Playoff Positioning

As we enter the last quarter of the NFL season, the Giants and Titans seem to have separated themselves a bit while most of the other playoff spots remain up for grabs. Will the Jets hold on in the AFC East? Are the Dolphins for real? Who should the Titans be more worried about - the Steelers or Colts? And who is the biggest threat to the Giants in the NFC? Carolina? Tampa? Dallas? The next few weeks may say a great deal, including whether the G-men can adjust to the loss of Mr. Buress. How stupid can you be?

Who's better, who's best?

So we've more or less hit the midway point of the NFL season and are coming down the stretch in the college football season. Are the Titans or Giants the best team in the NFL? (And how awesome, moniker-wise, would be a contest between Titans and Giants?) Who are the chief contenders? Steelers, Eagles, Panthers? Can the 'Boys rebound? Are the Cardinals for real? Will the Jets emerge from the pack in the AFC East? And what about this BCS? Will the Preachers' Alabama/Penn State title game prediction prove prophetic? Or will Texas Tech upset the apple cart? Hard to say, but I think we can all agree that Justin Tuck is a beast. Just ask Big Ben!

It's Finally Sunny in Philadelphia

So the Phillies did it - and with some authority - taking the Series from the Rays in 5 games. So will Phillie fans now forgive Mitch Williams in the way Sawks fans forgave Buckner? Will John Kruk weep on the set of Baseball Tonight? Will Cole Hamels donate that new Chevy Camaro to Bleacher Preachers? Only time will tell, but if you've been listening to the Preachers, you knew the Phils were going to win it all along. If only the economy were as easy to predict!

The Rays Win the Pennant! The Rays Win the Pennant!

OK, so it wasn't exactly Bobby Thompson vs. Ralph Branca in '51, but the Rays and BoSox did give us one heck of a series. And, to the relief of Yankee fans, the Rays move on to face the fightin' Phils. So who do you like in the series? BJ, Carl, and Evan or Ryan, Cole, and Chase? Should be a fun one - and a refreshing matchup as well.

Also feel free to chime in on Week 7 of the NFL or the first BCS rankings of the year or what ever else you feel like spouting off about. We're listening America!

Pennant Fever

So the first round was more or less what we expected. Cubs out in 3. 100-win Angels bounced in 4. Yeah, I'm sure we all thought back in April that Manny Ramirez would be leading the Dodgers to the NLCS and the Tampa Rays would be right there on the World Series doorstep. Oh yeah, all pretty predictable. Not! But at least I have Joe Torre to pull for and my Phillies pick is still alive. Now if only someone could take out the BoSox this might not be so bad afterall.

Anyhow, our apologies to anyone who tuned in this week as the station wasn't up and runnning. We'll be back on the air again this Tuesday from 5-7 so tune in and drop us a line in the meantime. And for those who hadn't noticed, the Giants are 4-0. Shhhhhhhhh! Maybe it's best to keep it a secret.

Octoberfest Begins!

After an exciting last week (fun for some, heartbreaking for others), the baseball playoffs are about to get underway. Yankeeless, Metless, the show must neverhtheless go on. Will the BoSox repeat? Will the Cubs break the last great sports curse (sorry for the pic Cubs fans, but I couldn't resist)? Or will the Rays continue their improbable run? You decide!

Farewell To The House That Ruth Built

This week we'll be saying goodbye to Yankee Stadium.
Do you have a favorite Yankee Stadium moment? Post it here!

Are You Ready for some Football?

If you're a Yankee fan like me, football couldn't start soon enough this year. So let's start off with predictions (since we all like to look foolish from time to time). Let us know your 12 playoff teams, your Super Bowl combatants, and your champion - if you dare! And, yes, one week of the season is over already, but I'm sure that won't help us all that much, Tom Brady's injury aside.

The Summer That Was

As Bleacher Preachers took a few months off, we wanted to give our listeners a chance to chime in on what they made of the sports summer that was 2008. Whether it be the surprising Rays, the Met turnaround, the mediocrity of the Yanks, ManRam, the Favre Saga, Michael Phelps, or the Usain "Lightning" Bolt, let us know what you thought or, for that matter, are still thinking.

