Freaks. F-R-E-A-K-S. Freaks
Ok they are probably really smart. They know how to spell really long, complicated words. I applaud them wholeheartedly. But let’s be honest here: the kids who take part in the National Spelling Bee are freaks. Freaks because they are intelligent maybe but definitely freaks. That’s really the best word to describe them, though I’m sure there is a word with many more syllables that would be appropriate as well. The Spelling Bee is riveting TV. Watching these little home schooled robots squeak out words no one has ever used in normal conversation is hilarious. The 15 year old 8th graders with full mustaches are my favorite. Or actually the voice cracking, that’s good too.
But now the Spelling Bee is selling out. I know, it’s sad but true. Yes its been televised on ESPN for many years now but it was still only a niche sport. Now the finals are going to be on primetime TV tonight, 8 PM ET on ABC. Robin Roberts is even hosting. The whole thing is getting commercial and the event is losing its identity. How commercial you ask? How about this: You can bet on who’s going to win the thing. I swear to God; you can gamble on the freaking National Spelling Bee. I don’t want to even imagine what kind of gambler puts money down on Spelling Bee contestants. What if you lost your house or the clothes off your back because you picked the wrong Indian kid? Can you bet a trifecta or is it straight up? Are there parlays? ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell actually handicaps the top 8 contestants here. I wonder if his editor had to explain idea of the piece to him twice: “No seriously Darren, we want you to write an article about which home schooled kid has the best chance of spelling words correctly. Now go get’em!â€. When your show is getting gambling action you know you’ve made it to the big time. One can only hope that the organizers of the Bee will remember that the show isn’t about ratings or gambling odds, it’s about watching nerdy freaks Will the show get big numbers? I bet it will. Once you start watching these little freaks you can’t take your eyes off them. Oh and for the record, I can’t spell to save my life.
Pistons hold on
Detroit isn’t dead yet but they are in trouble. The Pistons managed to defend their home court last night, beating back the Heat 91-78 behind Tayshaun Prince’s 29 points. The series is now 3-2 in favor of the Heat. This game as usual featured boring basketball. If you actually watched it, detox yourself tonight with Suns/Mavs at 8:30 on TNT. (Link)
Clemens is back
A $22 million contract would be enough to convince most anyone to come back to work and apparently Roger Clemens would agree. He’s decided to end the suspense and rejoin the Houston Astros, putting off his something like third retirement for at least another year. There had been rumors that he might be thinking about the Rangers, Red Sox or Yankees but the Houston offer was just too attractive. Clemens doesn’t have to travel to road series were he isn’t scheduled to pitch. His son Kolby is in the Astros minor league system. His family lives nearby. Oh and he’s getting over 12 million bucks (the pro-rated amount of the $22 million contract) for about three months work. It’s a nice gig if you can get it. (Link)
How much is this going to cost Mark Cuban?
