Author Danny Vinik

Leave The Scrubs In!!

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Pistons Cavaliers BasketballIn last night’s game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons, Cleveland led by 29 points one minute into the fourth quarter at 79-50 and both teams subbed their scrubs into the game. Well, the Pistons’ backups came ready to play and in the next couple minutes, Detroit went on a 27-5 run, cutting the Cavs’ lead to 7.

All of a sudden, the Pistons were back in the game. Just as quick as they got back in the game though, Detroit found themselves down 91-77 , because they had put their starters back in the game.

Games 1 and  2 have proven that the Detroit starters cannot compete with the Cavs top guys. They may steal a game in Detroit out of pure adrenaline, but I don’t even see that happening. The Cavs are going to beat the Pistons’ starters 90 out of 100 times. It was clear all game last night that it was not one of the 10% of times the Pistons’ starters.

If the starters only have a 15% chance of winning against Cleveland’s top players than the reserves, the scrubs, must have a 1% chance of winning. From the first three quarters, it was clear that Detroit was not going to win with it starters on the court. However, the surge in the fourth quarter gave the slimmest of hope that maybe this was the scrubs 1% chance of winning. Now, to be fair, the Pistons’ scrubs played against the Cavaliers’ scrubs and that is very different than playing against LeBron James and his unit. The chances were still extremely minimal, but it was better than the 0% chance Detroit’s starters had at winning. Continue reading “Leave The Scrubs In!!” →

Goaltender Interference: Always Called Wrong

Danny Vinik 1 Comment

As the NHL Playoffs roll on, there have been plenty of questionable penalty calls by officials. The one call that is always made incorrectly is goaltender interference. A collision occurs in front of the net, a couple players and the goalie go down and all of a sudden a goaltender interference penalty is called on the attacking player. The refs never get a clear look at the play. All they see is the goalie on the ice and blow their whistles.

Players on every team take a beating by placing their body in the slot, screening the opposing goalie and looking for a tip. They are slashed, rough, and drilled the entire game. Yet, when they are knocked to the ice and hit in the goalie, somehow they end up being called for the penalty. Take a beating, head to the penalty box.

Goaltender interference must be “deliberate and intentional”. Falling in to the goalie is neither of those yet it is consistently being called a penalty. Goaltender interference penalty should almost never be called. That would only occur when another player takes a punch or a vicious slash at the keeper, the same sort of thing that would receive a roughing penalty if done against a skater.

The real call that should be made is incidental goaltender interference. That occurs when a player ACCIDENTALLY takes out the goalie. For instance, he is in the midst of a move, blows an edge, and ends up taking out the keeper. Whistle, but no penalty. The player had no INTENTION of taking out the goalie so it cannot be “deliberate and intentional”. Continue reading “Goaltender Interference: Always Called Wrong” →

Things You Can Buy For One Yankees Ticket

Danny Vinik 1 Comment

The New York Yankees’ new stadium has by far the highest ticket price in baseball with a front row single-game ticket behind the backstop going for $2,625. Can you say WOW!?

Look at all the combinations of other sports things you can buy instead of one ticket to see the Bronx Bombers (or Cleveland Bombers, depending on your night):

  1. 1 Season Ticket to the Washington Capitals (Lower bowl, right behind the net – $63 per game)
  2. 2 Season Tickets to the New England Patriots (Lower Bowl, lower rows, midfield – $169 per game)
  3. 4 Season Tickets to the Florida Marlins (Outfield, $7.50 per game – Best team in baseball so far)
  4. 5 Season Tickets to the New England Patriots (Upper Deck – $65 per game)
  5. 6 Season Tickets to the Cleveland Cavaliers OR Los Angeles Lakers (Both Upper Deck and $410 for 41 games)
  6. 13 Season Tickets to the New England Revolution (Lower Bowl, behind goal, $10 per game for 20 games)
  7. 13 Season Tickets to the Arizona Cardinals ($200 for each Upper Deck)
  8. 34 Season Tickets to the Toronto Blue Jays ($76 for 81 games – that’s a bargain!)
  9. Authentic Yankees’ Jerseys for the team’s entire starting lineup, starting rotation, and 3 other of your choosing.
  10. 77 Authentic Yankees’ hats ($34 each)
  11. 389 Nathans Hot Dogs in Yankee Stadium ($6.75 each!)

So there you have it, what you can get for one Yankees’ ticket.