Bay Bloggin'

My Pet Peeves in Baseball

2009-03-17T19:21:00.001-07:00

1. The DH

2. Turf

3. Humidor balls

4. Congress intervening in baseball when there are more pressing issues than Steroids

5. Fans who scream for a balk, when clearly, there was no balk. Most fans don't know what a balk is

6. Fans who boo pick-off moves

7. Fans who boo intentional walks

8. Maple bats

9. Really baggy pants

10. No salary cap

My Response

2009-03-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Over at The Shooter's Take, Shooter wrote an entry about 50 things in sports that have been on his mind. Here is my take on each of points:

1. Disagree
All 3 of the rivalries usually have big impacts in each of their respective sports. The Yankees and Red Sox are always in the hunt for the World Series title. The excitement during the regular season (barring games in September) is overhyped because of how many games are played. UNC and Duke are always in the top 10 and the passion of each school makes the games very exciting. Ohio State and Michigan haven't been too impressive on a national scope as of late, but this game often decides the Big-10. I understand that each of these rivalries are over-publicized by ESPN, which can be very annoying. But, that doesn't mean the games are not of importance and plenty of people care.

2. Sort of agree.
Yes, it would be nice if the refs made more correct calls and lessened the allowance of traveling, but often, they call too many ticky-tack fouls in the lane. I would like to see LESS of that.

3. Agree.
Blame Vlade.

4. Agree
There is too much flopping, but its a part of the game. Soccer will never be big in America. Baseball, basketball, and football will never be overcome by soccer. If ESPN bought the rights to the English Premier League, the popularity would take over hockey.

5. Mixed
Some of them ARE athletes (cheerleaders, X-Games competitors, swimmers) and some ARE sports, but they should not get the coverage they do on ESPN when the network could spend that money on something more useful, like English football.

6. Agree
Although I believe that kids should look towards their parents and people they personally know as role models, there are certain kids who don't have real role models in their life and look up to athletes.

7. Agree with all except less bowl game.
More bowl games helps local economies right now and we know our country needs it.

8. Who cares?
Both are boring.

9. Absolutely.
Do not get me started.

10. Disagree.
Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Derek Jeter, and Vladimir Guerrero are just a few of many to be remembered.

11. Duh.

12. Chin music has always been a part of the game and always should be. Pitchers establish their territory this way and if the batter doesn't want to be hit in the head, don't crowd the plate. They are taking their own risk.

13. Sort of agree.
Gambling does make horse racing what it is and I am a big horse racing fan, but it does not improve the quality of entertainment for football, basketball, or baseball.

14. Agreed.
Sadly though, they are the 3 consistent college programs on the west coast.

15. Agreed.

16. Disagree.
Kiper is Joe Montana, but it's not the 80's anymore, it's the mid-90's and McShay is Steve Young. It's McShay's world now. He is the better analyst. Kiper has lost his touch.

17. Hahaha....so true.

18. Pac-10 and Big-10 are talked about plenty when they prove their worth. Sadly, this year isn't one of those years.

19. A-Rod WILL be in the hall-of-fame.

20. Ya, it's tacky, but would you turn down that money? I think not.

21. Agreed full-heartedly.

22. John Kruk does NOT know baseball.

23. David Stern turned the NBA into a multi-billion dollar enterprise from a lower-tier sport in America. That is obsurd. Yes...Selig must go.

24. Agreed on McCain. Cuban...sure?

25. It's far too early to call him a bust. Was he over-hyped? Yes. Has he lived up to expectations? No. But he hasn't even finished a season in the NBA and he is having injury issues. It is far too early to call him a "bust."

26. The Clippers should move to San Diego, IMO.

27. Thanks for stating the obvious, Shooter.

28. Most likely, the 49ers. That's where his numbers are. As a 49er fan...I don't want him.

29. You and everyone in Westwood. I'd rather Willie Mays.

30. To make soccer popular in America, it would take a lot to happen. First, ESPN would have to get rights to show English Premier League and expose great soccer to America. After numerous years of doing so, the fanbase for soccer will increase. After which, MLS franchise will have to start spending big money to get big players out of Europe and spend big money to create stadiums more suitable for soccer. The MLS would need a commisioner like David Stern to make the magic happen.

31. Tony Reali just might. I think Michael Wilbon and Tony Cornheiser might considering that they not only discusses sports on PTI but they travel to big sporting events. Jim Rome is a tool.

32. Yup.

33. I hate the Superdome, but for New Orleans' economical benefit, I'll agree.

34. The Padres asked the city of San Diego for a stadium shortly after reaching the World Series and when the Chargers were one of the worst teams in the league. By the time Petco park was finished, the Padres were decent, although they are terrible now, and the Chargers have consistently become one of the better teams in the league. Unfortunately, San Diego just does not have the money to fund another stadium right now. It's just bad timing and it has nothing to do with what they deserve.

35. New stadiums and arenas are being built up instead of out.

36. He might turn into a prominent porn-star.

37. In this day and age, good commentators are very rare.

38. Barry Bonds HAD the biggest ego in sports. In the early 90's he was just like T.O. As he got older and became a father, he toned it down, but the media played it up. The media bugs him about steroids and he always said during his press conferences that he was there to talk about the game and not steroids. He doesn't go looking for publicity like Curt Schilling, who I think has the biggest ego in sports, and he doesn't make outlandish statements that distract a team.

39. Who cares?

40. Eh, so did Gary Payton.

41. You forgot about Pacific Northwest sports fans being to delusional and biased.

42. No.

43. Agreed.

44. Agreed.

45. No. There are at least 100 nicknames of baseball players that are better.

46. Agreed.

47. Always thought about that.

48. Jack Nicholson...that's about it.

49. He was too young to call him a first-ballot, but he was definitely a hall-of-famer. And yes, they deserved to be put away for life, regardless of the fact that Sean Taylor was a tremendous athlete.

50. So true.

The Most Dominant Football Clubs in the World

2009-03-13T22:20:00.000-07:00

1. Real Madrid
League Titles: 31
League Cups: 26
Champions League/European Cups: 9
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 3
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 3

2. AC Milan
League Titles: 17
League Cups: 10
Champions League/European Cups: 7
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 7
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 4

3. Ajax
League Titles: 29
League Cups: 17
Champions League/European Cups: 4
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 5
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2

4. Bayern Munich
League Titles: 21
League Cups: 23
Champions League/European Cups: 4
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 2
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2

5. Liverpool FC
League Titles: 18
League Cups: 15
Champions League/European Cups: 5
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 6
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 0

6. Manchester United
League Titles: 17
League Cups: 14
Champions League/European Cups: 3
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 2
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2

7. Juventus
League Titles: 27
League Cups: 13
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 6
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2

8. FC Barcelona
League Titles: 18
League Cups: 33
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 6
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 0

9. Inter Milan
League Titles: 16
League Cups: 9
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 3
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2

10. F.C. Porto
League Titles: 23
League Cups: 17
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 2
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2

The Commish

2009-02-17T21:42:00.000-08:00

Dear Bud Selig,

You have brought shame to America's pastime. Amidst scandal and detriment to the game of baseball, you take no responsibility for your lack of action in the past and turn your frustration into inappropriate action in the present.

The Steroid Era has occurred under your watch and you have the audacity to try to punish players who are under protection of confidentiality. You have the audacity to try and change baseball's most holy record. Even Hank Aaron thinks you are out of line. What's next? The 1989 A's lose their World Series trophy and hand it to the Giants? Do you take Gaylord Perry out of the hall-of-fame because he used a spitball?

Mr. Selig, this was your watch and you fell asleep. You chose to do nothing in the mid-90's when Steroids was at it's peak because it helped bring popularity back to baseball after the strike. Man up and take responsibility for what you have done to the game. Apologize to the baseball fans of the world for choosing to do nothing as the game was slowly being tarnished. Apologize to the fans for acting only when you were forced by the pressure of the media as news of steroid-use finally broke out in the early-2000's. Apologize to the fans for not doing your job. Do the game a favor, and retire.

Sincerely,
A REALLY PISSED OFF FAN

My Predictions for the 2009 Major League Baseball Season

2009-02-17T02:01:00.001-08:00

First of all, I think baseball predictions are pretty stupid at the beginning of the year because it is such a long season and many things can change, but I have a light homework load this term and I'm bored.

*Wild Card

AL East
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox*
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles

The Yankees had the best off-season in the majors, by far. The filled the big void in the starting rotation by getting C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and got a big bat and glove at 1st base in Mark Texeira. The Red Sox will filled their bullpen woes and added some depth in the field by adding John Smoltz, Mark Kotsay, and Rocco Baldelli. Although the Rays added Burrell, they will drop in production after an abnormal year in success, but only slightly.

AL Central
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Detroit Tigers

The Twins might have the best 1-2 punch in the middle of the order in all of baseball. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau will have help from up-and-comers Carlos Gomez and Denard Span. The Twins always exceed expectations and even last year with almost zero pitching staff, they fell just 1 game short of the playoffs. The rest of the division did not enough in the off-season to contend with this young and talented Twins ball club.

AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Oakland Athletics
3. Texas Rangers
4. Seattle Mariners

Do I even need to explain? The Angels are far more talented than anyone in this divison. In fact, they may be the only team to get over .500.

NL East
1. New York Mets
2. Philadelphia Phillies*
3. Florida Marlins
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Washington Nationals

The Mets fixed their big bullpen issue by getting Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz. The Mets were a decent bullpen away from winning the NL East last year, and with their lineup, they should be able to slip past the Phillies for the divison. The Phillies, however, are very strong and should be able to beat out the Cardinals for the wild card. The Marlins should be very productive as well, but with the talent in Philadelphia and New York, they won't make the playoffs.

NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Houston Astros
5. Cincinnati Reds
6. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Cubs may still be the most talented team in the National League and should have another great regular season, but will once again choke in the playoffs. The Cardinals should contend, but fall just short of the Wild Card. The rest of the division will have trouble staying around .500.

NL West
1. San Francisco Giants
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres

Being the weakest division in the majors, the NL West is a 3-way toss-up between the Giants, Diamondbacks, and Dodgers. The Dodgers lost a lot of talent this off-season, especially from their rotation and bullpen. Even if they get Manny Ramirez back, they are going to struggle with their pitching. The Diamondbacks return a good young ball club, however they need to mature if they want to have consistent success, unlike last year. A big loss for the Diamondbacks was Randy Johnson, who was a big role in their rotation. Randy Johnson ended up in San Francisco in what may be the best rotation in the National League. The Giants showed a lot of progress at the end of last year with the success from their young players. The Giants ended their season by winning 3 straight series against the Dodgers and finishing 22-19. Pablo Sandoval will be leading the young squad offensively and will be a big surprise in the National League this year. An 84-win season could very well win this division.

ALDS
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels
The Yankees should handle the Angels pretty easily, especially with their pitching staff and an Angels offense that last year was less than stellar.

Boston Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins
The Red Sox are getting old and like last year against the Rays, they will have trouble against a young and lively ball club in Minnesota.

NLDS
New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants
The Giants will have squeaked out an NL West division title but should lose handily to the Mets. The Giants should get their only win in the series from Tim Lincecum.

Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Cubs will make it a step farther this year and take care of the reigning World Series champions. This series will go down to 5 games and the Cubs will win in dramatic fashion in a come from behind win.

ALCS
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
It's easy to pick the Yankees to win it all, but the Twins are going to bring a lot of energy and nothing-to-lose attitude to this series. The Yankees are going to have all the pressure on them and the Twins will be the young, naive team who comes in and beats them with speed, hustle, and small-ball.

NLCS
New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs
The Mets will finally get over the hump, which Cubs fans will scoff at the idea of. Like the Yankees, the Cubs will have too much pressure and the sheer amount of talent of the Mets will be too much.

World Series
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Mets
The New York Mets will come in as the big favorites and the Twins will come in as the Cinderlla story just as the Rays did last year. However, Ron Gardenhire's experience in the playoffs and the energy of this young team is going to overcome the talent of the Mets and their overbearing pressure of the New York media and fans.

World Series Champions
Minnesota Twins

AL MVP
Joe Mauer

NL MVP
David Wright

AL Cy Young
C.C. Sabathia

NL Cy Young
Tim Lincecum

AL COY
Ron Gerdenhire

NL COY
Jerry Manuel

AL ROY
David Price

NL ROY
Cameron Maybin

The First Annual Bay Bloggin' Film Awards: 2008

2009-01-12T15:41:00.001-08:00

Best Picture
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire
Runner Up: The Dark Knight

Best Director
Winner: Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight
Runner Up: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actor
Winner: Sean Penn for Milk
Runner Up: Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon

Best Actress
Winner: Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky
Runner Up: Meryl Streep for Doubt

Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
Runner Up: Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder

Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Kate Winslet for The Reader
Runner Up: Amy Adams for Doubt

Best Animated Film
Winner: Wall-E
Runner Up: Nothing comes close.

Best Screenplay
Winner: Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire
Runner Up: Eric Roth for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Original Score
Winner: A.R. Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire
Runner Up: Alexandre Desplat for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Original Song
Winner: "Down to Earth" for Wall-E
Runner Up: "The Wrestler" for The Wrestler

Thoughts From The Holiday Bowl

2009-01-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

-Oregon adjusted great at halftime.

-Nick Alliotti needs to be fired.

-Masoli is a stud with the ball in his hands.

-Blount is a man among boys.

-Oregon missed out on too many opportunities.

-Great tailgating atmosphere as usual.

-UOAA pre-func sucked.

-Too many annoying marketing schticks during every timeout.

-Terrible halftime show

-Gorillas? Really?

-The Cowboy gun going off at random times was SO annoying and should be illegal as it could cause a false start.

-We filled about 60% of the attendance, the Cowboys filled about 30%, and about 10% were Charger season-ticket holders.

-What was with the 2005 Civil War fog after the game ended?

-OSU fans were class acts from my experience.

Forgotten Teams of the Past

2009-01-01T20:07:00.000-08:00

1939 St. Mary's Gaels
The 1939 St. Mary's Gaels were coached by ex-Notre Dame center who played under Knute Rockne, Slip Madigan. They were a bit of a sketchy bunch. They experimented with tear-away jerseys and practice the forward fumble. They beat Texas Tech in the 1939 Cotton Bowl.

1937 Santa Clara Broncos
The 1937 team was coached by college football hall-of-fame coach, Buck Shaw and they went 9-0. Big wins were posted over Stanford (13-7), Marquette (38-0), and their ancient foe, St. Mary's (7-0). The Santa Clara defense anchored by All-American center Phil Dougherty, allowed only nine points in nine games and 25 yards rushing per game, both NCAA records. The Broncos finished the season ranked number 9 in the country. New Year's Day, 1938 brought the No. 9 ranked Santa Clara Broncos their second Sugar Bowl bid against a revenge minded SEC runner-up, Lousiana State. The Bronco's Sugar Bowl victory the previous year against the same LSU team did little to improve their underdog status. The Williamson Poll ranked LSU number 4 in the country with a 97.6 rating while giving SCU on a rating of 93.8 and a national ranking of 21. With the Southeastern Conference being rated as the strongest in the nation, the Tigers were again given the nod to win big over the Broncos. However, the Broncos won 6-0 over the Tigers and finished number 9 in the country.

1951 San Francisco Dons
The San Francisco Dons were a historically mediocre football program but in 1951, they became a dominant force. They went 9-0 and produced 3 future NFL hall-of-famers (Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson, and Bob St. Clair). The average score of their games was 33-8 and they dominated every game they played. They were to be invited to bowl games but it was a time before college football was fully racially integrated. They would have had to left two African-American teammates, Ollie Matson and Burl Toler, behind. They chose not to, which ended the program at the university due to their financial problems. Accepting the bid would have saved the program, but they stood for something more.

1969 San Diego State Aztecs
In 1969, the Aztecs played their first season in what he now call "FCS." They had won the last 3 "small division" national championships and made their move up. In their first year in the large division, they went 11-0 and capped off their season with a win over Boston University in the Pasadena Bowl. They averaged a 45-18 victory and their big victories included number 18 Long Beach State and number 19 Boston University. They didn't get much respect for their season by only getting a final ranking of number 18 in the country.

1986 San Jose State Spartans
This team went 10-2 under Claude Gilbert. They only lost to Oregon and Stanford, but they beat Washington State, Cal, and Fresno State that year and beat Miami of Ohio in the California Bowl. They won their conference, now the Big West, the Pacific Coast Athletic Association.

Reality of Entourage, Season 5...

2008-12-18T23:10:00.001-08:00

When first watching something close to the heart, the adrenaline and hype of seeing our favorite characters go through new adventures often dilutes our objectivity of what we are watching. Sex and the City fans raved over the major motion picture this past year while everyone not associated with the show realized what a piece of crap it was. Simpsons fans had the same problem this year and even some Indiana Jones fans had the same problem with the newest sequel.

Entourage was very good in it's first season and got better and even better in its second and third seasons (1a and 1b). The fourth season was good, but began to lack balance in its episodes. Too many episodes were only focused on business or only on partying. The first 3 seasons balanced the two well, while the fourth lost that great aspect of the show.

The fifth season of "Entourage" was completely implausible. Vince makes one bad indie film that isn't even released in theaters and is put in "movie jail." Vince was the star of the highest grossing film of all-time and another hit before that, he is a major sex-symbol, and has been in the tabloids week after week. A actor of this kind of notoriety would never be out of a job.

Besides Vince's unemployable situation, the fact that Ari passes up a $10 million deal to become a studio head simply because he cares about 1 of his hundreds of clients is a slap in the face to viewers with a brain or at least a sense of what the industry is truly like. Agents are sharks and they have no time nor can they afford to have emotional connections with there clients, at least not enough to pass up $10 million and the opportunity of a lifetime.

After giving Dana Gordon the job, they put the movie together in a heartbeat, we never see Edward Norton on the set of which he is the lead, and the entire movie falls apart because the director doesn't like Vince do to pure stubbornness. A $120 million action film does not become completely undone because of the animosity between a director and an actor. At worst, one of the two gets replaced.

Concluding the season, Vince for some reason feels like NOW is the time that he is done and moves back to Queens. He has been in worse situations. He even had an offer for a kid's movie (Bengie) from Warner Brothers. He could have easily gotten another offer in a kid's movie from the same Warner Brothers after Smoke Jumpers fell apart. After being home for a few days and blowing up at E, Vince gets a call from possibly the biggest director on the planet, Martin Scorsese, and gets an offer without a meeting from dailies of a movie that fell apart.

Besides the main story line, Jamie Lynn Sigler falls in love with Turtle, Drama is the star of a show that would tape every day for 3/4 of an entire day and we only see him on set once a month for an hour or two, and finally we never see Justine Chapin again after her and Vince decided to start dating.

All of this aside, the show had plenty of unforgettable lines, funny moments, and great cameos, but the Doug Ellin needs to get it together and make the story line more plausible and less torturous. Because frankly, watching Vince suffer for an entire season was miserable.

