It is getting ugly in New York

Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton won the AL MVP with Miguel Cabrera and Robinson Cano trailing.  Some knucklehead Canadian reporter voted Toronto Blue Jay Jose Bautista as MVP, the lone vote of five he had that were in the top three, with no seconds.  Nice work, homer.

It is starting to get real ugly in the New York Yankees talks with Derek Jeter.  A day after his agent called the Yankees negotiation strategy "baffling" - and the only thing baffling is that they're offering him three  years at a load more than anyone else would at $45 million - Yankees GM Brian Cashman is now encouraging Jeter to test the open market to see if he will get a better offer than that, which the entire world knows, rightly, that he won't.  Joel Sherman at the NY Post says that Jeter's strategy seems to be "I'm Derek Jeter, pay me."   Amid all this, closer Mariano Rivera remains on the contract back-burner, and he's far more important to the Yankees 2011 than Jeter is.

Cincinnati Bengal Chad Ochocinco is looking forward to facing Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets tomorrow night since "we're both Mexican." 

Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher may be marginalizing Vince Young for more reasons than it appears: he may be looking to get fired to get a shot at some other jobs out there, including Chicago, Dallas and Houston.

The Cleveland Browns are -11 vs. Carolina?  Seriously?

Talk about paying a price: Colorado Rapids forward Macoumba Kandji tore his ACL on the winner in overtime that came off his foot to earn Colorado the MLS Cup.  Guess he wasn't trying to waste time while down, eh FC Dallas?

No, I haven't forgotten that there is Champions League action both yesterday and today, just got a little caught up in clearing the decks after a pile of links came my way.  Arsenal were surprising losers yesterday to Braga, 2-0, in a result that leaves their advancement in question.  Less surprising for the Gunners?  Cesc Fabregas left the game with an injury.  Real Madrid - as hot a team as there is in the world - went to Amsterdam and hammered Ajax 4-0.  Rest of the scores here.  Today's fixtures here.

The latest FIFA Goal of the Year nominee is off the boot of Snatos’s Neymar, who dissected Chelsea with this effort.  And why is it that Chelsea seems to often give up these solo effort goals?


Dancing Alexander Ovechkin.  Exactly how it sounds.

Chilly chilled

Looks like it wasn't just a guess here yesterday that the Green Bay Packers may have authored the demise of two rival coaches.  Brad Childress did indeed get the boot in Minnesota.  In related news, NFL analyst Rodney Harrison says here that it is time to put Brett Favre out of his misery.  Why?  We were just starting to have some fun?  For his part, Favre is giving hints he may pack it in immediately.

Sure, Peyton Manning's interception thrown in the red zone aided a few teams in his division in their playoff hunt, but you don't expect a rival QB - Jacksonville Jaguar David Garrard in this case - to tweet out "Thanks Peyton.  U da man???"

A wild weekend in the English Premier League, with Tottenham rallying from a pair down in the second half to beat rival Arsenal 3-2.  Chelsea shockingly lost again, this time 1-0 to Birmingham despite dominating, which allowed Manchester United to pull even in the Premier League with their 2-0 win over Wigan.  Sure, United may have seven draws in 14 games, but "undefeated" sounds a lot more like championship material than a team with four losses in 14, which is the case with Chelsea.   Mix in Arsenal and Manchester City and there are four teams within three points of first place.  Going to be a wild race, though United defender Patrice Evra expects his team to take the title.

Canadian boy Joey Votto was the runaway NL MVP winner, with 31 of 32 first place votes.

The Miami Heat were pounded at home 93-77 by the not-exactly-powerhouse Indiana Pacers. What a crying shame.

Turns out those NFL uniforms for next year turned out to be fakes.  Depending on your team, major relief.

Jason Whitlock has a great look at how important it is to treat being a quarterback as a full-time job, something that Brett Favre and Vince Young have failed to do.

Turkey's Hamit Altintop provides a lighning bolt for the latest FIFA Goal of the Year nominee.  What a bomb this is.

Don't get too hot now, Buffalo Bills, or you may miss out on drafting Andrew Luck.  Check out the run - and thundering shoulder - Luck dropped on the weekend.

Colorado tops the MLS mountain

The MLS Cup was played in Toronto last night with a slightly less than capacity crowd.  Wasn't nearly as frigid as it was expected to be and seemed to get warmer as the night went on.  Maybe it was just good preparations in the clothing department?  Colorado were 2-1 winners in extra time, and held off a flurry by FC Dallas in the dying minutes to claim their first MLS Cup.  Former Toronto FCer Marvell Wynne got lots of love for Colorado, and showed his appreciation for it to the fans. 

Nice show, Argos.  48-17 victims in Montreal with the Als now moving to the Grey Cup in Edmonton to face Saskatchewan.
Is it entirely lame hearing an NHL coach - and it isn't much better when a player does it - refers to a player by their nickname?  In one Toronto Sun sidebar yesterday, Carolina Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice referred to "Whitey" (Ian White, no doubt a popular nickname in the Carolinas) and "Harry" (Jay Harrison, since nobody would know or much care).  And is there anything more lame than hockey's "add a 'y' and you've got a nickname" thing?  Lots of mental horsepower at work there.

Is Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo getting paid by the move?  At what point do his bosses at MLSE say enough is enough, and that being competent or more is as important as being active?  Colangelo dealt Jarrett Jack, Marcus Banks and David Andersen to the New Orleans Hornets for the corpse known as Peja Stojakovic and Jerryd Bayless.  At least Raptors fans can look forward to a top draft pick with the defensively incapable Jose Calderon getting the bulk of the point guard minutes going forward.  Expect ugly, regardless of yesterday's surprising win over Boston.

The Green Bay Packers are on fire, outscoring opponents 85-10 the last three weeks.  They also might be the last straw in two coaches jobs.  Wade Phillips was booted from Dallas after their debacle in Green Bay three weeks back, and Brad Childress may be put out of his misery after his Minnesota Vikings showed a lot more fight on the sidelines than they did on the field yesterday.  If the Vikes are smart, they'll send Brett Favre to the curb with him.

Is it too early to start making Super Bowl matchup predictions?  I'm thinking Philadelphia will face New England or Pittsburgh.

The New York Yankees are said to be opening the Cliff Lee bidding with a five year, $120 million offer.   In other Yankees news, Derek Jeter's agent says he doesn't understand what kind of game the Yankees are playing with his client.  Tellingly, he only refers to past achievement in discussing Jeter.  Funny, but isn't part of a contract supposed to be about what you might do in the future?

I hate the spread at -8.5, but playing the San Diego Chargers to cover tonight for the Prime Time Pick regardless.  Figure they're about due to get things rolling down the stretch as they often do.

The latest FIFA Goal of the Year nominee comes from Arjen Robben, this one for Bayern Munich in the top German league.  Amazing.

