesting excerpt from Jim Caple's column on ESPN.com's Page 2:

You don't see lines like the one Seattle starter Joel Pineiro produced Monday night very often:


9 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K


A complete game without any strikeouts is pretty rare. But a complete game without any strikeouts or walks? According to Elias, the last time a pitcher pulled that off was in 1994 when Pedro Astacio did it. The last American Leaguer to do it was Bill Wegman in 1992.

Fascinating.

Poor Babies

The Lions will lose two days of minicamp next week after the NFLPA and Management Council ruled in favor of a grievance filed by players that the Lions broke the rules pertaining to offseason workouts. This likely means workouts were too strenuous or meetings were too long. The players will of course be paid their daily $110 stipend. As the linked article above states, this is a great start for the worst team in the league over the last 5 seasons. They may have had a legitimate complaint, but all they've done is confirm to Lions fans that they don't want to work. It must be tough having 3+ months off a year.

This article talks about Charles Rogers and his changing role in the new offense. Supposedly he will look more like he did at MSU, streaking down the field to catch TDs. Since the only players streaking in Mooch's offense were defenders running an intercepted ball back this could be a nice change. It also mentions that some experts think the fact that top draft choice Ernie Sims had 5 concussions in his career so far could be a serious concern. No kidding. I'm sure Sims will be a lights-out player in no time.

Leinart seeing Paris?

Well, that's the rumor. Would this really be a good idea for Matt Leinart? I mean, sure, she's rich, and reasonably attractive. But if it's hot chicks you're looking for, I'm sure Matt could find hotter young starlets. Hard to beat the money, but how many millions do you need? And then there's that stupid little dog...

Baseball Buddy Trip

Here's an article on Yahoo Sports about taking a "baseball buddy trip." There's schedules and everthing. All I can say is we're way ahead of the curve on this one.