Month: August 2011

Mid-Week Grades — Aug. 31

Posted by dobrien – August 31, 2011

Before we turn our calendars to September, we have to take one last look at the grade book for August. As always, WGEM SportsCenter host Josh Houchins and I will break these down around 8:20 on the award-winning local sports talk show on ESPN 1440. You can listen in at WGEM.com. If you have a grade you’d like to submit, please text us at 217-617-9437.

A — Michael Vick. His comeback story has come full circle with the news of him agreeing to a six-year, $100 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles. The fact that he’s back on top of the NFL landscape after spending two years in prison is amazing. CNBC sports business guru Darren Rovell crunched the numbers on Vick’s deal. After making 12 cents an hour in prison, Vick’s new deal is worth $17,077 per hour based on an eight-hour work day during the NFL season. Now all Vick has to do is prove he’s worth all that dough.

B — Dustin Johnson. He vaulted to the top of the FedEx Cup standings thanks to his win last weekend at The Barclays. With golf trying to find its next big star, Johnson has a chance to be that guy. If it wasn’t for a silly move at the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, he’d likely have a major title to his credit. As it is, the 27-year old has already on five times on the PGA Tour — the most wins by any 20-something on tour. If he can play well at the President’s Cup and help lead the U.S. to a win, it could lead to bigger things — and a major title — for him in 2012.

C — Danica Patrick. The GoDaddy.com pitch woman announced last week that she’s making the move to NASCAR next year. That’s good for the Nationwide Series, which she’ll run full-time, and bad news for IndyCar, which needs her star power. There’s no questioning that it’s Patrick’s marketability and not her track savvy that’s landing her a NASCAR ride. She’ll eventually wind up in the Sprint Cup series, but it’s not likely that she’ll ever be successful given her track record. Can she win a Sprint Cup race? Sure. Doubt she ever makes the Chase for the Championship though.

D — University of Kentucky men’s basketball. The Wildcats’ Sports Information Director for basketball — DeWayne Peevy — may just be the new version of the Iraqi Information Minister or the Soup Nazi. It’s really tough to decide. Peevy has barred the Kentucky student newspaper from a round of interviews with Wildcat basketball players on Tuesday because one of its reporters had called two walk-ons to confirm that they were actually on the team. This is a no-no since Peevy wants everyone to go through his office before they talk to players. The school’s efforts to control the media are silly, but it’s not uncommon. The University of Illinois has the same policy. We were burned by an Illini SID type a few years back when trying to do a feature story on former Pittsfield wrestler John Wise. The Illini employee never followed through on his promise to set up an interview with us with Wise, forcing us to miss a story. This isn’t Peevy’s first run-in with the media lately either. He recently threatened to pull a credential of a CBSSports.com columnist for writing something critical of the UK program.

F — Javaris Crittenden. The last time anyone heard about this guy, he was showing off his gun to fellow Washington Wizards teammate Gilbert Arenas in the locker room, a stunt that got both suspended. He’s in much, much deeper trouble now. He was arrested on Monday night in connection with a murder of a woman in Atlanta. Unlike the guy who got the ‘A’ this week, I can’t forsee a triumphant return for Crittenden.

Two for Tuesday — Aug. 30

Posted by dobrien – August 30, 2011

It’s two-fer time. Enjoy.

1. Dear Arian Foster, I’m sick.

Much to the chagrin of fantasy football owners everywhere, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster went out of this weekend’s exhibition game with a hamstring injury. Since Foster’s on Twitter — who isn’t? — he got plenty of “will you be back by the opening game?” questions from his followers. Foster wasn’t too happy with the queries, shooting back the following tweet:

“4 those sincerely concerned, I’m doing ok & plan to 2 B back by opening day. 4 those worried abt your fantasy team, u ppl are sick”

According to Foster, I’m sick. He helped the Notorious DOBs reach the title game in the Art Schlicter Fantasy Football League last season after he lead the NFL in rushing. I got him on the cheap, too, which means I get to keep him on the cheap this year. Since I’m not a Texans fan, the only interest I have in Foster is his fantasy football abilities. And that’s probably the same way 90 percent of the people who have Foster on his team feel.

I’m not too worried about Foster missing the opener, which is just under two weeks away. The people that are worried need to chill a bit, as does Foster.

