Fasten Your Seat Belts For Sunday At The British Open!

Just a couple quick thoughts on the first three rounds of the open championship. I'm not gonna get too in depth because I'm going live from my blackberry for the first time in the blogs history! The power of technology, huh?

Anyways, I'm astonished I won't be seeing Tiger compete for his fourth claret jug tomorrow. It's been a while since he wasn't competing on Sunday in a major. However, luckily for the fan's sake there's magic in the making at Turnberry! Tom Watson has been putting on a show for the fans, along with a clinic on how to play links golf! The 59 year old 5 time British Open champ, is looking to become the oldest player to win a major by 11 years! Yes folks, 11! I didn't think there would be a bigger story then John Daly's multi-colored wardrobe at the Open Championship! And I'm glad Watson is out there battling like the legend he is.

Can he hold it together with a one stroke lead on the final day, as the young energized field presses on? I think he can, and I'll be rooting for him 100%. And if not my boy Lee Westwood who I called on Wednesday night should be right there in contention. So fasten your seat belts ladies and gents and strap in for a wild ride. Bring some golf haters along with you, because as I've always said. "The final day of a major can make a golf hater a fan for life!" Have a safe and fun Saturday night! Peace out!

Can I Please Have a Large Turnberry Milkshake!

The British Open tees off in the wee hours of the morning over here in the states Thursday. And get ready for a good one. The Aisla Course at Turnberry, Scotland hosts the event for the first time since 1996. And you can expect a Large Turnberry Milkshake, to say the least. The course plays to 7,204 yards with par at 70. Challenging bunkers come into play in crucial locations all throughout the course. Then you throw in your typical rainy, windy Scottish weather, and you have an interesting 3rd major championship of the year. Strategizing is going to be key this weekend, especially for the American players who have little experience at Turnberry. Tiger Woods played the first three rounds of his life there this week, believe it or not. But don't count him out, every time the Open Championship (as the Europeans refer to it) has been played at Turnberry, the world's number one player has left victorious. That bodes well for Tiger, who's looking to capture his 15th Major Championship and first of this year. I like Tiger this week which isn't abnormal, I like him in every major. However, this weekend with the Aisla course playing long and challenging, his strength and power will give him a clear advantage. On top of that, Paddy Harrington my long lost cousin and two time defending champ, has missed six straight cuts. So I don't see too many top guns giving Tiger a run for his money. I would watch out for the young Irishmen Rory McIlroy, and the Englishmen Lee Westwood ( who's paired up with Tiger for the first two rounds). And I always keep a close eye on Geoff Ogilvy, who's still looking for a second Major after capturing the U.S. Open in 2006 at Winged Foot, after Phil Mickleson crumbled down the stretch. Set your alarms early for a great weekend of golf, the lost sleep will be worth it, trust me!

I'll be back throughout the weekend with updates, and hopefully I won't have to blog about anyone else contending except the aforementioned. Peace Out!

Crown The Prince!

It sure wasn't the best Home Run Derby in the history of the slugfest, but it was pretty entertaining! Nelson Cruz stole the show in the first round, and got it started on the right note. Only for Brandon Inge to come out and put up a donut! Ouch that hurts! I didn't exactly get it right with my prediction yesterday, but I did say Pujols would not win it, so in retrospect maybe I get like half of a prediction point!

Prince was just beasting last night and it was evident in the second round that he had the gas to out duel, the young gun Nelson Cruz! Well they're both young gunz but fielder's got a little more experience and most likely a healthier diet these days. I was hating on fielder all night, I will admit it. I didn't think that powerful, lumberjack swing would let him stay energized in the latter rounds. They say he's a vegan, and has been on a strict diet regiment since last year, but I can def see him running into the clubhouse in between rounds and eating like five Big Mac's amongst other things. Anyways, he did a hell of a job and stepped up to the plate literally and figuratively, to steal the night from the hometown hero Albert "I am the machine" Pujols. I tip my cap to the young vegan! Good job Prince.

Now for a little analysis on the Midsummer Classic. Should be one for the age's, both teams are stacked to the fullest. The National League will be looking to break an 11 game losing streak, but still has the advantage with 40 wins to the American Leagues 37. Then there were those 2 ties, yea I won't talk about the only official tie in 2002 in Milwaukee, were Bud Selig probably had one to many brews from the local brewery! The only other tie was a rain shortened game in 1952, so Selig is definitely the moron for declaring the only real official tie in the history of the Midsummer classic, calling that game in the 11th in 2002, with no plan of action but laying down the strong arm, and then answer to the media in that dull, mundane voice with his whack comb over!

