Tip of the Hat/Wag of the Finger: Installment Two: Anniversary Edition

So it's been one year today and an enjoyable one, a heightened sense of fanaticism during these past twelve months. Good Times.

In honor of the anniversary we thought we'd revisit an old theme that was also first done in July of last year: a spin on Stephen Colbert's Tip of the Hat/ Wag of the Finger. Last year we Tipped Rocky's Crown Pub and Wagged RT's Longboard Grill.

This year it was our intention to give the Wag of The Finger to a local eatery called Bite of Boston. Upon loading up on bagels and coffee one Sunday morning we peeked through the window of this new neighborhood establishment and we gained and uneasy sense of queasiness as we gazed upon walls decorated in the loathed New England Patriot colors. We decided to email ownership and here's how it went.....

Bite of Boston Ownership:

As sports fans we respect the allegiance you show to your Boston sports teams by adorning the walls of your establishment with Boston jerseys.

As eaters of sandwiches and Charger fans however, we must take umbrage with the display of Tom Brady's #12 jersey. San Diego often gets labeled as a laid back sports town but when it comes to Charger football we are quite passionate. Our passions also extend to a deep rooted loathing of the New England Patriots. Bruin, Celtics, and Sox jerseys won't ruffle too man feathers.....but a Patriot Jersey in San Diego is an affront to our dignity...a callous slap in the face.

These are uncertain economic times and we would hate to see your business suffer due to the insistence of hanging a Tom Brady jersey in your establishment. Please remove Mr.Brady's jersey and replace it with a Philip Rivers powder blue #17 as a show of good faith towards the community of San Diego.

Respectfully

Avenging Jack Murphy

(Bite of Boston)
Will do.

We will take it down immediately and replace it instead with either a Philip Rivers #17 powder blue OR a framed gray sweatsuit from Mr. Warmth & Excitement, Coach Bill Belichick.

We'll decide by the end of this week about the Tom Brady jersey replacement.

Your feedback is much appreciated....

FYI, we are big-time Chargers fans. Love the franchise!!

Regards,

Owners, Bite of Boston (tongues planted firmly in cheek!!)

(We)
I visited Bite of Boston the other day and I will say that the steak tip sandwich I ordered was outstanding despite having that Tom Brady jersey looming over me while I ate.

While there is no Philip Rivers jersey present, I enjoyed seeing Dan Fouts represented as well as other assorted pieces of San Diego memorabilia.

Good sandwiches and homage to Dan Fouts have persuaded me to give a Tip of the Hat and retract my earlier Wag of the Finger for Bite of Boston.

However I would be remiss if I failed to mention that your establishment would grow leaps and bounds with the simple removal of the blue #12 that ominously hovers over the people of San Diego.......c'mon, you know it should be a Vinatieri #4 hanging there anyways.

Respectfully
Avenging Jack Murphy

(Bite of Boston)
Thanks for the retraction!!!

It always comes back to the food!! That's where we put all of our energy.... The decor is there because the walls were too bland. I did indeed have Chargers, Padres and SDSU memorabilia on the wall because a) we're smart enough to know our local customers and b) we are HUGE Chargers and Padres fans, except for maybe one or two times a year when they go up against the Boston clubs!!

I have an idea that might benefit both of us: if you can secure a powder-blue Rivers or LT jersey (preferably autographed), then I will pay to have it framed and mounted in our restaurant wall... Let me know.

Also, don't be bashful about introducing yourself to us next time you visit!!

Regards,

Bob

......and so it goes. Perhaps a detente in the Patriot/Charger fan Cold War? Fans brought together by sandwiches.....only time will tell......the 2009 playoffs?

In the meantime, use this Tip of the Hat as impetus to go to Bite of Boston, and enjoy some great food........just don't steal the Patriot Helmet on the shelf sitting above the soda pop refrigerator.

Happy Birthday to us.

Citi Field: Padres get all the 'firsts'

Some quick observations on the Padres 6-5 victory at new Citi Field:

• Jody Gerut: Good on ya Mate! Let us count the FIRSTS: Hit:Run:HR:RBI. Way to take the crowd out of it early!

