Archive for November, 2009
Shocking: Albert Pujols Wins NL MVP Award
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In one of the least surprising MVP announcements of recent memory, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols has unanimously won his second straight National League Most Valuable Player award by receiving all 32 first place votes. It was the third MVP of Pujols’ career, and he became only the fourth player to achieve that remarkable feat and became the first unanimous NL MVP since Barry Bonds in 2002.
Pujols led the majors in home runs (47), runs (124), slugging percentage (.658) and intentional walks (44), and topped the NL in on-base percentage (.443). He was second in the league in doubles (45) and third in batting average (.327) and RBIs (135).
He was especially dangerous with the bases loaded, going 10 for 17 with five grand slams, three doubles and 35 RBIs.
Impressive stats, to be sure, but can you imagine what Pujols will be able to accomplish now that Mark McGwire will be his hitting coach? We’re talking about crazy stats here, people.
Albert Pujols wins 2nd straight NL MVP award [SI/AP]
• Yeah, that has “bad idea” written all over it. [Melt Your Face Off]
• Kevin Garnett doesn’t want to talk about his bad knee anymore. [Ball Don't Lie]
• Good stuff: Peyton Manning in the “Accidental Racist.” [Kissing Suzy Kolber]
• Six-year-old football players lays the smack down. [With Leather]
• The 10 best NHL players of the last decade. [Puck Daddy]
40-year-old Dwayne Roloson turned aside 58 shots – the most saves by a goalie in the NHL in almost 20 years – in the Islanders’ 4-3 overtime victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The last goalie to eclipse that mark was when Ron Tugnutt made 70 saves for the Quebec Nordiques, which aren’t even a team anymore for you non-NHL folks.
Roloson casually downplayed his performance after the game:
“To me, it’s just another night, another game,” Roloson said. “It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s one shot or 100 shots, I’ve got to do the same things, try to give my team a chance to win.”
Of course, Roloson is a pretty humble guy and would never talk smack like that. And I guess in retrospect, he shouldn’t gave gloated anyway, considering the Islanders were playing the Maple Leafs, the losingest losers who have ever losered. With the point earned by getting the game into overtime, Toronto managed to stay tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for a share of the worst record in the NHL. Boy, that Brian Burke sure looks like a genius in the GM position now. But don’t worry, Maple Leafs fans, I’m sure Burke has a plan. All you have to do is remain patient for another four or five years, which is nothing for you guys, right? No? Oh.
Dwayne Roloson stops 58 shots as New York islanders beat Maple Leafs [New York Daily News]
Clearing the way for the abandoned stadium to the site of the most kick-ass house party of all time, a judge has approved the sale of the Pontiac Silverdome to a Canadian company for $583,000.
The Lions abandoned the 80,300-seat Silverdome in 2002, when they moved to Detroit’s Ford Field. Pontiac has been spending $1.5 million a year to maintain the largely unused stadium.
Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Edward Sosnick refused Monday to grant a preliminary injunction to Silver Stallion Corp., which made a $20 million offer for the Silverdome last year.
The Canadian company that purchased the stadium probably has far more practical ideas in mind on how to utilize the Silverdome, but if they don’t opt to use it for huge bashes, they are totally missing the boat on a great idea. Picture it: it would be just like the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, without all the rape and rivers of raw sewage.
