James Traficant, 73, Former U.S. Congressman

Link.

Europe Wins Again!

Self explanatory.

October Is Here (Hint: Playoff Baseball)!

Andrew McCutchen can smoke it!

The ten team format will commence us yet again starting Tuesday with the play in game in the American. The National play-in game is Wednesday. The divisional series starts Thursday. The BoSox had a bad season and thus will not return as last year's world champions.

AMERICAN
Wild Card
Tuesday
Royals v Athletics

Divisional
(best of five)
Angels v Wild Card Winner
Game 1 Thursday
Game 2 Friday
Game 3 Sunday
Game 4 10/6*
Game 5 10/8*

Orioles v Tigers
Game 1 Thursday
Game 2 Friday
Game 3 Sunday
Game 4 10/6*
Game 5 10/8*

NATIONAL
Wild Card
Wednesday
Pirates v Giants

Divisional
Nationals v Wild Card Winner
Game 1 Friday
Game 2 Saturday
Game 3 10/6
Game 4 10/7*
Game 5 10/9*

Dodgers v Cardinals
Game 1 Friday
Game 2 Saturday
Game 3 10/6
Game 4 10/7*
Game 5 10/9*

*-If necessary.

In the states, the American League playoffs sector are all on tbs. The National League playoff sector are all either on Fox Sports 1 or MLB Network.

Hawthorn Wins Again!

 

Does this now make Alistair Clarkson one of the greatest AFL coaches of all time? Maybe. 

Eric Holder Resigns!

Link.

"Check that, Erika Holder."-Jim Rome.

FIBA World Championship For Women 2014 Starts Saturday!

The men had their worlds capped off by the United States with yet another dominating final against Serbia in Spain. Now heading east, FIBA's next tournament starts Saturday as the World Championship for Women is in Turkey.

All sixteen teams will play the first two days in games, including the United States and Turkey. Turkey will play later, while USA Basketball's game against China will be shown Saturday at 3pm NAEDT on NBATV here in the states. The final is next Sunday, the 5th of October.

At least one game will be shown during the tournament here in the states, whether it's on NBATV or the ESPN networks.

2014 AFL Grand Final on Saturday!

Last year it was Hawthorn who spoiled the first ever grand final appearance for Fremantle. This year this is a Grand Final like no other.

Former Hawk Lance Franklin is now with the Swans and will try to win his first premiership against his old club. Also, Mike Pyke is in his second Grand Final with the Swans. The former Canadian national rugby team star (scored a try against the All Blacks in one match) had a reasonable 16 possessions (7 kicks and 9 handballs) in 2012, when the Swans held off the Hawks in the Grand Final.

All of this drama can be seen here in the states late Friday/early Saturday night--on Fox Soccer Plus. If not, AFL.com.au has live radio and timing and scoring as well.

Friday Jukebox 9.26.14

I've been a fan of Groove Armada for over a decade. Their album Black Light came out in 2010, which includes the track "History." This is the Grum mix.

"Roger Goodell is a Liar!" ESPN's Bill Simmons Suspended

Link.

He should be able to come back in time for the NBA season?

Ryder Cup 2014 This Weekend!

A thing that happens every two years is here. The teams are chosen and the outcome will be determined starting Friday through Sunday at Gleneagles Resort, Centenary Course in Scotland.

The 2014 Ryder Cup pits the 15 best golfers in Europe against the 15 best American golfers (no Tiger once again). In 2012, a late American collapse resulted in yet another victory for Europe on U.S. soil. As you look at this year's teams, I feel that Europe could be the more stronger team once again, but never overlook the power of the U.S. squad, fully loaded with even younger talent. Should be something to watch, regardless if you're a golf fan or not.

As far as U.S. TV is concerned, NBC Golf and NBC have the weekend coverage. Golf Channel on Friday (early Friday morning) and NBC on Saturday and Sunday, which means you might be able to get some late Sunday action before you head to church.

BELLATOR MMA 126: Lightweight Tournament Final & Middleweight Championship

A tournament final on the line and a championship on the line. Friday night's headliners for BELLATOR MMA 126.

