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/
Friday, May 29, 2009
Bottom line: Conan is more important than Lord Stanley
My morsels for today:
NHL: All the hand-ringing and teeth-mashing over the decision made by the NHL and NBC to schedule the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals on back-to-back nights really isn’t necessary. Even though these will be the first back-to-back finals games since 1954, the NHL isn’t high on NBC’s priority list and everyone should understand that and deal with it. Scheduling Game 1 and Game 2 between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and Sunday nights in Detroit means the games won’t interfere with NBC’s weeknight prime time schedule next week and the first week that Conan O’Brien hosts the “Tonight Show.” Versus will carry Game 3 and Game 4 on Tuesday and Thursday nights from Pittsburgh. By the way … I’m switching back to David Letterman for my late night viewing. How about you?
MEDIA: I’ve collected hundreds of professional and college team media guides in my 30-plus years in the sports writing business. Why have I saved them? Good question. I haven’t looked at the majority of the guides for years. Now I finally may have a good reason for not throwing out the guides. The University of Michigan and Ohio State University athletic departments announced Thursday that they won’t print team media guides any more. The key word is “print.” The guides will still be on-line. The decision is understandable, given the economic climate. The two schools estimate they’ll each save about $250,000 per year. If more pro teams and colleges follow suit, will my media guides become collector’s items? Have my pack rat ways finally paid dividends? I don’t think my North American Soccer League guides will bring much in the open market, but how about my guides for dozens of Super Bowl, World Series, NBA and Stanley Cup champions? Intriguing question.
MLB: Here’s an update on Detroit Tigers radio play-by-play announcer Dan Dickerson, who was injured while jogging outside the team hotel earlier this week in Kansas City. He flew home to Detroit to have surgery on a ruptured tendon in his left quadriceps muscle and is expected back on the booth for the Tigers’ game Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Detroit manager Jim Leyland talked about sending Dickerson to Triple-A Toledo for a rehab assignment, but it looks like Dickerson is headed straight back to the big leagues.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NHL: All the hand-ringing and teeth-mashing over the decision made by the NHL and NBC to schedule the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals on back-to-back nights really isn’t necessary. Even though these will be the first back-to-back finals games since 1954, the NHL isn’t high on NBC’s priority list and everyone should understand that and deal with it. Scheduling Game 1 and Game 2 between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and Sunday nights in Detroit means the games won’t interfere with NBC’s weeknight prime time schedule next week and the first week that Conan O’Brien hosts the “Tonight Show.” Versus will carry Game 3 and Game 4 on Tuesday and Thursday nights from Pittsburgh. By the way … I’m switching back to David Letterman for my late night viewing. How about you?
MEDIA: I’ve collected hundreds of professional and college team media guides in my 30-plus years in the sports writing business. Why have I saved them? Good question. I haven’t looked at the majority of the guides for years. Now I finally may have a good reason for not throwing out the guides. The University of Michigan and Ohio State University athletic departments announced Thursday that they won’t print team media guides any more. The key word is “print.” The guides will still be on-line. The decision is understandable, given the economic climate. The two schools estimate they’ll each save about $250,000 per year. If more pro teams and colleges follow suit, will my media guides become collector’s items? Have my pack rat ways finally paid dividends? I don’t think my North American Soccer League guides will bring much in the open market, but how about my guides for dozens of Super Bowl, World Series, NBA and Stanley Cup champions? Intriguing question.
MLB: Here’s an update on Detroit Tigers radio play-by-play announcer Dan Dickerson, who was injured while jogging outside the team hotel earlier this week in Kansas City. He flew home to Detroit to have surgery on a ruptured tendon in his left quadriceps muscle and is expected back on the booth for the Tigers’ game Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Detroit manager Jim Leyland talked about sending Dickerson to Triple-A Toledo for a rehab assignment, but it looks like Dickerson is headed straight back to the big leagues.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Final journey for much-traveled NHL player
My morsels for today:
NHL: One of my favorite NHL players died Tuesday at age 44. Peter Zezel, who played for seven teams in 15 seasons before retiring in 1999, passed away in Toronto from complications of the rare hemolytic anemia blood disorder. He’d been fighting the disorder for 10 years, surviving a scare in 2001 when he was listed in critical condition. Zezel was a gritty player who could put the puck in the net. He scored 219 goals and had 389 assists in 873 NHL games with Philadelphia, St. Louis, Washington, Toronto, Dallas, New Jersey and Vancouver. What I most remember about Zezel is the way he used his soccer skills on faceoffs. He often kicked the puck away from the other guy in the faceoff circle. Zezel was an excellent soccer player who was a member of Canada’s U21 team. Movie buffs may remember that Zezel had a small role in the 1986 hockey-themed flick “Youngblood” that starred Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze. Please check out the Zezel video below.
AUTOS: Somehow, the famed Indianapolis 500 has become an afterthought on the country’s sports radar. Only 3.9 percent of U.S. households watched Sunday’s race, the lowest number since live national start-to-finish television coverage began in 1986. Ratings were down 13 percent from last year and 40 percent since 2005, when Danica Patrick-mania began. Most casual sports fans know Helio Castroneves, this year’s race winner, more from “Dancing with the Stars” and his tax evasion trial than Indy racing.
MLB: Who needs Manny Ramirez when you have Juan Pierre? In the 19 games that Pierre has started in leftfield for the Los Angeles Dodgers since Ramirez was handed a 50-game suspension, he’s hitting .421. That’s a 35-for-83 tear. Pierre is batting .404 for the season.
NFL: With June knocking at the door, NFL fans know the exhibition season isn’t that far away. Buffalo and Tennessee will get things started with the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, Aug. 9 (8 p.m., EDT on NBC). The Bills and Titans will wear throwback uniforms to their AFL days because the NFL is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its merger with the AFL this season. Buffalo and Tennessee (the Houston Oilers from 1960-96) are two of the AFL’s original eight teams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPtfYWRI-8Q
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NHL: One of my favorite NHL players died Tuesday at age 44. Peter Zezel, who played for seven teams in 15 seasons before retiring in 1999, passed away in Toronto from complications of the rare hemolytic anemia blood disorder. He’d been fighting the disorder for 10 years, surviving a scare in 2001 when he was listed in critical condition. Zezel was a gritty player who could put the puck in the net. He scored 219 goals and had 389 assists in 873 NHL games with Philadelphia, St. Louis, Washington, Toronto, Dallas, New Jersey and Vancouver. What I most remember about Zezel is the way he used his soccer skills on faceoffs. He often kicked the puck away from the other guy in the faceoff circle. Zezel was an excellent soccer player who was a member of Canada’s U21 team. Movie buffs may remember that Zezel had a small role in the 1986 hockey-themed flick “Youngblood” that starred Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze. Please check out the Zezel video below.
AUTOS: Somehow, the famed Indianapolis 500 has become an afterthought on the country’s sports radar. Only 3.9 percent of U.S. households watched Sunday’s race, the lowest number since live national start-to-finish television coverage began in 1986. Ratings were down 13 percent from last year and 40 percent since 2005, when Danica Patrick-mania began. Most casual sports fans know Helio Castroneves, this year’s race winner, more from “Dancing with the Stars” and his tax evasion trial than Indy racing.
MLB: Who needs Manny Ramirez when you have Juan Pierre? In the 19 games that Pierre has started in leftfield for the Los Angeles Dodgers since Ramirez was handed a 50-game suspension, he’s hitting .421. That’s a 35-for-83 tear. Pierre is batting .404 for the season.
NFL: With June knocking at the door, NFL fans know the exhibition season isn’t that far away. Buffalo and Tennessee will get things started with the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, Aug. 9 (8 p.m., EDT on NBC). The Bills and Titans will wear throwback uniforms to their AFL days because the NFL is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its merger with the AFL this season. Buffalo and Tennessee (the Houston Oilers from 1960-96) are two of the AFL’s original eight teams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPtfYWRI-8Q
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Walking, jogging can be dangerous
My morsels for today:
MLB: Baseball is renowned for its weird injuries, and now there are two more to report. Minnesota Twins centerfielder Carlos Gomez needed two stitches to close a cut in his eyebrow Monday after he ran into a revolving door while entering the Metrodome before a game against the Boston Red Sox. It seems someone squeezed into Gomez’s space in the door instead of waiting for the next one and the door stopped abruptly. Gomez ran into it and cut his head. It’s been that kind of season for Gomez, who is way better than his .225 batting average, no home runs and two RBI would indicate. The other bizarre injury was suffered by Detroit Tigers radio play-by-play announcer Dan Dickerson. He fell Tuesday while jogging outside the Tigers’ hotel in Kansas City and hurt his left leg so badly that he’ll need surgery back in Detroit. Dickerson is expected to be sidelined at least through the Tigers’ weekend series in Baltimore. The Detroit native replaced the legendary Ernie Harwell in the Tigers’ radio booth after Harwell retired following the 2002 season. Fox Sports Network television host and anchor John Keating is replacing Dickerson while he recuperates.
