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TOP STORIES - MAY 9, 2007 Get your NFL football tickets now at TickCo. They have all team Cardinals tickets, Cowboys tickets, Packers tickets, Colts tickets, Patriots tickets, Titans tickets and more. Get your Super Bowl tickets here! 2007 FANTASY BASEBALL RANKINGS ARE HERE: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF (AL) | OF (NL) | SP (AL) | SP (AL) | RP ON-DEMAND, WITH A CATCH: We all know that there isn't much on-demand content you can access on the internet these days without having to sit through an ad first. Well, guess what - the fast forward button on your cable-provided box is fair game as well. In what is considered an experiment, homes in Southern California will be able to access ABC College Football, as well as other network shows such as Lost and Ugly Betty, on a free on-demand basis. But there is a catch - the fast forward button on your remote will be disable, forcing viewers to watch the commercials and eliminating the option of moving forward to a later portion of the show or game. The arrangement will cover only ABC programming on the video-on-demand platform and won't affect subscribers with DVR's - they will still be able to zip through the ads. According to estimates, in five years more than half of all homes with TVs will be equipped with DVR's, making the industry's challenge to protect ad revenue more urgent. YANKEES BAN BEER IN CLUBHOUSE: The rapid re-evaluation of alcohol in MLB clubhouses continues - the Yankess had already banned beer in the home clubhose, in the last week at least a dozen teams have changed policy or are considering changes. RICKEY CONSIDERING ONE LAST COMEBACK: Now 48 and eligible for the Hall of Fame following the 2008 season, Rickey Henderson is inspired by Roger Clemens latest comeback, and plans to put out a release at the end of the season asking for a tryout in spring training 2008. Rickey has been inactive since a stint in a California independent league two years ago that ended with no MLB takers. However even Rickey admits that 'he's probably through'. SABRES/SENS - ENOUGH SAID: If you only watch one hockey playoff series every five years, simply do not like each other. THE $46 MILLION A-BALL PITCHER: They say they are budgeting more, but no one still throws money away quite like the New York Yankees. Unhappy with the release point of Japanese International Kei Igawa, the team sends the left-hander to the minors. But it wasn't to Columbus, or even Trenton, Kei gets sent all the way down to A-ball Tampa. Never has a team invested so much in trying to win a Florida State League title. You would think that Kei was still better than most of the pitchers with the major-league team in the Tampa area. CAPPS PUNISHMENT, FOUR GAMES: Capps denies intent, calls ejection/suspension/fine as judgemental call. You can't prove anything, but plunk someone immediately after a three-run homer and you are considered guilty.  PRINCE RESPONDS TO 'BUSH LEAGUE' CHARGE: Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit referred to Fielder's expletive-laden shouts towards Matt Capps after scoring Sunday as bush league. Prince's response??? 'Obviously, he wasn't at the game before. I don't know where he was. Honestly, his opinion doesn't really matter to me. That's his opinion. Freedom of speech.' And about why he DIDN'T charge that mound after getting plunked by Capps - 'What good is it going to do for me to fight during a game and get suspended? What good is that to my team? If I'm going to take care of business, I'd rather do it off the clock. Why do it at my job?'DAVID ORTIZ DEFENDS BONDS: Says no matter what #25 may have been using, he still has to swing the bat. Also says Bud Selig should be in the ballpark when BB breaks the record (I agree), saying that Bud's inconclusive comments are only making things worse.  FORMER TIGER ARRESTED ON DEADBEAT CHARGES: Former outfielder Ron LeFlore arrested while in the middle of signing autographs for failure to pay at least $48,000 in child support. LeFlore was also once served a warrant for his arrest on similar charges just before he was to participate in ceremonies following the final Tiger Stadium game in 1999. LeFlore is best remembered for reaching the majors after doing a prison stint after being charged with armed robbery as a teenager. Then Detroit manager Billy Martin discovered LeFlore during a prison game, and got him for a tryout, which was able to meet LeFlore's conditions for parole. The story later became documented in a 1978 made-for-TV movie.AHMAD CARROLL WAIVED: I told you the underachieving cornerback took a major step getting a one-way ticket out of the league for good after landing in the hokey the other night, the bright side of the matter is the Toronto Argonauts now have another prime free agent to target. No wonder Theismann wants to disown himself of ever being part of that organization. The Jaguars quick