88 in for $55,000

After complaints of small crowds from Evan Longoria and David Price, the Tampa Bay Rays are giving away 20,000 tickets to tonights game. Get the feeling it won't matter, and they'll still have under 20,000 in attendance?  I suppose the fact they clinched a playoff spot last night won't help the cause, although the AL East remains up for grabs.

Had some suggest the crack about "Thank you Cito" night seeing the giveaways extended into next season was a bit out of line, and you're right. There's a good shot they get 35,000 tonight. After all, the Yankees are in town, although they'll be likely playing a heavily loaded with back-ups squad after clinching a playoff spot last night and no doubt tearing it up.  In news relating to the playoff spot, Losers are mobilizing to simultaneously cheer on seven teams.

If ML$E thinks those empty seats at Toronto FC's Champions League game are about a cool, rainy day, they're begging.  John Molinaro at the CBC says they've reached the crisis stage.

Finally Delonte West asked about sex with LeBron James' mom and he said he absolutely didn't sleep with her because they were up all night.  Something like that..And for all the times LeBron has talked, how is it that not once has he referenced his former teammates in any way?  Doesn't that strike you as odd?


In retrospect, guessing Dallas Cowboys rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant is going to wish he carried Roy Williams pads when asked at camp a couple months back.  Why?  Seems RW goes his revenge, as instead of just having DB pay for a dinner for the team's offensive players, RW invited the defense as well to a swank steakhouse.   The bill?  $55,000.  Ouch.

What a turnaround for Michael Vick. After an off-season shooting at his birthday party that almost saw him off the Philadelphia Eagles and out of the game, he's not only starting for the Eagles and playing as good as ever, but he's also selling a pile of jerseys.  Vick will face Donovan McNabb and the Washington Redskins this weekend. No storylines there.

The Jacksonville Jaguars appear to have picked up Buffalo Bills castoff Trent Edwards. Yeah, that'll fix it.


Check out this shizophrenic split for AJ Burnett that happened in early May:  "through May 6 — six starts — Burnett was 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA. His strike out totals — just 28 in 40.2 innings — were down, but he was keeping both runners off base and the ball in the park. Just one of the first 164 batters to face him homered. Since then, Burnett has, with the exception of a few good starts in July, been utterly abysmal. He’s 6-15 over his last 26 starts, and he’s averaging just over 5.1 innings per start. After [Monday's] 2.1-inning, seven-run fiasco, his ERA over those 140 innings is 6.30, and he’s allowed 23 home runs and 64 walks while striking out just 111 guys. Opponents have an OPS against him of approximately .860. In other words, A.J. Burnett’s opponents are putting up better offensive numbers than Mark Teixeira."  Ouch.

Have a great Wednesday.

Cinco de Mayo

Whatever happened to Geddy Lee at Toronto Blue Jay games? Maybe he's one of the average of 6,428 fewer fans attending Jays games on average this season, the third biggest decline in baseball...and what about the voice of Geddy Lee, how did it get so high? I wonder if he speaks like an ordinary guy?...a pair of hat-tricks from Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin in a series that so far is living up to the hype. The Caps managed another goal, however, and held serve at home to lead the series 2-0. Hilites below. Those lit UPS ads on the the rinks boards in Washington and elsewhere have to go...anybody figure the KC Royals would be first in the AL Central in May? Granted, hardly the best division but still. Zach Greinke is now 6-0 with another complete game shutout registered...Buster Olney, maybe the most informed voice in baseball in my opinion, was on ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike Show yesterday and called most of the evidence in Selena Roberts book "A-Rod" "circumstantial" at best, and notes he knows plenty of guys who gain 25lbs in a year in high school, as I'm sure most do. Doug Mientkiewicz, a high school teammate of A-Rod's, said there it was "99.9% impossible" he used then without D.M. being aware of it. Olney said there is absolutely no smoking gun telling us any more than what we've already had confirmed. He called the book "wanting, badly" and lacking in attribution of even the simplest details. On pitch tipping, Olney said what was presented was a hypothetical and that when his former teammate and second baseman Michael Young says the allegation is "ridiculous", you have to believe that. His manager at the time - Buck Showalter - also said there was no way he tipped pitches, and if he had, it would have been addressed immediately in the dugout. Showalter is a hardass, if you didn't know. But at least Roberts had named sources for the notion he only tips 15% at Hooters, which puts him about 15% ahead of Tiger Woods and Scottie "No Tippin'" Pippen. Ought to get interesting this weekend when A-Rod returns. He'll get booed, sure, but he'll resume slamming the ball off walls and out of the yard, same as always...Megan Fox video. Enough said. I swear to you it is the real deal or may my Yankees never win another game...SI.com's Jon Heyman looks at the contenders and pretenders among the early season surprises. Jays fans - don't expect to be impressed...New York Yankee pitcher AJ Burnett must be some kind of movie buff. How else do you explain this swank theatre in his home? Scroll down for more pics here at the right of the page. Burnett's Yankees have got a load of pressure on them tonight as they try not to get swept in a two-game series at home that would leave them 0-5 against Boston on the year after last night's 6-4 loss...hands up, who had the LA Lakers losing Game 1 at home to Houston and the Boston Celtics losing at home to Orlando?...the latest on RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie is he's looking to bring an NHL team to Burlington. Burlington?...Arsenal hosts Manchester United today in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final. United won their home leg 1-0 last week, and can advance with a win or tie of any score. A 1-0 loss and the game head's to overtime. My bet is United advance whatever the case, they simply won't be shut out today and with Rio Ferdinand healthy, their defence will be strong. Can't wait for this one...RMer J.C. asks what's the most shocking Tampa Bay Ray stat: Carl Crawford has 18 steals, Evan Longoria has 31 RBI, Carlos Pena has 11 HR, or that Tampa is 11-16?...back with your PTP later.


