The Sun Will Rise, The Sun Will Set

...and Shank will make painfully predictable tweets during a Patriots game.

Pats win toss and take ball?
First sign of the apocalypse.
Must have something to do with cold.
BYW: The Sat night playoff game vs Tenn was colder

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 31, 2017

Zero Imagination - Follow-Up!

How could I deprive you, dear reader, of all the positive feedback Shank generated with his tweet this morning?

Oh good, now I can listen to more Christmas music and turn your station off. 4 hours of u bashing the Pats, I would rather sit in a dentist chair

— john (@kneessy) December 29, 2017

I'd rather stick needles in my eyes.

— Jeremy Bamford (@bamford_jeremy) December 29, 2017

No one will be listening.

— WhatGrindsMyGears(@REALLYGRINDZ) December 29, 2017

Thanks for the warning

— donbrennan(@Don02451) December 29, 2017

Maybe you can break down the breakfast buffet you weren't invited to as to give insight on why you hate the Krafts

— Matt Schena(@MattSchena81) December 29, 2017

Damn, I was so looking forward to 3 hours of tomato can talk.

— Angry Kirk (@angry_kirk) December 29, 2017

Did Shank actually say this?

This from a guy who wrote that Morkand Mindy was a better show than Cheers

— BillyFromManchester(@billyskouteris) December 29, 2017

And the winner:

I hope someone drags YOU out of the studio so we can laugh about it for 3-hours.....and longer

— Mike Carbone (@mikecarb) December 29, 2017

Damn Those Fences

Raj clued me in to this.  It started with Bruce Jenkins, columnist/math-fearer/schlub, who tweeted all the things he found bad about WAR (none of which were based on actual, you know, math). Naturally, his fellow Luddite, The CHB, promptly retweeted it.

It appears the original tweet has been taken down, but this one is close enough:

I've been big on stats since I was a little kid, but not WAR. Bill James calls it "not very impressive. They get so far into the data that they throw up their hands and take a wild guess." (cont.)

— Bruce Jenkins (@Bruce_Jenkins1) December 27, 2017

My take: It's the "stick to tradition no matter how ineffective it is" approach. Take Cy Young. Since he threw 749 complete games, major league managers should go back to leaving their starting pitchers in the whole time. Obviously that's the path to success, and all these relievers are just mucking up everything, right? While we are at it, let's go back to the single/stolen base/swing at everything approach. And get rid of those damn seats and fences. People can stand, dammit.

The game changes as our understanding of it changes, and anyone who doesn't adapt gets left behind. 

Likewise for WAR, WARP, VORP, and a host of other descriptors. Stats are just a means to describe what happened. They are a language, based on numbers. The language of the game evolves, as all languages do. Anyone want to read a gamer written in Elizabethan English? I didn't think so.

Zero Imagination

How are you gonna bore the living shit out of your audience today, Shank?

On 98.5 SportsHub filling in for Zo and Beetle today with Marshall Hook from 10-2. Hoping somebody storms out of studio so we can talk about it for three hours.

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 29, 2017

UPDATE AT 11:08 AM - I feel like calling in and asking Shank how climate change is going to affect the Pats / Jets game on Sunday.

UPDATE AT 11:24 AM - Shank and his co-host are getting mauled by a bunch of callers because they did not fully understand the injury situation / roster implications with regard to Aaron Rodgers.

UPDATE AT 12:02 PM - I cannot believe Shank had the balls to say what I just heard - "Well crafted writing is not valued anymore." Oh, please! When was the last time we read something from Shank that was 'well crafted', that wasn't also marred by his trademark trolling and relentless negativity? I've now reached my bullshit quota for the day.

Mea Culpa Time?

Well, not exactly. Two posts below I noted that Shank opined that James Harrison quit on the Steelers, and that a number of respondents pointed out that this wasn't the case. Today we learn that a number of Steelers players are saying he did just that:

Players witnessed Harrison sleeping in a recliner during position meetings and snoring loudly while outside linebackers coach Joey Porter tried to teach, the source said. Sometimes, Harrison would skip meetings altogether, and when he missed practices for various injuries, player suspicions would rise when Harrison conducted his famous power-lifting sessions the same week or day, the source said.

Harrison left the building at random times, would leave stadiums before or during games on days he was inactive and told teammates he was trying to get traded, released or placed on Injured Reserve, the source said.

