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Saturday, July 31, 2004

Red Sox Trade Nomah!



The Red Sox have traded Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs for Doug Mientkiewicz (first try I spelled that right) and Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera is one of the least known shortstops in the league and Doug Mientkiewicz is one of the best if not the best defensive first baseman in the league. Thumbs Up from Zlax45.

In a separate move, The Red Sox picked up Dave Roberts from the LA Dodgers in return for a Triple AAA outfielder. Zlax45 thinks this might be the best move of the day because of the speed factor of Roberts.
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Friday, July 30, 2004

Giambi has a tumor!!!!



Jason Giambi's test results came back on Friday night and he has a benign tumor somewhere in his body. I wonder if the Steroids, he has taken in the past might have caused this tumor. More Details to follow!!!
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Thursday, July 22, 2004

Finally, Marion Jones found to be taking Banned Substances



The SF Chronicle is reporting that Marion Jones took banned substances during the Sydney Olympics. This lady is a cheater and should be banned from the sport for the rest of her life. She has cheated every person in this world by not following the rules and by deceiving the World Anti-Doping Association. I challenge the US Olympic Committee to step up and ban her from the sport immediately. Also, the IOC should strip her of the 5 gold medals won in Sydney.

C.J. Hunter, a former shot-put champion and admitted steroid user who was divorced from Jones in 2002, said his ex-wife had had human growth hormone and a steroid-like substance known as "the clear" with her at the Sydney Games. At times, Hunter said, he personally injected Jones with banned substances. He also reported seeing Jones inject herself with drugs at the residence they shared in Australia, according to investigators' memos obtained by The Chronicle.

Read the article here
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Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Armstrong wins Stage 15 and yellow jersey

Lance Armstrong sprinted to the finish of Tour de France's Stage 15 to clinch the win and gain the extra 20 seconds that comes as a bonus of 1st place. "There's something special in winning in a sprint," Armstrong said. "To win in a sprint for me is much more intense than being alone." Ivan Basso and Jan Ullrich finished right behind with Basso coming it at the same time as Armstrong and Ullrich only 3 seconds behind. Ullrich's teammate, Andreas Kloden finished 6 seconds back. The 20 second bonus extended Armstrong's lead over Italy's Basso to 1:25. " [Team manager] Johan was screaming in my ear that I had to win because of the time bonuses," Armstrong said. "Every second counts."

Today's stage win was his 18th overall and second this Tour. After retaking the overall lead today, Armstrong put on his 61st yellow jersey passing Miguel Indurain and leaving only Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault ahead of him with the amount of yellow jerseys. "It's exciting to take the yellow jersey, even if it's number 61 or however many. It's still a thrill," Armstrong said.

Thomas Voeckler, who had previously worn the yellow jersey for the past 10 stages, finally broke down and finished 54th in the stage putting him behind Armstrong 9:28 which bumped him back into 8th place overall.

Armstrong has no plans to start celebrating yet. "It's not finished," he said. "Today wasn't easy." He does have the advantage tomorrow of sitting back and watching everyone else perform in the time trial before he races. The overall leader gets the luxury of going last and will allow him to see how rival Basso performs over the 9.6 miles and be able to pace himself to remain first overall. "They don't call it the 'Race of Truth' for nothing," Armstrong said. "It's the race where people who have done the most work are the ones that excel."

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An addiction



I have become addicted to watching TVG, it is the station which shows Horse Racing all day and night. I just find it weird that I can sit there and watch the races. I think this is a problem and I should seek out counseling for my gambling addiction.
Anyone else have a weird addiction?

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Sunday, July 18, 2004

Tigers best Yankees in season series
 
With the win today against the New York Yankees, the Detroit Tigers have beaten the Yankees in the season's series and passed their total of wins from last year. The 2003 Tigers were one loss off from setting the record for most losses in a season, 120, which was set before the 1900s. "I like the feel around here," Detroit manager Alan Trammell said. "Guys are playing with confidence. Who knows what might happen the next few weeks? We've certainly made progress, but we have to carry this through."

After Ivan Rodriguez signed with the Tigers for a $40 million deal for four years, many people questioned his reasoning and doubted his claims that he would get Detroit back in the playoffs. After a complete turnaround of a season, the Tigers have a shot to make the playoffs with Pudge leading the league with a .364 batting average. "It is a big deal. We are playing for something," said Rodriguez. "We are trying to make the playoffs, and we can if we keep playing the way we are right now."

Detroit won the final in a four-game series giving the Tigers the season series with the best of 4 games out of 7. "They're certainly 100 percent better than last year and I give Trammell the credit for keeping it together," Yankees manager Joe Torre said.

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Saturday, July 17, 2004

Copa America


Any predictions for the big matchup Sunday between Brazil and the Mexican National Team?

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Ortiz facing suspension 
I am mad

David Ortiz tonight was ejected by the home plate umpire Matt Hollowell. He then tries to go after the Hollowell but Francona stopped Ortiz from making contact with the Matt. Then Ortiz goes into the dugout and throws two bats at the other umpires. I don't think Rballer will be happy with this news when he gets back!!

Matt Hollowell is a 1994 graduate of Albright College. He is still a Minor League umpire from my source with a team in the International League and also on this site.
If you would like to read more on this guy please go to this website


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Friday, July 16, 2004

Olympic and Tour de France Updates
 



Lance Armstrong had a fantastic run during Stage 12 of the Tour de France. In a stage that was supposed to be fairly easy and wouldn't cause much time differences, Armstrong tore his tougest competitors apart. He finished the stage in 2nd place, but had the same time as the person who took first in the stage. As a result of taking second, he received a 12 second time bonus. His excellent race today moved him from 6th overall to 2nd (dropping his 9'35" behind yellow jersey leader Voeckler to 5'24" minutes).

