SportsCrack Blog

Monday, July 27, 2009

STEPHON MARBURY IS A HELL OF A DRUG


Check out what Stephon Marbury is on, doing, whatever live at Justin TV. Marbury is a hell of a drug is all I have to say.

HT: Jay

AMAZING HOLE IN ONE NETS CAR



Leif Olson proves the quickest way to the hole is off your playing partner's ball. At the Canadian Open this weekend the Leif pulled off one of the most unique shots I have ever seen on a golf course and in doing so won the BMW Z Roadster. Goes to show if you like to knock each others balls around then good things can happen.

Video HT: With Leather

Friday, July 24, 2009

VOTE JIMMY FOR HEISMAN SHIRT



Show your support for your favorite Jimmy while he strikes the Heisman pose at www.jimmy4heisman.com

Thursday, July 23, 2009

TIM TEBOW IS A VIRGIN



Anal virgin still counts right?

Next year I will have to make it to the SEC Media Day. For some reason my credentials got lost in the "mail." Now at least we know Tebow has another mission to get accomplished called the missionary position. No wonder the guy plays with so much adrenaline. I would be running through brick walls and curing cancer if I wasn't getting laid.

GEORGIA QB JOE COX LIVES UP TO NAME



Via Deadspin via Sporting News comes this picture of Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Joe Cox man region. Apparently he forgot his cup. What a cock knocker! I can't wait to see the Bobby Cox spread. They will have to airbrush the FUPA out.

MARK BUEHRLE THROWS PERFECTION THANKS TO A WISE PLAY


Mark Buehrle just threw only the 18th perfect game in Major League history. Congrats go to him and his perfection. Bastard. He better give Dewayne Wise a shower full of high class hookers for saving his ass there in the 9th. What a clutch play!

Listen to the Hawk go crazy with the call...

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

LA LOVES MANNY RAMIREZ



Manny Ramirez provided the moment only legends can dream of when his pinch hit, grand slam in the 6th inning landed in "Mannywood" and thus sent the packed crowd in Chavez Ravine into pandemonium. His 21st career grand slam puts him just 2 behind the all-time leader in the great Lou Gehrig and has all but abolished any ill feelings the LA crowd felt about the 50 game suspension. It also happened on his bobblehead doll night, a game in which he wasn't expected to play because of a sore left hand that was hit by a pitch the night before.

"It was one of the best moments in my career," he said. "I'm just glad it happened in LA."


Fucking Manny can hit a ball like nobody else.

NEW SHIRT: TOP GUNNER 37



We got a lot of requests to do a shirt for the Top Gunner in the nation who wears the #37 for the Blue and Gold and this was our best suggestion. The idea for the shirt was sent in by Paul Bautch who thought the Top Gun logo would be cool to work with and obviously we agreed since it is one of our favorite movies.

The front of the shirts says "TOP GUNNER SOUTH BEND SPECIAL FORCES" and on the back it says "TOP GUNNER" with the #37 below it. Hope you guys and gals like it and be sure to spread the word. As always a portion of all sales goes to the American Cancer Society.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

RUH ROH, TIM TEBOW IS "MAN OF MANY MISSIONS"



The Ultimate QB Tim Tebow is back and is ready to grace us with his presence for the next...oh, I'm going to say 6 solid months. Everyone will come out of the woodwork to pick and pull apart his game as he enters his senior season. But it won't matter because Tebow is the real deal. As you probably know I'm not a Gaytors fan but I do respect the competitor and leader that Tebow is. Ever since I saw this video of him on ESPN Outside the Lines of him playing in high school with a broken freaking leg I have had nothing but mad respect for this kid...

Tebow is the Chosen One and deserves the attention and praise he gets. Any team and fan would kill to have a Tim Tebow as their quarterback. He is a natural born leader who has never gotten in trouble. That is pretty hard especially in a city like Gainesville. Not one slip up. The kid has lived up to the hype. Two National Titles. One Heisman Trophy. And I have a hard time finding any team beating the Gators in 2009 because of Tim Tebow.

So get ready for the endless stories about Tebow and his mission work in third world countries and how he carries his team to victory and how he is the greatest college football player of all-time. And as a cynical as I am I am not bothered by it one bit. Tebow is the real deal. Don't believe me? Fast forward to the 2:00 minute mark of this video and then you judge him...

"You just hear the bone moving and stuff...just popping and stuff"-Tebow playing on a broken leg.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

BRING BACK THE NIGHT GAME

Notre Dame hasn't had a night game since I was a kid. This is apparently one of the reasons why...

