When first watching something close to the heart, the adrenaline and hype of seeing our favorite characters go through new adventures often dilutes our objectivity of what we are watching. Sex and the City fans raved over the major motion picture this past year while everyone not associated with the show realized what a piece of crap it was. Simpsons fans had the same problem this year and even some Indiana Jones fans had the same problem with the newest sequel.
Entourage was very good in it's first season and got better and even better in its second and third seasons (1a and 1b). The fourth season was good, but began to lack balance in its episodes. Too many episodes were only focused on business or only on partying. The first 3 seasons balanced the two well, while the fourth lost that great aspect of the show.
The fifth season of "Entourage" was completely implausible. Vince makes one bad indie film that isn't even released in theaters and is put in "movie jail." Vince was the star of the highest grossing film of all-time and another hit before that, he is a major sex-symbol, and has been in the tabloids week after week. A actor of this kind of notoriety would never be out of a job.
Besides Vince's unemployable situation, the fact that Ari passes up a $10 million deal to become a studio head simply because he cares about 1 of his hundreds of clients is a slap in the face to viewers with a brain or at least a sense of what the industry is truly like. Agents are sharks and they have no time nor can they afford to have emotional connections with there clients, at least not enough to pass up $10 million and the opportunity of a lifetime.
After giving Dana Gordon the job, they put the movie together in a heartbeat, we never see Edward Norton on the set of which he is the lead, and the entire movie falls apart because the director doesn't like Vince do to pure stubbornness. A $120 million action film does not become completely undone because of the animosity between a director and an actor. At worst, one of the two gets replaced.
Concluding the season, Vince for some reason feels like NOW is the time that he is done and moves back to Queens. He has been in worse situations. He even had an offer for a kid's movie (Bengie) from Warner Brothers. He could have easily gotten another offer in a kid's movie from the same Warner Brothers after Smoke Jumpers fell apart. After being home for a few days and blowing up at E, Vince gets a call from possibly the biggest director on the planet, Martin Scorsese, and gets an offer without a meeting from dailies of a movie that fell apart.
Besides the main story line, Jamie Lynn Sigler falls in love with Turtle, Drama is the star of a show that would tape every day for 3/4 of an entire day and we only see him on set once a month for an hour or two, and finally we never see Justine Chapin again after her and Vince decided to start dating.
All of this aside, the show had plenty of unforgettable lines, funny moments, and great cameos, but the Doug Ellin needs to get it together and make the story line more plausible and less torturous. Because frankly, watching Vince suffer for an entire season was miserable.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
My Bowl Predictions
EAGLEBANK BOWL
Wake Forest vs. Navy
With Wake Forest's struggling offense playing a Navy defense that hasn't given up a point since November 15th against Notre Dame, I like Navy to win this rematch just like the first game they played this season.
Navy 27, Wake Forest 17
NEW MEXICO BOWL
Fresno State vs. Colorado State
As much as Fresno State has underachieved and Colorado State overachieved this year, I will take Pat Hill's experience and game preparation over first year coach, Steve Fairchild any day.
Fresno State 31, Colorado State 27
ST. PETERSBURG BOWL
South Florida vs. Memphis
South Florida has a big home-field advantage in this game, and although they lost 5 of their last 7 games, I think they are far more talented and Matt Grothe will be the X-factor in a Bulls' win.
South Florida 38, Memphis 28
LAS VEGAS BOWL
Arizona vs. BYU
BYU seems to have mastered the Las Vegas Bowl, but this will be the year that they finally lose. Arizona is playing in their first bowl game since 1998 and they are going to be fired up. BYU's defense has struggled as of late and Arizona is going to grind them out with a steady rushing performance from Nic Grigsby and Keola Antolin.
Arizona 30, BYU 24
NEW ORLEANS BOWL
Troy vs. Southern Mississippi
Although Southern Miss has been streaking lately, this is the same Troy team that almost beat LSU in Death Valley and I like them to win a close one.
Troy 28, Southern Miss 27
POINSETTIA BOWL
Boise State vs. TCU
This is arguably the best non-BCS bowl this year and althogh most people think that this will be a great game, I think that their stellar play from Kellen Moore is going to be the difference and they will take care of, in my opinion, an overrated TCU team.
Boise State 38, TCU 24
HAWAII BOWL
Hawaii vs. Notre Dame
Notre Dame is in shambles and Hawaii is playing at home. That being said, Notre Dame is a more talented team and I think that their defense will step up and pull out a close victory.
Notre Dame 21, Hawaii 20
MOTOR CITY BOWL
Central Michigan vs. FAU
NFL quarterback prospect, Dan LeFevour will lead his pass-happy offense to his 2nd Motor City Bowl victory in his career over FAU.
Central Michigan 45, FAU 31
MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
North Carolina vs. West Virginia
North Carolina plays at home against a West Virginia team that has underperformed this year and with North Carolina having beaten two other Big East teams this year handely, I like North Carolina over West Virginia.
North Carolina 34, West Virginia 24
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
Florida State vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin had one of the most disappointing seasons of the year and with no passing game, I don't see them being able to move the ball against a very good Florida State run-defense. Florida State wins this game running away.
Florida State 34, Wisconsin 13
EMERALD BOWL
California vs. Miami
This game is going to be closer than most people out west think. Cal has been inconsistent in big games this year and with an unproven QB in Kevin Riley, Cal will have to rely on their run game against a good Miami run-defense. Still, Cal should pull out a win and an essential home-field advantage should help them get the victory.
Cal 27, Miami 21
INDEPENDENCE BOWL
Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois
Both teams are coming off losing seasons and although Louisiana Tech has home-field advantage, NIU has been hot as of late, winning 5 of their last 7. I like the Wolves in this one in a close game.
Northern Illinois 27, Louisiana Tech 24
PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL
Rutgers vs. North Carolina State
This is a really intriguing matchup between two teams who didn't appear that they would even make a bowl game half way through the season. These two team have come on strong as of late, especially on the offensive side of the ball. I like Greg Schiano's coaching experience in this game, so I'll take the Rutgers winning this game in a shoot out.
Rutgers 48, North Carolina State 38
ALAMO BOWL
Missouri vs. Northwestern
Poor Northwestern is coming into a game against an angry Missouri team who has one of the best offenses in the country. It also doesn't help that Northwestern plays in the Big Ten and hasn't gotten to see an offense as dynamic as Missouri's this season. Chase Daniel will leaf Missouri to a blowout win over Northwestern.
Missouri 52, Northwestern 20
HUMANITARIAN BOWL
Maryland vs Nevada
Nevada will be playing in familiar territory and with WAC player of the year, Colin Kaepernick, the Wolfpack will beat a very inconsistent Maryland team.
Nevada 34, Maryland 30
TEXAS BOWL
Rice vs. Western Michigan
Casey Clement and Jarrett Dillard are one of the best QB-WR tandem in the country and not many people know about them. With Western Michigan's poor pass-defense and Rice playing at home, I'll take Owls in a route over the Broncos.
Rice 41, Western Michigan 21
HOLIDAY BOWL
Oregon vs. Oklahoma State
In my opinion (a biased one), this is the best non-BCS game this year with two of the country's top offenses and bottom defenses going head-to-head. This game should be an absolute barn-burner with the winner most likely finishing in the top 10 in the final rankings. Oregon has been coming on strong as of late and Oregon proved last year what they can do with 3 weeks of preparation. I'm going to take my Ducks to win a close game in a scoring barrage over the Cowboys.
Oregon 55, Oklahoma State 45
ARMED FORCES BOWL
Houston vs. Air Force
Houston comes in the game leading the nation total offense and most of the thanks can go to quarterback, Casey Keenum. Air Force's strong rushing game will not be able to keep up as the Cougars will beat the Falcons.
Houston 38, Air Force 24
SUN BOWL
Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh
This game will feature two of the best young running backs in the country. The difference maker in this game will be the quarterback play and the edge in that department goes to Lyle Moevao who, last game, had the best game of his career in a loss to Oregon in the Civil War. The Beavers will take care of the Panthers to give themselves their 5th straight bowl victory.
Oregon State 35, Pittsburgh 24
MUSIC CITY BOWL
Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt hasn't won a bowl game since 195 and went 1-6 in their last 7 games while BC is coming of an ACC championship appearance. The Eagles will beat the Commodores in a blowout.
Boston College 38, Vanderbilt 20
INSIGHT BOWL
Minnesota vs. Kansas
Minnesota is coming off of their best regular season in year but faded near the end of the season. Kansas has been decimated by injuries this year but is coming off a big upset of rival Missouri. I'll take Kansas will the momentum in this game.
Kansas 34, Minnesota, 24
CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
Georgia Tech vs. LSU
Georgia Tech brings one of the best running games in the country to the table against an LSU team who has provided no consistent quarterback play all season. Georgia tech wins this one, controlling the game from the start.
Georgia Tech 41, LSU 24
OUTBACK BOWL
Iowa vs. South Carolina
This game features two great defenses. The difference is that Iowa features a productive running game from the Doak Walker Award winner himself, Shonn Greene. Iowa has been hot lately and with South Carolina lacking an offense, I will take Iowa in a low scoring game.
Iowa 20, South Carolina 10
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
Georgia vs. Michigan State
This match-up features two of the top running backs in the country in Georgia's Knowshon Moreno and Michigan State's Javon Ringer. Georgia is not happy to be in this bowl game having started the season at #1, while Michigan State has performed above expectations and should be playing with more of a purpose. Michigan State will win a close game filled with lots of rushing yards.
Michigan State 31, Georgia 28
GATOR BOWL
Clemsonvs. Nebraska
Easily the least intriguing bowl game on January 1st features the most underachieving team in the country in Clemson and a recently perennial mediocre team in Nebraska. Clemson's running game, featuring James Davis and C.J. Spiller, will lead Clemson to victory.
