Larry Stanley's Blog

Walking Dead Season 6 Finale: Who lives and Who Dies?

2016-04-01T05:59:00.000-07:00

4 score and seven years ago, I promised myself that I was going to get back to blogging(at least it seems like it has been that long). I haven't really lived up to that promise, but this week is, as good of time as any to start back up. In the next four days we will witness Texas Rangers Baseball Opening Day, Wrestlemania 32 and The Season 6 finale of The Walking Dead. I was debating on wither I should write a blog for Wrestlemania or The Walking Dead, but this blog goes out to my fellow Walker Stalkers. Warning potential spoilers ahead(obligatory statement in every blog about Television shows)

As any Walking Dead Fan knows, Negan is coming on Sunday and upon his arrival a major death will take place. For instance in the comics he bashes Glenn's skull in with his baseball bat named Lucille. Will that happen on the show?

I'll get into that in just a bit, before I do let me tell you what won't happen. Daryl Dixon will not die on the Season Six Finale of The Walking Dead, and I guarantee it!

As much fun as I have teasing my girlfriend this is the week Daryl bites it, or gets bit in some cases, I secretly know The Walking Dead showrunners wont kill him off. How can I be so confident? It has nothing to do with the story side of the show, but the business side of things. If you think about Daryl Dixon has become the face of the franchise.

I know the producer say no one is safe, but what they really should be saying is no one is safe who isn't selling merchandise. If you look around at The Walking Dead merch you see in stores and on the streets one face is on the majority of it? Who? Who? Who? Why it's Daryl Dixon.

As much as Rick Grimes is the main character and the story revolves around him, Daryl is the fan favorite and he is the one driving TWD revenue. With that being said we can eliminate Daryl from dying on Sunday Night, but don't tell my girlfriend that. I have a lot of teasing left to do.

If Daryl is not going to die who is? There are two very likely candidates and one wildcard. Abraham and Glenn are my #1 seeds with Maggie on the outside looking in. As I talked about above in the comics it's Glenn who gets his head teed off on. There is a strong possibility that's the way it goes down on the show as well. I can see them staying true to the comics in this moment of the series. And let's be honest you are not seeing a lot of people walking around with Glenn tee shirts on. The Walking Dead writers have been foreshadowing this for a while. Poor Glenn almost got his skull cracked at Terminus and then last week, did you catch it?

In the shower scene with Glenn and Maggie (that seemed way out of place) Maggie is rubbing Glenn's hair when Johnny Cash lyrics "I am broken in a million little pieces" hits. Coincidence? I think not. Foreshadowing? I say Yes! Yes! YES!

Who can The Walking Dead kill off that will make a statement but not impact merchandise sales or ratings? Glenn! Who dies at the hands of Negan in the comics? Glenn! Who have they been teasing us with dying for two season now with no pay off? Glenn! I am already bracing myself for life without Glen in Season 7 Episode 1.

However, if for some reason Glenn doesn't die, Abraham Ford is on deck. In the comics old Abe dies with an arrow through the eye by the hands of Dwight. Sound familiar?

For some reason Denise got his death on AMC. but why? Could they be saving Abraham for Negan? Abraham was there when Daryl blew up all those Saviors. Abraham helped with raiding The Saviors. Abraham did save Eugene,Daryl and Rosita from The Saviors. Abraham's death would make sense, Mr.Ford is a main character that the series could easily move on without. Once again there aren't a lot of Save Abraham tees on the market right now.

If for some reason neither Abraham or Glenn dies the only other logical choice would be Maggie. To me this is a real long shot, but what better way to set the tone for an evil villain then to kill of a pregnant lady? If they do this they could take Maggie's story and divide it up between characters,much like they have done with Andrea's . Do you remember Andrea? The Walking Dead writers and producers mercy whacked her for terrible acting in season 3 of the television series, but she lives on in the comics.

The Walking Dead creative team took her story lines and divided them up among different character on the show. I can see them doing the same if the decide to kill Maggie off. They could just plug Glenn in to her story of woe and there you have it.

I would say there is a greater than zero chance of double dog shock the world let's kill multiple people because we can deaths on the season six finale. I think Abraham and either Glenn or Maggie could die on Sunday. I am also not ruling out a minor character say Tara, Aaron or Enid could be making their last appearance this weekend. There is one thing for certain on Sunday, there will be blood, somewhere besides Wrestlemania on Sunday.

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Return of The Jedi

2015-11-24T06:28:00.000-08:00

Hello, It's me, I was wondering after all these years if you would like to read my new blog, to go over everything? My first blog here in three years and I come out quoting Adele. The Larry Stanley from 2012 would have just showed me his pimp hand if he knew what I was up to. However I went with a Star Wars title,so that kind of makes up for it right?

You maybe wondering why after three years, I have decided to return to blogging. That is a good question, and I wish I had a good answer for you, but I don't. I just felt like it was time to start writing and sharing my thoughts again. With my return to the airwaves tonight on Twisted Fiction Radio (link below and shameless plug..... ding) , the timing seemed right.

I know Big Bad Sports Daddy, my column in "The Burb" newspaper , and this blog all seemed to disappear abruptly in 2012. No, I haven't been hiding on Dagobah (Star Wars Reference #2), but I have been writing and producing indie films. Honestly in 2012 I was just spreading myself way to thin and something had to give and it was BBSD and everything associated with it, so I could pursue my film making passion.

Indie film making is great too! Let me tell you, until you have worked 60 hours in a weekend living off bologna sandwiches and monsters, exhausted, but still trying to figure out if a light should be here or two feet to the left, you just haven't lived.

Three years ago Indie film led me away from this blog, but this year it has led me back. I started a new blog for my film Grey Agenda. As I was working on that blog, I started to realize how much I did miss writing. I have been thinking of relaunching this for a while, and I like I said the timing finally felt right.

Last year I did have short stint on a Morning Show here in Dallas, and put a podcast back on online for a couple of weeks. I can tell you honestly my heart wasn't really into either show. I wanted to be into both broadcast, I just wasn't. Now I can tell you I am 100% ready to run my mouth and broadcast again. That starts tonight with Big Jon on T.F.R,

If you are a new reader you may not remember like my returning customers(by which I mean my Mom & Dad), this blog was filled with topics like beer, women sports, and football picks in the past. In my late 20s and early 30s that seemed to be what mattered. Now as I am closing in on 40, I have realized I have so much more to share and I will right here in the future.

Before I sign off from the other side(dang it just quoted Adele again) I want to say how great it was to see the #9 Jedi back on the field on Sunday. Are the Cowboys playoff bound? I don't know, but I do know I am not going to be watching the Red Zone for extended periods of time during their games, at least not for the next couple of weeks. You didn't really think I would write a blog without some football talk, did you?

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Follow me on Twitter Here:
https://twitter.com/bigbadlarry

Check out my new Internet Show with Big Jon on 107 The Blaze Here or via the Tunin Ap Tuesdays 8-10pm:

http://www.107blaze.rocks/twisted-fiction-radio-show.html

Help me Win a Million Dollars by Rating my Doritos Commercials Here:
https://crashthesuperbowl.doritos.com/gallery/rating/0/425

Ans Here:
https://crashthesuperbowl.doritos.com/video/1159

If you want to a Watch a Larry Stanley Indie Film and Chill you can do so here:

Comedy: Mr.Happy Pants:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2UND5XJz_M
http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Happy-Pants-Larry-Stanley/dp/B00JXN570S

Drama: Decisions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIyYHprTP58

Faith Based: The Gospel of Thomas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2LcdCWfjKo

Follow my yet to be released films: Proud Souls and Grey Agenda here:
Proud Souls
https://www.facebook.com/proudsoulsmovie/?fref=ts

Grey Agenda
https://www.facebook.com/Grey-Agenda-1659591654285948/?fref=ts

Indie Film "Decisions" Movie Drama (Full Length Feature Film)

2015-03-19T07:17:00.001-07:00

Here is the link to my latest movie "Decisions" Watch and let me know your thoughts, would love to hear them. Hit me up on Facebook or email larrystanley@hotmail.com

8-31 Best Bets

2012-08-31T07:27:00.003-07:00

The Old Professor L-Train is back for my third straight Football season of picking games right here on BigBadSportsDaddy.com. If you want to check my stats from last year, here you go.

