George Washington High School senior Sharrif Floyd was named the Maxwell Football Club's 2009 National High School Player of the Year.
A defensive lineman, the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Floyd was also named MVP of the elite TEST Sports Clubs Premier Showcase, which featured over 300 blue-chip recruits
He announced his intention to attend the University of Florida at halftime of the recent U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Phillies reach deal with Contreras
ESPNDeportes.com's Enrique Rojas is reporting that the Phillies have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran right-hander Jose Contreras.
The Cuban was just 5-13 with a 5.42 ERA last year for the Chicago White Sox before getting traded to the Colorado Rockies in late August. Contreras, 38, was 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in seven games, including two starts with the Rox. He pitched twice in the playoffs, giving up one run in two innings, while earning a hold.
The deal is pending Contreras passing a physical.
The Cuban was just 5-13 with a 5.42 ERA last year for the Chicago White Sox before getting traded to the Colorado Rockies in late August. Contreras, 38, was 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in seven games, including two starts with the Rox. He pitched twice in the playoffs, giving up one run in two innings, while earning a hold.
The deal is pending Contreras passing a physical.
Amid Fiery Tempest, McGwire's Rhetoric Boils Down to Protecting the MLB System
Doping Corner
An established neighborhood of sport
By Matt Chaney
Mark McGwire will no longer discuss his use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone in baseball, so says a spokesperson for the St. Louis Cardinals, according to www.sportingnews.com.
And I say, Thank God. In my 50 years as a Missourian, I cannot recall a public persona capable of tainting this state like McGwire has since 1998.
St. Louis is laughingstock once more over McGwire, after he returned from years’ seclusion in California, hiding his doping secrets, only to receive an orchestrated standing ovation from loyal Cardinals fans at a benefit gala last Sunday. In so-called self-admissions since January 11, McGwire urges everyone to “move on” and forget the gargantuan fraud he generated from the city in 1998, abetted by a fawning media horde, as he launched 70 homeruns for the Cardinals to become world hero of the year.
The Cardinals franchise is slimed gain, badly, in the 12-year Big Mac Fiasco kept alive by cavalier manager Tony La Russa, himself a suitcase Californian inhabiting St. Louis part-time—and McGwire’s steroid enabler, defender and BFF since their affair began in the 1980s at Oakland. La Russa arrived as Cards skipper in 1996 and brought McGwire a year later in a trade with the A’s, spawning the most sordid chapter in franchise history. The ugly story isn’t over, of course, upon La Russa’s recent hiring of McGwire as team hitting coach.
Besides national scorn, infighting besets Cardinals Nation over McGwire, beginning with the fans’ split—many if not most blast him in public forums—and extending to the insider fraternity, especially between camps of La Russa and popular Hall of Fame skipper Whitey Herzog, who managed Jack Clark, the retired Redbirds power hitter. Last week Clark ripped McGwire and other steroid users in baseball, making hot headlines and, in St. Louis, drawing boos from the same fans who re-embraced Big Mac.
Herzog groused about it all to a reporter for The Post-Crescent in Appleton, Wisconsin. “I’ve got nothing to do with him (McGwire),” Herzog said Tuesday. “I don’t want to comment on steroids because they’re all lying. And they’re still lying. … The people in St. Louis give Mark McGwire a standing ovation the other day, and Jack Clark said every steroid user should be banned for baseball, and they booed him. Now, what the hell is the matter with society when that happens?”
A society bereft of strong values is in play here, for McGwire is not unusual with his situational ethics, as an athlete or any professional. He’s just typical of win-at-all-costs culture in modern America. Many people cheer him because they understand him, including for injecting steroids and HGH to reach a zenith of athletic achievement. He feels no responsibility to anyone for his doping in entertainment baseball. He loves his wife and sons, but at age 46 couldn’t care less about widespread doping in sport, given his actions, nor the thousands of young athletes drawn into steroids every year. Many Americans wouldn’t care either, were we to follow the McGwire path through American sport, fame and fortune.
McGwire doesn’t aspire to be heroic anymore, merely pragmatic. A tempest rages about the man and we critics strike from every direction, our barbs labeling him a liar, cheat, poor role model—but his simple motive is to go back to work in baseball. That drives his outlandish statements; he does care about Major League Baseball. McGwire’s “admission” of doping while denying performance enhancement is certainly ridiculous, self-serving; most importantly, however, the flimsy rhetoric insulates the drug-ridden MLB system, where prevention is impossible, like in any sport, with testing a time-proven failure for gaping loopholes.
McGwire is a powerful symbol of steroids for performance enhancement, but he is no different than 99 percent of American athletes caught for muscle doping since the 1980s, in baseball, football, track and field, more sport. McGwire wants to return to his game and therefore takes a hit for the team, in jock cliché.
A few thousand drug-sullied athletes took the fall before, blaming themselves only in order to come back, and McGwire takes his turn now, following proven talking points for shielding the system and training responsibility solely upon him, the individual.
Blathering in established nonsense of the protocol, McGwire portrays himself to have been an “isolated” user—the enduring lie of sport figures to deflect attention from a systemic problem. McGwire claims he doesn’t know or remember much beyond using tissue-building hormones for most his career in the big leagues. He says he used HGH “maybe” once or twice. He claims he neither used nor discussed muscle drugs with other players or baseball personnel, no one, and especially not La Russa. McGwire summarily dismisses allegations by former A’s teammate Jose Canseco and an FBI informant that he juiced heavily to aid his power hitting.
McGwire says using steroids to become a richly rewarded superstar was "a mistake," his “biggest regret.” And his absurd claim of no performance enhancement from the drugs—McGwire says the effect of injury recovery wasn’t an unfair advantage—serves the system by attempting to preserve the sanctity of his garish numbers, particularly the 70 homers in one season, later topped by the 73 dingers of doped-up Barry Bonds.
