Andre Ethier speaks his mind

Summer is right around the corner in fact its only 52 days away.  I love baseball I love those days sitting at the ballpark with a bag of sunflower seeds in one hand and beer in the other.  Its the greatest feeling sitting down watching baseball and enjoying that summer day.  I also believe that once it starts warming up that the true feelings ball players starts to show up especially Andre Ethier who has 24 game hitting streak coming up on the Longest Dodger hitting streak of Willie Davis hit safely in 31 games in the 1969 season and owns the longest hitting streak by a Los Angeles Dodgers hitter in the history of the organization.  Yet in this video we see a different side of Ethier. 

The Highlight of the 2011 NFL Draft? This Giants Fan

I love sport fans I love how much fans really get into loving their team but this guy is way too into the draft.  I love the energy but dude its the draft what has this guy actually done in the league NOTHING! and the fact that he painted a Giants helmet on his huge, bald cranium.  I'm not a draft guy because I believe its over hyped espicelly with the fact that their might not even be a season this fall.  Maybe one day I should go to the draft one of these days, just to hang with people like this—and to boo Roger Goodell.  

Check out your New MADDEN 12 Cover

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick's bid to become the first person to repeat as Madden NFL cover star since John Madden himself has fallen short. Electronic Arts today announced that Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis has been chosen to front Madden NFL 12 by the series' fan base. According to ESPN, Hillis beat Vick by a margin of 66 percent to 34 percent.  I think its just funny how these two individuals have made it to finals.  I guess for the City of Cleavland there is some light in the glimmer of darkness I mean lets look at the sad things this past year Lebron Leaves, Browns continue to struggle.  Drunk Homeless man gets a job then gets fired again.  So maybe this a sign of things looking up.  Remember the Cavs do have 2 first round draft picks and the Browns have the 6 pick of their draft as well so I will ask it again is this good things to happen for the city of Cleveland? 

Ian Desmond heading to the paternity list

The Nationals placed shortstop Ian Desmond on the paternity leave list on Tuesday and recalled outfielder Roger Bernadina from Triple-A Syracuse.
Desmond's wife, Chelsey, gave birth to their first son on Tuesday, Grayson Wesley Desmond, who came into the world in Sarasota at 3:56 p.m. at a weight of six pounds, 11 ounces.
The paternity leave period is three days, and Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said he thinks the shortstop will return Thursday. According to Washington Nationals Website  The only thing I could think of is the 1983 Comedy with Michael Keaton & that wonderful B rate actor Teri Garr check out the trailer below.

Tony LaRussa’s Hot Daughter Bianca is an Oakland Raiders Cheerleader

It’s always nice to see sexy children come from ugly people kinda like the Kardashians, I mean seriously have you seen Kris Jenner, looks a like a uncooked turkey coming out of the oven.  Yet in this instance its nice to some someone looking legit.  Bianca Tai, daughter of Cards manager Tony LaRussa, is no exception.
In Bianca’s case, she is a dancer who had her dream come true when she was named to the 2011 Raiderettes, the Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad.  Let’s just hope there a 2011 season happens so we can all enjoy Bianca in action. 




Not entirely sure what Bianca means by the Raiders being an organization that does so much good—last time I checked, the Oakland has been sucking for at least the past 5 years.
But that’s neither here nor there.  What’s important is that Tony LaRussa’s daughter is incredibly attractive, an Oakland Raider cheerleader to boot, and much better to look at than her horribly disfigured father.

 

76ers Fan Dancing is a Philly National Treasure

Even though it isn't the best looking sight watching this fat 76ers fan’s belly jiggle is mesmerizing—like watching a lava lamp.
If only the outcome of the Heat-76ers playoff series was based on the infectious joy and fancy footwork of their fans, the 76ers would win hands down, thanks in large part to this fella’s dancing.
Alas, that’s not how things are done in professional sports, and despite this portly fan’s best effort, the 76ers lost to the Heat yet again to fall behind in the series 3-0.  Hey, our chubby buddy did all he could—time for the 76ers to step it up and match this guy’s enthusiasm.  It kinda reminds me the Boston Celtics fan dancing to Bon Jovi hmmm check them both out and tell me which one you like better

St. Louis Cardinal Fans Prepared to Welcome Reds Mike Leake With These Nifty T-Shirts

