The Daily Throwback 4/28/11

Best 15 minutes of your day right here. Somehow, some way MLB hasn't taken this video down so enjoy this little gem while you can. Make sure you watch all of the amazing hilarity that is Darryl Strawberry's rage, Derek Jeter's wierd hair, and Tim Raines' redemption at the very end. Nothing like a good basebrawl.

CP3

Make sure you're sitting down when you read this because Rick Reilly actually wrote a good column again. His contract must be up soon. Either way, great insight into the world of consensus all round great guy and NBA superstar Chris Paul.

Nice try, Title IX

Good story from The Wall Street Journal on the resurrection of Cal-Berkeley baseball, which just last fall was facing extinction.

"Just six months later, Cal baseball is alive and kicking, flush with a fresh $10 million in donations and ranked No. 15 in the country."

...as a side note, even with the resurgence of the baseball team, which has been a staple at Cal for 118 years, there are still less men's sports than women's sports at the university.  Regardless, they can all thank the football team for their uniforms, equipment, plane tickets and scholarships.

Cover of the Day

Mayor Kevin Johnson and the people of Sacramento are fighting tooth and nail to keep the Kings in town.  Today KJ published the names of numerous companies that have pledged $10 million to help keep the team from moving.  Below is the February 19, 2001 cover of Sports Illustrated, a brighter time in Sacramento Kings basketball...

Sacramento better hope KJ has another one of these up his sleeve or the people of Anaheim will be learning how to watch pro basketball next year...

What a "Strong" Message

Florida Kicks Jenkins Off Team After 3rd Arrest

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Will Muschamp sent a strong message to his team Tuesday by dismissing star cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins was kicked off the team after his third arrest in less than two years, his second in the past four months. Muschamp's decision makes it clear he won't tolerate the off-the-field issues that plagued the Gators during former coach Urban Meyer's tenure. The Gators had 30 arrests involving 27 players during Meyer's six seasons.

 

...Strong message?  College sports have turned into such a joke when it comes to morals and values.  Since when is kicking a player off a team after his third arrest a "strong" message?  Besides telling his players to put their helmets on their heads before going onto the field, this is the most blatantly obvious decision a coach should make.  Was he supposed to let this kid stay on the team with his full room and board paid for by the school after his third arrest?  Why do we thank or congratulate people for NOT robbing the bank nowadays?

 

From Janoris "Jailbate" Jenkins' Twitter page.  Gator baby?  Not anymore Jenkz.

 

Garbage Minute Guy of the Day

This past weekend the Garbage Minute Guys came across a particular sports fan with a story to tell.  Steve Bartman? No.  The John 3:16 Clown?  No.  The Canucks Green Guys?  No.  This classic trash-ball who nearly killed himself while jumping for an extra point?  We only wish.

We ran into a guy named Corey who made this catch back at a Nats-Phillies game in '09.  Several key take-aways from this footage.  1)  Always take a glove to a game...no matter your age.  2) Always support your team...no matter what game you find yourself at.  Notice Corey's Tribe hat at a National League game.

Keep up the intensity, buddy.

Hearts and Minds

Even though they only won 19 games and finished as the second to worst team in the NBA, Cleveland Browns CB Joe Haden still supported the Cavaliers this season.  Not only does he show up to games, he wears the whole uniform, to include a fake beard while rocking a Baron Davis #85.  What a great way to not only enjoy a little bit of your celebrity amongst fans that already love you, but also get even more of your adopted city behind you and your career?  Begs the question why more athletes don't support other teams within their city.

On the other hand, what not to do...

LeBron, no surprise you turned out to be a complete punk.  Nice touch wearing a Yankees cap to a Tribe-Yankees playoff game....in Cleveland. 

Morning Wood: Your Tuesday Links

- Before we get into NFL labor talk, let's get your morning started out right. More ridiculous behavior from fan favorite and GM mainstay Lenny Dykstra.

- Tony Allen got the Memphis Grizzlies logo shaved into his head. Also helped the Grizz push 1-seed San Antonio to the edge:

- Catch up with Eric LeGrand, the Rutgers football player who was paralyzed six months ago in a game against Army. "I will walk again. I believe that."

- Since you have to be in law school to figure out what the hell is going on in the NFL labor dispute, simpletons like me read Peter King to get the only thing I care about, "When the f#@k is the season starting?"

