NBA celtics, lakers

Back in 1984, I got invited to participate in the school spelling bee, which was a pre-qualifying tournament for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.  This wasn't normal for a 6th grader; generally only the junior high students got tabbed to be in the bee, so this was big for me.

I studied for weeks, practicing spelling words that I knew, even at that age, I would never use in normal conversation ever again.  Hours upon hours of deciphering the etymology of words, how languages affected the way they might be spelled...yeah, I know this sounds like the kind of life that an 11 year old should live.  But I was ready; this was my destiny, I was going to shock the world!

Well, I shocked the world alright.  First word?  Affiliate.  A-F-F-I-L-L-I-A-T-E?  Yeah, not so much.  First word, and I'm out.  But, at least I know I have a record that will never be broken.  To this day, I hate that word - I had to spell check it just to make sure what the right spelling was.

Why am I relating this story?  Well, ever since ESPN decided that the Bee was fantastic entertainment, and felt the need to plaster their network (and ABC) with a solid week of coverage, they've been having all their high profile talent associated (not affiliated) with the event.  And if my little 11 year old hormones had any inkling that getting to the finals might mean that I would be the kid on the right side of this picture:

I'd have probably studied a lot harder.  Who needs sleep when you're 11 anyways?

Just For Fun spelling bee, erin andrews

Maybe I've just been out of it and not paying attention over the past week (and if so I am going to get flamed in the comments section), but I don't know how this slipped by us all.  The Manhattan Mercury reported that, while Bob Huggins was coaching at Kansas State, he turned down the opportunity to sign O.J. Mayo.

According to Brad Underwood, who was the director of basketball operations under Huggins, "...Mayo was on the phone with Huggins, "begging to come here"...Huggins told him no, because he thought Mayo would get in trouble because of money funneled to him and a friend prior to enrolling in college."  Eventually, after much persistence from Mayo's side, Huggins told him "We're not going to take you.  You'll never pass."

If this is true (and K-State employees have absolutely no incentive to lie for Huggins), this certainly explains why USC head coach Tim Floyd was so stunned to get a call from Mayo telling him he was coming to play for him.  For one, clearly the Mayo M.O. is, don't call me, I'll call you.  For another, it shows that Mayo didn't really have a backup plan if the Kansas State thing didn't work out.

The question I have for Floyd, however, is that, if Huggins knew about the money funneled to Mayo, how did he not know about it?  Or did he know about it, and decided it was worth the gamble to take him on?  Or maybe he didn't think he had the cache to tell him "you're not coming"?

Give Huggins credit; he's taken in some questionable characters in the past, and gotten burned by quite a few.  But he knew this one wasn't worth the risk, and good on him for passing.

(thanks to The Dagger for digging this one up)

College Hoops bob huggins, o.j. mayo

In his first major-league game, the highly touted prospect was 3-for-3 with two walks, two RBIs, two runs and a stolen base. Bruce reached base in his first five major-league plate appearances on Tuesday. A walk Wednesday extended the streak to six. Since 1956, only one player has done better:

7 - Ted Cox, Red Sox, 1977 (6-for-6, BB)
6 - Jay Bruce, Reds, 2008 vs Pit (3-for-3, 3 BB)
5 - Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs, 2008 vs Mil - (3-for-3, 2 BB)
5 - Brandon Boggs, Rangers, 2008 vs KC - (4-for-4, BB)
8 others tied with 5

HOME COOKIN’
The Reds beat the Pirates 9-1 to on Wednesday to hive them their ninth straight win at home, a GABP record. It's the longest home winning streak since the 1980 team won nine straight at Riverfront Stadium. Now if the team could just get something going on the road. They enter Thursday night’s home game against the Pirates with a 16-9 record at home, but only a 9-19 mark on the road.

BRONSON ARROYO
Arroyo continued his hot month of May by allowing one run on three hits as he pulled to 4-4 on the season with a win over the Pirates on Wednesday night. He walked four and struck out six. He was working on three days' rest because of Sunday's 18-inning game, but the right-hander is adept at coming back quickly, going 2-0 in five career starts on short rest with a 2.14 ERA. He has won his last two starts and last three decisions dating back to May 10. He has a 1.67 ERA in that span.

MLB reds, jay bruce, bronson arroyo

Much has been made this off-season about the fact that four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson wants out of Cincinnati. The uncertainity of Johnson is going to loom over the Bengals all summer long. However, head coach Marvin Lewis has made it clear that the team is not going to trade the star wideout, meaning he'll either play for the Bengals or not at all. Last year was another statistical success for Johnson as his 1440 receiving yards broke his own team season record (1432 in '05), and he became the franchise's all-time leader in receptions (559) and receiving yards (8365). 

With or without Johnson, the Bengals still have the luxury of having one of the league's best quarterbacks in Carson Palmer. The fifth-year pro played every offensive snap and re-set his own club records with 373 completions and 4131 passing yards.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is coming off his first Pro Bowl season as he topped Carl Pickens' Bengals record of 100 catches, set in 1996, by grabbing 112 balls and tying the Patriots' Wes Welker for the league lead in receptions.  Houshmandzadeh is physical receiver who no doubt has benefited playing opposite of his college teammate Johnson. It remains to be seen that if he could handle to being a legitimate #1 wideout, but the former seventh-round pick has emerged as top 15 wideout in the league.

