Toyota Stadium, Frisco TX -- Welcome to the second Frisco Bowl. Frisco is a suburb about 25 miles north of Dallas TX. It was formed as a station on, and got it's name from, the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, popularly known as the "Frisco". Today, it boasts Toyota Stadium, the home pitch of FC Dallas. This 20.5k soccer stadium, formally known as Pizza Hut Park and FC Dallas Stadium, is no stranger to football, being the permanent home of the FCS championship game.

Louisiana Tech beat SMU 51-10 in the inaugural game. Neither Ohio or SDSU have ever played each other, in the predecessor Miami Beach Bowl (2014-2016 in Miami... not Miami Beach), or in Toyota Stadium.

For Sabo's Aztecs... after starting out 6-1, and in the thick of the running for the conference championship, they seemed to fall apart, losing four of their last five games. This includes their last game against the Rainbows, where just like two weeks prior against UNLV, they came in as massive home favorites and laid an egg. As is the new normal, C.Chapman started the game, R.Agnew got some latter snaps, and whoever was hottest finishes the game (the same plan has been announced versus the Bobcats). In the end, after drawing within one in the first overtime, coach R.Long decided to gamble and go for two for the win. Ouch.

Next up: a real good Bobcat team which stayed relevant in the MAC championship race. Sabo's Aztecs definitely have their work cut out for them. But, we know Sabo... always the true fan. He don't care what the odds are, if he could talk, he'd yell... Go Aztecs !!!1!


Gillette Stadium, Foxborough MA -- I missed my Pats on Sunday... as I was taking Sabo to his regular IWW meeting. Sounds like I missed some frustration (above). Well, try, try, try again. Next up: the beatable Bills flutter into town on those tiny, bony, but spicy buffalo wings. Barring ties, the scenario to clinch the playoffs is this: win =or= a Florida fish (@@-140-4½) home loss to the Jaguars. I'll yell it... Go Pats !!!1! Pull the wings off these buffaloes again !!!1!

Chase Field, Phoenix AZ -- Happy Boxing Day !!!1!. Welcome to today's first ever meeting between TCU & Cal... in the first ever Cheez-It Bowl. Sabo has been to this stadium, and Cal has played in predecessor bowls... which are both more than the Horned Frogs can say. Cal however can say both... on New Year's Eve 1990 they beat Wyoming 17-15 in the Copper Bowl, @Arizona Stadium Tucson AZ, and... fifteen years ago today they beat Virginia Tech 52-49 in the Insight Bowl, right here in this very same baseball stadium.

Cal's last game was, of course, the rescheduled Big Game. One again, the Stanford Axe visited Berkeley, but stayed frustratingly out of reach... as Cal lost for a series record ninth straight time. Well... the boys from Cal will just need to go down to Palo Alto, win the game, grab the axe, and bring it back to Berkeley next season. However... that's all for next season.

Next up: topping off this season with a bowl win over the TCU Horned Frogs, today, in Phoenix... for all the crackers !!!1! I'll yell it... Go Golden Bears !!!1!


Gillette Stadium, Foxborough MA -- The inept and hated Jets were eliminated weeks ago. In an example of four seconds seeming like three weeks, my Pats clinched the playoffs on Sunday... with a methotical win over the Bills. Now, while the refiled Jets play out the string, it's time to play for my Pats to play for seeding... and in particular for that huge first round bye. Here's the scenario: baring ties, my Pats clinch a first round bye by a home win =or= three home losses by the Texans (-320-7 vs Jaguars), Ravens (-255-6 vs Browns) and Titans (+143+2½ vs Colts). I'll yell it... Go Pats !!!1! Beat those hated Jets ~ again !!!1!

https://www.npr.org/2018/12/30/68099...t-hall-of-fame

Looks fun who's in your inaugural class and thoughts on Gritty the most hyped mascot with social media presence to boot ever.

I'd like to see high schools included as well, who's your top 5?

Mr Met
Phanatic
Suns gorilla
USC spartan
Sd chicken

Cant think of too many really memorable college mascots but I'm sure there are!

