Lance Armstrong

Are you ready for the Tour de France?  You should be.  Cycling fan or not.  American Lance Armstrong is going for his 6th;  thats right SIXTH Tour victory in a row.  Think about that.  Do you realize the mountainous terrain in France?  The heat and exhaustion that goes into winning just one?  Lance has five and is a good bet to win next month.  Did I also mention he has overcome testicular Cancer to get to where he is today?  Closest thing we have to a God on this earth is Lance Armstrong.

I would do anything to be in Paris next month when Lance comes strolling into the city carrying a glass of wine and thousands upon thousands of Americans and cycling fans are cheering him on.  That would be the ultimate.  No cyclist has one six Tour's in a row...let alone one who has overcome Cancer.  Sports Illustrated, as well as every other sports magazine, has Lance on the cover this week.  Pick one up and read why he is going to put his stamp on cycling history.

By the way, I am one person, being in the situation I am in (at the moment at least...) who is not able to give money to charity.  Would you like to help out?  Go to Live Strong (or NikeTown stores in big cities) and buy the LiveStrong bracelets, t-shirt's, backpacks, etc.  Live Strong is part of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and most of the money from the purchases goes straight to Cancer research.  Great cause.  The bracelets are only a dollar a piece.  I was in Chicago this past weekend and I bought five of them.  It's the least I can do. 

My Top 8 Bars/Restaurants In Chicago

1. Murphy's -- Right across from Wrigley.  The place to be before, during (if you don't have tickets) and after the game.

2. ESPN Zone -- Good food, just a couple tv's (sarcasm), and games, games and more games.  A place for the whole family.

3. Barleycorn -- Great restaurant and later it gets jumping with great music.

4. Kendall's -- For St Patrick's Day there is no other place to be in Chicago.

5. Clark Bar -- St Valentine's Day Massacre took place here.  Al Capone, Frank Nitti, The Untouchables, etc

6. BW-3 -- Great sports bar...has everything you need.

7. Joe's -- Only 100 tv's or so to watch every sporting event on the planet.

8. McGee's -- Loud music, cover bands, dancing, etc.  If you want to go, hang out with friends and talk...this isn't the bar for you, but if you are looking for a good time, you will have it here.

ry

 

Now it's MY turn to have a say....

I've sat back long enough and listened to what you've all had to say.  Now, it's my turn so sit back and listen up.  I'm sick of Tracy McGrady and all of his pointless babble.  What is wrong with him?  Where does he get the right to say 'I dont want to play for a losing team anymore...ship me to a team that is going to win right this instant?' 

Get over it McGrady.  All you can do is score.  Makes me sick that every couple of years you can get sick of one team and move onto the next, not like it there and want out again.  Deal with it.  The NBA doesn't have that many 'great' teams so you arent going to get the pick of the litter.  How about you stay in Orlando and help develop the Magic and Dwight Howard?  Might make you look like a good human being for once in your life instead of a selfish little crybaby. 

I put a lot of time and effort into this journal entry.  Like the three hours you put into the articles last week Ryan?  Not quite.  You know, I just thought of something.  By the title you didnt think I was going to talk about something else (i.e. the contest, other journals, etc) did you?  Right.  I've got better things to do....like the Cubs/White Sox series in Chicago this weekend. 

Effort

1 : conscious exertion of power : hard work
2 : a serious attempt : TRY
3 : something produced by exertion or trying <the novel was her most ambitious effort>
4 : effective force as distinguished from the possible resistance called into action by such a force
5 : the total work done to achieve a particular end <the war effort>

My Top 8 Reasons Why The Cubs Trounce The Sox This Weekend

1. I

2. am

3. going

4. to

5. get

6. sloshed

7. in

8. Chicago

Go Cubbies.  Lots of effort people, lots of effort.  Back to it next week.  Nice to have a week off. 

 

Wimbledon

The 118th Wimbledon got underway this morning.  There are a few stories for all of you fans out there who have been dying, like myself, for the best tennis tournament in the world to begin. 

Today marked the return of Martina Navratilova to the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club in the Women's Singles draw.  Do you realize she is 47-years-old?  She is not playing just doubles like the past few years.  That's incredible.  I realize she played singles in the French Open in Paris last month but that is not where Martina thrives; Wimbledon is. 

Did I mention Martina crushed her opponent, Catalina Castano of Colombia, 6-1, 6-0?  When I'm 47, I will just be hoping to be able to pick up a racquet and go hit some balls with friends at the local tennis courts.  Wimbledon at her age?  Just remarkable.   For two more weeks let's see that 'take no prisoners' attitude again..  Women's tennis could use some liveliness after the Russian debacle at the French. Martina's body just has to cooperate. 

