Challenge the Stupid Sportswriter 2007: Week 2
Naw, we weren't robbed like Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano was by some nut who ran onto the field at Fenway Park and snatched the hat off his head Sunday night.
The second week of Fred Roggin's "Challege" was another uneven performance by those who participated in the "Rapid Fire" segment, both in the studio and at some chicken wings bar in Rancho Cucamonga who claim they couldn't hear the questions.
That segment is a mess, and poor Fred doesn't know what to do about it. The questions are too hard, the contestants aren't smart enough. Awkward pauses is all we seem to ge tout it. The only highlight was when Petro Papadakis kissed the contestant who dared get as many as five right in the inept drive to get 10 correct and win a gift certificate.
Anyway, at least the Challenge waited until after the final pitch of the Yankees-Red Sox game on ESPN before it started. We worried we'd miss the real action.
For the record, we got only six of eight right, and one of them was a late guess. The result: 180 points, tied for 77th, 100 points out of first. Even Roggin's wife, Richel, did better with 200 points. No, she doesn't get told the questions ahead of time. No really. Really, she doesn't. Or does she get any assistance from others watching with her. Really. Swear. Really.
After a 190-point effort in the opening week, we stand tied for No. 26 in the overall standings with 370 points. That's 35 points by our calculator more than Mrs. Roggin.
Again, we have the DirecTV delayed handicap. What's your excuse?
Here's how week 2 fell into place with the questions:
Q1: What is the name of the Arena Football League team owned by John Elway?
a) Philadelphia Soul
b) Arizona Rattlers
c) Chicago Fire
d) Colorado Crush
Q2: You make the call: (A video is shown of the Colts' Peyton Manning throwing a pass toward the end zone to Stokley, who is hit by a defender and the pass goes incomplete):
a) Incomplete pass
b) Defensive pass interference
c) Offensive pass interference
d) Unnecessary roughness
Q3: Who is the winningest coach in NFL history?
a) Vince Lombardi
b) Tom Landry
c) Don Shula
d) Chuck Noll
Q4: Relief pitcher Rollie Fingers won the Cy Young and MVP Award in 1981 with what team?
a) Oakland A's
b) San Diego Padres
c) Milwaukee Brewers
d) Montreal Expos
Q5: (audio) Which former wrestler is singing this song?
a) Hulk Hogan
b) Randy "Macho Man" Savage
c) The Ultimate Warrior
d) Rowdy Roddy Piper
Q6: Who was the last Dodger pitcher to have a higher batting average than ERA in a season?
a) Burt Hooten
b) Sandy Koufax
c) Orel Hershiser
d) Fernando Valenzuela
Q7: Irvine native Amanda Beard has won how many Olympic medals?
a) 5
b) 8
c) 7
d) 6
Q8: Only 2 players in major league history have given up a home run to both Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds. One is a former Angel. Name him.
a) Frank Tanana
b) Nolan Ryan
c) Ken Forsch
d) Bert Blyleven
The answers:
A1: d) Colorado Crush. Got it right. Got 35 points.
A2: a) Incomplete. The defensive PI is nullified because another player tipped the pass before the contact. Thought it was an obvious PI. Got it wrong. 0 points.
A3: c) Shula. Got it right. Got 35 points.
A4: c) Milwakee Brewers. Got it right. Got 35 points.
A5: a) Hulk Hogan. The song: "Beach Patrol." I had the audio turned down (maybe someday I'll explain why) and simply guessed. Got it right. Got 35 points.
A6: d) Valenzuela, who, in 1981, batted .250 with a 2.48 ERA. That was my hunch guess, but for some reason I went with Hershiser thinking he did better in '88. Got it wrong. 0 points.
A7: c) 7. No clue. Waited until the three wrong answers went by and picked the right one. Got 10 points.
A8: a) Tanana. Along with Rick Reuschel. Got it right. Got 30 points.
A look back at the 2007 season:
==Week 1
Comments
You're right Tom..I confess..
Cooper the Dog helped me with
the Fernando question..Anyway,
keep your chin up and maybe I
can get my hands on one of those little Challenge footballs for you.
Posted by: richel rogan | September 17, 2007 11:56 AM