SeeperSports

Fall 2010 No-Tap League Champions!

2010-11-21T23:06:00.000-05:00

Thank you to my teammate Michael Evans for a great fall season. We won the Sunday No-Tap league championship at Midway Lanes in Vestal, N.Y. This season, I also won my seventh high-average title.

Thoughts on Ohio State-USC game

2009-09-15T10:03:00.003-04:00

I thought the recent Ohio State-USC game (for which I was very fortunate to score tickets) was a good reason to revive this blog. Even though the Buckeyes lost, I'm happy that I was able to attend the game.

In the last two days, I have been reading a lot of post-game coverage, and it seems that many people are blaming the OSU coaching staff for the team's 18-15 loss. Head coach Jim Tressel is a convenient - and justified - target; however, you win as a team and lose as a team. He can't take all the blame. If the Buckeyes had won, I wouldn't have given him all the credit. The offense and the defense had their chances to put the game away, and neither was able to get the job done. You let a team like USC hang around long enough and, chances are, you're going to come away with a loss.

At this point, I'm not going to be one of these doomsday bloggers who says the Buckeyes are in complete disarray. The program is merely adequate. OSU will win Big Ten titles and beat Michigan with regularity. But, when it's for all the wheat against a big out-of-conference opponent, the OSU faithful will walk away disappointed. Adequate and elite are two different things. For all the resources the program has, OSU should be elite.

Dumb comment from Mets broadcaster

2006-04-23T23:50:00.000-04:00

I knew this was going to be trouble as soon as I heard it: During the New York Mets' game on Saturday night, former Met and current broadcaster Keith Hernandez said, during the gamecast, women "don't belong in the dugout".

That came after he spotted a woman in the San Diego Padres dugout; as it turns out, she's the team's massage therapist. She and the Padres' manager both took offense to the comment.

Hernandez tried to clean it up by saying "I won't say that women belong in the kitchen, but they don't belong in the dugout...You know I am only teasing. I love you gals out there - always have."

What a weak attempt to atone for a purely boneheaded comment. While anything can happen during a live broadcast, and things can slip out, a broadcaster should have a better internal filtering system.

Transition

2006-04-22T23:45:00.000-04:00

I've been away for a while. You may have noticed. It's an understatement to say things have been busy.

By this time next month, I'll be living in a new place here in the Binghamton area and will have a new job. As I've been getting ready for this transition, I just haven't had the time and energy to work on this site.

At this point, I'd like to keep SeeperSports going; however, the updates may not be as frequent.

Passed on Sunday's bowling cast

2006-04-10T13:52:00.000-04:00

I'm one of the few people who faithfully watches Denny's PBA Tour telecasts each weekend on ESPN. Instead of taping yesterday's cast and watching it later, as I usually do, I passed altogether.

The Tournament of Champions used to have real appeal. In the past, the entire season built up to this event. There was no question about it: that was the biggest tournament of the year. The current PBA ownership has built more hype around the other major events, and the prestige of this tournament has diminished.

For years, the T of C was held annually at Riviera Lanes, near Akron, Ohio. Watching this tournament as a teenager in the New York City area, I never thought I'd get to see this historic place. While living in Ohio, I had occasion to pass through the Akron area, and didn't miss the chance to play a few practice games at Riviera. Now, the tournament is held in Connecticut, so there's no sense of mystique or history.

On top of that, this year's final didn't really have any players I'd really go out of my way to watch. In particular, I had no desire to watch Chris Barnes. He used to be bowling's Phil Mickelson, a hard luck story. Close to greatness, but no cigar. However, after a few major victories, Barnes has been ripped by fans as being arrogant. He's no longer a sympathetic figure.

Happy for Phil's victory

2006-04-09T23:46:00.000-04:00

Phil Mickelson won his second Masters title earlier today. Is there any better story in golf? Here's a guy whom most people had written off as unable to win when it really counted. Not only did he break through and win a green jacket in 2004, but he's won the event twice in the last three years.

Stories like this are uplifting. It provides hope for all of us who are waiting for a big break, or some major positive life change. You wait for years, hoping your luck will change, and then it's better than you could've even imagined.

I'm sure Phil would've been happy with only one green jacket, and two in a span of three years is more than he ever could have asked for.

Mets unveil new park plans

2006-04-07T00:35:00.000-04:00

File this under: "We're going to pay for it, one way or the other".

Yesterday, the New York Mets released their plans for a new stadium; it will be built in Queens near Shea Stadium. Private investment will cover $550 million of the construction costs. New York City will contribute $90 million, while the state is kicking in $75 million.

I had to send in a payment when I recently completed our family's New York State tax return. We know where part of that money is going.

I'm all for private investment. If a team wants a new stadium, it should find a way to pay for that. However, I fully expect that cost would be passed onto me and others in the form of higher ticket prices.

Gooden heading to prison

2006-04-06T00:26:00.000-04:00

You can file this one under "I've been going through a lot, but here's someone who's having a worse day than me."

Former New York Met pitching phenom Dwight Gooden was sentenced yesterday to a year and a day in prison for violating probation by using cocaine. He's likely to only spend 7 1/2 months behind bars, because he'll be credited for time served in jail and a drug rehab facility.

"I have a problem, sir, with cocaine," Gooden told a state judge in Florida. "I had a cocaine relapse."

At first, I wanted to bash Gooden because I was a fan of his in the 1980's and was disappointed when his drug problems came to light.

But, you almost have to feel sorry for the guy. Here he is 20 years later and he's no better off than he was. It's a shame drugs came in the way between him and what almost certainly would've been a Hall of Fame career. He'll be remembered more for his drug problems than for winning a Cy Young Award or World Series ring.

Griffey in the spotlight

2006-04-05T23:24:00.000-04:00

A prolific home run hitter made history today. Thankfully, we're not talking about Barry Bonds.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 537th career home run in Cincinnati; the Red broke a tie with Yankee legend Mickey Mantle for 12th on the career list. Griffey also notched his 1,538th RBI, moving ahead of Joe DiMaggio, another Yankee great.

I'm glad to see these achievements get attention. That's because I feel confident that Griffey achieved them legitimately. After all, his performance dropped off considerably in recent years. If he was really juicing, he would've fared much better.

Patriots shouldn't hang heads

2006-04-02T03:26:00.000-04:00

George Mason's amazing run through the NCAA tournament has come to an end. Last night, the Patriots lost to Florida 73-58 in the national semifinal. The Gators will move on to face UCLA for the title tomorrow night.

After the game, you could see members of the Patriots hanging their heads and crying. I understand they wanted to go all the way and win a national championship. But, any tears should be tears of joy and pride. By just making it to the Final Four, George Mason achieved something truly special. They have nothing to feel bad about.

Gotta love the underdog

2006-04-01T00:32:00.000-05:00

Is there anyone out there whose bracket is still in tact? I mean, who would have predicted UCLA, LSU, Florida, and George Mason would make it to the Final Four? Who would have thought that we'd have no top seeds left?

I'd love to see George Mason shock the world and win the title. Unless you're a LSU, UCLA, or Florida fan, how could you not get behind Mason?

There are few story lines in sports better than a team coming from almost nowhere to capture glory. It's satisfying to see teams overcome tremendous odds to reach the top levels of their sports. After all, isn't that the reason we've been pulling for Lance Armstrong all these years? It's edifying to see a guy fight cancer and win the Tour de France.

It gives hope to the rest of us who are trying to overcome our own challenges.

Skepticism over steroids probe

2006-03-31T09:37:00.000-05:00

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig has appointed a former U.S. Senate Majority Leader to head the investigation into steroids in baseball. This probe will be limited to happenings after September 2002, when baseball banned performancing-enhancing drugs. However, the investigation could be expanded.

Results will be made public; however, there's no word yet on how long the investigation will take.

I hope this is not some smokescreen baseball is putting up just as a public relations measure. Inquiries are only as good as the amount of energy someone is willing to put into them. I want to see this lead to real changes in the sport. I'd also like to know who has been cheating and who hasn't.

If a player can't honestly break records (hello, Barry Bonds), the achievements aren't worth all that much.

Hoosier choice surprising

2006-03-30T12:47:00.000-05:00

I really thought Indiana was going to choose Steve Alford as its next basketball coach. Instead, IU hired long-time Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson.

