Haven’t been on in awhile but I’ve got an excuse (via Salon) —
Let’s just call it a one-month mental health holiday.
In the meantime, check out these guys: http://nononsenseboysusa.com/
Ruthless Americanism & Soccer? Yes, please.
The Red Sox Opening Day conundrum
The Weekly Dig's take on MLB's controversial decision to hold Opening Day on Easter Sunday
Opening Day in Boston is a Boston traditional rite of Spring for Bostonians thawing out from a long, cold (or, in the case of this year — wet) winter.
Like most other teams in Major League Baseball, the holiday falls on a weekday afternoon — in which case nearly half the city comes up with lame excuses to skip out of work and partake in the Opening Day festivities at Fenway Park. It’s probably the only day of the year aside from Day One of the NCAA Tournament where work productivity is at its lowest level.
But this year is a different story for Red Sox fans. Not only is the home opener late on Sunday night (read: less drinking because who wants to be hungover on a Monday morning workday?), but it falls on Easter Sunday, which is a problem among some in the population here. With nearly half the population identifying themselves as Roman Catholic, and many more representing other Christian denominations, it’s no surprise this is an issue among those faithful to Jesus and the Boston Red Sox.
Sports radio and local publications (see above) are buzzing about the issue over the past few weeks and reaction is mixed. Frankly, I really think people are bummed that the game is on a Sunday night as opposed to it falling on Easter Sunday. Opening Day is generally a celebration on par with Marathon Monday in the City of Boston, and having it on a Sunday Night pretty much wrecks everything. With the game unlikely to finish before 11:30 (don’t forget pregame ceremonies), it’s a shame that many who wake up early on Monday morning (especially the kids) won’t get to catch the end of the game.
But, this is Yankees v. Red Sox, and ESPN isn’t about to concede an inch on this one. As the only game of the night and the kickoff to the season, ratings will be huge on Sunday. I get it — it’s a business and nobody cares what Jesus, the Catholic Church or anyone in Boston really has to say on the matter.
Call me old school or straight unemployed, but here’s to wishing we were opening on a Tuesday afternoon with the rest of the league.
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Photo — Spoon at the House of Blues
Photo | Aram Boghosian
Great shot of Britt Daniel and the boys from Spoon, who — along with opening acts The Strange Boys and Deerhunter — put on a killer, albeit early, show at the House of Blues, Boston’s newest uber-corporate concert venue that likes to end shows at 10 p.m. (not that I’m not bitter or anything…).
I wanted to share pic from my good friend Aram Boghosian, who freelances for the Boston Globe in addition to running his own business.
Filed under music
Gus Johnson encore
You know, just when I start talking up how dominant Gus Johnson is behind the mic at CBS, last night he gives us another GEM between Xavier and Kansas State:
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Bruins look to keep it rolling tonight at the Garden
First of all, how kick ass are these Bruins commercials with the huge bear?? Mullen Advertising needs to churn out more of this stuff.
Tampa is in town tonight, as the Bruins look to hold on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
With less than a month to play in the season, it’s coming down to the wire for the B’s, who really need to make a jump in the standings so they don’t draw the dreaded Caps in the first round.
It looks like it’ll be TUUKKA time in net tonight.
Let’s get after it B’s!
Filed under sports
Gus Johnson — America’s most underrated sportscaster
The NCAA Tournament always provides a bevy of buzzer-beaters, incredible runs, Cinderella stories and downright bracket chaos. It’s a month-long duel where no seed is safe and supposedly great teams go to die like dogs in the first round (damn you entire Big East!!).
For some CBS play-by-play announcers, such levels of excitement and anticipation can be tough for even the most seasoned of television veterans to replicate.
There are the more reserved voices — i.e. Tim Brando sounding hardly impressed with the finale of Maryland/Michigan St. on Sunday.
Others are more memorable. The great Verne Lundquist comes to mind (“What a shot by…Happy Gilmore! Who the hell is Happy Gilmore?”), whose picture on the CBS site has probably not been changed since 1982.
*Note — I could probably write an entire other article on his partner, color commentator Bill Raftery.
And then there is the upper echelon…
I’m referring to the man, the myth, the legend — Gus Johnson. When there’s ever a game that comes down to the wire, if Gus isn’t calling it then it’s probably not even worth watching.
Johnson’s had many a memorable call. There’s “THE CAAAAAAAAAAATCH!” from Gonzaga/UCLA in 2006:
There’s “OHHHH! SORRENTINE … HE HIT THAT ONE FROM THE PARKING LOT!” in Vermont’s 2005 first round shocker over Syracuse:
And then there’s this compilation which pretty much blows every call that’s ever been made in the NCAA tournament out of the water:
Johnson’s calls have become so popular, in fact, a site completely devoted to his unique vocabulary has been going viral during this year’s version of March Madness.
Honestly, can’t CBS just put this guy on every major sports broadcast they do? How bout the Super Bowl? Or, even better — The Masters is next month. Johnson calling Eldrick’s comeback would solidify it as the biggest ratings bonanza in the history of sport. Move over Jim Nantz, there’s plenty of ads for you to do while Gus takes over CBS.
Of course, some will say Johnson is simply letting his emotions get the best of him and that professional broadcasters cannot possibly make noises like that on the air.
Filed under sports
Today’s front page of the Boston Herald
Ahh, the sensationalism we’ve come to love and expect from a rag like the Herald…
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