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Saturday Night Off-season Open Thread 14 and 1000th Post!

ballsofsteelandfury

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Holy shit! I never in my life thought I’d write 1000 posts for this wee website. I never thought I would write 1000 things period.

All I want to say is Thank You to y’all for allowing me to write and do something I never thought I’d do. It’s surreal.

I’m particularly proud that Marika is the banner image for the 1000th post. She was brought to us by 2Pack but she has quickly become a DFO favourite. Well, at least a Ballsy favourite!

In these Off-season Open Threads, I’ll sum up the week that was, provide you with TMI-style information, and throw some random spaghetti at the wall and see if it sticks.

***

Today, I am continuing my quick hit previews of teams playing in the Summer of Soccer tournaments. Here we go…

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Spain National Women’s Soccer Team (Paris Olympics)

Why should you care about them? They are the reigning World Champions. They are mostly made up of Barcelona players that just won the treble. They are the favourites.

Is the government corrupt? Not really.

Are the people cool? Are you a night owl?

How will they do? They’re in a group with Nigeria, Japan, and Brasil. They’ll move on and will probably win the Gold Medal.

***

Spain Men’s Olympic Team

Why should you care about them? They will try to match the Women’s team in getting a medal. They won Silver in Tokyo at the last Olympics.

Is the government corrupt? See above.

Are the people cool? Have you visited La Rioja?

How will they do? They are in the same group as Uzbekistán, Egypt, and the Dominican Republic. They’ll move on to the Knockout Stage and should medal again.

***

Slovakia National Team (Euro 2024)

Why should you care about them? They’re the other half of Czechoslovakia in this tournament. Isn’t that great that both halves qualified?

Is the government corrupt? Surprisingly, not that bad.

Are the people cool? I would say Yes!

How will they do? They are in a group with Ukraine, Belgium, and Romania. On the bright side, they’re not in a war, so that’s a plus. I say they get second place and move on to the Knockout Stage.

***

Jamaica National Team (Copa América)

Why should you care about them? Yeah Right had a REALLY good time on vacation there!

Is the government corrupt? Not bad at all!

Are the people cool? See the section above.

How will they do? They have been improving but they’re not top tier yet. They’re in a group with the Mexico, Ecuador, and Venezuela. They could possibly finish second or exit at the Group stage.

***

As a quick reminder, the schedule is below:

The first game is on June 14. Get psyched!

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Speaking of, your weekly Psych gif:

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Your weekly hot girl pic:

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Your weekly music video:

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I’m assuming there are sports on tonight OTHER THAN THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS THE BEST TOURNAMENT IN THE WORLD, but honestly I don’t care.

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[…] playing footy over the weekend. Either way, I blame balls. Still, though, congrats to balls on his 1000th post on DFO, huge […]

0
Horatio Cornblower

And just like that, I’m rooting for the Oilers.

https://x.com/FukingCasuals/status/1796939161213047141

NSFW

1
ballsofsteelandfury

Um, FUCK YEAH!

1
2Pack

She looks like fun.

2
Brick Meathook

Texas A%M @ Texas is pretty interesting in the 11th. They blow bubbles everywhere.

1
Doktor Zymm

I wonder what would happen (other than lots of people getting mad) if they added a shot clock to lesser footy

1
2Pack

Allow, no encourage, contact and get rid of the offsides rule. And with a shot clock? Homie be watchin da chit outta dat!

3
Horatio Cornblower

If you’re wondering why starting pitchers throw 120 pitches in crucial games, it’s because of things like the Cal State Irving reliever coming in and loading the bases on 18 pitches, 12 of which were balls.

1
yeah right

Cy Young is twitching in his grave.

1
Horatio Cornblower

Going through Baseball Reference, (Why yes, I am a huge nerd! Why do you ask?), and looking at the innings pitched for some of the very early guys is insane.

Kid Nichols threw 453 innings in 1892 and didn’t lead the league!!!

