Archive for June, 2009
The head coaching vacancy of the Minnesota Wild has been filled by Todd Richards, most recently an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks. Fans of the Wild are in for a culture shock as Richards most likely will install an aggressive, attacking style that will be on the opposite end of the spectrum compared to former head coach Jacque Lemaire’s defense-first, neutral zone trap, grind-it-out style of play.
“He’s a great fit to turn the style around,” said agent Ben Hankinson, Richards’ former Gophers and minor league hockey teammate. “He plays aggressive, offensive hockey. Opposed to the way the Wild has played, it’ll be pretty refreshing and entertaining.
Indeed. As a Wild fan myself, I have to say that while I admired and respected Jacques Lemaire and enjoyed listening to him talk hockey in his oddly entertaining way of speaking in his unique French-Canadian accent (or-gun-eye-zay-shun, der’s no douwt), I am looking forward to seeing what this Richards fellow has planned.
• MLB Roundup. Milwaukee’s six-run eighth inning included a grand slam by Prince Fielder, who had a career-high six RBI, propelled the Brewers to a 14-12 slugfest victory over the Indians. The Angels scored seven runs in the fourth inning to storm out to an 8-0 lead but allowed San Francisco back in, yet still held on to defeat the Giants 9-7. [MLB.com Scoreboard]
• Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre. The Gunslinger made an appearance on Joe Buck Live on HBO last night and, not surprising anyone with half a brain, admitted he is interested in joining the Vikings this season. More on this story here on the Sportress later I’m sure. [Star Tribune]
• NHL. A bankruptcy judged rejected the proposed sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsille, who intended to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario, ensuring the Coyotes organization will be forced to wander the desert for many years to come. [NHL.com/AP]
• “Dude, I can’t believe my roommates stole some of my shit. I’m gonna call the cops, but whatever you do, don’t mention the meth lab when they get here.” Clearly not the sharpest knife on the tree, a 33-year-old man in Hanceville, Alabama is facing charges for manufacturing of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a controlled substance after he called the police who discovered a working meth lab in the house. Oh, and they couldn’t substantiate his claims that his roommates stole anything. Separate incidents? “Well, I guess we can close the file on that one.”
For those of you who aren’t aware by now, HBO has something pretty special on tonight. That’s right, on HBO2 The Bucket List is on at 9:00 Eastern Standard Time. If you haven’t seen it, watch the film – it is a hoot!
• Major League Baseball. Milwaukee Brewers at Cleveland Indians. Ha ha, real funny, ESPN. Those are obviously made-up teams. [ESPN, 7:00 ET]
• College World Series. LSU vs. Arkansas. Experience the ping in high definition. [ESPN2, 7:00 ET]
• Basic Cable Movie of the Night. Rocky III. My prediction for tonight: pain. [Versus, 8:00 ET]
• A Post From The Future. Oh, and there just might be something on HBO tonight that some of you might find interesting. More on that later.
It’s 4:19, You Gotta Minute? (June 15th)
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• Don Cherry and an octopus on video. Can’t get much better than that. [Total Pro Sports]
• Wysh breaks down ESPN’s coverage of the Stanley Cup Final. [Puck Daddy]
• In case you missed it, a transcript of the Trent Green retirement press conference. [Style Points]
• New York Yankees pitcher Brian Bruney has some interesting opinions of people. [The Rookies]
• Chris Berman doesn’t care what you think, he’s going to continue to be an irritating prick. [Awful Announcing]
• Who’s up for some naked rugby! No one? Good. [With Leather]
• This photo of Christian Ronaldo ain’t right. Head on over to The Sporting Blog for more information.
And believe me, if she had been there, we would have certainly been able to see her.
An estimated 375,000 fans flooded the streets of downtown Pittsburgh today to celebrate the Penguins’ Stanley Cup victory. And we’re happy for them, aren’t we? Real great. Super. The moment even appeared to move Sidney Crosby.
As he did after Game 7, Crosby lifted the cup above his head and told the crowd today was better than he ever dreamed. He sounded choked-up as he thanked the crowd and the ownership for giving the team a chance to win every year.
Ha ha. What a pussy. There is only one thing in this world that should cause a man to get choked up and that’s a touching episode of Highway to Heaven. Victor French and Michael Landon, God bless you both.
Oh man, it must be getting a little dusty in here. Let’s move on.
Photos of the parade and festivities after the jump.
Bill Laimbeer, four-time All-Star during his NBA career with the Detroit Pistons and noted “Bad Boy” will be resigning as coach of the Detroit Shock of the WNBA after a six-and-a-half year stint.
