Posted 3:18 PM by logoshak
The insane salary war continues in major league baseball. The New York Yankees sign fading slugger Gary Sheffield Wednesday to a mere $39 million contract. I may be wrong but Sheffield can't throw the split fingered fastball on the corners and this is what the Yanks truly need. Pitching. There aren't too many throwers left out there on the free agent menu, so I look for the Bronx crowd to be looking to swing a trade. Bernie Williams may be trade material after his soft season last year. Would George be willing to bite the bullet and maybe part with captain Jeter in a multi-player bombshell? Certainly the hot stove will be heating up this winter as the Yanks play catchup with the Red Sox.

Posted 8:37 PM by logoshak
The allsportsguides has a new name. We are now the logoshak.com blog. We will continue to talk sports and sports logos and graphic design. See you tomorrow.

Barry

Posted 5:36 PM by logoshak
NC State defeated Duke this afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium 28-21. That was Duke's 30th straight conference loss. But, things are looking up for the Blue Devils. The school fired head coach Carl Franks last week and replaced him with defensive coach Ted Roof. The Devils appeared to play with a renewed purpose today and maybe this is the beginning of better days ahead for the duke football program. With Miami,Fla and Virginia Tech entering the ACC next year, things better look up.
The lowest of the low hockey minor leagues cranked up last night. Talking about the Southeast Hockey League. Yes this four team collection of teams is playing what appears to be a round robin schedule of games. The Winston-Salem franchise got sponsor money from a Canadian brewery and was going to be called Moosehead. But a disagreement last week has caused the team to be called Winston-Salem Hockey Team for at least the next few weeks. Shades of the Baltimore team in the CFL a few years back.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 12:08 PM by logoshak
Who'd thought that the Bambino's curse would be broken by a knuckleball. That's right, that garbage pitch that has been the nightmare of every catcher who's had to catch it. The Boston Red Sox' Tim Wakefield beat the New York Yankees for the second time in the ALCS series. Yanks coach Don Zimmer behaved himself last night and stayed away from punk wannabe Pedro Martinez. This afternoon's game could be the eventual American League winner.
The Atlantic Coast Conference had gone berry picking in the Big East patch again and plucked Boston College. This will give the ACC 12 teams and the lucrative conference football championship game it craves so much. The Big East has already filed a lawsuit claiming damages to its athletic programs. I don't see any of the Big East teams coming back. Get over it.
After last night's 36-0 beating at the hands of the St. Louis Rams, the Atlanta Falcons must be praying for the return of Michael Vick more than ever. The Falcons are a completely different team without their star QB. Even the defense seems hogtied without him.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:25 AM by logoshak
Am I sick of hearing about Kobe Bryant or what? I haven't seen or heard the evidence in this case but if the preliminary hearing is any indication, Kobe is guilty as sin. Anytime that a man has transgressed against a woman and his only defense is trying to expose her bad character, you can assume that he knows he is guilty and so does his defense team. Perhaps since Bryant didn't attend college, he never learned the meaning of the word NO.
Kobe, call Mike Tyson, he can give you pointers on picking out sheets for your cell.
The Yankees got some good pitching last night and evened their series with the Red Sox 1-1. This sets up an epic pitching showdown Saturday between Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez at Fenway Park. Will this be Rocket Roger's last appearance at Fenway? Or will he really retire after the post season? The Cubs and Marlins continue their series knotted at one.
Can the Carolina Panthers continue their winning ways against the red hot Indianapolis Colts this Sunday? It boils down to the stiff Panthers defense controlling the recently unstoppable Peyton Manning. The Panthers running game behind Stephen Davis will also have to produce. Should be a good game. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:29 AM by logoshak
I find it amazing that the comments of the ESPN NFL show actually made me feel support for Rush Limbaugh. Supposedly the panelists Chris Berman, Tom Jackson, Steve Young and Michael Irvin kept quiet about the incident last week on purpose. They should have continued to stay quiet about it. Chris Berman is the most overrated "journalist" in the electronic media. It is disgusting that anytime race is brought in the mix of any issue, whether right or wrong, opportunists use it as a way to garner attention or self promotion. Sadly, equality is a long way from reality in this day and age. I keep thinking of that little thing called the first amendment, freedom of speech, should be used with a dash of responsibility.
The US women's soccer team was outplayed and beaten by Germany last night 3-0. This eliminates the team and probably any hope that the WUSA will be revived. I don't know, but there was that swell of fan support that carried the team last time out. The team now looks to take the gold in the 2004 Olympics in Greece.
Atlanta Thrashers Dan Snyder died from injuries incurred in a car crash 6 days ago. He was 25. Teammate Dany Heatley will face charges as he was driving the Ferrari that hit a wall at 80 mph. This is a sad situation, and our thoughts go out to Dan Snyder's family.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:56 AM by logoshak
I don't have any sympathy whatsoever for Rush Limbaugh. The guy has become a rich man by spouting off his mouth about whatever is popular to his following of idiotic dittoheads. He tries to shock listeners of his radio programs like Howard Stern tries to shock his audience. Trouble is that the shock wears off after a while and you have nothing but a sad man in a booth collecting a huge salary and making no contribution to anything except his own ego. The comments that forced Limbaugh off ESPN, is a case in point. They made no sense what so ever and probably were totally without basis except in Rush's own mind. Now stories of alledged drug abuse surface. I don't know but I have to take a load of aspirin after more than 10 minutes of listening to the guy with "talent on load fron God". Yeah, sure.
The baseball playoffs have been great so far. The Twins have a shot of knocking off the Yanks as they head back to the MetroDome tied 1-1. The Red Sox are in a tough hole down to the A's 2-0. Atlanta travels to Wrigley tied 1-1 with the Cubs and the Giants are knotted up 1-1 as they travel to the Marlins fishtank. Oh and we got some great college games Saturday. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:12 AM by logoshak
I admit it, I am a true blue Duke Blue Devil fan and supporter. Have been for over forty years. It pains me to say it, but the University and its administration and athletic department should be ashamed of itself for allowing the football program to continue to be a laughingstock. I don't believe for one minute that Duke can't find enough qualified student athletes to contend each year for a national championship in basketball, yet put on an embarrassing exhibition of football year after year. The Devils, after Saturday night's pounding by Florida State 56-7, have lost an ACC record 27 straight conference games. What needs to happen? First, as much as I personally like Carl Franks, he hasn't shown he can win, at Duke anyways. FIRE HIM NOW! Duke should form a committee of students, faculty and alumni to formulate a plan to bring the football program into the 21st century. Or back to the 1940's when Duke was a national powerhouse. Finally, promote this program. Get local businesses and high schools involved. Don't let the football program be an afterthought to Coach K's basketball program. It can be done, but it has to start now.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 12:12 PM by logoshak
The greatest racers and cars are in the United States this weekend as the Formula One circuit makes it yearly stop at Indianapolis. Let's face it the F1 cars make the NASCAR lunkers look like a 73 Pinto. I think the Formula 1 circuit is the most exciting racing out there today. If you are into drivers bumping and banging into each other with little other skills, than F1 won't be for you. If skill and daring are your forte grab a chair and watch the action.
Speaking of NASCAR, they will put on their restricter plate crash and burn show at Talladega this weekend. When will NASCAR figure out there are better ways to may these cars safe at this monster track? How about a couple of chicanes. Sounds funny maybe, but it would be worth it to get away from the plates.
Dan Reeves will be going for his 200th coaching victory this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. The Atlanta Falcons are on the verge of becoming a top tier NFL team, but have sorely missed the most exciting player in the game, Michael Vick. The Carolina Panthers may be the sleeper this year in the league. This should be the one game to watch this week. Have a great weekend.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 12:34 PM by logoshak
The NFL actually had some exciting games this weekend. The New York Giants squandered a big first half lead and held on to beat the Washington Redskins 24-21 in overtime. Wonder how long the brass in Washington will put up with Spurrier's losing ways. Another surprise was the Cleveland Browns slipping past the 49ers. Or are the 49ers just a bad ball club? The Oakland-Denver game tonight should be interesting.
The baseball playoff races are winding down. Looks like the Minnesota Twins, that team that MLB wanted to fold a couple of years ago, will win a division title. The Atlanta Braves Greg Maddox became the only MLB pitcher in history to win at least 15 games in 16 straight seasons. The Braves will be under pressured to break their World Series jinx this year, heck they have to get to the Series first.
Ryan Newman won his seventh race of the year Sunday at Dover, Delaware, thanks to the new no racing to the caution rule. Dale Earnhardt hit the hard walls of Dover and had to be airlifted to a hospital after suffering a concussion. Come on, put up those soft walls.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 5:29 PM by logoshak
Well, Isabel came and went. We're were lucky as we had worse thunderstorms this summer than this timid hurricane. We were certainly lucky here in Central North Carolina. There were a few sports postponements but today is a beautiful day and I sure things will be back to normal for this week's games.
Disappointing news out of NASCAR. Up and coming Busch driver Shane Hmiel was suspended by NASCAR for violating its substance abuse policy and behavior detrimental to racing. In a no class move, Hmiel's Busch team released the driver with no support. They don't grasp the everybody deserves a second chance concept. NASCAR has a history of ignorance and bias when it comes to substance problems among its drivers. Perhaps the greatest driver of our generation, Tim Richmond, was labeled a drug addict after contracting AIDS from a female admirer in 1988. Sure, AIDS was scary then if you didn't understand the disease and NASCAR labeled Tim a drop addict. NASCAR has never gotten past Tim's troubles and to this day, fails to give him the recognition he deserves. Here's hoping Shane's promising career hasn't been dealt a death blow by NASCAR. By the way, NASCAR banned the practice of racing back to the yellow flag. They might become a top tier sport after all.