- MLB is going to see a drop in attendence for the 4th straight year. Might be time to bring back the HGH.

- Roger Goodell wrote an OP-ED (5 weeks ago) last night and submitted it to the Wall Street Journal explaining how the ruling by Judge Susan Nelson is bad for the future of the NFL. The commish seems to think he knows what the future holds. Most business analysts disagree.

- NHL trash talk has turned to opposing players' divorces. Awesome.

- Because its Tuesday and this is my blog, I give you "Live Forever":

Throw it Back!!!

All tradition aside, you owe me $8.50, dude.

Gators Up in Smoke

New Gators coach Will Muschamp may have the most mellow team in the country. The Florida Gators have had four marijuana related arrests in the last four months. This really doesn't mean anything I just wanted an excuse to post Jim Breuer making his buddy go on a munchies run:

THE Ohio State . . . Seriously?

Not one person at Ohio State spoke up and said this might not be a great idea? Do you think anyone there has been watching the news? Morons.

Chicago Hope

I know I sound like a broken record, but if you haven't been watching the NHL playoffs, you need to fix yourself. Defending champ Chicago Blackhawks went down 3-0 to the heavily favored Canucks and have now come all the way back, forcing a game 7 in Vancouver. The first round of the NHL and NBA playoffs have already given us conference-level excitement and we haven't even gotten into the juicy matchups yet. Just one important game on after another every night. Great time to be a sports fan. Makes me depressed that with no free agency in NFL and NBA lockout looming, this is going to be the slowest sports summer of my life.

Robert Hughes

Great read from Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times on Notre Dame running back Robert Hughes, projected to be a mid-first round draft pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Hughes' brother was shot and killed in front of his home 3 1/2 years ago and his killer has never been found.

10 Years and Counting . . .

Its incredible to think the Knicks have not won a playoff game in 10 years. One of the biggest markets, great fan base, easy to attract free agents, play in the crown jewel of basketball arenas and still they define futility as an organization. I absolutely hate just about every NY sports team and even I am starting to feel bad for Knicks fans. Not you, Spike Lee. I'll hate you forever.

One Shining Moment

Hey, when the jumbotron camera is on you, you have to make the best of it. Well done, sir.

Headline of the Year?

I defy you to find a better sports headline this year.

Have to love the buddy's quote at the end: "We'd all had a few drinks when one of the lads did a moonie. A player picked up a pool cue and it all went wrong from there."

I would say so. Also shocked to discover alcohol was involved in this incident.

All it Takes Is One?

Thats all Andrew Ference was saying to the Habs fans last night. I love hockey players. I could watch this video all day.

UPDATE: The NHL fined him $2,500. Bahahahahaahahhaa. Ference said flipping the bird is "Not a part of my repertoire." Apparently the NHL believed him.

Old Time Hockey

Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau recently accused NY Rangers players Marc Staal and Brandon Prust of going for Mark Green's head during Game 3 of their first round match up. First, wonder what "win one for the Gipper" speech Boudreau has in store for Ovie and the boys before Game 4 and second, he should just be happy the top seeded Caps didn't draw the Charlestown Chiefs in the opening round.  (Fun fact: Boudreau was actually an extra in Slapshot as a member of the Hyannisport Presidents).

Smurf Turf Trouble

San Diego State Head Coach Rocky Long recently said he thinks Boise State's blue field is "unfair," citing the fact it takes opposing teams several quarters to get used to "tracking the ball" with the oddly colored field. 

At Garbage Minutes, we promise to never report a story this stupid and worthless ever again.

Classy Confederates

Good to see they don't take college football too seriously down south.  The nutjob Alabama fan who admitted to poisoning the hallowed trees at Toomer's Corner on Auburn's campus was recently attacked at a gas station.

"Updyke admitted to poisoning the trees on the radio show, finishing his call with "Roll Damn Tide." He has children named Crimson Tyde and Bear, after iconic coach Bear Bryant."

Black Cubs?

According to a document released by the Chicago History museum, one of the infamous members of the Black Sox, Eddie Cicotte, claims in a court deposition that they got the idea to throw the 1919 World Series from the Chicago Cubs the year before. The 1918 World series is famous, of course, because it was the Red Sox last championship before 2004, an 86 year span of futility famously referred to as "The Curse of the Bambino". Thank god for 2004 and 2007, otherwise every sports station would be doing a special about how the Red Sox didn't even win a legitimate World Series in 1918.

