Chip of the Rock...

Dwayne Johnson - “Christmas came early! Within minutes of being born she was laying on daddy’s chest. And being a grateful man takes on a whole new meaning ...,” he captioned the photo. “Thank you guys so much for the awesome congratulatory wishes and love you’ve been sending @laurenhashianofficial and myself. We’re extremely grateful.” Watching Dwayne go from complete rookie in WWE to what he has become now. A great character on and off camera. I have enjoyed several of his movies and found them to be entertaining. I have to be honest though, Scorpion King was a bit "ok" but we have to remember that this film was his first showing so I can't slam him too hard. What I am enjoying is a show called "Ballers" on HBO. It's a different side to the big teddy bear but very enjoyable to watch. Congrats to you and yours Dwayne - God Bless. MR

I love the wins...

I don't know what to say but what I'm definitely going to feel is a great rush of pride flowing through my veins. Chicago has been performing quite well in the past few days. That butt kicking they did against Golden was the tip now they move on to beat Washington. Yes, I know that some of you are saying that Golden and Washington aren't really contender teams but you have to admit that both teams have a decent roster. Keep up the good work Bulls and lets bring in another victory soon. Here is a quick piece from UPI on the game -


NBA: Chicago 103, Washington 96
CHICAGO (UPI) -- Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng produced a total of 65 points Saturday, fueling Chicago's 103-96 decision over Washington.

Rose led the way with 24 points, while Noah had 21 and Deng had 20. Noah and Deng had nine rebounds apiece in the Bulls' third win in a row.

Washington lost for the fourth time in its last five games despite getting a game-high 30 points from Gilbert Arenas. John Wall contributed 16 points and six assists for the Wizards.



Copyright 2010 by United Press International

Still Adjusting...

DENVER (UPI) -- Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson combined for 48 points Tuesday as the Denver Nuggets swept past the Chicago Bulls 112-91. Anthony tallied 26 points and Iverson added 22, while Marcus Camby added 12 points and 20 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have won six straight. Kenyon Martin contributed 13 points for Denver, which shot 50.6 percent. Rookie Joakim Noah led Chicago with 16 points, with Kirk Hinrich and rookie Thomas Garner adding 14 points apiece for the 2-8 Bulls.
After going up just 36-25 in the first quarter, the Nuggets used a 13-0 run to forge a 72-53 halftime lead and were up 94-69 after three quarters. The Bulls, who were without Luol Deng for a second straight game (sore back), never mounted a challenge in the final period.

I know that this looks bad for the Bulls but they have a really good squad. Even though Noah gave them a good effort by rippin in 16 points I am giving them a few more months before the chemistry begins to flow at a steady and dangerous pace where the name Chicago Bulls will put those opposing them in fear.

Chicago losing big...

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LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant had just 16 points on a cold shooting night, but the LA bench came up big Sunday night, as the Lakers beat Chicago, 106-78. Bryant was good on just 6-of-16 shots, and was on the bench when the Lakers put together an 18-0 streak over the third and fourth quarters to take matters in hand against the Bulls -- who had a team-wide cold hand, shooting just 34.8 percent from the floor. Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmar had 14 points each, and Bynum hauled in 10 rebounds. Chris Mihm and Vladimir Radmanovic had 11 points each off the bench, and Mihm had seven rebounds for the Lakers, who won their third straight game and their fourth out of five. Ben Gordon led the Bulls with 20 points. Andres Nocioni had 14 points and six rebounds -- and no other player was in double figures for the Bulls, who have lost seven of nine games this season.

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Massive Deal 4 Rodriguez...

NEW YORK (UPI) -- Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees have reportedly agreed to a framework that could lead to the largest sports contract in history. The New York Daily News reported that Rodriguez will likely sign a deal worth $275 million over 10 years. It appeared the superstar third baseman would no longer be with the Yankees after he opted out of the remaining three years of his previous contract with the team.
That made him a free agent and allowed him to negotiate with any team in the majors, but he indicated he would like to stay with New York if a deal could be arranged. Rodriguez met with the sons of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner during the past week. The Daily News report said that while language in the contract must be made final, it is expected to include incentives concerning the career home run record currently owned by Barry Bonds. Rodriguez hit 54 homers last season with 156 RBI and batted .314. But he struggled in the playoffs and the Yankees were eliminated in the first round for the third straight year.

