Name the least lame of sports' all-star games (with poll); plus USA beats France, Michael Irvin on cover of gay mag, ESPN screws Shulas, violent statues, pipe smoking & more
[Thanks to all who tapped into Live Chat Wednesday today from 1-2. Click here to join us live each week, or to post questions any time. Also join us at Twitter.com/gregcote, the official Twitter site of men who are obsessed with Hope Solo to an almost disturbing degree fans of the U.S. Women's World Cup soccer team].
THE LAMENESS OF ALL-STAR GAMES: All of the major all-star games are lame. The NFL's Pro Bowl is a joke. The NBA's and NHL's all-star games aren't much better. The MLB game -- the 82nd "Midsummer Classic" was played tonight in Phoenix (NL, 5-1), after the Hispanic players detained under Arizona's immigration law made bail -- is the most tradition-rich and is supposed to be better, if only because the winning league getting home-field advantage in the World Series theoretically adds legitimacy. But that's a dumb idea and baseball's game is lame, too. For instance, if Derek Jeter didn't care enough about the game or its result to bother playing, why should I? Jeter could have been in Phoenix being exalted for his 3,000th hit. Instead he was in Miami resting over a steak at Prime 112. All-star games don't matter. Three of the four sports at least admit it. Baseball needs to scrap the World Series tie-in and admit it, too. Click here for my latest column on this, online now and in Wednesday's pulp editions. Am I being too negative? Did tonight's game excite you? Which of the Big Four all-star games do you like the most? Or, perhaps, dislike the least? (Or would your answer be 'None of the above'?) Vote now and say why.
I (HEART) HOPE SOLO:[Wednesday update: USA crushes France, 3-1, reaches Women's World Cup final!] I must say my ordinarily tolerant wife has lately shown indications of dissatisfaction over the lifesized poster of U.S. soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo (right) now adorning our bedroom wall. It probably didn't help that when we went out to our favorite romantic restaurant to celebrate our anniversary the other night, I asked her to wear the gift I'd given her. In a rather sharp-edged tone my wife said, "I am not walking into a nice restaurant wearing those damned goalie gloves!" The Hope-led U.S. women today reached Sunday's World Cup final for the first time since 1999. Let's go USA! (Click here for 33 delicioso YouTube seconds of Hope, solo).
MICHAEL IRVIN TAKES A STAND: Former UM and NFL football star-turned-WQAM voice Michael Irvin, 45, appears in football gear and shirtless on the cover (pictured) of the latest Out magazine, a gay publication. He does so to express tolerance for gays and for same-sex marriage. Irvin is heterosexual but had an older brother, Vaughn, who was gay. Good for Michael for having the bravery to let his true beliefs shine through even though many in his macho world might be taken aback. Click here for the article.
UPDATED BASEBALL ODDS: Courtesy Bodog, Phillies are favorites from here to win World Series at 11-4, followed by Red Sox 7-2 and Yankees 6-1. Marlins tied for 23rd at 200-1. Individual betting picks: AL MVP Adrian Gonzalez 4-5, NL MVP Jose Reyes and Prince Fielder 7-2, AL Cy Young Justin Verlander 5-4, NL Cy Young Roy Halladay 3-2, and overall home runs Jose Bautista 2-5.
EPIDEMIC OF VENGEFUL STATUES SPREADS!: Police in several major American cities report that sports statues -- tired of being urinated on by hobos and posing unrenumerated for tourist photos -- have taken to exacting vengeance in a wave of violence. Locally, the parents of a small boy have filed suit claiming the child recently was hip-checked by the bronze likeness of Don Shula. Pictured right, a statue pretending to stand frozen prepares to blindside an unsuspecting woman pedestrian upside the head with a bat.
ESPN SCREWS SHULAS!: Pegged to the Robinson Cano father-son pitch-hit combo in the Home Run Derby, ESPN just trotted out a "10 Greatest Father-Son Moments in Sports" bit. Noticeably absent, at least for me: The historic NFL head-coaching faceoff in 1994 between Dolphins coach Don Shula and his son, Bengals coach David Shula.
ESPN NEEDS TO SELF-PROMOTE MORE, SO THE ESPYS ARE WEDNESDAY: Quiet, unassuming ESPN continues its pattern of avoiding publicity whenever possible by staging its annual ESPY Awards this Wednesday. The "word" is that Seth Myers' opening monologue will hit the LeBron James jokes pretty heavily. Do they get TV in Cleveland? This is one of approximately 643 awards shows but is distinguished by being the only one to give out a Bowler of the Year award. I am picturing the finalist bowlers being given really bad seats and being openly mocked by a phalanx of howling rappers and wide receivers.