I promise this will be the only Charlie Sheen sighting on GM (Unless its from Major League):

Today In Sports History

25 years ago today. I won't say much because the video speaks for itself and Larry Bird already summed it up perfectly - "That was god disguised as Michael Jordan"

This Is The End, My Only Friend

Greatest opening scene ever?  De'End Parker's mom thinks so.

From The Los Angeles Times, because even the Garbage Minute Guys can't make this stuff up...

"At UCLA, the signing marked De'End of an era.  After going 23 years between noteworthy junior college transfers, the Bruins on Wednesday signed De'End Parker, a 6-foot-6 guard from City College of San Francisco who will become the second junior college player on their roster. Parker averaged 12 points, six rebounds and five assists last season for San Francisco, which won the California Community College Athletic Assn. title in March. Parker, the youngest of seven children, received his first name during birth when his mother decided her childbearing days were over."

Crawford on E:60

Tonight at 7 P.M. ET ESPN's sports journalism show E:60 will be featuring the rise of Carl Crawford from growing up in poverty in the nototious 5th Ward in Houston, TX to the all star left fielder and 142 million dollar man. Not sure how much the documentary will delve into his high school career, but even if they just spew his stats, you will be shocked at how great an all around athlete he was. Hoping for some old footage.

Here is a snippet:

Fix.

This video is making its rounds around the Internet and the accompanying story is that this guy is a striker that was told to come back and play defense and he saw a lob and instinct took over. I'm calling bullshit. This dude had 10 grand on this game, minimum. Only explanation.

This Isn't 5th Edition, Is It?

Someone at the publishing house might want to update this page from a 4th grade textbook:

Yes, he had learned how to focus and concentrate. And stick himself with needles.

Cover of the Day

In honor of the Bulls-Pacers first round match-up, which has given us two of the better playoff games thus far, here is the March 1995 cover with Jordan on the cover after his first game back against the Pacers after a bunch of strike-outs and dropped balls in Birmingham.  Jordan struggled initially while wearing #45, but once he returned to his old #23 he went on to win three more championships.  Too bad he nearly ruined his legacy all over again by playing for the lowly Washington Wizards years later.

This return game was a huge deal back in 1995.

Someone to Root For

Great story by Chris Mortensen giving you someone to cheer for in this year's NFL Draft. Jimmy Wilson, a defensive back for the University of Montana, spent 25 months in jail before being acquitted of murder charges. Now NFL teams are taking a serious look at him as a possible late round pick. He's like a really athletic Andy Dufresne. "Only guilty man in Shawshank" Red approves of this kid.

Today in Sports History

On April 19, 1999 Cal Ripkin Jr. was finally put on the disabled list with a back problem...after not missing a game in 19 years.

The Iron Man's record of consecutive starts actually ended in 1998, when Ripkin voluntarily pulled his name from the line up before the final game of the '98 season.  The streak ended after 2,632 straight starts.

How do you not remember where you were on that September night in 1995 when Ripkin celebrated his record breaking 2,131st game with not only a trip around the stadium to greet fans but also a home-run?

NHL Biz

It appears I'm not the only one that follows/loves hockey. The NHL had more suitors for its TV contract than I thought they would. The NHL announced that it has struck a deal to re-up its TV contract with the Versus Network/NBC Sports. Estimated as a 10 year deal worth $200 million/year, early reports indicate that Fox and Turner bowed out of the bidding when it reached the $200 million level. ESPN stayed in it to the end but no one is sure if the World Wide Leader didn't want to match Versus' offer or if the NHL decided to stick with the network they are already dancing with. There are positives and negatives to the Vs/NBC deal. The good thing about Versus is they don't really have anything else so they make the NHL the centerpiece of their network and pump all of their resources into a really well-done broadcast. ESPN has too many things going on and there is no way they could possibly give the NHL the attention it deserves. Although it would have been nice to see Barry Melrose's mullet during live games. The drawback to Versus is they only have one channel and they will continue to farm out playoff broadcasts to local networks. The Bruins/Habs game last night was on NESN for this exact reason. Unless you live in Montreal or Boston or have the NHL Center ice package, you were SOL.

