Archive for May, 2010
Well, if every box doesn’t include a free tin of chew, they should.
Earlier today, Wheaties unveiled a special edition commemorative box honoring NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.
Via Market Watch:
“Dale Earnhardt signifies everything that makes a champion,” said David Clark, vice president for Wheaties. “His record speaks for itself, but it was also his hard work and determination that made him an inspiration to so many. We’re honored to feature him again and to help celebrate his latest acknowledgements [sic].”
That’s quite an honor that has been bestowed upon the late legend, The Intimidator. The press release also indicates that Earnhardt became the first race car driver to be featured twice on a Wheaties box. Really? I am surprised he isn’t the the only race car driver to be featured on a Wheaties box just once. I cannot recall another one, and I love my Wheaties.
Wheaties Unveils Dale Earnhardt Commemorative Box [Market Watch]
No, really. They could have been banging, and we don’t need to see that, do we?
In the ’70s classic, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”, Jim Croce sang that the South Side of Chicago is the baddest part of town, and after watching this little bit of the old ultraviolence that erupted in Section 103 of U.S. Cellular Field, I have to agree with late singer’s sentiments. These are fans of the same friggin’ team that are brawling, for crying out loud.
And with things quickly going south for the White Sox – they lost 6-5 to the Angels after coming up just short while scoring four runs in the 8th inning during a frantic comeback, losers of six of ten, 7 1/2 games back of Detroit and Minnesota, an abysmal offense (a .233 team batting average) and manager Ozzie Guillen tweeting that he wakes up and cries every night – this likely will not be the last time frustration over what is occurring on the field translates to fisticuffs between exasperated and drunken fans. We hope, because this was quite the throwdown.
The brawl starts exactly the same way every fracas does in the stands, one group of guys taunts another group of guys, beverages are thrown, somebody is shoved and another guy responds by throwing a completely vicious haymaker to the shover’s face. More shoving and punching ensues and then one brave lady jumps in screaming for everybody to stop it. It’s truly a delight to watch.
Video after the jump.
Yes, I am pandering, but as a sports blogger, I am not frequently provided a forum here at the Sportress to gush over Katy Perry. No really, I think she’s great and consider myself a casual fan of her music and a die-hard fan of, um, other stuff about her.
So, when I saw that she did an interview with FoxSports for some unknown reason – although it likely had something to do with her recent #1 ranking on Maxim‘s “Hot 100″ list – I seized the opportunity.
Holy moly, would you look at that “Sports Schedule” graphic? Was that created with an old school combination of Notepad and MS Paint or something? Or is it simply an indication that the Sporting News aren’t going to waste their limited budget on the NHL? Either way, it is atrocious. It resembles something one would have seen during a late 1970s sports report on a local news broadcast.
FRIDAY’S NHL SCHEDULE (All times are Eastern) [Sporting News Radio]
With a well below the Mendoza Line batting average of .187, White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham is struggling through an epic slump. Aware that even the smallest change to his routine could help him at the plate, Beckham decided to switch up his at-bat music. At the suggestion of teammate Paul Konerko, Beckham has wisely eschewed his usual song, the catchy yet kind of lame “Your Love” by ’80s mulleted heroes The Outfield and now comes up to the plate with Metallica’s old school, thrash metal classic “Seek & Destroy” blasting out of the stadium’s PA system. Excellent choice.
“I said before the game, ‘Just don’t play anything.’ I have to be hitting better just to deserve an intro song,” Beckham said. “And then King [Konerko] came over and said you will have an intro song and I’m going to pick it. So, I’m following in the King’s footsteps.”
It’s early yet, but the early results are hardly encouraging. Beckham went 0-2 with a walk with “Seek & Destroy” but he apparently hit the ball hard, so hopefully he sticks with Metallica for a little while longer and see how it plays out. Unfortunately, Beckham is having a hard time letting go of The Outfield. He suggested that the White Sox could play “Your Love” when he gets a hit, but I think that’s a bad idea on many levels. When you are addicted to wussy rock, you have to make a clean break of it, like ripping off a Band-Aid.
But perhaps the best part of the story is Ozzie Guillen’s thoughts on the entire phenomenon of at-bat music affecting a player’s performance:
“If he’s going to start hitting, I’ll bring the band. I’ll pay every day for them to have a concert for him,” said a smiling Guillen. “I don’t know how people come up with when they’re going to change what kind of music they’re playing. When Babe Ruth hit, and all those guys were playing, they didn’t have a sound system in the stadium, and they had like 4,000 hits.
