Gilbert Arenas is Swimming in Wealth

Washington Wizards' Agent Zero had a very small stash of money and decided to build an extremely modest swimming pool. Here are some pics of his work in progress, click each one for the full size version:







Supposedly the stone used cost half a million dollars alone. It's widely believed that when complete this will be one of the largest residential pools in America. And he's not even practicing to be an Olympic synchronized swimmer. What a waste!

For more visit the D.C. Sports Bog. (CONTINUE READING)

Trading Spaces

MLB teams have less than 24 hours before the trade deadline which always makes for good live drama. Since so many games are played each and every day, and trades often happening DURING a game, it's not uncommon to hear of players getting yanked off the field in the middle of a game because a trade has just been finalized.



So keep an eye especially on tonight's action as another late trade or two is certain to take place. A few trade rumors include Pittsburgh's Jason Bay to Tampa and Boston's troubled personality Manny Ramirez possibly in talks to move to the Marlins. We'll keep an eye out. (CONTINUE READING)

Yankees Trade For Mini-Pudge

This post is far less an informative study of today's New York trade as it is a chance to remind folks who mini-Pudge is. First the news:

The New York Yankees traded pitcher Kyle Farnsworth for Detroit catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. With Yankee catcher Jorge Posada going down with injury at a crucial time of the season it was no secret the Yanks were on the prowl for a catcher. It's a mediocre trade that should slightly benefit New York, although today's Rodriguez is nowhere near productive as he was in his early years, both offensively and defensively.

Now on to mini-Pudge. You see, before the steroid era and the Mitchell Report, Ivan Rodriguez was a power-hitting catcher with a giant Barry Bonds sized noggin. He was huge. Mysteriously, after steroid-use became taboo and testing became more prevalent, Pudge Rodriguez became "mini-Pudge." The evidence after the jump.





See what I mean? His miniaturization literally happened over one short offseason. I remember him showing up for Spring Training the next year and thinking that he drank some sort of Beetlejuice-like head shrinking potion.

Now I'm not saying he was a steroid user just because his head shrank. I'm just pointing out that...oh who are we kidding, yeah that's what I'm saying.

I feel bad for pitcher Kyle Farnsworth who was traded out of NY for Rodriguez. He actually cried today during an on-camera interview about the trade. When he first came to the big apple he couldn't stop talking about how excited he was to be a Yankee and how we wanted to stay for several years. So much for that. Listen Kyle, it's like getting a transfer out of the Death Star. You're back among the good guys. (CONTINUE READING)

Clearing the Smog, Vol. I: Getting to know the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team

From now until the closing ceremonies, WHAS will run a piece called "Clearing the Smog: Getting to know US Olympians." In this feature we will highlight some of the athletes representing the Red White and Blue in the upcoming Beijing Olympics. This way when you're throwing down PBR's with your buddies watching the high jump. You'll be able to extol useful knowledge like, "Did you know Jesse Williams once ate cat food on his neighbors porch?" More on that later on down the road, for today I present to you:

The US Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team

The members: (In no particular order, since I can't tell them apart) Brooke Abel, Janet Culp, Kate Hooven, Christina Jones, Becky Kim, Andrea Nott, Annabelle Orme, Jillian Penner, Kim Probst, and alternate Meghan Kinney.
  

• Amazingly, none of these girls are related. There was almost a set of twins, but member Janet Culp's twin sister Jennie couldn't recover from shoulder surgery in time to qualify. Doublemint executives are extremely disappointed.
  

• Kate Hooven and Becky Kim both attended OSU where they won three gold medals at the '04 collegiate national championships. Yet another reason to hate the Buckeyes UM fans.
  

• According to NBC.com, Annabelle Orme, "attended Diablo Valley Community College for a semester, but ultimately decided to put off her studies until after the Olympics." Thank you Annabelle, you are a true American hero.  
  

• Don't expect to find these girls at your Frat Party. Various members hobbies include: wood whittling, doing puzzles, making banana bread, and dentistry. The only list more wholesome than this is that of the Amish SkyDiving Team, "The Jumping Jehovah's."
  

• It's not a wussy chick sport. In May four members of the Seattle Synchronized Swim Team simultaneously lost consciousness while practicing a routine. No cause has yet to be determined, but a team spokesperson confirmed that "March of the Pigs" by Nine Inch Nails will no longer be their accompanying music for this routine.
  

• And if none of that convinced you to check out synchronized swimming maybe this picture of the Russian pairs team will help:
  

NBC.com has all the facts. Especially about The Olympics. (CONTINUE READING)

Oh Say Can You Sing

A lot of folks gripe about our national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." Personally I'm with Ron Burgundy on this one, "Use Me" by Bill Withers would be a much better choice. But the SSB, with it's impossible melody and strange rhythm may be a chore to get through; but you still have to admit the writing is fantastic. Purple mountain majesty? Amber waves of grain? Ramparts? No wonder others are jealous of our great nation. After hearing that, who wouldn't want to live here? But even with it's faults the SSB is practically "Stairway to Heaven" compared to some other countries. 

