SoxFan1

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly A great spaghetti western starring Clint Eastwood. You might want to watch the other 2 in the series: "Fistful of Dollars" and "For a Few Dollars More."

QUOTE(Hurons @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 09:24 PM) Metro Detroit...not Detroit. Would you compare Naperville to the South Side? No! I'm sick of fools resorting to the image of Detroit whenever they are behind in the standings. It's weak and an old bit. Back to baseball....the Tiger win again. How about you relax there Mr. Tiger. Everyone has been warned already and if this extracurricular activity continues, there will be consequences, for both sides. Stop calling everyone a fool and stop the "old bit" stuff. The Tigers have never been ahead in the standings for people to rip on them and the city anyway. How is it an old bit if it has only been going on for 1/2 a season? We encourage fans of other teams to post here but if you continue on starting arguments and making comments that you KNOW will spark tension, then you won't be posting here long. That goes for everyone. Keep it civil and keep it baseball.

How is this...

QUOTE(KipWellsFan @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 07:27 PM) really close, is this the same problem we had with another image I was trying to make transparent? I just tried it out against a darker surface and the inside of the letters of gerardkennedy.ca show up white as well. Oh, it's too small to get the white out so would it be ok if I just changed the text?

Gimme a sec.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 04:39 PM) Looked awful today. I didn't think I would need green, but OK.

Holy cow, Ukraine wins on PK's. Switzerland is fabulous on PK's.

QUOTE(Steff @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 03:15 PM) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htuLEQ8aXOc Jeez, when I read the title I said, "Not again." Then I watched the video and now my ribs hurt. They're teammates!

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 03:56 PM) 10 was a nice round number...and it depends on what you mean by "international superstar" but I'm not gonna get into an argument about what does or does not qualify as international superstar... Wanna fight? Anyways, we basically agreed on the other part... Pretty much. So, touche.

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 03:43 PM) I was being facetious (even though you only named 15 so saying 10 isn't that far off), but you basically agreed with my point with that last part. I don't foresee the mls ever being as good as leagues in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, France, Germany, etc...much less Italy, Spain, and England...so I'm not sure how you'd be expecting a homegrown superstar. I could keep going if you'd like. I didn't mention any Portugese, Spanish, or African players. But anyway, I don't expect the US to have an homegrown superstars and I never said I'd expect it. The only way is to promote soccer in the US more (and not with propoganda type ads a la the Fire) and to start recruiting players at younger ages. I don't even think another World Cup held in the US would boost soccer in the minds of Americans. They have to get more leagues adn youth teams going and expand. Get MLS teams in Milwaukee, Cleveland, Boston, Detroit, Miami, Phoenix, etc.

Actions > Words.

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 01:56 PM) Much, much, much, much, much easier said than done... There's probably only about 10 today and half are Brazilian. That's not true. There are ton's of superstars in the game today and most developed by their own countries. Ronaldo (Cruzeiro), Ronaldinho (Gremio), Roberto Carlos (Palmeiras), Kaka (Sao Paulo), and Adriano (Flamengo) all of Brazil. David Beckham was brought up by Manchester United. Wayne Rooney was brought up by Everton. Both from England. David Ballack (Chemnitzer) and Oliver Kahn (Karlsruher) from Germany. Andriy Shevchenko was brought up by Dynamo Kyiv of Ukraine. Italy has a bunch too. Gigi Buffon (Parma), Francesco Totti (Roma), and Alessandro del Piero (Juventus). Italians are a bit different because almost all of their players come from like 2 or 3 youth teams. Thierry Henry (Monaco) and Zinedine Zidane (Cannes) were both brought up by France. The USA just isn't meant for soccer. The sport will never blow up here. Many countries have numerous youth teams and recruit from such young ages. I believe Brazil has an under-8 team.

When the US develops it's own international superstar, it will become more popular. IE, when the US get's its own Pele, it's own Beckenbauer, it's own Luis Figo, then it will blow up. And don't you dare say Demarcus f***in Beasley or Brian McBride.

Diving and acting is a part of the game of soccer and it has been for a long time. The reason for the s***loads of yellow and red cards this year is because the referees were told to be more stict and to protect the players. Take that FWIW.

I also watched the Fire/Red Bulls last night and it wasn't the foul calls that stood out to me, but the complete low level of play. The 2 goals that the Fire scored (from about 18 yards out both times) were probably the softest damned goals that I have EVER seen scored. Combine the 2 kicks, and it doesn't even break a window. The level of play in the MLS is so inferior to that of the level in Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, etc. And the fact that the MLS can't lure any big named players also puts a hamper on the sport in the US. But anyway, the Swiss/Ukraine game should be good. The attacking of Shevchenko vs the great defense of the Swiss.

Pinned. Let's get this going early.

I'm in.

QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 12:07 PM) I didnt know what to expect from him entering the season. But that first month, watching the way he Selected his Pitches and Crushed balls, .310, 60HRs and 150 RBI was a certainty............... Going about things the way hes doing, he wont hit those numbers. You realize that those are amazingly unexpectable numbers. He'll only hit .285, 50 HR, and 120 RBI while being an All-Star. Pshhhh, garbage. :rolly

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 11:36 AM) 1st in AL in HR 2nd in AL in R 8th in AL in OBP 4th in AL in OPS 4th in AL in RBI 4th in AL in BB 2nd in AL in SLG Yes, he needs your advice. And.....thread.

He needs to be more confident and relaxed when he pitches. He is suffering from Contreras pre-2005 syndrome. Trust your fastball and use that nasty slider more. Stay focused and don't explode if you don't get a call or give up a HR.

QUOTE(drowninginflame @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 12:18 AM) Tonight, two cub fans came with my rommate and I to the game and they couldn't believe how nice the park was and kept making comments about how it was so nice to see people standing and paying attention to the game and fans that cared about every pitch vs. playing games in the bleachers. Shocking, I know.

QUOTE(zoomzoomK @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 12:16 AM) lol. I think you are safest in Avondale......at least they pull you (or me) over here! Whats the point if they let you off free?

QUOTE(shoota @ Jun 25, 2006 -> 11:56 PM) Only if Mike Piazza were on the team. Definitely one of the most intellegent and knowledgable posts I have ever seen on this website.

"...build a sand castle." Lou Pinella would be proud = understatement.

Wow.