Playoffs! Divisional Series Show Down!

Ok ok, by now, you know we absolutely ADORE fall. Other than a plethora of football games to choose from every Sunday and the beginning of the NHL season–we also get the best and most exciting baseball series’ of the year! There’s NOTHING like October baseball. The importance of every game is tangible and sometimes it gets lost in the every day shuffle of a 162 game season. While I occasionally get distracted from baseball by other fun summer activities (just ask @ihatejjredick…I’m not sure the last time I even perused the action in our fantasy league), my eyes are glued to baseball in October. While not unexpected, neither Chicago team is in the hunt for a championship this year…shocker. So true to Chicks Dig Sports fashion–here’s our last minute-quick and dirty picks for the divisional series.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies

While it should be crystal clear that I’m absolutely NO fan of anything Philadelphia, (not even its  cheese steak), the Phillies are the one thing from  that city that doesn’t irk every fiber of my being. Maybe it’s because I went to too many games at the Vet growing up, but dare I say, the Phillies are actually likeable. The killer rotation of Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels  is frightening to opposing teams. Add in the playoff experience of this team-Utley, Werth, Rollins and they should be set up for a nice divisional series. The Cincinnati Reds, who are making their first playoff appearance in 15 years and have showed a spark all season, won’t be doormats. But experience will lead the Phillies to victory. (Prediction-Phillies in 3)

Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants

Much like the Phillies, the Giants have a killer pitching rotation. However, different from the Phillies, I don’t think they’re going to win their divisional series. Why you ask? Well, Atlanta has a lot more to play for-since its legend Bobby Cox’s final tour in the Major Leagues–this motivation should give them the edge over the Giants. Let’s not forget either that the Braves led the majors with 25 victories in its final at bat–separate from the team’s 45 comeback victories. It truly isn’t over ’til it’s over with this team and I think, although the Giants will put up a valiant effort) they’re primed to move to the NLCS. (Prediction: Braves in 5)

Texas Rangers  vs. Tampa Bay Rays

I like the Rays in this one. Entering the post season for the third consecutive year (twice as AL East Champions) the Rays are HUNGRY for a World Series title. The little team that could–that has to give away tickets to home games, no less–shows no signs of letting up until they win the big prize. They’ve cooled off a little since jumping out to a 34-18 record over the first two month of play–albeit SLIGHTLY. The Rangers, who are making their first playoff appearance in 11 years have some great talent–but in their three previous playoff runs, they’ve exited in the ALDS–this year should prove no different. (Prediction: Rays in 4)

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees

The New York Yankees begin their title defense the same way last year’s run to a championship began, with a  division series rematch against the Minnesota Twins.  Both teams are coming off of abysmal September’s and although the Twins have home field advantage and the Yankees have lost in the divisional series the previous three times they entered as a wild card, I think the Yanks have the edge due to C.C. Sabbathia. Who, if necessary, will be ready for a game 5. Sabbathia is one of the most dominant pitchers in the game and has beaten the Twins the last six times he’s faced them. This will tip the scales to the Yankees favor. (prediction: Yankees in 4)

Are you ready for some playoff baseball? Who you got in the various divisional series?

Talk to us people 🙂

Sam

Sports Digest 9.15.2010

Fall is in full swing, as the weather in Chicago reminds us every morning. With football back, MLB races heating up and another U.S. Open in the books, Chicks Dig Sports Too is over-due for a sports digest.

NFL

New York Jets-I’m sticking with my pick of the Jets going to the Super Bowl. Did they play horribly on Monday night? YES. Their sloppy play resulted in one converted third-down the entire night, Cromartie had more dumb penalties than he has children and don’t even get me started on Keller’s fourth down play which was one of the biggest bone-head plays I’ve ever seen. A pathetic offensive performance, yes, however the Jets defense DID hold the Ravens to 10 points (albeit, the Raven’s offense was pretty horrendous.) With DT Jenkins out, it will be an uphill battle for the Jets but ‘m not flip-flopping- it’s just week one. Team’s should be playing their worst ball, and the bright side is, the Jets offense can’t get much worse. Maybe Sanchez had the jitters, maybe he’s an awful quarterback, time will tell, but I’m not ready to bail yet. Am I concerned? Sure but not ready to call a fire drill just yet.