Caps vs. Pens hilites...

Somebody's going to Wrong Island

Clearly, Chelsea learned nothing about Liverpool's heart from the Reds' Champions League win in Istanbul a couple years ago, and clearly, neither did I in figuring Chelsea would easily hold on at home after a 3-1 lead they snatched on the road last week. Liverpool dominated early, and gained confidence after two first half goals, but the Blues rallied back to clinch a semi-final date with Barcelona in an incredible 4-4 tie...today, Manchester United travel to face FC Porto in a game they must win, something no English side has ever done at Porto. Today is the day that changes. Banker bet it. Arsenal also host Villareal to sort out the other semi-final...the NHL Draft lottery went last night, and the first overall pick goes to the New York Islanders - the odds on fav - who you would assume draft John Tavares. The Toronto Maple Leafs will pick 7th, if GM Brian Burke doesn't move up. The draft order can be seen here...funny thing about the NFL schedule coming out last night is if you ask all your buddies, their teams are all going at least 10-6 and making the playoffs. Fun exercise: write which games your team will win or lose right now and look at how wrong you are come January. Turns out the Buffalo Bills will be hosting the New York Jets in Toronto, not the Indianapolis Colts are believed. That will go December 3rd...building on yesterday's 60+ win story. All six of Phil Jackson's previous winners of 60+ went on to win the NBA title...thank you, AJ Burnett, for pitching a gem - again - and netting a solid PTP winner. Burnett had a no hitter going into the 8th and it blew up moments after I tuned in. No joke...the latest chink in the Toronto Blue Jays pitching staff sees alleged #2 starter Jesse Litsch head to the disabled list...the NHL playoffs starts tonight, and there's nothing better than the first round of the NHL's tourney. Don't miss it...whatever happened to Shonie Carter? Miss that spinning backfist...have a great Wednesday.

T.O. Shows

Remember the coverage in the media when Terrell Owens didn't show up for voluntary camp with the Buffalo Bills, and how little coverage there was that he was away partly from habit, and partly because he was getting an award for his charity work? Be sure to note how short the coverage will be now that he's in camp. When the Buffalo Bills play Indianapolis in Toronto this year - I'm told the third Sunday in November - ESPN The Magazine says they're changing the name of the city for the day to T.O.ronT.O. Seriously...the best nickname I've heard in sports in some time goes to Kansas City Royals closer Joaqim Soria: "The Mexicutioner". Yes, he's from Mexico...Quebec Premier Jean Charest vows the for-sale Montreal Canadiens will not be moving. That's some kind of statement. What's he going to say next? The sun will rise in the east? If Charest was really concerned about doing the right thing, he'd find a way to forbid Celine Dion from buying the team...it took 654 games, but the Columbus Blue Jackets know they will finally play one of the playoff variety. Ken Hitchcock will have a dangerous team ready to shut down whomever they draw. Also punching their tickets are the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens - the playoffs are better whenever those two are in..hope you enjoyed yesterdays PTP winner. At least for his first start, AJ Burnett earned his keep. Love me some baseball wagering...as sad as it was to hear about Anaheim Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart meeting his untimely demise in a car crash, it is hard to call it an accident when the loser that hit him was driving under the influence...six national team players on the Czech Republic soccer team - plus the coach - were dropped after they lost to Slovakia 2-1, not because of the loss, but because they were photographed with prostitutes. Well played, fellas...for today's PTP, play the Philadelphia Phillies and Cole Hamels at -1.5 +125. Tough to pass up that value, even if the half run will occasionally cost us a push. Also loving the Tampa Bay Rays at -1.5 +133. Enjoy...have a great Good Friday.

