RIP Tim Russert

We here at the YCS family would like to give our condolences to the the Russert family and their friends. The shocking passing of Tim Russert today has dealt a major blow to the journalism industry, one it can struggle to afford in today's world.

On a personal note, I had only recently begun to seriously watch Meet the Press because of the closely contested Democratic primaries. However, in that time I had grown to incredibly enjoy Russert's work in moderating the show and the fresh perspective he brought to a realm that will always need it. His story about the relationship with his father has become well known over the years, and one that should be a model to many people with Father's Day approaching on Sunday. As someone who now pays closer attention than ever to politics and enjoys hearing different perspectives on the field, I will greatly miss seeing Russert ask the tough questions and provide an honest perspective about an often times dishonest world.

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Naming Names

At some point during the first half of the Celtics-Lakers game last night, one of the announcers (caught it in passing) said, "If there's anyone funnier than Kevin James, I want some names."

OK.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone

Jerry Seinfeld

Rodney Dangerfield

Robin Williams

Adam Sandler (1990-1999)

The Three Stooges

Jon Stewart

Steven Colbert

Steve Carrell

Food Poisoning

Natural disasters with widespread destruction

Funerals

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Congrats Jason Kendall!!! You Suck Just a Little Less Today!

Congrats on that home run! Wow, you really got a hold of that one.

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Random thoughts while eating my Garden of Life Super Seed Whole Food Energy Bar!!!

Since we've all been too busy/lazy/indifferent to post much lately (though I don't think anyone else has noticed anyway), I figured I'd refresh the page by ripping off Pat's signature recurring post by tossing out a bunch of lazy one-liners about recent happenings in sports. Here goes...

Word today is that the Mariners fired hitting coach Jeff Pentland, who will be temporarily replaced by former Cubs manager Lee Elia. Wow--between manager John McLaren and Elia, I expect more unnecessary profanity in the Mariners' clubhouse than in Dennis Leary's standup act.

If we don't see better starts out of Joba Chamberlain soon, we may see Brian Cashman lose his joba.

Federer lost to Nadal again in the French Open. That Nadal is one fine-looking tennis player. And I do mean fine-looking.

Think Rafael Nadal bears any relation to former Marlins catcher Bob Natal?

Now that Dominik Hasek is retiring, he should have a lot more time to spend with his beautiful family and also, this guy.

Did you see Big Brown fall apart at the Belmont? Man, I haven't seen a horse choke that bad since that episode of Mr. Ed where he bites off Wilbur's arm.

That was some NBA Finals game last night, with L.A. nearly erasing a 20-point fourth quarter deficit. Man, I haven't seen Celtics choke like that since the Roman army won the Battle of Mons Graupius in 84 A.D.

More overdramatic: Paul Pierce on Thursday night or Cher in Moonstruck? Discuss.


...And I'm out!

(P.S.: I'll be going out of town tomorrow, so don't expect any new posts out of me until at least next Monday. Which is to say, don't expect any new posts out of this site until at least next Monday.)

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Shoe(s)-in of the Week

No, it isn't football season (anticipated rebuttal from Mike: "What about the EURO?"), but I'm bringing you a special baseball edition of the Shoe-in of the Week, where I share my expert gambling advice with odd-defyingly terrible results.

However, this time I'm putting my money where my ass can't cash. Wait... I think I did something wrong there. Anywho... My dad, who's in Nevada, called me to see if I wanted to bet on any of today's games. So I put a fin (five dollars, for you squares) on two of this afternoon's games.

I'm calling the Royals (+155) over the Yankees. The still-adjusting-to-starter's-innings Joba Chamberlain is going up against the excellent Zack Greinke, and the Yankees' bullpen has been horrible.

I'm also putting a fiver on the Orioles (+210) over the Blue Jays. I'm completely banking on the power of the unfamiliar, as the O's will be sending Radhames Liz to the mound to make his sixth major-league start against Roy Halladay (hence the lopsided line).

So if you happen to read this in the next twenty minutes before these games start (almost 100% sure not to happen), follow my advice. I'm never wrong!

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Well, all the baseball talent in the family is in one kid.

-Dad...I'm RIGHT HERE.

-Well, Mike...am I wrong?