Happy New Year !!!1!

BTW: 2019 is the "Year of Repair". Sorry it took me so long to get back... I hadn't checked my erstwhile dog blog for a whole year. I'll check out the new HOF, and I did find that old KGB Chicken shirt, and took those pix like I promised, it seems two years ago. It turns out grandpa actually uses it, and it shows that use.

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough MA — Of course, in today's NFL, the second bye is that huge playoff bye. Seriously, that bye is even bigger than a playoff win... at home, where there was no need for preparation, all the starters were rested, and there were no in-game injuries. My Pats earned that bye by methodically squishing the hated Jets two weeks ago. Even though T.Brady threw four TDs, it was really a defensive win... I'm not sure the hapless Jets could have scored 38 points over several consecutive Rivalry Bowls.

Next up: not my old team... but instead the LA football Clippers. This is first ever playoff, and only the fourth meeting between these two teams. As Boston on Saturday 1960-10-8 they won 35-0 @LA Coliseum, and on a Friday after a 20 day hiatus, they lost 16-45 @BU's Nickerson Stadium. As New England, on a Sunday after a 57 year and one day hiatus, they won 21-13 @Gillette Stadium. FYI: my Patriots are 8-7 vs Los Angeles teams (Rams 4-3, Raiders 2-3, Clippers 2-1).

I guess I'll have to back against my favorite player, P.Rivers. But that's life as a sports fan... so I'll go ahead and yell it anyways: Go Patriots !!!1!

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City MO — In freezing weather my Patriots treated the LA football Clippers just like they were hapless NY football Jets. The game wasn't as close as the 41-28 final indicates. One more win and it's on to Atlanta for the Superb Owl. This season, the road there leads through Kansas City. There will be firsts, both for the finals match up, and team visits to Mercedes Benz Stadium... excepting the Saints who are 1-1 @Falcons. The series history of the four potential pairings is below (vs LA Rams only). But, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

First, there is a very good Chefs team to confront. Despite my Patriots beating the Chefs @Gillette in what has been described as one of the most exciting games of this season... this game will be @Arrowhead. My Patriots have opened up as dogs. Regardless, I'll shout it loud and proud: Go Patriots !!!1!




P.S. — Today is Sabo's 7th birthday. Happy birthday my good guy !!!1!

Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA — Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1! Patriots win !!!1!... oh, did I mention my Patriots just won their 6th Superb Owl ???/?

Well, my old team, the late lamented San Diego Bolts, had a losing record and only got to one championship game on the my watch (the 40 plus years since I was old enough to be a fan)... which they lost in what is widely considered the worst Superb Owl ever. However, my new team, the New England Patriots, have a winning record on my watch (33-9), have gotten to the championship game every single season (3), and won it all two times (2 !!!1!)... which includes the game two years ago widely considered the best Superb Owl ever.

Of course, this championship has to be my favorite of the two, as I was a fan all season long.


Alamo Bowl, San Antonio TX — Well, it seems Sabo has finally picked a pro football team to back... the San Diego Fleet, of the upstart off-season minor league Alliance of American Football. One thing we can say about Sabo... he's a 'homer', his teams are always local: Padres, football Aztecs, and now the Fleet. They'll be kicking off the entire league, on the CBS network none-the-less, against their (as of now) arch rival... the San Antonio Commanders.

I guess the #1 question we have about the AAF is this: why is their season, which runs completely in the 2019 calendar year, included here under "2018 Football"? Well... it's because the All-Star Sabo-Metrics football season is defined as (a) starting June 23rd, (b) it's weeks run Wednesday-Tuesday, and (c) Labor Day weekend is labelled as Week #1. Makes perfect sense. Anyways, if Sabo could talk, he'd shout... Go Fleet !!!1!

SDCCU Stadium, San Diego CA — Sabo & me diligently settled in to watch the very first San Diego Fleet game. It was definitely football... minor league football to be sure, which means these are elite athletes within the top 5000 america football players in the world. It was also well televised, and all-in-all it was a quality premier. As for the Fleet... it was good to see local son M.Martz coaching again... but his team was about the opposite of the "Greatest Team on Turf" at San Antonio.

