7th Inning Stretch with Scott Fragale - Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Beat The Blogger Results
Posted by Tuff Stuff

Congrats to Sam, who won the Beat the Blogger contest for a record fourth time this week. Sam tied three others with a score of 9 but won again by virtue of her tiebreaker score. This week's matchups will be posted later today so make sure to check back and get your picks in.

Make sure you get your picks posted prior to the week's first game, designate a doubler and include your tie-breaker to be eligible to win. Good luck and spread the word and help grow the contest.

While I enjoy giving prizes to several people vs. having just one weekly winner, from this point forward contestants will be asked to provide a tie-breaker on the week's last game so we narrow our winner down to one. Contestants will now be asked to predict the total score from the last game on the list and the closest to the actual score will be deemed the winner). I'll also require contestants to post their e-mail address with their picks so I can track down the winners easier.

For those unfamiliar with the Beat the Blogger contest, the idea is simple. The Blogger posts 10 matchups each week and then selects his choices for the winners of those matchups. Contestants enter the Beat the Blogger contest by clicking on the "Comment" section below the post with the matchups and then select their own 10 winners. You can also designate one of your picks as a "Doubler" and you will receive an extra point if you're correct so don't forget to designate your "Doubler" pick and increase your chances of winning. If you Beat The Blogger's total and post the high score for the week, you win. The regular weekly prize is an authentic signed 8-by-10 color photo of stars such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Marshall Faulk, Santonio Holmes, Gale Sayers, Catfish Hunter and many more. From time to time, the Blogger will sweeten the pot for the weekly contest so look for special prize packages.

This week's matchups (winners in parenthesis)

College FB
Saturday, Oct. 17
Oklahoma at Texas (Texas)
Iowa at Wisconsin (Iowa)
USC at Notre Dame (USC)
NFL Football
Sunday, Oct. 18
Houston at Cincinnati (Houston)
Baltimore at Minnesota (Minnesota)
N.Y. Giants at New Orleans (New Orleans)
Kansas City at Washington (Kansas City)
Arizona at Seattle (Arizona)
St. Louis at Jacksonville (Jacksonville)
Chicago at Atlanta (Atlanta)

Tiebreaker: Total points in Chicago/Atlanta game (35)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:00:51 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [0]

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Beat The Blogger Picks
Posted by Tuff Stuff

This week's Beat The Blogger contest matchups are posted below so make sure you get your picks in before the first game on Saturday to be eligible to win. As always, good luck.

Make sure you get your picks posted prior to the week's first game, designate a doubler and include your tie-breaker to be eligible to win. Good luck and spread the word and help grow the contest.

While I enjoy giving prizes to several people vs. having just one weekly winner, from this point forward contestants will be asked to provide a tie-breaker on the week's last game so we narrow our winner down to one. Contestants will now be asked to predict the total score from the last game on the list and the closest to the actual score will be deemed the winner). I'll also require contestants to post their e-mail address with their picks so I can track down the winners easier.

For those unfamiliar with the Beat the Blogger contest, the idea is simple. The Blogger posts 10 matchups each week and then selects his choices for the winners of those matchups. Contestants enter the Beat the Blogger contest by clicking on the "Comment" section below the post with the matchups and then select their own 10 winners. You can also designate one of your picks as a "Doubler" and you will receive an extra point if you're correct so don't forget to designate your "Doubler" pick and increase your chances of winning. If you Beat The Blogger's total and post the high score for the week, you win. The regular weekly prize is an authentic signed 8-by-10 color photo of stars such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Marshall Faulk, Santonio Holmes, Gale Sayers, Catfish Hunter and many more. From time to time, the Blogger will sweeten the pot for the weekly contest so look for special prize packages.

