By Rick Morris
The night that has been labeled the "Super Bowl of MMA" has arrived as UFC 100 emanates live on pay-per-view from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The UFC has certainly come a long, long way.
As always, AOL Fanhouse is on top of the UFC proceedings with liveblogging and full coverage here.
Both ESPN and Fox Sports have excellent previews posted.
While the Brock Lesnar/Frank Mir heavyweight title unification match (BTW, just how goofy is the idea of an "interim champion?") is the appropriate headliner for such a huge card, the undercard is also stronger than usual, including a title defense by welterweight champion (and contender for the "best pound-for-pound fighter in the world") Georges St. Pierre against the man who might be his toughest current foe, Thiago Alves. GSP is "the man" in that division until proven otherwise, but he will have to work perhaps like never before to hang on tonight.
Lesnar is trying to avenge his loss to Mir in his UFC debut in February '08. Since then, he shocked MMA purists by capturing one claim to the heavyweight title and has shown that while he was best known for being a WWE champion, he also shouldn't have to remind anyone that he was an NCAA grappling champ before that. His game is more refined now, but Mir has already proven that he can exploit flaws in the physically superior yet significantly less experienced fighter.
While Lesnar is the favorite, opinions on the fight vary wildly based on anticipated action. Those who expect Mir to win believe that Lesnar will commit a fatal flaw, perhaps on the ground as he was almost a year and a half ago. Those who expect Lesnar to come out on top believe that he will just steamroll Mir killdozer-style as he did to Randy Couture last November when he took the title.
The guess here is that Lesnar has learned enough to avoid a repeat of his awful entrance into the UFC world. For a man who floundered professionally between the time he left WWE in March 2004 and the Couture win 4 1/2 years later, he should have all the incentive in the world in terms of not wanting to go back to no-man's-land in the eyes of the public. Look for the ref to stop the fight in Lesnar's favor in the third round.
Couture has his own very interesting analysis on the UFC 100 card and can be seen here:
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
FDH Lounge Show #64: July 8, 2009
By Rick Morris
Week in and week out we continue to prove that there is no program more eclectic than THE FDH LOUNGE on SportsTalkNetwork.com (Wednesdays, 7-10 PM EDT) and the next episode is certainly no exception. Here's a big hint: we're busting open the figurative turnbuckles and sticking out the green tongue. Read on ...
Even before The Opening Statements of The Dignitaries of The FDH Lounge and This Week in The FDH Lounge -- both of which will be sandwiched in between segments in the first two hours -- we lead off with Queens Chronicle sportswriter Lloyd Carroll. He covers New York-area sports and entertainment, as well as the business of sports (more on that just slightly later) and has also covered the wonderful world of professional wrestling (definitely more on that later!). This man can definitely talk, so he will fit in quite well with The FDH Lounge!
As for the business of sports? No publication covers it more extensively than Sports Business Journal -- except for sister publication Sports Business Daily -- and we're very happy to welcome in the executive editor of both, Abe Madkour, for a look at the biggest sports business stories in the first half of 2009.
At the top of Hour Two, we bring in one of the most legendary names in the history of professional wrestling for an-oh-so-rare out-of-character interview, George "The Animal" Steele. Jim Myers created one of the most enduring and memorable characters of all time in the form of a crazed, (and later in his career, monosyllabic) terror while living the existence of an educator and highly successful sports coach in real life. This man is an American original to be sure, just the kind of guest we love, and we will talk about all facets of his life and that of his famous alter ego.
How's this for old school? George Steele wrestling for the WWWF Championship in 1973 against Pedro Morales!
In the second half of Hour Two, we are happy to welcome in the irrepressible Adam Buckman, TV Howl and TV Week columnist. He has covered the Michael Jackson story in close detail and will be on to talk about that and a myriad of other entertainment and TV stories. His writing always has a great amount of entertainment value and he will certainly be an interesting guest for us.
In Hour Three, THE FANTASYDRAFTHELP.COM INSIDER starts off the proceedings with a look at fantasy football in 2009 position-by-position according to our "ultimate stat," the Ultimate Quantitative Baseline. Then, we wrap up as always with THE GOON SQUAD and our look at last week's start of NHL free agency and the retirement announcement of the great Joe Sakic.
It’s going to be a great program and we hope you can be a part of our audience. As always, we urge you to watch the show live (or listen if you’re on dial-up), but if you can’t catch this as it’s happening, you can always catch the FDH archives 24-7 right here or catch us now on iTunes!
Week in and week out we continue to prove that there is no program more eclectic than THE FDH LOUNGE on SportsTalkNetwork.com (Wednesdays, 7-10 PM EDT) and the next episode is certainly no exception. Here's a big hint: we're busting open the figurative turnbuckles and sticking out the green tongue. Read on ...
Even before The Opening Statements of The Dignitaries of The FDH Lounge and This Week in The FDH Lounge -- both of which will be sandwiched in between segments in the first two hours -- we lead off with Queens Chronicle sportswriter Lloyd Carroll. He covers New York-area sports and entertainment, as well as the business of sports (more on that just slightly later) and has also covered the wonderful world of professional wrestling (definitely more on that later!). This man can definitely talk, so he will fit in quite well with The FDH Lounge!
As for the business of sports? No publication covers it more extensively than Sports Business Journal -- except for sister publication Sports Business Daily -- and we're very happy to welcome in the executive editor of both, Abe Madkour, for a look at the biggest sports business stories in the first half of 2009.
At the top of Hour Two, we bring in one of the most legendary names in the history of professional wrestling for an-oh-so-rare out-of-character interview, George "The Animal" Steele. Jim Myers created one of the most enduring and memorable characters of all time in the form of a crazed, (and later in his career, monosyllabic) terror while living the existence of an educator and highly successful sports coach in real life. This man is an American original to be sure, just the kind of guest we love, and we will talk about all facets of his life and that of his famous alter ego.
How's this for old school? George Steele wrestling for the WWWF Championship in 1973 against Pedro Morales!
In the second half of Hour Two, we are happy to welcome in the irrepressible Adam Buckman, TV Howl and TV Week columnist. He has covered the Michael Jackson story in close detail and will be on to talk about that and a myriad of other entertainment and TV stories. His writing always has a great amount of entertainment value and he will certainly be an interesting guest for us.