Clemson 27, Nebraska 21
ROSE BOWL
USC vs. Penn State
Penn State is coming off an unexpected year of success while USC is yet again disappointed to be in the grandaddy of all bowl games. I expect a defensive or special teams score from USC in the game to offset their lack of offensive production.USC's defense will be too much for Penn State in the end, even if their inconsistent offenses doesn't perform brilliantly.
USC 31, Penn State 13
ORANGE BOWL
Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati
Virginia Tech is coming off an ACC Championship Game victory while Cincinnati barely escaped from a mediocre Hawaii team. Virginia Tech will win the least intriguing of the BCS games.
Virginia Tech 30, Cincinnati 24
COTTON BOWL
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss
Jevan Snead has led Ole Miss to their best season since Eli Manning was at the helm, but Texas Tech's prolific offense will be too much as the Red Raiders will role over the Rebels.
Texas Tech 45, Ole Miss, 24
LIBERTY BOWL
East Carolina vs. Kentucky
Kentucky was lucky to make a bowl game this year while ECU is coming off of their best season in school history after capturing their first Conference-USA championship. The Pirates will win big over the Wildcats
East Carolina 34, Kentucky 14
SUGAR BOWL
Alabama vs. Utah
As impressive as Utah's season has been, they haven't beaten anyone of true worth and Alabama still may be the second best team in the country. Their defense will dominate Utah and they will pound away at Utah's undersized and overmatched defense. Alabama will win this one over Utah in similar fashion of last year's Sugar Bowl.
Alabama 31, Utah 10
INTERNATIONAL BOWL
Connecticut vs. Buffalo
Buffalo's dream season will continue after beating Ball State by beating Connecticut in a close game. Buffalo has a great coach who amy be coaching his last game in the blue and white.
Buffalo 34, Connecticut 30
FIESTA BOWL
Texas vs. Ohio State
This game will be much closer than most people think. This isn't the same Ohio State team that lost to USC and Terrell Pryor's development has a lot to do with it. Albeit Ohio State's improvement, Texas may be the best team in the country and they will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. The Longhorns will beat the Buckeyes easily.
Texas 52, Ohio State 24
GMAC BOWL
Ball State vs. Tulsa
Ball State is coming off a heart-breaking loss which crushed their cinderella season. Tulsa has a very dynamic offense and I think Ball State will still be down about their loss to Buffalo and will lose to Tulsa in a high-scoring, close game.
Tulsa 38, Ball State 35
BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Oklahoma vs. Florida
This is the most intriguing national championship game since 2005 and it should be a good one. Both teams have good defenses, but better offenses. The game features two Heisman quarterbacks in Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow. I picked Oklahoma to win the national championship at the end of the year, but after watching Florida beat Alabama and witnessing Tim Tebow's passion and drive, I think Florida wins a classic.
Florida 45, Oklahoma 35
Wake Forest vs. Navy
With Wake Forest's struggling offense playing a Navy defense that hasn't given up a point since November 15th against Notre Dame, I like Navy to win this rematch just like the first game they played this season.
Navy 27, Wake Forest 17
NEW MEXICO BOWL
Fresno State vs. Colorado State
As much as Fresno State has underachieved and Colorado State overachieved this year, I will take Pat Hill's experience and game preparation over first year coach, Steve Fairchild any day.
Fresno State 31, Colorado State 27
ST. PETERSBURG BOWL
South Florida vs. Memphis
South Florida has a big home-field advantage in this game, and although they lost 5 of their last 7 games, I think they are far more talented and Matt Grothe will be the X-factor in a Bulls' win.
South Florida 38, Memphis 28
LAS VEGAS BOWL
Arizona vs. BYU
BYU seems to have mastered the Las Vegas Bowl, but this will be the year that they finally lose. Arizona is playing in their first bowl game since 1998 and they are going to be fired up. BYU's defense has struggled as of late and Arizona is going to grind them out with a steady rushing performance from Nic Grigsby and Keola Antolin.
Arizona 30, BYU 24
NEW ORLEANS BOWL
Troy vs. Southern Mississippi
Although Southern Miss has been streaking lately, this is the same Troy team that almost beat LSU in Death Valley and I like them to win a close one.
Troy 28, Southern Miss 27
POINSETTIA BOWL
Boise State vs. TCU
This is arguably the best non-BCS bowl this year and althogh most people think that this will be a great game, I think that their stellar play from Kellen Moore is going to be the difference and they will take care of, in my opinion, an overrated TCU team.
Boise State 38, TCU 24
HAWAII BOWL
Hawaii vs. Notre Dame
Notre Dame is in shambles and Hawaii is playing at home. That being said, Notre Dame is a more talented team and I think that their defense will step up and pull out a close victory.
Notre Dame 21, Hawaii 20
MOTOR CITY BOWL
Central Michigan vs. FAU
NFL quarterback prospect, Dan LeFevour will lead his pass-happy offense to his 2nd Motor City Bowl victory in his career over FAU.
Central Michigan 45, FAU 31
MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
North Carolina vs. West Virginia
North Carolina plays at home against a West Virginia team that has underperformed this year and with North Carolina having beaten two other Big East teams this year handely, I like North Carolina over West Virginia.
North Carolina 34, West Virginia 24
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
Florida State vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin had one of the most disappointing seasons of the year and with no passing game, I don't see them being able to move the ball against a very good Florida State run-defense. Florida State wins this game running away.
Florida State 34, Wisconsin 13
EMERALD BOWL
California vs. Miami
This game is going to be closer than most people out west think. Cal has been inconsistent in big games this year and with an unproven QB in Kevin Riley, Cal will have to rely on their run game against a good Miami run-defense. Still, Cal should pull out a win and an essential home-field advantage should help them get the victory.
Cal 27, Miami 21
INDEPENDENCE BOWL
Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois
Both teams are coming off losing seasons and although Louisiana Tech has home-field advantage, NIU has been hot as of late, winning 5 of their last 7. I like the Wolves in this one in a close game.
Northern Illinois 27, Louisiana Tech 24
PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL
Rutgers vs. North Carolina State
This is a really intriguing matchup between two teams who didn't appear that they would even make a bowl game half way through the season. These two team have come on strong as of late, especially on the offensive side of the ball. I like Greg Schiano's coaching experience in this game, so I'll take the Rutgers winning this game in a shoot out.
Rutgers 48, North Carolina State 38
ALAMO BOWL
Missouri vs. Northwestern
Poor Northwestern is coming into a game against an angry Missouri team who has one of the best offenses in the country. It also doesn't help that Northwestern plays in the Big Ten and hasn't gotten to see an offense as dynamic as Missouri's this season. Chase Daniel will leaf Missouri to a blowout win over Northwestern.
Missouri 52, Northwestern 20
HUMANITARIAN BOWL
Maryland vs Nevada
Nevada will be playing in familiar territory and with WAC player of the year, Colin Kaepernick, the Wolfpack will beat a very inconsistent Maryland team.
Nevada 34, Maryland 30
TEXAS BOWL
Rice vs. Western Michigan
Casey Clement and Jarrett Dillard are one of the best QB-WR tandem in the country and not many people know about them. With Western Michigan's poor pass-defense and Rice playing at home, I'll take Owls in a route over the Broncos.
Rice 41, Western Michigan 21
HOLIDAY BOWL
Oregon vs. Oklahoma State
In my opinion (a biased one), this is the best non-BCS game this year with two of the country's top offenses and bottom defenses going head-to-head. This game should be an absolute barn-burner with the winner most likely finishing in the top 10 in the final rankings. Oregon has been coming on strong as of late and Oregon proved last year what they can do with 3 weeks of preparation. I'm going to take my Ducks to win a close game in a scoring barrage over the Cowboys.
Oregon 55, Oklahoma State 45
ARMED FORCES BOWL
Houston vs. Air Force
Houston comes in the game leading the nation total offense and most of the thanks can go to quarterback, Casey Keenum. Air Force's strong rushing game will not be able to keep up as the Cougars will beat the Falcons.
Houston 38, Air Force 24
SUN BOWL
Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh
This game will feature two of the best young running backs in the country. The difference maker in this game will be the quarterback play and the edge in that department goes to Lyle Moevao who, last game, had the best game of his career in a loss to Oregon in the Civil War. The Beavers will take care of the Panthers to give themselves their 5th straight bowl victory.
Oregon State 35, Pittsburgh 24
MUSIC CITY BOWL
Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt hasn't won a bowl game since 195 and went 1-6 in their last 7 games while BC is coming of an ACC championship appearance. The Eagles will beat the Commodores in a blowout.
Boston College 38, Vanderbilt 20
INSIGHT BOWL
Minnesota vs. Kansas
Minnesota is coming off of their best regular season in year but faded near the end of the season. Kansas has been decimated by injuries this year but is coming off a big upset of rival Missouri. I'll take Kansas will the momentum in this game.
Kansas 34, Minnesota, 24
CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
Georgia Tech vs. LSU
Georgia Tech brings one of the best running games in the country to the table against an LSU team who has provided no consistent quarterback play all season. Georgia tech wins this one, controlling the game from the start.
Georgia Tech 41, LSU 24
OUTBACK BOWL
Iowa vs. South Carolina
This game features two great defenses. The difference is that Iowa features a productive running game from the Doak Walker Award winner himself, Shonn Greene. Iowa has been hot lately and with South Carolina lacking an offense, I will take Iowa in a low scoring game.
Iowa 20, South Carolina 10
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
Georgia vs. Michigan State
This match-up features two of the top running backs in the country in Georgia's Knowshon Moreno and Michigan State's Javon Ringer. Georgia is not happy to be in this bowl game having started the season at #1, while Michigan State has performed above expectations and should be playing with more of a purpose. Michigan State will win a close game filled with lots of rushing yards.
Michigan State 31, Georgia 28
GATOR BOWL
Clemsonvs. Nebraska
Easily the least intriguing bowl game on January 1st features the most underachieving team in the country in Clemson and a recently perennial mediocre team in Nebraska. Clemson's running game, featuring James Davis and C.J. Spiller, will lead Clemson to victory.