MLB: Remember the batting tear that Jason Giambi went on last season for the New York Yankees after he grew that horrific porn mustache? Giambi has taken a different hairy approach this year with the Oakland A’s, and it appears to be working. After darkening his goatee, he hit his 400th and 401st career homers last weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He followed that up Tuesday night by smacking a two-run single that capped a four-run seventh inning rally and gave the A’s a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Giambi, who is hitting .221, became the 44th player to hit 400 homers. Arizona pitcher Dan Haren was the victim.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
MLB: Baseball is renowned for its weird injuries, and now there are two more to report. Minnesota Twins centerfielder Carlos Gomez needed two stitches to close a cut in his eyebrow Monday after he ran into a revolving door while entering the Metrodome before a game against the Boston Red Sox. It seems someone squeezed into Gomez’s space in the door instead of waiting for the next one and the door stopped abruptly. Gomez ran into it and cut his head. It’s been that kind of season for Gomez, who is way better than his .225 batting average, no home runs and two RBI would indicate. The other bizarre injury was suffered by Detroit Tigers radio play-by-play announcer Dan Dickerson. He fell Tuesday while jogging outside the Tigers’ hotel in Kansas City and hurt his left leg so badly that he’ll need surgery back in Detroit. Dickerson is expected to be sidelined at least through the Tigers’ weekend series in Baltimore. The Detroit native replaced the legendary Ernie Harwell in the Tigers’ radio booth after Harwell retired following the 2002 season. Fox Sports Network television host and anchor John Keating is replacing Dickerson while he recuperates.
MLB: Remember the batting tear that Jason Giambi went on last season for the New York Yankees after he grew that horrific porn mustache? Giambi has taken a different hairy approach this year with the Oakland A’s, and it appears to be working. After darkening his goatee, he hit his 400th and 401st career homers last weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He followed that up Tuesday night by smacking a two-run single that capped a four-run seventh inning rally and gave the A’s a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Giambi, who is hitting .221, became the 44th player to hit 400 homers. Arizona pitcher Dan Haren was the victim.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Holiday is a bad one for pitchers
My morsels for today:
MLB: It appears several pitchers took the day off Memorial Day. Teams scored in double figures in six games, including the Cleveland Indians’ 11-10 win over the Tampa Bay Rays that featured an amazing comeback from a 10-0 deficit. The Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 17-3, the Los Angeles Dodgers bombed the Colorado Rockies 16-6, the Detroit Tigers crushed the Kansas City Royals 13-1, the Pittsburgh Pirates slipped past the Chicago Cubs 10-8, and the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 11-1. … Cubs fans repeatedly booed their team during the loss to the Pirates at Wrigley Field. It was the eighth straight defeat for the Cubs, who scored only five runs on a six-game road trip that ended Sunday. Chicago’s Ted Lilly had a bad night even though he didn’t pitch. He was ejected from the game in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes from the dugout. Pittsburgh’s Freddy Sanchez had a great night. He banged out six hits, scored four runs, and drove in three. … Kansas City phenom Zack Greinke (7-1, 0.82 ERA) returns to the mound tonight to face the Tigers, who will counter with Edwin Jackson (4-2, 2.55). There should be some better pitching in this game.
WWE: As expected, Vince McMahon made the most of his problems with Denver Nuggets/Pepsi Center owner Stan Kroenke on Monday Night Raw. The wrestling show was supposed to be held at the Pepsi Center, but Kroenke gave McMahon the boot when Game 4 of the Western Conference finals between the Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers was scheduled for Memorial Day night in Denver. McMahon moved Raw to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, home of the Lakers. A phony Kroenke was pushed out of the ring by McMahon, and five wrestlers dressed in Lakers attire beat five guys dressed in Nuggets uniforms. Of course. I don’t imagine there will be any WWE shows at the Pepsi Center in the near future.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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MLB: It appears several pitchers took the day off Memorial Day. Teams scored in double figures in six games, including the Cleveland Indians’ 11-10 win over the Tampa Bay Rays that featured an amazing comeback from a 10-0 deficit. The Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 17-3, the Los Angeles Dodgers bombed the Colorado Rockies 16-6, the Detroit Tigers crushed the Kansas City Royals 13-1, the Pittsburgh Pirates slipped past the Chicago Cubs 10-8, and the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 11-1. … Cubs fans repeatedly booed their team during the loss to the Pirates at Wrigley Field. It was the eighth straight defeat for the Cubs, who scored only five runs on a six-game road trip that ended Sunday. Chicago’s Ted Lilly had a bad night even though he didn’t pitch. He was ejected from the game in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes from the dugout. Pittsburgh’s Freddy Sanchez had a great night. He banged out six hits, scored four runs, and drove in three. … Kansas City phenom Zack Greinke (7-1, 0.82 ERA) returns to the mound tonight to face the Tigers, who will counter with Edwin Jackson (4-2, 2.55). There should be some better pitching in this game.
WWE: As expected, Vince McMahon made the most of his problems with Denver Nuggets/Pepsi Center owner Stan Kroenke on Monday Night Raw. The wrestling show was supposed to be held at the Pepsi Center, but Kroenke gave McMahon the boot when Game 4 of the Western Conference finals between the Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers was scheduled for Memorial Day night in Denver. McMahon moved Raw to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, home of the Lakers. A phony Kroenke was pushed out of the ring by McMahon, and five wrestlers dressed in Lakers attire beat five guys dressed in Nuggets uniforms. Of course. I don’t imagine there will be any WWE shows at the Pepsi Center in the near future.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
Does Lidstrom's streak top Ripken's feat?
My morsels for today:
NHL: A remarkable longevity streak ended Sunday. Perhaps even more remarkable than Cal Ripken Jr.’s feat of playing in 2,632 straight baseball games over 17 seasons. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom sat out the Red Wings’ 6-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks because of a lower-body injury. It was the first playoff game Lidstom missed in his illustrious career. The six-time Norris Trophy winner had played in 228 consecutive post-season games dating to 1992. I don’t think even the most passionate baseball fan can argue that baseball is more physically demanding game than hockey. And playoff hockey is especially brutal. Just ask Chicago’s Martin Havlat. Lidstrom’s feat of not missing a playoff game for nearly 17 seasons is mind-boggling. Lidstrom, who owns the Red Wings franchise record for post-season games played, may return for Game 5 on Wednesday night in Detroit.
MLB: The San Diego Padres put the finishing touches on the first 9-0 homestand in team history Sunday when they beat the suddenly punchless Chicago Cubs 7-2. The Padres swept the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants before victimizing the Cubs, who went 0-6 and scored just five runs on a road trip to St. Louis and San Diego. Chicago has dropped seven straight. … Even though the Detroit Tigers lost the final two games of their homestand, including a 3-1 setback Sunday to the Colorado Rockies, their 7-2 record was the best for a homestand of nine or more games since they went 8-1 from Sept. 1-10, 1989. Ironically, the Tigers were horrible that season. They finished 59-103. Among the more notable players on the roster were pitchers Doyle Alexander, Jack Morris and Frank Tanana, shortstop Alan Trammell, second baseman Lou Whitaker, and outfielders Fred Lynn and Chet Lemon. … Here’s a footnote: Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier didn’t start Sunday’s 10-7 loss to the Los Angeles Angels because of a cracked big toe nail. Ethier pinch hit in the seventh inning and took a called third strike.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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NHL: A remarkable longevity streak ended Sunday. Perhaps even more remarkable than Cal Ripken Jr.’s feat of playing in 2,632 straight baseball games over 17 seasons. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom sat out the Red Wings’ 6-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks because of a lower-body injury. It was the first playoff game Lidstom missed in his illustrious career. The six-time Norris Trophy winner had played in 228 consecutive post-season games dating to 1992. I don’t think even the most passionate baseball fan can argue that baseball is more physically demanding game than hockey. And playoff hockey is especially brutal. Just ask Chicago’s Martin Havlat. Lidstrom’s feat of not missing a playoff game for nearly 17 seasons is mind-boggling. Lidstrom, who owns the Red Wings franchise record for post-season games played, may return for Game 5 on Wednesday night in Detroit.
