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VISIT ALL WORLD ALL SPORTS

by Digger

The Major League Baseball season is still young. Less than two months have been completed. Within these two months a few teams are terribly underperforming prompting broadcasters, fans and bloggers to wonder which manager will be canned first? The following lists two teams expected to win, and two teams which stink.

New York is a media hot bed. No player, manager or owner is ever safe when a team doesn't live up to expectations. New York Mets skipper Willie Randolph has been under fire since late September of 2007 after his squads stretch drive historic collapse . Much was expected this season with the acquisition of premier starting pitcher Johan Santana joining an experienced and rising club. Local radio and tv affiliates have been questioning Randolph's moves and apparant lack of motivational skills as the Mets (24-26, 4th place) continue sloppy play both offensively and defensively. Randolph recently responded by questioning whether criticism was racially biased. Quite an unbecoming statement made by a veteran of the game. This made for state wide headlines and further critiques. Mets ownership held a closed door meeting with their current skipper to clear the air. Emerging with his job intact, the Mets promptly went out and lost another game. If the Mets continue their losing ways (7 of last 10), he'll be gone. The team seems to be sleep walking and Randolph's reserved on field attitude is not inspiring better play from star performers. Beltran, Wright, Reyes, Delgado, Maine and Castillo are all not living up to capabilities. Maybe Willie should try shaking up his coaching staff or placing a team curfew. Something needs to be done to wake up his club. Perhaps, he's just not the right man for this job.

On the other side of town, meet Joe Girardi's last place New York Yankees (25-27). General Manager Cashman is the mostly likely fall guy here. This is the team he built by relying heavily on young unproven starting pitchers thrust into prime time before they were ready. Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes have both been huge disappointments. Both also have the same address... the disabled list. Cashman rolled the dice and bet his future on these two kids by not pulling the trigger on what the Yankees needed most: Johan Santana. This is an aging over priced club. Such heavy contracts make many hard to trade as no club in their right mind would strain their budgets.

On the field, Girardi's team has been playing horrific defense in key situations. Mis-judging fly balls, errant throws, bobbles and off line throws seem as though this team isn't up for the challenge of a 162 game haul. It's early in the Bronx and all it should take is a spark for Girardi's team to click. There haven't been many sparks. At the dish, many aren't living up to potential. This team doesn't play small ball. Quality outs are non-existant. Base stealing is lacking. Running first to third isn't on the radar. The basic fundamentals of baseball are sorely missing. This is where a manager must shake up multi-million dollar primadona's who swing for the fences at bat after at bat. Willie Randolph has taken all the heat lately, Girardi deserves the same. Year after year the Yankees have been tabbed a team to beat. Guess what? They've been getting beaten regularly and this trend will continue without pitching, timely hitting and defense.

Another team flailing as if drowning has been the Seattle Mariners (19-34). They've been one of the few teams to make the Yankees look good lately. John McLaren is under fire. This has been a collective team failure. Hitters not reaching base (.309 OBA AL worst). Defense tied for third most errors in AL (36). Pitching staff team ERA of 4.96 is another AL worst stat. Seattle has lost 7 of 8 and has lost four or more in a row four times this season. They're already a whopping 12 1/2 games behind division leading Los Angeles Angels and Wild Card leading Boston Red Sox. How does a team in such dissary turn things around? It won't be easy. Losing games has become a team effort. Many had predicted the Mariners to be in the hunt for AL West honors throughout this season.

Last team deserving mention for their failures is Bud Black's San Diego Padres (20-33). This team hasn't recovered after being overtaken last year by Colorado's incredible run to close out the year. San Diego isn't firing on all cylanders. Seems to be a lack of cohesion on the diamond. Nonetheless, the Padres were expected to contend and they're far from it. 186 runs scored is dead last in the NL. This is clearly what has been keeping the Pads down. Defense has been very solid (NL leaders). Starting pitching has been somewhat solid. However, their bullpen has been flat out ugly. These guys can't protect leads or squash rallies when sent out to keep games close or protect leads (11 of 20 blown saves). This is very troubling especially for a former pitcher turned manager. Black's head may not be on the chopping block. However, he must shake up this squad quickly before things spiral out of control. Star pitcher Jake Peavy is on the disabled list which only adds to pitching woes.

