Friday, October 24th, 2008

The Tampa Bay Rays didn't get a lot off Phillies starter Randy Myers, but they got enough to win 4-2 and even the World Series at a game each. The Series now moves to Philly for three games starting tomorrow...surely nobody is surprised that Gary Bettman is denying that there is any discussion of a second Toronto team in the NHL? Of course, the cynical Leaf fan in me - and I'm hanging on by a thread there - suggests that a new NHL team there would give them one in Toronto...speaking of Bettman, real hard to believe his proclamations that all is well in the NHL when the Toronto Maple Leafs travel to face another Original Six squad in Boston and there are as many empty seats in the lower bowl empty as full...the Philadelphia MLS expansion slated for 2010 might not happen after all, and into the breach might be Montreal. Great news for Canuck soccer fans...Mike Ditka says if the NFL wants to eliminate head shots and helmet to helmet shots, they ought to eliminate facemasks so players are less willing to get their faces into a guy. Great idea, Ditka, because guys getting fingers in their eyes is so much better. Unlike Ditka, I didn't start talking about a different subject mid-sentence...the English Premier League is back in action with each squad playing a game this weekend and another mid-week. This is where the depth or lack thereof shows. Marquee match of the weekend is Chelsea hosting Liverpool on Sunday...despite the leagues toughest schedule and more than a few injuries along the way, the Pittsburgh Steelers sit at 5-1. They've got a big one with the New York Football Giants at home Sunday. Yes, the Giants are actually going to play someone good this season. Weird...word is a memo went around at ESPN to not report the Brett Favre filling in the Lions on the Packers attack story. If that is true, that is pathetic. For his part, Fox Sports Jay Glazer, who wrote the piece on Favre's call to the Lions, told Jim Rome he stands by the story 1000%. Logically, hard not to believe it what with Lions coach Rod Marinelli giving a "no comment" when asked. Had there been nothing to it, he'd have said so as there'd be no reason to keep quiet. But if there is something to it, potentially being exposed as a liar is reason enough to say "no comment"...by the way, how is there no rule against guys giving away teams tendencies if they've got inside knowledge or even playbooks but filming signals cost the New England Patriots dearly? Isn't the former far more effective?...the Breeders Cup goes this weekend. Tough call, but I'm going with Travis Henry over Shawn Kemp and Jamie Lynn Spears...have a great Friday.

Who knew that pro-wrestling and figure skating had come together to form one sport?