- (long pause) Damn it.

For the last two years, I've kept the family sports news off this blog. However, at this time, I think an exception can be made. I'd like to extend a YCS congratulations to my brother Dave (pictured at right with a monkey on his head), who was selected in the 21st Round of Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

No word yet on whether the hard-throwing right-hander from Burr Ridge will sign with the Dodgers for next season or return to SLU for his senior year.

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Vitale: It's Mr. Obama!

With the 2008 United States presidential race heating up by the hour, YCS is doing its best to stay on top of every twist and turn. As part of our coverage, we're seeking out the top analysts in the world of sports to share their unique perspectives on the most recent developments in the race. In the third installment of our series, colorful college basketball analyst Dick Vitale takes a moment out of his offseason to weigh in on Senator Barack Obama's clinch of the Democratic presidential nomination.

Wow, what an exciting presidential primary season! After all the anticipation, we finally have a Democratic nominee, and his name is Barack Hussein Obama!

Hillary Clinton fought hard all the way, but in the end, Mr. Obama was just too tough. Now only one more opponent stands between Obama and becoming the first ever black American president. What a remarkable accomplishment! Just think--Five years ago, Barack was an unknown state senator from Illinois, and now he's one step away from the most powerful position in the world.

Wow.

Wowwww.

...

...Wooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

I remember the first time I saw Barack Obama when he gave the key-note speech at the 2004 Democratic convention. I was watching it with Digger, and I said, "This kid is going to be special. The charisma, the poise--This kid is SPECIAL. His stock is going way up. I'd like to buy some stock in Mr. Obama!"

When I heard last year that Barack would run for president, it didn't surprise me at all. I said to Mike Patrick, "I think this kid can go all the way. He has all the tools to do it, and he has so much momentum right now.

"But if there's one person who could beat him in the general election, that man is Robert Montgomery Knight. But if he doesn't run this term, I think only one other candidate could match up with Obama. And his name is John Sidney McCain III."

Wow--What an incredible battle this is going to be. The two powerhouses head-to-head in November: Jonathan Sidney McCain and Barackary Hussein Obama. I've got goosebumps! Feel my arms, Dan Schulman! I've got goosebumps!

I can't wait until the fall! 2008 should go down as one of the all-time great elections in the history of politics! It'll be awesome baby!!!!!

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From Me to You Jason Marquis!

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We have a new champion

Move over, "does phil nevin fuck other woman"--you've officially been ousted as the title holder for Best Google Search That Led to This Blog, as today, we crown a new champion.

Congratulations, "scott podsednik gay heartthrob."

(Returning soon: Actual posts)

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Random Thoughts While Eating My Wheaties!!!

1.) You know what really grinds my gears, other than local radio stations' persistence on numbing us with Jack Johnson and Toby Keith, The Extra Sexual Party Network's "knob job" on Tom Crean. Yeah, how long before the overall-clad locals hunt him down after Indiana becomes the latest Big Ten joke?
2.) The Bulls reportedly are set to hire Doug Collins' perm as head coach....but what happened to "The Rifleman" Chuck Person? At the very least I demand the Bulls lure him from retirement to be their starting 2-guard!
3.) Does anyone find it ironic that the Boston Celtics don't have any legit white players on their team?
4.) The great thing about the Lakers isn't Kobe Bryant....it's the European All-Stars and their crisp ball handling and bounce pass skills. Somewhere Gene Hackman is smiling!
5.) I got in trouble at work last week not because I was trying to organize a National Spelling Bee pool, but because I placed the odds on some Asian kid winning at only 3-1.
6.) PETA really needs to get a grip on reality...I mean seriously it's just a fucking horse!!! Get a life !
7.) On that note, I demand the White Sox to pull those ridiculous TV commercials...especially the one with Nick "I suck more than expected" Swisher looking like a mix between a drunk bull-fighter and a semi retarded cowboy.
8.) Wouldn't Travis Henry fit in perfectly here with Briggs and Urlacher?
9.) I desperately hope Lou keeps referring to Scott Eyre as "Steve."
10.) Since I am at work getting essentially paid to write this, I think it is in my best interest to leave you guys with only 9 of my thoughts this week. Tune in next week for an unheard of 11

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