MonkeyBusinessBlog

Big Dick Delivers As Promised!

Editor's Note--First off, its good to see "Big E" Salzman get down and dirty this SUPER weekend on two nifty, no holds barred, blogposts you can see down below. You tell em "Big E"! Now we've got the great prognosticator "Big D" delivering on his promise for a little basketball action while we wait for the "Big Game" at 6:25pm eastern time, 12:25 pm in Oahu. All this excitement is causing me to hyperventilate! Plus, I'm feeling good off of some of MY very own predictions in the markets last week. I even watched the VH1 special about the history of "Soul Train" last night. So now I'm doing "The Robot". We can only be so lucky to have a life like Don Cornelius, host, creator, and executive producer of "Soul Train". And lord knows we are trying! Take it away Big Dick!--R.B.

At 6:25pm eastern tonight in Miami, Florida most of the world will be watching, as the two best teams in the NFL this season square off. We have already said our piece on this with a nice UNDER play in our bag of tricks. This is a grass field people. Which means the game moves a little slower than turf. Which means 56.5 points is a WHOLE lotta points.

 

As promised, we would switch to basketball as well today. Alas, due to a lower than normal card of games for this Sunday, we have one selection. But it's a goodie. You would think a name like the UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS would be a team from South Florida yes? Well you would be wrong. They are from Tampa. But we bet some of these basketball guys are miffed that they can't attend the Big Game in Miami tonight with all their mates (guaranteed, if you think of college years, the "road trip" from Tampa to Miami would get done for this if you were in school in Tampa, right?). You know who isn't upset about this? The USF hoops coach. Yep his team flew into Indiana (oh the irony!) last night. No problem worrying about curfew and a team being focused in the middle of a snowstorm in South Bend, Indiana to play an important game the next day, while people partied it up in the real South Florida.

 

Yep USF plays the always public favorite Notre Dame today at noon eastern. You think some of the giddy Colts fans all over the place aren't talking about how they can make a quick buck during the pre-Super Bowl parties by backing their beloved Irish from Indiana? Well Big D has 2 words for you: DOMINIQUE JONES. This BULLS of USF team might not know geography (Tampa is in WEST-CENTRAL Florida with the maps that Big D owns), but they know hoops. And they have won 4 in a row (last one beating the pants off a good Georgetown team), covered 6 in a row, and are looking like a very logical choice for an at large bid for the NCAA tourney. Oh and we know how good Nd is at home. But.....you wanna know the line? Nd-7.5. Thank you bookmaker. Thank you. Too many pal.

 

So enjoy the pomp and circumstance and YOU will be the one with a few extra bucks at those pre-parties when you take USF+7.5 @ nd. Then when you follow it up with an UNDER INDY/NO 56.5 tonight, you will be sitting in champagne city. Good luck to all and god bless on this SUPER day!

Big Dick Is Ready for All Sports

Editors Note-- Well sportsfans, its like Christmas for you football folks. Sunday is the best day of the year. I can't even imagine what its like in Indy or New Orleans. Actually I can because I was with Big Dick in Indy 2 weeks ago when the roof almost came off the Lucas Oil Field. He lost that game but Big D's still firing away with a selection for Sunday. Show us the money, Le Grande Deek--R.B. 

One of the paparazzi stopped me with a microphone and a camera the other day in Midtown Manhattan. Without even hearing the question, I put my hand up and said, "No comment" and walked on. I'm of the ilk where "NO publicity is good publicity." They followed me down Park Avenue and screamed, "Big Dick we KNOW you have hit your last 5 Super Bowl predictions. Can't you give us a prediction THIS year?!?!" But I just kept on walking and smiling. Good thing YOU are not the paparazzi, yes?

 

The news of success didn't surprise me. Unfortunately, 2 weeks ago we lost with GANG GREEN. It looked real good there for 28 minutes but there are 60 minutes in football. While sitting with JET fans in a luxury box at Lucas Oil Field in Indy, sipping champagne and having lobster fricasee, I explained to my fellow fans, how at the end of the first half with the JETS up 17-6, if the defense could hold Mr. Manning to a FG or less in the last drive, they would win the game. If not, they would lose. We all know how that turned out.

 

Sunday is just another game in the handicapping world as far as Big Dick is concerned. But we know, we know, people get charged up. Although the greatest SUPER Sunday that we can recall was back when Green Bay laid 14 to a Bill Parcells New England team. Big D exclaimed from Vegas that day, "the game is too close to call and we are passing but here's an NBA 3 team parlay that will have your pockets filled come kickoff time!" And you know what? The parlay came in, the score of the game was 35-21, and thus a push, and just about everyone was grumpy in the Mirage VIP Suite (including the house that doesn't win on a push either), except for Big Dick and his followers.

 

For those who tune into this channel on Sunday, we will have some basketball selections for SUPER SUNDAY. However, we DO have a selection for the football this year.

 

Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. Are they the most frequently used words these 2 weeks or what? Well, from my perch in Indiana 2 weeks ago, it certainly looked interesting when Manning was OFF the field. Especially in the 2nd half. Brett Favre may have made some mistakes but the Saints defense seems to be collecting a lot of turnovers all season. The game itself is fairly priced in our eyes but the TOTAL isn't. Here's a little ditty for you. Both teams have played 18 games this year. Wanna know how many games the Saints have had where the total score was 57 or higher? 8. So clearly a team that scores and gives up points. Now, wanna know how many times the Colts have gone over 57? 3. Yep. 3.

 

When the players were coming off the field 2 weeks ago, I heard one of the Colts defenders scream to the jubilant home fans, "I guess we got to see who has the best defense today." A clear jab to the J-E-T-S. But you know what? He was right.

 

Oh there will be fireworks on Sunday but they might be more from nice hits and tackles and that's why people may look at you peculiar when you tell them "Big Dick likes the UNDER and I'm going with him!" Let them laugh. After all, we have a history of being the only ones laughing in a room on Super Sunday at the END of the game. We know this goes against my theory of leaning towards the over whenever you see a total of 45 or more, but this is a special game. The Colts best pass rusher is questionable to play and that TOTAL of 56.5 hasn't moved. Hmmmm.

 

So: Stay tuned Sunday for some inaugural basketball picks from Big D and we will go UNDER 56.5 for the football. Pass the lobster rolls, fine vintage champagne, and of course good luck and god bless.   

Big Dick NEEDS No Holiday

Editor's Note--Another snappy 2-1 week for the Big Man last Sunday which gives even more reason to be festive this holiday season. But it doesn't look like he's going to stop there. Big D we might all have some champagne (and lobster) leftover on Sunday. Can we drink and eat with even more joy?!?!?--R.B.

Richie, you can never have 100% guarantees in this business. In most businesses you can't. Only in the death and tax business, you can. While everyone is gathering with family and loved ones, Big Dick has been working the midnight oil, studying. He NEEDS no holiday. Speaking of NEEDS, there are a few teams that NEED to win on Sunday. You know what Big D says to that? In these as closest to sure things as possible, thanks for the money! The teams that NEED the games are not so tough.

