Sox Rally Past Rangers, 3-2

After back-to-back losses that put the Sox 6.5 games out of the AL East race, Boston needed to bounce back with a good effort against Texas ace Cliff Lee. Lee was able to dominate the Sox for most of the game, pitching into the ninth inning. Then, Kevin Youkilis came to the rescue.

Youkilis drove in Marco Scutaro on his ninth inning double to tie the game at 2-2 and send it to extras. Who else would it be in the 11th? Of course, it was Youk again. With the bags juiced, Youkilis drove a fly ball deep enough to center that Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was unable to nail the tagging baserunner, Scutaro once again, from third base. Boston 3, Texas 2 -- final.

Although he didn't figure into the decision, John Lackey finally put together an ace-caliber start, dealing 7 innings and allowing just 2 earned runs. The Sox bullpen was able to hold the fort with shutout ball for the remaining 4 innings of the game. Manny Delcarmen got the eventual win.

Jon Lester will take the hill for Boston tomorrow in the final game of this four-game set. Lester (11-3) will try to earn the Sox the series split.

Shaq Sighting!

Serena Williams Cuts Foot on Broken Glass, Needs Surgery, Will Miss 3 Tournaments

Serena Williams will miss the next 3 big tournaments in the tennis world because of her accident today. Williams cut her foot on a piece of broken glass in a restaurant, and she will need surgery to fix the problem. Don't ask me how a cut invokes surgery and that long a recovery period. Maybe she sliced a tendon or something, I don't know. But either way, she cut her foot on some broken glass and will miss a lot of time. This news just broke into the news room. So hurry up and change your picks with your bookies on the next 3 women's tourneys. Serena is a no-go.

Bad to Worse

Things are bad when you are getting stomped by the Rangers for the second consecutive night to start the second half of the season. Things are even worse when you let Bengie Molina hit for the cycle against you. Can you see Molina's build in the photograph above? The guy on the right? Who is like 4'1" 372 lbs? How does he hit a triple? Hell, they needed to take the guy out of the game once he got to third base (I wish I was joking). Granted, he may have been removed for a leg injury. But he was huffin' and puffin' like he'd just finished a 26.2 mile run. I needed my calendar to time him around the bases. But that's the current Red Sox for you. This is a team made of backups and it is starting to show. We need our injured players back.... pronto!

PS -- Even as we speak, back-up Kevin Cash drops a ball on a play at the plate for another run.

How Lame is the Effort Here?

Think about how long it must have taken this guy to put this together. I mean he couldn't have done anything but sit at his computer for 9 weeks straight to make this video. But fine... I applaud effort where it is due. My question, though, is this. Why on earth would you spend this much time on such a lame finished product? He could have made this so much better for the time and effort put in. Wear a few different outfits. Make it a more interesting song. Strike a few more unique poses rather than just acting like you're having a seizure in every single shot. Less repeating the same thing over and over. So I guess I'm asking you how lame this is. Because I think it's pretty damn lame. What do you think?
Vote 1 for this is actually very cool and his effort should be applauded. Vote 5 for this is so so so so so so so so so lame.

C's Sign Nate Robinson

The Celtics added another piece to their puzzle for next season today, inking backup guard Nate Robinson to a 2-year deal that will pay him roughly $4 million per season.

Robinson was the spark plug off the bench for the majority of last year's second half, including the playoffs. The 3-time slam dunk champion seems to like his role here in Boston, and he has made lasting relationships with players such as Glen Davis. Most remember Robinson's interview in the playoffs during which he claimed he and Davis were "like Shrek and Donkey... best friends." Danny Ainge and the Celtics hope that Shrek and Donkey can continue to provide energy and efficiency off the bench during another title run in 2010-11.

Slow Start to Second Half for Sox

The outlook may be good for Boston in the second half of the season, and the injured players making their returns will most certainly feel like an incredibly rejuvenating boost. However, it wasn't the time for rejuvenation in the opener of their second half against Texas tonight, falling 7-2 at Fenway Park.

Tim Wakefield pitched just 2+ innings, allowing 7 runs (6 earned) on 8 hits. The knuckler didn't have his stuff tonight -- plain and simple. And the Rangers teed off on him. For the optimist, you can look at the performance from the Sox bullpen tonight. Robert Manuel (2.2 IP), Dustin Richardson (0.1 IP), Scott Atchison (3.0 IP), and Ramon Ramirez (1.0 IP) combined for 7 innings of shutout ball, allowing just 4 hits. Still, the Red Sox were unable to muster enough offense, getting only solo homers from JD Drew and Bill Hall for the game.

