My morsels for today:
NHL: Look for some big-time retaliation by the Detroit Red Wings the first time they encounter the Chicago Blackhawks next season. And who could blame them? You’ve probably heard that Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom missed the final two games of the Western Conference semifinals series between the Red Wings and Blackhawks because he underwent surgery after being speared in the testicles -- yes, testicles -- by Chicago’s Patrick Sharp during Game 3. Lidstrom, who played all seven games against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals, called the injury the most painful he’s endured in his 15-year NHL career. I don’t doubt that a bit. Hell, it hurt me to write that he was speared in the testicles.
BASKETBALL: There’s been another terrible tragedy involving a young athlete. Basketball player Dorian Dawkins, 14, collapsed at the free throw line late in a game at a high school tournament Friday at Michigan State University and died later in an area hospital. According to a press release issued by MSU, Dorian received “immediate and appropriate medical attention” after his collapse. Dorian was a 5-foot-10 guard and an incoming freshman at Saginaw (Mich.) High School, where his father Lou Dawkins is the boys basketball coach. More than 60 teams from Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin participated in the tournament.
MLB: We may have seen the last of former pitching stars Jason Isringhausen and Dontrelle Willis. Isringhausen, in his first season with the Tampa Bay Rays, is gone for the year because he’ll need Tommy John surgery on his already surgically repaired right elbow. The 36-year-old has 293 career saves. Willis has been a mess since he joined the Detroit Tigers in a 2008 trade. He’s 1-4 with a 7.49 ERA this season and has been bounced from the starting rotation by Manager Jim Leyland. … We haven’t seen the last of Minnesota Twins pitcher Anthony Swarzak, even though he was sent to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday after allowing four hits and no runs in seven innings against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, The Twins needed to ship Swarzak to the minors so they could recall catcher Jose Morales. … Condolences to Washington Nationals outfielder Josh Willingham, who is on bereavement leave after his younger brother was killed in an auto accident Saturday night.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Another radio play-by-play guy is sidelined
My morsels for today:
MLB: It’s very dangerous being a radio play-by-play guy for a major league team these days. About a week after Detroit Tigers play-by-play man Dan Dickerson underwent surgery to repair a torn quadriceps muscle suffered May 26 when he tripped over a curb while jogging in Kansas City, Texas Rangers play-by-play icon Eric Nadel found himself sidelined because of two tears in the retina of his right eye. Nadel had called 3,176 consecutive regular-season and 10 post-season games before undergoing laser surgery Thursday in New York. The last time Nadel wasn’t in the booth was June 2, 1989. It was the last of four games he missed because of the death of his father. Nadel started seeing black dots -- affectionately known as “floaters” -- in his right eye during Tuesday’s game between the Rangers and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. He called Wednesday’s Rangers-Yankees game with the eye taped shut because it was glazed over. Dickerson has not been cleared for road travel, so he’ll probably miss the Tigers’ current 11-game road trip.
MLB: Los Angeles Angels outfielder Bobby Abreu reached the 2,000-hit milestone Sunday at Comerica Park in Detroit. Of course. He likes the Tigers’ home diamond. You may recall that Abreu won the 2005 All-Star Game Home Run Derby at not-so-homer-friendly Comerica Park, setting records with 24 homers in a round and 41 homers total. Abreu played for the Philadelphia Phillies at the time. His historic hit Sunday was a first-inning double off Rick Porcello. Abreu, 35, loves doubles. He’s had 465 of them in his career, and 35 or more for 10 consecutive seasons. Abreu became the fifth Venezuelan-born player to reach the 2,000-hit mark. Who are the others? Luis Aparicio, Dave Conception, Andres Galarraga and Omar Visquel.
