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Brad Keselowski, Elliott Sadler, and more news....

By Richard Ginn | January 7, 2009 | The Pit Stop

Brad Keselowski is going to be getting to attempt seven Sprint Cup races in 2009 in the #25 he was in last year for two races. GoDaaddy.com is going to be the sponsor for the car. GoDaddy is also sponsor Brad for 20 Nationwide Series races and Dale Jr. will get the sponsorship for two Nationwide Series races.Attorney John Buric for Elliott Sadler says that Elliott will file a lawsuit where he wants to block A.J. Allmendinger from driving the #19 car.Larry McClure is going to agree for a plea deal for tax invasion charges. David Stemme is going to be getting Roy McCauley as a crew chief for the 2009 season.At the Southern 500 Race at Darlington all seats in rows three through 14 in the Colvin grandstand will be $35 bucks. That is a 10 dollar discount.Dover International Raceway is starting to make big changes to the pit...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Brad Keselowki, Dale Earnhardt Jr., David Stremme, Elliott Sadler, Larry MClure

What About Mike Flanagan?

By Anthony Amobi | January 7, 2009 | Oriole Magic

On Sunday night, Orioles Vice President of Baseball Operations, Mike Flanagan appeared on the MLB Network's "Hot Stove: show and had brief discussion with host Harold Reynolds about the Baltimore Orioles. After a few moments talking about his past before baseball -- believe it or not, apparently Flanagan had run-in with future NBA Hall of Famer Dr. J -- he finally got down to talking about the Birds.Watching the program, let's just say Flanagan didn't instill a lot of confidence in me. I don't know if he's privy to as much information before MacPhail arrived, but he didn't seem to know an inordinate amount of detail about the Mark Teixeira deal which really raised my eyebrows.Yes, he said the team could sign Mark and be "flexible" in talks, but as we all know, the slugger didn't want to come here. As well, he also mentioned the financial disparity between the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Mike Flanagan

Questionable Assumption - Would Barry Have Been a Good Hitter in 2008?

By bheikoop | January 7, 2009 | The Outsiders Look at the Insides of Baseball

As promised, yet another follow up to the Barry Bonds saga.Jack Marshall writes,...[S]igning Bonds in order to make the playoffs would have been a dubious and foolish deal for any team, even if one buys the questionable assumption that he would have played well enough to hold up his end of it.Questionable assumption? I'm sorry, but did I miss something?While Marshall is accurate in asserting that Bonds would have been an injury risk had a team signed him for the 2008 season (or even for half of the 2008 season), sometimes the risk outweighs the reward. The risk involved in this scenario would be signing Barry to the league minimum and getting zero at bats out of him.The reward? Signing Barry to the league minimum and getting close to the season Barry put up in 2007.On the surface, to someone who is simply a fan of the game, that might...

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Anquan Boldin Will Play Saturday At Carolina!

By Eli Wahlstrom | January 7, 2009 | The Cardinals Report

I'm not trying to be misleading with my title, I'm just saying I firmly believe Anquan Boldin is going to play Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. Karlos Dansby and Bertrand Berry think he will also. On Monday Dansby was on Late Hits with Howard David and Gil Brandt on Sirius NFL and talked about Boldin's status."He's a warrior, man. He's going to be fine," Dansby said. "Like they said, he just tweaked it a little bit. I told him the today when I saw him in the training room, I was laughing, I said, 'Man, that's the fastest I've ever seen you run.' . . . In my five years being here that's the fastest I've ever seen him run."I get the opportunity to check him every Wednesday [in practice] and he tries to run the seam route on me every time and he don't run that fast, you know...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, carolina panthers

Spurs waive Tolliver

By Michael De Leon | January 7, 2009 | Project Spurs

The Spurs waived forward Anthony Tolliver today, according to Yahoo Sports.Tolliver played in 19 games for the Spurs, averaging 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds. The rookie from Creighton played only nine minutes in the last two games for San Antonio.The 6-foot-8 Tolliver had his best game on Nov. 12 against Milwaukee, when he had nine points and six rebounds and played 28 minutes in an 82-78 loss.Tolliver played very well during summer league and training camp to earn a roster spot. He was sent down to the Austin Toros once before the Spurs recalled him on December 19.I'm not quite sure why Tolliver was waived unless the Spurs plan on signing someone or making room for a trade. I would certainly not mind them bringing in a legit center, but unless either of those two things happen, this doesn't make a lot of sense. Tolliver might not be the most...

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Return of Fun?

