Offers, Trades, and a Soap Opera...

July 31st is usually a busy day for the MLB and not much else. However, this day is taking on the shape of one of the biggest sports days of the year. We have had and looks like we will be having some major deadline (3PM CST) deals made in the MLB. Also, the soap opera continues in Green Bay with offers of money, trades, and backstabbing from all sides involved. It is so good, let's get right to it.

Prep Report
- Crab Orchard Golf Course hosted a big junior event the other day. Several names you will read and hear about in the fall golf season participated and did very well.
- Football camps will wrap up today. August 1st through August 12th is a dead period for football teams with the first day of practice on Wednesday, August 13th.

Pro Sports
- The USA Men's Basketball team looked impressive in a win over Turkey this morning.
- Ron Artest has been traded to the Houston Rockets of the NBA. This gives the Rockets a formidable trio on Artest, Yao, and McGrady.

MLB Trade Deadline
- Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez is going from the Tigers to the Yankees for Kyle Farnsworth. Two teams in the thick of the playoff hunt trading and they could see each other in postseason.
- Ken Griffey Jr. has been traded to the Chicago White Sox if Jr. agrees to accept the trade. He has that in his contract to accept or deny any trade.
- Manny Ramirez is widely rumored to be going to the Marlins, Pirates, or Dodgers today. The "Manny being Manny" act has worn out the Red Sox in dugout and up top. However, they will not get anyone close to the value that he brings to the team.
- Hudson Street of the A's and Brian Fuentes of the Rockies are two highly regarded relievers possibly on the move.
- Kyle Lohse of the Cardinals is another possibility since they are looking for a bat or a relief pitcher. Another factor is that Lohse won't come cheap in 2009.
- Folks...the next few hours are going to be crazy and it seems that there are going to be more deals happening this year.
- The Cubs won again in Milwaukee beating the Brewers for the third straight game. One final afternoon game today will wrap up this series.
- Chris Carpenter looked good in 4 innings of work last night for the Cardinals. He didn't get the win but showed he is well on his way back.

ESPN 4
- As I was driving yesterday, I heard a caller on a sports talk show say that ESPN should add "ESPN 4." This channel would be about Brett Favre and the soap opera that is going on. If you wanted to watch it, you could. If you didn't then people like myself wouldn't have to watch ESPN go bonkers over the whole situation and we could watch other sports. It isn't a bad idea.
- The Young and the Restless is a soap opera on CBS that takes place in Genoa City, Wisconsin. You know the one with Victor Newman, Nikki Newman, Jack Abbott, etc... This show doesn't match in anyway to the Packers vs. Favre saga right now.
- The latest is that the Packers are trying to offer Favre $20 million over 10 years to retire or they would consider trading him to an NFC North team.
- IMO...both are at fault for letting it get this far. Favre pouting like a baby wanting his way even though he changed his minds numerous times and is still under contract, and the Packers trying to pay him off not to play. They both deserve all they are getting.

As you can tell, it has already been a busy morning and last few hours. The rest of the day will be checking ESPN News and other sports options on the latest trades in the wind. Does it get better than this? I'm out.

DC

Counting it down...

We are counting down until the MLB trade deadline as well as the start of the prep sports season. Football camp gives you the football fever bug and that happened to me yesterday. I can't wait until I hear the pads pop again. Basically, we are in a pattern for the next couple of weeks with the MLB and the NFL taking over the headlines. After that, the prep sports scene will pick up greatly. Finally, it seems some on the LPGA are getting a little tired of the circus known as Michelle Wie.

Prep Report
- I made a visit to the Benton Football Camp last night. It definitely gets a football fan excited about the upcoming season.
- The IHSA announced the girls volleyball postseason hosts yesterday. Here is a link to check those out. [http://www.ihsa.org/activity/vbg/index.htm]

Pro Sports
- Former Du Quoin and SIU QB Nick Hill was released by the Chicago Bears yesterday. This is bad news but the good news is getting released this early means more time to get picked up by another team.
- Brett Favre has filed for reinstatement and the Packers supposedly have a plan for him.
- Annika Sorenstam is coming out swinging on Michelle Wie playing a PGA tour event. It is about time someone on the LPGA stepped up and said something. [http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3510386]
- The Cubs won again in Milwaukee last night. They have beaten the Brewers #1 and #2 pitchers in Sabathia and Sheets in doing so.
- Chris Carpenter will make his first start in over 1 1/2 years tonight in Atlanta. This is like making a trade if you are the Cardinals.
- There are still plenty of rumors floating with just over 24 hours until the trade deadline.
- MLB Ticket on DirecTV allowed me to catch the almost no-hitter by the Angels John Lackey last night in Boston. That has been money well spent for me with that sports package over the years.
- Speaking of the Angels, they are dominating their division and are one of the best teams in baseball. They got better acquiring Mark Teixeira from the Braves but it was costly in the prospects they gave up.
- The NL West has Arizona 2 games up and finally over the .500 mark for the season.

It looks like the weather is taking a turn for the cooler possibly today which will help out football camps around the area. Can you believe that we are just two weeks away from the start of the 2008-2009 prep sports season? I'm out.

DC

The Feel of October...

I am more focused as I blog here early in the morning. There are no big MLB games going, but just the sound of Mike and Mike in the Morning coming out of the TV. There was an October atmosphere in Milwaukee last night as was in Minneapolis. What a great time of year for the MLB just 2 days away from the trade deadline. Even with pro sports being the major player, the prep sports world injects a little news as well.

Prep Report
- Update...Chester and Pope County are still looking for head boys basketball coaches.
- Update...The IHSA still hasn't released the sites for the Girls Class A and AA Golf Tournaments.
- Keith Shelton is the new head girls basketball coach at Massac County. He was a longtime JV coach under former Massac head girls baskebtall coach Jim Prevallet.
- Football camps are well under way. I am thinking of fitting in a trip to one this week.

Pro Sports
- Former NBA Tim Donaghy will be sentenced today for his role in gambling on NBA games.
- New car, new tire, no testing, and a diamond cut track all caused the problems of tire wear at the Brickyard 400. Want to bet that NASCAR will fix this problem?
- Deadline day for Brett Favre...remember in the midst of numerous "changes of mind" that he set today as a time for Green Bay to do something or he might report to training camp.
- What is Manny thinking by talking about being traded from the Red Sox? This is not a case of Manny being Manny.
- There was a feel of October last night in Milwaukee as the Cubs beat the Brewers and CC 6-4. Big crowd, well played game, and big plays made if feel like October. Zambrano vs. Sheets is on tap tonight in Game 2 of the series.
- Cardinals fans...don't you feel better that TLR and Duncan have voted Izzy to be your closer? Of course you do, if you score 12 runs a game and win in blowout fashion each time.
- 2 days until the MLB trade deadline...several big names are out there getting in the spin cycle of trade rumors.

The cool morning will give way to summer heat and humidity this afternoon. Plenty of time for the golf course as well as venturing into other places today to take care of things before the Cubs/Brewers are on tonight. I'm out.

DC

MLB on Fire...

Man oh man...the Midwest is the site for two of the best series of the week. The Cubs are at the Brewers and the White Sox are at the Twins. These are the games that players yearn to play in. It is a slow, but transition time of the year for sports but it is still exciting.

Prep Report
- Football camps are in full swing in the area. All of those will end on Thursday night.