The Atlanta Braves clinched their 12th straight division title last night. After whooping the Phillies 5-4, the Braves could pop the champagne. Now it remains to be seen if the Braves can take home that elusive World Championship. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 3:54 PM by logoshak
Just sitting here waiting on a hurricane. No, not that football team from Miami. Talking about a nasty lady named Isabel, churning off the southeast coast. Waiting for my folks to hightail it up here from their Coastal Carolina home. Seems everyone is looking for the high ground as this storm is not anything to take lightly.
News yesterday that the WUSA is going belly up. I for one enjoyed watching the Carolina Courage do battle. Has to knock another nail into the coffin of women's pro sports. The WNBA is not in the best of condition. The owners and investors in the WUSA burned through $100 million in just three years. Women's soccer should be a viable business model. However not having a major TV deal and a sugar daddy sponsor hurts. We'll miss ya.
Bill Parcells won his first game as the Dallas Cowboys head coach last night. The Cowboys edged the New York Giants 35-32 in overtime. Does this make the 1-1 Cowboys Super Bowl material. Hardly. But look for Parcells to insult this team every week and they will be competitive.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:11 AM by logoshak
Sadness seems to be hanging over the blog this morning. We have lost several in the entertainment and racing community this morning. Country music legend Johnny Cash has died from complications from diabetes. Growing up in the south, you had to have listened to Cash's songs and been moved by them. He will be missed. Actor John Ritter died suddenly yesterday after becoming ill on the set of his sitcom. Ritter was perhaps best know as Jack Tripper, the lucky guy who got to share an apartment with the lovely Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Sommers. Ritter was 54. Perhaps most tragic was the news that Tara Howell Parker, wife of NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett's crew chief Shawn Parker, was killed when a drunk driver plowed into the rear of the limo she and her sisters were riding in. Tara Parker had beaten heart disease and had survived a heart transplant two years ago. Parker was 29. Our thoughts and prayers go out to familes of Cash, Ritter and Parker.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:22 AM by logoshak
The opening weekend of the NFL season was anything but boring. The underdog Houston Texans waltzed into Miami and gave the Dolphins their first opening day loss in 11 years. The 21-20 thumping will not sit well with the Dolphins crowd. Speaking of thumpings, the Giants gave Kurt Warner a concussion and the Rams let him play on knowing he was injured. The Giants forced 6 fumbles out of Warner in their 23-13 win. The Carolina Panthers overcame a 17-0 second half deficit to clip the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-23. The Michael Vick-less Atlanta Falcons wore down the Bill Parcells led Dallas Cowboys 27-13. Can't wait for week two!
When Pete Sampras laid down the mantle of American men's tennis last week, Andy Roddick was there to pick it up. Roddick defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3 at Flushing Meadows to take the Us Open Men's Tennis Champioship. Displaying a power serving dominace perhaps not seen since Roscoe Tanner, Roddick seemed to toy with his Spanish opponent. If Roddick can keep his head screwed on tight, he should have a long run at the top of the tennis world.
Speaking of heads screwed on tight, did you catch that schmuck Kevin Harvick at the Richmond Raceway this weekend. He had to show his arse during the Busch race Friday night in a confrontation with Matt Kenseth and then to had to cause a scene after the Cup race Saturday night. In a total lack of class he rammed Ricky Rudd's car after the race and danced about the cars. If his mouth could throw a punch, he would be dangerous. Hope NASCAR treats him in the same way as Jimmy Spenser. In a sidenote, the NASCAR softwalls appeared to work well during the weekend races. Let's hope NASCAR expands the installation of these walls quickly.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:04 AM by logoshak
Well, what was more exciting last night, the NFL opener in Washington or the Democratic presidential debate in New Mexico? You might put in a good argument for the debates. The Redskins and Jets played a pretty ho-hum game that wasn't really exciting until the end. The NFL put on a garish rock show to celebrate the opening of the season. Don't really know whay Aerosmith has to do with football. Still, I'm glad to see both the college and pro football seasons off and running.
Us Open tennis officials have to be glad that the monsoon that hit Flushing Meadows this week has ended. Matches will be condensed so that the tournament will be able to conclude a schedule somehow resembling a Sunday climax.
NASCAR announced that it doesn't know which track will receive the new soft walls technology. Could it be the track owners don't know what off shore bank account to pull their money from? I would say every track could incorporate some degree of the SAFER walls technology. Also NASCAR is dragging its feet on the drivers demand that a permanent traveling safety crew and doctor be started. Oh, right now a nurse is at the track to act as liason to the on track safety program. Sad. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:46 AM by logoshak
A sad day in Darlington this weekend. After running the Southern 500 at the Lady in Black for over 50 years on Labor Day weekend, this will be the last time it will be run on this traditional holiday. Chasing nothing more than the need for greed, NASCAR is moving the race to California in 2004. Oh, there will be a Southern 500 at Darlington next year, run in the dying days of autumn. NASCAR will not be satisfied until all the roots tracks are eliminated and moved to Texas, Kansas or Kentucky. Goodbye North Wilkesboro, Rockingham, Darlington and Martinsville. It's a shame that big money has made NASCAR a big muddy.
College football has cranked up its season. Miami, Florida ran roughshod over Louisiana Tech last light, while ACC schools Georgia Tech and Maryland were upset. Seems the college season starts earlier and earlier each year now. I guess it has to with some schools playing 12 game seasons. Pro football is winding down the pre-season and will be invading the tube on Sunday afternoons. Can't wait.
Prosecutors in the sexual assualt trial of Kobe Bryant will not appeal an order releasing some of the documents in the case. They say that release of this information will for impede Bryant receiving a fair trial. With all the negative ink coming out of the world of sports right now, I hoping this trial comes and goes as quietly as possible. Have a great holiday weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:24 AM by logoshak
Have to start out with Nascar. Saturday night at Bristol, Tennessee fight victim Kurt Busch banged his way to the front to claim victory. Who does he think he is, Dale Earnhardt? Busch was roundly booed by the capacity crowd and he later promised to become a changed man. He will have to be or get a good doctor to follow him around. On to Formula One, Renault driver Fernando Alonso became the youngest winner ever on the F1 ciruit and the first Spaniard to take a race. After Sunday's race in Hungary, there is 2 points seperating the top 3 drivers. F1 officials have to be smiling as the new rules this year seem to be making the competition closer.
It looks like the wild card race between Oakland and the Red Sox is what is garnering the most interest as the Major League Baseball season winds down. The Yankees seem to have enough offense to overcome their mediocre pitching. This is shaping up as a first class playoff run and World Series. The early favorite has to be the Atlanta Braves, who have played great baseball.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:40 AM by logoshak
Well, they had a fight at Michigan Speedway Sunday and a race broke out. Mr. Excitement aka Jimmy Spenser took exception to the brand of racing that Kurt Busch practices. After the race Jimmy tapped the Rubbermaid car and out a few straight right into Busch's nose. For his effort, Spenser was suspended for the Bristol race this week and fined $25,000. Both drivers were placed on probation until the end of the year. I gripe about NASCAR and its safety record, maybe Mike Helton needs to call Everlast and order headgear and some gloves.
The Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors completed an epic nine player trade yesterday that basically sent Antawn Jamison to the Mavs and sent Nick Van Exel to the Warriors. The Mavericks continue to bulk up the team, as they believe this is the way to compete with the Spurs and Lakers. The Warriors beef up their backcourt with the deal.
Rumors persist that Major League Baseball and commissoner Bud Selig will reinstate Pete Rose after the post season. Its about time. Pete, hopefully has learned his lessons and has gone on past his post-playing wild oats days. A lot of people looked up to Charlie Hustle, during his career, including myself and hope he can return as a role model and credit to the game.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:29 AM by logoshak
The NFL preseason is in full swing. It's like a preview of coming attractions. The only thing really worth watching is the border line players fighting for that last roster spot. Caught the Carolina Panthers-New York Giants game last night. The Panthers look to have improved with their off season wheeling and dealing. The Giants seem to be having trouble getting their play book figured out. By Labor Day weekend things should be falling into place.
As a long time Atlanta Falcons fan, I wasn't too thrilled with the new logo the team came up with. I withheld judgement until I got to see the new logo in action. It still sucks! The old Falcons logo was a classic and didn't need to be changed. A simple change back to the red helmet would have corrected the problem caused by the Jerry Glanville fiasco. I'll keep trying to like it.
Tiger Woods bogeyed two of the three final holes at Oak Hill in Rochester, NY to fall nine shots back in the PGA championship. Is Tiger in a slump or are the demands of being Tiger Woods finally catching up with his golf game? Golf is a fickle sport and if you are not on the top of your game, it will bring you down. Tiger has the option now of waiting until next year. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:06 AM by logoshak
Well, the drivers are speaking out about the NASCAR method of providing safety crews at their races. Some drivers are even stating that they will pay for a permanent safety crew out of their own pockets. It would be sad if NASCAR had to spend some their billions of TV rights money on safety. Even the driver escape hatch that NASCAR is bragging about as a better way to remove injured drivers from their cars after accidents is getting criticism from the drivers. Many say that they will not run in cars equiped with it. Meanwhile, the softwalls installation is going at an extremely slow pace. Is NASCAR waiting for another driver to be killed before they pick up the pace of installation?
The last golfing major of the year begins today at Oak Hill in Rochester,NY. Will there be another first time majors winner? It is Tiger Woods last chance to extend his streak of winning at least one major every year to 5. This is a tough course and that could provide for a wide open field.
Mike Tyson, who recenty files for bankruptcy has put off the beginning of his civil case against promotor Don King. Tyson is suing King for $100 million. That would refill the Tyson coffers quite nicely, but won't bring back his vanished boxing skills.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:31 AM by logoshak
NASCAR's safety policies again came in to view at the race at Watkin's Glen. NASCAR employs local medical and safety personnel at each venue. Ryan Newman was involved in a crash during a Friday practice. He claims that it took track personnel 10 minutes to reach him. On the last turn of Sunday's race, Jeff Gordon suffered a spin out and hit the guard rail. He said that traffic was so bad, that the ambulance couldn't reach the infield care facility in a timely manner. NASCAR needs to consider a permanent safety and medical team to travel to all venues and they need to do it now.
