Friday, September 12th, 2008 - Offside?

Of course, somebody is out there looking to capitalize on Tom Brady's injury. I know the righteous will rail on about how bad it is to make light of an injury, but let's be serious, the shirt at the right is no more offensive than any number of shirts you can buy in any NFL stadium lot on a given Sunday, and this one you could at least wear into the stadium. Bad taste? Sure. But not like Brady died...as redesigned websites go, I think the Toronto Sun sports section looks like garbage. Shame, it remains the best print sports section anywhere...if you believe in karma, the Dallas Cowboys Tony Romo just netted himself some. An old couple was on the road Sunday night with a flat and after dozens of cars drive by, who stops to help? Some guy with a cut chin and a 1-0 record under his belt from that very afternoon. The funniest part? The old man told Romo not to tell him the score as he was going to watch it on tape delay. And here I thought me and my brother GBVH were the only two sickos who went that way...here's what one site called The Most Memorable Athlete Meltdowns. I'm a little suspect of that group as they didn't mention Oliver McCall's nervous breakdown in the boxing ring against Lennox Lewis...Usain Bolt is going to train with Real Madrid. Make of this what you will...with the Cowboys playing the Philly Eagles Monday, of course the Terrell Owens press machine is firing on all cylinders, as Original 81 said Donovan F. McNabb made him a better wideout (true). He also said he made McNabb a better quarterback (also true). He finished with saying that he wasn't at all to blame for the mess in how he left (not true, as much as I love 81)...maybe it is just me, but of all the sports I follow, which includes most things outside of NECKCAR, I find the NBA offseason the least compelling by a wide margin. Whether it is the trades that don't get announced for a month after everybody knows, or the lots of smoke but little fire on the trade front, it is generally dullsville...Mats Sundin, Ottawa Senator? Sure, why not?...what is with football players having their mothers piping off? Two days ago, it was Vince Young's mom. Yesterday, Larry Johnson's. I'm sure McNabb's mom - never one to shy away from a mic - is getting warmed up along with some soup...the new Giants/Jets stadium may sell its naming rights to German company Allianz, who were once tied to the Nazi's. I'm sure a stadium tied to that name for teams from the city with the highest population of Jews outside of Israel will be thrilled...have a great Friday.

Thursday, September 11th, 2008 - Upset Central

What do you figure a ManRam jersey is going for in L.A. these days? How about $300? Wonder if it comes as large as the tent Manny wears onto the field, maybe that explains the cost because of all that fabric...a complete history of JP Ricciardi's trade record over here. Does he have a calling plan to Oakland?...the city of Toronto is a world leader in recycling, at least when it comes to sports. The Maple Leafs started the trend in bringing back Cliff Fletcher. The Blue Jays followed with Cito Gaston. And now the Argonautanygood's brought back Don Matthews. Matthews had left coaching after a serious bout with anxiety. How is coaching the brutal Argos going to help with that?...oddly, Roy Halladay has never won the U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox...wonder how watching the Anaheim Angels celebrate clinching tasted for perennial playoff guy Derek Jeter?...44 reason why Entourage is a great TV show...Curt Schilling is spouting off again about New Yorkers, blasting them for enjoying Tom Brady's injury. Memo to Schilling: there are a lot more Pats haters than just in New York, where, by the way, Brady lives. Memo to Schilling #2: you're way more hated than Brady ever will be. To borrow a page from Noel Gallagher, I hope you get AIDS and die...remember that big national championship game a couple years back where USC and Texas staged a great game? Look at the busts that have come out of that game in the pros: Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Reggie Bush, Lendale White...managed to catch Lebron James at the Browns/Cowboys game Sunday, again rocking a Yankees hat. What wasn't shown on TV was that he went to the Dallas sideline and had hugs for Pacman Jones and Terrell Owens. If Clevelanders can't see he's already got one foot out the door come 2010, they're not paying attention...Jessica Simpson and Pacman Jones are talking big game for the Cowboys Monday Nighter against Philly. When Pacman was asked about the Eagles Week 1 performance, he responded with a brilliant "they played the Rams, dude"...a day of upsets in World Cup qualifying yesterday, as Finland drew Germany 3-3, Croatia lost to England 4-1, and Portugal lost a last minute heartbreaker to Denmark. England played a simple game yesterday, and punished Croatia when they picked up a harsh red card. Going to be a tough haul to take the group for the red and white, but if history has shown anything, it is that England is fully capable of soiling the bed along the qualifying road...have a great Thursday.

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 - Big Mac...Comeback?