Maybe they'll score a TD in their home opener, Sunday vs the equally win less Atlanta Legends. If Sabo could talk, he'd yell...... Go Fleet !!!1!

SDCCU Stadium, San Diego CA — It took them eight Qs, but Sabo's Fleet finally scored a TD... two in fact, for a comeback victory over Atlanta at home for their very first win.

It was another watchable game. As for watching... this game was on NFLN, which I don't get right now. It was also as promised streamed on aaf.com and on the aaf app. The good news is this steaming broadcast has zero commercials... the bad news is it's only one camera, the spider cam, the only audio is a crowd mic, and there is no flying-scoreboard or any other graphics. Which means it's hard to follow the game without switching back-n-forth to a "stat view" screen to snyc with the time, down, and first down distance. That, and while the app streamed like a champ, the website stream kept crashing the browser window.

Next up: the Fleet's arch-rival, the San Antonio Commanders, this time at home. If Sabo could talk, he'd yell...... Go Fleet !!!1!

Today is Sabo & my fifth anniversary together. We've been together for the vast majority of 24*(365*5+1) hours... and we have never been apart for even a single day. He's been a good guy, and has unquestionably made my life better. The way Sabo treats me, I can just tell he thinks I'm a good guy. I've unquestionably made his life better. He's simply blossomed into being one happy dog. Cliffs: we are still in love !!!1!

OK, back to the sports blog...


Liberty Bowl, Memphis TN — Off the field, there has been confusing reports that the AAF was -or- was not going to miss payroll until a NHL owner did -or- did not bail out the league. On the field, Sabo's Fleet lambasted their arch-rivals, the San Antonio Commanders. This moves San Diego into a tie for first, with the Arizona Hotshots, in the AAF western division.

Next up: the win less Memphis Express in Tennessee. Unlike the last two weeks watching the minimalist AAF stream, this game should have an alternate stream with announcers, graphics, and commercials. If Sabo could talk, he'd yell...... Go Fleet !!!1!

SDCCU Stadium, San Diego CA — Well, Sabo's Fleet let one get away in Tennessee... they outplayed the Express, and were up by two scores in the second half... but instead the defense collapsed, and let Memphis come back and win their first ever game. Last week we had the Bleacher Report "B/R Live" feed with commercials, announcers, and graphics. This week it's back to the "silent mode" main AAF feed. Next up: the division rival Stallions in the Fleet's third of five home games. If Sabo could talk (and if he had yapping rights) he'd yell...... Go Fleet !!!1!

SDCCU Stadium, San Diego CA — This game was a tale of two offenses... the Fleet offense, who could only find the end zone once... and the Stallions offense who seemed to move the ball at will. What kept Salt Lake from dominating were their five turnovers, including a pick-six, a scoop-six, and setting up the only TD by the Fleet offense. In fact, Sabo's Fleet again held a two score lead, this time into the second half of the fourth quarter... before the Stallions went ahead by one with less than a minute left. However, Sabo's Fleet offense were able to drive down to set up their third FG to end the game.

Next up: the Birmingham Iron, one of the best AAF teams in history, in the Fleet's fourth of five home games. Since I'll now have NFLN, instead of the AAF "silent" feed, which last week was literally silent last week, we'll enjoy sound, announcers, graphics... and endure commercials. If Sabo could talk (and if he had yapping rights) he'd yell...... Go Fleet !!!1!

Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe AZ — Last week, in a close fraught back-n-forth game, the Iron prevailed on a game ending field goal. That drops the Fleet's record to 3-3.

Since they don't have any stinkin' byes in the AAF, six games into the ten game season is as good a time as any to evaluate the season so far. So where does this leave Sabo's Fleet. Well... they are tied for second place in the western conference (as the AAF calls their divisions) with the Hotshots. They are a game behind their arch rivals, the San Antonio Commanders, and a game ahead of the Stallions. In the AAF, both the first and second place teams in each four team conference make the playoffs... so it really is wide open.