Hey Now, You're an All Star!

Trying to keep to our more or less monthly updates, I thought I'd file a midseason baseball report for you faithful Preachers followers who are in withdrawal of our weekly show. I would say the two biggest stories of the first half were the emergence of the Tampa Bay Rays (in spite of a pre-break slide) and the huge offensive numbers being put up by a reborn Josh Hamilton (95 RBI at the break and an impressive HR Derby display). The Mets were surrounded by much drama, fired Willie, and now have seemingly found their groove before the Phils, Marlins, et al were able to build any kind of serious lead. The Cubbies have been frontrunning all year and Torre seems to have the Dodgers ready to make a run at the NL West. The BoSox have been pretty matter-of-fact and, with Ortiz in Pawtucket, would seem to be the favorites to win the AL East. The Yanks have hovered around .500 most of the year, but still have a good deal of talent, the biggest question being whether they can overcome the loss of Chien-Ming Wang. The Tigers have been a disappointment, but not as much as the Indians and Mariners. Did I really pick those two to win their respective divisions? Meanwhile, the Angels already seem to be on cruise control while the Twins are once again surprising people. Who needs Johann anyhow?

The All Star Game was fun, so long as you stayed awake! Fear of a tie seemed to dominate the last few innnings. I have to say it was cool seeing the All Star festivities at the Stadium, but can't help but feel that a proper closing can't happen until October. And what's the deal with Fox not showing the Village People doing the YMCA with the Yankee ground crew?

So if you read all that, let us know what you're thinking. The dog days of summer are underway!

Preachers Update

So, Detroit won the Stanley Cup depsite the Penguins' triple OT win in Game 5, the Lakers and Celtics are turning back the clock 20 years to renew their rivalry in the NBA Finals, Big Brown seemed to think the Belmont was only a mile and not a mile and a half, the Yanks and Mets are mired in mediocrity, Junior Griffey hit his 600th HR, and Michael Strahan has called it a career.

Too bad we haven't commented on any of this as the Preachers have taken a few weeks off. Whether we pick things up again this summer (most likely at a new time), we invite you to share your thoughts on the blog about anything and everything happening in the world of sports.

Instant Replay In Baseball?

Should there be instant replay in baseball? What kinds of plays should be eligible for review? Let us know!

Favorite Mascot

Tell us who you voted for -- or who we forgot!

Exuberance On The Mound, Good Or Bad?

Recently, there has been a lot of criticism aimed at Joba Chamberlain for his apparent "over-exuberance" on the mound. Batters are being "shown-up" whenever he pumps his fist after an inning ending strike out. Are the batters really being shown up, or is Joba merely expressing excitement at his athletic success? Is Joba the only player to express himself in such a way? I hardly think so. Look at Jonathan Papelbon -- he's well known for his on-field enthusiasm. Does Papelbon get a pass because he is a World Series champion, and Joba has not yet "proven" himself? I think there's a double standard here against the Yankees.

500HR = Hall of Fame?

We're putting this up for people to have an opportunity to discuss our poll on the right. Let us know how & why you voted!

Favorite Announcers -- Past & Present

A topic came up on our show last night -- who is your favorite sports announcer? It could be any sport. Who is the voice of your childhood? Let us know who your favorite is! Or, who is your least favorite? Whom can't you stand? Who makes you want to gouge your ears out?

NFL Draft

NFL Draft day has finally come! How did your team fare? Do you agree with the picks? Do you agree with Mel Kiper? Or would you like to ruffle his hair a little? I know I would!

Beat Reports

Hey, all non-Yankee fans! Here's your spot to sound off on your favorite team.

Let it rip!

Earth Day!!!

Celebrate Earth Day today! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

The Nationals new baseball stadium is certified Green. This is the first stadium to do so. Let's hope that all new stadia strive to follow suit! (Ahem, Hank Steinbrenner!)