The source said Harrison exhibited the behavior throughout the season, but players really started to notice Harrison checking out on game days after a Week 4 win over the Ravens.

If Shank knew this at the time of his tweet, I think it would have helped his case along these lines. I'm adding this as a follow-up post in case there's any doubt about the situation, which is - if these stories are true, and there's no reason right now to dismiss them, Harrison definitely checked out, or quit, on the Steelers.

UPDATE AT 3:58 PMI might want to finish reading the whole thing before posting - did he quit on the team if they promised him more playing snaps and then renege on that promise? There's always two sides to the story, so here they are.

Can't Wait For The Arbitron Ratings

Are they trying to lose the audience on purpose? Why would you do this to them for four hours? Doesn't the Constitution prohibit 'cruel and unusual punishment'?

In the big chair 10-2 again today with @Dan_Shaughnessy, we’ll be joined at noon by @AlbertBreer - tune in and give a holler at 617 779 0985

— Christian Arcand (@ChristianArcand) December 28, 2017

Do Three Data Points Make A Trend?

Probably not, but that doesn't stop Shank from making the attempt:

The Patriot Way: Quit on your old team. Get released. Join Patriots. Blount. Bennett. Now Harrison.

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 27, 2017

When I was growing up in Manchester, I remember running through the back yard, stepped on a rake at full running tilt and smacked myself right in the face, hard enough for me to fall down hard, just like Wile E. Coyote used to do. This tweet is the online equivalent of the rake faceplant:

Did Harrison really quit on his team? They didn’t play him and then released him. He wasn’t supposed to sign with another team? Guy didn’t have a job.

— Katie Morrison (@KatieMo61) December 27, 2017

Facts are stubborn things, Katie! You know Shank isn't going to pay much attention to that sort of thing when he's pushing his scorched-earth agenda.

The Patriot Way: Run an orginazionenvied by the best players. Attract disgruntled players with the opportunity to win and be respected. Have even their small role be highly valued. Good coaching brings out the best in them. Everyone wins.

— ZacYork (@zacpme) December 27, 2017

He's still not over that snub by the Patriots from twenty years ago, Zac.

Except that the Steelers signed Harrison last March, refused to play him, then they cut him.

What do you think he was supposed to do then? Quit looking for a job?

— TheSplitScreen(@TheSplitScreen) December 27, 2017

This one will leave a mark:

Sort of like some of the sports reporters that quit the Globe and went elswhere..

— NE FAN (@stomlin64) December 27, 2017

...and the winner:

pic.twitter.com/f5PZ29ZLxO

— NYC Pizza Rat🍕🐀 (@realNYCPizzaRat) December 27, 2017

And Now For More Boston Globe (Employee) Bashing - LXVII

Retweeted by Shank:

It will all trickle down. Count on it. https://t.co/eEuDaO3JD7

— Kevin Paul Dupont(@GlobeKPD) December 24, 2017

Question for Kevin Paul Dupont - how well did the Globe's 1.1 billion dollar 1993 purchase by the New York Times 'trickle down' to you and the rest of the staff? Here's my analysis - it didn't. The Taylor family scooped it all up for themselves and you didn't say jack shit about it. Where's the anger towards them? Hypocritical bag of shit...

Second Guessing - A Christmas Pasttime!

I don't think Shank has ever had a firm grasp on 'good ideas':

Might be good idea to keep Gronkowski on bench now

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 24, 2017

Jerkoff Tweets, By Dan Shaughnessy

Second half Bills / Patriots tweets, presented without comment:

NFL just overturned David Tyree catch and declared Patriots winners of SB XLII

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 24, 2017

Just give Patriots the game

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 24, 2017

Discordant Tweets, By Dan Shaughnessy

The brontosaurus of the dying newspaper industry doesn't seem to think we notice when he says two completely different things about the same close game within 40 minutes of each other.

Bills paying attention. They knew enough to make the Patriots take the ball to start the game. No double score today. Wonder where Alex G is watching from?

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 24, 2017

Embarrassing two play calls by Bills. This is why everybody sucks against the Patriots. #Cans

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 24, 2017

The only thing that should be embarrassing is Shank not feeling that emotion for saying the same god damn thing week after week, year after year.

