The answer my friend is blowing in the wind

At right is one theory as to why home runs are up - albeit in a very small sample - at the new Yankee Stadium. And when can we stop calling it "new"?...check out Chelsea's hideous new unis for 2009. What are the odds Toronto FC goes to that template for 2010? Ghastly. Fortunately, their change kits are better...how bad has Chien-Ming Wang's start to 2009 been? He'll need to pitch 47 2/3 scoreless - the record is Orel Hershisers 59 - to get down to his career ERA of 3.93...Virginia tackle Eugene Monroe, a likely NFL draft pick this weekend, has a 60-year-old brother. Seriously...ESPN's Eric Karabell on the Toronto Blue Jays on ESPN's Baseball Today podcast: "Toronto is clearly going to fall flat on its face as they don't have the starting pitching."...check out these hardcore Montreal Canadiens fans and their replica Bell Centre basement. Is that a broom I see in the corner?...the San Jose Sharks are 0-12 on the power play going into tonight's third game. That, as much as anything, is why they're down 0-2 to the Anaheim Ducks...you know the NFL Draft is out of control big when you've got a "Mock of Ages" being conducted at ESPN.com. Yes, they're drafting with this year's order as if every player were available from history...GBVH has pointed us in the direction of the OHL Western Conference Finals, led 3-1 by the Windsor Spitfires over the London Knights, where the scores are 4-3, 6-5, 5-4, 5-4, each game having gone to OT, each having seen a two-goal lead blown in the third. Somehow you get the feeling NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman would tell you it is no more exciting than some of the snoozers being played in the NHL...after shutting out the Florida Marlins last night, the Pittsburgh Pirates have thrown four shutouts this year, doubling last year's total before April is out...the Detroit Lions have a new logo. Yeah, that'll change everything...why rainouts are a great thing for the New York Yankees: every game they get pushed into later this year is another with A-Rod in the lineup...back later with your PTP.

Cleveland Cavalier Delonte West takes a camera behind the scenes with his team on Jim Rome is Burning...classic. Oh, and Anderson Verajao drops a bomb.

Angel Kills Kenny

The Kansas City Royals are finally in double digits for runs scored with a deluge - six - yesterday. It was enough to win as they dropped a 6-4 loss on the New York Yankees, closed out by "The Mexicutioner"...CC Sabathia bought his new home for a mere $14.9 million, and paid cash for it. Check out a picture here...the NHL playoffs are set. Have a feeling the Battle of Pennsylvania could be a great one and will be hilited by Mike Richards battling Sidney Crosby, and the San Jose Sharks have to be a little leery drawing the Anaheim Ducks to start. There's a poll question to the right...forgot to tip the hat to Strikeforce's card on Saturday night. If you haven't seen it, at least get your hands on the Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith vs. Benji "Razor" Radach brawl. Fantastic stuff...good of Johan Santana to pin yesterday's New York Met's loss on his teammates. No sense crediting Josh Johnson, the incredibly talented Florida Marlins starter who went the distance and didn't give up a run until there were two down in the 9th...if the ping pong balls fall with their odds, Blake Griffin will likely be a Sacramento King after they clinched the worst record in the NBA. Shame we won't see him much out this way...there is a story making the rounds that the Detroit Lions will not use the #1 overall pick - or trade it. They'll let the clock expire and then slide down to pick Drew Stafford down the board so they can get him cheaper. Somehow you have to believe that idea backfires if it is put into play...it looks like the next NHL Winter Classic will go in Boston at Fenway Park, where the Bruins will host either Washington or Philadelphia...Angel Cabrera is your 2009 Masters winner, going extra holes even...less than two weeks after calling for Greg Sutton in goal, the Toronto Sun's Gareth Wheeler, certainly aided by Saturday's game and a perhaps pointed email from yours truly questioning his eyesite and decarling myself a Frei Guy, he's now saying Stefan Frei is the man to play goal for Toronto FC. Well done, GW...back with your PTP later.