Perhaps exchanging recipes after the game??

Pittsburgh Steelers-The Steelers fought hard for that win on Sunday and they deserved it. Dixon performed fine, which is exactly how he needed to-controlling the ball and having as few turnovers as possible. With an inexperienced QB (and a  usually solid kicker that inexplicably froze TWICE in his home stadium) the rest of the team, especially the steel-curtain defense, stepped up to secure the win…and don’t even get me started on Hines Ward’s layout catch in the second quarter. With the win over the Falcons, the Steelers are already better than worse-case scenario of going 0-4 without Ben, which is huge. Hopefully they can scrape together another win against the Titans on Sunday.

Mendenhall Rushes for the Game-Winning TD

Washington Redskins-I love when games come down to one play–under the lights on a Sunday night is about as primetime as you can get. For what it’s worth, Dallas QB Tony Romo did a great job of leading his team down the field and was an inch away from stealing the game at FedEx field (another bonehead play to end the game). But I was impressed with Washington. Shanahan appears to have whipped this team into shape. McNabb is playing well and they seemed way more prepared than I gave them credit for. In a far departure from the previous 15 years of my life, I actually am warming up to the idea (read: would relish every second of) McNabb winning a Super Bowl WITHOUT Philly. It would be just desserts to a city that treated him like garbage for a majority of his time there…hmm. I like the thought of it 😀

Philadelphia Eagles-Ugh. A quarterback “controversy” in week 1? Philly I am so over how easily your love can be bought. In my opinion, there should have never been a “controversy” to begin with–Vick’s your guy.

MLB

The Twins are on FIRE which is unfortunate for the White Sox who have been playing their best ball all season. A  crushing 9-3 loss last night may have delivered the final blow to the team. As a Cubs fan, I’m not sure what’s worse–being 20 games back in July and continuing down a spiral of misery through October, or having a glimpse of hope towards the end of the season and having it extinguished. But I will tell you one thing–it’s rough to be a freaking Chicago sports fan.

Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers is appealing his one game suspension with the MLB. I’m torn on this one–however, being ejected means you cannot be a part of on-field activities and  Kinsler’s boyhood excitement for a walk-off home-run, which is undeniably charming, can’t be claimed as a reason for not abiding by the rules. With the Rangers magic number down to 10 with 18 games to play, I think he should just serve it and move on while they have some wiggle room to lose a game or two. I would hate for this to get tied up and have him serve it at a later time when they need him in the game (i.e. magic number is two with three games to play.)

U.S. Open

Another U.S. Open is in the books and I couldn’t be happier about comeback kid Kim Clijsters and perennial powerhouse Rafael Nadal winning the Slam in singles.  For Clijsters, a former number 1 who retired due to injuries in 2007, it was her second-straight U.S. Open win, making her the first woman to achieve this feat since Venus Williams did it in 2000-2001.

Clijsters Wins U.S. Open

In typical fashion, Rafael Nadal was dominant in his  performance in Flushing-dropping only one set in seven matches at the Open. At 24 years old, this win gives Rafa a career grand slam, as well as a “golden slam”-all four grand slam titles and a gold medal. (Sidenote: at 24, my biggest slam accomplishment is housing the free Denny’s Grand Slam on my birthday…but I digress :-)) Rafael Nadal is poised to pass Federer as the best tennis player of all time (given their head-to-head record, he already has in my opinion), and I, for one, couldn’t be happier for him.

What are your thoughts ont his crazy week in sports? Are the Jets really that bad? Are the ‘Skins that good? Should Kinsler appeal his one game suspension? How much of the Open did you watch?

Talk to us people…from traffic numbers (which have been INSANE the past few weeks..thank you! :-D) we know you’re lurking…we’d love to hear from you!

–Sam

Take Me Out to the Rooftop

Back in July, we pledged to take the Chicago Challenge, in which we completely immerse ourselves in Chicago sporting culture by attending as many professional and collegiate events as possible within the next year. 

Well, we are proud to say that we have officially begun to cross events off our Chicago bucket list. Yesterday, I went to see the New York Mets take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. And yes, while I have been to a plethora of Cubs games during my 18 month stint in Chicago, this is the first time that I experienced the legendary rooftop experience. 