Another player making a comeback of sorts is Goran Ivanisevic.  In 2001, Ivanisevic came to  Wimbledon ranked 125th in the world and left as champion.  In 2002, he was unable to defend his title because of an injury to his left shoulder.  Last year, a foot infection kept the Croatian from playing again.  This is supposed to be his last year.  The 33-year-old wants to come in, hopefully win a few rounds and bow out peacefully for the last time.  Yet, this morning he dismantled the 31st seed, Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2.  Waiting in the wings for a potential third round match would be Australian Lleyton Hewitt, the 7th seed. 

Can Venus and Serena get back to form?  Both sisters have been injured and off the court for a good part of the past year, but Venus and Serena, if playing well, could have no problem facing each other in the final.  Many of the women's top player's are either hurt or not playing (Henin-Hardienne, Kim Clijsters, etc). When Richard Williams shows up, Venus and Serena start playing better.  That's a fact.  He flies in on Tuesday.  Get ready for an all-Williams final for the women's title. 

Is this Tim Henman's year?  Poor Tim.  The tabloid's just bombard him for these two weeks.  Grass is his best surface by far, but he struggles every year because, I believe, the pressure.  Could you handle the pressure of a country on your back?  Think about that.  No other English tennis player is good.  It's just Tim.  The British want Tim to win Wimbledon so badly that they hurt him more than help.  Henman has the talent and ability.  If he can keep his mind on nothing but tennis for the next two weeks there is no doubt he can win it.

 Focus Tim, Focus

My Top 8 Wimbledon Moments

1. Bjorn Borg defeats John McEnroe in a marathon match, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (16-18), 8-6, in 1980. 
 McEnroe never showed any emotion on the court.

2. Pete Sampras winning his 7th Wimbledon title in 2000.  This gave Pistol Pete the most Grand Slams in the history of tennis (14). 

3. Martina Navratilova winning the mixed doubles final with Leander Paes at the age of 46 in 2003.  This gave Martina 20 Wimbledon titles, including nine in singles.

4. Boris Becker dominating the field at the age of 17 in 1985 to become the youngest player and first German to ever win Wimbledon.

5. Goran Ivanisevic becomes the first unseeded player to win the Mens Singles title in 2001.  Not only was he unseeded, but he was a wildcard which means he wasn't ranked high enough to be in the tourney, he had to be given a spot in it.

6. Martina Hingis becomes the youngest player to ever win a Wimbledon title when, at the age of 15, she wins the Ladies Doubles title with Helena Sukova in 1996.

7. Steffi Graf defeating Jana Novotna, 7-6 (8-6), 1-6, 6-4, in 1993.   This match will be remembered for Novotna (up 4-1, 40-15 in the 3rd set) choking this match away and crying on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent afterwards.  Great moment in tennis history.

8. Andre Agassi beating the hard serving left Goran Ivanisevic for the crown in 1992 when he wasn't given any chance of winning on grass.  Agassi had the best return in the game to shut down Ivanisevic's boom of a serve.

Need a good site to read about Wimbledon?  BBC Tennis covers it from top to bottom.

 

College Football

The college football season is two short months away and thus begins 4 months or so of the best time of the year in my mind.  What makes this my favorite time of year? A team has to give all they have every game of the year for a chance to win the National Title.  Last year OU,  USC and LSU  all had one loss and there were two 'title' games, it didn't feel right to any college football fan.  Two of the three teams should have been playing in one game.  We obviously need a playoff, but that's not going to happen anytime soon so let's talk about the year to come.

Here is what I am looking forward to: 

First, is Mike William's going to get reinstated by the NCAA?  I would love to see him back in a Trojans uniform as they face the Hokies of Virginia Tech on the 28th of August.  Would the Hokies want William's in the line-up?  I doubt it.  The Trojans are going to be scary enough without him.  They have returning quarterback Matt Leinart (just a jr. and front runner for the Heisman), six returning starters on defense and by far the best recruiting class in the country.  They are deep, extremely fast and confident following last year's run.

Can LSU replace Matt Mauck?  I know Mauck was not the most talented player, but he was tough and he won games.  Senior Marcus Randall and/or freshman JaMarcus Russell should be able to get the job done with all the talent they have in the Bayou. 

Which mid-major will step and be this year's Northern Illinois?  My guess is Louisville.  They have 16 returning starters plus highly touted freshman quarterback Brian Brohm.  This is Stephan LeFors team this year though; Brohm is going to have to wait at least a year.  The Cardinals face an October 14th showdown with the Canes in Miami.  Have fun with that one.  Toledo is another mid-major with promise.  They have 13 returning starters and do not face Miami.  Well, they face a Miami, but this one is in Ohio, not Florida.  Big difference.

