New URL

ALL RANTS ARE NOW BEING POSTED AT:
http://www.thefillerbuster.com/

It's you and me, Citta...

Read it, don't read it, I don't care...just needed to get some things off my chest.


In no particular order of importance or chronology...


NEW FORMAT: 20 minutes time limit, DAILY posts


***********NOTE: I will double post until the site is fully up and running (about two weeks), but I now have an official domain.  I will be moving shortly to www.thefillerbuster.com.  No more writing down a bunch of back slashes, numbers, and periods.


(deep breath before going to town)


12:05


1)  I AM excited for this new college football playoff system but am not celebrating just yet.  I am interested in seeing who is on the committee and how they are selected.  I still think 6 teams would be better, earning the top two teams a bye.  I still think that team #5 might have a legitimate gripe about not being included.  I still am weary about an undefeated non Big 6 team bitching about being left out.  But, I am excited.  I truly am.  I have wanted it for years, but just am curious to see how it plays out.


2)  Amare gets fined 50k for a gay slur to a fan.  Amare, clean it up.  If the NBA brawl back in the day taught us ANYTHING, it is to recognize how much money you make, know that you are playing a GAME for big bucks, not react to fans, and to not act anything close to the daily operation of Metta World Peace.


3)  The Pacers GM is stepping down also, in addition to Bird?  Wow, they finally get something going and it is suddenly exit stage left.  We know FORTY % TOPS, people.  Something else is going on most likely.


4)  In reaction to a discussion about LeBron, Carmelo Anthony said "my time is coming."  You are an unbelievable talent, bro, but let me see some other decent role players/ good guys around you before we start talking about a Knicks title.  Maybe Latrell Sprewell will make a comeback.


5)  Oates is named new Caps coach RIGHT after induction into the NHL Hall of Fame.  VERY cool.


6)  I hear RGIII was extorted by a fellow Baylor athlete, a basketball player.  Sad to hear, and of course it was one of the parts of the team that was not a pro prospect, as they have had more than their share...with a little cheating.  Hang tough, RGIII.  Everyone wants what you have, and knowing that is half the battle.


7)  Matt Kenseth will leave Roush Racing after this year in NASCAR news.  I am the Fillerbuster.  I just am reporting it, and couldn't hit the broad side of the barn with what exactly the fallout of that action would be.


8)  When I sneeze twice, I need to leave the room.  My average is 13.3 per sneezing episode, and I am happy to report I beat the over-under last night before bed at a solid 16.


9)  Lions CB Aaron Berry got a DUI yesterday.  Quality kids they are drafting over there in Detroit.  This is the 6th time a Lion has been busted in the last 5 months.  Eastern time zone old school Raider quality.


10)  Ex-NFL running back Jamal Anderson also got a DUI yesterday.  Considering his shelf life was like 5 years, I can understand him boozing a little.


11)  President Obama got booed in Boston the other night.  He is a Chicago guy, and when he said over the mic "Thank you" for the trade of Youkilis, the crowd didn't care about the President title.  Good for them.


12)  With Cubs P Ryan Dempster flirting with the DL, Zach Greinke is the newest contestant for hottest item at the trade deadline.  Dude NEEDS to be somewhere else.  He is always in the top ten in ERA without the wins, as he has spent half his shelf life on shitty teams.  


13)  Brendan Hansen qualifies in the breaststroke at the trials.  Cool thing about it was that the only guy to beat him in the Olympics, Kosuke Kitajima, was sitting in the stands...in OMAHA.  


14)  The Bobcats dealt Corey Maggette to the Pistons for Ben Gordon.  The Pistons get a guy who has been on 18 teams all because he left college a good year or two early, and the Bobcats get a born scorer who hasn't had a true position since his days at UCONN where everyone was shorter.


15)  I LOVE MMA fighter Sonnen's comeback to Silva's comments about breaking his arms, legs, teeth, etc.  Sonnen mentioned that Silva never mentioned if he would win the fight, and that he might do all those things, but he won't break his will.  I am officially rooting for Sonnen.


16)  Walmart is still ahead of the others.  I saw a commercial about you being able to cash paychecks and money orders there for no surcharges.  Brilliant.  You got a store full of crap, and one more person with money in hand.  Clever.


17)  There is a Polish elephant named Citta at a Polish zoo who evidently is picking Portugal over Spain.  I disagree, Citta, I only got one less quarterfinal prediction less than you (I had England), and I will get to watch the damn game because you are an elephant in a zoo.  Yeah, take THAT Citta.  Not like your quarterfinal picks were really against the grain, anyway.  Don't forget that shit.  Oh, I guess you won't.  By the way, Spain over Portugal, Germany over Italy.  I am sticking with Spain over Germany as "my pick once Netherlands was eliminated."


18)  Lochte touches out Phelps in the semi's of the 200 Free.  Must see TV when these lock up today in the finals.  It is a Lock-te.


19)  I am not embarassed in this day of technology to say I actually write checks and send them for my bills.  I like to FEEL the pain of money leaving me.


20)  Matt Kemp says he won't pick Bryce Harper for the HR Derby.  Here I read this whole ESPN Mag about you and like you now, and you diss my boy.


21)  You got punked, ump.  Check out the Yankee who tricked the umpire.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/dewayne-wise-catch-umpire-blows-call_n_1630815.html


22)  Rangers pitcher fanned 10 for his 10th win.  Dude is a stud.  He even got the 10 K's against the Tigers, who are good no matter what their record says.


23)  Odd fact.  The American League won this year's interleague play 142-110.  It is the NINTH straight year they have won that distinction.  Weird.


24)  Finally, Comcast read my blog and finally put another Seinfeld episode on their On Demand.  Problem is this.  Both were the same episode even though they read as different.  I am watching you punks.


25)  12:25.  Wow.  25 takes in 20 minutes.  Hands are tired.  Will I write a blog tomorrow??  That is a clown question, bro.

Kids say the darndest things...

Read it, don't read it, I don't care...just needed to get some things off my chest.


In no particular order of importance or chronology...


NEW FORMAT: 20 minutes time limit, DAILY posts


(deep breath before going to town)


1:35


1)  The NBA draft is Thursday.  I, for one, am excited.  Since so many underclassmen stayed in school last year, teams picking in the 2nd round oddly have a chance at picking up a solid player.  The order gets random after #6, but those first players will happen in some order of the following.
-Davis? Franchise changer and get ready those Bill Russell clips of blocking it to a teammate and not out of bounds.
-Beal? LOVE him.  Not the most famous name, but has the pro body and skills to be playing in the backcourt of some team for years.
-Kidd-Gilchrist?  What is there NOT to like about this kid.  He can play 3 positions easily.
-Drummond?  Wildcard with the perfect body for an NBA frontcourt.  Be nervous about his off the court exploits but know you have a physical specimen ON the court.
-Robinson?  He, in my opinion, has the least downside besides Davis.  You are getting a 10 year player minimally.
-Barnes?  He has the body, and he has the skills.  I haven't seen him looked pissed or determined for more than 5 minutes in any game though.


2)  OF Marlon Byrd gets banned 50 games for PED's.  I only know him from his days with Philly, so the PED's must not be real high quality ones and not working in much respect.


3)  Anderson Silva has proclaimed he will break arms, legs, and teeth in his fight with Sonnen.  Come on, man.  Just say you will beat him.  We get the picture that it is better you than us to get into that cage in an extremely dangerous sport.


4)  Steve Nash has said he is open to "everything."  Ok.  The question is if he will be open to taking table scraps for money to go to Miami or another powerhouse who has already spent their money.


5)  If you have not seen this, stop and do so.  Not only does the kid do a cartwheel and dunk it, but the dunk has...authority. http://www.rantsports.com/clubhouse/2012/06/23/justin-darlington-pulls-off-amazing-cartwheel-dunk-at-nike-dunk-contest/


6)  The Family Guy where Peter allows OJ Simpson to live with him was on the other night.  LOVE that episode.  Especially at the end, when OJ converts an angry mob into feel good lovesters, and then stabs three of them right before credits.


7)  Ryan Lochte beat Michael Phelps in the first of three head to heads in the 400 IM yesterday.  Those who don't follow swimming might be surprised.  Those who do know that Lochte has actually taken the last three races from stud Michael head to head.


8)  I am confused.  I live in Denver, and I keep seeing this South New Hampshire University commercial.  What gives?


9)  Arizona swept defending champion South Carolina pretty soundly in the College World Series.  This is their first championship since 1986.  Here are my two cents.  How the hell did my alma mater Virginia be #1 ranked the year before, and then not even be in the mix this year, and when the f%^& are they going to switch to wooden bats?


10)  Tim Tebow concedes he needs a lot a work to be a starter in New York.  That is what was printed, and that is what we hear.  What I, the President of the Anti-Tebow Club hears is "I went three days with no wire time and am lonely."


