DG Quickie Commentary: Plaxico Reaction

I just saw the Plaxico Burress interview clip from E:60 that was shown on SportsCenter. He seemed very calm, and his explanation of the events of the night seemed very reasonable. Now I understand that there have been many stories of late that my not portray athlete's in the most positive and trusting light, but I see this situation as different. Granted, I have not seen the evidence presented in the actual trial that led to the 2-year prison sentence given to Plax, however from what I heard from Plax in this interview that sentence seems a bit harsh. Yes...he had a weapon in a club, which could have been dangerous. However, look at the circumstances surrounding this--no one was hurt (with the exception of his own injury), and he was just in feeling he needed the protection after Sean Taylor's murder.... take from this what you will. I apologize for the brevity of this article on such an important issue. I'm writing late at night, and just felt like jotting down a quick reaction to the ESPN interview. (By the way, way to listen Jeremy Schaap...Plax already told you he was in the club for about five minutes.)

Buff Talks USA Hockey

Team USA Hockey held an orientation camp at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, IL during the week of August 17th. After the first practice, cameras caught up with star Blackhawks forward Dustin Byfuglien.

Roenick Talks with Chelios During Retirement Announcement

A great moment during the Jeremy Roenick retirement press conference, when he talked with longtime Chicago teammate/friend Chris Chelios. For those growing up during the 90's watching Blackhawks hockey, JR and Cheli were fun to watch, and brought many exciting moments to Chicago (sound familiar...cough Toews, Kane cough)

2009 Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins

Congratulations to the Penguins for winning the Stanley Cup. Sidney Crosby became the youngest captain in NHL history, as the 21-year-old hoisted the Cup above his head this evening in Detroit, after a well-executed team performance in Game 7. Marc Andre Fleury leaped after one, last, game-saving save as the seconds clicked down to zero and the Penguins stormed the ice (no, I'm not going to use the "March of the Penguins" phrase that every media outlet is using) to win the Cup.

P.S. It's gotta suck to be Marian Hossa right now...ouch......

Bulls Force Game 7

We are witnessing a monumental event in the history of the game of basketball. The Bulls-Celtics opening round series in the 2009 NBA Playoffs is being called possibly the greatest series in history. After last nights triple-OT Bulls' win, this series has seen four of the six games go to overtime, and all but one game be decided in the final possessions. Last night's key plays:

-Brad Miller erupts for 3-pointer and "roller-skating" drive past Kendrick Perkins

-John Salmons scores 35 pts (11 in OT)...Ray Allen had 51 pts, while Rondo had 19 ast

-Joakim Noah steals ball from Paul Pierce and takes it the length of the floor for the poster-dunk, drawing the And-1 from Paul Pierce (who fouled out on the play)

-Derrick Rose blocks Rondo's attempt in final seconds and steals ball after tip by Hinrich

The Bulls will now return to Boston for the epic showdown, the final countdown, the game to end it all...GAME 7 at the Garden...Bulls.....Celtics....7:00 pm CT....NBA : Where this happens!

update: Video of OT below

Hawks Win to take 2-0 Series Lead over Flames

The prettiest goal of the night!

Tiger Thrills at Bay Hill

Tiger Woods returned to winning form this weekend, coming back from five back entering Sunday to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational in stunning fashion. On the 18th green, with dusk approaching, flash bulbs flashing, Tiger knocked down his 15'11" birdie putt for the win in a scene eerily similar to last year's tournament. Tiger, competitive juices flowing, now waits for The Masters in two weeks from Augusta, GA.

The above image is copyrighted 2009 by DinoGriego - Graphics.

DG Quickie: The Fight- 'Nucks v Hawks

Quote: "Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith is still rather stunned that Alex Burrows of the Vancouver Canucks pulled his hair last night like they were fighting over Bret Michaels on the Rock of Love Bus: "That's not something I've ever had happen to me ... My little sister never even pulled my hair when I was a kid. It's kind of comical when you have a grown man trying to pull your hair on the ice." Adam Burish, meanwhile, lamented the fact that no player should have to endure that, "especially a nice haircut like Duncan has." [Chicago Tribune] -per Yahoo! Sports Puck Daddy Blog

Two subtle highlights of the fight: One, I loved the fact that the United Center sound guy played U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday," amidst the ruckus. Also, when the camera was showing Burish exiting the ice on his way to the locker room, Coach Quenneville could be seen yelling at the opposing bench/head coach and appearing to say "You started it!"

