2025 Game #6 USC 31 Michigan 13

When I watched the USC-Illinois game a few weeks ago I said to myself Where are the stars?  USC is one the very few schools that can actually say they had and can return to glory days.  Put it together with the sun, grass, uniforms, and Rose Bowl (or Coliseum) and they've got it all.  Against the Illini Makari Lemon eventually appeared and it/he was a game changer.  They didn't win, but USC showed they have gears few others can match.  

Why not?  USC is also a great private school with almumi and dollars in a huge market.  The population of L.A. County (alone) is 9.8 million.  The median home price is $900,000. 

Right now I am watching a file (replay) on Sunday morning.  It started with Southern Cal driving down the field and Michigan is getting pushed around just about everywhere.  Every extra hit, attempt at intimidation, and the toughness Michigan promotes are going USC's way.  The runners and receivers are dancing.  Several Michigan defenders are trying to cling on missed tackles.  Oh no, if the defense doesn't keep it in check, what will?  Now, or later, Jaishawn Barham and Jyaire Hill among others have looked silly.

USC is big, strong, fast and motivated.  The stars and talent go deeper than just the ball carriers. 

Do you think Michigan will get it back solely on offense?  No way. 

Reviewing this game is an easy one.  It is a replay of Oklahoma--a beat down, a rout.   Michigan is a decent team (we were all fooled by Wisconsin into maybe thinking more), but the top of the Big Ten is something else.  While Michigan is usually one of those with the ability to pull it off, now they are more likely to look over-matched or worse against the very good teams.

This is the meat of year two and Moore was the damn offensive coordinator before that.  Look at the difference in Riley and Venables (Oklahoma) this year, for instance; they are energetic, motivating, and involved in every play (even calling the plays), not to mention experienced in every facet of the game.  Moore looks dour and emotionless in his black smock, isolation and headset. To me, he is phony.  He knows Michigan fans don't give a rat's ass about Purdue and Northwestern.  He is hiding the stress and the truth; this team is not good and the coordinators are piecing it together.  Do something!

You cannot blame it on the time zone, coach class seats or hotel that is only 4-star either.

Michigan made some progress, complementary football progress, until the excellent Justice Haynes went down. 

Sorry to have to repeat it, Lincoln Riley is a phenom coach with a pedigree and experience.  Sherrone Moore is not that person.  Riley blew it up at Oklahoma and then he smartly realized the USC job is something special and a much bigger opportunity.

Moore and his smashed mouth got smashed again.  And who would have thunk it, Indiana did it too.  When you go around bragging that you're tougher and richer than everyone else your opponents are going to take note and put it right back at you.

I don't know where the depth and talent on USC came from, or how much it costs.  Michigan's glory days--a national championship--were far more recent.

Michigan Football Enthusiasm Meter

4/10

They're a middling Big Ten team and Sherrone Moore doesn't have it in him.

 

2025 Game #5

I almost forgot.  

Donaven McCulley is a revelation--great jumping, catching, staying in bounds, running, and height.  Bryce Underwood is not afraid and that is a "complementary" situation.  Andrew Marsh helps.

Per Moore, who was back, "let it rip."

Michigan Football Enthusiasm Meter

 5/10

As much as I hate to admit it, Michigan has become a good team.  Justice Haynes is a national star, the passing game has improved, and Bryce Underwood has been relatively (two fumbles and several near-interceptions) restrained and successful.  The D has solidified with roles, rotations, and Rod Moore.

The schedule still sucks and the few competitive games will be telling.  Michigan is not within the top three of Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. Talk of the playoff or Big Ten Championship is way premature.

Michigan is good enough to beat USC.  Same goes for USC vs. Michigan. If I were to make a prediction, Lincoln Riley's record at Southern Cal is unimpressive.  I saw the USC-Illinois game and I'd say the same about that.  Advantages like home field, bye week, time zones, and long-distance travel are not about the teams or the game; 2024, and Michigan is better this season.

I cannot go over halfway on the Enthusiasm Meter with a coach who only appears for 40% of the season.  Talk about laissez-faire!  Moore does seem to be liked by the team.

2025 Football Game #4

So help me, we are off to Nebraska.  As if Oklahoma wasn't enough.

The scriptures of good and bad, right and wrong, and truth or false compel me to predict.  Those with a coach shall win.

Checks schedule.  Don't know how that applies next week vs. Wisconsin.

---

The game happened and the bye week and season drags on.  Wisconsin used to be a tough game.  Maryland could have been if you pick the right time.  Washington is 3-0 with a couple of unwinnable games and the rest a cakewalk like Michigan; Big Ten power rankings I have seen don't think highly of the Huskies and Michigan is at home and a long way from Seattle.  Count 'em:  at USC, Michigan State, and finally Ohio State is what is left.  And it'll get worse.  Some people will think Michigan is a great team and Sherrone Moore is a good coach.

