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Rob Durkee's thoughts on...well, whatever is on his mind...AT40 or otherwise...
FOR INSTANCE...
CHER IS VERY MUCH ALIVE!
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT STATE 1/27/12 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Joe Public...
Contrary to what you may have heard overnight, Cher is alive and well. Rumors of her death spread like wildfire overnight after somebody identified as Lorainne_Star tweeted that "American recording artist Cher dies at 65. Found dead in Malibu home." Cher's close friend, fashion jewellry designer Loree Rodkin put the rumor REST, saying, "It's a hoax. She's fine."...
Etta James was the victim of a similar death hoax last July and died a week ago today...
The big news over the Indianapolis Colts naming their coach wasn't whom they named (Chuck Pagano) but whom they didn't name. Ex-Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was serving as a consultant for the team and probably still is. Was he a serious candidate to succeed Jim Caldwell? I'm not sure, but my sources indicate that QB (well, for now) Peyton Manning didn't approve of Tressel being in charge. Nor, for that mannder, was the Colts' probable first round draft pick, Andrew Luck. One rumor I've heard is that Manning will be cut by the Colts by March...and that Manning will join the Jets. Stay tuned...
There really was a Joe Public. Not a sports personality or a solo singer, but rather a group. Hard to believe Joe Public had a #5 Cash Box pop hit with "Live And Learn" nearly 20 years ago...
Getting back to the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have named Greg Schiano their new coach. Schiano used to coach at Rutgers. National signing day for high schools seniors is five days away. Schiano's leaving Rutgers will kill that school's 2012 recruiting....
Jim Morrison's been deceased for over 40 years but that didn't stop the Doors from releasing an obscure previously unreleased song called "She Smells So Nice." It was an outtake from the group's 1971 L.A.Woman sessions. The song was scheduled to be part of the "L.A. Woman: 40th Anniversary Edition" set released three days ago...
Always remember that things can be worse. For instance, Southern Cal's dreadful men's basketball season got even worse with Thursday night's 74-50 loss to Colorado. Dewayne Dedmon, probably the Trojans' best player, suffered a knee injury. The Trojans are playing two walk-ons and have lost four other players to injury. Still, USC coach Kevin O'Neill found a way to look at things in perspective THIS WAY...
"How about you come home and your wife takes all your furniture? I've had that happen one time. That's the way it goes. Exercise bike. Big screen TV. Bed. That was it. I didn't know where to sit."
***
JANUARY 2, 1987 -- THE NIGHT JOE PATERNO AND PENN STATE SHOT DOWN ONE OF SPORTS' MOST ARROGANT TEAMS
Remember Joe Paterno, who sadly passed away earlier today (January 22, 2012) of cancer at the age of 85, not for what happened in the past 69 days.
Instead, remember Joe Paterno for having the most overall wins (409), the most bowl games (37) and the most bowl wins (24) among college football coaches. Remember Joe Paterno for coaching at the same school school, Penn State, for 46 seasons, posting 38 winning seasons; for making the College Football Fall Of Fame; and for becoming the first college football coach to be named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the year.
Above all, remember Joe Paterno for January 2, 1987, the night he and his Penn State underdog football team beat Miami (Florida), 14-10, in the Fiesta Bowl dubbed "The Duel In The Desert." In so doing, Paterno's Nittany Lions shot down one of sports most blatantly arrogant teams ever. Penn State was a seven-point underdog. To be certain, the Hurricanes showed their arrogance even when they got off the plane that landed in the Phoenix-Tempe area. Many of them wore combat fatigues...and many wore those same combat fatigues at the steak fry dinner a few nights later.
Penn State's players were first to put on a skit. Though Paterno probably didn't endorse it, the Nittany Lions' skit aluded to how the Hurricanes had more blacks than the Penn State roster did.
Then it was Miami's turn. Jerome Brown, who would die in a car crash about five years later, boldly went up to the mike and said..."Did the Japanese go, sit down and have dinner with Pearl Harbor before they bombed them?" Brown's teammates yelled out "No!" and Brown then said, "Fellas, let's go."
Yes, the Hurricanes WALKED OUT on the dinner. Fiesta Bowl officials were outraged. Ditto the Nittany Lions, whose punter, John Bruno, muttered, "Excuse me, but didn't the Japanese lose that war?" Another Penn State player said it best: "We were ready to play them right then and there."
Vinny Testaverde, who'd won the Heisman Trophy, was intercepted five times. The last of them came on the game's final play, when Penn State's Pete Giftopoulos picked off the Testaverde pass at the goal line on a fourth and five situation. Giftopoulos ran about five yards and fell to the ground as pandemonium ruled. The then largest national TV audience celebrated. Well, nearly everyone outside of Miami. And Joepa got a well deserved free ride to the lockerroom courtesy of his players (above left photo).
Miami outgained Penn State, 445-162, and had a 22-8 edge in first downs...and lost. The Nittany Lions won with ball control, specialty team play and a defense that produced seven turnovers. And with Joe Paterno in charge.
***
RYAN BRAUN--THE ULTIMATE HYPOCRITE IN THE LATEST CHAPTER OF BASEBALL'S SHAME
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT STATE 12/10/11 -- The lead story on ESPN tonight wasn't Robert Griffin III winning the Heisman Trophy, thus becoming Baylor's first football player to win the coveted award.
Or the Xavier-Cincinnati brawl in men's college basketball.
Or Indiana handing Kentucky its first loss, also in men's college basketball.
Or the ongoing attempt by the Los Angeles Lakers to trade for Chris Paul.
Or the Army-Navy game in college football.
Or the aftermath of the Angels landing TWO big-name free agents, Albert Pujois and C.J. Wilson.
Or the aftermath of Reeves Nelson, the regional Sports Illustrated cover boy last month, getting kicked off the UCLA men's basketball team.
Nope, none of the above.
Instead, THE lead story was a bombshell. Imagine, the reigning National League MVP, Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, TESTING POSITIVE FOR A PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUG. This was even the LEAD story on one CBS Radio Newscast.
And the 28-year-old Braun KNEW about the whole thing when he was named NL MVP recently. At the time, he actually had the gall to say "This is beyond a dream-come-true."
In an earlier interview, Brain was asked if he'd do steroids. He replied, "I would never do it. If I did, I would hit 60 to 70 home runs." And in a past interview, Braun was asked about A-Rod's drug problems. Braun spoke of the importance of telling the truth.
What a hypocrite.
Braun is reportedly disputing this case and appealing. He faces a 50-game suspension to start the 2012 season.
NO MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER HAS EVER SUCCESSFULLY OVERTURNED A DRUG SUSPENSION VIA AN APPEAL.
Oh, and this bombshell comes just two days after Manny Ramirez was reinstated as a major league baseball players. You might remember Manny. He voluntarily retired last April 8 because he didn't want to serve a 100-game suspension for a second performance-enhancing drug violation. Now that he's been reinstated, it was announced that "The office of the commissioner and the players association have decided that Ramirez can return if he first serves a 50-game suspension."
What? A 50-game suspension AND NOT A 100-GAME SUSPENSION?
And there's STILL more. Check out this ironic 2009 quote from Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig on baseball's anti-drug program: "Our minor league testing program is in its ninth year, and that means all the great players from Ryan Howard to Ryan Braun have all been tested for nine years."
Way to go, Bud. You and Major League Baseball STILL have a problem with drugs and the public's perception of MLB.
And that problem AND the public's perception...will NOT GO AWAY FOR A LONG LONG TIME.
And just think...they're actually celebrating at Penn State. They're delirious that THIS story is overshadowing theirs.
****
PREDICTION: ANDREW LUCK TO WIN 2011 HEISMAN TROPHY
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT STATE 12/10/11 -- As I write this, we're about seven a half hours away from the naming of the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, symbolic for the best college football player. I predict a very close race between Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin.
In the end, though, I believe Luck will win it. He's much more well known than Griffin. Moreover, Luck has been mentioned as the #1 overall NFL draft pick not just for this spring's NFL draft, but for last spring as well. Had he not decided to forgo college and not declare for the NFL draft, he'd've been the #1 overall pick in 2010. That kind of fame is strong and in Luck's corner.
Certainly a strong case can be made for Griffin. He has passed for 828 more yards than Luck. And rushed for nearly 400 yards more than Luck (well, actually it's 391). And he shares the same last name as the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner. Running back Archie Griffin of Ohio State won the award in 1974 and 1975. Griffin would be Baylor's first Heisman Trophy winner if he wins it. Stay tuned.
***
COLLEGE SPORTS--A TRAGEDY, A SECOND SCANDAL, AN UPSET AND A BCS MESS
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT STATE 11/18/11 (RTDP)--How do you describe the past two days in college sports when you have a tragedy, a second scandal, a huge football upset and a BCS mess?
I can't think of the right adjective. Consider what's happened in the past two days...
* -- Oklahoma State women's basketball coach Kurt Budke, 50, and his assistant coach, Miranda Serna, 36, were killed along with two others in a Thursday plane crash. Ten years ago in early 2001, ten people associated with the Oklahoma State men's basketball program died in a plane crash.
* -- In addition to the ongoing Penn State scandal, still another has emerged at Syracuse, where long-time men's assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine has been placed on administrative leave. Fine has steadfastly denied the allegations that he abused two former ballboys. Orangemen coach Jim Boeheim adamantly proclaimed the two ex-ballboys as liars, backing Fine to the hilt.
* -- The Penn State scandal continues with all kinds of news. Ex-football coach Joe Paterno has lung cancer at the age of 84...but it's treatable. The statue of Paterno outside the school's football stadium is rumored to be removed in about a week. Earlier it was disclosed that Paterno transferred ownership of his house to his wife...and has hired a criminal attorney. Remember the Penn State assistant coach, Mike McQueary, who insisted in a past e-mail that he contacted authories regarding alleged sexual misconduct there? Well, the authorities there say it didn't happen. And ex-Penn State RB Franco Harris reportedly lost his job for defending Paterno. The never-ending mess.
* -- Speaking of messes, we have another one. Namely, the BCS. Iowa State, a 27-point football underdog to #2 ranked Oklahoma State, BEAT Oklahoma State in two overtimes, 37-31. We will not have a battle of the unbeatens (LSU vs. Oklahoma State) for the national title. Instead, we will probably have at least one one-loss team in the title fray to play LSU. Which one? Probably Alabama. But don't count out Oregon, Oklahoma or even Boise State. I'm against an Alabama-LSU rematch of a game won earlier by LSU, 9-6, but Alabama's the best of the one-loss teams in the first place. There's a crying need for a 16-team tournament to decide the Division I college football national title.
***
JOE PATERNO--HE HAD TO GO
At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can.--Joe Paterno, in his public statement earlier today when he announced his retirement.
STATE COLLEGE, PA. 11/9/11 (RTDP) -- Joe Paterno made it easy for the Penn State University Board of Trustees.
It was a no-brainer.
He had to go.
Immediately.
Joe Paterno KNEW his former assistant coach was doing the unthinkable.
And Joe Paterno knew it nine years ago.
Contacting his supervisor wasn't enough. Why didn't he call the cops? Why didn't he confront Jerry Sandusky? Why didn't he try to find out the names of the victims and help them recover?
The Penn State Board of Trustees got it right. Joe Paterno had to go. It's a horribly sad way to see the man who's won the most games in college football history. But this is the way his career had to end. Otherwise, seeing Joe Paterno coaching on the sidelines Saturday against Nebraska would've been the most hypocritical thing to happen in college sports.
In a live interview with ESPN, Chris Fowler said Paterno experienced "terrible failure of judgement." Fowler added that "This is a sad night I thought I'd never see."
This is the most memorable college football firing since Ohio State fired Woody Hayes in late 1978. That, too, wasn't a surprise decision. Woody had punched Clemson's Charlie Bauman, whose late interception of an Art Schlichter pass clinched Clemson's 17-15 Gator Bowl win over Ohio State. The late Gib Shanley aired a to-the-point editorial on Cleveland's channel 5 later on that night. He ended it simply by saying, "Woody must go."
***
PATERNO MUST GO, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT STATE 11/8/11 (RTDP) -- Suddenly, the frustrations surrounding sports news items like the NBA lockout, the floundering Cleveland Browns and BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) shenanigans seem extremely moot.
Without question, THE sports news story--and perhaps THE news story-- is Penn State.
Period.
Most of you know the drill. On Saturday, former Nittany Lion football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, 67, was arrested and released on $100,000 bail after being arraigned on 40 criminal accounts. Originally, he was accused of sexually molesting eight boys. Three days later and as of this writing, the number of alleged victims has more than doubled to upwards of 20.
It only gets worse for Penn State each day. Two school higherups have already been charged with perjury for their part in covering up Sandusky's alleged crimes, the school president is under fire and football coach Joe Paterno appears to be finished, too. More heads could roll. According to published reports, Paterno informed his supervisor of Sandusky's alleged wrongdoings in 2002...but then did little else. But then, nobody else in charge at Penn State did anything, either. Imagine, NOBODY at Penn State informing the authorities about what Sandusky was doing.
And we're talking about incidents that date as far back as 1998. It's taken THIRTEEN YEARS for this whole thing to come to a head.
Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles' Times and the Harrisburg Patriot-News are among the news organizations who by today have demanded that Paterno resign or be fired immediately. Imagine, knowing that someone who's been part of your football program has been a pervert for nine years and you didn't take steps to put a stop to it, allowing it to go on for another nine years.
Even if Paterno is allowed to be a lame duck coach, Saturday's game against Nebraska would be his last home game at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions then have road games at Ohio State and Wisconsin, then probably a bowl game. All away games.
Already the wheels of justice are in motion like a Chinese fire drill. A court hearing for Sandusky scheduled for Wednesday (11/9/11) has been rescheduled for sometime next month (December 7). More chaos today. Paterno's weekly press conference was cancelled less than an hour before it was to begin. Even before it was to begin, the huge media corps was told Paterno would only discuss the Nebraska game. One scribe responded by nothing, "Well, I didn't come here to talk about tight ends."
Oh, and the people who claimed Paterno wouldn't talk about the scandal beforehand? Afterwards, Paterno admitted he was willing to TALK about the scandal at the press conference.
The mother of one of the victims said it best. She said Penn State dropped the ball TWICE on this situation in 1998 and 2002...and that all those involved who dropped the ball should drop their jobs.
And that includes Joe Paterno. He shouldn't be allowed to coach another game. If he does, that'll just add to all their other hypocracy we've already seen.
PUJOLS SHINES; YAHOO'S "BRAINLESS IDIOTS" DO NOT
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT STATE 10/23/11 -- Scatterskimming the wondering whatever happened to Blue Haze...
Hopefully, you saw it. After all, it's something you see every...oh...34 or 49 years. Albert Pujols became only the third player in World Serious history to hit three home runs in one WS game to spark the St. Louis Cardinals to a 16-7 game three win over the Texas Rangers Saturday night. Reggie Jackson last did it for the Yankees in 1977. Before Reggie, a/k/a Mr. October, it was another Yankee, Babe Ruth, in 1928. The Babe also did in 1926. Yes, he had TWO WS three-homer games.
Both 2011 WS teams' bullpens are in shambles. For Texas, there's Alexi Ogando who has a WS ERA of 27.00. Here's how Ogando's done with his first batter in three games...single, single, walk. At least four other Ranger hurlers have ERA's of 9.00. The Cardinals have Fernando Salas (16.20) and Jason Motte (18.00). Another tell-tale stat of Motte...22 pitches in the first two WS games with half of them getting hit at least as foul balls. In other words, half of Motte's 22 pitches have been situations where none of the 11 pitches swung at by Ranger hitters were swing-and-misses. Oh, and who's paying most of Cardinal reliever Arthur Rhodes his $4.1M salary? His former team! The one he's facing! The Texas Rangers!
Is it possible for an 85-year-old singer to become the oldest to have a #1 album? And for that chart-topping album to end a 54-year wait for that singer? You get it can. It happened recently to Tony Bennett, who reached the top of the LP chart for the first time in his stellar career with his latest album release, "Duets"...
I don't refer to people as "brainless idiots" often, but in the case of the web site Yahoo, I think it's true. A week ago today, the biggest auto racing story was--hands down--the tragic death of Dan Wheldon. They're still talking about it a week later. And yet, last Monday about 3 p.m. Eastern time, the Yahoos at Yahoo claimed that the "trending" (most popular web site story) wasn't Dan Wheldon, but rather Danica Patrick. When I first saw that "Danica Patrick" was the #1 "trending" topic, I figured DP was saluting and/or eulogizing Dan Wheldon.
Nope.
Instead, when I clicked on "Danica Patrick," I saw a headline with her name, a photo of her...and THIS written at 2 a.m. Sunday, less than 11 hours after Dan Wheldon's death was announced: "After seven years behind the wheel, Patrick ended her career as an IndyCar driver on Sunday, the same day fellow driver Dan Wheldon died in a horrible accident at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Patrick plans to drive for NASCAR full time in the coming years."
Imagine, a meaningless oft-repeated teaser story, combined with other web sites related to Danica Patrick. Even Danica Patrick HERSELF would scream that she wasn't the #1 "trending" or biggest internet story last Monday. DAN WHELDON WAS!!! HE WAS A PROFESSIONAL AUTO RACER WHO TRAGICALLY DIED!! Where are the Yahoo people's brains at! That stunt by Yahoo was classless, bush league, thoughtless, insensitive and, as one message boarder noted, "Disgusting."...
At my other web site, we're counting down the Top 10 Halloween songs. We then finish off the top 40 rock era instrumentals, followed by the top 40 Christmas songs. Christmas is two months from Tuesday. Check out this fun site at http://www.angelfire.com/music4/at40coc/...
I figured the college football national title game would be between Alabama and Oklahoma. Maybe not.Oklahoma's 41-38 home loss to Texas Tech combined with Michigan State's thrilling 37-31 win over Wisconsin has thrown the BSC title race into a frenzy. If Alabama beats LSU and wins the SEC title game, it's assured of a title game appearance. The Tide's foe? The possible team could be Stanford, Oklahoma State, Clemson and Boise State. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, we already have college football coaching openings at New Mexico, Arizona and Tulane. UCLA could be the fourth. The Rick Neuheisel Era isn't working with an 18-26 record. UCLA lost on national TV to Arizona, 48-12...and Arizona's already fired its head coach! And it's going to only get worse for UCLA in its next game against California. Six UCLA players won't play vs. Cal. They were suspended for their part in Thursday night's halftime brawl at Arizona...
Blue Haze took its remake of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" to #21 on the Cash Box pop chart in 1973...
Remember, it's only rock and roll, but I like it...
***
SCHOOL NAMED FOR CARLOS SANTANA (THE GUITARIST, NOT THE BASEBALL PLAYER)...WHILE R.E.M. HANGS 'EM UP
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 -- Back to scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to the Bill Smith Combo...
What was known as Valley Region Elementary School #12 in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley on Tuesday became the Carlos Santana Arts Academy. The school was named in honor of the legendary Rock And Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, not the Cleveland Indians baseball player of the same name. The Los Angeles Unified School Board approved the name change, saying Carlos has been a role model for children plus has been a long-time helper for the Miagro (Miracle) Foundation that's helped provide health and education for children.
The group Santana has been a mainstay in pop music since the late 60's, then reached national acclaim for the early 70's hit, "Black Magic Woman." The group's greatest achievement, though, was 1999's "Smooth," a collaboration with Rob Thomas that was a #1 Hot AC hit for 25 weeks. When "Smooth" reached #1 on the pop chart, it gave the group the record for the longest wait for a first #1. That wait was about 30 years, breaking the old record of 25 set by Aerosmith (1998, "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing"). "Smooth" would win major Grammy Awards for Song and Record Of the Year. Here's how "Smooth" sounded...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXp413NynFk
Surprisingly, there are very few schools named for singers and/or songwriters. Claudine Clark, the one-hit wonder best known for 1962's "Party Lights," used the proceeds from her only big hit single to start a school for underprivileged children in the Philadelphia area in the 1960's. However, it's not believed the school was specifically named for her. For sure, though, The School Of Sacred Music in New York City has been renamed The Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. The name change came in honor of the Jewish songwriter who died earlier this year in Orange County, California, at the age of 59....
Carlos Santana the baseball player plays catcher and first base for my Cleveland Indians. At last check, he was leading the Tribe in homers with 26...
Usually when you turn on the TV in the middle of the night, you're treated to replays of sporting events. Not so last weekend. The Indy Japan 500 auto race didn't end until about 2 a.m. Eastern time Sunday. Not to be outdone, Oklahoma State's 59-33 football win over Tulsa didn't end until 4:35 a.m. Eastern Time. Bad weather pushed back the kickoff to around midnight local (Central) time....
"It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" was among the many songs associated with the group R.E.M. Well, it's the end of the world as R.E.M. knows it and the group members feel fine. The rock group that formed in Athens, Georgia, in the 1980's has decided to break up. The letters R.E.M. stood for "Rapid Eye Movement." Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass) and drummer Bill Berry were the main lineup for R.E.M., which made the Rock Hall in 2007. The group was best known for the top-tenners "The One I Love," "Stand," "Losing My Religion" and my favorite, "Shiny Happy People" (which got big time vocal help from Kate Pierson of the B-52's).
Forgotten how great a rock song "Shiny Happy People" was? Well, check it out at...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNW809QqF1g
In football, look for the ax to fall on at least two coaches... Todd Haley (Kansas City Chiefs) and Rick Neuheisel (UCLA). The Chiefs have lost to injury three keys players, not to mention their first two games by scores of 41-7 and 48-3. The teams KC lost to aren't NFL powerhouses though Buffalo and Detroit are both improving. Neuheisel had been successful at the University of Washington and Colorado, but has been a disappointment at his alma mater. His record there is 16-24 but injuries have been devastating. Still, you'd think Neuheisel would be doing better in the recruiting department. UCLA is part of la-la land and thus in a warm-weather city. Like the Southeastern Conference (SEC), UCLA being in a warm-weather city gives it a huge recruiting advance...or so you'd think...
The Bill Smith Combo had a minor single release of "Tough" in the late summer of 1960. Check out the 30-second-long single saxophone note at about the 1:16 mark of this instrumental at...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeFED48n1VU
Remember, it's only rock and roll, but I Like it.
***
'CLAYTON MOORE IS THE ZIPS' STARTING QB; TONTO IS BACKUP'
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Adrian Kimberley....
The ONE person who caught my eye and led to a flurry of questions in the past week is the starting quarterback for the Akron Zips, who were blanked by Ohio State last weekend, 42-0.
Clayton Moore.
Hey, Clayton, why aren't you masked? Where's your horse, Silver, and your silver bullets? Where's Tonto and his horse, Scout? When you throw a touchdown pass, do you yell "Hi-Ho Silver"?
The headline for this blog is for real. I found it during an internet search.
You long-time nostalia buffs, of course, will remember the other Clayton Moore, the actor. He's had his share of roles, including the bad guy in at least one 1940's serial and as good guy Jim Scott in the 1952 serial, "Son Of Geronimo." But he'll always and forever be remembered as "The Long Ranger" for every year except one from 1949 to 1957. The 1949 three-part TV series of how he became the Lone Ranger is a treasured possession of mine. Remember the gang the Lone Ranger avenges for murdering all of his other fellow Texas Rangers? The Cavendish Gang! Led by Butch Cavendish, who in his jail cell would become the first to ask the fabled question, "Who WAS that masked man?"
My favorite Lone Ranger show was...this one... The masked man and Tonto, portrayed admirably by Jay Silverheels, help Walter Dubbs, who's been robbed. This robbery victim was raising money to buy a harp for his wife, Hannah, for her birthday. Naturally, justice prevails as the crooks are rounded up. In the end, The Lone Ranger and Tonto are treated to a terrific dinner at the Dubbs. Suddenly, our heroes get up from the table to go to the next room...and you just KNEW what for. Yup, to push through the curtains a harp for Hannah....
"Hi-Ho Silver, Away!"...
Fortunately, I wasn't part of the huge power blackout that plagued Orange County, virtually all of the San Diego area and even northern Mexico. The blackout was particularly troublesome for drivers who needed gas and couldn't get it until the power returned...
I have two web sites. One is my "American Top 40 Fun and Games site" with numerous features including my blogs, message boards, #1's on this day, birthdays, a continuing countdown (e.g. the Top 40 Disappearing Acts), a lookback at an AT40 show on this day in the past and a daily trivia question. I invite you to daily visit this site at ...
http://www.angelfire.com/music4/at40coc/
My other site, "The Over-Hyped And Under-Deserving," has been taken to task by two national sports writers. Each has labeled this site, among other things, as "mean-spirited." One of the writers even wrote an entire column depicting this site as "almost sexist" and "unfair" and "off the mark." The column helped give the web site incredible sudden popularity with a reported 5000-plus hits in a 24-hour period. Needless to say, the writer's column and logic were hilarious. She noted, "In auto racing, talent and not performance are not the most important job requirements, unlike any other professional sports. It's money..."
Oh really? My response: Show me ANY sport where the primary standings are based on how much money the participants are making. For an encore, the writer mentioned Kevin Conway. Ever heard of him? That's what I thought. He was named NASCAR's Sprint Cup rookie of the year around March. "There was snickering," the writer wrote, "but nothing close to the venom that's routinely spewed at (Danica) Patrick."
My response: How can you compare a complete unknown driver who's virtually never had a story, photo or headline appear in major sports publications or on-line sites with someone who's been regularly featured in endless photos, headlines and stories? Someone who's never won an auto race in North America? Someone who's gone 86 straight races without a victory? Someone who, in her 12-year racing career, has never won a road/street race in any level ever? Someone with one victory in 182 career races? And who's never won a 500-mile race of any kind?
Neither writer has offered me an opportunity to give my side of this story. What these two writers are calling "mean-spirited" is merely someone exercising his First Amendment rights and telling the truth. That's what regularly happening on that web site with everyone involved. You're invited to see for yourself at...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
Adrian Kimberley was a one-hit wonder act. It took "The Graduation Song...Pomp And Circumstance" to #44 on the Cash Box chart in the summer of 1961...
Speaking of oldies, I strongly recommend you check out the "Oldies Your Way" web site, including Ronnie Allen's weekly unique program, "Nutty But Nice," at...
http://www.oldiesyourway.com/Oldies_Your_Way_Radio/Home.html
You'll hear amazing oldies you've never heard in your life, but wish you had...
Remember, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
****
THE COASTERS' LEGAL MESS...WHILE THOME RETURNS TO INDIANS
Friday, August 19, 2001 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Everything Is Everything...
Sixty years ago today (August 19, 1951), a unbeatable baseball record was set.
As in shortest major league baseball player ever.
How are we ever going to find someone shorter than Eddie Gaedel?
He stood 3-foot-7.
Yes, he was a midget. He was part of legendary baseball mogul Bill Veeck, who signed the then-26-year-old Gaedel to a contract to bat once for the St. Louis Browns. Gaedel walked on four pitches. Detroit Tiger pitcher Bob Cain was laughing so hard at the prospect of pitching to a midget that it was a miracle he got four pitches to come near home plate. Will Harridge, then President of the American League, ruled Gaedel ineligible a day later, saying Veeck was making a mockery of the game.
Gaedel's legacy lived on, even after he died 10 years later in 1961. Legend has it that Veeck insured Gaedel for a million bucks. AND told Gaedel that if he made any move to swing at a pitch...that he (Veeck) would shoot him with a rifle from atop the stadium roof. Gaedel's walk was initially obliterated from the record books but later restored. Believe it or not, four other players besides Gaedel in baseball history have walked in their only plate appearance and never played defense. This past June, Gaedel's grandnephew, Kyle Gaedele, was drafted by the San Diego Padres...
When singer Richard Marx toured, he would sign into hotels and motels as Vince Everett. Or Chad Gates. Or Danny Fisher. YES, the names of characters Elvis Presley portrayed in his movies!!! Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the 34th anniversary of Elvis' passing, this writer's boss knocked at a nearby door. She didn't have the proper pass, so I let her in. But I also kiddingly asked her, "You know what the password is for today?" She smiled and guessed "Elvis?"
Correct...
A weird day in sports Thursday. Minor leaguer Mike Jacobs of the Colorado Rockies became the first major leaguer and the first athlete in American sports history to be tested positive for HGH (Human Growth Hormone). Jacobs earned a 50-game suspension.
Meanwhile, Terrelle Pryor, the former Ohio State quarterback and the center of the school's ongoing controversy, was ruled eligible to be picked in Monday's NFL Supplemental draft...under one condition. If an NFL team drafts him, he must undergo a five-game suspension before playing. Remember, Pryor was going to undergo a five-game suspension at the college level had he stayed at Ohio State. But he left the school amid the controversy last spring. So, NFL Commish Roger Goodell ruled Pryor must serve a five-game suspension in the NFL after being uncooperative with the college investigators of the NCAA. I think the Browns should take a chance on Pryor if he becomes available to them. Pryor is taller, faster, stronger and more athletic than Browns' starter Colt McCoy. Nevertheless, Pryor lacks the smarts and leadership skills necessary to become a good NFL quarterback. He'll be compared to Vince Young...
There really was a rock and roll group called Everything Is Everything. A one-hit wonder that reached #61 in 1969 with "Witchi Tao To." Don't believe me? Check out the song at...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAMKL2KKumo
Remember, it's only rock and roll but I like it...
***
THE ETTA JAMES HOAX...AND A MEMORABLE BUBBA SMITH QUOTE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Manu Dibango...
One of today's biggest stories is one you may not read or hear about on the radio or on TV. Some web sites were circulating a report this morning that pop and soul singer Etta James had died Wednesday at the age of 73. A fake TMZ page triggered what turned out to be a hoax. At last check, Etta James is very much alive and living in the Riverside, California, area. "I saw her last night and she's fine," her son, Donto James, told the Los Angeles times.
Suffice to say, however, that Etta's not in good shape. She's suffering from leukemia and dementia. Artis Mills, her husband of over 41 years, is seeking control of her finances. Stay tuned...
Sadly, Bubba Smith did die Wednesday. He was 66. The one thing I remember the most about Bubba wasn't his playing at Michigan State and being part of the 1966 10-10 tie with Notre Dame. Or his playing for the then-Baltimore Colts in the 16-7 upset loss to the New York Jets in the third Super Bowl game in 1969. Or his Miller Lite commercials. Or his "Police Academy" roles.
Instead, I'll remember Bubba Smith for his controversial quote regarding that Super Bowl loss to the Jets. That's the game where the Jets were 18-point underdogs and Joe Namath came through with his pre-game "I guarantee you we'll win" quote. Smith's post-game quote is less forgotten. In so many words, Bubba insinuated that the famous Jets' victory was fixed. Smith has been quoted as saying the game was "set up" for the Jets to win. In a book written by Jeff Miller about the AFL (American Football League, which the Jets were then a member of), Smith is quoted as saying, "This may sound crazy, but I don't think the game was kosher. In order for the merger to go through (the Jets) had to win. If you read the terms of the merger, if (the AFL) didn't establish credibility by the end of three years, the terms of the merger were null and void. You're talking the difference between millions and billions of dollars."
Opinion: Hogwash. The Jets were simply the better team. They made the big plays, particularly on defense with two end zone interceptions of Earl Morrall passes....
Shame on two high-level news media organizations that completely ignored last week's passing of Gene McDaniels. Neither USA Today nor CBS Radio News acknowledged the death of McDaniels. He was most famous for his solo 1961 hit, "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay," and for writing "Feel Like Makin' Love," a #1 hit for Roberta Flack in 1974....
I think my Indians gave up WAY too much to land pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez last weekend. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees tried to land Jimenez. However, both backed down when it was felt the Colorado Rockies wanted too many of their top prospects. It's never good to trade away your top two minor league pitchers for anyone. Prediction: The Indians won't win the AL Central despite the presence of Jimenez. Not enough qualify hitting and barely enough pitching. The Rockies, meanwhile, will eventually have Drew Pomeranz as their #1 starter for years to come...
Meanwhile, Yadier Molina was lucky to be suspended only five games for bumping umpire Rob Drake after getting ejected. What set Molina off was being called out on strikes. I felt the suspension should've been more like 10 games. On second thought, maybe not. To his credit, Molina has apologized to Drake...
Manu Dibango was an African performer whose only USA top 40 hit, "Soul Makossa," reached #22 at about this time 38 years ago in 1973. The instrumental was one of the earliest disco-sounding tunes. The 45 rpm single was so popular in Africa that people paid upwards of $10 to buy it...
More sad news: Annette Charles, best remembered for her role as Cha Cha in the 1978 movie, "Grease," has died of cancer at the age of 63...
We'll miss the Hall of Fame game this weekend due to the delay in ending the NFL lockout, but NFL exhibition action picks up next Thursday with five games...
Remember...it's only rock and roll but I like it.
***
READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? YUP, SO LET THE NFL CAMPS OPEN!
FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2011 -- Skitterscattering while wondering whatever happened to the Bill Smith Combo...
NFL training camps could open as early as tomorrow/Saturday now that the NFL owners have approved a new CBA (collective bargaining agreement). However, I'm also hearing NFL camps may not open for another 10 days (August 1). I think the NFL players would be crazy to vote this deal down. Imagine, no more two-a-days! And I hear the players get 55 per cent of the money pie. Meanwhile, keep in mind the three things that always happen when a typical NFL camp opens.
1. A player gets hurt. There's always a player who's dying to show the coaches how good he is...and pays the price with a costly injury. Personally, I'll never forget the knee injury suffered by the Browns' first round 1977 draft choice, linebacker Robert Jackson of Texas A&M.
2. A player flunks his physical. This often happens to a low round draft choice or a non-drafted free agent. NFL teams' physicals are very thorough. And they often find out a player's physical shortcomings (e.g. a bad heart, a bad knee).
3. A player leaves camp in the middle of the night. Often this is the ninth string punter who notices the eight punters ahead of him on the depth chart have their punts travel higher and longer. And then he's asking himself, "What am I doing here?"...
Here's a name to remember in pop music: Martin Harley. "Winter Coat" by the Martin Harley Band has just started to get spins on KOSI / Salt Lake City. There's something to be said for a winter song catching on in the summer....
Wednesday (July 20, 2011) marked the 42nd anniversary of a prophecy coming true. Around 1962-64, Alvin Dark was managing the San Francisco Giants. When asked about his one pitcher, Gaylord Perry, and his inability to hit, Dark replied, "They'll put a man on the moon before he hits a home run." So what happened on July 20, 1969? Yup, not long after Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the moon, Gaylord Perry hit his first major league baseball home run off the Dodgers' Claude Osteen. Honest...
The Bill Smith Combo had its only known single release of "Tough" in the late summer of 1960. The single never charted but the memory of a saxophone player's holding a note for TWENTY EIGHT SECONDS remains to this day. I invite you to check out the single and that unique note at...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeFED48n1VU
Jets WR Braylon Edwards, formerly of the Browns, pled guilty today to DWI. Interestingly, there's NOTHING in the AP article about Edwards serving even one day in jail. Probation, a six-month license suspension and having a breath-test device set up in his car. But no jail time? This is someone who pled guilty the previous summer to misdemeanor assault and was put on probation. Isn't THIS guilty plea for DWI a violation of THAT probation? And remember this: In November, 2008, Edwards was nailed for speeding to the tune of 125 mph. I would like to dedicate to Braylon Edwards "Let's Lock The Door (And Throw Away The Keys)" by Jay and the Americans...
Sad news out here in la-la land high school sports. Montclair Prep of Van Nuys, a private school in the San Fernando Valley, has dropped all sports and dropped its seventh and eighth grade teaching programs. It'll be a ninth-to-12th grade school as the result of massive restructuring. On his first day on the job, the school's football coach found out he didn't have a job or a team. The list of Montclair Prep graduates is impressive: Michael Jackson, Cher, Frank Sinatra Jr., Danny Bonaduce (the Partridge Family), Brad Fullmer (baseball), Russ Ortiz (baseball) and Toi Cook (football)...
Shame on our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) for portraying the USA Women's soccer team as heroes. The last time I checked, the United States CHOKED, BLEW IT AND LOST to Japan in the World Cup title match last Sunday. Japan overcame its awful earthquake and tsunami; had been 0-25 vs. the USA; and has no professional soccer leagues at all, and yet the Japanese WON. To further give you an idea of Japan's victory, consider this: Japan has only 25,000 girls participating in soccer. California alone has 200,000. In invite you to check my rants against the Almost-Should've-Could've-Would'ves at...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
Remember, it's only rock and roll, but I like it...
***
ROGER CLEMENS TRIAL -- THE $10 MILLION BLUNDER?
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 -- More scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Crabby Appleton...
Can you believe the brainless, blundering and inept prosecution in the Roger Clemens' perjury trial? The judge specifically orders the prosecution NOT to introduce any Andy Pettitte evidence, which is exactly what happened.
Duh! Is anybody paying attention?
A mistrial declared and Clemons may walk even though there's evidence of his DNA on needles. And how much has this trial cost us as taxpayers?
One observer estimates the cost at $10 million...
Scary postscript to the passing of Rob Grill of the Grass Roots: My good radio friend, Dick Bartley, remembered a story Rob Grill told him in an interview about missing a plane flight because he was late to the gate. It was the same flight that the duo McFadden and Whitehead of "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" fame missed because the duo did one too many interviews. That wasn't just any flight the three missed. It was Flight 191 out of Chicago's O'Hare Airport bound for Los Angeles on May 25, 1979. The plane lost an engine and crashed moments after takeoff. In all, 258 passengers, 13 crew members and two on the ground were killed in what ranks as the deadliest airline crash on USA soil in history. Bartley recalled in an e-mail to me, "Rob said every day after that was a bonus. A good guy and he will be missed."...
Out here in la-la land, the name of the game is to avoid the freeways altogether this weekend. One them, the highly traveled 405, is closed this weekend for repairs. The best advice given to everyone is to stay home...
A week ago, when Ohio State vacated its 12 football wins from last season, it was merely the start of more punishment to come from the NCAA next month. Look for the Buckeyes to lose 15-30 scholarships and to face a two-year bowl ban...
We really did have a rock group called Crabby Appleton. The one-hit wonder band reached #30 on the Cash Box pop chart with "Go Back" and was heard on the very first "American Top 40" show on the Fourth Of July weekend, 1970...
I'm highly confident that the NFL lockout will end in a week. I hope so. I just can't imagine us not having the annual Hall of Fame game at Canton's Fawcett Stadium...
Remember, it's only rock and roll, but I like it...
***
CAN YOU BELIEVE "THE DECISION" IS ONE YEAR OLD????
FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to the P-Nut Gallery....
Believe it or not, it was a year ago today that LeBron James announced "The Decision." Then came all celebrating in Miami. And all those daily Miami Heat updates in USA Ladies Home Journal Today. And the Heat turning to Ice in the NBA finals. And all those LeBron jokes that only now are starting to lose their luster. Maybe not. There's the one about LeBron's plans to remake an Elvis Presley hit. The one entitled, "(Now And then There's) A Fool Such As I."...
Warmest birthday greetings today to the world's greatest sister, Diane Louis Durkee Smith....
RIP: John Mackey, 69, died of dementia caused by his many football injuries. He revolutionized the tight end position with his 4.6 speed in the 40. Also, he was the first NFL Player's union President. Thanks to his leadership, the NFL players succeeded in staging a strike that would net them over $11 million in future benefits...
RIP: Jane Scott, the Cleveland Plain Dealer's long-time rock music critic, was 92 when she died recently. She rose to her unique fame by volunteering to write a review about a group coming to Cleveland in 1964. She was 45 at the time and, yes, the group was the Beatles. Here's one of the many on-line obits of Jane Scott found by me...
http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2011/07/rip_jane_scott.php...
RIP: Baseball Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams was 82 when he died Thursday in Las Vegas of a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He piloted the Oakland Athletics to the 1972 and 1973 World Serious titles plus managed two other teams to the fall classic, the 1967 "Impossible Dream" Boston Red Sox and the 1984 San Diego Padres. I can't emphasize enough the importance of reading his early 90's book, "No More Mr. Nice Guy." My favorite story involves another team Williams managed, the California Angels.
In his book, Williams actually had the courage to call his Angel boss, famed singing cowboy star Gene Autry, "a cheapskate." Williams remembered the aftermath of when Autry's horse, Champion, died. Autry considered having Champion stuffed, so he called his old buddy, Roy Rogers, who had Trigger stuffed. Gene asked Roy how much the procedure would cost and Roy replied, "About $25,000, but that was 10 years ago." There was then a bit of a pause and Roy broke the silence by asking, "So, Gene, what are you going to do with Champion?"
More silence.
Then, Gene's answer.
"Bury the son of a bitch."...
We not only had the Peanut Gallery as in the kids seating area for the Howdy Doody TV show, we also had the group the P-Nut Gallery. In 1971, the P-Nut Gallery took "Do You Know What Time It Is?" to #54. That song shouldn't be confused with the late 1970 #5 hit by Chicago, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"...
How 'bout my trusty Cleeeeeeeveland Indians! A 5-4 come-from-behind win over Toronto courtesy of a walk-off grand slam Home run by Travis Hafner. Oh, and the Tribe just sent back to the minors a pitcher named Josh Judy. If Judge Judy marries Josh Judy, she would be known as Judge Judy Judy...
Remember, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
***
50 YEARS LATER, WE STILL DANCE TIL A "QUARTER TO THREE"
It’s the record that drove my mom nuts.
And my dad.
And my two brothers.
And my sister.
Without question the most-played record in the history of my family.
It’s among the greatest good-time rock 'n roll party records ever.
And this 4th of July weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the song’s rise to #1 in the USA.
“Quarter To Three” by Gary (U.S.) Bonds was that kind of record. I still remember how it rose to #1 on the WHK Fabulous 50 Tunedex. It debuted at #45, went to #21, then #2 and then #1 for eight weeks. For the WHK year-end rankings, it was the #1 single of 1961.
The song was based on an instrumental entitled “A Night With Daddy G” by the Church Street Five. Both the title and the act of the original single are in the lyrics of “Quarter To Three.” Though it sounds like a party going on, the song actually had a whole lot of editing done. You can hear an edit just before “a night with Daddy G” (who was saxophonist Gene Barge). A few months after the song hit #1, Gary U.S. Bonds did a followup visit to “American Bandstand.” After singing “Quarter To Three,” Dick Clark handed Bonds a gold record award for the single.
It’s no coincidence that Gary (U.S.) Bonds enjoyed a dramatic comeback some 20 years after his historic #1 single that sounded like it was recorded at a party (even though producer Frank Guida would dispute that).
Who helped U.S. Bonds in his 1981 comeback and wrote his comeback hit, “This Little Girl”?
Bruce Springsteen. And they duet on “Jole Blon,” usually the powerful song to open U.S. Bonds' live performances.
Case dismissed.
U.S. Bonds burst into the pop music scene in the fall of 1960 with “New Orleans.” Everyone thought it was a group. It was just Gary Anderson being overdubbed repeatedly. Thanks to Guida’s expert production skills that even the Beatles may have copied, U.S. Bonds had other hits like “Dear Lady Twist,” “School Is Out” and “School Is In.”
For your enjoyment, I invite you to check out “Quarter To Three,” the way it sounded as a hit in 1961 and the way Gary U.S. Bonds did it on The King Biscuit Flower Hour 20 years later.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3lkD1dCxRg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRxueQCqNA0
***
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2011 -- Do you know who Tanguy Ngombo is?
That's what I thought.
Tanguy Ngombo stands 6-8, weighs about 230 pounds and was the 57th player chosen in last week's NBA draft. He was discovered while playing for Al Rayyan in the Quatar Basketball League. The champion Dallas Mavericks drafted him but did so for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who'd end up with his rights. In between the Mavs' choosing him, Ngombo was traded to Portland, then to Minnesota. Tanguy claimed he was born July 10, 1989 but guess what?
He was born July 18, 1984. He'll turn 27 next month. Big difference. NBA rules state a player can't be older than 22 when drafted. Ngombo could become an invalidated NBA draft choice and a free agent. We'll see. The NBA has bigger problems, like a possible lockout starting Friday. Meanwhile...
Ngombo's age fraud reminds me of the time New Kids On The Block fudged on their ages in 1989. They did it to keep their fans thinking they were an all-teenage group when they really weren't. I was a writer-researcher for "American Top 40" at the time and helped research the matter. In November, 1989, Shadoe Stevens gave out the New Kids' real ages as a nice way to point out they'd lied about their ages. And we had the proof in the form of their birth certificates. One New Kids' fan, though, wrote us at AT40 saying the birth certificates weren't reliable. Oh well...
It's impossible to list everyone who's lied about his-her age over the years. Here's a few memorable ones. For instance, the late Phil Seghi, a long-time Cleveland Indians front office man, tried to keep young by having his year of birth moved up by a few years whenever a Tribe press guide came out. Mariah Carey claimed she was born in 1970 but it's believed she was actually born in 1969. Only recenty did I find out about two other singers who've fudged on their ages. For years, I thought Barry Manilow and Ian Hunter were both born in 1946. Not so. Barry Manilow was born in 1943 and Hunter in 1939....
Department of the sad, weird, ironic....Over the weekend, Nick Charles died of cancer at the age of 64. He was CNN's first sports anchor. Then Monday, another sports figure with the same last name passed away. Lorenzo Charles, best known for his last-second dunk that helped North Carolina State beat Houston, 54-52, for the 1983 NCAA men's basketball title, died in a bus crash. He was 47...
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a mess. The team's management filed for bankrupcy Monday. It's the latest move for Frank McCourt, who's trying to hold onto the team and remain the team owner. His team may not make payroll in a few days but perhaps the bankrupcy filing will help McCourt's cause. Last week, major league baseball disapproved of McCourt's deal with the Fox TV network. One reason was probably the millions that would've gone to McCourt to settle his nasty divorce proceedings. One co-worker thinks McCourt will be through as Dodger owner by August 1. Stay tuned. Oh, and with the Dodgers' filing for bankrupcy, we find out the team owes Manny Ramirez about $20 million and Andru Jones another $11 million. To not play for the Dodgers....
Remember, it's only rock and roll but I like it.
***
LEBRON'S FALL--JUST LIKE ANOTHER MIAMI TEAM IN 1987
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to the Bikinis...
Between some recent passings (e.g. Clarence Clemons, Wild Man Fischer) and the LeBron James jokes, I suddenly found myself out of the business of blogging. Well, I'm baaaaack!.
Three bits of sad news in the world of entertainment. Peter Falk, best known as detective Columbo in the early 1970's, was 83 when he died of dementia at his Beverly Hills home on Thursday, June 23, 2011. Meanwhile, 75-year-old Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with early Alzheimer's Disease. He's planning a final album and farewell tour. Also, I've heard that Rob Grill, the lead singer of the Grass Roots, hasn't been doing well. Details are sketchy, though, so stay tuned...
LeBron James' and the Miami Heat's downfall led me to ask myself, "When's the last time when a sports team got what it deserved with a loss where most of the USA rejoiced?" Obviously, this is subjective but I vividly recall the Fiesta Bowl on January 2, 1987 for the 1986 college football national championship. And the team that got what it deserved was ALSO a Miami team. Miami of Florida's football players came off the plane in Tempe, Arizona, highly favored to beat Penn State...and wearing cambat fatigues. Arrogance at its worst.
The Hurricanes were just getting warmed up. At a pre-game steak fry dinner involving both teams, each team was asked to put on a skit prior to the dinner. Penn State's players, probably already upset with the Miami players' cockiness, did a skit hinting that the Nittany Lions had more white players while the Hurricane had more blacks. Then came Miami's turn. Hurricane DL Jerome Brown, who sadly would die in a car crash five years later, said this to the microphone, "Did the Japanese go sit down with Pearl Harbor before they bombed them?" His teammates yelled out in reply, "No!" Brown then said, "Fellas, let's go." With that, every Miami player got up and left the restaurant. Needless to say, Fiesta Bowl officials were angered and embarrassed.
Before all the Hurricane players left, one Penn State player asked, "Didn't the Japanese lose that war?" A teammate later said, "I was ready to play them right THEN." Penn State would get the last laugh in one of Joe Paterno's best-coached games ever. A superb defensive effort plus specialty team play led to Penn State's 14-10 upset win that thrilled the USA....
There really honestly was a rock and roll group called the Bikinis. They reached #57 on the Cash Box pop chart in 1958 with "Bikini." It was mostly an instrumental with the group leader sometimes saying, "Here comes Jeannie in her polka-dot bikini." Honest...
There's various quotes I especially get a chuckle out of in the world of sports. Among them are how this is "a dream-come-true." And how "they're playing for all the marbles." And, you know, there's, you know, the same two words, you know, that keep getting said by sports figures in interviews. Now you know.
Imagine my disappointment during Thursday's NBA draft. I mean, not one of the 60 players said that this is "a dream-come-true." Still, the many interviews spruced up ESPN's coverage in spite of way too many trades that involved at least 32 players. The whole thing didn't end until 12:06 a.m. today. My Cleeeveland Cavaliers did the expected by making point Kyrie Irving of Duke the first overall pick. Is Irving over the turf toe injury that limited him to 11 Duke games this past season? I hope so. The Cavs' other pick, Tristan Thompson of Texas as the overall #4 pick, must be a darn good player. But it's not because he can shoot free throws. Imagine, a 48.7 per cent free throw percentage...and for a Top 4 lottery draft choice! Go figure...
Remember, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
***
ROCK AND ROLL HEAVEN GETS A WILD MAN AND A BIG MAN
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011 -- It's been a very sad day for me as two entertainers have died and entered Rock and Roll Heaven.
Most of you are familiar with saxman Clarence Clemons (a/k/a the big Man), who died today from complications of a stroke at the age of 69. You may not be as familiar with Larry (Wild Man) Fischer, the uniquely and weirdly talented performer who died of heart failure two days ago at the age of 67. For me, WMF as he was also known, was infamous for what's considered by me as the worst song ever recorded, "My Name Is Larry." Once hearing that alleged song, nobody's argued with me. WMF was truly unique, a one-in-a-trillion cult hero in the La-La Land area.
I invite you to check out my extensive obituaries of both the Big Man and the Wild Man at this site's message board section under "Latest News."
***
TOP 10 SONGS TO DEDICATE TO LEBRON JAMES
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011 -- Here's my top 10 songs to dedicate to LeBron James (with thanks to radio friends Ronnie Allen and Scott Lakefield)...
10. Cold As Ice -- Foreigner
9. You're No Good -- Linda Ronstadt / Betty Everett
8. Nowhere Man -- The Beatles
7. My Bad -- Rayvon
6. Shame On Me -- Bobby Bare
5. Take The Money And Run -- The Steve Miller Band
4. The Great Pretender -- the Platters
3. The Chokin' Kind - Joe Simon
2. I'm A Loser -- the Beatles
1. Fool #1 -- Brenda Lee
P.S. Why is a Heimlich Maneuver expert always on the Miami Heat bench?
(Because the Heat needs him in case LeBron chokes)
***
WHY CLEVELAND IS DELIRIOUS AND CELEBRATING....
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2011 --
So LeBron betrayed Cleveland...and planned the whole thing...
Conspired with 2 others.... so he'd get a ring.
But not so this year! You LOSE when you cheat...
The champs? They're the MAVS......and NOT the Heat!!!!
***
GIANTS' GM MAKES GIANT MISTAKE
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to the Flavor...
On July 14, 1970, Pete Rose scored the winning run of the National League's 5-4 12-inning victory over the American League in major league baseball's All-Star game. It's how Rose scored that winning run that everyone remembers. He plowed into catcher Ray Fosse, causing him to drop the ball. To give you an idea of how famous this play was, almost nobody can tell you how got the game-winning hit. It was Jim Hickman. Anyway, Rose wasn't fined for his actions and Fosse continued to play at least until 1979.
Home plate collisions are part of baseball. They happen. Even if the catcher suffers a fractured bone in his lower left along with three torn ankle ligaments. That's the extent of injuries suffered by San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey when he collided with Scott Cousins of the Florida Marlins on May 25. Posey emphasized that "I don't think he (Cousins) did anything illegal." Cousins has repeatedly and openly apologized for the hit, explaining that he was merely trying to win the game for his game. Cousins is in a peculiar position. He played his college baseball at the University of San Francisco.
Sadly, Cousins has received death threats. Worse yet, though, were the scathing remarks made by Giant General Manager Brian Sabean on the team's flagship radio station Thursday (June 2, 2011). Sabean said, and I quote, "If I never hear from Cousins again or he never plays another game in the big leagues, I think we'll all be happy." Later, Sabean reiterated his feelings, saying Cousins' home plate collision with Posey was "a cheap hit. It was premeditated."
Outfielder Logan Morrison, Cousins' roommate when the Marlins play at home, boldly spoke out on Cousins' behalf, saying: "It's wildly unprofessional for him (Sabean) to make any comment on the situation. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he's never been in a situation like that....It's (commentary by Sabean) terrible. Why would you wish anything like that on anybody? This is his (Cousins') hometown, San Francisco. He's worried about his family and his friends that are there. And he (Sabean) is going ot make ocmments like that? It's ignorant, it's inappropriate and he has no idea what the hell he's talking about."
Opinion from here: I totally agree with Morrison. Sabean was totally out of line and should be fined heavily by Major League Baseball....
The Flavor rocked us out in the summer of 1968 with the #66 hit, "Sally Had A Party." About two thirds into the song, the late 1967 hit by the Fantastic Johnny C, "Boogaloo Down Broadway," is sampled....
Now we know why Jim Tressel decided to resign as Ohio State football coach at 9 a.m. on Monday, a legal holiday. Later that day, Sports Illustrated would blow the lid off the Tressel case with stunning revelations. Among them were how Tressel's behind-the-scenes shenanigans go back to his Youngstown State coaching days, how he lied to the NCAA three times, how the tattoo controversy dates back at least nine years and how the school badly miscounted how many players were up to no good in recent years. All of which leads me to ask this burning question...