Ivy League Baseball Club

 Having bought the tickets from Groupon two months ago, my roomie Sam and I were giddy with anticipation. We arrived early, as there are actually a limited amount of seats available outside. (Sam took a quick detour and won a free bucket of Uncle Fabyan’s popcorn).  

Roomies in line for the game! 🙂

 The doors opened about an hour before the game. The cost of the ticket included all you can eat and drink until a half hour after the game. We were impressed by the selection of food: hot dogs, italian beef, hamburgers, chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, ice cream sundae bar, cappuccino bar, as well as the variety of  beverages to choose from. It pretty much is the best deal ever, especially when you get it through Groupon. 

Italian Beef and Pasta Salad

 It was absolutely awesome to take in the game and bask in the sun on the rooftop. Although, we did find it harder to focus on the game, as there was so much to take in from the eagle-eye view. 

In true Cubs fashion, we got absolutely embarrassed and gave up 21 hits for 18-5 loss. But , I suppose it wouldn’t be immersing myself in the Chicago sports experience if the Cubs were winning, or even competitive…right? The fact that Geovany Soto hit a home-run was good enough for me.   

Beautiful Day for a Gut-Wrenching Loss

 So, one down 15 to go in the Chicago Sports challenge … if the rest of the events prove half as fun as yesterday, we’re in for an exciting year 🙂

 As always, leave us your comments! We love to know what you think!

 –Sam

Sports Digest 3.25.2010

I’m happy to say that Spring is here! Although you may not even be able to tell in Chicago, spring doesn’t just signify the awesome changing of the physical seasons but also the changing of the sporting seasons. So here is what I’m looking forward to most in may (hint, WELCOME BACK MLB!)

Final Four/Men’s Championship

We’ve see a lot of good basketball over the season, and especially last weekend. Come April, it will be time for everyone to put their  money where there mouth is. The four best teams in the country will be left standing. Which will then provide us with three amazing games to see who ends up being the NCAA champion. (My money’s on Syracuse but, then again, isn’t it always?)

Major League Baseball

MLB, welcome back from friend. For some reason, the MLB off-season seems to drag on longer than any other. Maybe cause the league plays for a majority of the year. But I’m ready to see my cubbies win the 2010 World Series. (What? A girl can dream! :-D) But I’m most excited to go to games. There’s nothing like heading to Wrigley, grabbing a few bears and taking in a baseball game in the sunshine. Yes, Wrigley is cool when Elton John and Billy Joel are rocking it, and it’s also cool when it’s frozen over for ice skating at various points in the winter. But let’s get serious. Wrigley’s for baseball and I cannot wait to head to my first 2010 game there! (Pirates vs. Cubs, May 15). Oh, and it also marks the return of one of the most hilarious Web sites ever. http://www.isthereacubsgametoday.com/ (The rationale behind it is hilarious)

The Masters

I’m not a golf fan. I won’t watch one second of the Masters. But why am I excited? Because maybe after Tiger Woods gets his “first appearance” over with (and analyzed to DEATH before, during and after), we will finally get the media circus to die down about his personal life. He’s holding a third press conference…really Tiger? Really? I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Tiger Wood’s love life is absolutely none of my business. I could care less that he’s a sadistic, power-hungry, slut banging machine. I don’t give a shit what his text messages say, I don’t care how many people he’s been outside his marriage with. I never bought anything because Tiger Woods did…I don’t have kids, but I don’t know ANY kids that look up to Tiger. (If they are, maybe that’s something to look at…a golfer? Really?!) So Masters please come and go and then PLEASE can we put death to this Tiger Woods story? I’ll say it before and I’ll say it again…WHO CARES?!?!

NFL Draft

I remember the good old days back in college, when the NFL draft was one of the biggest party days of the year. We’d get a keg and watch the draft…which always took all day. The NFL draft is really awesome. I mean, who would have predicted a few years ago that the Miami Dolphins would pick Ted Ginn Jr. over Brady Quinn?! However, the changes the NFL is starting to make is driving me nuts. Cutting the clock down from 15 minutes to 10 minutes to speed things up, I could live with that. However, now the NFL is trying to market the draft as a marquee event and moved it into prime time. On a Thursday night. That’s where you lost me. Because the Saturday at Noon, fifteen minute format is what was so awesome about the draft. You could discuss potential pics and trades, you could run to the bathroom you could do all sorts of stuff. And, as a fan, fifteen minutes is the perfect amount of time to make you sweat while you’re waiting on your team’s first round pick.

