Six In A Row; Orioles Down Rangers, 8-1

Where are the Baltimore Orioles who we thought would suck and what has been done with them? In another combination team effort at the plate, backed the impressive outing by Brian Burres (yes, folks I have spelled his name right finally), Baltimore beat Texas, 8-1.

Luke Scott and Scott Moore homered for the Orioles while Aubrey Huff, who's hotter than hell right now went 4-for-4, nearly missing a home run, and had 4 RBIs.

Granted, it may all change next week, but things could not be any better at the moment.

Trachsel is on the hill for us Wednesday night, as Baltimore goes for it's seventh win in a row.



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Bad Baseball Doom the O's

K.C.! Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles; July 3rd, 2008

Last night was painful to watch, real painful as the Orioles blew a game that they should not have, 10-7.

We have the free-swinging Rangers on the docket this 4th of July weekend, but first, last night started off so well and then became an unadulterated train wreck.

Garrett Olson started off well, and the Orioles pounced the Royals for seven runs — including two long balls by Aubrey Huff — however, in the sixth inning, Olson would wilt and the game would be turned over to the bullpen.

Adam Loewen did not look good at all, but the meltdown was not all his fault as Kevin Millar committed a critical error that opened up the flood gates, and down — the Orioles never got back up. Chad Bradford came in and the K.C. hit parade continued.

When all was said and done, the Royals would put seven runs in ! the sixth inning, and their bullpen shit us down.

Balti! more jus t needs to shake off this loss, and start the weekend off strong. If the Orioles can go into next Monday with a .500 or better record, this season so far will have been above and beyond anyone's expectations.

Two questions for you all. One, do we continue trotting Adam Loewen out there, considering the absence of Albers — or should he work himself out in the minors? Two, if you're Andy MacPhail, what changes do you make in the second half (for example: Do we keep or trade Huff and do we really need David Eckstein)?

The Orioles and Cesar Izturis

It looks like the Orioles have started looking for a shortstop on the market, and may have found a candidate...

From The Baltimore Sun: The Orioles have talked to the representative for free agent Cesar Izturis, the latest indication that the slick-fielding shortstop is at the top of their list to fill the team's vacancy at the position.

Izturis, 28, hit .263 last season with one homer and 24 RBIs in 135 games for the St. Louis Cardinals. He's a career .260 hitter ! over parts of 10 major league seasons that include stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cardinals.

Orioles president Andy MacPhail wouldn't comment on specific options, though he again reiterated that finding a shortstop is one of his offseason priorities. The Orioles used six different shortstops last season and none is on the team's 40-man roster.

"Whatever we are going to do, I am pretty confident that it's going to be a significant improvement over what we had, not that that is a high bar," said MacPhail, who has yet to make Izturis an offer.

I don't know if I am a huge fan of Izturis; however, he brings experience and a steady glove to the table and of course -- he is a former CUB.

We obviously a much better shortstop and stability at the position, but I think the Orioles should be looking for someone superior and who's got some pop. Honestly, Izturis would not be a lia! bility in the Orioles lineup -- assuming it can replicate it's! 2008 nu mbers -- alas, does anyone expect that to be replicated considering the career year both Huff and Mora had?

I'd like a shortstop whose offensive numbers may be superior -- mainly, Edgar Renteria, Rafael Furcal and perhaps Orlando Cabrera; however, getting one of three would come with a huge cost -- mainly, draft picks and obviously money.

If Iztruis is signed, let's hope his glove can also help the defense, and the Baltimore pitching staff which may need all the help it could get (assuming Burnett or a veteran isn't signed).

Regardless of who is signed or whatever, there needs to be a better solution for next year than what was offered in 2008.

***

If you have a moment, or you want to save money, mlbshop.com is having a 30% off sale; thus if you're looking to get an Orioles jersey -- especially, the road ones -- you could save quite a bit until Frid! ay.

Rocco Baldelli Signs With The Red Sox

I am not one to really laud players on other teams, but I'm glad that Rocco Baldelli is still playing baseball and playing for his "hometown team" (unlike some other pinstriped individual who we all know.)

Rocco Baldelli, the once heralded outfielder who once was part of the Tampa Bay organization signed a deal with the Boston Red Sox yesterday. He missed parts of two seasons with a mitochondrial condition that left him lethargic and without energy, but he was able to get it under control and play the sport he loved again.

Baldelli is from Cumberland, R.I. and seems ready to relish the chance of playing near his boyhood home.

>>> Read More Here


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Adam Dunn Finally Decided To Sign With the Nationals; Oriole Quick Hits & Around the Blogosphere...

I was intrigued if Dunn could fit in Baltimore for his power and batting eye; however, he finally signed in the most logical place left for him to go -- down the Parkway in Washington.

To be blunt, they needed him more down there than the Orioles did up the road.

From Nationals.com: WASHINGTON -- The Nationals finally got their left-handed slugging first baseman, signing free agent Adam Dunn to a two-year contract Wednesday, according to a baseball source. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Nationals are expected to hold a news conference at Nationals Park on Thursday. General manager Jim Bowden was not immed! iately available for comment.

Dunn, 28, and Bowden have a history together with the Reds organization. Bowden drafted Dunn in the second round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft. Three years later, Dunn was in the big leagues and became Cincinnati's best power hitter.

>>> Read More

Photos: World Baseball Classic, Game Six -- United States vs. Venezuela

World Baseball Classic, Game Six -- United States vs. Venezuela

Orioles Lose to Boston to Open Three Game Set, Smoltz & Wondering About Wieters

Red Sox Nation descended upon Baltimore once again, and for the umpteenth time, downtown Baltimore was transformed into a sea of red and blue. As well, the Red Sox once again beat the Orioles, 4-0, in front of 36,458 at Camden Yards on Monday. The victory for Boston was their EIGHTH straight win over the Orioles.

