Hottest Sports Stories for Monday, Nov. 21
The BCS is heavy on sequels, Tony Stewart can drive a car fast and Jay Cutler won't be hitchhiking anytime soon.
Welcome to the Daily Radar, the only place that uses an epic injury as an excuse to play a scene from Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Leave your comments in the place marked comments.
Let's Dish.
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In this edition:
TIGERS ACE JUSTIN VERLANDER STEALS JOSE BAUSTISTA'S TROPHY
Baseball awards voters are at it again. They love doing things that allow us to see how lame they are, like voting for Justin Verlander to be the American League MVP. Toronto's Jose Bautista was the best and most valuable player in the league and deserved the honor, but had to "settle" for third place.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Why do baseball voters hate Canada?
Our Take: Why would you vote for someone who played on a non-playoff team when the narrative of giving it to a pitcher who won 21 games is so much better? That is the only reason, however illogical it might be, to justify not voting for Bautista.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Tigers Mauling Blue Jays
The controversy started last week with Clayton Kershaw winning the NL Cy Young and it continues now. The only thing that will make it better is if Matt Kemp gets screwed out of the NL MVP tomorrow because the Dodgers didn't make the playoffs.
Deeper Dive
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NASCAR FANS DON'T LIKE FIRST LADIES THAT DO THINGS FOR CHARITY
Sports fans are given the freedom to cheer and boo whomever they like on the field or track. However, whenever they boo a political figure, it always seems so self-indulgent. But that's what happened to First Lady Michelle Obama at the NASCAR race on Sunday.
Question on Everybody's Mind: What did Michelle Obama ever do to them?
Our Take: This whole political divide in our country has gotten way out of hand. Regardless of how you feel about President Obama, the First Lady was there doing charity work. There was no reason to boo her.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Dang Ol' NASCAR Races
Anytime there is controversy or stupidity involving sports fans, it is a big deal. This is much more the former than the latter, but it still speaks volumes about where we are as a nation when we can't even muster up the energy to applaud the First Lady.
Deeper Dive
Michelle Obama Gets Some Boos At NASCAR Race (USA Today)
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JAY CUTLER GETS MASSIVE BOO BOO
Chicago Bears fans were forced to do something they never thought possible, and that's miss Jay Cutler. The quarterback broke his thumb negating him from playing in at least the regular season or from being a successful hitchhiker. That's a good thing as sticking out your thumb can cause nothing but grief.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Can Bears survive?
Our Take: Ohhh, so now Cutler is a well-liked guy. Well, this is going to sting, but it's not the end of the world. Please step back from ledges because Cutler is not the mammoth cog that Peyton Manning was, but he will still be missed. Even if Caleb Hanie throws blind folded, the Bears rush attack and superior defense should get them wins over the Broncos, Chiefs and Seahawks. Ten wins it is.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 At Least Not NFC Title Games
This story will go from unfortunate to stupid when the first mention of Brett Favre landing in Chicago happens. Wait...sorry.
It's Funny Because It's True Tweet Award:
Deeper Dive:
Cutler Out 6-8 Weeks With Broken Thumb on Throwing Hand (Chicago Tribune)
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BCS SMITTEN FOR SEC
The latest BCS poll was released and it is once again good to be a team in the SEC. The conference now occupies the top of the food chain in the all-important rankings.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Did BCS get it right?
Our Take: They got LSU and Alabama right, but I still don't see how Oklahoma State is fourth after a huge upset. I think I need to start smoking whatever these BCS computers are, because my stuff is just too damn weak.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Sequels Can Be Betters
LSU vs. Alabama will be the talk of the town from here until early January. That's fine with me because as we all know, sequels can be better than the first. Well, except for Teen Wolf Too.
Deeper Dive:
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TONY STEWART DRIVES BETTER THAN MOST
Tony Stewart proved he was the absolute best at driving in circles without getting dizzy. Stewart managed to not fall asleep at the wheel which I believe is the only requirement to winning.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Smoke truly the best?
Our Take: Sure. I will go ahead and say that Tony Stewart is the best at not driving slow. That, my friends, is about all you will get from me dissecting a sport that mandates you have a car and ability to not zone out for 200 or more laps.
Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 NASCAR Fans Are Busy Typing Nows
Look, just because your sport is ridiculous doesn't mean you have to defend yourself. I fully back your right to watch grown men drive for hours while you pound Pabst Blue Ribbons. It does make for one hell of a movie though.
Deeper Dive:
Tony Stewart Rewarded for Reckless Driving (New York Times)
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LA GALAXY FINALLY GET RETURN ON DAVID BECKHAM INVESTMENT
After years of waiting and millions put into his pockets, the LA Galaxy won the MLS Cup. Me and about 10 other people cared.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Did David Beckham succeed?
Our Take: Sure. Why the hell not? I'm still high from the MLS Cup win so I'm feeling a little generous. If Becks truly played his last MLS game, then he will have left the league better than when he found it and the Galaxy have another piece of silverware. Mission very much accomplished.
Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Landy Cakes
This will be received with as much fanfare as a regular season NHL game. Something awesome went down and only a few people got to enjoy it, exactly like the fate of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
Deeper Dive:
LA Galaxy Take MLS Cup With Fine Form (LA Times)
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WWE THROWS PERFECTLY GOOD ROCK AWAY
The Rock was back in a tag-team effort with John Cena, and it was boring. The greatest name in sports and entertainment took the most obvious of roads and threw no surprises our way. Yawn.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Will WrestleMania fare better?
Our Take: It better, because The Rock will be leaving the WWE to save the world one Oscar worthy performance at a time. Expect more of this stuff.
Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 Rock Bottoms
Now we can forget about grown men playing make believe until a month before WrestleMania when we will all lose our minds again.
Deeper Dive:
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DAILY FUN WITH MOVING PICTURES
Because anything less would be photos.
THIS IS WHY WE DON'T TRUST KICKERS WITH NICE THINGS
Watch a video that really should be played with Yakety Sax in the background.
Deeper Dive: Packers Video: Watch Green Bay Punter's Hysterical Blooper (B/R)
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BAYLOR BEATS OKLAHOMA WITH MAGIC
After this play, I knew Oklahoma had no shot.
Deeper Dive: Watch Baylor Stars Incredible Tipped TD Pass Against Oklahoma (B/R)
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CHAIR SAYS UNCLE
Terrell Brown proved sitting is a difficult proposition when you weigh as much as the team bus.
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VICTORIA'S SECRET GETS SPORTSY AND FAILS
Victoria's Secret made some night-time wear with a sports theme. Hot. The one for Michigan State is green and skimpy. Sexy. It also has the fight cry of rival Michigan emblazoned on it. Haha.
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Until tomorrow, those aren't pillows.
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