http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/lopez_twins_both_turning_pro.ph

This news comes days after Stanford was eliminated from the NCAA tournament.

The Lopez twins are going pro together. Stanford sophomore Robin Lopez is joining his 7-foot brother Brook in entering the NBA draft. The brothers made their announcement to The Associated Press on Monday through their mother, Deborah Ledford.

It was expected that Brook would declare himself eligible for the NBA, but Robin was not so certain. They were prep stars in Fresno, Calif., and came to Stanford together. Now they will depart as a tandem, too.

"This has been a very difficult decision for me because I really enjoyed my two years at Stanford," Robin Lopez said in a statement released to the AP. "I have always hoped I would have an opportunity to play in the NBA and I feel now is the right time to make that dream a reality."

Continue reading "Lopez twins both turning pro"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/obama_bowlsa_37.php

37? I repeat, 37?

As a man, I actually feel for Barack Obama. Bowling a 37 is just, well, it's embarrassing. All the more so when you consider that most presidents, at least those in the 20th and 21st centuries, have played some type of sport as a form of relaxation and escape--usually golf--and demonstrated at least a little bit of athleticism.

But Obama? Eesh, this is sad.

The form really isn't all that bad, honestly. It's quite stylish. But it's the sheer wussiness of slinging the ball down the alley that gets me. Of course when you think about it, it pretty much fits his campaign: A lot of style, little substance. So maybe it's to be expected.

Continue reading "Obama Bowls....a 37!?"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/arod_makes_more_than_entire_ma.

Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez's 2008 salary: $28 million

The 2008 Florida Marlins roster salaries total: $21.8 million.

And how does A-Rod respond:

"The Marlins? It's amazing," Rodriguez said. "And they still seem to find a way to be very competitive. They have a great pool of talent; they made some unbelievable trades, so they have great personnel people. To win two championships in 11 years, that's really admirable, and I'm very proud of that organization, being from Miami."

(Why does everything that comes out of his mouth annoy me so? Why is it so "amazing"? Like it was a big mystery. Man, what he says is always so...so...placating and deflecting and...full of shit. I think those are the words I'm looking for.)

Continue reading "A-Rod Makes More Than Entire Marlins Roster"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/blaze_evaluation_2008_nba_mock_

1. Michael Beasley PF 6-9 235 KSU Fr.

2. Derrick Rose PG 6-4 195 Memphis Fr.

3. Eric Gordon SG 6-4 220 Indiana Fr.

4. OJ Mayo SG/PG 6-5 210 USC Fr.

5. Blake Griffin PF 6-10 243 Oklahoma Fr.

6. Jerryd Bayless PG 6-2 182 Arizona Fr.

7. Brook Lopez C 7-0 260 Stanford So.

8. Danilo Gallinari SF 6-8 210 Italy

9. Kevin Love PF/C 6-9 260 UCLA Fr.

10. Nicolas Batum SG/SF 6-8 210 France

11. Hasheem Thabeet C 7-4 260 UConn So.

Continue reading "Blaze Evaluation: 2008 NBA Mock Draft (April 1)"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/ed_mccabe_im_not_a_football_he.

Another story from the wild and wacky world of Florida.

JUPITER -- For years, Ed McCabe has worn the No. 29 jersey of the Oakland Raiders to raise money for charities benefitting sick children and cancer research.

As a volunteer, he organized fund-raising golf tournaments for Palm Beach County's NFL Alumni chapter while passing out autographed photos of No. 29 sprinting down a football field.

Ed McCabe Did volunteer work with NFL Alumni while passing himself off as a former player for the Oakland Raiders.

Continue reading "Ed McCabe- I'm not a football hero."

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/walsh_can_save_knicks.php

As you have heard Donnie Walsh has just been named Knick's President. Knick fans finally rejoice now that the Knick's front office has someone with a fully functional brain. Luckily, that person also happens to now run the team. So what can Donnie do to save this laughing stalk some call a franchise? Step one, send Isiah Thomas packing. He has screwed up enough. He ran the CBA into the ground. Now he has done the same with the Knicks. Just ask yourself what "The Donald" would do. YOUR FIRED!!! Herb Williams, you are hired.

Donnie is smart enough to know there is no magic trade or free agent that can turn this team around. He should simply clean house. Over the summer Mark Cuban will be begging teams for a center. Trade Eddie Curry and Jared Jeffries for Erick Dampier, Eddie Jones, and their first round draft pick. Eddie Jones will be an expiring contract. Dampier will have 2 seasons left on his deal. Basically you can trade him or try and work out a buyout.