McGwire says he doesn’t feel unfairly singled out for drugs in Major League Baseball, and he seconds that by stating the game has no widespread problem, even if he couldn’t articulate well on Sunday in St. Louis. “Baseball’s done a fantastic job, uh, uh, doing uh, uh, doing—cracking down on the uh, with uh, drug policy…,” McGwire stammered in a hasty hallway meeting with two dozen reporters who were misled and herded for hours by Cardinals PR, another tactic for stifling information damaging to employer baseball.
McGwire struggled to finish about a clean MLB system, continuing: “Uh, doing the things they’re doing, and, uh, from what I’ve heard, they’re improving, improving it (testing and policy). Um… so, it’s—they’ve done a fantastic job, the players association, (commissioner) Bud Selig.”
And so went the Cardinals’ dog-and-pony presser for McGwire at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, a high-profile sideshow of the circus known as Winter Warm-Up fund raiser with fans, where autographs for left fielder Matt Holliday cost $100. In barely five minutes of questions from us reporters, McGwire uttered “uh” more often than Beavis and Butthead through an entire cartoon episode. This McGwire comedy naturally concluded with his protecting the system a final time, in response to another prying question.
“Mark, you really didn’t tell Tony (La Russa) that you used steroids?” a reporter asked.
“Absolutely,” McGwire began, before falling apart again. “Tony had, Tony… Tony La Russa—I kept this to myself. I… Ya know what? I, I spoke from my heart. And I spoke honestly the other night (with Costas). And, listen, that’s me. And I hope you all can accept this. And let’s all move on from this. Baseball, baseball…” McGwire paused for media yelling of further questions that he ignored while continuing: “Baseball is great right now. Baseball’s better, and let’s just all move on.”
Gladly, I thought, watching McGwire slip back through doors to a service corridor, in escape with his handlers. Please keep going until you hit California—and take La Russa with you.
Matt Chaney is a journalist, editor, teacher, publisher and restaurant worker in Missouri. E-mail him at mattchaney@fourwallspublishing.com. For more information about his book Spiral of Denial: Muscle Doping in American Football, visit the home page at www.fourwallspublishing.com.
An established neighborhood of sport
By Matt Chaney
Mark McGwire will no longer discuss his use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone in baseball, so says a spokesperson for the St. Louis Cardinals, according to www.sportingnews.com.
And I say, Thank God. In my 50 years as a Missourian, I cannot recall a public persona capable of tainting this state like McGwire has since 1998.
St. Louis is laughingstock once more over McGwire, after he returned from years’ seclusion in California, hiding his doping secrets, only to receive an orchestrated standing ovation from loyal Cardinals fans at a benefit gala last Sunday. In so-called self-admissions since January 11, McGwire urges everyone to “move on” and forget the gargantuan fraud he generated from the city in 1998, abetted by a fawning media horde, as he launched 70 homeruns for the Cardinals to become world hero of the year.
The Cardinals franchise is slimed gain, badly, in the 12-year Big Mac Fiasco kept alive by cavalier manager Tony La Russa, himself a suitcase Californian inhabiting St. Louis part-time—and McGwire’s steroid enabler, defender and BFF since their affair began in the 1980s at Oakland. La Russa arrived as Cards skipper in 1996 and brought McGwire a year later in a trade with the A’s, spawning the most sordid chapter in franchise history. The ugly story isn’t over, of course, upon La Russa’s recent hiring of McGwire as team hitting coach.
Besides national scorn, infighting besets Cardinals Nation over McGwire, beginning with the fans’ split—many if not most blast him in public forums—and extending to the insider fraternity, especially between camps of La Russa and popular Hall of Fame skipper Whitey Herzog, who managed Jack Clark, the retired Redbirds power hitter. Last week Clark ripped McGwire and other steroid users in baseball, making hot headlines and, in St. Louis, drawing boos from the same fans who re-embraced Big Mac.
Herzog groused about it all to a reporter for The Post-Crescent in Appleton, Wisconsin. “I’ve got nothing to do with him (McGwire),” Herzog said Tuesday. “I don’t want to comment on steroids because they’re all lying. And they’re still lying. … The people in St. Louis give Mark McGwire a standing ovation the other day, and Jack Clark said every steroid user should be banned for baseball, and they booed him. Now, what the hell is the matter with society when that happens?”
A society bereft of strong values is in play here, for McGwire is not unusual with his situational ethics, as an athlete or any professional. He’s just typical of win-at-all-costs culture in modern America. Many people cheer him because they understand him, including for injecting steroids and HGH to reach a zenith of athletic achievement. He feels no responsibility to anyone for his doping in entertainment baseball. He loves his wife and sons, but at age 46 couldn’t care less about widespread doping in sport, given his actions, nor the thousands of young athletes drawn into steroids every year. Many Americans wouldn’t care either, were we to follow the McGwire path through American sport, fame and fortune.
McGwire doesn’t aspire to be heroic anymore, merely pragmatic. A tempest rages about the man and we critics strike from every direction, our barbs labeling him a liar, cheat, poor role model—but his simple motive is to go back to work in baseball. That drives his outlandish statements; he does care about Major League Baseball. McGwire’s “admission” of doping while denying performance enhancement is certainly ridiculous, self-serving; most importantly, however, the flimsy rhetoric insulates the drug-ridden MLB system, where prevention is impossible, like in any sport, with testing a time-proven failure for gaping loopholes.
McGwire is a powerful symbol of steroids for performance enhancement, but he is no different than 99 percent of American athletes caught for muscle doping since the 1980s, in baseball, football, track and field, more sport. McGwire wants to return to his game and therefore takes a hit for the team, in jock cliché.