Clemson 27, Nebraska 21
ROSE BOWL
USC vs. Penn State
Penn State is coming off an unexpected year of success while USC is yet again disappointed to be in the grandaddy of all bowl games. I expect a defensive or special teams score from USC in the game to offset their lack of offensive production.USC's defense will be too much for Penn State in the end, even if their inconsistent offenses doesn't perform brilliantly.
USC 31, Penn State 13
ORANGE BOWL
Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati
Virginia Tech is coming off an ACC Championship Game victory while Cincinnati barely escaped from a mediocre Hawaii team. Virginia Tech will win the least intriguing of the BCS games.
Virginia Tech 30, Cincinnati 24
COTTON BOWL
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss
Jevan Snead has led Ole Miss to their best season since Eli Manning was at the helm, but Texas Tech's prolific offense will be too much as the Red Raiders will role over the Rebels.
Texas Tech 45, Ole Miss, 24
LIBERTY BOWL
East Carolina vs. Kentucky
Kentucky was lucky to make a bowl game this year while ECU is coming off of their best season in school history after capturing their first Conference-USA championship. The Pirates will win big over the Wildcats
East Carolina 34, Kentucky 14
SUGAR BOWL
Alabama vs. Utah
As impressive as Utah's season has been, they haven't beaten anyone of true worth and Alabama still may be the second best team in the country. Their defense will dominate Utah and they will pound away at Utah's undersized and overmatched defense. Alabama will win this one over Utah in similar fashion of last year's Sugar Bowl.
Alabama 31, Utah 10
INTERNATIONAL BOWL
Connecticut vs. Buffalo
Buffalo's dream season will continue after beating Ball State by beating Connecticut in a close game. Buffalo has a great coach who amy be coaching his last game in the blue and white.
Buffalo 34, Connecticut 30
FIESTA BOWL
Texas vs. Ohio State
This game will be much closer than most people think. This isn't the same Ohio State team that lost to USC and Terrell Pryor's development has a lot to do with it. Albeit Ohio State's improvement, Texas may be the best team in the country and they will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. The Longhorns will beat the Buckeyes easily.
Texas 52, Ohio State 24
GMAC BOWL
Ball State vs. Tulsa
Ball State is coming off a heart-breaking loss which crushed their cinderella season. Tulsa has a very dynamic offense and I think Ball State will still be down about their loss to Buffalo and will lose to Tulsa in a high-scoring, close game.
Tulsa 38, Ball State 35
BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Oklahoma vs. Florida
This is the most intriguing national championship game since 2005 and it should be a good one. Both teams have good defenses, but better offenses. The game features two Heisman quarterbacks in Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow. I picked Oklahoma to win the national championship at the end of the year, but after watching Florida beat Alabama and witnessing Tim Tebow's passion and drive, I think Florida wins a classic.
Florida 45, Oklahoma 35
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Winter Break Moviegoing
Last winter break, I saw 17 movies in theaters. Here are the movie I plan to see over this winter break:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/theboyinthestripedpajamas/
Slumdog Millionaire
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/slumdogmillionaire/
Milk
http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/milk/
Changeling
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/changeling/
Happy-Go-Lucky
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/happygolucky/
Nobel Son
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/nobelson/
Australia
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/australia/
Four Christmases
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/fourchristmases/
Frost/Nixon
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/frostnixon/
Cadillac Records
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/cadillacrecords/
Doubt
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/doubt/
Gran Torino
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/grantorino/
Seven Pounds
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/sevenpounds/
The Spirit
http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/thespirit/
Curious Case of Benjamin Button
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/thecuriouscaseofbenjaminbutton/
Marley and Me
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/marleyandme/
Valkyrie
http://www.apple.com/trailers/mgm/valkyrie/
Revolutionary Road
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/revolutionaryroad/
Defiance
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/defiance/
The Wrestler
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/thewrestler/
There are 20 movies I plan to see. I plan to all 20 movies in 27 days.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/theboyinthestripedpajamas/
Slumdog Millionaire
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/slumdogmillionaire/
Milk
http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/milk/
Changeling
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/changeling/
Happy-Go-Lucky
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/happygolucky/
Nobel Son
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/nobelson/
Australia
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/australia/
Four Christmases
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/fourchristmases/
Frost/Nixon
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/frostnixon/
Cadillac Records
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/cadillacrecords/
Doubt
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/doubt/
Gran Torino
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/grantorino/
Seven Pounds
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/sevenpounds/
The Spirit
http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/thespirit/
Curious Case of Benjamin Button
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/thecuriouscaseofbenjaminbutton/
Marley and Me
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/marleyandme/
Valkyrie
http://www.apple.com/trailers/mgm/valkyrie/
Revolutionary Road
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/revolutionaryroad/
Defiance
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/defiance/
The Wrestler
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/thewrestler/
There are 20 movies I plan to see. I plan to all 20 movies in 27 days.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
My Take on The Giants' Offseason So Far
-I love the signings of Jeremy Affeldt and Bob Howry. The bullpen is looking MUCH better.
-Edgar Renteria just finished a physical with the Giants and will probably sign by the end of the week to a 2 year deal worth around 18 mil. This signing has actually grown on me...thanks to Stan.
This was written by Stan regarding problems with Renteria:
1. Old. Regarding the fact that he's 33, that's where a two-year deal comes in. There's not a single player he would be blocking as the Giants have zero realistic shortstop options. Burriss, while being a player I hope to see in the starting lineup for years to come, is not a shortstop. He would perform much better at second base. Having Renteria for two-years would fill a hole while other options were pursued.
2. Suckitude. Since hitting .260 in 493 ABs with STL in 2001, Renteria has hit .299 over the past seven seasons. The only two times he has hit below .287 in that span were with Boston in 2005 (.276) and last season with Detroit (.270). Common denominator? AL teams. Two seasons ago, while in the NL with Atlanta, he hit .332. It's not exactly wishful thinking that he would bounce back with another stint in the NL. His career averages in the NL are: .293/.351/.409 I don't see Burriss or any other options doing better than that.
Furcal wants four years, so he can piss off. Orlando Cabrera reeks worse than my nuts do, so he can piss off. Any worthwhile trading option would probably cost Cain, so those guys can piss off. See if Edgar can piece it together for a couple years and check the market at a later date.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/03/SPCM14GU32.DTL&feed=rss.giants
-The Giants appear to be the favorite for Pat Burell. I'm not sure how much I like this. I would rather develop Schierholtz or Lewis.
http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/12/lining_up_for_burrell.html
-Ken Rosenthal states that he believes the Giants are the darkhorses for C.C. Sabathia and apparently his wife favors the Giants. If the Giants sign C.C., they will make Cain available for trade options.
-The Giants may trade Jonathan Sanchez for Jorge Cantu. I don't like this. If the Giants got more out of the deal, fine. But I don't like this trade straight up.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-hotstovenotes120308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
-Edgar Renteria just finished a physical with the Giants and will probably sign by the end of the week to a 2 year deal worth around 18 mil. This signing has actually grown on me...thanks to Stan.
This was written by Stan regarding problems with Renteria:
1. Old. Regarding the fact that he's 33, that's where a two-year deal comes in. There's not a single player he would be blocking as the Giants have zero realistic shortstop options. Burriss, while being a player I hope to see in the starting lineup for years to come, is not a shortstop. He would perform much better at second base. Having Renteria for two-years would fill a hole while other options were pursued.
2. Suckitude. Since hitting .260 in 493 ABs with STL in 2001, Renteria has hit .299 over the past seven seasons. The only two times he has hit below .287 in that span were with Boston in 2005 (.276) and last season with Detroit (.270). Common denominator? AL teams. Two seasons ago, while in the NL with Atlanta, he hit .332. It's not exactly wishful thinking that he would bounce back with another stint in the NL. His career averages in the NL are: .293/.351/.409 I don't see Burriss or any other options doing better than that.
Furcal wants four years, so he can piss off. Orlando Cabrera reeks worse than my nuts do, so he can piss off. Any worthwhile trading option would probably cost Cain, so those guys can piss off. See if Edgar can piece it together for a couple years and check the market at a later date.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/03/SPCM14GU32.DTL&feed=rss.giants
-The Giants appear to be the favorite for Pat Burell. I'm not sure how much I like this. I would rather develop Schierholtz or Lewis.
http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/12/lining_up_for_burrell.html
-Ken Rosenthal states that he believes the Giants are the darkhorses for C.C. Sabathia and apparently his wife favors the Giants. If the Giants sign C.C., they will make Cain available for trade options.
-The Giants may trade Jonathan Sanchez for Jorge Cantu. I don't like this. If the Giants got more out of the deal, fine. But I don't like this trade straight up.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-hotstovenotes120308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Friday, November 21, 2008
Professional American Sports Fan Bases
Keep in mind, these are my personal rankings based from my observations and experiences.
Overall Best
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Boston Celtics
5. Calgary Flames
Overall Worst
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Oakland Raiders
3. New York Yankees
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. Atlanta Braves
Most Optimistic
1. Portland Trailblazers
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Detroit Red Wings
5. San Diego Chargers
Most Pessimistic
1. New York Yankees
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Detroit Lions
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Dallas Cowboys
Most Loyal
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Portland Trailblazers
5. Detroit Red Wings
Biggest Bandwagon
(Majority of Fanbase, not the usual amount following championships)
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Anaheim Angels
5. Milwaukee Brewers
Most Likely to Show Up
1. Green Bay Packers
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Portland Trailblazers
5. Calgary Flames
Least Likely to Show Up
1. Florida Marlins
2. Oakland Athletics
3. Oakland Raiders
4. New York Knicks
5. Kansas City Royals
Overall Best
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Boston Celtics
5. Calgary Flames
Overall Worst
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Oakland Raiders
3. New York Yankees
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. Atlanta Braves
Most Optimistic
1. Portland Trailblazers
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Detroit Red Wings
5. San Diego Chargers
Most Pessimistic
1. New York Yankees
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Detroit Lions
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Dallas Cowboys
Most Loyal
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Portland Trailblazers
5. Detroit Red Wings
Biggest Bandwagon
(Majority of Fanbase, not the usual amount following championships)
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Anaheim Angels
5. Milwaukee Brewers
Most Likely to Show Up
1. Green Bay Packers
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Portland Trailblazers
5. Calgary Flames
Least Likely to Show Up
1. Florida Marlins
2. Oakland Athletics
3. Oakland Raiders
4. New York Knicks
5. Kansas City Royals
Big Game Pranks: The 100 Years War
Thanks to Andrew Gross and Sean Rouse for the article.