The GIANTs "mailed it in" last week in their last game at GIANTS stadium. That's nice. The Vikings have been "mailing it in" for the last month. The problem is they NEED this game to have a nice home field advantage and a 1st round bye in the playoffs. Noticing any problems with the QB of the Vikes? Betcha didn't know that he had his own locker room and private shower his last 3 years in Green Bay. Nice teammate huh? Think about that the next time an announcer says, "Aw Brett is having fun out there!" Tom Coughlin is an old school coach. He won't be taking too kindly to his boys laying down again. Besides the view here is Eli Manning plays MUCH better on the road than he does at home. Oh, did I mention the 9 points we are getting with the G-MEN? Yes I said 9. Take the points.

Another team that NEEDS the game and keeps NEEDING games and losing? The Denver Donkeys. How has Big Dick been doing with his KANSAS CITY CHIEF picks this year? As my good friend Isaac Hayes used to sing in the song Shaft, "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaw daaaaaaaaaammmmmmmn riiiiiiiiight!" So they get 13 points to an archrival that they can punch out of the playoffs? Can you say tight game? Surely. Take the points again.

Oh how has Big D done with the RAAAAAAAAAAYDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDUUUUUUUUUHSSSSS of OAKLAND this year? Refer to the above paragaph and Isaac Hayes again. Its very simple. Baltimore wins and they make the playoffs. Oh they might win. But they are laying 10 points at OAKLAND? Really? The SILVER and BLACK are going to come out with some gumption. Watch. Take the points.

Finally, in our special holiday 4 pick gift pack, we go to the night game. Its simple again here. The Jets win and they are in the playoffs. Sure the BENGALS may rest their guys but do you want to lay 10 points to watch that happen? Me neither. The underdog is now 14-1 in BENGALS games this year!! It'll be 15-1 come midnight in the east on Sunday. Oh sure the Jets will most likely win but by more than 10? Not with Big Dick's money. Take.

So the 4 team extravaganza is as such: NYG+9 @ min, KC+13 @ den, OAK+10 vs bal, and CIN+10 @ nyj. From all of us here at Big Dick's Picks we wish you and yours a very healthy and happy New Year! Good luck and god bless! 

Big D's Working.......Are You?

Editor's Note: Well I must say we've been a little light this week with blog posts (ahem COMPLETELY light), but one guy who never takes a day off is Big Dick. A mere touchdown away from a perfect record last week but 2-1 with a 14 point underdog winning outright, is something we can more than live with! I'm sure I speak for most of you when I say "we like money". Big D find us some more!!--R.B.

Yes Richie we don't stop until we reach perfection and actually we don't stop even then. We like to live in that area where people say, "come on Big Dick there's no way that happens." And when it does, we just smile. You see these 2 weeks in the NFL are some of the best of the year. Why you ask? Follow the Big Man right here.

The Bengals have had some emotional days and are still having some. They are a formidable team.....but. They are a 14 point favorite versus KANSAS CITY. Now you say, "Cincy NEEDS the game, Big D, and KC is playing for nothing." Yes that may be true but you know who knows that too? The oddsmaker. You think Coach Marvin Lewis is going to do anything nuts for Cincy with the Baltimore team one game behind them? Right. 14 is too many pal. Take the points.

Miami has had a rollercoaster year too. December isn't their cup of tea either. Another team that NEEDS the game. They are a small home favorite that most of the public will pounce on. We'll pounce the other way. After all, Big D is no public person. Ask your friends now who is betting the TEXANS+3 Sunday at Miami? Big D is my friends. Big D is.

Finally, did you catch the Saturday and Monday Night games last week? Interesting right? Dallas is back right? WASHINGTON stinks right? Yeah well it says in my charts that WASHINGTON has covered 7 of 9 times versus Dallas. Including a close 7-6 loss in Dallas this year. Another controversial pick we can live with getting a full touchdown at home? WASHINGTON is the choice.

So from all of us here at Big Dick's Picks have a Merry, Merry Christmas and we'll see you next week. KC+14 @ cincy, HOU+3 @ mia, WAS+7 vs. dallas. Good luck and god bless.  

Big D Makes NO Excuses

Editor's Note--Well Big Dick, that's more what we are accustomed to from a professional like yourself. A spiffy 2-1 record with 2 underdogs winning outright. But people aren't reading what I have to say in this post. They are reading what YOU have to say Big D. So say it.--R.B.  

Yes Richie, we got back to normalcy last week. We feel a perfect Sunday coming on. Let's get to it.

What's up with the New England Patriots on the road this year? And what's up with their offense? New England is 6-1 last 7 UNDER the total. The Bills of Buffalo have held their opponents to 15 points per game the last 4 with their new interim coach. You think its gonna be windy and snowy in Buffalo this Sunday? Why yes it is. UNDER 40.5 looks like a nice gift in this one.

The Eagles of Philly beat a Giants team of New York in a close one last Sunday. The Giants are clearly having problems. But people think the Eagles are great now that they beat the G-men. So great that they lay 9 points to the very decent SF 49ERS. The NINERS have gone 8-0-1 their last 9 as an underdog. They won't play the same kind of defense the Giants did. Take the points with SAN FRAN.

Finally, in our controversial pick of the week, we like the RAIDERS of OAKLAND, or as their esteemed owner, Al Davis, likes to say DA RAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYDUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHSSSS. OAKLAND not winning too much this year but not playing so badly on the road lately (Ask the Steelers). Denver has had a nice season thus far but they are 14 point favorites. The Denver Donkeys are supposed to lay 14 points to anyone? Really? Not with our money. Take the points.

So our 3 winners for the week are: UNDER NE/BUF 40.5, SF+9 @ phi, and OAK+14 @ den. Best of luck and check back with us on Wednesday for the special Big D Christmas Spectacular including some college bowl selections! Good luck to all and god bless.  

Big D Makes Excuses

Editor's Note--An exasperated Big D cant believe his bad fortune. And he's going to talk about it. He also says if he doesn't go 3-0 this week, you will get his service for free for the rest of the year. Oh wait.......just give us the winners Big Dick.--R.B.

Yes Richie, we've been getting a lot of "non-fan mail" the last few weeks. We had TAMPA BAY who threw 5 interceptions and 3 of which were at the goal line or in the end zone, losing 16-6 while we were getting 6.5 points.  HOUSTON lost its QB on the 1st play of the game and then when he came back in the 2nd half they came storming back from a big 1st half deficit, only to watch the rally fall just short. Even TENNESSEE, was losing 27-17, while getting 6.5, recovered an onside kick which might've given us a backdoor cover. But no. This week we have little to say. Other than Al Davis', "just win baby". We really wouldn't be surprised if these 3 underdogs, don't win OUTRIGHT. We are more then happy to take the points too!

