Holy free agent signings Batman!

So the MLB Winter Meetings have come and gone, and now the offseason moves begin to pour in. Here is just a rundown of some major moves...

John Lackey, free agent pitcher signed a 5 year deal with the Red Sox
Red Sox also sign free agent Mike Cameron, trade 3B Mike Lowell, and sign SS Marco Scuturo.
LAA Angels sign free agent OF/DH Hideki Matsui

That is just a few transactions. The biggest of biggest transactions is about to be finalized by Thursday. It involves two Cy Young pitchers shifting teams in a three team trade between the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Here's the breakdown:
Philadelphia gets Cy Young pitcher Roy Halladay
Seattle gets Cy Young pitcher Cliff Lee
Six prospects and cash are also involved in this blockbuster trade.

That is a lot of wheelin' and dealin' in MLB. Jason Bay and Matt Holiday are also expected to sign with teams very shortly. Those are two very coveted hitters in MLB. If you thought the offseason moves are over, they are just getting started.

No more TIGER!!!

Now that Tiger Woods has released statements and let us into his personal life...STOP IT!!! I am so sick of hearing about Tiger Woods and his mistakes. The man is just that, a man. I don't understand why people put athletes on such a higher pedestal when everybody is human and make mistakes. He cheated on his wife...multiple times. The lifestyles of high profile athletes are certainly a circus. The thought of fame and money seems to bring out the wildest things in people.

It is a shame that Tiger has to go through this process. First it was all speculation...then it was the facts from Tiger himself...now it is the drawn out commentary that is killing me. He has lost almost all his sponsors with the exception of Nike (who says they will stick with the pro golfer). Let's face it...the man can live for another 20 years without needing to work a minute of his life. Athletes are overpaid and, as a result, get themselves into public relations nightmares.

It just further proves why I would hate to be famous. Sure the money and fame would be nice, but I wouldn't want my every move to be analyzed. I also wouldn't want one mistake to ruin my reputation for years to come.

Sorry Tiger. I admire you as an athlete but you should have kept your snake in your pants. For everyone's sake.

No wonder why the man is so messed up!!!

Just when you thought sports news couldn't get any better, Ron Artest speaks out. In an interview with The Sporting News, Ron Artest admitted to drinking cognac during halftime of basketball games while with the Chicago Bulls.

ARE YOU SERIOUS!? This man is absolutely nuts. What on God's green earth drove him to drink during halftime of basketball games when he is making millions playing the game? This is pathetic and answers so many questions about Ron Artest as a person and basketball athlete. Didn't anyone see him do it?

The NBA certainly did not need this story to surface. There really is nothing else to say expect "wow!" Please comment and tell me what you think about this.

To read more about this story, go to: http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/article/2009-12-02/sn-conversation-ron-artest-i-was-head-case

Heisman Trophy finalists announced

As the college football season winds down, all the buzz is circled around the BCS bowl games and the most prestigious trophy in college sports - the Heisman. The finalist have been announced and they seem to be an interesting group of individuals.

The finalists are...
Florida QB Tim Tebow
Texas QB Colt McCoy
Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh
Alambama RB Mark Ingram
Stanford RB Toby Gerhart

For Tim Tebow, he is the first player to be selected as a Heisman finalist for three years. He won the Heisman two years ago in 2007 while in his Sophomore year (another first for Tebow).

All five finalist are certainly qualified to be considered for the trophy but what about C.J. Spiller? He has racked up over 1,100 yards on the season and has explosive speed for the Clemson Tigers. I would have thought he would be selected for the sure fact that he might very well be the most game-changing player in the league. Not only does he do it on offense, but he is just as explosive on special teams. 92 yard kickoff return against Maryland, 88 yard return against Georgia Tech, and the list goes on and on. C.J. Spiller was by far the biggest snub for the Heisman.

I believe either Tim Tebow or Ndamukong Suh should not be sitting as a finalist for the trophy. Let's face it, Tebow is not even close to be as good as he was last year or the year before that. Also, a defensive player has not won the Heisman since 1997 when Charles Woodson of Michigan did. I do not believe it is going to happen this year either. More the reason to insert Spiller as one of the five finalists.

It makes you wonder...with the BCS system always criticized as being flawed, could the Heisman finalist selection process to flawed as well? It seems as though the award is not living up the hype that it should be. The trophy is for the most outstanding player in college football and NOT the MVP.

Iverson's retirement may last less than a week; gets offer with familiar face

After retiring just last week, guard Allen Iverson got offered a one-year contract from his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers. The contract is said to be non-guaranteed but it seems like the reunion may be closer than first thought. The team executives and head coach met with Iverson yesterday to discuss a potential deal.