I can't imagine the IU faithful is really happy about this. Ever since Bobby Knight was tossed out, many Hoosier fans wanted some kind of link to the program's glory days. Instead of picking a past hero such as Alford, the program chose to go in a completely different direction. Sampson is a solid coach, but just I don't get it.

Living up to its moniker

2006-03-29T23:15:00.000-05:00

The NFL has once again demonstrated that the moniker "No Fun League" is more fitting than "National Football League".

Owners voted 29-3 today to limit end zone celebrations, including those with props, such as Terrell Owens' use of a Sharpie to sign a football after a touchdown. A move like that will now earn a player a 15-yard penalty.

Oh, please. The end zone celebrations add color to a game. Who wants to see NFL games that are less animated than telecasts of the PBA Tour? The tour seems to encourage players to show personality on the lanes. Why can't the NFL do the same?

Recycled dramatic plots

2006-03-27T22:26:00.000-05:00

In case you need a break from college basketball, we have a non-sports take today.

For those of you Everwood fans who are old school like me, did you get the feeling you were watching a recycled subplot from Degrassi Junior High/Degrassi High?

Amy and Ephraim remind me a lot of Caitlin and Joey. When the Degrassi kids went on to high school, Caitlin ditched Joey in favor of socially-conscious Claude who turned her into an anti-nuke protestor. In tonight's Everwood episode, Amy's professor tried to get her involved in controversial causes. When Ephraim wanted to get back together with Amy, she gave him some dumb excuse about how she needed to find herself.

In short, the plot could be summed up as: agitator separates couple we want to see together. I don't really mind the story recycling so much. I wish Degrassi still lived on in cable somewhere.

Pulling for George Mason

2006-03-26T23:07:00.000-05:00

When Ohio State got knocked out of the NCAA tournament, I figured I no longer had a reason to keep watching or caring about March Madness.

I now have a reason. It's a longshot, but I hope George Mason wins the national championship. It was great to see Mason knock off UConn today to earn a spot in the Final Four.

Growing up in the New York City area, I was a St. John's fan, so I've never liked UConn. On top of that, we have a real underdog and virtual unknown in the Final Four. It's so refreshing to see one of the little guys make it to the big time, instead of a Duke.

Sports guys love good stories. Would there possibly be a better story out there than a team coming from almost nowhere to win a national title?

Former Knick tossed from Hall

2006-03-25T14:44:00.000-05:00

Imagine taking your team to the NCAA tournament and getting fired shortly afterward. That's what happened to Seton Hall basketball coach Louis Orr. He was fired yesterday, just days after his team lost by 20 points in the first round of March Madness.

Why? The athletic director said Orr did a poor job recruiting in the New York City metropolitan area, where Seton Hall is located. The school has no recruits for next season.

That's completely unacceptable. If you're not able to bring in solid, young talent, how can you build anything for the future? You'd think a former New York Knick would have more street cred in the NYC area. He should be able to attact skilled players who want to play for a big school while staying close to home.

The football equivalent would be if Ohio State coach Jim Tressel watched the best players in the Buckeye State go to Michigan and Penn State. OSU would not stand for that.

Ice Dancing worth watching

2006-03-24T23:55:00.000-05:00

Tonight, I went with a group of friends to a neighborhood tavern to watch the NCAA basketball tournament. Another screen in the room showed an ice dancing competition.

Even though Boston College and Villanova were in overtime, skating had my attention. It had everything to do with the fact that Canada's Patrice Lauzon was on the tube. If you've never seen her, do a Google search. It will be worth the time spent. Let's just say that while some men prefer blondes, I certainly don't.

Read between the lines

2006-03-23T17:05:00.000-05:00

Steve Alford's name has been linked with several available jobs, including the now-vacant head coaching position at Indiana, his alma mater. However, Iowa's basketball coach says he has not scheduled any interviews with other schools.

Okay, coach. Does anyone think he'd readily admit that he is interviewing somewhere? Think about it. If you have a job, are you going to draw attention to the fact that you're looking for a better opportunity elsewhere? Of course not.

There's no way that he's not interested in the Indiana job. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he goes back to Bloomington.

Hope it didn't cost much

2006-03-22T13:00:00.000-05:00

The Boston Red Sox recently signed the injury-prone Juan Gonzalez, 36, to a minor league contract. The team hopes he'll return to his old form. Gonzalez hit more than 40 home runs in a season five times during his career. He's had three seasons with at least 140 RBI.

I hope the Sox didn't spend much on Gonzalez because he's had a lot of time on the bench nursing injuries over the past few years. Last year, he only had one at-bat. I expect him to have more playing time this year, but not a whole lot more.

Skills Challenge needs to go

2006-03-21T23:05:00.000-05:00

If the people running the Denny's PBA Tour really want bowling to be taken seriously, they should consider making major changes to the Skills Challenge, or even getting rid of it altogether.

Basically, this is bowling's equivalent of trick-shot pool. You'll see PBA pros hurling balls over chairs, trying to knock down 30 pins at once, or make splits by throwing two balls down the lane at the same time.

Is pool considered a sport? Very debatable.

It's also very debatable on whether the Skills Challenge is testing real skills. It certainly isn't testing anything a person could use in a real game. You only have to knock down 10 pins at a time, not 30. Also, the average person would get thrown out of a center for putting a chair on a lane.

The Tour should give us another match, and go back to a five-man stepladder format. If not, how about using some air time to teach people real skills and help them improve their games?

Trade Soriano again

2006-03-20T22:35:00.000-05:00

This town isn't big enough for the both of us. You could say that sums up Alfonso Soriano's attitude. He refused to play the outfield for the Washington Nationals tonight. As a result, team officials believe Soriano violated his contract, and the Nats may do the baseball equivalent of placing him on unpaid leave.

Washington acquired the four-time All-Star second baseman in a trade back in December. However, the Nats already had an All-Star second baseman - Jose Vidro. He was the team's clear choice to play second this season.

Having two star second basemen is almost worse than having two star quarterbacks. Each scenario is not a case of two being better than one. Expecting Soriano to be so happy to play for the Nationals that he'd eagerly embrace the idea of changing positions is just dumb.

Good season for Buckeyes

2006-03-19T23:39:00.000-05:00

The basketball season is over for the Ohio State Buckeyes, as they lost to Georgetown today 70-52 in Dayton, Ohio in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

OSU had run out of gas after a great regular-season run through the Big Ten. G'town had a 13-point lead at the half, and outdid the Bucks in key stat categories such as shooting percentage and boards. I thought OSU would bring it a little bit stronger in what was sort of a home game, as Dayton is only an hour from the OSU campus.

Even so, the Bucks had a great year. Despite the weak finish, I believe in coach Thad Matta, and think OSU has a great future.

Kansas bounced from tournament

2006-03-17T23:14:00.000-05:00

I wonder if Bill Self is wishing he hadn't left Illinois. For the second year in a row, his Kansas Jayhawks have made an early exit from the NCAA Tournament. Last year, Bucknell knocked the Hawks out of the tournament; this year, Bradley bounced Kansas.

And, Kansas fans thought they had it tough when Roy Williams was around.

Are we in the Soviet Union?

2006-03-16T20:13:00.000-05:00

The NCAA has ruled that Ohio State must erase any references to regular-season games that Boban Savovic played from 1999 to 2002. Just days ago, the NCAA ruled that Savovic was ineligible because he received a $6,000 payout.

"Ohio State is making its 19th appearance in the NCAA tournament and first since 1992," the media guide now says.

That's asinine. We know that OSU went to the tournament under disgraced former head coach Jim O'Brien. Am I just supposed to forget about all of that? Are we in the Soviet Union where people and events are erased from history?

The Coach of the Year in the America East Conference -- Hartford coach Larry Harrison -- resigned today after a 13-15 season. How could someone with a losing record be Coach of the Year?

Hampton coach Bobby Collins also resigned today; two days ago, his team lost to Monmouth in the tournament's "play-in" game. I didn't think losing to Monmouth was something to be ashamed of and quit over.

Fallout from OSU misdeeds

2006-03-14T21:40:00.000-05:00

Paul Biancardi resigned as the head basketball coach at Wright State (Ohio) University yesterday, just three days after the NCAA barred him from recruiting. The NCAA found that he passed $6,000 from former OSU coach Jim O'Brien to a recruit's family in 1999. Both coaches acted unethically by not reporting their behavior to OSU.