MLB: The San Diego Padres put the finishing touches on the first 9-0 homestand in team history Sunday when they beat the suddenly punchless Chicago Cubs 7-2. The Padres swept the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants before victimizing the Cubs, who went 0-6 and scored just five runs on a road trip to St. Louis and San Diego. Chicago has dropped seven straight. … Even though the Detroit Tigers lost the final two games of their homestand, including a 3-1 setback Sunday to the Colorado Rockies, their 7-2 record was the best for a homestand of nine or more games since they went 8-1 from Sept. 1-10, 1989. Ironically, the Tigers were horrible that season. They finished 59-103. Among the more notable players on the roster were pitchers Doyle Alexander, Jack Morris and Frank Tanana, shortstop Alan Trammell, second baseman Lou Whitaker, and outfielders Fred Lynn and Chet Lemon. … Here’s a footnote: Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier didn’t start Sunday’s 10-7 loss to the Los Angeles Angels because of a cracked big toe nail. Ethier pinch hit in the seventh inning and took a called third strike.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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Saturday, May 23, 2009
Eckersley utters the magic word
My morsels for today:
MLB: Who said a Boston-New York baseball rivalry has to be Red Sox vs. Yankees? Mets pitcher Johan Santana got all hot and bothered Friday night after he hit the Red Sox’ Kevin Youkilis on the arm and Youkilis yelled, “That hurts!” at him. Well, it wasn’t quite what Youkilis yelled. He added another word, which was repeated by Red Sox broadcaster Dennis Eckersley on the NESN telecast, according to TheBostonChannel.com. Santana and Youkilis exchanged words, then cooler heads prevailed. As for Eckersley, he quickly channeled Saturday Night Live’s Rosanne Roseannadanna and said, “Never mind.”
MLB: After allowing 20 runs Thursday to the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox pitchers haven’t given up a run. They shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 Friday night and 4-0 Saturday night. Clayton Richard, one of the guys who was supposed to be traded Thursday to the San Diego Padres for Jake Peavy, tossed six shutout innings Saturday and fanned eight. … St. Louis Cardinals pitchers also have rebounded from tough times. The Cardinals have won five in a row, outscoring their opponents 18-2. During the stretch, St. Louis starters have given up one run in 36 2/3 innings. While the Cardinals were being swept last weekend by the Milwaukee Brewers, their starters issued 23 walks in three games.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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MLB: Who said a Boston-New York baseball rivalry has to be Red Sox vs. Yankees? Mets pitcher Johan Santana got all hot and bothered Friday night after he hit the Red Sox’ Kevin Youkilis on the arm and Youkilis yelled, “That hurts!” at him. Well, it wasn’t quite what Youkilis yelled. He added another word, which was repeated by Red Sox broadcaster Dennis Eckersley on the NESN telecast, according to TheBostonChannel.com. Santana and Youkilis exchanged words, then cooler heads prevailed. As for Eckersley, he quickly channeled Saturday Night Live’s Rosanne Roseannadanna and said, “Never mind.”
MLB: After allowing 20 runs Thursday to the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox pitchers haven’t given up a run. They shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 Friday night and 4-0 Saturday night. Clayton Richard, one of the guys who was supposed to be traded Thursday to the San Diego Padres for Jake Peavy, tossed six shutout innings Saturday and fanned eight. … St. Louis Cardinals pitchers also have rebounded from tough times. The Cardinals have won five in a row, outscoring their opponents 18-2. During the stretch, St. Louis starters have given up one run in 36 2/3 innings. While the Cardinals were being swept last weekend by the Milwaukee Brewers, their starters issued 23 walks in three games.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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Friday, May 22, 2009
Roenick's remark is ridiculous
My morsels for today:
NHL: It appears Jeremy Roenick has been hit in the head with a puck too many times. The former Chicago Blackhawks star who now toils for the underachieving San Jose Sharks said Thursday on Chicago Comcast Sportsnet’s "Monsters in the Morning" TV show (a sophomoric version of ESPN’s "Mike and Mike in the Morning") that Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock isn’t playing Chris Chelios because Babcock dislikes American players, especially Chelios. Huh? Chelios, a former Roenick teammate with the Blackhawks, and Babcock immediately dismissed Roenick’s remarks, saying it’s important to consider the source. Roenick has been known to make off-the-wall statements. Chelios is a future Hall of Famer. It’s remarkable that he’s still playing in the NHL at age 47. But he’s on the downside of his career. The only reason he isn’t lacing up the skates in the Western Conference finals is the Red Wings have better defensemen. By the way, Brian Rafalski and Brett Lebda see plenty of ice time on defense for the Red Wings. They’re both Americans.
MLB: Did you know the Minnesota Twins are 42-13 in interleague play since 2006? The Twins were at it again Friday night, pummeling the Milwaukee Brewers 11-3 as Michael Cuddyer hit for the cycle. … Ricky Nolasco (2-5), a 15-game winner last year and the Florida Marlins opening day starter, has been sent to Triple-A New Orleans after giving up eight runs in two innings Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 15-2 loss. Nolasco’s ERA is 9.01. … Remember slugging first baseman John Mayberry? His son John Mayberry Jr. has been called up to the Philadelphia Phillies from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and may play this weekend against the New York Yankees.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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NHL: It appears Jeremy Roenick has been hit in the head with a puck too many times. The former Chicago Blackhawks star who now toils for the underachieving San Jose Sharks said Thursday on Chicago Comcast Sportsnet’s "Monsters in the Morning" TV show (a sophomoric version of ESPN’s "Mike and Mike in the Morning") that Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock isn’t playing Chris Chelios because Babcock dislikes American players, especially Chelios. Huh? Chelios, a former Roenick teammate with the Blackhawks, and Babcock immediately dismissed Roenick’s remarks, saying it’s important to consider the source. Roenick has been known to make off-the-wall statements. Chelios is a future Hall of Famer. It’s remarkable that he’s still playing in the NHL at age 47. But he’s on the downside of his career. The only reason he isn’t lacing up the skates in the Western Conference finals is the Red Wings have better defensemen. By the way, Brian Rafalski and Brett Lebda see plenty of ice time on defense for the Red Wings. They’re both Americans.
MLB: Did you know the Minnesota Twins are 42-13 in interleague play since 2006? The Twins were at it again Friday night, pummeling the Milwaukee Brewers 11-3 as Michael Cuddyer hit for the cycle. … Ricky Nolasco (2-5), a 15-game winner last year and the Florida Marlins opening day starter, has been sent to Triple-A New Orleans after giving up eight runs in two innings Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 15-2 loss. Nolasco’s ERA is 9.01. … Remember slugging first baseman John Mayberry? His son John Mayberry Jr. has been called up to the Philadelphia Phillies from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and may play this weekend against the New York Yankees.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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Thursday, May 21, 2009
Going to bat for interleague play
My morsels for today:
MLB: Interleague play returns this weekend, and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never understood why interleague play gets such a bad rap from media members. It adds life to a long, long season. There are some intriguing matchups this weekend, mostly natural rivalries -- Angels vs. Dodgers, Astros vs. Rangers, Indians vs. Reds, Nationals vs. Orioles, Marlins vs. Rays, Mets vs. Red Sox and Phillies vs. Yankees. Sure, Rockies vs. Tigers and Athletics vs. Diamondbacks won’t get much national buzz, but so what? Fans seem to like interleague play. Average attendance at interleague games last year was 35,587. Average attendance at league games was 32,173.
NFL: Do you really care who is in the announcing booth for Monday Night Football games? It isn’t a big deal for me, and I’ll bet most NFL fans share my view. The announcement earlier this week that Jon Gruden will replace Tony Kornheiser because of Kornheiser’s fear of flying barely flew onto my radar screen. Any combination of these reasons will make me watch a MNF game: Intriguing matchup, big name players, and crappy weather at the game. I love seeing guys who make millions fight through rain or snow or freeze their butts off. No announcer will impact MNF broadcasts more than Howard Cosell, who established an almost unreachable standard during his reign from 1970-83. You never knew what Cosell was going to say each week. That was a great reason to turn on a game, even if sub-.500 teams were playing. I’m sure Gruden will mesh nicely with the ultra-professional Mike Tirico and ultra-prepared Ron Jaworski in the MNF booth until he gets another coaching job and flees for the sidelines.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
MLB: Interleague play returns this weekend, and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never understood why interleague play gets such a bad rap from media members. It adds life to a long, long season. There are some intriguing matchups this weekend, mostly natural rivalries -- Angels vs. Dodgers, Astros vs. Rangers, Indians vs. Reds, Nationals vs. Orioles, Marlins vs. Rays, Mets vs. Red Sox and Phillies vs. Yankees. Sure, Rockies vs. Tigers and Athletics vs. Diamondbacks won’t get much national buzz, but so what? Fans seem to like interleague play. Average attendance at interleague games last year was 35,587. Average attendance at league games was 32,173.
