By now everyone has heard of the "rebate" you're supposed to be getting if you filed a tax return this year. Well the payments are on their way to you.
Economic Stimulus Payment Schedule
Find out how much you’re getting back.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Ultimate Standings: Fan Satisfaction Rankings
Where does your team Rank?
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Every year ESPN releases this Fan Satisfaction Rankings. They rank the major sports franchises from the big 4 in eight different categories. Each of those eight categories are weighted accordingly.This year the Colts rank as the #1 team. Coming in dead last at 122 are the New York Knicks. How do your teams stack up?
Angels 1st in MLB 5th overall.
49ers 24th in NFL 102nd overall.
Raptors 14th in NBA 44th overall.
Maple Leafs 30th in NHL and 121st overall.
Keep in mind that there are 30 teams in the NBA, NHL and MLB while there are 32 in the NFL. Check out the report to see previous years results too.
read more | digg story
Every year ESPN releases this Fan Satisfaction Rankings. They rank the major sports franchises from the big 4 in eight different categories. Each of those eight categories are weighted accordingly.This year the Colts rank as the #1 team. Coming in dead last at 122 are the New York Knicks. How do your teams stack up?
Angels 1st in MLB 5th overall.
49ers 24th in NFL 102nd overall.
Raptors 14th in NBA 44th overall.
Maple Leafs 30th in NHL and 121st overall.
Keep in mind that there are 30 teams in the NBA, NHL and MLB while there are 32 in the NFL. Check out the report to see previous years results too.
Rutgers-Notre Dame canceled over 'home' stadium terms
Rutgers and Notre Dame have called off plans for a six-game home-and-home series starting in 2010, as Rutgers does not wish to play its home games against the Fighting Irish off-campus
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Can't completely blame Rutgers here. I hope they can still work something out. Exposure on National TV against Notre Dame for 6 years would be huge for the RU Football program.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Raptors bounce back in Game 3.
What a win for the Raptors. The ACC crowd is really quickly becoming one of the better ones in the league. The atmosphere was electric. Yes, Howard got another double but the Raptors dominated him all night. Hats off to Calderon(he needs to be starting)and Ford. Between the two they play exactly 48 minutes. Get 39 points on 13-22 from the field, 12 rebounds and 16 assists. Can't wait for game 4.
Box Score
Box Score
Monday, April 21, 2008
Democratic PA debate
Church Sign Causes Controversy
Pastor Byrd says the sign is not meant to be racial or political but rather to make people think. "His name is so close to Osama I have a feeling he might be Islamic therefore he doesn't recognize Christ," Pastor Byrd said.
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I don't even thing I have words to describe this.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Bannister digs into stats to pile up pitching feats
It had to happen sooner or later.All those new-wave statistics that are taking baseball far beyond earned-run average, runs batted in and batting average. All the cutting-edge research into what really is meaningful — and what isn't — in judging player performances.
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Faraz pointed me towards this good read on Brian Bannister of the Royals from Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.
Bosh takes a shot at ESPN's Smith
Raptor calls comment made about him playing soft like former NBAer Manute Bol 'classless'
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Does Stephen A. Smith do anything other then making ridiculous statements? I mean no wonder this man can't stick at one job. How on earth are you going to call Bosh soft on the eve of a series against a team he's owned this year?
Barkley's legacy continues to evolve
Twenty ... 30 ... 40 years from now -- whenever they spin in -- you're going to be surprised by how we remember Michael Jordan and the friend he playfully mocks, Charles Barkley.
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Great article from Gene Wojciechowski. Agree with him completely on the two. Barkley will definitely be Governor of Alabama one day.
NBA Playoffs Predictions
Didn't get around to posting my first round picks as of yet so here they are.
Celtics in 4
Pistons in 6
Raptors in 6
Wizards in 6
Nuggets in 6
Hornets in 7
Suns in 6
Rockets in 7
Celtics in 4
Pistons in 6
Raptors in 6
Wizards in 6
Nuggets in 6
Hornets in 7
Suns in 6
Rockets in 7
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
ESPN Cancels Barack Obama Interview!
Most people would give anything to land an interview with Obama. Not ESPN.