1893 Cal is a little upset after having lost the first Big Game to an underrated, upstart Stanford team the previous year. The night before the second Big Game, Cal ire is increased when some Stanfordites toot a fifteen foot tin horn to announce their presence in San Francisco. At dawn, a group of Californians promptly raids the hotel, 'lifts' the horn, and paints it blue. When Cal blows the horn at the game a battle ensues, crushing the horn beyond repair.
1898 Stanford conducts its first bonfire rally when students drag wood into the dry bed of Lake Laguanita to create a symbolic funeral pyre for the Golden Bear.
1899 Cal men capture an axe that was wielded by Stanford Yell Leader Billy Erb.
1905 The Big "C" is built atop Charter Hill by Cal freshmen and sophomores. It quickly becomes a popular target of Stanford raiders. The Berkeley Gazette reports on one of the first attacks. A student walking on campus notices that the "C" has been defaced. After climbing the hillside, the student finds that part of the cement structure has been destroyed, apparently by use of dynamite. The "C" is later repaired, but the culprits are never found.
1910s In what is believed to be the first-ever instance of aerial bombardment, an airplane dumps hundreds of anti-Cal flyers over the Berkeley campus.
1914 Cal fanatics prematurely burn the Stanford bonfire. Stanford paints the "C" red. Cal hits the Leland Stanford statue and Memorial Arch, turning them blue and gold. Each campus then takes a defensive posture, awaiting the onslaught of the other with barricades, bonfires, chains, and student guards.ALL OF A SUDDEN ... nothing happens.
1918 Stanford paints the Big "C", Campanile, and Sather Gate red.
1923 Several Cal students go to Stanford and help stack all the wood for the bonfire on Thursday night. They volunteer to relieve some of the guards that night and promptly burn down the stack of wood the day before the rally
1925 Cal students preburn the Stanford bonfire. The Cal Guardians of the "C" Committee uses hundreds of sophomore guards on three hour shifts to protect the "C".
1928 The woodpile again burns before the Stanford bonfire. Students join in scrounging for wood, collecting old railroad ties and anything else that would burn. However Stanford is later assessed $400 in damages for "wrongfully appropriated property."
1930 Stanford's Don Knopp leads twenty other Stanford seniors masquerading as reporters, photographers, and Cal freshies. When the Axe emerges from an armored car after the Axe Rally, the Stanfordites take the Axe with the aid of flash powder and tear gas. The 'Immortal 21' (or, depending on your perspective, the 'Immoral 21') are chased to the brand-new San Mateo drawbridge. The Stanfordites manage to raise the drawbridge, stranding their persuers.
1930s A band of Stanfordites paints the bear statue by the Delta Tau Delta fraternity red. The following year they try to repeat the prank, but are caught by several Cal students, who shave the vandals' heads into mohawks.
1938 Stanford burns a 20 by 30 foot "S" into the Memorial Stadium grass and paints Wheeler Hall, Sather Gate, and the Senior Men's Bench.
1939 Bowles Men paint blue and gold "C"s on buildings in the Stanford Quadrangle. Fifteen carloads of Stanford students attack the Big "C" but are repelled by Cal student guards.
1942 One hundred twenty layers of paint are scraped off of the Big "C". Eighty layers are gold, and forty are red.
1946 Raids on bonfires resume after the War. Cal paints "C"s on Hoover Tower. Stanford paints the Campanile and steals a bear rented by the California Rally Committee.
During a daring nighttime raid, six Cal students steal the Axe by maneuvering the entire display case into the back of a black '38 Chevy pickup. The Axe winds up in the back seat of a Palo Alto Police squad car.
1947 The Daily Californian complains of Cal rooting section abuses -- drinking and "rolling down" of late comers. A Stanford plane writes "Down Cal, Hail Stanford" in the sky and drops handbills. Eight Cal students are arrested for trying to start bonfire rallies on the streets.
1948 The Axe is stolen from Cal. One Monday in June a trio of horseback riders discover it leaning against a tree by the Stanford golf course.
1954 In June Stanfordites steal the Axe from the Cal display case. (According to the Stanford Axe Committee, they leave $5 in the case to pay for the broken glass.) The California Rally Committee publicly presents a very good copy of the Axe in an attempt to get the thieves to return the real Axe. The Axe is found in the car of Stanford team captain Norm Manoogian a few hours before the Big Game.
1950s Cal's Deutsch Hall begins its annual "Stanford Goalpost Hunt" tradition. This story shall unfortunately remain incomplete until we can obtain accounts from Deutsch Alums.
1960 Residents of Smyth Hall arange a "Redskin Funeral" with effigies of Prince Lightfoot (the Stanford mascot) and 'Cactus Jack' Curtice, the Stanford coach. The funeral procession is led by a black hearse, followed by two or three dozen cars with their lights on. A 'police escort' (students on Vespas in ROTC uniforms) stops cross traffic for the procession all the way up to the Big "C". The effigies are then buried with individual grave markers.
Early 1960'sThree Cal fans dress as Stanford students and infiltrate the Stanfurd rooting section. At halftime they cut down the STANFORD banner and run across the back of the endzone, chased by the Stanford cheerleaders and some band members. The bandits make it across the field and throw the banner into the Cal rooting section, where it is 'rolled up' to the top.
For many years, Stanford held their bonfire rally in the dried-up bed of Lake Lagunitas. Full of water in the springtime, the lake dries up in the fall, partly due to a dam upstream. One year some Cal students manage to open the dam, releasing the water downstream and flooding out the bonfire.
1960s Stanford students awake one morning to find large, blue footprints scaling up the outside of Hoover Tower. When Stanford officials order that the prints "must come down immediately," their wish comes true when -- two days later -- the large, blue footprints descend the other side of the tower.
Cal students use large quantities of rock salt to burn a "C" into the lawn on the Stanford Quad. The nighttime lawn sprinklers melt the salt, which leaches into the soil, leaving a gold "C" on the lawn for weeks. (Stanford has to dig up the entire lawn and bring in new topsoil and sod.
1961 Stanford engineering students assault the Big "C" in broad daylight. Using jack hammers and brute force, they turn it into a red "S".
The Monday of Big Game week, the Daily Californian is published on pink newsprint. Members of the Rally Committee and the Cal Band collect 12,000 copies of the "ghastly pink" issue, take them to the Berkeley dump, and deposit them in a puddle of very gooey mud. Although the Daily Cal complains of the financial loss, the campus agrees with the statement of one Cal Band member: "I don't mind 'yellow journalism,' but pink is too much."
1962 The Friday morning of Big Game week, Stanford steals all of the Daily Californians and replaces them with a mock version praising Stanford's football team. Inside, in four-inch block letters, is printed "BEAT CAL." The original Daily Cals are deposited on the Chancellor's lawn.
1964 The Treaty of Castle Lanes: In the winter after its debut, the California Victory Cannon is stolen by Stanford students. Cal students then steal the STANFORD banner, 17,000 stunt cards, and a 400 pound bronze bell from the old tower behind the Stanford Memorial Chapel. Stanford retaliates by taking Cal's cards and the ASUC banner. Members of the California Rally Committee meet with Stanford students at Castle Lanes in Alameda to negotiate and draft a treaty. As a sign of good faith, Rally Committee brings the 17,000 stunt cards in a truck. During the treaty negotiations, Stanford students surround the truck and tear-gas it. The truck driver promptly puts on his gas mask and, despite looking down the business end of a .45, rams one of the cars blocking his way. He escapes only to be later arrested by the police, who then make sure that everything is settled between the two schools. As a result, all items are returned to their respective owners -- except that Cal gets to keep all of Stanford's blue-and-gold cards.
1967 John Wellborn manages to steal the Axe from Stanford without damaging its display case and without triggering the alarm. The trophy then appears in several photographs, including one with a University of California Centenial banner and one atop the Oakland Tribune building. The Axe is returned just before the start of the Big Game, but Stanford has to return it a few hours later when Cal wins the game.
1973 Ming's Incident: Three Stanford fraternity members telephone Cal football coach Mike White and request that the Axe appear at the Northern California Football Writers Association luncheon at Ming's Chinese Restaurant in Palo Alto during Big Game Week. After receiving a notice, Rally Committee members confirm the request with Mike White's secretary. Disguised as Cal football players, the Stanfordites wait outside Ming's. After a quick scuffle they snatch the Axe from the three Rally Commers.
1970s Stanford students perform their last card stunt. (Alumni of Stanford's Card Stunts Committee claim the year was 1971, others claim a later year.) The cards are stored in an unsecure location on the Stanford campus.
1975 Following years of probation the Cal football team has a chance to go to the Rose Bowl. The Friday before the Big Game, all the Daily Californians are replaced by a bogus edition with the headline, "NCAA NIXES CAL ROSE BOWL BID; Bears Placed Back on Probation." The paper describes an unknown NCAA investigation that turned up irregularities and claims that Cal's star running back Chuck Muncie has been ruled ineligible to play. The Daily Cal staff confiscate the bogus issue, but enough copies circulate to start a buzz.
Following the Stanford bonfire at Lake Lagunita several drunken youths throw rocks and bottles at police and firefighters.
