Friday Caps Clips: Freed Alex... Semin, That Is
by J.P. on Dec 4, 2009 6:43 AM EST
in Caps Clips
Email
PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's cakewalk from Corey (blog, article), Tarik (blog, article), Vogs, Joe B., Ed Frankovic, Peerless, Examiner, Fight For Old DC, TTT Hockey and Caps In Pictures (photos) and Litter Box Cats (show 'em some love, peeps).
- Quote of the night: Mike Duco: "I thought [Alexandre Giroux] was going to get back at me after last year, we had a couple battles." Giroux: "I don't know who he is." Maybe Duco mistook Giroux for Greg Amadio or Kyle Wilson. [@abramfox]
- Moron, err, more on Duco. [OFB]
- Thanks to everyone who rocked the "Free Alex" signs (including some of the guys who literally make this all possible). Very cool. Some screen grabs (pulled from the open thread) and pics after the jump.
- Jim Kelley is in the Hockey Hall of Fame for his writing, so you wouldn't expect an inaccurate, irresponsible and outright malicious piece of garbage from him. And yet, here's one on Alex Ovechkin. [SI.com]
- On the flip side, George McPhee presents a measured defense of his superstar. [D.C. Sports Bog]
- Given the comparisons made in the Kelley hit-piece, "Chris Pronger" doesn't sound all that bad. [NHL.com]
- But let's hear from the man himself: "They call me caveman because I don't care what others think of me. I couldn't care less about anyone or anything." So. Very. Awesome. [Uh... here. But you might have missed it in the overnight]
- Word of advice: if you want to be taken seriously when writing about a legitimate question (specifically whether or not the Caps should trade Alexander Semin), lose the phrase "[e]ver-improving Tomas Fleischmann." [The Hockey News]
- Some love for Eric Fehr over at my old stomping grounds. [FanHouse]
- Speaking of FanHouse, thanks to Bruce Ciskie for having me on his podcast earlier in the week. Check it out if you want to here me say pretty much what I've already typed here in the past. [FanHouse]
- Sticking with self-promotion, our very own Becca is one odd woman, and is finally being recognized as such. Or something. [Cycle Like the Sedins]
- John Carlson talks World Juniors. [Patriot-News]
- So does Stefan Della Rovere. [Barrie Examiner]
- The AHL has named Graham Mink and Nolan Baumgartner captains for its All-Star teams. Interestingly, both men played their first NHL game for the Caps. [AHL]
(Those two via renstar)
(via Fight For Old DC)
(via kman8924)
1382 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
READ THIS!
http://www.japersrink.com/2009/12/4/1185216/ovechkin-i-sit-in-the-back-thats
Trying to make this as easy as possible, because nobody should miss this – it’s great!
What a night at the VC last night – saw a super entertaining game, watched our neighbor skate with the mites between periods, and my son caught a puck! What’s better than all that?
Seeing the same thing in June?
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
For BP
Left for work this morning and saw this in my neighbor’s recyclye bin:
I thought of you BP.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
by Sct112 on Dec 4, 2009 8:47 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Btw, needless to say, a signed “Free Alex” sign would be one hell of a treasure.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I should also say how much fun it was to go to the game with these signs. I really hope Ovi got to see one or thirty of us with ‘em. And it was awesome having a Japers’ meetup. Although kellobellow and I missed amkcaps downstairs in the first intermission, we did meet Zephyr, gfcapsfan, IRock the Red, and gotsparkly upstairs in the second. I appreciated the chance to meet all of you.
I gave out a bunch of signs to the folks in my section, and a few more out on the concourses. The other fans were very pleased to see the signs and, just maybe, a few of them will stop by the Rink.
FЯEE ALEX
I was so very tempted to toss one or two in to the press box, but the proper opportunity didn’t present itself. Given the prominance on the broadcast, I guess it wasn’t necessary.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
I think I’m gonna go to Kettler for practice next Friday. I’ll take one with me just in case Ovi signs.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 8:32 AM EST up reply actions
Take two… I’ll owe you eternally.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Will do, boss.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 8:38 AM EST up reply actions
Psyched, too, that “Free Alex” made the AP recap. Can’t thank you guys enough for your awesome effort.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I have to wonder what the On Frozen Bozos will do to try and top that…
Anybody else remember when they would spam the text scroll on the telescreen?