I think most people knew that Iverson was not going to retire for more than a month. The reality is that he still can perform with the best of them day in and day out. He might not be the star of a team, but he can certainly come off the bench or potentially start for any team in the league. Being a Celtics fan, I was hoping that they would reach out to the guard. He is a former MVP of the league and is only 34 years old. I could predict at least two more productive seasons out of Iverson before his numbers might begin to drop substantially.

Honestly, the whole retirement announcement was a good public relations move on Iverson's part. It drew attention and ultimately got an offer from a NBA team (his ultimate goal). It is interesting how a public statement can ultimately get you what you want. For Iverson, he stated the lack of interest from teams as the reason for his retirement. The result was the interest of the 76ers. The best part about this whole story is the fact that he has the potential to have a great season with a team and increase his value for next season. He can prove to the league that there is still some gas left in the No. 3 jersey.

Legendary college coach Bowden steps down

It is very rare in today's sports society to have the same coach for more than 15 seasons. How about thirty-four? That is how many years Coach Bobby Bowden has been with the Florida State Seminoles football program. The now 80 year-old coach decided to call it a career after meeting with the school on Monday. It is a shame that the legendary coach had to end his career finishing 6-6, the worst finish to a season since his first season as FSU head coach back in 1976.

What is even more shameful is that fact that Florida State offered the coach a one-year deal with "limited" responsibilities. If Bowden returned, coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher would have more power over the direction of the program. Think of it as a part-time coach. It only made sense for Bowden to retire. I understand that Bowden is not as good as he use to be but why even bother offering him a contract if he won't have the responsibilities that a head coach has? After a long and storied career, it appears as though Bobby Bowden has been slapped in the face. For everything he has down for the program, Florida State certainly lacked class in this whole situation.

The face of the Florida State, Bowden took the school to two national championships in 1993 and 1999. During his career at FSU, his record was an astonishing 315-97-4. He is second to Penn State's Joe Paterno as the all-time victorious coach. This is not just a coach, he is a legend and hall-of-fame coach who certainly could have coached another season just like he had been for 44 years.

During a video interview, Bowden seemed to be in good humor stating, ""Now, you know I have to go out and get a job. Can you believe that?" he said. "I've got to go get a job. I ain't had a job in 55 years."

He will be missed in the coaching profession.

Tiger "crashes" his image

Usually we hear about him on the golf course but unfortunately for him we are now hearing about his personal life. In an age of athletes using steroids and having run-ins with law enforcement, Tiger Woods was the "golden child." One who was a perfect role model for kids of all ages. That image might have been slightly tarnished in the wake of this week's automobile accident.

Woods crashed his Cadillac SUV into a fire hydrant followed by a tree early Friday morning in his Florida neighborhood. Woods was taken to the hospital to be treated for facial lacerations and was released that same day. A car accident is usually something that is indeed an "accident." The question regarding this particular one is, how did it happen at 2:25am? Alcohol was quickly ruled out but media outlets were very quick to form perceptions and rumors.

It is now Tuesday, four days after the crash, and the Florida Highway Patrol has rule the accident to be Woods' fault but no charges will be filed. Instead, Woods will receive a $164 fine (pocket change for this million dollar athlete) and four points towards his license which is not enough to have his license suspended. Although the police have filed their report, the rumors are still swirling regarding the reason behind the crash.

The biggest of rumors is that Tiger Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren, confronted Woods regarding tabloids that suggested he was having an affair. The rumor continues by stating that Tiger's wife beat him with a golf club after he crashed his SUV. We might never know the real reason why he crashed his vehicle considering Woods is a very private person.

Personally, I don't think his "accident" should tarnish the person he is. Tiger Woods may be a big name in sports and a great role model for everyone, but he is just like everyone in the sense that he is human. You find me a person who hasn't made one mistake in his/her lifetime and I will tell you that person is a robot. People make mistakes whether big or small. It is unfortunate how the media will stretch the truth in order to make a good story. Even if it was found that he had alcohol in his body at the time of the crash, I would still tell you to back off and list about a hundred athletes and celebrities who have done worse. Tiger Woods is still the role model he was on Thursday. He just had an accident.

Patriots vs. Saints Monday night game a must see

The Saints are undefeated while the Patriots are just a few plays from being undefeated themselves. Both teams have a very high-powered offense with young gun quarterbacks. So what is the storyline of this game? The Patriots are going up against a team who is a carbon copy of their team just a few years ago. That is right! The New Orleans Saints are being compared to the Patriots of 2007 who went undefeated in the regular season but eventually lost in the Super Bowl.