2011 Professor L-Train's
NFL 17-6-2
NCAA 18-14
Overall 35-20-2

As Jen Welter and I talked about last night on the Fooseball Show live from Frankie's in Uptown Dallas, Week 1 of the college season is a "dust the dirt off your cleats" week. Going through the schedule on paper there are only 3 decent games. You have :

Mich State -6 vs Boise State
Clemson-3 vs Auburn

and in the main event

#2 Alabama-14 vs #8 Michigan

I'm not crazy about these lines, however my mom didn't raise a chicken. Let's do this! Here is where my money is going this week. Happy Betting and good luck!

Boise+6 over Mich State
Clemson-3 over Burn

Bama-14 over Mich

Also show me
LSU-44 over North Texas. Welcome to the ass kicking of your life Mean Green.
OU-30 over UTEP.

Remember to hold back early in the season. Lay off and bet low. We have to let trends develop so we can bust them up later in the year. I know we are all anxious to get some action. Just go Axl Rose and show a little Patience...OH....Yeah..

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BBSD NFL Preview.

2012-08-29T10:45:00.007-07:00

This blog is going to be the BBSD NFL Preview. Before I get to that I would like to address what is going to on with the BBSD Podcast.

Thanks to everyone that has supported the podcast this year. Our downloads are at an all time high. Unfortunately Monday morning our house/studio burned down (True Story). So while we sort everything else out the podcast are on hold. We are doing everything we can to get them back up and running. We should be back to 100% in a week or two. Here is a pick of Nil (Larry Stanley Show) Mr.Rocky Balboa (Larry Stanley Show Mascot) and I yesterday from the Dallas Morning News Yesterday.

Now on to a happier note! It's football season! Here's what you can expect from the NFL in '13 season.

AFC East- This division is pretty cut and dry. Pats win! The Bills may make a run at a wild card this year, but I doubt it. The Jets better hope for some Tebow Magic or they are 7-9. As far as the Fins go it's more growing pains behind rookie Aggie QB Ryan Tannehill.
1.Patriots
2.Bills
3.Jets
4.Dolphins

AFC North- This could be the most competitive division in the NFL in 2012. You have 3 legit teams that could win. You also could see a changing of the guard this year. You will see 3 teams from this division make the playoffs. The Steelers are starting the season banged up. That never turns out well. The Ravens dominant D is a year older. Then there are the upstarts in Cincy. Lead by TCU's own Andy Dalton. Dalton to A.J. Green is going to be lethal this season. However Cincy's running game leaves a little something to be desired. Last year they also failed to beat Baltimore or Pitt in the regular season.That will change this year. Don't let anyone fool you that Bengals D is better than advertised. They ranked #7 in total Defense in 2011 and made steps to improve during the off-season. The Browns will turn back to Colt McCoy by week 6, but by then it will be to late.

1.Bengals
2.Steelers.
3.Ravens.
4.Browns.

AFC South- The only thing to care about in the AFC South in 2012 is Andrew Luck's development. The Jags are in turmoil and will find the cellar once again. The Colts will finish just a little bit better behind their rookie franchise QB. Oh, they still have a team in Nashville? Who knew? The Texans should win the AFC South by default.

1.Texans
2.Titans
3.Colts
4.Jags

AFC West- It's all about Peyton Manning in the West. Is he the second coming(Elway reference not J.C. reference) Can he lead this Denver team to the Glory Hole Days? I don't see a lot standing in Bucking Broncos way. The Raiders are the Raiders. Chances are McFadden misses 6 games. The Chargers can never put it all together. The Chiefs could make a run at the Broncos but, they come up just a little short.

1.Broncos
2.Cheifs
3.Chargers
4.Raiders

NFC East- I would love to type The Cowboys are going to win this division but that's not going to happen. The Cowboys have a very tough schedule and a bad coach. When it is all said and done The Boys will be lucky if they get to 7 wins. The Redskins have RG III in place but they are a year or two away. That leave the Super Bowl Champion Giants and Eagles to fight it out up top. When the dust settles and it's all said and done look for the Eagles to win the East this year. I see the Giants edging out the Falcons for a wild card spot though.

1.Eagles
2.Giants
3.Cowboys :(
4.Redskins

NFC North- Bears,Lions,Packers and Vikings, oh my! The Black and Blue division will go at hard this year as well. The Bears have a new offense. The Lions have a very hyped O. The Packers have Aaron freaking Rodgers! The Vikings have A.P. back from ACL surgery. There are going to be some Deadwood type shoot outs in the North. I don't think the Lions will be able to match the Pack blow for blow though. I never trust a Jay Cutler team either. Pack take the division and Lions are a wild card.
1.Packers
2.Lions
3.Bears
4.Vikings

NFC South- Even though Cam Newton had an unreal rookie season the Panthers failed to get him any help in the off-season. Cam alone can not top the Falcons or the Saints. Now the question is the Falcons or the Saints. Last time a hurricane hit New Orleans they won the Super Bowl. Based on that logic I am giving them the edge here. The Bucs are playing for a top 10 draft pick next year.

1.Saints
2.Falcons
3.Panthers
4. Buccaneers

NFC West- The 49ers were almost a Super team last year. No one saw that coming! In Jim Harbagh I believe. The Seahawks are regretting that Matt Flynn trade now but should still compete. Jeff Fisher knows how to win and could have the Rams challenging the 49ers at the top. The Cards have issues.

1.49ers
2.Rams.
3.Seahawks
4.Cardinals

PLayoffs

NFC.
1.Packers
2.Saints
3.49ers
4.Eagles
5.Lions
6.Giants

AFC
1.Patriots
2.Bengals
3.Broncos
4.Texans
5.Steelers
6.Ravens

NFC Championship Game- Saints vs.Packers
The Saints pull out a miracle and they have the Hurricane rally on their side. Give me the Saints to the Bowl Ya'll

AFC Championship Game- Broncos vs. Patroits

We should get Brady vs Manning one more time. I don't see this ending up well for Peyton. It hasn't very often in the past. Brady will get to another Super Bowl making it #6 for him.

Super Bowl- Saints vs Patroits

The Saints Win! Let's go party on Burbon Street! Invite these two. They look fun

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Larry's Blog: #4 Scenario Fantasy Football.

2012-08-15T20:10:00.001-07:00

Larry's Blog: #4 Scenario Fantasy Football.: Fantasy Football dorks all over the world are gearing up for their draft dates. In my league we set our draft date and draft order over t...

#4 Scenario Fantasy Football.

2012-08-15T13:12:00.005-07:00

Fantasy Football dorks all over the world are gearing up for their draft dates. In my league we set our draft date and draft order over the past weekend. I drew the #5 pick out of 12 teams.

Originally I was thinking Aaron Rodgers at #5. However after studying some mocks and asking around the league I am not so sure he makes it to me anymore. This year the focus isn't on stud running backs. The reason being many NFL Teams have put together crowded backfield. Would you rather have a running back splitting carries or top QB?

As most of you experienced fantasy footballers know you always want at least one if not two work-horse running backs to carry your team. In the past I have seen 8 running backs come off the board with the first 8 picks. Over the past decade could make a case for Peyton Manning or Tom Brady late in the first round too. Now you can make a case for 3 QBs, A wide receiver, two tight ends all going mid to late first round.

This year there are only 3 Legit RB#1 . You have Arian Foster,Ray Rice, and LeSean Mccoy. I suspect in most drafts in some way,some shape,or form these are your top 3 picks. All other top RBS are have huge question marks that come along with drafting them.

Here is a scenario for you, what if you are setting there at 4 and those 3 Running Backs are off the board? What do you do?

