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No. 16 UW-Platteville Continues Offensive Explosion in 49-19 Non-Conference Win Over UW-Eau Claire
An aerial assault by senior quarterback John Kelly led No. 16 University of Wisconsin-Platteville to a 49-19 win over University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in a non-conference tilt on Thursday at Pioneer Stadium.
The Pioneers (3-0) continued to show its offensive fireworks in the win. Through the first three games, UW-Platteville has racked up a school record 157 points through its first three games, surpassing the previous mark of 153 by the 1970 team.
A key factor in the offensive fireworks is the play of Kelly, who completed 30 of 41 passes for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win. The 400+ yard effort passing by the Chicago, Illinois native is the most since Brent Nelson threw for 440 yards against the Blugolds on November 1, 2003 in a 42-35 defeat in Eau Claire. His favorite target on the night was Ryley Bailey, who caught 11 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns.
The Blugolds (0-3) had a balanced offensive attack with a 100-yard ground game and a 100-plus yard receiver in the defeat. Joel Sweeney ran the ball 23 times for 100 yards and a touchdown and Austin Goetsch caught seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown in the loss for UW-Eau Claire.
After the Pioneer defense forced the Eau Claire to punt on the first drive of the game, Kelly completed his first seven passes that culminated with an 18-yard touchdown reception by Trevor Whitehead. On the ensuing kickoff, sophomore Yoel Wonsey forced and recovered a fumble by Blugolds' return man Michael Price to set the stage for a short field for UW-Platteville. Then, on the next play, Pioneers' senior running back Lee Vlasak would score his first of three touchdowns on the night from four yards out.
Vlasak ended the contest with 15 carries and 58 yards for his third multi-touchdown game of his career.
With a 14-0 lead, the Pioneers added another quick score after another UW-Eau Claire special teams miscue. After a UW-Platteville punt, the Pioneers' Kevin Ybarra recovered a fumble by the Blugolds' punt returner. Three plays later and on an audible called by the Pioneer coaching staff, Kelly found Russell Martin to put UW-Platteville ahead 21-0. In two of the first three games, the Pioneers have scored 20+ points in the first 15 minutes of action.
The Blugolds did not go away easily as they went on the longest drive by a UW-Platteville opponent in 2012. UW-Eau Claire quarterback Austin Neu orchestrated a 17 play, 74-yard drive that ran 6:50 off the clock, ending with an eight-yard pass to Cody Gerver that cut the Pioneer lead to 21-7.
Kelly brought the Pioneers back down the field for two more touchdowns in the half, including a 42-yard touchdown pass to Bailey and a 14-yard run by Vlasak. With a 35-7 halftime lead, UW-Platteville through the first three games is outscoring its opponents by a commanding 108-14 advantage.
Sweeney and the Blugolds on their first drive of the second half cut the Pioneer lead to 35-14 when he scored from six yards out. The big play in the drive was a 42-yard pass completion by Neu to Clint Larsen; however, UW-Eau Claire failed on its point-after attempt.
Kelly heated back up in the start of the fourth quarter, completing six-straight passes and a steady diet of Vlasak ate up the clock. Four of the six completions went to Bailey including a 26-yard touchdown completion that put the Pioneers' ahead 42-13.
With UW-Platteville in a prevent defense, Neu completed back-to-back completions to Goetsch, including a 25-yard touchdown completion that cut the Pioneers' lead to 42-19. Again, UW-Platteville and its offensive unit went back to a balanced attack of Vlasak on the ground and Kelly through the air. After two-straight rushes by Vlasak to start the drive, Kelly found an open Paul Reit for a 57-yard completion to move the ball into Blugolds' territory. After a rush by Vlasak and a rare incompletion by Kelly, he found Bailey for a 17-yard reception to move the ball to the 4. Then, on the next play, Vlasak bulled into the end zone for his third touchdown of the game to put the finishing touches on the win.
Next up for UW-Platteville is "Orange Out" on Saturday, Sept. 29th at 1 p.m. when they host UW-Whitewater at Pioneer Stadium.
Visit www.letsgopioneers.com for video highlights | http://d3football.com/seasons/2012/contrib/201209202hhyh8?id=taxyz1xwwd31np29 | 1,054 |
Nets tip Hawks to earn home-and-home split
NEW YORK (AP) — Deron Williams scored 24 points, making four free throws in the final 43.4 seconds, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Atlanta Hawks 94-89 on Friday night to earn a split of a home-and-home series.
Brook Lopez added 20 points for the Nets, who bounced back from a 109-95 loss in Atlanta on Wednesday that snapped their seven-game winning streak. Former Hawks guard Joe Johnson finished with 18 points and Reggie Evans grabbed 20 rebounds as the Nets beat the Hawks for the first time in seven meetings.
Jeff Teague had 21 points and 10 assists for the Hawks, who played without starting center Al Horford and lost key reserve Lou Williams to a serious-looking right knee injury. Former Nets guard Devin Harris scored 17 and Josh Smith had 12 points and nine rebounds in his return from a one-game suspension, but shot just 5 of 15.
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Central New York Region Sports By Bleacher Report
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Athletes of the Week
National Sports Videos
Top Sports Stories
- BOYS SWIMMING: Kingston defeats Monroe-Woodbury
- INDOOR TRACK: Sara Flores fuels strong Kingston showing
- Jasmine Harrison, Greg Merrill score Kingston Athlete of Week honors
- Officials courting Cancer cure with basketball tourney
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: Rhinebeck rolls past Dover
- Today's local sports schedule
- KINGSTON BOWLING: Williams uses 290 to key 770 CAA triple
Recent Activity on Facebook
Sports editor Ron Rosner talks about the local and national sports scene.
New Paltz coaches blog their team's progress throughout the year.
Keep up to date with the resort's latest news, photos, events and other details. | http://dailyfreeman.com/articles/2013/01/18/sports/doc50fa0fb4455ad425905413.txt?viewmode=3 | 402 |
Local sports calendar
Written calendar submissions must be sent to Mike Stribl c/o Daily Freeman, 79 Hurley Ave., Kingston, NY, 12401; fax at (845) 331-3557 or e-mail at [email protected]
Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. Wednesday for consideration of inclusion into that week’s calendar.
Kingston: Registration noon-3 p.m. Feb. 23-24 at the Andy Murphy (Midtown) Neighborhood Center. Registration fee is $90. There is also a can shake bond for $40 and a shirt bond of $20, which will be returned when bonds are satisfied. Also, an organizational meeting wll be Feb. 28 at the Andy Murphy (Midtown) Neighborhood Center for those interested in managing, coaching or board positions. For more information, call John Longendyke at (845) 399-4802.
Onteora: Registration ongoing through March. Visit www.facebook.com and search for Onteora Babe Ruth or go to www.oswmvll.com and click on the registration link (it will bring you to the Babe Ruth contact page). Scholarships available. For more information, call Kevin Wortman at (845) 389-3052 or Robbie Shultis at (845) 399-0237. No player is turned away and everyone plays!
Onteora: Preseason clinic 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feb. 23 and March 9 in the Onteora High gymnasium. Registration forms will be available at each clinic.
Rondout Valley: Registration 6-8 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Marbletown Town Hall and 10 a.m.-noon March 2 at the Rochester Town Hall in Accord. Cost is $125 per player. For more information, call league president Chad Miller at (845) 389-6582 or email [email protected]
Saugerties: Registration 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 23 & March 2 at the Senior Citizens Cener adjacent to Cantine Field. New players should bring a copy of their birth certificate and proof of residence. Cost: $95 per player, $60 for each additional member in the same family. For more information, email Joe Quirk at [email protected]
High School Exhibition Series: For varsity and junior varsity teams this spring in the Cooperstown area. Sponsored by the Blue Jays Baseball Club. For more information, call Harvey Sandig at (607) 652-7740 or at [email protected]
Summer Travel Team Tournaments: 3-game summer events for 13U, 14U, 16U and 18U teams in the Cooperstown area. Sponsored by the Blue Jays Baseball Club. Night games can be scheduled. Trophies awarded. For more information, call Harvey Sandig at (607) 652-7740 or at [email protected]
KBA 13th Annual Seniors Tournament: Open to all KBA and KWBA members age 50 and over Feb. 24 at Ferraro’s Mid City Lanes. Squads at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. For more information, call Tournament Secretary Davis Mannello III at (845) 849-8431 or Tournament Manager Rick Campbell at (914) 466-9095.
75th Annual KBA Tournament: Open to all KBA members the weekends of March 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24 at Ferraro’s Mid City Lanes. Squad times are 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call Tournament Secretary Davis Mannello III at (845) 849-8431 or Tournament Manager Rick Campbell at (914) 466-9095.
Bike It!: Eight-week YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County Youth Cycling program for kids age 10-14. 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays April 27-June 15. Each session includes instruction and a bike ride. All participants receive a T-shirt, water bottle, patch kit and bike multi-tool. Bikes and helmets available, or bring your own. Registration: $30 for YMCA members, $40 for non-members. Scholarships available. Register at the Y Membership Office. For more information, call (845) 338-3810.
Woodstock Fencing Club: Meets 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Woodstock Elementary School. Instruction given at all levels in all weapons — Foil, Sabre and Epee from 6:30-8. Practice and bouting. Fence dry or electric. For more information, call Elene Schoeps at (845) 657-8021 or George T. Gallagher at 331-3832, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ashokan.com/fencing.html
Youth Field Hockey Clinic: 3-week clinic for grades 2-6 run by SUNY New Paltz head coach Shanna Vitale and college players will be held 5:45-7 p.m. March 12, 19 & 26 at MAC Park at the MAC Fitness Center, 743 East Chester Street by-pass in Kingston. Gain valuable skills and play small team games while having fun with friends. Open to the first 50 registrants. Cost: $55 for all 3 sessions. Mouthguard, shinguards, water and a field hockey stick are needed. A few sticks are available for use. For more information, contact Vitale at [email protected] or call (570) 660-3879.
Freestyle Sessions at Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties: 8:15-10 a.m. Thursdays for $10 per person.
Fly-Fishing Courses For Beginners: Offered by the Columbia-Greene Chapter of Trout Unlimited at Columbia-Greene Community College. A 6-week non-credit class offered 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays March 20-April 24 teaches the techniques of using a fly-rod. Cost is $90.Class size is limited to 10 students each. To register, call the college’s Community Services office at (518) 828-4181, ext. 3342 during normal business hours of click on the Community Services link at www.sunycgcc.edu. For for information, contact Trout Unlimited Chapter member Joe Reina at [email protected] or visit www.cgtu.org
HEALTH & FITNESS
Jazzercise Classes: Offered 6 p.m. Mondays at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Albany Ave., Kingston and 6 p.m. Wednesdays at the Fair Street Reformed Church in Kingston. All ages and fitness levels welcomed. Local instructor Cathy Shaw has been working with toddlers to seniors for 24 years. For more information, call (845) 339-1545.
Ulster County Computer Home Study Training Course: Free course 8 a.m. April 7 at the Saugerties Fish & Game Club, 168 Fish Creek Road in Saugerties. Home study is required prior to first day of class. Call (845) 339-8544 on or before March 29 to pre-register. Please do not call after 6 p.m. or Sundays. For more information, call New York Matt Merchant, State DEC Sportsman Education, at (845) 256-3063.
Kiwanis Ice Arena
Admission: $8 adults, $6 students (through high school). Helmets required. No exceptions.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: 8:15-10 a.m.
Fridays: 8:15-10 a.m.; 10-11:30 p.m.
Instructional Hockey/Skills: 7-8 a.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.kiwanisicearena.com
Kiwanis Ice Arena
Public Skate Sessions
Admission: $6 adults, $4 students (through high school), age 5 & under are free.
Mondays & Thursdays: 6:30-8 a.m.; 10:15-11:45 a.m.; noon-1:30 p.m.; 1:45-3:45 p.m.
Tuesdays: 10:15-11:45 a.m.; noon-1:30 p.m.; 1:45-3:15 p.m.
Wednesdays: 6:30-8 a.m.; 10:15-11:45 a.m.; noon-1:30 p.m.; 1:45-3:15 p.m.; 3:30-5:15 p.m.
Fridays: 10:15-11:45 a.m.; noon-1:30 p.m.; 1:45-3:15 p.m.; 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 2:30-4 p.m.; 4:30-6 p.m.
Sundays: 2-3:30 p.m.
Senior Citizen’s Days: 10:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays for only $4.
Learn To Skate: 8-9 a.m. Sundays. For more information, visit www.kiwanisicearena.com
Hurley: Registration for baseball and softball for boys and girls ages 4-12 who reside in the towns of Hurley, West Hurley and Glenford. Register online at www.eteamz.com/hurleylittleleague or at clinics being held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays now through March 27-28 at the Myer Elementary School. Please register before March 20 to assure placement on a team. Coaches’ evaluations will be 6-7:30 p.m. March 20 for ages 11-12 and 6-7:30 p.m. March 22 for ages 9-10 at the Onteora High gymnasium. For more information, call John Perry at (845) 338-6980.
Hurley: Clinics for boys and girls now through late March at the Ernest Myer Elementary School in Hurley. Ages 9-12 meet every Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m. through March 27. Ages 6-8 meet 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays through March 28. If school is closed or there are early dismissals, there will be no clinics. Little League registrations will also be held at the clinics. It is recommended to register before March 20 to assure placement on a team. For more information, call John Perry at (845) 338-6980.
Kingston American: Registration 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 23 at the Andy Murphy (Midtown) Neighborhood Center, 467 Broadway, Kingston, plus 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Edson Elementary School cafeteria. For boys ages 5-12 and girls 5-16. A birth certificate is required for all new players. Registration is required even if child has played previously. Valid photo ID (driver’s license) required for parent or legal guardian. Fees: $50 per player for age 8 and under, $60 for age 9 and over. $75 max per family. There is also a $50 work bond that will be returned after members have given six hours of volunteer work before the end of the season. For players 9 and older, 3 proofs are required and they must be dated between July 2012-Jan. 2013. For more information, email [email protected] or call Dave Hilliard at (845) 331-0349.
Kingston National: Registration 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 23 and March 2 at the Andy Murphy (Mid-town) Neighborhood Center, 467
Broadway in Kingston. Birth certificate and two forms proofs of residency.
Town of Esopus: Baseball/softball registration 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 22 and 1-3:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Esopus Town Hall. Late fee after Feb. 23. For more information or to register online, visit www.EsopusLittleLeague.com Used equipment will also be accepted at the Town Hall for Little League’s Pitch In For Baseball program.
Mountain Valley (Olive, Shandaken and Woodstock): Ongoing registration. Visit www.oswmvll.com for information and click on the link for registration. For more information, contact Stacey Anderson at (845) 684-5049. Registration rates increase Feb. 1. Scholarships are available. No player is turned away and everyone plays.
Mountain Valley (Olive, Shandaken and Woodstock): Preseason clinics 12:30-2 p.m. Feb. 23 and March 9 in the Onteora High gymnasium.
Saugerties: Registration 6-9 p.m. Feb. 22 and 9 a.m.-noon March 2 at the Frank D. Senior Center on Market Street. Cost: $55 per player/$100 max per family; $15 per player for the Challenger Division. New players must provide a birth certificate. Returning players may use the league’s new online registration form by visiting www.saugertieslittleleague.org and click on “player registration.”
Taconic: Free skills clinic Feb. 22 at Cold Spring Elementary School in Stanfordville. For more information, call Mike Denatale at (845) 266-0030.
Taconic: Baseball tryout (ages 9-12) 9 a.m. Feb. 23 at Cold Spring Elementary School in Stanfordville. For more information, call Mike Denatale at (845) 266-0030.
Taconic: Make-up baseball tryout 9-10 a.m. March 2 at Cold Spring Elementary School in Stanfordville. For more information, call Mike Denatale at (845) 266-0030.
Taconic: Minor League assessment for boys ages 7-8 10 a.m. March 2 at Cold Spring Elementary School in Stanfordville. For more information, call Mike Denatale at (845) 266-0030.
Ulster: Registration 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 23, 6-8 p.m. March 1 and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 2 at the Ulster Town Hall. Fees: T-ball $40, one child $50, family max $100, work bond $50. Birth certificate required for new players only. 3 proofs of residency (dated for 2013) required, plus a valid photo ID card (driver’s license) of a parent or guardian. For more information and registration forms, visit www.ulsterlittleleague.com
Saugerties Sports Hall of Fame Banquet: May 4 at the Glasco Firehouse. 2013 inductees are Ron Buzon, John Dodig Jr., John Dodig Sr. (posthumously), Tony Elia, Jim “Lenny” Hackett and Harold Wilsey (posthumously). Doors open at 5 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 6. Tickets are $25 per person. Reservations can be made by calling Dennis Sheehan at (845) 246-4101. For more information, visit www.saugertieshof.com
Saugerties Athletic Association: Men’s and women’s team applications have been sent out to all of last year’s managers. Deadline is March 6. New team openings will be on a first-come basis dependent on the number of returning teams. For more information or an application, contact SAA Men’s Softball Commissioner Joe Brocco at (845) 247-9135 or [email protected] or Women’s Softball Commissioner Heather Young at [email protected] or visit www.saaleagues.com
Town of Ulster: Organizational meeting 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Town of Ulster Town Hall. All teams planning to participate this season should send a representative or manager. Leagues for the upcoming season will be outlined at the meeting. Any questions should be directed to League Director Bob Bowers at (845) 399-0475 or Recreation Director Jeff Hayner at (845) 706-4440. All other information can be found at www.townofulster.org
Winter Pitching Clinic: Eight-week clinic Saturdays at the Boys and Girls Club in Kingston Jan. 12-March 9 with Janice Petit Brundage. Beginning pitchers meet from 9-10 a.m.; Advanced pitchers from 10-11 a.m. Clinic limited to seven pitchers per hour. Each pitchers must have their own catcher. Fee: $75 for Ulster Fillies members, $145 for non-Fillies. For more information, call John Wilcox at (845) 339-2072 or [email protected]
Youth Travel Teams
Dutchess Debs 12U: Looking for one or two more competitive players, preferably a pitcher and/or catcher for the 2012-13 season Anyone interested, should call Mike Sheedy at (914) 474-6794.
Mid-Hudson Tigers 16U: Currently looking for one or two competitive players to add to the roster. There will be indoor winter training and spring/summer tournaments. Anyone interested are asked to call A.J. Uhl at (845) 430-7035.
Ulster Fillies 16U: Looking for an experienced pitcher/infielder to complete 2013 travel roster. Season will include an eight-week winter workout period with two Adirondack Dome indoor tournaments and a summer schedule comprised of college showcase, ASA state and national championbship tournaments and high-level tournament play. For more information or if interested in an individual tryout, contact Rick Spriggs at [email protected] or at (845) 339-8162.
Mid-Hudson Dark Corner Wrestling Club: Meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and Fridays in the Kingston High School wrestling room. Beginning through advanced wrestling. Folkstyle, Freestyle and Greco-Roman. For more information, call coach Cappy Weiner at (845) 532-0364.
Town of Saugerties Summer Day Camp Program: Pre-registration now underway. Plans are already for usual trips to Puttin’ Plus, Ulster Landing Beach, Hoe Bowl on the Hill lanes, North-South Lake, Zoom Flume, Hoffman’s Playland and the Ulster County Fair. Sports Instruction, Nature Studies, Arts & Crafts and Movie Days are back as well as Scavenger Hunts, Field Day, Water Day and the annual End of Year Picnic. The camp runs from July 8-Aug. 16. Registration forms, along with detailed information such as prices, is available at the Kiwanis Ice Arena, Town Hall and also at www.saugerties.ny.us
See inaccurate information in a story? Other feedback and/or ideas for us to consider? Tell us here.
Central New York Region Sports By Bleacher Report
Location, ST | website.com
Athletes of the Week
National Sports Videos
Top Sports Stories
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: Wallkill routs Onteora for MHAL title
- WRESTLING: Thirteen locals vying for state glory
- Today's sports broadcast schedule
- BOYS BASKETBALL: Pine Plains claims first MHAL title in school history
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: Rhinebeck rolls past Ellenville
- WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: SUNY New Paltz excited about SUNYAC final four (video)
- Local sports calendar
Recent Activity on Facebook
Sports editor Ron Rosner talks about the local and national sports scene.
New Paltz coaches blog their team's progress throughout the year.
Keep up to date with the resort's latest news, photos, events and other details. | http://dailyfreeman.com/articles/2013/02/22/sports/doc5126b9236f573295554653.txt?viewmode=fullstory | 4,342 |
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Benson on ESPN2, Knaus on SPEED
The dynamics of the two Monday NASCAR TV shows have been fun to watch this season. Both NASCAR Now on ESPN2 and This Week In NASCAR on SPEED have been totally changed since 2007.
Now, as these two shows begin to mature, they have taken-on even more interesting aspects. One of those is favorite panelists. Monday, viewers will have an opportunity to see two good examples of that.
Allen Bestwick has a long history with Johnny Benson. It was many years on both SpeedVision and SPEED Channel that those two shared an hour on Mondays when Bestwick hosted Inside Winston/NEXTEL Cup Racing. Bestwick's relationship with Benson was different than the one he had with the either Michael Waltrip or Kenny Schrader.
Now, Benson's TV career has been born-again on Monday nights. He has been a semi-regular on NASCAR Now sitting in the "driver" seat. This week, he will be joined in the "media" seat by Mike Massaro and in the "commentator" seat by Brad Daugherty.
This is another solid mix of three panelists that should spark good discussion and allow Bestwick to cover a broad range of topics. There is no doubt that Bestwick has integrated many elements he used in his former show on SPEED into this ESPN2 offering. What has been interesting is just how successful this program has become.
Meanwhile, SPEED and The NASCAR Media Group have combined to try and re-build the Monday night TV franchise that is now called This Week In NASCAR. Steve Byrnes has been gamely pushing this program forward with the same type of determination and enthusiasm that he uses at the track. He has not wavered in his host duties, and is certainly rolling with the punches as major changes continue on this TV series.
The show has been reduced to two panelists and one host. This has often turned what could have been a discussion into a disagreement between two people. Unfortunately, there is no third voice to chime-in this season. That has led to some sticky situations because of the personal involvement of the panelists in the race highlights.
The new favorite panelist on TWIN has become Chad Knaus. This program has never had a crew chief as a panelist and Knaus is fascinating. He works well with Larry McReynolds on NASCAR Performance because that show only "talks tech."
Knaus is being stretched on TWIN because he is often asked not only to respond to issues about other teams, but also has to deal with the hi-jinks of fellow panelist Michael Waltrip. The results have often been rather hilarious.
Waltrip also returns this Monday, and there should be a whole lot to talk about with Pocono ahead of the gang and Dover behind. One glaring issue that sits with Knaus on every show is the struggles of his team this season. There are often signs of frustration when Knaus talks about the COT and the new challenges that he has yet to handle in 2008.
Byrnes continues to tolerate the backwards format of this show, which puts the preview of the next race before the review of the past race. In fact, many readers tell The Daly Planet that they simply record the program and then play it back in the order that makes sense to everyone but the SPEED executives.
Now, with a bunch of shows under their belts and their new shirts nicely tailored, Byrnes and company might be ready to finally hit on the combination that will make for a smooth and fun hour. With all the carnage and stories of Dover, it might be a good week to put things in a new order and see how it works.
Meanwhile, Bestwick and friends will no doubt continue the huge roll they are on since unveiling this new Monday version of NASCAR Now to rave reviews. Certainly, Bestwick will not forget to remind Daugherty of the "chocolate chip cookie incident" during the rain delay at Dover.
NASCAR Now is up first on ESPN2 at 6:30PM and then SPEED follows with TWIN at 8PM. All those times are Eastern. NASCAR Now is an hour later than normal because of the continuing coverage of the French Open tennis tournament. There will be columns up on each program on Monday, so please come back and leave your comments. Thanks. | http://dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2008/06/benson-on-espn2-knaus-on-speed.html?showComment=1212361980000 | 906 |
Cricket fans all across the world can now catch the action in the ongoing WICB Four-day First-class Tournament. The WICB’s website (www.windiescricket.com) has taken on a fresh look and cricket lovers can log on to get:
* up-to-date scores in all matches
* listen to live ball-by-ball commentary
* up-to-the-minute text commentary
* have a look at the scoreboards
* read game reports and up-to-date news and features
* and also see high-quality action photographs.
The enhanced online drive is part of the WICB’s overall master plan to bring supporters back to the regional game and to encourage fans of all ages to feel a part of Windies cricket and get closer to their favourite players from their favourite team.
The radio commentary will also be heard on several leading radio station across the Caribbean. It is being produced by the Line & Length Network, who did a similar job during the WICB’s four-day and one-day tournaments last year as well as the two international series in the Caribbean in 2009 – West Indies vs England and West Indies vs Bangladesh.
Several former West Indies West Indies players including Courtney Walsh and Jeff Dujon, have formed part of the broadcast panel for the opening round of matches being played in Jamaica. Throughout the season, as the matches move around the region, other legends of the game will also be part of the radio and online broadcast and fans can tune in to hear their expert comments and analysis.
The Tournament will feature seven rounds of matches. The first round fixtures are: Jamaica vs Windward Islands at Chedwin Park; Barbados facing the Leeward Islands at Kensington Park; and Trinidad and Tobago going up against Combined Campuses and Colleges at Jarrett Park. Guyana is the other team in the tournament and they have a bye in the first round. Play will start at 10 am.
One of the highlights this season will be use of pink balls in four matches which will be played under lights. These games will be: Trinidad and Tobago vs Guyana at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua (January 15-18); Barbados vs Windward Islands at Kensington Oval (January 29 to February 1); Combined Campuses and Colleges vs Jamaica at Guyana National Stadium (February 12-15) and Combined Campuses vs Leeward Islands at Beausejour, St Lucia (February 26 to March 1). These matches will start at 1 pm.
Full list of fixtures with venues for the West Indies Cricket Board’s four-day first-class Tournament 2010
Round 1: January 8-11 in Jamaica
Jamaica vs Windward Islands at Chedwin Park
Trinidad and Tobago vs Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) at Jarrett Park
Barbados vs Leeward Islands at Kensington Park
Round 2: January 15-18 in Leeward Islands
Jamaica vs Leeward Islands at Warner Park, St Kitts
Barbados vs CCC at Grove Park, Nevis
Guyana vs Trinidad and Tobago at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – day/night
bye: Windward Islands
Round 3: January 22-25 in Barbados
Barbados vs Trinidad and Tobago at Kensington Oval
Windward Islands vs CCC at 3Ws Oval
Jamaica vs Guyana at Foursquare Park, St Philip
bye: Leeward Islands
Round 4: January 29-February 1 in Barbados (hosted by CCC)
CCC vs Guyana at 3Ws Oval
Trinidad and Tobago vs Leeward Islands at Foursquare Park, St Philip
Windward Islands vs Barbados at Kensington Oval – day/night
Round 5: February 12-15 in Guyana
Guyana vs Barbados at Albion
Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands at Bourda
CCC vs Jamaica at National Stadium, Providence – day/night
bye: Trinidad and Tobago
Round 6: February 19-22 in Trinidad
Trinidad and Tobago vs Windward Islands at Queen’s Park Oval
Barbados vs Jamaica at UWISPEC
Guyana vs Leeward Islands at National Cricket Centre
Round 7: February 26-March 1 in Windward Islands
Guyana vs Windward Islands at Grenada National Stadium
Trinidad and Tobago vs Jamaica at Progress Park, Grenada
CCC vs Leeward Islands at Beausejour – day/night
Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed. | http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/sports/fans-can-log-on-to-%E2%80%9Ccatch%E2%80%9D-wicb%E2%80%99s-online-drive/ | 990 |
WORKOUT WITH A SMILE: Manny Lopez and Shannon Copruz enjoy their morning workout at the Verizon Wireless offices in Chandler. “We know happy employees equals happy customers,” says company spokeswoman Jenny Weaver.
By Mark Scarp, contributing columnist
By Jerry Brown, contributing columnist
Guest Commentary by Bill Richardson
Guest Commentary by Shawn Thiele
By Mark Heller, Tribune | http://eastvalleytribune.com/news/image_69432cd8-b41c-5f8a-94df-2828270230f7.html | 80 |
A study on match-fixing in sport which maps and analyses criminal law provisions in the 27 EU Member States has been finalised and is now publicly available.
In its Communication on 'Developing the European Dimension in Sport' from January 2011, the Commission recognised that match-fixing violates the ethics and integrity of sport and that, whether related to influencing betting or to sporting objectives, it is a form of corruption and as such sanctioned by national criminal law. In addition, in its Communication on 'Fighting Corruption in the EU' adopted in June 2011, the Commission observed that corruption in sport is an increasingly visible problem with cross-border dimensions, mainly related to opacity of transfers and match-fixing. The Commission also announced its intention to analyse possible solutions to address match-fixing more effectively by first launching a study on how corruption in sport is covered in national legislation, noting that this may offer grounds for further policy actions in this area, such as possibly establishing minimum rules concerning the definition of criminal offences in this field.
The study on "Match-fixing in sport – A mapping of criminal law provisions in EU 27" [2 MB] was launched by the Commission in September 2011 and has now been completed. The results of the study, which was carried out by KEA European Affairs, are publicly available.
Although the study does not represent the Commission's official position, the Commission considers its results as useful input for future discussions with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in view of addressing the issues raised by match-fixing in the EU. | http://ec.europa.eu/sport/news/20120410-study-on-match-fixing_en.htm | 313 |
Swim with Olympic level technique and annihilate your old times
Feel the weight lifted off your shoulders as you cruise smoothly through the water
Now, this well kept secret is available for a short time...
If you have watched Michael Phelps
at the Olympic games and wondered how you can learn smooth and fast
freestyle, you need to look no further.
I'm going to show you the step-by-step formula to swimming efficient freestyle, in less time than you ever thought possible.
I want you to imagine a scene.
You're standing at the end of the pool,
feeling your toes curled over the edge. You're about to dive in. It's
only a training session but you know everyone is watching, waiting to
size you up.
"I bet you're no good," you imagine them saying.
Their judging eyes peer across at you. You can feel your heart pounding against your chest.
Butterflies appear in your stomach as you push off the wall, entering the water.
"Why is this so hard?" you scream from inside. "It
looks so easy, but nothing seems to improve my technique or make me
You promised yourself you'd do something about it.
"But what?" you remind yourself.
Nothing has worked so far.
You've tried the local stroke correction group. The teacher could barely swim himself!
You've hunted around the internet for answers, but nothing could put the puzzle pieces together.
"There's got to be an answer out there!"
Luckily, there is a solution.
Hi, I'm Brenton Ford and I'm an Australian National swim coach.
don't know me because I've kept my training secrets strictly 'under the
radar' for the past few years. It's only since winning the national
titles that I've been forced to go public.
I'm going to let you in on a dirty little secret of the swimming world.
Less than 1 in 10 coaches know how to teach swimming from scratch, and they're afraid to admit it (I was one of them!).
And most elite coaches can only help 'good' swimmers make minor adjustments (and improve only tenths of a second).
Ask them to help an everyday lap swimmer burn 5 seconds from a 100 meters and they'll run in the opposite direction.
It's not their
fault, they've never been taught how to teach
As a two-time national championship winning coach, I can tell I didn't always know how to teach freestyle.
In the beginning, most of my swimmers had the coordination of a kangaroo in the water.
They'd tire easily. Choke on water. Even get frustrated with
lack of progress.
This is when I decided to find out how elite swimmers learn freestyle.
The secrets to developing perfect technique were not easy to uncover.
Luckily I had connection.
My good friend and Australian team swimmer, Sam Ashby.
his network of Olympic swimmers and coaches, I managed to extract the
steps to swimming perfect freestyle technique. One drill at a time.
I tested the program on my own swimmers first.
The results knocked me out of my chair.
"44 strokes per lap down to 32!" I'd never heard anything like it.
"What about your times?" I asked. "Are they any different?"
"I had a hard time getting under 45 seconds for a lap. Now I can do 35 seconds without even kicking."
This was silly!
"Are they having me on?" I wondered.
I counted their strokes and timed each of them to double check
they were telling the truth.
Sure enough, they were telling the truth. We were on to something.
Times were dropping like world records after the Speedo Lazer suits were invented.
Swimmers were now conserving energy as they swam.
They were no longer sucking in water each breath.
Instead they were relaxed.Confident. Comfortable.
They swum with smooth even strokes that resembled the techniques of elite swimmers.
I wondered "Why has this not been released to the public
We were fixing chronic issues with swimmers technique such as:
Dropped elbow in the arm recovery
on water after each breath
'Fishtailing' like a zig-zagging snake
that triathletes constantly battle with
Sinking feet which act like an anchor on your body
inefficient 'S' shaped pulling
Lack of rotation from the hips and shoulders
to breathe after a few laps
Slipping through the pull and not 'catching' the water
Instead the program was showing amazing results. I was seeing traits which I'd only ever seen in 'I-train-4-hours-a-day' swimmers.
Have a relaxed arm in the recovery and conserve energy rather than expend it
comfortably so that you're never gasping
for air again
Swim straight and avoid 'fishtailing' to wipe off seconds from swimming side-to-side
so that your moving forward and can easily
pick up the pace whenever you choose
Swim so 'high' in the water your body creates almost no resistance
back to basics and discover the correct way your pull should feel
underwater so you won't be guessing if you're doing it the right way
Rotate easily from your hips to your shoulders and move through the water efficiently
for hours by making one small change in
your stroke (no more stopping at the end of each lap necessary!)