UFC 123 goes in Detroit tonight, with a main event of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson facing Lyoto Machida.  The alleged co-main event is Matt Hughes taking on BJ Penn, though I'd guess not too many care about seeing that one again with Hughes past it.  Rest of the card here.

With Reebok losing the NFL contract for next year, here is a look at what Nike has in store - allegedly.  Some real curious ideas in there.  Very "The U" look in Miami, some old looks coming back in Denver, Buffalo and Tampa Bay, and a bad, bad look in New England.  And I really hope Cinci is kidding with this look. Same for you, Arizona.

40 great signs at sporting events.  Well worth your time.

Terrell Owens says his critics "can go pound sand".  Never understood that one.

The New York Yankees are said to have made a 3-year, $45 million offer to Derek Jeter.  Can't wait to hear what creative way he comes up with to turn down something so generous after a poor, poor 2010.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst delivers the third installment of FIFA Goal of the Year candidates.  Love this strike.

Untitled

After a 16-0 win at Miami, would you believe that there is no NFL team with more wins - albeit with an extra game played - than the Chicago Bears?

Have to say, I'm surprised that Felix Hernandez won the AL Cy Young award with so few wins, particularly when a player vote had him third.

Spread out over two parts (100-50 here, 49-1 here), check out the list of the 100 worse players in NFL history.  I'm sure JaMarcus Russell is thrilled to come in at #12 after being the first overall pick a few years back.  At least one player - CC Brown - isn't too happy to crack the list.

Been some time since we visited Straight Cash Homey, a look at odd jersey's in odd spots in the sporting world.  Well worth another look.

Joel Sherman at the NY Post says that the Texas Rangers hopes of holding on to Cliff Lee are fading fast and that even they seem to know it.

For those that are into that kind of stuff, the 19 best backsides in women's sports.

The second nominee for the FIFA Goal of the Year comes from Kumi Yokoyama of Japan's Under 17 women's side at the World Championships against North Korea.  Talk about taking a defence apart.


You resign Dwayne Wade, add LeBron James and bring in Chris Bosh.  Your media coverage couldn't possibly be higher.  But, if you're the Miami Heat, you still need to have a campaign to urge fans to show up to games on time.  Can't wait til their campaign in the playoffs to get LBJ and CB to show up.

"Where's he gonna go, Cincinnati?"

Another Thursday night NFL game goes tonight with the Chicago Bears visiting the Miami Dolphins.  Hope you've been following the Prime Time Picks this year, hitting at a healthy 75%.  I'm playing the Fish at -1.5. 

Word out of the MLB meetings in Orlando is that St. Louis Cardinal and Hall of Fame lock Albert Pujols wants an A-Rod type contract in the 10-year, $300 million range.  Can't imagine it happening.  Think we're a long ways off from ever seeing that kind of deal again, particularly from a market like St. Louis.  That, and Pujols has had a lot more injuries up to age 32 - the same time A-Rod signed his extension - for a deal of that length to make sense.

The date may have changed, but the song remains the same: Portland Trail Blazer Greg Oden has an injury that has knocked him out for the year. He'll need microfracture surgery on his knee. 

The Detroit Tigers could be big players this off-season, with $52 million coming off their books from the 2010 payroll.

ProFootballTalk looks at the dilemma the Philadelphia Eagles have on their hands with Michael Vick, who is 4-0 in games he starts this year and lighting up the stat sheet.  The answer may lie in franchising him, but players are never happy with those deals, especially, I'd guess, a guy who already lost millions thanks to a jail stint and no doubt would want more years and guaranteed dollars.

Tiger Woods is now on Twitter.  What a perfect environment for a guy to speak like a robot in 140 characters.  What's next, Derek Jeter?  And what is it with these say-nothing Nike guys?

For some reason, the Arizona Diamondbacks are contemplating dealing super talent Justin Upton, and the New York Yankees are among the interested. DBacks GM Kevin Towers will know the Yankees young talent well, given he worked for GM Brian Cashman this past year.  Interesting.

The Calgary Flames traded Brett Sutter - who recently, and drunkenly, beat up a cab driver - and Ian White - who drove drunk while with Toronto - to Carolina for Babchuk and Kostoplous.  That kind of behavior will play far better among the 'necks.

Derek Jeter is said to be after a four-year deal from the New York Yankees. A little more realistic than the initial talk of wanting a sex-year pact, but still a year or two long by my estimation.  There is also word from the Yankees side of things that at least one executive is saying the team should play hardball with Jeter, because "where's he gonna go, Cincinnati?"  This is gonna get more and more interesting unless Jeter sees himself for what he is: a player on the decline.

In a bit of a surprise, it seems that MLB will indeed expand its playoffs for 2012.  Finally, they get it right.  And to those dreaming of a salary cap, I'll repeat: it will never, ever happen.

There's no shortage of Chris Bosh beatdowns lately, but this is hands down the best.  Including a definition: "Like A Bosh" [idiom, ~2010]: When someone or something desires the limelight only to wilt under the newfound pressure.

First up for the FIFA goal of the year nominees,  South Africa’s Siphiwe Tshabalala’s opening goal of the World Cup v Mexico.  As mentioned yesterday, I'll be including one of these daily.

The first significant move of the MLB off-season went down yesterday, with the Florida Marlins Dan Uggla dealing 2B - sorry Toronto Blue Jays Fan, he's not coming to T.O. - for a surprisingly small package of Omar Infante and Mike Dunn, considering it was an intra division deal with the Atlanta Braves, whose offence looks decidedly better today for the cost of a utility man and a reliever.  As for the Marlins, they've added four solid relief options in the last week to a pen that struggled badly last year.  Things should pick up with the first batch of GM meetings on the go in Orlando.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, never short on opinion, is openly delighting in the Miami Heat's early season struggles.  While most are no doubt enjoying it, the key here is it is early.  Don't be writing them off just yet.

Had it nor aired on Monday Night Football, I'd swear this video of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid in the punt, pass and kick competition was doctored.  Let's just say that Reid was a little bit bigger than the rest of the 13-year olds.

How very progressive of the President of the Croatian national soccer federation to declare that homosexual players will not be allowed to play for the national team and that "luckily, only normal people play football".  Am sure he thinks there's a test for that, too.

The most surprising thing about talk of an expanded playoffs in baseball is that MLB has had to say it seems unlikely to happen for next year.  That the question exists is an improvement.

Speaking of structural change, the NFL Players Union has offered its take on the proposed move to an 18-game schedule.  They want a dramatic cut in off-season workouts, two in-season bye weeks, and an increase in rosters from 53 to 56 or 57, a reduction in games needed to qualify for medical benefits and  pension.  Oh, and more money, of course.  All seems pretty reasonable to me.

Pitcher Brad Penny is engaged to Karina Smirnoff, WAG extraordinaire.  Nice work, BP.  You wrapped up a solid free agent, now to get yourself a job.

