Category Archives: 2023

07/06/2023 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer

Nope. Can’t get here from there.

Did you get here from Threads? You did not get here from Threads.

Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, Jalen Rose, LaPhonso Ellis, Suzy Kolber, Chris Chelios, Joon Lee, Rob Ninkovich, Neil Everett, Jay Williams, Steve Young, Todd McShay, Jason Fitz, Matt Hasselbeck, Ashley Brewer, David Pollack, Nick Friedell, Andre Ward, Doug Kezirian, and Gene Wojciechowski are all free agents.

Is Kevin Shattenkirk Shatty, or Kirky?

LJ Sandwich’s Teal Party > Michael Rubin’s White Party

Did Grant Williams have a Weird Celtics Twitter wacky nickname? Aloha, Grant Williams.

Brayan Bello is the coolest kid you ever saw on the mound. I’m stumping for him to be nicknamed Cool Baby Bello. Or Coolbaby, if you prefer.

The elements tried to cancel the event. He beat the elements. The competition tried to take his crown. He beat the competition. 62 hot dogs eaten. An 8th straight title and 16th overall. Joseph. Christian. Chestnut. A performance for the ages.

Cakes are cooking for Fred Dryer, George W. Bush, Sylvester Stallone, Brad Park, Shelley Hack, Sultan Rakhmanov, Matt Bahr, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Lillie Leatherwood, Inspectah Deck, Kevin Hart, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Zion Williamson.

Bruins signed James van Riemsdyk? They’ll be putting the 2013 All-star team on the ice. 

Imagine being extremely excited about being a beat reporter.

We will have to wait for Refuddled McGee to emerge from the ashes, I guess.

News Item: Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo feels snubbed after not being selected to the American League All-Star team.

Your New England Revolution have only three losses this season, two occurring in May.

The real losers this summer? Celtics writers.

Bertuzzi should look into hiring that nice Jewish boy to be his new agent.

Scott Baio is a “legendary” actor in the same way that Bigfoot is a “legendary” creature — rarely captured on film over the last few decades.

The syntax changes from Python 2 to Python 3 were definitely a step in the right direction.

Coming this fall: Season 23 of ‘So You Think You Can Shit In Public’!

Orange Line: Delays of about 15 minutes due to a Train with a mechanical issue at Back Bay.

What happened to The Hockey News? THN used to be a prestigious news source, now it reads like it was written by badly programmed AI. Especially the Bruins team page. What gives?

Hey gang of hard cap enthusiasts! This week’s Phrase that Pays is, “Keith says it hard caps at the 2nd apron. There was no second apron before.”

There’s something so calm and soothing about a summer morning rain.

Fall River is a town.

“Bussin’ With The Boys.” For reals? What, was ‘Too Many Men In My Pants’ already spoken for as a podcast name?

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football szn.

The Bruins signed a guy named Geekie? this sounds like a setup for a derivative Canadian comedy routine, ‘Who’s the First Line Centre?’ by the duo of Abboot and Costelleh.

I recently took up ice sculpting. Last night I made an ice cube. This morning I made 12, I was prolific.

With a thrill in my head and a pill on my tongue
Dissolve the nerves that have just begun
Listening to Marvin (all night long)
This is the sound of my soul
This is the sound

Always slipping from my hands
Sand’s a time of its own
Take your seaside arms and write the next line
I want the truth to be known.

If travelling along the surface roads to Logan, be sure to being your Eastie Tagalog phrasebook with you.

Cooper Flagg 1 Cam Boozer 0

What a weekend. What a win for Shane van Gisbergen!! Unbelievable job by NASCAR and the city of Chicago pulling this off.

Honk if you remember Friendly’s Wattamelon Roll.

Your commuter school alma mater hasn’t fielded a football team in 25 years so how ’bout you shut your clam about who the UMass Amherst squad will play, Gilligan?

I’m holding out for the Fiddlr app myself.

It’s going to be several days until a still shell-shocked from fireworks and having to watch people barbecuing Scott Kacsmar learns that Aaron Schatz has resigned from Football Outsiders.

Tim Legler’s tan looks real, why do you ask?

Best bet for the weekend: 20th year of Fox 25 Zip Trips, this one to Dedham on Friday!

Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Bill James, Mitch Hedberg, BSMW poster Lefty, and the members of #the15 were used in this column. These are my salad days. Slowly being eaten away. Just another play for today.

And Happy Birthday to French actress Eva Green. Elle a l’air d’une gentille dame.

From The15 Vault – Patriotic Playlist

(Originally Published as the 2015 Memorial Day Mixtape on the BSMW* Message Board. Please enjoy.)