During the Big Game members of the Stanford Band remove the Axe head from its plaque. Following the Cal victory they give the Axe head to John Larrisou '77. Larissou is alleged to have held the blade high over his head while dashing across the field to the Cal side and yelling, "I'VE GOT THE AXE! I'VE GOT THE AXE!!!"
1977 Cal bandsmen Jay Huxman '76 and Jamie Rawson '77 carve a replica of the Axe in meticulous detail. During halftime of the Cal-Stanford basketball game, Huxman and Dan Blick '77 run across the Maples Pavillion court waving the "Axe" and taunting the Stanford fans. Several Stanford students give chase but to no avail. Shortly thereafter the getaway car carrying the "Axe" is stopped for speeding, but the police let the students go when they show that the object is a fake. Nevertheless the San Francisco Examiner reports the next day that a band of Cal "desperados" had swiped the Axe. In appreciation of the successful hoax, the Stanford Band sends the Cal Band a case of champagne.
All of Stanford's stunt cards (except for one blue-and-gold card) mysteriously disappear. (They are simply loaded onto a truck and carted away.)
A "Go Bears" banner is hung from the top of Hoover Tower; a photo of it later appears in the Oakland Tribune.
1978 UC Rally Committee is still trying to figure out who generously donated the stack of stunt cards before the previous year's Big Game. (One card stunt at the Big Game reads, "Hey Stanford ... these are YOUR cards!")
1979 Stanford limits the list of pre-game festivities to "singing, bowling, and... a record-breaking bunny hop." The rumba line is cancelled due to "potential security problems."
After the Big Game rally a large banner is hung over the Bay Bridge tunnel entrance on Yerba Buena Island. It reads, "GO BEARS! BEAT STANFORD!"
1982 On the hill overlooking South San Francisco, the C-A-L in the white concrete
SOUTH
SAN FRANCISCO
THE INDUSTRIAL CITY
sign turns blue and gold.
On the Wednesday following The Play, Cal students are shocked when the Daily Californian has the headline, "NCAA awards Big Game to Stanford." The Stanford Daily has printed up several thousand bogus editions of the Daily Californian. By sheer luck the hoax is aided by a four-hour delay in the distribution of the real Daily Californian. In the end the Daily Cal gains by collecting the copies of the bogus newspapers and selling them for a dollar each.
1983 Two weeks before Big Game Stanford paints red "S"s at various campus locations.
Mysteriously the Cal Band doesn't arrive at the Big Game until the start of the second quarter. (Someone had cancelled the buses that were supposed to take the Band to Palo Alto.)
1984 On April Fool's Day two members of the Cal Acacia house put a Mickey Mouse face and hands on the south clockface of the Campanile. Both students are captured by the police.
Members of a Cal fraternity release blue-and-gold dyed mice into a Stanford library. On the morning of the Big Game, two Stanford students hang a large banner -- painted with a tree and an "S" -- from the Campanile. The banner is burned at the 1985 Big Game Bonfire Rally.
1985 Following the previous year's Big Game, Stanford did not put the Axe in its display case in Tressider Union. Ken Raust '81 and Tim Sheridan '84 stage a hoax that the Axe has been stolen. In March various newspapers and living groups receive letters apparently signed by Stanford Athletic Director Andy Geiger. Stating that the Axe has been stolen, the letters ask for cooperation in returning the trophy. Local newspapers receive bogus ransom notes from the "Friends of Oski," announcing the theft of the Axe and demanding as a condition of its return that Stanford change its nickname to "Trees." A reporter from the San Francisco Examiner exposes the hoax.
The palm trees all along Stanford's Palm Drive are painted to spell out C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A. During the Big Game a large balloon, decorated to resemble a sheep, flies over the stadium. On one side of the sheep appears the message, Ram ewe Cal; on the other side is its name -- Lambo. Eventually it falls into the Stanford student section and is destroyed.
1986 During the summer the six-foot tall stuffed Kodiak Bear disappears from its display case in the ASUC Student Union. No one claims the theft.
1987 The UC Rally Committee receives a ransom note from the ASUC Bear's Stanford kidnappers. The note refers to the Bear as "Oskie" and demands a list of signatures in order for the Bear to be returned. The list includes the president of Stanford, the chancellor of Berkeley, one of the UC Regents, one thousand Cal students, several Cal football players... "and some real athletes," Lawrence Berkeley -- or one of his descendents, and the president of Round Table Pizza. Rally Committee chairman Wendy Withers '89 sends a reply letter refusing to comply with the demands.
About twenty Cal students plaster authentic-looking LSJU Engineering "Out of Order" signs on the doors of bathroom stalls in various buildings on the Stanford campus.
1988 Another ransom note making similar ridiculous demands is sent to the Rally Committee; this letter is ignored. The Monday following the Big Game the Bear is found chained to the concrete fountain near Embarcadero Center in San Francisco, wearing a Stanford shirt. The shirt is replaced with a Cal shirt and the Bear is brought back to Cal as part of a noon-time rally and parade.
The Stanford band uses a remote control car with a smoke bomb to disrupt the Cal Band's pregame show. After a Cal bandsman smashes the rear of the car, it lies on the 30 yard line, still smoking. Another Cal bandsman inadvertantly kicks the car upright, and the smoking vehicle resumes its route around the field.
1989 At the annual UC Davis Picnic Day, the Stanford Tree costume is stolen and ends up in the hands of the Berkeley chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha. The Tree is burned at the Big Game Bonfire Rally.
An airplane drops hundreds of little flyers over the Stanford campus. The flyers read, "Oski says 'F--- Stanfurd!'"
1990 Members of a Cal fraternity discover the Stanford Tree lying outside the Stanford Band Shak and steal the costume. They now display the tree on their roof during every Big Game Week.
An airplane drops anti-Cal flyers over parts of the Cal campus, south Berkeley, and north Oakland.
1991 The spelling on most of the Stanford freeway exit signs on highways 101 and 280 is 'corrected' to read "Stanfurd."
1992 One thousand letters are posted around the Stanford campus announcing that Stanford's bonfire rally has been cancelled. The letters appear to be on official letterhead bearing the signature of Stanford President Donald Kennedy. The hoax has been organized by a group named BUST (which stands for "Burn the Ugly Stanford Tree".) The letters are so convincing that the San Francisco Examiner prints a bonfire cancellation story. After acknowledging the successful prank, Kennedy announces that the rally will be held at midnight.
The Tree costume is stolen from the Stanford Band Shak. However nothing is made of it by Stanford, and the Tree again ends up at the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
1994 A STANFORD banner brought to the Friday Big Game luncheon in San Jose somehow ends up at Cal's Bonfire Rally that evening. The UC Rally Committee returns it to Stanford the next day.
1995 Again a STANFORD banner brought to the Friday Big Game luncheon in San Jose ends up at the Bonfire Rally. As before, the Rally Committee returns it to Stanford the next day.
1996 Stink bombs are set off during Cal's bonfire rally. The posts supporting the Cannon platform are vandalized and a small section of wood is removed, rendering the platform useless.
1997 Cal student Ted Kelly figures out how to hack into the referee's microphone system at Stanford Stadium. During the season he purchases some radio equipment and then tests it at Stanford home games. At the Big Game Kelly's planning comes to fruition when the referee is about to call a second-half foul. The entire stadium hears the call: "Penalty for unsportsmanlike arrogance ... Stanford sucks!"
1998 One month before the Big Game a group of Cal students steals the Tree costume. Calling themselves the "Phoenix Five", the group insists that it was liberating the mascot from its life in the Band Shak, where it was found in a corner rocking back and forth in a fetal position. They release a video of the blindfolded Tree dancing around while the other four kidnappers demand a ransom. The next day a letter is sent, 'signed' by the Tree, declaring his happiness over his new freedom and that he no longer wants to be on the Farm. Nevertheless Stanford demands the return of the Tree, as the mascot's grandmother had made the costume. The Phoenix Five returns the Tree to Stanford after Chancellor Robert Berdahl promises immunity from criminal prosecution.
1999 A week before the Big Game a group of Cal students 'corrects' the spelling on several Stanford freeway exit signs.
2003 The Stanford Tree costume is stolen while the Cal and Stanford bands are performing in a rally at Pier 39 in San Francisco. While the thieves send a ransom note demanding $300 for the return of the Tree, the Cal Band manager sends an email advising students to return the costume or face legal action. The Tree is returned to the Stanford Band, which shreds the costume in a wood chopper during the Big Game.
1893 Cal is a little upset after having lost the first Big Game to an underrated, upstart Stanford team the previous year. The night before the second Big Game, Cal ire is increased when some Stanfordites toot a fifteen foot tin horn to announce their presence in San Francisco. At dawn, a group of Californians promptly raids the hotel, 'lifts' the horn, and paints it blue. When Cal blows the horn at the game a battle ensues, crushing the horn beyond repair.
1898 Stanford conducts its first bonfire rally when students drag wood into the dry bed of Lake Laguanita to create a symbolic funeral pyre for the Golden Bear.
1899 Cal men capture an axe that was wielded by Stanford Yell Leader Billy Erb.
1905 The Big "C" is built atop Charter Hill by Cal freshmen and sophomores. It quickly becomes a popular target of Stanford raiders. The Berkeley Gazette reports on one of the first attacks. A student walking on campus notices that the "C" has been defaced. After climbing the hillside, the student finds that part of the cement structure has been destroyed, apparently by use of dynamite. The "C" is later repaired, but the culprits are never found.
1910s In what is believed to be the first-ever instance of aerial bombardment, an airplane dumps hundreds of anti-Cal flyers over the Berkeley campus.
1914 Cal fanatics prematurely burn the Stanford bonfire. Stanford paints the "C" red. Cal hits the Leland Stanford statue and Memorial Arch, turning them blue and gold. Each campus then takes a defensive posture, awaiting the onslaught of the other with barricades, bonfires, chains, and student guards.ALL OF A SUDDEN ... nothing happens.