The rationale behind the prime time move is that it’s the most watched night of the week. Well, DUH. Any show that’s worth anything is on Thursday night. The NFL thinks they can compete with Thursday night juggernauts? REALLY NFL?! REALLY?! List of TV Shows the NFL draft will go up against: Community, Parks & Rec, The Office, 30 Rock, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Project Runway, one of the NCIS’, one the CSI’s, Vampire Diaries (?), gotta be a cake boss/ace of cakes, and maybe even a No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain…just to name a few. Guess what NFL?! You’re going to lose. Because if I know one thing, a man’s NFL draft will fall to the power of his wife’s weekly McDreamy fix.

So I’m excited to see who my Steelers take, but I’m bummed that you robbed me of a semi-holiday in April, NFL.

What sporting events are YOU looking forward to in April? What did I leave off? Are you digging the NFL change?! Talk to me people…and Happy Spring! 🙂

–Sam

What’s Your Sports Dream?

The Sports Dream. What every fan lives for. Even a casual fan. There is nothing like when your team wins his or her respective championship. This post was inspired by Northern Iowa win over Kansas this past weekend in the NCAA tournament. What a high for every fan, alum and watcher of that game.  In my young, almost 24-year-old life, I have been blessed to see MANY of my sports dreams come true. So much in fact, that I only have one MAJOR one left on my list (and a midsized one) It’s a pretty difficult one though. Almost impossible. So here is a run down of my achieved and hopeful sports dreams. Please make sure to hit the comments with yours!

Steelers win Superbowl XL and Superbowl XLIII

I’ve been able to see my Steelers (who are my FAVORITE team out of all my teams) win not one but TWO Superbowls. I bawled my eyes out both times. Superbowl XL I road-tripped to Detroit with five of my sorority sisters. Jerome Bettis wins in his hometown and retires. Amazing. Superbowl XLIII I blew off graduate classes to be in Pittsburgh at Carson City Saloon at 10am. Steelers win and South Side in Pittsburgh was shut down, the celebrations in the street were amazing. Everyone hugging and crying. Pittsburgh fans are the best in the world. Below are two videos: The bar singing ‘Pittsburgh’s going to the SuperBowl’ before kick-off. The bar was at maximum capacity and no one could even move! And the street celebration after.

Pittsburgh Penguins Win 2009 Stanley Cup

Lord Stanley, Lord Stanley, Bring me the Brandy! This win was SO awesome. We avenged our loss to the Red Wings in 2008, we did it without Hossa, who left for ” a better chance to win” and this was the city of Pittsburgh’s second major sports championship in four months! I watched the game in Chicago and loved every minute!

2009 Stanley Cup Champs!

Eat it, Hossa

Syracuse wins 2003 National Basketball Championship/ 2004, 2008-2009 Lacrosse Men’s Championship

Few people know that, even though I attended Syracuse for grad school, I’ve been an Orange fan all my life. It’s true! My good friend Eric (@eric_hughes) and I tell this story all the time. When I was a senior in high school in ’04, he was a junior. We had AP Statistics together and as we giggled, made fun of our teacher and played cards during class, I told him “I’m going to PSU for undergrad, but I’m going to SU for grad school, and we’ll rebecome best friends” (Eric was gunning from Syracuse for the start!) And..what do you know, five years later we met at Faegan’s on Marshall Street to re-connect and become bff’s.

Eric and I, February 2009

I tell this story because, I’ve always appreciate Syracuse and its wins. So seeing ‘Melo (and McNamera!) take them to the National Championship in ’03 was amazing! Although I’d probably appreciate a ’10 one even more being an alum now! Also, the men’s lacrosse program works so hard. I interned in athletic communications at Syracuse last spring semester, and to watch the men’s lacrosse season unfold was amazing. Those boys work so hard and, I’m proud to say are back-to-back champions (and 11 overall!) It was awesome to see it done while I was there. (and they just beat John’s Hopkins yesterday!)

