A blog about Sports.
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Moving beyond the MLB Steroid Stories Dress up Draft Doldrums NBA Playoffs Vs. Stanley Cup Finals: Who will win the battle for viewers? Opening Day declared Religious Holiday Tuskers end season with 50-10 loss to San Diego Tuskers shut out 26-0 against San Luis Obispo Tuskers end eight year winless drought General rules of Bracketeering There will be joy in Mudville California League Top Propects for 2009 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09
Ex-NBA star Jayson Williams allegedly trashed a suite in a suicidal rage and was subdued by a stun gun and taken to a psychiatric clinic, New York police said.
Police used a stun gun and two sets of handcuffs to subdue Williams. They allegedly found suicide notes and empty bottles and vials of sleeping pills, antidepressants and human growth hormone, police sources told the New York Post. The Award is shared this week by Williams for being Williams and the NYPD for using a stun gun on a suicidal man. 
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As 2008 comes to end, it’s always fun to look back over the year’s movies. Since I am a sports journalists, I thought it might be fun to compile a list of the past years sports related movies. As of November 3, 2008, there have been forty-five films released in 2008, and combined have grossed more than $100 million. Although there were some decent sports related movies in 2008. None made it in to the top 10 for highest grossing movies of 2008. It’s not really that surprising when you look down the list. Although in my opinion, none of these movies will ever make the AFI’s top list of sports themed movies, there are a couple that are worth that DVD or Blu-Ray rental.
Released in theaters on February 29, 2008, and DVD on June 3rd, 2008 Leatherheads-Drama-Starring: George Clooney and Renée Zellweger- Universal Pictures Released in theaters on April 4, 2008, and DVD on September 23, 2008. Personally my favorite sports movie of 2008. The film received mixed review mostly positive. The main audience for the film were viewers in their 50s to 80s. The movie has made about $29.7 million from the domestic box office and $6 million from the foreign box office making a total of $35.8 million to date. Set in the 1920s, Clooney plays Jimmy "Dodge" Connelly, a character based on the life of Johnny "Blood" McNally who played for multiple NFL teams from 1925 to 1938. As captain of a struggling professional American football team, the Duluth Bulldogs. Dodge (Clooney) is determined to save both his team and pro football. He persuades a college football star, Carter"the Bullet" Rutherford, to join the Bulldogs, hoping to capitalize on Carter's fame as a war hero. Chicago newspaper reporter, Lexie Littleton (Zellweger) provides a romantic interest, as she becomes the object of the affections of both Dodge and Carter. Lexie has been assigned to find proof that Carter's war heroics are bogus. Eventually Carter confesses that the surrender of the Germans was a lucky accident and in no way heroic. Dodge's attempts to legitimize pro football start to backfire. With his playing career nearing the end, Dodge and Carter, now playing for Chicago, face off, ending the movie with the “big game”. The Longshots-Family/Comedy-Starring: Ice Cube and Keke Palmer-Dimensions Films Released in theaters on August 22, 2008, and DVD on December 2, 2008 Personally I thought this movie was decent and more geared for the younger moviegoer. The movie landed in 10th place on it's opening weekend, making an amazing 4.08 million. The film is considered to be one of the lowest grossing films of the summer, making it a huge flop. The movie is based on the true story of Jasmine Plummer (Palmer)who, at the age of eleven, became the first female to play in Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history. Curtis Plummer (Ice Cube) a washed up former high school football star. Turns his niece, Jasmine, into the quarterback of the local team, the Minden Browns. He gets his stride back when he becomes the team coach. With Curtis as their new leader and their pigtail-wearing star player, this team of misfits wins its way to the Pop Warner Super Bowl and the small city of Minden, Illinois, is ignited with team spirit, town pride and the glory. Goal! 2: Living the Dream-Drama-Starring: Kuno Becker-Walt Disney Pictures Released on DVD on August 29, 2008 The story picks up where Goal left off and follows the fictional footballer Santiago (Becker) Munez's life, who after gaining experience with the football club Newcastle United, gets a huge break when he's transferred to Real Madrid. That’s pretty much the movie. I really think that you may be better off spending your time watching “Bend it like Beckham”. Not the best from Disney by far. The Wrestler-Drama-Starring: Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei-Fox Searchlight Released in a limited capacity on December 17, 2008, and will be released nationwide on January 16, 2009 If you’re into the WWE and Monday Night Raw, this movie might be for you. The story for this movie is about Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Rourke), a professional wrestler from the 1980s who twenty years past his prime is relocated to wrestling weekends in independent and semi-pro matches for extra cash. He is forced to retire after a heart attack threatens to kill him the next time he wrestles. He takes a weekend shift at the deli counter at the grocery store where he already works on weekdays, attempts to form a relationship with an aging stripper (Tomei) and does his best to reconcile with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood). However, he is drawn to the prospect of a rematch with his old wrestling nemesis the Ayatollah (Ernest Miller), even though the fight may cost him his life. The movies finale is the big match. Also appearing in the film are actual professional wrestlers including, The Blue Meanie, Necro Butcher, Nick Berk, DJ Hyde, Whacks, Perry Saturn, Kid USA, Ron Killings, Romeo Roselli and John Zandig. It probably wasn’t the best year for sports films. None of this years films come close or dare to compare to the first Rocky, Brian’s Song, Caddyshack, or Field of Dreams. Or my personal favorites, the Sandlot, and the Natural and Raging Bull. However, there are a few good laughs and a few of those feel good moments that all sports themed movies often bring. Let’s hope that 2009 brings with it a few great sports themed movies that top this years films.
Who said Christmas doesn’t come early? It does if you ask New York Yankees fans. It looks like the Yankees are doing a lot more to move out of the past and into future besides just moving into their pricey new ballpark in 2009. They will have the 4 highest paid players in baseball with A-Rod, Teixeira, CC Sabathia and Derek Jeter, as they try to win the World Series for the first time since 2000. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez has baseball’s highest deal at $275 million over 10 years, and shortstop Derek Jeter is second at $189 million over 10 years. They have also signed Mark Teixeira for $180 million over eight years, and are spending $161 million for CC Sabathia over a seven-year contract term. The Yankees’ off-season spending spree has now climbed to a staggering $423.5 million. One can only guess that the Man-Ram might muscle his way into this billionaire boys club. There’s no reason to assume the Yankees won’t sign him too. Especially just to rub in the face of Red Sox ownership and fans. Spending roughly $95 million per year, for these four players is far more than the median payroll in Major League Baseball. In comparison, it’s $31 million more than the Rays and the Marlins spent to win 181regular season games and a total of eight postseason games in 2008, combined. We’ll see if the Yankees can manage that. Does anyone remember when A-Rod and Gary Sheffield signed in 2004? Or when they traded for Randy Johnson and signed Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright in 2005. Or better yet when they signed Abreu in 2006 and Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens in 2007. The Yanks have done this before and just when it appears that they make bring home another pennant, poof! Some veteran Yankees are going to start or continue to decline this year. Amongst those may be Jeter or Damon, Mariano Rivera, heck maybe even A-Rod or C.C. So adding “kids” like Teixeira may be a good move, but I would imagine when the 2009 season ends, the Yankees will win somewhere around 95 games, and as in years past be in a brawl with the Red Sox and Rays for a playoff spot. With the Yankees spending money like OPEC, NY general manager, may be named Brian “Cash”man for a reason. But will throwing big cash at great players instead of spending smaller amounts on making a great team of good players, allow the Yanks to get back to the Fall Classic next October? Or will the end result be the “Bricks” second non-playoff season since 1993?