Can Bill Callahan turn the Nebraska Cornhuskers into a West Coast offense?  The I formation was not working anymore for whatever reason (no Tom Osborne, recruiting the talent has dried up, etc).  Do they have the talent to make the change?  Sixty thousand 'Husker fans seemed to think so as they turned out to watch the spring game and sophomore quarterback Joe Dailey throw for 241 yards on 29 of 49 attempts.  Lawrence Phillips and Tommie Frazier this team is not.

Who wins the Heisman?  Can Jason White stay healthy throughout the year and make another run?  Lets face it…the best player does not win this award.  I know Larry Fitzgerald or Eli Manning were better players, but the best player on the best team (in mid-December) gets the award.  What could Eli have done behind center for the Sooners last year?  White obviously has the talent around him to make another run, but so does Leinart and David Green of Georgia.  Georgia has every key member of the offense back, which will help immensely.  Those are my top three.  Best of the rest?  Darren Sproles, rb, Kansas State; Carnell Williams, rb, Auburn; Cedric Benson, rb, Texas; Brad Smith, qb, Missouri; Kyle Orton, qb Purdue; and Anthony Davis, rb, Wisconsin.  Defender with the best chance of winning?  Derrick Johnson, lb, Texas.

 Big 12 foes need to be ready for Derrick Johnson

How will Miami (Fla) and Virginia Tech fare in the ACC?  The ACC can now make a strong case this is the top football conference, which will make it difficult for Virginia Tech after losing some key members of last years squad (Kevin Jones for one).  Miami can step right in and fight with Florida State for the supremacy with their speed and talent.

Who wins the National Title?  Please let us have two undefeated teams.  If this happens, which is highly unlikely, Oklahoma vs USC would be my choice.  The Sooners don't have the speed to keep up with the Men of Troy.  January 4, 2005, Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida:  USC 35, OU 21. 

My Top 8 College Football Rivalries

1. Auburn vs Alabama -- Most intense intrastate college football rivalry in the nation started when both schools were still in their infancy (1893).

2. Oklahoma vs Texas -- The Red River shootout over the past four years has been dominated by the Sooners;  65-13 last year. 

3. Michigan vs Ohio State -- Both teams have new quarterbacks this year which should make for an interesting, defense-dominated game.

4. Georgia vs Florida -- 'The world's largest outdoor cocktail party.'

5. Army vs Navy -- Network television shows this game no matter what.  Ratings and wins/losses are thrown aside when these two meet.

6. Texas vs Texas A&M -- Game has been played 110 times with the 90-year tradition of the A&M bonfire back after the tragic killing of 12 students in 1999.

7. Florida vs Florida State -- Though Steve Spurrier isn't at UF anymore, this rivalry still boasts nationwide attention because both teams are normally ranked very high and need the win desperately.

8. USC vs UCLA -- The Battle of the Victory Bell has been played 73 times with no team dominating the series.

Honorable mention -- Cal/Stanford, 'The Big Game,' is remembered for the most chaotic ending in the history of college football.  That trombone player never saw it coming...

Please give us a playoff BCS.  I can die a happy man if, for just one year, I can see eight teams fight it out over three weeks for a true national champion.

Let's Hear It

Say you are at a sporting event....what gets you going?  Your team running onto the field or court?  The lights going out and the lineups being yelled through the loud speakers?  (.....and 6 foot 6.....from North Carolina.....number 23.....Miiiiiiiichaaaeellllllll Joooorrrrrdannnnnnn...)  What about Duke fans jumping up and down screaming 'OOOOOOOOOO' with Cameron Indoor Stadium rocking vs any ACC team?  How scary is that for a freshman at North Carolina? 

  Cameron Indoor Stadium...one place where the 'real' fans, the students, are on top of the court.

Does music get you pumped up?  What if you hear the Notre Dame Victory March at a USC/Notre Dame game in October with 80,000 screaming Irish fans going wild?  Would that get you going?  What about 'Hail To The Victors' at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor with 107,000 Big Blue fans as the Wolverines face the Buckeyes? 

When I'm at Wrigley and 37,000 heavily drinking Cubs fans are singing 'Take me out to the ballgame' I know that gets my blood flowing no matter what the score is.  Remember people...it's not just the game that provides the entertainment; it's the atmosphere.  I've been to some exciting sporting events, but I would love comments.  What stadium is the most exciting in America?  What song gets you going at a sporting event? 

