Month: August 2008 (Page 3 of 50)

      The Seven Most Demoralizing Opening Day Upsets in College Football

      August 30, 2008 /

      Michigan-Appalachian StateIn honor of college football kicking off this weekend, In Game Now ranked the seven most demoralizing opening day upsets in CF history.

      1) 2007 – Michigan 32, Appalachian State 34
      Here’s how it works (usually): big conference school invites small market school to open the season and give both teams an opportunity to adjust to real competition. Small program takes a beating and earns a few hundred thousand dollars for their athletic department. If they’re nice they might get invited back.

      If an upset happens, it happens in basketball, NOT football. If it ever happened in football it would be the biggest upset in college football history…

      What happened: Michigan lost again the next week until they finally played Notre Dame (see #7 above). Appalachian State went on to win their third straight national championship.

      I sat in a section with a host of Appalachian State parents and fans surrounding me when the Mountaineers beat the Wolverines last year. When Michigan set up for a field goal with less than a minute to play in the fourth, it looked like the Wolverines were going to escape complete embarrassment. I thought to myself, “If Michigan misses this kick, I’m about to watch history unfold in front of me…”

      …then App State blocked the kick and held on for the win. Being in that parents’ section was unbelievable. I hope the talent level continues to increase at these smaller schools and fans are treated to more upsets like that one.

      College Football

      Top 10 Active Pitching Win Percentage

      August 30, 2008 /

      Show me a pitcher who wins games at a two to one ratio, and I’ll show you a guy I want at the front of my rotation. That, along with a low ERA and a high strikeout to walk ratio, are good indicators of excellence in pitching. It also helps if you have a guy who isn’t afraid to brush a hitter off the plate, like, ahem, the first guy on this list of all-time Top 10 in winning percentage for active pitchers…..

      1. Pedro Martinez, New York Mets (.689)—Like I said, Pedro isn’t afraid to throw inside. He also is one of the baddest badasses ever to take the mound, and for about a decade he had the nastiest stuff in the game. In 1999, his best season, Pedro went 23-4 for Boston, with a 2.07 ERA (in the American League!) and 313 strikeouts. That’s just sick.

      2. Johan Santana, New York Mets (.673)—Santana does not have overpowering stuff, but he throws all of his pitches for strikes and just knows how to get hitters out. His percentage would be even higher if it weren’t for the Mets bullpen blowing five or six games for him this season.

      3. Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays (.665)—With 127 wins against 64 losses for a mostly mediocre Toronto team, you could say Roy Halladay is awesome and you’d be telling the truth.

      4. Roy Oswalt, Houston Astros (.663)—Oswalt has 124 wins in less than eight seasons. I say this guy is one of the few young pitchers who have a shot to win 300.

      5. Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians (.658)—Everyone wants to know where Cliff Lee came from, but did go 18-5 in 2005. Still, at 19-2 on a team that has 65 wins, that’s almost 30% of his team’s wins. Let’s hope the Tribe can hold on to Mr. Lee.

      6. Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves (.655)—When he’s not battling injury, Tim Hudson is a pretty dominant pitcher. I know I always cringe when he faces my Mets.

      7. Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks (.649)—When you strike out 4,764 batters over your career, you’re going to win many more games than you lose. The Big Unit is 294-159, and is inching closer to that magic number of 300.

      8. Mike Mussina, New York Yankees (.638)—He won a lot of games in Baltimore and he’s won a lot in New York. This guy doesn’t blow hitters away, but he has great stuff and a nose for winning.

      9. Andy Pettite, New York Yankees (.635)—When you’re always in the 15-20 win range, you’re going to wind up on this list. Andy Petitte has been winning since he broke into the league in 1995.

      10. Mark Mulder, St. Louis Cardinals (.632)—Wait, this guy is still pitching? Sadly, he only lasted 1.7 innings this season and may be done for his career, but Mulder’s 103-60 record is still pretty impressive.

      Source: Baseball Reference

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, Fantasy Baseball, MLB

      The remarkable comeback of Lindsay Davenport

      August 30, 2008 /

      Many in the tennis world were surprised by the return of Lindsay Davenport to the WTA tour last year after the birth of her son. Her critics felt she had lost the desire to play professionally, and that her legacy would be tarnished by her ill-fated return.

      This couldn’t be further from the truth; Davenport’s comeback has produced two victories in her first year back on tour, and there is no question that she can compete with the world’s top players again. But don’t count out her winning a fourth Grand Slam title. A right knee injury has forced her to default from Wimbledon and the Olympic singles tournament. This was a setback for Davenport, as her comeback was primarily motivated by the opportunity to play in Beijing.

      At 32, Davenport is the fifth-oldest woman at the U.S. Open. Her short-term motivation is that she can still walk out on a court and rip a ground stroke as hard as any player competing at Flushing this week. And it is this stroke that will mask Davenport’s lack of lateral quickness. Also, the extra day of rest between rounds will help her recoup the strength needed to advance at the U.S. Open.

      She is approaching one match at a time and is downplaying her chances of winning the Open, which makes sense since has only played eight tournaments this season.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, General Sports, Television, Tennis

      Vikings lose McKinnie, Jackson walking with limp

      August 29, 2008 /

      After weeks of speculation, Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie has officially been suspended four games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

      McKinnie was suspended without pay after his offseason arrest in Miami. McKinnie faces four charges, including felony battery, after an incident with a nightclub employee.

      McKinnie’s suspension begins Saturday. He is eligible to return to the Vikings’ active roster on Sept. 29 after the team’s Sept. 28 game against Tennessee.

      In more news that will bust Viking fans’ balls, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is reportedly walking around with a limp, too.

      With McKinnie out for four games, Jackson (if he can even play) might feel major pressure come from his blind side. Minnesota will face defensive ends Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (Packers), Dwight Freeney (Colts), Julius Peppers (Panthers) and Kyle Vanden Bosch (Titans) during McKinnie’s suspension.

      The sound you hear is people breaking their ankles jumping off the Vikings’ bandwagon.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Tony Dungy would be “shocked” if Peyton Manning doesn’t play opener

      August 29, 2008 /

      Peyton ManningIndianapolis Colts’ head coach Tony Dungy said he would be “shocked” if quarterback Peyton Manning didn’t play in Week 1. Manning had a bursa sac removed near his left knee during the offseason and up until recently he hadn’t even been cleared to start practicing.

      Dungy added that Manning would have to have a “dramatic setback” to miss regular season action. Manning has obviously made significant progress and remains a bargain third-rounder. It’s safe to draft him as if he’s healthy.

      Great news for Manning, the Colts and fantasy football owners everywhere. Although one has to be at least a little concerned that Manning’s center, Jeff Saturday, will miss six to eight weeks due to his own knee injury. Indy is going to need Manning to be 100% with the Jaguars expected to be breathing down the Colts’ next all season.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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