1988 vs. those pussies from Michigan (I mean that affectionately) who couldn't handle a little crowd noise from 58,000 drunk Catholics. I wish Notre Dame would bring back the night game atmosphere. Notre Dame Stadium now seats 80,000 plus and I could only imagine how much the place would be shaking if on October 17th they decided to make it a night game against USC. Holy shit balls it would be epic.

44 MORE DAYS

Till Alabama's Julio Jones makes his presence felt again in a big way...

GEORGIA RECRUIT IS SCARED OF THE BEAVER...


or he is gay! Georgia's newest verbally committed recruit, Douglass (GA) High School defensive lineman Garrison Smith, is not going to chase the pooney when he gets to Athens...

"I know a lot of people will laugh at me, but I'm trying to practice abstinence," Smith said. "That's a big thing for me."

Come on Man! There is no way he means those words. Look at the shirt he is wearing for the interview. "Fighting Beavers!" The kid probably has a Black Mamba and yet he doesn't want to slay the countless amounts of ass that will be thrown his way just because he plays in the red and black? I don't get it. I hope he is joking. He has to be joking around. He points out Shaun Alexander as a role model in his fight to not fuck before marriage but Alexander was full of shit. He chased skirt all the time. I met Alexander in Vegas a few years back and he mentioned how much he loved coming to Atlanta for the women during his college days. So no need to fight the beaver. Slay it like a man!

HT: Brian

SOME THINGS I NEED TO GET OFF MY CHEST


Look! It's Erin Andrews naked! I think I see a boob in there!

-Yes, I have heard about the Erin Andrews peeping Tom video. The reason why I didn't post about it yesterday was because I kept reading about computer hackers using the tape as a way to put viruses into your computer. Fuck that! Erin Andrews as we all know was violated in what was suppose to be the privacy of her hotel room as some pervert videotaped her nude through some kind of high tech peep hole....Awesome! Kidding of course and I do find it pretty disturbing. Disturbing because it wasn't a sex tape. If I wanted to see Andrews naked I would just ask Kirk Herbstreit for some pictures. A sex tape is a whole different situation. We can only hope someday Corso might release the tape.

-Big Red Tommy Hanson is the real deal. A lot of prospects get a lot of hype and don't live up to your expectations once they reach the majors (Matt Wieters) but Big Red has not disappointed. Last night against the Wild Card leading San Francisco Giants he set an Atlanta Braves rookie record with 11 strikeouts over 7 innings. In his first 8 starts he has a 5-0 record including wins over the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. The Braves are kind of babying him right now in regards to keeping him on a fairly strict pitch count of 100 but as the season goes on I think they will let him pitch some complete games. He was hitting 95 on the radar gun in the 7th inning last night. He has filthy stuff and the Giants weren't exactly knocking him around late in the game. If the Braves are going to make a serious run for the Wild Card they are going to need Hanson to be effective every 5th or 6th day. Makes you wonder what Tom Glavine is up to these days. Not really eh?

-Notre Dame finalized a matchup with Army in Yankee Stadium for 2010. (crickets....crickets....crickets....crickets....crickets....crickets...crickets)
Sorry if I don't sound enthused Notre Dame fans but I really don't see the point in this game. They already have a game with Navy next year so what is the point of putting another military school on the schedule? Here is what the Notre Dame athletic director thinks:

"Any student of Notre Dame football history knows the meaning of the Notre Dame-Army rivalry and, in particular, the history of that rivalry at Yankee Stadium," ND athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement.

Okay I get the tradition part but that was 60 years ago. It's not the same Yankee Stadium. It's not the same Army team. Army blows. And of course it's not the same Notre Dame who would travel anywhere and take on anyone. This isn't going to get people excited about college football in New York and the Northeast with the exception of Notre Dame diehards who just wanna see them play close to home. If Notre Dame once to be elite which I think they should strive for since they promise it to their students and alumni then they need to schedule more competitive games than Army and now apparently Tulsa:
The Tulsa (Okla.) World on Monday reported that Notre Dame and Tulsa are negotiating for an October 2010 game at South Bend.

"The two universities are in discussions to play football in the 2010 season," Don Tomkalski, Tulsa associate athletic director for communications, told the paper. "No contract has been signed."