1918 Stanford paints the Big "C", Campanile, and Sather Gate red.
1923 Several Cal students go to Stanford and help stack all the wood for the bonfire on Thursday night. They volunteer to relieve some of the guards that night and promptly burn down the stack of wood the day before the rally
1925 Cal students preburn the Stanford bonfire. The Cal Guardians of the "C" Committee uses hundreds of sophomore guards on three hour shifts to protect the "C".
1928 The woodpile again burns before the Stanford bonfire. Students join in scrounging for wood, collecting old railroad ties and anything else that would burn. However Stanford is later assessed $400 in damages for "wrongfully appropriated property."
1930 Stanford's Don Knopp leads twenty other Stanford seniors masquerading as reporters, photographers, and Cal freshies. When the Axe emerges from an armored car after the Axe Rally, the Stanfordites take the Axe with the aid of flash powder and tear gas. The 'Immortal 21' (or, depending on your perspective, the 'Immoral 21') are chased to the brand-new San Mateo drawbridge. The Stanfordites manage to raise the drawbridge, stranding their persuers.
1930s A band of Stanfordites paints the bear statue by the Delta Tau Delta fraternity red. The following year they try to repeat the prank, but are caught by several Cal students, who shave the vandals' heads into mohawks.
1938 Stanford burns a 20 by 30 foot "S" into the Memorial Stadium grass and paints Wheeler Hall, Sather Gate, and the Senior Men's Bench.
1939 Bowles Men paint blue and gold "C"s on buildings in the Stanford Quadrangle. Fifteen carloads of Stanford students attack the Big "C" but are repelled by Cal student guards.
1942 One hundred twenty layers of paint are scraped off of the Big "C". Eighty layers are gold, and forty are red.
1946 Raids on bonfires resume after the War. Cal paints "C"s on Hoover Tower. Stanford paints the Campanile and steals a bear rented by the California Rally Committee.
During a daring nighttime raid, six Cal students steal the Axe by maneuvering the entire display case into the back of a black '38 Chevy pickup. The Axe winds up in the back seat of a Palo Alto Police squad car.
1947 The Daily Californian complains of Cal rooting section abuses -- drinking and "rolling down" of late comers. A Stanford plane writes "Down Cal, Hail Stanford" in the sky and drops handbills. Eight Cal students are arrested for trying to start bonfire rallies on the streets.
1948 The Axe is stolen from Cal. One Monday in June a trio of horseback riders discover it leaning against a tree by the Stanford golf course.
1954 In June Stanfordites steal the Axe from the Cal display case. (According to the Stanford Axe Committee, they leave $5 in the case to pay for the broken glass.) The California Rally Committee publicly presents a very good copy of the Axe in an attempt to get the thieves to return the real Axe. The Axe is found in the car of Stanford team captain Norm Manoogian a few hours before the Big Game.
1950s Cal's Deutsch Hall begins its annual "Stanford Goalpost Hunt" tradition. This story shall unfortunately remain incomplete until we can obtain accounts from Deutsch Alums.
1960 Residents of Smyth Hall arange a "Redskin Funeral" with effigies of Prince Lightfoot (the Stanford mascot) and 'Cactus Jack' Curtice, the Stanford coach. The funeral procession is led by a black hearse, followed by two or three dozen cars with their lights on. A 'police escort' (students on Vespas in ROTC uniforms) stops cross traffic for the procession all the way up to the Big "C". The effigies are then buried with individual grave markers.
Early 1960'sThree Cal fans dress as Stanford students and infiltrate the Stanfurd rooting section. At halftime they cut down the STANFORD banner and run across the back of the endzone, chased by the Stanford cheerleaders and some band members. The bandits make it across the field and throw the banner into the Cal rooting section, where it is 'rolled up' to the top.
For many years, Stanford held their bonfire rally in the dried-up bed of Lake Lagunitas. Full of water in the springtime, the lake dries up in the fall, partly due to a dam upstream. One year some Cal students manage to open the dam, releasing the water downstream and flooding out the bonfire.
1960s Stanford students awake one morning to find large, blue footprints scaling up the outside of Hoover Tower. When Stanford officials order that the prints "must come down immediately," their wish comes true when -- two days later -- the large, blue footprints descend the other side of the tower.
Cal students use large quantities of rock salt to burn a "C" into the lawn on the Stanford Quad. The nighttime lawn sprinklers melt the salt, which leaches into the soil, leaving a gold "C" on the lawn for weeks. (Stanford has to dig up the entire lawn and bring in new topsoil and sod.
1961 Stanford engineering students assault the Big "C" in broad daylight. Using jack hammers and brute force, they turn it into a red "S".
The Monday of Big Game week, the Daily Californian is published on pink newsprint. Members of the Rally Committee and the Cal Band collect 12,000 copies of the "ghastly pink" issue, take them to the Berkeley dump, and deposit them in a puddle of very gooey mud. Although the Daily Cal complains of the financial loss, the campus agrees with the statement of one Cal Band member: "I don't mind 'yellow journalism,' but pink is too much."
1962 The Friday morning of Big Game week, Stanford steals all of the Daily Californians and replaces them with a mock version praising Stanford's football team. Inside, in four-inch block letters, is printed "BEAT CAL." The original Daily Cals are deposited on the Chancellor's lawn.
1964 The Treaty of Castle Lanes: In the winter after its debut, the California Victory Cannon is stolen by Stanford students. Cal students then steal the STANFORD banner, 17,000 stunt cards, and a 400 pound bronze bell from the old tower behind the Stanford Memorial Chapel. Stanford retaliates by taking Cal's cards and the ASUC banner. Members of the California Rally Committee meet with Stanford students at Castle Lanes in Alameda to negotiate and draft a treaty. As a sign of good faith, Rally Committee brings the 17,000 stunt cards in a truck. During the treaty negotiations, Stanford students surround the truck and tear-gas it. The truck driver promptly puts on his gas mask and, despite looking down the business end of a .45, rams one of the cars blocking his way. He escapes only to be later arrested by the police, who then make sure that everything is settled between the two schools. As a result, all items are returned to their respective owners -- except that Cal gets to keep all of Stanford's blue-and-gold cards.
1967 John Wellborn manages to steal the Axe from Stanford without damaging its display case and without triggering the alarm. The trophy then appears in several photographs, including one with a University of California Centenial banner and one atop the Oakland Tribune building. The Axe is returned just before the start of the Big Game, but Stanford has to return it a few hours later when Cal wins the game.
1973 Ming's Incident: Three Stanford fraternity members telephone Cal football coach Mike White and request that the Axe appear at the Northern California Football Writers Association luncheon at Ming's Chinese Restaurant in Palo Alto during Big Game Week. After receiving a notice, Rally Committee members confirm the request with Mike White's secretary. Disguised as Cal football players, the Stanfordites wait outside Ming's. After a quick scuffle they snatch the Axe from the three Rally Commers.
1970s Stanford students perform their last card stunt. (Alumni of Stanford's Card Stunts Committee claim the year was 1971, others claim a later year.) The cards are stored in an unsecure location on the Stanford campus.
1975 Following years of probation the Cal football team has a chance to go to the Rose Bowl. The Friday before the Big Game, all the Daily Californians are replaced by a bogus edition with the headline, "NCAA NIXES CAL ROSE BOWL BID; Bears Placed Back on Probation." The paper describes an unknown NCAA investigation that turned up irregularities and claims that Cal's star running back Chuck Muncie has been ruled ineligible to play. The Daily Cal staff confiscate the bogus issue, but enough copies circulate to start a buzz.
Following the Stanford bonfire at Lake Lagunita several drunken youths throw rocks and bottles at police and firefighters.
During the Big Game members of the Stanford Band remove the Axe head from its plaque. Following the Cal victory they give the Axe head to John Larrisou '77. Larissou is alleged to have held the blade high over his head while dashing across the field to the Cal side and yelling, "I'VE GOT THE AXE! I'VE GOT THE AXE!!!"
1977 Cal bandsmen Jay Huxman '76 and Jamie Rawson '77 carve a replica of the Axe in meticulous detail. During halftime of the Cal-Stanford basketball game, Huxman and Dan Blick '77 run across the Maples Pavillion court waving the "Axe" and taunting the Stanford fans. Several Stanford students give chase but to no avail. Shortly thereafter the getaway car carrying the "Axe" is stopped for speeding, but the police let the students go when they show that the object is a fake. Nevertheless the San Francisco Examiner reports the next day that a band of Cal "desperados" had swiped the Axe. In appreciation of the successful hoax, the Stanford Band sends the Cal Band a case of champagne.
All of Stanford's stunt cards (except for one blue-and-gold card) mysteriously disappear. (They are simply loaded onto a truck and carted away.)
A "Go Bears" banner is hung from the top of Hoover Tower; a photo of it later appears in the Oakland Tribune.
1978 UC Rally Committee is still trying to figure out who generously donated the stack of stunt cards before the previous year's Big Game. (One card stunt at the Big Game reads, "Hey Stanford ... these are YOUR cards!")
1979 Stanford limits the list of pre-game festivities to "singing, bowling, and... a record-breaking bunny hop." The rumba line is cancelled due to "potential security problems."
After the Big Game rally a large banner is hung over the Bay Bridge tunnel entrance on Yerba Buena Island. It reads, "GO BEARS! BEAT STANFORD!"
1982 On the hill overlooking South San Francisco, the C-A-L in the white concrete
SOUTH
SAN FRANCISCO
THE INDUSTRIAL CITY
sign turns blue and gold.
On the Wednesday following The Play, Cal students are shocked when the Daily Californian has the headline, "NCAA awards Big Game to Stanford." The Stanford Daily has printed up several thousand bogus editions of the Daily Californian. By sheer luck the hoax is aided by a four-hour delay in the distribution of the real Daily Californian. In the end the Daily Cal gains by collecting the copies of the bogus newspapers and selling them for a dollar each.