Grab the water and move through it easily and get rid of feeling like you're slipping with each pull through.
confident in the water and never be swam
over the top of again
See a change in your physique (flatter stomachs here we come!) and stand more upright now you'll be using the correct muscles in your swimming
An interesting discovery emerged from our tests.
Swimmers with 20 years experience...were improving their technique in less than an hour.
Even swimmers with little experience were having amazing results.
Going through the program step-by-step eradicated the 'bad habits' our swimmers had fallen into. It's the way to develop Olympic technique by using 'feel'...rather than theory.
We called it 'Mastering Freestyle Technique', because that's exactly what was happening.
Here's just some of the types of people who have had success with it:
Lap swimmers - No expensive coach needed, just follow the program step-by-step.
Triathletes - The technique you'll learn works in both open water and at the pool so you can cross over in easily.
Competitive pool swimmers - You can fit the drills around your normal training.
Surf swimmers - The technique you'll learn has stood up to rough seas.
'I've-been-swimming-for-30-years-and-will-never-change-my-stroke' swimming veterans - Even if you think your technique will never change, prepare to get a shock!
Parents with children - We've had many parent give the program to their kids to develop good technique early on.
Plus many others..!
You can see the program works for a wide range of people. But it won't work for everyone.
Total beginners - If you can't swim one lap of freestyle... I don't want you to buy the program just yet...go to your local 'learn-to-swim' class first.
Babies & Toddlers - 12 years & up is my rule of thumb, depending on their skill level.
Stubborn swimmers - If you want to keep your technique exactly as it is...this program is not for you!
Each swimmer was finding the technique that worked for them.
not a one-size fits all program that works only for strong
'young-bucks' (like other technique programs). The drills
our swimmers develop a technique that worked for their body shape
Overhaul your freestyle technique or make small refinements...it all depends on what level you're at.
Now, not everyone will be able to drop 10 seconds from a lap.
It's not a miracle potion that will shed 30 pounds, give you 'Hulk' muscles and make you 7 inches taller.
But it will make you swim faster
than you do now, and it will
make swimming easy.
Here's what other's have said about the program:
"This is mind blowing. Having been a noob (beginner) in the pool for so long I feel like a PRO now doing only the basics!!! Thank you so much for putting together this awesome program. I went from 40 seconds per lap to 17 seconds in 5 weeks! For all the noobs (beginners) out there, this is highly recommended: Buy this!!"
Harry Reich, Germany
I have spent 3 days so far doing the drills. I have gotten through the introductory lesson as well as part of lesson one. I am definitely seeing results.
I never knew the proper technique and I am a perfectionist. The beginning drills with watching all of the lessons multiple times has really shown me how I should be swimming. I have ended each pool session with 6 to 8x25 yards in freestyle and feel I am going faster with less effort.
I had a hard time swimming 25 yards in 30 seconds consistently and I am now swimming 25 yards in 20 seconds without even kicking. If I could get this time to be a 2 to 4 seconds faster by the end I'll be super excited! It will definitely lead to a good 1.2 mile swim to start off a Half Ironman in a couple years!"
- Logan Hunter Bass, Connecticut, USA
Cruising through the introductory drills at the moment and having a ball. I am loving the chilled out relaxed feel of these drills and getting out of the water without feeling wrecked for a change!
Number one is a blissfully yogaic (well if it's not a word it should be!!!) way to start out the session and I love(!!!) drills 4 and 5 - being underwater is ace and I'm enjoying extending my breath lengths as an aid to building up my fitness and lungs again."
- Annette Jacobsen, Melbourne, Australia
always had trouble doing laps in the pool. I was always getting too
tired and thought that everybody else simply had more stamina then me.
It turned out that after speaking with Brenton I found out my troubles were related to my technique. He put me onto Effortless Swimming.
I was really impressed with how simple the program is. It encourages you to learn at your own pace with very easy exercises. It really is effortless."
Anthony Sokolowski, Melbourne, Australia
I've been practising and following the drills as per your advise. Last Saturday I did the first olympic triathlon of
the year and to my surprise I managed to shave off 3 minutes in the 1.5 km swim. Great stuff.
Thanks for the fantastic program! Thanks again."
Jorge Mascaro, Birmingham, UK
"Honestly, I could not swim ONE lap of our local pool (25 metres) without stopping – I was one of those swimmers that always had something wrong with their goggles and was forever stopping to fix them! After completing the effortless swimming program over the past 6 months, I can now swim up to 26 laps.
This was my aim when starting the program - to simply improve my technique so I could enjoy swimming a few laps of the pool – thanks to these videos which are so easy to follow and understand, I have been able to achieve this at my own pace. I am amazed at the improvement in my swimming technique, across all areas – my balance, stroke, breathing and kicking. I am now even considering entering the swim leg of a local triathlon!"
Jenny Waterhouse, Warrnambool, VIC, Australia
the last couple of months I have been trying to bust through the "2000
meters in 40 minutes" barrier and recently cobbled together a 1500m
freestyle and 500m breaststroke in 39 min 45 sec including a 1 or 2 min
It's probably due to having a new Australian coach, but it might just be from practicing some of the drills!"
Paul Somerville, Ontario, Canada
"I wanted to do triathlons but my freestyle swimming was not strong enough and I never did any swimming workouts. I used the Mastering Freestyle program to be able to swim the 1500 meter open water swim, easily...
What I like about the program is that I can keep coming back to it, watching the drills and repeating them, listening to the audio parts, reading the guides and continuing to improve.
I know I still have alot of room to improve, but I know I'm making progress and getting better. I've done two triathlons and I am excited about the next one, and I'll be using the Mastering Freestyle as a part of my training."
Laura Rogers, Hawaii
I am brand new to the sport of swimming, and I am trying to learn this skill to compete in triathlons.? I took a couple of lessons and learned some helpful things, but when?I tried to complete a workout, I felt as if something was missing.?
The head of the pool I swim at guided me to your website and Mastering Freestyle program.? I wish I would have started here.?
After the Introductory Lesson, my confidence in the pool skyrocketed, and after three sessions I moved on to Lesson 1.? I am still working on mastering this lesson, but will move on soon enough.?
Yesterday after performing the drills I swam a 50 and finished with a smile.? My biggest problem was breathing and energy conservation, and the program has helped me greatly.? When I finish I wish?I would be able to shake your hand for all the knowledge you have given me."
Robert W. Johnson, Ohio, United States
Are these swimmers any different than you? No, they are not. They are a small cross section of the swimmers who face the same problem as you. How to swim smooth, fast freestyle without training 4 hours a day.
They were fed up not getting the results they wanted and decided to do something about it. The only difference is that they discovered Mastering Freestyle Technique…and decided to give it a try.
For less than what you would pay a professional coach for a one-on-one session, you get the drills and advice a professionally trained coach would give you.
For these swimmers, it was worth every cent.
Here's what you get:
4 Easy To Follow, Step-by-step Online Video Lessons
36 page Detailed Drills Manual (PDF)
Handy one-page Drill Overview Card to take to the pool during sessions (PDF)
Until October 28th
Two months of FREE workouts from Effortless Swimming Workouts, our swim training program where we reveal the latest in swim workouts we're using to improve speed and endurance (valued at $34)
I don't know how much longer I'll keep this offer up because the more people who get their hands on it, the more competition my swimmers will have (and I like it when they win!).
Once I take it down it'll be gone for good.
I'll be focusing my time on my squad and helping those who have gotten 'in' on the program. You'll have 24/7 access to me by email, so any questions you have can be answered right away. I bet you won't find another coach or teacher offering that kind of personal attention.
you were to learn this from me in a one-on-one environment, it would
cost you hundreds of dollars (and that's if I agreed to take you on
Think about it. You would need:
Return flights to Melbourne $247
Hotel to stay at $120
Taxi to and from pool $35
An hour of my time $150
Lane hire $80
That's more than $450 just to learn this secretive method. And those are pretty conservation figures you'd agree.
If you live outside Australia it could be as much as 5x that amount. I rarely take swimmers in a one-on-one session because everything they need to know is contained the the Mastering Freestyle program.
I'm so confident the program will slash seconds from your times, drop your stroke count and have you swimming fast and smooth freestyle that I'll guarantee it.
Yep, that's right.
If after 60 days you're not swimming with Olympic level freestyle technique (it should only take a few days at most to see dramatic results), then I want to give your money back.
All you have to do is let me know. It's a no hassles, no questions asked guarantee.
going to give you a full refund if by the end of 60 days you're not
swimming easier and faster than you ever have before. There is no risk
I've chatted with hundreds of swimmers about the program and
discovered there are
only three reasons why people don't buy.
1. "It sounds too good to be true" - I agree, it sounds almost too good to be true. After months, even years of struggling with ugly technique it can seem like there's little hope. And I'll be totally honest, not everyone who buys Mastering Freestyle will swim better. If you do nothing with it, nothing will happen. You have to go through the drills to see a difference. If you do, I promise you you'll be swimming better.
2. "I've tried similar programs before and they didn't work for me" - I hear you! The number of 'quick fix' solutions I've tried is enough to keep any dodgy salesmen in a job. We all know these 'band-aid' solutions don't last long enough to get you through to your next training session. It takes a proven method that allows you to see the results (not just imagine them) to make a change for the better.
3. "I don't need to improve my swimming that bad" - That's what I thought...until I developed a serious shoulder injury from swimming with incorrect technique. It kept me out of the water for weeks...but also stopped me from catching up with friends and doing other things I enjoy. Incorrect technique not only poses a real danger to injury, but to everyday life as well.
I know not everyone is going to take me up on this offer, in fact I don't want everyone to.
If you're a 'negative-nancy' who thinks the world is against you and swimming effortlessly is only reserved for a special few, please don't join the program.
If you're reading this letter hoping the program doesn't work just so you can tell me I'm wrong, please don't join the program (although I challenge you to go through the drills and not improve!).
But if you are the kind of person who wants more from their swimming, knows they can improve and is ready to feel what it's like swimming long, smooth freestyle, I'd like to have you on board.
If that sounds like you, I suggest you scroll down to the
bottom of the page and order now before the bonus disappears.
As I mentioned earlier, if I were to teach you these methods in a one-on-one session, it would cost you over $450 (and that's if you could book me).
If you're frustrated with a lack of progress in your swimming, and you're ready to finally 'get it', now is the time to take action.
Right now you get the
entire Mastering Freestyle program and bonus to have you looking
and feeling like an elite swimmer for only $97.
After that I'll be taking away the bonus (and possibly the entire program) if enough people take me up on this offer because I want make sure you receive the attention you deserve after you order.
If you are ready to swim with long, smooth and relaxed technique, I suggest you fill in your details on the next page to get you started.
Imagine 5 minutes from now.
You're sitting in your seat, watching the videos that will change your swimming forever. No more chocking on water. No more being overtaken by swimmers who look much less capable than you.
In less than 5 minutes you could be swimming long, elegant freestyle and cruising past other swimmers.
I remember 3 years ago thinking "how good would
that feel?" And so I took action. I got the information I needed so I
could swim freestyle that looked and felt like Olympic technique.
You already work your butt off in the pool, it's time you invested a little bit of money into getting it right.
But what if you never use the program in your first two months? Fine. Send us your details and we'll fully refund your purchase plus send you a lovely little 'Thank you for trying us out!' note along with your refund.
So, secure your copy of
Mastering Freestyle today for only
Yes Brent! I want to learn:
✔ How to swim effortlessly through the water without gasping for air at the end of each lap
✔ How to cruise past other swimmers who are 'just getting their laps in'
✔ Olympic level technique that looks good and feels fast.
Click the 'Get Instant Access Now'
button below and fill in your details on the next page, and in under 5
minutes you'll have access to the entire program!
Today these stroke-changing videos are available for only
Order your copy today and receive two months of FREE workouts from Effortless Swimming Workouts (valued at $34), our swim training program.
As you've seen, beautiful freestyle technique isn't reserved for a 'special few'. Now you too can swim with graceful technique that glides past competitors with little effort.
In fact I received an email from a happy customer the other day saying he was "cruising faster than most people that were 'just getting their laps in".
He wasn't a
particularly fast swimmer before that either.
I also mentioned the 'dirty little secret' that most coaches don't want you to know.
Now's the time to take advantage of that and to start swimming with Olympic level technique so swimming is easy, fun and best of all...you'll be the expert at it.
When your friends talk about swimming,
you'll be the one they go to. You
can keep the source of your amazing
technique a secret if you choose!
If you're ready to feel and look like an Olympian in the water, click the 'Add To Cart' button above and fill in your details on the next page.
P.S - Remember the two months of FREE workouts from Effortless Swimming Workouts (valued at $34) is available right now.
P.P.S- You could have access to these technique-changing videos in under 5 minutes if you act fast. Imagine sitting where you are now, seeing exactly what you need to do to swim easy, fast freestyle like Phelps.
P.P.P.S - If you were to learn these strategies from me in person, it would cost you well over $400. Today, you can get access to them for much less than that.
We offer a full 60-day money back guarantee. If you're not satisfied, simply email our support center and we'll refund your money. There is NO risk to you, try it out for 2 months and see for yourself. If you aren't getting great results from your swimming and you're not happy, we'll give you your money back!
About Effortless Swimming: We are a swimming coaching company located in Melbourne, Australia. We teach at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic center in Albert Park and coach hundreds of swimmers online and offline from around the world. If you would like to shoot through an email with any questions you have feel free to reach me at brent[@]effortless-swimming.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EffortlessSwimming. You can also reach me on Skype at ‘brentonford’. | http://effortless-swimming.com/ | 5,082 |
Ferrari sign Fisichella for remainder of season
It has been confirmed this afternoon that Giancarlo Fisichella has been released from his contract with Force India to join Ferrari for the remainder of the season, starting next weekend with the Italian Grand Prix.
"I am very grateful to Vijay Mallya for allowing me this opportunity to drive for the Scuderia Ferrari," said Fisichella. "It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous. I hope in my turn I have helped Force India grow up and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions. They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best."
With Felipe Massa, currently recovering from injuries sustained in Hungary, out of action for the remainder of the season, and test driver Luca Badoer failing to shine at both Valencia and Spa Francorchamps, the Italian team were left with little alternative other than to look elsewhere.
"Giancarlo and his management team approached me yesterday with the proposal from Ferrari," stated Force India team principal Vijay Mallya. "For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this.
"Furthermore the agreement will secure Giancarlo's long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardise this, particularly when Giancarlo has made such a vital contribution to Force India.
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali was keen to praise the outgoing Badoer as well as welcoming Fisichella to the Italian team.
"We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season," said Domenicali. "Giancarlo has shown, throughout his long career that he is fast and competitive and we are therefore proud to be able to run an Italian driver in our home race."
For Badoer, his final two Grand Prix were something of a 'thank you' from Ferrari for his long standing service to the team as test driver. "We wish to thank Luca Badoer for the team spirit he demonstrated in these circumstances," said Domenicali. "It is a shame he was unable to show his true worth in these last two races, tackled under conditions which anyone would have found difficult."
Ferrari is third in the constructors' championship and heading to its home race at Monza and will be looking to extend their 12 points cushion over the recovering McLaren Mercedes team.
Force India is expected to promote test driver Tonio Liuzzi to the race team in place of Fisichella with an announcement "in the coming days".
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
Products you might like at espnshop.co.uk | http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/3358.html?CMP=OTC-RSS | 610 |
Can Nuggets surprise in the West?
5-on-5: Denver went 18-7 after trading away Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups
After the Carmelo Anthony drama last season, Denver became a powerhouse in the second half of the season and earned the No. 5 seed in the West. Now they have some questions to answer. Chief among them: Do the superstar-less Nuggets have enough talent on their roster to challenge for the top spot in the conference?
Our panel of 5-on-5 experts have the answers:
1. Fact or Fiction: Andre Miller will and should start at PG over Ty Lawson.
Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell: Fiction. It's a good problem to have -- either way, the Nuggets have an excellent combination of veteran savvy and youthful athleticism at the point guard position. At this point in their careers, I might give the nod to Lawson, but they should both see a fair amount of time on the floor.
Spencer Hall, Salt City Hoops: Fiction. Andre Miller will forever have a place in my heart for his spectacular run in the 1998 NCAA tournament. His NBA teams seem to overachieve in the same ways, making him a nice leader for the post-Melo Nuggets. But kids in high school were in diapers the year Miller made the NCAA title game. It's time for Ty Lawson to get the start.
John Hollinger, ESPN.com: Fiction. Lawson is better, younger and more suited to the blistering tempo at which Denver plays best. Additionally, Miller has only one year on his deal and may very well be traded by midseason for younger assets.
Jeff Skibiski, Forum Blue & Gold: Fiction. When Denver traded away Carmelo Anthony, they committed to their youth movement -- and with overwhelmingly positive results in the second half of the season. Miller's veteran savvy will be a valuable asset coming off the Nuggets' bench, but Lawson is still better-suited to run Denver's high-octane offense.
Jeremy Wagner, Roundball Mining Company: Fiction. Miller is still a good player and he will play plenty of minutes. But these two are on opposite trajectories and it behooves the Nuggets to ensure that Lawson continues to develop. As the saying goes, it is not who starts, but who finishes, and do not be surprised to see Miller and Lawson on the floor together in crunch time a la Lawson and Raymond Felton last season.
2. Fact or Fiction: Denver should re-sign J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin.
Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell: Fiction. Both will demand too high a price for abilities that an incredibly deep Denver team can find elsewhere. It's not necessarily wrong to re-sign either, but don't do it for too much.
Spencer Hall, Salt City Hoops: Fact. I've been a secret Nuggets fan for a few years, and it's been almost completely based on their culture as the antithesis to the Jazz. As much as I love disciplined play from a Jerry Sloan team, there's something wrongly exciting watching an unhinged and ill-advised J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin go to work. The Denver culture is based on these two; they have to bring them back.
John Hollinger, ESPN.com: Fiction. The Nuggets now have enough wing talent that keeping the mercurial Smith around doesn't justify the headache. Martin could be kept if the price gets low enough, but they shouldn't overreach for a 33-year-old with bad knees.
Jeff Skibiski, Forum Blue & Gold: Fiction/Fact. The J.R. Smith experiment in Denver has run its course. Denver will miss Smith's instant offense, but what their bench loses there, they'll hopefully gain in consistency. On the other hand, Martin is an emotional leader and defensive anchor who should be brought back, albeit on a short-term deal and at a significantly reduced price.
Jeremy Wagner, Roundball Mining Company: Fiction for J.R., Fact for Kenyon. For the first time since they signed Martin to his monstrous contract in 2004, the Nuggets have some payroll flexibility and they should handle it with care. Kenyon is the more important player for the Nuggets since no one on the roster can match his unique set of talents, while Smith remains an enigma. Denver cannot wait forever on J.R.
3. Fact or Fiction: Denver must re-sign Arron Afflalo.
Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell: Fact. Afflalo is the kind of quality role player who can be signed at a reasonable price. Keep him.
Spencer Hall, Salt City Hoops: Fact. Afflalo is a nice player and seems to fit well with the rest of the team. Denver's hopes rest on having great chemistry, and it takes great role players to make that happen.
John Hollinger, ESPN.com: Fact. Any debate over the importance of this move evaporated when Wilson Chandler agreed to play in China this year. Afflalo is a great complementary player because he can guard all the tough wing players and allow Danilo Gallinari to focus on offense; plus, Afflalo is a very good spot-up shooter and defenses have to respect him. He'll never be more than that, but winning teams need players like him.
Jeff Skibiski, Forum Blue & Gold: Fact. Afflalo's scoring average has increased during each of his first four seasons in the league, including '10-11 when he shot nearly 50 percent from the floor. If the Nuggets are smart, they'll ink him up now and reap the benefits of a potential breakout season on both ends of the court.
Jeremy Wagner, Roundball Mining Company: Absolute 100 percent fact. Afflalo is a dedicated and hardworking player whose never-say-die attitude is something the Nuggets need. He returns from every offseason an improved player, something not every NBA player can boast. Plus, he is the first shooting guard Denver has had who can actually shoot and defend since ... ever.
4. Fact or Fiction: Denver cannot let Nene get away.
Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell: Fact. Frontcourt players of Nene's quality are not easy to come by. He was the anchor of a team that was surprisingly formidable on the defensive end last season. The Nuggets won't be able to maintain that defensive intensity without him. If you're gonna break the bank for one current player, I'd do it for Nene.
Spencer Hall, Salt City Hoops: Fact. Just like J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin, Nene is part of that same culture of raw power and emotion. It's hard to imagine the Nuggets without him and I'd be sad to see him go. Teams in the second tier have to hold on to the things that make them relevant. In Denver's case, it's their identity as ferocious. They risk losing that if they give up a competitor like Nene.
John Hollinger, ESPN.com: Fact. He's the best player on the team, and as a young, talented center, he's the hardest to replace. One of the most underrated (and unselfish) players in basketball, he's the closest thing to a star on the new-look, post-Melo Nuggies.
Jeff Skibiski, Forum Blue & Gold: Fact. Nene has quietly emerged as arguably the second-best center in the league, not to mention the most valuable player for Denver's post-Melo squad. Lose the still-improving Nene and the Nuggets also risk losing the incredible chemistry they showed in the second half of last season.
Jeremy Wagner, Roundball Mining Company: That is definitely a fict or a faction. While an All-Star level talent, Nene remains an inconsistent contributor from quarter to quarter, and his lack of rebounding has hounded Denver against the larger front lines of the West; landing a larger quality player to put next to him is easier said than done. Losing Nene would usher in a complete rebuilding project for Denver, but we will dig into that in Question 5.
5. Fact or Fiction: The Nuggets are dark-horse contenders in the West.
Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell: Fiction. Yes, the Nuggets have what it takes to cause a lot of trouble in the playoffs, and possibly even knock off a more highly touted contender, but I don't see them winning three playoff series against the teams of the West.
Spencer Hall, Salt City Hoops: Fact. The Lakers and Mavericks will be the class of the West when play resumes, but the rest of the field is up for grabs. There's no reason to think the Nuggets couldn't be part of it. They have the rare opportunity to be the star-less team with great chemistry that makes some noise. I don't think they'll win the West, but they have a chance at winning Best in Show.
John Hollinger, ESPN.com: Fact. The Nuggets won 50 games even with the Melo circus last season, going 18-7 after the trade. They have a long to-do list -- identify a starting power forward, keep the key free agents and keep Lawson healthy (his health being an underrated factor in their playoff defeat), but it's a potentially dangerous squad.
Jeff Skibiski, Forum Blue & Gold: Fiction. The Nuggets played their hearts out after they were freed from the shackles of Melo's trade drama. Still, without a true go-to player, their outstanding performance was more fool's gold than that of a true contender for the West crown.
Jeremy Wagner, Roundball Mining Company: Fiction. The Nuggets' post-Melo, late-season we'll-show-you blaze of glory, fueled by selfless play, fell short of producing any playoff success as they floundered down the stretch in close games. The worst outcome of the Melo trade was for Denver to be good enough not to rebuild, but bad enough not to contend. They are staring that possibility in the face, and it might take Nene signing elsewhere to push the team into a rebuilding mode.
Northwest Division: Thunder | Nuggets | Blazers | Jazz | Timberwolves
MORE NBA HEADLINES
- Boeheim: Melo needs better supporting cast
- Durant to donate $1M to OKC tornado relief
- Sources: Howard felt marginalized by D'Antoni
- Vogel responds to LeBron, respects Heat | http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-110830/denver-nuggets-offseason-questions | 2,194 |
Saturday, June 23, 2007
The form book appears to favor El Tri
Jeff Carlisle, ESPNsoccernet
At the beginning of the Gold Cup, both the United States and Mexico appeared ready to flex their considerable muscle over the rest of CONCACAF, and as predicted, both teams will contest Sunday's final. Yet rather than stamp their authority on the tournament, both teams appear to be running on fumes at the finish, which makes finding an edge for either side tougher than usual.
Pavel Pardo and Mexico are looking to end a record of futility against the U.S. on American soil. (Queen/WireImage)
Mexico lost to Honduras in group play, and had its share of shaky moments against a shorthanded Costa Rica side before subduing Guadeloupe 1-0 in their semifinal. The U.S. endured no such hiccups in the competition's initial phase, yet it appears to be struggling, having trouble shutting the door on Panama in the quarterfinals and Canada in the semis, despite having chances to bury both teams.
For that reason, the form book would appear to favor El Tri. Over the last two games, Mexico's defense has looked much more composed than that of the Americans, whose back line has suffered from multiple personality disorder throughout the tournament.
Mexico would also appear to have a considerable edge in some key parts of the field. With Frankie Hejduk suspended, it now looks like Frank Simek or Jonathan Spector will be asked to contain speedy Mexican winger Andres Guardado. Never mind that Guardado was completely ineffective against Guadeloupe and subbed at halftime. The impression he made in last February's friendly between the two sides, in which he torched a parade of American defenders, will no doubt give U.S. head coach Bob Bradley pause. At this point, Simek's combination of toughness and mobility would appear to make him the better choice, although Spector's passing and slight edge in experience gives the U.S. something different out of the back.
As the tournament has progressed, each side has employed more defensive-minded players in the center of the park, but with Mexico's Gerardo Torrado and the Yanks' Michael Bradley both suspended, it will be interesting to see if either coach, Mexico's Hugo Sanchez or Bradley, opts for a more attack-minded replacement.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco has looked sharper as the tournament has gone on, and dropping him into midfield would see him reacquainted with long-time American nemesis Pablo Mastroeni. Such an approach would also allow for more firepower up top, with the likes of Nery Castillo or Omar Bravo partnering Jared Borgetti. Castillo has reportedly been furious over his lack of playing time throughout the tournament, but a start in the final might be enough for Sanchez to smooth things over.
Given the uneven play of American center backs Oguchi Onyewu and Carlos Bocanegra, adding Castillo or Bravo might give El Tri more of an advantage, despite Onyewu's past success against Borgetti. And given the way Mexico's attack has struggled in this tournament, El Tri would appear to need all of the attacking help it can get.
Gold Cup schedule
U.S. vs. Mexico
Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.
3 p.m. ET
Bradley's midfield options are more limited in that neither Benny Feilhaber nor Ricardo Clark possesses Blanco's artistry on the ball, although Feilhaber is the more cultured passer of the two. But the way Mastroeni and Clark struggled to keep possession back in February when paired together, seems to indicate that Feilhaber is a more likely candidate to start. Bradley will also need to determine what to do about a front line partner for Clint Dempsey. Taylor Twellman and Brian Ching have struggled with their finishing, but both players still have the ability to contribute to the attack when their shooting is off, which can't be said for Eddie Johnson. Johnson, MLS' leading scorer did little to pressure the Canadian back line last Thursday, and the U.S. will need more in Sunday's final.
Perhaps the two most compelling matchups will see U.S. wide players Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley going up against Mexican outside backs Carlos Salcido and Ricardo Osorio. Much of the U.S. attack has flowed through Donovan and Beasley, but Salcido and Osorio, who play their club soccer with PSV Eindhoven and VfB Stuttgart respectively, represent a huge step up both in terms of talent and experience compared to the American duo's previous opponents. Both Donovan and Beasley have had their successes against Mexico in the past, and if they can succeed in bringing Dempsey into the attack, the Americans' chance for victory improves markedly.That said, when it comes to a rivalry match like this one, talk of matchups and the form of various players will only get you so far because none of the usual soccer adages apply. Think possessing the ball is the key to winning? Against the U.S., Mexico has made an art form of failing to score despite owning the ball. And as wasteful as the Americans have been in front of goal during the Gold Cup, they're absolutely lethal when presented with even the slightest of chances against their neighbors to the south.
It leaves one to wonder just how many times this scenario can be replicated. One suspects that at some point, Mexico's technical edge will pay off, and that they'll finally breach the U.S. defense on American soil, something they haven't done for eight years (Mexico's last goal on U.S. turf was on March 13, 1999). That's where the American's mental edge over Mexico comes into play. The onus has rarely been on the U.S. to entertain, and that especially applies against Mexico, where the U.S. has been content to frustrate its opponents into defeat. The longer this game goes without a goal, the more it will play into the Americans' hands. And if the U.S. can keep in check its tendency to fade late in matches, then perhaps it'll be the team breathing easy at the final whistle. Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPNsoccernet. He can be reached at [email protected]. | http://espnfc.com/print?id=440941&type=story | 1,328 |
Dunfermline ran out 3-0 winners against Cowdenbeath to move to the top of the league.
The Pars dominated proceedings early on but were made to wait until the 28th minute for their opening goal when Joseph Cardle slotted home from 18 yards.
Cowden goalkeeper Thomas Flynn made a smart save from Stephen Husband's penalty on the half hour after John Armstrong fouled Ryan Thomson in the box.
Cowden were then dealt a blow when the in-form stopper had to leave the field injured just before half-time.
The second half was delayed when a linesman was injured and had to be replaced by a paying spectator.
Dunfermline finally got their second when Cowden's Josh Armstrong scored an own goal in the 77th minute.
Craig Drago finished from close range in the 84th minute to make it 3-0 and cap a powerful Dunfermline display. | http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/351375/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null | 190 |
|Softball » News » Schedule » Roster » Coaches » Statistics|
ETSU Softball to host North Florida in A-Sun opener on Wednesday
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 17, 2009) - Coming off a 9-2 road trip that took the ETSU softball team away from Johnson City for nearly three weeks, the Lady Bucs are finally glad to be back home and take on North Florida in their Atlantic Sun opener on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4 p.m. inside the ETSU Softball Complex.
ETSU, who is off to its best 20-game start in program history at 15-5, have won three straight and 12 of its last 14. During this stretch juniors Marissa Hardy (
For more information on Lady Buccaneer softball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.
TEAM INFO CENTER | http://etsubucs.com/softball/news/2008-09/2923/etsu-softball-to-host-north-florida-in-a-sun-opener-on-wednesday/ | 198 |
Week 17 TE Fantasy Football Rankings
This week’s Week 17 TE Fantasy Football Rankings doesn’t really offer anything new compared to the past weeks. If you have to play in your championship this weekend, you lucked out since the Falcons are the only team that has everything locked up in terms of home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The bad news is if you are a Tony Gonzalez owner, you might want to start thinking about other options. I am sure the Falcons plan to play their starters as much as possible, but there is no reason to play them all four quarters, even if they say they will “play to win.” As you can see, I have Gonzo ranked, but not as high as he normally would with his role pretty much unknown. If the Falcons are up by a lot early against the Buccaneers, Mike Smith could yank his starters.
Also, make sure to check the rankings again between now and Friday to see if anyone has moved up or down due to latest news and injuries.
RANK PLAYER TEAM OPPONENT NOTES
1. Jason Witten Dallas @ Washington This should be a great game with the NFC East on the line.
2. Aaron Hernandez New England vs. Miami 3. Jimmy Graham New Orleans vs. Carolina Leads the league in drops with 13, but it's still hard to push him down any farther.
4. Owen Daniels Houston @ Indianapolis 5. Greg Olsen Carolina @ New Orleans 6. Antonio Gates San Diego vs. Oakland Hate ranking him this high, but he could surprise.
7. Dennis Pitta Baltimore @ Cincinnati 8. Martellus Bennett New York Giants vs. Philadelphia 9. Tony Gonzalez Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay Proceed with extreme caution.
10. Jermaine Gresham Cincinnati vs. Baltimore 11. Kyle Rudolph Minnesota vs. Green Bay 12. Marcedes Lewis Jacksonville @ Tennessee 13. Tony Scheffler Detroit vs. Chicago 14. Jermichael Finley Green Bay @ Minnesota 15. Brandon Myers Oakland @ San Diego 16. Brent Celek Philadelphia @ New York Giants 17. Ben Watson Cleveland @ Pittsburgh 18. Jacob Tamme Denver vs. Kansas City 19. Dallas Clark Tampa Bay @ Atlanta 20. Vernon Davis San Francisco vs. Arizona No use believing he'll do something in the last game of the regular season. | http://fantasyknuckleheads.com/week-17-te-fantasy-football-rankings/ | 475 |
Week 1: Pickups of the Week
Over the course of the preseason, LaFell has emerged as a starter and will open play against Tampa Bay this week opposite Steve Smith. Behind Legadu Nanee for most of 2011, LaFell still managed an impressive 613 yards on just 36 catches. As a full-time starter on an explosive offense headed by one of the top young quarterbacks in the game, he could approach 1,000 yards and will bear consideration as a flex play or WR3 most weeks.
