Saturday, October 18th, 2008

Game 6 of the ALCS goes tonight in Tampa Bay with the Rays hoping to steal back momentum after the Boston Red Sox furious rally on Thursday. The Sox are saying Josh Beckett isn't hurt. They best hope not, because they're going to need a more typical Beckett performance tonight than what he's given them this playoff year against the awesome James Shields...talk about double dipping, Manny Ramirez has been voted to a two thirds playoff share by the Red Sox...speaking of Manny, his name makes a nice anagram: NY MAN. Manny has declared he will be going to the highest bidder, hardly a shocker for a Scott Boras client. Here's guessing the same will apply to Mark Teixera, and hopefully, the Yankees are that bidder..the new Yankee Stadium has the grass in, check out some pics of this stunning palace here and here...Michael Bisping takes on Chris Leben in the main event at UFC 89 from the U.K. Expect Bisping to win this one, but Leben is always entertaining and can pack a thundering punch. This one is available for free on Spike at 9pm and Rogers SportsNet at midnight in HD...after the international break, the English Premier League is back at it today. Arsenal and Everton lock horns in the most intriguing match of the day, though I would be shocked at anything but an Arsenal win...talk about a few of my favorite things colliding. Former NFLer Kevin Gogan told "Drive This" on Hardcore Sports Radio that Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys over the phone while drunk at the Sammy Hagar's legendary bar Cabo Wabo in Cabo San Lucas. Ahh, the life of a billionaiire...Toronto FC host Chicago Fire in what could well be their last home game this season. Kickoff is 3:30pm, coverage is on CBC...ten Wall Street hard hitters are in an NFL fantasy league where they each have ponied up $100k to enter. Winner takes home $600k with second worth $300k and third getting their money back. Wow...the Def Leppard Stanley Cup SNAFU is still going, and Chris Chelios is none too impressed with Joe Elliot of Leppard...the Yankees have made their off season plans, and they include guys named Mark Teixera, and two of CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Derek Lowe, and maybe some Jake Peavy. Me likes!...have a great Saturday.

Friday, October 17th, 2008

It was shaping up as a beatdown in Beantown as Tampa Bay raced out to a 7-0 lead, a lead they held as late as the seventh, but incredibly, the BoSox got off the mat and rallied to win 8-7 to stay alive in the ALCS to cut the series to 3-2. Game six goes in Tampa tomorrow...super agent Scott Boras says his client Manny Ramirez should get a six (!) year contract that would take him to 42 years old. If he gets that, I'll be stunned. SI.com's Jon Heyman has the Yankees, Blue Jays and Mets as suitors...speaking of suitors, the San Diego Padres are lining them up in a Jake Peavy auction. Very interesting...A-Rod is so into Madonna he's sending 10% of his salary to Kaballah, as required by the religion? Strange, very strange...good of Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu to rail against the bevy of fines being dropped by the NFL for hits and saying it is making it a "pansy" league. Unfortunately for him, he can expect a fine for saying so...grabbing three of a possible eight points was all it took for the Chicago Black Hawks to axe Denis Savard. Is that the quickest firing in NHL history? Hard to believe someone was gassed quicker than four games...baseball's player's union says it has evidence that teams colluded against Barroid Bonds. If that's the case, shame they waited until after he broke the home run record...Toronto FC striker and instant legend Danny Dichio might be calling it a career after this year. Shame...Russia's KHL will probe the death of 19-year old Alexei Cherepanov. Right, because when you think of transparency you think of Russia...have a great Friday.

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

Sure, visible minorities may be shrinking in number in baseball, but Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal posits that they may not be looking to sign with the Boston Red Sox because of the perception they are a very "white" team. The BoSox look to survive tonight in Game 5 at Fenway...the Philadelphia Phillies punched their ticket to the World Series, riding a dominant Cole Hamels start. They did this despite Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley hitting a combined .250 in the playoffs so far...Charles Barkley says in terms of point guards, Chris Paul is driving, with Deron Williams in the back seat. Steve Nash? He's in the trunk, says Sir Charles. That would put Jose Calderon somewhere around the tailpipe...my boy Wayne Rooney is in some kind of form for England, scoring his sixth goal in five games yesterday with a pair against Belarus. Would prefer he saves those up - all of them - for Manchester United...What year is this? Shaq's been vowing to make the free throws when they count for over a decade, but whining that Hack-A-Shaq doesn't work because a certain team didn't go all the way despite them knocking you out isn't the height of logic...Tony Romo will be giving it a go after all so to those that were salivating at beating the Cowboys and Brad Johnson - which only the Giants would've in the next three - dial it down. Sounds like Romo isn't the only QB in the NFC East that is hurting: Eli Manning is banged up, too..Madonna and Guy Ritchie are officially done. Expect a bevy of uninspired A-Rod comments today...Andy Pettitte wants to pitch for the Yankees in 2009. I love Pettitte, but it is time to shut it down Andy. Of course, I said the same about Mike Mussina last year and we know how that turned out...if you can pre-order, it must be true: Chinese Democracy is coming out next month. Is there any need to even say who the artist is?...New York Knick Eddy Curry maight want to mix in a salad: he sat on a resistance ball, and it blew up...a Vancouver group including Steve Nash, and a Montreal group including Habs and Liverpool owner George Gillett are among the seven bidders for two MLS franchises...and hey, what ever happened to YF?...have a great Thursday.