In Hour Three, THE FANTASYDRAFTHELP.COM INSIDER starts off the proceedings with a look at fantasy football in 2009 position-by-position according to our "ultimate stat," the Ultimate Quantitative Baseline. Then, we wrap up as always with THE GOON SQUAD and our look at last week's start of NHL free agency and the retirement announcement of the great Joe Sakic.
It’s going to be a great program and we hope you can be a part of our audience. As always, we urge you to watch the show live (or listen if you’re on dial-up), but if you can’t catch this as it’s happening, you can always catch the FDH archives 24-7 right here or catch us now on iTunes!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sportsology: Chris Pronger back with familiar faces
By Rick Morris
Courtesy of our good pal Russ Cohen/Sportsology/The 21st Century Media Alliance, here is an excellent rundown of how Chris Pronger's career has come full circle with his relocation to Philadelphia.
From Hartford to Philadelphia - Pronger, Stevens and Holmgren Have Come Full Circle
By Russ Cohen
Philadelphia - - The Philadelphia Flyers introduced their lastest star-studded acquisition, Chris Pronger, today at a press conference that had a lot of talk about next season but an equal amount of talk about the Hartford Whalers -- where he, GM Paul Holmgren and coach John Stevens all spent some time.
The Hartford Whalers drafted Pronger with the second overall pick in 1993 and he was a "can’t miss" prospect. Alexandre Daigle was drafted ahead of him, but that’s Ottawa’s cross to bear. Pronger had size and strength (6-6, 210) and he joined a team that had Stevens on it and Holmgren was the team’s coach. Even then, Holmgren knew the 18-year-old blueliner was going to be something special.
“In rookie camp, he was not only our best defenseman, but he was our best player,” said Holmgren, thinking back to a team that included Pat Verbeek, Geoff Sanderson, and Andrew Cassels. “Chris and I go back from our days in Hartford. I think our fans will love him.”
Pronger remembers his days in Hartford and that first season there.
“We were just joking about some of the situations we went through in Hartford,” Pronger said, looking at his new GM. “I was a young player and I remember getting pulled aside a few times.”
He wasn’t alone; Stevens was a part of that group as well.
“He was one of my partners,” he laughed, talking about Stevens being paired with him on the blueline.
So now fast forward 16 years later and Holmgren still feels like he reeled in a big fish.
“On draft day when we got Chris, we made our defense better and our team better.”
Last season at the age of 34, he played 82 games and the rearguard has remained relatively healthy over the course of his career, which means he could be in line to sign a multi-year deal.
“I’d love to finish my career here,” Pronger stated and then he mentioned that he didn’t want to play as long as Chris Chelios who is 47! “Things happen for a reason.”
Courtesy of our good pal Russ Cohen/Sportsology/The 21st Century Media Alliance, here is an excellent rundown of how Chris Pronger's career has come full circle with his relocation to Philadelphia.
From Hartford to Philadelphia - Pronger, Stevens and Holmgren Have Come Full Circle
By Russ Cohen
Philadelphia - - The Philadelphia Flyers introduced their lastest star-studded acquisition, Chris Pronger, today at a press conference that had a lot of talk about next season but an equal amount of talk about the Hartford Whalers -- where he, GM Paul Holmgren and coach John Stevens all spent some time.
The Hartford Whalers drafted Pronger with the second overall pick in 1993 and he was a "can’t miss" prospect. Alexandre Daigle was drafted ahead of him, but that’s Ottawa’s cross to bear. Pronger had size and strength (6-6, 210) and he joined a team that had Stevens on it and Holmgren was the team’s coach. Even then, Holmgren knew the 18-year-old blueliner was going to be something special.
“In rookie camp, he was not only our best defenseman, but he was our best player,” said Holmgren, thinking back to a team that included Pat Verbeek, Geoff Sanderson, and Andrew Cassels. “Chris and I go back from our days in Hartford. I think our fans will love him.”
Pronger remembers his days in Hartford and that first season there.
“We were just joking about some of the situations we went through in Hartford,” Pronger said, looking at his new GM. “I was a young player and I remember getting pulled aside a few times.”
He wasn’t alone; Stevens was a part of that group as well.
“He was one of my partners,” he laughed, talking about Stevens being paired with him on the blueline.
So now fast forward 16 years later and Holmgren still feels like he reeled in a big fish.
“On draft day when we got Chris, we made our defense better and our team better.”
Last season at the age of 34, he played 82 games and the rearguard has remained relatively healthy over the course of his career, which means he could be in line to sign a multi-year deal.
“I’d love to finish my career here,” Pronger stated and then he mentioned that he didn’t want to play as long as Chris Chelios who is 47! “Things happen for a reason.”
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Roger Federer proves he is the greatest tennis pro ever
By Rick Morris
My partner at FDH, our Senior Editor Jason Jones, has a romantic streak a mile wide. He readily confesses to wanting to believe that he has seen the greatest in a given sport with his own eyes. Along with other information informing his thought processes, that keeps him from agreeing with me (for example) that Oscar Robertson was better than Michael Jordan and in fact the greatest hoops player of all time. I argued the case for the Big O last year during our first annual Pantheon voting, along with Walter Johnson, Willie Mays, Bobby Orr, Jim Brown and other greats who I never saw in my own time. This year's balloting should be just as great and will occur on our July 22 episode of THE FDH LOUNGE (this concludes our gratuitous plug!).
I mention the fact that I don't share Jason's romantic view on the subject as a means of establishing just how unlikely my next take is: after today, I am convinced that Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player (male or female) of all time.
Again, I am always greatly suspicious of naming a present player as the greatest ever, and I've always noted that Federer never really had a singular great rival (except Rafa Nadal in the past year -- prior to that, it was predictable that Roger would beat him everywhere but on the clay) -- and ironically, one of the reasons for that was the man he toppled today en route to his record-breaking 15th Grand Slam title. Andy Roddick captured his first, and only, Grand Slam at the 2003 US Open, the very next major after Federer's first ever at Wimbledon two months earlier. Roddick's underachievement for most of the last six years, along with Nadal's aforementioned slow development into an elite all-around force, has deprived tennis fans of seeing Federer have to surmount a legitimate rival for most of his time on top.