A few thousand drug-sullied athletes took the fall before, blaming themselves only in order to come back, and McGwire takes his turn now, following proven talking points for shielding the system and training responsibility solely upon him, the individual.
Blathering in established nonsense of the protocol, McGwire portrays himself to have been an “isolated” user—the enduring lie of sport figures to deflect attention from a systemic problem. McGwire claims he doesn’t know or remember much beyond using tissue-building hormones for most his career in the big leagues. He says he used HGH “maybe” once or twice. He claims he neither used nor discussed muscle drugs with other players or baseball personnel, no one, and especially not La Russa. McGwire summarily dismisses allegations by former A’s teammate Jose Canseco and an FBI informant that he juiced heavily to aid his power hitting.
McGwire says using steroids to become a richly rewarded superstar was "a mistake," his “biggest regret.” And his absurd claim of no performance enhancement from the drugs—McGwire says the effect of injury recovery wasn’t an unfair advantage—serves the system by attempting to preserve the sanctity of his garish numbers, particularly the 70 homers in one season, later topped by the 73 dingers of doped-up Barry Bonds.
McGwire says he doesn’t feel unfairly singled out for drugs in Major League Baseball, and he seconds that by stating the game has no widespread problem, even if he couldn’t articulate well on Sunday in St. Louis. “Baseball’s done a fantastic job, uh, uh, doing uh, uh, doing—cracking down on the uh, with uh, drug policy…,” McGwire stammered in a hasty hallway meeting with two dozen reporters who were misled and herded for hours by Cardinals PR, another tactic for stifling information damaging to employer baseball.
McGwire struggled to finish about a clean MLB system, continuing: “Uh, doing the things they’re doing, and, uh, from what I’ve heard, they’re improving, improving it (testing and policy). Um… so, it’s—they’ve done a fantastic job, the players association, (commissioner) Bud Selig.”
And so went the Cardinals’ dog-and-pony presser for McGwire at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, a high-profile sideshow of the circus known as Winter Warm-Up fund raiser with fans, where autographs for left fielder Matt Holliday cost $100. In barely five minutes of questions from us reporters, McGwire uttered “uh” more often than Beavis and Butthead through an entire cartoon episode. This McGwire comedy naturally concluded with his protecting the system a final time, in response to another prying question.
“Mark, you really didn’t tell Tony (La Russa) that you used steroids?” a reporter asked.
“Absolutely,” McGwire began, before falling apart again. “Tony had, Tony… Tony La Russa—I kept this to myself. I… Ya know what? I, I spoke from my heart. And I spoke honestly the other night (with Costas). And, listen, that’s me. And I hope you all can accept this. And let’s all move on from this. Baseball, baseball…” McGwire paused for media yelling of further questions that he ignored while continuing: “Baseball is great right now. Baseball’s better, and let’s just all move on.”
Gladly, I thought, watching McGwire slip back through doors to a service corridor, in escape with his handlers. Please keep going until you hit California—and take La Russa with you.
Matt Chaney is a journalist, editor, teacher, publisher and restaurant worker in Missouri. E-mail him at mattchaney@fourwallspublishing.com. For more information about his book Spiral of Denial: Muscle Doping in American Football, visit the home page at www.fourwallspublishing.com.
Phillies sign Victorino
The Philadelphia Phillies made it official on Friday and signed outfielder Shane Victorino to a three-year, $22 million contract extension through the 2012 season.
Victorino had been eligible for salary arbitration and his new deal will buy out his remaining two arbitration-eligible seasons in addition to his first year of free agency.
The Hawaii native has become an offensive sparkplug for Philadelphia since the team selected him in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft. In 2009, his fourth year as a starter, Victorino batted .292 with 13 triples, 10 homers, 62 RBI and 25 stolen bases. He was also named an All-Star for the first time and matched his career best with 102 runs scored, as the Phillies won their second straight NL pennant.
Victorino, a Gold Glove winner each of the past two seasons, is a career .284 hitter with 32 triples, 44 homers, 224 RBI and 109 stolen bases in 643 games -- all but 36 with the Phillies.
Victorino had been eligible for salary arbitration and his new deal will buy out his remaining two arbitration-eligible seasons in addition to his first year of free agency.
The Hawaii native has become an offensive sparkplug for Philadelphia since the team selected him in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft. In 2009, his fourth year as a starter, Victorino batted .292 with 13 triples, 10 homers, 62 RBI and 25 stolen bases. He was also named an All-Star for the first time and matched his career best with 102 runs scored, as the Phillies won their second straight NL pennant.
Victorino, a Gold Glove winner each of the past two seasons, is a career .284 hitter with 32 triples, 44 homers, 224 RBI and 109 stolen bases in 643 games -- all but 36 with the Phillies.
Union signs defender Danny Califf
The Philadelphia Union announces that they have signed United States Men's National Team veteran Danny Califf. The 29-year old central defender comes to the Philadelphia from FC Midtjylland in the Danish Superliga.
Califf brings leadership and international experience to Philadelphia Union, having earned 23 caps with the USMNT. In 2009, he captained the side's 3-2 win over Sweden and helped them to a first place finish in the CONCACAF region to earn a trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Califf also helped the squad to the finals of the Confederations Cup, where it defeated powerhouse Spain, 2-0, in the semi-finals.
"There will be competition for every spot on the pitch" suggested Philadelphia Team Manager Peter Nowak. "But with a seasoned veteran like Danny Califf, we're adding a player who will help us set the bar ever higher. Danny understands the level of commitment our Technical Staff will demand daily and we're counting on him to not only help anchor our defense but push our younger players to greater heights too."
