Today started out as any other in terms of my daily routine. I woke up to sports center, had my breakfast of champions and headed off to the gym. An intense workout which included a full shoulder work over, some abs and an hour of cardiovascular with my ear phones tuned into...well sports center of course! I am always looking for THE story, and you never know when and where it will all unfold. So I get my day heading in the right direction as I prepare to meet up with my old buddy Rashad Reed, in town for a wedding and always game for a sports showdown meeting of the minds. So Rashad and I drive over to the local boys and girls club and pick up my 11 year old son Jordan and take the 70 west in to Kansas City, toward 18TH and Vine. There we reach our destination, a hallowed hall if there ever was one, the Negro Leagues Museum. The Negro Leagues was started as an alternative competitive baseball league for blacks not allowed to compete in the Major Leagues due to their skin color and ethnicity. What we stumbled upon once there, was one of the most moving and seldom mentioned stories in the history of the color barrier being broken in American sports.
In 1947, Jackie Robinson was that barrier breaker, spearheading change when racism was very prevalent in society at the time. Although the racial barrier being broken was that of playing baseball, it proved how powerful sports plays it's role in American culture. Quietly however as time has passed and the dust continues to settle over some lost history, I stood all amazed at a forgotten hero. Lawrence Eugene "Larry" Doby. Larry Doby as he was known, was the second black player to play in the modern major leagues and the first to do so in the American League. Doby started his career as a second baseman for the Newark Eagles of the Negro Leagues. After helping to break the color barrier, Doby was signed by the Cleveland Indians were he played center field and was voted to seven all-star games. Among Doby's many accomplishments include helping the Cleveland Indians to their 1948 World Series championship over the Boston Braves. In game four of that fall classic, Larry Doby became the first black player to hit a home run in a World Series. In 1954 Doby finished second in the American League MVP voting, while helping the Indians to win 111 games and the American League pennant.
For all of Doby's accomplishments and contributions, little is written about the discrimination he faced, just as Jackie Robinson was suffering through the same. As a matter of fact, the abuse Doby experienced cannot be comprehended by mere words or understood by the masses save for Robinson himself. Coincidentally, Larry Doby also became the second black manager in the major leagues after Frank Robinson, another seldom documented leap for the black athlete courtesy of Doby himself. Larry Doby would served two years in the Navy during his stint in the Negro Leagues, making for more misplacement of judgment by society of the day. A black man could serve his country in war, but not play baseball with the white man once back home. Still through it all, Larry Doby maintained his humility and was as honorable a man that has ever represented his people. Even in 1997 when major league baseball honored Jackie Robinson by retiring his number 42 throughout the league, Larry Doby was virtually ignored. Sports Illustrated noted that Doby had to suffer through all the same indignities Robinson endured, and with nowhere near the media attention and implicit support.
Larry Doby was inducted in to the baseball hall of fame in 1998, and was recognized for the great player that he was, but not necessarily for the great man that he had to be for change to take place. Doby passed away June 18, 2003 at the age of 79. Now gone and often forgotten, let us all in death, pay homage to a man that was cheated in life of his rightful due. Larry Doby was a trailblazer and a hero and on this day I am proud to say I knew of him, and like many who came before me, I am a better man for it.
By Ephraim vega
-Blog or Bust News-
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Weekly Rant/ Part Duex!
Tuesday night all eyes will be on the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics as they write another chapter to their storied rivalry. Game 6 could provide all the drama that has made this rivalry great over the years. The Celtics own a 3-2 lead heading in to the Staples Center in LA and need just one more win to capture championship number 18 in franchise history. I know one thing...Kobe won't go quietly.
All the hype surrounding the Big 12, PAC 10 and thoughts of a super conference turned out to be just a waste of water cooler talk. Their going...their staying...their going...their staying. Really? That is the reason I have always and will always prefer pro sports over collegiate athletics. Empty talk and media leverage all in the name of making more money for the university, while the athlete's continue to play for free. And I thought the BCS system was bad!
The New Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies will square off in inter-league play this week. Last time these two power houses met was the 2009 World Series won in 6 games by the lovable Yanks. Talk about two teams heading in opposite directions. The Yankees are playing great baseball despite enduring injuries all season long including their most recent loss of Alex Rodriguez. The Phillies are just hoping to score some runs with an offense that is in complete disarray. Despite the disparity in their current play, this series should provide some fireworks. After all CC Sabbathia and Roy Halladay take the mound opposite each other in game 1. Now that is star power.