11)  Sprinter Justin Gatlin has offered his two cents on how to split the tie between the women sprinters who tied in the 100m.  Jello Wrestling.  If Bill Cosby said it, it might be funny.  Might.  Or, if they had another Family Guy with him on it when Stewie was on that stupid kid show he came up with.  Hilarious.  ANYWAY, Justin, we are not short two cents, and just shut your mouth and do what you do best...running and/ or using PED's.


12)  Because of that bar brawl, Tony Parker might miss the Olympics for France.  DAMN.  Am I allowed to retract that 4000-1 bet I made on France with my bookie (just a hook, people, I remain retired)?


13)  In case you are not impressed with Stephen Strasburg yet, I wanted to share that the dude can hit, too.  He has 5 extra base hits this year, 3 more than any other pitcher in the bigs.


13a)  I admire how Stephen broke baseball code a little and felt BAD for hitting a guy in the box.  It showed, too, in his play.  He kind of fell apart after that.  Classy.


14)  I want to know how I have on demand Comcast, and how their has been ONE freaking Seinfeld episode on demand the last two weeks.  AND, the SAME one.  Lock and load, people.  I know where your office is.


15)  Chase Budinger was traded to the Wolves for the #18 pick.  That sounds about right.  The Rockets can give up players, as they are the poor man's version of the Nuggets...a bunch of pretty good players with no real stars.


16)  Larry Bird is retiring as President of the Pacers, kind of like the poor man's, executive version of John Elway stepping down after a win in the Super Bowl.  He didn't win it all, but won Executive of the Year in the Association.  So, it is KIND of cool.  Actually, it is Larry Bird.  Dude can do whatever and it is still freaking pretty cool.


17)  Adam Oates will be the Capitals next head coach.  I like it.  You HAVE to experiment with ex-players getting the head gig, and I think he is an example of possibly a good chance at a success.


18)  Hey, Josh Hamilton, we know you are good, but stop losing your bat and making on deck circle guys and fans pay that much attention to you while batting.


19)  Dickey, Cain, or Strasburg for starting NL All Star pitcher.  Good question.  Everyone wants Strasburg, but I still like Dickey for the starting gig.  What a great decision to have to make, and sad that that depth COULD determine home field advantage in the World Series.


1:54


20)  Time's up.  Will I blog tomorrow?  That is a clown question, bro.  Peace.

Sometimes when you win, you really lose, and sometimes when you lose, you really win, and sometimes...yada yada yada

Read it, don't read it, I don't care...just needed to get some things off my chest.


In no particular order of importance or chronology...


NEW FORMAT: 20 minutes time limit, DAILY posts


(deep breath before going to town)


12: 21


1)  Rex Sox Kevin Youkilis was officially traded to the Chicago White Sox yesterday.  I guess that leaves David Ortiz as the last man standing from that 2004 team that broke the curse.  I wouldn't even be surprised if he was shipped soon also, although I think at least ONE of those guys from that classic team should ride off into the night as a Red Sox player.  Anyway, forget the baseball breakdowns, this is good for Youkilis.  He goes to another winning team, with actually the same exact record as the Red Sox.  He gets into an easier division to win, becomes a huge locker room presence, and gets a manager that is more in the style of Francona than Valentine.  I think he needs that low key style manager or someone close to be happy.


2)  Jared Sullinger is not invited to the NBA draft.  You could argue that this is not right since he was an All-American, and was a certain lottery pick before last year.  I say it is the right thing to do.  The kid might feel slighted at not receiving this invitation honor, but it will be less painful staying home than us watching his back problem that was recently flagged drop him like a rock through the 1st round into possibly the second.


3)  Aaron Rodgers evidently just shot his last Brewers commercial.  This must be a regional thing, because I guess I haven't even seen the first one.


4)  Tony Parker came out and said he almost lost his eye in the brawl at the club between entourages.  Dude, stop talking about it.  Let this topic go quietly into the night.  Our sympathy level is pretty low for a guy who gets depressed at losing the conference semi's and getting thrown into entourage wars at a night club.


5)  Danny Ferry was named new Atlanta Hawks GM.  I think this is a good call.  Solid dude, good eye for talent, class act, and about the only thing I find wrong with him is that he went to Duke.


6)  Wow, that was FAST.  On a surface where she actually is supposed to be at her best, Venus Williams has already lost at Wimbledon.  Yes, she lost to an up and coming Russian woman, but this is the sign of the end pretty much to me.  Serena still has some gas left in the tank, but Venus should go work on that clothing line of hers.


7)  Italy won on penalty kicks against England to advance to a loaded final couple teams at EURO.  I am glad the sometimes luck version of settling a tie advanced the team that seemed to outplay the other all game.


8)  Clint Bowyer won the NASCAR race this weekend.  It said it was on a road course.  I wouldn't bet my rent on it, but I think that actually means right turns are included.  I THINK.  Not sure, and not looking it up.  Moving on.


9)  Chicago Bulls Luol Deng says he wouldn't be surprised if he was traded.  For WHO?  There is no WAY they trade a semi-star in his absolute prime on a team that was one injury from quashing all this LeBron crap.


10)  Crazy stuff.  I am interested to see how this whole women's 100 meter trials tie pans out.  Two women tied for the 3rd spot that would send them to London.  Check out the solution.  If they both agree, then it is what they agree on, either a coin toss or runoff.  If they disagree, then it is a runoff.  If they choose no preference, then it is a coin flip.  Flow chart, please, and ready that Rosie Perez clip to Woody on the bus ride home.


11)  Justin Gatlin won over Tyson Gay in the trials in the 100m for men.  Gatlin is coming off getting busted for performance enhancing drugs, and Gay is coming off injury problems.  Both will go to London, and they are two of the maybe 4 people worldwide that Usain Bolt is even breaking a sweat for.


12)  A man is suing his ex-Poker star wife on their divorce settlement.  Evidently, he found out about her 6 figure collection of shoes, and now wants a revised final number.  Cry me a "river," bro.


13)  Thanks for making a small step forward, Saudi Arabia.  I applaud what you are doing for these London Games, but 2012 should NOT be the first year that you decide to finally allow your women to compete at the Olympics.  It should have been a long, long time ago.  I will be rooting for those women to do well.


14)  I have a report from my parents that Africanized bees took down two dogs, killing one, in Palm City, Florida.  I love dogs, hate bees, am not happy my parents live in such close proximity to those nasty insects, but am glad they are very, very far away from me.  


15)  12:41  Time is up.  As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, I am going to get the flock out of here.  Talk to you tomorrow.  Peace.

My boy's wicked smart...

Read it, don't read it, I don't care...just needed to get some things off my chest.


In no particular order of importance or chronology...


NEW FORMAT: 20 minutes time limit, DAILY posts


(deep breath before going to town)


11:21


1)  LeBron's legacy.  He has totally changed the game.  He won't win his second next year.  Book it.  Their entire salary goes to 3 players.  Derrick Rose will be healthy.  Sure, it is fun to play with LeBron for less money and have a chance, but there aren't too many Mike Millers or Shane Battiers in the world.  When it is all said and done, it is all about the dollars. LeBron needs two more rings for me to be even in the conversation.  If Deron Williams goes to the Mavs, I say it is either Bulls over OKC or Bulls over the Mavs next year.


2)  Tickets for the music festival yesterday were $25.  I would have paid that amount alone to see Karl Denson do his Beastie Boys tribute for that one hour.  It was amazing.  They got three guys who sounded exactly like the Brooklyn trio, and I needed to remind myself of the flexibility of the band.  They just did a Rolling Stones tribute back in October.


3)  Can we please move soccer penalty kicks back 10 yards to make it a little exciting?


4)  My Phillies.  Jonathan Papelbon offered 5k to anyone who got him out of his blown save.  Thome did that.  Papelbon wrote the check in the dugout.  VERY cool.


5)  The Mets have a chicken mascot named "Little Jerry Seinfeld?"  Holy shit, that is awesome.  If I wasn't a Phillies fan for life, I would change in a heartbeat.


6)  Youkilis is out of the starting lineup.  Youkilis is on the trading block.  Youkilis is back in the starting lineup.  What?  Something tells me him and Percy Harvin are going for beers tonight.  The joke is there.  Trust me.


7)  LT retires.  LT is looking at the Broncos.  Dude.  You either are a boxer and will retire 15 times, or you also should join Youkilis and Harvin for beers.


8)  Spain beats France.  Love or hate soccer, but if you don't want to watch Germany vs. Spain battle in two contrasting styles, you are smoking crack.


9)  Flow chart needed.  Jamie Moyer was released by the Orioles yesterday.  Hell, I LIVE in Denver, and I already forgot he was on another team.


10)  I am sitting in my apartment listening to Needtobreathe in 100 degree weather without AC, and my girlfriend is in the Virgin Islands jumping into the ocean.  Life is not fair.


11)  My Flyers just traded van Riemsdyk to the Maple Leafs.  Should we just crown them champions already for next year after this year's trade/ championship with the the Kings?


12)  Some dude named Piquet Jr.  just won a Nationwide race.  Is his first name Jimmy or Bobby?  Just curious.


