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Thursday, December 26, 2013

Week 17 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

It's time to determine a champion.  After 16 weeks, we've come down to Week 17 and JDaddy needing to make up 4 games to tie, 5 to win.  The bad news for JDaddy is that he and the kid only picked different winners in 5 games, so JDaddy needs to make a clean sweep in those games. 

If the kid wins, that will make 2 out of the 3 years that we've done this that he has won the league.

Happy New Year!

Week 16
JDaddy: 8-8
Uncle J: 8-8
CDog: 8-8
6-Year-Old: 6-10

Overall
6-Year-Old: 121-113-6
JDaddy: 117-117-6
Uncle J: 112-122-6
CDog: 106-128-6


Saturday, December 21, 2013

Week 16 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

After last week's Cowboys debacle I had decided to write my feelings on how the team has turned someone like me, who cares too much for my teams, into an apathetic fan who shrugs his shoulders, smirks at the ridiculousness of it, and goes on about my day whenever the team loses.  And it's not just losses.  I've gotten to where I don't care all that much about wins.  Cool, the Cowboys won, now what are we doing for dinner around here?  That's what a .500 team for the last 18 years turns their fans into.  I can't imagine I'm alone in this.  There used to be a time where you could feel a difference in the air after a Cowboys loss.  Not anymore.  As a fan of one of the two most prestigious American professional teams, it's sad at how mediocre the Cowboys have become. 

But that paragraph is all I can get out right now.  I still need to gather my thoughts on the subject so I don't sound like I'm rambling.  Quite frankly, I can't even find enough passion in the team to even work up the energy to write a post.  It's not like anything is going to change.  We're being held hostage by a front office that refuses to improve itself. 

So I'll give them the last two games to see if anything changes.  I'm guessing not.  There's no excuse to lose to Washington, but they'll probably lose to the Eagles.  And that will make three straight 8-8 seasons.  No better definition of mediocre than that.

Speaking of mediocre, the adults in this league can barely reach that threshold.  The kid expanded his lead this week.  He and JDaddy picked a different team in 8 games this week.  JDaddy needs to make those count.

Merry Christmas!


Week 15
Uncle J: 10-6
6-Year-Old: 7-9
CDog: 7-9
JDaddy: 5-11

Overall
6-Year-Old: 115-103-6
JDaddy: 109-109-6
Uncle J: 104-114-6
CDog: 98-120-6


Sunday, December 15, 2013

Week 15 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

As we come down the stretch there are two races in play.  The first is between the kid and JDaddy for first place.  The other race is for 3rd.  After a miserable start to the season, I have been catching up to Uncle J.  Either that or he is falling back to 4th.  But does it really matter?  We're both having terrible seasons.

It's going to be a great finish, even if we are all 0-1 so far this week.

Week 14
JDaddy: 9-7
6-Year-Old: 7-9
CDog: 6-10
Uncle J: 5-11

Overall
6-Year-Old: 108-94-6
JDaddy: 104-98-6
Uncle J: 94-108-6
CDog: 91-111-6


Saturday, December 7, 2013

Week 14 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

This winter (or late fall) storm has thrown me off.  Despite sitting at home looking for stuff to do, I forgot to get these out until tonight.  JDaddy put himself in striking distance with a good week last week.  But it looks like the kid is going to have to come back to the pack for someone else to have a chance. 

By the way, for anyone wondering, the definition of cabin fever is enduring a Texas ice storm with two little kids in the house.  Forget braving the streets in my car.  I'll walk to Walmart to get the last loaf of bread in the store.  At least that would take a couple of extra hours.

Week 13
JDaddy: 10-6
6-Year-Old: 8-8
CDog: 8-8
Uncle J: 6-10

Overall
6-Year-Old: 101-85-6
JDaddy: 95-91-6
Uncle J: 89-97-6
CDog: 85-101-6


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Week 13 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

Happy Thanksgiving!  In the spirit of the season, here are some things I'm thankful for in the sports world.  If you disagree with me, then you're wrong.

1. The Designated Hitter
I'm not sure why there is still such a controversy over the DH in 2013.   I don't understand why people would rather watch someone who has no interest in hitting over a, you know, professional hitter.  Why?  So that a manager can show that he knows how to execute a double switch?  There's also the idea of forcing a manager to choose between keeping a pitcher in the game or taking him out for a pinch hitter in a clutch situation.  Why is that a good thing?  Not only are you as a fan forced to watch a sub-.150 hitter hit 3 times a game instead of, you know, a professional hitter, you're also forced to watch a pitcher on a roll get taken out of a game so that a 4th outfielder can weakly ground out to second base.  I just don't get it.  Any rule that encourages pitching around a skinny, no-tool, 8-hole hitter needs to be amended.

