Just seen on espn.com, the San Diego Chargers stud linebacker will be suspended for violating the NFL’s steroid policy.
Merriman’s positive test was “definitely for steroids … not one of those supplement deals” said a source with knowledge of Merriman’s suspension
Look to the left at the picture and look at his arms. They are huge. Just goes to show the people in Congress that the steroid policies set forth by each league are working.
Leinarted: getting your girl pregnant Used in a sentence: Don’t let your daughter go to college and get leinarted.
Well well, it seems as though the the Five UCONN football players who were kicked off the team for purchasing beer while in Tampa a few weeks ago, actually purchased more than two six packs. In an interview with ESPN’s Heather Cox, Coach Randy Edsall stated that there was more than two six packs of beer involved. The article also states that some of those who were kicked off the team had some prior unrelated arrests, 3 in the last 10 months. What the article really doesn’t state is the real reason for the dismissal of the players. Yes I am sure it had to do with the beer but the players broke a team rule of not leaving the hotel while on the road.
“If I don’t enforce my rules, I have no program,” Edsall told Cox. “I have to be able to look at myself in the mirror in the morning and before I go to bed at night and know I adhered to my values and principles.”
It’s pretty simple folks. While the players did purchase beer while on the road trip they broke team rules. I am sure there are some rules about alcohol too. It is college and kids will be kids. But when you are trying to build a program into a contender, this is not the way to bring the national spotlight to UCONN Football.
Coach Edsall was supposed to have his conference call with the media today and hopefully I will be able to follow up with some more information.
Well, in Friday night’s UCONN football game, it was actually close for a little bit. At the end of the first quarter, the score was West Virginia 3 UCONN 0. Early in the second quarter, the game was actually tied 3-3. West Virginia then kicked another field goal to take the lead 6-3 and never looked back from there.
Pat White, WVU QB, busted open a 45 yard run for a touchdown and then right at the end of the first half, West Virginia scored on a 1 yard run to close the scoring at 20-3 for the first half. Amazingly at half time, UCONN had held West Virginia’s star running back, Steve Slaton, to 15 yards rushing on 9 carries.
An early interception by UCONN QB, Matt Bonislawski ended his day. Luckily for UCONN, West Virginia was unable to punch it in. A field goal by West Virginia and and 1 play drive consisting of a 52 yard TD pass from Pat White to Rayshawn Bolden put West Virginia up 30-3.
DJ Hernandez who took over for Bones, ran one in from 5 yards out. Terry Caulley added a two point conversion to make the score 30-11. Just a few minutes later, Steve Slaton busted open a 56 yard TD run to end the scoring for the game.
Some notes and observations from tailgating and the game itself:
I would like to touch on that point briefly. This was supposed to be UCONN’s first year in the Big East but with the earlier defections of Miami and Boston College, they started play a year earlier. It is also UCONN’s 5th season as an 1-A school for football. So what does that mean? Well it means that it’s gonna take time for Coach Edsall to build up his program and recruit the bigger and stronger players. Folks, it’s gonna take time for UCONN to be the team that we expect. The basketball teams here at UCONN have spoiled us with their winning ways. It will come in time for the football Huskies. Just be patient.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Well, my predictions so far have not been as good as I would have hoped. I currently have picked 2 of the 6 series correct. The Mets in the NLDS and the Tigers in the ALCS.
Tonight starts the 2006 World Series between the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals. So I feel as though I must make one last prediction for the World Series. Last time the Tigers were in the World Series was 1984. For the Cardinals, this is their second trip in the last 3 seasons. Back in 2004, the Cardinals were swept by the Boston Red Sox. There’s a pretty good chance that they may get swept again this year.
Detroit’s starting pitching for the most part has been lights out. Kenny Rogers, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, and Jeremy Bonderman have all pitched very well in leading the Tigers to the World Series. Also, the bullpen has been virtually unhittable. This even with fireballer Joel Zumaya missing most of the ALCS with tendonitis in his elbow. St Louis on the other hand is led by Chris Carpenter and Jeff Suppan. Both have pitched really well in the playoffs. The bullpen for the Cardinals is shaky as evidenced by Adam Wainwright loading the bases in the 9th inning of the NLCS but nonetheless striking out the last two hitters on butt nasty curveballs.
