Brotha E’s Split Decision: An exercise in the psychology of human fanhood

I have this friend.  Let’s call him Brotha E. While having moved around quite a bit professionally over his career, E’s family hails from Philadelphia.  Despite his liking of multiple teams, in multiple sports, one thing has always remained constant: Continue reading Brotha E’s Split Decision: An exercise in the psychology of human fanhood

The Snell Hook and the Cash Bash: How Sabermetrics ruined by World Series

“I’m not dispelling analytics.  I think it’s a great tool… but it shouldn’t be the script.” Former MLB pitcher, AL Leiter You already know where this (bitter, cranky, what-in-the-world-was-he-thinking) post is going, i.e., the inexplicable, premature pulling of Blake Snell Continue reading The Snell Hook and the Cash Bash: How Sabermetrics ruined by World Series

Curses!

I walked out of my Tufts University dorm room that next morning wearing nothing but grey.  I swear it looked like everyone was wearing grey that day.  Even the sky was grey, no sun shone through the dark and dismal Continue reading Curses!

Delving into my love/hate relationship with the New York Mets

A strange thing happened on the way to growing up.  And it happened on October 25, 1986. It may not have been my first real heartbreak but it sure as hell stung like it. But we have to go farther Continue reading Delving into my love/hate relationship with the New York Mets

One fan’s internal struggle: When is it okay to switch allegiances?

Funny things happen when you grow up a sports fan. In our misspent youth, we randomly cheer for players or teams without giving it a second thought. 

Eliminator pools, penalty kicks and a bunch of pissed off Portuguese

There are two schools of thought when it comes to NFL eliminator pools. For those of you who don’t know, when it comes to sports betting, eliminator pools are perhaps the most entertaining way to gamble on the NFL season. 

LeBron James takes his talents… to Boston

I was living in Gainesville at the time.  Brotha E and I had ventured out to our local pool hall to toss back a few, delicious, bourbon cocktails and watch the NBA Playoffs.  The year was 2007; it was the Continue reading LeBron James takes his talents… to Boston

Kyle Williams and Billy Cundiff go back to school: Another work of complete and total fiction

Professor Buckner stands at the head of the classroom as his students file in.  The school bell rings, papers shuffle, pencils get sharpened, class is ready to begin.

Rays in, Sox out, miracles never cease

Wednesday afternoon, 161 games into the Major League season with only one remaining, I was psyched at the possibility of attending a one-game playoff between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.