Spiffy Talks Super Bowl XLIII and Beer

 

 

          

        This night, as many do, begins with beer. Like a trumpet sounding for war, the beginning of Super Bowl XLIII is signaled by an onslaught of foam and the unmistakable aroma and sound of lukewarm Keystone Light being released from its dented aluminum prison. While Al Michaels and John Madden talk about the same things that have been talked about ad nausea for the past two weeks (or in the case of Kurt Warner’s rags to riches story, for ten years), the group of friends are, for what would be the only time in the next four plus hours, sublimely quiet, indulging in the Slumdog Millionaire of beers (or at least, beer flavored water).

            Yet, the story begins, as some do, before beer. It begins with the end of sleep, the rubbing of the eyes and the collective “Holy shit” that practically reverberates throughout the two stories of rickety, smelly, sticky college debauchery. This thought, the “Holy shit the Super Bowl is on in less than 6 hours and the house is a rickety, smelly, sticky college induced nightmare”, plops firmly in each housemate’s consciousness, satisfying the prerequisites for the rude awakening expected every day of the weekend….(to be continued after the bounce)

 

Spiffy’s NFL Playoff Picks

This year is one of the toughest to pick. Ever. Last year I was pretty good with everything except underestimating the Giants, but here I could see anyone except Miami and Arizona winning it all if everything went right.

My picks follow.

These cheeks, like Spiffy, never lie.

Spiffy Selects the MLB All-Star Game! AL Edition

Tired of seeing deserved players get snubbed and overrated players making the roster and even starting (*cough* Derek Jeter *cough*), Spiffy decided to make his own All-Star team for both sides, rosters that are sure to turn heads (and mind you, I chose the best players, so that sometimes did not lead to having backups at positions; I wasn’t choosing it the same way as Francona and Hurdle have for the game, because well they have to win; I just have to look quirky and fresh). Choosing 32 per side, with at least one representative from each team, the job was tough, but it’s done. And to make sure you know I’m not bullshitting about controversy: I didn’t select Manny Ramirez.

Seattle Mariners Rant

Today, the Seattle Mariners record stands at 16-26, which is good for the worst record in the American League, and a half game ahead of the San Diego Padres for worst record in all of baseball (this fact scares me, as the Peoria Sports Complex is the Spring training complex for both teams, and it was my home base for my spring training adventures this year; so basically, I’m a huge jinx).

 

It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Who The Frack is a Skrull?! [Secret Invasion Speculation]

The first Secret Invasion tie-in comes out this week (Mighty Avengers #12), and I thought that meant it was high time for some good old fashion predictions for the events to come. Beware of spoilers from Secret Invasion #1 and the New and Mighty Avengers runs up to this point, true believer! And Ms. Marvel’s title.

The End of Spring Training…for me [DONT FLY USAIRWAYS]

Well, my game with Randy Johnson and the D-backs didn’t pan out so well. The game was sold out, and my Dad and I weren’t in the mood for scalpers. So we went back after I grabbed an Angels bandana, and I spent the afternoon eating pizza and reading Civil War (I’m up to month 3!). All in all a good evening regardless, until the flight, but more on that later.

 Spring Training 2008 was a rousing success. I hope to do it again soon, and hopefully it will become a father and son adventure every 5 years or so. I know no one read my keen insight and uncanny wit, but hopefully this is a good step in the right direction for this blog and my contributions to it. I hope someday people will look back and see this is as my first step to Internet domination, or at the very least, to completing my half of the bargain Goki and I set out for.

Anyways, in the coming weeks, I promise to dispell my thoughts on Civil War (I know exciting, let’s read about 2 year old comics!) and get myself up to the present. Also, I may be fielding requests for trades to buy, as the kind U.S. government was kind to give me a sizable tax refund, which I’ve decided will help in my quest to return to my days of spending hundreds of dollars on comics. Also, I will try and delve into the land of TV, and keep all my faithful readers up to date with the baseball world, and perhaps of something called March Madness? We shall see.

Anyways:

Don’t fly U.S. Airways. They suck. They really suck. My week of travel was hellish. First, my flight to Philadelphia en route to Arizona was cancelled (although I would’ve missed it to begin with; I’m a moron). Second, my flight to LA en route to Philadelphia and Ithaca was delayed, and I missed my connection. I was forced to spend the night in a hotel in LA, which sounds more glamorous than it is. I used all my money on cab fare, and had to wear the same clothes for 2 days, because my baggage was god knows where. I finally got into Ithaca last night at midnight….a full 12 hours after I was supposed to. Travel sucks. When is someone going to invent teleportation? Get on that.

Spring Training Baseball: Day 5 in the Cactus League

3/14/08

My Peoria series comes to an end today, with a Rockies and Mariners showdown. I haven’t seen the Rockies in person since god knows when, and it’s cool to see them after the World Series. While I believe they might be in for a letdown in the mega tough NL West, they are still one of the most talented teams in the NL.

Today’s pitching match up was Franklin Morales and Miguel Batista.

Spring Training Baseball: Day 4 in the Cactus League

 

3/13/08

 

Day 4 of baseball, folks! Another day in beautiful Peoria, Arizona at the Peoria Sports Complex. The game: Seattle Mariners vs. San Francisco Giants. The pitching matchup: Jarrod Washburn vs. Kevin Correia.

Spring Training Baseball: Day 3 in the Cactus League

Day 3, 3/12/08

Quick note about yesterday’s game: Sam Fuld, the centerfielder for the Cubs, playing for the injured Felix Pie. I forgot to really mention it, but he looked very impressive. He showed great instincts in center, making a diving catch right in front of me in deep right center, and cutting off balls in the gap with ease. He’s small and stout, but he was also the 2007 AFL MVP. While it appears Fuld has not been given the chance to beat Pie for the centerfield job, I don’t think this is the last we’ve heard of him. He has speed, so he could be a mixed league asset if Pie fails to live up to his 20/20 potential.

Our journey continued to our home base for the next three days, Peoria, Arizona at the Peoria Sports Complex, the home of the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres. Today’s game: Mariners vs. the Milwaukee Brewers!

 

Pitching Match-Up: Carlos Villanueva vs. Carlos Silva

 

Spring Training Baseball: Day 2 in the Cactus League

3/11/08

Quick note: My dinner on Monday was at In-N-Out Burger, and was my first such meal at the legendary establishment. The double-double burger was excellent, and my strawberry milkshake was fabulous. Just so you know.

 

My Spring training continues! Dad and I made the twenty minute drive to HoHokam Park, parking a half mile away to avoid paying for parking (and because we didn’t know any better). Cubs vs. A’s today. The pitching match-up: Greg Smith vs. Carlos Zambrano.