I was kind of disappointed because I has hoping that he would try out our MudHens here in Toledo but I know that money talks so his decision to stay with the Yankees was coming soon enough. Well I wish him the best and a good luck on reaching Bond's record.

Bonds Indicted...

SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) -- Major League Baseball's all-time home run leader Barry Bonds has been indicted in San Francisco on five counts of perjury and obstruction of justice.
Documents were filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco in connection with Bonds' Dec. 4, 2003, grand jury appearance, during which he testified he did not knowingly take performance enhancing drugs supplied by Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO). Bonds' former mistress, Kimberly Bell, and a former childhood friend, Stevie Hoskins, also have said BALCO supplied him steroids. The indictment of the seven-time National League MVP follows one of the longest federal grand jury investigations in Northern California history.
The 43-year-old slugger, who has consistently denied using steroids, has hit 762 home runs with a career average of .298 in 22 seasons with Pittsburgh and San Francisco. His historic 756th homer came Aug. 7 this year against Washington.
He is a free agent after the Giants decided not to re-sign him.

Ricky and Dolphins...

DAVIE, Fla. (UPI) -- The National Football League announced Wednesday Miami running back Ricky Williams can return to action late this month. Williams has been suspended since the 2005 season for violating the league's drug policy.
"Ricky Williams was notified this morning by Commissioner (Roger) Goodell that he has been reinstated as an NFL player," the league said in a statement. "Williams can begin attending team meetings and practicing immediately, but will not be eligible to play in games until Week 12 when the Dolphins play at Pittsburgh (Monday night, Nov. 26). The Dolphins will receive a roster exemption for Williams for up to two weeks when he begins practicing, starting no later than Monday." Williams was suspended in April 2006 for his fourth violation of the league's anti-drug policy. He then signed a one-year deal with Toronto of the Canadian Football League, where he ran for 623 yards. He missed two months of the 2006 season with a broken arm. His reinstatement to the NFL does not guarantee he will be on the Miami roster. Miami Coach Cam Cameron said Wednesday that he and Williams, "will sit down and visit."

My wife might be thrilled to hear that her favorite player is back but then again will he make a huge difference in how they are currently playing? I hope that for the teams sake they try and improve their defensive team, because from what I've seen they need it pretty bad.

Buckeyes lossing 1...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (UPI) -- Juice Williams threw four touchdown passes Saturday afternoon, as Illinois knocked off the top-ranked and previously unbeaten Ohio State Buckeyes, 28-21. Williams threw for 140 yards on 12-of-22 passing and also ran for 70 yards for the Fighting Illini (8-3, 5-2 Big Ten), who defeated a nationally top-ranked team for the first time since they beat Michigan in 1956.
Marques Wilkins, Michael Hoomanawanui, Brian Gamble and Jacob Willis all caught touchdown passes from Williams in the victory. Todd Boeckman struggled behind center, completing 13-of-23 passes with no touchdowns and three interceptions for the Buckeyes (10-1, 6-1), who suffered their first loss of the season and saw their 28-game regular season win streak end.

We're one week away and the Buckeyes have shown a little normalcy. The top ranked Buckeyes have gone down during the Ohio Illinois game. With just a week before the big game here between the Bucks and the Wolverines a lot of speculation is going around that this might not go so well for Michigan, with Ohio losing the way they did this may charge them up for the next game. I on the other hand see this as a possible plus - they're hurting right now so a game against Michigan might make things worse for the Bucks. All Michigan has to do is present a strong front keep the momentum moving forward and don't look back.

Free agent Roger Clemens

NEW YORK (UPI) -- Roger Clemens, who has told the Houston Astros he is ready to fulfill a personal services contract, officially filed for free agency Friday. That move leaves open the possibility Clemens might pitch in the majors for a 25th season. Clemens was one of three players to file for free agency Friday, bringing the total to 146 who have done so since the filing period began last week. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Randy Wolf and Tampa Bay designated hitter Greg Norton also filed.
Clemens does not have to officially retire to start his personal services contract, a 10-year deal he signed with the Astros in 2004. He agreed to the deal then because he expected to retire at the end of that season. But he pitched again for the Astros in 2005 and 2006. He then signed a one-year deal for the New York Yankees and went 6-6 with a 4.18 ERA in 18 games last season.