And Now For More Boston Globe Bashing - LXVI

So there's been a major federal tax cut signed into law, which will benefit most taxpayers and corporations, now that the cost of capital have been reduced. Guess which newspaper has a problem with it?

Trump’s shoutout to Bob Kraft raises questions

The GOP tax overall is so incredible for business owners and the economy, Patriots owner Robert Kraft is building a factory in North Carolina. It’s going to be a beautiful thing!

That’s at least the story President Trump is selling.

Trump told the world Friday that Kraft, whose family firm owns Rand-Whitney along with other paper and packaging businesses, called him Thursday to talk up the $1.5 trillion tax cut that Republicans whisked to Trump’s desk. Because of the bill, Trump said, his buddy in Foxborough is going to buy “a big plant” in North Carolina and will build a “paper products plant” there.

Are you guys mad because your newspaper's not getting bailed out?

And yes, Shank retweeted this because it's critical of Bob Kraft. Keep it classy, Shank!

And Now For More Boston Globe Bashing - LXV

Boston Globe ass-covering weasel editor Brian McGrory issues a half-assed and unconvincing apology about not naming one of their three employees accused of sexual harassment:

We published a story on Dec. 8 about news organizations, including the Globe, facing sexual misconduct issues in their midst as they cover these issues elsewhere. The story noted that a Globe journalist was “pressured into resigning” after misconduct accusations were made against him.

At the time, Globe editors chose not to publicly identify the journalist. We believed that we were adhering to our journalistic principles, standards on sourcing, and sense of basic fairness. We believed that the misconduct was not at the level of what we had been covering and uncovering in other organizations. We didn’t believe we had definitive proof to name him in a news story.

Time and circumstances in this extraordinary national movement have given us, or at least me, a different perspective.

That's because he got his ass kicked over his world-class hypocrisy, and they're still not naming the other two. Until they do that, they're still world class hypocrites, and I expect nothing else from leftists.

Also - I wonder why they've turned off the comments to that article?

In Case You Were Wondering

Shank still hates Robert Kraft:

During the bill-signing Friday morning, President Trump said, “A friend of mine, Bob Kraft, called me last night. He said this tax bill is incredible.” https://t.co/IPG7Ip55zn

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) December 22, 2017

Of course he did . . . https://t.co/EJgtYElV9K

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 22, 2017

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

Sometimes you need to think through the potential ramifications of what you say and write:

One of the most depressing things I have read. Fanboy journalism wins. Let’s all just be team websites. #pathetic https://t.co/jX5cbkPxoX

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 22, 2017

What if a team owner bought the local city newspaper that covers his team, as well as the cable channel that carries all the regular season games? How “objective” could that be?

— Red Sox 24/7 (@SaltPointer) December 22, 2017

I can pinpoint your columns for the next year: Tomato cans, Seymour HOF, BB overrated, Best Buddies, Al Davis was the greatest, Red Sox owners can't do wrong, Brady is a system QB - you guys are from the 80's your Delorian is calling

— FITNESS247 (@onetime72) December 22, 2017

Another Early Christmas Present For Shank

When Shank gets to stir the pot, clear out of the kitchen!

Rock ‘n’ roll folklore holds that Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles, just as Svengali Dr. Eugene Landy took Brian Wilson away from the Beach Boys.

If you're under 40, do you a) know or b) care about Yoko Ono or the fucking Beach Boys?

And now here in Boston we have faux doctor Alex “Yoko” Guerrero (thank you, Greg Bedard, Boston Sports Journal) threatening the longstanding ties that bind the world champion Patriots.

I exaggerate, of course. That’s what we do here in the toy department. Still, it’s a mistake to follow the lead of the formidable New England Patriots media cartel (where most everyone either works for the team or is afraid of the team) and insists that the presence of Tom Brady’s guru Guerrero is no threat to break up the band at Gillette.

And now he starts laying it on thick:

But there are storm clouds over Gillette.

Tom is the greatest of all time. But he is increasingly vested in the power and promotion of TB12 and all things Guerrero.

Bill is the greatest coach of all time and has the power to order fans to leap off the Zakim Bridge. But he did not get his way with Garoppolo back in October (no way Belichick wanted to trade the kid) and — in a move that may or may not be related — clearly doesn’t want the rest of his team under the spell of Guerrero.