2. There’s always one shot that keeps you coming back

I’ve always been told that even if you’re not a good golfer there’s always one shot every round that makes you want to come back. I don’t get to play much golf these days. With two boys and a wife to chase around, any extra time I have I try to spend with them. I’m strictly a scramble golfer now.

Over the weekend I took my game on the road to near my hometown of Galesburg to play in the Jason Gray Memorial Tournament at Laurel Greens in Knoxville. Jason was the younger brother of one of my best friends whose life was claimed by a form of cancer when he was just 29 years old. It’s always a great time for a good cause — the money goes to a scholarship at Galesburg High School, where he was an assistant basketball coach, and Knoxville High School, where he graduated.

My group stepped up to the 10th tee at Laurel Greens, a 177-yard par-3 that you have to carry over some water. To make matters worse, the green rests on the side of a hill with a severe slope from top to bottom. There’s not an easy putt on the green, especially if you get above the hole. With our team needing a bit of a kick, I took my 3-iron and drilled it. The ball came within inches of going into the cup, which would have been the first ace of my life — a feat that may have topped my birdie at No. 15 at Augusta National in 2005. I easily tapped in the birdie putt, my contribution for the team done for the day.

But my contribution wasn’t actually over, we got to another par-3 near the end of our round at the third hole. Trying to repeat my feat from earlier, I totally whiffed at the ball. What consistency! I tried to play it off, but my playing partners weren’t having it. They had a good laugh at my expense. Golf’s a great game, even when you’re not very good at playing it.

Slap of the Week — Aug. 26

Posted by dobrien – August 26, 2011

With the start of football season here, you have to wonder if it’s even safe to go the games any more.

Just look around. A Giants fan nearly died outside Dodger Stadium on opening night of the Major League Baseball season. Last weekend, there were fights in the stands and two shootings outside Candlestick Park during the Oakland Raiders-San Francisco 49ers preseason game.

Heck, even soccer isn’t safe in America. Two fans of Sporting Kansas City were arrested for throwing a bobblehead at the team’s goalie during a game earlier this month.

So this week’s Slap goes to all of the unruly fans out there.

To the rest of you, enjoy the games — and watch your back.

Mid-Week Grades — Aug. 24

Posted by dobrien – August 24, 2011

Not even the earthquake on the East Coast yesterday should shake me from figuring out my grades. As usual, WGEM SportsCenter host Josh Houchins and I will break these down around 8:20 or so Wednesday. Email your grades in at sportscenter@wgem.com or text us at 217-617-9437.

A — Justin Verlander. I’ve been a fan of the Tigers’ right-hander forever. It seems that he’s destined to rack up a Cy Young Award that I predicted for him so many moons ago. He’s been downright nasty this season. He’s already got 19 wins and might get 20 before September hits since he has at least one more start scheduled this month. Verlander leads the majors in wins and strikeouts (212) and WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) with 0.88 and is third in the bigs in ERA.

B — A random Atlanta Braves fan. Before we get to the bad and the ugly in the stands, it’s time for a little good. Check out this video of a fan at Turner Field. One of the best fan in the stands catches you’ll ever see.

C — United States Olympics Committee. If you’re a fan of the Olympics — and who isn’t? — you’re going to be bummed about the latest news. It doesn’t look like the games are coming to the U.S. any time soon. After Chicago was in the running for the 2016 summer games, no U.S. city will bid on the 2020 games. The USOC is fighting with the IOC over money. Until they get their little spat cleared up, the USOC won’t be doing any bidding. The U.S. hasn’t hosted the summer games since Atlanta in 1996 and the winter games since Salt Lake City in 2002. I’d like to see the games here, but who knows how the economy’s going to be nine years from now. It’s probably best that we don’t blow a bunch of taxpayer money right now.

D — Oakland Raiders. Just when you thought Al Davis couldn’t do anything else, he uses his third-round pick in next year’s draft for a player (Terrelle Pryor) in this year’s supplemental draft who likely won’t have any impact at all. Obviously, the Raiders have a need at QB, but is Pryor the right guy long term. Many of the experts on ESPN doubt that Pryor will be a viable QB in the NFL and may be more suited at a receiver spot, something that worked out nicely for former star college QBs like Brad Smith and Antwaan Randle El. I can’t see this pick ending well for Oakland.