Come on Notre Dame, grow some balls. And yes I know other schools schedule cream puffs but it seems like Notre Dame is trying to avoid major programs that they don't traditionally play. Any school would love to put Notre Dame on their schedule because it guarantees ticket sales and exposure. Instead of neutral site games in recruiting shitholes such as New York why not get a game scheduled in recruiting hotbeds like Atlanta, Dallas, New Orleans, etc. against top notch programs. Play Alabama in Atlanta. Play Texas in the new Cowboys Stadium. Take on one of the big 3 Florida programs in New Orleans. Those games help college football and help Notre Dame. Playing Army in Yankee Stadium just smells like shit to me.

"I WANT BABY RUTH!!!"

Monday, July 20, 2009

DAVID BECKHAM LOVES HIS FANS



I think it's about time to give up on the whole "David Beckham is going to make soccer popular in the US" discussion. Even his own LA Galaxy fans hate his guts. If you got laid back LA fans booing and flipping you the bird then you have no chance of winning back other cities such as New York or Chicago.

MICHAEL JORDAN SINKS BIG FLOPPY PUTT

Friday, July 17, 2009

HITLER FINDS OUT TONY ROMO BROKE UP WITH JESSICA SIMPSON



I am sorry but these Hitler skits never get old. I almost lost my breakfast when he mentions Lindsay Lohan taking a dump. Priceless.

BLAST FROM THE PAST-HERSCHEL WALKER



"My god a freshman!"-Larry Munson

There will never be another runningback like Georgia's Herschel Walker. He either ran over you or past you and if you saw big #34 carrying the ball you knew great things were going to happen. Larry Munson gets a chub when he hears the name "Herschel" even to this day. I do too.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

BLAST FROM THE PAST-TIM BROWN


I am getting the chills hearing the late Harry Kalas call those catches by Tim Brown. It's too bad NBC can't get a voice that resonates like Harry did for their Notre Dame broadcasts. Just a little over 50 days till college football is back in case you are counting. I'm looking forward to seeing Golden Tate, Michael Floyd, and Armando Allen channel their inner "Touchdown Timmy" this season starting September 5th.

RANDOM JOKE

Guy walks into the bedroom carrying a sheep in his arms and says,

"Honey, this is the cow I make love to when you have a headache."

The wife, laying in the bed reading a book, looks up and says,

"If you weren't such an idiot, you'd know that's a sheep, not a cow."

The guy replies, "If you weren't such a presumptuous bitch, you'd

realize I was talking to the sheep."

HT: Jeff


"BAAAAAHHHHHH"

NOTRE DAME GRABS ANOTHER FLORIDA RECRUIT IN SPENCER BOYD


Florida high school cornerback Spencer Boyd will pick Notre Dame tomorrow over Georgia and Michigan according to the Cape-Coral-Daily-Breeze...

"I talked to Spencer (Tuesday) and he told me he was going to verbally commit to Notre Dame," Cape High coach Mike Goebbel said. "He thought that was the best place for him. He was excited and his parents are excited about it."

Boyd (5-foot-10, 178 pounds) is entering his senior year with the Seahawks. He's expected to play defensive back at the college level after contributing all over the field for the Seahawks since his freshman year.


Boyd is the second Florida cornerback to join the Irish to go along with Lo Wood. Both are 3 star recruits as of this moment but since they picked Notre Dame they should move up a star or two. That was a recruiting joke by the way. A very poor one. It's great to see Notre Dame recruiting the state of Florida now as aggressively as they have California the past few seasons. As we all know the Sunshine State produces a ton of top notch football recruits and anytime you can steal a player like Boyd from Georgia and Michigan then you have done your homework precisely.

Boyd is the 13th verbal commitment for the Irish and the 7th on the defensive side of the ball. If they can finish up with players that they stand a good chance at such as Anthony Barr, Sean Parker, Dion Bailey, David Amerson, and Josh Shaw on the defensive side then it would be a hell of a defensive haul for Corwin Brown and Jon Tenuta.

Go to Notre Dame's Rival page for the most up to date recruiting information.

SALAD ANYONE?



Nah! I will stick with the hot dogs...




Image HT: WWTDD

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

NOTRE DAME REVEALED IT'S OFFICIAL SHIRT OF 2009



Courtesy of EDSBS.com comes the 2009 version of the Notre Dame student and alumni shirt. "Piss and Moan" seems about right especially when it comes to the older Notre Dame crowd if you dare stand up during the actual game and cheer for the Fighting Irish.