Laimbeer is the second WNBA coach to suddenly resign at the start of this season. Four days before the season began, Minnesota Lynx coach Don Zierden resigned to join Flip Saunders’ staff in the NBA with the Washington Wizards.
Very suspicious indeed, but I think I know what’s going on here. Word on the street is the entire coaching fraternity of the WNBA is about to get rocked with controversy when the guy depicted in the video below comes out with his tell-all sexpose book, Air Balls and Backdoor Cuts: My Life As A WNBA Head Coach Groupie:
• Glad He’s Dead: Mickey Mantle. It’s about time someone takes that guy down a peg. Nicely done, Business_Socks. [Style Points]
• Scott Van Pelt is new voice for Tiger Woods 2010. Thank God for mute buttons. [Awful Announcing]
• Nick Faldo was knighted. Big deal. You should see me down at Medieval Times. They love me there. [Devil Ball Golf]
• Orlando columnist writes insanely shitty article about the Magic. [The Rookies]
• Peter King has some books he would like you to read. I’m surprised The Long and Magical History of Gravy wasn’t among them. [Kissing Suzy Kolber]
Officials will reportedly be cracking down on excessive grunting and groaning by players at Wimbledon this year.
But that could all be about to change as tennis officials are considering a ban emitting too much noise.
As it stands players can have a point awarded against them if the umpire feels they have hindered an opponent.
However new proposals to make noise hindrance part of the International Tennis Federation’s code of conduct, could mean grunters could potentially forfeit a whole game or match.
Well that seems a bit harsh. Apparently, Maria Sharapova is one of the worst offenders, whose shrieks can reach 101 decibels.
Remember, if you’re not rioting, you’re not a real fan.
Photos of the mayhem after the jump.
Yeah, Good Luck With All That, Broncos
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Everything’s coming up Orton, baby!
Broncos’ pick for starting QB: Orton [The Denver Post]
• NBA Finals. Yay, the Lakers won. Yippee. Los Angeles beat Orlando 99-86 for their 15th title and Kobe’s 4th, his first without Shaquille O’Neal as a wingman. Bryant scored 30 points, Lamar Odom had 17 and Pau Gasol finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds. [NBA.com]
• MLB Roundup. The Yankees took two out of three over the weekend from the Mets, winning Sunday 15-0. Cleveland’s Cliff Lee pitched a three-hit shutout as the Indians beat the Cardinals 3-0. Jared Weaver pitched his first career shutout and Juan Rivera hit two homers in the Angels’ 6-0 victory over the Padres. [MLB.com Scoreboard]
• PGA Tour. Brian Gay won for the second time in five events and earned a spot at the U.S. Open this week with a five-stroke victory at the St. Jude Classic. [PGATour.com]
• The best part is when they asked him if he needed help he said “no.” “A 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being naked near a high school on Lake Tahoe’s east shore.” On suspicion? The hell? Apparently, students found the freelance writer tied face-down on the rock. When asked by authorities what he was doing, the man said he was watching some buzzards flying overhead…wait, wasn’t he face down? This story makes no sense at all. [Yahoo!/AP]
Wow, big week on the Sportress, but to be honest with you, I’m looking forward to having a few days off and enjoy the weekend. A little golf, a little yardwork, a couple of drinks…
Shit, I’m getting old.
Anyway, here’s what was covered on S.O.B. this week.
Photo courtesy of Deadspin
The Sporting News has a recurring feature called “My Profile”, which claims to provide information about professional athletes and others from the sporting world that has the tagline “What you won’t find on Facebook … even if you’re approved as a friend.”
Well, jumpin’ Jesus on a pogo stick! They have my undivided attention now!
The most recent edition of My Profile was on Mark Buehrle and I’m here to report that the White Sox pitcher comes off as a pretty boring redneck that watches some pretty crappy television shows.
For the first time in the Sportress’ short history, tonight’s “Stuff To Tune In To” will only have one thing to watch:
GAME 7 OF THE STANLEY CUP FINALS. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS AT DETROIT RED WINGS. LIVE FROM JOE LOUIS ARENA. 8:00 ET ON NBC!!
This one’s for all the marbles, baby. If you have never taken in a Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Finals, get ready to get blown away by the intensity and desperation. And the HD! Oh, the sweet, sweet High Definition – no sport is better suited to take advantage of HD than hockey – but you readers are intelligent folks so you know that already.
Moving on, in order to get informed, primed and ready for tonight’s action, head on over to Puck Daddy, where it has been wall-to-wall Stanley Cup Finals coverage all week by the best in the business.
And if a liveblog is something that captures your fancy, take a trip over to Melt Your Face Off right before the drop of the puck. You shan’t be disappointed, ladies and gents.
That’s all you need to know. Carry on.
