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Beat Forsberg

Posted by Chris Forsberg, Boston.com Staff November 20, 2008 11:16 AM

ipod600.jpg

Have you seen my iPod?

Last time I saw it was in Michigan. I was on my way back from the Patriots-Colts matchup earlier this month, making a connection in Detroit Rock City, when I believe I left it on a chair in the terminal where my flight was boarding.

I phoned the folks at Northwest Airlines, but, alas, they did not have a black video iPod returned to Lost & Found. I'm left to assume some hipster found it and, tickled by the massive collection of Britpop and 80's arena rock, pocketed my prized iPod.

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I've written Santa requesting a new iPod this holiday season, but then we thought of a much sneakier way to replace my missing music machine. Allow me to unveil the Beat Forsberg: Thanksgiving Pick 'em 2008 contest.

This year's grand prize? An iPod Nano. And you better believe I'm winning this contest.

I don't know if you've seen my sterling .766 winning percentage this fall, but if that doesn't send you running scared, why don't you go ahead and take a shot at the prize. Be the user to pick the most games correct and win the iPod.

Back for its third installment, the Beat Forsberg: Thanksgiving Pick 'em 2008 contest is officially open for business. Soon we'll unveil my ballot, which you'll be able to view in the V.I.P. section.

If we're being honest, your best bet is probably to just switch a winner or two and hope I swing and miss on a game. Unlikely, but a solid strategy, nonetheless.

It's easy to play, especially if you've participated in any of our Boston.com pick' em contests in the past (if you have your log-in information from last year, it should work again this fall). Hop over to our friends at SportsBallot and -- if you haven't already -- follow the simple sign-up process.

To add insult to my soon-to-be injured ego, we'll publish the names of all those visitors who pick more games correct than I do. Vincent Orlando, father of Manchester quarterback Pat Orlando, won last year's contest and is back to defend his crown. He correctly picked 34 out of 40 games last fall.

Best of luck to no one.

Now the legal mumbo-jumbo:

Grand Prize winner: The overall winner is the individual with the greatest number of correct answers at the end of the contest on Nov. 27, 2008 (unless it's Chris Forsberg, in which case no one wins). In the event of a tie, the grand prize winner will be the person who chooses the greatest number of correct answers, and selects the most correct answers in the three tie-breakesr. If there's still a tie, Boston.com will pick a grand prize winner at random.

No purchase necessary. Entry deadline: Nov. 27, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Winner will be notified via e-mail the week after the contest. Employees of the participating partners and the New York Times Co., and their affiliates are not eligible to participate (except Chris Forsberg).

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33 comments so far...

  1. How come Beverly v. Salem, a matchup going back over 100 years, is not in your list of potential picks?

    Forsberg's response:

    Great game. We tried to get a lot of different games on there, but couldn't get them all.

    Posted by AJ Chalifour November 21, 08 10:39 AM

  1. Chris, when I blacked out at UFC 91 @ Hooters I picked your pocket as I went face first onto the floor. Currently holding your iPod as ransom and downloanding your music library. :-D
    Citizen Joe
    www.myspace.com/citizenjoefnx

    Forsberg's response:

    Joe! Great to see you back on your feet (quite literally). Hope all is well. See you at the next UFC gathering.

    Posted by Citizen Joe November 21, 08 11:27 AM

  1. In addition to the Beverly v Salem, you also missed another matchup w/ a great history -- Abington (South Shore League Champs) vs. Whitman-Hanson. This year marks the 93rd year of teeing it up on Turkey Day.

    Forsberg's response:

    If we included every game with "history" we'd have a list of 75 games. Remember, every kid grows up thinking their school's rivalry is the biggest. But I can tell you the biggest is actually Auburn vs. Oxford.

    Posted by Smagu November 21, 08 04:26 PM

  1. Latin-English??
    Newton North--Brookline??

    Posted by BB November 21, 08 07:51 PM

  1. You gotta love the Dandies!

    Posted by T B C November 21, 08 10:57 PM

  1. Don't underestimate Plymouth South High School!

    Posted by anonymous November 22, 08 01:14 AM

  1. "massive collection of Britpop and 80's arena rock"

    ... and The Wallflowers.

    Forsberg's response:

    Police arrest this man, clearly he has my iPod.

    Posted by MP November 22, 08 10:27 PM

  1. Beverly - Salem 110th meeting this year
    Georgetown at Manchester-Essex
    How long has Manchester-Essex been a school.
    10 years?

    I can tell you the biggest is actually Auburn vs. Oxford.
    Ya if your a fan of hillbillies

    Forsberg's response:

    I'll let that hillbillies comment slide, only because I assume you were talking more about Oxford than Auburn.

    Posted by george watson November 23, 08 12:38 AM

  1. No Dedham v. Norwood? The Mustangs have been incredibly overshadowed this year by Walpole and Natick, but 8-2 deserves some credit don't you think? Plus Turkey Day against the Marauders brings a hard hitting game every year,(despite their consistently gloomy and often winless record) especially in this 75th meeting

    Give the Stangs some love please

    Forsberg's response:

    People, for the 100th time. We tried to pick a variety of games from a variety of leagues. We also strove to pick competitive matchups to make the pick'em more challenging.