The Fleet have a .500 record, and really have seemed to be a league average team. However... the schedule gets harder from here, as the next three games are on the road, where the Fleet have never ever won (0-2), and one of those is in Orlando vs. the best team in AAF history... the Apollos (5-1).

Next up: the conference foe Hotshots. Since I don't get CBSSN, it's back to the AAF semi-silent stream for this game. If Sabo could talk (and if he had yapping rights) he'd yell...... Go Fleet !!!1!

Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City UT — Last week, Sabo's Fleet got shellacked by the Hotshots. We watched the AAF feed on the app... which was much improved: a flying scoreboard was added (to nitpick, it could use the addition of the line of scrimmage), and the stadium PA announcer was clearly audible.

Next up: the Fleet's second game against Salt Lake. The loss in Tempe has really painted the Fleet into a corner. With only three games left, they are two behind their arch-rivals, the San Antonio Commanders, for first place... and more crucially, they are now a game behind the Hotshots for the playoffs. They really need a second win over the division rival Stallions. If Sabo could talk (and if he had yapping rights) he'd yell...... Go Fleet !!!1!

Well, it's that day that Sabo has been looking forward to... and not that patiently, I'll add. It's his Padres opening day !!!1! And... that means, since Sabo didn't have a spring training road-trip for the first time since he's been Sabo... it's also opening day for Sabo's Dog Day Championship 2019. Will the hated Dodgers repeat as champions... we'll see. We know if the Padres win their opening series, they'll hang the dreaded '~0' on the Giants. For now Sabo would sez: Go Padres !!!1!

All-Star Sabo-Metrics 2019 projections — Padres 15%; Dodgers, Pirates 8%; Nationals 7%; D'backs 6%; Mets 5%; Braves, Brewers, Rays, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Tigers 4%; Card's, Mariners, Phillies 3%; Astros, Cubs, Giants, Rangers 2%; Angels, Marlins, Orioles, Red Sox 1%; A's, Blue Jays, Indians, White Sox ~0. No dog games — Twins, Yankees.

On their first home stand, Sabo's Padres won their first 3/4 games sparking Machado Fever, and hanging the Giants with the dreaded "~0". Even losing 2/3 to the Snakes hasn't diminished the Fever... or knocked the Friars out from being favorites. Also, the Nationals beat the Mets to grab first place.

Next up: Sabo's Padres first road trip, and for reasons the first game of the next home stand. Sabo's Padres travel for three games each in St.Louis (where they are already 2-0), San Francisco, and Phoenix (the last of which is a dog box game). Also the Astros, Braves, Brewers, Mariners, Marlins, Phillies, and Rockies all make their dog game debuts. The Astros need a win to avoid the dreaded "~0".

_{All-Star Sabo-Metrics projections — dd 8%; pr 7%; br(Apr7 bz),dr,ry,tg 4%; bz(Apr7 @br),mr(Apr14 as),ph(Apr14 @mz),rc(Apr15 @pd),cr,rd 3%; as(Apr 14 @mr),cb,rn 2%; mz(Apr14 ph),an,or,rs 1%; gn (1-3 @pd),at,bj,in,ws ~0. No games — tw,yn. Team abbv. Gratuitous sports post.}

Correction: the Marlins were the opponent at the Braves dog day on April 7th, not the Brewers. That lose, and their subsequent loss at home to the Phillies, hung the Marlins with the dreaded "-0". Meanwhile, in addition to the Rockies, Braves and Phillies, the Astros also won to their dog game debut... making it a five way tie for first in the SDDC race.

Next up: today Sabo is going to see his first place Padres. Wait, what... yep I said first place. Sabo is seven years old, and this is the very first time in his entire life that his Padres have been in first. Sabo is besides himself with "Machado Fever". They'll need a win, or a loss by the hated Dodgers, to stay in first by themselves. On the flip side... a Rockies win would put them into first place by themselves in the SDDC race.

