Saturday, July 26th, 2008 - Joba Rules

Joba Chamberlain showed why he's been off any trade talks the last year plus as he went into Fenway and dominated the Sawks in a 1-0 Yankee win, giving up three hits in seven innings...the LoHud Yankee blog is reporting that the Yankees traded for Xavier Nady and Domaso Marte of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clearly, the Yankees future includes the present...the U.S. hoops team beat Canada a mere 120-65. Wonder what it would've been had Lebron James played?...there are the New York Giants, whining again about being disrespected as everybody is picking the Dallas Cowboys as the cream of the crop in the NFC East. Jason Tuck is whining about the Cowboys trying to buy the Super Bowl. Explain exactly how that works, in a hard salary cap enviroment, Mr. Tuck? Going to guess that Tuck wasn't a scholastic heavyweight at Notre Dame...Carmelo Anthony says he's going to be more of a leader this year for the Denver Nuggets. Not sure why I find it funny when somebody talks about being a leader, but I do. Melo has led for years: at the buffet table...Marvin Harrison was on the field for the Indianapolis Colts the first day of camp. What ever happened to that story of his with guys getting shot, guns stashed at car washes he owned, and nary a word from Harrison?...Elite XC stages another card on CBS tonight. No clue who is fighting, but surely it is handled better than the last time out where trigger happy refs repeatedly stopped fights early because it happened to be on network TV in prime time....Greg Maddux hasn't won fewer than 13 games since 1987. He sits at 3 this year...talk about a global league: the English Premier League has 35% of the players listing England as their country of birth. I find that number low, but that's what national team coach Fabio Capello is advertising...have a great Saturday.

Friday, July 25th, 2008 - No "O Canada"?

Sir Charles Barkley paid the tuition of a busboy from one of his favorite restaurants when the guy said he couldn't afford it. Now, that happened earlier in the week. Notice how much coverage it got? None mainstream. Zero. But if he enters a casino, look out...a couple interesting items on the air in Beijing. The air quality is five times worse than what the World Health Organization deems acceptable. Second, working outside is like smoking 70 cigarettes a day. Makes me want to run a marathon, row a boat, or ride a bike...Chicago Cubs pariah-fan Steve Bartman turned down an offer of $25,000 to sign a picture of the infamous playoff mix-up. If I'm him, I'm signing. Fast...Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis says the race for Mats Sundin is down to them and Toronto. My thinking is he's half right. Toronto. Or Montreal...Ottawa Sens owner Eugene Melnyk is making noise about an MLS side for Ottawa. There's talk of Steve Nash among others in on a Vancouver squad. And Montreal is all but a certainty with Montreal Canadiens and Liverpool owner George Gillett in the mix. Small names these are not...Tom Coughlin lit up Jeremy Shockey as selfish, and acknowledged Shockey's "me" outlook was a consideration. In other news, water is wet...Joba Chamberlain and Josh Beckett take to the bump tonight at Fenway as the Yanks and Sawx renew hostilities. Odds are Kevin Youkilis is getting another in the ribs from Joba...with these volatile markets, the Yankees might be buying Bonds. As in, Barry Bonds. Words cannot describe how against this I am...be sure to catch SportsCenter below to see the wildest brawl in a long time in baseball. You will not believe what one pitcher did...David Beckham went the distance in the MLS All-Stars 3-2 win over West Ham United. Local boy Dwayne DeRosario scored the winner. Hilites here. Of particular note: they played God Save The Queen. They played the Star Spangled Banner. They did NOT play O Canada. Fuck you, MLSE...have a great Friday.

Thursday, July 24th, 2008 - Hit it, CC

Brett Favre was using a cell phone issued by the Green Bay Packers to talk to coaches and management of the rival Minnesota Vikings. That this was revealed is hardly surprising. After all, everybody knows that in crunch time, Favre always gets intercepted...believe it or not, more than a few MLB teams are not allowing fans to bring sunscreen into their stadiums for security reasons, falling in line with airplane rules around liquids and gels. Incredible. The New York Yankees just lifted their ban this past weekend...Lebron James says the Redeem Team will be bringing the Olympic gold back to the U.S. He guarantees it...Roger Federer is not having a great month. He's out at the Rogers Cup, no doubt bringing more than a few tennis fans to tears hoping for a Federer/Nadal rematch on Sunday...CC Sabathia is on one hell of a roll since going to the Milwaukee Brewers, tossing his third straight complete game and sixth of the year. Remember how badly he started? The guy is going to win the NL Cy Young. Just watch...the Globe & Mail's Stephen Brunt on Toronto FC: "they're scoring goals like the Blue Jays score runs"...I'd have easily bet Mike Mussina would lose 13 this year before I bet he'd win 13. Mussina is 12-3 since May 1st...the MLS All-Star game goes at BMO Field tonight. David Beckham et al are in town to represent the MLSers as they face English Premier League side West Ham. The Hammers had some traveling fans get in a brawl with the hosts in Columbus last weekend. I imagine they won't fare too well if they venture into the south end of BMO. Yours truly sold his ticket for nearly four times face value, such is my disdain for All-Star Games in general, though baseball does work. Kickoff is 7pm, coverage coast to coast on CBC...Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb is talking a big game, all but promising the Eagles will win the NFC East. Not sure if McNabb has looked in the mirror of late, but his days as an elite QB ended the day Terrell Owens jumped ship. Or when he threw up in the final moments of Super Bowl 39...have a great Thursday.

