Thursday, October 31, 2013

Congrats BoSox!


 
#BOSTONSTRONG 

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: China

99 days remaining until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: China


China has participated in the winter Olympics since their winter games debut at Lake Placid 1980. Chinese athletes in these winter games have won 44 medals including nine gold medals.


Wang Meng (pictured) is one of three multiple gold medalists for China in the winter games. Wang won four gold medals in the winter games. Her first gold was in the women's 500m short track at Turin 2006, and would later win gold in that event at Vancouver 2010. She also won gold in the women's 1000m short track and was a part of the Chinese 3000m relay team that also won gold, both won at Vancouver 2010 as well.


Zhou Yang (pictured) won two gold medals in the winter games, in both the women's 1500 and as a member of China's 3000m relay team at Vancouver 2010. Zhou, along with Wang and Yang Yang A are the only multiple gold medalists for China in the winter games. Yang won the women's 500m and 1000m shot track events at Salt Lake City 2002.

As of now, 19 quota spots available on behalf of China at Sochi, including a men's curling team, as well as women's speed skating and biathlon.

Up next: Chinese Taipei

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Ike Skelton, 81, Former US Congressman

 
 
 

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Chile

100 days until the opening ceremonies at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Chile.


Chile debuted in the winter Olympics at St. Moritz 1948 and has competed since then, with the exception of Sapporo 1972 and Lake Placid 1980.

The country has sent athletes to the winter games, in mostly Alpine skiing events, but failed to medal.

As of now, there will be Chilean athletes in Sochi.

Up next: China

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

NBA 2013-14 Regular Season Tips Off Tonight!


While most leagues around the world have already begin play, the NBA regular season tips off tonight.

The defending world champions Miami Heat will raise their banner at the AAA before their game with the Bulls tonight. Also the Battle of Los Angeles is on tap tonight. Not the movie.

Both can be seen tonight on TNT here in the states. The long road, that will be followed by a most important event that will take place after The Finals: the 2014 FIBA men's World Cup in Spain.

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Cayman Islands

101 days until the opening ceremonies at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Cayman Islands.


Cayman Islands made its winter Olympics debut at Vancouver 2010.


Dow Travers (pictured) was the Cayman Islands' lone competitor, in the men's giant slalom at Vancouver. Despite a low finish, he failed to medaled.

No participation on behalf of the Cayman Islands as of yet for Sochi, but could change.

Up next: Chile

Monday, October 28, 2013

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Canada

102 days remaining until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Canada


Canada has participated at every winter games since the first one in 1924, and has achieved a grand total of 145 medals, including 52 gold medals.


When it comes to individual events, no one has been successful for Canada in the winter games than Marc Gagnon (pictured). Gagnon won gold in the men's 500m short track at Salt Lake City 2002, and was a part of the men's 5000m relay, also on the short track, at Nagano 1998 and again at Salt Lake City 2002.


Catriona Lemay Doan (pictured) is among seven Canadians to have won gold twice in the winter games. Lemay Doan won gold twice in the women's 500m speed skating events at both Nagano 1998 and Salt Lake City 2002. Also winning gold twice in the winter games for Canada:
  • Gaetan Boucher, men's 1000m and 1500m speed skating, Sarajevo 1984
  • Annie Perreault, women's 3000m relay, Albertville 1992 and women's 500m short track, Nagano 1998
  • Myriam Bedard, women's 7.5km sprint & 15kg biathlon, Lillehammer 1994
  • Eric Bedard, men's 5000m relay, short track, Nagano 1998 and Salt Lake City 2002
  • Francois Louis Tremblay, men's 5000m short track relay, Salt Lake City 2002 and Vancouver 2010
  • Charles Hamelin, men's 500m and 5000m short track relay, Vancouver 2010
In addition, Canada has achieved a whole lot at the team level in the winter games. At the first winter Olympics of 1924, Canada defeated United States for the gold. They would win gold at the next two winter games, and then again in 1948. In 2002 at Salt Lake City, they crushed the USA in the gold medal final, and their 54 year drought was over. They did it again in 2010 in their third gold medal meeting ever, at Vancouver's Rogers Arena, where Canada won in overtime 2-1 over the United States on a Sidney Crosby goal.