One down many to go...

NBA: Chicago 97, Detroit 93
CHICAGO (UPI) -- Joe Smith and Tyrus Thomas combined to make three free throws in the final 17 seconds Thursday night, boosting the Chicago Bulls past Detroit, 97-93.
Chicago won its first game of the season and Detroit lost for the first time. The Bulls were nursing a one-point lead when Smith made two foul shots with 17 seconds to play. After Detroit's Richard Hamilton missed a three-point attempt, Thomas was fouled. Needing to make only one free throw with two seconds remaining to clinch the win, Thomas missed his first attempt. But the second one was good, giving him 19 points for the game.
Luol Deng added 17 for the Bulls, who had lost their first four games of the season. Detroit, which had opened the campaign with three straight wins, got 36 points from Rasheed Wallace. Wallace, Hamilton and Chauncey Billups combined to score all but 25 of Detroit's points. This was the first meeting of the teams since Detroit eliminated Chicago in six games in last season's conference semifinals.

Now that Da Bulls have one in the locker they can focus on the next win and continue their efforts to become a great force throughout the season.

Get the Devil out...

Tampa Bay drops 'Devil' from nickname.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays dropped the "Devil" from their name Thursday while introducing a new image.
"We are now the 'Rays' -- a beacon that radiates throughout Tampa Bay and across the entire state of Florida," said Stuart Sternberg, the team's principal owner. "Tampa Bay and the Sunshine State are beautiful places. We want the Rays to reflect the best our region has to offer." The team also changed its colors, replacing green and black with a combination of navy and light blue. New uniforms were introduced as well, featuring the new colors along with a yellow sunburst that emerges from behind the letter, "R."

This is the beginning of a good thing, now if we can only take of the others that have bad names like The Florida Marlins,The Arizona Diamonbacks heck even The Minnesots Twins, has anyone done a research as to what their twins of? Let's not even mention the Washington Nationals.
:)

Congrats to the hard workers...

Randy Moss named to weekly player honor

NEW YORK (UPI) -- New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss Wednesday was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
In a 24-20 victory against Indianapolis, Moss scored once on nine receptions for 145 yards. Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison (defense), and San Diego defensive back Antonio Cromartie (special teams) were the other AFC honorees. Harrison had nine tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 3 ½ sacks as the Steelers trounced Baltimore, 38-7. Cromatie returned a missed field goal 109 yards for the longest play in NFL history in the Chargers 35-17 loss to Minnesota.
Named in the NFC were Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson (offense), who scored three times while rushing for an NFL single-game record 296 yards on 30 attempts, Detroit tackle Shaun Rogers (defense), who raced 66 yards for a touchdown after a pass interception in the Lions 44-7 rout of Denver, and Washington placekicker Shaun Suisham (special teams), who booted five field goals in a 23-20 overtime win over the New York Jets.

It would of been nice to see some of the players from the 49ers team mentioned but it looks like they have to do a little more to get that special announcement. With the way things are going thus far for the niners I hope that they at least get one or two more wins before the season is over.

A wise decision....

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Big East tournament expands to 16 teams
PHILADELPHIA (UPI) -- All 16 Big East Conference members will take part in the league's post-season basketball tournament beginning in 2009, Big East officials said in Philadelphia. The league said the decision to expand its tournament from 12 to 16 teams was made Tuesday at the Big East's annual presidents' meeting.
"Our presidents performed a very thorough review of the tournament format," Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese said in a release. "After extensive deliberation, it was decided that inviting all teams to participate would provide a special opportunity to every men's and women's basketball student-athlete."
The current arrangement has the top 12 teams in the regular-season standings qualifying for the Big East post-season tournament. In 2009, all 16 teams will advance with the eight lowest seeded teams -- determined through regular-season standings -- playing the first day and the winners going against seeds 5-8 on the second. The top four regular-season finishers will have byes into the round of eight. This decision was a great decision if you ask me. This would improve the outcomes to anyone who has an office pool going with the other employees.