Robinson hit the free agency jackpot this offseason. Long damned to fantasy purgatory because of the flashing "fragile" label on his back, he managed to parlay his first (mostly) healthy season into a $32.5-million contract. We're not saying the Jaguars overpaid, but prior to his 11-TD breakout in 2011 Robinson had not scored more than twice in a season over his first four years in the league. Fortunately for fantasy owners, Robinson's services come cheaper in the realm of fake football. One of last year's breakout players is sitting on the waiver wire in many leagues right now. You don't need to trust his health or sign his paychecks, just throw him out there for Week 1 and trust he will exploit a Minnesota secondary that was extremely generous to visiting wideouts last year.Injury Status: Injured Reserve
A training camp and preseason darling, the undrafted Streater could pay serious dividends for owners in PPR leagues. With Jacoby Ford ailing, Streater seems to have a direct line to the starting slot job in Week 1 -- a position he might never relinquish. Unlike other Raiders receivers, Streater is a big-bodied concise route-runner with great hands. He's not as speedy as his teammates, but he could prove to be more consistent. Worth a gamble in deeper formats.MyFantasyLeague availability: 46%
A 2012 first-rounder out of Baylor, Wright draws a starting assignment right out of the gates thanks to a Kenny Britt suspension. The rooke impressed in preseason and seemed poised to fill Britt's shoes long-term when it looked like the veteran was going to miss multiple games. Instead, Britt benefits from a rare instance of leniancy from the league's discipline committee and Wright gets a one-week test run. If you have the roster space, it might be worthwhile to roll the dice with the youngster versus a Patriots defense that struggled in coverage all last season.MyFantasyLeague availability: 54%
Keller quietly put together a solid 65-ctach, 815-yard season -- if it's possible for any player to do things quietly in the football fishbowl that is New York/New Jersey. Only his limited touchdown output (five) kept him from cracking the top ten fantasy tight ends. He'll have an outside shot to ascend to the ranks of the TE1-worthy this season and opens with favorable competition against the visiting Bills. Buffalo gave up nearly a touchdown per game to opposing tight ends in 2011. | http://fftoolbox.com/football/article.cfm?article_id=1120&page=2 | 623 |
Josh Chapman Scouting Report
|School:||Alabama Crimson Tide|
|Height & Weight:||6'1 - 310 lbs.|
2012 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:
Josh Chapman, DT, Alabama
Chapman has decent size at 6'1'' and 310 pounds. He has been clocked as fast as 4.92 in the 40-yard dash, something to write home about for his position. The Hoover, AL native has a strong first step and can overpower opposing centers, but he does not have any real rushing moves and he is not tall enough to bat down many passes. Chapman has to play nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme and is not overly versatile, but he could flourish in the right system. Look for him to be selected in round two of the 2012 NFL Draft.
0 Comments | Add Yours | http://fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=2980 | 172 |
January 25, 2011
Turene addresses rumors
Lauderdale Lakes (Fla.) linebacker Kent Turene officially visited Georgia last weekend, which was met by rumors of a commitment to the Bulldogs as early as Saturday. While Turene denied making any commitment to Georgia, it appears the process continues with one more official visit scheduled Jan. 28.
...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial | http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&script=content.asp&cid=1180635&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid= | 93 |
March 27, 2007
Georgia lineman Glenn now holds two offers
Riverdale (Ga.) defensive tackle/offensive guard Cordy Glenn (6-foot-6, 320 pounds, 5 seconds) is one of the top players in Georgia for 2008. Glenn, who has been offered by the Cavaliers, first caught the Virginia coaching staff's attention at their summer camp as a sophomore. Although UVa was first to offer the Peach State standout, a school closer to home has now extended a scholarship offer.
"Georgia and Virginia have both extended scholarship offers. I am also hearing from Maryland, Miami and Florida," said Glenn.
The talented two-way lineman took another visit to Charlottesville over the weekend.
"It was a great experience for me. I had a chance to see behind the curtain more and I liked what I saw. I also had the chance to talk to Howie Long who was there watching his son practice. That was real cool."
...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial | http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&script=content.asp&cid=657295&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid= | 214 |
Nebraska improved to 7-1 on Saturday with their 31-17 win over Missouri. Here is a complete report card breakdown of the win.
Next week the Huskers travel to Iowa State to take on a 5-4 Cyclone squad that's won the last weeks in a row.
Before redshirt freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez went down with a foot injury, he was having a pretty solid performance against Missouri. Martinez was 6-of-9 passing for 115 yards, but wasn't as effective as a runner as we've seen earlier this season. Martinez still helped engineer NU's quick start, as you can tell Missouri was paying a lot of attention to him and his running ability. I thought Zac Lee came in for Martinez in the second half and did an excellent job in a game manager role and did exactly what NU wanted him to do. Lee only threw three passes, but his third-and-short completion in the fourth quarter was huge in helping run off the clock to close out the game.
Running back: A+
It was a record breaking performance senior running back Roy Helu on Saturday. Helu finished with 307 yards rushing to lead the Husker offense. He carried the load for NU and they needed him to do that when Martinez went down with his injury. A year ago the offense didn't have that luxury with Helu, as he was banged up and couldn't shoulder a 28 carry type performance this late in the season. That just shows you how far this offense has come since last season.
Wide receiver/Tight end: A
The receivers didn't have a big role on Saturday, but they still did a good job of making some plays early on in the game. The blocking from tight end Ben Cotton and the wide receivers on the edge played a big factor in Helu breaking his touchdown runs. Tight end Kyler Reed also continues to be a touchdown scoring machine.
Offensive line: A
Nebraska's offensive line may have played their best game of the season. The Huskers rushed for 364 yards on the ground and made the Tigers pay for their aggressive style of defense. I thought particularly Ricky Henry had some big time blocks on a few of Helu's touchdown runs.
Defensive line: A
I think Carl Pelini was tired of people questioning NU's ability to rush the passer. Pelini decided to turn his guys loose and they forced six sacks and seven quarterback hurries. On the season the Tigers had given up just seven sacks before tonight. Nebraska's front four completely dominated Missouri in this game.
This is pretty much the LaVonte David grade, but NU's linebackers did a solid job against Missouri. David finished with a team-high eight tackles, including one sack and two tackles for loss. The only area they had problems in where in run support on stopping Mizzou quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
NU's secondary flustered Gabbert, as for most of the day nobody was open. You could tell Gabbert was used to getting rid of the ball much quicker than he did on Saturday, but Nebraska's corners stifled the Tiger receivers. I thought Ciante Evans did a great job off the bench for the injured Alfonzo Dennard and handled everything Missouri threw at him. I also thought NU did a good job in shutting down Missouri's inside slot receivers where they typically make a living as an offense. The only area they had problems in was containment on Gabbert in run support.
Special teams: A-
Adi Kunalic put all seven of his kicks through the end zone on Saturday for touchbacks, and NU did a solid job of fielding Missouri's rugby style punts for the most part. Alex Henery made his school record 18th consecutive field goal on Saturday, but had a 51 yard attempt blocked in the second half. Both Niles Paul and Tim Marlowe each had a nice kick return. | http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1146244 | 805 |
Pence, flag football, Yogi and Cameron Diaz. Just another day at Astros Spring Training.
It was supposed to be little more than a fun few minutes of catching passes from a Major League ballplayer, but right from the get-go, this flag football game carried with it a little something extra.
Addressing “teams” comprised of boys approximately 10-12 years old, Hunter Pence was fully engrossed in this flag football scrimmage. He huddled. Called plays. Talked strategy. If the kids were at all awestruck by being in the presence of a big leaguer, that quickly faded when the competitive juices kicked in and winning was on the line.
“It was beautiful offensive coordination,” Pence quipped, assessing his play calling. “I had a lot of great talent to work with. Those kids were amazing. I had a lot of fun. It brings me back to the old days as a kid.”
The flag football game was part of a flurry of activities Pence participated in during his visit to Disney on Friday, as part of the ESPN The Weekend festivities. Pence started in the Fun Zone, where he mingled with fans, signed autographs and, finally, choreographed a well-organized football game.
“That was the most intense flag football scrimmage I’ve ever been a part of,” Pence said. “The kids were actually sharp, paying attention, making great plays. That’s what this is all about — hanging with the young guys.”
Pence also sat on a panel of baseball players and experts during a special presentation of “Baseball Tonight,” staged in front of a live audience. The entire BBTN crew was there — Karl Ravech, Tim Kurkjian, Bobby Valentine, John Kruk and Nomar Garciaparra, in addition to Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista and Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee.
ESPN Deportes held a similar panel discussion on Saturday, with participating from Carlos Lee as well as retired Yankee Bernie Williams.
A full video of Friday’s activities can be found here. Here are some photos for further illustration…
Backstage at Baseball Tonight…Pence, Bautista, Lee
And on stage.
As I watched Cameron Diaz make her way to the front row of seats near the visitors dugout during the Astros-Yankees game on Sunday, I couldn’t help but wonder if she enjoyed that snail-like crawl down Hwy. 192, or if she stopped by the Firehouse Subs at the corner of 192 and John Young Parkway for a quick bite before the game like the rest of us.
The Astros’ spring home was packed to the gills on Sunday, and loosely calculated, the breakdown was as followed: 69.999 percent Yankees fans, 29.999 percent Astros fans, 0.002 percent Hollywood actresses (Diaz, who is famously dating Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, and Amanda Aardsma, girlfriend of Astros pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith).
Mix in a Hall of Fame legend (Yogi Berra) and there were clearly enough distractions to keep people occupied, just in case an exhibition game featuring 25 mph winds and a few Spring Training-ish home runs weren’t enough to hold their attention.
I snuck down to the concourse to try to snap a quick picture of Diaz, but needless to say, between the people trying to take pictures of her, the people trying to take pictures of the Yankees and the security gently asking us to “KEEP THE AISLE CLEAR PLEASE!”, I
didn’t have much luck. So her she is from the side. Sorry, best I could do. | http://footer.mlblogs.com/2011/03/06/pence-flag-football-yogi-and-cameron-diaz-just-another-day-at-astros-spring-training/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=0619346065 | 780 |
I would not drop Masterson for sure.
So who would you drop for marshall? I'm thinking Nolasco, Masterson, Carlos Lee or Adam Dunn, but can't decide.
If Lee and Dunn are both on your bench, I would drop Lee.
If it's an OBP league I'd probably agree with HH and drop Lee. Who are your other pitchers? Nolasco is so maddening.
Its a 12 team yahoo league with average and OPS. After seeing RPs go early/often I decided to forgo drafting any, and just be active on waivers.
C: Yadier Molina
1B: Joey Votto
2B: Dan Uggla
SS: Hanley Ramirez
3B: Evan Longoria
OF: Andrew McCutchen, Desmond Jennings, Adam Jones
UTL: Mark Reynolds, Paul Goldschmidt
SP: Jon Lester, Yovani Gallardo
RP: Matt Moore, vacant
P: Ricky Romero, Max Scherzer, Jamie Garcia, Derek Holland
Bench: Chase Utley, Adam Dunn, Carlos Lee, Justin Masterson, Alex Rios, Ricky Nolasco
Edited by rascal, 24 March 2012 - 10:16 PM. | http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=637206&st=0&p=14245420& | 257 |
It isn't a secret that fantasy baseball magazines and web sites have extremely early deadlines to provide their audience with material. While sports fans are knee-deep in NFL playoffs, we're already creating position rankings and our sleeper list. During the time we start writing to the weeks leading up to Opening Day, there are going to be adjustments. These are my modifications and what I've learned after my mock draft.
- Mike Napoli is climbing my list of backstops with David Ortiz likely to miss the first few games due to inflamed heels.
- The depth here is bigger than you think. Top tier guys (Posey, Y. Molina, Mauer, Martinez, Wieters, and Montero) will go anywhere between rounds two through five. Take a breather and wait on filling this roster spot. Montero, Lucroy, and Perez will be there later.
- There are three guys worthy of "first round" status (Fielder, Pujols, and Votto). After that, it's basically a crapshoot. I'm extremely bias towards first basemen and always try to draft one early (I'm a 6'3", lefty). If I don't have one of the first three picks in my draft, I'm probably taking one of the guys I just mentioned.
- Unless Robinson Cano falls to the late first-round, I'm going to wait until the end of the draft to fill this spot on my roster. Not many owners will select two second basemen in one draft. So, instead of picking the ninth second baseman, I'd rather build up my outfield or bolster my rotation.
- This will be the most difficult position to draft in 2013. I've seen Troy Tulowitzki go in round one, a guy who played only 47 games last season. Also, I've watched Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez dominate the World Baseball Classic. Starlin Castro's OBP and SLG percentage are a fantasy owner's dream. Ben Zobrist has been listed on numerous "sleeper" lists. The best shortstop last year (Derek Jeter) is a giant question mark for this year. I honestly don't know who or where I'm drafting this position.
- This hot corner class has a lot of power hitter depth. At first, I was under the impression that this position was in a recession. Chipper Jones is playing golf, Alex Rodriguez is a mess, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion lost eligibility. With that being said, I believe there are at least 19 players who could start for my fantasy baseball team.
- In a 10-12 team draft, seven outfielders could be gone after the first round.
- Youth has become a big factor in this position. Mike Trout, Justin Upton, Adam Jones, Bryce Harper, Desmond Jennings, and Alex Gordon are in my top-25 outfielders.
- In my mock draft I selected a pitcher in the second and third round, which was not the smartest idea. I'll say this every time I get the chance: "THIS PITCHING POOL IS DEEP!" Yes, take one starting pitcher within your first five picks. After that, build your offense.
- Yet another time I reached in the experts' mock draft. Imagine your relief pitcher spot as the kicker position in fantasy football, save them for the end. There's going to be a guy that takes over the job mid-season and finishes in the top-10 and he'll be undrafted (whoever gets Bruce Rondon's job). | http://foxsportsfantasybuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/foxsportsfantasybuzz/tag/bryce_harper?obj_id=127168&obj_type=4 | 732 |
Nike & TomTom team up for Nike+ Sportwatch fitness tracker
Nike and sat nav maker TomTom have combined their expertise to develope the Sportwatch – a fitness tracking tool for the amateur runner. The calorie-tracking aid uses Nike’s fuel currency system and GPS to reward runners according to how active they’ve been. Just like the Nike+ Fuel Band, it aims to make exercise feel rewarding, encouraging users to keep up with their fitness regime.
The Nike+ Sportwatch effectively combines the skills of the Nike+ FuelBand with the functionality of a sporty timekeeper. To encourage wearers to keep fit, the Sportwatch uses NikeFuel points, that users earn when running.
Wearers can set an activity for the day, determine how many points to go for, and aim to achieve that target through exercising. It’s a smart little idea that Nike hopes will inject a little self-competitiveness to keeping fit. The ultimate aim: to continually beat your high score as evidence of your growing fitness levels.
“The new NikeFuel measurement brings added motivation, allowing people to share and compare their performance with friends in other sports,” Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director of TomTom says of the Nike+ Sportwatch.
Nike+ Sportwatch wearers can compare sweat-inducing personal bests and stats with fellow fitness fans, as well as track activity in other sports. The Nike+ Sportwatch will be available in a number of shades including black, yellow and blue, and is available now, with prices starting from £129. | http://gadgetshow.channel5.com/gadget-show/gadget-news/nike-tomtom-team-up-for-nike-sportwatch-fitness-tracker | 328 |
We wish him a speedy recovery and many healthy days and seasons ahead.
-- Favorite moments with Munson - AJC
-- Official UGA Statement - Georgiadogs.com
-- Munson recovering - DawgPost
-- Send best wishes to Munson - AJC
-- Larry Munson Articles - Georgia Sports Blog
-- Love Letter to Munson - Mark Schlabach (ESPN)
-- Get Well Hairy Dawg - EDSBS | http://georgiasports.blogspot.com/2008/04/larry-munson-recovering-from-brain.html?showComment=1207452420000 | 94 |
No. 14 BC Downs Men's Hockey in Beanpot Semifinal
Boston Bruins prospect Alex Fallstrom played for the
first time on his parent club's home ice Monday evening (photo
courtesy Kevin Burns).
BOSTON-No. 14 Boston College took advantage of 17 Crimson penalties, scoring three power-play goals to defeat the Harvard men's hockey team, 6-0, Monday evening at TD Garden in the semifinals of the 58th Beanpot tournament.
Kyle Richter made 37 saves for Harvard (5-12-3), while John Muse stopped 33 shots for the Eagles (14-8-2). Carl Sneep registered a goal and two assists to lead BC to the championship game next week against the Boston University. Harvard will take on Northeastern following its weekend road trip to Ivy League rivals Brown and Yale.
The Eagles scored the only goal of the first period, converting the second of three power plays in the frame. Ryan Grimshaw knocked down Ben Smith with a big body check in front of the Harvard net, but Smith got up in time to bang home Brian Gobbons' pass from behind the net at 5:54. BC held a 10-7 shots advantage in the opening period.
Boston College added two more goals in the second period. Matt Price struck first, finding the net from the left circle just 18 ticks into the frame. Pat Mullane made it 3-0 at 8:43, taking advantage of a turnover in the Harvard zone. Muse kept Harvard off the board late in the period by making a tough arm save on a Michael Biega toe drag and shot. The Crimson held a 17-16 edge in shots in the second stanza and killed a 48-second two-man advantage for the Eagles.
Chris Kreider netted the fourth BC goal six minutes into the third period, deflecting in Brian Dumoulin's slap shot from the right point. Gibbons and Sneep added the final tallies for the Eagles. The Eagles finished 3 for 11 on the power play, taking advantage of 58 Harvard penalty minutes. | http://gocrimson.com/sports/mice/2009-10/releases/20100201_BC_Beanpot_Recap | 420 |
Women's Volleyball Falters in Day One of Limestone Crossover
September 4, 2009
GAFFNEY, S.C. - The Pfeiffer Lady Falcons were swept 3-0 (21-25, 21-25, 23-25) by Newberry on Friday night in day one of the Limestone Crossover. All three games were tightly contested as Newberry was able to grab the final crucial points in all three sets.
Kristina Mordini led the way offensively with 10 kills on the night. Vanessa Gerig chipped in with five kills, 19 assists and a pair of aces while senior Victoria Parrish had three kills. Pfeiffer returns to action with a pair of matches on Saturday against Lander and North Greenville in Gaffney, S.C. | http://gofalconsports.com/article.asp?articleID=1353 | 166 |
2008: Went 2-3 on the mound...made 20 appearences...gave up 50 hits in 40.1 innings pitched...earned first collegiate win against Fairfield (March 3)...made first collegiate start against Fairfield (March 4)...recorded first career shut-out against Lehigh (April 20).
Before Holy Cross: Three-year varsity member of the Tigard H.S. softball team as a pitcher...was team MVP in 2007 and 3 time all-league pitcher...also a member of the basketball team for two years.
Personal: Daughter of Joe and Sally
Alexander...has one brother...majoring in Accounting. | http://goholycross.com/sports/w-softbl/mtt/alexander_katie00.html | 133 |
Five lead in South Africa; 1st round rained out
Soggy South African Open
Check out the conditions and players after the rain-delayed first round was completed on Friday at the South African Open.
DURBAN, South Africa – The opening round of the South African Open was rained out Thursday with only six players having completed nine holes at Durban Country Club.
A group of five players were leading at 2 under when play was called for the day. They are two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, Denmarks’ Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark, Scotland’s David Drysdale and South African pair Divan van den Heever and Martin Maritz.
Only half the field made it on the course in the 100th edition of the European Tour and Sunshine Tour tournament.
Sunshine Tour tournament director Gary Todd says the aim is to have two complete rounds played by Saturday “because at least 36 holes constitutes a tournament.” | http://golfweek.com/news/2010/dec/16/five-share-lead-suspended-south-african-open/ | 208 |
Notes: Stricker shoots 68 despite arm injury
ATLANTA – Some are trying to impress a captain. Some are trying to add millions more to their bank account. Some are trying to win a tournament that they consider prestigious.
But when Steve Stricker took to the first tee at East Lake Golf Club Thursday, the opening round of the Tour Championship wasn’t as much the FedEx Cup finale as it was a chance to prove himself.
Health-wise, that is.
“I was a little worried about it,” Stricker said of a recurring problem in his left arm. “I’ve been struggling with my swing, but it felt better as the whole day went on.”
At last week’s BMW Championship outside of Chicago, Stricker withdrew after two rounds. It’s not that there’s pain in his left arm; it’s more about the lack of strength. Stricker said he was diagnosed with a herniated disk late last year, and when he’s done strength tests, the left arm has lifted 20 pounds less than the right arm.
So unlike most of his competitors in this mega-rich tournament, Stricker was perhaps more curious than competitive at the outset. Of course, when he birdied the opening hole and made a brilliant up-and-down from a greenside bunker at the second, Stricker quickly realized he was in good form.
“I drove the ball nicely,” said Stricker, after hitting eight of 14 fairways and missing most of the six onto the first cut. “It was solid all the way around.”
At 2-under 68, Stricker is four off of the clubhouse lead – Keegan Bradley’s 64 – but this was a day more about testing his left arm.
So in that respect, consider Stricker to have had a day as good as anyone else.
• • •
If they are auditioning for Presidents Cup spots, Bradley, Bill Haas and Brandt Snedeker have posted positive starts.
Bradley came home in 31 to shoot 6-under 64. That was good enough for a two-stroke lead over Jason Dufner, Chez Reavie and Luke Donald, but it’s not like Haas and Snedeker, both of whom shot 68, did anything to hurt their candidacies in the eyes of captain Fred Couples.
Just as intriguing is the International side, where Aaron Baddeley is considered a leading candidate for one of the two captain’s picks.
No, he’s not thinking about the decision facing Greg Norman, at least not over every shot. But, yes, “every day, definitely (I feel) the pressure,” Baddeley said.
Baddeley had it to 3 under when he bogeyed the par-4 17th, but he avoided a bigger mishap at the 18th when he pulled a 6-iron into the grandstands at the 222-yard, par-3 18th. That’s right: He hit it out of the park. But instead of touching them all, Baddeley got a free drop and negotiated a superb up-and-down from 25 yards to shoot 68.
“It’s an important week,” the Aussie said. “But you try to put the matter out of your mind to give you a chance at winning the golf tournament.”
• • •
With wife Heather expecting the couple’s second child sometime in October, it was suggested to Charles Howell III that he may put together a different schedule in 2012.
He disputed that.
“I love to play golf,” he said. “Even if you play 30 tournaments, that’s 22 weeks off. That’s a hell of a good job.
“Hey, a lot of people retire to play golf.”
Howell is at the Tour Championship for the first time since 2007. Not to brush off the honor of playing at East Lake, but the greatest reward is that he’s guaranteed spots into next year’s big tournaments, including the Masters.
There’s no measuring the satisfaction of that accomplishment, given that Howell is an Augusta, Ga., native and played seven straight Aprils, but was not in attendance each of the past three.
“Obviously, it’s my favorite tournament in the world,” Howell said. “It’s a big relief (to be in the Masters, U.S. Open, and British Open), for sure.”
• • •
Phil Mickelson played a crisp round – three birdies, one bogey, 15 greens – and at 68 feels that “mentally, I’m in it.” For some reason, that hasn’t been the case the last few months as he has had just one top 10 in six starts dating to The Greenbrier Classic.
It seems difficult to believe, but 12 of the 30 qualifiers for this elite tournament did not win in 2011. One participant, Jason Dufner, actually is playing his second Tour Championship, and he remains winless in his PGA Tour career.
• • •
The story has been told how Bradley’s caddie, Steven Hale, got the nickname Pepsi. If you don’t remember, it came about when Hale would place cans of Pepsi around the golf course when caddieing on the Nationwide Tour, when drinks were not easy to find.
When he graduated to the major leagues, Hale continued with his routine, including ironically this week at the Tour Championship, which is sponsored by Coca-Cola.
“I have a walk in the morning before my rounds, and I’d ditch my Pepsi in the weeds,” Hale said. “Right now, there are already Pepsis on this golf course waiting for me to pick them up. In twosomes, I hardly have a chance to drink them, and in threesomes you’re slow and you can have three of them in a round, and I don’t want to carry them.”
• • •
For the second consecutive year, Bo Van Pelt teed off first in the season finale, due to the fact he was 30th in the FedEx Cup points coming to Atlanta.
For Van Pelt, this year is a refreshing change from last year, when he thought he earned his way here, but didn’t enjoy the experience.
This year, Van Pelt struggled at times, missing seven cuts, but solid finishes at The Barclays (T-24) and Deutsche Bank Championship (seventh) allowed him to play poorly in Chicago last week and still make the top 30.
“I’m trying to enjoy it more,” Van Pelt said after an opening-round 1-over 71. “I missed five of my first seven cuts and I didn’t win and I didn’t finish second, so to still get here, that’s pretty tough to do. And I felt like I putted pretty bad all year. If you look at my stats, it kind of supports that. So I guess I just kind of appreciate the fact that I’m here.”
• • •
The 18th hole traditionally has been one of the most difficult holes at East Lake during the Tour Championship. In the 10 years of the event, dating to 1998, the par-3, measuring 235 yards has a stroke average of 3.18.
In Thursday’s first round, the 18th hole surrendered six birdies and produced only three bogeys, making it the 11th-most difficult hole on the golf course, with a 2.90 scoring average.
– Alex Miceli contributed | http://golfweek.com/news/2011/sep/22/notes-stricker-shoots-68-despite-arm-injury/ | 1,652 |
|Report: Celtics proposed two trades to Grizzlies||06.28.09 at 10:03 pm ET|
Draft Night may have seemed quiet for the Celtics, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t trying to make moves behind the scenes. After last Thursday’s draft Celtics GM Danny Ainge said the Celtics had conversations about landing a higher pick in the second round. According to the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, some of those conversations centered around the Grizzlies:
Boston tried to entice the Grizzlies twice. The Celtics offered Brian Scalabrine, Tony Allen and a choice of J.R. Giddens or Bill Walker for the Grizzlies’ 36th pick and cash considerations.
The Celtics’ best offer for the Grizzlies’ No. 2 pick only included center Kendrick Perkins.
The Grizzlies kept their pick and selected forward Sam Young from Pittsburgh. The Celtics used their only pick (58th) to draft guard Lester Young from University of Tennessee-Martin.
- Terrence Williams tweets - thanks people for support
- Terrence Williams future with Boston Celtics in doubt
- Terrence Williams bail set at $25,000
- Terrence Williams arrested on gun charges
- Level setting expectations for the 16th pick in the NBA Draft - Boston...
- Boston Celtics Daily Links - 5/20
- NBA Draft Combine observations | http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2009/06/28/report-celtics-proposed-two-trades-to-grizzlies/ | 278 |
Jan 30, 2013, 10:15 AM EDT
Omar Vizquel retired as a player after 24 seasons in the majors, but he’s not taking any time off from working in baseball.
Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports that the Angels have hired Vizquel as their new roving infield instructor, which is a job that was previously held by Dick Schofield. He’ll be part of spring training and then spend the season coaching prospects at every minor league affiliate.
Vizquel has said that his goal is to be a big-league manager and his first coaching gig comes via his former Indians teammate Jerry Dipoto, who’s now the Angels’ general manager. Another former Indians teammate, Paul Sorrento, is the Angels’ roving hitting instructor and put in a good word for Vizquel to get the gig.
- And That Happened: Monday’s scores and highlights 62
- Alex Sanabia brings back the spitball in beating the Phillies 43
- Joe Maddon shows us why limited instant replay and manager challenges are bad ideas 45
- Albert Pujols doesn’t matter anymore 67
- Apparently Miguel Cabrera’s 2013 has made his 2012 better somehow 55
- Grizzlies aim to stem Spurs' momentum
- HBT: Yankees buying share of expansion MLS team
- PHT: Kings searching for killer instinct in Game 4
- PFT: Romo out of OTAs after back surgery
- PFT: NFL want to make Pro Bowl like game show
- PFT: Bucs saw Revis injury as opportunity
- Wings stun Hawks again, take 2-1 series lead | http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/30/angels-hire-omar-vizquel-as-roving-infield-instructor/ | 342 |
Stewart-for-DeWitt talks haven’t reached serious point
Major League sources tell MLB.com that talks have not reached a serious point regarding a potential trade between the Rockies and the Cubs, with the Rockies sending third baseman Ian Stewart away for versatile infielder Blake DeWitt.
But the fact such a notion exists on any level gives a clearer window into how the Rockies feel about Stewart, a former top Draft pick who has fallen on hard times the last couple of years. The earlier notion was Stewart, a classic change-of-scenery candidate, could bring a Triple-A pitcher. But the Rockies aren’t 100 percent convinced Stewart can’t turn things around. They are not afraid asking for a useful Major League player or pitcher in return. | http://harding.mlblogs.com/2011/12/02/stewart-for-dewitt-havent-reached-serious-point-2/?like=1&_wpnonce=2fbededf31 | 160 |
Blame the advertising man who misnamed it in the 1930s, but athlete's foot has nothing to do with athletes. It's a fungal infection of the feet. Also known as tinea pedis, or "ringworm of the feet," it has nothing to do with worms either. The Trichophyton fungus that causes the redness, itching, cracking, and scaling of athlete's foot can also infect the scalp, where it causes hair loss and scaly patches; the body, where it causes round, red, scaly patches that itch; and the groin, where the so-called "jock itch" causes itching and thickening of the skin. So what causes athlete's foot?
- Athlete's foot is the most common fungal infection of the skin. It affects more men than women, probably because men typically wear heavy, often airtight shoes, and the fungus loves hot, dark, moist environments.
- Contrary to popular myth, athlete's foot fungus isn't just found in locker rooms, although the moist locker-room environment is perfect for fungal growth. In fact, most people harbor the fungus on their skin, but it's kept in check by bacteria that also normally live on the skin.
- Skin that is irritated, weakened, or continuously moist is primed for an athlete's foot infection. And certain medications, including antibiotics, corticosteroids, birth control pills, and drugs that suppress immune function, can make you more susceptible. People who are obese and those who have diabetes mellitus or a weakened immune system, such as those with AIDS, also are at increased risk. Although anyone can get athlete's foot, teenage and adult males are at the top of the fungus-foot list.
Most cases of athlete's foot cause only bothersome redness, itching, flaking, and scaling on the soles of the feet and between the toes. In severe cases, however, blisters form on the soles of the feet; fissures, or cracks, that weep fluid can also open between the toes. These fissures can cause a stinging pain and are vulnerable to secondary infection. When the infection involves the toenails, it can cause the nails to become discolored and thick. Also, if left untreated, athlete's foot can infect other parts of the body.
Doctors don't agree on exactly how athlete's foot is spread, but most believe it's passed by direct contact with an infected person or with a contaminated surface, such as the floor of a shower stall. But the real determinants of whether or not you'll get the infection are how susceptible you are and how dry you keep your feet.
If you have contracted athlete's foot, don't despair. You can try a number of home remedies to give your athlete's foot the boot. See the next page to get started.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider. | http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/problems/treating/home-remedies-for-athletes-foot.htm | 711 |
Phoenix wrestler Henry Cejudo to see his life played out on ASU MainStage
Gold Medalist visits actors as they work to recreate his life and rise to Olympic glory
Feb 6, 2012
School of Theatre and Film
Wrestling champion Henry Cejudo joined director Guillermo Reyes in rehearsals of the new playAmerican Victory at ASU School of Theatre and Film in the Herberger Institute. The play runs March 2-16 as part of the MainStage Centennial Season. The work depicts the Phoenix athlete's rise to glory in the Beijing Olympics.
American Victory is a new work written by Jose Zarate ([email protected]), an MFA candidate in the dramatic writing program at ASU./ It stars Alberto Ley ([email protected]), a student at the School of Theatre and Film. The play is adapted from the book American Victory by Henry Cejudo with Bill Plaschke.
Guillermo Reyes, director of the new writers graduate program at the ASU School of Theatre and Film in the Herberger institute, commissioned the play last year in his search for meaningful works to commemorate the Arizona centennial.
"This is a true story about a local manís struggle for American identity," says Reyes. "His story is very much part of the immigrant story of Phoenix, and we wanted to include modern portraits as well as historic works in our celebration of Arizona's birthday."
American Victory is part of the Arizona Centennial Project New Works Series.
Nelson Fine Arts Center Room 133, ASU Tempe campus
March 2-16, 2012
$8Ė$16; Seniors, ASU faculty, staff and students receive special rates. Special discounts for groups available.
Herberger Institute box office, 480.965.6447
School of Theatre and Film. 480.965.5337
The School of Theatre and Film in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University provides a comprehensive range of courses in performance and directing; design and production; new work development; theatre and performance studies; film; and theatre for youth. Its Theatre for Youth program is nationally ranked in the top three and the dramatic writing/playwriting program is ranked 15th among public institutions by U.S.News & World Report. To learn more about the School of Theatre and Film, visit theatrefilm.asu.edu.
Laurie Trotta Valenti
ASU School of Theatre and Film
Editor’s note regarding all downloadable images:
Copyright © Arizona Board of Regents. Use is limited to members of the media in conjunction with media coverage of Arizona State University and by ASU faculty and staff on web pages and in materials related to university or school business. All other uses are prohibited without the prior written consent of the Arizona Board of Regents. | http://herbergerinstitute.asu.edu/news/press_release.php?id=897 | 589 |
The Kessel File-Volume 2 - Phil Wants Out of Beantown
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09-13-2009, 07:31 AM
Join Date: Mar 2005
Originally Posted by
Zeke, those examples I gave you were to illustrate the fact that yes, you can acquire elite level talent in the teens. (And the 20s and the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th rounds.) I just wanted to remind you that that possibility exists, something you seem to be in denial about.
Phil Kessel isn't the be all and end all of offensive talent.
and my examples were to illustrate the more relevant fact - that the chances of getting a kessel quality player with those mid-round picks are small - very small.
The funny thing about the draft is you make your own odds and you aren't assigned random players: you put the energy into scouting to target the right guys and you nurture them to be what they can be. The process is far from fool proof but the fact that some organizations consistently do better than others suggests that we're not talking about blind odds but a process whose odds can be improved upon if you do your homework. And looking at our prospect pool, we've benefited from that a little bit, no? Or should be just package every promising kid up for a slightly more proven asset?
The funnier thing is that there's a whole lotta luck in the draft, regardless of how good your scouting is.
and you need a whole lotta luck to get a kessel-like player with a mid-round pick, no matter how good your scouting is.
each case is different - but make no mistake, Phil Kessel is a more promising young talent than any player in our organization.
Well I guess you get what you pay for. Kessel would supposedly be the best offensive talent we've had in years and a real franchise cornerstone, but he's leaving a Bruins team that has a core of Savard, Lucic, Chara, Wideman, Krejci. All drafted OUTSIDE of the first round.
so why are you so worried about moving two mid-first round picks?
heck, we'd have Kessel (#5), Schenn (#5), Kadri (#7), Komisarek (#7), Tlusty (#13)....that's already more high first round talent than most other teams, including Boston.