Pro Sports
- Cubs/Brewers and Sox/Twins highlight the baseball schedule with games that will help decide those two divisions.
- Is it just me, or are the Red Sox on ESPN more than anyone else?
- The DL bug is hitting big stars in the MLB...(Kerry Wood, Jorge Posada, Chipper Jones, and Tim Hudson to name a few.)
- No change on Brett Favre...he will file for reinstatement and then sit and wait.
- Tis the NFL Season for injuries to keep people out of training camp. Can you blame them?

I hate to say it but with me posting late in the evening it is hard to concentrate on the blog and the Cubs game. I'm out.

DC

Restful blogging...

I am restfully blogging late today after getting a good watch of the sports world. The NASCAR race wasn't the best, but it went on. For some reason, there are more trade rumors in the MLB right now then last year at this time. I expect more to get done before Thursday's deadline.

Prep Report
- The Lisch family of Belleville continues to send their children to St. Louis University. [http://www.bnd.com/220/story/411336.html]
- Here is an article on the Shrine Football All-Star game held in Peoria, IL last night. [http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x518446945/No-rivalry-on-this-night]

College Football
- College football teams will start reporting to begin practicing for football next weekend.

Pro Sports
- Someone needs to tell Brett Favre that when you have years left on a contract, you don't get to tell your team to whom you will be traded. He has no choice. The "nice guy image" of him needs to be changed to "I want it all."
- Jimmie Johnson just won a caution filled Brickyard 400. The tires were not meshing with the track and competition cautions were the theme of the day.
- Goose Gossage was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this afternoon. He blazed the trail for many a relief pitchers.
- Hold out...get new contract...let me introduce you to Devin Hester of the Bears.
- Who were the guys in the Cubs uniforms that scored 9 runs and hit to right field today? They have a 1 game lead over the Brewers heading into a big 4 game series in Milwaukee tomorrow.
- The Cardinals will get Chris Carpenter back as a starter on Wednesday. Could they move Looper or Wainwright back to the bullpen to give them a viable option there?

Well, as this evening winds down, it is starting to cool off enough to get outside and do something. The Yankees/Red Sox are on ESPN tonight which gives us something to watch. I am very interested to see what NASCAR has to say about the tire problems today at Indy. Anyways, time to move on. I'm out.

DC

Winding through the weekend...

We are in the final full weekend of July. As the calendar readies to change, so does the postings towards more and more prep sports. The fall season will be here before you know it. The NFL is giving us day to day info whether it be about retired players, holdouts, or contract issues while the MLB continues to heat up with the warm weather.

Prep Report
- It is never to early to talk high school basketball especially holiday tournaments. The Freeburg-Columbia Holiday Tournament is looking for teams. [ http://prepsports.stltoday.com/ssi/prep/stories2008.nsf/basketball-boys/story/8D09CCDC6B8D39438625749000660098?OpenDocument]
- You know the fall sports season is getting close when local fishwraps (newspapers) are starting to ask for schedules from schools as well as publish tryout dates for teams.
- Here is an idea about cost cutting the football program at Maroa-Forsyth is doing to get 7 on 7 in during the summer. [http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/07/26/preps/football/1034248.txt]

Pro Sports
- Again...it will be a good day when the news about Brett Favre goes stale.
- Team USA looked great last night in their opening exhibition game. It was against Canada though and not against an international powerhouse. The layups and dunks were good but against a solid zone and better team it will be a different story.
- Steven Jackson, RB for the St. Louis Rams, is holding out. He didn't attend the first meeting and has no intention of signing a new deal with the team when his contract is done.
- The Bears had Devin Hester return to training camp yesterday which was good news since he is a majority of their offense.
- What a horrific fight in the minor leagues the other night. That was one of the worst I have ever seen.
- The Yankees have made a trade for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from the Pirates.
- Jeff Samardzija was called up by the Cubs yesterday for the bullpen to replace Kerry Wood who is on the DL. He can throw hard, but is extremely green on the mound yet.
- Every team in the NL Central lost last night except for Houston.

What to Watch
- NASCAR Nationwide Racing tonight on ESPN at 7PM from Indianapolis O'Reilly Raceway Park.
- NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing from the Brickyard in Indy tomorrow starting at 12PM with pre-race on ESPN.
- The AFL (Arena Football League) Championship Game featuring defending champion San Jose and the Jon Bon Jovi owned Philadelphia is on ABC this weekend.
- You can't go wrong with MLB games on TV all weekend on many channels.

Plenty to do, plenty to watch, and it is the weekend which means time to do it all. I'm out.

DC

Teeing off the weekend...

I am late posting today due to my participation in the EOA/SICA Golf Scramble at Hickory Ridge Golf Center in Carbondale, IL. We teed off later than normal due to inclement weather this morning but had a marvelous time. The food was very tasty, golfing was great, and seeing a bunch of people you know to visit with made for a wonderful time. Even with golfing, there are still other sports going on in the world.

Prep Report
- O'Fallon High School is going to fake grass for their football field this year. They are in a deadline crunch to have it ready for their first home game of the year. [http://www.bnd.com/477/story/408616.html]
- The Shriner's All-Star Football game will be in Peoria, IL tomorrow night. We do have some of our former prep standouts from the area that graduated last spring participating in the game.

Pro Sports
- Lesson learned last night...do not name a star of the game before the game is over. During the Cardinals broadcast on FOX Midwest, they selected Ryan Franklin before he gave up a hit and the game winning home run.
- The Cardinals have one week to make a deal to improve the bullpen. If not, it may be too late to wait on Wainright and Carpenter to come back.
- The Cubs ended a 10 game losing streak to the Marlins last night with a win at home. Their bullpen has issues as well with Kerry Wood going on the DL.
- We do have some interesting series in the MLB this weekend. Cubs/Marlins, Cards/Mets, Phillies/Braves, Yankees/Red Sox, and White Sox/Tigers to name the bigger ones.
- Tony Stewart will drive the #14 car next year changing from the #20 he drives in now in NASCAR.
- NASCAR will be in Indianapolis for all series of races this weekend.
- The USA Men's Basketball Team will play a game on ESPN tonight. LeBron James is not expected to play due to a twisted ankle.

With the early alarm today, my goal is to keep moving and keep doing things because if I find the recliner I will definitely be taking a nap. I'm out.

DC

Guarantee of Good Sports...

Late night baseball has the "slow out of the gate on a morning" affect on me. Staying up past midnight watching games, fun as it is, means that the next day will have a slow start. However, the games were pretty good last night as several meaningful series were going on. Also, NFL teams are starting up training camp as well as the WNBA is in the news again for something other than play on the court.

Prep Report
- Interestingly enough, there is still no mention on the IHSA website as to what golf courses will be hosting the Class A and Class AA Girls State Golf Tournaments.
- Hickory Ridge will be the site of the EOA/SICA Golf Scramble tomorrow. Last report, there will be 48 teams playing in the tournament.
- Massac County is still looking for a girls basketball head coach.

Pro Sports
- Happy Anniversary!!! It was 25 years ago today that umpire Tim McClellan called George Brett out after hitting a HR because the pine tar was to high up on his bat at Yankee Stadium. You remember the clip of Brett racing out of the dugout after the umpires.
- 2 days after an on the court fight, the WNBA is back in the headlines. 50 year old Nancy Liebermann has signed a 7 day contract to play and become the oldest player to play in a WNBA game. It just so happens that Detroit's game tonight is on ESPN2. You just continue to scratch your head at the things the WNBA wants PR for instead of play on the court.
- How can a player under contract hold out and not report to NFL Training Camp? That would be like you or I with a job and not going to work even though we are supposed to be there.
- CC Sabathia won his 4th game (3rd straight complete game) with the Brewers last night in the STL. The Brewers are rolling and are 7-0 on their latest road trip with one game to play tonight with the Cardinals.
- The Cubs won a game in Arizona last night!!! Yes, the Cubs are 14-27 all time in Arizona telling how hard it is for them to win in that building.
- Speaking of the Cubs, they have a 4 game series at home with Florida before the big series with the Brewers starting on Monday.
- LeBron James has guaranteed that the USA will win the gold medal in basketball at the Olympics. Well, why not, since we haven't won it since 2000. IMO...this team is good enough that they should win every game they play.