Alex Shlemenko will defend his BELLATOR middleweight championship against most recent tournament winner Brandon Halsey. Also, Patricky Freire takes on Marcin Held in the lightweight tournament final, with the winner getting a championship shot in the near future.

Also Mike Richman and Bubba Jenkins are in action.

CARD

Lightweight tournament

Final

(155 lb/69.75 kg)

Patricky Freire v Marcin Held

 

Middleweight championship

(185 lb/83.25 kg)

Alex Shlemenko (c) v Brandon Halsey

 

LIVE on SPIKE Friday night!

 

In related news, former BELLATOR lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez will make his UFC debut at the pay per view Saturday as the co-headliner in the card. War Eddie and show those Zuffa Zombies that you're the real deal! 

"Hello Dallas Fort Worth, Let's Talk Sports!"

Link.

Congestive heart failure. Was also UALR men's basketball radio play by play in the '80s.

TV News Anchor Quits on Air: Pot More Important Than News Reader?

Television news anchor in Fairbanks, Alaska, quitting on air to run a marijuana club:

Even better if she actually smoked pot on air.

Rob Bironas, 36, Former NFL Placekicker

Link.

He was married to Terry Bradshaw's daughter!?

Rex Chapman Arrested!

Link.

At least it wasn't crab legs (see Jameis Winston)!

Rutgers AD: "Reach Out and Touch the Donors, But Not in a 'Sandusky Way'!"

Link.

That was in the fall of 2013! That was then! Some people are so pussy to complain. Move on...

Scottish Referendum 2014: The Votes are Now Final.

And the votes are all in!

This was the final score of the referendum election for Scottish independence:

NO 55.3
YES 44.7

Some thoughts here. Over 3 million votes were cast by voters across Scotland. In the UK, minimum voting age is 16. In four precincts, including in Glasgow, the 'yes' were the majority as opposed to the majority who voted against independence. It means that Scotland remains with the UK for now. Who knows, there could be another referendum within the next few years!

Friday Jukebox 9.19.14

It's not January yet, so I felt like it's a good time to get a head start on something. Nevermind, it's a catchy tune, "January" by the British duo Disclosure (their remix of "You and Me" was in a Lacoste Ad recently). It has been over a year since their debut album (the artwork is below) was released.

BELLATOR MMA 125 This Friday!

Friday will be the 125th event for BELLATOR Mixed Martial Arts, headlined by one explosive fight.

The card will mark the BELLATOR MMA debut of former STRIKEFORCE veteran Melvin Manhoef, as he takes on Doug Marshall. Also Brett Rogers will be on the main card as well.

LIVE on SPIKE Friday night!

On Thursday, Scotland Votes...for Independence!

People across Scotland will head to the polls Thursday to decide their fate. A 'yes' vote is a move for secession, while a 'no' vote will remain within the United Kingdom.

What will this referendum mean? For Scotland, they are finally an independent nation, but will remain with the European Union for now. The UK is an EU membered nation. The white 'x' cross emblem in the flag will probably disappear from the UK flag. It will also mean that Scotland may have to get everything they need to be the independent society they need. Like their Olympic committee. Rio 2016 is less than 22 months away, and in some sports, qualifications have already took place (see FIBA men's World Cup) so the time is now.

I feel that this has vibes of the Quebec referendum of 1995; majority voted against separation from Canada. Will the Scots have their way this time? I hope so, as long as it doesn't turn into a dictatorship with continuous EU backing. Freedom for all. Also, get rid of the 'Neds.'

Adrian Peterson Reinstated...For Now. **UPDATE**: Benched for Saints Game!

Link.

Radisson has now terminated team sponsorship because of this. It doesn't suck to suck AP.

UPDATE: Just read and heard he will be benched for the game at the Superdome on Sunday.

We Are...PED STATE!

But, Rutgers A.D. stated it was both 'inappropriate and offensive' in this statement here.

"It is unfortunate that the actions of a few spoiled and otherwise historic and record-setting night that Rutgers provided for our first B1G football game."