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What on earth is wrong with ESPN? I would've loved to hear this. What harm would this have caused? No one is asking ESPN to endorse a candidate. Why do they need to wait until we have a nominee?
MLB Predictions
Just realized I hadn't put my MLB predictions down on paper as of yet. I am really looking forward to this season. Got my MLB.tv package again this year. I think this season will be one of the better ones in recent memory as far as competitive balance is concerned. Check out my over/unders too.
AL East
I really could see Toronto, New York, Boston and Tampa all win 85 games this year. Of course that means that Baltimore probably loses a 100 games this year. The Red Sox are obviously the cream of the crop and should come out on top at the end. Manny and Papi in the middle of the lineup is just too much for pretty much anyone to handle. I really expect the Jays to be very good this year. I really like their pitching and hopefully they can stay healthy. The lineup should score a lot of runs with Rios having a breakout year and announcing his arrival on the big stage. I expect Vernon Wells to have a really solid comeback year. My choice for AL Comeback player of the Year. Wouldn't surprise me if they are the Wild card team this year but with this division being so deep I'm pretty sure the Wild card comes out of another division. I have a lot of questions about the Yankees. The pitching would really worry me if I was a Yankee fan. What kind of inning limits are Hughes and Kennedy on? Can Mussina bounce back? How will Pettite handle steroid talks over the summer as the Clemens story develops? Who builds the bridge to Chamberlain and Rivera? A-Rod should have a monster year. A season of 55+ HRs wouldn't surprise me one bit. I like Tampa's lineup. Pitching is obviously a concern. I like the signing of Percival. How early do we see Price called up? Saw his stuff in the spring and I'm surprised he's not up on the roster already.
Red Sox
Blue Jays
Yankees
Rays
Orioles
AL Central
Even with their awful start I will stick to my original pick of the Tigers winning the Central. I'm not just doing it out of the principle either. That lineup is just too good. They will score a ridiculous amount of runs this year and should feast on AL pitching staffs all year. I really don't think Cleveland is that good. Twins somehow or another pull it off every year. Really pulling for Liriano this year. Wouldn't surprise me if Gomez won Rookie of the Year. I don't what to think of the White Sox. Their lineup doesn't impress me one bit.....and the pitching staff isn't much to write home about. The Royals? What else is there to say. One of these years they might do something. I love their pitching but don't see them scoring anywhere enough runs to matter.
Tigers
Twins
Indians
Royals
White Sox
AL West
It is the Angels division to lose. I like the Hunter signing but am still scratching my head over the Matthews contract from last year. I love the pitching staff even with the injuries. As an Angels fan I really want to see what Adenhart and Wood can bring to the table this year. Contract year for K-Rod so hoping he comes through. I wouldn't be surprised if he's pitching elsewhere though. The Mariners bullpen is just filthy. I like their starting pitching....but where exactly are they going for offense? The A's are rebuilding....again. Only thing that matters with the A's is...where does Blanton end up at the deadline? The Rangers have had some horrible pitching staffs over the years but this year's group is just horrible. Their lineup is pretty bad too. Millwood probably gets traded at the deadline.
Angels
Mariners
Atheletics
Rangers
NL East
I think this is the Mets division to lose. The Pedro injury doesn't bother me. His arm seems to be fine. The Mets should let him come back mid June/early July and keep his arm fresh. I have questions about the Mets lineup but I expect Reyes to have a great year. There is no way we see a repeat of the 2nd half with him. Even with Pedro hurt the Mets have the best pitching staff in the league. Perez is going to get himself a really nice contract somewhere next year. Is Delgado finished? I don't understand how some of the experts are picking the Braves here. What exactly do they see with this team? I love the Phillies lineup but the pitching staff would bother me if I was a Phillies fan. Which Lidge will we see? Is Tom Gordon really the setup guy here? What's the over/under on the amount of big games he blows for them? I like the trades that Nationals made in the offseason. I think Milledge is going to be a very good player for them for a long time to come. This is a lineup with some potential when healthy (Do they trade Nick Johnson somewhere at the deadline?)but the pitching is just awful. The Marlins? What is it....a $16 million payroll? Wow. What a joke. Someone strip this franchise from Loria.