The Sox will send rookie Felix Doubront to the mound tomorrow to try to grab their first win of the second half. 

Get This Kid In The PBA!!

I have never seen anyone execute a FAIL of epic proportions better than this kid. I mean let's be real here... this was one of the worst bowling attempts in the history of bowling. But then it turned into the most stylish and eloquent strike in the history of bowling. Do this a few more times and I'd actually buy a ticket to a PBA match. Can you even buy tickets to PBA matches? I'm not sure, but I would do it if this kid could consistently do that.
PS -- Why is nobody in the background getting excited about that? If this was me I would be flipping out with everyone else, in amazement that it happened. They're all acting like it was painful to watch the ball roll through for a strike. Do these kids even know they are bowling?

Bruins Ink Campbell & McQuaid

Internet sources are confirming that the Boston Bruins have locked up defenseman Adam McQuaid to a 2-year contract. Salary figures have not yet been disclosed. The B's also signed recently acquired forward Gregory Campbell, defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk, and forward Jeff LoVecchio. Campbell's contract was a 2-year deal like McQuaid's.

When salary figures come out, we'll be sure to note any interesting numbers. Still, Peter Chiarelli continues to stay true to his word. He mentioned during rookie development camp week that they planned to sign McQuaid and let him compete for a spot in the defensive core with everyone else. Additionally, despite speculation that they may not bother with him, Chiarelli kept recently acquired grinder Gregory Campbell. Among the few players left to re-sign, Blake Wheeler awaits the offers that come from his recent filing for arbitration. Sources say that the two sides are still working to agree on a deal without having to go through the arbitration process. If the Bruins ultimately decline the arbitration offers, Wheeler would become an unrestricted free agent.

The roster is finally starting to take its full form, and we just continue to count the days until the Boston Bruins season opener from Prague.

How Much Would You Pay for Paul the Octopus?

AOL  -  The Madrid Zoo said Thursday that it has made an offer to buy Paul, the octopus who became a pop culture sensation by correctly predicting the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has legs - all seven of Germany's games plus the Spain-Netherlands final.


The zoo said it made the offer after receiving hundreds of requests from Spaniards for Paul's transfer from a German aquarium after Spain won the World Cup on Sunday.


oo spokeswoman Amparo Fernandez said an unspecified amount of cash was offered for the purchase of Paul, now a hero in Spain, which went wild after it won its first World Cup ever.


"We hope that within the next few days we will be able to confirm news that the admirable Paul will be part of the club of the most loved and charismatic animals of the Madrid Zoo," said a statement from the zoo.




I wish they had disclosed the dollar value on this offer. How much would you pay for Paul the Octopus? I mean, realistically, I probably wouldn't go into triple digits for him. But to be honest, I wouldn't even be surprised if he was going at 5 or 6 digits. Because that's how crazy the world is. They see that Paul is a crazy predictor, and they see that everyone loves him, so they think.... hey, we should pay like 50 grand for this guy. And over time, our investment will grow because of the crowds Paul will bring in. Well, hey, Madrid Zoo. Guess what? What happens when Paul makes his first wrong prediction? The media spreads the word, the crowds start to dwindle, and your big investment goes belly up. But like I said, I have no idea how much they're paying for him. I can't wait to find out. I just have a feeling it will be a silly amount.

Easy, Bro...

I mean, I knew there were some dumb cats out there. But come on. It really just takes 1 second of clawing to realize there is a cover on this cake. And you can clearly tell you're not making any progress at it by digging furiously. So I believe this cat just shot up the rankings on the Dumbest Cat list. He's broken the top ten until further notice.

How Lame is This Kid's "Parody"?

I'm confused; not even by the completely lame nature of this kid. But he titles this video as a "parody" of Ke$ha's song Tik Tok. However, parodies are generally spin-offs or something that makes fun of the original. All he's doing is dancing and attempting (but failing) to sing along. Am I missing something? Don't expect this video to hit mainstream. I don't think I have to explain why. Our friend with the sunglasses and slick jacket might want to keep his day job.
Vote 1 for this is actually cool and this kid will hit a million views before long. Vote 5 for this is the lamest video that has been posted on YouTube in the past 24 hours.