Rome burns on Favre...

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 - Ronaldinhorse

Lovely pic of Ronaldinho, no?...and now for something completely different. Chicago Cubs closer Kerry Wood has avoided going to the DL. Strange, but true...what says "I'm guilty" more than knowing you're going to get pulled for a doping test after winning a stage of the Tour de France, and trying to flee like two stage winner and the brilliantly named Riccardo Ricco did? Here's an idea for the Tour: either ditch the whole thing, or just let everybody do whatever they want and see what a bunch of freaked out cyclists can do...the mob tried to buy Lazio of Italy's Serie Zzzzz? Awesome. There's gotta be a movie in there somewhere...if the Boston Red Sox let Man Ram go and chase the Colorado Rockies Matt Holliday, they'll be sorry. Holliday is another in a long line of guys with great numbers at home, and nothing on the road...it is official: Cristiano Ronaldo is incapable of stating a firm opinion. How else to explain him musing he might be bound for the LA Galaxy one day...Mats Sundin will make a decision in two weeks time as to his hockey future. See Brett Favre, this is how it is done. no guns-to-heads, no flip-flopping, no "hold on until I let you know" and no demands like you're the de facto GM...the U.S. men's Olympic hoops team is going by "Redeem Team" and has emphasized team so much they put their names on their jerseys in a muted light blue while the team name is in flaming red. If they're focused, it's going to be fun watching them steamroll the competition. Of concern, Lebron James left practice with a wonky ankle. The U.S. faces Canada Friday in what will surely get ugly...an A-Rod and Madonna sex tape? I'll say one thing of A-Rod, whether this is true or not, the man is locked in on the diamond...Toronto FC drew at home to Montreal Impact to bow out of the CONCACAF Champions League. Frankly, that is embarrassing. More embarrassing is if you're TFC striker Jeff Cunningham, and your coach gets off this blast on you after you miss a sure goal in the dying seconds: "Seeing that — it makes me wonder how he's scored 99 goals in this league." Kudos to GBVH for that find...a brawl in the WNBA? Video included in SportsCentre below, plus extended video below that which includes the quote that Rick Mahorn was "in some way touching Lisa Leslie". Gold. No horses had to be put down following this one, fortunately...is it me, or does it seem like every other time the Phillies are playing the Mets, they're coming back late? 6 runs in the 9th last night was the latest...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 - Troubled Times in Toronto

Three more saves for Mariano Rivera on a game Andy Pettitte started will break the record of 57 set by Oakland’s Bob Welch and Dennis Eckersley. This Yankee fan would love to see the next one this weekend when Boston is in the Bronx...Sports Illustrated's Peter King vows that if that cancer Brett Favre is going anywhere, it is Tampa Bay...so there's NY Giant Brandon Jacobs whining about how his squad not getting enough respect. Respect is like finishing second, Jacobs. In ten years, nobody will remember who got respect or not - they will remember who got the rings and trophy. That aside, what is a guy with 1,500 career yards over three seasons talking for?...but while Jacobs feels the VaGiants are being disrespected, along comes the first power rankings of the year from ESPN.com, and four of the top 5 squads are AFC teams. And the other is not the Giants, but is the Cowboys who checked in at #4. The Giants are #6. New England is tops, and the article tells us something I'm sure we're all thrilled to hear: New England has the easiest schedule this season based on 2007 results. Wonderful...the new moniker for the Oklahoma City NBA franchise will be "Thunder"...the usually solid Bleacherreport.com runs a countdown of the Top 10 Wimpiest Team Names. And hey, the CFL got some recognition! Not sure how they just didn't have a category for any bird not an Eagle or Hawk. And where are the Maple Leafs? That is truly a name that doesn't make one think "tough". After all, leaves fall to the ground and are just in bloom in the spring. Well, in theory...Cito Gaston called Scott Rolen the best third baseman he has ever seen. Seriously. Seems Cito's eyes are deceiving him. Kinda the way Rolen's are deceiving him en route to a .270 average with 8 homers and 30 RBI...Randy Johnson has never lost to the Chicago Cubs. A career 13-0 after last night's victory...the Toronto Maple Leafs will "honour" the jerseys of Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark. Not bad for a guy who scored all of 452 points as a Leaf in Gilmour, and merely 260 goals for Clark. But, when your history is that feeble, may as well have a party. Clearly, the Yankees and Habs they're not...Toronto FC is in a must-win situation tonight when they host the Montreal Impact in the final game of their section of the CONCACAF Champions League. Given their scoring struggles of late, I'm not overly optimistic...Jeremy Shockey finally got his wish in being dealt by the Giants to the New Orleans Saints. Poor Shockey, all pouty when the Giants got better after he got hurt and had the nerve to win a Super Bowl without him. Shame for him now he's got a quarterback who won't take his garbage, and a running back whose star far exceeds his - at least for now...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, July 21st, 2008 - Cash Flow Low