“But … I would bring Michael Jackson back to life. I would have a concert every day and fire all the coaches.”
Now that puts it all in perspective and I have to completely agree with Guillen’s opinion. Except for the Michael Jackson part – do we really want a zombie Michael Jackson moonwalking out to the mound to replace a pitcher? I think not.
Beckham tuned in to different song [MLB.com]
At what point does it cease being isolated incidents of unruly fan behavior to a full-on, fanbase-wide epidemic? I’m not entirely sure, but the fans in Philly appear to be straddling the line.
Radio-Canada, the CBC’s French service, has filed a complaint with the NHL relating to additional reports of drunken buffoonery, which have surfaced regarding douchetarded behavior by Flyers fans during Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between Philadelphia and Montreal. In one case, a Montreal journalist was filming a report from inside the Wachovia Center on Tuesday when an unknown person (or persons) attempted to steal the cameraman’s equipment. Another alleged incident occurred outside the area where Flyers fans supposedly dumped beer on a wire panel of a satellite TV truck.
Said Martin Bonenfant, spokesperson for Radio-Canada:
“It happened just as we were going to go on the air, but we were able to get it fixed,” said Bonenfant, adding that no one was hurt.
Ike Richman, vice-president of public relations for Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the Flyers, halfheartedly attempted to defend the disgraceful behavior and when that wasn’t enough, responded with a rip on Canadiens fans.
“Flyer fans are passionate and they love their team and sometimes they think they can take it upon themselves to make a difference,” he said in an interview.
“We’re not Montreal. We don’t have riots here.”
Zing. While his assessment that Philly fans do not riot, in light of the string of incidents just in the past couple of months, from vandalism of a Montreal reporter’s car to an inebriated fan intentionally vomiting on a off-duty cop and his daughter at a Phillies game, Richman really shouldn’t feel so comfortable being hypercritical of the behavior of another city’s fanbase. Ultimately, it could be argued that Philadelphia is rapidly becoming the nexus of the douchebag fans universe. Just saying.
Complaint filed with NHL after cameraman attacked by Flyers fans [CTV]
Wake N’ Blog is the Sportress of Blogitude’s morning link dump. It put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp. It might have also put the ram in the rama lama ding dong as well. That part is debatable. If you would, send tips, links and the like to weedagainstspeed@gmail.com. Thanks.
• When a mirror is placed in front of a fish, increased brain activity occurs in regions typically associated with fear. “It seems like something they don’t understand,” said Julie Desjardins, researcher and post-doctoral biologist at Stanford University. “I think this stimulus is just so far outside their realm of experience that it results in this somewhat emotional response.” Just like me in the morning. [MSNBC]
• Congrats to the Canadiens for their convincing Game 3 victory. [Four Habs Fans]
• We’re going to need more orange slices: soccer team takes on 200 kids in a game. [Out of Bounds]
• Happy 21st birthday to Busted Coverage’s Kevin the Intern. [Busted Coverage]
• The comeback of Brett Favre is tied to Southern Miss baseball. [Daily Norsemen]
• Santonio Holmes should probably just stop talking. [Rumors & Rants]
• A Red Sox minor leaguer has a crush on Erin Andrews. [The Last Angry Fan]
• The skinny women of San Antonio got their revenge on Charles Barkley. [That NBA Lottery Pick]
• A descendant of golf legend Old Tom Morris discussed Tiger Woods. [Devil Ball Golf]
• Gourmet Spud is awesome. Enough said. [Food Court Lunch]
• An amusing gallery of Olympic mascots through the years. [Sports Pickle]
• In response to his criticism, Brian Urlacher talked smack about Bears legend Gayle Sayers. [Guyism]
• The Onion Headline of the Day: Report: Majority Of Government Doesn’t Trust Citizens Either
It’s 4:19, You Gotta Minute?
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• Former NBA player Calvin Murphy claims the rumor that Delonte West nailed LeBron James’ mom is true. [You Been Blinded]
• “I think my ball went into the trees right about…JESUS CHRIST! THERE ARE BEARS ON THE GOLF COURSE!” [Out of Bounds]
• My pals at FHF preview Game 3 of the Flyers-Canadiens series. Go Habs! [Four Habs Fans]
• Speaking of which, here’s a sexy lady speaking French about the Montreal Canadiens or something. [Busted Coverage]
• The old Giants Stadium pressbox got torn down and here is the video. So there you go. [With Leather]
• Mike Francesca would like to know if you drive an “Austin Martin.” Only when I’m in the state capital of Texas, Astin.