Congratulations to Duke University golfer Virada Nirapathpongporn who won the US Women's Amateur in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. She said it was a bigger thrill than winning the 2002 NCAA title. Congratulations and continued success in your academic and golfing career.
Atlanta Braves' shortstop Rafeal Furcal pulled off only the 12th unassisted triple play in history yesterday in the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 win over the Braves. Furcal said it happened so fast, he didn't relized he had gotten 3 outs. One of the rarest accomplishments in sports, which really means being in the right place at the right time.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:39 AM by logoshak
I hate to start this blog off with a negative, but shouldn't New York Giants tight end Jeromy Shockey seek employment with the World Wrestliing group. That's where his smart, uneducated mouth belongs. First he spouts off about Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells and then he makes a ass of himself on the Howard Stern show. Of course that's the barnyard there, Shockey should be right at home. This drip makes these comments and then doesn't have the guts to admit he had made them. This guy doesn't belong in the NFL, maybe drying Pontiac bumpers at the carwash.
Baylor University head basketball coach Dave Bliss resigned Friday, assuming resposibility for the problems with the Bears basketball program. Baylor president Robert Sloan also announced the athletic director Tom Stanton was leaving the school. This continues a disturbing trend in the NCAA. Coaches gambling, drinking with students, visiting strip clubs and now this mess at Baylor. The NCAA better take some of their billions in TV money and crank up the enforcement of these schools. The cat will never be able to guard the milk.
Chevrolet will introduce their Generation IV engine this weekend at the CART race at Mid-Ohio. This should provide an answer to whether GM can produce an engine as fast as a Honda or Toyota. Stay tuned and have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:44 AM by logoshak
The Kobe Bryant sexual assault circus begins today in Colorado. I certainly don't believe that this case deserves the media attention that it is receiving. This is a serious crime and should be treated as such. Bryant seems to be even relishing in the attention. I wonder if Kobe was a releative nobody, would he still have alledgedly have commited this crime? Of course not, but I believe he felt that his millions of dollars would buy him out of any mess he got caught in. The victim in this case will be the young woman regardless the verdit of the trial.
I know that baseball season is getting into the interesting part of the season, but I'm getting football fever. The NFL has started the pre-season and college football practice starts this week. Fall is the best season of the year anyway, what with falling leaves and pigskins flying in the air. Cant' wait for the kickoff of the season.
Tough times for the US teams at the Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo. The men's basketball team lost 92-80 to Brazil in the semi-final game. The US hasn't won a Pan Am gold medal since 1983. The baseball team was beaten but the US foil team beat Cuba becoming the first team to knock off the Cubans in 34 years. The Pan Am Games roll on with the US leading in the medal count.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:50 AM by logoshak
Annika Sorenstam's dream year just keeps on rolling along. She added the Women's British Open title to her list of career acomplishments yesterday and completed a career Grand Slam. In May she became the first women in 58 years to play on the PGA Tour. Annika says that her next goal is to win a calendar year slam.
NASCAR put on a pretty good show at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Brickyard 400 had its share of spins and crashes, but everyone walked away. Don't know if the soft walls technology used at Indy had any effect on the lack of injuries. Another great crowd to watch the stockers. Perhaps the only disapointment was the lack of a close finish.
What took so long for Hank Stram to make the Hall of Fame. The powers that be waited until Hank was 80 years old and in bad health to rightfully put him in the Hall. Stram's career began in the infancy of the American Football League and he made the Kansas City Chiefs a powerhouse. Len Dawson introduced his former coach for induction and said "I wear a Super Bowl ring on one hand and a Hall of Fame ring on the other and I owe it to Hank Stram". It was about time.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:37 AM by logoshak
Evidently the brain trusts of the major league contenders feel that piching is the way to the World Series crown. The Yankees, after bolstering their bullpen, aquired Aaron Boone from the Reds, then shipped Robin Ventura to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Boston Red Sox added pitcher Jeff Suppan while the San Francisco Giants obtained Sidney Ponson. The dog days of summer should produce some great baseball and make the wait for football season a little easier.
Well it's good to see at least one legal proceeding not entirely influenced by big money. The judge in the Kobe Bryant sexual assualt case ruled that Bryant must appear in a Colorado courtroom next week for an initial appearance. Kobe should be like anyone else in this situation and face the music.
This weekend NASCAR visits the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400. Many would say that this race has surpassed the Daytona 500 as the biggest and most important on the circuit. With a crowd of 400,000+ fans and the media coverage, they may be right. Jeff Gordon who has a so-so year will be gunning for his 4th Brickyard trophy. Have a great weekend.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:08 AM by logoshak
Have you gone to see Seabiscuit yet? I guess you could say this is the sports related film of the summer. It's a darn good one at that. Perhaps what sets it apart is that it is based on true occurences. Perhaps more amazing is that it seems to have reignited interest in the sport of horse racing. The National Throughbred Racing Association in Lexington, Kentucky says while not all people who see the movie will not go to see a horse race in person, some will. That might be enough to spark interest in a sport that has been on the decline. Let's hope that the movie does this, then it will be a hit regardless.
That stalwart of safety improvements, NASCAR, yes NASCAR, is announcing several new regulation changes to the cars. The stock car sanctioning body has mandated that a fuel cell fire extinguisher be installed by August 13. NASCAR has also announced that a driver escape hatch on the roof of the cars may be coming soon. With the announced installation of a soft walls technology at several tracks, NASCAR may be finally getting off their cans and making safety a top priority.
The Pan American Games are set to begin tomorrow in the Dominican Republic. Many venues may not be ready in time. The track surface has not been certified. One must wonder why one of the Caribbean's poorest nations was chosen to host this event.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:37 AM by logoshak
Lance Armstrong may not be able to slam dunk a basketball or jack a baseball out 500 feet, but he can ride the hell out of a cycle. Lance picked up his fifth Tour de France in a row yesterday and promises to come back for a sixth next summer. How many pro athletes come back from cancer and then excel at such a grueling sport? Hats off to Lance and wear the yellow jersey proudly.
A sad and strange chapter in college sports has ended with the possible identification of Baylor University basketball player Brian Dennehy. His body was identified by an autopsy in Waco, Texas. Law enforcement officials are continuing to search the area where the body was found. Dennehy's teammate has been charged in the murder. Was this a case of two unstable personalities colliding at the same point in time? We may never know.
Tom Watson won the Senior British Open Sunday in a sudden death playoff at Turnberry, Scotland. Watson continues a sold streak of solid golf dating back to the US Open. Watson's long time caddie, Bruce Edwards was unable to make the trip due to illness, but Tom said he was with him in spirit. Congratulations on a great win,
Some price guides have been updated at allsportsguides.com. Check them out and drop us a line.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 2:30 PM by logoshak
Was watching the HBO series Real Sports this week and saw the segment on racer Alex Zanardi. What a story of courage and determination in the face of personal disaster. Zanardi lost both legs during a CART race in Europe when his car was hit broadside while exiting the pits. Not only has he recovered from horrific wounds, he has raced again in a specially prepared car. He walks, swims, drives a car and seems not only grateful, but thrilled to be alive. Hey Alex, looking forward to see on the track again, you are an inspiration.
After today's leg of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong holds a 65 second lead going into the final two legs of the event this weekend. It will probably boil down to the time trial tomorrow between Armstrong and runnerup Jan Ullrich. Of course the usually ceremonial final leg could turn into a dash for the title.
From the pinnacle of humanity to the basement. The radio slime that revealed the name of Kobe Bryant's accuser, is the lowest of the cruds who used this act to gain the spotlight for himself and his radio show. Privacy is the reason many women come forward to report these crimes and by exposing her, he allows sexual crimes against women to go unreported and unpunished.
If your have a comment, opinion and anything else, use the link below to go to our website and click the email link at the bottom of the page. Would like to hear from you. Have a great weekend.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:43 AM by logoshak
Finally back from a trip down south. Was able to catch a few minor league baseball games. The Bowl Championship Series has axed a football playoff, at least for the forseeable future. Which mean the process to determine a national championship in football will be among a relatively small pool of schools. As everything else in sports today, this decision was about money and not the student-athlete's well being as the offical BCS line would have you believe. Of course this continues to make the BCS a crock.
Lance Armstrong made a gutsy ride yesterday in the Tour de France. After a fall and another near miss, Lance went into rally mode and won the 15th leg of the race. Armstrong will now have a one minute + lead over rival Jan Ullrich heading into the last five legs of the Tour.
A post script on the recent MLB All Star Game. It must be argued that whatever changes were made to the format worked. What a great game. It had pitching, hitting and drama. What else could a baseball fan ask for. Let's hope that this is a trend and the All Star game is a highlight of the baseball season every year.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 5:17 PM by logoshak
The NASCAR show rolled into Chicago this weekend. Again the story was safety or in NASCAR's case the lack of it. Again the lack of softwalls technology and a ragtag assortment of safety personnel demonstrated that NASCAR doesn't appear to have a clue, where driver safety is involved. Larry Foyt slammed the wall and there must have been at least a full minute before anyone came to his aid. Bobby Labonte slammed into the concrete and ruptured his fuel cell. The firemen on the scene acted as though they had never seen a fire before. The fans should demand of NASACR to install soft walls at all tracks and that a full time safety crew be equipped and trained to attend to on track issues. NASCAR and the track owners should spend some of their billions on the safety of the drivers.
Four time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong assumed the yellow jacket yesterday as the tour continues through the mountainous portions of the route. Armstrong needs to build a lead on his nearest rivals here, before the last week leading to Paris.
Add another NBA player who can't seem to behave himself. Jerry Stackhouse was in Atlantic Beach, NC when he got into a physical confrontation with a real estate agent he rented a beach house from. Stackhouse was charged with assault.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 2:41 PM by logoshak
The Mailman is going to be delivering to the Shaq. Karl Malone has committed to signing a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. This gives the Lakers a competent backup to Shaquille O'Neal should his aches and pains flair up again next season. The Lakers have also added free agent Gary Payton to their mix. Provided that Kobe Bryant works through his problems, the Lakers should challenge the Mavs and Spurs next year in the West.
