1967 was the year of the “Impossible Dream” pennant race in Major League Baseball. In 1967, Yaz won the triple-crown award, the Sox went from last-to-first and reached the World Series, the team consisted of names like Yaz, Williams, Tartabull, Petrocelli, and Scott.

On this day 41 years ago, a young phenom they called Tony C stepped up to the plate in Fenway Park.

Conigliaro was the future of the Boston Red Sox, the youngest player to reach 100 home runs, the man who clobbered 24 HR’s as a 19-year-old rookie, a Revere, MA native, St. Mary’s of Lynn graduate and true a Bostonian. Tony C encapsulated what it meant to be a true Red Sox icon.

It was this faithful day in which the Sox icon’s career was in jeopardy.

Many didn’t know what to make of the result of the at-bat when Conigliaro was struck in the left cheek bone and carried off in a stretcher, especially after a great 1970 season in which he hit 36 HR’s and 116 RBI’s.

In the end, however, damage to his eyesight result in an early retirement and a big misfortune to he and the fans of Boston. He was just 30 years old when he was forced to give up the game he loved.

Let’s honor Tony C today as he was a spark-plug of the memorable ‘67 team and a true Red Sox & Massachusetts hero.

I do wish I was old enough to watch him play.

With all the flopping, diving, whining, bad hairdos, and bad facial hair running through the NBA these days, I’ve decided to compile a list of ballers that you have probably considered punching (given the chance) in the face. Please feel free to comment if you think I’ve missed someone.

10. Richard Hamilton (Detroit Pistons)

The masked man has taken ‘ticky-tack’ play to a new level in the years since Reggie Miller retired. I’m glad that he can run around the court all day. I can appreciate that. What I don’t appreciate is that he pushes, pulls, tugs, swipes, and uses a variety of swim moves to get open. And that’s BEFORE he uses three screens to get an open shot. Defensively, he’s a pest. Not in a good way. In the “I flail my arms as soon as I receive any type of contact” kind of way. Take the mask off Rip, you punk.

(more…)

If their’s something Boston fans have learned throughout the first 3 games of the NBA Finals, it’s that European NBA players are annoying, more specifically, Sasha Vujacic and Pau Gasol. I’m not even talking about their game, it’s their swagger, it’s the constant incoherent look on their faces. It’s Pau Gasol’s inability to properly groom himself, and Vujacic’s overability to look like a black-haired Hanson brother (notice the absurdity of that headband he wears?) These two could easily win an award for “Douchebag Duo of the Year”.

Sure, Sasha is a great baseline to baseline defender, but somebody needs to set a vicious screen on him just to send a message. KG seems like the one to make this happen, he enjoys dropping oversea players. Remember his hard pick on Zaza Pachulia during the Hawks series?

And where has Gasol’s game been? Pau seems lost, almost like he doesn’t want to be here. Him and fellow teammate Lamar Odom have not shown up for this series. His ugly mug needs to get his act together for the series. I was reading Wikipedia and I learned Pau Gasol resides Marina Del Rey and is single. Single? Pau? No Way?! The next time Pau Gasol’s screams and punches his chest running downcourt, a player like Eddie House, Sam Cassel, or Leon Powe needs to give him a stiff ‘bow drop to the face.

Do me a favor, before you close this window, just take one last look at the image on this post, and tell me that doesn’t annoy you. Then ask yourself, who’s more annoying?

(on a side note, I just finished this post and Gasol threw up an airball)

If their’s something Boston fans have learned throughout the first 3 games of the NBA Finals, it’s that European NBA players are annoying, more specifically, Sasha Vujacic and Pau Gasol. I’m not even talking about their game, it’s their swagger, it’s the constant incoherent look on their faces. It’s Pau Gasol’s inability to properly groom himself, and Vujacic’s overability to look like a black-haired Hanson brother (notice the absurdity of that headband he wears?) These two could easily win an award for “Douchebag Duo of the Year”.

Sure, Sasha is a great baseline to baseline defender, but somebody needs to set a vicious screen on him just to send a message. KG seems like the one to make this happen, he enjoys dropping oversea players. Remember his hard pick on Zaza Pachulia during the Hawks series?

And where has Gasol’s game been? Pau seems lost, almost like he doesn’t want to be here. Him and fellow teammate Lamar Odom have not shown up for this series. His ugly mug needs to get his act together for the series. I was reading Wikipedia and I learned Pau Gasol resides Marina Del Rey and is single. Single? Pau? No Way?! The next time Pau Gasol’s screams and punches his chest running downcourt, a player like Eddie House, Sam Cassel, or Leon Powe needs to give him a stiff ‘bow drop to the face.

Do me a favor, before you close this window, just take one last look at the image on this post, and tell me that doesn’t annoy you. Then ask yourself, who’s more annoying?

(on a side note, I just finished this post and Gasol threw up an airball)