Police reports said Leake removed the tags from six American Rag T-shirts at a Macy's store downtown on Monday afternoon and tried to leave without paying for them. The shirts were valued at $59.88.
Reds manager Dusty Baker considered skipping his turn in the rotation, but decided Leake wouldn't let the arrest distract from his pitching preparations.  A few fans had fun at his expense.  This is just another example of how stupid athletes can be sometimes.  You knew it was only a matter of time before someone came up with a shirt mocking Reds P Mike Leake’s recent arrest for shoplifting $60 worth of shirts from Macy’s.  It’s simple yet effective, and sure to be out in full force in St. Louis this weekend as the Reds take on the Cardinals in a three game series.
Hopefully Leake has the ability to laugh at his own foibles and not be offended by the shirt. Poking fun at an opposing player for being arrested really is a victimless crime—like jaywalking, not wearing pants to the bank, or punching a clown in the dark.

Internet Sensation becomes a Giant

In the video Keenan, who has a rare genetic disorder called Maroteaux Lamy Syndrome which stunts growth, fist pumps to Dynamite by Taio Cruz in a Giants jersey. Soon enough, Brian Wilson and Cody Ross join in on fighting the beat. And the Giants mascot breaks a move too!  This video is a hilliarous and it also goes for a great cause check it out.

What Arm Trouble? Aroldis Chapman Hits 106 mph Against the Pirates

Unofficially mind you.  Officially Chapman topped out at 102 mph, which is still damn impressive considering he couldn’t break 95 mph a week ago.
Looks like the four day rest did him a world of good.
Against the Pirates Monday night Chapman threw 14 pitches—13 fastballs and one slider.  Of those fastballs, 10 broke the 100 mph barrier, with the official top speed being 102 mph.  One of Chapman’s fastballs registered 106 mph, but this was on the Great American Ballpark scoreboard, and thus doesn’t qualify for official status.
Official or not, 106 mph is something else.

Hawks Nest Exclusive

Alright football is right around the corner so its time to get an interview I had the the pleasure to interview Joe Southwick backup quarterback behind Kellen Moore at Boise State.  For the 2009 Season Redshirted...Named Offensive Scout Player of the Year.  Southwick has solid running ability and a strong arm.  He has potential to be the starter for Broncos next season.  He has great leader to look up to in Kellen Moore.  It will be interesting to see what is going to happen for the future for the Boise State Broncos.  Either way enjoy the interview below.

LSU Coach Les Miles Kissing a Pig

Let’s just hope all his shots are up to date—wouldn’t want that poor pig catching anything.
I keed, I keed.  But yes, that is LSU head football coach Les Miles puckering up and smooching a pig.  Whether or not this can be construed as unwarranted physical contact depends on whether or not the pig agreed to being kissed by the Tigers coach, which will be difficult to prove, seeing that he’s a pig and all.

The annual “Kiss the Pig” event was put on by the LSU Rotaract Club to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Miles was one of the notable LSU people signed on to lip lock with the pig in question.  Thank god there was a plausible explanation…wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea about Les Miles.
Wonder if he slipped him the tongue?

Sonic fans continues to get screwed by Former Owner

So growing up in the Northwest I was a huge Sonic Fan.  Watching Kemp, and Payton truly made me even a stronger fan.  It was a Joy watching them growing up even bench players like Michael Cage sure brought a lot of excitement on the table.  There was only one big problem their owner.  Howard Schultz who yes was the Starbucks Owner was probably one of the worst owners in professional sports.  Whats it worse is this could have been a good thing.  You See Schultz was the founder of Starbucks which as you may already know was Seattle own product.  This could have been a match made in Heaven Usually Most owners are not from where the teams are represented.  To think a team that won a championship 1979 and that was in Seattle for over 33 years is just sad.  Yet finally at least two fans got their retribution


According to http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Former-SuperSonics-owner-has-Sonics-fans-tossed-?urn=nba-wp1125


Adam Brown, producer of the Webby Award-winning 2009 documentary "Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team" detailing the Sonics' scandalous relocation, was walking past the front of the line when [Scott] Pattison motioned for him to "Watch this" before beginning his rant at Schultz.  Brown proceeded to record the incident on a FlipCam before walking to the back of the line.

Closer analysis of the video shows Schultz pointing at Brown and saying "That guy right there!" to signal for Brown's ejection even before Pattison begins accosting Schultz.  Brown and Pattison did not know each other prior to Friday's events, and the two have never spoken outside of the exchange caught on camera.