My Top 8 Sports Songs

1. 'We Will Rock You' by Queen -- Stomp, stomp, clap, Stomp, stomp, clap.  Played at every level in every sport makes it #1 by far.  What team doesn't rise to the challenge when they hear this? 

2. 'We Are the Champions' by Queen -- Sorry to say it folks, but there has to be a winner and a loser.  The winner gets this blared over the speakers...the losers hit the showers.

3. 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' -- Already explained above.

4. Eye of the Tiger -- This song epitomizes fighting against the odds.  Rocky had it...that's for sure.

5. 'The Hey Song' -- Duh-dun duh-dun duh-dun duh-dun duh-dun-dun....HEY!  Everybody knows it and we all scream as loud as heck.  Don't deny it people.

6. 'Chariots of Fire' by Vangelis -- Mostly used to define track and field for over 20 years.  Get ready for this during the Olympics.  I'm pretty NBC has it cue'd up.

7.'Ole' -- The one word anthem sang by soccer (football) fans around the world...'Ole ole ole ole......ole.......ole.

8. 'Cenferfield' by John Fogerty -- 'Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;  Look at me, I can be....Centerfield.'  Did you realize John Fogerty played every instrument on the ENTIRE Centerfield Album?  Oh, its true.  Now thats talent my friend.
 
Just missing the Top 8?  'CHARGE!' 'The Best' by Tina Turner and 'Jump Around' by House of Pain -- If you haven't seen the sea of red UW students at Wisconsin football games with this song blaring you are missing out.  As the title says....they all jump around.  It's insane.  Really wanted this to be in the list, but I can't be that biased.

Best collegiate fight songs?  This is one person's opinion.

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

So I teach and coach tennis.  I love it.  I absolutely love it.  I honestly can't find a negative in what I do.  (Well....I could tell you a couple stories that would be stupify you, but I'll refrain)  Nothing beats teaching a tennis lesson to a little boy or girl and have them come over to you with a big smile on their face, slap you high-five and say thank you. 

David Duval is back at the US Open this weekend.  He opened with an opening round 83 and said he was 'happy' with it.  I'm not quite sure he is happy with the round, but he's ecstatic with his life being back on track.  Glad to see him back and with a smile on his face.  Best of luck to him.

Congrats to the Detroit Pistons....and with future NBA MVP, Darko *cough, cough* Milicic waiting in the wings Mo-town is set for the future.  Go get 'em Darko.  Will he ever play?  I mean....ever?  I understand the Pistons were very good this year, but Larry Brown couldn't find more than like 30 seconds a game for him?  Lets see what he's got already.  Obviously Coach Brown knows what he is doing but didn't the draft experts think he had a chance be something special? 

Wimbledon starts on Monday.  Andre Agassi has had to pull out with yet another injury.  Is Andre done?  I sure hope not.  I'm hoping he is saving himself for one last run at the US Open in September.  If he is done I'm happy with what he has accomplished.  The last of the great American players of the past decade or so (Sampras, Chang, Courier), he has done more than I ever would have thought (6 grand slams, 7 overall) after dropping to #151 in the world and playing satellite tour events.  My pick to win Wimbledon?  Andy Roddick or Roger Federer.  They both have the games to dominate for the next two weeks on grass.

Euro 2004, Europe's equivalent of the World Cup, got underway this past Sunday.  England, led by Real Madrid's David Beckham, had France beaten until Zinedine Zidane (his teammate at Real) scored two goals in the last minute to steal avictory for the French.  If you get a chance to watch France; get ready, they are something special. Every starting player is one of the most dominant in the sport.  They feature Zidane, David Trezeguet, Thierry Henry, Lilian Thuram, Mikael Silvestre, Robert Pires and the list goes on.  Another story of the tourney is England's 18 year old Wayne Rooney.  He scored two goals on Thursday to help England beat Switzerland 3-0.  Rooney, who plays for Everton in England's Premier League, became the youngest player to ever score in the tournament.
 Rooney controlling it with ease

Have a favorite sports movie?  How many times in a row do you think I could watch Caddyshack and Major League?  The over/under is 7.  Back to back viewings can't happen with movies that give you goosebumps near the end (i.e. Hoosiers, The Natural, Rudy, etc)....which leads right into my list....

My Top 8 Sports Movies

1. Caddyshack -- "So we finish 18 and he's gonna stiff me and I say: 'Hey Lama, hey how about a little something, you know, for the effort?!' And he says: 'There'll be no money, but when you die, on your deathbed you will receive total consciousness.' So I got that going for me, which is nice."

2. Major League -- 'Juuuuuuuuuust a bit outside, he shot the corner and missed.  Ball 4, ball 8....and Vaughn has walked the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches.  I can't believe guys are laying off pitches that close' -- Harry Doyle (aka Bob Uecker).