(* – Badger Sheet Metal Works, natch. )

* * * * *

The Star-Spangled Banner – Jimi Hendrix/Whitney Houston (DJ Crunk El S.a.m.M.i. remix)

Proud Young Americans – Lee Greenwood

The Pilgrims Should Have Landed On a Bigger Rock (Plimoth’s Lament) – Rickard & Gregor

Born on the 2nd of July – Barry Pedantic

The Iroquois Confederacy Influenced the Constitution (New York State & I know this to be so) – Aggressive Zero

Four Quarters Makes a Whole, and We’re Wholly Against Quartering (The 3rd Amendment Song) – Schoolhouse Rock!:Rarities and B Sides

Cotton Gin? Blecch; I’d Rather Have A Fribble – Brian and The Uncles of Invention

James K. Polk ( S )– They Might Be Giants

Tubmania Overture – Harriet! The Original Broadway Cast Recording

Battle Hymn of the Republic – Grand Army of the Potomac Observation Balloon Corps ‘The Soaring Falcons’ Veterans & Ladies Auxiliary

March of the Pinkertons (We Never Sleep) –  Father Jones

In 50 Years Some Limey Wankers Will Steal This Song Blues – Turkeypie Jefferson

It’s Good We Didn’t Kill All The Indians (They’re Good At Working The High Steel) – Nat Plutocrat and His Spatted Fat Cats

Ballad of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps – Surgeon General’s Honor Cadre Band

TVA – Seventeen Man Rural Electrification Band

Battleship USS Arizona Memorial Plaque – Mike Brady (spoken word)

Awesome at Any Speed – Corvair Summer

Theme to ‘Johnny Detective’ – Nelson Riddle & his Orchestra

16 Games – Tennessee Bertie Lincoln

Battle Hymn of The Network Stars – Chorus of Competitors

America (S)- Spinal Tap

I Musta Hit A Triple, ‘Cuz I’m Here On Third Base – GTown Lukey with Bertie Tha Confirminator & L’il Blue Eyes featuring Chet Haze

NBA on CBS Theme  ( S )– CBS Festival Orchestra

U.S.A. R.O.C.K. is A-O.K. for U & Me from AK to ME – Ron Catamount Muskmelon

I Like Lands That Are Great – Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

* * * * *

The 15 wishes you a safe and happy Independence Day.

06/28/2023 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer

Ryan Mallett: #The15 say a sad farewell to a 15.

Humid enough for ya?

I hope that Kevin Garnett bites his tongue when talking about Celtics draft pick Jordan Walsh.

So long Hallsy and Fliggsy.

This Shams thing reminds me Martha Stewart assured me that Ben Gordon would go #2 overall in the 2004 draft.

A Selkie, a Vezina, a Jack Adams and 1st & 2nd Team All-Star slots for the B’s. None too shabby.

Not sure calling Smart the heartbeat of the team is the compliment it’s intended to be when that team has mostly underperformed in six straight playoff series, Dr. Mudge.

Alex Verdugo is closing in on the long-believed untouchable Red Sox team record of grandmothers dying during the season of five, currently held by Manny Ramirez.

There’s a time to compliment someone on their Throw Power rating in Madden, but it’s not in the immediate aftermath of their tragic untimely death.

Cakes are cooking for John Elway, Michele Timms, John Cusack, Mary Stuart Masterson, Danielle Brisebois, Elon Musk, Kenny Cunningham, Alessandro Nivola, Marvin Jones (Hi Marv!), Kellie Pickler, Kevin De Bruyne, and Elaine Thompson-Helah.

Malcolm Brogdon is still a #BleedGreen.

The best BBQ in Boston is in Winthrop. And the best Himalayan food in Winthrop is in Tewksbury!

If you stay ready you never have to GET ready…

Kay Adams sounds like Tom Haverford in that Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial. She does!

It’s fun to get dressed up.

Never trust a guy with Air Monarchs. It’s right up there with don’t play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city.

I hope Putin tells us if he got home safe from work or not.

Hey gang of transracial trailblazers, this week’s Phrase that Pays is, ‘I’m on that Obama-level, which means you can’t see me.’

‘Alec Regula’ sounds like a character name from that Harry Potter prequel series no one cared about.

Jazz hands!!

I like the Big Cat. Seems to like sports, pretends he’s from Chicago, keeps the show moving along…

Orange Line Update: Southbound delays of more than 30 minutes due to fire department activity near Tufts Medical Center. Riders are encouraged to use Green Line service between North Station and Back Bay

Trammell in the Hall of Fame without Whitaker is like Gehrig without Ruth, like Groucho without Harpo, like Burns without Allen, Rogers without Hammerstein.

Framingham’s Own Reilly Walsh. Definitely good in the handshake line. #sporting

Revs U-19 won MLS Next for the second straight year.

I just got sent a presentation from a company that wants to do business with mine that was voiced over by… Gary Tanguay.

We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor.
I was feeling kinda seasick.
But the crowd called out for more.
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray.

And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale.
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale.

I have mixed feelings about Hall. While he was a good player he should have been much better considering he was the No 1 pick.

Plainridge Park Casino?

Random thought — the Angels have not had a captain since 1982 (Don Baylor). Um, Mike Trout? Hello? What are they waiting for?

Honk if you remember the Cosmic Muffin Darrell Martinie.

if Roseanne thinks the Jews don’t like fishing shows, how does she explain her buddy Tom Werner keeping Charlie Moore around?

Sometimes I sit around wondering what numbers will be left for the 2090 Boston Celtics to use on their team jerseys and then I remember the planet probably will be uninhabitable by then anyway.

The thing that really makes this upsetting is that he was a nice guy to the media.