• Yay! Another edition of “This Tweet In Baseball.” [Walkoff Walk]
• Attractive golf writer (Stephanie Wei) interviews attractive golfer (Beatriz Recari). [Wei Under Par]
• White trashy Cardinals fan showed up to a game with one of those parole bracelets. It really tied the outfit (featuring a dirty wifebeater) together. [Joe Sports Fan]
• Maria Sharpova signed some boy’s balls? That’s perverse! [Bob's Blitz]
• Awesome Washington Nationals shirt. [FirstCuts]
• The new World Cup ad features Homer Simpson? [Mouthpiece Blog]
• Marmalard returns! [Kissing Suzy Kolber]
• The Onion Headline of the Day, Part II: When You Get Older You Learn To Appreciate The Moments When You’re Not Skittering Away (By A Roach)
Send tips, links and terroristic threats to weedagainstspeed@gmail.com.
After stating the he and Tony Romo are going to be like Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, Roy Williams is again yapping about how everything is going to change in the upcoming season. And if his recent statement – which exudes confidence, by the way – are any indication, the sky is the limit for this guy:
“I promise you I won’t lead the league in drops. I know that,” Williams said. “People are off my bandwagon, which I don’t mind. I’d be off my bandwagon, too.”
Awesome. At least he had the decency to admit the downward spiral that has defined his career when he acknowledges he really hasn’t done anything to warrant support. But I don’t know, maybe he’s on to something here. Here’s hoping for the best for Roy Williams as he attempts to not lead the league in drops this season. Hey, as the great Casey Kasem always said, “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.” Unfortunately for Williams, if he by chance happened to snag one of those stars, he would most assuredly drop it.
Cowboys’ Roy Williams: ‘I promise you I won’t lead the league in drops’ [The Dallas Morning News]
(previously at the Sportress: Roy Williams Claims He And Tony Romo Will Be Like Rice And Montana This Season)
Ozzie Guillen Is A Tweeting Tortured Soul
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Who knew Ozzie Guillen was such a huge fan of Little Anthony & The Imperials? Interesting.
As pointed out several times here at the Sportress, Ozzie Guillen is one of the best tweeters out there. Ranging from nonsensical to flat-out funny, his tweets are always a hoot and following him should be one of your top priorities…after putting on your pants, ya weirdo.
Be that as it may, somebody in Ozzie Guillen’s inner circle needs to tell the White Sox manager that while it is perfectly acceptable for a grown man to cry, habitual weeping in the middle of the night is possibly a sign of a larger, very serious problem. Ozzie needs help. If they need any further motivation to act quickly, Ozzie is displaying further paranoid, delusional behavior when he recently speculated that somebody might be trying to poison him. Scary stuff, man.
Seriously, how stupid can people be? Case in point, by now you have likely heard of the terrible experience endured by longtime Montreal Gazette sportswriter Pat Hickey upon returning to his car after Game 1 of the Canadiens-Flyers series. For those of you who have not, here’s a quick primer (via Puck Daddy):
Hickey returned to his car after the game to find a tire slashed, a hubcap broken in two and his windows covered in beer. The worst offense? His license plate had been stolen, causing Hickey to spend part of Monday in a Philadelphia police department filing a theft report.
By this act alone , it’s abundantly clear that the person responsible for this display of vandalism is a knuckle-dragging mouth-breather. But it gets even better. Or worse, depending on which way you look at it. Hickey actually managed to track down the perpetrator. How? The moron posted a photo of the stolen license plates on his Facebook page. That some straight-up woodhead action right there.
The writer said he would not press charges – he estimated there was about $1,000 in damages – as long as the man made a public apology and donated $1,000 to a Philadelphia charity.
Hickey said the Flyers were “ecstatic” when he told them he had found the man and that they would pursue the matter.
While I do admire the class he has demonstrated throughout this entire ordeal, it’s a shame that Hickey isn’t pressing charges. People like Semi-Retarded Vandal Guy shouldn’t be allowed to walk the streets. Or breed, for that matter. Does that mean I advocate castration for law breakers who demonstrate the intellectual capacity of a Neandertal? No, but it’s not a bad idea. In theory, of course.