Here's a look at a bunch of sports conspiracy theories, and how believable they are, including the "Michael Jordan was suspended by the NBA for gambling when he went to play baseball."

If you're a Twitter fan, here's a list of MLBers confirmed as legit accounts on Twitter.  Not surprisingly, Vernon Wells is as electric on Twitter as he is in regular TV interviews, which is to say, he's not.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be including video of the FIFA Goal of the Year nominees each day until the entire short list is covered.  Some real gems in the mix.

Carmelo Anthony took a swipe at Chris Bosh - which is turning into its own sport of late - in saying he wouldn't leave the Denver Nuggets hanging when it came to his free agency.

Courtesy of GBVH, a fantastic little ditty called "F**k You, Hipsters".  Great stuff, though I'm all in favor or Hipster Hitler, as you know.

Hope you didn't file that contract with the league, Redskins.

In retrospect, perhaps I've been far too hard on the Dallas Cowboys this year as there has been a longer running joke of a franchise that continues to circle the toilet bowl with a particularly foul stench.  Who might that be?  The Washington Redskins, of course.  Just a few weeks after yanking Donovan McNabb down the stretch of a close game, they go and reward him with a $78 million extension ($40 million guaranteed).  Ridiculous.  But not as ridiculous as doing it on the same day that they then go out and get annihilated 59-28 against Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles.  Could've been a whole lot worse as the Eagles basically - wait for it! - called off the dogs midway through the third quarter.  Vick has to love the news of McNabb's deal, what with his own free agency coming up.  Also, it didn't take long for Terrell Owens to tweet out a dig at McNabb with last night's performance.

England manager Fabio Capello is urging his players to shun alcohol because of the effects it has on performance and shortening careers.  He knows these guys are English, right?  And that having a pint after work is all but a national requirement?

After the big collapse against Utah last week, LeBron James complained that maybe he, among others, were seeing too much playing time and it hurt their ability to close out games.  Of course, James is now arguing his comments seem to always get "turned out of character" - whatever that means.  My question is this: do you think Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant would ever complain about playing time and too much of it?

Tough run for yours truly in LV the last six days. Met UFCers Wanderlei Silva and Gray Maynard, sandwiched around rocker Sammy Hagar, and then bumped into Audrina Patridge, Lenny Kravitz and Norman Jewison at my hotel (the Wynn) before seeing Taylor Hawkins of my beloved Foo Fighters Sunday. Tough times these were not.

Manny Pacquiao pitched a shutout in Dallas on Saturday night when he caved in Antonio Margarito's face over 12 rounds, winning each. Margarito's face was a mess, and he suffered a broken orbital bone and was allowed to continue fighting.  Smart move, boxing.  The win gives Pacquiao one more win at Texas Stadium than the Dallas Cowboys in this calendar year.

The Dallas Cowboys just can't get it right. With the season all but certainly over and a high draft pick preferable to 5-11 and a lower one, they go out and smoke the New York Giants 33-20 to give new head coach Jason Garrett his first win in as many tries.  That said, if they pull anyone as good as Dez Bryant anywhere in the first round, they'll be happy. Bryant is a man among kids. 

The Miami Dolphins started Chad Pennington at quarterback when they beat the Tennessee Titans.  Might that have something to with Chad Henne throwing nine Favre's in the last five games?  Safe bet.

The Philadelphia Flyers are the latest team to throw out a ridiculous contract extension, signing Jeff Carter to an 11-year, $58 million deal.  Is there a fan anywhere that thinks these deals are a great idea?  So how can the GM's offering them?

Check out New York Giants fans brawling during their beating on Sunday.  The guy in the L.T. jersey (#56) is leaking badly. 

Gamblers everyone apoplectic over horrendous 4th down penalty on Eagles. Cole was swiping at football, got some of Manning's head, 15 yds??


(Bills getting 3.) Bills + Bears both score 3 touchdowns with zero FG's or safeties. Bears win by 3. (I hate gambling.)


Video of Austin Collie getting knocked out. Warning: Pretty difficult to stomach. Will update as news/videos happen http://is.gd/gOJOn


Cox: Bills still winless, but building Toronto momentum http://bit.ly/bXKPdS

Michigan QB Tate Forcier Tries To Kill Reporter Moments Before Post-Game Interview http://deadspin.com/5683633/

The best trick play pulled off by a middle school football team you'll see before they hit 9th grade [Cool]:    ... http://fk.cm/5743377


FEATURE Shockings, stockings, short sleeves & David Coleman - the Premier League in cartoons http://tinyurl.com/2b8f8re #fb

Prime Time Picks

Playing New England +5 tonight at Pittsburgh (sorry GS!). Should be a great one.

Thursday Night Football is back

The NFL's run of Thursday games starts tonight with the Baltimore Ravens visiting the Atlanta Falcons. Suspect the bookmakers got the line wrong here as the Falcons are -1.5. I'd be surprised if the Ravens lost this one at all.

The New Orleans Hornets are a perfect 7-0 at this early stage of the NBA season. Anybody saw that coming?

I'm sure the Miami Heat blowing a 20-point third quarter lead to the Utah Jazz didn't make anybody smile on Tuesday night. Or not.

New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman made a trip to Arkansas yesterday to meet with free agent prize pitcher Cliff Lee. Word is Lee is looking for a CC Sabathia-like deal of seven years and $161 million. That ought to trim the field from the reported seven or eight teams said to be interested. Get 'er done, Cash.

Monday's start of the NCAA season will see the ESPN family of networks broadcast 28 games over 24 hours. And here I thought Canada loved hockey. That's insane.

If you're an MMA fan at all, The Score will be airing the second last WEC card tonight at 9pm Eastern before they're folded into owner UFC's brand. Look for yours truly in the 15th row if you're watching.

A nice development in the pro soccer ranks: fewer and fewer teams are putting the ball out of play when an opponent is down. It was a nice sporting touch in the early days when guys were legitimately hurt in challenges (collisions or tackles for the uninitiated). But as some turned it into strategy to kill the flow of games, it turned into a farce. Good to see teams now leave the decision to halt play for injury in the hands of the officials.

Derek Jeter won the Gold Glove for the American League, which even this Yankee fan will say is comical. Elvis Andrus was far more deserving. As for Robinson Cano and Mark Teixera: no question. Best at their spots hands down.

Have you seen those "Shake Weight" ads? Most ridiculously hilarious thing I've ever seen. Not at all suggestive. Google it if you are wondering.

The NHL is changing its all-star format. It will have elected captains who will then pick the teams. At least the lead-up will be more interesting than the game then. If that eliminates fan voting, then that's a definite improvement.

Derby time in Manchester

Things will get heated in Manchester today with cross-town rivals Man City hosting Man United in English Premier League action.

There are six teams remaining in the CFL Grey Cup hunt. The Argos are the long shot at 16-1, pretty long odds for so few teams remaining. Message being sent by Vegas? Clearly.