'Melo in '03

I’ve been blessed to see a lot of other awesome sporting things happen: Women’s Softball being included in the Olympics, UCLA winning back-to-back softball championships in the mid 2000’s, Michael Phelps winning EIGHT Gold Medals in one Olympics, Hasim Rahman knocking out Lennox Lewis etc. etc. the list goes on.

So what do I need to see happen? TWO major things:

Penn State Nittany Lions Win a National Championship

Last time they’ve won, was 1986…two months before I was born. Womp Womp.

I want JoePa to be my Grandpa ❤

Chicago Cubs Win a World Series

I know what you’re saying. I know it’s been over 100 years. But damn it, I’ve been a fan for 14 years and I’m not giving up hope. I now live two el stops away from Wrigley Field and I can’t believe it. It takes my breath away every time I go to a game, or get a drink in Wrigley Field. I LOVE THE CUBS. and I WILL see a World Series. Note though: When I do. I will never watch another baseball game…EVER AGAIN. People have lived their entire lives and died and not seen the Cubs win. When I see it, I’m going out on top. That’s it for me. So as much as it would suck to give up baseball, it’d be worth it! Let’s Go Cubs. 2010 is our year! 🙂

1908 Cubs ... the last winning team!

What are YOUR sports moments? What do you remember? What do you HAVE to see happen before you die? What’s your fondest memory? Talk to me people, I’d LOVE to hear!

Sports Digest 2.14.10

Happy Valentines Day Everyone! 🙂

Vancouver Olympics

What a start to these Olympic games! So many great stories already and I love seeing sports that only pop up on the radar every 4 years.

Simon Ammann is back folks! Forget him? Switzerland’s ski jumper burst onto the scene at Salt Lake in 2002 and grabbed two gold medals in the sport. After an absence in the Torino games, Ammann captures a gold in the normal hill event yesterday, bringing his total to 3 gold medals. Not too shabby. What’s so enjoyable about Ammann is his enthusiasm and joy for the sport. His frantic and excited interview after medaling mirrored his interviews in 2002. It’s nice to see his enthusiasm for the sport never faded in his through his trials in the past eight years

Unbelievable.

Apolo Ohno is the bomb. Seriously. Anyone that reads this blog, even semi-regularly, knows that my Valentine Ohno and I go way back. While I’ve always admired his athletic ability in addition to his dashing good looks; I think that last night, Ohno’s athletic ability definitely took over. In the 1500 preliminary round, Ohno sat in last place and, with two laps to go, passed the ENTIRE field in about 2 seconds and won by about a quarter lap. I have NEVER seen anything like that in sports. (I can’t find the video ANYWHERE to include in here! If someone has it please let me know! :)) Make sure, if you didn’t see that AWESOME display of athleticism, that you do.

After coming in second in the semi’s, Ohno earned the silver medal in the 1500 event. (After two Koreans trip and fall with a quarter lap to go … sports are so fun when they’re unpredicatable!) This medal ties Ohno with Bonnie Blair as the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time. It’s well deserved. Check out the craziness of the final race here : NBC Olympics

Side note: BIG Congrats to Bronze medalist, American JR Celski. JR had a severe injury in September (some reports said he almost died on the ice) when a skate cut his thigh. It’s amazing to see him bounce back five months later for Olympic glory. A lot of people are saying that Celski is the heir apparent to Ohno. Whether or not that’s true, these two definitely have a great mentor/mentee relationship.

Ohno & Celski

Hannah Kearney wins the US’s first gold medal of the games in Women’s Freestyle Moguls. Kearney, who wasn’t supposed to win, had a near flawless final run to capture the prize. Holler for the first US winner being a woman and holler for how awesome the sport is! 🙂

Gold medalist Kearney

College Basketball

Syracuse is tipping off right now in the dome vs. Louisville (i miss it so much!) Hopefully they can play tight and will still be on their current run when they Face-off against Georgetown on Thursday. I still think Kansas is the best team in the country (obviously) but I’m not quite sold on Kentucky yet. While I know Kentucky is a good team, I don’t see how they leap-frogged Syracuse for the #2 spot. In fact, at 24-1, Syracuse not only has the best record in the country, but also has the best shooting percent. So I’m not quite sure why they’re hanging back at #3.