This week's matchups with Blogger picks in parenthesis)

College FB
Saturday, Oct. 17
Oklahoma at Texas (Oklahoma)
Iowa at Wisconsin (Wisconsin)
USC at Notre Dame (USC)
NFL Football
Sunday, Oct. 18
Houston at Cincinnati (Houston)
Baltimore at Minnesota (Baltimore)
N.Y. Giants at New Orleans (NY Giants)
Kansas City at Washington (Washington)
Arizona at Seattle (Arizona)
St. Louis at Jacksonville (Jacksonville, Doubler)
Chicago at Atlanta (Atlanta)

Tiebreaker: Total points in Chicago/Atlanta game (47)

Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:45:49 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [27]

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Not So Deep Thoughts: Limbaugh An NFL Owner, Not Bloody Likely
Posted by Tuff Stuff

The news regarding radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh attempting to become a minority owner of his hometown St. Louis Rams has set off quite the firestorm. Really?

Who knew a controversial, divisive, right-wing talk show host known for his conservative views and his racist comments would be met with opposition when trying to buy an NFL team which just happens to be made up of 2/3 Afro-Americans. What a shocker.

I guess the most surprising news to me regarding his possible acquisition is not that it was quickly opposed by Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, but that Limbaugh and his massive following are outraged that

he wasn't met with open arms.

"I, myself, couldn't even consider voting for him," Irsay said at an owners meeting. "When there are comments that have been made that are inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive ... our words do damage, and it's something that we don't need."

Irsay likely isn't alone on this but was the first one to speak out publicly about his opposition to Limbaugh becoming part of the NFL family. Prospective owners must be approved by 24 of the league's 32 teams. Irsay is the first owner who has stated unequivocally he would reject Limbaugh because he made a habit of "demonizing individuals" but my guess is that many more exist and will surface when the behind-closed-doors vote is taken.

Several NFL players have already stated publicly that they would never play for a team owned by the controversial Limbaugh and who could blame them. Limbaugh has made several derogatory comments regarding blacks during his lengthy stint as a syndicated radio talk show host and those comments didn't go unnoticed by the league or its players.
Some of the disparaging comments Limbaugh has made include:

(According to transcripts posted on his own website), in 2007 Limbaugh said: "The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it."

During his brief stint as an analyst with ESPN in 2003 Limbaugh said (regarding Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donavan McNabb): "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well."

Limbaugh was forced to resign from his position with ESPN shortly after the comment. One would think the experience would've gave him some indication about how his current situation would be viewed by league officials and owners, but Limbaugh threw his name in the hat nonetheless. While making statements such as those don't necessarily make Limbaugh a racist, they certainly don't add many new faces from the black community to his fan club.

But seriously folks, did anybody really believe that a guy with his history of controversy and a laundry list of racist comments attributed to him would be met with open arms? The NFL is a cash-cow juggernaut that spends millions of dollars each year to grow its marketability, polish it's already tarnished image and steer clear of anything remotely close to being considered controversial.

While Limbaugh becoming an actual owner is still just a thought at this point and an actual vote wouldn't take place for several months, judging by how quickly the commissioner, Irsay and others spoke out against the premise makes it all a moot point because it just ain't happening. The NFL takes a mob-like approach to people that can say or do things to tarnish it's well-groomed image, it eliminates them. While there will be no bounty put out on his Limbaugh's head, the idea of him becoming an owner is already dead in the water and he might as well be swimming with the fishes because in the eyes of those who will ultimately decided his fate, he's already gone.

Maybe Limbaugh misunderstood the true definition of minority ownership and believed that he had found a legal loophole that would allow him to actually own minorities. Whether that was the case or Limbaugh was trying to become a part of the league he's loved his entire life is irrelevant because his chances to succeed in this venture are about as good as slavery making a comeback. Sorry Rush, no team for you.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:37:34 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [7]

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Beat The Blogger Matchups
Posted by Tuff Stuff

This week's Beat The Blogger contest matchups are posted below so make sure you get your picks in before the first game on Saturday to be eligible to win. As always, good luck.

Make sure you get your picks posted prior to the week's first game, designate a doubler and include your tie-breaker to be eligible to win. Good luck and spread the word and help grow the contest.