Ted Leonsis Used to Recommend: http://capsnut.blogspot.com/
Everybody Wang Chung......
Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™
WNST and Free Alex
Hi JP- Nestor tweeted this on the WNST website last night:
I should have mentioned “Free Alex” in my blog and apologize. I did Tweet about it though and that shows up on our website if you watch the scrolling Tweets on the left side. Keep up the great work over here. The sight, now quote Joe B, is SEN-SATIONAL! Ed
The signs were such a success, I wonder what the next occasion for something like that will be. Ultimately, I’d love to see chant sheets get handed out, but we’d have to settle on some chants first, and that Fanshot kind of petered out….
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 4, 2009 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
I made this after the “trending Sasha” thing a couple weeks ago but since he’s been out basically since then had no reason to post it. But after last night:
by patred48 on Dec 4, 2009 8:25 AM EST reply actions 15 recs
Awesome.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 8:26 AM EST up reply actions
Awesome indeed. Missing = one pic taken from the game intro vid from last year, Big Al with the stand-up hair and the sh!t-eating grin. Oh, and this one too.
Good effort.
His post-goal animation is easily the worst of the bunch. And that’s saying something.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
That’s not a war face, let me see your REAL war face!
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Well, another one of my creations:
(Submitted it to NHLOL last season, the guy said “that’s great!” but never used it.)
by patred48 on Dec 4, 2009 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 8 recs
I was looking at Varlomov’s stats to this point and was pretty pleased. Tied for eleventh in wins with 11. Eleventh best in save% with .920 . Eleventh best in GAA with 2.36. All very solid for a rookie goalie, especially since it seems like he already got over his 2nd season struggle/ beginning of year struggle.
Most impressive stat? 864:47 time played. Nobody is even close to that in the area he is in for wins. Very efficient. And very wise by the team not to overwork him. Would love to see this trend continue and get to the playoffs with a pretty well rested, but still sharp, goalie.
I read somewhere that Rask was the runner-up. Varly got shut out big time.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Well, it’s hard to take a guy seriously who’s only 15-1 with a 2.36GAA in his regular season career.
Wonder how much of that is that most people don’t think of Varly as a rookie, although he technically is.
FЯEE ALEX
I’d imagine a good amount. Really, all it’s going to take is one established hockey “expert” to make the realization and the rest will follow suit as there aren’t too many independent thinkers amongst the analysts. Today’s SI article is the perfect example of that.
As I said yesterday, there was so much talking up of Varly before the season for the Calder trophy that it’s inconceivable to me that a voter wouldn’t be aware that he’s eligible.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 4, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions
… I consider myself the Alexandre Giroux to the Alex Ovechkin-like writers the site already had…
Don’t be so hard on yourself BeccaH. You’re no ’tweener. We like having you up here in the bigs.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 8:28 AM EST reply actions
Aww, you read it! And self-deprecation is fun, what? Though I can probably take a punch better than he can…not sure that’s saying much.
…all the characteristics of an Ovechkin hit: it was beyond the play, it was willful and he jumped into the hit, which is patently against the rules and something he does a lot.
Looks like the Hall of Famer boned up his research at Pensblog. Well done, Jimmy.
Support your local bakery!
I’d love to hear how a player can hit someone knee on knee while jumping into the hit. I’d also love to hear how trying to make a hit on the puck carrier is “beyond the play”.
And putting aside the opinion that Kaleta was driven face first into the glass from behind, how is a player that clearly looks up and sees the approaching checker before turning his back “unsuspecting”?
JP put it best, that hatchet job was an inaccurate and irresponsible piece of garbage. No one in their right mind would compare any of AO’s hits to the Bertuzzi, McSorley or Simon incidents, but that’s exactly what this guy does.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 4, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
On a different notes – has anyone else noticed that the crowd at VC has taken to shouting “Who cares” after an opposing goal is announced? What’s up there?