With that, I will "guarantee" that I will end this post and go on to do something else. I'm out.

DC

Hirings, Fights, and MLB races oh my...

Today began with play and then the work. I had an early tee time at Stone Creek Golf Course so the blogging begins now in the afternoon. One area high school has hired a head basketball coach. The MLB is rolling and the drama of games continues to pick up especially in the NL Central. A fight happened during a basketball game and it is mid-July.

Prep Report
- Johnston City High School has hired Brad Grenoble as their head boys basketball coach. He is employed by the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League as their sales and marketing director.
- Pope County and Chester are the remaining two schools in the area looking for a head boys basketball coach.

Pro Sports
- Is anyone else tired of hearing about Brett Favre vs. the Packers?
- There was a fight in a WNBA game last night in Detroit a scene of a past major NBA fight. Funniest quote I read about the fight was "...glad this fight didn't spill over into the stands because both fans would have been injured." It is ironic that former Piston Bad Boys Bill Laimbeer (Detroit Head Coach) and Rick Mahorn (Detroit assistant) were involved. Not what this league needs with low attendance and bad ratings as a way to get people to notice their league.
- First the Brewers, then the Cubs, and now the Astros (8 games under .500) have made trades. Will the Cardinals make a deal for maybe...say the bullpen?
- Wanted...if anyone has seen the Cubs offense please return it to the team ASAP because it is still on the All-Star Break.
- As I have mentioned, the Brewers are going to make a run. CC throws tonight and Sheets tomorrow in STL and those two will throw against the Cubs next week. Right now, the momentum is with the boys from Miller Park in the NL Central.
- The Brewers traded for CC Sabathia and Ray Durham and now have picked up free agent Jay Gibbons. Do you get the feeling they are throwing all in on making the playoffs?
- Team USA Men's Basketball will play Canada on Friday night on ESPN. It will be interesting to see what this team looks like.

Mid week and the middle of the day is here. This beautiful weather we are having today is giving me the itch to get outside and enjoy. I'm out.

DC

Beginning to Shift...

Football coaches have to be excited this morning with the rain and cooler weather. It will make football camp much easier for players and coaches. The MLB has got some great games going on and the division races are really heating up. There is so much drama in the MLB that MLB Ticket on DirecTV is the thing to watch. We also shift gears a little with NFL Training Camps getting ready to open.

Prep Report
- The EOA/SICA Golf Scramble is this Friday at Hickory Ridge. 40 plus teams will be participating in a morning and afternoon session.
- High school golfers are making their mark in some local junior tournaments. Golf this fall will be very competitive in Southern Illinois when it comes to advancing in the postseason.

Pro Sports
- The Mets and Phillies begin a big 3 game series today as both are tied for first place in the NL East.
- Teams with issues...the Cardinals bullpen is struggling and and the Cubs offense is dormant in 3 of their first 4 games out of the break. Is it me or is Milwaukee gaining momentum?
- Scratch what I put yesterday...Kerry Wood may not be going on the DL after treatment for a blister. This good news goes with Alfonso Soriano scheduled to play Thursday for the Cubs.
- Rumors are swirling with the Pirates and Padres and who they may be trading.
- NFL Training Camp...rookies love it to make an impression, veterans hate it and try to figure ways to not do it, and other veterans like to hold out to avoid it and for other reasons. Tis the season for the holdouts to begin.
- Oklahoma City of the NBA (formerly Seattle) will be known as the Thunder.
- Has it really been 8 years since Team USA won gold in basketball in the Olympics? The goodwill and friendships from the players and staff in the media is nice, but the results will count the most at the Olympics.
- Speaking of that, how is the USA ranked first in the world when it has been forever since the USA has won an international basketball event?

Time to get out and get on with the day. Plenty on my schedule today as far as participating and watching sports. I'm out.

DC

Scorching with Sports...

Summer is here and it is letting loose with some major heat today. Hopefully, if you have been outside any at all today you have had plenty of fluids, shade, and/or rest because it is dangerously hot today. Just like the weather, the sports world is heating up with a near fight in the Indy League, NFL Training camps and trades happening, and of course the MLB is in the stretch run until the trade deadline on the 31st.

Prep Report
- Temperatures in the high 90s...a heat advisory issued...must be time for high school football camps to be going on this week.
- Not a lot of movement yet on the remaining head coaching jobs in the area.

Pro Sports
- Danica Patrick went to the pit of and wanted to question her about her driving skills. Is it just me, but Danica continuing to do this is getting a tad bit old. When she ran over a crew guy of another team in May at Indy, you didn't see that crew member or his driver go down to her pits and question her.
- ESPYs...the DVR let me watch Justin Timberlake do his music and MC stuff, but other than that the awards are not of high interest to me.
- The Giants have traded Jeremy Shockey to the Saints and the Redskins made a trade to acquire Jason Taylor from the Dolphins. We haven't even started training camp and the NFL is rocking already. The NFL Network will be a main stay on my TV over the next few months.
- A big four game series begins tonight in St. Louis when Milwaukee comes to town. 2nd place and the Wild Card lead in the NL will be on the line.
- The Brewers picked up Ray Durham literally from the Giants. They were in San Francisco for a series this weekend and traded for him.
- The Cubs visit Arizona for a rematch of last year's NLDS playoff series. The Cubs swept a 3 game series in Chicago earlier this year.
- Kerry Wood was placed on the DL with a blister on one of his pitching hand fingers.

Closing up the Weekend
- Padraig Harrington won his 2nd British Open in a row yesterday. The sentimental favorite, Greg Norman, just couldn't get things going in the final round.
- Carl Edwards won the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Madison, IL on Saturday night. The Columbia, MO native considers the track there his home track.
- The WNBA played a game outside at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The stadium is home of the US Open in tennis each year. I had no idea that was even going on until I saw it on SportsCenter. Does an outside game really happen when not many people know or hear about it?

I just went outside again and it really is miserably hot. My advice, if you don't have to get out in it then don't. Be like me and watch the TV tonight. I'm out.

DC

Paperwork is important...

Deals are made with a signature, paperwork is filled out to make sure it is correct, and golfers have to sign their scorecards before leaving the scoring tent. How can a pro golfer make that mistake? Well, one did that yesterday practically in our own back yard. Baseball is the main feature but golf is making a run at top billing today.

Prep Report
- High school football teams will be having camps over the next two weeks in preparation for the upcoming season.
- American Legion baseball tournaments have begun in the area with top local baseball players playing on teams.