CINCY has played 12 games this year. Wanna know how many times the underdog has covered the spread in those 12 games? Yep 12. CINCY is the underdog. Take the BENGALS against Brett Favre.

MIAMI is on fire since week 4. Jacksonville has failed to cover the last 9 times they were favored at home. Well they are favored at home. We like MIAMI.

Finally, the hottest team in the league? SAN DIEGO! Big D goes against the boys from Big D! (Dallas).

So thats 3 very strong underdogs capable of winning the games outright. CIN+6.5 @ min, MIA+3 @ jax, SD+3 @ dal. Good luck and god bless.

Monkey Business Review of New Yankee Stadium.

I visited the New Yankee Stadium yesterday for the first time with the family.  Because this is a financial blog I will first dispense with the P&L statement;

Tickets (4)  $320 (Terrace level, formerly known as "Upper Reserved" over first base dugout)

Parking       $19

Beer (Miller Light 16 oz with Souvenir cup $10

Waters (3)   $15

Gift Shop (Hat, Yankee pennant, Foam #1 Finger, shirt, team autograph ball) about $70

Peanuts       $5

Lemonade   $5.50

Cotton Candy (2) $9

Horrible left-over Nathans Burgers in 11th inning (2) $15     

Total Expenses $468

Looking at these expenses, I could have easily gotten away with high $300s if we didn't get the kids everything they wanted, but that would have defeated the purpose.  Although if I wasn't driving the kids I probably would have had a few more $10 beers.

Now the positives.  The Stadium is beautiful.  The staff, from the parking lot attendants to the ushers, were great.  I remember my many visits to the old stadium in the 1980's where you really felt that half the people behind the concession stands were high on crack.  I also remember my buddy Paul used to make it a point of parking in the lot that was right beneath the Bronx House of Detention.  We would get there, already a good case of beer deep, and taunt the prisoners yelling out the windows at us.  It never crossed our minds that one or two of them might be getting released at any minute.  Anyway, I digress. The staff at the new stadium were terrific.  

Amenities are almost too numerous to count.  You can get anything you want there, and like Camden Yards in Baltimore, the new stadium has these nice breezeways in between the seats and the concessions.  The old stadium...no.  There you had a concrete bunker. The bathrooms were readily available and pretty clean.

The field and surrounding areas are amazing.  The structure is beautiful, the old facade wrapping around the entire upper-deck, like the old, old stadium (pre 1976) is awesome.  Scoreboards are every where and the video displays are top-notch.  The seats, even in the "upper regions" had nice leg room. However, if you have a fat ass you're going to be uncomfortable and you're going to make your immediate neighbors uncomfortable as well.  The site lines were very good.  My kids complained that the seats were too "hard".  Granted they said this after the game was at least 3 hours old, but still I told them to suck it up and stop being a couple of {insert derogatory term}.

The game was great with the Yanks winning in the bottom of the 11th.  I found a nice little short cut out of the stadium and the wife and kids had a great, great time.  So all in all, as much as it pains me to say it, I really like the new stadium, although it hurt to see the old stadium shrouded in black construction netting.  It's very expensive but you definitely feel like you get a lot of value for the money. 

There's A Lotta Money In That Little White Ball. For Now.

Bloomberg.com just printed a story called, "Woods Tops PGA Career Money List at $89 Million; Nicklaus 174th". Now the business of golf is an interesting business. I think Arnold Palmer just recently dropped out of the top 10 of "top earning althletes via commercial endorsements". Arnie was great in his day but the more important part is that the guy kept earning close to $10mm a year for what he did OFF the golf course. I mean the guy hadn't won a meaningful tournament in like 25 years and was still killing it with companies like Pennzoil and Hertz. Yes, for you youngsters, Arnie appeared in Hertz Rent A Car commercials with a gent named O.J. Simpson who was famous for running through airports in 1970s and getting paid for it before running from cops and getting arrested. As a matter of fact, a buddy of mine's wife was in some of these commercials playing the Hertz counter lady and was shocked when O.J. was arrested back in '94 because she said he was a perfect gentleman on the set of the Hertz commercials. Arnie Palmer was the filthy, dirty old man!! Oh the article says Arnie is only 355th on the all time list with $1.86mm in total golf earnings. Pretty wild right?  But I digress.

Tiger has made $89mm in total earnings eh? Well if I'm not mistaken, he makes close to that in a YEAR in endorsements right? So I guess you have to be good at the game AND be appealing to Madison Avenue, to really make it click.  For now. I wonder how many guys will see this off the course money drop as the advertising world goes through its "great recession"? After all, Buick has already dropped Tiger. The point is, even in the golf game the world of easy money, even for the top guys, are going away. Might put a little pressure on the boys to keep more pace with Tiger. Good luck. 

Speaking of pressure, it reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from "Super Mex", Lee Trevino, who made the Top 250 at numero 250 with $3.478mm in total earnings. When asked about the pressure of making a putt to win a golf tournament, Lee said: "Pressure'? Pressure?!? I knew if I missed that putt, I would still come in second and collect a nice check. Pressure is when you bet a guy $10 that you are going to make a putt, and you have $5 in your pocket." Fore!  

Fed To Announce "Term Yankee Ticket Lending Facility"!

Today the Federal Reserve, in coordination with The United States Treasury Department and Major League Baseball, are announcing a new facility to put fannies in the seats at the new Yankee Stadium.  The New York Yankees are suffering incredible embarrassment as many of their best seats go unfilled as fans balked at paying prices ranging from $2,500 to $375 for premium seating.  Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke stated

"What's bad for the New York Yankees is bad for baseball, and what's bad for baseball is bad for America.  Clearly disruptions in private consumption and liquidity, brought on by the credit crisis, have led to these seats being sold at "fire sale" prices in the secondary market at less than fifty cents on the dollar. These purchase prices are not true market based prices but rather distressed sales.  Since, just like our "Legacy Loan" and "Legacy Security" programs, the ticket prices the New York Yankees have set are the correct prices and are not being met due to a severe and extraordinary lack of liquidity.  Therefore, we are announcing the following initiatives;

1. A modest $50 million term lending facility will be set up.  This facility will lend on a non-recourse basis, 90% of the listed ticket prices.  Therefore, on a $2,500 ticket, the Fed will lend to credit-worthy investors $2,250 AND invest along side with this private capital dollar for dollar.  This way, Lord willing, if the Yankees make the playoffs, the taxpayer will share in the upside should anyone be insane enough to pay more than $2,500 for a ticket to a baseball game! It should be noted that the games the government gets will consist of a special package of weeknight only games against the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins.

2. The Fed will provide special George Bush and Bill Clinton masks for any bankers who wish to participate in the program and are currently utilizing TARP funds, in order to avoid public scrutiny.  After all, to be fair to the Yankees, it is for those banks that these four digit ticket prices were aimed at in the first place! 