But I cannot deny Federer his due after seeing him come back strong in 2009 when he looked to be (ever so slightly) in decline. Courtesy of Wikipedia, he has set numerous other impressive records that speak to a consistent level few others in sports have ever matched:
^ Tying five other male players as the only ones to capture the career Grand Slam.
^ 20 Grand Slam finals (a record).
^ Semifinals or better in 21 consecutive Grand Slam events (a record, the second player on the list only managed 10 in a row!).
^ Once held the #1 world ranking for 237 consecutive weeks (a record).
His accomplishments are unparalleled and as his career continued to develop in the last year with his rebounds from his crushing Wimbledon and Australian Open finals losses, it has become clear that his greatness would have shone through in any era against any foes.
Congratulations, Roger Federer. To paraphrase Rickey Henderson, today you are the greatest of all time.
My partner at FDH, our Senior Editor Jason Jones, has a romantic streak a mile wide. He readily confesses to wanting to believe that he has seen the greatest in a given sport with his own eyes. Along with other information informing his thought processes, that keeps him from agreeing with me (for example) that Oscar Robertson was better than Michael Jordan and in fact the greatest hoops player of all time. I argued the case for the Big O last year during our first annual Pantheon voting, along with Walter Johnson, Willie Mays, Bobby Orr, Jim Brown and other greats who I never saw in my own time. This year's balloting should be just as great and will occur on our July 22 episode of THE FDH LOUNGE (this concludes our gratuitous plug!).
I mention the fact that I don't share Jason's romantic view on the subject as a means of establishing just how unlikely my next take is: after today, I am convinced that Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player (male or female) of all time.
Again, I am always greatly suspicious of naming a present player as the greatest ever, and I've always noted that Federer never really had a singular great rival (except Rafa Nadal in the past year -- prior to that, it was predictable that Roger would beat him everywhere but on the clay) -- and ironically, one of the reasons for that was the man he toppled today en route to his record-breaking 15th Grand Slam title. Andy Roddick captured his first, and only, Grand Slam at the 2003 US Open, the very next major after Federer's first ever at Wimbledon two months earlier. Roddick's underachievement for most of the last six years, along with Nadal's aforementioned slow development into an elite all-around force, has deprived tennis fans of seeing Federer have to surmount a legitimate rival for most of his time on top.
But I cannot deny Federer his due after seeing him come back strong in 2009 when he looked to be (ever so slightly) in decline. Courtesy of Wikipedia, he has set numerous other impressive records that speak to a consistent level few others in sports have ever matched:
^ Tying five other male players as the only ones to capture the career Grand Slam.
^ 20 Grand Slam finals (a record).
^ Semifinals or better in 21 consecutive Grand Slam events (a record, the second player on the list only managed 10 in a row!).
^ Once held the #1 world ranking for 237 consecutive weeks (a record).
His accomplishments are unparalleled and as his career continued to develop in the last year with his rebounds from his crushing Wimbledon and Australian Open finals losses, it has become clear that his greatness would have shone through in any era against any foes.
Congratulations, Roger Federer. To paraphrase Rickey Henderson, today you are the greatest of all time.
How the MLB All-Star rosters should be filled
By Rick Morris
Every year, the fans generally shame themselves in at least a few areas in the All-Star voting – even if it happens less often than it did when I was a kid. The managers always shame themselves as well, as do others contributing to the roster shaping. This year was no exception in both areas.
Here are the rosters.
I would honestly like to know what kind of mouth-breathers thought it would be a good idea to tarnish their All-Star ballots with the likes of Dustin Pedroia? Or Josh Hamilton (who I have on one of my roto teams, so I’m not being a hater here)? Or David Wright – who could be a reserve but hasn’t shown nearly the power necessary (thanks in part to his new home park, but that’s part of the game) to be starting? Or the wrong Molina altogether at catcher in the NL?
Also, what in the name of high school football are Josh Beckett, Brian Fuentes, TIM FREAKING MEDIOCRE WAKEFIELD, Jason Marquis and Ryan Howard doing there?
It’s just sad.
All right, without any further ado, let’s start with the All-Star rosters as I would have them in a perfect world, without having to worry about taking at least one player from the garbage teams in baseball and without having to take in consideration the aforementioned ignorant votes cast by the fans:
AL Starting Lineup
C Joe Mauer
1B Miguel Cabrera
2B Aaron Hill
SS Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
OF Torii Hunter
OF Johnny Damon
OF Jermaine Dye
SP Zack Greinke
AL Bench
C Victor Martinez
1B Justin Morneau
1B Mark Texeira
1B Kevin Youkilis
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Derek Jeter
3B Russell Branyan
OF Ichiro
OF Adam Lind
OF Luke Scott
OF Carl Crawford
OF Jason Bay
AL Bullpen
Roy Halladay
Edwin Jackson
Joe Nathan
Kevin Millwood
Felix Hernandez
Erik Bedard
Mariano Rivera
Mark Buehrle
Jered Weaver
Jonathan Papelbon
George Sherrill
David Aardsma
NL Starting Lineup
C: Brian McCann
1B: Albert Pujols
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Hanley Ramirez
3B: Mark Reynolds
OF: Raul Ibanez (injured, almost certainly won’t play)
OF: Carlos Beltran (injured, almost certainly won’t play)
OF: Ryan Braun
OF: Justin Upton
OF: Brad Hawpe
SP: Tim Lincecum
NL Bench
C: Bengie Molina
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
1B: Prince Fielder
1B: Joey Votto
2B: Brandon Phillips
SS: Miguel Tejada
SS: Ryan Theriot
3B: Ryan Zimmerman
3B: Pablo Sandoval
3B: David Wright
OF: Matt Kemp
OF: Adam Dunn
NL Bullpen
Josh Johnson
Dan Haren
Chris Carpenter
Yovani Gallardo
Matt Cain
Johnny Cueto
Javier Vazquez
Francisco Cordero
Jonathan Broxton
Heath Bell
Ryan Franklin
Trevor Hoffman
Now, taking into consideration the insipid “every team must be represented” gaga, I would place Andrew Bailey on the AL team at the expense of Jered Weaver and Zack Duke on the NL team at the expense of Francisco Cordero.