release of Carroll is possibly the first fallout of Commissioner Roger Goodell's new edict that the teams will now have responsibility over their players behavior. Incidentally, Carroll's arrest marked the fifth involving a Jaguars player since last September, at least one of which a player blamed on Jacksonville police having a vendetta against NFL players. OK, then how does explain a player getting busted in Tampa, a player getting booked in Tennessee, and now a player busted in the A-T-L. MLB DRAFT COMING TO TV: While at least portions the NBA, NHL, and NFL drafts have been televised for years, Major League Baseball's annual June Amateur draft has continued to be conducted behind closed doors. That all changes next month, as ESPN2 will offer coverage of the first four hours of the draft. Teams have five minutes each to make first round selections. In case you are not familiar with the proceedings, the MLB draft is unique in that high school as well as college players are drafted, and unlike NFL and NBA - the players do not have to declare first, and high school players can decline the offer and accept a college scholarship offer instead. Also, teams frequently do not select the best player available, 'signability' is often a key issue. The elite prospects often sign with high-profile agents, scaring many budget-minded teams away and allowing the prospect to slip until selected by a deep pocketed team such as the Cubs or Red Sox. Also, it is not a worldwide draft, although that has been negotiated in recent years. Only U.S. or Canadian prospects are eligible for the draft. Latin American players are free agents, and the cream of that crop usually winds up being courted by the big market teams as well. The draft also lasts a maximum 50 rounds, although things start wrapping things up much earlier when teams pass on making late draft selections after an organization feels that they have selected enough worthwhile players.  NEW STRIKEOUT KING IN NCAA SOFTBALL: I'm actually a little bummed about this because I had Alabama's Lauren Parker selected in Beat The Streak yesterday. Tennessee's Monica Abbott struck out six Bama hitters Sunday to become college softball's all-time leading strikeout pitcher, besting Cat Osterman's record of 2,265. Cat was working the game as an ESPN analyst. Abbott also became the winningest pitcher in NCAA history earlier this year and is 40-2 on the season, giving her 179 wins while at Knoxville. At one point during her career, Tennessee pitching held the opposition scoreless for 75 2/3 innings. On the downside, Abbott did also plunk a batter during the game, which I thought was uncalled for. Just because Matt Capps throws beanballs doesn't mean it has to filter into the women's softball world. Look for Abbott to get drafted by the Mariners, be handled with kid gloves, and still throw her elbow out.AMAECHI SAYS FIVE PERCENT HAVE BEEN A BITCH: Amaechi told a GOP gay organization that he steeled himself for a torrent of negativity that never materialized to the extent that he thought, saying 'I underestimated America. I braced myself for the wrath of a nation under God.' Amaechi added that in fact 95 percent of those he's heard from since coming out have been overwhelmingly positive while the other five percent have been 'unbelievably, viscerally, frighteningly negative' Ameaechi has said however that the NBA world seems less supportive, while many of his former Penn St. comments have kept in touch, every single one of his former NBA connections have bothered to contact him since the announcement. Amaechi also wonders why NBA.com never bothered to cover his story. I can answer that one, because the official sites of the teams/leagues like to sugarcoat their stories, in fact the NBA/NHL/MLB sites (NASCAR.com is an exception) do their best to censor anything involving arrests, on-field-fights, potentially controversial subjects, etc., if MLBAM were around in 1947 they may have swept the Jackie Robinson story under the rug. WILL NFL DRAFT SOON BE THREE DAY SHOW??? The first round would be held on Friday night, with the remainder on Saturday and Sunday. The speculation comes as reports come in that ESPN pulled a 5.0 for it's first round coverage, the second highest number of any program in that networks history. By comparison ESPN averages a 2.8 for Sunday Night Baseball. ESPN's 5.0 is even more impressive considering the draft was also showing on NFL Network. In fact the biggest concern is at one point in the not-so-distant future the league may choose to put the draft (as they have already done with the Senior Bowl and the combine) exclusively on NFL Network. POSSIBLE HANCOCK FALLOUT??? If you are a basebal junkie and listen to the ESPN radio broadcast of Sunday Night Baseball, you would know that Dave Campbell and play-by-play man Dan Schulman are a must listen - and good reason to turn the sound down on TV. But both announcers did not appear on the Phillies v. Giants game last night, replaced by Dusty Baker and a different play-by-play man, no reason was given for why Campbell or Schulman were not on. Obviously Campbell was in the news this week over being with Josh Hancock at a bar before Hancock's fatal car wreck - so I'm guessing ESPN might want Campbell to lay low for a while until the media frenzy calms down. Why Schulman was also bumped this week is somewhat a mystery, although both announcers usually take a week or two off during the season. This may or may not be a story.  