3. Hoosiers -- What's not to love?  Tiny 'Hickory' overcoming obstacle after obstacle to beat massive Muncie Central for the state title.  No basketball movie compares.

4. Rocky -- Isn't there a 6th movie in the works?  Man, they needed to stop with Ivan 'I must break you' Drago at 4.

5. Rudy -- Everybody tears up when he runs on the field for the final kick-off then gets the sack on the next play. 

6. The Natural -- 'Alright Roy, knock the cover off the ball'....he did that and much more.  Great movie.

7. Days of Thunder -- Tom Cruise plays NASCAR driver Cole Trickle perfectly...then again I'm not the biggest racing fan in the world.  That's another story for another day.  

8. Slapshot -- A failing hockey team finds success using constant fighting and violence during games.  What's not to love?  And failing is putting it mildly...

Fascination street....

What has the NBA Draft become nowadays?  How many teams are actually figuring on getting a player who can help them right now?  Lets think about this.  Emeka Okafor out of UConn is probably the best player in the draft.  How good is he really?  I don't doubt his defensive skills because thats a given.  I remember in the national semi's he had a block that was out of this world.  Yet, I dont see his offensive skills outside a ten foot jumper....and thats what I see.  A ten foot jumper and nothing else.  Is he worthy of the number 1 pick? 

If not, who is?  Dwight Howard, the high schooler, from outside of Atlanta?  Another youngin just out of the preps in Peoria, IL, Shaun Livingston?  Both great high school players, but wouldn't you want to see them playing for Georgia Tech and Duke respectively next year?  Lord knows I would.

We know that in this day and age of the NBA, the teams draft for the future for the most part.  Obviously, there are some high school players that have stepped in and helped recently.  Lebron James obviously but didnt most of us realize when he was a 9th grader he was a phenom.  I remember watching shows 4 years ago, seeing him play and realizing this kid is different; much, much different than any other high schooler I've seen. 

I just look at the early entry list of high schoolers for the draft this year and laugh.  Howard, Livingston and JR Smith (a pure shooter who can hit from anywhere which is something nobody is able to do it seems...) have the chance to be good players.  The rest?  Bring on the CBA.  I know some high school basketball.  I watch the high school all-star games and I can see a good player.  Dick Vitale keeps me updated during the McDonald's game.  How many high schoolers in recent years do you know who have turned out to be solid NBA players with the chance of being All Stars?  Name me more than seven.  Kobe, KG, Lebron, Rashard Lewis, Tracy McGracy, Jermaine O'Neal....and um.....Al Harrington?  He's so so and not looking like an All-Star anytime in the near future. 

 What can't KG do? 

The list of players who have not been drafted or are sitting at the end of the bench is astounding.  Players who were amazing, first team all america's in high school who have gone no where in the NBA.  Korleone Young, Leon Smith, Ellis Richardson, Taj McDavid, etc etc etc.  Does it surprise me?  No.  Do any of these kids realize that college is there to help them?  To not only educate, but to also make them solid basketball players. 

What upsets me, being the college basketball fanatic that I am, is that the NCAA's talent level is dropping like a rock in the bath tub.  I will always watch college basketball;  always.  I can't get enough of it, but I'm also a realist and I see what is going on.  Many of these guys need the money for their families.  But what happens when they don't get drafted and they end up in the CBA or overseas?  Do they think the CBA is going to pay them like the NBA?  What are they being told by agents that makes them turn pro when nearly all of them wouldn't start for Duke?

I just don't understand.  Financially for Dwight Howard and Shaun Livingston this is a good deal for them.  They will be drafted in the top 5 next week but what happens to the rest?  Sit on the bench for 3 years and hopefully turn out like Jermaine O'Neal I guess.  The chances of that happening are slim to none.

My Top 8 High Schoolers in the NBA

1.  Lebron James -- Whats not to love?  The smile and the game wrapped into one.  Cav's are set for the future.

2.  Kevin Garnett -- Didn't take him long to be a star.  Who else remembers his high school teammate Ronnie Fields?  Yeah, he was supposed to be the 'next Jordan.'  Thanks for listening Ronnie.  You have not and will never get closer to the NBA than Rockford, Illinois and the CBA's Lightning.

3. Tracy McGrady -- Great offensive player.  I think he is a cry baby who wants his own way and nothing else.  What happened in Toronto when he couldnt be the start?  He cried until he was in Orlando.  Grow up already.