Now for the prediction, I like the American League tonight for a couple reasons. They are on a crazy hot streak! And they have a much more balanced lineup then the National League. The National League has a couple guys in their lineup that are in atypical spots then they are used to. Obviously the guys at the bottom of each lineup are in atypical spots but there's nothing you can do about that, remember it is the ALL-STAR game. Also, the A.L. has the clear advantage in the bullpen with Papelbon, Nathan, and Rivera! So that means all the rest of the staff has to do is get through the sixth inning and you can pretty much put the kids to bed! However, if the N.L. is gonna break their losing streak its gonna be tonight. Lincecum should throw a scoreless two innings, most likely followed by Haren with a scoreless two innings, but then I can see the A.L. doing some damage. Analysts like Aaron Hill to be M.V.P because he will most likely get the most at bats, with Dustion Pedroia sitting out tonight. However, I don't see that happening. I like Mark Teixeira or Jason Bay to take the award with a couple RBI's and a HR! We'll see what happens! Have a goodnight blogosphere, and enjoy the 80th MLB All-Star game from St. Louis, I'm sure Joe Buck will give everyone a couple laughs! PEACE OUT!

The Midpoint is Here!

It was just about a year ago this time that I was on my to the "House That Ruth Built" to see the 2008 Home Run Derby. Funny how times have changed. Now I'm sitting here writing this blog, eating a bowl of cereal, wondering what I'm gonna do until I watch the 2009 Derby on a HD television! Although I didn't really intend on going to the 2009 All-Star Game festivities, I bought a couple scratch tickets with the intention of winning and spending every red cent on going. But it didn't really turn out the way I intended, as you can see. Anyways to brighten up my day and make up for not attending this year's derby, let me share a couple fond memories of my experience at "The Old Yankee Stadium".

It was a special night at the Yank, I was accompanied by a longtime friend Jimmy Pepperchini as most people refer to him. The stadium was bumping like a techno club in the heart of Jersey! We settled into our seats one row back of the left field wall, and thought we were in prime position to catch a couple long balls. Little did we know that the lefties were going to be in the limelight, and we were too close to the wall for any of the righties who launched homers (which was a rarity).
Anyways, we got to see Josh "the comeback kid" Hamilton put on a record performance and launch a complete bomb out of Yankee stadium into the dark big apple sky! My buddy Jimmy got to see his favorite band Three Doors Down perform live in center field, and to top off the night we both got some T.V. time on ESPN as Ryan Braun launched a jack over our heads. It was a great time, to say the least. I've spectated many sporting events in my lifetime and would highly recommend MLB All-Star Game festivities to anyone! It was a blast, and you gotta get to a Derby and and All-Star Game before your time on earth is done!

Now to preview the 2009 competition. The N.L. has a stacked slate of huge 1st basemen competing in tonight's Derby, while the A.L. has a couple unorthodox power hitters, but don't overlook the A.L. guys! I can see one of them putting on a show, remember the Derby is for the fans so expect a good one. Obviously the hometown guy and current HR leader in the Major's, Albert Pujols, looks to be the favorite, the guy is a straight beast and is one of only 11 players in Major League history to have 32 HR's before the All-Star break. However, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say he's a little too hyped for tonight and Pujols will not win this years derby. I'm going with the A.L. guy and Haverhill, MA native and Northeastern Alumni, Carlos Pena. We shall see what unfolds tonight at 8 p.m. I hope everyone tunes in with a couple brewski's and friends, because I know I'll be loving every moment of it.

Since it is the Midpoint of the Major League Season, I figured it's only fitting for me to introduce and announce my inaugural mid season awards. My fantasy team is struggling, but my motto in fantasy is just like that of a NCCA team in March Madness "survive and advance". All ya' gotta do is make the playoffs in fantasy and anything can happen, so that's where my second half aspirations lie, snag that playoff bid and make something happen. Now for the awards...

N.L. M.V.P- Albert Pujols ( Avg: .332 Avg, 32 HR, 87 RBI) Filthy, straight filthy, the dude is on pace to hit 60 HR's and knock in 150 RBI's, and possibly win the triple crown. A lock to hit 500 HR's as well. I really don't even need to say anything else, you all know how nasty he is.

