Everybody wants to be famous. Such are the results of recent surveys done among teens and young adults. Besides being rich, the new generation of nfl throwback jerseys today wants to be known worldwide. Who wouldn't want a life of fame and fortune? And if you have what it takes, such as good looks and great talent, then the best way to start is to show the world what you've got.
Thanks to the marvels of the World Wide Web, getting recognized can be as easy as uploading a video online. Think of Justin Bieber as an internet sensation, for one. Starting only with a handful videos of his school talent shows and performances, this young man captured the audience with his raw talent.
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Aside from creating massive exposure through photo and video uploading, those who want to start a career in show business should be able to contact talent scouts to let them know about their talents. Again, the internet comes in very handy. Talent scouts often have casting calls in many cities and post these announcements on the web. Aspiring individuals can then find auditions or casting calls in their area, send emails to the talent scouts, and finally get to audition.
Before coming face to face with talent scouts, one should be prepared and represented. One such company that can guide you every step of the way is Explore Talent.
If you check out Explore Talent reviews, you will find that so many dreamers have already taken a shot at being famous. Even if nfl jerseys you start small, you will go places as long as you are persistent and you know where to look. ExploreTalent prides itself as being a powerful tool for talented people, both young and old, to find opportunities for them to shine.
Thanks to video uploading and social networking sites, finding what you need can now be super easy. Stay in the loop and be well-informed about talent scouts, auditions, and casting calls in your area. Visit the MySpace page on myspace.com/exploretalent. Use the web to your advantage and increase the number of opportunities you can grab. Explore Talent also has a Twitter and YouTube account that can really assist you on your way to becoming famous.
Good things won't come to those who do nothing. Jumpstart your career with the help of the internet and explore how much potential you have. To football jersey get the latest listings of auditions in your city or in other areas, then surf on over to exploretalent.org. Attend a casting and give it your best shot! Who knows? You might soon be the next big thing!
cleveland browns
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indianapolis colts
2010年7月30日星期五
2010年7月29日星期四
Cincinnati Bengals taken or why the Vikings win the Superbowl Wont
A brilliant football coach, who say it again, lose football games will be won. For those who do not catch the pun, what I meant to take a team of mental mistakes, errors, and penalties is often a good performance lost to another good performance.
While the media generally calls for nfl throwback jerseys
the decisive victory and the Vikings Adrian Peterson dominating performance, it seems that the writer never really watched the game. From the beginning, the worst enemy Cincinnati Bengals.
The kick-off in both halves of Bengal late penalties, which set the tone for the rest of the game. Not to mention the other four were dismissed without compensation, Cincinnati has been crime in 1185 feet defendants, many of whom were murderers drive or extensor Viking unit. The crew of the arbitration was clearly exercising his right to the yellow handkerchiefs to move at will, but forced the Bengals seemed determined Bungal channel old equipment for all to see.
While the Vikings won, he deserves nothing but the accumulation of mental errors of his opponents again and again.
So far this season, the good performance of a winning team, the Vikings took bribes disadvantages in Glendale, Arizona, where she lost to the Cardinals.
Another small concern is the combined intake of these Vikings won 55-86. A true measure of a great team is their opponent, and the combined record of the Vikings have not won very inspiring.
What is more alarming is the fact that Minnesota has really put up a good performance of his own this season. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevel clich seems to be the boy in a candy store to get Favre plays as often as possible. Glasses may try to call was in a weak position for the receiver Sidney Rice as the Vikings defense on the ground. runs from the sixty-nine pieces of Appeal yesterday were thirty-seven plays, even though the Vikings have played with a lead of almost the entire game. Although it is much more balanced than it had been in recent games, a team built around the best leagues in the hallway that leads to the fourth quarter, not three, to go no time to deliver the ball seems.
While the defense has escaped hundred meters give in a corridor for the first time in thirty-five games, with a courageous performance. New middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley from a massive effort has been for a rookie and will likely only a matter of time Bengal running back Cedric Benson in an ice bath today. Back cornerback Antoine Winfield seemed to be protected from oxidation, to impede the interception, they did, and changed the landscape of the Viking secondary.
With Carolina, Chicago and Los Gigantes arrival, and the Packers on their heels, the Vikings have on the pace and play like a Superbowl contender. to use a view to a general failure, the plan isnta opponents solid game for the playoffs, and if the Vikings want the elusive Lombardi Rest in Eden Prairie this season, have theyll find a better way to win.
While the media generally calls for nfl throwback jerseys
the decisive victory and the Vikings Adrian Peterson dominating performance, it seems that the writer never really watched the game. From the beginning, the worst enemy Cincinnati Bengals.
The kick-off in both halves of Bengal late penalties, which set the tone for the rest of the game. Not to mention the other four were dismissed without compensation, Cincinnati has been crime in 1185 feet defendants, many of whom were murderers drive or extensor Viking unit. The crew of the arbitration was clearly exercising his right to the yellow handkerchiefs to move at will, but forced the Bengals seemed determined Bungal channel old equipment for all to see.
While the Vikings won, he deserves nothing but the accumulation of mental errors of his opponents again and again.
So far this season, the good performance of a winning team, the Vikings took bribes disadvantages in Glendale, Arizona, where she lost to the Cardinals.
Another small concern is the combined intake of these Vikings won 55-86. A true measure of a great team is their opponent, and the combined record of the Vikings have not won very inspiring.
