Hottest Stories in Sports for Thursday, October 20
The World Series gave the perfect opportunity for Tim McCarver to make a fool of himself, the NBA is still in the middle of what I assume is a marathon game of Monopoly and Dirk Nowitzki ain't such a bad guy after all.
Welcome to the Daily Radar, the best way to start the day that isn't hitting the snooze button. Leave rankings and story requests in the comments section and I may just tickle that fancy of yours.
Let's Dish.
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In this edition: Cardinals nab game 1...NBA still playing marathon session of Twister...Tim McCarver makes us smile, then frown...MLB backtracks on some German guy...NBA All-Star Game Saved...Rex Ryan makes Norv Turner fume PM Update: Lions save lives...LSU players can't handle the real stuff
1. BIG BAD RANGERS ARE NEITHER BIG NOR BAD IN GAME 1 LOSS
The St. Louis Cardinals downed the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in a pitching duel that ended 3-2. It also gave us a glimpse into the sweetest beard in the majors. Bow to Jason Motte and his fastball.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Are the Rangers done?
Our Take: The Rangers have the bats and the biggest guys to have never done steroids to swing them. This series is only beginning to blow your mind.
Hype Meter: 5-out-of-5 Tony LaRussa is a Vampires
This series is about to get real. In the rough and tumble world of the streets, that means it is going to get really quite excellent. We even have Jason Motte's gangster to respect for the next six games, and yes, this is going the full seven.
Related Link: 2011 World Series: Does Nolan Ryan's Prediction Help or Hurt Rangers' Chances? (B/R)
Related Link: Yahoo Sports Breaks Down Game 1 (Yahoo Sports)
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2. NBA TO ENTER THIRD DAY OF MEDIATION AND PILLOW FIGHTS
Federal mediator George Cohen is damn good at what he does as the most famous couple's counseling session continues. The NBA players and owners will head to day three of mediation.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Will the NBA season be saved?
Our Take: That question is harder to answer than "how does Tyler Perry have a career?," but I will try. My gut feeling is that we won't have a season but that could also be the tuna sandwich I ate. The two sides are just too far apart. You may want to subscribe to Netflix, like, now.
Hype Meter: 5-out-of-5 What Happens in a Secret Meeting is Not as Sexy as You Thinks
As the meetings continue, there is going to be hope that a deal can be struck. There is also the chance that Derek Fisher will try to draw a charge against David Stern in hour 57 and have that he totally fouled me look.
Related Link: NBA Lockout: Kobe Bryant and Others Prove There Is Money to Be Made Without NBA (B/R)
Related Link: ESPN Covers Progress at NBA Negotiations (ESPN)
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3. TIM MCCARVER IS A LOVABLE OVERSPELLER
From the files of "Did he just say that?" and OMGWTF comes a brilliant soundbite from the master of biting sounds. Tim McCarver gave us the quote of the night when he stated, "It’s a five letter word. S-t-r-i-k-e.”
Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Tim McCarver a Muppet provided for our amusement?
Our Take: I don't have the evidence to counter that he is not a Muppet.
Hype Meter: 4-out-of-5 What Letter is He Not Countings
There is nothing better than McCarver opening his mouth. When he isn't trying to break down what a double play is in 500 words or more, he is giving us the meme of the week.
Well, it's true Tweet Award of the Night:
Related Link: SportsGrid Breaks Down the Wild Thoughts of Tim McCarver
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4. DIRK NOWITZKI IS A HORRIBLE PERSON. WAIT, NO HE ISN'T
Major League Baseball flip-flopped on their Dirk Nowitzki stance. They first kept him from throwing out the first pitch, then thought better of it and relented.
Question on Everybody's Mind: What Gives?
Our Take: Allegedly, MLB didn't want to seem soft on players in the battle of players vs. owners as pertains to the NBA. I know that sounds stupid but this is professional sports, hardly a think tank.
