The Longest Inch

The Longest Inch, Episode #32

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:26:00 +0000

MLB Week 4, Ryan Howard's new $125 million contract, Mike Pelfrey, Javier Vazquez, and much more.

The Longest Inch, Episode #31

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:18:00 +0000

Better late than never...

Best Ever

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:20:00 +0000

The Longest Inch, Episode #30

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 04:33:00 +0000

In Episode 30 we discuss week 2 of the MLB season, the Chicago Bulls' push to try to make the playoffs, top fantasy performers of the past 5 years, and much more. Give it a listen!

The Longest Inch, Episode #29

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 01:25:00 +0000

In episode 29 (kinda late as well) we review MLB opening day and make some bold predictions for who will win the big 3 awards in the NL and AL.

The Longest Inch, Episode #28

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:48:00 +0000

Better late than never... Episode 28 features MLB playoff predictions, fantasy baseball breakdown, more March Madness, and a discussion about regulation in NCAA football.

MUSE Live at The United Center

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:05:00 +0000

On March 12, 2010 I saw MUSE perform live at The United Center on their Resistance tour. Here are some samples. Sweeeeeet.

Here's the intro leading into "Uprising":

One of my personal faves, "Map of the Problematique":

Sweeeeeet.

The Longest Inch, Episode #27

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:21:00 +0000

In Episode 27 we preview the MLB East Division and muse about March Madness bracket perfection and Tim Tebow criticism by a current Florida player.

Mike's Predictions:

AL East

1. Yankees

2. Rays (AL Wild Card)

3. Red Sox

4. Orioles

5. Blue Jays

NL East

1. Phillies

2. Braves

3. Marlins

4. Mets

5. Nationals

The Longest Inch, Episode #26

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:24:00 +0000

In episode 26 we preview the MLB West Division and celebrate Skyler's 25th trip around the sun.

Mike's Predictions:

AL West

1. Angels

2. Mariners

3. Rangers

4. A's

NL West

1. Rockies

2. Dodgers

3. Diamondbacks

4. Giants

5. Padres

The Longest Inch, Episode #25

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:04:00 +0000

In episode 25 we begin our MLB preview with a breakdown of the Central Division.

Mike's Predictions:
NL Central
1. Cardinals
2. Brewers
3. Cubs
4. Reds
5. Pirates

AL Central
1. Tigers
2. Twins
3. White Sox
4. Royals
5. Indians

The National - "Terrible Love"

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Last night The National performed "Terrible Love" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. It's the first track off their upcoming album High Violet, which is scheduled for release on May 11, 2010.

I'm posting it because, like all National songs, it is pure awesome. Enjoy!

The Longest Inch, Episode #24

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:49:00 +0000

A Friday morning drive edition of The Longest Inch features some more baseball discussion including Verlander's $80 million signing in Detroit, Hudson's deal with the Twins, and Marmol's one year contract with the Cubs. We wrap up the 2010 NCAA Top 25 with #1-5 and then delve into the glory that is National Signing Day and break down some Top 25 recruiting. Given that the Superbowl looms just 2 short days away, Stump the Skyler features a trio of NFL trivia questions. And finally, Sklyer and I tell some chumps to be serious.

This week's trivia questions (for those who want to test their knowledge, but don't want to listen to the greatest podcast ever):

Name the 3 players that hold the NFL record for:
   A. The most seasons played.
   B. The most interceptions in one season.
   C. Leading the NFL in touchdowns scored the most times.

Bonus: How many seasons, interceptions, and seasons leading the league did each player have?

*The answers will be posted with Episode #25 of The Longest Inch.

Be Serious

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:14:00 +0000

Here's a little preview of one of the topics discussed on this week's episode of The Longest Inch. If you haven't already, you can subscribe by going to the iTunes store and searching for "the longest inch." Then just click on the "SUBSCRIBE FREE" button for The Longest Inch podcast.

On Thursday, February 5th, ESPN.com reported that 13-year-old David Sills of Bear, Delaware verbally committed to play for Lane Kiffin and USC. He is 6 feet tall, throws a football pretty well, breaks down NFL footage, and has his own youtube video, (absolutely horrendous soundtrack included).

Let me be clear about this: I am in no way trying to diminish this kid's skills, in fact my overarching point really isn't about David Sills at all. It's about the athletic society we have developed. There is a line that needs to be drawn somewhere and for reason I say, "Be Serious" to the athletic community and society as a whole (ok, it's a stretch, but go with it).

