Simply a heroinic performance

Well that was fun. AJ Burnett was half decent through five before being inexplicably left in for the sixth, despite numerous long breaks while the Yankees were at bat throwing away chance after chance to blow open a 3-2 win.  His second last pitch, on an intentional walk, nearly sailed over catcher Francisco Cervelli's head.  You'd think maybe that was a sign to Yanks manager Joe Girardi, but nope, he let him go another batter.  Next pitch, outta the part for a three run shot and a 5-3 Texas lead.  Boat race on, 10-3 final and a 3-1 series lead.  Can the Yanks come back?  Possibly.  But seems pretty unlikely with a 3-1 deficit, two games left in Texas, and now they're minus Mark Teixera for the rest of the playoffs after a pulled hamstring.  Oh, and they're showing no signs of life.  Hello, offseason.   Credit where due though, Texas has simply been better in every way.  Josh Hamilton's home run exploits have been heroinic.

Have a strong feeling we could be in for a Texas-San Francisco World Series, and who would've figured that a week ago?  The Philadelphia Phillies are inexplicably sending Joe Blanton to the hill for Game 4 today with the Giants up 2-1.  Madison Baumgartner goes for the Giants, a far better starting option.


Champions League play resumes today with another 8 games after yesterday's eight.  If you were following (wagering) along with the three plays yesterday, they were all winners.  Today, playing Inter Milan -1, Valencia and Barcelona -2. 

Buster Olney at ESPN with a few Cliff Lee bits.  The lowest playoff ERA's with five starts or more: Sandy Koufax: 0.95, Christy Mathewson: 1.06, Cliff Lee: 1.26, Eddie Plank: 1.32.  Most 10-strikeout games in postseason history, again with a five start minimum: Cliff Lee: 5, Randy Johnson: 5, Bob Gibson: 5, John Smoltz: 4, Mike Mussina: 4.  Pretty healthy company for Mr. Lee.  Quoting here: "Nolan Ryan was in the Rangers' clubhouse after the game and was asked what it would take to keep Cliff Lee and he said, in so many words, to go ask the Yankees. In other words, the Yankees will bid heavily on the left-hander, and with every dominant performance Lee's bargaining position just gets better and better. There is no question he will get offers for something in the range of CC Sabathia's $23 million a year; the question will be whether he gets a five-year or six-year or seven-year offer. Typically, the Yankees would rather pay more annually for a shorter-term deal."


Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed yesterday what we had been speculating about a couple days ago: Wayne Rooney does indeed want out of Manchester United.  So much for his proclamations of how he'd never wear another jersey in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, though word is that Man U's non-spending ways on big names is a part of Rooney's displeasure.Oh, and Jose Mourinho, Real MadridRooney will stay, manager, says continuing his streak of speaking definitively on topics that are more opinion than fact.

Word is Toronto FC has only seen about 35% of their season ticket base renew for next year with tomorrow's deadline fast approaching.  Way to blow the best sporting experience in Toronto, MLSE.  But hey, MLS Commish Don Garber says that TFC is still a "model franchise".  Presumably he means "among Canadian teams not currently in MLS".  John Molinaro thinks the honeymoon is over.  Yep, and divorce papers are being drafted for many.

Said Jon Gruden on The Jim Rome Show: "I try not to talk too much" on Monday Night Football.  Fail.  For the record, my money is on Gruden as the next Cowboys head coach.


Good of the Dallas Cowboys to implement a team rule that will forbid endzone celebrations after two huge penalties for that the last couple games, including one that essentially cost them a win against Tennessee two weeks back.

Jessica Alba, just because it has been a while.  And for the UFC fans out there, check out Arianny Celeste (NSFW, by the way).

Bob Elliott at the Toronto Sun says that Sandy Alomar Jr.'s interview with the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday lasted all day.

If you're at all a fan of Jersey Shore or South Park, be sure to check out the latter's skewering of Snooki in a recent episode, passed on by Bukakke.  Must be seen to be believed.

Check out Canucks meathead Rick Rypien suckerpunch a guy, and then even better, take a run at a fan who did...nothing.  Way to go, hockey.