Pro Sports
- Is it possible the Red Sox are on ESPN for baseball games more than anyone else? They are on again tonight vs. the Angels.
- Early start time for Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN tonight as the game will be at 5PM to accomodate the ESPYs.
- The Cubs have scored 2 runs in the first two games after the break. Sad part is, one of those runs is a Carlos Zambrano HR.
- If you need a win, get San Diego on the schedule. They have scored 12 runs in their past two games vs. STL and lost.
- Teams are getting itchy to make a trade before the deadline. The A's and Pirates are looking for prime deals for their stars.
- It is down to 7 groups that are left to purchase the Chicago Cubs.
- The Rays have righted the ship and now lead by 1.5 games in the AL East. The AL Central is down to a 0.5 game lead for the Sox. Heck, the NL West still doesn't have a team with a winning record.
- Greg Norman is on the back nine as I type looking to win the British Open. Who said golf would be boring without Tiger Woods?
- Wie, Wie, Wie...all the way home. Michelle Wie forgot to sign her scorecard at the LPGA Event in Springfield, IL after round 2. She played her 3rd round and was told she was DQ'ed. Nice going, that probably would have meant you would be a regular on the LPGA tour with a nice finish.

With that, the TV is going to get a work out. I am going to finish watching the British Open and then take in many MLB games on this hot summer day. I'm out.

DC

Plugging away...

Fresh off of a trip to Busch Stadium last night, I am plugging away here this morning. It was yet another trip to see one of my two favorites of all time play an MLB game in Greg Maddux. We start swinging to high school football and the MLB dominates the sports scene on the eve before NFL Training Camps being.

Prep Report
- SVWW (Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn) will start the high school football season with a midnight practice for the 2nd year in a row. At 12:01AM on August 13th, they will take the field for their first of 3 practices during that day.
- Speaking of football, I was checking out the calendar and it looks like 2 a days won't be happening very much this year. First practice is the 13th, and then most schools will begin the calendar year either that Friday with students or even before.

Pro Sports
- I think we are now down to the final 4 or 5 people who haven't given their opinion on Brett Favre. The President of the Packers has chimed in as well.
[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3495889]
- NFL players will begin reporting to training camp this weekend.
- Can Greg Norman pull out 36 more holes and win the British Open? The other story may be David Duval being in the running after his career problems.
- The Nationwide Series of NASCAR will run in Madison, IL tonight. It is a one day show with practice and qualifying going on this afternoon.
- Tour de France...does the race matter anymore since every other day lands someone on the cheating list for doping?
- Mets lose...Rays win...the longest streaks for either direction have come to an end.
- C.C. Sabathia improved to 3-0 as a Brewer last night with a win in San Francisco.
- Watching the Padres in person last night, it is a team that definitely has not and will not play well the rest of the season.

What to Watch
- The British Open will be on ABC in the morning today and tomorrow.
- Cubs vs. Astros are on tonight at 6:05 on Comcast.
- Cards vs. Padres is the national game you will see on FOX today at 2:55.
- Nationwide Series race at Madison, IL will be on ESPN2 starting at 8:30PM tonight.
- The ESPYs will be on ESPN tomorrow night at 8PM.

Summer is beckoning me to get outside and enjoy. I'm out.

DC

Pondering on a Friday...

Posting in the early afternoon due to an 18 hole walk early this morning. We can now mark one more school off of the list that was searching for a head boys basketball coach. Gallatin County has made a selection. As for the pro side, we have the MLB, golf, and many other things that are taking the headlines.

Prep Report
- Robert "Radar" Patton is the new head boys basketball coach at Gallatin County. He has been the head coach for the girls program the past 4 years. Patton will be assisted by Teutopolis legend Ken Crawford.
- I think by the end of the month the other openings in the area should be filled.

Pro Sports
- How brutal is the weather for the British Open? Wind, cold, and raining sideways are the norm. Those are some hearty golf fans to sit out and watch golf in that weather.
- The NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its way to Gateway International Raceway tomorrow night in Madison, IL. With the Sprint Cup taking the week off, expect some of those guys to be racing under the lights.
- Former Illini star Deron Williams has agreed to a 3 year extension with the Utah Jazz.
- Jake Peavy...hear how good he is, read about how good he is, however it seems when I watch him or he is in a big game, he just can't get it done. His regular season is fine, but the playoff record isn't very good.
- Nothing new to report about Brett Favre today. Isn't that good to hear?
- Willie Randolph out...Jerry Manuel in...and the Mets have won 10 straight. Coincidence?
- Joe Blanton leaves the A's in a trade with the Phillies. Who won't the A's trade?
- How desperate are the Yankees to sign Richie Sexson? Does anyone remember when they used to make a blockbuster trade before the deadline?

Hole in One
- Something that happens on a rare occasion in golf is the hole in one. You can see it on highlights on TV, but to actually see it live in person is pretty special. I got to see one yesterday in person. The 18th hole at Red Hawk Country Club in Pinckneyville is a Par 3, 135 yard hole that plays over a lake. Jerry Rainwater used a 7 iron into a slight breeze to record his 8th hole in one of his life in front of a small golfing group. Congrats to him!!!

Having left you with plenty to think about, it is time for me to ready for work part of the day since I have already played on the course. I'm out.

DC

Break over...breaking it down...

The All-Star Break is over for the MLB and it is time to kick off the 2nd half of the season. After what was not on TV last night, I can't wait for it to begin. The Tundra-Saga in Green Bay continues to lead the headlines in the NFL as Fox News continues to release bits of the Greta and Brett interview. This and much more lead the way in the sports world.

Prep Report
- Former Galatia boys head basketball coach Rod Wallace is now the head women's baskebtall coach at Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, IL.
- There is still very little word on the remaining openings for basketball coaches in Southern Illinois. Those teams still looking will be far behind in being ready for the upcoming season without much if any summer basketball.

Pro Sports
- Brett Favre now says his GM is a liar. The Packers are filing tampering charges on the Vikings for a friend and former GB and now Vikings assistant for talking to Favre. Bridges are falling fast as are the options that Favre has in his hand.
- Check out the British Open and the weather. Cold, cloudy, and windy as the golfers are dressed like it is winter. The scores are not going to be very low in the first round today. Coverage is on TNT for the first two rounds.
- Today begins the 2nd half in the MLB. There are exactly 2 weeks until the trade deadline. Plenty of things can happen and teams will be looking for those last minute deals to improve their team or build for the future.
- Since 1995, 2/3 of teams who have lead their division at the All-Star Break have won their division.
- The Mets are hot, the Rays are not, no one is above .500 in the NL West, the White Sox are leading the AL Central but it is tenuous, the Yankees are looking to make a blockbuster, and the NL Central is filled with good teams...these are some of the stories of the 2nd half.
- I have been watching some of the NBA Summer League games in recent weeks. It is the make and break of many who will either continue playing or be finding something else to do.

Summer is starting to feel like summer around here with temperatures in the 90s and the rising humidity. Time to get outside and enjoy before it gets to hot before returning to watch some MLB tonight. I'm out.

DC

Late night...late blogging...

After watching the All-Star Game early into the morning, I slept in a little and then rolled into my activities that I needed to do today. This is why I am blogging a little later than normal. Not a bad game as you had a little of everything to like and dislike about it. Without further delay, let's get to it.

Prep Report
- Rumors are swirling about the remaining coaching openings in the area. It seems some schools are closer to hiring than others.
- The heat and humidity that are starting to dig in reminds me that football is just around the corner. How can you have high school football without triple digit heat?

MLB All-Star Game
- 4 hours and 50 minutes is the longest game by time in the All-Star series.
- This was the 4th and final time the All-Star Game will be played at Yankee Stadium.
- Did anyone else feel for Dan Uggla after his performance last night? He is a real professional and trooper to go through what he did.
- JD Drew looked very good last night and you saw just how good he really is in the MLB.
- Hitting with runners in scoring position wasn't a real strong point in the game.
- New York did a great job of building this game up, bringing in the Hall of Famers, and making it larger than life. It was a great sendoff for Yankee Stadium.
- Speaking of that, if the Yankees don't make the playoffs then that could have been the last big event in "The Stadium."
- I totally enjoyed the game, the stadium, and everything about the game. I just wish World Series home field wasn't riding on it.
- 2009...and we head to St. Louis, Missouri for the All-Star Game.