12a) I noticed this Nationwide race actually had left AND right turns.


13)  I hear that Tyson Gay "cruised" to a victory in the trials with a 10 flat.  Dude, that might get it done here in the states, but you do know that the Jamaican's are running sub 9.87's, right?


14)  I hear that UFC 147 is coming.  I feel old.  I watched UFC 1 with Gracie.


15)  Carl Crawford of the Boston Red Sox played for the first time in 8 months.  How did he do?  Who cares?  The Red Sox are just glad their huge investment is back on the field.


16)  I admit I did NOT open this article, but it sounded horrible.  "Man shot during volleyball game."  I DO know it didn't happen in Wilmington DE or New Jersey.  That is a plus.


17)  I have told you I have the coolest church in the whole world.  I actually am NOT lying about that.  We were talking about "stretch love" in relationships today, and they threw up Good Will Hunting twice when Ben Affleck talks about hoping that Damon wouldn't be there one day when he came to pick him up.  Don't worry, they buzzed all the f-bombs, which you don't realize how many there are in that serious conversation until they are bleeped out.  Maybe THAT is why I never have the opportunity to get "stuck" in Good Will Hunting on regular TV.


17a) Our pastor, Gil, had an affair seven years ago.  The reason I love the church is because he stands up there and talks about it, which he did today in more depth than I have ever heard him do.  He cried, and there is a chance that there were more people in the audience crying than any audience watching Marley and Me.  Dibs to you, Gil, for not getting up there and pretending you are better than any of us.  That is why I go, bro.


18) I live in Denver.  I have never heard of Girltalk.  It sounds like a stupid band name.  But, since I was invested in the festival and live two blocks away, I figured I would check it out.  AMAZING.  Anyone who can mix T'Pau's Heart and Soul with Metallica is an A+ in my book.


19)  11:40.  Time's up.  And just in time for me to go watch the England/ Italy matchup in EURO 2012.  As one shepherd said to the other, I am going to get the flock out of here.  Peace.


19a)  Traffic is good on this site.  I am getting business cards.  But, if you like it at all, will you PLEASE pass the link to ONE person in the next few days.  I am trying to build something here.  Thanks in advance.

Only in Jersey...

Read it, don't read it, I don't care...just needed to get some things off my chest.


In no particular order of importance or chronology...


NEW FORMAT: 20 minutes time limit, DAILY posts


(deep breath before going to town)


2:45


1) The Edmonton Oilers selected Russian Nail Yakupov as their #1 pick in the NHL draft.  They are hoping for immediate success for the kid so the team doesn't get the #1 pick next year for the FOURTH straight year.  Edmonton, dominating the #1 pick is NOT a good thing.  That being said, the last team to be near the top for multiple years, Pittsburgh (2 out of 3 years), ended up winning it AND getting building blocks for years to come...some dude named Crosby.


2)  A Jersey woman is suing a LITTLE LEAGUE catcher for throwing an errant throw during warmups and hitting her in the face.  Thanks, Jersey woman, you put another notch in the belt for lunacy from my home state.


3)  Germany advances after Portugal is already in the next round.  I have Spain/ France on in the background right now, and there are going to be no cinderellas in the final four grouping it looks like.  All solid teams.


4)  This is my sad time of year.  I always hit a low when NBA is done.  I try to rationalize and think about how football is only 2 months away, but it still is a window of the year where I am kind of lost.  Of course, this is the time of year I also enjoy Colorado for what it is...a heaven for outside enthusiasts.  I still am sad I am not by a beach, but mountains are fun too.


5)  This is the 40 year anniversary of Title IX, a milestone to say the least for women in sports.  We would be lacking so many fantastic stories of female athletes had that obstacle not been conquered.


6)  Sandusky is guilty on almost all counts.  The trial is finally done, itchy headlines are now over, the guy gets his due, the minimum sentence is 60 years, and everyone is happy.  Unfortunately, it doesn't change the brains and personalities of all of those kids he messed up forever.


7)  I found out a band I am starting to follow, Needtobreathe (yes, it is all one word), was playing for free at a place downtown last night.  They played 7 or 8 songs, and were fantastic.  Dude's voice has a little Kings of Leon in it, and their music is very well written.  Check them out.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmOo_xmiQ84


8)  Josh Hamilton apparently has agreed to allow Casey Affleck make a movie about him being a #1 pick, then an addict, then the MVP.  I LOVE his story in general, and will definitely want to check it out.  I wonder though.  Are they leaving the night with the chicks in Arizona out of the screenplay?


9)  The Penguins trade Jordan Staal to the Hurricanes.  Jordan now gets to play with his brother, Eric.  I guess that is not THAT big of coincidence though.  There ARE FOUR brothers in the league.  Odds were that at SOME point they would end up on the same team.


10)  People are already talking about who will win the NBA Championship next year.  I hear the Thunder.  I hear the Heat.  Ok, ok.  Those are good picks, but I will just say this.  The Heat wouldn't have been in the Finals at all this year had Derrick Rose been healthy.  Yes.  I DID just say that.


11)  Andy Roddick just won a tennis title.  Cool, Andy.  You might as well win one right before going to Wimbledon, where I assume you will flame out as usual.


12)  Another music note.  You might have to wander into the Christian Rock area of the music store, but check out Skillet if you haven't already.  After all these years, they are still one of my top 5 bands to workout to. http://www.myspace.com/music/player?song=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspace.com%2Fskilletmusic%2Fmusic%2Fsongs%2Fmonster-album-version-52212920


13)  Lance Armstrong filed his comeback against the powers to be about "new" doping charges.  I heard it was 11 pages, but it should have just been one sentence...something like "Bitches, give this shit up already."


14)  I hear that the Red Sox might be looking to trade Kevin Youkilis.  This can't happen.  Since they won in 2004, he pretty much IS the team as far as personality.  Him, and Ortiz.  I think you HAVE to keep that guy.


15)  Roy Oswalt won his first game back with the Rangers.  Sure, it was the woeful Rockies, so we should hesitate before jumping on this bandwagon.  That being said, Oswalt is known for taking care of his body, and I think he might be that missing piece for the Rangers in their oh so close last two years.


16)  3:04.  Time to go.  And, I was surprised to hear that the biggest music festival in Denver is literally happening a block or two over.  How did I miss THAT (can we list these events in the freaking sports page, people)?  Anyway, as one shepherd said to the other shepherd, I am going to get the flock out of here.  Talk to you tomorrow.  Peace.


16a) I just realized that this is the first blog EVER that did not have a sky is blue hook, Seinfeld reference, or Rant Squad update.  It won't happen again.

The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble...

Read it, don't read it, I don't care...just needed to get some things off my chest.


In no particular order of chronology or importance...


Twenty minutes of hooks...


NEW FORMAT:
I have received your feedback, and I will now apply that feedback to the Rant.  Shorter rants more often.  This alleviates me also from allocating 3 hours twice a week to speak my mind.  I will be on the clock...literally.  I have the usual list in front of me.  I have exactly 20 minutes at most to start AND stop.  No more writing after that.  No editing.  This should make it more readable to you all, and not have YOU have to allocate more time than you want to catch up on sports.  Look for daily blogs, worse case every other day.  Don't worry, I won't announce a Rant daily.  If you like the Rant, just check more often.  I will post this paragraph a few times to make sure everyone knows.  Let's start the experiment of getting me actually to STOP.  Twenty minutes starts....NOW.


(taking a deep breath as I prepare to get mine in 20 minutes...)


12:39


1)  Notes from Game 5 between OKC and Miami first:
-OKC's first half defense was horrible in the first half.  Little did I know that when I jotted down that little tidbit that it would get much worse in the second half.


-If you watched the first half, you would have been impressed with OKC only because the entire time it felt like they were ALREADY down 25.  They ended the half down ten.  How, you ask?  They were at least attacking and were 17-18 from the free throw line in the first half.


-Mike Miller.  Mike Miller.  Mike Miller.  Dude showed non basketball fans watching what getting "on fire" looks like.  All hoopsters have been there, and the hoop looks double the size...and closer.  I have always been a closet fan of that dude, and to see him cause damage like that with a bad back was nice to see.  If injuries hadn't pestered him during his entire career, dude would have had more accolades than he already got.


-In the 3rd quarter, OKC can't blame their shot selection.  They had good looks-they just weren't falling.


-There are what exists as "playoff fouls."  That flagrant call on Fisher was BS.  Let them play.


-LeBron, multiple times, did his thing with hanging in the air and shooting on the way down.  MJ used to do this all the time too.  But my amazement is that if watching MJ was like watching a wide receiver do it, watching LeBron do it is like watching a huge tight end do it.  Incredible stuff.


-Can I now go back to my bar boss from 12 years ago who made fun of me for getting the satellite feeds for Ohio HS basketball games before my shift?  He told me the guy wouldn't last ten years in the league.  Technically, we bet $100 on it, but I don't know where the fool is.  But, yes, that guy I was watching was LeBron.