In light of the fact that enough jerks thought it would be a good idea to elect a slappy like Pedroia and a player who was hurt for most of the first half in Hamilton, I would drop Crawford and Bay from the AL squad to make room for them. And in light of the fact that enough clowns voted in Yadier Molina in the NL, I would drop David Wright to make room for him.
As is generally the case, good players will end up sitting home unfairly even with the roster expansion to 33 this year and only one in each league will be able to capture the remaining roster spot that is put up for Internet balloting as one final publicity stunt. The MLB All-Star Game is always a great event – just not as great as it could be if those who helped build the rosters took their responsibilities seriously.
Every year, the fans generally shame themselves in at least a few areas in the All-Star voting – even if it happens less often than it did when I was a kid. The managers always shame themselves as well, as do others contributing to the roster shaping. This year was no exception in both areas.
Here are the rosters.
I would honestly like to know what kind of mouth-breathers thought it would be a good idea to tarnish their All-Star ballots with the likes of Dustin Pedroia? Or Josh Hamilton (who I have on one of my roto teams, so I’m not being a hater here)? Or David Wright – who could be a reserve but hasn’t shown nearly the power necessary (thanks in part to his new home park, but that’s part of the game) to be starting? Or the wrong Molina altogether at catcher in the NL?
Also, what in the name of high school football are Josh Beckett, Brian Fuentes, TIM FREAKING MEDIOCRE WAKEFIELD, Jason Marquis and Ryan Howard doing there?
It’s just sad.
All right, without any further ado, let’s start with the All-Star rosters as I would have them in a perfect world, without having to worry about taking at least one player from the garbage teams in baseball and without having to take in consideration the aforementioned ignorant votes cast by the fans:
AL Starting Lineup
C Joe Mauer
1B Miguel Cabrera
2B Aaron Hill
SS Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
OF Torii Hunter
OF Johnny Damon
OF Jermaine Dye
SP Zack Greinke
AL Bench
C Victor Martinez
1B Justin Morneau
1B Mark Texeira
1B Kevin Youkilis
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Derek Jeter
3B Russell Branyan
OF Ichiro
OF Adam Lind
OF Luke Scott
OF Carl Crawford
OF Jason Bay
AL Bullpen
Roy Halladay
Edwin Jackson
Joe Nathan
Kevin Millwood
Felix Hernandez
Erik Bedard
Mariano Rivera
Mark Buehrle
Jered Weaver
Jonathan Papelbon
George Sherrill
David Aardsma
NL Starting Lineup
C: Brian McCann
1B: Albert Pujols
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Hanley Ramirez
3B: Mark Reynolds
OF: Raul Ibanez (injured, almost certainly won’t play)
OF: Carlos Beltran (injured, almost certainly won’t play)
OF: Ryan Braun
OF: Justin Upton
OF: Brad Hawpe
SP: Tim Lincecum
NL Bench
C: Bengie Molina
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
1B: Prince Fielder
1B: Joey Votto
2B: Brandon Phillips
SS: Miguel Tejada
SS: Ryan Theriot
3B: Ryan Zimmerman
3B: Pablo Sandoval
3B: David Wright
OF: Matt Kemp
OF: Adam Dunn
NL Bullpen
Josh Johnson
Dan Haren
Chris Carpenter
Yovani Gallardo
Matt Cain
Johnny Cueto
Javier Vazquez
Francisco Cordero
Jonathan Broxton
Heath Bell
Ryan Franklin
Trevor Hoffman
Now, taking into consideration the insipid “every team must be represented” gaga, I would place Andrew Bailey on the AL team at the expense of Jered Weaver and Zack Duke on the NL team at the expense of Francisco Cordero.
In light of the fact that enough jerks thought it would be a good idea to elect a slappy like Pedroia and a player who was hurt for most of the first half in Hamilton, I would drop Crawford and Bay from the AL squad to make room for them. And in light of the fact that enough clowns voted in Yadier Molina in the NL, I would drop David Wright to make room for him.
As is generally the case, good players will end up sitting home unfairly even with the roster expansion to 33 this year and only one in each league will be able to capture the remaining roster spot that is put up for Internet balloting as one final publicity stunt. The MLB All-Star Game is always a great event – just not as great as it could be if those who helped build the rosters took their responsibilities seriously.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Circumstantial evidence that Blue Jackets may leave
By Rick MorrisI would stress that the points raised in this column are purely circumstantial, because there is little about this situation that can yet be ascertained beyond what is already on the public record. But sometimes circumstantial evidence can lead us in the right direction and I'm always up for strapping on the tinfoil hat, so let's examine why exactly there is more than meets the eye to the Columbus Blue Jackets arena situation.
In the aftermath of the team's first-ever (extremely short-lived) Stanley Cup Playoffs run, the organization went public with claims of $80 million in losses over the past decade due to the fact that the arena is privately-owned. With the city, county and state being decimated financially to the point where THERE IS NO MORE MONEY FOR LARGE-SCALE PET PROJECTS, the franchise begged for public funds with an all-but-expressed "Or Else!"
Oh, and they want to be able to sell naming rights to the facility once the public has, in some form or another, purchased it.
Now, the team's side of the argument is not completely without merit, as the side of the story from this highly-sympathetic blog argues -- at least in the context of the real world. While public financing of sports facilities is asinine in every way, those of us who love sports have learned to make peace with the notion that "it's just the way that it is." So the plea that the Blue Jackets just want the same hand-in-the-public-pockets deal that everyone else has is true, if not appealing on any level.
But the real issue here is HOW the team raised the issue. It was clumsy and ham-handed, blatantly opportunistic in the still-glowing aftermath of the team's first playoff campaign. As a lifelong resident of the Greater Cleveland area (give or take my college years and a DC internship), I observed long ago that there is a Cleveland Way and a Columbus Way.
^ The Cleveland Way involves piggish graft on a massive public scale, with zero regard as to what the citizenry thinks. Think obese, swaggering politicians selling off patronage jobs for large paper bags jammed with cash. Think Art Modell clumsily watching his various money-making schemes with the Browns going up in smoke one after another before belching out a point of view so offensive to the public that it sealed his fate in Northeast Ohio. In Cleveland, it's a 24-7 train wreck of greedy, short-sighted business leaders (think the bozos who drove National City Bank into the ground with the mortgage meltdown) and government officials without an inclination to fight the Boss Tweed machinations that have dominated the scene forever.