OK back to basketball for a second. Can we all stop trying to compare Kobe Bryant to Micheal Jordan now. Even if Kobe leads his team to wins in game 6 and 7 and title number 17, his legacy has already been cemented. Kobe has already lost two finals series. MJ was 6-0 in finals play. Kobe has quit and given up in games and series in the past. Think Phoenix Suns several years back and as recent as 2008 against the Boston Celtics. Jordan never showed a quit or die attitude...ever. Jordan willed himself and anyone who played with him to win. Kobe has been shut down in huge spots before. Against the Detroit Pistons in the finals years back and against the Boston Celtics in 2008 and even in game 2 of this years series. You simply could not even slow 23. Stop it. It is not fair to Kobe and it is not equally fair to Lebron James. Asking for any of these guys to be as great as Jordan is like asking someone in baseball to be better than Babe Ruth. Not Happening.
And finally to the NFL and specifically to Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, who became the latest athlete to get in trouble with the law. Did he not learn from the Ben Roethlisbereger debacle? Your a freaking starting QB for an NFL franchise. First off you don't go to clubs. Secondly, you don't get in to physical altercations in clubs you shouldn't be in to begin with. And finally, you don't loose your head over verbal taunts and get in to physical altercations in clubs you shouldn't be in to begin with. Clear enough for you? If you cannot handle the heckling you get in public, how do you expect to handle the pressure of becoming a top tier player in a league where on field taunts are the norm? Get it together and use better judgment or you will find yourself on the wrong end of an ESPN 30 for 30 film about how you lost it all because you could not practice self control.
By Ephraim Vega
-Blog or Bust News-
All the hype surrounding the Big 12, PAC 10 and thoughts of a super conference turned out to be just a waste of water cooler talk. Their going...their staying...their going...their staying. Really? That is the reason I have always and will always prefer pro sports over collegiate athletics. Empty talk and media leverage all in the name of making more money for the university, while the athlete's continue to play for free. And I thought the BCS system was bad!
The New Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies will square off in inter-league play this week. Last time these two power houses met was the 2009 World Series won in 6 games by the lovable Yanks. Talk about two teams heading in opposite directions. The Yankees are playing great baseball despite enduring injuries all season long including their most recent loss of Alex Rodriguez. The Phillies are just hoping to score some runs with an offense that is in complete disarray. Despite the disparity in their current play, this series should provide some fireworks. After all CC Sabbathia and Roy Halladay take the mound opposite each other in game 1. Now that is star power.
OK back to basketball for a second. Can we all stop trying to compare Kobe Bryant to Micheal Jordan now. Even if Kobe leads his team to wins in game 6 and 7 and title number 17, his legacy has already been cemented. Kobe has already lost two finals series. MJ was 6-0 in finals play. Kobe has quit and given up in games and series in the past. Think Phoenix Suns several years back and as recent as 2008 against the Boston Celtics. Jordan never showed a quit or die attitude...ever. Jordan willed himself and anyone who played with him to win. Kobe has been shut down in huge spots before. Against the Detroit Pistons in the finals years back and against the Boston Celtics in 2008 and even in game 2 of this years series. You simply could not even slow 23. Stop it. It is not fair to Kobe and it is not equally fair to Lebron James. Asking for any of these guys to be as great as Jordan is like asking someone in baseball to be better than Babe Ruth. Not Happening.
And finally to the NFL and specifically to Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, who became the latest athlete to get in trouble with the law. Did he not learn from the Ben Roethlisbereger debacle? Your a freaking starting QB for an NFL franchise. First off you don't go to clubs. Secondly, you don't get in to physical altercations in clubs you shouldn't be in to begin with. And finally, you don't loose your head over verbal taunts and get in to physical altercations in clubs you shouldn't be in to begin with. Clear enough for you? If you cannot handle the heckling you get in public, how do you expect to handle the pressure of becoming a top tier player in a league where on field taunts are the norm? Get it together and use better judgment or you will find yourself on the wrong end of an ESPN 30 for 30 film about how you lost it all because you could not practice self control.
By Ephraim Vega
-Blog or Bust News-
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Weekly Rant!
