Another Pitcher Loses His Marbles

During last night’s Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Seattle Mariners game, there was a little bit of a benches clearing incident. Mariners pitcher Jorge Campillo had thrown inside on Vlad Guerrero in the 4th inning. Vlad took the next pitch, he saw and crushed a home run.

So when Vlad came up again, Campillo lost his head and threw behind Vlad’s head. The amazing thing to me was that Kenji Johjima caught the ball. Vlad took exception and walked out to the mound but was restrained quickly. John Lackey was seen jawing at one Mariners player and I think I saw a glove go flying.

Here’s the video:

 

 

Campillo was suspended 4 games and his manager, John McLaren was suspended 1 game.

In The Red Zone – Bills (0-2) at Patriots (2-0) Preview – Week 3

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This Week

Bills at Patriots - Week 3

The New England Patriots host their AFC East rival Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The Patriots are looking to start the season 3-0 for the 7th time in franchise history.

The Patriots are 1-0 at home this season, the Bills are 0-1 on the road.

Here are the rosters for the Bills and the Patriots.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from Yahoo Sports is Patriots -16.5 points, the over/under is 41.

My prediction is Patriots 41, Bills, 7. Give the points, take the over. I am 2-0 against the spread and over/under for 2007.

Tickets

The game is reported as a sell out.

Tickets to game, if available, may be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here. Many times tickets are released in the last 48 hours prior to the game.

Getting To The Game

If you’re lucky enough to have tickets and you are going to the game make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast for the game from the American Weather Service.

Click for stadium directions, parking information, parking map, specific MBTA train times for this game and a Gillette Stadium seating chart.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

CBS is televising the game, it is a regional broadcast. The play-by-play duties will be handled by Kevin Harlan with Rich Gannon doing game analysis. You can check here to see if you are getting the game from CBS and look for your local station.

Radio

The Patriots Rock Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBCN-FM 104.1 in Boston. Gil Santos handles the play-by-play and former Patriot Gino Capelleti does the color.

It all starts with Gary Tanguay, Scott Zolak and Andy Gresch and the pregame show at 10 a.m. along the network.

The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours.

Check this out for the low down on the Patriots Rock Radio Network and stations in your area.

If you are outside of the broadcast area of the stations on the Patriots Rock Radio Network you can purchase NFL Field Pass which allows you to listen to any NFL game live. You can also pick which teams broadcasters you want to listen to.

The game will also be broadcast nationally by Sports USA Radio Network. Howard David will call the play-by-play and Tim Pernetti will handle the analyis of the game.

All NFL games are also available on Sirius Satellite Radio. The Bills radio call is available on Channel 146, the Patriots radio call is available on Channel 122.

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Paw Prints – UCONN (3-0, 0-0) at Pittsburgh (2-1, 0-0)

SOX & Dawgs - Paw Prints

This week

UCONN @ Pitt

The UCONN Huskies travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers in the Big East opener for both teams. Gametime is 7:00 PM at Heinz Field, home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here are the rosters for the Huskies and the Panthers.

The Line/Prediction

Pittsburgh is favored by 9.5 points.

My prediction is Pittsburgh 24 UCONN 17

Tickets

As of the time of this post, there are tickets available.

Tickets to game, if available, may be purchased through Pittsburgh ticket office. You can check the availability here. You can also purchase a Family 5 pack of tickets for just 55 dollars. Click here for those details.

Getting To The Game

Here is a link for the directions to Heinz Field if you’re making the trip. Here is a link to the Heinz Field Fan Guide which will answer all your questions about tailgating, parking, and the stadium.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

ESPN Regional has the television rights to the Big East Football games not being broadcast nationally. This week’s game is being broadcast nationally on ESPNU. Dave Armstrong and Mike Gottfried have the call.

Radio

For the 16th consecutive season, WTIC 1080-AM in Hartford serves as the flagship station for the UConn Radio Network. WTIC is the state’s only 50,000 watt signal and can be heard in 23 states and parts of Canada. Veteran UConn announcers Joe D’Ambrosio (play-by-play) and Wayne Norman (color commentary) return to call the action with Kevin Nathan on the sidelines. The UConn pregame show begins 90 minutes prior to kickoff and is hosted by Bob Joyce, while at home games, the UConn Tailgate Show will air two and a half hours prior to the game with Arnold Dean. UConn football games are also broadcast over the internet at WTIC.com. For a full list of stations on the WTIC/UCONN radio network, click here.

PITT RADIO: 3WS 94.5 (WWSW-FM), Fox Sports Radio 970 (WBGG-AM) and the Pitt ISP Sports Network. Bill Hillgrove calls the action, three-time Pitt All-American Bill Fralic provides color analysis and former Pitt offensive lineman Penny Semaia gives sideline
reports.

SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO: Every Pitt football game is available via SIRIUS Satellite Radio. The Pitt-Connecticut game will be aired on channel 119.

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Red Sox News & Notes – 9/21

Josh Beckett - Texy's BBF

Every game now is crucial for the Red Sox. Not only do they need to hold off the Yankees in the AL East, they are also in a battle with the Angels and Indians for the best record in the American League. This series in Tampa is the first step to the goal of making the playoffs and winning the AL East. Anything less than a sweep to me is not good enough. Am I asking too much? I might be but I just don’t want to see the Red Sox limp into the playoffs. Years past have shown the hotter team is usually the better team in the playoffs. I understand what Terry Francona is doing by setting up the rotation. I just don’t feel Daisuke Matsuzaka is our best option as the number 2 pitcher. I thought that should go to Curt Schilling. But that’s why I am a blogger and not a Major League manager. With that being said, let’s take a look at the headlines for the Boston media on this first day of fall in New England.