Mets
Phillies
Nationals
Braves
Marlins
NL Central
Love the Cubs. Although I have questions about the lineup I think the pitching is strong enough that they should carry this division. Can Wood stay healthy? Hopefully their ownership saga can be resolved soon as this team could be a player at the deadline. It's been a 100 years since they won it all. I love the Reds as the Wild card team coming out of the NL. I think that lineup as long as it stays healthy will score a lot of runs and the pitching staff is good enough to keep them in it in the NL. The Cardinals and Brewers are just awful. The Pirates pitching staff I like but that lineup is awful and it'll only get worse once they ship Nady off to a contender
Cubs
Reds
Brewers
Pirates
Cardinals
NL West
If the bullpen can hold it for them this is one of top 3 pitching staffs in all of baseball. What can they get out of Randy Johnson? Webb and Haren will be a handful for anyone in the playoffs to open up a series. The lineup is really young but it should score more then enough runs for that pitching staff. The Giants are just awful . Barry Zito needs a change of scenery. I don't believe he's forgotten how to pitch. How much of the contract are they willing to eat up in order to ship him somewhere. I love Lincecum and really like Cain. Too bad none of the big 3 will get anywhere close to the run support you'd expect in the big leagues. This just maybe the worst lineup I have ever seen any team have. Dodgers are a borderline playoff team. If they were in the Central I'd have them be a lock for the playoffs. Torre obviously gives them a lot of credibility. Lineup is good enough....does the pitching hold up? I love the Rockies lineup but the pitching really worries me. Don't expect a repeat of last year. Padres are right up there with the Dodgers. Another team where I wouldn't be surprised if they were in the playoffs but with the Dodgers and the D-Backs they'll be beating each other up all year long.
Diamondbacks
Padres
Dodgers
Rockies
Giants
Playoffs
Divisional Series
Red Sox over Mariners
Tigers over Angels
Mets over Reds
Cubs over Diamondbacks
League Championship Series
Red Sox over Tigers
Mets over Cubs
World Series
Mets over Red Sox
Digg story
AL East
I really could see Toronto, New York, Boston and Tampa all win 85 games this year. Of course that means that Baltimore probably loses a 100 games this year. The Red Sox are obviously the cream of the crop and should come out on top at the end. Manny and Papi in the middle of the lineup is just too much for pretty much anyone to handle. I really expect the Jays to be very good this year. I really like their pitching and hopefully they can stay healthy. The lineup should score a lot of runs with Rios having a breakout year and announcing his arrival on the big stage. I expect Vernon Wells to have a really solid comeback year. My choice for AL Comeback player of the Year. Wouldn't surprise me if they are the Wild card team this year but with this division being so deep I'm pretty sure the Wild card comes out of another division. I have a lot of questions about the Yankees. The pitching would really worry me if I was a Yankee fan. What kind of inning limits are Hughes and Kennedy on? Can Mussina bounce back? How will Pettite handle steroid talks over the summer as the Clemens story develops? Who builds the bridge to Chamberlain and Rivera? A-Rod should have a monster year. A season of 55+ HRs wouldn't surprise me one bit. I like Tampa's lineup. Pitching is obviously a concern. I like the signing of Percival. How early do we see Price called up? Saw his stuff in the spring and I'm surprised he's not up on the roster already.
Red Sox
Blue Jays
Yankees
Rays
Orioles
AL Central
Even with their awful start I will stick to my original pick of the Tigers winning the Central. I'm not just doing it out of the principle either. That lineup is just too good. They will score a ridiculous amount of runs this year and should feast on AL pitching staffs all year. I really don't think Cleveland is that good. Twins somehow or another pull it off every year. Really pulling for Liriano this year. Wouldn't surprise me if Gomez won Rookie of the Year. I don't what to think of the White Sox. Their lineup doesn't impress me one bit.....and the pitching staff isn't much to write home about. The Royals? What else is there to say. One of these years they might do something. I love their pitching but don't see them scoring anywhere enough runs to matter.
