Celtics Land First Blow

For all the hype surrounding the NBA Finals, Game 1 lived up to it. Maybe the only thing missing from a great start to the NBA Finals was the short shorts, high tops, and knee-high socks that were the norm the last time these two teams meet in this series. Nonetheless, the Celtics pulled out a 98-88 victory in the Garden last night to take a 1-0 lead in the series. A victory that would make Bird, Parrish, and McHale proud.

Coming into the series it was obvious to say the Big 3 need to play well for the Celtics to win. That happened. Garnett lead the way with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Pierce was an efficient 7 for 10 for 22 points, and Allen had 19 points. Pierce was definitely the story in the 3rd quarter. After a poor man's Willis Reed impersonation, Pierce came back after colliding with teammate Kendrick Perkins. Pierce's reaction lead the audience to believe that would be very serious, but after about two minutes of gametime, Pierce triumphantly returned to a blazing appause which ultimately changed the momentum of the game.

As Kobe flourished in the 3rd with 12 points seemingly looking to take the game over, Pierce answered the bell. He was a perfect 5 for 5 in the quarter changing a 5 point Lakers lead into a 4 point Celtics edge going into the 4th.

As blame or praise usually falls on Kobe's shoulders, it is blame that probably should be associated with the star after the Game 1 loss. Bryant finished with a team-high 24 points but shot a dismal 9 for 26 from the floor. The Lakers could see more shooting woes for their star in the series with how well the Celtics can matchup with the star. James Posey, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rajun Rondo took turns pestering Bryant which may be a sign of things to come.

Spygate Over? Not For Arlen Specter!

So, just when you thought it was over, it seems to be continuing. Philadelphia Senator and rabid Philadelphia Eagles fan Arlen Specter said today at a new conference that he is not happy with how the NFL handled the Spygate investigation.

"I have documented the strong factual case that the NFL investigation was neither objective or adequate, said Specter, If the commissioner doesn't move for an independent investigation, then it is a permanent black mark on the NFL, and the Patriots' record will be historically tainted. Depending on the public reaction, I may ask the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on the NFL's antitrust exemption."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell appeared to have shut the book on the whole story Tuesday but apparently he was wrong. Specter said he is willing to wait months for the league to start an impartial investigation. And to give you an idea on how serious Specter thinks this is, he is receiving chemotherapy treatments for Hodgskin's Disease while all of this is going on. Talk about devotion!

I think though that Specter needs to move on from this trivial bullshit and start concentrating this kind of effort towards the state of the nation's economy or the housing market.

As a matter of fact,

DO SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS IN TODAY'S TROUBLE ECONOMY. A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN THIS STATE DON'T GIVE TWO SHITS WHO MATT WALSH IS OR FOOTBALL FOR THAT MATTER. STOP IT!

/end rant

How Much Is Too Much?

Joba Chamberlain struck out David Dellucci last Thursday so why are we talking about it Tuesday? Well that reason would be that Hall of Famer Goose Gossage has a problem with Chamberlain's over the top celebration after the strike out.

David Dellucci had hit a game winning home run 2 days prior to Thursday's game complete with no celebration. So after Chamberlain's display, one that included a hellacious yell and a SUPER fist pump after striking out Dellucci, some critics are wondering "How much is too much celebration?"

Goose Gossage seems to think what Joba did wasn't "Yankee" like. Here's the complete quote;
"That's just not the Yankee way, what Joba did. Let everyone else do that stuff, but not a Yankee," Gossage told The Record on Saturday. "What I don't understand is, the kid's got the greatest mentor in the world in Mariano [Rivera]. He's one of the leaders of the team, so you'd think it wouldn't happen on that team."

David Dellucci also chimed in;

"It is what it is. If he wants to yell and scream after a strikeout, I guess that's what gets him going," he said. "It's May baseball. The home run was in a much bigger situation. I didn't dance and scream."

Do you think Goose and Dellucci are too old school or is their some validity to their arguments? Personally, I'm an old school guy, even though I'm only 21. What Joba did was unneccasary and over the top. I could see maybe pulling those shenanigins off during Game 7 of the World Series but not at this point in the season.

I would also like to point out that I am not being bias and think that players like Manny Ramirez needs to stop watching his home runs and flipping his bat like an idiot. Run it out, they taught you that in Little League. Manny would have a lot more doubles had he run some of those "home-run" balls out.

Technical Difficulties!

The new podcast will be up tomorrow. Audacity has been acting up recently but now everything is gravy. Look for the new podcast Wednesday afternoon!

Bill Simmons Grills Jimmy Kimmel

I think everyone knew he was lying, but to the extent of 31 pounds? I don't think Kimmel will ever garner the respect he had before this interview, and even then, it wasn't a lot.

Another Athlete Making Headlines...The Wrong Way

Richard Jefferson was charged with assault today. The incident appears to have happened in Minneapolis while the Nets were visiting the Bucks. The Graves Hotel was the scene of the crime that apparently had Jefferson choking out a male during said person's private birthday party.

Richard of course has a different account in which the party was actually Vince Carter's. He goes on to describe the altercation, "I was literally in our hotel bar and I had an individual come up to me who was very rude and very disrespectful and, you know, an altercation broke out." Apparently no bows were thrown and no blood bled.

Richard Jefferson's first court hearing is on June 18th.