Adama Sanogo!

Can Lucy be sued for advising taking the Red Sox money line every damn day?

The Dakota Kai Kairopractor is nuts.

French labor unions think Dondero should work more hours.

Best bet for the weekend: the dreaded, ‘Players Only’ closed door meeting.

Bianca wants you to have a fun and safe summer. Probably.

Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Bill James, Joe Posnanski, BSMW posters Big Fat O & Jforb, and the members of #the15 were used in this column. Though I hoped for something to find I could see no maze to unwind.

And Happy Birthday to Belgian model Ingrid Seynhaeve.

06/22/2023 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer

We’ll always have your breakfast cereal to remember you by, Marcus.

Can a Celtics trade for Porzingis be on, then fall apart seven hours later, and then be on again?

I don’t ever remember less buzz over a Red Sox sweep of the Yankees than that.

Did Jack Jones think guns are like starting quarterbacks and if you have two of them you have none?

Nothing has been the same after the USGA turtled post Shinnecock.

Say, isn’t ‘shinnecock’ a Turtleboy insult?

Bruins sign goalie Brandon Bussi to a one-year, two-way contract extension through the 2023-24 season with an NHL cap hit of $775,000. Bussin’.

Cakes are cooking for Kris Kristofferson, Elizabeth Warren, Meryl Streep, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Campbell, Clyde Drexler, David Frisch, Kurt Warner, Champ Bailey, Joey Cheek, Ian Kinsler, and Dustin Johnson.

I mean, there’s at least a chance the minisub found refuge in one of the Titanic’s watertight compartments, right?

Not too often somebody with one name sings the anthem at a baseball game. But a good job by Boston’s own Jyshoun.

UFC expertly blends violence with homoeroticism so it naturally plays well in America right now.

I thought Rick Reilly died with Kobe.

Seeing these Miley Cyrus Super Bowl rumors and … why not The Killers? I know they don’t do local but that seems to make sense on all levels.

Update: Kingston Line Train 043 (8:25 am from South Station) is operating 15-25 minutes behind schedule between Quincy Center and Kingston due to the late arrival of equipment.

Fun baseball weather is that it’s raining but you also need sunglasses.

The secret is the Merritt Parkway instead of 95.

Linda Holliday and Ja Morant: both sidelined because of their guns.

Hey gang of cupcake tulips, this week’s Phrase that Pays is, “No cookies for JoJo?”

If you see the letters “SF” and you think “Sacrifice Fly” before you get to “San Francisco”, you have definitely been spending too much time studying baseball statistics.

Drove past a realtor sign that said ‘Sale Pending.’ Isn’t he always?

Jets S Chuck Clark suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season, sources said following the MRI. Clark, who NYJ traded for, also received a second opinion. This explains the signing of veteran DB Adrian Amos, who fills the void.

‘Kristaps Porzingis’ sounds like an exclamation Latka or Balki might utter.

They should make the boarding order for airplanes window seats, then middle, then aisle seats.

Grilled blueberry muffins!

Mattapan Trolley: Delays of up to 15 minutes due to a trolley with a mechanical problem near Cedar Grove.

I think I like the Red Sox city connect uniforms now?

Safe to say the Golden Knights are the most successful expansion team story ever.

What percentage of handicap index do you guys use in modified alternate shot match play? Let us know in the comments.

Bob Huggins needed to get home.

That video of Jack Jones’ lawyer is gonna live in my head utterly rent free for a while.

Marcus was just traded to Memphis, he wasn’t aboard the OceanGate Titan. Ease off the emotion throttle.

Jai Alai is overdue for a comeback.

I done broke the #1 cardinal rule of Italian cooking tonight: used a different brand of breadcrumbs than usual for cutlets. never again. shame me if you must.

I knew you before the west was won.
And I heard you say the past
was much more fun.
You go your way, I go mine,
But I’ll see you next time

It’s all been done,
It’s all been done,
It’s all been done before.

There ought to be laws preventing the English language from being tortured in such a way to arrive at that LEBRON player impact stat acronym.

Honk if you remember the Glomar Explorer.

The BlueChew twitter ads make me long for the subtle innuendo of the Frank Thoman Nugenix commercials.

Table Boston has the best Rosemary Scapicchio in town.

Any holiday that creates further awareness of Confederate perfidy can’t be half-bad.

A: Gene Krupa.

LSU should change their name to the Fightin’ Olivia Dunns.  They drag that girl everywhere.

Do the other members of the Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff consider Jeff Lebby to be ‘Big Jeff from work?’

Best bet for the weekend: WembanyamaMania!

Really, we will miss you Marcus Smart. Best of luck elsewhere.

Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Bill James, Old Friend Rabbit, BSMW poster Lebron and the members of #the15 were used in this column. Birchmount Stadium Home of the Robbie.

And happy birthday to actress Mary Lynn Rasjkub.

06/14/2023 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer

Happy for Gus Chiggins that his Denver Nuggets won the NBA championship.

Don’t touch Himmy!

News Item: Nick Taylor wins Canadian Open, first time a Canadian has won since 1954. So you got that goin’ for you, Canadian NHL squads.

