Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
New black hole not afraid of Raiders' black hole one teensy bit
Share This Post
Comments
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 - 7:00pm
Follow @rattocsn

The Inglewood City Council welcomed the St. Louis Rams (well, Stan Kroenke’s money, to be precise) west by sidestepping a public vote and hailing the unanimous council vote as “the best financial arrangement in the history of stadium deals in this country.”

That was Mayor James Butts who said that, and I can guarantee without hesitation that he will deny having said that a thousand times before trying to reframe it as (a) a misquote, (b) taken out of context, (c) not entirely precise, and then (d) a concession speech when Inglewood voters find out that like every other city ever, it got rogered but good on the deal.

In the meantime, he said before the vote the sidestepped the ballot box, “We need to do the will of the people and we need to do it tonight,” Butts said just before the vote, and “Now we can celebrate” right after it.

What a hopelessly naïve (or diabolical, we’re not sure which) maroon.

X X X

More inside politics (and we still hate Candy Crowley for retiring, by the by): Bill Simmons, who makes methamphetamine feel sluggish, churned out an extended (is there any other kind?) piece at Grantland on 2015 NBA trades, and somehow found a reader who hit onto the idea of a 2016 Presidential ticket of Bill Belichick and Gregg Popovich.

This is of course certifiably insane on its face. Popovich would be the President on that ticket –- the charming policy wonk who owns a room with a glance, and Belichick the Chaney-esque vice-president/dark eminence. Michael Beschloss can thank me later.

X X X

And bouncing off the Inglewood news, the Raiders are now faced with two serious decisions –- the first being whether to jump with both feet into the Carson deal with or without San Diego, and the second is breaking the news to their fans that there is a just-discovered black hole (via Nature and via NBC) that is 12 billion times the mass of the sun and seems to have been created a mere 900 million years after the Big Bang.

And, it needn’t be added, this black hole isn’t afraid of the Raiders’ Black Hole one teensy bit.

X X X

This was a particularly lousy day in sports, between Derrick Rose’s knee and Josh Hamilton’s drug relapse (not counting whatever it is with Dez Bryant), and then Larry Sanders telling The Players Tribune that he has been treated for anxiety and depression, thus explaining why he is not playing basketball now.

I suppose you could discover from all this that, and we exempt Bryant here, that being an athlete isn’t your get-out-of-humanity card, and that the worst jumping is the one that leads you to an incorrect conclusion. But I’ll bet we don’t. We never do. I mean, we haven’t yet.

X X X

David Ortiz hates the new pace-of-play proposals, especially the one that says hitters have to keep one foot in the batters’ box.

As though you expected anything else.

“I call that bulls---,” he began gently enough. “They don’t understand that when you come out of the box, you’re thinking about what the guy’s trying to do. This is not like you go to the plate with an empty mind. When you see guys coming out of the box, we’re not doing it just for doing it. Our mind is speeding up. I saw one pitch. When I come out, I’m thinking, ‘What’s this guy going to try to do to me next?’ I’m not walking around just because there’s cameras all over the place and I want my buddies back home to see me.”

Well, that’s Ortiz. There are plenty of other preenins yobbos in major league lineups. Still, he continues.

“Just tell them to throw the ball. Hey, look. This game has been going on for over 100 years, and the nature of the game. I don’t care who you are, you’re not going to change. That is our nature. Pitch comes through, you come out of the box, you go back in it. But you throw a pitch and stay there, and the pitcher’s going to go right back at it? I don’t know about that.”

As it is, under the new proposal, the initial proposed fine for stepping out is $500, which means Ortiz can step out 32,000 times this year before he starts to actually lose money. Based on the number of pitches he has faced since people started counting that (he has 32,422 going back to 2001), he would have to play another 14 years to lose his 2015 salary of $16,000,000.

In other words, Big Papi, you may or may not be on the wrong side of baseball history, but for sure on the wrong side of math and economics.