FЯEE ALEX
It’s the same jerks that do the dumbass “all your fault” thing. I don’t like either; they make us look like jerks.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Lighten up, Francis. They paid for their tickets, they’re enjoying a little heckling. I’d rather fans playfully disrespect opposing netminders and scorers than our national anthem.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 4, 2009 9:02 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
francisDC.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
Laich It and Hump It
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Dec 4, 2009 9:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I can dig it.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 9:09 AM EST up reply actions
I’d rather fans playfully disrespect opposing netminders and scorers than our national anthem.
amen to that.
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
by kellobellow on Dec 4, 2009 9:07 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ditto.
I mean, how lame is that “OH!” crap? It’s an Orioles’ thing. A baseball thing. Not only are we NOT in Baltimore, we’re not at a baseball game, and DC HAS a baseball team! Jeez!!! And the “RED!” part drives me nuts, too…
FЯEE ALEX NOW!
by IRockTheRed on Dec 4, 2009 9:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Geez, Yoshie. Why don’t you pop all the balloons and spit in the punch while you’re at it? (I agree, for the record).
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 9:18 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve noticed that it is starting to die out but gets really bad on weekends when there is a high profile opponent in town.
Nats fans killed it pretty quickly by booing down those who felt the need to do it and I think it would work at Caps games too if enough people joined in the booing.
Problem is though, Ted insists on marketing the team to the Baltimorons who don’t know how to act in public so I doubt it will really ever go away.
And for the record, the RED! shout is all kinds of lame.
Ted Leonsis Used to Recommend: http://capsnut.blogspot.com/
Everybody Wang Chung......
Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™
I’m a Baltimoron and I don’t shout “O” or “red” out of respect for others. And I personally resent arrogant DC residents who think they are somehow better than people who live 40 minutes up the fucking road like that somehow makes a goddamn difference in one’s loyalty as a Caps fan.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Well said. I wonder what kind of Caps fan I would count as, growing up a mere 5.5 hours up 295.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
To quote Mos Def, “It ain’t where ya from, it’s where ya at.”
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
To quote Snoop Pearson: “In Baltimore, we aim to hit a [person.]”
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
“Says this here’s the Cadillac. He mean Lexus but he don’t know it.”
Not related, but it’s one of my favorite Snoop quotes.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
“this is 800 dollars!?!”
“Nah…keep it man…you straight up earned ’nat”
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
Dammit…I was trying to get it from memory and didn’t want to have to pop up the 100 memorable quotes youtube again.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
Close enough. I did mine from memory too, so it’s probably slightly off.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
Earned that bump like a mothafucka
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 4, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Probably a traitor, but we’re happy to welcome transplants.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Dec 4, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
Soo agree. I cannot rec this enough times. I grew up rooting for most (note: no Skins) DC teams. I never understood all the hate towards Baltimore coming from the District. I would even venture a guess that most “DC” fans didn’t even grow up in DC.
Scuse me? I’m from Baltimore and I don’t do either one.
FЯEE ALEX
by gotsparkly on Dec 4, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ditto the comment directly above.
Ted Leonsis Used to Recommend: http://capsnut.blogspot.com/
Everybody Wang Chung......
Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™
Not the point. The point is that there are a good many Baltimore fans among Caps Nation who do actually know how to act, so watch the broad brush pls.
I like the idea of booing when people shout O. Maybe we should start that at the VC and see if we can get the O to stop. We as a Rink seem effective enough when we put our heads together.
FЯEE ALEX
by gotsparkly on Dec 4, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I like the idea of booing when people shout O.
I understand the reasoning, but booing during the Anthem probably isn’t going to win you too many firends.
by b.orr4 on Dec 4, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Geeze people don’t be so touchy….
And for the record (not that two wrongs make a right) those of us who have traveled 40 miles up I-95 don’t get the warmest reception in the world up there either.
But I digress, back to the topic of the “O!” and “RED!” shouts.
Booing worked rather well in killing the “O!” at Nats games beause B.O. fans were not likely to infect RFK unless the B.O.’s were actually playing in RFK.