Check out the tattoo some Detroit Lions fan had done this week. Somewhere, Andy Warhol just ticked off another on the "everybody gets 15 minutes of fame" list...Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo wrecked his $450,000 Ferrari on the way to practice yesterday. No word if the car was touched before crashing. Ronaldo was unhurt in the accident, but hopefully this knocked his 2008/9 rust out. Manchester United will need it ahead of Sunday's huge game against Chelsea. Tune in to The Score at 11am Eastern - Hi Def if you've got it - for what should be a great one...basking in the glory of last night's Florida cover to move to 5-3 (+187) on the year. Tonight, gonna make a play on the Toronto Raptors (-5 -113) as they hose the Memphis Grizzlies...the Seattle Sounders FC are running a reality type show on a local news station that culminates on Super Bowl Sunday with the winner getting a roster spot on the team. Lame...the Toronto Maple Leafs Mikhael Grabovski picked up a three game suspension for his shove of the referee last night. So if you're keeping score at home: two for biting, three for shoving a ref, six for "sloppy seconds" blasts...Brett Favre says he's going to take his time making a decision whether to play or retire. Memo to Favre: the only fan picketing you'll see this time will be to keep you at home, not to return...I've figured out the real reason that the Boston Celtics are reeling: the mere mention of Stephon Marbury heading there...Max Kellerman mentioned on his radio show out of New York that he's been told by a very credible source in the New York Knicks organization that the Knicks are making their moves with an eye towards signing Lebron James and Chris Bosh...have a great Friday, back in the morning.

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

This marks the 250th RandoMango. My how time flies!...the Detroit Lions have lost 22 of 23 overall going back to last year, when Jon Kitna famously said they'd win 10 games. Wonder if the 1976 Tampa Bay Bucs are popping champagne corks like those miserable curmudgeons from the 1972 Miami Dolphins used to?...add Romeo Crennel (Cleveland), Eric Mangini (NY Jets) and Rod Marinelli (Detroit) to the list of axed NFL coaches. Still to be determined: Dick Jauron (Buffalo), Wade Phillips (Dallas), John Gruden (Tampa Bay) and no doubt a few others. Incredibly, I think Norv Turner may have just saved his job in San Diego with their furious charge in December...one theory on the Dallas December Debacle's of recent years: they're not fit. Former Cowboy Marcellus Wiley says they're simply out of shape come December and have nothing left in the tank, and the blame has to rest on strength and conditioning coach Joe Juraszek who joined the team in 1997, when this string of December failures started. He replaced Mike Woicik who ended up with a team that has done okay down the stretch in the last decade: New England. Another: Tony Romo thinks he has to make a play on every play, much like Brett Favre does and John Elway did early in his career. If he learns less is more, he'll be fine. If he doesn't, he's out of the league in three years...the Washington Capitals are a searing 15-1-1 at home this year...Tom Brady is said to be behind on rehab, so badly that he may in fact miss next season as well. Matt Cassel can stop shopping for luggage immediately, he's going nowhere...Scott Boras has to be starting to sweat the lack of contract offers for Manny Ramirez. The LA Dodgers have now moved on to Adam Dunn for their "great bat, no glove" guy. Considering Boras engineered ManRam's move out of Boston so he could get his cut as his new agent, Manny may yet end up taking a pay cut...sadly, the NHL Winter Classic might not be a go at Wrigley Field, as warm weather is forecast...another narrow 1-0 win for Manchester United has them well in line for second place with a favorable schedule for the second half of the English Premier League season. Bet them to take the title again...have a great Wednesday.