How can Gordon Gee still be President and Gene Smith the Athletic Director at Ohio State? Those two DIDN'T know what was going on? Plus, both showed incredible arrogance during the celebrated March 8 press conference. That's when Gee was asked if Tressel's job was in jeopardy and he replied, "Are you kidding? I just hope the coach doesn't dismiss me." Not to be outdone, Smith said, "Wherever we end up at the end of the day, Jim Tressel is our football coach."
I strongly recommend you read this SI expose at...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/magazine/05/30/jim.tressel/index.html?sct=cf_t11_a2#&sct=cf_t2_a3
Sad entertainment news. James Arness, Marshall Dillon on "Gunsmoke," died in his sleep overnight. He was 88. John Wayne was originally chosen to star on "Gunsmoke" but told show executives that he knew someone else who'd do the job even better. John Wayne would introduced Arness to start the first "Gunsmoke" TV show. One of Arness' earliest roles was the dreaded space creature in "The Thing" (a/k/a "The Thing From Another World"). The movie poster said, "It creeps, it crawls, your blood will be ice cold."
Remember, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
***
URBAN MEYER--THE NEXT OHIO STATE FOOTBALL COACH
MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011 -- Urban Meyer will eventually replace Jim Tressel as the Ohio State football coach.
And maybe sooner than you think.
Ohio State needs a big name to replace Tressel quickly and to start the healing process. Meyer has been rumored to replaced Tressel not long after the scandal broke about Tressel's failure to report violations he knew about. Meyer has a home in Upper Arlington, a suburb of Columbus. He has Ohio football roots, having played at Ashtabula St. John High School and the University of Cincinnati. Plus, he coached at Bowling Green prior to moving on to Utah and Florida.
Above all, I think he's available. I think the coaching bug is going to return to him very quickly, because money talks. The only big name mentioned so far in the Buckeye coaching derby is Tony Dungy.
Tressel's resignation today, a forced one according to many observers, was brought to my attention less than 10 minutes after I'd just e-mailed out my latest blog that included the foot-in-mouth award winners (Tiki Barber, Ozzie Guillen and Avril Lavigne). Why today for the resignation? On a holiday? I'm guessing a huge buyout was finally reached late Sunday night. And Ohio State officials didn't want to put this off any longer. Holiday or no holiday.
Just 3-4 days ago, the NCAA denied appeals by another troubled college football program, Southern California. When the NCAA does come down on Ohio State, it will come down hard. Vacated victories from last season, a loss of scholarships, probation and a two-year ban on bowl games are all on my mind.
Needless to say, this abrupt ending of the Jim Tressel era at Ohio State is hugely disappointing. Though we've never met, Jim and I grew up in the same community of Mentor, Ohio, where my family moved in 1952. Jim was born in 1953. His dad, the late Lee Tressel, was highly successful as football coach at Mentor High School. His resume includes 37 straight victories. The Mentor High School class of 1956 never lost a football game. Lee would coach Baldwin-Wallace to a national small school championship in the late 1970's. It meant Lee and Jim were among the very few father-son combinations to coach a national champion.
Not enough blame for this mess is going to QB Terrell Pryor and the other four Buckeye players who sold memorabilia in exchange for money. Pryor is not a popular person in Columbus. Many hope he'll never play again in a Buckeye uniform.
Ohio State overcame the shame of firing Woody Hayes for punching Clemson's Charlie Bauman late in the 17-15 loss in the 1978 Gator Bowl.
Ohio State will overcome this mess, too. Hiring Urban Meyer would certainly be a good start.
***
TIKI BARBER--A BAD CASE OF FOOT-IN-MOUTH DISEASE
MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011 -- Memorial Day scatterskimming while wondering where people's brains are...
Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber is the hands-down winner of the 2011 Memorial Day weekend Foot-In-Mouth Award. Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is a close second, followed by singer Avril Lavigne.
Oh, you didn't hear what Barber said on page 50 the latest issue of Sports Elevated? Brace yourself. Barber hopes to make a comeback once the ugly NFL lockout ends. He last played during the 2006 season. He's 36 years old but has the brains of a two-year-old after what he said. And that's on top of having an extramarital affair with his 23-year-old girlfriend while his wife is pregnant. For about 13 months, he and his girlfriend have been living in the attic of his agent, Mark Lepselter. He explained the situation by saying THIS...
"Lap's Jewish and it was like a reverse Anne Frank thing."
Here's probably the best response to Barber's tasteless quote...
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/tasteless_tiki_VgoV055eG1W8NCF6bbwE8J?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=
Meanwhile, Ozzie Guillen on Saturday publicly ripped the White Sox fans so badly that I can't repeat what he said the drunk Chisox fans would do. You can read it for yourself at...
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/other_mlb/view.bg?articleid=1341544&srvc=rss
Guillen goes to the head of my list as the major league baseball manager most likely to be fired first. He enabled Chicago baseball fans to go full cycle. How? Because back in 1983, Lee Elia, then the Cub manager, launched perhaps the most profanity-laced rant against any team's fans. For the entire rant, both printed and sound-wise, I invite you to check out...
http://www.leeelia.com/
And for the story behind the outburst, check out...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Elia
All of this almost pales in comparison to what Avril Lavigne said. She was performing at a Tampa Bay Rays' postgame concert Saturday when technical difficulties intervened. When Rays' fans in attendance began to boo the glitches, Lavigne went into her own profanity-laced tirade over the mike. Rays' management profusely apologized for the incident...
Our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) cannot see the forest with the trees. For my two-part explanation, I invite you to check out...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
And, remember...it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
***
MIKE BROWN--FROM THE FRYING PAN INTO THE LA-LA LAND FIRE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 -- Skitter-skatter-skimming while wondering whatever happened to the Wild-Cats,,,
Mike Brown, Los Angeles Laker head coach.
You could've fooled me!
Yeah, but does Mike Brown know what he's getting into? He moves up from the 17th ranked radio-TV market (Cleveland-Akron) to the second. He moves up from a team that's never won an NBA title (the Cavaliers) to one that's won 16, one behind the record set by the Boston Celtics. And he's only replacing Phil Jackson, who owns the most NBA titles as a coach with 11. Remember what happened to the last person to follow Phil Jackson as a coach? It was Rudy Tomjanovich. Rudy T. didn't even last a season. He stepped down after 41 games in 2004, citing health issues. I think he was totally stressed out.
Remember what happened to Mike Brown in his last season as Cavalier coach? The team had the league's best record, then fizzled in the playoffs. No way will the spoiled Laker fans tolerate that kind of season. When it comes to basketball, a lot of people in la-la land are spoiled. When the nomadic Larry Brown (no relation ,BTW) took over at UCLA in 1979, he couldn't get seated at his new office's desk. There was something stuck underneath the desk where one's feet would be. It was a Pacific Ten league championship trophy.
Mike Brown's going to find out quickly how different a Laker home game is compared to a Cavalier home game. At your typical Laker home game, there's tons of entertainment people, particularly actress Dyan Cannon and actor Jack Nicholson. Lotsa glamour. Lotsa pressure. Plus, this is a Laker team that's getting older with virtually all of its starters in their 30's. The Lakers need to get younger in the off-season. Landing Dwight Howard would be a good start. Stay tuned...
Sad news in the world of baseball. Paul Splittorff, who won the most games in Kansas City Royal history (166) plus spent nearly a quarter of a century as the team's broadcaster, died this morning (5/25/11) at his Blue Springs, Missouri home. He was 64. His battle against oral cancer and melanoma hadn't become public until nine days ago. I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Paul during my sports writing career in the 1970's. He was a total gentleman you couldn't help but love and respect. He'll be truly missed...
Big-time congrats to 2011 American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. Terrific voice...almost certain to click big-time in country music circles. But will he cross over and succeed with adult music listeners outside of country radio? And in the world of top 40 radio? Stay tuned...
The Wild-Cats were a one-hit wonder act. In 1959, they reached #65 on the Cash Box pop chart with their only hit. Its title was "Gazachstahagen."...
Remember, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
***
WHO IS PIPPA MANN? READ ON!!!
MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011 -- Skimmerscattering while wondering whatever happened to...Leroy Fick.
Who is Pippa Mann?
That's what I thought.
And you have our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) to thank.
Pippa Mann is not a rock group.
Pippa Mann is not a European basketball player waiting to be picked in next Month's NBA draft.
Pippa Mann IS European.
But Pippa Mann isn't a man.
Pippa Mann is a woman.
But not just any woman.
Pippa Mann is a British woman race car driver. This past weekend, Pippa Mann made history. She became the first British woman to ever qualify for the Indianapolis 500. So what if she's in the last row? She STILL made history that our BSNM missed the boat and dropped the ball on.
Why? Because the BSNM chose to make a big deal out of the racer who Sunday qualified for the Indy 500 after failing to qualify Saturday for the top 24. No need to mention her name. You know her name. What you may not know is that she's on a streak...having gone SEVENTY straight auto races without a victory. Her racing record that dates back to 1999? One win in 165 races (1-164). OK, OK, I've said enough...except for one thing. If you want to read my various vents as well as those of others, check out this web site...
http://www.voy.com/222481/...(Want to post a vent yourself? Be my guest!)
Leroy Fick, 59, of Auburn, Michigan, won $2 million on a TV lottery show almost a year ago (June, 2010). Guess what he's still doing? Applying for and RECEIVING food stamps! Don't ask me how, but he's eligible. He told a Saginaw TV station, "If you're going to try to make me feel bad, you're not going to do it."...
This headline really happened...
"Mother's Day Rectal And Tea"
(I think they meant to say "recital")...
Wednesday marks the 25th anniversary of "Hands Across America." On May 25, 1986, about six and a half million people formed a hands-holding line that stretched across the entire USA...
Finally, remember how we heard about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sense of entitlement? How he wants a statue of himself in front of the building where his former team (the Lakers) plays? Kareem's popping off led to this letter to the Los Angeles Times sports department...
“I don’t blame Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for thinking he deserves a statue outside of Staples Center. I’m pretty sure all of the current players already have them. I know because I saw the statues on TV last week playing defense against Dallas.”,,,
Just remember, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
***
KAREEM WANTS A STATUE OF HIMSELF...DOES CHUBBY CHECKER STILL WANT ONE?
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2011 -- Scatterskimming some more while wondering whatever happened to the Rationals...
All the Los Angeles Lakers want is a new coach. All former Laker center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wants is a statue of himself in front the Lakers' building, the Staple Center.
Welcome to la-la land. Ever since the Lakers' embarrassing NBA sweep by the Dallas Mavericks, seemingly all the la-la land media has to write about is speculation over the new Laker coach to replace the retiring Phil Jackson. Since the Lakers aren't playing, there's even time to hear Abdul-Jabbar air his dirty laundry over what he feels is a lack of respect shown by the Lakers. And, hey, while you're at it, Lakers, how 'bout a statue for Kareen? He WANTS one! Which reminds me...
About 10 years ago, Chubby Checker wrote an open letter to the entertainment industry saying he would refuse induction into the Rock And Roll of Fame if the Cleveland-based building didn't erect a statue of him in the front courtyard. The performer most famous for the greatest dance single of all time, "The Twist," still hasn't been voted into the rock hall. In defense of Chubby, I find it highly unlike him to make such a demand. I had the pleasure of interviewing him in 1977. He was just wonderful, especially when you consider that when I called him at his Lorain, Ohio, hotel, I accidently woke him up from a nap. He STILL did the interview. I still hope Chubby will make the rock hall and put aside his statue request. "The Twist" is the only single to have made #1 on the pop chart in two separate chart runs (September, 1960 and early 1962). He also had a plethora of 1960's dance hits like "Let's Twist Again," "Pony Time," "Limbo Rock," "The Fly," "The Huclkebuck" and "Let's do The Freddie."...
There's a familiar name in the letters section of the latest Sports Illustrated. If you're not an SI subscriber, you can check out that letter at...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1185980/index.htm
The Rationals were a garage-band kind of group from Ann Arbor who reached #80 with perhaps the rockingest version of the song "Respect" that you've probably never heard. The Rationals' version of "Respect' came about a year after it was first released by the man who wrote it, the late great Otis Redding, and about eight months before Aretha Franklin turned it into a #1 classic...
Now that the Cleveland Cavaliers own the first overall pick in next month's NBA draft via the league's draft lottery, they have to make that choice count. The Cavaliers don't want to repeat the mistake made by the Portland Trail Blazers with the #1 overall pick in 1972. Center LaRue Martin of Loyola of Chicago is still touted as the worst #1 overall NBA draft pick in history. The vast majority of the sports news media say the Cavaliers will select Duke point guard Kyrie Irving. However, I have my concerns. Irving missed 26 Duke games last season due to a nasty toe injury. Is Irving injury-prone? Stay tuned...
Cher turns 65 today. Others blowing out the candles today are former Minnesota Viking coach Bud Grant (84), former Go-Go Jane Wiedlin (53), Susan Cowsill (52) and Jayson Werth (32)...
On Tuesday at my local gas pump, the price went down from $4.19 to $4.15 a gallon...
Remember, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
***
GOOD NEWS--AT MY NEAREST GAS PUMP!!!
SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to the Voxpoppers...
Good news at my nearest gas pump. You should check yours out. I checked mine Friday...and it was $4.25 a gallon. But instead of filling up with a mere quarter of a tank empty, I decided to wait and see if the price may come down as I suspected it might. It turns out I was right. On Saturday, it was $4.19. Six cents less in just one day. So much for the dumb-dumb news media saying we'd reach $5 a gallon by this summer..
When you and I have a bad day, almost nobody knows it or even notices it. But when you're a dh-catcher for the New York Yankees and have a bad day, everybody knows it and/or notices it. Jorge Posada had a bad day Saturday. Perhaps you heard. Mired in a slump (.165 and oh-for-24 vs. lefties), Posada was relegated to batting ninth and last in the lineup card vs. the Boston Red Sox Saturday. Well before the game's start and after finding out his place in the lineup, Posado begged out of the game to Yankee manager Joe Girardi. Girardi obliged, replacing Posada with Andruw Jones.
Nearly forgotten in the controversy was Posada's ailing back. Still, the Posada-Girardi meeting may have been heated. Whatever the case, Posada profusely apologized to Girardi today. Apology accepted. Ditto with Yankee management. Time to move on. Shame on the sports news media for insinuating that Posada was guilty of insubordination. No way. Posada has almost never been a problem player. Admittedly, he was fined $2500 by major league baseball for his part in a 2009 brawl vs. Toronto but that's minor stuff. Anyone who's played over 1700 games in 16 big league seasons--all with the Yankees--deserves a break. Posada turns 40 on August 17...
There really was a vocal group called the Voxpoppers. I can still remember them singing their only Top 40 hit, the #17-peaking "Wishing For Your Love" on a Dick Clark-hosted Saturday night "American Bandstand" show. Fittingly, while lip-synching to their hit, one member tossed a coin into a wishing well....
Kudos to the Chicago Bulls for beating the Miami Heat, 103-82, in the NBA Eastern Conference finals series game one. My battle cry for the NBA season all along has been "anybody but the Heat."...
***
JOHN WALKER, LEAD SINGER? NOT!
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011 -- More scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Jump 'N The Saddle...
A quick update and correction regarding John Walker of the Walker Brothers who died of cancer recently. My obituary said he was the Walker Brothers' lead singer. I was led to believe that he was lead singer because one story called him the group's "frontman." Sometimes the frontman isn't the lead singer as in this case. A big thank you to oldies Expert and DJ Ronnie Allen of Pennsylvania for catching my goof!
Actually, it was Scott Engel, who changed his name at least professionally to Scott Walker, who sang lead vocals on "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)." Scott probably sang lead on all the other Walker Brother hits, too. THANK YOU, RONNIE. Meanwhile, I invite you to check out Ronnie's outstanding web site, complete with many outstanding interviews, at...
http://www.jerseygirlssing.com/RonnieRadioPage.htm#Ronnie%20Allen...
In the This-Was-Really-A-Headline Department:
"Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife And Daughter"...
Telling statistic of the day: In the Dallas Mavericks' 122-86 season-ending rout of the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, the Mavs had more assists (32) than the Lakers had baskets (31).
It was a nasty weekend for the Lakers. The day before his last NBA game as a coach, Phil Jackson was fined $35,000 for comments regarding NBA officiating. Then the day of the game, the L.A. Times played down an ugly rumor about Kobe Bryant's wife causing the breakup between forward Gau Gasol and his girlfriend. Kobe said the two women barely know each other. Pau called the whole thing "lies." Kobe said there was no rift between him and Pau.
This isn't the first time Mrs. Bryant has been the subject of Laker controversy. In late 2004, Kobe accused then teammate Karl Malone of making a pass at his wife....
Meanwhile, who'll be the next Laker head coach? Here's how I rate the candidates who were listed in today's L.A Times: 1. Kurt Rambis 2. Doc Rivers 3. Brian Shaw 4. Byron Scott 5. Jeff Van Gundy 6. Rick Adelman 7. Jerry Sloan 8. Larry Brown and 9. Mike Krzyzewski. I've always felt Rambis took the Timberwolves' job all along to groom himself to someday replace Phil Jackson. Rivers is in the last year of his contract and reportedly wants to see his son, Austin, play at Duke. But money talks. Shaw is a Laker assistant whom Kobe and others love. He has no head coaching experience, however. Scott did a masterful job of piloting the Cavaliers and has an impressive resume. He's coached 11 seasons in the NBA, led the Nets to two NBA finals and while with the Hornets won a Coach Of The Year honor. Stay tuned...
Jump 'N The Saddle was the Chicago-based group whose only hit was the 1984 #9 hit, "The Curly Shuffle." I mention this because former "Laugh In" star and still-DJ Gary Owens turns 75 today...and he succeeded in leading the campaign to give The Three Stooges a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame...
Some other recent passings: Sada Thompson, best known for her role of Kate Lawrence on the 70's TV show "Family," was 83 when she died of lung cancer about May 4; David Mason, the trumpeter on the Beatles' "Penny Lane," was 85 when he died April 29; golfer Seve Ballesteros, who won five major tournaments, was 54 when he died of a brain tumor May 7; and actress Dana Wynter was 79 when she died May 5 of congestive heart failure. Wynter was best remembered for her role in the 1956 sci-fi thriller, "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" but I loved her role as 2nd Officer Anne Davis in the 1960 British black-and-white war movie, "Sink The Bismark."
The Bismark movie was the first I recorded on VCR tape in 1980...and I own a DVD of the movie, too. I'll be watching it two weeks from Friday. Why? Because May 27 will mark the 70th anniversary of the Bismark's sinking...
Just remember, it's only rock n' roll, but I like it.
***
LAKERS--A BUSH-LEAGUE WAY TO GET SWEPT
MAY 8, 2011 -- Still more scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to the Assembled Multitude...
Shame on the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only did they lose their Western Conference semifinal series to the Dallas Mavericks and get swept, they also lost their heads. It's one thing to be beaten by 36 points, 122-86. It's quite another when two of your players get ejected from the game for flagrant fouls. Lamar Odom's elbow-throwing foul at Dirk Nowitzki got him a well-deserved early shower. Forty five seconds later in the fourth quarter, Andrew Bynum was even worse, throwing an elbow into the armpit area of smallish guard Jose Barea, who was airborne en route to the basket when fouled. Barea landed awkwardly and it's a miracle he wasn't seriously hurt. Bynum then made a bigger fool of himself, taking off his jersey while leaving the court.
One ESPN announcer called Bynum's foul "one of the most bush league things I've ever seen." Yahoo called it "an ugly cheap shot." I can't disagree with either observation. Bynum should start next season on the bench courtesy of a suspension.
This wasn't exactly the way Phil Jackson had it planned in his Laker coaching swan song. I still believe the next Laker coach will be Kurt Rambis....
Who'll be the new Maryland head men's basketball coach? Not Sean Miller, who's staying at Arizona. There's a special place in my heart for Maryland. The voice of the Terps is Johnny Holliday, the former DJ at WHK/Cleveland. His unique DJ style was forever captured in the 1964 Cruisin' Series...
The Assembled Multitude had its only Top 40 hit, the #16 peaking "Overture From Tommy (A Rock Opera)" in the late summer-early fall of 1970. Hard to believe it's been 41 years...
Shame on Allen Academy of Bryan, Texas. First, the private high school had the nerve to hire Dave Bliss as its basketball coach and administrator. Bliss, you may recall, was the center of a huge controversy at Baylor University circa 2003. He was caught on tape trying to cover up NCAA rules violations by lying about a murdered player. Bliss said the murdered player was a drug dealer. At Allen Academy, Bliss has allegedly illegally recruited three players. In one case, Bliss allegedly forged the signature of a higher-up on a transfer form. Allen Academy's state association ruled that Bliss must be suspended for a year while the school itself must serve two years probation.
However, Allen Academy found a way for none of those punishments to happen. How? By leaving the state association that handed down the punishments...and electing to join ANOTHER. Nice way to teach the Allen Academy students things like fair play, honesty and ethics, eh?...
My web site invites you to visit the continuing countdown feature. We're in the top 5 of my rankings of the top 40 movie songs of all time. Once that countdown's completed, we immediately dive into the Top 40 Summer songs of all time. Enjoy! BTW, my web site address in case you need it is...
http://www.angelfire.com/music4/at40coc/
***
JACKIE COOPER--MEMORIES OF PERRY WHITE, OUR GANG AND MISS CRABTREE....
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2011 -- More scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to First Choice...
Long-time actor Jackie Cooper died the age of 88 Tuesday, May 3, 2011. Many of you will remember him as portraying Daily Planet Editor Perry White in the four Christopher Reeve-starring "Superman" movies in the late 70's and early 80's. My favorite Jackie Cooper memory, though, goes back 81 years to the 1930 Our Gang episode entitled, "Teacher's Pet." Jackie would've been seven or eight years old and he played the role of the mischief-filled kid who was planning a lot of pranks for the new teacher, Miss Crabtree.
And he TOLD an attractive blond woman all about the upcoming pranks while she was giving him a ride partway to school.
You know the catch, right?
Yup, the attractive blond woman WAS Miss Crabtree!
Fully aware of what's coming---but still determined to win her new students over--Miss Crabtree (played by the late June Marlowe) quickly foils all the pranks ranging from ants to sneezing powder. Jackie and three classmates behind the pranks are suddenly told they have to go home to tend to emergency matters (which were lies that were part of the pranks). Oh, and the four are told to go home just as a nearby store is delivering and giving out cake and ice cream to all the other students. Eventually, the four misbehaving boys are at the school house front steps and furilous at Jack for spilling the beans. Wanting that cake and ice cream very badly, three of them quickly go back into the school to admit their wrongdoings. But not Jackie. "I'm too ashamed," he says.
Totally beside himself, Jackie goes to sit under a nearby tree and starts crying over the whole thing. That's when Miss Crabtree comes to the rescue. She comes out of the school house door. She's carrying something. A plate of cake and plate of ice cream for Jackie...
Believe it or not, I WATCHED that very Our Gang episode this morning. It's one of 48 in a DVD boxed set of Little Rascals' shorts. Ah, the memories of days gone by....
Best American Idol Wednesday night performance...by far, Haley Reinhart's rendition of "House Of The Rising Sun." Remember the name Jacob Lusk. Although he was voted off the Idol island, he's got a great Luther Vandross-like voice...and a promising future...
The biggest sports story out here in la-la land isn't the bumbling Lakers. Or the inept Dodger front office. Instead, it's Dodger outfielder Andre Ethier. He's on a 29-game hitting streak. Just past the halfway mark of Joe DiMaggio's historic 56-game hitting streak of 70 years ago. Remember which team stopped DiMaggio's hitting streak? Yup, the Cleeeeeveland Indians!
First Choice was an R&B group best known for its crossover pop hit, "Armed And Extremely Dangerous." The song reached #19 around March, 1973, on the Cash Box pop chart...
Elvis has left the first name building. For 55 straight years, Elvis was among the top 1,000 popular baby names though the King of Rock and Roll's first name never got higher than #312 The streak just ended for this year. When Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue discovered this, he pointed out, "I was all shook up."...
Believe it or not, Wednesday (May 4, 2011) marked the TENTH anniversary of the infamous incident where Robert Blake was accused of murdering Bonny Lee Bakley. I only live about 2-3 miles from the restaurant where it all happened. Today, the former Baretta star is 77 years old and broke. He was acquitted of murder but in a civil trial was found to have "intentionally caused" Bakley's death in a civil. The $30 million in damages would eventually be cut in half to "only" $15 million...and that's after his trial cost him $10 million in lawyer fees. Blake declared for bankruptcy five years ago and last year was hit with a state tax lien for $1.1 million...
Can you imagine a major league baseball player hitting at least one home run in every inning from the first through the SIXTEENTH? It's been done, but only by one player. He turns 80 today. Yup, the Say Hey Kid, Willie Mays.
***
RASHARD MENDENHALL--WHAT WAS HE THINKING?
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Sounds Of Sunshine...
The biggest sports news story from Tuesday was, hands down, Pittsburgh Steeler running back Rashard Mendenhall's ridiculous comments regarding Sunday's killing of Osama bin Laden. Needless to say, our nation's weekday newspaper didn't think so, burying that news item at the bottom of sports page two. USA Today's biggest sports story today? Oh, a feature on archery.
ARCHERY!
Meanwhile...
How can ANYBODY question whether or not Osama bin Laden was the mastermind of the 9/11/01 tragedy? And question whether or not hijacked airplanes caused the World Trade Center collapse? And criticize people who cheered bin Laden's death? Mendenhall did...and for all that, he's the clear cut leader for the 2011 Sports Foot In Mouth Award. In his defense, Mendenhall has since halfway apologized for his remarks. "I'm not in support of bin Laden or against the USA," he said. "And I understand how devastating 9/11 was to this country."
Mendenhall wouldn't back down on his feelings about bin Laden's death, calling it "Murder."
Honest...
Sounds Of Sunshine was a one-hit wonder group. Forty years ago this month, the Sounds Of Sunshine reached #40 with "Love Means (You Never Have To Say You're Sorry)"...
I cannot begin to tell you my total disappointment with Shin-Soo Choo. For the uninformed, he plays right field for my Cleveland Indians baseball team and is among the team's top players. When you're among a team's top players, you act like it OFF the field. On Monday, Choo DID NOT. He was arrested and charged with suspicion of drunken driving. His blood-alcohol level was .201, which is more than twice the Ohio legal limit of .08. This comes after Sports Elevated ran a lengthy feature on him. And guess who's on the cover of the latest USA Today Sports Weekly tabloid?...
Finally, we're about three weeks away from the 25th anniversary of "Hands Across America." On Sunday, May 25, 1986, about six and a half million people formed an unbreakable hand-holding line across the USA from Los Angeles to New York City. Plus, some $34 million was raised to fight homelessness and hunger. Remember the song of the same title by the benefit group Voices Of America? Probably not, since the song only reached #78 on the Cash Box pop chart...but here's how it sounded...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKigJImnWCQ
ENJOY!
***
OWEN MARECIC--BROWNS FANS (ESPECIALLY THE DOG POUND) WILL LOVE HIM
TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Get Wet...
Trust me, Browns fans, you and the Dog Pound will absolutely fall in love with Owen Marecic. He was the Browns' fourth round draft choice out of Stanford...and he's two players for the price of one. Two-way players are commonplace in high school football...but in Division I college football? Now THAT'S a rarity. Owen Marecic is right out of the Chuck Bednarik School Of Two-Way Football, playing fullback on offense and linebacker on defense. Against Notre Dame, he scored a TD rushing...and another TD on a pass interception. All within a span of about 13 playing seconds...
For the uninformed, Chuck Bednarik was the last NFL player to play two ways, center and linebacker. He last played in 1962 for the Philadelphia Eagles, who drafted him first in 1949. At last check, he's still alive today at age 86...
The Browns' first three draft choices were all problem children in college. One was thrown out of Penn State for fighting, another threw somebody through a glass door of a jewelry store and still another didn't even play last season for accepting illegal gifts from agents....
Get Wet was actually a singing group. Their lone hit, "Just So Lonely," reached #51 on the Cash Box pop chart about 30 years ago...
Sad news from out here in la-la land. Yvette Vickers, a former Playboy playmate and actress, was found dead at her Benedict Canyon home recently. She was 82. She co-starred in two late 1950's horror movies, "Attack Of The 50-Foot Woman" and "Attack Of The Giant Leeches",,,
Can you imagine what would've happened had the USA HADN'T killed Osama Bin Laden? Countless millions of dollars would've had to have been spent on security alone had there been some kind of trial. And what USA lawyer would have been crazy enough to defend him? We'd've probably had to spent a few more millions on attorneys from the other side of the world....
Willie Mays, the Say Hey Kid, turns 80 this week. Among the other celebrity birthdays this week...Lesley Gore (65), Engelbert Humperdinck (75), Jimmy Ruffin (72), Bob Seger (66), Peggy Santiglia of the Angels (67), Jackie Jackson (60) and Frankie Valli (74). And in about three weeks, we'll celebrate the 25th anniversary of "Hands Across America." Time flies...
....
YOUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AT WORK--INCREDIBLE GALL INCLUDED!!!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2010 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Claudine Clark...
My good friend, Matt Wilson, once said there's no end to people's gall. He's not kidding. Consider the case of Muneerah Al-Tarrah. She's 28 and living in Kuwait instead of a prison cell. Six years ago in 2005, she had a blood alcohol content more than double the legal limit when she slammed her vehicle into a motorcycle that instantly killed Todd DeGain. She fled the scene. Later, during the complicated legal proceedings, she fled the USA for her native country of Kuwait. From Kuwait, she actually had the nerve and gall to request to a judge that she be able to travel to London to seek psychiatric help without fear of arrest.
JUST IN TIME TO ATTEND FRIDAY'S ROYAL WEDDING, TOO!!!
Oh, and she swears she'll return to the Phoenix area to face the music...and a long prison sentence.
Honest, she says she will.
No word on whether the request was granted...The story I read said the judge was actually CONSIDERING APPROVING this crook's request. Honest...
Claudine Clark recently turned 70. She had a #6 hit on the Cash Box pop chart in the summer of 1962 with "Party Lights." It was her only hit single and she used the proceeds from it to start a school designed to help the less fortunate ghetto kids of Philadelphia....
We've had at least four recent passings in the world of music and sports. Phoebe Snow, most famous for her 1975 hit "Poetry Man," died Tuesday, April 26, at the age of 60. Tom King, the guitarist of the Outsiders who co-wrote the group's 1966 breakthrough hit, "Time Won't Let Me," died Saturday, April 23, 2011, at a Wickliffe, Ohio, nursing home. For more on these two passings, check out this site's message board under "latest news.".
Meanwhile, Jim Mandich died Tuesday, April 26, of cancer. He was 62. Mandich was a standout tight end for Solon (Ohio) High School, the University of Michigan and the Miami Dolphins. He played for the NFL's only undefeated team, the 17-0 1972-73 Dolphins. Plus, he was one of the Dolphins' radio announcers.
Also, legendary men's college basketball coach Beryl Shipley was 84 when he died of cancer on April 15, 2011. He was Louisiana-Lafayette's winningest coach with 293 wins along with two NCAA tournament appearances. He's profiled in the latest Sports Illustrated for his being the first coach at a major university in the south to openly recruit blacks starting in the mid-60's. I can't recommend enough that you read the story of this unique coach. His school, then known as Southwestern Louisiana, saw its men's basketball program get the death penalty following his resignation in 1973.
I had the pleasure of receiving a marvelous letter from Beryl Shipley. I got in touch with his daughter via e-mail requesting more information over an infamous quote attributed to her dad....and dad responded with a letter to me via snail mail. I still have that letter. Late in the 1972-73 season, Shipley was frustrated with the politics of his school's league, the Southland Conference. So, Shipley called the conference "A Mickey Mouse League" to a sports writer, who in turn quoted Shipley in a subsequent story. Southland Conference officials were outraged...and eventually Shipley was forced to resign.
At his press conference announcing the resignation, Shipley was asked if he'd apologize for anything controversial he'd said.
Shipley said he would apologize.
But only to one person.
Who?
Give up?
MICKEY MOUSE!!!!
The NFL draft starts soon...but it's hard to get psyched up for it because of the NFL's lockout mess. Can NFL teams sign or trade players now that a judge has overturned at least temporarily the lockout? What if there's a strike that wipes out the 2011-12 season? If that happens, will they HAVE an NFL draft in April, 2012? If so, how will they figure out the draft order? Just a few questions that I'm asking aloud...and there's one more...
Who will fall down into the lower half of the NFL draft's first round? And maybe into the second round? I think it'll be DE Da'quan Bowers, who has a bad knee. QB Jake Locker and DE Robert Quinn may fall down the draft boards, too. Locker has accuracy issues with his passes. Quinn had to sit out the 2010 season after receiving improper benedits. Plus, Quinn has a tumor near his spine. Ouch...
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DODGERS MISMANAGEMENT--HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to the disco group Eruption...
While working with "American Top 40," I saw my share of mismanagement. There was the ABC-New York worker who commandeered a number of valuable computer diskettes during a 1992 visit to ABC-Watermark in la-la land when a major computer switch happened. Those diskettes were never seen again. Three years of valuable computer data entry covering at least 6,000 hours of work...all down the drain.
Oh, and then there was the person who, in his thinking, surmised that the editing of then-AT40 host Shadoe Stevens' natural pauses would help make the show move faster. "That," observed AT40 co-founder Don Bustany, "is the idiocy of one person."
So why should I be surprised that the Los Angeles Dodgers are suddenly owner-less because Major League Baseball told owner Frank McCourt to get lost Wednesday? MLB has taken over day-to-day operations of the team. Surprised? Don't be. After all...according to the Los Angeles Daily News...
* -- Frank McCourt is $430 million in dept.
* -- Frank McCourt tried to obtain a $200 million loan from Fox earlier this year. Bud Selig, the MLB comish, denied permission on it.
* -- The IRS is investigating how and why McCourt and his then-wife took $145 million from the team.
* -- The last straw? Oh, probably the mere $30 million loan McCourt obtained from the Fox network last week.
* -- So he could make the players' payroll.
All of the above on top of the opening day disaster when a San Francisco Giants' fan was beaten nearly to death by two Dodger fans.
We've had teams facing similar edicts from above. In recent years, it's happened to the defending American League champion Texas Rangers and the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals team. It's also happened to in the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets and my own Cleeeeeveland Cavaliers. In 1980, the Cavs were so mismanaged by the late Ted Stepien that all team trades had to first be approved by the NBA higher-ups.
What makes THIS latest move so stunning is that it happened to the five-time World Serious championship franchise Dodgers. In la-la land, only the Lakers have more interest and fan appeal.
Ironically, this all came down Wednesday (April 20, 2011) on Dodger manager Don Mattingley's 50th birthday. However, he's probably considering the whole thing as a great birthday present. Certainly many Dodger fans feel the same way. One of them, Alexander Mendoza, said, "For us fans, it's like 'Thank God.' Ever since he (McCourt) took over, he's been spending the money on other things." Stay tuned...
Eruption had a #19 hit in 1978 with "I Can't Stand The Rain." This reminds me of the day in 1990, when my best friend and AT40 co-worker Matt Wilson were having fun compiling a pretend list of confirmees for a 20th anniversary AT40 event thought up by an ABC higher up. "I want a list of EVERY act that's EVER had a hit heard on AT40 so we can invite them to a 20th anniversary party." Another example of mismanagement. The party never happened. "Where were they going to have that party, the Rose Bowl?" someone asked. Anyway, Matt and I shared the same office. He hang up the phone one day in 1990 and said, "That was the group Eruption. They 'confirmed' for the party...but they were complaining about the weather."...
How 'bout those fans at California-Berkeley. Four teams were going to be eliminated unless enough money was raised by fans...and they DID it! Baseball and three other sports were saved when NINE MILLION DOLLARS was raised...Enjoy the sports silence this weekend. My two least favorite sports personalities are taking the Easter Weekend off. You could say they take every weekend off what with their combined record of 3-222. To enjoy my rants as well as others directed to the world's undeserving people, check out http://www.voy.com/222481/
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MY RULING--NO NFL DRAFT UNTIL THERE'S A CBA SETTLEMENT!
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2001 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Shana...
OK, I'm no judge. But if I was, here's what I would hand down to the NFL owners and players in their never-ending lockout standoff....
"OK, fellas, I hereby rule that there's no NFL draft, period, until you two parties come up with a CBA agreement.."
You'd have a CBA agreement so quickly....
Sad news in the world of music. Randy Wood, the founder of Dot Records, the label which spawned the career of Pat Boone, has died. He was 94. For my complete obituary on Randy Wood, go to this web site at http://www.angelfire.com/music4/at40coc/...Then go to this site's message board. It's there under Latest News.
Two other passings to report. Roger Nichols, 66, died of pancreatic cancer. He gave the group Steely Dan its unique sound as an engineer. Plus, Nichols worked with John Denver, Placido Domingo, Frank Sinatra, Rickie Lee Jones, Roseanne Cash and the Beach Boys...
Gil Robbins, who turned 80 earlier this month, has passed away due to prostrate cancer. Among the mostly-folk groups he sang with were the Highwaymen, the Cumberland Three and the Belafonte Singers. Plus, he worked with Tom Paxton...
Shana was 18 in 1990 when she had a #83 hit with "You Can't Get Away." No truth to the rumor that she married Joe Na...
If you're in the mood to see my latest rants and raves against what I feel is a highly biased sports news media, then I invite you to check out this site...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
Gas is at $4.17 a gallon near me in North Hollywood. And rising seemingly by the day...
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KOBE BRYANT AND BARRY BONDS--A TALE OF TWO JERKS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Tim Tam And The Turn-Ons...
You can now officially call Barry Bonds a convicted felon. Imagine, baseball's all-time home run hitter convicted of obstruction of justice in his grand jury perjury trial. He should NEVER be considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame. In fact, if I had a choice between Pete Rose and Bonds for the Hall of Fame, I'd pick Pete Rose...
Hands down. Rose had the guts to admit he had a gambling problem. Bonds won't admit to anything. Rose led major league baseball in career hits the right way. Without taking any performance-enhancing drugs. The same can't be said of Bonds. Oh...and...
Pete Rose turns 70 Thursday....
Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for calling an NBA referee a disgusting anti-gay f-word. He's lucky he wasn't suspended. And, remember, Bryant is also lucky he's not still living in a Colorado prison cell. After all, the woman who claimed he sexually assaulted her couldn't or wouldn't take the witness stand....
Tim Tam and the Turn-Ons had a minor hit record in 1966 called "Wait A Minute"...
Sadly, Friday marks the 99th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. The mistakes made regarding that luxury liner's sinking were huge. For instance, not enough lifeboats. After all, they figured the Titanic couldn't be sunk. Thus, they figured they would get help from others boats and simply use what few lifeboats they had in order to transport passengers to another boat. Over 1500 passengers perished. Many froze to death in the water, which was so cold that hypothermia would set in after being in the water for 1-2 minutes.
Hindsight is always 20-20 but I believe the Titanic wouldn't have sunk if it simply met the iceberg head-on. Instead, a huge cut-gash happened...and the poor construction on the liner saw rivets pop out like nobody's business...
Oh, and the mid-90's "Titanic" movie starring Kate Winslett and Leonardo Dicaprio had a horrible mistake. Remember Dicaprio talking about Lake Wissota? Well, I've been ON Lake Wissota, located between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Part of WAYY, my then-radio station's summery Shore Patrol promotion. Anyway, Lake Wissota is a man-make lake. It wasn't completed until 1917, FIVE YEARS AFTER THE TITANIC SUNK!
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MANNY RAMIREZ--NEVER A HALL OF FAMER
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2011 -- You may have heard that Manny Ramirez, a lifetime .312 hitter with 555 home runs, retired from major league baseball today.
What you may not know is why.
Allow me to explain.
Sometime last month during spring training with the Tampa Bay Rays, Ramirez reportedly failed a drug test. He had also flunked a drug test in 2009 while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. For that 2009 drug test failure, he had to serve a 50-game suspension. Under Major League Baseball's ultra-tough drug prevention program, this 2011 drug test failure would've meant a 100-game suspension for Ramirez. Rather than go through THAT, Ramirez simply and abruptly announced his retirement. Maybe it was time to hang 'em up anyway. He was hitting .059 for Tampa Bay. In his major league baseball, this writer estimates that he made $221 million.
At least.
Suddenly, the Tampa Bay Rays are without the players they had projected to be their #3-4 hitters in spring training. Evan Longoria, the Rays' standout third baseman, just went on the disabled list five days ago with a strained left oblique muscle.
Nevertheless, the loss of Ramirez is baseball's gain. He wore out his welcomes in Cleveland, Boston and Los Angeles. Like Barry Bonds and Rafael Palmiero, Manny Ramirez stands for major league baseball's dark steroids-plagued era. NONE of those three should be considered for entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
EVER.
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THE WORST NCAA BASKETBALL TITLE GAME? MAYBE
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Robbie Patton...
Monday night's NCAA men's basketball title game may go down in history as the most forgettable. I can think of at least 52 reasons. As in number of Butler missed shots.
And remember, Butler actually LED U-Conn at halftime, 22-19. And led by six, 25-19, to start the second half.
Then Connecticut took over with a 22-3 spurt en route to an ugly 53-41 victory.
How bad was Butler's shooting? The 18.7% shooting (12-for-64) only part of the story. After all, Butler was 9-for-33 from behind the three-point line. That means the Bulldogs were 3-for-31 from INSIDE the three-point line. That's less than 10 per cent! I mean, that's 9.7 per cent. We have to go back 70 years for a game this dreadful. In the 1941 title game, Wisconsin beat Washington State, 38-34, as both teams combined to shoot 23 per cent. No individual team shooting stats could be uncovered by me. Maybe it's better that I didn't!
My favorite headline came in Sunday's Los Angeles Times: "A Two Dog Night." Get it? The Huskies vs. the Bulldogs with a takeoff on the rock band Three Dog Night.
Robbie Patton had a #26 hit in 1981 with "Don't Give It Up."...
Out here in California, gas costs over $4 a gallon. About $4.04 at last check...
The Master's Golf Tournament is about to begin, but where's Michelle Wie? She once said she wanted to play in the Masters. Honest. I think she said it before turning pro in the middle of the last decade. She couldn't have said it after turning pro, could she? Let's see, 106 tournaments and two wins. Zero wins in LPGA majors and zero top 5 finishes in her last 13 LPGA majors. And three missed cuts at LPGA majors in recent years (2007 on). It adds up to my two least favorite sports personalities having a combined record of 3-220. Mrs. Hospenthal of auto racing infamy is 1-116. Stay tuned...
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THE BUTLER WON'T DO IT (BECAUSE U-CONN WILL, 74-71)
SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to the English Congregation...
In my heart, I'd like to see Butler beat U-Conn in the NCAA Big Dance's title game Monday night. My realistic brain, though, says U-Conn will win, 74-71. So that's my prediction. U-Conn, 74-71.
U-Conn has the best player in the nation in Kemba Walker...and four key stats going for it.
Huskie coach Jim Calhoun is 2-0 in NCAA men's basketball title games....
U-Conn is 13-0 in games played on neutral courts this season....and...
U-Conn is 22-0 in non-league games this season.
Oh, and U-Conn is favored by 3.5 to four points depending on which bookie you talk to.
I stand corrected regarding Butler trying to become the first mid-major school to win a men's basketball national championship. At least EIGHT schools who could be considered mid-majors have won the NCAA men's national title. My good friend, James Delach, sent me a super list. Here it is...Wyoming (1943), Utah (1944), Holy Cross (1947), CCNY (1950), LaSalle (1954), San Francisco (1955-'56, led by Bill Russell), Loyola-Chicago (1963..and coached by the legendary George Ireland) and UNLV (1990).
Thanks loads for the list, James. Likewise, I welcome hearing from any of you on my blog mailing list. My e-mail address is urkeejai@earthlink.net...
The English Congregation had a #28 hit on the Cash Box pop chart at about this time in 1972 with "Softly Whispering I Love You."...
The almost-completely-forgotten NFL lockout may be back in the news by Wednesday. That's the day we could have a key court ruling regarding the legality of the lockout. Usually the owners get the fans' support in these pro sports labor disagreements. Not this time. Many former NFL players are speaking out over the lack of health care help afforded them by their former teams. One poll got a surprising response regarding which side NFL fans were on. Eighty per cent sided with the players. Stay tuned...
Hey, how 'bout those Indians! A 7-1 win over the White Sox highlighted by a triple play!...
By far the best NFL draft publication is the booklet printed by Pro Football Weekly. It's not cheap ($20 or so) but well worth it....
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CAN THE BUTLER DO IT? TUNE IN MONDAY NIGHT!
SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Gonzalez...
We've never had a so-called Mid-Major school win the national men's basketball championship game. That is, a school from a league that's not among the so-called power conferences--Big 10, Big 12, Southeastern, Big East, Pac-10 (soon to be Pac-12) and Atlantic Coast. Butler out of the Horizon could become the first to do it Monday night (on CBS) after Saturday's 70-62 ousting of Virginia Commonwealth (a/k/a VCU) in the Final Four semifinals Saturday.
History isn't on Butler's side. I mean, it's never happened before! Plus, Butler will have to beat a Connecticut team with the nation's best player in Kemba Walker. U-Conn made it to the title game after outlasting Kentucky, 56-55. Plus, U-Conn's coach, Jim Calhoun, has coached two other Huskie teams to national titles (1999 and 2004).
There's more. U-Conn has already become the first and only college to win the national women's and men's title the same season. It was first done seven years ago in 2004. And the Huskies' women's team is very strong, so the double-title-feat accomplishment could be repeated. Butler, which lost a nail-biter to Duke in last year's title game, 61-59, has the advantage of playing in last year's title game. Experience counts. However, Butler could join Ohio State, Michigan and Houston among schools to lose back-to-back title games. On the other hand, three schools which lost a national title game came back to win it the following season--North Carolina, Kentucky and Duke. Stay tuned...
OK, that announcement about my being engaged on Friday WAS an April Fool! Maybe I wrote the contrived press release too convincingly. Many of you were fooled by it...but I hope it gave y ou some good laughs...
Gonzalez was a European disco band while had a #46 Cash Box chart hit in 1979 entitled "Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet." With "American Top 40," it was a #27 hit. In the spring of 1990, while I was working for ABC, I was asked to come up with a list of EVERY act to have a hit song heard on AT40 so we could invite them all to a 20th anniversary celebration party. However, my good friend on the AT40 staff, Matt Wilson, reasoned that this could never happen. So, we instead had some fun and came up with a pretend list of party confirmees. Big name acts. Like Matt's first choice on the list, Gonzalez...
Are my Cleveland Indians the worst team in major league baseball? Could be. The Tribe is already 0-2 and has given up 23 runs in two games. A 15-10 setback in the season (and home) opener followed by Saturday's 8-3 loss...but I haven't gotten to THE most discouraging and distressing fact. Here it is: Saturday's game drew only 9,853 fans. That's the lowest attendance figure for Progressive Field since it opened in 1994....and we're talking about the second game of the season and the first Saturday Indian home game. Clearly, the town of Cleveland is already turned off by the Indians. What can turn the town back on? An owner who's not afraid to spend the big bucks to bring the Indians and Cleveland enough free agents to put the team back where it belongs in the playoffs. A new owner like, say, Mark Cuban....
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A FINAL FOUR LIKE NO OTHER!
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2011 -- Brace yourself for a Final Four like no other next weekend. For the first time since seedings began for the Big Dance in 1979, we won't have a #1 or a #2 seed participating in men's college basketball's grand finale weekend. And we'll have a mid-major team in the national championship game on Monday night for the second year in a row. For the uninformed, a "mid-major" is a team from a conference other than the so-called top-level top-notch power conferences (the Big 10, The Big 12, the Pac-10, Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeastern and the Big East).
Each team has a uniqueness about it. To wit...
For instance, U-Conn (Connecticut) was only a .500 team in its league, the Big East (which had 11 teams in the Big Dance). Imagine, a ninth place team in the Final Four....but suffice to say that the Big East is college basketball's toughest league. Oh, and the Huskies' coach, Jim Calhoun, will be suspended for the first three league games in the next (2011-12) season. Cheating.
Meanwhile, Kentucky coach John Calipari is taking his third school to the Final Four. However, his previous two schools (Memphis, U-Mass) both had their Final Fours vacated by the NCAA. Translations: Both U-Mass and Memphis had their Final Four's eliminated from their record books due to cheating scandals. In defense of Calipari, he wasn't implicated in either school's wrongdoings. Kentucky's in its first Final Four in 13 years. Its center, Josh Harrellson, wasn't even considered a starter when the season began. Last weekend, he was a huge reason why Kentucky ousted Ohio State, 62-60, by holding his own against Buckeye star Jared Sullinger. U-Conn won the Big East tournament with five wins in five days. Nine wins in 19 days hasn't worn this team down yet.
Butler came within a half-court Gordon Hayward shot at winning it all last season, falling to Duke instead, 61-59. Ironically, the Bulldogs were on the so-called "bubble" late in the regular season. Most observers rated Butler an 11th seed if it made the 68-team field at all as an at-large team. As it turned out, Butler won its league tournament (the Horizon) to automatically qualify. Imagine, an 8th seed from the #11 league in the country making it to the Final Four. Before the Big Dance began, Butler's odds of winning it all were 150-1.
VCU, a/k/a Virginia Commonwealth, had even bigger odds against it when the tournament began. 400-1. Many of the so-called sports smarts felt VCU didn't even belong in the 68-team field since it couldn't win its league tournament. The Colonial league is only a notch better than the Horizon as the #10 league in the USA. Despite having one of the worst rebounding teams in the country (minus 3.7), VCU continues to defy the odds. The first team to win three tourney games to make the Sweet 16. The first team to win four tournament games to make the Elite Eight. The first team to win five tourney games to make the Final Four...and with a 10-point win over a first-seed, Kansas!
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OHIO STATE--TOTALLY OUTCOACHED; KANSAS--IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Nikki....
How does a men's college basketball team with four experienced seniors, three of them starters, a freshman starter who's probably an NBA lottery-pick-to-be and 34 victories wind up losing?
When it's outcoached.
I defy anyone to come with a better explanation as to how Ohio State was ousted by Kentucky, 62-60, in the Big Dance East regional semifinals tonight. Buckeye coach Thad Matta was clearly outcoached by the Wildcats' John Calipari. Kentucky controlled the game's tempo to its liking, made seemingly all of the big plays and got a stellar game from senior center Josh Harrellson. Ohio State did nothing to change the tempo. No full court press. No fast break baskets. And a whole less three's than the previous game against George Mason.
With the Buckeyes joining Duke and Pittsburgh as #1 seeds ousted, it means the 2011 NCAA men's basketball championship is there for Kansas to win. So far, it's been a cakewalk for the Jayhawks but I hesitate to say it'll continue with Sunday's regional title game vs. VCU (Virginia Commonwealth). VCU is this year's George Mason and its Cinderella run through the Big Dance should end. But don't tell VCU that. Imagine, VCU, a 72-71 overtime winner over Florida State tonight, is the first team to make the Sweet 16 with three wins. Now, it's the first team to make the Elite 8 and a regional title game with four wins. Do YOU know VCU's mascot?
Answer: They're the Rams.
What do Cee-lo, Enrique Iglesias and P!nk (Yes, P!nk) have in common? They have current Top 40 hits which, if you see their titles in their entirety, include the f-word or a dirivative of the f-word. That's how low today's popular music has sunk. I will spare you the three song titles....
More Big Dance trivia: Duke coach Mike Krzyzwski has 900 victories in his stellar career but how many wins does he have in Big Dance Sweet 16 West Regionals games?
None. He's 0-5...
There really was a solo man singer who just called himself Nikki. He was born Nikki Lee in Okinawa, Japan, and then raised in Dayton. In the summer of 1990, he had a #18 hit with "Notice Me." After that record, he never had another pop chart single. Nobody noticed him....
Our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) will do anything to publicize my least favorite sports personality. All those photos, headlines and stories for someone who's been lapped 56 times in NASCAR competition, has gone 66 straight auto races without a win and owns a career 1-115 record. Today in the IRL section of Yahoo! sports, a writer came up with a photo of Mrs. 1-115 twirling a basketball in front of a Harlem Globetrotter. The writer had the gall to ask people to e-mail him captions of the photo.
So I did. With two.
"What are you doing trying out for US? We win all the time and you lose all the time."
And...
"You mean you won an IRL Rookie of the Year by beating only TWO people?"
My AT40 friend, Pete Battistini, came up with more, such as...
"Whether it's a balanced ball or an unbalanced media, I'm always in control."
"I can score more points with this than I can on a race track."
Still another AT40 friend, james Delach, may have come up with the best caption of them all...
"What are you doing trying out for US? You belong on the Washington Generals."
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THE BIG DANCE CHAMPION? KANSAS
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011 -- More scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Trade Martin...
In the latest Sports Illustrated, writer Seth Davis predicts Kansas will win the Big Dance (NCAA Men's basketball tournament) title. I agree. Since the start of the tournament, I've said to myself that Kansas is the team to beat. My heart, however, is with Ohio State. A Kansas-Ohio State title game, I believe, will be won by Kansas. I believe the Jayhawks have better depth and play a more wide open game that'll wear down the Buceyes. Plus, Kansas has a much easier regional to win compared to Ohio State, which may struggle to beat Kentucky Friday night. If the Buckeyes win, then they will probably have to beat North Carolina Sunday. Kansas has to contend with 10th, 11th and 12th seeds in its regional.