My Bowl Predictions

2008-12-16T00:29:00.001-08:00

EAGLEBANK BOWL
Wake Forest vs. Navy
With Wake Forest's struggling offense playing a Navy defense that hasn't given up a point since November 15th against Notre Dame, I like Navy to win this rematch just like the first game they played this season.
Navy 27, Wake Forest 17

NEW MEXICO BOWL
Fresno State vs. Colorado State
As much as Fresno State has underachieved and Colorado State overachieved this year, I will take Pat Hill's experience and game preparation over first year coach, Steve Fairchild any day.
Fresno State 31, Colorado State 27

ST. PETERSBURG BOWL
South Florida vs. Memphis
South Florida has a big home-field advantage in this game, and although they lost 5 of their last 7 games, I think they are far more talented and Matt Grothe will be the X-factor in a Bulls' win.
South Florida 38, Memphis 28

LAS VEGAS BOWL
Arizona vs. BYU
BYU seems to have mastered the Las Vegas Bowl, but this will be the year that they finally lose. Arizona is playing in their first bowl game since 1998 and they are going to be fired up. BYU's defense has struggled as of late and Arizona is going to grind them out with a steady rushing performance from Nic Grigsby and Keola Antolin.
Arizona 30, BYU 24

NEW ORLEANS BOWL
Troy vs. Southern Mississippi
Although Southern Miss has been streaking lately, this is the same Troy team that almost beat LSU in Death Valley and I like them to win a close one.
Troy 28, Southern Miss 27

POINSETTIA BOWL
Boise State vs. TCU
This is arguably the best non-BCS bowl this year and althogh most people think that this will be a great game, I think that their stellar play from Kellen Moore is going to be the difference and they will take care of, in my opinion, an overrated TCU team.
Boise State 38, TCU 24

HAWAII BOWL
Hawaii vs. Notre Dame
Notre Dame is in shambles and Hawaii is playing at home. That being said, Notre Dame is a more talented team and I think that their defense will step up and pull out a close victory.
Notre Dame 21, Hawaii 20

MOTOR CITY BOWL
Central Michigan vs. FAU
NFL quarterback prospect, Dan LeFevour will lead his pass-happy offense to his 2nd Motor City Bowl victory in his career over FAU.
Central Michigan 45, FAU 31

MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
North Carolina vs. West Virginia
North Carolina plays at home against a West Virginia team that has underperformed this year and with North Carolina having beaten two other Big East teams this year handely, I like North Carolina over West Virginia.
North Carolina 34, West Virginia 24

CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
Florida State vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin had one of the most disappointing seasons of the year and with no passing game, I don't see them being able to move the ball against a very good Florida State run-defense. Florida State wins this game running away.
Florida State 34, Wisconsin 13

EMERALD BOWL
California vs. Miami
This game is going to be closer than most people out west think. Cal has been inconsistent in big games this year and with an unproven QB in Kevin Riley, Cal will have to rely on their run game against a good Miami run-defense. Still, Cal should pull out a win and an essential home-field advantage should help them get the victory.
Cal 27, Miami 21

INDEPENDENCE BOWL
Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois
Both teams are coming off losing seasons and although Louisiana Tech has home-field advantage, NIU has been hot as of late, winning 5 of their last 7. I like the Wolves in this one in a close game.
Northern Illinois 27, Louisiana Tech 24

PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL
Rutgers vs. North Carolina State
This is a really intriguing matchup between two teams who didn't appear that they would even make a bowl game half way through the season. These two team have come on strong as of late, especially on the offensive side of the ball. I like Greg Schiano's coaching experience in this game, so I'll take the Rutgers winning this game in a shoot out.
Rutgers 48, North Carolina State 38

ALAMO BOWL
Missouri vs. Northwestern
Poor Northwestern is coming into a game against an angry Missouri team who has one of the best offenses in the country. It also doesn't help that Northwestern plays in the Big Ten and hasn't gotten to see an offense as dynamic as Missouri's this season. Chase Daniel will leaf Missouri to a blowout win over Northwestern.
Missouri 52, Northwestern 20

HUMANITARIAN BOWL
Maryland vs Nevada
Nevada will be playing in familiar territory and with WAC player of the year, Colin Kaepernick, the Wolfpack will beat a very inconsistent Maryland team.
Nevada 34, Maryland 30

TEXAS BOWL
Rice vs. Western Michigan
Casey Clement and Jarrett Dillard are one of the best QB-WR tandem in the country and not many people know about them. With Western Michigan's poor pass-defense and Rice playing at home, I'll take Owls in a route over the Broncos.
Rice 41, Western Michigan 21

HOLIDAY BOWL
Oregon vs. Oklahoma State
In my opinion (a biased one), this is the best non-BCS game this year with two of the country's top offenses and bottom defenses going head-to-head. This game should be an absolute barn-burner with the winner most likely finishing in the top 10 in the final rankings. Oregon has been coming on strong as of late and Oregon proved last year what they can do with 3 weeks of preparation. I'm going to take my Ducks to win a close game in a scoring barrage over the Cowboys.
Oregon 55, Oklahoma State 45

ARMED FORCES BOWL
Houston vs. Air Force
Houston comes in the game leading the nation total offense and most of the thanks can go to quarterback, Casey Keenum. Air Force's strong rushing game will not be able to keep up as the Cougars will beat the Falcons.
Houston 38, Air Force 24

SUN BOWL
Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh
This game will feature two of the best young running backs in the country. The difference maker in this game will be the quarterback play and the edge in that department goes to Lyle Moevao who, last game, had the best game of his career in a loss to Oregon in the Civil War. The Beavers will take care of the Panthers to give themselves their 5th straight bowl victory.
Oregon State 35, Pittsburgh 24

MUSIC CITY BOWL
Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt hasn't won a bowl game since 195 and went 1-6 in their last 7 games while BC is coming of an ACC championship appearance. The Eagles will beat the Commodores in a blowout.
Boston College 38, Vanderbilt 20

INSIGHT BOWL
Minnesota vs. Kansas
Minnesota is coming off of their best regular season in year but faded near the end of the season. Kansas has been decimated by injuries this year but is coming off a big upset of rival Missouri. I'll take Kansas will the momentum in this game.
Kansas 34, Minnesota, 24

CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
Georgia Tech vs. LSU
Georgia Tech brings one of the best running games in the country to the table against an LSU team who has provided no consistent quarterback play all season. Georgia tech wins this one, controlling the game from the start.
Georgia Tech 41, LSU 24

OUTBACK BOWL
Iowa vs. South Carolina
This game features two great defenses. The difference is that Iowa features a productive running game from the Doak Walker Award winner himself, Shonn Greene. Iowa has been hot lately and with South Carolina lacking an offense, I will take Iowa in a low scoring game.
Iowa 20, South Carolina 10

CAPITAL ONE BOWL
Georgia vs. Michigan State
This match-up features two of the top running backs in the country in Georgia's Knowshon Moreno and Michigan State's Javon Ringer. Georgia is not happy to be in this bowl game having started the season at #1, while Michigan State has performed above expectations and should be playing with more of a purpose. Michigan State will win a close game filled with lots of rushing yards.
Michigan State 31, Georgia 28

GATOR BOWL
Clemsonvs. Nebraska
Easily the least intriguing bowl game on January 1st features the most underachieving team in the country in Clemson and a recently perennial mediocre team in Nebraska. Clemson's running game, featuring James Davis and C.J. Spiller, will lead Clemson to victory.
Clemson 27, Nebraska 21

ROSE BOWL
USC vs. Penn State
Penn State is coming off an unexpected year of success while USC is yet again disappointed to be in the grandaddy of all bowl games. I expect a defensive or special teams score from USC in the game to offset their lack of offensive production.USC's defense will be too much for Penn State in the end, even if their inconsistent offenses doesn't perform brilliantly.
USC 31, Penn State 13

ORANGE BOWL
Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati
Virginia Tech is coming off an ACC Championship Game victory while Cincinnati barely escaped from a mediocre Hawaii team. Virginia Tech will win the least intriguing of the BCS games.
Virginia Tech 30, Cincinnati 24

COTTON BOWL
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss
Jevan Snead has led Ole Miss to their best season since Eli Manning was at the helm, but Texas Tech's prolific offense will be too much as the Red Raiders will role over the Rebels.
Texas Tech 45, Ole Miss, 24

LIBERTY BOWL
East Carolina vs. Kentucky
Kentucky was lucky to make a bowl game this year while ECU is coming off of their best season in school history after capturing their first Conference-USA championship. The Pirates will win big over the Wildcats
East Carolina 34, Kentucky 14

SUGAR BOWL
Alabama vs. Utah
As impressive as Utah's season has been, they haven't beaten anyone of true worth and Alabama still may be the second best team in the country. Their defense will dominate Utah and they will pound away at Utah's undersized and overmatched defense. Alabama will win this one over Utah in similar fashion of last year's Sugar Bowl.
Alabama 31, Utah 10

INTERNATIONAL BOWL
Connecticut vs. Buffalo
Buffalo's dream season will continue after beating Ball State by beating Connecticut in a close game. Buffalo has a great coach who amy be coaching his last game in the blue and white.
Buffalo 34, Connecticut 30

FIESTA BOWL
Texas vs. Ohio State
This game will be much closer than most people think. This isn't the same Ohio State team that lost to USC and Terrell Pryor's development has a lot to do with it. Albeit Ohio State's improvement, Texas may be the best team in the country and they will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. The Longhorns will beat the Buckeyes easily.
Texas 52, Ohio State 24

GMAC BOWL
Ball State vs. Tulsa
Ball State is coming off a heart-breaking loss which crushed their cinderella season. Tulsa has a very dynamic offense and I think Ball State will still be down about their loss to Buffalo and will lose to Tulsa in a high-scoring, close game.
Tulsa 38, Ball State 35

BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Oklahoma vs. Florida
This is the most intriguing national championship game since 2005 and it should be a good one. Both teams have good defenses, but better offenses. The game features two Heisman quarterbacks in Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow. I picked Oklahoma to win the national championship at the end of the year, but after watching Florida beat Alabama and witnessing Tim Tebow's passion and drive, I think Florida wins a classic.
Florida 45, Oklahoma 35

Winter Break Moviegoing

2008-12-07T03:12:00.001-08:00

Last winter break, I saw 17 movies in theaters. Here are the movie I plan to see over this winter break:

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/theboyinthestripedpajamas/

Slumdog Millionaire
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/slumdogmillionaire/

Milk
http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/milk/

Changeling
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/changeling/

Happy-Go-Lucky
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/happygolucky/

Nobel Son
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/nobelson/

Australia
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/australia/

Four Christmases
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/fourchristmases/

Frost/Nixon
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/frostnixon/

Cadillac Records
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/cadillacrecords/

Doubt
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/doubt/

Gran Torino
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/grantorino/

Seven Pounds
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/sevenpounds/

The Spirit
http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/thespirit/

Curious Case of Benjamin Button
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/thecuriouscaseofbenjaminbutton/

Marley and Me
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/marleyandme/

Valkyrie
http://www.apple.com/trailers/mgm/valkyrie/

Revolutionary Road
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/revolutionaryroad/

Defiance
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/defiance/

The Wrestler
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/thewrestler/

There are 20 movies I plan to see. I plan to all 20 movies in 27 days.

My Take on The Giants' Offseason So Far

2008-12-04T00:42:00.001-08:00

-I love the signings of Jeremy Affeldt and Bob Howry. The bullpen is looking MUCH better.

-Edgar Renteria just finished a physical with the Giants and will probably sign by the end of the week to a 2 year deal worth around 18 mil. This signing has actually grown on me...thanks to Stan.

This was written by Stan regarding problems with Renteria:
1. Old. Regarding the fact that he's 33, that's where a two-year deal comes in. There's not a single player he would be blocking as the Giants have zero realistic shortstop options. Burriss, while being a player I hope to see in the starting lineup for years to come, is not a shortstop. He would perform much better at second base. Having Renteria for two-years would fill a hole while other options were pursued.

2. Suckitude. Since hitting .260 in 493 ABs with STL in 2001, Renteria has hit .299 over the past seven seasons. The only two times he has hit below .287 in that span were with Boston in 2005 (.276) and last season with Detroit (.270). Common denominator? AL teams. Two seasons ago, while in the NL with Atlanta, he hit .332. It's not exactly wishful thinking that he would bounce back with another stint in the NL. His career averages in the NL are: .293/.351/.409 I don't see Burriss or any other options doing better than that.

Furcal wants four years, so he can piss off. Orlando Cabrera reeks worse than my nuts do, so he can piss off. Any worthwhile trading option would probably cost Cain, so those guys can piss off. See if Edgar can piece it together for a couple years and check the market at a later date.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/03/SPCM14GU32.DTL&feed=rss.giants

-The Giants appear to be the favorite for Pat Burell. I'm not sure how much I like this. I would rather develop Schierholtz or Lewis.
http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/12/lining_up_for_burrell.html

-Ken Rosenthal states that he believes the Giants are the darkhorses for C.C. Sabathia and apparently his wife favors the Giants. If the Giants sign C.C., they will make Cain available for trade options.

-The Giants may trade Jonathan Sanchez for Jorge Cantu. I don't like this. If the Giants got more out of the deal, fine. But I don't like this trade straight up.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-hotstovenotes120308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Professional American Sports Fan Bases

2008-11-21T23:17:00.001-08:00

Keep in mind, these are my personal rankings based from my observations and experiences.

Overall Best
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Boston Celtics
5. Calgary Flames

Overall Worst
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Oakland Raiders
3. New York Yankees
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. Atlanta Braves

Most Optimistic
1. Portland Trailblazers
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Detroit Red Wings
5. San Diego Chargers

Most Pessimistic
1. New York Yankees
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Detroit Lions
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Dallas Cowboys

Most Loyal
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Portland Trailblazers
5. Detroit Red Wings

Biggest Bandwagon
(Majority of Fanbase, not the usual amount following championships)
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Anaheim Angels
5. Milwaukee Brewers

Most Likely to Show Up
1. Green Bay Packers
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Portland Trailblazers
5. Calgary Flames

Least Likely to Show Up
1. Florida Marlins
2. Oakland Athletics
3. Oakland Raiders
4. New York Knicks
5. Kansas City Royals

Big Game Pranks: The 100 Years War

2008-11-21T22:42:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Andrew Gross and Sean Rouse for the article.

1893 Cal is a little upset after having lost the first Big Game to an underrated, upstart Stanford team the previous year. The night before the second Big Game, Cal ire is increased when some Stanfordites toot a fifteen foot tin horn to announce their presence in San Francisco. At dawn, a group of Californians promptly raids the hotel, 'lifts' the horn, and paints it blue. When Cal blows the horn at the game a battle ensues, crushing the horn beyond repair.

1898 Stanford conducts its first bonfire rally when students drag wood into the dry bed of Lake Laguanita to create a symbolic funeral pyre for the Golden Bear.

1899 Cal men capture an axe that was wielded by Stanford Yell Leader Billy Erb.

1905 The Big "C" is built atop Charter Hill by Cal freshmen and sophomores. It quickly becomes a popular target of Stanford raiders. The Berkeley Gazette reports on one of the first attacks. A student walking on campus notices that the "C" has been defaced. After climbing the hillside, the student finds that part of the cement structure has been destroyed, apparently by use of dynamite. The "C" is later repaired, but the culprits are never found.

1910s In what is believed to be the first-ever instance of aerial bombardment, an airplane dumps hundreds of anti-Cal flyers over the Berkeley campus.

1914 Cal fanatics prematurely burn the Stanford bonfire. Stanford paints the "C" red. Cal hits the Leland Stanford statue and Memorial Arch, turning them blue and gold. Each campus then takes a defensive posture, awaiting the onslaught of the other with barricades, bonfires, chains, and student guards.ALL OF A SUDDEN ... nothing happens.

1918 Stanford paints the Big "C", Campanile, and Sather Gate red.

1923 Several Cal students go to Stanford and help stack all the wood for the bonfire on Thursday night. They volunteer to relieve some of the guards that night and promptly burn down the stack of wood the day before the rally

1925 Cal students preburn the Stanford bonfire. The Cal Guardians of the "C" Committee uses hundreds of sophomore guards on three hour shifts to protect the "C".

1928 The woodpile again burns before the Stanford bonfire. Students join in scrounging for wood, collecting old railroad ties and anything else that would burn. However Stanford is later assessed $400 in damages for "wrongfully appropriated property."

1930 Stanford's Don Knopp leads twenty other Stanford seniors masquerading as reporters, photographers, and Cal freshies. When the Axe emerges from an armored car after the Axe Rally, the Stanfordites take the Axe with the aid of flash powder and tear gas. The 'Immortal 21' (or, depending on your perspective, the 'Immoral 21') are chased to the brand-new San Mateo drawbridge. The Stanfordites manage to raise the drawbridge, stranding their persuers.

1930s A band of Stanfordites paints the bear statue by the Delta Tau Delta fraternity red. The following year they try to repeat the prank, but are caught by several Cal students, who shave the vandals' heads into mohawks.

1938 Stanford burns a 20 by 30 foot "S" into the Memorial Stadium grass and paints Wheeler Hall, Sather Gate, and the Senior Men's Bench.

1939 Bowles Men paint blue and gold "C"s on buildings in the Stanford Quadrangle. Fifteen carloads of Stanford students attack the Big "C" but are repelled by Cal student guards.

1942 One hundred twenty layers of paint are scraped off of the Big "C". Eighty layers are gold, and forty are red.

1946 Raids on bonfires resume after the War. Cal paints "C"s on Hoover Tower. Stanford paints the Campanile and steals a bear rented by the California Rally Committee.
During a daring nighttime raid, six Cal students steal the Axe by maneuvering the entire display case into the back of a black '38 Chevy pickup. The Axe winds up in the back seat of a Palo Alto Police squad car.

1947 The Daily Californian complains of Cal rooting section abuses -- drinking and "rolling down" of late comers. A Stanford plane writes "Down Cal, Hail Stanford" in the sky and drops handbills. Eight Cal students are arrested for trying to start bonfire rallies on the streets.

1948 The Axe is stolen from Cal. One Monday in June a trio of horseback riders discover it leaning against a tree by the Stanford golf course.

1954 In June Stanfordites steal the Axe from the Cal display case. (According to the Stanford Axe Committee, they leave $5 in the case to pay for the broken glass.) The California Rally Committee publicly presents a very good copy of the Axe in an attempt to get the thieves to return the real Axe. The Axe is found in the car of Stanford team captain Norm Manoogian a few hours before the Big Game.

1950s Cal's Deutsch Hall begins its annual "Stanford Goalpost Hunt" tradition. This story shall unfortunately remain incomplete until we can obtain accounts from Deutsch Alums.

1960 Residents of Smyth Hall arange a "Redskin Funeral" with effigies of Prince Lightfoot (the Stanford mascot) and 'Cactus Jack' Curtice, the Stanford coach. The funeral procession is led by a black hearse, followed by two or three dozen cars with their lights on. A 'police escort' (students on Vespas in ROTC uniforms) stops cross traffic for the procession all the way up to the Big "C". The effigies are then buried with individual grave markers.

Early 1960'sThree Cal fans dress as Stanford students and infiltrate the Stanfurd rooting section. At halftime they cut down the STANFORD banner and run across the back of the endzone, chased by the Stanford cheerleaders and some band members. The bandits make it across the field and throw the banner into the Cal rooting section, where it is 'rolled up' to the top.

For many years, Stanford held their bonfire rally in the dried-up bed of Lake Lagunitas. Full of water in the springtime, the lake dries up in the fall, partly due to a dam upstream. One year some Cal students manage to open the dam, releasing the water downstream and flooding out the bonfire.

1960s Stanford students awake one morning to find large, blue footprints scaling up the outside of Hoover Tower. When Stanford officials order that the prints "must come down immediately," their wish comes true when -- two days later -- the large, blue footprints descend the other side of the tower.

Cal students use large quantities of rock salt to burn a "C" into the lawn on the Stanford Quad. The nighttime lawn sprinklers melt the salt, which leaches into the soil, leaving a gold "C" on the lawn for weeks. (Stanford has to dig up the entire lawn and bring in new topsoil and sod.