The Cristiano Ronaldo story is picking up steam again, as Ronny plays the "who knows what will happen?" card to the media while on holiday in the U.S...explain this one, if you can. You can go to a grocery store and perpetually pick up plastic bags for your purchases. But, if you want a reusable bag, you pay for it. Shouldn't that be the other way around?...ever wonder how much actual playing time is there in the average sport? An NFL game 12 minutes, or 1 minute of action per 14 minutes of time it takes to complete the game (the CFL is a better 1 minute of action to 10 minutes inaction). Baseball checks in at 12 minutes, 22 seconds (1 action to 16 inaction). Hockey is far more action filled at 1-1.4, and in first is soccer, the only sport where the action exceeds the inaction at 1-0.3...Croatia downed Germany in Olympic basketball qualifying. I'm only mentioning this because I was asked why I didn't mention it yesterday. My response? Croatia beating Germany in anything is hardly news anymore. Germany did end up nabbing the final Olympic qualifying spot, joining Croatia and Greece...big day for OJ Simpson yesterday. Spike ran a Naked Gun marathon. That's gotta net him a couple bucks in residuals, no?...former Toronto Argo - and isn't it best to refer to any former CFLer as "former CFLer"? - John Avery has written the pilot to a sitcom. Working title? "CFL: Cash Flow Low". Make of this what you will...the NFC East just got a little tougher, with the Washington Redskins trading for Jason Taylor. Expecting some harsh words from Bill Parcells any moment now...getting swept by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim has dropped the Boston Red Sox 1.5 games out of first place Tampa Bay. And lookie here: the Yankees are lurking a mere 4.5 games out...from the Department of Odd Stats: Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster is now 11-4 after winning yesterday, his first road win in two years...no Pardon The Interruption all week? Booo!...have a great Monday.

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Anderson Silva took a minute flat to win his UFC debut at 205. At Affliction "Banned", Fedor Emelianenko smoked Tim Sylvia in 36 seconds...LPGA golfer Michelle Wie was disqualified after a scorecard error. That's what happens when you're a home school dropout...Toronto FC dominated play, didn't really give up a chance, but their inability to finish cost them two points in a draw against San Jose yesterday. A striker signing would be great, Mo Johnston...the Blue Jays don't have a single player on pace to hit 20+ home runs...remember Manny Ramirez shoving the team's traveling secretary a few weeks back? Well, seems Man Ram was fined six figures for that, and there is speculation that at Yankee Stadium, in a pinch hitting appearance, his leaving the bat on his shoulder for three straight strikes was his form of protest. That Man Ram, no slight real or perceived goes unpunished...Tony Romo not only lost his first two playoff games as the Dallas Cowboys QB, he also did the same in three consecutive years in college. Worried? Not this guy...and now for something completely different: the Buffalo Sabres actually signed a key player in goalie Ryan Miller...are you like me, and hoping Greg Norman goes old school and chokes the lead away in the final round at the British Open?...have a great Sunday.

Saturday, July 19th, 2008 - Turning the Clock Back

With the MLS standings being as tight as they are, today's game at BMO Field where TFC face San Jose qualifies as a "must win" game, especially when San Jose's first round pick next year is held by TFC and right now, is the first pick overall. I expect three points for TFC, or a bloodbath in the stands if not. Kickoff is 3pm (Eastern) on CBC...couple big MMA cards on the go tonight. For my money, I'll take watching Anderson Silva and the UFC free on Spike/SportsNet over any fight with that bore Tim Sylvia in the Donald Trump backed Affliction promotion...if Greg Norman and David Duval are near the top of the British Open leaderboard, what year is it?...Richie Sexson has joined the Yankees to give them some badly needed help against lefties. Look at his numbers pre and post drug testing. Just sayin'...proof there are two fools born a minute: the St. Louis Blues signed former Leaf stiff Andy Wozniewski...Adam Dunn of the Cincinnati Reds has 6 homers in 9 games. Imagine what he'd do if he cared about playing. And yes, that is sarcasm...not one call has been made by other teams inquiring about A.J. Burnett, if you believe J.P. Ritardi. Memo to J.P.: those looking to sell are occasionally proactive to make it happen...Leo Rautins job as Canada's hoops boss is under review. Be sure to thank a Croatian today for that with a cold brew. Or just click some ad banners throughout the day...harsh words about the BMO Field turf, and practicing on it in particular, from former TFCer Ronnie O'Brien, and almost TFCer Darren Huckerby...have a great Saturday.