Now it was there at the start because many Washintonians between 1972 and 2004 drunk the MLB Kool-Aid and converted to B.O. fandom. That’s why it creeped into the Washington sports scene. A few years ago I booed the “O!” shout at FedEx before a Redskins game and the kid next to me didn’t understand why. I told him it was a Baltimore thing and he said “But I’m from Washington!”
I’ve also seen Washingtonians claim the “O!” shout as a D.C. tradition irregardless (and therefore must be carried on) and a number of D.C. natives still carry alliegance to the B.O.’s despite Washington now having its own baseball team again.
But, if the boos come directly after the offending shouts of “RED!” and “O!” then the message will be delivered. There is no need to boo throughout the anthem or excessively long, just long enough to make the point that the shouting is not cool and not wanted.
Ted Leonsis Used to Recommend: http://capsnut.blogspot.com/
Everybody Wang Chung......
Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™
I don’t think its marketing to Bawlamer.
There is entire generation of Caps fans who grew up rooting for the O’s and consider themselves ‘from D.C.’ (even if we lived a few miles out). We are not changing our MLB affiliation simply because the Expos moved.
But yes, I agree that yelling ‘Oh!’ and ‘Red!’ is stupid.
Caps fan in Minnesota
We are not changing our MLB affiliation simply because the Expos moved.
How ’bout because the Orioles owner insulted every baseball fan in the D.C. metro area?
Or you can let your childhood love die like a plant that hasn’t been watered since 1996. Occasionally looking back to the desiccated knot of twisted wood that used to be your strongest passion.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
by Rob Parker on Dec 4, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I’ll be curled up in the corner, rocking my Mark Belanger poster and weeping, if anyone needs me.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
I wish I could quit them. But then, there’s this:
BLUE JAYS 10TH: LOWENSTEIN CHANGED POSITIONS (PLAYING 2B);
ROENICKE STAYED IN GAME (PLAYING 3B); SAKATA CHANGED POSITIONS
(PLAYING C ); AYALA STAYED IN GAME (PLAYING LF); STODDARD
REPLACED MCGREGOR (PITCHING); Johnson homered; Bonnell singled
to center; COLLINS BATTED FOR BARFIELD; T. MARTINEZ REPLACED
STODDARD (PITCHING); Bonnell was picked off and caught stealing
second (pitcher to first); Collins walked; Collins was picked
off first (pitcher to first); Upshaw singled to second; Upshaw
was picked off first (pitcher to first); 1 R, 3 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.
Blue Jays 4, Orioles 3.
ORIOLES 10TH: BONNELL CHANGED POSITIONS (PLAYING RF); COLLINS
STAYED IN GAME (PLAYING LF); Ripken homered; Murray walked;
Lowenstein grounded out (first unassisted) [Murray to second];
Shelby was walked intentionally; MOFFITT REPLACED MCLAUGHLIN
(PITCHING); Roenicke struck out; Sakata homered [Murray scored,
Shelby scored]; 4 R, 2 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Blue Jays 4, Orioles 7.
It’s the O’s or nothing for me. (These days, it’s nothing)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 4, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
The Lenn Sakata at catcher game is one of my fondest memories of Oriole fandom. They won a ridiculous number of games in their last at-bat that year.
I had forgotten that Tippy Martinez picked off three guys that game. And that John Shelby was on that team.
I’m still an O’s fan. Can’t quit them, and I’ve tried.
Angelos sucks.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
I think the Glenn Davis deal was the beginning of the end.
by mechanicsville on Dec 4, 2009 8:40 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see Angelos go. But I’m still an O’s fan.
Fire Angelos! (Preferably, out of a cannon).
Caps fan in Minnesota
There’s always “Free the Bird.” It’s consistent with our previous signs and already has been done.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions
Point granted. But the cheerers/creators of the god-awful ’it’s all your fault’ need to figure out that they need to pick their places. For example, when the Caps are losing…doesn’t work; when it’s a tie-game…doesn’t work; low scoring games…doesn’t work; and for the love of god, when it’s a different goalie….it doesn’t work.