By Melissa Lockard | January 7, 2009 | Athletic Supporters

The Oakland A's made it official today, announcing that they had come to terms on a one-year deal plus an option with their former MVP Jason Giambi. Giambi will reportedly make only $4 million next season. The option reportedly is worth $6.5 million with a $1 million buyout. For that kind of price, it is hard to think of a scenario where the A's would not have wanted to sign Giambi. Four million bucks for a player who gets on-base at a terrific pace and hit more than 30 homers last season seems like a bargain, even in this depressed market. Pat Burrell's signing may have set the bar low for Giambi in terms of what he reasonably could look for on the open market, although the speed with which the A's made this deal with Giambi after Burrell's was announced suggests that the parameters were in place before...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Billy Beane, Free Agency, Jason Giambi, Oakland A's, Oakland Athletics

NBA Great Debates: Which Team is More Likely to Dethrone Boston: Orlando or Cleveland?

By Staff Report | January 7, 2009 | MVN Outsider

LeBron James - Keith Allison/Flickr.com

NBA Outsider's Amar Panchmatia and Joe Boikess debate the issue: Which team is more likely to dethrone the Boston Celtics: the Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic? Amar Panchmatia argues in favor of Cleveland: Orlando forward Rashard Lewis recently referred to the Magic as "that other team" whenever there is a conversation about the league's top teams. But although Orlando's 26-8 start is as legitimate as it gets -- and their depth, veteran leadership, and discipline is a benchmark of their stability -- there's a reason the Cleveland Cavaliers have always been able to keep the Magic at arm's length through the first 35 games this season: They're simply better. While Orlando stood relatively pat in the offseason a summer after making a big splash for Lewis, the Cavs went out and gave up next to nothing for Mo Williams, who is every bit as dynamic as Orlando's Jameer Nelson. And...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, Orlando Magic

Recent signings could push Baldelli to Boston

By bottomlinesox | January 7, 2009 | The Bottom Line

We've been looking at a number of candidates that could fill the bench spots for the Roed Sox in 2009. Rocco Baldelli is one of those candidates and he could be getting closer to signing with the Red Sox... Dejan Kovacevic of the PBC blog says the recent Jerry Hairston, Jr. and Pat Burrell signings have cut the number os possible homes for Baldelli. The Pirates remain very interested, but DK did say that his source directly invloved in the Baldelli negotiations says there are at least two AL teams also keeping tabs on Rocco. "The field now could be down to the Pirates and two American League teams, according to one source directly involved in negotiations. And the thinking in the Pirates' offices is that their situation on the corner outfield spots -- Brandon Moss is recovering from knee surgery, and Nyjer Morgan is not currently seen as everyday material...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, JD Drew, Pittsburgh Pirates, Rocco Baldelli

NBA Great Debates: Which Team is More Likely to Dethrone Boston: Orlando or Cleveland?

By Staff Report | January 7, 2009 | MVN Outsider

LeBron James - Keith Allison/Flickr.com

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, Orlando Magic

Amar Panchmatia on Celtics' Biggest Threat: Magic or Cavaliers?

By Brandon Rosage | January 7, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NBA Outsider's Amar Panchmatia added to his case from Wednesday's "NBA Great Debate," arguing that the Cleveland Cavaliers stand the biggest threat to the Boston Celtics' title defense -- not the Orlando Magic. Panchmatia took shots via phone from MVN Radio's Brandon Rosage regarding the Cavs' poor record against the Celtics and the best of the rest from the much-improved Eastern Conference. In the interview, the Cavalier Attitude blogger also pitted Cleveland's lineup against Orlando and Boston, boasting their untouchable home court play, but conceding need for the low-court presence the best teams in the league already have. The audio interview serves as a companion to today's feature "NBA Great Debates: Which Team is More Likely to Dethrone Boston: Orlando or Cleveland?" at NBA Outsider....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Amar Panchmatia, audio, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, Orlando Magic

NHL's Winter Classic Another Success

By Alan Smodic | January 7, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Penn State's Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa. -- reivax/Flickr.com

The 2009 version of NHL's newest annual party was deemed another success. Reviews and ratings of the Winter Classic matchup at Wrigley Field between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks raved about the sport.Just like last year, the first question is whether or not to continue the game annually, and if so, where is the next destination?Ross McKeon, at Yahoo! sports, tackled this issue in his newest power rankings. For each team, he lists the best possible destination for that organization to play an outdoor game. It's pretty good stuff.Of course, the logical market to exploit is that of Boston and New York where games could be played in Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium.Before that is done, however, I urge to stay away from baseball stadiums. While the mystique is great, the seating is not. Fans are A) farther away from the action and B) stuck outside or watching...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Flyers, NHL, Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Winter Classic

MLB Crystal Ball: Burrell Keeps Rays in Contention in East

By Jaymes Langrehr | January 7, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Pat Burrell will provide a big bat in the middle of Tampa's order -- Scott Ableman/flickr