Technical Difficulties

If you tried to listen to our show last night, we weren't on. Apparently the building in which the radio staion is housed lost power earlier in the day and we lost our signal. We tried to boot up the system and broadcast, but I couldn't get the station connected to the internet.

So, sorry if you were disappointed last night!

Yanks-Bosox, Take #1

OK, we've had our first official tasting of the annual Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. To our dismay, the Red Sox came out on top, 2-1. Hate it.

Chien-Ming Wang pitched an absolute gem on Friday with a complete game 2-hitter. That set the bar pretty high for the pitchers for the rest of the weekend. Unfortunately, our Yankees did not live up to it. Moose gave up 4 runs in 5.2 innings, along with that bad decision to pitch to Mann-Ram. And Phil Hughes looked absolutely lost last night, giving up 6 earned runs (+1 unearned!) in 2, count 'em, 2 innings of play. And could last night's game have crept along any more slowly? Daisuke Matsuzaka didn't look too sharp, either. If Yanks-Sox games are going to last 4+ hours, ESPN may want to rethink their start time of 8pm.

Did anybody else notice that ARod went 0-5 last night and 2-13 on the series with 0 RBI? Come on!

Are we entering into the era of "Clueless" Joe Girardi? That decision to pitch to Mann-Ram in the second game seemed foolish. Why not walk the bases loaded and let Moose pitch to Youkilis? I don't get it. Why put Posada behind the plate in the third game with his "dead arm"? The Red Sox ran all over him.

Jeter, Posada, come back! We need you!

Baseball Musings

Hey, Batter, Batter! How is your favorite baseball team (American, National, Mexican, Fantasy League or otherwise!) faring thus far?

The Ball Is Tipped!

The ball is tipped
and there you are
you're running for your life
you're a shooting star
And all the years
no one knows
just how hard you worked
but now it shows...
(in) ONE SHINING MOMENT, IT'S ALL ON THE LINE
ONE SHINING MOMENT, THERE FROZEN IN TIME

But time is short
and the road is long
in the blinking of an eye
ah that moment's gone
And when it's done
win or lose
you always did your best
cuz inside you knew...
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED DEEP INSIDE
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU KNEW YOU WERE ALIVE

Feel the beat of your heart
feel the wind in your face
it's more than a contest
it's more than a race...

And when it's done
win or lose
you always did your best
cuz inside you knew...
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED FOR THE SKY
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU KNEW
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU WERE WILLING TO TRY
ONE SHINING MOMENT....

(music & lyrics by David Barrett, sung by the late Luther Vandross)

After "Take Me Out To The Ballgame", this is my favorite sports song.

Kansas beats Memphis 75-68 in OT!!!

Any thoughts on the game? Post your comments here!

Opening Day Postponed

Hey all! We're going to cut our show a little short this evening and just go on from 5-6pm. Yankees Opening Day was postponed yesterday (we were there!), so we have to run home a watch the game at 7pm. We gave our tickets to some other dedicated Yankee fans.

So, what do you folks think of Hideki Matsui's new bride?

2008 Baseball Predictions. . .

Had enough of steroids, HGH, Clemens, and Canseco? I know we have, but luckily it's time to play ball! Red Sox are once again the defending champs (still doesn't sound right, does it?), A-rod's back in the last year of The House that Ruth Built, Johann's looking to close out Shea in grand style, and Mr. Torre has moved on to the smog of L.A. So who are the teams to beat this year and who do you like for the individual awards? Let us know what you think and we'll get your picks on the air.

And don't those chicken fingers and fries look good? For about $10 they could be yours!

Best Baseball Movie

This thread coincides with our "best baseball movie" poll. Tell us why the one you chose is your favorite. Or do you have more than one fave? Click on "Comments" to post!

My Super-Sweet 16!

We're down to the Sweet 16.