These four teams have been baseball's most disappointing. Stay tuned for MLB's most suprising teams.

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VISIT ALL WORLD ALL SPORTS

by Digger

It's time for the Stanley Cup Finals (past results). This seasons matchup will thrill hockey fans. The ageless and well seasoned Detroit Red Wings face off versus a young and inspired Pittsburgh Penguins club. Both teams feature top notch offenses and strong goalies.

Pittsburgh easily won the Eastern Conference Playoffs and appears more than ready to get this series underway. Chairman and former playing legend Mario Lemieux is Pittsburgh's saviour. As a player he led this franchise to back to back Championships in 1990-91 & 1991-92 seasons. As Chairman, he saved and rebuilt this proud Penguins organization which was once on the verge of collapsing.

Head Coach Michel Therrien's second season behind the bench was tremendous as he led this team to a 47 point turnaround from a season ago. Therrien is known for his passion, discipline and attention to detail. It shows. His high flying young team is skating on all cylinders this playoff season. Leading the attack has been Sydney Crosby (21 pts), Marian Hossa (19 pts) and Evgeni Malkin (19 pts) while goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (12-2, 1.70) has been outstanding. Fleury needs to continue his winning ways against Detroit's well seasoned attack.

Western Conference Champion Detroit Red Wings are no strangers to playoff hockey. They last won the Cup in 2002 but seem to be in the thick of things season after season. Head Coach Mike Babcock (3rd Red Wing season) is determined to bring the Cup back to Detroit. Leading playoff scorers Henrick Zetterberg (21 pts), Pavel Datsyuk (19 pts) and Johan Franzen (15 pts) have been finding the net often. Franzen's status for Game 1 is in question due to injury. Between the pipes has been veteran goalie Chris Osgood (10-2, 1.60) who's been as stingy as they come.

Both teams play hockey the way it's meant to be played. Fast skaters, crisp clean passing attacks, heavy blue line forechecking and superior defensive play. Both are well disciplined and rarely take bad penalties. This series seems even on paper heading into Saturday's opening face-off. Don't be surprised to see 2-1 and 1-0 scores ruling the day.

These teams are ready. It's tough to gauge which one holds an advantage. Will it be Pittsburgh's youth and thirsty determination? Or, Detroit's veteran expertise which proves decisive? This series will be worth watching every minute.

Prediction: Pittsburgh is red hot and on a mission. Each game will be an instant classic. Beware of the Penguins... Pittsburgh prevails in 6.

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by Digger

(1) Los Angeles Lakers (57-25) vs (3) San Antonio Spurs (56-26)

NBA's Western Conference matchup seems great on paper. Current league champion San Antonio takes on current league MVP Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers. San Antonio has won three of the past five Championships beginning in 2003. Los Angeles won three consecutive titles from 2000-02.

Kobe has averaged 33.3 points in 10 playoff games leading the Lakers into the West Finals. Paul Gasol has played huge averaging 20.0 on 56.8% shooting. Lamar Odom (15.6 PPG - 51.6%) and Derek Fisher (11.9 PPG - 51.4% - 58.6% 3PT) have made major contributions as LA has averaged 112.1 points. Phil Jackson's squad is ready for action every night. LA has been and will continue to play big... these guys are on a mission.

San Antonio is coming off a grueling seven game series vs New Orleans. The Hornets must be reflecting and wondering how they let the series get away. San Antonio showed what champions are made of by coming back from a two game to zero deficit... and also rallied when trailing in game seven. Tony Parker has had the steady hand nailing bigger than life shots to secure playoff victories (23.7 PPG). Manu Ginobili (20.0 PPG) and Tim Duncan (19.3) have led the offense which averaged 96.4 PPG in defensive oriented battles. Duncan has been surprisingly inconsistent and must step up his game if the Spurs want to be repeat champs. Coach Gregg Popovich needs to devise a gameplan to slow down Kobe and LA's high powered attack. SA has often appeared slow on offense and solid shot selection has been lacking.