So how important is legally changing your name? Is it to become the be-all of pop culture bad-assness? Who are some of sports most famous players who have changed their names? Was the overall effect positive or negative for their careers, or did it make absolutely no difference whatsoever? Making recent headlines, Tampa Bay Buccaneers DE Greg White, has officially changed his legal name to Stylez G. White, after a character in the 80’s movie, “Teen Wolf” starring Michael J. Fox. What the hell is going on in the NFL? Is this a copycat move to imitate Cincinnati Bengal’s WR Chad Johnson, who legally changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco earlier this year? Have these guys been playing without their helmets? Is this what happens when you have a lot of money and no common sense? With all the ballyhoo that has been circulating around the sporting world regarding this name change, I though it would be fun to recall some of sports more notable name changes, or nicknames that players have adopted, past and present. Born: Lloyd Bernard Free | Changed to: World B. Free: Free changed his named in 1980 using a nickname given to him on the playgrounds of Brooklyn. Free played for the Philadelphia 76’ers and was one of the NBA's top scorers in the late 1970s. Born: Walker Smith Jr. | Changed to: Sugar Ray Robinson: Robinson's changed his name after he used a fake AAU membership card, property of his friend Ray Robinson to enroll in a boxing tournament at 14. After his fighting style was later described as "sweet as sugar," the fighter stuck with the now legendary name. Born: Edison Arantes do Nascimento | Changed to: Pelé: Pelé was most likely the greatest soccer player of all time. The nickname was given to the future soccer legend during his younger school days, and it stuck. Born: George Herman Ruth | Changed to: Babe Ruth: "Babe" Ruth was to baseball as Jordan was to the slam-dunk. He was baseball's first great slugger and the most celebrated athlete of his time. The southpaw debuted with the Red Sox, winning 89 games in six years while setting the World Series record for consecutive scoreless innings. Also known as "The Sultan of Swat", he converted to the outfield fulltime after his sale to the Yankees in 1920 and led New York to seven American League pennants and four World Series titles. He finished with 714 home runs, leading the league 12 times, including a remarkable 60 round trippers in 1927. In early 1914, a teacher at St. Mary's brought George to the attention of Jack Dunn, owner and manager of the then minor-league Baltimore Orioles. He was signed to a contract, and when his new teammates first saw him, they nicknamed him "Jack's newest babe”. Born: Eldrick Woods | Changed to: Tiger Woods: On his 21st birthday in 1996, he marked the occasion with a legal name change, from Eldrick to Tiger. One of the best golfers in the history of the sport. Turned Pro in 1996 and his career winnings already exceed $55 million. Tiger has won 58 tournaments, 43 of those on the PGA Tour. His titles include The Masters (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005), the PGA Championship (1999, 2000), the US Open (2000, 2002), and the British Open (2000). As you can see some of the greatest athletes of all time are on this list. However, changing your name somehow doesn’t rank you amongst the elite just because you thought it would in some way make you God in a pair of Nikes. A perfect example of a nickname gone bad is, ex-XFL player, Rob “He Hate Me” Smart who has been waived by more teams than Sean Avery has girlfriends, and has been relegated to playing for Team Tennessee of the American Football League.
Since when has soccer been more American? Multi-million dollar contracts, league suspensions, banning fans from coming to matches indefinitely following racially charged insults, and steroids scandals. Does it get any more American than that?
With headlines that rival other major American sports leagues. The MLS and soccer seem to have made it into the American sports vernacular. Outside America, soccer is bigger than our version of football, the NFL. Drawing average attendances of upwards to 75K for single regular season games for some clubs. However, within American borders, it is has been nothing more than a good way for parents to keep their 8 to 9 year-olds with attention deficit disorder from bouncing off the walls. But that is changing.
A large part of soccer’s budding urban American expansion was accelerated when European soccer phenom David Beckham signed a $250 million contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy, late last year. The signing became an international story that was met with mixed predictions as to what might happen to American soccer. It has also paved the way for other fading European football superstars, Tony Caig and Juan Pablo Ángel Arango amongst others, that have exhausted their careers on soccer’s “Big Stage”, to come to the US in an effort to increase the popularity of the sport. Personally, I feel that spending $250 million on one player is like putting up your entire years salary on the Detroit Lions to win the Super bowl.