This is part of what has been driving me away from watching and following basketball for a few years, and now it's slowly but surely spreading to football. Just like it will inevitably spread to every other sport, if it hasn't already. I guess my main probleb with it is just that it's plain, flat-out, exhausting. It's too much. Let me be the first to officially say, "Uncle."

Does anyone remember when you watched a "kid" play in college and thought, "Wow, who is that?! He is pretty damn good!" Remember that shock in awe before the 24 hour news cycle and youtube and ESPN when you felt like you actually discovered someone or something before everyone else on the planet?

Remember when you could just watch a NBA game and it didn't have to be all about the wunderkind who skipped out of school after being there almost 7 whole minutes and taking 2 cooking classes who can barely read his own name? You know what I'm talking about. The kid who can't even legally drink yet who's now being touted as "the NEXT big thing" who's going to revolutionize the entire sport and life as we know it and go on to be the G.O.A.T. because he's been training every waking moment of every single day since he was conceived to do just that.

I'm just tired of it. I'm sick and tired of the whole process.

I DON'T CARE. I don't care about this 13-year-old who's tall and can throw a football far with a nice spiral. I don't care about the 11-year-old who can make no-look passes and jump out of the gym. Can we please just go back to playing a game and competing and just letting the chips fall however they may?

No, we can't. We can't because there's just too much on the line now. There's too much at stake. There are just too many millions upon hundreds of millions of dollars to be made and too many advertisements to be in and too many youtube hits to be gotten and too many magazine covers to be on and too much fame to be had and too many and too many and too many. Blah blah blah blah blah blah I don't care.

I want sports to be like they used to be. When someone played because he loved playing and it made him feel good and he liked competing. And maybe, just maybe if he was lucky enough he might have even gotten payed to play the game he loved. Maybe even as much as the guy working in the car factory (if only those still existed), or the accountant or the teacher. And you know what? That was fine. That was more than fine... because he was playing A GAME. He was getting paid a living wage to play a game (do I sound like Allen Iverson yet? Just insert game for practice.) How much luckier could one get?!?

And please, whatever you do don't say, "Lucky enough to get 1 million views on youtube," cause I'm still striving for that.

The Longest Inch, Episode #23

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:15:00 +0000

The MJ episode features some random MLB talk, the continuation of the 2010 NCAA Top 25 (#10-6), and Andre Dawson debate.

What do peacocks dream of....When they take a little peacock snooze

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:00:00 +0000

You've gotta hand it to Conan. The end of his show has produced some hilarious television.

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

The Longest Inch, Episode #22

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:27:00 +0000

Episode #22 allows Skyler and me to muse on many random sports topics such as Cubs backup infielders, nepotism in college football (Ahem--Dooley!), the Australian Open, blackjack exploits at the Horseshoe Casino and the NFL playoffs. Skyler continues his 2010 College Football Top 25 with #15-11 and gets back on track in the "Stump the Skyler" segment. Get after it: Ready BOOOOP.

The Longest Inch, Episode #21

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:37:00 +0000

Episode Blackjack (#21) showcases MLB news including but not limited to Jose Contreras, Ben Sheets, Josh Johnson and Albert Pujols, continued college football coaching turmoil, and numbers 20 - 16 of Skyler's 2010 NCAA Top 25. And by the way, Be Serious Gilbert Arenas.

Overall Bowl Prediction Recap (Me: 19 - 12; Sky: 19 - 12)

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:30:00 +0000

That's right sports fans.... a tie! Team Mikechop mounted a comeback to end all comebacks and managed to tie it all up at 19 - 12 thanks in large part to Bama and a Colt McCoy-less Texas. Good talk, see you out there.

The Longest Inch, Episode #20

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Episode 20 features a recap of the end of the college football bowl season and some MLB talk including the Hawk's induction to the Hall of Fame, Holliday's $120 million deal with the Cards, and a preview of the NL Central (See: Mike hates on the Cubs). We also take a very early look at next season's top 25, with Skyler breaking down who's returning, who's leaving, and along the way we tell some coaches to Be Serious.

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:33:00 +0000

I miss the days when The George Michael Sports Machine was a futuristic way to watch sports highlights and bloopers...

Abusing Players -- SO Hot Right Now!