Friday, July 18th, 2008 - The Mets Are Back

One month after replacing manager Willie Randolph, the Mets picked up a slice of first place in the NL East after rolling off their 10th straight win...maybe it was the non-existent crowd, or overly amped mics, but the squeaking on the floor in the Canada/Croatia hoops qualifier probably annoyed mice...speaking of the crowds at this tourney, remind me of this the next time some meat puppet tries to say basketball is "arguably" the most popular sport in the world...running back Jesse Lumsden must be one incredible player because after three competitive games, his Hamilton Tiger Cats got shredded with him sitting, 43-16, at the hands of the Calgary Stampeders...in an article Bukkake threw my way, it says Ricky Williams "could be the best player on the 'Fins roster." This is a scathing indictment of the Dolphins, when he wasn't even that in his year with the Argos...it must be baseball's second half, because Manny Ramirez discontent is coming out. He blasted Red Sox management for being less than honest with him. Sox management begs to differ...you're a once-prized young pitcher who gets hurt. You struggle to return to the majors and get lit regularly when you do make it back. The team sends you to the minors. You turn it around. But they don't call you up. So you file a grievance to make it happen because it impacts your service time and therefore, when you're arbitration eligible? Way to be look out for number one, Francisco Liriano. Maybe it is because the Minnesota Twins are more than in the race without you?...now this is just sad. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is being detained for mental observation after going off the rails on the L.A. Freeway a couple days back. Rampage is one of the UFC's best guys insofar as I can tell...think David Beckham has worked out for the MLS? Their ratings on ESPN are up 150%, and attendance increases 11,000 per game when he's in the house. There were also more Beck's jersey's sold than some guys named Derek Jeter, Reggie Bush, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James in the last year...I love that Gary Bettman thinks he can scare the New York Rangers into giving up their internet rights like every other team has to league control, and has threatened to kick the Rangers out of the league. Fortunately, the Rangers aren't scared...Croatia are a benevolent land and people. Their soccer team saved England's soccer program by costing them Steve McClaren's coaching job after a couple beatdowns, and now will aid Canada's hoops program by pushing Leo Rautins off the gang plank. What a beating this morning...closing off yesterdays MLS vs CFL debate, in which Bukkake called Ontarians idiots. We pay less for gas than Alberta, who produce it. Who are the idiots now?...have a great Friday.

Thursday, July 17th, 2008 - Keep On Roko In The Free World

So who delivers the annual American League fire and brimstone, profanity laced speech to get the players amped up to win the All-Star Game? Ichiro. No kidding. He's been doing it since 2001 and the AL has never lost when he's dropped his diatribe...the Yankees are out on the AJ Burnett bidding, but they once said that about Bobby Abreu a couple years back before getting him on the cheap...Donald Trump told Max Kellerman that he's pretty sure that A-Rod has a pre-nup. Slick defence, A-Rod...tomorrow morning on The Score, Canada faces Croatia in an Olympic qualifier. For Raptors fans, it is a chance to see new back-up Point Guard, and soon to be starter when Jose Calderon proves he can't endure the NBA grind for the third year running, Roko Ukic, who was signed yesterday to a three year deal. Game time is 6AM...there's a giant three way NHL trade in the works that would see LA get Martin Gerber and Andrej Meszaros, Chicago get Anze Kopitar, and Ottawa get Nikolai Khabibulin. Those are just the main players in the deal. Chicago is getting good fast...the NFL is employing people to ensure there are no gang signs flashed in on-field celebrations. Good thing they're not being overly anal...Bill Parcells had a problem with Jason Taylor going on Dancing With The Stars, laying his hands on the smoking hot Edyta Sliwinska. Wonder how he feels with QB hopeful Josh McCown getting his hands carved as a result of a "miscommunication" while working a chainsaw with his brother? Kudos to RM reader TS for that head's up...wonder how Canadian NBAers will feel about playing for Canada now that Samuel Dalembert was deemed expendable by that hack TV commentator Leo Rautins moonlighting as a coach?...the British Open is off today. Have a sneaking suspicion that Sergio Garcia continues the great month for Spain and wins it...it has been a long time since I thought the world needed help, so today, "make the world a better place, punch Brett Favre in the face." There, I feel better. Now somebody get that done...Maxim's Hot 100 list just saw #42 - Friday Night Lights star Minka Kelly - conquered by Derek Jeter, netting him 7 ladies off the list. Jeter was seen having a good time at a party he hosted during the break...thankfully, the All-Star Break is over and we're back to daily baseball action...finally, Toronto Maple Leafs tickets for their true value: nothing. The Leafs are giving away tickets to a pre-season game. Free. All of them...Steven Paige of the Barenaked Ladies, busted for possession of the Devil's Dandruff? Nicely done...have a great Thursday.