It is very interesting to note the similarities in statistics. According to boston.com, here are some stats that prove the comparison:

POINTS PER GAME
2007 Patriots: 36.8
2009 Saints: 36.9

YARDS PER GAME
2007 Patriots: 420.5
2009 Saints: 411.2

YARDS PER PLAY
2007 Patriots: 6.2
2009 Saints: 6.4

FIRST DOWNS PER GAME
2007 Patriots: 24.6
2009 Saints: 22.1

THIRD DOWN PERCENTAGE
2007 Patriots: 48.2
2009 Saints: 46.9

TIME OF POSSESSION
2007 Patriots: 32:21
2009 Saints: 32:31

Drew Brees is a quarterback who might not get the necessary attention that he deserves. He has the chance to go over 4,400 yards for the season for the fourth straight season. To put that in perspective, Peyton Manning has only done it twice while Brady only once.

This game is one that I am sure will get the rating it deserves. The Patriots are a dynasty, competing at the top of the pack every single year of this decade. The Saints are making a statement for a dynasty of their own. They just need to mirror the Patriot's Super Bowl rings to make a case of their own. It is sure to be one of the candidates for game of the year.

Thanksgiving pigskin games a treat?

Well Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it made me think of Thanksgiving traditions. Turkey...pie...and...football! Watching football with the family is indeed a great Thanksgiving tradition. Every Thanksgiving, it is a tradition that we see both the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys at some point during the day. Looking back at the history of Thanksgiving football games, it got me thinking. These games really are not intriguing match-ups...at all.

Take this year for example: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys, and in the night cap the New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos. These games have some similarities. All three games has at least one awful team (Detroit, Oakland, and Denver (yes Denver)). All three games have a mediocre to good team (Green Bay, Dallas, and New York). All three games will most likely be a lop sided score.

Add all of that up and you get three really boring games. How come the NFL does not schedule three good match-ups rather than three lop sided match-ups? Don't get me wrong, the games might turn out to be intriguing. More than likely, however, we will see a lot of good offense and not enough good defense which will lead to boring football games.

In the Green Bay/Detroit match-up, you have a good offense with an average defense go against just an awful team in general. I don't care who you are and what you think, Detroit is always going to be an awful team. I certainly do not have the answer to solve that disaster in the motor city.

In the Oakland/Dallas match-up, you have a team who is coming off an impressive upset and a team who has been mediocre at best with their talent. Although Oakland put up a fight in Cincinnati, don't expect them to fair that well against a Dallas team who can still hang with the big boys. I'm not rocket scientist but I think it's safe to say that Dallas has the edge.

Finally in the night game on NFL Network, you have a somewhat interesting match-up of two teams who use to be undefeated but have tanked ever since their first loss. The Giants and Broncos were once 5-0 on the young season but since have lost the majority of their games. For Denver, their quarterback is not cutting it whether it is Kyle Orton or Chris Simms. For New York, they have a solid defense but an unsettled offense who seems to make a fair amount of mistakes. If there is going to be any intriguing match-up on Thursday it will end up being this one. Then again, Denver should be good but keeps getting blown out.

Have a great and safe Thanksgiving everyone and do your best to enjoy some not so great holiday football.

In a stunning move, Jones-Drew takes a knee...

In an interesting move by the Jaguars running back, Maurice Jones-Drew took a knee on the one yard line instead of scampering into the end zone on Sunday. The reason was to allow the clock to continue ticking down so that the Jets would not get another chance to score. Smart move? I think so.



I can honestly say that I have never seen anything like what I saw Jones-Drew do. I have seen wide receivers run parallel to the goal line in an effort to run out the clock but I have never seen someone take a knee. When you think about it, what he did was not as big of a gamble as some people might think. The Jaguars were only down 1 point, leaving the field goal as a viable opthttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5119245829815187443ion to win the game. The final score of the game tells you how much of a dogfight it was to the very end. Why allow the other team to even have a chance to win? Taking a knee makes a lot of sense as a player. It just does not look like the right thing to do. Some could argue that it was a bit of unsportsmanlike, but it is still within the scope of the rules. After all, you play to win the game.

On a separate note on the story, Maurice Jones-Drew publicly apologized to fantasy owners all over the nation for taking the knee and not scoring the touchdown. It shows you just how serious a fantasy sports league can be. Athletes are now holding themselves responsible for a fantasy owner's outcome.

Here is the apology..."I was looking for someone to tackle me but they were going to let me score...I apologize to all my fantasy owners...I had myself(Sunday),too. It was a tough call, but whatever it takes to win."

Was 4th down decision the right one for Belichick and Patriots?