While I enjoy giving prizes to several people vs. having just one weekly winner, from this point forward contestants will be asked to provide a tie-breaker on the week's last game so we narrow our winner down to one. Contestants will now be asked to predict the total score from the last game on the list and the closest to the actual score will be deemed the winner). I'll also require contestants to post their e-mail address with their picks so I can track down the winners easier.

For those unfamiliar with the Beat the Blogger contest, the idea is simple. The Blogger posts 10 matchups each week and then selects his choices for the winners of those matchups. Contestants enter the Beat the Blogger contest by clicking on the "Comment" section below the post with the matchups and then select their own 10 winners. You can also designate one of your picks as a "Doubler" and you will receive an extra point if you're correct so don't forget to designate your "Doubler" pick and increase your chances of winning. If you Beat The Blogger's total and post the high score for the week, you win. The regular weekly prize is an authentic signed 8-by-10 color photo of stars such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Marshall Faulk, Santonio Holmes, Gale Sayers, Catfish Hunter and many more. From time to time, the Blogger will sweeten the pot for the weekly contest so look for special prize packages.

This week's matchups

College FB
Saturday, Oct. 17
Oklahoma at Texas
Iowa at Wisconsin
USC at Notre Dame
NFL Football
Sunday, Oct. 18
Houston at Cincinnati
Baltimore at Minnesota
N.Y. Giants at New Orleans
Kansas City at Washington
Arizona at Seattle
St. Louis at Jacksonville
Chicago at Atlanta

Tiebreaker: Total points in Chicago/Atlanta game

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 7:42:28 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [38]

Beat The Blogger Results
Posted by Tuff Stuff

The name of the contest is Beat The Blogger and for the first time in many weeks, nobody did. We had several ties but nobody managed to beat the Blogger's total of 8 this past week so we'll double the prize and try again this week.

This week's matchups will be posted later today so check back to post your picks. Make sure you get your picks posted prior to the week's first game, designate a doubler and include your tie-breaker to be eligible to win. Good luck and spread the word and help grow the contest.

While I enjoy giving prizes to several people vs. having just one weekly winner, from this point forward contestants will be asked to provide a tie-breaker on the week's last game so we narrow our winner down to one. Contestants will now be asked to predict the total score from the last game on the list and the closest to the actual score will be deemed the winner). I'll also require contestants to post their e-mail address with their picks so I can track down the winners easier.

For those unfamiliar with the Beat the Blogger contest, the idea is simple. The Blogger posts 10 matchups each week and then selects his choices for the winners of those matchups. Contestants enter the Beat the Blogger contest by clicking on the "Comment" section below the post with the matchups and then select their own 10 winners. You can also designate one of your picks as a "Doubler" and you will receive an extra point if you're correct so don't forget to designate your "Doubler" pick and increase your chances of winning. If you Beat The Blogger's total and post the high score for the week, you win. The regular weekly prize is an authentic signed 8-by-10 color photo of stars such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Marshall Faulk, Santonio Holmes, Gale Sayers, Catfish Hunter and many more. From time to time, the Blogger will sweeten the pot for the weekly contest so look for special prize packages.

Last week's Results (winners in parenthesis)

College FB
Saturday, Oct. 10
Alabama at Mississippi (Alabama)
LSU at Florida (Florida)
NFL Football
Sunday, Oct. 11
Cleveland at Buffalo (Cleveland)
Washington at Carolina (Carolina)
Cincinnati at Baltimore (Cincy)
Atlanta at San Francisco (Atlanta)
Jacksonville at Seattle (Seattle)
Houston at Arizona (Arizona)
New England at Denver (New England)
Indianapolis at Tennessee (Indianapolis)

Tie-breaker: Total points in Indianapolis/Tennessee game: (40)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:14:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [0]

Friday, October 09, 2009

Beat The Blogger Picks
Posted by Tuff Stuff

This week's matchups are posted below so make sure you get your picks in before the deadline and here's hoping you fare better than the Blogger did with last week's selections. The blogger will look to bounce back this week, with his picks posted below.