MEDIA: Here’s another sign of the times. ESPN The Magazine’s Web site (http://www.espnthemag.com/) no longer offers free content. It’s now a part of ESPN Insider, a premium service for ESPN.com users, which costs about $40 per year. ESPN The Magazine subscribers can access the Web site at no charge. The bi-weekly ESPN The Magazine began publishing March 11, 1998.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
MLB: It’s very dangerous being a radio play-by-play guy for a major league team these days. About a week after Detroit Tigers play-by-play man Dan Dickerson underwent surgery to repair a torn quadriceps muscle suffered May 26 when he tripped over a curb while jogging in Kansas City, Texas Rangers play-by-play icon Eric Nadel found himself sidelined because of two tears in the retina of his right eye. Nadel had called 3,176 consecutive regular-season and 10 post-season games before undergoing laser surgery Thursday in New York. The last time Nadel wasn’t in the booth was June 2, 1989. It was the last of four games he missed because of the death of his father. Nadel started seeing black dots -- affectionately known as “floaters” -- in his right eye during Tuesday’s game between the Rangers and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. He called Wednesday’s Rangers-Yankees game with the eye taped shut because it was glazed over. Dickerson has not been cleared for road travel, so he’ll probably miss the Tigers’ current 11-game road trip.
MLB: Los Angeles Angels outfielder Bobby Abreu reached the 2,000-hit milestone Sunday at Comerica Park in Detroit. Of course. He likes the Tigers’ home diamond. You may recall that Abreu won the 2005 All-Star Game Home Run Derby at not-so-homer-friendly Comerica Park, setting records with 24 homers in a round and 41 homers total. Abreu played for the Philadelphia Phillies at the time. His historic hit Sunday was a first-inning double off Rick Porcello. Abreu, 35, loves doubles. He’s had 465 of them in his career, and 35 or more for 10 consecutive seasons. Abreu became the fifth Venezuelan-born player to reach the 2,000-hit mark. Who are the others? Luis Aparicio, Dave Conception, Andres Galarraga and Omar Visquel.
MEDIA: Here’s another sign of the times. ESPN The Magazine’s Web site (http://www.espnthemag.com/) no longer offers free content. It’s now a part of ESPN Insider, a premium service for ESPN.com users, which costs about $40 per year. ESPN The Magazine subscribers can access the Web site at no charge. The bi-weekly ESPN The Magazine began publishing March 11, 1998.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
Saturday, June 6, 2009
An early Father's Day gift for Rockies catcher
My morsels for today:
MLB: Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba had the scare of his life this week. Just days before Father’s Day, he found out that his 11-year-old son, brother-in-law and relative of the boy’s mother were kidnapped Tuesday morning as they were on their way to the boy’s school in Venezuela. The kidnappers demanded $466,000 in ransom, but it was never paid and the three victims were released Wednesday night alongside a highway outside Caracas after police closed in on the criminals. Six suspects are being sought. Torrealba has left the Rockies and been placed on the restricted list. Family members of wealthy athletes in many Central American and South American countries have been targeted by kidnappers. Thank God this story had a happy ending.
NBA: Here’s another dose of reality for the sports world, courtesy of Orlando Magic guard Mickael Pietrus. The man nicknamed “Air France” because of his home country and style of play is wearing AF447 on his sneakers during the NBA Finals. That’s in memory of the 228 passengers and crew members on Air France Flight 447 who lost their lives Sunday when their flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashed into the Atlantic Ocean after running into huge thunderstorms. Classy idea, Mickael.
PGA: And now for some news that has me scratching my head. A week before John Daly comes off his six-month suspension imposed by the PGA, he was signed to a multi-year endorsement deal by All Sport. Daly will wear the Austin, Texas-based sports drink company’s Big Red brand on his collar and golf bag. Daly is scheduled to return to play June 11 in the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, tenn. You may recall that Daly was suspended following a series of off-the-course incidents, including being forced to stay overnight in a North Carolina jail so he could sober up. It would be great if Daly would get his act together. He would add life to the PGA Tour while Tiger Woods slowly recovers from knee surgery and give the Tour another marquee player. And I applaud All Sport for giving the guy a break. But Daly’s track record of staying out of trouble stinks. It would have been more prudent for All Sport to see if Daly could control himself before throwing money at him.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
MLB: Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba had the scare of his life this week. Just days before Father’s Day, he found out that his 11-year-old son, brother-in-law and relative of the boy’s mother were kidnapped Tuesday morning as they were on their way to the boy’s school in Venezuela. The kidnappers demanded $466,000 in ransom, but it was never paid and the three victims were released Wednesday night alongside a highway outside Caracas after police closed in on the criminals. Six suspects are being sought. Torrealba has left the Rockies and been placed on the restricted list. Family members of wealthy athletes in many Central American and South American countries have been targeted by kidnappers. Thank God this story had a happy ending.
