Best Year In Bay Area Sports

I recently went to a Giants/ A's game and they paid tribute to the 1989 Giants team who made it but lost to a great A's team in the world series. It got me to thinking, wow both of the bay area teams made the world series in one year. And then I got to thinking about how the other bay area teams did that year. After looking it over 1989 was THE BEST year in bay area sports EVER! Here is why:

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers went 14-2, lead the NFL in scoring and was second in the NFL in defense. Joe Montana was MVP of the league as well as Super Bowl MVP. The 49ers caked walked into the Super Bowl with playoff wins of 41-13 over the Vikings and 30-3 over the Rams in the NFC Championship game. The super bowl was a total and complete blow out of the Broncos, 55-10 was the final. After the superbowl the 49ers remained a winning team for many years, finally going back to and winning the superbowl again in 1994.

Oakland A's

A's had what was an all star team in 1989. Rickey and Dave Henderson, Canseco, McGwire, Dave Parker not to mention there pitching staff where 4 out of 5 starters had 17 wins or more! Eck to close out the games, I am not sad that the Giants lost to this team. I think no one really stood a chance against them anyway. The A's went back to the world series the next year but lost, since then they have not returned to the series.

Golden State Warriors

Warriors 1988-1989 team features Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond, and Rod Higgins. The team ended with a good year featuring a 43-39 finish and a playoff series against the Utah Jazz who had the Malone and Stockton combination. They ended up sweeping the Jazz in the first round, I found out it was quite the upset in 1989 as the Jazz were considered to be huge favorites the Warriors eventually lost the Western Conference Semifinals to the Phoenix Suns. The Warriors have been back to the Western Conference Semifinals twice since then both times losing out. 

San Francisco Giants

The Giants were lead by Will Clark and NL MVP Kevin Mitchell in 1989. They had some clutch pitching lead by Rick Reuschel who was an all star and won 17 games of the Giants. The team beat the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship series but were not match for the before mentioned A's, they would be swept in the series that was delayed 10 long days due to a massive earthquake. The Giants would return to the world series in 2002, again losing out to the Angels. 

San Jose Sharks?

They were not a franchise until 1992! But since they are around I would say the best year they has was 2003-2004 season when they reached the Conference Finals yet lost to the Flames. 

Ken Jeong

Over my time seeing movies you get to see the same actors over and over, sometimes an actor stands out but never gets a starring role when they should. Sometimes an actor like Bruce Campbell gets a few early starring roles and never gets that big role again. Characters actors often make a film much more enjoyable and many actors can make a nice career out of being in bit parts and then rise to film later on.

I recently saw The Hangover, which is just a good movie if you want to check your brain at the door and laugh your ass off. So getting to the title of this blog, I have noticed in the last few movies I have seen him in that Ken Jeong is a scene stealer. He also has notable roles in Knocked Up as a pissed off doctor who delivers the baby at the end of the movie. He has a smaller role, but if you get the chance to see or buy the movie I strongly recommend you get the two disc version. In the extras you see Jeong and Seth Rogen improv a lot more scenes that are worth watching.

Jeong also stole most scenes from the much underrated comedy Role Models. Jeong plays King Argotron and is again fucking hilarious. He obviously is well regarded by Judd Apatow since Knocked Up was directed by Apatow. Also look for Jeong in a small role in Pineapple Express, he has a limited role yet is great as an assassin. So getting back to the Hangover, Jeong has a role as a gang leader known as Mr. Chow. Once again Jeong just makes the movie even better and steals all the scenes he is in. SMALL SPOILER.....which includes him jumping naked out of a trunk of a car and kicking three guys asses with just a crowbar.




Jeong is also slated to have roles in many upcoming movies, seems Hollywood is onto this hilarious actor. He is set to have a role in the next Judd Apatow movie Funny People as well as roles in the following movies: All About Steve, The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, and Couples Retreat to name a few. Its good to see great character actors get a break. Who knows maybe one day Jeong will star in his own film.

