Rock Bottom: San Francisco Giants Sink to Last

By Nick Dominici

As the Giants went down hitless Tuesday night against Cincinnati’s Homer Bailey, there lies a comparison: Which feels worse, being the end-piece of a no-hitter, or falling five games below .500, dead last in the division?

Homer Bailey #34 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with teammates after throwing a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on July 2, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 3-0. / PHOTO BY JOE ROBBINS/GETTY IMAGES

Harsh words are all that’s left with the Harsh words are all that’s left with the situation at hand. Perhaps San Francisco needs the rock bottom vibe in the clubhouse, as if the only way to go is up. But there is nothing positive about one hit in the past two games, two wins in the last ten games, and a dead last spot in the NL West.
Though San Francisco’s roster contains a few possible All-Stars, with the likes of Marco Scutaro, Buster Posey, and Hunter Pence, a simple vote and three players hitting slightly above .300 is not necessarily a recipe for a Division title.  Baseball is a game where playing both sides of the ball share the same importance. In other words, the two have not come hand-in hand as of today, thirteen days before the All-Star game. To put it one way, the best starter on the Giants this year (Matt Cain) owns a 4.29 ERA; I’ll let you soak that in.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Michael Kickham can’t reach an infield single hit by Cincinnati Reds’ Joey Votto in the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 1, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) Photo: Al Behrman, Associated Press

What’ll the next move be, as San Francisco falls officially last in the National League West? General Manager Brian Sabean has decisions to make, as there are countless players and positions to blame for this season’s misfortunes.
Bringing down the jittery rookie Mike Kickham has been one topic, whose three starts alluded to sixteen earned runs, and a loss for each of those starts. Finding another bat as well has become a relevant topic while the Giants’ outfield struggles with injuries.

San Francisco Giants center fielder Gregor Blanco can’t catch a double hit by Cincinnati Reds’ Ryan Hanigan in the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 1, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) Photo: Al Behrman, Associated Press

Rock bottom, we will call it, as fans can only wait in hopes that this season is nothing but a horrid dream. Their backs have been against the wall before, resulting in success, but what will it take for these San Francisco Giants to get themselves off the wall? Their move.

The Locker Room Debate

Well, well, well. Here we have it people, the ethical debate of the century. Or of the last 35 yearsanyway. Prima Donna Cherry decided to take two whole minutes to educate the masses and cause a few migraines for poor Ron McLean. So therefore the inter-webs screeched “sexism”! But I believe the world should calm down, put on some thinking caps, and think long and hard about Mr. Cherry’s warning for us. 

It’s obvious to anyone who knows the protocol for a woman in the locker room why there are multiple parties unhappy with multiple aspects of locker room behavior. Basically, for those of you who don’t know, it goes something like this:
1) Professional woman enters locker room full of rowdy, sweaty, fresh out the game naked men.
2) Said woman starts asking questions that could be asked/answered literally anywhere else in the world.
3) Sweaty, naked man can then either: a) answer questions awkwardly because he’s naked. b) answer questions in a cocky fashion because he won and is naked. c) Say something snarky because he’s naked (See Scott Hartnell). d) Be sad because he lost, and naked or e) be filmed and naked. In any of these situations the man will be sexist.
4) Unless the woman does something stupid, everyone takes her side because progressive feminism.
Now, there are many different ways one can approach the prospect of having women in the locker room. I’ve taken the initiative to illustrate those opinions for you:
1) The Chauvinistic Geezer
“It makes me uncomfortable!” said Cherry, upon explaining the first time he had a run in with a female reporter in the locker room. While the woman was completely un-rustled, Canada’s sweetheart didn’t feel the same way. (Which is completely acceptable, by the way).
These people are set in their ways of the “olden days” whatever time period that appears to be. Women should not be in the locker room because women shouldn’t do anything (cough, cough) but men should have free reign of anything because they’re professional. Usually well argued, like Cherry’s case, it appears bigoted and sexist to the newer generations. Honestly they’re just a product of their generation.
2) The Progressive Feminazi
Boom.
So, yeah. Women are the superior sex, men are chauvinistic pigs, they think everything, oppression Olympics– blah blah blah. You’ve heard it all. Anything that’s not equality among genders is feminazi madness, or, whatever.
Regardless, they believe in the empowerment of women in all forms. Women should not only allowed to be in the locker rooms, they should be allowed to be naked too! Any male who makes a snarky comment or anything that is not rigidly professional and ignorant of nudity shall be fired, hung up by his manhood and quartered!
3) The Jockey Fan
Can be male or female, but generally male. Quite similar to the chauvinistic geezer, but in a different light. They think it’s sexy that a woman is asking about the power play among naked men with her hair and make-up all did. 
*This goes hand in hand with the locker room fantasy.
4) The Nihilist
Me. No one should see others naked in a locker room. Ask the questions somewhere else. No gender in question, no ethics in question. It’s uncomfortable and unnecessary.
Yep, seeing people naked is unnecessary. Who would have thought, right?