1961 Stanford engineering students assault the Big "C" in broad daylight. Using jack hammers and brute force, they turn it into a red "S".

The Monday of Big Game week, the Daily Californian is published on pink newsprint. Members of the Rally Committee and the Cal Band collect 12,000 copies of the "ghastly pink" issue, take them to the Berkeley dump, and deposit them in a puddle of very gooey mud. Although the Daily Cal complains of the financial loss, the campus agrees with the statement of one Cal Band member: "I don't mind 'yellow journalism,' but pink is too much."

1962 The Friday morning of Big Game week, Stanford steals all of the Daily Californians and replaces them with a mock version praising Stanford's football team. Inside, in four-inch block letters, is printed "BEAT CAL." The original Daily Cals are deposited on the Chancellor's lawn.

1964 The Treaty of Castle Lanes: In the winter after its debut, the California Victory Cannon is stolen by Stanford students. Cal students then steal the STANFORD banner, 17,000 stunt cards, and a 400 pound bronze bell from the old tower behind the Stanford Memorial Chapel. Stanford retaliates by taking Cal's cards and the ASUC banner. Members of the California Rally Committee meet with Stanford students at Castle Lanes in Alameda to negotiate and draft a treaty. As a sign of good faith, Rally Committee brings the 17,000 stunt cards in a truck. During the treaty negotiations, Stanford students surround the truck and tear-gas it. The truck driver promptly puts on his gas mask and, despite looking down the business end of a .45, rams one of the cars blocking his way. He escapes only to be later arrested by the police, who then make sure that everything is settled between the two schools. As a result, all items are returned to their respective owners -- except that Cal gets to keep all of Stanford's blue-and-gold cards.

1967 John Wellborn manages to steal the Axe from Stanford without damaging its display case and without triggering the alarm. The trophy then appears in several photographs, including one with a University of California Centenial banner and one atop the Oakland Tribune building. The Axe is returned just before the start of the Big Game, but Stanford has to return it a few hours later when Cal wins the game.

1973 Ming's Incident: Three Stanford fraternity members telephone Cal football coach Mike White and request that the Axe appear at the Northern California Football Writers Association luncheon at Ming's Chinese Restaurant in Palo Alto during Big Game Week. After receiving a notice, Rally Committee members confirm the request with Mike White's secretary. Disguised as Cal football players, the Stanfordites wait outside Ming's. After a quick scuffle they snatch the Axe from the three Rally Commers.

1970s Stanford students perform their last card stunt. (Alumni of Stanford's Card Stunts Committee claim the year was 1971, others claim a later year.) The cards are stored in an unsecure location on the Stanford campus.

1975 Following years of probation the Cal football team has a chance to go to the Rose Bowl. The Friday before the Big Game, all the Daily Californians are replaced by a bogus edition with the headline, "NCAA NIXES CAL ROSE BOWL BID; Bears Placed Back on Probation." The paper describes an unknown NCAA investigation that turned up irregularities and claims that Cal's star running back Chuck Muncie has been ruled ineligible to play. The Daily Cal staff confiscate the bogus issue, but enough copies circulate to start a buzz.

Following the Stanford bonfire at Lake Lagunita several drunken youths throw rocks and bottles at police and firefighters.

During the Big Game members of the Stanford Band remove the Axe head from its plaque. Following the Cal victory they give the Axe head to John Larrisou '77. Larissou is alleged to have held the blade high over his head while dashing across the field to the Cal side and yelling, "I'VE GOT THE AXE! I'VE GOT THE AXE!!!"

1977 Cal bandsmen Jay Huxman '76 and Jamie Rawson '77 carve a replica of the Axe in meticulous detail. During halftime of the Cal-Stanford basketball game, Huxman and Dan Blick '77 run across the Maples Pavillion court waving the "Axe" and taunting the Stanford fans. Several Stanford students give chase but to no avail. Shortly thereafter the getaway car carrying the "Axe" is stopped for speeding, but the police let the students go when they show that the object is a fake. Nevertheless the San Francisco Examiner reports the next day that a band of Cal "desperados" had swiped the Axe. In appreciation of the successful hoax, the Stanford Band sends the Cal Band a case of champagne.

All of Stanford's stunt cards (except for one blue-and-gold card) mysteriously disappear. (They are simply loaded onto a truck and carted away.)

A "Go Bears" banner is hung from the top of Hoover Tower; a photo of it later appears in the Oakland Tribune.

1978 UC Rally Committee is still trying to figure out who generously donated the stack of stunt cards before the previous year's Big Game. (One card stunt at the Big Game reads, "Hey Stanford ... these are YOUR cards!")

1979 Stanford limits the list of pre-game festivities to "singing, bowling, and... a record-breaking bunny hop." The rumba line is cancelled due to "potential security problems."

After the Big Game rally a large banner is hung over the Bay Bridge tunnel entrance on Yerba Buena Island. It reads, "GO BEARS! BEAT STANFORD!"

1982 On the hill overlooking South San Francisco, the C-A-L in the white concrete

SOUTH
SAN FRANCISCO
THE INDUSTRIAL CITY

sign turns blue and gold.

On the Wednesday following The Play, Cal students are shocked when the Daily Californian has the headline, "NCAA awards Big Game to Stanford." The Stanford Daily has printed up several thousand bogus editions of the Daily Californian. By sheer luck the hoax is aided by a four-hour delay in the distribution of the real Daily Californian. In the end the Daily Cal gains by collecting the copies of the bogus newspapers and selling them for a dollar each.

1983 Two weeks before Big Game Stanford paints red "S"s at various campus locations.
Mysteriously the Cal Band doesn't arrive at the Big Game until the start of the second quarter. (Someone had cancelled the buses that were supposed to take the Band to Palo Alto.)

1984 On April Fool's Day two members of the Cal Acacia house put a Mickey Mouse face and hands on the south clockface of the Campanile. Both students are captured by the police.
Members of a Cal fraternity release blue-and-gold dyed mice into a Stanford library. On the morning of the Big Game, two Stanford students hang a large banner -- painted with a tree and an "S" -- from the Campanile. The banner is burned at the 1985 Big Game Bonfire Rally.

1985 Following the previous year's Big Game, Stanford did not put the Axe in its display case in Tressider Union. Ken Raust '81 and Tim Sheridan '84 stage a hoax that the Axe has been stolen. In March various newspapers and living groups receive letters apparently signed by Stanford Athletic Director Andy Geiger. Stating that the Axe has been stolen, the letters ask for cooperation in returning the trophy. Local newspapers receive bogus ransom notes from the "Friends of Oski," announcing the theft of the Axe and demanding as a condition of its return that Stanford change its nickname to "Trees." A reporter from the San Francisco Examiner exposes the hoax.

The palm trees all along Stanford's Palm Drive are painted to spell out C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A. During the Big Game a large balloon, decorated to resemble a sheep, flies over the stadium. On one side of the sheep appears the message, Ram ewe Cal; on the other side is its name -- Lambo. Eventually it falls into the Stanford student section and is destroyed.

1986 During the summer the six-foot tall stuffed Kodiak Bear disappears from its display case in the ASUC Student Union. No one claims the theft.

1987 The UC Rally Committee receives a ransom note from the ASUC Bear's Stanford kidnappers. The note refers to the Bear as "Oskie" and demands a list of signatures in order for the Bear to be returned. The list includes the president of Stanford, the chancellor of Berkeley, one of the UC Regents, one thousand Cal students, several Cal football players... "and some real athletes," Lawrence Berkeley -- or one of his descendents, and the president of Round Table Pizza. Rally Committee chairman Wendy Withers '89 sends a reply letter refusing to comply with the demands.

About twenty Cal students plaster authentic-looking LSJU Engineering "Out of Order" signs on the doors of bathroom stalls in various buildings on the Stanford campus.

1988 Another ransom note making similar ridiculous demands is sent to the Rally Committee; this letter is ignored. The Monday following the Big Game the Bear is found chained to the concrete fountain near Embarcadero Center in San Francisco, wearing a Stanford shirt. The shirt is replaced with a Cal shirt and the Bear is brought back to Cal as part of a noon-time rally and parade.

The Stanford band uses a remote control car with a smoke bomb to disrupt the Cal Band's pregame show. After a Cal bandsman smashes the rear of the car, it lies on the 30 yard line, still smoking. Another Cal bandsman inadvertantly kicks the car upright, and the smoking vehicle resumes its route around the field.

1989 At the annual UC Davis Picnic Day, the Stanford Tree costume is stolen and ends up in the hands of the Berkeley chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha. The Tree is burned at the Big Game Bonfire Rally.

An airplane drops hundreds of little flyers over the Stanford campus. The flyers read, "Oski says 'F--- Stanfurd!'"

1990 Members of a Cal fraternity discover the Stanford Tree lying outside the Stanford Band Shak and steal the costume. They now display the tree on their roof during every Big Game Week.

An airplane drops anti-Cal flyers over parts of the Cal campus, south Berkeley, and north Oakland.

1991 The spelling on most of the Stanford freeway exit signs on highways 101 and 280 is 'corrected' to read "Stanfurd."

1992 One thousand letters are posted around the Stanford campus announcing that Stanford's bonfire rally has been cancelled. The letters appear to be on official letterhead bearing the signature of Stanford President Donald Kennedy. The hoax has been organized by a group named BUST (which stands for "Burn the Ugly Stanford Tree".) The letters are so convincing that the San Francisco Examiner prints a bonfire cancellation story. After acknowledging the successful prank, Kennedy announces that the rally will be held at midnight.

The Tree costume is stolen from the Stanford Band Shak. However nothing is made of it by Stanford, and the Tree again ends up at the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

1994 A STANFORD banner brought to the Friday Big Game luncheon in San Jose somehow ends up at Cal's Bonfire Rally that evening. The UC Rally Committee returns it to Stanford the next day.

1995 Again a STANFORD banner brought to the Friday Big Game luncheon in San Jose ends up at the Bonfire Rally. As before, the Rally Committee returns it to Stanford the next day.

1996 Stink bombs are set off during Cal's bonfire rally. The posts supporting the Cannon platform are vandalized and a small section of wood is removed, rendering the platform useless.

1997 Cal student Ted Kelly figures out how to hack into the referee's microphone system at Stanford Stadium. During the season he purchases some radio equipment and then tests it at Stanford home games. At the Big Game Kelly's planning comes to fruition when the referee is about to call a second-half foul. The entire stadium hears the call: "Penalty for unsportsmanlike arrogance ... Stanford sucks!"

1998 One month before the Big Game a group of Cal students steals the Tree costume. Calling themselves the "Phoenix Five", the group insists that it was liberating the mascot from its life in the Band Shak, where it was found in a corner rocking back and forth in a fetal position. They release a video of the blindfolded Tree dancing around while the other four kidnappers demand a ransom. The next day a letter is sent, 'signed' by the Tree, declaring his happiness over his new freedom and that he no longer wants to be on the Farm. Nevertheless Stanford demands the return of the Tree, as the mascot's grandmother had made the costume. The Phoenix Five returns the Tree to Stanford after Chancellor Robert Berdahl promises immunity from criminal prosecution.

1999 A week before the Big Game a group of Cal students 'corrects' the spelling on several Stanford freeway exit signs.

2003 The Stanford Tree costume is stolen while the Cal and Stanford bands are performing in a rally at Pier 39 in San Francisco. While the thieves send a ransom note demanding $300 for the return of the Tree, the Cal Band manager sends an email advising students to return the costume or face legal action. The Tree is returned to the Stanford Band, which shreds the costume in a wood chopper during the Big Game.

The Story of the Stanford Axe

2008-11-21T22:39:00.001-08:00

Since it is Big Game week, my historical side has forced me to retell the story of the Axe. Enjoy.

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In 1899, the Stanford baseball team was considered to be highly rated. However, other Stanford sports had taken a big slump. Stanford had lost twice in a row to Cal in track, Stanford’s ’98 Freshman football team lost to Cal, and later the Golden Bears defeated Stanford in Varsity football by a score of 22-0 (Touchdowns were worth 5 points at the time).

The Stanford yell-leading squad decided that it would be a good idea to have something to help rally the student body to cheer their team to victory. A popular yell at the time was the Axe yell (a take-off of a passage from Sophocles’ "The Frog"). It was decided that an Axe would be the perfect instrument to help rally the students. The Axe was NOT custom made for the Stanford yell leaders, but was a standard lumberman’s axe weighing ten pounds with a fifteen inch blade (it was quite possibly ordered from Sears). When the Axe arrived, the handle was painted red.

In April of 1899, there was a best-of-three game series scheduled between Cal and Stanford. Cal upset Stanford 4-1 in the first game of the series.

On Thursday April 13, 1899, a rally was held on the Stanford campus to whip up spirit for the second game, to be played two days later. The Axe was displayed to the Stanford student body for the first time at this rally, and was used to decapitate a straw man dressed up in blue and gold.

The game itself was played at 16th Street and Folsom in San Francisco. Head Stanford yell leader, Billy Erb (whose nephew Charles would go on to play for The Wonder Teams), brought the Axe with him. Stanford took an early lead, and after every good Stanford play, Erb and the other yell leaders would use the axe to chop up some blue and gold ribbon, and then gleefully parade the axe in front of the Cal bleachers, shouting the Axe Yell. Needless to say, this upset the Cal fans, and convinced two separate groups that they should attempt to steal this annoying instrument.

Anyway, It looked like the yell leaders had succeeded as Stanford led 7-5 going into the ninth inning. However, a four run Cal rally in the ninth dashed Stanford’s hopes, as Cal won 9-7.

As fate would have it, the Cal section was the closest to the exit of the field, and so one group of planners decided to wait for the Axe. When it arrived, an "old-fashioned brawl" (or small riot, depending on the account) ensued as the Cal men jumped the Stanfordites with the Axe. At this point, the second group of Cal men jumped into the fray. The Axe was taken by Cal at the cost of a black eye, a torn suit, and a cut finger.

At the same time, a squad of police arrived, and Jack McGee ’99, succeeded in confusing the police by trying to convince them that some Stanford students were attempting to steal a California Axe. The Sergeant in charge, Michael Josephy Conboy decided "They are college byes. Let them foight it out."

The Axe was passed on to Cal sprinter Billy Drum ’00, who took the Axe along a winding route through the City. At one point, Drum accidently handed the Axe to two Stanford men who pretended to be Cal men, but he and some other Cal men helped retrieve the Axe from the two pretenders after chasing them for two blocks. Eventually the Axe reached a butcher shop at Scott and Oak streets where the Cal men were able to saw the handle off. The Axe and handle were then given to Clint Miller ’00, who stuffed the Axe under his overcoat and put the handle down his pants leg. On the way to the Ferry Building, Miller stopped at a Chinese hardware store on Clay St. to make the handle easier to hide.

At the ferry building, the police were searching all UC men taking the ferry to Berkeley. Miller kept the axe as close to his skin as possible, buttoned up his coat and overcoat, and looked quite innocent as he waved goodbye to the Cal men while grabbing the arm of an old girlfriend that he saw was in line to board the ferry to Oakland. Jimmy Hopper ’98 noticed what Miller was doing, bought Miller a ticket to Oakland, and handed the ticket to Miller just in time to board the ferry.

That night, the Axe was stored in the safe of Morris the Photographer, and the next night, under the pillow of Al Lean, the trainer of the baseball team.

Then, on Monday April 17th, the baseball team plus the men who helped steal the Axe, elected Loll Pringle as the "Custodian of the Axe", and the first Axe rally was held on the Cal campus.

The Axe was then moved to the Chi Phi house where a few days later, several Stanford students raided the house, but did not find the Axe, which was hidden in a space behind a sliding door. After this incident, the Axe was moved to one of the top floors of the Klaus Spreckels building at 3rd and Market in downtown San Francisco, under the care of Clint Miller.

In the Fall of 1899, a few days before the first Football Axe rally, Clint Miller transported the Axe back to Berkeley in a suit box. Miller, after boarding the ferry to Berkeley, ended up sitting down next to the only Stanford man that he knew. The Stanford man said "See here, Clint, I see by the papers you Berkeley guys are going to bring out that old Axe you’ve been crowing so much about. Well, if you do, you’ll be sorry."

Miller, with his legs starting to tremble, managed to reply, "Oh, by the way, where is the Stanford Axe?"

The Stanford man replied, "Never mind, Clint, we know where it is. You’re now warned never to bring it out in public."

After the first football Axe rally, the Stanfordites tried to make good their threat by attacking Clint Miller’s home at about two o’clock in the morning.

Miller was given just enough warning by Police Chief August Vollmer to get the Axe out of his basement and deliver it to a banker friend, Frank Naylor, who stored the Axe in a safe deposit box in one of the vaults at the American Trust Company.

The Axe was stored in the vault for 30 years, and was only brought out for Football and Baseball rallies, when it would be transported to and from the Greek Theatre by armored car.

While the Axe was kept in the bank vault, a search warrant for stolen property served on the bank only once. When that happened, the bank manager consulted the bank’s attorney, Judge Waste, who said "Pay no attention to the warrant. It has been issued from San Francisco County instead of Alameda County." This prompted the bank manager to ask what he should do if he was ever served a warrant from Alameda County. The Judge replied with "That’s easy! Give the Axe to me and I’ll put it in my private safe deposit box. They will never think to get a search warrant for my box."

Every year the baseball team would elect a new "Custodian of the Axe". The Axe would be ceremoniously passed from the old Custodian to the new Custodian at the annual Fall Ax Rally. The custodian of the Axe was responsible for displaying the Axe at the two Ax Rallies and safely transporting the axe to and from the bank. At some point in time before 1930, the California Rally Committee was given the responsibility for safely transporting the Axe.

On April 3, 1930, a group of twenty-one Stanford students, four of whom posed as photographers and reporters, stole the Axe as it was being transported back to the bank after the annual Baseball rally at the Greek. One man grabbed the Axe while his well-organized accomplices set off a smoke bomb (or a tear gas bomb, depending on the account of the story). The Axe was taken to three cars which sped off in different directions. Several of the thieves were caught, but the Axe had made it back to Stanford.

After several years of attempted raids, and retaliatory strikes, the presidents of the two student bodies signed an agreement stating that the Axe is an annual trophy to be awarded to the victor of the Big Game, and that in the event of a tie, the Axe would be kept by the side already possessing the Axe.

PERFECT

2008-11-21T22:36:00.000-08:00

If you click here you will see that I was perfect on my MLB award predictions. Most notably, congrats to Tim Lincecum!

A Bittersweet Night

2008-11-05T14:02:00.001-08:00

A night of hope, change, and sheer joy has overshadowed a sad ruling. California voted yes on proposition 8, to ban gay-marriage. I don't understand the intolerance and insecurity of some people in this country.

Some people say that gay-marriage will "devalue" the institution of marriage. What does that mean? How? You are basically saying, "WE can have this constitutional right, but YOU can't." What happened to the equality that this country was founded on?

Some people say that it's their belief that gays shouldn't marry because of their religion. Fine. Churches have the right to refuse ceremonies of marriage for gays. But marriage is not only a religious institution. It is the constitutional right as an American citizen that ANYONE can marry. Gays should be allowed to AT LEAST marry in court. People, we have this little thing called, "Separation of church and state."

Some people believe that gays choose to be so and that it is a sin. There is no where in the bible that states being gay is a sin. Jesus Christ never said anything about marriage being between a man and a woman, some old farts who wrote the bible did. Gays don't choose to be gay. No one would choose a lifestyle under so much scrutiny. Ask any gay person, they will not tell you that they chose the lifestyle.