I think your first options is looking at 1 of your top 3 QBS. I think you have to think about Rodgers,Brady or Brees. These guys are so far above beyond other QBS it's not funny! It would be nice to lock one of them up and not worry or gamble on a QB later.

Calvin Johnson is another name that could go at #4. No WR in the NFL can put up numbers like that guy. It's not an insane pick at all. His Average Draft position right now is 6. I think in this scenario I go ahead and take him at 4. Then I hope that Stafford or Newton make it back to me in the second round. Stafford to Johnson would be a nice one-two combo to lock up. All though I am not a huge fan of that theory. This year I think that combo could land you playing for your championship.

The last thing to consider in this scenario at 4 is Darren McFadden or Chris Johnson. McFadden is for the #4 pick if health wasn't a concern,but yet it is now. Chris Johnson could be the come back player of the year. He could also be one step of dropping to lower tier runner. He is your proverbial huge Gamble with that huge upside.

I think a little later towards picks #10-12 in the late first round you could see Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski get chosen.

As we move towards our fantasy drafts the only thing for sure is this year is going to be insane! Here is my friendly advice; Be prepared! A little tip for you,if you don't know who Doug Martin is you better find out quick. Also stay away from Cowboys! Cowboys Offensive players = disappointment in fantasy football. Who am I kidding? Those Cowboys offensive players = disappointment in real life too.

Let Me hear how your draft shakes out.: YOu can find me all over the net:

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Longhorns are Legit

2012-08-08T10:42:00.004-07:00

The Texas Longhorns have reintroduced their fans to pain and misery since the 2009 BCS Championship loss to Bama. 5-7 in 2010 was jaw dropping for Longhorns across the great state of Texas. Then last year the Horns showed glimpse but never quite put it together for a successful season. However 8-5 with a win in the 2011 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl is a hell of a lot better than what they gave the year before. Now here we are in 2012 and the Longhorns are Legit.

Ash or McCoy? Ash or McCoy? This is the question Longhorn fans keep asking themselves. Let me let you in on a little secret. It doesn’t matter who the starting QB is in Austin this year. They will be handing the ball off to incoming Freshman Running Back Johnathan Gray or Malcolm Brown in the Horns backfield more than they will toss it around. If I was picking a QB I would go with Ash. I think he can make more happen with his legs and has a decent arm.

I hope Mack Brown doesn't keep a QB rotation going through the season. Mack,please make a decision ans stick with it. Let who ever your starter is be the leader without having to look over his shoulder wondering if he is going to get yanked. Ash or McCoy? It really doesn't matter just pick one and let them hand off.

In 2012, the Texas defense should be truly one of the nation's elite. Sorry SEC but it’s true, damn true. Texas is D was good last year because of speed. The Longhorns finished first in total defense, run defense and pass defense while finishing second in scoring D.

The Texas Longhorns are known for having outstanding defensive lines, and 2012 will be no different. The Longhorns are returning three starters from a year ago, including former Dallas Cowboy Great Jim Jeffcoat's son Jackson Jeffcoat. Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor on the ends combined for 15 sacks last season.

The Longhorn linebacking corps has talent, Jordan Hicks, who finished 2011 with a solid 65 stops will anchor the D. Watch out for young Steve Edmond too. I expect good things from him in 2012 as he is one of the more physically gifted backers on this squad.

The Texas secondary is loaded once again this season, returning two starters from a year ago in Kenny Vaccaro and Carrington Byndom.

If you mix that D in with some of that Bryan Harsin Razzle- Dazzle and a solid ground and pound attack you have the Big 12 Champions and BCS Bowl birth. After two bad season make no mistake about it The Longhorns are Legit in 2012.

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Singles Match with Lincoln Coleman

2012-08-02T18:05:00.008-07:00

Since Jerry Jones decided to remind us all about the "Glory Hole Days" here in Dallas last week, I decided to go out and find a man who lived through them. Former Dallas Cowboys Running Back, and Super Bowl Champion Lincoln Coleman is my guest in this week's Singles Match:

Larry Stanley: November 25,1993. Emmitt goes down and you come in to game during that huge Thanksgiving Day game! How nervous were you?
Lincoln Coleman: Extremely nervous. Playing for the Cowboys on game meant that you were supposed to make plays that increased our chances on winning and I didn't want to make any mistakes. I was playing behind the guy that refuse to quit and for a coach that demanded your best so that's what I gave the team.

LS: You guys are up 14-13 with seconds left and that game. The Cowboys block a field goal and Leon Lett dives and misses the ball. What are you thinking on the sideline? Did you see it happen?
LC:After the blocked kick we celebrated so I didn't see the mistake by Leon. What people don't understand is before the season the rules on downing the ball after a blocked kick changed and you didn't have to touch it; the ball was automatically dead. We practiced that all year and Leon ended up having a brain fart. lol!

LS: Correct me if I am wrong but it looks like 3 games later you scored your first career touchdown vs Minnesota. Do you still have that ball?
LC: Yes, and it was awesome. It's on Youtube right now. I didn't know how to celebrate.

LS: You played for the Cowboys during their "Glory Hole Days" as Jerry puts it. How crazy was that team inside and outside of the locker room?
LC:The guys were as wild as most people think. Our moto was "if you hoot with the owls you have to be able to soar with the eagles" meaning if you party all night you still have to get up in the morning and get the job done on the practice field because that's where you win football games; not on gameday. Let me tell you my friend we did party. Think of the wildest rock band you can think of and times that by 10. lol! Everywhere we went people knew who we were and wanted to be apart of what we were doing.

LS: Did you ever hang out at the "White House" back then? Was the "White House" even real?
LC:Yes I hung out at the White House and enjoyed every minute of it. lol! After Eric Williams injured himself in a car accident we were being followed by reporters when we hit the clubs to party. The next day names were ending up on black white talking about what we did the night before so we decided to rent a house big enough for all of us to hang out in. I refuse to name names because of the absolute respect and love I have for my teammates but I did everything you can think a young 23yr old male would do in a situation involving drugs, alcohol and women.

LS: Who did you hang out with the most on the team? Still talk to any of your old teammates?
LC:Kevin Williams was my running mate as well as Derrick Lassik. We came into the league at the same time and Kevin and I were from Dallas and played in the same school district in high school. District 10-5A. When I was a senior in high school we played Roosevelt h.s. in a game that determined the winner of the district Kevin and I played in. Kevin was a sophomore for Roosevelt and I played for Bryan Adams h.s. and we both had 7-0 records. Every major college in the nation was there and we lost on a hail mary to Kevin at the end of the game. lol! I still love him.

LS: Do you watch NFL,College ball now? If so who do you like in 2012?
LC: I watch the Cowboys religiously and love Mack Brown and the Longhorns. When I was living in Michigan the Longhorns made me proud to be a Texan. When Texas beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl I was the only one rooting for them in the state. Then they went back the next year and beat U.S.C. for the national championship; no one could shut me up. lol!

LS: What do you think the Cowboys do in 2012?
LC: I'm not sure. I'm a fan of Jason Garrett and Rob Ryan; the players are a problem for me for this reason. No one on that team truly understands why the fans expect greatness. Incredible men of character and athleticism and love for the game and the team they play for started a tradition that is expected to be carried forward until the game is over. These guys make a lot of money because of the efforts of past men not only for the Cowboy team. So, when you step on the field for the Cowboys you have to win championships.

LS: If you had to pick Romo or Aikman to start a big game for you who do you take and why?
LC: Aikman 10 out of 10 times without hesitation. Aikman loved the game, respected the guys he lined up with and he was the absolute leader on the field. My difficulty with Romo stems from his dedication to his team. The attempts to become a pro golfer bothered me because that meant your focus had to split between the two careers. Now even though his pro-golf aspirations were in the off-season your job for 12 months out of the year is Cowboy quarterback. The tradition at the position is undeniable and has to be the only thing on your mind for the duration of your contract.