Think you know your Beatles' music? If so, e-mail me (urkeejai@earthlink.net) and I'll send you a brain teaser of a Beatle music test. All you have to do is identify 25 Beatle songs in an mp3 montage that lasts about 25 seconds. And you never hear the Beatles themselves.. The mp3 and test are courtesy of my good friend, oldies expert Ronnie Allen.
Trivia time: Can you name the Big Ten school that's never made it to the Big Dance? (answer: Northwestern)
Trade Martin had a #39 hit in 1962 with "That Stranger Used To Be My Girl." What made the song totally unique was how it had a TUBA solo! I kid you not...
Regardless of the outcome of his perjury trial, I can't imagine Barry Bonds EVER making it to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He'll blame the news media, of course, but he has only himself to blame. Over the years, Bonds has alienated himself from fans outside of San Francisco and the news media with his surly attitude. Did baseball's all-time home run hitter reach that goal courtesy of steroids? You be the judge. Oh, with his 13 attorneys, how much will Bonds be spending? Millions. Remember actor Robert Blake? It took him about four years to clear himself of a murder charge. And it cost him $10 million. That's not including the $15 million he was ordered to pay when he lost a civil trial lawsuit. Gee, are you wondering why he filed for bankruptcy?...
BYU's Jimmer Fredette being compared to LSU's Pistol Pete Maravich? Really? Please! Yes, Jimmer's captured the fancy and hearts of college basketball fans with his unique scoring abilities, but that's where the comparison ends. Jimmer's averaging 27-28 points a game in an era where there's the three-point basket. Maravich averaged 44 points a game at a time when there was no three-point basket (1968-70). What would Pistol Pete's average have been with a three-point basket? Some say 57 points a game. Others say 70.
I had the pleasure of seeing Maravich play in a game PLUS saw him put on a memorable clinic, too. I wrote a story about that clinic in 1969 as a part-time writer during my Air Force years. After the story came out, one full-time writer for that paper, The Shreveport Times, muttered, "Durkee, we're PAYING you to write stories like the one you wrote about Pistol Pete. You should be paying US!"
Pistol Pete could do things with a basketball that Jimmer couldn't even think of doing. For instance, at that clinic, he did something I've never seen anyone else do. He took a basketball and held it in front of him while spreading his legs as far apart as possible. He then slammed the ball between his legs as hard as he could. What happened to the ball after it bounced onto the floor, between Pete's legs and went up into the air behind him?
HE CAUGHT THE BALL WITH HIS TWO HANDS BEHIND HIS BACK!!!
Maravich lasted 10 seasons in the NBA. Jimmer will be lucky if he lasts one, maybe two. He's short plus cannot play man-to-man defense. Watch him on defense. He's in a very lazy zone. That doesn't translate very well to the next (NBA) level.
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NFL MENTALITY--MORE TOUCHBACKS AND FEWER KICKOFFS FOR TD'S
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Wa Wa Nee...
In their infinite wisdom, the NFL's owners voted to move the start of kickoffs from the 30 to the 35-yard line. Unbelievable. We'll now have more touchbacks, fewer kickoff returns and even fewer kickoff returns for touchdowns. Joshua Cribbs of the Browns, one of the NFL's top kick returners and perhaps the overall champion of saying the words "you know," thinks the new rule will hurt players like him. Opinion: The NFL owners need to concentrate more on getting a CBA agreement with their players than silly rule changes...
Sadly, three more passings to report in the world of entertainment. Most of you by now know about Elizabeth Taylor, who was 79. Great actress. Plus, she supported the benefit single "What's What Friends Are For" by Dionne (Warwick) and Friends).
Meanwhile, Loletta Holloway was 64 when she died Monday (March 21, 2011) after a brief illness. She was best known for singing on the 1991 #1 hit, "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch. She also had a huge disco-dance hit in 1980 with "Love Sensation."
Finally, Mark Tullin of the 60's psychedelic rock band the Electric Prunes, died of a heart attack on Saturday, February 26, 2011. He was 62. The Electric Prunes were best known for "I Had too Much to Dream (Last Night)," a #12 hit in early 1967. An Electric Prunes song, "Kyrie Ellison Mardi Gras," made the soundtrack of the 1969 movie, "Easy Rider." Tullin also served part-time duty with the group Smashing Pumpkins...
You'll never guess how many attorneys Barry Bonds has in his perjury trial. Would you believe 13?....
NCAA trivia: The only city with two schools in the Big Dance's Sweet 16 is Richmond, Va., with Richmond and VCU (Virginia Commonweath University). The schools are only about six miles apart....
More NCAA trivia: Of the 52 schools already ousted from the Big Dance, two had 30-win seasons: Utah State (30-4) and Belmont (30-5)...
Wa Wa Nee had a #35 hit in 1988 with "Sugar Free." Honest...
When it comes to basketball rules, much of the sports media doesn't get it. The flack over the five-second call late in Arizona's 70-69 win over Texas was ridiculous. Why? Because most of the news media doesn't know the rules. Yes, on a throw-in situation from a sideline, you DO have to get the ball touched by someone inbounds within five seconds. But...and this is the key...there's also the change-of-status rule that says a timeout can't be granted once 80 per cent of the count is done. Thus, if you're having trouble getting a ball in-bounds in five seconds, you CANNOT call timeout (like the Arizona player did) once the count reaches four. Likewise, if a team has a problem getting the ball across the 10-second line that divides the basketball court in half, the officials CANNOT by rule grant a timeout once the count reaches eight. Again, it's the change of status. As sports writing great Blackie Sherrod used to always say..."Look it up."...
My two least favorite sports personalities have a combined record of 3-217. Neither has ever won in the continental USA. But the unwarranted attention (stories, photos, headlines) continues. Have fun readying my rants on these two characters at...http://www.voy.com/222481/
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FERLIN HUSKY: 1925-2011
Ferlin Husky, who had over 50 country western hits and had three of them cross over to the pop chart, died Thursday at a Nashville area hospital, March 17, 2011. He was 85. According to The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times, he had been struggling with heart problems in recent years. He had the first of many heart operations as far back as 1977, plus had at least two other surgeries in the past six years.
Ferlin Husky was best remembered in pop circles for the 1957 ballad, "Gone," which reached #6 on the Cash Box pop chart, and the #11 peaking "Wings Of A Dove" in early 1961. In between, Husky also had a Top 40 hit with "A Fallen Star," a #24 hit in 1957.
"Gone" had a uniquely-sounding ending, with a chorus singing loudly, "Now you've gone." This ending was so popular that it was played twice to end the #37 peaking "Flying Saucer The 2nd" by the duo of (Bill) Buchanan and (Dickie) Goodman, also in 1957. That novelty record followed in the footsteps of the legendary "The Flying Saucer" 1956 record that included then-current song drop-pieces that were the answers to questions.
"Flying Saucer The 2nd" was about a monster on Mars that's killed. The recording ends with a sped-up voice sounding like a martian saying, "You saved our planet...and now you're Goooooonnnnnnneeee." The word "Gone" was heard with an echo effect. Then the ending to Husky's "Gone" was heard. But once wasn't enough. Goodman then said "One more time" and the ending to the Husky hit song was heard a second and last time.
Ferlin Eugene Husky was born December 3, 1925 near Flat River, Missouri. After a stint with the Merchant Marines, he wound up performing in the Bakersfield, California, area, where Buck Owens and Merle Haggard also came from. Husky remembered singing in Bakersfield area bars. "I'd walk into a bar and if there wasn't any music playing, I'd ask the bartender if I could perform. Then I'd pass a hat around." Typically, he'd make 50 to 75 cents a night.
Husky burst onto the country music scene with a song about his World War II experiences. "A Dear John Letter" became a huge country western hit in 1953 during the Korean War. Jean Shepard sang the contents of a letter, singing how she was going to marry Husky's brother. Husky's records would sell over 20 million copies in his career.
Some tours would follow where Husky was the headline act. On at least one of those tours was a then-unknown singer named Elvis Presley. Husky remembered this about Elvis, "He was so eager to learn how to entertain an audience, he'd watch everything I did."
Haggard recalled, "There were a lot of years when nobody in the business would follow Ferlin Husky (onstage). He was the big live act of the day. A great entertainer."
A street named for Ferlin Husky exists in Leadwood, Mo., according to Wikipedia. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010. He told the AP that he was worried people would forget about him when he was inducted, noting "This is for my family and for the many people who want to see me go in there before I die. This is a great honor.
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SADLY, MORE MUSIC-RELATED PASSINGS
Ronnie Hammond, the former lead singer for the Atlanta Rhythm Section, died Monday (March 14, 2011) of a heart attack at a hospital in Forsyth, Georgia, a suburb of Macon. He was 60...and we've sadly had many pop music-related passings in recent weeks. For instance...
* -- Jean Dinning, a/k/a Jean Surrey, who wrote the #1 hit "Teen Angel," died February 22, 2011 in Garden Grove, California. She was 86. Jean and her twin sister, Ginger, were part of the 1940's group the Dinning Sisters whose hits included a version of "Buttions And Bows." Ironically, "Teen Angel" was originally sung by Jean's little brother, Mark Dinning, at a party as a joke. However, a demo recording led to some 45 rpm recordings. When publisher Wesley Rose heard one of those demos, he felt it could become a #1 hit...and was right. "Teen Angel" went to #1 in February, 1960, replacing "Running Bear" by Johnny Preston, whose March 4, 2011 death has been reviewed elsewhere.
"Teen Angel" was about a young girl getting killed by a train hitting the car that had stalled at a railroad track crossing. The girl had originally escaped from the car, but went back into it to retrieve her high school ring. "Teen Angel" would rank alongside "Tell Laura I Love Her" (Ray Peterson), "Leader Of The Pack" (the Shangri-Las), "Ebony Eyes" (the Everly Brothers), "Last Kiss" (J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers) and the infamous "I Want My Baby Back" (Jimmy Cross) as a teen tragedy hit song. Mark Dinning was 53 when he died in 1986.
* -- Bernard St. Clair Lee, an original member of the Hues Corporation of "Rock The Boat" fame, died of natural causes March 8, 2011 at his Elsinore, California, home. He was 66. "Rock The Boat" has generally been credited as the first disco song to go to #1 on the Cash Box pop chart in the summer of 1974. The group's only other top 40 hit was its followup, "Rockin' Soul," which reached #28. Sources disagree as to where the Hues Corporation got its name when it formed in 1969 in Los Angeles. Some say the group named itself after the legendary millionaire Howard Hughes while others claim it was in honor of the Los Angeles aviation firm, the Hughes Corp. Lee sang baritone for the Hues Corporation.
* -- Rick Coonce, the former drummer for the 1960-70's group the Grass Roots, died of heart failure on February 25, 2011. He was 64. The Grass Roots had 18 top 40 hits from 1966-73. The group's biggest hits were the #5-peaking "Let's Live For Today" (1967) and "Midnight Confessions" (1968). Among the Grass Roots' other hits were "I'd Wait A Million Years," "Sooner Or Later," "Heaven Knows," "Temptation Eyes," "Two Divided By Love" and the song that began with Coonce's dramatic drum beats, "Lovin' Things."
February 25, 2011 was also the day that Darryl Morden, the former writer-producer for "American Top 40," died of cancer. Darryl Morden was 52.
Hammond's passing was reported to this writer courtesy of oldies expert Ronnie Allen, who in turn found out about the passing via the Macon.com web site. Hammond was a recording engineer when he replaced Ronnie Justo as the lead singer for the Atlanta Rhythm Section around 1972, about two years after the group formed in Doraville, Georgia. Ironically, "Doraville" was the first pop chart single for the group, reaching #57 in 1974. The group's biggest hit was the #5-peaking "So Into You" in 1977.
The Atlanta Rhythm Section's only other top 10 hit was 1978's "Imaginary Lover" (#9). The group also had Top 40 hits with "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight," "Do It Or Die," "Spooky" and "Alien." Hammond left the band in the early 1980's but continued to write songs with producer Buddy Buie. He rejoined the group in 1987.
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ANNETTE'S HOUSE DAMAGED,,,HUGE NFL LABOR DAMAGE...AND A COACH SUSPENDED...
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011 -- Scatterskimming some more...
We just called her Annette when we first saw her in the Mickey Mouse Club. Then came the Disney movies and then the beach movies with Frankie Avalon. Actress Annette Funicello's house in Encino, Califonria, was badly damaged by an early Friday morning fire. Annette suffered smoke inhalation but is otherwide believed to be OK. She's been battling MS for about a quarter of a century. Annette's house saw much it damaged by fire and/or smoke and/or water...
The NFL labor negotiations have turned ugly now that the NFL Players Association union has been decertified. Look for many ugly court cases...and maybe the courts finally deciding the next CBA agreement....
Southern California men's basketball coach Kevin O'Neill has been suspended for the rest of the Pac-10 tournament. According to news reports and message board postings, O'Neill and his wife got into a verbal altercation in a hotel lobby with an Arizona fan late Thursday night and following USC's 70-56 Pac 10 tourney win over California. O'Neill has apologized for the incident. He was a fill-in coach for Lute Olsen at Arizona and left that school under controversial circumstances....
The other la-la land men's college basketball coach, UCLA's Ben Howland, was horribly outcoached as second-seeded UCLA was ousted by seventh-seeded Oregon Thursday night, 76-59. It was UCLA's worst Pac 10 tournament loss ever. The setback featured UCLA actually being whistled for a technical foul...for having six players playing on the court after a time out. On its next possession, UCLA had a 24-second shot clock violation. Talk about a total lack of focus...
Look for the NCAA to come down hard on Ohio State's football program. Buckeye coach Jim Tressel could be suspended an additional three games. Plus, don't count out Ohio State forfeiting all its 2010-11 wins, having its scholarships reduced and even facing a bowl ban.
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THE NEWS MEDIA'S SHAMEFUL WITCH-HUNT AGAINST OHIO STATE COACH JIM TRESSEL
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2011 -- It was, plain and simple, a disgraceful shameful witch-hunt against Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel.
Granted, the Buckeye coach did commit a rules violation. However, his superiors acted swiftly today in the form of a public reprimand, a $250,000 fine, a two-game suspension and mandatory attendance at a rules seminar. Plus, an apology, which everyone got and then some. Tressel was candid, honest and forthright in the hastily-called press conference. He faced the music. He admitted his mistake. What more do people want? I can't recall another instance where Tressel committed a rules violation in his 25-plus years of head coaching. Believe me, he will learn from this experience. So will his players.
Kudos to Ohio State for taking quick action and nipping this controversy in the bud. Enough already of the day-long witch-hunt which included the following...
In the Sports Illustrated si.com web site, Stewart Mandel wrote, "Revered Ohio State coach Woody Hayes' career ended abruptly with a punch. Is the Jim Tressel era about to end with a lie?" Mandell went on to say "probably not" but the damage was already done. At the top of the si.com web site page, a sub-headline said, "If true, Yahoo! report stating Jim Tressel knew about the infractions could lead to firing."...
The headline at frathousesports.com said "Trouble chart: Jim Tressel could be fired."...
At cyclonefanatic.com, the headline said "Ohio State AD calls press conference; Tressel could be done at OSU."...
And at the Wright State student newspaper web site, this headline: "Tressel to be fired?"...
If there's a lesson to be learned, remember this, which is what a co-worker told me: "Don't believe everything you read."
Shame on the news media for this disgraceful shameful witch-hunt.
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JOHNNY PRESTON: 1939-2011
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2011 -- On a sad note, the singer whom I began calling on his birthday starting about five years ago has died. Johnny Preston was 71 when he passed away on Friday, March 4, 2011. He was a remarkably wonderful man and a joy to chat with. His biggest hit was the second #1 of the 1960's, "Running Bear." For more on Johnny, I invite you to check out my tribute to him in this site's message board under "latest news."
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DARRYL, FRANK AND THE DUKE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2011 -- More scatterskimming....
In 1981, Terry Cashman released his famous single, "Willie, Mickey And The Duke." The song, also known as "Talkin' Baseball," was a nostalgic look at baseball in the 1950's, when the Big Apple had three major league teams, each with a star center fielder. The New York Giants had willie Mays, the Yankees had Mickey Mantle and the Brooklyn Dodgers had Duke Snider. Sadly, Snider died Sunday. He was 84.
Sunday also was the day that Frank Buckles died. He was one of the oldest living veterans if not THE oldest at the age of 110. He was born the same day that Clark Gable was born. Buckles was a veteran survivor of World War ONE. Friday's passing of Darryl Morden was earlier reported and documented here. At my work Read-Me-Daily, I came up with the same headline as with this blog to paraphrase the Cashman song title...only it's "Darryl, Frank And The Duke"...
Virginia Tech beat Duke and Colorado upset Texas in men's college basketball action recently, but don't be surprised if both teams are left out of the Big Dance. They're too far down the RPI ratings. Both will have to win their respective league tournaments to make it to the Big Dance. Meanwhile, will Brigham Young get a first seed? Along with San Diego State? Both Mountain West teams have won their share of games, but the caliber of their schedule competition is suspect. That's why I think the top teams from the top four leagues deserve #1 seeds. Teams from the Big 10, Big 12, Big East and Atlantic Coast Conferences.,,,
Finally, my two least favorite sports personalities now have a combined record of 3-215. For more on those two characters, check out...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
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DARRYL MORDEN: 1958-2011
It is with tremendous sadness that I report that Darryl Morden died of cancer Friday night, February 25, 2011. He was 52.
Darryl was one of the brightest most creative writers I've ever met in my life. I remember in late 1992 receiving the CD single of "In The Still Of The Nite (I'll Remember)" by Boyz II Men on the Motown label...and how the label messed up with the song-writer credit. The label said the song was written by "C.Porter" as in Cole Porter.
Granted, Porter did write a song with a similar title but, as my good friend Ronnie Allen pointed out, "In The Still Of the Night" was a different song with almost the same title. When I called Motown to correct the mistake, I was pretty much blown off. So...I contacted BMI, which in turn alerted the attorney of the proper song-writer, Fred Parris of the Five Satins, about the mistake. The attorney called me in only about 15-20 minutes and, ironicallly, said he went through the same song-writing correction about Fred Parris when "In The Still Of The Night" made it onto the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack LP.
Anyway, Shadoe Stevens would go on to report how we corrected this song-writing mistake. And, in true Darryl Morden-written style, Shadoe said this was an example of "truth, justice and the American Top 40 way."
As Shadoe noted in a Facebook message board posting, "Darryl was one of the greatest, most creative, and funniest people I ever worked with and I'd hoped to do it again."
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SELFISH ARROGANT LAKERS GET THEIRS--THANKS TO THE....CAVALIERS!!!!
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2011 -- On Monday, Valentine's Day, two selfish arrogant organizations joined together to become even more selfish and arrogant. The Los Angeles Lakers and Time-Warner Cable announced a marriage that essentially means the NBA team will be shown almost exclusively on only a TWC-owned sports network that will eventually be born.
Actually, it'll be two sports channels stationed in la-la land. One heard in English, the other in Spanish. This is hardly your ordinary TV deal. Twenty years. Three billion bucks. About $150 million going to the Lakers per year. And where does all this money going to come from?
Everyone who has Time-Warner Cable or a satellite/dish TV package, that's who. Sports fans will have to pay dearly to see the Lakers...and even non-sports fans will be socked in their pocket books. This is a major deal that could have a ripple effect for pay-for-view TV for eons. And not for people in la-la land, but for people throughout the USA.
And it's all pure selfishness and greed. My hatred of Time-Warner Cable still exists. In the late summer of 2006, the cable TV company serving my area was called Adelphia. And what turned out to be its last day as Adelphia, it upped its rates. The next day, Adelphia became Time-Warner Cable, which had the gall to lie to me by saying "we don't plan to up our rates." But they DID up their rates the day before they became TWC! Then TWC took away the NFL network. Strange, a major cable TV company that refuses to carry the NFL network yet at the same time shells out billions of dollars for the right to own the exclusive rights to televise an NBA team's games.
I wouldn't go back to TWC if they offered it to me for free.
Yes, the Lakers ARE a unique NBA team. They're one of the most followed NBA teams, period. Yet, this major deal with TWC smells of arrogance and selfishness. Suddenly, Channel 9 in Los Angeles and Fox Sports/Los Angeles are suddenly told they'll no longer have the Lakers in about two years.
Ah, but there's no guarantee that the Lakers will be as good to the point where you have to pay dearly to see them. Kobe Bryant turns 33 this year. he'll be 35 and in the twilight of his career when the big TWC deal begins. In two years, Pau Gasol will be 33 while Lamar Odom and Ron Artist will be both 34. Derek Fisher? He'll be 38 and probably retired.
Just in the last three days, the defending NBA champions have lost to a team that have a losing record against--the Charlotte Bobcats--and tonight they lost to my lowly Cleeeeeeeeeveland Cavaliers, 104-99. Talk about revenge for a 55-point loss earlier this season!
This is a much-deserved loss for that selfish arrogant arrogant team. I compare it to Auburn's national championship football team losing to Eastern Michigan. Or Duke losing to Houston Baptist in college basketball. Stay tuned...
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ECSTACY IN CLEVELAND! FRUSTRATION WITH THE NFL!!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 -- Scatterskimming the ecstacy and the agony...
The Cleveland Cavaliers avoided becoming the pro sports team with the longest losing streak ever...at least since 1900. Instead, the Cavs are tied with the mid-70's Tampa Bay Buccaneers with 26 straight losses each in the wake of Friday night's 126-119 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers. And get this...the Cavs are undefeated (2-0) in overtime clashes...
Meanwhile, there's doom and gloom in NFL circles. No talks for two days between the players and owners. A lockout looms starting March 4. If that happens, look for millions of dollars to be lost. NFL players will lose vital insurance policies along with roster bonuses. Cities will lose a ton of money if the lockout carries into the preseason and regular season. The NFL Scouting Combine and the NFL draft will continue to happen, however...
Jerry Sloan is 68 years old and ran out of gas as the Utah Jazz coach. Still, he's the only coach to win 1000-plus games with the same team...
Another head coaching change with considerably less exposure was when Jason Popp was relieved of his duties at small-school Richmond Heights, Ohio. Amazingly, Popp's 2010-11 record with the school was 15-0. Plus, the school was state ranked among small schools. So why was Popp forced to step down. According to reports, it was verbal abuse and/or insensitive racist comments. Stay tuned...
"American Hot Wax" is among my favorite all-time movies. Released in late 1977, the movie was loosely based on a day in the life of legendary DJ Alan Freed, who popularized the term "rock and roll." The movie was riddled with errors but nevertheless is still considered a classic. For instance, the day is supposed to be September 7, 1959, on what would've been Buddy Holly's first birthday after his tragic death earlier in the year. Well, if that was the case, why would the movie profile Rick Nelson's "Travelin' Man," a hit from 1961? Go figure. Still, the movie is not available on DVD. In fact, you too can get a VCR tape copy of the movie for only $199...
Two tragic sports deaths...Emory Bellard, 83, died Thursday of complications of Lou Gehrig's disease. Bellard devised the wishbone offense in the late 1960's plus head coached at Texas A&M and Mississippi State. Meanwhile, Chuck Tanner was 82 when he passed away Friday. Tanner managed the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, who won the World Serious behind the song "We Are Family." Tanner also hit a home run on the first pitch to him in the major leagues....
You can tell NASCAR's minor league Nationwide auto racing season starts next weekend. Just look at the ridiculous promos for the season opening race that include mention of the person who finished FORTY THIRD in the Nationwide 2010 standings. No need to mention her name. To paraphrase the late Bill Nordman, my Mentor High School band director, "we know who she is."...
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PREDICTION: PACKERS 31, STEELERS 24 -- AND THE LATEST ON TWO TURKEYS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2010 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to the 64th year of my life (since I turn 65 Monday)...
When all is said and done, I believe Super Bowl XLV will be decided by two Green Bay Packer players. Which is why I predict the Packers will beat the Steelers, 31-24.
Aaron Rodgers is simply the hottest active QB in the NFL, period. He's on a roll and I believe will win the game MVP. But someone else could make a difference, too. Punter Tim Masthay kept the Bears pinned down with his timely punts in the 21-14 NFC title game win. I look for more of the same from Masthay. The Steelers, meanwhile, will miss starting C Maurkice Pouncey. Stay tuned...
Larry Drew II Friday stunned the University of North Carolina men's basketball team by abruptly leaving it. Drew has been the subject of extreme scrutiny since arriving on the Tar Heel scene. He was benched recently, about four games ago, and Friday said he'd had enough. Only he wasn't the one who told Tar Heel coach Roy Williams the news. Instead, his dad, Atlanta Hawk Larry Drew, did his son's dirty work by telling Williams the news via a phone call.
Thus, Larry Drew II performed two gutless acts at the same time. He bailed out on his North Carolina teammates at a critical time of the season with a key game against Duke just around the corner on Wednesday night. And, he didn't have the courage to tell his coach his decision to quit. He had his dad do his dirty work for him...
Meanwhile, the #1 person of my sports turkey list of 2010 is in the news again. For doing absolutely nothing. And coming off a year of accomplishing nothing. No need to even mention her name if you've read my past blogs. For my latest rant, check out...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
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THE NEXT LAKERS COACH? KURT RAMBIS!
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Brank Buckles...
You don't have to wonder who'll replace Phil Jackson as the Los Angeles Lakers coach after this NBA season. Prediction: It'll be Kurt Rambis. He's been grooming himself for the Laker job by coaching the Minnesota Timberwolves. The grooming ends after this season. Meanwhile, the Lakers continue to not look like NBA defending champions. After Suday's 109-96 home court loss, the Los Angeles Times lead sports page headline said it all...
"Throne aside."...
Gladys Horton, who co-founded and sang lead for the Marvelettes, has died. For a complete obituary, check out this web site's message board under "latest news."
Enjoy the Super Bowl while it lasts. Because all you're going to hear AFTER that is the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL players and owners expiring March 4...and you'll be hearing one word a lot.
Lockout.
Unless the NFL players and owners get together and formulate a settlement, this could get ugly. NFL cities could lose millions and NFL players could lose their insurance. Both sides need to hire a labor expert and get that CBA hammered out....
Look for Ohio State and Southern California to both file appeals with the NCAA. Ohio State will try to trim the five-game suspension handed players like Terrelle Pryor to four games....so Pryor and the others suspended can play against Michigan State. Meanwhile, look for USC to appeal to the NCAA with a request that the two-bowl ban is reduced to one. USC wants to get that bowl back for the 2011 postseason. Ohio State has a better shot at having its appeal granted...
Who are the 10 most hated people in sports? According to Forbes.com, they are in order...
1. Al Davis
2. Michael Vick
3. Jerry Jones
4. Tiger Woods
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Tyrell Owens
7. Albert Haynesworth
8. Mark McGuire
9. Bob Knight
10. Randy Moss
I can think of two women who belong on the above list. No need to elaborate if you've been regularly reading my blogs...
Frank Buckles turned 110 Tuesday February 2, 2010. He was born the same day as Clark Gable and is the oldest living USA veteran soldier. He fought in World War I. That's World War ONE! He enlisted at age 16 in 1917 and lied that he was 21...and the recruiting sergeant believed him. Two others from WWI are also still alive...
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JAY CUTLER'S CRITICS ARE SIMPLY IDIOTS!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while counting down the days to National Signing Day (college football) and the Super Bowl....
Two recurring aftermaths of Sunday's two NFL conference title games...1. the unfair criticism of Bear QB Jay Cutler in the 21-14 loss to the Packers...and 2. The fumble call that gave the Steelers their winning TD in their 24-19 win over. the Jets.
SHAME ON THE PEOPLE WHO CRITICIZED CUTLER AND QUESTIONED HIS MANHOOD! It was shameful, gutless and classless. Shame on Maurice Jones-Drew, Darnell Dockett and the other idiots who questioned Cutler's toughness. This was a serious knee injury that Cutler suffered, not a stubbed toe...
Meanwhile, the officials who worked the Jets-Steelers game got the key fumble call correct. Jet QB Mark Sanchez fumbled the ball, period. Even if it was ruled a so-called pass, it would've been a BACKWARD pass. The play started on the NYJ 26. The ball landed on the NYJ 19. A BACKWARD PASS IS LIKE A FUMBLE. IT'S A FREE BALL. Either way, it's a turnover that the Steelers capitalized on!!!...
Did you hear about the two jerks who showed us why they're jerks in the world of college basketball? One was Danny Jennings, who quit on the West Virginia team DURING THE GAME Sunday. He just left the bench and the game! At Kansas State, Jacob Pullen went a step too far in criticizing his teammates who may not make the NCAA Big Dance and may have to settle on an NIT bid. Pullen said that if Kansas States goes to the NIT, "I will not play in the NIT." Why wasn't Pullen at least suspended for that idiotic statement? Beats me!
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PREDICTION: A STEELERS-PACKERS SUPER BOWL!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2011 -- ESPN and the network heavies want a Jets-Bears Super bowl matchup because it would mean the #1 radio-TV market would meet the #3 radio-TV market. But that's not what they're going to get! Instead, it'll be a Steelers-Packers lunchbox-like 2011 Super bowl. I predict it!
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DON KIRSHNER: 1934-2011
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2011 --- More scatterskimming while wondering what I overlooked in my Don Kirshner obituary...
Yes, sadly, Don Kirshner died Monday. He was 76. He leaves behind a plethora of memories ranging from the Brill Building to the Monkees to the Archies to his live concert TV series. For my take on his life, I invite you to check out the message board section of this web site under "latest news."
The New York Jets are a game away from the Super Bowl. They're also one of the most cocky, arrogant people in sports history enough to make Muhammad Ali proud. Just ask them. Go Steelers...
"Wake Up Everybody" with Teddy Pendergrass singing lead for Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes was one of the most touching soulful message songs in history. So why, when they were saluting Martin Luther King Jr. through the day Monday, did they use a remake of the song instead of the original version? Just curious...
The NBA Rookie of The Year for this season is a foregone conclusion. Blake Griffin in a landslide. Did you notice that he scored 47 points for the Clippers Monday? Suddenly, Kobe Bryant isn't the talk of la-la land NBA fans. Blake Griffin is.
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LET'S TRY AGAIN
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2011 -- Another weekend of NFL playoff picks as I try to improve on last weekend's 1-3 disaster...
Steelers, Falcons, Bears and Patriots.
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AUBURN #1...WHILE WE LAMENT THREE PASSINGS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011 -- More scatterskimming...
The most telling statistic in Auburn's 22-19 national title football game win over Oregon....was how Oregon was held to 81 yards rushing. The Quack Attack could never get going....
Three passings to report. Cookie Gilchrist, who died recently of cancer at the age of 75, was the first American Football League running back to gain 1000 yards. He and the late Jackie Kemp were among the sparkplugs for the Buffalo Bills in their winning the 1964 AFL title. Gilchrist refused induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, citing racism. Ironically, he was illegally signed by my Cleveland Browns out of high school around 1953.
Gilchrist died of cancer as did David Nelson, who at 74 was the last surviving member of the Nelson Family's TV lineup. Ozzie Nelson died in 1975 and Rick Nelson died in a plane crash the last day of 1985. Harriet Nelson passed away in 1994. The Nelson family had three generations of #1 performers. Ozzie and Harriet had at least one #1 hit in the 30's with "And Then Some" in 1935. Rick Nelson had #1's with "Poor Little Fool" (1958) and "Travelin' Man" (1961). Rick's sons, the twins Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, led the band Nelson that hit #1 in 1990 with "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection."
The only other family with three generations of #1 hits was the Foley-Boone family. Red Foley had a #1 hit in 1950 with "Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy." His son-in-law, Pat Boone, had #1's with "Love Letters In The Sand" and "April Love" in 1957 plus "Moody River" in 1961. Pat's daughter, Debby Boone, had the biggest pop chart single of the 1970's with "You Light Up My Life."
Margaret Whiting was 86 when she died Monday. Her 1949 duet with Johnny Mercer, "Baby It's Cold Outside" has been a Christmas standard along with "Silver Bells," a duet with Johnny Wakeley.
***
ANDREW LUCK--WILL HE PULL A 'BERNIE KOSAR'?
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering where my brain was in the NFL playoff prediction department...
I wouldn't count Andrew Luck out of going pro yet. Deep down, I'm wondering if the standout Stanford QB decided to forego the NFL draft and stay in school because he doesn't want to play for the Carolina Panthers. They're the ones who own the first overall pick in the NFL draft. There's no question that Luck wants to be reunited with his college coach, Jim Harbaugh, with the San Francisco 49ers.
I think it could happen. Luck could wait for the regular NFL draft to pass, then declare himself available in the supplemental draft. It would cost the 49ers a first round choice if they land him, but they'd think it's worth it. Bernie Kosar was a die-hard Cleveland Brown fan from his days of playing at Boardman High School in the Youngstown area. That feeling remained after Kosar graduated from Miami (Florida). He became a Brown when he was chosen in the NFL supplemental draft. Will Luck do the same? Stay tuned...
When's the last time the two teams who played in the last Super Bowl both lost the first day of the NFL playoffs? It happened Saturday when the Saints and Colts lost. It was hardly a good weekend for my NFL playoff-prediction-wise. I was a lousy 1-3 and would've been 0-4 if it wasn't for the Baltimore Ravens.
Let's try again ...Auburn 34, Oregon 24.
***
SHAME ON THE DOLPHINS!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2011 -- Scatterskimming on the eve of the start of the NFL playoffs...
How would you like to work for a company that you know is openly interviewing a candidate to replace YOU? That's what happened to Tony Sparano Thursday. His employer, the Miami Dolphins, had their owner (Stephen Ross) meeting with Jim Harbaugh as a possible replacement for Sparano. As it turned out, Harbaugh instead took the San Francisco 49ers job today. Thus, Sparano keeps his job with the Dolphins as their head coach.
Nevertheless, SHAME on the Dolphins for resorting to such bush league tactics. 'Nuf said...
Meanwhile, quarterback Andrew Luck's decision to stay at Stanford makes the NFL draft much less compelling and interesting. The Carolina Panthers, who'll have the first pick in the 2011 draft in April, would probably have received a goodly number of tempting trade offers. A package of one to two starters and one to two high draft choices wouldn't have been out of the question. I can still remember the Pittsburgh Steelers receiving a plethora of offers in exchange for the first choice of the 1970 draft. All were turned down as the Steelers selected Terry Bradshaw.
Luck's decision could cost him millions. A collective bargaining agreement hangs in the balance, one that could include a rookie wage scale starting with the 2012 draft. Stay tuned. Missouri's Blane Gabbert benefits the most from Luck's decision. He's suddenly gone from a mid-first-round draft choice to probably a top 10 choice. Maybe top five.
Meanwhile, I look for the Saints, Colts, Ravens and Eagles to win this weekend's wild card games.
***
REMEMBERING GERRY RAFFERTY---AND THE SHORTEST STAY AT #1 EVER
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2011 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Joe Portale...
Sad music news. Gerry Rafferty, who was most famous for the 1978 hit song "Baker Street," died today of liver failure. He was 63. For more on Rafferty's life, see my obit in the "latest news" part of the message board feature on this web site. "Baker Street" has the unofficial record of having the shortest stay at #1 ever. About 15 minutes. In July 1978, the magazine "American Top 40" went by initially reported that "Baker Street" was #1 on its chart for July 29, 1978. But about 15 minutes later, the magazine inexplicably changed its chart, moving "Baker Street" back to #2 where it had been the previous five weeks. Again, for more, please check out my detailed Gerry Rafferty obit in the message board section under latest news...
How can Marvin Lewis get a contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals? Beats me. The Bengals won only four games. The Browns won one more, five, and fired Eric Mangini as their coach Monday. Tom Cable's reportedly gone as Raider coach while Rich Rodriguez ISN'T gone yet as Michigan coach according to reports. I still maintain Rich-Rod will become the new University of Pittsburgh football coach eventually.
Joe Portale was a standout running back at Lakewood St. Edward High School in the mid-70's. Woody Hayes loved him, wanted him but couldn't get him to come to Ohio State. Why? Because Portale also played baseball and chose the University of Florida, where he could play plenty of baseball in warm-weather Florida. Portale eventually transferred to Baldwin-Wallace in Berea, located just outside of Cleveland. At last check he lives in another Cleveland suburb, North Royalton, and would be in his early 50's. Like Annette Funicello, he's been battling MS.
***
PINK MONDAY--AS IN PINK SLIPS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 2011 -- It'll probably be a Blue Monday for some NFL coaches...and a Pink Monday, too.
I'm guessing at least five NFL teams will be firing their head coaches. Sadly, one of them will probably be Eric Mangini of the Browns. I like Mangini. I think his players like him, too. However, a 5-11 record meant no improvement record-wise from 2009. Granted, the wins over the Saints and Patriots were impressive. Trouble is, there were those two lopsided losses to the Steelers, 28-10 earlier in the season and 41-9 today. Plus, losses to Buffalo and Cincinnati.
My choice for next Browns' coach? Jon Gruden.
John Fox has been all but fired at Carolina. Even though Jeff Fisher will probably get the pink slip by the Tennessee Titans even though he's been their coach since 1994 as the longest tenured NFL coach. I look for the Dolphins to fire Tony Sparano and the Bengals to do the same with Marvin Lewis. Tom Cable (Raiders), Ken Whisenhunt (Cardinals) and Gary Kubiak (Texans) are on shaky ground.
Meanwhile, check out the NFL playoff picture. The Giants and Bucs both won 10 games but weren't in the playoffs. The Seahawks won only seven games but they ARE! First playoff team with a losing record ever in a non-strike season.
***
JANUARY 1, 2011 -- A DREADFUL DAY FOR THE LITTLE ELEVEN (A/K/A THE BIG 10)
JANUARY 1, 2001 -- One thing you could say regarding the Little Eleven's bowl game performance for this day...was that the league was consistent.
The Little Eleven (a/k/a The Big Ten) played five bowl games Saturday and lost all five.
At least Northwestern, Penn State and Wisconsin were competitive. The Big 10's Michigan schools were not. Imagine, Michigan State was shafted out of a BCS major bowl game...and then was horribly defeated by Alabama in the Capitol One Bowl, 49-7. I believe this marks the first time a Top 10 team lost by 40 or more points in a bowl game. Included in MSU's loss was a delay-of-game penalty after a time out and an offside penalty on the Spartans when they were the receiving team on a kickoff.
Michigan, meanwhile, suffered its worst bowl loss ever, 52-14 to Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl. Rich Rodriguez looks done as Wolverine coach but maybe not as a head coach. After all, he previously coached at a Big East school, West Virginia, and suddenly there's an opening at a Big East school. Pittsburgh fired Mike Haywood, who'd been hired as football coach only 16 days ago but was charged with a felony domestic violence. Could Rich Rodriguez suddenly be coaching at Pitt? Stay tuned.
TCU proved it can play with anybody with its 21-19 Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin. Florida made Urban Meyer a winner in his last game as Gator coach with a 37-24 win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl. And then there was Texas Tech's 45-38 win over Northwestern in the TicketCity Bowl that was played at the Cotton Bowl...but wasn't the Cotton Bowl. The Cotton Bowl GAME won't be played at the Cotton Bowl...but rather Friday at Dallas Cowboy Stadium (LSU vs. Texas A&M). Got it?
***
SHAMEFUL 'STREAK' ENDS AT 90 GAMES
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2010 -- Back to scatterskimming after celebrating Santa's annual visit...
I'm DELIRIOUS and SO GLAD to see the University of Connecticut women's basketball team's so-called "NCAA record winning streak" come to an end. Maybe now we can concentrate on more important sports matters, like the rest of the bowl games, the NFL playoffs, which NFL teams will fire coaches and the conference part of men's college basketball.
The "NCAA record winning streak" for college basketball is 88 games for the men as set by UCLA from 1971-74.
The "NCAA record winning streak" for college basketball is also 90 games for the women as set by the U-Conn team from 2008-2010.
You absolutely CANNOT link the two above mentioned feats into one. We're talking about two separate feats by two entirely different levels of competition.
Would you call a state's "high school basketball winning streak" record if a girls team won 100 games compared to 98 games won in a row by a boys team?
Of course not.
They are SEPARATE entities.
Meanwhile, I applaud U-Conn coach Geno Auriemma for his handling of his team's setback. "Give credit to Stanford," he said in praising the Tara VanDerveer-coached team.
However, I think Auriemma was wrong in his December 19 rant against the news media and people who were against his team's feat. He referred to the "bastards" who didn't want his team to succeed. I guess I'm a "bastard" then, because I confess I didn't want U-Conn to succeed but ONLY because of the silly way the BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) was handling this news item. As already mentioned, it's silly and ridiculous to blend together men's and women's sports team feats into one record streak.
As far as Auriemma saying his team would only get a paragraph or so in publications like USA Today, he was clearly wrong. USA Today made U-Conn's 89th straight win its #1 sports story of the day. And when U-Conn lost Thursday, that news item even made CBS Radio News...as well it should.
If anything, the U-Conn streak called dramatic and well-deserved attention to women's basketball. Just in the highlights of the Connecticut-Stanford game, I could see women's college basketball has improved dramatically. The women are much better ball-handlers and shooters today as compared to, say, the 1970's.
Still, not everyone's still excited about women's college basketball. When U-Conn set the women's record with its 89th straight win, less than one per cent (0.9%) of the USA's viewers were watching it on cable TV...
Both controversial calls in Thursday's college football bowl games were correct. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Kansas State's Adrian Hilburn after he scored a touchdown was correct. Hilburn saluted the crowd, KSU was penalized on the extra point try that saw a two-point conversion attempt fail. It made the difference in Syracuse's 36-34 Pinstripe Bowl win. The key to this penalty is simple. Don't call attention to yourself.
Meanwhile, T.J. Yates of North Carolina DID spike the ball in time before the clock ran out in the Music City Bowl. North Carolina was penalized five yards for too many players on the field but got another with the clock reset to one second left. Just enough time for a field goal to tie the game, send it into overtime, where North Carolina beat Tennessee, 30-27. Poor Tennessee finished 6-7 and had TWO losses credited to the opposition getting a second-chance to win with a second left.
On one of North Carolina's touchdowns, there was clearly a helping-the-runner penalty, an infraction that is NEVER called. Why? Beats me! A ball carrier can't be pushed in the back by a teammate in an effort to give the ball carrier extra yards. So why isn't it called? It wasn't in Southern Cal's 34-31 win at Notre Dame in 2005, when Reggie Bush clearly pushed QB Matt Leinert in the back to help him score the winning touchdown. This is a penalty that needs to be brought to the attention of the NCAA, all game officials and all NCAA coaches. It's a penalty that can't continue to happen.
***
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2010 -- Teena Marie, who was famous for the 1985 hit "Lovergirl," has died. She was 54. For more on this breaking story, check out this web site's message board under "latest news."....
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CAM TO WIN HEISMAN WHILE MICHIGAN STATE, ALABAMA, TEMPLE GET THE SHAFT!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2010 -- Scatterskimming the college football scene....
Prediction: Cam Newton to win the 2010 Heisman Trophy. He's by far college football's best player. If the NCAA says he's eligible like it has, then that's good enough for me...
Before the stupid BCS system came along, the rule regarding the Big 10 representative in the Rose Bowl was simple when two or more teams tie for the title. The school that's been away from the Rose Bowl the longest goes there. Period. Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin tied for the Big 10 title. Michigan State lost to Iowa but BEAT Wisconsin, which beat Ohio State. AND...Michigan State's been the school with the longest time away from the Rose Bowl. But...
Today, the bowl assignments are based totally on BCS standings, which is why Ohio State lucked out along with Wisconsin...while Michigan State got the shaft with no BCS Bowl. MSU plays Alabama in the non-BCS Capitol One Bowl. In the latest Sagarin computer ratings, Alabama is ranked #6 and Michigan State #20. No BCS bowl for the Crimson Tide and Spartans...but there IS one for Connecticut, which is ranked by Sagarin at NUMBER FIFTY FOUR. How could that happen? Easy. U-Conn got the BCS Bowl bid as the representative of the weakest BCS League, the Big East.
Mark my words...Oklahoma will beat U-Conn by three to five touchdowns and will make the Fiesta Bowl the worst BCS bowl ever.
Meanwhile, Temple got the royal shaft. No bowl game at all in spite an 8-4 record. The Owls were hurt by a 23-3 late season loss to Miami (Ohio) and having lost one of their best players to injury. Still, it makes no sense to see Temple (8-4) not make a bowl while 6-6 teams like Brigham Young, Troy, East Carolina, Florida International and Middle Tennessee State are bowl-bound. Go figure...
***
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2010 -- Continued scatterskimming...
By now, you know LeBron James' return to Cleveland was an unmitigated disaster. LeBron proved he's one of the NBA's top players. Only Kobe Bryant is rated ahead of him by The Sporting News. LeBron was booed non-stop from the moment he first stepped onto the floor and was especially booed when he touched the ball. However, the booing pretty much stopped by the start of the fourth quarter of the Miami Heat's 118-90 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Imagine, he scored 38 points and didn't play THE ENTIRE FOURTH QUARTER. He made some incredible shots that only a LeBron James can make.
LeBron's behavior off the court is another matter. It was bad enough to see him flippantly chatting with the Cavalier bench when the game was pretty much decided. This romp was on when the Heat scored 16 straight second quarter points. What angered me the most was LeBron defiantly starting the game with his usual toss-the-powder-in-the-air antics. I wasn't alone. Writer Michael Curry of Cleveland.com was every bit as mad. He wrote...
"There was sincere anger coursing through me as LeBron James tossed the powder in the air. If I had been in range, I think I would have punched him in the face. The powder toss was as insulting as anything else he could have done."
It's championship weekend on the Ohio High School football season. Three title games today, three more tomorrow/Saturday. Private schools have won the first two games by 34-13 and 77-6 scores. Stay tuned...
I'm amazed how the news media wants TCU playing for the national collegiate championship. TCU may be unbeaten but has only played two BCS teams that have a combined record of 12-11.
***
THE WORLD'S MOST OVERRATED TEAM LOSES!!!!!!!!!!!!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2010 -- Scatterskimming and then some...
This is an open letter to Sports Elevated (a/k/a Sports Illustrated, a/k/a SI) and all the other members of our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) who conducted a never-ending campaign to get Boise State to the national college football title game....
EAT YOUR HEART OUT!
Nevada-Reno 34, Boise State 31 (overtime). This game ended at 10:52 p.m. Pacific Time...or, almost 2 a.m. Eastern time. If you live in the East, you missed a thriller.
THE WORLD'S MOST OVERRATED COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM LOSES!!!
Boise State WILL NOT make the national college football title game!!!!
It should be Oregon-Auburn, even if Auburn loses the SEC title game next weekend to South Carolina. More later for that one.
Even before this football season started, seemingly ALL we heard and read was how Boise State deserved to play in the national title game. TWICE this team (and its Mickey Mouse schedule) made it to the cover of Sports Elevated. The second time, SI ran this elaborate story that included a list of key games.It turned out to be nothing more than a list of should'ves and would'ves and what-if's. Obviously, the Nevada-Boise State game was part of the list.
As well it should.
And would.
I'm still dead set against the BCS system. I want a 16-team postseason Division I college football tournament. But we're stuck with the antiquated politics-filled BCS system in the meantime. STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE figures heavily in this system.
As well it should.
A NON-BCS CONFERENCE TEAM DOESN'T DESERVE TO PLAY IN THE NATIONAL TITLE GAME.
Boise State and its MICKEY MOUSE CREAM PUFF SCHEDULE doesn't deserve that chance.
PERIOD!!!
END OF DISCUSSION!!!
Except for one thing.
I apologize only to one person regarding the way I described Boise State's schedule.
That one person.
Is...
Mickey Mouse.
***
COUNTDOWN TO BOO-LEBRON-NIGHT: ONE WEEK
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2010 -- Scatterskimming while getting my stomach ready for that turkey....
At least check, a DOZEN NBA teams have better winning percentages than the Miami Heat. So WHY is our nation's newspaper still devoting daily stories about this overrated team? There's MUCH more to an NBA team's success than have a trio of players who deliberately conspired to become teammates starting four years ago. The Heat lacks depth and need a center. Right now, the Celtics, Magic and Lakers are all much better and would dispose of the Heat if the playoffs were to be played today.
A week from tonight, the Cleeeeveland Cavaliers host the Heat in LeBron James' first game in Cleveland since his summer exodus. Stay tuned....
Billy Joel is recovering from double hip-replacement surgery. The Piano Man needed both hips replaced to correct a congenital condition...
Tina Turner tusn 72 tomorrow/Friday...
Aren't you glad auto racing season's over? Enough already of the world's most overrated overpublicized personality and her 1-111 record. Oh, and speaking of the world's most overhyped and undeserving people, check out the blogs posted at...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
There's an interesting posting regarding "Dancing With The Stars" and the media's attempt to railroad Bristol Palin to victory. It failed!
LOTS OF UNHAPPY SPORTS FANS IN LA-LA LAND
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2010 -- More scatterskimming...
With the exception of the Lakers, there's much gloom on the la-la land sports scene. To wit...
The Clippers are 1-12 and winless on the road. C Chris Kaman and G Baron Davis (the highest paid Clipper) have been hurt and didn't play Thursday night. Davis was out of shape in training camp and I'm wondering if the Clips are offering him as trade bait. Three rookies are playing a lot. Pacers, though, were missing two starters, too, and still won by 27.
UCLA's football team embarrassed itself in a 24-7 loss at Washington Thursday night. The Bruins ended the game with a 4th string QB. Bruin QB's a combined 6-for-25. UCLA must win its last 2 games to salvage a bowl. Very doubtful. Arizona State in same boat, home team next Friday. USC (last season foe) is on probation, and owns UCLA in football. Don't be surprised if Rick Neuheisel gets fired despite a dreadful injury list. After the Washington loss, RN found out one of his key recruits decommitted and switched to Oregon State, a Pac-10 rival.
Afterwards, a UCLA person (fan? team official? assistant coach?) fired a cuss word or two at an L.A. Times Writer. Here's more....
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-1119-simers-20101119,0,1484034.column
Dodgers have until Dec. 2 to decide what to do with C Russell Martin. Excellent C but he's had injuries.
USC cagers lost to lowly Rider Wednesday night.
At home.
By 20.
On a bright note, UCLA's cagers are 3-0 and play Villanova next week. Only eight scholarship players, so Bruins lack depth.
Over 40 radio stations have already switched to an all-Christmas music format. And many more will make the switch in the next week or so...
***
BROWNS ARE FOR REAL! BRING ON THE JETS!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2010 -- More scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to London Baker...
My Cleveland Browns are for real. With wins over the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints and then, last Sunday, the New England Patriots, 34-14, the Browns suddenly have had the ole' light switch turned on! They can play with anybody! Peyton Hillis is for real at RB. He runs with power, has the speed to turn the corner and has the agility to hurdle a defender. Oh, and he can catch passes, too. Colt McCoy is the real deal, too. I love his poise. He turned one busted play into a long pass completion...and another into a scramble for a touchdown. Seemingly ALL of the Browns have stepped it up...to the point where sportscaster Bruce Drennan is right when he says this is the best football played by the Browns since they came back into the NFL in 1999...
London Baker was a basketball teammate of Emmanuel Leaks' at Cleveland East High School in the 1960's...
As recently as a month ago, I concluded that Cam Newton of Auburn would win the Heisman Trophy for 2010. Now, I'm not so sure. All the rumors surrounding his past may keep him from winning the Heisman. Those rumors include Newton's cheating academically at the University of Florida and his father demanding a tidy sum of around $200,000 to have him attend Auburn. Rumor has it that Cam's dad's church was bankrupt one day, out of debt the next...
The UCLA basketball announcer tonight mentioned a player from Lima, Ohio, but mispronouced the city. Lima, Ohio is pronounced LY-ma as in the beans...and not, LEE-ma, as in the city in Peru...***
How can NASCAR and its minor league Nationwide Series name its "Driver Of the Week" someone who finished 22nd last weekend and was lapped three times? Beats me. Just another example of our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) regarding Mrs. Lapped-34-Times and her 1-109 record. Meanwhile, my least favorite golfer, Michelle Weak, withdrew from this weekend's Ochoa Invite after one round, thus dropping her pro record to 2-99. Together, the world's two most overrated, overpublicized women have a combined record of 3-208...
***
TWO COACHES BITE THE DUST--SO WHO'S NEXT?
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2010 -- More scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Emanuel Leaks...
You could see these latest two football coach firings coming, couldn't you? The Dallas Cowboys looked dreadful in Sunday night's 45-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The ESPN radio announcers continually mentioned how listless and uninspired the Cowboys looked. The postgame handshake was torture to watch. You could see that Phillips was a defeated man in every way, shape and form. The Cowboys were touted as Super Bowl favorites and would've been playing the big game in their home stadium. Instead, they're 1-7 and in their worst start in 21 years...
Meanwhile, Dan Hawkins just couldn't turn things around at the University of Colorado. The Buffaloes blew a 28-point fourth quarter lead in Saturday's 52-45 loss to lowly Kansas. Hawkins afterwards limited his radio interview to 27 seconds. HIs record at Colorado was 19-39. Hawkins will be forever remembered for a press conference rant about players and/or parents wanting more time off, to which Hawkins replied, "IT'S DIVISION I FOOTBALL...GO PLAY INTRAMURALS..."
Ironically, Hawkins' firing comes a day before he turns 50....
Who's next to be fired? Brad Childress (Vikings) is on shaky ground and so is Mack Brown at Texas (4-5). Stay tuned...