I thought yesterday's news of a Lance Armstrong comeback was not a great idea. But here's a ridiculous one: Mark McGwire is talking comeback. Seriously...it didn't take long, but A-Rod has as many homers in a Yankee uniform (205) as Derek Jeter, and 16 more than he hit for Seattle. He sits 11th on the Yankees all-time list tied with Jeter and Dave Winfield, that seagull terrorist...another gem of an outing from A.J. Burnett before passing the batton to sweep a double header over the ChiSox, giving the Jays 10 straight (meaningless) wins. A few weeks back, when they played the Yankees and Burnett pitched a gem, I spotted A-Rod at first chatting with Lyle Overpay. The cameras were in tight and I could see A-Rod say "he does? I'd love to have him," as he nodded toward the mound. Me suspects the conversation was very much around Burnett's future club. For the record, I rewound the PVR to confirm that's what it appeared, and that's what it stood as...Tie Domi is hooked up with Kelly Carlson of Nip/Tuck fame? Wow. It ain't his looks, it can't be his bank as his ex-wife is taking a good cut of that, it couldn't be his personality, and after hearing Nick Kypreos get on him in a bathroom in a dive bar in Waterloo a few years back as the Leafs held camp about his little pecker when Domi accused a guy of peaking, it can't be that either. I'm at a loss. By the way, Kypreos last NHL game came that next night when Ryan Vandenbussche caved in his face. That one is always worth a view here...so Vince Young is going a little wacky and has friends, teammates and family concerned to the point they called police to track him down. Wonder-lic if anyone saw him as not the sharpest knife?...Shawne Merriman's gamble on a shredded knee got him through all of one game. He's now done for the year, at least...another day of World Cup qualifying and the marquee matchup for this guy is Croatia hosting England, whom they've fisted repeatedly in recent qualifiers for Euro 2008. Jermaine Dafoe says a draw would be good for England. And wasn't it Michelle Owen who last November said not one Croatian player would be good enough to suit up for England? And where is he for the return bout? Nowhere. Looks good on you, Owen. Croatia takes this one, because, well, they never lose at home and rarely even draw and because they're flat out better than England, who remind me of the U.S. hoops team before the last few years: too reliant on stars and ego driven, not enough parts that mesh together...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 - Fed Express

A mere 18 of 22 for 178 yards with no Favre's - err- INT's for Aaron Rodgers against a strong Vikings D. Suspect a few of the meathead Packers fans are eating a whole lot of crow right now. The Packers won 24-19 ...Alex Rodriguez on the Jays current streak: "A lot of people should be happy they're not in the playoff race because they would be the scariest team." Word is some in New York were upset by this quote because the Yankees were trailing the Jays at the time, so he effectively said the Yankees were out too. Well, duh, what would you rather he say? Go Derek Jeter and pretend they're still in it?...a straight set beatdown of Andy Murray netted Roger Federer his 13th Grand Slam, and fifth straight U.S. Open...the Mets Billy Wagner went from being out for a couple weeks, to being out all of 2009. With their pen in the state it is in now, they may make the playoffs, but they've got no chance of going the distance...somehow, the LA Dodgers have managed to crawl into first in the NL West, and have a schedule where they won't play a single team the rest of the way within 10 games of .500...Randy Moss thinks the hit on Tom Brady was dirty? Randy Moss is wrong...not sure why he'd bother, but Lance Armstrong is planning on returning to the Tour de France in 2009. Why mess with your legacy and reputation that way? That said, he'll probably win. The guy is a freak...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, September 8th - Prime Time Picks

Who do you believe more in, a somewhat hurting Tarvaris Jackson, or Aaron Rodgers in his first start with all eyes on him to see if he wilts under the pressure? Me, I'm taking the Packers to win this one and cover the -3 points. Mostly because the world is convinced Rodgers will crack and the Vikes are being hyped as a contender.

In the late one, as much as I think the Oakland Raiders will be an improved team this year, they won't have enough this early to beat the Denver Broncos, who will cover the -3. I'm thinking Broncos by a TD.

Bet wisely, bet at Pinnacle.

Record - 1-1 ($0)

Oh, and Tom Brady? Done for the year.

Monday, September 8th, 2008 - Down Goes Brady

A little late today thanks to a wonky computer at work that is still off, so no boldface unless it goes through the email as such. What better place to have computer issues than at the office on a Monday morning?...who else could I have taken in my fantasy pool but Tom Brady, who word is tore an ACL and is out for the year…pretty much everything you read listed New England, Indy, Jacksonville and San Diego as the cream of the crop in the AFC. Of those, one franchise QB out for the year, and the other three lost to open including two at home. Welcome to the NFL in 2008…I would say that U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jokovic has a head like a foot, but feet might be insulted by that…the men's final goes today and a funny thing happened along the way. Seems #1 Rafael Nadal and #3 Novak Djokovic were derailed, and "has been" Roger Federer will take on Andy Murray (the hockey coach?) at 5pm today on CBS…the San Diego Chargers might want to check security video to see if Tatum Bell was anywhere near their stadium yesterday when the Carolina Panthers stole a win in the last second…don't want to get too high after one win, but man did the Dallas Cowboys look great on both ends of the ball. I know the Cleveland Browns will never be mistaken for the 1986 Bears D, but the Cowboys moved the ball at will all day. Next up is a very intriguing Monday Night dance with the Philadelphia Eagles…the last 12 years, at least five teams that didn't make the playoffs the year prior in the NFL made it the next season. I'm going to suggest that the Buffalo Bills will be one of those teams this season. I'm also going to suggest the Detroit Lions will not be…the life of Blue Jay Fan, another September showing when it doesn't matter which will only serve to keep J.P. Ricciardi employed and allow them to sell faint hope for 2009…saw a bit of the great movie Old School and the competition scenes got me thinking. Remember the scene where Will Farrrell (Frank the Tank) is in a debate with the "Ragin' Cajun" James Carville and he suddenly channels something or someone and rattles off a performance you'd never expect to win? That's what I think of Eli Manning. He's channelled his something or someone, and will come back to earth this year…back later with tonight's Prime Time Picks…have a great Monday.

Prime Time Picks

Almost forgot that I've got this whole "prime time" deal going for games this year. Going to play Chicago at +10. Yikes!