So here is the scene...Patriots are up 34-28 with two minutes remaining in the game. It is 4th down and 2 yards to go. As a coach, would you go for it and end the game right then and there or punt the ball deep into the opposing team's side and make them beat you with a notable game-winning drive? Most people would choose to punt the ball and force the opposing team to drive the length of the field to win. Bill Belichick is NOT most people. In a risky move, he decided to go for the win and ended up coming up short. The Indianapolis Colts ended up winning the game, 35-34, and the decision to go for it on 4th down turned into a nightmare for thousands of Patriots fans.

Here is why it was the wrong call...
The Patriots were on their own 28 yard line. By going for it on 4th down, the Colts only had to drive 28 yards to score rather than the 60+ yards they would have had to if the Patriots punted the ball. Also, by electing to go for it on 4th down, Belichick sent a message to his defense that he had no faith in them stopping Peyton Manning and the Colt's offense. It is clear that the Patriot's D isn't what it use to be a couple of years ago. If you are talking about numbers, however, it would make more sense to trust your defense to stop the Colt's offense from going 60+ yards versus only 28.

Here is why it was the right call...
The Patriots vs. Colts rivalry is at its highest. Ever since the Colts stormed back to beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship game a few years ago, it became clear that each team circled the schedule when the two teams met. With that sense of rivalry, it makes sense to make gutsy calls and going for the win when you can. Just think about it this way: would you rather call a play and gain two yards to end the game or punt the ball and allow the opposing offense to score in two minutes? Two minutes is a lot of time for any offense let alone the high-powered Colts offense. The Patriots defense was also clearly exhausted and unable to cover the pass. It is not stretching the truth by any means stating that the defense would have given up the touchdown even if they punted the ball. A lot of statistics have surfaced since the game concluded supporting Belichick's decision to go for it. Based on 4th down conversion percentages and yards per down percentages, Belichick's offense should have gotten those two crucial yards. It just didn't work out for the otherwise successful coach.

The decision of going for it on 4th down will always be a debate whether or not the team is successful or not. We still could be having this debate if the Patriots were successful in gaining those two yards. Gutsy decisions call for harsh criticism by the media and fans. However, taking risks is what sets one coach apart from all the others. Whether or not you believe Belichick made the right call, one thing is still clear: looking back through his coaching history you will see that he has always been a coach who has made the gutsy calls necessary to win. Usually, his decisions pay off. It just happens that this one didn't work out.

Yet another athlete gets in trouble with social media

I am beginning to think that athletes need to take Social Media Marketing with Kelly Cotiaux at the New England School of Communications. This is getting ridiculous. Here is the deal. Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic has just been fined $15,000 for his comments about the refs in his blog.

Here is what he said: "How can that be, ya'll? It was crazy. They called me for a charge on a flop, a push off when the defender was on me and two fouls on blocked shots."

Howard also wrote that he hadn't played "that little in a game since I was 10 years old in pee-wee ball." He said, "What really bothers me is they are letting guys hammer me at one end of the floor, yet I'm being called for everything."

Here is a little advice for all athletes whether professional or not...USE YOUR HEAD AND STOP CRITICIZING OTHER PEOPLE ON YOUR BLOG, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, OR WHATEVER! FREEDOM OF SPEECH DOES NOT NECESSARILY PROTECT YOU FROM LOSING YOUR JOB OVER A STUPID COMMENT!

Instant replay will remain the same in MLB

This postseason in baseball, we experienced numerous bad calls by the umpiring crews. They were so bad that MLB officials actually changed the World Series umpiring crew in order to steer away from bad calls. That move did not work either. It seemed as though MLB could not catch a break when it came to calling the plays. Instant replay would have cleared all that controversy up. However, after further review, MLB general managers have voted to keep instant replay the way it is. MLB currently has a policy to use instant replay only to determine whether a homerun is fair or foul or cleared the fence. That is the only instant replay allowed in baseball.

I personally believe that there needs to be some room for improvement. I mean the television stations calling the games can clearly see what is going on and often times umpires mess up calls half a dozen times a game. That is just unacceptable in my eyes. If MLB is not going to adopt another instant replay policy, then they certainly need to figure out a way to train umpires better. We saw the worst umpiring call ever this postseason when the Yankees-Angels squared off in the American League Championship Series. Here is it for those who missed it:



After watching that play over and over again, it is clear that instant replay can only benefit the game rather than hurt the integrity of the game. I understand the argument about letting the real people make the decisions but this is getting out of hand. Just look at how successful instant replay is becoming in the NFL. The NBA and NHL are also using instant replay effectively to ensure that all the right calls are being made. MLB needs to get their act together and realize that instant replay needs to be used more in the game. It cant hurt...can it?

Twitter part of the reason why this running back is out of a job

Well it is official...running back Larry Johnson has just been released from the Kansas City Chiefs shortly after being suspended by the team twice in two years. The reason? A huge part of the decision to release him was his attitude that lead him to tweet negatively about his head coach. The worst part of the situation was that he used a gay slur in his tweets about his head coach.