Best/Worst Owners Revealed

Sports Illustrated has put together a Top 5 Best and Worst owners in the big four team sports. Here's MLB, and the NFL, and the NBA and finally, the NHL where a certain team in Toronto finished - not surprisingly - with the worst owners in hockey...so much for the economy affecting the NFL. Teams will have a record increase of $12 million to spend on the salary cap, bringing the total to $128 million in the last year of this labour agreement. You'd think they would let teams know what they've got to spend before they actually started spending it, no?...the Pepsi Center in Denver, home of the Nuggets, is booked for WWE Monday Night Raw next Monday. Problem is the NBA wants the arena for Game 4 of the Nuggets/Lakers series the same night and it looks like the WWE is out of luck. Of course, that left WWE Chairman Vince McMahon to needle the Nuggets for not having enough faith to book potential playoff dates earlier. Love it...in addition to today's pic of the day, here are an assortment of Mike Tyson motivational pictures, sure to be a hit with Bukkake...for the first time this year, the Tampa Bay Rays are .500, and you have to think stud prospect David Price is on his way soon from AAA. In his last start, Price tossed 5 innings of no hit ball - striking out 9 - but didn't finish as the Rays are keeping his innings down...the Pittsburgh Penguins won the first game of the Eastern Conference final 3-2. For their part, the Carolina Hurricanes have lost the opener of the last five series they've won. They're now off until Thursday in the first of what could be three two-day breaks. Man I miss the every two days thing that they used to do by conference back in the day, which I believe GBVH also mentioned last week...Milwaukee Brewer 2B Rickie Weeks is done for the year after a wrist injury. Shame for the Brew Crew, who have been rolling of late in winning 11 of 13...the Toronto Blue Jays are off to Boston for a big series. The Sox will see Kevin Youkilis return in the series at some point, as will Daisuke Matsuzaka on Thursday...Mark Teixera continues his hot streak, at the plate where he hit homers from both sides, and in the field where his glove has saved runs each of the last three days. Somehow, despite some pretty solid Minnesota Twins teams over the years, the Twins are in a 3-23 run at Yankee Stadium since 2002 after last night's 7-6 loss. 40 of the 63 homers at Yankee Stadium have been hit to right field...pretty clear I'm becoming more selective on the PTP front. Forcing it wasn't working...have a great Tuesday.

Well that didn't take long. The Dallas Cowboys have released Adam "Pacman" Jones for something that happened a few years back. Seems odd to release a guy for something the NFL was aware of and that he wasn't going to be punished for, particularly when he showed he can play a bit this year. After all, they're keeping a head coach who showed far less...if the NHL is front page news at ESPN, odds are somebody did something wrong. Ottawa Senator Jarko Ruutu went Mike Tyson and bit Andrew Peters of the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday night, through the glove. Ruutu was suspended for two games...yesterday's Prime Time Pick of Manchester United seemed doomed from the start with that plank Tomasz Kuszczak in goal. Still, United brought on Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half, but all for naught as Derby held on for the upset. This brings the PTP to 4-3 (+$87) on the year. Today, we are on Florida (-4.5 -108, though I wisely got in at -3 a week ago) to crush Oklahoma and take the NCAA National Title, complete with the requisite asterisk...7 of the 8 NFC playoff teams this year weren't in the playoffs last year. The New York Giants, of course, are the exception there...speaking of the Giants, does that 4.5 points they're favored by over Philadelphia this weekend seem exceedingly low? Has suckers bet written all over it, and I will likely bite regardless...are the Anaheim Ducks about to become to Brian Burke what the Oakland A's are to J.P. Ricciardi? Burke dealt a 6th round pick for Brad May. With the Ducks having most of their team unsigned next year, expect to see a bunch of Ducks heading to Leafland...for each game he misses, Toronto Raptor Jermaine O'Neal is paid more than $250,000. Funny that with him and Jose Calderon out, the Toronto Raptors are in arguably their best run of the year. With Calderon no longer freezing him out of the offence, Andrea Bargnani is seeing his point totals increase significantly...at least one Ottawa Senator is scoring this year: Mike Fisher is dating Carrie Underwood. Somehow, I don't suspect a certain player in Dallas is preparing a "sloppy seconds" blast...not sure how many of you have seen Manswers on Spike TV, but here's a look at the Top 10 "You've got questions? We've got Manswers" of last year. I'm a little shocked that the "what's the fastest way to get drunk?" didn't make the list. Curious to see if anybody has any guesses as to what that is/was. Answer coming after a few guesses...love that the New York Yankees got Mark Teixera amped up to go to the Yankees with a video montage set to his favorite tune: Twisted Sister's "I Wanna Rock". No word on if a separate video was sent to Teixera by his agent Scott Boras to the tune of "The Price"...this NFL season, 9 of the 15 overtime games have ended after one possession. Overall, 33% of games in regular season history have been won on the first possession...John Smoltz to the Boston Red Sox? Seems odd, no?...have a great Thursday, despite no new "The Office" tonight.