Ovechkin nearly decapitated

It should almost be expected that the day The Masters "tuna mint" starts that there is good weather worldwide. The media is all about Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington right now, which usually means somebody other than those three rises. Except when Tiger is lurking. You'd be crazy to bet against that guy in any major, especially when it comes to The Masters...ESPN's Ric Bucher says most NBA teams have red flagged Ricky Rubio heading to the draft. Word is he's going to have a very tough time getting out of his deal with DKV Joventut Badalona...Liverpool's Rafa Benitez spent the days leading up to yesterday's Champions League tilt against Chelsea spouting off about Manchester United being afraid of Liverpool. Not sure if that is true, but if so, they'd be more afraid of Chelsea after they curb stomped Liverpool 3-1 in Liverpool to all but seal that quarterfinal. Speaking of seal, Barcelona hammered Bayern Munich 4-0 to all but assure a very interesting semi-final between those two. Liverpool will be lucky if they get a sniff of the English Premier Championship. Looks good on you, Rafa..the New York Yankees are 0-2 with a stagnant offence. And somewhere, there's people that think they don't need A-Rod. Speaking of, Bill Simmons ("The Sports Guy") has a great piece here on the galvanizing force that is A-Rod. Not bad, for a Boston Red Sox honk...NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is suspending Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch three games for off-field transgressions. In response, Terrell Owens said "don't worry about it, you don't need a running back anyways." Only the former is true...playing AJ Burnett and the New York Yankees again today at -1.5 -114, doubling up even. 0-3 to the Orioles? Could well happen, but it shouldn't. Good luck...

Washington Capital Alexander Ovechkin clearly has a death wish. Watch this. Amazing.

Austin 3-16

LaDanian Tomlinson is now talking of breaking Emmitt Smith's all-time rushing record. He needs 6,600 yards or so to do so. Any takers that he gets it done? Didn't think so...does anybody think that getting a tattoo of yourself is a good idea? Apparentely New York Yankee pitcher AJ Burnett thoughts so, as he's got ink of himself...that physical specimen that is Phil Mickelson - he's not dubbed "Hefty" for nothing - needed to be treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday's round at Doral in Miami. Didn't matter much, as he went on to win the tourney regardless...unless you've been living under a rock or are moving under one, expect much discussion of the NCAA March Madness that starts Thursday. Frankly, even as a guy who doesn't pay much mind to NCAA hoops, it is a fantastic thing to take in, especially the first two rounds where it is wall-to-wall action with drama left and right. Need your brackets? Here they be...here's a look at the Top 10 Dirtiest Athletes. Hines Ward? Don't think so..after seeing the result of the Manchester United/Liverpool game - a 4-1 win for 'pool - I was pretty glad to not have TV for the weekend. Took some grief from a couple guys out on Saturday night while wearing a Man U jacket but it is almost worth it just to see that much soccer talk out on the town, even from guys who wouldn't know Liverpool from Blackpool...NHL General Manager's have talked about using wins in regulation as a tiebreaker. Here's an idea: three points for regulation wins, if you're really looking to encourage teams to go on the offensive in the first 60 minutes...another wrestler - Andrew Martin aka "Test" - has died at far too young an age, 33. No word on the cause of death but hard not to think it was anything but natural causes. 33 year olds that are outwardly fit don't just die suddenly...talked to a guy yesterday who is becoming a bigger fan of the EPL and said he's particularly fond of Arsenal and Tottenham, thanks to his love of Croatian soccer players. Arsenal and Tottenham? He must also be a fan of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens by that measure...it is 3/16 and Stephen F. Austin is in the NCAA tourney. How fitting...so after whining that the Denver Broncos were thinking of trading him, quarterback Jay Cutler has now asked for a trade. How fitting. This guy has some serious delusions of grandeur, a lot more accomplished players than him have been moved and complained far less, but he's going to whine? Good luck to whatever team gets him. Hope Pampers size 6 are available...back with your PTP later today.