One thing I learned when tearing apart why the Atlanta Braves have regressed as a business and team is that others may be just as bad or worse.  Take the Detroit Tigers.  For a long time they were the best team in baseball.  What do you expect if you start Charlie Morton and then send in Rafael Montero?

Matt Rhule does not inspire me.  He is the guy who made news with the hiring of Dylan Raiola.  How do you really build an upper-echelon team in the Big Ten?  You do the same with a couple of 300 lb. D-linemen.  Then you add the best running back on the market to go with the rest of the portfolio.  Rhule doesn't have a great career wins/losses record to start with.  I don't see Nebraska turning this imaginary corner.

I'm certain I have written this before:  Nebraska has to compete with schools, alumni, market appeal, and just plain more money.  You can hoot all you want about the way it used to be.  This is the modern-day Big Ten.  Even moribund UCLA is throwing money around.  

I was wrong.  I went with the underdog and sentimental favorite.  At first I thought, this is fun--Nebraska is going right down the field!  They should have been up 10-0 but instead were down 10-0.  Then, seldom do you see a field goal kicker (Zvada) show power and aggression.  It was not as close as the final score suggests.

Nebraska is worse than Michigan.  Raiola, the whole offense who can even play baseball at the same time, was generally helpless.  The Nebraska defense doesn't have the horses or jockey that Michigan does.

That is why Michigan won, depth, strength, and power on offense and swarming athletes on defense.  All this plus a nasty edge that Nebraska lacks.  If I were a Nebraska fan thinking "we're back" I would think again.

Luke Fickell is in even worse shape.   I watched the Maryland game before I couldn't take it anymore. Football in Madison is not the place to be nor is watching the boring game.  Fickell and his team look lost; his "it is what it is" pregame interview" said it all.

As for Michigan, Biff Poggi said it too.  His dog could coach these guys.  The whole replacement coach routine reeks of Juwan Howard and Michigan basketball.

What is left besides the three games mentioned is Wisconsin, Washington, Purdue, Northwestern, and Maryland.  Money and a malleable coach post-Harbaugh for Manuel is corrupt and it is all because one man has survived everyone else, from numerous coaches--Harbaugh counts about 5X-- to the president.  Sherrone Moore is the luckiest guy in Michigan.  He'll probably survive but it will be a dull, drawn-out tenure; we, more accurately they are stuck with him.  He would be a much better coach if he had five years of MAC coaching experience.

Odds of winning rest of schedule.  Michigan has two games left with a reasonable chance of losing.  No Oregon or Penn State or Indiana.

Michigan Football Enthusiasm Meter

 3/10.

 

2025 Football Game #3

Central Michigan.

Biff Poggi does not look healthy.  Sherrone Moore wasn't even there.

Too much individualism and nastiness. 

It is only a 12-game season.  I'm sorry, Nebraska isn't a good team either. 

Michigan Football 1-10 Enthusiasm Meter

2/10 

 

2025 Football Game #2 (Oklahoma 24 Michigan 13)

Some Reactions

Sherrone Moore again proves he's not worth effort for Michigan 

 Michigan-Oklahoma wasn’t supposed to be about Sherrone Moore. But that’s how it ended up

 One Comparison That Explains Our Outdated Philosophy

 Position and PFF Grades - Few Stars

 

The Game

Oklahoma has a fast-talker.  OMG, it's Venables.  Against weaker teams Michigan does not just wear the opponent down, they knock the quarterback out of the game.  Everyone agrees the Oklahoma defense is elite.  Can Michigan wear the rest of the team down?

The bigger question is:  How long can Michigan take this beating by Oklahoma?  Semaj Morgan could not stand.

We have seen Michigan games.  Usually they make a game of it.  Klein is not just questionable, he is out.

The offensive line is not moving forward.  

Sherrone Moore and Michigan are getting smashed.

Boy was I wrong thinking that Michigan would do the hitting.

Now we have the defensive second team.  Michigan player Brandon Hillman on the turf too.

Michigan had a stop with an overthrow interception.  Earlier it was close and now a roughing the punter.  Also the facemask first down.  McCulley?  No receivers.  Very heavy second and 2.  Then, barely a couple on 3rd down.  Another Michigan player, El Hadi, down. That's three.  How many Michigan players are barely standing?

Zvada missed.  (See pre-game musings after the page break below).  Underwood and Haynes fighting on the sideline.

I am going to miss Gary Danielson and Brad Nessler are maybe the best thing about the new Big Ten.

C.J. Charlston is still around.  Is Goodwin the other guy from last year?  Kendrick Bell has never been much of a threat.  Klein was a bright spot.  Don't they have another tight end?

The TV coverage is bad.  What about the sideline fight?  News on the injuries?  ESPN still has that damn news/promotion garbage.  At least the stats are on espn.com only because they have the game.

14-0 is dominant.

---

21-7 now midway through the third quarter.  Zeke Berry is down too.  It is a rout.