X X X

Piers Morgan, the former CNN dartboard, is an enormous of psychotic Arsenal fan, so when the Champions League draw came out and he saw who his team would face, he was disturbingly ecstatic on Twitter:

“BOOM! We drew the one team worse than us. Perfect. #monaco #afc #cldraw.”

Wednesday’s final: Monaco 3, Arsenal 1, at Arsenal. Nice work, pal. You freakin’ nailed it, again.

X X X

The NHL trade deadline is Monday, but already there have been two deals – momentary Shark Daniel Winnik traded from Toronto to Pittsburgh, and Carolina traded Jiri Tlusty to Winnipeg for a couple of draft picks.

If this ruins Deadline Day, I will hate them all forever. But if it leaves all those Canadian TV guys on the set dissecting five-day old news and literally begging teams on set to do something, anyway, my mood will be assuaged.

X X X

If you were disappointed by the Cleveland Browns’ idiotic re-non-design, this by David Rappoccio might help your mood.

Or maybe it won’t, but what else do you have to do with your day?

X X X

Russell Crowe, the owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby club and an occasional actor, is suddenly interested after some fans’ enthusiastic prompting in buying Leeds United Football Club. That is the team that played the villain in the book and film, “The Damned United,” which starred Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall, and has fallen upon almost comedically hard times.

Crowe may buy the team and he may not, but he still has to explain “Rabbitohs.”

X X X

And finally, Detroit manager Brad Ausmus says he is going to join the Cubs’ Joe Maddon, the Rangers’ Jeff Banister and the Astros’ A.J. Hinch as tweeters. This seems nuts, until you hear what he intends to do with his newfound loss of free time, via ESPN senior maniac Jayson Stark:

“I’ll probably have a rant, a Twitter rant, sometime,” Ausmus said. “Maybe get in a Twitter feud with, like, Taylor Swift. Break the Internet eventually, I’m sure.”

The Internet is drenched in shame knowing this.

NBCBayArea.com

  • Eagles Acho Taking Va. Teen to Prom
  • Return of Ricky Jean Francois to 49ers Not a Sure Thing
  • Raiders Have Alternatives if Wisniewski Walks
  • Warriors' Curry Talks Hoops, Malaria, Cauliflower
  • 2-Year-Old Son of NFL Long Snapper Sings National Anthem

Video

Marleau reveals what the Sharks could have done differently against Detroit
Couture: 'We're finding ways to lose right now'
Pavelski: 'It feels like we wasted a couple points'
Kerr: 'Our defense has slipped...we got to get back to causing some havoc out there'

Giants

Giants spring training Day 9: Bumgarner dominates BP session
Casilla survives scare while facing hitters for first time
Burrell to be enshrined on Phillies' Wall of Fame on July 31
Another title for Buster Posey, 'Face of MLB'
Read More

Athletics

A's spring training Day 7: Gray, Kazmir will get early rest
Zito on Mark Ellis retirement: 'Hanging it up' is tough
What they're saying: Ellis hangs 'em up
A's claim RHP Smith off waivers from Tigers
Read More

Sharks

Instant Replay: Sharks fall to Wings, extend home losing streak
Sharks can look to Detroit for blueprint to their plan
Sharks' Torres undergoes another surgery, new timetable set
In the Crease: Sharks resume season after defeat at Levi's
Read More

49ers

Falcons release RB Steven Jackson after two seasons
Washington signs Jean Francois, reunites with GM McCloughan
Report: Palmer could restructure to free up cap for Cardinals
Report: 49ers to bid to host college football title game
Read More

Raiders

Raiders to release SS Tyvon Branch
Bay Area teams can't resist Twitter llama madness
Raiders have plenty of cap room, long way from spending floor
2015 NFL mock draft: Round 1
Read More

Warriors

Rewind: Warriors fall victim to force of nature in LeBron
LeBron scores knockdown in MVP race
Instant Replay: Warriors can't contain LeBron, fall to Cavs
LeBron: Curry 'knows what it means to be a professional'
Read More

