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      Pirates seeking star Japanese pitcher

      February 7, 2010 /

      In a surprising move, the Pirates have entered the mix to sign coveted Japanese pitcher Hisanori Takashi.

      From NPB Tracker:

      Sanspo has published a report saying that the Pirates have suddenly emerged as a destination for Takahashi. I’d read earlier that Takahashi prefers the west coast, but he’s also been saying all offseason that he wants a major league deal and wants to start. The Pirates don’t exactly have the strongest rotation in the world, so it’s feasible that they could have MLB starts to offer him this season. Bringing in Takahashi may work for the Pirates if he can eat up a few innings and buy them some time with some of their prospects, plus Aki Iwamura is around to ease his transition. But, you know, that sounds pretty stopgap-ish, and if you’re going to be a stopgap, why not be one in San Diego? Assuming the opportunity is available, of course.

      Takahashi has spent his entire career playing for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball and has looked forward to playing in America. The 34-year-old has a career record of 79-66 along with a 3.70 ERA. Apparently, he doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but boasts a sweet screwball.

      As of right now, the Pirates’ starting rotation consists of Zach Duke, Paul Maholm, Ross Ohlendorf, Charlie Morton, and Kevin Hart. Obviously, that won’t intimidate many teams. Takahashi intends to start in the MLB, and I think Pittsburgh would be a great fit.

      MLB

      How “The Hangover” convinced Mike Dunleavy to step down

      February 7, 2010 /

      Via TrueHoop…

      I was walking by [Clippers broadcaster] Ralph [Lawler] … He sits right behind me and he’s laughing. I went to use the restroom — I was studying film, doing whatever — and I said, “What are you watching?”

      And Ralph said, “I’m watching this movie, ‘The Hangover,'”

      I said, “All my boys have seen it and said they loved it.”

      And I’m sitting there and I said to myself, “You know, I need a break.”

      I said, “Ralph, when you’re finished with that movie, let me know.”

      He gave me the movie, and I laughed. And I got in my own head and I’m thinking, “Wow.”

      One of our guys saw me laughing. He thought I was asleep and he says, “Coach!”

      I look up and he said, “What are you laughing at?”

      I said, “I’m watching this film.”

      He said, “Oh, I thought you were asleep and were laughing in your dreams.”

      I think he was shocked that I was watching a movie as opposed to nonstop film. At that point in my own mind, I said the same thing, “This is a sign that it’s time to take a break. Time to recharge the batteries … You’re burnt out on this.”

      Mike Dunleavy is comedy gold.

      Humor, NBA

      Super Bowl XLIV Prediction

      February 7, 2010 /

      I wrote a longer version of this article in my rough draft, but I’m going to do everyone a favor and just skip the foreplay. By now, your well aware of all the storylines centered around Super Bowl XLIV because it’s been shoved down your throat the past two weeks.

      So let’s just get naked and do this thing already.

      With everyone focused on Peyton Manning’s brilliance, Dwight Freeney’s injury and the Saints’ “destiny,” fans and analysts alike aren’t paying much attention to something that could be the difference in the end.

      Whether it’s pounding it up the middle with Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell or testing the edge with Reggie Bush, the Saints can run the ball. In fact, they can run the ball better than people give them credit for.

      What’s one of the best ways to beat Manning? If you said “with pressure” then you’d be right, but that’s easier said than done. The Saints battered Kurt Warner and Brett Favre into mistakes in their last two games, but Manning excels at reading a defense at the line of scrimmage, recognizing the coverage and getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Chances are that New Orleans won’t get to Manning consistently enough for it to play a huge factor in the outcome.

      No, the best way to beat Manning is to keep him on the sidelines. The Saints can accomplish that by controlling the line of scrimmage and pounding the rock. Once they’ve done that, then the passing game will open up and due to Freeney’s injury, the Colts won’t be able to generate enough pressure with their front four to slow Brees down. If they blitz, Brees can burn them by throwing away from their coverage, which is something he specializes in.