Emanuel Leaks was a standout center for Cleveland East High School in the mid-60's who went on to play alongside Calvin Murphy at Niagara. Plus, Leaks played in the NBA, including the then-Baltimore Bullets (who're now the Washington Wizards)....
The LPGA has become so unimportant that even Michelle Weak's participation in the last two tournaments went unnoticed. Of course, it doesn't help when you finish 12th and 24th in those tournaments. And see your record as a pro falls to 2-98. Sprinkle in the 1-109 record of racing's Mrs. Lapped-34-Times, and you have the world's two most over-publicized women with a combined record of 3-207...
Deepest condolences to my longtime friend Tom Stevens, whose father passed away on November 4. Hang in there, Tom. My thoughts are with you.
***
SPARKY AND BRANDON--TWO SPORTS HEROES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010 -- Catching up on some scatterskimming while recovering from acid indigestion...
I was deeply saddened by two sports deaths Thursday. Most if not all of you know about Sparky Anderson, who was 76. Imagine, he was the first manager to lead teams to the World Serious titles for the National (Reds) and American (Tigers) Leagues. Only Tony LaRussa can match that. Plus, Sparky leads TWO franchises in managerial career wins.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Sparky briefly while sports writing for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram in the 1970's. The Reds had just won at Pittsburgh when the Pirates were good...and the World Serious was next. Sparky smiled at me and answered my question. Suddenly, Johnny Bench and at least one Reds' teammate dumped a bucket of water and/or champagne onto Sparky's head. A moment I won't forget ever...
Brandon Shima was only 16 years old when his body was discovered in his home's bathtub. The exact cause of death isn't known. He was a junior backup player for my high school, Mentor, Ohio. Mentor finished 7-3 in the regular season and faces Lakewood St. Edward in the Ohio big school Division I playoffs tonight. To their credit, Mentor's players chose to practice Thursday after finding out about their teammates' passing. Plus, the Mentor Cardinal players will be wearing commemorative patches for tonight's game against 10-0 St. Edward...
Remember how Edgar Renteria delivered the key three-run homer Monday to join only Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra among players to have two World Serious-clinching hits? Well, he's no longer a San Francisco Giant...as the team elected not to exercise his 2011 option. Thus, the World Serious 2011 MVP is a free agent. Even my Indians could conceivably sign him...
Randy Moss is now the Tennessee Titans' problem. His outburst about a catering company's free food was uncalled for, rude, classless and worthy alone of him being cut by the Vikings, which happened three days later...Speaking of classless people, how about ESPN for doing a 30-on-30 profile/feature on Marion Jones, who's a convicted felon, an unmitigated liar and a certified Olympics cheater?
***
WORLD SERIOUS--SOME CONSOLATION FOR TRIBE FANS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2010 -- Still more scatterskimming...
There's actually some consolation for Cleeeeveland Indian fans like me now that the San Francisco Giants are 2010 World Serious champions. Imagine, for 56 years I've had to hear that the baseball Giants had their last World Serious title in 1954, when they swept my Tribe. No more. The Giants did it for 2010 with a starting rotation consisting entirely of four farmhands they drafted, signed and developed. The entire Giant pitching staff held the Texas Rangers to a .190 team batting average. Oh, and the meat of the Ranger batting order...hit .132...
What a mess with the Minnesota Vikings, who're letting WR Randy Moss loose only 26 days after giving up a third round draft choice to the New England Patriots to land him. Moss had been fined $25,000 three days earlier for refusing to cooperate with the news media. After Minnesota's 28-18 loss to New England, Moss said he wouldn't talk to the news media, that he'd be the one asking the questions to himself and that he'd be the one giving the answers. Oh, and his second guessing his Viking team and coach, Brad Childress, didn't help his cause. Reports indicate that Childress was so anxious to ax Moss that Viking management wasn't even consulted.
This season's been a massive gamble for the Vikings all along. They failed miserably in trading for Moss AND lost a third round draft choice to the Patriots in the process. Playing Brett Favre at QB has been another gamble that could backfire, too. It makes me wonder if Childress will continue to be the Vikings' coach when the 2011 season opens...
Donovan McNabb, benched late in a close game for the Washington Redskins? True. Redskin coach Mike Shanahan showed he's the boss. He said he felt McNabb wasn't in shape physically to handle the Redskins' two-minute offense...and that Rex Grossman was better equipped to run it. Reports indicate Shanahan hasn't been happy with McNabb's practice habits...and it showed Sunday, when the Redskins lost to the Detroit Lions, 37-25.
***
THE WORLD SERIOUS COULD END TONIGHT
Even with Cliff Lee on the mound for the Texas Rangers tonight, I can still envision tonight's World Serious game being won by the San Francisco Giants. They're that much better than the Rangers. Let's put it this way: Even if Cliff Lee pitches a perfect game tonight and strikes out every batter in the process, the Giants are still going to wrap up the World Serious, probably with Matt Cain Wednesday night.
The meat of the Rangers' batting order is hitting .143 and the Texas bullpen outside of closer Neftali Feliz is a disaster area. One reliever (Darren O'Day has twice come in and twice surrendered a home run to the first batter he's faced. Another (Derek Holland) has twice walked the first batter he's faced). Stay tuned...
Maurice Lucas has died after a long battle with bladder cancer. He was 58...and part of the Portland Trail Blazers' 1977 NBA title team that also included Bill Walton. I can still remember Burt Graeff, now with the Cleveland Plain Dealer but then an NBA writer for the now-defunct Cleveland Press, wrote how good Lucas was at spinning a basketball on his index finger. Walton, meanwhile, never forgot Lucas. He named his son, Luke Walton (now a sub for the Lakers) after Maurice Lucas....
It's to tell which program's a bigger a mess...the 1-6 Dallas Cowboys or the University Of Cincinnati, which went from 12-1 and a BCS team to one that fell at home to Syracuse Saturday, 31-7, to drop to 3-5 on the season...
***
QUACK ATTACK IS THE REAL DEAL
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2010 -- Scatterskimming some more...
In the week leading up to Saturday's Southern California-Oregon football game, USC DT Jurrell Casey observed that Oregon "has a good quarterback and a good running back. Other than that, they're really not that good."
Huh?
Oregon has scored at least 42 points and is averaging 55 points a game. The Quack Attack showed it was for real in Saturday's 53-32 win over USC. Since USC is on probation and can't play in a bowl game, THIS was its bowl game. Did you catch the game on the tube? If not, you missed seeing Oregon three times come from behind and come within a yard of 600 yards total offense.
Like L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke wrote, "I can't duck it anymore. Oregon is the best team in the country. I'm going to stop being so daffy about it. Oregon deserves a spot in the national championship game right now." The team with the best shot to oppose Oregon is Auburn and its Heisman-Trophy-to-win QB Cam Newton. That is, provided Auburn doesn't stumble in the SEC title game. Please, no Boise State-Oregon title match. And, for that matter, please no Ohio State-Boise State bowl game.
How do you stop the Oregon spread option offense? With extremely fast and athletic defenders. Perhaps four defensive linemen and the other seven players all being lightning quick defensive backs. Stay tuned...
The World Serious is again a legitimate World Serious thanks to Saturday's 4-2 Texas win over San Francisco. I'm hoping for Texas to win again tonight, thus narrowing it down to a best-of-three series....
There's nothing but doom and gloom at Notre Dame. On Wednesday, 20-year-old Declan Sullivan died tragically while videotaping a practice when the tower he was on was blown over. Then Saturday, starting Irish QB Dayne Crist suffered ruptured tendon in his left left knee is probably out for the season. Oh, and Notre Dame suffered an embarrassing 28-27 home loss to Tulsa...
Are you enjoying the auto racing silence this weekend? I know I am. We're actually reading about the NASCAR auto racers who deserve to be profiled. There's no NASCAR Nationwide division minor league race this weekend, so we're spared a weekend of endless profiling of Mrs. Lapped-34-Times and her 1-108 record....
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IT WAS NO FLUKE--A WIN FOR THE CLEEEEEEEEVELAND BROWNS!!!!!!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010 -- Scatterskimming while wondering whatever happened to Preston Ridlehuber...
So what if Colt Mccoy passed for only 74 yards? He CAUGHT a pass, his teammates intercepted four Drew Brees' passes and the CLEEEEEEEVELAND BROWNS WON, 30-17. It was no fluke. The Browns outprepared, outhustled and outcoached the Saints, period. Cleveland's fake punt was a thing of beauty. Did you see the hole Punter Reggie Hodges ran through? Big enough for a semi truck...
Bring on the World Serious! Cliff Lee vs. Tim Lincecum in Wednesday's game one. Imagine, one franchise is seeing its first World Serious title since moving west 52 years ago (the Giants) while the other team is seeking its first WS title in its 49-year history (the Rangers)...
Who is Preston Ridlehuber? Well, he's the one who recovered the Jets' kickoff fumble in the end zone for the last TD in the Oakland Raiders' 43-32 win over the New York Jets on November 17, 1968. That was the "Heidi" game, when the network carrying the game, NBC, elected to dump showing the Raider-Jets game in order to show the movie, "Heidi." Almost everyone in the USA missed seeing the Raiders score two TD's in a sensational comeback climaxed by Ridlehuber's score...
***
THE TEXAS RANGERS--WORLD SERIOUS-BOUND!!!!!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2010 -- Let's do some more scatterskimming....
Hmm, let's see...they filed for bankruptcy, their manager had a drug problem and when I covered them for the now-defunct Fort Worth Press in the 1970's, they were 54-100 in 1972 and 57-105 in 1973...but...
The Texas Rangers are American League champions and headed for the World Serious. Earlier, I predicted the euphoria of ousting the Tampa Bay Rays wouldn't last. OH was I wrong! And with Cliff Lee NOT having to pitch a game seven in the ALCS (American League Championship Series), it means the Rangers' ace can pitch game one of the World Serious vs. either the Phillies or Giants.
I'm especially happy for Ranger manager Ron Washington. He openly confessed to having a drug problem earlier this year, yet showed the grit to overcome it. Support from the Rangers' management certainly helped his cause.
Meanwhile, this is a team that hit the jackpot with some dandy moves. Among the key players the Rangers have obtained from trades or free agency are Lee, Vladimir Guerrero, Elvis Andrus, Bengie Molina, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. And winning pitcher Colby Lewis in the deciding game? Oh, just an original draft choice of the Rangers in 1999 who who'd be let go by the team six years ago. At least three other major league teams also gave up on him...but Lewis toiled in 2008 and 2009 in Japan...and the Rangers were smart enough to give him another chance as a free agent this year.
Meanwhile, the Nevada Supreme Court refused to overturn O.J. Simpson's armed robbery and kidnapping convictions. He's serving a nine-to-33-years stint at Lovelock Correctional Center, which is located about 90 miles northeast of Reno. He can STAY THERE! Remember how he owed the Ron Goldman family $33 million from that civil trial? As far as I know, he's never paid the Goldmans a dime...and yet he's been living off an NFL pension that the Goldman's legally cannot touch.
***
LEBRON JAMES--KING OF THE HYPOCRITES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2010 -- Catching up on some scatterskimming...
In Tuesday's USA Today, LeBron James' photo was on the overall front page, the first sports and the second sports page. Oh, and in a lengthy main sports page article. In it, James is quoted as saying this about the importance of being a family man: "It's pretty good -- how passionate we are about family. Family is key. We talk about it a lot."
Opinion: Really, LeBron? I have this burning question for you: HOW can you say you're so passionate about being a family man, when, in fact, you have two children AND YOU AREN'T MARRIED TO THE MOTHER OF YOUR CHILDREN? Just curious, LeBron, because you come off as a total hypocrite.
I'm used to your hypocrisy, LeBron. On July 12, 2006, you and Dwyane Wade signed a three-year contract with your then-teams with an option for a fourth year. ON THE SAME DAY. Two days later, Chris Bosh signed the SAME KIND OF CONTRACT. So, please, LeBron, don't say things like "to move to a whole new state is not fun" when it comes across as total hypocrisy coming from a multi-millionaire who's suspected of tanking games when playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers....
At least James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers has come to his senses. He's apologized for his two hits that led to a $75,000 fine. The cheap shot hits HAD to be addressed by NFL before some somebody gets paralyzed a la Darryl Stingley...
Oregon's Duck and their Quack Attack are for real. Did you catch Thursday night's 60-13 thrashing of UCLA? Unbelievable team speed. Oregon will play for the national title barring injuries and/or an unforeseen meltdown...
Gee, I thought the World Serious would be a Phillie-Yankee rematch. Instead, it could be a Giants-Rangers series...
***
BARBARA BILLINGSLEY--THE ALL-AMERICAN TV MOM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010 -- Scatterskimming things...
Barbara Billingsley, the all-American TV mom who portrayed June Cleaver, Beaver and Wally's mom, has died. She was 94.
Interestingly, her obit included a notable mention of how she always wore those pearls no matter what. When I met and chatted with Jerry Mathers (who portrayed the Beaver) around 1990, Mathers told me that the pearls were worn to hide an eyesore of a gap in the area just under her neck. The pearls would hide that eyesore.
Ultimate Barbara Billingsley trivia...as Mrs. June Cleaver, what was her maiden name? Answer: Bronson.
What I loved about Barbara Billingsley was how she came up with some of the most amazing brilliant momisms. For instance, in an early Beaver episode, Beaver loses his haircut money...and has Wally give him a haircut. Well, sort of. Anyway, June and Ward Cleaver figure out why Wally and Beaver are wearing winter hats to dinner. To hide Beaver's awful haircut! When the ruse is uncovered, the boys are sent to their rooms while Ward tries to figure out a punishment.
That's when June Cleaver, the all-American TV mom, comes to the boys' rescue.
"Ward, it's OUR fault!"
"OUR fault???"
"Yes, OUR fault as parents. The boys were AFRAID to come to us...and that's OUR FAULT as parents!!"
Ward agrees, the boys are told they won't be punished and they're also encouraged to never be afraid to go to their parents when they have a problem.
In another Beaver episode, Beaver and Wally start a savings account at school. Ward, after muttering how old and smelly his old hunting jacket is, tells his better half that the boys are going to squander their savings money on something like baseball gloves.
Once again, it's June Cleaver to the rescue. "Oh, Ward, they're just boys. They'll learn to save their money."
Later, the boys suddenly withdraw all their money...and a package comes to the Cleavers from the most expensive sporting goods store in town. Ward, convinced the boys have blown their money on baseball gloves, confronts the boys in the living room. "Now we're all going to open this package and decide whether you boys have spent your money wisely."
In the package...was a new hunting jacket for Ward!!!!
As Wally noted, "We decided to squander our money on you, dad."
When asked if he'd return the jacket by Beaver, Ward replies, "Beaver, I wouldn't return this hunting jacket for all the money in the world."
After the boys go up to bed, June notices that Ward still has his hunting jacket on. "Gee, Ward, isn't it kinda warm inside here for you to have that hunting jacket on?" (She was only kidding, of course)....
Ohio State can kiss goodbye to the national title game what with today's 31-18 loss at Wisconsin. And Terrelle Pryor can kiss goodbye to his Heisman Trophy hopes.
Larry Siegfried, 71, who starred for Ohio State's national title team of 1960 and was an integral part of the Boston Celtics' 1960's title teams, has died. He was 71....
***
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YOU KNOW, SPORTS MEDIA BIAS CONTINUES (NOW YOU KNOW)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2010 -- You know, it's time for more scatterskimming, you know...
You know, I can't believe the Ranger bullpen blew it in game one vs. the Yankees, but, you know, at least there's no sports media bias...
You know, there IS, you know, sports media bias when it comes to auto racing in general, you know. And NASCAR racing, you know, in particular.
Especially, you know, with one horribly overpublicized auto racer now dubbed by me, you know, as Mrs. Lapped-17-Times, you know.
For more, you know, have fun with my latest input on this matter (now, you know)...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
***
TAPS FOR GENERAL NORMAN JOHNSON, 1943-2010
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2010 -- Some more scatterskimming...
General Norman Johnson, the lead singer of the Chairmen Of The Board, died Wednesday at the age of 67. For more, I invite you to check out my obituary in this web site's "Latest News" in the message board...
With The Phillies' Roy Halladay and the Giants' Tim Lincecum the starting pitchers in the first National League title series, a double-no-hitter is possible...
Looks like Colt McCoy will make his first NFL start for my Cleeeeeveland Browns vs. the Steelers Sunday. He'd better be prepared to handle blitzes. The Steelers have plenty of them...
***
RANGER EUPHORIA PROBABLY WON'T LAST LONG
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010 -- I was there for the Texas Rangers in their first two seasons, 1972 and 1973. Over 100 losses both seasons. Dreadful pitching.
All of which makes the Rangers' winning their first postseason season series at the expense of the Tampa Bay Rays all the sweeter.
Trouble is, don't look for the euphoria to last long. While Cliff Lee was stellar in games one and five vs. the Rays, he can't and won't start in the American League Championship series Friday vs. the Yankees. He'll probably start game three. Maybe game seven if there is one. Without Lee pitching that ALCS opener, I can't see the Rangers beating the Yankees. The Yankees have been there and then some. The Rangers haven't.
I hope I'm wrong. A Texas-Philadelphia World Serious is fine with me. But I believe it'll be a Philadelphia-New York World Serious.
Sadly for the Rays, this could be their last hurrah for a while. It wouldn't surprise me to see Carl Crawford become a Yankee in the off-season.
P.S. In his TV postgame interview, Lee said "you know" 13 times.
***
1972 DOLPHINS CAN CELEBRATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2010 (10/10/10) -- Scatterskimming as we won't enjoy a date like today's until November 11 of next year...
The 1972 Miami Dolphins can celebrate. With the Kansas City Chiefs losing today, that means we won't have an undefeated NFL team this season...
Solomon Burke has died. He was 70 and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was more popular on the R&B chart than the pop chart. Two of his songs were featured in prominent movies. For more, check out my obituary in the "latest news" segment of this site's message board...
New Mexico State beat New Mexico, 16-14, in the battle of the inept...
Speaking of ineptness, my least favorite auto racer has a record of 1-106. A crash dropped her from about 14th at her latest NASCAR minor league race Saturday to 29th. Then she had the gall to bellyache that the crash was deliberate. Strictly sour grapes from Mrs. Crybaby...
CHUCK CECIL--NOW EVERYONE KNOWS WHO HE IS!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2010 -- Some more scatterskimming...
Until today, almost nobody knew who Chuck Cecil was. Now everybody knows who he is but for the wrong reasons. Cecil is the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. He had a roundabout way of telling an NFL official that he's #1...and cameras caught Cecil giving the Italian salute. Look for a hefty six-figure fine from the NFL...
Ah yes, my Cleveland Browns finally got it right in today's 23-20 win over the Bengals...
Is Terrell Pryor OK?
Shame on the sports writer who in his blatantly biased IRL race story Saturday referred to the race runnerup as "Everybody's favorite Indycar driver." Worse yet, he went to say that this driver is "dipping her toes into the NASCAR waters." Hmm, let's see...
"Everybody's Favorite Indycar driver" has a career record of 1-105; has finished no higher than 24th in the second-level Nationwide NASCAR races; has been lapped 15 times in those races; and was openly booed at the Indy 500 for throwing her crew under the bus...
GEORGE BLANDA: 1927-2010
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010 -- Some more scatterskimming. ...
I'm deeply saddened over the passing of George Blanda at the age of 83. He played some 26 seasons of pro football. He helped give the then-fledgling American Football League an immediate identify as QB of the then-Houston Oilers (who today are the Tennessee Titans). I can still remember Blanda's last second 52-yard field goal beating my Browns, 23-20, on November 8, 1970...
For more on that incredible game...Check out...
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_16189743
The current Browns are 0-3...but could easily be 3-0. Mistakes (turnovers, penalties) are killing the Browns. Don't be surprised to see the Browns beat the Bengals Sunday....
Believe it or not, rocker Jerry Lee Lewis turns 75 Wednesday....
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A 48-47 GAME; DEATH OF A CROONER--AND SPORTS MEDIA BIAS CONTINUES
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 -- Still more scatterskimming...
High school football doesn't get any better than tonight, when my alma mater, Mentor (Ohio) High School, edged nearby Willoughby South, 48-47. Talk about a playoff environment!...
Eddie Fisher, the 1950's crooner more famous for his marriages than his hit records, died Wednesday. He was 82. For my complete obituary, check out this web site's message board under "Latest news."...
The sports news media bias continues. Brett Moffit WON the auto race, a feat that SHOULD be in the first paragraph, not the 12th. For more, check out this web site...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
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BRAYLON EDWARDS, RUFUS BOBCAT AND AN ALLEGED WOMAN REPORTER--A TALE OF THREE JERKS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 -- Scatterskimming some more...
On November 25, 2008, then-Cleveland Brown Braylon Edwards was fined $252 and ordered to undergo 30 hours a community service...
For driving 120 mph on a northern Ohio freeway.
And get this: Edwards was initially given just a WARNING by the police officer who stopped him! A Cleveland TV station found out about it, aired the news...and Edwards would get a ticket...and the officer would get a written reprimand. All this is being pointed out because this morning, Edwards was cited for DWI. It makes me ask the following question...
Why is Braylon Edwards allowed to drive a car at all?
Meanwhile...
My old college, Ohio University, has a new mascot because the old one made a jerk of himself. During pregame band festivities at the Ohio State-Ohio U. football game in Columbus Saturday, Rufus Bobcat tackled Brutus, Ohio State's mascot...and then proceeded to fight Brutus. It just gets worse from there. It turns out that the person in the Rufus Bobcat outfit, Brandon Hanning, had planned this attack all along.
"It was actually my plan to tackle Brutus when I tried out to be the (OU) mascot," Hanning said afterwards. "I tried out about a year ago...and the whole reason I tried out was so I could com eup here to Ohio State and tackle Brutus."
Hanning has been banned from participating in any way with future Ohio University athletic events. Not that it matters. Hanning's not even a student at the school anyway. He's at Hocking College. Oh, and Hanning also said, "I think I planned it pretty well...and I definitely would have done it again."
A tale of two jerks for sure....
Not everybody was defending Ines Sainz, the woman reporter who claimed she was treated unprofessionally by the New York Jets recently. Theresa Neuhoff Audia of my hometown newspaper, the Willoughby (Ohio) News-Herald wrote that Sainz "wasn't dressed professionally. She was dressed in nightclub attire in an NFL players' lockerroom. What did she expect?"
Theresa continued, "Ines Sainz is not a female sports reporter. She is a publicity-seeking wannabe. She has marketed herself to be a sex symbol, not a credible journalist. What she has done is an embarrassment to female sports reporters across the country."
You're invited to read the entire column Theresa wrote at...
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/09/17/sports/nh3043659.txt
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GLENVILLE-DWYER POST-GAME MESS CONTINUES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2010 -- The aftermath of Cleveland Glenville's 26-22 nationally televised football win over Dwyer of Florida on Sunday continues.
And keeps getting worse.
For starters, Dwyer was denied a touchdown at least twice due to blown officiating calls. Dwyer's QB clearly scored a TD on a quarterback sneak on the game's final play.
With 1:28 left, an apparent TD pass was ruled incomplete by an official who was at least 10 yards away when the receiver's right knee hit the end zone turf.
The game's second to the last play had a Dwyer player pushing the player pile. A helping the runner penalty? I'm not sure about that one. Oh, and the clock didn't run for that play...though that one isn't the zebras' fault.
There was no traditional handshake afterwards...and then Dwyer's star player, Nick O'Leary, the grandson of Jack Nicklaus, was seen giving the Glenville players an obscene gesture. His way of saying he felt Dwyer was #1? Could be.
Florida's high school athletic association noticed, though, and handed O'Leary a two-game suspension.
And it doesn't end there. Dwyer's coach AND players are talking about forfeiting the team's next two games as a protest to O'Leary's suspension.
And it STILL doesn't end there. Why? Because if Dwyer DOES forfeit its next two games, the school will make itself ineligible for Florida High School football postseason play.
Oh, and Kirk Herbstreit, who organized the Glenville-Dwyer game, said he was "sick to my stomach" over the game's officiating.
Stay tuned.
***
BOISE STATE OVERATED; GLENVILLE LUCKY AND THEN SOME
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 -- More scatterskimming...
Boise State's exciting 33-30 win over Virginia Tech Monday night will, sadly, mean we won't hear the end about how the winning team deserves to play at the national title game. One prominent daily digital sports publication even went so far as to have thde headline of "Why Boise State State deserves to be #1."..but WAIT A MINUTE!
OK, I won't argue with college football whiz Phil Steele, who in his preseason college football magazine said, "If Boise beat Virginia Tech in the opener, they will be a national title contender." OK, I won't argue with that. "Contender" is the key word. So are three others.
Strength of schedule.
Elsewhere in Steele's publication, we discover that Boise State has the 87th toughest schedule...and beat the team with the 47th toughest schedule (Virginia Tech). Boise State's league, the Western Athletic Conference, is NOT a BCS league. Boise State needed trick plays to beat Oklahoma, 43-42, in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl...and the Broncos have been 1-2 in bowl games since. The last time they played a BCS power prior to Oklahoma, the Broncos fell to Georgia in 2005, 48-13.
Naming Boise State #1 is clearly ridiculous. If the Broncos were to play Alabama, Florida or Ohio State in their next game, they would lose. And I believe would be hard-pressed to defeat Oregon, Texas, Wisconsin and Nebraska. Just one man's opinion...
The zebras blew it in Glenville's 26-22 win Sunday over Dwyer of Florida in one of the Kirk Herbstreit extravaganza matchups. Clearly, the Dwyer QB was in the end zone with room to spare on the game's last play. How could the zebras NOT call it a touchdown?
Finally, today's a special day of remembrance for me. Seventy years ago today (September 7, 1940), my parents (Wayne Durkee and Louise Shields) were married.
***
TWO HEISMAN TROPHY WINNERS BITE THE DUST
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010 -- Back to scatterskimming as I recover from dental surgery (never fun)....
Would you believe we had TWO Heisman Trophy winners cut by NFL teams Saturday. Everyone knows about Matt Leinart getting his walking papers by the Arizona Cardinals. But Troy Smith met the same fate with the Baltimore Ravens...
Mike Locksley moves to the head of a dubious class...that of Division I college football coaches on the hottest seat. Locksley coaches New Mexico. His Lobos lost their 2010 opener at Oregon, 72-0. It was 59-0 AT THE HALF.
Meanwhile, Oregon's next opponent is Tennessee, which beat Tennessee-Martin, 50-0. So, we'll have a matchup next weekend of teams that won by a combined score of 122-0.
I haven't stopped my rants against two prominent women sports figures. For my latest check out...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
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GEORGE DAVID WEISS, 1921-2010
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2010 -- Songwriter George David Weiss, whose honor roll of hits included "Can't Help Falling In Love," "What A Wonderful World" and "The Lion Sleeps tonight," died Monday. He was 89. For my extensive story on this passing, I invite you to check out this web site's message board under "Latest News."
***
ROGER CLEMENS--HEADED FOR THE SLAMMER?
FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2010 -- More scatterskimming...
Baseball's steroids controversy will seemingly never die. Barry Bonds will go on trial next year for perjury, for instance. Since courts have already ruled against key evidence for the prosecution, Bonds will probably walk.
Roger Clemens may not be as fortunate. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly lying to Congress. Between Andy Pettitte's key testimony and a key drug supplier's evidence (needles with Clemens' DNA), it appears that only a plea deal will keep Clemens from a prison sentence.
Strongly recommended reading: "The Rocket That Fell To Earth...Roger Clemens And The Rage For Baseball Immortality" by Jeff Pearlman...
Kenny Edwards, a founding member of the group the Stone Poneys and who helped launch the career of Linda Ronstadt, has died. For more details, check out my obit in this web site's message board "latest News" section.
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CANNIBAL AND THE HEADHUNTERS MEMBER DIES
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2010 -- More scatterskimming the music and sports scene...
I've just learned that, sadly, Richard "Scar" Lopez of the group Cannibal And The Headhunters has passed away. For a more insightful look at the group that gave s the original version of the hit song "Land of 1000 Dances," please refer to the latest news section of this site's message board...
Believe it or not, Ohio High School football kicks off its season in a week...and the college football season is just two weeks away....
Word out of Cleveland is that if the Browns don't 10 games this season, Eric Mangini will be replaced by Jon Gruden as Browns coach...Stay tuned...
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RE: ANGELS, DODGERS, REGGIE BUSH, MRS. LAPPED-ELEVEN-TIMES....
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010 -- Scatterskimming with more short (and longer) stuff...
Look for both Los Angeles based major league baseball teams to miss the playoffs. Not even as wild card teams. The Dodgers have been just brutal to watch, particularly Thursday's 10-9 come-from-ahead loss to the Phillies, which overcame a 9-2 deficit. Late in that game, Dodger OF Matt Kemp hit a ball that hugged the foul line. Kemp stood at the plate. He thought the ball would be foul. It wasn't. It was fair. And Kemp turned a double into a single. Barely. Dodger coaches, fans and news media members are all on his case now...
If Reggie Bush is sincere about his apology to USC fans for getting the school in deep NCAA trouble for his accepting illegal money, then he should give up his Heisman Trophy for good...
Finally...
Can you imagine ANY sporting event where, after the first, second and third place finishers are interviewed, an interview comes next to...
The TWENTY SEVENTH PLACE FINISHER?
Believe it. It happened on ESPN today. Welcome to the world of BSNM (Biased Sports News Media). Led by ESPN, Yahoo, the AP and USA Today.
Going into today's NASCAR Nationwide Carfax 250, I referred to her as Mrs. Lapped-Seven-Times, which represents the number of times she was lapped in her previous two Nationwide races. Not to mention her 1-97 record.
But since she was lapped an additional four times today, she's now Mrs. Lapped-Eleven-times.
And has a 1-98 record.
Imagine, she's one racing non-win away from improving her record to 1-99, which means she will have won exactly ONE PER CENT of the time.
I don't know which is worse, her auto racing ineptness or the disgraceful unwarranted media attention that accompanies it. Just think, Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've was lapped the first of four times on the 27th lap. ESPN and USA Today got what they deserved. Again. Ditto for Yahoo. When I went to Yahoo's NASCAR section, guess who got the photo and teaser headline? Yup, Mrs. Lapped-Eleven-Times.
Oh, and listen carefully to the interviews she gets..because Mrs. Overrated loves to say the words "you know." She said them six times in her post-race interview (along with at least one "should've" and "could've" each).
Finally, do you know who Brad Keselowski is?
That's what I thought.
He WON the race.
***
REMEMBER ELVIS; TRY TO FORGET MRS. LAPPED-SEVEN-TIMES
FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2010 -- More scatterskimming...
Monday marks the 33rd anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing. Sirius-XM's Elvis channel is already commemorating the big day...and I invite you to check out my countdown of the top 40 Elvis songs elsewhere on this web site...
Are you as sick and tired as I am of those Progressive Insurance ads with Flo? How many times are we going to hear "Is there an echo in here?"???
Probably as many times as our BSNM is going to write stories about a woman auto racer who wins one per cent of the time. Which reminds me...
At last weekend's IRL Honda Indy 200, rookie Simona de Silvestro finished in EIGHTH place...
..And so far has been completely ignored by our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media).
...Meanwhile...
That race's TWENTY FIRST PLACE finisher--Mrs. Lapped Seven-Times-- has been accorded a photo, headline and story by our nation's newspaper in its web site today...
I don't have to tell you her real name.
And, remember, I'm calling her "Mrs. Lapped-Seven-Times" because in her last two NASCAR races, she's been lapped a total of SEVEN times. Plus, she's finished no higher than TWENTY FOURTH in NASCAR's second level of competition.
Amazingly, the story's headline is "Lessons continue for Danica"...and the story itself says "Education remains the operative word."
No kidding.
Question: When you've raced almost A HUNDRED times and won just ONCE, just how long does this so-called "educational" process continue? Mrs. Lapped-Seven-Times has had only ONE top five finish this year...and in recent races, she's finished 21st, 15th, 6th, 24th, 20th and 30th...and yet the stories, headlines, photos and excuses continue.
She's NEVER won a race held in the continental USA, NEVER won a 500-mile race anywhere and has more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (one).
Needless to say, I fired off the following e-mail to our nation's newspaper:
When a rookie woman racer finishes in EIGHTH PLACE at last weekend's IRL race and is COMPLETELY IGNORED...and at the same time your publication decides to devote a headline, photo and story to the TWENTY FIRST PLACE FINISHER, complete with her 1-97 (THAT'S ONE AND NINETY SEVEN) record, then something is dreadfully and ridiculously wrong.
Thank You,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
***
If you want to let that publication know what you think about this, then here's the e-mail address...
feedback@usatoday.com
***
THE KILLER HAS AN ALBUM OUT
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2010 -- Short stuff...
Jerry Lee lewis has an album coming out. Honest. "Mean Old Man" comes out September 7. Tim McGraw, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. the Killer turns 75 late next month...
When the sci-fi classic movie "The Day The Earth Stood Still" came out a coupla years ago as a remake, it deeply disappointed me. Too much fancy smancy production, not enough of the original plot. The key part of the original 1951 movie was when actress Patricia Neal had to tell the robot, Gort, three key words...or, as spaceman Klaatu (played by Michael Rene) noted, Gort would destroy the world.
Klaatu was shot and near death...but Gort would eventually bring him back to life. All thanks to those key words muttered by Patriica Neal.
"Klaatu Bur-ada Nick-toe."
Well, at least those were the words phonetically.
Sadly, Patricia Neal died over the weekend. She was 84. She won a Best Actress Oscar for her role in the 1963 Paul Newman movie, "Hud."
Meanwhile, for my latest blogs on various sports world losers, check out...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
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BOBBY HEBB -- HE GAVE US A "SUNNY" HIT
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2010 -- Bobby Hebb, who was famous for the #1 Cash Box pop chart hit "Sunny" in the summer of 1966, died Tuesday morning, August 3, 2010, at the Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. He was 72, according to the Associated Press. No cause of death was announced.
"Sunny" was shot to #1 on the Cash Box pop chart the last weekend of August, 1966, and was the magazine's third biggest single for all of 1966. Hebb wrote "Sunny" as a tribute to two people--his brother, who was murdered outside of a Nashville nightclub, and to former President John F. Kennedy. So popular was the song that Hebb toured with the Beatles during its height of popularity. Hebb's followup release, "A Satisfied Mind," barely cracked the Cash Box top 40 at #40.
Among the other performers to have recorded "Sunny" are Jose Feliciano, Wilson Pickett and Marvin Gaye. Hebb was writing songs and was involved with his own publishing company and record label up to 2007.
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MITCH MILLER (1911-2010)
MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2010 -- I'm saddened over the passing of Mitch Miller. For my obituary of him, please check it out at the "latest news" section of this web site's message board.
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AL GOODMAN, 1943-2010
FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2010 -- More short stuff...
Al Goodman, who sang baritone for the group the Moments, who later became the trio of Ray, Goodman and Brown, died of heart failure on Monday, July 26, 2010. He was 67.
Goodman died during surgery to remove a tumor at Hackensack Medical Center in New Jersey. The Moments were best remembered for their 1970 hit, "Love On A Two-Way Street." Ray, Goodman And Brown were best known for the 1980 hit, "Special Lady."...
Did you notice who mopped up as a relief pitcher for my Cleeeveland Indians Thursday night vs. the Yankees? Third baseman Andy Marte! Unlike the other Tribe hurlers who totaled a dozen walks, Marte didn't walk anyone. Plus, he threw 13 pitches and recorded a strikeout. Reminded me of the time Rocky Colavito, then 35 and playing for the Yankees, had a relief pitching stint himself in August, 1968...
Our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) wants Michelle Weak to win so badly, it's not funny. Part of the reason for the bias is that it's probably tired of foreigners winning LPGA events.
Weak opened the LPGA British Open tied for seventh after a round...but you'd swear she was the leader the way the BSNM treated it. Yahoo! ran her photo with a headline of "Making a Move" while USA Today had a headline of "Weak Lurks."
After a second round 76 that included hitting her first ball out of bounds, not to mention her falling to a tie for (about) 31st, I wrote USA Today to ask, "Is she still lurking?" After all, the only "lurking" she's doing is being halfway to improving her record to 1-94...and chalking up her 12th straight non-top 10 LPGA Major tourney finish.
Others are noticing the multi-millionaire's becoming a total bust. While she may be leading the stats by hitting a golf ball the farthest, you've got to remember this adage..."Drive for show, putt for dough." Oh, and those stats? In the putting rankings, she's #103. For the driving accuracy department, she's #130...
***
HIT ON STINGLEY HAUNTED TATUM'S LIFE
TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2010 -- Short stuff...
On August 12, 1978, Jack Tatum delivered a jolting hit that changed his...and the recipient's life forever. Tatum was an Oakland Raider DB who played for Ohio State's 1968 national title team. His hit on New England Patriot WR Darryl Stingley paralyzed Stingley.
Tatum tried to visit Stingley at a hospital but Stingley's family wouldn't let him. Stingley died in 2007. Tatum died today in Columbus. He hadn't been in good health. He was 61....
I doubt if the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, USA, will benefit from landing starting pitcher Dan Haren and third baseman Alberto Callaspo in recent trades. The Angels will probably finish second to the Texas Rangers in the AL West...and will lose out to the Rays or Red Sox for the AL wild card playoff berth. Thus, no playoffs.
The Angels are badly missing three players. The broken leg suffered by Kendry Morales May 29 during a walk-off HR celebration has been brutal. The Angels miss his bat and have struggled with makeshift first baseman who aren't normally first basemen. Plus, the Angels haven't been able to make up for two key departed free agents--pitcher John Lackey (Boston) and slugger Vladimir Guerrero (Texas)...
Alexi Thompson--heard of her? She's the 15-year-old who tied for second at last weekend's LPGA Evian Masters...and was largely ignored by the news media. The dumb-dumb LPGA powers won't let her participate in an upcoming tournament..and get this...
If Thompson were a full-pledged LPGA member, she'd be EIGHTEENTH on the LPGA money list. She has made more money than Michelle Weak, who is now 1-93 after finishing tied for 31st at the Evian Masters. And with Mrs. Lapped-Seven-Times finishing 15th at least weekend's IRL race in Edmonton, HER record is 1-96.
That means the sports world's two most overrated, overpublicized people have a combined record of 2-189.
***
***
TWO FORFEITED HEISMAN'S...BY TWO DISGRACED EX-USC RB'S
FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2010 -- This 'n That...
The fallout from the University of Southern Cal's getting hit hard by the NCAA six weeks ago continues. I just heard about 2-3 more USC players transferring. The number of transfers isn't known but suffice to say that they'll no doubt hurt the Trojans' depth.
Meanwhile, Mike Garrett is out as USC Athletic Director by August 3; the USC football press guide will contain about 100 askerisks; and USC's all-time football record has 14 less victories. There won't be 14 more losses, though. You cannot take a vacated victory and turn it into a loss. You can only vacate/eliminate it.
Oh, and disgraced RB Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy has been returned to the Heisman people. That means we now have TWO Heisman Trophies given up by two disgraced USC RB's. O.J. Simpson also gave his up...
Michael Jordan is absolutely correct when he says he would never have called Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to say, "Hey, let's play on the same team." And that it would've been wrong. Jordan went on to say that times have changed. Yup, they have...but I believe a LOT of people will be openly cheering against the Miami Heat...
At least the media furor over Michelle Weak has all but died. In the past 24 hours, over in France at the LPGA Evian Masters, she played herself out of contention with a NINE on one hole. She went from something like two strokes off the leaders and tied for sixth...to tied for 47th and some 10 strokes off the leaders after two rounds. She barely made the cut by two stokes.
And en route to improving her pro record to 1-93.
It's amazing how her fans talk big (e.g. "you watch, she's going to win all the time some day") during the days leading up to a tournament. Then the tournament starts and...
Folks, there's a reason why the world's two most overrated, overpublicized sports personalities have a combined 2-187 record. They're overrated and overpublicized!!
***
MR. EGOMANIAC BEGAN HIS PLANNED EXODUS FOUR YEARS AGO
FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2010 -- If you REALLY believe that Mr. Egomaniac (a/k/a LeBron James) suddenly woke up Thursday, July 8, and decided he wanted to play for the Miami Heat, I've got news for you.
His joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Heat...was a deliberately preplanned move that he, Mr. Egomanaic, instigated four years ago. Sports Illustrated exposed this plan in its latest issue...and a quick check of my detailed NBA player database backs me up.
Here's the key tell-all sentence in SI that blew the whistle on Mr. Egomanic...
"In 2006 James persuaded Wade and Bosh to join him in agreeing to three-year contract extensions (with a fourth-year option) that would make them free agents this summer to maximize their bargaining power before the collective bargaining agreement expires in 2011."
SI told the truth. Mr. Egomaniac and Wade BOTH signed such extensions on the SAME day...July 12, 2006. In fact, in my database template for Wade, I'd noted that what Wade signed was "just like LeBron James' pact."
And when did Bosh sign HIS extension?
July 14, 2006.
Two days later.
And in Bosh's template of my database, I noted that what Bosh signed was "similar to class of 2003 stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade."
Yup, the WHOLE THING was a premeditated, pre-planned and instigated by none other than Mr. Egomaniac.
Imagine, a star basketball player whose plan to desert his hometown team and fans goes back FOUR YEARS. And then, to cap it off, he arranges an hour-long TV special to essentially satisify his inflated ego. And to tell Northeast Ohio: "Screw you, Cleveland, I'm outta here."
Just think of all the promotions and player moves the Cavaliers made just to accomodate Mr. Egomaniac.
And let's not forget his high school's highly tainted state championship his senior year. He'd been ruled ineligible by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) for accepting two jerseys from a store. Mr. Egomaniac was bailed out by a local judge's ruling that essentially made him eligible, voided all forfeits and barred the OHSAA from taking any other action against his school, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.
Now, I'm supposed to RESPECT Mr. Egomaniac and cheer any of his championships?
You know that answer.
Speaking of losers, you're invited to read my latest blog about my least favorite sports personality (someone else, Not Mr. Egomaniac) at this web site...
http://www.voy.com/222481/
***
ALL-STAR GAME BLUNDERS GALORE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2010 -- More skimmerscattering...
How can you have a baseball All-Star game where the highest-paid player and career home run leader doesn't play?
Beats me.
The National League beat the American League, 3-1, for its first win since 1996...and it can thank AL/Yankee skipper Joe Girardi for his late-game blunders. OK, he was probably running out of players, but it's still mind-boggling to see A-Rod on the bench. No punch-hitting for him? No pinch-running for snail-paced David Ortiz, who was forced out at second on a 9-6 play?
And why wasn't the Tribe's Fausto Carmona not used?
Shame on the All-Star game for announcing a player had been added who hadn't. Shame on Cincy's Joey Votto for refusing to congratulate NL teammate Marlon Byrd on a great play "because I hate the Cubs." totally bush league...
Twenty eight years ago, when I was a Sports Editor, I drove a 250-mile roundtrip from Mentor, Ohio, to Columbus and back to cover a George Steinbrenner speech. That's how much George meant to my then-boss. GS will be fondly remembered as the mogul who turned the Yankees into winners, fired Billy Martin five times and nearly became owner of my beloved Indians in the early 1970's.,,
The most touching moment of tonight's ESPY's was the speech made by Denver Nugget coach George Karl. He looked terrific and sounded terrific. Lord I hope he wins his battle vs. cancer...
Now that the Texas Rangers have landed Cliff Lee, that puts huge pressure on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, United States, Earth. The Angels must win the AL West outright or stay home to watch the playoffs...
***
THE BIAS CONTINUES, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE 2-186
SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010 -- Can you imagine ANY sporting event's primary story, headline and photo being devoted to the TWENTY FOURTH place finisher?
Or how about a story, headline and photo being devoted to a golfer...two days after finishing 73rd (dead last) at a tournament?
Welcome to the seemingly never-ending story of our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media).
For starters, just go to the website of our nation's newspaper and click on "sports." Then you, too, can puke when you see the latest story devoted to Miss Lapped-Five-Times. Complete with the headline ("Danica Patrick finishes 24th, strives to break NASCAR language barrier"). Not to mention in the story the mention of her "career best 24th place finish."
That's supposed to MEAN something?
Well, it didn't to a NASCAR representative who spoke on a sports talk show overnight. He said, "Don't hype her like she's a superstar, because she's not. She'll never be better than a 24th place finisher...and people don't care about 24th place finishers."
Amen.
What REALLY means something to me are the facts the biased article neglected to mention. Like her record.
It's 1-94.
And the number of times she's won a race held in the continental USA...and the number of times she's won a 500-mile race anywhere.
Zero.
And the number of people she beat out to gain the coveted 2005 IRL Rookie Of The Year award.
Two.
Finally, she's got more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (one).
This reminds me of the lyric line in the Kingston Trio/Johnny Rivers song, "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?"
"When will they ever learn?"
Probably never. Look what our nation's newspaper did in its endless promotion of the world's most overrated golfer, Michelle Weak...
Last Tuesday, a photo at the top of the first sports page. The excuse? Oh, she hits the ball father than anyone in LPGA circles. This came two days after a weekend where she didn't even participate at the latest LPGA tourney.
Last month...a photo, story and headline...two days after finishing tied for 46th place...
And in May, a photo, story and headline...two days after finishing in 73rd place. DEAD LAST!
Today, guess who missed the cut at the LPGA U.S. Women's Open?
And improved her record to 1-92?
You know the answer.
This should hardly be any surprise. A year ago, Miss 1-92 didn't even QUALIFY for the U.S. Women's Open. Two years ago at that tourney, she ALSO missed the cut.
From 2007 on, Michelle Weak has participated in 10 LPGA major tournaments, with ZERO Top 10 finishes, including one withdrawl and THREE missed cuts.
Utterly unbelievable.
All the publicity garnered by two people with a combined 2-186 record, that is.
Here's my latest e-mail to that publication...
(Dear publication),
When ANY sporting event's primary story involves that story, a headline and photo of the TWENTY FOURTH PLACE FINISHER, then something is dreadfully and horribly wrong.
Thank you,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
An Ex-Sports Editor Not Afraid To Speak His Mind
PS...Some suggested headlines...
"Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division, a/k/a Mrs. Lapped Five Times, improves auto racing record to 1-94"
"Miss Sports Medla Darling, Golf Division, MISSES CUT at LPGA U.S. Women's Open, improves overall record to 1-92, and increases streak of non-top 10 LPGA majors finishes to TEN"
***
HARVEY FUQUA / MEL TURPIN -- MAY BOTH REST IN PEACE
FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2010 -- Lost in the LeBron James furor was word of two recent passings.
Harvey Fuqua, who led the Moonglows to the famous mid-50's song, "Sincerely," died Tuesday of a heart attack at a Detroit hospital. He was 80. Fuqua was also a successful songwriter, record executive and producer. For more on his passing, you can read my obituary at this web site's message board under "latest news."
Meanwhile, former Cavalier center Mel Turpin has committed suicide. He was 49...
***
CAN LEBRON TAKE THE HEAT?
THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010 -- Until about an hour before LeBron James said he'd play next season for the Miami Heat, I believed he'd remain a Cavalier.
Then, reality set in for me.
First, there was the story breaking that the Miami Heat had temporarily suspended season ticket sales. Then came the realization that Chris Bosh hadn't announced how much he was going to make while moving from the Toronto Raptors to the Heat. Bosh won't get a max contract with the Heat as only LeBron and Dwyane Wade can do that.
Plus, Miami has a huge weather advantage over Cleveland. Provided you can stand the hurricanes. Finally, does Florida have a state tax? I don't think so. If I'm right, chalk up another huge advantage for Florida over Ohio.
Do I wish LeBron James well? Nope. I know he wants an NBA title ring but I just don't think this was the way to achieve it. The Cavaliers appeared to be one key strong forward away from being a legitimate title contender. Plus, it would've been nice to see Shaquille O'Neal re-sign to a low-salary (well, for him) contract like Karl Malone did with the Lakers. Wishful thinking. Shack is probably gone. Ditto Cleveland's shot at a major sports title for a long time.
I used to wear a LeBron James t-shirt to work Sundays. I'll never wear it again. Ever.
I think there's a good chance the Miami Heat won't win an NBA title...at least not next season. Phil Jackson would like to squeeze in one more title before he retires as Laker coach. Plus, I question the heat's center as I believe Jermaine O'neal is moving on to the Celtics. What about the team's depth? VERY questionable.
And you can bet the house that LeBron's newest NBA coach will on the proverbial hot seat. Who IS the Miami Heat coach?
Glad you asked.
At last check, the Heat coach is Erik Spoelstra, but I can't help but wonder when Pat Riley will replace him. Riley would love another NBA title ring.
Meanwhile, here's what I posted at Cleveland.com...
Art Modell must be ecstatic. He's no longer the most hated sports celebrity in Cleveland sports annals. Anything less than an NBA championship for the Miami Heat should be considered a total failure. It's sad and ironic to see Cleveland lose its superstar to the Miami area. After all, the Florida Marlins essentially bought their way to the 1997 World Serious title over our Indians, didn't they?
****
RYAN'S IN SECOND PLACE!
MONDAY, JULY 5, 2010 -- Skitterscattering the scene...
Kudos to long-time "American Top 40" fan David Turrill, who came up with a fascinating discovery. With 23 yers and 47 weeks, Casey Kasem has been by far the longest tenured AT40 host.
But in second place?
Nope, not Shadoe Stevens. He's been pushed to third place with six years and 24 weeks.
Yup, it's Ryan Seacrest, with six years and 25 weeks. He took over second place this holiday weekend.
"And who woulda' ever thunk that it would have happened on the 40th anniversary of the first show?" noted Turrill. Thanks for the tip, David.
Same old BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) when it comes to IRL auto races. I mean, Will Power WON the latest IRL race in Watkins Glenn Sunday. So who did ESPN show FIRST to open its report on that race?
Yup, Mrs. Lapped Five Times, who finished 20th and improved her auto racing record to 1-94. Oh, and the AP story mentioned the first through fifth place finshers, then the #20 finisher. The sixth through 19th place finishers who fared BETTER?
Ignored....
Did you hear about Damon Evans? He was the Southeastern Conference first black Athletic Director. Not that it matters anymore. Evans resigned today five days after being charged with DUI and failure to maintain a lane.
And there's more. Evans, whom I'm guessing is about 39 or 40 years old, is a married man...but that wasn't his wife who was with him in his car. Instead, it was a 28-year-old woman named Courtney Fuhrmann, who said she'd been seeing him for about a week.
She was charged with disorderly conduct.
And what was on Evans' lap at the time of the traffic stop?
HER panties!!!!
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AT40 TURNS 40!
FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2010 -- Scatterskimming as we celebrate America's 234th birthday...
"American Top 40" was born 40 years ago this weekend...and Ryan Seacrest celebrates during this weekend's current show with memories and drop-pieces of past shows. Check it out...
Another managerial change in major league baseball. A.J. Hinch never had a chance since May 7 of last year, when he replaced Bob Melvin as Arizona Diamondback skipper to become baseball's youngest manager. He was 89-123. Since April 2008, the D-Backs have been 163-212.
What's wrong with the D-Backs? Plenty. A poor farm system and a lousy pitching staff with MLB's worst team ERA (5.33). The bullpen has an MLB worst 14 blown saves and 5.98 ERA. Offensively, Mark Reynolds has struck out 108 times and Justin Upton another 98 K's. Guess whose batters lead the majors with 724 strikeouts?.. .
Are you enjoying the silence? From Monday through Thursday, our nation's newspaper has devoted NOTHING to Mrs. Lapped-Five-Times...but that's what happens when you become an embarrassment to NASCAR's Nationwide second-level competition. Not to mention her 1-93 record.
Meanwhile, Michelle (1-91) Weak isn't even competing at this weekend's Jamie Farr LPGA Classic. Three or four years ago, that fact alone would've merited a headline, photo and story...but not anymore...
***
IT'S OFFICIAL-=-THEY'RE 2-184
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010 -- Last month, our nation's newspaper ran a feature story, complete with photo and headline, of Michelle Weak. There was one problem.
Just two days earlier, she finished DEAD LAST (73rd) at an LPGA tournament.
Then last Tuesday, ANOTHER feature story, headline and photo of Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division....
Two days after she finished tied for 46th...
And to think the headline in part said she's "still a student of the game."
Now THAT is an understatement...
For an encore, the same paper actually INCLUDED her among the "contenders" for the LPGA Championship tournament the day...which leads me to ask the following question....
Is USA Today following the same LPGA that I'M following?
I think not.
As the late Jack Webb used to say on "Dragnet,"...
"Just the facts, mam."
And here they are....
Michelle Weak finished tied for 19th at the LPGA tournament. That shouldn't be a surprise. She's hasn't had a top 10 finish at an LPGA tournament AT ALL from 2007 on. NINE straight non-top 10 finishes at LPGA majors, including one withdrawl and two missed cuts.
Since finishing third at one stroke play tournament last month, she's had the following finishes at stroke play action...73rd, 52nd, 46th and 19th.
And her record as a pro is 1-91.
Just three losses behind illustrious Danica Patrick (1-93).
The sports world's two most overrated, overpublicized characters are a combined 2-184.
***
ESPN--AN EMBARRASSMENT AND A DISGRACE TO OBJECTIVITY
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010 -- Kyle Busch actually WON the New Hampshire 200 auto race today to post his sixth season victory, record his 36th win overall (second in NASCAR history) and become the career laps leader in NASCAR 's second-tier series.
So who was featured in the tease for ESPN's story on the race...and was featured in nearly all of the 4-lettered network's report on the race in the Sports Center newscast that followed this race?
The 30th place finisher.
Who got lapped FIVE TIMES!