It's about time that someone who caused the mess in Columbus was held accountable. Biancardi screwed up and should face the consequences. Why should Thad Matta and his players suffer for what O'Brien and his former assistant did?

Eyes on play-in game

2006-03-13T11:02:00.000-05:00

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament tips off tomorrow night when Monmouth takes on Hampton in a game many people consider the "play-in". While most of the college hoops world will likely ignore that game, I'll be watching whatever I can.

Monmouth is sort of a sentimental favorite. Last year, I was this close to being hired as a full-time journalism professor there. I enjoyed my visit to the beautiful and super-clean campus in West Long Branch, N.J. And, the people there couldn't have been any nicer and welcoming. Everything about the place was first-class.

Go Hawks! It would be wild to see Monmouth take on Ohio State for a spot in the Final Four. Hey, we all can dream.

Bucks run out of gas

2006-03-12T10:22:00.000-05:00

Even though Ohio State led most of the way in today's Big Ten tournament final, I had an uneasy feeling that wouldn't go away. That's because the Iowa Cornhawkers wouldn't go away either. It was unreasonable to expect the No. 20 team in the country to fold up like a cheap tent, as Penn State did against OSU just a few days ago.

The Buckeyes looked gassed late in the second half. As Iowa was picking up steam, OSU players were gasping for air. When Iowa took the lead, I knew the Bucks were done.

I expect good fortune for OSU in the NCAA tournament. Thad Matta can flat-out coach come tournament time, and he'll have the Bucks ready to make a run.

OSU holds off Hoosiers

2006-03-11T19:37:00.000-05:00

Did Ohio State ever get away with one today! The Buckeyes survived as Indiana was not able to cash in on either of its two attempts at a game-winning bucket.

OSU won 52-51 today in a physical, low-scoring affair. Props to the officials who just let the guys play and refrained from calling ticky-tack fouls that would've turned the game into a boring free throw contest.

The Buckeyes missed a golden chance to put the Hoosiers away early when Marco Killingsworth got into foul trouble. Cold shooting kept OSU from capitalizing while IU's big man was on the bench.

OSU seems to be playing down to the level of its competition. That's dangerous come tournament time. It's time to step things up!

Ohio State - 1999 Final Four

2006-03-10T17:22:00.000-05:00

Ohio State will pay dearly for the successes under former men's basketball coach Jim O'Brien. OSU will be on probation for three years; the recent NCAA ruling wipes out records from four national tournament appearances. The Buckeyes must no longer display a banner saying they went to the 1999 Final Four.

Former Buckeye Boban Savovic was deemed ineligible for getting improper gifts from a booster. The school will have to pay back about $800,000 of tournament revenue for the four years Savovic played.

On a positive note, the NCAA did not ban OSU from postseason play. Thankfully, current coach Thad Matta and his Big Ten Champions will not have to suffer because of his predecessor's misdeeds. That would have been very unfair.

I think O'Brien, Savovic, and the booster should pay that $800,000, and not the school. Just because the NCAA is vacating the Buckeyes' 1999 Final Four appearance doesn't mean it didn't happen. While the Buckeyes have to remove the reference to that Final Four in Value City Arena, I have no plans to erase it from this Web site.

Bonds mum on new book

2006-03-08T10:20:00.000-05:00

Once again, Barry Bonds is in the news for the wrong reasons. According to an upcoming book written by two newspaper reporters in San Francisco, he used a variety of performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids and human growth hormones. This alleged drug use started in 1998 and lasted for at least five seasons.

Part of that book Game of Shadows appears in the March 13 issue of Sports Illustrated. Bonds said he won't look at it, and won't comment further.

That's a wise idea because Bonds' tendency to make outrageous and foolish statements would make it very unlikely that he would defuse the whole situation. At this point, even if he voluntarily took a drug test and it turned out to be clean, we have no way of knowing if Bonds' achievements are 100 percent legit. I don't know if he took steroids, but wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he actually admitted to doing so.

Remembering Kirby Puckett

2006-03-07T09:37:00.000-05:00

I've said this before, but it seems only fitting now: Kirby Puckett's home run to win Game 6 of the 1991 World Series was perhaps the most dramatic home run in World Series history. It certainly had a greater impact than Kirk Gibson's game-winning homer in Game 1 of the 1988 Series, which everyone touts more.

Puckett's home run kept the Minnesota Twins alive and sent them to Game 7, which they ultimately won. Gibson's home run locked up the opening game of the '88 Series.

Thanks for the memories, Kirby!

A clean team game!

2006-03-06T13:48:00.000-05:00

No opens in Game 1.

Purdue won't beat OSU

2006-03-05T02:47:00.000-05:00

Today, Purdue has a chance to play spoiler and give some major help to Illinois and Iowa. If the Boilermakers beat Ohio State in Columbus, the Buckeyes, Illini, and Hawkeyes will all share the Big Ten Championship.

Back to reality. I don't see any way the Buckeyes have two straight close-shaves against low-level teams. They escaped with a victory at Northwestern on Wednesday night. And, I expect OSU to pound last-place Purdue.

Thad Matta will have his guys ready to play in front of their home fans on Senior Day. Even if the Buckeyes lost, it's no biggie as they've already got a conference title and a spot in the NCAA tournament. But, these guys are playing for pride, and that means you give it your all to end the regular season on a high note.

Duke Senior Night spoiled

2006-03-04T23:50:00.000-05:00

Tonight, North Carolina spoiled Senior Night at Duke, beating the Blue Devils 83-76. I couldn't be happier.

Is there any group of sports fans more arrogant than Duke fans? I remember a while back when Michigan played on the road at Duke, and the Cameron Crazies were chanting "Public, private." In other words, it was supposed to be a slam on The University of Michigan, which, unlike Duke, is a state university.

Last time I checked, Michigan is a stronger school than Duke academically. And, that's not because I say so. It's because books such as The Gourman Report say so.

Marlins cheap out

2006-03-03T00:39:00.000-05:00

Florida Marlins slugger Miguel Cabrera agreed to a one-year, $472,000 deal yesterday. He batted .323 with 33 home runs and 116 RBI last season. Depending on how you look at it, Cabrera is a bargain or grossly underpaid. He will be eligible for arbitration for the first time after this season wraps up.

In published reports, Cabrera said he was happy. He's a good sport. This deal is another example of cheaping out from a team that unloaded starters at the end of last season.

15-year anniversary of title

2006-03-02T23:35:00.000-05:00

The vast majority of high school athletes don't become college or professional stars. But, that doesn't mean the experience wasn't valuable. High school sports can help young people build character, work with peers toward a common goal, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

One of those great memories for me was made 15 years ago today on March 2, 1991. My high school bowling team (Sayville High School on Long Island, N.Y.) won the Suffolk County Championship. Our team was solid, but not expected to win the title. However, we had six incredible games and advanced to the New York State tournament at Midway Lanes in Vestal, where I currently bowl in a weekly league.

Quite a few years have passed. We've all moved on to pursue other goals and become accomplished in other ways. And, we've lost a little bit of hair along the way. Even so, the memories and the pride remain. They always will.

Big Ten Champions!

2006-03-01T22:46:00.000-05:00

Ohio State needed just about every second in tonight's game against Northwestern. A layup with just seven ticks left gave the Buckeyes a one-point lead and helped propel them to a 56-53 victory on the road. The win guarantees the Buckeyes at least a share of the Big Ten regular season championship.

Props to Northwestern for hanging in through the entire game. They trailed by just two points at the half, and I thought they were going to fade out big time in the last 20 minutes of the game. To score a victory, the Buckeyes had to make the most of two ill-timed Wildcat lapses. Evan Seacat stepped out of bounds along the sideline with 54 seconds left. Shortly after that, the Cats allowed OSU's Ron Lewis to go strong to the hole for the pivotal layup.

The Buckeyes got away with one tonight. However, I won't be picky. It doesn't matter if it's pretty or ugly; a win is a win. Tonight, that win was huge.

Logo courtesy of The Ohio State University.

Give us CBC

2006-02-27T21:53:00.000-05:00

Another set of Winter Games has come and gone. I wish the Games could've lasted another two weeks. I'll miss them. Sure, it's fun to hear people rip on Bode Miller, but that's not what I'll miss about the Olympics.