Continue reading "Walsh Can Save Knicks"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/backrow_to_owners_suite.php

Fantasy Football

Fantasy Sports

Pro Sports Team

As perviously reported, I came across a noteworthy opportunity I wanted to pass on to all sports fans. At every sporting event and around every TV set I always hear the same thing. These GMs and owners have absolutely no idea what they are doing. So then of course I have to ask if they can do any better. If you are sick of fantasy sports and want to get in the game for real, then you need to listen up.

Would you like to draft a real team or maybe hire a real coach? Maybe you dream of owning a minor league baseball team in Northern Maine? Maybe you would prefer to own a team in Sofia, Bulgaria or Reykjavik, Iceland? All of these options are on the table to vote for. No matter where the team is located, all the games will be broadcast live for all owners.

Continue reading "Backrow to Owner's Suite"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/wr_chris_henry_charged_with_as.

Once again a Cincinnati Bengal is in trouble with the law.

Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry has been accused of punching an 18-year-old man in the face and breaking his car window with a beer bottle, according to court documents filed Wednesday.

Henry, 24, was charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging in the Monday incident in Cincinnati. A warrant for his arrest was issued in Hamilton County Municipal Court.

The player has had a string of problems with police. He most recently was in court last week after being ticketed for driving with expired Kentucky license plates. He paid $149, according to the Hamilton County Municipal Court records.

Continue reading "WR Chris Henry charged with assault- Update Bengals cut Henry"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/kraft_nabisco_championship_sta.

The first major championship of the 2008 golf season begins in Rancho Mirage California. 109 players will begin teeing it up this morning. One who won't be playing, is Nicole Perrot. She missed her tee time in yesterday''s pro-am. This causing Perrot to be removed from the field. The defending champion is 19-year-old Morgan Pressel. She won the 2007 Kraft Nabisco by one shot over Suzann Pettersen, Brittany Lincicome and Catorina Matthew.

Pressel is one of this year's favorites, but her play has been spotty at best in 2008. Lorena Ochoa, 2006 and 2007 player of the year, is on everyone's list of pre-tournament favorites. Ochoa already has two wins in 2008, including last week's Safeway International. You'll get no argument from me, Lorena is the pre-tournament favorite.

Continue reading "Kraft Nabisco Championship starts today"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/pedro_martinez_to_miss_46_week.

The three-time Cy Young winner started Tuesday's game against the Florida Marlins. From AP-

MIAMI -- Pedro Martinez will be sidelined four to six weeks with what the New York Mets said was a mild strain of his left hamstring.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner was placed on the 15-day disabled list before the Mets' game against the Florida Marlins on Wednesday night.

Martinez was injured Tuesday night, returned to New York on Wednesday and was examined by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

"We just have to play and get after it," Mets manager Willie Randolph said after Wednesday night's 13-0 win over the Marlins. "We're going to miss him. I'm not trying to downplay losing Pedro. It's unfortunate. He worked real hard to get back to this point. I know he was looking forward to being in the clubhouse around this team to help us win."

Continue reading "Pedro Martinez to miss 4-6 weeks with hamstring pull"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/tigers_declawed_by_royals.php

Do the Detroit Tigers miss OF Curtis Granderson? Yes.

Did they miss 3B Miguel Cabrera today with a quad injury? Yes.

Are these 2 things any reason for the Tigers potent offense to muster only 5 runs in 3 games and get swept by the lowly Kansas City Royals to open the season? No.

Is this any reason for Tigers fans to panic? No, not yet. At least until they know more about the extent of Cabrera's thigh injury.

However, even sans Cabrera, this is not a team that should be stymied by such a meager pitching staff as the Royals. Scoring just 5 runs against that staff is like a man bowling a 37. It's a little pathetic. (Sorry Mr. Obama, I'm still not letting you off the hook for that.)

Continue reading "Tigers Declawed By Royals"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/steve_bartman_not_to_blame_moi.

I seem to recall Alou was hopping mad back in 2003. From the Chicago Tribune-

Any holdovers still blaming Steve Bartman should let the infamous Cubs fan off the hook, Moises Alou says.

The former Cubs left fielder, now with the Mets, said he wouldn't have caught the now-infamous foul ball in the 2003 National League Championship Series that hit the heel of Bartman's hand in the eighth inning of Game 6, prolonging an inning in which the Marlins later rallied for the lead.

"Everywhere I play, even now, people still yell, 'Bartman! Bartman!' I feel really bad," Alou told the Associated Press. "You know what the funny thing is?" he added. "I wouldn't have caught it anyway."

Continue reading "Steve Bartman not to blame, Moises Alou says five years later"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/browns_db_kenny_wright_jailed.p

What would an NFL football off season be without an arrest or two or three. From AP-

Cleveland Browns defensive back Kenny Wright was arrested Thursday after police said he led them on a quarter-mile foot chase that began in the parking lot of the police station.