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

Best nickname I've heard yet for CC Sabathia, replacing "Carbs & Calories", is "Cha Ching"...another day, another pitcher inked for the New York Yankees and that'd be AJ Burnett. The question for the Yankees will be if Burnett has indeed turned the corner or will he revert back to non-contract year form. One certainty: there will be no hiding for him in the Bronx. No doubt, Toronto Blue Jays GM JP Ricciardi is getting ready to make some ill advised comment. I know the Yankees have a facial hair rule - wonder how Burnett's nipple rings will go over?...Liverpool vs. Hull is the big one today in the English Premier League. Hull has played fearless against the top sides all year and won't back down against the league leaders...closer to home, Toronto FC landed one of the best players in MLS, and better still, he's a hometown boy. Dwayne De Rosario, welcome home. Cannot wait for March...the Ultimate Fighter finale goes tonight on Spike TV at 9pm. That UFC does these free live shows is a very big reason why UFC is growing as it is. Boxing used to do so, decades ago, to a much more profle extent than today where at best you see tomato cans and long shots. My money is on Phillipe Nover to beat Efrain Escudero and Vinny Magalhaes to beat Ryan Bader...that's ten straight games the Cleveland Cavs have won at home by at least a dozen. Sure beats a challupa...when the latest Dallas Cowboys drama broke, the ESPN article and headline referenced Terrell Owens exclusively as having a problem with Tony Romo's over reliance on Jason Witten, even when other players are open. Had you read the reports elsewhere, you'd have seen that it goes well beyond T.O. and includes other receivers and most of the defence questioning Romo. But ESPN knows T.O. catches attention so paint him as the malcontent. Terrible journalism. They changed the article to reflect others later yesterday, and dropped it down the list from the previous top billing...never a bad night when the Toronto Raptors beat Wince Carturd and the Jersey Nets, but even better when Wince has a horrific night...under Harry Redknapp, Tottenham are 9-1-2. Ought to be an interesting nooner with Manchester United, minus Wayne Rooney, visiting...the Blue Jays had four ads on Sportsnet last season: one with Frank Thomas, another with AJ Burnett, the third with Vernon Wells and the last with Lyle Overbay. Trendspotting, anyone?...who would've believed that the Ottawa Senators would have 64 goals at this point in the season, while the Boston Bruins have 102?...anybody know that Hasim Rahman is fighting champion Wladimir Klitshko for the heavyweight title tonight? Me neither...have a great Saturday.

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

Starting to look more and more like AJ Burnett will be an Atlanta Brave, as they're willing to go five years with him...the NFC South is an incredible 22-2 at home this year...somehow, the Indianapolis Colts have only one win by six points or more all year. That is a team that is battle tested and getting it done in the clutch. Best beware of them come playoff time...in NCAA football, #1 ranked Alabama is facing #2 ranked Oklahoma as both look to book their trip to the national championship game...Emmitt Smith, who famously once said "don't even quit, don't EVEN quit!" says this edition of the Dallas Cowboys is mediocre. Someone might want to ask 22 if he knows what that means...it'll be at least nine years in the clink and maybe as many as 33 for O.J. Simpson as justice finally caught up to the man...add a 27 point loss to the previous 39 point loss and it is clear that Jay Triano has some serious work to do with a very flawed Toronto Raptors squad...should be some easy matchups for the top squads in the English Premier League this weekend, but we've seen all stumble at various points this season. Look for Manchester United to pound Sunderland, particularly with former United captain Roy Keane no longer coaching them....in what is being hyped as boxing's biggest fight of the year, Oscar De La Hoya faces Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas...bad news for Dallas Cowboys fans: Marion Barber missed his fourth straight practice yesterday with a bad toe and seems doubtful to go in Pittsburgh tomorrow...have a great Saturday.