-I think it is funny when an announcer says "tenacious d."


-Mike Miller was on, Chris Bosh hit a key 3 pointer during marginal time, and the entire game just felt like OKC was not meant to win this one.


-Dibs to OKC for being mature, shaking hands, and NOT acting 23...well, at least OFF the court.


-I am not saying the result would have changed, but I HATE the 2-3-2 format it switches to in the Finals.  If the underdog gets one of those first two games, and is tough at home, then the favorite really doesn't have a chance.


-Nike ALREADY unveiled a LeBron ring commercial.  Wow, they work fast.


2)  Headline: "Adopted son accuses Sandusky."  Sorry, I continue to get the creeps during all of these headlines and just want the damn thing to end.


3)  A day after Percy Harvin left practice and was unhappy, he evidently returned and had a "great practice."  Starting to sound a little like T.O AND maybe bipolar.  I am watching this guy for my Rant Squad.  Hurry up and go do something illegal, Percy.  If you do two things bad in one night, I will take this story and count it as three, the minimum for induction.   Marcus Vick will pick you up once nominated.


4)  Goose Gossage has come forward and said Clemens should not be in the HOF.  Thanks, Goose.  Geez.  The guy takes forever to get inducted himself, and all of a sudden he is regulating like Warren G.


4a)...who wrote what I think is my favorite rap song of all time.


5)  HEADLINE:  "The Panthers are NOT interested in Burress."  Who cares?  If they are not interested, then this should NOT be on the wire.


6)  Congrats to the Denver Broncos for going a direction EVERY team will be going.  They aren't the first team to use iPad technology in any way in their training, but they ARE the first one to FULLY use it in every phase.


7)  Someone order me one.  I WANT one.  Evidently, they are making Bryce Harper t-shirts.  Yay.  This is a follow up to him saying to a reporter "that is a clown question, bro."


8)  See?  The Oakland Raiders CAN be good.  Their trainer saved a woman from drowning in a lake in her car.  Congrats, dude who is in the minority as a class act over there.


9)  I would bet on a LOT of retired athletes going broke, but Curt Schilling wouldn't have been on my list.  Apparently, he is out of money after a failed company venture.


10)  Jose Manuel Cara got disqualified from the PGA event this week.  His caddie "tried to hide his extra club."  I haven't looked yet online, but I hope there is a video of where he put it.


11)  And, in my favorite story, Brandon Jacobs took a kid and his friends to a playground eatery in NJ this week.  Why?  Because when his mom told him the reason Jacobs was leaving the Giants was because they couldn't pay him, the kid literally emptied his piggy bank and sent it to Brandon.  In case you are curious, Brandon also paid back the kid the $3.60.  Yes, $3.60.


12)  1:00.  Damn.  One minute over.  Gotta go.  As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, I am going to get the flock out of here.  Talk to you tomorrow.  Peace.

Kylie Minogue is short.

Read it, don't read it, I don't care...just needed to get some things off my chest.


In no particular order of chronology or importance...


Twenty minutes of hooks...


NEW FORMAT:
I have received your feedback, and I will now apply that feedback to the Rant.  Shorter rants more often.  This alleviates me also from allocating 3 hours twice a week to speak my mind.  I will be on the clock...literally.  I have the usual list in front of me.  I have exactly 20 minutes at most to start AND stop.  No more writing after that.  No editing.  This should make it more readable to you all, and not have YOU have to allocate more time than you want to catch up on sports.  Look for daily blogs, worse case every other day.  Don't worry, I won't announce a Rant daily.  If you like the Rant, just check more often.  I will post this paragraph a few times to make sure everyone knows.  Let's start the experiment of getting me actually to STOP.  Twenty minutes starts....NOW.


(taking a deep breath as I prepare to get mine in 20 minutes...)


12:06


1)  The sky is blue, the grass is green, and Tim Tebow won some award from some entity for their annual "Good Guy Award."  Ugghhhh.


2)  On the other side of the spectrum, Ryan Leaf gets 9 months lockdown for rehab as penalty for breaking into houses for drugs.  I am surprised he didn't make any lowball pregnancy joke (because of the time he is sentenced for) or something else idiotic, but give the guy time...he will come through.  Anyway, dude has 9 months to sit around and realize how much of an idiot he actually is-SOMETHING good has to come out of it, right?  Either that, or I can't wait to read the wire in 9 months when he gets out.  He will outdo himself.


3)  So...the 90 year old trainer of Secretariat, apparently sensing the end is near, asked the horse racing commission to recheck their horse's Preakness win in 1973.  That is not the odd part of the story.  The odd part is that A) they DID change the time B) the new time was the track record.


4)  Keeping with horses, someone figured out recently that if you take the gooey stuff on the back of a certain South American frog and apply it to your racehorse, the horse becomes faster.  Once again, that is not the kicker.  Evidently, a lot of people are aware of this, as 30 horses have been busted with it in just the last few days.


5)  Anthony Davis visited the New Orleans Hornets for a "workout."  He never really worked out, and was in jeans the whole time.  That is not a joke actually.  That is just a report.


6)  Ichiro gets hit #2500.  Dude is going to go into our Hall of Fame with years lost of being overseas first.  CRAZY.


7)  If anyone cares, ex-Cy Young winner Frank Viola has a daughter.  She is a diver.  In flipping through channels the other night, she is probably on her way to London.  Tell your friends.


8)  EURO 2012: In upcoming games, give me...
Portugal over Czech
Spain over France
Germany over Greece
England over Italy
(I know.  I am not exactly going out on a limb in the first three games, and the last one is kind of a toss-up)


9)  Kylie Minogue was on Tosh.0 last night.  I never knew how short she really was.  That video with her in singing in the convertible obviously gave me no bearings to height.  Tiny chick.


10)  Deron Williams' free agency decision is beyond big in the NBA and will severely swing power to a team, or totally energize the Nets if he stays (it will give them power to lure one or two other key components there).  My bet is still Dallas.


11)  Pacquiao won the probe into his fight scoring.  Asterisk only slightly there now, and they now will have LOTS of people watching that November rematch.


12)  MMA fighter Chel Sonnen was interviewed in ESPN Mag this month.  The last question?  What is your overall goal?  Answer?  To get into the rarefied air of superstardom so I don't have to do interviews.


13)  UCONN and 9 other schools are out of the postseason next year for APR failure (not too smart of kids).  You don't need to look at the rest of the list.  They are all directional/ st./hyphenated schools.  That is a bad sign on you, UCONN.


14)  BCS playoff talks continue.  In the words of Rocky's trainer in Rocky IV.  You know what you have to do.  Now do it.  DO it.


15)  Minnesota won't trade Harvin, and Harvin now leaves camp.  Hey, cut the kid a break.  We lost T.O., and now SOMEONE has to morph into the equivalent crybaby.


16)  The Fillerbuster made an odd joke on Rashard Lewis's salary and WHAT happens?  He is traded less than 3 hours later.  I guess the Wizards read my blog.


17)  Danny Ainge says KG is considering retirement.  Don't do it, Kevin.  Here is an idea.  Say you will be a backup 4 or 5 wherever Deron Williams goes.  You could be the Big 1.5.


18)  Heat/ OKC tonight.  I admit I have a bad feeling about tonight.  Half because I want more basketball, and half because I said OKC will win this thing.  Well? I say that James Harden's 4.5 game coma ends tonight, and they make this whole series a little interesting going back to their crib.


19)  Time is up.  12:25.  As one shepherd said to the other, I am going to get the flock out of here.  Peace.

You can't HANDLE my movie schedule!

Read it, don't read it, I don't care...just needed to get some things off my chest.


In no particular order of chronology or importance...


Twenty minutes of hooks...


NEW FORMAT:
I have received your feedback, and I will now apply that feedback to the Rant.  Shorter rants more often.  This alleviates me also from allocating 3 hours twice a week to speak my mind.  I will be on the clock...literally.  I have the usual list in front of me.  I have exactly 20 minutes at most to start AND stop.  No more writing after that.  No editing.  This should make it more readable to you all, and not have YOU have to allocate more time than you want to catch up on sports.  Look for daily blogs, worse case every other day.  Don't worry, I won't announce a Rant daily.  If you like the Rant, just check more often.  I will post this paragraph a few times to make sure everyone knows.  Let's start the experiment of getting me actually to STOP.  Twenty minutes starts....NOW.


(taking a deep breath as I prepare to get mine in 20 minutes...)


1.  I wouldn't want to be a juror for a boring case, but I have always wanted to be a part of a big trial so I could possibly do the poor man's version of Grisham's Runaway Jury.  Anyway, here is an upcoming case I would LOVE to be on...the Auburn tree poisoning trial.  Somehow, the combination of an odd event combined with Bama fans and people yelling "war eagle" just sounds like a lot of fun.


