by Scott Sargent, Waiting For Next Year
Sure, Michael Phelps' run for eight golds is still in tact. The U.S. hoops team destroyed the Chinese team. And Mariel Zagunis led a trio of female fencers to medals.
But even better? President George W. Bush taking in some beach volleyball.
And take it in, did he ever. Jodie over at GossipOnSports has a few other shots of the President and his interaction with Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor. Highly recommended for your lunch time viewing.
Oh, and feel free to create a caption in the comments. Things could get very interesting.
President Bush Definitely Likes Beach Volleyball [GossipOnSports]
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by Scott Sargent, Waiting For Next Year
Hey, if you hadn't heard, Brett Favre now plays for the New York Jets. But unless you were watching the Browns/Jets game late last night - thanks to an hour and a half rain delay - you likely missed out on the brutal injury suffered by Jets backup tight end A.J. Schable.
Schable was fielding a special teams play before running head first into a tackle attempt and apparently injuring his neck and/or spinal cord. The tight end laid motionless for several minutes, surrounded by an entire field of teammates and opponents on one knee, before being carried off of the field on a stretcher. The entire situation was very reminiscent of what happened to Bills tight end Kevin Everett just a year ago.
But my question is, shouldn't this item garner at least one of the top stories on New York Daily News? Five stories on Favre, not one on Schable. I say this not only because I would like to see an update on his status, but also because I think it is in somewhat terrible taste to sweep this under the proverbial rug.
Sure, Schable was a third-stringer and he was playing in front of about 2,000 people at that point in the game. But isn't this at least worth a mention?
UPDATE: He is out of the hospital.
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by Scott Sargent, Waiting For Next Year
If you're at Progressive Field next Monday evening, you will be the proud new owner of a Jhonny Peralta bobblehead doll. You got it, the .270-hitting shortstop of the Indians, that has about as much range as Manuel Uribe. But the only catch is, I'm not so sure that this thing actually looks like Jhonny Peralta. Coco Crisp? Maybe. Peralta? Not so much.
So, I took it upon myself to check out some of the more absurd bobbleheads around. Whether they look nothing like the person that they are replicating, or have strange characteristics - like, real hair for example - they're making the list. There are countless ones out there, so feel free to help me out after the post. Do enjoy.
Kyle Korver
While it is very apropos to have Korver shooting, perhaps the creators of this guy could have done without the Ken Doll hair? They could have skipped the lipstick as well, since Korver already needs all of the help he can get to shed the whole Ashton Kutcher thing.
I'm actually surprised that the Cavaliers' brass didn't do something similar with Anderson Varejao. Don't count it out for this season.
Dirk Nowitzki
What the hell is that on his face? I'm sure The Diggler was absolutely thrilled to see a bobblehead that depicted him as a rent-for-kids-birthdays circus clown. If it wasn't for the #41 on his jersey, I would truly have to guess "Shawn Bradley" before I'd say Dirk's name.
Oh...that's right. The knee-high shoes should have been the dead giveaway. And again with the lipstick. What's with that?
Kaz Matusi
Matusi is Asian, right? I don't think you need to get all stereotypical with this one and give him a calculator or something, but at least make him look somewhat Asian - I don't think that's too much to ask.
Again, if it wasn't for the jersey name and number, would you be able to guess who this even was? Not I. Add some anal fissures, and we'll talk.
Jeremy Shockey
First, he's in uniform. When's the last time you saw that. Now if it was a bobblehead of Shockey sitting in a suite watching the game, then I'd be more on board.
Second, something's off with the hair. The color maybe? This one is a bit more Dirk Nowitzki than the actual Dirk Nowitzki bobblehead. And is that a mole?
LeBron James
Okay, so he has a headband. That's about all. No tattoos. No facial hair - something he even had in high school. (Yes, I know - because he's not really 23-years old)
I'm scratching my head to try and figure out who this really does look like. Part of me wants to say Eric Snow, but I'm not sold. Feel free to take your guesses in the comments.
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by Scott Sargent, Waiting For Next Year
Sooze already covered this topic earlier today, but do not go trying to pretend that you haven't heard multiple Favre stories in the same day.
It started off with the Green Bay Packers standing their ground, saying "no, we will not release Brett Favre." And it appears to have only taken about a week, but the Pack appears to be folding under the pressure. But what "pressure" exactly? He's their player; they can do whatever they so choose. Right?
Right?