Friday, November 21st, 2008

Line of the day on Tony Romo taking a homeless guy to the movies comes from Jim Rome: "Romo is a tremendous guy! Of course, if he can’t get them out of the first round of the playoffs this year, he’ll be taking Wade Phillips to the movies next." Too true...a strange, strange silence has suddenly descended around the subject of Mats Sundin's return to the NHL. Odd, no?...it wasn't exactly going out on top, but Mike Mussina is retirning after a 20 year win, his first. With 270 career wins, you'd think he's a borderline Hall of Famer. Mix in that he pitched his entire career in the traditionally tough AL East and he'd get my vote, provided I had one. He's the first pitcher to retire since 1920 winning 20+ in his final year. Interesting Mussina fact: he's buying the giant flag pole from the closing Yankee Stadium and having it shipped to his house in Pennsylvania...RM reader Blake got me thinking: the more I watch Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon play, the more I am reminded of Wince Carter. The guy cannot get breathed on without rolling an ankle. Fittingly, Wince visits Toronto tonight. Who goes down first? Calderon also reminds me of something else: someone who should be entered in Jim Rome's "Rat Family"...another day, another AJ Burnett rumor. Word is the Toronto Blue Jays are ready to go up to five years for Burnett. I still think the best deal you can give Burnett is to overpay him for one year deals. Then watch him pitch like a mad man when motivated...14-7 for Prime Time Picks now. Hope you're along for that ride...have a great Friday.

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

The New York Yankees are about to offer AJ Burnett a five year deal worth $80 million. Seems a lot of money to offer a guy whose best year would be in 2014 but then again, when he's sliding into Andy Pettitte's salary slot, tough to argue against it too much. Mix in that possible deal, talk of $140 million to CC Sabathia for six years and $30 million to Derek Lowe for two years and you've got $250 million for three arms. Mix in Chien Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain and that there is a playoff lock, and leaves plenty of time to develop Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, or move them as necessary... Didier Drogba picked up a three game suspension for firing a coin into the stands. Seems more than a little light, no?...it was a fairly weak field overall in the American League's MVP voting, but I think Boston Red Sock Dustin Pedroia was the right choice for 2008. That said, I'd also bet - a lot - he never wins again...a mere 40 point night for Toronto Raptors all-world star Chris Bosh, albeit in a losing effort. More and more, I think the odds of him staying beyond his current contract are decreasing, and how does that franchise survive losing that guy if it ends up that way?...the Toronto Maple Leafs are now going where everyone assumed they would be in chasing Brian Burke. One question, how do the Leafs spin it if they don't get Burke? It'll take one hell of a name to not sour people on whomever ends up getting the gig...tie-breakers 7 through 11 in the NFL all are impacted negatively for the Pittsburgh Steelers by Sunday's non-touchdown call. One Vegas sportsbook operator even says the NFL should get it right and call the score 17-10...now that Mark Cuban has had charges pressed against him, he ought to be front of the line for NHL franchise ownership...Lebron James was booed at home a couple nights ago because rather than jacking up a shot to break 100 points - which would give everyone a free Taco Bell Chalupa - he ran the clock out in a Cleveland Cavalier win. For his part, James was none too impressed and said he'd have no problem signing with the New York Knicks when his contract runs out. Okay, I'm making up the part about the Knicks, but he did say ""I can't believe people who buy season tickets get worked up over a goddamn $1 (expletive) taco"....Ryan Dempster nailed down the first big contract of the baseball free agent season, $52 million over four years to stay with the Chicago Cubs...have a great Wednesday.

Sunday, November 16th, 2008

Anybody think it is a little suspicious that three Montreal Canadiens are flattening the field in All Star Game voting? Hell, Sidney Crosby has fewer than half the votes of Alex Tanguay. I find it incredible that anyone thinks fan voting is worthwhile...the Tampa Bay Lightning fired Barry Melrose and replaced him with Rick Tocchet? Bet that ends badly. Pun intended...how does six years and $140 million sound, CC Sabathia? Of course, that could just be the opening bid by the New York Yankees, who also intend to pursue AJ Burnett and Derek Lowe...since wrestling is always an entertaining topic here, how about 20 wrestling moves that sound like sexual acts? What, no "sidewalk slam", "sweet chin music" or "the gore"?...Clarence Seedorf, who isn't afraid to give his opinion whether asked or not, speculates that David Beckham might not even get into game action for AC Milan. Clearly, Seedorf doesn't know how huge Beckham remains globally, and his ability to move shirts still counts for something. What's with Beckham wearing #75 though? Lame...as if you needed any further proof that Lawrence Taylor isn't normal, check out this video from The Best Damn Sports Show Period...the Grey Cup is set, and it'll be Calgary facing Montreal for all the marbles next Sunday. In honour of that, how about a few cheerleaders, CFL style?...one day after a Jake Peavy trade to Atlanta was all but done, the Braves have backed off, citing the asking price as being too high...the red-hot Prime Time Picks are back (12-6, +635), and tonight, am picking the Dallas Cowboys (-1) to turn the tide. They really have to have this one if they're to have any playoff hopes, and Washington being minus Clinton Portis certainly helps. As always, get your bets down at Pinnacle Sports. Also like Atlanta today (-6)...it took just over three minutes of the second round for Brock Lesnar to floor Randy Couture and win the UFC Heavyweight Championship. It's tough to say anyone looks like they'll stay on top for a time in MMA, but Lesnar is just so big and fast he could be the one to do so, provided Lesnar doesn't get bored and decide he wants to try another sport. If Frank Mir wins his next fight, it'll set up a rematch with Lesnar..the Toronto Raptors game today will air only on TSN2, shutting out two million homes in Ontario that are Rogers subscribers, who are not offering it. I suspect an all-time low rating will be coming in...have a great Sunday.

