Have you seen this woman?

Hideki Matsui shows off a sketch Thursday of his new wife, whom he described only as a “25-year-old civilian.”

I think Napoleon Dynamite drew this picture.

Spring Training Update

Scott Chamberlain and I met in Arizona for Spring Training earlier this week to catch a couple of games in the sun. It was a little over a 5 hour trip out to the desert from LA. It is my Spring Break this week, so I took full advantage of the close vicinity to Spring Baseball and made the journey out.

Monday afternoon we saw the Cubs edge out Texas in Mesa 7-6 as Dempster looked horrible starting for Chicago. DeRosa, Lee and Ramirez all handled the bat really well for the Cubbies, but Japanese newcomer Fukudome didn't play. My boy Josh Hamilton went 1-3 with an RBI... he hit the ball hard in all 3 AB's though. He's oing to hit 35 HR this year.

Tuesday afternoon we drove up to Maryville, AZ to the Brewers Spring Training facilities and caught their game versus the "visiting" Dodgers. I use quotes because there were as many Dodgers fans out from LA-LA land as there were Brewers fans. Scott and I both got a little burn while laying out on the grass in the outfield. The game ended in a 3-3 tie. Penny looked decent only giving up 1 run on 1 hit in 5 innings, but he walked 5. Furcal, Loney and Ethier handled the bat well for the Dodgers, and Juan Pierre looked old. Pierre did have a bunt infield hit in the 8th though. Andruw Jones looked like he was at least 20 pounds overweight. Scott labeled him "chubby". That's all Scott said all day... so you know Jones looked fat.

The Brew Crew looked like a solid lineup, although they only have 1 LH bat in Prince Fielder in their lineup, which isn't much balance. Weeks looked really good though leading off. Prince looked about 280 lbs and 5'10" tall, about the same height as Weeks. He's going to hit 40+ this year though. Good player in person. Braun lost a fly-ball to left in the sun in the 3rd (which they didn't give him an error), but then redeemed himself and made a nice running catch a few innings later. He should be fine in his transition from 3B.

Overall it was two great days of baseball. I didn't catch the M's in Peoria... but there's always next year. Lodge Roadtrip? Goose?

I love you, Clay! And I think we should adopt a child together in Vermont! Answer me!...say it...David Bennett!!!!

The second hand for the final hour has hit 12 and as the city does the collective, "what the f' just happened?" all Darth Stern can do is continue to emphasize his undying man-love for Oklahoman Cowboys....hmmmm.....

In seemingly the only good news to come out of this cluster-f, is that the Cowboys pooled their collective hearts together and they were able to scrounge up this lasting gift to the city...

Big ups...all the way Clay...all the way...

Roundup Time

Sunday night, and while I wait for CBS to give me an “inside look at the real David Beckham” I figured I’d bust out a few words on the weekend that just was in Mother Goose’s most beloved sport. We’ll start in the present and work backwards, much like the GOP….hey ohhhh!!!! Rolling rocks tonight….

Thanks to the good folks at Kings Hardware for a proper boozefest on Saturday in celebration of my 30th year on this planet, but curses to one Dude Comfort and his repeated pitchers of Blue Ribbon that had me awake at 545am this morning with nothing to do, but log on to the Internets and check out one of the most lopsided rivalries in British Football since the arrival of Mr. Unbelievable to the Premiership. If you want an official recap on the match please visit a proper football site, if you want my biased take please keep reading.

Coming into the match an argument could be made that Stevie G and the rest of the Spanish Army were playing the best football in not only England, but the rest of Europe. An argument that lost any relevant support after Sunday. I’m not going to pretend that I was even slightly objectionable in viewing the match, but trust me when I say that I do respect the players on the pitch even if their crest might be the actual Seventh Sign. Tactically, Rafa and the Reds had finally figured out how to utilize their talent after 6 months of playing football, and by using Stevie G. right behind "There was something in the air that night…The stars were bright, Fernando” w/ the human Labrador Dirk Kuyt on the wing doing what he does best…running without the football. Throw in Ryan Babel and you have yourself Dutch bookends on the wings with Xavi and Javier Mach right in front of the back line and BAM!!!...you have yourself several million happy Scousers, or are they?