I wasn't going to comment on the Sausagegate incident in Milwaukee, but it is so silly, I have to put in my two cents worth. Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Randall Simon took a good natured swipe at a 19 year old Brewer intern dressed as a bratwurst as she ran by the Pirates dugout. The top heavy suit caused her to topple over along with one of her fellow sausages. As always the media has to blow the thing out of proportion. The only thing that would have made this even funnier, was if the Pirate who took the swing was named Oscar Meyer. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:23 AM by logoshak
When all things are said and done, is cyclist Lance Armstrong the best athlete in the world right now? Sure there are faster, stronger, maybe even smarter performers out there. But for sheer guts and determination, no one can match Armstrong. After the US Postal Service team easily won a time trial yesterday, Armstrong moved from 12th to 2nd, one second behind his teammate Viatcheslav Ekimov. With the mountainous Alps portion of the tour coming up, Armstrong could be weraing his fifth yellow jersey in Paris later this month.
Dusty Baker has been burned at the stake for remarks he made recently concerning blacks and hispanics. Dusty made the observation that dark skinned athletes are better suited to withstand the heat of summer, than light skinned individuals. Instantly the media plays the race card into this and Dusty somehow becomes a racist. I am light skinned and suffered many severe sunburns through the years. Does that make me less able to withstand the heat, probably. Does it make me a racist. No.
Baker, was probably stating his opinion. nothing else. Can't a man speak his mind in this country, without the media putting a malicious slant on it. Heck, let's just play baseball!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:57 AM by logoshak
Has Major League Baseball succeeded in updating the All Star Game. I would have to wonder. First, by letting the winning league have home field advantage in the World Series, does MLB do more harm than good? Then the selection process. How can you not let rookie pitcher Dontrelle Willis make the squad? He has a majors leading ERA of 2.13. The Florida Marlins starter has had a terrific first season so far. Then there is the voting system. Fans can flood their votes via the internet up to 25 times each. Then the interent voting determines one All-Star out of a final list of ten. Give me the old way of doing things, and call me an old school traditionalist.
The US Women's Open golf tournament turned in to a great show yesterday. Hilary Lunke sank a birdie putt on the 18th hole to win a playoff against Angela Stanford and Kelly Robbins. This continues the great year the LPGA is enjoying. Whether this will tranlates in increased sponsorship dollars and bigger purses remain to be seen.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:30 AM by logoshak
Kobe, did you send her flowers? Word out of Colorado today is that Los Angeles Lakers' star Kobe Bryant was arrested this weekend on a felony count of sexual assault. Let's remember that Bryant hasn't been charged with anything yet. Still this is troubling. A player who has up to this point has been a model player, this incident can't help but tarnish his reputation. Hopefully this will prove to be a misunderstanding between Kobe and the individual involved.
NASCAR put on a good show Saturday night in Daytona. A new face, rookie Greg Biffle, took the checkered flag in a gas mileage play. Still there were lead changes and that is unusual for a restrictor plate race. News this morning is that NASCAR will test their proposed escape hatch at the University of Nebraska. I think it is more an improvement to be able to get an injured driver out of the car after a crash. NASCAR has also implied that they will be installing the soft walls at additional tracks. If NASCAR isn't careful, it may become known for safety innovations. WOW!
Way to go Martina! The 46 year old Navratilova won her 20th Wimbledon championship this weekend. She became the oldest woman to win a title. Knowing Martina's grit, she will be back next year to gun for number 21.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:56 AM by logoshak
Everyone have a great Fourth of July weekend. Please remember our men and women in uniform who make our freedoms possible.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:05 AM by logoshak
So I was wrong. The University of Miami, Florida happily accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference Monday. They join fellow new recruit Virginia Tech to form an eleven member ACC starting in 2004-05. It is possible another school may be added by the time 2004 rolls around. The new ACC will be a lot tougher in football and probably a better all round basketball league. The loser may be the Duke Blue Devils, whose football program has struggled the past two decades and it looks like it will have an even tougher time competing against the likes of the Canes and Hokies.
Finally! Richmond International Speedway is installing the SAFER barriers to portions of the 3/4 mile track. This is the same soft wall used at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, although it has been adapted for the shorter track. It was unclear if NASCAR madated the installation or it was done solely by the track's owner, International Speedway Corporation. NASCAR should get the ball rolling and have this system installed at New Hamphire, Homestead and other problem tracks. In fact all Winston/Nextel Cup tracks should have softer walls technology in place.
Vancouver, Canada has landed the 2010 Winter Olympic games. This is a beautiful region and they should put on a terrific event. This may hurt New York City's chances of landing the 2012 Summer Games. The IOC may be reluctant to award two straight Games to a North American city.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:21 AM by logoshak
Today is the day, when the Atlantic Coast Conference finds out if a month of courting Miami, Florida pays off and the Hurricanes agree to join the conference. I just get the feeling if Miami was going to jump, they would have already done so. I believe last minute incentives will keep the Canes in the Big East. I could be wrong, but that is my gut feeling.
Michael Jordan just can't seem to find his place in his post playing days. His Airness tried to work a deal to buy the Milwaukee Bucks. Suddenly owner Herb Kohl decides to hold on to the franchise. Maybe Jordan will look to buying into the new Charlotte Bobcats franchise. Don't know if Bobcats owner Robert Johnson personality will mesh with that of Jordan.
The Arizona Diamondbacks with 9 players on the DL, continue to win. Their 5-3 win over the Detroit Tigers yesterday gave them a franchise best 11 game winning streak. Great play from rookies have saved the team while it waits for veterans to return to the lineup. Blunt testimony to the strength of the organization. Look for the D-Backs to dominate down the stretch if they ever get healthy.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:28 AM by logoshak
So you take a girl out, you wine and dine her, take her to a movie and you do this for a month. Finally you pop the big question to her and she says, give me a few days to think about it. I might go back to my old boyfriend. This is what's happening to the Atlantic Coast Conference. After offering Miami, Florida the moon, the Hurricanes suddenly say, let us think about it. The ACC offers a school, it really didn't want, Virginia Tech an invite to join and now the big plum has second thoughts. If Miami turns down the ACC, the conference will be left with a 10 team league, possibly weaker and poorer after a month of expansion fever. ACC commissioner John Swofford could either be the goat or the hero in this deal.
So, the 2003 NBA draft is history. To no one's surprise LeBron James was the #1 pick. He certainly has a lot pressure on him to live up to the hype next year. It's sad how the NBA has no interest anymore in seeing an individual getting an education. Will we see in the future, the NBA setting up camps for kids to drop out of school so that they can train to enter the NBA out of grade school? Not as far fetched as you might think. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 3:31 PM by logoshak
The New York Yankees have a long legacy of players who have written tell all books or were just loose cannons. Now that David Wells has written a revealing book, the Yankees make threats that they will fine him. Fine him for free speech? Wells has always told it like it was, a trait he can get away with because he was one hellava pitcher. As far as a writer though, he is no Jim Bouton.
America's toughest sporting event has begun in Fairbanks, Alaska. The 31st Iditarod is an 1100 mile torture test for man and dogs. the trail this year is longer and further north. No one knows how this will affect the sled teams. I'm just glad that I'm watching it inside.
The best time of the year is here. Baseball spring training is getting in gear, March madness is only a few weeks away, NHL and NBA teams are jockeying for playoff positions and its getting warm enough to hit the local golf course. Spring is finally getting here, goodbye icestorms and power outages!

Posted 11:23 AM by logoshak
Canes and Hokies. That's what the ACC hopes to add to it lineup come 2004. The conference voted 7-2 last night to invite Miami, Florida and Virginia Tech into the fold. It has to be assumed that Duke and North Carolina voted against expansion and Virgina, swayed by the addition of Virginia Tech, voted yes. Virginia had been against expansion without Virginia Tech. This is all conditional as there are lawsuits still outstanding. This will make the ACC a stronger football conference and pushes weak football schools such as Duke and Wake Forest further in to the non-compete hole.
NASCAR announced that it is pleased with its tv ratings on Fox. Basically, the ratings have been the same the last two years. NASCAR says that is acceptable. The racing circuit continues to remain silent on any major advances in driver safety. The softwall technology the circuit is supposedly testing is buried someplace in Nebraska. The idea of having a permanent safety crew traveling from track to track evidently was swept under NASCAR's rug. I believe there will be safety improvements when NASCAR finds a way to do it without spending one cent of their precious money. Greed is the real driving force at NASCAR.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:31 AM by logoshak
As the ACC turns, that daily soap opera involving the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East Wannabes that want to join that conference. Seems unlikely now that the ACC will expand to 13 teams. Rutgers athletic director, Robert Mulchahy feels that he can live with just Miami, Florida joining the ACC. This is beginning to look like the likely solution to the expansion dilemma. The ACC will invite the Hurricanes into the fold and look to add two more schools in a year or two. Of course expansion may be totally dropped and we will have the same ACC despite all the time and money put into expansion.
Imagine you are a professional franchise general manager and you trade two former 1st round draft picks for an experienced veteran. Only to find out later that the guy you traded for had already signed with another team. Thats what Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford did Saturday during the NHL draft. He traded former first rounders David Tanabe and Igor Knyazev to the Phoenix Coyotes for defenseman Danny Markov. Markov had signed a deal with a Russian club. Rutherford still has until July 1st to sign Markov before his NHL contract expires.
Congraulations to the Rice Owls on defeating Stanford to win the College baseball World Series. It is the Owls first national championship in any sport. Rice opened for business in 1912.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:18 AM by logoshak
The Tampa Bay Storm defeated the Arizona Rattlers in Arena Bowl XXVII 43-29 Sunday to win their fifth Arena title. Tampa becomes the first city to win both the Super Bowl and Arena Bowl in the same year. The Arena League has to consider this year a success. With the help of the NBC television contract, attendance increased 15 percent league wide. The AF2 feeder league continues to enjoy modest success. It can be debated that spring-summer football can be a winner, even if it's played indoors.