Friday, November 7th, 2008 - No sweat

The pressure of a steeplechase can be too much to bear, but it helps when you've got someone to cheer you on. Check this out...we're but one week away from when MLB free agents can start signing with teams other than their own. New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman says his team "will show a lot of love"...the Washington Nationals are said to be interested in Matt Holliday, Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett and Adam Dunn, according to SI.com's Jon Heyman. I'm guessing they get shut out in that pursuit. Don't imagine too many guys think going to a team that routinely loses 90+ is appealing if you have a choice...them wacky Manchester United Red Devils set up a nice prank on Cristiano Ronaldo after pics of him sweating through a blazer during a night out were published in UK papers. Seems Ronny didn't appreciate a deluge of deodorant falling out of his locker when he opened it. My money is on Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic. It can't be Patrice Evra - everybody knows the French don't shower...hard to believe that Ben Roethlesberger is hurt. He's taken worse hits this year than when he became a hood ornament minus a helmet a couple years back...the Jacksonville Jaguars couldn't possibly lose to previously winless Cincinnati one week and then Detroit the next, could they?...Brady Quinn looked like a seasoned vet for the most part, but Jay Cutler's 447 yards aided a big Denver Broncos comeback - as predicted in the now 11-6 Prime Time Picks - for a wild 34-30 win...Jacksonville Jaguar Matt Jones fired back at Joey Porter, asking who made him commissioner, and mixing in an inference about Porter's sexuality...after a less than impressive start to life as a Toronto Raptor, Jermaine O'Neal has been dubbed in some circles as "Sl-O'Neal" and "Bl-O'Neal"...it took a while, but seems the Dallas Cowboys have finally found a leader and a conscience willing to state the obvious: that they're a flawed team and were before Tony Romo went down. The source? Would you believe it is one Terrell Owens?...have a great Friday, and be sure to tune in to Setanta Sports at 7:45 tomorrow morning for Manchester United and Arsenal.

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Check out T-Mac going throwback to his college days with the t-shirt underneath his uniform. Oh, wait, lazy-eye didn't go to college. My bad...the Ottawa Senators are real hot on getting Mats Sundin inked, which would give them two lethal lines presumably with a top four of Sundin, Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfreddson. Also said to be interested are the New York Rangers, Philadelpia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs. My money - and hope - remains on my second fav team, the Rangers...apparently the declining price of oil has been felt by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich: he's fired 15 of Chelsea's scouts...another day of Champion's League action goes today. I'm starting to feel a fever coming on at about 2:45 that will take me out of the office...guess who studies show as the worst defensive player in all of baseball? Yours truly checks in at comment 179 (on page 9)...how's this for election news: AJ Burnett has elected to opt out of his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and has declared free agency. No word on if the New York Yankees have a rule about nipple rings being added to his contract language...there has always been that argument that Martin Brodeur, while great, has been aided significantly by a team that is defence first and defence second. With Brodeur now out three months or more with an injury, it'll be interesting to see what kind of numbers Kevin Weekes puts up as he takes over between the pipes...co-NBA player of the week Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors travel to Detoilet to face the Pistons tonight in an early season measuring stick. Bet Jose Calderon is thrilled that Chauncey Billups is gone from the Pistons. He typically whips him...Former NCAA, Olympic, WWE and TNA wrestling champion Kurt Angle is taking his MMA physical today and plans to venture into that world. Will be real interesting to see how he progresses, especially as he has talked of wanting to fight the winner of Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar. My money says he'll do just fine. Angle made a passionate argument on The Max Kellerman show for why pro wrestling is a lot harder on you than MMA...I find it strange how many people in Canada religiously bash the U.S. and claim to be anti-media, but have slurped the kool-aid on Barrack Obama and the "change" he will bring. Fact is, he's as establishment as any other politico but a heavily liberal leaning media has built him up as the Second Coming. Will he do a good job? Sure. Considering who he is following, the bar is pretty low. But don't expect miracles and a sudden arrival of world peace and roaring financial markets. You'll be sorely disappointed, no matter what Oprah tells you. Besides, I'd wager the vast majority polluting Facebook and the like with their declarations of how proud they are of the U.S. for electing Obama don't know their ass from an electoral college..have a great Wednesday.