I'm thinking about my predictions.  Sherrone Moore doesn't deserve it; or rather, he hasn't earned it.  Michigan is not a deep team.  With a few exceptions, they are not an experienced team.  They have had some breaks to keep them in this game.  They are getting beaten.  Oklahoma has a better defense and a decidedly better quarterback.  Oklahoma does not have a smash running game; either does Michigan.

McCulley made a really nice catch on a long ball.  There is still a whole quarter to go but I think this one is over.  TJ Guy dirty hit.  Mateer strong legs and good at avoiding Michigan slashers.  He has been an excellent compliment--leading rusher--to the Oklahoma ground game.  He is durable and Michigan has not stopped him.  He has 55 rushing yards; Underwood has -5.

Now the clock is running down quickly.  The depleted, worn down Michigan defense (Tre' Williams #0) cannot stop them.

Sherrone Moore hasn't earned it. It feels like I have written this a hundred times.  He was fortunate the  end of last year.  Then he got lucky they bought Underwood.

Oklahoma 24 Michigan 13. 

 

After the jump, the preamble (writings before the game).  Many people were thinking Michigan was a playoff team.

2025 Football Game 1

The story of course is Bryce Underwood (or Larry Ellison) but I'll put that side of things on the back burner for a moment.  He is better than I expected or have probably ever seen.  He is a strong and accurate passer with above average decision-making.  As a result, the passing game is a huge improvement over last year.

Witness Jayden Davis, a higly-rated recruit, who when last seen looked like a deer in headlights.  His running was (is?) ineffective and indecisive and he could not (cannot?) pass at all.  He looks confused.

Underwood is not that player, person, and or professional football player.  But the receivers are still not great.

Hausmann and Barham--I'm fine with the targeting call--are much bigger and seemingly faster, or at least more comfortable with the defensive scheme.  Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has the defense still playing as well as the roster allows; it is not a team of high NFL draftees. The most dominant characteristic (good but mostly bad) is nastiness.

Chip Lindsey appears competent if not experienced--the offense with Underwood is totally rejuvenated.  Even with, again, a lack of real stalwarts on the OL, Michigan has two rugged, experienced, and top-echelon running backs.

The placekicking is elite.

I was distracted in writing this by trying to figure out New Mexico Lobo football.  Mendenhall, Bob Davie, Rocky Long, and even Brady Hoke come into the conversation.  They looked motivated and competitive.  There is no reason to imagine that they have the resources and budget that Michigan does.

Michigan with only six home games could be a bit of an equalizer.  The Big Ten schedules in terms of rivalries and top teams is a joke.  Michigan will certainly have a wining record and bowl.

The bigger picture still involves two things:  players as professionals is here and the prevailing logic says you have to compete.  I am grateful the Big Ten has Fox and CBS and NBC contracts because things have really changed.  Right now, the way it looks is that if Underwood is injured or has mental breakdowns the team is doomed.  Davis Warren even if healthy is a disaster and I'm doubtful Mikey Keene can do what Underwood can.

I'll say this for Sherrone Moore, at least he is low key.  The second is, he is still a leftover from the culture and embarrassments of recent times who has benefited from the money cannon and a couple of unlikely wins last year.  We'll all be reminded when he is suspended again.

Underwood is definitely mobile.  But we haven't seen him run yet.

Improvement over really bad cannot dominate the overall outlook. 

Michigan Football 1-10 Enthusiasm Score

3.5/10 

 

 

The Beginning of the End

     The history is incredibly simple.  Jim Harbaugh was scraping the bottom during covid.  The team was not good but that was only a small part of what was happening.  He had received a humbling shutdown of his satellite camps.  Now he was facing a humiliating and significant cut in pay.

Harbaugh's Michigan football record is 40-3 since hiring Connor Stalions in 2021.

Mitch Albom calling the epic beatdown "murky" is incorrect.  All those Michigan boosters and fans, many of whom are graduates, saying it doesn't matter are wrong too, and worse given their allegiance.  

It started with Harbaugh's reinvention.  He doubled down on his football upbringing.  Everyone he hired was by definition on board.  We are going to do it my way and everyone who doesn't like it is the enemy.  A strange "Michigan against the world" mentality bonded the team and also made them better.  At the same time, it was us against the rules.

 

That was and still continues as the overall plot.  I have never seen Sherrone Moore pledge to run a clean program and restore the image that goes with it.  Nor have I seen instances of character in terms of the program.  He has done nothing.  He is not a spokesman, innovator, or communicator.  He is of the "I just want to coach football" ilk.  

What is Moore's reaction to all the violations and suspensions?  Take a bunch of money and sign a quarterback who never had any interest prior to the paycheck. 

Anyone who thinks it is only sign stealing are not seeing the overall culture and violations.  The evidence isn't perfect but it is indisputable.  If there was no such thing as circumstantial evidence there would be no evidence at all, the saying goes.  The worst part of it all are the fans who rationalize it.