    Your favorite team not being in the pick'em is in no way a reflection of how we feel about your team. Enjoy the game, enjoy the contest, enjoy me winning an iPod.

    Posted by Darren November 23, 08 05:37 PM

  1. you missed winchester woburn 3rd oldest in the state lets be serious

    Posted by Patrick Maher November 23, 08 06:41 PM

  1. But he didn't miss THE oldest in the state...wait NATION: Wellesley-Needham.

    RAIDERS!

    Posted by Raiders November 23, 08 11:31 PM

  1. Back to reclaim what's rightfully mine (I was the 2006 winner) after last year's debacle.

    Posted by Jim November 24, 08 08:04 AM

  1. 1st) Wellesley High School (Wellesley, MA) The oldest public high school rivalry.
    2nd )Boston Latin School (Boston, MA) English High School (Boston, MA) 2nd Oldest continuous high school football rivalry in the U.S,
    3rd) Medford High School (Medford, MA) Malden High School (Malden, MA)
    4th ) Beverly High School (Beverly, MA) Salem High School (Salem, MA)
    5th) Newburyport High School (Newburyport, MA) Amesbury High School
    6th) B.M.C. Durfee High School (Fall River, MA) New Bedford High School
    Only 2 schools on your list are even in the top 10 t-day Rivalries in the COUNTRY. your list sucks

    Forsberg's response:

    Tell you what, next year we'll have a pick'em contest consisting solely of the 30 oldest Turkey Day rivalries, just so everyone can stop whining. The winner will get a phonograph instead of an iPod.

    Posted by majorheadache November 24, 08 12:07 PM

  1. What about Framingham Natick? That would be a huge mistake to miss that one!

    Posted by jjones November 24, 08 12:47 PM

  1. No Falmouth vs. Barnstable game - you have to be kidding. 120 year history.
    Why bother?

    Posted by Arby November 24, 08 12:55 PM

  1. BC High vs. Catholic Memorial - best game.

    Posted by danny.o November 24, 08 03:26 PM

  1. how could you not pick the Canton Stoughton game. They both have incredible teams and both might the state!!!

    Posted by sacarsam November 24, 08 04:23 PM

  1. Latin vs English for sure, Jay, a Pat fan and Latin grad exiled in Los Angeles, go Celts, Sox and Bruins

    Posted by Jay Sargeant November 24, 08 07:08 PM

  1. Fosberg-
    I guess no one reads anymore. I like the idea for next year though. I can break out my dad's old 78's and some of my 1979 disco albums if I win. Please don't tease me on the phonograph! Why isn't Everett/Chelsea on that list? Oh yeah they don't play anymore...LOL.. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Forsberg's response:

    A voice of reason! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. It's great to see people passionate about their favorite rivalries, but there's only so many games we can squeeze in there.

    And I'm pretty sure I could never lose a phonograph at an airport.

    Posted by devannd November 25, 08 09:06 AM

  1. Where's Durfee / New Bedford?

    Forsberg's response:

    The game is at New Bedford this year. Wait, that's not what you were asking?

    Posted by Mike M November 25, 08 01:26 PM

  1. Great slate of games, anything can happen in some of these games!!!

    Hey Chris, I'll give you my old iPod shuffle when I win. Its good and nobody will steal it.

    Forsberg's response:

    Dude, an iPod Shuffle!? I'd let someone steal that. I'm kidding. Beggars can't be choosers. I'll take what I can get. Sure beats my Sony Discman. Remember how much it stinks when CDs skip!

    Posted by Rick November 25, 08 06:49 PM

  1. Swampscott vs Marblehead marks it's centennial this year and it's a winner goes to the play-offs loser goes home. Swampscott defending Superbowl Champs

    Does it get bigger?? Yea if it's Pats vs. Giants!!! go Big Blue

    Posted by Petey Bumper November 25, 08 08:42 PM

  1. Catholic Memorial vs B.C. High, lets go knights

    Posted by tom b November 25, 08 09:24 PM

  1. Carver over Middleboro any thoughts? - Carver played a tougher schedule and went toe to toe with powerhouses Abington and Mashpee. If it wasn't for a few break downs they would be in the playoffs and least I not mention that terrible call at the end of the game last week against Hull!!

    Posted by David November 26, 08 10:04 AM

  1. I dont understand how, in your right mind, you can believe that Georgetown can beat Manchester Essex. Last year you made the horrid mistake of picking them over us, although any logical person would have, and the score was 27-7. And to which ever one of you idiots said manchester essex has only been a school for ten years you are horribly wrong. Manchester Essex has coaches that played their and they are in their forties, do the math dipwad.

    Forsberg's response:

    This dipwad isn't good at math, but Wikipedia seems to suggest that Manchester-Essex has only been a school since 2000:

    The town of Essex does not include a high school, and in years past has had to send its grade 9 through 12 students to neighboring districts. Arrangements in the past have included sending high school students to Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester and Hamilton-Wenham public schools. In 2000, the town approved a plan to create a regional school district with Manchester-by-the-Sea. Under the plan, the two towns are served by a consolidated school system, the 'Manchester-Essex Schools', and a new high school. This marks the first time Essex did not have to send its students to another district to attend high school.