Prediction: LA will recreate one of the NBA Final matchups which recently thrilled fans during the 80's Larry Bird - Magic Johnson era... and many head to head Final's of the 60's. Lakers in 6.

VISIT ALL WORLD ALL SPORTS

by Digger

On July 9, 2007 thirteen year veteran NBA referee Tim Donaghy abruptly resigned from officiating prior to reports of being implicated by an ongoing FBI investigation involving gambling which included point shaving or erroneous calls affecting NBA game results.

Donaghy has been rumored to be cooperating with investigators and allegedly told of games being affected by relationships between players, coaches and officials. Apparently confidential information was also passed by an unnamed referee to an unidentified coach.

Donaghy is seeking a reduced sentence of probation for his past gambling activities. FBI investigators have been mum on how deep the scope of this investigation has run and no specific names or details have been made public. According to an ESPN ariticle written on 6/20/08, Donaghy's lawyer, John Lauro, "suggested that the NBA might have 'pressured' the (US District attourney Eastern District office) into 'shutting down this prosecution to avoid disclosure of information unrelated to Tim's conduct"

Right from the get go, NBA officials (most notably Commissioner Stern) claimed Donaghy was an isolated incident and flatly denied others were involved. Never once suggesting or making public statements of the "remote possibility" other officials, players or coaches could have been involved in point shaving or making bad calls to determine game results. This sham move was barely scrutinized by most sports journalists. Instead, it was promoted as an isolated incident with minimal coverage. This was on the heels of an illegal New Jersey gambling ring to which NHL coach Rich Tocchet, organized crime and State Police were attached. Perhaps, many faces were pre-occupied with George Mitchell's MLB report? Regardless, this event flew under the radar when it was screaming for attention.

The NBA, like most other leagues, rushes to deny knowledge or involvement implicating its' players. Time and time again, MLB denied steroid reports. NFL tried to hush Spygate. NHL and Tocchet and the list goes on. Common sense dictates a veteran of 772 regular season games as an official provides Donaghy to access of plenty of intel and personal communication between players, coaches and other officials. Why was the NBA so quick to offer denials during an active FBI investigation? Why is the NBA afraid to have others implicated and exposed? Are they too chicken to expose/suspend big league names, coaches and refs? Do they feel superior to prosecution and persecution? What gives? Could it be fear of decreased revenues? Probably since money seems to dictate everything when it comes to sports these days.

Now, if it's true the NBA pressured FBI and US attourney's office to circumventing their investigation then the league should be prosecuted for interfering in an ongoing investigation while those in charge get slammed as well. It is highly unlikely Donaghy acted alone. Highly unlikely is officiating crew didn't know something was up with this one time respected referee. Accusations of improper officiating was often leveled by players due to missed or phantom calls late in games. Most notably in games involving NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs (calls against). Unfortunately, these claims are most difficult to prove even under the best of circumstances. HOWEVER, it's rare that gambling actors act alone from those who control the puppets to those who do the actual game throwing/point shaving.

Commissioner David Stern, again today, denied the latest report filed by Donaghy's attourney. Dismissing it as an attempt by "a convicted felon" seeking a lesser sentence. Astonishing the NBA is taking such a bold attitude by refusing to conduct their own internal witch hunt. Those who point their noses high in the air often catch flies. There's something very wrong with this picture.

Only time will tell if others get taken down in this sordid tale. Hopefully, once the FBI presents its' case or goes public by naming persons involved outside of the game, we'll learn the truth. Until then, I'll just sit back believing there's a massive conspiracy, or cover-up, in play by the NBA. Time to scream FOUL!

ALL WORLD ALL SPORTS

by Digger

(1) Boston Celtics vs (2) Detroit Pistons

The top two Eastern Conference teams are getting ready to do battle. Boston (66-16) and Detroit (59-23) are two of the leagues toughest teams. Detroit will be playing in their sixth consecutive conference final. Boston was a mainstay during the Larry Bird era and is determined to win it all.