Jon Lester, who started the night at .500 at 6-6, was nothing short of amazing as he went seven shutout innings, allowed only five hits, struck out eight, and earned the victory. Jonathan Papelon averted a potential rally for the Orioles by pitching 1/3 of an inning for his 19th save. Baltimore had two runners on bases ! in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, and it looked like Melvin Mora was going to get a hit to perhaps avoid the team being shutout; however, Jason Bay made a diving catch to not only prevent runs from scoring, but close out the game.

Meanwhile, for Baltimore, Jason Berken pitched valiantly, but sort of went through the school of hard knocks facing a veteran Boston lineup. Berken went five innings, gave up four runs and took the loss for the Orioles, as he gave up a run in the opening frame, and then three more in the fourth inning.

>>> Read More

Playoff Reflections: ALDS & NLDS, Sunday

Angels vs. Red Sox: The Red Sox were eliminated in the ALDS,as they lost to the Angels, 7-6 and were swept. Red Sox Nation was shocked, and the with the Angels' backs against the wall in the ninth inning, they broke through and sent Papelbon reeling.

Papelbon blew a potential save with 2 outs in the ninth, allowing three runs to come in. He made the ninth inning very interesting as he gave up a RBI-double to Bobby Abreu to bring the Angels within one, and allowed the winning runs to come in via a two-run single fromVladmir Guerrer! o. Papebon would take the loss, while Kevin Jepsen -- who was pitching in relief for the Angels in the 8th inning -- earned the win. Brian Fuentes -- the Los Angeles closer -- got the save.

Clay Buchholz got a no decision in his first taste of the playoffs as he went five innings, and gave up two runs.

Meanwhile, Scott Kazmir, who has had a lot of good luck against the Red Sox – as a member of the Rays before he got traded to the Angels – got the no decision as he gave up five runs (all earned).

The Red Sox got Kazmir in the third inning to take a 3-0 lead as Dustin Pedroia had an RBI-double to center, and then Victor Martinez plated him in with single.!

However, in the fourth inning, Kendry Morales hit a solo homer to right off of Buccholz to give Los Angeles their first run of the game.

The Red Sox raised their lead in the fourth inning to 5-1 as J.D. Drew hit a two-run shot off Kazmir to dead-center field over the outfield wall.

However, in the sixth, Clay Buchholz ran into a bit a trouble and loaded the bases; therefore, he was yanked from the game and reliever Daniel Bard came into the game. Bard got Juan Rivera to ground into a double play and allowed a run to come in, but was able to get the third out of the frame by getting Macier Izturis to pop-up.

The Angels got on the Red Sox bullpen ! in the top of the eighth inning as they allowed a few baserunners and then Juan Rivera plated in two runs with a two-out single; however, Rivera was lifted for a pinch runner – who was Reggie Willits, but he would be picked off by Jonathan Papelbon.

Boston added in an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Mike Lowell plated in pinch-runner Joey Gathright – in for David Ortiz – to give them a 6-4 lead.

>>> Read More

Rangers News, Line Changes & Colton Orr

Looks like when the Rangers take on Nashville tomorrow night they'll have some different lines than the ones that were in place against the Hurricanes in Carolina on Monday night. At practice today (according to Newsday & Ranger Rants) Avery replaced Naslund on the top line (Naslund skating on the 3rd line where Avery was). The rest of the forward combination remain the same. Also, a few changes on the back line, which was much needed after seeing Rozsival and Redden exposed a handful of times in the third period alone on Monday night.

Today's lines at practice:
Avery-Gomez-Zherdev
Dubinsky-Drury-Voros*
Naslun! d-Korpikoski-Callahan
Sjostrom-Betts-Orr

Staal-Girardi
Mara-Rozsival
Morris-Redden

* Voros standing in for Antropov on the 2nd line, Antropov didn't practice today, John Tortorella explaining that "he's banged up."

A little insight by Newsday as to why Steve Valiquette probably got the start on Monday night instead of Lundqvist:

Lundqvist, who was throwing up between periods during Sunday's game against Boston (graphic, I know, sorry) has been battling a stomach ailment worse than previously assumed. He said he received 2 liters of IV fluid during Sunday's game and has been bothered by stomach uneasiness/inability to keep food down for about 10 days now and is taking medication to correct the issue.

Tortorella said he isn't worried about the severity of Lundqvist's illness ("He's fine") or that he'll be unable to play tomorrow against Nashville ("Not for a second, no").

Larry Brooks of the NY Post reports that the Rangers will receive a compensatory draft pick this summer, due to the death of the Rangers' 2007 first-round pick, Alexei Cherepanov. Brooks says:

Though it is unclear whether Article 8.3 (b) of the CBA must be amended to accommodate this specific circumstance, the Blueshirts now stand to receive the 17th pick of this year's second round following Glen Sather's presentation yesterday at the NHL GMs meetings in Naples, Fla.

Ranger Rants also had a quick interview with Colton Orr today regarding the NHL GM proposal to amend the NHL's rules for fighting. Orr didn't say much about the possible changes other than that he "just think(s) it's part of the game." So do I Colton, so do I!

Back To The Garden We Go

Rangers 0 - Capitals 4
Rangers Lead Series 3-2

Man when the Rangers stink, they really really stink! Last night's game had nothing at all to do with the Capitals playing well (I'll usually give the opponent credit for doing that) and everything to do with the Rangers playing an absolutely terrible hockey game. From the Chris Drury whiff at center ice leading to the Matt Bradley breakaway shorthanded goal, to the terrible goal allowed by Lundqvist, the Rangers were a team that seemed determined to lose. Besides Brandon Dubinsky the team had absolutely zero offensive creativity and their goose egg in the goals column proved that.

Back to the Garden tomorrow for Game 6 -- let's just hope the Rangers can clinch it there, because not many would fancy their chances of winning if this game went ba! ck to Washington for a game 7!