Oklahoma was 6-6 last year and lost its bowl game.  People used to say Nebraska is by far the worst school in the Big Ten; that is still true.  Anyway, the news is still about the Sooners and graduates and or many games Moore will sit out each year.  The schedule has no Penn State and plenty of Central Michigan, Maryland, Purdue, and Northwestern.  The team, the roster, is dull.  Sure, they will probably have a winning record.

Summary:  Who cares?

Warde Manuel is of  course responsible.  Again.

 After more dicking around, when Harbaugh finally left, Manuel should have hired a new, real coach and not someone stuck in the muck.  The new coach builds the new staff.  A new coach stops the bleeding.

These people are a disgrace.  Add Dusty May with his signees too. 

I learned this by following the Atlanta Braves.  It is time to move on.

Conclusion:  I don't care.

 

Darling, Hernandez, and someone else is worth my attention.  Especially when the world is right again.

This is rewind #4 or 5.  "The Braves have got some youth out there right now but, right now they are not playing a very good game right now."  

From the beginning.  Who the fuck is Bruhan?  Ron Darling is the most constantly-engaged, worth listening to (smart, knowledgeable) and with a smooth voice you can listen to announcer I know of.

Hernandez is likeable from Seinfeld. 

Bruhan is the guy with the falling center field ball in front of him who isn't running.  There's a reason 9/10 of these guys have been disasters--the definition is let go as in we give up--multiple previous times.  

I recorded and I am watching.  I know what is going to happen.  

There are winners and there are losers.

Pardon me, Bru Juan.  WTF?

The Mets have lost like 10 in a row and they are still not as bad as the Braves.  

Another time, they're saying the Braves should have scored.  I mean, you can see it.  If you watch you know.

Now it is 5-5 in the recording.

---

Switch gears.  I have looked.  What are the best football teams in the Big Ten?  I will preface this by saying Michigan's recruiting has been good--not champion, not even very good, but in the ballpark at 10-15.

This season looks to be a flop.  Michigan does not play Penn State or Indiana or Illinois or UCLA.  (The latter is a personal favorite, not necessarily a good team.)  They do play Purdue and Northwestern and Maryland and New Mexico and Central Michigan.

Oklahoma is a non-starter.  Who cares?  It is probably the worst school north of Mexico and throw in a bunch of rotten seasons and Sherrone Moore memorabilia and it just does not register.  These are not two top-10 teams engaged in a rivalry.

Here's the upside to the Michigan season.  Michigan won't be good and it'll show.  All this nonesense about the playoff will end.  The depth charts I have seen support that.  Rayshaun Benny is predicted as the best player; he is good and has stuck around but he is not a star.  Yes, Michigan's kicker is great.

There are potentially-close games like...  Forget it.  It is stretching.  Nebraska, Wisconsin.  Even USC.  They're close, but they just don't have...  Actually, they do, at least one does--the L.A. Coliseum.  But it still isn't the Rose Bowl.

 

 

Atlanta Braves Update

 

Sorry for the above.  It is part of the dull backstory.  They are going to pay a price for being MLB's only publicly traded team.

Things roll on because everyone is making money.  It is not like L.A. where that can be said of Ohtani, Freeman and others or the New York Mets who instantly became a playoff team.   In Cobb County--isn't there a glut of office space nationwide?--it includes the realtors and players like Luke Williams and Jesse Chavez.  Among the much higher-paid players there are maybe three, four, or five signed, all-around stars.

Blame Bobby Cox.  The Braves had this system--Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, 7th and 8th setup then reliable closer, defense (i.e., consistency and dependability) and offense, for the most part, home runs.  Ronald Acuna, Jr. provided even more with speed and pressure.  A quick two-hour game based on starting pitching and power was the model.

Now that is not working.  League-wide, many starting pitchers last long enough to get a big contract and then have arm surgery.  They are expensive and you have to have back-ups.  Big, long contracts to players like...  fill in list, I will not repeat the names.  Again, you must spend and you have to be smart, prepared, and well-funded enough to adjust.

Management--Brian Snitker and president of everything Alex Anthopoulos--are holdovers.  It is clear they represent problems rather than solutions.  Nothing they have done this year has worked.  It is a fact.  They are simply not directing a championship caliber team.

Last season was unusual even with expanded playoffs; the Braves crept in with 89 wins (then flopped).  This year it will take about the same number of wins.  They are 41-51 with 69 games to play.  The best team, the Detroit Tigers, have played at or over .600.  If this Braves team plays .600 baseball the rest of the season they will have 82 wins; if they play .700 ball they will have 89.  They are not going to do either.

The season is not over but the Braves are basically playing for nothing.  