Sunday, August 7th, 2008 - Good luck, Chuck

Chuck Lidell lost for the third time in four fights, which should put an end to any notion he's an immediate contender for the heavyweight crown. Rashard Evans took the advice in this space yesterday and brought a gun, in the form of a right to the chin that sent Lidell to the canvas. Not sure about you, but I'm glad Lidell lost - UFC's overt promotion of him at the expense of others who may be more talented was rather annoying...Roger Federer took care of Novak Djokovic in one men's semi-final at the U.S. Open. If the rain holds off today and Rafael Nadal takes care of his end of the bargain, here's hoping they can conjure up something remotely as compelling as the Wimbledon final in June. Personally, I'm hoping Federer wins it to shut up all the doubters who have left him for dead after a great year by anybody but Federer's standards...today is like Christmas day as a child. The real opening of the NFL season. There's nothing like it...the Chicago media is so desperate to make something of "Cowboy" Kyle Orton that they've got a collage of pictures of guys he looks like, including Brad Pitt, George Clooney and my man, Dave Grohl...met Toronto Star scribe Cathal Kelly last night and had a great chat about Toronto FC, and more interestingly, the criticism he takes from the Red Patch Boys. Mr. Kelly is a big fan of "Mango Kid" and "GBV" at the Red Patch Boys website for bringing some sense to the debates over there, particularly around Kelly's articles. Great guy, and knows his stuff, that's a fact...Toronto FC had three players in the lineup yesterday who weren't even on the team until Friday, and had to get special permission from MLS to have them play in a 2-1 loss to Chivas USA. How is that for the integrity of the competition? Plainly, yesterday's game should have been moved when that many players are on international duty. Sure, TV contracts matter, but what about the 20,000 who paid to watch?...the less said about Canada's joke of a men's national soccer team, the better...have a great Sunday.

Saturday, September 6th, 2008 - Soccer Saturday

The ever quotable Ozzie Guillen, manager of the Chicago White Sox, on the Boston Red Sox diminutive Dustin Pedroia: “I never thought I was going to walk a (bleeping) jockey. Walking a guy who just came from being on top of ‘Big Brown’. I can’t believe you can change professions in one year, go from the Kentucky Derby to the Boston Red Sox ball park.”...going by 2007 record, tomorrow's game against the Houston Texans is the easiest non-divison game the Pittsburgh Steelers will play, out of their 10 games outside the AFC North...World Cup qualifying kicks off in Europe today, and Setanta will be covering several games, most on tape delay. I'll be watching tomorrow as Croatia play Borat's men of Kazakhstan...speaking of World Cup qualifiers, Toronto FC is down a mere 9 of 11 starters for today's match with Chivas USA at BMO Field, and MLSE brass are pushing for a change in the rules to prevent teams from getting decimated by national team duty like that. I would file their chances under "none" today. Kickoff for the nail in the playoff coffin is 4pm on CBC...UFC 88 goes tonight, and Rashad Evans better bring a gun, because short of killing Chuck Lidell, just can't see him winning any fight that is remotely close. The UFC has far too much riding on Lidell getting back in the prime slots...add AL home run leader Carlos Quentin to this weeks list of freak baseball injuries. He broke a wrist hitting a bat in the middle of an at-bat. Nice work, Q...it'll be Serena Williams vs. Jelena Janakovic for the women's final at the U.S. Open, and I'm using "women" loosely here...one final bit of soccer news today. Canada takes on Honduras in Montreal in their own World Cup qualifier. Based on what I saw in Toronto a couple weeks back, I'm not overly optimistic...have a great Saturday.

Friday, September 5th, 2008 - 584

In what was a pretty dull opener, the New York Giants threw a blanket of stifling defence on the allegedly improved Washington Redskins for a 16-7 win. There's going to be a lot of great games in the NFC East this year...speaking of "new", the expression "new and improved" is as moronic as saying that you or someone "could care less". Wrong in every way...could the Jays be one of the suiters willing to pay some big bucks for Manny Ramirez? They desperately need a presence in the middle of the order, he's mashed at Rogers Centre his whole career, he's get that shot to stick it to Boston like he wants, and he's said to be a fan of Toronto. Oh, and he does great at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, too. Makes a lot of sense, don't it?...believe it or not, the Yankees have won the last six games that Carl Pavano started. Three in 2008, two in 2007 and one in 2005. After going out in the fourth on Wednesday, Pavano said "I feel like I cheated my team tonight." Tonight?...Novak Djokovic knocked out Andy Roddick, and then delivered some post match smack that brought boos from the New York crowds. Djokovic is turning into a surly, prickly guy...a great list of 7 happenings in sports that may have been fixed, including the "Michael Jordan was suspended rather than retired" story...it is official, Chad Ocho Cinco jersey's are now available...life in the bullpen can be pretty dull, so a couple Florida Marlins pitchers took it upon themselves to count the "crowd" at their game on Wednesday. Their total? 584. No joke...have a great Friday.