Type ‘Canadian’ more.

Yes, I definitely want to hear that you’re happy for Coach Cassidy.

The Sox PR department is losing its mojo. You gotta sneak middling guys with racists/sexist/homophobic social media postings onto the roster at 6pm on the Friday before a long weekend or 30 minutes before a Bruins/Celtics game 7.

Just sayin’, but the kid’s nickname isn’t ‘Baby Kelce.’

It’s getting a touch late in the season to be hovering around .500, Red Sox.

Volin must be horrified two of his Miami teams did the worst possible thing in professional sports: reach the finals and lose. C’s & B’s wisely dodged that bullet.

Vanderpump? What is that, Dutch?

Cakes are cooking for Rod Argent, Donald Trump, Will Patton, Fred Funk, Eric Heiden, Eugene Chung, Steffi Graf, A, J. Mleczko, Diablo Cody, and Lucy Hale.

Between Unabomber Ted and that Hanssen traitor croaking there’s some vacant cells available in Federal prison.

Of course Aaron Rodgers was at the Tony Awards.

Congratulations to Arcangelo & trainer Jena Antonucci for a thrilling and historic win at the Belmont Stakes.

I just be letting people cap.

Worcester Line Train 506 (7:00 am from Worcester) is operating 5-15 minutes behind schedule between Framingham and South Station.

Is Tanya Ray in the running for the vacated Shannon Sharpe spot on whichever sports yelling show he was on?

Tree frog!

It’s been less than a week that I have known of the song “Lost in the Woods” from Frozen 2, a movie I’ve not seen. This is my favorite song. It’s a wonderful tribute to David Foster/Peter Cetera hits of the 80s. Good on Frozen 2.

Instead of saying “a non-Power Five coach told me” Russillo should say “Trent Dilfer told me.”

That Peleton instructor Jess King seems like a nice lady.

Why is Cloud 9 so amazing? What is wrong with Cloud 8? That joke came off the top of my head, and the top of my head ain’t funny!

Aloha means ‘goodbye’. Aloha, Bob Kravitz.

Do you think other birds are jealous of cardinals?

Denver may have played all lower-seeded teams, but they did beat Jimmy Butler, who I’ve been told is the greatest, most clutch basketball player of all time. Incredible accomplishment.

Whenever Kung Fu Fighting comes on my playlist in the car I simply have to turn it up. Not apologizing.

I hope Asteroid City is sufficiently twee.

Patriots roster is now back at 90 after bringing back Justus Tavai.

You do not mess with “New York, New York.” It’s too perfect to make it about you.

Do YOU have a blog on a tertiary NHL website?

The people who don’t pay any attention to the “old” baseball statistics (Wins, RBI, Batting Average) are exactly like the people who won’t pay any attention to the new statistics. They just parked on the other side of the road, that’s all.

And if they stare
Just let them burn their eyes
On you moving
And if they shout
Don’t let it change a thing
That you’re doing

Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head high.

This is not Pat Cooper. Please find a correct photo if you’re going to honor him.

Honk if you remember Arrogate.

Did Paul Pierce ever party with Silvio Berlusconi? I hope so. RIP, bunga bunga man.

A fine showing for your return to Le Mans, NASCAR.

Tough break in the CWS, Texas. I blame Rosenblatt Stadium, or whatever it’s called now, being as poorly illuminated as the Palestra or the Dallas Sportatorium.

Candace Parker had – 400 odds to win Celebrity Jeopardy? That’s not too shabby. What? That was her final score? Oh.

When I say ‘D’, you say ‘HOP!’ D! (pause) D! (pause) (did you do it?)

Third Eye Blind is background bar music now?

Like The Athletic was ever going to fire Buckley during Pride Month.

Be nice to your veterinary staff.

Is there anybody who is bipolar and doesn’t let people know at every chance? They’re like vegans, or CrossFit enthusiasts, or people from Texas.

Everyone please have a safe and happy Flag Day.

With the final day of minicamp called off, maybe the Patriots beat writers could use the freed up time to shop for some decent clothes, the kind that fit?

Best bet for the weekend: The phone not ringing at Gerry Callahan’s on Father’s Day.

Here’s the thing: you can never have enough, WEEI-themed, glassware!

Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Bill James, Mitch Hedberg, BSMW poster Laszlo Panaflex and the members of #the15 were used in this column. Well, let me tell you ’bout the way she looked the way she’d act and the color of her hair. Her voice was soft and cool, her eyes were clear and bright but she’s not there.

And a Happy Birthday to retired actress and model Yasmin Bleeth. Bleav in Bleeth!

06/07/2023 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer

Not much big golf news this week, huh? Heh heh heh.

“I Am Outraged about the PGA-LIV Golf merger announcement! It’s all about the MONEY!” – representatives of an industry that can be bought off by a table of free pizzas.

Every single time you see Kenley Jansen, either on TV or around the ballpark, he’s mentoring some young pitcher on the staff.

Weren’t the Cardiac Huskies at Day 2 of Boston Calling? Because they weren’t at Day 2 of the CWS.

Happy (belated) Birthday to the great @ronniewood. There’s only one Ronnie Wood.