With more media attention than an O.J. trial, David and equally eminent bride, ex-Spice Girl Victoria Adams, have become known as a fashion plate, and together the couple have become lucrative spokespeople sought after by clothing designers, health and fitness specialists, fashion magazines, perfume and cosmetics manufacturers, hair stylists, exercise promoters, and spa and recreation companies. Let’s not forget the NBC TV show "Victoria Beckham: Coming to America”. Or do.
Despite all of the initial hype surrounding the Beckhams, this has not incited any kind of American soccer revolution. Those of you who are old enough might remember that in the 1970s, the Cosmos soccer team in New York pulled a similar move by bringing Pelé, a fading soccer legend, to the United States. It was a widely successful venture that captured national attention but in the end proved fruitless for increasing the overall popularity of soccer in America over the long term.
Overall Americans just don't understand soccer. To average Joe Six-pack, the game is too slow, there is not enough scoring and games always seem to end in ties. Would someone explain ties again to Donavan McNabb? Simply, soccer just isn't high-octane enough for most American fans. We prefer huge juiced giants slamming into each other at full speed to grab our attention. At least one similarity than can be observed between American and European football. Hooliganism and the Raider Nation
Things will probably work out for the Galaxy and the MLS, at least in the short term. There are no NFL football teams in Los Angeles to compete with. Beckham is a recognized celebrity and has an attractive wife. A star-obsessed city such as Los Angeles may work well for this type of promotion.
The MLS concluded its 13th season this year with 14 teams. It also has awarded an expansion franchise to Seattle to begin play in 2009 and to Philadelphia to start in 2010. In more recent headlines, MLS Commissioner, Don Garber has continued to move forward with plans for expanding the MLS to the league maximum of 18 teams. Cities that are still being considered are Portland, Ottawa, Vancouver, Miami and Atlanta. Latest news reports that Montreal has dropped out of contention, and cites Miami and Portland being the front-runners for the leagues final two expansion teams.
Not bad for a nation that still hasn’t conformed to the metric system, but has let soccer become one of our means of sporting entertainment.
Dear Santa,
First, I’d like to thank you for another great sports year. I’m mailing this letter early because I was afraid you wouldn’t get it in time, what with the government budget cuts at the post office and all. I hope all is well with you and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole. All is good here in Bakersfield, and the weather is cooling just in time for your arrival.
I love the holiday season. If holidays were sports teams, I'd be a Christmas fan. I would wear licensed Christmas apparel, and buy Christmas season tickets. I would start collecting Christmas trading cards, and would search the card section inside Russo’s Books for a Frosty the Snowman rookie card.
Having said that, I want you to give me everything I ask for this year. I helped an old lady across Chester Avenue, I gave a few pints down at the Houchin Blood Bank, I volunteered to feed the homeless, and I tossed a bear at the Condors game. With the exception of a few minor naughty infractions, I think I should be placed on the nice list this year. So, here is my Christmas list.
I want the Jam to finish better than an 11-39 season. You really delivered on last years Christmas list with Mateen Cleaves, Trey Johnson, and Nick Lewis, returning in 2008-2009. Thanks big guy. I want you to let CSUB Athletic Director Rudy Carvajal live another 67 years. I know, that means he'll be in his mid-130s, but Santa, if anyone deserves to be alive that long, it's Rudy. He's an icon of Cal State Bakersfield sports. Not to mention winning an unprecedented 30 national championships in seven different sports, and the national Sears Directors’ Cup for the overall excellence of CSUB’s athletic program. The world would truly be a lesser place without him.
I want you to renovate Sam Lynn Ballpark. Thus keeping the tradition of professional baseball alive in Bakersfield. I was going to ask for a new ballpark, but I know things are tough this year so just some improvements to the ole ballpark would probably do it. I want you to let there be a Christmas truce between the Fresno Falcons and the Bakersfield Condors just like you did in 1914 during WWI. Actually I changed my mind. Scratch this one from my list. I want the Condors to get out of round one of the playoffs, and if possible win the Kelly Cup in 4 straight.
