FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

I'll say the Royals and Indians will finish with 60s to low 70s in wins.  The Sox will fade to mid-70s to 80.  The Twins and Tigers will battle it out and approach (or slightly exceed) 90 - I'll go Tigers 91, Twins 89.

Specific enough for my embarassment?

If the Twins win 89 and finish just two games behind the league winner then I'll bring the embarrassment.  You'll be a baseball prognosticator of notable skill in my book.

But rather than just ragging on the Twins, how about this question:  Can Mauer(sota) finish above .400 batting and 100 RBI?  The guy is on the hottest streak since Brett Michaels loaded up a bevy of ...women?... on the Rock of Love Bus, Season One.

[OleHog74]

Lately Mauer has cooled off in the HR and RBI dept.  But then so has the rest of the team it seems. But he is still getting like 2 hits every night.

Honestly, I see him hitting .400 before he gets 100 RBIs, which would be pretty cool.

Does anyone know if he is on track to have enough at bats this season to qualify for batting champ?

[johnnie_esq]

What a fantastic game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals! bennie, this isn't boring you, is it? 

I pity the poor people that aren't watching this heavyweight fight.

Retagent, j-esq, your thoughts?

Looking forward to game 7. I am still going with the Wings, although I wish the Caps would storm the ice and take on all comers. 

As a fan of the game, I am greatly enjoying this series.  Two good teams playing fun hockey-- complete with great goaltending, scoring, and hits.  Why would anyone watch the NBA over this?  

But as a kid who grew up with the North Stars, I HATE both these teams.  Detroit, well, because it's the Red Wings..and Pittsburgh because of Mario.

I think Sid has amazing talent, as does Malkin; however, Sid seems to spend as much time whining as he does actually skating, and Malkin is quite the cheap shot artist (last night's ill-timed escapade in the third period nearly cost them dearly!).  The real wonders for the Pens were Staal and Scuderi, though, who were a real joy to watch as players.  Staal was a beast offensively and Scuderi was a brick wall as a defenseman.  They won last night's game for the Pens-- not Malkin and Crosby.

Osgood was darn good last night, but Datsyk is amazing, and Zetterberg can do it all.  The Wings are so deep.  Personally, I think the game has passed Rafalski by, though-- and his decisions on the point last night seemed to not be in the Wings' usual flow of things, particularly in the third period.  He has lost his speed and his shot is not what it used to be.  In short, I am a bit surprised he was getting the ice time he was.  I wouldn't mind seeing a Badger ride the pine...

The pressure may be on Detroit, but given that they've been here before, plus their experience, with the home-town crowd in the rat-trap that is the Joe, I think the Pens may be pressing more than they would like.  And that pressing nearly cost them last night (a breakaway with 3 minutes left?  Really???  Why???).  Given that the Wings get last change, the Pens will need Staal and Scuderi to win it if they are to take home the cup.  Possible?  Yes.  Likely? No.

Wings, 3-1.  

[bennie]

The first testicular guard "Cup" was used in Hockey in
   1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974.

Priorities huh, hockey fans? I guess the mullets protected the heads good enough for 100 years.

Gordie Howe was asked why he wore a protective cup but not a helmet. His response was "Well, I can always pay somebody to do my thinking for me." 

[bennie]

What a fantastic game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals! bennie, this isn't boring you, is it? 

This is definitely a final that comes down to who I least want to lose, not who I really want to win! And the answer to that? The Red Wings. One of the biggest reasons I dislike Sid (and the Pens) is because of how Gary Bettman slobbers all over him and promotes him like he is the only player in the league. My bias is perhaps a bit unfair, but eh, that's life. I am sure Sidney is not losing sleep over it! That being said, it has been an exciting and interesting series.

[stanbob]

What a fantastic game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals! bennie, this isn't boring you, is it? 

This is definitely a final that comes down to who I least want to lose, not who I really want to win! And the answer to that? The Red Wings. One of the biggest reasons I dislike Sid (and the Pens) is because of how Gary Bettman slobbers all over him and promotes him like he is the only player in the league. My bias is perhaps a bit unfair, but eh, that's life. I am sure Sidney is not losing sleep over it! That being said, it has been an exciting and interesting series.

Bennie, are you sure it's not because of the red jerseys?

[bennie]

The first testicular guard "Cup" was used in Hockey in
   1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974.

Priorities huh, hockey fans? I guess the mullets protected the heads good enough for 100 years.

Gordie Howe was asked why he wore a protective cup but not a helmet. His response was "Well, I can always pay somebody to do my thinking for me." 

