We Don't Walk Slow

Football Update

I haven’t been posting much about my fantasy results and that’s because it’s been lackluster for the first 4 weeks. I’m running my standard 4 leagues and have records of 1-3 x2 and 2-2 x2. Everyone knows though that in fantasy football the goal of the regular season is to make the playoffs so it’s a never say die attitude. It’s hard to say exactly what the problem is but I’ve been getting no help from my non-scoring positions (K, Def, and TE) and my big names just aren’t the big names who are putting up major points. I didn’t play Hartline in 2 leagues last week and instead played Alshon Jeffrey which has me pretty pissed off. I suppose it’s good at least I have him.

On the betting front, I obviously wouldn’t post if I was down tons of money but I had a nice turn around this week. In week 2 I deposited a 100 bucks and lost it within 3 bets. This week I started off by putting 100 bucks on the Eagles which won 83. I then put the 83 (bankroll mgmt) on the Bears last night which netted 66. Finally I had 20 on Brandon Marshall having more receiving yards than Miles which proved correct as well. This puts me up a bit over 50 bucks for the season. This blog is a good way to document how much I win or lose during the season.

By Tom Stortz|2012-10-02T18:18:19-04:00October 2nd, 2012|Sports|1 Comment

Is JKash Advanced?

The more I read about being advanced, the more I think that JKash might actually know what he’s talking about. He might not know exactly (he probably does) why I think he knows, but I’ll use this post to point it out. The first thing that comes to mind is his ability to spot advanced athletes. To think that Shawn Kemp was just merely “the Reign Man” doesn’t make him advanced. Any Joe can score 20 points and grab 10 boards on a nightly basis but to do it while fathering (at least) 7 children takes extra talent. Let’s not forget that he was also able to do it while breaking countless laws. “On April 4, 2005 Shawn Kemp was arrested in Shoreline, Washington for an investigation of drug possession. Kemp along with another man were found with cocaine, about 60 grams of marijuana and a semiautomatic pistol, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office. Kemp was again arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession in Houston, Texas on July 21, 2006.” Just to really show his advanced status, he ballooned up to 315lbs and wanted to take on the NBA at his advanced weight. That’s some serious mental determination of a man who knows exactly what he’s doing. To finalize this argument in conjunction with his return to the NBA (unrealistically), “in June 2006, 3 months after a drug arrest, the Denver Post reported that Kemp had slimmed down to the playing weight of his all-star days and was determined to join an NBA team, possibly the Denver Nuggets, and finish his career “the right way.” The Nuggets ultimately turned their attention away from Kemp, signing power forward Reggie Evans.” What does this prove? The only way to replace the advanced, is with another highly advanced athlete. I bring you Reggie Evan’s finest moment. Part 2 tomorrow.

By Tom Stortz|2012-09-05T08:38:02-04:00September 5th, 2012|Sports|0 Comments

Larry Legend

You most likely won’t sit through 7 minutes of Larry passing the ball (I did) but this is seriously makes me want to play basketball. Larry was just a scrappy, tough as nails, deadly from the outside, crisp passing mother fucker. Someone please tell me how Kevin Mchale and the Chief didn’t shoot 70+% every season?

By Tom Stortz|2013-03-15T03:22:20-04:00August 29th, 2012|Sports|0 Comments

Baseball and Cycling (and Doping)

Lance Armstrong is the latest dope. Throw in Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon and we’re having a dope party. Does anyone else think that this ruins these sports? Jeff was saying how Lance Armstrong has passed hundreds of drug tests and believes he could be clean. I don’t understand how anyone with true, pure innocence would ever back down, so in my view, he’s guilty. The baseball players are just as bad. They need the juice to be major league players. It skews the game for anyone not using the juice. It’s really not that hard of a choice, use the juice (chance getting caught) and be a major leaguer, or be a Joe Schmoe off of the roster. It’s really that simple.

The problem is the game is completely compromised and in my mind sucks. If you are going to let them juice, let them juice. Let’s see beefed up pitchers and jacked bros cranking dingers. Why the hell not, that’s basically what baseball has become. At least we’d have an even playing field. If you don’t understand that sports are about fulfilling your natural potential and how you compete at that state is what it’s all about, you just don’t get it. Watching 50% of the talented baseball players compete against 50% of the cheaters is horrific and I would never support that ridiculous circumstance. Cycling is even worse because it’s a one person sport. There aren’t nine guys who some of which may be cheating, it’s just you. Cheating makes casual fans hate the sport and enthusiasts make excuses.

By Tom Stortz|2013-03-15T03:22:33-04:00August 27th, 2012|Sports|4 Comments

Olympic Freaks

Has anyone else noticed that to be the best you have to have freakish attributes. Missy Franklin has size 13 feet. Phelps is 6-4 with a 6-7 wing span, double jointed elbows and knees, flipper hands and size 14 feet. Usain bolt is 6-6 and just not your typical build of a sprinter. These athletes all have something that makes them uniquely different and not surprisingly, this gives them advantages that most of us don’t have. The cardinal rule of you can be anything you want is complete bullshit. I don’t care how hard you work, unless you have something that gives you some competitive edge, you’re screwed. Gabby Douglas got a huge dome, probably great for balance.