I'll get back to the reasons and the individuals.  Customer satisfaction is at the root of it.  Does that even exist anymore--I mean, these days you have a few stores to shop at and it you don't like it you go hungry.  This happens elsewhere too (e.g., the NBA), with the Atlanta Braves most of the players are not likeable.  Rafael Montero--odd looking Latin fill-in from the, are all Astros cheaters?, Houston team.  Or Marcell Ozuna, fat, older, not really power or average anymore and long ago without glove, arm, or speed.  These days he has to be pulled for a pinch runner and he is linked to domestic issues.  Even the great Ronald Acuna, Jr.; there was a day when neck tatoos and jewelry were not so important.  The point is these players are not involved in the community and are short term.  ( Glad I checked.  Ronald Acuna speaks English!).  Alex Verdugo, Profar with the PEDs, Jared Kelenic, the list goes on.  Some of the turnstile relievers in particular do not even look motivated.  Didier Fuentes (20 years old) looked is not close to a major league starter.  Nick Allen, shortstop, has one of the lowest slugging percentages in the league; Michael Harris II flirted with .200 and the shoes he sells, signs, or paints look ridiculous.

Who is this guy?  Am I supposed to root for him?
 

Apologies for the diversion.  It will take me a long while to find the Frontline episode I'm thinking about.  They were talking to one of those top presidential advisors who was articulate, prepared, and 100% insightful on the subject at hand.  I think he used a different name for it, but he was talking about that "come to Jesus moment" when it, or you, have been exposed.  He was totally nonchalant, as if to say or know that it happens regularly; this is how it works and this is what we did. Whatever crisis it was that he was talking about, it had not yet become a full-fledged scandal or fully revealed.  Nevertheless, it was irreversible.  

He was confident about what he or they had done or what the outcome was, as it was the best that could have been done, from his perspective.  What was done was done.  But how would the big guy survive?  And what will happen to the rest of us?  This is the denouement.  It has to be put back together.  

 

It never hurts to review history as of June 5 (five weeks ago).  "They’re bad on accident," Mr. Bell writes.  Gosh, I was hoping...  This is not "how it's got to be."

 ---

Well, this was never finished; don't want to keep beating the same old drum.

It is a lot like all sports teams.  If you are a fan and know it inside out you can see it.  I have always said, you have to watch the whole game.  Find a free or replay site and watch from start to finish.  Probably you can do it without ads and, in Atlanta's case, even a broadcast by the competing team (Gaudin and the crew are intolerable homers).  In stadiums filled with ads and each and every player making millions, one thing that is the same or better is the stats and HD broadcasts.  Put it this way, how else can you see the manager or coach doing nothing?

It is all about management, i.e., top down.  With the Braves you could see it coming.  Anthopoulos and those with the money didn't do a damn thing.  And they have played the loyalty game too long.  It used to be called customer satisfaction and they just don't care.

The players show it.  They don't hustle or throw it in quickly from the outfield.  They run into each other, no surprise, they don't even know one another.  They strike out--a lot--hit into double plays, or get caught off base and look as if they are joking about it.  They are trying to do too much or too little; they are not playing as a team.   After all, they are wearing Quickrete patches.

Sunday 7/27/25

I don't like to see people suffering.  In this case, someone deserves it.

A big part of this story is the enormous territory and the broadcasting rights.  My first salvo was the endless Braves PR machine, but I easily found it on VIPbox with some normal announcers.  It is just, I needed it for a diversion from things more important; something to do in the background and still make progress.

I would call Bryce Elder my favorite player and right now he is about to implode; he is the most dependable, no theatrics or contract disputes, just ready when needed pitcher.  No known domestic arrests, history of MLB releases and claims, or visa disputes (put nicely in today's world) PED busts.  Three walks in the first inning and it is not fun to watch, regardless of your allegiance.  Wow, a strikeout and possible escape.  And this is exactly the story and the suspense.  It just, water doesn't naturally flow up-hill.

"A bases clearing double for Langford."  Five second check, spelling correct, end of this one.

When you watch you can't fool 'em. 

WTF are you going to do, it is 8 to 1, again?

50/50 Murphy strikes out to finally end it.  Again, you can tell.  Management can too.

 

Flimiest of the flim flam

Cannot find image of Sherrone Moore and commit making shotgun gesture.

Mgoblog is a ghost site.

Sherrone, how many games are you suspended for this year?  Character>money cannon.  No sign of the former.

This is just a placeholder for now.  The latest fifth-string QB free agent signing is not a new low it is part of the recurring glam show.

It is the worst I have felt about a football season in memory and wait until basketball starts and I will write it again.

Watch.  The football schedule is easy and everyone will think Sherrone Moore is great.

 Found.  A crummy Instagram image easier located on a cellphone.  Dorian Barney.

 

 

 

 

 

Braves' Top 10 Problems

Some day I'll write a post called Roddy and Sean.  For now this list of Top 10 Atlanta Braves problems will have to do.