Rick Reilly examines this issue in an article for ESPN.com and the results are nothing short of hilarious. From the Ukrainian's bold assertion that they are indeed still a country, to the Swedes singing about how much they like to drink, there are some seriously ludicrous anthems out there. So bitch all you want about Francis Scott Key being tone-deaf, at least we don't live in Greece where the anthem is 158 verses long. In Greece they don't ask you to stand for the national anthem, they ask you to grab a pillow and get comfy.

Reilly's full story here. 

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Pour Some Haterade On Me

Ah yes, July the 30th. With baseball being the only thing on and the Olympics not starting for another week or so, it's time for the worldwide leader to fill up space. Last year at this time, sparks were flying and the local water holes were abuzz with talk of "Who's More Now." This year, it's all about who's considered "Titletown USA". As stupid and pointless as the "Now" question was, at least it was debatable. For my money, you're wasting your breath on anything more than a toss-up between L.A. and New York with "Titletown."

But from the depths of the entertainment black hole that is late July sports comes a nifty piece by Mark Schlabach at ESPN.com. Maybe it's just cause his name sounds like Mark Schlereth, whom I have a man-crush on, but either way, Schlabach put together a great list of the top ten most hated college football schools. Now there's something I could debate while sipping suds.

For the most part I say Schlabach has the top three nailed down. OSU, USC, and Notre Dame in the top three; you'll get no argument from me on that. The rest of the list is more debatable, but I would agree all those teams deserve a spot. 

But the point I'm trying to make is not about the validity of his list, it's about why ESPN hasn't launched a full campaign about this, rather than silly topics like "Now" and "Titletown." "Who's Being Playa-Hated On the Most," would be a ratings bonanza. Each team up for discussion could have a dramatic feature piece put together that showed them winning titles while set to Lux Aeterna, or some other creepy musical score. Fans can send in videos of them laying the smack down on the contestants, Jim Rome style. And if they branch out and do college basketball, we can get Stuart Scott and Jay Bilas finally go at it with a Duke-Carolina fist-fight. My money's on Bilas by the way, to quote the draft-guru himself, "He's got a bit of a mean streak," and really angry eyes.

So I say Mark Schlabach and his better looking brother from another mother, Schlereth, kick the metrosexual head of programming for ESPN in the balls, and make this thing happen. Otherwise prepare for the inevitable next summer when ESPN brings us topics like "Who Dresses the Snazziest," or "Who's got the Most 'Tude" I'm guessing that one's already in production sadly.

Find Mark Schlabach's full list here at ESPN.com 

(CONTINUE READING)

Beijing's Air Quality Improves From "You Gotta Be Kidding Me!" to "Eh...?"

Nope, it's not fog over London. Try smog over Beijing! What better place to hold the world's premiere athletic competitions than one of the most unhealthy, polluted countries in the world!

But alas; there's good news for Olympians. Today it was reported that Beijing's air quality showed "dramatic improvement." Which means that today's air quality is only three times as bad as the worst air quality day in Los Angeles. Yay!



Today's positive finding was unfortunately not a breath of fresh air to all of the marathon runners who've already dropped out of this year's games due to health fears. And some are even planning to throw a costume party:

"Some U.S. athletes are considering wearing masks. New Zealand's athletes have been issued face masks with team equipment. Team managers have advised athletes to wear masks around the Olympic village but not during competition."

I'd love to see a cocky sprinter, with his Jim Carrey-esque breathing mask soaring to victory and screaming "Somebody stop me!"

For your health. The full story here. (CONTINUE READING)

British Ben Berlin Bound?

In what seems to be a scary trend among NBA 6th men, the Chicago Bull's Ben Gordon is reportedly interested in playing a little closer to home. When asked about playing in Europe for possibly more money, Gordon said, "Josh did it. It just depends on what the individual wants or what he can put up with. I'm from London, so it's definitely something that seems like it would be interesting.'"

The Josh referred to is Josh Childress, a stud bench player who left the Atlanta Hawks to play with a Greek team. While I certainly don't blame anyone leaving historically bad Atlanta, I'm afraid Childress may have just opened the floodgates...well at least cracked it a little bit.

I don't think there's any worry that European clubs will be swiping starters anytime soon, but there could be some very thin NBA benches in the next few years. A significant financial gap exists between NBA starters and NBA reserves, and with the dollar down and the euro up, Europeans are finding the time right to offer lucrative salaries to semi-stars. With the addition of extra cash flow, the players get to drop the semi label, and be treated as stars.

There are significant downsides to the move of course. Language barriers, cultural differences, downgraded facilities, and in some cases violent surroundings. But the more players that do defect to the Euro Leagues, the wider the crack in the gate gets, making it even easier for players to make the jump.