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A-Rod in the Glass City?

Alex Rodriguez isn’t going to be a Tiger in 2008, but maybe he’ll consider an offer from the Toledo Mud Hens. On Sunday, after SI.com reported that Rodriguez would opt out of his contract and become a free agent, New York Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner told the New York Times, “Does he want to go into the Hall of Fame as a Yankee, or a Toledo Mud Hen?” The Mud Hens figured they should give him that opportunity. Dan Royer, a graphic designer for the team, created a mock Hall of Fame bust, with Rodriguez wearing a Toledo hat. The Mud Hens also prepared a letter that they plan to mail to Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras. Included is a contract offer with incentives if he hits 75 home runs per season and leads Toledo to 10 straight Governors’ Cup titles.
There is a catch, of course.
The letter includes a reminder that Mike Hessman – the International League’s reigning Most Valuable Player – is the Mud Hens’ everyday third baseman.
“We think that it would be a healthy competition at spring training between the two of them,” it reads. “Would your client be willing to play a different position?”
By Jon Paul Morosi -
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

I believe we should welcome him with open arms and hearts. We have a great crew in The Mud Hens and we can always use an addition to the club. Let's see what happens with this one and I would have to agree that he might bring in a bigger fan crowd and a bit more money to the area which Toledo canuse right now and in the future.

Dirty or Clean?

LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Barry Bonds said Thursday he would turn down entry into the Hall of Fame if an asterisk is placed on the baseball he hit to break Hank Aaron's career record. Bonds, who made the vow during an interview with MSNBC, broke Aaron's mark of 755 homers this year and finished the season with 762. He was released by the San Francisco Giants at season's end. The ball Bonds hit to establish the record was purchased by fashion designer Marc Ecko for $752,000 and Ecko gave fans a chance to vote on the Internet on what they thought should happen to the ball.
Fans voted to send the ball to the Hall of Fame with an asterisk marked on it as a symbol of Bonds' alleged use of performance enhancing drugs. "I don't think you can put an asterisk in the game of baseball," Bonds said in the interview. When asked what he would do if the ball was displayed with an asterisk, Bonds said:

"I will never be in the Hall of Fame. Never. I won't go. I won't be part of it, I won't be there. You can call me, but I won't be there."

It bothers me that although there have been many accusations towards Bonds about the juicing of the performance drug and no one has yet to show some kind of proof. You would think that if in fact he did use the additives some one would of busted him on it by now. Allow the ball to be placed in The Hall of Fame without the asterisk next to it because until proven dirty, he's clean. How many players in the league have large numbers of RBIs and stolen bases? Quite a bit right, well let's say we add an asterisk to there number total and add a text saying "Well so and so got that last boost of numbers because the last team the played completely sucked so his total counts but it's under restraint due to lack of a challenge from the opposing team." Now that would completely enrage the player accomplishing that task of greatness. Now if it turns out that he was walking around with an IV pumping the stuff in then I guess I'll take back my words and agree that the ball should not only have an asterisk but it should be placed in the cleaning supply closet for all to see where dirty accomplishments go.

Game 4 goes to the Red Sox as well as the World Series Trophy...

MLB: Boston 4, Colorado 3
DENVER (UPI) -- Mike Lowell homered and scored a run Sunday night, as the Boston Red Sox beat Colorado, 4-3, to complete a four-game World Series sweep. After the game, Lowell was named series MVP. Bobby Kielty also homered for Boston, and Jason Varitek and David Ortiz each drove in a run. Jacob Ellsbury had two hits and scored a run for the Red Sox, who won the World Series for the second time in four years. They previously won it all in 2004. Garrett Atkins hit a two-run home run and Brad Hawpe had a solo shot to account for the Rockies' scoring.

Red Sox starter Jon Lester pitched 5 2/3 innings, holding the Rockies scoreless on three hits, with three strikeouts and three walks. Reliever Jonathan Papelbon earned the save, pitching 1 2/3 innings of no-hit ball, with one strikeout. Colorado starter Aaron Cook took the loss, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings, with two strikeouts and no walks

Game 3 goes to the Red Sox...