Series Schedule:

Game 1 Rangers win 4-3
Game 2 Rangers win 1-0
Game 3 Capitals win 4-0
Game 4 Rangers win 2-1
Game 5 Capitals win 4-0
Game 6 Sun. April 26, 2pm et on NBC Capitals @ Rangers
*Game 7 Tue. April 28, TBD on VERSUS Rangers @ Capitals

* If Necessary

Rangers vs. Capitals playoff tickets on eBay, StubHub & RazorGator

The Top 50 NHL Free Agents

Free Agency begins in just two days, actually less since teams can start negotiating contracts with UFAs at midnight on July 1st.

We completed a similar list, sorted by position back in March [Link]

Here is NHL.com's list of the Top 50 Unrestricted Free Agents:

Blake was a perfect fit in San Jose, which is likely to want ! to bring him back even though he turns 40 in December.

Defensemen	Current team	'08-09 Stats	Scuttlebutt
Jay Bouwmeester	Calgary (acquired rights from Florida on 6-27)	15-27-42 in 82 GP	He's the big fish among defenseman. Calgary, which dealt for his rights on Saturday, will try to sign him before free agency begins. The Edmonton native said he wants to play in a more hockey-passionate area than South Florida.
Scott Niedermayer	Anaheim	14-45-59 in 82 GP	The Ducks' captain still has the wheels and the skill to be an elite defenseman. He told the Ducks on Friday he's going to play in 2009-10, and is likely to stay put.
Rob Blake	San Jose	10-35-45 in 73 GP
Mattias Ohlund	Vancouver	6-19-25 in 82 GP	At 32, he's a solid second-pair defenseman, but is likely to wind up somewhere else after 11 seasons in Vancouver.
Johnny Oduya	New Jersey	7-22-29 in 82 GP	The Devils are talking to Oduya, a former 7th-rounder who has quietly turned into one of their best defensemen, in hopes of keeping him off the market.
Mike Komisarek	Montreal	2-9-11 in 66 GP	Komisarek, a physical defenseman had an injury-plagued '08-09 season that c! ould turn off some potential suitors.
Francois Beauchemin	Anaheim	4-1-5 in 20 GP	He returned late in the season after a serious knee injury. Anaheim will need him if Niedermayer and/or Chris Pronger are gone.
Marc-Andre Bergeron	Minnesota	14-18-32 in 72 GP	His big shot can help a power play, though his lack of size hampers his play in his own zone.
Hal Gill	Pittsburgh	2-8-10 in 62 GP	At 6-7 and 250 pounds, Gill is still a good crease-clearer at age 34. But the Penguins may not be able to afford him.
Jordan Leopo! ld	Florida (rights acqu! ired on 6-27)	7-17-24 in 83 GP	Flames sent the rights to Deadline Day acquisition to Florida in Bouwmeester deal. Panthers want to keep him in South Florida.
Paul Mara	NY Rangers	5-16-21 in 79 GP	The soon-to-be 30-year-old had a solid season and likely would provide good value at the right price.
Steve Montador	Boston	4-17-21 in 78 GP	A workhorse defensive defenseman who's coming off his two best offensive seasons.
Derek Morris	NY Rangers	5-15-20 in 75 GP	The 31-year-old is looking for a job after the poorest! offensive season of his NHL career.
Rob Scuderi	Pittsburgh	1-15-16 in 81 GP	A fine showing in Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup Final win should attract plenty of interest for this physical, shot-blocking defenseman if he opts to leave.
Sergei Zubov	Dallas	0-4-4 in 10 GP	Now 38 and coming off two injury-filled seasons. Dallas may opt to let him go. His smarts alone would help a contender in a limited role if he's healthy.

'08-09 stats ! ! !