You’d think Chris Gasper as the originator of the reverse layup would understand basketball better. But you would be wrong.

Say ‘air quality’ more.

Cakes are cooking for Liam Neeson, Bill Koch, Janice Lawrence Braxton, Gia Carides, Mick Foley, Karl Urban, Bill Hader, Keegan Bradley, Milan Lucic, Iggy Azalea, and Emily Ratajkowski.

I loved “Air.” I knew I was going to like it just from opening montage to movie that’s a love letter to growing up in the 1980’s. Makes total sense given I’m around same age as Ben Affleck & Matt Damon and grew up in the same area with the same kind of experiences. Totally spoke to me.

A muumuu can be repurposed by tucking it into your pants and rolling up the sleeves.

When I want a deep, thoughtful reflection on the perils of doing business with an autocratic government who funds terrorism, I go to the guy who plays golf for a living and fucks Wayne Gretzky’s daughter.

Hey gang of butt-dialers! This week’s Phrase that Pays is, “We’ve got crackers, and cheese!”

Middleborough Line Train 014 (11:28 am from Middleborough/Lakeville) is operating 5-15 minutes behind schedule between Holbrook/Randolph and South Station due to a mechanical issue.

OTA Scuffle SZN!

RIP, Astrud Gilberto. I bet Dottie was fond of that ‘Girl With Emphysema’ song.

Floramo’s moved to Wakefield and Malden.

I hate how cynical my mind is when watching movies now. Just saw the Titanic scene where the mother is singing her kids to sleep as the boat is sinking. 10 years ago I’m like ‘how touching’. Now I am like “yeah the rush of freezing cold water isn’t gonna wake them up or anything”.

No Home Run celebration chains on the field? You know what NCAA stands for: No Fun League.

The Falcons announce that punt returner Avery Williams is out for the year with a torn ACL, a non-contact injury from practice.

A lot of people think new Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell looks like E.T. Not so. He looks like Lou Gossett Jr’s Drac from Enemy Mine.

News Item: Jacob deGrom to go under deKnife to get deTommy John surgery.

Killing a reporter? Who does Prince Mohammed bin Salman think he is; Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles?

Wegmans in Natick is closing and I’m not ok about it.

Red Line: Delays of about 15 minutes southbound due to a disabled Train at Harvard. The Train has been removed from service.

Messi to MLS Miami?

Does Hacksaw Jim Duggan have to be buried with the Iron Shiek?

What’s new pussycat? Whoa, whoa, whoa
What’s new pussycat? Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Pussycat, pussycat,
I’ve got flowers and lots of hours to spend with you.
So go and powder your cute little pussycat nose
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you, yes, I do,
You and your pussycat nose.

As long as Boston sports media exists, Awaken 180 will have an unlimited supply of potential spokesmen.

Honk if you remember Stan Getz.

MAX has “The Outsiders” but no “Rumble Fish”… There’s “Casino Royale”, “Quantum Of Solace” but no “Skyfall”… Or “Spectre” or the OTHER Bond film I never saw before. Weird.

Our Friends The Saudis better not put Paulina Gretzky in a burka!

Did you know that over the last five seasons (2019-2023) Marcus Semien has more WAR than Mike Trout–and it isn’t remotely close. “Close” would be 2%, maybe 5%. Over 5 years, Semien beats Trout in WAR by a whopping 24%.

I like onion bunz. Nice pattie. Pepper Jack cheese. Fire!!

Hey, more free hoodies.

Bermuda Shorts Are Back, and They’re Officially Celebrity Approved.

NASCAR used to be guys named Matt and Jimmie. And now it’s guys named Ryan and Ross.

The Sheiky wearing a keffiyeh was like Jamie Lee Curtis’s Ophelia in Trading Places costumed as a Swede wearing lederhosen.

When someone hands you a flyer, it’s like they’re saying here you throw this away.

Seven years ago you were werried about the goriller!?

“It looks like something Zach Snyder filmed.” Fitzy thinks Denis Villaneuve is the backup goalie for the Calgary Flames.

Best bet for the weekend: a three-year-old horse. You heard it here first!

“What’s all this I’ve been hearing about these Saudi-funded mattresses? They must be terribly uncomfortable to make an Islam fella want to martyr themselves! Why not instead try a nice hammock, or maybe a Bob-O-Pedic?”

Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Bill James, Mitch Hedberg, cell phone pictures of computer monitors, and the members of #the15 were used in this column. My house in Budapest. My, my hidden treasure chest.

And happy birthday to tennis star Anna Kournikova.

06/01/2023 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer

Your ride is ready, Jaylen. Set the controls for the heart of the sun.

Maybe the real Eastern Conference Championship is the friends we made along the way.

Red Sox seem destined to be the best last place team in the league.

Why does everyone want Brown traded to the Suns? How’s that? Shot into the sun? Oh. That’s different.

Well, the Revs make a good Plan E, I guess.

You know someone’s made a poor vocational choice when they thank Evan Lazar and Alex Barth on their way out.

Josef Newgarden wins the 2023 Indianapolis 500. He’s definitely Penske material.