UPDATE: According to a report from The Philadelphia Inquirer (via Out of Bounds), the man who was identified as the vandal has denied responsibility for the damage done to Hickey’s car. From the Inquirer report:
Flannery is a Flyers fan but says he was not at the game at the Wachovia Center the night Hickey’s car was vandalized and the Quebec license plate was stolen.
Flannery said a friend alerted him to a news report that linked him to the car vandalizing. “It said they found the person that did it but they really didn’t because it wasn’t me.”
He admitted he posted a photo of Hickey’s license plate on his Facebook page, but said he did not vandalize the car. “I know who did it,” he said. He would not be specific and said he planned to call the police this afternoon.
Montreal writer finds Philly vandal on Facebook [The Philadelphia Inquirer]
Car of Canadiens reporter vandalized after Game 1 in Philly [Puck Daddy]
As additional details continue to emerge regarding the arrest of the mother of Phoenix Suns forward Amar’e Stoudemire last Saturday in Scottsdale, I feel more and more compelled to ponder What’s Love Got To Do (Got To Do) With It? Further, when are people who are legally required to have an ignition interlock device just going to admit they need help and that We Don’t Need Another Hero?
I don’t know, I guess some questions are too complicated for even me to answer. But do you know what? I plan on sticking around this here blog for quite awhile, so You Better Be Good To Me.
One thing I can attest to with complete confidence regarding this sordid tale: if a Made-For-TV movie is green-lighted about this incident and Angela Bassett doesn’t get the role, there is going to be trouble.
Amar’e’s Mom: Mugshot And “Bizarre Recording” [SPORTSbyBROOKS]
Although he is not quite officially a senior citizen, it appears the legendary pitcher, now the president and part owner of the Texas Rangers, has unfortunately developed an irrational fear of robots.
Discussing the sorry state of pitching in Major League Baseball with Albert Chen of Sports Illustrated (via The Dallas Morning News), Ryan’s obsession with robots rears its ugly head as he squarely places the blame on, you guessed it, robots.
“For one thing, they don’t learn to think for themselves anymore. Coaches started calling all the pitches in high schools and colleges. How do they know, sitting on the bench, what the guy on the mound has confidence in? That’s like going out there and telling the pitcher, ‘Don’t hang this curveball.’ I call it robot baseball, and it drives me crazy.”
Robots are now taking the form of high school and college kids and playing baseball? When did this happen? Why hasn’t the MLBPA filed a grievance or something? These robots are stealing jobs from hard-working human ballplayers!
Thankfully, there is a company out there on our side: Old Glory Insurance. Even though they cannot eradicate robots completely from the face of the earth, they can provide some level of protection and comfort. Because remember, robots are everywhere, and they eat old people’s medicine for fuel. Well, now there’s a company that offers coverage against the unfortunate event of robot attack, with Old Glory Insurance. Old Glory will cover you with no health check-up or age consideration. You need to feel safe. And that’s harder and harder to do nowadays, because robots may strike at any time.
Indeed they can. Even right under Nolan Ryan’s nose in Major League Baseball.
Texas ‘Robot baseball’ driving Rangers’ Nolan Ryan crazy [The Dallas Morning News]
It sure seems like everybody has an opinion – most of them not very complimentary – regarding Wenlock and Mandeville, the just recently-introduced official mascots for the 2012 London Olympics (I previously addressed the topic yesterday here), and as it seems with anything these days, the best way to express one’s opinion on the internets is with some wise-cracking Photoshoppery.
The Telegraph has selected some of its favorites thus far and included a link to the message board on b3ta.com where there are many others. Below is a gallery of some of my personal favorites. Enjoy.
London 2012 Olympic mascots: best spoofs [The Telegraph]
(previously at the Sportress: Dear God: London Olympics Mascots Will Haunt Your Dreams, Eat Your Soul)
I have always suspected that cyclists were a bit on the “fancy” side, but this is ridiculous. I mean, no heavy petting first? That’s a bit of a presumptuous – not to mention aggressive – move by Landis, wouldn’t you say? Even if Armstrong is widely known to be a little loose, at least take it slow, Floyd. Sheesh.
Report: Landis admits doping and fingers Armstrong [Yahoo!/AP]