Thursday, September 4th, 2008 - Agbongla-whore

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has pulled off a feat that even Shawn Kemp or Travis Henry would be envious of. Three ladies. Pregnant. At. The. Same. Time. His reputation in the EPL is of being a poacher in the box, but didn't think that extended to everyday life...trivia in the making: the first use of instant replay in MLB? A-Rod. Of course. A-Rod hit one off the cat-walk at the Trop and 2:15 later (that's minutes), the umps made the ruling and no managers came out to argue. Seems to me baseball got it right with their use of replay. The Yankees swept their two game series with Tampa in a sure case of "too little, too late", though they're giving a nice help to Boston who are now three back...Ottawa 67s coach and junior hockey legend Brian Kilrea will be calling it a career after this coming season, his 42nd behind the bench. I would love to know how many players he's graduated to the NHL...apologies for calling the Abu Dhabi group that now owns Manchester City "billionaiires" yesterday. The truth is they're worth north of a trillion dollars, and looking to have fun with their new playtoy...Canadian national team captain Paul Stalteri's days at Tottenham could be numbered, with Croatian dynamo Vedran Corluka now in the fold and a stud at the same position...and speaking of Croatia and soccer, if Slaven Bilic quits as coach of the Croatian national team to take over West Ham, I suspect I might cry. Methinks that maybe the English press is looking to rock the Croatian boat ahead of next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with England...Toronto FC has extended recent acquisition Chad Barrett with a four year deal. Barrett is definitely a keeper...baseball players can always be counted on for the most ridiculous injuries. Today, we've got two. Yankee Jason Giambi cutting up his head badly by wandering into a hotel room door, and Angel Jerred Weaver slicing his hand on, of all things, the bench..Brock Lesnar is working his wrestling background to the max, trashing Fedor Emelianenko when his name came up in the Lesnar-Randy Couture presser...and finally today, it is the opening of the NFL season, always a highlite of my sports year. The Washington Redskins are visiting the New York Giants. I'm going to take a run at doing what is typically a suicide mission in gambling circles: betting only the prime-time games, mostly for fun using the sometimes and mostly imaginary $100 wager. The Giants are 4 point favs in this one at Pinnacle. I'm taking the Skins (+4, +101) to cover the spread on the assumption that the public generally overvalues the defending champ going into a year. Bet wisely at Pinny!...enjoy the opener tonight, have a great Thursday.

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 - Lesnar vs. Couture

Not only is Randy Couture back for another UFC fight, but he'll be facing Brock Lesnar on November 15th. This has intrigue written all over it. Dana White says it'll be the biggest fight in UFC history, and he could well be right...here's Jim Leyland's post-game presser after his Detroit Tigers lost on Monday: “I’ll make this easy for you,” he said. “We basically threw a lot of balls when we should have thrown strikes and we threw some strikes when we should have thrown balls. And that’s the end of the conversation. I’ll see you later.” That is awesome...Manchester City signed Robinho, and their new Arabic billionairre owners have their sites on a lot more. They're talking about offering a huge amount of money for cross town star Cristiano Ronaldo among others. Things are about to get real interesting in the EPL with another big hitter in there. Somewhere in Canada, Noel and Liam Gallagher are hitting the bottle hard to celebrate...the Bryan McCabe error, err, era is over in Toronto. McCabe and a 4th rounder move to Florida for Mike Van Ryn. Toronto finished poorly in Mclean's rankings of Canada's smartest cities. Shipping McCabe out has to boost Toronto for next year...one developer says there's "no doubt" that L.A. will have an NFL franchise in 2009. Wonder if anyone in L.A. cares?...Novak Djokovic isn't winning over the fans at the U.S. Open like last year, but why should that ever be the point? He's lined up to face Roger Federer in the semis and Rafael Nadal in the finals if things keep rolling in a tourney loaded with intrigue...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 - A Flurry of EPL Moves

Figure this one out: J.D. Drew's actual name is David Jonathan Drew...Roy Halladay is one of four visiting pitchers in the history of Yankee Stadium to record four wins in a single year at The Stadium...Carl Pavano went 1,221 days between wins at Yankee Stadium...my alma mater, University of Waterloo, dropped an 18-17 game to the University of Toronto in CIS football action, giving U of T their first win after 49 losses. I'm returning my degree, alumni card, and Bombshelter VIP card...Cliff Lee went the distance again in pitching a shutout for the Cleveland Indians to pick up his 20th win. Sorry Roy Halladay, not much you can do about him this year in the Cy Young race...I wanted Tony Romo badly in my NFL fantasy draft last night, but at the #2 pick, you have to take Tom Brady, right?...Mike Weir soiled the bed to finish second at the Deutsche Bank tourney, shooting a 71 in the final round. Vijay Singh won again...Dimitar Berbatov went to Manchester United, Manchester City swooped in to steal Robinho out from under Chelsea's nose, and Vedran Corluka moved to Tottenham to hook up with compatriot Luka Modric. A flurry of moves at the close of the transfer window yesterday and last night, a bit of a summary which you can read here...and is it me, or does Berbatov look like Gavin Rossdale of "Bush X" fame in that pic?...don't look now, but the Colorado Rockies are only 6 back in the weak NL West...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, September 1st, 2008 - Adult Content

Jim Thome's homer yesterday moved him into a tie with Mickey Mantle. Just don't seem right, does it?...MLB has an interesting case on their hands already thanks to CC Sabathia yesterday. Sabathia missed a ball rolling - on the road - and it was scored a hit, the only hit he gave up on the day. Does MLB call it correctly and give him the no-hitter? Would be a strange thing to do given replay was just put in and not to reverse those kinds of calls. See the play below...the Toronto Sun's great baseball reporter Bob Elliot writes a swan song for Yankee Stadium. Solid read. He forgot one of my favs though: the Yankees and Jays getting into a bench clearing brawl in 1999 and Daryl Strawberry taking on about four Jays himself, and winning. That was my first game at Yankee Stadium...believe it or not, there is an actual line on which NFL team will have the most arrests this year. The Cincinnati Bengals, as you might imagine, are the fav. The Dallas Cowboys check in third, despite being the only team in the NFL to not have anybody arrested in the last year...speaking of arrests, Iowa State has had 22 of its football players arrested since April of 2007. Where are they recruiting? Compton?...Mike Weir has one just one tournament in 10 tries he lead after 54 holes. Easy to wager on a meltdown today...after Chelsea and Liverpool draws yesterday, nobody has a perfect record in the English Premier League. Going to make for a real interesting year when that's the case after three games...a 7:30 start for the Argos and TiCats? Has that ever happened? Must be to make sure no kids are watching with school starting tomorrow. That kind of content shouldn't be seen by the young and impressionable, particularly on a Monday Night, if you know what I mean...have a great Monday.