Pictures:

The aftermath (right) after the fighting subsided, while the above--no, that's not the bench, that's the penalty box (it should be pointed out that Havlat and Kane were serving the penalties of their unavailable teammates).

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ9nVbp_0U0

DG Quickie Commentary: Sears Tower Name Change

As of now, the story making rounds is that the Sears Tower will be renamed Willis Tower after a London-based company moves in occupying around 20 floors of the Chicago icon. Now, I'm all for making money, but it is my understanding that the building's owners are getting no extra money to rename the Sears Tower the Willis Tower. A lot of people are saying that this change is fine because Sears-Roebuck no longer owns the Sears Tower. To all those people, I say that's a bogus argument. So you're a Chicagoan, right? The building is just changing the name for no reason (and possibley painting it silver?) and you think because Sears-Roebuck no longer owns it, that's fine. Well check this---Wrigley Field is no longer owned by the Wrigley family so I guess by your logic you don't mind if they change the name of that Chicago iconic landmark, too?........OOOhhhhh! What?....You do care?....Exactly, so apply that logic to the Sears Tower name change and you see where all the hullabaloo is coming from.

DG Quickie: Friday the 13th

• Apple earlier this week released a new iPod shuffle. This version is about half the size of the last version, has 4 GB of storage, has no buttons (they're on the headphone cord), and...talks to you! (Apple.com-iPod Shuffle).

• Last night in the Big East Tournament from legendary Madison Square Garden, Syracuse and UConn went to 6 overtimes before the Orange came out victorius 127-117 to advance to play West Virginia tonight on ESPN. In a game for the ages, sophmore PG Johnny Flynn led the Orange with 34 pts/11 ast in 67 minutes (leading all players), with 29/22 reb coming from Paul Harris. Huskies' big man star, Hasheem Thabeet had 19/14 reb with 6 blocks, as senior G A.J. Price had 33/10 ast to lead Connecticut. Junior UConn forward Stanley Robinson also put on a show with 28pts/14 reb.

• Last night on the Daily Show, the entire episode featured the much-publicized interview between Jon Stewart and CNBC's Jim Cramer. Stewart nailed Cramer on the irresponsibility of financial reporters...the interview can be viewed here.

• Finally, some thoughts regarding the the Cubs and Spring Training rosters. Today, it was annouced that the Cubs added IF Esteban Germán to compete for a backup infielder role, as well as veteran Canadian Corey Koskie. The Cubs do need some depth behind Aramis Ramirez, and for that I'm keeping a close eye on Juan Uribe's status with the San Francisco Giants. Uribe was given and Minor League contract with a spring training invitation by the Giants in the offseason, and is currently in a race for their backup utility job. However, he is not a lock. If the Giants decide to let Uribe go at some point in the spring, he would be a good addition for the Cubs. Anyone who watched the White Sox World Series run in 2005 knows how good Uribe is defensively. Last season Uribe filled in at the hot corner when Joe Crede went down, and showcased good range, and an extremely strong throwing arm. In addition, he's shown some pop in the past, hitting 20+ HR in 2004, 2006, and 2007.