4. Jermaine O'Neal -- He was not happy in Portland.  Turned out he had good reason to be upset.  He might have been young, but I'm sure he could have helped the Jailblazers (get it jail...all of them have been arrested at list once....) instead of being on the end of the bench.  Hindsight is always 20/20 but they should have disbanded that team 5 years ago and kept this guy. 

5. Rashard Lewis -- He has just blown up in the past couple years.  If they can get a front court in Seattle watch out.

6. Kobe Bryant-- As most of you know I don't like Kobe.  It has nothing to do with his on-court abilities that's for sure. 

7. Moses Malone -- hey...if not for him, there wouldn't be a list.

8. Darius Miles -- I'm really scraping the bottom of the barrel now.  I honestly thought Elton Brand, Quentin Richardson, Andre Miller and Miles could take them places...guess not. 

Another high schooler drafted last year with the chance of going somewhere?  Ndubi Ebi is one.  Good read below.

http://sportsforum.ws/showthread.html?s=51cb7402e4e507b5e46b683ac170176f&p=1008500#post1008500

 

 

 

A Deal Done Right...for a change...

Thank you Doug Melvin, Ned Yost and the Brewers front office.

Yes!  Finally a trade for the Brewers that turned out well.  It doesn't happen often.  Remember Gary Sheffield?  Ah yes, he started with the Crew.  Jeff Cirillo?  Same.  BJ Surhoff?  Yessirree.  And alas...Richie Sexson.

So Richie Rich....how is Arizona treating you?  Enjoying the sun, are ya?  Enjoying all the extra amenities Phoenix has that Milwaukee does not?  Good, glad to hear it, because since you left the Brewers we have become a much, much better baseball team.  Im sure you are on target to hit .300, drive in 120 RBI's and hit 50 dingers right?  Thought you were going to be playing for a ring this year, didn't you?  Ouch, thats right.  You are on the disabled list for the rest of year.  I really feel bad, honestly I do. 

Lyle in action....

Thank you Arizona for starting first baseman Lyle Overbay (batting .339 with 27 doubles), starting second baseman Junior Spivey (younger and sharper than the aging Eric Young was last year), a solid starting catcher (Chad Moeller), Craig Counsel (Wisconsin native playing well back home) and Jorge DeLaRosa (good prospect at AAA Indianapolis).  Not to mention a 31-29 record in mid-June.  When was the last time that happened in Brew town?  I cant remember.  How are the D-backs doing?  Well under .500 and struggggg-lin.  Will it stay this way for the rest of the season?  Who knows.  But I, along with every other Brewer fan, am loving it until it does all collapse....again.   On to the list...

My Top 8 Best/Worst Trades...depending on the team you root for.  

1. Brett Favre from the Falcons to the Packers for 2 Pinto's and a chilito from Taco Bell.   Remember folks....this is MY Top 8 Trades....I'm in Wisconsin....I love the deal...It's #1.  Favre won us a championship and played a HUGE part in 'There's Something About Mary.'

2. Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for....well how about 3 Superbowl rings.  The Cowboys got 6 players and 12 draft picks (including Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson).  Again...I'm in Wisconsin, we hate the Vikings....the Vikings stunk for 10 years after this deal....makes it #2 on my list.

3. Scottie Pippen to the Bulls for Olden Polynice.  This doesn't have to be explained, but I'll explain it anyways...bluntly.  Six rings in Chicago for Scottie...nothing in return for the Blazers.  Then again...if Michael doesn't retire the first time, they win 8 straight.

4. Reds trade Frank Robinson to the Orioles for the Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun and outfielder Dick Simpson.  In Robinson's first year with the Orioles, he won the Triple Crown and was named MVP of the ALCS and the World Series as Baltimore won its first championship.  Four more World Series trips over the next six years.  Not bad.

5. Dodgers send Pedro Martinez to the Red Sox for Delino Deshields.  Wow.  Looked like an even deal in '93.  Today?  Not so much.

6. Kobe for Vlade straight up.  Good deal...for the Lakers.   Kobe wins 3 rings in LA....so far.  Vlade, well, nothing in Charlotte...still looking for a ring in Sactown.  The personal side of Kobe is another story, something that has already been discussed.

7. Chicago Blackhawks send Dominik Hasek to the Sabres for backup goalie Stéphane Beauregard and a fourth-round draft pick.  You know...I'm not the biggest hockey fan in the world but I sure know that Chicago could have used the Dominator between the posts for the last 15 years. 

8. Celtics get the 'Chief' Robert Parish and the #3 pick, Kevin McHale, from the Warriors.   Not a bad twosome....only helped win 3 titles for the Celtics along with Larry Bird. I haven't seen a positive out of the Warriors...well...ever.