The NHL Draft in a Nutshell

Because Cory Schneider. 

A Hipster Meme: The Acquiescing Announcer

So I made myself a meme. Kind of. I found this picture while dork-ing around on Google, researching the CFL, and I thought this guy looked sarcastic and wonderfully similar to me. So, I present, Acquiescing Announcer. He's a sarcastic butt-hole, just like yours truly. 

The End of an Era: From Green and White

In some shocking news from the NBA, Paul Pierce was included in a trade during the 2013 draft that sent Jason Terry, Kevin Garnett, and Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets for first round picks in 2014, 2016, 2018, Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Kris Joseph, MarShon Brooks, and Keith Bogans, according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard.

Where do the Celtics turn without Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett?
Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

The best part of the deal for the Celtics is the draft picks, no question, as it is well known the Celtics are rebuilding and the picks are essential for this process. Garnett is tough, and helped bring a title to Boston in 2008 as well as shifted the culture back to championship material. However, he was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2007 so seeing him in another uniform isn't unimaginable. Garnett will be missed, but he's definitely worth the draft picks that will help the process of rebuilding. 

The toughest part of the trade to cope with as a Boston fan is losing one of the greatest Celtics of all time, Paul Pierce.  Pierce is called a “professional scorer” and he did just that all in green and white. Known as “The Truth,” he spent 15 years calling the Garden home, and in that time, he ranked second in Celtics history with 24,021 points, according to ESPN.com. He came up with his clutch gene time and time again when the Celtics needed him by going right and pulling up for a jump shot at the right elbow, and it was amazingly predictable even when every Boston fan in the building knew what he was going to do. He has easily been the best player on the Celtics since Larry Bird's time and was the first Celtic to score 2,000 points in a single season since Bird was in his prime. His legendary duel against LeBron James in Game 7 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Semi-Final at the Garden is something I’ll remember forever as he scored 41 and LeBron scored 45. But Pierce’s team prevailed. Most importantly though, Pierce did what all the great Celtics have done, from Bill Russell, K.C. Jones, to the Original Big Three of Kevin McHale, Robert parish, and Larry Bird, Paul Pierce raised a banner in Beantown.

Pierce brought a banner to Beantown,
as well as put up an obscene number of points
for the boys in green and white.

So the trades are both shocking, pessimistically and optimistically, but offer a new reboot that Boston is in desperate need of. So many young, new faces, and the promise of first round draft picks helps rejuvenate the spirit living in green and white.  

The Double Standard: A Hockey Fan Watches the NBA Draft

Held in Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, New York

So, I'm watching it for the first time. The NBA Draft, one of the biggest attractions next to the All Star game and the Dunk Contest, or something. I actually have no idea. Regardless, I like it so far. It's really aesthetically pleasing. The stage looks really rustic and the graphics on the screen are simple. A Canadian went first overall, and a few picks later a Ukrainian was chosen, so they really wanted hockey fans to feel at home. But, watching Simmons and everyone else discuss the picks, I realized something about the nature of broadcast journalism, and it wasn't a good something.