What they didn’t expect…was the highly overrated and soon to be transferred Wes Brown…and his head/back shot into the net for a 1-0 lead…and then in a twist that is soon to be flogged to death in the next week…Javier Mac was given a second yellow for dissent and proceeded to throw one of the greatest “hold me back….hold me back” exits of a sporting field that I’ve ever seen. Now, I’m not exactly sure that it would have mattered if Javier Mac stayed in the match, but since he didn’t and Ronaldo is on a vision quest to 40 plus goals in a season…the Devils pushed on with two more in the second half including another cracka’ by one Young Nani, who is sure to turn eyes this summer in Austria for Portugal. 3-0 to the United…5 points clear of the top and hopefully a confidence boost to take into the Champions League.

post draft update: looks like things could get a lot worse for Javier Mac

*There was another game on Sunday between a couple of smaller clubs from London…(nice touch from the fans calling out Avi Grant for subbing out Ballack only to have Belloti and Anelka assist in the tying goal...and then nice touch by Grant for calling out Drogba for getting the two goals that kept Chelsea in the title hunt)

Relegation Watch:
To those of you reading this unaware of the concept of relegation, I give you the brief explanation from the gospel for all facts in life…yes…every last one. The short, the bottom three of the 20 team Premier League are demoted and lose out on about 35-40 million pounds.

Weekend Winners:

*King Kev and the Toon Army get off the schnide v/ FulhamAmerica, who rocked 5 American Starters over the weekend…although as we’ll see Fulham’s name in the Losers list, this may not be a good thing for American’s playing abroad

*The Black Cats from Sunderland and the original Keano…got their first three points on the road this season and pushed themselves 4 points clear of the drop zone against the rapidly falling European Dreams of the Villians from B’ham…

*M’brough just secured safety, but still maintain the mantle of most unattractive football, combine that with the worst team to ever play in the Premiership...and you have the MLS...

*Reading might have done the same thing, although the Royals are right above M'brough on teams to watch if you're in a coma

Losers:

*Wigan isn’t out of the clear and the solid D might be falling, (_______fill in funny quote about Wigan here if you have one_____)

*Bolton got a point…but still couldn’t score crabs at a Washington State Sorority House...(shoota!!!)

*The play of B’ham is the only bright spot to Fulham getting out of the drop zone...and that's the best I have on that

*Derby…

The numbers:

Derby 10...Fulham 23...Bolton 25..........Newcastle 32

Europe Recap:

Italian Serie A-

* The wheels are coming off for Intern Milan...dropping three points at home to Turin side Juventus and allowing Poohbah fave AS Roma to get within 4 points with 8 games to play…

Spanish La Liga-

*Valencia took down Real Madrid 3-2 while Barca beat Valladolid 4-1 to close the gap again to 4 points…

Germany-

*It’s done

Be Champions….

"Goodbye Dave" - TOD: Arthur C Clarke

Sir Arthur C. Clarke was not a scientist or a scifi writer, he was a futurist.

In 1945 he predicated that geostationary satellite communications could be achieved with low platform orbits. This was done in 1969 and as a result, Goose now does work in network communications.

Space craft today employ the use of 5 independent computers to make system-wide decisions. This is to avert a single "Dave" from taking over and possibly endangering flight missions. Seriously.

The concept of space stations, motherships, landing pods, and the internet have bases in his science fiction.

He began monitoring possible earth-bound meteors during the 70's, the world did not think this was really important until Ben Affleck helped save the planet in Armageddon.

One intangible idea of a "space elevator" has yet to be done, but it is continually repeated in science fiction with the most current example in Gundam 00.

Sir Clarke now space walks into the unknown, may his unholy agnosticism connect him with a monolith of grace...

Brushes with Fame

So in the mold of a good 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon theme...I want to know how close some famous people are to the Lodge. Lets see who our top Celebrity is thats 1 or 2 degrees from the coveted Lodge Honorary Membership.

I'll give my list here.