^ The Columbus Way involves smooth backroom deal-making at all costs. While smoke-filled rooms no longer literally exist in Ohio thanks to the health nuts, they live on figuratively in the state capital, where even avowed enemies can find common ground behind closed doors thanks to the lubricants of social common ground and the vision of potential money to be made. In Columbus, it's a 24-7 parade of quietly "getting things done."
So when Blue Jacket ownership casts aside the CBus model for the shabbier one embraced by C-Town, head-scratching should ensue.
The inescapable conclusion when viewing the situation through the prism of Ohio's two most consequential cities (sorry, 'Nati!) is that ownership WANTED to create a public backlash. The horrific manner in which the team went public with the situation, with implied blackmail on the heels of the only feel-good season the team has ever had, leads to alternate conclusions ... like how much Kansas City has demonstrated that they want a team. Or Portland. Or Houston ...
Now, Gary Bettman has successfully blocked the Phoenix Coyotes from moving to Hamilton, and if ever a team could justify a relocation based on the bottom line, it would be the 'Yotes. So no moves anywhere can be deemed to be on the near horizon.
But franchise relocations aren't formulated in a day. Edifices have to be burned to the ground and the ashes urinated upon thoroughly. In this instance, the public had to be shaken from their pleased demeanor in the aftermath of the team's best season ever.
Well, if indeed that was the goal, mission accomplished.
Once alienation begins to set in, anything is possible. In light of the botched-or-was-it-botched-really? rollout of the team's "plan for public support," it is no longer unthinkable that the franchise could relocate once Bettman's "nobody moves ever for any reason" dictate falls apart down the road as it inevitably will. And frankly, it's not like public support for the team is unshakably deep in the first place; Columbus will always be first and foremost an Ohio State football town and the primary motivation for seeking this team in the first place was that the notion of remaining the nation's biggest city without a Big Four franchise was sticking in the town craw. That's not the firmest of reasons to want to hang onto an organization once times get tough, as they certainly have financially for both the organization and the region.
So again, all of this evidence is circumstantial. It proves nothing. But nothing in life or business ever happens by accident and the abandonment of "The Columbus Way" for "The Cleveland Way" on the part of the Blue Jackets organization means something. What does it mean exactly? Stay tuned.
Manny's sham suspension
By Rick Morris
When does a 50-game suspension not equal a 50-game suspension? When it applies to everyone's favorite clown, Manny Ramirez.
He returned to major league action yesterday, the operative phrase being "major league," for he was allowed to play minor league ball recently in preparation for his return. Why? So that he would be fully ready to return at the end of the "suspension." To do otherwise, it has been opined, would be unfair to the team that is already missing his services for lo these past 50 games.
Correct me if I am wrong, but this team turned a blind eye to the fact that they were signing a steroid abuser. Oh, sure, they didn't have any proof that he was ("shocked, shocked that there is gambling going on here!"), just like San Francisco had no idea about Bonds, the Yanks were clueless about Clemens and the Cubs were in the dark about Sosa. Riiiiiiiiight.
For years now, teams have been turning a willing blind eye to the issue of roids and HGH because "everyone does it." As sick as it is, there is a certain rough logic to it because it seems quite likely that the vast majority of players over the past two decades were shoveling all forms of poison into their bodies in a Faustian bargain for better performance.
But don't try to have it both ways.
Go ahead and sign likely 'roiders if you must and justify it however you need to. But when they get caught and you're going to lose them for a period of time, try not to go all emo teenage girl with your "OMG so unfairz to not have Manny like 100% from his first day back, so PO'd!!!!!" take. Sack up, take it like a man, and dispatch Manny to the minors at the end of his suspension for whatever "getting back in game shape" reps he needs.
Manny should not have been swinging a bat in a competitive game until yesterday. The fact that he was delivers further shame to baseball and proves that they still haven't come to grips with rolling back the 'roid era in the game.
When does a 50-game suspension not equal a 50-game suspension? When it applies to everyone's favorite clown, Manny Ramirez.
He returned to major league action yesterday, the operative phrase being "major league," for he was allowed to play minor league ball recently in preparation for his return. Why? So that he would be fully ready to return at the end of the "suspension." To do otherwise, it has been opined, would be unfair to the team that is already missing his services for lo these past 50 games.
Correct me if I am wrong, but this team turned a blind eye to the fact that they were signing a steroid abuser. Oh, sure, they didn't have any proof that he was ("shocked, shocked that there is gambling going on here!"), just like San Francisco had no idea about Bonds, the Yanks were clueless about Clemens and the Cubs were in the dark about Sosa. Riiiiiiiiight.
For years now, teams have been turning a willing blind eye to the issue of roids and HGH because "everyone does it." As sick as it is, there is a certain rough logic to it because it seems quite likely that the vast majority of players over the past two decades were shoveling all forms of poison into their bodies in a Faustian bargain for better performance.
But don't try to have it both ways.
Go ahead and sign likely 'roiders if you must and justify it however you need to. But when they get caught and you're going to lose them for a period of time, try not to go all emo teenage girl with your "OMG so unfairz to not have Manny like 100% from his first day back, so PO'd!!!!!" take. Sack up, take it like a man, and dispatch Manny to the minors at the end of his suspension for whatever "getting back in game shape" reps he needs.
Manny should not have been swinging a bat in a competitive game until yesterday. The fact that he was delivers further shame to baseball and proves that they still haven't come to grips with rolling back the 'roid era in the game.
MLB power rankings for start of July
By Rick Morris
NOTE: Previous rankings are listed in parentheses.
TOP TIER
1 Los Angeles Dodgers (1)
2 Boston (2)
3 New York Yankees (3)
4 St Louis (4)
5 Los Angeles Angels (5)
6 Tampa Bay (11)
7 Milwaukee (10)
8 Detroit (7)
9 Texas (9)
10 Chicago White Sox (14)
11 Philadelphia (6)
12 Minnesota (15)
13 Toronto (8)
14 Seattle (18)
15 San Francisco (19)
16 Colorado (20)
17 Chicago Cubs (12)
18 Florida (17)
19 New York Mets (13)
20 Atlanta (21)
21 Cincinnati (16)
22 Houston (22)
23 Baltimore (23)
24 Pittsburgh (25)
SECOND TIER
25 Kansas City (26)
26 Arizona (24)
27 Oakland (28)
28 San Diego (29)
29 Cleveland (27)
THIRD TIER
30 Washington (30)
Biggest risers: Tampa Bay (5 spots), Chicago White Sox, Colorado and San Francisco (4 spots), Milwaukee (3 spots)
Biggest fallers: New York Mets (6 spots), Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Toronto (5 spots), Seattle (4 spots), Minnesota (3 spots)
NOTE: Previous rankings are listed in parentheses.