2. NHL Shootouts
Like the DH, many old school fans of the sport aren't fans of the shootout at the end of overtime.  Well I'm not an old school fan.  I'm barely a fan.  And when I see a game go into overtime, I hope neither team scores.  Shootouts are fun.

3. Dirk Nowitzki 
I don't think I need to explain this one.

4. Dallas Sports Talk Radio
I'm a P1 of Sports Radio 1310 AM and 96.7 FM The Ticket, but with some recent changes, all 3 DFW sports talk stations are very good.  Makes me sad that people in other cities have to put up with bad sports talk.

5. The Pace of a Baseball Game
Some people are bored with baseball, and I can understand that.  It's slow. Not a lot of action.  But it's part of the charm (as long as a DH is there to provide some excitement).  Watching a baseball game allows conversation.  A few years ago I was at a game with a friend, and we started a conversation that continues to this day about if any Rangers players smoked.  We decided that between batting practice and first pitch Ian Kinsler, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Chris Davis snuck out the back door to smoke a quick cigarette.  Simpler times back then.  Now none of these guys play for the Rangers.  Alas.  But if it were a basketball game, this conversation never would have gotten off the ground.  And after reading this paragraph again, maybe that's a good thing.

6 (tie). Jay Cutler, Sam Fuld, Brandon Morrow, Mark Lowe
What do these guys all have in common?  They're all Type 1 Diabetics that play professional sports.  Living with a 6-year-old diabetic that loves sports, they're great role models even if Mark Lowe gave up the homer in Game 6 to David effin Freese (I'll get over it some day).

Speaking of the kid, he didn't win the week last week, but he did expand his lead.  It's up to 8 games with 5 weeks left.  Not saying it's impossible, but with the picking non-prowess of the rest of us, he can probably coast the rest of the way.

Week 12
CDog: 11-3
Uncle J: 8-6
6-Year-Old: 7-7
JDaddy: 6-8

Overall
6-Year-Old: 93-77-6
JDaddy: 85-85-6
Uncle J: 83-87-6
CDog: 77-93-6


Saturday, November 23, 2013

Week 12 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old


It's getting ridiculous.  Obviously, the grownups around here are showing that we don't know too much, but does the kid really have to keep rubbing it in week after week?  It was hard to get much movement in the standings due to the fact that there were 3 games that pushed, but the kid still managed to increase his lead by 3 games. 

Week 11
6-Year-Old: 7-5-3
CDog: 6-6-3
Uncle J: 5-7-3
JDaddy: 4-8-3

Overall
6-Year-Old: 86-70-6
JDaddy: 79-77-6
Uncle J: 75-81-6
CDog: 66-90-6


Friday, November 15, 2013

Week 11 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

Another week, another win for the kid.  He didn't even have to be exceptional in Week 10.  He just had to get more right than wrong, which he did. 

It will be interesting to see if the 6-year-old will continue his hot streak or go through some losing seasons.  He likes football, but he doesn't know much about how good each of the teams are.  So his picks are still random.  Theoretically he should end up around .500 for the season, which is where he's ended up the first 2 years we've done this.

But in the meantime, we'll just watch him beat up the experts.

Week 10
6-Year-Old: 7-6-1
JDaddy: 6-7-1
CDog: 6-7-1
Uncle J: 4-9-1

Overall
6-Year-Old: 79-65-3
JDaddy: 75-69-3
Uncle J: 70-74-3
CDog: 60-84-3


Sunday, November 10, 2013

Week 10 Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

After lurking for the entire season, the 6-year-old is now firmly in the lead after JDaddy suffers a bad week.  The key to the kid's success?  Wednesday I asked him who he thought would win the Washington-Minnesota game.  His response?

"The Vikings, because they punch people out!!!!"

There you have it folks.  Doesn't take much to win this little league of ours.

Week 9
6-Year-Old: 7-6
Uncle J: 7-6
CDog: 5-8
JDaddy: 4-9

Overall
6-Year-Old: 72-59-2
JDaddy: 69-62-2
Uncle J: 66-65-2
CDog: 54-77-2


Friday, November 1, 2013

Week 9 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

We're back baby!  All four of us picked more winners than losers last week.  Not only that, but the kid is now tied for the lead.  He won this thing the first year we did it, but that was mostly due to poor competition.  This year, he's actually putting together a solid season of picks.  Meanwhile, being the Cowboys homer he is, Uncle J is doing his best impression of the team by going .500 at the halfway point of the season.  Hey, maybe that can get him an audition to play Safety.

