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      No ‘free agency tour’ for LeBron

      June 27, 2010 /

      Per ESPN…

      All the elaborate recruiting plans for LeBron James will have to change. James will not go on a recruiting tour, his longtime business manager Maverick Carter told ESPN.com Friday.

      Instead, the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar will visit with individual clubs in Northeastern Ohio once the free-agency period begins July 1.

      Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein that the latest plan calls for the New Jersey Nets — led by new owner Mikhail Prokhorov and minority owner/longtime James pal Jay-Z — to be the first team to meet James face to face. No one from James’ camp, though, would confirm the meeting.

      Well, that’s a relief. Anything that can keep this courtship from becoming more of a spectacle is fine by me.

      Holding all the talks in Ohio should also speed this process up. Hopefully, LeBron’s camp knocks these meetings out quickly so he doesn’t hold free agency hostage while he makes up his mind.

      Really, he should already have his list narrowed to 2-3 teams, but it seems as if he is seriously considering six franchises: the Cavs, Bulls, Knicks, Heat, Nets and Clippers.

      Though with the news that the Clippers are down to Vinny Del Negro and Dwyane Casey in their coaching search, I don’t see LeBron coming out West.

      External Sports, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, News, Rumors & Gossip

      Ghana defeats the U.S., 2-1, in extra time

      June 26, 2010 /

      The U.S. once again conceded a goal early, as Kevin-Prince Boateng took advantage of a sluggish American defense in the 5th minute. Slowly but surely, the play of the U.S. improved and after half, the Americans evened the game on Landon Donovan’s penalty kick in the 62nd minute.

      With the game tied, 1-1, at the end of regulation, extra time was necessary, and Ghana scored in the 93rd minute when Asamoah Gyan turned a fairly harmless kick forward into the go-ahead goal. The U.S. had several good opportunities over the next 27 minutes of extra time, but were unable to capitalize. The Americans’ World Cup dream is over.

      External Sports, Soccer, World Cup

      Thierry Henry empathizes with Nicolas Anelka

      June 26, 2010 /

      Thierry Henry, the France striker whose handball against the Republic of Ireland landed his team in the World Cup, says he understands Nicolas Anelka’s situation. Anelka was booted off the French squad after reportedly cursing at coach Raymond Domenech.

      From The Irish Times:

      “I can tell you, from the experience with my handball, I was all alone and I know what it feels like,” the former France captain said in an interview on French television.

      “I would have really liked him to be supported a bit.”

      Henry knows what it’s like to receive the cold shoulder. As a result of the handball, Henry noticed the disrespectful way the other players acted toward him.

      Having been relegated to the bench for the tournament, the 32-year-old said he had “no credibility” and was made to feel like an isolated and unimportant figure.

      “I could have been the big brother (to the younger player) but I no longer am,” France’s all-time record scorer explained.

      “I felt cast aside. People no longer spoke to me in the same way as before.

      “They used to talk to me more. I was at the centre. When you no longer have any credibility in the squad, it gets to the point when it becomes difficult.”

      Soccer is a different beast in other countries. When a player commits something wrong on the field, they can be nationally disgraced. In the U.S., we’d just cover the incident for a day or two and make sure its mentioned on his Wikipedia.

      External Sports, Soccer, World Cup

      Will the World Cup lead to a baby boom in Germany?

      June 26, 2010 /

      Well, the nation hopes so…

      From Yahoo.com:

      Kristina Schroeder told Saturday’s Rheinische Post newspaper the 2006 World Cup, when Germany reached the semifinals, boosted the national birthrate and “that is why I as the family minister would be especially happy if Germany wins the championship.”

      Germany will face England in its second-round match on Sunday.

      The government has long worried about Germany’s declining number of births. In 2009 it fell by 3.6 percent to 651,000—the lowest since World War II.

      I have no idea how soccer victories increase fertility rates and libido in a nation, but leave it to Germany to find a correlation.

      Also, I have the team going to the finals. If I’m right, talk about reaching a fever pitch, ya know what I’m sayin’? That’s a little soccer humor, on the house.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, Soccer, World Cup

      Mikey’s MLB power rankings

      June 26, 2010 /

      A lot has changed since last week. The Dodgers have faded and the Rangers have caught fire. The Yankees and Red Sox have been steadily winning while Tampa bas dropped off just a bit. And the Mets and Braves keep battling for first place. Here are this week’s power rankings…..

      1. New York Yankees (46-27)—Not only have they taken over first place in the mighty AL East, but the Yankees are starting to put a bit of distance between themselves, and the Rays and Sox. They just have way too much talent.

      2. Texas Rangers (44-29)—We knew the Rangers would hit the ball, but did anyone expect their pitching staff to be fifth in the AL in ERA, and second in strikeouts? Quick, name me two of their starters…..I know, I couldn’t either.

      3. Boston Red Sox (44-31)—Like the Yanks, too much talent, and too much straight up desire to win. No wonder the chowder heads love their team.

      4. San Diego Padres (43-30)—Don’t look now, but the Padres have the best record in the National League. That is not a typo.

      5. Tampa Bay Rays (43-30)—I’ll give you five reasons why the Rays aren’t going away any time soon—Garza, Price, Davis, Niemann and Shields. It’s almost like a young version of the ‘90’s Braves. But being no-hit again isn’t good, either.

      6. Atlanta Braves (43-31)—Speaking of the Braves, these guys are turning back the clock with guys like Chipper Jones, Derek Lowe, Tim Hudson and Billy Wagner leading the way; and with Martin Prado leading the NL in batting.

      7. New York Mets (42-31)—Seriously, RA Dickey is 6-0 with a 2.33 ERA in 7 starts? It’s like suddenly the Mets can do no wrong, and they just keep winning.

      8. St. Louis Cardinals (40-33)—Raise your hand if you think the Cardinals are afraid of the Reds. I see a few hands up and they’re all in Southern Ohio.

      9. Minnesota Twins (40-33)—Leading a weak division once again, and there’s no reason to believe the Twins will relinquish first place any time soon. Or that Joe Mauer’s average will continue to drop.

      10. Cincinnati Reds (41-33)—They might be overachieving right now, but you can’t count them out.

      External Sports, MLB

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