This is why we introduced our new "Tailgate Like A Champion" shirt for 2009. No more pissing or moaning or bitching about the last two seasons. Shut the hell up because Notre Dame is going to be back in full force and ready to kick some serious ass this year. Go away doubters because I don't need your negativity. Grab yourself a beer or two as the shirt suggests and let's get ready to have a great season...

JUST GET HERE ALREADY

Dear College Football,

It's been way too long since we last saw each other. Just the thought of Saturdays in the fall bring me back to those days when we would literally wake up in each other's arms and then go to bed with each other after finishing those 30 packs. Sure I could tell you that you don't mean that much to me and that baseball can fill my insatiable needs while you are gone but then of course I would not only be lying to you but myself as well. I miss you. I need you. Life is hell without you. Please come back. I'm on my knees begging.

Love you,

Matt

P.S.-I attached a little video to show you how much I care and think about you. Just get here already.


TONY ROMO: PRODUCT SPOKESMAN



Tony Romo seems to be recovering nicely from his break up with Jessica Simpson. And by nicely I mean he is plunging in knee deep in road beef all over this great nation.

LOVE ME SOME TACO BELL



It's all about the Roosevelts baby! I love this commercial. If I had a choice to eat fast food every day it would have to be Taco Bell. Of course if I carried out that choice I would be tipping the scales at Andre Smith weight right now. Taco Bell is even coming out with some environmental friendly food...

Taco Bell's New Green Menu Takes No Ingredients From Nature

I APOLOGIZE ERIN ANDREWS...

For being a complete idiot the other day when I questioned your weight loss. Last night you proved to know it all bloggers like myself to never question the power of Erin Andrews. If you must punish me I ask you do it while wearing this dress you wore at the ESPY's the other night...



That dress is straight out of a 80's hair band video which is a great thing. Keep it up Andrews.

Image HT: Extra Mustard

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

ANOTHER REASON WHY COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS GREAT

Because we can have incessant arguments with no real winners or losers about who is better. Take for instance this argument heading into the season. Who is the better safety?

USC's Taylor Mays...


or Tennessee's Eric Berry?...


You be the judge Sportscrack heads. Who would you rather have patrolling your secondary this season? I think I would take Eric Berry but you can't go wrong with either.

ERIN ANDREWS IS ON THE MICHAEL JACKSON DIET



Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Erin Andrews. Ever since she started rocking the television screen during Atlanta Thrashers broadcasts it's been hard to ignore her and for good reason. But seriously Erin eat something. Anything. Ketchup packets if you may. Maybe she is paying homage to Wacko Jacko. God knows she won't have a hard time getting little boys to come to her.

Image HT: TheBigLead

PRINCE FIELDER WINS HOME RUN DERBY


23 total home runs including one that traveled an estimated 503 feet from big Prince's bat got him the win in this year's Home Run Derby. Fielder beat the Ranger's Nelson Cruz by 2 home runs but it didn't have the flair of last year when Josh Hamilton hit 28 home runs in one round. I think Prince is long overdue for a shirt from us. Any suggestions?

Monday, July 13, 2009

URBAN MEYER: "I'M NOT GOING TO NOTRE DAME. EVER."


According to the SunSentinel.com Florida head football coach Urban Meyer has all but squashed my wet dream of coming true:

At last weekend's Bob Dooley Invitational, a fundraising event put on by Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley, Meyer announced "I'm not going to Notre Dame. Ever."


What an a-hole! How could he not want to leave hot and humid Gainesville for the bleak coldness of South Bend? It just doesn't make sense. Sure the Gators have more talent and he has won 2 National Titles in 3 years while playing in the toughest conference in the nation but it's Notre Dame. The Gipper played there. Jesus tailgates there. What is the world coming to when the most successful coach in college football no longer wants to coach at the most prestigious university not named Stanford?

Actually I think I know why Urban said he isn't going to Notre Dame. It's because Charlie Weis finally has a squad full of talent, depth and experience and with their weak ass schedule this year they have an outside shot at going undefeated. Sure this is coming from a Notre Dame fan but who besides USC is really that good on their schedule this upcoming season? Michigan blows. Not one other top 25 team is on their schedule. So stay put Urban and win your 3rd title in 4 years.

/wipes tears away

SAY IT AIN'T SO: TONY ROMO DUMPS JESSICA SIMPSON



I know it comes as a shock to all of you, but prepare yourself by sitting down and adjusting your Tampax. This is going to be rough for both of us. The inevitable has happened. Tony Romo, star choke artist quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys has dumped Pop Star/Reality "Star" Jessica Simpson a day before her 29th birthday. I know the horror of it all is really hard to take but there is some explanation according to the New York Daily News...