A.L. M.V.P- Joe Mauer ( Avg: .373 Avg, 15 HR, 49 RBI, OBP: .447) This was a tough one with no clear cut pick in the A.L. However, with no one combining stellar power numbers with a decent average in the A.L. I had to go with Mauer since his batting average is so high and he has the capability to bat .400, which some have said and still say will never happen again, best of luck to ya' Joey!

N.L. Cy Young-Tim Lincecum (10-2, ERA: 2.33, K's: 149, Whip: 1.05)- Tough decision here, with Dan Haren being just as stellar through the midpoint as "The Freak". However, Lincecum's scoreless inning streak of 29 innings, and his league leading 149 K's put him over the top. I know they say you can't judge a pitcher by his win/loss record but he's 10-2 and that deserves some judgement.

A.L. Cy Young-Zack Greinke (10-5, ERA: 2.12, K's: 129, Whip:1.08)- Another tough one to decide halfway through. But I had to go with Greinke over Edwin Jackson and Roy Halladay, just for the way he started the season. However, he has been somewhat lackluster after his unbelievable start. I can definitely see him falling off in the second half, especially with that Kansas City bullpen behind him. Look for Halladay and Jackson to stay consistent till the homestretch and don't count Beckettt and Verlander out of the conversation.

N.L. Rookie of the Year-Pablo Sandoval ( Avg: .333, 15 HR, 55 RBI, OBP: .385) Clear cut pick for N.L. Rookie of the Year "Kung-Fu Panda" is tearing it up in the N.L. on top of that he's a very talented defender, utility guy who can play several positions. I was shocked to see him blow Jonathan Sanchez's perfect game the other night when he couldn't make that routine play at third, luckily Sanchez still preserved the no-hitter for the first of the year.

A.L. Rookie of the Year- David Price ( 3-3, ERA: 4.71, K's: 47) Not to many to choose from right now, Nelson Cruz has been on a tear but I can't see him continuing to put up those types of numbers. Matt Wieters was the pick at the beginning of the season but he hasn't panned out thus far. Price's stats are sub par up to this point, but he's been pitching a lot better as of late. Look for him to be a crucial part of that rotation, with the Ray's contending for the A.L. East title down the stretch.

That's the first of hopefully many awards to come, we'll see how they stack up at seasons end. Hope everyone watched the season premiere of Entourage, looks like its gonna be a good one.
Peace out!

Lord Stanley!

As of late it seems like my introduction has become redundant, you know the whole "it's been way to long since I've blogged, good to be back." So, I'm just gunna get to the point. Yea it's been a while, but I'm not sorry about my most recent vacation from this here blog. I hope I don't hurt anybody's feelings. Anyways, I've had several great ideas and brilliant blog topics as of late, but pure laziness has engulfed them like an obese man in front of a couple dozen donuts.

Last night though a light bulb really started flashing in that big head of mine. I was watching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup, and couldn't help to notice how Lord Stanley's Cup (The Stanley Cup Trophy), is hands down the best trophy in sports. The 35 pounds of silver and nickel alloy is none other then the most glorifying hardware a champion can receive. It's history, character, design, and Ora cannot be matched by any other hardware in all of sports. Add to that, with the exception of the claret jug (golf's British open trophy), it's the only trophy in sports that is giving to the champion for that year that they rightfully won the title. Then it must be returned so it can be awarded to the next champion. On another note, Lord Stanley's cup lives the life of a rambling man, the thing travels like a top notch business exec. that's been cheating on his wife since the moment of their holy matrimony! When I first thought about it, I was in complete awe of how many legends have hoisted up that cup in pure triumph! And the fact that every Stanley Cup Championship team's, players, staff, and management are engraved on the glorious chalice, just adds to the history and character of the cup. There are approximately over 700 names on Lord Stanley's Cup, not including the large amount of repeats for multiple champions.

When I ponder the word legacy in sports, no other thought comes to my mind then the Stanley Cup! In no way, shape, or form am I taking away from the success and sense of accomplishment earned by winning any championship in any sport. However, when there's only one trophy that the rightful champion has won in that giving season, it makes it that much better! Congrats to the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins, Stanley Cup Champions!!! And I gotta give a shout out to my fellow alumni and hometown hero Billy Guerrin! I'm out have a great weekend, I'll be back this week with some great pieces!

Saturday Showdown

To my readership and members of the blogosphere. Hope everyone had a good Friday, and enjoys the rest of the weekend. Celts vs. Bulls game 7 tonight-Pacquaio vs. Hatton, can't ask for a better Saturday, add to that the Kentucky Derby, which was quite interesting. I gotta go with the Celts at home, and the under dogged Hatton, who let me remind you is 45-1! I'm out!