-Jules Hermann, Rutgers Athletic Director

No apologies Jules, I know everything is cleaning up in State College with the scholarship news within the program recently announced. I still feel like the Sandusky shit has ruined the legacy of the PSU football program and everything on the campus as a whole forever.

We...are...PED STATE!

Coke Bringing Back Surge!

Link.

But only on Amazon!

Six Months to Live.

Veteran news anchor at television station in Champaign, Illinois (where the University of Illinois is located) announces that he has six months to live due to brain cancer:

DISCLAIMER: the man's name is Dave Benton. Yes folks, not the Dave Benton who was the co-winner of the ESC in 2001. Different Dave Benton.

Maydana II Saturday: Early Start Time!

Is it 'Mayhem' or is it 'Mayhem-less'?

The rematch for the welterweight championship (WBC at least) between Marcos Maidana and champion Floyd 'Money' Mayweather isn't hyped up to be as it was last year between Floyd and Saul Alvarez (in which I scored the fight in favor of Canelo). It's an okay card, but nothing special. If you want to watch it on PPV or in theaters, that's fine.

Also, Leo Santa Cruz is in action among three title fights on the scheduled main card.

CARD
Welterweight championship
(175 lb/78.75 kg)

Floyd Mayweather (c) v Marcos Maidana

 

LIVE on SHOWTIME PPV Saturday night at 8pm Eastern. 

MMA World Series of Fighting 13 Saturday!

MMA World Series of Fighting is back this Saturday night, as Marlon Moraes takes on Josh Hill Cody Bollinger in a non title affair in catchweight.

The card is LIVE on NBCSN this Saturday as a reasonable alternative for combat sport fans who think Maydana II is garbage.

Friday Jukebox 9.12.14

I think last week, I posted about the death of Jimi Jamison, the frontman for the band Survivor, the band most famous for hits like "Burning Heart" and of course "Eye of the Tiger." Both on Rocky III and IV soundtracks. Speaking of "Eye of the Tiger," here it is.

9/11/01

NEVER FORGET

Ted Robinson Suspended By Niners For Now, Over Ray Rice Comments

Link.

Pac 12 Networks gave him two as well. After reading about his comments, I agree with him. PC patrol runs amuck again!

BELLATOR 124, Friday Night is Light Heavyweight Night!

Season 11 of BELLATOR Mixed Martial Arts continues Friday with light heavyweight flavor.

Emanuel Newton defends the BELLATOR MMA light heavyweight title against Joey Beltran. Plus, Liam McGeary takes on Kelly Anundson in the light heavyweight tournament final. The winner gets a shot against whoever wins the light heavyweight title.

CARD

Light heavyweight tournament

Final

(205 lb/92.25 kg)

Liam McGeary v Kelly Anundson

 

Light heavyweight championship

(205 lb/92.25 kg)

Emanuel Newton (c) v Joel Beltran

 

LIVE on SPIKE Friday Night! 

ONE Rise of the Kingdom on Friday: Featuring Flyweight Championship

ONE is back for another great headliner as Geje Eustaquio takes on Adriano Moraes for the ONE flyweight world title on Friday night with "Rise of the Kingdom."

Rise of the Kingdom is the 20th event for ONE dating back to 2011, their first year of live MMA events. ONE is a great promotion that has put out quality fights and finishes in the past, so check them out at ONEfc.com!

S. Truett Cathy, 93, Restauranteur

Link.

The man who invented the chicken sandwich. Not you Harland Sanders. It is his principles and product that makes Chick-Fil-A the #1 chicken chain in America. Eat mor chikin.

Sean O'Haire, 43, Pro Wrestler & Mixed Martial Artist

Link.

Mid-carder in WCW who crossed over to WWF during the 2001 'Invasion' angle. Also before guys like Bobby Lashley, Brock Lesnar and Dave Bautista, he actually was the first pro wrestler to cross over to mixed martial arts!

Possible suicide by hanging.

Hawks Owner Bruce Levenson to Sell Team...Over an E-Mail?

Link.