Judge clears $583,000 Pontiac Silverdome sale [Yahoo!/AP]
• NFL. Tennessee Titans 20, Houston Texans 17. With less than one minute remaining, Rob Bironas nailed a 53-yard field goal as the Titans won their fourth consecutive game after starting the season 0-6. [Yahoo!/AP]
• NHL. New York Rangers 7, Columbus Blue Jackets 4. Marian Gaborik scored two goals and had two assists as the Rangers rallied back from a 2-0 first period deficit. [NHL.com Scoreboard]
• NBA. Memphis Grizzlies 116, Sacramento Kings 105. Rudy Gay scored 24 points and O.J. Mayo scored 20, sending Sacramento to their fourth-straight loss. [NBA.com Scoreboard]
• Gang in Peru accused of killing people so they could harvest their fat and sell it to cosmetics makers. Four Peruvians were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, murder and trafficking in human fat after authorities discovered soda and water bottles filled with human fat. Police believe they may have killed dozens of people. Crazy Peruvian fat-harvesting gangsters. When will they ever learn? [Yahoo!/Reuters]
• Monday Night Football. Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans. Not the best matchup, but it might wind up being a pretty good game. Further, did you know that the Tennessee Titans used to be the Houston Oilers? Crazy, huh? [ESPN, 8:30 ET]
• NHL Hockey. Detroit Red Wings at Nashville Predators. A word to the wise: stay tuned for the intermission reports with the Versus studio crew. It will make you feel pretty good about yourself. [Versus, 7:00 ET]
• College Basketball. O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic: Iowa vs. Texas. I’m telling you, there is nothing more prestigious for a college program than winning a tournament sponsored by an auto parts chain. [ESPN2, 10:00 ET]
• Basic Cable Movie of the Night. Interview with a Vampire. Screw that Twilight bullshit. If you’re into homoerotic vampire films, this is the movie for you. [Oxygen, 9:00 ET]
It’s 4:19, You Gotta Minute? (November 23rd)
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• More Peter King haterade. You gotta love it. [Kissing Suzy Kolber]
• Here’s the gruesome video of Bills lineman Eric Wood snapping his leg. I still haven’t brought myself to watch it, but have it. [With Leather]
• They MYFO guys recap the weekend in the NHL for your reading pleasure. [Melt Your Face Off]
• ESPN GameDay signs from the Arizona-Oregon game. [Busted Coverage]
• If you haven’t seen it yet, here is the video of Cal fans booing Tiger Woods. For some reason, I think Tiger will be able to get over it. [Waggle Room]
Michael Barrett, the 48-year-old insurance executive from Illinois charged with being the person behind the Erin Andrews hotel room videos that were uploaded to the internet earlier this year, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of interstate stalking. He entered the plea in U.S. District Court earlier today.
If convicted, Barrett could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. He was scheduled to return to court Jan. 12.
Barrett remained free after posting a bond of $100,000 on Friday.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Turchin set the amount after Andrews’ attorney Marshall Grossman called Barrett’s alleged behavior calculated, cunning and secretive and said he posed a threat to the public.
Obviously, I have no way of knowing whether Barrett is innocent or guilty of the crimes with which he has been charged – that’s for the judicial system to decide – but I do know one thing: if they ever make a movie about him, Bill Murray is a shoo-in to get the starring role. Is it just me, or is the resemblance between the two uncanny?
Man pleads not guilty in ESPN reporter videos case [Yahoo!/AP]
Hey, Los Angelinos: you’re doing it wrong. One of the key components that needs to be in place before tickets are sold for NFL games in Los Angeles, is, you know, an NFL team in Los Angeles.
But that hasn’t prevented them from inquiring about the availability of tickets for games for an unnamed team in a stadium not even constructed yet.
John Semcken of Majestic Realty Co. said Monday that the stadium Web site has received more than 105,000 requests about general admission tickets, 36,000 about club seats and 3,200 about luxury suites. About 75,000 seats are planned.
These poor, misguided and optimistic souls are playing right into Majestic Realty’s hands. In this era of personal seat licenses and the like, I’m surprised Majestic Reality Co. didn’t ask those dumb enough to inquire to plunk down ten grand simply to guarantee themselves a chance to buy season tickets if and when a team ever arrives. But how many communities are there that would be gullible enough to fall for a scheme like that?
Oh, lots of them? Huh.
Who wants tickets to a nonexistent football team? [Los Angeles Times]
Not only is Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams enjoying a career renaissance in football, he is also expanding his business interests outside of football by becoming part owner of a restaurant. His new venture, named PROOF, opens tomorrow in the Z Ocean Hotel in Miami.
The menu, featuring 65 food options and 22 cocktails, includes a Ricky’s Picks section with four dishes — margarita pizza ($14), black bean burger ($12), rice noodles and tofu ($18) and mushroom and assorted vegetables risotto ($18). There also is seafood, steaks, hamburgers and sushi, among other dishes.
Williams said when he goes out to dine, “I have to order sides because I’m a vegetarian. Now I can order entrees.”
