Monthly Archives: January 2015
RIP Mr. Cub: Ernie Banks dead at 83
Let’s play two. I have one core rule: respect the game. Not only did Ernie Banks respect the game, in every moment of his illustrious career, in every second of his life, he played with more verve and sheer joy than perhaps any player in history. Already this morning I see people on my sports lists debating whether Ernie was
Read moreDeflateGate: a few quick thoughts for the no harm/no foul crowd
I’ve spent the past couple of days listening to pundits, casual fans and Patriot-backers emphasize, in the strongest terms possible, that it didn’t change the outcome. Some go a tad further, suggesting that it doesn’t matter if Belichick tried to cheat, so long as the outcome wasn’t unaffected. This line of “reasoning” is at once mind-boggling and completely predictable here in post-sportsmanship
Read moreNFL head coach Mt. Rushmore: who’s on it?
I love this game, but have never written about it. So here goes. They’ve decided to erect a Mt. Rushmore for pro football coaches. What four legendary figures are on it? The way I see it, three men are automatics. George “Papa Bear” Halas more or less invented the NFL, coached nearly 50 years and won six titles. Vince Lombardi:
Read moreBill Belichick is the Richard Nixon of sports
Nixon was so crooked that he needed servants to help him screw his pants on every morning. – Hunter S. Thompson Every time the New England Patriots win, I kind of assume they’re cheating. Even if they aren’t. Part of me wonders what they’re up to and how they’re getting away with it. My Patriot friends call me a hater,
Read moreOn such a winter’s day (Colorado dreaming…)
A Most Unpleasant Man, pt. 2: I’m Sorry for Denying My Friends
Last week I penned a combination New Years resolution/rest-of-my-life resolution reflecting on what I let become of myself during the last decade of my life, and in it I promised that no longer would I be what E once termed, in his fantastic song, “a most unpleasant man.” That post, though, only addressed part of the story. Throughout my life I have
Read moreFour eyes: Denver Public Library
“A Most Unpleasant Man”: In 2015, I, Sam Smith, Resolve…
A few months back my old buddy Ed tracked me down. We used to play baseball together, but he moved away, we lost touch, etc., and we hadn’t talked in a good 15 years. It was great hearing from him and I really enjoyed catching up. As we were talking on the phone, though, something telling happened. He cut me
Read more@Doc’s Best CDs of 2014
2014 was, in short, a remarkable year for music. Some hipster wanker pub recently lamented that there just wasn’t a great disc this year, and all I can do is hope that somebody forwards them this list, because they damned sure missed some things. Let’s start with my co-CDs of the Year. Jeffrey Dean Foster – The Arrow You know that Desert Island
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lullaby pit 