Daytona 500

I’m not a huge NASCAR fan. My family leaves the knowledge of that sport to my older brother, Chris and his wife, Alicia (@alicamflynn) are the staples here. So while I can’t comment whose going to win, I am going to say that Danica Patrick crashed yesterday and that’s all I was hoping for.

NBA

Everything about the All-Star break is lame. Props for trying though!

MLB

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT IN THREE DAYS!!! HOLLER! 🙂

What’s your favorite sports story of the Olympics so far? What am I missing? Do you think Kentucky deserves its ranking? Anyone been to any NBA All-Star events ever? Talk to me people, and Happy Valentines Day! 😀

-Sam

Sports Digest 2.11.10

Lots of stuff happening this week. Before the Vancouver Olympics start on Friday, and monopolize a ton of sports coverage, let’s discuss some of sports biggest stories.

College Basketball

I’m really not sure what to make of this Syracuse team. Don’t get me wrong they look GOOD. Really good. AT 24-1, they are off to the best start in school history. Andy Rautins has become and INCREDIBLE leader for the Orange. It’s been awesome to see this Canadian, second-generation SU player transform from 3-point shooter to such a force to be reckoned with. He’s hardly recognizable playing his heart out on defense, setting up to take charges, being a spot-on free throw shooter and assisting his way through games. Wes Johnson and Kris Joseph regularly put up double digits. Onuaku is playing well. Scoop and Triche are growing into their own. The team is GREAT.

Rautins, sans Faux-Hawk

…they just can’t put together a solid 40 minutes of basketball, and THAT worries me. They were down 12 to Georgetown, down 18 to DePaul and lost at 10 point lead to UConn last night. I have said in the past that if we face a better team, we won’t be able to get away with that. On the flip side though, Syracuse ALWAYS manages to find a way to win. They get scrappy, they play tough, they shut it down at the last second. So it’s hard to vote against them. I’m excited for this team, I want them to be Final Four bound and I think they can do it. It will be very interesting to see SU vs. Georgetown and SU vs. Villanova, they add W’s in those contests and its hard to argue that you’re not looking at a National Championship team.

Also, what’s the deal with UNC? If you would have told me that Hansborough would make such a huge difference (i mean unc is 2-7 in the ACC this year) I’d say you were crazy.

Yes Tyler, UNC is THAT bad

Kansas is also looking really good. Would LOVE to se a KU-SU matchup for the championship. Wall’s starting to crack over at Kentucky … keep your eye on him. I’m already tired of the ESPN story about if Wall and Calipari get along. Calipari is the coach, he should push Wall to be his best and Wall should respect that. End of coach/athlete relationship. As long as that’s going on, who cares if they’re drinking buddies?

To the windowssss....to the (John) Wall!

Side note: Pitino, you tried to the whole NBA thing a few years ago. You almost lost your damn mind. Stick to college hoops. Some colleges just can’t make the transition (*future post alert!*) Oh, and I don’t believe for one second that there’s no truth the rumors that you’re looking to save the FOUR WIN NETS. It’s a trap-job. Don’t do it.

NHL

Hockey, I will miss you these two weeks. I understand the importance of letting your players duke it out for an olympic gold-medal. It will be really cool to see NHL teammates facing off on opposing sides. It does suck that there will be an interruption to league play, especially when it was getting SO good. The Washington Capitals 14-game win streak was JUST ended by the Ottawa senators. (With a league best 89 points though, I don’t think they’re too worried), Mark Cuban is talking about buying the Dallas Stars, and how ’bout those Penguins?! 😉 (Note: for the love of God, please don’t get Cuban involved in the NHL!)  This season has delivered really exciting hockey. We’ll anxiously be awaiting your return!

MLB

34 Days ’til Pitcher & Catcher’s report! Holler! 😀

Geovany, my boo

College Lacrosse

• Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse is set to get under-way next week. Look for perennial powerhouse  and defending 2-time NCAA champion Syracuse to make some serious waves. (Don’t count out Virginia though…they’re tough and SU has to play them on the road this year!)