LS: How proud were you that your alumni Baylor had a Hesiman trophy winner last year?
LC:Truly proud of my school. I was a h.s. coach for Samuell h.s. when RG3 was a senior in h.s. We played a playoff game against him and lost bad so my hats off to him and his abilities.
LS: Favorite Summer Olympic Sport?
Track and field but I also love swimming, women's gymnastics and fencing. I learned how to fence in college at Notre Dame.

LS: What is life like for Lincoln Coleman these Days?
LC: I own and operate a non-profit called I AM SOMEBODY. We assist alcoholics and addicts in getting into treatment centers and halfway houses as well as community outreach and job training and life skills. The money we generate provides scholarships to these places and funds what we call Recovery Weekends. We help the members of the recovery community to make sober connections because there is no way possible for us to fight this disease of addiction alone.

Texas Rangers Future Not So Bright

2012-08-01T08:43:00.006-07:00

I know you can't stay hot for the entire brutal 162 game summer season in Major League Baseball. I know baseball is a streaky sport. I know the Rangers are in 1st place and 3 1/2 games up on the Halos. I also know something feels different this season in Arlington and I can't quite put my finger on it yet.

For the past two seasons the Texas Rangers have had caught that old sports cliché lighting in a bottle. This year it seems like they have caught rat poison in a box. If you stop and think about it nothing has gone the Rangers way this season besides Yu and Hambone's hot start. The fact they are still in first is a baseball miracle. Speaking of Josh, this seasons rough start started before the first pitch was even thrown. Do you remember the little "Sherlocks incident"?

For the past two seasons it seemed like the Texas Rangers did everything right when it counted. This year I don't see it. Two years ago we got Cliff Lee and that lead us to a World Series. Last year we got Mike Adams and that lead us to a World Series. I know they went out and got Ryan Dempster yesterday at the trade deadline but I don't think that is going to lead us to a World Series.

It seems like the Dempster move was made just for the sake of making a move. I for one think Dempster is pitching a little over his head right now. Moving from the National League to the American League is not going to help that either. Granted they didn't give up much for him so it was a square deal. I will also say they are a better team with Ryan Dempster on it. I just don't think with or without Dempster this is a World Series team.

Say what you will about Zack Greinke being a head case but,I still take him 10 out of 10 times over Dempster. Where did Greinke wind up? With our division rivals. The Angels have really taking the Yankee approach to baseball. Eventually I think that might payoff for them. Looking at the Angels 5 starters compared to the Rangers 5 is scary moving forward down the home stretch. The way the Rangers have been playing lately is even scarier.

The Rangers have lost two of their five original starters to season ending injuries. They were replaced with a no fastball having Roy Oswalt and Ryan "I can't keep pitching like this" Dempster. I don't think that is going to get the job done in 2012.

Chances are both Josh Hamilton and Napoli are gone at the end of the season too. I'm kind of curious of how that is going over in the locker room too. It's not out of the realm of possibility to think that may be causing some kind of distraction that no one is talking about.

2010 & 2011 were magical seasons here in Texas. They were fun to be a part of even though the Rangers came up short in the end. This season hasn't been fun at all. Matter of fact it's been painful. Even though they are in 1st Place in doesn't feel the same.

Unless Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan have a Roy Hobbs magic bat to waive I am afraid of what the future holds for this team. I am afraid at best the 2012 Texas Rangers are a 1 and done playoff team. I hate to say this fellow Texas Rangers fans but the future is not so bright for our 1st Place Texas Rangers.

Singles Match with Zach Line

2012-07-27T01:57:00.006-07:00

On a random hot July Sunday afternoon in Texas, my buddy Rich and I decided to go crash an apartment complex pool not far from where I live. We had heard they had good water volleyball there. In no time flat we got a little game of 6 on 6 going in the cement pond. Like the normal that usually happens in these situations a young man with superior athletic ability took over the game.

In this case it was a guy our teammates had nicknamed "Tebow". As it turns out no one knew how Tebowish this guy was. "Mr. Tebow" was indeed Zach Line. Yes,SMU running back Zach Line who was named Conference USA's preseason Offensive Player of the Year on Monday.

Lucky for Rich and I, Zach was on our team. However, if some random guy hadn't spoken up and said "Hey did you know that was SMU's Running Back Zach Line?" we would have never known. Luckily that Random guy did speak up, and after dominating the pool volleyball competition Zach also agreed to join me in this week's Single's Match Blog.

Larry Stanley: You are from Oxford, Mich. so does that make you a Lions Fan?
Zach Line :Yes! One of my good friends back home is a die-hard Lions fan. His dad is the VP of communications for the Lions so his son loves them. He kind of molded me into a believer, even when they were 0 and 16.

LS: Who were your favorite players and teams growing up?
ZL:Growing up I barely watched NFL football. I have always been a huge Michigan State fan; my father is an alumni there. My favorite MSU player of all time has got to be TJ Duckett.

LS:What brought you to Texas to come play football?
ZL:I was not heavily recruited out of high school so my buddies dad who works for the Lions sent my film to June Jones. This was when he was in Hawaii, Coach Jones extended an offer very quickly. Later I got a call and he had moved to SMU so I followed.

LS: What do you do when you are not doing football stuff?
ZL:When school is in session and football is not as busy this gives me a chance to catch up on that. I love to golf and hang out with buddies. I do have a girlfriend who I love to spend time with also.

LS:In 2010 your Sophomore year, you rushed for 1,494 yards (11th in the country), which only trails Eric Dickerson for most single-season rushing yards in SMU history. Any Chance you break Eric's record this year?
ZL:I have been watching the offensive line this off-season and they look solid. There should be no reason they can't carry me passed the record.

LS:Just like last year SMU has TCU & Texas A&M on the schedule this year. Which game do you think will be a bigger challenge for the Mustangs?
ZL:TCU. This is our cross-town rival. When we play them anything can happen. The skillet will stay in Dallas, but it will be a good game.

LS: Rumors are flying around that SMU will have an all black uniform in 2012. Is that true and how do you feel about that?
ZL:Last time we wore black we lost. I'm not superstitious, but I'm hoping the same outcome doesn't happen if we wear them again.

LS: There were also some rumors flying around that June Jones was going to leave for AZ in the off-season. How different is this team if June is not the coach?
ZL:Coach Jones has been like a second father. He has trained us to act like men. It would be hard to see him leave and adjust to a new coach. Everything happens for a reason and I'm glad he is here to stay.

LS: What have you accomplished in your college career that you are most proud of?
ZL:I think I am most proud of the relationships I have built with so many guys on the team. I know they have my back and I have theirs.

LS: At the end of the 2012 Football Season SMU will be ?
ZL:Conference Champs. Big Bowl Game.

LS: Let's fast forward to the 2013 NFL Draft. Who calls Zach Line's name and in what round?
ZL:It would be an honor to go anywhere. Preferably the Detroit Lions so my family and friends can come.

Dallas Cowboys 2012 (Insanity)

2012-07-25T08:25:00.005-07:00

My bitterness towards the Jerry Jones' Cowboys is no secret. I have made my opinions very publicly known on this blog and on The Sports Daddys Podcast. Which you can listen to here

http://bigbadsportsdaddy.com/Radio.aspx

Today the Dallas Cowboys report to training camp and it's already started. I'm talking about the false set of goods being sold. The same false set of goods which has been sold to us by that want to be NFL GM/Owner for years now. I should be writing about a new season and a new hope, but I'm not. I'm writing about all the b.s. we are about to hear before the Cowboys kick off their 2012 season.

Are we really supposed to believe this is a Super Bowl Contender? The same story we have heard since 1996. The same story with zero results,mind you. The Mavs,Rangers,Longhorns and Stars have all been to their respective Sports Championship since 96. Yet, the Boys have not.

What have the Cowboys done? One playoff win in 16 years. That's all they've got is one freaking playoff win! The word disappointment doesn't even begin to describe what Cowboys fans are feeling. Matter of fact one playoff win in 16 years is enough to drive Jason Kidd or Bob Uker to drinking.