NFL: Do you really care who is in the announcing booth for Monday Night Football games? It isn’t a big deal for me, and I’ll bet most NFL fans share my view. The announcement earlier this week that Jon Gruden will replace Tony Kornheiser because of Kornheiser’s fear of flying barely flew onto my radar screen. Any combination of these reasons will make me watch a MNF game: Intriguing matchup, big name players, and crappy weather at the game. I love seeing guys who make millions fight through rain or snow or freeze their butts off. No announcer will impact MNF broadcasts more than Howard Cosell, who established an almost unreachable standard during his reign from 1970-83. You never knew what Cosell was going to say each week. That was a great reason to turn on a game, even if sub-.500 teams were playing. I’m sure Gruden will mesh nicely with the ultra-professional Mike Tirico and ultra-prepared Ron Jaworski in the MNF booth until he gets another coaching job and flees for the sidelines.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
After 81 years, it's time for a new floor
My morsels for today:
CBB: Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota is appropriately and lovingly called, “The Barn.” It’s about as old school as you can get for a basketball arena. But the Barn is getting a facelift. The floor (that’s the original floor, circa 1928) has been dismantled and a new floor is being installed. Just like the old floor, the new floor is made of wood and will be raised from the benches. Cost of the project is $600,000, which is only $50,000 less than what it cost to build the arena. Pieces of the old floor are being sold to memorabilia collectors. While the original Barn floor was certainly historic, probably the most famous floor in a sports arena was the parquet basketball floor at the old Boston Garden. Like Williams Arena, the Garden also was built in 1928. The Garden closed in 1995 and the floor was used at the new FleetCenter until Dec. 22, 1999. Portions of the old floor are in the new parquet floor at the FleetCenter. The Garden was demolished in 1997. The site is now a parking lot.
MLB: Is there a hotter pitcher than the Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander? He has a 1.02 ERA in his last five starts with 52 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings. Verlander (4-2) won his fourth straight decision Wednesday night as the Tigers beat the Texas Rangers 5-3.
MLB: FoxSports Detroit had a great trivia question during its telecast of the Tigers-Rangers game Wednesday night. Here it is: Name the three players in major league history who have played shortstop at age 42. Turn away if you want to think about the question for a second. OK, here’s the answer: Luke Appling, Honus Wagner and Omar Visquel, who plays for the Rangers. New York Yankees great Derek Jeter will be 35 on June 26. Do you think he’ll become the fourth player on the list?
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
CBB: Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota is appropriately and lovingly called, “The Barn.” It’s about as old school as you can get for a basketball arena. But the Barn is getting a facelift. The floor (that’s the original floor, circa 1928) has been dismantled and a new floor is being installed. Just like the old floor, the new floor is made of wood and will be raised from the benches. Cost of the project is $600,000, which is only $50,000 less than what it cost to build the arena. Pieces of the old floor are being sold to memorabilia collectors. While the original Barn floor was certainly historic, probably the most famous floor in a sports arena was the parquet basketball floor at the old Boston Garden. Like Williams Arena, the Garden also was built in 1928. The Garden closed in 1995 and the floor was used at the new FleetCenter until Dec. 22, 1999. Portions of the old floor are in the new parquet floor at the FleetCenter. The Garden was demolished in 1997. The site is now a parking lot.
MLB: Is there a hotter pitcher than the Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander? He has a 1.02 ERA in his last five starts with 52 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings. Verlander (4-2) won his fourth straight decision Wednesday night as the Tigers beat the Texas Rangers 5-3.
MLB: FoxSports Detroit had a great trivia question during its telecast of the Tigers-Rangers game Wednesday night. Here it is: Name the three players in major league history who have played shortstop at age 42. Turn away if you want to think about the question for a second. OK, here’s the answer: Luke Appling, Honus Wagner and Omar Visquel, who plays for the Rangers. New York Yankees great Derek Jeter will be 35 on June 26. Do you think he’ll become the fourth player on the list?
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Linebacker sacked by cancer
My morsels for today:
CFB: Say a prayer for Boston College senior linebacker Mark Herzlich. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Butkus Award finalist is suffering from Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks bone or soft tissue and usually is found in male teens. The Boston Herald reported that Herzlich, 21, is undergoing treatment at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. After six weeks of chemotherapy, the Wayne, Pa., native will have surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his femur. Then he’ll undergo more chemotherapy. Herzlich turned down an opportunity to make himself eligible for the NFL draft last month so he could return to the Eagles for his senior season. Now it isn’t even certain that the 6-foot-4, 238-pounder will be back at school next fall.
NBA: The ugly tentacles of a sputtering economy have reached down to another professional sports franchise. The Miami Heat have reportedly laid off about 20 employees on the business side of the organization. Among those getting the ax, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, was Community Affairs Liaison Wali Jones, a 20-year employee who was principal of the Heat Academy, an academic after-school program. Jones played in the NBA for 10 years. He was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers’ 1967 championship team. Heat President Eric Woodworth told the Sun-Sentinel that the employees who lost their jobs will receive a severance package and be eligible for rehire.
MLB: Didn’t want to leave you depressed, so here’s something that might bring a smile to your face. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ otherwise nondescript 12-7 victory Monday night over the sad-sack Washington Nationals made history. For the first time in a major league game, both starting pitchers had the first name of Ross. The winner was Ross Ohlendorf. The loser was Ross Detwiler, who made his first major league start after being recalled earlier in the day from Double-A ball.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
CFB: Say a prayer for Boston College senior linebacker Mark Herzlich. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Butkus Award finalist is suffering from Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks bone or soft tissue and usually is found in male teens. The Boston Herald reported that Herzlich, 21, is undergoing treatment at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. After six weeks of chemotherapy, the Wayne, Pa., native will have surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his femur. Then he’ll undergo more chemotherapy. Herzlich turned down an opportunity to make himself eligible for the NFL draft last month so he could return to the Eagles for his senior season. Now it isn’t even certain that the 6-foot-4, 238-pounder will be back at school next fall.
NBA: The ugly tentacles of a sputtering economy have reached down to another professional sports franchise. The Miami Heat have reportedly laid off about 20 employees on the business side of the organization. Among those getting the ax, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, was Community Affairs Liaison Wali Jones, a 20-year employee who was principal of the Heat Academy, an academic after-school program. Jones played in the NBA for 10 years. He was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers’ 1967 championship team. Heat President Eric Woodworth told the Sun-Sentinel that the employees who lost their jobs will receive a severance package and be eligible for rehire.
MLB: Didn’t want to leave you depressed, so here’s something that might bring a smile to your face. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ otherwise nondescript 12-7 victory Monday night over the sad-sack Washington Nationals made history. For the first time in a major league game, both starting pitchers had the first name of Ross. The winner was Ross Ohlendorf. The loser was Ross Detwiler, who made his first major league start after being recalled earlier in the day from Double-A ball.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Lackey shouldn't have been tossed
My morsels for today:
MLB: A strange thing happened Saturday night in Arlington, Texas. Two pitches into his first start of the season, Los Angeles Angels pitcher John Lackey was given the boot by home plate umpire Bob Davidson. Lackey missed the first six weeks of the season because of inflammation in his right elbow. When he finally took to the mound against the Texas Rangers, his first pitch flew behind leadoff batter Ian Kinsler’s head. Lackey’s second pitch plunked Kinsler in the ribs. Davidson, knowing that Kinsler had hit two homers the previous night against the Angels, tossed Lackey without giving him a warning. Crew chief Tim Tschida agreed with Davidson’s decision, saying the second pitch was the clincher. Lackey and Angels manager Mike Scioscia argued that Lackey was rusty, and just trying to come inside on Kinsler. I have to take the Angels’ side on this one. With a tired bullpen and Lackey eager to make his first start of 2009, I seriously doubt Lackey would risk getting tossed by throwing at Kinsler. It just doesn’t make sense.
MLB: There was another strange sight at a first start of the season Saturday night, although it wasn’t at a major league stadium. It was at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, Mich., outside Grand Rapids. Dressed in a camouflage uniform because it was Armed Forces Night, Detroit Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman made his first rehabilitation start outside of extended spring training. He was the winning pitcher for the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps in their 13-6 victory over the Great Lakes Loons in a Midwest League game. A packed house of 10,023 watched the game. Here’s some good news for Tigers fans: Bonderman was sharp in his seven-inning outing. He allowed two runs and six hits (five singles and a double), walked one and fanned four. Of his 94 pitches, 64 were strikes. Bonderman’s 2008 season ended about a year ago because of a circulation problem in his shoulder. He underwent surgery in June.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
MLB: A strange thing happened Saturday night in Arlington, Texas. Two pitches into his first start of the season, Los Angeles Angels pitcher John Lackey was given the boot by home plate umpire Bob Davidson. Lackey missed the first six weeks of the season because of inflammation in his right elbow. When he finally took to the mound against the Texas Rangers, his first pitch flew behind leadoff batter Ian Kinsler’s head. Lackey’s second pitch plunked Kinsler in the ribs. Davidson, knowing that Kinsler had hit two homers the previous night against the Angels, tossed Lackey without giving him a warning. Crew chief Tim Tschida agreed with Davidson’s decision, saying the second pitch was the clincher. Lackey and Angels manager Mike Scioscia argued that Lackey was rusty, and just trying to come inside on Kinsler. I have to take the Angels’ side on this one. With a tired bullpen and Lackey eager to make his first start of 2009, I seriously doubt Lackey would risk getting tossed by throwing at Kinsler. It just doesn’t make sense.