Well let me start with the obvious as the Los Angeles Lakers took back the home court advantage with their game 3 win at the Boston Celtics. Is it me or did any one else notice that Ray Allen followed up one of the greatest shooting performances in NBA playoff history with quite possibly the worst shooting performance in NBA playoff history? And this just in...there has been a Kevin Garnett sighting. If the C's can find away to get the big 3 to play at a high level at the same time then I may change my tune on how I think this series is beginning to shape up. Right now it is Rondo vs the Lakers. Help wanted!
Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks for defeating the very game Philadelphia Flyers in six games Wednesday night. Kind of brought me back to 1994 when my New York Rangers ended 54 years of championship obscurity by winning Lord Stanley's cup. The Blackhawks didn't have to wait quite as long, just a shade under 50 years, but the wait for Chicago ins is finally over. Happy for Patrick Kane, one of the catalyst of Team USA's run at a gold medal these past olympics. Was that a USA, USA,USA chant I hear?
How about all the hype surrounding Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg going in to his major league debut Tuesday night against the less than stellar Pittsburgh Pirates. Very few are the times that I can ever remember someone actually living up to any hype. Strasburg however...exceeded everyone's, including mine. I do not care if it was the Pirates, Strasburg went seven innnings, had 14 strikeouts including stretches were he struck out the side in the third, sixth and seventh innings. He was so dominate that he finished off the last seven batters via whiffs in route to his first major league win. Yea he's good. Real good.
So according to boxing promoter Bob Arum, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Neveda is the front runner for Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao to meet for the worlds mythical pound for pound crown. Seriously? Bob Arum should know better. 50,000 fans went to the new Cowboys stadium in Dallas to see Manny fight (or chase) Joshua Clottey to a 12 round unanimous decision. Miguel Cotto just headlined the first bout at Yankee stadium since Muhammed Ali and Ken Norton fought in 1976 and drew over 2 million viewers on HBO, making the event the most watched program on the network this year. Fights in Vegas are passe. With all the momentum boxing is garnering, you need history making events. Listen, go back to Dallas, put more than 100,000 thousand people in that new stadium, and make it the biggest event ever. Only in America!
College football is seeing much anticiapted movement the past couple of weeks. It looks like the Big 12 as we once knew it is all but over. Nebraska has a verbal agreement to join the Big 10 with Mizzouri not to far behind. Truthfully the Big 12 could survive such an exodus, but the possiblity of Texas joining the Pac 10 would spell it's demise. If Texas goes, so will Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. That would leave Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Iowa State and Mizzouri if the Tigers don't jump ship to the Big 10. The Big 5? Not very compelling. With all the possible changes ready to take take place, it looks like the BCS system is going to remain intact for years to come. Bummer.
By Ephraim Vega
-Blog or Bust News-
Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks for defeating the very game Philadelphia Flyers in six games Wednesday night. Kind of brought me back to 1994 when my New York Rangers ended 54 years of championship obscurity by winning Lord Stanley's cup. The Blackhawks didn't have to wait quite as long, just a shade under 50 years, but the wait for Chicago ins is finally over. Happy for Patrick Kane, one of the catalyst of Team USA's run at a gold medal these past olympics. Was that a USA, USA,USA chant I hear?
How about all the hype surrounding Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg going in to his major league debut Tuesday night against the less than stellar Pittsburgh Pirates. Very few are the times that I can ever remember someone actually living up to any hype. Strasburg however...exceeded everyone's, including mine. I do not care if it was the Pirates, Strasburg went seven innnings, had 14 strikeouts including stretches were he struck out the side in the third, sixth and seventh innings. He was so dominate that he finished off the last seven batters via whiffs in route to his first major league win. Yea he's good. Real good.
So according to boxing promoter Bob Arum, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Neveda is the front runner for Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao to meet for the worlds mythical pound for pound crown. Seriously? Bob Arum should know better. 50,000 fans went to the new Cowboys stadium in Dallas to see Manny fight (or chase) Joshua Clottey to a 12 round unanimous decision. Miguel Cotto just headlined the first bout at Yankee stadium since Muhammed Ali and Ken Norton fought in 1976 and drew over 2 million viewers on HBO, making the event the most watched program on the network this year. Fights in Vegas are passe. With all the momentum boxing is garnering, you need history making events. Listen, go back to Dallas, put more than 100,000 thousand people in that new stadium, and make it the biggest event ever. Only in America!