TOKEN HEAT 'BIG 3' UPDATE: There is no offseason for the Heat's Big 3, who continue to be both Big and 3 even when you aren't watching. Let's see. Kentucky Fried Chicken is trying to get Dwyane Wade to work a drive-through window for charity. Um, Chris Bosh is fixin' to get married. And the other guy is spending a quiet July still being loathed by seething Clevelanders. Further updates as warranted.
IS PIPE SMOKING OK?: Confession. I am a cigar smoker. It isn't good, kids. Don't recommend it. But I do it. Now, mostly for the change of pace -- really, as a lark -- I am considering giving pipe smoking a try. When I told my wife that, she looked at me as if I had suggested experimenting with bestiality. She said (imagining me at left) something to the effect the only people who smoke pipes are 93 years old or a--holes trying to appear erudite. Can it be true? Where my pipe smokers at. WHERE MY PIPE SMOKERS AT!?
GREG COTE'S FREE TIPS FOR PROPER LIVING (GCFTFPL):(One in a series) Gentlemen, when on a cruise ship or in other social settings, it is impossible to strike a casual pose when lifting one's foot to rest on a rail that is at or above waist level. While imagining the desired appearance of relaxed nonchalance, one instead takes on the look of a man who is either attempting a martial-arts kick or about to discreetly break wind.
Click back. Will be adding lots more stuff to this latest blogpost...
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Can you imagine what it MUST BE LIKE, being "I AM KAZAAM? The moron spends his entire time on here...he says nothing that means anything or makes any sense...his last comment, "homosexuals are gay" is supposedly funny to him.
He sounds like a retard.
Actually, I've thought in the past that he might have a couple of loose screws in that sick head of his...the more I see/read his garbage, the more I'm convinced that he's a bit whacko....and now, I think he's gay, too (not that there's anything wrong with being gay as far as I'm concerned).
Kazaam: get a life, you need therapy...soon!!
Shadow, responding to your last entry on the other one,
The US was so ripped off in that game, that the "neutral" local fans were whistling the entire time since ther PK incident. They had initially been cheering for Brazil and then turned to cheering for the US after Hope Solo's PK save was retaken.
The US did get the first favorable call as they should've had a player ejected earlier.
It was fortunate the US pulled it out which contributed to this game's worldwide attention.
The only All Star game I ever remember is 1970's. It practically seemed like a World Series game the way it was played. Carl Yastrzemski going something like 4-5 (or 6) and being the MVP.. Pete Rose's slide at the plate for the winning run ..ruining catcher Ray Fosse's career forever.
I think there was was NBA game I recall that resulted in a 150-148 score (or 140-138). It was fun to me at the time, being s kid.
Right now I don't care about any all star game..but what is left off this list is the MLS All Star game. MLS all stars play a top European team (like last year when Manchester United won 5-2). 71K sellout in attendance in Houston.
You lot sure are easy to offend - homosexuals are gay, saw it on the tee shirt of an extremely gay man on south beach, thought it was funny. What's it say about you tolerant progressives that you think it's insulting to call a fanny bandit "gay"?
The Japanese are tiny but they've beaten tall Germany and Sweden.
They're not a scoring threat but they do accept gifts, very politely.
They're strength-ball possession-is our weakness.
As the British commentator says, it should be a nervy game!
Just talked to some pasty white fat nerd, dressed in USC colors, and who has been camped out outside a movie theater since Sunday. Has anyone seen Greg Cote?
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Homosexuals are gay.
Posted by: I am Kazaam | July 12, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Hey Cote, perfect time for you and LeBatard to come out ...
Hope Solo looks very , very healthy .
Posted by: FZB | July 12, 2011 at 06:13 PM
Haha, just watched Cote's Hope Solo video - yikes.
Didn't Eddie Murphy pick "her" up some years back?
Posted by: I am Kazaam | July 12, 2011 at 06:20 PM
ATTN: Fans of #15:
http://wqam.com/index.php?page=727
Posted by: I am Kazaam | July 12, 2011 at 06:31 PM
Greg likes women that can kick his A$$... Hm, that's just about every woman!
Posted by: dominatrix | July 12, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Here's Greg now, waiting and Hope (ing) to interview Solo after her practice.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/pulp%20fiction%20pawnshop%20pics/Antwuan3000/GimpSuit.jpg
Posted by: dominatrix | July 12, 2011 at 08:01 PM
Walk with ME and I will take care of U !
Posted by: salvation blog | July 12, 2011 at 09:07 PM
Greg,
Nice bit of creative writing there on that "vengeful statues" piece. Gotta give credit when credit is due.