MLB: There was another strange sight at a first start of the season Saturday night, although it wasn’t at a major league stadium. It was at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, Mich., outside Grand Rapids. Dressed in a camouflage uniform because it was Armed Forces Night, Detroit Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman made his first rehabilitation start outside of extended spring training. He was the winning pitcher for the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps in their 13-6 victory over the Great Lakes Loons in a Midwest League game. A packed house of 10,023 watched the game. Here’s some good news for Tigers fans: Bonderman was sharp in his seven-inning outing. He allowed two runs and six hits (five singles and a double), walked one and fanned four. Of his 94 pitches, 64 were strikes. Bonderman’s 2008 season ended about a year ago because of a circulation problem in his shoulder. He underwent surgery in June.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Hall of Famer charged with DUI
My morsels for today:
NFL: All-time sacks leader Bruce Smith has been sacked by police in his hometown of Virginia Beach, Va. Smith, 45, was arrested for drunken driving early Friday morning after being stopped for speeding. He was released on bond. Before you feel sorry for the former Buffalo Bills star, you need to know that this is his third arrest for DUI. Charges were dismissed in 1997, and he was acquitted in 2003. Smith was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame earlier this year. Looks like he has some work to do to be a Hall of Famer off the field, as well.
MLB: Ryan Raburn and Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers each hit a grand slam home run Friday night in the Tigers’ 14-1 rout of the Oakland Athletics. Hitting two slams in a game hasn’t happened very often in the Tigers’ 109-year history. In fact, this was only the third time. Al Kaline and Ray Boone each hit a grand slam on June 11, 1954 (a little more than two months after I was born) and Jim Northrup hit two himself June 24, 1968.
MLB: What do you think was the most impressive accomplishment last night: The Tigers’ two grand slams, Tampa Bay rallying from a 7-0 fourth-inning deficit to beat the Cleveland Indians 8-7, or Kansas City Royals pitching phenom Zach Greinke beating the Baltimore Orioles 8-1 for his seventh victory? Even though he allowed only one run and four hits in eight innings, Greinke’s ERA went UP to 0.60.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NFL: All-time sacks leader Bruce Smith has been sacked by police in his hometown of Virginia Beach, Va. Smith, 45, was arrested for drunken driving early Friday morning after being stopped for speeding. He was released on bond. Before you feel sorry for the former Buffalo Bills star, you need to know that this is his third arrest for DUI. Charges were dismissed in 1997, and he was acquitted in 2003. Smith was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame earlier this year. Looks like he has some work to do to be a Hall of Famer off the field, as well.
MLB: Ryan Raburn and Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers each hit a grand slam home run Friday night in the Tigers’ 14-1 rout of the Oakland Athletics. Hitting two slams in a game hasn’t happened very often in the Tigers’ 109-year history. In fact, this was only the third time. Al Kaline and Ray Boone each hit a grand slam on June 11, 1954 (a little more than two months after I was born) and Jim Northrup hit two himself June 24, 1968.
MLB: What do you think was the most impressive accomplishment last night: The Tigers’ two grand slams, Tampa Bay rallying from a 7-0 fourth-inning deficit to beat the Cleveland Indians 8-7, or Kansas City Royals pitching phenom Zach Greinke beating the Baltimore Orioles 8-1 for his seventh victory? Even though he allowed only one run and four hits in eight innings, Greinke’s ERA went UP to 0.60.
That’s all for now. See you later.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Red Wings, Penguins on collison course?
My morsels for today:
NHL: It’s on to the conference finals and what the heck can the Final Four do for an encore? Three of the four conference semifinal series went to a Game 7 and the two played Thursday night were classic do-or-die battles. The Detroit Red Wings needed a goal by Dan Cleary with three minutes left to give them a 4-3 victory over the gritty Anaheim Ducks, and Scott Walker scored his first goal in 25 playoff games to lift the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-2 overtime win over the Boston Bruins. Five of the seven games between the Red Wings and Ducks were decided by one goal, making it one of the most closely contested playoff series in years. Can the upstart Chicago Blackhawks and Hurricanes upset the favored Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins in the conference finals? Sure. Favored teams haven’t done so well in this year’s playoffs. The top three seeds in the Eastern Conference are gone, as are two of the top three seeds in the Western Conference. But I don’t think the Blackhawks and Hurricanes are going to advance. The Red Wings and Penguins have too much firepower and playoff experience. They'll meet for the second straight year in the Stanley Cup finals.
NBA: The Boston Celtics didn’t look like defending champions, and the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t look like title contenders Thursday night when they lost games to the bickering Orlando Magic and injury-plagued Houston Rockets that forced a Game 7 in their series. I don’t see anyone derailing the Cleveland Cavaliers express, do you?
That’s all for today. See you Friday.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NHL: It’s on to the conference finals and what the heck can the Final Four do for an encore? Three of the four conference semifinal series went to a Game 7 and the two played Thursday night were classic do-or-die battles. The Detroit Red Wings needed a goal by Dan Cleary with three minutes left to give them a 4-3 victory over the gritty Anaheim Ducks, and Scott Walker scored his first goal in 25 playoff games to lift the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-2 overtime win over the Boston Bruins. Five of the seven games between the Red Wings and Ducks were decided by one goal, making it one of the most closely contested playoff series in years. Can the upstart Chicago Blackhawks and Hurricanes upset the favored Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins in the conference finals? Sure. Favored teams haven’t done so well in this year’s playoffs. The top three seeds in the Eastern Conference are gone, as are two of the top three seeds in the Western Conference. But I don’t think the Blackhawks and Hurricanes are going to advance. The Red Wings and Penguins have too much firepower and playoff experience. They'll meet for the second straight year in the Stanley Cup finals.
NBA: The Boston Celtics didn’t look like defending champions, and the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t look like title contenders Thursday night when they lost games to the bickering Orlando Magic and injury-plagued Houston Rockets that forced a Game 7 in their series. I don’t see anyone derailing the Cleveland Cavaliers express, do you?
That’s all for today. See you Friday.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Robby, Red Wings and Rick
My morsels for today:
MLB: I’ve never seen a slicker fielding third baseman than former Baltimore Orioles star Brooks Robinson. Besides being a human vacuum cleaner at the aptly named hot corner, Robinson’s arm was strong and accurate. Now age 71, Robinson has made the biggest catch of his life. The Hall of Famer announced this week that he has prostate cancer, but it was caught early thanks to his diligence and fought successfully with 39 radiation treatments. That’s great news.
NHL: Detroit Red Wings fans who are fretting about tonight’s Game 7 against the Anaheim Ducks at Joe Louis Arena could get some comfort out of the Red Wings’ last Game 7 appearance. That came in the 2002 Western Conference finals against the hated Colorado Avalanche. The Red Wings won 7-0 in front of a raucous home crowd. Detroit scored on its first two shots against Avs goalie Patrick Roy and it was ahead 4-0 after the first period. Roy was pulled from the game to the derisive cheers of Red Wings fans after giving up six goals on 16 shots. Goalie Dominik Hasek pitched the shutout in the Detroit nets. Feel better now, Hockeytown?
NBA: It was a long, emotional day Wednesday for Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. After serving as a pallbearer at former Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly’s funeral in Florida, Carlisle flew to Denver to be with his team for its Game 5 showdown against the Nuggets. He arrived at the Pepsi Center an hour before tipoff, and watched the Nuggets beat the Mavericks 124-110 to win the series 4-1.
That’s all for today. See you Thursday.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
MLB: I’ve never seen a slicker fielding third baseman than former Baltimore Orioles star Brooks Robinson. Besides being a human vacuum cleaner at the aptly named hot corner, Robinson’s arm was strong and accurate. Now age 71, Robinson has made the biggest catch of his life. The Hall of Famer announced this week that he has prostate cancer, but it was caught early thanks to his diligence and fought successfully with 39 radiation treatments. That’s great news.
NHL: Detroit Red Wings fans who are fretting about tonight’s Game 7 against the Anaheim Ducks at Joe Louis Arena could get some comfort out of the Red Wings’ last Game 7 appearance. That came in the 2002 Western Conference finals against the hated Colorado Avalanche. The Red Wings won 7-0 in front of a raucous home crowd. Detroit scored on its first two shots against Avs goalie Patrick Roy and it was ahead 4-0 after the first period. Roy was pulled from the game to the derisive cheers of Red Wings fans after giving up six goals on 16 shots. Goalie Dominik Hasek pitched the shutout in the Detroit nets. Feel better now, Hockeytown?