    Posted by Yuri Klypka-Simpson November 26, 08 11:13 AM

  1. WOW. Is this the Chris Forsberg Class of 1998 Auburn High School. How are you doing I see all is well in the job field.

    Forsberg's response:

    It sure is. Go Dandies! How you doing?

    Posted by Eric Stevenson November 26, 08 11:14 AM

  1. Hey Forsberg, no comment on the Carver Middleboro game? ( see response 24) Thanks....

    Forsberg's response:

    Sorry, David. Don't know too much about either squad, but if you say Carver has played the more challenging schedule, I'm inclined to believe they'll have a great shot at winning.

    Posted by David November 26, 08 01:43 PM

  1. Chris, didn't you make your weekly call to WFNX's "sandbox" during the same stopover? You should send those guys a bill!

    Forsberg's response:

    They took my bill and told me I was downright Shanahan for trying to get them to pay for it. So I've decided to simply listen and try to win an iPod during the station's 100 gifts of FNXmas. We suggest you do the same.

    Posted by Damien November 26, 08 02:05 PM

  1. Belmont and watertown are not in here. why no love bud?

    Forsberg's response:

    See our other responses. We couldn't get every game in here.

    Posted by Pak9979 November 26, 08 03:45 PM

  1. answers are all bs con style why did u leave out the Beverly & salem game why?

    Forsberg's response:

    We tried to pick a variety of games from a variety of leagues. We also strove to pick competitive matchups to make the pick'em more challenging.

    Your favorite team not being in the pick'em is in no way a reflection of how we feel about your team. Enjoy the game, enjoy the contest, enjoy me winning an iPod.

    Posted by jay November 26, 08 07:05 PM

  1. I used to go to the Gloucester-Wakefield t-day game as a kid. Of course, they have, years ago, discontinued that rivalry for Gloucester-Danvers. I am 68 yrs. old and living away from the area but I still remember the excitement. What year did the G-D Thanksgiving game start?

    Posted by vtcat November 26, 08 10:46 PM

  1. I really don't understand how Natick lost to Framingham, we beat them every year. It also seemed like they just gave up because they knew they couldn't make it to the playoffs and didn't want to risk any injuries.

    Forsberg's response:

    So they gave up in the final game of the season because they didn't have a playoff game and didn't want to risk injuries?

    If you want to blame injuries going into the game as part of the reason Natick loss fine. But the other part of the equation is that Framingham is just plain good.

    Posted by James November 27, 08 10:42 PM

  1. Well that was fun. I was 22-8 which isn't bad if the 100 people in front of were disqualified!!! Looking forward to more of this stuff.

    I also get to keep my shuffle which is still kicking em out fine.

    Thanks for an excellent contest Chris. It went over well!!!

    Posted by Rick November 28, 08 10:55 AM
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Look for updates from:

  • Chris Forsberg: An Auburn native (Go Rockets!) and Northeastern graduate, Forsberg interned at the Globe from 1999-2003 before joining the staff at Boston.com in 2006. He's still fielding angry phone calls from Everett supporters after ranking Acton-Boxboro No. 1 following the 2001 season.
  • Bob Holmes: A Reading resident (Go Rockets!) and Boston College graduate, Holmes is the Boston Globe High School Sports Editor. We remind you now that his weekly picks are often made in jest so everyone just calm down when he picks against Everett for 11 straight weeks.
  • Mike Carraggi: An Everett native (Go Tide!), Mike attends Eastern Nazarene college and is entering his second year with the Globe. He'll focus on Division 1 this fall, which means he'll spend a lot of time in his hometown, which Forsberg thinks is cool because the Tide have that Fried Dough cart.
  • Emily Wright: A Hyannis native (Go Barnstable Red Raiders!), Emily is a senior at Emerson College and has been with the Globe since the end of July. She'll cover Division 1A and will be the first intern we've trusted to navigate her way to Dennis-Yarmouth or any other school on the Cape.
  • Mike Grossi: A Lexington native (Go Minutemen!), Mike attends Northeastern and has been with the Globe for two months. He'll cover Division 2 and 2A and unsuccessfully lobbied to include Lexington in the preseason Top 20.
  • Jonathan Raymond: A native of Benicia, Calif. (a suburb of San Francisco), Jonathan attends Northeastern and has been working at the Globe since the end of June. He will be focusing on Division 3 and is likely woefully underprepared for covering a game in a foot of snow.
  • David Carty: A native of West Bridgewater (Go Wildcats!), David is a senior at Emerson College and has been working at the Globe for a year. He'll cover Divisions 3A and 4 because, "small school ball is in my blood."
  • The bench: You'll also catch updates from our regional contributors, including Globe North's Julian Benbow and South's Monique Walker. Correspondent Brendan Hall will have updates from the Globe West coverage area and will often try to sneak in Central Mass. news.
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