Flea Market Report

It has been a while since I last went to the flea, so glad I was able to go yesterday with my friend Dennis. Tons of NES games all over the place! I made out very well, here is the break down. First I saw a small box of games, the golden cartage of Zelda was visible. I looked in the box and this lady had like 10 or so games most of them looked in pretty good shape, as most have the black covers. The lady said 2 bucks a piece so I grabbed Legend of Zelda (the first one) and Tetris which I always wanted to own on NES. Dennis recommended I ask for 3 games for $5, I did and lady easily complied. I ended up grabbing James Bond Jr. as my last game of the three. Dennis said he played it once and it was pretty good.

Shortly after that I stumbbled upon some old Gensis games, I really buy more nintendo old games but I recenlty hooked up the good old gensis and was interested in getting some old games on it. I was looking down and I saw the Terminator for gensis. It has the box and booklet as well as the game, the guy said a buck and I thought, why the hell not. So I got The Terminator for the Gensis, I have played it and its okay so far. Not bad for a buck.

Like I said there was tons of games out yesterday and most were pretty cheap. I was looking through some old games, usually you see tons of the same games over and over. Yesterday I saw Back to the Future for the NES like at least 5 times. So I was looking and this one game just stuck out, the cartridge itself is very bland but the game is called A Boy and His Blob, so I got it for a buck. I played it and this game is really unique. Not sure if it is rare but the premise is fun and somewhat tricky. You are the main guy and all you can do is whistle for your blob OR feed your blob jelly beans, thats right jelly beans. BUT each jelly bean that the blob eats will give him the power to different things that help you get to new levels. At first I had no idea what to do in the game, but I was sort of dumbfounded when I learned that this is the whole purpose of the game. I will give this game props for originality. I guess the game has a follwing, they have since done a few more game sequels for other systems. What a find! Check out the cool box cover, wish I had it too.


I was commenting to Dennis on how you never see the classic games at the flea market anymore. I have been looking for this one game called Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers for a while, and I was just saying that you never see games like Mike Tysons Punch Out at because no one will sell the good games. We found this massive seller he has tons of bins to go through. I saw a lot of NES games, then I look down and saw Ninja Gaiden. I was really happy, it looked like I could get a classic game for cheap! Then I look under it and to my surprise sitting there is Mike Tysons Punch Out, since I already had the game I let dennis buy it. We got both the games for $1. I think dennis got a deal, if you see it on ebay its buy it now for 15-20 bucks. So that was my haul from yesterday, as well as a new pair of dickie shorts I made out like a bandit. Until next time.

The Expendables

I just got wind of this great, fantastic, awesome cast for The Expendables and I thought now that sounds like an action flick I would sit back and make up as a kid. I cant say I know much about the movie besides this small paragraph I found on imdb. It says:

"After years of coruption , murder of american hostages and betrayal of foreign policies, The US with the help of other Nations secretly put together a squad of its most trained millitary personal to finaly over throw the dictator who has caused devastation in South America for over 20 years. The team sets out on its mission to complete the assasination but with little help from the nations as they try to keep the mission secret. After they realize that there will be no outside help they rely on their own sources to fight not only the dictator's army but also the Governments that set them up."

That is all good and all but the best part has to the be cast. 

- First off the movie not only stars but is directed by Sylvester Stallone. Stallone was once again in top form in Rambo which he also directed. If this movie is anything like that one the action will be mind blowingly gory. 

- Arnold Schwarzenegger has some sort of role in the movie, I don't know about you but I have been wanting to see an Arnold and Stallone team up since I was a kid. Not sure if it happens in this movie but its cool they are both even in the same movie. It is said Arnolds role is more of a cameo which could lead to bigger roles in sequels.

- Mickey Rourke is also in the movie fresh off his oscar nominated role in The Wrestler. If he can bring anything from that movie and his role as Marv in Sin City we are in for a treat, just imagine him kicking ass next to these guys.

- Jason Statham, fuck man this list gets crazier! We now have the Transporter himself in this movie! He is like the go to bad ass guy of the 2000's it will be cool to see him kicking ass with the old school guys.

- Dolph Lundgren, speaking of old school. You even get some Dolph! The classic Russian badass is teaming up with Stallone since they made Rocky IV. 

- Jet Li also has a role in the movie and adds some martial arts to all the muscle.

- The movie also is said to have Terry Crews, Danny Trejo, and Eric Roberts in various roles.