NBA: It was a long, emotional day Wednesday for Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. After serving as a pallbearer at former Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly’s funeral in Florida, Carlisle flew to Denver to be with his team for its Game 5 showdown against the Nuggets. He arrived at the Pepsi Center an hour before tipoff, and watched the Nuggets beat the Mavericks 124-110 to win the series 4-1.
That’s all for today. See you Thursday.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Who is the real 'Big Baby' in shoving incident?
My morsels for today:
NBA: Yes, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban should have apologized to Kenyan Martin’s mom Lydia Moore for whatever Cuban said to Moore following the Mavericks’ controversial loss Saturday to the Denver Nuggets. But Glen Davis of the Boston Celtics was baited into issuing an apology to 12-year-old Nicholas Provetti for accidentally pushing the boy after making a last-second shot Sunday night that beat the Orlando Magic. Young Nicholas’ hat flew off after the 6-foot-9, 289-pound “Big Baby” pushed him. That was the extent of the damage. No harm, no foul. Nicholas had a courtside seat, but was standing up when the incident took place. Instead of Nicholas being the toast of his school and the coolest kid in town, his father Ernest Provetti embarrassed him by demanding an apology from Davis.
NHL: The league has to be ecstatic about three of four conference semifinal series going to a Game 7. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals will get it on Wednesday night. Two more winner-take-all matchups were set up Tuesday night when the Boston Bruins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 and the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 2-1. This is the fourth straight time that Carolina has gone to a Game 7. The Hurricanes won three previous three. The Red Wings, meanwhile, are in a Game 7 for the first time since the 2002 conference finals, when they beat the arch-rival Colorado Avalanche on their way to a Stanley Cup.
MLB: It’s 30 games and counting for Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who is giving us a reason to care about his team. Zimmerman stretched his hitting streak to 30 games Tuesday night. The last major leaguer to reach 30 games was Moises Alou in 2007.
MLB: You’ll find out that I love sports statistical oddities. That’s why I read agate (small) type as much or more than stories. Today, I found out that Baltimore Orioles pinch-hitters are 0-for-13 with eight strikeouts this season. That’s pretty darn bad. On the other end of the spectrum, I learned that the Milwaukee Brewers just completed what should have been a brutal 20-games-in-20-days stretch with a 14-6 record that improved their season numbers from 4-8 to 18-14. The Brew Crew didn’t let up Tuesday night after an off day, beating the Florida Marlins 6-3.
That’s all for today. See you Wednesday.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NBA: Yes, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban should have apologized to Kenyan Martin’s mom Lydia Moore for whatever Cuban said to Moore following the Mavericks’ controversial loss Saturday to the Denver Nuggets. But Glen Davis of the Boston Celtics was baited into issuing an apology to 12-year-old Nicholas Provetti for accidentally pushing the boy after making a last-second shot Sunday night that beat the Orlando Magic. Young Nicholas’ hat flew off after the 6-foot-9, 289-pound “Big Baby” pushed him. That was the extent of the damage. No harm, no foul. Nicholas had a courtside seat, but was standing up when the incident took place. Instead of Nicholas being the toast of his school and the coolest kid in town, his father Ernest Provetti embarrassed him by demanding an apology from Davis.
NHL: The league has to be ecstatic about three of four conference semifinal series going to a Game 7. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals will get it on Wednesday night. Two more winner-take-all matchups were set up Tuesday night when the Boston Bruins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 and the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 2-1. This is the fourth straight time that Carolina has gone to a Game 7. The Hurricanes won three previous three. The Red Wings, meanwhile, are in a Game 7 for the first time since the 2002 conference finals, when they beat the arch-rival Colorado Avalanche on their way to a Stanley Cup.
MLB: It’s 30 games and counting for Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who is giving us a reason to care about his team. Zimmerman stretched his hitting streak to 30 games Tuesday night. The last major leaguer to reach 30 games was Moises Alou in 2007.
MLB: You’ll find out that I love sports statistical oddities. That’s why I read agate (small) type as much or more than stories. Today, I found out that Baltimore Orioles pinch-hitters are 0-for-13 with eight strikeouts this season. That’s pretty darn bad. On the other end of the spectrum, I learned that the Milwaukee Brewers just completed what should have been a brutal 20-games-in-20-days stretch with a 14-6 record that improved their season numbers from 4-8 to 18-14. The Brew Crew didn’t let up Tuesday night after an off day, beating the Florida Marlins 6-3.
That’s all for today. See you Wednesday.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
Rockets, Celtics prove me wrong
My morsels for today:
NBA: So the Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics are dead in the water in their playoff series, right? That’s what I wrote over the weekend. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The injury-depleted Rockets soared past the lethargic Los Angeles Lakers and the Celtics found some magic in beating Orlando at buzzer Sunday, tying both series at 2-2. Speaking of the Lakers, did you see former Lakers great Magic Johnson rip them on ESPN? Great leaders are never afraid of speaking their mind.
NHL: I can’t wait for Game 7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins-Washington Capitals series Wednesday night in the nation’s capital. The Capitals lifted several monkeys off their back Monday when they beat the Pens 5-4 in overtime. Washington had lost seven consecutive OT games -- including two in this series -- and Pittsburgh had won seven of eight OT games against the Caps. Washington has the momentum going into Game 7 and will win it 5-3. What’s your prediction?
MLB: Micah Owings of the Cincinnati Reds is a throwback to the good ‘ol days when major league pitchers could actually hit. Owings smacked a two-out, full-count, pinch-hit homer off St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday to tie the game at 7-7. It was Owings’ sixth career round-tripper. Unfortunately for the Reds, the Cardinals won 8-7 in 10 innings. Who do you think is the best hitting pitcher in the game today?
MLB: Will Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge be the first skipper to get the ax this season? Even though the Tribe beat the Chicago White Sox 9-4 Monday night, they still have an American League worst 12-21 record. That’s not what was expected from the Indians.
MLB: Ryan Zimmerman and Justin Upton are names known by few casual baseball fans. But they own the major leagues’ longest hitting streaks. Zimmerman, who plays third base for the Washington Nationals, has hits in 29 straight games. Upton, an Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder, has a 17-game streak going.
MLB: If the Kansas City Royals want to become the Tampa Bay Rays of 2009, they’ll need to do it the next few weeks without All-Star reliever Joakim Soria. He’s been placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a bum shoulder.
That’s all for today. See you Tuesday.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NBA: So the Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics are dead in the water in their playoff series, right? That’s what I wrote over the weekend. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The injury-depleted Rockets soared past the lethargic Los Angeles Lakers and the Celtics found some magic in beating Orlando at buzzer Sunday, tying both series at 2-2. Speaking of the Lakers, did you see former Lakers great Magic Johnson rip them on ESPN? Great leaders are never afraid of speaking their mind.
NHL: I can’t wait for Game 7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins-Washington Capitals series Wednesday night in the nation’s capital. The Capitals lifted several monkeys off their back Monday when they beat the Pens 5-4 in overtime. Washington had lost seven consecutive OT games -- including two in this series -- and Pittsburgh had won seven of eight OT games against the Caps. Washington has the momentum going into Game 7 and will win it 5-3. What’s your prediction?
MLB: Micah Owings of the Cincinnati Reds is a throwback to the good ‘ol days when major league pitchers could actually hit. Owings smacked a two-out, full-count, pinch-hit homer off St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday to tie the game at 7-7. It was Owings’ sixth career round-tripper. Unfortunately for the Reds, the Cardinals won 8-7 in 10 innings. Who do you think is the best hitting pitcher in the game today?
MLB: Will Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge be the first skipper to get the ax this season? Even though the Tribe beat the Chicago White Sox 9-4 Monday night, they still have an American League worst 12-21 record. That’s not what was expected from the Indians.
MLB: Ryan Zimmerman and Justin Upton are names known by few casual baseball fans. But they own the major leagues’ longest hitting streaks. Zimmerman, who plays third base for the Washington Nationals, has hits in 29 straight games. Upton, an Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder, has a 17-game streak going.
MLB: If the Kansas City Royals want to become the Tampa Bay Rays of 2009, they’ll need to do it the next few weeks without All-Star reliever Joakim Soria. He’s been placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a bum shoulder.
That’s all for today. See you Tuesday.
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Non-call leaves Mavericks in foul mood
My morsels for today:
NBA: So the league admitted the referees blew it Saturday by not calling an intentional foul on Antoine Wright of the Dallas Mavericks just before Carmelo Anthony’s three-point dagger with one second left gave the Denver Nuggets a 106-105 victory. Why bother? The admission doesn’t change the outcome of the game, which gave the Nuggets a 3-0 stranglehold in the Western Conference semifinal series. The Mavs seem to get shafted by officials more than other teams. Why is that? It is because of outspoken owner Mark Cuban?