Crazy story regarding Auburn QB Cam Newton, Heisman candidate, and talk he was paid $180,000 to go to Auburn. The best part of the story is Florida coach Urban Meyer - he of the 30+ players arrested during his tenure - denying that it was him that floated the story to the media.

Another night of inept offense - read "non-existant" - for the Toronto Maple Leafs. I get that Ron Wilson and Brian Burke point to the first line as being the biggest culprits, but even an average team will shut down Phil Kessel et al when the other three lines pose almost no threat to score at all. Sure the Leafs defense is improved, but last I checked, you can't win if you don't score, and too often, the Leafs generate nothing. The Leafs were beat 4-0 by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Carolina 7 - Edmonton 1. Ouch.

The NBA best hope its TV deals remain strong. Too many games I flipped by last night with gaping sections of empty seats, Milwaukee and New Orleans especially. Speaking of empty seats, imagine there will be a few in Toronto tonight with the 1-6 Raptors hosting the 1-6 Charlotte Bobcats.

Triano uncensored

On a work trip with a whole lot of extra-curriculars in some town in Nevada I've never been to before. Could be trouble! So, not likely to see much linkage, and won't be on daily I'd imagine, but them's the breaks. .

The Toronto Raptors coach Jay Triano gave a pretty fired up response to his team's bad body language after another loss last night, this one to the Golden State Warriors, by a 109-102 score. Triano gave the dump button a healthy workout in defending his players as having poor body language because they care and want to win. Maybe they were upset over the reported 6,000 empty seats?

Hey Jerry Jones, here's a thought: You've ripped through numerous coaches over the years in search of the Super Bowl that has eluded you for a decade and a half. Maybe it is time to look a little higher? You know, get an actual GM? Crazy, I know. The Cowboys are 14 point dogs at the New York Giants in Week 10. Is there anyone that thinks they cover that? I don't. Oh, Jerry finally got around to putting Wade Phillips out of his misery. Jason Garrett, who has found ways to blow loads of offensive talent, takes over as lead man.

Joe Morgan and Jon Miller are off the Sunday Night Baseball crew. Often enjoyed them - other than Miller constantly butchering the pronunciation of Adrian Beltré - but if Dan Shulman gets the promotion, all is good. Love Shulman.

One board in two of four games for Chris Bosh, and his numbers overall are about half of what he produced last year before quitting...errr...getting hurt. Not exactly what you'd expect for $16 million or so.

Talk of Derek Jeter getting three years for up to $60 million from the New York Yankees has me feeling ill. Or maybe it is the $6.50 price of beer on this flight? Anyways, I'd rather see Jeter get $60 million for three years than $60 million for five. The term will hurt the Yanks far more than the cash will.

A full slate of English Premier League and Serie A action over the next couple days.

The Buffalo Bills are favored over Detroit this weekend. Wonder how bad Detroit wants to beat them to keep the Bills in line for a winless season after the Leos pulled the trick a few years back?

If anyone has seen or heard from Chad Ochocinco, please alert the Cincinnati Bengals. He's barely more productive than Chris Henry this season. On the plus side for the Bengals, the Batman to Ochocinco's Robin/Hasbeen, Terrell Owens, is in line to hit all his incentives.

Surprise teams for reasons you'd prefer as a fan of them this NFL season: Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Bucs. Aren't 4th place schedules great?

Did you know the MLS Cup is in Toronto in less than two weeks? The way MLSE is promoting it - which is to say it isn't - you probably didn't. They'll likely draw a Jays/Argos/Raptors sized crowd.

Great sign - at right - from the San Francisco Giants championship parade last week.

The beatings just keep getting worse - and by worse, I mean hilarious - for the Dallas Cowboys.  Since Tony Romo went down three weeks back, the Cowboys have given up 114 points in a little over 10 quarters.  And this from an alleged defensive coach named Wade Phillips.  Jerry Jones may not want to pay a coach for next year if the league goes into a lockout, but surely even he can't take repeated embarrassments for a team that has obviously quit.  What else could it be if you're going to get pounded 45-7 on Sunday Night Football?  Jones is meeting with his "coaching staff" today.

The Arizona Cardinals have 8 TD's scored this year on kick, punt or interception returns. They have 6 scored by conventional means.  Might explain partly why they're investigating a deal for Donovan McNabb.  Guess they don't worry about his "cardio fitness" like the Washington Redskins do.

Tweets @benmaller: Phil Jackson on Raptors w/out Bosh: "We played them once last year and it felt like Bosh wasn't there, like he was in Miami".  For his part, Bosh is trying to find his game and fit in.  Here's hoping much failure for he and his teammates.

RM returns at 6pm.

Big 2 and Ru

Baseball's free agency period is just about to launch (midnight tonight).  Here's a peak at the Top 50 talents available, and where they might land.  If this proves accurate, looks like more than a few new players are heading to Boston.  This piece says the Washington Nationals are lurking as a potential landing spot for Cliff Lee.  I won't pretend to know, but he'd have been lying on his "contender" requirement in that case.

The Miami Heat may have their "Big 3" (quotes very much needed), but I'm trademarking a new name for them: "Big 2 and Ru".  Not exactly a stellar start for CBdOne.

Part of the waffling over whether Randy Moss was being released earlier this week - he was, then wasn't, then was - is supposedly because Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf was considering keeping Moss and booting coach Brad Childress for, among other things, not consulting him or the GM on the move.  Here's a thought: he should have considered punting both.  Why, other than to save the money on Childress and the cost of hiring a new coach, does he keep the job for what has to be a fireable offence?

Guess which former Philadelphia Phillies wideout has weighed in on whether Donovan McNabb deserved to be benched and is a top QB?  Terrell Owens?  Yep.  But he's not alone, nor the worst offender.  Freddie Mitchell - remember him? - piled on too.

Check out the 100 hottest NBA cheerleaders.  The Toronto Raptors placed one in the top 100, at a lowly #88.

Rogers Communications says it has no plans to expand the Bills in Toronto series.  Yeah, there's a shocker.  A batch of games they wildly overpriced and have yet to see a physical sellout isn't something they want to perpetuate?  Don't exactly have to have a degree from the Wharton School of Business to figure that one out.

The Vancouver Whitecaps have launched ticket packages for their first MLS season next year, and they're intent on outdoing Toronto FC for the highest priced soccer ticket in the land.  File under "what are you thinking?"

We may be well into fall and steamrolling towards winter, but never a bad time for a little Summer.  Glau, that is.

LSU...today is gonna hurt.  Yours, Alabama. 

Back to some EPL action, have a great day.

Check out this Boston Celtics fan getting loose the other night.  Incredible.  Thanks to BH for that one.

"What should I do?"

Troy Polamalu got all up in Roger Goodell's hair over the crackdown on hits in the NFL, saying that part of the problem may be that Goodell wields too much power and influence with no checks and balances like a proper government.  Silly Troy, thinking this is a democratic business he's in.