College football is seeing much anticiapted movement the past couple of weeks. It looks like the Big 12 as we once knew it is all but over. Nebraska has a verbal agreement to join the Big 10 with Mizzouri not to far behind. Truthfully the Big 12 could survive such an exodus, but the possiblity of Texas joining the Pac 10 would spell it's demise. If Texas goes, so will Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. That would leave Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Iowa State and Mizzouri if the Tigers don't jump ship to the Big 10. The Big 5? Not very compelling. With all the possible changes ready to take take place, it looks like the BCS system is going to remain intact for years to come. Bummer.
By Ephraim Vega
-Blog or Bust News-
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Cotto Stops Foreman: Wins Title
Miguel Cotto came to the New Yankee Stadium hoping to regain his place among the elite boxers today. Yuri Foreman came in hoping to make a name for himself and leave the Bronx with his Junior middleweight title in tact. On a night and at a time when boxing maybe in the midst of re-emerging, both Cotto and Foreman delivered. In an epic battle almost 35 years removed from the last momentous boxing event held in the hollowed house that(Babe)Ruth build, Miguel Cotto stalked, broke down and battered a very tough and game future Rabbi in Yuri Foreman by ninth round stoppage. This despite Foreman, who is studying to become a Rabbi, suffered a knee injury in the seventh round, yet refused to go quietly. Cotto was cruising along with stiff jabs and brisk combinations nullifying the speed and boxing bravado that was suppose to be Yuri Foreman's trump card coming in. Instead Foreman from the outset found himself on the defensive and unable to get in to any rhythm against the Puerto Rican superstar.
Despite the early onslaught Foreman did manage to make a fight of it, that is until the seventh round when Yuri Foreman's right knee gave out on him. Many at ringside including yours truly, thought that was the beginning of the end. But Foreman refused to wilt and showed great courage and heart in continuing to fight on, even on one leg. So much so that at one point in the eight round Foreman's trainer threw in the towel only to have that ruling rescinded by referee Arthur Mercante Jr. The bout would continue and Foreman's status as a true warrior was on full display as he continued to fight despite the injury and the immense pressure Miguel Cotto kept pouring on.
The end however was near as early in the ninth round it was vintage Cotto setting up and mixing his punches until connecting with a left hook to the body that floored Foreman and earned Cotto a title in an unprecedented third weight class. There is no question that Emmanuel Stewart in his first fight as Miguel Cotto's trainer made a big difference in restoring the new junior middleweight champion to his old self. ''You are going to see the Miguel Cotto of old tonight'', is what the Puerto Rican superstar and now global boxing legend told HBO announcer Max Kellerman prior to the fight. It was indeed the Miguel Cotto of old, even if it was for one night. But now for Stewart and his eager protege, there are plenty of new challenges awaiting...can you say Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams? Only time will tell if we get to see those big fights take place, but tonight courtesy of Cotto and Foreman, we all got to enjoy a piece of history.
By Ephraim Vega
-Blog or Bust News-
Despite the early onslaught Foreman did manage to make a fight of it, that is until the seventh round when Yuri Foreman's right knee gave out on him. Many at ringside including yours truly, thought that was the beginning of the end. But Foreman refused to wilt and showed great courage and heart in continuing to fight on, even on one leg. So much so that at one point in the eight round Foreman's trainer threw in the towel only to have that ruling rescinded by referee Arthur Mercante Jr. The bout would continue and Foreman's status as a true warrior was on full display as he continued to fight despite the injury and the immense pressure Miguel Cotto kept pouring on.
The end however was near as early in the ninth round it was vintage Cotto setting up and mixing his punches until connecting with a left hook to the body that floored Foreman and earned Cotto a title in an unprecedented third weight class. There is no question that Emmanuel Stewart in his first fight as Miguel Cotto's trainer made a big difference in restoring the new junior middleweight champion to his old self. ''You are going to see the Miguel Cotto of old tonight'', is what the Puerto Rican superstar and now global boxing legend told HBO announcer Max Kellerman prior to the fight. It was indeed the Miguel Cotto of old, even if it was for one night. But now for Stewart and his eager protege, there are plenty of new challenges awaiting...can you say Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams? Only time will tell if we get to see those big fights take place, but tonight courtesy of Cotto and Foreman, we all got to enjoy a piece of history.
