SB Nation User Blog: Ajax

The new Red Sox curse?

Ajax — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:41:53 -0000

This story may have been mentioned here before, but I think it is worth revisiting on the eve of another Angels-Red Sox post season matchup:

In a 405-page book that hits stores today, Johnson, the company’s former chief operating officer, describes another Alcor employee allegedly whacking Williams’ head with a monkey wrench while trying to free it from its perch atop a BumbleBee tuna can.

link

How in the world can the mishandling of the most famous Red Sock's cryogenically preserved noggin not put a curse on the Sox going forward?

Watched DC at NBA Summer League in LV today

Ajax — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:44:59 -0000

DC had 18 points in the first quarter before he rolled his ankle on a drive to the basket. He was being guarded by first rounder Johnny Flynn from Syracuse, but DC was having his way with him. The crowd was buzzing about some of his drives to the basket. Hopefully the ankle isn't too serious. DC is going to have a solid NBA career.

Scott Wolf pretty much sums it up:

Ajax — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:28:17 -0000

"The signing of O.J. Mayo pretty much ruined the USC basketball program."

ROFL

Another USC Limo violation?

Ajax — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:44:13 -0000

USC picked up Boyd in a limousine during his visit and put him and other recruits up in the downtown L.A. Marriott.

link

Sound familiar?

Having already told USC he was not interested in taking an official visit, USC assistant Ken Norton Jr. - a former UCLA player - called Price last month and tried to get him to check out the campus on an official visit. After some joking on the phone, Norton asked if Price would prefer to be picked up in a Mercedes-Benz or a Chevy Tahoe, and Price said he jokingly told Norton he preferred the Tahoe, but then declined the trip altogether.

The following day, Price said, he was pulled out of his fourth-period art class by a guidance counselor who informed him a limousine was waiting in front of Crenshaw High for him. When he got to the front, the driver asked Price to get in and they were going to USC.

With school officials declining to release Price without parental permission, Frank Price came to the school. They called Norton, who instructed the two to hop in and come to the campus, despite Brian and Frank repeatedly telling USC coaches they were not interested in taking the trip.

"He didn't get it through his head, and I had to keep on telling him no," said Brian Price, who grew up a USC fan. "I wasn't falling for it. "That wouldn't look right for UCLA. I'm the face of UCLA football right now. I already know I would not be the face of the USC team. Me taking that trip would be giving UCLA a bad name."

After they sent the limo away, both said they have not been contacted by USC
since. USC coaches are not allowed to comment on Price, since he is still a recruitable athlete until he signs.

While it's being reported that the use of a limo in recruiting is a violation of NCAA rules, Carroll told the LA Times that the school uses Town Cars, not limos. Price's father is quoted as saying the car was much longer than a limo.

Pearson at PE blog

The NCAA is very clear about the use of limousines in recruiting student athletes:

13.5.2 Excessive Entertainment. A member institution may not arrange or permit excessive entertainment of a prospect on the campus or elsewhere (e.g., hiring a band for a dance specifically for the entertainment of the prospect, a chauffeured limousine, a helicopter).

13.5.2.1 General Restrictions. A member institution may pay the prospective student-athlete's actual round-trip transportation costs for his or her official visit to its campus from any location, provided the prospective student-athlete returns to the original point of departure, or if return transportation is provided to the prospective student-athlete's home, educational institution or site of competition, the cost does not exceed round-trip expenses from the prospective student-athlete's original point of departure. Use of a limousine or helicopter for such transportation is prohibited. (Revised: 1/9/06, 5/26/06)

Now, I'm sure this is all a big understanding and that the limo was really a "Towncar. "

Cheat on Peter and Kenny.

Hanley Ramirez in Play?

Ajax — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:33:15 -0000

At least he is according to Heyman/Verducci:

The Red Sox made a play to re-acquire Marlins superstar Hanley Ramirez after losing out to the rival Yankees for star free agent Mark Teixeira, league sources tell SI.com. But while the Marlins listened to Boston's overtures, Florida isn't anxious to trade its best player, and talks apparently have been aborted after no agreement could be reached.

The Marlins were said to be most interested in a center fielder, and discussions apparently centered on Boston's promising youngster Jacoby Ellsbury, talented pitching prospect Clay Buchholz and others in a package for Ramirez, who began in Boston's organization.

I know it's the longshot of longshots, but how sweet would it be if the Halos put a package together and swooped in on HR right in Theo's face?

Tex "favored the Yankees all along."

Ajax — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:54:28 -0000

Just in case you were wondering whether Boras was using the Angels as leverage to drive up the price on Tex, the big picture of these negotiations is now coming into focus:

But when the Angels pulled out of the bidding on Sunday night, and the Red Sox failed to reach an agreement after their owner traveled all the way to Dallas to meet with him and agent Scott Boras, the Yankees suddenly became more interested.

It was then learned that Teixeira had favored the Yankees all along and according to sources he conveyed that to them this week.

link

Looks like Tex never had any intention of signing with the Angels (at least for a reasonable offer). While it's hard to begrudge Tex for getting all that he can get, it's hard not to feel at least a little disdain towards him for using our team as leverage. F-him: he is the enemy now. F-the Yankees, F-the Red Sox, F-Scott Boras too.

Here's too Kowbell and Wood coming up huge in 2009.

A theory on the Tex negotiations

Ajax — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:33:20 -0000

Could it be that Boras is advising Tex to hold off on a decision, hoping that the Yanks jump into the fray? If the Yanks jumped in, you'd think that the Sox would be pressured to do whatever it would take to keep him out of NY.

Boras set the number at 10 years/$200 million from the beginning. Could getting the Yanks invovled help him get there?

It certainly would not help the Halos' chance of resigning Tex if the Yanks got invovled.

Looks like it will take more than 6/$120m to land Tex

Ajax — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:56:49 -0000

Two high-ranking baseball officials predicted that star free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira just might hit the reputed $200-million asking price.
At least two teams and perhaps more are believed to have already bid $160 million, and at least four teams still appear to be in the running. The Red Sox, Angels, Nationals and Orioles appear to be among the serious suitors for the switching-hitting star. Angels owner Arte Moreno told SI on Tueesday, "Teixeira's my guy,'' meaning he remained their top target.

Is it going to take 10 years/ $200m for Tex?

link

Anyone catch Cowherd this morning?

Ajax — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:15:05 -0000

Not that I'm breaking any news that he is a TrOJan groupie, but I thought his show was way overboard this morning.

First, I'm pretty sure he was drunk.

Second, I could have sworn that UCLA was hosting the game this year. So why is it that the TrOJand skanks--I mean song girls and SuC band---were performing during the show? Not to mention his breathless and constant fellating of everything TrOJan.

Keep up the good work ESPN.

"Coming This Fall" Cool promo video sent out by UCLA

Ajax — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:30:06 -0000

"Coming This Fall"

Cool promo video sent out by UCLA