The Mighty MJD’s weekly attempts to summarize Saturday afternoon’s slate of English soccer are kinda like listening to David Brinkley wax poetic about the Dangerhouse catalog. It’s a free fucking country, and if he wants to embarrass himself, hey, who am I to argue? I mean, it can’t be any worse than anything I might write about The World Series Of Poking Someone’s Eyes Out.
Today, however, Deadspin’s weekend stooge ventures into uncharted territory. Commenting on France’s 37-12 win over Italy in the Six Nations, MMJD observes,
Is anyone else shocked that the French can win at a sport as violent and physical as Rugby?
(France’s Florian Fritz, eager to meet the guy who questions his violent abilities)
Let’s see. Les Tricolores won the Five Nations in 1955, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1968 (a Grand Slam, having won all 4 matches), 1970, been part of a five-way tie in 1973, another Grand Slam win in 1977, yet another in 1981, a tie with Ireland in 1983, a tie with Scotland in ’86, a Grand Slam in ’87, winners in ’88, ’93, and a Grand Slam in 1998.
Since the creation of the Six Nations, France have won in 2002 and 2004. They were also runners-up in the 1999 World Cup, having beaten the heavily favored All Blacks in the semi-final in what had to be considered one of the biggest upsets of the era.
So if anyone else is genuinely shocked by France beating Italy at home, well, to quote the super-offended caveman from the Geico commercial, “next time, do a little research.”
GC: I’m surprised you continue to harp on the minor trangressions of poor Deadspin, given they’re cleary the go-to online sports source for folks too busy trying to network via blog comments & MySpace to bother w/ niggling things like “research” or “flushing.”
While I’m here, I’d like to plug my new site, http://MSNSportsFilterGotJobbed.tv – it’s hot.
David,
if nothing else, it’s pretty clear I’m not above harping on the same minor transgressions, over and over again.
I’m all for networking via blog comments and MySpace. Unless your name is Robert and you’re trying to arrange soccer tryouts for your kids. In which case, I will come round to your house with a big rock if you ever post here again.
I’m serious.
GC
“I mean, it can’t be any worse than anything I might write about The World Series Of Poking Someone’s Eyes Out.”
C’mon, don’t sell yourself short. I’m pretty sure you could write a flat one-liner after posting a generic poker story.
Please continue posting every French championship though. Fascinating read.
poker, I’ve got nothing to say about, either way. The World Series Of Poking Someone’s Eyes Out”, however, will be occupy plenty of CSTB in the weeks and months to come.
Joel, given your status as Deadspin’s resident apologist, I wouldn’t expect you to be able to tell difference between, a) listing every French Rugby Union title and b) pointing out that a statement like “anyone else shocked that the French can win at a sport as violent and physical as Rugby?” could only have been composed by someone with virtually no sense of the sport’s past or present.