The most recent example of real disappointment was the 2007 Dallas Cowboys season. This marked the first season for Wade Phillips as head coach. Jason Garrett also joined the team this season as offense coordinator. T.O was here with his quarterback man Tony Romo. The stage was set!

The Cowboys finished the regular season tied for the best record in the NFC (13–3), and earned a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. This was a Super Bowl Team! However what did they do? The Cowboys lost their first playoff game to New York Giants (the eventual Super Bowl champion).

The Cowboys had defeated the G-Men in their two regular-season matchups but,couldn't win this one? This loss extended the Cowboys drought of playoff wins to eleven years and tied the NFL record of 6 straight playoff games lost. Do you like setting records Jerry? How do you like that record?

Fast forward 5 years and it's all the same, only some of the names have changed. Jones,Garrett, & Romo are all talking Super Bowl and high expectations. Jerry is trying to put pressure on this team by saying clichés like "The window is closing" & "The time is now".

I am already getting nauseous thinking about it. Jerry wearing his Dallas Cowboys visor,golf shirt and khaki shorts making the rounds on local sports shows at 10:30pm. He'll say stuff like "If this team plays like it should the Dallas Cowboys will be the NFC Champions". Or he may try "The Dallas Cowboys do what they should they could win The Super Bowl". (barf)

The Cowboys did add some nice pieces (especially on D) in the off-season. Here is some credit giving for the effort but I think most of us know how this will turn out. Does the name Roy Williams ring any bells?

Now on the record for those hardcore fans who still don't get it or refuse to accept reality. I want you to really pay attention to the next sentence closely. As long as Jerry is still running the personal decisions the Dallas Cowboys will never be winners or even serious contenders. You should take a second and let that sink in. Now,accept it and move on.

I hear this every week, sometimes twice a day: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Seems fitting when talking about the 2012 Dallas Cowboys season.

Plugs:

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Singles Match with Brandon Rhyder

2012-07-18T07:20:00.006-07:00

Some times you just feel like driving some back roads and getting away for a while. This week I caught up with a guy who likes to sing about just that. Texas Country Music Artist Brandon Rhyder is my guest in this week's Single Match Blog:

Larry Stanley: Are you a sports guy?
Brandon Rhyder: Totally. Love it all. If you can throw it, kick it, punch it, drive it I'm in.

LS: What teams do you root for?
BR: I root for the cowboys, rangers, mavericks, and stars

LS: Have you ever meet any of your Sports Heroes?
BR:I have met a few but there are so many more I would love to meet.

LS:What kind of music do you listen to?
BR:I love all kinds of music. I can listen to country, rock, big band, Beethoven. U just love good music.

LS: Who are some of your favorite Artist?
Darrell Scott, Lori Mckenna, Walt Wilkins

LS: If you were going to be stuck on a deserted island and could only bring 3 albums with you what would they be?
BR: Darrell Scott - Crooked Road, Don Williams- 30 Classic Tracks, Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii

LS: Favorite place to eat in Texas?
BR:Grady's Spears Line Camp Steak House in Granbury

LS: What's you favorite place to play in Texas?
BR:I love them all.

LS: What do you do when you are not on the road?
BR:Spend time with family

LS: What does the future hold for Mr. Brandon Rhyder?
BR: More records and branching out into national growth.

You can check Brandon Rhyder out on the world-wide web here:
http://www.brandonrhyder.com/home.php

Also DFW you can catch Brandon Rhyder at Hank's in McKinney next Saturday July 28th.

Singles Match with Rink Panther

2012-07-13T09:55:00.004-07:00

According to wikipedia Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. This description does not do Derby Justice at all! Try this one wikipedia: Roller Derby is one of the most exciting,fast-moving,hard-hitting sports in the world. And if you aren't down with that Wiki, I'll send 10 Derby Girls to your house to rough you up (true story)!

Did you know we have a Derby League right here in Dallas? They are the mighty Dallas Derby Devils (true story x2). You'll have your next chance to catch them in action Saturday at 7pm. Bring the family out or your beer drinking buddies. Trust me everyone leaves entertained!

Here's the address.

NYTEX Sports Centre
8851 Ice House Dr
North Richland Hills

In this week's Singles Match I caught up with Rink Panther of the Dallas Derby Devils. Rink is a 7 year vet and a member of the Dallas Derby Devils All Star Travel Team.

Larry Stanley: Why did you get into Roller Derby?
Rink Panther: As a junior speedskater in Tucson, AZ Roller Derby became a childhood dream. I watched it on TV when the shows were choreographed. Skating has always been a part of my family as an adult. In late 2005 my husband told me about DDD tryouts and the rest is history.

LS: If you didn't play Roller Derby what sport would you play?
RP:Had you asked me seven years ago I would have said Basketball or Soccer. However, after being in Roller Derby I have gained interest in other contact sports such as Women's Football, Rugbee & Hockey. I am not sure which of those three I would try first ;-)

LS: Do you watch other Sports at all?
RP: I am a huge Football fan. I do watch Basketball as well however, I'd prefer Basketball in person over the Big Screen.

LS:Who are your favorite Teams?
RP:I grew up in a house of 49'er & Cowboy fans. Miami was my team at that time. I still follow them however, have become a Cowboy supporter since moving to Dallas.
"No one in my family knows this though ;-)"

LS:Who are your favorite Derby Girls?
RP:I don't have any! I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the travel team since the beginning of my derby career. I have seen a lot of allstar skaters that have already been established & those that have worked from entry level to team USA. At the end of the day you can be one bad mo flo on the floor as an individual however, it's the teamwork that makes it happen. I enjoy watching "teams" come together more than I do watching a single person.

LS: What's an experience with the Dallas Derby Devils that you'll never forget?

RP:This is very hard because I have many experiences with this league that I will hold close to my heart forever. However, the one that stands out at this time is when I lost my husband in October of 2011. My DDD sisters came together to be here for me and my children. While those initial times were very difficult I would have struggled something terrible had I not had the support from these women. The best experience for me to date has to be knowing that I can rely on friends. This is very important to someone who has no immediate family to lean on.

LS: There are 90+ Women involved with DDD. Does it get catty at times and is it tough to deal with that many women?
RP: Have you ever been anywhere that has this many women in one place???? Yes, at times it can be difficult. However, I wouldn't have it any other way. Along with the unpleasant we get a lot of greatness. We have women of all backgrounds, ages, sizes, shapes, goals etc. When you incorporate that much difference you get great brainstorming, creativity, league/sport evolution, team & individual support. If everyone was exactly the same we would make for a pretty boring group of gals.

LS: Have you ever went fist city with a another girl on the track?
RP:Unfortunately, yes. AND I got into a lot of trouble over it.
Two years ago in another state I was physically attacked by an opposing skater. In self defense I struck back.This is not a typical situation and is strongly discouraged at any level in derby. I don't know that I would have done anything different if given the choice....."except for maybe holding my helmet in my hands instead of throwing it!"

LS:What's something people don't know about Derby?
RP:Derby is a lifestyle change. It's not just a sport. Many women get into derby and it becomes a way of life for them. We put a great deal into our passion, business and the sport. For many it can literally be a second or third full time job. Example: Leaders, Committee's, Skaters can spend up to 30 - 40 hours minimum working on promotions, media, training, production, finance, sponsorships, fundraising, events, tournament preparation, attendance, tryouts etc. We participate in derby because it becomes a passion and impacts our lives in a way that is priceless!

LS: You skate on the Travel Team, can you explain what that means?
RP:The Travel Team is National representation of our league. The team consists of 20 skaters. These 20 skaters also skate on Home Season teams however, we are split up on Home Season.These skaters have been at one time or another been given the opportunity to skate for the travel team via tryouts or another promotion method. The skaters on the Travel Team are trained to become top athletes in our sport.
We compete Nationally against other teams that are part of the Women's Flat Track Association (WFTDA). We have an opportunity ever year to make it to Regional and National level tournaments. We do not get paid for our participation and the competition can be pretty stiff. All Travel Team skaters are held to higher standards and are expected to lead in their training, teamming, unity and attitudes by example.