Thornton, Gaborik, Heatley, Spezza, Nash, Horton have all been pretty poor franchise cornerstones whose teams have experienced very little playoff success.
and kessel compares pretty well to all of them at the same age.
And Kessel does not compare to Toews at all. Here's the difference: one is the face of the franchise whom you'd never get close to making a move for, the other is plainly available.
well, now here's the debate, eh?
there's no question that Kessel is a comparable talent to Toews. even Kane.
and we might be able to get our hands on that kind of talent for two mid-first round picks, just because of some apparent intangible issues that may or may not be true (remembering that this is the same GM who dumped Joe Thornton for peanuts, so his judgement here should be taken with a grain of salt).
At the same age doesn't mean that much, a lot of players are late bloomers, some regress, some develop in a linear fashion.
same age for top-5 picks (i.e. the most NHL-ready prospects in their year) means plenty.
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10-12-2011, 11:02 PM
Join Date: Feb 2011
Originally Posted by
Mason Has Not Been The Problem This Season, Watch The Games
this is 100% true. tonight, mason was stellar for 65 minutes. the offense doesnt know how to put the freakin puck in the net. thats the problem! our defense was much more sound tonight than the first three games, but i felt like jim tressel was running the offense the way the third period turned out. you cant win a one goal game if you get 1 measly shot in the final period.
with that said, i believe this is a coaching issue. now whose fault is it? idk. arniel always preaches the "go, go, go" mentality, but that clearly wasnt the gameplan for the third period tonight. something needs to change. im not saying something major like firing arny, making a blockbuster trade, etc. im saying the answer is indeed in the room. they need to switch up the lines more to get more depth in scoring. we cant win with one line getting all of our points!
heres what i think just for forwards:
basically 2 1/2 scoring lines with solid depth.
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D Seth Jones - Portland Winterhawks (2013 Draft)
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11-12-2012, 09:34 AM
Join Date: Apr 2012
Originally Posted by
Indeed, no matter the case we always stick with the Best player available, even for a team like the leafs who need a center.
Indeed consider a few scenarios.
You are picking 2nd in 2008, but are stacked in defense
You don't draft Doughty, and instead take the next best forward. Nikita Filatov.
2007 you want defense? Thomas Hickey over JVR or Turris
2006 defense? Don't draft Toews, Ty Wishart is available.
2005 at least is a wash Jack Johnson vs Bobby Ryan.
2004 you really want defense? You let Malkin go and draft Cam Barker
2003 you can't go wrong unless you're the Rangers
I hope everyone learned a valuable lesson here.
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: Value of:
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12-21-2012, 12:22 PM
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somerville MA
Originally Posted by
I'm a fan of Myers tbh but from what I understand, this forum extremely underrates him. They don't watch Buffalo a tonne (I live in the GTA so I've seen them quite a bit).
My observation on Myers is that at his best he's easily a no1 dman with the tools to be a Norris winner. His undervalue is a result of a 3 month slump in his sophomore season and a slight slump last year plus decreased point production due to him playing a more defensive role due to Ehrhoff and also injuries. His issue from what I've seen is that he does poorly with certain D partners and he's not assertive enough in jumping in the offense though that latter part usually fixes itself as dmen age assuming they have the proper offensive potential.
So atm, Myers is quite undervalued and it's not the right time to move him if the Sabres needed to theoretically. Based on how he played at his peak for small parts of last season between injuries and that slump, he was a top 10 dman.
I think this forum does underrate him quite a bit. But certainly Buffalo knows what they have in him and other GM's also know he's as close to unavailable as it gets.
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Red Wings Draft Thread 2013
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01-23-2013, 02:42 PM
Join Date: Dec 2011
Originally Posted by
With that you'd go down as at least one of the biggest fails in draft history. Nichushkin is the new Malkin in the making.
Malkin has vision. Nichuskin on the other hand..
He also has three year contract in KHL.. Maybe he doesn't want to come over to play for 900 k or so when he can possibly get 5 mil over there. Or should I say 150 k at GR for few years.
He does have elite skillset but that toolbox has me worried.
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By Carolyn Freundlich
Westfield senior Rebecca DeLaFuente doesn’t hesitate to pinpoint the strength of her team.
“What separates us from the competition are our seconds and thirds,” she said. “You can get all of the first places you want, but if you don’t ...
Full Story » | http://highschoolsports.nj.com/school/vineland-vineland/girlsswimming/news/ | 72 |
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Wilsonville (18-8) vs. Mountain View (21-3), 3:15 p.m. Wednesday: Wilsonville has advanced to the quarterfinals for the fifth straight year. The sixth-seeded Wildcats upset third seed Redmond in the round of 16. Senior post Dylan Livesay averages 15 points and six rebounds per game. Mountain View is in Eugene for the fourth consecutive season and sixth time in seven years. The Cougars lost only two games against Oregon teams – both to Redmond. Mountain View has never won a state title. | http://highschoolsports.oregonlive.com/news/article/6175121290289228042/osaa-5a-boys-basketball-wilsonville-vs-mountain-view/ | 125 |
NEAC Offers A Mobile App
- Release Date:
- March 1, 2013
- The Office of Sports Information
- (716) 649-7900 ext. 333
Re-posting this since the NEAC season is about to begin!
Get your seats in the Front Row. Download the NEAC mobile app.
With NEAC Front Row, fans can cheer on their favorite team as if they were in the front row of the arena!
Created by PrestoSports in partnership with the North Eastern Athletic Conference, Front Row gives fans access to score updates, statistics and game recaps.
The Hilbert College men's lacrosse team is a participating member in the NEAC league.
- Live Scoring
- Event Statistics
- Event recaps
- Photo galleries
- Twitter integration
- Calendar alerts
click (here) to download the mobile app through the NEAC website
Hilbert College, located in suburban Hamburg, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is a private four-year college founded in 1957 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition. With nearly 1,100 students, Hilbert is a dynamic Western New York college that offers career-focused majors, including one of the top criminal justice programs in the region, and more than 50 minors and concentrations. The college’s engaging, student-centered campus community offers numerous leadership, internship and service learning opportunities from which students launch successful careers while making positive changes in their communities. Hilbert has expanded its academic offerings with the college’s first graduate programs, one a master’s in criminal justice administration and the other a master’s in public administration, and new Accelerated Degree Programs geared to adult learners. | http://hilbert.edu/app.aspx?st=13005&e=newsdetail&nav=athletics&newsid=7400 | 350 |
HOUSTON -- Veteran infielder Geoff Blum said Thursday he felt badly for umpire Jim Joyce, who admittedly blew a call at first base in the ninth inning of Thursday's game between the Tigers and Indians that cost Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game.
Joyce apologized to Galarraga after the game and was fighting back tears when he came out for the lineup card exchange at home plate prior to Thursday's game.
"It's heartbreaking to seek Jim Joyce, who's one of the better umpires and one of the more liked umpires, to have that happen to him," Blum said. "I know he's heartbroken over it. I'm also appreciative of how Galarraga handled it. He was great and showed an amazing amount of poise and courtesy. That was impressive to see, and I appreciate the heck out of that, but I definitely don't want instant replay more than we already do."
Astros first baseman Lance Berkman said mistakes are part of the game and maintains an expansion of replay isn't a pressing issue.
"Blown calls happen all the time," he said. "It's not an uncommon occurrence, and these guys are the best in the world at what they do. People make mistakes. I don't think it's a poor reflection on umpiring. It's a lot tougher than people realize because the game happens so fast.
"Things happen so quickly and many times in a baseball game the whole outcome rests on one call, so it's important to get them right. But baseball has survived 150 years without [replay] and will probably be around, if the world is, in another 150 years."
Cash relishing playing time
HOUSTON -- Kevin Cash made his 12th start at catcher Thursday and admitted he's appreciative of the playing time he's been getting since he had his contract purchased from Triple-A Round Rock on May 5.
"I definitely can't complain about the opportunities I've been given," he said. "Ever since I've been here, I've been catching two, three, four times a week, depending on how the rotation was set up. I think I took about an 0-for-16 start [at the plate] and that's tough to come back from, but with the more at-bats you get the better chance of getting out of that rut."
Cash, a career .186 hitter prior to this year, entered Thursday hitting .161 for the Astros. He was 5-for-19 in his previous six starts, though. He's caught Brian Moehler twice, Brett Myers six times, Felipe Paulino three times and Bud Norris once.
"We're definitely not there yet, but I'm much more comfortable," he said. "Hits cure a lot of things, and when you're getting hits and getting on base, good things can happen. It's been fun catching those guys and that's what keeps you sane and focused at the same time, that you have this other job to do also."
Cash hit his first home run as an Astro in the second inning Thursday against the Nats.
Astros' big three coming around
HOUSTON -- Slowly but surely, there are signs Astros sluggers Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence have put their early-season woes behind them. And not just because they each had a single in the first inning of Thursday's game.
Berkman was hitting .277 in his previous 23 games prior to Tuesday and had reached base safely in 22 of those games, Lee was hitting .300 (9-for-30) with three doubles, a homer and six RBIs in his last six games, and Pence was hitting .348 with seven homers and 19 RBIs in his last 23 games.
"I knew at some point guys were going to start hitting, and I figured that if we could continue to get the good pitching we've been getting and if we start hitting a little bit, we're going to win some games," Berkman said. "That's my reason for optimism, that's my reason for saying this is a better team than the record indicates, because I know at some point we're going to hit. If we just keep pitching, we're going to put something together."
Berkman began the season on the disabled list and missed the first 12 games of the season. He feels like he is regaining his timing at the plate.
"It's up and down, but I feel like I'm generally trending upward," he said.
Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100603&content_id=10761318¬ebook_id=10761644&vkey=notebook_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou | 966 |
Issue date: 07 August 2012
UWE Bristol business studies graduate Jason Williams is helping international charity Motivation increase its income-generating activities, so it can support more disabled people across the world.
Jason is working on a three-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between UWE and Motivation to develop the Bristol-based charity's trading arm into a sustainable social enterprise.
Motivation designs high-quality, low-cost wheelchairs to enhance mobility and quality of life for disabled people across the world. It also produces specialist chairs for sports such as tennis and basketball, and is working on a low-cost racing wheelchair that will be launched at the Paralympics.
Two years into the three-year partnership, Jason has embedded a new product development process, worked with colleagues to conduct product trials overseas and attended supply chain visits overseas in order to initiate improvements.
He said, “This KTP has given me the opportunity to put into practice everything I learnt from studying business at UWE and also to develop my knowledge and management skills. Working for a social enterprise makes my job very rewarding.
“Currently 16% of people with disability play sport once a week compared with 34% of the general population. Disability sports equipment doesn't come cheap and young disabled people cite lack of money as the main barrier to getting active. Motivation has been tackling this problem with its innovative, low-cost sports wheelchairs for basketball and tennis.
“These sports chairs have proved such a hit that the International Paralympic Committee asked Motivation to design a low-cost racing wheelchair – and we're launching it at the Paralympics this summer.”
The link between UWE and Motivation to develop a clear business development strategy is supervised by Celia Rhodes of UWE's Bristol Business School. The project is part-funded under the government-sponsored KTP scheme, which provides access to University skills and expertise to solve business or social enterprise problems and develop new opportunities.
Richard Frost, co-founder of Motivation comments, “The KTP has been great for Motivation. We are really feeling the benefit and extra knowledge Jason brings to our team. Our business has grown partly as a direct result and the return on our investment has been excellent.”
Motivation also supports the South West Scorpions, a wheelchair basketball club in Bristol for children and young people with and without disabilities.
· For more info on Motivation see http://www.motivation.org.uk/
· This Partnership received financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme (KTP). KTP aims to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. KTP is funded by the Technology Strategy Board along with the other government funding organisations.
· For more information on KTPs at UWE see http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/business/businessgrowthservices/knowledgetransferpartnership.aspx
· RELAYS (Regional Educational Legacy in Arts and Youth Sport) is an innovative and ambitious project delivered through universities and cultural organisations in the south west of England. It aims to inspire young people and their communities to participate in, create and promote cultural and sporting activities; engaging the region with the London 2012 Games and creating a lasting legacy beyond 2012. For more information see http://www.universitiessouthwest.ac.uk/relays.aspx | http://info.uwe.ac.uk/news/UWENews/news.aspx?id=2341 | 712 |
There's a lot of buzz surrounding a Retriever squad that many fans think might again be a top five team heading into ’09. Coach Don Zimmerman, who's back after North Carolina courted him for that opening, has some volunteer coaching help in Terry Kimener and Taylor Marino, UMBC's two biggest losses from last year's graduating class.
The Retrievers were practicing as a unit four times per week leading up to the Lacrosse for Leukemia event earlier this month, and coach Rob Cross said they focused more on conditioning and individual skills early in the week, while working more on team-oriented skills like clearing and riding and full-field scrimmaging on Wednesday and Thursday.
Peter Coluccini has found some new and old challenges in his first fall at Ohio State. The new: graduate coursework. The old: he's battling for a starting goaltending spot once again. Last season, in his final year with Syracuse, he lost the starting job he had held for two years to freshman John Galloway and sat on the sidelines as the Orange won a national championship.
Name: R.G. Keenan
Commitment: North Carolina
HS: Boys' Latin, Md.
Height/Weight: 5-11, 185 lbs.
IL Ranking: Junior Young Gun HM
Summer ’08: Nike Blue Chip Camp, Baltimore Lacrosse Club (Crabs)
Stats/Honors: 61-85, 72% F/O, 2G, 1A, 48GBs
Other Schools Considered: Delaware, Harvard, Duke, Maryland, Virginia
Thoughts On North Carolina
In the early stages of recruiting, Keenan says he initially leaned toward Delaware, home of his current F/O mentor Alex Smith. After visit to UNC in Sept. however, hosted by former BL friend and IL Power 100 Freshman Charlie McComas, Keenan was sold on the Tar Heels' program.
Brendan Skakandi was a three-year starter at Johns Hopkins at longstick midfield and a co-captain of their 2007 NCAA Championship Squad. He also happens to be on IL's staff, as a Marketing Assistant. With today's news that the MLL decided to add an extra roster spot and allow defenses to run four longsticks (similar to the college game), we figured we'd have Brendan share his thoughts on the rule changes with our readers.
About an hour ago, while walking back from lunch, I felt my phone vibrate. Not surprisingly, it was my former roommate/teammate Jesse Schwartzman, current goalie for the Denver Outlaws. He had just text messaged me letting me know that the MLL (Major League Lacrosse) had just added a long stick middie position, as well as another roster spot.
Now I’ve been asked to share with you my reaction to the rule change, but like I said, I found out just about an hour ago, so my reaction is literally still developing as I type.
The 2008 season was one of the most successful in Denver lacrosse history. The Pioneers finished 10-7 overall and 4-1 in the GWLL, including an upset victory over then seventh-ranked Notre Dame. They played in front of an NCAA regular season record 29,000 in the famed horseshoe in Columbus and earned their second NCAA tournament appearance in three years with an at-large bid.
A strong schedule helped thrust Denver into the tournament, giving them a date with Maryland in the first round. Denver had as much as a 5-2 lead before the Terps came back to win 10-7. Despite the loss, the Pioneers’ hard-fought battle silenced critics who didn’t think they deserved to be there.
Navy Fall Scrimmages
Where: U.S. Naval Academy
Teams: Navy; Cornell; Georgetown; Johns Hopkins; Ohio State; Virginia.
Noon-Navy vs. Cornell, Rip Miller Field; Johns Hopkins vs Ohio State, Farragut Field Turf; Georgetown vs Virginia, Farragut Grass.
2:30-Navy vs Virginia, Rip Miller; Johns Hopkins vs. Georgetown, Farragut Turf; Cornell vs. Ohio State, Farragut Grass.
Note: Saturday also is the Annapolis Boat Show. It is recommended that fans park in Gate 5 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and take a shuttle to the academy grounds. The shuttle is free, though parking at the stadium will cost around $5. The shuttle runs from 9 a.m. until one hour after the final scrimmage. A valid government ID is required to enter the academy for those 16-over.
Got an editorial podcast for you this afternoon. We talk about last weekend's Blue Jay Classic, how Loyola's men's team is looking this fall (more on that from G-Shan later) and preview upcoming tournaments, including Saturday's Colleluori Classic in Folsom, Pa. Oh, and there's a brief hockey interlude about halfway through.
[For the sake of time and comedic timing, we join this story already in progress. The conclusion to my first meeting with my new team went something like this]: “…Those are my goals for the season. So. Does anyone have any questions?” (Silence). Me: Guys, it’s okay; I know that’s a lot of information to take in and – yes? Freshman 1: Are you married, coach? Me: No. Freshman 2: Do you have a girlfriend? Me: Uh, no – this isn’t – Freshman 1: Do you like girls? Me: Yeah, I mean, I love chicks – All players: Deafening laughter. So, my first speech ended pretty badly. I have to say, I’ve given speeches that have gone worse. In the middle of a final huddle I once mistook eight seconds for eight minutes. I also yelled out the wrong team once. Then there was the time I threw up mid-syllable. That was bad.
As prospects navigate the college athletics recruiting process, the level of their “command of confidence” will not only assist them in developing a positive and effective approach to recruiting, it will be “picked up” by the college coaches and assist the prospect in standing out above the rest of the pack. Self confidence doesn’t just “appear" it is a skill that is developed naturally and with experience and can offer student-athletes with an effective tool that can be skillfully used in navigating the college recruiting process.
The Prosecutor's office of St. Joseph's County issued a press release this afternoon (Wednesday, October 1) detailing that many of the Notre Dame students arrested in the September 21st raid of an off-campus house would be offered a 'voluntary deferment' program.
According to the release,
This is consistent with the handling of most first-time offenders who have been arrested or cited for similar offenses. If these individuals choose to participate in the diversion program, they will pay user fees and may be required to perform community service, participate in an alcohol use evaluation, and follow through with any educational program determined to be appropriate after the evaluation. If they choose not to participate in the diversion program, or fail to respond to the letter sent by the Prosecutor's Office, the reports will be referred for formal charging.
Three individuals involved had prior records and will face formal charges, including 2007 All America attackman Will Yeatman, who was arrested in January and charged with Operating Under the Influence. Yeatman, 20, took a deferred sentence for that charge, but his charges from September 21st - Underage Consumption, Providing False Information and Resisting Arrest - will cause those charges to be reinstated. | http://insidelacrosse.com/category/tags/ncaa?page=6 | 1,622 |
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Spring question No. 2: Wide receivers
By Michael DiRocco
As part of our spring practice preview, each day this week GatorNation will address the five biggest questions facing the Gators. Today we'll look at the uncertain situation at receiver. On Wednesday, we'll examine the situation at safety.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Maybe this spring will provide Florida with some answers at wide receiver.
The past three certainly haven't.
After Quinton Dunbar, who caught 36 passes last season, the rest of Florida's receiver corps for 2013 is anybody's guess.
For the fourth consecutive year, Florida enters spring practice searching for some consistency at a position that annually produced some of the top players in the Southeastern Conference. UF's receivers have been largely M.I.A. since Riley Cooper and David Nelson graduated following the 2009 season. Gators receivers combined to catch 116 passes that season, led by Cooper’s 51 receptions for 961 yards and nine touchdowns, but no receiver has caught more than 38 passes in a season since.
It's for that reason that cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy is going to spend most of his time in the spring working at receiver. The 6-foot-1, 189-pound junior has good speed and runs well with the ball as a kickoff returner but most importantly has flashed a trait that none of the other receivers have: the ability to make a play on the ball in a one-on-one situation.
UF's most experienced receiver is redshirt junior Quinton Dunbar, who has 50 career receptions and led the Gators' wide receivers with 36 catches last season (tight end Jordan Reed had the overall team lead with 50). Dunbar will go into spring No. 1 on the depth chart because of that.
The rest of the unit is made up of underachievers, unproven guys and one early enrollee who might be under the most pressure of any freshman on the roster next season.
Redshirt senior Andre Debose (5-11, 189) is undoubtedly the most dynamic player on the roster with the ball in his hands. He has elite speed, is elusive in the open field, and is a big play waiting to happen. So why does he have only 29 career catches? Because of attitude and work-ethic issues.
Debose has frustrated two coaching staffs over four years in their attempts to make him a consistent player, and this is his last chance.
Senior Solomon Patton (5-9, 169) has just seven career catches and has found himself a role as the Gators' primary option on the jet sweep. His size doesn't help him, either, because UF coach Will Muschamp is revamping the position with bigger receivers.
Sophomores Latroy Pittman (5-11, 209) and Raphael Andrades (6-0, 191) are unknowns. Both caught only two passes last season and were used mainly as blockers. Pittman enrolled early last season and was the star of spring practice, but he disappeared in the fall as he struggled to absorb the offense.
The other scholarship receiver is early enrollee Demarcus Robinson (6-2, 195), a four-star recruit ESPN.com ranked the nation's No. 7 wide receiver. Robinson has the size, speed and play-making ability the Gators desperately need, but the unknown is how quickly he can pick up the offense and adjust to the press coverage the Gators use.
The wildcard in the receiver situation is new position coach Joker Phillips. Before becoming the head coach at Kentucky in 2010, Phillips coached receivers for 18 seasons at Kentucky (1991-96 and 2003-2009), Cincinnati (1997), Minnesota (1999-2000), Notre Dame (2001) and South Carolina (2002). NFL players Steve Johnson (Buffalo) and Randall Cobb (Green Bay) are among the receivers Phillips worked with during his tenure at Kentucky. He also coached Craig Yeast, Keenan Burton, Dicky Lyons Jr. and Derek Abney, all of whom rank in the top five in UK history in career receptions or career receiving yardage.
The Gators need him to have similar success in Gainesville -- quickly. | http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/florida/print?id=13780 | 868 |
Zeller's slump doesn't worry Scott
February, 12, 2013
By Nick Borges | ESPN.com
Tyler Zeller has only scored in double figures once in the last 10 games and has not grabbed 10 or more rebounds in the last seven. For now, head coach Byron Scott isn't concerned with how his rookie center is producing of late.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider | http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/nba/rumors/post?id=2068 | 83 |
Klesko played for three major league teams, starting with the Atlanta Braves from 1992-1999, when he was traded to the San Diego Padres. He spent one more year playing for the San Francisco Giants until he decided in 2007 that he wanted to spend more time with his young family.
Not your typical Californian, Klesko is originally from Bakersfield, which is not far from Los Angeles but is mainly farm country. Growing up there prepared him for living in Jones County.
“I bought the property here with John Smoltz about 15 years ago,” he said. “We mostly bought it for duck hunting, but I spend a lot of time here. We host forestry programs and have teachers bring classes out to the property.
“I like for others to enjoy it. We even won timber farm of the year in Georgia in 2007.”
Klesko attributes his baseball skill to his mother, who worked two jobs to help put him through pitching school.
For the full story, pick up a copy of this week's newspaper or subscribe to our e-Edition at http://ee.jcnews.com. | http://jcnews.com/view/full_story/21253487/article-Klesko-speaks-to-Rotary | 238 |
Marlins out of Chapman sweepstakes
For weeks, the Marlins have been in hot pursuit of Cuban standout Aroldis Chapman. But with the price to secure the left-handed pitcher surpassing the $20 million mark, the Marlins no longer are seriously in the running.
According Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald, the Blue Jays have an offer of $23 million on the table for Chapman. The Angels also are making a push to sign the hard-throwing Cuban defector.
The story says the Marlins raised their offer from five-years, $13 million to $16 million. The report, quoting an unnamed Florida source, said the club hasn’t completely given up hope of signing Chapman. But the team is well aware there are higher bids out there.
With their limited economic resources, the Marlins aren’t prepared to reach the $20 million mark.
With no state income tax in Florida, the Marlins were hoping a slightly less offer for Chapman may have swayed the 21-year-old to sign.
Chapman has been working out in South Florida with his close friend Kendry Morales of the Angels. Chapman’s ties to Morales could ultimately become a deciding factor.
There is a chance Chapman will make his decision soon, perhaps over the weekend.
– Joe Frisaro | http://joefrisaro.mlblogs.com/2010/01/08/marlins-out-of-chapman-sweepstakes/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=3b93935130 | 274 |
MIAMI -- Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen and Nationals skipper Davey Johnson had a brief phone conversation following Sunday's game to clear the air.
During Washington's 4-0 win over Miami, Guillen and Nationals rookie Bryce Harper got into a chirping match in the fourth inning stemming from the amount of pine tar on the 19-year-old's bat. Guillen called Harper "unprofessional" for the way he handled the incident, and said Sunday that he would talk to Johnson about it later that evening.
"He called me," Johnson said. "He said it wasn't a big deal and enough said about it. It was an interesting exchange going on, but that's Oz. ... It was a pretty brief call. It wasn't a big issue with him."
Guillen had a different account of the conversation.
"I tried to call him, and he told me to get the [expletive] away from me," Guillen said. "I don't think Davey understands why I called him. I just called to say 'I don't want to make a big deal about this. I just think he did something he shouldn't.' I love Davey and I think he is one of the best baseball men in the game."
On Sunday, Guillen took issue with the pine tar on Harper's bat in the first inning being too high up on the barrel, so he brought it to the attention of Nationals third-base coach Bo Porter and home-plate umpire Marty Foster.
When Harper came to bat again in the fourth inning, Guillen said the outfielder raised his bat toward Miami's dugout as if to ask if the bat was OK with Guillen.
Miami's manager took it as a sign of disrespect, while Johnson maintained his stance from Sunday -- that Guillen was trying to intimidate Harper.
"He showed me up," Guillen said. "I didn't try to show him up."
"I don't like any time an opposing manager talks while my player is up at the plate, has any kind of conversation with my hitter," Johnson said. "Whether my hitter instigated or he instigated, it's not what I like to see happen in the ballgame."
Guillen added that if he wanted to intimidate Harper, he would have a pitcher throw at him. When asked if he was worried about the Marlins throwing at Harper on Monday, Johnson said, "Heck no. My guy throws harder than them anyway."
While Johnson and Guillen didn't agree on how the incident was handled by each side, the two managers did seem to agree on one point -- that pine tar on the bat doesn't serve as an advantage for hitters. Johnson added that every player just uses it to help with the grip so the bat doesn't go flying out of their hands.
Guillen, who has been complimentary of Harper all season, again sang the All-Star's praises on Monday, but cautioned that if Harper "continues to do that [stuff], he might not make it."
"He's going to fool around with the wrong guy and that guy is going to kick his [behind]," Guillen said. "He might not make it, and I love this kid. I think he is great for the game. He plays the game right and he plays hard. He has a chance to be one of the greatest players in the game, but he needs to be careful."
Tom Green is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120716&content_id=35038856&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb | 748 |
Paarl Gym 10 makes Baby Bok squad
30 May 2012
Paarl Gym flyhalf Handre Pollard will replace the injured Johan Goosen in the SA U20 squad to compete at the Junior World Championship.
Pollard received a surprise call-up from Baby Boks head coach Dawie Theron last week as his troops gathered in Cape Town for their final training camp ahead of the tournament, which will be staged in Stellenbosch and Bellville from 4-22 June.
The 18-year-old and Sharks XV flyhalf Fred Zeilinga had trial run in a practice match against Hamiltons U20 last Wednesday, to see who would replace teenage sensation Goosen, who suffered a shoulder injury during the Cheetahs’ Super Rugby campaign.
The schoolboy had an impressive outing, and has been rewarded with place in the final squad. Pollard will likely provide cover for Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup and U21 pivot Tony Jantjies, brother of Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies.
‘I was very impressed with the way Handre stepped up to a more senior level last week,’ Theron told Schoolboy Derby. ‘He coped physically and mentally, and played a hand in several of our tries. I liked the way he combined with the centres, especially [former SA Schools captain and current Springbok Sevens star] William Small-Smith.’
Pollard will become the first schoolboy to represent South Africa at the Junior World Championship.
Theron has also added Free State wing Raymond Rhule and Golden Lions scrumhalf Vian van der Watt to the squad in place of the injured Dean Hammond (WP) and Kevin Luiters (Free State) respectively.
‘I am confident that all three players will do well. They are very talented and slotted in with ease since they joined us last week,’ said Theron.
Final Baby Bok squad for Junior World Championship:
Backs – Marais Schmidt, Dillyn Leyds, Travis Ismaiel, Raymond Rhule, Tshotsho Mbovane, William Small-Smith, Paul Jordaan, Patrick Howard, Jan Serfontein, Tony Jantjies, Handrè Pollard, Vian van der Watt, Abrie Griesel.
Forwards - Wiaan Liebenberg (c), Shaun Adendorff, Khaya Majola, Braam Steyn, Fabian Booysen, Pieter Steph du Toit, Ruan Botha, Paul Willemse, Marvin Orie, Maks van Dyk, Allan Dell, Oliver Kebble, Steven Kitshoff, Mark Pretorius, Jason Thomas.
By Gareth Duncan | http://keo.co.za/2012/05/30/paarl-gym-10-makes-baby-boks-squad/?dem_action=view&dem_poll_id=552 | 567 |
Kukla's Korner Hockey
by Paul on 08/05/11 at 10:20 AM ET
from NBC New York,
New York Ranger Sean Avery was arrested and charged with battery on a police office earlier Friday, according to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman.
Police responded to noise complaints at Avery’s Hollywood home at about 1 a.m. and arrested him. It wasn’t known what prompted the alleged assault on the officer.
The battery charge is a misdemeanor. Avery’s bail was set at $20,000.
Update from George: Do I need to tell you that TMZ broke the story and will offer new details soon?
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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at [email protected] | http://kuklaskorner.com/hockey/comments/avery_arrested_in_la | 265 |
Kukla's Korner Hockey
Entries with the tag: henrik zetterberg
Game 7 will be in Anaheim on Sunday with a 10:00pm ET start.
Who do you like?
Make sure to visit The Malik Report for a recap of game 6.
“I know for a fact Russians will probably stay, I can't blame them either. The Russian league treats players a different way. For them to play in their home country and not have these (labor) disputes every other year … and they honor the contracts over there. If you sign a deal, that's the deal you get.''
-Henrik Zetterberg who announced today he is headling to Switzerland to play during the lockout. Much more from Zetterberg via Ansar Khan of Mlive.
I am not going to link back to the actual tweet or else I would be here all day.
I am actually surprised by the reaction…
James Wisniewski’s suspension cost him $536,585.36. He should’ve smashed Zetterberg in the head 214.634144 times instead!
$2,500 fine. For twice wantonly driving a man’s head into the glass w/ violent force. Playoff rules? What a sad joke
Just when you think the NHL might be getting a clue, Weber gets fined but not suspended for atrocious shots to head of Zetterberg. Terrible.
Shea Weber fined $2,500 for turnbuckling Henrik Zetterburg’s head. Maybe woulda got suspended if he’d hit him with the ring bell, though.
At the end of the game in case you missed it.
from Ansar Khan of Mlive,
The dominant two-way player the team is accustomed to seeing has resurfaced the past two months.
Zetterberg has 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in the past 23 games, after picking up only 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in his first 53 games.
“He’s the best player on the ice right now, night in and night out,’’ teammate Niklas Kronwall said. “He’s making things happen every shift, whether that’s working hard offensively or defensively. Right now he’s playing unbelievable.
“That whole line has been great for us.’‘...
Skating is the big difference in Zetterberg’s improvement. The sore ankle that nearly forced him out of the lineup for a brief time a month ago no longer is an issue.
“We had that discussion (about sitting out), and then Pav went down, so that was out of the question,’’ Zetterberg said. “It’s a lot better than it was a few weeks ago, so hopefully it will keep going like this into the playoffs.’‘
Earlier this morning I asked Darren Dreger of TSN about any update on Henrik Zetterberg.
He just responded via Twitter,
@kuklaskorner. There will be no sup discipline. View is there was no intended shove.
If you missed the hit, you can watch it at The Malik Report.
Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings beats Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith.
Not sure how any goalie can stop a move like that without guessing.
No call on the play.
via Ansar Khan tweet,
Zetterberg said Kesler’s knee-on-knee check was “stupid play.’’ Kesler said, essentially, “what knee-on-knee check?’‘
We continue our preview of the top players at each position with a look at the left wing. In my auction league with bidding that is taking place all month, I am currently looking for a low-cost left wing option, of which there are plenty. But here are the options that you can reasonably pay top dollar for or feel comfortable drafting with an early-round pick.
Filed in: Fantasy Hockey and Gaming, thegoods13, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: alex+ovechkin, bobby+ryan, daniel+sedin, dany+heatley, fantasy+hockey, henrik+zetterberg, ian+gooding, ilya+kovalchuk, left+wing, patrick+marleau, pavel+datsyuk, the+goods, zach+parise
“In the end, it’s all about winning. That’s probably why I signed a 12-year deal here. I could have gone somewhere else where maybe I had a little more ice time, a little more spotlight. But this is where I want to be. I want to be here with a lot of good players.”
-Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings. Read much more on ‘Z’ from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of Yahoo.
“I think it’s best for our team, I think it’s best for me. If I was 100 percent, I would love to go. But now, the situation with the injuries we have and the way it’s been going lately, I think it’s best for everyone.’’
-Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings talking about the NHL honoring the request that he not be selected for the ASG. More on the Wings from Ansar Khan of Mlive.
Ovechkin hasn’t won dick, his team has underachieved this year largely because he hasn’t shown up yet, and HBO is all over the guy. No slight to the outstanding Caps star, but enough.
-Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province in a article about Henrik Zetterberg being one of the top players in the league.
from Ansar Khan of Mlive,
Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg had his back tighten up during the morning skate today at the American Airlines Center, putting his status for the game against Dallas in question.