• Wait a minute! Why are these JAGS so happy and High-Fivey!? That ball should have been fired right back on to the field....shouldn't it have been?
• The Friars have only played 8 games so let's not carried away with the accolades....but there's something going on here....and regardless of where we are at the 24/48/96 game marks, I think it's good.
• David Eckstein...he reached base four times on three hits and called a balk before even the umpire but that's not what stood out to me. It was his ten pitch AB where his walk was followed by a .......dead sprint to 1B! You just don't see that too often and when it comes from a two time World Series winner I think it brings two things to the table:
• Fire and inspiration.
• A much needed professional example.
  
• Walter Silva will continue to struggle to make it to the 6th...that may be OK though with Correia and Hill looking good. Here's to Jake and CY staying healthy!
• Jody Gerut/Scott Hairston monster could be powerful. I think Gerut needs to get the majority of the starts though. Situations permitting, Hairston can make a nice impact. Way to Christen Citi Field JG!
• Heath Bell got his wish: The 1st save in the new ball yard. Hoffy brought leadership and professionalism to pens past but HB is bringing fire and brimstone! I like it....what about you?
• The Mets arm patch is really bad and Channel 4's Mark Grant astutely noted, "....looks like a Domino's Pizza logo. You want bread sticks with that?" Could Mudcat Grant and I have been the only ones with the same thought? Research finds:
  

• Stephen Colbert thought the same thing back in January during his Tip 'o the hat/Wag of the finger Segment. Enjoy premium satire here: Click
  

For More Met Logo Bashing:
Mets inaugural Citi Field patch getting ripped on the web
[NJ.com]

"Wag of the Finger" RT's Longboard Grill "Tip of the Hat" Rocky's Crown Pub

In this segment, I would like to give a nod to one of the last great anchormen of our generation, Mr. Stephen Colbert. His genious has given us "The Word", "Better know a District", and most noteworthy of all, "Tip of the Hat/Wag of the Finger". Our purpose here will be to shed light on the great San Diego bars that are truly SAN DIEGAN (i.e. Charger/Padre) but also to "put on notice" those filthy establishments that cow tow to an eastern element, specifically a New England element. This is San Diego and we should not be subjected to the migratory patterns of the Northeastern Moron while trying to have a beer and watch a game. The proprietors of these establishments should be put on notice....

Without further adieu:

A "Tip of the Hat" to Rocky's Crown Pub located at 3786 Ingraham St. in Pacific Beach.
Everyone in San Diego knows that a quality burger will always be had at Rocky's but I didn't know how provincial they were until I received a fantastic text message yesterday. I was notified by a Charger/Padre fan that while seated at the bar, service was refused to his pal until he removed the ball cap he was wearing. Now this wasn't a mere matter of etiquette while dining but rather a nod to Rocky's loyal customers....Rocky's loyal SAN DIEGAN customers! The kid was wearing a Boston Red Sox hat, which we all know is tantamount to wearing a New England Patriots hat, so off it came before service could be rendered!

Now I'm sure you're thinking (besides...boy I need to hurry over to Rocky's!), what was a Charger/Padre fan doing with a kid wearing a Red Sox hat? Your concern is valid and you can be sure that my brother will be getting a stern talking to!!!!

So to Rocky's management and staff....Here's a tip of the hat to you!!!

And now for our "Wag of the Finger" (in addition to the one my brother will be receiving for fraternizing with the enemy):

RT's Longboard Grill on Garnet Ave. in Pacific Beach. I always loved "Longboards" and went there often back in the late '90s when it opened but had heard that recently it was a New England Bar. I found this difficult to believe but received confirmation and I have vowed to never go there again (unless it is to chant 18-1...18-1...18-1....actually... I might just be going there)! Rather than wax poetic about my disdain for this establishment I'll go ahead and just post the "Longboards" myspace page....you'll never be so disgusted in your life.....(scroll down and look to the right)....

http://www.myspace.com/longboardgrill

RT's Longboard Grill.....You've received our inaugural "Wag of the Finger". RT---you're on notice!

If you have any other Tips/Wags please post and share with your community....we all must know...