Drafted by the LA Galaxy in 2000, Califf captured three championships with the team, including the 2002 MLS Cup, the 2001 U.S. Open Cup and the 2000 Champions' Cup titles. After being traded to the San Jose Earthquakes in 2005, Califf made 20 starting appearances, scoring twice, and was rewarded with a spot on the MLS Best XI team.
"At this point in my career-being a veteran-I'm quite comfortable being asked to take on a leadership role," said Califf, who performed a similar role with his club teams in Denmark. "More importantly, it's great to be back in the U.S., working with Peter (Nowak) and (Coach John) Hack(worth), who I've been with before. I am so excited to work with American kids, who like me, have come through the U.S. National Team system. I'm sure we'll relate well to one another for the benefit of Philadelphia Union."
Following the 2005 season, Califf made the move across the Atlantic Ocean to Aalborg BK of the Danish Superliga. Califf made more than 50 league appearances for the Danish side in three seasons and, as a captain, led the team into the 2007 UEFA Cup group stage after a massive upset of Italian side Sampdoria. In 2008, he signed with FC Midtjylland and was immediately inserted into the starting line-up, where he made 23 appearances as vice-captain of the squad.
"We feel very fortunate that we were able to capitalize on this opportunity to bring in a player of Danny's caliber and experience," stated Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. "Peter Nowak and John Hackworth have both worked with Danny over the years and have great respect for his work ethic. Danny is an excellent addition to our growing player roster."
Califf brings leadership and international experience to Philadelphia Union, having earned 23 caps with the USMNT. In 2009, he captained the side's 3-2 win over Sweden and helped them to a first place finish in the CONCACAF region to earn a trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Califf also helped the squad to the finals of the Confederations Cup, where it defeated powerhouse Spain, 2-0, in the semi-finals.
"There will be competition for every spot on the pitch" suggested Philadelphia Team Manager Peter Nowak. "But with a seasoned veteran like Danny Califf, we're adding a player who will help us set the bar ever higher. Danny understands the level of commitment our Technical Staff will demand daily and we're counting on him to not only help anchor our defense but push our younger players to greater heights too."
Drafted by the LA Galaxy in 2000, Califf captured three championships with the team, including the 2002 MLS Cup, the 2001 U.S. Open Cup and the 2000 Champions' Cup titles. After being traded to the San Jose Earthquakes in 2005, Califf made 20 starting appearances, scoring twice, and was rewarded with a spot on the MLS Best XI team.
"At this point in my career-being a veteran-I'm quite comfortable being asked to take on a leadership role," said Califf, who performed a similar role with his club teams in Denmark. "More importantly, it's great to be back in the U.S., working with Peter (Nowak) and (Coach John) Hack(worth), who I've been with before. I am so excited to work with American kids, who like me, have come through the U.S. National Team system. I'm sure we'll relate well to one another for the benefit of Philadelphia Union."
Following the 2005 season, Califf made the move across the Atlantic Ocean to Aalborg BK of the Danish Superliga. Califf made more than 50 league appearances for the Danish side in three seasons and, as a captain, led the team into the 2007 UEFA Cup group stage after a massive upset of Italian side Sampdoria. In 2008, he signed with FC Midtjylland and was immediately inserted into the starting line-up, where he made 23 appearances as vice-captain of the squad.
"We feel very fortunate that we were able to capitalize on this opportunity to bring in a player of Danny's caliber and experience," stated Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. "Peter Nowak and John Hackworth have both worked with Danny over the years and have great respect for his work ethic. Danny is an excellent addition to our growing player roster."
Iverson is an All-Star
Tonight, the results of this year's NBA All-Star Balloting program presented by T-Mobile were announced and Sixers guard Allen Iverson was named a starter for the Eastern Conference. It is Iverson's 11th straight All-Star appearance and his first as a Sixer since 2006, which is also the last time Philadelphia has had a player in the All-Star Game.
"I just want to thank everybody for their support this season and it's an honor that the fans have voted me into the All-Star Game as a starter," Iverson said. "The fans are who make us and make the NBA so popular. This year is even more special because that I'll be representing a city and fans that I love and a team that has been such a big part of my life throughout my career."
Iverson finished second among Eastern Conference guards with 1,269,568 votes, trailing only Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade at the position, despite appearing on the All-Star ballot among Western Conference guards.
A two-time All-Star Game MVP in 2001 and 2005, Iverson becomes just the 26th player in league history to earn at least 11 All-Star appearances. The 34-year-old made his first All-Star team at the age of 24 back in 2000.
Iverson signed as a free agent with the Sixers on December 3, 2009 and has since started 16 games, averaging 14.8 points, 4.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game. He is also shooting a career-high tying 46.1% from the floor this season.
Iverson recently played the 900th game of his career vs. Toronto on January 8, 2010. He is 24 steals away from becoming the 12th player in league history to accumulate 2,000 career steals.
Philadelphia selected Iverson with the first overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. In 2001, he helped guide the Sixers to the NBA Finals, earning the league's Most Valuable Player award for that season in the process.
Iverson has been named to a total of seven All-NBA teams (First Team in 1998-99, 2000-01 and 2004-05; Second Team in 1999-00, 2001-02 and 2002-03; Third Team in 2005-06). He led the NBA in scoring four times as a Sixer, becoming one of only four players in league history to capture four-plus scoring titles. Iverson is also the second leading scorer in franchise history, trailing only Hal Greer.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Flyers humble Rangers, Emery gets 2nd shutout of season
by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine
Ray Emery stopped 24 shots to post his second shutout of the season as Philadelphia shut down the New York Rangers, 2-0, at Wachovia Center.