I wouldn't have thought that a big, clumsy Russian and an overweight, out of shape heavyweight champion would put on one of the best fights that I have seen in a long time. But Vitali Klitschko and Lennox Lewis pounded away at each other for six super rounds of fighting until the ringside doctor stopped the fight because of cuts around Klitschko's left eye. Ringside judges had the Russian ahead on all three cards. The fans in Los Angeles's Staple Center will remember the in you face determination of Klitchko for a long time and sadly may have witnessed the downside of Lewis's boxing career.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 5:34 PM by logoshak
Just a quick note this Saturday afternoon. The Atlantic Coast Conference failed this morning to vote on expansion. It is reported that the ACC presidents now has three choices in front of them involving either a 10 school or 13 member conference. This isn't likely to sort itself out until late next week.
Speaking of the ACC, former Duke basketball player and Chicago Bulls guard Jay Williams may have suffered career ending injuries after a crash on his new motorcycle. Some optimistic sources claim he will only miss next season. Regardless, here's hoping this classy guy has a full and quick recovery.
Nextel has signed on to be the new title sponser of NASCAR. The telecommunications company reportedly offered a 10 year, $700 million commitment. Wonder how much of that dough will be used to improve driver and track safety? Only time will tell. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:19 AM by logoshak
Sammy Sosa is set to return from his 7 game suspension for using a corked bat. Sammy is again asking fans to forgive and forget and that he is human like anyone else. I for one think that Sammy deserves a secord chance and that his credibility be spared. Of course if another bat comes up sour, that would be another story.
Even in today's crazy world of professional athletes salaries, the story yesterday that Manchester United had sold star David Beckham to Real Madrid for a mind blowing $41 million was unbelievable. Of course you have to realize that soccer in Europe is incredibly popular unlike the pro game in the States. Still, this is a huge amount of cash for one player.
The San Antonio Spurs-New Jersey Nets NBA Finals were fun to watch. Trouble is not many people did, on the tube. Ratings were terrible , the lowest since Nielsen began keeping ratings 27 years ago. This year's series averaged a 6.5 share, compared to the Lakers-Nets series last year that managed a 10.2 rating. The NBA should realize watching basketball in the middle of June, isn't the greatest way to spend a summer night.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:22 AM by logoshak
And then there was one. My sources say that the Atlantic Coast Conference will vote Wednesday morning to expand with Miami, Florida only. The feeling is that adding just the Hurricanes will gain favor with the ACC schools and that further expansion could be considered in 2005. Reportedly, the Big East conference would add Louisville of Conference USA to replace Miami. Adding one school would give the ACC 10 members. They would have to ask the NCAA to waive their 12 school requirement for a football championship playoff.
The National Hockey League holds its draft Saturday and Sunday in Nashville. You had better have a translator attached to your notebook PC. There is a ton of eastern European talent to be considered. Seems that the shift of new prospects is to Europe and away from Canada, a traditional source of new hockey blood. The Florida Panthers have first pick in the draft.
NASCAR continues to pursue money in its neverending quest to pad the France family and track owner,s pockets. Now they are throwing the very traditions of the sport out the window in favor of mo' money. The Southern 500 at Darlington, SC will be moved from its historic Labor Day weekend slot and moved to California. North Carolina Motor Speedway will lose its fall date. Of course NASCAR will continue to use it's cheap hard walls technology at all three tracks. Yes, these are definately concrete plans.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:06 AM by logoshak
The 2003 United States Open golf tournament is history now and will go down as one of the most memorable in recent years. Jim Furyk flirted with a record sub par total to win the 103rd edition of the Open. Tiger Woods proved again that he can be a mere mortal on a golf course. But the moment that surely will be remembered is that of Tom Watson and his caddy Bruce Edwards. Edwards who is battling Lou Gehrigs disease, walked the entire four rounds at Olympia Fields and no doubt provided inspiration that we will carry with us for many years.
The San Antonio Spurs brought home the brass ring Sunday night as they came from behind to knock off the New Jersey Nets 88-77 and their second NBA title. This one was the real deal, as their title in 1999 was after a lockout shortened 50 game season. Series MVP Tim Duncan and Spurs proved you don't have to be a gang of junk talking gangstas to win and excel in the NBA. Classy David Robinson goes out a champion, what more could you ask for.
NASCAR showed off its new hard wall and soft wall technology Saturday. The test dummy was Brett Bodine. His Taurus slammed the Hard(concrete) wall and then the new Michigan soft wall(stacked tires). He survived with a concussion and broken collarbone. The Michigan tire wall was reportedly developed at NASCAR new recap facility. NASCAR continues to be a very bad joke with its concerns for safety. By the way, Kurt Busch won the race on Sunday.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:50 AM by logoshak
The Tiger's roar was dampened by the old master Thursday at the US Open. While Tiger Woods struggled to come home with an even par 70, veteran Tom Watson shot a masterful 65, good for a share of the first round lead. Watson had to be the sentimental favorite of the crowd, as his caddy, Bruce Edwards assisted Tom on this day. Edwards was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease earlier this year and it had to be an uplifting moment for him as well. It would be great to see Tom pull off three more rounds like the one he shot yesterday.
It is beginning to look more and more like the proposed Atlantic Coast Conference expansion won't come off. Increasing objections by Duke, North Carolina and the state of Virginia Attorney General seems to indicate that at the least some major changes will have to be made before Miami,Florida, Syracuse and Boston College leave the Big East for the ACC. Wonder if anyone has considered a merger of equals between the ACC and The Big East that would form a super conference? This might have made too much sense to work.
The National Hockey League handed out some post season hardware yesterday. Colorado's Peter Forsberg grabbed the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP. Forsberg certainly deserves this honor. Not surprisingly, The New Jersey Devil's Martin Brodeur took the Vezina Trophy as outstanding goaltender. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:57 AM by logoshak
Boozing, partying, visting the strip clubs, gambling...sound like what a drug crazed pro athlete might do? No, that's what a handful of NCAA Division One college coaches have done to lose their jobs within the past year. The latest victim of bad judgement is University of Washington head football coach Rick Neuheisel. He simply bet $5000 on a NCAA basketball tournament pool. Only problem, their is a NCAA rule against all gambling. When will these coaches and student-athletes realize, they are role models, whether they want to be or not. Sure, no one is perfect, but no one should be so dumb!
Well the last time this happened, Ike was in the White House. 45 years ago, the New York Yankees were no-hit by Baltimore's Hoyt Wilhelm. The Yanks had gone 6980 games with out facing a no-hitter before the Houston Astros pulled the trick last night in a 8-0 whitewash job. It took six Astros pitchers to deny the Yankees a hit. I sure George Steinbrenner is a bit miffed about this.
In an event created for television, Formula One's Juan Pablo Montoya and NASCAR's Jeff Gordon switched cars yesterday in an exhibition run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was interesting to see how the two drivers did in strange racecars. Meanwhile, the rumor is NEXTEL will replace Winston cigarettes as NASCAR's title sponsor. I thought A1 Concrete would, as they supply the basic ingredient for NASCAR's hard wall technology.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:36 AM by logoshak
Give the Devils their due and call em' home bodies too. The New Jersey Devils brought the Stanley Cup back to the swampland with a 3-0 shutout of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and a 4-3 series advantage. The Devils sweep all 4 games at the Meadowlands and were an amazing 12-1 at home through the playoffs. Some classless Devils fans booed Jean-Sebastien Giguere, when the Ducks goalie was given the Conn Smythe award as the playoffs MVP. The Cup will now literally go on a worldwide tour, as each Devils player will have the Cup for a few days.
North Carolina and Duke officials are expressing concerns about the proposed Atlantic Coast Conference expansion, that would bring Miami,Florida, Syracuse and Boston College into the ACC. UNC and Duke officials think little thought has gone into new divisional lineups and the travel and logistical problems brought on by the new footprint created by the additonal schools. There still may be a vote on the expansion this week, although it looks like it may be towards the end of June.
The Women's World Cup soccer tournament, chased from China by the SARS epidemic, will be played at several US locales before the finals are played at a new stadium in Los Angeles in October. This should generate additional interest with the Women's Cup action back in the US again.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 1:57 PM by logoshak
NASCAR continued to display their tried and true hard walls technology Sunday. That's a two foot thick wall of solid concrete. Driver Ken Schrader tested the hard wall system at Pocono Speedway and escaped with his life and a demolished race car. Why should NASCAR spend some of their billions to employ a ready to install system when they could care less about the drivers safety. They feel drivers are a dime a dozen asset, so let em' pop the concrete and put on a dangerous show. Glad to see Fox broadcasters call for the soft walls. Maybe if enough fans speak out, something can be done.
Annika Soremstam rebounded from the media circus she faces at the PGA's Colonial to win the LPGA. She showed coolness under fire to defeat Grace Park in the first hole of sudden death. She has really provided a boost to the ladies tour. Way to go Annika, hope there are more trophies in your future.
Speaking of sports that have received a boost. Funny Cide might have failed in a bid for the Triple Crown, but the New York bred gelding has provided a needed injection of public relations for the sport of horse racing. Hope to see Funny Cide run again later this year.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:59 AM by logoshak
Lost in the clamor of Sammygate, the NBA and NHL playoffs is a sporting event happening this weekend that will only last a few minutes. The last time the Triple Crown was won was in 1977. Yes, Funny Cide runs for the Triple Crown at Belmont. A lot of horses have run for the Crown the last few years, but none have been able to pull it off. This is the greatest thing that the king of sports could ask for. Horse racing had taken a bad rap recenty from PETA types who believe it to be inhumane. The buildup of publicity should help bring needed attention to this noble sport.