One tweet read: My father got more creditentials than most of these pro coaches." That was followed by: "My father played for the coach from "rememeber the titans". Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn."

That drew up responses from people for which Johnson struck back using the gay slur.

It is a shame that athletes have to act the way that they do. Such wasted talent nowadays. Larry Johnson is a pretty solid player but now that talent is overshadowed by his opinion and big mouth. On top of his mouth, he has also had a few run-ins with the law. He plead guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace when he was charged with throwing a drink on one woman while pulling another woman's hair back. He was also accused of spitting in someone's face outside a nightclub.

Although his attitude is sour, his talent is not. He was one of the best running backs in the league for 2005 and 2006 rushing for close to 2,000 yards each season. The year, however, production has gone down only averaging 2.7 yards per carry.

Performance is also to blame but the major reason people believe Larry Johnson is jobless is due to his unacceptable use of the social media site Twitter. This just further proves why you should filter out information you do not want other professionals seeing. Make your social media sites professional friendly...even if you are an overpaid athlete! It may cost you your job.

Redskins owner calls own team "a let down."

Dan Snyder made a rare in-season media appearance. One that is memorable in the owner's content. He is embarrassed, hurt, frustrated, and apologetic to name a few adjectives. His team is 2-5 on the young season and many things have gone wrong internally as well as externally with the team.

Here is a direct quote:
"It really hurts," Snyder said. "We are really trying very, very hard, everyone at Redskins Park, the coaches, the players. The organization's quite frankly held together well, and I think we've got an opportunity the rest of the season to hopefully get it going. But to date we've let everyone down, including ourselves, and we know that and we're just apologetic. We've blown some games that obviously we think we should have won."

Isn't a team owner suppose to maintain a sense of optimism with the team? I mean how can he expect the players to focus on the game ahead when the owner is calling them "a let down?" I find it funny that Snyder made these comments because the fans in Washington partly blame him for the team's poor success. It makes you stop and think. The Washington Redskins have either been mediocre at best or poor for many years now. They have hired Hall of Fame coaches and signed the top free agents and players. So what hasn't changed? The ownership and front office has not changed. Many consider Dan Snyder as the constant for the team's lack of success. If you look back at the team, you see a whole lot of potential in the talent of the players.

This off-season, they spent a lot of money on the what some considered the best defensive player in the league, Albert Haynseworth. They have a stellar running back in Clinton Portis and a dynamite reciever in Santana Moss. The talent is clearly there. It is how the team is being run that is in question by fans. Snyder stripped his own head coach of play-calling duties earlier in the season but did not fire him. Why? He even banned all signs and banners brought in by fans. Are you serious? Something is wrong in the nation's capital. That something is the Redskin's executive staff, mainly the owner Dan Snyder.

For more information on this story, go to:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/11/03/redskins.ap/index.html

"Colbert Report" sponsors U.S. Speedskating team?

In a very interesting move, it is confirmed that Comedy Central's mock talk-show "The Colbert Report" will sponsor the United States Speedskating team as they head to Vancouver for the Olympics. The name "Colbert Nation" will be displayed on the teams uniforms. The interesting part of this story is the fact that the show will not be paying the team any money. Colbert is calling on his viewers and fans to donate money to the cause. In the past, Colbert has been successful raising money this way.

I personally find this story to be both hilarious and meaningful. Stephen Colbert is a funny guy, but his decision in this story is one that can be considered honorable. The team's main sponsor, DSB Bank NV, declared for bankruptcy in October. Sure you can classify this sponsorship as a publicity stunt, but you can't help but notice the meaning of the move. Stephen Colbert can raise hundreds of thousands of dollars on his image alone and help this team get the funding they deserve. I think Stephen Colbert deserves a round of applause for his efforts on this matter.

This story is still one that is down right hilarious. Can you picture the words "Colbert Nation" on the team's uniforms? I certainly can and it makes me laugh just thinking about it. This move certainly goes with his TV persona of being very patriotic. I can't wait to find out how well this fundraising campaign goes for Colbert and Team U.S.A. It is a win-win for both parties. Stephen Colbert gets his name out there in the sports world while Team U.S.A. gets some well-deserved p.r. and advertising on the television show.

For more information on this outrageous story, go to:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/more/11/03/colbert.vancouver.ap/index.html

MJ's son could cause school $3 million over shoes

Here is when you know something is wrong with the world. Michael Jordan's son, Marcus, is refusing to wear shoes made by Adidas. Marcus attends the University of Central Florida, who has a contract with Adidas for all their sports. Marcus says he will only wear his father's Nike Air Jordan shoes because it holds special meaning to his family.