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

What the hell is up with Brian Baldinger's finger?...incredibly, 67% of NBA players polled by Sports Illustrated picked the LA Lakers to win the championship. That's an overwhelming number. If the media had a vote, Chuck Swirsky would've voted for the Chicago Bulls...New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman is mastering the free agency game, dropping a big opening bid on CC Sabathia to flatten the market, and going under the radar on Mark Teixera and shocking everyone at the 11th hour. Heading into a new stadium and having $90 million come off the books could not have been better timed...oh, Stephen A. Smith still thinks the Yankees should sign Manny Ramirez...the Arizona Cardinals are the first team since the 1961 Oakland Raiders to trail by 28 or more at the half in consecutive weeks. They're one team that has something to show in Week 17, even when they really don't...two guys the NFL should mic on Sunday; San Diego Chargers QB Phillip Rivers and the Denver Broncos QB Jay Cutler. These two can't stand each other, and no doubt there will be some big talk on Sunday night...the Toronto Maple Leafs were drilled 8-2 by the Dallas Stars last night. The Stars have won three of four since dumping Sean Avery...come to find out there is an offence in the Toronto Blue Jays: a sex offence. A choreographer of one of the Jays dance troupes got busy with a 15-year old and - wait for it - taped the affair...I hate Notre Dame, their coach and their fans, but am super thankful they're one half of a Bowl game on an otherwise empty sports calendar tonight. They face Hawaii in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. And where is Bukkake Bowl Picks?..Dallas Maverick Dirk Nowitzki is talking of taking a paycut to help land one of the big free agents in 2010, the same time he is a free agent. Hey, isn't Chris Bosh from Dallas?...all the best to you and yours this Christmas Eve, and yes, back tomorrow!

Friday, December 19th, 2008

The Buffalo Bills made some dubious history with last Sunday's Meltdown at the Meadowlands, becoming the first team to blow a lead in the final two minutes on a defensive touchdown since 1981. Still can't figure how the notoriously hyper conservative coach Dick Jauron goes for a passing play in that situation...have to say, didn't figure Mats Sundin would end up playing for the Vancouver Canucks, signing for the balance of the year only. Maybe he's looking to acclimatize himself for the 2010 Olympics and defending the Swedish gold?...Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending reject Scott Cleminson is having an incredible run filling in for Martin Brodeur in New Jersey. Meanwhile, notes GBVH, Curtis Joseph doesn't look like he cold stop a beachball when he's gets put in the pipes to boost NHL scoring totals...last nights 8-5 win for the Boston Bruins was the first time this year the Bruins gave up five goals...Brett Favre made the Pro Bowl? I'd have rated him third best QB in the division and if not for Trent Edwards concussion that seemed to derail his season, he might've been the fourth best...incredibly, only 8% of Tiger Woods income as a pro golfer has come from actually golfing. The rest is from endorsements...the Champions League round of 16 draw went this morning and there are a few real tantalizing matchups - no pun intended on the "real". How about Chelsea vs. Juventus, Manchester United vs. Inter Milan and Real Madrid vs. Liverpool? I'm going to suggest Juventus, Manchester United and Liverpool escape those fixtures. Can't wait to see Man U's Sir Alex Ferguson and Inter's Jose Morinho resume their war of words...the Indianapolis Colts have come back when trailing by 7 or more six times this year, and the dreaded defensive touchdown - which always seems to do in a solid cover or under play - dropped Prime Time Picks to 18-13...good of the Colts Reggie Wayne to show us his plummer impression last night...Boston Red Sox owner John Henry says they've been outbid on Mark Teixera? Who has the cash to do such a thing? Come on, Brian Cashman!...former UFC champion Randy Couture is looking at retirement - wise - and doing movies, including one he'll star in alongside Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren. What is it, Rocky 4.5? Insert your joke about working with Stallone and the very washed up Lundgren "here"...Manchester United will face Liga de Quito from South America in the Club World Cup final in Japan on Sunday...a part of me would love to see the Toronto Raptors lose to the lowely Oklahoma City Thunder tonight, just to see the hand wringing increase in Raptorland...it was a record day for RandoMango yesterday: 581 hits, blowing past the previous high of 289...tickets to the new Yankee Stadium home opener are already going for a mere $45,000+ at StubHub... have a great Friday.

