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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

So about the Phoenix Suns threatening the LA Lakers in the Western Conference finals...nevermind. It was a 128-107 blow-out last night to open that series, and it wasn't even as close as that score suggested.

A poll of 100 major leaguers during spring training and published in the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine has 38% saying the New York Yankees will win the World Series; the players estimate 5% of players are using some form of performance enhancers; 52% called the Yankees the best franchise to play for and 23% called the Pittsburgh Pirates the worst, 67% said Barry Bonds deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and the players guessed 36% of players were unfaithful to their spouses.

It was a wild one in The Bronx last night, as there were 6 homers in the Yankees 11-9 win over the Boston Red Sox, four for the Sox, and the Yankees pair coming in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game thanks to an A-Rod blast, and win on a Marcus Thames two run shot.  The loss drops the Sox 8.5 back of the AL East leading Tampa Bay Rays.  With Toronto and New York ahead of them as well, they've got a mountain to climb.  Real shame for Jonathan Papelbon, who gave up the big bombs.

The irony of Bret "Hitman" Hart rocking a Toronto Blue Jays jersey on Monday Night Raw last night: so few of the Jays hit with any regularity.

What ever happened to Tampa Bay Ray Carlos Pena?

Peter King at SI.com has his first cut at the NFL Power Rankings, for what they're worth in the middle of May.  Good news if you're a Green Bay fan, as they check in top of the list.  Not so good if you're a Buffalo Bills fan, unless you think having the second pick in the draft in 2011 is something to look forward to right now.

After watching his Barcelona team look to an unproven player in a key game, Thierry Henry started to read the writing on the wall, and it now appears his signing with New York Red Bull in the MLS is about to happen.  Good news for NYRB fans especially, and soccer fans on this side of the pond of Henry can find even a fraction of his old form he showed at Arsenal.  He was a special, special player just a few years back.

Franck-ly, I can see why French soccer star Franck Ribery, among others, would be fooled into thinking Zahia Dehar is older than 17.  Loads of pics here of the girl that has a few Frenchmen in legal hot water.

It is only game two, but it looms large for the Montreal Canadiens after you're on the wrong end of a 6-0 curb stomping.  Will the Habs turn to Jaroslav Halak again?  You'd think that's a no-brainer given what he has produced in the playoffs so far.  If he doesn't find that form or something close to it, and there's little reason to believe in Carey Price right now, the Habs are not long for the playoffs.

Anytime you hear features of how a guy "isn't like the rest", be skeptical, because ultimately, it ends up being a load of garbage when all is said and done.  The latest is Houston Texans wideout Andre Johnson, who figures that he's outperformed his contract and wants to renegotiate the remaining five years and $60 million remaining, the poor guy.

Speaking of contracts, the Washington Capitals have lobbed $67 million over 10-years at Niklas Backstrom.  I really, really cannot believe teams think deals of that length are wise.  Way too much room for issues, be it injury, rising caps leaving players undervalued, or simply a player unde performing for years and becoming a bad contract. 

Barcelona's Lionel Messi scored 47 goals this past season for his La Liga winning club. In case you missed any, or wanted to see some of his brilliance again, check them out here.  Yes, all of them.  Even if not a soccer fan, check this guy out.  Mindblowing many times.  Oh, Messi also took a dig at England's Ashley Cole, saying his soon-to-be-ex-wife Cheryl Cole - smokin' Cheryl Cole - should cheer for Argentina as his team plays the most attractive football and Argentinian men know how to treat women.  Ouch.

9 comments:

BigHeadedJerk said...

halak bounces back after being pulled, which happens to him every so often. He was pulled early in both the previous series, and dominated upon his return. Montreal were slow to adjust to phillys defensive and physical style after facing two way more offensive squads in the caps and pens back to back. Tonight is huge, and the habs need to win 2 of the next 3.

TB said...

I think the bigger concern is the latter bit - Montreal looked like a completely different team than they did the last couple weeks, as though Cinderella had met midnight.

Lose tonight and they're in a world of trouble, regardless of the previous comebacks. I think Philly is more able and willing to adjust than Pitt or Washington were, they were almost arrogant in how they kept trying the same thing as the series was getting closer to the point they lost it.

BigHeadedJerk said...

I agree that losing tonight would be a near death blow, but going back to montreal means we'd still have a shot. The other side of the coin is a win tonight and we are in GREAT shape. Thus why the NHL playoffs are amazing.

Jays may not hit with regularity but they sure do hit for power. Leading the majors in homers and xtra base hits. Leading the Twins 9-1 at the moment with 3 dingers this after noon...

TB said...

Good for you for recognizing they're a terrible hitting team...I was expecting to have to cite stats.

Agree if they win tonight they're in real good shape, especially to erase Sunday from their memory.

BigHeadedJerk said...

Considering we are currently tied for 2nd in the majors in runs scored, I'd hardly call us a "terribly hitting team".

TB said...

They've also played more games than anyone with 40 in the books entering today, tied with LAA (and entered today 3rd behind you know who and Philly in runs scored).

I was referring to BA, and am guessing you knew that judging by the first reply.

bigHeadedJerk said...

You were right saying they dont with regularity, but for me "hitting" refers to power and average. The Mariners are a terrible hitting team.

hi said...

Hey Mango, any ideas on the pronounciation of this guy's surname?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pjanic

Pee-yah-nich?
Pee-jah-nich?
Yah-nich?
Jah-nich?

TB said...

Funny, BHJ, a few posts back it referred to runs scored. :)

Pyah-neech is what you're looking for, hi.