Forwards	Current team	Scuttlebutt
Marian Hossa	Detroit	40-31-72 in 74 GP	The only 40-goal scorer on the market, Hossa took a one-year deal from Detroit last year, ignoring much bigger multiyear offers. He had a disappointing showing in the Final and didn't get the Cup he was seeking. Expect him to go for a long-term contract this time, with Detroit or someone else.
Martin Havlat	Chicago	29-48-77 in 81 GP	The Blackhawks, coming off their best season in years, would like to retain their leading scorer. But with a lot of their younger stars a year away from new contracts, it may not be easy -- especially if he wants! a long-term deal.
Marian Gaborik	Minnesota	13-10-23 in 17 GP	Gaborik is the wild card in free agency. His skill is unquestioned, but he's been plagued with injuries for most of his career. Will he be interested in staying with the Wild under new coach Todd Richards' more offensive-oriented system or look elsewhere?.
Henrik Sedin	Vancouver	31-51-82 in 82 GP	"The Twins" have played their entire career together in Vancouver and don't want to split up now. That could be a problem, since it would mean any team signing them would take up a lot of cap room.
Daniel Sedin	Vancou! ver	22-60-82 in 82 GP
Mike Cammalleri	Calgary	39-43-82 in 81 GP	The cap-strapped Flames may not be able to keep Cammalleri, who's coming off a career-high 39-goal season and is still only 27. He figures to draw a lot of interest from teams that need offense.
Joe Sakic	Colorado	2-10-12 in 15 GP	Does Colorado's longtime captain, coming off an injury-plagued season, plan to play again? And if so, does the native of British Columbus want to go back to the rebuilding Avs, the only franchise he's ever played for, after their worst season in Colorado?
Saku Koivu	Montreal	16-34-50 in 65 GP	Few players have given as ! much of themselves to the Canadiens as Koivu, but at age 34 and with diminishing offensive skills, Montreal's captain may not fit into their plans. If not, there will still be a market for his services -- possibly starting in Minnesota, where younger brother Mikko is captain.
Alex Kovalev	Montreal	26-39-65 in 78 GP	Kovalev's offensive numbers dropped significantly from 2007-08, when he led the Canadiens to first place in the East. At 36, he can still be a dominant offensive force, but potential suitors have to wonder if he'll bring his "A" game every night.
Robert Lang	Montreal	18-21-39 in 50 GP	Lang turns 39 in December and is coming off an Achilles tendon injury, potentially limiting! the size and length of his contract. But before he got hurt, ! he showe d he still had something left. Montreal missed him badly after he got hurt.
Alex Tanguay	Montreal	16-25-41 in 50 GP	Like Lang, Tanguay is coming off an injury-ruined season. His point production has dropped from 81 to 58 to 41 in the past three seasons. Would the Quebec native be willing to take less to remain in Montreal?
Maxim Afinogenov	Buffalo	6-14-20 in 48 GP	Afinogenov's play has dropped off severely in the past two seasons, during which he's also been plagued by injuries. He might need to go somewhere else and get a fresh start.
Nik Antropov	NY Rangers	28-31-59 in 81 GP	Players with size and good hands will always find a home. But the Rangers may not be able to afford Antropov, a Deadline Day acquisition from Toronto -- at least not at the price and contract length he reportedly wants.
Brian Gionta	New Jersey	20-40-60 in 81 GP	Gionta, a career Devil at age 30, hasn't had more than 25 goals in any of the three seasons since his 48-goal explosion in 2005-06. He still has the speed and skill to help a team in a supporting role.
Mike Knuble	Philadelphia	27-20-47 in 82 GP	If Knuble were 27 instead of 37, teams would be knocking down doors to sign him. As it is, he's still a good offens! ive producer and a great character guy -- though the cap-strap! ped Flye rs may have to pass on re-signing him.
Bill Guerin	Pittsburgh	21-27-48 in 78 GP	Getting Guerin from the Islanders at the deadline might have been GM Ray Shero's best move. At 38, he still has the skill and wheels to contribute offensively, and his locker-room presence was a big help to the young Penguins. How much all that is worth is the big question.
Ian Laperriere	Colorado	7-12-19 in 74 GP	Laperriere, now 35, still brings character and toughness with him. The question is how much that's worth to a rebuilding team like the Avs -- or should he look for a new home with a contender?
John Madden	New Jersey	7-16-23 in 76 GP	At 36, this career Devil is likely to test the free-agent market -- but will he like what he sees after a season in which he went from 20 goals and 43 points to 7 and 23?
Chris Neil	Ottawa	3-7-10 in 60 GP	Neil's seven-year run with the Senators may be done -- he's headed for free agency after the two sides couldn't work out a new deal. When he's healthy, Neil is a tough guy who can actually play, a commodity that's much in demand around the NHL.
Erik Cole	Carolina	18-24-42 in 80 GP	Cole struggled in Edmonton but perked up after returning to Carolina in a trade -- though he struggled to score in the playoffs. He's played almost all of his car! eer with the 'Canes and meshes well with Eric Staal.
Mats Sundin	Vancouver	9-19-28 in 41 GP	The Canucks hoped adding Sundin at midseason would be the last piece needed for a long playoff run. But he never really found his game after joining the team in January after a three-month soap opera. At 38, he's in the twilight of his career.
Steve Sullivan	Nashville	11-21-32 in 41 GP	The Masterton Trophy winner showed he still had something left after missing nearly two years with a back injury. If Sullivan and the Preds can't agree on a new deal, he's sure to draw plenty of interest.
Jason Williams	Columbus	19-28-47 in 8! 0 GP	Williams finally managed to stay healthy and gave Columbus some offensive production after coming over in a midseason trade with Atlanta. He'll attract attention from teams that need secondary scoring.
Brendan Morrison	Dallas	16-15-31 in 81 GP	Morrison stayed healthy after an injury-plagued '07-08 season, but didn't put up the kind of numbers he did in his prime. He still has the ability to be a useful No. 2 or No. 3 center.
Mark Recchi	Boston	23-38-61 in 80 GP	He's 41, but Recchi continues to be a valuable contributor on offense and is showing no signs of slowing down. He was an excellent fit for the Bruins after coming over from Tampa Bay a! t the trade deadline.
Mike Comrie	Ottawa	10-17-27 in 63 GP	Comrie's value figures to be down after the worst season of his career. But the five-time 20-goal scorer is still just 28 and could be a bargain if he's finally over the injuries that slowed him in '08-09.

!

Goaltenders	Current team	'08-09 stats	Scuttlebutt
Nikolai Khabibulin	Chicago	25-8-7 2.33 GAA	Khabibulin is coming off his best season since leading Tampa Bay to the Stan! ley Cup in 2004. But he's 36, and the Blackhawks already have Cristobal Huet signed to a long-term contract -- so it's tough to picture them spending a lot to keep the "Bulin Wall."
Dwayne Roloson	Edmonton	28-24-9 2.77 GAA	Roloson, now 39, seems to be getting better as he gets older -- he was the biggest reason the Oilers had any chance for a playoff berth last season. Years rather than money could be the big issue.
Martin Biron	Philadelphia	29-15-5 2.76 GAA	The Flyers have already signed Ray Emery, meaning that Biron's time as in Philly may be over. With not a lot of starting jobs to be had, Biron's opportunities figure to be limited.
Manny Fernandez	Boston	16-8-3 2.59 GAA	Tim Thomas is firmly in place as the starter in Boston, so Fernandez will have to look elsewhere if he has any hopes of being a starter. He's played more than 44 games in a season just once in his career (2005-06, with Minnesota).
Craig Anderson	Florida	15-7-5 2.71 GAA	Anderson played a career-high 31 games last season and likely would like to find a place where he can be a starter for the first time in his career. His save percentages over the past three seasons: .931, .935, .924.
Scott Clemmensen	New Jersey	25-13-1 2.39 GAA	Clemmensen saved New Jersey's '08-09 season, beating out Kev! in Weekes (also a free agent this summer) for the starting job when Martin Brodeur got hurt and winning 25 games. His reward: going back to the minors when Brodeur was healthy again.
Ty Conklin	Detroit	25-11-2 2.51 GAA	There may not be any room in Detroit for Conklin this fall despite a regular season in which he outplayed playoff hero Chris Osgood. He's 43-19-7 with a 2.51 GAA over the past two seasons.
Antero Niittymaki	Philadelphia	15-8-6 2.76 GAA	Niittymaki could return to the Flyers as part of a tandem with Ray Emery. As a backup, he's been solid for the Flyers, though he's never been able to grab a starting job.
Manny Legace	St. Louis	13-9-2 3.18 GAA	One year after making the All-Star Game, Legace spent the last half of '08-09 in the minors after Chris Mason took the starting job. At 36, his options may also be limited.
Olaf Kolzig	Toronto	2-4-1 3.66 GAA	"Olie the Goalie" has 303 career wins -- but he's 39 and coming off an injury-plagued season. Kolzig would need to find a team with a young starter that needs an experienced backup/mentor.