James van Riemsdyk and Mike Richards lit the lamp for the Flyers, who have won two in a row and six of their last eight. The victory was only the third for the Orange and Black at home against the Blueshirts since the end of the 2003-04 season.
Henrik Lundqvist played well in defeat, making 25 stops for the Rangers, who saw their two-game win streak halted after being blanked for the third time in six contests.
Emery was solid over the first 40 minutes, stopping 17 total shots by the visitors. He followed up with seven saves in the third period, but nearly lost his perfect game in the waning seconds.
New York went with an extra skater starting with 2:07 left in regulation, and the Rangers didn't have much offense to show initially.
However, they were awarded a power play with seven seconds to go after a high- sticking call against Flyers forward Blair Betts, and kept pressing.
Working from a faceoff in the offensive zone, Chris Drury got the puck on the left side and fired it past Emery.
The goal, though, was disallowed upon review as it came a fraction of a second after the buzzer.
Van Riemsdyk followed up his own rebound on a partial breakaway to give the Flyers a 1-0 edge with 4:50 left in the first period. Chris Pronger set up the score with a long lead pass from behind his own goal line to the streaking rookie.
Richards upped the advantage to 2-0 on a power play with 2.5 seconds left in the second, when his slap pass from the left circle, intended for Danny Briere, deflected off the skate of Rangers defenseman Marc Staal and slid past Lundqvist.
Notes: Emery has 10 career whitewashes, and he recorded his first shutout since the season-opener at Carolina on October 2...It was the first time the Flyers blanked the Rangers in Philadelphia since a 3-0 decision on March 20, 2004...Following a 6-0 win at Madison Square Garden on December 30, the Flyers have kept the Rangers off the board in consecutive meetings for the first time since October 20-22, 1999, winning by scores of 5-0 and 2-0...New York had scored a 14 combined goals in their victories over Montreal and Tampa Bay before Thursday's defeat.
The Phanatic Magazine
Ray Emery stopped 24 shots to post his second shutout of the season as Philadelphia shut down the New York Rangers, 2-0, at Wachovia Center.
James van Riemsdyk and Mike Richards lit the lamp for the Flyers, who have won two in a row and six of their last eight. The victory was only the third for the Orange and Black at home against the Blueshirts since the end of the 2003-04 season.
Henrik Lundqvist played well in defeat, making 25 stops for the Rangers, who saw their two-game win streak halted after being blanked for the third time in six contests.
Emery was solid over the first 40 minutes, stopping 17 total shots by the visitors. He followed up with seven saves in the third period, but nearly lost his perfect game in the waning seconds.
New York went with an extra skater starting with 2:07 left in regulation, and the Rangers didn't have much offense to show initially.
However, they were awarded a power play with seven seconds to go after a high- sticking call against Flyers forward Blair Betts, and kept pressing.
Working from a faceoff in the offensive zone, Chris Drury got the puck on the left side and fired it past Emery.
The goal, though, was disallowed upon review as it came a fraction of a second after the buzzer.
Van Riemsdyk followed up his own rebound on a partial breakaway to give the Flyers a 1-0 edge with 4:50 left in the first period. Chris Pronger set up the score with a long lead pass from behind his own goal line to the streaking rookie.
Richards upped the advantage to 2-0 on a power play with 2.5 seconds left in the second, when his slap pass from the left circle, intended for Danny Briere, deflected off the skate of Rangers defenseman Marc Staal and slid past Lundqvist.
Notes: Emery has 10 career whitewashes, and he recorded his first shutout since the season-opener at Carolina on October 2...It was the first time the Flyers blanked the Rangers in Philadelphia since a 3-0 decision on March 20, 2004...Following a 6-0 win at Madison Square Garden on December 30, the Flyers have kept the Rangers off the board in consecutive meetings for the first time since October 20-22, 1999, winning by scores of 5-0 and 2-0...New York had scored a 14 combined goals in their victories over Montreal and Tampa Bay before Thursday's defeat.
Phils sign Blanton to 3-year deal
It's official. The Phllies have signed Joe Blanton to a three-year, $24 million extension.
Here's the contract details: $7M in 2010, $8.5M in 2011, $8.5M in 2012. '11 and '12 salaries go up $250K if he pitches at least 200 innings the year before.
Here's the contract details: $7M in 2010, $8.5M in 2011, $8.5M in 2012. '11 and '12 salaries go up $250K if he pitches at least 200 innings the year before.
Hernandez extension caps terrific offseason for Mariners
Chris Ruddick
Philadelphia, PA - We are still a little more than three weeks from pitchers and catchers reporting, but I already have a feeling what team is going to be the trendy pick heading into the 2010 season.
While the New York Mets may have had the worst offseason of any team in the league, no team has improved itself more than the Seattle Mariners.
General manager Jack Zduriencik capped off a terrific winter earlier this week by locking down Felix Hernandez, the best young pitcher in the American League, for the next five years.
According to reports, Hernandez - who could have been a free agent after the 2011 campaign - will now remain with Seattle through 2014. The deal was costly, reportedly worth as much as $100 million with incentives, but it was something that had to be done. Thankfully for the sake of both baseball and the Mariners, Zduriencik realized that.
Pitchers like Hernandez don't come around often. If you can't find a way to build around someone like him, then why bother even fielding a team? If he continues to progress like I think he will, it's not inconceivable that another $100 million deal will come down the pike when he is scheduled to hit free agency at the still young age of 28.
The King Felix extension, though, was just the icing on the cake of what Zduriencik has done since taking over for the fired Bill Bavasi in October of 2008. Some lamented his first move in naming relative unknown Don Wakamatsu as the team's new manager, but that is now being hailed as a brilliant move.
Wakamatsu may not have been a big name, but was extremely well respected in baseball circles.