Since Nagano 1998, the first year of women's ice hockey in the Olympics, Canada has been on a hot streak. After their loss to the United States at Nagano in the final, Canada would later win gold at the next three games. At Salt Lake City, the women defeated the US in the final, followed by another gold win at Turin against Sweden, and again defeated the US in the final at Vancouver 2010.

Canada is also known to be a curling country. Since Curling arrived in the Olympics at Nagano 1998, they have been the program to watch, both men and women. At Nagano, the women defeated Denmark in the final. The men followed up at Turin 2006 with a gold medal win over Finland and at Vancouver 2010, they followed up with a gold medal win over Norway in the final.

Canada will send 81 quota spots (as of now) to Sochi, including men's and women's ice hockey and curling, plus speed skating and short track, as well as bobsleigh and biathlon.

Canada hosted the winter games twice: first at Calgary 1988 (the last Olympics broadcast by US ABC) and the most recent at Vancouver 2010.

Up next: Cayman Islands

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Hal Needham, 82, Stuntman, Film Actor and Director


Link.

Perhaps you would recognize him from his directorial works for films such as...
  • The Cannonball Run series
  • The Smokey & the Bandit series
  • Stroker Ace ("Fastest Chicken in the South")
  • Body Slam (yeah, that pro wrestling movie)
And also co-owned a Winston Cup team in the '80s with Burt Reynolds called Mach 1 Racing, which was a title contender in the mid '80s with Harry Gant. Yes folks. That green and white #33 Skoal Bandit car. Also fielded a second car for Rick Mast in the 1989 Cup season.

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Cameroon

103 days remaining until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Cameroon.

 
Cameroon has only appeared in the winter Olympics only once: at Salt Lake City 2002, where only one athlete qualified for those games. 
 

Isaac Menyoli (pictured) is still to this day the only winter game athlete to represent Cameroon. The cross country skier did not bring home a medal, but did participate at Salt Lake City 2002 in both the men's sprint and 10/10km pursuit.

As of now, no participants confirmed for Sochi.

Up next: Canada

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Bulgaria

104 days remaining until the first day of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Bulgaria.


Bulgaria debuted in the winter Olympics at Garnisch Partenkirchen in 1936. Bulgarians in the winter games have achieved the goal of earning six medals, including a gold medal.


Ekaterina Dafovska (pictured) won Bulgaria's only gold medal in the winter games, when she won the women's 15k biathlon race at Nagano 1998.

Bulgaria will send six biathletes (and six biathletes only) for Sochi; five men and one women. That is all for Bulgaria at Sochi.

Up next: Cameroon

Friday, October 25, 2013

MMA World Series of Fighting 6: Burkman v. Carl for the Welterweight Title


MMA World Series of Fighting is back with another great card Saturday night. The inaugural WSOF welterweight championship will be on the line as Josh Burkman will take on Steve Carl.

Also Jon Fitch will take on Marcelo Alfaya and Marlon Moraes will take on Carson Beebe.

LIVE on NBCSN Saturday night!

Friday Jukebox 10.25.13

How about some deep Dutch trance from 2004 with Re:Locate's "Typhoon." The retro tune of the week from Armin van Buuren's A State of Trance mixshow #636 on Thursday! Talk about Dutch treat!


Halloween is Thursday. When trick or treating with your children, please stay safe and know your surroundings. Also inspect the candy and other things your children have in your buckets. For common safety purposes.

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: British Virgin Islands

105 days left until the first day of the Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: British Virgin Islands.




The British Virgin Islands have sent an athlete to the winter games once. It was at Sarajevo 1984, with Errol Fraser in two speed skating events: the men's 500m and 1000m. He failed to medal.

The British Virgin Islands have confirmed participation for Sochi.