With the Yankees doing their best to ensure they'll never miss the playoffs again and the Red Sox looking as strong as ever, you couldn't help but feel that the Rays may be left behind, unable to keep up with the spending of their bigger AL East brothers. After all, at most only two teams from the division can make the playoffs.That's not to say the Rays were a fluke -- you certainly don't win the AL East by a decent margin by mistake. They found ways to win close games, were nearly unbeatable at home, and had good pitching throughout the year. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, they play in the only division in baseball where every other rival doesn't have a problem spending money. In order to keep their spot atop the division, eventually they had to start (smartly) spending money.That's exactly what they did when they signed Pat...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MLB, MLB Crystal Ball, Tampa Bay Rays

Best of MVN: Gerald Laird Trade, Comic-Style

By Staff Report | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Samara Pearlstein/Roar of the Tigers

On weekdays we highlight posts from Most Valuable Network that are considered to be a cut above the rest. This work is the best of MVN, the posts that made us think -- and we want to make sure you see it, too. Consider nominating a post for recognition via e-mail. Fans have a hard time giving up on the potential of Stephon Marbury, notes Zach Harper. "There are some guys that are just inherently losers despite their incredible talent," including Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Christian Laettner of yesteryear and Elton Brand and Vince Carter today. Nobody embodies this like Stephon Marbury. From Talk Hoops: There are still thousands and thousands of basketball fans that think Stephon Marbury should be playing on a regular basis. There are droves of people that believe Marbury has been unfairly treated and his talent is being wasted with the spectacle in New York. And there's...

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Alan Smodic on the MLB Network: An Instant Hit or Let Down?

By Brandon Rosage | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Alan Smodic joined MVN Radio Tuesday to take some opening shots and throw praise on the MLB Network in its debut week. Smodic and host Brandon Rosage discussed the expectations set by the NFL Network and NBA TV, and assessed where MLB fell short and where they are winning. The guys also compare MLB's XM Radio 24-hour presence to its new television presence, and take jabs at the young channel's on-air personalities. The discussion serves as a companion to Smodic's MLB Outsider editorial "Initial Thoughts of MLB Network."...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, MLB, MLB Network

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

On January 1, Major League Baseball followed in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL by unveiling its own channel -- the MLB Network.If you don't already know what this exactly is, MLBNetwork.com's about page helps:MLB Network stands for Major League Baseball Network, which means access to more baseball than America's ever seen! This new 24-hour network delves into the world of baseball, going far beyond the field. Fans can tune in at any time for fresh perspectives, current news, the latest trade rumors, pre and post-game banter, highlights and more.Again, if you've seen the NFL or NHL networks, just picture those and think baseball. I wasn't sure if I'd receive the channel (I get the NFL network, but not the NHL), so I was surprised to see it coming in through my satellite. Obviously, I checked it out.I was impressed with my first viewing. The first show I saw...

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NHL Top 10: Surprises of the Season

By Nicolas A. Lewis | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Joe Thornton - Burns!/Flickr.com

1. Columbus - This is personal preference, but I'm putting Columbus as my big surprise this season. There's always a difference between knowing a team has talented players and seeing those players show up, perform, and gel together at the professional level. This team had for quite some time been "Rick Nash and...those other guys" but this year has been different. First the Jackets went and pilfered R.J. Umberger from the Flyers, and youngsters Jakub Voracek and Derikc Brassard showed up ready to roll, and the team is suddenly in serious playoff contention. Not only has their start been a surprise, but they continue to shine. The team was supposed to be dead in the water when Brassard was lost for the season, but a continued resurgence by the long-maligned Kristian Huselius and the continued great play of rookie goalie Steve Mason - only 18 goals allowed in 14...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, NHL, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks

And Every Cowboy Sings a Sad, Sad Song

By Mike Scioscia's tragic illness | January 5, 2009

No, I didn't miss Andruw Jones restructuring his deal to get the hell out of Dodge(rtown). After a long weekend away and a short coma at the shock of not having to see that fat sack of crap in a Dodgers uniform in 2009, I'm back and beyond thrilled. That said, I'm not going to dwell on it too much right now - he's not officially been dumped yet, everyone else in the world has...

16 recommendations | 11 Comments

Cardinals: One Cannibal Short

By Fresh (WC) | January 6, 2009

Another Cardinal has headed up the Mississippi to join everyone's least-favorite pack of suck-ass losers, the Chicago Cubs. I know by now this is late news, but I spent Monday pondering this:Was he picked up to combat Chicago's soaring crime statistics ? Have Chicago's dentists secretly negotiated this deal for a chance to gaze in awe at his wolf like incisors ?Either way, it appears Redbird management is trending away from even reasonably priced contracts....

7 recommendations | 6 Comments

Hells Bells in Los Angeles?

By Mike Scioscia's tragic illness | January 7, 2009

Not that this isn't an idea that hasn't already been kicked around for months, but Yahoo's Tim Brown says that the Dodgers have actually acted upon it... The Los Angeles Dodgers have offered Trevor Hoffman a one-year contract with a club option for 2010, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. Hoffman, the all-time saves leader, also has discussed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, and is likely to have received a formal offer...

5 recommendations | 2 Comments