NBA: Here’s another dose of reality for the sports world, courtesy of Orlando Magic guard Mickael Pietrus. The man nicknamed “Air France” because of his home country and style of play is wearing AF447 on his sneakers during the NBA Finals. That’s in memory of the 228 passengers and crew members on Air France Flight 447 who lost their lives Sunday when their flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashed into the Atlantic Ocean after running into huge thunderstorms. Classy idea, Mickael.
PGA: And now for some news that has me scratching my head. A week before John Daly comes off his six-month suspension imposed by the PGA, he was signed to a multi-year endorsement deal by All Sport. Daly will wear the Austin, Texas-based sports drink company’s Big Red brand on his collar and golf bag. Daly is scheduled to return to play June 11 in the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, tenn. You may recall that Daly was suspended following a series of off-the-course incidents, including being forced to stay overnight in a North Carolina jail so he could sober up. It would be great if Daly would get his act together. He would add life to the PGA Tour while Tiger Woods slowly recovers from knee surgery and give the Tour another marquee player. And I applaud All Sport for giving the guy a break. But Daly’s track record of staying out of trouble stinks. It would have been more prudent for All Sport to see if Daly could control himself before throwing money at him.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Video coordinator feels Avs' axe
My morsels for today:
NHL: OK, I can understand the Colorado Avalanche firing Coach Tony Granato, two assistant coaches, the goaltending coach and the assistant to the general manager Wednesday. A perennial Stanley Cup contender since moving from Quebec in 1995, the Avalanche finished dead last in the Western Conference this season. Why also fire video coordinator P.J. DeLuca? Talk about killing the messenger! DeLuca came to the Avalanche in 2008 from the Denver University hockey team, where he was a volunteer assistant coach.
MLB: Jorge Julio had a bad day at the office Monday. It was so bad that the Milwaukee Brewers gave the relief pitcher his walking papers the next day. Julio took a 4-2 lead into the sixth inning of a game against the Florida Marlins. He allowed five runs and the Marlins went on to a 7-4 victory. Julio did not retire any of the six batters he faced. He walked one, hit two, and gave up two hits. A Prince Fielder error allowed the other hitter to reach base. The Brewers sent Julio packing with a 1-1 record, 7.79 ERA, 15 hits allowed, 15 walks and four hit batters in 17 1/3 innings. It’s been quite a freefall for Julio since he finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting in 2002 when he was with the Baltimore Orioles. He had a 5-6 record with a 1.99 ERA, 25 saves and 55 strikeouts in 68 innings that season. Julio’s stay in Baltimore ended in 2005. Since then, he’s pitched for the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, Marlins, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves and Brewers. He signed a one-year, $950,000 deal with the Brewers during the off-season. OK, trivia buffs … name the 2002 AL Rookie of the Year. Kudos if you know the answer to this question. It was Eric Hinske of the Toronto Blue Jays, now an outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hinske played for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. He hit a pinch-hit home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the World Series but he also made the final out of the series, fanning against Brad Lidge.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NHL: OK, I can understand the Colorado Avalanche firing Coach Tony Granato, two assistant coaches, the goaltending coach and the assistant to the general manager Wednesday. A perennial Stanley Cup contender since moving from Quebec in 1995, the Avalanche finished dead last in the Western Conference this season. Why also fire video coordinator P.J. DeLuca? Talk about killing the messenger! DeLuca came to the Avalanche in 2008 from the Denver University hockey team, where he was a volunteer assistant coach.