What I like most about the Olympics is being able to see sports such as bobsledding, luge, curling, and skiing on conventional network television. I could probably find those sports on the tube, but I don't have the time and energy to sift through television guides and surf seemingly endless cable channels.

I wish we got CBC in our section of southern New York. When I lived in the Midwest and got Canadian TV, I got sort of used to seeing curling on Saturdays and skiing on Sundays.

Photo courtesy of http://www.torino2006.org

Miller is a joke

2006-02-26T02:40:00.000-05:00

It seems that every sportswriter is piling on American skiier Bode Miller. I'll jump onto the pile. This guy is a stone cold fool whose head is in the wrong place.

Despite his lack of success at the Olympics, Miller described the experience as awesome in an Associated Press (AP) column. Why? He enjoyed the bar scene in Sestriere, Italy. Miller also told the AP that he was less ready for this year's Games than he was for the 2002 Olympics, in which he won two silver medals.

If he focused more on skiing and less on partying, he might have lived up to the hype. Miller says the expectations came from other people. But, he carried on as if he was the greatest show on snow. If you're going to talk it up, you'd better deliver. He didn't.

Photo courtesy of http://www.torino2006.org

OSU eyeing Big Ten crown

2006-02-25T20:40:00.000-05:00

Ohio State beat Michigan today. This victory was in basketball, so it didn't lead to the euphoria I usually feel when the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines in football.

Even so, OSU's 64-54 win in Columbus was huge because the Buckeyes remain in the driver's seat to win at least a share of the Big Ten championship. Victories in the next two games would mean an outright title. Winning just one game would mean the Buckeyes are assured at least a share of the conference crown. Keep in mind that OSU is scheduled to face the dregs of the conference: Northwestern and Purdue.

If the Buckeyes win a regular-season Big Ten title (shared or outright), it would make the conference tournament an afterthought offering little to gain. Yes, it would be great to win the tournament. But, OSU is going to the Big Dance anyway and wouldn't need the automatic berth that comes with a conference tournament title.

Logo courtesy of The Ohio State University.

Disappointing finish in ice skating

2006-02-24T08:26:00.000-05:00

Every four years, America's best figure skaters face a tremendous amount of pressure. Win the gold medal and you're a hero; your mug is in commercials and on boxes of cereal. Fall short and you're a disappointment. Is it fair? This time around, the answer is "yes".

Japan's Shizuka Arakawa is taking home the gold medal in women's ice skating. American Sasha Cohen, who fell and basically handed the gold to Arakawa, had to settle for silver.

To be sure, winning any kind of medal in the Olympics is very impressive, and certainly something of which to be proud. But, after hearing for weeks about how good she is, I expected Cohen to make a better showing.

Photo courtesy of http://www.torino2006.org

Big road win for Ohio State

2006-02-23T18:03:00.000-05:00

Last night's victory against Michigan State didn't lock up a share of the Big Ten basketball championship for Ohio State. But, if the Buckeyes do win the outright title or finish as conference co-champions, their performance in East Lansing would've had a lot to do with it.

I thought OSU's goose was cooked early in the second half when the Spartans jumped out to a seven-point lead with the home crowd on their side. But, the Buckeyes really manned up, winning 79-68.

Instead of one player emerging, we saw several Buckeyes sharing the scoring load, as five of them were in double figures. OSU forced the Spartans to go with a four-guard lineup down the stretch, and that was not the least bit capable of holding back the Buckeye onslaught.

The game was an example of Buckeye ball at its best, and more of this is needed as the stakes and pressure only increase. OSU isn't overly flashy, and doesn't seem to have anyone (except possibly for Terence Dials) who can really take over a game. Everyone needs to get in the act.

Logo courtesy of The Ohio State University.

Rollins facing big challenge

2006-02-21T15:51:00.000-05:00

The latest edition of ESPN's magazine has a feature about Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who currently has a 36-game hitting streak. So, he's just 20 games shy of Joe DiMaggio's seemingly unbreakable record.

If Rollins keeps the hitting streak going, DiMaggio would still have the record for longest streak within a single season.

I don't want to take anything away from DiMaggio's accomplishment, but I think the challenge is bigger, and the pressure greater, for Rollins. The media scrutiny today is much higher than ever before. On top of that, Rollins has had an entire offseason to think about the streak and whether it would continue.

Big Ten very evenly matched

2006-02-20T11:22:00.000-05:00

Back in 2002, four teams tied for the Big Ten regular-season basketball championship. It looks like something similar may happen this season. Iowa (9-4) is in first place. Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Illinois are not far behind, all tied at 8-4. Michigan State, with a conference record of 7-5, is still in the mix.

Don't count out the Spartans. They, for the most part, can control their own destiny as Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Illinois must visit East Lansing. If the Spartans can win all three of those games, the four teams would each have five losses. Tom Izzo and company have to hope for someone to knock off Iowa.

On the surface, it doesn't look great for a conference regular-season champion (or co-champions) to have five losses. It's a situation you won't find in most of the major conferences this season. But, it just shows how evenly matched the Big Ten is; the teams just keep knocking each other around, with no clear and dominant winner emerging.

Check out curling

2006-02-19T01:14:00.000-05:00

Anyone looking for a serious take on the Olympics has come to the wrong place today. However, if you're a fan of Veronica Mars, check your local listings to find out when the U.S. women's curling team will be on. Cassie Johnson has a real Kristen Bell kind of thing going on. I like curling anyway, but this made it especially interesting to watch.

Photo courtesy of http://www.torino2006.org

Sutton's legal troubles

2006-02-18T00:19:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Oklahoma State basketball coach Eddie Sutton was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Tests showed his blood alcohol level was almost three times the legal limit. Sutton is currently on medical leave from the university.

Sutton's legal troubles are surprising and disappointing. He's been a fine coach and sportsman for many years. I would have never expected him to be the center of such negative publicity.

To be sure, everyone makes mistakes, but this is a big one. To be that tanked and get behind the wheel shows a serious lack of good judgment, common sense, and self-control.

NBA All-Star Weekend here

2006-02-17T18:11:00.000-05:00

The best and brightest in the NBA will hoop it up this weekend. I wasn't watching when the biggest football stars faced off in the Pro Bowl a few days ago. And, I probably will skip the NBA's All-Star weekend.

In general, I'm not wild about All-Star games. The idea of an All-Star contest sounds good, in theory. We get to see "dream teams" made up of the best players in a particular sport. However, most of the time, the players don't give a 100-percent effort. If they don't care, why should I? Many athletes actually don't want to get selected to All-Star teams because they'd rather have a few days off.

The only appealing elements of NBA All-Star Weekend: the three-point shootout and slam dunk contest.

Pro bowling tour to stop in S. Tier of N.Y.

2006-02-16T00:10:00.000-05:00

Some of the best senior bowlers in the Northeast will play for a PBA title next month. If you're at least 50 years of age, you could enter the competition.

The PBA East Region Seneca Beverage Senior Open will take place March 17-19 at Paramount Lanes, located at 2446A Corning Road in Elmira Heights, N.Y.

First prize is projected at $1,500. One of every three bowlers will cash.

The entry fee is $200 for PBA members, and $250 (money order or cashier's check) for non-members. To enter, if you're not a member of the PBA, you must have at least a 200 average in a sanctioned USBC league, or an average of 190 or better in a USBC Sport league.

For more information on how to enter the tournament, call Sharon and Don Reidy at (607) 734-0321.

Court rules in O'Brien case

2006-02-15T12:01:00.000-05:00

Former Ohio State basketball coach Jim O'Brien won a lawsuit, which claimed the university improperly fired him for loaning $6,000 to a recruit. The court ruled O'Brien broke his contract, but his firing was not justified.

Damages have not been determined. O'Brien could receive almost $10 million.

He claimed he loaned the money to a player who lost amateur status. OSU's athletic director Andy Geiger testified that O'Brien admitted he violated NCAA rules by making the loan.

To me, this is an example of "unjust enrichment". O'Brien's actions led to OSU sitting out of postseason play for one year, and losing any revenue that would've resulted from a NCAA tournament berth. On top of that, the NCAA could've chosen to impose harsh sanctions on the program. Fortunately, that has not happened.

To get almost $10 million for causing such a mess is grossly unfair.