1UNC vs. 4WSU, 3L'ville vs. 2Tenn, 1KU vs. 12'Nova, 3Wis vs. 10Dav, 1Mem vs. 5MSU, 3Stan vs. 2Tex, 1UCLA vs. 12WKU, 3Xav vs. 7WVU

Some pretty big upsets in the West & Midwest regions. The East & South are going pretty much to form.

Any comments/predictions/upsets? Post them here!

Let the Madness Begin!

The bracket is out, now it's time to prognosticate. The No. 1 seeds go to UNC, Memphis, Kansas, & UCLA. Will this be the year all four #1's advance to the Four? Or will it be the year a 16 seed finally prevails? Let us know what you're thinking and we'll get your picks on the air Tuesday. It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world!

Fantasy Baseball

This thread is primarily for those in our Fantasy Baseball League, California Penal. But if you've got something to say, be my guest!

So, what do you guys think about B. taking J.J. Putz as the FIRST PICK OF THE DRAFT???

Happy Exelauno Day!

A little of the geek in me creeping out! "Exelauno" is Greek for "I march forth". Get it? March Forth -- March Fourth?

Normally, we would avoid most political conversations on this blog, but I just can't help myself today, it being "exelauno" and all. Big primary day for the Dems. And...begin!

March Madness!

It's finally March! College Basketball, Bracketology, Digger's matching markers & ties. Post your comments here!

Football Frenzy

The Football Free Agent signing frenzy has begun. What do YOU think? Post your comments here.

We're Talkin' Baseball!

Here's your chance to sound off on all things baseball. Click on the "comment" link to post.

And The Oscar Goes To...

Hey, make your Oscar predictions here! What does this have to do with sports? Lots! If you have an obsession for ranking things and picking winners, let's just call it a sport. Hell, some people think driving hundreds of miles counter-clockwise is a sport!

Here are the nominees for the major categories: http://www.oscar.com/nominees/

Best Actor

• George Clooney -- Michael Clayton
• Daniel-Day Lewis -- There Will Be Blood
• Johnny Depp -- Sweeney Todd
• Tommy Lee Jones -- In the Valley of Elah
• Viggo Mortensen -- Eastern Promises

Best Actress

• Cate Blanchett -- Elizabeth: The Golden Age
• Julie Christie -- Away From Her
• Marion Cotillard -- La Vie En Rose
• Laura Linney -- The Savages
• Ellen Page -- Juno

Best Supporting Actor

• Casey Affleck -- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
• Javier Bardem -- No Country For Old Men
• Philip Seymour Hoffman -- Charlie Wilson's War
• Hal Holbrook -- Into the Wild
• Tom Wilkinson -- Michael Clayton

Best Supporting Actress

• Cate Blanchett -- I'm Not There
• Ruby Dee -- American Gangster
• Saiorse Ronan -- Atonement
• Amy Ryan -- Gone Baby Gone
• Tilda Swinton -- Michael Clayton

Best Director

• The Diving Bell and the Butterfly -- Julian Schnabel
• Juno -- Jason Reitman
• Michael Clayton -- Tony Gilroy
• No Country for Old Men -- Joel & Ethan Coen
• There Will Be Blood -- Paul Thomas Anderson

Best Picture

• Atonement
• Juno
• Michael Clayton
• No Country for Old Men
• There Will Be Blood

Best Animated Picture

• Persepolis
• Ratatouille
• Surf's Up

Things Misremembered

Okay, here's your opportunity to sound off on all things steroids and HGH related.

I'm putting a link to all the oversight committee testimony here:

http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1743

Here's Andy Pettite's comments to the press on his first day at Spring Training.

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080218&content_id=2378113&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

Here's a list of players mentioned in the Mitchell Report

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/mlb/news/mitchell/players.jsp

Comments? Questions? Post 'em here! The Drake's gonna sound off on this Tuesday.

Pitchers & Catchers Report!

We're talking baseball! Yankee baseball! And perhaps a little bit about other teams.

Pitchers & Catchers are reporting today & tomorrow, the first Spring Training game is in two weeks, and Yankees Opening Day is March 31st (I hear other teams are starting around the same time, too).