Monday, December 29th, 2008

One thing I know about Bill Parcells: his agent is a genius. He's got a clause in his contract that gives him a $12 million payout if the Dolphins are sold and he elects to opt out of his contract. Wise move, when the Dolphins look like they'll be approved for sale in the coming weeks. Now, if only Parcells could at least hire a personal trainer. Or maybe earn an appearance on "What Not To Wear"...trying to take a "glass is half full" view of the Dallas Cowboys beating yesterday and what I can surmise is this: no matter what Jerry Jones said pre-game, Wade Phillips in particular will not return. And yes, I know Jones reiterated that he'll be back post-game. Presumably, this means a more disciplined, less sloppy team in the future as the new person would be bound to be more assertive and prepared than the ever-stunned looking Phillips. Tony Romo did nothing for his rep as a big moment bust and his time to shed that reputation is ticking faster than it even did for Peyton Manning a couple years back. That's just scratching the surface of problems on an all-world talented team, but with an all-garbage work ethic. Say one more thing: aside from Terrell Owens yesterday, hard to really praise anyone on that offence...the Sports Illustrated Jinx is alive and well: they did after all call for a Cowboys and New England Patriots Super Bowl. Both are now out, though the Pats out at 11-5 seems particularly harsh, but that's the setup...assuming he's done - and he sure looks the part - Brett Favre will finish his career with a year in which he led the league in interceptions, his yards per game were at a six year low, and he will have had fewer 20+ yard plays than in every year since the 1992 season, his first in Green Bay. Hope it was worth it, Brett...and how about them Detroit Lions? They were looking like they might spoil their perfect record at 14-14, but fade they did and an 0-16 season it is...it isn't a punchline, but it sure sounds like one: a 13 point fav in Tampa Bay lost at home. To. The. Oakland. Raiders...what were the Pittsburgh Steelers thinking playing Ben Roethlesberger yesterday when he's been taking a pounding all year? Of course, he got his bell rung and suffered a concussion...tough times in the household of Manchester United's Wayne Rooney - my fav player. He and the wife dropped a mere $535,000 (Canadian) on Christmas gifts for each other...what year is this? The Chicago Black Hawks have won nine straight, the Boston Bruins eight...Canada beat Kazakhstan 15-0 in the World Junior Hockey Championships. Insert lame Borat reference as you will "here"...Toronto FC may unload all three of their first round picks - #2, #4, #13 - in the coming MLS draft to obtain veteran talent. I like it...fights in the NHL are up 15% over last year, and an astounding 75% over three years ago. This is what you do when you've got little else to sell in most markets...have a great Monday.

Monday, December 8th, 2008

Since they last made the playoffs in 1999, the Buffalo Bills are 14-59 for a .192 win percentage against teams that were .500 or better the year prior...a year ago at this time, the Miami Dolphins were still winless. What a difference a year makes - the Fish are now 8-5 and very much a playoff contender and tied for the AFC East after beating the Bills 16-3 in Toronto in a game that lacked any kind of entertainment value, particularly if you were suckered into a $575 ticket. Suspect the 0-13 Detoilet Lions won't see such a turnaround...speaking of Detroit, only Indy, New Orleans and Green Bay stand in the way of 0-16, though a part of me just knows the bloody Packers will give me another reason to hate them and drop that last game...first reaction: who has had a better year - Chad Pennington or Brett Favre?..the Dallas Cowboys defence looks light years ahead of where they were before head coach Wade Phillips took over play calling, which begs the question: what the hell took him so long? Shame that Tony Romo and Jason Witten couldn't get their plans in order late in the game, leading to one very back breaking interception and a 21-14 loss at Pittsburgh. Somehow, the Cowboys started the day out of the playoffs and finished in...it'll be Oklahoma and Florida for the BCS Championship. Now prepare yourself for the endless and annual debate over how the NCAA needs to put in a playoff system...a last second loss at home for the reeling Toronto Raptors. Is this team ever going to win in December?...that's 16-11 for Prime Time Picks after a wire-to-wire easy winner in the Baltimore Ravens. Tonight, the Tampa Bay Bucs visit the Carolina Panthers in what is a huge game in the NFC South. Despite the 22-2 home record of NFC South teams this year, I'm leaning toward the Bucs (+3) in this one, largely because they've been far more consistent than the Panthers have. Mix in a better defence and there you have it. Bet wise, bet at Pinnacle..here's the Top 10 NFL hits of "all da times"...have a great Monday.