MLB: Jorge Julio had a bad day at the office Monday. It was so bad that the Milwaukee Brewers gave the relief pitcher his walking papers the next day. Julio took a 4-2 lead into the sixth inning of a game against the Florida Marlins. He allowed five runs and the Marlins went on to a 7-4 victory. Julio did not retire any of the six batters he faced. He walked one, hit two, and gave up two hits. A Prince Fielder error allowed the other hitter to reach base. The Brewers sent Julio packing with a 1-1 record, 7.79 ERA, 15 hits allowed, 15 walks and four hit batters in 17 1/3 innings. It’s been quite a freefall for Julio since he finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting in 2002 when he was with the Baltimore Orioles. He had a 5-6 record with a 1.99 ERA, 25 saves and 55 strikeouts in 68 innings that season. Julio’s stay in Baltimore ended in 2005. Since then, he’s pitched for the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, Marlins, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves and Brewers. He signed a one-year, $950,000 deal with the Brewers during the off-season. OK, trivia buffs … name the 2002 AL Rookie of the Year. Kudos if you know the answer to this question. It was Eric Hinske of the Toronto Blue Jays, now an outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hinske played for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. He hit a pinch-hit home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the World Series but he also made the final out of the series, fanning against Brad Lidge.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Aces trump Palin in Anchorage
My morsels for today:
HOCKEY: What’s the hottest thing in Anchorage, Alaska these days? No, it’s not Gov. Sarah Palin. But close. It does involve hockey. The Anchorage Aces of the East Coast Hockey League (yes, the EAST COAST Hockey League) are battling the South Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL Kelly Cup finals. Down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, the Aces have sold out Sullivan Arena in Anchorage on Thursday night for Game 6. After the Aces beat the Stingrays 3-2 in overtime Saturday night in North Charleston, S.C., the remaining 4,600 or so tickets for Thursday’s game were sold in less than 40 hours. An announced crowd of 6,596, the largest for a hockey game since Sullivan Arena opened in 1983, will watch Game 6. The total includes 145 extra seats added for the playoffs and the usual 200 standing-room spots. Brendan Desjardin, the Aces’ director of ticket sales and merchandise, told the Anchorage Daily News that 9,000 or 10,000 tickets could have been sold if the arena had that much capacity. The Aces are averaging an ECHL-best 5,430 in playoff attendance. The team sold out Game 1 and Game 2 of the finals, with crowds of 6,482 and 6,396 on hand. If Alaska wins Thursday, Game 7 will be played Friday night at Sullivan Arena. Game time Thursday is 7:15 p.m. in Anchorage, 11:15 p.m. EDT. KFQD AM-750 radio will have the broadcast. Want to listen? Go to the radio station’s Web site and sign up for streaming audio.
MLB: Two first basemen are flying under the radar in the National League West Division. After an injury-plagued 2008 in which he hit .264, his lowest average since he batted .280 in 35 games in his rookie season in 1997, Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies is a tough out once again. He had 33 hits in May, the most for him in a month since he banged out 41 hits in September 2007. He’s now batting .312 with seven homers and 34 RBI. Can you guess the major leagues’ home run leader? That would be Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres. He’s belted 22, including 15 on the road! The Padres’ PETCO Park isn’t homer-friendly, so it will be interesting to see if Gonzalez can stay ahead of the pack.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
HOCKEY: What’s the hottest thing in Anchorage, Alaska these days? No, it’s not Gov. Sarah Palin. But close. It does involve hockey. The Anchorage Aces of the East Coast Hockey League (yes, the EAST COAST Hockey League) are battling the South Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL Kelly Cup finals. Down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, the Aces have sold out Sullivan Arena in Anchorage on Thursday night for Game 6. After the Aces beat the Stingrays 3-2 in overtime Saturday night in North Charleston, S.C., the remaining 4,600 or so tickets for Thursday’s game were sold in less than 40 hours. An announced crowd of 6,596, the largest for a hockey game since Sullivan Arena opened in 1983, will watch Game 6. The total includes 145 extra seats added for the playoffs and the usual 200 standing-room spots. Brendan Desjardin, the Aces’ director of ticket sales and merchandise, told the Anchorage Daily News that 9,000 or 10,000 tickets could have been sold if the arena had that much capacity. The Aces are averaging an ECHL-best 5,430 in playoff attendance. The team sold out Game 1 and Game 2 of the finals, with crowds of 6,482 and 6,396 on hand. If Alaska wins Thursday, Game 7 will be played Friday night at Sullivan Arena. Game time Thursday is 7:15 p.m. in Anchorage, 11:15 p.m. EDT. KFQD AM-750 radio will have the broadcast. Want to listen? Go to the radio station’s Web site and sign up for streaming audio.