Wednesday, July 15th, 2008 - All-Star All Timer

The bar is set real low as All-Star Games go across sports, but last night's (this morning's?) was the best I've ever seen. Great article from Jayson Stark summarizing it here. The Mets stud third bagger David Wright almost came in as a pitcher. Imagine if his arm went Canseco? Imagine if the game ended tied? Bud Selig looked like he aged a dozen years last night, leaving him looking not a day over a thousand as that possibility grew. Oh yeah, the AL won again...which do you think are smarter and better fans? On one hand, you have the last All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium and the fans do the traditional role call, including for the hated Red Sox, or you've got the looming MLS All-Star Game at BMO Field in Toronto with the supporters groups vowing to sit silently in protest over the possibility that the Toronto Argos might play at BMO in the future? Yankee fans win this decision by a mile, mostly for recognizing time and place, and not being drama queens...one NBA GM told ESPN The Magazine that the dearth of first round foreigners in the draft isn't on Darko Milicic alone, and that Andrea Bargnani hasn't helped either. The impact of their failures doesn't match what Kwame Brown did for high schoolers draft stock, but it is close, he said. Ouch...the Buffalo Bills first five opponents were 36-44 in 2007 before they hit the bye week...the NFL must be getting closer to starting its season, as already star players are going down with injuries. Peyton Manning is out 6 weeks with an infected Bursa Sac...Chase Hilgenbrinck, a defender for the New England Revolution in the MLS, is leaving the game to join the priesthood. That has to be a first in pro sports...the Tampa Bay Rays have 17 of their last 24 games on the road this season. No chance they win the AL East...Chase Utley apologized for his F-bomb in the Home Run Derby a couple nights back...Frank Lampard is said to be ready to demand a move to Inter Milan from Chelsea. Is there a player whose stock has fallen faster the last three years than Lamp's? He was an utter beast a few years back, and is now a disposable piece...the Milwaukee Brewers play 23 games in the second half against teams over .500 today. They may not win the NL Central, but you've got to think they're a lock for a Wild Card...longtime RM reader B. Kennedy tipped us off that it is good to see that Suck Chwirsky isn't letting a move to a better basketball market in Chicago get in the way of him waxing knowledgeable. The latest is his suggesting that the Minnesota T-Wolves should've drafted Brooks Lopez instead of Kevin Love. Loved hearing new Raptors play-by-play man Mike Devlin described on Fan 590 as a "professional basketball play-by-play man" with the inference clear that he wasn't about sideshows, catch phrases or self promotion like Suck was...UFCer Quinton "Rampage" Jackson comes by his nickname honestly, leading police on a chase while he sped through traffic with a flat tire...have a great Wednesday.

SportsCenter Right Now

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 - All-Star Tuesday

Two years and out for Ted Nolan as coach of the New York Islanders with the dreaded "philosophical differences" cited. Is that Nolan's last gig in the bigs? You'd think so...Maxim brings us the 8 hottest tennis players. Sorry, Bukkake, they're the female version. Speaking of female tennis players, Ashley Harkleroad showed up on my doorstep yesterday, or at least she did on the cover of the August issue of Playboy...battling for the starting QB job on their high school football team: Wayne Gretzky and Joe Montana's sons, Trevor Gretzky and Nick Montana. Also on the squad is wideout Trey Smith, son of Will "Fresh Prince" Smith...Detroit Red Wings Kris Draper's baby girl used the Stanley Cup as the Stanley Toilet Bowl, dropping a deuce in the mug. And Draper still had a drink out of it that night...true story: this week is National Sports Cliche week. What would sports be without cliches?...the Detroit Pistons are said to be looking to work a trade for Tracy McGrady. But, when the source is Toronto's Metro, you have to doubt it...of course after I suggested Roy Halladay or Mariano Rivera had my starting nods, it ends up being Cleveland Indian Cliff Lee for the American League. Starting for the Senior Circuit is Ben Sheets of the Milwaukee Brewers. Since streaks only end once, I'm going with the AL to win for the seventh straight year...Greg Norman's last divorce cost him a mere $103 million. A-Rod, be very afraid...during the Home Run Derby intros, my fav moment had to be where Chase Utley could be overheard saying "boo? Fuuuuck you" to a fan who gave him the Bronx Cheer. Classic...I'm not normally one for any of the skills competitions, but that show Josh Hamilton put on was something else. Wow...Milton Bradley brought out a towel and a drink to the guy throwing to Hamilton. Does that make him a better team player than Jose Calderon?...good to see "Jason" Morneau win it...Blue Jays Fan may not want to acknowledge that they knew this day would come, but yours truly was sure of it: Roy Halladay is getting tired of the losing in Toronto year after year...have a great Tuesday.