The email was from 2012, and after reading it, what was so racist about it? Even Lew Alcindor didn't find it racist!

I guess he's frustrated about pro sports in Atlanta, and just wants to get out. After all he was the man who sold the Thrashers to True North in 2011. The rest is history.

Hey Diddle Diddle...Ray Rice Gets the Middle...Finger (Featuring CCTV Footage)

Check out the elevator CCTV of the incident from the Thirty-Mile Zone right here.

Ravens officially canned him, she makes statement on Instagram. CFL to honor NFL's 'ban.' A step forward.

Ray Nagin Gets Ten Years for Bribery!

Link.

Should've been given the death penalty!

Joan Rivers, 81

Link.

INVICTA is Back: Two Title Shots at INVICTA 8 Saturday Night!

The best all-women MMA promotion (and the only one of its kind I know of) is back! Two title fights headline the return of INVICTA Fighting Championships after a couple months on hiatus.

Michelle Waterston will defend her atomweight title against Yasuko Tamada, while Samantha Eggink will take on Fin Katja Kankaanpaa for the inaugural INVICTA strawweight title.

Also Tara LaRosa will be in action.

The card will be the first of many (and hopefully they will get a better deal than this) to be broadcast on this $89 a month internet pay per view service called 'UFC Fight Pass', and live on Saturday night.

Friday Jukebox 9.5.14

The band Survivor was part of the Rocky franchise for two films. "Eye of the Tiger" was in Rocky III, while "Burning Heart" was in Rocky IV. Both were number one hits for weeks on Billboard. Jimi Jamison was a part of the band for years as their lead singer, and passed away on Monday at the age of 63. "Burning Heart" was a hit on Billboard that would last about halfway into 1986.

'STRIKEFORCE Tribute Night': Two Fight Cards, 90 Miles Apart on Friday

Two cards, about 90 minutes apart, and easy driving distance from Hartford and New York City. Both on one night. And with the fighters headlining these cards, let's just say that this is basically STRIKEFORCE Tribute Night.

Why did I type 'STRIKEFORCE Tribute Night'? Simply because Mo Lawal, Bobby Lashley, Cheick Kongo, Alastair Overeem, Jacare Sousa and Gegard Mousasi will all be in action on those two separate cards Friday night. They all fought in STRIKEFORCE for some point of their MMA career. Also current BELLATOR CEO Scott Coker is the founder of STRIKEFORCE, which he sold to ZUFFA in 2011. There it is, a coincidence folks.

At Mohegan Sun Uncasville, will be a proper card of MMA, as BELLATOR MMA returns for a new season, and as the tournaments will dissolve, a restructuring of one sort has taken over the landscape since Coker joined the promotion. The second meeting in the featherweight division between Pat Curran and Patricio Freire will have Curran defending his title. Kongo, Lawal and Lashley will also be on the main card. Lashley is also the current TNA IMPACT Wrestling world champion.

 

CARD
Featherweight championship

(145 lb/65.25 kg)

Pat Curran (c) v Patricio Freire

 

The card will air live on SPIKE Friday night. That 'other' card in Connecticut on Friday will air at the same time on Fox Sports 1, and will be held at Foxwoods. Jacare will fight Mousasi as that match is the headliner, while Overeem will also be in action. 

NFL Regular Season Returns Thursday (Includes the Ongoing Fight for the Bills)

Lost amid the US Open, pennant races, the college football season and this year's FIBA World Cup for Men, the NFL regular season returns beginning Thursday night.

The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks will open up their season on NBC Thursday night against the Packers. ESPN will once again have a Monday night doubleheader, headlined by the Chargers and Cardinals. Last year's 9-7 playoff team against last year's 10-6 and missed the playoffs. The better Monday night game, not the 7pm Eastern game of mediocrity.

In other NFL news, Bills found three successors to the late Ralph Wilson: among those are the Sabres' principal owner and of course Jon Bon Jovi, with Rogers (the Toronto-based telco) as backers and they want the team to stay in Buffalo, or will we take their word if they win the bidding. We'll see.