Tigers
Twins
Indians
Royals
White Sox
AL West
It is the Angels division to lose. I like the Hunter signing but am still scratching my head over the Matthews contract from last year. I love the pitching staff even with the injuries. As an Angels fan I really want to see what Adenhart and Wood can bring to the table this year. Contract year for K-Rod so hoping he comes through. I wouldn't be surprised if he's pitching elsewhere though. The Mariners bullpen is just filthy. I like their starting pitching....but where exactly are they going for offense? The A's are rebuilding....again. Only thing that matters with the A's is...where does Blanton end up at the deadline? The Rangers have had some horrible pitching staffs over the years but this year's group is just horrible. Their lineup is pretty bad too. Millwood probably gets traded at the deadline.
Angels
Mariners
Atheletics
Rangers
NL East
I think this is the Mets division to lose. The Pedro injury doesn't bother me. His arm seems to be fine. The Mets should let him come back mid June/early July and keep his arm fresh. I have questions about the Mets lineup but I expect Reyes to have a great year. There is no way we see a repeat of the 2nd half with him. Even with Pedro hurt the Mets have the best pitching staff in the league. Perez is going to get himself a really nice contract somewhere next year. Is Delgado finished? I don't understand how some of the experts are picking the Braves here. What exactly do they see with this team? I love the Phillies lineup but the pitching staff would bother me if I was a Phillies fan. Which Lidge will we see? Is Tom Gordon really the setup guy here? What's the over/under on the amount of big games he blows for them? I like the trades that Nationals made in the offseason. I think Milledge is going to be a very good player for them for a long time to come. This is a lineup with some potential when healthy (Do they trade Nick Johnson somewhere at the deadline?)but the pitching is just awful. The Marlins? What is it....a $16 million payroll? Wow. What a joke. Someone strip this franchise from Loria.
Mets
Phillies
Nationals
Braves
Marlins
NL Central
Love the Cubs. Although I have questions about the lineup I think the pitching is strong enough that they should carry this division. Can Wood stay healthy? Hopefully their ownership saga can be resolved soon as this team could be a player at the deadline. It's been a 100 years since they won it all. I love the Reds as the Wild card team coming out of the NL. I think that lineup as long as it stays healthy will score a lot of runs and the pitching staff is good enough to keep them in it in the NL. The Cardinals and Brewers are just awful. The Pirates pitching staff I like but that lineup is awful and it'll only get worse once they ship Nady off to a contender
Cubs
Reds
Brewers
Pirates
Cardinals
NL West
If the bullpen can hold it for them this is one of top 3 pitching staffs in all of baseball. What can they get out of Randy Johnson? Webb and Haren will be a handful for anyone in the playoffs to open up a series. The lineup is really young but it should score more then enough runs for that pitching staff. The Giants are just awful . Barry Zito needs a change of scenery. I don't believe he's forgotten how to pitch. How much of the contract are they willing to eat up in order to ship him somewhere. I love Lincecum and really like Cain. Too bad none of the big 3 will get anywhere close to the run support you'd expect in the big leagues. This just maybe the worst lineup I have ever seen any team have. Dodgers are a borderline playoff team. If they were in the Central I'd have them be a lock for the playoffs. Torre obviously gives them a lot of credibility. Lineup is good enough....does the pitching hold up? I love the Rockies lineup but the pitching really worries me. Don't expect a repeat of last year. Padres are right up there with the Dodgers. Another team where I wouldn't be surprised if they were in the playoffs but with the Dodgers and the D-Backs they'll be beating each other up all year long.
Diamondbacks
Padres
Dodgers
Rockies
Giants
Playoffs
Divisional Series
Red Sox over Mariners
Tigers over Angels
Mets over Reds
Cubs over Diamondbacks
League Championship Series
Red Sox over Tigers
Mets over Cubs
World Series
Mets over Red Sox
Digg story
Jeff Weaver Finds Himself A Home
Who says Scott Boras has lost it? Sure, he bombed out the Alex Rodriguez negotiations, and he ended up putting Kyle Lohse, the supposed top free agent pitching name, in St. Louis at an extreme discount.
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I'm actually a Jeff Weaver fan (don't ask me why). It's a shame that all that potential hasn't produced much results other then his 2002 with Detroit before the trade to the Yankees and those few weeks in St. Louis.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Leaf's San Diego failure had ripple effect
If Ryan Leaf had performed to expectations, the careers of quarterbacks Drew Brees, Michael Vick, Eli Manning and Philip Rivers could have started quite differently.