His primary competitors, Jan Ullrich and Tyler Hamilton lost considerable time to Armstrong, coming in +2'34" and +3'27" respectively. "It was a bad day," said Ullrich, a five-time Tour runner-up. I noticed at the first mountain I didn't have good legs and I was cold on the downhill. But I fought until the end. With good weather and good legs, maybe I can come back."
Ullrich trails Armstrong by 3'27" overall now. "Jan's not finished," Armstrong said. "He starts slow and he's a tough guy who doesn't give up. He might have taken one on the chin today, but he always comes back and is strong in the last week."

If Armstrong can have a strong race tomorrow and put even more time between his toughest competitors, he could possibly clench the tour or at least give himself a really good time buffer. "He stunned the favorites a bit today," French rider Richard Virenque said. "Tomorrow, I think he's going to strike a sword blow on this Tour."

- - - - - - - - - - -

Marion Jones had a good day last night after jumping a 23'4" in the long jump at Sacramento's Olympic Trials. Her second jump rates as the second best in the world this year and put a grin on Marion's face as that was her best jump since 1998. With her first jump, she had almost guaranteed a spot on the team and so with more confidence and the ability to relax slighty, Jones jumped the 23'4". "I'm very happy with my performance tonight," Jones said in a statement. "I'm excited about making my second Olympic team, and look forward to going to Athens."

Jones may also have a shot to run in the 100m in Athens even after only placing fifth in the finals at the Trials. Torri Edwards, who placed second, has acknowledged that she tested positive for a banned stimulant after taking some glucose containing nikethamide. "I've never taken any performance-enhancing drugs. I never will. Never had a need for it," she said. "It's been five long, hard years for me to get to the point where I am today and I wouldnot do anything like this to jeopardize what I've earned over the years."

Gail Devers placed 4th in the event's finals and she would be the next in line for the spot in Athens. However, if she qualifies for the 100m hurdles this weekend she may decline the spot in order to better focus on the hurdles. Jones would then be given the spot.
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Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Pistons News



ESPN reported today that the Detroit Pistons will announce on Wednesday that they signed Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess.

The Pistons will have finally re-signed power forward Rasheed Wallace who was a critical piece of the puzzle in last season's NBA championship. The Detroit Free Press reports that Wallace will agree to either a five or six year deal that will shell out $10 million in the first year alone. Each season after will have a 12.5% raise. The total value of the contract would range from $48 to $64 million.

McDyess has reportedly agreed to a four year deal worth $23 million. If he plays in at least 60 games during his fourth year, the contract will extend to a fifth year. Therefore, the Pistons will not match the offer given to Mehmet Okur from the Utah Jazz worth $50 million over six years. McDyess will not start but rather fill in Okur's spot in the rotation.

McDyess has missed a lot of the past three seasons due to multiple knee injuries. As a result, Andy Miller, his agent, sent McDyess to Dr. James Andrews (a renowned orthopedic specialist out of Birmingham, Alabama). “Dr. Andrews did a complete analysis of the knee up to that point and did another analysis going forward,” Miller said. “He prepared a full report, and we circulated it to the teams that had expressed interest. The report was very positive.” Before the Pistons offered a contract, they had McDyess come see their own orthopedic specialists, Dr. Ben Paolucci and Dr. Robert Teitge) who found the knee in good condition.
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Monday, July 12, 2004

Hockey News from the New Poster

Defenseman Richard Matvichuk signed with the New Jersey Devils after spending 12 seasons with the Dallas Stars. In the 75 games he played last season, the 31-year-old brought in 21 points and 36 penalty minutes.

24-year old Vitaly Vishnevski re-signed today with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The defenseman was selected fifth overall in the '98 NHL Entry Draft. The Russian had his career high in points with 16 and led the team with a plus/minus rating of +10 at home. He has also been selected to represent Team Russia in the 2004 World Cup.

Restricted free-agent forward Ryan VandenBussche signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins today. He played with the Chicago Blackhawks last season and played 65 games notching four goals, one assist, and 120 penalty minutes.

Forward Mike Sillinger has been re-signed by the St. Louis Blues. After joining the Blues late in the season, he had five goals and five assists in 16 games. He spent most of the past season with the Phoenix Coyotes. "Mike gives us strength up the middle and his experience in the league will benefit the entire club," Senior vice president and general manager Larry Pleau said. "He's extremely effective at winning faceoffs, which is critical to any penalty killing unit, and he gives us some offensive capability as well."


In other hockey news, I just discovered an online petition to award the one Pittsburg slots license to the Penguins owner, Mario Lemieux, and for the proceeds to go towards building a new hockey arena.
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Sunday, July 11, 2004

Montgomery OUT TOO



Tim Montgomery did not qualify for the Olympics in the 100 meters. He follows the same fate of his girlfriend Marion Jones.
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STOP PLEASE!


Please ESPN, Can you please stop talking about the Lakers? Is there a reason for a Sportscenter to be an hour long and 20 minutes of it is on the LA Lakers either about Rudy T or Shaq getting moved? I think people are forgetting there are 29 other teams in the NBA.

Sincerely
Zlax45
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Finally, No more Marion Jones talk!



Marion Jones tonight finished in 5th place in the Olympic Trials for the 100 meters. She will not compete in the Olympics. I don't think the US Anti-Doping Committee wanted to have to elimnate her from the team because of her alleged connections to performance enhacing drugs but guess what they don't have to. She can still get picked for the relay team or qualify for the 200 meter race but this is the end of an era for Mrs. Jones/Montgomery/Hunter.
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