F — California pro sports fans. As dopey as Davis is, he’s not nearly as dangerous as the Raiders’ fan base. It looks like the Raiders and bay-area rival San Francisco 49ers have played their last exhibition game for a while after all kinds of violence broke out in the stands and after the game last weekend. Two people were shot in shootings outside the stadium. This comes months after a Giants fan was nearly beaten to death outside Dodger Stadium. The 49ers are trying to tighten their security, but it’s  little late. We’re starting to get as bad as the soccer hooligans in Europe.

Two for Tuesday — Aug. 23

Posted by dobrien – August 23, 2011

How about I make you feel old this week?

1. Kids will always want to be like Mike.

Beloit College in Wisconsin came out with its “Mindset List” on Tuesday. It’s the only time all year we ever hear about the tiny Wisconsin school. It comes out with what it calls “a list of cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall.” So for the Class of 2015, we’re looking at kids who were born in 1993 — when I graduated from Eastern Illinois University. There were several sports items on the list, including the fact that the only labor disputes they’ve known were only in pro sports and that then they hear LBJ its for LeBron James and not the former U.S. president. One got to me though. “They’ve always wanted to be like Shaq or Kobe. Michael who?” Like Babe Ruth before him, I think Michael Jordan is the type of athlete who will transcend generations. My baseball-obsessed 7-year-old knows of Babe Ruth even though he’s a big Albert Pujols fan. I have to think that while future generations will cheer for the heroes of their day, they’ll always want to be like Mike.

2. Allowing myself to cheer for once

The No. 1 rule in sports writing is that there’s no cheering in the press box. I can’t help but break that this week to cheer for former Quincy University pitcher Josh Kinney. St. Louis Cardinals fans remember how Kinney helped the team win the 2006 World Series title. But arm problems knocked him out of the game and into the minors for the better part of five years before he got called up by the Chicago White Sox last week. He fanned six batters in his Sox debut, which you can watch on his MLB profile. Here’s to hoping Kinney can rekindle some of that 2006 magic and help the White Sox push for the American League Central title.

Mid-Week Grades — Aug. 17

Posted by dobrien – August 17, 2011

Glad to see the kids getting back to school after a summer of fun. Unlike those little tykes, we took little time off here this summer. Here’s this week batch of grades, which WGEM SportsCenter host Josh Houchins and I will break down around 8:20 or so on Wednesday’s edition of the award-winning local sports talk program. If you have a grade, please text it into the show at 217-617-9437 or email it to us at sportscenter@wgem.com.

A — Brad Keslowski. The little-known NASCAR driver is starting to make a name for himself lately. While I was on vacation, he won a race at Pocono despite racing with a busted ankle in a horrific accident a few days previous in Atlanta. He followed that win, his second of the season, with a second-place finish Monday on the road course at Watkins Glen. Guess you can drive with one healthy foot in NASCAR. He’s up to 14th in the points chase. Is he the next big thing in NASCAR?

B — Mini Basketball League. I think I’ve found a replacement for noon ball at the Quincy Family YMCA.  A group of dunk-loving hoopsters in Vermont started their own league, which is starting to draw some attention. It’s a full-court game played on 30-foot by 60-foot court on 8 1/2-foot rims that’s surrounded by a hockey-rink like boards. Finally, a league where I could dunk. I would LOVE to see something like this spring up around here. Wonder if there’s any room in the new Kroc Center for this. This needs to happen. Don’t believe me? Than take a look at this video of the league’s Week 1 highlights from this season.

C — Logan Morrison. The Florida Marlins second-year outfielder has made a bit of a name for himself thanks to his Twitter account. When the Cardinals were last in town, the team used Morrison to give out tickets to his followers and the team got a ton of extra people to show up to a Thursday night game. Seems that Morrison’s a bit of a rebel and the team isn’t too keen on a lot of his tweets. He was sent down to the minors over the weekend despite being in the middle of the team’s lineup for much of the season. Signs point that he may have been demoted because of Twitter. Seems kind of stupid if that’s the case.

D — Prospect League. The summer wood bat league did the right thing and named a member of the league champion Quincy Gems as the winner of its MVP award — Chris Serritella — and pegged manager Chris Martin as the loop’s top skipper. But the league did little else right in its year-end awards. Pitcher T.J. Kendzora was the only other Gems player on the 12-person All-Star team. Bryan Lippincott, who some could argue was more valuable to the Gems over the course of the season than Serritella was, was nowhere to be found on the list. As a matter of fact, the team had a heavy East Division-bias as eight of the 12 players on the team were on East Division teams. Nevermind that teams in the East struggled to reach .500 and many finished under that mark. The league may be good for the players, but it falls short when it comes to postseason play (a single-elimination tourney isn’t the answer) and its postseason all-star squad.