Tough road contest for OSU coming

2006-02-14T00:40:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow night, in college basketball, Ohio State heads on the road to Wisconsin for a game that could really help or hinder the Buckeyes' chances in the Big Ten title race.

The Buckeyes are coming off a 69-53 victory against Illinois on Sunday, and, this time around, won't have home field advantage on their side. I thought the Illinois game would be closer, and never imagined the Buckeyes would lead by more than 20. However, OSU let the Illini back in a little bit before holding them off. We've seen this before (eg. against Georgia Tech).

OSU is going to need a steady effort against the Badgers. On Sunday, the Buckeyes were hot from three-point range, but the outside shooting dropped off as they seemed to be forcing up long bombs, hoping something would fall in. Illinois stepped up the defensive effort in the second half, throwing the Buckeyes out of rhythm, but the hole was too big for the Illini to climb out of.

On a side note: I thought James Augustine had already graduated from Illinois. It seems like he's been there for eight years.

Logo courtesy of The Ohio State University.

Casual football games

2006-02-13T00:48:00.000-05:00

I wasn't planning on watching any football yesterday, but after Ohio State beat Illinois in college basketball, I was channel surfing and found legends playing a game of pickup pigskin on ESPN.

Team Elway and Team Young faced off in a game that was as casual as the games we used to play in the schoolyard when I was in high school. To me, the biggest difference between the alumni game and the Pro Bowl is the presence or lack of helmets and pads.

Will you be watching?

2006-02-12T00:12:00.000-05:00

In just a few hours, the Pro Bowl will officially close out the NFL season. Will you be watching?

To me, the season basically ended with the Super Bowl. I can't watch a game in which the players aren't going full tilt because the result is essentially meaningless. The Pro Bowl is about as appealing as a preseason game.

Taking today's entertainment choices into consideration, I'll slot the Pro Bowl behind professional bowling and the Ohio State-Illinois game (hoping it will be on television here in New York).

Hoping for great rematch

2006-02-11T21:56:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow afternoon, in college basketball, No. 19 Ohio State hosts No. 10 Illinois. This could be a great one.

We all remember what happened when these two teams met up in Columbus last season. Then-No. 1 Illinois came into Value City Arena undefeated and left with its first loss of the season, thanks to a late bucket by Matt Sylvester.

I can only hope this year's game is just as good. Of course, I'm saying this from an OSU perspective. But, still, that was a great game.

Anything less than an evenly matched game, and a Buckeye win, will be a disappointment. This OSU squad is better and more experienced than last year's, and Illinois looks far less dominant.

Open call to friends in PA

2006-02-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

An article in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says former Steeler Lynn Swann "may be the luckiest politician alive". He's seeking the Republican nomination for Governor in Pennsylvania, and his chief rival in this race just dropped out.

Question for those of you in the Keystone State: Would you vote for Swann, and why? E-mail me at: seepersports@aol.com. I'll share the best responses here.

I don't get a vote on this because I work in Pennsylvania, but live in New York. The way I see it: he's wealthy, popular, and well-connected, but his experience consists of playing football and talking about it on television.

Bowling to take center stage

2006-02-08T10:18:00.000-05:00

ESPN will show the finals of bowling's U.S. Open live on the Super Sign in New York City's Times Square on February 19th.

"To showcase a PBA event on such a grand scale provides great exposure for our sport and reflects the commitment ESPN is making to the PBA," said PBA Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer, in a statement on the Tour's Web site. "We are excited about this opportunity and hope the onlookers in Times Square will witness a great afternoon of PBA excitement."

I couldn't agree more. More Americans participate in bowling than in any other sport. The Times Square exposure will introduce the Tour to an entire segment of the population not accustomed to looking for bowling on television. Also, giving the sport such a prominent place in a capital of fashion and entertainment will help improve the image of bowling, as too many people consider it a low-brow activity.

Logo courtesy of Denny's PBA Tour.

Bettis goes out on top

2006-02-06T00:49:00.000-05:00

A poll on Yahoo! Sports asks whether Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis should retire now.

This is an easy one. If I had played in the NFL for 13 years, hoped to win a Super Bowl, then finally got my wish in my hometown, I'd retire. Better to finish that way than to collect checks while everyone is watching your skills decline.

Big plays give Steelers Super victory

2006-02-05T23:32:00.000-05:00

After the lopsided conference title games, many of us were hoping not to see more of same in Super Bowl XL. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks actually gave us a decent game.

The biggest difference between the teams tonight: the ability to make big plays. Simply put, Pittsburgh had it while Seattle didn't.

Pittsburgh's offense didn't look stellar, especially after Ben Roethlisberger got picked off near the end zone as he was trying to add to the Steelers' lead. But, Willie Parker stepped up with a record-setting 75-yard touchdown run. Receiver Antwaan Randle El showed us some of his old QB skills, throwing for a Pittsburgh touchdown.

On the other hand, Seattle was done in by, among other things, poor time management on offense. The end of the game looked much like the end of the first half, when the Seahawks wasted too much time. I wanted to see them score and try an onside kick toward the end of the game, not turn the ball over on downs with three seconds left.

A team with Mike Holmgren as coach, with all his experience running offenses, should've looked more organized.

Opening the e-mail

2006-02-04T23:14:00.000-05:00

The following note was sent to my e-mailbox after my take on pre-Super Bowl trash-talking:

I've been searching for Joey Porter blog commentaries and came across yours, but I have some questions:
1) Why would you be upset at what Stevens said? In effect, Stevens said "We're gonna win."
2) How is Stevens' comment a pot shot at Bettis?
Here's hoping for a great Super Bowl.

My answers:
1) Yes, in effect, Stevens did say the Seahawks would win. However, he downplayed his own message by saying it wasn't a guarantee. Either way, there's no problem as I see it.
2) This is where I had a problem; Stevens didn't have to single out any particular player, but he basically said it would be sad to see Jerome Bettis lose in his hometown. While Stevens didn't say "Bettis sucks", he hints that he'll enjoy Bettis' misfortune. Again, why mention anyone specific?

I hope the Super Bowl is a great one, too. Cheers, brother, and thanks for visiting!

Piazza signs with Padres

2006-02-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Former New York Mets star catcher Mike Piazza finalized a $2 million deal with the San Diego Padres. He's expected to hold a news conference in his new hometown early next week.

I hated to see him leave the Mets, but his offensive production had dropped off dramatically over the last three years. The Mets, who have a tendency to pay a lot and not get much in return, were wise not to re-sign him.

Piazza would've been a bigger asset to a team in the American League. His catching skills were never outstanding. He could've been a designated hitter, and focused solely on offense.

I wish him well in his new digs.

Finally some trash-talking

2006-02-01T22:59:00.000-05:00

With the Super Bowl just a few days away, Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens gave the Pittsburgh Steelers some bulletin board material.

He was talking about Steelers running back Jerome Bettis returning to his hometown of Detroit to compete for a Super Bowl ring.

"It's a heartwarming story and all that, but it will be a sad day when he leaves without that trophy," Stevens said in published reports.

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter wasn't at all happy about that. I wouldn't be either. Stevens said he wasn't guaranteeing a victory. I'm all for players showing confidence before big games. But, taking a shot at Bettis was uncalled for. Porter will be all too happy to make Stevens eat his words come Sunday.

Owens could be good fit in Denver

2006-01-31T17:53:00.000-05:00

Exiled wide receiver Terrell Owens visited the Denver Broncos yesterday, talking to the head coach there about whether he'd be a good fit with the Broncos.

I think this pairing makes good sense. Having fallen short of the Super Bowl, Denver can use a talented wide receiver in its attempt to reach the next level in '06. Owens needs a job, having p----d off the wrong people in Philadelphia.

Question: Can Owens help his new team reach the big game before wearing out his welcome? It reminds me of: Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?

Super Bowl article unfair

2006-01-30T21:59:00.000-05:00

As we wait for the Super Bowl of the present year, we have plenty of time to visit with the ghosts of Super Bowls past.

A sports article on America Online lists the biggest Super Bowl goats of all time. On top of the list is Scott Norwood, the Buffalo Bills kicker who missed a field goal that would've given his team a victory in Super Bowl XXV. On top of that, the Bills lost the next three consecutive title games.