Hype Meter: 3-out-of-5 Rangers Could Use Some More Pitchers
The fact that MLB even toyed with the notion they had to stand united with the owners is beyond laughable. These are billionaires that burn $100 bills just to light their farts. Finally, Bud Selig does something right. Now, about that DH rule...
Related Link: MLB World Series 2011: MLB Does Right Thing with Dirk Nowitzki First Pitch (B/R)
Related Link: Yahoo Sports Breaks Down Infinite Wisdom of Bud Selig (Yahoo Sports)
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5. NBA STARS TO CREATE A SUPER MEGA ULTRA TEAM TO PLAY EXHIBITIONS
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are considering playing in a World Tour exhibition of their skills. Chris Bosh may go too but only because Bosh's mom said they had to bring him along.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Oh, that sounds super fun. Can I go?
Our Take: If you have money, time and the ability to care about a contest that is less important than the All-Star game, then yes.
Hype Meter: 1-out-of-5 Seriously, Mom. I Don't Want Bosh to Plays
The fact that the biggest names in the sport are creating an exhibition tour means lights out for the season. These guys are trying to figure out how to spend their year.
Related Link: NBC Sports Reports on World Tour (NBC Sports)
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6. REX RYAN AND NORV TURNER ARE NOT BESTIES
Rex Ryan said he could have won in San Diego. Then Norv Turner said that Rex should mind his own damn business, sort of. This is the least sexiest war of words ever.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Rex Ryan just playing mind games?
Our Take: The only thing Rex Ryan does better than foot massages and making sandwiches is talking. The Rex Ryan hype machine is back again, and Norv Turner took the bait.
Hype Meter: 1-out-of-5 Wait, Norv Turner is Still Coachings?
This is the exact opposite of a naughty little cat fight. What we have here are two old cranky dudes. For the same reason that Grumpy Old Men is endearing on the first watch only is the same reason this will die a quick death in the national media. I just can't care about two head coaches, especially when both have done a horrible job.
Related Link: Rex Ryan Opens Mouth Wide Enough to Disrespect Norv Turner (B/R)
Related Link: ESPN Reports on Two Grumpy Men (ESPN)
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7. LIONS SAVE JEROME HARRISON'S LIFE BY TRYING TO GET RID OF HIM
In what has to be the most successful trade failure ever, Jerome Harrison was found to have a brain tumor possibly saving his life.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Wait, what?
Our Take: Jerome Harrison must have felt pretty bad when the Lions decided they wanted Ronnie Brown's services over his. Then came the oddest news of the day.
Hyper Meter: 5-out-5 Thank god foe being out of favors
If Harrison doesn't get traded, he doesn't catch the tumor for which he is being traded for now. So next time someone says they don't want you anymore, savor it. That fact may just save your life.
Related Link: NFL Trade Rumors: Botched Jerome Harrison Trade Is Best Thing Eagles Have Done (B/R)
Related Link: Yahoo Sports Reports on Best Failed Trade Ever (Yahoo Sports)
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8. LSU PLAYERS ENJOY NEAR POT
The LSU star players busted for failed drug tests know how to get down, almost. The test results are back and they reveal that Tyrann Mathieu, Tharold Simon and tailback Spencer Ware are both dumb and fans of synthetic marijuana.
Question on Everybody's Mind: What's the world coming to?
Our Take: This is slightly more naughty than getting busted for near beer. I may have actually respected these players more if they were busted for actual pot. I said almost, they are still idiots that may have just hurt their team immensly.
Hype Meter: 3-out-5 Cheech and Chongs
This story only gets hype if LSU loses this Saturday. If that happens, the three players will want to stay in their homes until graduation.
Related Link: LSU Football: What Do Suspensions to Ware, Mathieu and Simon Mean for Tigers? (B/R)
Related Link: ESPN Reports on Silly Suspensions (ESPN)
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Until tomorrow, get the Power Glove. It's so bad.
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