By Ephraim Vega
-Blog or Bust News-
Lakers Top Celtics
I felt like I was in some type of time warp. Watching game one of the NBA Finals Thursday night was like an out of body experience. The once fragile and ''soft'' Los Angeles Lakers seemingly turned the tables on the once tough and gritty Boston Celtics team that two years ago had things going the other way. Pau Gasol seemed to turn the tables on Kevin Garnett and Ron Artest may have set the tone for the series by body slamming Paul Pierce on an early first quarter possession that earned both men technical fouls. Even the ever reliable Rajon Rondo seemed to have every other shot attempt blocked by the Lakers length and girth. Granted it is only one game, but if ever there was a telling start to a Finals series in recent memory, it happened in my eyes.
Now it is the Celtics who stand to receive criticism for there poor start and failure to inflict there mental advantage from there 2008 meeting. A meeting that saw the Celtics capture their 17Th championship banner at the expense of their bitter rivals. More than that they were able to rough up the Lakers and out hustle them for six games. Now after Their game one performance the Lakers have been able flip the script, until game two on Sunday night rolls around at least. The Celtics are game however, as they showed in their series with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After getting embarrassed in game 2 by the ''King'' Lebron James and company, all they did was respond with the heart of a champion, turn the tables and win the series.
What the Celtics will find out as this series continues, is that the Lakers are not the Cavs. Kobe Bryant is not Lebron James. And this simply is not 2008. The C's will have to slay a different giant this time around, a giant that will not give up any ground. Literally. What the Celtics will have to do is show that a heart of a champion is not measured by one game, but rather how they respond when truly challenged. Sunday night we will indeed find out if the Lakers are primed for revenge from their 2008 failures or have awoken a sleeping champion ready to make it a Finals.
By Ephraim Vega
-Blog or Bust News-
Now it is the Celtics who stand to receive criticism for there poor start and failure to inflict there mental advantage from there 2008 meeting. A meeting that saw the Celtics capture their 17Th championship banner at the expense of their bitter rivals. More than that they were able to rough up the Lakers and out hustle them for six games. Now after Their game one performance the Lakers have been able flip the script, until game two on Sunday night rolls around at least. The Celtics are game however, as they showed in their series with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After getting embarrassed in game 2 by the ''King'' Lebron James and company, all they did was respond with the heart of a champion, turn the tables and win the series.
What the Celtics will find out as this series continues, is that the Lakers are not the Cavs. Kobe Bryant is not Lebron James. And this simply is not 2008. The C's will have to slay a different giant this time around, a giant that will not give up any ground. Literally. What the Celtics will have to do is show that a heart of a champion is not measured by one game, but rather how they respond when truly challenged. Sunday night we will indeed find out if the Lakers are primed for revenge from their 2008 failures or have awoken a sleeping champion ready to make it a Finals.
By Ephraim Vega
-Blog or Bust News-
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The 10 Spot!
I got together with our resident and ''professional'' couch potato Rashad Reed in this installment of the 10 spot. 10 questions, 10 answers given by the man who pulls no punches and tells it like it is. Enjoy this hilarious and shrewd Q and A that I must say is the best to date! OK, here goes.
EV-Ephraim Vega for Blog or Bust News
RR-Rashad Reed is our resident and ''professional'' coach potato
OK, here goes...
EV- So who you picking in the NBA Finlas between the Boston Celtics and LA Lakers? And why?
RR- As much as it hurts to say, I'm going Celtics in 6. Fisher is too old to contain Rondo. But the biggest advantage will be the Celtics size against Pau Gasol and the rest of the Lakers front court. Andrew Bynum isn't 100% and can anyone trust Lamar Odom's decision making? I mean he picked the wrong Kardashian sister, he has no credibility. But if the Lakers are going to win this series Ron Artest will have to play the way he did in Game 6 versus the Suns
EV- How will Tiger Woods fair at the 2010 Memorial Tournament and how will his early exit from the Players championship affect him mentally?
RR-I think we are in the midst of the Fall of Tiger.. Ive seen him quit in his last 2 events, something I never thought I'd see from Tiger Woods. Too much going on right now in his personal life. I hope I'm wrong, because we all know that Phil Mickelson is NOT must see TV.
EV- New York/New Jersey Super Bowl in 2014 as voted by the owners and supported by Commissioner Roger Goodell is official. Love it or hate it? And why?