The 30-year-old Wright faces a misdemeanor charge of unlawful restraint, a misdemeanor charge of evading arrest and a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana. He remained in the Pearland City Jail on Thursday night pending a bond hearing Friday.

Pearland police said officers were investigating a disturbance in the police station parking lot around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. When officers approached Wright, he took off running and was eventually caught in a nearby subdivision.

Continue reading "Browns DB Kenny Wright jailed"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/ah_drugs_arrests_and_general_m.

Like a rite of spring, we're getting our annual off-season crop of NFL assclowns coming into bloom and doing their best to fritter away their careers.

Let's roll the tape!

Former Cincinnati Bengal WR Chris Henry spent an extra night in jail on Thursday because "no one was available to fit him with a court-ordered electronic monitoring device to report his location while under house arrest", per ESPN. Ain't that a bugger? I imagine the device installer dude was too busy taking off Adam "Pacman" Jones' device.

New England Patriot RB Kevin Faulk claims the Mary Jane found in the jacket he was wearing was not his and he did not smoke it. We must have gone to the Bill Clinton School for Excuses for that doozy.

Continue reading "Ah, Drugs, Arrests and General Misdeeds. It Must Be Springtime In The NFL!"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/cal_hires_exstanford_coach_mik.

Knowing how much Cal and Stanford like each other, this news can only be seen as a sign of the apocalypse.

BERKELEY, Calif. - California has turned to its biggest rival to find its new basketball coach, hiring former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery on Friday to replace the fired Ben Braun. Montgomery was to be officially introduced at a news conference on campus Saturday, the school said.

Montgomery, who spent 18 years with the Cardinal, has been out of coaching since August 2006 when he was let go after two seasons in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. He has announced college games and been an assistant athletic director at Stanford while still collecting money from the final two years of his contract with Golden State.

Continue reading "Cal hires Ex-Stanford coach Mike Montgomery"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/florida_panthers_too_little_to.

My favorite hockey team did something last night they seldom do. Beat Carolina in Carolina.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Nathan Horton had a goal and an assist and the Florida Panthers beat Carolina 4-3 on Friday night to prevent the Hurricanes from clinching the Southeast Division.

Radek Dvorak added a goal and an assist, and Jay Bouwmeester and Steve Montador also scored for the Panthers, who snapped a 13-game losing streak on Carolina's home ice and won here for the first time since 2002.

Eric Staal, Sergei Samsonov and Trevor Letowski each scored for the Hurricanes, who would have clinched the division with a victory and outshot Florida 46-17 while committing no penalties to the Panthers' nine.

Continue reading "Florida Panthers- Too little Too late"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/blaze_evaluation_2008_full_moc.

1. Michael Beasley PF 6-9 235 KSU Fr.

2. Derrick Rose PG 6-4 195 Memphis Fr.

3. Eric Gordon SG 6-4 220 Indiana Fr.

4. OJ Mayo SG/PG 6-5 210 USC Fr.

5. Blake Griffin PF 6-10 243 Oklahoma Fr.

6. Jerryd Bayless PG 6-2 182 Arizona Fr.

7. Brook Lopez C 7-0 260 Stanford So.

8. Danilo Gallinari SF 6-8 210 Italy

9. Kevin Love PF/C 6-9 260 UCLA Fr.

10. Nicolas Batum SG/SF 6-8 210 France

11. Hasheem Thabeet C 7-4 260 UConn So.

12. Darren Collison PG 6-1 170 UCLA Jr.

Continue reading "Blaze Evaluation: 2008 Full Mock Draft (April, 5)"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/memphis_smokes_ucla.php

Reporting live from San Antonio, I can tell you that was a beat down of historical proportions in the second half. Memphis went into the half with a three point lead but the second half separated the hype from the talent.

Memphis managed to totally shut down UCLA's phenom Darren Collison. Collison was 1-9 from the field and had five turnovers. That's a shut down in anybody's book. The supposedly dominant Kevin Love was held in check as well, finishing with 12 points on 4-12 from the field.

The production of just three players from Memphis would have overcome all that UCLA could offer as a team. Rose, Derrick-Roberts and Anderson contributed 65 points alone.

The Bruins are making a habit of getting to the final four and getting blown out of late.

Continue reading "Memphis Smokes UCLA"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/that_was_a_hell_of_a_game.php

Again, reporting live from San Antonio:

Kansas came out on fire and at the ten minute mark in the first half was dominating with a 21 point lead. At that point Kansas was hitting 76% to NC's 30%. Add to that Carolina's zero % from the stripe and a huge lead was mounting. At 8:42 the Tar Heels hit a free-throw that ended an 18-0 Kansas run.