Zetterberg spent extra time getting treatment but said he had no idea if he’ll be ready to play.
“It’s a little stiff, seized up a litte bit out there,’’ Zetterberg said. “Did some treatment, go back to the hotel, see how it is tonight.’’
Brian Rafalski is also a game time decision as he tries to recover from a “bump on his back”.
Henrik Zetterberg participated in a tele-conference today.
Q. I just wanted to know in the lead?up to your Winter Classic was there ever a point when you were worried about the potential bad weather affecting your game?
HENRIK ZETTERBERG: A little bit. I think we are always worried like it’s going to snow, or even rain; it would be a little tough to play that game.
But for us, I would say that we had the perfect conditions. You know, it was a great atmosphere. It was a little cold for the fans maybe, but for us we kept ourselves warm and we had some heaters going on the bench. So we were fine.
Q. What about growing up as a kid, did you ever play any route door hockey in some rain or bad weather like that?
HENRIK ZETTERBERG: Yeah, you had a few. Most of our games were indoors, though. But I think my first few years, we had a few away games where we had to play outdoors. Sometimes it was real cold and it snowed, too. But that’s the way it was.
Four Sharks chase Datsyuk, who finds Zetterberg for a goal last night.
We’ve got some catching up to do as I intentionally stayed off the radar this weekend. (For the first time since the arrival of our second son, we had no visitors! Bliss!) Quick cheers for Friday and Saturday night’s action and then onto toasts and a few highlights from yesterday’s games:
Friday’s Three Cheers:
***Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa: Hat trick, 1,000th career point in 4-2 Senators’ win in Buffalo.
**Rene Bourque, Calgary: Hat trick, assist in 6-2 Flames’ win in Columbus.
*Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay: Hat trick, assist in 5-2 Lightning win in Atlanta.
Saturday’s Three Cheers:
***John Tavares, NYIslanders: First career hat trick in 4-3 loss at Florida.
**Jaroslav Halak, St. Louis: 31 saves in 1-0, overtime blanking of visiting Pittsburgh.
*Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit: Two goals, four points in a 5-4 squeaker over Anaheim at the Joe.
And, finally, on to Sunday’s honors:
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: anders+lindback, daniel+alfredsson, henrik+zetterberg, jaroslav+halak, john+tavares, miikka+kiprusoff, rene+bourque, steven+stamkos
from George Malik of Snapshots at Mlive,
Here come the Swedish paparazzi? According to Aftonbladet’s Anna Lindback, Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg and Swedish TV personality/hostess Emma Andersson will marry on Friday in the southern Swedish resort town of Molle:
Crosby on Zetterberg tonight.
note 12:26am 3/23/10, I’ve replaced the video for one with better quality.
Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings with a last second goal in OT.
via Craig Custance of the Sporting News,
The Detroit Red Wings will be without forward Henrik Zetterberg for a minimum of two weeks. An NHL source told Sporting News that the MRI results revealed that the forward suffered a slight shoulder separation.
Henrik Zeterberg is done for the night with an upper body injury after taking a shoulder check from Mattias Öhlund of the Lightning.
added 9:00pm, Video of the hit…
Free curly fries for everyone.
Henrik Zetterberg with the hat trick to top off a five point night and Wings fans are happy too. Arby’s offers free curly fries if a Wing gets a hat trick.
from Per Bjurman of the Sports Bladet (transferred below)
Thus it is established that the best Swede in NHL named Henrik Zetterberg.
For so many crushing, of a total of 161, said that of “Zäta” on the question of which of our transatlantic stars being the highest class.
- Thank you for the award. But I myself would have put my voice on “Lidas,” (Lidstrom) says 28-year-old Medelpad no when Sportbladet talk to him before the Sweden-visit and a season in which he wants revenge.
No, Henrik Zetterberg did not sneeze at all about that 102 colleagues at home in the premier league voted for him in Sportbladet survey of the best NHL Swedes - and the nearest competitors and Nicklas Lidström Nicklas Bäckström did not come up in more than 17 votes each.
On the contrary.
- It will always be glad of such awards. Especially when other hockey players voted. It weighs a bit heavier than when journalists speak out.
- In addition, it’s fun to beat “Lidas” ...Humble
from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,
Quick update from Stockholm: The Red Wings spent nearly an hour on the ice this afternoon in an effort to stave off jet lag, and Henrik Zetterberg had good news on the state of his groin (“ljumsken” is Swedish for groin).
“This is the best I’ve felt since it happened, so that’s positive,” he said. “We’ll see how it reacts to this, and go from tomorrow.”
added 3:03pm, Dan Rosen of NHL.com has much more on Zetterberg plus possible line combinations…
via Elliotte Friedman’s Twitter,
Wings on Zetterberg: “Good news, negative result on the MRI. Diagnosis is a mild muscle strain…day-to-day.” You can breathe again, Kukla.
via Elliotte Friedman’s Twitter,
Zetterberg was supposed to be at NHL Media event but tweaked groin and needed further examination.
from Bob McKenzie of TSN,
The plays these guys make in tight are impressive, as are the plays they make defensively to turn it into offence. These guys were unbelievable to watch all night - they had five of the 12 shots that were blocked by the Red Wings, they’re terrific when they don’t have the puck, they’re magical to watch when they do, and it’s going to be terrific to see a Game 7 showdown between the best of the Penguins and the best of the Red Wings.
Really, offensively on the night, you noticed Datsyuk and Zetterberg a lot more than you did Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin but as I said, the supporting cast ruled the day, and Pittsburgh’s was a little better.
Q. Can I ask you about home ice advantage in this series? The home team has obviously won all the games. Are match?ups that critical in this series, how big a part of the results that we’ve seen is that?
NICKLAS LIDSTROM: I don’t think match-ups has been the big issue. I think the team that has had home ice advantage has played really well at home. They’ve gained a lot of momentum from the crowd or what not. So I think just that in itself has helped the home team playing on their home ice.
I think match-ups in Games 3 and 4 wasn’t that big of an issue for us. Only a couple of times we didn’t have the match-up that we wanted when we started the shift. But otherwise we did a good job coming on and off the ice.
Q. What about offense for like some of the guys, maybe a little bit yourself. I know Game 4 has been good for you. Tomas is struggling. How do you try to get your offense going so you don’t have to worry as much about their offense?
MARIAN HOSSA: We have to step up, and you know, get it going offensively. Help this team score some goals and put them ?? instead of coming back, the last two games. So, you know, we have to be better offensively, and we have to step up.
Q. What did you think happened in that six-minute stretch when they got the three goals?
MARIAN HOSSA: That was momentum changing. You know, they scored the shorthand goal, and that kind of gave them momentum, especially in their building. And they also got the jump. And after they got another one from our mistakes.
But, you know, we are back to basically a 0-0 situation, and now, you know, it’s the best of three, and we have to make sure we play strong games at home.
from Dave Waddell of the Windsor Star,
For such a quiet player, Henrik Zetterberg sure seems to irritate the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In last year’s Stanley Cup final, Zetterberg drove Sidney Crosby into a screaming rage by the end of Game 4.
In this year’s final, it took Evgeni Malkin only a couple of games to drop his gloves and fight the Red Wings’ centre with 18 seconds left in Game 2.
Zetterberg was all smiles Monday when discussing the Penguins’ emotional eruptions.
from Dave Lozo and Bob Condor of NHL.com,
Babcock said fans can anticipate “a game within a game” from Zetterberg and Crosby.
“If you’re a hockey purist and you like superstars who bring it, that’s a nice matchup,” said Babcock.
In fact, you can follow that matchup as part of your game viewing (hey, it’s a two-screen world) by watching NBC’s Iso-Cam right here on NHL.com. The camera will follow Zetterberg every shift on the ice, many of which will pair the player Babcock calls “Z” and Crosby on faceoffs and no doubt a hit or three.
Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen have teamed up and produced in a big way for Detroit during the playoffs.
E.J. Hradek on NHL Live asked Henrik Zetterberg if he has been watching the other playoff matchups. Zetterberg basically responded the hotel in California did not have Versus, so it was difficult to watch.
George Malik of SnapShots once again turns to the web for a story on Henrik Zetterberg,
Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg spoke to Expressen’s Mattias Eriksson recently, discussing a wide range of topics in a February 24, Expressen (roughly translated):
“Would not like to switch lives with someone”
He is one of the world’s best hockey players and recently signed contract worth almost 600 million [Swedish Kronor]. Henrik Zetterberg says with complete certainty: “I would not like to switch places with anyone.”
This summer, Henrik Zetterberg NHL won the finals’ scoring title and was named the finals’ most valuable player. He took a stride [forward to become one] of the world’s best hockey players and at the end of January he signed in one of the biggest contracts in NHL’s history.
from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
Keeping everyone happy could get problematic for Holland down the road, but it is a challenge that every GM around the league faces. The primary goal will be to avoid expensive mistakes – the kinds of contracts that can’t be traded, almost the moment the ink dries on the document.
The quality that sets Holland apart from the rank-and-file NHL general manager is that he’s thinking a little faster and a little farther out than others in his peer group. At the moment, you cannot find one contract on his list that looks bad in hindsight – even the deals he awarded to his supplementary players, such as Kris Draper or Kirk Maltby.
“Players only get so many years to make their money,” said Holland. “You want to make sure they feel good about their contracts and they feel good when they walk into the locker room. What we’ve been able to do since I became the general manager in 1997 and started with Steve (Yzerman). There were other people in the league making more than Steve. Steve wanted to take less so he could be surrounded by teammates.
Holland was also on the Fan590 about an hour ago, talking the Zetterberg contract and how he will deal with future signings. Listen here...
added 8:06pm, from Scott Burnside of ESPN,
...by getting Zetterberg to sign on for the long haul without breaking the bank, Holland has once again positioned himself to keep the Red Wings in the hunt—today, tomorrow and beyond.
In case you don’t visit Abel to Yzerman while at KK, IwoCPO has embedded the video to the Henrik Zetterberg press conference scheduled for 2:00pm.
In the meantime, enjoy the ads for Olympia Entertainment!
from Elliotte Friedman of Blogs and Columns at CBC,
They’ve taken a critical step toward that goal. On Wednesday afternoon, the Wings will announce that Henrik Zetterberg signed a 12-year deal worth approximately $72 million US. That will put the annual cap hit at $6 million for the length of the deal, phenomenal for a player of Zetterberg’s ability.
(Sources say it is front-loaded in the model of the Vincent Lecavalier and Daniel Briere deals, but I don’t have the breakdown.)
What’s best for Wings fans is that it leaves some flexibility for Holland to deal with his remaining big guys — Marian Hossa, Johan Franzen, and Jiri Hudler. Detroit has 15 players on its current roster signed for $47 million in 2009-10, meaning Holland could have anywhere from $6-8 million to play with (assuming a cap of $53-$55 million).
No update yet on Zetterberg who walked down the tunnel late in the first period during tonight’s game against the Blue Jackets.
He is not on the bench for the 2nd period.
update 8:54pm, Lower back spasms, will not return.
update 9:04pm, Wings have called a 2:00pm press conference for tomorrow,. Speculation is Zetterberg contract extension.
“I don’t think I’ve played good enough to be an All-Star. I’m not mad or sad or anything. I just haven’t played good enough.”
-Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings via Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News.
Henrik Zetterberg clearly has a secondary role right now. It’s an interesting dynamic to follow this season—a contract year for Z. It’s not that Zetterberg doesn’t get plenty of opportunity or that he’s not centering a scoring line. But Zetterberg is the No. 2 center behind Datsyuk. Would you rather have Hossa and Homer as your wings every night or a mix of Hudler, Samuelsson, Filppula or Cleary?
-Wings beat writer Bruce MacLeod at Red Wings Corner
“I’m a parent full-time now, I have to live my life too, because if I keep on living just for that, I’m going to go crazy. . . . You have to live your life. My life right now is not playing hockey.”
-Martin Brodeur, more from Marty at the NY Post.
Pierre LeBrun mentioned during the Hot Stove on HNIC tonight the Wings have had a few conversations with Zetterberg’s agent, The numbers being tossed around are 8-10 years and $7-8M a year.
The two parties have not found that “sweet-spot” or else a deal would have been announced.
Al Strachan chimed in with this- If General Motors goes bankrupt, and it could very well happen, the Wings would not survive in Detroit. The city would be a ghost town.
Henrik Zetterberg did not participate in the morning skate and is out for tonight’s game against the Canucks.
Darren Helm has been called up from Grand Rapids.
Ken Holland just mentioned on NHL Live that Zetteberg has a tender groin and will be a game time decision tomorrow.
When asked about the condition of ‘Z’, Holland paused a moment and said groin. Up to you to decide if that is the issue.
added 1:33pm, Babcock says groin too, more at the Detroit Free Press.
The boys on Hockey Hot Stove on HNIC with the following:
Pierre LeBrun states the starting point for signing Zetterberg will be $8.25 million per year.
Mike Milbury mentioned Marian Gaborik talks are at a standstill. May be an ego thing with Gaborik, the Wild make him an offer, he turns them down. LeBrun said he will be traded “soon”, Wild won’t wait for the March 3rd trade deadline.
Pierre also mentioned Satan on the wing in Pittsburgh is not going well, so keep an eye on the Penguins getting involved in the Gaborik trade talk.
“I really enjoy it here, and it’s become a home for me. I can’t really see a better place to play hockey, so hopefully we can figure something out that can work for both of us.”
-Henrik Zetterberg who becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2009. More on ‘Z’ from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.
from Dave Waddell of the Windsor Star via the National Post,
After using the international stage of the playoffs to make a strong case for the title of the game’s best two-way player, Zetterberg feels he still has much more to accomplish.
“Ultimately what you want is to have as few as games as you can when you’re not so good,” said Zetterberg, who led the playoffs in scoring with 13 goals and 27 points in 22 games. “You want your lowest level as high as possible. If you have that, you know you will play good.
“I always want to play good.”
Henrik Zetterberg has his day with the Cup.
Henrik Zetterberg will be 28 years old come late October and Ken Holland recently mentioned he hopes to begin contract negotiations with his agent when training camp rolls around.
Holland stresses Zetterberg is a priority signing for the Wings and hopes Henrik will take a little less money to remain a Wing before he achieves UFA status on July 1, 2009.
The magic salary number seems to be $7.45 million a year for the Wings, that is the amount Nick Lidstrom makes and the Wings want him to remain the highest paid player on the team.
Will Zetterberg buy into the Wings system or better yet, what would you want your GM to offer Zetterberg to come play for your team? With salary numbers like $10 million for Sundin, $9 million for Hossa and $8.5 million for Gaborik kicking around, is Zetterberg worth that much to your team, or maybe even a little more?
from Ansar Kahn of Mlive,
Don’t expect Henrik Zetterberg to sign a long-term extension on July 1 like San Jose’s Joe Thornton did last year. Zetterberg has one year remaining on a contract that averages $2.65 million a season, but Holland doesn’t anticipate a quick signing. He said he has had only preliminary talks with Zetterberg’s agent and that no figures have been exchanged yet. His new deal is expected to be in the $7 million-a-year range.
“Over the course of the summer and as we get into camp I’d like to ramp things up,” Holland said. “Free agency is getting more difficult. They got more and more options. It’s going to take a long time.”
much more on the Wings including Drake may retire and Stuart’ shoulder is ok…
Conn Smythe Trophy winner Henrik Zetterberg has added another honour to his 2007-08 collection, as the Detroit Red Wings forward has been named the first TSN NHL Player of the Year. The honour goes to the most outstanding player of the full season (regular season and playoffs) and was voted on by a 30-member panel consisting of current NHL players, coaches and GMs, the NHLPA executive director and the NHL on TSN broadcast team.
TSN will donate $5,000 (Cdn.) to Zetterberg’s charity of choice in recognition of this honour. | http://kuklaskorner.com/hockey/tags/tag/henrik+zetterberg | 5,978 |
By Surly Jacob.
The smell of hockey is in the air again in Los Angeles as the Kings laced ‘em today for the first day of training camp. Though that smell might be what kes so many in our silly city away from our great game. More for us.
As Group C took the ice, there was more than just hockey being played, there was fun being had. Led by the five Kings locked in to a spot on the team (Frolov, Handzus, Simmonds, Doughty and O’Donnell), young hopefuls like Andrei Loktionov, Nicolas Deslauriers and Jordan Nolan got a taste of what it is like to be a King. A taste they are here to make linger as long as possible.
While skills were on display, mostly from beloved veteran forward Alexander Frolov, the more interesting part of camp today was the attitude on the ice. One thing was remarkably clear amongst the Kings’ players, they actually like each other. We have all heard General Manager Dean Lombardi go on and on about changing the hockey culture in Los Angeles, and oftentimes it can give us sudden aneurysms when he talks in such vagaries. However an up close look at the players makes one start to believe that the very serious man pacing behind the glass, fiddling with his pockets and smacking his gum, is succeeding in this crucial, but elusive issue.
During a series of drills lasting just under three hours, the team’s veterans joked and bantered, sometimes at the expense of the rookies. Sean O’Donnell (pictured to the left), who was nearly twice the age of almost everyone on the ice, showed leadership in a different kind of way, throwing random and playful body checks at various youngsters when they were least expecting it. In one moment that had the excited crowd emitting a group giggle, O’Donnell skated by an unsuspecting Loktionov and pinned the diminutive Russian into the bench, with a follow up friendly face wash. Clearly training camp is inaugural in more ways than one.
O’Donnell put on similar displays throughout that seemed as much for the fans as for his teammates, particularly with Drew Doughty. Paired with O’Donnell, Doughty was as serious as he was entertained. The bond of mentor to student still running strong, get excited about Johnson and Doughty on the power play, because this couple doesn’t look to be going anywhere. In his own right, Doughty had a strong practice with crisp passing and the smooth skating we have all come to know and love.
There to let everyone know that this is not a drill was tryout Radko Gudas. Having already caused a bit of a stir with a strong performance during the developmental and rookie camps, Gudas played with a physical edge that was unmatched. While there was no open ice hitting, Gudas demonstrated that he earns his paycheck along the boards; practically stapling it to the opposing forward’s back along with his stick. Though Gudas was consistently physical, the biggest hit of the afternoon belonged to David Meckler, who made Loktionov check for blood behind the net.
Quiet, but virtually mistake free was 2009 3rd round draft pick defenseman Nicolas Deslauriers. He looks to need a bit more time in the oven, but he is one of those players that make you curse the AHL age restrictions.
Getting pelted were goalies Erik Ersberg and Martin Jones. Ersberg seems primed and ready to kick off the season, making several crowd pleasing saves and looking agile as ever. At the other end of the ice was Martin Jones. While clearly skilled, Jones relies heavily on his size (6’4”) and strong positioning and could use some work on his lateral movement. A curious case that is finally bearing whatever future intrigues it has to offer is the appropriately termed “Legend of Juraj Mikus” (see link: The Legend of Juraj Mikus).
Unfortunately, the tree looks pretty bare for now. Mikus obviously has offensive talent, but it remains to be seen how he can adapt to our rougher brand of hockey. His play along the boards leaves something to be desired, and he is often caught looking around a little too much. He strikes me as a loner, both in his personality and style of play. Of course, he is young and not used to much of anything in Los Angeles, let alone the hockey. So he could grow out of it throughout the course of the season if he remains in North America. It was nice to see fellow Slovakian Michal Handzus stay several minutes after practice to talk with Mikus, as well as Gudas. In the same vein Frolov spoke with Loktionov a few times in between drills.
Fourth line center hopeful Trevor Lewis had a solid outing, as did Alec Martinez. Manchester staples Marc-Andre Cliché, Gabe Gauthier, Scott Parse and David Meckler were not terrible, but they might all have the curse of chronic AHLism, but hey, that’s why it’s not a one day camp.
Boys and girls, hockey is finally here. | http://lakingsnews.com/2009/09/14/training-camp-day-1-group-c/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=4e28c04ab9 | 1,088 |
Belief starts to build within A's clubhouse
OAKLAND -- On a perfectly gorgeous Wednesday in the East Bay, there were as many unoccupied green seats in the vast Coliseum as those containing bodies. This was normal for the A's, who played with their characteristic edge in dismissing the Angels, 9-8, to take a showdown series in front of 21,150.
If baseball fans in the discerning Bay Area are having a hard time believing the A's are for real, it's only because they're not facing them on a field graced by champions and legends in earlier eras.
"This franchise has a history of exciting teams and some raucous times," Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick was saying as his disappointed team headed home at last following a three-stop trip. "You go all the way back, it's been that way. Guys who played here liked to have a good time.
"You can kind of feel it with this team. Those guys are playing with a lot of energy, loose and free. They're confident and they're exciting. They want to show how good they are."
There are no Reggie Jacksons, Rickey Hendersons or Bash Brothers in this outfit. But that might be what's driving a team with a chip on its collective shoulder, determined to show the world it belongs on the big stage.
The A's own season series leads against the Angels (7-5), Yankees (4-3) and Red Sox (6-1) and are 6-6 against the Rangers. Only the Mariners, Indians, D-backs and Giants have series edges over Oakland.
"Never a doubt in my mind," right fielder Josh Reddick said when asked about the A's ability to compete with the big-market titans. "It's always about reaching the postseason. There's a lot of baseball left, though. We're not focusing on that yet."
In a virtual home run derby on Wednesday, seven were launched, five by the Angels. But Oakland prevailed, driven, according to closer Ryan Cook, by an all-for-one, one-for-all attitude.
"The one thing I can say about this team is every person in this clubhouse believes in one another," Cook said following a harrowing escape in the ninth. "That weighs heavily. We're not getting hits or outs for ourselves - we're getting them for everybody.
"It's an extremely selfless team. It's chemistry. Top to bottom, it comes from a belief we have in each other. There are days when [the offense] is struggling, and we're going to keep them to one less run. And there are days when they're raking, and we're going to do our part to keep it under control."
With disciplined, timely hitting, the A's had Zack Greinke out of Wednesday's game after five innings. This left it to a strapped and sapped bullpen, and it wasn't pretty.
LaTroy Hawkins, the Angels' most reliable reliever of late, was victimized by five runs in the sixth while getting two outs. Chris Carter's two-run homer and Yoenis Cespedes' two-run single were the big blows.
The A's held on -- barely.
"Although it wasn't perfect -- in terms of perfectness -- it was fine with me," Cook said. His 12th save presented fellow reliever Pat Neshek (1-0) with the win.
In his second big league start, Dan Straily couldn't make it through the fifth, yielding five earned runs on eight hits. Kendrys Morales went deep twice for the second time on a 4-6 road trip, and Chris Iannetta and Torii Hunter unloaded solo homers.
Mark Trumbo would join the homer party with No. 29, matching his rookie output, in the seventh against Grant Balfour.
Singles by Albert Pujols and Morales left Cook in trouble in the ninth, protecting a three-run lead. Kendrick's two-out, two-run single had the fans squirming in those green seats.
Kendrick stole second, but Erick Aybar -- 7-for-12 in the series after stepping in with two singles earlier in the day -- grounded out. The A's exhaled.
"It was a bit of a heavyweight fight there at the end," said A's manager Bob Melvin, who has infused his players with a trust and sense of freedoms enabling them to excel beyond all expectations.
The A's are 60-51 with 51 games left. Since June 2, their 38-21 record is the best in the Majors. They are a playoff team today, and you'd have to pay close attention to details -- as they clearly do -- to understand why.
They don't score a lot of runs, but they give up fewer with a resourceful pitching staff backed by a solid defense. The outfield, with Coco Crisp flying around center and Cespedes and Reddick taking guns to the corners, is first-rate.
"If I had to use one word to describe us, I'd say overwhelming," said Reddick, an emerging star acquired from Boston over the winter. "I don't want to say scrappy -- that's been used too much -- or surprising. I think we're overwhelming, to everybody in the league who thought we weren't going to be any good."
The Angels, at 59-53, are seven games behind the Rangers in the American League West. The A's trail Texas by 5 1/2.
Unless they go on a torrid run and Texas loses its grip, the Angels will need to enter the postseason through a Wild Card door that can slam shut very quickly. As in one and done.
The race for those two Wild Cards could turn out to be the most fascinating of all, given that half the league -- seven clubs -- can make a realistic claim to contention.
"Seems like it's been a long trip," said Trumbo, who showed signs of busting out of a slump with a line-drive single preceding his towering homer to left center. "It should be good for us to get back home and play in front of our fans. It's time for us to start playing to our capabilities."
A 10-game homestand starts for the Angels on Friday night against the Mariners, who will be followed into Angel Stadium by the Indians and Rays.
The A's open a three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago on Friday, then it's on to Kansas City for three.
Even if the rest of the world finds them unbelievable, the A's truly believe in the A's.
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120808&content_id=36364786&vkey=news_oak&c_id=oak | 1,407 |
The future success of every Major League team lies largely in its Minor League pipeline. With that in mind, MLB.com is looking at each team's farm system, from the Top 20 Prospects to under-the-radar types.
The Pirates are well-represented on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list, and everything starts with their right-handed pitching tandem.
Gerrit Cole, the No. 1 prospect in the organization, could make his Major League debut at some point in 2013. The hard-throwing 22-year-old, who was the first overall selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, opened last season at Class A Bradenton but finished the year by making a start at Triple-A Indianapolis. Overall, he compiled a 9-7 record and 2.80 ERA in 26 starts between those two levels and Double-A Altoona. He also tallied more than a strikeout per inning.
Jameson Taillon, the second overall pick in the 2010 Draft and the No. 2 prospect in the Pirates' system, went 9-8 with a 3.55 ERA in 26 starts between Bradenton and Altoona.
"They continue to work toward making a definite impact in Pittsburgh. [The rankings] confirm how we feel about them," said Kyle Stark, an assistant general manager for the Pirates.
Following the pitching duo in the Pirates' prospect rankings are the organization's top young hitters in shortstop Alen Hanson and outfielder Gregory Polanco. Hanson, who turned 20 after the 2012 campaign, batted .309 with 33 doubles, 13 triples, 16 homers, 62 RBIs and 35 stolen bases for Class A West Virginia. He reached base at a .381 clip and logged a .528 slugging percentage.
Polanco, a 21-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic, is an imposing force, at 6-foot-4. He batted .325 with a .388 on-base percentage, .522 slugging percentage, 16 homers, 85 RBIs and 40 stolen bases in 116 games for West Virginia last season.
"We've always liked them, and they've begun to perform," Stark said of Hanson and Polanco. "The rankings reflect the hard work both have put into their developments and give them more motivation to keep improving."
Top 20 prospects
Cole is expected to begin the 2013 season at Triple-A, though he could certainly contribute to the Pirates at some point.
A couple of other prospects could be in the mix for the starting rotation as well. The Pirates acquired southpaw Andy Oliver from the Tigers in December. The former second-round Draft pick is 0-5 with a 7.11 ERA in seven career big league starts. The No. 12 prospect in Pittsburgh's system, Oliver went 5-9 with a 4.88 ERA for Triple-A Toledo last season.
Kyle McPherson, a 14th round Draft choice in 2007 and the Pirates' No. 7 prospect, made 10 appearances (three starts) for Pittsburgh in 2012, as he posted a 2.73 ERA in 26 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old also had a 3-6 record and 3.22 ERA in 12 starts between Altoona and Indianapolis last year.
Bryan Morris, the organization's No. 14 prospect, also enjoyed his first taste of the big leagues last year. The right-hander tossed five innings of relief for the Pirates following a September call-up and yielded just one earned run in five frames. In 46 appearances for Indianapolis, he posted a 2.67 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 81 innings.
Under the Radar
Matt Curry: A first baseman and the Pirates' 16th-round Draft selection in 2010, Curry batted .285 with 34 doubles, 11 homers and 76 RBIs in 111 games with Altoona last season. He has been a steady producer during his ascent through Pittsburgh's system, with a .287 average and .377 on-base percentage in three Minor League seasons.
Phil Irwin: The right-hander, who turns 26 on Feb. 25, could help the Pirates at some point in 2013. He posted a 3-0 record and 2.57 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 21 innings in four starts for Indianapolis last season after going 4-7 with a 2.93 ERA at Altoona. The seasoned Minor Leaguer was originally a 21st-round Draft choice by the Pirates in 2009.
Hitter of the Year
Alen Hanson: The native of the Dominican Republic pieced together an impressive stat line as a 19-year-old in Class A last year. What he does as an encore in 2013 could determine how quickly he progresses through the Pirates' system.
Pitcher of the Year
Jameson Taillon: The second overall pick in the 2010 Draft, Taillon pitched his best after a promotion to Altoona last year. There, he earned a victory in all three of his starts while posting a 1.59 ERA and striking out 18 in 17 innings. The 21-year-old, who stands 6-foot-6, could enter the big league scene sooner rather than later. | http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130205&content_id=41421460&c_id=pit | 1,048 |
White Sox Press Release
New food items added to U.S. Cellular Field offerings for 2013 season
CHICAGO - Building off of the already unique food offerings at U.S. Cellular Field, the Chicago White Sox will debut an expanded menu for fans on Opening Day, Monday, April 1.
"Each year, we listen to our fans and strive to improve our services based on their feedback," said Brooks Boyer, White Sox senior vice president of sales and marketing. "We consistently work to offer White Sox fans a variety of fresh and new retail and concession items at U.S. Cellular Field, and this year is no different."
Sportservice, the official retail and concession operator of the White Sox, will feature their new menu offerings on the ballpark's 100-level and 500-level. Fans can look forward to enjoying the following new concession items:
- Bull's BBQ: Named and created by longtime fan favorite and member of the 1983 "Winning Ugly" White Sox, Greg Luzinski, this sweet bbq pork certainly will be offered at the two BBQ locations (sections 151 and 531) in the ballpark.
- Comiskey Burger: A staple in all true Chicagoans' diets, the Chicago Dog has now been incorporated into a cheeseburger fresh off the grill. The burger will be sold as a double or triple cheeseburger topped with "Chitown Pico", a relish salsa creation made with all the Chicago Dog ingredients (sport peppers, green relish, diced tomato and onions) topped with celery salt. The Comiskey Burger will be featured at the two Burger Barn locations in the ballpark (sections 113 and 529).
- Walking Taco: This new food item consists of a bag of Fritos served with stadium nacho cheese, chili and a fork. The Walking Taco can now be found in the big leagues in sections 110, 164 and 544.
- Meatball Sandwich: A Chicago favorite, the meatball sandwich will be served on an Italian roll with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese in sections 121 and 522.
- New Beer Offerings: In section 112 there will be a new Craft Beer location featuring Henry Weinhards, Batch19, Third Shift and Blue Moon Agave Blonde Ale. The Miller Lite Bullpen Sports Bar also will feature Third Shift, Redd's Apple Ale and Blue Moon Agave Blonde Ale. All will be available in the new souvenir Miller Lite Bullpen Sports Bar pilsner glass. Adding to the local offerings, Ebel's Weiss from Two Brothers Brewery, a Chicagoland local brewery, and Leinenkugel's Canoe Paddler will be available at the Midwest Brews Locations in sections 155, 141, 109 and 530.
- Juice and Milk: Apple Juice and 2% milk will be available for purchase in sections 130 and 529.
Fans enjoying the Club Level, Diamond Suite or Stadium Club experience at U.S. Cellular Field can enjoy Levy Restaurant's newest menu items including:
- Winning Ugly Grand Slam: In honor of the 1983 White Sox, a grand slam of Italian beef, Italian sausage patty, pork chop and bacon covered with giardiniera, sautéed onions and peppers on eight inch muffalatta bread (Club Level).
- Pepper-Glazed Goat Cheese Spread: Savory warm, sweet-spicy goat cheese dip, served with pita chips and toasted baguette slices (Diamond Suites and Stadium Club).
- South Side Double Steakburger: Two 1/3 lb. custom blend steakburgers with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and secret sauce on a brioche bun (Club Level Concessions); and in the stands fans can also get crinkle fries to complete the burger experience.
- Tuna, Chicken and Egg Salad Sandwich Trio: A Chicago deli style plate with caraway rye, pumpernickel and assorted rolls served with pickle spears (Diamond Suites).
- Rip and Dip: Delicious four cheese garlic bread served with marinara and ranch dipping sauces (Club Level and Stadium Club).
- Eleven City Diner Bloody Mary: A local favorite makes a debut at U.S. Cellular Field as this signature drink is added to the line-up. | http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130320&content_id=43029064&vkey=pr_cws&c_id=cws | 884 |
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers' offense raked Friday night.
Hanley Ramirez made sure of that, popping into a local Home Depot and purchasing a gardener's rake, placing it in the bat rack and encouraging teammates to touch it en route to the batter's box.
That might have had nothing to do with the Dodgers' 8-5 comeback win over the Cardinals. But baseball superstition being what it is, the rake is expected to return Saturday after the Dodgers snapped a four-game losing streak and pulled back to within one game of the Cardinals for the second National League Wild Card berth with 17 to play.
The eight runs equaled the club's offensive production for the previous six games combined. Included was a two-run homer by Andre Ethier on a 3-0 pitch to get the Dodgers back into the game in the third inning, a crucial three-run homer by Luis Cruz (four RBIs) for the lead in the sixth and the second double of the game from Adrian Gonzalez that provided a pair of insurance runs in the seventh.
"This win is a relief," manager Don Mattingly said. "It's kind of like San Francisco last week. It's a two-game swing, with the guys we're chasing right across the way."
While losing seven of the previous eight, the Dodgers tried to rely on stingy pitching while coming up short with an underachieving offense. This game was the opposite, starting pitcher Chris Capuano allowing three home runs in the first three innings, the ones by Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday coming on 0-2 pitches.