Most Physically Demanding Task in History

AOL  --  If they ever held a contest for the world's toughest triathlete, Charlie Wittmack would run away with first prize.


He'd also swim away with it and at least get a good head start on his bike as well.


That's because Wittmack, 36, is starting out on a worldwide triathlon that, if completed, will stand as the most extreme physical achievement ever attempted by a human.


The 11-month, 12,000-mile journey, which began July 1 in London, started with a 275-mile swim down the River Thames and the English Channel. That will be followed by a 9,000-mile bike ride from France to Calcutta, India (including a jaunt over the Himalayas), and a 950-mile run starting from sea level at the Bay of Bengal to the summit of Mount Everest.




Charlie Wittmack will be the most impressive human I've ever heard of if he completes this task. Read that fourth paragraph of the article again. 12,000 miles. A 275-mile swim. A 9,000-mile bike ride. A 950-mile run. Do you remember what running the mile was like in gym class? Or what about how daunting the sound of a 26.2 mile marathon is? Well you'd have to run 37 marathons to cover the 950-mile distance that Wittmack plans to cover. This journey is seemingly superhuman. I don't know how often he will rest or anything like that, but it doesn't really matter. You simply can't do what Charlie Wittmack is about to do. And once he is done, I think he has to run for president, right? How could you not vote for a guy this tough? I would appoint him to any job in the nation that he desired. Because I think this triathlon will prove his immortality. Officially.

Report: Ilgauskas Headed to Miami

Multiple internet sources including ESPN have reported that free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will follow LeBron to his next destination on South Beach. Ilgauskas is reportedly going to sign a two-year deal later in the week. When asked about the matter, big Z's agent Herb Rudoy said "we've agreed to agree."

So, what does this signing mean? It means bad news for all of the Heat's fellow competitors. in the East. This team will be silly-good with a qualified, big, strong center. Ilgauskas did a great job for Cleveland. Now, with Miami, all he'll be asked to do is be a presence in the post. Grab some boards. Play some defense. Set picks. They don't need a big scoring boost out of him. One would assume that a lessened role will increase his performance in that role. And if that happens, you're looking at a team that will be very, very difficult to beat this season.

Of course, Pat Riley still does need to assemble a bench unit. Until this team has a full roster, I will refuse to agree that they are going to win 70+ games or go deep in the playoffs. They have five players, for crying out loud. No team with five players can win a championship. They still need to fill out the roster, and the players will need to be able to hold their own in case injury arises, or more probably, in the playoffs against the best teams in the league. I don't care who your superstars are, they will need a break at some point. And there will need to be a supporting cast that can at least hold their own if the Heat want to form that expected dynasty.

Bottom line, though, Ilgauskas is a hell of a start in building that roster.

The Best Bad Outcome

Well, the AL had their big winning streak snapped in All-Star games tonight, but I supposed it happened in the most righteous way possible. Phil Hughes, the guy New York is screaming Cy Young for, blows it in the 7th for a 3-1 loss to the NL All-Stars. No worries, though. Hughes only had a final ERA of 54.00 for this game. Not too bad, Phil!!

Jon Lester pitched 1 scoreless inning for the American Leaguers. David Ortiz knocked a base hit in the 9th, but was forced out at second base later in the inning. Adrian Beltre struck out in his only at bat. The All-Star break is now officially over, and after a day off, the Sox will get back to action on Thursday at Fenway Park. The Texas Rangers will come into town, and Boston will be just the second team to get a look at Cliff Lee in the Rangers' uniform. Buckle up and get ready for a wild finish to 2010.

A Look Back At Steinbrenner

If you know anything about Major League Baseball, you know George Steinbrenner. The boss of America's most historic franchise, and the man who had more money than he knew how to spend. Infamous for going on television and ripping his superstars or his manager. For telling his GM that he wasn't the one responsible for making trades around here. For buying championships with absurdly large payrolls. Nonetheless, his accomplishments were great. Buying the Yankees in '73 for a price of $10 million, Steinbrenner took a franchise in shambles and executed the prototypical rags-to-riches transformation. The Yankees became a dynasty. Steinbrenner was an integral piece in that, without question. He also had a significant responsibility in raising player salaries in Major League Baseball. He was able to pay higher than everyone, which made people raise the bar around the league. When Steinbrenner stopped being so controlling over every team decision, the Yankees won 4 of 5 championships from 1996-2000. On the heels of that accomplishment, though, the nemesis Red Sox won titles in 2004 and 2007. Ever since the Sox won, Steinbrenner slowly began fading off the map. He handed the team off to his sons, who will now take over complete ownership.