10-Time NCAA Champions

• On the women’s side,  you can’t help but feel that Northwestern is going to go for all the marbles again. This year, they are defending their FIVE CONSECUTIVE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS. I don’t even know who can uproot them SU is ranked #4 , but has lost their All-Star and all time BIG EAST scorer, Katie Rowan. Georgetown is always a really strong program as well. (*future post alert–NU is playing Georgetown here in Chi in March!)

The Unstoppable Wildcats!

Who do you like in college basketball? Do you think any team this year can upend Women’s Lacrosse champs Northwestern? What’s your favorite NHL story? Early predictions on World-Series bound teams?

Talk to me people 🙂

–Sam

What Is The Best Sports Theme of All Time?

The sports theme song. An overlooked art. I sit firmly in the camp that a theme song for programming sets the tone for the upcoming contest. So, in the spirit of the Super Bowl, NBA All Star announcements, Baseball Litigations (I’m looking at you Lincecum), the Winter Olympics and every other February sporting event, I’ve decided to dissect a little talked about area of sports: The Theme. I always think it’s awesome when someone’s cell phone goes off and it’s a sports theme. You can tell a lot about a person by what theme they choose. I have my favorite theme. There is NO argument that this is THE best theme in sports. I have the full length version on my Ipod. I get excited when I hear it on TV. It is THE quintessential sports theme.  (look for it at the bottom of this post!) But I would like to briefly dissect some of the best and worst sports themes that really get you going for The Big Game. Note: This is NOT a stadium theme countdown.

Good: NFL ON FOX

I will admit, it was close race between the NFL on Fox and the NFL on Fox. I chose this one because the drum beats in contrasts with the horns at the beginning really get you ready to go. The song really embodies the football sport. It’s a battle theme, with a great amount of energy. The NFL on CBS is too lackadaisical.

BAD: NBA ON TNT

This theme song sounds like a soundtrack in one of the racing levels in the SNES game F-Zero. Just saying.

GOOD: The Olympics

This theme song EMBODIES the olympics. It’s regal and worldly. It sets the tone for the serious and important nature of the contests. It’s strong and at times it’s beautiful and soft.  It is a sports theme masterpiece. It really, truly is.

BAD: NFL ON NBC

I just find this one EXTREMELY irritating. It’s an Olympic wanna be.

Good: NHL ON Versus

This kicks the SNOT out of the NHL on NBC theme. It’s a little slow to start but I think it meshes perfectly with the sport. (Apparently, from this post, NBC needs to invest in some better theme musicians and composers…what a job that would be!)

BAD: NFL ON ESPN

This one isn’t as bad as the others, but compared to the other great NFL intro’s this one needs some work:

Before we get to the BEST THEME OF ALL TIME. I have two honorable mentions, and I know I’m gonna get flack for one of them. The first honorable mention is the MLB on Fox. This theme song is AWESOME. Definitely pumps you up and gets you ready to go.

The next is the Faith Hill intro to Sunday Night Football on NBC. I know what you’re saying … GAG ME. It’s not Hank Williams Jr.’s ‘Monday Night Football’ theme, but it’s catchy. Yes, I know that they are using the hook to ‘I hate myself for loving you’ by Joan Jett. Yes, I know the country diva probably knows squat about football. But she’s the ONLY female act in this town and I think she does a pretty good job making the SNF game look like a prime time event. Oh, and, if you say it’s not catchy, then you’re a liar and she looks gorgeous while doing it.

So what is the best Sports Theme of all time? Have you figured it out? It really is  a NO BRAINER. Seriously, there is no way to argue with this one.

The best theme of all time is….

THE NBA ON NBC! (May it rest in peace!)

The sports world lost a lot when the NBA moved from NBC, mostly because this song went kaput. It has resurrected a little in recent years with comeback at the 2008 Olympics and its hook used intermittently on the NBA on ABC theme. This is the BEST sports song. I can’t even tell you why. You just have to listen to it. I’ve provided the clip as well as the live version performed by John Tesh. Yes, THAT John Tesh. (The funniest part of the whole video is watching John Tesh ROCK OUT as he plays this…like he’s in AC/DC) The amount of musicians needed to carry out this live performance is unbelievable. There are a lot of thinks to make fun of John Tesh for but all of them negate after finding out that he is responsible for penning the best sports theme of all time, aptly titled “Round Ball Rock,” I think we need to let it all slide.