F — Robert “Sandy” Vietze. Sure, I could have gone with Carlos Zambrano here, but this U.S. ski team hopeful actually did something dumber than Zambrano. The 18-year-old was kicked off the U.S. ski team’s development squad for urinating on an 11-year-old girl during  JetBlue flight to New York. He was cited for indecent exposure. Some think that Zambrano has peed away his career with his antics last week. Looks like this kid actually did pee away his career.

How he fared

Posted by dobrien – August 16, 2011

If his beloved Kansas City Royals need pitching help, JD Gravina won’t be much help.

The former Quincy University women’s basketball coach, who is now at Western Illinois University, was invited to throw out the first pitch last week at a Quad City River Bandits game last week. Before I went on vacation, I detailed Gravina’s first attempt at acting as he “warmed up” for the big day.

Unfortunately for Gravina, his first pitch was as bad as his acting. Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself.

As he’s always done, Gravina took it in stride and was smiling about things afterward. He’ll eventually be able to live it down, but assistant Seth Minter, the former Culver-Stockton College women’s coach, was giving him a hard time during a Leatherneck booster event Sunday at Kutter’s in Quincy.

If Gravina had only rapped for the folks at Modern Woodman Park, he might have received a standing ovation.

Two For Tuesday — Aug. 16

Posted by dobrien – August 16, 2011

After a short break to get ready for the upcoming school year, it’s time to get back at it. Here are two things on my mind today.

1. Thome, my homey

OK, so the newest member of baseball’s 600 Home Run Club, Jim Thome, isn’t my homey. But I’ve always been a fan of his. He was a rival in high school as Galesburg usually butted heads with his Limestone team in the late 1980s. Galesburg usually got the better of the Rockets, too. The Silver Streaks had a run of three straight state tourney appearances in my high school days, including a state title in 1988 when I was a junior. Unfortunately I was never good enough to even think about trying out for those teams. Anyway, I crossed paths with Thome when I was at EIU. One of his best buddies, Matt Legaspi, was the center fielder for the EIU baseball team when I was there. Thome used to work out in Charleston during part of his off-season and as the beat writer for EIU baseball then I had a chance to meet Thome. Seemed like a good guy and he liked going to my favorite bar, Marty’s. There will be plenty of baseball people who will say Thome’s not deserving of the Hall of Fame. I think the Bartonville boy should go in.

2. Can we speed up college football expansion?

Look, it’s not a matter of if conferences like the Big Ten, Southeastern Conference and Pacific-12 are going to expand again. It’s a matter of when. The SEC nearly made the next move over the weekend, but backed off adding Texas A&M to the mix. I’m thinking there should be some big draft so we can get on with the whole 64-team, four-league super conference for big-time college football. I’m sure ESPN would pay huge rights fees to see which schools from the Big 12 would be sent where. Would the ACC or the Big East survive? (For football, I’m thinking ACC.) Where would Mizzou go? (Big Ten would make the most sense.) Would Notre Dame put its name in the draft? Would Texas pull its name out of the draft and go independent? Imagine the possibilities.

Taking a break

Posted by dobrien – August 9, 2011

Taking a short break this week to recharge the batteries for the upcoming fall sports season. I’ll be back next week.

Slap of the Week — Aug. 5

Posted by dobrien – August 5, 2011

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina needs a hug.

He’s had a pretty rough week. First, he went nuts on home plate umpire Rob Drake during Tuesday’s game at Milwaukee. After getting in Drake’s face and spraying him with a little spittle. That tirade earned him a five-game suspension, which Molina took like a man and started to serve on Thursday night. That means he’ll miss the four-game series with the Florida Marlins and the first game of a three-game set with the Brewers next week at Busch Stadium.

Then, Molina got into a dust-up with fellow catcher Gerald Laird on the way from Milwaukee to Miami and the two did a little dance number in the hotel lobby. Don’t know if there was any spittle involved in that confrontation.

Maybe it’s new tattoos that he refuses to talk about. Maybe it’s the weather. Whatever the reason, let’s hope the once lovable Yadi chills out a bit.