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:33:00 +0000

If a smack-down of the Northern Illinois Huskies in the International Bowl can't save your job, then I don't know what can.

University of South Florida head coach Jim Leavitt has been fired for allegedly striking a player during a game this season, according to two reports.

AOL Fanhouse and ESPN.com are reporting Friday morning that Leavitt has been fired by the university after an investigation into his conduct of Special Teams player Joel Miller during the Bulls' November game against Louisville.

This now marks the third coach since the end of the college football regular season to be canned for abusing a player. Congratulations Leavitt, you have now joined the esteemed ranks of Mark Mangino and Mike Leach!

Leno Back To Late Night? (UPDATE!)

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:49:00 +0000

Thursday: 3:39 PM:
According to TMZ.com, following the conclusion of the Winter Olympics in March Jay Leno is going back to his 11:30 PM time slot. At this point it is still unclear if Jay will continue with a 30 minute show and Conan will come on after, or if Jay will go back to his hour-long format and NBC will say goodbye to Conan.

UPDATE:
Friday, 11:00 AM:

The rumors continue to swirl this morning as the future of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien appears in definite jeopardy. Amid the chaos, NBC issued two statements Thursday. First, expressing support for Leno and then unofficially indicating The Jay Leno Show had not been canceled.

For now it appears NBC has given O'Brien an ultimatum: Move to the midnight slot or get out. Although O'Brien's current contract could allow NBC to block him from moving to another network for 2 years, TMZ is reporting that they will let him go if he gets another offer and give Leno a full hour.

After originally touted as a bold, cost-cutting, and industry-changing move back in December of '08, Jay Leno's move to prime-time only survived a little over a year. NBC CEO Jeff Zucker's strategy behind the reasoning of the original move was to save the company upwards of $200 million in programming costs while still managing to keep the network's No. 1-ranked late-night talk-show host Leno away from competing networks. However, this plan only works if your No. 1-ranked host continues to garner No. 1 ratings.

According to The Wrap, at the heart of the issue are NBC executives' concerns that local affiliates will start bailing on The Jay Leno Show if the line-up remains as-is. Since local sweeps periods are still used to set ad-rates (and we all know that programming is just what occupies the time between the ads), with Leno negatively impacting local news ratings affiliates are already under intense financial strain to make a change.

As the search for new 10 PM programming continues, NBC will most likely use Dateline, USA dramas, and unaired reality shows as temporary replacements.

One potential problem for NBC: O'Brien's contract includes a $40 to $45 million penalty fee if the network forces him out of The Tonight Show. A possible resolution to this problem could be that Conan keeps the title of the show while Leno is moved to the 11:30 PM time slot.

Bowl Prediction Recap for Dec. 29 - Jan. 4 (Me: 13 - 6; Sky: 10 - 9)

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:35:00 +0000

A Mikechop resurgence!!! Some bold moves lead to an overall tie with Skyler the Prognosticator in the BPS (Bowl Prediction Series).

By The Numbers:
Average Margin of Error in Games Predicted Correctly: Mike - 9.62; Sky - 8.50
Average Margin of Error in Games Predicted Incorrectly: Mike - 27.83; Sky - 33.11
Average Margin of Error for all Games: Mike - 15.37; Sky - 16.68

Our Bowl Picks:
My Prediction: (15) Miami 31 - (25) Wisconsin 17
Sky's Prediction: (15) Miami 38 - (25) Wisconsin 31
Actual: (15) Miami 14 - (25) Wisconsin 20

My Prediction: Bowling Green 49 - Idaho 24
Sky's Prediction: Bowling Green 21 - Idaho 24
Actual: Bowling Green 42 - Idaho 43

My Prediction: (20) Arizona 10 - (22) Nebraska 14
Sky's Prediction: (20) Arizona 17 - (22) Nebraska 13
Actual: (20) Arizona 0 - (22) Nebraska 33

My Prediction: Houston 55 - Air Force 28
Sky's Prediction: Houston 45 - Air Force 27
Actual: Houston 20 - Air Force 47

My Prediction: Oklahoma 23 - Stanford 17
Sky's Prediction: Oklahoma 31 - Stanford 17
Actual: Oklahoma 31 - Stanford 27

My Prediction: Navy 21 - Missouri 20
Sky's Prediction: Navy 17 - Missouri 41
Actual: Navy 35 - Missouri 13