1983 Two weeks before Big Game Stanford paints red "S"s at various campus locations.
Mysteriously the Cal Band doesn't arrive at the Big Game until the start of the second quarter. (Someone had cancelled the buses that were supposed to take the Band to Palo Alto.)
1984 On April Fool's Day two members of the Cal Acacia house put a Mickey Mouse face and hands on the south clockface of the Campanile. Both students are captured by the police.
Members of a Cal fraternity release blue-and-gold dyed mice into a Stanford library. On the morning of the Big Game, two Stanford students hang a large banner -- painted with a tree and an "S" -- from the Campanile. The banner is burned at the 1985 Big Game Bonfire Rally.
1985 Following the previous year's Big Game, Stanford did not put the Axe in its display case in Tressider Union. Ken Raust '81 and Tim Sheridan '84 stage a hoax that the Axe has been stolen. In March various newspapers and living groups receive letters apparently signed by Stanford Athletic Director Andy Geiger. Stating that the Axe has been stolen, the letters ask for cooperation in returning the trophy. Local newspapers receive bogus ransom notes from the "Friends of Oski," announcing the theft of the Axe and demanding as a condition of its return that Stanford change its nickname to "Trees." A reporter from the San Francisco Examiner exposes the hoax.
The palm trees all along Stanford's Palm Drive are painted to spell out C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A. During the Big Game a large balloon, decorated to resemble a sheep, flies over the stadium. On one side of the sheep appears the message, Ram ewe Cal; on the other side is its name -- Lambo. Eventually it falls into the Stanford student section and is destroyed.
1986 During the summer the six-foot tall stuffed Kodiak Bear disappears from its display case in the ASUC Student Union. No one claims the theft.
1987 The UC Rally Committee receives a ransom note from the ASUC Bear's Stanford kidnappers. The note refers to the Bear as "Oskie" and demands a list of signatures in order for the Bear to be returned. The list includes the president of Stanford, the chancellor of Berkeley, one of the UC Regents, one thousand Cal students, several Cal football players... "and some real athletes," Lawrence Berkeley -- or one of his descendents, and the president of Round Table Pizza. Rally Committee chairman Wendy Withers '89 sends a reply letter refusing to comply with the demands.
About twenty Cal students plaster authentic-looking LSJU Engineering "Out of Order" signs on the doors of bathroom stalls in various buildings on the Stanford campus.
1988 Another ransom note making similar ridiculous demands is sent to the Rally Committee; this letter is ignored. The Monday following the Big Game the Bear is found chained to the concrete fountain near Embarcadero Center in San Francisco, wearing a Stanford shirt. The shirt is replaced with a Cal shirt and the Bear is brought back to Cal as part of a noon-time rally and parade.
The Stanford band uses a remote control car with a smoke bomb to disrupt the Cal Band's pregame show. After a Cal bandsman smashes the rear of the car, it lies on the 30 yard line, still smoking. Another Cal bandsman inadvertantly kicks the car upright, and the smoking vehicle resumes its route around the field.
1989 At the annual UC Davis Picnic Day, the Stanford Tree costume is stolen and ends up in the hands of the Berkeley chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha. The Tree is burned at the Big Game Bonfire Rally.
An airplane drops hundreds of little flyers over the Stanford campus. The flyers read, "Oski says 'F--- Stanfurd!'"
1990 Members of a Cal fraternity discover the Stanford Tree lying outside the Stanford Band Shak and steal the costume. They now display the tree on their roof during every Big Game Week.
An airplane drops anti-Cal flyers over parts of the Cal campus, south Berkeley, and north Oakland.
1991 The spelling on most of the Stanford freeway exit signs on highways 101 and 280 is 'corrected' to read "Stanfurd."
1992 One thousand letters are posted around the Stanford campus announcing that Stanford's bonfire rally has been cancelled. The letters appear to be on official letterhead bearing the signature of Stanford President Donald Kennedy. The hoax has been organized by a group named BUST (which stands for "Burn the Ugly Stanford Tree".) The letters are so convincing that the San Francisco Examiner prints a bonfire cancellation story. After acknowledging the successful prank, Kennedy announces that the rally will be held at midnight.
The Tree costume is stolen from the Stanford Band Shak. However nothing is made of it by Stanford, and the Tree again ends up at the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
1994 A STANFORD banner brought to the Friday Big Game luncheon in San Jose somehow ends up at Cal's Bonfire Rally that evening. The UC Rally Committee returns it to Stanford the next day.
1995 Again a STANFORD banner brought to the Friday Big Game luncheon in San Jose ends up at the Bonfire Rally. As before, the Rally Committee returns it to Stanford the next day.
1996 Stink bombs are set off during Cal's bonfire rally. The posts supporting the Cannon platform are vandalized and a small section of wood is removed, rendering the platform useless.
1997 Cal student Ted Kelly figures out how to hack into the referee's microphone system at Stanford Stadium. During the season he purchases some radio equipment and then tests it at Stanford home games. At the Big Game Kelly's planning comes to fruition when the referee is about to call a second-half foul. The entire stadium hears the call: "Penalty for unsportsmanlike arrogance ... Stanford sucks!"
1998 One month before the Big Game a group of Cal students steals the Tree costume. Calling themselves the "Phoenix Five", the group insists that it was liberating the mascot from its life in the Band Shak, where it was found in a corner rocking back and forth in a fetal position. They release a video of the blindfolded Tree dancing around while the other four kidnappers demand a ransom. The next day a letter is sent, 'signed' by the Tree, declaring his happiness over his new freedom and that he no longer wants to be on the Farm. Nevertheless Stanford demands the return of the Tree, as the mascot's grandmother had made the costume. The Phoenix Five returns the Tree to Stanford after Chancellor Robert Berdahl promises immunity from criminal prosecution.
1999 A week before the Big Game a group of Cal students 'corrects' the spelling on several Stanford freeway exit signs.
2003 The Stanford Tree costume is stolen while the Cal and Stanford bands are performing in a rally at Pier 39 in San Francisco. While the thieves send a ransom note demanding $300 for the return of the Tree, the Cal Band manager sends an email advising students to return the costume or face legal action. The Tree is returned to the Stanford Band, which shreds the costume in a wood chopper during the Big Game.
The Story of the Stanford Axe
Since it is Big Game week, my historical side has forced me to retell the story of the Axe. Enjoy.
<
In 1899, the Stanford baseball team was considered to be highly rated. However, other Stanford sports had taken a big slump. Stanford had lost twice in a row to Cal in track, Stanford’s ’98 Freshman football team lost to Cal, and later the Golden Bears defeated Stanford in Varsity football by a score of 22-0 (Touchdowns were worth 5 points at the time).
The Stanford yell-leading squad decided that it would be a good idea to have something to help rally the student body to cheer their team to victory. A popular yell at the time was the Axe yell (a take-off of a passage from Sophocles’ "The Frog"). It was decided that an Axe would be the perfect instrument to help rally the students. The Axe was NOT custom made for the Stanford yell leaders, but was a standard lumberman’s axe weighing ten pounds with a fifteen inch blade (it was quite possibly ordered from Sears). When the Axe arrived, the handle was painted red.
In April of 1899, there was a best-of-three game series scheduled between Cal and Stanford. Cal upset Stanford 4-1 in the first game of the series.
On Thursday April 13, 1899, a rally was held on the Stanford campus to whip up spirit for the second game, to be played two days later. The Axe was displayed to the Stanford student body for the first time at this rally, and was used to decapitate a straw man dressed up in blue and gold.
The game itself was played at 16th Street and Folsom in San Francisco. Head Stanford yell leader, Billy Erb (whose nephew Charles would go on to play for The Wonder Teams), brought the Axe with him. Stanford took an early lead, and after every good Stanford play, Erb and the other yell leaders would use the axe to chop up some blue and gold ribbon, and then gleefully parade the axe in front of the Cal bleachers, shouting the Axe Yell. Needless to say, this upset the Cal fans, and convinced two separate groups that they should attempt to steal this annoying instrument.
Anyway, It looked like the yell leaders had succeeded as Stanford led 7-5 going into the ninth inning. However, a four run Cal rally in the ninth dashed Stanford’s hopes, as Cal won 9-7.
As fate would have it, the Cal section was the closest to the exit of the field, and so one group of planners decided to wait for the Axe. When it arrived, an "old-fashioned brawl" (or small riot, depending on the account) ensued as the Cal men jumped the Stanfordites with the Axe. At this point, the second group of Cal men jumped into the fray. The Axe was taken by Cal at the cost of a black eye, a torn suit, and a cut finger.
At the same time, a squad of police arrived, and Jack McGee ’99, succeeded in confusing the police by trying to convince them that some Stanford students were attempting to steal a California Axe. The Sergeant in charge, Michael Josephy Conboy decided "They are college byes. Let them foight it out."
The Axe was passed on to Cal sprinter Billy Drum ’00, who took the Axe along a winding route through the City. At one point, Drum accidently handed the Axe to two Stanford men who pretended to be Cal men, but he and some other Cal men helped retrieve the Axe from the two pretenders after chasing them for two blocks. Eventually the Axe reached a butcher shop at Scott and Oak streets where the Cal men were able to saw the handle off. The Axe and handle were then given to Clint Miller ’00, who stuffed the Axe under his overcoat and put the handle down his pants leg. On the way to the Ferry Building, Miller stopped at a Chinese hardware store on Clay St. to make the handle easier to hide.
At the ferry building, the police were searching all UC men taking the ferry to Berkeley. Miller kept the axe as close to his skin as possible, buttoned up his coat and overcoat, and looked quite innocent as he waved goodbye to the Cal men while grabbing the arm of an old girlfriend that he saw was in line to board the ferry to Oakland. Jimmy Hopper ’98 noticed what Miller was doing, bought Miller a ticket to Oakland, and handed the ticket to Miller just in time to board the ferry.