PRINCE'S REVENGE: Two absolutely mammoth home runs, followed by scoring the winning run and getting to talk some serious trash (lip readers delight) at Pirate reliever Matt Capps. Check out the video above of Prince getting beaned by Capps the previous night - note the Brewers dugout, they were (Geoff Jenkins in particular) ready to come out en masse, one of those team bonding moments.CLEMENS BACK IN THE GAME: Makes suprise announcement from press box during Yankees game - including luxury tax costs, Clemens is expected to cost the Yankees $26 million for what will be about four months worth of work. Interesting that Rocket chooses team almost as out of it as the Astros, but makes sense when considering Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter are considered to be his best friends - not to mention I don't think there would be room in a cramped Fenway clubhouse for the egos of Schilling, K-Dice, AND Rocket. LONG POTTY BREAK!?!? With his team facing elimination from the playoffs, Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo was conspicuous by his absence for the first four minutes of the first overtime in Anaheim the other night. Robby is still not giving a straight answer on why he didn't answer the bell at the start of the period - TV cameras captured Luongo scrambling frantically to get his equipment on. A Thurman Thomas moment or a long trip to the mens room??? Inquiring minds want to know. UFC WANTS PIECE OF MAYWEATHER: UFC president wants to make a multi-million dollar offer to Floyd Mayweather, after the undefeated boxers numerous putdowns of UFC in the leadup towards Mayweather's title fight with Oscar De La Hoya. UFC wants to pair Mayweather with it's lightweight champion Sean Sherk. Mayweather defeated De La Hoya in a split-decision Saturday night, which earned Mayweather $10 million plus a cut of the pay-per-view revenue which will likely double that figure. UFC says they are willing to match that figure to get Floyd in the hexagon. Meanwhile Mayweather (38-0) claims that he is retired, there will be no rematch with ODLH and no forays into UFC. I seriously doubt Floyd would do UFC for all the tea in China, but you have to think Mayweather and ODLH eventually have a rematch, both can take the monster paydays from that and then both retire quite nicely.  FORMER PACKER ARRESTED IN A-T-L: Ahmad Carroll is on the Jacksonville Jaguars payroll these days, but took a major step towards being out of the league for good after being arrested on felony drug and weapons charges. Carroll, still only 23, was questioned after being identified out as someone involved during a disturbance at an Atlanta restaurant. Carroll acknowledged to authorities that he was carrying a 9mm pistol. Police then searched his car and found 11 pink tablets believed to be ecstasy. Carroll was released on $7,000 bond.SIDNEY PONSON SPEAKS ON HANCOCK DEATH: This story hit on pitcher from a couple of angles - first Ponson has had his own problems with alcohol in his career and spent time in rehab in 2005, Ponson says he hasn't driven drunk since. Sid was also a teammate of Hancock with the Cardinals last year, and also witnessed a tragedy when Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler collapsed in his arms in 2003, Bechler would eventually die from heat stroke brought on by the use of ephendrine. Ponson mentioned that he did go out with Hancock on a couple of occasions last year, but in his opinion did not show the signs of someone with a potential alcohol problem. MARINERS PITCHER LANDS IN NYC TROUBLE: Reliever Julio Mateo arrested Saturday following a dispute at a Manhattan hotel that left a female companion needing five stitches to her mouth. Earlier reports identified the women as Mateo's wife but now that is not clear. Mateo did not show up for his team's game in Yankee Stadium, and the team was unaware of his whereabouts. Mateo was sent down to AAA immediately after the game. HANCOCK WAS DRUNK: Medical examiner says there was nothing that could had been done for Hancock, who was dead within seconds from massive head and chest injuries. Hancock was not wearing a seat belt but police said the crash was so severe that it would not had mattered. Hancock was driving 68 in a 55 MPH zone, was said to be on his cell phone, his blood alcohol was .157, and 8.55 grams of marijuana and a glass pipe was found in the vehicle. FOLEY PLEADS GUILTY, LAWYER