Poppa Goose (Gooses Dad) once colaberated on a Movie Script with John Travolta

Goose rode in an elevator with Kool and the Gang

Goose set up Trent Dilfers Blackberry

Goose trained Curt Warner on his Blackberry

Goose beat Slick Rick in a youth Football game...then insulted him.

I have some more but this should get the discussion rolling.

Im betting we get Trains "I saw Tony Dorsett naked story :)"

Have you Seen This Man?

It has been since November since a Jayne post...so I'm curious...did he get sucked into the Del Ridge cyphoon? I miss my random movie posts or how a certain someone will be at the local comic festival this year....so if you see Jayne...led him back to the Lodge!

Monday Pitch Talk

ALTHOUGH Shawn claims that I only post when Liverpool wins, that is completely untrue. I only post when I have time. And when I'm procrastinating. I have two 12 page papers due by Friday that I only have an outline on one done so far... yet I'm caught up on football. No, Goose... not the NFL combine. We are talking the football the world knows. And it being the A.M., I'm busting out a late night Monday Pitch Talk for ya Wilco style.

By taking out a scrappy Reading club, Liverpool is now set up for a tough five-game stretch that will define their season in the EPL and in Europe. Manchester United are next at Old Trafford, then Everton, followed by three clashes with Arsenal, including both legs of the Champions League quarter-finals. We will see if they have it in them.

Arsenal again drew to an inferior club, beginning to look like my Reds during a winless January. With the aforementioned Champions League draw and a mighty tough league schedule the remainder of the 2nd half of the season, the Gunners might have just fallen from the top of the table for good. Train's Chelsea squad is quietly lurking within striking distance in 3rd. With all the chanting for Grant's head, I think the Blues' fans are missing a great season here.

America's team in Fulham pulled off a shocker versus Everton, which leads me to bring up that Jimbo is going to have a Pitch Talk on Tuesday with all of the regulation worries that must be discussed with 8 matches remaining. Can Fulham pull out of the zone with upcoming consecutive matches versus also-ran struggling clubs in Newcastle United, Derby, Sunderland and Reading? Jimbo will bring the details tomorrow. Stay tuned...

ESLEWHERE in the world, with my brother by my side [Mike was down in La-La land on business], I witnessed PSV completing the knocking off of Spurs in UEFA this past week. I was pleased to see the Dutch squad with a ton of noticeable young talent finally pull through in a big [well, kinda big] match against a quality opponent. Spurs were the butt of a joke again. [Sidenote: Speaking of jokes about Tottenham... the movie In Bruges is worth your 10 bucks at the movie theater, and it includes a great quip about Spurs. The film altogether was very good, with quality acting, clever writing, and it is very well edited. Taking on the subject of death is a tough one, and they pulled it off.]

IN SERIE A, Inter bounced back from losing domestically and in the CL with a 2-1 win over Polermo. While Roma kept chase with a decision over Milan under the same score. Roma have a chance to overtake Inter. A small chance. But still a chance. Milan on the other hand, needed those 3 points versus Roma, and are now 4 points back from non-Champions League play next season. Personally, I think Fiorentina is going to blow it versus Napoli and Lyon in these next two weeks.

Sid Lowe believes this is the worst LA LIGA in history. Barca sh!t the bed in an attempt to gain points on Real. After the league leaders lost on Saturday, the Messi-less Barcelona squad only could managed a draw. They are done, put a fork in them. Barcelona's coach Frank Rijkaard will be looking for a job in six weeks time. I'll celebrate St. Patty's right now by pouring one out for the doomed Dutchman, than making another and drinking it down slowly.

Monday Pitch Talk

AND WE'RE BACK! With both Chelsea and United winning their Champions League matches then subsequently falling to second rate clubs in England's FA Cup, the importance of the FA Cup has now reached a new low... regardless of SAF's tirade against the referees. Although it would be tragic because of the rich history of the Cup's, the FA should think about removing the Premier League from one of the competitions and letting the Championship and lower divisions battle it out for alleged glory.