To anyone who believes gay marriage should not exist, it's going to happen. It is a constitutional right to be married, regardless of sexual orientation. You cannot have an election challenging a Constitutional right, and this will be argued in court for years until the people in government finally have the balls to admit that it is their right as Americans to marry, just like politicians finally let women and blacks votes those many years ago...and look where it has taken us. We now have our first black president and I couldn't be prouder to have voted in this election an be a part of this historical moment in America.

Wake up people. Gays are people too, and they deserve every right that heterosexuals do.

Food Talk: My Top 10 Favorite Restaurants

2008-10-30T01:47:00.001-07:00

1. Crustacean (San Francisco, CA)
This is my favorite restaurant ever. I love Asian food and seafood and this place is the best fusion of the two I have had. I always get their Garlic Dungeoness Crab and Garlic Noodles. It is simply amazing.
Official Website

2. Koi (Los Angeles, CA) Celebrity Hotspot
This is one of the trendier spots in LA. This Japanese restaurant is very hard to get reservations to, but is worth the struggle. The portions are decent, but the food is orgasmic. The best item on the menu is the Crispy Rice.
Official Website

3. Geta (Oakland, CA)
It's a family-owned restaurant with amazing, cheap Japanese food. It's all about the Crispy California Roll.
Unofficial Website

4. Acme Chophouse (San Francisco, CA)
This restaurant, inside AT&T Park, features incredible steak and seafood. I don't go here before games because it is too crowded, but when the Giants are out of town, I like to go their on special occasions. Their Flat Iron Steak is incredible.
Official Website

5. Spago (Beverly Hills, CA) Celebrity Hotspot
This restaurant is considered by many, the best in LA. This is Wolfgang Puck's pride of his restaurants. I try something new every time because everything is amazing.
Official Website

6. Il Sole (West Hollywood, CA) Celebrity Hotspot
This is the best Italian restaurant in LA. I always start off with an anti-pasta, usually the Berrata Cheese and Tomato appetizer. I usually get the Lobster Raviolis for dinner and the Carmel Gelato for desert.
Unofficial Website

7. Asia de Cuba (West Hollywood, CA) Celebrity Hotspot
Located in the Mondrian Hotel, this resturant is the best Asian-Cuban fusion food I have ever had. I have only been here once, so I can't recommend anything because it was all good, but it was a great experience and an amazing dinner. The decor was very modern and white and it came with a wonderful view of LA. Right next to the restaurant is the hotel's famous Sky Bar, where many celebrities party after hours.
Official Website

8. Ketchup (West Hollywood, CA) Celebrity Hotspot
By far the hottest spot in LA right now, this restaurant attracts many celebrities with it's prime location on Sunset Boulevard and very hip decor. The restuarant describes its type of food as, "Classic American food with a twist." The best thing to get here is the appetizer, The Threesome. It is a trio of types of french fries: Spicy, Parmesan Garlic, and Sweet Potato (with light cinnamon sugar sprinkled in). The Threesome comes with 5 kinds of ketchup: Regular, Chipotle, Ranch, Mango, and Maple. For entrees, try the Shake N' Bake Chicken with Plum sauce. It's incredible.
Official Website

9. The Infield (Sherman Oaks, CA)
This outdoor hot dog restaurant is the best I've ever had. The place has stadium seating, a field painted on the ground, and baseball music over the speakers. On top of that, they have around 50 types of hot dogs. They have specialty hot dogs from all around the country. My personal favorite is the Ballpark Classic. It just snaps when you bite into it.
Unofficial Website

10. Little Shin Shin (Oakland, CA)
This is my favorite Chinese Restaurant. It is only a few blocks from my house and it wins the best East Bay Chinese Restaurant by many different publications every year. I don't have a favorite dish, but I usually get some combination of 6 dishes every time, but I have 10 dishes that I love. So, choosing can be tough.
Unofficial Website

Just missed the list:
Zachary's Pizza (Berkeley, CA)
Genova Deli (Oakland, CA)
Smokehouse (Berkeley, CA)
Cut (Beverly Hills, CA)
Barney Greengrass (Beverly Hills, CA)

My Latest Video

2008-10-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

MLB Award Predictions

2008-09-28T17:30:00.001-07:00

NL Cy Young:
Tim Lincecum

AL Cy Young:
Cliff Lee

NL MVP:
Albert Pujols

AL MVP:
Dustin Pedroia

NL Rookie of the Year:
Geovanni Soto

AL Rookie of the Year:
Evan Longoria

NL Coach of the Year:
Lou Pinella

AL Coach of the Year:
Joe Maddon

My Predictions for the Weekend

2008-09-26T01:20:00.000-07:00

Winning team in italics.
$= Correct
X= Wrong

NCAA FOOTBALL

Maryland @ No. 20 Clemson X

North Carolina @ Miami $

Arkansas @ No. 7 Texas $

No. 9 Wisconsin @ Michigan X

Tennessee @ No. 15 Auburn $

Houston @ No. 23 East Carolina $

Colorado @ Florida State X

Purdue @ Notre Dame X

No. 24 TCU @ No. 2 Oklahoma $

No. 8 Alabama @ No. 3 Georgia $

No. 22 Illinois @ No. 12 Penn State $

No. 25 Fresno State @ UCLA $

Colorado State @ California $

Oregon @ Washington State $

Stanford @ Washington$

Weekend Record: 11-4

NFL

Cleveland at Cincinnati $

Minnesota at Tennessee X

Denver at Kansas City X

San Francisco at New Orleans X

Arizona at NY Jets $

Green Bay at Tampa Bay X

Atlanta at Carolina $

Houston at Jacksonville $

San Diego at Oakland $

Buffalo at St. Louis $

Washington at Dallas X

Philadelphia at Chicago X

Baltimore at Pittsburgh X

Weekend Record: 6-7

MLB

NL EAST: Phillies $

NL WILD CARD: Brewers $

AL CENTRAL: Twins X

AL EAST: Rays $

AL WILD CARD: Red Sox $

Weekend Record: 4-1

My Unbiased Take on Every Pac-10 School's Football Program and Fanbase

2008-09-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

Arizona
-Not a team you want to play in November.
-When playing in months not named "November," they don't matter.
-Mike Stoops is a jackass.
-Ugly stadium.
-Uneducated football fans and not very classy.
-Cool modern uniforms.

Arizona State
-Classy fans, great gameday atmosphere, hot girls.
-Consistently competitive football team.
-Hasn't been able to get over the hump since 1997.
-Dennis Erickson is a dirty recruiter.
-Stadium needs a renovation, but it's in a great spot.
-Has the ability to become the next USC.

California
-Fans aren't used to winning and thus think they are more important in the college football world than they really are.
-Students are loud, rest of the stadium appears asleep.
-Beautiful spot for a stadium, but it's falling apart.
-Too many hippies, not enough parking spaces.
-Jeff Tedford is a great coach and has his most successful years ahead of him with the new training facilities being built.
-Needs real tailgating areas.
-Having a "yell leader" is really lame.
-Band does awesome halftime shows.
-Really dumb mascot.

Oregon
-With consistent success since 1994, fans have become arrogant and unjustly so, as Oregon has not been to a BCS game since 2001.
-Fans are loud, hospitable, loyal, and create the best atmosphere in the Pac-10.
-Tailgating atmosphere is great.
-Uniforms have gotten downright silly.
-Facilities are the best in the country.
-Mike Bellotti's career is coming to an end, where Chip Kelly looks to take over should have ample success with Oregon's recent successin recruiting.
-Very fun offense to watch.
-Best stadium on the west coast.

Oregon State
-Mike Riley has proven his worth. He consistently takes talent-lacking teams and gets the most out of them.
-Stadium is more fit for a high school.
-Can't sell out games, even with only 45,000 seats.
-Fans aren't used to winning and they show it with their lack of class and humility.
-Drunk hicks flood the stadium.
-Tailgating areas smell like manure.

Stanford
-Beautiful new stadium with great acoustics.
-Classy uniforms.
-Jim Harbaugh has done a good job improving the program.
-Academic standards are too high to keep up with other schools in recruiting. Although, harbaugh is doing a great job with recruiting this year.
-Least enthusiastic fans in the Pac-10.
-Away teams outnumber them in tailgating at their own stadium.
-Great tradition, but recent woes.
-Awesome band.

UCLA
-Best coaching staff in the Pac-10, but not enough talent to succeed right now.
-Football stadium is way too far from the campus.
-Beautiful stadium, but needs renovations.
-Nonexistent football program since 2000.
-Students are very docile.
-Not enough fans in the seats.

USC
-Dirty program.
-Dirty, annoying, arrogant, but really good coach.
-Great tradition and great success.
-Too many bandwagon fans.
-Fans are obnoxious.
-Ugly stadium and surrounding area.
-Classy uniforms.
-Annoying band.
-Fun team to watch.

Washington
-Beautiful spot for a stadium, needs serious renovations and needs to get rid of the track.
-Sterngating is cool.
-Decent tradition, no recent success.
-Fan arrogance is slowly dying.
-Fans always have too high of expectations at the beginning of every year and then take a complete 180 during season and bash the team all year long.
-Brag too much about the past.
-Imaginary championships.
-Students and fans can get very loud.
-Great band.

Washington State
-Loud fans, just not very many.
-Middle of nowhere.
-Ugly uniforms.
-Who really cares?

Just got back from the Oregon/Boise State game, My Thoughts...

2008-09-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

Good from Oregon:

-The run-game was good, despite Boise State stacking 8 and 9 in the box. .
-Darron Thomas looks like Oregon’s QB for the next 4 years.
-Oregon receivers stepped up.

Bad from Oregon:

-Chip Kelly’s play-calling until Thomas came into the game.
-Nick Allioti’s play-calling in the first half.
-Linebackers did not pick up the Boise receivers when playing zone.
-Not enough pressure on freshman QB, Kellen Moore.
-The defense showed no heart.
-8 missed points on special teams.

Good from Boise:

-Great play-action passing, Oregon bit every time.
-Major props to Kellen Moore for staying poised at Autzen Stadium.
-The offensive line provided lots of time for Moore.
-Boise State’s kicker had a great game.
-Boise State fans made their presence felt and weren’t disrespectful.

Bad from Boise:

-Cheap shots and dirty play.
-Bad tackling against Oregon’s run game.

Congrats, Boise. You guys deserved it. I was embarrassed today to have the Oregon football team representing my school. The defense showed no heart and Patrick Chung should not let that happen.

Good Weekend

2008-09-15T00:09:00.000-07:00

Ducks beat Purdue 32-26 in 2 OT

The Ducks looked lethargic in the first half, giving up 20 points and only putting up 6, but the Ducks woke up in the second half, holding Purdue to a FG while scoring 13 themselves. The offensive line did not play consistently, rarely giving Jeremiah Johnson holes to run through. The receivers all appear to be wearing gloves, laced with butter. They could not catch, and it was making Roper look bad. The Ducks won in overtime and they really needed a close win like this. It will make them work much harder. Major props to Legarrette Blount for picking up the slack in the run-game.

Game ball goes to: Jarius Byrd. His 87-yard punt return for a TD, his interception, and his continuous lock-down coverage was a huge key in the Ducks win.

49ers beat Seahawks 33-30 in OT

The 49ers finally came together today in a big win over their conference rival, Seattle. The Seahawks were hosting the 49ers for their home-opener in Seattle at Quest field, considered the NFL's loudest stadium. A very efficient passing game from J.T. O'Sullivan, a couple good bounces, and a great runback by Patrick Willis quieted the "12th Man" in a hurry. JTO looked like the QB that Martz praised in the preseason and he tore apart the Seahawks secondary, while getting help from some veteran receivers. Joe Nedney missed a FG at the end of regulation, which sent the game to overtime, but he redeemed himself by hitting the game-winner in OT. The 49ers looked good, but they need to get better penetration on defense and protect JTO better. Matt Hasselback came into the game with back problems and almost all of his receivers injured. That is an opportunity the 49ers need to capitalize on and put pressure on him. The 49ers offensive line gave up 8 sacks today, which is obviously way too much.

Game ball goes to: J.T. O'Sullivan. He looked like a veteran out there and led the 49ers down the field twice late in the game to give the 49ers the opportunity to win.

Giants win series over Padres 3-1

The Giants have really come together late in the season, winning 9 of their last 11. This young team is showing a lot of promise for next year. Pablo Sandoval, Eugenio Velez, Travis Ishikawa, and Nate Schierholtz continue to impress and make a case for starting next year. On Sunday, the Giants came back from a 4-run deficit in the 6th innings and won the gam in the 10th inning, 10-8.

Game ball goes to: Tim Licnecum. Lincecum sent a message to Cy Young voters on Saturday, by throwing a complete game shutout, giving up only 4 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 12 in 7-0 Giants' win on Saturday.

Best Ballparks, Stadiums, and Arenas in Professional and College Sports

2008-09-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

I am going to list the top five ballparks, stadiums, and arenas in 3 of the major 4 American professional sports (Who really cares about the NHL? I like the Sharks and all, but I don't care that much.) and college football. None of the lists will be in order of 1-5 because each of the five in each respective sport has its own uniqueness.

MLB

AT&T Park
San Francisco Giants

Located at the edge of downtown San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay, AT&T Park is one of the best ballparks in baseball with its design and breathtaking views. The idea and planning for new ballpark to replace Candlestick Park dates back 1976 when Bob Lurie bought the Giants. Lurie wanted to build a new downtown stadium for the Giants because of the financial losses they were suffering at Candlestick Park. Interest in a ballpark peaked in 1984 when Lurie nearly sold the team. Instead of building a downtown ballpark, city officials proposed placing a dome over Candlestick Park. That plan failed and in 1987 and 1989 San Francisco voters rejected plans to build a ballpark. Both plans were barely defeated and Lurie began threatening to move the Giants. Lurie looked to Santa Clara in 1990 and San Jose in 1992 for public funding, but citizens rejected both referendums. With the threatened move to Florida, Peter Magowan bought the Giants in 1992, keeping the team in the Bay City. In 1995, the Giants announced plans to build the first privately financed Major League ballpark since Dodger Stadium. It would be located in downtown San Francisco in the China Basin area. Construction of the steel, concrete and brick ballpark began on December 11, 1997. Naming rights were sold to Pacific Bell for $50 million over 24 years, thus the ballpark was named Pacific Bell Park. After the 2003 season, Pacific Bell Park was renamed SBC Park after SBC Communications Inc. acquisition of Pacific Bell. In February 2006, the ballpark was renamed AT&T Park after SBC Communications changed its named after its acquisition of AT&T.

On April 11, 2000, the Giants played their first regular season baseball game at AT&T Park. Nestled in the China Basin area on the outskirts of downtown San Francisco, as fans approach the ballpark they see a magnificent steel and brick structure. At the main entrance gate, a statue of one of the greatest players in baseball history, Willie Mays, can be found. Making up part of the exterior architecture of AT&T Park are the the King Street clock towers. The two towers are 122 feet tall and feature pyramid-shaped roofs topped by 45-foot tall flagpoles. Once inside, fans are engulfed with views of the Bay Area and the smells of garlic fries and crab cake sandwiches. The main three tier grandstand consists of 41,600 green seats that extend from behind homeplate to both the foul poles. Bleachers are located behind the left field fence. There are no seats behind the right field wall because of McCovey Cove, part of the San Francisco Bay. However a sidewalk outside the ballpark, adjacent to right field, commemorates historical moments in Giants history. A screened fence that is part of the right field fence, allows fans without tickets to see the action inside AT&T Park.

The main scoreboard is located behind the centerfield fence. There are numerous entertainment options to keep fans entertained at AT&T Park. The Coca Cola Fan Lot is an interactive play area for children and adults. Fans of all ages can enjoy a slide into home plate from one of the four slides inside the 80-foot wooden Coca-Cola contour bottle. Fans can stroll up to the world's largest baseball glove or check out the views of the San Francisco Bay area from the outfield area. When a Giant player hits a homerun, strobes flash inside the Coca Cola bottle, bubbles appear to float from the bottle's mouth, and green and white lights flash up and down the neon tubes running along its ribs. Prior to the start of the 2007 the Giants installed 103 foot wide high definition scoreboard. AT&T Park has become an excellent place to watch a baseball game because of the of the beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay and the surrounding area.

Wrigley Field
Chicago Cubs

Nicknamed the Friendly Confines, Wrigley Field is one of baseball's oldest ballparks where fans come out to see the Cubs play whether they are winning or not. Unlike nearly every team in Major League Baseball either having or wanting a new ballpark, the Cubs continue to play at Wrigley Field without wanting one built. Before the start of World War I, Charles Weeghman bought the Chicago Whales of the Federal League. Weeghman constructed his team a new ballpark in the largely undeveloped north side area of Chicago along Addison and Clark Streets. Zachary Taylor Davis was hired to develop plans for the ballpark that was initially known as North Side Park until Weeghman named it after himself. Construction of the 14,000 seat ballpark began on March 14, 1914. The ballpark had only a one deck of grandstand in a V-shape, with wooden bleachers in the outfield. Construction on the $250,000 ballpark was completed by April 23, 1914 when the Whales played their first game at the ballpark. Original dimensions at Weeghman Field were 310 ft. (left), 440 (center), and 356 (right). It was the first ballpark to have permanent concession stands. Weeghman Field was home to the Chicago Whales for two years before the Federal League went bankrupt.

Located on the west side of Chicago, the Cubs played at the 14,000 seat West Side Grounds. They had played here since 1893 and by 1915 were struggling to attract fans. After the 1915 season Weeghman bought the Cubs and moved them to his ballpark on the north side for the 1916 season. The first Cubs game at Weeghman Field was on April 20, 1916. In 1920, Weeghman Field was renamed Cubs Park and Weeghman sold the club to William Wrigley Jr. Beginning in 1922 and then 1923, Cubs Park underwent several renovations. The grandstands were moved back 60 feet and wooden bleachers were added, increasing the capacity to 20,000. Major renovations began in 1926, when Cubs Park was renamed Wrigley Field. The grandstand was double decked, the playing field was lowered, and the bleachers in left field were removed. The capacity increased to 38,396. More renovations were completed at Wrigley Field in 1937. Bleachers were added in the outfield and the famous 27 by 75 foot hand operated scoreboard was placed behind the bleachers in centerfield. The most distinct feature was the planting of ivy at the base of the outfield wall. Before World War II, the grandstand in left field was circled so all the seats faced home plate instead of centerfield. Lights for Wrigley Field were originally to be installed for the 1942 season. However because of the United States involvement in World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Phil Wrigley donated the lights to the government.

Since the 1940s Wrigley Field has changed little. In 1981, the Tribune Company bought the Cubs. The company began talking about installing lights after the 1981 season. However, a fan group fought to keep night baseball away from Wrigley Field. On May 13, 1982, Illinois Legislature made baseball after midnight a violation in a facility that had not had night sports played before July 1, 1982. Also that year, an electronic message board was placed under the scoreboard in centerfield. In 1984 when the Cubs made the playoffs, MLB threatened that if the team made the postseason in the future, games would be moved to a location that had lights. Finally on February 23, 1988, the Cubs decided to install lights at Wrigley Field. The first night game scheduled for Wrigley Field was on August 8, 1988. However, rain cancelled the game after four innings, postponing it to the next day. In 1989, private boxes were constructed on the mezzanine level that was originally occupied by the press box and broadcasting booths. A press box and broadcasting booths were constructed in the upper deck directly behind home plate. After the 2003 season, the Cubs added 200 seats directly behind home plate bringing fans even closer to the playing field. Tradition was not lost with this addition, as the brick wall behind home plate remains. After the 2005 season, the Cubs added nearly 1,800 seats to the bleachers increasing the capacity to just over 41,000. For many years, Wrigley Field had been known as having one of the worst grass fields in the game because there was a crown in the infield that extended 40 feet into the outfield. Because of the crown, players would literally be running slightly up or down a hill on the field. After the 2007 season, the entire field was dug up and replaced with a new drainage system and bluegrass playing field. Throughout the 2007 off-season there was continuous discussion on the future of Wrigley Field as the Cubs and the ballpark are in the process of being sold. Topics included the possible sale of the naming rights and a complete renovation/overhaul of the ballpark. Talk also continues on construction of a multipurpose building housing a themed restaurant and batting and pitching cages for players to be built on the west side of Wrigley Field in the future. No changes are imminent.