Pro Sports
- Is anyone else tired of the saga, mini-series, soap opera, or whatever that Brett Favre has going on with the Fox interview that seems to be coming to us in segments? The bridges are being burned as far as Favre and the Packers being civil.
- Ah yes, it wouldn't be a New York happening last night without a Clemens/Radomski reference alledging that The Rocket got a shipment from him. Could we not have waited until the All-Star Game was over to hear about this?
- Tomorrow, the British Open will begin and it will start very early in the morning our time.
- The NHL is coming to Wrigley Field on January 1, 2009. The Detroit Red Wings will play the Chicago Blackhawks. [http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3491865]

In finishing, you are hereby warned that there isn't much in the way of TV sports tonight to watch with the MLB on their All-Star Break. If you have shows saved on the DVR or VCR, want to catch a movie, or just do anything else tonight is the night to do it. Practicing what I preach, it is time to mow the yard. I'm out.

DC

Star for a Tuesday...

The MLB stars will play tonight in New York. There will be much pomp and circumstance as Hall of Famers, Yankee greats, and the city of New York will put on a show. I will take in the game on the TV tonight. This is the main sporting event, but there are other things going on as well.


Prep Report
- Mention it, and it may happen. It seems there are some tales going around that the final head basketball coaching positions are going to be filled this week or next. More to come...when there are some facts.


College Chatter
- Yes indeed, Billy Packer is out as the color commentator for CBS Men's Basketball for the Final Four and Clark Kellogg is in. Packer was an institution covering every Final Four since 1975 for NBC or CBS. However, change needed to be made.
- Michigan has changed from NIKE football uniforms to Adidas football uniforms. New coach Rich Rodriguez is changing the entire landscape there so the only thing left to do is win.


Pro Sports
- Ryan Newman is out at Penske Racing in 2009. Likely destination for him to land is with Stewart/Haas Racing to team up with Tony Stewart.
- Count me as one tired of hearing from Brett Favre. He goes on "On the Record with Greta Van Susternen" to tell his story. What in the world is he doing going on a news program to announce his intentions?
- Peyton Manning will miss the next 4-6 weeks after knee surgery. He will miss training camp and most of preseason. Shucks, NFL veterans really like participating in those things.

MLB All-Star Break Notes
- Barry Bonds agent says that Bonds will probably not play this season.
- I watched the Home Run Derby in stretches last night. Consensus in the group of people I was watching it with was that longtime ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman wears thin on people with his style and has for sometime.
- How heart-warming was it to see Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers) bring his 71 year old American Legion coach to throw BP? Clay Council was only at Yankee Stadium one other time and that was to see Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1953 World Series. Now, he has thrown on that same mound.
- Was it just me, or with all of the power hitters of the game injured or declining to be in it, that even with the home runs it is not the same?
- Hamilton did put on a clinic in that first round last night breaking the record for most home runs in the first round. However, it seemed that fatigue set in as it wore on as Justin Morneau of the Twins won the title.
- Cliff Lee and Ben Sheets will start for the AL and NL in the game tonight at 7PM on FOX in the glorified exhibition game.
- Speaking of that, why can't the MLB do like the NBA and say the team with the best record at the end of the regular season be the one with home field advantage in each playoff series?

With that and like stars in the skies at night, time for me to shoot on to the day at hand. I'm out.

DC

Summer Break...

The next three days find the main sport of the summer taking 3 days off. MLB has the All-Star Break with the game tomorrow night for the final time in Yankee Stadium. There are plenty of events planned as well as Hall of Fame greats returning for this week. The downside is that there won't be much on TV these three days. However, there is still some stuff, mostly baseball, to talk about on this first day of the work week.

Prep Report
- High School Football teams in the area are getting serious with plenty of 7 on 7s as well as camps for their players the next couple of weeks.
- There is still no word on the sites for the girls golf State Tournaments this fall.
- Several area schools have not hired basketball coaches either as we head into the middle of July.

College Chatter
- The longtime relationship with Billy Packer and CBS could be ending. [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3485871]

Pro Sports
- The British Open will be played this week. For the first time in about 12 years, Tiger Woods will not be competing.
- Kenny Perry won the PGA event at Silvus, IL yesterday. He won't be making the trip over the big pond to the British Open, but will be playing in Milwaukee this weekend.

MLB
- The Home Run Derby will be on ESPN tonight. With the contest being in Yankee Stadium, I can't figure out why any home run hitter would not want to participate for that reason.
- Another tradition coming to an end is the Dodgers have officially left Dodgertown. [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3485867]
- At the break, the AL playoffs teams would be Boston, Chicago, LA, with the wildcard being Tampa Bay. The NL playoff teams would be Philadelphia, Chicago, Arizona, and the wildcard would be St. Louis.
- At the break, no team in the NL West has a winning record. This officially means that all baseball people can back off of the NL Central at this time.

Question to Ponder...
Is anyone else tired of the "Which is Titletown?" segment on ESPN?

Wow...there was still much to talk about. Even with the off days in the MLB, there is much to catch up on. I will be taking in the HR Derby tonight mostly because of Yankee Stadium being the site. The newest issue of the Southern Illinois Sports Connection magazine is also out on the stands so go and pick one up. For now, I must find the golf course. I'm out.

DC

Win some, lose some, give away, take back...

As I have said before, reality TV pales in comparison to the sports world in what can happen just in one day. Take for instance the Cubs and Cardinals games from yesterday and no way could anyone have guessed that would have happened in either game. It is July, but the sports world continues to have happenings that are worthy or watching and mentioning.

Prep Report
- Former Highland pitcher Jake Odorizzi has made his pro debut. He lead Highland to the 3A State Championship this past spring. [http://www.bnd.com/220/story/396044.html]


Pro Sports
- Favre vs. the Packers is getting uglier as the days go on. Now, the latest is the Pack want him to be a backup.
- Kyle Busch won for the 7th time this season in NASCAR at the race in Joliet, IL last night.
- What have Jose Canseco and Vai Sikahema been up to? [http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3485127]
- Give and take...The Cubs lead the Giants 7-2 in the 9th before the Giants scored five to tie. The Cubs took back the game with a run in the bottom of the eleventh to win 8-7.
- Give away...The Cards lead the Pirates 10-4 in the bottom of the 9th before the Pirates scored 6 to tie. The Cards took the lead 11-10 on a Glaus HR in the top of the 10th, but a walk-off 2 run HR by Jason Michaels let the Pirates win 12-11.
- The above mentioned MLB games is stuff you just can't create and write.
- Today is the final day of MLB games before the All-Star Break. You can bet there will be some games played at a quick pace due to the upcoming days off.
- Who's hot...the Mets have won 8 straight...Who's not...the Rays have lost 6 straight.
- One more week until NFL Training Camps begin.
- Illinois has been a major sports hub this week. NASCAR was in Joliet for a race, the PGA is in Silvus, and the Pro Volleyball tour is in Chicago.

I am going to enjoy the last day of MLB games. You won't have any that count until Thursday due to the All-Star Break. I'm out.

DC

Sweating it out on a Saturday...