RR- Hate it!!! When I picture my Super Bowl I want nice sunny weather or a beautiful domed stadium, not a Super Bowl in a potential blizzard. This is the worst decision so far by the Warden aka Commissioner Goodell. If we end up with 2 quarterbacks that throw for over 4,000 yards, and end up watching a Super Bowl with over 60 hand offs due to blizzard like conditions, then Warden Goodell should suspend himself 8 games
EV- Do you think Lance Armstrong has lost public support since being accused of blood doping by Floyd Landis?
RR- You know this is a tough one. Is Lance dirty, or is he good at not being caught?? I wanna believe he's clean, but I'm thinking more and more that where there's smoke there's fire.
EV- Yuri Foreman will defend his WBA Junior middleweight title against Miguel Cotto at the new Yankee Stadium, the first Boxing event held at Yankee Stadium (New or Old) since Muhammad Ali defeated Ken Norton September 28, 1976. Good or bad for boxing? And is boxing making a comeback?
RR- Bad. No one watches boxing anymore..There is only one fight, the world wants to see and if his name isn't Pac-man or Mayweather, then its sad to say no one will really pay attention. I'm not sure this will even come close to a sell-out. Please Pac-Man and Floyd, come to an agreement and try and save boxing. UFC has taken over!
EV- Ken Griffey Jr. retired after 22 Major league seasons. How will ''The Kid'' be remembered?
RR- Ken Griffey Jr. use to be one of my favorite players, until he left Seattle and joined the Reds. After that his career just fell apart with injury after injury. He still has the smoothest swing Ive ever seen, and I wish he would have ended his career breaking the All-Time Home run record, rather than falling asleep in his rocking chair in the locker room.
EV- Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga was seemingly robbed of a perfect game on a close but later obvious out called safe by umpire Jim Joyce that cost him a perfect game. Does baseball need to re-look at the replay rule for calls other than Home runs?
RR- Yes. Why must baseball drag their feet on this?? Go ahead with replay, it could only help the game. How bad is it that a kid looses his perfect game by an umpire who's as blind as a bat?? Even Tim Donaghy would have called him out. A complete disgrace. Its 2010 MLB, get with the program!!
EV- Jose Canseco is preparing to take the stand and defend Roger Clemens claim of never using HGH. Does Canseco have the credibility to take him at his word regarding Clemens?
RR- I think you have to listen to Canseco. I mean, he really hasn't been wrong about anyone yet. I think Roger just needs to come clean, we know your dirty Roger. Mike Piazza knows your dirty, with your roid rage throwing the bat at him!
EV- Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and other big name free agents plan to have a sit down to decide their basketball futures. You expecting major movement this off season or is this just leverage for stars to stay put and get max deals?
RR- There will be some movement this off season, but not as much as most think. Bron will stay in Cleveland. Wade will stay in Miami, and Bosh will look for a sign and trade so he can get the max contract. I'm looking at Miami being the big winners with getting Wade, Boozer, and Joe Johnson.(That might be the homer in me) Knicks will end up with Amare. Bosh ends up in L.A.
EV- Ben Roethlisberger returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA's this past week. Is his presence good or bad for the Steelers, who are preparing to play the next 4 possibly 6 games without him?
RR- Big Ben's presence should help. But the Steelers need to figure out who their Quarterback will be. I mean Bryon Leftwhich, Charlie Batch, and Dennis Dixon don't make my toes tingle. And Big Ben needs to go to the Big Boy nightclubs and hit on WOMEN, not college girls. I mean you make over 100 million Big Ben, you don't even need a pickup line. He must have no game whatsoever. Pay me Big Ben and ill help you!
There you have it folks. You may not agree with Mr. Reeds opinions but he does indeed tell it like it is. If you want to share with Rashad Reed or Blog or Bust News your thoughts and takes on the 10 Spot, please leave comments and we will be sure to respond back. If you have any questions you would like to ask Rashad Reed you can also leave them in the comment section. Thank you for your support!
By Ephraim Vega
-Blog or Bust News-
EV-Ephraim Vega for Blog or Bust News
RR-Rashad Reed is our resident and ''professional'' coach potato
OK, here goes...
EV- So who you picking in the NBA Finlas between the Boston Celtics and LA Lakers? And why?