Sponsor:

Kyle McLaren Invited To NYR Training Camp

The Rangers released a list of the 44 players who will be at their training camp starting September 12th.

The one notable addition is that Kyle McLaren who hasn't played in the NHL since the 2007-08 season will be at the Rangers training camp. McLaren last played in the NHL for the Sharks and was traded last season at the Trade Deadline to the Flyers but that deal was voided when McLaren failed the physical.

Thanks to Lauri for pointing this out via Twitter

Idle notes. (UPDATED)

Ratings drop for Monday night.

Ratings down sharply for MLB playoffs.

Weekend ratings predictions.

AFC East gives CBS solid ratings.

Rangers/Penguins up 25%.

Daytona 500 numbers game.

Ratings rise double-digits for WGC-CA Championship.

NBC pegs Crosby, Ovechkin for playoff coverage.

NHL investigates Ovechkin death threat.

Week in review.

MLB on FOX averages record low 1.8 rating

Big jump for Tennessee/Florida on CBS

Buon Anno

Se dico serenità e salute chiedo troppo?
Buon 2008...
E speriamo che domenica va a segnar...Arì...Arì...

Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2009/2010 | Incar Timnas, Heskey Siap Tinggalkan Villa

Meski sudah cukup berumur untuk hitungan seorang striker, namun Emile Heskey tetap mengincar tim nasional Inggris. Ia bahkan siap meninggalkan Aston Villa demi seragam The Three Lions.

Untuk tahun ini Heskey beberapa kali diberi kepercayaan oleh pelatih timnas Inggris Fabio Capello untuk tampil. Dari bulan Februari hingga tahun ini, striker Aston Villa itu bermain di tujuh laga internasional yang dilakoni Inggris, dengan perincian tiga laga kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010 dan empat pertandingan persahabatan.

Mantan pemain Liverpool itu membukukan dua gol, masing-masing ketika melumat Slovakia 4-0 (28/3/2009) dan Kazakstan dengan skor yang sama (6/6/2009). Ada pun Heskey praktis tidak pernah bermain penuh.

Inggris telah memastikan lolos ke Piala Dunia. Namun bagi Heskey tugasnya belum selesai. Ia bertekad untuk menjadi bagian dari tim St George Cross yang akan bertarung di Afrika Selatan tahun depan.

Bahkan demi mengamankan satu tempat di timnas, Heskey siap meninggalkan Villa. "Saya sangat senang bisa bermain untuk timnas, dan sudah jelas tidak bermain di klub membuat situasinya menjadi sangat sulit," ujar Heskey seperti dilansir dari AFP.

Di Liga Primer musim ini, manajer ! Martin O 'Neill baru lima kali memainkan Heskey. "Saya harus duduk dan berpikir tentang ke mana klub selanjutnya yang bisa saya tuji. Namun saya juga tidak tahu apakah tetap bisa mendapat tempat di timnas untuk Piala Dunia bila tak bermain untuk Villa," lanjut pemain berusia 31 tahun tersebut.

"Sejauh ini manajer belum berbicara soal rencananya terhadap saya di masa depan. Kini konsentrasi saya hanya untuk menjaga penampilan agar tetap baik, terus berlatih, dan menjalani semuanya dengan wajar."

"Memang, kondisi ini akan selalu membuat kita ada dalam pilihan: tetap bertahan atau pergi. Yang jelas, ketika waktunya tiba nanti, saya akan mengambil keputusan," pungkas pemain bernama lengkap Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey itu.

Le mie operazioni di mercato

1. Consigli, Cossu ed Abate vanno in prestito all'Armata in cambio di 6 fantamilioni più la cessione definitiva di Osvaldo e Cassani;

2. Conti rientra dal prestito fatto al Real Marcina lo scorso anno, mentre Cerci torna al servizio del presidente Trapanese (non esercito il diritto di riscatto fissato a 2 fantamilioni);

3. Matri va in prestito alla Nuanda per 5 fantamilioni;

4. infine, verso 7 fantamilioni nelle casse del presidente Di Matteo per l'operazione Palladino, conclusa lo scorso anno con il suo predecessore. Viene quindi annullata la nuova operazione, conclusa non più tardi di una settimana fa, con la quale Palladino era stato ceduto al Di Matteo in c! ambio di 7 crediti. A tal proposito, una precisazione è d'obbligo: l'operazione, a mio parere, era perfettamente legittima perché effettuata in totale buona fede da entrambe le parti, ma la controparte ha preferito non ratificare l'accordo, pur sapendo benissimo che il sottoscritto non aveva imposto nulla e che Palladino era stata una sua scelta. I miei complimenti...

Questo è quanto per ora, ma altre cose stanno bollendo in pentola... nei commenti gli eventuali aggiornamenti.

DEPORTIVO WINS AT SPLIT & GOES INTO UEFA

OLYMPICS 2008 FOOTBALL: ARGENTINA LIST LEAVES SPANISH CLUBS WITHOUT STARS

FIFA WILL NOT ACT AGAINST REAL MADRID IN THE "CRISTIANO RONALDO AFFAIR", PLUS THE LATEST NEWS.

