Just Book It!

Mature Beyond His Years

2009-07-23T11:49:00.008-04:00

Dollar says that Stuart Wagner is likely to be successful in life regardless of what he achieves on the golf course.

Just Book It!

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Posted by Joseph M Saunders - MBB Founder - www.mybetbook.com

Article by Wes Morgan | Kalamazoo Gazette from Wednesday July 22, 2009, 1:47 AM. See mlive.com

Vicksburg's Ted Rider outlasts Stuart Wagner in eight-hole playoff for Century State Junior golf championship

THREE RIVERS -- It wasn't Tiger and Rocco. It wasn't Torrey Pines. Sure felt like it to a pair of excellent young ball strikers Tuesday at The Century State Junior golf championships.

Both Stuart Wagner and Ted Rider sported Tigeresque, final-round red in an exciting exhibition at Pine View Golf Club. Both finished the second and final round with a 36-hole total 158 (14-over-par) in the Boys 13-14 division. And neither gave an inch throughout the eight-hole, sudden-death playoff.

The two parred the first four holes and bogeyed the next three as fatigue started to set in.

"I'm going to charge these guys more," said tournament organizer Barry Shanley, taking in the action on No. 7. "This is really something. I guess we should stop calling this sudden death."

With Wagner (77-81) staring at bogey after his approach found a greenside bunker, Rider (80-78) two-putted for par on hole No. 8 on the Spruce course to take home the title.

"I don't think I was getting as fatigued as my caddie was," Rider, who will be a freshman at Vicksburg this fall, said jokingly of Mitch Wandell, who was on the bag both days. "He was complaining the whole time. It was fun.

"I finally started to get some putts to fall. Stuart's a good player and I knew he could hit the ball further than me, so I just tried to stay with him."

Long after the tournament concluded, it came to light that Wagner called a penalty on himself toward the end of regulation, which ultimately forced the playoff. Wagner never mentioned the incident, which was not witnessed by his playing partners, and offered no excuses after the round.

"Both of us had a couple of chances to put it away," said Wagner of his first playoff experience. "I was getting tired, but I played better on the playoff holes. I learned a lot today about how to handle nerves. I'm proud."

Why My Mom's Bracket Beats My Dad's Bracket

2009-03-27T08:27:00.005-04:00

March Madness is exciting for even the most casual sports fans: anybody can make a pick and it creates a rivalry among friends, families, and work colleagues.

My mom and dad who are in their mid 70s have enjoyed our annual family competition over the past 10 years. In the early years, my mom typically finished close to the bottom while my dad finished in the middle of the road.

But a few years ago, my mom suddenly became an annual top-three finisher. I asked her how she does it?

She said, "I used to pick based on the traditional reputation, the mascot, or the team color - and obviously that was not working. But now, I review your father's picks, identify his abitrary ones, research them, and then make a more informed choice."

So, the next time you review the bracket of a friend, consider identifying 3-4 picks that are their "boldest predictions" and call them out on it - and then go to www.mybetbook.com and track these bold claims.

Just Book It!

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Posted by Joseph M Saunders - MBB Founder - www.mybetbook.com

All Star Games Matter

2009-03-06T04:45:00.000-05:00

Growing up, the only thing during MLB's regular season that was more exciting than Opening Day was the MLB All-Star game.

In 1976, I could hardly contain my excitement when Mark "The Bird" Fidrych started on the mound for the AL Stars against Randy Jones. The Bird was certainly the most exciting rookie of my generation - and I saw him duel Ron Guidrey and face Hank Aaron in the same rookie season. The Bird was very special, a phenom among greats. "We want the Bird! We want the Bird! We want the Bird!"

But the All Star game lost its luster - as did baseball in general in the mid 90s. I no longer agreed with George Will that the game within the game was exciting (sorry Dad). I could no longer tune into an Ernie Harwell broadcast (thanks Bo). And, canceling a season over economics made me think College Sports, Inc. was a charitable organization (older and wiser?).

But guess what? I found my interest again around the time the league created the carrot to award the winning league home field advantage in the World Series.

This incentive was not the reason for my renewed excitement. It's more fun because I now make my annual wager for a penny with my good friend, Jason Dichter. His beloved team, the Phillies, aligns him with the NL and my Tigers keep me pulling for the AL.

And a penny in perpetuity has made the All Star game fun again, especially since my Maize & Blue penny in perpetuity has dried up against those dreaded Buckeyes.

It's not about the penny, it's about the bragging rights. Just Book It!
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Posted by Joseph M Saunders - MBB Founder - www.mybetbook.com

Hear a Bold Claim? Just Book It!

2009-03-05T15:49:00.000-05:00

Now that the Major League All-Star game is upon us, many people will be making predictions about the remainder of the MLB Season.

Some will say the Detroit Tigers will knock off the Twins and White Sox, while others will say the Mets are the team of destiny and the Phillies have no place in the NL playoffs. And still others will predict that Ryan Howard will walk more than he will strike out (or he will not strike out more than 200 times this season).

The problem is that for every great prediction, at least ten awful predictions will take place. And many people have perfect memory of their best predictions but will have a unique form of amnesia when it comes to recalling the awful ones.

So, now is your chance to track the boldest of bold claims. Try out MyBetBook (http://www.mybetbook.com/) and see for yourself who is right and who just likes to blow smoke. Keep your colleagues honest and have fun tracking your friendly non monetary bets.

For the record, Ryan Howard will strike out more than 200 times this season - and the Detroit Tigers will make the playoffs. Just Book It!
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Posted by Joseph M Saunders - MBB Founder - www.mybetbook.com

Why MyBetBook

2009-03-04T10:23:00.000-05:00

For over six years, Joe Saunders and Jason Dichter have made simple predictions about every day events (at least 100 per year) to see who is right more often.

Sometimes serious, typically sports related, and always fun, Jason and Joe figured if it were good enough for Buffett and Gates (or Randolph and Mortimer) and their proverebial dollar, then it is good enough for Joe and JD.

Give it a try or Just Book It!
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Posted by Joseph M Saunders - MBB Founder - www.mybetbook.com