You submitted your questions, and now I have your answers. It's the RoochNation mailbag, and it's exactly what you need to bridge the gap to a weekend no doubt filled with hot dogs, beer, and enough Patriotic sentiment to make William Wallace look like a traitor...
Get some, and enjoy...
Rooch,
I know you've always been a big fan of Michael Jackson's music, and often attempt to duplicate some of his more subtle dance moves. How do you feel about his passing away this past week? And a quick follow up. Who do you think will be the next celebrity to go?
Mike in Manhattan
Well, Mike. Quite the loaded question there, but I'll do my best to be thorough and concise.
To me, Michael Jackson was made up of 3 equally important and influential pieces. He was an amazing artist, a troubled child, and a despicable sexual predator. He brought love and joy to millions, while at the same time bringing pain and terror to God knows how many innocent children. Do they balance out? Not really. But it's his horrible childhood, and his disgusting father that almost force me to give him a pass. Not for what he allegedly did to those kids, mind you, but just a pass in how he will be remembered. I'm not saying forget what he did, I'm just saying there's no need praise this guy, or to drag his name through the mud now that he's gone.
Fact is, like many incredible artists or geniuses, he was unstable, unique and complex. It's what made him so great, and it's ultimately what led to his demise. He wasn't loved as a child. It's what made him cry out for attention and love in the form of singing, and it's what made him a monstrous predator once he finally came of age. He just didn't know what it really was to love somebody, and in some fucked up way, I almost think when he was molesting those kids, he thought he was helping them out. Giving them the love he never got as a child. Again, it's inexcusable and disgusting the things he's accused of doing, but in the upside down world that Michael Jackson existed in, disgusting shit like that was just par for the course. I mean just look at his dad. You try being exploited starting at age 8 and see how you turn out...
So to answer your question. I'll continue to enjoy his music, continue to perform his dance moves (Ah-he-he!), and always remember him as one of pop culture's most tragic figures. One of it's most important, most influential, and most disgusting. To me, remembering him any other way, just wouldn't be doing his career justice. Hey, if we're gonna learn from the past, we'd we well suited to remember it correctly, don't you think?
Brett,
With Phil Mickelson coming in 2nd for the 5th time at the US Open, I have to ask. Do you think Lefty is ever going to take that sucker down? And while I know you usually route against him, you weren't cold hearted enough to wish him ill will this time around, were you?
Keep up the good work,
Peter in Liverpool, NY
Thanks, Pete.
Your answers are as follows...
I don't, I was, and I will.
I don't. I don't think Phil will ever win the US Open, because despite his near misses, the narrow fairways and deep rough that are always found on the Open courses just don't really suit his game. And his "go for it" mentality that he's seemed to scale back on in recent years, will continue to burn him coming down the stretch if he keeps pulling driver on 18 and knocking down patrons attempting to grab some free grub at the hospitality tent...Oh yea, and he always seems to yank his putts on those slick greens come Sunday afternoon. So he's got that going against him, which is never good...Unless you're me, and then it's one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life...
I was. I was routing against Phil, because it's my second favorite thing to do when it comes to watching golf. The first being, of course, routing for Tiger to win.
And as for wanting Phil to win because his beautiful wife, Amy, has become stricken with breast cancer? Good God. If anything that made me want him to win even less! I mean of course I wish Amy nothing but a full and speedy recovery, and I'm sure a win would have lifted her spirits, but the way NBC and ESPN went about promoting the thing just made it so hackneyed and trivial that it made them all look pathetic. They made it sound like if Phil won, Amy was going to be magically cured right there on the 18th green!
I mean let's be serious here, people. Do you honestly think, that at the start of that US Open, Phil Mickelson was the only one in the field dealing with something like that? You don't think that maybe some of the other players had family members suffering from deadly or incurable disease? And that maybe since, I don't know, they aren't multi-gazillionaires like Phil that maybe, just maybe they could have used that prize money to actually help comfort their loved one's as they fight for their lives?
And trust me, I get it. It was a story, and seeing that's what sports' is all about, I get why they had to bring it up. But I say if you're gonna bring up Amy, then make sure you mention everyone else that's suffering too. Otherwise, you're nothing but another major corporation benefiting off someone who's suffering from cancer. And that's not cool in any book I own...
I will. I will, keep up the good work. Thanks again, Pete...
Next!
Dear Brett,
If there's one other person out there that you know that should be writing a blog, who is it and why?
Thanks
Paul in Cranston, RI
Thanks for the question, Paul.
Up until recently, I didn't really think any of my friends could come up with enough material for their own blog, but in recent weeks my buddy, Kevin "Frosco" Tomasso, has told me some stories that have got me thinkin' twice. Check it out...
In the last week alone, he's told me stories involving...