July has found the heat and humidity as it was sweltering yesterday. You can almost see and hear your yard growing due to those two factors. Add some rain that happened late yesterday evening and the yards are prospering. With the heat, things continue to warm up around the sports world especially in the pro sports realm. "As the Favre Turns" continues to be the best soap opera in the sports world right now. With that, lets get started.

Prep Report
- 2008 Benton Graduate Courtney Smith has signed a track scholarship with Rend Lake College.
- Some of the best American Legion baseball players from Missouri and Illinois will battle for the first time on Monday. [http://prepsports.stltoday.com/ssi/prep/stories2008.nsf/baseball-americanlegion/story/888C3141B5AB58E08625748200739A76?OpenDocument]

College Chatter
- You know College Football is getting close when you start hearing ESPN breaking down teams in the major conferences.
- Mike Reis will begin a new job at SIU this fall as the Director of External and Broadcast Operations.

Pro Sports
- The what looks to be Favre leaving Green Bay is getting more messy as the hour goes by.
- The NBA Summer League games are going on right now. It is a great chance to see those recently drafted, young, and wanting to make a roster players.
- The Nationwide Series has been dominated by JGR and Kyle Busch added another trophy with a win in Joliet last night. The Sprint Cup race will be tonight.
- Newly acquired Rich Harden will make his Cubs debut in a start today vs. the Giants at Wrigley Field.
- It seems that a couple of Washington Nationals higher ups are in trouble. [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3483972]
- Don't look now, but the Mets have reeled off 7 wins in a row and are just 1.5 games back of the Phillies.
- There is still no team in the NL West with a winning record.

It is going to be another scorcher today so it makes for good reasoning to do some outside activities and then sit back and watch some sports. I'm out.

DC

Ringing and Buzzing...

I am catching up this morning after a night at a Kenny Chesney concert. As always, the sports world is buzzing and ringing as are my ears this morning from the music last night. The concert was awesome as usual as Gary Allan was a great opening act and Kenny Chesney again showed why he is the 4 time Entertainer of the Year with the show he put on. FYI...Roberts Stadium in Evansville, Indiana is an excellent place for a concert. Not a bad seat in the place and the sound is tremendous. OK, the entertainment minute is over with. Let's get to the sports.



Prep Report

- The sites for the Girls Tennis Sectionals are out. [http://www.ihsa.org/activity/tng/2008-09/1site.htm]

- The Cairo Boys Basketball team will play Collinsville in the Nashville Shootout February 7, 2009 in a case of "David vs. Goliath" as far as the enrollments of each school goes.



College Chatter

- The fall sports at the collegiate level are just about ready to kick off. Athletes will be heading to campuses shortly to begin practice.

- My how the mighty have fallen...former high school and Florida basketball great Ted Dupay is in major trouble. [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3481687]



Pro Sports

- The NBA Clippers just can't get it right. They get Baron Davis but then lose Elton Brand to the 76ers and Cory Maggette to the Warriors. Reasons why the Clipps can't get winning down pat.

- Derrick Rose is out of the summer for the Bulls with tendonitits in the knee.

- This is the final weekend for the MLB before the All-Star Break. Personally, I can't wait for the All-Star game this year since it is in Yankee Stadium. The HR Derby should be a treat because of this.

- Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay) and Corey Hart (Milwaukee) won the internet vote as the last members to get on the AL and NL All-Star Teams.

- Reds jerseys + Cubs pitching = many Reds home runs. This is the 2nd time the Reds have done that to the Cubs and it last happened in May.

- Tony Stewart is now the highest paid owner/driver and it looks like his teammate will be Ryan Newman if rumors pan out in 2009.

- Silvus, IL is hosting the PGA John Deere Classic and Joliet, IL is hosting NASCAR this weekend. It is a big weekend for pro sports in the state of Illinois.



As I have been typing, the ringing in the ears is still going but I am starting to hear a few more clicks of the keys on the keyboard. HA HA HA Seriously, the weekend is just about upon us and it is loaded with some major sports. I'm out.



DC

Sweating it out...

With the heat and humidity turning up as expected in July, it kind of feels like the first week or two of the high school football season. You know like I do that it will be triple digit heat when football starts just because it has to be that way. Much like the heat, the sports world continues to stay warm.

Prep Report
- Cairo High School is still looking for games for their boys and girls basketball teams. This will be their first year out of the Black Diamond Conference as Vienna is taking their place in the Eastern Division.
- Future prep players will begin practice in a couple of weeks for the upcoming fall baseball and softball season in the junior high ranks.

Pro Sports
- It is official and Tony Stewart is leaving JGR to co-own a new NASCAR team called Haas-CNC. It will have two cars and be powered with Hendrick motors.
- NASCAR is in Joliet all weekend including the first ever night race on Saturday night.
- The NBA free agency period has been pretty crazy. There has been some major player movement over the past two days. However, some big names are still out there.
- The Cardinals received a major blow last night when Mark Mulder left the game 3 batters in with shoulder pain. He was the first of 3 (Carpenter, Wainright) that they were planning on to help the rotation. If you saw the pick off throw to first, you know that something was wrong.
- Speaking of the STL, they will play a game today in Philadelphia that will start in the morning on our clocks in the Midwest.
- The Yankees swept a 2 game home series vs. the Rays to keep the Bronx Bombers much closer in contention.
- Have you gotten or are you growing your Jason Giambi moustache yet?
- The Dodgers came just short of another perfect game last night. Derek Lowe took a perfecto into the 7th inning before it was broken up.
- No team in the NL West is above .500 right now. The Dodgers have clawed their way back into first place. Joe Torre is making a difference.
- Just weeks before the deadline, Barry Bonds name continues to pop up more frequently in regards to joining a team to help them out.
- Carlos Zambrano won his 10th game of the year for the Cubs last night in a 5-1 win.

Stay cool and get plenty of liquids if you plan on being outside today as the heat and humidity are going to be high today. The Cubs and Cards have afternoon baseball games today so enjoy doing something with those being on today. I'm out.

DC

The Winds of Change...

The Scorpions wrote a song titled "Wind of Change" referring to the changing world that we live in back in the early 90s. Not on that major scale, the sporting landscape was making changes and possibly is going to make more changes during the next few weeks. MLB and NASCAR is taking the lead but the NBA is trying its best to jump in as well. Oh yeah, the high school and college sports world jumps in with some news as well.

Prep Report
- Belleville West is going to offer boys volleyball this coming school year. [http://www.bnd.com/220/story/392305.html]
- If you are getting the football itch, keep your ears open in your towns as several schools are playing 7 on 7 games this month before camps start.
- McKendree College wraps up a 3 day boys basketball camp today.

College Chatter
- If you don't want to go to college for a year before playing in the NBA, here is a new way out [http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/8327250?MSNHPHMA]
- Former WVU football coach Rich Rodriquez will pay WVU $4 million after leaving for Michigan. [http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8301246/IOU-for-WVU:-Rodriguez-agrees-to-pay-$4-million?MSNHPHMA]

Pro Sports
- First it was the Brewers and now the Cubs have launched their shot. The Cubs acquired Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin from the A's for Matt Murton, Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, and Josh Donaldson. This is a blockbuster for the simple fact that the Cubs are leading the division thus being in a place of power. They acquire an ace pitcher and then strengthen an already very good bullpen.
- Sabathia won in his debut for the Brewers last night. He will get one more start before the All-Star break.
- Joel Piniero won for the first time since April by winning in Philadelphia 2-0.
- Who says baseball games take forever...The A's beat the Mariners in a game that lasted only 1 hour and 49 minutes last night.
- Soriano, Ortiz, and others aren't going to play in the All-Star game so many others are going to get in the game.
- Remember the Detroit Tigers who started the year 2-10? They are now 45-44 and 7 games back in the AL Central.
- In the NBA, the Clippers signed Baron Davis to play with Elton Brand and Cory Maggette. Someone forgot to tell Brand the plan as he is now heading to Philadelphia and Maggette is headed to Golden State.
- Brett Favre...I said in March that he wouldn't go quietly and he is not. He is now texting the higher ups in Green Bay about a return.
- NASCAR...Tony Stewart is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing after 2008. He will be part owner of Haas/CNC Racing starting in 2009. Leaving an established team that has won titles to begin another team from the ground up is the scenario here.