SportsCenter Right Now:

Monday, July 14th, 2008 - Brett Favre Sucks

11 years and $85 million for Vincent Lecavalier to stay with the Tampa Bay Lightening. Again, I totally fail to see the logic for player or team in making these deals...while the Yankees took batting practice on Friday at the Rogers Centre, Lenny Kravitz blared out of the speakers. Might have been to make Cynthia Rodriguez comfortable on her visit to Toronto to have her kids visit with pops Alex...the Tampa Bay Rays swoon continues as they dropped their seventh straight to limp into the break...the Brett Favre Fiasco continues to get more ridiculous, as fans rallied to demand his reinstatement. Word is the text message Favre sent to GM Ted Thompson said "give me my helmet or give me my release." Is there anyone that thinks Favre is still a "good guy"?..tough call for the AL starting pitcher assignment in tomorrow's All-Star Game. Do you go with Cliff Lee, who has had an incredible year on a last place squad? Roy Halladay, who has thrown four more complete games than anyone else? Or Mariano Rivera, with a 1.06 ERA in the last All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium? My heart says Rivera, my head says Halladay...one month until the English Premier League starts its new season. I cannot wait...have a great Monday.

SportsCenter Right Now

Sunday, July 13th, 2008 - Fire engulfs TFC

The sale of Yankee Stadium's parts when it closes are expected to net $50 million. And to think all I want is a seat. That'll likely cost a fortune...them crazy kickers. Former NFLer Tony Zendejas took a page out of Sebastian Janikowski's playbook and hit a ladies drink with some roofies. He followed it up with a little rape action...the Green Bay Packers have denied Brett Favre's request to be released. If there is karma in this world, their next move will be to have him ride the bench for the year...Jose Canseco got knocked out in the first round of his fight last night. Beautiful...how bad has the Philadelphia Phillies Brett Myers been? If "Opposing Hitters Facing Brett Myers" were one person, that guy would be third in the NL in homers, second in doubles, 10th in slugging and 12th in OPS...Michael Jordan only made $94 million from playing basketball. How backward does that seem?...the Tampa Bay Rays lost their sixth straight, and suddenly the entire AL East is within 10 games. The Rays are the worst team in the division on the road at 19-24, and they've got more road games than home left on the schedule. I predict a second half fade...good day at the Rogmajhal for Yankee fans. A-Rod passed Mickey Mantle on the all-time homer list at 537, and Derek Jeter hit his 200th in a 9-4 Yankee beatdown of the Jays...Toronto FC dropped the game to Chicago in the dying minutes 2-1. Abdus Ibrahim looks like a keeper though. The kid is dangerous...have a tremendous Sunday.

SportsCenter Right Now

Saturday, July 12th, 2008 - Desperately Seeking Bills Ticket Sales

Got an email from the Buffalo Bills in Toronto that talked of more tickets available as a "result of sponsor and NFL reallocations". That is code for "we ain't close to sold out but no sense admitting we overestimated the markets willingness to pay that much to get fisted". What's next, are they going to pretend they added seats?...guessing not too much coverage will be going to the Jose Canseco vs. Vai Sikahema fight tonight. Sikahema is a former NFLer, if you didn't know...the Tampa Bay Lightning are doing wonders to shed their image as a backward organization. They've made a few nice deals this offseason, and now are talking of firing GM Jay Feaster, who presumably engineered the moves...Toronto FC travel to face the Chicago Fire tonight. Coverage on Rogers SportsNet. TFC and the Fire have identical records, but the Fire has more firepower, and being at home, get the edge in this one. I hate to say that...I love that the Calgary Flames are playing up that Jarome Iginla wanted Todd Bertuzzi in Calgary Flames colours. Let's not forget that Vince Carturd once wanted Hakeem Olajuwan in Raptors gear, and we know how that turned out...if you took the over on Day 4 for a Tour de France drug test failure, you lost. Seems Spain's Manuel Beltran failed a test on Day 1...so Brett Favre has asked for his unconditional release from the Green Bay Packers which ought to confirm for all what a selfish prick he has always been, but I'm sure his apologists are still fighting that perception hard...there's a heavyweight title fight in boxing between two guys nobody cares about...a cemetery for fans of the Chicago Cubs only? Surely a sign of the pending apocalypse. Wonder if Steve Bartman would get a free pass?...if you see chaos in section 113B today at the Rogmajal, with a couple guys in Yankee top hats and Giambi mustaches, that would be me and the crew celebrating my birthday. Limo, suds, tunes, Yankees vs. Jays, with a kegger to follow on return. Good times, other than the dreadful pitching matchup...what can you say about Roy Halladay that hasn't been said before? The man is a machine...of course, all my Tampa Bay Rays talk is accomplishing exactly what I was after: they've now lost five straight...have a great Saturday. Back tomorrow, with a blistering hangover no doubt.