2
Brick Meathook

On Slack I know a lot of you asked me to tell you more about Aluminum-lithium alloys used in the aircraft industry, so I came up with this short explanation.

I just wanted to get this information out there.

Aluminum–lithium alloys (Al–Li alloys) are a set of alloys of aluminum and lithium, often also including copper and zirconium. Since lithium is the least dense elemental metal, these alloys are significantly less dense than aluminum. Commercial Al–Li alloys contain up to 2.45% lithium by mass.

Alloying with lithium reduces structural mass by three effects:

Displacement
A lithium atom is lighter than an aluminium atom; each lithium atom then displaces one aluminum atom from the crystal lattice while maintaining the lattice structure. Every 1% by mass of lithium added to aluminum reduces the density of the resulting alloy by 3% and increases the stiffness by 5%. This effect works up to the solubility limit of lithium in aluminum, which is 4.2%.

Strain Hardening
Introducing another type of atom into the crystal strains the lattice, which helps block dislocations. The resulting material is thus stronger, which allows less of it to be used.

Precipitation Hardening
When properly aged, lithium forms a metastable Al3Li phase (δ’) with a coherent crystal structure. These precipitates strengthen the metal by impeding dislocation motion during deformation. The precipitates are not stable, however, and care must be taken to prevent overaging with the formation of the stable AlLi (β) phase. This also produces precipitate free zones (PFZs) typically at grain boundaries and can reduce the corrosion resistance of the alloy.

The crystal structure for Al3Li and Al–Li, while based on the FCC crystal system, are very different. Al3Li shows almost the same-size lattice structure as pure aluminium, except that lithium atoms are present in the corners of the unit cell. The Al3Li structure is known as the AuCu3, L12, or Pm3m and has a lattice parameter of 4.01 Å. The Al–Li structure is known as the NaTl, B32, or Fd3m structure, which is made of both lithium and aluminum assuming diamond structures and has a lattice parameter of 6.37 Å. The interatomic spacing for Al–Li (3.19 Å) is smaller than either pure lithium or aluminium.

I hope this answers your questions. I have no idea what a lot of these words mean.

3
2Pack

Anybody else here remember the old Shell Oil commercials featuring the Shell answer man? That dude was dapper… and knew his shit.

2
Horatio Cornblower

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Horatio Cornblower

I believe the latest Slack conversations involved punching babies for money and Darren Waller’s recent divorce, but this is cool too.

Might I suggest you direct this to Boeing? Seems like something they should know, but probably don’t.

3
ballsofsteelandfury

I maintain $50 is way too cheap.

2
herodotus450

Plus aliuminum make my beer cool long time

5
2Pack

DIYS…

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yeah right

music!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPtFp1qRFcE

1
Brick Meathook

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Doktor Zymm

It’s amazing how many sunblock brands just straight up lie about being reef safe

0
herodotus450

“What are the chances the morons who buy this even know what a reef is? Just throw it on the label, Johnson, and let’s get down to the Silver Stallion for lunch.”

3
yeah right

Ain’t no reef safe if you scrape your toes.

1
2Pack

Friggin reefs deserve my toxic abs…

2
Horatio Cornblower

Sunblock is probably the least of the problems reefs have right now.

0
2Pack

1000 is a grand.
Grand comes from the Italian word grande.
Grande means big.
Marika is big. And Italian.
Do you all see what Balls did here.?
Clever good Sir… Very clever.

1
2Pack

Evidence

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ballsofsteelandfury

That bra is working overtime like it was a Teamster

1
Horatio Cornblower

Wait, the mob is stealing its pension!?!?

1
Low Commander of the Super Soldiers

Poor Horatio.

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Horatio Cornblower

Nobody, and I mean nobody, gives a solitary fuck about New Jersey pizza.

New York can at least make an argument with a straight face. They’re wrong, of course, but at least a worthy contender. Jersey? Fuhgeddaboutit.