Sunday, August 31st, 2008 - TFC Gutted

Last night's last gasp loss to Chivas USA all but eliminates TFC from playoff contention. How many points can you throw away in the dying moments and contend?...by the rules of baseball, which state that ""any Playing Field constructed by a professional club after June 1, 1958, shall provide a minimum distance of 325 feet from home base to the nearest fence..."the new Yankee Stadium has an illegal field configuration by maintaining its current setup...Ricky Williams got a one year contract extension from the Miami Dolphins. Looks like he's finally out of debt...Arsenal finally got on track yesterday and Newcastle United suffered the consequences in a 3-0 clinic...the transfer window closes tomorrow so you can expect some last minute wheeling and dealing, particularly from Chelsea who seem tied to everybody...Ohio State anihilated Youngstown State 43-0 to get their NCAA season off to a fine start, but they did lose Heisman candidate Chris "Beanie" Wells to a foot injury...the Mets blew another lead in the 9th. They are making Billy Wagner look like an MVP with their inability to close games in his abscence, and it could well cost them a playoff spot...JP Ricciardi just may fix another of his mistakes in the coming days by trading David Eckstein...word is that the moving vans have already cleaned out Bryan McCabe's Toronto digs, in anticipation of the trade to Florida that will be announced likely Tuesday. Bryan - don't go away feeling you'll be missed...the Vancouver Canucks are but one team charging "premium" pricing for the Leafs visit this year. Is there anything about the Leafs that makes you think "premium" right now?...the Patriots opponents this season had a league low .387 win percentage. They might not go wire to wire without a loss again, but 13-3 seems an easy pick...SI.com's Don Banks has his takes on the NFL season here, and picks a Chargers-Saints Super Bowl...have a great Sunday.

And on this beauty slice of summer day, nothing better than a dip in the pool...and a dunk.

Saturday, August 30th, 2008 - RIP, Chad "Johnson"

Word is when Pacman Jones was reinstated, he was at a Hooter's. Go figure...Si.com's Jon Heyman takes a look at what ails the Yanks, and it almost reads like War and Peace. Robinson Cano takes a beating, including from one teammate (unnamed, of course). He raises one great point about A-Rod and that is that he's got better numbers than both David Ortiz and Man Ram this year, but takes all the heat in New York. Who is the captain, again?...Toronto FC travel to face Chivas USA tonight at 10:30 in the first end of a home and home series. Catch this one on Rogers SportsNet...Blue Jays colour man Rance Mulliniks on the Jays dropping a bunt last night: "good move on the Jays part bunting the runner over as they've struggled to score runs the last few games." If by "games", he means "years", then I agree...Carl Pavano gets warm applause coming to the mound but ARod gets booed. Figure that...the Chicago Cubs won their seventh straight to hold the best record in baseball. They are dynamite at home, and right now, my pick to win the World Series on the 100th anniversary of their last win...so, you think the Yankees would trade Ian Kennedy and Melky Cabrera for Johan Santana now?...Mike Weir shot a 61 to take the lead in a PGA event. Anybody want to wager this ends badly?...9 game EPL slate this weekend with Manchester United facing Zenit St. Petersburg in the Super Cup giving the Red Devils the week off. Tottenham is staring down an 0-3 start on the road at Chelsea...Chad Johnson legally changed his last name to Ocho Cinco. You can't make this stuff up...Calgary and Edmonton will co-host the World Junior hockey championships in the coming years, and Toronto is wondering why. Answer: you don't support junior hockey. Hell, you don't support anything that isn't Leafs hockey. Good of the Canadian Hockey Association for not pandering to the alleged centre of the hockey universe...have a great Saturday.

Friday, August 29th, 2008 - Pac is back!

Kenny Rogers isn't a fan of instant replay in baseball. Of course not. He is, after all, the guy who replay's busted for that "accidental" smudge on his hand in the playoffs a couple years back...BoSox pitcher Josh Beckett heard the four words you never want to hear if you're a pitcher: "visit Dr. James Andrews". If Beckett is out long term, and he's been scratched from his start tonight, the Sox will likely still make the playoffs, but I'd give them no chance of winning the World Series. Wonder if he thought the tingling in his fingers that serious when he woke up in Toronto a couple weeks ago or if he thought "hey, here's 'The Stranger'!"...NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reinstated Adam "Pacman" Jones for the Dallas Cowboys. Now it is to Pacman to make that deal look like a steal for the 'boys...Isaac Bruce, now with the San Francisco 49ers, predicts that the 49ers will score 8 TD's in a game this year. Even with Joe Montana or Steve Young and Jerry Rice in their primes I'd wager that didn't happen. Bruce has suffered too many head injuries...the Champions League draw went yesterday and no group is more interesting than the one featuring UEFA Cup champion Zenit St. Petersburg of Russia, Italian powerhouse Juventus and Spanish champions Real Madrid, plus some Belarussian team that will get anihilated...is there anything worse in sports than Week 4 of the NFL pre-season? Bet the under...good of Carlos Ruiz to finally show up at Toronto FC's digs. The noted bad boy could be the anti-Christ for all I care, as long as he can hit the back of the net. TFC travel to face Chivas USA in L.A. tomorrow...Ana Ivanovic choked against the world's 188th ranked player. Suspect her reign as the world #1 will be really short if this is how she handles the pressure...here we go. Hank Steinbrenner is eyeing C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett for next year, the latter which I said was entirely likely to friends last night. Maybe he likes guys with initials?...Matt Stairs is now a Philadelphia Philly...have a great Friday.