But then bullpen picked up Capuano by allowing only a ninth-inning concession run in 4 2/3 innings and the offense went kind of nuts.
In his daily lineup roulette, Mattingly put Shane Victorino at leadoff, and he scored twice. There were so many contributors, the Dodgers were able to overcome Matt Kemp's 0-for-4.
"The positive thing out of tonight was the fact they got out to an early lead, had some momentum and we were down, 4-1," Victorino said. "Yet, we were able to come back and grind to battle back. Something we haven't been able to do, but tonight we were able to do it to show us, 'Hey, we are never out of a game with this capability and kind of offense we have.' The results haven't been there, but tonight they were."
Cruz's homer was the biggest of the blows and he knew it, flipping his bat high in the air as he left the plate and answering the crowd with a curtain call. His four RBIs were a career high.
"I had a curtain call once in the Mexican Winter League," Cruz said. "This feels a lot better. I've seen it so many times on TV. It was real good to do it one time."
Ethier led off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Two outs later, Ramirez was hit by a Trevor Rosenthal pitch. Edward Mujica relieved and Cruz lofted his first pitch into the left-field box seats.
"I was supposed to take a pitch," Cruz said. "I got three splitties from him last night. They've been pitching me fastballs in, but he threw me the splitty and left it there and I hit it."
"They know I'm going to throw the changeup. They just make an adjustment," Mujica said. "It's my best pitch, but I just leave it right in the middle. I mean, like, right in the middle."
That gave the Dodgers a 6-4 lead because Ethier had pulled the Dodgers back into the game with his two-run homer in the third after the Cardinals had taken a 4-1 lead.
Mattingly gave Ethier the green light on a 3-0 pitch from Joe Kelly and Ethier put it into the right-field pavilion for his 18th home run.
"He's dangerous, he swings the bat good 3-0," explained Mattingly. "He's aggressive and he lets it fly when he gets the green light."
The final result took the sting away from a disappointing start by Capuano, who has one win since July 21.
"That was probably one of my best pregame warmups of the year," he said. "My stuff felt great. Location felt great. Yadier put a really good short hook swing on that 0-2 pitch. I threw him two really slow off-speed pitches to get ahead 0-2 and try to sneak one by him upstairs. He just stayed short and hit one out. I think I started rushing a little more after that. I made a couple mistakes that got hit. It's always frustrating when you feel that good going into the game and have nothing to show for it.
"Every game here this last week, everyone was kind of waiting for a game like this. You kind of could feel it coming. Tonight it was nice. We started doing some things. We had a really nice hit and run tonight, which we hadn't done in quite a while."
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_14_slnmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=la | 1,095 |
Q. Justin, it looked like there were a lot of fastballs and changeups. Can you talk about your approach against these guys tonight? And we're kind of looking at how you were able to hold down that lineup while striking out just three guys.
JUSTIN VERLANDER: Well, really my approach was to get ahead and be aggressive and not let anybody score. That approach kind of went out the window in the fourth. I kind of fell out of rhythm a little bit and started falling behind guys, and I think that's why ‑‑ not that it matters, but I didn't strike out many more guys. I was behind everybody and had to throw fastballs and throw fastballs almost down the middle.
But was able to make pitches when I needed to. Got some pop‑ups and groundouts and was able to make pitches when I had to.
Q. You have something to do with this with your fastball, but have you ever figured out how the Yankees manage to foul off so many pitches?
JUSTIN VERLANDER: You know, I think there's no secret to that. They have a bunch of veteran players and they all have professional at‑bats and they don't swing at a lot of stuff out of the zone.
When you execute a pitch, especially with two strikes, a lot of those guys are able to foul it off. And that's why they're a tough lineup to face year in and year out. It is the little things they do in the box. They don't ever give the bats away, especially in the postseason.
Q. Justin, how much conversation was there with Jim before the ninth inning in terms of knowing that you were going to pitch the ninth? What did you have in your mind as he was walking out to the rubber the first time to have the conversation with you?
JUSTIN VERLANDER: There was a little bit of conversation. We talked about it and I told him I felt good. But I think we both understood if there was trouble with 130 pitches or so, you know, I would have to come out of the game.
And just so happens Nuñez put up one of his best at‑bats, given the situation, I have ever seen, especially with me on the mound. And then he comes out there and I was hoping he wasn't going to take me out, and he comes out and asks if I can get one more out for him. And I said absolutely.
So I knew after I got Gardner out that was the end of the game. So it wasn't like I was disappointed to see him come out a second time. I knew he was coming out after that.
Q. When you get the lineup before the game, how surprised were you not to see A‑Rod and Swisher in there for the Yankees?
JUSTIN VERLANDER: To be honest, I don't really worry about the names on the back. Not that the Yankees have that, but I focus on who's in the lineup that given day. I have seen a lot of teams shuffle around a lot of lineups when I am out there, so it doesn't really phase me one way or the other if those guys are in there or not. I just need to come up with the game plan to face the certain guys that I am going to face.
I can't say I was surprised, but that's Girardi's decision, not mine.
Q. Justin, it looked like you couldn't sit still after you came out of the game. What was it like being in the dugout watching that? How important has it been to see Phil step up the way he has in the postseason?
JUSTIN VERLANDER: The reason you saw me not being able to sit still, that is out of my norm. Usually when I am out of the game like that, I head to the locker room and go through my normal routine. But obviously I wanted to stay for the last out there.
Made it a little nerve‑racking. So I sprinted up to the locker room and went through my routine as fast as I possibly could. Obviously I am superstitious a little bit. So I watched the out last out from up top on the TV.
Q. You had no hesitation in throwing Nuñez the second breaking pitch after he nearly hit the other one out. Is that just the case where that is the pitch you wanted but you simply hung it?
JUSTIN VERLANDER: They were two different pitches. One was a slider, one was a breaking ball, one was a curveball, and I hung both of them. If I would have executed either one of them, it may be a different scenario. Who knows?
Like I said, he put together heck of an at‑bat, was locked in. Probably would have been a different result if I executed it better, but you never know with a guy up there that was battling like he was. It was not like he was trying to foul stuff off putting good swings on the ball.
Q. Justin, you mentioned you know you get into trouble when you get to 130 pitches. But if it were up to you, would you just keep pitching forever? Did you feel at that point it was time to go, too?
JUSTIN VERLANDER: I think that's what managers are for, to stop us from doing those type of things. Obviously I don't think I would come out of any game all season. Might throw 200 three starts in a row, probably wouldn't last long doing that. Who knows.
But I am thankful I have a manager, first of all, that will let me go out there that long, and not a lot of guys will. He had faith in me and we had good communication in the past about how I feel and whether I stay in or go out, and that hasn't changed. We talked about it a little bit between the innings and made the decision to go back out there.
Q. Your rotation has been so phenomenal. Are you guys feeding off each other? How do you feel about being up 3‑0?
JUSTIN VERLANDER: Yeah, I said that before. I think pitching is contagious, just like hitting is. And, you know, we are all competitive guys. We wouldn't be at this level if we weren't. You see somebody go out there and have a good game, and you want to one‑up that guy. He is your friend, I know, but it still gives you the urge to go out there and do better.
And I think that's a great thing when you can get your entire rotation doing that. And I think we're starting to click at the right time. The guys are getting healthy and starting to throw the ball the way we have been capable of all year. But it's kind of been, you know, up and down.
What was the second question?
JUSTIN VERLANDER: It's great to be up 3‑0. We have to win one. But against this lineup, against this team, you never know. And I think the rest of the team takes the mentality that I take, that I took into this game, being up 2‑0, people asked me if I was comfortable, and I said no, because you have to treat this as a must‑win. Every game in the postseason is a must‑win. You have to keep momentum on your side.
And hopefully we can go out tomorrow and shut this down. If it doesn't happen then, reset, and go out the next day. Never take anything for granted. In the postseason we have seen some crazy things happen in this game, and just try to win every single game one inning at a time.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121017&content_id=39865904&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb | 1,621 |
MWL Season: Officially Over
The Fort Wayne TinCaps finished off a three-game sweep of the Burlington Bees with a 4-3 win at Community Field last night, taking their first Midwest League Championship. Thus, the Midwest League season is now officially over.
Congrats to the TinCaps players, coaches, staff and fans on behalf of myself and the LumberKings.
The long offseason begins. LumberKings in 2010? We’ll see. | http://lumberkings.mlblogs.com/2009/09/18/mwl-season-officially-over/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=1630920375 | 98 |
Warrant Issued For Gary Dourdan's Arrest
May 21st, 2012 10:48pm EDT
Actor Gary Dourdan is a wanted man after Los Angeles officials issued a warrant for his arrest on Monday.
Dourdan's ex-girlfriend Nicole Cannizzaro filed an assault and battery lawsuit against the former CSI: Crime Scene Investigation star in February, claiming the 45 year old punched her in the face and broke her nose during a fight last fall.
He was due to appear before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner on Monday morning for a mandatory hearing, relating to the domestic violence case, but, after Dourdan failed to show, a bench warrant was issued and a reprieve set for 2:30pm local time, reports Eonline.com.
According to the star's attorney, Dourdan was absent because he missed a flight home from Morocco, where he is currently working on a new project. He is due back in California on Monday afternoon.
This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network
Photo Credits: Koi Sojer / PR Photos | http://m.starpulse.com/news/Kevin_Blair/2012/05/21/warrant_issued_for_gary_dourdans_arres | 224 |
Swizz Beatz Sued By Songwriter
October 22nd, 2010 11:12am EDT
Alicia Keys' husband Swizz Beatz is facing a lawsuit from a songwriter who alleges the producer failed to credit him on a track he worked on for rapper Cassidy.
Antwann Frost filed suit this week claiming he and Swizz Beatz co-produced a track called My Drink 'n My 2 Step in 2007 for the hip-hop star's third album B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story.
However, Frost was not acknowledged with a producing credit for his work and he alleges Swizz Beatz - real name Kasseem Dean - later offered him $5,000 and five per cent ownership of the song.
Frost insists he rejected the offer and is now taking his complaint to court, seeking $1.5 million and equal ownership of the track with Swizz Beatz and Cassidy, according to TMZ.com.
Photo Credits: Geffen Records , PR Photos | http://m.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/10/22/swizz_beatz_sued_by_songwriter | 209 |
Mariners Game Central – September 11
Game Information: Seattle Mariners (67-74) at Toronto Blue Jays (64-75) | 4:07 pm PT | Rogers Centre
Pitching Match-Up: RHP Erasmo Ramirez (0-2, 3.69) vs. RHP Brandon Morrow (8-5, 2.94)
Radio: 710 ESPN Seattle and the Mariners Radio Network…also available at Mariners.com (for subscribers to MLB.tv)
TV: The game will be televised in HD on ROOT Sports…also available via MLB.tv (outside Mariners TV territory)
Live Stats: MLB Gameday will provide a live pitch-by-pitch box score
Mariners Game Notes | Blue Jays Game Notes | Mariners-Blue Jays History | Game-by-Game Results | Mariners Roster | 2012 Regular Season Statistics | MiLB Report | MLB Standings | Probable Pitchers | MLB Game Notes
And here is a picture of the hat the Mariners will be wearing tonight to honor the 11th anniversary of September 11. | http://marinersblog.mlblogs.com/2012/09/11/mariners-game-central-september-11/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=f5309b4960 | 219 |
The Games on Demand version supports English, French and Spanish FIFA Soccer 13 delivers the largest and deepest feature set in the history of the franchise. Five game-changing innovations create a true battle for possession, deliver freedom and creativity in attack, and capture all the drama and unpredictability of real-world football. Key features include Attacking Intelligence, FIFA Soccer 13 Complete Dribbling, FIFA Soccer 13 1st Touch Control, Tactical Free Kicks, refined fundamentals, the expansion of the player impact engine and complete authenticity with over 500 officially licensed clubs and more than 15,000 players.
Buy Xbox content on Xbox.com. Your Xbox 360 console will automatically download the content next time you turn it on and connect to Xbox LIVE.Learn More | http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-us/Product/FIFA-Soccer-13/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80245410998?downloadtype=Game&purchase=1 | 148 |
11 walks, end of win streak
You knew the winning streak would end at some point but I did not think it would be on Monday with a 11-5 Reds loss to the Padres. After all, Cincinnati was off to a quick 3-0 first inning and seemed to firing on all cylinders like in Houston and Colorado.
A five-run top of the second inning came immediately vs. Mike Leake and he got a quick hook after a career-short start of 1 2/3 innings. Read the rest of the game story by clicking here.
On to the Three Stars of the Game:
No. 3 star: Jay Bruce — 2-for-3, HR. Bruce hit homer No. 21 in the bottom of the third inning.
No. 2 star: Yonder Alonso, SD — 4-for-5, 3 doubles, 1 RBI.
No. 1 star: Will Venable, SD — 2-for-4, triple, 4 RBIs.
News and notes:
*Devin Mesoraco was ejected in the third inning for arguing balls and strikes with HP umpire Chad Fairchild, and is likely looking at a suspension for both touching Fairchild’s chest and going around Dusty Baker and making contact during the heated argument. Fans have pinged me saying Fairchild instigated the contact but I didn’t see it that way after watching the replay four times. Even if the chest touch was accidental, and likely was, Mesoraco went around Baker to keep arguing and bumped the ump — and that is the big no-no. Contact with the umpire like that is never OK.
*Reds pitchers combined for 11 walks, smashing the previous season high of seven. It was the staff’s highest total since they walked 12 batters on 5/16/09 in a 16-inning game at SD (16 innings) and their highest total in a nine-inning game since they walked 11 vs. the Cubs 9/27/04 at Wrigley Field.
*Alfredo Simon, who had been so good and came in with a 1.41 ERA, gave up five runs over 2 1/3 innings. He hadn’t allowed an earned run over his previous 14 innings.
*Bill Bray gave up three walks to load the bases in the fifth but got out of it and worked a 1-2-3 sixth. Bray has 14 walks and six strikeouts in only 8 2/3 innings this season.
“It definitely didn’t go the way that we planned. I think you want to get that early lead and go out there and throw strikes and get some easy outs that next inning. After a team scores, that’s a very big inning for a pitcher. You want to shut them down the next inning and keep the momentum going for your own team.” — Devin Mesoraco | http://marksheldon.mlblogs.com/2012/07/31/11-walks-end-of-win-streak/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=bcc517a348 | 597 |
Cueto, Bailey fly to CVG
UPDATE — The Reds have decided that Bailey would pitch Game 3.
Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto returned to Cincinnati on Sunday, one day after his start was cut short by back spasms eight pitches into facing the Giants during the opener of the National League Division Series.
“I saw him before he went back. He said he felt a lot better this morning,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “He’s going back to get treatment back there rather than flying all night with us.”
The Reds media notes on Sunday listed Homer Bailey as a probable Game 3 starter on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park. Bailey was originally slated to start Game 4, if necessary.
Bailey also flew back to Cincinnati on Sunday to get ready.
“Homer is our Game 3 option,” Baker said. “You can’t take a chance with Johnny, and we have to see exactly. We can’t have him go out there again and have something else happen to him and come up short again. When he goes back out there we will make sure to the best of your knowledge that he’s OK.”
The Reds are hoping to avoid having to replace Cueto on the NLDS roster. By rules, if he is removed, he would not be eligible for the NL Championship Series should the Reds advanced.
“You can’t wait too long,” Baker said. “If you wait too long and do it at the last minute, [Major League Baseball] might not OK it. That’s what we were told yesterday. You can’t wait until the last minute.”
I will have more soon on Reds.com/MLB.com | http://marksheldon.mlblogs.com/2012/10/07/cueto-bailey-fly-to-cvg/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=7b62a7b6bf | 374 |
BOSTON -- Every time there's a hero, there's someone on the other end.
Paul Quantrill was that second someone on Sunday night, the man who gave up a game-winning homer to David Ortiz. Boston's slugger smashed a two-run shot in the 12th inning, ending Game 4 and sending the series forward to play another day.
"I felt pretty good. I just didn't get my job done," the reliever said after the game. "You have to go out there and do your job. It doesn't matter if it's 3-0 or 3-1."
It was 3-0 -- and now it's 3-1. The Sox staved off elimination with that last-minute homer, ending the longest game in ALCS history. The two teams played for 5 hours and 2 minutes, besting the existing record by 11 minutes. It all seemed over an hour before, when New York went into the ninth inning with a one-run lead.
Boston and New York relievers combined for 12 2/3 innings in Game 4, tossing 233 pitches in the 12-inning contest:
As always, that meant Mariano Rivera, who had also pitched the eighth. But Rivera couldn't close the game out, sending the Yankees into desperation mode. Tom Gordon, New York's setup man, pitched two scoreless innings after the ace closer left. After that, the Yanks were stuck with a stark choice: Quantrill, Felix Heredia or Esteban Loaiza.
Boston's situation was just as bleak as far as pitchers go. But the batting order was set up perfectly for a win -- Quantrill came in to face Manny Ramirez and Ortiz, the first two batters in the 12th. The first All-Star fought off a 2-1 pitch, fisting a single to left field. The second one got the same count and unloaded on an inside fastball, driving the ball over the right-field fence.
"Pretty much every time I've faced him, he makes good pitches on me -- especially with the fastball coming right at me and going back to the plate," said Ortiz. "I noticed this, and he gave it to me a couple of times, one for a ball and one for a strike. It's a good pitch.
"I guess it's a good pitch from a right-hander to a left-hander, because once it's coming, you give up. I guess I was looking for it."
That's a lot of guessing -- especially from someone who had all the game's answers. Quantrill was more definite about the encounter, and he didn't want to accept any empathy for facing the meat of Boston's batting order.
"It's part of the job. It's not like I haven't faced those guys before," he said. "I threw a good pitch to Manny, but he fought it off. That forces me to go after Ortiz quite a bit differently than I would've liked to. The bottom line is, I didn't get my job done."
Paul Quantrill / P
Weight: 200 lbs
Bats: L / Throws: R
Now the Yanks have to turn around and play again, approximately 15 hours after the last one ended. The Yankees need just one win to advance to the World Series, and they're confident the bullpen will play a key role in getting them there.
That means Gordon, Quantrill, Rivera -- whoever's fresh enough to get the key outs on Monday and beyond. Quantrill, who claims to never have iced his arm in his life, may need a few aspirin to dull a throbbing headache.
The right-hander had a chance to erase his second-half ERA (7.04) from the collective conscience, but he'll have to wait for another chance to redeem himself. His teammates are confident that he'll take advantage, whenever the chance may come.
"Paul's been around long enough," said Gordon. "He knows how all of us feel about him, and it's a tough situation he was in. But we have a resilient ballclub. We have good relievers in that bullpen, so we'll look forward to tomorrow."
Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions. | http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20041018&content_id=898722&vkey=ds2004news&fext=.jsp&c_id=null | 1,002 |
Rays make no moves at Deadline
Unwilling to part with prospects, Tampa Bay stays put
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Trade Deadline expired at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday and the Rays remained pat.
"We had conversations that went right down to the wire," said Andrew Friedman, the Rays' executive vice president of baseball operations. "And whenever you have that, obviously, you feel like there's a chance. But it takes two teams. And, by definition, trades are difficult to make. And we've worked extremely hard the last couple of weeks to try and find a pick and improve the team, but at the end of the day, we didn't find something that lined up for us."
Neither relief help, nor a right-handed bat could be had, so the Rays will head into the final months of the season with the same group that led them to a three-game lead in the American League East. A trade for Pittsburgh's Jason Bay did not happen, as Bay ended up going to the Red Sox in a three-way deal that sent Boston's Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers and four prospects to the Pirates.
Friedman chose not to comment on how close the Rays got to making a deal for Bay or any other players.
"I'm not going to address speculation," Friedman said. "I know there was a lot out there. The way we view that is that the Trade Deadline is an opportunity for us to examine ways to improve our club. We did that. We had a lot of discussions. A few of them led right up to the deadline. But, obviously, nothing came to fruition."
Friedman did not sound panicked about staying with the team he has, even though the Rays have struggled offensively.
"We have to keep an open mind that we've got a first-place club," Friedman said. "And for us, offensively, we have struggled. And we believe that basically we're going to have made an acquisition by the way our guys are going to perform over the last two months. They've got a track record that suggests such and we believe there's a lot more to come."
Friedman declined to weigh in on the three-way deal executed by the Pirates, Red Sox and Dodgers, but he did offer his thoughts on Ramirez leaving the American League.
"It's a story that, obviously, all of us have followed some and we probably only know half of the details," Friedman said. "He's done very well against us in the past. And hopefully we see him again this year."
Without the acquisition of a right-handed bat, the Rays will hope for the best in using Jonny Gomes against left-handers or, perhaps, they will get a boost from a return of Rocco Baldelli.
But even if Baldelli returns, he represents a great unknown for how much he will be able to contribute due to the nature of the mitochondrial disorder he is suffering from, which can leave him in a constant state of fatigue if not monitored properly. At the very least, if Baldelli returns he will not be an everyday player.
"It's not clear yet," said Friedman when asked about plans for Baldelli. "Instead of kind of speculating on the future, which we're still kind of going through, we've been very pleased with the process he's made, both baseball skills-wise and health-wise, he's done extremely well so far.
"We've got some tests to run through on the baseball field, which we will continue to do. If he comes through that and it looks like it's the right thing for him and the club at the time he'll be back. So it's something we'll continue to monitor every day to figure out when, slash if, it makes sense."
In addition to not acquiring a right-handed bat, the Rays did not acquire relief help.
Though their bullpen has done well this season, there are question marks primarily due to health concerns. Closer Troy Percival has spent time on the disabled list due to a strained left hamstring that kept him out of 27 games, and Al Reyes has not been effective all season, serving two stints on the disabled list and missing 55 games due to a right-shoulder impingement and right-shoulder tendinitis.
Because the Rays were buyers this season for the first time in franchise history, they were involved in many trade talks and rumors for the likes of Mark Teixeira, Xavier Nady, Casey Blake, Ken Griffey Jr., Joe Blanton, Brian Fuentes, Jon Rauch, Arthur Rhodes, CC Sabathia and Matt Holliday to name a few.
Friedman said being a buyer wasn't that much different than being a seller.
"We had just as many conversations as we've had in years past," Friedman said. "The conversations are similar and it just gets down to the specifics of that year and how everything lines up. In this game, we've been fortunate to make a lot of trades the last couple of years. But it's a difficult process and there's a lot that goes into it. And obviously it takes both sides to make it happen."
The Rays' farm system is rich with prospects many teams would have liked to pry loose, particularly top prospect David Price, but the Rays had to proceed with caution since the price to pay for many trade candidates in a seller's market were overvalued.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080731&content_id=3230508&vkey=trade2008&c_id=mlb&fext=.jsp | 1,157 |
The Brewers didn't ease right-hander Mike McClendon into a Major League role, as many clubs do with players making their big league debuts. Instead, when McClendon took the hill on Saturday in the sixth inning of a tie game against the Rockies, he was facing an All-Star, one of the key cogs of Colorado's World Series run in 2007, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
No matter, McClendon, 25, struck Tulowitzki out looking with a full-count curveball, then proceeded to retire eight more batters in a row as the Brewers scored in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win. For McClendon, a native of Arlington, Texas, the three innings he threw in relief of Chris Narveson were all in a day's work.
"I have been doing long relief," said McClendon, who has been serving in a similar capacity in Double-A Huntsville and Triple-A Nashville. "That's what I think my strength is. In my first outing, they used me in the role I'm used to: the long guy. I felt pretty comfortable in that role and took advantage of it. Definitely the nerves got to me, but four or five pitches into it, things started to feel a little bit more familiar."
In retiring each of the nine batters he faced, McClendon induced four ground balls and three fly balls. Including his strikeout of Tulowtzki, he fanned two batters. He pitched well enough that manager Ken Macha allowed him to pitch until his spot in the batting order came up.
"He was mowing them down, so we let him stay out there," Macha said.
McClendon was called up by the Brewers on Thursday, when they placed right-hander LaTroy Hawkins back on the disabled list with shoulder weakness. Hawkins spent three months on the DL earlier this season with the same malady. In 32 appearances this season spread between Double-A and Triple-A, McClendon posted a 2.06 ERA with two saves and 59 strikeouts in 70 innings.
Still, it's a bit of a jump from the Pacific Coast League to the Major Leagues, something that was evident with the first and last batters McClendon faced. The ninth man he retired was Rockies center fielder Carlos Gonzalez, who is tied for the league lead with a .322 average and has 13 home runs in his past 37 games. McClendon retired him on a ground ball to short.
McClendon told reporters his secret when he was called up.
"Don't be scared of anyone," he said.
For one night, at least, it was a pretty good approach.
Sunil Joshi is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100815&content_id=13480426&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb | 576 |
HOUSTON -- Veteran right-hander Brandon Lyon figures to get the lion's share of the Astros' save opportunities until Matt Lindstrom is able to find some consistency and re-establish himself in a relief role outside of the back end of the bullpen.
Lindstrom was temporarily removed from the closer's role on Tuesday after a series of struggles, some of which were because of a back problem he's been dealing with. Lyon didn't close Tuesday's game because he had pitched six of the previous seven games, but he's not worried about what role manager Brad Mills chooses to use him in.
"I'm going to go out there and do what I can to help the team win," he said. "Whatever situation they call on me, I'll be ready. If they call me earlier, then I'll be ready then, too. For me, it doesn't matter."
Lyon, who signed a three-year, $15-million deal with the club in December, is certainly capable of handling the closing duties, considering he has 58 career saves, including 26 with Arizona in 2008 and four with the Astros this season.
"Matty has been battling with back injuries and trying to figure things out," Lyon said. "He just needs to get out there in situations he doesn't have to think as much as just go throw the ball. I've talked to him about it, and we've been back and forth all year. It's a matter of him going out there and putting things out of his mind and throwing the ball again.
"He'll be fine. I know him. He's a great pitcher and has good stuff. It's a tough situation any time you feel you got demoted, but it's not a demotion. He's not going anywhere. He's still in the big leagues. ... It's good for everybody to go through a [tough] period and make adjustments and have to battle back through it."
Pence continues to swing red-hot bat
HOUSTON -- Right fielder Hunter Pence entered play on Wednesday with a season-high .287 batting average after going a sizzling 12-for-24 in his previous six games with eight runs scored, four doubles, three homers and eight RBIs.
Pence, whose .232 average in April seems like a distant memory, is hitting .309 with 16 homers and 59 RBIs since May 8. He has hit safely in 20 of his last 22 games (.383) and has reached base in a career-best 22 consecutive games.
"I try to get as much as I can out of the talent I have," Pence said. "If I knew that there was something I could do to get better, and do better for the team and help us win more, by all means let me know and I'll do it. That's how I go about every day and ever year.
"I try to give everything I have to get ready for each year and be prepared to succeed through the whole year. I was confused why I wasn't hitting earlier because I know I put in the work. To me, if you prepare yourself properly you're going to succeed."
Pence needs seven homers to tie his career high of 25 and 17 RBIs to reach his career high of 83. He already owns a career-high 15 stolen bases.
Lindstrom lands on DL with bad back
HOUSTON -- Matt Lindstrom, who has been battling back problems for several weeks, was placed on the 15-day disabled list following Wednesday's loss to the Mets.
The Astros recalled left-hander Fernando Abad from Triple-A Round Rock.
Lindstrom was removed from his role as closer on Tuesday following a tough stretch of games, in which he was 0-3 with two blown saves and had allowed nine earned runs in 2 1/3 innings in four appearances. His back had been affecting his mechanics, and the Astros finally decided to put him on the disabled list.
"His back just hasn't been getting any better," manager Brad Mills said. "We talked to him before the game and it wasn't letting him finish any of his pitches and letting him be the pitcher he is. We need to get him right."
Lindstrom, who has saved 22 games in 28 opportunities, was clearly frustrated, but didn't disagree with the decision.
"It's not getting any better and I don't want to cost my team anymore games," he said. "So the good news is my arm feels great and that's why it's so frustrating for me now, because I can't get on the same page as my back. We're just going to try to treat it for 15 days and get it some rest and hopefully come out firing when this DL stint is done and I can be me again and help the team win."
Abad, 24, was with Houston earlier this year and appeared in one game, throwing one inning in his Major League debut. He was 4-3 with a 2.50 ERA in 14 games at Round Rock.
Keppinger's toe injury not serious
HOUSTON -- Second baseman Jeff Keppinger was unavailable for a second consecutive game on Wednesday, but he was relieved to find out the injury to his left big toe isn't serious.
Keppinger, who was injured in the eighth inning of Monday's game, had an X-ray and an MRI on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning paid a visit to Dr. Kevin Varner, a foot specialist. Varner delivered some good news to Keppinger.
"Underneath the ball of your foot, there's two little small bones like circles and one of them is split in half with cartilage in between them," he said. "He said he's seen it plenty of times before, but there's no fresh break. If there was a fresh break, I would have been in pain in a couple of different maneuvers he was doing. He said maybe I just tweaked something."
Keppinger is putting extra padding in his shoe, but wasn't able to take batting practice on the field prior to Wednesday's game.
"He seems to be much better [Wednesday]," manager Brad Mills said.
Keppinger has been the Astros' most consistent hitter this year, batting .285 with five homers and 46 RBIs. He began the season as a utility player, but soon wrestled the starting second base job away from Kazuo Matsui, who was eventually released.
Astros staying informed with their iPad
HOUSTON -- Nearly every day in another corner of the Astros clubhouse, a player is seemingly unwrapping a new iPad, the tablet computer designed as a platform for Internet access and audio and visual media. Bud Norris earlier this week joined the growing list of players trying to be on the cutting edge of technology.
"I waited for a while and I didn't want to get it right out of the gate," Norris said. "Let [the other players mess] around with it and I'll learn from them. Then I realized, why not? As much as we travel and as much down time as we have in the clubhouse, I decided to get one and I'm enjoying it."
The iPad could hardly be found in the clubhouse before the arrival of pitcher Nelson Figueroa in late July and first baseman Brett Wallace a couple of weeks later. Suddenly, Brett Myers, Brandon Lyon and Jason Castro are among the players to get iPads, which are being used mostly for gaming.
"I think guys were hesitant to get them because they didn't know much about them," Figueroa said. "They would ask me, and I thought it was a great thing for the way we travel and our lifestyle, and they can get a lot out of it. Boys and their toys. They feel a lot more comfortable knowing if something happens to it and I know a lot about computers, so they have their own little geek squad."
Castro said his iPad has replaced his laptop computer.
"I don't even have to bring my laptop on the road anymore," he said. "It's got everything I need."
Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100818&content_id=13615078¬ebook_id=13622518&vkey=notebook_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou | 1,690 |
For Mets, Manuel prefers a starter
Don’t read too much into Jerry Manuel’s Thursday postgame comments, in which the Mets manager hinted at his desire for a dependable reliever. Manuel, all things being equal, would still prefer for his team to target starting pitching on the trade market.
“If it’s a top, top starter, I’d have to go with a starter,” he said. “I’ll worry about those tie games on the road later.”
Nearly halfway through the season, Manuel has struggled to find a reliever consistent enough to pitch the eighth inning. He has tried Ryota Igarashi, Fernando Nieve, Pedro Feliciano and Elmer Dessens, with no consistent success.
But the Mets, he said, would do better to acquire a top-flight starting pitcher, especially considering Hisanori Takahashi’s recent struggles in the rotation. | http://mlb.mlblogs.com/2010/07/02/for-mets-manuel-prefers-a-starter/ | 199 |
Braves betting on B.J. Upton (finally) breaking out
The Braves made the first big splash of the offseason on Wednesday by signing former Rays centerfielder B.J. Upton to a five-year contract worth $75.25 million, the first new deal of this offseason to exceed $30 million in total dollars. Upton will replace departing free agent Michael Bourn in centerfield and give the Braves a righthanded power bat to compliment their young lefthanded core of Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann. However the 28-year-old Upton arrives in Atlanta not as a star, but as a player who, though valuable, has performed below the level of his talent in the major leagues to this point in his career.
Selected as a shortstop with the second overall pick in 2002 draft, Upton was rated the second-best prospect in all of baseball 19 months later on the eve of the 2004 season. That year, his age-19 season, he hit .311/.411/.519 in 313 plate appearances at Triple-A and held his own in 177 PAs in the majors, but his bat was way ahead of his glove, and his struggle to find a position prevented him from establishing himself as a major league regular until 2007. Safely ensconced in centerfield that season, the 22-year-old Upton hit .300/.386/.508 for the Devil Rays with 24 home runs and 22 stolen bases, good for a 136 OPS+ and 4.1 wins above replacement, but he has failed to approach either of those marks in any of the five seasons since.
Upton played with a torn labrum in his left shoulder in the Rays’ worst-to-first season of 2008, an injury which limited him to just nine home runs during the regular season, his lowest total in a full major league campaign, though he hit seven in the postseason that year. With his shoulder surgically repaired, Upton was expected to have a breakout age-24 season in 2009, but instead he had his worst campaign, hitting a mere .241/.313/.373 as his shoulder clearly took longer to heal than expected.
With an extra offseason to rest his shoulder, Upton saw his power return in 2010 and set a career high with 28 home runs in 2012. However due to a poor plate approach, which makes him a lock to strike out 150 times in a full season without a correspondingly high walk total, his batting average hasn’t been above .250 since 2008, and he undermined his power surge this past season with a career-low walk rate that led to a sub-.300 on-base percentage. Over the last three seasons, Upton has hit an aggregate .242/.317/.436 while averaging 23 home runs and 36 stolen bases.