In any English class from middle school to high school to college teaches students to avoid cliches in their writing. Cliches like, "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen." and "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime." or "Out of the frying pan, into the fire." Or maybe the most famous and annoying, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." And for the most part, authors and students of English listen. Sometimes it's used for irony, but that's no secret to anyone who reads it. 


However, it seems like in sports journalism, there is no irony in the cliche kingdom. 
"He's got a big body and skates well", "They go high to the rim", "This guy is a blue collar guy", "Who will be this year's Ryan Leaf?" and others that are really, really annoying. And, the repetition isn't the worst thing. It's not the obvious insanity of announcers and what they say, it's the fact that most broadcasters are honestly wasting their breath. 


I, and most of NBA fans (or any sport fans) want to know what's actually going on. Telling me Trey Burke "is an aggressive player," and "plays with a chip on his shoulder," and "is there to fill a certain role." I have NO IDEA what any of that means. And I have a sneaking suspicion it doesn't mean anything.


And speaking of cliches, the players are no better. And while I realize that PR plays a huge role in what they can and cannot say, I do not want to hear "I'd like to thank my mom, and the organization, and God. I'll bring my A-game to this team. Thank you." over and over and over again.


And for the most part, written stories and articles stay away from these cliches, it's mostly the doing of broadcast faces. Just, as a reminder from your friendly neighborhood journalist (pun intended) stay away from cliches, and everyone will be happy. 

Analyzing Twitter: The Hipster Taking Full Effect

Since I know everyone and everything that can blog on this planet (Dog with a Blog) is talking about the newly crowned Stanley Cup Champions the Chicago Blackhawks, I don't particularly want to. I mean, I could spend about a page and a half explaining how a few lucky bounces and an expertly lucky play got the Blackhawks those two goals in 17 seconds, and essentially the Cup. I could write three paragraphs on a psychological analysis of Tuukka Rask and how he breaks down and dies a little bit in between goals...obviously. I mean, we all expected a milk crate, right? Or, like a WWE Smackdown match between him and Crawford in the handshake line?

Regardless, the shortened 2012-2013 NHL season is done, and now in the off-season the fan masses will be bored to tears with various stories and articles about nothing in particular. So I figured why not kick it off early?

So while I was busy being a bored part of the fan mass, I browsed Twitter all day before work, and came across some curious findings, and I thought I'd share to entertain.

First and foremost, the Philadelphia Flyers. Not the actual @NHLFlyers, but the various twitter accounts related to it.

#1: Zac Rinaldo, Left Winger for the Flyers and apparently also named Kanye West. Maybe his middle name is North....

#2: Ilya Bryzgalov, infamous goalie and critic of the media. 

Why you heff to be mad? Well, Bryz doesn't even have himself in a Flyers jersey. Like an angry child not talking to their parents to prove a point. So obviously, you heff to be mad. 

#3: Bernie Parent, motivational speaker extraordinaire, and the best goalie the Flyers ever had. He's pretty great, follow him. 

 But the cool thing is who he follows. Just look at this list: 
I mean, look at this. Tebow! He follows Tim Tebow and Kim Kardashian! Like, why? Doesn't matter. It just made him cooler.

Now, moving away from the Flyers. They may be the teenage girls of the NHL, but no need to pick on them. These next two were recommended to me by my wonderful editor, who thinks that finding funny things on twitter is his job. Regardless, these are worth the follow:

#4: Condescending Torts, a hilarious parody account of John Tortorella. His name changes every once in a while, now Riot Maker Torts. Subtly suggesting the rioting that will happen in Vancouver on his recent hire there.

#5: Chara's Ego, another hilarious parody account to follow the Big Guy through the Playoffs. Most notably extremely cocky and now a Red Sox fan. Easy follow for any Boston fan. 