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 - Stop this senseless slaughter!

Mercifully, and inexplicably, the ALCS will take a day off today. Maybe that will help cool off the smoking hot Tampa Bay Rays, 13-4 winners (and 22-5 in two games at Fenway) to take a 3-1 series lead. I know Red Sox Nation will boast about 2004 and coming back from 3-0, but this year, not happening...Why I always said Manny Ramirez was a far better hitter than David Ortiz: Ortiz has one RBI in 31 postseason at-bats this season...this week's Sunday Night Football match-up may not be great, with Seattle visiting Tampa Bay, but the broadcast is about to get a whole lot better with news that John Madden is sitting this one out and the fantastic Cris Collinsworth is in...I'm not surprised Dana White went off about Elite XC being a threat to the credibility of the MMA game, just that it took this long...want a cheap NFL ticket? How about the Cincinnati Bengals, with 3,000 tickets available for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on stubhub.com, including many at half price...Brett Favre called Tony Romo to offer encouragement after his broken finger shelved him. Of course, in typical self serving, "ain't-I-a-great-guy?" fashion he let it be know he called. He says Romo is a top five player in the NFL regardless of position. Sorry, Favre. Even as a Cowboy fan I can't agree with that right now, not based on his play this calendar year...speaking of the Cowboys, they made the only deal of significance at the NFL's way-too-early trade deadline, picking up Detroit Lions wideout Roy Williams. Question: can Williams play corner at all? They've got a huge need there with Pacman Jones suspended for at least four games. It says here that with Williams demanding a trade and the Lions going nowhere, the Cowboys gave up way too much for him unless he suddenly becomes all-pro...the Detroit Lions are 0-5 for the third time this decade...not sure what is more impressive, that soccer giant FC Barcelona is launching a bid for an MLS team for Miami, or that the MLS expansion fee is now up to $50 million (USD). By comparison, Toronto FC's fee to enter a mere three years back was $10 million...not sure where some of the sports media out there get the idea that a Boston Red Sox vs. L.A. Dodgers World Series would be a "disgrace" because the Sox are still paying Manny Ramirez' salary. Players DO NOT get paid in the playoffs. Period. Not to mention that seems a pretty unlikely matchup now...the New Jersey Nets move to Brooklyn is on hold until at least 2011. Wince Carturd's contract expires before the 2011 season. Seems to me Brooklyn wants to leave the toxic waste in Jersey. Wise move...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

So much for Jon Lester's playoff invincibility. Lester was beaten badly as the Rays romped to a 9-1 win in game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead...as if Sunday's loss wasn't enough, Tony Romo is now out for a month with a broken finger. This once promising Cowboys season is threatening to go real south, real fast. Oh, and Pacman Jones may have violated his probation. Excellent...former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has been hired as the bench coach in Kansas City? Right. Because when I think of "guy you want bouncing strategy to the manager" I think of Gibbons. And by that, I mean I don't. Ever...biggest surprise of the baseball playoffs? L.A. Dodgers fans sticking around beyond the sixth inning. Shame last night they got to be there for Matt Stairs - remember him? - hitting a go ahead bomb that probably has yet to land to bring the Phillies back and give them a 3-1 series lead..make that a 1-3 weekend for the NFC East after the New York Giants got rocked in Cleveland. By the way, are you thinking this whole "Eli is better than Peyton" thing is more than a little laughable? I can't stand Peyton as much as the next guy, but his resume is light year's ahead of little brothers...that KHL - the new Russian hockey league - is off to a roaring start. First player death, and it is 19-year old New York Rangers first round pick Alexei Cherepanov. I'm sure Don Cherry will be thinking that his teammate Jaromir Jagr's errant elbow did him in and will spout off on that...nice of the NHL to schedule the Montreal Canadiens three times in 63 hours or so with a game in Buffalo Friday, Toronto Saturday, and Philadelphia last night. That they made it through 2-1 is impressive...it is election day in Canada. Remember to get out and vote, and if you don't vote, don't bitch. Have a great day.