Today, Wrigley Field is the last Federal League ballpark standing. Even with lights, Wrigley Field remains one of baseball's most old-fashioned parks. Wrigley Field has basically remained advertisement free, with advertisements on nearby buildings and a few in the ballpark. The neighborhood around Wrigley Field, called Wrigleyville is filled with fans on game day. Ballhawks as they are called wait on Waveland Avenue to catch homeruns during the game. Fans sit atop buildings behind Wrigley Field and watch the game. Ivy still covers the brick walls in the outfield, the scoreboard is still manually operated, and bleacher bums still sit in the bleachers in the outfield. Flags atop the scoreboard still remind fans whether or not the Cubs won the day before, and where they are in the standings. Because Wrigley Field is surrounded by the Wrigleyville neighborhood, parking can be a nightmare for games. It is recommended that fans take the CTA red line train to the Addison stop to Cubs games. Although it has been the exclusive home of the Cubs for many years now, Wrigley Field has hosted more professional football games than any other stadium in the nation. The one thing missing from Wrigley Field today, is former Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray, who used to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch.

Fenway Park
Boston Red Sox

In today's society some of the best things are ones that undergo little change and remain basically the same as they have for decades. Fenway Park is an example of this as the Boston Red Sox are committed to staying at this classic ballpark that they have called home since 1912. It is the oldest major league ballpark in use and Fenway Park still looks much as it did when it opened. The history of the Red Sox dates back to 1901 when they became a charter member of the American League. Instead of opting to play at the Boston Braves home, South End Grounds, the Red Sox, then known as the Somersets (1901-1902), later called the Pilgrims (1903-1906) built Huntington Avenue Grounds on site of a wasteland in 1901. This rickety wooden ballpark had a seating capacity of just over 11,000 and was home to the team for a decade.

Because of possible fires and embarrassment to the team and the City of Boston, Red Sox owner John Taylor decided to build a new ballpark to replace Huntington Avenue Grounds. Taylor, a real estate magnet, sold himself cheap land in "The Fens" of Boston to construct a new ballpark. The construction of the ballpark led to an increase in the value of the team. Taylor capitalized on this and sold the team to Jim McAleer and Robert McRoy before Fenway Park was completed. Construction of the ballpark began in September 1911. It took one year for the 27,000 seat ballpark to be constructed. Named Fenway Park and built of steel and concrete, it had only one level of seating. Wooden bleachers were located in parts of left, right and centerfield. The facade consisted of red brick. Fenway Park opened on April 20, 1912 and original dimensions were 321 ft. (left), 488 ft. (center), and 314 ft. (right). In front of the left field fence until 1934 was Duffy's Cliff, a 10foot embankment.

The 1920s were not the best times at Fenway Park. Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees and then the team was sold. In 1926, the wooden bleachers along the left field foul line burned and were not rebuilt. However, better times came to Fenway Park in the 1930s when Thomas A. Yawkey bought the Red Sox in 1933. Beginning that Fall, renovations began at Fenway Park. Duffy’s Cliff was removed, wooden seats in right and center field were replaced by concrete stands and the entire grandstand was enlarged. The seating capacity increased from 27,642 to 33,817. The most significant feature added to the ballpark was the 37 foot high wall in left field. The wall was covered with advertisements and at the base was a hand operated scoreboard. A fire in January 1934 destroyed most of the construction, however the ballpark was complete when it reopened on April 17, 1934.

Throughout its history there have been small expansions and changes to Fenway Park. In 1936, a 23 foot net was placed on the left field wall to prevent baseballs from breaking windows in nearby shops. In 1940, bullpens were constructed directly behind the right field wall. The "Green Monster" was created in 1947 when the advertisements were removed from the left field wall and it was painted dark green. Night baseball at Fenway Park was first played in 1947. After the 1975 season, a $1.3 million video/scoreboard was erected behind the bleachers in centerfield and the press box was enlarged, enclosed in glass and air-conditioned. The same year, the tin that made up the "Green Monster" was replaced by a hard plastic surface. In the 1980s luxury boxes were added where the press box was located moving the press box. Additional seating has been added along parts of the rooftop, down each baseline creating a small upper deck consisting of several rows. New teal and red seats have been added replacing many of the old wooden seats.

In 2002 the Red Sox were sold to John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino. Prior to the sale of the team, their had been discussion of building a new Fenway Park. This ballpark would have had the same distinct features of Fenway Park but with modern amenities found in ballparks recently built. However, the current owners of the Red Sox are committed to preserving and improving Fenway Park for the foreseeable future. Throughout the past six years numerous improvements have been completed at the Red Sox's home. After the 2002 season, 250 bar style seats were added atop the Green Monster in left field, giving fans a new view of Fenway Park. The following year the team added additional seats atop the roof in right field. After the 2005 season, the Red Sox began work on the latest improvements to Fenway Park. The .406 Club, once enclosed, was renamed the EMC Club and features 406 open-air seats directly behind home plate in the same location where the .406 Club seats were located. Additionally, a pavilion level of 400 open-air club seats above the EMC club and more pavilion level seats down the baselines were added during the off-season increasing the seating capacity to over 38,000. The latest upgrades to Fenway Park were completed before the 2008 season. These upgrades included the Coca-Cola Corner that is located where the left field foul line meets the Green Monster. The Coca-Cola Corner replaces luxury seats built for the 1999 All-Star Game and includes a 100 person standing room only section and 412 pavilion level seats. New luxury suites have been added to the expanded State Street Pavilion. The Red Sox have stated that the seating capacity of Fenway Park will not exceed 40,000 and has a current seating capacity of 39,928. Today, Fenway Park along with Wrigley Field are two of the last remaining classic ballparks in baseball.

Yankee Stadium
New York Yankees

Throughout the world there are buildings or structures, that over time have become famous, legendary and popular for a variety of reasons. The 2008 baseball season marks the end of one of the most famous stadiums in the world, Yankee Stadium. Since its opening more than eight decades ago, the stadium has been the home of one of the greatest teams in sports, the New York Yankees with legendary players such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio, Mickey Mantle and today's stars of Alex Rodriquez and Derek Jeter. The Yankees have a long history that dates back to Baltimore at the turn of the 20th century. They moved to New York in 1903, were known as the New York Highlanders and played at Hilltop Park until 1912 when their lease expired. They accepted an invitation to play at the New York Giants home, Polo Grounds and changed their name to the Yankees. They signed a ten year lease at the Polo Grounds in 1913 and began to outdraw the Giants at the end of the decade with the acquisition of Babe Ruth. By 1920 the Yankees became the first team to attract more than one million fans. The Giants evicted the Yankees after the 1922 season hoping that the Yankees would have to move to a borough far away so the Giants could attract more fans.

The Yankees looked at several locations across the city to construct a new stadium. Various sites were explored including in Queens, upper Manhattan and along 5th Avenue and 32nd Street. Yankees co-owners Colonel Jacobs Ruppert and Colonel T.L. Huston paid $600,000 for land in the Bronx, less than a mile from Polo Grounds to build the stadium on. Designed by Osborn Engineering, original plans called for a triple-decked stadium with grandstands circling the entire field. However, because the stadium seemed to foreboding the original plans were scaled back. Instead, the ballpark became the first to have three tiers of seating consisting of 58,000 seats. It was also the first ballpark to be called a stadium because of its enormous size. Construction of the stadium began on May 5, 1922 and completed in just 284 days. The stadium was built of mainly steel and concrete. The triple decked grandstand extended behind homeplate and up the base lines. The lower deck continued until it met the wooden bleachers behind the outfield fence. A 15-foot copper facade was erected to adorn the stadium's third deck that became one of its most recognized and grandest features. The scoreboard was located beyond the bleachers in right field. Given the name Yankee Stadium, it was completed in only 284 days, opening on April 18, 1923. Original dimensions at Yankee Stadium were 295 ft. (right), 490 ft. (center), and 281 ft. (left). Centerfield became known as "Death Valley" because of its distance from homeplate.

Because of the Yankees success in attracting fans at Yankee Stadium, it was not long before the stadium was expanded after its opening. The triple decked grandstand was extended into left field in 1928 and the same extension was completed down the right field line in 1937. Concrete bleachers replaced the wooden bleachers beyond the outfield fence. With the addition of the grandstands, the capacity of Yankee Stadium grew to nearly 80,000, depending on the amount of people that stood while watching games. The first of many monuments and plaques was added in 1932. This area became known as "Monument Park" in fair territory in dead center field when a monument to former manager Miller Huggins was erected. Monuments of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and others were erected in years following 1932. Night baseball came to Yankee Stadium on May 28, 1946 and a new scoreboard was installed in 1959. Other sports, such as boxing and football were played at Yankee Stadium until the early 1970s.

In the early 1970s Yankee Stadium began showing its age. In 1971, Yankees owner Mike Burke began exploring the possibility of building a new stadium in New Jersey. However New York City Mayor John Lindsay announced that the city would buy and renovate Yankee Stadium, purchasing it for $24 million in 1972. The same year George Steinbrenner bought the team. The Yankees played in Yankee Stadium one more year before drastic changes were made.

Renovations to Yankee Stadium began immediately after the 1973 season. While Yankee Stadium was renovated the Yankees played at Shea Stadium, home of the New York Mets. Parts of Yankee Stadium were completely demolished. Changes were made to eliminate posts and columns that supported the upper deck. The copper facade atop the upper deck was removed and replicated at the top of the scoreboard that runs from center field to right field. New 22 inch blue plastic seats replaced the old 18 inch wooden green seats reducing the capacity to 54,000. New luxury suites and concessions were added along with the remodeling of the press box and restrooms. To eliminate climbs to the third level, escalators and elevators were added to parts of the exterior of the stadium. The facade of Yankee Stadium was repainted and a 138 foot tall replica of a Louisville Slugger baseball bat was placed near the entrance of the stadium.

After two years of renovations Yankee Stadium reopened on April 15, 1976. The stadium went from being known as "The House that Ruth Built" to "The House Steinbrenner Rebuilt". One thing that most people noticed was that the monuments in centerfield were no longer there. They had been moved to Monument Park behind the centerfield wall. Since the late 1970s very few changes have occurred at Yankee Stadium. It still remains the home to many great ballplayers and an excellent place to see a game. Since its opening in 1923, Yankee Stadium has been home to 26 World Championship teams. Over the past five years, the Yankees have been looking to build a new ballpark to replace Yankee Stadium. In June 2005, the team announced plans to construct a new Yankee Stadium adjacent to the current one that will open in April 2009. Yankee Stadium will be demolished in spring 2009 and converted into a public park area featuring a baseball and softball field. Nearly 12,000 trees will be planted in the shape of the stadium. For more than eight decades Yankee Stadium has been the home to some of the greatest players in baseball. The Yankees will play their last regular season game at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2008.

PNC Park
Pittsburgh Pirates

Although the Pirates have struggled on the field for many years, one thing that fans of the Pirates can never complain about is PNC Park as it is one of the most beautiful ballparks in baseball. As the landscape in baseball changed in the 1990s many small market teams began seeking new ballparks to create additional revenue. This included the Pirates as they demanded that a ballpark be built or they would move to another city. As early as 1990, Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff proposed a new 44,000 seat ballpark for the Pirates on the northside of the city near Three Rivers Stadium. Over the next five years discussion remained ongoing on whether to build a new stadium while the Pirates suffered financially and on the field. By 1994, the Pirates were for sale and it became a possibility that the team could be sold to an out of town buyer and moved. Kevin McClatchy purchased the team and worked with the city to get a new ballpark built for the Pirates. Dubbed Forbes Field II, the team began drawing plans for a new ballpark that would be similar to their previous home before Three Rivers Stadium, Forbes Field. Bonds were approved for $216 million to build a ballpark for the Pirates in 1997 and construction began in April 1999. The ballpark was named PNC Park after PNC Bank bought the naming rights in August 1998.

The Pirates christened PNC Park on April 9, 2001 when they played the Cincinnati Reds. From the outside PNC Park looks like a classic ballpark from bygone years. Fans walk to PNC Park from various parking facilities around the ballpark, walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge from downtown Pittsburgh or even drive their boat to the ballpark. Once outside the main entrance of the ballpark, fans see a brick front, steel structure, terra cotta tiled pilasters, dramatic masonry arches along the home plate entryway, and a flat green steel roof. Statues of Honus Wagner and Roberto Clemente are also outside the ballpark. Once inside fans must take stairs, ramps or the escalator to reach the main concourse and upper levels. However after the upward trip, fans are greeted with perhaps the best view of any in MLB, a view of the downtown Pittsburgh skyline.

With a capacity of 38,496, PNC Park is baseball’s second smallest ballpark. The ballpark has only two decks of seats that extend from the right field foul pole to homeplate and around to the left field foul pole. Club seats, located on the lower section of the upper deck; and the press box, located at the top of the upper deck, allow for the upper level seats to be much closer to the field. Luxury suites are wedged between the lower and upper decks. Fans can walk around the entire main concourse of the stadium without losing sight of the field. In the outfield, fans can sit in the section of bleachers in left field, or sit in right field and try to catch a homerun ball if it is not hit into the river. Fans can overlook the bullpens and catch an excellent view of the field from left centerfield. An out of town scoreboard is part of the 21 foot high right field fence, in honor of Roberto Clemente who wore number 21. A 42 ft. by 24 ft. scoreboard video board is located behind the bleachers in left field.

From the main grandstand at PNC Park, Pirate fans receive magnificent views of the downtown Pittsburgh skyline and the Roberto Clemente bridge. The light standards are toothbrush style and are patterned after the ones that were at Forbes Field. PNC Park has many amenities that could not be found at Three Rivers Stadium. They include a restaurant located above the left field bleachers with casual dining and a bar atmosphere with wait staff service for all fans, that overlooks both the playing field and the city. PNC Park has two elaborate food courts; Smorgasburgh that offers popular items from some of Western Pennsylvania's favorite eateries and Pop's Plaza, that offers more traditional ballpark food. Other areas include shops along General Robison Street such as Vincent's Pizza and Atria's Restaurant, which are accessible from inside and outside PNC Park. The outer promenade at PNC Park is known as the River Walk and gives fans views of the city, the river, and the field. A life-size replica of a pirate ship contains virtual reality pitching and batting cages, rope courses and other games gives parents and their children another form of recreation other than the Pirates game. The Roberto Clemente bridge which is next to the ballpark is closed on game days to allow fans to walk from downtown Pittsburgh across the river to the ballpark. Since 2001, multiple ballparks have opened throughout baseball and none compare with the views that fans receive at PNC Park.

NFL

Lambeau Field
Green Bay Packers

Call it one of the NFL's most historic stadiums, Lambeau Field has been the home of the Green Bay Packers for more than four decades. From the Packers inception in the 1920s until 1956, the team played at East (old City) Stadium. After the 1952 season, the team began playing some of their games at the new County Stadium in Milwaukee, that became home of the Milwaukee Braves (MLB) and later the Milwaukee Brewers. By 1955 the NFL threatened to move the Packers permanently to Milwaukee's County Stadium if a new stadium was not built for the team in Green Bay to replace City Stadium, as it was to small with a seating capacity of 25,000. In 1956, a bond was approved allowing construction of a new football stadium in Green Bay. Named City Stadium, the facility was completed in just one year. The Packers played their first game at City Stadium on September 29, 1957 against the Chicago Bears. City Stadium had a capacity of 32,000 when it opened and was the first stadium built specifically for a NFL team. Although a new stadium was built for the Packers in Green Bay, the team continued to play several games at County Stadium in Milwaukee until 1994.
Since its opening in 1957, fans attending games have seen many expansions occur. By 1961, the capacity at City Stadium increased to over 38,000. Two years later the capacity was once again increased to over 42,000. In 1965, City Stadium was renamed Lambeau Field, after the death of the Packers founder, E.L. Lambeau. During the same year the capacity was increased to 50,852. Once this addition was completed, Lambeau Field got its basic shape as the entire field was enclosed by seats. In 1985, 72 luxury suites were added along with additional seating areas, bringing the capacity to over 56,000. Again in 1990, 80 more luxury suites were added along with over 1,900 club seats along the top rim of the stadium. In 1993, the first video/scoreboard was installed above the south endzone and in 1995 90 more luxury suites were added.

Instead of opting to build a new stadium, the Packers announced in January of 2000, that they would extensively renovate and expand Lambeau Field. Between 2001 and the start of the 2003 season, Lambeau Field underwent an extensive renovation to make it more fan and player friendly. The main concourse was expanded, a new upper concourse was added with ramps and elevators, and more restrooms were added. In addition, nearly 12,000 seats were added along the top of the stadium. This included club seats and new luxury suites. An atrium, known as "Titletown" was built as part of the new facade of Lambeau Field. Here fans find a Packers Hall of Fame and a team store. A new Packers locker room, football operations facility and administrative offices were also constructed. These renovations at Lambeau Field were completed by the start of the 2003 season. Today, Lambeau Field has a capacity of over 72,000. One tier of bleachers circle the entire field. Luxury boxes, club seats and press boxes are atop the stadium rim. Over its 40 years of existence, Lambeau Field has been the site of many historical moments including the first NFL Championship game in Green Bay in 1961and the "Ice Bowl" in December of 1967, when the temperature was 13 degrees below zero. Lambeau Field is by far one of the NFL's most recognizable stadiums.

Soldier Field
Chicago Bears

Located in the Windy City along the shores of Lake Michigan is Soldier Field, the home of the Chicago Bears. When fans think of Soldier Field, they may think that it is the oldest stadium in the NFL. However, it is one of the newer stadiums in the league. The original Soldier Field opened in 1924 and had a seating capacity of 74,000. The Bears moved here from Wrigley Field in 1971. In the mid 1980s discussions of new stadiums was the talk of the city. The Chicago White Sox (MLB) wanted a new stadium, Wrigley Field was over 70 years old and Soldier Field was over 60 years old. In 1985 there were discussions of building a new domed stadium in downtown for the city's sports teams. By 1986 the Bears and the city began studying plans to tear down Soldier Field to build a new stadium south of it for $120 million. Financing issues and where to build a new stadium delayed a new home for the Bears for years. Over the next decade there were talks of building a stadium for the Bears in Arlington Heights, McCormick Place, Elk Grove, in Gary, Indiana, in downtown Chicago and the west side of the city. Finally in November 2000 the Bears and the City of Chicago announced plans to build a new stadium on the same site of their current home, Soldier Field. The Bears had a rich tradition of playing football at Soldier Field, the NFL's oldest stadium. Because of its historical presence in Chicago, the Bears decided to leave the historic Greek colonnades that Soldier Field is best known. The rest of the stadium would be completely demolished and a new stadium would be built inside the exterior shell.
In order for a new stadium to be built, the Bears had to play the 2002 NFL season at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL. At the conclusion of the 2001 season, demolition and construction on the new stadium began. The Bears new stadium continues to carry the name Soldier Field. It has 61,500 blue seats in several tiers, improved seating, better sightlines, enlarged concourses, two 96-foot-by-23-foot video-boards, 8,000 club seats and 133 luxury suites. To preserve Soldier Field, the classic colonnades remain intact as a lasting monument to Soldier Field's glorious past and a 250-foot granite-wall sculpture still serves as a memorial to the men and women who served in the armed forces. Fans also are able to walk among the colonnades and the horseshoe promenade. The Chicago Bears played their first game at Soldier Field II on September 29, 2003 against the Green Bay Packers. With the opening of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in 2008, Soldier Field is now the smallest stadium in the NFL.