Monday, December 1st, 2008

Manchester United has yet to play a game on the road in EPL action against a team that wasn't in the top half of the standings last year. Translation? The schedule will lighten up with trips to Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all completed and they're well in range to win the title for the third straight year. Oh, and Cristiano Ronaldo? You mockingly clap a refs call in his face and you may as well punch him in the mouth because you're mere moments from getting tossed. Man U downed Man City in their chippy matchup yesterday...if you thought the cookie lick race ad was bad, just think how bad it could get if we see a Manning vs. Manning Super Bowl?...that's 0-12 on the year against the spread for the team that beat the Detroit Lions the week prior. Next up to not cover: Tennessee...Dan Dierdorf continues to murder the English language, calling the Plaxico Burress news "distractional". Speaking of Burress, here's ten reasons why he shot himself...losing Shawne Merriman doesn't turn you into a 4-8 team. Norv Turner sure can though. That's his track record after all...so about all that "this game in Toronto is wildly important" talk for the Buffalo Bills: nevermind. Think Rian Lindell's Monday Night wide right is still rattling around in his brain? He had two more misses yesterday, including one from 20 yards as the Bills came out flatter than piss on a plate in a 10-6 home loss. To San Francisco...wonder if Atlanta Falcon Michael Turner enjoyed pounding his former team yesterday? Methinks the San Diego Chargers kept the wrong running back...most impressive win of the day? Has to be the Pittsburgh Steelers destroying the New England Patriots, especially that it came in the second half of the game, a time the Pats notoriously dominate...Chelsea dropped another game at home to an amped up Arsenal and suddenly, the top of the English Premier League is very crowded. Liverpool could go top of the table with a win today over West Ham. When's the last time Liverpool was tops in December?...a very easy cover for the Minnesota Vikings to bring the Prime Time Picks to 15-10. Tonight, we're riding the mercurial Jacksonville Jaguars at +3.5 over the home Houston Texans...Las Vegas did it again. The LA Lakers were a 12.5 point fav over the Toronto Raptors, and won by 13...have a great Monday.

Sunday, November 30th, 2008 - "Yes, that actually is a gun in my pocket"

Brian Burke was the Vancouver Canucks GM when Todd Bertuzzi suckered Steve Moore. Wonder how current Maple Leaf and Steve Moore's brother Dominic feels about his new GM?...I'm sure NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be thrilled that New York Giant Plaxico Burress was packing heat in a New York bar. The gun went off and Burress shot himself in the leg. Giant teammate Antonio Pearce tried to hide the gun, and Burress is expected to be arrested on felony weapons charges any day now. That said, if you've read the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine, you'll see that NFL players have significant security concerns and live in constant fear...New York Knicks GM Donnie Walsh says that Stephon Marbury's status will be "resolved" come Monday. To me, if the guy refused to play and honour his contract, that should be a firing offence where there's no buyout...14-10 now on Prime Time Picks after three straight losses but up comfortably on the year. 15-10 is a tidy 60% so it'll have to be a winner tonight to do just that. Minnesota (-1.5) hosts Chicago and tough to not like the Vikes in this one: they're 4-1 at home, and have the revenge factor in play after losing 48-41 to the Bears on October 19th. The winner on this one could well be playoff bound while the loser is left reeling at .500. Also loving Buffalo today (-6.5) and New Orleans (+4.5), the latter simply because the team that beats Detroit the week prior still has yet to cover the following week, and that'd be Tampa Bay in this case. Get your gamble on at Pinnacle...thanks to the Detroit Lions historic run. 3-13 may only get you the 5th pick in the 2009 draft when since 2002, it has guaranteed you the #2...Gabe Morency, who needs no introduction, has a fantastic new website up. Check it out...in college hoops, the University of Dayton missed all 24 three point attempts they took, and still won. That 0-24 showing is a record...Andy Pettitte is feeling unloved by the New York Yankees, and may join old manager Joe Torre in L.A. as a result. Sorry, Pettitte, but you're not worth $16 million anymore, not after that season, and if the Yanks are playing footsie with younger, more talented guys, such is life...have a great Sunday.