The bottom line is the NHL is finally recovering from their disastrous lockout and are headed in the right direction from both a watchability and business standpoint.

Melrose Mullet:

106.

Cincinnati Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman threw a pitch that registered 106 on the stadium gun last night. The only other official gun had it at 103 but either way, that is some serious heat. Has to remind you of SI's 1985 April fools prank that way too many people took seriously, "The Curious Case of Sidd Finch". In the piece/prank, SI alleged that the Mets had an eccentric prospect that wore one shoe and could throw 168 mph. It took until April 15th for SI to tell everyone it was a prank, something they would never get away with in the age of the internet.

Lord Stanley Afloat

Very cool artwork with the Stanley Cup.  Click this link to see the video.

Think these lumberjacks don't take Lord Stanley's trophy seriously?

Trumping "The Wave"

Cool thing at a recent soccer game down in Uruguay.  Hit this link for the impressive footage and pictures.

A Golden Tradition

March Madness has come and gone, but that doesn't mean there aren't a bunch of uncoordinated, burnt out, rusty, and slightly unathletic college students trying to rekindle that tournament magic.  Every April in South Bend the leprechaun legion competes in the Notre Dame Bookstore Basketball Tournament.  Think this isn't a big deal?  Over 700 teams sign up for the world's largest 5-on-5 tournament, which features students, faculty and that sneaky smart janitor who has been solving all those math equations.  Notable participants have included Joe Montana, Heisman winner Tim Brown and Big Bad Bill Laimbeer.  Wonder if Laimbeer still threw elbows and started fights during pick-up ball with dorky classmates.

Special shout out to one of our most loyal readers as his team enters the tournament of 64.  Use both hands, Dan.

Our apologies

Sorry for the lack of posts from time to time.  We've been busy working out in the gym at the Garbage Minutes World Headquarters...

Paging Jesse Jackson...

We like to keep it light at the Garbage Minutes, but here's a interesting/sad story.  Five years ago the sporting and legal world were up in arms with the Duke lacrosse case.  Everyone pulled the race card, they fired the coach, the school made an example of the players, and the District Attorney made an ass of himself...all before the truth was told.  Eventually all three former Duke players were found innocent.  Not before Jesse Jackson stepped in and saved the day by offering to pay for the young strippers tuition.  How did that education work out?  Sadly, that very same stripper/mother-of-three who accused the Duke players of raping her was charged today with murdering her boyfriend. 

Is Jesse en route to Raleigh with his expensive suits and loud megaphone to fight this one too?  Doubt it.

Today in Stadium Food

White Sox are offering a helmet filled with two pounds of nachos. Probably all set for caloric intake for the rest of the week.

Happy Marathon Monday

Happy Patriots Day/Marathon Monday . . . one of the great things about living in Massachusetts. Early Sox game, lots of drinking, and a day off the rest of the country doesn't get.

Hopefully whichever Kenyan wins this thing doesn't pull this move:

Morning Wood: Your Monday Links

Garbage Minutes new favorite, Aaron Gray

- If you're planning on traveling to the 2014 World Cup or 2016 Olympics, you will now be safe. Brazilian police have robo-cop glasses.

- Lakers lose, your narrator is giddy. Only one favorite covered in the NBA this weekend . . . all were great games, even the 8 vs. 1 matchups. You college hoops apologists are embarrassing.

- Pretty amazing stat below. Ray Allen pushed Reggie Miller out of the conversation last night:

- Great PR for MLB from one of its young stars. David Wright plays catch with young Braves fans before the game.

- Nice work Yankees. How are those $4,000 seats working out for you?

- Former Notre Dame star and Baltimore Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski is using the lockout to pursue his boxing career.

- A huge Garbage Minutes congratulations goes out to Kemba Walker who recently finished his first book. Ever. Put that on your student-athlete commercials, NCAA.

- No relation to the sports world video of the day. Contra vs. Duck Hunt:

Cover of the Day

Don't look now, but guess who has the best record in the American League? That's right all you wahoo maniacs, just like '87, its an Indian Uprising. (Guarantee millions of people flip out if SI comes out with this cover today) And the rich are getting richer. After 11 months on the shelf after having microfracture surgery, Grady Sizemore made his season debut and homered in his second at bat helping the tribe to a 4-2 win over the Orioles. Whats that? The '87 Indians finished in last place at 61-101? Oh. Didn't realize. I'm sure 2011 will be different.