Character test incoming [38 Pitches]

Sox turn to Beckett [Boston Globe]

Red Sox Limp Into Florida [Hartford Courant]

Sick Sox seek antidote [Boston Herald]

Sox may be forced to overcome Epstein’s off-base percentage [Pro Jo]

Kapler hopes to manage a comeback as player [Boston Globe]

Challenges met [Boston Herald]

The Future is not now [Pro Jo]

A tale of two cities [Boston Herald]

For more headlines and stories, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Providence Journal, and Hartford Courant websites.

Red Sox vs Devil Rays Pitching Matchups

 

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Friday September 21st, 7:10 PM

Josh Beckett, RHP (19-6, 3.20) vs Scott Kazmir, LHP (13-8, 3.54)

Saturday September 22nd, 7:10 PM

Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP (14-12, 4.41) vs Andy Sonnanstine, RHP (6-9, 5.68)

Sunday September 23rd, 1:40 PM

Tim Wakefield, RHP (16-11, 4.73) vs Edwin Jackson, RHP (4-15, 5.99)

Friday’s Fast Walk Around the AL & NL West

Brian Fuentes has been crucial down the stretch for the Rockies.

Gary Matthews, Jr. hopes to be back playing with the Angels on Sunday or Monday.

Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal is bothered by a bad back right now.

A’s OF Nick Swisher’s work with charity is not going unnoticed.

The Diamondbacks are taking things one day at a time.

The Mariners hope to postpone the Angels celebration this weekend. They need to win 3 of 4 to do it.

Sammy Sosa wants to play for the Rangers next season.

The Padres may play some exhibition games in China during next year’s spring training.

The National Lampoon Sports Minute (Or So)

Written by Steve Hofstetter, Adam Hofstetter, Cody Marley, Ryan Murphy, Elliot Steingart, and Chris Strait

Division III Sul Ross State University suited up a 59-year-old linebacker. And he was still better than everyone at Notre Dame. How bad is Notre Dame football? They’ve changed their name from The Fighting Irish to The Fighting French. Notre Dame is so bad that on Sunday, they held an emergency practice and lost.

Tiger Woods will take an extended break to spend time with his new daughter, who is already a better golfer than Michelle Wie.

The Phoenix Mercury won their first WNBA championship, by beating both WNBA teams that haven’t yet folded. In an equally exciting story, I stubbed my toe earlier.

Major League Baseball hopes to have a blood test available next season that will catch players using human growth hormone. That sound you hear is Barry Bonds retiring. Bonds could conceivably pass the test – assuming it didn’t work on cold-blooded players.

White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye was spotted dining with Stevie Wonder and R. Kelly at a posh Chicago restaurant. Wonder was shocked, since he assumed that he was dining alone.

And a Florida Marlins season ticket holder was ejected at a home game for heckling the umpire too loudly. No word on yet what the Marlins will do to their other season ticket holder.

For more of the Sports Minute (Or So), visit minuteorso.com

Gabe Kapler to Make Comeback

Gabe Kapler

After spending a season in the minors managing for the Red Sox Single-A affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina, Gabe Kapler has decided that he wants to make a comeback.

“Managing was incredible for me this year,” Kapler said. “I learned so much about baseball, about the young men I had an opportunity to lead, and about myself. Ultimately, the experience reawakened the competitor in me. I miss the battle. I still need to be on the field as a player.

“My body is as healthy as it has ever been, and I must take advantage of that. Managing was an important component of my development, and I am eternally grateful to the Red Sox for having provided me the opportunity to tackle a new challenge.”

Kapler had a 58-81 record in his first year of managing the Greenville Drive.

Kapler was most recently a role player for the Boston Red Sox before injuries derailed his career. He’s only 32 so he’s got a few more years of playing in him.

Bad News For Mike Flynt Fans

Sorry fans of the Sul Ross State football team and Mike Flynt. Unforunately, Flynt won’t be playing in this week’s game against East Texas Baptist.

The doctors have not cleared Flynt to play in this week’s game. He vows to be ready to play in next week’s game against Howard Payne.

Said Flynt, “I will be ready”.

Paw Prints – Roundball Edition

Mel Thomas wants to leave the UCONN women’s program as a winner, as in a National Championship. The pieces are certainly there with what should be a healthy Tina Charles, freshman Maya Moore, All-American guard Renee Montgomery and a slew of others.

“I just think I’ve got one more shot,” Thomas said. “I think we’ve gotten a little bit better every year. We’ve gained a little bit more respect and I think this year we have everybody back, and we’ve got some new kids that are real good coming in. So I think we have a really good shot. Everybody’s been working hard and this is the best I’ve ever felt about a season since I’ve been here.”

“My goal is for our team to do well,” Thomas said. “My goal for the season isn’t to be an All-American or anything. It’s for our team to win.”

UCONN’s men basketball center Hasheem Thabeet has been working hard over the summer and into the weeks leading up to the preseason.

“Working out with Emeka, Hilton Armstrong when he was back [at UConn], it showed me how strong those guys are,” Thabeet said. “That’s a big difference. When you go up there [to the NBA], everybody is so much bigger and stronger. And if you’re going to be able to play with those guys, you need to be able to play stronger. Actually, right now I’m more offensive-minded. Still, I can play great defense. But I’m offensive-minded. Every time out I’m taking shots. It’s more natural. All the time, I’m looking to score.”

Stanley Robinson said he only had two good games last year for the Huskies. He’s probably right. He totally disappeared at the end of the season. He thinks he’s made the necessary adjustments and is ready for the challenges that will come with the 2007-08 season.