A) a bullet hole in his condo window
B) an old (deaf) man backing the car over his wife in his condo parking lot (don't worry, the woman managed to make it completely under the car due to the low speed of the event and was never hit by a tire)
C) him sitting in a lounge chair at his condo, only to find out a week or so later it was the same chair where a guy had recently taken his own life with a handgun
Sounds like a nice little neighborhood they got goin' there, doesn't it? Freakin' OK Coral, down there. I have expect to get a call later this week detailing an encounter with Doc Holliday down at the Piggly Wiggly...or in Frosco's case, the Hoggly Woggly...Yeah, it's a real place...
But no. Other than Frosco, I can't think of anyone else that should have a blog. Plus I think the new procedure now would be to start on Twitter, and build your way up to blogging. Once you can fill 140 characters with legit stuff, then maybe we'll start talkin' paragraphs...
Rooch,
You've been slackin' on your Red Sox analysis so far this summer. What's your take on Dice K, Papi, and the Sox chances the rest of the season?
100...,
Ryan in Providence, RI
You're right, Ry. I have been slackin'. But with the way this team has been pitching, it's hard to find anything worth bitching about without sounding like a spoiled Patriots fan clamoring for a 4th wide receiver.
Naturally, this team isn't perfect, but the great starting pitching, and league leading bullpen (2.90 ERA) are making things like Julio Lugo's ego and Dice K's struggles just fade into the background. Are they important issues? Of course they are. But the way this team has been pitching, Big Pepsi could hit a buck 25 for the rest of the season and I don't see it hindering their chances of making a legit run...
Of course as I type this the Sox bully is getting lit up like a menorah at Rod Carew's house, but it's gonna take more than one 10 run implosion to make me nervous...
That being said, Ry. Expect my Sox coverage to pick up as the weather gets warmer, and the sun actually starts to shine here in the NorthEast. And I'm still watchin' every game, so don't figure my knowledge is slippin' just because I haven't been writing about them...
But I know you would never think that....right? Nah, you wouldn't...
Moving on...
Rooch,
What's your opinion of the alleged leaking of the list of 103 players that tested positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2003? Looks bogus to me.
Thanks
Peter M in Santo Domingo, DR
The List (allegedly): http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=283&f=2094&t=4464351
Well, Peter, aside from the fact that there aren't enough Yankee names on that list for my liking, most of the list seems right in line with who I would pick if I had attempt to make the list myself. And wouldn't you know it, a certain Boston DH made the list that just a few weeks ago both Jose Canseco and I outed as a probable steroid user and cheat...
Officially, I'm gonna wait to get some clarification on this thing's legitimacy. But based on what I know, I'd have to say if that list isn't authentic, then it's at the very least 75-80% accurate..
Now comes the fun part, though. Where Bud Selig deflects to the fact that the names were leaked by some crook in a courthouse, that the Player's Union should have destroyed those records anyway (as was their right), and that the list is just a sign of how far MLB's testing procedures have actually come. IE "We caught Manny this year, didn't we?"
Yeah, I'm sure that won't be a 3-ring circus. Oh well. At least Selig's already dressed for it, that creepy muppet...
Rooch,
Steven in Attleboro
First and foremost, let me just get the obvious out of the way. I don't like soccer, never have, and probably never will. It has all the standing around of baseball, but without all the strategy, cool trading cards, tobacco usage and support of Alyssa Milano...
That being said, I think the United States loss in the Federations Cup Final to Brazil exemplifies how this country will always feel about professional and international soccer...
Up 2-0 at halftime to the best team in the world, and lose 3-2. Do just enough to pique your interest, only to end with the reassurance that the US will always be a second or third rate power...
Just like I said all season long about the Bruins, people are only going to get into US soccer when the team is good, and playing in important games. OK, understandable seeing this country's front running mentality. But the problem with soccer, is that there are so few events for the US to play in, and even fewer that are readily accessible to US TV viewers. Why? Because all the advertising money for soccer is in every other country but this one. So between the rare chances for success, and the inaccessibility for the viewers even in this day and age of satellite and OnDemand, I just don't think soccer is ever really going to catch on. I think it will eventually pass hockey in the ranks of overall popularity, but that's like coming in 3rd in a sprint between Usain Bolt, Michael Johnson and FDR...
But hey, not all is lost. If you really wanna see people pretending to be near death one minute, only to be running around and doing back flips the next, Intervention is on A&E every Monday at a much more viewer friendly time of 9 pm Eastern time...
Rooch,
I know you're a poker fan, and I know the World Series of Poker has been going on all month long in Vegas. Any big news coming out of there? Or is it just a bunch of people nobody has heard of winning obscene amounts of money? I know you spent some time there in rehab, so I figured you'd have some good sources...