A quick peak at the NHL Albatross players.  Not surprisingly, other than he's just a dozen or so games into his contract, Ilya Kovalchuk leads the way.

Here's a peak at the ten issues facing the New York Yankees this off-season.  #2 is already taken care of.  Speaking of #2, Derek Jeter's people say his value to the team can't be overestimated.  Oh, but it can...and has.  One ring as the vaunted Captain, last I checked.  The always hilarious SportsPickle has a great article saying Jeter is demanding to be paid $1 million per intangible.

Fox Sports Soccer looks at the ultra convoluted playoff system employed by the MLS.  Memo to Don Garber: simple is good.  People get simple, especially if they're just new to your league.

Dallas Cowboy Roy Williams has had himself a nice year.  He's been one of the better Cowboys, for what that is worth.  But saying he thinks the Cowboys can win nine straight is comical.

Rogers announced yesterday that the Buffalo Bills hosting Chicago Bears game this Sunday in Toronto is sold out, even though you can easily get four tickets in the lower and upper bowls.  Word is the fine print of the announcement read "well, compared to a Toronto Blue Jays game the place sure will be packed."

For a few of you I know all too well, top 10 things you didn't know about Jägermeister.

A whole lot of Arianny Celeste pics, not including her Playboy pics from this month, which Hugh Hefner's legal team seems to be working overtime to keep off the 'net and pull off when they do hit.

Didn't take South Park long to lampoon LeBron James "What should I do?" Nike ads, mixing BP into the mix.

Here are the 25 least manly things in sports.  Pretty freaking comprehensive, it must be said.

Weird video from a soccer league in Brazil.  A player - and I can't imagine he's in the top flight given his physique - is getting ready to take a corner kick when a fan jumps out of the stands and, well, see for yourself.

RM returns later this morning/early afternoon.

Capt. Hyman Shocker?

Nothing to do with sports, but what better way to lead off today than with this great pic sent my way by  Bukkake?  Awesome.

Randy Moss is now a Tennessee Titan, his third team in 5 weeks.  They were the only team to put in a waiver claim on him. Good luck this off-season, RM!  Good thing the Pro Football Hall of Fame doesn't do the team affiliation like baseball. Not sure he'd be happy as a Minnesota Viking, and can't imagine any other possibility. What a nutjob.

Speaking of waivers, the Buffalo Bills claimed Shawne Merriman, former San Diego Charger standout. So, now they've got Maybin and Hasbin for linebackers.  What's really surprising about Merriman is he's only 26. 

Jon Heyman at SI.com takes a peak at the MLB off-season, now upon us. Good news for New York Yankee fans if Heyman is right, Cliff Lee will be in pinstripes.

There's some things that you really shouldn't venture into when it comes to trash talk purposes, if only because karma has a ridiculous reach. So when Kevin Garnett cracks on Charlie Villenueva as a cancer patient, that's probably one of those areas. Besides, why go there when CV has so many other areas you can crack him on?  George Karl, Denver Nuggets coach and cancer survivor, wasn't impressed.  An NBA player poll had Garnett as the runaway winner for biggest trash talker at 62% of the vote.

If you're Donovan McNabb, pulled at crunch time on Sunday for the Washington Redskins, and your coach expresses concern that not only you aren't that familiar with the playbook for the two minute drill, but that you're also out of shape, and then he brings in the State of JaMarcus Russell for a workout, bet you're not shopping for real estate.

Interesting piece on Monday from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun on the top two centres for each team in the NHL this year. The Leafs duo of Tyler Bozak and Mikhael Grabovski have all of 8 points so far...combined. That's dead last in the league, and an area Brian Burke needs to shore up badly. 

There are rumblings that Derek Jeter is after six years from the Yankees. Yeah, that'd be a great idea for a guy who already moves like his knees have been dipped in cement before he takes the field.  If I'm Brian Cashman and at the negotiating table, I ask DJ this: "who loses more by you leaving, us...or you?"  No brainer, Jeter does.  He won't get half the money elsewhere, and even less of the adulation.  I'd finish with "here's video of your 2010, and the last decade of plays to your left.  Sign here, here's what you're making for two years." 

While Bobby Clarke was trying to spit out a single thought between periods on TSN, this blog entry was completed entirely. Only slightly exaggerating.

Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports thinks that the majority of people asked would not be in favor of an expanded playoffs in baseball and says three rounds is already too long for the playoffs.  I completely disagree on the latter, the problem is the ridiculous breaks between rounds.  Lose that and you could easily add another round of playoffs.

Toronto FC finalized and confirmed their deal with Jurgen Klinsmann, who has free reign to do as he pleases with the hiring of GM, coach, implementing style of play and so on.  I like it.

I've yet to see a Toronto Raptors game beyond stumbling across it - and even the one a few friends put on at my place was met with indifference and only passing glances - and have to say, my life is better for it.  Word is they got smoked last night. 

This website - Overstream - allows you to take random YouTube video's and throws subtitles on the screen that have nothing to do with what is actually being said, with hilarious effect.  The subject in this one?  Wayne Rooney's almost-departure from Manchester United.

Check out this awesome rant by Florida Atlantic colour guy Dave Lamont.  Wow.

The Wall Street Journal did a study of the FOX NFL pre-game show and determined that 10% of the show is spent with the panel laughing.  The Big Lead has a great vid that shows it isn't just a FOX thing.

The New York Mets hired former Toronto Blue Jays GM JP Ricciardi yesterday.  His task?  To rebuild the Mets scouting department.  Wasn't he the guy that took a blow torch to the Jays scouting department as soon as he took the job?  Only the Mets.

Was it a lack of effort on the field?  Infighting with the coaching staff?  Nope.  What did Randy Moss in with the Minnesota Vikings was his teeing off on a catered meal as being not fit to feed his dog.  As an aside, what will the media have to cover if Moss is done next year, with T.O. and Brett Favre also possibilities?  Sorry, shouldn't have had T.O. in there, he's having a better year than those two, and who would have figured that?

8 shut-out periods before the Toronto Maple Leafs finally found the net last night in a 3-2 loss to Ottawa.  That sound you hear is the sound of reality grinding expectation to a halt after a 4-0 open to the season in Toronto.

NBA Commish David Stern can't be a very busy man these days, what with getting around to banning players from wearing headbands upside down.  What's next, inside out?

Dwayne DeRosario may want to get a new deal out of Toronto FC, but there's nothing happening on that front. 


Yankee Stadium is getting dressed up to host Notre Dame vs. Army on November 20th.  Pictures here.

50 hottest new WAG's for 2010.

Yankees boss Hal Steinbrenner says the team hopes to agree to a new deal with Derek Jeter, but it has to make sense for both sides.  Memo to Hal: your side's definition of making sense does not exceed three years.  Money is irrelevant, do not give him more than three.  Two preferably.

David Beckham is a good dude, have to say, and a decent actor.  Hilarious hidden camera routine he was in on with Ellen DeGeneres.