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Read this really good piece on ESPN today. Can't believe it has been 10 years since that draft.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Workers dig to rid new Yanks stadium of Red Sox Jersey
It took about five hours, but the Red Sox jersey that was embedded in the concrete of the Yankees' new stadium to place a curse on the New York franchise has been unearthed with jackhammers, according to a published report. Earlier this week, a construction worker who is a Boston fan working on the concrete crew...
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So someone in the Yankee organization was actually worried about this shirt? Funny thing is that Ortiz is off to one slow start this year.
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So someone in the Yankee organization was actually worried about this shirt? Funny thing is that Ortiz is off to one slow start this year.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
CREW SABOTEUR BURIED RED SOX GEAR UNDER NEW YANKEE STADIUM
A devilish Boston fan working on a concrete crew at the $1.3 billion stadium covertly buried a Red Sox T-shirt under what will become the visiting team's locker room to jinx the Yanks
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You really can't make this stuff up.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
"A tradition unlike any other"
In a year when many are picking him to win the Grand Slam Tiger Woods began his quest with an even par 72 today in the first round. Who are you guys rooting for? Ever since Duval dropped off the map I've continued to be a big fan of the two lefties, Mickelson and Weir. When all is said and done this weekend I think Mickelson walks away with the Green Jacket.
As good as Tigers has been this year there is no way I can pick him to win the Grand Slam. The competition today is just too deep. I can actually see a scenario where he wins none of the 4 major championships this year. The fields seem to get deeper every year. Ogilvy is playing really well right now. Goosen has putted really well the past couple of tournaments. As much as I despise him Vijay is always a threat. Want a long shot? How about Aaron Baddeley, arguably one of the best putters on the tour. People have been talking about Justin Rose for a couple of years and even though he really hasn't made much noise he was the only guy not named Tiger to finish in the Top 12 at all 4 events last year. Weir has won here. Couples is always a threat here. Weir and Zach Johnson have won in the past few years. I haven't even begun to talk about the other 3 events yet.
I love the Masters. There always seems to be guys up on the leader board that usually don't play much of a factor elsewhere. Mark O'Meara is 3 off the lead after one round. I can't believe it was 10 years ago when he beat out one of my all time favorites (David Duval) to win the Green Jacket. Of course most people remember that Masters more for Jack Nicklaus finishing tied for 6th shooting 2 strokes better then Tiger.
Leaderboard
As good as Tigers has been this year there is no way I can pick him to win the Grand Slam. The competition today is just too deep. I can actually see a scenario where he wins none of the 4 major championships this year. The fields seem to get deeper every year. Ogilvy is playing really well right now. Goosen has putted really well the past couple of tournaments. As much as I despise him Vijay is always a threat. Want a long shot? How about Aaron Baddeley, arguably one of the best putters on the tour. People have been talking about Justin Rose for a couple of years and even though he really hasn't made much noise he was the only guy not named Tiger to finish in the Top 12 at all 4 events last year. Weir has won here. Couples is always a threat here. Weir and Zach Johnson have won in the past few years. I haven't even begun to talk about the other 3 events yet.
I love the Masters. There always seems to be guys up on the leader board that usually don't play much of a factor elsewhere. Mark O'Meara is 3 off the lead after one round. I can't believe it was 10 years ago when he beat out one of my all time favorites (David Duval) to win the Green Jacket. Of course most people remember that Masters more for Jack Nicklaus finishing tied for 6th shooting 2 strokes better then Tiger.
Leaderboard
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Bill Buckner throws out first pitch at Fenway Park
Loud cheers and a long ovation greeted Buckner, who occasionally dabbed at his eyes as he walked to the mound to throw out the first pitch. Former Red Sox outfielder Dwight Evans caught his throw from the mound.
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That is from the ESPN.com story. This is something that I wanted to see happen opening day 2005 but Buckner wouldn't do it then. I have to go check this out on mlb.tv as soon as the archive for the game is up. For so long Buckner was one of the faces of the "curse". That is quiet a burden on anyone and his anger at the Red Sox fans was somewhat understandable. So today he decided to forget all that and make his first trip to Fenway since '97 when he was a coach with the White Sox. Will Steve Bartman get his day in Chicago one day?
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