It’s hard to blame Belichick on this one. Of course he wants Tom to be happy. Putting up with Guerrero has been relatively harmless until now. But now some players are saying they’d rather do what Alex says than follow the instructions of the Patriots training staff. Almost half of the Patriots players are now working out on their own time with Guerrero.

There's more at the link and probably worth reading. I think Guerrero is, um, shady but whatever he's doing with Brady seems to be working.

And Now For More Boston Globe Bashing - LXIV

Gearing up for a Profile in Courage Award?

Brian McGrory canceled his weekly Wednesday interview with Jim and Margery on NPR today.

— Kirk and Callahan (@KirkAndCallahan) December 20, 2017

Gee - I wonder why he cancelled?

UPDATE AT 2:00 PM - The Catholic League piles on:

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the Boston Globe‘s practice of keeping confidential the names of employees charged with sexual abuse:

In the 1970s, a senior editor at the Boston Globe was known to sexually harass young female workers. He would ply them with alcohol and then make advances. More important, he was not the only one who preyed on women. But nothing was done to stop him, or the others.

Sexual abuse is still going on at the Globe. In March, a young woman employee filed a complaint against a male journalist with human resources. She said he propositioned her to have sex with his wife. But nothing came of it. One year ago, the same man propositioned her to have sex with him. He was allowed to stay on the job, until, that is, more accusations were made against him from outside the office.

So who is he? The Globe refuses to say. They declared this to be a “confidential personnel matter.”

If it weren't for double standards, the Boston Globe would have no standards at all.

This Will Be Good For A Few Shank Columns

One of Shank's targets retired last year, and he'll soon get his own reality show:

If we learned anything about David Ortiz during his 20-year career in Major League Baseball, it was that he like cameras. Ortiz was a media favorite, a staple of local and national advertising, and the guy most likely to run onto the field during the Home Run Derby holding a Gatorade bottle. So it’s no surprise he plans to stay on camera in retirement, even beyond his gig as an analyst on Fox’s postseason baseball coverage.

The cable network Fusion announced Tuesday that it will partner will Ortiz on a new 10-part reality series called “Big Papi Needs a Job,” in which the former slugger tests out professions such as dog groomer, manicurist, and musician in search of a new career.

How about a Boston Globe sports columnist? It can't be any worse than what we have now...

And Now For More Boston Globe Bashing - LXIII

It seems the Boston Globe is real eager to publicize local media's run-ins with accusations of sexual harassment:

The Globe has written stories about individuals such as WBUR’s Tom Ashbrook, Boston union leader Tyrek Lee, and NESN anchor Marc James, who exchanged texts with a woman who turned down his requests for a date.

More on James in a minute, but would you care to guess the organization that the Boston Globe refuses to name about a 'prominent State House reporter'?

A PROMINENT BOSTON GLOBE State House reporter, who was the subject of an internal sexual harassment complaint, was forced out last month after reporters and editors at the paper learned he allegedly initiated inappropriate communications with women who work on Beacon Hill, who were fearful of rebuffing his advances outright because of his position, say sources.

Someone put two and two together:

According to sources familiar with the situation, Jim O’Sullivan, a longtime State House fixture who had been one of the Globe’s leading political reporters, was forced to resign after Globe reporters were alerted during the course of reporting on sexual harassment in the Legislature that he had uncomfortable and unwanted written communications with at least one woman, and possibly a second, who had work-related dealings with the Globe. It’s unclear whether the women worked in state government or in some other capacity on Beacon Hill.

The forced resignation came eight months after O’Sullivan was the subject of a complaint to the Globe’s human resources department by a young woman who worked at the paper. The internal incident was detailed as part of a larger story the Globe ran on December 8 about sexual harassment in the media. O’Sullivan was not named in the article, which referred only to a “male employee” journalist at the paper, a decision that has stirred controversy because of the Globe’s coverage of the so-called #MeToo movement and its willingness to name names in covering other incidents.

And why won't the Boston Globe acknowledge this or name the reporter?

In his memo to staff, McGrory defended his decision as a matter of standards.

Standards, as in 'double standard'! It's also clear that there may be at least two others, and the Globe has clammed up on those names as well. Someone else will have to step up and report the names; the Globe won't do it.

Now this part's worrisome - about Marc James, it's reported that his 'crime' was being turned down for what seems to be two or more requests for a date. If that's all it was, do we really want to criminalize men asking women for dates and / or characterizing it as sexual harassment? If that's the case, it's clear this #MeToo thing has gotten way out of hand.