Then, after jettisoning closer J.J. Putz as part of a 12-player, three-team deal that netted the Mariners high-character players in return like Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez, Zduriencik may have pulled off his boldest, but most popular move when he brought home Seattle's favorite son in Ken Griffey Jr.
Of course, Griffey was nowhere near the player he was when he won the AL MVP for the Mariners in 1997, but he and fellow veteran-signee Mike Sweeney were being counted on for something far more important - to be the captains of what had been a rudderless ship.
Bottom line, the ground work was being laid. The moves paid off. Seattle stayed in postseason contention for the better part of the year, as they made a 24- game improvement from the disaster in 2008 that saw them become the first $100 million team to lose more than 100 games.
Last season may have been a step, but with the moves Zduriencik has made this offseason, 2010 will be a giant leap to the top of the American League West.
Shortly after the start of free agency, Zduriencik signed Chone Figgins to replace Adrian Beltre at third base. Figgins may not bring the pop that the Mariners had hoped Beltre would bring, but he is a better clubhouse guy, and he and Ichiro Suzuki will form as dynamic a 1-2 punch atop the lineup as there is in the league.
Not to mention that the Figgins move took away a very vital piece from the Angels, the team that has had a stranglehold atop the division for the better part of the last decade.
Then Zduriencik pulled off the move that could make his team the going-away favorite in the division when he acquired left-handed ace Cliff Lee from the Philadelphia Phillies for nobody off his major league roster.
Is there now a better 1-2 punch atop any rotation in the league than Lee and the great Hernandez? Forget the division, with that duo they could be poised to make their first-ever run to the Fall Classic.
Offensively, the Mariners may be lacking a little pop, as it looks like they will be fielding a lineup with just one player who hit as many as 20 home runs a year ago, second baseman Jose Lopez. The recent addition of slick-fielding first baseman Casey Kotchman all but eliminates any chance of having Russell Branyan, who slugged 31 home runs a year ago, return.
So how are they going to score runs? Well, don't sleep on one of Zduriencik's first acquisitions from last year. Gutierrez belted a career-high 18 home runs a year ago. He will be 27 when the season begins and could provide the power bat Seattle desperately needs.
Even with spring training right around the corner, the offseason is still far from over, and if the past year is any indication, Zduriencik is not done. If he thinks he needs it, he will find himself another bat.
All of which proves that baseball is alive and well in the Emerald City.
Philadelphia, PA - We are still a little more than three weeks from pitchers and catchers reporting, but I already have a feeling what team is going to be the trendy pick heading into the 2010 season.
While the New York Mets may have had the worst offseason of any team in the league, no team has improved itself more than the Seattle Mariners.
General manager Jack Zduriencik capped off a terrific winter earlier this week by locking down Felix Hernandez, the best young pitcher in the American League, for the next five years.
According to reports, Hernandez - who could have been a free agent after the 2011 campaign - will now remain with Seattle through 2014. The deal was costly, reportedly worth as much as $100 million with incentives, but it was something that had to be done. Thankfully for the sake of both baseball and the Mariners, Zduriencik realized that.
 Pitchers like Felix Hernandez don't come around often. |
The King Felix extension, though, was just the icing on the cake of what Zduriencik has done since taking over for the fired Bill Bavasi in October of 2008. Some lamented his first move in naming relative unknown Don Wakamatsu as the team's new manager, but that is now being hailed as a brilliant move.
Wakamatsu may not have been a big name, but was extremely well respected in baseball circles.
Then, after jettisoning closer J.J. Putz as part of a 12-player, three-team deal that netted the Mariners high-character players in return like Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez, Zduriencik may have pulled off his boldest, but most popular move when he brought home Seattle's favorite son in Ken Griffey Jr.
Of course, Griffey was nowhere near the player he was when he won the AL MVP for the Mariners in 1997, but he and fellow veteran-signee Mike Sweeney were being counted on for something far more important - to be the captains of what had been a rudderless ship.
Bottom line, the ground work was being laid. The moves paid off. Seattle stayed in postseason contention for the better part of the year, as they made a 24- game improvement from the disaster in 2008 that saw them become the first $100 million team to lose more than 100 games.
Last season may have been a step, but with the moves Zduriencik has made this offseason, 2010 will be a giant leap to the top of the American League West.
Shortly after the start of free agency, Zduriencik signed Chone Figgins to replace Adrian Beltre at third base. Figgins may not bring the pop that the Mariners had hoped Beltre would bring, but he is a better clubhouse guy, and he and Ichiro Suzuki will form as dynamic a 1-2 punch atop the lineup as there is in the league.
Not to mention that the Figgins move took away a very vital piece from the Angels, the team that has had a stranglehold atop the division for the better part of the last decade.
Then Zduriencik pulled off the move that could make his team the going-away favorite in the division when he acquired left-handed ace Cliff Lee from the Philadelphia Phillies for nobody off his major league roster.
Is there now a better 1-2 punch atop any rotation in the league than Lee and the great Hernandez? Forget the division, with that duo they could be poised to make their first-ever run to the Fall Classic.
Offensively, the Mariners may be lacking a little pop, as it looks like they will be fielding a lineup with just one player who hit as many as 20 home runs a year ago, second baseman Jose Lopez. The recent addition of slick-fielding first baseman Casey Kotchman all but eliminates any chance of having Russell Branyan, who slugged 31 home runs a year ago, return.
So how are they going to score runs? Well, don't sleep on one of Zduriencik's first acquisitions from last year. Gutierrez belted a career-high 18 home runs a year ago. He will be 27 when the season begins and could provide the power bat Seattle desperately needs.
Even with spring training right around the corner, the offseason is still far from over, and if the past year is any indication, Zduriencik is not done. If he thinks he needs it, he will find himself another bat.