This story is ridiculous. Advertising has taken over the sports industry in some very unique ways but I believe this one takes the cake. They are just shoes, not a family symbol. If your college has a contract with Fila shoes, you wear the damn shoes. Give me a break! I understand that Michael Jordan helped make the Nike brand famous but this is going a little too far. If I was Marcus, I would put on the damn Adidas shoes and move on with your basketball career. It is not like the shoe will make you jump higher and run faster. It is just a shoe. People become too obsessed and consumed with product brands.

The best part of this story? UCF and Adidas are in their last year of contract. That means that this whole scene put on by Marcus Jordan could potentially cost the school a new contract. Maybe Nike will be knocking on their door? Maybe not? Nobody really knows. What I do know, however, is that Marcus should be more concerned with his jump shot or free throw rather than what shoes he will be wearing on the hardwood.

Mark McGwire a hitting coach?

Yes you heard it right...Mark McGwire is not the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. Is anyone else confused with this personnel move? Let me just get this right...is this the same Mark McGwire who took steroids during his professional baseball career? The same guy who lied under oath and the same guy who has a big, fat asterisk next to his name in the stats book because he cheated? Yes, still the same guy?

I find it hard to believe that Mark McGwire is going to be a successful hitting coach. I mean was he really a good hitter or is it all tainted because of his steroid use? Also, Mark McGwire was a home run hitter. I'm pretty sure that being a hitting coach means that you must teach the small ball too. It is not all about hitting moon shots into the upper deck. I would be curious to see just why the Cardinals went with McGwire over other candidates.

Mark McGwire is dedicated to the game and still remains to be an iconic figure in baseball (even if it is a little bit tainted). I would be interested to see what kind of reaction he will get in different baseball markets. Like most athletes, Mark McGwire is getting his second chance.

The conversation about steroids in baseball continues to get juicier. Every year we hear another big name in the sport testing positive for an unknown substance in the past. Mark McGwire was at the forefront of the heated debate when it reached Congress. It will be interesting to follow the success, or lack thereof, of Mark's duties as hitting coach.

The big question still unanswered....was this move good for baseball? I am sure we will find out.

Possible 1st female general manager in the big leagues

Kim Ng, the assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, could possibly be hired as the first female general manager in the big leagues. She has interviewed for the vacant GM position for the San Diego Padres. Ng has interviewed for GM positions before; once with the Dodgers and once with the Seattle Mariners. She is already the only women to have a high executive position in the major leagues. In her eighth season with the Dodgers organization, Ng has been around the baseball industry. Before coming to the Dodgers, she was a top advisor to GM Brian Cashman of the New York Yankees. It is believed that Red Sox assistant GM Jed Hoyer is the leading candidate for the vacant position.

Whether or not Ng gets the job, it is still a feel good story in the baseball scene. It just goes to show that equality is still improving as time goes on. America witnessed history last November when Barack Obama became our very first African-American President. It would be very gratifying to see a woman take the position of a GM in professional baseball. Obviously she has a proven track record and can get the job done. Coming from the Yankees and Dodgers organizations, you can get the sense that success is a part of Ng's personality. Both organizations have rich history and both have been very organized and successful organizations when she has been around. The fact that she has been interviewed before is impressive. Although overlooked, it still adds some significance to the story.

I might not be a fan of the San Diego Padres baseball team, but I am sure rooting for their organization for making the right decision to interview Kim Ng as the next possible GM for their organization.

The shot heard round the world

Before you read on you REALLY need to watch the video if you have not already.

..........

Now that you have seen that video, HOLY COW! I wonder which NHL team will scoop up this 9-year old hockey prodigy first. I mean seriously, how the heck does he do that? I bet there are some NHL players who are astonished at what this 9-year old Maine boy did during the promotional shootout. I feel bad for that poor little goalie who was completely dumbfounded after a shot like that. I mean you can't blame him but it is still embarrassing.

It takes some guts to try such a high profile shot like the boy did. Could you have imagined if he missed? Do you think this story would still be partially covered if he attempted it? Most likely not. The fact that he was able to pull off the shot is proof enough that this boy needs a life (I mean that in the nicest way possible). I applaud the boy for being able to complete that shot but isn't there homework or video games he could be playing instead of practicing for hours one shot? Don't get me wrong, it probably paid off now that he is receiving national coverage.

The reality is that kids these days are getting more and more talented as time goes on. What this kid accomplished is easily going to be the highlight of his early life and soon to be hockey career. While it is known that kids say the darnest things, they certainly do some darn sweet things as well.