I wasn’t aware of it, but it’s hardly shocking that Williams is one of them damned vegetarians, given his affinity for practicing New Age philosophies, and far be it from me to judge how someone else lives their life. But come on, man, a black bean burger? Unless it’s made out of the flesh of a slaughtered animal, it ain’t a burger, no matter how you form it and cook it. What’s next? Soy ribs?
Food for thought: Miami Dolphins’ Ricky Williams part-owner of new restaurant [The Miami Herald]
In this crazy world, what’s the big deal about story being a couple of weeks late, right? He got it done, I guess that’s what should count.
I’m sure in some sort of mix-up, the New York Daily News just published a story by sports writer Peter Botte regarding the controversial play at first base when Hideki Matsui was doubled-off – which occurred during Game 1 of the World Series on October 28th.
But hey, who am I to judge? It’s not like I haven’t been late on things before – that’s how I lost my job as a live organ delivery man. People who need kidney transplants can be so uppity.
Umps make the right call in World Series Game 1, New York Yankees’ Hideki Matsui doubled off [New York Daily News]
• NFL. Philadelphia Eagles 24, Chicago Bears 20. The Bears led 20-17 with 11 minutes left in the game, then Donovan McNabb led Philadelphia on a 62-yard touchdown drive. Cutler then threw an interception on Chicago’s next drive as Sean Jones grabbed at tipped ball to seal the victory. [Yahoo!/AP]
• NHL. Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Atlanta Thrashers 3 (OT). Steven Stamkos scored his 15th goal of the season at 2:56 of overtime to lead the Lightning to their second-consecutive victory. [NHL.com Scoreboard]
• NBA. Boston Celtics 107, New York Knicks 105 (OT). Kevin Garnett’s jumper at the buzzer of the first overtime sealed the victory as Paul Pierce scored all of Boston’s points in overtime until KG’s game-winner. [NBA.com Scoreboard]
• Hey, it’s better than having one of them shoot up the post office. A postal worker in Marion, Iowa is facing public intoxication charges after authorities discovered her shitfaced and sitting on the floor of a 95-year-old woman’s house eating leftover noodles out of the refrigerator. She is now on unpaid leave from the USPS. [AOL/AP]
Site Note: I’ll be in and out of the office today at appointments so posting will be hit and miss, particularly in the morning. Thank you for your patience.
I can’t believe it took this long, although I have no idea how much work goes into making one of these. Shit, I can barely use MS Paint.
Ultimately, this had to happen. Who doesn’t love making weed jokes about Cy Young Award winners? Except for maybe Bud Selig, I guess (he’s way more of a ‘shrooms kind of guy).
Overall, whoever created this did a solid job: several well-played stoner references (munchies, Cypress Hill, Funyuns), but I have to say my favorite part is when they have Randy Johnson say, “We should get out toke on.”
You know, I could actually see that happening. Totally.
[H/T Walkoff Walk]
• College Football. Boise State at Idaho State. Hey, wait a second! Boise ain’t a state! What the fungus? [ESPN2, 9:30 ET]
• NBA Doubleheader. Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics (8:00 ET), then Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 ET). Meh, you could get drunk watching something worse. [ESPN]
• World Series Highlights. All night long. Lionel Richie approves. It all kicks off with the 1955 World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees. [MLB Network, 8:00 ET]
• Basic Cable Movie of the Night. It looks like it’s already holiday movie time: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. That’s not the half of it. You should have seen what Daddy did. He was promptly sent to a Christian reeducation camp shortly thereafter. [ABC Family, 9:00 ET]
It’s 4:19, You Gotta Minute? (November 20th)
Posted by:• Antonio Gates made a cameo appearance on The League. Good show. [First Cuts]
• Speaking of cameos, Mark Buehrle was on American Chopper. [Mouthpiece Blog]
• Mmmmm…sexy amputee Aimee Mullins. [With Leather]
• Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock has a little surprise for those damned Russians. [Melt Your Face Off]
• Your Week 11 Pammy Nominees. Good stuff. Or would that be bad stuff? Huh. [Awful Announcing]
• Listen up, LPGA: a study indicates that women who bare more skin attract more men. Wow. Science. [Waggle Room]
• Meet Maharashi Dungy. [Kissing Suzy Kolber]