NBA: Stick a fork in the Houston Rockets. Now that Yao Ming has been lost for the rest of the season because of a broken left foot, the Los Angeles Lakers have a clear path to the Western Conference finals. They lead the series 2-1. The oft-injured Yao won’t need surgery, but it’ll take eight to 12 weeks for him to recover from the hairline fracture.
NBA: Here’s my two cents on the death Saturday of former Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly. I covered most Pistons home games during the Daly era. My spot on the press table at the Pontiac Silverdome was just four seats away from the Pistons bench, so I was often able to listen to what Daly said to his team in a huddle. It was very obvious that the players loved and respected their coach. Even Dennis Rodman listened to what Daly had to say! God bless you, Daddy Rich.
MLB: It’s been a bad week for famous people named Dom. Actor, author and chef Dom DeLuise died Monday at age 75. Dom DiMaggio, kid brother of New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio, died Friday at age 92. Dom DiMaggio played for the Boston Red Sox, of all people, from 1940-53 except for a three-year stint in the U.S. Navy during World War II. My prayers and sympathies to both families.
See you Sunday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NBA: So the league admitted the referees blew it Saturday by not calling an intentional foul on Antoine Wright of the Dallas Mavericks just before Carmelo Anthony’s three-point dagger with one second left gave the Denver Nuggets a 106-105 victory. Why bother? The admission doesn’t change the outcome of the game, which gave the Nuggets a 3-0 stranglehold in the Western Conference semifinal series. The Mavs seem to get shafted by officials more than other teams. Why is that? It is because of outspoken owner Mark Cuban?
NBA: Stick a fork in the Houston Rockets. Now that Yao Ming has been lost for the rest of the season because of a broken left foot, the Los Angeles Lakers have a clear path to the Western Conference finals. They lead the series 2-1. The oft-injured Yao won’t need surgery, but it’ll take eight to 12 weeks for him to recover from the hairline fracture.
NBA: Here’s my two cents on the death Saturday of former Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly. I covered most Pistons home games during the Daly era. My spot on the press table at the Pontiac Silverdome was just four seats away from the Pistons bench, so I was often able to listen to what Daly said to his team in a huddle. It was very obvious that the players loved and respected their coach. Even Dennis Rodman listened to what Daly had to say! God bless you, Daddy Rich.
MLB: It’s been a bad week for famous people named Dom. Actor, author and chef Dom DeLuise died Monday at age 75. Dom DiMaggio, kid brother of New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio, died Friday at age 92. Dom DiMaggio played for the Boston Red Sox, of all people, from 1940-53 except for a three-year stint in the U.S. Navy during World War II. My prayers and sympathies to both families.
See you Sunday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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Friday, May 8, 2009
Bad night for Boston
My morsels for today:
NBA: It looks like the Boston Celtics have run out of gas. They were shellacked 117-96 Friday night by the Orlando Magic and fell behind 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. The Celtics are not the same team without Kevin Garnett in the middle, and the long series with the Chicago Bulls has taken a huge toll. If the Magic make it to the conference finals, it would be the first time since Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway led them there in 1996.
NHL: Another Boston team is in in bigger trouble than the Celtics. The Bruins have slipped behind the upstart Carolina Hurricane 3-1 in the East Division semifinals. I couldn’t agree more with Bruins coach Claude Julien, who said after the Bruins’ 4-1 loss Friday night to Carolina than his team couldn’t have picked a more inopportune time to play its worst hockey of the season. Here’s a warning to Bruins fans. Don’t read on. OK, here goes. The Bruins are 0-21 in franchise history when they have trailed 3-1 in a series.
MLB: The injuries are piling up for the Chicago Cubs. The latest casualty is Aramis Ramirez, who dislocated his left shoulder early in a 3-2 loss Friday night to the Milwaukee Brewers. Ramirez suffered the same injury when he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000, and he missed six weeks. Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano remains out with a hamstring injury.
See you Saturday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NBA: It looks like the Boston Celtics have run out of gas. They were shellacked 117-96 Friday night by the Orlando Magic and fell behind 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. The Celtics are not the same team without Kevin Garnett in the middle, and the long series with the Chicago Bulls has taken a huge toll. If the Magic make it to the conference finals, it would be the first time since Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway led them there in 1996.
NHL: Another Boston team is in in bigger trouble than the Celtics. The Bruins have slipped behind the upstart Carolina Hurricane 3-1 in the East Division semifinals. I couldn’t agree more with Bruins coach Claude Julien, who said after the Bruins’ 4-1 loss Friday night to Carolina than his team couldn’t have picked a more inopportune time to play its worst hockey of the season. Here’s a warning to Bruins fans. Don’t read on. OK, here goes. The Bruins are 0-21 in franchise history when they have trailed 3-1 in a series.
MLB: The injuries are piling up for the Chicago Cubs. The latest casualty is Aramis Ramirez, who dislocated his left shoulder early in a 3-2 loss Friday night to the Milwaukee Brewers. Ramirez suffered the same injury when he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000, and he missed six weeks. Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano remains out with a hamstring injury.
See you Saturday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Jose can you see more credibility
My morsels for today:
MLB: First of all, I’m tired of reading and hearing the phrase, “Manny being Manny” in just about every Manny Ramirez suspension story. I won’t join the chorus when I say that, to Ramirez’s credit, he’s not protesting his 50-game ban.
MLB: As unbelievable as it sounds, Jose Canseco is gaining more credibility each time a major league player tests positive for a banned substance.
MLB: The Detroit Tigers are giving Dontrelle Willis one more chance. After a Rick Ankiel-like mound meltdown, Willis is back with the Tigers and will start next Wednesday’s game at Minnesota. Willis has been on the disabled list since March 29 with an anxiety disorder.
NBA: Kudos to the league for handing out one-game suspensions to the Los Angeles Lakers’ Derek Fisher and Rafer Alston of the Orlando Magic. They should have been penalized for their cheap shots.
NHL: Respected hockey columnist Mike Brophy wants the NHL to go to 4-on-4 play after the first overtime of playoff games. The reason? Make sure the game doesn’t drag on all day or night. Brophy says U.S. fans don’t want to watch these marathons. With all due respect, no way, Mike! One of the endearing features of the Stanley Cup playoffs is the fact that teams play until there is a winner without changing the format. No 4-on-4, so penalty shot shootout like the regular season. Thankfully, tradition reigns in the playoffs.
See you Friday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
MLB: First of all, I’m tired of reading and hearing the phrase, “Manny being Manny” in just about every Manny Ramirez suspension story. I won’t join the chorus when I say that, to Ramirez’s credit, he’s not protesting his 50-game ban.
MLB: As unbelievable as it sounds, Jose Canseco is gaining more credibility each time a major league player tests positive for a banned substance.
MLB: The Detroit Tigers are giving Dontrelle Willis one more chance. After a Rick Ankiel-like mound meltdown, Willis is back with the Tigers and will start next Wednesday’s game at Minnesota. Willis has been on the disabled list since March 29 with an anxiety disorder.
NBA: Kudos to the league for handing out one-game suspensions to the Los Angeles Lakers’ Derek Fisher and Rafer Alston of the Orlando Magic. They should have been penalized for their cheap shots.
NHL: Respected hockey columnist Mike Brophy wants the NHL to go to 4-on-4 play after the first overtime of playoff games. The reason? Make sure the game doesn’t drag on all day or night. Brophy says U.S. fans don’t want to watch these marathons. With all due respect, no way, Mike! One of the endearing features of the Stanley Cup playoffs is the fact that teams play until there is a winner without changing the format. No 4-on-4, so penalty shot shootout like the regular season. Thankfully, tradition reigns in the playoffs.
See you Friday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
On guard! Ex-NBA stars lead cities
My morsels for today:
NBA: Now that Dave Bing has been elected mayor of Detroit, he becomes the second ex-NBA star to hold the top elected position in a major city. Kevin Johnson is mayor of Sacramento, Calif. Is it a coincidence that both guys were guards during their playing days? Are there any current NBA players who are mayoral material? I’m not sure, but I know who would love to be a city’s police chief -- Shaq. That will happen someday.
NBA: Have we seen the last of Rasheed Wallace? At age 34, Sheed’s skills have diminished so much that they can’t camouflage his propensity for technical fouls and tendency to lose focus during a game. There’s a report that Wallace is looking for an $8 million contract for next season (he made $13 million from the Detroit Pistons this year.) It’s doubtful any team would be willing to spend that kind of the money on the 14-year veteran.
MLB: The feel good story of the day Tuesday took place at Wrigley Field, where feeling good is usually associated with adult beverages. Bobby Scales made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs against reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants and got his first big league hit, a single in the fifth inning. Scales has played in the minors for 11 seasons. His 3,303 at-bats have come with eight teams in four organizations. Talk about perseverance and playing for the love of the game. Way to go, Bobby.