Up next: Bulgaria

Thursday, October 24, 2013

BELLATOR MMA 105: Lightweight Tournament Semifinals


It is over a week away from their very first pay per view, but the hits keep coming for BELLATOR MMA, as yet another tournament is coming down to a final.

Both lightweight tournament semifinals will take place on Friday night, with Saad Awad taking on Will Brooks, while Ricardo Tirloni will take on Alex Sarnaviskiy.

Also Ron Sparks will take on 'Mighty Mo' Siliaga.

CARD
Lightweight tournament
Semifinals
(155 lb/69.75 kg)
Saad Awad v Will Brooks
Ricardo Tirloni v Alex Sarnaviskiy
 
LIVE on SPIKE Friday Night. Their first PPV is next Saturday, countering the return of Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin on HBO Sports' Boxing After Dark.


Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Brazil

106 days to go until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Brazil.


Brazil first competed in the winter Olympics was at Albertville 1992, and mostly in Alpine skiing. They have no medals to show for.

One spot is available for Sochi for Brazil, and it will come by way of ladies' singles figure skating.

Up next: British Virgin Islands

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Bosnia & Herzegovina

107 days to go until the opening ceremonies at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Bosnia & Herzegovina.

 
Bosnia and Herzegovina first appearance in the winter Olympics was at Lillehammer 1994, and has since sent one of their athletes to the winter games. Their winter games participants have competed mainly in the bobsled events. Not one Bosnian athlete brought home a medal.
 
As of now, no participants from Bosnia for Sochi have been confirmed, but could change.
 
The country would technically be credited these days as the host 'state' of the 1984 winter Olympics at Sarajevo. Back then, Bosnia, along with Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Slovenia were together as one, Yugoslavia.
 
Up next: Brazil.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Good Ol' Fashoned Molly!


Link.

Caption This!

The Gypsy couple who kidnapped a 4 year old Greek Caucasian girl. Check out the man's jacket (or hoodie):


Typical Nike.

Oh the irony.

Full story here.

World Series 2013: Starts Wednesday


Flawless, accurate pitching will be on display beginning Wednesday in the annual Fall Classic between the Cardinals and Red Sox.

Did I just typed the words 'flawless, accurate pitching'? To describe what I just wrote, it will be just the same thing as was in the other postseason series between these two teams, ranging from the no-hitter attempts of young Michael Wacha to the one and one-third saves of Koji Uehara, the AL MVP. This series is not a miss, unless you enjoy great, accurate pitching, coupled by the offensive styles of the such as David Freese, David Ortiz or even outfielder Shane Victorino, who hit the go ahead grand slam in ALCS game 6 on Saturday night (while the boneheads were watching FSU-Clemson, UFC, Provodnikov-Bradley, etc.)

With all of this combined, this should be a great series. And this is the second time since 2004 that these two teams will meet in the Fall Classic. With that in mind...

World Series 2013
Cardinals v Red Sox
(best of seven)
Game 1: Wednesday
Game 2: Thursday
Game 3: Saturday (forget college football!)
Game 4: Sunday (forget SNF)
Game 5: Monday (great remote changing with MNF)*
Game 6: 10/30*
Game 7: 10/31 (Halloween)*
*-if necessary.

Series is on Fox.

Bud Adams, 90, NFL Team Owner


Link.

Founded the AFL Oilers in 1960, moved from Houston to Memphis in 1995, and into Nashville since 1997.

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Bolivia

108 days to go until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Bolivia.


Bolivia first appeared in the winter Olympics at Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956, then returned to the winter games at Lake Placid 1980. They haven't had an athlete in the winter Olympics since Albertville 1992. These were all in Alpine events; not one brought home a medal.

As of now, no participation from anyone on behalf of Bolivia at Sochi, but could change.

Up next: Bosnia & Herzegovina

Monday, October 21, 2013

Don James, 80, Champion FBS Football Coach


Link.

Former MAC coach of the year at Kent State, he also led UW to a share of the 1991 national title.