TOP TIER
1 Los Angeles Dodgers (1)
2 Boston (2)
3 New York Yankees (3)
4 St Louis (4)
5 Los Angeles Angels (5)
6 Tampa Bay (11)
7 Milwaukee (10)
8 Detroit (7)
9 Texas (9)
10 Chicago White Sox (14)
11 Philadelphia (6)
12 Minnesota (15)
13 Toronto (8)
14 Seattle (18)
15 San Francisco (19)
16 Colorado (20)
17 Chicago Cubs (12)
18 Florida (17)
19 New York Mets (13)
20 Atlanta (21)
21 Cincinnati (16)
22 Houston (22)
23 Baltimore (23)
24 Pittsburgh (25)
SECOND TIER
25 Kansas City (26)
26 Arizona (24)
27 Oakland (28)
28 San Diego (29)
29 Cleveland (27)
THIRD TIER
30 Washington (30)
Biggest risers: Tampa Bay (5 spots), Chicago White Sox, Colorado and San Francisco (4 spots), Milwaukee (3 spots)
Biggest fallers: New York Mets (6 spots), Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Toronto (5 spots), Seattle (4 spots), Minnesota (3 spots)
Happy Independence Day
By Rick Morris
On behalf of everyone at FDH, we wish you a happy and blessed Independence Day. We urge you to take some time today to remember everyone who helped make the day possible, from the patriots who really began the founding of our country 233 years ago today to the military heroes past and present who allowed us to keep our freedoms.
To help you enjoy, here is a fireworks show from the National Mall in D.C.
On behalf of everyone at FDH, we wish you a happy and blessed Independence Day. We urge you to take some time today to remember everyone who helped make the day possible, from the patriots who really began the founding of our country 233 years ago today to the military heroes past and present who allowed us to keep our freedoms.
To help you enjoy, here is a fireworks show from the National Mall in D.C.
Sportsology: NHL free agency start
By Rick Morris
Courtesy of our good friends at Sportsology, fellow members of The 21st Century Media Alliance, here's a look at the beginning of the NHL free agency period.
2009 NHL Free Agency News
Byline: Hockeyology
The moves will be in the tidbits section and the commentary will appear below.
For info on the Scott Gomez trade go to www.rangergreats.com.
1) Vancouver retained the Sedins $6.1 million for five years each. This wasn't a surprise.
2) Calgary signed Jay Bouwmeester (5-yr, around $6.7 mil a year), good for them, Florida didn't sign Jordan Leopold. They did a horrible job of losing as asset!
3) Tampa signs defenseman Mattias Ohlund (a seven-year deal?? with a $3.75 million dollar cap hit, says Bob McKenzie). He is there to provide some experience and he will surely help Victor Hedman as well.
4) The Leafs have signed enforcer Colton Orr ($4-yr, $4-mil). He can fight and do little else. Why did the Leafs target him first?
5) Devils re-sign D Andy Greene. Johnny Oduya as well to shore up the blueline.
6) Florida has re-signed F David Booth to a 6-yr, $25.5 million dollar deal. Booth is a hard worker who is now a second-line talent!
7) Colorado signs G Craig Anderson to a 2-yr, $3.6 million dollar deal. Anderson carried Florida late last season and will be the #1 goalie.
8) CBC is reporting Marian Hossa has signed with the Hawks (12-years, $5.2 million per season)! Their power play will be amazing and he would join Kane on the top line which should help his 5-on-5 play.
9) Matt Walker has signed a four-year deal for $1.47 million per year with Tampa to further bolster their defense.
10) Goaltender Ty Conklin has signed a $2-yr, $2.6 million dollar deal. He will miss the Winter Classic this year having played in every outdoor game, even the Heritage Classic.
11) Islanders sign netminder Dwayne Roloson to a 2-yr deal worth $5 million dollars. Who is the #1 goaltender for 2009?
12) Tomas Kopecky signs with Chicago. Depth. 13) Sabres sign D Steve Montador. This is a depth move.
14) Mike Knuble in Washington for 2-yr, $2.8 million per season. He gives the Caps a presence in front of the net and on the power play.
15) Rangers sign Donald Brashear. He has more ability than Colton Orr.
16) Scott Niedermayer re-signs, 1-yr, $6 mil plus bonuses in Anaheim.
17) Brian Boucher is on his way back to the Flyers. He will make a terrific backup/mentor to Ray Emery.
18) Defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to Montreal. He will help revive the Habs power play.
19) Nikolai Khabibulin to Edmonton. They have a Stanley Cup-contending goaltender to go along with an up-and-coming team.
20) Erik Cole re-signs with Carolina. He has always been a good fit there.
21) Scott Clemmensen has gone to Florida. He will be a good tandem goaltender along with Tomas Vokoun.
22) Hal Gill signs with Montreal. They now have a big guy who can clear the crease and block shots. Mike Komisarek is better but...
23) Michael Rupp signs with Pittsburgh. He can fill a role.
24) Ian Laperriere goes to Philadelphia. He gives the Flyers a player who create chances with his toughness.
25) Mike Cammalleri signs with the Habs for 5-yr, $30 million dollars.
26) Mike Komisarek signed with the Leafs. He will be the perfect compliment to Luke Schenn or vice versa.
27) Rangers sign Marian Gaborik to a 5-yr deal. He will make $7.5 million a deal. Maybe they should have paid him by the game.
28) Brian Gionta is heading to Montreal. He will team up again with Scott Gomez no doubt.
29) Freddie Sjostrom signs with Calgary. He is a terrific penalty killer.
30) John Madden goes to the Hawks. He's a gifted penalty-killer and a solid defensive player when it's 5-on-5.
31) Nik Antropov has signed with Atlanta, 4-yr, $16 million. Antropov will add to their power play and give them a nice second-line presence.