2.  LeBron gets injured near the end of the game, and OKC still loses.  First, OKC played like a bunch of 23 year olds once again at the end of the game, not totally locked in mentally and making a few mental mistakes that don't win you championships.  Second, you see the talent with OKC, but I just get the feeling now that they need to lose this one to learn...not quite there yet.  Third, the three by LeBron and the one by Wade are what WINS championships..CLUTCH shots.  Fourth, Russell Westbrook, you are a stud.  With Harden pulling his 3.5 game disappearing act, you single handedly kept you all in the game.  Fifth and finally, I don't care if they would have still needed a three to tie with 14 seconds left or so.  Russell Westbrook should have known the rule about the shot clock resetting to 5 seconds after a jump ball and that there was no need to foul.  I blame Scottie Brooks for that one actually for not communicating it.


3.  Minnesota WR Percy Harvin has said he would like a trade, about a day after saying he was unhappy without giving a reason.  Nice to know that those young rich bloomers have such HIGH probability of becoming conceited, spoiled brats.


4.  Rays pitcher Joel Peralta got busted in the 8th inning of a game for having pine tar in his glove.  Dude, in today's technology AND with extra eyes looking for any advantage whatsoever, how the HELL did you not think you would get caught?


5.  Stating the obvious as many of us would also do, the Clemens probe could have been the biggest waste of money since giving Rashard Lewis his last NBA contract.


6.  Here we go.  Technology coming to a soccer stadium near you.  After a controversial non goal in England's game, FIFA will most likely be bringing in replay rules, cameras, etc.  My question is this. If one of the individual things about soccer is the ongoing clock, how will this affect the flow of the game?  Players can rest, re-strategize, etc.  I think you don't bring it in for this sport.


7.  The Phillies Freddy Galvis got banned 50 games for a banned susbstance test.  Aren't cheating players supposed to be good?  I am a Phillies fan so I know who he is.  For the rest of the world who doesn't, dude is batting .226, so there is no reason you SHOULD know who he is and obviously the banned substances aren't working.


8.  There has to be a way.  In this world of technology, scheduling, smart phones, etc., why the h$%^ did the US Open and NBA Finals game happen at the same time?


9.  Mark off your calendars.  It was announced that Spike Lee will be doing the Tyson "broadway show."  Wow, that sounds like it will be constructive.  I didn't look at when they are shooting it, but I assume it is right about now, as I have never been able to figure out WHEN the hell Jack Nicholson and Spike Lee do anything job-wise with their busy NBA schedules.  I am assuming Jack is on the clock about now also.


10.  Crazy.  I went to a wedding in Wilmington, DE.  I live in Denver.  A few weeks before the wedding, I went to see Van Halen. Then, at the wedding across the country at a wedding of about 100-120 people, I see the same guy.  Small world stuff at its best.


11.  Grab Anthony Davis at the #1 spot of course.  There aren't too many quality centers out there these days.  But, if you aren't at that pick, snag Kidd Gilchrist or Bradley Beal.  You heard of Gilchrist because he won the championship.  You might not have heard of Beal.  You will.  Dude was a stud coming out of high school.


12.  In the middle of the NBA finals, Ramon Sessions has announced he will explore free-agency.  Dude, you lost, you were not even a starter, and we don't care for another few days.


13.  Time's up.  As one shepherd said to the other, I am going to get the flock out of here.  Peace.

Violence is my last option.

Read it, don't read it, I don't care...just needed to get some things off my chest.


In no particular order of chronology or importance...


Twenty minutes of hooks...


NEW FORMAT:
I have received your feedback, and I will now apply that feedback to the Rant.  Shorter rants more often.  This alleviates me also from allocating 3 hours twice a week to speak my mind.  I will be on the clock...literally.  I have the usual list in front of me.  I have exactly 20 minutes at most to start AND stop.  No more writing after that.  No editing.  This should make it more readable to you all, and not have YOU have to allocate more time than you want to catch up on sports.  Look for daily blogs, worse case every other day.  Don't worry, I won't announce a Rant daily.  If you like the Rant, just check more often.  I will post this paragraph a few times to make sure everyone knows.  Let's start the experiment of getting me actually to STOP.  Twenty minutes starts....NOW.


(taking a deep breath as I prepare to get mine in 20 minutes...)


1)  Fox played Widespread Panic going to commercial breaks in the World Series.  Now, ABC has gotten on board, playing Panic during 1st half highlights after the second quarter.  Love it.  If you don't know the band, you should get to know them.


2)  Tomlinson retires as a Charger.  He was Marshall Faulk style back who made fantasy owners' weeks easier for about 8 years.  Wish he would have gotten a ring, but he should be making a speech in the vicinity of a city in Ohio in about 5 years.


3)  David Nalbandian kicked a sign in a tennis match, which then injured the linesman.  I have seen some weird stuff, but that was just plain bizarre.  He has disallowed from continuing under I am assuming some fine print rule of making a linesman bleed and/ or destroying property courtside.


4)  I say the trade deadline is all about Ryan Dempster and then read how the Cubs just put him on the DL.  What is this?  Is this the baseball version of the Madden curse?


5)  RA Dickey became the first pitcher in 24 years to throw back to back 1 hitters.  Actually, I am surprised it was that short of time ago. Dude is 11-1, and just might make becoming an "angry knuckleballer" cool.


6)  Check out the new ESPN mag.  If you like arguing about sports, you will absolutely DROOL.  It is the debate issue.  Everything from records to players to Rocky vs. Hoosiers (sorry, Rocky, Hoosiers takes that one even though I am from the Philly area).


7)  The Charlotte Bobcats have hired a "St. John's assistant" as their new coach.  Hey, ESPN, his name is Mike Dunlap, and in basketball circles and in Colorado, he is known as a basketball genius.


8)  Jared Sullinger has gotten red flagged for a bad back by specialists.  This sucks for him.  He would have gone top 3 last year but came back.  Now, his back has him dropping like Kramer into the river after falling asleep on his lover.  If I was a team who had two picks in the draft, I would take him.  Class act, hard worker, intelligent guy, and he will be quality for someone for a few years.


9)  My mom is the coolest.  She is 69 years old and has seen Rock of Ages before her glam rock loving son.


10)  Storybook.  England gets their star Rooney back for the last game of group play, he scores, and they advance.  Watch them in the lose and go home rounds.  I won't change my EURO picks again though.  I have changed them enough as it is.


11)  Serge Ibaka calls out LeBron's defense.  LeBron says "He's stupid."  I don't think he is, and knows not to stir the sleeping dog.  I honestly think this has to do with the fact that he has problems with the English language and phrasing.  I am pretty sure he is aware that he himself is not exactly lighting it up.


12)  The sky is blue, the grass is green, and Clemens is found not guilty.  Did you expect anything less, and how much do we even care?  Follow past votes of steroids users, and he doesn't have to worry about another good vote for a while.


13)  If you did not see the US Open fan interrupt the interview afterwards, then you are missing out. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/17/us-open-fan-webb-simpson-trophy-costas-video_n_1604552.html


14)  Webb Simpson won a very boring ending to the US Open.  The course played tough as I expected, and the safest place to be in that tournament is in the clubhouse with a good score.


15)  OKC missing free throws in Game 3 was surprising and the difference.  They are the best free throw shooting team in the league, and also unfortunately showed they are 23 year olds as the game wore on.


16)  Stony Brook is out at the CWS, therefore eliminating another sports movie that could have been made.  They pretty much got smoked.


17)  Dale Jr. finally made a loyal fan base happy and won a race.  I have no further knowledge, don't even know where the race was, am pretty sure they around in an oval, and have no further jokes for this hook.


18)  I am not looking it up, but I don't think Chuck Norris was in the original Expendables.  Whether he was or not, he damn well should be.  Bad.  Ass.  I noticed in a preview also that it looks like Arnold does more than a cameo.  One way or the other, and growing up in that age, I will sure as hell see it when it comes out.


19)  That is IT.  Two minutes to spare.  As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, I am getting the flock out of here.  Peace.

WILMINGTON, DE...home of the...uhhh...home of...ummm...SOMETHING.

Read it, don’t read it, I don’t really care…I just needed to get some things off my chest.

In no particular order of chronology or importance…

The Airplane Rant.  No internet, cramped seating, and lots of time.

Part 1-the plane ride there (Friday).

Let’s turn and burn.

1)   Random OKC-Miami Game 1 notes:

·       Battier gives Miami just the start they need, nailing three early 3’s.  Battier will never be a superstar, but he IS the perfect teammate.  He works hard defensively, and knows where to be for a spot up in case one of his superstar teammates gets in trouble or draws one too many players.  He gets his teammates involved in a red-hot start from behind the arc.  Who joins Shane?  Mario Chalmers/ the other half of the Big Two that is not in the Big Three.  Flow chart that if needed.

·       It is Durant’s first NBA Finals game, and although his teammates are not really supporting him score-wise, he starts sharp like he has been here, done that.  He HAS been on the stage for his entire life, and playing for Team USA couldn’t have hurt either.