That last is probably the most underappreciated aspect of his game. Upton has stolen 30 or more bases in each of the last five seasons, topping 40 in three of those campaigns. His raw stolen base totals have declined a bit in the past two seasons, but that seems to be in part the result of his being a smarter basestealer. His 31 steals in 2012 were his lowest total since 2007, but his 84 percent success rate was the best of his career.
Upton’s play in centerfield is another matter. His speed, strong arm and apparent ease in gliding to balls in center make him look like an elite defender, but mental errors, occasionally lackadaisical play and a preference to play more shallow than his range really allows all undermine his natural ability to play his position. As a result, he has actually graded out as below average according to some advanced metrics.
Ultimately, Upton does as many things poorly as he does well, but there’s no denying his talent or his potential to have a breakout season in any given year. Relative to Bourn, who is nearly two years older, Upton will be a significant downgrade in the field, but could very well compensate for or even overcome that deficit at the plate. Getting out of the pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field could help boost his raw numbers, though his home/road splits have been pretty even over the last three years.
Upton’s deal compares favorably to the extension Adam Jones received from the Orioles this past May. Upton and Jones are comparable players who combine power and speed with low on-base percentages and defense that looks better than it actually is. Both centerfielders will turn 33 in August of the final year of their new contracts, and both will make $75 million ($75.25 million for Upton) in the final five years of those contracts. The difference between the two deals is that the Orioles extended Jones more than a season-and-a-half in advance of his free agency, while Upton was on the open market.
When the Orioles extended Jones, I wrote that the Orioles were likely playing him what he was worth but criticized them for not getting a discount in exchange for relieving Jones of the next season and a half of uncertainty during which an ill-timed injury or performance dip could have undermined his value on the open market. That Upton landed effectively the same deal on the open market both validates that take and is a good indication that the Braves did not overpay for his services, though they do also sacrifice their first-round draft pick in 2013 due to the Rays having extended a qualifying offer to Upton.
Of course what both the Braves and Orioles are betting on is a breakout that would make either contract look like a bargain. Upton certainly has that potential, and the Braves have signed him for what could prove to be his prime seasons (though he played at the peak age of 27 this past season). However, even if he simply continues to be the same talented but frustrating player for the Braves that he has been for the Rays, as long as he stays healthy, the Atlanta should get its money’s worth.
– By Cliff Corcoran | http://mlb.si.com/2012/11/28/bj-upton-signs-with-atlanta-braves/?eref=sircrc | 1,221 |
Kings To Participate In “Pacific Division Shootout”
MANCHESTER, NH – The third annual “Pacific Division Shootout” -- featuring prospects from the Los Angeles Kings (the parent club of the Manchester Monarchs), the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, the San Jose Sharks and the Phoenix Coyotes – is scheduled to take place September 7-11 at Logitech Ice at San Jose.
Among those Kings prospects scheduled to compete are: Forwards Jeff Tambellini (first-round draft choice, 2003); Konstantin Pushkarev (second-round draft choice, 2003), Dany Roussin (second-round draft choice, 2005), Petr Kanko (third-round draft choice, 2002) and goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji (eighth-round draft choice, 2004).
The tournament, which began in 2003 and was hosted by the Kings at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, will consist of two games each day (except Friday, September 9), highlighted by the Consolation and Championship Games on Sunday, September 11. The 2004 Tournament was held in Anaheim.
A limited number of general admission and standing room only tickets will be available to the general public beginning at 10 A.M. on August 29 at Logitech Ice’s main counter for $10 per game. There is a two-ticket limit per person for the entire tournament (for example, fans can buy two tickets to one game or one ticket to two games).
Prior to the Kings’ departure to San Jose, the club is scheduled to practice on Monday, September 5, at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and again from 5 – 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, September 6, the Kings are scheduled to take the ice from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at the Toyota Sports Center.
The Kings are now scheduled to begin training camp on Tuesday, September 13 (changed from Wednesday, September 14) at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.
LOS ANGELES KINGS 2005 ROOKIE CAMP ROSTER
Forwards: Brendan Bernakevich, Andrew Desjardins, Greg Hogeboom, Connor James, Petr Kanko, Ned Lukacevic, Ryan Murphy, Eric Neilson, Konstantin Pushkarev, Dany Roussin, Matt Ryan, John Seymour, David Steckel, Shay Stephenson and Jeff Tambellini.
Defensemen: Chris Barr, Tyler Hanchuck, Stuart Kerr, Oriel McHugh, Nate Metcalf, Ryan McGinnis, Richard Petiot and Eric Werner.
Goaltenders: Barry Brust, Yutaka Fukufuji, Ryan Munce and Daniel Taylor.
** Players subject to change
SCHEDULE FOR THE 2005 PACIFIC DIVISION SHOOTOUT
Wed., Sept. 7, 4:00 p.m. KINGS vs. Anaheim; 7:30 p.m. Phoenix vs. San Jose
Thurs., Sept. 8, 4:00 p.m. Phoenix vs. KINGS; 7:30 p.m. San Jose vs. Anaheim
Friday, Sept. 9, Practice Day
Sat., Sept. 10, 1:00 p.m. KINGS vs. San Jose; 4:30 p.m. Anaheim vs. Phoenix
Sun., Sept. 11, 1:00 p.m. Consolation Game; 4:30 p.m. Championship Game
All games will take place on Logitech Ice’s north rink (1500 South 10th Street, San Jose, CA).
Are you a resident in Monarchs Country? Season tickets for the Monarchs fifth anniversary season are on sale now. Visit www.monarchshockey.com or call (603) 626-7825 for more information on the team’s Full-Season, Half-Season and 10-Game ticket packages.
Catch all of the play-by-play action of Monarchs hockey this season with Ken Cail on the Monarchs Radio Network (WGIR-AM 610, Manchester; WGIN-AM 930, Rochester; WGIP-AM 1540, Exeter; WTSL-AM 1400, Lebanon) and at www.monarchshockey.com. | http://monarchshockey.com/news.php?nid=1719&startdate=2013-01-26&prev=1 | 909 |
OK, who would you pick among the National League Home Run Derby contestants? The list includes Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez. Both Micah Hoffpauir and Ryan Theriot agreed that Pujols has the best swing.
“If you’re talking strictly home runs, I’d have to say Prince or Howard,” Theriot said.
“[Howard] has got more of a line drive swing, Hoffpauir said. “He’s a home run hitter and has a home run swing.”
What about the Final Vote contenders? The NL list includes Pablo Sandoval, Cristian Guzman, Matt Kemp, Mark Reynolds and Shane Victorino. The AL list is Ian Kinsler, Brandon Inge, Chone Figgins, Adam Lind and Carlos Pena.
“I think Guzman would help the team the most because he’s more versatile,” Theriot said. “But Mark Reynolds, how many homers does he have? Eighteen, nineteen? This guy does damage.”
“Sandoval is hitting .350 something,” Hoffpauir said. “The All-Star Game is not about the best players in the league, because otherwise there wouldn’t be a vote and it’d be the same players every year. It’s about who has the best year. I would say Sandoval.”
“Mark Reynolds plays on a terrible team and he’s putting up huge numbers,” Theriot said. “He’s having a good year. plus, he’s a good dude.”
Theriot’s pick among AL Final Vote players is Lind.
“I’d vote for Lind over Kinsler, but I think Kinsler should have made it regardless,” Theriot said.
– Carrie Muskat | http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2009/07/07/final-vote/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=3fdfac1636 | 411 |
6/21 Extra bases
Jeff Baker was the DH on Tuesday and Aramis Ramirez will do so on Wednesday, which will give him a two-day break with the off day Thursday. Baker is batting .460 against left-handed pitching so it makes sense to get him in the lineup. What’s the key?
“I just close my eyes and swing real hard,” Baker said.
* Geovany Soto has seen the replay of Ozzie Guillen kicking his mask about 80 times and it still makes him laugh.
“He was just angry,” Soto said. “I know it wasn’t anything personal toward me.”
Said Reed Johnson: “Ozzie kicking the mask is one thing. To see Geo’s reaction was great.”
* Darwin Barney took batting practice on the field Tuesday. Once he gets a brace for his left knee, he’ll be able to do more activities.
* Marlon Byrd is expected to begin a rehab assignment Monday with Triple-A Iowa.
– Carrie Muskat | http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/06/22/621-extra-bases/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=1c9f85538d | 231 |
7/18 Dempster, Garza rumors
The New York Post reports the Dodgers as the favorite to land Ryan Dempster before the Trade Deadline with the Tigers seen as “strong pursuers” and the Red Sox as long shots. FOX Sports reports the Cubs are exchanging names with teams interested in Dempster. The Red Sox are also interested in Matt Garza.
The Chicago Tribune noted Stephen Fife, who made his ML debut, is a former Red Sox prospect who could be included in a Dempster-to-Dodgers deal. Fife, 25, filled in for injured Chad Billingsley, and gave up one run over six innings Tuesday night. The Dodgers acquired him from the Red Sox last summer in the Trayvon Robinson deal. A sinkerball pitcher, he’d be a good fit at Wrigley. Dempster has a 1.86 ERA, tops in the Majors.
CBSSports.com reported the Royals have inquired about Garza. They have had a scout at this week’s Cubs games. Dempster is in the last year of his $14 million contract, and, essentially a rental player for the final months of this year. Garza is under team control for 2013.
– Carrie Muskat | http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2012/07/18/718-dempster-garza-rumors/?like=1&_wpnonce=a8e7e33580 | 263 |
Grace gushing on Tiger
The young South African on three rounds with the former World No 1
Since it broke in 2009 that he had been leading a second life jam-packed with extra-marital activity, pretty much everything said about Tiger Woods has been derogatory.
It's refreshing, then - especially to a massive Tiger fan like myself - to hear Branden Grace's kind words after playing three consecutive rounds with the World No 2 at the WGC-Bridgestone.
The South African, who has three European Tour victories in 2012, said: "I hadn’t played with him before, but now, to have played with him three days in a row, has been unreal.
"He's one hell of a guy, and he's pretty much the nicest guy I've ever played with." - Branden Grace on Tiger Woods
"I've learned a hell of a lot from playing with him. The way he plays
shots, the way he handles himself and things like that, has been great.
He's there because he is the best in the world. I've seen it now, and I
think people really criticise him, that is wrong."
The 24-year-old's closing statement was arguably he most surprising.
"He's one hell of a guy, and he's pretty much the nicest guy I've ever played with."
Is Tiger really the angry, unruly ogre the media makes him out to be? | http://nationalclubgolfer.com/features/articles/blog/grace-gushing-about-his-time-with-tiger.html | 304 |
Goran Dragic (hip, wrist and back contusions) said he's sore after taking a fall in Wednesday's game against the Knicks, but expects to play Friday.
Dragic told reporters Thursday that he met with the team's training staff and they'll evaluate him again Friday. We're still considering him questionable, but we're cautiously optimistic he'll be able to play against the Pacers. We'll let you know if anything changes. If Dragic does sit out, Sebastian Telfair would likely run the point for Phoenix. | http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/40630866/ns/sports-player_news/ | 108 |
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Price and Release Date
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Mitsubishi Motors Corp (MMC) which is a Japanese automotive manufacturer announced that the Outlander Sport is also assembled in the United States. Precisely at plants in Illinois, the United States. Mitsubishi are targeting to produce 70,000 units annually Outlander Sport, with a plant capacity of 200,000 units in Illinois in a year.
Reportedly, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is manufactured in the U.S. will be exported directly to Russia, Latin America and the Middle East. And for the U.S. automotive market, Outlander Sport will be launched in early August.
In the United States, Outlander Sport base priced $ 23.520 model with a status on the road. Proficiency level is still below the price of two competitors the 2013 Ford Escape and 2012 Toyota RAV4. There are some changes made in the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Outlander Sport from the previous generation. For more details as follows:
2013 Outlander Sport features numerous design and feature improvements for the new model year:
- New interior fabrics; New chrome accent molding for the front doors; New All Wheel Control (AWC) push button switch.
- Front Fascia – Redesigned front bumper section; New grille styling; New fog lamp design.
- Rear Bumper – New rear bumper design.
- Side Sills – Side sills now black in color to match the lower sections of the redesigned front & rear bumpers.
- Handsome 18-in. alloy wheels now standard on all on all trim levels for the 2013 model.
• Exterior Color Availability
- New hues White Pearl and Quick Silver join Laguna Blue, Labrador Black Pearl, Mercury Gray and Rally Red.
- Revised rear multi-link suspension for improved handling and ride comfort.
- Enhanced Continuously-Variable Transmission (CVT) calibration for improved acceleration performance and smoother shift feeling. | http://newautocarz.com/2012/07/2013-mitsubishi-outlander-sport-price-and-release-date/ | 415 |
Zac Boyer will provide you with the latest updates from the Washington Nationals, the Washington Capitals, the Washington Wizards and D.C. United on this blog when in attendance. Follow Zac on Twitter (@ZacBoyer) for the latest updates.
NATIONALS: Leon Returns, Werth Hits, Desmond Out Again
WASHINGTON – Sandy Leon was playing for Harrisburg in mid-May when, on a road trip to Akron, he was told he had been promoted to the Washington Nationals.
Leon returned to Harrisburg following a brief stint in the big leagues, and the team made another road trip to Akron earlier this week. Late Wednesday, the Nationals decided to place Jhonatan Solano on the disabled list with a strained left oblique, and they needed Leon in Washington to serve as the backup catcher.
“It’s lucky place,” Leon said, smiling, referring to Akron. “Lucky place.”
Leon’s hoping now that his second turn with the Nationals is much more productive than his first. Highly regarded within the organization, the 23-year-old Venezuelan played in one game for Washington – on May 14 against San Diego, when he left in the fourth inning with a high right ankle sprain after colliding with the Padres’ Chase Headley.
He spent the next seven weeks on the disabled list, returning to Double-A Harrisburg on July 3 after five rehab appearances at short-season Auburn.
“It was really tough because that’s my dream,” Leon said. “That’s the dream for all players – to play in the big leagues. Especially in the big leagues, you got hurt – that’s pretty tough. It happens, but I’m back, and that’s a good thing.”
Leon’s exact role is yet to be determined, as it may be that he gets more than the occasional start. Jesus Flores, now the primary catcher after Wilson Ramos tore ligaments in his right knee in mid-May – necessitating Leon’s original call-up – has been struggling at the plate, and manager Davey Johnson said Wednesday he is looking for a way to give Flores additional rest.
“He expects a lot out of himself,” Johnson said. “He’s going through a little slump here and he’s putting more pressure on himself. He calls a great game. He’s outstanding behind the dish, catching the best staff in baseball and helping them along. I said, ‘Your importance is more important than what you do offensively, so quit grinding and punishing yourself as much as you do and just relax and try to enjoy it a little bit more.’ But he’s certainly got the ability to hit, and I’m not worried about it. I’m not as worried as he is. Hopefully he’ll lighten up, relax and quit pressing.”
Leon had a long night and didn’t arrive at Nationals Park until around 10 a.m., when clubhouse attendants were still setting up his locker.
“I’m totally happy, because I’m healthy and I’m happy because I’m back here,” Leon said. “I just want to start playing – play all nine innings and not four innings.”
Werth’s Rehab Delayed: Outfielder Jayson Werth hoped to begin a rehab assignment as early as Thursday, but instead took batting practice at Nationals Park for the second consecutive day and is eyeing a weekend assignment.
Werth sustained a broken left wrist on May 6 while sliding to make a catch on a line drive to right field. He took batting practice for the first time since the injury on Wednesday.
“He has full range of motion in the wrist and it’s just the repetition of it,” general manager Mike Rizzo said. “The beginning of the batting practice round was always more impressive than the tail end of it because of the fatigue of the wrist. So we need for him to build up stamina in the wrist and be able to take good, full swings and be at 100 percent strength when he gets out there and is ready to play in games.”
Werth is hoping to return to the Nationals by July 31, when the team hosts Philadelphia for three games. He was hitting .276 at the time of the injury with 10 runs, 12 RBIs and three home runs through 28 games.
Tracy Improving: Infielder Chad Tracy (sports hernia) also took batting practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but Rizzo said his rehabilitation schedule is slightly more complicated because of the nature of the injury.
Tracy, on the disabled list since May 28, has played in 32 games this season, primarily as a pinch hitter. He’s hitting .265 with a .327 on-base percentage and .510 slugging percentage and has five runs, 12 RBI and three home runs.
Desmond Sits: Shortstop Ian Desmond will be out of the starting lineup for the fifth consecutive game as he rests a sore left oblique. Danny Espinosa will fill in for Desmond, the team leader with 17 home runs, yet again.
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A top-class peformance by the Cambodian Rugby Union team to overcome a tricky Laos side 24-8 Saturday at Old Stadium helped heal the wounds
- From: Chim <ChimS1@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 05:24:47 -0700 (PDT)
Koupreys beat Laos to avenge loss
Written by Ray Leos
Monday, 25 May 2009
A top-class peformance by the Cambodian Rugby Union team to overcome a
tricky Laos side 24-8 Saturday at Old Stadium helped heal the wounds
from a last gasp loss to them in March.
LED by the standout play of veteran fly half Francois Bleriot and
young half back Phorn Bophan, an inspired Cambodia Koupreys team
dominated play all afternoon, beating Laos 24-8 in their rugby
friendly Saturday at Phnom Penh's Old Stadium. It was sweet revenge
for Cambodia, as the Koupreys bounced back from their heartbreaking
last second 8-3 loss to the Laotians in March during the HSBC 5
Nations Southeast Asia Regional Tournament.
"We wanted to make a statement today," said a beaming Cambodian No 8
Chey Sophal after the match. "People were starting to say how Cambodia
wasn't so good anymore and how Laos was now so much better than us.
But we played hard today, didn't make many mistakes, and we showed
everyone what we can do when we put our minds to it."
Cambodia dominated play in the opening minutes, controlling the
majority of possessions and spending most of their time in Laos
territory. Phorn Bophan made good on two penalty kicks in the 9th and
19th minutes, giving Cambodia a 6-0 opening advantage.
Meanwhile, some ferocious Cambodian tackling kept Laos at bay
throughout most of the first half, with the Kouprey defense bottling
up Laos fly half Chris Mastaglio, normally a key player in the Laotian
Laos got their first break of the day after 22 minutes, when Phorn
Bophan knocked on Mastaglio's unsuccessful penalty kick attempt,
resulting in a Laos five metre scrum. However, Laos was unable to
capitalise, with an offside penalty near the goal turning the ball
over to Cambodia.
Laos finally got on the scoreboard in the 29th minute as Mastaglio
nailed a drop goal from 12 metres, narrowing the score to 6-3.
Cambodia answered back with two minutes left in the half when a
Bleriot kick from midfield sailed over the head of two Laos defenders
near the 15-metre line. Kouprey captain Vannak Vireak gave chase,
picking up the loose ball and tumbling in for the try, although Phorn
Bophan's conversion attempt was unsuccessful and kept the score 11-3
to Cambodia at the halftime whistle.
As the second half ensued, Cambodia extended its lead close to the
hour mark as Phorn Bophan booted his second successful penalty kick of
the afternoon, making it 14-3.
Laos then saw a glimmer of hope, as it took the kickoff and began to
move down the field with some effective kicking and inside running by
its backs. At the Cambodian 10-metre line, centre Mit Oudone Keohanham
took a quick pass off a ruck, found a gap, and darted into the corner
for the try on 62 minutes. Mastaglio's conversion attempt failed, but
the Laotians were now within striking distance, trailing by only six
Cambodia quickly dashed any hopes of a Laos comeback, as Frenchman
Bleriot led his team quickly down the field with some sharp passing
and well placed kicks.
Aussie prop Ralph McMillan capped the scoring drive in the 69th
minute, as he barreled in from 10 metres to score the try, making it
After Phorn Bophan missed the conversion, the Laotians took the
kickoff, but were unable to pierce the Cambodian defence, as Bleriot
and flanker Ut Vuthy instigated some fierce tackling.
Cambodia capped off the day's scoring with two minutes to play, as
halfback Pich Ratana, who had come on to replace Phorn Bophan moments
earlier, found a gap near the touchline and scampered in from 12-
metres, giving the Koupreys their final 24-8 advantage.
Cambodia coach Peter Maley was effusive in his praise for the play of
Bleriot and 20-year-old Phorn Bophan.
"Francois was just fantastic today," said Maley. "He ran our backline
well, had some good runs, and his tackling was awesome. Bophan also
did a great job. He made a few mistakes, like dropping that kick
early on, but he recovered and played well."
Maley felt his team was much more effective than in the previous match
"Our defending was excellent again today, but we also passed and
supported well," said Maley. "Our backs really stepped up."
Laos coach Ian Melhuish also praised the Cambodian effort. "Cambodia
had an excellent game today and we couldn't do much," he said.
"This is a great competition and I think it raises the skill levels
for both teams."
Although Cambodia gained the victory, Laos retains possession of the
Mekong Cup trophy for 2009 by virtue of their previous victory over
Cambodia in March. The two nations will meet again for another two
match series in 2010. The overall series stands at four wins for
Cambodia, three wins for Laos, and no draws.
"We respect them [Laos] a lot and I think they respect us too," stated
Chey Sophal. "We look forward to some hard matches with them again
In the curtain raiser earlier in the day, the Laos women defeated the
Cambodian women in a 10-a-side match, 15-5.
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Oklahoma football: Sooners find positives despite allowing 97 points and 1,268 yards over last two games
Oklahoma's ability to make key stops at critical times — like overtime — played a big factor in beating Oklahoma State
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“We try not to look at earlier in the game, how many yards we've given up,” Walker said. “Right now, we need this stop. And then next series, right now we need this stop. That's what matters.”
Still, no one is glossing over the problems in OU's defense that its recent opponents have exposed.
After appearing dominant earlier in the season — especially in wins at Texas Tech and against Texas — the Sooners, over their last three games, have allowed 131 points.
“When somebody finds a weakness in your defense ... we haven't been able to correct it,” Stoops said. “We did make some adjustments and played some things better a week ago. “
Stoops said the biggest problem is the big plays; on the Cowboys' second-half opening touchdown, safety Tony Jefferson bit on a play-action fake, which allowed OSU's Josh Stewart to get open across the middle of the field.
“Tony's was a bad mental breakdown,” Stoops said. “We let them score on one play. ... When they make plays like over the middle, guy makes a great catch, we're covering them, you can live with ...
“You just let someone run by you, that's not good.”
Quarterback Landry Jones and the Oklahoma offense's ability to bail the defense out by simply outscoring the other team can't last forever.
“We've been living on the edge,” Stoops said. “We need to contribute in a stronger way this weekend.”
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- 7786Tornado in Oklahoma City suburb causes destruction | http://newsok.com/oklahoma-football-sooners-find-positives-despite-allowing-97-points-and-1268-yards-over-last-two-games/article/3732261/?page=2 | 535 |
It's not enough for LeBron James to be a former NBA MVP and a five-time All-Star for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Having already gotten a lock on dominating the world of basketball (though he's still searching for that elusive championship), he has now moved onto the movie and music world. "More Than a Game," which premiered in New York last night, tells the story of James' legendary high school career and the coach who lead the squad to a national high school championship in the days before LeBron was a hoops icon. The film is accompanied by a massive soundtrack that features tunes from Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and a quartet of performers who have created one of the most buzzed-about singles of the year. The remix of Drake's "Forever" also welcomes verses from Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Eminem. The result is a killer mix of styles, and we have James (at least in part) to thank.
The big debate in the Newsroom for the past few weeks has been about who has the sickest verse on "Forever." Did Drake steal the show from the veterans or is it Kanye's game to win? According to James, everybody delivered big, but in the end it was Slim Shady who took it home. "Eminem really finished it off," James told MTV News. "The last person on that track had to finish it off perfectly, and he did that." Never one to leave a teammate behind, James also praised West's punchlines and the work turned in by Drake and Wayne.
But for LeBron, it all comes back to Jay-Z, who James refers to as his "big brother" (he was also wearing a Roc-A-Fella chain during the interview). "Jay-Z is the best," he said. "11 number one albums, more than Elvis. Who else could beat that?" | http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/09/23/lebron-james-eminem/ | 384 |
Five Jasper County football players named all-state by Des Moines Register
On Sunday the Des Moines Register released its 2012 all-state football teams, on which five Jasper County players received honors for this fall.
Leading the area selections were two first-team selections in Prairie City-Monroe senior Ethan Kain at wide receiver in Class 2A and Lynnville-Sully junior Bailee Samson on the defensive line in Class A. Earning second-team honors were Newton senior Derrick Hurt on the defensive line in Class 4A, Collins-Maxwell-Baxter senior Tim Thalacker as an offensive lineman in 2A and Lynnville-Sully junior TJ Cunningham as a defensive back in A.
Kain was a force in multiple ways for the Mustangs' playoff-qualifying team. His 929 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns led the team and the district, and were also second in Class 2A. He was also first in the district and fifth in Class with 2A 539 kick return yards. As a defensive back for the Mustangs, Kain had a team-leading five interceptions to go along with 34 total tackles.
Hurt (6-foot-1, 265 pounds) earned first-team all-district honors as a defensive lineman for a second-straight season. He's started on the offensive and defensive line for the last three years. He finished fourth for Newton in total tackles with 48, including 31 solo. His 11 solo tackles for loss (TFL) were just one shy of the overall district lead and he assisted on four more TFLs.
Although he missed the final game of the season with an injury, Thalacker’s season and career numbers speak for themselves. In his senior season, Thalacker anchored an offensive line that eventually earned four all-district honors. He made just as much of an impact defensively, however, as he tied for the lead in tackles in Class 2A District 6 with 103. Sixty-six of those tackles were of the solo variety, while four went for a loss. He also recorded an interception during his senior season from the linebacker position.
Samson was one of the most disruptive defensive players in all of Class A. Though only 5-11 and 160 pounds, his 19 solo tackles for a loss were third in the state, and so were his 10 solo sacks. He finished with 85 total tackles, with 57 solo, 23.5 for a loss and 11 total sacks. He added four fumble recoveries, which were a team-high for Lynnville-Sully. He also was one of the state’s most explosive running backs. He ran for 1,379 yards and 17 touchdowns on only 145 carries, which was a 9.5 yards-per-carry average.
Like Samson, another player who routinely made big plays for the Hawks’ stout defense was Cunningham at defensive back. His eight interceptions tied for the lead in Class A and tied for sixth in all classes. Cunningham (5-11, 150) finished with 38 tackles, including 23 solo. He also caught 12 passes for 148 yards and a score on offense.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Josh Johnson is entering arguably the most important season of his career, but he claims not to be putting much thought into that.
Johnson is set to become a free agent at the end of the year, and a strong season will undoubtedly result in a big payday.
This has the potential to become a stressful situation for any player, but Toronto's No. 4 starter says it's the furthest thing from his mind. That's hard to take at face value, but the Blue Jays aren't concerned either way as long as the numbers are there at the end of the season.
"It's everybody's career. ... It's human nature," manager John Gibbons said. "He's a team guy, though. That doesn't necessarily surprise me. He's a special pitcher. He's been one of the top guys in the game for a lot of years. We are going to need him."
The contract talks can wait for now, and Johnson is instead focusing on having a big first season in Toronto. If that happens, the money will follow; the production also will go a long way in helping Toronto succeed in its quest of reaching the postseason.
It's only Spring Training, but Johnson has looked extremely sharp early in camp. He retired all 11 Atlanta batters he faced on Friday afternoon while striking out five in a relatively dominating performance.
His velocity consistently reached 94 mph for the first time this spring, and he also displayed a much better curveball than he did in his previous three outings. Overall, it was a very productive afternoon.
"Just being able to repeat my delivery," Johnson said when asked about the most important aspect of the start against Atlanta. "That's it. I threw a lot of sinkers today; that pitch is coming around for me, finally.
"I threw a couple of good changeups. I didn't want to throw too many sliders."
Blue Jays have options if Lawrie not ready
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Blue Jays remain optimistic that Brett Lawrie will be ready for the start of the season, but if he's not, the club has several options at its disposal.
Lawrie strained a muscle in his left rib cage and is expected to be out for two to three weeks. That would give him enough time to be ready for Opening Day, but the Blue Jays will eventually have to look for a plan B if there's any type of setback.
One option that likely won't happen is Jose Bautista making a return to third base. Bautista has spent parts of nine seasons in the big leagues at third, and although a switch hasn't been totally ruled out, it appears extremely unlikely.
"We haven't talked about that," manager John Gibbons said. "It's always a possibility."
Gibbons was then pressed on the issue of a potential return to third for Bautista, but he quickly clarified the comment and dismissed any speculation. That could change if Lawrie's issue becomes a long-term thing, but for now there are other options that would take a priority.
Veteran utility man Mark DeRosa likely would see his fair share of time as Lawrie's replacement, and Maicer Izturis could make the transition from second. The same cannot be said for Emilio Bonifacio, who has been working through some throwing problems this spring.
The club would prefer that Bonifacio continue working at second in order to work out those kinks.
"He's still competing at second base, so we want to leave him there, let him do that," Gibbons said. "We brought DeRosa in to play that spot, too. It is all going to depend on how [Lawrie] progresses the next week or so, and we will get a better idea of how long it's going to take before we do anything."
Wagner has disappointing outing against Orioles
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Neil Wagner's chances of cracking the Opening Day roster took a bit of a hit following Thursday's disappointing outing against the Orioles.
Wagner, one of the surprise storylines in camp, pitched himself into the bullpen mix with several impressive outings in a row.
That streak came to an end against Baltimore, though, as he took the loss after surrendering three runs on two hits and a hit batter in two-thirds of an inning.
"The first two guys easily could have been outs, and then it's a whole new inning," bullpen coach Pat Hentgen said. "Other than that, just like a lot of guys, they overthrow, and ... How do you tell a guy to just click it back, dial it back, pitch at 92, 93 mph and let's hit our spots?
"So that's what I think Wagner could learn from -- the fact that it's not about how hard you throw, it's where you throw it. That's a hard thing to tell a young pitcher."
Wagner has the ability to pitch in the upper-90s, but control within the strike zone has been a bit of an issue in the past. Until Thursday, though, it hadn't been a problem this spring, and the hope is that the trend won't continue.
The 27-year-old remains a dark-horse candidate to crack the 25-man roster. He faces stiff competition from the likes of Brad Lincoln, Aaron Loup, J.A. Happ, Jeremy Jeffress and Dave Bush, but he still has plenty of time in camp to showcase his abilities.
"You can't let one inning sway you," manager John Gibbons said. "He has pitched very good. We'll see, there is still a lot of time left. It's going to be a tough decision, we figure." | http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130308&content_id=42465472¬ebook_id=42465582&vkey=notebook_tor&c_id=tor | 1,199 |
During an otherwise routine training camp Sunday in Albany, N.Y., Domenik Hixon had flashbacks to his worst nightmare, the pain he endured from having consecutive seasons halted by a torn ACL. Hixon was an eyewitness during training camp on when cornerback Terrell Thomas slipped and fell during practice, suffering what various reports believe is a partial tear of his right ACL – the same injury that put him out of commission for all of last year. If it is torn, this will be the third torn ACL for Thomas.
Hixon is trying to return a pair of ACL injuries that have cost him most of the last two seasons. Yet the news surrounding Thomas is not only sobering, it’s stricken fear into Hixon over the possibility that the bug can bite at any given moment – and bite hard.
"I’d be lying to you if I said it didn’t (scare me)," Hixon said Monday. "He was working hard at coming back and a lot of things he was doing I was doing. We were working out together so I saw how hard he worked. It was kind of tough seeing him go down just knowing how hard he worked at coming back."
Thomas’ career may be over at the tender age of 27. Hixon, also 27, is in the midst of attempting the same comeback Thomas was attempting during this training camp. Recalling both his rehab stints, Hixon believes he recovered a little faster when the cadaver was used to fix the ligament, though unlike the tendon graft the cadaver isn’t as strong when fully healed. When Thomas reported to camp he was in excellent physical condition and ready to fortify a Giants secondary that thanks to numerous injuries was a revolving door during the team’s Super Bowl-winning season.
Then, just like that, Thomas may have lost his livelihood with one slip. And as Hixon continued to compare his plight to that of his fallen teammate, the only certainly was nobody ever sees a bad break coming.
"People say ‘healthy’ but what does that mean?" Hixon said. "You work out every day and you try to do the right thing recovering. The leg workouts you do while you’re recovering are outrageous. Like I said before, when him and I were working out together I felt that we were coming back stronger. But then something like that happens and it’s tough. My heart goes out to him.
"I’m devastated for him and I know how much he was looking forward to coming back. I guess he’s getting a check up in California, so hopefully he comes back with some good news. It’s just stressful."
A surprise big-play contributor at wide receiver and special teams, Hixon suffered the second injury last season at home against the Rams while making a 22-yard juggling touchdown catch in the Giants’ 28-16 Monday night victory. Prior to getting hurt, Hixon was starting to come into his own as the third wideout behind Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham, pulling in four receptions and averaging 12.5 yards a catch to go with that one score.
The funny thing was Hixon, soon after his highlight-reel grab, didn’t immediately realize that something was wrong. He continued to play in the second half until pulling out when he felt discomfort, but nothing like the pain from the first injury.
"They didn’t know how much it was torn," Hixon said. "When they did the surgery, they said we’re going to open you up and if you’re good to go we’ll sew you back up, or you may have a new ligament. If you looked at the picture, everything looked good until where the screw was put in. So they determined it was torn about 80 percent or so, but you can’t be 80 percent torn and playing in the NFL. You can be torn 80 percent in life, yes, but in the NFL, no."