LS: At the end of the season who is holding up the 2012 DDD Championship Trophy?
RP: I was expecting this question ;-)At the end of the season the 2012 DDD Championship Trophy will be held by the team that plays better together as a unit.
This season has been a great example of how teams can fall apart even with the most talented of skaters.
Strategy of course is a huge part of any sport. If a team cannot work the strategy together "or" the coaches don't call the correct shots then anything can happen.
Sorry Larry.....I know you want an answer but I am going to have to plead the 5th on this one!

If this Happens

2012-07-11T10:52:00.007-07:00

There is no doubt that the Major League All Star Break is the slowest time of the year for the sports world. This year for Texas Rangers fans it as been anything but dull. It's not because 7 Texas Rangers played in that lame circus type thing MLB calls the All Star game either. That Baseball Trade Rumor Mill is heating up and that's why Texas Ranger fans baseball pants are going crazy!

Two days ago the news broke that our Texas Rangers are the favorite to land Cole Hamels from the Phillies (if he gets dealt). Speculation is Philly is wanting to build the deal around Rangers 3rd base prospect Mike Olt.

Mike Olt is a very nice prospect. MLB.com ranked Olt as the third-best prospect in the Texas system, 34th-best prospect overall in Major League Baseball and the fourth-best prospect at third base at the beginning of the season. Sure Mike Olt maybe the next Adrian Gonzalez, but then again he could be the next Monty Fariss too. For the Rangers the Hamels deal is the perfect solution.

Let me be the first to say, if this happens the Texas Rangers will win the World Series. No if,ands, or one strike aways. If this trade goes through the Texas Rangers will win the World Series!

Now let that sink in for a second. The past two years the Rangers have been the slight favorite going into the fall classic and we all know how that turned out both times. This year it would be different.

There isn't a team in baseball that could match the Rangers rotation with Hamels in it. Right now there isn't a team in baseball that can match the Rangers power either. If this Hamels deal happens they lose nothing immediately and gain everything.

Who is to say the Texas Rangers will be in this position again anytime
soon either? Josh & Nap's contracts are both up at the end of the
year, and Young isn't a spring chicken. To steal a line from the Mavericks "The Time is Now".

I know Andre from the Sports Daddys (which should be coming back to bbsd soon) is going to hate this blog. He never wants to give up young talent for established stars. He wants the Rangers to be the 90's Braves. I just want the Rangers to win a World Series ring! If the Cole Hamels trade happens I will get my wish.

Plugs

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Singles Match with MPX's WASP

2012-06-29T06:14:00.008-07:00

Let me introduce to you to a new weekly feature on my Big Bad Blog called The Singles Match. The Single Match blog is something new I have decided to do once a week. Every week I am going to meet up with a person of interest in the DFW area and blog about them. Some of the people will be Sports Figures and some will just be people who I think are kick ass and deserve to be blogged about.

This week I caught up with MPX Wrestling WASP before this weekend's MPX King of The Beach.

King of the Beach is Saturday Night @ Metroflex Gym MidCities in Bedford. You can find all the detalis on King of the Beach at http://www.metroplexwrestling.com/. Not to mention for you wrestling geeks & autograph seekers former WWE & TNA Superstar Brain Kendrick will be in action at King of the Beach.

Singles Match with MPX's WASP

LS: Why did you get into Wrestling?
WASP:I wanted to do something athletic, I've never really been much for sports but I have always loved wrestling, I saw some indy shows and really believed that I could do it. I believed I had the drive and determination to become a wrestler and I did.

LS: Which Wrestlers did you look up to growing up?
WASP: I was a huge fan of the gimmick age of wrestling, Doink, Duke the Dumpster Droese. But as far as looking up to, Shawn Michaels for his charisma and skill and the big men, like Bam Bam Bigelow and Vader, guys who didn't fit the "bodybuilder" mold but were still able to do what they love.

LS: Who did you learn the most from watching?
WASP: Everyone, everyone has something to teach, even those who people consider "bad" can teach you what not to do. It is an art form, there is no right or wrong way, you take everything you see and you learn and you create a style that works for you.

LS: How did your family and friends react to you when you told them you were going to become a wrestler?
WASP: Surprised, but not too surprised. They knew I had always loved wrestling, but I don't think they ever thought I would actually do it.

LS: What is the difference between the Indy circut and the guys you see on TV?
WASP: Budget... if the Indies had budgets like TV you would see a whole lot of different things than what you do. Indies generally have really good ideas but lack execution or the funds to create that execution. Talent and drive is very similar... also body styles, not everyone on the indies is cut and looks like a body builder, which I don't think is a bad thing.

LS: What made you come to MPX?
WASP:The atmosphere and the management.

LS: Who imperess you the most in MPX and why?
WASP: Gregory James, he is not what you think of when you think professional wrestler, but his drive, determination, creativity and skill are unmatched in any company I have seen or worked for.

LS: What makes MPX Stand out from other Indy Wrestling Organzations?
WASP: They care, they've lasted and they put thought into what they are doing.

LS: If you could face one wrestler (dead or alive) in a dream match who would you wrestle?
WASP: Easy, Bam Bam Bigelow, hands down.

LS: Do you watch WWE or TNA? If so what do you think?
WASP: I have watched WWE and TNA for years... it's harder now due to a lack of cable TV in our house (personal choice) but I catch it when I can. As always there are good things and bad things about any product. I wish focus was elsewhere at times but they make the big bucks, they obviously know what they are doing.

LS: What do you see in the future for MPX?
WASP: Growth and more opportunity, every show MPX gets bigger and better, eventually the Metroflex Gym won't be able to contain all of the fans who come out and see us.

LS: What are your predictions for this weekend's MPX King of the Beach?
WASP: Pay Day is my tag partner, so despite Kenny's skill, I have to say Pay Day is going to retain the Prospect Championship. Obviously I believe I am going to DESTROY Carrion Arcane, I don't put challenges out very often but when I do, I plan on making the most of it. I have been virtually winless in MPX in 2012, and I aim to change that. Brian Kendrick versus Gregory James, everyone wins, the fans especially, it will be a GREAT match. And Frankie Fisher loses his title to Jerome, no doubt.

PLUGS
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If you know someone who you would like to see in a future Singles Match email me larry@bigbadsportsdaddy.com

Larry's Blog: Why 4? College Football Playoffs.

2012-06-27T12:55:00.001-07:00

Larry's Blog: Why 4? College Football Playoffs.: At 5 p.m CST on Tuesday, the powers that be of the college football world stood together at a press conference and I have a hot take on the out come!

Why 4? College Football Playoffs.

2012-06-27T11:16:00.004-07:00

At 5 p.m CST on Tuesday, the powers that be of the college football world stood together at a press conference to officially announce the creation of a new system featuring a four-team seeded playoff, which will go into effect beginning in the 2014-15 season. The new playoff contract is set to last 12 years.

Is it better than the BCS?
Yes it is!

Is it a quick fix?
Yes it is!

Is it a permanent solution to a lifetime epidemic that has plagued college football fans since the beginning of time?
No it isn't!

I have two problems with the new system. The first is; only four teams make the playoffs. Baseball figured out this was garbage a long time ago.

The second is why a selection committee? The committee opens up all kinds of bribes and conspiracy theories that we will hear about all over ESPN as this thing plays out. The cold hard truth is College Football and corruption go hand in hand.

As my daddy always told me when I was young "Son, life isn't about problems, but about the solutions". In this case there happens to be an easy solutions.

Are you listening NCAA? Here is your solution for free!