Thursday, August 28th, 2008 - Merriman is a fool

That picture to the left is the best I've seen women's tennis #1 Anna Ivanovic look, and the best part? No lame, overdone fist pumps...the San Diego Chargers Shawne Merriman is saying "no" to knee surgery and going to play with a badly damaged knee. First, somebody has told him that shooting 'roids to rehab isn't an option, right? Second, he's a fool. He's one errant blocker away from his career being over, and he's a fool if he thinks this will help him negotiate a contract down the road...time for another Top 10 list. This time, Top 10 Referee Attacks...Joe Sakic has announced that he's back for one more year for the Colorado Avs...England's World Cup qualifying campaign is off to a bad start. Midfield ace Steven Gerrard is out for at least the first two games with a groin injury...to all the fools thinking a Kobe Bryant or Lebron James would end up playing in Europe, allow this piece to debunk that idea...Tony Romo bought himself a new home that is entirely black and white, inside and out. Check it out...11-3 BoSox. At least the Yankees aren't just playing out the string. Maybe they can sign that 9-year old declared too good to pitch in his league?...have a great Thursday.

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 - Good night, Yankees

A whole heap of goodies to the right of the page to keep you occupied and clicking on RandoMango day in and out. Hope you like the new stuff...ESPN.com's Peter Gammons was asked which pitcher in all of baseball he'd sign for 4 years and $60 million and without blinking, Gammons responded with Roy Halladay who he lauded for his toughness, pace with which he works, and how much players love playing behind him. The Tampa Bay Rays were working on a 4th win over Halladay this season last night, but Halladay got the best of them. Maybe the 13,478 in the stands at Tropicana didn't fire up the Rays?...the LPGA is requiring all its players to speak English. What's next, they've got to be hetero too?...Elite XC is trying to peddle Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice on its October 4th CBS card. Shammy was done a couple years ago when the also-done Tito Ortiz pounded him like a drum...with Andriy Shevchenko's mostly disastrous run with Chelsea of the EPL now done with him heading back to AC Milan, the Kaka to Chelsea talk is really heating up with the September 1st transfer window about to close...Peyton Manning is back practicing for the Indianapolis Colts. Watch how quick he's ready for Week 1...horrible night for A-Rod as the Yanks went down 7-3 to the BoSox in a key game. Easy to pin a season on one guy's failings in one night, but the Yanks failings this season have been many...Cadillac Williams of the Tampa Bay Bucs is on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his patellar tendon in Week 4 last year. That guy simply cannot stay healthy, or get healthy as it were...a whole heap of NCAA college football is just about upon us running tomorrow through Saturday. Summer must truly be ending...think the media is having enough fun piling on Roger Federer, wondering if he's done? If I'm a betting man - and I am - I've got him to win at least another major before his all-timer career is done...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 - Do or Die

The Yankees and Red Sox will stage their final series - barring a playoff miracle - at Yankee Stadium starting tonight. Anything less than a sweep for the Yankees and it is curtains...the fine folks at Pinnacle are offering football lines for Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). No, seriously. Check it out here and get in. Early advice: don't bet U of T on the money line...Alex Smith went to the 49ers as a can't-miss top pick, nothing but a winner. Yet here he is, making $10 million plus, slated to back up J.T. O'Sullivan, who will make $645,000...not sure if this has happened before, but the Oakland A's entire starting rotation is lefties right now...Roy Halladay has 34 complete games since 2003, which is more than 21 teams over that same period...word is five U.S. national teamers, Chris Bosh included, have talked to Jerry Colangelo about coming back in 2012 in London...Jason Kidd has retired from the U.S. hoops team. Here's a stat: he's 56-0 in all play with the men's team. That is impressive...one thing I didn't know about The Beatles "Hey Jude": at 2:58, you can hear John Lennon say "fuckin' hell"...Warren Sapp is the next athlete up for Dancing With The Stars. This ought to be worth watching...Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp thinks that not only will Manchester United and Chelsea be the two slugging it out to win the English Premier League, but the same two will also be deep in the running for the Champions League. Hello, Pinnacle...the talk of Usain Bolt going to the NFL is a joke. There are plenty of speed merchants in their time who have played football for years who couldn't make it on the biggest stage, what makes him more likely than a top draft pick to succeed? No chance...HiDef The Good: Kelly Kelly. HiDef The Bad: John Brassiere Layfield...Week 3 of the NFL pre-season is done - that's the game teams try to win and play their starters most - and you've got Shawne Merriman hurt and maybe out for the year, Chad Johnson with a torn labrum, and as mentioned yesterday, Osi Umenyiora. Stars, all. Not to mention the previously hurt Tom Brady and Peyton Manning...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, August 25th, 2008 - Guess who's back?

The New York Giants bid to defend their Super Bowl win just got a lot tougher, with Usi Umenyiora out for the year with a bumb knee. This is particularly of interest for yours truly, as I'm now in a wager with a good friend for who will go deeper this year, my Dallas Cowboys or his New York Jets. The stakes? 10 cases of beer...not sure which quote I found more hilarious in the wake of Carl Pavano's return to the Yankees on Saturday in which he picked up the win, Carl Pavano saying: “This is what I get paid to do, obviously. This is what I live for. This is all I really know, to go out there every fifth day and do my job”or Pudge Rodriguez delivering this dagger: “Remember, it’s only one start. We need to see how he feels tomorrow”...Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal says AJ Burnett would have Baltimore, Philadelphia and - wait for it - Washington on his list of teams to go to next year. Plus, of course, the usual suspects in New York...in the end, the Olympics I said I had little interest in at the outset turned out to be real interesting and almost entirely controversy free. For me, the story of the games was Usain Bolt, just awesome to watch. Loved seeing the U.S. hoops team take care of Spain. Maybe if Spain weren't whining to the refs for every single call made they might've had a little more for the game itself? But good to see that it wasn't just Jose Calderon doing the whining like he does each and every game for the Toronto Raptors. If you've been listening to Hardcore Sports Radio's "Drive This" the last few days, Calderon's reputation has taken a serious pounding over "the picture". One guy said he burnt his Calderon jersey. Will be an interesting year in Toronto...Manchester United face Portsmouth today in English Premier League action. 3pm on Setanta if you're investing $15 a month for that channel...have a great Monday.