2
Brick Meathook

Detroit has the best pizza.

2
Doktor Zymm

This is correct

0
Horatio Cornblower

I actually like Detroit-style pizza. Perhaps someday I’ll try some in Detroit. But it is not as good as New Haven apizza.

I put “apizza” in these to show the difference in styles, to prove my knowledge of the subject, and to be as obnoxious as possible. I’m very popular and everyone loves me.

2
Low Commander of the Super Soldiers

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Horatio Cornblower

Things worked out for that guy about as well as things would work out for NJ pizza in a head-to-head with CT pizza.

2
Doktor Zymm

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Horatio Cornblower

Not an unfair point. Also you really can’t compare pizzas, because as soon as you get them out of the restaurant you’re not eating the authentic pizza, and if you eat a couple of slices, (my own theory, which is mine, is that the proper test between pizzas is one slice of cheese, one slice of pepperoni from each) at one and then leave and go to another place you don’t have a reliable taste memory.

In other words, this whole argument is bullshit and you should eat what you like, but also I will never not engage in this argument because it’s both endlessly entertaining and harmless, and fuck New Jersey anyway.

3
Doktor Zymm

I think we can all support the sentiment of ‘fuck New Jersey anyway’

2
Horatio Cornblower

It’s a universal truth.

1
Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

THESE GUYS THE FLORIDA PANTHERS I CALL THEM THE URUK-HAI BECAUSE THEY ARE THE SWORN ENEMY OF RANGERS.

0
Horatio Cornblower

Top 9 coming up. UConn up 4-1. Starter has thrown 8 innings. Bullpen is trash. Does the starter plan to play ball ever again after this season? If he comes out for the 9th

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1
Horatio Cornblower

Starter is still in. Fuck that elbow, amirite?

1
Horatio Cornblower

He’s at or near 120 pitches!

0
ballsofsteelandfury

I dunno. Call me an old man yelling at clouds, but there were no pitch counts when I was growing up in the 80s…

1
Horatio Cornblower

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1
Horatio Cornblower

I would go to that show.

1
Horatio Cornblower

3-RUN HOMER UCONN. DON’T MAKE ME START TO BELIEVE YOU PRICKS. DON’T YOU DARE MAKE ME START TO BELIEVE!!!

3
ballsofsteelandfury

I believe they won!

0
Horatio Cornblower

They did. My friend is trying to sell himself on plane tickets to Oklahoma while his other son is telling him that they cannot fuck with the mojo the team has going right now.

Frankly superstition is everything in baseball and the son is right, but I’m not telling him that.

1
Horatio Cornblower

UConn still up 1-0 through 7, preparing to shatter my heart like glass.

Ryan just hit a 100 mph liner right back to the pitcher, who displayed the boorish manners of an Okie and caught it. UConn has two on and the starting pitcher has left, having thrown something like 105 pitches.

Man, they just do not give a shit about pitch counts in post-season college baseball. UConn’s starter is “probably” done having thrown 107 through 7.

3
Senor Weaselo

If I had a nickel, European goalies wasted in my lifetime, yada yada, you know the meme, Perry the Platypus.

0
Dunstan

Obviously Matt Rempe would have made the difference for the Rangers.

2
Horatio Cornblower

Pretty pathetic effort by the Rangers the last two games.

2
WCS

Another typical playoff effort then.

1
Horatio Cornblower

My friend’s kid is UConn’s 3rd-string catcher. Hit like .125 this year in limited action. Teammates elected him one of the captains.

Come College World Series time the 2nd string guy’s hurt and the 1st-stringer gets the flu. All Ryan does is hit a 2-run single in the 4-1 win over Duke, (Fuck Duke!), and threw a runner out at 2nd today with an absolute missile to help UConn stay up 1-0 against Oklahoma, (although that is not going to last).

I think his father is going to die of dehydration from the tears of pride.