I want the BC Renegades football team to finish over or at .500 and win their conference to get a shot at the Golden Empire Bowl in 2009. Just let 'em get in. The rest is up to them. I want the CSUB’s men’s basketball team to win seven games against Big West Conference teams and then beat Stanford and Oregon State on the road. Don't ask why. Just do it. I want case of MonaVie for every Brigade player. Hey if it worked for Wynalda, why not?
I want you to bring back Taft College Football and the Taft-Bakersfield rivalry.
I want a new CIF playoff-seeding format. Where you have to earn a trip to the playoffs.
Finally for sports fans everywhere, give them the joy of seeing their teams perform at the highest level possible, the love for the game, and the peace and understanding that there is always next year.
Give my regards to the elves,
A Bakersfield Sports Fan
P.S. I will leave you nachos and a cold beverage of your choice. At least take the nachos home and enjoy them during bowl season.
It seems that every year the holiday season sneaks up on all of us. Before you know it, it will be time to start buying all those gifts for your family and friends. If you are like me, you sometimes just cannot figure out what to buy someone for the holidays. Being a sports fan myself I thought I might suggest a few gift ideas if you have a sports fan on your holiday shopping list. There are many sports-related gift ideas that they are sure to enjoy.
To help you out, here are some ideas for the Bakersfield sports fan on your list:
One great holiday gift idea is to give your favorite sports fan tickets to a sporting event. There are a number of choices for teams playing in Bakersfield during the winter months. The Bakersfield Condors, the Bakersfield Jam, and a variety of CSUB and BC athletics are in season. You can either purchase tickets for these events online at the individual team websites or stubhub.com, and at the venue box offices. Gift certificates are also available. The price range is $10-$50 for a pair of tickets. Either way, every sports fan enjoys going to a live sporting event to cheer on their favorite hometown team. What sports fan doesn’t like to eat and watch sports? So how about a gift certificate to their favorite Bakersfield sports bar or sports themed restaurant? Places like Kosmos, Woody’s, or Replay Sports Lounge, will let your sports fan enjoy both good food and a good game. It is almost like going to a live sporting event, except without having to deal with weather or parking conditions. Every sports fan will enjoy this holiday gift. The price range varies depending on your appetite.
So you are looking for the unique gift for your Bakersfield hockey fan. Skating or hockey lessons at Bakersfield Ice Sports Center are sure to get them into the action. Prices start at around $135 and up, and include skate rental and hockey gear.
An additional holiday gift idea is to give your sports fan some apparel for their favorite team. Whether you give them a Condors team jersey, Blaze Baseball hat, BC T-shirt, or CSUB sweatshirt, they are sure to love anything with the logo of their favorite Bakersfield team on it. If you are not sure what apparel they would like, you can always get them a bobble-head, stadium seat or team blanket. Either way, the sports fan in your family will be happy with these holiday gift ideas. These items can be purchased online from the team websites or at local campus stores and stadium shops. Prices can range from $20-$150.
If you need to purchase a gift for your racing fan, a gift certificate to Superkart Racing in Bakersfield could be your winner. The price ranges from $9 for an introductory session to $60 for a Grand Prix race.
Finally, if you have a golfer on your holiday shopping list, there are many great gift ideas to choose from. At Pro Shop Golf you can buy them balls, tees, a golf towel, or perhaps that new custom putter or sand wedge that they have been talking about from Golfcraft Custom Clubs. You can also get them a gift certificate to their favorite driving range, so they can log some extra practice hours. Or, you can even buy them a gift certificate for a round of golf at their favorite golf course. The price range is $50-$500, and there are many options when it comes to gifts for Bakersfield golfers.