3. The U.S. Treasury Department, through the FDIC, will contribute $10 million of capital to the new facility.  This capital will absorb losses in the highly unlikely event the Yankees continue to muddle along and play .550 ball and tickets can't be given away, let alone sold for face value.

We believe that these bold steps will help to restart the market for $2,500 tickets to a ballgame and get the New York Yankees, Major League Baseball and America back on the winning track.  God bless America!

Yankees Hire Real Estate Brokerage to Sell Season Tickets...It's Subprime Baseball!

Just when you thought the general state of things couldn't get any more ridiculous, something always comes along to prove you wrong.  Stadiums For Yankees and Mets Stick Fans With Higher Loyalty Price . I will confine this discussion to the Yankees because the Salzmans have been Yankee fanatics since 1941, the year my Grandfather took my mom to her first ball game at the "big ballpark in the Bronx."  The Yankees had a perfectly good stadium that had been rebuilt in 1976.  Sure it lacked some of the amenities of "newer" parks, but it was beautiful.  I never heard anybody complain about it other than they couldn't get a ticket!  However, as George Steinbrenner gave control of the empire to his son Hal, the Yankees got greedy....and stupid.  A lot of this probably came from guys like me.  I worked on Wall Street and I was a salesman.  A good customer wants to go to the Yankee-Red Sox game and sit "field level", not a problem.  I'd buy the tickets, $250-$300 a seat and take them to the game.  Lets say the whole night cost $1,500.  The next day we do a couple of nice size trades that I win on a tie (meaning my bid or offer on a bond tied a competing dealer) and badda-bing!  We make $15,000.

The Yankees see all that dough getting thrown around 81 times a year plus the playoffs and they think, "We need to capture MORE of that dough ourselves!  These Wall Street boys will buy a whole bunch of luxury suites, more than we have now in our 'ancient' stadium AND they will actually buy these super seats we can make in our 'modern' stadium' for $2,500 a pop!  We need a new stadium!"  They applied 2005-2006 thinking to their business model.  For all we know S&P and Moody's helped them with the "strategy".  Now, however, it's 2009 and nobody is paying $2,500 for a baseball seat.  I imagine bankers would worry about getting hauled in front of Congress for paying the $250 FACE VALUE for some of these seats at the new stadium cost, let alone $2,500!

Now here are the Yankees with their $1.5 billion new stadium (a stadium that the Yankees and Mayor Mike Bloomberg told us we weren't going to have to pay for) their $161 million, 280 pound pitcher, A-Rod and a $120 million first baseman, etc, etc....and they are soon to be up the proverbial creek.  I was riding the train in a couple of weeks ago in the late morning.  Usually, those trains are pretty empty.  This train however was PACKED with Yankee fans.  I ask one of the guys, "They playing an exhibition game at the new yard?"  He says, "Nah, they're having their first workout."  I get excited and forget reality for a second, "Oh, do you get to go in for free?"  The guy just laughed at me, "Free?  Yeah right!"  I say, "Yeah, I'm surprised that once the season starts they don't make you pay an extra $20 to watch batting practice."  About five people turn and say simultaneously, "Shhh, don't give 'em any ideas!"

Anyway, I predict that a lot of these brand new seats at the brand new Yankee Stadium are going to be a lot like the empty luxury "sky-homes" across the river in Manhattan.  Don't believe me?  Check this out from the Bloomberg article;

At Yankee Stadium, game tickets run from $14 to $2,625. The Yankees said last summer that they had sold 3,500 of 4,300 premium seats as part of season-ticket plans, though sales slowed when the recession intensified. The team hired a division of residential real estate brokerage Prudential Douglas Elliman, to help sell some of their premium seats and luxury boxes. “The Yankees are working with Prudential to sell premium seats and suites, and that’s all I’ll say,” McGillion said.

Oh, McGillion is someone that works for the P.R. firm the team has had to hire.  Good luck!

Big Dick is All About the Green

No not the green planet folks. Big D is all about the green (and white) as in MONEY and MICHIGAN STATE! Yes we know we know, Unc is on fire with all double digit wins but hey, hasnt MICHIGAN STATE been quietly winning by a lot too? Wont many of the 72,000 people in Detroit be cheering for the SPARTANS? Isnt 3:1 odds for the underdog MSU to win the game a lot of value? The answer is......yes.

MICHIGAN STATE to win the game outright at 3:1 is the play to end the college hoops season! Good luck and god bless!

Big Dick Says Final Four Means Money

Well it's been an easy ride for the Uconn Huskies and the Unc Tar Heels. 4 games each. 4 wins. 4 covers on the pointspread. You know what though? Things in life dont always turn out so easy. Especially when you are trying to win National Championships.

Well do you think MICHIGAN STATE and VILLANOVA are slouches? Me neither. Looks like at Big D's favorite bookie shops you can get odds of close to 2:1 on MICHIGAN STATE to beat Uconn outright and 3:1 odds on "VANILLANOVA" to beat Unc outright. In Big D's eyes that is easy math. As in take MICHIGAN STATE and VILLANOVA on the money line to win outright at those odds. You know what happens if you are right on just one of the two investments? You make a profit. We dont want to even get into what kind of celebrating you will be doing when both of these underdogs win outright.

Also for good measure, why dont we try the UNDER in the MICHIGAN ST vs Uconn game at 134. That'll give you some more things to cheer for during the 1st game (like bruising fouls and great defense) that tips off at 6:05 pm Eastern time.

So: MICH ST 2:1 to beat Uconn, UNDER 134 Uconn vs MICH ST., VILLANOVA 3:1 to beat Unc. Enjoy the games. Enjoy the money even more when you play Big Dick's selections. Good luck and god bless.

Big D Has Now Seen it All

Well folks we will just briefly mention how we were down by 7 in the MISSOURI game yesterday when Uconn allowed the MIZZOU guy to drive the lane and take an uncontested layup at the buzzer. "meaningless" right? Well not for us who had MIZZOU+5.5. It looked perfect. And then the MIZZOU guy MISSED the layup and we lost the wager. Incredible.

Today all we can say is Michigan State will put a defensive game and a slow paced game on Louisville. Yes we are aware Louisville scored 101 last game but they wont score in the 70s this game. That means the 138 point total looks splendid. As in UNDER.

So UNDER 138 Mich St/Lousville. Now lets hope the MISSOURI coach is having the guys practice layups for next season.

Big D Says We Shall Overcome

Well the only game that went down to the buzzer in yesterday's NCAA action was WESTERN KENTUCKY against Gonzaga. Luckily we had the HILLTOPPERS of WESTERN KENTUCKY who covered the generous 11 point spread. TEXAS A&M wasn't too close but MICHIGAN wasnt too awful. Alas, we went 1-2. Today we have 2 nifty plays.

