U.S. Captures Pan American Gold Medal

USA Women's Basketball receiving their Gold Medals at the 2007 Pan Am Games

From the AP via CSTV:

Mel Thomas and Emily Fox RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) – Mattee Ajavon scored 24 second-half points to help the United States defeat host Brazil 79-66 and win its first Pan American Games women’s basketball title since 1987.

The United States, playing with a team of experienced college players, hadn’t won the gold since the Indianapolis games. It was coming off a second-place finish to Cuba at the 2003 Pan Ams in Santo Domingo.

The United States took the lead for good with 8:43 remaining in the last quarter. It led by as many as eight points halfway through the quarter before finishing with the 13-point advantage.

At the end, the American players on the bench were jumping for joy with each shot their teammates made on the floor, while the big crowd fell into silence as the final seconds ticked off.

Ajavon added the 24 points to three from the first half and led all scorers with 27.

Brazil stayed in the lead during most of the first half, finishing ahead 34-33 after leading by as much as six points.

Rutgers’ Ajavon came out shooting well in the third quarter and the United States opened a four-point advantage. But Brazil’s Adriana hit a couple of long-range three pointers to help Brazil stay ahead 53-49 entering the final period.

Ajavon again took over in the fourth quarter, scoring nine points in the last five minutes.

The American team is the winningest at the Pan Ams with seven titles, and has never finished off the podium. Brazil was trying to win its fourth Pan Ams gold and first since 1991 in Havana. It was coming off a third-place finish in Santo Domingo.

The match in front of 13,200 fans at the Multisport Arena marked the farewell of 38-year-old Janeth, who helped the Houston Comets dominate the WNBA with four straight titles (1997-2000) in the league’s early years. Janeth retires after a 21-year career highlighted by the world championship title with Brazil in 1994 and the silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Janeth, who began playing for Brazil’s national team youth squads in 1986, competed alongside stars Paula and Hortencia on the team that won the 1991 Pan Ams.

The crowd chanted Janeth’s name several times and some held banners saying “Don’t go Janeth” and “Thank You Janeth.”

She scored 14 points Tuesday.

Brazil coach Antonio Carlos Barbosa also retired after Tuesday’s match.

Cuba, which had won the last two Pan Ams, beat Canada 62-49 to win the bronze medal in Rio. Yakelyn Plutin led all scorers with 20 points for Cuba.

Notes: UCONN’s Mel Thomas and Charde Houston did not see action in the Gold Medal game.

Lohan Arrested For DUI, Cocaine Possession

Lindsey Lohan MugshotIt’s good to see that the SCRAM alcohol monitoring device was working last night for Lindsey Lohan. Lohan was arrested last night for DUI, driving with a suspended license, and cocaine possession by the Santa Monica Police. Police had received a phone call from a black Escalade that they were being chased by Lohan’s Denali.

Police met up with the SUV’s near the Santa Monica Police Department and gave Lohan a field sobriety test which she failed. She blew a .12 and .13. The legal limit is .08 in California.

This comes on the heels of Lohan being booked on DUI charges in Beverly Hills five days ago stemming from her DUI arrest there back in May. Lohan had been in rehab at the Promises Rehab Facility and had completed a 45 day stint there.

Lohan is scheduled to appear on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” tonight to discuss her upcoming feature film release, “I Know Who Killed Me” in which she stars. No word on whether she will still be making the appearance.

What does this say about the SCRAM monitoring bracelet? It obviously didn’t work in this case. I know alcohol and drug addiction is a disease but shouldn’t have Lohan’s “friends” been looking out for her. It’s bad enough she was driving drunk but knowing that she could have killed someone or herself, makes things all the worse. Hopefully she can get more help again and overcome this horrible disease that is afflicting her.

If you’re interested, you can follow all the latest developments on TMZ.com.

Red Sox News & Notes – 7/24

Just under a year ago Jon Lester announced that he had cancer and was hoping to beat it. Well he did beat it and was one of the first pitchers at spring training this year for the Sox. He had been pitching in the minor leagues until yesterday when he was summoned to the big leagues to replace the struggling Julian Tavarez. Last night, his recovery came full circle as he returned to the mound as a member of the Boston Red Sox, his first start since 2003. He wasn’t perfect and he didn’t have to be but then again that shouldn’t matter. He’s back in the big leagues after beating cancer. With all that being said, let’s take a look at what the Boston and Cleveland area media has to say about last night’s game and happenings.