SAYS IT'S OFFICERS TURN TO GET HIS: Former linebackers career effectively ended when rookie off-duty Coronado officer Aaron Mansker shot him three times in front of Foley's home clear across town. Foley now walks with a limp. Foley was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to pay a $1,756 fine. Foley's lawyer then had a message for Mansker, saying 'His justice is coming. (Foley) has taken responsibility for the crime he committed, the system has imposed the proper punishment on him, and now it's time for the officer and the city of Coronado to take responsibility for what happened that night.' Foley has been arrested at least five times during his eight-year NFL career, including an April 2006 incident in which he was booked on suspicion of resisting arrest after a scuffle with police officers in San Diego. WHO LET VICK'S DOGS OUT??? Guy says he's never been to a home that he actually owns, does that raise a red flag??? While Vick says he's not involved in dog fighting, a website shed light on his interest in breeding through a business known as 'Mike Vick K-9 Kennels.' The site, www.VicksK9Kennels.com, said Vick specializes in breeding registered puppies ranging from rare pit bull terriers to 'the highly intelligent and powerful Presa Canario.' It also contains a disclaimer that none of its dogs were used for fighting, adding that they do not promote, support, or raise dogs for fighting and will not knowingly sell, give, or trade any dog that may be used for fighting. The site emphasizes that the dogs are 'family pets' and that the puppies are socialized and home-raised. FACENDA FAMILY SUES NFL: He has become one of those persons who has become bigger in death than he ever was in life, John Facenda's last narration for NFL Films was Super Bowl 18 - that was 23 years ago, and shortly before the legendary announcers death. But before cashing out, it is said that Facenda signed a statement indicating that his voice cannot be used or reproduced without compensation. Now John Facenda Jr. has won a ruling against the NFL involving a case where Facenda's voice is heard for 14 seconds in what amounts as a 30-minute commercial that appeared on the NFL Network about the development of the Madden video game. The league contends that the program was a documentary and not an advertisement. The Facenda family is also going after Campbell's Soups over a voice sounding like Facenda's which appearred in last year's Chunky Soup campaign. John Facenda Jr's lawyer says his client doesn't want to wake up one day and hear his fathers voice advertising condoms. If he surfed the radio dial long enough he probably would, his voice is all over the place, especially at the local level. MLB TEAMS RETHINKING CLUBHOUSE BEER POLICY: When you get down to it, how many workplaces allow drinking on the job site. More shockingly, not only beer - but often hard liquor is served during team charters. But in the aftermath of Josh Hancock, reports from around baseball have teams re-evaluating one of baseball clubhouse's time-honored traditions. Says a spokesman for one team, 'an incident like (Hancock) heightens awareness and calls for reconsideration of the alternatives' In the wake of an arrest involving a team member last year, the Oakland A's last year decided to ban beer in both the home as well as visiting clubhouses. Bobby Valentine also once had a no-alcohol policy in the Texas Rangers clubhouse in the early 1990's. Valentine later bargained with his team and said he would lift the ban if the team won ten games in a row, the Rangers would soon after rip off a 14-game winning streak. In another development the toxicology report in regards to Hancock's death may come out on Friday - often those results take weeks to be performed. LIVERPOOL KEEPER SCORED ON AT HOME: In soccer parlance, goalkeeper Jose Reina had a clean sheet during the second leg of Liverpool's Cracker Jack of a Champions League semi-final tie with Chelsea Tuesday night - for 120 minutes he protected his net as though it were made of gold. His team scored the tying tally in the aggregate goal series early, then Reina stopped two of three enemy shots in the penalty kick competition to send Liverpool the finals of European football's most prestigeous club competition, where they can knock off Milan for what would be the second time in three years. Unfortunately, things didn't go nearly as well for Reina at home - you see, someone scored a clinical strike and robbed his home during the game. And it isn't like Reina does not have company, four of his teammates as well as a player for in-city rival Everton, have all been robbed in the last year. You will never walk alone, just don't leave your house alone. Have these guys ever heard of guard dogs??? Someone give them Michael Vick's phone #. On the bright side, there was less fan rowdiness in the combined four games of the semi-final round than during the cool-down lap at Talladega. |