Need I even have to tell you HER name?
Same old BSNM (Biased Sports News Media), only this time ESPN displayed all-time lows in disgraceful bias. The network was and is an embarrassment to objectivity. Amazingly, ESPN ended its report that noting that Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've, Auto Racing Division, had "her best Nationwide finish." What the network DIDN'T say was the following...
The MAIN reason why Mrs. Hospenthal got "her first top 30 finish" was because so many cars got knocked out of the race. She beat exactly ONE legitimate competitor as 31st place finisher Charles Lewandoski also completed 195 laps (and thus was also lapped five times by Busch). The 32nd through 43rd place finishers completed no more than 181 of the race's 200 laps. So...
SHE FINISHED SECOND TO THE LAST PLACE!
Just after the race, Busch was interviewed, then runnerup Brad Keselowski....and then the 30th place finisher. Ridiculous.
Why does ESPN continue to defend Mrs. Overrated? When she was lapped a second time in only the 34th lap of the race, an announcer actually said, "She's doing a good job." With 29 laps to go, an ESPN announcer noted, "She's been very impressive the last 60 laps. She's gotten better and better and better."
ESPN wasn't alone with its blatantly biased reporting. Even after the race, Yahoo! repeatly displayed photos of HER and not Busch, the race WINNER! During the race, Yahoo! would report that "Danica Patrick wrecked her car early, but is still in the race." No mention of her getting lapped five times.
Sports Illustrated's web site was every bit as bad. As my friend, Pete, Battistini, reported, the SI.com article devoted 148 of the article's 348 words on HER. As Pete noted, "That's 44 per cent of the article. Unbelievable! And there's only one photo attached to the article. Guess who?"
Needless to say, there were other key facts NONE of the BSNM members reported, such as her record (1-93), her number of racing wins in the continental USA (zero), her number of 500-mile race wins (zero) and the number of top 29 finishes in her last four NASCAR races (zero).
What can you do? Plenty. WRITE these organizations and make it clear how disgusted you are with them. A good example is what I wrote to ESPN...
ESPN,
Your NASCAR announcers are stupid, insulting, biased and a disgrace to objective reporting. Danica Patrick was just lapped a SECOND time only 34 laps into today's NASCAR race en route to making a fool of herself...and what did your one announcer say?
"She's doing a good job."
THAT is an insult to the intelligence of your viewers!
The sooner you stop defending Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've and her 1-93 record, the BETTER!
Disgustingly Yours,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
***
CAVALIER FUNERAL SERVICES ON JULY 8?
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010 -- Scatterskimming some more...
The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are the top two contenders for the services of LeBron James come July 8 or so. Both teams have created enough salary cap space to accomodate TWO superstars. Look for James and Chris Bosh to become Bulls.
If that happens, look for the Cleveland Cavaliers to be dead. They will have lost the best player in the world PLUS they had no draft choices Thursday...because they traded both of them away...
Bush league move of the NBA draft day...the Trail Blazers firing GM Kevin Pritchard an hour before the NBA draft started....and STILL expecting him to conduct the NBA draft for the Portland franchise as a lame duck GM.
Can you believe it's been a year since Michael Jackson died?...
Perhaps the Cleeeveland Indians should consider finding another closer. The incumbent, Kerry Wood, has five saves, three blown saves, a 7.98 ERA and a $10 million contract...
As usual, our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) isn't telling you all the facts. Example: Our BSNM is falling all itself writing endless stories about someone's return to NASCAR racing. But Mrs. 1-92 is racing Saturday and not Sunday. Why? In my opinion, it's because the competition is considerably weaker. Even if she WINS Saturday, how can you get excited about what the BSNM won't tell you... knowing she raced against the second team?
Meanwhile, here's what I wrote Yahoo! NASCAR writer Jenna Fryer...
"Why do you and the rest of the BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) habitually refuse to tell all the facts surrounding the most overrated and overpublicized person in sports news media?
I mean, for starters, she's won one auto race in 93 races. That adds up to a 1-92 record.
She's NEVER won a race held in the continental USA.
She's NEVER won a 500-mile race conducted anywhere, anytime.
She has more speeding tickets (two) than wins (one).
The BSNM goes out of its way mentioning how she was named 2005 IRL Rookie of the Year...yet declines to mention how many people she beat for the award.
TWO!
Why has her throwing her crew under the bus and getting booed at Indy for that...been shoved under the rug?
She's NOT racing in Sunday's NASCAR race. Why? Why is she racing Saturday instead? Is it because the Saturday field has considerably weaker competition?
Oh, please don't tell me how "popular" she is. The Globe tabloid earlier this year exposed this racer's woeful unpopularity in NASCAR circles. I believe that article.
P.T. Barnum once said, "There's a sucker born every minute." Yogi Berra once said, "If people don't want to come to the ball park, who's to stop them?"
To paraphrase them, if people want be among the suckers born every minute by investing into seeing someone who wins one per cent of the time, who's to stop them?
Thank you,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
An Ex-Sports Editor Not Afraid To Speak His Mind"
***
SO WHAT IF THEY'RE 2-182? OUR BSNM DOESN'T CARE!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2010 -- It doesn't matter how BAD you are...just how good looking you are!
Once again, our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) did its thing today with disgracefully biased exposure given to two people who don't deserve any of it. For instance...
Anna Nordqvist WON last year's LPGA championship tournament. And Ai Miyazato WON last weekend's LPGA ShopRite tournament. NEITHER was featured today in our nation's newspaper. Who was?
Why, the golfer who finished tied for 46th last weekend...
..and finished tied for 52nd in her previous stroke play tournament...
...and finished DEAD LAST (73RD) in her previous tournament.
I don't even have to tell you her name.
The headline made me want to puke: "Still student of game, Wie looks to make major grade."
Just how long is Miss 1-90 going to be a "student of the game"? I mean, she turns 21 in less than four months. That "student of the game" took 80 tournaments just to win one, hasn't had a top 10 finish in a major LPGA tournament from 2007 on and yet gets more publicity than all the other LPGA tourney winners of 2010 combined. Disgraceful.
Just as disgraceful was one Yahoo! writer getting the jump on our biased AP with a horribly biased story about Mrs. Hospenthal's return to NASCAR racing. The writer wrote, and a I quote, "She's reestablished herself as an IndyCar presence."
How? By throwing her crew under the bus and getting booed at Indy?
By compiling a 1-92 record? By going 15 straight races without a top 5 finish (since ended)? By NEVER winning a race held in the USA? By NEVER winning a 500-mile race anywhere anytime? Gee, maybe it's because she has more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (one.).
Here's more propaganda: "Drive-by pundits proclaimed her the herald of a changing NASCAR...(she) ran acceptably but no spectacularly.."
The latter statement is an understatement. Or don't you remember how Mrs. Almost-should've-Could've-Would've fared in her last three NASCAR races?
SHE FAILED TO MAKE THE TOP 30 IN ALL THREE!
This writer's last story sentence was enough to make you want to puke.
"Here's hoping we all enjoy the experience."
My opinion: We absolutely won't. How CAN you?
***
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NO BACHELORETTE PARTY FOR THEM...THEY'RE 2-182
SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2010 -- Can you imagine an Associated Press story about LaBron James, Peyton Manning or Albert Pujols that would lead off with news about one of them throwing a bachelor party?
That's what I thought.
But then, we're not talking about one of the elite sports personalties. Instead, we're talking about a woman who, if it wasn't for GoDaddy, Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, Peak and the horribly biased AP, would be a nothing.
Clearly, the AP is running out of story ideas about Mrs. Hospenthal. First came the story that she's throwing a bachelorette party for a friend. But that shouldn't be any surprise. The AP once ran a story about her changing the color of her car.
And there's more evidence of the AP's bias. When it was announced that Will Power grabbed the pole for this weekend's IRL Iowa 250, the racers who qualified second through fifth were announced....
...along with who qualified ninth. Need I tell you what was? No mention of the sixth through eighth place qualifiers. And when the story today about Tony Kanaan winning the Iowa 250 came out, the second through fifth place finishers were mentioned...
...along with the tenth place finisher. Guess who? And, of course, the sixth through ninth place finishers who finished BETTER...were...
Ignored. Those sixth through ninth place finishers who got the AP shaft were Scott Dixon, Vitor Meira, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Graham Rahal.
Needless to say, the AP article conveniently neglected to point out Mrs. Overrated's record (1-92), how she's never won a race held in the continental USA, how she's never won a 500-mile race anywhere and how she's got more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (one).
And you watch...that biased AP will come with SOME kind of story about Mrs. 1-92's return to NASCAR action next weekend. The article about her throwing a bachelorette party...noted about "the buzz" about her return to NASCAR racing. The article DIDN'T mention that she failed to make the top 30 in her previous three NASCAR races.
Meanwhile...
Last November, in the aftermath of Michelle Weak's first and so far only pro golf tourney win, writer Ron Sirak of Golf World wrote, "Michelle Wie's win on Sunday ended a six-year victory drought, but it also may have marked the start of a player's journey to greatness."
Oh really?
In her last three stroke-play LPGA tournaments, she's finished dead last (73rd), tied for 52nd and in today's completed ShopRite LPGA tourney, tied for 46th. The top SIX finishers, by the way, were all foreigners. GET USED TO IT, LPGA FANS!
That biased AP even mentioned Michelle Weak after the first round...when she was tied for 110th. At least the AP stopped mentioning her from the second round on. She barely made the cut en route to improving her pro golf record to 1-90.
That means the sports world's two more overrated publicized people...are a combined 2-182.
***
2010 ORIOLES--WORSE THAN 1962 METS!!
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010 -- More scatterskimming...
The Baltimore Orioles are the worst team in major league baseball with a 18-49 record. That's one game worse than the pace set by the infamous 1962 New York Mets, who were 19-48 after 67 games en route to finishing 40-120.
Believe it or not, three MLB teams were worse than the '62 Mets--the 1935 Boston Braves (38-115), the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics (36-117) and the all-time worst team, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134, 84 games out of first place)...
Speaking of inept, my least favorite golfer, Michelle Weak, opened the LPGA ShopRite Classic tied for 110th, TEN strokes off leader Sherri Steinhauer and a third of the way improving her pro record to 1-90. Look out Miss Weak! Fifteen-year-old Alexis Thompson shot an even par 71, three strokes better than you, in her pro debut...
Department of idiocy: That one channel that insists on butchering AT40 shows, including the editing out of Casey's teases, had its Program Director tell a show fan the following about the decision:
"Because Casey rambles on and on."
***
HOW 'BOUT DEM LAKERS?
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010 -- It might've been the ugliest NBA championship-clinching victory, but the Los Angeles Lakers will still take their 83-79 win over the Boston Celtics.
It's the 16th NBA title for the Lakers and the 11th for their coach, Phil Jackson.
Oh, and how did the Lakers' local radio station celebrate the title?
By promoting how the Lakers' quest for a three-peat can be heard soon on the station!
Kobe Bryant was the finals' MVP as expected. He scored 23 points in spite of a sub-par shooting night (6-for-24), but he didn't do it all by himself. Pau Gasol (19 points, 18 rebounds) helped. So did Ron Artest (20 points, five steals) and Derek Fisher (10 points).
All the starting Celtics hit in double figures in what turned out to be the franchise's first loss in an NBA championship series seventh game...
It's amazing how participants and fans of LPGA women's golf expect to be on par with the PGA...and yet this weekend's LPGA tourney...didn't start today. Why? Because it's only a 54-hole tournament...
Have you figured out the college football mess? Nebraska to the Big 10...Utah and Colorado to the Pac-10...so check this out...
The Big Ten is actually the Big 12. The Big 12 is actually the Big 10. And the Pac-10 is actually the Pac-12. Meanwhile, here's hoping Arkansas and TCU join the Big 12. If that happens, we'll be back to the days of the now-defunct Southwest Conference. Stay tuned...
***
JIMMY DEAN MADE 'BIG BAD JOHN" A CLASSIC
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2010 -- More scatterskimming...
Jimmy Dean, whose hit records included the most successful spoken word single ever with "Big Bad John," died Sunday. He was 81. For my full obituary on this legendary entertainer, I invite you to check the "latest news" on this web site's message board or the Cash Box magazine web site...
Were the women pro golfers playing on a miniature golf course? Cristie Kerr won with a 22-under-par. Oh, my least favorite golfer, Michelle Weak, finished tied for FIFTY SECOND. Gee, I wonder is she still thinks she can beat Tiger Woods? Or play in the masters? Her pro golf record is 1-89. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hospenthal of auto racing infamy is 1-91, so the sports world's two most overexposed people are a combined 2-180...
I hope Tom Izzo doesn't take the Cavaliers' coaching job and stays at Michigan State. College coaches rarely succeed at the NBA level (e.g. Mike Montgomery, Jerry Tarkanian)...And I look for the NBA finals between the Celtics and Lakers to go to seven games...
***
DID USC'S COACH REALLY SAY THAT? (YUP...JUST PART OF USC'S ARROGANCE)
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2010 -- On Thursday, June 10, 2010, a long-overdue announcement came down from the NCAA. College sports ruling organization socked it to USC (the University of Southern California) with some dead-serious sanctions that included a two-year bowl ban, a loss of 30 football scholarships, four years probation and forfeiture of 14 games.
All this is nothing new for USC, which has been penalized by the NCAA five previous times. In 2001. And 1986. And 1982. And 1959. And 1957. A total of 15 years probation.
Worst yet, though, was the arrogance shown by current USC football coach Lane Kiffin. Here are some of his quotes: "I don't think having to miss one game is going to make a kid decide not to go to USC...We don't see an impact at all. USC is still USC...We'll continue to play championship football....We'll continue to recruit the best players"
As columnist Jill Painter of the Los Angeles Daily News noted, "How can you play championship football when you can't even play in championship games?"
You be the judge. I'm attaching a link to Painter's column and three others that prove my point about how totally arrogant they are at USC.
Enjoy!
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0612-usc-big-names-20100612,0,6558054.story
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_15274277
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0611-plaschke-usc-ncaa-20100611-9,0,458661.column
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_15278897
***
WORLD CUP SOCCER: I'M NOT WATCHING (ARE YOU?)
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2010 -- This 'N' That...
Can you believe the 4-letter sports channel/radio network with its endless push on World Cup Soccer? Are YOU watching? Or listening?
I'm not.
I wouldn't go to a World Cup soccer game if it was free and across the street from me. Soccer has NEVER become a viable popular sport in the USA. It never will....
One of the up-and-coming hit records of today is "Your Love" by Nicki Minaj. However, it samples (steals?) the 1995 Annie Lennox hit, "No More I Love You's." Just the latest case of how you can sample a past hit, throw in some fancy-smacy production and rap...and...
You have proof that anyone with little or no talent can have a hit record today...
Nebraska to the Big 10? Colorado to the Pac-10? The Big 12 is in big trouble. If Oklahoma and Texas join the Pac-10, the Big 12 will be a goner...
***
USC'S PENALTIES--IT'S ABOUT TIME (AND CHECK OUT THE LATEST ELVIS TOY!)!
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010 -- Scatterskimming some more...
The NCAA finally lowered the boom on USC, a/k/a The University of Southern California. It's about time. To give you an idea of just how long it's taken for USC to get a two-year bowl ban, have scholarships taken away and have to forfeit 14 football games, consider this...
The book detailing Reggie Bush's rules-breaking shenanigans, "Tarnished Heisman" by Don Yaeger and Jim Henry, has a copyright year of 2008. Bush should surrender his 2005 Heisman Trophy. Maybe the Heisman people will order him to return it. Stay tuned...
When Elvis Presley died in 1977, his estate was worth about $5 million. Today, it's worth at least three times that much. Now comes word that the Elvis Presley estate has approved two toy companies' putting out an Elvis/Mt. Potato Head type toy. The perfect way to teach your children and grandchildren who the King of Rock and Roll was. No word as to wether the toy will include a gun for Elvis to shoot out TV's....or any peanut butter and banana sandwiches...
Was it Paul Pierce who said he and the Boston Celtics weren't coming back to la-la land for the NBA playoffs? Wrong...
My thanks to those of you who wrote me me about my story of My Longest Day. That's when, on June 8, 1984, a tornado leveled Barneveld, Wisconsin and I was News Director at nearby WDMP/Dodgeville-Mineral Point. Some days you just never forget...
***
SHE'S 1-91 AND THEY'RE 2-179
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2010 -- Did I write that the IRL was off this weekend? I did!
And I stand corrected.
Actually, the IRL had an auto race in Fort Worth that Ryan Briscoe won. Thank God for that. Mrs. Hospenthal was second...and only by 1.4 seconds. Had Mrs. Crybaby won, we'd've never heard the end of it it. The second place finish ends her streak of non-top 5 finishes at 19...but it's still not a victory, so...
Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've still hasn't won a race held in the continental USA...and still hasn't won a 500-mile race anywhere.
And her record dips to 1-91. Stick THAT in your next article about her, AP!
Thus, Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division, and Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division (a/k/a Michelle Weak, 1-88) are a combined 2-179.
***
BSNM (BIASED SPORTS NEWS MEDIA) NEVER TAKES A BREAK
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2010 -- I wasn't planning on writing about my two least favorite sports personalities and their combined 2-178 record this weekend. After all, the IRL and LPGA were both off.
Sadly, our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media), especially the Associated Press, never takes a weekend off. In spite of throwing her crew under the bus, getting soundly booed, finishing out of the top five for a nineteenth straight time, getting bumped to sixth for getting caught cheating...and seeing her record fall to 1-90, the AP STILL chose to write a meaningless story about Mrs. Crybaby.
Worst of all, the writer labeled Mrs. 1-90 "the IndyCar Series' most popular driver." That led me to fire off to the AP this e-mail...
Dear AP (Always Patrick),
Is Stephen Hawkins President of the Danica Patrick Fan Club?
I ask that because I find it impossible to understand how Mr. Hawkins can write that Mrs. 1-90 is "the IndyCar Series' most popular driver."
How can that be said after Mrs. Crybaby threw her crew under the bus and was openly booed a week before the Indy 500?
And was bumped from 5th to 6th in the Indy 500 after Mrs. Overexposed was CAUGHT CHEATING?
Please pass along to Mr. Hawkins and all your other Mrs. Hospenthal Propaganda writers this column by Kent Sterling.
http://kentsterling.com/2010/05/31/danica-patrick-has-image-problem/
Thank You,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
An Ex-Sports Editor Not Afraid To Speak His Mind
***
JOHN WOODEN -- A COACHING LEGEND WHO'LL BE MISSED
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2010 -- Watching a home UCLA men's basketball game on TV simply won't be the same anymore.
There was one key figure at every Bruin home game.
And the camera would always show him.
John Wooden died today at the age of 99. He'd've turned 100 years old on October 14.
To say he was a coaching legend is almost an understatement. UCLA has the most men's basketball national titles with 11...and Wooden coached 10 of those teams. Seven national titles in a row (1967-73). An 88-game winning streak.
His first national championship team's tallest starter was 6-5. That was 1964, when Walt Hazzard led the first of four 30-0 Bruin teams. Amazingly, according to a Bill Walton book, Wooden never made more than $30,000 a year.
UCLA's pressure defenses, especially a full court press, was a key. Perhaps Wooden's greatest coaching win was in the 1968 Final Four semifinals vs. Houston and Elvin Hayes. Houston, behind 39 points from Hayes, had beaten UCLA in the famous January 20, 1968 game at the Astrodome, 71-69. However, center Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul Jabbar), was hampered by an eye injury.
The rematch would be different. With his sight fully recovered, Alcindor led a lethal diamond-and-one defense on the Bruin's home court in the rematch. Hayes rarely saw the ball, scored but 10 points and UCLA posted a stunning 101-69 victory. The Bruins' 78-55 win over North Carolina for the national title 24 hours later was almost anticlimactic.
Wooden was every bit the consumate teacher off the basketball court. Once, one of his former players, Swen Nader, needed his advice. Swen was at odds with his daughter, who was then about 20. She wouldn't speak to him. So, Swen asked Wooden for advice...and got it when Wooden advised Nader, "Just love her to death. She'll come around."
Tonight, seemingly all of la-la land is in mourning.
***
TO ERR IS HUMAN, TO FORGIVE IS DEVINE
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2010 -- It's been two days since the infamous blown call at first base by umpire Jim Joyce that cost Detroit pitcher Amando Galarraga a perfect game.
And they're still talking about it. .
I sense a small increase in the use of instant replays. Good. College and NBA refs use it more. so did baseball umpires regarding fair-foul calls and home run calls. Stay tuned..
Meanwhile, I'm impressed with the majority of fans and news media hypes forgiving Joyce for his mistake. His openly admitting his mistake was a key...but remember: Game officials are human. They'll make mistakes, but not often.
Also, remember why people officiate games: It's the love of those games...
Dave Trembley was fired today as Baltimore Oriole manager. It's unfortunate because he seems like a very nice man. His undoing...managing the team with the worst major league baseball record (15-39).
***.
DON'T FORGET HER RECORD...IT'S 1-90
SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 -- OK, so Mrs. Crybaby finished 6th at today's Indy 500. Since she started out 23rd, I have to say....
"Good race."
Anyone who starts any race in 23rd place and finishes 6th had a good race.
BUT....
Not a great race. Dario Franchiitti had the great race...because he WON. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hospenthal initially finished 5th...but was bumped to 6th when it was ruled that she and two others cheated for improperly passing an opponent.
Big ruling....
...because it means Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've has now gone NINETEEN races without a top 5 finish.
And improves her pro racing record to 1-90.
Never won a race held in the continental USA.
Never won a 500-mile race anywhere.
In fact...
And now I can say it...and say it for another year....
NO WOMAN HAS EVER WON THE INDY 500.
OR FINISHED SECOND.
***
A CRAZY DAY--AND HUFF'S APPARENTLY OK
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2010 -- Talk about a zany crazy day today....
The Indians' David Huff is lucky to be alive. In case you missed it, the Tribe pitcher was hit in the head by an A-Rod liner that was so powerful, it went into right field. It appears Huff will be OK. He even got back to the ballpark to see the latter stages of the Tribe's 13-11 win over the Yankees. Huff stayed in the trainer's room...but rightfully so. Shades of Herb Score's getting hit in the head by a Gil McDougald liner 53 years ago this month...
A really weird injury as the Angels beat the Mariners, 5-1, on Kendry Morales' walk-off grand slam home run. Then, during the home plate celebration, Morales suffered a broken left leg. He's done for the season. Rest assured that the Angels will no longer allow home plate celebrations. Stay tuned....
Roy Halladay pitches the season's second perfect game, a 1-0 win over Florida. It's the second Phillie perfecto as Jim Bunning had one first on Father's Day 1964. We now have 20 perfect games in major league baseball history....
A Laker-Celtic NBA playoff finale was probably the networks' second choice of team matchups behind a Laker-Cavalier one. The Lakers haven't forgotten the way they were embarrassed by the Celtos in the 2008 finale, especially the deciding game (131-92, remember?)....
Finally...and sadly...
Dennis Hopper (1936-2010)--He'll be missed tremendously. Watching "Easy Rider" and "Hoosiers" will never be the same.
***
MRS. FOOT-IN-THE-MOUTH--HER ERA IS ENDING
FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010 -- More scatterskimming....
For four years (2006-2009), our nation's newspaper would include in its Indy 500 pre-race coverage the Friday before the race...a headline, photo and story of Mrs. Hospenthal. You know her real name.
The USA Today of four years ago today had her photo on the front page, the overall sports page front page and the front page of a special Indy 500 section. The Indy 500 special section photo took at least three fourth's of the page. The story about her was a novel.
Today's USA Today with its Indy 500 preview?
Not a single photo of her.
True, she's mentioned twice. Once, as part of the late-paragraph mention of how this year's Indy 500 has four women, a record. Also, an inside bottom-of-the-page story about her dwidlibng popularity. No photos, though.
My how times have changed.
Mrs. Overexposed's profanity laced tirade where she shoved her crew under the bus last Saturday....and got booed...was just the latest in some last-straw developments. There's more.
IRL fans are angry at her for also racing in NASCAR. And they're fed up and tired of her endless excuses. And her "it's not my fault" attitude. Not to mention her 1-89 pro racing record....
Congratulations to Lee DeWyze on becoming the 2010 American Idol. Terrific singer...BUT....
The feeling here is that Lee won primarily because a goodly number of teenage girls voted for him out of jealousy and animosity towards Crystal Bowersox. Just a thought...
OK, so White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen got fined. So did Chisox P Mark Buehrle, whose 2 balks Wednesday in Chicago'
s 5-4 win over Cleveland led to their ejections. No surprise there. But umpire Joe West, who ejected Guillen and Buehrle, ALSO got fined!! West's also the ump who criticized the slow play of the Red Sox and Yankees...and Major League Baseball is obviously tired of his antics.
***
SAY IT ISN'T SO, CAVALIERS!
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010 -- Are the Cleveland Cavaliers SERIOUS about interviewing Kelvin Sampson as their next coach?
I hope not.
Hey, I don't mind if I'm wrong in picking Vinny Del Negro as the Cavs' next coach....but, please, Cavaliers, don't pick Kelvin Sampson (who's now an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks).
Why, you ask?
Because all Kelvin Sampson knows about is cheating and lying.
While the head coach at the University of Oklahoma, the NCAA barred Sampson from recruiting off-campus and making phone calls to prospective recruits for a full year. The punishment was the result of an NCAA report which said he made at least 550 illegal recruiting-related phone calls. But he was just getting warmed up at Oklahoma.
At his next stop, the University of Indiana, he would continue to make illegal phone calls. Not as many--about 35--but enough to cause the NCAA to put Indiana on three years probation. Worse yet, the NCAA ruled that Sampson lied to the organization AND to IU officials over the calls. So much so, that in late 2008, the NCAA placed a five-year show-cause order on Sampson. That means no NCAA Division I school can hire Sampson as its basketball coach before 2013 unless it can show cause that Sampson served his punishments fully.
Kelvin Sampson will probably never coach at the Division I men's college basketball level ever again because of his indiscretions....and the Cavaliers are interested in HIM?
***
WHO'LL COACH CAVALIERS NEXT? MY CHOICE--VINNY DEL NEGRO
TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2010 -- Scatterskimming things...
Now that Mike Brown has been fired as Cleveland Cavalier coach, it begs the question...who's next as the Cavs try to find someone who'll suit LeBron James?
I can think of three potential replacements. Eddie Jordan was fired by the 76ers last month. He was a Cavalier draft choice back in the 70's. Plus, he coached the Washington Wizards four playoff appearances. Trouble is, he didn't impress me as 76ers' coach. Neither were the 76ers.
Then there's Mike Woodson, who coached the Atlanta Hawks for five seasons...and in each of them, the Hawks won more games than the previous season. Amazing. However, the Hawks were swept and embarrassed by the Orlando Magic. For all their improvement, the Hawks showed little in the playoffs.
Conversely, the Chicago Bulls DID show me something. For an eighth seed, they gave the Cavaliers all they could handle...and that's why I believe Vinny Del Negro will become the next Cavalier head coach. He made the Bulls very competitive...and the main reason why he was fired was because of a clash with management. The man can coach. And I believe the Cavaliers will hire him. Stay tuned....
Enjoy the LPGA silence this and the following weekend. No LPGA tournament action, so no Michelle Weak stories, photos and headlines. I hope....
Meanwhile, speaking of overrated sports people, USA Today totally ignored Danica Patrick's disgraceful behavior in its Monday sports story about the Indy 500 qualifying. No mention of her at all. Then today, a photo of her and two others, all of whom are starting 16th or worse at the Indy 500. Amazing. People who won't deserve one iota of recognition get it anyway. Especially Mrs. Crybaby, who threw her crew under the bus and got booed for it Saturday.
Not one, but TWO women--Simona de Silvestro and Ana Beatriz--were BETTER and qualified at BETTER qualifying positions than Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've. So, why aren't THEY featured in the news media? No headlines, no stories, no photos. You'd think de Silvestro and Beatriz are in the witness protection program.
***
FOREIGNERS A WIE BIT BETTER IN LPGA
SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010 -- Scatterskimming the sports world....
Our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) can eat its heart out. The BSNM won't admit it, but it doesn't want to see foreigners winning all the time on the LPGA women's golf circuit. Message to the BSNM: DEAL WITH IT!!!
The top six LPGA money leaders are all foreigners. So are eight of the top 10 and nine of the top 12. Every single LPGA winner so far this year has been a foreigner, including SunYoung Yoo, who beat Angela Stanford today for the Match Play Championship at Hamilton Farm Golf Club. In fact, we've had a foreigner win in 25 of the past 26 LPGA events....and Stanford was testy when asked about it.
“I don’t make anything of it. I think you guys (the media) make a lot out of it,” Stanford said. “We’re a global tour and I wasn’t trying any less out there. … If anything, I was trying harder because I know that it just keeps coming up.”
Meanwhile, biased Yahoo! refused to run a photo of Jiyai Shin even though she BEAT Michelle Wie. Wie's photo continued to be shown on Yahoo's golf section all Saturday night and this morning even though she LOST. Shame on you, biased Yahoo! Yoo's photo replaced Wie's and rightfully so.
The NBA West finals now have the Lakers up, 2-1, as tonight's 118-109 Sun victory didn't even until past 11 p.m. Eastern time...
The backlash of Danica Patrick's classless behavior isn't being forgotten as evidenced by some of the postings on the Indianapolis Star's web site. For instance...
*I was there today, and I heard her interview. It's not about being cynical or mean, a democrat or republican, male or female. It's not even what she said about the car. It's about HOW she said it. She threw her teammates under the bus, which was unsportsmanlike AND unprofessional.
I completely understand that she's in a profession where her car IS her career, but her team builds, trims and maintains that car, and her statements today were insults to her entire crew and engineering team. She was booed as she was being rolled down to tech to go out again this afternoon. I think she deserves everything she gets, but, I truly felt sorry for her crew as they went by.",,,,
And...
"I was in the pits when she was being interviewed and the crowd booed immediately after she said the 'S' word. I took it to mean they didn't appreciate her language (and attitude) over the PA. I could be wrong but that's how I took it at the time..."
And...
*Oh, yes, the mean fan. That's exactly where the blame lies. Danica is artificial. She has earned nothing and been given everything. It is her lack of appreciation for what she has been GIVEN. She is a media creation and in the enivitable position that the media can't drive the car for her. Had to happen..."
And...
*Double standard *developing* for Danica? There has always been a double standard for Danica and the only time anyone complains about it is when it doesn't benefit her. No one would be giving a rip about her if she hadn't exploited herself. Simona and Bia were both faster than Danica so why aren't we talking about them?"...
Oh, and some national sports talk radio stations just reported how DP qualified 23rd for the Indy 500. No mention of her foul mouth her being booed and how TWO women qualified HIGHER!
***
SHIN WINS--BUT NO YAHOO PHOTO OF HER!
SATURDAY, MAY 22, 2010 -- Jiyai Shin WON and DEFEATED Michelle Weak in the LPGA Tour's Match Play Championship today.
So who's photo is still being displayed on the Yahoo golf section.
That's right, Michelle Weak.
Welcome to the world of the BSNM (Biased Sports News Media).
Our BSNM simply DOES NOT want Asian golfers to win a single LPGA event. They want an American to win. I doubt if it'll happen. Memo to BSNM: Get used to it.
Michelle Weak posted ho-hum match play wins over Stacey Prammansudh, Hee Young Park and Karine Icher. They are ranked #38, #26 and #39 on the LPGA money leader list. And yet despite posting wins that she SHOULD have posted, she got all the headlines and first mentions in stories. EVEN WHEN THE SECOND SEED (AI MAYAZATO) LOST TO #32 SEED M.J. HUR!
Now, the leader of the BSNM, the Associated Press, WILL HAVE to concentrate on the other golfers. The ones will in the running for the title.
Unless, of course, Michelle Weak caddies for one of them....
Today wasn't good for my other least favorite sports personality. Imagine, Mrs. Hospenthal being BOOED! At Indy!
Believe it.
In case you missed it, Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've essentially threw her crew under the bus. She belly-ached about "this is the worst car I've ever driven" after getting out of her, according to reports. And when her excuse-ridden "It's everybody's fault but mine" comments were aired on the Indy 500's loud speakers, she was booed.
Translation: People are sick to death of someone's bitching, moaning, groaning, whining and excuses. But that's what happens when you're raced 90 times and won once for a 1-89 record.
Combined with Michelle Weak's 1-88 (I don't count today's loss since it's match play) mark, they have a combined record of 2-177.
***
BSNM CONTINUES (BUT THERE'S A RAY OF HOPE)
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010 -- Have you ever heard of a match play golf event where the EIGHTH seeded golfer is in the headline and the first name mentioned?
No?
Well, welcome to the latest chapter of our BSNM (Biased Sports News media), courtesn of our biased Associated Press.
Top-seeded Jiyai Shin and second-sseded Ai Miyazato advance with wins at the LPGA Sybase Match Play Championship in Gladstone, N.J. Trouble is, you'd never know it. Both were buried in the AP story that led off with the eighth seeded golfer. I don't even have to tell you her name. Her 1-88 pro record speaks for itself along with her dead-last finish last weekend.
Ah, but there's hope. A USA Today editor was first class with his response e-mail to me when I wrote and complained about that paper's horrible preferential treatment given to Miss 1-88. The USA Today editor's e-mail was cordial, professional and friendly. And he admitted the paper erred with the story and headline. So There!
I consider this a ray of hope. I've FINALLY gotten through to someone about Michelle Weak being so overexposed for dong so little.
It's doubtful I'll ever get through to the biased AP. Here's what I wrote that organization...
AP,
Isn't it common when covering a match play golf tournament to lead off with how the FIRST and SECOND seeded players fared? After all, they're deemed the best. Just curious seeing how your biased story elected instead to lead off with the EIGHTH seeded player.
And, of course, you conveniently neglected to report how that EIGHTH seeded golfer fared in her last tournament.
DEAD LAST.
Unwarmest Regards,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
An Ex-Sports Editor Not Afraid To Speak His Mind
***
SHE'S 1-88...AND FINISHED DEAD LAST!
SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2010 -- Gee, is she still talking about making the Masters?
About beating Tiger Woods?
HMMM, with HER pro golf record (1-88)?
THIS headline and story, courtesy of the Honolulu Advertiser, tell it all....
WIE FINISHES IN LAST PLACE AFTER RAIN SHORTENS BELL MICRO TO 54 HOLES
Honolulu's Michelle Wie didn't get a chance to dig out of last place after three rounds of the Bell Micro LPGA Classic when rain canceled today's final round at Mobile, Ala.
Se Ri Pak beat Suzann Pettersen, Brittany Lincicome in a playoff for the victory. The three players were tied at 13-under 203.
Wie, who completed four holes when play was called, finished in 73rd place with a 5-over 221, her lowest finish of the season. She earned $2,530.
How bad was her weekend? Saturday's AP story didn't even mention her. That led to this message board posting by someone else...
THIS IS A COLLECTOR'S EDITION OF A YAHOO/AP ARTICLE.
Keep it for your kids - they may never see another one like it.
This is the first article ever written by AP and published on Yahoo, about an LPGA Tournament where Michelle Wie is playing in the tournament AND she is NOT MENTIONED. The article lists the leaders their scores, and some details of their rounds. There is no listing of Michelle's score, the bad breaks or cataclysmic world events that had to occur to cause her not to be in the lead etc.
A copy of the article should be saved in the National Archives.
***
MAYBE WE'LL CALL IT "THE ELBOW"
FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2010 -- More scatterskimming...
A better name for the 2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliiers collapse might be "The Elbow." LeBron James played and did his best in spite of a painful elbow ailment...and the Celtics knew it. That's why the Celto defense worked to stop LeBron from driving...and instead wanted him to shoot form the outside.
Meanwhile, there was at least one report that Mike Brown was fired as Cav coach, something Cavalier management denied...Meanwhile...
Mike Woodson WAS fired as Atlanta Hawk coach. The Hawks were swept by the Orlando Magic...and looked bad in the process. Still, Woodson took over a mortibund franchise and his win total increased each season. From 13 to 26 to 30 to 37 to 47 to 53. Could Mike Woodson be the next Chicago Bull coach? Could be. Surely he'll coach again in the NBA somewhere...
My least favorite golfer is already 10 strokes behind the leader. That means Michelle Weak is halfway there to improving her pro record to 1-88.
***
CAVALIERS: AFTER 'COLLAPSE II,' WHAT'S NEXT?
THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2010 -- This N' That...
When the 2007 Cleveland Indians blew the American League championship series to the Boston Red Sox, it was labeled by this writer--and many others--as the The Collapse. The Tribe had a 3-1 series lead, needed only one more win to make it to the 2007 Wokrld Serious...and proceeded to lose three straight.
Today, maybe we need to call the Cleveland Cavaliers' El Foldo job in the NBA Eastern Conference semis "The Collapse II." Imagine, handing the Boston Celtics their worst home court playoff loss with a 2-1 series lead, then losing three straight, including tonight's 94-85 season-ending loss.
This is simply another chapter in the city of Cleveland's futility when it comes to coming up with a major championship team. The title-less streak is approaching 46 years. For the Browns, there's the 1981 14-12 Iceberg loss to the Raiders, the Drive and the Fumble. In the latter two instances, heartbreaking losses to the Broncos. In 1989, the Cavs had "the shot" by Michael Jordan.
You get the idea.
In tonight's season-ending loss, the Cav bench was outscored by the Celtos' bench, 24-13. Starters Anthony Parker (7 points) and Antwan Jamison (5 points) are in their mid-30's and need to be replaced. But then, the Cavs may also have to replace LeBron James and their coach, Mike Brown.
Prediction...Mike and LeBron will resurface with the Chicago Bulls...
I hated to see Michael Lynche booted off the American Idol Island. OK, hindsight is 20-20, but with him reminding me a lot of Luther Vandross, I'd've liked to have seen big Michael singing "Over The Rainbow" Tuesday night. If you've got a "movie song night," why not do the greatest movie song of them all?
Our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) in general...and the AP and yahoo! in particular, are at it again. Just go to Yahoo's sports section, then the IRL, and there she is. Mrs. Almost-Should've-could've-Would've, complete with her 1-89 record.
How could the AP even think of a story about someone who's now gone 18 straight pro auto races without a top 5 finish? Easy. Write a story full of excuses. Oh, and mention how she's having a bad year. That promoted one message board writer to ask, "How can you say she's having a bad year when she's never had a good year?"
Good question...
Dave Fisher, who sang lead vocals for the Highwaymen on their #1 hit, "Michael," has passed away. He was 69. For my full obituary, I invite you to go to this site's message board. It's located in the "Latest News" section.
***
CAVALIERS = HARDLY AWESOME ANY MORE
TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2010 -- Scatterskimming some more...
Barring a miraculous turnaround in terms of playing performance, the Cleveland Cavaliers' season will end Thursday night. That's when the Boston Celtics will more than likely close out the NBA East semifinals by bouncing the Cavs from the playoffs.
As Cavalier announcer Joe Tait observed during Tuesday night's embarrassing 120-88 home court loss, "This is really hard to believe what's happening tonight."
The Celtos (as I call them) are simply the better team. In their storied history, they've been up 3-2 in playoff series 32 times...and won 31 of them. The Cavaliers have been down 3-2 four times...and never won such a series.
Sportscaster Colin Cowherd was right. He said if you take the Cavalier and Celtic players and rank them in terms of best players, you'd have LeBron James a surefire #1. But the #2 through #5 players?
All Celtics.
Is James' elbow bugging him? Based on his shooting night (3-for-14), you have to wonder. Many fans are now calling him "LaBrick". Imagine, the Cavaliers have gone from handing the Celtos' their worst home court playoff loss (124-95)...to losing two straight, including tonight's 32-point embarrassment...and a loss away from ending their season.
Sadly, this was Cleveland's best shot at a major championship in recent years. Even worse, James could leave via free agency...and the Cleveland sports title drought will continue. It's approaching 46 years.,,,
Did you hear about the Kent State incident news? The 1970 "Four Dead in Ohio" incident just turned 40 years old. Over the weekend, cleveland.com reported that the only sound tape recording available when four were killed at Kent State was analyzed very carefully. And reportedly the words "Prepare to fire" were heard as a result of recent analysis. If this really happened, it could back up what many people have insisted happened back in the 1970's...that the National Guardsmen lied through their teeth. Could we have more exhaustive investigations? And lawsuits? Stay tuned....
I'm deeply saddened over the passing of LPGA golfer Erica Blasberg. What happened? She was 25. Police in the Las Vegas area have been tight-lipped. There's more to this story...
I'm also saddened over the passing of legendary singer Lena Horne. She was 92...and among her hits was 1943's "Stormy Weather." Absolutely the worst aspect of this passing was the way KNX/Los Angeles handled the CBS radio newscast report on Horne. Some brainless idiot at KNX decided we didn't want to hear about Lena Horne...and instead broke away for...well, here's my e-mail to KNX...
KNX,
Your decision to break away from the 7 a.m. CBS News--and during a Lena Horne Salute no less--was absolutely terrible. Worse yet was the reason...so our dumb-dumb President can make another dumb-dumb decision in naming to our Supreme Court an unqualified woman who's never been a judge.
I don't know who's suffering worse from brain constipation...Our President for that latest decision or you guys for breaking away from a Lena Horne salute to air it.
I listen to WBBM/Chiucago and KCBS/San Francisco more than I ever do your station because THEY air CBS Newscasts in their entirety.
You guys don't.
So I listen to your lousy station as little as possible.
Disgustingly Yours,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
***
LEBRON + CAVALIERS = AWESOME!!!!!!
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010 -- Gee, did I saying the Cleveland Cavaliers were "choking again" a few days ago?
I take it back!
To put it mildly, the LeBron James was simply awesome with his 38 points in leading the Cavs to a mind-boggling 124-95 win at Boston today. It's the worst playoff home loss for the Celtics ever.
LeBron led the way with 21 first quarter points...and the rest of the Cavaliers were every bit as awesome, too. This was a statement game as the Cavaliers regained home court advantage.
***
LAWRENCE TAYLOR--A MESS
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010 -- Scattering the world of entertainment...
Hall of Fame LB Lawrence Taylor is a mess. He's been charged with raping a 16-year-old girl at a Holiday Inn in Suffern, N.Y. NutriSystems dropped his deal today...and the list of past wrongdoings for LT is huge.
Here's a few...At least one NFL suspension in 1988 for failing a cocaine drug test...being jailed three times for attempted drug possession...and leaving the scene of an accident last November...
No surprise to see Aaron Kelly being voted off the "american Idol" island. Nice kid, good singer...but the competition's very tough...
JaMarcus Russell could rate as the all-time worst NFL draft bust following his release by the Oakland Raiders. Imagine, he was the #1 overall draft choice just three years ago. Since then, he only quarterback the Raiders to three wins, threw 18 TD passes and 23 interceptions. Along the way, there were allegations that he was overweight, had poor game preparations and would fall asleep at team meetings.
He's already made $39.4 million, meaning he was worth $5,628,571.40 for each win and $2,188,888,80 for each TD pass. Move over, Ryan Leaf...
Sadly, today marks the 53rd anniversary of one of the most tragic incidents in Cleveland Indian history. On May 7, 1957, promising Tribe pitcher Herb Score was hit squarely in the head on a line drive by the Yankees Gil McDougald. He tried a comeback but it meant changes in his delivery...and he was never the same. He would, however, become an outstanding Indian announcer.
***
MILTON BRADLEY--HELP NEEDED; ROBIN ROBERTS--RIP
THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010 -- Milton Bradley has played for eight major league baseball teams in 10 years...and is a cancer seemingly wherever he goes. Still, he needs help.
A day after going to team officials asking for help stemming from "emotional issues," the Seattle Mariners have placed Bradley on their restricted list. It means he has to be away from the team for at least five days. Manager Don Wakamatsu has already announced that Bradley won't accompany the Mariners when they go on a road trip this Tuesday.
Bradley's hitting .214 with two homers and 12 RBI's...and is making $11 million. He got a $4 million raise when he signed with the Mariners. The Cubs traded him to the M's for a pitcher Carlos Silva late last year in a swap many considered to be one involving two malcontents.
Bradley's rap sheet is so long, it might reach novel proportions if you tried to document all of it. Here's a few, though:
Last September 20, the Cubs suspended Bradley for disparaging remarks about the team and its fans prior to trading him away. On June 12, 2009, Bradley caught a fly ball and threw the ball into the stands because he thought there were three outs. There were two outs. Two weeks later, he took out his frustratons on a gatorade cooler, got into an argument with Cub manager Lou Piniella, then got benched.
In 2004, as a Cleveland Indian, he failed to run out a popup and wound up on first base instead of second base. Tribe manager Eric Wedge wasn't amused...and MB was traded to the Dodgers. At Los Angteles, Bradley would be suspended for the rest of the 2004 season for throwing a plastic bottle at a taunting fan. Also, a disorderly conduct charge here...a leaving the scene of a traffic stop there...
You get the idea. Oh, and he flipped the bird to Texas Ranger fans earlier this season. He's obviously someone who truly needs counseling and help. I hope he gets it.
Meanwhile, Hall of Famer pitcher Robin Roberts died today. He was 83. In his stellar pitching career, he had 305 complete games and was an opening day pitcher for the same team (Phillies) a record 12 straight years.
Granted, he allowed the most home runs (505) but was because of his outstanding control. In 4,688 innings pitched, he threw only 33 wild pitches and hit only 54 batters. The Phillies retired his number in 1962...when he was still active. That had happened only to one other player previously. Babe Ruth.
But here's my favorite bit of Robin Roberts trivia...he's the only major league baseball pitcher to have defeated the Boston Braves, the Milwaukee Braves and the Atlanta Braves.
***
CAVS CHOKING AGAIN...AND A PHOTO OF HER AT LAST!
MONDAY, MAY 3, 2010 -- Scatterskimming the world of sports...
In the 2008-9 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers won the most games...and fizzled miserably in the playoffs vs. the Orlando Magic. Now, in the wake of tonight's 104-86 home court loss to the Boston Celtics, we could have a repeat performance.
LeBron James cannot win an NBA title for the Cavaliers by himself. He needs help. Otherwise, the Cavs will be the Mavericks of the NBA East....
Better late than never...but nice to finally see a photo of Ai Mayazato in the Yahoo! golf section....
Back to the NBA, if it's true that Vinny Del Negro has been fired as Chicago Bulls coach, that's sad. I wish Del Negro well. He did so well under some difficult circumstances that I believe he will coach again in the NBA...
***
WHO'S LPGA'S NEW #1? MIYAZATO IN A LANDSLIDE!!!
SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010 -- The Michelle Wie propaganda and bias for her began even before this weekend's Tres Marias Championship LPGa tournament in Morella, Mexico.
One writer actually had the gall to post a column/blog asking that, seeing how Lorena Ochoa was retiring after this weekend's action, who'll be the new #1 in the LPGA. Who's photo was shown in the tease and the payoff column?
Yup, Michelle Weak. AND SHE FINISHED TIED FOR 27TH IN HER PREVIOUS TOURNAMENT!
Yahoo's running Weak's photo after she took the lead after two rounds Friday...yeah, OK, that was justified. But then something happened..
After three rounds, Michelle Weak slipped to a tie for second place. And biased Yahoo continued to display photos of her! Complete with one headline that said "Passing the torch", insinuating that MW should be the next LPGA #1. Another headline said, "Wie in contention"--and that came after she blew the lead! Then Miss Weak slipped to third today...and Yahoo CONTINUED to show photos of Weak!!!
Ai Miyazato, who wound up WINNING this tournament?
Yahoo STILL HASN'T RUN HER PHOTO!!!!!
I am absolutely thrilled that Ai Miyazato won and Michelle Weak lost, choking again and finishing third. I consider it poetic justice. Oh, and who's the so-called "new LPGA #1"???
You be the judge.
Ai Mayazato has now won THREE LPGA tournaments this year alone for a 3-2 record. She's the LPGA's leading money winner. She's won NINETEEN professional tournaments in her career, including FOUR in the LPGA. Not bad for someone 24 years old. In spite of all that success, our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) treats her like she's in the Witness Protection Program.
Michelle Weak, meanwhile, is 0-5 this year, 0-19 in LPGA majors, hasn't finished in the top 10 of any LPGA majors from 2007 on ... and has a 1-87 professional record.
Oh, and that means that, combined with Danica Patrick's "stellar" auto racing career record of 1-89, it means the two most overhyped personalities in the world of sports...
Are a combined 2-176.
***
BSNM (BIASED SPORTS NEWS MEDIA) STRIKES AGAIN
SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010 -- Do you know who Ai Miyazato is?
That's what I thought.
Ai Mayazato is a Japanese women's golfer. She's already won EIGHTEEN professional tournament titles, including three in the LPGA. So why haven't you heard of her? What happened today on Biased Yahoo's Golf section of its sports section is ample proof.
Ai Miyazato is LEADING the Tres Marias Championship after three of the four rounds in this weekend's LPGA action in Mexico.
But when you go to the Yahoo! sports golf section, whose photo is there?
That's right, Michelle Wie, complete with a "Wie In The Running" headline. SHE'S NOT LEADING THE TOURNAMENT. SHE'S TIED FOR SECOND!
Welcome to the world of the BSNM (Biased Sports News Media).
Even if Michelle Weak WINS this tournament, her pro record at best will be 2-86. And her record in the LPGA majors will remain at 0-19.
Ai Miyazato already has TWO victories in LPGA tournaments this year alone...and yet she's treated like she's a member of the Witness Protection Program.
Typical BSNM activity.
***
SHE LIVES OVAL TRACKS--AND STILL FALLS TO 1-89
SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010 -- To preview today's latest IRL auto race in Kansas City, who was profiled courtesy of Yahoo's IRL section and the Associated Press?
Oh, the SIXTEENTH place finisher from the previous IRL race.
Need I even have to tell you her name?
Oh, and to think she was quoted as saying how she likes racing on oval tracks.
Oh really?
If THAT'S the case, then can somebody explain to me to how Danica Patrick (a/k/a Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've) started the latest race in seventh...
And finished ELEVENTH?
Just where in hell IS the racing track she can say she likes?
It's nowhere in the USA. She's never won a race held in the continental USA.
It's not a 500-mile race track. Never won there anywhere, anytime.
Interestingly, that advance story has since been deleted at Yahoo's IRL section. Gee, I wonder why?
Maybe it's because of her record.
1-89
Or her streak of races without a top 5 finish.
EIGHTEEN!
And she still has more speeding tickets (2) than racing wins (1).
Another case where our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) strikes out.
Big time.
***
CALL IT THE DANICA PATRICK DIVISION
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2010 -- Scatterskimming the world of sports and entertainment...
Can you imagine a team like Bryant (1-29) or Alcorn State (2-29), the two worst teams in men's Division I college basketball last season, being allowed to participate in the Big Dance (the NCAA tournament)?
Of course not.
Welcome to the world of the stupid and insane.
The IRL (Irrelevant Racing League), in its wisdom, decided to create a sub-division-like title. And the writer who discussed it in the Yahoo! sports IRL section, openly admitted in his story that the rule was designed to give Danica Patrick a chance to win something. Here's the link to this exercise in stupidity...
http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Danica-Patrick-has-a-chance-at-a-championship-no;_ylt=Av9BcdS0Hwsku7JUBfVSD6jRv7YF?urn=nascar,237035
Why not call this the Danica Patrick Division title? After all, it was created with her in mind.
How STUPID is this? It's SO STUPID that even USA Ladies Home Journal Today, which will on a whim display a photo, headline and a story of Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've on its front page, COMPLETELY IGNOTED THIS STORY!!!
Another huge Mrs. Overrated supporter, the AP, didn't unveil the story until two days later.
As usual, no mention of Mrs. Hospenthal's record (1-88), her streak of consecutive races without a top five finish (17), her failure to win a single race in the continental USA, her failure to win a 500-mile race anywhere and how she has more speeding tickets (2) than wins (1)...
What a shock to see Siobhan Magnus booted off the American Idol Island. I thought she climaxed the Tuesday night show with the best performance. Idol voters obviously disagreed with me...
Most of those undrafted football players I aluded to a few days ago were signed as free agents. Jevan Snead signed with Tampa Bay, for instance, LeGarrette Blount, meanwhile, agreed to terms with San Francisco, then changed his mind and signed with Tennessee...
I find it amazing that about 99.9% of the people opposed to the state of Arizona's new tough anti-illegal immigrant law are Mexicans, Latinos, Hispanics and the like...
The oil spill in the Gulf...may be the worst in history.
***
DRAFT WRAPUP--BROWNS GET WR, JUMPY'S SON
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2010 -- There's a whole lot of tired people on the NFL Network, ESPN, the NFL teams and the NFL writing corps. Eleven and a half hours after Day Two of the NFL draft ended Friday night, it resumed at 10 a.m. Eastern time.
And rounds four through seven...
Took over seven and a half hours.
Among the Browns' Day Three draft choices were DE Clifton Gathers of South Carolina. He's the son of former NFL standout Jumpy Gathers. The Browns also picked up a potential sleeper in WR Carlton Mitchell of South Florida. Don't laugh about South Florida. The Big East School had six players drafted, two more than Ohio State.
Oh, and three of Ohio State's four draft picks...came in the seventh and final round. Two Buckeyes drafted--DE Doug Worthington and DE-LB Thaddeus Gibson, were picked by the Steelers.
We even had a Rhodes Scholar (Myron Rolle) drafted...
Four marquee QB's failed to get drafted--Jevan Snead (Ole Miss), Daryll Clark (Penn State), tim Hiller (Western Michigan) and Jarrett Brown (West Virginia).