RR- As much as it hurts to say, I'm going Celtics in 6. Fisher is too old to contain Rondo. But the biggest advantage will be the Celtics size against Pau Gasol and the rest of the Lakers front court. Andrew Bynum isn't 100% and can anyone trust Lamar Odom's decision making? I mean he picked the wrong Kardashian sister, he has no credibility. But if the Lakers are going to win this series Ron Artest will have to play the way he did in Game 6 versus the Suns
EV- How will Tiger Woods fair at the 2010 Memorial Tournament and how will his early exit from the Players championship affect him mentally?
RR-I think we are in the midst of the Fall of Tiger.. Ive seen him quit in his last 2 events, something I never thought I'd see from Tiger Woods. Too much going on right now in his personal life. I hope I'm wrong, because we all know that Phil Mickelson is NOT must see TV.
EV- New York/New Jersey Super Bowl in 2014 as voted by the owners and supported by Commissioner Roger Goodell is official. Love it or hate it? And why?
RR- Hate it!!! When I picture my Super Bowl I want nice sunny weather or a beautiful domed stadium, not a Super Bowl in a potential blizzard. This is the worst decision so far by the Warden aka Commissioner Goodell. If we end up with 2 quarterbacks that throw for over 4,000 yards, and end up watching a Super Bowl with over 60 hand offs due to blizzard like conditions, then Warden Goodell should suspend himself 8 games
EV- Do you think Lance Armstrong has lost public support since being accused of blood doping by Floyd Landis?
RR- You know this is a tough one. Is Lance dirty, or is he good at not being caught?? I wanna believe he's clean, but I'm thinking more and more that where there's smoke there's fire.
EV- Yuri Foreman will defend his WBA Junior middleweight title against Miguel Cotto at the new Yankee Stadium, the first Boxing event held at Yankee Stadium (New or Old) since Muhammad Ali defeated Ken Norton September 28, 1976. Good or bad for boxing? And is boxing making a comeback?
RR- Bad. No one watches boxing anymore..There is only one fight, the world wants to see and if his name isn't Pac-man or Mayweather, then its sad to say no one will really pay attention. I'm not sure this will even come close to a sell-out. Please Pac-Man and Floyd, come to an agreement and try and save boxing. UFC has taken over!
EV- Ken Griffey Jr. retired after 22 Major league seasons. How will ''The Kid'' be remembered?
RR- Ken Griffey Jr. use to be one of my favorite players, until he left Seattle and joined the Reds. After that his career just fell apart with injury after injury. He still has the smoothest swing Ive ever seen, and I wish he would have ended his career breaking the All-Time Home run record, rather than falling asleep in his rocking chair in the locker room.
EV- Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga was seemingly robbed of a perfect game on a close but later obvious out called safe by umpire Jim Joyce that cost him a perfect game. Does baseball need to re-look at the replay rule for calls other than Home runs?
RR- Yes. Why must baseball drag their feet on this?? Go ahead with replay, it could only help the game. How bad is it that a kid looses his perfect game by an umpire who's as blind as a bat?? Even Tim Donaghy would have called him out. A complete disgrace. Its 2010 MLB, get with the program!!
EV- Jose Canseco is preparing to take the stand and defend Roger Clemens claim of never using HGH. Does Canseco have the credibility to take him at his word regarding Clemens?
RR- I think you have to listen to Canseco. I mean, he really hasn't been wrong about anyone yet. I think Roger just needs to come clean, we know your dirty Roger. Mike Piazza knows your dirty, with your roid rage throwing the bat at him!
EV- Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and other big name free agents plan to have a sit down to decide their basketball futures. You expecting major movement this off season or is this just leverage for stars to stay put and get max deals?
RR- There will be some movement this off season, but not as much as most think. Bron will stay in Cleveland. Wade will stay in Miami, and Bosh will look for a sign and trade so he can get the max contract. I'm looking at Miami being the big winners with getting Wade, Boozer, and Joe Johnson.(That might be the homer in me) Knicks will end up with Amare. Bosh ends up in L.A.
EV- Ben Roethlisberger returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA's this past week. Is his presence good or bad for the Steelers, who are preparing to play the next 4 possibly 6 games without him?
RR- Big Ben's presence should help. But the Steelers need to figure out who their Quarterback will be. I mean Bryon Leftwhich, Charlie Batch, and Dennis Dixon don't make my toes tingle. And Big Ben needs to go to the Big Boy nightclubs and hit on WOMEN, not college girls. I mean you make over 100 million Big Ben, you don't even need a pickup line. He must have no game whatsoever. Pay me Big Ben and ill help you!
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