MLB: Two first basemen are flying under the radar in the National League West Division. After an injury-plagued 2008 in which he hit .264, his lowest average since he batted .280 in 35 games in his rookie season in 1997, Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies is a tough out once again. He had 33 hits in May, the most for him in a month since he banged out 41 hits in September 2007. He’s now batting .312 with seven homers and 34 RBI. Can you guess the major leagues’ home run leader? That would be Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres. He’s belted 22, including 15 on the road! The Padres’ PETCO Park isn’t homer-friendly, so it will be interesting to see if Gonzalez can stay ahead of the pack.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
Monday, June 1, 2009
Final bell for Big Ben Wallace?
My morsels for today:
NBA: It was sad but not surprising to hear that Cleveland Cavaliers forward Ben Wallace is contemplating retirement after a 14-year career. Sad because Wallace will forever be known as one of the most tenacious rebounders and shot blockers the NBA has ever seen. He’s a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Big Ben has no offensive skills and is one of the league’s worst free throw shooters of all time, but he’s loved by fans because of his work on the defensive end. No fans love Wallace more than Detroit Pistons fans, who cheered his every move for six seasons. He was a big reason why the Pistons won the 2004 NBA championship. It appeared that Wallace’s playing days were nearing an end when the Chicago Bulls signed him to an astounding four-year, $60 million contract before the 2006-07 season. One year and $14 million remains in that contract. Wallace was nearly a non-entity with the Bulls, who traded him to the Cavaliers in the middle of the 2007-08 season. Wallace, 34, said injuries (he suffered a broken leg and had tendonitis in his knee this season), declining playing time and production (he played in only 56 games and averaged 2.9 points and 6.5 rebounds this season) and a loss of passion for the game have him thinking about retirement. Ben Wallace without a passion for basketball? That was unthinkable at one time. If it’s time to hang up the sneakers, Ben, I salute you and thank you for playing basketball the way it is supposed to be played.
MLB: Kudos to Minnesota Twins players, coaches and front-office personnel for making a donation to a cancer charity in honor of the mother of outfielder Delmon Young. Bonnie Young died May 18 of pancreatic cancer. The Twins’ donation went to the Lazarex Cancer Foundation in Danville, Calif., near Young’s home in Camarillo, Calif. Young was told about the donation in a closed team meeting before a game last week against the Boston Red Sox at the Metrodome.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NBA: It was sad but not surprising to hear that Cleveland Cavaliers forward Ben Wallace is contemplating retirement after a 14-year career. Sad because Wallace will forever be known as one of the most tenacious rebounders and shot blockers the NBA has ever seen. He’s a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Big Ben has no offensive skills and is one of the league’s worst free throw shooters of all time, but he’s loved by fans because of his work on the defensive end. No fans love Wallace more than Detroit Pistons fans, who cheered his every move for six seasons. He was a big reason why the Pistons won the 2004 NBA championship. It appeared that Wallace’s playing days were nearing an end when the Chicago Bulls signed him to an astounding four-year, $60 million contract before the 2006-07 season. One year and $14 million remains in that contract. Wallace was nearly a non-entity with the Bulls, who traded him to the Cavaliers in the middle of the 2007-08 season. Wallace, 34, said injuries (he suffered a broken leg and had tendonitis in his knee this season), declining playing time and production (he played in only 56 games and averaged 2.9 points and 6.5 rebounds this season) and a loss of passion for the game have him thinking about retirement. Ben Wallace without a passion for basketball? That was unthinkable at one time. If it’s time to hang up the sneakers, Ben, I salute you and thank you for playing basketball the way it is supposed to be played.