We are big believers of "ride the horse that brung you here".  Therefore we like the underdog CLEVELAND STATE VIKINGS versus Arizona today. This is a rough bunch of customers from CLEVELAND STATE. Play good defense. Have good guards. Take em plus the 3 points.

LOUISVILLE has been a quiet assassin all year. They smash teams quite a bit. Yes this number looks quite large (11.5 point spread) and Siena isn't awful but we think LOUISVILLE's defensive surge will win the day. As they like to say in Vegas, lay it pal.

So: CLEVELAND STATE + 3 vs Arizona, LOUISVILLE -11.5 vs Siena. Good luck and god bless.

Big D Asks How We Doin So Far?

Well that's 4-2 in NCAA Selections thus far and it's only day 3 of the tournament. Do you look smart now because Big Dick clued you in on a little team called CLEVELAND STATE? Of course you do. Geez, you make money all kinds of ways on this blog, don't you?  Without any further adieu-doo, let's lay down today's 3 winners. 

The Huskies of Connecticut won a nice one for their sick Coach Calhoun Thursday and the Coach will be back today. But alas, they do not get to play Chattanooga again. They play TEXAS A&M. A&M is no joke here. Uconn a notorious bad heavy favorite and today they lay 10 points. That's heavy in Big D's book. This game will go to the buzzer. Take the points with TEXAS A&M.

Speaking of coaches, COACH JOHN BEILEIN for MICHIGAN is as good as they come this time of year. That's why we were all over them on Thursday as they "upset" (not in Big D's eyes of course) Clemson. Well they play a tougher foe in Oklahoma today but that line looks a bit fishy no? We smell another buzzer beater! MICHIGAN +6.5 is the call.

Finally, Gonzaga has been a lot of people's darlings in the past. Well they sneak up on no one anymore and now they are "fat cats" and expected to go far in the tourney all the time. Well today they play the HILLTOPPERS of WESTERN KENTUCKY. With a name like that alone we like WESTERN KENTUCKY but they can also play some nice balanced team basketball. Gonzaga a shaky 2-7 versus the pointspread the last 9 games they've played in the NCAA. Oh the line? Gonzaga -11. Climb to the top of the handicapping hill with the HILLTOPPERS!

So your winners for today are as follows: TEXAS A&M+10 vs Uconn, MICHIGAN+6.5 vs Oklahoma, W.KENTUCKY+11 vs Gonzaga. Good luck and god bless!!

I Was Going to Write About MBIA Restructuring...But This is Far More Important.

I was writing a smart ass piece on MBIA's latest restructuring when I learned that NY Giant great Brad Van Pelt died of an apparent heart attack at his home.  He was 57 years old.  I'm sad.  To have been a Giant fan back when Mr. Van Pelt played was usually dissappointing.  Brad Van Pelt and punter Dave Jennings were usually the only bright spots.  My father, who was a life long Giant fan used to say to me, "Eric, I've been a Giant fan all my life so I HAVE to watch this.  Why don't you root for the Cowboys or the Steelers!"

Anyway, Mr. Van Pelt was a great one and a key bridge to the great Giant teams of the 1980's as he finished his Giant career playing with a young Lawrence Taylor.  He will be missed.

 

Wth regard to MBIA here's a little discussion I had with one of our loyal readers;

Reader:  "MBIA is going to sell a AA wrap?"

Me: "I don't even pay attention to what they do anymore."

Reader:  "They are to muni's what GM is to cars."

Enough said!

**I was just reminded that I may have dissed the great Harry Carson.  Carson started in 1976...Ah, Brian Kelly too.  Sorry boys.  I just remember the years where the Giants always seemed to be looking for a new place to play, changing their uniforms and losing...a lot.

A Letter to the New York (New Jersey?) Jets

Dear New York Jets who live and play in New Jersey,

Hi Jets! Its me Richie B from Section 107! I just got a beautiful glossy packet that must've cost you a fortune to produce! It talked about your new Personal Seat License (PSL) program for the "privately funded" stadium you are going to move into with your colleagues, The New York (New Jersey) Giants! I must say it was an interesting read this packet. Very intricate. Lots of moving parts. Even had examples of other season ticket holders and advice as to what they should do about tickets for the new stadium opening up 2010. I was captivated.

It says about 20 times how you are going to grant seat preferences based on seniority (how long one has held season tickets for the Jets). It also says you only have records though dating back to Jan 1, 1977. What, did you trade those season ticket records before that with Joe Namath to the LA Rams too?! Sorry, a little humor there......Well I can tell you my family has had these tickets since the Jets played at the Polo Grounds (1960-63) which is now an apartment building. We were there when you guys opened at Shea in 1964 with the Beatles and Mets. You guys practiced in my hometown in the 60s and the aformentioned Joe "Willie" Namath took pictures with me as a little tyke at those practices. (A little aside: you know how it was a common saying that black folks had at least a picture of 3 people in their house in the 60s, Jesus Christ, JFK, and Martin Luther King? Well Im not sure if we had a picture of those 3 guys but we did have one of Joe Namath). If you look real closely at the old clips at what has turned out to be your most important home game of all time, the 1968 (yes I said 1968) AFL Championship Game versus the hated Raaaayyyy-duuuuuuuhssss on that 8 degree December day, I was there! Those cold rainy Sunday's  in the 70s when you were like 3-10 and there were 2 people bundled up in the upper deck still cheering in a meaningless game? That was me and my old man who I DRAGGED to the game. You think he wanted to go? But he went anyway.

So I guess I have made my point that I am as loyal as there is. So when I looked at my seats in the new stadium you can imagine my expression when, if I want them back, I need to fork up 10 grand per ticket upfront for the PRIVILEGE of buying the seats at $140 per ticket per game. Since you require season ticket holders to buy 10 games (8 regular season + 2 crappy, nothing pre-season games) that's $1400 per ticket per season X 3 tickets = $4200. Add up my 30 grand upfront number and we are looking at $34,200 in 2010 to get my tickets. Um, can you tell me what the Per Capita Income is of this country? I think its close to $34k!! Then I have to renew every year at $4200 provided you dont raise my ticket prices after that. My tickets right now cost $800 per SEASON per ticket. Thats $2400 a season. I thought the FED was worried about DEflation not Inflation? We havent even talked about if you make the playoffs which will be a LOT extra. But lucky for us Jet fans we dont have to worry about that expense too much (Has it really been 40 years since we beat the Colts in Miami). Um, are you guys watching what is happening in the economy? 

Oh, but look here, if I dont want to fork over a PSL payment I can sit in the upper deck where tickets are priced at $125, 105, and if you want to sit in the last row, you can pay $95 per game. I find it interesting that the worst seats in the house are still 20% higher then my current decent seats. So Jets you have put me in a bit of a pickel. See if I keep my current seats, how do I explain it to the missus? You know how explain it? I dont. She explains it to me. If I get to spend almost 35 dimes on "stupid football", she can get to spend at LEAST that on "stuff" she wants. So I look at this as a 70k proposition. For chrissakes, I can buy a nice house for that amount in one of these foreclosure auctions.