IMO the cheer would be much better if it started at 3 or 4 goals…but I guess that’s why I’m known as a Grinch.
by Yoshietree on Dec 4, 2009 9:07 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
agreed… after one goalie gives up 3 or 4, it’s pretty funny. however, that’s not usually the case when it starts. they were all probably too drunk to realize it was a different goalie after the first 2 last night, haha.
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
They must have started drinking real early with the speed at which Clemmensen was pulled.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Agreed. “One…. All Your Fault” sounds kind of dumb.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 9:10 AM EST up reply actions
This is more my point. It’s not effective in a lot of cases, so it’s just “look at me, look at me” noise.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Dec 4, 2009 9:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
With that I wholeheartedly agree.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
When is heckling really effective? It takes a pretty astounding degree of self-importance for a fan to think their heckles have any bearing on any player.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
When you’re this guy:
Robert Szasz, also known as The Happy Heckler, is a real estate developer and a well-known heckler at Tampa Bay Rays baseball games.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Szasz relocated to Florida in 1984 and now resides in Clearwater, Florida. He held season tickets for the Rays until the end of the 2008 season, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and sat in the club seats behind home plate at Tropicana Field during Rays games.1 He picked one player from the opposing team to insult during a game or series. He waited until the player steped into the batter’s box, and then he let fly with a barrage of insults regarding the player’s playing ability. His voice was so loud that it is often heard on television broadcasts of the game.
Szasz’s heckling visibly rattled players on multiple occasions. He once heckled the Mariners’ Bret Boone so viciously that when Boone struck out, he threw down his batting helmet and started yelling back at Szasz. In another instance, outfielder Jose Guillen offered Szasz an autographed baseball bat if he would stop heckling him in a game.
That’s amazing. I’ve never gotten a response from players, probably because of where I sit, but the response from other fans is usually worth it for me. My buddy had RF seats right by the foul line and told a guy “I’ll see you in hell!” and got a pretty good reaction.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
This makes me think of Robin Ficker.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
What about Tim Thomas?
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 4, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
I like this story regarding Toronto CF and hecklers from 2007
After being called out by a fan, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells gave the guy something to think about.
During Wednesday’s game in Cleveland, a group a fans were busting his balls the entire game, shouting things at Wells like “You suck!” and “You like men!”
These guys totally need some lessons in trash-talking. ‘You like men?’ C’mon. The art of heckling has no room for politically correct shenanigans.
“One guy was also yelling at me to give him a ball,” Wells explained. “He said that Torii Hunter had given him a ball.”
Wells thought, ‘Big deal, buddy.’ So, he decided to be proactive. Between innings he got a brand new ball and wrote a nice little message to the fan. When the Jays took the field the next inning, he tossed it to him.
Dear Mr. Dork, Here is your ball! Can you please tell me what gas station you work at so I can come and yell at you when you’re working? Please sit down, shut up and enjoy the game. From your favorite center fielder, Vernon Wells.
I lived with a blind guy for a while, then he figured it out and demanded back rent.
So a guy making $20 million a year to play replacement-level CF basically tells a random fan to F off and go back to pumping gas. Nice Vernon.
Eh…its a lose-lose situation. He can either listen to the guy bitch at him for six innings, or he can do something like that and people rip him for it.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
Honestly, he probably should have just listened to the guy rip on him. I might have more sympathy if he wasn’t signed to the most ridiculous contract in baseball history.
Would you have turned it down? Not his fault. I think it’s funny.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
It is pretty funny. I just think if you’re making, oh, $14 million more per year than you deserve, that you might want to let the heckling slide every once in a while.
True. But I’m sure he does let it slide. I also think if you are busting a guy’s balls all day you shouldn’t be asking for souvenirs. This just doesn’t rankle me very much.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
As an athlete, if you’re going to “heckleback”, the cardinal rule is that it must be funny. Wells satisfied that rule, so I’m OK with it. It’s a big risk, but here I’m sure the fan got a kick out of it and so did I
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 4, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed. Must be funny. That should apply to fans as well.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
For starters, that guy may be the biggest jerk in baseball and the reason his heckling works is because there’s usually no one in the ballpark so you can hear every word the guy says. On top of that, he sits virtually on top of the players. It’s like being yelled at by your parents for three hours. If he was in a real baseball city like NY or Boston, his heckling would be inaudible and ineffective.