_{All-Star Sabo-Metrics projections — dd 8%; pr 7%; dr 5%; rd,ry,tg 4%; bz,cr 3%; cb,rn 2%; an,or,rs 1%; gn(1-3),mz(0-2 \@br,\ph),at,bj,in,ws ~0. No games — tw,yn. Team abbv. /=won, \=lost. Not a gratuitous sports post.}

Actually of course, Sabo's Padres second home stand is already two games in. Those two loses to the Rockies have found the Padres a half a game behind the hated Dodgers in the NL West, and have found the Rockies in first place in the SDDC race. Nonetheless, Sabo thoroughly enjoyed seeing his Padres for the first time this season in the Park at the Park... along with spending the game with his union brother P.

Next up: The home stand continues with the Reds and Mariners playing a visit to the Barkyard. A series loss would hang the respective visiting team with the dreaded "~0". A Phillies win in New York City Thursday would move them into a tie with the Rockies for first in the SDDC race... while also hanging the Mets with the dreaded "~0".

_{All-Star Sabo-Metrics projections — dd 8%; pr(Apr23 dm) 7%; dr 5%; ry,tg 4%; bz,cr,rd(Apr18 @pd(4)) 3%; cb,rn 2%; an,or,rs 1%; gn(1-3),mz(0-2),at,bj,in,ws ~0. No games — tw,yn. Team abbv. /=won, \=lost. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

Sabo's Padres lost the first five games of their second home stand... dropping them out of first. It was fun while it lasted. However, they won the last three, remain favorites in the SDCC race, and hung the Mariners with the dreaded "~0".

Next up: Sabo's Padres second road trip, this time to DC and GA... Saturday's game is in front of the dogs. The Orioles, Rays, Royals, White Sox, and including for reasons the first game back at the Barkyard, the hated Dodgers all are making their dog game debut. With a win, the Braves and Nationals can move into a tie for first. On the flip side, a loss would hang the dreaded "~0" on the Orioles or Royals. The White Sox are eliminated with a loss.

_{All-Star Sabo-Metrics projections — dd(May3 @pd) 9%; dr(Apr29 @ry) 5%; ry(Apr29 dr),tg 4%; bz,cr 3%; cb,rn 2%; an,or(Apr29 @ws),rs 1%; gn(1-3),mz(0-2),mr(0-3, 0-2@pd),at,bj,in,ws(Apr29 or) ~0. No games — tw,yn. Team abbv. /=won, \=lost. A gratuitous sports post.}

The original title for this post was going to be "Sabo in Texas!!!1!". Right about now, he was expecting to be just done from walking the warning track at Globe Life Park, in Arlington TX. Alas, twas not to be. Sabo's had a hard time lately. First, he got to go to the vet on Wednesday (for the first time, $90) to get his travel certificate. Sabo hates going to the vet.

Then American Airlines scuttled our trip Friday afternoon... because they ended up assigning a A310 for our flight, and checked pets don't fly on that kinda plane. I was able to cancel everything except the game tix ($49.75) and the prepaid parking @SAN ($17). Later that Friday night, the hated Dodgers beat his Padres. To add insult to injury, the Dodgers are now 2½ games ahead of the Padres in the NL West -and- are the new favorite in the SDDC race.

This morning, instead of being safely tucked away in his travel kennel, he instead went out into the Sabotat and got a foxtail up his right ear. He got to go back to the vet (for the second trip, $94). Sabo hates going to the vet. He's fine now. And... this evening, he's missing his game. As this is the very last "Bark at the Park" @Globe Life Park, he'll never ever get to go there. Poor Sabo !!!1!

Next up: Sabo's Padres 3rd home stand this season: three games with the hated Dodgers (one already played), then three with the Mets (who need a series win to avoid the dreaded "~0"). There is also the aforementioned Blue Jays @Rangers game (the Blue Jays are eliminated with a loss), a Rangers @Pirates game (the Rangers are hung with the dreaded "~0" if swept), and, again for reasons, I'll include the D'backs general dog day -vs- Braves on May 10th.