"She is heartbroken," says the source. "She loves Tony. But it's been difficult lately. He's busy with his career and she's getting ready to shoot her show (The Price of Beauty). They decided to part ways."


Wait a second here. Simpson has a show coming out called "The Price of Beauty?" Poor girl. It must suck to have enormous fun bags that have earned her so much more money than an actual talented ugly person would have. Think of the Kelly Clarkson's of the world and how they feel Jessica. I think Romo dumped her because she is approaching the big 3-0 in less than a year. When you are QB of the Dallas Cowboys, no matter how pitiful your post-November NFL record is, you don't settle for washed up Pop Stars nearing their 30's. You turn her in for better "Road Beef." It's the law of the Dallas Star.

BROCK LESNAR IS A BAD MOFO



Frank Mir's face looks eerily similar to unrefrigerated three day old pastrami. I would say Brock Lesnar won the UFC 100 fight fair and square. And by fair I mean gay. Too much men wrestling for my liking.

FORMER #1 PICK MATT BUSH IS DOING GREAT



This is what happens when you get drafted by the San Diego Padres. Your world starts to crumble as your baseball skills and ability to stay sober without crying vanish. Let this be a lesson to everybody that there is crying in baseball. Bush league move if you ask me.

KATE FROM JON AND KATE PLUS 8 IS DOING GREAT



I figured since I posted the Jon one a couple of weeks ago why not see how Kate is doing on Match.com. You got to love the backwards mullet guys. It's great to know a haircut derived from Alabama backwoods country can make it all the way to mainstream America.

Friday, July 10, 2009

SEE YA SOON FRENCHY!



The Atlanta Braves have traded young but inconsistent RF Jeff Francoeur to the hated New York Mets for Ryan Church. It sucks to see a Georgia native leave the team but it needed to be done. Frenchy needed the new scenery and I am genuinely pulling for him to do well except when he plays against the Braves of course. You can't knock the kid for not trying, it always seemed to me at least he put in a 100% effort and hustled and wanted to win with the Braves. But things didn't work out for obvious reasons: Terry Pendleton. All kidding aside I don't think Church is the answer in right field but I sure as hell think that Jayson Heyward will be. Heyward is currently the #1 prospect in all of minor league baseball according to Baseball America but he won't be up in Atlanta till 2010 at the earliest.

RUNNING OF THE BULLS NOT SO MUCH FUN FOR THIS GUY



Via The Big Lead comes the news of the first fatality since 1995 from the running of the bulls...

"A man died after being gored in the neck during the annual running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, the Navarra regional government said Friday on its Web site … [he is] a Spanish man, Daniel Jimeno Romero, age 27, from the Madrid area who was vacationing in Pamplona with his family.”


Count me in the group of people who never really understands why these people get in front of a loose bull and don't expect something bad to happen. I guess you could call me a pussy but I don't see the thrill in running away from a raging bull. If I am in Spain I would rather be sitting on a beach or in a cafe drinking a beer and kicking back. Not running away from a fucking bull. I'm always the guy rooting for the bull in these situations too. You don't fuck with an animal as big as a bull and expect to come out unscathed. I went to a bullfight in Mexico about ten years ago. I honestly had no idea they killed the bull till I got there. It was pretty fucking gross and brutal. Since then I've always been on the "Toros" side. Here is a helpful hint if you don't want to get gored in the neck by a bull: DO NOT FUCK WITH ONE.

Now excuse me while I finish my hamburger.

HAWAIIAN HITMAN HIS MISSION: DESTROY USC SHIRT





If you are a Notre Dame fan then I think this shirt needs little if any explanation. The new Hawaiian linebacker is considering taking a mission but we all know what that mission has become: DESTROY USC.

The shirt is available in navy or irish green for the low price of $17. A portion of all sales goes to the American Cancer Society. Hopefully someday we can HIT cancer hard enough to eliminate it. Thanks for the support!

FRIDAY MUSIC SELECTION


I have been on a heavy Eddie Vedder kick ever since I saw him live a few weeks ago. The habit is getting a little out of control. Just the other day I called my dog "Daughter" as he was barking at me and then cursed politics for being all political and stuff. So this is it for a while. Pearl Jam is shown performing "Crazy Mary" at the House Of Blues in Orlando in 2003.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

ANOTHER REASON WHY COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS GREAT

Notre Dame gunner Mike Anello, a former walk-on who plays every play like it's his last...