Following Pattison's outburst, Brown stood quietly in line wearing a Sonics hat and shirt before store security and police escorted him out of the building.  Officials refused to provide a legitimate reason for ejecting the longtime Costco member, only saying that "Howard doesn't want you here, so Costco doesn't want you here."  Brown managed to roll a few more seconds of video and left peacefully without incident.


Here is that footage from the FlipCam

A New Wave in Comedy? Probably Not!

Ron Artest of the Los Angeles Lakers announced via Twitter that he will be hosting a comedy tour.  The tour will take place this summer, and has been dubbed the Ron Artest: The Ultimate Comedy Tour.

Four shows have been announced, two in New York and two in Los Angeles, though, no comedians have yet been confirmed. It’s also not clear if Artest will simply host the show or actually be a performer. One can surmise that it will be an amalgamation of Russell Simmons "Def Comedy Jam" and Shaqs All Star Comedy Jam.

Whatever the format, it sure sounds like fun: an uncensored Ron Artest with a microphone and hundreds of possibly drunk hecklers. What could possibly go wrong?  Ron Artest has always been a nut this goes back to his pacer days when he ran into the crowd after fans.  Maybe we should see a new show with him and Charlie Sheen it could be titled "Sheen and the Crazy Black Guy"

Anyway, here’s a preview of what we might be in store for.

Lebron James doesn't give a damn about Jermaine O'neal

During this weekends Miami Heat-Boston Celtics game, LeBron James was driving to the basket when he ran into baby face  O’Neal.  It was clearly a flagrant foul on O’Neal’s part, but James’ reaction to it is not going to win the Heat superstar any new fans. 

I don’t necessarily agree with the announcer who lauded James’ decision to “stick up for himself” as it were. It’s not like he got all up in O’Neal’s grill, or threw a punch or anything. He chucked the ball at O’Neal’s back, which is something that a pissed off little kid would do.
Now, if LeBron had thrown a shoe or something, that would have been different.

The sad thing is I was Lebron fan at one time in my life.  When Lebron came into the league he was a guy that was all about improving himself and his team.  He didn't care about the fame or glory all he cared about was the opportunity to make his team and himself better its sad to see what kind of person he as become today.  Here is another note to think about is this How many championship's does James have? thats right just as much as me maybe he needs to stop running his mouth play the game that he is good at and stop being an I guy last time I checked there is no "I" in team.

I sure do love a fired up manager

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon had a stroke of genius today as he went out to argue with umpires over what he perceived as a blown call at first base.  Maddon went ballistic after the Rays Dan Johnson was called safe at first after it appeared Sox pitcher Gavin Floyd dropped the ball, only to have the call reversed by the umps following a meeting with Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen. In his rage Maddon turned the tables on the umps, systematically ejecting them one by one.  Of course his little ploy didn’t work, and in the end, Maddon himself was the only one tossed from the game.
I give him an A+ for effort, but unfortunately for Maddon, that’s about all he got out of today’s game, as his Rays dropped to 1-8 on the year with the 6-1 loss to the White Sox.  Being an umpire I sure do love a fired up manager because whether the umpires call is right or wrong he is not going to be able to change the call because he then will have the other coach all over his butt.

Baseball to stay in California

Now this is a good story and an even better due to the budget crisis happening in California. The University of California, Berkeley, baseball program will continue to represent the campus as an Intercollegiate Athletics sport, now and into the future, as the result of a successful and ongoing fundraising effort on the part of alumni, former players, parents of current players and other team supporters, campus officials said today (Friday, April 8).
After a significant increase in philanthropic pledges in the last few days, commitments totaling $9 million were presented to Chancellor Robert Birgeneau yesterday by Stu Gordon, a former Golden Bear pitcher and leader of the fundraising effort. In light of the fact that the funds raised remain about 10 percent short of the previously identified $10 million goal, donors and the campus administration have agreed that the team’s formal reinstatement will be announced once the $10 million target is met through continued fundraising.  Look I'm not a Fan of Cal but I do feel as when they decided to dump their program I thought it was mistake I understand that they did this due to budget problems but here is the thing.  They have a medicore football program granite people will argue with me but lets be honest Jeff Tedford overall record is 72-42 in his 8 years at the helm of the Golden Bears.to me isn't worthy.  I'm a huge baseball fan being a former college baseball player so when I got word that they were dropping baseball it was a shot to the gut.  So congratulations to the University of California deciding to keep Baseball

A fundraising effort has saved the baseball program at the University of California at Berkeley, which had been targeted for elimination, campus officials said Friday.
The university said that after a significant increase in philanthropic pledges in the last few days, commitments totaling $9 million were presented to Chancellor Robert Birgeneau on Thursday by Stu Gordon, a former Cal pitcher who helped lead the fundraising effort.