·       The first half goes kind of like a lot of people figured it would, with the Heat being just enough in control that the people who picked them were saying “Yup, this is about how I figured these games would go.”

·       Ah, the idea of the 50/50 ball.  Well, it is just math associated to some sort of momentum shifts in relation to effort spent or some aspect of that idea.  Anyway, the balls did indeed start going OKC’s way in the 3^rd quarter, and a run ensued.  We now have a game.

·       I was sitting there watching the game thinking about whether or not the Celtics still went to OKC after being told to pack for it by Doc Rivers pre-Game 7.

·       If Jeff Van Gundy was lying on air about his cat being named Cheeks, then that is BS.  If he did, then rock on, Jeff.  I loved those early 80’s Sixer teams.  My boy was Andrew Toney, but there was plenty to choose from on that squad. You better not be lying.

·       Late in the third quarter, you got the feeling that both teams recognized they had drawn a stalemate up to that point, and now they were just seeing what the next change of strategy from their adversary would be, and who was going to make the next run.  Interesting few minutes.

·       I have said it before, and I will say it again.  Watching Dwayne Wade time others’ shots and block as many shots as he does at 6’4” is absolutely amazing.  Also, he is kind of like the backcourt version of Tim Duncan in a way.  No guard uses glass on longer type shots than Wade.  Old school, and fundamentally sound.

·       OKC is up a point after 3 quarters and the crowd energy continues to amaze me at Chesapeake Energy Arena.  I feel like I am in Maryland when I hear it (which is ironic because I kind of am flying over Maryland thereabouts right now).  Confused.  Chesapeake?

·       OKC starts to take control.  I notice James is not posting up much at all, and Wade is hoisting more than his fair share of 3 pointers, my telling sign that they are not running their offense  The Durant dunk with 8:28 was emphatic, and just plain dirty.

·       The announcers are discussing whether the winner of this series will have taken the “throne” of best player in the NBA.   I am not even a supporter of this guy, but I will say this.  Just because Kobe has head cases for big men, less bench help, and a brand new coach, that doesn’t mean he needs to totally call 5-second rule just quite yet.  Soon, but not yet.

·       The 4^th quarter was all OKC, true, but the Heat really MADE them hit some pretty remarkable shots to keep their lead down the stretch.  It was a solid offensive show by both teams down the stretch.

·       The Heat were down, sure, but I was surprised how fast the Heat stopped fouling to extend the game.  It is Game 1 of the Finals, Eric.  I personally thought you threw in the towel pretty damn fast.

·       Westbrook was a beast in the 4^th quarter.  Huge.

2)   The LA Kings win the Cup, and very much in style.  Some are discounting the penalty, but I personally would have liked to see that Game 6 if that major didn’t occur, It happened though, and they deserved it.  They gave up 3 goals in a heartbeat.  Some guy named Gretzky was on the team the last time the Kings were in the Cup Finals, and it was great to see the organization make that final leap.

3)   They are doing a probe into the Pacquaio/ Bradley scoring.  I have not seen the fight.  Yet.  From what my sources tell me, I will also agree that something was screwed up.  The thing is this.  Even if they do the “probe” and find wrongdoing, the super fight of all super fights is still tainted to say the least. Pacquaio has either a scratch in the armor or an asterisk whatever happens with this probe.  You don’t think Floyd Mayweather will EVER use that as ammo should the fight ever actually happen?  Yup.  Damn you, judges/ Pacquaio.

4)   Andy Zhang is the youngest person to ever play in the US Open.  That is freaking amazing.  I won’t even bust on his 9 over yesterday, because considering his age, the torturous start of Olympic (5 of the first six holes were ranked in the toughest holes), and how he birdied the 18^th, I think that kid is truly having fun playing the toughest set up of the year.  I don’t know what his status is for other tournaments, but I hope he gets to play SOME joke PGA course after Olympic to get a better idea of where he stands.  I have a feeling this trip to the Open will fend off whatever freshman jokes the upperclassmen are planning.

5)   One other thing on the US Open.  I am in the air right now and have no idea what players are doing on the course, but I will say this.  After Rory torched last year’s course for a 16 under and basically made the US Open just another one of those scoring PGA courses, I would bet a fair amount that no one gets better than 10 under this year.  Actually, I think 2 or 3 under wins it for a player this year….tops.

6)   Dolphins fans are thinking about how Chad Ochocinco will fit into their team’s plans.  Fillerbuster is thinking about how Ocho will “fit” into South Beach.  Yes.  I like it a lot.  LOTS of trouble to find there, Chad.  Do it up and make my Rant Squad proud.

7)   Speaking of my beloved Rant Squad, I am officially scouting someone.  A guard from Temple this week got busted for solicitation.  Good job, Wyatt.  You have my scouts’ attention and we are now watching you.  Go distribute some coke or something.  Solicitation is a solid, creative start though I will say.

8)   Vlad was released by the Jays and still wants to play baseball.  Talk about a very fast end of the career.  It wasn’t THAT long ago that Vlad was probably the most feared hitter in baseball outside of Albert Pujols and steroids users.

9)   I haven’t mentioned Tiger being in the hunt in the first day for the Open.  Well, I am staying away from it for now.  It is not like I am not rooting for him insanely, but I said here in the rant it wouldn’t happen this time because of slightly loose irons, and I am in the air and he could be blowing up as I fly.  Regardless, this is win/ win all over the place.

10)                   I noticed that Angel Cabrera was hanging around the leaderboard on the first day of the Open.  Does that guy seriously just play majors?  It is like he podunks along and does absolutely nothing the rest of the year, and then just pops up either at the Masters or the US Open on the front page.

11)                   I am out of town this weekend in breathtaking Wilmington, DE, but know one of my first things to do upon my return is to check out Rock of Ages.  I can watch a shitty movie if it has that brand of rock.

12)                   I am so glad they are appealing Dickey’s one hitter to see if it was indeed a no-hitter, but it is going to suck either way.  Either things stay the same and he JUST got a one hitter, OR you truly ROBBED that dude and his teammates of some serious party time and celebration.  That is just rude.  Fun to watch what I would call an angry knuckleballer throw though.  If you are not aware, he converted from regular pitcher to knuckleballer, is the only one presently in the league, and can throw a version of it in the mid 80’s.  That becomes VERY confusing to hitters.

13)                   The grass is green, the sky is blue, and Floyd Mayweather is bitching about being in jail already. One of the disputes is regarding workout “room.”  Sucks, bro.  I think they are telling you that you need to remain there for your sentence, and I will add something else.  You are in JAIL.  Jail means you did something bad.  Jail is not fun, and you should seriously ….nevermind.  You are useless.

14)                   Congrats to Matt Cain, who threw a 14k perfect game this week.  Not ONLY was it a perfect game, but it easily ranks in the top games of all time pitched, or at least in the last 30 or so.  After weighing what I wanted to weigh, I will still take Kerry Wood’s 20k ONE hitter (infield single only) over this one.  Wood was playing against a better team also.  That being said, congrats to Matt Cain, who unless you follow baseball or live in San Fran, unfortunately was known as just Lincecum’s teammate.

15)                   Lance Armstrong is again accused of cheating.  Geez.  This better be good evidence to even BRING it up again, because I am pretty sure most people outside the cycling world already are AWARE that we are TIRED of it.  Sure.  Seven in a row Tour de Frances looks a little over the top OR badass-I am not sure.  But.  I thought that is what you were trying to figure out LAST time you accused him.  Enough is enough.

16)                   Unless you live in a bubble, you know at this point who Bryce Harper is.  Not only did dude hit a mammoth HR the other day, but he had a GREAT line that totally went viral.  I ALSO like it and plan on using it and paying it forward.  When asked what he thought was a dumb question by the media, Bryce replied “that’s a clown question, bro.”  AWESOME.

17)                   I haven’t seen any legitimate MOVEMENT on it as of yet, but I DO like the amount of wire gossip with playoff format for FBS.  Snow freaking ball that should have happened somewhere in the mid 90’s at least, but better late than never I guess.

18)                   Dibs to Jim Rome, one of my sports talk heroes, for continuing to be who you are.  On your show, you just flat out TELL David Stern that the NBA lottery is rigged.  Classic, you made the main national wire about 30 minutes later, and I got to see the Jim Everett clip again when they were talking about your past.  “Call me Chris one more time!”

19)                   I live in Denver, and I still feel I know more about the Jets training camp than most people out there.  In case you were losing sleep at night needing to know, Tebow has asked to put on weight for his role their AND got people talking by playing TWO plays with the #1 offense.  People, I live in DENVER.  Stop.  It.

20)                   I am not a gamer, but did I really see in a commercial that Halo 4 has ALIENS, or was the guy just firing at a camouflaged guy way up in the air?

21)                   Russell Martin ALMOST hurt himself ins celebrating the other day.  That means that this is ALMOST a fantastic hook.  But it is not.  Moving on.

