Sammy Sosa to “Primer Impacto,” a program on Univision: “It’s a cream that I have, that I use to soften [my skin], but has bleached me some. I’m not a racist, I live my life happily … I had been using the cream for a long time and that, combined with the bright TV lights, made my face look whiter than it really is. I don’t think I look like Michael Jackson.” Keep telling yourself that, Sammy. [ESPN]
Joe Montana, the legendary Hall of Fame QB, is selling his 9,700 square foot “Tuscan villa-style” mansion – which sits on nearly 500 acres in Calistoga, California – for $49 million. It contains an equestrian center with an indoor arena (pictured). The slideshow is impressive, as is the Montana family crest. [WSJ]
One’s funny in commercials; the other makes ladies swoon. Both are top 10 quarterbacks of all-time. Sunday night, the Patriots visit the unbeaten Colts. Ratings should dwarf whatever the Kardashian crap does. It will be only Indy’s third game this season against a team with a winning record (Arizona, Houston). If you’re a stathead looking for a breakdown of their careers, we’ve found the link for you. [Indy Star]
Bill Parcells: The ornery VP of football operations for the Miami Dolphins befriended a homeless man in Miami. He won't talk to the media, which perhaps says something. "Parcells stopped at the corner for his daily paper and handed Schoen an Eagles shirt, ball cap and the following note, which Schoen carries in the pocket of his worn, turquoise fleece jacket: Coach,Tell my newspaper friend that we took a wide receiver in the second round, DeSean Jackson, and to wear the hat and shirt with pride - we are playing the Dolphins in the Super Bowl! AReid With that, Parcells gave Schoen a pair of tickets to Miami's game last November against the Oakland Raiders." [Palm Beach Post] (9)
Dick Vitale needs no introduction. V-Foundation, Diaper Dandies, Duke, Coach K, you know the drill. We spoke to ESPN’s most popular sports analyst Friday about a variety of topics ranging from his 70th birthday party, to his beloved Tampa Bay Rays, to two coaches who hogged the headlines this summer, his friends Rick Pitino and John Calipari. Vitale even addressed his alleged Duke/UNC bias. Read the rest of this entry »
Shaq: His wife filed for divorce today in California. It probably has something to do with the fact that he was cheating on her (allegedly!) with the fiance of Gilbert Arenas. This is the best photo of Gil's ex that we can find. Shaq has made a staggering $272 million just from basketball; who knows, maybe he's cleared half that (or equal? Or more?) in endorsements throughout his career. This will cost Shaq more than what Jim Nantz paid his wife, but less than what Michael Jordan's wife got (estimated $150 million). [TMZ] (51)
Peter King has his Fine Fifteen, ESPN has its own composite power rankings, and the legendary Dr. Z’s weekly power rankings were a must-read until he was stricken silent by a stroke last year. So, why can’t TBL get in on the fun? Here’s the ninth installment of the 2009 NFL in-season power rankings, featuring (unless TBL yanks the picture again) former Dawson’s Creek guest star Bianca Kajlich (can’t believe she didn’t adopt a stage name). [Ed. She's also known as Landon Donovan's wife.]
1. New Orleans Saints (8-0): The Saints didn’t look unstoppable for much of Sunday’s 30-20 win over Carolina, but the mark of a great team is being able to win when you’re not at your best. Two causes for concern: The Saints gave up 182 yards rushing to the Panthers and New Orleans recovered three of Carolina’s four fumbles. As Football Outsiders tells us, that rate is not sustainable. Read the rest of this entry »
MLB Trade Rumors released their top 50 Free Agents List. It’s as titillating as a memoir of A.C. Green’s sexcapades. Matt Holliday, the top rated player, can’t hack it in the American League. John Lackey, the top rated pitcher, has missed 15 starts with arm trouble the past two seasons and been relevant for Cy Young voting once. Marco effing Scutaro cracked the top ten.
These free agents will be hyped, to talk about something, but none of them will dramatically affect a team’s ability to win the World Series. Teams have less money than last winter, a year into a depression rather than anticipating one. The story of the offseason will be trades, not free agents. Here are three players likely to move.
Michigan AD Bill Martin: "Retiring Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin admitted today he mishandled a situation with an employee who alleged Martin grabbed him at Michigan Stadium after the Delaware State game this fall. Another security employee also reported to police that Martin pushed her after the Notre Dame game a month earlier, but Martin said in a letter he didn't recall that incident. The latest incident occurred just three days before Martin abruptly announced his retirement on Oct. 21. That same day, a police investigator alerted Martin of the police investigation, a police report said." [Ann Arbor.com] (15)
Here are the actual rankings. Let the wild rumpus start. By the way, if you care – my Final Four is Texas, Kansas, Kentucky and … wait for it … Seton Hall. Gotta grab a sleeper, right?
1. Florida – Haven’t lost since September of 2008. That counts for something. SoCar game probably won’t be the trap everyone wants it to be. Read the rest of this entry »
Sammy Sosa to “Primer Impacto,” a program on Univision: “It’s a cream that I have, that I use to soften [my skin], but has bleached me some. I’m not a racist, I live my life happily … I had been using the cream for a long time and that, combined with the bright TV lights, made my face look whiter than it really is. I don’t think I look like Michael Jackson.” Keep telling yourself that, Sammy. [ESPN]