Source: The Bay Citizen (http://s.tt/12eJI)

A fundraising effort has saved the baseball program at the University of California at Berkeley, which had been targeted for elimination, campus officials said Friday.
The university said that after a significant increase in philanthropic pledges in the last few days, commitments totaling $9 million were presented to Chancellor Robert Birgeneau on Thursday by Stu Gordon, a former Cal pitcher who helped lead the fundraising effort.

Source: The Bay Citizen (http://s.tt/12eJI)

Hawks Nest Exclusive Interview

I had the chance to interview Doug martin running back of Boise State. Moved to the defensive side of the ball during spring drills after playing running back the past two seasons....Primarily played special teams and defense in the first three games, recording seven tackles and forcing one fumble...Moved back to running back following an injury to DJ Harper...Scored the winning touchdown of the 2010 Fiesta Bowl.  He is very gifted athlete and looks to continue his success this upcoming season on the Blue 

Hawks Nest Exclusive Interview

I had the chance yesterday to speak to Boise State QB Kellen Moore.  Kellen talks about spring ball.  expectations heading into his senior year.  He also talks about his work ethic of his little brother Kirby Moore.  Kellen Moore is coming off another stellar performance finishing in the top 5 quarterbacks.  He finished as runner up for Heisman candidacy.   It will be very interesting to see how he shapes up heading into his senior year only time will telll

Another Hawks Nest Exclusive....

Earlier this afternoon I had the pleasure to interview Boise State Defensive Lineman Jarrell Root.  Root is entering his Senior at Boise State and is coming off impressive win over Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl.  As always there will be high expectations with this Boise State team.  Of course we know Kellen Moore and the Wide receivers on this team but there are many other work horses on this team that need to receive some love.  Jarrell is coming of a solid year last year with playing in all 14 games, including three starts at defensive end for the Broncos...Finished the season with 11 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup.  I expect some solid things from Root heading into the 2011 Season.  Only worries that I have for him this season is hamstrings he mentioned to me that his hamstring has been a little in pain if he is able to keep it healthy than there should be no worries for this Root to have another solid season.  Below is my interview go ahead and check it out.

So the National Championship may be over but....

Last night at the Utah Jazz played the Los Angeles Lakers  at the Staples Center, Gordon Hayward  went hard to the cup and slammed it in the face of Pau Gasol and Ron Artest .
I'll admit that this wasn't a hyped Blake Griffin dunk on the difficulty scale, but the circumstances surrounding the play elevate it to “I must email this clip to all my friends” status. First, it was late in the fourth quarter of a tight game that ultimately went down to the wire (the Jazz won on a Hayward steal on Kobe Bryant as time expired). Second, Bryant, the best player in the world something that I hate to admit was guarding him. He went left, used a pick and then went full-speed at the basket and finished with a left-handed jam.

Hayward must have been exacting revenge – or was just plain angry – at all the Butler trashing this week. The former Butler star, with one athletic play, made us forget about Butler’s dreadful performance in the championship game. His box score read 22 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Not a bad night for the ex-Bulldog.  To bad that Bulldogs didn't have much of an effort towards Huskies on Monday night and we already start discussion so to what could have been if Gordon would have stayed in College would the outcome been different? Who knows but for whatever reason this was a pretty good dunk last night and for me its even better because I hate the Lakers.

Central Arkansas to play football on purple and gray turf

Another College Add the University of Central Arkansas to the list of schools that are making the move to colorized turf. According to the school via a press release on itswebsite, starting in mid-April, the school will replace the natural grass of First Security Field at Estes Stadium with purple and gray artificial turf.
Initially the announcement was meet with some skepticism considering it was made on April 1^st, April Fools Day, however it is legitimate.