Today is Not Monday!!!

Happy Monday!!!!!Wait does that sound right...???? Happy Monday? I categorize this phrase as an oxymoron, I don't know if I've ever had a Happy Monday in my 21 years of existence, I'm pretty sure you haven't had too many either. I mean maybe a win on a scratch ticket, or a Patriot's win on Monday Night football might have lifted some of your past Mondays, but I doubt there have been too many! That is, until today. What a Monday this is. Just a couple titles for this fine Monday, #1 "Openin Day" ( I actually had to misspell that on purpose because if you haven't heard MLB trademarked the phrase, I'm dead serious), #2 "March Madness National Championship", #3 "The week of the Masters", #4 "The day M.J. was chosen to be inducted into the Hall, and Stockton and Robinson, but M.J. clearly overshadows there presence!!!!

Are you kidding me? Today is clearly not a Monday, instead it's the day that begins the best week in sports. I will forever call the 6th of April in the year of 2009, "the day that started the best week in sports." I'm a little ticked the Sox were postponed, but there were a couple other replacements to hit the spot. I'm a little drained from the weekend so I'm gunna wrap it up a little early, look for U.N.C to win their 2nd National Title in the last 5 years, with Ty Lawson receiving M.V.P honors. Watch out for Tiger to be within striking distance on Sunday at Augusta, come out in a ballin' red shirt, and dramatically win a 5th green jacket and 15th Major! What a beast! Until then I'm out!

Monday, Monday

So, if you don't know by now, Mondays are easily the worst day known to man as established by the Gregorian calendar. No debate needed. However, I'm a firm believer that you can have an uplifting Monday by enjoying a great weekend. So, I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend, and hope it was jam packed with fun and relaxation. I was fortunate enough to have a great weekend, it started off with a great win by the Celts on Friday taking down King James and company without KG, and it was impressive at that. Saturday I watched the Western Mass. Div I boy's basketball final. A pretty sloppy game to say the least, but it was highlighted by one of the most spectacular feats in sports. With about 15 ticks to go in the first half Central set up for the last shot, the point guard took control and waited until about six seconds and took the one on one match up. He drove to the hoop and threw up a floater. The shot was short, and bounced off the front of the rim. A Sci-tech player grabbed the rebound, one handed as it came off the rim and in perfect rhythm heaved a one hand shot over 3/4 court long, at what seemed to be exactly as the buzzer sounded....SWISH, nothing but NET, Tickled nothing but TWINE. The whole place jumped off their feet in excitement and awe. Spectators looked on and assumed, we would go into the half with a one point game; the referees would confer and rule...the basket was NO GOOD!!!! They would then take their beating from the crowd courageously.BOOOOOOOOO!!!! There is no doubt in my mind, that shot was the craziest play I've witnessed in person throughout my sports spectating career. But it was no good. The crowd was so overtaken by the mystique of the almost full court, one handed heave; they fooled themselves into counting the basket. Even though it was very, very close the ref's made a good call, and the right call. I personally didn't care if it counted or not it was fine by me just to be able to see the shot, I mean if you really think about it someone could stand on a court for days and never hit that shot, or depending on the person maybe never hit the rim. So that was the highlight experience of my weekend, I'd love to portray a couple other of the weekend's memories but I don't know if my blog would be around tomorrow (just kidding mom).

On top of getting to see a crazy b-ball shot, I got off to a fantastic start with my "T.G.I.F picks for the weekend" going 4-1, with my only loss coming on the Uconn-Pitt game, which was a good one right down to the wire. Can't win em' all though, too bad I don't gamble I might of got rich off those other four picks. For all those who did take my advice, I'll be honest don't get too engulfed by my sports genius, there is a reason why bookies will always be in business. On top of that great start, UMASS got a huge one point win on a buzzer beater, by Chris Lowe at URI to secure the ten spot in the A-10 tournament. If the Minutemen can squeak by Duquesne, they would face URI again in a quarterfinal, although it would take a near miracle, we could see some MADNESS in Amherst, and maybe do a little dancing. Maybe the basketball god's will shed some light, if not I'll still have the time of my life basking in March Madness. In closing, Youuuukk is tearing through the World Baseball Classic, freshly trimmed goatee and all!!!!! Manny Fernandez is clearly the worst/oldest/most washed-up/worthless piece of Bruin on the team. And finally I appreciate all the love for the blog, from Loudonville to the Cape, thanks a bunch, and spread the word. I'm out!!!