Here is another favorite "related" quote. When Brendan Morrison, who has always worn a visor was asked about wearing them, he responded, "It's common sense isn't it? I know for some guys it's a macho thing, but that's nuts. If guys are so tough when they don't wear visors, why don't they play the game without a jock/cup? I mean, you've got two balls, right?"

[bennie]

What a fantastic game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals! bennie, this isn't boring you, is it? 

This is definitely a final that comes down to who I least want to lose, not who I really want to win! And the answer to that? The Red Wings. One of the biggest reasons I dislike Sid (and the Pens) is because of how Gary Bettman slobbers all over him and promotes him like he is the only player in the league. My bias is perhaps a bit unfair, but eh, that's life. I am sure Sidney is not losing sleep over it! That being said, it has been an exciting and interesting series.

Bennie, are you sure it's not because of the red jerseys?

The red jerseys don't hurt!

[tmerton]

A woman decides to have a facelift for her 50th birthday.  She spends $15,000 and feels pretty good about the results.  On her way home, she stops at a newsstand to buy a newspaper.  Before leaving, she says to the clerk, 'I hope you don't mind my asking, but how old do you think I am  'About 32,' is the reply.'  'Nope! I'm exactly 50,' the woman says happily.

A little while later she goes into McDonald's and asks the counter girl the very same question.  The girl replies, 'I'd guess about 29.'  The woman replies with a big smile, 'Nope, I'm 50.'   

Now she's feeling really good about herself. She stops in a drug store on her way down the street.  She goes up to the counter to get some mints and asks the clerk this burning question.  The clerk responds, 'Oh, I'd say 30.'  Again she proudly responds, 'I'm 50, but thank you!'

While waiting for the bus to go home, she asks an old man waiting next to her the same question.  He replies, 'Lady, I'm 78 and my eyesight is going. Although, when I was young there was a sure-fire way to tell how old a woman was.  It sounds very forward, but it requires you to let me put my hands under your bra.  Then, and only then can I tell you EXACTLY how old you are.'

They wait in silence on the empty street until her curiosity gets the best of her.  She finally blurts out, 'What the hell, go ahead.'  He slips both of his hands under her blouse and begins to feel around very slowly and carefully. He bounces and weighs each breast and he gently pinches each nipple. He pushes her breasts together and rubs them against each other.

After a couple of minutes of this, she says, 'Okay, okay....How old am I?'  He completes one last squeeze of her breasts, removes his hands, and says, 'Madam, you are 50.'  Stunned and amazed, the woman says, 'That was incredible, how could you tell?'   
The old man says, 'Promise you won't get mad?' 
'I promise I won't' she says. 
'I was behind you at McDonalds.'

[OzJohnnie]

Ha!  Laugh out loud moment.  I didn't see that twist coming, tmerts.

[finsleft]

Clark and his buddies were discussing an upcoming fishing trip. Unfortunately, Clark had to tell them that he couldn't go this time because his wife wouldn't let him. After a lot of teasing and name calling, Clark headed home, frustrated.

The following week when Clark's buddies arrived at the lake to set up camp, they were shocked to see Clark. He was already sitting at the campground with a cold beer, swag rolled out, fishing rod in hand, and a camp fire glowing.

"How did you talk your wife into letting you go, Clark?"

"I didn't have to," Clark replied. "Last week when I left our meeting, I went home and slumped down in my chair with a beer to drown my sorrows. Then she snuck up behind me and covered my eyes and said, 'Surprise'."

"When I peeled her hands back she was standing there in a beautiful see-through negligee and she said, 'Carry me into the bedroom and tie me to the bed and you can do whatever you want!' 

"So, HERE I AM!!"

[snoop dawg]

hey retagent.....turned out to a pretty exciting series   eh?  go pens 

[57Johnnie]

ZIP,
Are you going to make it to Sluggers tomorrow for the JOHNNIE pre-game gathering? 

I got a flyer from SJU that arrived yesterday (the 10th) announcing a gathering of the Colorado Chapter at Congress Park in Denver on June 7 at 1:00 PM. 

[retagent]

snoop - I assume you read my previous post and know that I have admitted to the fact that my prognostication skills took a hit in this series. And, yeah, quite a series. In fact the entire Playoffs have been rather exciting, and as a wise man said not too long ago in this area, anyone who would watch basketball over this is obviously non compos mentis.

[snoop dawg]

 retagent...... if your a Laker and a Pens fan...its been like heaven.  Thank god for my recorder.  I wasn't throwing a jab at you at all.  Just glad the Pens made it to game 7.  Game six was one of the most exciting Ive ever seen.