RandoMango returns tomorrow...

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008

How about that Cuban Olympian in Tae Kwon Do? Kicked the ref in the head. Fidel must be proud...it is the U.S. vs. Spain in the hoops final, I've got the Americans by 38...I can do without another Bell ad, guys in foreign lands singing the anthem and Galen Weston, thanks muchly. And what kind of name is Galen, anyways?...have a good friend who is a Jets fan. He tried to tell me that Brett Favre isn't an interception machine. Seriously...Toronto FC host the New England Revolution at BMO Field. Somehow, when they lost to San Jose 4-0 last week, I have to believe TFC wins it...Mats Sundin - nevermind...think the Blue Jays want out of Vernon Wells deal? He was on waivers, which most are at this time, but he's a guy you'd think the Jays want to move at $18 million per...have a great Saturday...have a great Saturday.

Friday, August 22nd, 2008 - Olympic Shocker

I'm not a huge Greco-Roman wrestling afficianado, but I suspect the move depicted at right is not only not allowed, but also very much against the Olympic spirit. Unless, of course, that's one of the Olympic rings...Entourage is back September 7th. Life is beautiful...a Yankee future without Derek Jeter? It might happen after 2010. A great read, and interesting responses following it, here...speaking of Jeter, his next hit will give him 2,500 on his career...ever wonder what former major leaguer Hideki "Fat Toad" Irabu is up to of late? How about crushing 20 beers and beating on barkeeps?...ProFootballWeekly says the Brett Favre/New York Jets marriage might not be as good a fit as it seems on the surface. Mix in some unhappy players - Laverneus Coles most notably - over the dealing of Chad Pennington and you've got a situation that could go sour real fast...Cliff Lee won his 18th of the year against 2 losses. Sorry Jays Fan, he's a shoe-in for the Cy Young...Josh Beckett has tingling in his fingers and numbness in his arm? Last I remember hearing those symptoms was right before David Cone went out with an aneurysm in his shoulder. The Red Sox do not win in the playoffs without a healthy Beckett...20 ridiculous quotes by athletes, counted down here...a couple quick and dirty RandoMango's coming up this weekend but all the same, look for them in their usual space. Have a great Friday.

Thursday, August 21st, 2008 - Embarrassment

Canada is in Toronto for their first World Cup qualifying match in years, in a tough group, and they produce a terrible performance like that, drawing Jamaica 1-1? It may have sounded harsh when this space called for coach Dale Mitchell to be axed a year ago before he officially took the coaching reigns on the strength of his disaster at the U20's, but it isn't harsh now. Axe him. Today...and what is it with coaches named "Mitchell" in over their heads in Toronto?...the Toronto Sun's Mike Zeisberger says "Canada carried the play for much of the evening". What game was he watching?...NFL union head Gene Upshaw is said to have died, according to WGR550. There are a lot of old, broken down and broke former NFLers celebrating if that's the case...a reason Usain Bolt left room to lower the record in the 100m? How about word that he'll get a very high profile run at it and make millions if he breaks it in a made-for-TV event? GBVH passed that story on. Interesting. Bolt didn't leave himself much room to lower the mark in the 200m, with yesterday's awesome 19.30 record breaker where he floored it start to finish...the Kaka to Chelsea rumors are flying again. Chelsea is apparentely intent on playing 10 midfielders and a goalie each game...not sure if this is real, it sure sounds it, but here's what Britney Spears mic sounds like when she's singing...nevermind this Top 10 business, how about a Top 20 Gymnast Crashes?...that's two homers in three games at Rogers Centre for Derek Jeter in a 5-1 Yankees win over the Blue Jays...have a great Thursday.

Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 - Oooh, ahhh...Canada!

13 medals now for Canada? Bust 'em up!...off to BMO Field tonight to see Canada host Jamaica in World Cup 2010 qualifying. Memo to Jamaica: your high hopes are going up in smoke...the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are in the middle of a 17-day "bye week". Nice scheduling, CFL...a poll of MLBers had Russell Martin as the best all-round catcher. Guessing Gregg Zaun is shocked he didn't make the top five...Maxim has a New England vs. Dallas Super Bowl, with the Patriots winning...Usain Bolt runs in the 200m final this morning at 10:20am. I want to see him floor it the whole way to see him mangle Michael Johnson's record...40 times this season the Yankees have scored three or fewer runs. How's that even possible with those guys in the lineup?...AJ Burnett was as good as I've ever seen him with 13 K's last night in a 2-1 win. The Yankees may look his way just so they don't have to face him anymore. He's been killing them the last couple years and surprise, surprise, has found health and performance this year with an opt out looming...oh, and Johnny Damon? My slo-pitch squad's centre fielder catches those balls last night...Toronto FC is said to be looking at using the money from selling Maurice Edu to put grass in at BMO Field. Great idea, but how about putting the money into players? After all, not like MLSE can't afford grass on the profits they're pulling. I don't see them improving the ice plant at the ACC because they've got more cap space for the Leafs. That said, installing grass will open the market for them in a big way, as much as I've found the turf fantastic to play on..guess Marc Crawford won't be getting a Christmas card from Todd Bertuzzi after burying him in the Steve Moore case as someone who acted on his own and against coaches orders...Johnny Damon might not be able to catch a fly ball, but he makes one hell of a case for why Mike Mussina is a Hall of Famer, which I would've scoffed at previous: Mussina has spent his entire career pitching in the American League East during a time when the Blue Jays won two World Series, the Yankees won four and the Red Sox won two. He's had to face very tough competition and still has a lifetime record of 266-151, so far. A .638 winning percentage is nothing to turn your nose up to...Brett Favre wants a simpler offence for the New York Jets. Yeah, that'll make it easier to top the Patriots...you may have read some great pieces on Shaq vs. Kobe, and maybe thought some great thoughts on the subject, but Chuck Klosterman delivers a great piece in ESPN The Magazine here...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 - American Idle Returns?