According to MJS blog via ESPN:
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has spoken with Packers general manager Ted Thompson about the Favre situation, and when told by Thompson the Packers intended to move on without the quarterback, urged Thompson to find out what kind of interest there was in Favre around the league.
What the shit is this? Sounds like football communism at its finest. The commish is giving the old nudge on the shoulder, sort of like when meetings at work aren't mandatory, but it's "highly recommended that you attend." Yes, that sort of crap.
I agree that Favre is/was a great quarterback. A legend. A sure-fire hall of famer. All-around nice guy. I get that. But to retire, and then decide all of a sudden (after the draft) that you want to come back and then throw a pseudo media tantrum, ultimately using the higher-ups to force the hand of your former team? If the union won't consider lowering the rookie contracts, one would assume that they would have to go to battle for the Pack here, right? Or since it is the "Players" union, I could see the exact opposite. He's the player; he should get whatever he wants.
While the team has yet to confirm ESPN's report, this does not seem far-fetched by any means. Between Favre, his agent James Cook and Roger Goodell, how can the Packers come out on top here?
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Calling all baseball fans to top Dellucci as the worst Designated Hitter in the AL. Double-D is currently mashing at a rate of .225/.294/.388. Last series against the lowly Mariners? Dellucci responds with an 0-for-6. Sure, Hafner wasn't doing much better but can any of your teams top this?
(And that Gina Lee Nolan thing? Wikipedia told me so!)
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by Scott Sargent, Waiting For Next Year
The Charlotte Bobcats surprised a handful of people on draft night when they selected point guard D.J. Augustin over Brook "Gosh, this is so BORING" Lopez with the ninth overall selection. While they have a still-young Ray Felton to run the point, they obviously felt that replacing Jeff McInnis was entirely more important than filling in a continual void in the paint.
But fear not, Bobcats fans! The three of you have something to look forward to this season: The return of Sean May.
Per the Charlotte Observer:
Sean May has been cleared to start on-court basketball activity and says he'll be ready when Charlotte Bobcats training camp begins in October.
In his first extended comments this summer, following micro-fracture surgery on his right knee in October, May said he's experiencing some pain but no swelling in the joint that has troubled him since before he was drafted by the Bobcats in 2005.
Only
some pain. No swelling, but that's nothing that a few laps up and down a hardwood court can't take care of. Alas, May has only logged 58 total games since draft day - missing all of last season. Hoping to actually get something out of a lottery selection (looking at you, Adam Morrison...unfortunately), the Bobcats will evidently have to be patient with May, who is in absolutely no hurry to get back to earning his money.
“I'm full-go now,” May said Wednesday after working out with North Carolina strength and conditioning coach Jonas Sahratian. “But again, after eight months,
I'm not going to just jump out here, get it all back in one day.”
Of course not, Sean. Take your time, buddy. The trainers table will be nice and warm for you when you return.
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by Scott Sargent, Waiting For Next Year
Last night, I called it an evening shortly after the Cavaliers selected J.J. Hickson with the 19th pick. After all, it was really the only reason I was watching the draft in the first place - especially considering my hopes of "Mayo in Memphis" seemed to be in the rear view.
But in a move that surpasses that of the tooth fairy during my childhood, ESPN's Chad Ford leaves this note under my pillow:
Two league sources told ESPN.com that the Wolves have reached an agreement in principle with the Memphis Grizzlies that will send the draft rights to Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker and Greg Buckner to the Grizzlies in return for the draft rights to Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and Jason Collins.
Forget the bigger names like Mike Miller, and totally ignore the fact that the Grizzlies have been looking to dump Brian Cardinal's salary for the last three seasons. The biggest news of the night (going into the morning) is that O.J. Mayo will be playing basketball in Memphis.
Memphis. A team that he would not even try out for. A city that is currently advertising their tax freeze program for eligible senior citizens on Google's front page. You could tell that Mayo wasn't thrilled to be a part of the whole Minnesota scenario, but you know damn well that he's going to need a new cell phone this morning after spiking the one that took "the call."
If you take a quick step back and realize that Mike Conley, Mayo and Rudy Gay could be one of the younger/better 1-2-3 in basketball. But for a guy that only tried out for
nice cities, to now have to play in Memphis for the next three seasons? Epic. Simply Epic.