I see you dont give us a lot of time to make a decision. I have until February 3! I think this is called impulse buying or something. You try and scare me into it. Only you dont try and just scare me into it. You try and scare 80,000+ suckers into it all at the same time. 

Don't worry you'll have my answer on the 3rd of February and it will be a long answer. Hey that'll be right after the Super Bowl! Do the Steelers or Cards make their fans pay for PSLs for the exciting football that they showcase? No? Well then in closing, I'd just like to say thanks for nothin'. Assclowns.

Love,

Richie

P.S. I'm making up some "Jets in '69" t-shirts. Not for 1969. For 2069. Good luck finding the suckers.

Congratulations to Bulldog Stables!

Let's take a breather from the latest leg of the financial meltdown (I figure sometime around noon we will be on Citi nationalization watch for the next few days) to congratulate our friends at Bulldog Stables.  Bulldog is a new horse racing syndicate that we have a "interest in".  Yesterday, in the fridged cold, Bulldog's "No Bloviating" took his place in the starting gate in Race 4 from the Big A.  No Bloviating had something to prove and he was determined!  Racing 1mile on the dirt, "No Blo" started slow, pacing the pack. Then, from way back on the last turn, "No Blo" began his charge.  Soon he caught and then pulled away from the pack with authority winning by 8.5 lengths!!

Congratulations Bulldog Stables on your first of MANY wins!  Here's a little piece we did with the President of Bulldog Stables, Sean Bennett;
 

You Think Big Dick Forgot About You?

As I listen to my Sirius/XM Radio Channel 7 (playing all 70's music with no commercials), with "Don't Do Me Like That" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers playing, I am aware we went 1-2 last week in our NFL Wild Card round. You might be saying "Big D dont do me like that." But this gets all erased this Sunday afternoon when the SAN DIEGO SUPERCHARGERS getting 6 points, cover the spread versus Pittsburgh, in BIG DICK'S PLAYOFF LOCK OF THE YEAR!!

You heard that right. The CHARGERS are such a fantastic underdog we couldn't believe our eyes when they were getting 6 points in a game we thought they should maybe get 2.5 or 3. Thats the message Richie and Eric try to portray on this site right? Where the value lies (or lackthereof!) in all markets? Well theres unbeliveable value here with SAN DIEGO. So dont pay attention to the weather reports and the sunny, warm  SAN DIEGO team traveling to chilly Pittsburgh. Do pay attention to the fact that the SUUUUUUUUUUPER CHARGERS are 19 out of 22 covering the spread when they are underdog the last 6 years. This game comes down to a field goal.

SAN DIEGO +6 at Pitt. BIG D's PLAYOFF LOCK OF THE YEAR. Good luck and god bless.  

Getting Ready For "The Football"! First A Message From Plaxico Burress.

This just came into us from one of our friends.  John McCain had "Joe the Plumber", we have "Bruce the Roofer".  Straight out of Pittsburgh, just like Plaxico, Bruce the Roofer is having a little fun with us Giant fans.  We can take it.  I haven't spoken to Big D, but I'm feeling REAL good about the Giants right now, even without Plaxico.  What does any of this have to do with business?  Nothing, which sometimes is a good thing.  Enjoy.

Big Dick is Anti-AFC East

Well folks its a little bit late but on purpose this week. You see we wanted to see how the 2 games shook out prior to Sunday in the NFL. And you know what happened? Both AFC teams that needed to win, won. The Colts and the Ravens have turned up the heat on the other guys in the AFC. Boy do Miami, New England, and the Jets NEED these games today if they want to get to the playoffs. Not surprisingly they are all favored.

But you know what? The oddsmaker knows this and we dont really care who wins the games outright when we are betting pointspreads. And we are playing pointspreads. Therefore, lets go AGAINST the teams that need em! Controversial? Sure. Winning formula over time? You bet your asssscot.

So: KC+4 vs miami, ARIZONA+7.5 @ new england, SEATTLE+4 vs New York Jets.

Good luck and god bless.

Big Dick Late but Ready!

Big Dick is in parts "unknown" but he left us some choices because thats what he does. He said SANFRAN +6 at Miami and NY GIANTS +3 at Dallas today after his nifty choice of the OVER in the Chicago game on Thursday night. Run dont walk to the "investing" windows. SANFRAN and NY GIANTS!

The National Hockey League is INSANE!

Let's try and change gears here after that awful jobs report.  I love ice hockey.  I think that after football it is far and away the best spectator sport around.  My eight year old plays and has inspired me to "try" to learn how to play.  So far I have a lot of bumps and bruises with little else to show for it.  Anyway, I was scanning the headlines and I see, "Sean Avery Meets With NHL Commissioner to Discuss Suspension."  Me, being a big Ranger fan and Avery fan, figures, "Oh man, what did he do?  I hope he didn't two hand an opponent across the face of something vicious like that?"  Then I  read what he is suspended for.  Apparently he called his former girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert

 

"Sloppy seconds" because she is dating a new guy who plays on the Calgary Flames.  I swear I had to read this at least three times to make sure I got it right!  The NHL is going to suspend Sean Avery for ranking on his ex.  Not only that, but it seems every NHL beat-writer is up in arms too.  Some of them think he should be drummed out of the league.  This reminds me of the finale of "Slapshot" where in the middle of the greatest hockey brawl of all time, Ned Braden starts to do a striptease on the ice and the "old-time hockey guys," who have blood dripping from the knuckles say, "Stop him...that's disgusting!!"

This is why the NHL can't seem to ever get its act together and promote a game that has something for everybody.  Sean Avery, while admittedly a bit off the wall at times, is a player his team's fans love and a player that everyone else loves to hate.  He makes people turn on the TV set and watch the game!  He's got very good skills and every time he's on the ice SOMETHING happens.  More importantly, I took my son to get his autograph last year and he was the nicest athlete I ever met.  The guy made every boy, girl, mother, father, grandparent, etc., feel like a million bucks.  In fact I think he was pissing off the guys who run the signings because he was letting everyone take pictures with him, regardless of whether they paid or not.  I swear, he would get with a kid and his dad, have someone take the picture and then say, "Hey, check it and make sure it came out good.  If not we can snap another one."

So the NHL is nuts.  Sean Avery can;

1. Play hockey really well.
2. Bring the fans into the arena and onto the TV.
3. Be real nice to kids.
4. Shag supermodels.
5. Dump supermodels!

Smarten up NHL!

I Know its Wednesday, but Its Still Time for Big D!!

Editor's Note--Yes its Wednesday, but since this weekend starts technically tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, we are going to have Big Dick from Big Dick's Picks lay his 6 picks down right now! We figure Big D will build on his 4-2 winning weekend last week so lets get to the ACKKK-SHUNNNNN!