Week 7
6-Year-Old: 9-4
JDaddy: 7-6
Uncle J: 7-6
CDog: 7-6

Overall
JDaddy: 65-53-2
6-Year-Old: 65-53-2
Uncle J: 59-59-2
CDog: 49-69-2


Friday, October 25, 2013

Week 8 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

I'm totally disgusted with my picks this season.  I didn't think it could get much worse than my 4-11 performance from Week 6, but it did.  Just 3 correct picks last week.  This from the guy that one the whole thing last year.  So I'm going to focus on other things this week.

Earlier today it was announced that the Dallas Cowboys will play a regular season game in London next year against the Jacksonville Jaguars.  That's pretty cool.  And it would be cool to be able to attend that game.  So that got me thinking.  What are some of the venues that I haven't seen that I'd like to see?  In no particular order, here are the Top 10 (until I get more time to think of others).

1. Lambeau Field
2. Cameron Indoor Stadium
3. Centre Court at Wimbledon
4. Dodger Stadium
5. Augusta National
6. Notre Dame Stadium
7. LSU's Tiger Stadium - I'm wondering if it's possible for someone to get me tickets to watch Johnny Football there this year.
8. Target Field (Twins) - Don't ask me why.  It just always looks great on TV.
9. Gillette Stadium
10. Maple Leaf Stadium

Wasn't that a nice diversion?  Now to the ugly truth of football cluelessness.

Week 7
JDaddy: 8-7
6-Year-Old: 8-7
Uncle J: 7-8
CDog: 3-12

Overall
JDaddy: 58-47-2
6-Year-Old: 56-49-2
Uncle J: 52-53-2
CDog: 42-63-2


Friday, October 18, 2013

Week 7 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

You can blame me.  My terrible showing through 6 weeks this season is holding us back.  A great week by Uncle J has him back to .500 for the season.  JDaddy treaded water to hold on to his lead.  And the kid had a great week to get him within 2 games of the lead.  Then there's me.  Last year's winner can't get find a groove.  Maybe this week will change things.

Last Week
Uncle J: 11-4
6-Year-Old: 10-5
JDaddy: 7-8
CDog: 4-11

Overall
JDaddy: 50-40-2
6-Year-Old: 48-42-2
Uncle J: 45-45-2
CDog: 39-51-2

Friday, October 11, 2013

Week 6 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

First off, I want to say thank you to all who came out and supported Eli's Encouragers at the spaghetti dinner on Saturday.  We had over 100 people there and raised a bunch of money for our JDRF walk team.  We are making good progress toward our goal of $7,000 but still need your help!  If you are interested, please visit here to see how to get involved.

As for the football last week, it wasn't bad.  The kid was the only one to pick more losers than winners, but then again, he's the only one that saw Cincinnati beating New England.  I had a good week to creep back into 3rd place.  JDaddy held steady to keep his commanding 5 game lead.  That has to change, right?

Last Week
CDog: 9-5
JDaddy: 7-7
Uncle J: 7-7
6-Year-Old: 6-8

Overall
JDaddy: 43-32-2
6-Year-Old: 38-37-2
CDog: 35-40-2
Uncle J: 34-41-2

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Week 5 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

It was a bounce back week for us.  After a miserable Week 3, Week 4 turned out alright.  JDaddy led the way with 12 correct picks, and I didn't embarrass myself, which is a step in the right direction.  I got back to my old ways of picking against the Cowboys, and that turned out to be the swing pick for my week.  It's not that I don't like the Cowboys, it's just that I know the other three would rather spend the rest of their life in prison before they picked against Dallas.*  Seeing how the Cowboys routinely disappoint, I like my chances with this strategy.

*Editor's Note: After picks were submitted, JDaddy proved me wrong.

Last Week
JDaddy: 12-3
6-Year-Old: 8-7
CDog: 8-7
Uncle J: 7-8

Overall
JDaddy: 36-25-2
6-Year-Old: 32-29-2
Uncle J: 27-34-2
CDog: 26-35-2

Friday, September 27, 2013

Week 4 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

Sorry this is getting out late.  I was out of wifi and cell range (the horror!).  But it was for a trip to Sand Hills so I suppose it was all worth it.

As for the actual football pickem....oh my.  What a week.  We reached an all-time low I believe.  But the kid is now tied for the lead with JDaddy, who is still living off of his Great Week 1.  Lets hope for better this week.

And it's not too late to participate in or donate to our Diabetes Walk and Spaghetti Dinner!  What the world needs less of are diabetic kids beating old men in picking football games.  So JDaddy, Uncle J, and I better do better, or there needs to be a cure to Diabetes.