Joey Chestnut adds Pizza Champion to his resume...

Monday, October 13th, 2008 - Ten 13

Good to see Tiger Woods rocking the LA Dodgers gear yesterday in the home town team's 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Shame it is so easy to find pics of Eldrick rocking Yankee gear at any number of Yankee games in the last few years. Whatever works, Tiger...five NFL games yesterday were decided in the final ten seconds or overtime. That's wild stuff. Not among them were the New England Patriots who got smoked in San Diego. I'll say it now: the Patriots aren't even making the playoffs this year...isn't it great that The Bills In Toronto have now had to resort to TV advertising to try to sell out what they thought a sure thing even with Super Bowl like ticket prices? I may have to call Rogers and see if I can work a freebie as a customer. No way this thing sells out...take away the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants opponents have all of one win. Don't be planning a repeat Super Bowl win just yet...speaking of the Redskins, in true Skins fashion, they go and win two huge games on the road, and them come home and lose to previously winless St. Louis...if the rumors are true, Saturday's Toronto FC home season closer will be played with no alcohol served at BMO Field...New Orleans Saint Drew Brees just may be the best quarterback in the NFL today. Seriously...how lame are those new "Leafs Nation" commercials? And isn't the whole "nation" thing far overplayed?...if anybody has seen Tony Romo, please return him to the Dallas Cowboys. The guy they've got playing now looks more fit for the Toronto Argos...another thing I don't understand about baseball's playoffs. Why not have the wild card play a team in its own division in the first round if that means that the team with the best record gets the weakest team? That would've seen Anaheim play the ChiSox this year, not Boston, and shouldn't those 162 games and the best record give you that kind of advantage?...if anybody has seen the Dallas Cowboys, please return them to the Dallas Cowboys. This bumbling squad right now looks like the Toronto Argos of the south, and didn't deserve to even make it to OT in yesterday's loss to Arizona...the last four Stanley Cup champions have a combined October record of 88-19-15. In related news, New York Rangers fans are feeling good...a day after noting the NFC East had one loss out of division, along came two more...a 4:30 start for game 3 of the ALCS today, with the NLCS following at 8:30. Should be a pair of huge games. Tough to not like the Red Sox with the impressive Jon Lester going, he of the two earned runs in 23.1 playoff innings pitched...have a great Thanksgiving.

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

It took 11 innings over five hours and 27 minutes for the Tampa Bay Rays to even the ALCS with a dramatic 9-8 win. BoSox starter Josh Beckett gave up 8 runs over 4 1/3, a sure sign he isn't right...last night's 6-1 beatdown at the hands of the Habs ought to make for more sober assessments of the Leafs this season. What was Jason Blake doing celebrating his goal like it was a Cup winner in OT with his squad down 5-0?...the October 13th issue of Sports Illustrated says the New York Mets leased all 49 of their private boxes for a minimum of three years at a cost of $250-$500k per year. The Yankees are said to be in a similar spot with their boxes going for $650k-$850k. That's two teams that are going to have huge bucks to throw around. Here's a long and interesting read into the economy and sports...Tito Ortiz and Jenna Jameson are having twins. Well, at least the doctors know they'll have an easy time coming out...the NFC East has only one loss out of the division this year...the New York Rangers have opened 4-0 with their second win in two nights. Guess their European jaunt last weekend didn't affect them...anybody able to explain why baseball managers are allowed to come out and argue calls? A ridiculous part of the game...for all their talk of hurting Florida QB Tim Tebow and whipping Florida, it was LSU that got crushed, 51-21...Texas upset top ranked Oklahoma in a 45-35 shootout. This is another NCAA season where being #1 all but guarantees you've got a defeat coming..the Kansas City Chiefs will move tight end Tony Gonzalez by the Monday trade deadline if they get the right package in return...Toronto FC was up 2-1 in the dying moments when a questionable penalty call was made, and FC Dallas Kenny Cooper - who scored all four goals against TFC this year - put it home for a 2-2 tie. Brutal...after two losses, now sitting at 6-5 and +106 on the PrimeTime Picks. Tonight's is a toughie, but am going to have to take New England and the points at +5. Wouldn't you? A big fan of Carolina at +1.5 and hate to say it, but it wouldn't shock me if Arizona put a scare into the Cowboys at +5...have a great Sunday. Bet wise at Pinnacle.