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim managed to increase their offensive punch Thursday night, unfornately so did the New Jersey Devils, as the Devils cruised to a 6-3 win and a commanding 3-2 advantage in their Stanley Cup Final series. The series heads back to the Pond this weekend and the Ducks are in a sudden death situation. The San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets continue their series tonight with the Spurs ahead 1-0.
The X-Ray machine and the cat scan equipment has been turned off. The patient received a clean bill of health. Are we talking about a ballplayer in a hospital ward? No, we are talking about Sammy Sosa's bats in the Hall of Fame. Everything appears clean and we have to give Sammy the benefit of the doubt. Let's hope baseball does. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:18 AM by logoshak
Is Sammy Sosa's career suddenly tainted from the corked bat he was caught using? Maybe if he bet on baseball and denied it, that would cast a dark shadow on his career. However, Sammy came forth and admitted he had made a mistake. He didn't blame it on someone else. He put the blame squarely on his own shoulders. Major League Baseball tested the other 75 odd bats that Sammy had at the ballpark and they all checked out okay. I got to go with Sammy on this one. You might find it hard to figure, but this incident might enhance Sammy's integrity in my book. Maybe Pete Rose can take note of this in his future dealings with baseball and its fans.
Tim Duncan put in one of the great games in the history of the NBA Finals last night as the San Antonio Spurs clipped the New Jersey Nets 101-89. Duncan scored 32 points, snared 20 rebounds, had 7 blocked shots and had 3 steals. The Spurs defense rattled the Nets all night and Jason Kidd managed only 10 points
A national coalition of college professors has asked the presidents of the Atlantic Coast Conference univerisities to reconsider the planned league expansion. The coalition said that the expansion would hurt efforts to curb the "arms race" in collegiate athletics.They said this only helps fuel the gap between college academics and college athletics. I tend to agree, as the mega schools dominate the smaller ones for money and exposure. Will the average student pick a school because of its law school or the success of its football program?

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:56 AM by logoshak
Sammy, Sammy, Sammy say it ain't so. During a game with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last night, Chicago Cubs' Sammy Sosa broke his bat on a routine grounder. The bat clearly was full of cork. Sammy said this is a bat he uses for batting practice and he used it accidently. Sammy, why was this bat even in the ball park? It may have been an innocent mistake, but now you have cast a pall over all those homers, not to mention your reputation. This is going to be a tough one to overcome.
Derek Jeter was named the 11th captain in the history of the New York Yankees. The Yanks haven't had a captain since Don Mattingly retired after the 1995 season. I hope this lights a fire underneath the Bronx outfit. The Yankees seem to have lost their direction and spark at times this year.Derek's attitude may rub off on his teammates and the Yankees will snap out of their doldrums.
The New Jersey Nets and San Antonio Spurs begin their NBA Finals tonight. One thing is assured. That a former ABA franchise will win the NBA championship. Would be great to see the red, white and blue out there with bell bottom warm up pants.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 12:08 PM by logoshak
Hey, you can talk about Indianapolis, Daytona, Lemans, Sebring, it doesn't matter. Monaco has to be the greatest race in the world. Where else can you watch a race with beautiful topless girls sunning themselves on incredibly expensive yachts looking onto the race course? Oh, the racecars are without doubt the most technologically advanced in the world. Let's see how long one of those NASCAR rigs holds up turning 18,000 rpms.
The NBA coaches merry-go-round continues to spin. The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to name Paul Silas as their new coach. Silas most recenty coached the New Orleans/Charlotte Hornets and is well respected in the NBA community. Earlier journeyman Larry Brown was named to the head post in Detroit.
Annika Sorenstam returned from the PGA circuit to win this week's LPGA event by three strokes. She has to be thankful she is popping the driver off the ladies tees again. Her behavior the past few weeks has to be a boost to the image of professional golf, male or female versions.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:54 AM by logoshak
What's a five letter word that rhymes with need and is the driving force behind big time college athletics? You got it, GREED. The Big East Conference has made a $9 million a year offer to Miami, Florida to keep the Hurricanes. Fine and dandy I guess, but what do the other conference schools get, natta? Wonder how $9 million would do for facilty and facilities? Doesn't make much sense. Is college sports determined to self destruct?
The San Antonio Spurs went up to Dallas and advanced to the NBA Finals. Veteran Steve Kerr lead the Spurs to a clinching 90-78 win. I will now make my prediction that the New Jersey Nets will win it in 6 games. Should be a great series.
Anyone catch yesterday's news conference in Philadelphia, where Tug McGraw answered questions about his fight with brain cancer? He seemed to be his upbeat self, throwing out one liners. He says that he will survive this disease and I for one Gotta Believe. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:48 AM by logoshak
Two great goaltenders made the sports pages yesterday. It was announced that Colorado Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy would put away the pads for good after 18 seasons. Roy owns a bushel of records and 4 Stanley Cup rings. His retirement signals the end of an era. New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur got his first career Cup Finals shutout as the Devils blanked Anaheim 3-0. The Devils have used a rock solid defense throughout the playoffs and limited the Ducks to 16 shots.
The San Antonio Spurs blew a chance to wrap up their Western Conference final series with Dallas last night. The Mavericks used a hot shooting hand in the fourth quarter to force the series back to the Big D. The Mavericks have a big heart and the series should close on an intense note.
The University of Miami, Florida is said to be close on a decision whether to jump from the Big East to the ACC. This move will have far reaching consequenses for all of college sports. It will definitely have a bearing on the tried and true ACC basketball tournament and East Coast football. One thing for sure, big money will have a say in this.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 12:16 PM by logoshak
Good news-NASCAR driver Jerry Nadeau was released from the Virginia Commonwealth University hospital and transferred to a rehabilitation center in Charlotte,NC. Doctors say that Jerry is making great progress toward recovery. It remains to be seen if Nadeau will be able to resume his driving career. Meanwhile, NASCAR continues to unduly put its drivers at risk because they either won't or can't improve external conditions at its tracks.
The New York Yankees continue on a slippery slope after a red hot start. Roger Clemens was routed yesterday by the Red Sox as he was trying to win career victory 300. The Yankees pitching staff is starting to feel its age and we aren't into June yet. How long will George Steinbrenner wait before he starts making some moves? I look for a trade for a starting picher and Joe Torre perhaps getting an early vacation.
On the move,again-Larry Brown stepped down as coach of the Philadelphia 76ers yesterday. I guess he got tired of the soap opera there in Philly. Will he try coaching one more time in the NBA or a college somewhere or will he lay back and relax? I believe he has a few good seasons left in him.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:02 AM by logoshak
Well, the big story over the weekend was the big auto races. Was it just me or was Indy just plain boring? Not much passing, kinda like watching a conga line for three hours. The IRL should look at ways to make the racing more competitive. That being said, congratulations to Gil de Ferran for a great win. Hope the milk tasted sweet. By the way did everyone see how well the "soft" walls worked at Indy? All the drivers hitting the wall walked away and there was no mess to clean up from stryrofoam crumbling. Why can't NASCAR spend the money and embrace this technology? The Coca Cola 600 was called after 414 laps due to rain. Perhaps the only one in Charlotte happy about this was Robbie Gordon, who drove at Indy and the 600. He had to be happy his long day was over.
The San Antonio Spurs moved to within one game of the NBA Finals with their 102-95 win over the Dallas Mavericks.The game got a bit nasty toward the end but the Spurs offense kept them in the ballgame till the end. It's beginning to look like a possible final involving former American Basketball Association franchises.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 12:52 PM by logoshak
Way to go Annika! LPGA star Annika Sorenstam hung in there with the big dogs to shoot a +1 at The Colonial outside Fort Worth yesterday. She proved in the process that she can play with the PGA players. Does this really settle anything in the grand scheme of things? Probably not, but it is a feel good story. Nothing like this since Billie Jean King humbled Bobby Riggs on the tennis court.
Good news- NASCAR drive Jerry Nadeau, critically injured in a practice crash at Richmond, has regained consciousness and is speaking. The family has keep a lid on the extent of Nadeau's injuries. It is unknown whether he will ever be able to drive a race car again. Meanwhile, NASCAR drags its heels on the soft walls technology and improving the driver's compartment in the race cars. They stay busy counting their money.
Big weekend for auto racing. The lndianapolis 500 runs early Sunday. It will mark Michael Andretti's last shot to win the big one as he retires after this race to become strickly a car owner. The Coca Cola 600 runs Sunday afternoon. Driver Robbie Gordon will attempt to run both events. Have a great Memorial Day weekend.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:08 AM by logoshak
Could this be the year we see an all ABA final for the NBA championship? Two former franchises from the old red, white and blue league could make it so. The San Antonio Spurs and and the New Jersey Nets are battling for their conference championships. The Nets are up 2-0 with their series with Detroit and the Spurs trail the Dallas Mavericks 1-0. The NBA has long wasted opportunities to capitalize on the appeal of the old ABA, this would be a great opportunity for old fans of the league to wonder what if the league had survived.
No way said K- When top Duke University basketball recruit Kris Humphries reportedly decided to dictate to Blue Devils' coach Mike Krzyzewski the amount of playing time he would recieve and where he would play in the offense in order to hasten his accent to the NBA, Coach K politely released him from his obligation to Duke and sent him packing back to Minnesota. Poor Kris didn't realize in the NCAA, you are a troll who must work at the whim of the university, who is reaping millions of dollars off your play. Life's lessons can sometimes be tough.
Looks like the biggest test Annika Sorenstam faces this week at the Colonial in Texas is not her fairway play or touch on the greens, but how she manuvers the press. So far she has handled the spotlight with ease. Here's hoping come Friday afternoon, she has made the cut.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:13 AM by logoshak
The Ottawa Senators staved off elimination last night with a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. The Sens cut the Devils lead in the Eastern Conference final to 3-2. Rookie Jason Spezza scored a goal and an assist in his playoff debut. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim get a lot break awaiting the winner of this series. Sometimes a hot team will cool off sitting and waiting.