At the 5:30 point in the first half, Kansas had a 28 point lead and North Carolina hadn't scored in eight minutes. The final four minutes of the half was all Carolina.

By halftime Carolina had cut the lead to 17. This could be attributed to the referees who started whistling Kansas at every opportunity. Still Kansas went in at the half with a formidable lead and a lot of confidence.

Continue reading "That was a Hell of a Game!"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/how_michael_vick_passes_time_i.

How does convicted dog-fighting ringmaster and former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick pass time in Leavenworth?

By breaking big rocks into little rocks?

By lecturing kids on how awful it is to treat dogs inhumanely?

By caring for sick and injured dogs through a prison program?

Nope, none of the above.

According to the New York Daily News and ESPN, he's busy--you guessed it--playing football for not one, but two prison football teams and washing pots.

Doesn't it warm the cockles of your heart to know that a guy has seen the error of his ways and is doing something constructive to redeem himself?

Continue reading "Michael Vick, Doing Hard Time!"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/the_olympic_torch_a_hotpoint.ph

Ah, the Olympics. A time when the world sets aside its differences for two weeks every 2 years and competes in some of the world's oldest athletic events to test the skill, endurance and athleticism of men and women from every corner of the globe.

"Nerts to all that! Let's protest China! More specifically, the Torch and Torch bearer!"

At least that seems to be the mantra as the Olympic Torch makes it way around the globe for this summer's Olympics in Beijing.

People are protesting The Torch because of China's abhorrent record on human rights. From Greece to Paris to London and, today, San Francisco, people are letting China know just how they feel about that country holding The Games.

Continue reading "The Olympic Torch, A Hotpoint"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/mediocre_game_so_far.php

Again, reporting live from San Antonio:

With 3:50 left in the first half we have a tie score at 28-28. Kansas is hitting 60% against the Tiger's 42% from the field. Both teams are struggling from the stripe with Kansas going 1-4 and Memphis 3-8.

So far, it's a sloppy first half. Kansas has a lead in rebounding by eight but they also have a turnover lead by eight.

Kansas scored the last five points of the half to go in at 33-28. The last 1:00 was terribly played by Memphis and might set the stage for a bad second half.

Continue reading "Mediocre Game So Far"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/and_the_champion_is_kansas.php

In the first five minutes of the second half we saw four lead changes. The fight was on.

At this point both teams are sucking from the field.

Kansas has went to a Box-And-One defense that is actually favoring Memphis and Memphis refuses to leave the man on man leaving them vulnerable on the inside.

This is quickly becoming an inside/outside game. Kansas is up 7 in rebounds and 14 points in the paint at the 10:00 point. But Memphis is staying with them with better outside shooting. This might become a shootout.

If it goes down to three point shooting, both teams are sucking with a cumulative 6-22. Yeah, it's that bad. Kansas in particular has a problem from the arc going a whopping 1-9 so far.

Continue reading "And the Champion is Kansas"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/whats_your_ultimate_sports_get.

If you could attend any sporting even in the world, which one would it be and why?

The Super Bowl? Game 7 of the World Series? The opening ceremonies of The Olympic Games? Camel racing in the United Arab Emirates?

For me, it took a while before I went 'Oh yeah, of course, that's the event I'd attend.' The event? The Masters at Augusta National for a number of reasons.

First, the course. We'll all have the pleasure of watching the tournament this weekend on ESPN and CBS, but how cool would it be to walk the fairways, smelling the pine straw and azaleas and taking in the emerald blues of Rae's Creek? Or hearing players' shots echoing through the trees. Of course, there's Amen Corner, where the tournament is often won or lost. And just getting a ticket into the Masters takes years.

Continue reading "What's Your Ultimate Sports Getaway?"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/nba_call_ups_the_power_of_davi.

How powerful is David Stern? Well when it comes to minor league basketball, has their been a player picked up by an NBA team that didn't come from his minor league system (D-League)? Guys like Jamario Moon could make the NBA out of the CBA. Moon only made the NBA because GM Colangelo didn't have any draft picks. With no reason to work out draft eligible players, Colangelo decided to have a free agent camp to evaluate players. Because of that, Moon was "discovered" and found his way into the starting lineup for the Raptors.

The CBA is a declining league, but there still is a place for them in minor league basketball. There are many players that can't find a decent job overseas due to declining salaries and import player limits. Also, many D-League rosters have cuts to make room for other players (including those coming down). All these players need a place to play while they try and keep their dream alive. A league like the CBA is the place for that. The CBA and the PBL need to merge. Their are rumors flying around that they will, but both leagues need to cooperate with each other. Basically like baseball, this CBA/PBL league would serve basketball like a AA team would.