Your pitching matchups:
My prediction: Tigers in 6
Let me know what you think.
I know it’s a few days late for me to post this, but this catch in game 7 of this year’s NLCS might be one of the greatest catches all time. I will let you guys take a look at this one and in the coming days I will add a new poll with the three videos I think are the greatest catches of the season and let the readers decide.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=
GBAPKceCRRQ[/youtube]
In what became official news today, Major League Baseball has entered into an agreement with Eternal Image to allow images of all 30 MLB teams to be placed on urns and caskets.
Right now, not all 30 teams are available. Just the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers will be available around the start of the 2007 season. Eventually the company hopes to get involved with other sports.
Since death is not taken lightly, funeral director’s will have to walk on eggshell’s when broaching the idea of having your loved one buried in his team’s colors. Also, they urns and caskets will have to be cost effective to the purchaser. Some people choose cremation because of the lower cost. If choosing this with a MLB urn, it has to be cost beneficial to the person buying the urn.
The Phillies urn was the first to be designed. Each urn will feature recognition of the deceased’s passionate support, stamped with a message that says “Major League Baseball officially recognizes (person’s name) as a lifelong fan of (team).”
Ok enough of the serious stuff here, lets take another fun look at it.
Ian: Honey, when I die I wanna be buried in a Dale Earnhardt, Jr casket
Future wife (if that ever happens): You wanna what?
Ian: I want my casket to have Dale, JR’s colors
Future wife: You wanna what?
Ian: OK, OK. I’ll settle for the Boston Red Sox urn.
Future wife: Honey, you already have enough Boston Red Sox
crapstuff in our house and now you want me to keep your ashes in a Boston Red Sox urn above the fireplace.Ian: That’s right honey. That way my love for the Red Sox is shown.
Future wife: Your nuts honey.
How many of those conversations do you think will be had? I will tell you this. Personally, i think it is a great idea. You hear stories all the time of people being buried in their team’s jerseys and other memorabilia or having their ashes spread at or near their team’s stadium. I wonder how many people will buy the urn just to keep on the mantle. If they have ashes of someone in their house already, will they have the ashes changed to support the departed’s allegiance to their team? The thoughts of this are endless. Let me know what your thoughts are on this subject.
Al Bello/Getty Photos
AP Photo
In baseball news today, the Baltimore Orioles have hired Nicole Sherry to be their head groundskeeper. She comes to the Orioles from the Trenton Thunder. She used to be the Assistant Head Groundskeeper for the Orioles for three years before she went to Trenton.Sherry becomes the second full time head groundskeeper in MLB. The first was Heather Nabozny, of the Detroit Tigers, who is busy preparing her field in Detroit for the World Series.
Having spent countless years in minor league baseball, I can tell you being a groundskeeper is hard work. The tarp pulls on your day off. Yes, everyone pulls tarp. And I mean everyone. How would you like to be that guy who had to call people at home saying “get your ass to the ballpark to pull tarp.” Well, I was that guy. Not sure how everyone felt about me at the time, but you have to understand one thing. Working for a minor league baseball team isn’t actually about the baseball for the front office, its about the all mighty dollar. The corporate sponsors, the season ticket holders, your groups, you name it; if it involved money then you could bet your bottom dollar that the groundskeeper was instructed to do whatever it takes to get the game in.
Dealing with the players and coaches on how they want the field to be can be challenging. Some coaches want the grass cut short on the infield so that their speedy bunters can use that their to advantage. Or sloping the foul lines so that the ball will stay far or foul. You name it, I have done it when it comes to that. If there’s a bad hop on the field, you can bet it’s your fault.
All in all though, its a great job to have. Where else can you get a farmer’s tan, get paid and enjoy America’s Pastime.