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by Scott Sargent, Waiting For Next Year
A dude spends all of this off-season practicing. Hits all of his free throws, drains a shit ton of three-balls... and then hits more free throws. And what does J.J. get? Nada. Nothing. Dwayne Wade? Dwyane Wade doesn't even make the playoffs, yet he gets named to the Olympic team?
The official release isn't supposed to be until Monday, yet he gets named as one of the guards? I was waiting for my text message from Jerry. J.C., what gives, man?
J.J.'s set ACC records, bro. ACC. Records. You hear that shit? Wade wasn't even in the ACC. Pssh. Big East, Shmig East. Just ask Dick Vitale. Dwyane? He couldn't cut it; that's top notch competition right there in the ACC. Hey, what has two thumbs and has the most consecutive free throws made in the ACC?
That's right. THIS GUY.
[follow-through motion]
Hey, where's Dwyane Wade's Rupp Trophy? Oh, really? He can borrow one of mine if he'd like. That's because J.J. won two of them. Two, bro. Who do you think I am, Tim Duncan? Bitch, please. He didn't hit nearly as many long-balls as J.J. Chicks dig that shit. Fundamentals and defense, my rich ass.
What did you say? My collar's messed up? Oh, contraire mon frere - that's how J.J. rolls. I was ready to unleash this shit all over China. You know how many treys I could have drained with that weak three-point line? You can't even count that high. It's all kilometers and shit. And if by chance I'd get fouled? No sweat, bro. Free throws are like riding a bike and shit.
What do you mean that don't make sense? It makes a shit ton of sense. You know what else makes sense? Swish, bro. Swish. I don't see your jersey hanging from no rafters. You have no idea.
[follow-through motion]
Let's see Dwyane Wade nail a few threes. Dude doesn't even take threes, yet he's going to China? That's some messed up shit right there. Sure, I'll put him in my five. Five treys, bro. That's 15 points. Fifteen. That's more than seven pansy lay-ups in that goofy-looking key will get'cha.
Hey, if they want to try and win without J.J. they'll have to do it with a bunch of two-pointers. You have to sleep in the bed you made, bro. We'll see how that works out. Jokers.
Autograph? Not now chief, I'm in the zone. Somebody get me a Jagerbomb. Make that three of 'em. Swish, bro.
[follow-through motion]
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by Scott Sargent, Waiting For Next Year
Football is the only sport that forces you to list your players' respective health issues days in advance of the coin toss. Thursday afternoon rolls around, and you can just hear the stream of reports coming out of the practice field of each NFL team. Running back knees, quarterback fingers; you name it, it's on there.
But in baseball, you can option. You can recall. Heck, you can just play your guys every day even though they're experiencing some sort of nagging injury. But will you win? Not likely.
No team is more known for deceiving injury reports than the New England Patriots. Listing half of a roster as "probable" is not out of the question. Tom Brady, "questionable?" Then he'll come out and toss 400 yards and five touchdowns.
Enter Eric Wedge.
Today, the catcher for the Cleveland Indians, Victor Martinez, was added to the Tribe's 15-day disabled list with an inflamed elbow that occurred during an at-bat in Wednesday's game. Or did it? Per the team's official site:After the game, manager Eric Wedge revealed that the elbow had flared up on
Martinez during the at-bat and that the catcher has been battling the elbow
problem all season.
Wait. All season? You mean that could be why a clean-up hitter has zero home runs through mid-June? Who would've thought...
How about Joe Borowski? The team's closer comes out of spring training topping out in the mid-80s. He can't locate, and when he does, he gets raked all over the yard. He winds up with an ERA near 15, but he's fine. At least until he gives up a loss to the Red Sox. Then he heads to the DL for several weeks with what was called a "nagging triceps injury."
Travis Hafner? The power-hitting DH? He struggled all season long, yet we were told he was perfectly healthy. Then out of nowhere comes a shoulder injury severe enough to land him on the disabled list. So bad that he was supposed to start rehab a week ago and still has not hit a live pitch.
It's one thing for Belichick to be deceptive as he does not want the other team to be able to expect the total package. But it's another for Wedge to be deceptive to the team's fans and the local media. A backlash was starting to bubble up around two weeks ago when we found out that Martinez had still not recovered from the hamstring injury that occurred during opening day. Yet he was trotted out there each game, crouching behind the plate and doing next to nothing when standing next to it with a bat in his hand.
Credibility obviously isn't something that Wedge is oozing these days. Belichick gets respected for his actions because, as Eric Cartman told us, he wins games. Perhaps if the Indians were above .500, Tribe fans would think differently.