Sports Wise Guys Podcast - May 6

May 6th Podcast

- Up-to-Date Updates

- NBA Playoffs

- Alley Oops

We begin with some news of the now in a segment we call Up-to-Date Updates. The NBA Playoffs are next on the table where we breakdown all four playoff series and give our predictions on the matchups. We close it out with some Alley Oops, with one of us tossing it up, and the other guy throws it down!

Check the site during the weekend, for the link to download this podcast!

Weekly Wrap Up

The news you should care about....because it's the news we care about. That means it has to be important.


MLB
-The Yankees Ian Kennedy demoted to minors.
-Dontrelle Willis' return to the Tigers put on hold.
-Rockies All-Star Troy Tulowitzki put on the DL.

NBA
-Kobe Bryant wins the MVP award.
-Pesky Hawks finally bow to the Big 3.
-Rick Carlisle front-runner for Mavs job.
-Mike D'Antoni meets with Suns management about coaching future.

NHL
-Flyers and Penguins end their series, meet in "Pennsylvania" Conference finals.
-Stars win a thriller, battle Red Wings in Western Conference Finals.
-From first to last, the Philadelphia Flyers rise to possible Cup contenders.

NFL
-Cedric Benson peppered sprayed during altercation with police.
-Marvin Harrison questioned about bar shooting in Philadelphia.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game Turns 100!

The unofficial anthem of America's pastime celebrated it's 100th anniversary today. Written in 1908 by Jack Norworth, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" is the 3rd most sung song in America. The number one and number two positions are taken "Happy Birthday" and "The Star-Spangled Banner".

Jack Norworth came up with the idea for the song while riding the subway. On that subway ride he saw a sign advertising "Baseball Today - Polo Grounds" and the rest is history. The lyrics were put to music by Albert Von Tizler and first sung by Jack's wife Nora Bayes.

What many people don't know about the lyrics to "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" is that the part we sing during the 7th inning stretch today is only the chorus. Here are the actual lyrics to the song written by Norworth in 1908.

1908 Version
Katie Casey was baseball mad,
Had the fever and had it bad.
Just to root for the home town crew,
Ev'ry sou
Katie blew.
On a Saturday her young beau
Called to see if she'd like to go
To see a show, but Miss Kate said "No,
I'll tell you what you can do"

The Chorus

Katie Casey saw all the games,
Knew the players by their first names.
Told the umpire he was wrong,
All along,
Good and strong.
When the score was just two to two,
Katie Casey knew what to do,
Just to cheer up the boys she knew,
She made the gang sing this song:

The Chorus

Since 1908 Norworth's unofficial anthem for baseball has gotten many modern renditions. Artists like jazz legend Dr. John, alt rockers the Goo Goo Dolls, and even the great Frank Sinatra all gave the classic song a new twist. My personal favorite is the Dr. John rendition.

Of course, the man who made it famous to sing at ballgames, also happened to be the same person who didn't want to sing it at all. That's right, Chicago's legendary baseball broadcaster Harry Caray first scoffed at the idea of singing it. Former Chicago White Sox Bill Veeck was not detered and eventually got Caray to sing it. Since Caray's death guest conductors have been brought in to sing the song during the 7th inning stretch.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" Major League Baseball are going to hold various promotional activities. I'm not holding my breath that they will be either funny nor entertaining, but we'll see. What I'm excited about is that the United State Postal Service will be issuing first-class rate postage stamps this summer to coincide with the Little League World Series in Williamport, Pennsylvania.

In addition, everyone who considers themself a baseball fan should pick up Baseball's Greatest Hit: The Story of Take Me Out to the Ball Game. The authors Andy Strasberg, Bob Thompson and Tim Wiles all work in Coopertowns, New York at the Baseball Hall of Fame. It even comes with a cd with 16 different artists doing their rendition of the song.

I wrote all this and I've failed to mention the lyrics once. But have no fear Harry Caray is here!

SING ALONG!

Age of An Athlete= Big Numbers

A couple of weeks ago, an investigation done by ESPN revealed that Astros SS Miguel Tejada is actual 33 not 31, as he has claimed before. Tejada's lying of his age is the second major allegation levied against the slugger; the Mitchell Report's numerous mentions of Tejada's link to performance-enhancing drugs surely hasn't painted a pristine image of Miguel. But this latest accusation begs the question, isn't there a big difference of two years time for an athlete?

Of all sports, baseball may be the worst to make this argument. Julio Franco was the oldest player in the big leagues last year at the age of 49, and this year the honor goes to 45 year old Jamie Moyer. So youth isn't a necessity in baseball but as we see in other sports, it does garner the big bucks. In football, two years can be a big deal. A player can go from stud to dud, due to age or cumulative injuries over a career. Basketball is similar to football in that respect, with a three to four year window to get that huge contract. But with baseball the time frame to make the killer coin is like a bay window, large and unhinged. A steady breeze of cash can come flowing in, and for some, it can last for a 20 year career. And given the fact that baseball teams' salaries can reach $150 million and up, a two year period in a player's career can make a big difference.

So let's consider Miguel Tejada's current contract. While signing with the Baltimore Orioles in the offseason of 2004, Tejada received a six year, $72 million deal. Now being paid by the Astros, the shortstop makes about $12 million dollars a year. That's $24 million in two years. All in all, this fib has granted Tejada with millions of dollars and "two extra years" of life. So I would say that two years of a professional career is a very valued time. And by the way, if anyone asks, I'm 19 again.