By Tom Stortz|2012-08-06T19:32:37-04:00August 6th, 2012|Sports|0 Comments

Olympic Thoughts

Does anyone else love Bob Costas? I just look at him and think consummate professional. And yes I looked up consummate to make sure it was used correctly. Anything this man speaks I just nod my head and agree. Bob Costas doesn’t give false information. He has these notes that have size 3 font and he just never misses a beat. His speech is perfect and the guy just honestly owns announcing.

Moving on, does anyone else wonder how a country of 300 million is at the top of the leader board next to a country that is 4 times its size? Although I suppose shear size has nothing to do with it as India has no skill. My point though is that the USA is a melting pot of information and talent. We have Asian coaches, Black swimmers, and Cuban gymnasts. It’s just a really impressive display of why the United States is as worthy as we are. Aside from our financial ineptitude, they really shine at the Olympics.

A final thought, does anyone else get pissed off that the female volleyball players slap hands after every point? It’s just like, chill, you got a point, keep playing. It’s not like it’s the last point you are going to get of your career. It reminds me of the way NBA players slap hands after foul shots. Stop celebrating and play the goddamn game.

By Tom Stortz|2016-10-29T13:37:14-04:00August 2nd, 2012|Sports|1 Comment

Jordyn “Cry Baby” Wieber

Jordyn Wieber is not crying because she didn’t move on to the finals for all around medal. She’s crying because her hair is pulled so freaking tight that her brain is ready to explode. Plus look at her coach, she doesn’t give a qua. She’s like, yeah you got a 4th place score and for some insane reason each country is only allowed to send 2 gymnasts even though you are obviously more skilled than every other country. For that reason, perhaps it is cry worthy. However, this is the Olympics. You’ve spent 4 years preparing for this and I think it has to be understood that you might not win 8 gold medals like 99% of the athletes there. How about we be happy for our teammate, our captain. I like individual awards as much as the next person but I don’t see it.

A congratulations to Aly Raisman who I watched for all but 3 seconds. She is a non nonsense, get nail that shit and move on type of woman. Her demeanor was seriously bad ass. Plus her parents are completely ape shit. Watching them is a show on its own. It’s funny because you watch these teenage girls and after they start flipping around for a while and you see how strong they are, you think, “hey they look pretty decent.”

By Tom Stortz|2012-07-31T11:08:15-04:00July 30th, 2012|Sports|0 Comments

Phil’s 5k 2012 Experience

The results of this run can be found here.

I ran the 2nd fastest time of my life yesterday on the Phil’s course. The time of 17:48 was good for 7th place in a decimated field. There were 375 runners this year compared to, off the top of my head, 700 people in past years. I basically started in the front and and was near the front the entire race which is uncommon for me. Usually I start slow and pass runners as the race progresses but this year was different. My first mile was 5:41 which was a pretty good pace. Considering my finishing pace averaged 5:44 I think that I ran a really strong, consistent pace / race. I actually felt really good the entire way through and kick myself a bit for not pressing a little harder. People love to complain about the weather but I thought it was pretty nice. After I finished I got to watch in anticipation as Sam was pacing CK4 to the end. I was expecting a kick to the finish between the two but CK4’s energy level must have been zapped as I think I saw a man in a walker outkick them. Props to my mom too who finished in 29:07, good for 4th in her age division. When the pictures come up, I’ll add them to the site.

By Tom Stortz|2016-06-29T15:35:12-04:00July 19th, 2012|Running|0 Comments

Being Bad

Anyone else find the Cliff Lee debacle fascinating? I’m not a huge baseball fan but I actually want to watch Cliff Lee start his next game. I had the same feeling a few weeks ago when Tim Lincecum’s slump was really being highlighted. There’s something about people who should be good being bad that really interests me. It’s not like overnight they forget everything that made them all-stars. My opinion is that it just starts to turn into a mental game. They can’t even figure out what’s happening and why it’s not like it was. This goes hand in hand with RA Dickey. I almost watched the game a week or so ago when he was pitching against the Yankees. It’s another case of a guy going from one extreme to the other. It’s truly unbelievable. He hasn’t had a 12 win season in his entire career and now he has them before the all-star break! Nobody pays attention to mediocrity but you start being one extreme or the other and people start paying attention.

By Tom Stortz|2012-07-01T18:02:30-04:00July 1st, 2012|Sports|1 Comment

Great Feelings in Competition

There are somethings in life that really make you feel good when competing. It is part of the reason you will keep coming back to playing a game. I assume that this translates to more than just games and into people, food, and everything else in this world. Usually when you like something, you want to keep doing it. Here are feelings in things I do that make me want to keep doing it.

Chess – Triple forking a King, Queen, and another piece. This is essentially getting a knight that attacks all 3 pieces at once and generally screws the other player.

Ping-Pong – Slamming a persons serve right back in their face. There is nothing more demoralizing than having someone serve and immediately owning their effort.

Bowling – I think we all can agree that the Jersey Strike is in a class of it’s own. Most people use the pocket to hit strikes but when you rat out a Jersey Strike, people can’t help but hate you.

Golf – Long approach shots that end you a few feet from the cup are just tremendous. One of these shots a round can keep you coming back. Watching the ball in flight and then knowing that it has a chance to be good is a thing of beauty.

Some others that comes to mind would be blocking someones spike in volleyball, diving catches in baseball, PR’s in track, sinking the 8 ball on a break in pool or monster checks in hockey.

By Tom Stortz|2012-06-25T21:19:39-04:00June 25th, 2012|Sports|0 Comments