They did What?!

Now you've done it, Nolan. Not only are the Rangers trying to persuade Cliff "it was only one game!" Lee into staying in the Texas area, but Mr. Big Gun is trying to court a Yankee great.

According to Sports Illustrated;

 "Rangers president Nolan Ryan recently reached out to Pettitte's camp to see if he could convince the free-agent lefthander to pitch in his home state in 2011. Pettitte called Ryan after the Rangers eliminated the Yankees in the ALCS, according to a second source, congratulating him on Texas' first-ever trip to the World Series."

Bold.  If Brian Cashman wasn't getting enough heat already from Yankee fans about his inability to sign Mo and Jeet forever, now he has to deal with this possibility? Preposterous. The thought of any of those three guys leaving, let alone a combination of them, would literally ruin my childhood. These guys are the baseball that I grew up on.

I do not believe the hype, but the fact that a rumor like this even exists is an issue. Cashman needs to get it together man. We can't be offering Lee 100 years 100 billion publicly and chump change to the Captain.

Mr. Ryan is certainly not someone I'd want to piss off though...

Get real or get lost, Cash.

If you can't take the heat...

Then fahk the NBA. Everyone and their dad are making a stink out of the fact that the Miami Heat aren't dominating every game- although we are only line 15 games into the season!
The Heat currently stand at 9-8, tied for 8th place in the east. So, just like any knowledgeable sports fan, what are journalists crying about? "Fire Eric Spoelstra!

I mean, give the half asian guy a break. How can you expect a 19 year old twinkie to manage a team of all stars? Chris Bosh wants to "chill" D Wade is hurt, and Lebron is busy stackin da chedduh.
But here, we catch a peek at Lebron taking out his frustrations-in a physical manner!


You can be the judge of his intent. But I will make my own assumption- Lebrons a chode.
If you actually want the Heat to succeed, you would take a more back seat approach and allow the team to build as it goes along. They weren't going to be 17-0 at this point (although some might have made that prediction) but it's not like they've lost every game this season either.

Personally, I don't care about the Heat, or the NBA for that matter. So long as we don't have to see Shaq rapping at the championship parade-eeks (or in a night club, for that matter) then I could not care less who wins.

Go Yanks.

turkey in the morning...

turkey in the evening, turkey at suppertime. Close to pizza bagels, but more tryptophan, more legs, and more weight. When we think of Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? Family, mashed potatoes, John Madden, and the Lions losing. Sports is the happy medium with families. Whether the big bellies are maxed out and Uncle fartsalot needs to take a rest, or the family isn't too close with one another and the TV is on to drain the silence, or, for some God-forsaken reason someone is a Lions fan, sports play an integral role in the holiday known as Thanksgiving.

Normally, there are just two games on Thanksgiving day in the NFL- one hosted by the Cowboys and the other hosted by the Lions. Beginning in 2006, the NFL added a third game on Thanksgiving night with a rotating host team. Tomorrow night at 8:20 the late game heroics of the NY Football Jets will come alive again against the "who ever is left on the roster that isn't in jail is starting tonight" Bengals.

What can we take from these games this weekend?
Well- the early game is the Pats at Lions, afternoon game the Saints at Cowboys, and the evening game Bengals at Jets. Lions are terrible, Cowboys are worthless, Bengals are felons.

All in all, take a moment to enjoy the games, even if just for the historical importance. Starting in 1910, there have been butt loads of folks just like you sitting back watching the game. Cheers that Sam Adams, unbutton that belt buckle, and kick back, because hey, You're  a fuckin' American!

Lock it Up

Three times, since our (my) sports watching days begun, have I witnessed a lock out in professional sports. Twice in professional hockey (94-95, 04-05) and once in the MLB (94-95). These are arbitrary disputes between the players, who are represented by a players union-usually made of up lawyers, former, and current players- and the commission.
Looks like we're going to make it a fourth time. Billy Hunter, the head of the NBAPA, says he is 99% sure that the NBA is on its way to a lockout following the end of the 2011 season. David Stern, NBA commissioner, says that he wants to reduce the players salaries by about $700-$800 million dollars overall.
The players site that ticket sales are up, most franchises have seen great revenue, and strong TV ratings.
Hunter notes that there are a few general managers who are in strong favor of this reduction. These "hawks," which Hunter calls them, if they're inclined, if they want to lock us out -- because we're not going to strike -- if they want to lock us out and they want to pull the roof down on themselves, then hey, have at it."

So where does that leave us, the fans? To watch the Euro league? To invest more interest into a sport like hockey? Or just patiently wait for Carmelo Anthony to agree to accept 15 million a year as opposed to 40.
Gee. Sports. Wow.