This movie sounds like it could be the best shit ever for action fans. The funny thing is the cast who turned down roles or couldn't be in the movie, I found this list of actors who were offered roles but couldnt be in the movie for one reason or another. 

Jean Claude Van Damme

Wesley Snipes

Kurt Russell 

Ben Kingsley

Forest Whitaker 

50 Cent

Denis Leary

I would have loved to see JCVD in the movie, teamming back up with Dolph again in some form would be cool. Anyway I am really stoked for this movie and all that it hopefully can be. 

Asking For Your Vote

I am officially campaging for Bengie Molina to be the All-Star game starter for the National League. Last year despite being the top catcher in the NL in RBI's Molina was excluded from the NL squad. I was a little upset, see to me the game should be played with players who are the best at each position. For this I just look at baseball stats, I want the guy with the best stats at his position in the All-Star game. The thing is everyone plays fan favorites, it explains players like Ozzie Smith being in the game so much. Here is a small break down.

Last years all star game catcher (not taking anything away, these guys had great seasons): 

 Brian McCann, C -  The braves catcher had a great year, batting .301, with 23 HR and 87 RBI. 

Geovany Soto, C-  Was NL ROY, he also was well deserving of being an all star, batting .285, with 23 HR and 86 RBI. 

Russell Martin, C - Dodger player batted respectable .280, with 13 HR and 69 RBI.

So Molinas stats at the end of last year read: batted .292, with 16 HR and 95 RBI. Yeah he didn't have the most HR or flashy play but the guy hit a mere .009 lower in average then McCann and had more RBI then any other NL catcher. 

I also know players get voted in not just for hitting. A look at these four players Fielding % just leads to even more questioning...

Molina - .995

Soto - .995

McCann- .991

Martin- .990

No need for explaining, seems that while Mr. Martin had a great year he should have been passed over in favor for Molina. I guess the draw was that Martin could play at third base. I understand McCann and Soto, and they really deserved to be there. 

BUT....that was last year. We are now in 09, so why should Molina get your vote? 

in 36 games this year Molina has been on a tear- batting .304 with 8 HR and 30 RBI. The only player who has played in more then 30 games and has a better average is his teammate Pablo Sandoval, who really plays 3B this year. He leads the NL catcher in RBI and HR. He already has half of the HR he has last year, in only 36 games! I think its obvious that Molina should be on the team, in fact he should BE STARTING this years all star game in St. Louis.

I am not going to announce him the starter straight out, that would be a real miracle. The game is in St Louis this year and Bengies brother Yadier Molina is having a good year, not even close to his bros but his stats read: .291, 3 HR, and 15 RBI. He could get the nod at catcher, and McCann is always a good hitter. He was out for a few weeks but it was because he needed to wear glasses, wow I have never heard of a guy being put on the DL because he needed glasses. Next time just go to lenscrafters, they make glasses in about an hour. McCann is most likely a shoe in he is batting .282 with 3 HR and 12 RBI in just 22 games. The only other catcher I could see being a problem is another fan favorite. Pudge Rodrguez. He signed with the Astros and has been decent this year, we all know he can do the job defensively. He is bating .286 with 5HR and 19 RBI. I just hope his popularity isn't enough to kick out Molina. 

Just to show you something extra, Molina leads ALL CATCHERS in HR and RBI. and his average is 6th best of all catcher who have played in 30 games or more. I even threw in Napoli whos only played in 29 games. Still not too fucking shabby! He is also 3rd of all catchers in On Base % trailing only Victor Martinez of the Indians and Mike Napoli of the Angels. 

So thats my case, why wouldn't you pick the guy who leads all NL catcher in HR and RBI? I know I would, even if he played on the Nationals! Plus who doesnt love a guy with some character? Bengie is a vet who is by means losing anymore weight, its always fun to have some big guy around to have fun with, we all know David Ortiz isn't making the All Star game, why not have some other big guy around! 

Vote Bengie Molina, your NL All Star Game Catcher!

Slurpee Movie Tie-In

I am a big fan of 7-11 Slurpee's. I love getting the ice cold Slurpee of coke and cherry on a nice hot day, that shit hits the spot! I recently went into 7-11 and noticed a weird movie tie-in. It was for the new Terminator movie. They feature all the collectible movie cups with different characters from the new movie... hey that's cool, that's normal.