Jon Lester… [38 Pitches]

Fine and dandy. [Boston Globe]

Westbrook falters, then Lester leads Boston by Indians. [The Plain Dealer]

Comeback kid: Lester return a triumph. [Boston Herald]

Little fight in Tribe. [Akron Beacon Journal]

A Winning Return. [Hartford Courant]

Comeback kid. [Pro Jo]

Courageous Lester is A-OK in triumph of spirit. [Boston Globe]

Dotel might be too expensive for Tribe. [The Plain Dealer]

Lester has fun again: Completes quite a journey. [Boston Herald]

Long term, short term, what’s the deal with Crisp? [Akron Beacon Journal]

The Comeback. [Hartford Courant]

Support for Lester in return is unanimous. [Pro Jo]

Ortiz poised to return. [Boston Globe]

For more headlines and stories, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant, Providence Journal, The Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon Journal websites.

Tuesday’s Half Marathon Around The AL

Red Sox bust J.D. Drew thinks he’s ready to break out of his funk.

Coming into last night’s game, Robinson Cano has had RBI in 8 of his last 9 games for the Yanks.

The trade front for the White Sox was quiet on Monday.

Rondell White played in his first game since April 7th for the Twins on Monday.

Mike Hessman got his first MLB hit on Monday night with the Tigers.

Scott Elarton will come off the DL to start for the Royals on Tuesday.

Robinson Tejada has struggled all season for the Rangers and was demoted to Triple-A on Monday

What will the Orioles do with Mr. Anna Benson next year?

Mark Lowe should be activated by the Mariners this week.

The Indians may be getting ready to call up one of their top pitching prospects.

The Devil Rays made numerous changes to their bullpen on Monday after the debacle in New York.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons knew Mike Coolbaugh’s family very well.

The A’s designated Bobby Kielty for assignment and activated Huston Street from the DL.

Chone Figgins is heating up at the plate for the Halos.

Thomas Has 10 Points, Team USA To Play For Gold

Mel doing what she does bestTeam USA defeated Canada 75-59 at the Pan Am Games Semifinals and advance to the Gold Medal game on Tuesday afternoon. Team USA was led by Louisville junior forward Angel McCoughtry’s (Baltimore MD) 21 points and 6 rebounds. Stanford sophomore Jayne Appel (Pleasant Hill CA) scored 12 points and UConn senior guard Mel Thomas (Cincinnati OH) added 10 points in 14 minutes (3 for 5 from the field, 1 of 2 from 3pt and 3 for 3 FT) as the USA reserves scored a total of 52 points while two starters were held scoreless. UConn senior Charde Houston (San Diego CA) contributed a rebound and a steal in 9 minutes of playing time.

The young and inexperienced USA will play a Brazil team loaded with veterans for the Gold Medal Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. ET. The worse they can do is bring home the Silver Medal.

Sox Win In Lester’s MLB Return From Cancer

 

With the watchful eyes of his parents and all of Red Sox Nation on him, Jon Lester made a triumphant return to the big leagues on Monday night as he went six innings in a 6-2 win over Cleveland. Lester had last pitched for the Red Sox on August 23, 2006, a game in which he got the victory. Lester wasn’t perfect tonight but he didn’t have to be as his teammates got him a lead right off the bat. The top four in the Sox lineup led the way with 12 of the 14 hits, with Coco getting 4 hits against his former team in his return to the Jake.

Manuel being ManuelAs I said above, the Sox struck quickly against Indians starter Jake Westbrook. Coco led off the game with a single and went to second on a Dustin Pedroia single, one of his three hits on the night. Westbrook then walked Kevin Youkilis to load up the bases for Manny Ramirez. The former Indian hurt his old team as he hit a double, scoring Coco and Pedroia. J.D. Drew brought in the third run of the inning with a single scoring Youk and moving Manny over to third. Westbrook then got Lowell to ground into a 5-4-3 double play that scored Manny for a 4-0 lead. Jason Varitek worked a 2 out walk but Westbrook got Eric Hinske to ground out to first ending the inning.

Lester came out to the mound to smattering of applause as he made his warmup pitches. His first pitch back in the big leagues was a 91 MPH fastball to Grady Sizemore. He ended up retiring Sizemore on a ground out. He then struck out Jason Michaels for the second out of the inning. A no-hitter wasn’t to be in Lester’s return as Casey Blake hit a single. Lester followed that by getting Travis Hafner to fly out.