Well, so there ya go folks. Just make sure to not be too bored this off-season. Take up another sport, like... well, I guess all that's left is baseball. Ah, just give it a shot. It can be like hockey too. You know, really... I honestly don't even have a comparison. Just leave it on in the background while you play NHL 13 and sob. 

A Show Of What's To Come

Just so you all know, I very rightly enjoy cartooning. Sometimes I think it gets my point across more acutely than words will, and more quickly at that. So, as of today, I'll be uploading my little doodles to be a sarcastic butt-hole while the professional world of sports rambles on. If it ever ends, I'll be out of a job and a life. And here is my proof. 

The NFL-- my favorite thing is the hatred of Eli Manning from Tom Brady. 

Bill Belichick is Satan. No one will convince me otherwise. Oh, and rainbows.

My Significant other and I. He's a Boston boy, and I rightfully hate him for it. And angry Chara is funny.

My two favorite Podcasters, Marek and Wyshynski. They are my inspiration. 

What is my life? Angry Kari Lehtonen. 

The Original Six Showdown, 34 Years Overdue

NHL Shop

I can already see the merchandise flowing from the NHL Shop; Original Six Tees for all genders and sizes, all costing $39.99. The LA Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins Champion shirts are on their way to Africa, and Boston and Chicago flags will be waving freely in the breeze as a promise for oncoming war. Us lesser fans will make a choice, support the opponent of our rival, or support the Conference with pride. (I'll be backing up Boston for my significant other, and for the Eastern Conference support).

But let's get down to business here, other than the ridiculous statistics that are going to mob our ears about the Original Six, we have an opportunity here that probably won't happen again any time soon. Especially because after the proposed realignment there will only be one of the Original Six left in the Western Conference, but that's an entirely different complaint.

Three Star Patrick Kane celebrates his Hat Trick against LA, Getty Images

Both teams play smart, strategic hockey. The Bruins are as physical as the Blackhawks are fast and cunning. For once, a parallel can be drawn from their monikers; the Bruins will be strong and steady with defense prevailing, and the Hawks will be fast and on the attack. After Hattrick Kane's three goals against LA in game 5, there is no question that the Blackhawks will be on the offensive, and with the Bruins once again as the underdogs, the offense will be as deadly as it was against LA, especially with the Hawks on a roll.

However, the Bruins are led by stellar goaltending and defense. Tuukka Rask is on a roll with a .943 save percentage, and 1.75 goals against average in the post season. Zdeno Chara isn't afraid to block shots or take on Sidney Crosby and his big mouth. Regardless of Boston's less than playoff impressive offense, their defense and goaltending should keep them in good standing against the Blackhawks.

Rask's performance is keeping Boston in the games, Getty Images

Vegas has Chicago as the victors by a large margin. However, Boston has more than enough power to take down the number 1 Western Conference seed. Regardless, the series will be an interesting one, and will definitely take it's place as one of the most memorable Stanley Cup Finals in recent history.

Digging Out From The Underground

Here is my new attempt to be popular. It's a facebook page, and will be updated every day with polls and the Question of the Day. 

Pet Peeves: NHL Playoffs Style

So the NHL Playoffs are well under way, most recently with a great Game 7 Chicago win in OT, and have everyone on the edge of their seats. However, other than the games, there isn't much that’s enjoyable to watch. I figured that since obviously everyone cares, I’d make a list of my biggest pet peeves of the Playoffs. I’ll try not to be too whiny and preachy. (Note: some of these can and may be applicable to older playoffs.)

In descending order:  

10) Kathryn Tappen’s existence

Now, before the men of the world lose their minds, hear me out. As a blonde, female hockey fan, I get it. People want to look at blonde locks, and big boobs. And sometimes, when I can stand her voice, she does know what she’s talking about. But to me, she violates my #1 rule of sports journalism: Asking stupid questions. She’s not the only one guilty, but she just makes it more annoying than many others. Like, really? You had to ask whether Boston should be the underdog versus the Pens. Duh. And they make it really obvious when she’s reading off the Teleprompters. That’s why Sportscenter makes sure the people are facing each other. It’s an indicator that they are getting this information from their heads, not the poor writers in the back. Seriously. She just stumbled over the teleprompter. I can practically see it in her big vacant eyes.