The NBA loves to bring the hammer down on Mark Cuban, fining him hundreds of thousands of dollars for all sorts of things, usually involving his big mouth. This time though Cuban’s mouth didn’t get him in trouble, his feet did. During Game 4 of the Suns/Mavs series Cuban and Mavs benchwarmer DJ Mbenga (inactive for the game) went into the stands to look after Mavs coach Avery Johnson’s wife who was having some issues with two Suns fans. When Antonio Davis went into the stands in Chicago to look after his crazy wife he got suspended for five games. Mbenga can get suspended (with no impact on the Mavs) but if David Stern decides to discipline Cuban, it’s going to be all about the cash money. Good thing Cuban’s a billionaire. (Link) P.S. Jay Mariotti is pushing a Cuban buys the Cubs idea. (Bonus Link)
World Cup
In preparation for the World Cup we’re starting adding a new section to the Note which will be devoted to soccer-related stuff, just to get you in the mood and all. Mostly we’ll be featuring videos found around the web. Here’s today’s offering. (Video Link). Even better, here’s a link to pictures of soccer wives/girlfriends. Short summery of the pictures: its good to be a soccer player. (Link)
It’s about time
The Kansas City Royals finally fired their GM, Allard Baird, yesterday. After the performance of the Royals under Baird’s reign this move seems to be only four years too late. It makes one wonder who exactly one has to know to become a GM in this business, since clearly any incompetent can get the job and then hold it for a while. Braves Assistant GM Dayton Moore gets the unenviable task of cleaning up Baird’s mess. Royals Review has complete coverage from a Royals fan’s perspective. (Link)
Yesterday’s American League Games
The Royals fire their GM and promptly get shutout by Joe Blanton and the A’s. Eric Chavez, Frank Thomas and Jason Kendall each had two RBIs as the A’s win 7-0. Kendell hit a home run, the first he’s hit in two years. (Link)
It’s the same story every year for the Rangers. Lots of offense but no starting pitching. They aren’t going to win the West unless their starters can do a better job. Didn’t happen yesterday as Texas starter John Koronka gave up 7 runs in 2 2/3 as the Mariners crushed Texas 14-5. (Link)
Mike Mussina is sick this year and yesterday was no different. Mussina threw a complete game against Tigers, allowing only one unearned run in the Yankees 6-1 victory. (Link)
The powerful White Sox offense was shut down by Jake Westbrook and the Indians as Cleveland won 5-0. (Link)
If the Orioles only played Tampa they’d be the best team in baseball. They can’t beat anyone but the Devil Rays, which certainly says something about the quality of Tampa. The O’s come back from a 5-1 deficit to win in 11 innings 6-5. (Link)
Twins rookie Francisco Liriano is living up to the hype. Liriano, paired with Johan Santana gives the twins two dominant power pitchers. Of course the cheapskate Twins will probably let both go someday but yesterday they were glad they still have Liriano as he gave up only one hit and no runs in 6 innings as the Twins won 7-1 over the Angels. (Link)
David Pauley was the starting pitcher for the Red Sox yesterday as they took on the Blue Jays. Yeah the Red Sox have rotation problems. Luckily for them they still have David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez who each home runs in Boston’s 8-6 victory. (Link)
Yesterday’s National League Games
The Astros celebrate Roger Clemens’ signing by losing to the Cards 4-3 in 11 innings. The Astros are now 27-27 and, like last year, their problem is offense, not pitching. Of course last year they made it to the World Series so maybe history will repeat itself. (Link)
Livan Hernandez pitched well and Alfonso Soriano continued his hot streak, driving in all three of the Nats runs and hitting his 19th home run of the year as Washington beat the Phillies 3-2. Both Hernandez and Soriano could be gone by mid summer, shipped to contenders for prospects. (Link)
The Rockies got 10 hits; the Padres 4. So of course the Padres won 3-2, scoring all of their runs in the 6th. (Link)
Jason Schmidt was dominant, striking out 10 in 5 2/3 innings in the Giants 6-1 victory over the Triple A Marlins. (Link)
A match up of two of the NL’s premier starting pitchers in Brandon Webb and Pedro Martinez was better then expected as the Diamondbacks and the Mets were scoreless until the 13th when Endy Chavez hit an RBI single to give the Mets the victory, 1-0. (Link)
You can not stop Jason Bay; you can only hope to contain him. Bay hit his 17th home run of the year leading the Pirates to a 6-1 victory over the Brewers. (Link)
Tim Hudson pitching well, Jones and Jones each hitting two-run home runs adds up to a 9-3 victory for the Braves over the Dodgers. (Link)
Ken Griffey, Jr. knocked in two runs as the Reds beat the Cubs and their ace Carlos Zambrano 3-2. (Link)
Odds and Ends
The Cubs traded for Texas Rangers DH Phil Nevin, giving up utility player Jerry Hairston, Jr. in return for the struggling slugger. Clearly the Cubs are desperate for any production from first base after Derek Lee’s injury. (Link)
Steve Nash drunk at a club. I might break out the pulling the shirt open move this weekend. (Link, via Deadspin)
Are the Rockies good because of religion? They’d like us to think its because they have talent, not because the man upstairs is helping them out. (Link)