      While Brees, Bush, Jeremy Shockey, Darren Sharper and a host of other Saints will certainly play a key role tonight, I wouldn’t be surprised if Pierre Thomas takes on the MVP award tonight. He could wind up being the backbone of the Saints’ offense and the key to keeping Manning on the sidelines.

      The Saints win this game with their ground game, and I’m willing to bet that it’ll be a lower scoring game than people think.

      Saints 24, Colts 23.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      Warren Sapp charged with misdemeanor domestic battery

      February 7, 2010 /

      Former player and current NFL Network commentator Warren Sapp has been released from jail on $1,500 bond this morning, a day after being arrested in Miami Beach on charges of choking a woman in his hotel room.

      SPORTSbyBROOKs.com, which has been all over the story from the start, breaks down the details from Sapp’s arrest:

      Sapp is accused of attacking his girlfriend around 5 a.m. Saturday at the Shore Club Hotel on Collins Avenue. The woman, who was not identified by police, was treated by emergency workers for a swollen knee and bruises on the back of her neck and taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center.

      Detective Juan Sanchez, spokesman for the Miami Beach Police Department, said that the woman called police around noon Saturday to report that she had been attacked. She said she and Sapp had dated for two years.

      The woman told officers that she had been partying with Sapp and friends when she grew tired and went to his hotel room. According to the arrest affidavit, she told officers that Sapp later came to the room, pulled her from bed and attempted to remove her from the room.
      She alleged that he began arguing with her about some men she had been hanging out with earlier and men listed in her phone. She told officers that during the argument, he choked her and pushed her down on a couch. She alleged he then picked her up by her shirt and neck and threw her down again. Sapp, she said, ordered her to leave the room.

      Sanchez said Sapp appeared cooperative when first confronted by police. “Mr. Sapp did volunteer when we approached him and asked him to come back for questioning,” Sanchez said.

      According to the arrest affidavit, Sapp told officers that he asked the woman to leave because he was expecting company. He said he tried to help her off the couch when she fell backwards and hurt her leg.

      SbB.com also reports that a model named Persiana (who has been photographed with Sapp several times over the past couple months) says that Sapp is being falsely accused:

      Early Sunday morning model Persiana, who also goes by the name “Vegas Aysha” and describes herself on Twitter as a “Video Vixen and Magazine Blesser,” Tweeted about the Sapp situation: “A really close friend of mine was falsely accused of some serious BS and I’m sooooo upset right now! Omg! I will whoop a bitch for him.”

      We’ll have to wait for more details to emerge, but it’s interesting to note that the NFL Network has already removed Sapp’s coverage for Super Bowl XLIV.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      Rice, Smith head 2010 Hall of Fame Class

      February 7, 2010 /

      Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Ricky Jackson, Russ Grimm and John Randle were announced as the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 on Saturday.

      From ESPN.com:

      “I am just honored … to stand up there with greatness,” Rice added.

      Smith teared up when speaking about his father and how “I was living his dream.”

      “We are blessed to achieve this level of greatness together,” Smith said, referring to Rice.
      Rice and Smith each won three Super Bowls and was the MVP in one of those victories. Smith was the 1993 league MVP, as well.

      Rice, the NFL’s career receiving and touchdowns leader, and Smith, the top rusher, were joined in the Hall by John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau. Little and LeBeau were elected as senior committee nominees.
      Smith, among the most durable running backs, rushed for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns for Dallas and Arizona.

      In an era of me-first players and diva receivers, it’s nice to take a step back and honor Rice. He was one of those players that knew what it took to be great and strived to get there every season. His workout habits are well renowned and I don’t know if there will ever be another receiver like him.

      It’s nice to see a player like Jackson get in too. The Saints were one of the saddest franchises in the NFL for a long time yet he played on some top 10 defenses that helped turn things around in the early 90s. The “Dome Patrol” was arguably the best linebacker corps in NFL history.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

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