Get away from Melrose until you don't read off a prompt.

9) The Sidney Crosby Complex

Crosby’s playing again!? He’s scoring again!? Pierre is still bald!? Let’s all get on our knees in worship. The mighty hockey Jesus has returned, let’s have all our coverage about him, even though there are tons of other awesome games and players. He defeated the Islanders and the Senators? Holy crap. How did he do it? I don’t have anything against Crosby. He’s an excellent player, he plays well when he’s not injured, and he is becoming a great leader (I don’t think he started out that way). But I don’t get the obsession. And to me, it takes away from other players who really deserve the limelight. Despite Detroit’s loss to Chicago, Jimmy Howard was an excellent goaltender in the series, and definitely deserves more attention than he got. Just my two cents.

8) The “history”

The last time the four teams battling it out were the last four Stanley Cup Champions was 1945!? Because I really needed to know that! I mean, it’s a neat statistic (Even though there were only 6 teams in 1945…) but do I need to hear it more than 20 times in a show? No. No one does. Tell me more about what offense the teams are running, tell me more about the players and what they need to change/do differently. Do not tell me the same stat over and over, especially one that doesn't matter. I need to know the Bruins are the best on the power play, I do not need to know that Quick wore the same colored boxers last season when he won the Cup that he’s going to wear next game.

"Now? No way!" (Zetterberg: Our Savior) 

7) Stupid Questions (especially Behind the Bench)

These can come from ANYONE. Fans, announcers, journalists, Pierre McGuire. Anyone. Especially Pierre McGuire. It’s my biggest journalistic pet peeve. You have the biggest privilege in the world, interviewing these people. Why waste your breath? You know they’re just going to spew the same rehearsed PR b.s. that they always do. Especially coaches. Do not corner Mike Babcock while his team is losing in a Playoff game and ask “what’s wrong?” You know what’s wrong! His team is losing and he is thinking about what to do about it! Quit with the vague crap. Everyone has heard it. Ask something that will set your story apart. Like “will you be continuing the same line despite their performance in this game?” or “is there a concern at this point about being an underdog or are all the remaining teams matched to some extent?” Ask things that won’t give away too much, but what will give you a good indication of what is going on in a detailed way.

6) Phone calls to players

This might go hand in hand with the interviews, but does anyone see any point in interviewing players over the phone and asking vague questions? Really? Why? We all know what they are going to say. Other than the occasional slip up and funny line, it’s all the same stuff. Unless you’re going to entertain the masses by asking funny questions like Cabby does, don’t bother.

5) ESPN being drunk

As if it was ever a secret, the “all-encompassing nature” of ESPN is anything but that, especially when it comes to hockey. Hockey fans know they don’t like us. But when you put up a picture from a few playoffs ago, with a player that hasn't played for the team for a few years, it’s just embarrassing. Like, really? Troy Brouwer hasn't played for Chicago for a few years. And I’m pretty sure Howard has a new helmet. And no one in that picture is Brent Seabrook. For the sake of professionalism, just don’t. No one is going to look at that story unless they’re hockey fans, and hockey fans are cracked out enough to notice.

4) Adding “flair” to teams

They are the Boston Bruins. Not the “High flying Bruins”. Just stop.

1-3) Pierre McGuire

As if anyone thought a hockey pet peeve list would be set into motion without Lord Cailou, you are sadly mistaken. Everything this man does gets under my skin. True, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of hockey, he was a coach, he knows hockey like the back of his hand, but that DOESN’T MATTER NOW. His play by play action is terrible. He calls penalties that the refs don’t, he’s creepy, and he’s got more man crushes than a tumblr fangirl. He’s just a mess, and I can’t stand him. He makes a point to use his French pronunciation of things, despite being from Jersey, and he calls players by their full names. Like, no. We call him Chris Pronger. Not Christopher Pronger. And there is always that ONE player he is whored out to for the whole game. Seriously, we think Richards is great, but talk about someone else every once in a while. And just calm down. We all love hockey, but just calm down. 