Ah yes Richie, we were happy last week but not completely satisfied. We never are, unless we go 6-0. Speaking of 6-0, here are the 6 feastful picks! In order of when they are being played. First on Turkey Day! Pass the dark meat and the stuffing and go against  "America's team" the Dallas Cowboys. +13 is too many with the now healthy SEATTLE SEAHAWKS. Take the SEAHAGS. On Friday, UCLA plays in the desert at Arizona State. Both teams have had disappointing seasons. But Asu lays 10 points to UCLA? Too many pal. Take UCLA+10!

Saturday gives us the CINCINNATI BEARCATS favored by 22 against the Syracuse Orangemen. Well Syracuse stepped waaaaaay up last week and beat Notre Dame. CINCY is no joke. Syracuse has had their "success" and will lay down. Lay the 22 with CINCY. Also on Saturday, in the battle of Houston, we like the home underdog RICE OWLS getting 3 points. WHOOOO? The RICE OWLS. Thats WHOOOOO.

Sunday brings that awful battle on the West Coast, Oakland versus Kansas City. We smell a real defensive battle even though both teams scored a lot last week. 41.5 is too high of a total. UNDER! Finally, on Monday Night, the smart bet this year has been OVER. There are 2 very good OVER teams going HOUSTON and JACKSONVILLE. Yes the total is high at 48 but take OVER!

To recap: Thursday: SEA+13 @ Dal, Friday: UCLA+10 @ Arizona State, Saturday: CIN-22 vs Syr, RICE+3 vs Hou, Sunday: UNDER 41.5 OAK/KC, Monday: OVER 48 HOU/JAX.

From all of us here at Big Dick's Picks, we wish you and yours a most happy, healthy, and profitable Thanksgiving. Enjoy the turkey, the lobster, and champagne. Oh you dont have lobster and champagne on Thanksgiving? Big D does. You should too. Enjoy.

Friday = BDP

Editor's Note--You've heard the word GDP thrown around a lot this week to determine the ol' "are we in a recession yet" argument. Well we've got another measure that you can use on Friday's. Its called BDP. As in Big Dick's Picks. Big D finished 3-3 last week but not without some angst that he I'm sure will touch upon. Lets get to the gridiron with Big Dick!--RB

Richie, that was a bit of a tough pill to swallow last week. We didn't do much in the horsies but we were right that CURLIN wouldnt win. Just picked the wrong pony to beat him. We went 3-3 in the football but we were about 3 plays away from being 6-0. But as my daddy, Big Big Dick, always used to say, "a friend in need is a pest." So we wont act needy. But we will lay you down with the best 6 selections of the weekend. 3 in the college. 3 in the NFL. Here goes.

Apparently one of the lineman on the UCONN HUSKIES writes a blog. That's good enough for Big D! Well actually the fact that UCONN has covered the spread 10 of 11 at home is what put us over the edge. Take UCONN! Big Dick is aware it's not basketball season but DUKE is really playing nice FOOTBALL. Wake Forest is a bad favorite. Take DUKE! Finally, in the college, ARKANSAS STATE looks great. You say, "Big Dick.......ARKANSAS STATE?! Where did you get that one?" Well they are merely playing the 2nd best team in the land, Alabama. But when you put a nice +23 points next to ARKANSAS STATE, the RED WOLVES (yes that's their mascot) look really nice. Take em!

In the NFL where we were dealt some unlucky bounces (and refereeing), we'll play some lower profile games and stay away from the higher profile ones. In Minny, we like the red hot HOUSTON TEXANS +4.5. Then we'll take 2 totals on tried and true scoring home teams. Believe it or not, the CHICAGO BEARS are the best OVER team at home in the last 3 years in the NFL. Take the OVER in their matchup with Detroit. Next best OVER team? Denver Donkeys, um Broncos. Lets go over with Denver and Miami.

So there they are. Your 6 secrets to happiness in the next 48 hours. Saturday: UCONN+4 vs West Virginia, DUKE+8 @ Wake Forest, ARKANSAS STATE+23 @ Alabama. Sunday: HOUSTON+4.5 @ Minnesota. OVER 43 CHI/DET, OVER 49 DEN/MIA. Good luck and god bless to all of you. Spook your bookmaker this Halloween! Boo!

Redistribute the Wealth Indeed!

ESPN.com is reporting that Wayne Huizenga owner of 50.1% of the NFL's Miami Dolphins has sold his remaining stake to Stephen Ross who previously held the other 49.9%. Now its not shocking that  Huizenga sold his part of the team since he had agreed to do that at some point in the future when he sold Ross the first piece. The shocking thing was what Wayne said.

He told the Sun-Sentinel that he knew that Barack Obama wants to raise capital gains taxes if he were to be elected. So Wayne came with this, "I'd rather give it to charity than to him. If you do it this year or you do it next year, the difference is humongous because of the taxes." Yowsah. The Obama campaign came out and actually disputed this assessment. Sounds like John McCain might want to have a fundraiser party at Wayne Huzienga's house in swing state Florida. Wayne also has some dough in his pocket and might be able to contribute some more to the campaign.

Where's the Best Place for Your Money? With Big Dick of Course!

Editor's Note--The markets are all a twitter but so is your bookmaker if you've been following Big Dick's Picks! Another snappy 4-2 weekend from the Big Man and in times like this we wait with baited breath for his splendid selections. And what's this some HORSIE selections too?! Oh my! Go Big D Go!!--R.B.

Well, well, well thank you very much Richie. Yes we have a lot to cover so we will have "No Bloviating" (remember those words as we will come back to that in a second!) today. We were 4-2 but we always strive for 6-0 lets see if we can get that and then some this weekend.

The college we run with the big dogs! As in the underdogs. MINNESOTA is good. purdue not so much. MINNESOTA is a small underdog. Take them. UCLA might not be great in the outright win column but they are certainly good in the betting column. They get too many from a good but not great Cal team. UCLA+17 points is a gift. ARIZONA has hung with usc in the recent past. This time under the lights in Tucson will be no different. We also get 16 points for our troubles. Nice.

In the NFL, ATLANTA getting 9 at philly is too many. MATT RYAN is a good QB and will keep it close. The BROWNS of CLEVELAND arent pretty but they cover the spread a lot. Jacksonville might be a bit inflated. Take the touchdown with the BROWNS. In Pittsburgh, the Steelers go OVER a lot. Look for fireworks versus the Giants. OVER!

Now the horsie game. Yes the Breeders Cup starts today in pretty Pasadena, California at Santa Anita Park. The girl horsies run today. The boys tomorrow. In Race 3 today at 3:35pm eastern, 12:35 pacific lets try an exacta box (must be top 2 finishers in either order) #3 INTAGROO and the #8 TIZ ELEMENTAL, and in Race 7 the "Ladies Classic" try another exacta box #1 ZENYATTA with #2 HYSTERICAL LADY. In tomorrow's action, in the CLASSIC lets go against Curlin! Lets try the #2 CASINO DRIVE and an exacta box #1GO BETWEEN and #2 CASINO DRIVE.