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Last year, Lebron James wore a pair of pinstriped shoes in New York for his beloved Yankees when the Cleveland Cavs visited. Last night, he wore another pair of shoes paying tribute to New York. There hasn't been such an overt display of desire since Michael Jackson last went for a ride on the merry-go-round...sounds like turmoil isn't merely restricted to one team in Dallas. Said Boston Bruins Marc Savard to Mike Modano during the chippy game a few weeks back on the subject of Steve Ott and Sean Avery: "too bad you'll be retiring after having to play with these clowns." Said Modano: "I know."...I love coaches - regardless of what level - going beyond the cliche when it comes to media dealings. And here's the latest: South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt. This is a beauty. Warning: you may detect sarcasm from Mr. Leavitt...the Donovan McNabb to the Chicago Bears rumors have started already. If you're the Bears, why do you want McNabb? He's been on a downward spiral for years, incapable of staying healthy, and, well, doesn't know the rules as we saw last week...the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed a pair of pitchers that haven't thrown baseballs before the last year and were discovered after winning a javelin throwing contest. In India. Yeah, that'll reverse years of futility...lost in the shuffle yesterday was another day of Champions League action that saw Manchester United and Real Madrid, among others, advance to the round of 16 when things start to get a lot more serious. Up today is another round of matches. Check out TSN, TSN2 and Setanta at 2:45 for a bevy of games...add the Globe & Mail to the list of Toronto media outlets that is questioning whether Sam Mitchell is long for the Toronto Raptors coaching job. I'll say this much: a loss tonight to the Charlotte Bobcats and it'll be a surprise if Mitchell makes it through the week...double digit underdogs in the NFL this year are 20-5 against the spread...as predicted last week, fading the Carolina Panthers was a good play because those that played the Detroit Lions the week prior were 0-10 against the spread heading into last week. Make that 0-11. Tampa Bay? You're on the clock for 0-12 this week...Bill Romanowski either has some insight, or has been hitting the pharmaceuticals a little too hard: he told Hardcore Sports Radio's "Drive This" that the New England Patriots will trade Tom Brady this off-season and keep Matt Cassell...interesting to learn that the Anaheim Ducks have all of five players signed for next year. While that may mean loads of cap room, it also means that a certain former General Manager of theirs may have some easy pickings for his future team...have a great Wednesday.

Monday, October 27th, 2008

Have to say, I'm shocked at the ease with which the Philadelphia Phillies are disposing of the Tampa Bay Rays, who are playing tighter than a snare drum. Not sure what is more surprising, Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena grinding their bats to sawdust or some of their fielders looking like they're sporting frying pans in place of gloves. As for the umps, I didn't know Ed Hochuli worked baseball too, there have been some real curious calls the last couple games. It is 3-1 Philly in the Series, and with Cole Hamels on the bump tonight, the National Guard best get mobilized to Philly, there's gonna be one impressive riot in that town if they close the deal tonight...it's always a good laugh for me when a guy's wife or mother needs to play public relations on their husband's/son's behalf. So this week, I'm laughing at you, Brett Favre...Patti LaBelle just finished the Star Spangled Banner in a time that a marathon runner would think slow. Her act was a total advertisement for why anthems at sporting events should be scrapped...what is with the World Series players introductions including what country they're from? Annoying...the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals remain winless after Week 8 action. Still think the Lions have the bads to go the distance winless...as wins go, yesterday's was a huge one for the Dallas Cowboys. Sure the offence looks feeble, but the defence looked great yesterday against the Tampa Bay Bucs. That said, don't like their chances facing the New York Giants next week, who have some serious mojo working after tying yesterday's game in Pittsburgh on a snap over the punter's head for a safety and then scored on the ensuing drive after the free kick...lookie here: Guns 'N Roses Chinese Democracy has leaked...in a bit of news that brings glee to this Toronto FC season ticket holder, David Beckham will be returning to the L.A. Galaxy after his loan to AC Milan, which should be finalized this week. I say "glee" because selling those tickets has brought a healthy windfall the last two seasons...Cristiano Ronaldo has seen the light, and says he'll be with Manchester United next year as well as this...here's a little Monday entertainment: 15 great sports broadcasting bloopers...have a great Monday.

New San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary goes OFF post game yesterday...

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.