Remember LeGarrette Blont, the Oregon RB who made a fool of himself by punching a Boise State player after a September nationally televised game?
Yup, he wasn't drafted either.
***
BROWNS HIT BULLSEYE WITH COLT...BUT BUCKEYES DRAW BLANKS
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 -- Three of the Browns' four picks in the second day of the NFL draft today left me asking some serious questions.
The only draft pick who didn't was the last of them, guard Shawn Lauvao out of Arizona State. He appears to be the real deal. At the NFL draft combine, he ran an impressive 4.51 clocking in the 20-yard shuttle. That tied him with Jared Veldheer for best time among tackles.
Meanwhile, the Browns got the QB they wanted...but there are serious questions about Colt McCoy (Texas). He's only 6-1 1/8 tall...so will he be able to see over taller defensive lineman? And will his arm strength be good enough to throw the long ball? Lack of arm strength hampered Brady Quinn...and look what happened to him.
Two other Browns' choices have serious durability concerns.
Safety T.J. Ward (Oregon), for instance, was picked by the Browns in the second round as the 38th overall pick. He didn't get that lofty draft status with his injury history. He's had a ruptured left patellar tendon, a torn MCL in the same knee and a hurt right ankle. He's had to have blood drained from the knee every two weeks or so.
On the plus side, Ward has run a 4.59 40 and played for one of the fastest college football teams (Oregon). And he knows how to win. He graduated from Concord De La Salle High School, located outside of San Francisco. That's the national powerhouse program that once won 151 straight games.
Tennessee RB Montario Hardesty, who like Ward was picked in the second round, has similar injury and durability concerns. He's had a torn right ACL knee injury, sprained his right ankle and hurt his shoulder. Still, he's shown he can play through pain at the college level. Can he do the same in the NFL?
Oh, did you notice how many Ohio State players have been drafted after three rounds?
NONE!
Since 1999, Ohio State has had at least one player picked in at least the second round every year. But not this year.
Ex-Buckeye Thaddeus Gibson, formerly of Euclid High School, still hasn't been drafted. His problem is that he's a tweener. Some scouting reports say he'll be a linebacker in the NFL. Others say he'll be a defensive end. He was projected as a second or third rounder. He lacks bulk strength and football instincts, which is why he'll be a fourth round draft choice. If that.
I saw Gibson play at Euclid HS five years ago vs. my high school, Mentor. He showed a lack of maturity at the time, having drawn at least one 15-yard penalty for mouthing off to the head referee.
Gibson's not the only promising player to slip down NFL draft boards. Tackle Bruce Campbell of Maryland was projected as a first rounder and had a 4.75 clocking in the 40. That was best among offensive lineman at the Combine. However, his combine feats don't match the way he looks on film. So, that inconsistency is a big reason why he hasn't been drafted.
Defensive ends Everson Griffen (USC) and Corey Wootton (Northwestern) are still undrafted. Ditto tight ends Dennis Pitta (BYU) and Aaron Hernandez (Florida). And ditto speedsters Joe McKnight (RB, USC) and Mardy Gilyard (WR, Cincinnati).
***
YOU THOUGHT THE TRIBE WAS BAD?
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 -- The Cleveland Indians have nothing over the Pittsburgh Pirates when it comes to ineptness. Sure, the Tribe's among the worst AL teams in terms of runs scored, batting average and batting average with runners in scoring position.
The Pirates, meanwhile, are just plain bad. The proof?
Thursday, the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pirates, 20-0, for the latter franchise's worst loss in 124 years of big league baseball. The old record was set almost 100 years ago, when the Phillies beat the Bucs, 18-0, on July 11, 1910. On July 14, 1955, the Reds beat the Piratesw, 19-1.
In sweeping the three-game series, the Brewers outscored the Pirates, 36-1; outhit them, 46-18; out-extra-base-hit them, 25-8; outhomered 'em, 8-0 and out ERA-ed 'em, 0.00 to 15.82.
Pirate rookie starting pitcher Daniel McCutchen got hit for six runs in 2 2/3 innings. Amazingly, his ERA didn't go up. It stayed...
At 14.73.
The Pirates' team ERA is 7.13 and they're hitting .232 as a team. Overall, they've been outscored by 57 runs...and that's 22 runs worse thanthe next-to-worst team!
***
JOE HADEN--A 4.41 CLOCKING IN THE 40
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 -- More NFL draft rumblings as the second round gets underway later on today...
According to writer Jeff Schudel of the Willoughby News-Herald, Browns draftee Joe Haden ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 during the University Of Florida Pro Day with Browns' scouts observing...
How long has it been since UsC (southern Cal) had nobody drafted in the first round? Three years (2007). It seemed longer ago...
ESPN has draft whiz Mel Kiper...but the NFL Network isn't far behind the 4-lettered network with its NFL draft coverage. I have two TV's, so I had ESPN on with the sound, the NFL Network without the sound. Time and time again I'd see a commercial on ESPN...while the NFL Network wasn't!!!
Look for the NFL draft's second and third rounds to go faster tonight. There'll be less time on the clock for teams to pick. Plus, with this 3-day format, it means NFL teams have a day in between rounds one and two to reevaluate non-drafted players and talk trade with other teams.
Don't be surprised to see teams like the Browns and Bills trading up to land QB's like Colt McCoy and Jimmy Clausen....The Big 12 had nine players picked in the first round...but the SEC wasn't far behind with seven...
***
BROWNS LAND CB...BUT IS BRADY QUINN TOAST?
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2010 -- The news was three-fold for Cleveland Brown fans as the 2010 NFL draft completed day one with the first round.
First, the Browns landed the top cornerback available in Florida's Joe Haden. The only thing that scares me about Haden was how he clocked a 4.57 in the combine 40-yard dash. He'd earlier ran a 4.35. Still, Haden played for probably the fastest college football team in Florida. He'll no doubt help the Browns' defense improve.
Remember Brady Quinn? Three years ago, the Browns traded up to land the Notre Dame quarterback. Thus, in three years, he's gone from a first round draft choice to a player in danger of being traded or released. The Browns traded Quinn to the Broncos, who already had two other quarterbacks on their roster...veteran Kyle Orton and 2009 draft choice Tom Brandstater.
So what did the Broncos do in the NFL draft Thursday?
That's right, they drafted quarterback Tim Tebow in perhaps the gutsiest move of the day. But THINK about this...it's highly doubtful the Broncos will go into the 2010 season opener with four quarterbacks. Thus, Brandstater and Quinn are in danger of being traded or released. Stay tuned...and speaking of Notre Dame quarterbacks....
Irish QB Jimmy Clausen fell into today's second round. But then, so did Texas' Colt McCoy. Can or will the Browns select either QB in the second round, when they pick 38th? Stay tuned...
Meanwhile, look at the list of players not picked in the first round...and who fell at least into the second round. Thaddeus Gibson, the ex-Euclid High School and Ohio State standout DE and/or LB, is among the many promising draft eligible players who can't wait for the draft to resume Friday night at 6 p.m. Eastern time.
Another Irish player, WR Golden Tate, slipped into the second round. So did LB Sergio Kindle of Texas. And Stanford RB Toby Gerhart, the Heisman Trophy runnerup.
The biggest disappointment among those falling into the second round could be safety Taylor Mays of USC (Southern California). Imagine, no USC players picked in the first round. When the last time THAT happened?
Taylor Mays was considered a sure-fire top 10 draft pick after the 2008 season. He was compared to the likes of three past USC secondary superstars in Ronnie Lott, Mark Carrier and Troy Polamalu. And get this: Mays ran a 4.31 40-yard dash for the fourth fastest time at the NFL Draft Combine.
However, the scouting report on Mays is that he doesn't play up to his timed speed. Among the traits about Mays that are in question are his football instincts, overall intelligence and toughness. Plus, scouts say he takes poor angles. Somebody will draft him in the second round, but this is a guy who was judged as a top 10 draft choice two seasons back.
***
PEOPLE ARE CATCHING ON TO THE BSNM
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2010 -- When biased Yahoo! decided to run another of the seemingly endless photos of Danica Patrick in its IRL section, I noted that it's just another example of BSNM (Biased Sports News Media). I mean, 4 women MIGHT make the Indy 500...and yet one of them, Simona de Silvestro, has NEVER had her photograph run by anyone. Why?
Maybe it's because she's never taken off her clothes for Sports Illustated...or narrated a tasteless Go Daddy ad...or been part of a Peak anti-freeze ad. Go figure. MEanwhile, here's what a message boarder wrote regarding the latest DP propaganda...
So why just the photo of Dan icka? Where's the other 3 women drivers or don't they count for anything? I'm really sick of all the Dan ick a hype the media creates. She's far less than even an average quality driver. One win in 85 races would get most drivers fired, not hired. Were it not for the fact she's a woman, and by some standards an attractive one, that modes VS and swim suits, does the Go Daddy BS, she wouldn't be the face of racing. She's actually no more than a marketing HO for the IRL and NASCAR. Winner is not a word associated with her "storied" racing career by any stretch of the imagination. She is a "perfect" start and park driver. It's pathetic the way the media panders to her at the expense of other better drivers because she's an oddity in racing.
***
BIG BEN: ON THE TRADING BLOCK? AND MORE BSNM ANTICS!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010 -- Miscellaneous thoughts, mostly from the sports scene...
Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger finally got his suspension today. Six games. Maybe four if he follows certain guidelines. But here's the rub...one columnist claims the Steelers are trying to trade Big Ben in exchange for a high draft choice.
Translation: The Steelers don't think Big Ben will right his wrongs. Imagine, a two-time Super Bowl winning QB may be on the trading block. Will another NFL team take a chance on a QB who keeps making dumb-dumb off-the-field decisions? Stay tuned...
Meanwhile, the NFL draft is less than 24 hours away. Some things to count on...teams will trade up and down...the first round will take forever (at least four hours...mark my words)...and a quarterback will fall prominently down the first round and maybe into the second...
Not to beat a dead dog...or to sound like the boy who cried wolf...but our nation's media simply won't let go of Mrs. Hospenthal (a/k/a Danica Patrick). The stories, headlines and photographs continue in spite of her pitiful record. For instance...
On Page C3 of today's USA Ladies Home Journal Today, there's a story, headline and photo of Mrs. Overexposed. Why? Oh, because she provided her voice for a video game-like product. Oh, and the paper goofed when it said she finished 14th at her last IRL race in Long Beach.
SHE FINISHED SIXTEENTH!!!
The sports daily, SportingNewsToday.com, gave this bit of "news" what it deserved.
Nothing.
Meanwhile, if you go into the Yahoo! sports section on the internet and click on its IRL section, guess who's photo is there?
Yes, Mrs. 1-88.
Why, you ask?
Because four women signed up for the Indy 500.
To paraphrase this idiotiic story, it was noted that "Four women COULD start in the Indiaianpolis 500 for the first time" and "for the first time, four women MIGHT race in next month's Indy 500."
I don't call Danica Patrick one nickname for nothing.
Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've.
I gather all this attention is her reward for...
Finishing 16th at her last IRL race.
Failing to place in the top 5 for the SEVENTEENTH STRAIGHT RACE.
Improving her auto racing record to 1-88.
Continuing her legacy for having NEVER won an auto race held in the continental USA....and for NEVER winning a 500-mile race ever.
Having now gone over two years without winning a race at all.
And possessing more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins.
Oh, and let's not forget how many it took her to defeat to earn the 2005 IRL Rookie of the Year award.
Two.
***
THE BSNM (BIASED SPORTS NEWS MEDIA) LIVES ON!!!!!
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010 -- More scatterskimming the world of sports and music...
The NFL draft is two days away, a Super Bowl winning QB is about to be suspended, the NBA playoffs are underway...and what does our nation's newspaper lead off with in its sports pages?
Oh, a story about Lesa France Kennedy.
Do you KNOW who Lesa France Kennedy IS?
That's what I thought.
She's the International Speedway Corporation CEO, which owns a dozen NASCAR tracks. She's been doing this for a year after replacing...
Her uncle.
Opinion: Nepotism at its worst.
More opinion: WHO CARES?
Oh, and the writer noted that Kennedy granted a "rare" interview. Wow!
Gee, has anybody figured out why it was a "rare" interview?
I have.
NOBODY CARES!!!
Oh, and USA Ladies Home Journal Today went on to mention three other women in auto racing managerial positions. I won't bore you with their names because...
NOBODY CARES!!!
More opinion: A total waste of newspaper space....
One more "American Idol" contestant will be going home by Wednesday night...
One of these days, the NFL is actually going to suspended Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger. Maybe Wednesday. NFL commish Roger Goddell probably didn't want to hand the suspension down today. It's the same day the NFL schedule for 2010 was unveiled. Meanwhile, the Steelers are preparing for the suspension. Today, they reacquired QB Byron Leftwich in a trade.
It's a shame to see Lorena Ochoa retiring from the LPGA women's golf scene. She's only 28....but if your heart isn't in it, it's time to move on.
***
SIMONA DE SILVESTRO--WHY NO HOOPLA OVER HER?
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2010 -- More scatterskimming the sports scene...
If you don't think the BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) exists, then perhaps this bit of news will prove my point.
When the starting lineup for today's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach lineup was announced either early today or late Saturday, it was no surprise that Will Power earned the pole. He'd won the first two IRL races, after all.
Nor was it surprising that the world's most overpublicized person in the world of sports, Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've (a/k/a Danica Patrick) qualified 20th. After all, in the previous race, she started 19th. No surprise.
The BIG surprise, though, was who started the race 13th.
Simona de Silvestro.
Yes, a rookie woman.
So...why no photographs, headlines and separate stories about HER?
Maybe it's because she doesn't endorse tasteless commercials for Go-Daddy. Or maybe because she doesn't endorse Peak anti-freeze. Or maybe it's because she didn't pose in a swimsuit for Sports Illustrated.
Sadly, de Silvestro finished 17th and a mere fraction of a second behnd Mrs. Hospenthal. No matter. With that 16th place finish, it means Mrs. Overexposed has a 1-88 record and has gone seventeen straight races without a top five finish. She's never won a race held in the USA, never won a 500-mile auto race anywhere and has more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (one).
Oh, and it means Michelle Weak and Mrs. Hospenthal have a combined record of 2-174....
Break up the Tribe! A sweep of the White Sox, four straight wins and a 6-6 (.500) record!!!!
Dont be surprised to see the NFL suspending Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger for maybe 2-4 games as early as Monday....We're four days away from the NFL draft....
How can we stay interested in the NBA playoffs when they're being played in the middle of the night? Denver's 126-113 win over Utah didn't end until 1:15 a.m. Eastern time today...and the Phoenix-Portland game is at the half...at about 11:50 p.m. Eastern time tonight....
***
HE PUKED--ON PURPOSE!
SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2010 -- More mostly sports scatterskimming...
In the crowd for an Indians' home opener against the Yankees in the mid-70's, one sign said "Wait Til Next Year. Another sign said, "I Ate A Reggie Bar And Puked." Yes, Reggie Jackson had a candy bar named for him at the time.
Nowadays comes word that Matthew Clemmens, 21, of Cherry Hill, N.J., actually deliberately puked on an off-duty policeman and his daughter dring a Phillies game. Clemmens reportedly was retaliating for having a friend ejected from the park for unruly behavior.
I kid you not.
Clemmens was charged with, among other things, assault, reckless endnagerment and disorderly conduct. Clemmens also allegedly punched the off-duty police officer in the face. Unbelievable...
Someday, Ubaldo Jimenez will be the answer to a trivia question. "Who was the first Rockie pitcher to hurl a no-hitter?"...
Are you enjoying the BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) silence? I am. No LPGA action so no chance of reading about Michelle Weak. And since Mrs. Hospenthal finished 19th out of 25 in last weekend's IRL action, for once we're not reading some silly AP story about HER. Those two overrated, overpublicized sports characters are a combined 2-173.
***
COMING SOON...A STEELER SUSPENSION
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 -- Scatterskimming this 'n that...
How could Ben Roethlisberger NOT have been charged with something? You check out the facts that have surfaced regarding his behavior at a Georgia nightclub and that's what I keep asking myself. No criminal charges will be filed against the Steeler QB as announced Monday. A 20-year-old college student had filed a sexual assault complaint against Roethlisberger on March 5.
This is the second time the Steeler QB has run afoul of the law and the second time he escaped charges being filed against him. However, tne HFL still has a strict conduct code...so don't be surprised if Roethlisberger draws a one- or two-game suspension sometime after the NFL draft is completed...
Who are David Huff and Mitch Talbot? Why, they're pitchers for the Cleveland Indians who've just pitched complete games on back-to-back days (Thursday and today). There IS hope in Cleveland, after all...
It's no secret my feelings on the two most overhyped and overpublicized women in sports. But who's third behind Danica Patrick and Michelle Wie? My vote goes to Misy May-Treanor. She's the beach volleyball star who participated in "Dancing With The Stars." And for merely returning to action AND having a new teammate...well, our nation's newspaper ran a photo of her at the top of the sports Page Thursday, then another photo and an inside story on her. Opinion: Who CARES about somebody who's a beach volleyball star? Do YOU care?
That's what I thought...
Ted Ginn is no longer a Dolphin, having been traded today to the 49ers for a draft choice. The former Ohio State star has been a huge disappointment but might salvage his career as a receiver opposite Eric Crabtree. Stay tuned...
It appears the record-setting feat of Jorge Cantu is ending. Cantu plays first and third base for the Florida Marlins. He became the first major league baseball player ever to have a hit and an RBI in each of his team's first nine games. Impressive feat just the same...
But here's what may be the saddest news of the day. Mansfield (Mass. High School has been forced to eliminate ALL sports. For more on this matter, check out...
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1074826
***
PEOPLE ARE NOTICING THE BSNM
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2010 -- Mrs. Hospenthal finished NINETEENTH in the latest IRL auto race Sunday. Beat only SIx people. Her 16th straight non top 5 finish....and yet our nation's newspaper mentioned her...although it WAS the last sentence of the story.
Still, it's just another example of how our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) refuses to let go of Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division. But, people are noticing this. For example, check out this message board posting...
Dan ick a created all kinds of excitement with that 19th place finish. The fans must have been on the edges of their seats. And this really chaps my a**..in today's paper they list the finishers 1-10, skip 11-18, and show Dan ick as finish a t 19. WHO CARES?
***
BSNM (BIASED SPORTS NEWS MEDIA) GETS WHAT IT DESERVES
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2010 -- Once again, our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) got what it deserved.
Another silly IRL race story advance on the world's most overpublicized woman ever...followed by her finishing in 19th place. That story was SO stupid, it reminded me of a story that AP once wrote about her...when she changed colors with her car. Oh, you think the story's not stupid, ridiculous and filled with hypocritical statements, then here it is...and you can be the judge...
http://sports.yahoo.com/irl/news;_ylt=AlKXuvy3yyz4j3buzDkf5hXRv7YF?slug=ap-irl-indygp-patrick
The ridiculousness of that story was shown with what happened today. I mean, then came the race. And who finished NINETEENTH? Out of 25? And posted her SIXTEENTH straight non-top 5 finish? And saw her record fall to 1-87? Need I have to say more? Well, I did when I fired off this e-mail to that biased Associated Press...
AP,
Your biased writer, John Zenor, wrote and I quote..."Danica Patrick knows she can’t supply crowd-pleasing excitement or deliver top-five finishes every time she hits the track."
NO KIDDING. She's now gone SIXTEEN straight races without a top 5 finish.
And she can't supply "crowd-pleasing excitement" what with her 1-87 record, either.
Or her failure to win a race held in the continental USA ever.
Or her failure to win a 500-mile race anywhere.
But she does have more speeding tickets (two) than racing wins (one).
Stick all that in your next biased story about her!
Regards,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
An Ex-Sports Editor Not Afraid to Speak His Mind
PS I loved her quote where she said "I think the series is doing a good job of trying to make other drivers popular." I gather that includes those stories all about her and her worst-then-30th NASCAR finishes...and the winner wasn't even mentioned.
***
MILTON BRADLEY--WAS THAT "SIGN" HIS IQ, TOO?
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2010 -- At least three major league baseball teams are off to bad early starts. and not looking good.
The Houston Astros are MLB's only winless team at 0-4...and look destined to lose at least 100 games. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Seattle Mariners are 1-4 each. The Angels look like they can't compensate for the loss of John Lackey, Chone Figgins and Vladamir Guerrero.
The Marines are thin with starting pitching after Felix Hernandez. Having Cliff Lee sidelined until at least next month isn't helping the cause. But then...
Milton Bradley isn't helping matters, either, but what else is new? He's worn out his welcome with at least seven teams (Expos, A's, Padres, Indians, Dodgers, Rangers, Cubs). The Mariners could be another. As of Friday night, Bradley was hitting .059...and while going 0-for-4 with two strike outs, word is out that Bradley gave Ranger fans the finger.
Imagine, Milton Bradley got a FOUR MILLION DOLLAR raise from $7 millin to $11 million to be a problem child with the Mariners.
Here's how one Ranger fan saw it in a posting I discovered on the Dallas Morning News web site...
"... the reason why the fans were giving him such a hard time is because the ball girl that was throwing to him to warm up his arm before innings overthrew him before the first inning, and he just stood there with his arm extended in the air and watched it fly into CF. The poor girl had to run and get it while he just stood there. We gave her a loud ovation when she did, and he wouldn't throw with her the entire rest of the game while acting like a pompous you-know-what. So that's why he took so much heat last night.
***
TIGER MASTERING HIS COMEBACK SO FAR
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2010 -- Scatterskimming the music and sports scene...
So far, so good with Tiger Woods. He's been warmly greeted by the Masters' faithful and he's in the title hunt after one round. Do I think he'll win? Maybe, but I think a top 10 finish is more realistic. Stay tuned...
Malcolm McLaren, the man behind the Sex Pistols, died Thursday in england. He was 64...and will be missed...
When my Cleveland Indians fell to the Chicago White Sox in Monday's season operner, 6-0, immediately the Tribe talk was a season with 105 losses.
Maybe not. The Tribe has since posted back-to-back 5-3 wins over the Chisox to take the season series, two games to one. For a rebuilding team with 20 of its 25 players making less than a million bucks in salary, that's a good start. I liked the team's hustle (e.g. Travis Hafner's scoring from first base...Grady Sizemore's key double on a 3-1 pitch). So what is the Indians struck out 16 times. Most of them were swinging strikeouts...and that's a sign of aggressive play that I like...
Are you enjoying the silence? I am. Since Monday, I haven't seen any BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) print devoted to the two most overexposed women in sports. I've lambasted them so much that I don't have to mention their names. Only their pro records. They're both 1-86 and thus a combined 2-172.
***
DUKE THE CHAMPION! BUTLER THE INSPIRATION!
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2010 -- Well, I've gotta confess....
I overestimated Duke.
And I GREATLY underestimated Butler.
Duke's 61-59 win over Butler in the 2010 NCAA Men's championship title game ranks among the best Final Four title games ever. Duke won its fourth national title by overcoming a partisan crowd in what amounted to a tough road game.
Butler twice missed shots that could've won the game.,,,and showed me a ton of hustle, determination and grit. The Bulldogs could easily have been the first mid-major to win all the NCAA marbles. Truly this is an inspiration for the George Mason's, Loyola-of-Chicago's and Gonzaga's of the world of men's college basketball.
***
MICHELLE (1-86) WEAK--MORE BAKING AND SEWING?
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2010 -- Last Wednesday, four days ago, our nation's weekday-only newspaper ran a photo of Michelle Weak at the top of its sports page. And a short story on her on an inside page.
All that exposure...for someone who finished in SIXTH place at the LPGA Kia Classic. And who was penalized two strokes for grounding her club. And who improved her pro record to 1-85. The golfers who finished first through fifth? Completely ignored.
In the story, Miss Overrated was quoted as saying "I bake and I sew" as part of getting over the two-stroke penalty. "I made some nice brownies...some oakmeal cookies. I made myself a dress."
Outstanding reading material for the sports page, eh?
Well, she's got to do a ton more of sewing and baking to do. Today, she shot a horrendous 78 in the final round at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. It was her worst round of golf this year so far...and there's more to this story...facts our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) won't tell you.
Miss Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've, Golf Division, finished tied for 27th, saw her overall pro record fall to 1-86 and saw her record in the LPGA majors slip to 0-19.
Granted, Miss Weak's had seven top 10 finishes at the LPGA majors. However, they've ALL come in 2006 or earlier. Starting with the 2007 golf season, she's failed to make the top 10 in any of the eight majors she's participated in....and had two withdrawals and one missed cut.
And let's not forget these 2008 facts: She failed to qualify for the LPGA Women's Open and didn't win LPGA 2008 rookie of the year.
I'd like to e-mail the above facts to USA Today and tell them, "Stick all that on the top of your sports page!"
***
CAN THE BUTLER DO IT AGAIN? (I DOUBT IT)
SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2010 -- I'm afraid Butler's historic run to the Big Dance's NCAA men's basketball title game is going to come to a screeching halt Monday night.
Duke is that good.
I confess...I didn't think Butler could beat Michigan State but the Bulldogs proved me and many others wrong. (Butler 52, MSU 50).
Monday night, though, Butler is going up against a Duke team that's hitting on all cynlinders after dismantling a good West Virginia team, 78-57.
Butler has two superb players in Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard, but Duke has three. And four talented big men who rotate in and out of the game. Duke simply has too much firepower.
Prediction: Duke 74, Butler 62.
***
SHAUN ROGERS -- WHAT WAS HE THINKING?
SATURDAY, April 3, 2010 -- Skimming the world of news, sports and music...
There are dumb things people do.
And then there are dumb-dumb things that people do.
What Cleveland Brown defensive lineman Shaun Rogers did Thursday was even dumber than dumb-dumb. In case you haven't heard, Rogers was arrested at Cleveland Hopkins for having a loaded handgun in his carry-on luggage. THAT is a felony and then some....
Extremely sad news...tackle Matt James, a graduate of Cincinnati Xt. Xavier High School who had recently signed a letter of intent to play for Notre Dame, died Friday as the result of a fall from a Florida hotel balcony. He would've turned 18 on April 9. My heart goes out to the family of Matt James...
Tony Orlando turns 66 today...
Why all the anti-Duke fuss as the Blue Devils meet West Virginia in the final Foru semifinals tonight? Duke is the Harvard of the Atlantic Coast Conference, its teams are well coached and those teams WIN...
Two of my favorite quotes to come outta the Big Dance...During the Northern Iowa 69-67 upset of Kansas, a radio announcer said, "If you want to boil an egg, just put it on the top of (Kansas coach) Bill Self's head."....And, when C Josh Lomers fouled out and was thus disqualified in last Sunday's 78-71 loss to Duke in the regional finals, CBS announcer Clark Kellogg observed, "He's Dairy Queen."
***
SPORTS MEDIA NEWS BIAS STRIKES AGAIN...
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 -- Have you ever heard of a sporting event where, three days afterwards, the SIXTH place finisher is according a photo at the top of a major newspaper sports page...and an inside story to boot?
Well, it happened today.
Not only did Michelle Weak finish SIXTH in last weekend's LPGA action, she was also penalized two strokes. Just the latest chapter in her lack of rules knowledge.
And, of course, her pro record is 1-85.
Go figure.
Needless to say, I fired off this e-mail to that newspaper...
USA Today ,
When ANY sport event is followed up three days later by a top of the first sports page photo and an inside story of the SIXTH place finisher....and the TOP FIVE finishers are completely ignored, then something is horribly wrong.
Regards,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
A Ex-Sports Editor Not Afraid to Speak His Mind
***
IS RICKY MARTIN GAY? APPARENTLY. AND GUESS WHO'S 2-171?
MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010 -- I was listening to all-night sportscaster Tony Bruno...and he claims that singer Ricky Martin is gay. If so, perhaps he was living La Vita Loca differently than we felt...
The two most overhyped sports personalities are a combined 2-171. Danica Patrick finished 7th in today IRL rain-delayed action for her 15th straight non-top 5 finish. And a 1-86 racing record. She's never won a race held in the continental USA, never won a 500-mile race anywhere and has more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (one),
Michelle Wie, meanwhile, is officially 1-85 as a pro golfer. And after seeing the replay of her two-stroke penalty, I'm beginning to believe the ruling to be correct. All Wie did was making a fool of herself in arguing against it. One writer said her story has more holes in it than a golf course!
Excuses, excuses, excuses...that's all we get from these two women!
***
DUKE ONLY #1 SEED TO SURVIVE--AND GUESS WHO GOT PENALIZED TWO STROKES IN WOMEN'S GOLF?
SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010 -- The 2010 NCAA men's basketball national championship is Duke's to win. But it won't be easy.
Duke outlasted Baylor, 78-71, to give the school a 15th Final Four appearance...and the 11th for coach Mike Krzyzewski. Duke will face West Virginia in the Final Four semifinals...and the Mountaineers still have a chip on their shoulders. They showed it with Saturday's 73-66 elimination of #1 seed Kentucky...and it's coach Bob Huggins' second Final Four since he took Cincinnati to the promised land 18 years ago.
Meanwhile, Michigan State edged Tennessee, 70-69, to give coach Tom Izzo his sixth Final Four in 12 years. MSU faces Butler in the other semifinal.
Meanwhile...
South Koreans were the top four finishers at the LPGA's initial Kia Classic at La Costa in Carlsbad, California. Hee Kyung Seo won by six strokes, followed by Inbee Park, Jiyai Shin and Jee Young Lee.
That's what SHOULD have been the highlight. Instead, all we got was more of the world's most overpaid overpublicized woman golfer. Michelle Wie finished tied for fifth but got the ink. Why? Because she was penalized two strokes for grounding her club while hitting a ball out of a water hazard. I halfway sympathize with her judging by her explanation to a writer. She said she grounded her club to keep from falling into the water.
I believe her...but I also don't sympathize with her, either. Putting and poor rules knowledge are just two reasons why her pro tourney record falls to 1-85. That's the same record as Danica Patrick, who'll be racing today in the rain-delayed IRL. Today, the two most overpublized women in sports are 2-190. At the very best, they'll be 3-170 in 24 hours...or 2-171. Stay tuned....
***
THREE #1 SEEDS GONE! COULD DUKE BE NEXT?
SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010 -- Butler and West Virginia are headed to the Final Four. Kentucky and Kansas State are not, which means another #1 seed and a #2 seed fell today.
Baylor is a very athletic, physical team. Thus, it could beat Duke today. If so, it would mean no first seeds will have made it to the Final Four.
Sad news...Johnny Maestro, who fronted the Crests on hits like "16 Candles" and the Brooklyn Bridge with 1969's "Worst That Could Happen," died of cancer Wednesday, March 24, 2010. He was 70. Maestro also had a solo careeer with a 1961 top 40 hit, "Motel Girl." A wonderful guy that Ihad the pleasure of once interviewing. He'll be missed...
***
MICHIGAN STATE--NOT OHIO STATE--IN ELITE EIGHT
FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2010 -- The Big Ten had three teams make the Sweet 16 inthe Big Dance. Only Michigan State remains, though, after the Spartans' 59-52 regional semifinal win over giant-killer Northern Iowa.
The Spartans face Tennessee, which eliminated Ohio State, 76-73. Purdue was the other big Ten team to go home following a 70-57 loss to top seed Duke.
Ohio State's lack of depth finally caught up to it. As Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl noted, "Our 10 guys were better than their six."
Indeed, Tennessee's bench outscored Ohio State's, 18-13, but, more importantly, the Vols had a 36-23 edge on the boards. Jon Diebler, usually a hot shooter for the Buckeyes, was 1-for-8.
Meanwhile, my alma mater high school, Mentor, lost in overtime to Cincinnati Moeller, 66-59, in the big school Ohio state boys basketball tournament.
The city of Mentor shouldn't be saddened, though. Instead, there should be a huge feeling of accomplishment. Mentor was the first Lake County school to make it to the big school boys state hoops tournament. Plus, Mentor's the first Lake County school to send both its boys and girls teams to Columbus. Mentor's girls made it to state in 1977.
***
ANOTHER #1 SEED BITES THE DUST! THE BUTLER DID IT!
FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2010 -- Tidbit-shooting from the music and sports scene....
Another (Number) one (seed) bites the dust in the Big Dance. Butler ousted Syracuse, 63-59, and did it with defense. Eighteen turnovers for the Cuse.
Imagine this...A Butler win over Kansas State Saturday in the Salt Lake city regional finals would send the Bulldogs into the Final Four...AND a homecourt advantage in Indy!
Don't laugh, it could happen! Why? Remember this: Butler should be well rested. Kansas State shouldn't. The Wildcats' 101-96 overtime win over Xavier saw three of the main K-State starters logging 40 or more playing minutes. Denis Clemente (48 minutes), Curis Kelly (43) and jacob Pullen (40) will be tired.
I still remember Elyria (Ohio) High School's boys basketball team winning a three-overtime game in 1975, then having to travel home, and then back to Kent State for a regional final. There was little or no energy left as Cleveland Heights won handily to advance to Columbus. Stay tuned...
Paige Miles was the hands-down choice to be voted off the American Idol Island. Nice girl, good voice...but she just butchered the Phil Collins #1 classic, "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)."
My FAVORITE Idol performance from Tuesday night BY FAR was Lee DeWyze's rendition of "The Letter." He sang it Joe Cocker style but I sitll considered it a fitting tribute to the late Alex Chilton, who sang it first in 1967 as lead singer of the Box Tops...
Sportscaster Colin Collard called Urban Meyer's attempt to manipulate the sports news media "bush league" and "out of line." Meyer chewed out a writer for simply comparing a future Florida Gator QB to the past one, Tim Tebow. Meyer threatened to ban the writer from Gator practices.
Collard was also right by openly telling Meyer, "If you want to coach and control the news media, go back to coaching high school football."
I know what it's like for a high school football coach trying to manipulate the news media. This coach had the gall to have his first string RB carry the ball the first play in the fourth quarter of a 50-0 road win. At the time of the carry, the score was 44-0.
The losing coach wasn't amused. And he made it clear his displeasure in the lockerroom in front of the news media. When I got back to my newspaper's office, I managed to contact the winning coach to get his side of the story. After giving his side of the story, the winning coach asked me, "You're not going to put THAT in your story, are you?"
Oh yes I was.
"If you do, we're through."
Well, we weren't exactly through. The coach hung up on me in our next call...but to his credit, he did talk to me after his next two games. And the last two games of that season. Still, the relationship was never the same...
Do you know what UFC even STANDS FOR?
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
It's some kind of martial arts combat...but I wouldn't go across the street to watch it. Even for free. So when our nation's weekday-only newspaper devoted FOUR PAGES to UFC action...well...
WHAT A CLASSIC WASTE OF NEWSPAPER SPACE!!!
***
IN D.C., THERE'S NO WIZARDS IN CHARGE
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010 -- Quickly, which NBA team has the biggest losing steak?
It's not the Nets.
In fact, the Nets WON Wednesday night over the Sacramento Kings, 93-79, to improve their record to 8-63. They need just two wins in their last 12 games to avoid tying the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers (9-73) for having the worst regular season record.
There's another NBA team in much deeper trouble.
The Washington Wizards.
For instance...
The Wizards have lost 13 straight games, including Wednesday night's 99-82 setback at Indiana.
Their best player, Gilbert Arenas, has been suspended for the season since January 6 for having a gun in the team lockerroom late last year. He's pleaded guilty to weapons charges. Prosecutors have recommended this NBA star serve at least three months in prison.
Another Wizard player, Javaris Crittenton, has been suspended for the season since January 27 for also having a gun in the Wizards' lockerroom in a well-publicized spat with Arenas.
Still another Wizard star, Josh Howard, is out for the season with a knee injury, but check out his resume. He's been arrested for drag racing 95 mph in a 55 mph zone, has admitted to using marijuana on an ESPN talk show and has dissed our national anthem in an online video.
So who's left for the Wizards? Oh, Andray Blatche, a 6-11 second-round draft choice out of high school who acts like he's in elementary school. Tuesday night, during the Wizards' 95-86 home overtime loss to Charlotte, Blatche got into it with coach Flip Saunders during a time out. Reports differ as to exactly what was said. One report said Saunders benched Blatche for not listening to him. Another said Blatche became uncoachable regarding tips on how to play defense.
Whatever the case, Blatche was benched until late in the game, when he refused to re-enter when ordered to. Saunders afterwards said Blatche's act of insubordination was the worst thing he'd seen happen to a player he was coaching in some 15 years. Saunders went on to speculate that Blatche wouldn't play at it the next night against the Pacers.
So what happened? Blatche PLAYED! A team-leading 39 minutes and 21 points. No fine. No suspension. No punishment, period.
Opinion: Unbelievable.
You can read more on this mess. Everything from how Blatche should be traded to how inept Wizards' management is...at...
http://views.washingtonpost.com/world-wide-wilbon/wilbon/2010/03/blatche_making_troubled_wizards_worse.html
***
FINALLY! NFL CHANGES OVERTIME RULES!!!
TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010 -- Short stuff....
ANY kind of change in the NFL's overtime rules is welcomed. I hated how the Saints were able to beat the Vikings in overtime to advance to the Super Bowl....all the while the Vikings didn't even get to touch the ball.
At least now we've got a new OT rule where the game doesn't end if the team winning the coin toss kicks a field goal on its first possession. That's progress. Still, I greatly favor the high school and college overtime method where each team has an equal chance of scoring starting at the opposition's 25 yard line. Stay tuned...
It's a shame to see the Big Dance graduating to the Sweet 16-regional semifinal level...but seeing two teams suffer devastating injuries. Both to point guards...and pint guards are hard to replace. Second seeded West Virginia will be without Darryl "Truck" Bryant (broken foot) while fifth seeded MIchigan State will miss the services of Kalin Lucas (ruptured achilles tendon).
Meanwhile, I rate the Kentucky-Cornell game as the most intriguing. It'll be Kentucky's standout freshmen and solid front line vs. Cornell's cohesiveness and three-point shooting. Kentucky has so far rolled to easy wins and scored 190 points in two games. Cornell has proven that it's not a 12th seed...
Shame on ESPN for the Sunday overhype of that five-minute interview with Tiger Woods. Showing the same damn five-minute interview THREE TIMES within an hour is just another example of BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) overhype. At least it wasn't it wasn't a series or promotions for one race where one driver would be constantly profiled. And with her record (1-85) never mentioned...
Check out the NIT men's basketball quarterfinals Wednesday night. These NIT games are every bit as exciting, including the tremendous fan support for the home teams.
***
NORTHERN IOWA UPSET COULD PAVE WAY FOR OHIO STATE
SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 -- Tidbits after two rounds and four days of the 2010 Big Dance...
Northern Iowa's 69-67 upset of #1 seed Kansas could pave the way for Ohio State to make the Final Four. But it won't be easy for the Buckeyes, who advanced Sunday by eliminating Georegia Tech, 75-66.. They'll first have to beat Tennessee, which has already beaten both Kansas and Kentucky. If they succeed, the Buckeyes will then have to beat either Northern Iowa or Big Ten foe Michigan State.
The Big Ten had the best showing for the Big Dance teams the past four days with three teams making the Sweet 16. The league's 7-2 Big Dance record was best of all the Division I leagues.
Purdue also survived thanks to a 63-61 overtime Sunday win over Texas A&M. However, Duke is next for the Boilermakers.
The Big 12 has two teams left and a winning 7-5 record. The Big East had a disappointing 6-6 record with only two teams left. The Southeastern Conference was 4-2 and also has two teams left. Duke is the last hope for the ACC, which was 4-4.
Wonder why Ohio fell to Tennessee Saturday, 83-68? Well, there's two telling statistics. The Vols outscored the Bobcats in the paint, 58-12. And the Tennessee bench outscored the Ohio bench, 28-0. In spite of the loss, Ohio joined Northern Iowa, Cornell, Washington and St. Mary's as the most impressive teams.
Scottie Reynolds endured two very disappointing games for Villanova, shooting 4-for-26. His NBA draft status was no doubt hurt. Villanova joins Kansas, Gonzaga and Georgetown among the most disappointing teams.
Among the Sweet 16 survivors, there's three #1's, three #2's, two #5's and two #6's. Only one #3, #4, #9, #10, #11 and #12 left. No #7 or #8 team is left.
***
SATURDAY'S STELLAR TEAMS? NORTHERN IOWA AND...MENTOR!
SATURDAY, March 20, 2010 -- If you're a college basketball fan, you know all about Northern Iowa. All that school did was knock off not just a first seeded team in the Big Dance, the OVERALL first seed, Kansas, 69-67.
It marked the first time in 48 years that a Missouri Valley Conference team knocked off a #1 seed. Oh, do I remember the 1962 scenario.
Cincinnati's Bearcats beat Ohio State and Jerry Lucas in overtime by five, 70-65, for the 1961 NCAA title. And, just to prove it wasn't a fluke, Cincinnati beat Ohio State AGAIN for the national title a year later in 1962, 71-59.
Now, meet Ohio High School's answer to Northern Iowa...the Mentor High School Fighting Cardinals. Yup, my high school...but check this out...
Lakewood St. Edward has won at least one Ohio state boys basketball title (1996). The school has won numerous state wrestlng titles, too. Naturally, Ed's is a football power, too. The Eagles' basketball team has one 6-8 kid and another 6-9 who's heading for Division I college action next season. Ed's beat Mentor by 15 in the regular season, but Mentor was without its top guard. Still, Ed's was considered a heavy favorite to beat Mentor in the rematch for the Cleveland area regional title.
Ed's scored the game's first 10 points and led by 14 in the third quarter.
No matter.
Mentor 61, Ed's 57.
For the first time in school history, Mentor High School is heading to Columbus for the state high school boys basketball tournament! Believe it!
***
THE BIG DANCE'S SECOND DAY SURPRISE? CORNELL!!!!
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010 -- Cornell impressed me the most on the Big Dance's second day. The Big Red's 78-65 win over Temple was its first in NCAA tournament action ever. And the first win for the Ivy league in the Big Dance in a dozen years.
Cornell has tremendou cohesion and chemistry, two traits that make the mid-majors dangerous for this time of year with the Big Dance. Ryan Wittman is a tremendous three-point threat. He has basketball in his blood. His dad, Randy, is the former Indiana standout plus has coached in the NBA.
Cornell will give Wisconsin a run for its money in the second round Sunday. The Badgers struggled to beat Wofford Friday, 53-49, but that's not a surprise. Sports Illustrated predicted that Wofford would upset Wisconsin....and wasn't that far off.
If my school, Ohio, can surprise Tennessee like it did Georgetown, then a Sweet 16 matchup with Ohio State could materalize. Stay tuned.
***
THE BIG DANCE'S FIRST DAY SURPRISE? OHIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 -- My old stomping grounds college back in the mid to late 60's, Ohio (a/k/a Ohio University) was by far the biggest surprise in the Big Dance's first day of 16 games.
Imagine, Ohio began the Mid-American Conference's tournament as a 9th seed and WON it. Then, as a 13-point underdog to Georgetown as a 14th seed, the Bobcats won convincingly, 97-83.
Dumb-dumb CBS, though, goofed. Amazingly, there was no mention of Ohio's stunning 85-69 NCAA tourney win over Kentucky in 1964.
Speaking of CBS, the network's coverage of the Big Dance is atrocious. There's no way one channel can cover a tournament where there's as many as 4 games going on at once. Had I not subscribed to DirecTV's March Madness package, I'd've missed the entire Ohio-Georgetown win since out here in la-la land, they were showing the Marquette-Washington game.
Please, NCAA, change to ABC-ESPN as the network to cover the Big Dance. That way, you can see action on the regular ABC channel, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and, if necessary, ESPN-Classic. CBS' coverage of the NCAA tourament is so bad that even on the nights of four regional semifinal games, you generally only see two of the games. If your favorite team is on either of the OTHER two games, you're shafted.
But that's nothing new to NCAA tournament Big Dance fans out here in la-la (Los Angeles) land. Out here, the pregame show begins at 9 a.m. local time today and Thursday/yesterday. Big Dance fans are entertained with a great pregame show....but not in Los Angeles. Why, you ask?
Because KCBS-Channel 2 categorically refuses to air the CBS network's pregame show that begins at 9 a.m.local time (and 12 noon Eastern time). Instead, you're treated to an additional 10 minutes of local news on KCBS. AND THAT STATION HAS ALREADY AIRED NOTHING BUT LOCAL NEWS STARTING AT 5 A.M. LOCAL TIME!!!
As lousy a job that CBS does to cover the Big Dance, we're stuck with it. And CBS is stuck with paying millions to the NCAA for the right to cover this tournament. And la-la land Big Dance are stuck with NOT seeing the first 10 minutes of the CBS network's Big Dance pre-game show.
Needless to say, this KCBS-Channel 2 practice is greedy, stupid, selfish, bush league, unprofessional and Mickey Mouse.
And there's more.
NONE of the Butler-UTEP game was shown at all on selfish greedy KCBS-Channel 2. Instead, we were treated to "Judge Judy" and CBS News.
Again, I PLEAD to the NCAA to dump CBS as the network covering this prestigious tournament. Please give it instead to a network capable of covering it. Please give it to ABC-ESPN.
***
ALEX CHILTON (THE BOX TOPS, "THE LETTER") -- RIP
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2010 -- Very sad news to report in the world of pop music. Alex Chilton of the Box Tops died at a New Orleans hospital earlier today. It's believed that he'd been experiencing heart problems. He was 59.
Alex was only 16 when he sang lead for the Box Tops' breakthrough hit, "The Letter," which spent three weeks at #1 on the Cash Box pop chart in the fall of 1967. The song would be named #1 for the entire year of 1967 by Cash Box.
For more on this breaking story, you can check my obituary in this site's "Latest News" section of its message board. Or, you can check it out at the Cash Box web site.
***
PROOF THAT I'M RIGHT ON WITH SOMEONE'S NICKNAME
MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2010 -- I don't call auto racer Danica Patrick the nickname Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've for nothing. I can back up that nickname by not one, but TWO examples of the latest BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) happenings.
Exhibit A -- In today's (March 15, 2010) USA Today on Page 8C, Curt Cavin of the Indianapolis Star wrote, "Danica Patrick came in 15th. She would have finished higher had she not slid off line in the rain, but nothing came easy for anyone."
Please note the words "would have."
Exhibit B -- In an Associated Press story devoted entirely to her with no mention of even the race winner (Will Power is his name, in case you've forgotten), the story included this: "The decision would have allowed Patrick to move into the second round of qualifying, but it was eventually reversed..."
Again, the words "would have."
THAT story led me to e-mail the following letter to the AP...
AP,
When ANY sporting event is covered by profiling the FIFTEENTH place finisher in a separate story, something is dreadfully wrong.
Oh, nice of your writer to mention Ana Beatriz in the THIRTEEN paragraph. After all, the article conveniently neglected to mention that Beatriz finished THIRTEENTH in the race, the BEST among the four women there and BETTER than Mrs. Overexposed.
Your organization's blatant BIAS for that FIFTEENTH place finisher is disgraceful.
Unwarmest regards,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
An Ex-Sports Editor Not Afraid To Speak His Mind
I'm not alone in my feelings. Here's one of the better postings attached to the AP article...
Nice post there Robert. I couldn't agree more. For the "nothing" she has accomplished in her "storied racing career", why is the media even writing about her? She doesn't belong in ANY racing conversation. How can she have any credibility with anybody based on her woeful performances year after year? What a waste of time and space. She will never win, can't win, doesn't know how to win. She has no talent for winning. But she talks a good race, she markets well, the media has made her their darling, NASCAR has declared her their savior, so here we are with more Dan ick a BS. Looking closely at her performances, achievements, and accomplishments,(none) she doesn't deserve to be under contract in any form of racing. A perfect show, sit, and sell merchandise driver. She definitely isn't Go Daddying or Peaking at the right time. Add to all this her caustic personality, it would be great to see her pushed back, when she starts with her bad behavior in the pits.
***
BROWNS MUST DRAFT A QB NOW
SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2010 -- Jake Delhomme is a 35-year-old quarterback who, two seasons back, threw five intereceptions in one NFL playoff game.
And HE'S now the Cleveland Browns starting QB if the season were to end today. And he'll be making some $7 million...and his old team, the Parolina Panthers, owes him another $12.7 million.
The Browns' second QB on their depth chart is Seneca Wallace, obtained from Seattle in a recent trade. Trouble is, he's 30, too short at 5-11 and lacks arm strength.
Third on the Browns' depth chart is Brett Latliff.He;'s 24 and has good size (6-3, 224) but has never thrown a pass in the NFL.
Oh, what happened to Brady Quinn. Traded today to Denver for fullback Peyton Hillis and two draft choices.
Opinion: A bad trade...but good luck to Quinn. With Denver, he's got a chance to prove he's a Super Bowl QB. Meanwhile...
Ohio won't be playing Ohio State in the Big Dance. Instead, it's Georgetown. We would've had an Ohio-Ohio State matchup had the NCAA committee switched Georgetown to a second seed....and Ohio State from a second to third seed.
Finally...have you ever heard of a sporting event reported on a major sports network where the FIFTEENTH place finisher is shown first AND interviewed? Believe it or not, it happened today on ESPN regarding the first IRL race of 2010 held in Brazil. But then...this is Miss Sports Media Carling, auto racing division...a/k/a Mrs. Hospenthal.
AND SHE WASN'T EVEN THE TOP WOMAN DRIVER!!!!
AND SHE HAS A 1-85 RECORD!
AND SHE'S NEVER WON AN AUTO RACE HELD IN THE USA!
AND SHE'S NEVER WON A 500-MILE AUTO RACE ANYWHERE
AND SHE'S GOT MORE SPEEDING TICKETS (TWO) THAN AUTO RACING WINS (OINE).
Our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) in action.
P.S. In her interview shown on ESPN, she five times said "you know."
Now you know.
***
OHIO -- ALSO IN THE BIG DANCE!
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2010 -- So what's the Big Dance all about? Well, it can be about a school picked to finish in last place in its league division. And going into its league tournament as a ninth seed.
And winning it!
My old college, Ohio (a/k/a Ohio University), is going to the Big Dance thanks to a thrilling 81-75 overtime win over the defending champion, Akron. Which leads to an interesting question...Will the NCAA seeding committee set up a first round Ohio State-Ohio matchup? Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, Houston went into the conference USA tournament the seventh seed...and beat UTEP, 81-73, in the fitle game. It's the first Big Dance for Houston (19-15) since 1992. And Arkansas PIne Bluff didn't even know what it's like to have a winning season in Division I...but it's in the Big Dance after winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference. A Play-in game team? Maybe.
At least two lower ranked leagues will have a second member in as an at-large team--the West Coast (Gonzaga) and Conference USA (UTEP). The Pac-10, experiencing a down year overall, should have two teams dancing. For sure, Washington is on the strength of a 79-75 win over California in the Pac-10 title game. Cal should also get in via an at-large bid.
The #8 conference, the Mountain West, may have at least four thanks to San Diego State's 72-69 semifinal win over New Mexico (which doesn't deserve a second seed because of that loss). BYU and UNLV should also make it for the Mountain West.
Does Purdue belong? Maybe you should call it Pur-Don't. Imagine, scoring just ELEVEN first half points in an embarrassing 69-42 Big Ten semifinal loss to Minnesota. Oklahoma held Texas A&M to 10 first half points two years ago and four years ago held Coppin State to nine first half points. Two seasons back, Kansas State held Savannah State to four second half points en route to an 85-25 win.
I believe the only way Minnesota (Big Ten) and Mississippi State (SEC) can sneak into the Big Dance is if they defeat Ohio State and Kentucky, respectively, in their league title games Sunday (3/14/10).
***
A QUACK ATTACK THAT'S OUT OF CONTROL
FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010 -- Just when you thought all's quiet on the University Of Oregon homefront, you find out it isn't. When we last visited this scene (see blog of September 4, 2009), we had an Oregon running back suspended for punching an opposing player after a game, a Duck kicker suspended for at least two DWI's (though that one was shoved under the rug)...and a crook named Rodney Woods having his felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor...so he could play for the Ducks football team.
Then came today. For starters, quarterback Jeremiah Misoli, thought to be a 2010 Heisman Trophy candidate, won't win the 2010 Heisman because he's not playing at all for Oregon next season. He's been suspended for the entire season by Duck coach Chip Kelly.
The suspension came down after Misoli pled guilty to second degree burglary involving the theft of at least two laptop computers and one guitar from a campus fraternity.
And there's more.
Two other Duck football players were suspended for the 2010 season opener vs. New Mexico. Running back LaMichael James pled guilty to misdemeanor harrassment, was sentenced to jail for two weeks and two years probation. The pleas stemmed from an altercatin with a woman outside his apartment last month.
Meanwhile, kicker Rob Beard pled gulity to misdemeanor harrassment for his role in a street fight that left him seriously injured.
To say the University of Oregon football program is ouyt of control could well be an understatement. Give Riley credit for his decisions, though. Plus, when he recruits players, he asks them the same question.
"Can I trust you?"
***
OUR NATION'S NEWSPAPER--A DISGRACEFUL STORY ABOUT A DISGRACEFUL PERSON
THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010 -- Our nation's newspaper will go to no ends of the earth to run a story about a woman in its sports pages. And what happened today was simply disgraceful.
Remember...
Marion Jones disgraced the USA by using steroids and having to forfeit five Olympic gold metals. She then disgraced herself even more by lying twice to grand juries and doing nearly six months of prison time for perjury.
So what does our nation's newspaper do to REWARD her for signing with the WNBA Tulsa Shock?
Yup, a first sports page story, headline and photo. And ANOTHER photo on page C-3 of that paper today, too.
All of which prompted me to write the following e-mail to USA Today...