Whats weird is the new flavor they released with it..it is called Apocalyptic Ice Slurpee, a blood orange flavored beverage...yes you read that right...who in the world wants a a drink a Slurpee that A) tastes like APOCALYPSE or B) tastes like BLOOD ORANGE. And did I miss something, did the Terminators bleed orange? Is that the change McG has made to the new movie to get that coveted PG-13 rating? I just had to laugh when I saw that flavor, its ridiculous!

I guess this isn't a new thing, I know they did a tie in with the Simpsons movie. That at least made sense considering the resemblance between the Quick-E-Mart and 7-11 ok Simpsons basically copied the 7-11 culture with Apu and the Mart. They even transformed some 7-11's into Quick-E-Marts.

7-11 also whored it up for the new X-men Origins: Wolverine movie with another tie in. This time they had a flavor called Mutant Berry Slurpee. What the fuck do Berry's have to do with mutants? Could they really not just make a flavor that was grey or even white and just call it like Adamantium rage? This flavor is lame! They could have just used cherry and called it Cyclops Rays, anything but mutant berry considering it has nothing to do with the movie.

Speaking of collectible cups.What happened to the good old days of being able to buy cool glass mugs like they used to do with Star Wars? Oh I guess at least someone is doing that again.

Summer Break Down

5/1 - X-Men Origins: Wolverine: Prequel #1 of May- Takes place before Wolverine joins the X-Men. The movie took in a boatload of cash...can you say sequel? The movies continue to mess up on most mutants, the last mutant they did justice (who wasn't in the original cast) was Nightcrawler and that actor has the sense to not come back for the below average X-Men 3. 

5/8 - Star Trek: Prequel #2 of May - All things look like this will be a big ass summer blockbuster. I am even excited for a fucking Star TREK movie, yes not Star Wars! Ever since shitty prequels I lost some faith in the Wars...Trek can have my new allegiance plus it has Sylar from Heroes, Harold from Harold and Kumar, and Shaun from Shaun of the Dead, sounds like an all-star cast!

5/21 - Terminator Salvation: Prequel, sort of #3- Bare with me. This movie is a sequel in that John Connor is now played by Batman...er Christian Bale. BUT we get introducted to younger Kyle Reese (played by Anton Yelchin, who also plays Chekov in the Star Trek movie). Anyway I guess it is not really a prequel but we see him and Arnolds Terminator before they were sent back in time to be in the first movie.

5/15 - Angels and Demons: Prequel of May #4 - They are saying its a sequel but the book came out before Da Vinci Code. 

5/29 - UP: I will give it to those Pixar guys, they sure know how to make a good flick. I thought that last movie about a robot in love with almost no sound would suck balls..ended up being in my top ten of last year.  Anyway this one is about an old man who's house flys in the air because its connected to a lot of ballons...yeah total flop!

6/5 - Land of the Lost: Is it sad that I only knew the LOTL remake show from 90's? I never knew it was an even crappy show in the 70's. Will Ferrell in this one, not sure if they are looking for laughs or action, probably both.  

6/19 - Year One:  It has Jack Black and Michael Cera in it, sounds like a good cast. I will check it out. 

6/24 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Based off a toy! Transformers, more then meets the eye. This movie is eye candy, looks pretty cool especially if you like explosions! Lots and lots of explosions!

7/1 - Public Enemies: I think this could one of the best of the summer. Stars Johnny Depp and Batman err..Christian Bale! 

7/15 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: My pick for the movie that will make the most $$ this summer. People have almost forgot about Harry in favor of all that Twilight shit. They will soon pay and remember the book they already read. 

7/31 - Funny People: Judd Apatows newest flick. The trailer is bad ass, I have a feeling I will really enjoy this movie. Not thrilled with Sandler but he looks good in what I have seen and  the supporting cast rocks! Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Eric Bana, and Jason Schwartzman to name a few. 

8/7 - G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra: Based off a toy! You all know GI JOE was my toy when I was growing up. I think I dressed like a GI JOE for Halloween 5 years in a row. The preivews look mixed. Could follow Transformers and have lots of cool explosions. 

8/21 - Inglourious Basterds: Not a bad end to the summer. Some Nazi killing fun! Don't let us down Mr. Tarantino!