I haven’t had Popeye’s since 2016…The Popeye’s no longer being there in Kenmore Square makes this easier (I’m aware there’s one on Northeastern’s campus but no one counts that one anyways)

Cakes are cooking for Brian Cox, Martin Brundle, Sherri Howard, Larry Centers, Derek Lowe, Alanis Morissette, Brandi Carlile, Carlota Ciganda, and Zazie Beetz.

If only there was something a gal could do to not be thought of as a shameless grifter looking for the next free ride.

Can we get another Fred Toucher update? This is the first time I’ve ever found him interesting.

No duckboats for the C’s & B’s. Swan boats are still available.

Celtics series showed us that some injuries you just can’t overcome. Well, maybe Herro will be healthy if they meet again next season in the ‘yoffs.

Impossibly needy Bob Kraft getting his picture taken arm in arm with convicted rapist Mike Tyson means we get ‘Rock & Roll Part 2’ back as a touchdown song at Gillette, right?

Glad to see Carles Gil is back and as good as ever. Way to salvage a draw in Atlanta.

Hey gang of sabermetricians! This week’s Phrase that Pays is, “I like Grape Nuts, but they don’t fill up three shelves in the breakfast food section.”

Let’s don’t get too excited about non-padded practices, bobos.

Keep up your spirit. Keep up your faith, baby
I am counting on you
You know what you’ve got to do.

Fight the good fight every moment
Every minute every day
Fight the good fight every moment
It’s your only way.

I believe that Stephen Root is one of the best, most underrated actors working. And when you look at his amazing career, it makes me wonder what Phil Hartman would have done.

Name a better tennis video game than “Racket Attack” for the NES…

No, “Dan Lifshatz’s Volley Challenge” is not better.

The idea that the Adirondack chair is the height of comfort and relaxation is the biggest fraud foisted on the public since they told us Astroturf was safer than grass.

I still think of the Miami Heat as an expansion team.

Blue Line: delays of about 15 minutes due to a train with a mechanical problem near Airport. Trains may be asked to stand by at stations.

All I really want to know about Chat GPT is when it will be ready to replace John Smoltz.

Bad luck for Tina Turner that Jim Brown predeceased her. RIP, Queen.

David Simon is super online. For him to not know Three Year Letterman is a schtick is crazy.

News Item: Shannon Sharpe leaving ‘Undisputed’ after end of NBA Playoffs. Does he plan to run in the Belmont?

Former All-Pro punter Brett Kern, who played 13 seasons for the Titans has announced his retirement.

Do guidance counselors funnel people with psychotic levels of self-confidence but no aptitude for medicine into sportswriting?

You’d think someone who can split atoms with their mind could also learn how to dribble.

Must feel odd for Turtleboy Aiden to only have to go to court four days this week owing to the holiday.

Big Papi could have sent Identical Best Friend Sixto to Game 7. Boston would have played along.

The greatest show ever is grainy “Unsolved Mysteries” clips that I watch on YouTube.

I bought a scratch-off ticket, but then I accidentally spilled some cortizone cream on it, so it did not need to be scratched.

Honk if remember Tom Brady saying he was going to stay retired the first time.

Your readers knew those three consecutive ‘jeepers, wouldn’t it be neat if the Celtics came back from 3 down just like the Red Sox?’ columns were insincere concern trolling, Dan.

I don’t have any time to be sad. I have two deadlines plus a book proposal to write. As always it’s go Celtics.

You think Tina bequeathed Dolly all her wigs? I hope so.

Maybe it’s time Hollywood gave Jeremy Joe Kronsberg a non-orangutan movie to direct?

Beside the Cy Young Award, there should be a Bob Gibson Award for a pitcher who is not only great, but also just competitive as Holy Hell. Who embodies that spirit today? I’m thinking Max Scherzer, maybe?

I thought Fredgy would OD this year but maybe Milo will kill him in self-defense. Shrug.

Best bet for the weekend: The Las Vegas Golden Knights matriculating their way to winning a Stanley Cup for Coach Cassidy, because we can’t have nice things.

Wonder what the problem is?

Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Bill James, Mitch Hedberg, cell phone pictures of computer monitors, and the members of #the15 were used in this column. Look to the clock on the wall. Hands hardly moving at all. I can’t stand the state that I’m in. Sometimes it feels like the walls closing in.

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Heidi Klum, who turns 50. Imagine!

An Interview with a Plover

Powder Point Bridge.

(Duxbury, MA)

Area perpetual child felt his life wasn’t quite good enough and took to Twitter to complain.:

Enjoy your ratio, loser.

The15net dot com wanted to know what the reaction was from the local plover community to Mr. Breer’s tweet. Fortunately, one of our interns is in a pre-veterinary program with an emphasis on exotic animals and was happy to visit the coast and conduct and interview with the aggrieved avian:

The15: Good afternoon, what should I call you; your banding number?

Good afternoon to you. No need for such formality, you can call me Ed.

The15: Your name is Ed Plover?

Is that a problem?

The15: No. So then Ed; what was your reaction to this inflammatory tweet?

