Headlines…
Hamilton admits to steroid use, will quit cycling(Actual ESPN headline)
What did you just think after reading that headline? Was it, "Oh my God, Josh Hamilton used steroids?!"? Because that's what I thought. Maybe you are not like me and thought, "Who cares? It's just another cyclist using steroids." But for some reason, my mind went straight to Josh Hamilton. And it makes sense if you think about it. Besides the fact that he had an unbelievably atypical year in terms of power numbers in 2008, coupled with his previous drug abuse and sudden rise to the top, just look at the headline. There aren't many Hamilton's in the world of sports and right now the only one I can think of is Josh, centerfielder for the Texas Rangers. Also, when the headline said "will quit cycling", I thought it meant "would quit his cycling of steroids", not the actual sport. Maybe that's just the way my mind works, baseball-oriented. And in case you were wondering, some cyclist named Tyler Hamilton tested positive for the steroid DHEA. Moving on...
Jim Rome is looking for writers
I was sent this link by my uncle who knows I would like to be a sports writer (well, a paid sports writer. These ads aren't cutting it). Anyway, I applied for the job for posterity's sake. Honestly, I would work unpaid for a place like ESPN. They may not have the greatest journalistic integrity, but they own anything and everything and I would love to get a piece of that pie. I ended up sending the link to Daulerio at Deadspin and he thanked me and posted it. I really should have written a post about it first and then sent it to him. That way I would have gotten some credit and increased traffic. I'm so unselfish. It really is my biggest downfall. Listening ladies? (How about that?)
Greg Paulus will compete for Michigan quarterback job
This story has been around for a few days now but I haven't written about it because I didn't want to believe it was true. Apparently, Greg Paulus, yes, that Greg Paulus, who was a star quarterback in high school, will transfer to Michigan and will compete for the quarterback job. Is has been said that he was one of the greatest high school quarterbacks ever, and was offered a scholarship to Notre Dame. Yet he chose to play basketball for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. Odd choice that we now know how average he is at basketball, basically reduced to a sixth man as a senior this season. The whole "Paulus under center" thing is still up in the air though. A few things would need to go his way like transfer waivers and star recruit injuries. But one thing is certain, Mr. Paulus is here to stay.
*Right now I am wearing the shirt I caught in the stands from last night's Met game. I didn't write about it yesterday because I wrote that post (see below) at midnight, was exhausted, and forgot about it. Which explains why it was so poorly written. Anyway, in between half innings around the sixth, those Met interns with the t-shirt cannons came running out ready to fire 100% polyester missiles at unsuspecting fans. Because I am a lemming, I rose to my feet and begged the young interns to fire it in my direction like the rest of us. Because what I NEEDED at that moment was another t-shirt. Especially a poorly made one. After sending a few into the upper deck and off to the left, one of them sent one up at a 90 degree angle. It was going to fall a few rows behind me so I turned around expecting it to bounce off a few people and land safely in a puddle of beer. If there is one thing everyone knows about projectiles being sent into the stands, very rarely does the first person who touches it first get to keep it. All they get is a lifetime of annoying their friends with stories about how they almost had a foul ball. Sure enough, the t-shirt bounced off about nine sets of hands a fell into the sure hands of myself (I'm an athlete, you see). As I secured it, one guy lunged at me in at attempt to grab it like it was the last Christmas ham. It was not to be as I had my Kung Fu grip on that piece of cloth and not even the Pope was going to take it from me. I held it high in the air, hugged my dad, and received a few token cheers from the section around me. I had it. The t-shirt was mine. And now I sit here wearing it, a Mets logo emblazoned across the front (I feel dirty), "Pepsi T-Shirt Launch 2009 Season" across the back. It will become a dust rag in no time.
Headlines…
Kevin Garnett could miss postseason with knee injury
Boy, does this stick a thorn in the side of the Celtics title hopes. If Garnett is out for the entire postseason, Lebron can crab dribble his way to the Finals. This also makes the Celtics/Bulls first round series that more interesting. The silver lining in all of this is that Boston was 18-7 without Garnett in the lineup. They might be able to fight their way to an Eastern Conference championship appearance, but it looks as if Lebron's road to his first title got substantially easier. But keep your heads up Celtics fans and remember, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
John Madden to retire
This is bad news for Frank Caliendo. His show might be cancell...oh it has? Well, his career is definitely going to take a hi...it's already down the tubes? So I guess this isn't so bad for him. Anyway, I genuinely enjoyed listening to Madden on Monday Night and Sunday Night telecasts. I really didn't care if he stated the obvious, because every one in a while he would hit you with a legitimate piece of insight and wisdom. Something only a man with 900 years in the NFL could offer. Hopefully he stays in the video game business, the man knows what's goo...oh he has no say?
Yankees open up new stadium against Indians at 1ET
wipes away tear. I am going to miss the first couple of innings because I have class. Business Finance if you were wondering. I'm banking on the Yankees having an uber-elaborate, time-consuming introduction ceremony so I miss very little of the game. Coupling that with the fact that Yankees games usually take 4.5 hours, I shouldn't miss any of it. Also, I am going to the Met game tonight. Should be an exciting day, if it wasn't for that stupid Business Finance.
Video of the Day
Boston falls to Oakland 6-5 in 12 innings
With that loss, that puts the Red Sox at 2-6 for the year. I know that the Yankees starting pitching has been shaky lately (Wang), but Boston have been equally as bad, if not worse. Daisuke Matsuzaka has a robust 12.79 ERA in two starts this season and yesterday, he did not even make it to the second inning. Coupled with Jon Lester's 9.00 ERA and Beckett's one start suspension, things are starting to look a little shaky in the Nation. Not to mention they have 65-year old Tim Wakefield taking the ball for tonight's game. Of course, with those type of pitchers, they are sure to turn it around. But with as frail as their offense is, the Sox are going to need every inning out of them. I could write about the struggles of the Red Sox all day. Was that objective?
Baltimore defeats Rangers in extra innings
If the Orioles were in any other division (AL Central), they would be considered a feasible threat. But as well as they are playing so far this season, they is no way they will be able to get through the gauntlet of division rivals that faces them. Arguably, the three best teams in the majors (Tampa Bay, Boston, New York) reside in the AL East and Baltimore has to play them 18 times each this season. I also refuse to believe a team with Koji Uehara as their number two starter will be above .500 when the season ends. Bright Side: Adam Jones for Eric Bedard looks rather nice (Look at his picture).
I'll be back...
Headlines…
Isiah Thomas named head coach of FIU basketball team
Yes, you read that headline right. Isiah Thomas will be the head coach of the Florida International Basketball team. The same Isiah Thomas who destroyed the imminent future of the New York Knicks franchise. The same Isiah Thomas who was accused of sexual harassment by a female co-worker. The same Isiah Thomas who accidentally overdosed on sleeping pills then said it was his daughter who had the overdose. The same Isiah Thomas who has been accused of blatant racism on more than one occasion. Sure, who wouldn't want this guy near young, impressionable minds? Apparently he was FIU's top choice. That athletic director must see a lot of himself in Isiah Thomas because believe me, the whole country sees the same thing.
Beckett gets 6-game suspension for throwing at Abreu
It is six games, but only one start.
Oscar de la Hoya retiring from boxing
It's Tuesday, April 14th, 2009. What are the odds that he is back in the ring by November. I say Las Vegas should start some sort of over/under on this. Because he WILL be back, I guarantee it. He may be a millionaire, but only so much can pay for his, cough wardrobe.
Sources: Giants expected to land Braylong Edwards
So the Giants go from having a wide receiver with holes in his leg, to a wide receiver with holes in his hands. Ba-zing! But in all seriousness, if Edwards can ever stop spraying Pam on his hands and dropping the ball, the Giants will return to Super Bowl form. Wideout is really the only hole in the roster they have (See what I did there?). Hopefully they can pull the trigger on this deal. Okay, now I'm being obnoxious.
I'll be back...