22)                   Brian Runge.  Who is he?  He is the first umpire to work two no-hitters in one season.  This might be shady in another year, but not this year, as it is definitive we have entered the age of the pitcher.  Guys with more pitches coming up, more teams playing small ball, no more steroids, and a host of other things.  Some need home runs.  Me?  I am going to soak up this age and love it.

23)                   Glad to see Hines Ward linked up Sunday Night Football.  He is firmly respected in the sport itself, is more famous in other circles because of DWTS, he speaks well, and he is a smart guy.  Great choice I think.

24)                   Hey, Ryan Dempster.  Go out this weekend.  Truly enjoy your great town of Chicago.  Do it now, bro.  Why?  Because unless the White Sox link up with you, you ain’t going to be there long.  Trade deadline might as well be called Dempster Deadline with him pitching solid for the lowly Cubs.

25)                   New trial headline with Sandusky that I got slightly disgusted and of course didn’t read.  “Sandusky called himself Tickle Monster.”  Eeewww.

26)                   Sad to see that Shaun White will not be doing the next X Games.  Damn.  Now I have to go and learn someone else’s name out there.  Hurry up advertisers.  Feed something to me, you slackers.  I now don’t know anyone.

27)                   I checked my EURO predictions, and does anyone remember me saying that Croatia was going to win their tough group?  You don’t? What?  No, I said that the Netherlands were going to take it?  I think you are wrong.  ANYWAY, go Croatia and I will just change my picks to what is more expected.  Give me Spain over Germany.  I would go Germany, but I like that David Silva is back healthy for the Spaniards, and I also like their finesse, passing brand of soccer the best.

28)                   I read that the Sprint Cup speeds reached 218 mph.  Just reporting it as the Fillerbuster always does on NASCAR.  I will not add commentary except to say that that sounds REALLY fast.

29)                   Jerry Sloan has withdrawn from the Bobcats coaching search.  Good.  Dude, you are better than that.  You need to find a gig with talent already in place.  You have earned it over the years, unless you WANT to teach the youngsters.  Just saying, that roster is pretty damn bad AND young, and not young like OKC.

30)                   The NCAA is working on deregulating texts and calls.  I admire them for holding steadfast for years while smart phones blew up, and now they are joining the party.  I don’t know how much they are “deregulating” them, but I think we are doing that whole Pandora’s Box thing.  If they break down that damn, smaller schools will have no shot at the big guns because of the constant contact allowed.

31)                   The top football recruit chose Clemson for next year.  Not THAT big of surprise but I had to know a little more.  He is from GA, a southern boy, Clemson is on the rise slightly, and most importantly I would surmise, he had a few high school teammates go to Clemson also.  Probably a kid who is like a lot of kids, and likes some of his bro’s to be around.

32)                   Adam Dunn has 22 HR’s.  That is a lot these days.  So either you are the last left over from the steroids era, or good job I guess, bro.  Bet you are in the top 5 in strikeouts also per your usual stats.

33)                   Article I almost choked my breakfast on.  I did, or maybe it was because I had missed my first flight that I recall.  Not fun. I have never missed one, and FINALLY got to be THAT guy.  555am.  Dripping sweat and running full throttle toward the gate.  They closed the door right before I got there, and I literally watched the plane detach 5 seconds after being there.  PAINFUL.  I will commend Southwest on actually CARING about getting me where I needed to be.  Beautiful Wilmington, DE.  ANYWAY.  The comment.  “Malone says I would rather have Pippen over Jordan.”  Ugghhh.  I guess you might have meant blending in on your team, and of course you are not going to laud someone who you were their bitch to, but let’s slow down, and have you take a deep breath.  This sentence does not exist in our society.  “I would have taken ________ over Michael Jordan.”  Doesn’t exist.

34)                   Just a couple quick notes about OKC-Heat Game 2 as we are starting our descent I think. 

·       Westbrook’s thumb bothered him a lot I think.  I think it really affected his game and the team.  Not his fault, and he should have played, but I think he is truly the key to this series since he has nothing like Tony Parker to guard this series and CAN concentrate a little on creating and shooting.  Need that health though.

·       LeBron really brought it home down the stretch.  They won, and you can’t talk about any choking in this one.

·       I think the Heat’s win solidifies that this thing is going seven games.  Book it.  Should OKC have won that last one, I thought they had a shot at six, but I think we are officially in for a war now.

·       The first half was pretty similar to Game 1 as far as flow and score.  I hope the Thunder know they can’t come out slow in EVERY game and still have a chance against the Heat

·       When the Heat can run, they are close to unbeatable.

·       I noticed the Thunder tried their game ending lineup in Game 1 a little earlier this time in Game 2-end of the third quarter.  Adjustments were made, shots weren’t falling, and it didn’t work.

35)                   OK.  If I was debating on whether to see the movie Ted or not, then that has now changed.  Ted is the talking teddy bear movie written by the Family Guy…guy.  Anyway, Wahlberg rattled off like 50 names in a commercial like he was still Marky Mark, and I am now sold on Ted.

36)                   I saw that the US soccer team tied Guatemala in World Cup qualifying game this week, fresh off their outstanding (very sarcastic) outing against Antigua.  Great.  The US is scrambling to tie Guatemala, and Italy and Spain are playing to thrilling draws.  Maybe it is better if we don’t make the big show.  Nah.  Just joking about that totally.  I would like them to be there for at least the first three games when I am in Brazil in 2014.

37)                   I was about to groan when I saw the commercial for Expendables 2 like a reaction to 90% of sequel commercials I see on TV.  Then, something strange happened.  The first one was actually watchable and entertaining.  You see?  All of them KNOW they are bad actors, so the brilliance of the first movie aside from the explosions and fighting was the utter dryness on the screen of every dialogue as they put this bunch of non actors all in the same movie.  Classic.

38)                   I heard Usain Bolt was in a fender bender late night this week.  I was sad to see that it wasn’t a hit and run.  Hardy har har.

39)                   30 minutes to the gate.  One final movie note.  People who know me know that I am perhaps the biggest Bourne Trilogy fan in the world.  I love those movies, and thought they were extremely well done.  The Legacy is coming out.  Sure, I wish Damon would have come along for the ride, and I know I have to deal with a new guy, but what genius did the makers do to draw me in?  They put Ed Norton in it.  Don’t say anymore.  I will see you opening night, Mr. Bourne.

40)                   That is it.  Roger, Roger.  What’s your vector, Victor?  I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue.  As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, it is time to get the flock out of here.  Hope you enjoyed.  I actually don’t know when I am ranting next.  I am changing things up a little in my life, as blogging for 6 hours a week has been a little taxing.  So, I will write, but I won’t be a on a schedule.  That being said, I LOVE writing these on the flights.  They go SO fast.  This 3 plus hour flight…well, just flew by.  Talk to you next time.  Peace.

PART II

The plan ride home to Denver…

Read it, don’t read it, I don’t care…just needed to get some things off my chest.

In no particular order of chronology or importance…

Let’s try this again.  I was through about two pages without saving and got the blue screen of death.  I hate wasted hooks.

I feel the need…the need for speed.

1)    Well, I saw that it happened and wasn’t surprised in the least.  I said in this rant I didn’t think he had it in him this go around.  But.  Being one of his biggest fans, I was sad to see it happen.  Tiger shot 5 over on Saturday and basically put himself out of the mix at the US Open.  Sure, you can catch up 5 strokes, but not in a US Open, and especially not in one where the USGA is still pissed that someone lit them up for a 16 under last year.  Ain’t going to happen.  Tiger’s irons are still loose, his drive is not consistent enough quite yet, and his putting confidence is a roller coaster.  Give someone else the US Open and then book him for the British, and maybe the PGA. 

2)   Put Jim Furyk in the hook from my last rant where I said Cabrera only show up for majors.  Furyk does the same exact thing.  Weird swing, not the most attractive face, but he usually is in the mix.  Before the flight took off, he was indeed making one of his 4 big appearances of the year on the leaderboard.

3)   Zach Parise has already said no to the New York Rangers.  It looks like he is to stay a Devil, which will make Putty happy.  The Rangers didn’t lose by much to the Devils, and have a winning window a little wider than the Devils presently.  So, expect him to stay a Devil.  If he doesn’t, he just really must hate the northeast in general after those two offers.

4)   My Phillies are still under .500.  They are not THAT far out of the race, but really aren’t showing any signs of rectifying their status.  It doesn’t help when you read mind blowing stats like Cliff Lee, yes THAT Cliff Lee, being winless in his last ELEVEN starts.

5)   Guess the following guy just doesn’t like the big city spotlight of NYC.  AJ Burnett, although a very unlikable personality, is a quiet 7-2 already this year and is helping to have the Pirates in the mix.

6)   Put this on my list of more reasons not to cheer for Notre Dame.  I just found out that my favorite voice on TV, Cris Collingsworth (UGGHHH), has a kid who plays for them.

7)   Southwest Airlines takes your drink order, then delivers snacks, and then gets you your drink about 20 minutes later…and the snacks are usually salty.  Whether I was up late or not the night before, I am literally parched until I get that freaking drink.  I DO like that you can’t get stuck at the bathroom because of the drink cart though.