Minnesota's Playoff Run: Why Hockey Fans Will Eat Their Words

Jonathan Toews loses a faceoff to Captain Mikko Koivu Source: Bleacherreport.com

Only eleven days into the NHL playoffs, and some fans are already being shown that anything can happen in post season hockey. Literally. Anything.

The San Jose Sharks have swept for the first time in their franchise history, the Canucks are first round exits, the Maple Leafs are still in the game, the Senators are moving on past the Canadiens, and the Minnesota Wild made it to the first round.

Some would argue that the Maple Leafs and the Senators presence outweighs the Wild's first round exit, especially because the Senators are already moving on, and the Maple Leafs could easily over power the Boston Bruins, something that, a few seasons ago seemed impossible for Toronto to do. However, the fact that Minnesota made it to the playoffs is a feat all in its own.

Recovering from some of the worst seasons in it's history since the creation of the team in 2000, Minnesota went 26-19-3 this season to clinch the 8th spot in the Western Conference, barely squeezing into the playoffs, but definitely being there.

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) is defended by Minnesota Wild defenseman Justin Falk (44) as he shoots the puck on goalie Darcy Kuemper (35) during the third period at the United Center. Source: fansided.com

Minnesota has never been a huge presence in the NHL, despite the states proud hockey history and their excellent college hockey programs. The biggest accomplishment the Wild have gathered is their lone Division Championship during the 2007-2008 season. Since then, the state has had to deal with disappointing 10th place seasons with mediocre draft picks, and the most exciting news of Zach Parise coming to the team.

However, some of these disappointments were liberated after Minnesota made the playoffs, even though they were a first round exit with only one win against the powerhouse that is Chicago. That one win is enough for Minnesota fans to be proud of the progress that their team is achieving.

But, it's unfortunate that some fans have to bite their tongues, because while they are ready to congratulate Minnesota, they also have to realize how poorly they treated them in the past.

"By the way, the Wild aren't winning the Stanley Cup this year. I bet they don't even make it to the playoffs. But that's another story entirely." said a certain blogger you all know.

Yes, it was me. I said the Wild weren't even going to the playoffs, and I was wrong. You are all my witnesses.

So now, Minnesota, I congratulate you, and eat my words.

Enjoy the rest of the NHL playoffs everyone.

It's a Great Day for Hockey. 

NHL Hockey: Concentrate on Winning the Second Half

As Bear Bryant once famously said, "Don't give up at halftime, concentrate on winning the second half." And that's pretty much all that hockey players and fans can do at this point. With only 48 games to play in the season left from the lockout, the NHL teams have half the time to work for that three and a half foot trophy that is the oldest in North American sports; The Stanley Cup.

The Blackhawks defeated the reigning Stanley Cup Champions

26 teams played today, for a total of 13 games sure to keep most (if not all) hockey fans content with their lives.

Games included:

NJ-NYI 2-1
PIT-PHI 3-1
COL-MIN 2-4
OTT-WPG 4-1
CHI-LA 5-2
NYR-BOS 1-3
TOR-MTL 2-1
WSH-TB 3-6
CAR-FLA 1-5
DET-STL 0-6
CBJ-NSH 3-2
PHX-DAL 3-4
ANA-VAN 7-3

Aging Martin Brodeur picked up a key win in today's game versus the Islanders

Now anyone who even knows a moderate amount notices that some of those scores are not what is normally predictable. St. Louis shutting out Detroit? Toronto beating Montreal? Anaheim crushing Vancouver? And these are not pre-season games, sparing fans the pain of how terrible their 3rd and 4th lines are. These are the big games, with the starting lineups.