He was a man hated for his actions, loved for his accomplishments. He was hated by outsiders. Hated by his own in the beginning, but loved by his own in the end. Whether you hated him or loved him, it's undeniable that he made great change to the sport -- whether good or bad -- during his time. George Steinbrenner, passed away at the age of 80. Even if Red Sox fans don't necessarily miss him, you must recognize the man's willingness to win and his impact on the game. RIP.

George Steinbrenner Dead at Age 80

MYFOXNY.COM - George Steinbrenner has died, Fox 5 News reported Tuesday morning, citing an AP report.

Steinbrenner had reportedly suffered a massive heart attack. The owner of the New York Yankees was taken to a Tampa's St. Joseph's hospital late Monday night.

"The Boss" as he was known in Yankee circles, bought the team in 1973 for $10 Million. The team is now worth more than a billion dollars. The Bronx Bombers have won seven World Series titles since he became the principal owner.

As much as I hated George Steinbrenner during his run as the New York Yankees owner, it is always sad to see someone pass away.

Steinbrenner revolutionized the hands-on owner, and paved way for people like Jerry Jones, Mark Cuban, and countless others who have been involved with the team's day to day activities.

RIP to one of the most successful owners in sports history.

Laser Show. So, Relax. Papi's Fine.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet David Ortiz. A man among boys. And you all thought this guy was done? Washed up? Never to be the same again? Well he blasted a total of 32 home runs out of Angel Stadium tonight en route to winning his first Home Run Derby. And I don't mean to brag, but I sort-of-kind-of predicted this display by Ortiz in my previous post. I knew I had a better feeling than ever about Papi. Turns out that feeling was true, and Big Papi is the boss of the MLB. 


Laser show. So, relax. I'm tired of lookin at the NESN poll, why David's strugglin, David's fine. He's one of our teammates, we believe in him. He came out of it last year, he's gonna come out of it this year. I'm gonna go online and vote. Papi's fine. Thanks for playing. -- Dustin Pedroia.

How Will Papi Fair in HR Derby?

Miguel Cabrera, Corey Hart, Matt Holliday, Hanley Ramirez, Nick Swisher, Vernon Wells, and Chris Young. Those are the 7 men that will compete against David Ortiz tonight in the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby from Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Will Ortiz be able to conquer the derby once and for all?

Papi has never finished higher than fourth place overall in the event, and this will be his fourth attempt at winning the derby. Call me crazy, but I have a better feeling than ever about Ortiz tonight. I just think he's got what it takes. But whatever happens, PLEASE, David, do not lose to Nick Swisher. Please.

How will Ortiz do? Vote 1 for he'll be lucky to hit the warning track multiple times. Vote 5 for the laser show is about to begin with the Sox DH slugger.

Americans Must Start Eating More Bugs

AOL  --  Americans aren't eating enough insects, and that bugs foodies like Andrew Zimmern.


Zimmern, host of the popular Travel Channel series "Bizarre Foods," travels the world tasting the local vittles in various countries. Some are quite foreign to American taste buds, and, at least in the case of insects, he thinks Yanks are missing out on some good eating.


For instance, one of Zimmern's favorite snacks is a handful of chapulines, a taste treat from the Mexican state of Oaxaca that combines dry-roasted grasshoppers with lime and chili. Another is an Ecuadoran dish where coconut grubs are marinated in orange juice before being grilled.


"I was on a trip once where someone made those for us, and I'll tell you, everyone there couldn't get enough," Zimmern said.


The idea of eating insects upsets many Americans stomachs, but they are commonly eaten in other parts of the world, such as Asia, Latin America and Africa. In fact, DailyMe.com reports that dishes like boiled bee larvae, green tree ants and yanagimushi worms are currently all the rage with Japanese gourmets.


It's a trend that Zimmern hopes will infest the West for a variety of reasons.