Make sure you get your picks posted prior to the week's first game, designate a doubler and include your tie-breaker to be eligible to win. Good luck and spread the word and help grow the contest.

While I enjoy giving prizes to several people vs. having just one weekly winner, from this point forward contestants will be asked to provide a tie-breaker on the week's last game so we narrow our winner down to one. Contestants will now be asked to predict the total score from the last game on the list and the closest to the actual score will be deemed the winner). I'll also require contestants to post their e-mail address with their picks so I can track down the winners easier.

For those unfamiliar with the Beat the Blogger contest, the idea is simple. The Blogger posts 10 matchups each week and then selects his choices for the winners of those matchups. Contestants enter the Beat the Blogger contest by clicking on the "Comment" section below the post with the matchups and then select their own 10 winners. You can also designate one of your picks as a "Doubler" and you will receive an extra point if you're correct so don't forget to designate your "Doubler" pick and increase your chances of winning. If you Beat The Blogger's total and post the high score for the week, you win. The regular weekly prize is an authentic signed 8-by-10 color photo of stars such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Marshall Faulk, Santonio Holmes, Gale Sayers, Catfish Hunter and many more. From time to time, the Blogger will sweeten the pot for the weekly contest so look for special prize packages.

This week's Matchups

College FB
Saturday, Oct. 10
Alabama at Mississippi (Alabama)
LSU at Florida (Florida)
NFL Football
Sunday, Oct. 11
Cleveland at Buffalo (Cleveland)
Washington at Carolina (Carolina)
Cincinnati at Baltimore (Baltimore) (Doubler)
Atlanta at San Francisco (Atlanta)
Jacksonville at Seattle (Seattle)
Houston at Arizona (Arizona)
New England at Denver (New England)
Indianapolis at Tennessee (Indianapolis)

Tie-breaker: Total points in Indianapolis/Tennessee game: (41)

Friday, October 09, 2009 4:49:41 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [12]

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Not So Deep Thoughts: Crabtree's cards will soar, but not for a couple years
Posted by Tuff Stuff

I recently read a story where it stated newly signed San Francisco receiver Michael Crabtree's trading cards will soar in value now that he has ended his holdout and reported to the 49ers. Only time will tell on that one but the funny part of the story is that the quote was attributed to Crabtree's agent Peter Miller.

While I applaud Miller's efforts to get in front of the situation which has seen his card values drop dramatically since his lengthy holdout that ended on Oct. 7. When I first saw the headline I was interested to know who it came from but after finding out it was his agent, all credibility went out the window and the story was a complete waste of time and print.

Miller's comments read as follows:

“Being positive, I think (his cards) are going to skyrocket because he’s going to do great things when he gets on the field,” Miller said Wednesday afternoon. “The team’s going to do well and he’s going to help be part of that. I think he’s going to have a great season.

“Truthfully, it’s going to depend on what happens on the field.That’s the truth. If he goes and ends up making the playoffs and has a catch like Santonio Holmes did (in the Super Bowl), then his trading card values are going to go through the absolute roof.”

If you read a headline claiming "Tuff Stuff's Sports Collectors Monthly readership will soon double that of Time and Sports Illustrated combined" you'd likely be intrigued enough to take a closer look at the article, right? But, if upon closer examinination you found out the quote came from the Tuff Stuff editor, you'd likely giggle and move on.

While I understand Miller is simply doing his job. He's trying to create some hype for his client and help increase his card values in the process but there are more creative ways to do the same thing. For example, I'm sure Miller has some friends in the hobby that would be considered a much more reliable hobby source. Miller could make his claim but also add a quote from a true hobby source reitterating his point in the next sentence and his words would then hold a lot more water than they currently do. Just because someone says it doesn't make it fact. Especially when that person is in position to make significant monetary gains by saying things like that. I just hope collectors are smart enough to recognize a man with an agenda vs. a man spreading factual information.