In league play in England, we saw Arsenal draw against the much weaker Wigan... and Liverpool continue their improved form versus the seemingly regulation bound Newcastle side to regain fourth place. Torres is on fire, simply a force of nature. Moving on, a hiccuping Spurs club got over their Carling Cup hangover with a 4-0 Premier League thrashing of West Ham at White Hart Lane. Now we'll see if they can beat the Dutch side PSV in Eindhoven to continue on in the UEFA Cup.

I don't have any updates from Serie A, La Liga or the Bundesliga, since I didn't watch any non-Premiership matches over the weekend. As always, I recommend listening to the Guardian Unlimited's Sid in Spain to get the low down. Or Jimbo and his sidekick Train can chime in with an update from his viewings. Sorry, Train. But you're the sidekick... at least that's just the way I'm writing it.


Lastly, it was looking like half of the Gillet/Hicks ownership debacle at Anfield was going to come to an end with DIC in Dubia buying out Gillet for 49% of the holdings of L'pool. That, until today's news that Hicks is pulling out of the talks. Not good news for the Reds. The faster the better for those Texans to get out of the owners box as far as I'm concerned. After talking to a couple of new Facebook friends [that I randomly met playing poker on Facebook] from Liverpool about the team, they are convinced the two will eventually sell all of their shares. Apparently the papers over there are going crazy over the possibility.

Why Most Have Real Lives...

S.O.S.

I tried to just set up the POD and let it be, but I just have to weigh in on this whole Sonics debacle...and believe me, I will be brief (or should I say, as brief as I can). If you would like to experience this tirade in its entirety, I would be happy to accompany you to any fine local establishment for some fine ales and discussion of the finer points....for now, this will have to do.

Let me first say straight out of the gate that for whatever reason, over the last several years, I have seen myself falling out of love with the NBA. (This is a whole different topic, and one that I think a few of you may agree with...but I won't go there.) That being said, I can't tell you how incredibly sick this whole thing has made me. I am excited to see the story getting national attention....finally. I am also encouraged to see that the "attention" is mostly negative towards the NBA, David Stern and the business model that continues to hold local governments hostage and extort/divert public money (that could/should/would be spent on more importatnt issues) into the coffers of billionaire "business" owners that change the facts as it becomes convenient. When they need money, the team is a viable local and cultural icon. When they want to move because the public stands up and says "...pay for some of this shite yourself", the team is an "asset"...and they get to be good business owners, and treat the team as an "asset", without any responsibility to the community that has embraced the team for 4 decades. I think it's also interesting to note that the people of OKC really want an NBA team, but even those local yokels don't want somebody else's "hijacked" team...because that's what is going on here. A business deal between two longtime douchebags friends.

Do I agree with the way that Seattle government officials an the state legislature have handled this situation? Does it matter? Do I agree with the way our state officials handle anything? Does it matter? (For the record, the answer(s) are 'can you blame them', 'not really', 'sometimes', and 'no'.)

This "debate" has changed direction now, which is why we are seeing people changing their ideas, and coming across the fence. I do believe that the "debate" is still founded on principle, and I believe that is all that Seattle has said so far. The team is important and it's important to keep them here, but it also important to stare a pack of a**holes straight in the eye and tell them to bugger off.

Read the blogs. Read the Sports Guy (Part I & Part II). Listen to the interviews with the local group that is pledging their cash to renovate a public facility. Call or email your legislators. Step up. Weigh in. You can do something, and you don't even have to "do it" for the Sonics....just do it because this whole thing just feels wrong. (You may also do nothing, but please just shut up).

...and for the record, we wouldn't be here if Howard Schultz actually had a pair. Please tell me again how difficult it was to be an NBA owner and make $150 million when you sold Seattle's soul?

Gooses Take : Brett Favre

Its no secret what type of Football player can be one of "Goose's Guys". No Deion Sanders or michael Irvin. No Randy Moss or TO's. It takes Guts, Heart and Class to make the list as one of Goose's Guys.

I look around my little office and I see some of the things I have collected over the last several years. A Bobby Engram signed mini ball, Bobble heads of Brian Urlacher and Napoleon Kaufman (Given to me this Xmas by my oldest Gossling, found in a thrift store). A James Hasty football card. Numerous game balls from Newport. Also there is a Brett Favre Autographed Football that I received as a gift back in 96.