In Ben Gordon's case, I think he stays. The Bulls are looking to build a championship team around Derrick Rose, and Gordon would be a pretty nice wing-man for him to have in the coming years, so I think they pay up. As for the rest of the league, only time and the depth of Euro owner's pockets will tell if this is to become a serious issue for David Stern and the NBA.

More on Gordon at The Chicago Daily Herald

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A King's Ransom

There will be partying at The Palms tonight. The Sacaramento Kings, owned by the Mallof brothers, who also own The Palms hotel and casino, just got rid of their unhappy baggage. 

Ron Artest was shipped off to the Houston Rockets for a hell of a return. The price tag for the Punching Pacer? A number one draft pick in '09, a chance to reunite with the annually underrated Bobby Jackson, and the draft rights to unsigned '08 pick Donte Greene. In case you're keeping score at home that's three first round picks. (Jackson was picked 23rd overall in '97) If that wasn't enough there's also "cash considerations" whatever that means.

Don't get me wrong, I like Artest in a Rockets uniform, maybe he can light a playoff fire under Tracy McGrady's sleepy ass. But for a guy the Kings didn't really want and who didn't want to be there I say the regal ones did good.

Full story at ESPN.com 

(CONTINUE READING)

Little People, Big Replay

The Little League World Series in August will try out an instant replay system, something that Bud Selig has only so far been talking hypothetically about for Major League Baseball.




Supposedly the system will only be utilized for homeruns or balls near the outfield walls and only will be used to "overturn an obvious wrong." It should be interesting to see how smoothly the system is implemented and how well it works. You can bet Selig and company will be at least keeping an eye on the games to help work out the kinks for a similar future system for MLB.

Full Story from NBC Sports and MSNBC.com. (CONTINUE READING)

Wiediculous!

Has anyone in the history of sports ever tried so hard to fail like Michelle Wie? Once again teeing it up with the men this week at the Reno-Tahoe Open, Wie has forgone the chance to qualify for the final major of the LPGA tournament, the Women's British Open. It's kinda like Kenny Perry's leave of absence at the Open Championship, only if the Open and the US Bank Championships switched fields. Instead of Paddy Harrington and The Shark you get Richard Johnson and Ken Duke.  

While Wie's playing partners for Thursday's round, Scott Sterling and Jimmy Walker, might not be Palmer and Player, playing on the PGA is still more difficult than the LPGA. On a side-note; I am greatly pleased to see that the star of "Good Times" has found work after acting. You could say that I think it's "Dy-no-mite." 

But back to Wie. Three years ago, the LPGA and it's fans alike, had great hope that Michelle Wie would do for their tour what Tiger did for the PGA. Energize the hardcore fan base, bring in new ones, and become a role model for young preppy women. But Michelle had other plans. She didn't just want to be Lady Tiger, she wanted to be Tiger himself.

Like Don Quixote, she went off fighting the valiant fight that had no cause, and had nothing to back it up. She has showed flashes of brilliance that fade away as quickly as they came. Last week at the State Farm Classic, she was in second place going into Sunday, but an unsigned scorecard quickly DQ'd her. Maybe these are the sort of things she would have known if she was to stick to one tour. 

Between random LPGA events, PGA events, and NCAA competitions at Stanford, her Blackberry is going to explode. These are three completely separate tours and levels from one another, each with different formats, and requiring varying styles of play. For a game that is often said to be "90% mental" that's one gigantic burden on the ol' cerebellum. 

So please, Michelle I beg of you, take a deep breath and relax. You have gotten so far ahead of yourself. Stick to the NCAAs for now, and fade into the background for a few years while honing your game. Then you can make your triumphant pro debut on the L-PGA tour where you will no doubt win more majors than Annika Sorenstam ever wished. Then you can tee it up with the boys of the P. Do all that and I would bet even money you become the first woman to make the cut since the legendary Babe Z.  But hey, if not, you can always fall back on the truckloads of money you're sure to make with the Nintendo smash-hit: Michelle Wii Golf. 

More Wie at The Los Angeles Times

(CONTINUE READING)

Angels Add Teixeira, Fail to Spell His Name Accurately

The best team in baseball this year just became a little bit better.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California from Anaheim of the west coast, acquired all-star 1st baseman Mark Teixeira late Tuesday. Teixeira had spent only a year in Atlanta, who traded to get him at last year's trade deadline.

With the addition the Angels beef up their offensive power that already features a terrifying lineup to opposing pitchers, namely, Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero, and Garret Anderson.

The other thing that fans of the franchise will appreciate is the fact that the front office acquired some balls on this one and pulled the trigger on a semi-blockbuster trade to bolster their postseason chances. They've been criticized before for failing to make something happen and improve late in a season.

20 homers, 78 RBI's so far this season for Teixeira. And a last name that sounds nothing like it is spelled. Brett Fav-ra and Mike Shisheffsky would be so proud. (CONTINUE READING)