My Prediction: Minnesota 24 - Iowa St. 27
Sky's Prediction: Minnesota 13 - Iowa St. 27
Actual: Minnesota 13 - Iowa St. 14

My Prediction: (11) Virginia Tech 28 - Tennessee 24
Sky's Prediction: (11) Virginia Tech 21 - Tennessee 27
Actual: (11) Virginia Tech 37 - Tennessee 14

My Prediction: Northwestern 20 - Auburn 31
Sky's Prediction: Northwestern 24 - Auburn 38
Actual: Northwestern 35 - Auburn 38

My Prediction: (16) West Virginia 27 - Florida St. 31
Sky's Prediction: (16) West Virginia 27 - Florida St. 28
Actual: (16) West Virginia 21 - Florida St. 33

My Prediction: (13) Penn St. 21 - (12) LSU 17
Sky's Prediction: (13) Penn St. 13 - (12) LSU 16
Actual: (13) Penn St. 19 - (12) LSU 17

My Prediction: South Florida 34 - Northern Illinois 25
Sky's Prediction: South Florida 41 - Northern Illinois 17
Actual: South Florida 27 - Northern Illinois 3

My Prediction: South Carolina 31 - Connecticut 14

Sky's Prediction: South Carolina 27 - Connecticut 24
Actual: South Carolina 7 - Connecticut 20

My Prediction: (19) Oklahoma St. 17 - Mississippi 23
Sky's Prediction: (19) Oklahoma St. 27 - Mississippi 31
Actual: (19) Oklahoma St. 7 - Mississippi 21

My Prediction: Arkansas 30 - East Carolina 27
Sky's Prediction: Arkansas 38 - East Carolina 21
Actual: Arkansas 20 - East Carolina 17

My Prediction: Michigan St. 28 - Texas Tech 24
Sky's Prediction: Michigan St. 27 - Texas Tech 45
Actual: Michigan St. 31 - Texas Tech 41

My Prediction: (8) Ohio St. 27 - (7) Oregon 41
Sky's Prediction: (8) Ohio St. 35 - (7) Oregon 48
Actual: (8) Ohio St. 26 - (7) Oregon 17

My Prediction: (3) Cincinnati 21 - (5) Florida 38
Sky's Prediction: (3) Cincinnati 31 - (5) Florida 52
Actual: (3) Cincinnati 24 - (5) Florida 51

My Prediction: (6) Boise St. 37 - (4) TCU 31
Sky's Prediction: (6) Boise St. 27 - (4) TCU 38
Actual: (6) Boise St. 17 - (4) TCU 10

The Longest Inch, Episode #19

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:09:00 +0000

Big number 19 sets a new record as the longest Longest Inch Podcast. We recap our previous week's bowl predictions (I somehow managed a resurgence!), prognosticate on Nebraska and Florida State's 2010 American football squads, and preview the final three bowls. Stay tuned to see who ends up predicting the most bowls correctly!

Our Bowl Picks (Continued Again):

FedEx Orange Bowl

Line: Georgia Tech -5.0

Me: (10) Iowa 17 - (9) Georgia Tech 21

Sky: (10) Iowa 24 - (9) Georgia Tech 13

GMAC Bowl

Line: Central Michigan -2.5

Me: Central Michigan 31 - Troy 21

Sky: Central Michigan 55 - Troy 20

Citi BCS National Championship Game

Line: Alabama -4.0

Me: Texas 24 - Alabama 28

Sky: Texas 38 - Alabama 34

A Great Finish

mkinsella7@gmail.com (Big Mike) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:29:00 +0000

I'm not sure from watching the youtube video and looking at the description posted next to it exactly what happened, but either way, it was pretty incredible. Either the Millsaps Majors or the Tigers (not sure what school) of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, pulled off the dramatic victory in the last play of the game down by 2 with :02 seconds left. The title of the video says Millsaps Majors won, but the announcer in the video says the Tigers won... go figure.

In any case, one of these teams used 15 laterals and a little help from certain defensive players completely giving up on the play and the game for that matter (see: #35 at 1:00 in standing there with his hands on his hips pouting like a baby), to pull of the miracle. I love the call by this kid: "CURRY SCORES!!! THE GAME IS OVER!!! CURRY SCORES! CURRY SCORES! CURRY SCORES!!!"