Headlines…
Manny ponders Cleveland reunion
And so it begins. Ramirez, fresh off of signing a two year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles, is already musing on a potential return to the team that drafted him many years ago. How convenient! Considering how he can opt out of his deal with the Dodgers next season. Who am I kidding? He's taking advantage of the system. Well, Scott Boras is. Manny is just saying the right things and hitting the ball far from home plate. (He will at least)
Cabrera takes advantage of miscues, wins Masters
Contrary to what I said yesterday, I actually did watch the final round of the Masters. And I'm glad I did. Not only did Mickelson and Woods stage a maginificant comeback only to come up short, Kenny Perry had a terrific chokejob to blow a chance to wear the green jacket. Up two strokes with two holes to play, Perry bogeyed the final two holes to force a sudden death playoff with Chad Campbell and Angel Cabrera. Cabrera would eventually defeat Perry on the second hole of the playoff to win the Masters. To all those people who have never given golf a chance, watch the replay of yesterday's round. It had suspense, awesome skill, competition, men with ice in their veins, and men who couldn't handle the pressure. It was better than if I had my annual viewing of The Ten Commandments.
Angels defeat Red Sox 5-4
Things got a little testy at Angel Stadium yesterday when Bobby Abreu called time and stepped out of the box. Josh Beckett didn't take too kindly of Abreu's time-calling and hurled the ball near his noodle. And such is baseball, the benches cleared, swearing was encouraged, and there was about five minutes of posturing. In the end, Torii Hunter, Justin Speier, hitting coach Mickey Hatcher, and manager Mike Scioscia were ejected. I think I'll include this story in my book Reasons why I Hate Josh Beckett by Sean Fitzgerald. I'm excited for it's release.
I'll be back...
Headlines…
Connecticut routs Louisville on way to National Championship
I'll assume you were not watching the Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament over the past few weeks (Neither was I), but apparently the Huskies from Connecticut went 39-0 on the season. They were flat out dominate all season. And that is taking nothing away from Louisville who went 34-5 and made it all the way to the final as a three seed. Impressive. It's nice to see the Big East actually live up to its billing as the best conference in the nation. Too bad the men could not respond in kind. They were too busy worrying about declaring for the draft...