I did a little more digging about Marc James, and the harassment charge stems from him snapping and flipping out on the woman after he was turned down. I'm leaving the above paragraph up because it seems to me that this issue is now 'trial by social media' in which every accused man is deemed guilty and his career ruined, and I don't think we're far away from criminalizing or browbeating men for asking a woman out on a date. There's a reason books like this one get written.

Boring The Audience

I'd really love to know the hour to hour ratings for some of these shows; I can't imagine this particular segment getting anything stratospheric, given this thrilling content.

On with @ZoandBertrand today from 10-12. Final playing of Mitch Miller and the Gang for this Christmas season. Will ask Zo about Terrible Towel placed on floor of aisle on my flight home from Pittsburgh.

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 19, 2017

The One Where The Patriots Beat The Steelers Again

You want a real Shank / Patriots bandwagon column? Here you go:

PITTSBURGH — When, oh when, will they ever learn?

When it comes to Patriots-Steelers, the Patriots will always win. It doesn’t matter if the game appears to have gone the other way. It doesn’t matter if the Steelers are playing at home and seem to have scored a winning touchdown with only 34 seconds remaining.

In the end, the Patriots will come into Steeltown and they will cut the Steelers’ hearts right out of their puffed-up chests. And they will send Pittsburgh’s proud fans into pigskin therapy.

Now He's Just Messin' With Us

Adrian Gonzalez was traded from the L.A. Dodgers to the Atlanta Braves yesterday. I'm pretty sure Shank's not serious here, right?

@Dan_Shaughnessy Now that Braves have acquired and are planning on DFAing "The Cooler", any rumblings of a Boston reunion?

— Jon Tapper (@TapperJonathan) December 16, 2017

He’s tanned, rested and ready to come back to Boston. The Cooler. The Sequel https://t.co/gSIfZJSEbz

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 16, 2017

No Worries, Mate

Are you worried about Sunday's Patriots game at the Steelers? Fear not, intrepid reader - Shank's here to assuage your fears:

Patriots-Steelers. This is epic. It’s is a classic clash of football cultures.

The Patriots do things quietly. The Steelers are loud.

Bill Belichick and the Patriots pretend it’s just another game. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers go into Hype Overdrive.

But we know how it will unfold. After all the news and noise, the Patriots will go into Pittsburgh and cut the Steelers’ hearts out. Again.

No tomato cans this week, Shank?

Truth be told, he makes a solid argument - worth reading in full, and we don't say that very often around here.

Nattering Nabob Of Negativity

Where would anyone ever get the impression that Boston sports reporters & columnists are among the most negative people in the United States?

On today with @ZoandBertrand from 10-12. Lots of Sox bashing and some good Tomlin stuff. Plus Mitch Miller and the Gang.

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 14, 2017

Oh - that's where!

A Christmas Card From Shank To Tom Brady

Dear Tom:

Remember when I used the pages of the Boston Globe to call you a cheater?

We're good now, right?

Your pal,

Shank

Admit it, Patriots fans. You never even think about Tom getting hurt anymore. It doesn’t matter that he’s 40 and it doesn’t matter that he gets hit a lot. Tom seems to know just how to fall. Tom preaches pliability. He knows how to sense danger when the pocket is collapsing.

Bill Belichick is certainly confident about Brady’s health. After getting a look at Brady this summer, the Hoodie was comfortable trading Jacoby Brissett. A few months later, Bill shook up the Patriot universe again, trading The Future — Jimmy Garappolo — to San Francisco.

Give it time - Shank will be second guessing that trade soon enough.

And Now For More Boston Globe Bashing - LXI

As Larry Bird once said to Chuck Person, Merry Fucking Christmas!

The Herald's bankruptcy filing reports that among the debts the paper owes is an estimated $600,000 to the Boston Globe for "trade services," i.e., the cost of printing the Herald on its Taunton printing presses.

Red Sox Respond To The Yankees

Glad that whole Giancarlo Stanton situation's been resolved:

Red Sox have answered Yankee moves. Take that, Yanks! https://t.co/pBB6Edl17H

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 13, 2017

So long, Bud — Sam Adams is the new official beer of the Red Sox https://t.co/FqnkfTPxz5

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) December 13, 2017

A Tale Of Two Tweets

Before:

Game over early again.
Pats win flip. Defer to second half.
Get ready for the double score.
We're on to Pittsburgh

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 12, 2017

...and after:

Sure this was bad, but it really changed nothing https://t.co/acr0Hw3CxH via @BostonGlobe

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 12, 2017

Shots Fired!