Last Week
6-Year-Old: 7-8-1
Uncle J: 6-9-1
JDaddy: 5-10-1
CDog: 2-13-1 (for real)

Overall
6-Year-Old: 24-22-2
JDaddy: 24-22-2
Uncle J: 20-26-2
CDog: 18-28-2

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Week 3 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

Order was restored last week as I rebounded from a rough start to dominate the league.  I was actually 12-2 at one point but missed the Sunday and Monday night games.  I needed a good week since 3 of us finished over .500 for the week.  Uncle J almost got us to a clean sweep.  

The kid had a great week too.  10-6 gets him to 17-14-1 for the season.

Now, a quick plug.  As many of you know, the kid has Type 1 Diabetes.  Each year we participate in the Walk to Cure Diabetes through the Fort Worth Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  If you would like to get involved, please visit our team's website.  Thanks!

Back to football...

Last Week
CDog: 12-4
6-Year-Old: 10-6
JDaddy: 9-7
Uncle J: 7-9

Overall
JDaddy: 19-12-1
6-Year-Old: 17-14-1
CDog: 16-15-1
Uncle J: 14-17-1

Friday, September 13, 2013

Week 2 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year Old

So much going on in the world today.  What to do in Syria?  Should you sign up for Obamacare?  Julie Chen's eyes aren't real.  But here at the Cheap Seats we'll worry about that another day.  Because it's time to see if we're smarter than a Kindergartner.  The first week went very well for one of us (JDaddy), but not so well for others (me).  The kid did ok, picking just less than half of the games correctly.

Regular readers know that when it comes to the Cowboys, there are 3 homers in our group who never pick against them.  6 turnovers later, they (barely) were correct last week.

Week 1
JDaddy: 10-5-1
6-Year-Old: 7-8-1
Uncle J: 7-8-1
CDog: 4-11-1


Friday, September 6, 2013

Week 1 NFL Picks Against a 6-Year-Old

We are back!  It has been a while since we've taken to this blog, but with football season around the corner, it is time to get back to our annual tradition of picking football games against a little kid.

The kid is now 6 (or at least he will be next week), and he is learning more and more about sports.  He knows if Jeff Baker or David Murphy should be playing left field based on which hand the starting pitcher throws with, and he can tell who is batting based on their stance.  But, football is a different story.  He's still learning the game.

To recap, there will be four of us competing: me, the kid, JDaddy, and Uncle J.  The first year we did this, the kid won.  Last year, it was yours truly that blew away the competition.  But the kid was 1 win away from a .500 finish.  Not too bad and exactly where you would expect him to finish considering his picks are pretty much random.

After the jump, find out our 2013 Week 1 Picks


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Prayers for Boston

The Cheap Seats want to send a thought and a prayer to all of the people affected by the cowardly bombing in Boston. Truly one of America's great cities, on a day meant as a world wide celebration, was attacked by those who believe America and Americans can be intimidated.

 Those people need to get a grip!!!!!

We predict that next year we will see the largest celebration of Patriot's day in the history of Boston! Bless all of those who lost loved ones and those who have been injured and thank God for the heroes on the scene.

Some say it is just sport. But ask yourself when it was you last heard the national anthem. It was at a sporting event. Sports can be trivial and it can begin the healing process. Last night at Yankee Stadium, the song "Sweet Caroline" was played between innings as a tribute to Boston. Yankee fans sang long and loud as they also passed on their best just as Red Sox fans had done during the 9/11 aftermath.

It was a class gesture by a class organization. And even in Yankee Stadium, as was the case around the country for a moment we are all Red Sox fans.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

PLAY BALL! Let's Go Rangers!

"There are 108 beads on the Catholic Rosary and there are 108 stitches on a baseball. When I learned that, I gave Jesus a chance" - Annie Savoy


THE CHEAP SEATS ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and are proud to say that we are approaching 20,000 page views. Thanks to everyone who takes a few minutes to check us out and we hope to hear from you soon.

If it has not become evident, while we write about all sports, our hearts are with baseball and to be more specific,Texas Ranger Baseball. Sunday night the Rangers open the season against the Houston Astros, the newest member of the American League West.

Unlike the last few seasons, the Rangers will truly have a new look. Michael Young is a Phillie, Mike Napoli is in Boston, Colby Lewis and Netfali Feliz are still on the shelf and of course, the story of the off-season, Josh Hamilton and his reality tv like career, signed with the Angels.


