“What Just Happened?” Draw Your Own Conclusion

I missed this as it happened last night, but just saw a clip of what is easily one of the worst baseball calls ever-screw The Danny-FIRE TIM McCLELLAND. But of course Bud Selig isn’t going to do anything, he wants those Damn Yankees in the World Series for the ratings it’ll bring in. Oh, I’ll stop ranting long enough to explain what happened-last night in ALCS Game 4 it’s the top of the 5th, there’s 1 out and the Yanks are batting. Nick Swisher hits a grounder to Angels P Darren Oliver. With Jorge Posada heading home, Oliver throws to C Mike Napoli. Posada turns back to 3rd. Rundown. But…at the same time Robinson Cano is heading to 3rd base-we’ve got 2 Yankees at the same base! Napoli, alert to what’s happening, tags Cano right before Robinson realizes what’s happening then alertly tags Posada, who stepped on 3rd then immediately stepped OFF the base. Should be a very crazy double play. BUT…McClelland, who was standing RIGHT THERE, only called Posada out and not Cano. Replays clearly showed Napoli tagged Cano out before the runner stpped on 3rd, then Posada was off the base when tagged. McClelland said he didn’t see Cano get tagged. BS. Looking at the replay a few more times, he saw Cano get tagged before he stepped on the bag. Here’s what McClelland said after the game, according to asapsports.com:

“After looking at replays, I’m not sure I believe the replay of the first one … It showed that Cano was off the bag when he was tagged. I did not see that for whatever reason … I’m just out there trying to do my job and do it the best I can.”

Yes, please have some long & dumbfounded laughs at this egregious show of ineptitude. If there was ever proof that sometimes postseason sports are fixed to get popular teams and players to go to championship series strictly to get high network ratings, this is it. Selig, MLB and Fox all should have their money-grabbing @$$es dragged before Congress and have their antitrust exemption repealed and the FBI needs to do some busting as well. Absolutely unacceptable and then some, even though it seemed to have no real effect on the game’s outcome (the Yanks didn’t score). This is a serious blow to the credibility of the game and a sad sign of how sports are putting the networks and advertisers ahead of who should be first and foremost-the fans. Remember, we the fans are the ones who pay the teams and players so they can play. And if we’re not paying and watching we’re not buying what’s being advertised-it’s a chain reaction and it makes a difference. Don’t believe me? Look at this season in NASCAR. And while we’re at it, let’s get a new commish to replace Selig-someone who has ZERO part of a baseball team and thus no favorable/unfavorable interests outside of his own. Impromptu rant over.

Oh, and before I forget, here’s a link to the video of the play in question:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7078739

Funny Video Of The Day: UFC 101.5-BeanBrawl!

This is how mainstream UFC has gotten-in the wake of Saturday’s UFC 101 event, some sports sites & blogs were mentioning UFC with video of last night’s “beanbrawl” in Boston as tempers between the Tigers & SAWX finally boiled over after a series of beanballs over the last game or two. Rick Porcello beaning Kevin Youkilis was the final straw as Youk charged and Porcello soon scored a nice takedown after a brief clinch. Video after the jump, which also shows the prior beanings that led to this and aftermath, so watch the whole video to see it all (just under 3 minutes).

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200908126053903&c_id=bos

Funny Video Of The Day: The Pierogies Strike Again!

I learned by way of the great “Let Teddy Win!” blog (you can find a link on the right side of the blog) that the Racing Presidents followed the Nats to Pittsburgh this weekend to continue a 2-year-old tradition, and this time they did a 4-team relay race and, not surprisingly, Teddy was again denied. By the Pittsburgh Pierogies, one of which threw a nice body check to level Teddy that perhaps would be worthy of an NHL highlight reel. After the jump is a short clip of the moment (the blog author has the entire race clip but noted on his blog he hasn’t posted it because of copyright concerns, sounds like it was first posted on ESPN.com). Enjoy and be sure to go to blog.letteddywin.com for much more!

Funny Video Of The Day: Let Teddy Win!

I’ll admit it…on the field, the “Natinals” suck this year and ditto for the win column. But there’s one good thing about Nats home games: The President’s Race. A hilarious event at every Nats home game, it takes place in the middle of the 4th inning and it’s fun for all ages as Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson and Roosevelt race from roughly the bullpen to down the first base line with a few predictable (and unpredictable) hijinks along the way. A recent race as well as the beginning of a “Let Teddy Win” campaign can be seen in this short video after the jump…as for the campaign, Teddy has never won a race since the tradition began. The tally to date from the official start in 2006 through Saturday: Lincoln 106 wins, Washington 70 wins, Jefferson 69 wins, Pittsburgh Pierogies 1 win (visitor who stole one on 5/21), Roosevelt SQUADOOSH! 0 wins. It’s become a predictable part of the event yet still enjoyable considering Teddy nearly wins and has fallen victim to a few DQ’s due to illegal yet funny tactics. Anyway, here’s the video…(and by the way, a lot of the stunts you see during the races are impromptu and not planned in advance)

The End Of The Final Act(a) In DC: He’s Out

If you had July 12 in your office pool, you win. That was the date that my Washington Nationals finally pulled the trigger on manager Manny Acta. Fired. Read on for my quick take and thoughts on the news that broke overnight.

Funny Video Of The Day: Fowl Ball!

If you missed the end of the Kansas City-Cleveland game last night, which the Tribe won 4-3 in 10, you missed Shin-Soo Choo’s game winning hit, with an assist credited to a rogue flock of seagulls. And they thought the Lake Erie midges were bad! Video from mlb.com after the jump:

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5006293

(Currently I’m not able to put it in the vodpod) It’s hard to see but it bounces off a seagull that makes a crash landing afterwards as Coco Crisp and one of the Royals infielders exchange hand signals of disbelief. Easily future MLB Bloopers material.