"Should we be eating insects instead of Doritos?" Zimmern asked rhetorically. "Yes, but it's a chicken-or-egg thing. The fact that we don't is illustrative of how far Americans are removed from our food sources. We've forgotten that our ancestors ate from necessity. As a result, we've become reliant on four or five food companies who only serve us center-of-the-animal foods."




Hey, if Andrew Zimmern says it, we must follow... right? Throw away your Captain Crunch and start eating some Fruity Grasshoppers. Or maybe some Frosted Spiders. Whatever works for you. But the point is, we're missing out. The whole world does it! We're "removed" from our food sources. That means we should start going back to what the cavemen did, right? Like just pick up a bug off the ground and chomp away? I'm contemplating which decision is best for me. Should I go meet Andrew Zimmern and have a scrumptious Praying Mantis dinner with some Honey Bees for dessert? Or should I build a time machine for him and tell him to go back to 456 B.C. if he wants to eat bugs for dinner?


Vote 1 for Zimmern has this down pat and we all need to start eating more bugs. Vote 5 for he should have been in the scene in the Lion King where Timon and Pumba convince Simba that it's good to eat bugs.

Tony Allen Memphis Bound

Celtics fans, say goodbye to T.A. Tony Allen will dawn a different color than green next season for the first time in his career, making the decision today to become a Memphis Grizzly. The C's former on-ball defensive specialist will join a fabulous core of young talent -- a stark contrast to Boston's veteran group -- in Memphis, who looks to continue their progress toward becoming an elite franchise in the NBA.

T.A. didn't have a ton of super memories here, but he did have his share. I'll never forget some of his dunks, or the team effort by Allen and Gerald Green on a breakaway chance to slam home an alley-oop off the backboard. If nothing else, Tony brought the energy to the Garden every night. Whether he was out of control or calm and collected, the energy was always there. A fabulous defender. A great competitor. Best of luck to Tony Allen with the rest of his NBA career.

Spain Defeats Netherlands for World Cup

Spain is now atop the world with their 1-0 victory in the World Cup Final against the Netherlands squad that had won 10 straight matches overall (and were unbeaten in 25 straight). Spain collected just their 8th goal of the tournament in 7 games, the lowest total in history to win the World Cup. An Iniesta strike in the second session of extra time sent the Dutch packing with their dreams of glory shattered.

Turns out Paul the Octopus is never wrong, and Mani the Parakeet is just a stiff. Paul runs the world. He predicts everything. I can tell you one thing for sure. A LOT of gamblers are going to start using the services of Paul the Octopus. He predicted Spain. And he has a perfect record. Mani the Parakeet's got nothing on Paul.

Additionally, 113,000 twitter followers of Dutch porn star Bobbi Eden were left disappointed. Eden and a team of her fellow adult film actresses promised to give particular gifts to all of her twitter followers had they won the world cup. That is now insignificant, since their Dutch squad was unable to take down the Spanish.

Congrats to Spain, who win their first ever World Cup. Adios, amigos!

Spain vs Netherlands - Live Chat

Will it be Spain or the Netherlands? Will Paul the Octopus be right as usual with his pick of the Spaniards? Or will 100,000 Dutch followers of Bobbi Eden's twitter page be happily rewarded today with a Netherlands victory? Moments until the 2010 FIFA World Cup FINAL MATCH between Spain and Netherlands. Chat about it here.

Woman Arrested for Sending Threatening Texts to Herself

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- An Orange County woman was sentenced to a year in jail for sending hundreds of threatening text messages - to herself. Prosecutors said Jeanne Mundango Manunga told police her former boyfriend and his sister-in-law were behind the threats.

Manunga was sentenced Friday in Santa Ana Superior Court. She was convicted in May of three felony counts of false imprisonment by fraud or deceit and two misdemeanor counts of making a false police report.

Prosecutors said Manunga started sending the threatening messages after she and her former boyfriend stopped dating in 2008.

Manunga also was placed on three years probation and ordered to pay about $50,000 in restitution.


I can't begin to describe how much this story confuses me. Maybe it's just the way they say that her ex and her sister-in-law were "behind the threats." Doesn't that make it sound like they were the ones scheming it? But who schemes to make someone send threats to themselves so they go to jail? Just the whole story doesn't really piece together for me, maybe I'm missing something. Or maybe it's just confusing. I don't really know. But either way, this lady sends threatening text messages to herself. I don't even know how to text myself.