A beauty of a goal in the OHL a few nights back from Ryan Strome of the Niagara Ice Dogs, courtesy of my boy KD.  One day I hope to try to replicate this effort in a certain PS3 game. Gets better with every replay.

Giants take the World Series

Well that was easy enough, and surprising at that.  The San Francisco Giants rode another strong start - or was it horrible Texas Rangers sticks? - to a 3-1 win last night to take the World Series 4-1.  Hell of a run for the Giants, it must be said.  Ought to be a very interesting off-season, as it always is in MLB, starting with the "award season" and then into free agency, winter meetings...makes the winter go by just a little bit quicker, thankfully.

The Indianapolis Colts exacted some revenge for their Week 1 beating at the hands of the Houston Texans last night with a 30-17 home win.  The Texans look like they can't defend the pass against anybody.

And then, there are the Minnesota Vikings.  Yesterday, the news went from Randy Moss was being put on waivers, to reports it not being true a couple hours later, to finally the official word coming down that he was in fact history.  Four weeks and done for #84 with his first team.  Not exactly the way he or his agent probably hoped a contract year would pan out.  The Vikings are in the running with the Dallas Cowboys for the biggest circus this year, and that is saying something. Not sure which is a bigger disappointment.

Wonder who players think was the best pitcher in the AL this year?  They voted David Price, with CC Sabathia second and King Felix Hernandez third.  I'd bet confidently the Cy Young voting ends in the same order.

If you're a fan of the Toronto Raptors, you may have heard about Chris Bosh treating his time in Toronto as though it didn't really happen, because it wasn't on U.S. television.  Classy.  Love Stan Van Gundy calling Bosh "Dwayne Wade's lap dog".

Weird stat that I've yet to confirm: the winning team of the NFL's game in London the last two games has gone on to win the Super Bowl within two years.  Really.  In 2007, the New York Giants won in London and won the Super Bowl in 2009, 2008 it was New Orleans who of course won this year's Super Bowl.  New England won the game in 2009 and is every bit a possibility for this year.  San Francisco won this year's game, so you've got that, 49er fans.  Overall, including exhibition games, the London winner is 6-1.  Crazy.

One thing the Buffalo Bills may be able to claim coming to Toronto this weekend: they've earned the worst record in the NFL, given that they may claim the worst player in the game in former 2009 first-rounder Aaron Maybin (11th overall).

Four, count 'em...FOUR...vids to close out the day.  

After hearing "penetration" and "inches", what else could ESPN's Chris McKendry do but drop a "Ben Roethlescock"?


In case you missed Tennessee safety Donnie Nickey going WWE and inadvertently punching a ref, here it is again:

Real Sociedad, of Spain's La Liga, are trying to take a run at those whacky Icelanders for best goal celebrating team.  They've got work to do.


Far more entertaining is anything to do with slingshots, particularly when they fail.  While launching a can of beer.  As the old joke goes: how do you know you're about to go to a red neck funeral?  Answer: when you hear "hey y'all, watch this."

Giants on the brink...

After another shutout last night, 4-0, the San Francisco Giants are up 3-1 and ready to pop champagne in Dallas tonight.  They'll have to best Cliff Lee to do it.  However it ends, hopefully it is the last World Series that runs into November.  At least for next year, it would be.  Going into last night, the Rangers had faced left-handed starters 6 times in this post-season: Johnathan Sanchez, CC Sabathia twice, David Price twice and Andy Pettitte. Only Sabathia beat them with  an 11-hitter until Madison Bumgarner threw a gem last night.

2. That's the number of articles in yesterday's Toronto Sun forcing Blue Jays references into World Series headlines.  The Jays belong in a World Series conversation like a pedophile at a school crossing.

The hits just keep on coming for Brett Favre.  Last week, his ankle, yesterday, his chin got busted open for 8-10 stitches - depending who you believe - and he was "woozy".  Before the Vikings 28-18 loss in New England, Jimmy Johnson said Favre is washed up and mentioned how he regreted not benching Dan Marino near the end of his stay in Miami.  Good to see at least somebody calling Favre what he is: finished.  That said, the world really needs Favre to keep on playing.  We already know what happens when he's got some spare time on his hands.  Great pic here, and at right.

Pretty sure yesterday's Washington Redskins visit to Detroit, won 37-25 by the Lions, answered the question "why was Philadelphia so comfortable trading their quarterback to a division rival?"  Donovan McNabb was benched in this one after a series of 3-and-out's.

Trivia time: what NFL team has outscored opponents 92-17 the last two weeks and rolled up 500+ yards of offence?  Believe it or not, the Oakland Raiders.

Toronto FC's season is over, but they're looking like they're about to have their best off-season ever.  They're expected to announce Jurgen Klinsmann as their top man in the organization in the next few days, and have some world class names that have been in discussions about the head coaching job, most notably Roberto Donadoni (former Italian national team coach) and Carlos Quieroz (former #2 at Manchester United, head man at Real Madrid, and Portugal's head coach until last month).  Those are shocking names, frankly.  John Molinaro at the CBC says that TFC's new GM is right under their nose: Earl Cochrane, the interim GM.

Dave Perkins at the Toronto Star is a joke, or cheerleader for the Blue Jays, or both, depending on your perspective.  Smart, he is not.  DP wrote an article yesterday of how the Yankees are aging and have no reliable pitching aside from CC Sabathia.  Didn't Phil Hughes win 18?  He's 24, last I looked.  Oh, and the guy who is a coin-flip in the AL MVP race happens to be Robinson Cano, who just turned 28 last week.

Sign at a San Francisco bar.  At right.

NBA Commissioner David Stern entertained the idea of contracting a team or few to help bring NBA expenses down.  Magic Johnson thinks the idea would only improve the quality of basketball.  I can solve the NBA's expense concerns in one shot: eliminate the WNBA.  Done.  Nobody will even notice.

If you think you're having a bad day, just take a read of this interview with NFL draft bust JaMarcus Russell.  You'll feel a whole lot better once you're done.

Looks like Brett Favre with his pecker hanging out wasn't the only football costume popular this year.

KD may not send me video games promised, but he sent this awesome video. Words can't do it justice.

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

Looks like the World Series may have some life in it after all, thanks to a 4-2 win for the Texas Rangers.  Not sure about you, but everything Vladi Guerrero does outside of swing a bat comes off as dangerous to his own health, no?

NFL blackouts are up 63% year over year.

That's two straight games without a goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs after being shut out 2-love to the New York Rangers last night.  Safe to say that the expectations some had early in the year have come crashing back to earth.  Fans were booing newly minted captain Dion Phaneuf last night.  Why exactly remains unclear.

26 sexy Hallowe'en costumes that someone argues shouldn't exist for some reason.  Well, I guess it does get pretty creepy as you get closer to the top of the list.