SportsCentre Right Now

Friday, July 11th, 2008 - Argonautgoodatall

Going to be quite the treat at the Rogmajhal tonight, as the Yankees Joba Chamberlain takes the bump with Roy Halladay countering for the Jays. Prediction: this game will be under two hours twenty minutes...interesting comparison: Barry Bonds, he of much rumor but little actual evidence, is out of baseball. Todd Bertuzzi, he of clear guilt and bringing his sport into disrepute, keeps getting jobs...Bertuzzi is, for the record, on his third go-round with Mike Keenan...Jacksonville Jags wideout Matt Jones was busted for carving coke with a credit card in his car. Bye bye, career...David Beckham will be playing in Toronto for the MLS All-Star Game game on July 24th...the always hilarious Raging Redhead, Cam Stewart, of Hardcore Sports Radio's "Drive This" has dubbed CC Sabathia as "Carbs and Calories"...only in the CFL can a guy be on waivers, as the Toronto Argos Michael Bishop is, but be on the sidelines for his side and actually get in the game. The Argos got annihilated by the Edmonton Eskimos...despite at least 30 votes from yours truly, Jason Giambi didn't get the final spot for the AL in the All-Star Game. Evan Longoria rode the confused Desperate Housewives fans vote to the spot...AJ Burnett could be heading to the Philadelphia Phillies. Get ready to see him suffer a severe neck injury from the severe whiplash of all the homers that fly out of the home park...Brett Favre could find the Baltimore Ravens are interested. That sounds about as good as Emmitt Smith finishing in Arizona...ESPN.com's Jayson Stark has some ideas to improve baseball's All-Star Game. He missed the obvious one: ditch fan and player voting. If this game "counts", have the best minds in baseball - General Managers and Managers - do the player selections. And while you're at it, lose the lame "every team gets represented" idea. There are too many deserving players left out in favor of guys that are the best of a bad lot...have a great Friday.

SportsCenter Right Now:

Thursday, July 10th, 2008 - Gillette Curse!

A caller to Hardcore Sports Radio's "Drive This" might be onto something: the Gillette Curse. Tiger Woods - injured and out for the year. Roger Federer - dropping from the top. Thierry Henry - downward spiral to irrelevancy...RM reader "Rat" gives us this interesting baseball stat: the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim California USA North America Planet Earth's Francisco Rodriguez is on pace to smash the single season saves record held by then Chicago White Sox (Sock?) Bobby Thigpen of 57 in 1990. K-Rod is at 35 and on pace for 63...the Spanish couldn't leave well enough alone. Hot on the heels of a Euro 2008 win and Rafael Nadal's Wimbledon win, they still went on with the running of the bulls in Pamplona. Not surprisingly, two people got gored...Rampage Jackson's trainer is filing a protest over the result Saturday vs. Forrest Griffin. Shame. Just sign the rematch and get on with it. That said, there is also talk of a Griffin vs. Chuck Lidell fight. Lidell could be seen practically cheering for Griffin, but after the beating Rampage dropped on him, I could see why...the American Mustache Institute is endorsing Jason Giambi for the All-Star Game. Good enough for me! The Yankees also had a mustache giveaway for yesterday's game. Fake ones, obviously...Ray Emery is going to Russia after no NHL squads expressed interest. Emery in Russia. I cannot see this ending well...ESPN The Magazine's Rick Reilly - still sounds odd to not say "Sport's Illustrated's" - has a great piece on the closing of Yankee Stadium in which several players are openly bragging about stealing things from The House Ruth Built...as mentioned some time ago, FIFA is indeed looking at alternative sites for the 2010 World Cup, which President Sepp Blatter admitted. Blatter also said Manchester United should sell Cristiano Ronaldo if he wants out, because to not do so is subjecting him to "slavery". If pulling his paycheque is slavery, sign me up...a 2-2 draw for Toronto FC against Vancouver Whitecaps last night in a game they led 2-1 late in is a shame. Maurice Edu looks terrible this year...have a great Thursday.

Bukkake says "It's Good To Be A Yankee"...

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Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 - CC De Mil

Jay Mohr was filling in for Jim Rome on Monday and told a story of how a friend of his worked at the Paramount Hotel in New York and said that when the WWF/WWE talent would stay there, Andre the Giant would have two rooms. One to sleep and eat in. The other? For him to use the tub as his toilet. I feel sorry for the guy that had to clean the tub after Andre checked out...another benefit of the CC Sabathia's deal for Milwaukee: the meat industry is back in business after Prince Fielder went vegetarian. By the way, Sabathia asked that the periods be removed from CC now...the Colorado Rockies have a minor league affiliate in Casper, Wyoming. Team handle? Ghosts, of course...one view of the Top 10 Worst Sports Logos ever. Honorary mentions from RandoMango: the original Toronto Raptors logo, any logo ever used by the Vancouver Canucks, the Buffalo Sabres last two logos - the new slug or the ugly buffalo head - and the New Jersey Nets. Mostly because I hate Wince Carturd...if JP Ricciardi showed up for work singing the praises of Bell Sympatico on a Telus cell phone and showing naked pictures of Paul Godfrey's wife, do you think that'd be enough to get him fired?...Arsenal need to sell of $24 million (GBP) annually just to service the debt on their stadium. I didn't think any of the EPL squads ran their business like a CFL squad...Rich Harden is a Chicago Cub after a six player swap between the Cubs and Oakland A's. Scratch AJ Burnett as a possible Cub. I'm sure everyone's heart bleeds that AJ isn't going to get what he wants. Think the NL Central is going to be interesting with the Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers going at it?...Toronto FC travel to Vancouver to face the Whitecaps in the return leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Canadian edition. Randy Savage provides the TFC rallying cry here at 1:25. Kickoff goes at 10pm on GOL TV, which is likely as widely subscribed to as Leafs or Raptors TV..have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 - Mo Rivera...starter?