Warrior's Jackson no longer a captain

The NBA did not need this story for their PR department but they got it anyway. Stephen Jackson of the Golden State Warriors is no longer the team captain. To get the full perspective, here is the quote of why he did not want to be the captain anymore: ""Don't try to dig into it, that's just how I feel," Jackson said. "I don't want to be a role model. ... Being captain was overrated to me, anyway. You don't do anything but go out before the game and talk to the refs. I don't want to do that, anyway."

ARE YOU SERIOUS!!! This guy is a punk and a sore example of a professional athlete. Obviously this man only cares about playing basketball and getting paid. Being the captain of a team is much more than that. It is about being a leader, a role-model, and a direct representation of the team. It is a prestigious role on the team and it is a good move to resign from the position before you screw up.

This is the same guy who was a part of the brawl that occurred between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons' fans. In August, he also publicly announced that he wanted a trade from the Golden State Warriors. A move that left his wallet feeling pretty empty. Another memorable quote from Jackson: "Any time somebody takes $150,000 from me, of course it's going to change," Jackson said. "If my mom took some money from me I'd still love her to death but I'd still be upset about it. And he's not my mom."

This is someone who just signed a contract extension and now wants out. What is this guy thinking? There should be some I.Q. requirement to play in the league. This guy is not too bright. You get paid to play professional sports but somehow that's not good enough? Millions of people would kill for the opportunity that this man has. It is personalities like his that is not good for sports or society in general.

YOU GET PAID TO PLAY A GAME! SHUT UP AND DO YOUR DAMN JOB! I love professional sports but some of the athletes just have got to go. Take away all of their money and give them one hell of a wake up call. What the hell are they going to do without their three houses, Bentley cars with 22 inch rims, and 17 pounds of jewelry?

For more information and an entertaining read, go to:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4557116

Yet another washed up athlete comes out of retirement

Watch out Brett Favre...you have some competition! It was announced that Junior Seau will come out of retirement for the third time to join the New England Patriots. THE THIRD TIME!!! YOU ARE KIDDING RIGHT? This is almost becoming ridiculous. First Brett Favre and now Junior Seau. I am beginning to wonder whether it is a game between old athletes. I mean Michael Jordan perfected it but now it is just getting a little out of hand.

You want to know the best/worst part about this whole thing...THEY JUST KEEP ON GETTING BETTER! Have you seen Brett Favre lately? I mean do not get me wrong I think the man should just retire, but holy cow! That over-the-hill man can throw one mean football. He had the game of his life against his old team on Monday Night Football last week. I just don't get it though. He stunk it up in his final years in Green Bay and with the New York Jets. Why is he so darn good now?

Junior Seau has a television show on Versus now called "Sports Jobs with Junior Seau." I am reluctant to tell you that the show will continue airing episodes. So not only will he try to help the Patriots defense but he will also be hosting the show which expects to start in December. Let me just say that I hope Junior Seau is as good as Brett Favre when coming out of retirement. The Patriots need that extra weapon after a tough loss in Denver.

I guess this just proves that you can continue playing as long as you want. It also proves that reputation matters in the league. You look at both Brett Favre and Junior Seau and one word describes both of them: class. Even if their stories in the news are getting old. Maybe Troy Aikman will shut up on FOX and replace the awful Tony Romo. It is just a thought.

For more information on Seau's return go to :
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/10/13/seau.ap/index.html

Social Media and the NFL...Ochocinco requests no fine!

It has become a circus of events for Chad Ochocinco. The entertaining receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals first wanted to use Twitter throughout the games of the regular season. The NFL responded by banning the use of social media during games. Now Ochocinco is using the popular social media site to persuade the league not to fine Ray Lewis for his controversial tackle during the Ravens-Bengals game last week. It is another method that the receiver is using to get his voice heard.



Usually it is Chad Ochocinco who is getting fined. I find it funny that the receiver is using Twitter to request that the league NOT fine Ray Lewis for this questionable hit. A couple hours after the game, Chad tweeted this: @nflcommish please don't fine Ray Lewis Mr. Roger Goodell, it was a clean hit, it's part of the game, save the fines for me, Esteban out.

Although I do not think the league will use Chad Ochocinco as a resource, it is a valiant effort on the receivers part to get his word across. Maybe the receiver is actually doing some good in the league rather than running his mouth and making a mockery out of the league.

It is important to note the impact that social media is having on professional sports. It has become a huge part of everyday life that the NBA has followed the NFL by banning the use of social media during games. Although it is a very useful source of media, there is a time and place for everything. There is no need for players or coaches to want to tweet or facebook during games. You are there to do your job and not goof off on social media sites. Social media is very effective in the sense that it gets your word out there and is another way to market yourself to the world. I think social media is a tool that professional sports should use. Just not during games and work hours.

Twins advance to the playoffs after game 163?