Too Soon?

Yesterday, before their sold out spring football game, Alabama unveiled this 8-foot bronze statue of Nick Saban. Alabama has bestowed this honor on all four coaches that have won national championships at Tuscaloosa, Saban being the latest. This got me thinking about statues. Teams do this too soon. Florida already has a statue of Tim Tebow. I'm not saying you have to wait until they die but at least until they get to a respectable age and you are certain you'll never have to take the statue down. Like what happens if Tebow pulls an Eddie Murphy and gets caught picking up a tranny in Denver? Florida takes the statue down, right? And what about Saban? With the NCAA, a huge recruiting scandal is always just around the corner. What if they are stripped of this title and force him to resign? Then you just have a Bud Kilmer statue sitting there like a worthless paperweight. All I'm saying is give it some time and you can avoid the embarassment of having pictures all over the internet of a crane crew taking the statue down in 4 years. Postscript: Never in my life have I thought of commiting a serious crime but when UConn inevitably puts up a Geno Auriemma statue I may be recruiting an eleven man crew. Stand by. Post postscript: That Saban statue is creepy. Looks like a movie prop from Ghostbusters.

It's the PBA on ESPN!!!!

The world wide leader doesn't want to compete with their parent company currently showing NBA Playoffs so you get bowling . . . all day. This dude is actually sitting in the stands right now. True story.

Donaghy & Friends

Fun fact from a couple of today's NBA playoff games involving two of the leagues most high profile teams in large markets with popular players.  The Heat and Bulls shot a total of 71 free throws.  Their lowly and less popular opponents, Philly and Indiana, were sent to the charity stripe only 32 times.  That's slightly suspicious.  Hey David Stern, we didn't realize you hired Tim Donaghy back into the league.

Fighting the Meltdown

In response to Rory McIlroy's final round 80 in The Masters, very interesting and good read in The Wall Street Journal about complete meltdowns in professional golf.

Professional golfers don't have a second string QB or a designated hitter option.  Kobe went 6-24 in Game 7 last year but still celebrated under the confetti afterwards because his teammates picked up the slack.  When professional golfers fall victim to pressure, nerves, stress and a lack of confidence in their swing or putting stroke, they have to accept the embarrassment and humiliation for however many hours are left in their round.

What a Long Strange Trip It's Been

A pretty neat, quick interview with Bill Walton in The New York Times.   On John Wooden..."Coach was also an English teacher who taught poetry. He had his favorite poets, and I had mine. He liked Longfellow and Frost. I liked Jerry Garcia and Bob Dylan."

Begs the questions, where are the articulate, free-spirited athletes nowadays?  Do we have a modern day Bill Walton ever since Jake Plummer retired at 32?  Or are professional sports only full of nothing but materialistic prima donnas covered in gold and tats?

Keep it Classy, Ladies.

Good to see the Garbage Minute Gals are making their presence felt during playoff season.  They're always making us proud.

Insurance Salesman for Sports Analyst?

Who looks less likely have their current job?

John Clayton, NFL Senior Analyst for ESPN

Sarah Kwak, NHL beat writer for Sports Illustrated

Cover of the Day

April 1998...the last time Sports Illustrated ignored an incredibly exciting and memorable Masters and chose to put something less significant on their cover.  Pedro Martinez was less than three weeks into a 162 game season.  Mark O'Meara birdies 17 and 18 in dramatic fashion to beat out Fred Couples, David Duval  and 22 year old defending champion Tiger Woods for his first ever major tournament win.  Sports Illustrated chooses to put Pedro on the cover.

This past week Charl Schwartzel birdies 15, 16, 17 and 18 to pull off his first major victory in what Sports Illustrated coined "one of the most exciting weeks in the history of the championship."  So exciting they devoted three whole pages...the same amount of pages they used for a write up on Von Miller, the Texas A&M defensive end who hasn't even played a single down in the NFL yet.  Instead of putting Schartzel on the cover, they feature Derrick Rose.  Granted, Rose has had an incredible year and will receive the MVP soon, but the playoffs hadn't even started when this was published.  Put him on the cover when they actually win a series.