Big East Conference commissioner Mike Tranghese lashed out at the Atlantic Coast Conference Monday in an attempt to dissuade members Miami,Fla, Syracuse and Boston College from jumping ship. Trangese said that the move would cause irreparable harm to his league and college sports in general. What Mr. Trangese doesn't realize is that pure and simple greed has already harmed the college sports enviroment. This is just another example of three blind mice going after a bigger hunk of cheese.
allsportsguides.com started a sports collectibles price guide in January 2001. We started the index at a par value of 100 then. Our latest index stands at 83, an increase of about 2% from the beginning of 2003. United States Football League, American Basketball Association, and pre-70's Major League Baseball items showed good gains. World Football League and Arena Football League items continued a downward average.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:03 AM by logoshak
I auto mention this- is it the economy or the lingering effects of the IRL-CART split? The Indianapolis 500 managed to barely fill its 33 car field Sunday. I would say there are at least 10-12 cars that will be back markers from the start. Anyone doubting Formula One Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher this season, needn't worry. Michael scored his third straight victory at Austria and is within 2 points of the World Championship lead. The NASCAR All Star race, The Winston was all in all pretty boring. Instead of inverting the field, maybe the drivers should switch race cars. That would be interesting.
Vijay Singh walked away with the Byron Nelson Classic this weekend and then pulled out of the Colonial next week. Claiming he was tired after 4 straight tournaments, Singh said that the flak over the Annika Sorenstam had nothing to do with his decision. Sounds like old Vijay is running scared to me.
What's up with the Yankees? The Yanks were swept at home this weekend by the lowly Texas Rangers. George Steinbrenner won't sit around long waiting for the smoke to clear. After an early season run in with manager Joe Torre, major changes may be coming.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:20 AM by logoshak
I was wondering why the Atlantic Coast Conference would add three more schools to its brotherhood. Turns out it is the most important factor in college sports today, providing a superior academic and athletic experience for its students, building state of the art facilities, no my friends, it is simply money. The ACC stands to gross as much as $40 million extra in the first year of a 12 school league. Simple greed fuels this decision. Yeah, I know that the almighty buck drives this society, but it would have been nice to figure in the needs of the athletics who in reality, make this windfall possible.
The Boston Celtics record of having been the only NBA team to have won more than 3 NBA championships in a row is safe. The San Antonio Spurs behind Tim Duncan's 37 points routed the Los Angeles Lakers 110-82 to win their series 4-2. Maybe this will reignite the Lakers hunger to win, that they seemed to lack this season. If the Spurs continue to play like this, they will be hard to stop from winning another championship.
The Anaheim Angels have been sold for $180 million. Not bad for a franchise that was being considered for contraction a few years ago. I still can't believe there isn't a NFL franchise in the Los Angeles market. Surely some billionaire will wake up and build a stadium there, so that NFL will return to the city of Angels.
Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:20 AM by logoshak
The Atlantic Coast Conference is best known for the basketball championships it has garnered over the past 30 years or so. The only time that you think of the ACC and football in the same sentence is when Florida State is going at it with some school. That all appears to be changing as the ACC announced it is inviting Miami, Fla, Syracuse and either Virginia Tech or Boston College into the league. My question is why. Why would Miami join the ACC? Do they want to improve the non football sports.
They have done decently in basketball recently. Baseball? Lacrosse? Golf? What does Syracuse have to prove? They are the reigning national champions in basketball. I can see Virginia Tech wanting in, geographicly and financially it makes sense. Of course, the Big East still has a thing or two to say about all this. They can up the ante and persuade the Canes to stay on board. It will be interesting to see what pans out. By the way, Duke who hasn't been a football powerhouse since the 50's, voted against Miami joining. Call it self preservation.
What about that Lakers-Spurs game last night? The Spurs were up 25 in the second half and the Lakers came back within a last second 3-pointer of pulling it out. The Spurs are up 3-2 in the series now, but I'll bet the farm that the Lakers win this series. Call it the Phil Jackson factor.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:23 AM by logoshak
Let me singh you a sweet song of bias. PGA golfer Vijay Singh seems to confuse free speech and equal opportunity. Sure he has the right to make an utter ass out of himself self with brainless comments on Annika Soremstam and the female gender. He says he will not play if Soremstam is paired with him in the Colonial tournament this week. I don't know if it were to come down to playing a round with John Daly, Craig Stadler or Vijay...I'll take Annika everytime. What the heck is Vijay afraid of. Could it be that on any given day, that a lady would beat his pants off? Or maybe he's worried that his wife won't have the floors scrubbed or the oil changed in his Mercedes when he gets home. Singh's comments rank right up there with John Rocker's for utter mindless prejudice and stupidity.
And things just get better with age. The Florida Marlins named 72 year old Jack McKeon to replaced fired Jeff Torborg. McKeon has been around baseball's block quite a few times. Instead of sitting at home in the EZ Boy watching reruns, McKeon brings the kind of baseball savvy that money can't buy. Hats off to the Marlins for giving Jack the chance to show off his experience.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:55 AM by logoshak
From the picture is worth a thousand words department-Isn't it dangerous when the media has to go from reporting the news to creating it themselves, to either boost sales or cover up shoddy journalism. The Miami Herald has taken one frame out of thousands of feet of footage and through a quirk of shadow and light, ruined the greatest moment in the career of jockey Jose Santos. Days after Santos rode Funny Cide to the roses at Churchill Downs, the Miami paper blows nothing into something, at least in their eyes. Couldn't these so called charges been handled privately, until it was determined that indeed something wasn't quite right. Santos and the horse's owner may end up collecting slander money, but unfortunately the damage has been done.
With their coach Phil Jackson recovering from heart problems, the Los Angeles Lakers evened up their series with the San Antonio Spurs 2-2. I still say when the Lakers come to play, they are the toughest team in the league. This will still be a tough series and the Spurs will have to play tough defense without getting into foul trouble like they did Sunday.
Our thoughts are with the family of Dallas Cowboys running back Ennis Haywood, who died suddenly this weekend. Ennis was 23.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 9:59 AM by logoshak
Wild thing, you make my heart sing. How about that Minnesota Wild, becoming the first NHL team in history to come back and win two series after being down 3-1. The Wild will now face another Cinderella team, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for the Westerm division title and a chance at Lord Stanley's cup.The Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils will face off for the eastern conference crown.
What about those Detroit Pistons? They have taken a 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in their NBA series. The Pistons are getting star performances out of their bench and playing tough defense. Philly will still be a tough team to beat in seven. The Dallas Mavericks evened their series with the Sacramento Kings. This promises to be the marquee matchup of the playoffs, if Chris Webber's knee injury suffered last night, turns out to be minor.
NASCAR driver Jerry Nadeau's condition was upgraded to fair and he was moved to a private room out of intensive care. Here's hoping Jerry is up out of the hospital soon. Meanwhile NASCAR announced it has tested its SAFER walls technology and it could be installed at an unnamed track within 30 days. I will believe it when I see it.
Have a great weeked and Happy Mother's Day.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:14 AM by logoshak
The University of Alabama is expected to name Miami Dolphins' assistant Mike Shula as their new head football coach.The question arises is Shula the best coach for the Crimson Tide or just the best available. Shula is an alumnus and knows the old way of doing things at Tuscaloosa. I believe that he will do a great job after a breaking in period. Meanwhile former coach Mike Price said he was so drunk he can't remember what went on in a Florida topless joint. That's probably a good thing.
The San Antonio Spurs have manhandled the Los Angeles Lakers to grab a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference final playoff series. Revenge seems the motivating factor for the Spurs as they try to redeem themselves of playoff failures the last two years. The Lakers fourpeat is certainly in trouble now.
While the Minnesota Wild was forcing the Vancouver Canucks to a seventh game, word is that Patrick Roy, winningest goalie in NHL history, may be considering retirement after 18 seasons. Roy's son begins play in Quebec this fall, and the great one may wish to follow his career and end his.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 2:36 PM by logoshak
Well, its a done deal, Michael Jordan is out of the picture with the Washington Wizards. The question now is, does the new Charlotte NBA expansion franchise really want him around. Does Charlotte really need MJ? Evidently not as much as Michael wants Charlotte. What exactly would he do. His eye for talent is questionable. He may have some PR value. I think he may decide life on the golf course is the way to go. With his bankroll, he can afford the green's fees for quite some time. Speaking of Charlotte, the franchise has narrowed its choices of names down to three-Bobcats, Flight and Dragons. Not very good, huh?
Sad news- Former Miami Dolphins quarterback David Woodley died Sunday of a liver ailment. David played in the 1983 Super Bowl and also did time with the Steelers. Our thoughts go out to Woodley's family.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:49 AM by logoshak
Make up your mind Michael. First you want to get the heck out of DC and maybe return to your home state to help out the new Charlotte NBA franchise. Now word is out you're trying to sooth feelings with the Wizards bosses. Maybe you should relegate yourself to the golf course and work on that 7 iron. Working behind a desk is not MJ's cup of tea. No crime there, but make up your mind.
The San Antonio Spurs pushed the Lakers back a notch last night with a 87-82 win to take a 1-0 series lead. League MVP Tim Duncan showed he was deserving of his title grabbing 28 points. This will be a physical series going to a deciding seventh game.
The truly Mighty Ducks of Anaheim knocked off another top seed in their impressive Stanley Cup run. The Ducks have used a hot goaltender and a tough defense to make their incredible run. I however look for the New Jersey Devils to be the team to beat as the playoffs wind down.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 1:18 PM by logoshak
News out of Charlotte- Michael Jordan is said to be having conversations with Robert Johnson, owner of the new Charlotte expansion franchise. Unclear what role Jordan would play and how much he would have to invest for the privledge. Word is that Michael didn't take his front office responsibilites with the Washignton Wizards quite as seriously he could have. Meanwhile, Charlotte's former team the Hornets, fired coach Paul Silas and his entire staff over the weekend. Typical George Shinn and Ray Woolridge behavior. Is it possible that the new Charlotte team would bring Silas back, where he was popular with the fans?