During the regular season Boston bested Detroit 2 games to 1. Each was hard fought. Both teams have swarming defensive schemes attacking opponents from the perimeter to the boards. Boston's playoff offense (91.6 PPG) has been led by Kevin Garnett (20.3), Paul Pierce (18.7), Ray Allen (12.7) and Rajon Rando (11.7, 6.6 AST). Detroit's (92.3 PPG) main men have been Richard Hamilton (21.5), Tayshawun Prince (16.0), Chauncey Billups (15.8) and Rasheed Wallace (13.9).

Defense and smart shot selection will dictate this seven game series. All shots will be contested. Ball movement via crisp passes could be the difference. These teams are not friends either. Boston has been the leagues media darling this season during their remarkable turnaround from a year ago. Detroit's tough style of play garners few headlines... mostly due to their unflashy style of hard nosed play. Expect to see plenty of pushing and shoving as players battle for position in the paint. Tempers will flare and these teams will have plenty of verbal wars while bodies slam.

Boston is coming off 14 tough early round games while Detroit needed only 11 to advance. Doubtful the difference in games played will have any negative effects on either team and both should be well rested before Wednesday nights tip off.

Prediction: Boston advances to NBA Finals after and epic 7 game battle.

by Digger

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Big Brown is galloping his way toward horse racing's historic and illusive Triple Crown. This strong Thoroughbred has won the first two Triple Crown races in dramatic style. He was the first horse since 1929 to win the Kentucky Derby starting in the 20th gate. In the Preakness Stakes, Big Brown (7th gate) won by 5 1/4 lengths and became the first horse to win both races while remaining undefeated.

The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed back in 1979 who entered legendary status with 70's winners Secretariat (1973) and Seattle Slew (1977). Many have come close but none have since been successful. Big Brown seems to be ready to make history.

Prior to the Preakness, Big Brown's trainer admitted administering stanozolol on the 15th of every month. Stanozolol is an anabolic steroid banned in 10 states, but not by any where Triple Crown races run.

We'll find out on June 7, 2008 at the Belmont Stakes if Big Brown can get the job done in this 1.5 mile competition. This horse is on a mission and will not be denied. Go Big Brown!

by Digger

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BALCO, locker room wrecker, selfish behaviour, discontent for sports reporters, disregard for rules of baseball, selfish disassociation by preventing card companies and game makers from using his name, special contracts, perjury trial soon to follow, me me me attitude... have you figured out which former baseball player is being described? Had enough of his baloney yet? Stay tuned, Barry Bonds is ready to make more headlines.

No baseball team wanted to touch damaged goods. Single season home run record, all time home run champion... it hasn't been enough for major league clubs to take a chance on an aging former player who could single handily win ballgames with his bat... or ruin team chemistry with his attitude. Let's face it, unless 43 year old Barry Bonds is willing to sign a minimum salary contract, nobody in their right mind will touch him. He's a distraction, plain and simple.

If a team like Kansas City, Minnesota, Baltimore or Texas thinks his presence will fill seats... then go for it. Why should any MLB team take a chance on Bonds? Well folks, that's exactly what the Major League Baseball Players Association is about to investigate. Is there collusion? Probably. Should we feel sorry for Barry? Absolutely not. He's done more to hurt the game in recent years than help. Perhaps he shouldn't be penalized by baseball's failure to regulate or investigate steroid allegations before he tainted the most sacred of records? Perhaps I'm biased against any and all players acting as if they were above the game? Absolutely. This point begins at the top with major league owners and the commissioners office. Owners should have been severly fined, general managers suspended, team doctors brought before medical review boards while Selig was sent packing. As stated in previous blogs, they were ALL in the know just for increasing revenues.... one word... GREED.