Another reason why Charles Barkley rules: check out his George W. Bush impression:

Sunday, December 14th, 2008

Don't get me wrong, I hate the Boston Red Sox, but for the life of me, I can't figure why a team with as long a tradition as theirs - and recently, a winning one - would change their logo to "hanging socks" as well as their road uniforms...I was convinced for much of last night that there was no way it could be Saturday. After all, the Toronto Maple Leafs weren't featured on Hockey Night in Canada...as predicted, Hull did indeed give EPL leaders Liverpool a tough game in a 2-2 draw. As a result, Chelsea will most likely go tops again today as the busy Christmas schedule approaches...16-12-2 on the year of Prime Time Picks after Thursday's push, but going to ignore those and just call it 16-12. Already mentioned tonight's pick on Friday and it is the Dallas Cowboys at -3 as they host the New York Giants, minus Brandon Jacobs. It is a must win essentially for the Cowboys, not even remotely the case for the Giants. When one team is desperate, they're the play. That said, imagine the hand-wringing in Dallas if they lose tonight? Also like Miami (-6) and against all I normally believe in, Indy -17. I usually don't like giving that many points, but this one has beatdown written all over it. As always, drop your wagers at Pinnacle...oh, if you're thinking Jacobs is just saving himself for the playoffs, you must've forgot he's a free agent after this year...General Motors may end sponsorship of the Daytona 500. [Sarcasm] Why? [/sarcasm]...Francisco Rodriguez says the New York Mets are now the team to beat in the NL East. Seems a certain World Champion might have something to say about that. But, love the talk coming from the Mets and Phillies...Memo to Brian Cashman: if your plan is to get one of Mark Teixera or Manny Ramirez, go for the former...have a great Sunday.

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

Clearly, the sports editor in Tulsa was having some kind of fun in the picture at the left...Toronto Raptor Jose Calderon is to defence what Gilligan is to navigation. His "coverage" of Vince Carter in the dying seconds of overtime was abysmal, and that is putting it mildly. For all the credit he gets heaped on him for his efficient (read: dull, predictable, plodding) running of the offence, he gets no true criticism of just how dreadful he is defensively. The Raptors kept the wrong point guard...not much better in my books than a cold Saturday morning spent catching some English Premier League action and today, there are a couple great matchups. Arsenal visits Manchester City for one, and Manchester United visits Aston Villa for another. Should be great stuff...8 years and $160 million for Mark Teixera is the rumored offer coming from the Anaheim Angels. That is a big, big deal. That said, Tex could well be worth it as arguably the best first base bat and glove this side of Albert Pujols...word is that Brian Burke could be the Maple Leafs GM by tomorrow. Frankly, if that pans out, that took longer than I figured it would...a big night in Montreal tonight as Patrick Roy returns to the Canadiens inner circle for his jersey retirement. Wonder if he'll have any words for Mario Tremblay? Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs will be honoring Wendel Clark's #17. That there tells you all you need to know about those two franchises: one is honoring a Hall of Famer and champion, the other an overrated blue collar fan fav. Who's next, Tie Domi? Ripping off the New York Yankees Jason Giambi promo this year, the Leafs will be giving fans moustaches...in typical enabler fashion, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he owns some of the blame for Adam "Pacman" Jones most recent brush with the law because he hired the bodyguard Pacman mixed it up with. In related news, Jack Daniels has also declared he's partly to blame...have a great Saturday.