The article said Norwood's only task was to nail a 47-yard field goal to win the game. That's not exactly a chip shot. I'd only feel confident in that situation if Mike Nugent was my kicker. On the other hand, an NFL kicker should be able to hit that.

If Norwood missed a 20-something-yarder, there would've really been no excuse!

Hornets should stay put

2006-01-29T00:21:00.000-05:00

Hornets owner George Shinn said yesterday that his team should play in Oklahoma City, instead of hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, next season. This is a good idea.

We'd all love to see the Big Easy fully return to life as usual, but that's not going to happen overnight. The damage from the hurricane -- we also can't forget the bungled government response -- has to be worse than we could even imagine. I know that's easy to say from my living room in upstate New York.

Hopefully, the team will return to full-time play in New Orleans. That city just isn't ready for it yet. I know I'd hate to see Shinn take advantage of the situation by making a cash grab by moving the team to another area.

Looking deep at numbers

2006-01-28T23:54:00.000-05:00

Here's something to keep you a little busy as we wait for the Super Bowl. This may be of particular interest to stat lovers who are eager for baseball to come back.

If you play around with the numbers for New York Mets first baseman Julio Franco, you'll see that he's racked up a career average of 1.06 hits/game. At that pace, it would only take him another 1,636 games to break Pete Rose's all-time hits record.

Maybe Franco can do it. He's 47, still on a big league roster, and shows no signs of going anywhere. Now, if Franco breaks the record and writes a book of his own, I'd probably give it a read.

Opening the e-mailbag

2006-01-26T23:37:00.000-05:00

Karl from Scranton, PA had the following comment on my takes regarding Antonio Davis:

"Steve, the Knicks need all the help they can get. At least this gave them some publicity."

True, it gave them publicity. But, it wasn't for the right reasons. As a Knick fan, I'd rather seem them make headlines for stellar play, not for guys being suspended because they went into the stands.

I don't know what good publicity is going to do when the team is 13-27. The Knicks need to start winning very soon or this will be another lost season.

A while back, my father wanted to entertain some clients who were visiting New York City, so he bought them two Knicks tickets at $70 a pop. The seats were nothing spectacular. Considering the price and the team's performance, we can easily say the Knicks are the most overpriced sports ticket in town.

Thomas deal is good move

2006-01-25T20:33:00.000-05:00

Two-time American League MVP Frank Thomas has agreed to a one-year, $500,000 deal with the Oakland Athletics. The A's now have the big right-handed bat they've been looking for. The team will formally introduce its new acquisition tomorrow.

On the surface, this may seem to be a lot of money to pay an aging superstar who has been battling injuries. However, the A's did a few things right on this one.

The deal is just for one year, so the A's won't be tied too long to a player whose productivity will eventually decline. Thomas can make an additional $2.6 million in bonuses for staying healthy and making plate appearances. If he's productive, fine, pay him. Giving him guaranteed money and watching him get injured again and miss playing time would've been just damn foolish.

Red Sox job shuffle

2006-01-24T18:31:00.000-05:00

File this under "What the f---?": Theo Epstein is back as general manager of the Boston Red Sox; he left that job in late October. The two men who had been serving as co-GMs have been reassigned. Few other details have been released.

I guess the Red Sox thought having two general managers would be as effective as a football team having two alternating star quarterbacks. In each case, it's better if a team commits to having one person do the job.

This reunion is almost like a man and woman getting a divorce then remarrying after realizing they're more miserable apart than together.

Hoping Del will be back

2006-01-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

I don't have any illusions about how the world works. I know the good guys can't win every time. I accept that. But, it still sucks.

Yesterday, Del Ballard, Jr. finished second in the PBA's Phoenix Classic. While that was good for a $20,000 payout, he needed the tournament title to earn a spot on the exempt tour.

I think, in some ways, the move to make the PBA an exempt tour has made the circuit more interesting. There's a lot more at stake as the guys are competing for money and guaranteed spots in tournaments. But, it's unfortunate that a 12-time PBA champion -- one of the true greats of the game -- is on the outside looking in.

Title matchups disappointed

2006-01-22T23:13:00.000-05:00

If your idea of fun is spending a full day in front of the TV watching high-stakes football, today was a good day. However, if you like tight matchups, you were sorely disappointed just as I was.

I really expected the Denver Broncos to put up more of a fight on their home field during the AFC title game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But, when the leader of the Denver offense gave up the ball four times (two lost fumbles, two interceptions), the uphill climb for the Broncos became higher than Mile High Stadium.

It would've been fun to see the Carolina Panthers make more of a showing in the NFC title game. Perhaps, this team was just out of magic after taking out the Chicago Bears, whom many had picked to reach the Super Bowl. It was likely more a case of: more talent + home field = Seattle Seahawks romp.

So, we're left with the Steelers and Seahawks in the big game. If the matchup on turf turns out to be anything like the matchup on paper, this should be a good one.

Fan's potential lawsuit out of bounds

2006-01-21T01:30:00.000-05:00

New York Knicks forward Antonio Davis was suspended for five games because he went into the stands of the United Center during a recent contest against the Bulls. Davis believed a drunk fan was harassing his wife.

The verbal confrontation was quickly dissolved once Davis headed back to the bench and arena security got involved. Now, that fan is threatening to sue Davis and his wife for a reported $1 million.

In published reports, the fan claims Davis' wife scratched him, and that his good name is being slandered. If Davis apologizes, the lawsuit will supposedly not be filed.

I wasn't there to see any of this first-hand, but this sounds like a lot of nonsense. How was this fan harmed at all by what happened? And, how did he come up with a figure of $1 million? It's all a play for publicity and money.

Kobe going for the gold

2006-01-20T23:19:00.000-05:00

LeBron James will have some good company on the 2008 U.S. Olympic basketball team. Kobe Bryant will suit up for Team USA at the '08 Games and this year's world championships.

Hopefully, this will send a message to misguided NBA stars who think they're too cool and their time is too valuable to play for their country. Playing in the Olympics may not have much to offer financially for some NBA hoopsters. But, why sit on the sidelines and let other countries have an easier shot at beating the U.S. and earning bragging rights?

NBA should use restraint

2006-01-19T08:58:00.000-05:00

New York Knicks forward Antonio Davis might be suspended for going into the stands at Chicago's United Center last night. Worried that his wife was in trouble during the Knicks' game against the Bulls, Davis went into the seats but stayed calm and went back to the bench when security arrived.

Officials ejected Davis from the game, and security escorted a few fans from the area.

"I witnessed my wife being threatened by a man that I learned later to be intoxicated," Davis said in a statement published after the game. "I saw him touch her, and I know I should not have acted the way I did, but I would have felt terrible if I didn't react. There was no time to call security. It happened too quickly."

Davis is likely to be suspended because league rules forbid players from entering the stands. However, there should be room for common sense here. It's only natural for a player to want to protect his family, especially with fan behavior at an all-time low. Nobody got hurt. No harm, no foul. Let Davis keep playing, and maybe this whole incident will be forgotten quickly.

No Super Bowl for dumb fan

2006-01-18T08:34:00.000-05:00

You can call this creative sentencing: A judge in Cleveland ruled that a fan who ran onto the field during a Steelers-Browns game must spend Super Bowl weekend in jail. During his three-day sentence, the fan will not be allowed to watch the game on television or listen to it on the radio.

Nathan Mallett, 24, was convicted earlier this month of disorderly conduct while intoxicated and criminal trespassing.

Maybe other fans will get the message and think twice before doing something dumb. Or, perhaps, alcohol will win out and fans will be stupid anyway.

There's nothing cool or funny about running onto the field during a game. We've seen it before. And, while it's somewhat interesting to watch, we're all thinking the person who does it is a big-time jackass.

If you run onto the field during a game, you deserve whatever justice is given out. In Mallett's case, Steelers linebacker James Harrison body-slammed him and held him for police.

Hope it was worth it.

Passing on Lakers-Heat for now

2006-01-16T23:29:00.000-05:00

Right now, old friends/foes Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant are facing off as the Los Angeles Lakers battle the Miami Heat. Shaq is 3-0 against the Lakers since he moved east. According to Yahoo! Sports, Kobe doesn't seem excited.

He's not the only one; I'm not all that excited either. We've been through this drill a couple of times already. It was fun and interesting in the beginning, but it's hard to get excited about watching these two match up during the regular season.

