I've said it before and I'll say it again

It is absolute bullcrap that Mark McGwire won't go to the Hall of Fame this year. For that matter, it is also ridiculous that Pete Rose has yet to be placed in the Hall. A player should be judged by his accomplishments on the field and if we're going to ban "cheaters" from enshrinement, then we should recall Ty Cobb and Gaylord Perry from Cooperstown. For the love of all that is holy, I'm just asking for a little consistency, you stupid baseball world.

And with this, my feelings on the Hall of Fame continue to diminish, steadily approaching the point where I simply won't care who is in and who is out. I cannot stand, nor understand, people who thought that Rafael Palmeiro (pre-fall from grace) was ever HOF material.

I'll tell you what else, Barry Bonds should get 100% of the vote when his time comes. He was only the best player of his generation, perhaps of all time. No big deal.

One last thing. Jim Rice has been retired for several years, now, and still isn't in the HOF. Memo to anyone with a pulse, give it up already! It's over! He is not a HOFer. His numbers aren't getting any better. Jim Rice is yet another example of why the Baseball Hall of Fame doesn't work: you have multiple chances to get in. It's the "Hall of Fame," people, not the "Hall of Pretty Good." No one should need another year (or 15) to figure out whether someone merits enshrinement.

Embarrassing

I've never felt more embarrassed about supporting Liverpool FC (hell, before today, I was never embarrassed at all) than after witnessing this. Nevermind that it was the Carling Cup or that some key players were rested, the fact is that, after getting embarrassed by the same Arsenal frogs in Anfield on Saturday to get knocked out of the FA Cup, getting lit up by the Gooner C-team again at Anfield is about as demoralizing as it gets. Arse had six shots on goal. They all went in.

Why in heaven and earth did Rafa not choose to send out a full strength squad if only to salvage some pride? Or, you know, make an honest effort at winning a trophy?! Kuyt deserves a rest, but I firmly believe that his absence cost us dearly. That, and Paletta is absolute garbage and should not see the field for the forseeable future, I'm still awaiting a refund on Aurelio, and oh yeah, Gonzalez, Warnock, and Garcia all injured. Gonzo might be lost for the year. That's just great.

So to recap: Crushed twice by Arsenal (three times, this season, if we're counting league play) in four days. Both times at home in our supposed fortress of dominance. As ugly as it is to even think, we're Arsenal's bitch.

This is what you call a low point.

Yeah, bring on Barca... We're ready...

This means Boise State are nat'l champs, right?

I mean, they are the last remaining unbeaten and all. Makes perfect sense. Quick notes about last night's laugher of a non-game.

1. Flat out amazing performance by Florida's defense (recognized universally as the strength of this team) who were unrelenting in their domination and clowning of Troy Smith and company. Yes, they get props, but it was widely believed that the offense and Chris Leak had to execute flawlessly if the Gators were to have any shot at all. No one believed they could. They did. Credit where it's due, the Gators looked untouchable. It's a shame that Ted Ginn left on OSU's first offensive possession of the game.

2. 51 days is far too long a layoff for any team, let alone a team playing for the NATIONAL FREAKING CHAMPIONSHIP!. College football is broken. I hate it.

3. Ever-flowing superlatives, kudos, props, respect, maaaaaad love to Greg Archuleta of the Albuquerque Journal in New Mexico for correctly bestowing his AP first place vote on undefeated, 13-0 Boise State. This is the only man in the college football world -- the broken college football world -- that gets it. Greg Archuleta, the reasonable, intelligent, enlightened sports fans of this country salute you, sir! Well done.