First off, I resent being compared to rats. They are one of our natural predators. And everyone knows that pigeons are the real flying rats, although a case can be made to extend that slur to herring gulls. If anything, we are like chipmunks, tiny, cryptically colored, and adorable. Secondly: how on earth can a tiny sparrow-sized shorebird be menacing? All we do is patrol the shoreline, foraging for crustaceans, insects, and marine worms to eat. Haven’t you seen us running comically back and forth avoiding the waves? Hours of entertainment! We get menaced by crows, racoons, foxes, and wild and domestic cats! And big, stupid humans like Breer. Furthermore, how can someone who get this, was arrested and charged with the actual crime of ‘Menacing‘, have the complete lack of self-introspection to then call me, a little piping plover, a menace? Talk about irony deficiency!

In the 20+ years since this mugshot, Bert has lost the freshman fifteen and learned nothing.

The15 – It does boggle the mind.

And as for when he was lugged for “answering an urgent call of nature”; he’s not a bird, he doesn’t have a cloaca, as far as I know. He’s a higher form of animal life, allegedly, and yet he was caught whipping his thingie out and whizzing all over Chittendon Avenue like a pigeon messing on a statue! The important thing to remember about him is that he’s a spoiled little rich boy. A literal heir to the Redenbacher popcorn fortune! Why I hear tell Bert’s great grandfather was at Fenway on a popcorn sales call for Jackie Robinson’s infamous workout and uttered some variation of “get that plover off the dune.” And he used his daddy’s money to fight that public indecency charge all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court. Compared himself to a disabled veteran too. Can you believe this guy? “Oh Noes! I can’t drive right onto the beach!” He hasn’t been this disappointed since he didn’t get accepted to Michigan! He hasn’t been this sad since Jack Tatum croaked! You wanna know what really ruins a summer? Getting squished under two tons of conspicuous consumerism. Does he get off of seeing marine life killed? There was that ghastly picture of that poor dead sea turtle he posted that one time, remember that? I don’t get it; a Kraut like him should have a natural disinclination to seeing big American vehicles driving up onto beaches.

I believe his family is Austrian, not German.

Well, schnitzel, spaetzle; all the same to me. Surprised he didn’t try a panzerfaust attack on the Patriots duckboats during their parades. The only thing this Boys From Brazil Hitler clone-looking nullity has ever earned are arrests and suspensions. Hey, I got one for you: what’s the difference between a seagull and Bert Breer?

The Boys From Brazil – 1978 – 20th Century Fox

The15 – I don’t know.

A seagull can get into Gillette Stadium! Ha ha! It’s funny because Breer is banned from there. He got suspended at the NFL Network, and somehow gets the MMQB job at Sports Illustrated, although people still think Peter King is still there. Bert’s really hasnt put his mark on the place. Unlike a fence in C-Bus! And yet he keeps failing upward! I mean, it’s like the saying, ‘He found a fried clam and now he thinks he’s Chubby Woodman.’

The15- That’s a saying?

It is among the shorebird community. And just a reminder to you bipeds, we descended from dinosaurs. We have lived on the coastal dunes for centuries; you are the arrivistes. And some of you people could use the extra few steps getting from a parking lot to a beach. Blubbery like a harbor seal. Just sayin’. Live and let live. We just want to scrape out a nest, brood our young, and then maybe migrate to the Bahamas for the winter. I don’t quite know why we’re here, I guess Duxbury worms just hit different. But you don’t see us trying to take over Bertie’s natural habitat, his couch during football season, do you? As you know, we’re endangered. (WA: Threatened in MA) In fact, the only thing rarer than a plover’s nest is an Albert Breer scoop!

The15- Food for thought. Any last words?

I think he just might hate us because we plovers have a longer mating season than Mrs. Breer. Heyoooo!

Emily Olivia Anderson is an intern for The15net dot com. Edward Moore Plover resides on the dunes in Duxbury.

2023 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MIXTAPE PLAYLIST

(Dear The15net dot com Wicked Pissah Beantown Chowderheads Platinum Elite Members; Here is the now-traditional musical playlist for your Memorial Day enjoyment. Click HERE to download.)

I Hate All My Favorite Teams – Steve the Yodelin’ Cowboy

Low Stake It Off (Taylor’s Version)

MMMKay – The Claire Glipnik Experience

Rite of Spring – The Dead Pixels

Slump – The President’s Trophy of the United States of America

Get on the Bus (to Dunkin) – Warden’s Child

Fruith! – Tragic Vouch

You Might, I May, But Ime Will – Oona & Yma

Obvious Manchild – Might Be Jake

58 Tweets – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

I Didn’t Mean Mina – Nipsey Hussle

Enola (not) Gay (or anything for) – Orchestral Weathermen on the Weekend

I Will Rap Battle No More Forever – Squidshell Sal

Be My Baby – The Erinettes

Visualization Of The Space Mind Gargamel XXI: Farrago of Whataboutisms – Dero Spedes

Gabby’s Crying – Van Herald

Very Little Lies – Fleetwood MacNulty

Ok, Loser – Beck

A President’s Cup (Doesn’t Help When You Step On Your Dick) – The Nutrockers

Failson/Bellson – 919

A Whiter Shade of Deuce – Modern Hobbits

Drive My Car (But Buy Gap Insurance) – The Atamians

Light Him Up – War Den

Patriotic Summer S.O.N.G. – Ron Muskmelon Catamount

Nice Lady – Janelle Tittae

Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright if You’re Gay – Bet Dylan