Pummeled, for good measures

A story broke the other day that was quite alarming. Last Sunday, following the Jets dismantling of the only team to lead in every game this season (surprise, surprise, the Cleveland Browns) and 8 year old Jets fan took one for the team. The boys mother, who NBC news (which broke the story) calls Danielle, stated

 "As my husband was walking, holding my son's hand, a guy from behind tackled him. A drunken Browns fan tackled him and pulled him out of his dad's hand. He was on the ground crying,"  according to the station.

Wow. Not only is Cleveland the worst sports city in the world because of their poor teams, they are now the worst sports city in the world because of poor fans. I mean, if you're that mad, tackle dad- just leave the kid alone.
So, as any good PR magician knows, this is a great situation to capitalize from. The Jets PR department offered to fly the family to New Jersey to watch a game in a luxury suite at the New Meadowlands Stadium and receive autographed memorabilia from coach Rex Ryan and players.
However....the family turned down the offer. What the crap?!?

I mean- free shit from Rex paired with a skybox to watch the Texans lose all with free beer and hot dogs?
This kid, if he has awoken from his coma, better be pissed off at his parents. I have no idea why they wouldn't accept. Un.believe.able!

Owed In

What defines a "bust?" Is it someone who doesn't perform as well as you expected? Someone who doesn't fit well into your system? Someone who didn't develop as fast as you thought?
While the true definition is quite subjective, one thing is clear:
Greg Oden is the biggest bust in the world. The 10 foot 9 "superkid" has played in just 82 of a possible 328 regular-season games since entering the league in 2007, and that he will have undergone micro fracture surgery on both knees before turning 23.
Ho-ly-smokes. Guy was playing at  an NBA level at the age of 9. His time with the Trailblazers has come to a certified end. Greg "those aren't my knees" Oden will probably find another home though, most likely in a team that wastes money like the Knicks or Clippers.
To think, the Blazers could have drafted a plethora of guys instead of Oden in the 2003 draft:
Kevin Durant, Joakin Noah, Rodney Stuckey, Al Horford, Rudy Fernandez, Aaron Brooks, or Marc Gasol.

Atleast they got themselves a hell of a dancer for the bench.

Its Thurzzz, week 9

NFL Network has changed sports overall. Aside from shelling out millions of dollars to a news channel completely devoted to one sport (one that lasts only 20 weeks, nonetheless), the NFL Network really took a chance. Prior to it, there was ESPN and that was it. Now, after the NFL Network, you have a designated channel for pretty much every sport. Thanks, DirecTV.
However, something that NFL Network did a few years back surely positioned itself well for the revenue of their company. Showcasing NFL games on a Thursday night is ludicrous enough, but to only show them on a paid channel is just a kick in the nuts.
Tonight we have the Ravens vs Falcons, a great matchup of young qb's, smash mouth running games, and some great playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Also throw in Anquon Boldin and Roddy White.
Sure, if you can afford the NFL Network, its great for fans. I mean you now get football 3 days a week. Thursday is practically the weekend, so why not celebrate. However, put yourself in the players position. That means you gotta play two games in a span of 5 days. Here's what Ray Lewis thinks about Thursday night games:

"It goes back to the 18-game schedule," Lewis said. "You have to ask yourself a real question when you schedule games like this: Who does it help? Because it doesn’t help the players. That turnaround is just too quick. You go from playing a physical game on Sunday and you have less than four days before you have to physically get back up again. It takes a week for guys to really heal."

Well, well, well, Mr. Goodell. You've pissed off players already enough with the incorporation of little league rules, now it looks like they're mad again. we remember what happened last time Mr. Ray "Everything happens for a reason" Lewis got mad:

Mr. Reliable

Sure, he's got the arm of a female highschooler, but the guy is damn resilient. He produced a ton of mediocre seasons for the Jets, usually failing late in games to be able to complete on the "big play."
Good Ol' Chad then headed to South Beach to resurrect the Dolphins season the the same year that Gang Green signed Brett "those aren't my crocs, and thats not my johnson" Favre. Chaddy boy took home some hardware that season-Comeback Player of The Year-on the way to the playoffs.
In comes Chad Henne-the borderline boss from Michigan-but, after a mediocre performance thus for, an old door reopens. And, without further adieu, he's baaaack.

"This is not an indictment on Chad Henne at all," Sparano said. "It's not an indictment on his future. This player has gotten an awful lot better. But at this particular time, it's something I believe I need to do for our team."