MLB: Kudos to Minnesota Twins players, coaches and front-office personnel for making a donation to a cancer charity in honor of the mother of outfielder Delmon Young. Bonnie Young died May 18 of pancreatic cancer. The Twins’ donation went to the Lazarex Cancer Foundation in Danville, Calif., near Young’s home in Camarillo, Calif. Young was told about the donation in a closed team meeting before a game last week against the Boston Red Sox at the Metrodome.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Sunday, May 31, 2009
SI columnist drops ball once again
My morsels for today:
MEDIA: Sports Illustrated columnist Selena Roberts is in the crosshairs of a collegiate controversy once again. After crucifying the Duke University lacrosse players before they were acquitted of sexual assault charges and never backing off from her accusations, she now has taken aim at Indiana State University. In a column last week, Roberts ripped the school for cutting its successful men’s and women’s tennis programs (five conference championships between them since 1999) while sparing its crappy football program (1-44 record since 2005). Problem is, Roberts never spoke with Indiana State Athletic Director Ron Pettyman to get his side of the story! In a story written by Terre Haute Tribune-Star reporter Mark Bennett, Pettyman said cutting tennis saves the university $350,000 per year, not an average of $15,000 per year as Roberts reported. Pettyman also said cutting football would have decimated the school’s marching band and athletic training programs, and been a much larger cut than his department was requested to make. All Indiana State departments were required to cut their budget by the same percentage for 2009-11. I can understand Roberts’ indignation about Indiana State’s decision and her premise that many universities take aim only at non-revenue producing sports when cuts have to be made. But her column on Indiana State would have had much more credibility had she -- or anyone from Sports Illustrated for that matter -- talked to the guy who made the decision.
NHL: I’m asked the question just about every time it happens. Why do Detroit Red Wings fans throw octopi on the ice during the Stanley Cup playoffs? The answer is simple. It’s a tradition that dates to the 1950’s, when it took eight victories to win the Stanley Cup. An octopus has eight tentacles. What’s difficult to explain to a non-Detroiter is the octopus-mania that descends on Superior Fish Co. of Royal Oak, Mich., each time the Red Wings make the Stanley Cup finals. Superior Fish hosts an octopus tasting party with samples of octopus chili, salad and spread and barbecue octopus, and it sells an “octopus throwing kit” that fans can take with them to games. It also offers shipping of octopus to anywhere in the country. That’s no fish story.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
MEDIA: Sports Illustrated columnist Selena Roberts is in the crosshairs of a collegiate controversy once again. After crucifying the Duke University lacrosse players before they were acquitted of sexual assault charges and never backing off from her accusations, she now has taken aim at Indiana State University. In a column last week, Roberts ripped the school for cutting its successful men’s and women’s tennis programs (five conference championships between them since 1999) while sparing its crappy football program (1-44 record since 2005). Problem is, Roberts never spoke with Indiana State Athletic Director Ron Pettyman to get his side of the story! In a story written by Terre Haute Tribune-Star reporter Mark Bennett, Pettyman said cutting tennis saves the university $350,000 per year, not an average of $15,000 per year as Roberts reported. Pettyman also said cutting football would have decimated the school’s marching band and athletic training programs, and been a much larger cut than his department was requested to make. All Indiana State departments were required to cut their budget by the same percentage for 2009-11. I can understand Roberts’ indignation about Indiana State’s decision and her premise that many universities take aim only at non-revenue producing sports when cuts have to be made. But her column on Indiana State would have had much more credibility had she -- or anyone from Sports Illustrated for that matter -- talked to the guy who made the decision.
NHL: I’m asked the question just about every time it happens. Why do Detroit Red Wings fans throw octopi on the ice during the Stanley Cup playoffs? The answer is simple. It’s a tradition that dates to the 1950’s, when it took eight victories to win the Stanley Cup. An octopus has eight tentacles. What’s difficult to explain to a non-Detroiter is the octopus-mania that descends on Superior Fish Co. of Royal Oak, Mich., each time the Red Wings make the Stanley Cup finals. Superior Fish hosts an octopus tasting party with samples of octopus chili, salad and spread and barbecue octopus, and it sells an “octopus throwing kit” that fans can take with them to games. It also offers shipping of octopus to anywhere in the country. That’s no fish story.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
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