Now, if only Shaq and Kobe met up in the NBA Finals, that would really be something. You'd have the whole basketball world watching, and the stakes would be incredibly high. This would be a true grudge match. Which one of these stars could win a title without the other? That would get me jacked up.

James makes right move

2006-01-15T01:05:00.000-05:00

Basketball phenom LeBron James will play for Team USA at this year's world championships and the 2008 Olympics, according to published reports citing the head of USA Basketball.

This is a refreshing change from what has been a disturbing trend. Many of the NBA's biggest names are more than happy to skip out on the Olympics, because, in their view, there's nothing for them to gain by playing in the Summer Games. To some of today's stars, it's all about CTC (cutting the check). James, on the other hand, clearly sees the value in representing his country.

Coaching decision coming for Jets

2006-01-14T23:58:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, the New York Jets will begin a series of interviews, seeking to replace former head coach Herman Edwards.

On tap for the Jets: extensive conversations with New England Patriots defensive coordinator Eric Mangini and former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice.

So far, Mangini appears to be the favorite. That's a good choice. Even though he's only 35, Mangini's relatively young age should not be considered a negative. In my view, the Jets players should be able to relate more with a younger coach. Also, I don't think Mangini will scalp Super Bowl tickets as Tice did.

The Jets often generate negative publicity with their less-than-stellar play on the field. They don't need their coach to make headlines for the wrong reasons.

No. 11 hangs at MSG

2006-01-13T00:02:00.000-05:00

Just hours ago, the New York Rangers honored Mark Messier by retiring his No. 11. What a fitting tribute for someone who will forever have a place in the city's sports folklore.

His accomplishments in New York alone are enough to make him a hockey hero. In 1994, he was the fearless leader of the Ranger team that ended a 54-year drought and brought the Stanley Cup to Manhattan. To say that was huge is an understatement. Unless you're a Boston Red Sox fan, you can't possibly appreciate how significant that was.

We saw this coming

2006-01-12T22:52:00.000-05:00

We could've written this story immediately after USC lost the Rose Bowl to Texas. Today, Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush announced that he's entering the NFL draft, and giving up the chance to play a senior season at USC.

He said the decision was difficult. I simply don't buy that. He's already won the highest individual honor in the game, and been part of two national championship teams. What is there left to achieve on the field at USC, especially considering that star teammates Matt Leinart and LenDale White are also going pro?

It's always hard to pass up instant millions. Because he's the reigning Heisman winner, Bush's Q-rating is as high as it can get. If he waited a year to enter the NFL, he might make less money.

Stanford is Colorado West

2006-01-11T23:22:00.000-05:00

It appears that Stanford University and the University of Colorado have been working together to form effective recruiting strategies. A lawsuit filed by a former Stanford athletic department staffer says that football players took recruits to a strip club three years ago using university funds.

Stanford has basically fallen off the college football radar screen. So, the program is apparently willing to try anything to get talented players to come to Palo Alto. Maybe, the Cardinal could go a step further and get Gary Barnett to serve as head coach.

Hall of Fame choices

2006-01-10T17:42:00.000-05:00

Today, legendary relief pitcher Bruce Sutter was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In his prime, his split-finger fastball was virtually unhittable. He finished ahead of Jim Rice and Goose Gossage in the balloting.

One person who you won't see in the Hall of Fame anytime soon is Pete Rose. He got 10 write-in votes in what would've been his last year of eligiblity. Basically, he got a few sympathy votes from people who wanted to cut him a break, and let in the game's all-time hit leader.

I wouldn't vote him in. If you've committed acts against the game sufficent to be banned from it, how can you receive the ultimate honor baseball has to offer? It's apparent that almost nobody fell for his altogether transparent attempt to apologize for his misdeeds. It didn't help his case that he tried to cash in on his experience by writing a book. He came off as someone who would do anything for a buck.

Right approach for Panthers

2006-01-09T09:06:00.000-05:00

The New York Giants' postseason vacation is off to an unexpected early start, as they lost to the Carolina Panthers 23-0 yesterday. That means, in the near future, the most exciting action taking place at the Meadowlands will be at the horse track (pictured).

In published reports, the Panthers' Steve Smith said, "Everybody may say we're a Super Bowl team -- we're not. All we are is a one-win playoff team."

Couldn't agree more. If Smith's teammates share his point of view, the Panthers should be fine mentally against the Bears. While the win against the Giants was big, the road for the Panthers is only going to get tougher.

Hopefully, they'll avoid what legendary hoops coach Bob Knight calls Last Game-Next Game. That's when a team is so focused on a big win in the last game they played that they botch the next game.

Loved the BCS replays

2006-01-08T01:14:00.000-05:00

Just so I'm not accused of always being negative: Thanks to ESPN Classic for giving us replays of all four 2006 BCS games yesterday. I was able to tape the Fiesta Bowl, and see parts of the Sugar and Orange Bowls that I had missed.

However, I passed on watching the Rose Bowl. After watching Vince Young beat Ohio State and USC live on TV, I didn't need to see more of him. But, thanks anyway.

Vick needs to clean up his act

2006-01-07T23:49:00.000-05:00

Marcus Vick must have been hanging around with Maurice Clarett. Just like Mo, Vick managed to get himself tossed out of his college football program. Virginia Tech had enough of its problematic quarterback and told him to get lost.

The school certainly had a laundry list of reasons. Most recently, Vick stomped on the calf of an opposing player during the Gator Bowl. Add to that: losing his driver's license, being charged with possessing drugs, and getting convicted for serving alcohol to underage girls.

It shouldn't have taken so long for the program to come to its senses. Vick is talented; however, he's been a public relations nightmare for Virginia Tech. If not for the Gator Bowl incident, Vick would still be in Blacksburg, where university officials would be hoping for him not to make an ass of himself.

If he doesn't change his act, he may become as welcome in the NFL as Clarett.

Expensive cell phone call

2006-01-06T09:15:00.000-05:00

Here's another reason why the NFL is called the No Fun League: Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora was fined $25,000 for making a cell phone call while on the sidelines during an overtime loss at Tampa Bay. He was talking to team officials about the Falcons' status in the playoff race.

The NFL has fined players for things such as socks that are too long or short, socks that are the wrong color, and headbands. To describe all this using the word "ridiculous" would be too mild.

Fines should be assessed for unprofessional conduct, not for making an important call to team executives during a game.

NFL likely choice for Young

2006-01-05T17:41:00.000-05:00

Now that Texas has won college football's national championship, only one question remains: Will quarterback Vince Young come back for his senior season?

His messages to the public contradict each other. Young had said he plans to return for a final season, yet he also said he'd discuss his future soon with his family. If you're going to stay, what's left to talk about? What off-campus apartment to choose?

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him go pro. What else is left for him to accomplish at Texas other than winning a Heisman Trophy? The instant millions available from the NFL will be enough to make him forget about a senior season in Austin.

If he stays in college, he could use the time to finish work on a degree. I don't think that will be enough to keep him in school. The majority of big-time athletes don't care about classes. And, if Young does want to finish a degree, there are ways for him to do that without being on campus full-time.

New deal for Minnesota coach

2006-01-04T09:34:00.000-05:00

No more questioning where Minnesota football coach Glen Mason will end up. He agreed to a four-year contract extension, which is a reward for his leading the Golden Gophers to six bowl appearances in nine years. With its coach firmly in place, the program is looking to make a run for the Big Ten title in '06.

Honestly, this program has a long way to go if it wants to be among teams such as Ohio State and Michigan. Mason needs to get a more consistent effort from his guys, who have a tendency to be up one week and down the next.

For example, this season, the Gophers were 4-4 in Big Ten play. At home, they racked up almost 600 yards of offense against the Buckeyes, yet, amazingly, found a way to lose by 14 points. In a four-week stretch, Minnesota beat Purdue, got blown away by Penn State, narrowly beat Michigan, then lost to Wisconsin because of a botched punt.

The Big Ten is a very evenly-matched conference, in which, on any given Saturday, anyone can beat anyone else. However, 4-4 is not going to win a conference title in this lifetime or the next.

As most coaching contracts do, Mason's deal includes incentives; so, he'll get a bonus if the Gophers win a national championship. I don't think the school will have to worry about paying that out.