WTF was More exciting than the actual title game

Perhaps you saw – and if you didn’t, consider yourself extremely lucky – but UConn didn’t lose the national championship tonight, 53-41 over Butler. The first half was ugly probably the worst performance since Louisville v.s. Morehead State The second half was almost unbearable. Butler shot 12-64 for the game. 12-64. That’s 18.8 percent. 12-64. 12-64. (Is it starting to sink in yet?) Infact usually in the closing credits with "One Shinning Moment" they usually have more than 3 highlights but do to the poor effort by Butler there was no Highlights worthy enough to be in the "One Shinning Moment" video except the video clip below should have made the cut in my opinion personally.
The game was so mind-numbingly awful, in fact, that one of the highlights was something that had next to nothing to do with actual basketball. With slightly over six minutes to go before the game mercifully ended, a UConn player was knocked to the ground during a fight for the ball.
Someone wasn’t happy about how this transpired, and apparently was close to a microphone. You can hear what this person exclaimed at the four-second mark of the video below. Then, the video’s creator, bubbaprog of Mocksession fame, helpfully slowed down the footage, for an ultra slow-mo view of (and listen to) the accidental curse. Trust us, this was better than the actual game

Mets Get Pranked on Their Own Network With Funny “Family Guy” Clip

Someone at SNY SportsNet New York, the television network owned by the NY Mets, decided to beat the rush and begin dumping on the Mets right out of the gate, starting with their Opening Day broadcast.  Making fun of the Mets on and off field ineptitude is getting to be as easy as making emo teenagers depressed, and just as much fun. Towards the end of the SNY broadcast of the Mets 6-2 season opening loss to the Florida Marlins, an unknown SNY staffer thought it would be hilarious to insert a “Family Guy” soundbyte into the production, one in which evil baby Stewie laments about how much of a letdown it is being a Mets fan.  Only a portion of the audio made it to air, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less funny, especially after you see the clip in its entirety.

Louis Murphy and a little Blue Pill....

Oakland Raiders WR was pulled over early on Sunday morning for playing his music too loud, and, according to police, refused to show his ID. An officer then attempted to handcuff him, and again, according to police, Murphy refused to cooperate.
None of this, however, is the interesting part of the story. What happened then, Gainesville Sun?

Harrison said Murphy consented to a search of his vehicle, where officers found a "non-labeled prescription bottle containing 11 individual pills later identified as Viagra." Murphy could not provide a prescription for it and allegedly told the officer that he had peeled the label off of the bottle "because he did not want his girlfriend to know he had a prescription for it."

This has to be the funniest story of the year.  This guy probably didn't want anyone to know about his sexual problems, but then to not get it prescribed to your own problems makes this story even better.  Now with the internet jumping all over this the only thing that Louis Murphy has going for him is there is no football right now. 
That's a pretty rough night. A guy gets pulled over for the relatively harmless infraction of loud music, and the story ends with the whole world given an unflattering glimpse of his sex life. Also, they probably took his Viagra.

About the only thing that would be worse for Murphy is if this happened in the middle of one of those four-hour spells you hear so much about.

Pete Rose’s Transformation to Elderly Jewish Grandmother is Almost Complete

Well Baseball is finally upon us and Fans are finally on the field but this Hall of Famer really doesn't look his best in my opinion.  I guess this is the old saying that a picture is priceless.

Great Moments In NFL Draft History: A GM Flips Out On Mel Kiper

     The NFL draft is quickly approaching, which means that it’s Mel Kiper’s time to shine. But as we’ve seen with bracketologist Joe Lunardi, ESPN’s seasonal analysts (you know, the guys who are featured heavily for one month, then disappear for the other eleven?) often stir up the strongest feelings.
Such is the case with Kiper. Recently, Channing Crowder, who was selected in the third round by the Miami Dolphins in 2005, blamed Kiper for his reckless spending as a kid coming out of college. You see, Kiper originally had him rated as a first-rounder, so Crowder spent like one before the draft.
But apparently, Crowder stopped watching ESPN immediately after that, because Kiper soon had his stock slipping. Sure enough, Crowder was drafted in the third round, and he owed the bank some money.
But perhaps the best Kiper-related blowup though was in 1994, when then Colts GM Bill Tobin had some choice words for ESPN’s draft guru. Come for Tobin’s rant against Kiper, stay for a mustachioed Keith Olbermann saying Tobin should “get a life.“   
    This is why I don't like the draft because of nimrods like Mel Kiper and Todd Mcshay because we think people are experts yet in reality no one has a clue on how good a college athlete will transfer into playing NFL football.  No draft experts regardless of the sport have any specific Idea on how an athlete will preform at the next level but I guess like anything else its good drama and good TV, and with Lockout continuing to Loom over are head ESPN and Fox Sports will do whatever they can to squeeze this drama out because their is a chance that their will be no games on Sunday.  Below is a the video to enhance the article above