Qwest Field
Seattle Seahawks

After more than two decades of playing at one of the most sterile, boring stadiums in the country, the Kingdome, the Seahawks moved into one of the best stadiums in the NFL in 2002. Founded in 1974, the Seahawks played over 20 years at the Kingdome, sharing it with the Seattle Mariners (MLB). In the mid 1990s the Mariners followed the trend of other baseball teams and wanted a new retro ballpark built. A new ballpark for the Mariners would allow the Seahawks to have the Kingdome to themselves. In October 1994 a $120 million renovation plan was announced to upgrade the Kingdome to a football only facility if the Mariners moved into a new ballpark. This plan did not come to fruition and then owner of the Seahawks, Ken Behring, wanted to move the club to Los Angeles for the 1996 after the Rams departed for St. Louis. The NFL opposed the Seahawks relocation and in 1997 Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen bought the team. Allen wanted to demolish the Kingdome and build a new stadium for the Seahawks on its site. In June 1997 voters approved referendums for two new stadiums to be built. A new baseball only stadium, Safeco Field, was constructed adjacent to the Kingdome and a new stadium for the Seahawks was constructed on the site of the Kingdome after its implosion. The Mariners moved into Safeco Field in 1999 and the Kingdome was demolished March 2000. While the Seahawks stadium was constructed, they played at Husky Stadium, home of the Washington Huskies (NCAA). Originally named Seahawks Stadium when it opened in 2002, Qwest Communications International Inc. purchased the naming rights to the stadium in 2004, giving the stadium its name, Qwest Field.
The Seahawks christened their new state of the art facility on September 15, 2002. Qwest Field is configured in a horse shoe shape, with three tiers of 68,000 seats. The north end of the stadium is open, allowing superb views of the surrounding Seattle area. A 13-story tower with a scoreboard at the top and bleacher seats for up to 3,000 fans, known as the "Hawk Nest" is also located on the north side. Qwest Field is the first of its kind to have luxury suites on the field directly behind the north endzone to provide an in-your-face experience. The stadium has a total of 82 luxury suites and over 7,000 club seats. One of the most unique features of the stadium is the overhanging roof design and rainbow tri-chord trusses that rise 260 feet above the field. The roof covers 70 percent of the seats keeping many fans dry during inclement weather. The exterior of the stadium consists of red brick, and brick-accented colored concrete, tan pre-cast concrete and white painted steel for the roofing supports; blending in with other surround facilities. Fans attending games at Qwest Field have some of the best views than at any other stadium in the NFL.

University of Phoenix Stadium
Arizona Cardinals

For the first time in their history, dating back to 1898, the Cardinals have a stadium to call their own. From their formation as a football club in Chicago in 1898 to their move to St. Louis in 1960 and move to Arizona after the 1987 season, the team has never had a stadium of their own, most recently playing at a collegiate stadium, Sun Devil Stadium. Through the late 1990s the Cardinals began seeking a new stadium. After several years of debate, in August 2002, the Arizona State Tourism and Sports Authority voted to build a new retractable roof stadium in Glendale, AZ for the Arizona Cardinals. At a cost of $455 million, the stadium not only features a retractable roof, but features a retractable side and field that moves in and out of the structure. The stadium is built on 28 acres that is owned by the sports authority, while the district owns the remaining 152 acres that parking, parks and amenities were built through privately issued bonds. In order to build the stadium the Cardinals paid for 25% of the stadium, $109 million, including cost overruns and the state Tourism and Sports Authority paid for 75% of the stadium. The Cardinals also bought the land for the stadium at a cost of $18.5 million.
The retractable roof at the University of Phoenix Stadium is comprised of two 180-feet long by 240-feet wide retractable panels that will remain closed to allow for air conditioning during the hot summer months and then open during the cooler months to take advantage of the Valley's abundant sunshine. The fabric roof will allow light to fill the stadium and provide an open, airy feel even when the roof panels are closed. The roof system is designed to close in approximately 12 minutes. University of Phoenix Stadium features a unique rollout natural-grass playing field, contained in a single tray measuring 234 feet wide by 403 feet long and weighing a hefty 18.9 million pounds. The first completely retractable field in North America, it will be positioned inside the stadium on game days to offer the preferred natural-grass playing surface for football and outside the stadium the remaining 350+ days of the year to receive the needed sunlight and water to grow. A total of 462 steel wheels riding on 13 parallel steel rails are used to slide the field tray in and out of the facility.

Construction of University of Phoenix Stadium began in July 2003. Originally expected to be completed in time for the 2005 NFL season, the stadium opened August 12, 2006 when the Cardinals played the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason game. The Cardinals played their inaugural first game at the stadium when they hosted the San Francisco 49ers on September 10, 2006. The new stadium features a modern futuristic look and seats 63,000 fans for football. The capacity can be expanded to 72,800 for other events at the stadium. Not only is the stadium he home of the Arizona Cardinals, but hosted the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, the 2008 Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four Championships. During the first month of its opening, the facility was known as Cardinals Stadium. In September 2006, the University of Phoenix purchased the naming rights for 20 years.

Invesco Field
Denver Broncos

Home of the Denver Broncos for more than 30 years, for many Bronco fans is was hard to picture the team playing anywhere else other than Mile High Stadium. In the mid 1990s, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen wanted a new stadium built for the team. Many Bronco fans were content with Mile High Stadium, however the Broncos wanted a new state-of-the-art stadium. In November 1998, voters approved a plan to construct a new stadium. Construction on the stadium began in August 1999. Fans attending games at Mile High Stadium could watch the new stadium being constructed because it was built adjacent to it. Invesco Funds purchased the naming rights to the stadium. However, to keep the spirit of Mile High Stadium alive, the facility was named Invesco Field at Mile High. Many fans were outraged that the new stadium was not named the same as its predecessor.
Construction of Invesco Field at Mile High was completed in just over two years. The Denver Broncos first game at Invesco Field at Mile High was on September 10, 2001. Over 76,000 seats are located throughout the stadium. Incorporating part of the team name, the main three tier grandstand is in the shape of a horseshoe. The lower grandstand circles the entire field. Above the seats in the south endzone is the main video/scoreboard. Atop the scoreboard is a replica of a bronco named "Bucky". Using blue, white and orange seats, the Broncos team logo has been incorporated into the upper deck above the endzone on the north side of the stadium. Two video boards are also located in the upper deck of the north endzone. Invesco Field at Mile High has many amenities, including the Sports Legends Mall Legacy Walk, which host pre-game activities, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and a Broncos team store.

NBA

Staples Center
Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers

Located in the entertainment capital of the world and with superstars such as Kobe Bryant, the Staples Center is one venue where fans can see NBA basketball on a nightly basis during the season with two teams calling the city and arena home. The Los Angeles Lakers moved from Minneapolis after the 1959-60 season and called the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena their home before moving into the Great Western Forum in 1967. The Clippers have called Los Angeles their home since moving from San Diego after the 1983-84 season. Always being known as LA’s second NBA team, the Clippers played at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena for 15 seasons, occasionally playing games in Anaheim at the Arrowhead Pond.

By the 1990s both the Great Western Forum and the LA Memorial Sports Arena had become second rate arenas in the NBA. A new modern state of the art arena with more amenities including luxury boxes and club seats was needed for the Lakers and Clippers. Privately financed, construction of the $375 million Staples Center began in March 1998. Staples Inc. purchased the naming rights for $100 million over 20 years. Built near downtown Los Angeles, the Staples Center became the home of the Lakers and Clippers in 1999. With a seating capacity of just under 19,000, the Staples Center has many amenities that the Lakers and Clippers former home’s did not have. It has 160 luxury suites, 2,500 club seats and 32 party suites. Fans attending games at the Staples Center can check out the Fox Sports SkyBox Restaurant, the City View Grille, the Grand Reserve Club and the Team LA store. Since its opening, the Lakers have won three NBA Championships while the Clippers have had one winning season. Thus, the Clippers are still known as LA’s second team. Other than being the home of two NBA teams, the Staples Center is home of the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) and many other events.

Pepsi Center
Denver Nuggets

The Can as it is known to Denver Nuggets fans, the Pepsi Center is the place to be during the winter months in the Mile High City. The Nuggets have been a part of the NBA since 1974 when they moved from the American Basketball Association. One year after becoming part of the NBA the Nuggets began playing at McNichols Sports Arena. The 17,000 seat arena was the home of the Nuggets and two NHL teams, the Colorado Rockies and later the Colorado Avalanche. Like every other team in the NBA and NHL, a new arena was needed for both teams in order to remain competitive in both leagues. Construction began in November 1997 and was named after Pepsi bought the naming rights for $68 million.

In 1999 the Nuggets played their first game at the Pepsi Center. The arena has a seating capacity of just over 19,000. It features 95 luxury suites, 1,800 club seats, the Lexus Club, the Blue Sky Grill featuring western crusine and The Denver Post Newsroom. Outside, the Pepsi Center’s façade reflects the neighborhood brick buildings and old rail yard. Fans enter through two atriums that have sculptures of basketball and hockey athletes in poses. Inside the Pepsi Center fans can see the Rocky Mountains and downtown Denver. Since the 2003-04 season the Nuggets have had four consecutive winning seasons. With stars such as Carmelo Anthony, the future looks bright for the Nuggets.

Oracle Arena
Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have one of the longest history’s in the NBA, dating back more than 60 years to Philadelphia. The Warriors were formed in 1946 playing in Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Arena and Philadelphia Convention Hall for 16 seasons. Franklin Mieuli bought the team and moved the team to San Francisco after the 1961-62 season. The team was known as the San Francisco Warriors and played their games at the USF War Memorial Gym. Across the Bay in Oakland, the city constructed a new sporting complex that included a baseball/football stadium and a new basketball arena.

Completed in 1966, the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum was a state of the art basketball arena. The same year, the San Francisco Warriors began playing some of their games in Oakland. For nine seasons the Warriors played in games in Oakland and San Francisco. After the 1970-71 season the team moved all of their games to Oakland and changed their name to the Golden State Warriors. Since then the Warriors have called Oakland home. Thirty years after the arena opened, it was completed renovated in 1996. Over $121 million was spent rebuilding and renovating the coliseum. A new octagonal shaped seating bowl was constructed adding 4,000 seats to the arena. Today the arena has a seating capacity of 19,596 with 72 luxury suites. In October 2006, the Oracle Corporation bought the naming rights to the arena.

US Airways Center
Phoenix Suns

Although the Phoenix Suns home is 15 years old, it looks as if it is one of the newest arenas in the NBA. Prior to moving into US Airways Center, the Suns played at the 13,000 seat Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The team had played there since their inception in 1968. By the late 1980s a new large state of the art basketball only arena was needed for the Suns. Construction on the $90 million arena began in 1988 and was paid for through city bonds and loans. Officials from the team toured NBA arenas across the league looking for the best features to incorporate into their new arena. America West paid $26 million over 30 years in 1992 to buy the naming rights to the facility.

On November 3, 1992, the Phoenix Suns played their first game at America West Arena winning against the Los Angeles Clippers. In November 2005, America West Arena was renamed US Airways Center after US Airways bought America West. The arena has a seating capacity of over 19,000 that includes 2,270 clubs seats and 88 luxury suites. Most fans enter US Airways Center through the Casino Arizona Pavilion that features soaring glass walls that serves as a gathering location. US Airways Center features many amenities including the Lexus Club Lounge and the Verizon Wireless Jungle, an interactive fun and games area for kids. With players such as Steve Nash, fans of the Suns hope that the team can bring a NBA Championship to the City of Phoenix.

Conseco Fieldhouse
Indiana Pacers

Unlike Major League Baseball where the trend has been to build ballparks that reflected ones of the early 20th century, most NBA arenas built have been constructed with sleek modern designs. However, the Indiana Pacers decided to go with the retro look with their home, Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pacers became a NBA team in 1976-77 after the ABA folded and were playing at Market Square Arena. This arena had a capacity of nearly 17,000 but lacked luxury suites and many other amenities that prompted the Pacers to begin looking into building a new arena in the 1990s. A retro style fieldhouse was designed by Ellerbe Becket that reflected high school fieldhouses in Indiana for the Pacers. This design was similar to the retro ballparks that were being built by Major League Baseball teams at the timeConstruction began in July 1997 and was completed two years later. At a cost of $183 million, the Pacers contributed $57 million, $79 million came from taxes and the rest from private contributions.

The Pacers debuted at Conseco Fieldhouse on November 6, 1999 winning against the Boston Celtics. As fans approach the Pacers home from the outside, they see a structure that truly resembles classic basketball fieldhouses from the past. The façade consist of brick and glass fitting in with its surroundings. Many fans enter through the Entry Pavilion, the main gathering place before and after games. Conseco Fieldhouse has a nostalgic look all around including the Grand Staircase that takes fans to the different levels of the building. The Pacers home has a seating capacity of 18,345 for basketball with 69 luxury suites and 2,400 club seats. Some of the best seats are in the Founders Level, seats that are 16 rows from the court. Over the past three years, Conseco Fieldhouse has been ranked the number one venue in the NBA.

College Football

Autzen Stadium
University of Oregon

With its latest expansion complete, Autzen Stadium looks like a new modern stadium. For almost a half a century from 1919 until 1967 the Oregon Ducks played at the 15,000 seat Hayward Field. By the 1960s as the football team became more successful it was apparent that a new stadium need to be built for the Ducks. Oregon athletic director Leo Harris along with Thomas J. Autzen, whom the stadium was named after, spearheaded the project by giving the school $250,000 for the new stadium project. By the 1967 season, the $2.5 million Autzen Stadium was complete and had a capacity of around 41,000.

The Ducks played their first game at Autzen Stadium on September 23, 1967, a loss against Colorado. Although the stadium originally had a grass field, it was replaced with AstroTurf before the 1969 season. Until 2002, Autzen Stadium had underwent very few renovations. In 1982 the Barkers Stadium Club was added at the east end zone of the stadium. A three story building on the north side of the stadium containing 381 club seats and 12 luxury seats was constructed in 1989. A new press box was also constructed prior to the 1989 season. The most recent addition came prior to the 2002 season when 12,000 seats were added to the south rim of the stadium. Also included in this addition was the expansion of the press box that included 32 luxury suites. This also provided a cantilevered roof to cover some fans from inclement weather. Today the stadium has a capacity of 54,000 today. Throughout college football, Autzen Stadium has become known as one of the most intimidating college football stadiums with its crowd noise.

Tiger Stadium ("Death Valley")
Louisiana State University

"It's Saturday Night in Death Valley and here come your Fighting Tigers of LSU." This is how every home game begins for the Louisiana State Tigers. The Bayou Bengals play ball in front of some of the most passionate and raucous fans in college football. LSU’s Tiger Stadium houses an impressive 91,600 fans. What’s more impressive is that on game day, Tiger Stadium transforms into the sixth largest city in Louisiana. Like many other places in the country, LSU football is more than sports. It’s a way of life. People in this part of the country are as passionate about their Tigers as any other fans in the country. It’s been called “the most feared road game in the country” and “Death Valley” for a reason.

Tiger Stadium was constructed in the early 1920s and opened on November 25, 1924 when LSU battled Tulane. The original stadium seated 24,000 fans with grandstands on both sides of the gridiron. Six major expansions have been completed at the stadium over its eight decades of existence. Two additions were completed in the 1930s, the first in 1931 when the capacity increased by 10,000 and the second in 1936 when the north endzone was enclosed increasing the seating capacity to 46,000. The south endzone was enclosed in 1953 and the first of two upper decks was added in 1978 pushing the capacity to over 78,000. The 11,600 seat addition in 2000 allowed the Tigers to pack even more screaming fans into Tiger Stadium. Throughout the 2005 season, the Tigers continued to expand Tiger Stadium with the west side expansion. This $60 million expansion added 3,255 club seats, a new press box and upper deck on the west side of the stadium. Completed by the 2006 season, this expansion increased the seating capacity of Tiger Stadium to 92,400. This addition will allow LSU to continue to average over 90,000 fans per game, as has been the average for the past three consecutive years. As the sixth largest stadium in the country, Tiger Stadium will continue to be one of the most exciting places to watch a game in the country.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium ("The Swamp")
University of Florida

Heeeeeeeeere come the Gators, is just one of the many traditions found at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, nicknamed "the swamp." Football at the University of Florida began in 1906, led by Coach James Forsythe. Towards the end of the 1920s, the University of Florida decided to build a new stadium for its football team, the Gators. On April 16, 1930 construction on the stadium began and was completed by October 27, 1930 when the Gators played their first game. Originally known as Florida Field, the stadium had a capacity of 21, 769. The original section of seating now encompasses the lower half of the current stadium. By 1950, the first of many additions to the stadium was in the works and by the start of the 1950 season 10,000 bleachers were built on the west side. The Gators also hosted the first night game at Florida Field on September 23, 1950.

Fifteen years later an additional 10,000 seats were added to the east side and bleachers were constructed on the south end zone bring the capacity to 62,800. In 1971, the team replaced the grass field with Astroturf, but two decades later the surface returned to grass. The south end zone with a skyboxes and a press box was completed increasing the capacity of Florida Field to 72,000. In 1991, Florida Field was named after Ben Hill Griffin a donor to the University of Florida. The stadium was renamed Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field. Once again in 1991, construction was completed on the north end zone bring the capacity to 83,000. The most recent addition to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium came in 2001 when $50 million was spent expanding the press box, installing chair back seats on the club level and building new luxury suites. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is now the largest stadium in the state of Florida with a capacity of just over 88,548. Various levels of seating enclose the playing field. The Florida Gators have had years of success at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, including a 30 game winning streak between 1994 and 1999. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is one of the most formidable venues for opposing teams to play at as the stadium is one of the loudest in the nation, the temperature on the field often reaches 100 degrees and the passion of the Gators fans, selling out every game since 1989.

Michigan Stadium ("The Big House")
University of Michigan

One word can describe Michigan Stadium, huge. From the time it opened in 1927 until today, Michigan Stadium has been one of the largest stadiums in college football. Prior to playing at Michigan Stadium the Wolverines played at Ferry Field. The team had been playing there since 1906 and continually had to expand the stadium as interest in the team grew. As attendance grew, a new stadium was needed to accommodate the fans. Fielding Yost, coach of the team designed a new stadium and the University of Michigan approved construction in April 1926. Built at a cost of $950,000, Michigan Stadium was modeled after the Yale Bowl and was built of steel and concrete. When completed the stadium could seat nearly 72,000 fans. Yost designed the stadium so it could be expanded to seat up to 200,000 fans one day. Prior to its opening in 1927, Yost lobbied the university to add an additional 10,000 seats to the stadium. The university approved and the stadium was completed in October 1927.

The Michigan Wolverines played their inaugural first game at Michigan Stadium on October 1, 1927 against Ohio Wesleyan. The entire single tier grandstand circled the playing field. The official capacity when Michigan Stadium when it opened was 84,401, an enormous number for this time. It was the largest stadium in the nation in 1927. However as support for the team grew so did the stadium. By 1928 the capacity was increased to 85,753. In 1930 new electronic scoreboards were added at each end zone. Michigan Stadium was expanded yet again by the 1949 season when the stadium was expanded to seat 97,239 fans. In 1956, A new press box was constructed that increased the seating capacity over 100,000 to 101,001.