Esquire says Minka Kelly - soon to be Mrs. Derek Jeter - is the 2010 sexiest woman on the planet.  Hot, yes.  Hottest?  Sorry.   Still, at least Jeter's off-season will be better than this past season.

Check out the 25 dumbest World Series moments.  Good stuff.

Back later with your Prime Time Pick, and there's one bit left.  Gonna be unloading a pile of material this coming week.  You've been warned.

Long overdue, but thanks to getting around to watching Hard Knocks, Antonio Cromartie of the New York Jets tries to remember his kids names.  Yes, I said "tries".

Klinsmann!

Hope somebody has alerted the Texas Rangers that it is time to show up and start playing some ball, especially now that they're at home for Game 3.  Not sure anybody figured the Rangers would give up 20 runs in the first two games, most of that coming from a seriously inept bullpen.

I know I had a few beverages last night, but did I hear the Toronto Raptors not only won, but that they did it in convincing fashion and played a little defence?  Oh, it was merely the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Hear from a recent Vegas visitor the Raps are tied - with the Minnesota T-Wolves - for the biggest longshot to win the NBA title at 34,000 - 1.  Wouldn't put a penny on it.  Reggie Evans has 30 rebounds in two games.


The big game on the English Premier League calendar today is a 12:30pm (Eastern) showdown between Tottenham and Manchester United, with Man U hosting.  These two typically play some wide open games so should be interesting.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he's in favor of European expansion for his league.  Maybe it is the travel or the trouble some players would have getting into the EU with their records off the field, but just can't see it working.  That said, a team in Amsterdam, for example, would make for some awesome happenings

Cliff Lee - or at least his agent - insists talk that Yankee fans harassed and possibly spit on his wife during the ALCS does not at all affect their standing this off-season as he nears free agency.  Something tells me his agent would say that if the guys in Section 123 went Ben Roethlesberger on her.

If Toronto FC were looking to make some splash and score some credibility, they sure accomplished that in hiring German soccer legend Jurgen Klinsmann.  Stephen Brunt at the Globe points out that if Bryan Colangelo and Brian Burke were credibility hirings with experience for their slices of the MLSE empire, Klinsmann is on another planet  as a world class player, decorated champion and certified top flight coach.  He'll have the authority to do as he sees fit with the team.  Damn impressive move.

Scouts speculate the Yankees might try to trade Nick Swisher this off-season.  They not only weren't impressed with his smack-talking Cliff Lee, but he's also hitting .162 in 33 playoff games.

Interesting piece from Roy MacGregor at The Globe And Mail on the "baseball-ization" of hockey stats and descending into the irrelevant.

50 crunching NFL hits, mashed up.

25 perverted Hallowe'en costumes.  Not for the sensitive, that's for sure.

Have a great day.

Back!

We're back, after a busy work trip to my fav city in Canada - Montreal.  Sorry Toronto, regrets Vancouver, swing and a miss Halifax, sucks to be you Ottawa, nice try Edmonton, not-even-the-best-in-Alberta Calgary...Montreal wins hands down.  Wasn't all work by any means, not when your hotel is a couple blocks from Crescent Street.  Also, worked my way into some last minute Montreal Canadiens tickets Wednesday, a very entertaining 5-3 win over the New York Islanders.  I've always said that hockey is far better live than on TV (other than those painful TV-timeouts) but PK Subban is even more entertaining than that.  That is gonna be one hell of a player, and soon.  Had a laugh hearing the fans cheer Carey Price hard after he was booed equally hard last time I was there in February, and he wasn't even playing that night.  How soon they forget!  Great times.

Anytime the Texas Rangers want to show up would be fine.  A 9-0 beat down last night is no way to generate interest outside of San Francisco. Matt Cain has now thrown 21 2/3 shutout innings for the Giants, who are up 2-0 and had Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" going last night post game.  You know, because they're "half way there".

Bud Selig should pounce on this one: the MLB players union says it would consider adding extra playoff teams.

Here's one way to handle your ejection from a sporting event: 1. Leave the field of play.  2. Return with car.  3. Try to run down the referee.

The NBA enlisted comic - they ones who draw, not make people funny - Stan Lee to draw covers for each NBA team.

Here are the 10 Greatest World Series photos of all time.  The way this series is going, don't imagine there will be any pictures taken of the final games.  Fox must be lamenting the abscence of the New York Yankees, given that ratings dropped 25% from Game 1 last year to this year.

I love frivolous lawsuits.  A man is suing McDonald's for making him fat.  Oh, he won.

Word is Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been told he's got a transfer fund of £100 million.  Nice work, Wayne Rooney.  Wayne got himself a raise, and a way to improve the talent around him.  A start: get

A little late getting to this one, but a great history of rap with the always hilarious Justin Timberlake and the occasionally funny Jimmy Fallon.

Finally, RM is coming back. Today at 3pm (at the latest).

The Carolina Hurricanes are finally playing their home opener today, after travelling 21,000 kilometers - aided by opening in Finland - to play their first seven games.  Am sure they'll be coming home to a heroes welcome in the four figures.

Catcher Bengie Molina is a World Series winner this year, regardless of the outcome.  Having played for both the San Francisco Giants and now the Texas Rangers this year, he'll collect a ring either way it goes, though you have to figure getting one in a Giants win has to sting.  That will be five rings in nine years for the catching Molina brothers.

Back tomorrow

RM returns tomorrow.  For the record, like Texas to win the World Series.

Best SNL parody ad ever

Well how else could the Dallas Cowboys season go but to see Tony Romo get pounded into the ground and break his collarbone?  The Cowboys were 41-35 losers to the New York Giants in a wild Monday Nighter.  1-5 on the year, the death march starts now for the next 10 weeks.  The biggest fear of this Cowboys fan?  That Jerry Jones might view Romo's abscence as a reason to give Wade Phillips another year.

Speaking of broken bones.  Brett Favre is in a cast with a stress fracture in his ankle.  Looking like that consecutive starts streak - impressive, no doubt - is about to come to an end.

Allen Iverson has signed a 2-year deal to play in Turkey. If you're wondering how to say it, "Biz pratik hakkında konuşuyor" translates to "we're talking about practice" in Turkish. Strangely, Hedo Turkoglu hasn't heard the word in either language.

One approach I'm guessing the NFL won't use to market the London, England game featuring San Francisco and Denver on Sunday: "Come see a 1-6 bust face a team that gave up 59 in 3 quarters to the God-forsaken Oakland Raiders!"

Work trip on the go.  Gotta keep it brief the next few days, unfortunately.  One last thing:

An awesome ad from Saturday Night Live featuring Brett Favre.

RM returns later today. Stay tuned.

It was not my pecker

How anybody can figure they know what will happen on any NFL Sunday is beyond me. Hands up if you had the Oakland Raiders scoring 59 in Denver, or the Cleveland Browns winning 30-17 in New Orleans, or Tennessee - with Kerry "Tom" Collins starting at QB - humiliating Philly 37-19?  Liars.