Suuuure... just throw in old stale arm and look for a resurgence mid season? Cmon, with the Pats and Jets dominating the AFC East-what's the freakin point? I mean if Chad Henne is the future, why bench him? Why pull in Pennington, who quite frankly shouldn't even be playing anymore? Cmaan Sparano, we all thought you were better then this. Somewhere within that organization Mr. Parcells is questioning his decision to hire you. As a Jets fan, we get to watch closely this week as the Titans rip roar right through Jake Long on the way to another separated pennington shoulder. Enjoy!

Image is Everything

Modern media era. Every single thing is filmed, then uploaded online, then tweeted, then re-tweeted to millions of people. That being said- anything, actually, everything, athletes do is going to be broadcasted to the masses.
Few easy examples: sex tapes, boozing photos, flippin the bird, crazy news conferences, and nudey blog photos.

However, images sometimes are not bad things. Specifically speaking- lets talk about logos. Some are amazing- raiders, and some are terrible-nets.
Here is a look at the what a NY Times blogger considers the best team logos in Pro Sports.

For me, my winner is:

Jeetin' all the way to the bank

Ok, well, maybe "jeet" isn't a real word, but ask any baseball fan what image comes to mind when they hear that term and the answer will be unanimous; The King of NY- Derek Jeter.

Obviously, the media likes to overexcite the notion of free agent signings, especially in regard to the NY area teams. This offseason happens to take place after an #epicfail by the Yanks in the postseason and is now highlighted by the big ol' question: Will DJ retire in pinstripes?

The question is stupid. The answer is a sure-fire yes. The questioning comes behind closed doors, when big Hal "I wanna be daddy" Steinbrenner and DJ's agents decide just how big that contract is going to be.

So, were on about day 6 of the jeet-track and already twitter is giving us some interesting leads: Jeter to the Tigers? I mean, cmon, he did grow up in Michigan. DJ to third base, and A-Rod to DH, leaving Jorge without a home instead? No, f'n, way. Nothing will change with last years roster except for some shiny new signing bonuses and a bolstered pitching staff (and maybe the trade-away of either Gardner or Swish).

So, the fact that journalists are even toying with the idea that DJ won't sign another 100 year 100 billion dollar contract is ludicrous. For God's sake the guy has been making outstanding plays from the middle of the infield since 95, 95!

So, Peter Gammons and Tom Verducci, eat a dick. Realize that in this case, for this franchise, money in nonsense and the power is in the pinstripes. Shit, Jeter can be player/coach and play 15 games a year and the guy will still deserve every.single.penny.

Until that number 28 comes around, well be waiting patiently to see who is next. DJ-see ya soon!

 

F this Noise

Noise, of course, being a fully catered meal at the Minnesota Vikings facility. Post practice meals are important for players, but sometimes, even more important to those who supply the food.
That being said,the food brought forth the the practice facility to the 2-6 Vikings better be good, or else. The ramifications of poor food can lead to, well, the release of a perennial Pro Bowler.
We are talking about none other than Randy "I wouldn't feed this to my dog" Moss. Just 4 weeks after giving up a 3rd round draft pick to the Patriots in exchange, Randy Ma' is once again on the open market.

"What the f*%&? Who ordered this crap? I wouldn't feed this to my dog,"

This was Randy's response to the Friday the tradition of the Vikings invite a local establishment to cater the team's post-practice meal. Last Friday, it was a St. Paul, Minn., restaurant -- a favorite of former Vikings center Matt Birk -- that served chicken, pasta, ribs and other dishes.

Well, I hope that the food was poor enough to be worth potentially $4.6 billion, which was the remainder of your salary this season.

World Series Losers

Refer back to previous articles noting how boring this year's world series matchup is. Sure, maybe just blame for my affinity for the Yanks paired with their no-show production, and maybe that was my reason to make the statement. However, facts are now facts. Last nights game 4 got worse numbers than the Saints/Steelers game showing simultaneously.
FOX's broadcast pulled in a 10.4, while the Steelers-Saints game got an 11.8.
Wow- The only World Series telecast to suffer a lower rating was Game 3 of the 2008 series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays. That game was delayed 90 minutes by rain and didn't get going until after 10 p.m ET.
Basically, who gives a rat-tail. I mean the big ticket items here are only pitchers. Nelson Cruz? Aubrey Huff? The fattest of the three Molinas? Dude, none of these guys would even make the Yanks roster.
So, looking forward, I guess American agrees with me that it is truly only Football season. Doesn't help that the jets got turd-burglered by a pack of wincansiners.
Let's move forward, please. AFC title, pitchers and catchers, and sure, I'll cover the Nets.