SPANISH FOOTBALL NEWS & ODD PIECES: GUARDIOLA, BARÇA, AGUERO, REAL MADRID...

REAL MADRID ARE IN THE 2008 MARKET: HUNTELAAR & COUTINHO

FORMULA 1: LEWIS HAMILTON, RACISM & BARCELONA

AC MILAN & RONALDINHO FOOTBALL HUMOUR

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW: REAL MADRID & VALENCIA

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2007-08: REAL MADRID & VALENCIA CF BEGIN THEIR QUEST TOMORROW

PREVIEW. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRELIMENARY QUALIFIERS - VALENCIA CF vs ELFSBORG

ARAGONES GIVES SPANISH SQUAD TEAM LIST

LIVERPOOL OFFICIALLY PRESENT FERNANDO TORRES

JUVENTUS EYES SNEIJDER & SILVA FOR ITS NEXT TEAM PROJECT

ATLETICO DE MADRID FOLLOWING JULIO ARCA OF MIDDLESBROUGH?

FC BARCELONA CELEBRATE LIGA & SPANISH CUP TITLES AT HOME (VIDEO)

FOOTBALL (SOCCER) FINANCE: LEONEL MESSI THE WORLDS MOST POWERFUL FOOTBALL MEDIA PERSONALITY

MOTO GP: TOUGH DAY AT THE OFFICE IN THE BRITISH GP 2009

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2009-2010: INTER MILAN 0 FC BARCELONA 0 & SEVILLA FC 2 UNIREA 0

Clemente Anxious For Season To End

Aragons To Rotate Ten Players?

Show Some Loyalty, Cristiano - Gill

Poll Results: Readers Point Podolski To Roma

Tevez: I'm Staying

Sevilla Coach Jimenez Laments Valencia Draw

Real Madrid To Beat Manchester City to Santa Cruz Signing?

Dacourt Will Leave Inter - Agent

Liverpool Goalkeeper Pepe Reina Respects Reserve Stopper Cavalieri

Faubert hoping for chance

Use the Internet to Your Advantage

Cannavaro denies Milan contact

Ferrero beats Serra to win Casablanca final

Safina rolls, Venus struggles, Maria survives

Milan agree Huntelaar deal

Primera Liga round-up

Nemanja Vidic on Manchester United

Nemanja Vidic on Manchester United

Spanish La Liga: Real Madrid Won Its First

Football Match: Applause for the first victory

Fernando Gago Duel with Deportivo's Player

Real Madrid's Player are Celebrating The Goal

First Performance of! Cristiano Ronaldo in Spanish La Liga

Spanish Super Soccer 2009:
Real Madrid Beats Deportivo La Coruna

Real Madrid won its first match in Spanish La Liga for this season. In this first match, Real Madrid against Deportivo La Coruna in Santiago Bernabeau stadium. This match is also becomes a test case for its neo galacticos such as cristiano ronaldo, kaka, alonso, karim benzema and so on. This match ended with score 3-2 for Real Madrid.

Actually, el-real did'nt get this victory easily, because deportivo la coruna gave a hard resistance to Real Madrid. The score became at same twice, before Real Madrid won 3-2. Raul Gonzales became a hero in this football match. He made one goal, beside his contribution to made el-real was given a penalty shoot.

Raul made the first goal for Real Madrid FC in this soccer match at minute 26th in the first half. And then, Ivan Riki also made a goal for Deportivo La Coruna FC, 1-1 for both. Fifteen minutes after Ivan Riki's goal, Raul Gonzales was dropped in penalty area. ronaldo kicked it successfully, 2-1 for Real Madrid.

In the second half, Super Depor added its goal that made by Carlos Valeron, 2-2 for both. Finally, Lassana Diarra made a goal for Real Madrid in the ends minutes of the second half, 3-2 for Real Madrid. This score remains till the end of the match, Real Madrid Won!

We Missed Out On Figo

By PoshSpur
For THBN

Liverpool have agreed a signing on fee with Figo. The only glitch now is that Real Madrid have decided to ask for a transfer fee but have still to decide on the amount they want Liverpool to pay for the player.

That to me is good & bad news. It's bad news that we won't have Figo playing for us next season, but it's good news that at least we'll get to see Figo playing in the Premiership.

For me, the guy has still got it all (along with a stunning wife). Many say that he's past it, but I am sure his performances next season will prove all of you wrong.

I just hope he doesn't turn up when we play them!

Roma at the Lane

Spurs vs. Roma today at 3pm GMT.

For those that can't get to the game or watch it live on Spurs TV, we've got one of THBN's own (Chris Rowning) going to the game.

Chris will be posting updates via his Blackberry so as to keep you up to date.

COYS!!

PS. Thanks for the great support we received in relation to the THBN Fantasy Football League!

Who would you rather Harry let go?

With the commotion relating to the apparent Bent/Bentley/Pavlyuchenko departure(s), who would you actually like to see leave the club?

We felt a bit let down when we read the reports surrounding our Russian striker a few weeks ago. He surely deserves at least another season, after all, he's been playing continuously since March 2008.

As far as we're concerned, Bent and Bentley can pack their bags. Although we feel that Darren Bent is a useful Premier League striker, he just hasn't managed to perform at Spurs.

As for Bentley, the less said the better.