I love Brett Favre. I love the way he plays the game. I've probably watched as many Brett Favre games then I have Redskin games over the last 15 years. I remember watching him throw for 4TDs the day after his father died. I remember the look on his face after each TD. I remember watching his 2 Super bowls. I remember numerous crap weather games in Lambeau field. And yes I remember him beating the Seahawks. I can still see the scramble, the underhand toss to Bubba Franks for the 1st down.

Statistically he is the greatest QB to have played the game. He is Footballs version of Cal Ripken, and his streak of 275 starts will probably stand longer than any of his other records. If I had to start a team and could pick any QB right now...Id take Brett Favre. He'd be one of Goose's Guys

TOD- RIP Jeff Healey 3/25/1966-3/4/2008

Most of you probably have seen him from his mega cameo in Roadhouse. The Lodge and Goose mourn the passing of a Jazz Blues and Rock icon in Jeff Healey at the age of 41. After seeing roadhouse I started listening to "The Blind guitarist from Roadhouse" and became amazed by his talents. This video is on of his best performances (While my Guitar Gently Weeps by the Beatles). Plus he has Joe's ultimate GeriCurl Mullet.

Enjoy

Roundup Time: Carling Cup Hangover

No A League final to report on this week and I'm dealing with a new/old laptop that hopefully will make it through this post, and if not you'll just have to be kept in suspense, much like the American public with just 26 days remaining until the start of the MLS season. So in honor of Mother Gooses favorite league and sport here we go:

Domestic:

* Everyone can stop with the calls and emails, the greatest #10 to don the red,white and blue stripe is the now "officially" the greatest goal scorer in this country...what’s that?...we’re reviewing whether the last game versus the Swedish U-15 B Team to see if that was an official Friendly? ok...well...stay tuned...maybe we can get a special ceremonial penalty kick to commemorate the occasion

* Congrats to Philly for getting the 16th MLS Franchise, no cynical remarks on this one, the state is behind it and the fan support will no doubt be top notch, much like cheering at Micheal Irvin we he was carted off on a stretcher or having the largest Stadium jail in the US...big ups Brotherly Love, now don’t name it the f’n Independence...

* Yes, they may be even worse than last year, but at least you get to see every game on TV , speaking of which, be sure to tune in this week for Alexi Lalas's traveling salvation show vs. Shanghai-Hong Kong United on Wednesday...

Import:
Spain:

*After putting the fear into the Madrid last week and showing outstanding form in Scotland, Barca showed why they are the bipolar sisters of the European Football Family by dropping four goals to the other club from Madrid, Athletico, but not before Ronaldinho climbed into the way back machine for this beauty:


* Robinho’s back and so is Real’s chances at the Champions League and La Liga...

Italy:

*After an entertaining mid-week draw with Roma, Inter Milan continue the free fall by dropping three points to former Maradona club Napoli
*Meanwhile Francesco Totti continues to play like the best player on the planet right now and drops Inter’s lead to 6 pts


*AC Milan have real problems, like Fiorentina and Juventus

Germany:

* Looks like the greatest deformed Frenchman is heading for the Champions League next year, and the Roundup couldn't be happier

England:

*Tough break for the Villains from B’ham this weekend at the Emirates, the rock chip is slowly making its way to all points on the windshield...good luck tomorrow...UPDATE: and luck had nothing to do with it thanks to the Cesc Strikes Back (sorry for the Asian feed and 3 minutes, but the goal is worth it):


*Reading get off a six game snide at M’brough in a game watched by no one...

* My Black Cats were absolutely f’n robbed at Derby in the FA’s continuing plan to get at least one offside call a weekend wrong...

*B’ham got Spurs exactly how they wanted them...hung over...

*Well played by the Hammers at home...you succeeded in bailing Avi Grant out for not only his style, but also his midfield rotation for the next three games

*Everton is still the best team in L’pool, and Tim Cahill gives controversy to goal celebrations...

Relegation Watch:

Derby 9...Fulham 19...Reading 25...............Newcastle 28


Be Champions...