Saturday, October 11th, 2008 - The Crocodile Hunter Dares Not Go Here

The Boston Red Sox rode a no-hitter into the seventh from Dice-K Matsuzaka and a pair of runs into a 2-0 win and a series lead. With three on the road in Boston to come after today, it is nothing short of a must-win for the Rays...pitcher Brett Myers has more hits than Ryan Howard, but that's not holding back the Philadelphia Phillies from taking a 2-0 lead over the LA Dodgers. They're now off to L.A. for three games..former Tampa Bay Lightning coach John Tortorella, who made a living out of banging on the media until he joined them, teed off on Ottawa Senator Jason Spezza for how he does interview. Weird. Almost as weird as the way Spezza is always smiling in his interview and finishes each thought with what he thinks is a punch line and then laughs...another round of World Cup qualifiers goes today, including Canada likely getting fisted at Honduras. As always, there are several interesting games going in Europe - Croatia at Ukraine, Russia at Germany, Portugal at Sweden and more...qualifiers will cost Toronto FC Carl Robinson (Wales), Amado Guevara (Honduras), Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala), Tyrone Marshal (Jamaica) and Kevin Harmse (Canada) as they travel to face FC Dallas in a must-win game, who, unfortunately, will have Kenny Cooper in the lineup...the first bout in the classic Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs rivalry goes in Toronto tonight. Habs win this one...talk about a tough week for Hugh Hefner. First, Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson jump ship. Then, there's talk he's near financial ruin. You know what fixes that? 19 year-old twins moving in...chicks may dig the long ball, but that don't mean success for your team in the NL. Ryan Howard is the first home run champion in the NL to advance to the League Championship Series since 1995...from the Department of Lame, the NFL fined Arizona Cardinal Adrian Wilson for the hit that left Buffalo Bill Trent Edwards concussed. Here's hoping they also fined the ground, because that looked like it rocked his head a lot harder than Wilson did...Cleveland Browns tight end Sargeant Kellen Winslow Jr. remains in hospital, allegedly for swollen nuts...have a great Saturday.

Friday, October 10th, 2008

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was fined $20,000 for criticizing officials after a bad call on Sunday. His comment is an instant classic: “You don’t make a call like that unless he might have money on it.” Betting - no pun intended - that has NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell way more round up than a Pacman dust-up in a bathroom...Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk wants Mats Sundin, a message he delivered in Sweden last week...it was a banner night for the Detroit Red Wings last night, as they hoisted theirs, and a banner night for the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, who rained on their parade in winning 3-2. Here comes the irrational hopes of the dreaded Leafs Nation...the Philadelphia Phillies rode a pair of homers to a 3-2 win in the series opener against the LA Dodgers. Game two goes at 4:20 Eastern, with game one of the ALCS following at 8:30...here's 10 reasons to care about the NHL, including snazzy new threads from the Carolina Hurricanes...just so Bukkake isn't left disappointed, Pacman Jones is playing this week...remember Clint Malarchuk, one time NHL goalie who famously had his jugular cut? As if that wasn't enough, he accidentally shot himself. In the face...the average score of the New York Giants first four wins is 32-12...good start for the Calgary Flames Craig Conroy and Rene Bourque: -4 last night...looks like the fine folks at EliteXC are under investigation for match fixing for last week's Kimbo Slice/Seth Petruzelli fight. Problem one if they were working a fix was that Petruzelli played the part of Butch Coolidge from Pulp Fiction and didn't work the fix, instead winning the fight...one big sign that the Leafs management is heading in the right direction: Don Cherry says they're not...Curtis Joseph and Shania Twain? Seriously? First Mutt, now Cujo?...have a great Friday.