As you can tell, it was a busy day in the pro sports world. Over the next few weeks in the MLB, it will get much busier as teams make those deadline trades. However, it is time for me to jet. I'm out.

DC

Almost a Perfection...

As I said, once past the 4th of July, the prep scene would refire once again and it has. MLB dominates the pro sports scene. Perfection almost achieved by a Dodger last night is a reason why I am a little late out of the gate this morning after watching it late into the evening.

Prep Report
- AJ Hill has verbally committed to play football next year at Northern Illinois University under Jerry Kill. Remember that older brother Nick Hill played football at SIU under Kill.
- The IHSA has not listed the hosts for the Girls Golf Class A and Class AA State Tournaments on their website. In the past couple of years, Hickory Ridge in Carbondale and Stone Creek in Makanda have been the hosts.

Pro Sports
- Near perfection in LA last night as Hiroki Kuroda of the Dodgers took a perfect game into the 8th last night before Mark Teixeira doubled.
- The best part of the near perfecto last night was listening to Vin Scully call the game.
- The Brewers have mortgaged their future a bit by trading for C. C. Sabathia. I don't believe he stays there in 2009 as he turned down a $100 million dollar deal from Cleveland recently.
- Forgot this tidbit, there was a 17, 15, and 12 inning game all on Sunday in the MLB.
- Again I say, how could anyone turn down the Home Run Hitting Contest in Yankee Stadium? If no one else wants to, I would love to do it.
- Joliet, IL is the site of the NASCAR races this weekend. Several trucks and trailers will be heading up I-57 today and tomorrow.
- NBA Summer Games have begun and the Rose vs. Beasley hype is in full swing. Beasley took the first win as his team dominated yesterday. What does this mean? Absolutely nothing.
- Elton Brand is the most coveted free agent in the NBA right now. The Clippers, Warriors, and Sixers are all in the running for his services.

Business will pick up tremendously as the Cubs, Cards, and White Sox will all be in action again tonight in the MLB as we wind down towards the All-Star Break. I'm out.

DC

Major League Platform...

July is a month that puts the MLB on a platform. You have the trade deadline at the end of the month and teams deciding whether they are in the playoff race or not as well as the All-Star game. It is the front runner but other sports had significant headlines on their own yesterday as well.

Prep Report
- McKendree College will host a 3 day basketball summer camp starting today in Lebanon, IL. There will be several local high school boys teams participating.
- Several head coaching positions remain unfilled at this time in the area.
- Playing golf this summer, I have noticed that more and more prep golfers are playing and practicing more than ever before.
- Crab Orchard Golf Course is hosting a big junior tournament tomorrow morning. Several boys and girls prep golfers will be teeing it up.

Pro Sports
- The Cubs take 2 of 3 in St. Louis and gained a game in the standings. That is a pretty good weekend for an MLB team on the road.
- The Edmonds vs. TLR saga has been taken up a notch. Jimmy Ballgame said on an interview on KSDK 5 TV out of St. Louis that he has one less number in his phone. Why is it that Cardinals greats always are treated poorly by TLR?
- The Brewers have fired the first big shot in the MLB trade world as they have acquired C.C. Sabathia from the Indians. Playing much better lately and tied for 2nd place in the NL Central now, this will make their team that much better.
- Speaking of starters, the Cardinals think that Mark Mulder is ready to start. FYI...he hasn't thrown more than 30 pitches in his 2 outings in the past week.
- The All-Star rosters are out. The Red Sox and Cubs dominate the rosters of both teams. Also, there is the usual "He got left out" cries that come about. The system isn't perfect and neither is the fact this game determines home field advantage in the World Series.
- How does A-Rod keep performing with all of the off the field stuff he has going on?
- Nadal vs. Federer...greatest match ever yesterday at Wimbledon??? It could have been.
- For you basketball fans, today is the first day of the NBA Summer League. Draftees, free agents, and first year NBA players participate in this league which makes the interest level enough to watch.

It is Monday and after following a three day weekend, the time to get errands done is now. I'm out.

DC

Rutting with a routine...

We reach the end of the extended 3 day weekend, and it has been a pretty good one at that. It will be back to the routine starting tomorrow for the work force. The routine, though, for the sports world pretty much stays the same as an eventful Saturday in all realms of sporting events happened yesterday.

Prep Sports
- Look for business to pick up as we wind down the 4th of July holiday. You will see a spike in basketball camps, football camps, and other such news items start to happen.
- Yes, some schools don't have head basketball coaches in place yet.

Pro Sports
- What an amazing finish to the NASCAR race in Daytona last night. Check out the highlights as late crashes meant officials had to go to computer scoring to determine a winner. [http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=3475023]
- Justin Gay tried to make the 200m event in the Olympics, but a cramp while running derailed that dream.
- Just how good is swimmer Michael Phelps??? [http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/swimming/news/story?id=3474840]
- If anyone realized it, the Tour de France started yesterday. [http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2008/news/story?id=3475333]
- Venus Williams beat her sister Serena Williams yesterday to win the Wimbledon Women's Single final. Federer vs. Nadal is going on as I type.
- Here is a couple of articles on the Cubs/Cards game from newspapers in St. Louis and Chicago [http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/5EF56FF798A847238625747E0010CFE5?OpenDocument]
[http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1041672,CST-SPT-cub06.stng]
-That game from a Cubs perspective was a gift to the Cardinals. No team at any level can expect to win a game when 3 people are walked in the bottom of the 9th.
- The final game of the Cubs/Cards series is at 2PM on TBS as well as the other usual stations today.

As per routine, it is time for me to catch some SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight before the schedule of MLB games begin. I'm out.

DC

Potpourri of Summer Sports...

With visions of fireworks still in your head, it is time for another day of summer in July to begin. The variety of sports including the MLB which provided some outstanding play yesterday including a game with 35 runs. The Olympic trials are deep into being run and some great performances are being done in the pool and on the track. Finally, what would the 4th of July weekend be without some racing.

Prep Report
- The East St. Louis HS football team will be playing on national television this fall. [http://www.bnd.com/220/story/384860.html]
- I found this interesting article in the Chicago Sun-Times about the new season of high school basketball in the Chicago area. [http://yourseason.suntimes.com/boys_basketball/1036195,070208mcgavin.article]

Pro Sports
- A very classy reception was given by the Cardinals fans to Jim Edmonds on his first return last night to St. Louis.
- Albert Pujols is the 5th youngest person to hit 300 home runs for a career after hitting one last night in a 2-1 loss to the Cubs.
- Carlos Zambrano looked very good in 6 innings against the Cardinals last night in a win.
- Here is a link to a couple of stories for the above tidbits... [http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/8773A071ECD385E68625747D0014895C?OpenDocument]
[http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1041030,CST-SPT-cub05.article]
- The Rockies were down 13-4 at one point last night and came back to win 18-17 against Florida. I got to see a part of this game and it was a pitching-optional game in Colorado. [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280704127]
- The C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes is heating up in the MLB.
- Paul Menard is the pole sitter for the Coke Zero 400 tonight at Daytona International Raceway. [http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=3474002]
- After drafting Derrick Rose, you know the roster for the Bulls was going to change. It is beginning as Chris Duhon is on the move. [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3473845]

Time to get a little work done before enjoying some pleasure of relaxation and fun during this extended weekend. I'm out.

