Blogcritics Author: Casey Michel

Batman 3: No Room For Robins In The Knight

Casey Michel — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 13:04:25 EDT

In the world of Batman, there is simply no room for the teenage Robin.
We all have our own image of Batman, the singular idea of what the Caped Crusader is, does, and feels. For some, that idea looks like Frank Miller’s tank, a roided-out behemoth with hands the size of bobcats and a face you couldn’t saw through. Others see Batman as the nonsensical, fat-guy-in-a-little-coat Adam West, someone’s...

The Mariners' Darkest Days

Casey Michel — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:47:39 EDT

Pegged as contenders before the season began, Seattle's tailspin has many culprits and no accountability.
While the world struggles through Myanmar, the credit crunch, and seemingly ceaseless Democratic bickering, the sports section has provided a bastion of light for the dark days in which we find ourselves. Tales of unbridled generosity on the softball diamond, a Boston Dream Team for the ages, and a certain Webb awing audiences with his gems over...

Should Softball's Chop Be No More?

Casey Michel — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:46:12 EDT

The Baltimore Chop, one of the most underused plays in baseball, has found unparalleled success on the softball field.
The game of baseball has many great moments -- the suicide squeeze, a do-it-yourself triple play, and a successful "daylight" pickoff move represent just a few of the best. Not only do these plays result in gleeful grins from fans, but baseball writers of years of yore scrounged for nicknames to describe them. From basket catches to worm-burners,...

Marvin Harrison and the Public's Trust

Casey Michel — Tue, 6 May 2008 14:05:18 EDT

Because of his previous reputation, Harrison's downfall may be one of the toughest pills the public has had to swallow in a long time.
Prior to the beginning of the month, do you think Marvin Harrison would have been happy to see a cop gunned down in a botched Philadelphia robbery? Because I'm sure he never would have thought that, either. I know that's a morbid way to start a column, but bear with me, because the topic at hand doesn't get any better. For those of you who have...

Why The NBA Playoffs Need To Be Changed

Casey Michel — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:46:28 EDT

The time has come for the most deserving teams, not just the lucky ones, to climb into the NBA playoffs.
Contrary to what some may say out there, good sports writing still exists. Ian Thomsen, the balding Sports Illustrated sage -- he and TrueHoop's Henry Abbott should form a club -- can usually be counted on to donate his time toward sound NBA observations. His writing in the magazine is some of the finest out there, but, as I am a poor college...

Futility And Despair: The Saga Of The Texas Rangers

Casey Michel — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:32:13 EDT

Since its inception nearly 50 years ago, the Rangers' organization has exuded an atmosphere of failure and ineptitude.
Would you want to be Jon Daniels? No, I'm not talking about being a multi-millionaire before 30 - you can go into investment banking if that's all you care about. I'm talking about being the general manager of the Texas Rangers.When Daniels was hired before the 2006 season, only a few years fresh from his Cornell graduation, he was charged with...

Griffey's Return To Seattle: A Hero's Welcome

Casey Michel — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:12:23 EDT

For most people, the end of childhood comes gradually. But one man changed that all.
For most people, the end of childhood comes gradually. The final stroke of this elemental phase of your life usually takes time to develop, and most people are often unaware of the measured, minuscule changes taking place that land them in the throes of adulthood. There is rarely a defining point, a singular moment where you can...