Via Blue-Gray Sky comes this video of Notre Dame special teams extraordinaire Mike Anello who some describe as a modern day "Rudy." Anello was a walk-on like Rudy Ruettiger and has a similar build (generously listed at 5'10, 170 lbs) but unlike Rudy he has earned a scholarship and for good reason: the guy is a tackling machine. Just another reason why I can't wait to watch some college football. Gotta root for the little guy!

OBAMA THANKS RUSSIA FOR OVECHKIN



I can see why Obama wanted to thank Russia for Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin. He is the best hockey player in the world and he makes hockey in our nation's capital bearable. On a personal note I want to thank Russia for Stoli and supermodel Natasha Polevshchikova for making my life bearable...





DANIEL MURPHY'S BEHIND THE BACK FLIP


Play of the night goes to the Met's Daniel Murphy for this ridiculous behind the back flip to the pitcher to get the out.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

NATIONALS BASEBALL IS HALF ASS



The Washington Nationals are to the MLB what the Washington Generals are to the Harlem Globetrotters. They can't win...ever. Even in the simple fundamentals such as sliding into second base. They don't even know how to get there. Eventually the Nationals will be good when ever Stephen Strasburg signs...oh yeah...that might not happen if agent Scott Boras aka Satan's fart gets his way. This is what happens when you accept damaged goods from Canada. Beady eyes and shitty baseball.

Video HT: WithLeather via DC Sports Bog

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

THIS MAKES ME SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT



ESPN's Jerry Crasnick has a good article on the Orioles young outfield nucleus of Nolan Reimold, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis. We may suck balls again this year (last place in the AL East heading towards 12th consecutive losing season) but the future looks bright with all 3 of these guys around for a long time. The pitching will get better as soon as Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, and Brian Matusz are called up from the minors. All 3 of those guys have legitimate shots at being future aces for the club and rookie Brad Bergesen has been very impressive in his first season.

Just have to remain positive Orioles fans. That or drink a lot of beer. In MacPhail We Trust. He even has Markakis doing circus tricks just to get fans out to Camden Yards...


My patience has run thin but at least I know the Orioles are finally heading in the right direction with all these young players.

Monday, July 06, 2009

NOTRE DAME GETS DEFENSIVE END JUSTIN UTUPO


Notre Dame recruiting continues to roll with the punches after they landed their 10th commitment today in the 2010 recruiting class with California defensive end Justin Utupo. Utupo is a very important commitment in that the Irish are always in desperate need of defensive lineman especially ones with the physical and speed presence at strongside end that Utupo possesses.

In just the past week or two Notre Dame has gotten a QB in Andrew Hendrix, a defensive end in Blake Leuders, and two defensive backs in Lo Wood and Chris Badger. There is little doubt that Charlie Weis and his staff are doing an excellent job of bringing in recruits despite a combined 10 wins in the last two seasons.

I've already gone on record as saying Notre Dame will beat USC on October 17th, 2009 due in large part by the type and quantity of elite football recruits that are now starters at Notre Dame. This isn't your bend over Notre Dame team with speed and strength anymore. These kids can play. Now it's just a matter of the coaches putting them in the right spot to execute.

JON GOSSELIN NOW ON MATCH.COM


It's good to see a reality star get on one of those dating services. Refreshing to the people who don't have 8 kids.

HERE YA GO HORNDOGS



It was either post this video of Bar Refaeli rolling around naked or talk about Roger Federer winning his 15th major. Sorry Federer but Bar wins out.

TOP 10 STARTING PITCHERS


After watching Tim "The Freak" Lincecum's throw yet another gem the other night I thought to myself who would I rather have starting a game right now. I came up with some names but right now the 2008 NL Cy Young Winner would be my pick to take the hill if I needed to win a crucial game. Here is my top 10 list and feel free to add or subtract guys in the comment section.


1. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants-He has a legitimate shot at the Triple Crown for starting pitchers (wins, ERA, and K's) and is only getting better. He may be small in stature but right now his hair is growing almost as fast as his legend. He leads the Majors in K's with 141, is second in ERA at 2.23 and is first in a lot of other categories such as complete games, shutouts, innings pitched, and batters faced in the National League. If I had to win a game 7 right now he would be my choice.

2. Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals-Greinke has a legitimate argument as the best pitcher in baseball right now. He leads the majors in ERA, wins and complete games. Despite a recent rough spot he has been clearly the best pitcher in the American League this year. Zack Attack has brought back some much needed electricity to Kaffmaun Stadium.

3. Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays-"Doc" Halladay is again putting up superb pitching numbers for the Blue Jays. He is top 5 in almost every important pitching category when it comes to starting pitchers. He is a warrior who pitches deep into games and you don't have to worry about pitch counts when it comes to Halladay.

4. Johan Santana, New York Mets-The best lefty in the game right now. Santana has lived up to his contract and expectations since signing his fat contract for the New York Mets in 2008. His change-up leaves hitters flailing and the 2-time Cy Young winner has a good shot of at least finishing in the top 5 for voting for another one for the 6th consecutive season.

5. Dan Haren, Arizona Diamondbacks-Haren is one of the few pitchers who I will stop doing everything at a moment and just watch him pitch. He hits both corners of the plate with varying speeds with pinpoint control. It amazes me that both the St. Louis Cardinals and Oakland A's, two franchises known to make good baseball business decisions in the past, have traded the young pitching ace. At 28 years old is coming into his own and should be a serious contender for his first Cy Young award this season.

6. Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox-This guy is a bull. His career numbers are not outstanding but if you want to win a game in the postseason there isn't many if any pitchers I would pick before him. He is old school in the way he carries himself. Seems arrogant and cocky but every team would love to have him manning the hill when the game is on the line. Reminds me of a young John Smoltz.

7. Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins-At 25 years old Johnson is establishing himself as an elite starting pitcher on the verge of a tremendous payday. He has never won more than 12 games in a season (rookie year by the way) but his 6'7 presence on the mound is intimidating and he has the stuff to win 20 games a season for a long time. His slider and change-up are very effective with his mid 90's fastball.

8. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees-Big C.C. doesn't look like your prototypical pitcher. In fact you would think he would be playing offensive line for the Jets instead of throwing 3 plus pitches for strikes for the New York Yankees. He got the Milwaukee Brewers into the playoffs basically by himself last season and will be considered a big reason why the Yankees make it back to the postseason this year.

9. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners-King Felix has a fastball that reaches mid to upper 90's but what makes him so damn effective is his knee buckling curve. At only 23 years old he has amazing command and poise. He should establish himself as one of the elite pitchers in all of baseball by the end of this season and I am probably being short sided with him as low as 9 right now.

10. Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians-Lee has had his struggles this season but the 2008 Cy Young Award winner has the ability to bounce back in a big way. His slider is simply filthy and it has a tendency to run into right handed hitters thus inducing broken bats and grounders.



Just missed the cut: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers; Edwin Jackson, Detroit Tigers; Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants; Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers; Javier Vasquez, Atlanta Braves

YOUR MONDAY MORNING WAKEUP SONG

Friday, July 03, 2009

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND EVERYBODY!



The holiday weekend technically started for me last night. The Atlanta Braves swept the Philadelphia Phillies for their 4th win in a row and are now just 2 games back in the division. Hell yeah! My adult men's rec baseball team destroyed the Tigers last night thus improving our record to 5-2. I missed my first homerun of the season by about 3 feet off the left centerfield wall. Yeah, I think it's time to start juicing old school like Brady Anderson so we don't have to worry about those stupid doubles anymore...I want dingers plus chicks dig the longball. I hope you and everyone around you have a spanktacular 4th of July weekend.

Image HT: Kardashian picture would be hotter if she had sausages on the grill but you get the picture. I think those are Bubba Burgers on the grill...can you say trailer trash? WWTDD via Startracs

Thursday, July 02, 2009

70 YEARS AGO

Lou Gehrig, whom I consider to be the greatest first baseman of all-time, gave his famous speech on Lou Gehrig's Day at Yankees Stadum two years before he would pass due to ALS...



Gehrig was one of my heroes growing up even though he died nearly 40 years before I was born. I did a book report on him in elementary school and was amazed how much of a pure athlete he was and yet how he managed to play in relative obscurity in New York due to the overwhelming shadow of Babe Ruth. The Babe was bigger than baseball and Gehrig accepted it. Gehrig was a great teammate who played every game, 2130 consecutively till ALS took him out. He would have hit well over 700 career homeruns and driven in 2500 plus runs if he didn't go down with the disease. Gehrig is a legend who was born and bred in New York and eventually passed there. I'm no Yankees fan but I am a huge Lou Gehrig fan and just wanted to recognize him on this 4th of July weekend when he gave his famous speech in front of a packed New York crowd, fighting back tears. Much like when I hear Martin Luther King's speech I get the chills just hearing Gehrig speak. Gehrig is an icon too who will live forever.