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by Scott Sargent, Waiting For Next Year
By now, you all know the story of how O.J. Mayo recruited himself to play at the University of Southern California. He wouldn't give out his number - he made the calls. Mayo plays, team goes to the NCAA Tournament, gets bounced. Rumors circulate of the thousands of dollars that were sent Mayo's way. No one is surprised.
Along the same lines of being unsurprised, a recent post over at DraftExpress lays out the latest in terms of Mayo's tryouts. Or, lack of tryouts, would be more like it.
Mayo has reportedly yet to schedule even a single workout, and will probably do so after he officially hires his new agent. We’ve been told by several sources that Mayo may try to pull a Yi Jianlian and only work out for Chicago, Miami, New York and Los Angeles, while shunning the smaller market teams such as Minnesota, Seattle and Memphis.
How convenient. The nerve of the NBA! How dare they place franchises within cities that are not among the largest, most-poplated in the world!
Obviously, the Clippers would be the team out of Los Angeles that has a chance at selecting Mayo. Unless the Bulls or Heat trade down, O.J. looks to be this year's version of Al Horford. You know, the guy who isn't quite in the "Top 2," but is among the "Best of the rest." One way or the other, Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley will be going to one of the black and red teams.
Mayo may be in luck in regard to Minnesota. Kevin McHale is obviously in no hurry to rebuild this team, and is looking to move the third pick. If not, he'll likely be adding another big man to the roster (you know, since Al Jefferson's 20 and 12 isn't good enough) in the form of either Kevin Love or Brooke Lopez.
Seattle/Oklahoma City appears to have a thing for Jerryd Bayless or even Eric Gordon. Of course, they could always go with Mayo, but the team is leaning on Kevin Durant to be the face of the franchise for years to come. Drafting Mayo would only lead to conflict of the PR nature.
Which leaves us with Memphis. A team that just traded away its best player for next to nothing. A team that has had trouble even getting players to come and try out for the possible draft selection; a team that is more known for the college that plays right down the street from their home court. Some of these guys would rather pass up the money of the fifth player overall than play for Memphis - which would make it that much better if they were to draft Mayo; a player who thinks he'll have the league by the balls from day one.
I mean, can they not sell the allure of playing along side Brian Cardinal!? This thing should sell itself.
Even better would be the look on O.J.'s face when New York is one pick away, while he's handed a powder blue and yellow jersey with the #1 on it.
At this point, the only thing better than Memphis drafting Mayo would be Memphis drafting Mayo, and then moving the franchise back to Vancouver. Hey, at least it's a big city.
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by Scott Sargent, Waiting For Next Year
Now, feel free to enlighten me in the comments, but are there any form of steroids that have a lagging effect of say...two years? If so, Cleveland fans may want to invest in something that lasts a little longer as it's pretty clear that a guy who was once considered a possible "closer of the future" is not his old self.
Some may forget that the Tribe's Rafael Betancourt was one of the players suspended for violating Majore League Baseball's performance enhancing drug policy. No, he didn't go down for 50 games like those amatuers - Rafy only had to serve 10 games. And really, what's 10 games to a set-up guy?
But if I were Betancourt, I would consider getting caught once again, regardless of the new rules. Because if he keeps this bullshit up much longer, he will be looking for a new occupation before too long.
Rafy, I'm willing to accept the fact that you don't have the good old closers "mentality." That's fine - and is well-supported by the fact that your ERA is barely under six for the month of May, a month that featured Joe Borowski on the DL. However, if you're going to be an effective reliever of any sort, I assume that the first plan of attack will be actually getting out right-handed batters.
Being that approximately 80 percent of the world's population is right-handed, it doesn't help your team when righties are hitting at a crazy-good clip of .364 against you.
Your team already has a lefty "specialist" in Rafael Perez. You rarely see two lefty specialists, let alone both named Rafael, on the same team. And your .256 opposing average against lefties is definitely beat out by Perez's .205, so the ball's in your court. Or mound. Whatever.
Currently, the Indians are putting up more than two runs in a game maybe once a week. They're not driving guys in, and have a team batting average dangerously close to the Mendoza line. The last thing they can afford is for a set-up guy who used to be lights out (take that, Merriman!) coughing up games in the later innings.
Oh, and Rafy...if you do give your HGH supplier dentist a holler later this week, please pay with cash. It may buy you a few more games. No pun intended. Okay, maybe just a small one.
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