Stats Geek: Making the same mistake twice

John Daly Losing a lot of Money Gambling, Pirates Losing a lot of Games

-Las Vegas, Associated Press
John Daly says he has lost between $50 million and $60 million during 12 years of heavy gambling and that it has become a problem that could "flat-out ruin me" if he doesn't bring it under control.

He told one story of earning $750,000 when he lost in a playoff to Tiger Woods last fall in San Francisco at a World Golf Championship. Instead of going home, he drove to Las Vegas and says he lost $1.65 million in five hours playing mostly $5,000 slot machines.

These are stories you just cant make up. What a read that book could be.

He said he owed $4 million to casinos in two years of gambling until he won the 1995 British Open at St. Andrews, his second major. That victory and the ability to get handsome appearance fees enabled him to pay off the debt.

A casinos dream come true a guy like John Daly. And what is better than watching a sports figure fighting for their livelihood out there everyday with debt collectors breathing down his neck rather than the regular ham n egger just collectin a pay check.

Now back to what you are all here for.
The Quest For 100

-Chicago, Associated Press
The Pirates dropped to 1-13 on the road and 7-20 overall. They had four hits, just one in the first six innings.

Pirates become the first team to 20 losses and they lead the Royals by 2 losses in that category.

Their losing percentage of .259 is worst in NL and second worst in the majors.

They are 11.5 games back...of the Reds, thats worst in the NL and .5 back of the Royals.

Their 13 road losses are a league best and they are 2-8 in their last 10 games.

The Pirates are 8.5 games back of the fifth place team in the NL Central.

They have been outscored 140-102 this season.

Post-Gazette

So which was the Pirates' dumber move? Letting go of Joe Randa at 27 or paying millions of dollars to get him back at 36?

"We had a very poor -- poor -- pitching performance," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said, speaking slowly as if to emphasize the point. "We pitched poorly -- right from the get-go. We ... pitched ... poorly."
More specifically, Perez ... pitched ... poorly.

And it has begun, Tracy is throwing his players on the bus, and its barely May, this season really can not get much uglier.

The Pirates have not scored more than three runs since April 18, a Franchise best since 1950.

Keep an eye out on the record books, as the Pirates hitting futility and insane road mark of 1-13 is bound to be breaking some Major League ALL TIME records soon.

-n