DC

Red, White, Blue, Fireworks and Sports...

Happy Fourth of July!!! It is a day of food, sports, recreation, familiy, and remembering those who have fought and are fighting for our freedom. Later than usual today as I got out and played a round of golf in the elements this morning. Those elements included fog, rain, wind, and dampness. It is a full day of pro sports going on so let's get right to it.

Prep Report
- Mason Jacobs continued his good play by winning a SIGA event at Kokopelli last weekend.
- The SI Bullets baseball team is really playing well right now with area prep talent playing for the team.

Pro Sports
- The MLB has done it right today. Cubs/Cardinals, Yanks/Red Sox, Dodgers/Giants, White Sox/A's, Mets/Phillies, and Indians/Twins all on the docket this weekend.
- Jim Edmonds returns to St. Louis tonight for the first time since joining the Cubs.
- Speaking of that series, the pitching matchups on paper look very good.
- Check out the Yanks/Red Sox highlights of the almost home run ball that sets on the top of the fence. It is something I have never seen before in a baseball game.
- Qualifying for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona will be today. The race will be tomorrow night under the lights.
- Mark Martin has come out of retirement and is going to be the 4th driver in the Hendrick stable in 2009.
- Tony Stewart has a deal in place with Office Depot as the primary sponsor for his ride in 2009.
- Williams vs. Williams and Federer vs. Nadal are the finals at Wimbledon. Tennis fans are salivating at the matchups.

Make sure to take time to reflect and/or thank those for what you are able to go and do today. I'm out.

DC

Oh so close...

Oh so close to the weekend, but aren't 4 day work weeks great? It is the final day to work with the holiday tomorrow and a three day weekend ahead. There is nothing better than kicking back and enjoying all of those great things in a holiday weekend and that includes the sports world. For a little teaser before the weekend starts, let's get to the sports.

Prep Report
- July is football camp month. I have seen several camps in many different local fish wraps being advertised.
- I have been noticing over the past few years at the golf courses that high school team members get out early and often in the summer to play and practice.

College Chatter
- Indiana University is really feeling the heat with impending NCAA sanctions. They have decided to self-impose more sanctions on themselves. [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3471480]

Pro Sports
- Geez...did anyone else besides me forsee that the "Brett Favre return" rumors would happen. He says it is all rumor, but there must be something to it since ESPN's Chris Mortensen says there is. [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3471189]
- It is no longer the Seattle SuperSonics but the Oklahoma City (you fill in the blank.) The name and colors stay in Seattle but the team is on the move. Post your thoughts and ideas for the team nickname and colors.
- The Minnesota Twins are on a streak winning 10 of their last 12 games but are still 2 1/2 games out of first since the White Sox have won 7 in a row.
- The NL West is currently full of teams with records under the .500 mark. [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/standings]
- Tampa Bay means business after sweeping the Red Sox at home this week.
- Between Hank Steinbrenner [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280702110] and ARod vs. his wife [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3471831] are the Yankees playing baseball? Oh yeah, they play the Red Sox this weekend.

Remember, we would love to hear your ideas for the new nickname of the Oklahoma City NBA franchise. With that, just as the Seattle franchise in the NBA is doing, I am on the move. I'm out.

DC

Odd World of Sports

We are halfway through the work week and towards a big three day holiday weekend. MLB is as good as it gets right now with big games and major storylines. However, one national announcer doesn't think so. Baseball offers us a couple of odd stories as well. The NBA free agency period has been crazy and we are just over 24 hours into it. Like I say all the time, the world of sports continues to turn out stories.

Prep Report
- 6 weeks from today will be the first official practice for all of the fall sports.
- By the way, it is never too early to start planning your 2008-2009 high school sports calendar.

Olympic Trials
- I have been intrigued in the swimming and track/field qualifying events for the Olympics this week. Michael Phelps is putting on a real clinic in Swimming. [http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/swimming/news/story?id=3469330 ]

Pro Sports
- Have Rick Ankiel and Kenny Chesney ever been in the same place at the same time? I don't believe they have since they look very much alike in the face.
- Barry Bonds HR ball #756 is now in the Hall of Fame. What is on it and how it came about is a different story. [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3469308]
- Arod is passing on the HR Derby for the All-Star Game. WHAT?!?!?![http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3469311]
- I just caught a segment on ESPN's First Take where Joe Buck just said he doesn't watch baseball because it is slow and boring. YIKES!!! This is your lead announcer for FOX during the World Series for those wondering.
- Don't forget...the big hot dog eating contest is on the 4th of July on ESPN.
- The NBA Free Agent period has proved very interesting with Baron Davis a Clipper, Antwain Jamison and Gilbert Arenas staying with Washington, and Cory Maggette and Elton Brand opting out of contracts with the Clippers. Chad Ford of ESPN breaks down the best available free agents. [http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=FreeAgents-080629]

There were some things to think about today especially in the MLB. Post your thoughts on A-Rod, the Joe Buck Comment, or HR ball 756. We would love to hear from you. I'm out.

DC

Passing the mid-point...

Change those calendars and swing into the month of July as we pass the mid-point of the year 2008. A new month means new things happening in the sports world. NBA Free Agency has begun and the Dream Team is touring doing the PR for the Olympics. On the high school scene, the week of the 4th of July means it is a real slow time.

Prep Report
- The first full month of team camps and tournaments is in the book. There are several teams that have made noise on both the boys and girls sides in doing well this summer.
- As we start a new month, there are still some schools with some head basketball coaching openings in the area. If anything new comes about, I will post it here.

College Chatter
- Now, the president of Indiana says that Kelvin Sampson shouldn't have been hired. No kidding...this is a case of too little too late.
- Isn't it about time that West Virginia leave former head football coach Rich Rodriquez alone? They have parted ways and he is at Michigan doing his thing. [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3468366]

Pro Sports
- The Midwest Baseball League is looking to expand. These are MLB affiliated teams. Here is an article mentioning cities that are on the list of possible sites for expansion. [http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080628/SPORTS/472792068/1008/sports]
- The gong you heard was the start of the NBA free agent period at 12:01AM this morning. There are several players staying, leaving, and opting out of contracts to stay with the same team.
- Tiger says his knee had been hurting him for about ten years. If that is the case, what can he do with a healthy knee. [http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3468020]
- Quick...name the 8 position Tampa Bay Rays who start games for them>>>They have the best record in baseball this morning.
- Derrick Rose was formally introduced to the Chicago Media yesterday as the Bulls number one pick. In the past three years, he was won a HS State Championship, finished 2nd with Memphis in the NCAA, and then drafted #1 by his hometown NBA team. Can you say living the dream?
- The MLB has done it right on the weekend of the 4th of July. Several rivalry games will be going on including the Cubs/Cards, Yanks/Red Sox, and other such series.

Well, it is time to wrap this thing up for today. It is time for a little work and a little play before the MLB kicks in tonight on the TV. I'm out.

DC