Funny News Item Of The Day: Minnesota Governor Signs New Vikings QB!

Since it seems Brett Favre won’t be un-retiring to play for the Vikings this upcoming NFL season, outgoing Minnesota Governor Tom Pawlenty, who announced he won’t run for a 3rd term yesterday, opened that up with this statement (from Yahoo Sports via The Star Tribune in Minneapolis):

“Good afternoon. Thanks for coming to the announcement that, in light of the Brett Favre situation and its unsettling impact on the people of Minnesota, I am signing an executive order requiring St. Paul native Joe Mauer, in addition to catching for the Twins, to also play quarterback for the Vikings.

“These are tough times, Joe, and everybody has to dig deep.”

Mauer, who played quarterback at Cretin-Derham Hall, smiled at the thought as he got ready for batting practice, saying, “I’ve got enough on my plate.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/46771217.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqCP:iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr
(Scroll about halfway down)

Yo Joe, Bo Knows it can be done, so don’t use that as an excuse! (I of course refer to the first 2-sport star, Bo Jackson, who would be followed in the feat by “Neon” Deion Sanders and Michael Jordan) Probably won’t happen despite said order but we’ll see. It would be fun.

Rant: Frank Wren Puts Finances Ahead Of Fans, And That’s Bad Business

If you’re a fan of, among perhaps other teams, the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves, you know the name Frank Wren. He’s been GM of the Orioles and is currently the Braves GM and shocked quite a few in baseball today when he released 300-game winner Tom Glavine. They claimed it was due to what was best for the team…which allows me to claim groungs for a short-notice rant.

Rant: Sports Must Stop Selling Out To Madison Avenue

The past week-plus has really made me sick. Not just physically (as usual) but mentally, and especially with what’s been happening in the NBA, NHL, and more recently MMA. It seems to me that, at least during the postseason, sports isn’t doing what is in the best interest of the fans, but more like the ad execs who annoy us to death because of all the commercials, among other things. And I can’t stand that. Time to rant.

My Thoughts On The Week In Baseball, 5/25-6/1

Back to just baseball this week, a fairly busy and exciting week on the diamond, time to offer my thoughts on it all.

A Night In Birdland: My Recap Of Last Night’s Orioles-Tigers Game

It was, at least weather-wise, a PERFECT night for baseball in Birdland, which is better known to us as Oriole Park At Camden Yards in Baltimore. The Orioles were playing the 3rd game of 4 against the Detroit Tigers, and this was Day 2 of the Matt Wieters era and there was a chance for history-Wieters was looking for his first major league hit. Would he get it? Would the O’s win? Would I have a great time? Click below to find out.

Funny Video Of The Day: Carlos Zambrano Lets His Temper Get The Better Of Him Again

After getting Das Boot in Wednesday’s (I think) Cubs-Pirates game, “Big Z” let his infamous temper get the better of him. But, as always, it made for great entertainment. Click the link below for the video or check it out in the vodpod. Enjoy.

http://sports.yahoo.com/video/player/mlb/News/13701204

(FYI: It got him suspended for 6 games)

My Thoughts On The Week In Sports, 5/12-5/18

Once again instead of doing a week in baseball post there’s a lot happening elsewhere in sports that I wanted to offer my take on. Here we go…

No More Manny Being Manny-Ramirez Busted!

ESPN just broke the monumental shocker-Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez is going to be suspended by baseball today. Performance-enhancing drugs. First time, so that means 50 games. The full story:

Major League Baseball is expected to announce Thursday that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended for 50 games, The Los Angeles Times is reporting.

Ramirez’s test result and suspension are expected to be announced Thursday, The Times said.

Citing a source familiar with the matter, The Times reported Ramirez is expected to say the positive test results were a result of medication received from a doctor for a personal medical issue.

If his suspension begins Thursday, Ramirez would be eligible to return to the Dodgers’ lineup for their July 3 game against San Diego.

Triple-A outfielder Xavier Paul has been told by the Dodgers that he will be promoted later today, according to The Times.

In his first full season as a Dodger, Ramirez is batting .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs. Los Angeles has bolted to a 21-8 record — best in the majors — and a 13-0 record at home that set the modern major league record for home winning streak to start a season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4148907

My first reaction was a huge “HOLY S**T!” Was I totally caught off guard by this? Not really. With stats like this and his attitude you had to figure he was on to something, but it still is something of a shock. Not only will this KILL the Dodgers after their fast start but it’s going to be another big blow to baseball because, like him or hate him, Manny is/was still a big box office draw. Some in Boston won’t complain but for most in the NL it’s one less reason to see the Dodgers over the next 2 months and it will be a real test as to what this team really is made of.

More thoughts from me maybe later when the whole “shock & awe” thing dies down. Sure bolts you back to life during a dull day.

UDPATE: Since the suspension is without pay, this is going to cost Ramirez, by my quick math, $7,716,050 in salary. His $25 million salary this year breaks down to roughly $154,321 per game (rounded up).

UPDATE 2: He won’t appeal the suspension. Manny also issued a statement confirming he recently saw a physician for a health issue and was given a medication, not a steroid, but the medication was on the banned substances list. After consultation with the Players’ Association and his personal representatives, Ramirez waived his right to challenge the suspension.

My Thoughts On The Week In Baseball, 4/27-5/4

It’s been a while since I did this but it was another interesting week in baseball, click below to read some of my thoughts & observations on the week that was.