All of which proves that baseball is alive and well in the Emerald City.
JP Dellacamera named play-by-play voice of Philadelphia Union
JP Dellacamera, the long-time commentator of ABC and ESPN's Major League Soccer broadcasts, has named named the play-by-play coice of the Philadelphia Union. Dellacamera will continue to be the lead voice on the MLS national broadcasts in addition to his duties with Philadelphia Union.
"We are very pleased that JP was available and actually eager to join our growing family," said Union President Tom Veit. "He's absolutely the best at what he does and will enable us to create an authentic, traditional broadcast product with someone who respects the game as much as we do and for that matter, as much as anyone in this country."
Recognized as one of the leading authorities on international soccer in the United States, Dellacamera has called the last six FIFA World Cups for a variety of networks and the last four FIFA Women's World Cups. Originally from Waltham, Mass., his extensive soccer experience includes working some of the most famous soccer leagues and tournaments in the world, including UEFA Champions League finals and the 1999 Women's World Cup, which was the most watched soccer telecast in U.S. television history. Dellacamera has also called games for Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls.
"Knowing Nick Sakiewicz and Tom Veit were running the organization, when Philadelphia Union first approached me with this opportunity, I was already interested," said Dellacamera. "Not just because of the kind of people they are, but because of the way they are so committed to maintaining the integrity of the game.
"With 2010 being not just the club's inaugural season, but a World Cup year, this is going to be a very busy, very special year."
Dellacamera's lengthy broadcasting career also includes work in college basketball and the NHL. For the past five seasons, he has served as the TV play-by-play voice of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers on Turner Sports and Fox Sports Network affiliates.
"Having worked with JP in New York, I can promise that our fans will get a first rate, honest account of what they're seeing on the pitch," reflected CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. "Bringing JP on board, is yet another reason everyone, myself included, should look forward to the start of our season, just two months away."
Philadelphia Union's first-ever First Kick will take place March 25, 2010 vs. FC Sounders at Seattle's Qwest Field. The club's home opener will be April 10, 2010 vs. D.C. United at Lincoln Financial Field.
"We are very pleased that JP was available and actually eager to join our growing family," said Union President Tom Veit. "He's absolutely the best at what he does and will enable us to create an authentic, traditional broadcast product with someone who respects the game as much as we do and for that matter, as much as anyone in this country."
Recognized as one of the leading authorities on international soccer in the United States, Dellacamera has called the last six FIFA World Cups for a variety of networks and the last four FIFA Women's World Cups. Originally from Waltham, Mass., his extensive soccer experience includes working some of the most famous soccer leagues and tournaments in the world, including UEFA Champions League finals and the 1999 Women's World Cup, which was the most watched soccer telecast in U.S. television history. Dellacamera has also called games for Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls.
"Knowing Nick Sakiewicz and Tom Veit were running the organization, when Philadelphia Union first approached me with this opportunity, I was already interested," said Dellacamera. "Not just because of the kind of people they are, but because of the way they are so committed to maintaining the integrity of the game.
"With 2010 being not just the club's inaugural season, but a World Cup year, this is going to be a very busy, very special year."
Dellacamera's lengthy broadcasting career also includes work in college basketball and the NHL. For the past five seasons, he has served as the TV play-by-play voice of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers on Turner Sports and Fox Sports Network affiliates.
"Having worked with JP in New York, I can promise that our fans will get a first rate, honest account of what they're seeing on the pitch," reflected CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. "Bringing JP on board, is yet another reason everyone, myself included, should look forward to the start of our season, just two months away."
Philadelphia Union's first-ever First Kick will take place March 25, 2010 vs. FC Sounders at Seattle's Qwest Field. The club's home opener will be April 10, 2010 vs. D.C. United at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Iverson is still popular
NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2010 – The Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant has retained the top spot on the NBA’s Most Popular Jerseys list, the ranking he has held since the start of the 2008-09 season. The rankings are based on sales at the NBA Store in New York City and NBAStore.com since the start of the 2009-10 NBA season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James maintains the No. 2 spot, while the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard and the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose appear in the Top 5 for the first time. Howard makes a dramatic jump, moving from No. 10 to No. 3 on this year’s list. Rose’s popularity continues to grow and
moves into the No.4 spot from No.11 last season. The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade rounds out the Top 5.
Shaquille O’Neal makes his way back into the Top 10 for the first time since June 2008 at the No. 9 spot, while Kevin Durant re-emerges on the list for the first time since January 2008. Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony also moved up the list from No. 15 to No. 11. Iverson was No. 14.
The Los Angeles Lakers once again top the list of Most Popular NBA Team Merchandise. The Boston Celtics hold on to the No.2 spot for the second year in a row while, the Cleveland Cavaliers move up from No. 4 last season to No. 3.
TOP 15 PLAYERS TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers 1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers 2. Boston Celtics
3. Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic 3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls 4. New York Knicks
5. Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat 5. Chicago Bulls
6. Kevin Garnett – Boston Celtics 6. Orlando Magic
7. Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets 7. Denver Nuggets
8. Paul Pierce – Boston Celtics 8. Miami Heat
9. Shaquille O’Neal – Cleveland Cavaliers 9. San Antonio Spurs
10. Pau Gasol – Los Angeles Lakers 10. Phoenix Suns
11. Carmelo Anthony – Denver Nuggets
12. Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns
13. David Lee – New York Knicks
14. Allen Iverson – Philadelphia 76ers
15. Kevin Durant – Oklahoma City
Thunder
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James maintains the No. 2 spot, while the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard and the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose appear in the Top 5 for the first time. Howard makes a dramatic jump, moving from No. 10 to No. 3 on this year’s list. Rose’s popularity continues to grow and
moves into the No.4 spot from No.11 last season. The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade rounds out the Top 5.