Thursday, October 9th, 2008 - Cero Cinco

Today is a day I wonder "where would we be without photoshop?"...Cleveland Indians one-time slugger Travis Hafner - whose power seemed to disappear about the time drug testing came into play - has spent most of 2008 on the shelf and now they figure out he may need shoulder surgery? What were they doing with him the last five months?...seems a death in the family is what had Terrell Owens in tears on Sunday with a towel draped over his head...the NHL season starts today and my biggest fear is a Maple Leafs win over Detroit tonight for what the Toronto media and fan base will be spewing in the morning. That said, a blow-out might also be just as tough to stomach...Seth Petruzelli, who beat Kimbo Slice in 14 seconds in the EliteXC event, might have done more damage to that organization than knocking out its golden boy: he talked openly of how EliteXC promotors gave him enough cash to "make it worth his while" to stand and trade blows with Slice, rather than taking him to the ground where he isn't as good...since April 16 and including the postseason, the Tampa Bay Rays are 32-4 at the Trop in games decided by two or less...if Indy Colt Marvin Harrison's slow start could be blamed at all on being distracted over the summer shooting involving a gun of his, later dumped at a car wash he owns, he's about to get way more distracted: the victim is suing him and fingering him as the triggerman...Toronto FC coach John Carver is officially my fav coach in any sport. He's issued an ultimatum to Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment and GM Mo Johnston: open the purse strings and bring in a top notch player or he walks. Amen to that, J.C....Philadelphia Eagle Hank Baskett is having himself some cybersex with Hugh Hefner's now ex-girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson. Make of this what you will...UEFA boss Michel Platini is talking about salary caps being brought in to levelize the playing field for clubs in Europe. I think you'll see Paul Gascoine sober, sane, and Prime Minister of England before that happens...Michael Strahan is endorsing Vaseline? Yeah, that'll do wonders to keep his secret safe...have a great Thursday.

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

At left: O.J Simpson's new home. Cozy, ain't it? Still chasing pictures of his next home in Hell...SI.com's Tom Verducci told Jim Rome he thinks that Manny Ramirez is a great fit for the Toronto Blue Jays, and the interest should be mutual. Jim Rome hoped it wouldn't happen because baseball and the media need ManRam in a "major market"...if the City of Toronto and media were in mourning over the loss of the Molson/Steelback/Whatever Indy for a year, imagine how Montreal feels getting dropped from the F1 loop for next year, a far more storied and big time event than the Indy...wonder how Don Cherry will feel about the Leafs big, tough, first round Canadian defenceman Luke Schenn, who has made the team, wearing a visor?...one day of a diving market last week cost Jim Balsillie of RIM $1.2 billion. That's a drop in the bucket for a guy still said to be looking at buying the Nashville Predators and ideally, move them north to Hamilton or Kitchener in a new building...pretty weak night in sports last night with only NBA pre-season on the go...looking forward to PETA going off over Brett Favre killing a wild turkey, bagging it up - blood, guts and all - and leaving it in a teammates locker. That Brett, he sure is redneck...what a sad country we live in when you have the national, tax-payer funded TV network running a contest to pick a theme song for Hockey Night In Canada...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

Nice work by Tennessee Titan Keith Bullock in showing the cameras his squads perfect record, except, well, he got it backward. But thanks to being able to flip a picture, Bullock's now got it right, other than his jersey of course...the Washington Redskins have yet to turn over the ball this year. That's incredible...quick, who thought the Miami Dolphins would beat the AFC Championship teams from last season in consecutive games? Me neither...a great list of ten things to avoid saying to Chicago Cubs fans...the Tampa Bay Rays are off to the ALCS after closing off the Chicago White Sox. Incredibly, they're listed as an underdog for the series so I've already sprinkled some on them at +117 as they face Boston, who closed out Anaheim. The Rays are rolling, have loads of arms, don't have a soft spot in the order, and are witches with the leather...also got in on the LA Dodgers at +101. You can get in too with the fine folks at Pinnacle..a rare deadline deal the benefited both teams big time: Manny Ramirez and Jason Bay's moves...if A-Rod plays out his contract, he'll have career earnings of $445 million in 24 years, not counting endorsements...finally got around to watching the PVR'd Toronto FC game from Saturday, a 3-1 win over New York Red Bull. Question: where the hell has that kind of performance been the last three months? Chad Barrett is a keeper...I'm generally not a fan of homer hankies, white outs and so on, but that black out the ChiSox fans were rocking looked great. One final ChiSox note: 47% of their runs scored this year came by way of the home run. That's way too bomb dependant...that EA Sports ad for NHL 09 isn't very realistic. If it were, Kyle Welwood wouldn't be dishing out hits in the corner...the Toronto Raptors start their NBA pre-season games today in Cleveland. Word out of camp so far is that Andrea Bargnani is looking real impressive. A big year from Bargnani and the Raptors could be a top four side in the suddenly deep East...CC Sabathia is a need for the Yankees, and he may be interested in them, but after 513 innings the last two years, I'm real worried about his arm falling off. Given the choice of one, my money goes to Mark Teixera who is young, selective at the plate, has a solid OBP, power, and a great glove at first. That said, I'd wager the Yanks get both. And a side of AJ Burnett...the Detroit Lions could still go 12-4, says Roy Williams. Reason enough for Jerry Jones and Dallas to not trade for Williams, who wants out of The D, and is delusional...I'm going to keep saying it until it comes true: Rod Marinelli will be fired in Detroit today...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, October 6th, 2008