8)   Joining the legendary list of players who have injured themselves celebrating, Aubrey Huff got his.  Trying to jump out of the dugout after Matt Cain’s perfect game, dude messed up his knee.  The Giants really don’t need him getting hurt as they really don’t have an offense in the first place WITH him.  Word is that Bill Gramatica’s phone is ringing off the hook though with calls from Aubrey.

9)   Joe Torre is coming back to managing.  Sort of.  No one can figure out how important or unimportant the World Basebaall Classic is at this point, but at least the USA knows who will be managing their team.  Good choice.  I also am unsure how much I care.  My people will be in touch with your people when I know.

10)                   Arthur Ashe Stadium in NYC is getting renovated.  One of the renovations will be a roof on main court.  Forget talking about the rain delays, I want to know how it will be a US Open without those planes going overhead.  I will miss that sound.

11)                   There are TWO Force daughters?  And they BOTH drive funny cars like their dad?  Did dad even give them dolls and houses to play with, or did he just shove them both into those funny cars at birth?

12)                   There is some points system coming in 2013 for the Kentucky Derby.  Unlike college football, I was unaware that anyone was bitching about the present system in place.  I hear the horses are livid about this though.

13)                   My buddy had to pick Wilmington, DE as his destination wedding because his girl’s family is all from there, so obviously the town itself is a downfall going in.  BUT.  The way he DID the wedding was brilliant.  After a long Catholic wedding obviously run by the bride's family, he did the following:

·       Reserved parts of the Queen Theater, a classic theater in that town. AFTER getting back from the church in the classy rented orange school buses.

·       Had an hour long cocktail hour in the “casual area.”

·       Moved everyone upstairs to a ritzy version of the same thing with open bar and some appetizers.  Great view of the skyline (kind of joking about that, but it was a cool room), and a walkway to overlook the actual theater area.

·       Congregated everyone in theater area, including seating part, to hear Jason Mraz’s song done by one of his groomsmen.  IT was pretty dope.

·       Took everyone to another room for the grand entry and dinner.  Cool speeches, they walked into the room with Motown Philly playing, and great buffet line.

·       Instead of leading up to it, he IMMEDIATELY played dance music and told everyone to get up there.  Brilliant way of getting people dancing early, and also good knowledge of knowing that friends of both him and his woman started drinking a LONG time ago.  ALSO, Brian got her favorite local band from growing up to sing all of the surveyed and requested songs.  BAD.  ASS.

·       Finally, they moved everyone to the karaoke room.  The machine was forgotten, so a big hurdle had to be overcome, but after hooking up his iPod to the DJ booth, and then teasing a mic in front of people like me, and it was no time at all until the thing was rocking.  Yes, “Don’t Stop Believing” was sung.  We didn’t miss anything I don’t think.

14)                   Phil Jackson says he won’t coach the “clumsy” Knicks, BUT says there MIGHT be a job out there he would take.  Great.  That one phrase will keep him in the wire for at least two years as a possible candidate to every team that rolls their coach.  Of all the people I thought that would enjoy their retirement, it was him (doing Zen and other relaxing sounding stuff…but yet he keeps teasing.

15)                   Pacman Jones was ordered to pay $11million back to shooting victims.  Can’t get the money?  Just get him loaded and then bring out strippers.  He will get confused, but will probably start paying the debt a one dollar bill at a time.

16)                   Josh Hamilton was in the hospital for an intestinal virus.  I have never hoped someone actually had an intestinal virus, but in this case, I do.  Because I sure as hell hope this isn’t a cover up for anything drinking related.

17)                   Manny Ramirez asks for his release from the A’s.  He asked for it?  My bet is that someone told him the lowdown, and then he stormed in the manager’s office and did a preemptive strike.  Damn, I love that phrase.  Preemptive strike.  Sounds tough.  Good job, Manny.

18)                   Just in case he blows these finals, at least we all know now how much LeBron James reads.  I saw that cute little special they did on him reading in locker rooms and on planes.  “You choking, over-rated…uhhh…bookworm.”  Yeah.

19)                   Better you than me, Nik Wallenda.  Nik made some noise for tightroping over Niagara Falls.  Actually, I wouldn’t be scared of doing it I guess, because it is water you fall into.  That being said, I am not much for balancing myself on a wire I am pretty sure.

20)                   God told me to do it.  What, you ask?  After ex-star safety Kevin Ellison got busted for arson,that was his reply.  Do something fun and illegal before the summer is out.  I officially have Rant Squad scouts watching you as we speak.

21)                   Who NEEDS that fine model ex-wife?  Tony Parker reportedly got a scratched retina being involved in a fight between Drake and Chris Brown’s entourages.  When asked what he was doing there, he just said he was trying to assist and spur the peace.  Hardy har har.

22)                   Just in case you snoozed for the past 20 games or so, normalcy is coming back to the AL East.  The Red Sox are oddly still below .500, but the Yankees quietly won 7 straight over the last week and a half and are back in first.

23)                   First I was impressed.  Then, I realized that it was his job (as Congressman).  Either or, Manny Pacquaio, fresh off a loss to Bradley, is back in the Phillippines helping out flood victims.  Either or, gotta like that.

24)                   They checked it out, and didn’t give it to him.  The officials have taken a look, and decided no no-no for Mets pitcher Dickey.

25)                   Dwayne Wade evidently asked a reporter this week if he could have his tie that the guy was wearing.  If it was me, I would say no.  Or I would at least get mad cash for it.  My reasoning is when EVER again am I going to have leverage on Dwayne Wade?  If it is a tie that does it, I will take it.  Hold out, dude.

26)                   THIS isn’t the way Major League or Hoosiers goes.  They are not out yet, but cinderella story Stony Brook got CRUSHED by UCLA 9-1 in their opener.  Double elimination, but I hear they play Florida State as I fly today-doesn’t get any easier.

27)                   In our “remember he is only FREAKING 19 years old” segment, Bryce Harper made news this week by striking out 5 times in a game.  I think the kid is doing just fine, people.  Dude can strike out 5 times if he wants.

28)                   In the “I don’t even need to open the article to laugh because of all of the dumb shit he has done over the years” hook, Mike Tyson “sings ode to Kevin Durant.”  Seriously, I don’t need to add anything on this one.  It is its own vehicle.

29)                   Let’s talk about Wilmington, DE.  Visiting for a wedding that weekend, I noticed a few things since it has been a long time since my last visit there (grew up across the river). 

·       There are oddly a lot of banks there for how small of place it is

·       They are not say the toughest of “hoods,”  but there are a LOT of them, and they seem everywhere

·       There is not a lot of foot traffic in the downtown area

·       I found a few “historic” buildings, but I really didn’t see one single thing that was pretty per se.

·       I did have to take a walk in a very shady section of the town.  I did it at 11am.  Amazing.  They were quaint, no unattractive small houses lining the street, but you just KNEW once the sun went down that you shouldn’t be there.  Kind of like the small town version of Training Day.

·       I was late to the airport for trying to find a gas station for my rental car between Wilmington and Philly.  You all need those blue signs with a gas station symbol on it, because I ended up somehow in downtown Philly just looking for a freaking gas pump for my rental car.  I asked for the cheapest car, and one of my options was the Fiat 500.  You know, like that tiny car that plays foreign music with the dorky guy who gets hit on by the foreign tongued hot chick.  Anyway, it was alright, although I immediately decided I hated clutchless touch shifts, or whatever the hell they are called.  Irritating.  Plus, mine was just plain white.

30)                   Danica Patrick’s crew chief has come out and said that she “is put into bad situations.”  Whatever, crew chief guy.  Stop bringing her even more media attention.  She is a chick, and she is hot, but rubbing is racing, and the other drivers just want to beat her, plain and simple.

31)                   Game 3 of the NBA Finals is tonight.  Who will win?  Give me OKC tonight.  I believe they will adjust from last game and take 2 of the three in Miami, before Miami answers them by winning Game 6 at their crib.  Actually, I don’t really care how it happens, because all I know is that this thing is going 7 games.  OKC will go how Russell Westbrook goes, as he HAS to get his against whoever is guarding him.  OKC will do a better job at not allowing transition baskets.  Durant is going to blow up and have at least one MONSTER game, but I don’t know which one that will be.  I like Collison to be an X factor inside.

32)                   Well, that is it.  I am freaking exhausted from the wedding.  Not sure when my next rant will be, but I will make sure it is sometime this week if possible.  Also.  Good news for everyone out there.  I spoke with a professional blogger this weekend at the wedding, and he said to make my rants SHORTER and more frequent.  I think I will.  My feedback from some of you is that ALL of you will be happy.  Look for shorter quick hit rants.  I have to go NOT sleep because I had a middle seat and the two people next two me…fill their seats (don’t worry, I have the font small and the screen almost totally down writing this).  As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, I am going to get the flock out of here.  Peace.