Serangan Terakhir Milan ke Wolfsburg

MILAN - AC Milan tetap melakukan penawaran kepada Edin Dzeko, sebagai target utama di musim ini. Dengan demikian Milan mengabaikan protes Wolfsburg, yang menegaskan tidak akan menjual Dzeko.
Seperti diberitakan Gazzetta dello Sport, Kamis (25/6/2009), kabar baik dari Jerman untuk Milan sempat terhembus setelah Dzeko menyatakan tertarik bergabung dengan Milan. Hanya masalah yang tersisa kubu Wolfsburg sama sekali tidak berniat melepas Dzeko.
Rupanya, jawara Bundesliga musim lalu ini sudah! mulai mencari striker baru, yang dinilai berkemampuan sama dengan Dzeko. Ini dilakukan Wolfsburg sebagai langkah awal menghadapi ancaman kepergian Dzeko ke Milan. Rabu (24/6/200(), Wolfsburg sudah bertemu dengan perwakilan Manchester City, untuk mendiskusikan kemungkinan transfer mantan striker Fiorentina Valeri Bojinov.
Sosok Bojinov dianggap cukup ideal menggantikan Dzeko. Dengan demikian angin segar mengarah kepada Milan. Wakil presiden Milan Adriano Galliani, rencananya akan terbang ke Jerman, akhir pekan ini, untuk mempercepat akselerasi negosiasi antyara kedua klub. Pendekatan persuasif juga akan dilakukan Milan, agar Wolfsburg benar-benar rela melepas bintang asal Bosnia tersebut.

Huntelaar & Fabiano Sempurnakan Kekuatan Milan

MILAN - Pelatih anyar AC Milan Leonardo Araujo mengakui jika kekurangan yang dimiliki skuadnya saat ini adalah di lini depan. Untuk itu Leo yakin, jika manajemen klub mampu merekrut Klaas Jan Huntelaar dan Luis Fabiano, maka Milan telah memiliki kekuatan yang sempurna.
Sejauh ini, Milan memang telah melakukan pembenahan yang cukup signifikan terutama di lini pertahanan yang dinilai sangat keropos, musim lalu. Rossoneri berhasil melakukan regenerasi dengan merekrut beberapa defender muda macam ! Thiago Silva, Felipe Mattioni dan Luca Antonini yang penampilannya cukup menjanjikan sepanjang musim lalu.
Beberapa bek muda ini nantinya akan dikolaborasikan dengan para pemain veteran seperti Alessandro Nesta, Kakhaber Kaladze, Daniele Bonera dan Giseppe Favalli untuk mengembalikan trademark Milan yang sempat dijuluki tim dengan pertahanan terbaik di dunia. "Kami masih bekerja keras untuk segera memulihkan kondisi Nesta.
Kami juga akan melakukan beberapa pemeriksaan lanjutan kepadanya dalam beberapa hari ke depan. Namun, lini belakang kami sudah cukup kuat dengan adanya Thiago Silva, Daniele Bonera dan Kakhaber Kaladze," papar Leonardo seperti dikutip Yahoosport, Selasa (7/7/2009).
Di lini tengah, Il Diavolo juga telah memiliki skuad tangguh meski masih mengandalkan muka-muka lama macam Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf dan kapten baru Milan, Massimo Ambrosini. Kini, perhatian serius Milan pun tertuju pada lini depan yang dinilai kurang memada! i setelah ditinggalkan salah satu maestronya, Ricardo Kaka. Li! ni depan Rossoneri saat ini hanya menyisakan Alexandre Pato sebagai andalan.
Memang, Milan masih memiliki striker lain seperti Marco Borriello dan Filippo Inzaghi. Namun, faktor cedera yang kerap membekap Borriello dan Inzaghi diprediksi bakal menipiskan peluang Milan mengukir prestasi di musim depan.
Menyikapi hal ini, Leonardo telah meminta manajemen klub segera merampungkan pembelian striker. bomber Real Madrid Klaas Jan Huntelaar dan Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) dinilainya akan menjadi sosok tepat yang akan menyempurnakan kekuatan Rossoneri musim depan. "Di lini depan, bagi saya Huntelaar layaknya seorang pembunuh di area kotak penalti.
Sementara Fabiano merupakan target yang juga mampu membantu kami membangun permainan. Saya rasa, keduanya akan mampu melakukan tugasnya dengan baik, jika nanti bergabung dengan kami," lanjut arsitek 39 tahun pemilik nama lengkap Leonardo Nascimento de Araujo itu.

Milan Dikalahkan America

NEW YORK — AC Milan tampaknya masih kesulitan menemukan bentuk permainan terbaik. Dalam dua laga uji coba di Amerika, "I Rossoneri" masih gagal menggapai kemenangan. Pada pertandingan terakhir lawan Club America, Rabu atau Kamis (23/7) pagi, Milan dipaksa menyerah 1-2.
Sebelumnya, saat melawan LA Galaxy, Milan hanya mampu bermain imbang 2-2. Pertarungan kedua tim sempat alot di babak pertama, hingga tak membuahkan satu gol pun. Memasuki babak kedua, serangan kedua tim baru terlihat lebih berani dan tajam. America unggul lebih dulu lewat ! Eswueda di menit ke-56.
Milan langsung merespons dengan serangan demi serangan. Sepuluh menit kemudian, striker gaek Filippo Inzaghi menyamakan kedudukan. Kedua tim kembali berusaha mencetak gol kemenangan. Namun, di menit ke-84, Milan lengah. America berhasil mencuri gol lewat Marquez dan menang 2-1.

Milan Masih Buru Striker

MILAN - AC Milan memang telah berhasil mendatangkan satu punggawa anyar di lini depan yakni Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Tapi, apakah itu sudah cukup? Mungkin jawabannya belum.
Pasalnya mereka dikabarkan mengintai satu pemain lagi untuk dijadikan ujung tombak. Pemain yang kini digadang-gadang tengah berada dalam pantauan Rossoneri adalah bomber San Lorenzo Gonzalo Bergessio.
Dia rencananya akan direkrut klub asuhan Leonardo Nascimento guna menciptakan tridente handal di barisan depan bersama Hunt! elaar dan Alexandre Pato. Seperti disitat Goal, Jum'at (7/8/2009) Milan nampaknya tidak akan menemui banyak kesulitan untuk mendatangkan Bargessio.
Kubu San Lorenzo sendiri hanya meminta kompensasi sebesar 6 juta euro saja untuk pemain 25 tahun itu. Kabar terakhir menyebut bahwa Bergessio akan tiba di San Siro pekan depan. Kehadirannya sendiri memacing polemik baru tentang nasib penyerang muda Marco Boriello.