Clarett in major trouble

2006-01-03T09:36:00.000-05:00

Maurice Clarett couldn't just go away and let Ohio State enjoy its Fiesta Bowl victory.

He turned himself into police last night, just as the Buckeyes had finished off Notre Dame. Clarett is headed to court, charged with robbing two people with a gun in an alley behind a bar in downtown Columbus.

Clarett helped the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2002, and that was great; however, the university is now forever associated with this perpetual public relations nightmare.

Mo is a whiz at self-sabotaging. I could only imagine that he's intent on ruling the roost in prison yard football games, because his NFL bid was a bust.

Fiesta Bowl Champions!

2006-01-02T22:16:00.000-05:00

Although the Buckeyes had a lead over Notre Dame for most of the time tonight, the Fiesta Bowl was an exciting, fairly tight contest. The Buckeyes didn't deliver the knockout punch until Antonio Pittman broke away for a 60-yard touchdown run with 1:46 left in the game.

After that, I was surprised the Fighting Irish didn't try to hurry up and score a touchdown, then go for an onside kick. Basically, they just gave up.

The cutaways to Laura Quinn (sister of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and girlfriend of Buckeye linebacker A.J Hawk) were a little excessive. It reminded me of when the New Jersey Nets were in the NBA Finals, and we kept seeing shots of Jason Kidd's wife. Tonight, the only times the reaction shots were interesting were after Hawk tackled his girl's bro.

Ted Ginn, Jr. made up for his miscues during the Michigan game, and for his virtual absence earlier in the season. Once he eluded the first defender during his 68-yard touchdown run, you knew he was going all the way. I'm not going to start all the "Ginn for Heisman '06" talk yet. I thought he'd be a contender early this season, and we all know what happened.

Once again, it was good to see that Buckeye coach Jim Tressel let his playmakers make plays, and he didn't play things too close to his trademark sweater vest.

The Buckeyes did a great job turning things around after two early losses, and many (including me) were mentally preparing for a lost season.

Happy New Year!

2006-01-01T22:51:00.000-05:00

We'll talk about college football tomorrow.

Peach Bowl was ugly

2005-12-31T18:45:00.000-05:00

It had all the makings of a great game. Last night's Peach Bowl was the first to have two Top 10 teams facing off: No. 9 Miami and No. 10 LSU.

What resulted was a disappointing and downright ugly bowl game. Instead of a tight matchup, we saw LSU blow away Miami 40-3. After the game, both sides got into a brawl in the LSU tunnel. Two Miami players were knocked unconscious. State troopers had to break up the scuffle.

Apparently, the brawl started when some Miami players took exception to trash-talking by LSU. The Hurricanes have a rep for being thugs and criminals. Last night's brawl, while entertaining, will only keep the stereotype alive. If the Hurricanes showed that much fight during the game, the result would've been far different. Miami coach Larry Coker seems to be a classy guy; it's too bad his demeanor hasn't rubbed off on his players.

Oregon effort uninspiring

2005-12-30T12:05:00.000-05:00

After all the chatter that Oregon should've received a BCS bid, the Ducks couldn't beat Oklahoma in the Holiday Bowl. Does that bolster the argument that Oregon wasn't worthy of the BCS? Not exactly.

Imagine you're playing for a team that went 10-1 in the regular season, and you were hoping to play in a BCS game on January 1. Instead, you wind up far away from center stage in the Holiday Bowl. Not quite as exciting? In that situation, I'd probably find it hard to get psyched up to play in a bowl game on December 29.

With a more inspired effort, Oregon would probably have blown Oklahoma away. Instead, the Ducks had to mount a late go-ahead drive, which was botched when the second coming of Ryan Leaf (his little brother, in fact) threw an interception.

Alamo Bowl was dismal for Michigan

2005-12-29T17:15:00.000-05:00

Fans often rip Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr for being a whiner. However, Carr was justified for taking issue with officials during last night's Alamo Bowl. The officiating was amazingly bad.

For example: Why did Carr have to burn two time outs just so he could get calls reviewed? On top of that, a potentially game-winning drive for Michigan late in the game ended with a pass interference no-call.

Michigan really got hosed. But, even so, that doesn't fully justify the Wolverines blowing an 11-point fourth quarter lead.

Happy Birthday, Anne!

Big Ten needs to represent

2005-12-28T09:26:00.000-05:00

Even though I graduated from Michigan, I don't root for the Wolverines very often. That's because I also have a degree from Ohio State, and I consider myself a Buckeye.

Earlier this season, I did pull for Michigan to beat Penn State. I'll be sort-of rooting for the Wolverines tonight when they take on Nebraska in the Alamo Bowl (no free corporate sponsor plug here).

I've always felt the Big Ten was the strongest conference in football. This year, it's sending seven teams to bowl games, and two of those squads are going to BCS contests. Of course, how well those Big Ten teams fare in bowls will really determine how strong the conference is.

If Michigan loses tonight, it would be interesting to hear everyone call for coach Lloyd Carr's head. But, how impressive is it to say OSU beat Michigan, if the Wolverines lose to a lackluster Nebraska team?

How bad would it look for OSU to have lost to PSU, if the Nittany Lions can't beat a four-loss Florida State team that's not really worthy of a BCS bowl?

Stars behaving badly

2005-12-27T08:56:00.000-05:00

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker got into a little trouble over the Christmas weekend. Police cited him for impeding traffic and failing to produce a valid driver's license during a traffic stop. His girlfriend, Desperate Housewives co-star Eva Longoria, was a passenger in Parker's car.

According to published reports, the couple screamed at the officer in a "verbally abusive and demeaning manner". Parker also nearly hit a man when trying to drive away.

Longoria allegedly said the officer was just a Mexican cop asking for an autograph. Then, through a publicist, she denied making that comment. Making a racial crack is weak, and so is speaking to the media through someone else.

Don't you just love how celebrities think they're entitled to special treatment wherever they go? If any regular person yelled at an officer during a traffic stop, you could only imagine what would happen next.

Damon not a traitor

2005-12-26T00:14:00.000-05:00

When the Boston Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, it was hard to imagine star player Johnny Damon crossing over to what some people would call "the dark side". However, the unimaginable is now reality as Damon is a New York Yankee.

To some Red Sox fans, Damon is a traitor. I don't see it that way. Loyalty, as we think of it, doesn't exist in today's sports world.

Players and teams are willing to commit to each other for some period of time. But, if either side has something to gain, that relationship can end quickly. Loyalty is not to a person or team, but to the bottom line.

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Back on Monday, December 26.

USC needs to be careful

2005-12-23T00:02:00.000-05:00

USC quarterback Matt Leinart was declared ineligible earlier this month; however, he's now free and clear to play in the Rose Bowl, having been reinstated.

He appeared in a spot on ESPN, saying "SportsCenter is next" after the Trojans beat UCLA on December 3. This violated an NCAA rule, and led the school to declare Leinart ineligible.

"Whenever we are aware that media outlets ask student-athletes to do these kinds of tags, we immediately cut them off," USC's sports information director said in published reports. "Unfortunately, this one slipped by."

USC has too much at stake for something like this to slip by. With a 34-game winning streak and a shot at another national championship, the team can't afford a distraction like this. And, it certainly can't afford to monkey around and lose a star player.

Team Canada makes questionable choice

2005-12-22T00:22:00.000-05:00

Canada has announced its hockey team for the Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi is a member of Team Canada, but Pittsburgh Penguins rookie sensation Sidney Crosby is not.

I can understand the decision not to include Crosby, because the players on the Olympic roster are more experienced and proven. However, I have a problem with Bertuzzi being on the team.

He'll always be remembered for his vicious, blindside hit that broke a few bones in Steve Moore's neck. I believe in forgiveness, but Bertuzzi isn't the kind of person I'd want representing my country.

USC's Carroll overlooked

2005-12-21T11:57:00.000-05:00

Penn State's Joe Paterno is the 2005 Associated Press college football Coach of the Year. This season, he turned around a PSU program many assumed was dead, leading it to the Bowl Championship Series and a share of the Big Ten championship.

This news isn't very surprising, but I think USC's Pete Carroll has been shafted. In fact, he only got three votes in this year's contest. Because he has superstars and he wins, he's dismissed as "doing what he should be doing."

It's amazing that Carroll hasn't won a Coach of the Year award, despite two straight national championship seasons, a great shot at a third, and 34 straight wins.