Tough day for Brett Favre.  First up, reports are that he admits the voicemails to Jenn Sterger were in fact his, though he disowned the pecker shots.  Then he went out and got beat up in Green Bay as his Vikings dropped to 2-4.  And compounding all that, his coach Brad Childress largely threw him under the bus and admitted he thought (and is thinking?) of pulling him.

I wasn't in the school that thought there was nobody that could beat Brock Lesnar, but I didn't figure he could be beat as savagely as Cain Velasquez did with a first round TKO to win the UFC Heavyweight title. That cut under Lesnar's eye was nasty. He'll be back, but that was a shocker. Great card overall, with Diego Sanchez win over Thiago Alves the fight of the night for my eyes.  Rest of the results here.

Phil Simms on New England Patriot Danny Woodhead: "You realize what a good athlete is when you talk to him."

26 different teams have played in the last 30 World Series.  There is no league that can even approach that level.

Cleveland is used to this: In each of the past three years, the Browns have beaten the defending Super Bowl champion, including yesterday's shock fisting - see what I did there? - in New Orleans by a 30-17 score.

The Toronto Argos clinched a playoff spot this weekend, not that that is a big chore when 6 of 8 teams, or 75% if you're not a mathlete, make it. Not bad for an 8-8 team. Clearly, the CFL stands for "Charitable Football League".  At least Toronto gets a team in some playoffs now.

Whenever Hawk or Matthews make a play, it's time to cue up their video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1W6-ErrHls

The San Francisco Giants went and knocked out the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday and the ever-classy Philly fans booed the Giants off the field. Brian Wilson closed it out, and as great a closer he is, he's even a more entertaining guy. Check out his act here on Jim Rome is Burning a few weeks back. The World Series starts ???, I've got Texas in six.





Check out this interview with the WWE's Undertaker after Brock Lesnar's loss at UFC 121.  Pretty safe to say that he and Lesnar aren't exactly tight.

Fork? Meet Yankees.

Texas?  Knocked off the team with the best record and then the defending champions. Just better. Period.  Have to say, while I think the San Francisco Giants book their World Series trip tonight, it would be awesome to see Cliff Lee face Philly, just to see if he can go from pitching for them, to pitching against them.  

After the NFL "hits" video was screened, Minnesota Viking Chris Kluwe - yes, they do have more guys than Brett Favre - tweeted out this whiteboard bit from their locker room. Awesome. That's the best whiteboard smack since Shea Hillenbrand famously wrote "the ship is sinking" in the Toronto Blue Jays clubhouse.

For the Jays fans not happy about the "no experience" crack yesterday on alleged new hire John Farrell, I only say this: Carlos Tosca, John Gibbons, Tim Johnson, and Buck Martinez.  Is that all of them? I'm not saying he can't get it done because of inexperience, but the Jays will have a tough time selling that given their lack of success in the last decade - approaching two - with inexperienced skippers.

Have you seen Barry Bonds the last bit?  Curious to hear what kind of "diet" he's on that caused that kind of weight loss.

A fantastic UFC 121 card goes tonight with Brock Lesnar defending his heavyweight title against undefeated Cain Velasquez in L.A.  Undercard is fantastic too.  Should be well worth the internet feed purchase.  Preview and some picks here from The Big Lead.

While reading this blog entry, Joe Girardi intentionally had someone walked.  They subsequently scored.

Have a great Saturday.  Back tomorrow with another Prime Time Pick winner.

Philly grabs one back

It didn't start pretty with the San Francisco Giants out to an early 2-0 lead, and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay tweaked his groin batting, but the Phillies clawed back and were 4-2 winners to cut the series lead to 3-2 for the Giants.  They'll tangle again at 3:57 (Eastern) tomorrow back in Philly.  Up tonight, it is game six in the ALCS.  Maybe it is loyalty, but I've got a funny feeling the New York Yankees even it up and send it to - gulp! - a game seven against Cliff Lee tomorrow night.

New England Patriot QB Tom Brady isn't a guy that talks a whole lot, but his "they talk a lot for a team that has beat us once in nine years" crack on the Baltimore Ravens is absolutely nuclear.  Awesome.

Things are going to get real interesting on the labour front in the NBA if Commissioner David Stern is serious about rolling back player salaries by a third, or $750-$800 million across the board.  If he's serious, there is no way there is a season to start 2011/12, no?

9,802 in Columbus to see the Blue Jackets on Wednesday with the Anaheim Ducks in town, 8,820 in Atlanta on the same night to see the visiting Buffalo Sabres.  I know Gary Bettman's argument against more Canadian teams is they won't draw well in the U.S., but here's a thought: neither do some U.S. teams.  GB will look real smart if Atlanta fails a second time.  Oh, and not to be outdone, the Phoenix Coyotes drew 6,706 last night.  Picture of league health at right.

The NFL has released its "hits" video that went to all teams this week.  Check it out here.  After yesterday, I'm tempted to suggest this problem is all the result of shoddy officiating, just for fun.  If you're wondering what I'm referring to, check out the discussion that yesterday's crack on officials brought here.

After all that ink wasted, Wayne Rooney has signed with Manchester United for another five years.  It'll be interesting to see if his anger over them saving money on players sold rather than acquiring new ones makes a difference come January's transfer window.

In ESPN The Magazine's "Lists" issue, New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul was asked to name the five best passers in the game. Who did he have tops? Chris Paul.

Also listed, Brett Favre's final pass in a playoff game went to a member of his team six times. Intercepted?  Five. Nice.

Talk about punching above your class: LA Laker Sasha Vujacic is engaged to Maria Sharapova.

I managed to catch a minute of the Toronto Maple Leafs/New York Rangers game last night. Didn't better my life a bit.

Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard, batting cleanup, has yet to cash an RBI this playoffs. That's hard to believe, but speaks to the very streaky Phillies offence.

The Dallas Cowboys are using officials in practice this week in an effort to cut down on the penalties they're drawing.  Up next week: using a head coach.

The very evolved NFL analyst Mark Schlereth says that if the NFL continues to look at ways to remove hitting from the game, they'll end up being soccer.  I'd love to get Schlereth on the field some day with a Nigel De Jong say, and show him how little contact there is.  Know what you're talking about, MS, otherwise you look like a pure jerkoff.  Oh, guess the league isn't removing contact entirely if Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison backing off retirement talk is any measure.  What a shock.

If the stories are to be believed, looks like Boston Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell - experience: zero - is in line to be the new manager of the Toronto Blue Jays.  The largest downside of this hiring for AL East rivals: the Sox pitching is bound to improve after the not-so-great work Farrell did with Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Jonathan Papelbon.

Not sure what is more impressive in this clip from a youth hockey game.  The celebration after the goal, or that it looks like they drew a bigger crowd than the NHL cities named above.

Hockey snow angels @ Yahoo! Video