Continue reading "NBA Call Ups: The Power Of David Stern"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/what_we_have_and_havent_learne.

Today, MLB.com has an article outlining the first week of the MLB season speculating what these early days of the season may portend for the rest of the season.

Uh, bunk.

It's MLB's job to promote their product and not talk negatively about their products (aka: teams). But I answer to a higher authority: The Baseball Gods.

So let's address MLB.com's issues point by point.

The Royals, Orioles and Cardinals are not better than any one thought Crickey, it's only 7 games, people. Yeah, bully for the Royals and Orioles for sweeping the Tigers and Mariners, respectively. Big deal. I repeat, 7 lousy games doth not a season make.

Continue reading "What we have (and haven't) learned about the MLB season so far"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/a_little_friday_masterstiger_w.

Tiger Woods shot a reasonable but not great 72 yesterday at The Masters yesterday. Today, I predict he'll shoot a 68.

Tim Immelman is the current leader (as of 10:33 PST) in the clubhouse with back-to-back rounds of 68 for a total of -8.

Continue reading "A Little Friday Masters/Tiger Woods Prediction"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/did_the_university_of_central.p

Players and coaches are telling entirely different stories as to how Ereck Plancher died last month. From the Orlando Sentinel-

Ereck Plancher, a 19-year-old receiver from Naples, was taken to a hospital March 18 and was pronounced dead about an hour after the workout, known as a "mat drill."

A preliminary autopsy was inconclusive. Further tests are under way to determine the cause of Plancher's death.

The UCF players, who asked for anonymity because they fear retribution from football coaches, said Plancher's final practice was more intense than the basic-conditioning workout described by UCF officials.

Students on scholarship have a great deal to lose by speaking up. Whereas government officials want annonymity for a myriad of reasons when they leak which is often done for their egos, I'm more inclined to believe these students.

Continue reading "Did the University of Central Florida practice a football player to death?"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/masters_update_tiger_strugglin.

Tiger Woods is struggling around Augusta this afternoon. He's now +1 for the day and will need to do some work on the back 9 in order to have any chance at contending over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Phil "Tits" Mickelson, is in contention at -5, three of the leader Tim Immelman at -8. (Sorry, the man has large breasts, hence the unofficial nickname.)

And Fred Couples' streak of 23 consecutive cuts made at the Masters is likely over. He's just +1 for the day, but +5 for the tournament and tied for 55th place. The Top 44 plus ties, and whoever is within 10 strokes of the leader, make the cut.

Continue reading "Masters Update: Tiger Struggling; "Tits" Mickelson 3 off the lead"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/cbs_golf_announcer_bobby_clamp.

Trevor Immelman has the lead after two rounds at the Masters, Tiger Woods trails by seven but this is a featured link on the AOL welcome page.

During today's Masters broadcast, CBS announcer Bobby Clampett referred to Chinese golfer Liang Wen-Chong as "the chinaman."

According to CBS spokeswoman LeslieAnne Wade, Clampett later apologized on the Masters webcast.

Clampett has been working Amen Corner the last two days, and his commentary can be heard both online and on DirecTV. He used the "chinaman" slur while describing Liang's round and explaining that he will not make the cut.

There is no word yet on whether Clampett will be disciplined by CBS.

Continue reading "CBS Golf announcer Bobby Clampett apologizes for comment"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/chris_chelios_plays_in_record.p

The defensemen is forty-six-years-old and still going strong. From AP-

DETROIT -- Chris Chelios was on the ice for his 248th playoff game, breaking the NHL record set by Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy.

The defenseman played Saturday for the Detroit Red Wings against the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of the first-round series. He is making his 23rd postseason appearance, extending his own mark.

The 46-year-old Chelios became the second-oldest player in an NHL game earlier this season. Hall of Famer Gordie Howe was still skating at 52 for the Hartford Whalers during the 1979-80 season -- almost a decade after leaving the Red Wings.

I had a Strat-O-Matic hockey set from the mid 80's and remember Chelios playing back then for Montreal. Hockey is a physically demanding sport, it amazes me this player is still going.

Continue reading "Chris Chelios plays in record 248th NHL Playoff game"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/lorena_ochoa_wins_corona_by_11.

Super Mex once again dominated an LPGA event this year. While most of the media and golf fans are following the Masters this weekend, Lorena with her victory today in Mexico earned enough points to qualify for the World Golf Hall of Fame. Lorena has to play ten years on tour before being inducted. Since Lorena's rookie year was 2003, her induction will be in 2012.

Congratulations Lorena. Next stop for the LPGA Tour- The Florida swing. First the Ginn Open, then the Stanford Internaitonal Pro-Am. The Stanford will be played approximately 65 miles from my home.