Saturday, November 15th, 2008

The MLB off-season is about to heat up. Added bonus of the New York Yankees deal for Nick Swisher: he's good friends with CC Sabathia, though a deal with Mark Teixera seems unlikely now. Looks like Jake Peavy is almost Atlanta Braves bound to make the NL East even more interesting...Chelsea striker Didier Drogba could be in a world of trouble. After scoring a couple days ago, a coin was thrown on the field, which he responded to by promptly firing it back into the crowd. Not smart, DD...another day of EPL action goes today. Interested to see if Tottenham continue their smoking form as they travel across London to face Fulham. Arsenal vs. Aston Villa also looks like a juicy matchup...it's actually hard to believe the Friday Night SmackDown is produced by the same company that brings us Monday Night Raw. The former is a terrible, terrible mess...the big sporting even of the day is of course UFC 91, when heavyweight champion Randy "The Natural" Couture faces former college and WWE wrestling champion Brock Lesnar for the title, in only Lesnar's third fight in UFC. Frankly, I'll be surprised if Lesnar doesn't win, though Couture can win the fight by outthinking the inexperienced Lesnar. Should be an awesome fight...have a great Saturday.

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.

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

As finishes go, they don't get more exciting than last night's last gasp TD by Texas Tech to knock off #1 Texas...what is this world coming to when Zamboni drivers are getting nailed for DUI?...the Green Bay Packers extended Aaron Rodgers contract through the 2014 season. Wonder if Brett Favre has reached the "acceptance" stage of grieving yet?...Cristiano Ronaldo is looking like he's got his legs under him now, as he scored a pair in yesterday's thrilling 4-3 Man United win over Hull City. It was a day of some big upsets in the EPL, as Stoke City punched out Arsenal and last place Tottenham beat then fourth place Arsenal..after getting booed at the All-Star game and getting caught on TV saying "Boo? Fuck you!" to the fans at Yankee Stadium, the Philadelphia Phillies Chase Utley was a little more obvious at the World Series parade. Watch here...sounds like the Yankees won't be in on the Mark Teixera sweepstakes. They must be planning ahead for a place for Derek Jeter to play in the next couple years. Personally, I'd rather have Teixera there in his print long term than a declining Jeter. Dugout Central wrote a great piece on the Jeter conundrum the Yankees face. If he were with the Boston Red Sox, I'm thinking Theo Epstein wouldn't move him to first, he'd let him walk altogether...the Detroit Lions signed Daunte Culpepper, and one of the things that attracted them to him was his knowledge of their division. Then again, we know how divisional knowledge panned out with old man Favre...the Prime Time Picks are back at 9-6 ($306) and tonight, I L-O-V-E New England at +6. Also a big fan today of Miami (+3) and St. Louis (+3). Get your wagers in at Pinnacle...have you ever seen a collapse like the one staged by the New York Rangers last night visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs? Up 2-0 in the third, they lose 5-2. Oh you have? Then you must have been watching the Montreal Canadiens furious comeback from 4-1 down to win 5-4. Pretty wild night in the NHL...have to say, I did not figure the Toronto Raptors would open the year at 3-0. A team that historically struggles badly on the back end of back-to-back games, they went into Milwaukee last night in that situation and dropped an "L" on the Bucks...have a great Sunday.


If you haven't seen Wednesday's goal from Cristiano Ronaldo at the 30 minute mark, watch here for the most amazing set-up you're ever likely to see. It's at the 3:40 mark here...
Manchester United v West Ham

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.