"Baseball is only a pastime, a sport, an entertainment, a way of blowing off steam. But it is also the national game, with an appeal to Americans of every race, color, creed, sex or political opinion. It unites Americans in the common cause of rooting for the home team." - Jackie Robinson



The beauty of opening day is that last year is forgotten and there are high hopes in every major league city. It is a day to forget about the past and talk about the future. So after six months of finding new ways to insult Hamilton, with an exception here or there, old JDaddy will do his best to move on and look at three key areas for the Rangers in 2013.

Read More after the break

Monday, January 28, 2013

No Pressure: The Cowboys are not in the Super Bowl...... Again

It was January 28th, 1996. The weekend's top movie was "Mr. Holland's Opus." Gasoline was $1.12 per gallon and the Dallas Cowboys won their third Super Bowl in four years 27-17 over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It would also be the last time we would see my team, America's Team, in the big game.

When the 49ers take the field against the Ravens Sunday, they will become the 12th NFC team to represent the conference since Dallas last appeared. The Washington Redskins are the only other NFC team not to make it to the final game since 1996. Think about that Cowboy fans......... Us and the 'Skins.

Eight winning seasons out of the last seventeen. There are many Cowboy fans, like me, who have taken a big swig of the Kool-Aid. I love'm. But the effects are wearing off and it is becoming very clear as the fog begins to lift. We have one of the best owners in the league. He purchased the team for $150 million and today the club is worth over $2 Billion. He has built one of the most beautiful stadiums ever constructed, increased the value of the Cowboy brand and has raised and given millions to charity. But as good as the owner is, we have the absolute worst General Manager in the NFL. And our dilemma is that, as we all know, the best owner and worst GM is the same guy. Jerry Jones.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

2012 National League Batsmen of the Year

While it may seem a bit late to some, those who know the pains we at the Cheap Seats go through to check our figures will understand. With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report in just a few weeks, we are announcing the final tabulations for our 2012 Batsmen of the Year.

Along with this week’s Hall of Fame announcement, The B.O.T.Y. will be the award an athlete can look back on and say………What???????????  6 of our 20 finalists from last year (and here) are on our list again with a repeat winner in the AL.
 
For those who don’t remember, we take all batting statistics of the top 5 players in each category and assign a value. The top 10 players are then ranked against each other. The results are an unbiased selection of the most feared players at the plate for an entire season.




For the list of American League Batsmen of the Year, click here.

National League Batsman of the Year


 Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers - Batsman Score: 974.35


Many people think Braun slipped by on a technicality in avoiding a 50 game ban for a failed drug test. But, surely baseball couldn’t have made such a mistake! Braun finished third last year behind Fielder and Matt Kemp. With Fielder in the AL and Kemp injured much of the year, Braun finished with another solid season in 2012.



100 Runs
191 Hits
36 Doubles
41 Homers
112 RBI
63 Walks
.319 Avg.
.987 OPS


2012 American League Batsmen of the Year


While it may seem a bit late to some, those who know the pains we at the Cheap Seats go through to check our figures will understand. With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report in just a few weeks, we are announcing the final tabulations for our 2012 Batsmen of the Year.

Along with this week’s Hall of Fame announcement, The B.O.T.Y. will be the award an athlete can look back on and say………What???????????  6 of our 20 finalists from last year (and here) are on our list again with a repeat winner in the AL.
 
For those who don’t remember, we take all batting statistics of the top 5 players in each category and assign a value. The top 10 players are then ranked against each other. The results are an unbiased selection of the most feared players at the plate for an entire season.

Here are the National League Batsmen of the Year.

American League Batsman of the Year

 Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers - Batsman Score: 1012.05

Miggy repeats with a massive thrashing of the competition in 2012.

109 Runs
205 Hits
40 Doubles
44 Homers
139 RBI
66 Walks
.333 Average
.606 Slugging
.999 OPS


Monday, January 7, 2013

And the 2012 Winner Is...

It was no surprise.  I was already doing my victory lap heading into the final week, and apparently, I had my opponents so demoralized they didn't even try to mount a comeback.  A 10-6 final week landed me at 137-113-6 for the season, finishing 11 games ahead of Uncle J.

The 5-year-old finished strong at 8-8.  He finished 2 games under .500 for the season, a slight improvement over last year.  The experiment in random selection to pick NFL games has gone exactly as you would expect.  Through the 2 seasons we've done this, the kid has gone 245-251-16.  He is basically a 45 pound coin flip.

Thanks for following along this season.  Now we'll be forced to actually write something to keep this blog up-to-date.

Week 17 Results
CDog: 10-6
5-Year-Old: 8-8
JDaddy: 6-10
Uncle J: 5-11

Overall Results
CDog: 137-113-6
Uncle J: 126-124-6
5-Year-Old: 124-126-6
JDaddy: 118-132-6