Hopefully, these ideas will make it a little easier when it comes time to buy holiday gifts for the Bakersfield sports fan on your shopping list. Have a happy and healthy holiday this year,
Matthew Martz aka The Noise Factor
What a Beaver bummer. Things have been pretty solemn around our house the last three days as my wife is an alumnus of OSU, and now one of the “Griever Nation”. I should be a good husband and console her, but there isn’t much to say after Oregon crushed Oregon State posting up a score that looked more like a basketball game, in the 112th Civil War Game, 65-38 this past weekend. It was a perfect day for football in Corvallis, almost as perfect as a crisp January day in Pasadena. Injured Oregon State running back, and PC 10 leading rusher, Jacquizz Rodgers, watched hopelessly on the sideline as the Ducks battered the Beavers, silencing Reser Stadium's record crowd of 46,319. Oregon jumped out in front on 17-yard Jeff Maehl TD reception and then a Ducks 38-yard field goal. Oregon State answered back as WR Jeremy Francis caught a short pass from QB Jeremiah Moevao, and rumbled his way into the end zone for a 20-yard scoring reception to make it 10-7. But Oregon answered on the next series with a LeGarrette Blount 9-yard touchdown run. Ducks kicker Morgan Flint added a 22-yard field goal to put Oregon ahead 20-7. Oregon State Kicker Justin Kahut missed an embarrassing 21-yard field goal for the Beavers, but made a 24-yarder on Oregon State's next drive. After a Flint 25-yard field goal, RB Jeremiah Johnson ran 83 yards for a TD and Walter Thurmond added a 40-yard interception return, making it 37-10, Ducks. Down by 27 points, the determined Beavers would close the gap to 20 with 9 seconds left in the half on Moevao's 11-yard pass to Shane Morales. Ducks RB Jeremiah Johnson ran for 203 yards in the first half alone. The Beavers had the ball to start the second half and further narrowed the score to 37-24 on a Moevao's 3-yard scoring pass to Joe Halahuni. Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli then scrambled for a 14 Yd TD Run, to make the score 44-24 before the Beavers WR Shane Morales would get his second TD reception of the contest. The Ducks would again answer back as Terence Scott turned a short reception into a 76-yard TD for a commanding 51-31 lead for Oregon to start the fourth quarter, but Moevao found Brady Camp with a 2-yard scoring pass with 8:34 left, making it 51-38. Masoli hit Ed Dickson with a 45-yard scoring pass with just under four minutes left, then Oregon finished the Beavers off with Spencer Paysinger's 70-yard interception return for a touchdown. The 65-38 victory completes a three-game winning streak that propels Oregon into a second-place tie in the Pac-10. Perhaps just as satisfying is the fact that it spoiled the Beavers' chances of playing in the Rose Bowl. The hopes of Oregon State returning to the Rose Bowl since their last appearance in 1964, is now riding on the slim chance that the (4-6) Bruins upset the (10-1) USC Trojans in one of college footballs biggest rivalry games this weekend in southern California. A UCLA win would put Oregon, Oregon State and USC in a 3-way tie for Rose Bowl bid. To break the 3-way tie, the 3 teams would be compared to the 4th place team, which is Cal. Oregon lost to Cal, which removes Oregon from contention. Then they simply do a tiebreaker between Oregon State and USC, and we all know who won that game. In a more likely scenario. If USC beats UCLA, the Trojans are Rose Bowl-bound, and Oregon earns the Holiday bid and Oregon State drops all the way to the Sun Bowl. So Oregon fans are hoping that USC makes quick work of the Bruins because instead of the 2nd place bowl, Oregon would end up in the 4th place bowl should USC lose this weekends contest. The Trojans national-title hopes officially ended when Oklahoma beat Oklahoma State this past weekend. Yet a loss to the rival Bruins would be just as devastating and would mean a trip instead to the Holiday Bowl. For the Beavers. They didn’t come up smelling like roses. Instead the roses are heading back to Los Angeles, and await the team that will wage battle against Penn State in the 2009 Rose Bowl. However, Beaver fans are still hopeful that an upset this weekend could return them to the “Granddaddy” of Bowl games after 44 years.
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