All you have to do is raise the number of playoff teams to 8 and combine the selection committee with something else. For example have a selection committee,Some computer generated Power Rankings(like the BCS) and the AP Poll all count. Take all those polls and create a formula. Then you could shake it up and have a true college football national champion come out! Think about it for a second, A true COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPION!

If you are #5 in the country you can probably make a convincing case to be in the top 4. If you are #9 then I don't want to hear it. If you were good enough to be there you should have been in the top 8 with no questions asked.

So what caused the NCAA to get off their collective arses and do something about the College Football National Champions this year? I mean the general public,Local NBA owners named Cuban,Politicians,the media and a BigBadSportsDaddy.com blogger named Larry have bitched for years about how things have been ran in the NCAA Football World. So what changed this year?

I think when two S.E.C. teams made the BCS Championship game 6 months ago the other conference stood up and said "Wait a freaking minute!". All of sudden the Big-10,Pac-10,and Big-12 said this isn't fair! Let's do something about it. When that many powers stand up and start moaning people should listen. IN this case they did.

In two years we will get our "precious" college football playoff we have been craving. This will last for 12 years. Through conference reallingmenst and the building of Super Conferences we will have this system. I just hope in 14 years around 2027 the NCAA actually gets it right!

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Larry's Blog: Who is Justin Grimm?

2012-06-15T05:37:00.001-07:00

Larry's Blog: Who is Justin Grimm?: Due to injuries on Saturday the Texas Rangers will wheel out a young pitcher by the name of Justin Grimm to take on the Houston Astros in...

Who is Justin Grimm?

2012-06-15T04:15:00.006-07:00

Due to injuries on Saturday the Texas Rangers will wheel out a young pitcher by the name of Justin Grimm to take on the Houston Astros in the "prestigious" Silver Boot Series. Who is this Justin Grimm?

Justin Grimm is 23 years old.

Justin Grimm has been pitching for the Frisco Roughriders the Texas Rangers AA affiliate this season.

Justin Grimm is 8-3 with a 1.87 ERA in 13 starts. Justin Grimm has 67 strikeouts against only 14 walks, and opponents are batting .228 against him.

Justin Grimm was a fifth-round draft pick in 2010 out of the University of Georgia.

Justin Grimm was 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 25 starts split between Class A Hickory and
Myrtle Beach in 2011.

Here are some Justin Grimm Facts

The movie "8 Men Out" is actually based on Justin Grimm's first 7 batters he faced in AA Frisco. The 8th man dropped his bat in the on-deck circle and went back to the dugout. This was the first intentional out in AA History.

Justin Grimm has 99 problems but a pitch ain't one

Chuck Norris jokes are based on Justin Grimm's reality

Justin Grimm once throw a pitch so perfectly it counted as two strikes.

Justin Grimm is Scott Boras agent.

The Rangers general manager Jon Daniels had this to say Thursday "We're going to put our best guys out there if they're ready to help us win. We feel Justin
is. We're trying to win ballgames. We wouldn't call up Justin if we
didn't think he could help us."

Go Kill Em Justin & GO Rangers!

it's @bigbadlarry on twitter or larry@bigbadsportsdaddy.com

Make sure you check out my Podcast on BigBadSportsDaddy.com on Mondays & Fridays.

Belmont Updated (I'll Have Another Scratch)

2012-06-08T09:20:00.007-07:00

For the 2nd time in 24 Hours I am blogging about the Belmont Stakes. This is because America got the stunning announcement this morning that I'll Have Another has been scratched due to a tendon issue. He may never run again. As much as I want to yell conspiracy Theory I'll save that for another Blog.

This has to be one of the biggest scratches in the history of the sport. With this scratch it changes the race completely. You can take what I blogged about 24 hours ago and toss it.

While I am at it Yes, Mike Quaglietta I do consider Jockeys as well when I am doing my research. You can find really good info on the jockeys elsewhere on the net. My blog yesterday was long enough I wanted to get to the meat. Do you dig? Thanks for the comment though! Keep reading!

So without I'll Have Another breaking on the outside I think the horses and the jockeys on the inside can hold back. As I stated yesterday look for Unstoppable U & Union Rags to set the pace early. Even with a good jockey like Johnny Velazquez I don't think this is Rags race. These two will fade down the stretch.

Down the stretch look for Dallhan to pull away and break. He should Charge like I'll Have Another was running besides him. He'll win by at least two links.

Bob Baffert's horse Paynter should also be up front early. The diffrence between him & Rags is he'll have enough late to hold off all but Dullhan. Baffert will have horses place and in all 3 Triple Crown Races this year. That's something!

My Show Pick doesn't change. For some reason I have a gut feeling about Guyana Star Dweej. I know he's over matched and yada,yada,yada. He's the long shot that will nail that show.

If you want to bet the Super I'll put another out there. I think Union Rags will stay in the top 4 most of the race and finish 4th when it's all said and done.

Belmont Picks are
Win #5 Dullhan
Place #9 Paynter
Show #8 Guyana Star Dweej
#3 Union Rags.

5-9-8-3

Happy Betting & Good Luck

The Belmont Stakes

2012-06-07T08:10:00.007-07:00

On Saturday for the first time in my life I could see a Triple Crown Winner in the Sport of Kings. I'll Have Another makes a dash for immortality on Saturday as he attempts to go down in the history books with great thoroughbreds like Seattle Slew,Secretariat, and Affirmed. If I'll Have Another comes up short by even one link he will be linked infamously with War Emblem, Funny Cide, Smarty Jones, The Buffalo Bills and Your 1st Place Texas Rangers.

My love affair with Horse Racing begun in 2001 as a 22-year-old kid. My old roommate Shawn and I went out to Lone Star Park to drink and "celebrate our birthdays" (not gay they are two days apart). On that night I knew jack-squat about horse racing but none the less I walked away ahead $750 at the end of the night. My roommate was almost as lucky as he came home with a cool $500. We both hit two trifectas out of dumb luck or something like it.

I was so green I didn't even box one of my tris. I walked up and cashed it in and the cashier said "You didn't even box it". To which my response was "What's a box?".

After that night I became an instant expert. I spit out some bs and acted like I knew what I was talking about. After many hours at the track somewhere along the way I meet true Horse Gamblers like my Dad's buddy Johnny,my Grandfather and my buddy Duck. They taught me a little here and there on our trips out to the track. So I added some knowledge to my bs which made me dangerous.

Fast Forward 11 years in the future. Two weeks before the derby I call my buddy and old roommate Shawn and tell him I'll Have Another is going to win the Kentucky Derby.

Then on May 2,2012 I'm sitting in my corporate office talking racing with another true horse gambler my co-worker Jason. Jason was a little older than I was (mid 50s) and always wore his long gray hair in a pony tail. He looked like the type of guy you would see at the track at noon on an average Wednesday. He and I constantly had conversations about the ponies and talked racing.

This day we were sitting around waiting for the Kentucky Derby Post Draw instead of working. I kept on talking about I'll Have Another being the best Horse in the Derby. You can call Jason or Jen (another co-worker that was listen to Jason and talk Derby) at the office @ 1-866-870-6992 and ask them if you don't believe me. You'll have to catch Jason before noon because I think he cuts out and goes to the track most days after that.

Back to that day we were talking Derby and I was placing my bets and I had I'll Have Another,Creative,Cause and Bodemister tagged as the money. Then the draw happen and I'll Have Another drew Post Position #19. No Horse in the 138 year history of the Kentucky Derby has ever won from the 19 position. Rule #1 in gambling never bet against a streak. I being a pretty smart gambler yanked I'll Have Another from all of my bets except one tri.

On that Saturday in May I was watching the Derby eating Larry's Kick Ass Meatballs with my mom then I'll Have Another hit his stride. You should have heard the explicit string of profanity I put together once he won! I would never talk like that in front of my mother unless Horse Racing or football was involved. She screamed LARRY DEAN and practically choked on her meatballs.

I wasn't mad at I'll Have Another. I was mad at myself for not trusting my gut. When the Preakness rolled around I made one bet. You know what? That bet was the winning Tri and it only paid pennies. I stuck to my gut and it was right.