What a turnaround it has been for the Washington Redskins since losing in Week 1. At that point, they didn't even have a two minute offense in place, nevermind were able to execute it. Now, they've got back to back road wins over Dallas and Philadelphia...14 seconds is all it took for some no name to all but ruin Elite XC's golden boy. It took less time for every media outlet giving Elite XC attention to lose their number…the Philadelphia Phillies swept the Milwaukee Brewers, saving added wear on CC Sabathia's soon-to-be-Yankee-if-there-is-a-God arm…the Chicago White Sox staved off elimination by downing the Tampa Bay Rays. Across town, the Chicago Cubs are history…the two biggest pitching acquisitions of the year, Rich Harden and Sabathia, are both home and cooled off for the year…another week in the NFL, another pile of injuries. Starting QB's Trent Edwards and Brian Griese are among the walking wounded…for the first time in his run as a Dallas Cowboy, I'm worried about T.O.'s state of mind, but I feel that way anytime somebody is talking about God publicly…worth watching again: Saturday Night Live…prediction: Rod Marinelli will be fired by the Detroit Lions today…an interesting read from an Irish paper on the life of David Beckham in Los Angeles, on and off the field…the Detroit Shock won the WNBA title. Yes, the WNBA still exists…Joe Torre is 11-3 all-time managing against Lou Piniella. Of course, most of those game while Lou was stuck with the then horrible Tampa Bay Devil Rays...6-4 on the PrimeTime Picks now after the Pittsburgh Steelers put in an impressive showing in Jacksonville. Didn't figure they'd have a lot left after that war on Monday Night with Baltimore, but the Steelers surprised. Tonight, playing the New Orleans Saints at -3...thanks to a 12th inning win, the Anaheim Angels forced a game four against Boston...maybe the best bank robbery idea of all time, and it worked. 10/10 on the originality scale...only one of the four NHL games this weekend featured more goals than Toronto FC's 3-1 win over New York Red Bull on Saturday. Just sayin'...have a great Monday.

Sunday, October 5th, 2008

No Rando today - a late night followed by an early morning rise to build a deck left my without time.

That said, here's tonight's PrimeTime Pick:

Jacksonville -4.

PrimeTime Picks record: 6-3 (+306)

Saturday, October 4th, 2008 - He chutes, he scores

Kimbo Slice faces MMA legend Ken Shamrock tonight on Elite XC on CBS. "The World's Most Dangerous Man" - and those quotes are getting more sarcastic by the minute - says he's going to knock out Kimbo and shave his beard. He best bring a sledgehammer, or a gun. Last I looked, Shammy lost his last five fights in craptacular form...Toronto FC travel to the swamps of New Jersey to face New York Red Bull tonight. Kickoff for that one is 7:30pm with coverage on The Score. Here's hoping they can put in another strong effort like last week, particularly with the pressure of making the playoffs virtually off...how about adding a second Wild Card to the MLB playoffs, and have the two wild-carders meet in a one game showdown, winner advancing? I kinda like it...is there anybody that believes the story that Tim Donaghy was the only NBA referee in on fixing games? No chance. Sorry, David Stern...what the schedule makers were thinking having Boston and Anaheim play the first three games over five days is beyond me. They're off again today...the NHL season starts today with a pair of games in Europe. Here's hoping CBC shipped Don Cherry overseas and a mob of Euros take him to the proverbial woodshed...Rich Harden had to get a cortisone shot to make it to his start in L.A. today and may not be in the game by the time most Dodger fans arrive. The Cubs are in a world of trouble. Have I mentioned best of five is terrible?...it wasn't all negative for the New York Mets this year. They're the first team in baseball history to lead in consecutive September's by at least 3.5 games and blow those leads...the Milwaukee Brewers are batting .115 through two games of their series. A-Rod circa 2005-6 and Barry Bonds think that's embarrassing...true story: the Jacksonville Jags Maurice Jones-Drew drafted himself first overall in a pool with fellow NFLers...who went 12 for 12 last night? The prosecution in the O.J. Simpson case. Looks like the Juice is going for a lengthy stay in the Crow Bar Motel...an elderly lady in Ohio was about to have her home foreclosed - not rare in the U.S. these days - so she "musta done shot herself" in the words of her neighbor. I only include that because I get a kick out of red neck misery...in the history of the divisional series, only 7 times (out of 54) has a team down 2-0 come back to win the series...seven sky divers were to bring the game ball for a soccer game in France. However, going 6 for 7 in terms of survivors probably wasn't something they planned, and the guy with the game ball kissed the ground after his parachute malfunctioned...loving Manchester United at -1 +106 at Pinnacle today. That one starts at 12:30...have a great Saturday.