Dejuan Blair of Pittsburgh declares for NBA Draft
He may have been the Co-Big East Player of the Year. He may have averaged a double-double for the 2008-2009 season. It may be a thin draft. But this is the wrong move for the sophomore from Pittsburgh. Some players regardless of success in college need as much time in the NCAA as possible. Dejaun Blair is too unrefined as a basketball player to even think about going to the NBA. He's a 6'7 power forward with no jump shot and average passing skills. That skill set barely passes in the developmental league. And that is where he is headed when he inevitably gets drafted in the mid to late second round. Or not at all.

Red Sox defeat Rays on rescheduled Opening Day
There is nothing harder than trying to sound objective when discussing the Red Sox. Even when talking to friends I start out saying things like, "Well Lester looked terrific last night striking out eight and going seven innings". But inside my head I'm screaming, "Red Sox suck! Go Yanks!" But clearly if I said those things, I would be considered a homer and thusly, not objective. That being said, everything went right for the Red Sox yesterday. Beckett went seven innings while yielding only 2 hits and 1 run. Reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia hit a homerun in his first at bat of the season. And god help us, Jason Varitek hit a homerun. It's going to be a long season.

2009 Masters starts tomorrow
I'm not sure what station has been whoring out their coverage of the Masters more, ESPN or CBS. It's essentially a tossup. I remember seeing advertisements for it on CBS back in January. At the same time, it seems as if ESPN has an ad for the Masters every 30 seconds. This year, ESPN has the first two days of the event (the ones most people don't care about), while CBS has Saturday and Sunday (The ones where people say, "Is this almost over? Where's Two and a Half Men). The favorite to win this year, and every year since 1997 is Tiger Woods. However, the Hefty Lefty Phil Mickelson is coming off two straight wins and might have actually lifted a dumbbell since the last Masters (He wasn't really lifting it, he was just moving it out of his way so he could get to the vending machine). And the man with the best accent on the Tour, Padraig Harrington is looking for his third straight major title. Of all the golfers that enjoyed Woods's absense from the Tour last year, Harrington definitely enjoyed it the most. Notching two major titles in 2008 and placing himself among the game's elite.

I'll be back...
Headlines…
NFL Commissioner Goodell wants to extend season
Look, I love the NFL just as much as the next red-blooded American man. But has Goddell ever heard the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"? Unlike the NBA and MLB, the NFL seems to be immune from any distraction. The NBA has been affected by crooked referees and is about to take a major hit from the economy. MLB seems to dig up a new controversy every 18 minutes, whether it be steroids, the World Baseball Classic, or ticket prices. While the NFL sits idly by as the most dominate professional sports league on the planet. Unaffected by steroid suspensions, the economy, or ticket prices (PSL's maybe). Recently they signed a $1 billion contract with DirecTV and currently have multi-billion dollar deals with CBS and FOX. Are more games necessary? Probably not. Whether they do it or not, I won't complain. It just gives me more of an opportunity to be the least productive member of society I can be.

Congress to hold hearings regarding BCS
I thought this was a cute idea back in August when the economy was in toilet and hadn't been flushed yet. Honestly, I enjoy the fact that our President has a political play vested interest in sports. But once Lehman Brothers and Bear Sterns went under and took most of capitalism with it, I was pretty sure we put childish things aside for the time being. There is no question in my mind that there should be a playoff in college football, but can't we worry about that on a later date? It's a moot argument anyway until 2015, ESPN made sure of that. But a committee?! Do we really need a committee? These are elected officials who are getting overpaid to "examine" whether the BCS may or may not be violating antitrust laws. If I had a 401K, I'd be pissed.

Woman faints during live television interview
As soon as the interview began you could tell she was hanging on by a thread. From the vacant expression to the swaying back and forth. She still hung in there like a trooper. Even mid-faint she tried to continue the interview. However, the real professional in this video was the interviewer Wayne. He broke Nikki's fall, laid her down gently, stood up and tossed it back to the studio. All in one fell swoop. The weatherman Justin summed it up best when he assured the viewers, "Wayne's there".
Headline…
Connecticut guard Jerome Dyson to have surgery, out for year
If you don't care about College Basketball, then this doesn't concern you. But this is a really, really big deal for UConn and their hopes for a National Championship. According to an MRI, he tore his lateral meniscus (sounds important) in the second half of Connecticut's win over Syracuse. I can look at this two ways. One being that it's awful for UConn and I hope he recovers quickly and maybe even in time for the tournament. And secondly, Connecticut is playing my Seton Hall Pirates this Saturday. Seton Hall is riding a five game winning streak and will host UConn in front of a packed house (they cover the upper deck seats) at the Prudential Center. So naturally, this can be construed as a good thing for "The Hall". Go Pirates!...and yes, get well soon Jerome.