NCAA

Stanford explodes in second half, takes down Oregon State
Saint Mary's cruises at San Francisco
Pacific uses free throws to top Santa Clara
Cal stumbles in second, snaps 12-game win streak against Oregon
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Giants spring training Day 9: Bumgarner dominates BP session
(5)
Alex Pavlovic

GIANTS VIDEO

Bochy 'never had any concerns' with Bumgarner showing fatigue
Bochy 'never had any concerns' with Bumgarner showing fatigue
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's spring training Day 7: Gray, Kazmir will get early rest
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

YSTL: Zito honing changeup, Melvin excited for exhibition
YSTL: Zito honing changeup, Melvin excited for exhibition
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • A's spring training Day 7: Gray, Kazmir will get early rest
  • Zito on Mark Ellis retirement: 'Hanging it up' is tough
  • Melvin offers Ellis job with A's: 'He's welcome here'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Instant Replay: Sharks fall to Wings, extend home losing streak
(6)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

Marleau reveals what the Sharks could have done differently against Detroit
Marleau reveals what the Sharks could have done differently against Detroit
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks can look to Detroit for blueprint to their plan
  • In the Crease: Sharks resume season after defeat at Levi's
  • Sharks watching so far as competition adds for playoff push
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Warriors fall victim to force of nature in LeBron
(2)
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

Kerr: 'Our defense has slipped...we got to get back to causing some havoc out there'
Kerr: 'Our defense has slipped...we got to get back to causing some havoc out there'
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Warriors fall victim to force of nature in LeBron
  • LeBron scores knockdown in MVP race
  • Instant Replay: Warriors can't contain LeBron, fall to Cavs
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Bill Herenda
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Channel locations

Latest News

Kings' Cousins hobbling, doubtful for Spurs
Bill Herenda

Kings Video

Cousins: 'Still made a lot of mistakes, still need a lot of improvement'
Cousins: 'Still made a lot of mistakes, still need a lot of improvement'
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

  • Kings' Cousins hobbling, doubtful for Spurs
  • Source: Collison set for surgery, season in jeopardy
  • Rewind: Kings showing improvement under Karl
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Falcons release RB Steven Jackson after two seasons
(12)
CSN Bay Area staff

49ers VIDEO

Bill Walsh's mission of diversity impacted NFL, Stanford football
Bill Walsh's mission of diversity impacted NFL, Stanford football
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Harbaugh: Bay Area pro fans should support all teams
  • Released 49er Spencer visits Raiders
  • Knapp excited to return as part of new Raiders regime
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders to release SS Tyvon Branch
(7)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Napoleon Kaufman still brings crowd to its feet on Sundays
Napoleon Kaufman still brings crowd to its feet on Sundays
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Raiders to release SS Tyvon Branch
  • Raiders have plenty of cap room, long way from spending floor
  • With Roach's uncertain status, MLB a priority for Raiders
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes sign Portuguese defender Paulo Renato
CSN Bay Area staff

Quakes Video

Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
See more >

Shop

JOE STIGLICH

A's spring training Day 7: Gray, Kazmir will get early rest
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Giants spring training Day 9: Bumgarner dominates BP session
(5)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers likely faced with decision: Cox or Culliver?
(148)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders to release SS Tyvon Branch
(7)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Rewind: Warriors fall victim to force of nature in LeBron
(2)
See more >

BILL HERENDA

Kings' Cousins hobbling, doubtful for Spurs
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Instant Replay: Sharks fall to Wings, extend home losing streak
(6)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Provoked LeBron James trumps Pavel Datsyuk

ALL-STAR TEACHER

Nominate your favorite All-Star Teacher today!

SATURDAY NIGHT ON ICE SHARKS POSTER!

more

Click here to find out how to win a Sharks collectors edition poster!

AUTHENTIC FAN THURSDAY

Click here to buy your Sharks tickets in the Authentic Fan Thursday section!



NCAA

Cal stumbles in second, snaps 12-game win streak against Oregon
San Jose State handled by De Ciman, Colorado State 72-56

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Couture: 'We're finding ways to lose right now'
Couture: 'We're finding ways to lose right now'
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Bill Herenda - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California