Don’t take away my OTA’s – Billy and the Judge

Mama Said I’m Checking Out – LL Cool Jeeks

Tattoo Removal Machine – The Cult

Who Are You With?! – Screaming at Trees

Two Tickets to Sell – Stevie Money

Play Those Funky White Boys, Joey – Wild Sally

Pete Wants a Pity Like – Midnight Oil

With a Little Help From My Friends – The Local Collaborative

Work for the Working Man – Bon JoeGill

Where Did I Say I Was Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay…??? – Oafis Redding

Use More Parentheses (They Can!) – Britni’s Dick

We Are Family – Josh and the Radiomen

Gotta Go (Chat Acting AIDSy) – Fictional Friction

Ubering Up From Boston – Dropkick Murphy

80-90 or 6 to 4 – Jake in Chicago

(Have a song suggestion? Or a compliment? Leave it in the comments!)

05/24/2023 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer

This guy knows. Just keep your chances alive by fouling off pitch after pitch into the stands past the visitor’s dugout.

See? Just win one game 4 times. All fix.

Coach Cassidy has his Las Vegas Golden Knights playing with the intensity of, well, the regular season Bruins.

A prior tweet said Chad Ryland replaced Cajuste. The sort in my column was incorrect.

The billboard? Great idea. No possible downside.

Fun Fact: Adrian Wojnarowski and Ime Udoka have the same agent.

Let’s see about plating some runs in the near future, Red Sox.

So there. For the 92nd time since 1918, there will be no Triple Crown winner.

Be more obvious Jaylen is one of your locker room sources, Gary Washburn.

Cakes are cooking for Bobby Zimmerman, Joe Dumars, Pat Verbeek, Ricky Craven, Troy Barnett, Will Sasso, Katie King-Crowley, Brad Penny, G-Eazy, and Joey Logano.

Brooks Koepka may have won the PGA Championship, but Michael Block won the crowd.

A squirrel! At a baseball game! Unbelievable!!

Viv Trimble died? I didn’t even know she was sick. Rest in peace.

Worcester Line Train 512 (10:00 am from Worcester) is operating 5-15 minutes late between Wellesley Farms and South Station.

I hope Glen Kuiper has learned his lesson. Never attempt to express enthusiasm about anything.

OTAs? LFG!

When you idly wonder whether you can use “crapulence” in a story, go to Google, and discover Alex Speier has dropped it twice in the last three years.

Have the Miami Heat quit on their coach? That’s the effort late in a close out game at home? Smdh.

Not that anybody cares, but one of the most underrated players of all time was teammate Willie Randolph. Willie has a hell of a lot better Hall of Fame case than Munson does.

After roughly three months of not being able to throw, Brock Purdy can begin throwing next week…

Imagine white knighting for liver thief Bill Speros.

Greg Bedard will face unemployment before any NFL special teams coaches do. Loser.

Hey gang, this week’s Phrase that Pays is, “I always knew that big-sideburned renegade was a bad influence!”

The 3 greatest voice actors for modern era animated shows are Cree Summer, E.G. Daily & Tara Strong… 3 of the most crushed on actresses of the modern era are Cree Summer, E.G. Daily & Tara Strong…

All that ridiculous free throw disparity and the NBA still couldn’t drag Los Angeles into the Finals.

LIV Golf drawing WEEI like ratings? Sad.

It’s amazing that Dan Lifshatz is able to have all this action when he’s been shut off by every book. Unless…

Red Route One you arrogant ass! You killed us!

Honk if you remember the 1951 NY Knicks forcing a game 7 against the Rochester Royals.

So what other movies was Dart Adams not in? Let us know in the comments.

Johnny’s in the basement mixin’ up the medicine
I’m on the pavement, thinkin’ about the government
The man in the trench coat, badge out, laid off
Says he’s got a bad cough, wants to get it paid off.

Nice work responding to the St. John’s Prep false alarm, Officer Bumbles.

NFL pretending it cares about player safety.

FYI if you own a G-Wagon and parked it outside Mike’s Pastry in the North End, it just got towed away for street cleaning.

A. Matt McCarthy

Think you can outsmart the Low Stakes Unit more. You can’t!

Does ‘Bronny’ (Sideshow Bob groan) even want to play on the same team as his dad?

Maybe Jaylen can take another whack at Springfield by debuting a fresh pair of ‘Was Dr. Suess Racist?’ sneakers for game 5.

Great gesture by Jeff Howe to raise money to help people who actually do have cancer.

Looking forward to posting to the Sons of Tristan Casas message board in 2043.

Best bet for the weekend: the NE Revolution righting the ship in their match against the visiting Chicago Fire.

Mark Grant and Don Orsillo! So wacky! Red Sox fans still miss him so much!

Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Bill James, and the members of #the15 were used in this column. With my naked eye I saw all the falling rain coming down on me. With my naked eye I saw all if I said it all I could see.

And happy birthday to gold medal-winning Australian swimmer Emma McKeon.
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