Back on point. Collusion probably does exist. It will take a lengthy investigation by MLBPA to prove this fact and by the time it's over (two years), Bonds will be physically finished. Yes, Barry had one of the greatest batting eyes baseball has ever witnessed. One of the quickest swings in the history of the game. Odd for such superior calibur player to be unsigned and unwanted, right? Well, Barry's baggage speaks volumes. Maybe baseball wants to turn the page on scandals and wherever Bonds goes negativity follows. Rumors surfaced recently of MLB covering up prior failed steroids tests too.

Commissioner Selig can put an end to all speculation by issuing a suspension for previously failed tests. He can suspend Bonds any number of reasons and this sideshow will finally be put to rest. So, why hasn't the Commissioner taken action? Plain and simple, MLB would have to admit what we've all known for years. Bonds and many others were juicing with full knowledge of everyone in the game. This is exactly what they do not want to admit. Not ever.

So Barry, exit gracefully if you can. Don't push for another long trivial investigation. Take your records and fade away. Let this be your farewell gift to baseball. Enough is enough!

by Digger

Eastern Conference
(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (6) Philadelphia Flyers

This is a great matchup between arch rivals dueling in Pennsylvania. It wasn't long ago the Penguins almost folded up shop and left Pittsburgh. Now, they're taking aim at hockey's ultimate prize. Everyone is contributing for the Penguins making them extremely tough. Evgeni Malkin, Sydney Crosby and Marion Hossa have been nothing short of spectacular thus far in two rounds of playoff hockey. Marc-Andre Fluery has been sensational between the pipes posting two shutouts in nine games (8-1, 1.76 GAA). Now they face a new kind of opponent and in state rival Philadelphia. Can this team handle the resurgent Flyers?

Philadelphia won five regular season games vs Pittsburgh. RJ Umbarger has been nearly upstoppable. After scoring only 13 regular season goals, he's beaten opposing net-minders 9 times in 12 games. RJ has added incentive... he's a Pittsburgh native... and he'll be pumped up even higher vs his former hometown team. Late season pickup Vasclav Prospal has answered the bell setting up nine goals. Danny Briere leads all Flyers with 14 points. Goalie Martin Biron (8-4, 2.72 GAA) hasn't matched Fluery's stats but he's been every bit as tough with games on the line. He will have to be superb all series long.

Key to this series will be the powerplay. Philly has been penalized most often during this playoff season and Pittsburgh is one of the most dangerous with a man advantage. Champions do not make stupid mistakes so the Flyers must not make bad penalties. It's been a team effort so far for Pittsburgh, all lines are clicking. "Old time hockey" might be in store coming from Philly... dominate the boards, hit hard, break up passing lanes and wear down the younger and quicker Penguins while screening Fluery whenever they can.

This series has all the makings of a tough seven game battle.

Prediction: Pittsburgh wins in 7.

Western Conference
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs (5) Dallas Stars

Detroit is the best team still standing in this years NHL Playoffs. They're rich in tradition, skill, coaching and know what it takes to win the Stanley Cup. Detroit is hot, red hot. Goalie Chris Osgood is undefeated starting the last six games (6-0, 1.52). Johan Franzen has netted 11 goals including two hat tricks vs Colorado. In his past 25 games, Franzen has scored 26. The Wings are playing near mistake free hockey and firing away on opposing goalies. Crisp passing, speed, sharp coaching... there hasn't been a successful formula to slow these guys down.

Dallas is coming off an emotional seven game thrilling series vs San Jose. Four games were decided in overtime including a nail biting quadruple OT in game 7. These guys could be burnt out or they'll come into this series riding an emotional high. Time will tell. Dallas' aging team must play mistake free... a term often used in playoff hockey... but one which must prevail in this series. On paper they just can't keep up with the free wheeling Red Wings. Marty Turco inspired play must continue (8-4, 1.73 GAA). He'll need to play his best ever hockey, control rebounds and shut down Detroit's offense.

Series keys: Initially, well rested Wings vs worn down banged up Stars. Detroit is just too fast and dominating in all facets of the game. Dallas cannot waste valuable time killing penalty after penalty and will need all breaks to bounce their way. Red Wings will not be denied.

Prediction: Detroit rolls over Stars in 4.