9
Dunstan

I really really really don’t need to see Bobby Flay strutting at the grill and drinking a Pepsi again, thanks Pepsi.

0
Senor Weaselo

TRAGEDY! (Drink Pepsi.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVd8jFQTFa4

Last edited 1 year ago by Senor Weaselo
0
Senor Weaselo

Well, 20 minutes to go, down a game and a goal. In short:

https://youtu.be/bme-F_oz1G4?si=vP4657dt_qyeGXFn

2
yeah right

We are just shredding guitar right now up in here.

0
WCS

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6
yeah right

Holy shit.

Congrats Balls.

That’s both an amazing achievement and two words that I could never imagine putting together in that order.

6
WCS

3-1 Rangers, because the world needs Game 7s.

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Last edited 1 year ago by WCS
2
Gumbygirl

Look at this grumpy baby! I get it, little bro

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7
scotchnaut

I’m calling Eric Mangini and I’m sure I get most of the points.

4
ballsofsteelandfury

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Brick Meathook

That woman doesn’t give a shit about flowers and has no idea what to do with them; they might as well be weeds. As soon as she got backstage you know she tossed them in a trashcan.

3
ArmedandHammered

Well she gave a shit about the ones I kept sending her, at least according to the restraining order.

4
ArmedandHammered

How did you get Wallace Shawn’s baby pic?

3
King Hippo

Will the Rangers show they can still rock in America tonight?

2
scotchnaut

You’ve never cross-checked struck me as a hockey fan before.

1
King Hippo

oh, I’ve not seen a bit. But I am aware some pivotal games 6 await.

0
Dunstan

I see what you did there.

1
King Hippo

oh yeah, alright!!

0
litre_cola

To all the people I have sent Cavalry FC gear to. It appears we suck this year.

3
ballsofsteelandfury

Aww! Bummer!

0
King Hippo

#Calvary #RiseAgain

1
2Pack

Backing an underdog is hip dude.

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1
Doktor Zymm

It’s okay, I’m not sure I have ever supported a team that didn’t suck

1
Brick Meathook

I think we should also note Brick Meathook’s amazing zero posts yet utter dominance in the comments. Give that man a Silver Pass.

3
WCS

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Last edited 1 year ago by WCS
3
King Hippo

NAWT TRUE! You did that Shitty Clippers Boots on the Ground!!

3
Brick Meathook

In the comments! My perfect record stands!

1
Senor Weaselo

So that was the most adorable wedding ever, and Senorita Weaselo actually sang the chorales so I’m proud of her (don’t tell her I said that lol).

And afternoon tea? Excellent.

3
WCS

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1
scotchnaut

It’s kinda insane that this, whatever it is, has lasted this long. I have memories in the early days of dropping everything at work and rushing home to put together a Thursday Night Football preview because there were a bunch of randos that wanted to hang together and I wanted to facilitate that and be a part of it. And somehow it’s still the case today.

12
ballsofsteelandfury

Isn’t that crazy?

2
King Hippo

I remember asking Rikki and Our MIA Bleeding Cotton Ball Friend if I could join near the very founding. I was terrified they would say “no thanks, we good.”

5
ballsofsteelandfury

You’re silly!

1
King Hippo

I had no portfolio back then, and was not the least bit influential in the KSK comments section. But OSZ was always incredibly welcoming and supportive. Great dude.

5
Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

[notices the conspicuous absence of a similar assessment of RTD]

3
ArmedandHammered

Forgot to say- just think Rikki instead of Mickey

3
WCS

If they took me from the outset, you had nothing to worry about.

4
Doktor Zymm

It’s amazing when I think back to when this all started, we’ve outlasted KSK by quite a bit by now

1
King Hippo

The Spanish team is also, like, 10 times sexier than the Murrikans.

2
TheRevanchist

The USWNT looked good out there. My dearest heart, Rose Lavelle, was impressive. New coach is still too new to judge.

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