NEW SHIRT: TAILGATE LIKE A CHAMPION



This idea was sent in to us from a Notre Dame grad student. These are the kind of ideas you get when you go 10-15 in two seasons under Charlie Weis. Touchdown Jesus has become a lush who won't get off his cheetos flavored couch unless he is getting a beer but we all know 2009 is when Notre Dame football returns to glory. Show your love for tailgating with this classic t-shirt which costs only $17. We are talking cheaper than a 30 pack here my friends. Plus a portion of all sales goes to a great cause known as the American Cancer Society. Be sure to spread the word. Don't disappoint Touchdown Jesus.

-TAILGATE LIKE A CHAMPION: WHERE EVERY GAME IS A VICTORY Shirt

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

LAPTOP HUNTERS: JAKE AND I'M A PC

Now this is a realistic commercial...

GREAT NIGHT FOR THIS BASEBALL FAN


Last night started off with scoring some free seats to the Atlanta Braves game. These weren't just normal seats. They were a few rows behind the Philadelphia Phillies dugout. We were so close to the action you could actually smell Cole Hamel's lower labia. Don't ask me how the upper one smells because it is way too long of a story. The first great sight was to see neither of Yunel Escobar or Kelly Johnson in the starting lineup. As you know both have contributed mightily to bringing down the Braves with their bonehead decisions of late and both needed to ride the pine and feel what it is like to watch the game next to Bobby Cox.

My dad sent me a text message right after the first pitch. "Prado is starting...finally." I replied to him to not worry, Bobby would find someway to bring in Johnson before his first AB. See I have major issues when it comes to Escobar and my dad has the same inner demons when it comes to Johnson. We are on the same wavelength that both of these guys bring down the Braves worst than Jeff Francoeur swinging at pitches at his eyes. At least Frenchy appears to be trying at all times. We are old school and that is really all you can ask for.

But anyways, on to starting second baseman Martin Prado. Prado finally got the start and showed he belonged. 4 hits and 4 RBI's including a homerun and the walk-off RBI single in the 10th frame. The Ted was rocking and Braves fans were going nuts. I high fived my wife and everybody around me as soon as Matt Diaz crossed home plate with the game winning run. It was a much needed victory over the rival Phillies and moved them within 4 games of the division leader. I looked back to my buddy Doug who was sitting behind us and gave him the thumbs up. We both were happy yet exhausted. The Braves haven't had many easy games this season and after Mike Gonzalez came in the 8th and gave up two solo homeruns it looked like the Braves were again going to be on the wrong side. It's been their story for 2009. Good to great starting pitching was provided once again by Derek Lowe only to see 3 runs put on the board before the 8th inning. Come to think of it 3 runs is about all the Braves scored in the series against the Red Sox. But enough of the negatives. They won and Prado's teammates came rushing out on the field to congratulate him. Great win for the Bravos.

As I was leaving the field I managed to look up at the out of town scoreboard. Red Sox 10, Orioles 1 in the 7th inning. FUCK! The Boston Bandwagoners have had the Orioles number for some time now. In fact the Orioles had yet to beat the Red Sox in 2009 thanks to blowing a 7 run lead earlier this year in what became known as the Mother's Day massacre. My hope as I walked out of The Ted was that the Orioles would manage to score some runs to at least make the final outcome look respectable. I wasn't going to let the Orioles ruin my happiness that the Braves just provided. But of course being the degenerate I am I followed the game on my wife's iphone as we drove back home on the SportsTap application. Soon enough it was 10-5 as Oscar freaking Salazar hits a 3 run homerun as soon as we pull in the drive way. I'm telling myself we got a chance and yet still I don't want to set myself up for the disappointment of another loss. Fuck it, I run upstairs and turn on the game. It's now 10-9 Red Sox and Camden Yards is rocking with leaches of Red Sox fans and Orioles die hards hoping to pull off the miracle. Nick the Stick Markakis comes up against Jonathan Papelbon. Markakis is 0-7 against Papelbon. Doesn't matter. Nick rocks a fastball to left centerfield for a game winning 2 RBI double.



The greatest comeback victory in Orioles history. 9 runs down in the 7th only to comeback and have George Sherrill aka Flat Breezy close it out by striking out Jason Bay in the 9th. HELL YEAH! Papelblown looks confused. The Orioles look ecstatic. I'm bouncing off the fucking walls.

A great night to be a baseball fan for this guy. Can't wait to do it all over again today.