With the depart of Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit was still expected to be a superior performance in this season, while the New Jersey Devils were expected to fall with the elderly Martin Brodeur in the crease. Pittsburgh defeated Philadelphia with the return of Wunderkid Sidney Crosby. Philadelphia appears to still have some goaltending problems in the way of Ilya Bryzgalov.

Detroit suffered a surprising shut out versus St. Louis; conference rivals

In perhaps the biggest upset of the day, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Kings, possibly showing their prowess to obtain the Cup once again in the 2000s. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, as well as Marian Hossa and goalie Corey Crawford showed true teamwork and offensive talent, enough to take on the league for the remainder of the 47 games.

Once again, the favorites to win the Cup include San Jose, Vancouver, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Boston. The West could come away with the trophy again, but as everyone knows, game 1 is far to early to be making predictions, regardless of the lack of games.

It's a Great Day for Hockey.

Down But Not Out: NHL Hockey Has Returned

Hockey is Home boys! 

Welcome home hockey fans. Brian Burke was finally fired, the Southeast teams are getting more dangerous, and Gary Bettman uttered his third apology for an NHL lockout. But, as any hockey fan can attest, the NHL is back, and better than ever. With a 10 year contract and 8 year opt-out, it will be a long, good while before fans have to deal without their beloved sport again.

Because in all honesty, 3 lockouts in a hockey fans lifetime is really ridiculous. Kids born in the early nineties raised off of their parents gushing about the likes of Gretzky and Lemieux and Yzerman and Howe became huge hockey fans, and have had to suffer 3 lockouts.

Let's put this into perspective, for those fans outside of hockey.

In the past 40 years there have been a total of 16 strikes and lockouts among the four major sports. This includes eight in Major League Baseball , three in the National Hockey League, three in the National Football League and two in the National Basketball Association.

Now, before all the baseball fans come bitching out of the woodwork, there was only one time a season was cancelled, and that was the 2004-2005 NHL lockout. True, the MLB lost a World Series, and the NFL lost  all but 9 games in 1982. See, the sympathy is available, but for hockey fans, it's just not acceptable. Three lockouts in a lifetime, including the loss of an entire season is just unimaginable. 

However, now the 2012-2013 NHL season is on. All of the planes for the next week or so will be filled with Russians, Finns, Americans, Canadians, and Swedes alike, coming back to the league that matters. (Although the KHL was pretty entertaining, and I feel bad for all the Russians with KHL season tickets who will show up to a team with just Ilya Kovalchuk.) Gary Bettman is the most hated man in hockey, Zach Parise is back in Minnesota, and the NHL still gets to bask in the glory of Martin Brodeur for one more season. 

Hockey is back, fans, so turn of that NFL 32, and pull out those dusty jerseys from the closet. 

The Luck Of The Irish Ends With Sweet Home Alabama

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Roll Tide, America. Alabama hasn't beat anyone this badly since the Civil Rights Movement. They embarrassed Notre Dame 42-12 for their third BSC Championship in four years, proving that the Irish's undefeated season wasn't enough to kick the SEC out of the NCAA Championship position for the 7th time in a row.

But, that is assuming Notre Dame played well enough to consider it a game. Not only did Bama have a 35 point unanswered shutout by the middle of the third quarter, Notre Dame failed to generate any kind of offense or defense. If anyone thought the BCS fans were insufferable before, wait until Notre Dame's fan base starts to make excuses for the inability for the defense to tackle anyone or anything for the first 3 quarters.

Let's be honest here, Notre Dame didn't even get off the bus. They got out classed, like a bunch of pee wee players who didn't know how to play football. It's just a shame that the time they showed this was the BCS Champion stage. Because, ignoring what PTI and ESPN say, Notre Dame football is back. Regardless of the complexity of their season, the difficulty, they were still undefeated. Through Michigan, and BYU, and Stanford and the horror of Pittsburgh, Notre Dame football was undefeated. And that itself will start a new era. It can't get any worse than it was in the late 90s and the early start of the 21st century.

So while Alabama can bask in it's College Championship glory for the time being, Notre Dame football is back, so from now on, Beware The Fighting Irish!