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C-Man

Burnt Ends
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Posts posted by C-Man

  1. 1 hour ago, Catdaddyhorn said:

     

     

    Joey seems to be working under the assumption that Dak should be -- and will be -- among the highest-paid QBs in the NFL until the end of his career. Most of us on here do not think Dak would ever be worthy of that. I'm sort of resigned to the thought that he is about to be the highest-paid player in football for at least the next year and then will slide as Mahomes and others sign new deals. For him to be the highest-paid for even a single year is extremely difficult to rationalize.

  2. Quote

    Now even LeBron James has weighed in on the Astros scandal, with the King calling on commissioner Rob Manfred to listen to aggrieved, angry players like Mike Trout, Aaron Judge and Justin Turner, and do something more than what he has done.

    Manfred's options are limited by the immunity granted to players during the sign-stealing investigation, but more because of the inherent limitations of operating under a collective bargaining agreement. As some opposing players have noted, taking away the Astros' 2017 World Series title is impractical, maybe even a little silly; the games were played, they were won and lost, and you can't go back in a time machine and take away the Astros' competitive advantage. And it's possible that if Manfred tried to vacate the title, he would run afoul of the MLB Players Association, which could legally challenge the premise that he has the power to unilaterally take away a championship.

     
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    But there's another option through which the collective anger we have seen over the past three months could coalesce: Manfred could take the step of wielding a formal and final and unprecedented resolution of censure of the 2017 Houston Astros.

    He could ask the owners for their backing and then forward the final resolution to the members of the players' association, giving the Astros' frustrated brethren an opportunity to vote their disapproval. A sportwide condemnation would be a permanent stain of ignominy.

    Manfred could say: As I've had more time to process the fallout from what the Astros did in 2017, and as I've heard from fans and players throughout the sport, I believe more action is warranted, beyond the initial penalties handed down Jan. 13. For repeatedly cheating against its opponents throughout the regular season and postseason, as established in the Major League Baseball's investigation, the 2017 Houston Astros are hereby censured, a designation to be forever noted in baseball's official record book.

    EDITOR'S PICKS

    If Manfred took these steps, he would find support within the industry, given the apparent fury over the Astros' handling of the aftermath -- much of it lacking remorse or contrition, or even an acknowledgement that their sign-stealing system was potentially difference-making. "Our opinion is this didn't impact the game," Astros owner Jim Crane said last week, words that ricocheted around the game.

    "This is really bad for baseball," a senior official said. "Jim has handled this atrociously. They have not accepted responsibility, and acted like, 'This is no big deal, everybody was doing it,' when it's apparent that they had an advantage. They just refuse to take responsibility, and now is the time for the other teams to act."

    A censure might feel soft initially, without the teeth of a suspension or the revocation of riches. But the weight of history would prevail. Moving forward, references to the '17 Astros would inevitably contain the qualifier that the group was censured for cheating by peers.

    Look, even if Manfred doesn't take any more action, the legacy of the players on that team is forever diminished. It's already apparent they will be remembered as cheaters to most in the court of public opinion, and in the eyes of many of their peers -- cheaters who wielded an illicit competitive advantage. But for all of the majesty implied in the title of commissioner, Manfred has almost no leeway to discipline the players, even after declaring in his findings that the Astros' scheme was player-driven. Judge, Trout, Cody Bellinger and others can confirm that for themselves with union chief Tony Clark, as the players' association begins its annual spring training get-togethers.

    Social media vs. MLB

    r652602_2_608x342_16-9.jpg

    How the internet helped crack the Astros' sign-stealing case. Joon Lee »

     Passan: Buzzers, burner accounts and conspiracies: Inside a day of epic chaos

    Had Manfred refused to grant immunity to the Houston players as Major League Baseball dove into its investigation, then the union would've interceded and protected players in legal peril -- and protecting members is exactly what any union should do. Many or all of the players would've refused to answer questions, and then Manfred would've run into the same types of problems that George Mitchell did in his laughable investigation of the steroid era. No subpoena power, no absolute proof that Player X benefited from the sign stealing. MLB investigators probably would've gotten a lot of, "I don't recall." Or, "I didn't hear the trash can banging." Manfred is right in this regard: At least the core of the truth is exposed.

    But Manfred has the power to go one step further and distinguish that Houston championship from all others in baseball history.

    ESPN Daily Newsletter: Sign up now!

    As Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle closed on Babe Ruth's single-season home run record in 1961, commissioner Ford Frick announced that unless a player reached at least 60 home runs in 154 games -- the parameters under which Ruth played in 1927 -- there should be some special designation in the record books, separating the accomplishments. Frick never formally issued an edict, and eventually that suggestion faded in history; Maris was recognized as the record holder until Mark McGwire passed that mark in 1998. But Frick's mere suggestion served to unfairly diminish Maris' accomplishment in the years that followed.

    So do not underestimate the long-term impact of a formal censure, because no matter what Jim Crane or anyone else argues about the legitimacy of the '17 championship, a censure introduced by Manfred and seconded by the players would stand as the final word.

    https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28735822/rob-manfred-option-censure-2017-astros

  3. 16 hours ago, bluto said:

    Had hurtado on Saturday... it was a B to B-. Everything seemed to be pulled too early in terms of rendering and tenderness. Good smoke flavor/ring but lacking in seasoning.

    Really nice ppl running it, almost an hour long line. Had mixed brisket, pork ribs, jap ched sausage. Best thing I had was hands down the hatch Mac and cheese, major kick to it.

    Interesting. I've only heard raves to this point. I know they're uber-occupied with getting ready to open the brick-and-mortar next weekend, maybe that had something to do with it.

  4. Anybody else find it odd Madison didn't bring up the virgin thing while Peter was in Auburn on his visit? I mean she and his family know it's an issue since we all know Pete fucked Hannah B four times in the windmill during the fantasy suite portion of last season's Bachelorette. I know the historical odds are heavily slanted against Bachelor/Bachelorette contestants ultimately marrying who they pick on this show but I think it's a certainty he doesn't wind up marrying Hannah Ann, Madison or Victoria.

  5. 22 hours ago, Continental Op said:

    Cosign on the Al Biernat's happy hour.  

    It's pretty great. I haven't been to Drake's HH yet but it's my understanding it goes from 4-5 every single day, including weekends and cocktails (not sure if all or just Drake's signature drinks) and pizza are half price.

    • Like 1
  6. 7 hours ago, aggie08 said:

    What a surreal, extremely pathetic, detestable position to be in.

    Either tell the truth that you lied to the NFL in what you thought would be a confidential meeting, and get the Jussie Smollett treatment.

    Or,

    Double down and publicly assassinate someone's character, hope you don't get sued, have no one really believe you, but get to continue to hide behind the ambiguity of, "I know what I heard" despite all evidence to the contrary.

    Or you know maybe not even bring it up at all and just do your interview, show some contrition, accept your reinstatement and move on with life.

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