USA Today,
When your publication decides to devote a first sports page headline, story and photo, and another photograph on page C-3 for a grand total of TWO photographs in your sports section...to a CROOK who's lied twice to grand juries, did prison time for perjury and disgraced the United States for steroid use to the point of forfeiting FIVE Olympic metals, something is dreadfully wrong.
Regards,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
An Ex-Sports Editor Not Afraid To Speak His Mind
***
ST. MARY'S WINS...AND IT ENDED AT 1:17 A.M. EASTERN TIME MONDAY!
SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2010 -- Gonzaga will play St. Mary's Monday night for the West Coast Conference championship and an automatic bid to the Big Dance. The reason I mentioned this is because the St. Mary's 69-55 win over Portland didn't end until 10:17 p.m. Pacific time.
That's 1:17 a.m. Eastern time. Monday.
Meanwhile, Northern Iowa became the fifth team to land an automatic Big Dance bid with its Missouri Valley Conference title. I can remember that league being VERY tough in the early to mid-60's, when Cincinnati was a member and twice beat Ohio State for the national title.
Cornell, East Tennessee State, Winthrop and Murray State have also qualified.
Meanwhile...
Aren't you sick to death of those Miller Lite ads? I mean, between the guy who can't tell his girlfriend that he loves her, the guy that mutters "Are we still on tonight?" and the "how high is the cliff" line, I've had my fill. MNaybe it's because I'm not a drinking man in the first place.
***
THE BIG DANCE--IT BEGAN TUESDAY!
SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2010 -- Scanning the music and sports globe...
The Big Dance (a/k/a the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament) goes full swing in 12 days...but it actually began last Tuesday with many Division I league tournaments. Cornell got the first automatic Big Dance bid Friday, but that's because the Ivy league is the only Division I league that decides its Big Dance representative via regular season standings. The Ivy needs to join everyone and have a postseason tourament.
Winthroip, East Tennessee State and Murray State got bids today for the Big Dance...and, please, no more talk about expanding the big dance field to more than the current 65-team lineup. We already have enough teams not taking the league tournaments seriously. It'll only get worse if we expand the Big Dance number of teams....
Sadly, Lolly Vegas (Redbone) and Ron Banks (Dramatics) have gone to rock and Roll heaven. For more, see the message board under latest news...
Are you enjoying this no-Mrs. Hospenthal-and-no-Michelle-Weak weekend? Imagine, a weekend where neither of the world's two overrated overpublicized sports personalities aren't in action. Action, that is, where they would lose and make their losing 1-84 records worse. Together, they're 2-168...
The NFL's free agency period began with a bang. Defensive end Julius Peppers signed with the Chicago Bears for a deal that could reach $91 million. However, with no collective bargaining agreement in place, look for the big name free agency signings to slow down considerably after this weekend.
***
THEY'RE BOTH 1-84...AND A COMBINED 2-168
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010 -- The world's two most overrated overpublicized sports personalities are now a combined 2-168. And they're both 1-84...though with one of them you'd never know it. Why, you ask?
Because dumb-dumb ESPN spent 95 per cent of its report on Saturday's Nationwide Series auto Race in Las Vegas talking about Mrs. Hospenthal (a/k/a Danica Patrick), who...
FINISHED 36TH!!! So what if her car crashed...it's STILL a #36 finish and another loss.
ESPN barely mentioned in passing that Kevin Harvick actually WON the race! No mention of Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Brian Vickers. Who are they? Oh, just the second through fifth place finishers!
Ah, but this is par for the course with our BSNM (Biased Sports New Media). Last Monday, in the wake of DP's 31st place finish and being lapped 3 times, USA Today ran an article entirely about HER. No mention of even Kyle Busch, the RACE WINNER!
I find it amazing how our BSNM talks about how DP draws fans, increases NASCAR stuff sales and helps TV ratings. I get that. I don't get why our BSNM doesn't mention all the facts such as...
DP is 1-84, has never won a race held in the continental USA, has never won a 500-mile race anywhere, beat out TWO people to win 2005 IRL Rookie Of The Year honors, selflishly raced once while bumping a teammate, was penalized 2x for speeding on pit row two races back, swore on live radio Saturday and has more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (one).
Meanwhile, who is Ai Miyazato?
That's what I thought. SHE won the HSBC Champions on Sunday and became the first LPGA Tour player in 44 years to capture the first two events of a season. Miyazato closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-stroke victory over Cristie Kerr.
Michelle Wie? Tied for 15th...and even THEN was mentioned in the AP article. Ah, but the tide is turning. There's hardly anything being said or written about Michelle Weak...but that's the way it should be.
Too bad it's not that way with auto racing, too.
***
KYLE BUSCH--HE ACTUALLY FACTUALLY WON THE RACE (WHILE "THE STAR" FINISHED 31ST..AND IS 1-83)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2010 -- Above all, let's remember who actually factually won the Race. Kyle Busch won the latest Nationwide NASCAR race held today in Fontana, California.
Busch was among the 40-some auto racers who were TOTALLY IGNORED by ESPN in its promotions during all the promos for this race. Only ONE person was promoted by ESPN constantly for this race.
Need I have to tell you her name? It was Danica Patrick this, Danica Patrick that all the time in the vast majority of the ESPN promos. So, ESPN and our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) got exactly what they deserved.
An embarrassing 31st place finish by "the star." Amazingly, they were even promoting Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division, at the start of the race, pointing out that she was starting 36th.
Seriously, is our BSNM going to continue to say that "Danicamania" exists after Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've" has had finishes of 35th and 31st?
And has a 1-83 record?
And hasn't won a race held in the continental USA?
And hasn't won a 500-mile race anywhere ever?
And has more speeding tickets (two) than racing wins (one)?
Oh, and in one of the ESPN promos, it was boldly pointed out that Mrs. Hospenthal was the 2005 IRL Rookie Of the Year. What WASN'T boldly mentioned was how many people she beat for that honor.
Two.
Shame on ESPN.
Shame on Yahoo! for this headline: "Busch wins at California, Danica 31st."
And shame on the Associated Press for its TOTAL BIAS in not naming Kyle Busch first in its story deadling with this race.
Instead, you-know-who was mentioned FIRST. THE THIRTY FIRST PLACE FINISHER!!!! And the story went on to say she "made progress."
Give me a break. Remember, this is NASCAR's minor league.
All this DP Propaganda led me to write this e-mail to the Associated Press....
AP,
When ANY sporting event leads off with the very first person named being the THIRTY FIRST PLACE FINISHER, something is dreadfully wrong.
Regards,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
***
TONY STEWART -- HE ACTUALLY FACTUALLY WON THE RACE (AND GUESS WHO ARE BOTH 1-82...AND A COMBINED 2-164?)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2010 -- The most important thing to remember about today's NASCAR Nationwide race is that...
Tony Stewart actually factually won the damn race. And that gives him 11 racing wins, 10 more than the world's most overpublicized woman auto racer of the universe.
Sadly, that's not what our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) will let you know and remember. Instead, our BSNM will shove down your throats how Danica Patrick, that overrated overpublzied race, lost the race. And finished 35th.
Disgraceful.
Needless to say, the second most important thing to remember is how our BSNM got what it deserved. So did DP...and I said so in my latest blog at the newly created web site that I recommend you check out.
http://www.voy.com/222481/35.html
Here's what I said there...
Remember what it was like in the 5-6 days before this latest NASCAR race today (February 13, 2010)?
First sports page stories nearly every day in USA Today. And her (DP's) photo at least once every day in that biased publication. Constant promos on ESPN and HER name was always brought up first. Daily DP Propaganda by Yahoo! and AP writers, too.
Well, here's what I had to say after all that (My comments couldn't reach the main story because of a "server error")...Oh well, here goes...
Our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) and Mrs. Selfish Egomaniac all got what they deserved. And, please, no excuses. Mrs. Sports Media Darlling, Auto Racing Division, was 24th at the race's halfway mark. In the second half of the field!!!! She is truly Mrs. Overrated and the facts speak for themselves. Facts that our BSNM probably will not mention. Such as...
* -- Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've, Auto Racing Division, is 0-2 this year, was 0-17 last year and has a career record of 1-82. As Bill Parcells says, "You are what your record is." Thus, DP ties Michelle Wie (also 1-82) for sports ineptness. The Sports world's two most overrated overpublicized personalities are a combined 2-164.
* -- Mrs. Selfish Egomaniac forced her way to race today, which meant a teammate (Kelly Bires) had to be bumped. But that's why she's Mrs. Selfish Egomaniac...and...
* -- She's never won a race held in the continental USA, she's never won a 500-mile race anywhere, she hasn't won a race in 22 months, she defeated exactly two people to earn "2005 IRL Rookie Of The Year" honors ; and she has more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (One).
Stick all that on your front page Monday, USA Today! And put all that in your next DP Propaganda story, Associated Press, ESPN and Yahoo!
PS #1 -- Sadly, Chrissy Wallace crashed in the first lap.
PS #2 -- Amazingly, not all that long after DP's crash, they (ESPN) actually began to talk about Tony Stewart WINNING the race...and about tomorrow's Daytona 500. No mention of Mrs. Hospenthal. What a concept.
***
CHRISSY WALLACE--EVER HEARD OF HER?
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2010 -- Who is Chrissy Wallace?
Ever heard of her?
That's what I thought.
Chrissy Wallace is the daughter of Mike Wallace.
And she's an auto racer, too.
And in the lineup for Saturday's Nationwide NASCAR auto race.
And has been totally ignored by our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media).
Just thought you'd like to know since our BSNM is treating her like she's in the Witness Protection program.
MRS. SELFISH EGOMANIAC--& HER BUSH LEAGUE DECISION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 -- The Associated Press story didn't get around to mentioning it until the 12th paragraph. USA Today didn't mention it at all.
Welcome to the world of BSNM (Biased Sports News Media).
After all, this is Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division...and she's going to participate in a NASCAR race Saturday at the expense of a teammate. Kelly Bires gets the shaft, period. He cannot race for his team because Mrs. Overposed decided she has to. So what if Bires gets knocked out of the NASCAR season points race before it even gets started? Mrs. Selfish Egomaniac will do ANYTHING for media exposure.
Before last weekend, a writer begged with his on-line blog/column and pleaded to Mrs. Hospenthal with some free advice. Namely...
"Dont Be Selfish."
The writer said her decision to race Saturday would be "an extraordinarily selfish decision." The writer noted that it "would damage morale for team members who are in it for the long haul and serve to benefit only one person: Danica Patrick."
You can read the entire blog here...
http://www.sbnation.com/2010/1/29/1283146/danica-patrick-dale-earnhardt-jr-nascar-kelly-bires-daytona
***
"SECOND TIER" AUTO RACING--THE MINOR LEAGUES FOR A TRULY MINOR LEAGUE AUTO RACER
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010 -- I don't know his real name, but I'd like to thank Manny Z The Wolf Warrier for telling it is. He posted a telling message after one of the BSNM's (Based Sports News Media's) endless stories about an overrated overexposed woman auto racer.
Manny Z is simply saying what I've maintained all along...that Mrs. Hospenthal's NASCAR debut at an ARCA race Saturday was strictly minor league-ish. Here's what Manny Z wrote...
For those of you wondering:
Sprint Cup=Majors
Nationwide=Triple-A Minors
Trucks=Double-A Minors
ARCA= Class-A Minors
Just thought I'd let you know. If you ask me, Danica should run the trucks too....they're technically stock cars too, right?,
Thank you, Manny Z.
Meanwhile, our nation's newspaper today, in spite of this being the day after the Super Bowl, elected to include a two-day-old news story about Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've finishing a "successful" SIXTH place at the ARCA race. That's paper's sports section also had TWO more inside photos and ANOTHER story on the inside, too. One photo caption said "Good show" and the inside story called her performance "an impressive sixth".
And with today's announcement that she's participating in a Saturday NASCAR race, look for our nation's newspaper to have still another first sports page story and photo tomorrow/Tuesday. But REMEMBER...
THIS IS THE MINOR LEAGUES. Even one story admitted it, calling the Saturday race a "second tier" one. The major league race is Sunday's Daytona 500, which, of course, she will not ever. Why? Simple. Everyone knows she can't win it or even be competitive in it.
***
PAYTON'S GAMBLES, KICKING GAME WIN FOR SAINTS, 31-17
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2010 -- Sean Payton made at three gutsy gambles and won with two of them. That, plus a better kicking game, led to Payton's New Orleans Saints beating the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, in Super BowlXLIV (44).
So what if the Saints failed on a near-the-goal-line fourth down in the second quarter? No matter. Payton's decision to go for an on-side kick to open the second half was just the beginning. Paytons' decision to challenge the zebras' call on the key two-point conversion was also a key.
So was the kicking game. Three 40-plus FG's by Garrett Hartley here. A missed FG by Matt Stover when the Colts could've taken the lead. It all added up.
Imagine, the Colts were outscored in the second half, 25-7. And the Colts only had eight possessions, about four below average for them. It all added up.
***
WHO IS BOBBY GERHART? EVER HEARD OF HIM?
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2010 -- Do YOU know who Bobby Gerhart is?
That's what I thought.
Bobby Gerhart WON the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 80-lap ARCA race held today in Daytona Beach, California.
I repeat, HE WON THE RACE!!!!
So who instead got all the post-race interviews, the headlines, the photos and 90 per cent of the race stories?
The SIXTH place finisher.
I don't even have to tell you her name. Just her auto racing record.
It's now 1-81.
And she's NEVER won an auto race held in the continental USA.
And NEVER won a 500-mile auto race anywhere. Ever.
And has more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (one).
One race writer even ENDED his article this way...
"Oh, and congratulations to Bobby Gerhart. Who's he? The race winner, of course. Yep, that's how it's going to be this year."
***
REMEMBER: IT'S THE MINOR LEAGUES!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2010 -- Remember when Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division (a/k/a Michelle Weak), entered all those men's golf tournaments as a teenager? All you would read was about how great it was and admirable of her.
And you NEVER ONCE read how it was in a minor league men's golf tournament where, on average, 25 of the top 30 men's money leaders, weren't even there?
Including Tiger Woods?
Amazingly, that overrated overpublicized golfer bragged about beating Woods, yet has NEVER gone up against him.
Well, meet Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division. Even though it's the day before the Super Bowl, all you're reading is about somebody's NASCAR debut....but REMEMBER...
It's the ARCA race...so it's the MINOR LEAGUES! Even if she wins the race, it's still the MINOR LEAGUES! You wouldn't get excite dif A-Rod hit four home runs for the Arkansas Travelers of the Double-A Texas League, would you. Of course not. IT'S THE MINOR LEAGUES!!
Tomorrow's Daytona 500...THAT's the MAJOR Leagues!!! And I doubt seriously if Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've will enter that. Why, you ask? Because she knows she can't win it.
And, REMEMBER...one of her GoDaddy.Com ads was so sleazy that CBS TV REJECTED it for the Super Bowl. THAT bit of news has been pretty much shoved under the rug by our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media).
I truly feel sorry for NASCAR's fans and participants. All they're going to be forced to see and read is updates on an overrated overpublicized egomaniac in what amounts to a freak show. And no matter how badly she does, I guaranteed you the news stories on that ARCA race will include HER in the lead paragraph. The participants who'll do better than her? They won't even get mentioned.
***
SO WHO'S #1 IN RECRUITING WARS? FLORIDA? TEXAS? USC?
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2010 -- Miscellaneous thoughts....
So who really won the Class of 2010 college football recruiting wars? Most recruiting services gave the title to Florida. However, USC (Southern California) made a late surge that included maybe landing one of the top prospects overall in tackle Seantrel Henderson of St. Paul.
Henderson, though, hasn't signed. He's waiting to see what happens when USC's heavies meet with the NCAA infractions committee Feb. 19-21. Some big time penalties could be coming down on USC, so stay tuned.
Of the top 100 high school seniors rated by The Sporting News, Florida landed eight...and USC ten. Ohio State had only one, tackle Andrw Norwell of Cincinnati Anderson High School. Quarterback Taylor Graham, the son of 1991 Buckeye QB Kent Graham, also became a Buckeye.
Still, Ohio State's recruiting class was disappointing. I found the Buckeyes ranked 14th on one list, 19th on another and 26th on another. Ouch.
Meanwhile, talk of the NCAA men's basketball tournament expanding beyond the 65-team format is ridiculous. There's enough teams. Plus, every major college league except the Ivy has a post-season tournament of its own anyway. I'll take the current setup.
Finally, at least our nation's newspaper got it right with its latest overexposure according a certain woman auto racer. I mean, a front page photo, a first sports page story AND another sports story AND photo on her? For making her debut in NASCAR by racing in a MINOR LEAGUE race?
In the front page photo's caption, our nation's newspaper noted that this is a "minor league" race. So why all the fuss?
Oh, I forgot.
This is Miss Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division. After all, YOU want to read about her. When you do, y ou won't be reading about her 1-80 auto racing record. Or how her GoDaddy.com ad got REJECTED by CBS TV for the Super Bowl. Or how she's never won a race held in the USA. Or how she's never won a 500-mile race held anywhere.
Or how she's got more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (one).
YOUR BSNM (BIASED SPORTS NEWS MEDIA) IN ACTION (AGAIN)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2010 -- Late last year, a Yahoo auto racing driver for NASCAR rated the top events for that racing organization for 2009. In spite of winning an unprecedented fourth NASAR title AND being named the AP Male Athlete of the Award, Jimmie Johnson was chosen NOT be ranked #1. Incrediably, he was ranked #2.
Even more incredible, though, was who the writer ranked #1. that extremely dubious honor went to someone who hadn't even competed in NASCAR the whole year, placed 19th in her last race (and third overall among women), went 0-17 as an auto racer in 2009 and has a 1-80 racing record.
Welcome to the world of our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media).
And guess what?
It just got worse.
As part of writing endless stories about a certain woman auto racer making her NASCAR debut on Saturday, one Associated Press writer actually wrote that this person is "possibly the most successful female race car driver ever.:
I kid you not.
I've taken that statement and the AP's horrible bias and propaganda to task as you'll see with my e-mail sent to the AP.
Dear Associated Press,
Your auto racing writer, Chris Jenkins, has written that Danica Patrick (a/k/a Mirs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division) is "possibily the most successful female race driver ever."
HUH????????????????????????????
Please pass along to writer Chris Jenkins the following link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Muldowney
All Shirley Muldowney did, among other things, was...
Become the first woman to win a major racing championship.
Earn the title of First Lady of Drag Racing.
Win EIGHTEEN National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) national events.
Win NHRA top Fuel championships in 1977, 1980 and 1982.
Be inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Be ranked #5 on the list of the NHRA Top 50 drivers for 1951-2000.
Be ranked in 2008 by ESPN 21st on their top drivers of all time list.
The person Chris Jenkins calls "possibily the most successful female race driver ever" has a 1-80 record; has never won an auto race held in the continental USA; has never won a 500-mile race anywhere; hasn't won a race in 20 months; defeated TWO people win IRL 2005 Rookie of the Year "honors"; and has more speeding tickets (two) than racing wins (one).
Oh, and just had one of her sleazy GoDaddy.com sports REJECTED by CBS TV Sports for the Super Bowl.
Your organization's stories about Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've, Auto Racing Division are filled with atrocious bias, ridiculous propaganda and a near-complete lack of objective reporting.
Thank you for allowing me to exercise my First Amendment rights.
Regards,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
An Ex-sports Editor Not Afraid To Speak His Mind
***
TECHNICAL FOUL--ON OUR BSNM AND THE USC MANAGER
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2010 -- This is one story you won't read in USA Today...or courtesy of the Associated Press. They're the foremost members of our BSNM (Biased Sports New Media) when it comes to a certain woman auto racer.
Once again, I don't have to mention her name. She gets tons of unwarranted publicity in spite of her 1-80 record and failure to win an auto race in 20 months. I maintain she'd be a nothing if it wasn't for her GoDaddy.com and Peak commercials. And there's one GoDaddy.com commercial that WILL NOT be aired on CBS-TV during Sunday's Super Bowl.
Details are sketchy, but apparently Mrs. Sports News Media Darling's narration of a GoDaddy.com spot we won't be seeing is because somebody in a high ranking at CBS-TV apparently deemed the commercial to be not in good taste. Maybe we'll see Mrs. Overrated in a GokDaddy.com spot and maybe not. I hope not. It's ridiculous for GoDaddy.com to air those sleezy commercials involving a married woman. I will never patronize GoDaddy.com as long as I live.
This story has sketchy details because the AP and USA Today aren't exactly bending over backwards to publicize this obvious setback suffered by Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've, Auto Racing Division. After all, she's also Miss Sports Media Darling...and in the minds of the BSNM she can do no wrong. Her two speeding tickets were almost shoved under the rug when THAT news story broke.
So, a technical foul is called by me on the BSNM. Meanwhile, a technical foul on Stan Holt, the three-year student manager for the USC men's basketball team, came with Oregon leading Southern Cal, 49-47. over the weekend. It helped give Oregon momentum and an eventual 67-57 win.
Kevin O'Neill, USC's head coach, said after the loss that Holt was fired as manager, but then later may have changed his mind. Barring a change of heart by O'Neill, Holt's toast and finished as USC student manager.
This is just the latest chapter of a controversy filled USC basketball season. Because of past misdeeds such as O.J. Mayo accepting money illegally to play at USC, the school handed down self-imposed sanctions that include the Trojans not participating in any post-season activity. No Pac-10 tournament, for instance.
***
#1 IS KANSAS...AND CHANGE THOSE PRO BOWL PROMOS!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2010 -- If you missed the 81-79 overtime victory Kansas orchestrated over Kansas State today, that's a shame. You missed college basketball at its best.
Right now, I rate Kansas as the team to beat to win the whole Big Dance. Kentucky, with potentially three one-and-done NBA first round draft choices, is next, followed by Big East powers Villanova and Syracuse.
This is going to be one super exciting March Madness NCAA mens basketball tournament...and we may have some unlikely teams in the 65-team lineup. Like Harvard and William and Mary. Stay tuned...
Meanwhile, the NFL's Pro Bowl promos mentioning the 86 players participating...well, they need to change the number to 85. Tackle Bryant McKinnie of the Vikings was kicked off the NFC team for having unexcused absenses from Friday AND Satorday practices!
***
A PETTY FINE...AND WHO CARES ABOUT THE PRO BOWL?
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2010 -- South Carolina's fans were delirious when they stormed the court after the Gamecocks handed Kentucky its first loss a few nights ago, 68-62.
So what's wrong with that as long as nobody gets hurt and nothing's damaged?
Beats me.
Ah, but the SEC (Southeastern Conference) has a rule against fans storming basketball courts and thus fined South Carolina $25,000.
How silly and petty can you get?
Meanwhile, imagine a Pro Bowl game wihout Peyton Manning and you have Sunday's Pro Bowl. The NFL heavies decided to experiment by having the Pro Bowl the week before the Super Bowl. Thus, no Saint or Colt players in the Pro Bowl. They're prepping for the Super Bowl, after all!
The NFL's Pro Bowl has for years been a meaningless anti-climactic game that has so little fan interest that it should be dropped.
***
SPORTS NEWS BIAS--IT'S BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010 -- You just knew the BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) silence couldn't and wouldn't last forever.
Once again, our BSNM is falling all over itself to publicize an overrated sports personality who has a 1-80 pro auto racing record.
I don't even have to mention her name. You know it. And it's largely because of the never-ending BSNM stories about her. In the latest, it was announced that she's competing in about a dozen NASCAR races...but the Daytona 500 isn't one of them. Why? Because she KNOWS she CANT WIN it. At least that's my opinion.
Ahk, but our BSNM won't say THAT! Instead, one article led off by saying that there's "a dozen lucky tracks" awaiting someone's appearance. Opinion: Baloney. Just look at the message postings with that article in Yahoo.
Thus, I'm not alone. Here's what I tried to posted as a message...
A "lucky dozen tracks"??????
Too bad our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) writers who're falling all over themselves to write something about Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division, aren't reading the message board postings and comments. There's a dramatic increase of people who're disgusted and tired of reading about this overrated egomaniac who'd be a nothing if it wasn't for those GoDaddy.com and Peak commercials.
And, as usual, our BSNM conveniently forgets the key facts, such as...
She's finished 19th in her two performances, including a 19th place finish and third place finish among women in the IRL finale; her record is 1-80; she hasn't won a race in 20 months; she's never won a race held in the continental USA; she's never won a 500-mile race anywhere; and she has more speeding tickets (two) than racing wins (one).
I really pity NASCAR's fans and other racers...because all they're going to read and hear-about is Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've, Auto Racing Division. Never have I read about a sports personality who's received so much media overhype for accomplishing next to nothing."
***
NBA COMISH MAKES A STERN EDICT (AS WE REMEMBER JOHNNY ACE)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2010 -- NBA Commissioner David Stern got it right. He suspended Washington Wizard guards Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton for the rest of the season for their having guns in their team's lockerroom.
Stern's ruling made it clear: The NBA simply will not tolerate a player having a gun in a team lockerroom. Period. End of discussion...except for one thing.
Arenas and Crittenton need to know the story of Johnny Ace. On Christmas Eve 1954 backstage in a Houston auditorium, Ace was twirling a gun while other performers weren't amused. One of them told Ace to be more careful. At that point, Ace foolishly pointed the gun to his head, boasted that it wasn't loaded and pulled the trigger.
Johnny Ace was 25. He would go on to have a posthumous top 40 hit with "Pledging My Love" in 1955. A tragic death caused by carelessness...and a story Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton need to know.
***
***
COLTS-SAINTS SUPER BOWL--NOT WHAT CBS WANTED
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 -- They're delirious in New Orleans.
They're unhappy at CBS.
While New Orleans Saints' fans are delirious over their favorite team's 31-28 overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC title, bet the house that they're unhappy at CBS, the network televising Super Bowl 44 in two weeks on February 7.
Why, you ask?
Because CBS undoubtedly wanted a Colts-Vikings Super Bowl matchup. Peyton Manning vs. Brett Favre. Instead, CBs will have to settle for a Peyton Manning-Drew Brees quarterback duel.
The Saints got three huge breaks in overtime. They won the coin toss,
got the benefit of a pass interference call (where it appeared the ball might've been ruled uncatchable) and they got a big break when a third down catch call went their way, too.
But make no mistake about it...the Vikings blew it. Five turnovers. A key 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty that took them out of field goal range. And then a Favre interception. Ironically, Favre also threw an interception on his last pass of another key NFC title game.
Still, I dislike the NFL method of sudden death overtime. Favre and Adrian Peterson for the Vikings never got to even touch the ball in the overtime. With the college overtime method, they would have. That's why I favor the college/high school OT method and believe it should apply to the pros, too.
In the college/high school football OT method, EACH team gets an equal shot at scoring. And, thus, a more equal chance at winning.
Who'll win Super Bowl 44? The Colts by 10-plus. The Saints haven't impressed me defensively other than their opportunistic turnover producing ways. They'll need more than that vs. the Colts. Manning's managed to pick apart every defense he's faced this season. It'll be more of the same in Super Bowl 44.
Prediction: Colts 30, Saints 20.
***
BOBBY BRAGAN--HIS WIT, WISDOM AND HUMOR WILL BE MISSED
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2010 -- I lost an old sports friend Thursday, when former Big League manager Bobby Bragan died in his Fort worth home at the age of 92.
Bragan once managed Hank Aaron of the Braves and in 1958, my Cleeeeeeveland Indians. And he managed five years ago at the age of 87.
That's right, 87. In fact, Bragan was managing the Fort Worth Cats of baseball's Central League when he was ejected. It seemed that a Cat batter got tossed after striking out looking and then saying the wrong thing to the umpire.
Bragan asked the umpire what was said. The plate umpire said the batter told him that he wasn't calling a good game. At that point, Bragan told the umpire that he agreed with his batter...and the ump tossed him, too!
Thus, Bobby Bragan holds the record for the oldest coach/manager to be ejected from a game at age 87.
I got to know Bobby via a feature I'd written about him as the Texas League President while sports writing for the Fort Worth Press. Bobby did a short sports talk show for a local Fort Worth station...and he'd interview me from time to time regarding key local high school games.
Bobby also took part in the Fort Worth Press pick-it line. In 1972, Bobby and I were tied for the lead going into the last regular season weekend. Bobby was at a baseball meeting in Hawaii...but he took the time to call the Press to ask that all his picks be the same as mine except for one. He asked that his prediction of the TCU-SMU winner be whatever team I didn't pick. I'd gone with SMU as it would be an emotional game because the school had just fired its football coach, Hayden Fry. SMU won something like 35-22...and I was the Press Pick-it Line winner.
True to his class, Bobby Bragan congratulated me on my pick-it line victory in one of his radio shows. What a guy. He'll be missed.
I'll especially remember the way he ended those short sports talk shows. At the time, the big sports writer in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex was Blackie Sherrod, then of the Dallas Times-Herald.
"This is Bobby Bragan, Blackie, for (show sponsor, usually a Chevrolet outlet)..."
***
A STINKY HONOR--FOR LANE KIFFIN
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2010 -- They're still mad at the University of Tennessee. At Lane Kiffin for bolting the school's football program to coach at USC (Southern California).
How mad? Well...
The Knoxville City Council Public Properties and Facilities Naming Committee has filed paperwork to rename a local waste water treatment to...
The Lane Kiffin Sewage Center.
***
COLTS, JETS IN "REMATCH"
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2010 -- It's been 41 years since Joe Namath guaranteed his New York Jets would overcome being 18-point underdogs and beat the then-Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. All Namath did was live up to his prediction with a stunning 16-7 win, the first victory ever for the upstart then-AFL (American football League) over the established NFL.
Next Sunday, the two franchises meet for the right to advance to Super Bowl 44. Peyton Manning (Colts) vs. rookie Mark Sanchez (Jets). Over in the NFC, it's Brett Favre (Vikings) vs. Drew Brees (Saints).
I don't know what disappointed me the most with this second weekend of NFL playoff action. The Arizona Cardinals displayed their crying need for defense after allowing 90 points in two games. The Ravens and Cowboys were equally disappointing after each were held to a field goal.
Oh, and how about the San Diego Bolts? A #2 seed, an 11-game winning streak and the #1 kicker in the Pro Football Weekly 2010 fantasy draft ratings. Inexplicably, kicker Nate Kaeding missed three field goals and the Chargers were ousted by the fifth seeded Jets, 17-14. Go figure.
Certainly the saddest NFL news this weekend was the death of Bear DE Gaines Adams. Tragic. He was only 26. During his interviews at the NFL Scouting combine in early 2007, Gaines openly admitted he'd taken marijuana. That said, drugs may not have had anything to do with Adams' passing. One report said Adams had an enlarged heart. Why this wasn't detected in Adams' physicals...well, we'll never know.
***
PETE CARROLL AND LANE KIFFIN--FROM THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2010 -- Now that Peter Carroll is the Seattle Seahawks coach in the NFL...and Lane Kiffin has replaced Carroll at Southern California, both will be hard-pressed to succeed.
Carroll will discover that success in the NFL depends on how the Seahawks succeed with the NFL draft and with signing key free agents. While at USC, Carroll would have among the top recruiting classes in the USA...but with the Seahawks, he won't be able to command the kind of talent he was able to land while at USC. Big difference.
Kiffin, though, will be hard-pressed to come close to matching Carroll's success at USC that includes two national championships. Kiffin's already been a proven failure in the NFL, where the Oakland Raiders fired him. At Tennessee, he managed to rub a lot of people the wrong way by hiring assistants from other SEC Conference schools. Plus, he falsely accused another coach (Urban Meyer of Florida) of illegally recruiting when, in fact, Meyer did nothing wrong.
By bolting Tennessee, Kiffin's left a mess in Knoxville. I've heard four key Tennessee recruits have decommited, meaning they're not going to Tennessee.
Above all, Kiffin's going to discover that the pressure to win at la-la land is nowhere close to the pressure he'd been under to win at Knoxville. USC fans are like the UCLA mens' basketball fans.
Spoiled rotten!
USC fans will expect Kiffin to succeed immediately. But will he? Stay tuned.
***
PETE CARROLL--THE NEW SEAHAWK COACH?
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010-- Why would the highest paid Division I college football coach leave the security of such a job...for the uncertainty and insecurity of coaching in the NFL?
I guess for the same reason somebody decides to climb Mount Everest.
Because it's THERE!
Pete Carroll made a reported $4,386,652 this past season as the football coach at the University of Southern California...but he could make $7 million a year ot coach the Seattle Seahawks.
I simply NEVER thought the 56-year-old Carroll would leave USC. At least not for a long time. He's got a 97-19 record for the the Trojans that includes one outright national championship and a tie for another. He seemed set for life.
Now comes the big question: Is he leaving USC to escape possible NCAA sanctions coming down? Three Trojan players missed the 24-13 Emerald Bowl win over Boston College due to academics recently...and so did RB Joe McKnight, who was reportedly being investigated for driving a car he doesn't own. McKnight decided to forgo his senior year to enter the NFL draft on Friday.
USC's athletic department hit its basketball program with self-imposed sanctions less than a week ago. Those sanctions included no postseason action and two less scholarships. With that move, the thinking was that USC was trying to save its football program from NCAA sancations at the expense of its basketball program.
It's already been well documented that Reggie Bush broke rules to the point where he should've been ineligible. Critics insist that USC should forfeit its national title of 2004, all its wins for that season and that Bush should forfeit his Heisman Trophy.
Among other things. Stay tuned.
Maybe the rumors about USC's football program getting hit hard by the NCAA have nothing to do with Carroll's being wooed by the Seahawks. Again, stay tuned.
***
MANGINI STAYS...SO NEXT ON THE AGENDA, KEEP CRIBBS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010 -- Eric Mangini remains the Cleeeeveland Browns head coach. That's a good first key move for new Browns Prexy Mike Holmgren.
His next key move may be tougher...and that's getting Joshua Cribbs happy with a new and better contract. Cribbs was the team MVP, a catalyst for the Browns' specialty teams and offense. So the best guy on the team should be paid accordingly. It doesn't matter that he's under contract with the Browns until 2012. He's unhappy. Make him happy! Pay him!
Meanwhile, I cringed when I saw that QB Colt McCoy of Texas was sidelined by a shoulder injury in the BCS title game vs. Alabama. McCoy's absense completely changed the game around. Suddenly, Texas was without its sparkplug in terms of running ANd passing. Granted, Garrett Gilbert was brilliant in replacing McCoy at QB. But a freshman QB will make freshman QB mistakes, which is what happened to Gilbert. Still, Texas got a head start in finding its new QB for 2010.
Kudos to McCoy for taking the time to talk openly after the Alabama 37-21 victory. He was a first class sportsman, particularly for his twice congratulating Alabama for the victory.
Imagine, Nick Saban becoming the first collegiate football coach to win two BCS title games for two different schools (Alabama and LSU).
***
EVEN MORE RETRIBUTION, REDEMPTION FOR THE BIG TEN
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010-- Miscellaneous thoughts, mostly from the world of sports...
We can't joke about the Big Ten's showing in the Bowl picture. I confess i was just as guilty as anyone a year ago, when I dubbed the league the Little Eleven. No more. Iowa's 24-14 win over Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl means the Big Ten's bowl Record is a winning one at 4-3. Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin joined Iowa as Big Ten bowl winners. Michigan State, Minnesota and Northwestern came up short in their bowl games but in each case the team was competitive....
Friday will mark what would've been Elvis Presley's 75th birthday. Ronnie Allen, my long-time radio and oldies friend, passed along to me a dandy Elvis music test. Twenty seconds of 20 Elvis hits on an mp3. I'll send it to you if you want to take the test. Just e-mail me at urkeejai@earthlink.net...
Shame on the University of Southern California. USC's self-imposed sancations against its mens basketball program, including no postseason play and two less scholarships, was nothing more than a ploy. How? By coming down hard on its basketball program, USC is hoping to detract attention from a football program in trouble...at the expense of its basketball program.
USC's football program had three players miss the 24-13 Emerald Bowl win over Boston College due to academic issues. Another sat out the game for being caught driving a car that may not belong to him. Plus, there's still the Reggie Bush years. It's been proven that Bush was breaking rules that should've deemed him ineligible. USC should forfeit all its 2004 wins and national title trop;hy. And Bush should forfeit his Heisman Trophy....
Now that Mike Shanahan's been all but hired by the Washington Redskins, it means only the Buffalo Bills need a new head coach. But is that it? Will my Cleeeeveland Browns fire Eric Mangini? Or Keep him? That's the first big decision for new Brown Prexy Mike Holmgren. Stay tuned.
***
RETRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION FOR THE BIG TEN
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2010 -- After three straight losses in major BCS football bowl games, the Ohio State football team can stand tall today. Ditto Penn State, Wisconsin and the rest of the Big Ten for that matter.
Ohio State's 26-17 win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl was a bold statement for the Buckeye program. The best of the Big Ten defeated the best of the Pac-10...and the Buckeyes beat a team that rang up 47 points on Southern Cal.
Those two national title losses to Florida and LSU, then a tough close loss to Texas a year ago were tough to swallow for Ohio State...but nobody's poking fun at the Big Ten today.
Penn State's 19-17 over LSU in the Capitol One Bowl and Wisconsin's 20-14 victory over Miami (Florida) in the Champs Sports Bowl gives the Big Ten three solid bowl wins. And Iowa can make it four with a Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech Tuesday night. I'm afraid Texas Tech will embarrass Michigan State and its suspension-riddled team in the Alamo Bowl tonight. Stay tuned.
So far, the Big Ten is 3-2 in bowls. The only losses were by Minnesota by one to Iowa State in the Insight Bowl, 14-13, and by Northwestern by a field goal to Auburn 38-35, in overtime in the Outback Bowl.
***
THINGS I'D LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN 2010 (BUT PROBABLY WON'T)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2010 -- A new year and a new decade...and here's what I'd like to see happen (but probably won't)...
A new satellite channel to carry past "American Top 40" shows. The current one doesn't play any 80's AT40 shows....and the 70's shows are butchered to the point where many of Casey's teases are edited out along with the extras played.
There's only ONE way to hear a past AT40 show...THE WAY IT ORIGINALLY AIRED FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!!
This whole thing reminds me of how AT40 co-founder Don Bustany responded to my noting how Shadoe Stevens had is natural pauses edited:
"Well, that's the idiocy of one person."
My take on any one nutty enough to edit out AT40 shows, including Casey's teases, station mentions, station welcomes and song extras?
Well, that's the idiocy of one person. And right now, there's a brainless idiot in charge of a certain satellite radio network's 70's channel who's destroying past Casey shows from the 70's.
Some other things I'd like to see....
A salary cap in major league baseball so teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals have a shot at the playoffs...A collective bargaining agreement between NFL players and management...A 16-team tournament in major college football...and...
Above all...
The end of the horrible bias displayed by our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) for two sports personalities whose combined record at last check was 2-162.
****
SO, WHO'S THE NEXT TEXAS TECH COACH? I HAVE ONE IDEA...
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2009 -- When I learned that Urban Meyer was resigning at as the University of Florida football coach ovet the weekend, one name came to mind as his successor. And I was still thinking of that name when we found out that Meyer WILL remain as Gator head coach...
And that SAME name came to mind today when Texas Tech fired Mike Leach as its football coach.
The name...is Chris Petersen. He's had four highly successful seasons as the Boise State coach. His record there is 48-4 and I think he's ready to move up the coaching ladder. Another name to keep in mind is Ken Niumatalolo, the Navy coach. Stay tuned.
***
SPORTS NEWS MEDIA BIAS--ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE (AND SHE'S NOW 1-82)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2009 -- In Kyung Kim actually factually WON the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters golf tournament. I say that because if you read most of the headlines and stories, you won't read that. Instead, you'll read how the runnerup lost this tournament despite a last-round surge...and NOT how Kim led after the second round and KEPT that lead.
Example: One sports web site's teaser headline said "Wie's final round push falls a little short in Dubai."
Pure total sports news bias. Well, here's how I responded to one of those biased sports stories...
Just another day at the office for our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media). For instance, NO mention that this is a Ladies European Tour. NO mention that only ONE of the top THIRTEEN LPGA money leaders was there. In other words, Weak competition for Michelle Weak. And she STILL couldn't win!!!
And, of COURSE, headlines galore about Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division, even when she was six strokes behind.
And what does the final tournament story lead off with? Answer: How Miss Almost-Should've-Could've -Would've, Golf Division, finished second. And THEN the biased writer writes how Kim actually WON this tournament.
Needless to say, there'll be more of the same biased stories about Miss One-Hit Wonder in the off-season. Those facts include her 1-82 record, her failure to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open; her failure to finish in the top 10 of the other three LPGA majors (including a 67th place finish); the missed cut at the Canadian Women's Open; and her not making the Samsung World Championship. Finally, she IS NOT the LPGA 2009 Rookie of The Year.
***
A WIN--FOR THE CLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVELAND BROWNS!!!!
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009 -- It was THEIR Super Bowl game and win.
Yes, YES YES, the Cleeeeeveland Browns won a game...and the 13-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers was no fluke. The Browns played with heart, they played with passion and they outplayed the Steelers in virtually all phases.
I was SO tempted to pick the Browns to win in my office pick-it line, but you've gotta understand something. I mean, the Steelers had won 12 straight times and 18 of 19.
No question about it...the Browns are on their way back...and with Kansas City next on the schedule, a two-game winning streak isn't out of the question.
.
***
PREDICTION: MARK INGRAM TO WIN THE 2009 HEISMAN TROPHY
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2009 -- Alabama has never had a Heisman Trophy winner. That will change Saturday, though, when Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram will walk off with the prestigious award in New York City.
My selection of Ingram is a hunch based on his 113-yard three-TD effort Saturday in Alabama's shocking 32-13 win over Florida in the SEC title game. Before Saturday, my choice would've been Texas QB Colt McCoy, but he was disappointing in the Longhorns' 13-12 Big 12 title game win over Nebraska.
And just think...the national title game (Alabama vs. Texas) could match the top 2 Heisman Trophy players in the balloting. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, I'm disappointed we have a Boise State-TCU matchup in the Fiesta Bowl. What can these two undefeated teams from non-BCS leagues prove by playing each other? Surely a better matchup would've been one of them playing Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Penn State or LSU.
One sports writer called the worst bowl matchup the Little Caesars Pizza matchup between my alma mater, Ohio (9-4 and a/k/a Ohio University) and Marshall, who used to play annually as Mid-American Conference foes.
The worst bowl scenario, though, belongs to UCLA, which has to wait and hope Army loses...for the right to play Temple. Oh, well, at least the MAC has five bowl teams. Northern Illinois, Bowling Green and Central Michigan are also bowling.
Another bowl stinker: The Insight Bowl between Iowa State and Minneosta. Two 6-6 teams.
SPORTS MEDIA BIAS VS. THE TRUTH
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2009 -- Here we go again with our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media). Mrs. Hospenthal finally signs a NASCAR deal and you'd think she walked across the Atlantic Ocean, found a cure for AIDS and captured Osama Bin Ladin at the same time what with the way the news media has handled what in my opinion is a non-story.
Our nation's newspaper went so far as to call the agreement one between "the most popular drivers in NASCAR and the IndyCar Series." There's a slight catch there. Dale Earnhardt Jr. posted an 0-36 record in 2009 auto races while Mrs. Hospenthal was 0-17.
THEY ARE A COMBINED 0-53 FOR 2009!!!!
So, I wrote our nation's newspaper the following e-mail...
USA Today,
Would somebody at your publication please explain to me how you can call two professonal auto racers "the most popular drivers in NASCAR and the IndyCar Series" when, in fact, they were a combined 0-53 in auto races this year? Aren't the "most popular" sports personalites the ones who actually WIN in something?
Just curious.
Warmest Regards,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
(P.S. the newspaper in question did not respond to the above e-mail)
***
ALABAMA VS. TEXAS FOR NATIONAL TITLE (AND MEMORIES OF THEIR GAME 45 YEARS AGO)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009 -- Gee, and we all thought it would be Florida and Texas playing for the national collegiate football title.
Hardly.
Florida won't play for the national title after falling to Alabama, 32-13, in the SEC title game to Alabama. And Texas barely made it with a 13-12 Big 12 title game win over Nebraska on a last-second field goal.
Oh, and trust me...you'll see over and over again the key goal line stand when Texas beat Alabama, 21-17, in the 1965 Orange Bowl game. To this day, Joe Namath swears he made a touchdown on his quarterback sneak for Alabama. Texas, meanwhile, swears not even an Alabama lineman crossed the goal line.
Cincinnati likely gets screwed in its bid for playing for the national title even though the Bearcats overcame horrible weather and won at Pittsburgh, 45-44. That's the way it is with the curretn BCS setup...which I believe needs to be changed. A 16-team tournament is the answer.
Meanwhile, the Ohio high school football scene had six title games Friday and Saturday. The first four were stinkers. THREE 30-point blowouts and another by 28...then two classics.
Norwalk St. Paul beat Delphos St. John's, 24-21, thanks to a spine-tingling 12-play 98-yard drive capped by a QB sneak with five seconds left in the Division VI title game.
Then in Ohio's big school Division I title game, Hilliard Davidson edged Cleveland Glenville, 16-15, and won its second state big school title just the way it won its first three years over my high school (Mentor). Hilliard Davidson successfully converted a two-point conversion to beat Glenville, which was denied a shot at being the first Cleveland public school to win an Ohio big school state title.
Hilliard Davidson's win was nearly a duplicate of three years ago, when the Columbus area school succeeded on a two-point conversion to beat my high school, Mentor, 36-35, in two overtimes.
Hey, give Hilliard Davidson credit. It's won two state titles by executing when it mattered the most!
***
TIGER WOODS--HE WILL SURVIVE
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2009 -- Tiger Woods did the right thing.
He came clean.
The past week has been hell for him, but I believe he'll survive. A former President did. Bill Clinton. So did Kobe Bryant, Rick Pitino and David Letterman. They all survived and Tiger will, too.
Meanwhile in college football, Cincinnati will probably get the proverbial BCS shaft if it beats Pittsburgh and if Texas beats Nebraska. A Texas-Florida national championship game is in the works...and that's a shame for Cincinnati. All the more reason to have a 16-team tournament as proposed by Sports Illustrated.
***
UCLA-USC RIVALRY HIGHLIGHTS LA-LA LAND WEEKEND
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2009 -- Potpouri from the weekend sporting scene...
In la-la land, a/k/a Los Angeles, the big story was the final minute of the USC 28-7 win over UCLA. It should've been 21-7, but when Southern Cal tried to run out the clock with QB Matt Barkley taking a knee, UCLA coach Riock Neuheisel elected to take a time out.
Bad call. USC retaliated with a cheap TD pass and the two teams nearly came to blows. One sportscaster called Neuheisel "an idiot" for making the call. Oh, and in the summer of 2008, Neuheisel was in a Los Angeles Times' ad that had a headline saying something like, "The USC monopoly of football in Los Angeles is over."
Not yet, Rick. You're 0-2 vs. USC...
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods needs to come clean on his early Friday morning traffic accident. There's more to this than just an "It's my fault" statement by Tiger. What happened? Why isn't he talking to the local authorities?
Here's one theory...Woods' accident was caused either by him falling asleep at the wheel and/or using a cell phone to distract his driving. Maybe both.
Meanwhile, the coaching firing line was long. Lawrence Frank was fired by the New Jersey Nets after their 0-16 start. The Nets celebrated with a loss at Los Angeles to fall to 0-17.
In college football, Steve Kragthorpe (Louisville), J.D. Brookhart (Akron) and Al Groh (Virginia) were all fired as coaches while Mark Snyder resigned at Marshall. Larry Porter was named new Memphis coach, replacing Tommy West, whose November 9 firing went largely unnoticed.
Meanwhile, three Cleveland area teams will be playing for state championships next weekend: Glenville (Division I), Maple Heights (Division II) and Chagrin Falls (Division IV). Chagrin plays Kettering Alter in a battle of 14-0 teams.
***
UCLA'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM--HOW LOW CAN IT GO?
THURSDAY, November 26, 2009 -- UCLA has won the most men's basketball national championships with 11. You can bet the house that the Bruins won't win #12 this season.
To put it mildly, UCLA is paying the price for having six players picked in the first round of the NBA draft in the past three years. The cupboard is pretty bare with the 2009-10 Bruins reduced to mostly inexperienced freshmen and sophomores. Their best player, forward Nikola Dragovic, has returned from a two-game suspension after an arrested for an alleged assault.
How bad is it? Well, the Bruins opened the season 17-point favorites at home to Cal State Fullerton. And lost in two overtimes. Wins over Cal State Bakersfield and Pepperine followed, but these are tune-up games against inferior competition.
A week ago, UCLA was ranked #8 in the Jeff Sagarin ratings, but that was mostly due to past reputation. This week, UCLA tumbled to #95 and will no doubt fall even more after what happened Thursday night/Friday morning at the 76 Classic in Anaheim.
While some of you were sleeping, UCLA was drubbed by Portland of the West Coast Conference, 74-47. The game ended at about 1:15 a.m. Eastern time. It wasn't as close as the final score indicated.
Portland, which will battle Gonzaga for West Coast title honors, shot 11-for-19 from three-point range. To see a men's basketball program like UCLA lose to badly and fall so quickly is stunning. It was no doubt Ben Howland's worst loss at UCLA coach...and look for more of the same to happen.
Speaking of inept, one major FBS college football coaching change happened so fat that almost no one noticed. David Elson was fired as Western Kentucky coach at about two weeks ago. The Hilltoppers have already announced his replacement in Stanford assistant Willie Taggart.
Western Kentucky, a member of the Sun Belt Conference which moved up to FBS status two years ago. is 0-10 and headed for an 0-12 finish. The Hilltoppers rank alongside Washington State, Miami of Ohio, Rice and New Mexico State as the weakest FBS teams around.
Stay tuned.
***
COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHING CHANGES DUE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 -- We have at least two major college football teams who'll have new coaches for next season. Dick tomey is retiring at San Jose State while Mike Sanford was fired at UNLV.
Look for more changes and soon.
I believe Charlie Weiss will be bought out by Notre Dame. Today's 33-30 home overtime loss to U-Conn drops the Irish to a disappointing 6-5. Weiss' record at Notre Dame is 35-26. That's nearly the same record as the two pedecessors of Weiss' (Ty Willingham and bob Davie). Notre Dame's problems are twofold--the school's fans demand the team be as good as Florida, Texas and Alabama...but it has to be done with rigid academic standards like that of Stanford and Duke.
Don't be surprised if Louisville (4-7) fires Steve Kragthorpe, whose record at the school is 15-21.
Then there's Rich Rodriguez. Will he get another season at Michigan? His two-year record with the Wolverines is 8-16 though he did improve matters from 3-9 to 5-7...but is that enough. No bowl game and back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in 46 years may be a too much for Michigan fans and alumni to tolerate. And today's 21-10 home loss to Ohio States means the Buckeyes have won six in a row over the Wolverines. Stay tuned.
***
SHE'S WITHDRAWN...AND THAT SADDENS ME
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 -- For once, I'm feeling sorry for Michelle Wie. She's withdrawn from the LPGA tour championship today due to a sprained ankle. I've had at least three sprained ankles and they're quite painful.
***
SPORTS MEDIA BIAS UPDATE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009 -- Lorena Ochoa is ranked as the #1 woman golfer in the world. She leads the LPGA Rolex/Computer ratings and is #4 on the LPGA money list. She has won 27 LPGA tournaments in her stellar career.
Jiyai Shin, meanwhile, is the LPGA's leading money leader and is #2 on the Rolex list. As a pro golfer, she's won 29 tournaments, including six in the LPGA. She's already been named 2009 LPGA Rookie of the Year. She has a shot at getting Player of the Year honors, too.
Ochoa and Shin have EACH won three LPGA tournaments this year.
But have EITHER of these outstanding golfers EVER had the news media exposure that they DESERVE?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
And CERTAINLY NOT the overhype according Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division, in our nation's newspaper today. Imagine, for winning her first LPGA tournament, Michelle Wie had her photograph in that publication in THREE places: On the front page with a teaser headline, on the first overall sports page with another teaser headline...and on page C-11 with a story and headline.
You'd think she walked across the Pacific Ocean, found a cure for AIDS and captured Osoma Bin Ladin. All in the same day. The Pope and the President are accorded THAT kind of media exposure.
And, as previously mentioned, NONE of the BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) stories about Miss Over Publicized's win did they mention that it took her EIGHTY TWO golf tournaments as a pro to finally win one. NO mention of her NOT winning the Rookie Of The Year Award. NO mention of her failure to make the top 10 in the four LPGA majors. When she competed in the men's tournaments, it was always those where about 25 of the top 30 men's PGA money leaders weren't there. NEVER has Miss Sports Media Darling gone up against Tiger Woods, yet she's bragged about how she can beat him.
Bottom line: An absolutely disgraceful display of blatant bias by the Associated Press and our nation's newspaper for the 20-year-old golfer who's won just one tournament. And lost in 81 others.
***
SPORTS MEDIA BIAS AT ITS WORST
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009 -- Our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) got its way today. Michelle Wie, a/k/a Miss Sports Media Darling, finally won a tournament, the Ochoa Invitational.
But you'll only read here what our BSNM refused to say about Wie's victory. For instance...
It took her EIGHTY ONE pro golf tournaments for her to win one.
81.
She will not win the LPGA rookie of the year award.
She didn't even qualify for the LPGA Women's Open.
She didn't make the top 10 in any LPGA majors.
She's now a one-hit wonder with her 1-81 record. That record's almost identical to that of another horribly overpublicized sports personality, Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division. Mrs. Hospenthal is 1-80.
That means the world of sports' two most overpublicized people are a combined 2-161.