Hasil Pengundian Group Liga Champion

Berikut ini adalah hasil pengundian fase group Liga Champions :

Grup A
Bayern Munich
Juventus
Bordeaux
Maccabi Haifa

Grup B
Manchester United
CSKA Moscow
Besiktas
Wolfsburg

Grup C
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Marseille
FC Zurich

! Grup D
Chelsea
Porto
Atletico Madrid
APOEL Nicosia

Grup E
Liverpool
Lyon
Fiorentina
Debreceni

Grup F
Barcelona
Inter Milan
Dynamo Kyiv
Rubin Kazan

Grup G
Sevilla
Rangers
Stuttgart
Unirea Urziceni

Grup H
Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar
Olympiakos
Standard Liege

Flavio Roma: Milan Bakal Kesulitan Lawan Marseille

MILAN - Tengah pekan ini, AC Milan akan kembali memulai petualangan barunya di pentas Liga Champions setelah absen musim lalu. Namun, I Rossoneri langsung dihadapakan pada laga sulit kala berhadapan dengan Olympique Marseille di laga pembuka.
Ya, Milan harus mengawali perjuangannya di babak penyisihan grup C Liga Champions dengan bertandang ke Stade Velodrome, Rabu (16/9/2009) dini hari. Meski di atas kertas Milan memiliki komposisi pemain yang lebih mumpuni dibanding Marseille, namun kiper ! anyar Milan Flavio Roma menunjuk pelatih Marseille Didier Deschamps sebagai sosok yang berpotensi menghadirkan mimpi buruk bagi Il Diavolo.
Komentar yang dilontarkan Roma kali ini cukup beralasan. Pasalnya, kiper veteran 35 tahun ini sempat bermain di bawah arahan Deschamp saat masih sama-sama di AS Monaco. Roma menilai, mantan pelatih Juventus ini merupakan sosok pelatih cerdas dan memiliki kemampuan luar biasa dalam hal menyiapkan taktik permainan.
"Didier cukup dikenal di Italia dan ia telah menumpahkan pengalaman yang didapatnya saat berkarir keliling Eropa. Dia tahu bagaimana cara menggali performa terbaik dari pemainnya, meski berada dalam posisi sulit," papar Roma sebagaimana dikutip Goal, Senin (14/9/2009). "Mereka telah bersiap baik dari segi taktik dan juga teknik.
Marseille merupakan tim dengan fisik kuat dan memiliki kualitas pemain luar biasa. Mereka juga memiliki Deschamps, seorang pelatih yang tahu betul bagaimana cara mempersiapkan suatu perta! ndingan dengan baik," tambahnya.
Duel menghadapi Marseill! e akan m enjadi ajang pembuktian diri bagi pelatih Leonardo Araujo. Seperti diketahui, allenatore anyar Milan ini tengah berada dalam tekanan setelah gagal mengantar Milan meraih hasil impresif di tiga laga awal Serie A, musim ini.
Il Diavolo memang tengah membutuhkan kemenangan sebagai suntikan motivasi setelah terakhir kali meraih kemenangan atas Siena, bulan lalu.

Zaccheroni: Beri Kesempatan Leonardo

MILAN - Manajemen, fans dan pemain AC Milan tengah diliputi perasaan gundah gulana. Apalagi kalau bukan karena buruknya penampilan Rossoneri musim ini. Pelatih Leonardo pun menjadi sasarannya.
Wakil presiden AC Milan Adriano Galliani pernah menimbau agar seluruh pihak memberikan kesempatan kepada Leonardo menjalankan tugasnya. Dengan tekanan dari berbagai kalangan tentu akan membuayarkan konsentrasinya. Keinginan agar memberikan waktu kepada Leonardo juga disampaikan Mantan pelatih AC Milan Al! berto Zaccheroni.
"Saya menyaksikan AC Milan. Saya berbicara tentang para pemain, mereka merasa terkuras secara mental setelah bursa transfer jilid pertama ditutup," kata Zaccheroni seperti dilansir Tuttomercatoweb, Jumat (2/10/2009). "The Rossoneri tidak terbiasa menjadi underdog dan mereka menderita dengan konsep ini.
Leonardo sedang mencoba menangani situasi ini, tentu tidak mudah. Tapi dia masih muda, baru saja tiba dan kami benar-benar harus memberinya waktu," pungkasnya.

sumber : okezone.com

Rafa calm over Mascherano

Mascherano was strongly linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer, but Xabi Alonso's switch to Real Madrid ended any hopes that he may also get a move to Spain.

Now a combination of form and injury has seen Mascherano kicking his heels on the bench in recent games - but Benitez fully expects him to be back to his best sooner rather than later.

"He is the captain of Argentina thanks to Liverpool," said Benitez.

"He understands it's very, very important for us to have the best from Mascherano if we want to win more games."

Benitez admits that The Reds are very much looking to extend his stay with the club.

"I have told the managing director that he is very important to us and we want to keep him, and we will look at his contract when the time is right," Benitez explained.

"He is a key player for us and he will be a key player for us during the season.

"I think he is working very hard and in one or! two games he was playing well but the team was not doing really well in the other two. It's more the team than just one player.

"He has to play at the level he was before, but he has enough time to do that, and we know he is a key player for us, and will be for a long time."

Not for sale
The Liverpool boss also confirmed that he has warned Barcelona off making a move, confirming that he told their sporting director Txiki Begiristain that Mascherano would not be leaving.

"There is talk of Barcelona interest still, but top sides are always interested in top players, this is normal," he said.

"He has a contract and we want to keep him. I told Begiristain before that we wanted to keep him and he knows my opinion.

"The main thing for me is that he is a professional. He has been in London and he has been in Liverpool and I think he was very happy in Liverpool, so if we can win some games then I think it will be easier ! for a professional to be happy."