Monday, December 29, 2008 - Winning isn't Everything?

-My internet has been down, but as the old saying goes, "down but not out".
-Best name for Andrea Bargnani so far, BarKwame. I, for one, have not fully given up on this kid, but I just can't see him reaching his potential in Toronto.
-If you were ever to visit a website on this blog, it should be this one: type in www.0and16.com into your browser. And in a move that shocked no one, the Lions have fired Rod Marinelli.
-You've got to be wondering what the Steelers were thinking playing Ben Roethlisberger after knowing that he's been taking a beating all year. For Pittsburgh's sake, let's hope the concussion isn't too serious.
-For anyone who cares about hockey, the Canadian World Juniors crushed Kazakhstan 15-0 yesterday. Is a lame Borat reference necessary?
-In what is most likely a first for a Scott Boras client, Mark Texeira had been offered more money ($185 million from the Washington Nationals) and took the Yankees offer which was $5 million less.
-Here's a scary stat:The combined win percentage of MLSE teams being the Leafs, Raptors, Marlies and Toronto FC (totalling the most recently completed or season in progress) is .383 nearing the end of '08.
-Tickets for the six Los Angelas Kings home games in Jan. (some in the lower bowl) can be purchased for a mere $11.50, against good/high-profile teams such as the Ducks, Devils etc, at that.
-The Lakers ended the Celtics' 19 game winning streak on Christmas Day at the Staples Center. Is there anyone in the world who thinks these two won't be back in the NBA Finals this year?
-The elephant in the room for the Yankees is where will Derek Jeter play when his defense inevitably goes from mediocre to terrible? With Mark Texeira in the mix, no chance first base is an option.
-Brett Favre is contemplating retirement, but this time around, I'm thinking not a whole lot of people care...
-Tampa Bay Bucs' Greg White has legally changed his name to Stylez G, White.
-Wayne Rooney did a little Christmas shopping this year totalling just half a million Canadian dollars.
-In what was a great year for sports, AskMen.com has compiled a Top 10 Sports moments of 2008, and one could make an argument for a couple of other great sports moments.

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 - Argentine Idol

-Michael Phelps will be hosting the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, with musical guest Lil Wayne on Sept. 13.
-On Sept. 3 the NBA's Oklahoma City franchise will announce their name. The possible candidates: Thunder, Energy, Wind, Marshalls, Barons and Bison.
-For athlete owned restaurants, urbanspoon.com's voters ranked the Glove's Kingfish Cafe as the number one dining joint, followed by Brett Favre's Steakhouse and Michael Jordan's Steakhouse.
-We all know that residents of China adore Kobe Bryant, but who does Kobe admire? A soccer player by the name of Lionel Messi of Argentina. He met the 21-year old in a lunchroom and said translated "You are the best".
-It doesn't take a genius, or even a Star writer to know that J.P Ricciardi's job as the Jays G.M is on the line...
-A New Jersey inventor says that he has come up with a new unbreakable wooden bat he named the Radial Bat, that is guaranteed to last at least one year.
-The LPGA is forcing it's players to learn English, or their memberships will be suspended. Even Angel Matos thinks that's just stupid.
-According to ESPN Insider, another team might be joining in on the Mats Sundin sweepstakes: the Colorado Avalanche.
-The Texas Rangers have traded Eddie Guardado for a Hamburger.
-After losing Baron Davis to the Clippers, the Warriors will also be without Monta Ellis for at least 3 months due to ankle surgery.
-Graphing the Miguel Tejada trade.
-Video of the Day: Vitamin Water ad: starring Brian Urlacher, Adrian Peterson, David Ortiz, Dwight Howard, 50 Cent and Carrie Underwood dressed as astronauts.

Friday, July 4, 2008 - Happy 4th of July.

-Alex Rodriguez makes headlines again with "good friend" Madonna, reportedly making late-night visits to her house for presumably their chess club meetings.
-Whether or not Brett Favre returns next season, the way I see it is, when you've reached the plateau of greatness that players such as Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Tiger Woods et al., and possess that kind of legendary status - you are always welcome to return. But don't tell that to the Green Bay Packers... or their fans.
-Pardon The Interruption has been absolute garbage and a downright snore-fest without Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser.
-former Highschool phenom Gerald Green has signed on with the Mavericks. Yes, it was (and still is) a slow week in the NBA.
-Gilbert Arenas agrees to a $111 million dollar contract, although was offered $127 - heartwarming, but I'm still not gonna call him a "winner" just yet.
-A.J Burnett is being shopped around the league for a shortstop - according to sources in the Toronto media, as the Blue Jays management are not happy with him, as well as current SS's David "no-catch" Eckstein and John ".100" McDonald.
-The German National basketball team has just acquired center Chris Kaman. You heard correctly - Kaman's great-grandparents were of German descent, making him eligible to play after getting his duel-citizenship.
-Roger Federer avenges himself by defeating familiar face Mario Ancic. Try and beat Federer's streak(s): 39 consecutive wins at Wimbledon, 64 consecutive wins on grass and 17 consecutive semifinal appearances at Grand Slam tournaments.
-In Team Canada's quest to make the Olympics, the Canucks' crushed Lebanon 89-67, thanks in part to Joel Anthony and Samuel Dalembert who combined for 20 rebounds. Canada also breezed passed New Zealand, once again winning big, taking the decision 90-63, this time with swingmen Olu Famutini and Rowan Barrett making big contributions and pleasing the McMaster-U crowd with their electrifying displays of athleticism.
-It's official. There will be another Venus-Serena Wimbledon showdown. The Williams' sisters improve their record to a jaw-dropping 100-13 at Wimbledon, can you say dominant?
-Pamela Anderson calls Jessica Simpson a "whore" for wearing an anti-vegetarian top.
-The Toronto Blue Jays begin a road series with the L.A Angels who boast the second best record in the majors (only behind the Tampa Bay Rays, of all teams). But, the Jays have been known to play well against the Halos - so expect a hard fought series.
-Enjoyed Talladega Nights? Well, Sasha Baron Cohen and Will Farrell will team up again in the comedic version of Sherlock Holmes.
-Video of the day: hilarious hockey taunt. Priceless.
-In honour of Cynthia-R (and soon to be minus the R), and of course the 4th of July, here's Lenny Kravitz performing the Guess Who's smash hit "American Woman".