***
BUCKEYES IN THE ROSE BOWL (AND TROJANS AREN'T)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2009 -- When you consider that Ohio State had already suffered two frustrating football losses to Southern Cal and Purdue, the Buckeyes have to be commended for beating Iowa, 27-24, in overtime to clinch a Rose Bowl berth.
Who'll the Buckeyes play? Probably not Southern Cal. The Trojans allowed the most points ever in a home game at the Coliseum in today's 55-21 loss to Stanford. That's three Pac-10 losses for the Trojans, who won't long forget today's Stanford loss. Why? Because when Stanford scored a touchdown to make it 48-21, the Cardinal WENT FOR TWO POINTS!!!
Stanford came only about a foot short of making it 50-21...but 48-21 was how it stayed until a late TD made the final 55-21.
This reminds me of Ohio State's 50-14 win over Michigan in 1968. Afterwards, Woody Hayes was asked why he went for two points. "Because I couldn't go for three," replied the then-Buckeye coach. That move was never forgotten by Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, who masterminded a 24-12 win a year later.
Fast forward to 2009. I hope Ohio State isn't flat in its regular season finale at arch-rival Michigan. Wearing throwback uniforms for that game is a mistake in my opinion. Why do anything to get Michigan fired up? Besides, Michigan needs a victory to become bowl eligible. Stay tuned....
***
NAVY BEATS NOTRE DAME AGAIN! (SORRY, CHARLIE)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2009 -- From 1964 to 2006, Notre Dame beat Navy in football EVERY year. Over 40 straight years. But with Navy's 23-21 win this past weekend, the Midshipmen have beaten the Irish two of the last three years. Navy also beat Notre Dame two years ago in three overtimes, 46-44.
It's enough to make you wonder how much longer Charlie Weiss can last as Irish coach.
Meanwhile, Oregon won't make the BCS title game with two losses...and may be hard-pressed to make the Rose Bowl. After stunning Southern Cal, 47-20, Oregon laid an egg last weekend with a 51-42 loss at Stanford. Amazingly, Oregon's football program has actually reinstated LaGarrette Blount. Yes, he's the one who made a fool of himself by sucker-punching a Boise State player about two months ago.
On the Ohio high school football front, there were SEVEN first-seeded teams to lose in the first round of the state football playoffs. However, the biggest upset was Cincinnati Moeller, a second seed, losing to Middletown, 45-10. The Moeller coach wasn't available for comment afterwards...and his players wouldn't shake hands with the Middletown players. In his defense, the Moeller coach explained to the Middletown coaches that he meant no disrespect to the Middle players by deciding not to have the traditional handshakes.
***
#2 COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM--AND NO CHANCE TO MAKE THE TITLE GAME
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009 -- The weekly college football ratings of Jeff Sagarin have Florida at #1. No surprise there. The surprise is the team at #2.
It's not Alabama.
Or Texas.
Or Iowa.
Instead, it's one-loss Oregon on the strength of its 47-20 blasting of USC (Southern Cal). Sadly, the Ducks have little or no chance of making the BCS title game because of its season-opening loss to Boise State. That's a shame. Oregon might very well beat Boise State in a rematch, but that's something we'll never know.
Instead, Oregon has to hope that Boise State and a whole lot of other teams lose. That could happen...but we could also conceivably have six unbeaten teams. Florida or Alabama will eventually lose as they're headed for the SEC title game. In fact, I believe the BSC title game will be Florida vs. Texas.
Where does that leave Boise State, TCU, Cincinnati and Iowa?
Probably not in the BCS title game. Florida and Texas are the teams to be reckoned with. If they both win their respective league title games, then they're expected (at least by me) to make the national title game.
Oh, and there's one team Ohio State doesn't want to face in a bowl game. Cincinnati. A loss to Cincinnati in a bowl game would be an embarrassment for the Buckeyes. And, should Ohio State meet Oregon in the Rose Bowl, I look for Oregon to win based on its better team speed.
Stay tuned.
***
YANKEES---2009 WORLD SERIOUS CHAMPIONS!
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2009 --- The New York Yankees are the 2009 World Serious champions because they had the better pitching rotation, the better bullpen, the better hitters and the better team.
Hidecki Matsui was an excellent choice of World Serious MVP on the strength of his six RBI's in the Yankees' 7-3 title-clinching win. But will Matsui be a Yankee come opening day 2010? He's 35 years old and technically is a free agent now that the 2009 baseball season is over.
At least three others merited MVP consideration. Chase Utley tied a WS home run record with five, tying Reggie Jackson. However, we've only had one MVP from a WS losing team (Bobby Richardson, 1960 Yankees).
Meanwhile, Johnny Damon provided one of the top plays with his heads-up double steal of second and third in game four. And Mariano Rivera was Mariano Rivera. When Rivera took the mound with one out in the eighth inning, the WS was essentially over. Rivera's pitched in the most WS games (23) and completed all three clinching series games.
Three things about the Phillies disappointed me. One, there was only one standout starting pitcher as Cliff Lee won the Phillies' two games. Secondly, Ryan Howard, who set a WS record with 13 strikeouts. Thirdly, the Phillie bullpen couldn't get the job done.
The Yankees have their work cut out for them, though. Seven of them are free agents--Matsiu, Damon, Andy Pettitte, Jerry Hairston Jr., Xaiver nady, Eric Hinske and Jose Molina.
The Phillies also have seven players becoming free agents and five are pitchers--Lee, Scott Eyre, Bretrt Myers, Chan Ho Park and Gary Majewski. The Phillies' other two free agents are third baseman Pedro Feliz and outfielder Matt Stairs.
***
KOKINIS FIRED AS BROWNS' G.M., SO WHO'S NEXT TO GO?
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2009 -- Forget about the World Serious. Ditto LeBron James and Shaq. THE sports story in Cleveland sports circles is the Cleveland Browns, who celebrated their 1-7 start with a 30-6 loss at Chicago...and by firing their General Manager, George Kokinis.
Great way to start a bye week.
This was an ugly dismissal. Stories about it say witnesses saw Kokinis being escorted by security people out of the Browns' facility Monday. Browns higher-ups, though, denied this happened.
Imagine, Kokinis served as Browns' GM for just 285 days. He was named GM two weeks AFTER Eric Mangini was hired as head coach. Still, somebody had to pay for this disastrous Browns' season...and it appears that Kokinis was the first to pay for it.
The trouble is...who WAS George Kokinis? We hardly EVER saw a quote from him. And now there's questions as to how much authority Kokinis had in the first place, particularly in terms of roster moves (draft choice selections, free agent signings, player cuts and trades).
There are questions galore, such as...
Was Kokinis simply hired as Mangini's lackey?
Was Kokinis fired as a scapegoat for the Browns' failures?
Is the firing of Kokinis the first of more dismissals? Browns fans are screaming that Mangini and his entire staff be shown the door.
Rest assured that the Cleveland Browns are in a state of turmoil. Mangini benched Brady Quinn as quarterback after only 10 quarters of action. Derek Anderson, now the starting QB, was ranked #35 among NFL QB's...and there's only 32 NFL teams! In late February of 2008, Anderson was signed to a contract worth a maximum $26 million, with $13.5 Million guaranteed.
Quinn, meanwhile, has been riding the bench in part because this will keep him from participating in 70 per cent of the team's plays for this season. By not reaching that statistical goal, the Browns are off the hook for paying Quinn $5 million in escalator money.
To obtain Quinn, the Browns traded a first round draft choice to the Dallas Cowboys. Earlier this season, the Browns traded away problem child Braylon Edwards to the Jets. In the off-season, tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. was swapped to Tampa Bay. What's left of the Browns' receiving corps is probably leading the NFL in dropped passes.
There's probably Cleveland fans now asking, "Well, if we're going to get rid of one G.M., why don't the Indians do the same thing and part ways with Mark Shapiro?"
***
2009 WORLD SERIOUS--LET GO SEVEN!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2009 -- Well, Cliff Lee, Chase Utley and the rest of the Philadelphia Phillies saw to it that the 2009 World Serious returns to the Big Apple for a Game Six. The Yankees still lead, three games to two, but the Phillies have the momentum with Monday night's 8-6 win. Could we have a game seven, too?
So, why not have this series go seven games?
I hope so.
If the Yankees wrap up this series in six games Wednesday night, this'll be a World Serious that'll be long forgotten quickly.
Not so if we have a game seven. And there's already word that should it go seven, Lee could pitch some in relief. Maybe even be a closer.
Utley was amazing, hitting two more home runs to push his single-series total to a record-tying five. Reggie Jackson held the record, but now he has company.
Stay tuned!
***
YANKEES--27 OUTS AWAY (THANKS TO DAMON'S HEADS-UP BASERUNNING)!!!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009 -- The New York Yankees are a game away from a 27th World Serious title--and it boiled down to one heads-up play by Johnny Damon...and a horrible mistake by Phillie reliever Brad Lidge on the same play.
Damon battled back from being down in the count, 1-2, with two out in the top of the ninth to bang out a base hit. Then came the heads-up play. There was a shift on for Mark Teixeiria, which meant Phillie third baseman Pedro Feliz was covering second base.
Damon stole second base...and kept on running to steal third base. Why? Because Feliz was covering second base....and NOBODY was covering third base! Teixeiria would get hit by a pitch, A-Rod would hit a double to drive in Damon with the go-head run...and Jorge Posada would hit a two-run single.
The key to the whole thing, though, was Damon alertly stealing third. Lidge embarrassingly got to third base...but way too late. WHAT WAS HE THINKING????
In the post-game media interview, Phillie manager Charlie Manuel said either the pitcher or the catcher has to cover third base on that play. In fact, Manuel opined that catcher Carlos Ruiz should've been covering third. However, it's my opinion that Manuel might've been covering up for Lidge's goof. After all, the pitcher is closer to third base than the catcher!
Cliff Lee will have to be his stellar self just to have the Phillies send the World Serious back to the Big Apple with Monday night's game five. Stay tuned.
***
WORLD SERIUS BULLPENS--RIGHT IDEA, WRONG TEAM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009 -- I still believe the bullpens will decide this 2009 World Serious. I had the right idea but picked the wrong team. At least for one game, the Yankees had by far the better bullpen in Saturday's 8-5 game three win over the Phillies,.
Starting with R-Rod's (Alex Rodriguez's) fourth inning tape reviewed/a;proved homer, the Yankees tortched the Phillie bullpen for at least one run in five straight innings. By the time Carlos Ruiz homered in the ninth inning for a run off the Yankee bulllpen, it was too late. Stay tuned.
Best sports line of the day day Saturday: As the clock was winding down in Illinois' 38-13 win over Michigan, its first at home over the Wolverines in 26 years, an Illini announcer observed, "Isn't it fun to beat Michigan?"
Likewise, University of Oregon fans were probably asking "Isn't it fun to beat Southern Cal?"
It was Saturday.
Oregon 47, USC 20.
The worst loss for the Trojans in the Pete Carroll era.
Their worst loss in 12 years (or, since a 35-7 loss to Arizona State in 2007).
USC had no answer to the Ducks' Quack attack, a fast-paced no-huddle spread offense. Imagine, the Trojan defense being torched for 613 yards, the second most in school history. The most was 623 allowed to Notre Dame in 1946.
USC has now lost a game played in the state of Oregon for four straight seasons.
***
WORLD SERIOUS TO BE DECIDED BY BULLPENS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2009 -- I look for the bullpens to decide the 2009 World Serious. I think the Phillies' bullpen is deeper and better than the Yankees. The Yankees need more bullpen excellence than just from Mariano Rivera.
Keep in mind that bullpen strategy will be more important now that the next three games are at Philadelphia. The pitchers will have to hit since there's no no designated hitter allowed.
The Yankees also need more production from A-Rod, who's in a horrible World Serious slump at 0-for-8 so far. Six of the outs have been strikeouts.
***
DARK DAY FOR CLEVELAND SPORTS SCENE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009 -- Today was a very dark day for Cleveland sports fans.
The 2009 World Serious opened with opposing starting pitchers who'd won Cy Young Awards in the past two years and were teammates on the Cleveland Indians in 2007. Imagine, the Tribe trading away TWO Cy Young Award winning pitchers--Cliff Lee to Philadelphia this past season and C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee the season before (when he wound up signing with the Yankees).
The Indians will NEVER be a bonafide playoff team until they land a new owner who's not a tightwad. And isn't afraid to pay big time players the big time bucks. The ONLY other chance the Tribe has is to excel with a plethora of draft choices. That's unlikely.
Meanwhile, we have the Cleveland Browns, who're 1-6 and headed for a 1-15 finish. The Browns won't play Brady Quinn at quarterback, perhaps in part because he needs to participate in 70 per cent of the team's plays to qualify for a hefty pay raise. The Browns are about two-TD underdogs to their next foe, the Bears.
And then there's the Cavaliers, who had LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal on the cover of SI last week as the team to beat for the NBA title. Suddenly, the season's here and the Cavaliers don't look like they're ready with their 0-2 start. Stay tuned.
***
NOW MANNY CAN SHOWER ALL HE WANTS!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2009 -- Now that the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2009 season is finished, their problem child left fielder can shower all he wants between now and spring training 2010.
Perhaps you missed this one. Manny Ramirez was taken out of Monday's playoff game vs. Phily for defensive purposes. But did Manny stick around in the dugout for the rest of that Dodger loss. Nope. He took a shower. He said he saw the Phillies score their winning run via a TV replay!
And the Red Sox fans are yelling to Dodger fans: "We TOLD you so!"
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns are hampered by the flu bug as they prepare for Sunday's home game against the Green Bay Packers. But at least they didn't execute the rumored trade I heard about. The Browns' best player, Joshua Cribbs, was supposed to go to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Ted Ginn. I kid you not. Ginn has been such a disappointment that I thought he'd be a late Dolphin player cut before the regular season began!
The Indians have narrowed their choice for new manager to four. Bobby Valentine has the most experience but knows little about the American League. But then, neither does Manny Acta, who endured managing the lousy Washington Nationals before being canned. The other two finalists--Don Mattingly and the Tribe's Columbus Class AAA manager, Torey Lovullo--have no MLB managing experience. Stay tuned...
Woe is me regarding the Cleveland Cavaliers! Shaq and LeBron on the cover of SI? Somebody said it best about LeBron making the cover...ONLY if it's one of LeBron clutching the NBA championship trophy in the celebration parade!
***
SHOULD PRYOR BE REPLACED? MAYBE!!!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2009 --Ohio State got away with having a spotty offense a week ago against Wisconsin thanks to two interception returns for touchdowns and a kickoff return for another.
Today against Purdue, Ohio State didn't. And that 26-18 upset loss at Purdue where the Buckeyes were favored by 11.5 points begs the question...
Should Terrelle Pryor be replaced at quarterback? He's big, he's athletic and he's still playing like a freshman instead of an experienced sophomore. Two lost fumbles, two interceptions. He'll make a big play one second, then a lousy play the next. He's more suited as a receiver and/or tight end, where he can catch the ball. And perhaps throw the ball on reverses.
I doubt if Pryor will be replaced, though. The talent at backup QB is considerably less. Thus, Pryor needs to step up his game. But so do his teammates. The Buckeyes' other skill position players need to step it up so Pryor's not having to play like the whole world is on his shoulders.
***
AN UGLY BROWNS WIN...AND EVEN MORE UGLY IRL SECTION WITH YAHOO
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009 -- Well, SOMEBODY had to win!
So, my Cleeeveland Browns won't finish any worse than 1-15 thanks to their ugly 6-3 win at Buffalo. This game had the same total (Nine) as in total points, # of Browns' dropped passes and # of Bills' false starts.
Still, we had an even more ugly look at the Yahoo sports section's IRL section. And it was EXACTLY as I predicted to a long-friend...that the Yahoo IRL section would very soon have a story, headline and photograph of one of the world's most overexposed sports personalities in history.
It only took two days! Just call up Yahoo sports, look at the tool bar listing various sports, look for "action sports" and just to the right, there's "more" and click on "more," then click on IRL. And there'll she'll be, Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division. Here's my letter to writer Dan Wetzel regarding his time-wasting article....
Dear Dan,
Why are you even writing about someone who...
Finished NINETEENTH in the IRL's last race Saturday.
Finished THIRD among the women drivers.
Finished the 2009 season with an 0-17 record.
Saw her career auto racing record improve to 1-80.
Failed to crack the top five in the IRL's last NINE races.
Hasn't won a race in a year and a half.
Has more speeding tickets (two) than racing wins (one).
Oh, I forgot.
This is Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division.
And I think the attention (stories, headlines, photos) given to Mrs. Overrated (a/k/a Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've) is DISGRACEFUL.
Thank you,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood
An Ex-Sports Editor Not Afraid To Speak His Mind
***
ONE EXCUSE WE'LL NEVER HEAR AGAIN (AS SHE STANDS 0-81)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2009 -- We'll never hear this excuse again. Ever. Well, I'll mention it one more time...but only to point out what can't be said anymore. Here goes...
"She's only a teenager."
Not anymore! One of the world's most overrated, overpublicized people in the history of sports, the Winless Wonder, a/k/a Michelle Weak, turns 20 today.
And just think, Miss Sports Media Darling, Pro Golf Division, has an 0-81 record...and her record as a teenager was and will ALWAYS be 0-81 as a pro golfer. Hmm, let's see...a pro contract worth some $20 million in endorsements...and ZERO pro golf tournament victories.
And to date, she STILL has NEVER won a 72-hole stroke-play golf tournament anytime, anywhere.
She and Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division (read on), are a combined 1-161.
***
HER 0-17 SEASON IS OVER--AND SHE'S 1-80 IN HER CAREER
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2009 -- Once again, our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) got exactly what it deserved. Egg on the face.
Seemingly all week long, our BSNM kept playing up the future plans of the auto racer in fifth place in the IRL standings. The race itself (the Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway)? The final point standings?
Sure seemed secondary what with all the headlines, photos and stories about Mrs. Hospenthal. Does anybody care anymore outside of the Hospenthal family and our BSNM? I think not.
Dario Franchitti won the IRL 2009 title by winning in Homestead, Florida...and I'll let my posting after that AP story speak for itself...
Gee, I wonder...is our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) still worried about Mrs. Hospenthal's future plans? I mean, THAT was supposed to among the highlights of this race! In the end, though, there's no highlights for Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division, when it counts.
A NINETEENTH place finish in this finale! And a THIRD place finish among the WOMEN! Milka Duno and Sarah Fisher BOTH finished AHEAD of Mrs. Overrated!!!
Now that the Irrevelent Racing League season is over with, here's the final tally that should be noted by our BSNM regarding Mrs. Overexposed but probably won't...
An 0-17 record for 2009 for Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would' ve and a career racing record of 1-80 that includes ZERO wins in races held in the USA and ZERO wins in 500-mile races.
Oh, and more speeding tickets (two) than racing wins (one).
Enjoy the offseason, Mrs. Hospenthal fans.
***
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: BIG TIME POST-SEASON PROBLEMS!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2009 -- Can you imagine missing the FIRST HOUR of a key NBA playoff game? Or an NFL playoff game? Or a key BCS college football bowl game?
Well, it happened with Friday night's Angels-Red Sox playoff game. Only Superstation WTBS was covering the Friday MLB playoff games. THAT in itself became a problem when the Yankees-Twins game went extra innings.
So...the Angels-Red Sox game began about 6:35 or so...and we didn't get to see it on WTBS until an HOUR later, when the Yankees-Twins game finally ended. Out in Los Angeles, get this: Because the Yankees-Twins game went extra innings and because the local ESPN radio station was obligated to carry the Laker-Warrior exhibition game, the coverage of the Yankees-Twins game suddenly stopped!
Major League Baseball has other postseason problems. There's the blown umpire's call that was pivotal in the Twins' loss to the Yankees. Instead of a runner on third via a ground-rule double, there was a foul ball call that was just horrible. Replays showed clearly that it should've been a ground-rule double.
Finally, there's the problem of MLB playoff games in Denver. It SNOWS there, folks. Tonight's Phillies-Rockies game has already been called off due to snow and cold. It's been rescheduled for Sunday...but does ANYBODY think all that snow and cold is going to go away in 24 hours?
I think not.
***
TIME TO DUMP BRAYLON? COULD BE!
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009 -- Maybe it's time the Cleeeveland Browns bid adeau to WR Braylon Edwards.
Perhaps you haven't heard the latest. News reports say Edwards allegedly punched in the face a close friend of LeBron James, a 130-pound promoter, early Monday morning outside a downtown Cleveland night club.
When I say early Monday morning, I'm talking about 2:30 a.m. or so.
What in hell was Edwards doing there at 2:30 a.m. in the first place? After playing five quarters of gruelling NFL football, you'd think there's be only one place he'd be in at 2:30 a.m.
It's called a bed.
Edwards has become increasingly disappointing for a first round and third overall draft choice. In Sunday's 23-20 home overtime loss to Cincinnati, Edwards dropped a sure-fire pass to ruin the Browns' first possession. He committed at least one and maybe two personal fouls. He didn't catch a pass the whole game...and it lasted nearly five quarters.
Last season, Edwards led the NFL in dropped passes. It didn't help that he cut his heel while foolishing running around in his stocking feet in the lockerroom. Somebody's cleats cut his heel. Meanwhile, Edwards once took a helicopter to an Ohio State-Michigan football game when told not to. He once was ticketed for speeding around 120 mph.
Browns coach Eric Mangini supposedly fined a player $1701 for failing to pay for a $3 bottle of water at a hotel. A suspension and/or fine for Edwards is in order.
Better yet, trade him for a seventh round draft choice!
***
THE CLEEEEVELAND BROWNS: 0-4 BUT PLAYING WITH HEART
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2009 -- My Cleeeeveland Browns are now 0-4, but oh how they played with a ton of "heart" in their 23-20 home overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Derek Anderson was brilliant in his first start, Mohamad Massaquoi emerged as a future star receiver and Shaun Rogers showed why he's Pro Bowl caliber by blocking a field goal try AND an extra point attempt. The offensive line, including Joe Thomas and Alex Mack, was much improved. Everyone played hard.
Even Braylon Edwards, though you could hardly notice it. Edwards continues to be a disappointment as a first round draft choice receiver. He led the NFL in dropped passes in 2008 and the first pass to him today was..well....dropped. Plus, he committed a stupid unsportsmanlike penalty that, fortunately, was simply offset by a Bengal doing the same kinda stupid thing. Still, for the game, Edwards failed to register a catch. He HAS to step up his production.
The Browns have lost 10 straight but did score two offensive touchdowns. The St. Louis Rams didn't score at at in their 35-0 loss to San Francisco...and they own the NFL's longest losing streak at 14 games.
***
ERIC WEDGE--HE'LL MANAGE AGAIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2009 -- With only a season-ending meaningless series at Boston remaining, the Cleveland Indians fired manager Eric Wedge and his coaching staff Tuesday. The announcement came Wednesday...and yet Wedge and his staff will continue to lead the Tribe the rest of this regular season, which ends Sunday.
Why the announcement Wednesday? Simple, so Wedge could meet with the media for the last time. Many of those media members probably weren't traveling to Boston for the meaningless weekend series vs. the Red Sox.
And why would Wedge and his staff continue to lead the Tribe after they know they won't be back? Because they're pros!
Wedge managed the Indians for about seven years. Anyone who can manage ONE team for seven years is showing me something. It thus means Wedge can manage again. Maybe not in 2010, but he's got a year left on his Indian contract anyway (worth about $1.5 million).
I truly believe there's another managing job on the horizon for Eric Wedge. May the White Sox will get tired of Ozzie Guillen's antics. Or perhaps the Mets will bid adeau to Jerry Manuel. Stay tuned.
***
THE CLEVELAND BROWNS--WHERE DO THEY GO FROM HERE?
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2009 -- How bad are my Cleeeeveland Browns?
So bad, I'm wondering if a head coaching change is in order. And Eric Mangini's only coached the Browns for three games. But the team keeps looking worse, from a 34-20 home loss to Minnesota, a 27-6 road loss at Denver and today a 34-3 loss at Baltimore.
Nine straight losses (St. Louis is worst at 13 now that Detroit's won). I can hear the Browns' fans' battle cry: "We're #32" as in being the worst team in the NFL.
In that nine-game losing streak, the Browns have scored but one TD...and it came in garbage time vs. the Vikings.
One TD scored in the last 525 plays run. And the defense Sunday allowed 479 yards, the Ravens' second most yards rung up in their history.
I can only see one winable game...and that one's at Kansas City five days before Christmas!
Brady Quinn was visably upset when he was benched at halftime. And when did Derek Anderson find out he was starting the second half? While the team was going back onto the field for the second half. Quinb threw one interception. Anderson threw three...and he's in the middle year of a three-year contract worth at least $13.5 million.
I'm already wondering if Mangini's lost control of this team. Two players have filed grievances with the NFL Players Union regarding Mangini's allegedly petty fines. Three more are rumored to be filing grieveances.
Meanwhile, the Indians swept the three-game weekend series vs. the Orioles, and their latest win today was via shutout, 9-0! Go figure!
***
THE TIDE IS TURNING...MAYBE FOR TRIBE, FOR SURE VS. MISS 0-80
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2009 -- Hey, SOMEBODY had to win. And let's not starting printing up World Serious tickets.
Still, the Cleeeveland Indians snapped their 11-game winning streak with a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles, who extended their losing streak to eight.
For more on this game, check out Willoughby news-Herald writer Jim Ingraham's account of the game at...
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2009/09/26/sports/nh1487955.txt
It remains to be seen if the Indians have turned the tide, though. Probably not. In fact, a News-Herald poll resulted in a startling result. the question was..."Would you attend any of the remaining Indian home gmaes if you were given free tickets?"
Nearly half (49%) said no.
Meanwhile, the tide is turning against my least favorite golfer, Michelle Weak. She missed last weekend's Samsung championship tournament because she hadn't won enough money. And this weekend, she's skipping the CVS/Pharmacy LPGA Challenge so she can attend classes at Stanford.
Thus, there's AGAIN nothing written about her in tournament articles. And there's only a scant mention of her on message boards. So for the second straight weekend, we're actually reading about LPGA participants who actually DESERVE to be written about!
But that's what happens when you're 0-80 as a golf pro.
***
THE CLEEEEEVELAND INDIANS -- REMEMBER THEM?
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 -- Call it the game of the century.
The Cleeeeeveland Indians, losers of 11 in a row....
Hosting the Baltimore Orioles, losers of seven in a row...
Something's gotta give.
My Indians are staggering to the 2009 season finish line. They're 3-16 this month and 1-14 since September 6. In this current losing streak, they went SEVENTY innings without leading in a game.
The only question left is whether or not Eric Wedge will survive as Tribe manager. Stay tuned.
***
IS MILTON BRADLEY FINISHED? WILL BROWNS GO 0-16?
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2009 -- You have to seriously wonder if Milton Bradley's major league baseball career is over. He's been with seven major league teams and the Cubs maybe the seventh and last.
Bradley was suspended by the Cubs for the rest of the season this past weekend. The last straw was his comments made to a Chicago area newspaper. He essentially said, "No wonder they've gone 100 years without winning a world series." He also said the entire atmosphere in Chicago Cub land was a negative one.
Oh, did I mentioned that Bradley called the Cubs' fans racist? That on May 15 he caught a one-out fly ball...and threw it into the stands because he thought there was three out (instead of two? And on June 26, he took out his frustrations on a water cooler...and promptly got benched by Cub manager Lou Piniella?
Now, you've got to wonder if even a low-ranked team like the Royals, Pirates or Nationals would take a chance on Bradley, who'll be 32 next season. And will be due about $20 million over the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Singing Bradley was a bad move by the Cubs...and they may have to eat the rest of his contract. Stay tuned....
Meanwhile, the Browns made it seven out of eight games where they haven't scored an offensive touchdown with today's 27-6 loss at Oakland. Better circle the date November 22...when the Browns visit the Lions. It's one of the new winable games the Browns have. There's also three winable games in the last three vs. Kansas City, Oakland and Jacksonville.
Stay tuned there, too.
***
SMALL CONSOLATION FOR OHIO STATE FANS, BUT...
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2009 -- It was small consolation for Ohio State fans, but Southern Cal's shot at a national title game appearance took a big hit with a 16-13 loss at Washington.
Now we know why USC coach Pete Carroll didn't want Mark Sanchez to turn pro. With Sanchez, the Trojans would've been a legitimate shot to play Florida for the national title. Without Sanchez, USC's merely a top 10 ten team. Of course, it didn't help USC to be without its starting QB, freshman Matt Barkley, and starting safety Taylor Mays. Don't laugh about Mays. He's ranked at or near #1 among the top 2010 NFL draft prospects.
Aaron Corp got the starting QB job and showed why he hasn't been the USC starter yet. He's a very good runner but not much of a passer. USC didn't concert a single third down into a first down. Barkley can't come back to the starting USC lineup soon enough.
There's another bit of consolation with this USC loss. We won't be hearing the arrogant la-la land sports talkers bragging about how good USC is. One said USC would win, 38-14. Another said it would be 35-14. Look at the right side. They were only two points off the Washington total.
***
BAD DAY FOR MENTOR, OHIO (AND MRS. 1-79)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2009 -- Mentor, Ohio, is located 20 miles east of Cleveland along Lake Eric. It's the home of Lawnfield, the home of former President James A. Garfield. It's my home town...and the one big high school, Mentor High School, has an outstanding football program.
Mentor twice came within a whisker of winning a big school state championship. In 1968, Mentor stunned the state of Ohio with a 19-0 at Massillon. The Cardinals went on to finish 10-0 and finish second to Upper Arlington in the state polls. There were no playoffs then.
Three years ago in 2006, Mentor lost to Hilliard Davidson, 36-35, in two overtimes in the big school state title game. You get the picture.
Nowdays, Mentor plays one of the toughest schedules in the state, including Catholic powerhouses Cleveland St. Ignatius, Lakewood St. Edward and Cincinnati Moeller. And Massillon.
This year's Mentor team is young, with some 14 underclassmen starting. Friday night, it all came undone as Ignatius, the defending state champion, stopped the Cardinals' 22-game home winning streak with a 47-7 win. Two muffed punts by Mentor led to Ignatius TD's and the rout was on.
I can't remember a worse Mentor home loss....or anyone beating Mentor by 41 points or worse. Lake Catholic hung a 45-13 number on Mentor in the mid-90's and Eastlake North posted a similar route, 44-12, in 1961. The worst Mentor loss that I can think of was a 42-0 pasting by Canton McKinley around 1998.
And there was bad news for the Mentor program off the field, too. Chris Jacquemain, the University of Akron's starting QB and a Mentor HS grad, was suspended indefinitely for violation of a team rule.
Elsewhere, Mrs. Hospenthal failed to defend her only auto racing win with a sixth place finish in the Japan Indy 300. Her record is 1-79. She's never won a race held in the USA and has never won a 500-mile auto race anywhere anytime.
Finally, Sirius-XM radio continues to edit the replays of the "American Top 40" shows. Casey's teases were an integral part of the AT40 success...and that's something a brainless idiot at XM70's doesn't understand.
***
SPORT NEWS BIAS TAKES THE WEEKEND OFF!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 -- Our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) takes the weekend off. For once, I'll concede that Mrs. Hospenthal deserves to be publicizied. It's the IRL race over in Japan, which she won a year ago last April.
And, believe it or not, the one AP story I read about this race noted how Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division, is "winless this year." Indeed, she is..but the article didn't mention her record (1-78), that she's never won an auto race held in the USA and has never won a 50-mile race anywhere. Or, that she has more speeding tickets (two) than auto racing wins (one).
Oh well, you can't please everybody.
The really REALLY good news is that we won't be hearing about Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division, and her 0-80 record. The LPGA has the Samsung Tournament and ONLY the elite performers are there. No room for paper tigresses here...certainly not someone who's never won a 72-hole stroke golf tournament ever.
Amazingly, after Michelle Weak finished tied for 27th last weekend, one writer had the gall to write a short story about her web site blogs and photos. Complete with photo and headline. When I wrote the writer asking how this could be done with a 27th-place finisher at a golf tournament, I was told that Miss Weak has "thousands of fans."
The writer admitted there's probably just as many people like me who dislike her, especially all her unwarranted publicity! If we covered college football like we cover women's golf, all we'd be reading about would be schools like the University of Washington, Washington State, Miami (Ohio) and Syracuse.
***
TOUGH WEEKEND FOR OHIO STATE, BROWNS...AND MISS 0-80
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009 -- Cheer up, Ohio State.
After all, you could be a fan of Miami (Ohio)...or Oklahoma State...or Colorado. Or the Browns.
And,. worst of all, you could be Michelle Weak, 0-80 record and all.
Ohio State's 18-15 home loss to Southern Cal was truly an exercise in frustration. The Buckeyes pretty much GAVE USC its first TD on a Terrell Pryor interception...then their defense simply could not stop the Trojans on their game-winning 86-yard drive.
There were questions galore in the aftermath. For instance....
Why did Ohio State go to its passing game late in the second quarter instead of running out the clock for what could've been a 10-7 lead? Instead, USC was allowed enough time to kick a field goal for a 10-10 halftime tie.
Why did Ohio State punt...instead of going for a possible 53-yard field goal and a possible eight-point lead? OSU coach Jim Tressel said it was a case of pinning USC deep...but the Trojans starting their winning drive from their 14 was a mere differential of six yards.
What about Pryor, the Buckeye QB? The two losses to Southern Cal (including 35-3 last season) and the 24-21 Fiesta Bowl loss to Texas have him portrayed as a quarterback who can't win the clutch games. Personally, I'm wondering if Pryor's going to be the next Vince Young. That is, a man-child QB with talent and size...except for decision-making and reading defenses.
Right now, Tressel's biggest challenge is getting his Buckeyes up for Toledo, the next foe. The game's in Cleveland and Toledo's no slouch. Just ask Colorado. The Rockets were four-point home underdogs to the Buffaloes...and won, 54-38.
Toledo will give Ohio State all it can handle...and may have added more fuel to the fire in Boulder, Colorado, where coach Dan Hawkins is 0-2. Colorado was favored to win its opener to Colorado State and in its game at Toledo, yet lost both. Supposedly, Colorado's team goal was to win 10 games. With West Virginia, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma State and Nebraska still to play, that goal doesn't seem realistic. Stay tuned.
Speaking of Colorado's league, the Big 12, there's Oklahoma State, which opened the season with a 24-10 win over Georgia...and its star receiver, Dez Bryant, on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Got the picture? As in SI cover jinx? Yup, Oklahoma State was a 15-point favorite to beat Houston at home. And lost, 45-35.
Still, nobody has to feel worse than the coaches, players and fans at Miami (Ohio), which has been outscored so far, 90-0. Kentucky beat the Redhawks, 42-0, and Boise State won even worse, 48-0.
At least the Cleveland Browns scored their first offensive touchdown in seven games. That was just about the only headline, though, as the Browns lost at home to the Minnesota Vikings, 34-20. It was simply a case of too much Adrian Peterson (three touchdowns), Brett Favre (270 straight starts) and Percy Harvin (a TD catch in his first NFL game).
The WORST weekend, though, was probably endured by Michelle Weak. She missed the cut in her previous LPGA tournament, and yet a dumb-dumb writer wrote Thursday that Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division, was "now showing signs of a breakthrough."
Oh yeah, she had a breakthrough all right. With her tie for TWENTY SEVENTH PLACE at the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship, her pro golf record has now dipped to 0-80. Remember, this is someone who signed a huge pro contract a few years ago for some $20 million. All she has to show for it...is ZERO pro golf tourney wins. And she has never won a 72-hole stroke play golf tournament anytime anywhere.
***
SPORTS NEWS MEDIA BIAS--SAME OLD STORY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 -- Have you ever heard of a golf tournament advance story where the first person mentioned...is one who MISSED THE CUT at the previous weekend's tournament?
Well, you have now.
Welcome to the latest example of our biased sports news media .
In its wisdom, the Associated Press elected to mention Michelle Weak to start off its advance story on the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship. In the article, it's written that the Winless Wonder is--quote--"now showing signs of a breakthrough."
A BREAKTHROUGH, after MISSING THE CUT the previous weekend?
Go figure. Oh, and the article mentions how Miss Sports Media Darling, Gulf Division, has finished in the top 10 six times. The article DOES NOT mention that she's finished out of the top 10 TEN TIMES.
Also not mentioned...
Her finishes out of the top 10 have included 54th, 57th and 67th...
She missed the U.S. Women's Open altogether....
Her record as a pro is 0-79....
She's NEVER won a 72-hole stroke play golf tournament ever at any level. And THAT fact will not change after this weekend. After all, the P&G tournament is only 54 holes.
There were tons of highlights over in the PGA world today...because ITS tournament is 72 holes. Big difference.
Is it any wonder the LPGA is almost totally ignored by ESPN? There's too many 54-hole tournaments...and WAY TOO MUCH exposure given to an LPGA member who's pro record is 0-79.
Needless to say, our biased news media should've had the common sense to feature ANYBODY who played the entire Canadian Women's Open tournament last weekend.
There were only 74 golfers to choose from.
***
TOUGH WEEKEND FOR FIVE TEAMS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 -- It was a tough weekend if you were a fan of one of these college football teams: Oklahoma, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia and Duke.
Oklahoma was a 22.5-point favorite to beat Brigham Young...and lost, 14-13, may have lost out on its BCS title game hopes and may have also kissed goodbye to having its star QB, Sam Bradford, repeat as the Heisman Trophy winner. Bradford hurt his shoulder and it out a while. This can only help Tim Tebow (Florida) and Colt McCoy (Texas) in the Heisman race.
Oregon, meanwhile, didn't get a first down until halfway through the third quarter of an embassring 19-8 loss at Boise State. Oh, and Oregon lost its star RB for the season in a post-game punch that's well-documented, included in these blogs.
Colorado was hoping to win 10 games and was favored by 10.5 to beat rival Colorado State at home. Instead, Colorado State won, 23-17, and now the hot seat is even hotter for Colorado coach Dan Hawkins.
Virginia and Duke are both Atlantic Coast Conference teams that suffered embrassing home losses to FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) teams.
Virginia rotated three quarterbacks, went scoressless in the last 37 minutes and had only four seconf half first downs in a 26-14 loss to William and Mary. Virginia coach Al Groh is like Hawkins...in the proverbial hot seat.
Duke had only 19 rushing yards, missed two field goals and had a punt blocked in a 24-16 loss to Richmond.
Ouch.
***
SHE WAS ONCE "ELECTRIC" AND "STELLAR". NOW, SHE'S JUST 0-79.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 -- Eleven days ago, our biased sports news media was ready to put Michelle Weak into the golf hall of fame. Or so it seemed.
Remember how she'd finished 3-0-1 in match play at the Solheim Cup? One writer wrote, "Michelle Wie was electric from the get-go in her Solheim Cup debut." .
Never, in ANY of those stories, was it pointed out that this was merely match play competition vs. a very weak European team. Of the golfers Miss Winless went up against in her "electric" performance, the highest ranked on the LPGA money list was 20th. Another of Weak's foes was ranked #136. Also excluded from all the stories: Eight of the top 10 LPGA money leaders weren't there. Neither were 14 of the top 20.
Three days later, as a prelude to the Safeway Classic, our biased AP had this headline:
"Wie back in hunt for first LPGA title after stellar Solheim show."
The article noted, "Michelle Wie returns to the quest for her first LPGA title on Friday in the 54-hole Safeway Classic after an undefeated run at the Solheim Cup that helped spark a US victory over Europe. Wie went 3-0-1 at the team matches as the US kept the trophy and served notice she is confident and might yet claim her first LPGA title before her first full season is complete."
Sound familiar? It should. The "Wie eyes first LPGA victory" story has been almost a weekly propaganda ritual. ..but...we move ahead a week to Labor Day weekend and...
Guess what?
That's right, she didn't win the Safeway Classic, instead finishing tied for fourth.
Another guess what?
That's right, she won't win this weekend's LPGA Canadian Women's Open, either.
Guaranteed!
SHE MISSED THE CUT!!!!!
That's when happens when you open with a 76, bad enough to be tied for 129th. Her second round score of 69 gave her a two-day score of 145, tied for 90th.
What's our biased sports news media to do for the next two days of this golf tournament? It CAN'T write about the Winless Wonder!!! It will HAVE to interview and write about the OTHERS in the tournament.
What a concept.
All of which means the most overrated, overpublicized, overexposed sports personality of all time (in my opinion) is 0-79 as a professional golfer. SHE HAS NEVER WON A 72-HOLE STROKE PLAY GOLF TOURNAMENT EVER AT ANY TIME OR ANY LEVEL.
When will our biased sports news media get it regarding Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division? Remember, she'll no longer be a teenager in 37 days.
Oh, Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division...and Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division (a/k/a Mrs. Hospenthal, a/k/a Danica Patrick), are a combined 1-157.
***
THE OREGON DUCKS--THEY'VE HAD OTHER QUACK ATTACKS!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 -- If you think the University of Oregon football team's disgraceful postgame incident involving running back LaGarrette Blount's punching of a Boise State player was an isolated incident, think again.
To reiterate, in the immediate aftermath of Boise State's 19-8 win over Oregon Thursday night (9/3/09), Boise defensive end Byron Hout put his hand on the shoulder of Blount's, said something...and Blount responded with a sucker punch. Reports indicate that Blount allegedly punched a teammate, too. Plus, on the way to the lockerroom, Blount had to be physically restrained by at least two people to keep him from going into the stands to fight a Boise State taunting fan.
At 1:45 p.m. Friday (9/4/09) Pacific time, word came out that Blount was suspended for the rest of the season. Since he's a senior, his college football career is over. Reports indicate he'd earlier been suspended by the Oregon team for missing classes and team meetings. Plus, he'd allegedly been trash-talking against the Boise State team via the news media throughout the summer.
All of this is nothing new to the University Of Oregon football program. Think I'm kidding? Read on. There have been two significant past incidents involving this program. Do they suggest a pattern of a don't-give-a-damn attitude involving Duck football players? Well, just allow me to present the facts.
Then you decide.
First, on October 27, 2007, during around the fourth quarter of the Duck's 24-17 upset victory over Southern Cal, columnist John Canzano of the newspaper, The, Oregonian was confronted by the then ex-wife of then Duck football coach Mike Bellotti.
In the press box.
Why, you ask? For exercising his First Amendment rights and telling the truth. In a column, Canzano reported that the University Of Oregon tried to shove under the rug the news that one of the school's kickers, who happened to be the head coach's son, was suspended three games for being charged with DUI.
Twice.
The Oregon coach's wife allegedly smelled of alcohol. She allegedly grabbed the suit lapel of Canzano's and threatened to slap him. And the family nanny even got into it. For more on this, check out the second news item at this link...
http://www.dui.com/dui-library/oregon
Then there's the Rodney Woods incident. Woods was a standout high school quarterback-defensive back who pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge. The plea came as the result of a party incident that saw a student die as the result of a beating.
Normally, convicted felons cannot play Division I college football. So how did Woods manage to do so for Oregon?
When he got a judge to downgrade his felony conviction to a misdemeanor. And, mind you, this decision was made regarding a felony that had to do with somebody dying!
I kid you not.
And the University of Oregon football program allowed that to happen.
According to Canzano, Rodney Woods never did earn a degree.
For more on that incident, check out this link...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?id=1591504
Members of the victims' family were outraged because they felt that Woods' actions led their family member's passing. They pleaded to the judge to not downgrade Woods' conviction of a felony to a misdemeanor. Crime Victims United felt the same way. Steve Doell, the President of that group, wrote an impassioned plea letter to the judge.
In his letter, Doell wrote in part...
The actions of the University of Oregon in this case have been an embarrassment to many Oregonians. It is disturbing to think that our university would advocate distorting the record in order to win football games. If university officials believe that a violent felon who served his time should have a second chance, they can give him that chance without recruiting the criminal justice system to run interference for them."
Here's the entire letter...
http://www.crimevictimsunited.org/news/2003/woodsletter.pdf
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SPORTS NEWS BIAS--THE BEAT GOES ON (AND AN OREGON PLAYER MAKES A FOOL OF HIMSELF)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 -- Have you ever heard of a sports news story where an event's leader is mentioned first? (Check) Followed by the runnerup? (check) Followed by the two participants tied for third? (check) Followed by mentioning one of four tied for fifth? (check)
Followed by the participant TIED FOR 129TH?
Welcome to the 2009 world of our outlandishly biased sports news media.
Our illustrious Associated Press actually had a story covering the first round of the LPGA Canadian Open. Anna Rawson shot a 64 for the first round lead. In second and trailing by a shot was Suzann Pettersen, followed by Lorena Ochoa and Amanda Blumenherst tied for third at 66. Then, Momoko Ueda was mentioned in a four-way tie at 67.
And THEN, a golfer tied for 129th with a 76. TWELVE strokes off the leader! Yup, it was my least favorite golfer, Michelle Weak, who is on her way to improving her pro record to 1-79.
What a ridiculous display of biased journalism.
Meanwhile, the University of Oregon went into its 2009 football season opener ranked #11 by Sports Elevated. And, out West, on the cover of the magazine's college football preview magazine.
Ah, yes, the SI cover jinx continues.
Boise State 19, Oregon 8. Oregon didn't get a first down until past the halfway mark of the third quarter. But the embarrassment didn't stop there.
Hardly.
Oregon running back LaGarrette Blount made a complete fool of himself in the game's immediate aftermath. First, Blount, though he admittedly was touched by and probably provoked by Boise's Byron Hout, didn't walk away from the situation. Instead, Blount punched Hout in the jaw. Then, just to make matters worse, Blount tried to go into the stands when some Boise State fans got on his case. At least two people had to restrain Blount, who clearly needs to attend anger management classes.
ESPN commentator Bob Davie later said that if he were the Oregon coach, that Blount would be "suspended indefinitely."
Stay tuned.
***
QUESTIONS...ABOUT THE TRIBE...THE FIRES...THE NFL CUTS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 -- Questions, questions, questions....
Before I ask my first one, let me make this clear: I love Grady Sizemore. He's among my favorite Indian players. He loves the game and plays like it. But...
Grady's hurt. He needs left elbow surgery. As Jim Ingraham of my hometown paper, The Willoughby News-Herald, recently wrote, Grady struggles to throw the ball to the infield. This weakens the Tribe defense. So...
When the Tigers scored a 4-3 10-inning win over my Tribe today on a sacrifice fly by Placido Polanco, WHAT WAS GRADY SIZEMORE DOING IN THE GAME? Why wasn't there a defensive replacement? Grady struggles to throw the ball to the infield, so how in hell is he going to throw the ball to home plate to cut down the potential lead run? Just a thought...
Meanwhile...why hasn't the National Guard been called up to help put out the Los Angeles area fires? Just another thought. At least there's progress, National Guard or no National Guard. The fires have been 38 percent contained, up 10 percent from 28 percent Wednesday.
I live in North Hollywood, about five miles from the fires. I see smoke in the air and when the sun went down Wednesday night, there was a red hue. This (Thursday) morning, though, there was no red hue when the sun came up. Progress.
Meanwhile....who'll be the name players among the player cuts announced between today and Saturday? All NFL teams have to get down to 53 players by 4 p.m. Saturday. Will Ted Ginn be cut by the Miami Dolphins? The former first round draft choice has been a disappointment so far...but then so have others. Stay tuned...
***
A WORLD SERIOUS PITCHING MOVE? MAYBE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009 -- Ever since the tragic death of Nick Adenhart, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, the United States of America have been trying to find that right pitching to fill out their rotation.
Friday night, they might've found him.
Scott Kazmir, a lefty with 55 careeer major league wins, was obtained by the Angels from the Tampa Bay Rays for a two minor leaguers. Kazmir has compiled a MLB ERA of 3.92. Perhaps most importantly, he's only 25.
THIS is the kind of move a team makes that could vault it to the World Serious. Stay tuned.
****
WHAT IS A JERK? WELL...
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009 -- His rap sheet includes arrests for DUI, misdemeanor battery, domestic violence, resisting arrest and suspicion of false imprisonment.
Meet Brandon Marshall, suspended wide receiver, Denver Broncos.
Marshall was suspended Friday (August 28, 2009) by the Broncos for conduct detrimental to the team. At Wednesday's practice, he refused to run with his teammates, chosing to walk. Instead of handing a football to a ball boy, he punted it instead. He swatted away a pass thrown to him.
Oh, did I tell you he's done all this because he wants a new contract and/or wants to be traded?
What NFL would want him?
My Cleveeeeeveland Browns? I doubt it!
***
SAFEWAY CLASSIC--WHY ONLY 3 DAYS AND 54 HOLES?
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2009 -- Usually by the end of a Thursday, you're reading about the first round action of a typical golf tournament.
Not today with the Safeway Classic, though.
Why, you ask?
Because it's only a 54-hole tournament and it starts tomorrow/Friday.
Go figure.
Opinion: If you're going to have a professional stroke-play golf tournament, have it last four days with 72 holes. NOT three days and 54 holes.
Hardly seems worth it.
Look at it this way: If Michelle Weak happens to WIN this tournament (which I doubt), her record would become 1-77...but she would continue to have this dubious distinction: She STILL hasn't won a 72-hole stroke-play golf tournament ever.
After all, the Safeway Classic is 54 holes.
Not 72.
***
SPORTS NEWS MEDIA BIAS UPDATE!!!
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2009 -- I continue to be amazed over our biased sports news media's overplay of golfer Michelle Weak. Her 3-0-1 showing at the Solheim Cup was MATCH PLAY. And her competition?
Well, let's just say the opposition didn't remind me of Kathy Whitworth or Annika Sorenstam.
Of the five European golfers to face Miss Winless this past weekend, the HIGHEST on the LPGA money leaders was 20th. TWENTIETH! The others were ranked #27, #29, #64 and #136.
And remember, Miss Winless is still 0-77 as a pro in stroke-play tournaments. She's NEVER won a 72-hole stroke play tournament ever.
***
THE SPORTS NEWS MEDIA BIAS BEAT GOES ON...AND THEY'RE 1-154
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2009 -- After all the biased sports media hype surrounding this past weekend's Solheim Cup, you'd expect Michelle Weak to be inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame by now. One headline called Miss Weak's performance a "breakthrough" one after the USA beat the Europeans, 16-12, in the Solheim Cup.
Now, the truth of the matter...
Lorena Ochoa wasn't there because she was born in Mexico and was thus ineligible. Neither were all those Asian superstars who've taken over the LPGA by storm. In fact, EIGHT of the top 10 LPGA money leaders weren't there. Nor were 14 of the top 20. Interestingly, not ONE story about the Solheim Cup mentioned those important facts.
Above all, this was MATCH PLAY. Hardly the same as the grind of a stroke-play tournament. Michelle Weak has NEVER won a 72-hole stroke play tournament in her life. Ever. As a pro, Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division, has competed 77 times and NEVER won.
She's 0-77.
Speaking of overhyped sports personalities, Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division, a/k/a Mrs. Hospenthal, a/k/a Mrs. Hothead, finished SIXTEENTH in this weekend's IRL race. That means her racing record is 1-77.
All we're getting now are stories about her staying with IRL and not jumping to NASCAR. Judging by all the undeserved attention she's getting, this is the IRL's loss and NASCAR's gain.
Needless to say, the sports world's two most overrated overhyped people have a combined record of 1-154.
***
BIASED SPORT NEWS MEDIA--"AN ALL-TIME LOW"
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2009 -- The headline said "Wie likely to be seen in new light, U.S. Golfers say."
With that headline, you were introduced to the start of the latest and worst example of the biased sports news media's Michelle Weak propaganda. It was part of the advanced stories running regarding the suddenly popular Solheim Cup. WHY is the Solheim Cup such a big deal all of a sudden? Because Miss Sports Media Darling, Golf Division and her 0-77 record, is there.
Why would you say someone's "likely to be seen in a new light" in the first place? Here's my answer: Because Michelle Weak is SO unpopular amongst the LPGa golfers that our biased AP has to come up with a story to DEFEND her arrogance, surly attitude and overinflated ego.
Let's let one of the article's message board postings say it all for me...
Hyping Tiger Woods is one thing - the man delivers actual wins at an unbelievable clip. Michelle Wie, to call her a paper tiger is being way generous. When it comes to Wie, all this stuff that gets written borders on fabrication. Look at the hyperbole in this article. If you are charmed by it, then you are gullible, to put it politely. According to this article Michelle Wie:
-is amazing
-is artistically talented
-has fashion model looks
-designs fashions
-one of the funniest people around
-beloved by everyone who meets her
-has been unfairly maligned
I have read a lot of pointless Michelle Wie "news" stories but this one represents an all-time low
***
SPORTS MEDIA BIAS IN GOLF--IT'S HERE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2009 -- Paula Creamer finished in FIRST PLACE in the final 2009 Solheim Cup standings. But there was no photo of her on one prominent sports media web site to promote the Solheim Cup, which starts Friday.
Nor was there a photograph of Cristie Kerr, who's in second place. Or Angela Stanford, who's in third. Or the fourth through ninth place finishers...Kristy McPherson, Nicole Castrale, Christina Kim, Brittny Lang, Moprgan Pressel and Brittany Lincicome.
So who DID get her photograph run?
The least deserving. The one who finished in THIRTEENTH place in the Solheim Cup standings. The one with the 0-77 pro record. Yup, Michelle Weak is back...but only in the minds of our biased news media. And, as predicted earlier, no mention of that 0-77 record in the story.
Another of the picturesque golfers, Natalie Gulbis, was featured but at least she earned her way into the Soklheim Cup by placing tenth. Laura Diaz and Stacy Prammanasudh placed 11th and 12th, respectively, and yet WEREN'T picked for the Solheim Cup. The ones ranked 13th (Michelle Weak) and 16th ( |