Michigan Stadium’s current look with the blue bleachers and the famous yellow Block M were completed before the 1965 season. Prior to the 1969 season, the grass field was replaced with Tartan, a type of Astroturf. This allowed for easier maintenance to the field. By the 1973 season the box seats that were located in the first three rows of the stadium were removed and replaced with bleacher seats increasing the capacity slightly. Before the start of the 1991 season, the field at Michigan Stadium was lowered with the installation of natural grass and two new rows of seats were installed allowing 102,501 fans to enjoy the game. Additional renovations came in 1997 when more seats were added and new video/scoreboards. In 1998 5,000 seats where added bringing the current capacity to 107,501. Recently, Fieldturf has replaced the grass field. Today, Michigan Stadium is the largest college football stadium in the nation. It is nicknamed “The Big House” because of its enormous size. For nearly 200 games the Wolverines have attracted more than 100,000 fans and hosted 111,238 fans in a game against Michigan State on November 20, 1999. In May 2006 the Michigan Board of Regents voted to construct new luxury boxes and renovate Michigan Stadium. This $226 million renovation will be completed by the 2010 season and include 83 suites, 3,200 club seats and widen seats and isles increasing the seating capacity to 108,000. During the 2008 and 2009 seasons Michigan Stadium will be the second largest stadium in the nation behind Penn State's Beaver Stadium with a seating capacity of 106,201.

Notre Dame Stadium
University of Notre Dame

Perhaps one of the most well known sports team's in the nation, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish also play at one of the most well known stadiums in the nation, Notre Dame Stadium. Prior to the building of Notre Dame Stadium, Cartier Field, a 30,000 seat stadium, was home to the football team. Because of the team's continued success, games regularly sold out. Led by the success of Coach Knute Rockne, he decided that a new stadium needed to be built for the Fighting Irish. By the mid to late 1920s plans were drawn up for a new stadium at Notre Dame. Constructed at a cost of $750,000, construction began in late 1929. Patterned after Michigan Stadium, Notre Dame Stadium was completed by October 1930.

The Fighting Irish played their first game at Norte Dame Stadium on October 4, 1930 against SMU. Originally with a capacity of 54,000, the main one tier grandstand circled the entire playing field. Throughout its more than seven decades of existence, Notre Dame Stadium has seen only one main addition. Prior to the 1997 season, the stadium was expanded to its current capacity of 80,795. Nearly 21,000 seats were added along the top rim around the stadium. In addition, the first three rows of seats were eliminated, a new grass field was installed, new scoreboards were placed above the rim of the stadium in the north and south end zones and a new three tier press box was built. Notre Dame Stadium remains one of the most unique stadiums in college football with its brick exterior and setting. Over the years seven Heisman Trophy winners have played at Notre Dame Stadium and the Fighting Irish have sold out every game since 1964. Touchdown Jesus, located on the Hesburgh Library, looms over the endzone of Notre Dame Stadium.

Thanks to:
http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com
http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com
http://www.insidearenas.com/
http://www.collegegridirons.com/

My New Video: BEAT LA

2008-09-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

Beat LA

Exciting Baseball at the Cove

2008-09-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

The Giants have won 5 in a row and the youngsters have been shining. All of a sudden, many players are performing up expectations and some exceeding them. Of course, there are some underachieving...yes, I'm talking to you, Mr. Wilson.

The Giants finally figured out the Pirates, winning the last 2 of a 3-game series, then for the 2nd time this year, swept the Diamondbacks. The Giants got solid performances in their sweep of the Diamondbacks from Cy-Young candidate, Tim Lincecum, a resurgent Barry Zito, and from Brad Hennessey, who hadn't started a game since 2006. The sweep over the Diamond backs, provided, arguably, the most exciting series of the season. In game one, Tim Lincecum struck out 9 in 8 1/3 while only giving up 1 ER in a 6-2 win. In game two, Barry Zito pitched 6 innings, while only giving up 2 ER, and striking out 9. Brian Wilson blew a save and a win for Zito, but Eugenio Velez picked up Wilson by singling to right field, bringing in Pablo Sandoval who chugged his way home and performed an ugly, but effective hook slide to beat the throw. In the third game, Brad Hennessey pitched 6 innings while only giving up 1 ER and striking out 3. Eugenio Velez saved Wilson for the second day in a row after Wilson blew the save in the top of the 9th. Velez hit a game-winning double, bringing in 2 runs to finish off the Diamondbacks.

This current 5-game winning-streak that the Giants are on has shown the loads of young talent the Giants have. Sandoval, Schierholtz, Burriss, Velez, and Romo have been performing great and should see ample time next year. Zito has been improving every week and is proving he deserves to be in the rotation next year. These last five games have been exciting and the Giants are showing resolve and the ability to be clutch. The team appears to be having fun and the Giants play the Dodgers 6 more times, and the Diamondbacks 3 more time, giving the Giants 9 more opportunities to play spoiler.

Unlike my recent post, where I stated what I would do if I were GM, here is my projected lineup for next year (keep in mind, I am not including free agents, because that it too hard to predict):

LF: Fred Lewis
SS: Emmanuel Burriss
3B: Pablo Sandoval
C: Bengie Molina
RF: Nate Schierholtz
CF: Aaron Rowand
1B: Travis Ishikawa
2B: Conor Gillaspie

I could also see:

LF: Fred Lewis
SS: Emmanuel Burriss
1B: Pablo Sandoval
C: Bengie Molina
RF: Nate Schierholtz
CF: Aaron Rowand
2B: Kevin Frandsen
3B: Conor Gillaspie

Rotation:
Tim Lincecum
Matt Cain
Barry Zito
Brad Hennessey
Noah Lowry

Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner could end up in the rotation as well and don't count the Giants out when it comes to signing C.C. Sabathia.

My Giants All-2000's Team

2008-09-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

C: Benito Santiago

1B: J.T. Snow

2B: Jeff Kent

3B: David Bell

SS: Rich Aurilia

LF: Barry Bonds

CF: Marquis Grissom

RF: Ellis Burks

SP: Tim Lincecum

Reliever: Robb Nenn

My Giants All-90's Team

2008-09-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

C: Kirt Manwaring

1B: Will Clark

2B: Robby Thompson

3B: Matt Williams

SS: Royce Clayton

LF: Barry Bonds

CF: Darryl Hamilton

RF: Willie McGee

SP: Bill Swift

Reliever: Rod beck

If I was the GM of the Giants...

2008-09-05T21:58:00.000-07:00

The lineup I would like to see next year, is a fairly young one. Here is my starting lineup for opening day:

LF: Lewis
SS: Burriss
1b: Ishikawa
RF: Schierholtz
C: Bengie
CF: Rowand
3B: Pablo
2b: Frandsen
P: Lincecum

This offseason, the Giants should have 1 focus: pitching. Now, most Giants fans would question me in this decision. The Giants have a pretty good staff right now and very few consistent hitters. I think all Giants fans can agree that the Giants need a brand new bullpen, besides Brian Wilson.

C.C. Sabathia has spoken of great interest to be a Giant next year. He wants to be close to home (Vallejo) and he doesn't want to play for the A's, a team that can't afford him. If the Giants can package Jonathan Sanchez, Barry Zito, and Randy Winn for a couple mediocre prospects, along with taking part of Zito's contract, the Giants can easily afford C.C. and have the best pitching trio in baseball.

Starting Rotation:

Lincecum
C.C.
Cain
Lowry
Correia

As well, I think the Giants should go after some relievers like: Kyle Farnsworth, Casey Fossum, and Juan Rincon. As well as signing a few relievers, the Giants need to continue to work with their young talented relievers like Matos, Romo, Sadler, Otero, and Hinshaw.

The 2009 season will be a year of preparation for 2010. We will get to see which of the youngsters pan out and which don't. For the ones that don't pan out, we replace them with free agents the following offseason, especially the position players. In 2010, the following big bats will be available at each position to replace a possible young bust:

1B
Aubrey Huff
Wes Helms

2B
Adam Kennedy
Placido Polanco
Brian Roberts

3B
Adrian Beltre

SS
Miguel Tejada
Bobby Crosby

OF
Rick Ankiel
Jason Bay
Coco Crisp
Carl Crawford
Matt Holliday
Magglio Ordone

As well as the youngsters I mentioned, the Giants should have Buster Posey, Angel Villalona, Nick Noonan, Conor Gillaspie, Madison Bumgarner, and Tim Alderson ready for 2010.

I think if all pans out well with the young players and the Giants can get rid of Zito's contract, or at least part of it, then the Giants will be in contention for NL West, considering the lack of competition in the divison, and primed for a pennant run in 2011.

How I Became a Duck Fan...

2008-08-26T17:02:00.001-07:00

Back in the fall of 1996, I was 8 years old and life was surprisingly difficult for me. I had just moved to LA because my mom got a new job and my sister had left for her first year of college. I didn't know anyone in LA besides family and my sister was gone. It wasn't the happiest of times.

Since I was born, I had been going to Stanford games with my dad. His mom went to Stanford and his dad went to Cal; an always fun family rivalry come late November every year. My dad became a bigger Stanford fan than Cal because his parents took him to more Stanford games, simply because the parking was easier. My dad got to grow up watching Jim Plunkett, Gene Washington, and James Lofton play and he witnessed two Stanford Rose Bowl victories over the likes of Michigan (in the height of the Bo Schembechler years) and Ohio State (in the height of the Woody Hayes years). So naturally, when I was born, my dad took me to Stanford football games. I grew up watching Troy Walters, Willie Howard, and Tank Williams. I got to watch Tyrone Willingham take Stanford to a Rose Bowl and beat Cal 7 years in a row. I grew up living for The Big Game. Stanford was the school I longed to attend, until the fall of 1996.

When my sister left for college, we decided to help her move in and so the journey began to Eugene, Oregon, home of the University of Oregon. On the road trip up there, we stopped at plenty of places along the way, none of which were too exciting, but one moment will stick in my mind forever. I can't remember who, but either my mom, dad, or sister had rented "Without Limits" (for those of you who don't know what that is, its a biopic about Steve Prefontaine). I watched that movie and became infatuated with Pre. He was a symbol to me that it didn't matter how small or different you were, you could still succeed. Having moved to LA, I was different than most kids down there.

When we finally arrived in Eugene, I was absolutely captivated by the beauty of the campus. The sky was blue, the trees and grass was greener than I had ever seen before, and the brick buildings of the campus contrasted beautifully off of scenery. At that point, I knew that Stanford had competition for a special place in my heart.

There was something special about the campus, a certain aura it gave. Maybe it was the smell that Eugene has, a distinct smell of fresh air and nature. Maybe it was scene of tons of college kids moving in and I was able to be in the middle of it. Maybe it was all of the building decorated with Duck colors, showing their spirit for the University. I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew that I liked it.

Two days later, after experiencing some great breakfast foods, beautiful nature, and exploring a great campus (and helping my sister move in) it was time for a whole new experience. My sister took my family and me to an Oregon football game. Now, I had seen Oregon play Stanford in Palo Alto before and they weren't really on my radar, but that was all about to change.

My sister said that we should walk to the game, that everyone else does it, so we did. We walked from the campus, across Franklin Ave, through the science buildings, and to the Autzen Footbridge. I remember walking across and looking at the vast river, reflecting the perfect blue sky and then seeing woods. I kept thinking, "Where is the stadium? How far are we going to walk? Why are there woods?" Once we walked into the woods, surrounded by Duck fans, I remember this sort of buzz amongst the fans that Stanford games lacked, it was new to me, I was getting excited. Then it finally came, the moment I will never forget. The trees started to part and in the distance was a towering stadium surrounded by a sea of green and yellow and the smell delicious barbecue from all of the tailgating. From that moment, there wasn't much detail to tell. It was loud, the fans were hospitable, the students were crazy, and the turf was weird.

The day was glorious. Although Oregon had lost to UCLA, I had experienced a stadium better than I had ever been in and I knew from that moment on, I wanted to be a Duck.

I where my number 96 jersey at every game to signify the year that I became a Duck fan.

Football is NOT a Sucker's Game

2008-08-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

On November 6, 1869, Rutgers University and Princeton University played the first ever college football game, starting one of the most profitable sports the country would ever see. Since that historical day, America has seen this sport blossom into a multi-billion dollar business. Not only has this game helped schools make major profits, it has brought communities together and encouraged some younger teens to go to college. But over the years, college football has cost the majority of universities lots of money. But the reward is worth the risk. The entertainment value and economical benefit of college football is worth the amount of money spent because the pride and pageantry is important to the community of the city and university alike.

In Michael Sokolove’s article, Football Is a Sucker’s Game, he states that, “Football is the S.U.V. of the college campus: aggressively big, resource-guzzling, lots and lots of fun, and destructive of everything around it." Sokolove continues on about college football and its excessive spending. He claims that college the football program drains other athletic and academic programs within its respective university. He states that most schools lose money on an annual basis. He also claims that the players take a beating just to make money for themselves and the university. What Sokolove doesn’t talk about, is the importance of the sport to each respective community and university, economically, educationally, and entertainment wise.

The biggest problem with college football, according to Sokolove, is that most schools lose money annually. Every year, schools put money into marketing, equipment, concessions, merchandise, salaries of employees, scholarships, traveling costs, medical supplies, nutrition for players, facility electricity, facility heating, facility, air-conditioning, facility water, gym-upkeep, stadium-upkeep, practice field-upkeep, and treatment center-upkeep and amenities. The school tries to make it back by selling advertising space, tickets, television payouts, and bowl payouts. The odds are, schools will lose money. But, Sokolove doesn’t seem to understand passion or the idea of a goal. The people who run athletic programs have a strong passion for their school and the game; they have a goal, make money and win. The goal of EVERY football program is to be successful, win, and make money. Every programs wants to become Notre Dame, Michigan, USC, or any other traditional national powerhouse. For schools like Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, and Oregon, their dreams of being a national powerhouse are close. They have big football programs, with great communities surrounding them, and big donors funding their program. Smaller schools like South Florida, Rutgers, and Boise State, they are further away, but on the right track. They have recent success in the win column and they are getting national recognition, but they have yet to play in numerous big bowls and they have yet to find big donors. The key to turning a program around is finding big donors.

Oregon has been a poster-child for smaller programs like South Florida, Rutgers, and Boise State. For years, Oregon was a Pac-10 cellar-dweller. Oregon has]d numerous losing seasons, rare bowl appearances, and very few big names to give the school national recognition. In fact, Oregon was so bad in the late-70’s and early-80’s, that the Pac-10 conference was considering dropping Oregon and Oregon State and adding Texas and Oklahoma. Oregon’s play finally started to it pick up. In 1989, quarterback Bill Musgrave, led Oregon to their first bowl game in decades, as the Ducks went to Independence Bowl. They started getting a little more attention and they were able to recruit with more results. In 1994, Oregon had a breakout year and went to the Rose Bowl after winning their first conference title in over a half-century.

The big season for the Ducks got them national recognition and access to the top recruits in the country. But the biggest thing that the successful season did for the program was bringing attention to big donors. Nike Founder and CEO and Oregon alum, Phil Knight was impressed by his alma mater’s success and decided to start donating money. Along with Knight were the Linquist, Pape, and Moshofsky families and Pat Kilkenny. All 5 of these big donors have donated massive amounts of money recently. Phil Knight has donated over a half billion dollars to the University and football program. His biggest contributions have been paying for most of the $90 million renovation of Autzen Stadium, Knight Law School, Library renovation, and most recently, he donated $100 million dollars to the athletic department. His recent donation is the 2nd largest single donation in NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) history.

What Sokolove doesn’t understand is that donors provide much of the funding in football programs, not the university, so with success brings more donors and more money. Since 1994, the donations of the big donors have provided Oregon with the nicest facilities in the entire country, including NFL facilities. In fact, Desmond Howard was recently quoted regarding Oregon’s facilities, “It's my first time being here. Those practice facilities are just plush. It's better than any NFL facility I've ever been in. It's beyond first class.” The upgrade in facilities, success, and fan support has boosted Oregon to being one of the nation’s most recognized teams and every year brings in top recruits.

Sokolove talks only about the financial benefit of the university and athletic department, yet not about the community. For many schools, football on Saturday brings together a community. Through tailgating, cheering for their team, and going through ups and downs throughout the year, football can bring a community together. For many schools, it does. Schools like Alabama, Wisconsin, and Oregon, are the poster-children for college towns who thrive on the university and especially the football programs within each respective community.

At Alabama, they have statues of old coaches who represent their historical success and I have never witnessed a school who more can say that they live for saturdays. At Wisconsin, they have a tradition for the entire stadium of 95,000 fans to jump up and down to the song, “Jump Around” by hip-hop group, House of Pain. Before the gams, the entire town is basically shuts down and there is tailgating all throughout Madison. Oregon itself basically shuts down and people from all over the state come to Eugene to watch the Ducks play. The city’s population rises about 50,000 people.

Communities not only come together through football, but football can be a huge economical benefit. The success of football programs can produce lots of advertising revenue and local businesses can thrive off of football weekends. During a football weekend, businesses, such as car rental services, hotels, restaurants, and parking services can really benefit from it. Through success, many people in the community donate small amounts of money every year, which helps with funds.

Not only do the games bring the community together and help the local economy, but it can have a major affect of education. Lots of kids grow up around sports and many find football and these games to be a passion of theirs. They grow up watching the student section and feel the gameday experience. These events can really motivate a child or teenager to work harder to attend the college of their dreams. I myself grew up idolizing Oregon’s student section and during high school, the thought of being a part of this university pushed me to work harder so that I could attend the school of my dreams. Infact, most of the facts from this article is stricty from my knowledge because that is how passionate I truly am and that is why I pushed myself, so that I could become a part of Oregon’s history, community, and tradition.

Having the community back a school strongly and showing other prospective students what type of tradition and pageantry a school has can really have a major impact on students attending a university. When prospective students visit a college campus, seeing the tradition and pageantry of the school and community can truly sway a student’s decision one way or another.

In defense of Sokolove, the majority of schools do not reach that eternal goal and do lose money annually. Most schools don’t have the resources or the right people in charge to make that jump from mediocrity or sub-mediocrity to being nationally recognized as a contender. Some schools like Vanderbilt and Stanford have enough money that losing some money annually to keep the students happy, doesn’t hurt, but not all schools have that luxury. In fact, Stanford recently spent $90 million on a new stadium, while their football team has lacked any success in the past 5 years and financially, they should have taken a huge hit, but Stanford has too many donors to allow that to happen. Many fans are outraged with the unusually large GPA requirement for athletes, 3.4, because it does not allow the football program to recruit the best players they can and the fans find it disingenuous to give off a perception of success with a brand new stadium while not being able to win.

Put yourself in the following situation. Let’s say that you wanted to become a lawyer for a career and you were passionate about law. Would the fact that it is hard to become a successful lawyer stop you from trying? Studying takes up time and money, and the chances are, you won’t become a top lawyer in a major firm, but do you stop because the odds are against you? I would like to think that most people strive for their goal even if it’s hard. Football is no different. Football is a sport of passion and just because it is unlikely that all schools will achieve great runs of success, it does not stop those who love the game from trying.

To many, college football is more than a business, more than a day of entertainment, more than a sport, but it is a lifestyle and for others it is life itself. Football brings joy to people, teaches people about the ups and downs of life, and brings together all sorts of different people who would never come together in any other way. College is about more than just an education, but about experiences and because college football in America is almost a way of life, football is as big of a part of universities across America as the education itself.