Friday, October 3rd, 2008 - Cubs on the Brink

Raider Fan beware: Al Davis mom lived to 103. Despite appearances, he's only 79. Former Raider Warren Sapp took a blowtorch to Davis and his meddling ways in an awesome beatdown. On the comedic scale, former Raider coach and now Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan piled on further in this hilarious send up of his days there...did you see the Cubs defence in the second inning last night? I've seen slo-pitch teams who played better defence than that. They reminded me of the bumbling Detroit Tigers in the World Series a couple years back. The Cubs are down 2-0 after a 10-3 loss and heading on the road. Looking like the streak is on to 101 years real soon...CC Sabathia channelled his feeble playoff performances of last year and picked up the loss. Walking the opposing pitcher to load up the bases is almost always a sign that the next guy is jumping ship with a grand slam, and that's just what Shane Victorino did to take a 2-0 lead in that series...the Hateorade is flowing early in the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox series. Evan Longoria went deep twice to give the young Rays the lead in that set...in a sure sign that hockey season is here, that loser Don Cherry is spouting off about European players. His latest take is that Alexander Ovechkin - hands down the best player in the game - will not improve. With high hopes, I'm adding Don Cherry to my Death Pool for 2009. Hate that guy...Habs goalie Carey Price went Matrix for a save a couple nights ago. This has to be seen to be believed...the heat is now starting to build on Toronto FC general manager Mo Johnston. I think it is too early to declare him a failure, as they're only two years in and hurt badly by the MLS lame international games rule, but he best have a strong off-season and deliver a quality team next spring, and not just one that can compete for a playoff spot, but one that is a lock for one...in related Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment news, they're said to be out of the running to buy a European soccer franchise. The fans of any such franchise should consider themselves lucky...

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

Bob McCown and the Grumpy Old Men at Fan590 report that Jim Balsillie is close to a deal to buy the Nashville Predators. In related news, Gary Bettman's getting his blood pressure meds...whatever happened to Red Patch Live?...magician David Blaine is said to be unhappy with Liverpool's Robbie Keane for breaking his record of doing nothing in a box for two months. Keane finally scored for Liverpool, in Champions League play yesterday in a 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven...who to cheer for in this baseball playoffs? Because of Yankee and Canadian content, going to have to say the Chicago Cubs, even a game down, though the LA Dodgers aren't lacking in Yankee and Canadian content themselves...former NFLer Travis Henry is going to have a tough time paying for all those kids across America if he continues to get busted for purchasing coke...I was sure I wouldn't see it the entire MLB playoffs, but there it is after one game: a sub three hour game...informal poll time: what organization is a bigger joke: Oakland Raiders or the Toronto Maple Leafs?...Chelsea was held to a draw with the surprising Romanian side CFR Cluj. Anything that is bad for Chelsea is good for the world...the Philadelphia Phillies won their first playoff game since Mitch Williams was serving up meatballs to Toronto Blue Jay Joe Carter...it took all of one game to once again show why the best of five idea is a lame one in baseball. The LA Dodgers rode a trio of long balls en route to taking home field advantage over the Chicago Cubs, despite being 13 games behind them this season. The noose is gonna get tight fast in ChiTown. The Boston Red Sox also ripped home field from Anaheim, despite being five games worse. This best of five thing is borderline criminal, or at least, cruel...in an si.com poll, 41% of NFL players polled called Peyton Manning the least mobile QB in the game...in a shocking development, members of Twisted Sister have decided that now, they will in fact take it...have a great Thursday.