The baseball season is long enough but a 163rd game? The Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers found themselves playing an extra, tiebreaker game to determine who would advance to the playoffs. It is interesting to note that this is the third straight year this has happened in major league baseball. Do you want to know the kicker of this story? IT WENT INTO EXTRA INNINGS!!! The Twins won the game in 12 innings by a final score of 6-5.

If the extra game wasn't tiring enough, they had to play 12 innings? By that point I wuold have flipped a coin to determine the winner because those two teams are just too close. Congratulations to the Minnesota Twins for beating the Detroit Tigers after the 163rd game of the season. Now what? Instead of getting a break like the rest of the playoff teams, THEY HAVE TO PLAY AGAIN THE NEXT DAY! That is right, saddle up again because you now get to play the American League powerhouse New York Yankees.

I wonder what the manager of the Twins is going to tell his team before the game starts? I was thinking something like this: "Guys, we have all come a long way (one game longer than any other team). We have fought back and beaten the odds and have reached our goal of the playoffs. I know we are all tired so lets just take the night off and go after them the next game. Sound good?" I really don't know what else he can say. I don't think anything will motivate the players to give it 110 percent. They have left everything they had on the field in Minnesota.

I guess there is no rest for the weary if you are a Minnesota Twin. It is a five game series but doesn't feel like it in this situation. I consider this series to be a four game series due to the circumstances. It is a race to who can win three games first but the Yankees already have won a game without even throwing a pitch or swinging a bat. Good luck Minnesota because it looks like you are going to need it!

For more information on the game itself, go to: \
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=291006109

Rush Limbaugh interested in buying the St. Louis Rams

Yes you heard it right. Rush Limbaugh, the so-called "voice of the Republican Party," has teamed up with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts in an effort to buy the awful St. Louis Rams. Good idea? Bad idea? I say HORRIBLE IDEA!

The NFL does not need a Mark Cuban (the very outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner). Rush Limbaugh is loud, obnoxious, and very outspoken. He has no place as an owner of a NFL franchise. Good players and coaches are good for the game; Rush Limbaugh is most certainly not good for the game.

I envision Rush talking a whole bunch of nonsense that eventually gets himself in a lot of trouble with the NFL. Lets not forget about the incident that occurred a few years ago. Rush dabbled in sports during ESPN's NFL pregame show in 2003. He was then forced to resign after stating that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed. THIS IS THE STUFF I AM TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE! He had his chance in sports and blew it. He needs to stick to politics where he can get away with more jibber jabber such as that.

In any respect, the St. Louis Rams are NOT going to get any better with a change in ownership. They are a washed-up bunch of individuals that needs a rebuilding period. I think Mark Bulger is a name that most of us have forgotten over the years. Bring in a fresh name. If I hadn't looked up the roster for this year, Steven Jackson would be the only name I could pull out my head.

The NFL needs to realize that Rush Limbaugh as an owner would not be a good public relations move. Come on now, do you really want this guy controlling a football team when he can't even control his mouth? Think about it.

For more information on this story go to:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4535583

Rookie Michael Crabtree finally signed a contract!http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5119245829815187443

For those of who are unaware of the situation here is a little rundown: Michael Crabtree is a former Texas Tech Red Raider who was selected 10th overall during last year's NFL Draft. He is a stud wide receiver who held out during the preseason because the San Francisco 49ers were not going to pay him enough during contract negotiations.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Lets not forget that this is a ROOKIE wide receiver who has never even seen one second of NFL action.

His reasoning for holding out was this:
Oakland Raiders receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the No. 7 choice, signed a five-year contract that will guarantee him at least $23.5 million. Jacksonville Jaguars top pick Eugene Monroe, taken eighth overall, signed a five-year, $25 million contract that includes $19 million guaranteed.

Crabtree was simply trying to prove the point that he was worth more because of the rookie wide receiver market. I understand that. What I don't understand is why Crabtree would put on a temper tantrum over this. The fact remains that he is a rookie wide receiver who should feel honored just to make it to the big show. Don't cry over a few million dollars when there are people out there who only dream about a few million dollars. It just proves to you how money-driven sports have become. Players are becoming more and more selfish over the most ignorant issues around.

Now that this whole mess is over, do you think it was really worth it? Absolutely not! This already has certainly hurt his reputation among fans and the league. He set a bad example among rookie players that hopefully will not occur again. Rookies are rookies and, until you prove yourself in the league, take what is given to you because it should be an honor to play professional sports and not all about the money. I can't wait to see his first game because I am sure the pressure and hype will be enormous. I am sure there will be a "welcome to the league" reception from one of the opposing team's defensive backs.

For more information on the story go to: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/10/07/crabtree.ap/index.html