Continue reading "Lorena Ochoa wins Corona by 11 shots; qualifies for the Hall of Fame"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/some_guy_from_south_insert_cou.

Trevor (I called him Tim) Immelman wins The Masters by 3 strokes over Tiger Woods--the guy everybody else wanted to win.

An uneventful and rather lackluster Sunday of golf. But isn't golf always that way.*

*Beats watching players on my fantasy baseball team go on the DL. $#%%@

Continue reading "Some Guy From South (Insert Country) That Nobody Cares About Wins The Masters"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/golf_record_book_perils.php

As Peter F mentioned last night, Trevor Immelman won the Masters yesterday. Trevor played the best golf and was a deserving winner. Nobody lost this year's Masters, though some players blew sky high yesterday. Immelman had the lead after every round and withstood the pressure.

In my book Immelman is not a surprising champion. He was ranked 29th in the world. A good and solid player. Zach Johnson's win last year was more of a surprise, but Zach isn't a fluke champion either. Craig Dolch at the Palm Beach Post calls both Johnson and Immelman 'fine players' and I agree.

As I noted earlier, Trevor led the Masters from the beginning. Carlos Monarrez of Gannett News Services writes-

Continue reading "Golf record book perils"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/florida_gators_2006_bcs_title.p

It was broom and dustpan time in Gainesville last Friday.

The Gators' 2006 BCS National Championship trophy fell off of its stand in Florida's football offices and broke Friday, Florida's operations and facilities director Chip Howard said Monday.

Because Florida is preparing to move to its new offices, which are expected to be completed in July, Howard said the trophy was in a temporary location in an open area of one of the stadium's sky boxes.

"It was on a coffee table, and it was inadvertently bumped," Howard said. "It doesn't take much for the top of it to fall off."

The trophy was insured for $8,000, and the university has already put in an order to replace it. Howard said it should take about 90 days for the new Waterford crystal trophy to reach Gainesville.

Continue reading "Florida Gators' 2006 BCS Title Trophy Falls Off Stand, Breaks"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/tiger_woods_has_knee_surgery_a.

Looks like his next tournament will be the US Open then. From Golfweek-

Tiger Woods had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday and will miss at least four weeks while he recovers.

It was the third time Woods has had surgery on his left knee, the most recent in 2003 when he missed the start of the season. His agent said he had been experiencing pain since the middle of last year.

*****

The surgery means Woods is likely to miss The Players Championship for the first time, but should return in time for the U.S. Open.

Tiger could come back at The Memorial or gasp Memphis.(Where he has never played.) If Tiger takes off till the Open, I fear he will be rusty. That's just my opinion.

Continue reading "Tiger Woods has knee surgery and will miss 4-6 weeks"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/2008_nfl_football_schedule_is.p

Of particular note, at least for myself, is the Miami Dolphin schedule.

Sept. 7 NEW YORK JETS 1:00 pm CBS



Sept. 14 at Arizona Cardinals 4:15 pm CBS



Sept. 21 at New England Patriots 1:00 pm CBS



Sept. 28 BYE WEEK



Oct. 5 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 1:00 pm CBS



Oct. 12 at Houston Texans 1:00 pm CBS



Oct. 19 BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00 pm CBS



Oct. 26 BUFFALO BILLS 1:00 pm CBS



Nov. 2 at Denver Broncos 4:05 pm CBS



Nov. 9 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1:00 pm FOX

Continue reading "2008 NFL Football schedule is out"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/fewer_blacks_in_mlb_but_why.php

The percentage of African Americans now playing in Major League baseball declined from 8.4% in 2006 to 8.2% this year. It is the lowest recorded level in 2 decades, reports ESPN.

That is disappointing to hear.

Growing up in Oakland, CA, we had a proud tradition of African American ballplayers who came from the tough, inner city neighborhoods of Oakland--such as Frank Robinson, Curt Flood and Rickey Henderson, all of whom greatly influenced the game during their careers, on and off the field. That's why I find it sad to hear that fewer blacks are playing to the game.

However, given today's societal climate, particularly when it comes to the diminished role of fathers are playing in the African American community, it's also understandable.

Continue reading "Fewer Blacks in MLB, But Why?"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/qb_steve_mcnair_retires.php

He played 13 years in the NFL. Originally with the Houston Oilers, then with the renamed Tennesse Titans who he nearly took to a Super Bowl title, and finally with the Baltimore Ravens. Age and injuries finally caught up with McNair in 2007. McNair had a great career but after his dismal 2007 I think he made the right move by retiring.

The AP article is below the fold.

Continue reading "QB Steve McNair retires"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/nba_approves_sonics_move_to_ok.

In a vote that surprised no one, NBA owners approved a move of the Seattle Sonics to Oklahoma City by a margin of 28-2. The two dissenting votes came from Dallas owner Mark Cuban and Portland owner Paul Allen.