As for how Crabtree will fair in the NFL, the jury is still out. Missing the amount of practice time that Crabtree will likely make Crabtree a non-factor for the entire season. While there are exceptions to the rule, most receivers don't make a significant impact until their third year in the league. It takes time to develop a repoire with your quarterback not to mention the 49ers propensity to run first and throw only when necessary. Through the first four games, only five teams have thrown for fewer yards than the 49ers who are averaging just 156 yards in the air.

While some could argue that Crabtree's presence will open up the passing game, let's not forget coach Mike Singletary is an old-school guy who believes in running the ball and playing defense. If Crabtree would've got his contract signed during Training Camp and was ready to go in Week 1, he might have been allowed to display his skills while star runner Frank Gore rehabs from an ankle injury. But the long holdout, coupled with his team's style of play and Gore's return coming sooner than later, Crabtree's breakout performance likely won't be seen for a long time.

I do believe Crabtree has talent and he will eventually excel in the league which will lead to success in the hobby. And for those who believe that as well, I hope you took advantage of his card values dipping from their once-revered spot among the NFL rookie elite and bought low. Because while I believe Crabtree has the potential to make his card values soar as his agent predicts they will, I just don't see it happening any time soon.

Thursday, October 08, 2009 4:24:00 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [0]

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Beat The Blogger Matchups
Posted by Tuff Stuff

This week's matchups are posted below so make sure you get your picks in before the deadline and here's hoping you fare better than the blogger did with last week's selections

Make sure you get your picks posted prior to the week's first game, designate a doubler and include your tie-breaker to be eligible to win. Good luck and spread the word and help grow the contest.

While I enjoy giving prizes to several people vs. having just one weekly winner, from this point forward contestants will be asked to provide a tie-breaker on the week's last game so we narrow our winner down to one. Contestants will now be asked to predict the total score from the last game on the list and the closest to the actual score will be deemed the winner). I'll also require contestants to post their e-mail address with their picks so I can track down the winners easier.

For those unfamiliar with the Beat the Blogger contest, the idea is simple. The Blogger posts 10 matchups each week and then selects his choices for the winners of those matchups. Contestants enter the Beat the Blogger contest by clicking on the "Comment" section below the post with the matchups and then select their own 10 winners. You can also designate one of your picks as a "Doubler" and you will receive an extra point if you're correct so don't forget to designate your "Doubler" pick and increase your chances of winning. If you Beat The Blogger's total and post the high score for the week, you win. The regular weekly prize is an authentic signed 8-by-10 color photo of stars such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Marshall Faulk, Santonio Holmes, Gale Sayers, Catfish Hunter and many more. From time to time, the Blogger will sweeten the pot for the weekly contest so look for special prize packages.

This week's Matchups

College FB
Saturday, Oct. 10
Alabama at Mississippi
LSU at Florida
NFL Football
Sunday, Oct. 11
Cleveland at Buffalo
Washington at Carolina
Cincinnati at Baltimore
Atlanta at San Francisco
Jacksonville at Seattle
Houston at Arizona
New England at Denver
Indianapolis at Tennessee

Tie-breaker: Total points in Indianapolis/Tennessee game

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 5:52:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [44]

Not So Deep Thoughts: Twins win over a new fan
Posted by Tuff Stuff

Let me preface the following by stating that I'm nether a Detroit Tigers or Minnesota Twins fans. In fact, I'm a Milwaukee Brewers fan and because of our old American League days and the fact that when you live in Wisconsin you're born to instinctively hate the boys from the Twin Cities or any team from the land of many lakes for that matter.