So, what's going on? What's everyone talking about? Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee are in front of Congress, testifying whether or not Clemens ever used steroids or Human Growth Hormones (HGH). There are so many fingers pointed in so many different directions, I've lost count and gotten dizzy.

It's really a shame that every news item on baseball is about scandal. Baseball has always been the herald of Spring and the promise of Summer to me. Something to look forward to after all those cold winter months spent shivering in the long nights. How does the team look this year? Think we'll make the playoffs? (Although, for Steinbrenner and the Yankees, that question usually turns to so we're gonna win it all this year, right?) Etcetera, etcetera.

So let's talk baseball. If you want to comment on the whole Clemens story, go ahead. Otherwise, the Drake & I encourage y'all to get excited about your teams.

• Yankee fans -- what are Joe Girardi's prospects as the new manager? How about all those young pitchers we held on to this year? Joba rules!
• Mets fans -- how about that Johan Santana? Is a World Series possible?
• Tigers fans -- how about that line-up with Miguel Cabrera and friends? Dontrelle Willis?
• Cubbies -- could this be your year? Will the streak (ever) end?
• Red Soxers -- dynasty? or die-nasty? Is Schilling a shill? Big Papi, big sloppy? Manny on his fanny? (okay, I'll stop!)
• Philly Fanatics -- help me out here. I stopped paying attention after 1993.
• Cardinals Fans -- I need help here too.
• Fantasy Fans -- and . . . BEGIN!

I know that there's fans of all teams out there. Get excited!

David's Tie-ree & Other Random Thoughts

Did you happen to get a load of David Tyree's tie in an interview with the NFL Network? How many Windsor knots is that? 4? 5? a dozen? I looked for a pic, but I can only find the video:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8069703b

(This video is copyrighted by nfl.com, so I can only give you the link. Sorry!)

Here's another random topic: Jamie Dukes interviewing Victoria's Secret/Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Supermodel, Marisa Miller and Chris Russo from the WFAN NY radio program "Mike & the Mad Dog". How awkward is this conversation?





http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d806702e2

Also, here's an article from The Onion, our favorite spoof news source on how the Pats' season was perfect for the rest of us! (Actually, you should check out the The Onion link to your right. The sports section this week is awesome!)

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/patriots_season_perfect_for_rest

I could keep on going, but I think I'll just stop for now....

Football Wrap-Up

• What else can be said about this football season?
• What are your thoughts on the ProBowl?
• Which other NY Giant(s) deserved to go to the ProBowl?
• Is Tony Romo capable of throwing to anyone else besides "his teammate" T.O.?

Any last thoughts on the 2007-2008 football season should go here. If you've got a lot to say, feel free to send us an email at bleacherpreachers@gmail.com.

Name That Catch!

Name that catch! (You know what we're talking about.)

In case you don't, it's that amazing play in the 4th quarter when Eli eludes 2 linebackers and passes to David Tyree, who catches the ball on his helmet, under great pressure from Rodney Harrison. (Whew -- try all saying that in one breath!)

If you would like to watch that play again, here's a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3g35ZslZs0

NFL Films has a much higher quality video, but you have to dig it out of their archives.
Here's Steve Sabol's take on the play:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8069f011

We've heard a few good "catchy" names so far, but we're encouraging suggestions. Here are a few:
1. Hail Manning
2. The Back Breaker
3. The Cactus Catch
4. Evade & Capture

Keep 'em coming! We want to talk about this next Tuesday.

Welcome To Our New Blog!

LET'S GO GIANTS!!! SUPERBOWL XLII VICTORS!!!

Welcome to the new blog! We are newbies to the blogging community, so please bear with us! We hope to have our blog updated on a weekly basis, so try to check in from time to time to see what we are up to.

One main goal for this blog will be to spark conversation for our weekly radio show. This may work well, or it could be a horrible failure. It will be up to a combination of our & your effort to decide.

So we thank you in advance for listening to us and bearing with us as we explore all of this new technology.

~The Drakes~

http://www.salve.edu/studentlife/wsru/