DENVER (UPI) -- Jacoby Ellsbury had four hits, drove in two runs and scored twice Saturday night, as the Boston Red Sox beat Colorado, 10-5, to go up 3-0 in the World Series. Dustin Pedroia had three hits, drove in two and scored a run, and Mike Lowell had two hits, two RBI and two runs scored, as the Red Sox continued their mastery over the Rockies. Boston has won the first three games of the World Series by a combined score of 17-7, and has out-hit Colorado, 32-23. Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-0) held the Rockies to two runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings -- and contributed a two-run single during a six-run third inning.

The Red Sox led, 6-1, when the Rockies came up with two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh, when Matt Holliday stroked a three-run home run to make it 5-5, Boston. Ellsbury drove in a run with an eighth-inning single, and then scored on Pedroia's two-run double, to put the Sox back in control. Game 4 is set for Sunday in Denver, with Jon Lester set to start for Boston and Aaron Cook getting the start for Colorado.

This just in...

This just in from UPI...

Red Sox lament losing the DH
DENVER (UPI) -- Boston will be without the designated hitter when the World Series shifts to Denver this weekend. It will not be in effect Saturday night when the Rockies are home for Game 3, and the Red Sox will be down an automatic batter with first baseman Kevin Youkilis on the bench. The DH rule, often criticized, was established by the American League in 1973.

It forces Boston to use its normal DH, David Ortiz, at first, while pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will bat for himself because the game is in an NL city. Boston, up 2-0, loses defense with Ortiz at first and Youkilis on the bench. "'Youk' is a really good hitter, but they won't let us play all three of them," said Manager Terry Francona. "So we'll go with this." When the series' first two games were played at Boston's Fenway Park, Colorado used its right-fielder, Ryan Spilborghs, at DH.
The Rockies did openly oppose the rule.

An excellent opinion...

It all seems to be coming together now, at just the right time, much as it did in 2004 after the Red Sox staged the greatest comeback in the history of sports to vanquish the Yankees in that year’s ALCS.

The comment above is that of Corey Fyke Day Staff Writer , his piece on the past and present of Boston's standings are true to the fact. I became a Red Sox fan even more this year because of my brother Chelo. He i definitely a die hard fan, my uncle from Boston has been a fan for pretty much his whole life. I am glad to have become a stronger fan to this excellent ball club, watching them play against the Indians brought me some memories of watching a game with my uncle when I was younger and I had gone to visit him for a week. I have been to Fenway before but it would be nice to go there with my uncle and my brother at the same time. Read Mr. Fyke's complete article by clicking on the link at the bottom labeled 'Article', his entry is a definite read don't miss it.

ARTICLE

Game 2 goes to the Red Sox...

MLB: Boston 2, Colorado 1

BOSTON (UPI) -- Mike Lowell doubled in the go-ahead run in the fifth Thursday night, as the Boston Red Sox beat Colorado, 2-1, to take a two-game lead in the World Series. After pounding out 17 hits and winning easily in the series opener, the Red Sox captured a tense struggle in Game 2, despite stranding a dozen runners. Colorado will be at home for Game 3 Saturday night in the first World Series game ever played in Denver.
Boston starter and winning pitcher Curt Schilling allowed four hits and a run through 5 1/3 innings. With two on and two out in the sixth, Hideki Okajima came on to end the threat. Okajima struck out four and did not allow a hit over 2 1/3 before being replaced by closer Jonathan Papelbon, who got the last four outs and moved the Red Sox within two wins of their second World Series title in three years. Colorado scored in the first when Willy Taveras raced home from third on Todd Helton's ground out. Jason Veritek's sacrifice fly tied it in the fourth. The Red Sox tied it with two out in the fifth, when David Ortiz walked, went to second on a single by Manny Ramirez and came in on Lowell's two-base hit off Ubaldo Jimenez.

I was unable to watch the entire game last night because my youngest daughter had her first chorus concert and my wife had a forum to attend at Devaux Junior High. When I got home it was the bottom of the 7th and I was feeling a bit tired. The outcome although low was still predictable, they are up two games to none and that is all that counts in my opinion. All they need now is two more games and the season is over.