Go Sox,
Dave in the Back Bay
You're right, Dave, as I have been following the World Series. And unlike years past, this year has already provided some exciting results for some of the World's best known professionals...
Jeffrey Lisandro, a well traveled pro, came into the '09 series with 1 bracelet to his name, but has added 3 more in a little less than a month by proving to be the best stud tournament player in the world. Lisandro won all 3 of his bracelets in stud variant games, taking down the $1,500 Stud event for about $125K, the $10,000 Stud Hi/Low event for $432K and the $2,500 Razz event for $188K. All told for the series, Lisandro has 6 cashes for a staggering $807,000. Throw in the fact that Lisandro and pro, Barry Greenstein, have a no doubt juicy prop bet with Daniel Negreanu and Erik Lindgren to see who can accumulate for Player of the Year points, and I'd say Lisandro is in line for one Hell of a summer...
Two other notable online pros, Brock "TSoprano" Parker and Greg "FBT" Mueller have also doubled up at this year's series. Parker snagged two "6 handed" titles in Limit and No Limit Hold 'Em early on in the series and has cashed for more than $800K, while Mueller took down the $10K limit event for $460K and the $1,500 No Limit Shootout for another $195K. These were the first bracelets for both of these well respected pros...
Last but not least, we have Phil Ivey, the Tiger Woods of poker. Ivey, considered the most feared player on the planet at just age 32, had won 5 bracelets coming into this year's WSOP, but none since 2005. Not a long drought by human standards, but seeing as Ivey was on a "bracelet a year" pace before 2006, logic would tell you that he was long overdue. And you would be right! The '09 WSOP has seen Ivey return in a big way, winning a 2-7 Lowball event for $96K and an Omaha/Seven Card Stud High/Low event for $220K. What's more, is that rumors around town (rather substantial, I might add), have Ivey collecting more than $3 million in bracelet prop bets that he had with other members of the Bellagio's legendary "Big Game". Sounds far fetched, but in the "Big Game" they regularly play at limits as high as 4K/8K, and Ivey himself has played at limits as high as 100K/200K when he was a member of the Corporation that took down billionaire, Andy Beal... ( http://www.pokerlistings.com/beal-loses-166-million-to-ivey-and-the-corporation-6113)
So a great series, so far Dave. It's just too bad tournament poker sucks to watch these days, and all the cool events I'd want to see aren't even being covered. Oh well. Here's to knowing the Main Event final table months before the average viewer. And here's to ESPN again editing down an epic heads up battle for the most coveted trophy in poker, to 3-4 hands...
Rooch,
Donte Stallworth killed a dude?
Kevin in Myrtle Beach
Yes, Kevin. Yes he did.
And judging by the sentence he got, I recommend that southeastern Mass and most of Rhode Island take notice. 30 days for gettin liquored up and taking out a guy that was just outside a crosswalk? Hell I'd give 60 days for most the fools I wanna run down with my car!
And I would only have to deal with my family when I got out of the clink. Stallworth has Sheriff Goodell...
Oh well. As despicable as Donte's "the guy just ran out in front of my car" story sounds to me, it still won't erase all the great memories Donte Stallworth gave to me during his time in New England. No, not on the field. I'm talking about when I saw him in Best Buy, and he pointed to a copy of King King and commented to a friend "that's what we used to call Charles Grant"...
Ha!
...but seriously, look out on the road. I got a list of names, a bottle of Old Grandad, and a car that already has paint missing and blood on the fender. Nothin' to lose, kids. Nothin' to lose...
Rooch,
At the risk of being laughed at, what did you think of the NBA Draft? You hate the NBA, but you love college hoops, so I'm interested to hear what you thought.
Keith in NA, MA
You know, that's a good question because even I would think I would be more interested in the NBA Draft than I actually was. My main problem is that the NBA almost seems Hell bent on forging that "just because you were good in college, doesn't mean you're a fit for the pros" mentality, and it takes all the fun out of it for me. I understand taking chances of developmental youngsters and Europeans, but watching guys like Sam Young and DeJaun Blair (and in other years guys like Celtics Glen Davis and Ryan Gomes) slip all the way into the second round in favor of guys that only have "upside" just really takes all the fun out of it for me.
So to answer your question, no I didn't really watch it, and I don't really enjoy it any more.
And for the 50th time, I have no idea why the T-Wolves drafted both Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn, and I have no idea what they are gonna do with them. My best guess, is that a franchise that excels in losing is continuing to do what it does best. Make mistakes. Big ones. It's just too bad Kevin McHale isn't still there to help the Celtics benefit from this latest apparent gaffe...
Then again, I wouldn't be interested in that either...
Rooch,
Yaaaa I've been busy flippin' over skateboards 'n burnin' 'em in celebration of the Lakers latest title, so I've missed what's been goin' on with your fantasy team. So what's the deal with that? Your team still beat or what?