1. Brian Snitker is on his last legs.  This is one of those truths that shouldn't have to be repeated.  Forums on the web are merciless.
2. Alex Anthopoulos has to change or leave, the latter not necessarily voluntarily.  Change has to happen.
3. Chris Sale won the Cy Young, bowed-out of the playoffs, and has not been good.  Tantrums on the mound are not a good look.
4. Sean Murphy is not capable of changing.  .200 and 200 strikeouts is not going to do it, regardless of the number of home runs.
5. Kelenic isn't even hitting .150.  That is not going to change (much if at all) either.
6. Olsen will hit some home runs but a .200 batting average is a problem.
7. The bullpen needs an overhaul and money.
8. No to journeymen outfielders like Eli White, De La Cruz, Fairchild, Verdugo and more is not going to work.
9.  Shortstop is an issue.  Can't blame Arcia because he's hitting as well or better than the rest of the team.
10. Albies and many of the Braves are undisciplined hitters.  They strike out way too often.
11. Bonus.  How dumb do you have to be to sign Jurickson Profar to a big contract.

Bottom 7th Apple TV and at least no Brandon Gaudin.  It is a beautiful HD picture.  1-16 Stuart Fairchild.  That is a .063 batting average.  The Braves are 5-13 W-L and the Twins are 7-12.  Alex Verdugo on base percentage 26%; lots and lots of tatoos.

I had never seen that.  Nate Allen's arm strength.  He rolled it to first and it worked.  5'6" 166 lbs is hard to forget.

De Los Santos.  The names are hard to distinguish. 

But it is relaxing.  Riley, Ozuna, Olsen due up in the bottom of the 8th.  Can the Braves score three runs?  Therein lies the problem.  You can't lead off and hit a 3-run homer.  Will the Braves get two on then hit a home run?  There is almost a zero chance of that.

Forget all the other chatter.  The only way to know is to watch.  Austin Riley is good hitter; 2-2 lots of fouls and tough out.  That's 8 strikeouts for the team.  Ozuna is back.  That makes sense, four days for a doctor's appointment.  And Aaron Bummer is done grieving.

Who are announcers?  Dontrelle Willis (familiar name).  Absolutely right, don't walk Braves.  Now, I wrote this earlier.  Albies can go after bad pitches.  Olsen hit lumbering Ozuna to third.  Twins could have tagged him.  Murphy; G Jax is not very good and if the Twins lose it is on the manager.  Griffin Jax.  Unbelievable.  They are giving the game away.

Harris had a nice hit earlier.  He is capable.

Sheer luck.

"You mentioned Griffin Jax, this is the second..."

 

The Portal, Dusty May, and More

"Jared Kelenic and the bottom part of the order..."  Now that is an understatement.  But the Braves are losing and I am happy.

I knew he was a bonus baby with lots of potential but I thought he had a giant contract.  $2.3 million is about right for a .175-hitting corner outfielder.  That's the going rate for a body these days.

Dusty May is a pig.  Didn't want to put that in a title.  Of course Harbaugh still reigns.  During the tough times and particularly at turnover time you could see he wasn't all smiles.  Now he knows he will probably have a good team so he is arrogant too.  He spilled the beans on Tre Donaldson--new guy in, Tre out.

In law there's this really simple principle that he or she or they who caused is it liable.  I have so little interest in the new team it isn't even funny.   

North Carolina is a good school and top-5 in terms of being a blueblood basketball team.  Duke notwithstanding there is only one school and team in my mind in college basketball that is more perfect.  UCLA is a great university with even better surroundings and climate.  They're simply rentals.  They are also past discontents who are likely to revert.  If they accomplish what they want on the court (e.g., in Danny Wolf's mind) it is one year only.

Funny how Michigan fans, students, alumni, and bankers never mention that Aday Mara fits the whole profile.  Sure, they are only rumors.

Chris Sale is going to wind up in a full body cast one day.  Gosh, 162 games you just cannot argue about it.  They'll win enough games to support the rest of the enterprise.  And most other franchises are worse.  I'm no longer a fan, I'm just a troll.  The news is usually about salaries or injuries and I don't need it.

In between May and Michigan hired Yaxel Lendeborg.  Actually, I don't know how much they are paying him given the season is half a year away and he is "80%" going pro.  Everyone deserves second (or more) chances but he missed half his high school career due to academics.  He's another multi transfer/loser.

Dusty May learned from the best-then-gone.  Make it about the NFL.

Now we all know what that means in college basketball--do it like Bruce Pearl and Kelvin Sampson, two of the four Final Four coaches. 

I have already thought about and put it down on paper (a computer screen).  I have no desire to follow Bryce Underwood or watch him.  Ditto Mikey Keeene who isn't even playing.  Sherrone Moore was lucky last year and it is going to be long, slow, and boring manball against a weak schedule.

I was reading, 'Will your interest wane with the new landscape?' You bet it will.

Checks boxscore because the game is too boring to pay attention to.  Sean Murphy 2/2 strikeouts.  The other day I looked it up; he had 11 at bats and 5 strikeouts.  He makes $15 million.

Everyone's doing it is never an excuse, Dusty May.