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Bermuda

109 days until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Bermuda.


Bermuda has participated in the winter Olympics since Albertville 1992. Despite sending four athletes, include skeleton and luger Patrick Singleton, none have brought home a medal.

As of now, no Bermudan athletes have qualified for any event at Sochi, but could change.

Up next: Bolivia

Sunday, October 20, 2013

'Bum' Phillips, 90, Former NFL Head Coach

Link.

Was the Oilers (Titans) head coach in the '70s, then was the Saints head coach during their miserable years in the early-mid '80s, and was later succeeded by Jim Mora (I think).

Son Wade, current Texans defensive coordinator, was a former NFL coach.


Lou Scheimer, 84, FILMATION Studios Founder

 

Link.

His studio might have made cheap cartoons, like DiC, but they were good. Tom & Jerry, He-Man, She-Ra, Ghostbusters '86, Fat Albert, just to name a few.

Died two days before his 85th birthday.

Grambling State Football Players' Boycott & Their Forefiture of Their Game on Saturday.


Very sad.

Eddie Robinson is rolling in his grave. SWAC fined them, now will the NCAA respond?

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Belgium

110 days until the opening ceremonies until Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Belgium.


Belgium has participated in the just about every winter Olympic games--except Squaw Valley 1960 and Grenoble 1968. Five medals have been won by Belgian athletes in the winter games, including a gold medal.


The lone Belgian winter Olympics gold came at St. Moritz 1948, when Pierre Baugniet and Micheline Lannoy won the mixed pairs event gold.

As of now, five quota spots are up for grabs for Sochi on behalf of Belgium, including four in various speed skating events.

Up next: Bermuda

Saturday, October 19, 2013

EMU Football Player Shot and Killed.


Link.

Victim of a robbery.

Bill Young, 82, Longtime US Congressman


Link.

Former House Appropriate Committee chairman of the defense panel.

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Belarus

111 days to go until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Belarus.


Belarus has competed in the winter Olympics since Lillehammer 1994. Ten medals have been won by Belarusian athletes in the winter games, including a gold medal.


Freestyle skier Aleksei Grishin is the only winter Olympic gold medalist, as he won the men's aerials gold at Vancouver 2010.

As of now, ten quota spots are up for Belarus at Sochi; all of those in men's and women's biathlon. Men's ice hockey failed to qualify.

Up next: Belgium

Friday, October 18, 2013

Tom Foley, 84, Former Speaker of the House

 
Link.

Served in the House for 30 years.

Friday Jukebox 10.18.13

The past few days I've been watching the Bud MLB ads with this song in the background. A couple days later, I found the song in that ad: "Paddling Out," by the Stockholm-based band Miike Snow. "Paddling Out" is from their 2012 debut full length Happy to You. Funny, a song by a Swedish band would be featured in an ad for a sport that isn't popular in Sweden.

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Azerbaijan

112 days to go until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Azerbaijan.


Azerbaijan has participated in the winter Olympics since Nagano 1998, mostly in figure skating events. No medals for their athletes to show for.

As of now, three quota spots are available for Azeri athletes for Sochi, including two in Alpine skiing.

Up next: Belarus

Thursday, October 17, 2013

BELLATOR MMA 104: Welterweight Tournament Semifinals


With their first ever pay per view in two weeks, there's always some good action leading up to November 2 with BELLATOR MMA, including Friday night's card.

Both welterweight tournament semifinals will be on Friday, headlined by Rick Hawn and Brent Weedman, in what could be a great fight. Also Ron Keslar will take on 'War Machine' Koppenhaver in the other semifinal.

Also Eric Prindle will be on the televised card, and Karl Amoussou will be on the preliminaries online Friday.

CARD
Welterweight tournament
Semifinals
(170 lb/76.5 kg)
Ron Keslar v 'War Machine' Koppenhaver
Brent Weedman v Rick Hawn
 
 
LIVE on SPIKE Friday night! 