Just missing out on the Top 8?  Boston sending Jeff Bagwell to the Astros for Larry Anderson.  Ah yes, Boston got the better of this deal.  Anderson went on to win the Cy Young....haha, right.  Bagwell wins NL Rookie of the Year in '91.  Anderson, well he took the Sox to the playoffs only to be swept by the A's.

Got some help....but this is MY list. 

http://sports.espn.go.com/page2/s/list/trades/010716.html

 

The Olympics

In a few short months, the 2004 Olympics will take place in Athens, Greece.  How exciting.  We have terrorism running rampant all over the world, we have steroids and other banned substances taking some of the best athletes out of the games (and for many others casting a long shadow over them...i.e. Marion Jones) and we also have the fact that some of the buildings are being put together with duct tape to make sure they are ready for the Games.

I honestly have to say this is one year I am not looking forward to the Olympics.  I hope the Games come and go without any problems.  I hope it restores some of the peacefulness in the world.  What are the chances of that though?  What are the chances of any terrorist activity not takin place?  It scares me.  Honestly it does. 

I completely understand many of the American basketball players not wanting to go over to Athens this summer.  Many of the players havent given this as a direct excuse but I'm sure it's what many of them are thinking.  Plus the fact, that lets say Shaq and Kobe were playing; they would have a month off or so before getting back for the NBA season.  Thats another story for another time.  There is no chance I would want to go over there with all that is going on in the world.  Nobody can guarantee 100% that nothing is going to happen. 

I do have some fond memories of the Olympics.  Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson, the Dream Team, the Miracle on Ice (of course this was the winter Olympics, but the Olympics none the less), Ben Johnson seemingly beating every other sprinter by five yards only to have his Gold medal snatched for steroids, Kerri Strug and the womens gymnastics team in 1996, etc. (How often do you see a male 20-something tear up during a womens vault?  Not often.) 

I hope these Olympics go off without a hitch.  I honestly do.

My Top 8 Olympic Memories

1. Ben Johnson crushing all the top sprinters including Carl Lewis.  Yet that was all reversed.

2. Kerri Strug injuring herself on her first vault only to limp back, do it again perfectly and give the US womens gymnastics team the gold medal in 1996.

3. The Dream Team.  Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.  Did they really need to play the tournament?  Did they think the Lithuanian team could beat us?

4. The Miracle on Ice.  The Russians were completely dominant in the years before the Americans beat them.  And thats why they play the games folks...

5. Marion Jones wins three gold medals (100m, 200m, 4x400m relay) and two bronze medals (long jump, 4x400m relay) at the 2000 Olympic Games. Her feat makes her the only woman ever to win five track & field medals at a single Olympic Games.

6. Michael Johnson sets what many consider to be a virtually unbreakable record, running 19.32 seconds in the 200 meters at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He also won the 400 meter gold to become the only man in history to win both the 200 and 400 meters at a single Olympic Games.

7. Carl Lewis wins his ninth gold medal, and fourth long jump gold, at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He becomes only the second man in Olympic history to win four golds in a single event, and the second man to win 9 gold medals overall.

8. Vince Carter dunking over a 7 footer in 2000.  Who else remembers this?  That was crazy.  Should it be one of the top 8?  Eh.  Whatever.

ry

 

Why I Am Happy To Live In This Generation

I would have said five years ago that I was happy to have lived through Michael Jordan's years as a Chicago Bull.  I think about it and I think about all of what I have lived through in sports accomplishments.  Im going to give some of my reasons why I feel this generation of sports is the best of all time.  Again, I am NOT 75 years old so comments pertaining to Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle can be left to yourself.  I know they were amazing, but I dont know much about that time.  Here are my favorite accomplishments for each sport.

Pro basketball -- Does this really have to be explained?  Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.  Yes, I know the league is watered down (even more now which is why this Laker's team will not come anywhere near this list).  I feel Jordan did not have much help at all.  Pippen was good but we saw what he was like when Jordan 'retired' the first time for a couple of years.  It was all Jordan.  If he wouldnt have retired they would have won 8 straight. 

Pro football -- I dont know any real dynasties in my time.  As much as I hate to say it, the Dallas Cowboys are as close as it comes.  Yes, I was alive for the Pittsburgh Steelers run of 4 straight, but I dont know anything about that.  Also Emmitt Smith has broken the rushing record held by Walter Payton (another amazing football player during our generation).  I still feel Barry Sanders is the best running back ever and if he wouldnt have retired he would have gotten 20,000 yards easy.

Pro baseball -- The New York Yankees.  Disgustingly good.  Cubs and Red Sox this year.  Please lets get rid of this era of the Yankees. 

Pro hockey -- umm....well....there was......uhh....yeah, I dont follow hockey.  Next.