Julio Lugo led off the 2nd trying to bunt his way on but he bunted it right to Westbrook for the first out. Coco then laced a double to deep center. Pedroia was unable to bring him in or move him over as he grounded out to third. Youk was up to the task though as he fought off an inside fastball from Westbrook and hit it the other way to plate Coco for a 5-0 Sox lead. Westbrook got himself out of the inning as Manny was a statue on a called strike three.

Lester's return to the showLester had a relatively easy second inning although he plunked Ryan Garko with a cut fastball. After getting Kelly Shoppach to strikeout to start the third inning, Lester gave up a single to Jesse Barfield. Sizemore made Lester pay for leaving a fastball up in the zone as he crushed it into the rightfield seats for a 2-run homer. That cut the lead to 5-2. He then got Michaels to pop out to second but followed that with a walk to Blake. He got out of the inning as he struck out Hafner on a fastball.

In the 4th inning, Lester had some command issues but worked his way out of them. Garko led off the inning with a double to deep left. Both Garko and Pedroia came up a little lame as the play was close at second. Both were ok and stayed in the game. Lester walked Jhonny Peralta but got Franklin Gutierrez to strikeout. Lester loaded up the bases for Barfield as he walked Shoppach. After a visit to the mound, Lester got Barfield to hit a comebacker that Lester fumbled a bit but was still able to get Garko on a force play at the plate. Lester got of the jam he created by getting Sizemore to strikeout on a 93 MPH fastball. I think after the strikeout his mom started to breath again.

Meanwhile the pitcher from across the diamond, Westbrook had settled down after a rough third inning in which he allowed 2 walks and single but no runs. He allowed singles in the 4th and 5th innings but induced double plays both times.

Lester was outstanding in the 5th and 6th innings after an almost disastrous 4th. He worked a 1-2-3 5th inning and allowed a single to Peralta in the 6th. He got out of the inning as he got Gutierrez to ground into a 6-4-3 that ended the inning and an absolute amazing performance.

Lester went 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks and he struck out 6 on 96 pitches.

Mike Timlin worked a perfect 7th inning and got the first out of the 8th before Blake singled. Terry Francona went to the bullpen and brought in Javier Lopez to face the lefty Hafner. Lopez did his job by getting Hafner to strikeout. Francona then went back to the bullpen for Manny Delcarmen. Delcarmen finished off the inning with a strikeout of Garko.

The Sox added an insurance run in the 9th inning off of Jason Stanford. Coco led off with his fourth hit of the night, an infield single. He went to 2nd on an errant throw from Blake. With Pedroia at the plate, Coco moved over to third on a passed ball by Shoppach. Pedroia brought in Crisp with a single, making it 6-2 Sox. Tom Mastny came in for Stanford and struck out the side, only allowing a walk to Manny.

Delcarmen came back out for the bottom of the 9th and worked a perfect 1-2-3 inning for his first career save and first win of 2007 for Lester. It was nice to see Tito have faith in Delcarmen just one day after he had a bad outing. That is something I have always liked about Tito though, as he always gives guys a chance to get back up on the horse after falling off it.

Back to the big story of the night, Lester and his return from cancer. While he wasn’t totally outstanding, he got his job done. It was just amazing enough for him to beat the cancer and now he’s back out winning games in the big leagues. I will admit that I got chills when he went out to the mound. How could you not?

Lester’s win helped the Sox to their fourth straight win. They now turn to Daisuke Matsuzaka on Tuesday night. He will be opposed by Cleveland ace, C.C. Sabbathia. Gametime is 7:05 PM.

 

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Vick Told To Stay Home

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has told beleaguered Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to stay away from training camp while the league completes it’s own investigation. He also told the Falcons to hold off on any form of punishment until the investigation is done.

Vick is set to be arraigned Thursday on charges of operating a dogfighting operation. Coincidentally, Thursday is also opening day for Falcons training camp.

Goodell made this statement in a letter sent to Vick:

“While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy.”

Goodell did say that Vick will still receive his preseason pay. PETA has been actively demonstrating lately, as they did one at the Falcons headquarters on Monday and last week at the NFL offices in New York.

Personally, I think if he is guilty he should be suspended from the NFL for life. But until the legal system runs it course, he should be “presumed innocent until proven guilty.” Such a cliché I know, but it is the American way although the new American way seems to be the media convicting an athlete before the legal system has it’s chance to do so.