Official Clip

Live…check out the guitar/violin battle half way through

What do you guys think? Do you agree with the NBA on NBC? Did I leave any off the list? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Talk to me people 🙂

–Sam

Mark McGwire?! You’ve Got to be Kidding Me! (Sarcasm)

In the wake of Mark McGwire admitting to using steroids during his entire career, I have decided to start a regular column called ‘No Shit.’ So eleven days into 2010, we get our first no shit moment of the decade.  Mark McGwire used steroids? NO SHIT. Next thing you’re going to tell me that Britney Spears isn’t a virgin, Sarah Palin is going to join Fox news, it doesn’t matter who wins American Idol and there is no Santa Claus.

So my reaction to Mark McGwire admitting to ‘juicing’ is simply: No Shit. Anyone that thinks that Mark McGwire was clean is an idiot.  A flat out idiot. Especially when he was RIDICULOUSLY evasive in 2005 while testifying in front of Congress. I don’t believe that McGwire came clean because he has a tinge of conscious bugging him after he is hired as the Cardinals hitting coach. I think he is using this as an opportunity to tell us what we already know. What I think ultimately prompted his decision was the fact that this year, his FOURTH year being eligible for the Hall of Fame, he still only received less than 25% of the vote. I think McGwire thought he might be able to garner a few more votes by telling us what we already knew. However, he is NEVER going to get in the Hall of Fame now. Don’t get me wrong, he was never going to get in anyway, because he did the crime, but coming clean really has no significance.

The bigger overall issue is steroids in baseball. (Note: I did not say sports.) At this juncture, no one should ever suspect that any player in the MLB is NOT on steroids. I cannot say, with any certainty, that Albert Pujols has never used steroids, or Cal Ripken Jr., or Mark Texiera, can’t say it about Miguel Tejada or Johnny Damen…hell I don’t even know if I say any of the greats–those that we all admire from the 20’s to 40’s where baseball had a certain magic to it–are innocent.  After seeing a long list of our heros fall,(Barry Bonds, McGwire, ARod, Palmero, Conseco, Clemens –cause he DID– etc), can anyone trust any MLB players? Unfortunately, steroid use is just part of the game, and has been for a long time. Probably longer than any of us ever dare to imagine. The witch hunt and testing has really just become popular of the past 15 years or so.

In my day life, I work in the public relations profession and few public relations blunders scale to the level of insanity that Major League Baseball and steroids stirs. Baseball needs to decide what to do. Do we wipe out all the records and start over? Do we actually PUNISH people who are caught instead of slapping them on the wrist? (Other than just not giving them entrance into Cooperstown)? Should the MLB actually get serious about finding who is taking steroids and who isn’t? at the very least…can we CONTROL THE LEAKS?!  One thing is for certain, their method right now ain’t cutting it. I said last year, after it “leaked” that ARod tested positive for steroids in 2003, that Major League baseball should have interfered and released the ENTIRE list. AND no, I DON’T think that’s going to far. Why should ARod have to crucify and burn alone when admittedly over 120 other players tested positive in the same year? If you want to make steroids a big deal and discourage players from using them, how about embarrassing them and ruining their legacy when they test positive. How about blowing the whistle on their endorsement deals?! How about you DON’T LET MCGWIRE COACH since he has admitted to CHEATING in the game of baseball? Let’s ban him for life like you did with Pete Rose.  This slap on the wrist shit is what got the MLB in trouble in the first place. I mean, Money Ramirez gets suspended 100 games for taking Viagra (allegedly…ha) and the MLB is protecting the other people on the list (and don’t give me that shit about a players union)

So I guess what I’m trying to say, is that someone needs to step in and fix this mess of steroids in the MLB. Do we care or do we not? Personally, I don’t. I assume everyone is juiced….and it doesn’t ruin the game for me ONE Iota. I’m a HUGE baseball fan and I just don’t care about steroids. I just get pissed when we decide to ostracize some players and not others, when we choose to say it’s a big deal but not ACT like it’s a big deal. I’m over this story, so let’s decide what to do…Ball’s in your court, Selig.

What are your takes on steroids in baseball? Is ANYONE clean anymore? Does it ruin the game for you? Do you think this is the biggest ‘no shit’ of the steroid “bombshells?” Talk to me people. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

–Sam