32) Devils sign Ilkka Pikkarainen. Who? A winger who never had more than 24 points in the "A" with Albany. A project for sure. He has toughness.
33) Florida signs D Jordan Leopold. Leopold has some offensive talent that can now be utilized in Florida.
34) Carolina re-signs Chad LaRose. LaRose has shown that he has second-line offensive talent.
35) The Kings have signed D Rob Scuderi. He will be able to lead many of the young blueliners that the Kings have on the roster.
36) The Canucks sign Mikael Samuelsson. He will help their power play and give them a winning attitude in the locker room.
37) The Rangers sign Tyler Arnason to a two-way contract. He should add to the Wolfpack roster.
38) Martin Havlat has signed with Minnesota. He will give them some of the offense that was lost when Marian Gaborik left.
39) Ruslan Fedotenko has re-signed with Pittsburgh for one season. The Penguins need as much secondary scoring as they can get.
40) Columbus has re-signed F Rick Nash to an 8-yr, $62.4 million dollar extension. This will ensure Columbus maintains a competitive team in the future.
41) The Kings acquired F Ryan Smyth from the Avs for D Kyle Quincey and D Tom Preissing. This move helps both teams. Smyth gives LA leadership and a captain and the Avs get some much-needed defense to help out their new goaltender.
Courtesy of our good friends at Sportsology, fellow members of The 21st Century Media Alliance, here's a look at the beginning of the NHL free agency period.
2009 NHL Free Agency News
Byline: Hockeyology
The moves will be in the tidbits section and the commentary will appear below.
For info on the Scott Gomez trade go to www.rangergreats.com.
1) Vancouver retained the Sedins $6.1 million for five years each. This wasn't a surprise.
2) Calgary signed Jay Bouwmeester (5-yr, around $6.7 mil a year), good for them, Florida didn't sign Jordan Leopold. They did a horrible job of losing as asset!
3) Tampa signs defenseman Mattias Ohlund (a seven-year deal?? with a $3.75 million dollar cap hit, says Bob McKenzie). He is there to provide some experience and he will surely help Victor Hedman as well.
4) The Leafs have signed enforcer Colton Orr ($4-yr, $4-mil). He can fight and do little else. Why did the Leafs target him first?
5) Devils re-sign D Andy Greene. Johnny Oduya as well to shore up the blueline.
6) Florida has re-signed F David Booth to a 6-yr, $25.5 million dollar deal. Booth is a hard worker who is now a second-line talent!
7) Colorado signs G Craig Anderson to a 2-yr, $3.6 million dollar deal. Anderson carried Florida late last season and will be the #1 goalie.
8) CBC is reporting Marian Hossa has signed with the Hawks (12-years, $5.2 million per season)! Their power play will be amazing and he would join Kane on the top line which should help his 5-on-5 play.
9) Matt Walker has signed a four-year deal for $1.47 million per year with Tampa to further bolster their defense.
10) Goaltender Ty Conklin has signed a $2-yr, $2.6 million dollar deal. He will miss the Winter Classic this year having played in every outdoor game, even the Heritage Classic.
11) Islanders sign netminder Dwayne Roloson to a 2-yr deal worth $5 million dollars. Who is the #1 goaltender for 2009?
12) Tomas Kopecky signs with Chicago. Depth. 13) Sabres sign D Steve Montador. This is a depth move.
14) Mike Knuble in Washington for 2-yr, $2.8 million per season. He gives the Caps a presence in front of the net and on the power play.
15) Rangers sign Donald Brashear. He has more ability than Colton Orr.
16) Scott Niedermayer re-signs, 1-yr, $6 mil plus bonuses in Anaheim.
17) Brian Boucher is on his way back to the Flyers. He will make a terrific backup/mentor to Ray Emery.
18) Defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to Montreal. He will help revive the Habs power play.
19) Nikolai Khabibulin to Edmonton. They have a Stanley Cup-contending goaltender to go along with an up-and-coming team.
20) Erik Cole re-signs with Carolina. He has always been a good fit there.
21) Scott Clemmensen has gone to Florida. He will be a good tandem goaltender along with Tomas Vokoun.
22) Hal Gill signs with Montreal. They now have a big guy who can clear the crease and block shots. Mike Komisarek is better but...
23) Michael Rupp signs with Pittsburgh. He can fill a role.
24) Ian Laperriere goes to Philadelphia. He gives the Flyers a player who create chances with his toughness.
25) Mike Cammalleri signs with the Habs for 5-yr, $30 million dollars.
26) Mike Komisarek signed with the Leafs. He will be the perfect compliment to Luke Schenn or vice versa.
27) Rangers sign Marian Gaborik to a 5-yr deal. He will make $7.5 million a deal. Maybe they should have paid him by the game.
28) Brian Gionta is heading to Montreal. He will team up again with Scott Gomez no doubt.
29) Freddie Sjostrom signs with Calgary. He is a terrific penalty killer.
30) John Madden goes to the Hawks. He's a gifted penalty-killer and a solid defensive player when it's 5-on-5.
31) Nik Antropov has signed with Atlanta, 4-yr, $16 million. Antropov will add to their power play and give them a nice second-line presence.
32) Devils sign Ilkka Pikkarainen. Who? A winger who never had more than 24 points in the "A" with Albany. A project for sure. He has toughness.
33) Florida signs D Jordan Leopold. Leopold has some offensive talent that can now be utilized in Florida.
34) Carolina re-signs Chad LaRose. LaRose has shown that he has second-line offensive talent.
35) The Kings have signed D Rob Scuderi. He will be able to lead many of the young blueliners that the Kings have on the roster.
36) The Canucks sign Mikael Samuelsson. He will help their power play and give them a winning attitude in the locker room.
37) The Rangers sign Tyler Arnason to a two-way contract. He should add to the Wolfpack roster.
38) Martin Havlat has signed with Minnesota. He will give them some of the offense that was lost when Marian Gaborik left.
39) Ruslan Fedotenko has re-signed with Pittsburgh for one season. The Penguins need as much secondary scoring as they can get.
40) Columbus has re-signed F Rick Nash to an 8-yr, $62.4 million dollar extension. This will ensure Columbus maintains a competitive team in the future.