But with that said, how can you dislike the Twins? After pulling out an amazing 6-5, 12-inning come-from-behind victory over Detroit to win the AL Central for fifth time in the last eight seasons, what's not to like. twins.600.jpg

Here's a team that stuck together despite looking up at the Tigers in the standings since early May. Let's not forget that this is the same team that trailed Detroit by three games with four to go just a week ago and could've easily folded up the tents, content that they made them sweat and congratulated each other on a job almost done. But the Twins, ah, those pesky Twins, just kept coming and coming. And how are they rewarded for their incredible rally? They get to race off to New York on a red-eye to square off against C.C. Sabathia and the mighty Yankees later today.

On the surface, it doesn't appear to be a fair fight, but then again that's something the Twins are used to. Minnesota entered the 1987 and 1991 World Series as prohibitive underdogs and we all now how those turned out. So before we dismiss the Twins yet again, re-examine Tuesday's game against the Tigers and replay the entire telecast. If you do, you'll notice something you don't often see. Whenever the cameras found the Twins players in the dugout, you never once saw heads hanging low and instead saw the look of a group of guys that believed the next rally was only the next batter away. And that particular look has alluded many a good team over the years but once you get it, it doesn't go away. It sticks with you until the final out because you've already proven that your team is capable.

And while the Yankees $200 million-plus payroll has afforded them the luxury of putting at least five future Hall of Famers into their lineup every day, the Twins and their measly $58 million payroll will likely make them sweat out a series win as they have vitrually every series they've competed in all season.

If I were a betting man (and I am by the way) I would stay away from this series altogether because despite the boys from the Bronx being the heavy favorite, you can't discount a team with the collective hearts bigger than the Big Apple itself. My guess is the Yanks will ultimately prevail in this series but not before being involved in a heavyweight fight with a roster made up primarily of lightweights.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 5:35:28 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [0]

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Beat the Blogger Results
Posted by Tuff Stuff

The two college matchups proved costly for many of us but several people called the updates and also connected on their NFL picks. Nobody did better than Louie Gallardo though, as he connected on all but one pick and then beat out a pair of others by virtue of his tie-breaker to claim the weekly prize.

This week's matchups will be posted later today along with the Blogger picks so you know what you are up against so check back and make your picks. Make sure you get your picks posted prior to the week's first game, designate a doubler and include your tie-breaker to be eligible to win. Good luck and spread the word and help grow the contest.

While I enjoy giving prizes to several people vs. having just one weekly winner, from this point forward contestants will be asked to provide a tie-breaker on the week's last game so we narrow our winner down to one. Contestants will now be asked to predict the total score from the last game on the list and the closest to the actual score will be deemed the winner). I'll also require contestants to post their e-mail address with their picks so I can track down the winners easier.

For those unfamiliar with the Beat the Blogger contest, the idea is simple. The Blogger posts 10 matchups each week and then selects his choices for the winners of those matchups. Contestants enter the Beat the Blogger contest by clicking on the "Comment" section below the post with the matchups and then select their own 10 winners. You can also designate one of your picks as a "Doubler" and you will receive an extra point if you're correct so don't forget to designate your "Doubler" pick and increase your chances of winning. If you Beat The Blogger's total and post the high score for the week, you win. The regular weekly prize is an authentic signed 8-by-10 color photo of stars such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Marshall Faulk, Santonio Holmes, Gale Sayers, Catfish Hunter and many more. From time to time, the Blogger will sweeten the pot for the weekly contest so look for special prize packages.

This week's Matchups with winning picks in parenthesis

College FB
Saturday, Oct. 3
LSU at Georgia (LSU)
Oklahoma at Miami (Miami)
NFL Football
Sunday, Oct. 4
Cincinnati at Cleveland (Cincinnati)
Baltimore at New England (NE)
Tampa Bay at Washington (Washington)
Tennessee at Jacksonville (Jacksonville)
New York Jets at New Orleans (New Orleans)
Buffalo at Miami (Miami)
St. Louis at San Francisco (San Francisco)
San Diego at Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)

Tuesday, October 06, 2009 5:42:20 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [0]

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