That night, the Axe was stored in the safe of Morris the Photographer, and the next night, under the pillow of Al Lean, the trainer of the baseball team.
Then, on Monday April 17th, the baseball team plus the men who helped steal the Axe, elected Loll Pringle as the "Custodian of the Axe", and the first Axe rally was held on the Cal campus.
The Axe was then moved to the Chi Phi house where a few days later, several Stanford students raided the house, but did not find the Axe, which was hidden in a space behind a sliding door. After this incident, the Axe was moved to one of the top floors of the Klaus Spreckels building at 3rd and Market in downtown San Francisco, under the care of Clint Miller.
In the Fall of 1899, a few days before the first Football Axe rally, Clint Miller transported the Axe back to Berkeley in a suit box. Miller, after boarding the ferry to Berkeley, ended up sitting down next to the only Stanford man that he knew. The Stanford man said "See here, Clint, I see by the papers you Berkeley guys are going to bring out that old Axe you’ve been crowing so much about. Well, if you do, you’ll be sorry."
Miller, with his legs starting to tremble, managed to reply, "Oh, by the way, where is the Stanford Axe?"
The Stanford man replied, "Never mind, Clint, we know where it is. You’re now warned never to bring it out in public."
After the first football Axe rally, the Stanfordites tried to make good their threat by attacking Clint Miller’s home at about two o’clock in the morning.
Miller was given just enough warning by Police Chief August Vollmer to get the Axe out of his basement and deliver it to a banker friend, Frank Naylor, who stored the Axe in a safe deposit box in one of the vaults at the American Trust Company.
The Axe was stored in the vault for 30 years, and was only brought out for Football and Baseball rallies, when it would be transported to and from the Greek Theatre by armored car.
While the Axe was kept in the bank vault, a search warrant for stolen property served on the bank only once. When that happened, the bank manager consulted the bank’s attorney, Judge Waste, who said "Pay no attention to the warrant. It has been issued from San Francisco County instead of Alameda County." This prompted the bank manager to ask what he should do if he was ever served a warrant from Alameda County. The Judge replied with "That’s easy! Give the Axe to me and I’ll put it in my private safe deposit box. They will never think to get a search warrant for my box."
Every year the baseball team would elect a new "Custodian of the Axe". The Axe would be ceremoniously passed from the old Custodian to the new Custodian at the annual Fall Ax Rally. The custodian of the Axe was responsible for displaying the Axe at the two Ax Rallies and safely transporting the axe to and from the bank. At some point in time before 1930, the California Rally Committee was given the responsibility for safely transporting the Axe.
On April 3, 1930, a group of twenty-one Stanford students, four of whom posed as photographers and reporters, stole the Axe as it was being transported back to the bank after the annual Baseball rally at the Greek. One man grabbed the Axe while his well-organized accomplices set off a smoke bomb (or a tear gas bomb, depending on the account of the story). The Axe was taken to three cars which sped off in different directions. Several of the thieves were caught, but the Axe had made it back to Stanford.
After several years of attempted raids, and retaliatory strikes, the presidents of the two student bodies signed an agreement stating that the Axe is an annual trophy to be awarded to the victor of the Big Game, and that in the event of a tie, the Axe would be kept by the side already possessing the Axe.
<In 1899, the Stanford baseball team was considered to be highly rated. However, other Stanford sports had taken a big slump. Stanford had lost twice in a row to Cal in track, Stanford’s ’98 Freshman football team lost to Cal, and later the Golden Bears defeated Stanford in Varsity football by a score of 22-0 (Touchdowns were worth 5 points at the time).
The Stanford yell-leading squad decided that it would be a good idea to have something to help rally the student body to cheer their team to victory. A popular yell at the time was the Axe yell (a take-off of a passage from Sophocles’ "The Frog"). It was decided that an Axe would be the perfect instrument to help rally the students. The Axe was NOT custom made for the Stanford yell leaders, but was a standard lumberman’s axe weighing ten pounds with a fifteen inch blade (it was quite possibly ordered from Sears). When the Axe arrived, the handle was painted red.
In April of 1899, there was a best-of-three game series scheduled between Cal and Stanford. Cal upset Stanford 4-1 in the first game of the series.
On Thursday April 13, 1899, a rally was held on the Stanford campus to whip up spirit for the second game, to be played two days later. The Axe was displayed to the Stanford student body for the first time at this rally, and was used to decapitate a straw man dressed up in blue and gold.
The game itself was played at 16th Street and Folsom in San Francisco. Head Stanford yell leader, Billy Erb (whose nephew Charles would go on to play for The Wonder Teams), brought the Axe with him. Stanford took an early lead, and after every good Stanford play, Erb and the other yell leaders would use the axe to chop up some blue and gold ribbon, and then gleefully parade the axe in front of the Cal bleachers, shouting the Axe Yell. Needless to say, this upset the Cal fans, and convinced two separate groups that they should attempt to steal this annoying instrument.
Anyway, It looked like the yell leaders had succeeded as Stanford led 7-5 going into the ninth inning. However, a four run Cal rally in the ninth dashed Stanford’s hopes, as Cal won 9-7.
As fate would have it, the Cal section was the closest to the exit of the field, and so one group of planners decided to wait for the Axe. When it arrived, an "old-fashioned brawl" (or small riot, depending on the account) ensued as the Cal men jumped the Stanfordites with the Axe. At this point, the second group of Cal men jumped into the fray. The Axe was taken by Cal at the cost of a black eye, a torn suit, and a cut finger.
At the same time, a squad of police arrived, and Jack McGee ’99, succeeded in confusing the police by trying to convince them that some Stanford students were attempting to steal a California Axe. The Sergeant in charge, Michael Josephy Conboy decided "They are college byes. Let them foight it out."
The Axe was passed on to Cal sprinter Billy Drum ’00, who took the Axe along a winding route through the City. At one point, Drum accidently handed the Axe to two Stanford men who pretended to be Cal men, but he and some other Cal men helped retrieve the Axe from the two pretenders after chasing them for two blocks. Eventually the Axe reached a butcher shop at Scott and Oak streets where the Cal men were able to saw the handle off. The Axe and handle were then given to Clint Miller ’00, who stuffed the Axe under his overcoat and put the handle down his pants leg. On the way to the Ferry Building, Miller stopped at a Chinese hardware store on Clay St. to make the handle easier to hide.
At the ferry building, the police were searching all UC men taking the ferry to Berkeley. Miller kept the axe as close to his skin as possible, buttoned up his coat and overcoat, and looked quite innocent as he waved goodbye to the Cal men while grabbing the arm of an old girlfriend that he saw was in line to board the ferry to Oakland. Jimmy Hopper ’98 noticed what Miller was doing, bought Miller a ticket to Oakland, and handed the ticket to Miller just in time to board the ferry.
That night, the Axe was stored in the safe of Morris the Photographer, and the next night, under the pillow of Al Lean, the trainer of the baseball team.
Then, on Monday April 17th, the baseball team plus the men who helped steal the Axe, elected Loll Pringle as the "Custodian of the Axe", and the first Axe rally was held on the Cal campus.
The Axe was then moved to the Chi Phi house where a few days later, several Stanford students raided the house, but did not find the Axe, which was hidden in a space behind a sliding door. After this incident, the Axe was moved to one of the top floors of the Klaus Spreckels building at 3rd and Market in downtown San Francisco, under the care of Clint Miller.
In the Fall of 1899, a few days before the first Football Axe rally, Clint Miller transported the Axe back to Berkeley in a suit box. Miller, after boarding the ferry to Berkeley, ended up sitting down next to the only Stanford man that he knew. The Stanford man said "See here, Clint, I see by the papers you Berkeley guys are going to bring out that old Axe you’ve been crowing so much about. Well, if you do, you’ll be sorry."
Miller, with his legs starting to tremble, managed to reply, "Oh, by the way, where is the Stanford Axe?"
The Stanford man replied, "Never mind, Clint, we know where it is. You’re now warned never to bring it out in public."
After the first football Axe rally, the Stanfordites tried to make good their threat by attacking Clint Miller’s home at about two o’clock in the morning.
Miller was given just enough warning by Police Chief August Vollmer to get the Axe out of his basement and deliver it to a banker friend, Frank Naylor, who stored the Axe in a safe deposit box in one of the vaults at the American Trust Company.
The Axe was stored in the vault for 30 years, and was only brought out for Football and Baseball rallies, when it would be transported to and from the Greek Theatre by armored car.
While the Axe was kept in the bank vault, a search warrant for stolen property served on the bank only once. When that happened, the bank manager consulted the bank’s attorney, Judge Waste, who said "Pay no attention to the warrant. It has been issued from San Francisco County instead of Alameda County." This prompted the bank manager to ask what he should do if he was ever served a warrant from Alameda County. The Judge replied with "That’s easy! Give the Axe to me and I’ll put it in my private safe deposit box. They will never think to get a search warrant for my box."
Every year the baseball team would elect a new "Custodian of the Axe". The Axe would be ceremoniously passed from the old Custodian to the new Custodian at the annual Fall Ax Rally. The custodian of the Axe was responsible for displaying the Axe at the two Ax Rallies and safely transporting the axe to and from the bank. At some point in time before 1930, the California Rally Committee was given the responsibility for safely transporting the Axe.
On April 3, 1930, a group of twenty-one Stanford students, four of whom posed as photographers and reporters, stole the Axe as it was being transported back to the bank after the annual Baseball rally at the Greek. One man grabbed the Axe while his well-organized accomplices set off a smoke bomb (or a tear gas bomb, depending on the account of the story). The Axe was taken to three cars which sped off in different directions. Several of the thieves were caught, but the Axe had made it back to Stanford.
After several years of attempted raids, and retaliatory strikes, the presidents of the two student bodies signed an agreement stating that the Axe is an annual trophy to be awarded to the victor of the Big Game, and that in the event of a tie, the Axe would be kept by the side already possessing the Axe.
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