I’ve sat in the bleachers and LF at OPACY back in the day (aka sold out games – gasp!) and we watched these guys hammer Albert Belle (when he was with the Indians) all game. It was hysterical. They called him “Joey” all night. (His real name and what would show up in all the police reports before he changed his first name). It really got to him. So I say that proximity and knowledge can really help a heckler.
This reminds me of my greatest heckling moment, which I almost mentioned earlier until Joey Belle came up.
I was with 2 friends in Montreal when I was about 20 and we snuck in to an Expos game against Baltimore when Belle was playing for them. We went and sat in the first row of the outfield in right field and started heckling poor Joey the whole game. We even had a sign that said “Joey”. The fans around us were confused until we explained what it was about. Keep in mind that this place is generally quiet as a crypt. We were able to walk in without anyone noticing and go sit right in the front row of right field, after all. So, he could definitely hear us, and we’re yelling the entire half-inning every time he’s in the field.
It’s a scoreless game until the bottom of the 8th. Rondell White gets on base for Montreal. Guerrero strikes out. With 2 outs, Lee Stevens lines a double to right field and the ball rolls to a stop directly below us. We are going insane at this point yelling at Belle, who is sprinting to get the ball and make a play at the plate. I swear to god, when Belle reached down for the ball, he looked up at us for a split second and made eye contact. He misses his grip and has to reach back down for the ball, and as a result the throw doesn’t make it in time. Expos end up winning 1-0.
I will believe until the day I die that we caused Joey to mess up and the Expos won as a result. Best heckling moment ever.
Meh.
Heartily insipid ritual is one of my favorite things about college hockey, and the first time I went to a game at Cornell I considered peeing myself for three different reasons a career in anthropology. But there’s something lame about yelling “…3! It’s all your fault!” at a guy who’s given up One goal.
Dont get me started about yelling—especially for a shitty, semi-local baseball team—during the national anthem. I noticed last night they’ve given up asking us to be ‘respectful’ during the song.
Actually, it was a different announcer last night. The regular fellow always says respectfully. :-)
FЯEE ALEX NOW!
I wonder if there’s any causal effect on the energy level of the crowd because Wes wasn’t there last night? For long stretches, it was way too quiet.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
What I noticed more was a lot of chatter in the third period. Lots of folks were just chatting and not really paying much attention.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
You sit on the edge of your seat and cross your fingers for a shutout!
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
(but you don’t ever say that word…)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 4, 2009 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
when you’re up 6-0 and on a 7 minute power play…….I actually said at one moment, “They’re still on the power play?”
It looked like they were even when they weren’t.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
That happened to me too! It was amazing that we took two penalties, and STILL had PP time left.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
First Carolina, now the Panthers.. SE division teams hate us even more than usual this year.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Beat up Alexandre Giroux.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Dec 4, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
He really is like our version of Kent Dorfman.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t know if the Panthers “hate” the Caps. Fans on the LBC GDT seemed distraught. And a bit “Good god, if we can’t beat them when they don’t have Ovechkin, how the hell are we ever going to win the SE? How the hell is anyone besides them gonna win it?”
I mean the players. They were nasty pricks last night. Good thing we had really superb reffing.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
oh, well, that. I was a bit surprised by that, actually. Earlier in the season, I was really respecting the Cats for playing hard and refusing the give up even when faced with clearly superior competition. They went out and competed hard and clean. I thought while they’ll likely not be a playoff team, they could be that 10-11ish place team that plays spoiler.
Exactly. Fans everywhere have their thing. I remember in the 90’s after every PPG the Isles fans would shout “Screw you San Jose!” I don’t know why, but it’s not a big deal so who cares. Plus, as a guy who has been known to get into some heckling, I’d like our tolerance level set a little higher.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
Maybe they’re just having a little fun. Really, why are we always so worried about how we look to the rest of the hockey world?
by b.orr4 on Dec 4, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Have you ever been to opposing arenas? Go to Philly, Pitt, or NJ sometime. Those guys make Washington look like angels in their chants. DC was actually most similar to Ottawa of the ones I’ve been to.