It never dawned on me that the AL will be using the Yankee clubhouse at the All-Star Game next week. So, the Red Sox will be in the Yankee clubhouse. Just doesn't seem right...what would be right about the All-Star Game would be starting the Yankees legendary closer Mariano Rivera…from September 2nd-17th, the Tampa Bay Rays play only Boston (6 times), New York (6) and Toronto (3) with only a single day off. That's when the AL East will get decided…in a story that would be as horrifying to me as if Brett Favre was rumored to be going to Dallas, there is talk from Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports that the Yankees might make a play for AJ Burnett. What have I done to deserve this?...Favre, has, according to Peter King, told the Packers he definitely wants to play, confirming previous theories he's a self-absorbed douche bag. If I were Aaron Rodgers, I'd throat punch him...Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe got off another blast, asking "who would want to live in Detroit?". Not sure if this came before or after he and Brian Burke were told to cool it by that troll Gary Bettman...looks like Wrigley Field in Chicago will host the NHL's Winter Classic on New Year's Day 2009, with the Detroit Red Wings in as opposition...what a shock that a team coached by Mike Keenan would recycle Todd Bertuzzi...finally caught the Rampage Jackson and Forrest Griffin fight last night, and Griffin definitely won in my book, but it was real close. The second round was the difference. I'll happily pay to see a rematch between those two...one week until the MLS transfer window opens. Here's hoping that Toronto FC is spending on a striker that could put them into contender status...pretty pumped to see that Joba Chamberlain will be on the bump for my visit to the Rogmajhal this Saturday...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, July 7, 2008 - Rafa Wins

It took nearly five hours, and if you watched any of it, you had to be blown away by the show Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer put on in the Wimbledon final. Nadal won, and so did tennis. John McEnroe called it the best match he's ever seen and I can't disagree. Solid week for Spain...C.C. Sabathia has been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. Just what the big man needed - a move to a state known for beer and cheese..."Emotional abandonment"? That's grounds for divorce, says the soon to be former Mrs. A-Rod. A-Rod hit a bomb last night to tie Mickey Mantle for 13th on the all-time homer list...Cristiano Ronaldo is having ankle surgery that will knock him out of the start of the season for Manchester United, or Real Madrid...sounds like Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard are off to Italy to join their former coach Jose Morinho at Inter Milan...how did the Tampa Bay Lightning get Dan Boyle to waive his no-trade clause? Word is by telling him that if he refused, he'd be waived and end up in Atlanta. Perhaps the Leafs should do the same with Bryan McCabe...the normal stride length for a pitcher is 77-87% of his height. San Francisco Giant Tim Lincecum's stride? 129% of his height, nearly 7.5 feet. That's freakish...the Tour de France is heading into Day 3 today. The over/under on how long before someone gets busted for drugs is Day 4...if A-Rod did indeed tap Madonna, bet the Yankees to win the World Series. Seriously. Her track record is that impressive. Jose Canseco in 1989. The Oakland A's win the World Series. Mark Messier in 1994. The New York Rangers hoist the Stanley Cup. Dennis Rodman in 1996. Chicago Bulls win the NBA Championship. Thanks for that, TS...have a great Monday.

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Sunday, July 6th, 2008 - Forrest wins!

Good of Toronto FC to sell the tickets to their friendly against Mexico's Pachua for hugely inflated prices - a seat that normally goes for $20 went for $70 - and then not play their best side. Fortunately for season ticket holders, they were included. TFC lost in penalties...no clue why the CFL wouldn't spread out its games more. Loading up on Thursday and Friday doesn't make a lot of sense for a league with only four games a week...the Philadelphia Phillies have entered the race to trade for C.C. Sabathia, though Milwaukee seems to be the front runner...it looks like Stephon Marbury's days in New York are numbered. Somehow, he'll end up getting a job somewhere else...Venus Williams took the women's Wimbledon title. Must've been her "turn"...the maple bats issue has been a big one in baseball, and finally somebody got hurt by a shattered bat. The Colorado Rockies Troy Tulowitzki slammed his into the ground in frustration and it shattered and cut him...Forrest Griffin, a big longshot, won a five round war over Rampage Jackson...Kevin Lowe and Brian Burke are at it again, with Lowe now calling Burke a "moron"...have a great Sunday.