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Rickey Williams said all the free time in the bye week led him to be tempted to hit the herb again? I'm sure The Tuna is thrilled to hear that...The last time the Chicago White Sox won the World Series in 2005, they did it with strong pitching. In two must win games, they've given up all of three runs to move on and face Tampa Bay...sprinkled a wager on all the available underdogs for the first round with the fine folks at Pinnacle. Seems the wise play with the five game series. In order of likelihood, I'd rank them Milwaukee (+162), Boston (+117) and LA Dodgers (+194)...get your votes in at the poll to the right for which fav you think is most likely to expire early...the Boston Red Sox have won nine straight playoff games over the Anaheim Angels...who but the Cincinnati Bengals would sign Cedric Benson, he of the multiple arrests this year...to borrow from Joe DiMaggio, "I want to thank the Good Lord for not making me a Raider fan"...the Vancouver Canucks have named goalie Roberto Luongo captain. Yeah, that ought to fix everything...no huge upsets in Champions League play yesterday, other than Juventus drawing a Belarussian squad 2-2. Another batch of games go today...distant cousin Tony Mandarich says he used steroids while at Michigan State, but not the pro's. That surprised nobody...two and a half minutes of killer NFL hits...Yankees GM Brian Cashman will stick around for another three years as there is a "job to finish". Go get 'em, Cash!...Bates College in Maine is offering a class on "Red Sox Nation". What a freaking world...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 - One Step Closer

Is Toronto not the most backward sports market in the world? I can't think of another that would see the team President confirm the manager and General Manager one day, and less than a few weeks later, announce he's quitting like Paul Godfrey is with the Blue Jays. So where does that leave the incoming President? With a GM and Manager he might not want. Yet another reason why for the Blue Jays the playoffs will remain something other teams do, just like the Maple Leafs down the road. Backward...Anaheim Angel Torii Hunter says that drug testing is what is resulting in the lower home run totals this year. What's he going to say next, lack of eating leads to starvation? The home run total per game is at its lowest in 15 years...the Pittsburgh Pirates have finished sub-.500 for the 16th straight year, and had zero pitchers with 10 wins. At least they've got the Pens and Steelers in Pittsburgh...stop me if you've heard this one before. Guns N' Roses "Chinese Democracy" is coming out November 25th...while writing this blog, Ray Lewis delivered another hit...the Chicago White Sox had to go through a nearly four hour rain delay and played 8 innings in a nailbiter they were losing before blowing it open and winning 8-2 over the Detroit Tigers to give them a slice of the AL Central. Today, they face Minnesota in a one game playoff, their third opponent in three days, with a date with the Tampa Rays on the line...including last night, there have now been five overtime games this NFL season. Seems unusually high, no? Less surprising is that four of the teams that won the coin toss won the game. And people deride soccer's penalty kicks as a coin toss...how do you know Jose Morinho's Inter Milan lost on the weekend? Easy. He's bitching about the referee and opposing fans as the reason his team lost...Tony Romo and Ben Roethlesberger: have you seen either without a helmet on and not wearing a hat backwards?...speaking of Romo, seems that he and Terrell Owens had a pretty healthy conversation about the balls he's been getting. Memo to T.O.: Romo isn't the problem, the lack of a legit #2 receiver is. That said, they'll go out Sunday, he'll get a pile of catches, yards and sixes against the inept Cincinnati Bengals, and all will be fine, and then repeat it against Arizona and St. Louis in the weeks following...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, September 29th, 2008 - Almost playoff time!

Not sure any player in baseball history has ever had a bigger contract year - Carlos Beltran in the playoffs with Houston a few years back, maybe - than CC Sabathia...the New York Mets went out on the last day of the season for the second straight year, both at the hands of the Florida Marlins...how is this for weird? 89-73 record, 48-33 at home, 41-40 on the road. If you have "New York Yankees 2008" in mind, you're right. But you'd be also right if you had New York Mets. No kidding. Exact records. The Mets scored 10 more runs and gave up 12 fewer. Oh, and both closed their stadiums...the Chicago White Sox play today in a must-win game today against the Detroit Tigers. A win and they finish tied for the AL Central pennant. From there, they'd face current Central leader Minnesota in a one game playoff. Loads of high tension baseball starts today...I've seen the hilites and still can't believe it. The Kansas City Chiefs downed the Denver Broncos...Tennessee and Buffalo are the lone teams at 4-0, with the New York Giants at 3-0, as the lone undefeated teams. I have a hard time thinking the New England Patriots will be cracking open champagne bottles when the last goes down like those pathetic souls of the 1972 Miami Dolphins...make that 5-3 (+206) on the year in PrimeTime picks. Tonight, going to play the underdog Baltimore Ravens to cover the +9 at Pittsburgh. Not really loving that pick, but have to figure that minus Willy Parker and with a banged up Big Ben, the Pittsburgh offence shouldn't pile up too many points on the traditionally tough on Monday Ravens defence. As always, get your wagers in at Pinnacle...worth catching on Showcase: Cock'd Gunns...here are the 10 funniest signs by homeless people...Josh Beckett is being held back until Game 3 of the Boston/Anaheim series because of an injury. If Beckett isn't his usual playoff self, the Red Sox are in big trouble...have a great Monday.