As a current resident of the great city of Seattle (it's great, really...save for the liberal loons who are currently running the asylum), I feel compelled to say something, even though I've been to exactly 2 Sonics games in the nearly 9 years I've lived here and watched maybe 2x that many Sonics on TV.

There's one person for latte-sippin', pseudo-intellectual, Jim McDermott-supportin' Seattle-ites to blame for the Sonics likely move to the hot wasteland of halter tops, fishnet football jerseys and rusty pickup trucks that is Oklahoma City: Starbucks' CEO Howard Schultz.

Continue reading "NBA Approves Sonics Move to OKC; Fans Screwed Again"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/ny_knicks_fire_coach_isiah_tho.

This news hardly comes as a surprise.

NEW YORK - Isiah Thomas couldn't win as coach with the players he assembled as president. Now, he's lost both jobs. Thomas was fired as the New York Knicks coach Friday after a season of listless and dreadful basketball, a tawdry lawsuit and unending chants from fans demanding his dismissal.

Thomas lost a franchise record-tying 59 games this season, and along the way seemed to lose the support of his players, who didn't always play hard for him the way they did last season.

*****

Thomas was hired as the Knicks' team president on Dec. 22, 2003, and he acquired Marbury from Phoenix weeks later. The Knicks made the playoffs that season, getting swept by New Jersey, but haven't gone back despite their annual spot atop the league's highest payroll list.

Continue reading "NY Knicks fire coach Isiah Thomas"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/ryan_klesko_retiring_from_majo.

The Left fielder/first baseman was a key member of the 1995 Atlanta Braves who won the world series. From AP-

IRVINE, Calif. -- Ryan Klesko is retiring after 16 seasons in the major leagues, agent Joe Sambito said Friday.

Klesko, an All-Star in 2001 with San Diego, hit .260 last season with six homers and 44 RBIs in 362 at-bats for the San Francisco Giants. He played in only six games the previous year for the Padres because of shoulder surgery. The 36-year-old became a free agent following the World Series and didn't sign.

For his career, Klesko batted .279 with 278 homers and 987 RBIs. His best season was 2001, when he hit .286 with 30 homers and 113 RBIs.

Continue reading "Ryan Klesko retiring from MLB after 16-year career"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/former_mlb_catcher_john_marzan.

He died Saturday after a fall down the stairs at his home. John was strictly a bullpen catcher, but he managed to stay employed at the Major league level for 12 years. Afterwards he went into broadcasting. RIP.

Continue reading "Former MLB Catcher John Marzano dead at 45"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/danica_patrick_makes_indycar_h.

I once heard life is all a matter of timing. Danica's timing(or breaks) in Japan were excellent today.

MOTEGI, Japan - Danica Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history Sunday, taking the Indy Japan 300 after the top contenders were forced to pit for fuel in the final laps.

Patrick finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of pole-sitter Helio Castroneves on the 1.5-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval after leader Scott Dixon pitted with five laps left and Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan came in a lap later.

"It's a long time coming. Finally," Patrick said. "It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me. I knew I was on the same strategy as Helio and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it. This is fabulous."

Continue reading "Danica Patrick makes IndyCar history by winning Japan 300"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/beth_ann_baldry_britain_canada.

Our most recent example of bad golf writing comes from Golf Week's Beth Ann Baldry.

No LPGA player has ever held all four majors at the same time. Pat Bradley came the closest, starting with the British in 1985, then winning the 1986 Kraft Nabisco and McDonald's Championship.

Unfortunately the 1985 Women's British Open Champ was Betsy King. Also the tournament Pat Bradley won was the du Maurier. Any competent golf writer who covers the LPGA Tour full-time would know the du Maurier was one of that tour's major championships in the 1980's. The British Open only replacing the du maurier as a major in 2001. Golf Week has since fixed the mistake, after I told Beth of it in an email. I did make a screen capture for posterity's sake. Beth has made three mistakes in her last three Golfweek columns. That's a great percentage if we're talking batting averages, but bad if we're talking the ability to keep simple facts straight. Something golf writers have a bad time doing.

Continue reading "Beth Ann Baldry- Britain, Canada, what's the difference?"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/congress_looking_into_the_bcs.p

This is clearly a case of sour grapes but an interesting angle to go after the BCS.

First let's look at these intrepid lawmakers and what interests they could have in what the hell the NCAA does with its championship formula.

Westmoreland is from Georgia and probably bought into the lame idea that UGA should have played in the National Championship game last year.

Simpson is from Idaho and remember it was Boise State that was the big BCS buster in 2007.