My God, the Atlanta Braves Tampa Rays game was a no hitter through five and I didn't even know.  That is how dull is that.  Brandon Gaudin is the absolute worst big-company homer announcer ever.  Sometimes there is a bit of a travelogue when they're on the road.  At least they lost and Murphy 0/4 with two strikeouts.  Thankfully I know what I want.

They're all just journeymen with a few ridiculously-priced human beings in between.  There is no way anyone can predict baseball skill and performance that far into the future or even in a few years.  For college athletes it is just one year.  The games themselves can be great or even worthwhile if there is a commercial-free video available the next day; they are more or less void of the prima donnas and backstories that recirculate.  At some point there will be a fallout; someone is going to get hurt and to a large extent it probably won't be Michigan mostly because of market share.  Overall, the university is not atop academic rankings as it once was.  Michigan may be in the top-20 or a lot higher, but, and there is no question, the "athletics product" will still diminish for the rest of us.

It is just a bad habit.  There are better things to do than Googling michigan basketball news.  Is this news?  It sticks in my brain.  A man was killed and Kyren Lacy got caught.  At least it wasn't with a gun during a robbery, an optimist would say.  The arrest and buffoon lawyer and everything was the beginning of this year.  That was in Louisiana.  Now in Houston he fires a gun, drives away in a chase and shoots himself.  There appeared to be enough evidence to get on with it but the next day he was going to testify to a grand jury.  Why?

I did the habit-forming searches.  Twenty-four plus years old.  Transfer.  Perhaps 6th best receiver and multiply that by, say 20, and I don't know how many teams, that is the NFL draft.  Then Reddit pops up; I "learned" some not mainstream gossip about Aday Mara there which certainly makes sense.  There are people who really follow these things and have a need to show it.  Entitlement is more than a claimed first hand observation by someone.  Drug busts, traffic infractions, and much, much worse from high school on is a known fact for star athletes.  Those who follow say poor and 100% football player.  That does not mean prospect it means breadwinner, just ask the agent and the lawyer, and probably the family and parents too.  In the end he showed some potential as a transfer in the deep South with a shattered, short career and earnings that will never materialize.  That is a theory that makes sense to me.

 

 

 

 

Tre Donaldson Unpacked

See posts below.  It has been a jolt.

In this particular incident--and let me be clear, it is just a news blip and unfortunately it is not about a human beings--there are two overriding factors.  

One, Donaldson is a jock.  He had football offers in the 2022 recruiting class from the biggest and best teams, Alabama, Penn State, etc.  In March, 2022 he won the Florida state high school championship in his school's class.  It is not obvious why he stopped football, but the history shows a trend of bolting when the competition gets too tough.  More accurately, he doesn't have to so he isn't going to.  Basketball in Europe or somewhere, I don't know, but he likely does not have a viable pro career in either sport.  He is good, but not that good.

Second, these guys (and some women) make serious money.  Just Google "how much do college basketball players make" and you'll see the sad news.  I had no idea; I still don't understand where it comes from and who pays it (although I'll add a little on that).  As far as I can tell a player like Donaldson will be paid around $500,000 a year.  So, anyone who thinks money isn't a factor for each decent player or major team's players is avoiding the truth.  The money seems to come from the school (i.e., their revenue) and the booster and fan collectives.  Somehow it is organized and disbursed.  It is stunning.  I cannot imagine making that much money at that age.

It appears Donaldson was not "run out" of Michigan.  He was, however, "recruited over."  There is no compelling bond or reason to stay at Michigan.  He wants the best on-court situation which is tied to money:  more need plus ability to pay equals same or better than Michigan.

Donaldson is not a pioneer in terms of free agents or student-athlete rights he is just a blip--one of hundreds this year.  Again, with fifteen-scholarship basketball rosters there is no known reason to think there is not space.  It appears voluntary.  Bye.

It is a realization that this is what has happened to amateur (college) sports.  It is good to know.  I still don't get it entirely--I Googled, Bryce Underwood, and it is something like $10 million.  That is what changed his allegiance.  I have no desire to root for him or watch him play.

"Don't feed the troll" is a quote from Olaf Scholz on a different topic and individual and I won't get into that.  Sort of like my affection for the Atlanta Braves--I'm just a troll.  The games are fun to watch if you can block out the commercials and talking heads and thankfully if you wait a bit that is often possible.  For the rest of it, if I want corruption and people who only care about money and themselves, it is easier to watch Dateline.

Times likes this full of chaos and greed serve as reminders.  What exactly do you stand for?

I probably can't shake the habit of searching for news as a way to relax on my cellphone.  And I am pretty sure if the basketball team is good next year--which is likely--when league games count, I will tune in.  

 

Above is a random quote.  I know some law but not that.  It seems more about market demand than NIL.  I have more research to do and I'd like to see the contract.  Does it say we're going to pay you this much and in return we have the unlimited rights to your name, image, and likeness?   

If I am watching a Michigan game or posting an image here it it because of Michigan and not the athlete.  I am not making any money off it.  Gosh, if I were better at Photoshop I could take or copy or buy an image of the Maryland game and erase Tre Donaldson.