41) The Kings acquired F Ryan Smyth from the Avs for D Kyle Quincey and D Tom Preissing. This move helps both teams. Smyth gives LA leadership and a captain and the Avs get some much-needed defense to help out their new goaltender.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
2nd Annual FDH Lounge Pantheon balloting July 22
By Rick Morris
The 2nd Annual FDH Lounge Pantheon balloting will be held in conjunction with our July 22 episode of THE FDH LOUNGE on SportsTalkNetwork.com (usual Wednesday night broadcast time of 7-10 PM EDT).
Last July, we introduced the concept of The Pantheon to The Lounge for the first time by conducting a vote among The Dignitaries of The FDH Lounge. This year, we move beyond that designation by throwing open our ballots to the newly-formed FDH Academy of Arts and Sciences. Membership can be granted by any FDH principals, but we are also offering membership -- and the right to have your ballots cast -- merely by friending FDH on Facebook and then sending your ballot to our Facebook email address. That's all it takes!
To refresh your memory, here are the members of last year's class, the initial inductees into The FDH Lounge Pantheon:
BEST PRESIDENT: Ronald Reagan
BEST COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE U.S.: Canada
BEST MOTION PICTURE: The Godfather
BEST THESPIAN: Kevin Costner
BEST FEMALE BOMBSHELL: Raquel Welch
BEST MUSICAL PERFORMER/GROUP: Bon Jovi
BEST TV SHOW: All In the Family
BEST TV/MOVIE CARTOON CHARACTER: Bugs Bunny
BEST COMIC BOOK CHARACTER: Superman
BEST PRO WRESTLER: Ric Flair
BEST FOOTBALL PLAYER: Jim Brown
BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER: Michael Jordan
BEST RACE CAR DRIVER (FROM ANY CIRCUIT): Richard Petty
BEST HOCKEY PLAYER: Wayne Gretzky
BEST BASEBALL PITCHER: Nolan Ryan
BEST BASEBALL HITTER: Babe Ruth
And here is this year's ballot:
BEST PRO SPORTS COACH/MANAGER:
BEST SPORTING EVENT:
BEST FANTASY SPORT:
BEST OLYMPIC SPORT:
BEST SPORTS BROADCASTER (PLAY-BY-PLAY):
BEST SPORTS BROADCASTER (COLOR COMMENTATOR):
BEST SPORTS MOVIE:
BEST MOVIE VILLAIN:
BEST PRO WRESTLING MANAGER:
BEST VIDEO GAME (NON-SPORTS):
BEST MUSICAL GUILTY PLEASURE:
BEST NON-U.S. CITY:
BEST U.S. CITY:
BEST POLITICAL SCANDAL:
BEST SEINFELD EPISODE:
BEST TV COMMERCIAL CHARACTER:
Voters may use ANY criteria they wish to vote for the best of ALL-TIME in all of these categories. We urge anyone who has not already been granted a vote to do so by friending us on Facebook and acquiring the ability to email us your ballot. We look forward to cracking open the ballots in 20 days and making our July 22 program yet another one to remember in The FDH Lounge.
The 2nd Annual FDH Lounge Pantheon balloting will be held in conjunction with our July 22 episode of THE FDH LOUNGE on SportsTalkNetwork.com (usual Wednesday night broadcast time of 7-10 PM EDT).
Last July, we introduced the concept of The Pantheon to The Lounge for the first time by conducting a vote among The Dignitaries of The FDH Lounge. This year, we move beyond that designation by throwing open our ballots to the newly-formed FDH Academy of Arts and Sciences. Membership can be granted by any FDH principals, but we are also offering membership -- and the right to have your ballots cast -- merely by friending FDH on Facebook and then sending your ballot to our Facebook email address. That's all it takes!
To refresh your memory, here are the members of last year's class, the initial inductees into The FDH Lounge Pantheon:
BEST PRESIDENT: Ronald Reagan
BEST COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE U.S.: Canada
BEST MOTION PICTURE: The Godfather
BEST THESPIAN: Kevin Costner
BEST FEMALE BOMBSHELL: Raquel Welch
BEST MUSICAL PERFORMER/GROUP: Bon Jovi
BEST TV SHOW: All In the Family
BEST TV/MOVIE CARTOON CHARACTER: Bugs Bunny
BEST COMIC BOOK CHARACTER: Superman
BEST PRO WRESTLER: Ric Flair
BEST FOOTBALL PLAYER: Jim Brown
BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER: Michael Jordan
BEST RACE CAR DRIVER (FROM ANY CIRCUIT): Richard Petty
BEST HOCKEY PLAYER: Wayne Gretzky
BEST BASEBALL PITCHER: Nolan Ryan
BEST BASEBALL HITTER: Babe Ruth
And here is this year's ballot:
BEST PRO SPORTS COACH/MANAGER:
BEST SPORTING EVENT:
BEST FANTASY SPORT:
BEST OLYMPIC SPORT:
BEST SPORTS BROADCASTER (PLAY-BY-PLAY):
BEST SPORTS BROADCASTER (COLOR COMMENTATOR):
BEST SPORTS MOVIE:
BEST MOVIE VILLAIN:
BEST PRO WRESTLING MANAGER:
BEST VIDEO GAME (NON-SPORTS):
BEST MUSICAL GUILTY PLEASURE:
BEST NON-U.S. CITY:
BEST U.S. CITY:
BEST POLITICAL SCANDAL:
BEST SEINFELD EPISODE:
BEST TV COMMERCIAL CHARACTER:
Voters may use ANY criteria they wish to vote for the best of ALL-TIME in all of these categories. We urge anyone who has not already been granted a vote to do so by friending us on Facebook and acquiring the ability to email us your ballot. We look forward to cracking open the ballots in 20 days and making our July 22 program yet another one to remember in The FDH Lounge.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
FDH Lounge Show #64: postponed to July 8, 2009
By Rick Morris
The 64th edition of THE FDH LOUNGE on SportsTalkNetwork.com is postponed until next Wednesday (7-10 PM EDT) when we return with another edition of the most eclectic program anywhere in the universe!
The 64th edition of THE FDH LOUNGE on SportsTalkNetwork.com is postponed until next Wednesday (7-10 PM EDT) when we return with another edition of the most eclectic program anywhere in the universe!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)