Stuff
*So, just overheard on the tee-vee, where ESPN was showing its 2004 49ers highlights film: "The 49ers greatest moment of 2004 was their epic come-from-behind victory over Arizona in week six. ... (blah blah blah blah blah) .... the win was among the all-time great comebacks in franchise history."
Yup, when Niners fans get all misty-eyed about comebacks in future days, they'll think about The Catch against Dallas; Joe Montana leading the charge to beat the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII; and the earth-shattering win over the Cards.
(Then again, I remember the Patriots' last-second win over the Houston Oilers in 1991, on the Greg McMurtry touchdown pass from Hugh Millen, like it was yesterday. And the Zolak Wins over the Colts and Jets in 1992. And the 7-2 win over the Bengals in 1993. So maybe they're onto something).
*Got the new Red Sox 2004 postseason DVD box set in the mail a couple days ago (and got it even though the mailperson decided to leave the box set out on the sidewalk, where anyone could have taken it. But I digress). Haven't watched much of it yet, out of fear of not getting any work done if I get rolling, but I do have to get one thing off my chest: Remember in the first inning of Game 7 of the ALCS, when Johnny Damon was thrown out at the plate? Damon was safe. He got his foot on the plate a split second before Jorge Posada's tag. Obviously discussion of the tag stopped about 15 seconds later when David Ortiz clobbered Kevin Brown's next pitch, and it became completely moot by the time the night was done, but I just feel like I had to say it because I've never seen this anywhere else: Damon was safe.
Of course, the box set does bring to mind Manny Ramirez's postseason performance. I just took a peak at his World Series stats: .412 batting average and an OBP of .500. If that isn't MVP-worthy, they shouldn't even bother handing it out. Then again, I bet when Manny threw out Larry Walker at the plate, he was again demonstrating his disrespect for the game of baseball.
*So, WE HAVE A WINNER in the weekly Dave's World contest. This week, we asked how it is that when Gary Sheffield had a run-in with a fan at Fenway Park, it was portrayed to be a crime roughly equivalent to the Manson murders, but when a Yankees fan clearly punched Scott Podsednik in the face Monday night at Yankee Stadium, it was totally ignored. The winning entry comes from Bill Gaine of Franklin, MA (not his real name or hometown): .... because T.O. farted today and ESPN has to devote at least an hour to it. And for that, Billy G. wins a 2005 Tacoma Rainiers pocket schedule.
*This doesn't even need a punchline. Tonight's pitching matchup at Yankee Stadium? John Wasdin vs. Scott Proctor.
*Another email related to Matt's Dispatches from Iraq (the next edition will run a week from Sunday): I don't agree with the war, but I totally admire the troops for doing their duty. Bless you for giving me a point of view that doesn't seem propagandized, homogenized, or well scrubbed. In a strange grey time, when I am not sure where to look for inspiration, I realize that heroism can sometimes be measured in surviving with class, and doing unsavory, dangerous duties with pride, courage, and humor. Thank you again.
Now, Matt's going to be embarrassed being referred to in the same breath as the word "heroism," but I'm running this letter for a reason. Note the part about "a point of view that doesn't seem propagandized, homogenized, or well scrubbed." That email captures what we're trying to do here better than any other feedback I've received about the site. We are what we are, we're trying to give you an honest perspective and let you draw your own conclusions, and if you disagree with us, you are welcome to post here without fear of being shouted down.
This site had 12,000 page views over its first two months. Then it went from 12,000 to 20,000 in 10 days. Then it went from 20,000 to 30,500 in eight days. I know I harp on this a lot, but, seriously, thank you. I've gotten a few nice plugs along the way from good folks like the people at Stryker News and the Boston Sports Media website, but this site has started to take off with absolutely zero help from the mainstream. This site has grown almost entirely through reader word of mouth. So, again, thank you and if you like what you've been reading, please pass along the link to the site to a friend or two.
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