Aside from Johnson's antics, Palmer's targets are changing as the team begins to turn the page.

The team finally said enough is enough and cut Chris Henry. Despite flashes of brilliance and amazing raw athletic ability, Henry could not stay out of trouble with the law. Henry was a clear cut No. 3 and his departure leads to one of this summer's most interesting position battles.

The front-runner for the job entering camp will be the team's second round pick Jerome Simpson. The Bengals surprised many by going after the Coastal Carolina star as early as they did, but at 6-foot-2 Simpson possesses the size and athleticism to make an immediate impact. 

Simpson will battle fellow rookie Andre Caldwell and veterans Glenn Holt, Antonio Chatman, and Marcus Maxwell, the third-year pro who's emergnce  allowed the team to part ways with Doug Gabriel, who signed this off-season as a free agent after not playing most of 2007. 

The biggest off-season improvement in the passing game came with the free agent signing of tight end Ben Utecht, formerly of the Colts. Utecht is a true "receiving tight end" and gives the Bengals a much needed over-the-middle option. He played in 14 games with 13 starts during the 2007 regular season for Indianapolis, finishing with 31 catches for 364 yards and one TD. Utecht joins Reggie Kelly, primarily a blocking tight end, to give Cincinnati nice balance at the position.

Fantasy Football, NFL bengals, carson palmer, chad johnson, tj houshmandzadeh, chris henry, jerome simpson, andre caldwell, antonio chatman, glenn holt, doug gabriel, ben utecht, reggie kelly

We go around the horn and look at some players that are having early fantasy success and discuss whether or not you can expect to see it continue:

1B: Jason Giambi, Yankees
He is on fire of late as he's hitting .412 over the past two weeks, including 4 HR's and 7 RBI's. The homeruns aren't much of a surprise. He now has 11 long balls on the season, but don't expect the batting average to stay anywhere near the .412 clip. The fact that even after all of this success he is still only .244 on the season should tell you all you need to know...MIRAGE

2B: Ian Kinsler, Rangers
Few second baseman have been as hot of late as Kinsler. Over his last 91 at bats he's batting .308 with an impressive 5 HR's and 18 RBI's helping the Rangers and fantasy owners alike to victories. He is currently on a 12-game hitting streak and knocking the cover off the ball while batting leadoff for Texas. Kinsler remains a high-end fantasy option at the position and though he may cool off a bit, expect solid production all year long...TREND

3B: Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres
Kouzmanoff has been highly touted since his arrival to San Diego and over the past week he has is starting to live up to the hype as he has went yard four times. He now has 8 HR's and 22 RBI's on the year. Don't forget he hit .317 with 11 home runs in the second half last year, making him a nice sleeper going forward...TREND

SS: Jhonny Peralta, Indians
Peralta has hit three homers in his past five games to help power the Indians. He now has 11 HR's on the year. There has been little debate over Peralta's power potential. Still, his .225 average and the fact he's only batted above .270 once since 2002 is hard for some owners to overlook and suggests struggles ahead...MIRAGE

OF: Hunter Pence, Astros
Pence broke on to the scene as a rookie in 2007 in a big way and after a slow start his sophomore campaign has picked up momentum. He has managed 34 hits in 93 ABs in May and hit 6 HR's and 21 RBI's in that span. Playing in an explosive offense and in a hitter's park, there's no reason no to expect more of the same ahead for Pence...TREND

OF: Carlos Quentin, White Sox
Quentin now has 47 RBI on the year, with seven in his last four games. That puts him on pace for 146 RBI's on the year. Listen, there is no doubt about Quentin's potential as he could easily be a 30-30-100-100 guy. However, injuries remain a concern and as long as you don't expect him to continue at his current pace you won't be left disappointed. He's a budding star...TREND

OF: Nate McCloth, Pirates
McLouth started May with a .342 average and saw it drop as low as .298 before getting it back to .310. He has been one of fantasy baseball's biggest surprises early on, but maybe it's time to start think about selling him while his value is still high...MIRAGE

C: Bengie Molina, Giants
Catcher is one of the hardest positions for a fantasy owner to fill, but Molina owners have been pretty lucky so far with their low-end starting option. Over the past 21 days Molina is batting .400 and has hit 2 HR's and 16 RBI's. Still, the Giants' lineup is terrible and the fact that he has never hit above .300 tells me that he is going to fall from his current .339 average probably to something closer to his three-year average of .284...MIRAGE

SP: Scott Kazmir, Rays
He won his fourth straight start, striking out 10 in seven innings to lead the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays over the Texas Rangers 7-3 Monday night. He has given up two runs over 26 innings during his winning streak (0.69 ERA). The elbow problems that sidelined him April appear to be a thing of the past. Expect him to be a fantasy ace as long as he remains healthy...TREND