Now at or close to 100 percent, Hixon has his best opportunity to secure the slot-receiver’s job playing with Hicks and Victor Cruz. The best part about it is there is nothing holding him back, and he’s reaping the benefits of full minicamps and offseason workouts in lieu of last year’s NFL lockout that pressed players back in action on a rapid schedule.
"I feel great. I really do," Hixon said. "I feel blessed and fortunate. I feel like the cadaver worked out a little better for me. Also, us having the summer program and being able to work out helped out tremendously, rather than just jumping into training camp.
"No restrictions. Like I said, I feel blessed. I feel good and I’m having a lot of fun. It feels good to be back."
Hixon is not only healthy, he’s armed with perspective. In adversity, there’s strength, and few have gone through as much as the fifth-year pro out of Akron. He plans on taking such fortitude to not only on the field, but to serve as an example of hope, even if Thomas’ prospects appear dim.
"He definitely can do it, Hixon said. "When you’re going through surgery a lot of things are going through your mind. The mental game that’s played, well unless you’ve been through it no one can understand. You can assume a lot of things but it’s one of toughest things for a professional athlete. It’s your job, so when you get injured that’s tough."
Follow Jon Lane on Twitter: @JonLaneNYC | http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-giants/2012/8/1/3214011/domenik-hixon-torn-acl-terrell-thomas-new-york-giants-training-camp | 1,195 |
Mar. 14, 2012; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks interim head coach Mike Woodson speaks with point guard Jeremy Lin (17) and small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) on the sidelines during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 121-79. (Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE)
Head on over to Posting and Toasting for all your Knicks needs.
Mike Woodson, taking over in the interim, has stated that he plans on getting the ball consistently to the team's two highest-paid star players: Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. Additionally, there have been reports that Woodson favors Baron Davis, the veteran point guard, to Lin. The idea is that Davis is better suited to run a half court offense, which Woodson favors more than D'Antoni's up tempo, pick and roll style that Lin thrived in. Woodson apparently isn't thrilled with Lin's penchant for turning the ball over.
There's a lot there. Let's break it down a bit.
The idea that Anthony and Stoudemire should get the lion's share of the shots is the right one. We all fell in love with Lin during Linsanity. But Anthony and Stoudemire are not only the team's highest paid players (unfortunately that has something to do with it), they are the team's most talented players. They have both proven in their past that they can be elite scorers. For the Knicks to have a dangerous offense, the offense should be designed to get the best out of both of them. It just doesn't make sense to have those two on your team if they're going to take 12 shots each while Lin takes 15. That's bad business, and bad basketball.
Does that mean Lin should be totally marginalized and eventually benched for Baron Davis? NO! Yes, Lin hasn't quite been the same since Stoudemire and Anthony returned to the Knicks' lineup. But that's natural, and to the previous point, should be the case. But Lin should be a talented enough player to play point guard in the half court. Even though with Woodson there will be more isolation sets (there should be when you have Carmelo Anthony), there will also be pick and roll opportunities, which Lin thrived in. Lin doesn't have to take 20 shots to be effective. To say that Lin struggled in any way against the Blazers is ridiculous. He only had six points, but also had six assists and helped orchestrate the offense that blew the doors off the Blazers in the first half. Lin is still learning the pro game. He has the court vision and athleticism to play any style of ball.
Perhaps Baron Davis is better suited for the half court offense than Lin. But benching Lin for him makes no sense unless the Knicks' tailspin continues. It would only sour the fanbase and a lot of the glue guys on the team, guys like Jared Jeffries and Steve Novak who clearly have been galvanized by Lin's emergence. Does Lin turn the ball over too much? Perhaps, but I think you'll see his turnover numbers go down the more the Knicks get in the half court. When you have the ball in your hands a lot, as Lin did when he was running the show, it's only natural that your turnover numbers will be higher.
The Knicks are in no position, however, to play favorites or listen to the media or fans. Nobody's job should be safe. They are fighting for a playoff spot and it's going to continue to be an uphill battle. It's been so long since the Knicks had any playoff success, that if they do make a postseason run, it won't matter who on the Knicks is spearheading the run. If the Knicks get swept with Lin as the starter, fans won't be happy. If Baron Davis starts and the Knicks go to the Conference Finals, the crowd will be chanting his name.
New York fans just want wins. It doesn't matter how they get them, or who gets them there. | http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-knicks/2012/3/16/2877708/jeremy-lin-linsanity-carmelo-anthony-amare-stoudemire-mike-woodson-new-york-knicks/in/2574696 | 838 |
Sosa brings flash, stats to Hall of Fame ballot
In first year of eligibility, slugger hopes on-field heroics overshadow off-field drama
Sammy Sosa is a candidate on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the first year. The Class of 2013 will be announced on Jan. 9. You can watch the announcement live at 2 p.m. ET on an MLB Network simulcast on MLB.com.
CHICAGO -- In 1998, Sammy Sosa got off to a slow start, hitting 13 home runs in the first two months of the season with the Cubs. But he found his groove in June, belting 20 that month, and then joined Mark McGwire in a sluggers' duel that drew national attention.
That season, Sosa charmed fans with his dashes to right field, mammoth home runs and post-homer heart taps. He launched a steady stream of souvenirs for the ball hawks stationed on Waveland Avenue behind Wrigley Field's left-field bleachers. Whether the Cubs won or lost became secondary. The spotlight was on Sosa.
"It's so much fun to watch him," said Jeff Pentland, who was the Cubs' hitting coach that season. "It's not supposed to be that easy."
Sosa enjoyed the attention and the hoopla. He caught up to McGwire on the home run counter that summer, then the two met in St. Louis on Sept. 7-8, with the Cardinals slugger at 60 homers and Sosa at 58. In the first inning on Sept. 7, McGwire belted his 61st to tie Roger Maris for the Major League single-season record, set in 1961. The next day, he hit No. 62. McGwire would finish the season with 70; Sosa closed with 66, the first of his three 60-homer seasons. The Cubs slugger is the only player in Major League Baseball to accomplish that feat.
Sosa may have lost the home run race but did edge McGwire in the National League Most Valuable Player balloting, winning the award in 1998 as he led the league in RBIs (158), runs scored (134) and total bases (416).
Now, Sosa is hoping his stats compare well to others in Cooperstown. The former shoeshine boy from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.
But Sosa's career also had other elements for Hall of Fame voters to consider. The New York Times reported in 2009 that he was one of 104 Major Leaguers who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during a 2003 survey that preceded the creation of an MLB-wide testing program. The report has never been confirmed by MLB or the Players Association.
In 2005, Sosa joined McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco at a hearing before Congress regarding drug use in baseball. Sosa's attorney testified on his behalf, saying the slugger had never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
"I think you have to judge people for the era they were in," said Jim Hendry, who was the Cubs general manager at the time. "Unless all the facts are in, speculation is a waste of time. You'll never be able to go back and figure out who did what for sure. I'm not condoning it at all. As long as there is competitive athletics and people can get away with things, they'll try to get a competitive edge."
A candidate must receive 75 percent of the vote from eligible Baseball Writers' Association of America members to gain election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Shortstop Barry Larkin (86.4 percent) earned his ticket to Cooperstown on the 2012 ballot. Starting pitcher Jack Morris (66.7 percent) and first baseman Jeff Bagwell (56 percent) are the top returning vote-getters from last year's ballot. Results of the 2013 election will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 9.
Sosa posted impressive numbers in his 18 seasons in the Major Leagues. He's one of two NL players to reach 160 RBIs in a single season, which he did in 2001. The other was another Cubs player, Hack Wilson, who holds the single-season mark of 191 set in 1930.
Besides his 66 home runs in 1998, Sosa clubbed 64 in 2001, and 63 in 1999. Babe Ruth had one 60-homer season.
Sosa was a seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner. He won the Roberto Clemente Award in 1998 and the Hank Aaron Award in 1999. He hit more home runs (479) than anyone for any 10-year period. He's the only player in NL history to have six consecutive seasons of 40 home runs. He is the Cubs' all-time home run leader (545), passing Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ron Santo.
Sosa was involved in a scandal of sorts in 2003, when he was ejected for using a corked bat. MLB confiscated and tested 76 of his bats, and all were found to be clean. He eventually served a six-game suspension.
After playing for the Cubs from 1992-2004, Sosa spent one season with the Orioles in 2005, missed a year, and ended his career in '07 with the Rangers, the team that had originally signed him in 1985 out of the Dominican.
Sosa always seemed to have a flair for the dramatic. In the Cubs' first home game after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, he ran out to right field for the first inning waving a small American flag. The fans in the bleachers, who worshiped Sosa, cheered. He wasn't finished. Sosa belted a home run in the first, and as he rounded first base, he grabbed another American flag from coach Billy Williams and held it high as he ran the bases.
"I'm always happy that I could come to this country and get the opportunity to be who I am," Sosa told MLB.com in 2011. "I always appreciate what America did for my family. I never forget who took care of me in the tough moments I went through in my career.
"This is the land of dreams. The hope and accomplishments you can make here is incredible. America will always for me be No. 1."
In his final season, he timed one more home run perfectly. The Cubs and Rangers met on June 20, 2007 in an Interleague game, and Sosa connected on that day for career home run No. 600. He is one of eight Major League players to reach that number; the others are Bonds, Aaron, Ruth, Willie Mays, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr. and Jim Thome.
"Not bad for a guy from the Dominican Republic," Sosa said after the feat. "It's a great opportunity and a great feeling to be among the greats. When I leave this world, people will remember that I'm among guys like that."
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121121&content_id=40390158&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb | 1,509 |
There was nothing but love for North Branford's indoor track teams on Valentine's Day as they competed in the Class S State Championship at the Floyd Little Track and Field Center with the boys' team taking third place with 33 points and the girls finishing in ninth place with 18 points.
Not only did the teams finish solid as a whole, several T-Birds' athletes made their marks as well with five being named All-State and several breaking school records.
Co-captain Rachel Boyers took top honors in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.83, which not only earned her All-State honors, but the time broke a school record, too.
The boys' 4x400 team achieved the same feat as co-captain Matt Edwards, Gary Falanga, co-captain Ryan Proto and Alex Raffone's time of 3:33.43 earned them the victory in the event, All-State honors and a new school record.
Edwards didn't stop there as he broke school records in both the 300 (36.42) and 600 (1:25.25) to take second place in both events. Rocco Morgan's sixth-place throw of 46-5 in the shot put etched his name into the school records.
Also scoring points for the T-Birds were Emmy Dulak, who placed second in the 600 at 1:40.98 and Raffone, who took third in the 300 at 36.82.
Several other members of North Branford's indoor track teams qualified for the event, including:
- 4x200 of Emmy Dulak, Sara Olsen, co-captain Jordan Miket and Katie Stevens: 9th, 1:55.87
- SMR of Miket, Stevens, Emmy Dulak and Maggie Dulak: 9th, 4:45.12
- Boyers: 8th in the Long Jump, 15-6
- Miket: 12th in the High Jump, 4-8
- Rachel Sokoloff: 15th in the 55 Hurdles, 9.98 (personal-best)
- SMR of Jason Conforte, Nick Schneidt, Shelby Franklin: 14th, 4:03.78 | http://northbranford.patch.com/groups/sports/p/five-north-branford-indoor-track-athletes-named-all-state | 461 |
New York, NY
Last 20 Scores:
89.5 scoring avg.
2.25 Putts after GIR
1.99 Putts per GIR+1
5,995 Total Putts
4.83 Score on Par 4s
3.86 Score on Par 3s
5.32 Score on Par 5s
21.8% GIR on Par 3s
60.9% GIR on Par 5s
28.4% GIR on Par 4s
617 Double Bogeys +
210 scores entered
* only 9-holes playedList All Scores
Hey, get out and play more! I need my daily fix of your acerbic and witty observations of life on a NYC golf course.
As I was playing with Craig I thought it would have been nice to have you provide me with some "talking points" since you have daily experience handling jerkoffs like him.
I would say the new driver is performing adequately.
Yeah I'm OK. Still out. Hit some range balls the other day and it went well but the next couple days were tough on the back. Not sure when I can get out there. Good to see you playin well.
I see you are playing well.
91?? What happened man? And yeah, we both got beat by heeju122, who just happens to be my gf...ahhh! We played with an old couple who were complete beginners...they needed like 7-8 swings to just get NEAR the green...it was brutal.
I think I'm back!!!
Breaking par is on the way. Go get it.
no, these are some cards i found from some years ago before oob.
Were you asking about Marine Park #1 or Bethpage Red #1? Red #1 is definitely scary but not as scary as your old avatar, lol. Finally, you changed it...
that pup is legit!
The new pic is pretty cool.
Oops, I commented on MY game page. I'm not going to re-type it here.
Beef, since the new site updates my site is a mess. Cant post in forum or contact anyone about it.
Bleh, not a very good day of ballstriking...but the new swing is definitely getting better...
Recently aerated and bumpy greens, combined with piss-poor driving...lost to the gf again!! Embarrassing, but making a swing change but getting used to it now...will play well tomorrow...
Looks like the Beef's hdcp is going to drop a little lower. That game is starting to heat up.
Thanks for the encouragement, bud!
Oh yeah. that 76 is lookin pretty good.
Thanks for asking. I went to New Zealand for a month, and then came back to a boatload of work, and then my newborn came early, some complications there, and still loads of work. Finally hit some balls 2 weeks back. Been waiting for my clubs to be extended and re-gripped, and then I'm back to it.
Plus might be getting some free golf for fixing up some golf course websites, so i'll be back with a vengence.
Just cant buy a minute right now.
Hope you are doing well. | http://oobgolf.com/golfers/golfer.php?id=124221&c66a66e47a5747e91326c58fb89654c7 | 683 |
|Gregg Williams returns to the NFL with a new job and new look. (AP)|
Earlier this week, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported that former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams would be reinstated by the NFL; La Canfora also reported previously that Williams had already agreed to become the Titans' assistant head coach on defense.
Both moves are now official, with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Titans coach Mike Munchak announcing the respective moves on Thursday.
“Commissioner Roger Goodell today notified Gregg Williams and the Tennessee Titans that Williams' contract with the Titans has been approved and that he has been reinstated," the NFL said in a statement. "The commissioner cited several reasons for the reinstatement, including Williams' forthcoming acknowledgement of and acceptance of responsibility for his role in the bounty program at the Saints, his commitment to never again be involved in a pay-for-performance or bounty system, and his pledge to teach safe play and respect for the rules at all levels of the game.
"The commissioner emphasized that Williams must fully conform to league rules and will be subject to periodic monitoring to confirm his compliance."
The Titans' defense should face some scrutiny, but Williams is simply taking the position of "Senior Assistant/Defense," so it's not as if he'll be directly in charge of that unit. Tennessee's press conference on Thursday afternoon should be spicy at the very least though, with Munchak getting plenty of questions about the decision to move forward with Williams on his staff.
"I have known Gregg for over two decades and have seen him work his way up from a quality control coach to a head coach," Munchak said in a statement. "He will bring a great deal of defensive knowledge and energy to our staff. The decision to bring him here only came after going through a thoughtful and thorough process."
Williams is going to keep drawing plenty of attention. And whether the Titans players respond to having him on staff will be interesting as well; he didn't exactly come across during the bounty scandal as someone who wouldn't throw a player under the bus.
Regardless, he has clearly had success on defense. If he can help turn around a below-average Titans defense in 2012, it'll certainly be a decent start on restoring his reputation. | http://origin.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/21663634/gregg-williams-reinstated-by-nfl-hired-by-titans-thursday | 462 |
Michael Turner, the Atlanta Falcons player who was recently busted for a DUI, has apologized.
"I'd like to apologize to Mr. Blank (Falcons owner), Thomas Dimitroff (Falcons GM), Mike Smith (head coach) and the whole Falcons organization and the fans out there for the situation that I’m in right now. It was a bad decision on my part. I can’t say too much about it in detail right now. I’m just trying to move forward from here."
He was busted late night driving his sports car over 30mph over the speed limit!
All while drunk!
So dangerous! He's lucky that neither he nor anybody else was injured!
As far as if he'll be playing, he said:
"Nobody has told me that I’m NOT playing so, I’m just going to prepare like I am. I’m just taking it day by day. I’m around the guys right now and they are keeping me encouraged and telling me to keep my head up and take it day by day."
Hopefully this served as a wake up call and he'll make sure to never do anything like that again.
You have so much! Don't jeopardize it! | http://perezhilton.com/fitperez/2012-09-19-nfl-star-apologizes-for-his-recent-duo-arrest?relate= | 262 |
Aramis eighth all-time for HRs by third baseman
Slugger reaches mark with first long ball as Brewer
MILWAUKEE -- Aramis Ramirez hit his first Brewers home run on Wednesday and made a bit of baseball history.It was Ramirez's 313th career homer as a third baseman, giving him sole possession of eighth place on Major League Baseball's list of sluggers at that position. Ramirez had been tied with former Dodger Ron Cey. Next up on that list for Ramirez is Gary Gaetti, who hit 332 homers at the hot corner. Then comes Ron Santo (337), Matt Williams (359), Graig Nettles (368), Chipper Jones (378 and counting), Eddie Mathews (486) and all-time leader Mike Schmidt (509). Ramirez, who connected against Dodgers starter Chris Capuano, had been waiting for some time to separate himself from Cey. Ramirez's first 2012 home run came in his 42nd at-bat and 46th plate appearance, though he insisted he had not been sweating a slow start with the Brewers. He signed a three-year deal in December. "I've been through it before," Ramirez said. "I've been around a while -- this is my 14th year in the league. It happens. It's just unfortunate that it happened with a new team." Did he make up for his drought with distance? "It felt pretty good, I'll tell you that," Ramirez said of the 444-foot drive. "I got a first-pitch fastball and I hit it pretty hard." Said manager Ron Roenicke: "The look on his face, and the way the guys reacted, that was really nice to see." Ramirez actually has 316 career homers. He hit two as a pinch-hitter and one as a designated hitter.
Gantner a fan of Brewers' small-ball style
MILWAUKEE -- Count former Brewers infielder Jim Gantner among the big fans of the team's new, bunt-happy brand of baseball.Gantner's playing career spanned 17 seasons, from the wall-banging Brewers power teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s to a team that manufactured runs under manager Phil Garner in 1992. The current manager, Ron Roenicke, is unabashedly reinstituting a small-ball style of play in 2012. "We didn't have the power in '92, so we did a lot of first-to-thirds, squeeze [bunts]. I love that it's back," Gantner said Wednesday during batting practice.
The night before, Roenicke showed Gantner something he'd never seen before. With the Dodgers and Brewers tied at 2 in the seventh inning, Roenicke signaled for a squeeze on three consecutive pitches, with runners at first and third, one out and Norichika Aoki batting.The first two were safety squeezes, meaning the runner at third -- Mat Gamel -- waited until contact to break for home. Aoki pulled the first attempt foul and pulled back the bat on the second for a called ball, leaving him in a 2-1 count. That was a good count, Roenicke figured, to up the ante. Figuring Dodgers pitcher Matt Guerrier would want to throw a strike to avoid falling to 3-1, Roenicke called a suicide squeeze. Gamel broke from third with the pitch, Aoki executed the bunt and the Brewers took a 3-2 lead. "I've never seen that -- safety, safety, squeeze!" Gantner said. "But you had a guy up there who could handle the bat and a pitcher who was around the plate, so go for it. I don't think [the Dodgers] knew what to expect. You keep the other team on its toes." It's Roenicke's preferred style of play, but was used sparingly in his rookie managerial season partly because the Brewers featured so much power. Notable exceptions came from catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who executed a game-winning suicide squeeze to beat the Giants on May 28, and delivered another against the D-backs in Game 2 of the National League Division Series. The 2012 Brewers will still hit their home runs, Roenicke figures, but minus Prince Fielder in the cleanup spot, there may be more room for improvisation. It comes down to personnel, Roenicke said. There are also side benefits, Roenicke said. Now that teams know the Brewers are prone to bunt, their opponents will be more likely to call pitchouts, which can put hitters -- assuming they are up at the plate to hit -- in better counts. It can also disrupt a pitcher's rhythm or outright upset him, Roenicke said. "That's a tough call," Roenicke said. "If you take [a pitch] away from him and he's upset, I don't know if it was worth the gamble." Of course, a pitchout could also work, leaving a Brewers runner stuck between third and home. Does Roenicke consider himself a gambler? Yes, he said with a smile. "They're going to have to play a lot more small ball this year because Prince isn't here," Gantner said. "That will probably change as [Aramis Ramirez] gets hot and Nyjer [Morgan] gets on base, but right now, you've got to do what you've got to do. I think it's exciting."
Brewers trying to get Morgan going at the plate
MILWAUKEE -- Play on or give him a break? That is the decision the Brewers will make regarding slumping center fielder Nyjer Morgan.
"We'll see how that goes," manager Ron Roenicke said Wednesday, unwilling to tip his hand. "I want to get him going, and whatever we feel is best to get him going, we'll try to do."
Morgan, an emotional engine of the Brewers' club-record-setting 2011 season, is sputtering to start 2012. He went 4-for-32 with eight strikeouts, no walks and no extra-base hits in his first 10 games. Last season, Morgan batted .304.He was out of Wednesday's lineup because the Brewers faced a left-hander in Chris Capuano. With righty Aaron Harang starting for the Dodgers on Thursday, Roenicke and his coaches will face a decision. Go back to Morgan and try to get him going, or give Morgan another day of mental rest and start Norichika Aoki instead. "Yes, [Morgan] is frustrated," Roenicke said. "He had such a good year last year. He really didn't have any major slumps that he went into. He had, maybe, a week where he wasn't swinging the bat well. ... To start off, his Spring Training was a little bit off, and he hasn't found it. It is frustrating to him. He wants to help us win, and he knows he needs to do his part. That's never easy."
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez arrived at Miller Park about 20 minutes before the team took the field to stretch Wednesday afternoon and returned to the starting lineup. He missed three games while his wife, Johanna, gave birth to the couple's third child. Roenicke said both center fielder Carlos Gomez and left fielder Ryan Braun were lobbying to play shortstop on Tuesday night, after it became clear Roenicke was going to pinch-hit for Cesar Izturis. But had the game gone to the 10th inning, Aramis Ramirez would have manned shortstop for the first time in his long career, with first baseman Mat Gamel moving over to third and either George Kottaras or Travis Ishikawa taking over at first. It never came to that; Gamel scored the winning run when that pinch-hitter, Kottaras, delivered a two-run double in the ninth. | http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120418&content_id=29009962¬ebook_id=29026622&vkey=notebook_mil&c_id=mil | 1,630 |
The Silver Linings Playbook nominations:
Best Picture — Donna Gigliotti, Bruce Cohen and Jonathan Gordon, Producers
Best Director — David O. Russell
Best Film Editing — Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers
Best Adapted Screenplay — David O. Russell
Best Actor — Bradley Cooper
Best Supporting Actor — Robert De Niro
Best Actress — Jennifer Lawrence
Best Supporting Actress — Jacki Weaver
There’s no doubt that our fearless leader El Presidente is going to spend some time this weekend gloating about how the Patriots are the last-standing Barstool team in the NFL playoffs and how Tom Brady is a demigod who cums liquid silver, but little does he know how far behind the Pats really are. Super Bowls? Please. Silver Linings Playbook (herein referred to as “The Eagles”) got 8 Oscar nominations from the Academy. EIGHT. Sorry Pres but I don’t see Kraft/Belichick/Brady landing any of that gold come awards night.
The Eagles are gonna come away with Best Picture, Best Actress, and Bradley Cooper is going to accept his Best Actor Oscar in a kelly green Reggie White jersey covered in trash bags. It’s gonna be glorious. Even movie stars from other cities are trying to be down now:
And we haven’t even talked about the Flyers’ appearance in This is 40. It’s wall-to-wall Philly sports movie dominance this year. Have fun watching your team on that little small-screen ESPN station or whatever. | http://philly.barstoolsports.com/around-barstool/who-needs-the-nfl-playoffs-when-your-teams-movie-is-up-for-a-billion-oscars/ | 327 |
Laurent Cipriani / AP
A supporter of Socialist Party candidate Francois Hollande celebrates after the results of the first round of the French elections were announced at the party's headquarters in Paris, France, on April 22, 2012.
Reuters reports — Far-rightist Marine Le Pen threw France's presidential race wide open on Sunday by scoring nearly 20 percent in the first round -- votes that might determine the runoff between Socialist favorite Francois Hollande and conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Hollande got 27.5 percent, compared to Sarkozy's 26.6 percent, and the two will meet in a head-to-head decider on May 6.
But Le Pen's record score of 20 percent was the sensation of the night, beating her father's 2002 result and outpolling hard leftist Jean-Luc Melenchon, in fourth place with 10 percent. Centrist Francois Bayrou finished fifth with nine percent. Continue reading.
Jean-Pierre Muller / AFP - Getty Images
Socialist Party candidate Francois Hollande adjusts his glasses on stage after the announcement of the estimated results of the first round put him in first place.
Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP - Getty Images
France's President and Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate Nicolas Sarkozy is pictured following the announcement of the estimated results, which put him in second place.
Philippe Desmazes / AFP - Getty Images
Far right Front National (FN) candidate Marine Le Pen celebrates after a strong performance gave her the highest ever score for her anti-immigrant party. She finished third.
Jeff Pachoud / AFP - Getty Images
Ballots are displayed on a table in a polling station in Lyon during first round voting.
In this year's U.S. presidential campaign, more than $100 million has already been spent on TV ads. As Rock Center Special Correspondent Ted Koppel reports, the system is very different in France, where the candidates disappear from TV in the run-up to voting. | http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/04/23/11346763-french-far-right-holds-balance-after-francois-hollande-edges-nicolas-sarkozy | 408 |
Dodgers' progress plan not only about Robinson
Campanella, Newcombe got their shots in Class A ball
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers were front and center in breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, but the early movement involved more than Jackie Robinson.
When Robinson was signed by Dodgers president Branch Rickey and owner Walter O'Malley out of the Negro Leagues to be the first African-American to play at Triple-A Montreal in 1946, as part of his grand integration plan Rickey also signed Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella to be the first African-Americans to play Class A ball.
Newcombe grew up poor in Elizabeth, N.J., his father a chauffeur. There were no dreams of hitting it rich in the big leagues, but his neighbor, John Grier, saw him throwing rocks and envisioned a pitcher in the making.
"John Grier was like my second father, he took a liking to me, and he taught me to wind up, taught me everything I knew about baseball," Newcombe said. "I began to learn and began to like it. I was only 14 and I was already big and I could throw hard. He taught me to control it. But aspirations of the Major Leagues? Black kids had none of that."
At 17, Newcombe was signed for $175 a month by the Newark Eagles, owned by Abe Manley and run by his wife, Effa. He played with and against the likes of Cool Papa Bell, Monte Irvin, Ray Dandridge and Willie Wells. Two seasons into his career at age 19, Newcombe was a newlywed and life was about to change dramatically.
"My wife and I came out of a movie and saw a headline in the New York Post, I'll never forget it, and it said that Montreal had signed Jackie Robinson," said Newcombe, now 85 and a special advisor to Dodgers chairman Frank McCourt. "I knew this was the beginning of change. I said to my wife, maybe this is a chance for me and Roy."
Former Dodgers general manager Buzzie Bavasi wrote in his autobiography that if Newcombe hadn't been 19 years old at the time, Rickey might have chosen him over Robinson (who was 28) to be the first African-American Major Leaguer. Newcombe appreciated the mention, but believes the Dodgers got the right man for the job.
"The only man I ever knew that I thought could do what Jackie did was Jackie," Newcombe said. "I couldn't have accepted that kind of responsibility. Jackie brought more to the table. He served in the military. He went to UCLA. He was the man to do the job, not me. I don't know if Roy could have or Monte Irvin could have, but I do know that Jackie could do it. He far surpassed anyone I've ever known."
Newcombe can recall details of a 60-year anecdote as if it happened yesterday. He noted the irony in that a few months before signing, he had pitched in an Ebbets Field All-Star Game between Negro League stars and Major League stars. Newcombe pitched three innings of a Sunday game, went into the clubhouse, took off his uniform and was met by a slender man he had never seen before that turned out to be Dodgers scout Clyde Sukeforth, who would also sign Robinson.
"He asked me if I had ever heard of Branch Rickey," Newcombe said. "He told me this Mr. Rickey wanted to see me. I asked what he wanted. Sukeforth said I needed to come to the office and find out."
The meeting led to Newcombe's signing with the Dodgers for a $1,000 bonus.
"I gave $500 to my mother," said Newcombe, who had to borrow money from his mother for the subway fare from his home in New Jersey to Brooklyn for the meeting.
Newcombe and Campanella were originally signed to play at Danville in the Class A Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League, but the league president threatened to shut down rather than let African-Americans in. So the pair was redirected to Nashua of the New England League.
"Me and Roy talked about it," Newcombe said. "I told Roy I'd do whatever he thought. He said, 'We've got to start somewhere, Don.' The president of the New England League said he didn't care what color we were if we could play. So we went."
Nashua became the first racially integrated team in the United States. Walter Alston, who would go on to be a Hall of Fame manager with the Dodgers, was the Nashua player/manager.
"Alston called a meeting with the team when we joined to work out. And Alston -- God bless him -- asked this question to the team: 'If I get sent out of a game, and I name this man manager, will you play for him or quit? Because If I'm not managing, I want Roy Campanella to manage. Does anybody have a problem with that?'
"To a man, everyone said no problem, and that's the way it was. And lo and behold, in a game in Massachusetts, Alston was put out of the game. We were losing 2-1 and it was the top of the eighth and Campanella came over to me on the bench and said I was going to pinch-hit, and my eyes just about popped out of my head. And I hit a home run to center field and we won the game. So, Roy became the first Black in organized baseball history to win a game as manager."
Rickey's talent evaluation was right on point. Robinson was a rookie of the year, an MVP, a six-time All-Star and Hall of Famer. Campanella won three MVP awards and was an eight-time All-Star before his career was cut short by a paralyzing accident. He also is in the Hall of Fame.
Newcombe became the only player to win a Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP award until Justin Verlander completed that trifecta last season. Verlander invited Newcombe to the New York Baseball Writers Dinner this month to present the MVP Award.
"I had that honor for 55 years, it was about time someone else did it," Newcombe said. "It's good to have a partner. I hope he carries on."
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120207&content_id=26596812&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb | 1,357 |
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed the following two players from this year's draft.
Colten Brewer (4th round - RHP): Went 8-2 with a 1.43 ERA and 98 strikeouts...Was the District 14 3A Pitcher-of-the-Year in 2011...He was also a first-team District 14 3A selection at first base in 2010...Was the 2009 District 14 Newcomer-of-the-Year.
Jason Creasy (8th round - RHP): Helped lead Clayton High School to the Greater Neuse River 4-A Conference Championship in 2011 as a senior while also being named the league pitcher-of-the-year...Went 7-1 with a 1.43 ERA (49.0ip/10er) and 68 strikeouts as a senior...Signed a letter of intent with North Carolina State before signing with the Pirates.
The Pirates have now signed 16 players from this year's Draft.
The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions. | http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20110713&content_id=21776566&vkey=pr_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit | 303 |
Roche is one of 1,000 female prep basketball standouts in the nation nominated by the McDonald's All American Basketball Team Selection Committee, a group of nationally prominent basketball experts. As a nominee, the 5 foot 7 inch point guard is being considered for one of the 24 positions on the final 2007 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Team that will compete in the game.
The McDonald's All American Girls Basketball Game will be played Wednesday, March 28 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY, with tip-off at 4:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN. Additionally, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the McDonald's All American Boys Game, which will also be played March 28 at the same location. The boys' game will be broadcast live on ESPN at 7 p.m.
Proceeds from both games will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Ronald McDonald House program has provided a "home-away-from-home" for millions of family members of seriously ill children since its inception in 1974.
Roche is averaging 16.7 points per game, and recently surpassed 1,000 points in her career. She will continue her playing career next fall at USD. Her coach at VHS is Jamie Parish. Annie is the daughter of Mike and Laura Roche. | http://plaintalk.net/2007/01/tanagers-roche-nominated-for-the-2007-mcdonalds-all-american-basketball-team/ | 266 |
Western Force have completed the signing of hooker Heath Tessmann on a short-term contract from the Rebels ahead of Super Rugby 2013.
With Ben Whittaker set to miss the start of the Super Rugby season with a broken foot, Tessmann has been brought in as cover.
The 28-year-old, who made ten appearances for the Rebels between 2011 and 2012, has been training with the Force during pre-season.
And Force head coach Michael Foley believes Tessmann will give first-choice hooker Nathan Charles good competition for the starting shirt.
"Heath is an experienced player and knows the demands of Super Rugby," Foley told AAP.
"This is a good opportunity for him to push for a place in the team and further his Super Rugby experience." | http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3824_8397516_1,00.html | 158 |
Damon Hill rates the F1 title contenders
Any of the top five teams in Formula 1 looks capable of winning this year, which means at least 10 drivers could be in the podium hunt. 1996 world champion Damon Hill gives his verdict on the top 10's strengths and weaknesses
Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
It seems quite ridiculous to say this, but with what's happened with Sebastian Vettel so quickly and in such a condensed timeframe, it seems like he's too young to be regarded as an all-time great. But he is. He's absolutely in the pantheon of the greats on merit. He's achieved all those victories, broken all those records, and it's an incredible foundation when you think, 'what's he going to do over the next 10 years?'
But look at other sports: Boris Becker was 17 when he first won Wimbledon, so it's not unusual outside motor racing to achieve greatness at an early age because you effectively get old very quickly in athletic sports. I think we're going to have to get used to that in years to come in motorsport.
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