If someone wants to hire you for a car commercial, fine.  That is not the same as a collective formed to pay you.

UCLA--portal #1 approximately Dent $3 million from UCLA and $2 million downpayment.

Fat, drunk, arrested, and fired wasn't enough, what exactly is Denard Robinson complaining about?

Here's a quote from me as imaginary coach:  "Next!"

 

 

Dusty May is at it again.

 

It is pointless to review the Michigan basketball roster in terms of who doesn't or shouldn't matter.  By my count they have FOUR PLAYERS:  Will Tschetter, Tre Donaldson, L.J. Cason, and Phat Phat Brooks.  This is hoping and assuming Roddy is a Gayle.

This is not respectful of anyone.  I am going to stop watching the portal.  Just like last year, I didn't watch or care much about the team in the beginning of the season.  I only showed interest when they were near the top of the Big Ten.  

This portal crap every year with Dusty May is his milieu.  When the team displays more sanity and stability I'll show interest again.

4/5/25

Ridiculous portal acquisition for multi-transfer guy who wants to go to the NBA.  Some Michgan fans saying "We're gonna be great."  UAB, they were pretty good, everyone leaving.

I say who cares.

 

Fall of the Atlanta Braves Part 4

 

The Atlanta Braves suck and it is fun to watch.  They are lessons for all about building a team or program with stability, longevity, and pride. It is a look inside the fat-cats and failures.  It shows what happens with long-term contracts; the same can be said about college transfers with years of eligibility left.  It probably won't last.  

Michigan has had some great teams.  Usually it boils down to leadership and people like Mike Sainristil, Aiden Hutchinson, and Derrick Walton, Jr. to name a few.

1.  They started the season hoping for a decent team when and if two stars (Acuna and Strider) come back at all-star levels.

2.  No. 2 starter Lopez is on the disabled list for shoulder inflammation and it is long-term.  His only start was 9 hits in 5 innings with one strikeout and two walks.  Remember Chris Sale?  He's the Cy Young winner who bowed-out of the playoffs last year.

3.  People are calling it fraud.  Jurickson Profar is gone for half a season and hopefully more.  $14 million a year for a one-time .280 hitter?  The other day I read somewhere not worth noting what a great start he had this year in one game.  His accomplishments:   he fouled off a lot of pitches and only struck out twice; he didn't have any hits.  He was supposed to be a bridge to Acuna and replacement for Jared Kelenic, i.e., they already have at least one outfielder who needs replacement.  

 

4.  Sean Murphy has shown once again that he doesn't want to or cannot play.  Murphy is awful.  Last year he missed about half and hit .200.  All we ever heard was that he never got his swing back.  Duh.  Sometimes he gets stats when the game is out of hand and pitchers hardly bother.  In terms of helping the team he is a complete no-show.

2023-2028 arbitration-extension-process. Sean Murphy signed a 6 year, $73,000,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $73,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $12,166,667. In 2025, Murphy will earn a base salary of $15,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $15,000,000.

 5.  The bullpen is terrible and six or seven games into the season they found soon to be 42-year old Jesse Chavez already.

 

6.  70-year old "Snit" (manager Brian Snitker) is an embarrassment.   The only thing I recall him saying this year is how he wants to retire and remain one of those people who still hangs around minor league ballparks (also referred-to as a scout).

 

7.  Yesterday I looked up Bryan De La Cruz, left fielder, after seeing the box score.  It is not every day you see someone with a .000 batting average and .083 on base percentage.  His career stats are OK; not great, strikes out a lot.  $860K.  This season 6 strikeouts in 11 at-bats.  What is the point?  This because Sean Murphy makes $15 million.

 

8.  "AA" as he is called is an arrogant son of a bitch.  I remember last year when Acuña went down--an interview, the only thing anyone said about the turnstile of outfielders.  He didn't say a word relevant to how he single-handedly destroyed the team by signing everyone breathing to a huge contract and then retiring.  I'll look it up, the story on ESPN.  He didn't and still doesn't give a rat's ass about the fans or the trajectory of a once great franchise.  Yeah, right, you are going to make the playoffs when everyone heals.  AA is Alex Anthopoulos.

 

9.  Joe Jiménez and...  I already mentioned the bullpen.  Three years $26 million guaranteed is crazy.  He is supposed to be the rock of the bullpen,  Instead he is skipping the season.  

10.  Ian Anderson.  This reminds me of college basketball, the portal, and 5th, 6th, and 7th years.  What is the point?  A career of hanging-on with NIL is a poor excuse for a career.  Anderson's salary is $800K.  The poor Angels.  

I could go on.  Drake Baldwin, supposedly the Braves' best prospect (catcher, realization Murphy is a flop), is hitting .056.  Farm systems used to fill in for injuries and it was a win-win in terms of evaluating prospects.  There is virtually nothing on the farm.  

Bright spots?  Sale has been good if he can last.  Spencer Schwellenbach also.