Best Student Sections in College Football

2008-08-21T16:36:00.001-07:00

Great article on the best student sections in college football.

Click Here

Adrian Peterson shook his helmeted head and slapped his earholes. But the ringing wouldn't stop.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOO…"

As the Oklahoma Sooners stood in the tunnel of Autzen Stadium ready to hit the field, the walls around them vibrated like a tuning fork. The air felt thick with what sounded like a World War I biplane parked under the goalpost 15 yards in front of them.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOO…"

Awaiting the Sooners on that September Saturday in 2006 was a record Oregon crowd of 59,269. But the torturous drone's roots lay in Sections 4 through 8, the student sections, where nearly 5,500 collegians had come sprinting in two hours earlier in an all-out landgrab. Throughout the game they raise their hands above their heads in the shape of an O. And when the students really want to be heard, they hold their hands together, thumb to thumb, index finger to index finger, forming a letter O through which they send their maddening call.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOO…"

"It was like some sort of crazy torture in the movies," Peterson says. "How do people do that so long without taking a breath? I think my ears are still ringing."

My All-Time Oregon Ducks Football Team

2008-08-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

1st Team:

Offense:

QB- Dennis Dixon
RB- Jonathan Stewart
RB- Bobby Moore
WR- Patrick Johnson
WR-Keenan Howry
TE- Justin Peele
T- George Christenson
T- Tom Drougas
G- Gary Zimmerman
G- John McKean
C- Dave Tobey

Defense:

DE- Raymond Morse
DE- Peter Brantley
DT- Haloti Ngata
DT- Vince Goldsmith
LB- Peter Sirmon
LB- Kevin Mitchell
LB- Dave Wilcox
CB- Mel Renfro
CB- Alex Molden
S- Keith Lewis
S- Chad Cota

Special Teams:

K- Jared Siegel
P- Josh Bidwell
KR- Jonathan Stewart
PR- Keenan Howry

If I was assembling the US team for the World Baseball Classic...

2008-08-21T16:24:00.001-07:00

Starting Rotation

1: C.C. Sabathia
2: Tim Lincecum
3: Brandon Webb
4: Jake Peavy
5: Cliff Lee

Bullpen:

LR: Roy Halladay
LR: Cole Hamels
LR: Justin Duchsherer
MR: Heath Bell
MR: Kyle McClellan
MR: Scott Shields
SU: Jonathan Papelbon
SU: Dan Wheeler
CL: Joe Nathan

Starting Lineup:

C: Joe Mauer
1B: Lance Berkman
2B: Ian Kinsler
3B: Alex Rodriguez
SS: Ryan Theriot
LF: Matt Holiday
CF: Johnny Damon
RF: Josh Hamilton

Bench:

C: Jason Varitek
1B: Kevin Youkilis
2B: Chase Utley
3B: Chipper Jones
SS: Derek Jeter
OF: Carlos Quentin
OF: Matt Kemp
OF: Randy Winn

Note: The WBC calls for a 30-man roster, unlike the 25-man roster in the majors.

Why the Olympics bug me...

2008-08-21T16:23:00.001-07:00

1) Olympic Spirit
Ok, will someone please give me a definition of what Olympic Spirit is? I keep hearing that term and I've talked to many people about what their definition of it is; it's always different. The most common definition is along the lines of: "Mutual understanding of all cultures with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play." Sounds good to me...if the Olympics actually displayed that definition. Unfortunately, there isn't any understanding of other cultures among most athletes, there ARE tensions between countries whether the Olympics want to admit it or not, and there have been plenty of incidents of unfair play. Lastly, Olympic Spirit should not cause anyone to change their style of play and the aggression and tenacity needed to play the game.

2) Expert Analysis
There are seriously NO experts talking about the game. These commentators are given a crash course and do not know the ins and outs of each sport and event. Even worse, they don't fully explain the rules of obscure sports to the viewers on TV.

3) People Pretending They Care About Sports That They Really Don't
Honestly, outside of the Olympics how many people really watch gymnastics, beach volleyball, diving, swimming, etc. These sports are shown on Fox Sports Net many times throughout the year but no one really watches them. People only watch these sports because they are hyped by the media and they want to be in "the know." As Dave Chappelle would say, let's 'keep it real,' people.

4) Lack of Sports-Intelligent Crowds
I'm not hating on the Chinese, but I grow annoyed at the lack of intelligence of major sports. The only sports I enjoy in the games are being butchered by crowd reactions because the crowds don't understand the games. I'm sick of hearing "ooooo"s and cheers on a lazy groundball to a pitcher and silence after a big sweeping curveball, fooling a batter. The games are still enjoyable, but the reactions by the crowd lessen the experience just as "THE PLAY" between Stanford and Cal would have still been great without the famous call, the call and reactions heightened the experience.

5) Insincere Hugs and Kisses Between Competitors
The only thing more fake than viewer's interest in gymnastics is the hugging and kissing the athlete's share with one another when you can see there is no sincerity. Olympic Spirit, my ass.

6) It's a Fad
2 weeks after the Olympics is over, no one will talk about 2/3's of the sports of event the games themselves. People won't even look forward to the next games. This is just another fad in our country, similar to patriotism only after tragic events or in times of war.

7) Terrible Coverage by NBC
NBC couldn't be handling these games worse. They aren't playing many big live events, they are doing a horrible job covering up results for the time delayed areas, they are only showing the U.S., and like I state in point #2, they have horrible announcers.

8) Bias Officiating for the Host Team
This isn't a new theme, it happens every Olympiad. China has gotten biased scores in many sports and events since the Olympics started, Nastia Liukin getting silver the other night was a prime example.

9) Corruption
There are probably 5-10 Chinese athletes that aren't of age to be playing in the games, but because their government is so corrupt, they can change any file they need. Just look at their gymnastics team.

10) Biting Gold Medals
Ya, haha, you're biting your gold medal to make sure its real, just like people did in the gold rush days...the joke gets tiring as the years go on.

11) Mixing Politicians with Sports
I don't care that George Bush is watching an event, I'd rather watch the event then the dumb, confused look on his face and his wife's completely uninterested expression.

12) The Dream World
The Olympics takes everyone's mind of the real events going on in the world. That's nice in a sense, but we are still occupying a country, one that is competing in the games, and there is a war going on between Russia and Georgia and people seem to have talked about it for a day and then ignored it. People act as if the world is at peace during the games because of "Olympic Spirit" when the real world does not stop for sports.

13) Downgrade of Major Sports
Baseball, basketball, and soccer are completely downgraded for the Olympics. Basketball is very one-sided and only one team plays fun basketball, while baseball and soccer are played with amateurs when the Olympics could be 10 times bigger if they used professionals like they do in the World Cup and World Baseball Classic. The NHL pauses their season the Winter Games, why can't the MLB?

14) Overplaying Big Stories and No Coverage of Great Stories
What Phelps and Torres have done is absolutely amazing, but yet, NBC still finds a way to overplay the stories and makes it become annoying. They need to talk about more incredible stories like Lo-Lo Jones' rise from complete poverty or Afghanistan's first medal in their times of destruction of their country.

The fact is, I love the potential of the Olympics, but so many things need to be done to make it as good as it can be and right now, its not even close.

My All-Time 49ers Team

2008-08-21T16:22:00.001-07:00

OFFENSE
QB: Joe Montana
RB: Hugh McElhenny
FB: Tom Rathman
WR: Jerry Rice
WR: Dwight Clark
TE: Brent Jones
OT: Harris Barton
OG: Guy McIntyre
C: Jesse Sapolu
OG: John Ayers
OT: Bob St. Clair

DEFENSE
DE: Fred Dean
DT: Bryant Young
DT: Leo Nomellini
DE: Kevin Fagan
OLB: Charles Haley
MLB: Jack Raynolds
OLB: Dave Wilcox
CB: Eric Wright
FS: Dwight Hicks
SS: Ronnie Lott
CB: Carlton Williamson

SPECIAL TEAMS
KR: John Taylor
PR: Abe Woodson
K: Ray Warsching
P: Tommy Davis

COACHES
Head Coach: Bill Walsh
OC: Bill Walsh
DC: George Seifert

My All-Time NFL Team

2008-08-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

OFFENSE
QB: Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers: 1979-1992, Kansas City Chiefs: 1993-1994)
RB: Barry Sanders (Detroit Lions: 1989-1998)
FB: Bronko Nagurski (Chicago Bears: 1930-1937, 1943)
WR: Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers: 1985-2000, Oakland Raiders: 2001-2004, Seattle Seahawks: 2004)
WR: Don Hutson (Green Bay Packers: 1935-1945)
TE: Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City Chiefs: 1997-present)
OT: Anthony Munoz (Cincinnati Bengals: 1980-1992)
OG: John Hannah (New England Patriots: 1973-1985)
C: Dwight Stephenson (Miami Dolphins: 1980-1987)
OG: Gene Upshaw (Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders: 1967-1981)
OT: Art Shell (Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders: 1968-1982)

DEFENSE
DE: Reggie White (Philadelphia Eagles: 1985-1992, Green Bay Packers: 1993-1998, Carolina Panthers: 2000)
DT: Joe Greene (Pittsburgh Steelers: 1969-1981)
DT: Merlin Olsen (Los Angeles Rams: 1962-1976)
DE: Deacon Jones (Los Angeles Rams: 1961-1971, San Diego Chargers: 1972-1973, Washington Redskins: 1974)
OLB: Lawrence Taylor (New York Giants: 1981-1993)
MLB: Ray Nitschke (Green Bay Packers: 1958-1972)
OLB: Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens: 1996-present)
CB: Deion Sanders (Atlanta Falcons: 1989-1993, San Francisco 49ers: 1994, Dallas Cowboys: 1995-1999, Washington Redskins: 2000, Baltimore Ravens: 2004-2005)
FS: Rod Woodson (Pittsburgh Steelers: 1987-1996, San Francisco 49ers: 1997, Baltimore Ravens: 1998-2001, Oakland Raiders: 2002-2003)
SS: Ronnie Lott (San Francisco 49ers: 1981-1990, Los Angeles Raiders: 1991-1992, New York Jets: 1993-1994)
CB: Mel Blount (Pittsburgh Steelers: 1970-1983)

SPECIAL TEAMS
KR: Gale Sayers (Chicago Bears: 1965-1971)
PR: Billy Johnson (Houston Oilers: 1974-1980, Atlanta Falcons: 1982-1987, Washington Redskins: 1988)
K: Adam Vinatieri (New England Patriots: 1996-2005, Indianapolis Colts: 2006-present)
P: Sammy Baugh: Washington Redskins: 1937-52)

COACHES
Head Coach: Bill Walsh (San Francisco 49ers: 1979-1988)
OC: Bill Walsh (San Francisco 49ers: 1979-1988)
DC: Bud Carson (Pittsburgh Steelers: 1972-1977)

My College Football 2008 Pac-10 Predictions

2008-08-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

1. USC 12-0 (9-0)
2. Oregon 11-1 (8-1)
3. California 9-3 (7-2)
4. Arizona State 8-4 (6-3)
5. Stanford 6-6 (4-5)*
6. Arizona 7-5 (4-5)*
7. Washington 4-8 (3-6)
8. Oregon State 3-9 (2-7)**
9. UCLA 2-10 (2-7)**
10. Washington State 2-10 (0-9)

*- Stanford is ranked ahead of Arizona because of a head-to-head win.

**- Oregon State is ranked ahead of UCLA because of a head-to-head win.

I have put "(Swing game)" next to many games. These are games I can see going either way.

Arizona:

W- Idaho
W- Toledo
W- @ New Mexico
W- @ UCLA (Swing game)
W-Washington
L- @ Stanford (Swing game)
L- California
L- USC
W- @ Washington State
L- @ Oregon
W- Oregon State
L- Arizona State (Swing game)
7-5 (4-5)

Arizona State:

W- Northern Arizona
W- Stanford
W- UNLV
L- Georgia
L- @ California
L- @ USC
L- Oregon (Swing game)
W- @ Oregon State (Swing game)
W- @ Washington
W- Washington State
W- UCLA
W- @ Arizona (Swing game)
8-4 (6-3)

California:

L- Michigan State (Swing game)
W- @ Washington State
W- @ Maryland
W- Colorado State
W- Arizona State
W- @ Arizona
W- UCLA
L- Oregon
L- @ USC
W- @ Oregon State (Swing game)
W- Stanford
W- Washington
9-3 (7-2)

Oregon:

W- Washington
W- Utah State
W- @ Purdue
W- Boise State
W- Washington State
L- @ USC (Swing game)
W- UCLA
W- @ Arizona State (Swing game)
W- @ California (Swing game)
W- Stanford
W- Arizona
W- @ Oregon State
11-1 (8-1)

Oregon State:

L- @ Stanford (Swing game)
L- @ Penn State
W- Hawaii
L- USC
L- @ Utah (Swing game)
W- Washington State
L- @ Washington (Swing game)
L- Arizona State
W- @ UCLA (Swing game)
L- California (Swing game)
L- @ Arizona
L- Oregon
3-9 (2-7)

Stanford:

W- Oregon State (Swing game)
L- @ Arizona State
L- @ TCU (Swing game)
W- San Jose State (Swing game)
L- @ Washington (Swing game)
W- @ Notre Dame (Swing game)
W- Arizona (Swing game)
W-@ UCLA (Swing game)
W- Washington State
L- @ Oregon
L- USC
L- @ California
6-6 (4-5)

UCLA:

L- Tennessee
L- @ Brigham Young
L- Arizona (Swing game)
L- Fresno State
W- Washington State
L- @ Oregon
L- Stanford (Swing game)
L- @ California
L- Oregon State (Swing game)
W- @ Washington (Swing game)
L- @ Arizona State
L- USC
2-10 (2-7)

USC:

W- @ Virginia
W- Ohio State (Swing game)
W- @ Oregon State
W- Oregon (Swing game)
W- Arizona State
W- @ Washington State
W- @ Arizona
W- Washington
W- California
W- @ Stanford
W- Notre Dame
@ UCLA
12-0 (9-0)

Washington:

L- @ Oregon
L- Brigham Young
L- Oklahoma
W- Stanford (Swing game)
L- @ Arizona
W- Oregon State (Swing game)
W- Notre Dame (Swing game)
L- @ USC
L- Arizona State
L- UCLA
W- @ Washington State
L- @ California
4-8 (3-6)

Washington State:

L- Oklahoma State
L- California
W- @ Baylor
W- Portland State
L- Oregon
L- @ UCLA
L-@ Oregon State
L- USC
L- @ Stanford
L- Arizona
L- @ Arizona State
L- Washington
L- @ Hawaii
2-10 (0-9)

My Preseason College Football Top 25 for 2008

2008-08-21T16:18:00.001-07:00

1. Oklahoma
2. Georgia
3. Missouri
4. USC
5. Florida
6. LSU
7. West Virginia
8. Clemson
9. Wisconsin
10. Ohio State
11. Texas Tech
12. Auburn
13. Texas
14. Tennessee
15. Oregon
16. Illinois
17. Arizona State
18. BYU
19. South Florida
20. Fresno State
21. Wake Forest
22. South Carolina
23. Cincinnati
24. Boston College
25. Utah

My Top Movies of the Summer of 2008

2008-08-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

1. The Dark Knight
Official Website
Christopher Nolan wanted to make an action movie that was different from other action movies -- darker, more twisted, more despairing, more bleak -- and he has mostly succeeded in this latest Batman installment. He can thank Ledger for a lot of that.
-Mike LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

2. Mongol
Official Website
The film, a foreign-language Oscar nominee, is epic in scope, in scale, in story, in everything. It has as much action as any brain-dead Hollywood blockbuster, but Mongol also has heart and intelligence.
-Bill Goodykuntz, Arizona Reporter

3. Iron Man
Official Website
Downey's richly human performance as a reformed rake who relies on his intelligence, feels both personal and genuinely fresh.
-Liam Lacey, Glove and Mail

4. Wall-E
Official Website
No movie can be a downer that fills you with pure exhilaration. You leave WALL-E with a feeling of the rarest kind: that you've just enjoyed a close encounter with an enduring classic.
-Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

5. In Bruges
Official Website
It is easily one of the best debut feature films in recent memory. The notion of a pair of hit men cooling their heels as they're forced to play tourist in a picture-postcard town is clever enough. But as the story unspools, it grows more intriguing.
-Claudia Puig, USA Today

6. Tropic Thunder
Official Website
"Boasting yet another shining performance from Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller's politically incorrect satire of Hollywood war-action movies is rude, crude, messy and sharply uneven, containing wildly funny sequences..."
-Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.com

7. Pineapple Express
Official Website
The plot is as thin as rolling papers and OD's on graphic violence, but the smokin' cast lights up the screen and scores lots of laughs.
-Matt Stephens, E! Online

8. The Incredible Hulk
Official Website
This new production, starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, looks a lot better -- sometimes it looks great -- and it's a thunderously efficient enterprise, with a nice surprise at the very end.
-Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

9. Bottle Shock
Official Website
Its heart is so in the right place and its tableau so appealing that it's easy to come away from this sweet, scrappy film with a nice little buzz.
-Bill Ward, Minneapolis Star Tribune

10. Wanted
Official Website
Wanted may be the most absolutely stone bonkers, crazy-good movie of the century. Or it may be a gargantuan piece of trash. Chances are it's a combination of the two. But man, does it rock.
-Tom Long, Detroit News

My Favorite Giants of My Life

2008-08-21T16:09:00.001-07:00

Keep in mind, I'm only 20, so I didn't get to witness many greats. These are just my favorite of MY lifetime.

1st team lineup:
C: Benito Santiago (Watching him throw guys out from his knees was awesome)
1B: Will Clark (My favorite swing in the history of baseball)
2B: Robby Thompson (He was a true Giant)
3B: Matt Williams (If not for the strike, he would have broken the Maris' record)
SS: Rich Aurilia (During his first stint with the Giants, not current Richie)
LF: Barry Bonds (My favorite player of all-time)
CF: Brent Butler (My favorite Giants leadoff hitter ever)
RF: Ellis Burks (Batted .344 in 2000 with the Giants)

2nd team lineup:
C: Kirt Manwaring (The first catcher I really remember growing up)
1B: J.T. Snow (Magic with the glove)
2B: Jeff Kent (As much as a douche as he is now, he was a stud with the Giants)
3B: Bill Mueller (He could really stick)
SS: Royce Clayton (First player that made me want to throw sidearm)
LF: Kevin Mitchell (Him and Clark were dominant)
CF: Daryl Hamilton (Hambone)
RF: Stan Javier (Classic)

SP: Tim Lincecum
SP: Jason Schmidt
SP: Shawn Estes
SP: Kirk Rueter
SP: Russ Ortiz (First stint)

RP: Robb Nen
RP: Rod Beck

Manager: Dusty Baker

Racism

2008-08-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

I find it incredible in this day and age how many people are still racist or think in racial stereotypes. Yes, many stereotypes stem from certain truths, but the action of many individuals of one race does not condemn an entire race to years of racial profiling. The ignorance of people in America today shocks me and how so many can be so uneducated.

How is it that one can hate someone else because of a difference in the color of skin? The beauty of this country, this state, is that we live in a society with such diversity and the oppurtunity to experience new cultures and ways of life. The diversity of cultures in this country make us who we are, they don't make any race better than any other. I hope the intollerant can learn tollerance and love thy fellow countrymen regardless of skin color and that one day we can live in lesser hostile country.