FЯEE ALEX
Being compared to Ottawa makes me a sad panda :(
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 9:18 AM EST up reply actions
Go to Philly, Pitt, or NJ sometime.
No thanks!
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Dec 4, 2009 9:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah; NJ yells “SUCKS!” after every player’s name on the other team is announced. And they use piped in “Dr. Who” music – I don’t know the actual title, but that’s the way I first heard it (Dr. Who – hey! Dr. Who!), with “HEYYYY! YOU SUCK!” repeated several times after each goal. It gets really old, really quick.
FЯEE ALEX NOW!
I’m not a fan of the “SUCKS!” chant, if only because at Maryland, certain knuckleheads in the student section would shout “SUCKS!” during the intros, AND shake the newspapers.
The point of shaking the newspapers is to not acknowledge the other team! You can’t shake the newspapers and yell “SUCKS!”. You can do one or the other, but not both.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions
I disagree. The chants may be dirtier and more personal, but I’d take that in a heart-beat over “all your fault”.
I mean seriously, the organ player ENCOURAGES a “Crosby Sucks” chant even when the Guins aren’t there.
Show me more rivalry-type chants. I miss the days of the chicken song and “Rangers Suck” even when the Rags aren’t in town.
I actually prefer clean. It’s supposed to be a family atmosphere, and I’m amused by the “all your fault” thing. Definitely not offended by it, as I was in NJ.
FЯEE ALEX NOW!
Granted. I’m definitely not offended by it. I can’t agree with the family atmosphere thing outright either. It’s hockey. Going to games growing up, hockey games were the one place my dad would turn the blind eye about language…granted nothing serious like an eff bomb, but damn and suck…all appropriate at the arena.
Heh.
Actually, at Bears games, they don’t yell “REF, YOU SUCK!”
When the referee does something completely aggregious, the crowd chants: “B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T! BULLSHIT!!!”
First time I heard it, I about fell over laughing.
FЯEE ALEX NOW!
I may be immature, but that is awesome. As is the sound of a full arena doing the “Asshole” chant. Or heckling a goalie with the sing-song chant of his name. Frankly, the more of that stuff, the better. That stuff is my second-favorite thing about going to hockey games (celebrating goals being #1).
The problem with “it’s all your fault” is that it’s not simple, doesn’t make sense, and doesn’t sound cool.
I would love to see VC adopt the BS chant from Hershey. That would truly be epic. Do I think it’ll happen? Probably not.
The other one I like is the “start the bus” chant.
FЯEE ALEX
Caps WOO! Caps WOO!
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Emo Bunny Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Dec 4, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
You’d rather us be more like Flyer fans? Seriously? I think I’ll pass on that notion.
by b.orr4 on Dec 4, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I submit these negative chants are the first step in that direction.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
There’s a big difference between mostly good-natured negative chants and downright nasty, bordering on obscene chants. I think it’s about 150 miles.
Wasn’t necessarily saying that so much as that some people seem to think that anything that isn’t Let’s Go Caps makes us horrible people, which is not the case. Washington is still a pretty tame barn by comparison to some other places.
I like the goalie taunting. It’s all in fun and it’s amusing, though I do agree that it works better after about the third goal. The rivalry chants will come – give it time. This is a barn that isn’t used to being rowdy and I think they’re learning how. At least someone’s doing something.
FЯEE ALEX
We may not be Montreal yet, but I’d say VC has moved into “top-10 most intimidating buildings” territory. There also haven’t been a lot of grudge matches at home yet aside from the Philly game. Complacency has set for a few of the games this year.
Top third, sure. but I think we can do better.
Agreed on the complacency – I’ve been surprised at how quiet the building’s been some nights this year. Looking forward to Carolina next Friday; I’m expecting the VC crowd to give them hell.
FЯEE ALEX
Right. I believe the next “phase” in the upward progression of the Caps fanbase will be when the entire building can more into important games against non Pit/Phi/NYR teams. Games against Atlanta and New Jersey, for example.