NFL: I promised myself I wouldn’t write about Brett Favre, but I couldn’t help it. C’mon, admit it. You’d love to see Favre play at Green Bay wearing No. 4 for the Minnesota Vikings, wouldn’t you?
See you Thursday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
NBA: Now that Dave Bing has been elected mayor of Detroit, he becomes the second ex-NBA star to hold the top elected position in a major city. Kevin Johnson is mayor of Sacramento, Calif. Is it a coincidence that both guys were guards during their playing days? Are there any current NBA players who are mayoral material? I’m not sure, but I know who would love to be a city’s police chief -- Shaq. That will happen someday.
NBA: Have we seen the last of Rasheed Wallace? At age 34, Sheed’s skills have diminished so much that they can’t camouflage his propensity for technical fouls and tendency to lose focus during a game. There’s a report that Wallace is looking for an $8 million contract for next season (he made $13 million from the Detroit Pistons this year.) It’s doubtful any team would be willing to spend that kind of the money on the 14-year veteran.
MLB: The feel good story of the day Tuesday took place at Wrigley Field, where feeling good is usually associated with adult beverages. Bobby Scales made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs against reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants and got his first big league hit, a single in the fifth inning. Scales has played in the minors for 11 seasons. His 3,303 at-bats have come with eight teams in four organizations. Talk about perseverance and playing for the love of the game. Way to go, Bobby.
NFL: I promised myself I wouldn’t write about Brett Favre, but I couldn’t help it. C’mon, admit it. You’d love to see Favre play at Green Bay wearing No. 4 for the Minnesota Vikings, wouldn’t you?
See you Thursday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
Please check out www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Foote handed over to Lions?
My morsels for today:
NFL: The worst-kept secret in the league became reality Monday when Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Larry Foote was cut. Foote, who started every game the last five seasons with the Steelers and helped them win two Super Bowls, wanted out of the Steel City because he was about to lose his starting spot to Lawrence Timmins. The second worst-kept secret in the league is Foote wants to play for his hometown Detroit Lions. He was born in the Motor City, and played his high school football at Detroit Pershing and college football at the University of Michigan. Let’s see if the Lions can get this done. Their defense can use all the help it can get.
CFB: I like Penn State coach Joe Paterno’s suggestion about adding a 12th team to the Big Ten and having a conference championship game like other major conferences. JoPa suggests Pittsburgh, Rutgers or Syracuse would be a good fit. I’d love to see Notre Dame join the Big Ten for football, but that will never happen.
MLB: Thank God St. Louis Cardinals centerfielder Rick Ankiel is OK and out of the hospital after slamming headfirst into a wall at Busch Stadium while making a running catch during Monday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies. After all Ankiel has been through to get back to the big leagues, it would have been tragic if he had been seriously injured.
MEDIA: It would help author Selena Roberts’ credibility in her scathing book about Alex Rodriguez if she would admit she was wrong to lead the nationwide witch hunt against the falsely accused Duke lacrosse players.
MEDIA: There’s a Stein’s Lines jinx! One day after proclaiming Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers a candidate for the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award, he went 0-for-4 Monday against the Minnesota Twins and failed to reach base for the first time all season. Sorry about that, Brandon.
MEDIA: A caller Monday on 670 The Score radio in Chicago posed this interesting question: Who would win a 40-yard foot race … Paul Konerko of the White Sox or Brad Miller of the Bulls? I vote for Konerko. I wonder what would be the winning time?
See you Wednesday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
NFL: The worst-kept secret in the league became reality Monday when Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Larry Foote was cut. Foote, who started every game the last five seasons with the Steelers and helped them win two Super Bowls, wanted out of the Steel City because he was about to lose his starting spot to Lawrence Timmins. The second worst-kept secret in the league is Foote wants to play for his hometown Detroit Lions. He was born in the Motor City, and played his high school football at Detroit Pershing and college football at the University of Michigan. Let’s see if the Lions can get this done. Their defense can use all the help it can get.
CFB: I like Penn State coach Joe Paterno’s suggestion about adding a 12th team to the Big Ten and having a conference championship game like other major conferences. JoPa suggests Pittsburgh, Rutgers or Syracuse would be a good fit. I’d love to see Notre Dame join the Big Ten for football, but that will never happen.
MLB: Thank God St. Louis Cardinals centerfielder Rick Ankiel is OK and out of the hospital after slamming headfirst into a wall at Busch Stadium while making a running catch during Monday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies. After all Ankiel has been through to get back to the big leagues, it would have been tragic if he had been seriously injured.
MEDIA: It would help author Selena Roberts’ credibility in her scathing book about Alex Rodriguez if she would admit she was wrong to lead the nationwide witch hunt against the falsely accused Duke lacrosse players.
MEDIA: There’s a Stein’s Lines jinx! One day after proclaiming Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers a candidate for the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award, he went 0-for-4 Monday against the Minnesota Twins and failed to reach base for the first time all season. Sorry about that, Brandon.
MEDIA: A caller Monday on 670 The Score radio in Chicago posed this interesting question: Who would win a 40-yard foot race … Paul Konerko of the White Sox or Brad Miller of the Bulls? I vote for Konerko. I wonder what would be the winning time?
See you Wednesday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com
Please check out http://www.sportsreviewmagazine.com/
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hawks won't go quietly
My morsels for today:
NBA: Don’t crown the Cleveland Cavaliers champions of the Eastern Conference just yet. The Atlanta Hawks are a dangerous team, especially at home, where they’re 31-10 this season. The Cavaliers will win the series against the Hawks, but it will be in six games.
NBA: The Boston Celtics can’t have much left in the tank after their marathon series against the Chicago Bulls. Give me the Orlando Magic to beat the Celtics in six games.
NBA: Denver Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien was named the league’s Executive of the Year. What executive WOULDN’T have made the Chauncey Billips-for-Allen Iverson trade?
MLB: I know it’s early, but can you believe the Toronto Blue Jays (18-9), Kansas City Royals (14-11) and Seattle Mariners (15-10) are the American League division leaders on May 4?
MLB: Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers is an early candidate for the American League’s Comeback Player of the Year. He’s reached base in all 24 Detroit games, and his glove work has been exceptional.
MLB: Another guy who is coming off the scrap heap is San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito. He’s allowed just three earned runs in 20 1/3 innings in his last three starts with four walks and 11 strikeouts.
MLB: The Los Angeles Dodgers have won a franchise record 10 straight home games to open the season and that’s great, but look who they’ve beaten. They’ve swept the San Francisco Giants (12-11), Colorado Rockies (9-14) and San Diego Padres (11-14).
NFL: So is No. 1 draft pick Matthew Stafford the next Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan … or Vince Young?
NHL: The Carolina Hurricanes’ 3-0 win Sunday over the Boston Bruins was much more surprising than the Anaheim Ducks’ 4-3 triple-overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings. Why? Anaheim has now won five straight playoff OT games against the Red Wings.
MEDIA: Memo to ESPN: Do we have to get a dose of University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in the off-season, too?
See you Tuesday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
NBA: Don’t crown the Cleveland Cavaliers champions of the Eastern Conference just yet. The Atlanta Hawks are a dangerous team, especially at home, where they’re 31-10 this season. The Cavaliers will win the series against the Hawks, but it will be in six games.
NBA: The Boston Celtics can’t have much left in the tank after their marathon series against the Chicago Bulls. Give me the Orlando Magic to beat the Celtics in six games.
NBA: Denver Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien was named the league’s Executive of the Year. What executive WOULDN’T have made the Chauncey Billips-for-Allen Iverson trade?
MLB: I know it’s early, but can you believe the Toronto Blue Jays (18-9), Kansas City Royals (14-11) and Seattle Mariners (15-10) are the American League division leaders on May 4?
MLB: Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers is an early candidate for the American League’s Comeback Player of the Year. He’s reached base in all 24 Detroit games, and his glove work has been exceptional.
MLB: Another guy who is coming off the scrap heap is San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito. He’s allowed just three earned runs in 20 1/3 innings in his last three starts with four walks and 11 strikeouts.
MLB: The Los Angeles Dodgers have won a franchise record 10 straight home games to open the season and that’s great, but look who they’ve beaten. They’ve swept the San Francisco Giants (12-11), Colorado Rockies (9-14) and San Diego Padres (11-14).
NFL: So is No. 1 draft pick Matthew Stafford the next Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan … or Vince Young?
NHL: The Carolina Hurricanes’ 3-0 win Sunday over the Boston Bruins was much more surprising than the Anaheim Ducks’ 4-3 triple-overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings. Why? Anaheim has now won five straight playoff OT games against the Red Wings.
MEDIA: Memo to ESPN: Do we have to get a dose of University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in the off-season, too?
See you Tuesday!
Please send comments to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
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