This week I have studied and studied the horses at the Belmont and I think there are only 3 that have a realistic possibility to win. They are #3 Union Rags (who also was a Derby Favorite), #5 Dullahan (Showed in Kentucky Derby) and of course on the outside #11 I'll Have Another.

After all my number crunching,stat studying and research this week I have come to this conclusion; On Saturday June 9th 2012 for the first time in 34 years we will have a Triple Crown Winner! Circle your freaking Calenders!

The problem for the #5 and #3 is the #2 horse Unstoppable U. The #2 is a sprinter that has only ran short distances before. He has won both of his prior starts. If the #5 Dullahan and the #3 Union Rags try to keep the pace with Unstoppable U they are going to get swallowed up in the end as the #2 will. This leaves the door wide open for the #11 I'll Have Another to run his race and close from the outside.

Here are my picks for The 2012 Belmont Stakes.

Win-#11 I'll Have Another
Place- #9 Paynter
Show- #8 Guyana Star Dweej

That's Right I have a 50-1 to Show! Bet Him.

Enjoy The Belmont Stakes. Let me hear your winners! larry@bigbadsportsdaddy.com

Plugs
Relaunching My Podcast on BigBadSportsDaddy.com on Monday. Check out the new crew!
You can follow me on twitter @bigbadlarry

Fantasy Etiquette

2012-06-01T12:01:00.004-07:00

I've spent way to much of my time on this planet focusing on fantasy sports. I played in my first football & baseball leagues back in 1999 and have been going ever since. Call me a dork,geek or nerd if you will but I love Fantasy Sports!

Now over the years I have become commissioner of our keeper fantasy baseball league. This league is known as the Big South and goes back to 2002. In the Big South we play for a little cash (just to keep it interesting) money. The Big South isn't for the little wussy players either! It is winner take all. One Winner,One Champion,One person getting all the cabbage at the end of the season! When the league is over I make it my top priority to get the winner paid ASAP,as any good comish should do. To me this is good Fantasy Etiquette.

Now let me take you over to our Fantasy Football League. This too is a keeper league and very complicated. Two divisions of 10 teams each. This league dates back to 2003. Like the Big South we throw a little bread on the table to make that adrenaline rush a little bit better on those Sundays in the fall.

Our commissioner Rodney has been the comish since the league's inception. Overall I would say he has done a good job,well until this year that is. In Rodney's RT Sports football league if your money isn't in by week 3 your roster gets locked. It's pretty strict but, I don't have a problem with it.

As time marched on over the past few years we have had owners come & go. As we have had open teams that need to be filled I often recommend my friends. I'll talk the league up and tell my friends how great the league is. One of my recruit's happened to be John Conner.

You may know John from our ShowStoppers Podcast here on BigBadSportsDaddy.com. They tell me he is a blogger too but I haven't seen anything from him in a year or so! Who knows? Anyway I digress.

Now in 2011 my hat is off to John Conner. He won his division and went all the way through the playoffs and made the Fantasy Super Bowl! In only his second year that is pretty impressive. There are people who have been in the league since 2002 and only made the playoffs a couple of times. Unfortunately for John he came up short and only got 2nd place. Unlike the Big South 2nd place is supposed to get paid in RTSports. However here it is June and John still hasn't got paid. WTF?

To my knowledge no one has ever had problems getting their cash from Rodney before. Why would we think this year was going to be any different. Oh and Rodney has went all David Copperfield on us and disappeared.

No returned emails,no returned calls,no returned text, or facebook messages. He has flat-out vanished with the cash!For all we know he has joined the witness protection program. No matter what happen to me this is horrible piss poor Fantasy Etiquette! Unbelivable! How can you do that to guys you have played with for years? Rodney didn't even give us a F-U I'm done type of thing. Just disappeared like Kaiser Soze.

Having played Fantasy Football and Baseball with Rodney for years I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but how can I? It's June! The League was over in December? Where is John's Money?

The Winner of RTSports Shawn got paid in February. A little slow but I guess acceptable. At least he got his money.

Now John and the rest of us in the league are left out in the cold wondering what the hell is going on? Is this 10-year-old league done? Who wants to play in a league where you don't get paid? I sure as hell don't!

Rodney we are getting tired of you ducking us! What you got money for fake moustaches but can't pay John?

Fantasy Players take note and DON'T BE A RODNEY!

email larry@bigbadsportsdaddy.com
Twitter @bigbadlarry

Texas Rangers Spring Training

2012-03-21T05:08:00.008-07:00

We are just over two weeks out from the start of our Texas Rangers 2012 season. What an eventful Spring!

First we can thank Yu Darvish for turning Surprise,AZ into Little Tokyo. That is a great thing for the Texas Rangers! All the extra international publicity can only help generate extra Yen Revenue. That Yen cabbage will help J.D. & Nolan ink some of the top free agents next year. Do you know who the top free agents are going to be next year? Guys like Mike Napoli & Josh Hamilton.

Speaking of Josh and Mike that brought us to an interesting debate on the Sports Daddys Podcast heard right here on BigBadSportsDaddy.com (shameless plug). If you can only keep one either Josh Hamilton or Mike Napoli which one do you resign? Hit me with your Hot Sports Opinions! Contact info below.

Nap-Nap-Winner also made another Spring Training headline. This one was involving the Texas Rangers former Ace. Mr. I can't pitch in the post season but it's not my fault like my team should have totally scored more runs. I am C.J. Wilson and you're not, so suck it.

Nap said he can't wait to hit home runs off CJ. What did CJ do as a prank? Gave out Nap's phone # on twitter. HAHAHAHAHa Real freaking funny D-Bag!CJ Wilson crossed a line and invaded Nap's privacy for no reason other than he is a little Bitch and he could! If CJ had Napoli's cell phone number and had a problem with him why not just call? Oh yeah because that is what a man would do.

I don't blame Nelly Cruz for the Rangers losing the World Series last year. I blame CJ. I would bet the truth be told no one in that locker room liked him. He was lucky they are a good group of guys and wouldn't let that get out and cause a distraction.

Then the Rangers offer him a low ball contract with no intention on resigning him. That should tell you something else about the guy. CJ have fun in LaLa Land because you are about to get a Halo Ennama courtesy of the Mike Napoli & the Texas Rangers.

Now the other thing we have learned out of Spring is Holland and Harrison are ready to be big time pitchers. I don't think I have ever seen a Rangers team so deep in pitching. There are 7 legitimate starters on this team. I am a little concerned about Neftali taking that leap from closer to starter but in Jon & Wash I trust.

There is one question about the pitching I keep asking myself over and over though. That is does Colby Lewis deserves a spot in this rotation? Yes he his an October Hero when the post season comes around. However during the season he is not much better than meh. With Ogando & Feldy in the pen it maybe a good time to start shopping Mr.Lewis. The deal Holland just got let's you know he is the future. Colby Lewis is expendable and could probably get you a nice piece in return. If I were the Rangers I deal Colby before the season starts and go with my Young Guns. I know I really like Colby too but you have to do what is best for the team.

Overall the 2012 Texas Rangers' outlook is good! So good in fact I am picking them to go back to and win, that's right WIN the 2012 World Series! If for no other reason they will do it just to spite CJ I wish I were a Valley Girl Wilson.

I am ready for some games that count! I can't wait to smell the fresh-cut grass and hot dogs grilling at the old ball game. Be very,very loud! It's Baseball Season.
Let's Go Rangers!

Email: larry@bigbadsportsdaddy.com
Twitter: @bigbadlarry
Facebook:
Phone # Ask CJ Wilson for it

Larry's Blog: Where is Peyton Manning Going?

2012-03-08T13:09:00.001-08:00

Larry's Blog: Where is Peyton Manning Going?: Oh yeah I have a blog. Sorry I have neglected this blog for a while but I have been tied up with life & stuff. I'm sure you can understand t...