CHECK THESE OUT

This is a must see (not the shot I saw but similar)


This is a must listen

News, News, News

I'm not a huge fan of the format or style of today's news outlets; actually I'm not a fan at all, so I can't even qualify to be a huge fan. Anyways you get my gist. Let’s get back to where we were. So the style of today's media, you know the whole...Bleak, depressing stories make the headlines, front pages, front covers, etc..... while the uplifting, positive ones get small font and no hype. Typical, yea I know, redundant...an understatement... I guess "It is what it is." Unfortunately, if you fall into this select group of people who happen to like hearing GOOD NEWS you happen to be in the minority. Let’s be serious though, people love hearing horrific, negative, bad, news!!!That being said, you can't "jump the gun" and put all the blame on media outlets for highlighting newscasts and front pages of publications with negative stories. I mean their job is to report the news, and you might assume they'd report the news people want to hear. Let’s think for a second... (One-one-thousand)..... (Two one-thousand)... Alright two seconds, my bad. Could it be society who's to blame? Let’s break it down... Fast food is awful for you and there is sufficient scientific research that proves it can have adverse effects on one's health. So are fast food joints to blame for producing this food that is o so bad? Legally, many cases have been dismissed, but many are still in the making. But let's forget the the legal system for now. Think it through logically, when you order fast food there isn't an option to have the worker at the window shove it all down your throat. One must choose to order the food and partake in the action of feeding it to themselves, in turn, to fulfill a WANT that they possess. Now that's not rocket science, or even pre-algebra, I'm pretty sure an incompetent crack head could figure that out five 40's deep. Alright, that might be a stretch, but I think I proved my point. If people WANTED the healthiest choices known to man, fast food companies wouldn't serve anything else. The same thing pertains to NEWS, if the majority of society wanted to consistently hear good news it would be signed, sealed, and delivered to them promptly. So it's clear the problem does not lie in the producer yet the consumer in these cases. Look at it from a sort of "If you want it, it will come," perspective. The problem clearly lies in the WANTS of society, just as they conventionally do with food choices, they do the same with NEWS choices. Make bad decisions, and when you make bad decisions it’s your fault and no one else's, not the accomplice or conduit who aided and abetted you along the way. So the bottom line is as a society we got some work to in terms of elevating the moral caliber of our wants. If we want to consistently hear good news and occasionally the tragic story to keep us close to reality, then it will create a demand to consistently hear good news, and then finally the supply of consistent good news. There's the equation, let's see if it can be solved. Imagine the possible mind state one could posses if we stepped outside the negative influence the media throws on top of us.....Hmmmmm????? So just to throw a curve ball I'm gunna switch it up and layout my news headlines for the day the way I would like to see them, in what we'll call the Good News First format.

Stocks move higher after 5 days of heavy selling- By SARA LEPRO, AP Business Writer Sara Lepro, Ap Business Writer

-OK lets start rolling in the big bucks
10 NJ insurance co. employees win Mega Millions-AP
-Imagine the thrill of being able to tell your bosses you will never see them again
Tough-talking Texas woman chases down thief-AP
-Shout out to the good Samaritans out there, Ms. Walker Texas Ranger, anybody?
Obama swings axe at private student lenders- By Kevin Drawbaugh Reuters
-Here we go Barack, swing those axes, you know what it's like to be a broke college kid needing to fulfill addictions
Boxer Hatton plans to shock Pacquiao with speed and moves-Ap

-Manny Pacquiao numba one, Manny Pacquiao numba one.. Ok Ricky Fatton faster then Manny?
The Five Things You Gotta Know About Watchmen-E-online
-Only thing you gotta know is go see it, don't be too cool, step up and IMAX it
Penguins land Guerin, Adams in deadline deals-AP
- Gotta give a shout out to my fellow Cathedral H.S. alumni Billy Guerin now rolling with syd the kid
Private search on for missing NFL players in Gulf-AP
-I really hope they're still out there, odds can be defied, my heart goes out to their families and friends
Girardi says hip bothered A-Rod last year-By BEN WALKER, AP
- I mean they do say steroids erode your joints, thank your cuz for that one
Suicide bomber kills 3 in Baghdad-AP
-Will this ever end?

A-Fraud/A-Hole/A-Nabolic....which ever you choose?

Wow!!!Another shocking admission in the world of steroid infused "Big League" ball players...are you joking, get outta here!