Another position battle taking place in Cubs' camp is that of the 5th starter. Known candidates include Sean Marshall, Aaron Heilman, and Jeff Samardzija, but my solution is...none of the three. I believe that all three of them are best suited in bullpen roles. Marshall was very good last year when used as a spot starter and lefty out of the pen (to go with Neal Cotts). Aaron Heilman as had most of his success as a reliever, and Jeff Samardzija was electric out of the pen last year (his stuff could turn him in to the bridge between SP and late inning relievers Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmól). So, who goes into the 5th rotation spot? One widely publicized solution is the possible acquisition of Padres' ace Jake Peavy. During a recent telecast of the World Baseball Classic on ESPN, Rick Sutcliffe could be heard saying that the Peavy-Cubs rumor was "more than a rumor"...we'll see what comes of this interesting insight. However another intriguing option could be Pedro Martinez. He looked great in the WBC pitching for the Dominican, and could come at a rather reasonable price. At his prime, Pedro was a Cy Young-caliber pitcher, dominating every hitter he faced. A look at the career WHIP (BB + H per IP) leaders, and Pedro is the only player there (along with Mariano Rivera) to pitch after 1920! His "2004 Red Sox idiot" personality would also be a welcome addition to the Cubs' clubhouse.

Manny Gets a Tricyle!

Lex Luthor Wants a Bailout

"Lex Luthor Bailout" with Jon Hamm - watch more funny videos

Courtesy of the Huffington Post and Funny or Die

Bunch O' Links: Apple TouchNetBook-thing?, Obama & Stem Cells, Lil' Fontenot, Alltop

• Rumor sites have been abuzz the past few days of an Apple Tablet/Netbook in the works for release this year. Yeah, it seems like there have been rumors of such a product for nearly the past five years, but it may be coming closer to fruition. This article (Mac Rumors), sites some sort of touchscreen order put in by Apple. I hope that such a revolutionary product comes out soon, for it would benefit a lot of people of my generation (students taking notes and having to organize numerous aspects of their lives both in digital world and with a pencil). Such a product could allow someone to organize handwritten notes, sketches, and diagrams among various elements of new digital media. It would allow people to actually enter the world on their computers beyond using a mouse, but to truly interact. We can only wait for now, until Apple one day decides to blow us all away with some revolutionary technology we'd never have dreamed of.

• On to politics: President Obama on Monday signed an Executive Order (link) that will reverse the ban on

embryonic stem cell research that restricted it to only 60 lines of previously existing stem cells. As a result of this being brought to the forefront of the news by the President's actions, hopefully scientists will continue to further their research of stem cells as a possible portal to curing so many diseases. Stem cells could help treat and cure so many ailments, such as regrowing heart tissue damaged by heart attacks, finding a cure for Parkinson's disease, and possibly even helping the paralyzed walk again.

(President Obama's statement)

(CNN.com article)

(text of Executive Order)

• Lou Piniella and the the Cubs roll on in Spring Training from the Valley of the Sun. One of the positions where there appears to be a battle for playing time is second base, where Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles are competing. After hitting his second long-ball of the spring, Lou had this to say per the Chicago Tribune:

❝ "I'll tell you what, the little kid at second base, he's after a job isn't he?" manager Lou Piniella say. Both Fontenot and Miles are listed at 5 feet 8 inches, but it was obvious after Fontenot's second home run that he was the one Piniella was

referring to as "the little kid." "What'd he have to say that for?" Fontenot said in mock protest. ❞

• And finally, I've been addicted to Twitter lately (who isn't?) and was brought to the attention of probably one of the coolest websites I've seen lately. Don't you wish that all the news, from all of the relevant websites, from just about any topic was all aggregated in one, easy to read, awesome-ly laid out website. Well, check out Alltop.com. It's amazing....seriously....click the link.... Below, I've also linked some of the best pages from Alltop.

baseball.alltop.com

hockey.alltop.com

nba.alltop.com

sports.alltop.com

humor.alltop.com

iphone.alltop.com

mac.alltop.com

news.alltop.com

politics.alltop.com

science.alltop.com

"Ma! The Meatloaf!!!"

Announcers are a varyingly entertaining bunch (yes, varyingly is the proper form of vary...I looked it up). The famous ones all have their own unique styles, and provide us with endless entertainment (unintentional or not); to see this just visit Awful Announcing. Below are two YouTube videos of the various goal calls of Florida Panthers' announcer Randy Moller, and the seamless movie quote references.

What? Me? No, my stick's not illegal!

After the officials and Toronto coaching staff were heard discussing the possibility of Jason Spezza having an illegal stick, the hilarity of the cover-up and subsequent penalty ensues...