After the beat down Hawaii took in the Sugar Bowl, I'm surprised Abercrombie even showed up for the argument.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Forget government corruption or corporate fraud. Three members of Congress want the Justice Department to investigate whether college football's Bowl Championship Series is an illegal enterprise.

Continue reading "Congress Looking into the BCS?"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/toronto_blue_jays_release_fran.

This comes the day after Thomas vented his anger at being removed from the lineup.

The Toronto Blue Jays released slumping designated hitter Frank Thomas Sunday, cutting the 19-year veteran loose one day after he was angry for being taken out of the lineup.

General manager J.P. Ricciardi said he and Thomas came to "a mutual agreement" after meeting in the clubhouse early Sunday.

"Our best opportunity is to put other guys in the lineup at this point," Ricciardi said. "Obviously, reduced playing time is not something that he was interested in. In order to let him go forward and get on with his career, I think it's fair to do it at this point."

Continue reading "Toronto Blue Jays release Frank Thomas"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/will_tiger_woods_be_rusty_when.

Tiger had knee surgery last week. Jason Sobel at ESPN writes-

If Woods is indeed Superman, his kryptonite may be that left knee, which has now required three separate surgeries. He previously had a benign tumor removed in 1994, and in late 2002, he underwent a similar procedure to his most recent surgery, proving he may not be invincible, but he is indestructible. After his second surgery, he returned neither gimpy nor rusty, winning in his first start at Torrey Pines and taking two of the next three titles as well.

Expect a similar result when Woods returns after this layoff, possibly at the Memorial Tournament in late May, certainly by the U.S. Open in June. That's because he's not only the most talented golfer around, but he works as hard as anyone else.

Continue reading "Will Tiger Woods be rusty when he returns to the PGA Tour?"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/lorena_ochoa_wins_4th_consecut.

She defeated Yani Tseng by three shots.

REUNION, Fla. - Lorena Ochoa became the first LPGA Tour player in 45 years to win four tournaments in consecutive weeks.

Ochoa shot a 3-under 69 in the final round of the Ginn Open on Sunday and beat rookie Yani Tseng by three strokes for her fifth victory in six starts this year.

Ochoa trailed early in the final round, but went ahead for good with three straight birdies beginning at No. 8. She finished 19 under and became the second player to win four times in as many weeks.

Mickey Wright did it in 1962 and 1963. Kathy Whitworth (1969) and Annika Sorenstam (2001) also won four consecutive events, but both took a week off during their runs.

Continue reading "Lorena Ochoa wins 4th consecutive LPGA tournament"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/lpga_ginn_tribute_in_trouble.ph

The late May tournament could be in danger. Caddy blogger Larry writes-

This is not a good sign: The down turn in the economy may be hitting our sponsor pretty hard. Rumor has it there was a meeting earlier this week concerning the Ginn Tribute to be held in Charleston. To cut costs, Ginn offered to forfeit the purse money and forego the event but was convinced otherwise. In gambler lingo, they were "pot committed" so it made sense not to cancel.

Also, another piece of the puzzle that is difficult to comprehend is Ginn's willingness to move the Orlando event to major status if things don't fall into place once McDonald's departs the scene. Somehow this doesn't make much sense. We'll see what shakes out after a little time passes.

Continue reading "LPGA Ginn Tribute in trouble?"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/spurs_up_one_in_an_instant_cla.

Years from now, every basketball fan in San Antonio will claim to have been one of the almost 19,000 to have witnessed three hour and 21 minute battle royal that started the first round of the 2008 NBA playoffs.

Tim Duncan scored one point shy of his career playoff record of 41 to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a thrilling double overtime win against the Phoenix Suns at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Saturday.

The Suns came in confident and loose. Remember it was only 10 days ago that the Suns came into the AT&T Center and promptly throttled the Spurs by 17.

Early, it was starting to look like a repeat for the Suns as they pushed to a 16 point lead in the first half. The Spurs however, did not fold and pulled to within eight by halftime.

Continue reading "Spurs Up One in an Instant Classic"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/hank_steinbrenner_a_chip_off_t.

Gee, I guees the old saying is right: Rotten apples don't fall far the tree do they?

New York Yankees co-chairknucklehead Hank Steinbrenner is following in his father's footsteps in telling the manager--in this case, Jor Girardi and not Billy Martin, Bob Lemon, Dick Howser, etc.--how to manage his pitching staff.

Hank is insisting--OK, demanding--that the much-hyped Joba Chamberlain should be in the Yankees starting rotation.

"I want him (Joba) as a starter and so does everyone else, including him, and that is what we are working toward and we need him there now. There is no question about it, you don't have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a setup guy. You just don't do that. You have to be an idiot to do that."

Continue reading "Hank Steinbrenner: A Chip Off The Old Blockhead"