Did Peter Abraham, Shank's colleague at the Boston Globe, just flip him off? It sure looks that way!

Shank, two days ago:

With the Patriots headed to Minneapolis for the Super Bowl and the Celtics off to a near-historic start, the local baseball team does nothing day after day.

Peter Abraham, today:

For Red Sox, making a smart acquisition — not a fast one — is what matters

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The temptation is to demand action. The Red Sox must make a move after the Yankees traded for Giancarlo Stanton and they must do it now.

But that’s a formula for mistakes, not success.

Spring training starts on Feb. 14, more than two months from now. Making a hasty acquisition proves nothing. Making a smart acquisition, even if it takes a few weeks, is what matters. You can’t win any games in December.

That's Peter Abraham basically calling Shank an asshole.

And Now For More Boston Globe Bashing - LX

Why are nearly all liberal / leftist institutions chock full of men sexually harassing women?

The department had a “culture problem,” said Linda Henry, the Globe’s managing director. “It had become a boys’ club.”

The Globe has since made a number of management changes across the business side of the organization.

Translation - 'We shitcanned a bunch of men.'

And the result:

The Globe’s review continued after the watershed Weinstein revelations. Henry has been meeting internally with women at the newspaper to discuss workplace culture, as part of the unfolding national discourse on sexual harassment, a movement often referred to by the hashtag #MeToo.

In a number of informal interviews over the past two weeks for this story, women at the Globe had overall positive things to say about the current work culture in the news department where three of the top five jobs are held by women, and 22 of the 44 managers are women. Some have worked here for years and said they had never seen anything that would constitute harassment. Henry said different departments at the Globe seem to have their own cultures, and she was convinced the newsroom climate is “not one of sexual harassment or sexism.”

Which will be fine until the Globe joins the Boston Herald in the financial graveyard.

DHL Dan LXIII - Hot Stove Whining

It was announced about nine hours ago that the New York Yankees have acquired top free agent Giancarlo Stanton. About two hours ago Shank's already complaining about the Red Sox not responding to it:

■ Giancarlo Stanton is about to become a Yankee. This is big, people. The Yankees now have two guys who combined for 111 homers last season. It’s back to Mantle-Maris, circa 1961. The addition of Stanton gives the Bronx Bombers a lineup that includes Stanton, Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius, Brett Gardner, Greg Bird, and Aaron Hicks. The Sox will need more than electronic devices to beat that team. Stanton’s popups to right will be homers in Yankee Stadium. With Derek Jeter helping his old team, the deal is already being compared to Kevin McHale sending Kevin Garnett to the Celtics. Meanwhile, could the Boston baseball winter be any more boring? With the Patriots headed to Minneapolis for the Super Bowl and the Celtics off to a near-historic start, the local baseball team does nothing day after day. And it’s trouble that both Shohei Ohtani and Stanton put Boston on the no-fly list. Guess not everybody wants to play here anymore.

First thing - I continue to be amazed at Shank's ability (and his complete unreasonableness) to whine and bitch about stuff like this. Second thing - I checked a few news stories about this trade (see here and here and here), and I'm unable to verify Shank's hyperbolic statement that "Stanton put Boston on the no-fly list". That's just Shank throwing gas on the fire that he started. Some rational thought on Boston's response can be found here.

From there, it's more baseball stuff and yet another unprofessional criticism of Robert Kraft. Why does he continue to call him Amos Alonzo? Probably because he's still pissed at that Super Bowl breakfast snub from 1996, that's why.

Things that Shank has already written about two dozen times:

■ The AFC has only two good teams and it’s hard to believe the Patriots will be tested any time in January. Most likely to challenge New England is probably the not-so-talented Ravens, because they have two things no one else has: a coach (John Harbaugh) and quarterback (Joe Flacco) who don’t lose their minds at the sight of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

He didn't notice when McGwire and Sosa were hitting all those home runs but he notices it now:

■ Adderall is on the list of banned substances in major league baseball, but according to Sports Illustrated’s L. Jon Wertheim, a 2013 report stated that 119 major league players had obtained “therapeutic use exemptions,” allowing for a prescription and absolvement from any tests detecting the banned substance. That’s almost 10 percent of the MLB workforce with a permission slip allowing a banned substance. Hmm.