_{All-Star Sabo-Metrics projections — tg 5%; cr 4%; bz,cb 3%; rn(May4 bj,May7 @pr) 2%; an,rs 1%; ws(1-0,/or),gn(1-3),or(0-1,\@ws),ry(0-1,\dr),mz(0-2),mr(0-3),at,bj(May4 @rn),in ~0. No games — tw,yn. Team abbv. /=won, \=lost. Not a gratuitous sports post.}

Well, the big and depressing news is this: I'm pulling Sabo's wings, and cancelling his dog game stadium tour. Not because of anything to do with Sabo, of course. He's a good guy. It's because of the airline companies. We can't count on flying because they might change the assigned plane, or the tarmac temperature might be too high (his three previous flights were before Memorial day or after Labor day, but the potential upcoming flights wouldn't have been). The only all-temperature option I know off, United Air Freight, would generally require connections for Sabo, and often by me to get there ahead of him, and often require otherwise unneeded ground transportation to get to the air freight terminals, and it just plain costs a fortune. Going forward, we'll confine ourselves to driving trips in CA, AZ, NV. I'll end up eating $309.55 in sunk costs (below). Poor Sabo !!!1!


On to the news of the games: The Rangers eliminated the Blue Jays, in the game Sabo should have attended. On the their most recent homestand, Sabo's Padres lost two of three to the Dodgers, then won two of three from the Mets... hanging the Mets with the dreaded "~0", and reestablishing themselves as SDDC favorites.

Through yesterday's games Sabo's Padres are three games over .500, in third place, four games behind the hated first place Dodgers, and 22.8% to make the playoffs, While my defending world champ Red Sox are one game over .500, also in third place, four games behind the first place Rays (3½ behind the hated Yankees), and 53.5% to make the playoffs.

Next up: Sabo's fifth annual visit to Dodgers Stadium today. The Dodgers would again become SDDC favorites with a win. We're driving.

_{MLB projections by Baseball Prospectus. SDDC projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics — tg 5% cr 4% bz,cb 3% an,rs 1% ws(1-0),mt(2-3 /\/pd),gn(1-3),or(0-1),ry(0-1),mz(0-2),mr(0-3),at,in ~0. Eliminated — bj(0-1 /rn). No games — tw,yn. Team abbv: key. /=home win, \= home loss. Sabo!!!1! games in red. Not a gratuitous sports post.}

Sabo thoroughly enjoyed his 5th annual dog day @Dodger Stadium. For the 4th time, we were joined by our LA based Uncle B (aka The Nuncle). A great time was had by all. All I have to say to the airline companies is... neener, neener, you can't spoil our fun now !!!1!

Well, Sabo's Padres are on their third road trip: three @Rockies (1-1 so far), and two @Dodgers... none of which are dog games. The dog games, besides the aforementioned D'backs & Dodgers games, are a Braves @D'backs rematch today, Cubs (debut, ~0 w/loss) @Reds (favorite w/win) Tuesday, and Rangers (~0 w/loss) @Royals Wednesday. Inexplicably, the Astros are now co-favorites with Sabo's Padres in the SDDC race.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics — cr 4% bz,rs,tg 3% an,cb(May14 @rd) 2% mt(2-3),gn(1-3),or(0-1),ry(0-1 May15 rn),mz(0-2),mr(0-3),at,in,tw,yn ~0. Eliminated — bj(0-1). Team abbv — key. /=home win, \= home loss. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

We had our 5th short broken arrow earlier today. For about ten minutes Sabo had gone missing, and I hadn't the slightest idea where he was. I found him crossing the street around the block on the far corner. Sabo's ok, but I'm still pretty stressed out.

Next up: The Pirates (~0 w/4 loses) come into the Barkyard for four, then play the Rockies at home. The D'backs (~0 w/3 loses) play the Giants at home, then come into the Barkyard for three. Also the Nationals visit the Mets, and the Marlins visit the Tigers (debut).

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics — bz,cr,tg(May21 mz) 4% rs 3% an 2% mt(2-3 May21 ex),gn(1-3 May19 @dm),or(0-1),mz(0-2 May21 @tg),ry(0-2 \rn),mr(0-3),at,in,tw,yn ~0. Eliminated — bj(0-1). Team abbv — key. /=home win, \= home loss. A gratuitous sports post.}