We open this week with a welcome to some special readers:

Hello, family of Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann.  You must be reading, because I don’t know who else would react so quickly and so vociferously to a perceived slight against a person of your relative’s relatively low level of fame.

Earlier in the week, I pointed out that Brian McCann has made more All Star teams than Robin Yount. My point, which perhaps wasn’t communicated as clearly as it should have been, was that Robin Yount made a surprisingly small number of All Star teams during a 20 year career which ended up in Cooperstown. In making that point, I argued that while McCann has certainly had a good career, he does not, in my mind or I presume in the mind of most baseball fans, come to mind when someone asks you to name the great players in today’s game. In 10 years, maybe he will. But as of now, I do not think he is one of baseball’s biggest stars.

But wow. Look at these comments:

I’ve read this 5 times now and I’m still not exactly sure what your point is.

Are you saying:

-Brian McCann doesn’t deserve to be a 5-time All-Star?

OR

-Brian McCann is on the fast-track to HOF?

OR

-Brian McCann should have more than one AS MVP since he’s been 5 times?

What are you saying??

Enlighten me!

By Mike on Jul 14, 2010 |

Mike, I am not saying any of those things. I’m just pointing out that Robin Yount seems like someone who should have played in more All Star Games.  But I can tell it bothered you, because you used multiple question marks. It seems one would have been sufficient.

Ur an idiot! McCann is a CATCHER fool! And those are great offensive numbers for a catcher. What an absolute idiot!

By Robert on Jul 14, 2010 |

That is hurtful, Robert. Did you write this on twitter? Was there a limit on the number of letters you can use? Feel free you spell out “You’re” next time. Also, are you saying that Brian McCann is a catcher fool? I don’t know what that is. Commas are your friend.

Only 90 RBIs? Do you watch baseball? Let me clear this up for you. Catchers play 130 – 140 games a year. That projects to well over 100 RBIs if he was a position player getting 155- 160 starts. Also, why in the hell would you focus on RBIs? Here are the career numbers for Johnny Bench, widely considered the greatest catcher of all time:

G 2158 AB 7658
H 2048 R 1091
HR 389 RBI 1376
SB 68 AVG .267
SLG .476 OBP .342
OPS .817 OPS+ 118.1

McCann is a career .291 hitter with a .359 OBP, both better than Bench. Also, he is averaging 20 homers a year in his first five years. To get back to your irrelevant RBI argument, Bench averaged 86 RBI per year. Sooo, I’m not saying that McCann is Johnny Bench (yet), but he is certainly deserving of his all star selections, and he is CLUTCH!!! See 2010 All-Star game as well as 2005 NLDS home run off of Clemens. I can’t wait to get this guy back in the playoffs.

By John on Jul 15, 2010

Wow. That’s a lot of numbers, John. You certainly did your research. I commend you. Though your mathematical and well reasoned argument kind of comes off the rails at “CLUTCH!!!”

Finally, we get two comments for the price of one.

“Here’s something that will make your Brain explode”

Hopefully your did!!!

By Brian on Jul 16, 2010

Wait.. he’s not done.

Hopefully yours did

By Brian on Jul 16, 2010

There are a number of things about this that I love.

First of all, that’s nice play off the title of my post.  But, why so mean? Do you really hope I have some sort of aneurysm which will explode in my brain? That seems very harsh. Once, I thought I had an aneurysm. I went to a neurologist and got a MRI on my brain. It was terrifying. In the end, I just needed new glasses. But jeez, Brian, I wouldn’t wish that on someone I don’t know.

Secondly, I love that Brian hit send, realized his grammar was wrong, then posted an immediate correction.  Kudos for not settling.

Finally, Brian’s comments link to the front page of the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s website. Is Brian an employee of the AJC? Or is he simply a very loyal reader?

I have a third guess. This was actually written by All Star Game MVP Brian McCann. Well, sir, thanks for reading. I’m sorry you’re not as good as Robin Yount.

And now, onto the magazine.

Sports Illustrated, July 19, 2010.

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Just a great video featuring a superimposed LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh as the NWO. Brings back the memories. I used to love WCW when Hulk Hogan, Hall, and Nash teamed up.

So the 2010/2011 NFL Over/Under win totals are now out and at first glance I see a couple that really stand out. The Houston Texans over 8 wins is a must bet for me. They have improved their record every year since their debut. If they can continue that trend we are looking at 9 wins minimum and with the combo of Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson who will doubt them.

I am very bullish on the San Francisco 49ers (8.5 wins) this year. They feature a well rounded offense as well as a stingy defense. Frank Gore will punish you on the ground, while Alex Smith spreads the field with the likes of Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree and Ted Ginn. Add the fact that Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin have moved out of the division and I think 10 wins for this team is realistic.

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Braves catcher Brian McCann was voted MVP of last night’s All Star game. McCann’s a career .291 hitter who averages about 90 RBI a season. Not bad, but certainly not someone you will sit your children down to talk about 30 years from now.

He has now played in 5 All Star Games.

Brewers Hall of Famer Robin Yount starred as both a shortstop and, later, a centerfielder. He had more than 3,100 hits over a 20 year career and won 2 American League MVP awards.

Robin Yount played in 3 All Star Games.

Two days with no sports. What are we to do?

“But, Justin, The WNBA is a sport and they have 5 games over the next two days, and the MLS is a sport and they have 2 games tonight.”

Are you serious? Shut up. There are no sports on tonight or tomorrow night. The Espys is for retards too. Don’t watch it unless you want to hear 600 jokes comparing the Decision to the Situation.

Actual sports fans will have to adjust their viewing habits until baseball returns Friday. Luckily, SportsCracklePop is here to help with a Wednesday/Thursday viewing guide.

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What possibly could Cristiano Ronaldo see in Irina Shayk? Someone take a look at these picture from GQ South Africa and tell me.

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And there you have it. The 2010 World Cup is over and done with. Spain pulls off the double and Pepe Reina partied like Lindsay Lohan.

I really shouldn’t find this LeBron James parody all that funny, but I can’t help myself.

Just give Pepe Reina an IPOD docking station and a rum/coke and you turn the Spain plane into a one man dance party. I guess life is a lot easier when you sit backup to the best goalie in the world, Iker Casillas. Worry free World Cup.

Hey, check out this cross promotion! I  am the guest on the Badmelons.com podcast. Listen to it. Marvel at my sparkling personality and command of the sporting world zeitgeist. Later, google “zeitgeist”