Saturday, November 1st, 2008 - Contrarian Theory?

I have yet to hear a single person - analyst or otherwise - suggest the Dallas Cowboys (+9) have even a hope of even being in the game Sunday. When that happens, almost invariably the masses are in for a shocker. You've all been served notice...four years of Daniel Alfreddson for $21.6 million seems like a pretty fair deal on its own, but the Sens have a lot of money tied up in him, Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley, leaving scant room for other areas of need in the coming years like, you know, a second or third liner perhaps, a defenceman or mayhaps a goalie who can play the position well...Washington Capital Alexander Semin had this to say about NHL golden boy Sidney Crosby: "what's so special about [Crosby]? I don't see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, good pass. But there's nothing else." Very interesting stuff...even Don Matthews, widely regarded as the best coach in Canadian Football League history, couldn't conjure this Toronto Argos squad into a win. Wisely, he jumped ship and went back into retirement...word is AJ Burnett will declare his free agency no later than Monday, and his agent was saying as far back as a year from now that if Burnett was healthy this year, he would definitely be opting out, or so says Keith Law in talking to Prime Time Sports...who would you trust to walk a mile and not get hurt: Greg Oden, or Alex Zanardi?...surprise of the early season Hull City host Manchester United in what should be a great day of English Premier League matches. First place - for now - Liverpool travel to London to face Tottenham...recall Shaquille O'Neal complaining a few weeks back about the San Antonio Spurs employing the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy in the playoffs last season? Well, guess what the Spurs did to Shaq all of five seconds in to their season opener a couple nights back? Yep, they hacked him again. And the reactions of Shaq and Spurs coach Greg Popovich were priceless...after two spectacular games and two wins for the Toronto Raptors, Chris Bosh is looking like he might be ready for the next level: super stardom...have a great Saturday.

Friday, October 31st, 2008

The World Series is now over, and the next baseball season is upon us: Free Agency Season. Mark Teixera, Ben Sheets and Manny Ramirez wasted no time in filing and no doubt, will soon be joined by CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and loads, loads more. Even for this Yankee fan, it was a great season where it was hard not to be impressed by the Tampa Bay Rays and their boat load of talent, the plotlines that followed Manny Ramirez, the annual collapse of the New York Mets, the Chicago Cubs remaining losers, the Philadelphia Phillies are champions. It's a long way til February 14th though, when pitchers and catchers report to camp...got a few million to burn? Looking for a place in New York? Alex Rodriguez has a place for sale that might fit the bill...check out this Philadelphia Philly fan celebrating on top of a lamp post. Well, at least til another fan lobbed an empty bottle at him...I'm hardly a fan of NASCAR or Formula 1 racing, but those guys pull some seriously hot ladies. Here are one man's Top 10...it's been years since the NHL added the OTL column to their standings, and it is just as lame now as it was when first conceived...it is official, as of January 7th, David Beckham will be in AC Milan colours. Somebody alert Adidas to get their jersey production into overdrive...cannot believe how quickly the Ottawa Senators have become a bad, bad hockey team...Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark was fined by the NFL for paying tribute to his late friend Sean Taylor by "radically" altering his uniform, or at least that is how the league viewed him etching the number 21 in his eye black. Some days, the NFL makes accountants and the Tax Man look easy going...Bud Selig got booed worse in Philly than Apollo Creed back in the day...with that beard he's rocking, San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Popovich looks a lot like Donald Sutherland, no?...Derek Jeter talks. Derek Jeter says nothing. Again...the New York Rangers opened in Europe and a month in, have played at least two games more than anyone else in the NHL at 13, and six more than the Phoenix Coyotes who have only played seven. What was the schedule maker doing when he came up with that? Despite that, they've picked up 21 points. Giving up fewer than two goals a game will help that...have a great Friday.