I don’t know about anyone else, but as hard-core as I am about hockey, I still have a hard time getting truly passionate about it until January/February roll around. Fall just has so much going on with the Holidays and other sports that it just doesn’t get my full attention.
There are other sports?!
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Dec 4, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I am passionate about the Caps from the first dropped puck of the season. All other sports are dead to me.
FЯEE ALEX
Not me. Hockey’s far and away first, but I love pro and college football with baseball and college basketball further down the list. Soccer, not so much, and pro basketball I wouldn’t watch if they were playing in my backyard.
by b.orr4 on Dec 4, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That pretty much describes me as well.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 4, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions
I think VC is definitely in the top 10 at this point, easy. That place was insane in the playoffs last year. We don’t have the history, but we have the decibels. Torts even got into it with a fan behind the bench. The key to moving up the 10 is to keep it consistently loud and rowdy all season and for many years. We’ve come a long way.
I didn’t notice it until last night. I was all “huh?” But it didn’t bother me. What annoyed me was the dude chanting Clemmenson throughout the game. Kinda hard to get in a guy’s head when he’s sitting on the bench.
Definitely have been near a drunk asshead chanting the goalie’s name all night long. That’s the worst. Especially when we’re LOSING THE GAME!
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
The worst one I sat through was half a dozen drunk DC United fans behind me, singing… I have no idea what they were singing… it was horrific, though…
FЯEE ALEX NOW!
Closed door meeting in Philly after last night’s loss. Expect ten minutes of hell to start the game tomorrow night. Must… weather… the storm.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 4, 2009 8:59 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
The other day I read McKenzie (or someone else) saying Stevens was on the hot seat. Not having tracked the Flyers much this year, that was surprising to me, I thought they were playing decently under him, I don’t know who they’d consider replacing him with.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
Mr. Laviolette, you are checked in. Your flight will be boarding at Gate 17, non-stop to Philadelphia. Please enjoy your flight.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 4, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Does he have the moxie to be a PHI coach? He doesn’t like his teams taking PIMs or being outright goons. I’m thinking more of a Marc Crawford type.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
I’m going the complete opposite way. After Bylsma put the cherry on top of the flavor du jour (minor league coaches) I’ve been thinking they get a guy from within their system?
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
That’s what Stevens was. I guess they could pull the next Phantom coach up, but I think with this team they want a stronger voice. I dunno though.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
When Bruce got the call, he was essentially coaching his Hershey team, plus AO and Sasha.
Whoever gets the nod in Philly is getting a bunch of vets plus van Riemsdyk.
FЯEE ALEX
Didn’t you hear? They are supposed to take over for the Red Wings because they traded for some big tall guy.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
…and wrecked their salary cap for years to come in the process…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 4, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions
So does this mean Pronger would be embarrassed if Bettman handed the Cup to Richards?
by b.orr4 on Dec 4, 2009 9:08 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
I’d been embarrassed it Bettman handed the Cup to Richards. but that’s just me.
by RedBirdie on Dec 4, 2009 9:59 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I’m pretty sure that when real mutinies happen on ships, the mutineers don’t say “Captain, I don’t want to step on your toes, but please get in the brig.” What a goofy headline for that article.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Maybe he’s just into kink and wants the 40 lashes for being mutinous?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
I’d be cautiously mindful of it; folks were enjoying schadenfreude from another Pennsylvania team last December.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 4, 2009 9:13 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Not that it’s a big deal, but anyone notice there was a new PA guy last night? Hopefully that’s only temporary.
wes had some kind of surgery yesterday (his son is a former student of mine) – he’s fine, though, no worries
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
the announcing of PepCo Energy Services Power Play just isn’t the same without Wes.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions
I smile when I hear him doing local radio spots.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I enjoy his work in Fallout 3.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 9:48 AM EST up reply actions
Y’all should see his William Shatner impression.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Dec 4, 2009 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t worry. Byron has been backing up Wes for years. We had surgery yesterday and is day-do-day – IIRC, he expects to miss only 2 games.