Finally, the monkey business boys are very well rounded as we know. Well they are part of a horse syndicate called "Our Bulldog Stable". The stable has its inaugural run on Sunday at beautiful Belmont Park in Elmont, New York on the Queens and Long Island border. The horse they are running is a 2 year old colt that they have high hopes for. Its in the 3rd race Sunday which should go off at around 2pm eastern. All are welcome to attend and meet with the boys and the horse and other luminaries. Oh the horse's name? NO BLOVIATING. Named and endorsed by the fellow who made the phrase popular, Mr. Bill O'Reilly of Fox News. Bill cant make it out on Sunday but he will be there in spirit as the syndicate will donate a portion of the prize money to one of Bill's favorite charities. Exciting stuff. Go NO BLOVIATING! 

To Recap today race 3 at santa anita: 3,8 exacta box. race 7: 1,2 exacta box. Saturday:MINNESOTA +1 @ Purdue, UCLA+17 @ Cal, ARIZONA+16 vs usc. Saturday Race 9 at Santa Anita: #2 to win, 1,2 exacta box. Sunday: ATLANTA+9 @ Philly, CLEVELAND+7 @ Jacksonville, and OVER 42 Pit/NY. Also, go to beautiful Belmont Park on Sunday to watch "No Bloviating". Good luck and god bless.

It's All Fun and Games Until Somebody Loses All Sponsors

Don't know if youve noticed lately but theres been a little bit of grumbling in the world of sports about this global financial crisis. Well I've been saying for years that these groovy sports figure "guaranteed" contracts are going to be questioned and tested some day. Lots of people used to look at me funny as if to say, "yeah guy the sports world is insulated from the global economy. It is its OWN economy." I used to just smile. Now I laugh at people. If General Electric is/was in trouble, EVERYBODY and ANYTHING can be in trouble. And you know what? Now it is.

Those funny sports where the racing cars go around a track? Like NASCAR and Formula I? Yeah they have issues retaining sponsors. You know sponsors like car companies, financial companies, and retailers that dont have any more money? Yeah it appears that some of the boards of those companies decided that since they are either bankrupt or at the brink of bankruptcy that sponsoring these events is not a key part of their recovery process. Funny that. Now a bunch of these cars have no sponsors and entire races are being canceled.

The "major" sports? Lets see how the 4 New York City tri-state teams do selling luxury boxes to their brand spankin new stadiums that are opening in 2009 and 2010. Lets also see in this free agency winter how the baseball players who are free agents do versus the recent past.

Not that we are supposed to feel sorry for these fat cats in the sporting world that are "just games" but there's trouble on the horizon. You know what you should do today too? Check the financial strength of the major networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, who have given lucrative "guaranteed" contracts to these sports so that they can pay all these crazy players "guaranteed" money. Can you think of a scenario where one of these networks is at the brink of bankruptcy and tells one of the major sports networks, "um you renegotiate that stupid TV money we gave you sports league, or we go bust and let you wait in line for your money in bankruptcy court with the rest of the assclowns we owe money to."

I know I was a little bit ahead of the gun when I said this a couple of years back but is anyone telling me I'm nuts now? Some might be. I think those are the same guys who bought financial stocks when Bear Stearns went down. How'd that work out? Think about it. Good luck sports players......

You Know What Friday Brings Us Boys and Girls

Editors Note--Although only posting a 3-3 week, we must admit that was a lot better then other "investments" we had during the week. The big man Big Dick from Big Dick's Picks is raring to go with some more winners for your Saturday and Sunday pleasure. Take it away Big D!!--RB

Yes Richie, we always want to win but I guess 3-3 wasnt awful considering what else went on with peoples assets last week. This week was a little better in the markets and we strive to do a LOT better in our choices. So here we go! Saturday in the college we like 3 live underdogs. 2 of them are home and one on the road. IOWA STATE is a sneaky good team versus the spread and Nebraska aint what they used to be. We also get 6.5 points in Ames, Iowa, the heartland. Take the home team IOWA STATE CYCLONES. VIRGINIA was left for dead after the first few weeks of the season. Not anymore. They are hot. Yes they play a good North Carolina team but UVA always gives Carolina fits. We are getting 5.5 points in Charlottsville. Take the home lovin CAVALIERS! Lastly, in the college, OLE MISS, has already beaten Florida in Florida and their 3 losses are by a combined 15 points. Alabama is great this year but the spread of 13 is too big to ignore. Take the REBELS of OLE MISS and the points!

On Sunday, the San Diego Chargers take a long trip to play in hostile BUFFALO. The bookies are begging you to take San Diego. Not Big Dick. He likes BUFFALO  and you should too. There should be points a plenty, as it usually is, in Chicago when Minnesota comes to town. The OVER is a good call. Play it. Finally, the MIAMI DOLPHINS aren't half bad this year. The Ravens are old on defense and weak on offense. Not a good combo. Take the FISH-3!

So Saturday: IOWA STATE+6.5 vs Nebraska, VIRGINIA+5.5 vs North Carolina, and MISSISSIPPI +13 @ Alabama, Sunday: BUFFALO pick em vs San Diego, OVER 38 CHI/MIN, and MIA-3 vs Baltimore. Good luck and god bless.

The Markets are Down but Big Dick Is Up!

Editors Note--Its been a rough week in the markets and its still not over but you know where it isn't rough? With our good pal, Big Dick of Big Dick's Picks! He produced a 3 win 2 loss 1 tie week in his gridiron gifts to the public last weekend and he's amped up and ready to go again. Take it away Big D!!--RB

Well Richie as you said it has been a topsy-turvy (and mostly turvy) week out there. But we've kept our focus at Big Dick's Picks and have some fabulous football follies for you again. Let's cut to the chase.

The MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS are having a nice season. Illinois put a whuppin on Michigan last week which is causing some spread inflation. MINNY not bad on the road either. We'll take the juicy 12 points too! VANDERBILT also playing well. Undefeated. Have a tough game at Miss. St. But they will win and cover the 2.5. Lastly in the college, UCLA has been erratic but they can hang with this weaker version of Oregon. Oh and we get 18 points for our troubles. Thats a lotta wheat.

On Sunday, in the NFL, we like CAROLINA getting a sneaky 1 point at Tampa. The JAGUARS are getting healthy and the Broncos are not. The 3.5 looks like a generous amount of points that we will gladly take. The weather in SEATTLE should be ok. GREEN BAY likes to go OVER on the road. SEATTLE likes to go OVER at home. Smells like a nice OVER.

So: Saturday: MIN+12@ Ill, VANDY-2.5 @ Miss. St, UCLA+18 @ Oregon. Sunday: CAR+1 @ TB, JAX+3.5 @ Den, OV SEA/GB 46.5. Be careful out there! Good luck and god bless.