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

With the rain pouring down and the Phillies leading, you have to know that MLB Commissioner Bud Selig was praying the Tampa Bay Rays would tie the game so they could halt play, which they did. Of course, baseball rules state that after four and a half innings, the game is official and no way they wanted the clinching game to be decided in less than nine innings. Wonder what would've happened if Tampa was leading? They'll pick it up tonight at 2-2 in the 6th...what's a bigger lock for a baseball playoff birth: a big payroll, or having Pat Gillick as your GM? I'd have to say having Gillick, considering he's done it multiple times with Toronto, Seattle, Baltimore and now Philly. The man is a flat out winner. Of course, in Toronto, there was both at play but that's besides the point...there is talk the Milwaukee Brewers may drop a 4-year, $100 million offer CC Sabathia's way. This could get expensive for the New York Yankees, who would top that I'm sure...there is also talk that A.J. Burnett may not want to be a Yankee, though his agent is wisely denying that. Always a good play to keep the Yankees as a possibility when you're a free agent, even if only to drive the price up...Kellen Winslow might not have played Sunday, but thanks to keeping text messages from a Cleveland Browns staffer that told him to keep his staph infection quiet, he'll be getting paid. Best play he's made all year...Jose Morinho, now coaching Inter Milan, has been talking openly of how he'll one day return to the English Premier League. My initial guess was Manchester City, who are going to be splashing big cash around, with the other clubs more or less out of the mix. But could it be Manchester United? Rumors of that move could be why Cristiano Ronaldo is also talking of staying beyond this year. Shocking stuff. Here's hoping if he does go there he doesn't intend to play the drab style he worked at Chelsea...the NHL is still talking expansion to Kansas City and or Las Vegas? Seriously? Have they looked at the crowds in Atlanta, Florida and others of late? Move there, maybe. Expansion? No...so, anybody still think the Indianapolis Colts are an elite team? That was a beating they took last night...the newest Dallas Cowboy and former Detroit Lion Roy Williams showed up at a Halloween party dressed as a bell-hop wearing a "My Name Is T. Bell" name tag. That is freaking awesome...have a great Tuesday.

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

It took a while to get going, and a wild ninth inning, but the Philadelphia Phillies took game three 5-4 to take a 2-1 series lead...Busy day in Philadelphia. If you've ever been to Philly, you'll know that the homes of the Flyers, Eagles and Phillies are all in the same complex - literally sharing a parking lot. Today at 1pm, the Eagles host Atlanta. At 7pm, The Who is playing the home of the Flyers, the Wachovia Center. And of course, at 8pm, the Phillies host the Tampa Bay Rays in game 4 of the World Series. Traffic should lift by about Tuesday...what do Tony Hawk, Michael Phelps, Alex Rodriguez and Kobe Bryant have in common? They did a Guitar Hero World Tour ad. In their underwear, a la Tom Cruise in Risky Business. Check it out...St. Louis Blue goalie Manny Legace went baseball on us, pulling his hammy slipping on the carpet laid out for Republican Veep nominee Sarah Palin for the ceremonial faceoff. Seems odd, don't it? Wipe out on carpet, but no sweat on ice?...word is the Toronto Blue Jays are willing to give AJ Burnett four years and $54-million in a take-it-or-leave-it offer. Bank on the latter...there is talk the LA Dodgers will make a two-year, $60 million offer to Manny Ramirez. If you're ManRam, how do you not take that? When your agent is Scott Boras, that's how...surprise, surprise, the Ottawa Senators are looking for a goalie. Shame Ray Emery is in Russia...hey, no PrimeTime Picks tonight. But, a big fan of Buffalo (-1), Pittsburgh (-3) and Seattle (+5). Place your wagers at Pinnacle...it wasn't easy, but Anderson Silva beat Patrick Cote by TKO last night after Cote blew out his knee...Buffalo Bills QB Trent Edwards is completing 76% of his passes in the fourth quarter. That'll do. Oddly, the Bills are playing their first divisional game of the season this week, and 6 of the next 10...the Detroit Lions have yet to score in the first quarter this season...freaking Penn State. Sour...funny that ten NFLers can get busted for steroids and it's almost a non-story, but one baseball player is even suspected and it is top billing everywhere. Strange...Isaiah Thomas trying to cover up the overdose story and say it was his daughter puts him in O.J. Simpson territory for worst father ever...have a great Sunday.