Shaquille O’Neal makes his way back into the Top 10 for the first time since June 2008 at the No. 9 spot, while Kevin Durant re-emerges on the list for the first time since January 2008. Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony also moved up the list from No. 15 to No. 11. Iverson was No. 14.
The Los Angeles Lakers once again top the list of Most Popular NBA Team Merchandise. The Boston Celtics hold on to the No.2 spot for the second year in a row while, the Cleveland Cavaliers move up from No. 4 last season to No. 3.
TOP 15 PLAYERS TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers 1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers 2. Boston Celtics
3. Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic 3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls 4. New York Knicks
5. Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat 5. Chicago Bulls
6. Kevin Garnett – Boston Celtics 6. Orlando Magic
7. Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets 7. Denver Nuggets
8. Paul Pierce – Boston Celtics 8. Miami Heat
9. Shaquille O’Neal – Cleveland Cavaliers 9. San Antonio Spurs
10. Pau Gasol – Los Angeles Lakers 10. Phoenix Suns
11. Carmelo Anthony – Denver Nuggets
12. Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns
13. David Lee – New York Knicks
14. Allen Iverson – Philadelphia 76ers
15. Kevin Durant – Oklahoma City
Thunder
McNabb addresses Future
Donovan McNabb was Yardbarking today, talking about his future:
"I know there is a lot of talk in Philadelphia about my future but please know one thing - when I came to Philadelphia it was to win a championship for the Eagles. Given the opportunity, I’d like to finish the job."
"I know there is a lot of talk in Philadelphia about my future but please know one thing - when I came to Philadelphia it was to win a championship for the Eagles. Given the opportunity, I’d like to finish the job."
Gagne trying out for Phillies
Former All-Star closer Eric Gagne has told a French Canadian radio station that he has a tryout scheduled with the Phillies Wednesday afternoon in Arizona.
Gagne, 34, was once one of the most dominating closers in baseball history, saving 161 games while posting a 1.82 ERA for the Dodgers from 2002-2006.
In December 2007, Gagne was one of 86 players identified in the Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. He was accused of having purchased human growth hormone in 2004, while with the Dodgers.
Gagne last pitched in the majors in 2008, when he had a 5.44 ERA in 50 appearances for the Brewers.
"I'm very excited to have this chance,'' Gagne told CKAC Sports yesterday. "There are many players that I know well on that team, including Jayson Werth.''
Gagne, 34, was once one of the most dominating closers in baseball history, saving 161 games while posting a 1.82 ERA for the Dodgers from 2002-2006.
In December 2007, Gagne was one of 86 players identified in the Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. He was accused of having purchased human growth hormone in 2004, while with the Dodgers.
Gagne last pitched in the majors in 2008, when he had a 5.44 ERA in 50 appearances for the Brewers.
"I'm very excited to have this chance,'' Gagne told CKAC Sports yesterday. "There are many players that I know well on that team, including Jayson Werth.''
Eagles sign CFL star
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed RB Martell Mallett. Mallett (6-0, 210) spent the 2009 season as a member of the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions, where he rushed for 1,280 yards and six touchdowns on 214 carries (5.8 average), adding 43 receptions for 342 yards and two touchdowns. He was named to the West Division All-Star team and also earned the 2009 CFL Most Outstanding Rookie award.
The 23-year-old Mallett played collegiately at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where he rushed for 2,896 yards and 27 touchdowns in his four-year career. The Pine Bluff, Arkansas native earned first-team all-SWAC honors as a senior in 2008.
The 23-year-old Mallett played collegiately at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where he rushed for 2,896 yards and 27 touchdowns in his four-year career. The Pine Bluff, Arkansas native earned first-team all-SWAC honors as a senior in 2008.
Ragles' Dorenbos added to Pro Bowl roster
Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster as a need player. For Dorenbos, it marks his first Pro Bowl berth of his eight-year NFL career.
He becomes the seventh Eagles player to be officially named to the NFC squad this season, joining David Akers, Trent Cole, DeSean Jackson, Jason Peters, Asante Samuel, and Leonard Weaver.
Dorenbos becomes the 2nd Eagles long snapper to garner Pro Bowl honors, joining Mike Bartrum who played for the NFC squad following the 2005 campaign.
He becomes the seventh Eagles player to be officially named to the NFC squad this season, joining David Akers, Trent Cole, DeSean Jackson, Jason Peters, Asante Samuel, and Leonard Weaver.
Dorenbos becomes the 2nd Eagles long snapper to garner Pro Bowl honors, joining Mike Bartrum who played for the NFC squad following the 2005 campaign.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wings start time change on Feb. 13
The Philadelphia Wings (1-1) have changed the start time of their game at the Wachovia Center
The Wings, who won their first game of the season on Saturday night against the visiting Boston Blazers, return to action on Saturday, January 23, when they host the Colorado Mammoth at 7 p.m.
The Colorado Mammoth are 0-2 after losing their home opener, 14-13, on January 16 to the Edmonton Rush, and 17-8 and to the Washington Stealth on the road January 9. The Mammoth feature seven rookies on this year's roster.
Individual game tickets start as low as $18 and are available now at ComcastTIX.com. Season tickets are also available by calling 215-389-WING.
Dalembert headed to Haiti
Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert did not return with the team from Minnesota and will be excused from practice on Tuesday, as he will be traveling to Haiti with a group from Project Medishare. More information on Project Medishare can be found at their web site: http://projectmedishare.org/
He is expected to be available for Wednesday's home game against Portland.
He is expected to be available for Wednesday's home game against Portland.
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