Yaaaaa,
C. Mor in CA via Twitter on Steven from Laguna Beach's iPhone.
I'm not sure which image I like more. Cyrus dancing around a half smoldering skateboard OR the Laguna Beach fire department showing up to douse the fire with iced latte's from Starbucks...
As for my fantasy team, I've actually managed to move out of the basement for the time being, while still struggling for what I've simply deemed a case of "bad luck". No, I'm not talking about my guys hitting the DL harder than Ike Turner or the fact I've lost guys to "stress" and the flu. I'm just talking about being the victim of bad weekly match ups.
Example: Through the first 12 weeks of the season, my team ranks 2nd and 3rd in both ERA and WHIP, respectively in a 12 team league. During those same 12 weeks, in my head to head match ups in those two categories, my team is a lackluster 12-12-0...
(as I type this complaint about my match ups, both Johan Santana and Cliff Lee are getting lit up to the tune of 13 earned runs in just 9 innings pitched. Perfect example of why I can't win. Pitching is my strength. When it's good, I can't win with it, and when it's bad, I can't win with it.)
But hey, dems da breaks when you play in a head to head league like this, I'm just glad I was able to find some stats to prove to myself that I wasn't completely insane...
Rooch,
You have to be lovin' this Shaq to Cleveland deal. Any chance you become a Cavs fan now?
You are the coolest dude I know, and possibly the most handsome as well.
Keep up the stellar work,
Brett in Attleboro via his brain and his fingers
WAR - the adult alarm
I ask, because I still don't know. And with the latest news about 'Sheed possibly joing the Celtics, I'm really torn. What I do know, is that Chris Rock and Spike Lee need to get on the next thing steamin' to the Mistake by the Lake and start work on what should turn out to be the finest NIKE commercials ever created. They will be the Godfather of athletic apparell commercials...ya know, expect with black guys...and probably a lot of jokes instead of a bunch of mafia shit. But you get my drift...
I also know, that I wil buy a Rasheed Wallace jersey should he land in the Bean. Not because I like the Celtics (which I apprently can't remind you of enough/nobody ever remembers), but because Rasheed Wallace has been one of my favorite players to watch since he donned the Carolina blue with VC and Stack. What's up with that missing chaunk of hair he has on top of his head? I don't know. But I'm pretty sure it's what makes him so great...and possibly so angry all the time...
As for the "WAR-the adult alarm"? Well "WAR" is a term adopted by followers of Jim Rome's radio show that callers and emailers tack on to the end of a message in order to show support for something. They borrowed the term from the Auburn Tiger's cry of "War Eagle", which is something they chant for some reason in support of their team, despite the fact that their mascot is a Tiger. It's the south, go figure...
And the "adult alarm", you ask? Well it's right here for to you to see for yourself. Check it out...
Simply hysterical. MACAULLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!! ORRFF!
Brett,
What's the deal with airplane food?
Jerry in NYC
Not now, Jerry. There's no time.
Rooch,
So how was Public Enemies this weekend, buddy? I'm eager to hear your review since the movie doesn't open until July 1st! You Ted...
Justin Lee from the Real OC
NY, NY
Touche, Justin. But hey, what can I say. I knew the movie didn't come out until July 1st, I just could have sworn I saw ads that there were going to be "sneak previews" pretty much all over the country this past weekend!
Well there weren't, at least not in this nape of the neck, and I was relegated to watching the "making of" Public Enemies on HBO. But fear not. I still plan on catching the flick in the upcoming weeks, and I'll be sure to give you a staunch, critical review once the piece of cinema actually absorbs into my eyes, brain and soul. So stay tuned...
Hey dude,
I hear they're opening a Sonic in western Mass somewhere. You should check it out and write a review of it in your blog.
Josh in Hoboken, NJ
You sir, are a liar!
After consulting the Sonic website, I have indeed found no truth to the rumor that a Sonic restaraunt, complete with tater tots, hot dogs, and enough slushie combinations to bust Phil Mickelson's gertle into a thousand pieces of Mandex and sweat pads, is making it's way to the Commonwealth. According to their website, the nearest Sonic location is a mere 138 miles away, in Kingston, NY...
Good news for you though, Josh, as the Sonic website also tells me that there's at least one location In Hasbrouk Heights, NJ. Sounds like it's right on the edge of a housing project, Josh, so I figure it'll be right up your alley. Just make sure to take a picture of the place getting robbed when you visit so I can throw it right up here for all the world to see...
And that's it, kids! Thanks for all your questions this week, and I hope did well enough to provide you with adequate answers...
Until next time. Keep on keepin' on, and always make sure to turn and run when you hear the adult alarm...
ORRRFFFF!
Happy 4th of July, everyone. And have a great weekend...
100...
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