Bonus - Larry Bird sighting!

Holy Shit

Looks like the lefties and so-called social justice warriors continue their attempts to rewrite history.

The issue is this: In the eyes of some, the Crusader nickname is offensive to non-Christians. Some folks see it as a symbol of slaughters during the 11th century Holy Wars between the Christians and Muslims. Others would argue that a Crusader is simply someone who is fighting for a cause. Webster’s dictionary uses both definitions.

First - so what if a mere name is 'offensive' to someone else? Has a crime been committed, like shouting 'Fire!' in a theatre? In this country we have a First Amendment which implies a right to offend, as Frank Zappa used to note with a label on some of his album covers. The first time I encountered this notion of 'being offended' was in 1993, working a temp. job for Massport. Something happened (I can't remember the contents of the conversation), and one of the weenies I was working with said 'I find that offensive'. I shot him a 'are you serious?' look and walked away, never thinking that this notion would be used in the ensuing decades to effectively curtail speech. In fact, I will amplify my own speech if it offends someone or some people I don't like just to spite them, much like I have been doing with this blog for eight years now with respect to Dan Shaughnessy.

Second, anyone bothering to research the issue for more than five minutes would realize the Crusades began "in response to centuries of Muslim wars of expansion. Their objectives were to check the spread of Islam, to retake control of the Holy Land in the eastern Mediterranean, to conquer pagan areas, and to recapture formerly Christian territories; they were seen by many of their participants as a means of redemption and expiation for sins". I say this as an avowed atheist, who shouldn't give two flying fucks about two groups who go to war with each other over whose book is holier than the other's book. My primary objection is to rewriting and ignoring history by the unwashed hordes of rock dumb Americans who grew up reading Chomsky and Zinn thinking this country is irredeemably racist, sexist, homophobic and bigoted, filled with descendants of slaveholders, Southern rednecks who love NASCAR and pig roasts, and 'climate change' deniers. They can all go jump into Boston Harbor, preferably in a few more weeks during a 'Noreaster.

Third, my high school, Manchester Memorial High School, is nicknamed - you guessed it! - The Crusaders. At least they haven't folded, yet.

This is a tricky issue in this day and age. I live in a town famous for having elementary school kids engage in a recess “tug-of-peace” because “tug-of-war” is too aggressive.

Students writing for the Holy Cross newspaper recently stated, “Why would we not consider changing something that takes away from the experience of our community, even if it is just a single person who takes issue?’’

Many institutions have gone down this path in the last 40 years. The Dartmouth Indians became the Big Green. The St. John’s Redmen became the Red Storm. The UMass Redmen became the Minutemen. The Washington Bullets became the Wizards. The Washington Redskins argument is never going away, and we can all pretty much agree that the Cleveland Indians’ hideous Chief Wahoo is racist — even though everybody in Cleveland seems to love the goofy little guy.

I am not in agreement with the notion that “if one person is offended, we should change things.’’ That’s a black hole from which we can never be rescued. But there’s certainly validity in the opinion that “Crusader” is offensive to some.
...
I know where most of my friends and Holy Cross classmates stand on this. They don’t want to change. And when I ran into Tommy Heinsohn at the Garden last weekend, it was no surprise to hear Tommy’s outrage about the suggestion.

“It’s nonsense,’’ said the Celtics legend (Holy Cross, 1956). “Political correctness. Gimme a break.

So you have two choices - bend over for a bunch of whining, poorly read leftist zombies every time the pacifier falls from their mouth, or tell them in no uncertain terms to go fuck themselves, for the reasons noted above.

Rehashed Radio?

I'm wondering how much of his (and Tara Shaughnessy's) column(s) was rehashed earlier today:

On with @ZoandBertrand today from 11-1. It's pre-party for Zo getting Voice of Boston tonight when he Makes the Globies Great Again. House of Blues at 6:30 tonight.

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 5, 2017

Introducing Tara 'Shaughnessy'

Look at the crap the newest sports Globie is trying to sell you:

Kudos to the Patriots. But shame on the rest of the AFC East
...
But shame on the rest of the AFC East.