SP: Bronson Arroyo, Reds
He has won his last two starts and last three decisions dating back to May 10. He has a 1.67 ERA in that span. The WHIP and ERA are both dropping down quickly as he pulls back to .500 at 4-4. After a slow start to year, Arroyo is once again finding his way back into line-ups.  He's a streaky pitcher though and the fact that his career record is 59-63 tells you that he's nothing more than average as a fantasy starter. Shop him while he is on the good side of things...MIRAGE

SP: Rich Harden, A's
Harden has been outstanding since his return to health from a shoulder injury. After picking up two wins in first two games back, Harden received a no-decision in a pitcher's duel vs. Roy Halladay on Wednesday night. There's no doubt about Harden's ability, but it seems every time he gets rolling, he's winds up right back on the DL. Sell high and play it safe...MIRAGE

RP: Jose Valverde, Astros
Houston's closer is 10 for 10 in save opportunities during the month of May while posting 1-0 record, 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 15 K's in 14 innings pitched during that span. He pitched for the first time since taking a liner off his head Friday and recorded the save Wednesday night against Philly and appears to have avoided something much more serious. Valverde saved 47 games last year for the D-Backs and is on pace for 45 saves in '08...TREND

Fantasy Baseball jason giambi, ian kinsler, kevin kouzmanoff, jhonny peralta, hunter pence, carlos quentin, nate mccloth, bengie molina, scott kazmir, bronson arroyo, rich harden, jose valverde

5 - Johnny Bench
14 - Pete Rose (1 + 4 = 5)
41 - Tom Seaver (4 + 1 = 5)
32 - Jay Bruce (3 + 2 = 5) - A  FANTASTIC DEBUT!

Get ready boys and girls the next generation of the Big Red Machine is developing right in front of our eyes.

Where is the next George Foster? Does anybody know?  Because Jocketty will go get him, now!

MLB jay bruce

The Reds finally gave the nod to last year's Minor League Player of the Year when they called up outfielder Jay Bruce from Triple A and designated first baseman Scott Hatteberg for assignment on Tuesday.

Bruce, who many think has the potential to a Hall of Fame caliber player, has been ripping the cover off the ball all year long in Louisville.

In 49 games with Louisville this season, Bruce led the International League with a .364 batting average and 67 hits. The outfielder also had 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.023. Since May 3, Bruce was batting .456 (36-for-79), with 13 multihit games in his past 20.

"He was ready for some time, but we wanted to give him more time and give more opportunities to the guys we have here," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "When Jay comes up, he'll play a lot. We wouldn't bring him up and not play him."

Hatteberg played in 34 games this season for the Reds, batting just .173. He was 9-for-52 at the plate with seven RBIs. The 38-year-old became expendable when Joey Votto showed he could handle everyday duties at first base.

Is this the right time for the move?

There are many that believe that Bruce should have been given the centerfield job right around of spring training. However, the Reds opted to sign Corey Patterson to a one-year deal and to start Bruce in Louisville.

Through nearly two months of baseball though Patterson has been ineffective, leaving the Reds to turn the young slugger. 

Fantasy Baseball, MLB reds, jay bruce, scott hatteberg

Fernando Tatis is not a baseball legend.  In fact, most fans probably don't realize he's still in the majors, having recently been called up by the Mets.

Tatis had one great year, though, in 1999, when he hit. .298 with 34 homers, 107 RBI, 104 runs scored and 21 stolen bases.  Unless you're a baseball immortal, you'd happily take numbers like those.

However, it's one particular game in which Tatis shone brighter than ever before or ever again.  Actually, it was one particular inning, and there's a particular reason I remember it so vividly, and that's aside from the accomplishment itself.

Back in the olden days of 1999, KMOX broadcast St. Louis Cardinals games, and you could listen to them online for free.  (What a concept!)  They even had an online scorecard that filled itself in as the game went alone as if someone was scrawling the details down in pencil at the ballpark.  April 23 happened to be the first time I got the audio running at KMOX's web site, so I was thrilled to listen to my Redbirds while living in Cincinnati.  Before that, I could of course catch the Reds broacast when the two teams squared off, or on particularly clear nights I could pick up a scratchy AM signal emanating from the Gateway City a few hundred miles away.

So imagine my surprise when in this first game I hear Tatis crack a grand slam off Chan Ho Park in the third inning.  And it got better a while later when Park was unable to finish things off.  Nine batters later, Tatis came to the plate again, and again the sacks were packed.  I remember calling down the hall to my wife, telling her there was no way it could happen again.  But then the pitch came in, the ball went out, and history was made.  Never before and never since has a player cranked two grand slams in a single inning.  Two long balls and eight ribbies - a pretty good week in a single frame.

So even though Tatis' career quickly careened into near-oblivion, he'll always have a special place in my baseball memories for doing something no one had ever done before.  Thanks, Fernando.  Thanks for the memories.

MLB fernando tatis, grand slam, st. louis, cardinals, chan ho park

The vast majority of the working population had the day off.  The weather this time of year is gorgeous all over the country.  People were searching for some entertainment.  But MLB decided that eight of its 30 franchises should have the day off???

It's amazing the amount of anti-marketing Bud Selig and his buddies are capable of.  No, actually, it's pathetic.

MLB memorial day, schedule