Good to see Toronto FC understands that if you have two guys with the same surname, there's no need for an initial for their first name as they're already wearing different numbers...if somebody can explain how the pool at the Olympics was "fast", I'd love to hear it...Victor Conte of BALCO fame says that while 80% of athletes were doing performance enhancing drugs a couple years back, it is still 65% because testing doesn't touch users out of season, and says that tips from the labs doing testing help users stay clean. Some heavy, heavy accusations...answering the question "does a fool ever learn?" in the negative, the Cincinnati Bengals are close to a deal with Chris Henry. I'm sure Carson Palmer is elated...the Washington Nationals are well on their way to a 100+ loss season. Karma for how they got their team from Montreal? I'd think so, if not for that D-Bag Jeffrey Loria winning a World Series in Florida...not sure there are many guys in the wrestling biz today that can excel as a heel or face as well as Chris Jericho can and does, but gimme more Santino Marella...in his three starts since the Seattle Mariners didn't move Jarrod Washburn, he's been lit like a Christmas tree. Well played, Mariners...not sure when it happened, but ESPN The Magazine is a better read than Sports Illustrated...that's 9 medals for Canada. Poor YF has a wager on them winning fewer than 10. You're done, bro...Carl Pavano might return to start for the Yankees? If I'm Brian Cashman, I get him in there and start him every day for the rest of this going-nowhere season...the U.S. dropped a huge beatdown on Germany in men's hoops, winning by 49. They've got Australia up next. Hard to imagine anyone touching them at this point...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, August 18th, 2008

Rafael Nadal won gold for Spain in men's tennis. No word on whether he'll pose for the customary Spanish pose to honour their Chinese hosts...when you scored 968 runs in one year, and are on pace to score 778, that'll explain why you're very much on the fringes of the playoff race. That would be you, New York Yankees...Canada is now up to 7 medals, no doubt calming more than a few at our Olympic committee. Fact remains there are a lot of countries smaller and relatively the same size that vastly outperform Canada and while the apologists say "yeah, but our summers aren't that long!", how many events are really outdoors anyways?...of all the sides I saw in the English Premier League this weekend - and that was at least half - Chelsea looked the best. Pains me to say that, but it is true...if Mats Sundin is my favorite player and moves to the New York Rangers, does that mean I can become and out and out Rangers fan, a team I've always had an appreciation for? Somebody, please say yes...from the Department of Lame, the New England Patriots received "18-1" rings. Shame that "1" is the part they're going to focus on everytime they look at them...this is why I continue to subscribe to Playboy: former UFC ring girl and current "UFC All Access" host Rachelle Leah is going to be gracing the pages in a future issue. This is good news...back tomorrow, likely afternoon. Have a great Monday.

Sunday, August 17th, 2008 - On the board!

The U.S. laid an absolute beating on Spain yesterday in a 37 point whuppin' that ought to exorcise a few ghosts, or at least the clowns that didn't think they'd learn from 2006's debacle at the Worlds. Paut Gasol has a brother named Marc? What were the odds Mama and Papa Gasol had two transgendered kids?...Canada is on the medal board with a trio in an hour, and apparently, more to come in the early hours of Sunday in four rowing events...Brett Favre threw a TD last night in a pre-season affair for the Jets. Easiest thing in the world? Finding a picture of Favre to fill the corner of this space daily. Sad...will this Top 10 streak ever end? Maybe, but not before we take a peak at the Top 10 Fights, the in ring/octagon edition...from the Department of The Predictable: somebody says that taking steroids changed them from woman to man. And would you believe he/she was an athlete for East Germany back in the 1980's? I've got two words for drug authorities if they're looking for someone else who has had the same results: Bastian. Schweinsteiger...Dimitar Berbatov came off the bench for Tottenham in their opening loss at Boro. Something tells me he's off to Manchester United before the week is up where he and my boy Wayne Rooney will link up to terrorize defences across Europe. Luka Modric looked worth every penny in the midfield for Spurs. The guy has a motor that doesn't quit...Man United faces Newcastle United this morning on The Score at 11am...Toronto FC travel to face the New York Red Bull. That one also goes on The Score, with a 5pm kickoff...with Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford out, Barry Bonds agent thinks Barroid should be a play for the Rays. But, he contends, MLB has blackballed Barroid which explains why nobody will touch him. If anything, Barroid blackballed himself with his act the last decade, and I'm not referring to drugs at all. There's also a reason Gary Sheffield is on waivers and nobody will touch him, and it is very much the same reason...Michael Phelps picked up his 8th gold medal of this Olympics, and 7th world record time. That is flat out insane...have a great Sunday.