The Atlantic Coast Conference, long considered a basketball league, is looking to improve on its football reputation. The ACC is conducting talks with Miami, Florida as a possible addition. The league is rumored to be considering expanding from the current nine members to a possible slate of twelve teams. West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Syracuse have also been mentioned as possible converts.
Finally, our prayers go out to Jerry Nadeau and his family. Jerry suffered a massive head injury at Richmond last Friday. Saddest part of this that the NASCAR PR juggernaut has already downplayed the incident and bragged about their non exsistant safety program. The only question remains, who will be the next victim of NASCAR's research and development program?

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 12:47 PM by logoshak
Wasn't going to post an entry today, but I am so upset that I thought I would at least make a comment on an issue that is a sore spot with me. NASCAR veteran driver Jerry Nadeau was critically injured yesterday when his car went out of control and slammed the reinforced concrete wall dead center on the driver's side. Nadeau suffered what must have been a severe concussion from contact with the wall. My prayers go out to Jerry and his family during this difficult time. Meanwhile NASCAR continues to delay their so called "testing" of a soft walls technology that would provide at least a measure of protection in crashes such as this. Funny, but Indianapolis Motor Speedway has had a soft barrier in place for over a year. How many more wives and daughters and sons and parents will lose their loved ones while NASCAR drags its greedy little feet. Mike Helton and Gary Nelson, you should be ashamed, very ashamed!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:45 AM by logoshak
The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are set to battle it out in the NBA playoffs. Can anyone really stop the Lakers now that they are healthy and seemingly motivated? Still believe the Kings are the team to beat in the West. Dallas should be the cream of the crop, but you never know what kind of team the Mavs will show up as game to game.
Speaking of playoffs, the chase for Lord Stanley's Cup has proven to be more exciting than the NBA run. The Philadelphia Flyers evened their series with the Ottawa Senators Thursday and the suddenly hot New Jersey Devils can close out the Tampa Bay Lightning. Either way, the playoff season has been interesting so far.
Major League players have given their approval to a plan that would give the home field advantage in the World Series to the league that wins the All Star Game. This two year experiment might give the ASG a little bit of meaning. Don't know if it will motivate the guys on the field. Have a great weekend.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 1:14 PM by logoshak
Iowa State athletic director Bruce Van de Velde suspended men's basketball coach Larry Eustachy Wednesday and recommended that he be fired. I don't think he had much of a choice. A coach must be a leader and in fact a role model for his team and the university. When a coaches behavior is worse than any of his players, that is the time to call it quits.
The Big Unit, Randy Johnson will undergo anthroscopic knee surgery today and will be out three to six weeks. This will no doubt hurt the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have starter Curt Schilling also on the disabled list. If you're going to have pitching problems, this is the time of the year to have them.
Finally, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks are doing what the Carolina Hurricanes did last year in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Surprise everyone. Goes to show what a hot goaltender and stiff defense can do for a hockey team. Duck fans are hoping they can do what the Angels did and bring home another championship.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:41 AM by logoshak
With all the turmoil that occured during the regular season, did anyone really believe that the Los Angeles Lakers would fold up the tents and concede defeat during the NBA Playoffs? It is clear that the championship is theirs until someone takes it away from them. Kobe, Shaq and the gang are well coached and appear motivated to take yet another title. Bad news for the T-Wolves and anyone else who gets in their way.
Is it just me or does everyone miss the point about Iowa State basketball coach Larry Eustachy. The guy goes to the enemy's camp after his team is defeated and parties with the opposition. Drinking and getting familar with the ladies, while his team is God knows where. I can't imagine any coach in the country displaying this type of behavior and getting away with a slap on the wrist. No wonder some college athletes have moral problems when their coach is at the bottom of the behavior barrel.
For anyone who has even a casual following of horse racing, recognizes the name of jockey Laffit Picay Jr. After suffering a neck injury in March, he retired Tuesday after 9530 winning mounts. The Hall of Famer will be missed by everyone who follows the Sport of Kings. Good luck Laffit!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:31 AM by logoshak
Is there anything more over blown and over hyped then the NFL draft. An annual ritual that could be done in a couple of hours over the phone, is now scaled up to a 10 hour made for TV spectacle. The only thing that anyone remembers about it the next day is how forgettable it is. Hopefully your favorite team made some smart moves and will improve this season. Which is more than can be said about the draft itself.
Had to feel good about Fred Couples this weekend. Once a dominating player on the PGA Tour, recent medical and personal problems had relegated hime to a non factor on the tour. That he showed some genuine emotion after winning the Houston Open was refreshing to see in a pro athlete. Got to believe that Freddie has some more success laying in wait for him down the road.
Another great performance yesterday was the no-hitter tossed by Philadelphia Phillie Kevin Millwood. Tossed aside by the Atlanta Braves (who needed to free up cash for over the hill Greg Maddox) Millwood proved he was the pitcher the Braves should have kept. Making it all the more sweet, he did it against the best team in the National League, the San Francisco Giants. Way to go Kevin and continued success.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:57 AM by logoshak
The NFL draft cranks up Saturday and the suspense over who the #1 pick will be is over. The Cincinnati Bengals signed QB Carson Palmer to a contract. If wisdom holds true, any draft that has a quarterback at the #1 slot is a weak draft. Will be interesting to see who falls where, after the marathon 5 hour first round.
As mentioned yesterday, the NCAA approved a fund to pay athletics under certain situations. They will fork over $17 million from their $6 billion CBS basketball contract, to establish a fund for the athletes. Seems like a very small bandaid for a very large problem. Don't think this will stop wealthy athletic boosters from sliding cash and perks to the players under the table.
What is it with cell phones being tossed at Major League baseball players this year? Are the players supposed to say "Can you hear me now?" I guess throw away cell phones are a bad idea. I hope all the idiots out there who must throw phones and tackle umps, get this out of their system this spring. Have a great weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:25 AM by logoshak
Can it be true? The NCAA is expected to approve funds to compensate scholar athletes without compromising their eligiblity. After harvesting billions of dollars in television rights fees for bowl games and NCAA basketball tournaments, the powers that be are going to give a little bit back. How much will the NCAA give its athletes? About $114 per player. Now these great scholar athletes will have enough money for pencils and shoe laces. There is justice in the world!
I have read that MLB baseball might be considering contracting the Detroit Tigers. One of the most hallowed traditions in the history of the game belongs to the Tigers. The current team is bad and plays lifeless baseball. But this is the fault of the Tigers ownership and management. It takes money these days to compete on the major league level and lots of it. The question is whether MLB and Tiger fans will wait for the Daddy Warbucks of an owner to show. Don't send the Tigers packing for some outpost in Mexico.
I get nervous when my 75 year old father drives on the freeway, heck he's driving a Buick. But what about Mario Andretti crusing Indy at 200 mph. Sure he's not your average 63 year old. Wednesday he did his best impression of Joey Chitwood with an airborne triple flip. C'mon Michael, can't you get someone a little younger than your Dad to shake down your cars? Oh, and don't call A.J. either.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 10:23 AM by logoshak
Tony Stewart knows how to drive a race car, no doubt about that. What has gotten him in trouble in the past is the stunts he pulls outside the racecar. Old Tony may be growing some different stripes. He has managed to avoid using his boxing skills on the media and fans. Now he has come out urging NASCAR to establish a permanent safety team to travel the circiut, which by the way, every other major racing series has. Tony says that seeing a hodgepodge of rescue squads and good old boys around the tracks just doesn't build confidence in the case of critical crashes on the track. Well, Tony we have been waiting three years for soft walls, maybe NASCAR will tackle this area of concern within five years or so.
The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs have so far, captured the excitement award this spring. Last night Minnesota ousted Colorado, Philadelphia routed Toronto and Vancouver edged St.Louis all in seven game pressure cooker series. The NBA will be hard pressed to match this action.
Sammy Sosa is clearing his trophy case so he can place the batting helmet in it that saved him serious injury after a rising fastball shattered it Sunday. Wonder how much that helmet would fetch on eBay?

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:15 AM by logoshak
The Boss is at it again. George Steinbrenner couldn't leave well enough alone, he had to question the man who has put the silver in his trophy case. Joe Torre wanted to send Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras to the Triple A Columbus Clippers for more work. Old George thought it better to send him to the Yankee's minor league complex at Tampa. Certainly, the owner pays the bills, but he should put faith in the knowledge of his staff. Joe won't put up with this crap like Billy Martin did.
Alabama's 312 pound All-American lineman Wesley Britt won't be posing in Playboy magazine. Britt was named to the magazine's All American team and was to fly out to California and appear with the other team members. Britt turned down the offer after consulting with God, saying he did a lot of work with kids and wanted to be a positive role model. Wow, it's great to know that athletes still consider moral consequences of their actions.
Found buried in the sports section- Nine time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis was arrested for a DUI early Monday in south Los Angeles. He was said to have struck a sound barrier in the highway. Guess Carl has forgotton about the moral consequences of his actions.

Barry allsportsguides.com

Posted 11:27 AM by logoshak
It may be too early to tell how the Major League Baseball season is going by looking at the standings, but you can glean a few clues. The Yankees and Red Sox are the class of the American League with Kansas City a surprise and no real leader in the West. The San Francisco Giants are leading the pack in the National League with the Montreal/Puerto Rico Expos the surprise team. Pitching is usually good in the early going, it will be interesting to see how the pack sorts out going into the summer months.
The WNBA and the NBA reached a last second agreement that would save the season. Only trouble the agreement hasn't been signed off on yet. The deal is for five years, with the only question being, can this league survive five more years?
Gosh, the Indianapolis 500 is just over a month away. Dario Franchitti will miss the race with a back injury, suffered in a motorcycle crash in Scotland earlier this month. Still wish that CART and the IRL would settle their differences and allow for the all the best drivers to compete in the 500.
Have great holiday weekend!

Barry allsportsguides.com