Tennis -- Pete Sampras.  Best player ever?  Rod Laver is the only person who might be able to say he is just as good.  I got to see him play live a few times.  I'll never forget that.  Pete was a god.

Golf -- Tiger Woods.  Yes, he doesnt dominate like he did a few years (thats what marriage will do to you), but if he decides to give golf all of his time he will be the best player ever.  Statistically.

Bicycling -- I honestly dont know how long this sport has been around but I know Lance Armstrong is freakin amazing.  Five straight Tour de France's AFTER testicular cancer.  I am in awe of him.  I would do anything to be in Paris next month to see him come in for his sixth straight win.  Incredible.

My Top 8 Athletes of the past 25 years

1. Michael Jordan -- The best basketball player ever. 

2. Pete Sampras -- He didnt have McEnroe's personality but he won a bunch more majors.  I dont care if they say his personality was 'stale.'  He had it all and dominated for 10 years. 

3. Lance Armstrong -- I am not a cyclist and probably never will be but what he has done is phenominal.

4. Brett Favre -- One of the top three quarterbacks of all time and he's in Green Bay. 

5. David Beckham -- Manchester United / England midfielder.  Now at Real Madrid he is the captain of England heading into the start of Euro 2004 this Sunday. 

6. Magic Johnson -- Brought 'Showtime' to Los Angeles.  He was a point guard and as a rookie in the NBA Finals vs Philly he started at center when Kareem was injured and dominated.  Did you read that?  He was a POINT GUARD and started at CENTER as a ROOKIE in the NBA FINALS.  I will never fully understand how amazing that was. 

7. Tiger Woods -- Hey, I was in Sports Illustrated next to him....had to put him on the list.  June 13, 1997....how do i know that?

8. Cal Ripken -- The Streak

Who did I miss?  Who do you think should be in the top 8?  What dynasties did I forget or do you feel is better than who I listed?  Love comments.

ry

Incoherent Ramblings Part II

What is wrong with Raul Mondesi?  'I want to be in the Dominican Republic for the rest of the year Pittsburgh?  I fear for my families safety...but the Angels want me?  Where do I sign?'  Give me a break.

How ironic is this?  Three Argentine men in the semi's at the French Open.  The other?  Tim Henman who STINKS on clay.  Yet Henman beat Juan Ignacio Chela in the quarterfinals who might be better than the other three Argentine's on clay. 

Its June and the Brewers are still over .500.  Giddy up.

Mark Prior makes his comeback for the Cubs on Friday.  Cubbies need to get healthy again or the NL Central is going to slip, slide away. 

USA Today and the Chicago Tribune both had articles today, June 2nd, on Tim Howard, the American goalkeeper for Manchester United.  He was voted the top 'keeper in the Premier League for the 2003-2004 season.  For an American?  How often does that happen?

July 25th is rapidly approaching.  Man United/Bayern Munich, Chicago, Illinois.  Soldier Field.

Lakers vs Pistons?  Lakers in 5. 

Great new Lance Armstrong commercial on the tube if you havent seen it already.  Miller Brewing has some hilarious new commercials if you havent seen them yet either.  (Its a travesty....its a shame....its a mockery.  Its a TRAVESHAMOCKERY!!)

Should the NCAA reinstate Mike Williams for USC?  I say yes.  If he didnt hire an agent I feel he should be eligible this fall for the Trojans as they ransack the Pac-10.  Thats going to be scary.  As for Maurice Clarett?  Nobody cares about him anymore.  Go to the CFL for all we care.

My Top 8 Animated Movies (figured this would be the perfect time with Shrek 2 in theaters and Garfield coming out next weekend).

1. Shrek -- havent seen Shrek 2 but everybody is saying its better than the first.

2. Lilo & Stitch -- stitch doing elvis is awesome.

3. South Park, Bigger, Longer, Uncut -- terrance and philip's 'uncle f'er' song cant be topped.

4. The Lion King -- great movie.

5. Monsters Inc -- John Goodman and Billy Crystal are hilarious.

6. Ice Age -- Set during the Ice Age (coincidentally enough), a sabertooth tiger, a sloth, and a wooly mammoth find a lost human infant, and they try to return him to his tribe. Fun movie.  I'm running outof adjectives here....

7. Beavis & Butthead Do America -- not as funny as the tv show but funny none the less.

Tie - 8. The Little Mermaid -- it was good, i remember that.  good?  thats the best adjective i can come up with....

Tie - 8. Toy Story -- am i supposed to remember stuff about every movie? 

Just missing out on the Top 8?  Finding Nemo.  Sorry, havent seen it.

ry