Shame on you Bills, and Dolphins, and Jets, for making this so easy for the Patriots for so many years now, for turning in season after season of futility and inability to match wits, never mind quarterbacks, with the best-run franchise in the NFL, for living so consistently in the shadow of a Belichick-Brady combination that yes, will go down as the greatest combination of coach and athlete our sports landscape has ever known, but has been able to flourish because everyone else just wilts.

If you're of the camp that winning percentages is the most objective measure of success or failure, this is simply an ignorant statement. We go through this shit every fucking year with Shank, and now it has spread to the newest member of the Titantic Globe's sports bureau. Look at the current win totals for 2016 / 2017 - the AFC East is second in total wins (26) to the NFC South, with 28 wins. Look at the prior year - the AFC East is third in total wins (36) behind the AFC West (38) and the NFC East (39). Look at 2015 / 2016 - the AFC East and NFC South are tied with 36, with the AFC East being the only division with three teams at or above the .500 mark.

The recent re-emergence of Super Bowl wins for the Patriots has forced Shank Shaughnessy (and now his sidekick) to sing this 'AFC East Sucks!' tune because the old assertion that the 'Patriots simply aren't that good' doesn't sell anymore.

...but that neither team could either turn it into a championship run or find a way to build on the breakthrough is as much a testament to their failure as credit to the Patriots’ success.

By what measure, total wins? Between crap like this and the mindless 'Tomato Can' labeling, it's little wonder why the media's been taking a heavy beating recently.

UPDATE AT 5:20 PM- Bruce Allen (formerly of Boston Sports Media Watch) piles on:

Welcome, @Globe_Tara but this column has already been written a few dozen times by your new colleague @Dan_Shaughnessy. We were hoping for something original. https://t.co/eclz9mU4w0

— Bruce Allen (@bruceallen) December 4, 2017

Mountain Out Of A Molehill - IV

The New England Patriots won in a convincing fashion yesterday, 23 - 3. Leave it to Shank to focus entirely on the one bad play of the game for the Patriots.

Rob Gronkowski deserves a suspension for his cheap shot on Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White late in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 23-3 victory in Buffalo Sunday.

There. Was that so hard?

This is not to say we don’t like Rob Gronkowski. He is one of the best tight ends in the history of football. When healthy, Gronk is virtually unstoppable. He’s also a fun goof who donates to charity, engages fans, and has never been in trouble with the local authorities. He has been a great Patriot and a good citizen and teammate. He’s a Hall of Famer.

More at the link, if you can stomach it.

UPDATE AT 3:55 PM - Gronk's suspended for one game, and Gronk says he will appeal.

Blistering Hot Takes, By Dan Shaughnessy

When it comes to NFL football, Shank's comments are... predictable:

Pats win toss. Defer. Double score is set up for end of first half and beginning of second. Now wait for first Patriot fumble to magically bounce into hands of Patriots.
Nothing ever changes.

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 3, 2017

Including his tweets!

Bills starting QB injured on first play of game.

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 3, 2017

Presumably right after the Eric Lee interception:

Nice job Bills. The stupidity is like clockwork. So this game is over.
We're on to Miami,

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 3, 2017

Blistering Hot Take

It looks like Shank's recovered from his Belichick hissy fit earlier this week.

There was a run on these at Shaw’s this morning. Folks getting ready for another AFC East game. pic.twitter.com/ZtflNWfO1G

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 3, 2017

Reader reaction was less than constructive:

You desperately need some new material

— Jon Alexander (@JAlexander80) December 3, 2017

I don’t remember this rant when Bird, Parrish and McHale were plowing through the NBA most nights. Happy to be old enough to enjoy both.

— Mark (@me4bostonsports) December 3, 2017

That was slightly funny the first couple hundred times you used it. Enough. #wornout

— Stephen Marsella⚾ (@SPM316) December 3, 2017

Dan is working on a kids book. “Little Tom and the March of The Tomato Cans” .

— BizzaroFelger(@Sports_Schlub) December 3, 2017

We should be so lucky!

Rearranging The Deck Chairs On The Titantic

Looks like there's a new Globie on the sports staff:

Tara Sullivan, The Boston Globe. pic.twitter.com/d5VK6qPxNq

— tara sullivan (@Globe_Tara) December 3, 2017