ONE Total Domination Friday: Unified Bantamweight Championship Fight & Shinya Aoki Returns!


ONE is back Friday night with their 11th event, Total Domination, headlined by two great fights, one being a title fight.

The main event will boast champion versus champion, as current ONE bantamweight champion Soo Chul Kim will take on interim ONE bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes as the bantamweight title is on the line. A unification bout.

Also it's the return to the ONE cage for Shinya Aoki as he takes on Cody Stevens, while Jake Butler will also be in action.

 
CARD
Bantamweight championship
(136 lb/61.2 kg)
Soo Chul Kim (c) v Bibiano Fernandes (ic)
 
For more on this wonderful promotion, you should head straight to ONEfc.com or follow them on Facebook or twitter. On PPV in Malaysia. 

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Austria

113 days to go until the opening ceremonies at Sochi. Up next on the countdown: Austria.


Austria has been one of the most successful nations in the winter Olympics. They have been there at every winter Olympic games since the first one in 1924. A total of 201 medals have been won, 55 of those being gold.


Three Austrian athletes have won three gold medals in the Winter games, including the late Toni Sailer (pictured), who won all three in various skiing events--in the downhill, giant slalom and slalom--at Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956. He died in 2009.

The other two who have won three in the winter games were Felix Gottwald, who won twice in the team Nordic combined sprint at Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010 and in the Nordic combined sprint at Turin 2006, and Thomas Morgenstern, who won in the team large hill jumping at Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010, and in the individual large hill at Turin 2006.


Ten have won two gold medals in the winter games, including Hermann 'the Herminator' Maier (pictured), whose career was derailed due to automobile accident. The 'Herminator' won twice on the slopes in the Super G and giant slalom at Nagano 1998. The other two time gold medalists in the winter games from Austria are as follows:

  • Karl Schafer, men's singles figure skating, Lake Placid 1932 & Garnisch Partenkinchen 1936
  • Trude Jochum Beiser, combined at St. Moritz 1948 & downhill at Oslo 1952.
  • Petra Kronberger, women's combined and slalom at Albertville 1992
  • Michaela Dorfmeister, women's Alpine and Super G, Turin 2006
  • Benjamin Raich, men's giant and slalom, Turin 2006
  • Andreas Kotler, men's large hill ski jump, Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010
  • Andreas Linger, mixed doubles luge, Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010
  • Wolfgang Linger, mixed doubles luge, Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010
  • Mario Stecher, men's team Nordic combined, Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010
As of now 34 have qualified for Sochi, including one of twelve teams in men's ice hockey, as well as biathlon.

Austria has also hosted the winter Olympics twice, both at Innsbruck in 1964 and again in 1976.

Up next: Azerbaijan

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Australia

114 days until the opening ceremonies at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Australia.


Australia has participated in the winter Olympics since the first winter games of 1924, with the exception of St. Moritz in 1928 and 1948 and Lake Placid in 1932. A total of nine medals were won by Australians in the winter games.


Of the nine medals earned by Australia in the winter games, five are gold, including Steven Bradbury's men's 1000m final on the short track at Salt Lake City. He previously earned bronze in that event at Lillehammer 1994. Bradbury is one of five who won gold for Australia in the winter games joining:
  • Alisa Camplin, women's freestyle skiing, gold at Salt Lake City 2002
  • Lydia Lassila, women's freestyle skiing, gold at Vancouver 2010
  • Dale Begg Smith, men's freestyle skiing, gold at Turin 2006
  • Torah Bright, women's halfpipe (snowboarding), gold at Vancouver 2010
As of now, Australia is expecting to send four to Sochi, in the men's 1000m speed skating and in three figure skating events.

Up next: Austria

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Armenia

115 days until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Armenia (originally it was supposed to be Australia, but I might've made a mistake. Australia will be next.)


Armenia has participated in the winter Olympics since Lillehammer 1994, mostly in cross country and freestyle skiing. They have yet to medaled in the winter games.

As of now, no Armenian has qualified for Sochi, but could change.

Up next: Australia