Posted by: OC Dolphin | July 13, 2011 at 02:11 AM
Can you imagine what it MUST BE LIKE, being "I AM KAZAAM? The moron spends his entire time on here...he says nothing that means anything or makes any sense...his last comment, "homosexuals are gay" is supposedly funny to him.
He sounds like a retard.
Actually, I've thought in the past that he might have a couple of loose screws in that sick head of his...the more I see/read his garbage, the more I'm convinced that he's a bit whacko....and now, I think he's gay, too (not that there's anything wrong with being gay as far as I'm concerned).
Kazaam: get a life, you need therapy...soon!!
Posted by: UMike | July 13, 2011 at 03:27 AM
Shadow, responding to your last entry on the other one,
The US was so ripped off in that game, that the "neutral" local fans were whistling the entire time since ther PK incident. They had initially been cheering for Brazil and then turned to cheering for the US after Hope Solo's PK save was retaken.
The US did get the first favorable call as they should've had a player ejected earlier.
It was fortunate the US pulled it out which contributed to this game's worldwide attention.
You can find the highlights on the internet.
Posted by: mike1 | July 13, 2011 at 06:42 AM
The only All Star game I ever remember is 1970's. It practically seemed like a World Series game the way it was played. Carl Yastrzemski going something like 4-5 (or 6) and being the MVP.. Pete Rose's slide at the plate for the winning run ..ruining catcher Ray Fosse's career forever.
I think there was was NBA game I recall that resulted in a 150-148 score (or 140-138). It was fun to me at the time, being s kid.
Right now I don't care about any all star game..but what is left off this list is the MLS All Star game. MLS all stars play a top European team (like last year when Manchester United won 5-2). 71K sellout in attendance in Houston.
Posted by: mike1 | July 13, 2011 at 06:48 AM
How quickly we forget that golden girl of summer, the beautiful -- gutsy -- and talented Brandi Chastain :)
Posted by: Armando H. Corbelle | July 13, 2011 at 08:27 AM
Kazaam,
It’s pretty much a given that the most vociferously homophobic men are usually repressing something.
Posted by: Larry Craig | July 13, 2011 at 09:13 AM
Haha, you got me, just don't tell my girlfriend!
You lot sure are easy to offend - homosexuals are gay, saw it on the tee shirt of an extremely gay man on south beach, thought it was funny. What's it say about you tolerant progressives that you think it's insulting to call a fanny bandit "gay"?
Posted by: I am Kazaam | July 13, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Where is the SPRINT All-Star race? 10 lap shootout for $1 million? Does that sound lame?
Posted by: Moonshine Mikey | July 13, 2011 at 02:00 PM
I love me some Hope Solo!!
All major sports all-star games are lame! Where is the I don't care about any vote?
Posted by: flyrodderbob | July 13, 2011 at 08:02 PM
Yet more dramatic finishes in soccer..(a few weeks ago, someone on here said there never are any)
Paraguay took a 3-1 lead in the 85th min. Venezuela scores in the 89th and in the 92nd..to end it at 3-3.
Brazil comes down from 2-1 to Ecuador to win 4-2.
St Lucia down 4-2 affter the first leg vs Aruba, comes back to win 4-2 in the 2nd leg...sending into OT and winning it on PK's.
The Japanese played phenominally vs the giants of Sweden, who kept pushing, shoving the little Japanese around. Japan still wins 3-1.
France midfield 99% controlling the US for 30
min of the 2nd half, yet the US gets the goals on their few possessions.
US - Japan game will be tough.
Posted by: mike1 | July 14, 2011 at 05:07 AM
51,500 at the NE Revolution - Manchester United game at Foxboro.
Posted by: mike1 | July 14, 2011 at 05:08 AM
Kazaam, I like Hope Solo.. but if she doesn't do it for you..how about Alex Morgan.. who scored the 3rd goal.
http://www.google.com/search?q=alex+morgan&hl=en&biw=1177&bih=843&prmd=ivnsuol&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=5rMeTrOOIe79sQLLkeXHAw&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQsAQ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Morgan
Posted by: mike1 | July 14, 2011 at 05:22 AM
USA vs. JAPAN
The Japanese are tiny but they've beaten tall Germany and Sweden.
They're not a scoring threat but they do accept gifts, very politely.
They're strength-ball possession-is our weakness.
As the British commentator says, it should be a nervy game!
Posted by: Chuck Norris | July 14, 2011 at 10:14 AM
This just in, homosexuals are gay, heterosexuals are straight and Greg Cote's articles are just QUEER.
Posted by: vann | July 14, 2011 at 01:41 PM
Just talked to some pasty white fat nerd, dressed in USC colors, and who has been camped out outside a movie theater since Sunday. Has anyone seen Greg Cote?
Posted by: Triumph the insult comic dog | July 14, 2011 at 03:49 PM