Are They Hall of Famers? – The Third Baseman Edition

We at Sox and Dawgs decided to start taking a look at some current players to see if they could gain election to Hall of Fame. In this series, we’re going to look at players who are currently active who have reasonable consideration to be a Hall nominee. This isn’t a science and you may have others on your list that we left off. There are some fine young players who are just starting their careers who may have Hall potential but for arguments sake these are for guys who have been around a bit or those few outstanding younger players who just jump off the page at you.

In this series we’re going to look at the players by position as compared to Hall members of that position. The position is the primary position of the player through his career. If he played a significant amount of games in another position that will be listed next to his name. Some of the guys we will look at over time have endured position changes, but because the majority of their career was at one position over another we have chosen that as the position in which they are being considered.

The sixth category we will look at is third baseman.

The Baseball Hall of Fame third baseman we are going to use for comparison are:

Wade Boggs 18 years, 2439 G, 9180 AB, 1513 R, 3010 H, 578 2B, 61 3B, 118 HR, 1014 RBI, .328 BA, .415 OBP, .443 SLG, 12 All-star teams, 8 Silver Sluggers, 2 Gold Gloves, 5 Batting Titles, Hits leader 1x

George Brett 21 years, 2707 G, 10349 AB, 1583 R, 3154 H, 665 2B, 137 3B, 317 HR, 1595 RBI, .305 BA, .369 OBP, .487 SLG, 13 All-star teams, 1 MVP, 1 ALCS MVP, 1 Gold Gloves, 3 Silver Sluggers, 3 Batting Titles, Hits leader 3x

Brooks Robinson 23 years, 2896 G, 10654 AB, 1232 R, 2848 H, 482 2B, 68 3B, 268 HR, 1357 RBI, .267 BA, .322 OBP, .401 SLG, 18 All-star teams, 1 MVP, 1 All-Star game MVP, 1 World Series MVP, 16 Gold Gloves, RBI leader 1x

Mike Schmidt 18 years, 2404 G, 8352 AB, 1506 R, 2234 H, 408 2B, 59 3B, 548 HR, 1591 RBI, .267 BA, .380 OBP, .527 SLG, 12 All-star teams, 3 MVPs, 1 World Series MVP, 6 Silver Sluggers, 10 Gold Gloves, HR leader 8x, RBI leader 4x

We have two possible candidates for the Hall, with one having played significant games in other positions:

Their stats are current as of July 12, 2007.

Chipper Jones (LF) 14th year, 1835 G, 6668 AB, 1243 R, 2042 H, 403 2B, 32 3B, 373 HR, 1245 RBI, .306 BA, .403 OBP, .544 SLG, 5 All-star teams, 2 Silver Sluggers, 1 MVP,

Scott Rolen 12th year, 1472 G, 5381 AB, 936 R, 1526 H, 370 2B, 32 3B, 257 HR, 993 RBI, .284 BA, .373 OBP, .508 SLG, 5 All-star teams, ROY, 7 Gold Gloves, 1 Silver Slugger

The four Hall of Famers are some of the best players I have ever seen. Their numbers speak for themselves. Third base, the hot corner, is a position that has many different types of players over the years and those four Hall members probably represent those types of players.

Boggs was the hit machine, who improved defensively. Brett was the all out clutch guy who combined average and power. Robinson was the human vacuum cleaner, the gold standard for defensive corner infielders. And Schmidt had a mix of clutch, power, defense and leadership.

Before I get to Rolen and Jones I want to say that I did consider Alex Rodriguez in this spot. He has played third base for 4 seasons now in New York but personally I still think of him as a short stop and that’s the position where I will evaluate him.

The two contenders are guys who have had solid playing careers but I don’t think either guy will make it to 3,000 hits. Jones is nearly 1,000 shy and Rolen is just over half way there. Overall Chipper’s numbers are better offensively then Rolen’s and he’s only played two more seasons. Jones has 300 more runs scored, 500 more hits, 120 more HRs, 250 more RBI, his BA is 22 points higher and he has a better OBP and slugging percentage. Rolen though is much better defensively than Jones. Jones would be a better candidate and have numbers similar to Schmidt if he had the Gold Gloves.

These guys need to avoid major DL time in the next few years and rekindle their offensive numbers. They need to play several more seasons and get to 18-20 years played. Without that I just don’t see them making the Hall.