What is more alarming is the fact that Minnesota has really put up a good performance of his own this season. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevel clich seems to be the boy in a candy store to get Favre plays as often as possible. Glasses may try to call was in a weak position for the receiver Sidney Rice as the Vikings defense on the ground. runs from the sixty-nine pieces of Appeal yesterday were thirty-seven plays, even though the Vikings have played with a lead of almost the entire game. Although it is much more balanced than it had been in recent games, a team built around the best leagues in the hallway that leads to the fourth quarter, not three, to go no time to deliver the ball seems.
While the defense has escaped hundred meters give in a corridor for the first time in thirty-five games, with a courageous performance. New middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley from a massive effort has been for a rookie and will likely only a matter of time Bengal running back Cedric Benson in an ice bath today. Back cornerback Antoine Winfield seemed to be protected from oxidation, to impede the interception, they did, and changed the landscape of the Viking secondary.
With Carolina, Chicago and Los Gigantes arrival, and the Packers on their heels, the Vikings have on the pace and play like a Superbowl contender. to use a view to a general failure, the plan isnta opponents solid game for the playoffs, and if the Vikings want the elusive Lombardi Rest in Eden Prairie this season, have theyll find a better way to win.
Word of the shooting itself in the foot!
Bills winning shot own foot? The Bills defeated the Chiefs in a game that both teams have tried seemed to lose. It was a victory for the Bills, but it cost them much-needed draft position? After the victory on Sunday have been unhappy about the nfl throwback jerseys
bills to chieftains 8-11 along the tie switches reduced - all the teams, 5 and 8.
I know that Coach Fewell would audition for the position of Head Coach, but with a lost season I players like Chris Ellis, see Maybin, Lankes, get Harris Hardy, Jenkins, Brohm to play, Johnson and Wendling more time. It would be observed to see if these players the opportunity legimatics NFL players who can do for the future must be. Yes, some of these players strong players in the Task Force, but none of them can become the owner. This is an area that bills, have a strong special teams players are fighting against the owners, if given the opportunity to play. You are sure to play every time, or more return McCargo Youboty and Scott, the safety, reduce the time begins to play and some other young players.
As much as I prefer to win the bills, have no sense of victory. must, if the project is from April bills in the top eight, provided they have a new regime comes into force, what they do, is white. A new general manager and coach may finally drafting a player who is a game changer, or trade the choice of values batch Bills need both!
bills to chieftains 8-11 along the tie switches reduced - all the teams, 5 and 8.
I know that Coach Fewell would audition for the position of Head Coach, but with a lost season I players like Chris Ellis, see Maybin, Lankes, get Harris Hardy, Jenkins, Brohm to play, Johnson and Wendling more time. It would be observed to see if these players the opportunity legimatics NFL players who can do for the future must be. Yes, some of these players strong players in the Task Force, but none of them can become the owner. This is an area that bills, have a strong special teams players are fighting against the owners, if given the opportunity to play. You are sure to play every time, or more return McCargo Youboty and Scott, the safety, reduce the time begins to play and some other young players.
As much as I prefer to win the bills, have no sense of victory. must, if the project is from April bills in the top eight, provided they have a new regime comes into force, what they do, is white. A new general manager and coach may finally drafting a player who is a game changer, or trade the choice of values batch Bills need both!
2010年7月28日星期三
Eli's money man
Eli Manning is about the highest paid player in the NFL has become each year.
Giants quarterback reportedly close to signing a contract worth $ 97,000,000 over the next six years.
Eli's older brother Peyton won a Super Bowl and the NFL thrice named MVP and was named as MVP in a super Bowl and Pro Bowl. Eli has a Super Bowl and also to his name, won the MVP of the season and ruin Patriots perfect, but never named NFL MVP.
Beginning of football jersey the twilight of his career, Peyton is $ 14,170,000 per year for the Colts.
Brother Eli is about to eclipse that figure of $ 1,130,000.
By offering a range of Eli, the Giants franchise shows its intention to continue to build their offense in the quarterback in the hope that they lead more Super Bowl.
The general manager Jerry Reese, Giants Manning expected that the agreement that keeps in New York signed until 2015.
It took four years, Eli Manning, to win their first Super Bowl with the Giants.
The Giants expect more success and predict that Eli fit and may also improve the performance of his older brother Peyton and future Hall of Fame.
When signs of Eli, expect the Giants franchise and its fans another trip to the largest exhibition on the ground soon in the near future.
Giants quarterback reportedly close to signing a contract worth $ 97,000,000 over the next six years.
Eli's older brother Peyton won a Super Bowl and the NFL thrice named MVP and was named as MVP in a super Bowl and Pro Bowl. Eli has a Super Bowl and also to his name, won the MVP of the season and ruin Patriots perfect, but never named NFL MVP.
Beginning of football jersey the twilight of his career, Peyton is $ 14,170,000 per year for the Colts.
Brother Eli is about to eclipse that figure of $ 1,130,000.
By offering a range of Eli, the Giants franchise shows its intention to continue to build their offense in the quarterback in the hope that they lead more Super Bowl.
The general manager Jerry Reese, Giants Manning expected that the agreement that keeps in New York signed until 2015.
It took four years, Eli Manning, to win their first Super Bowl with the Giants.
The Giants expect more success and predict that Eli fit and may also improve the performance of his older brother Peyton and future Hall of Fame.
When signs of Eli, expect the Giants franchise and its fans another trip to the largest exhibition on the ground soon in the near future.
2010年7月26日星期一
The AFC championship game reflects three Super Bowl
A few days before the second dismissal Arts deposits Oakland Raiders coaches and reporter Adam Schefter NFL Network broke the news that Shell has been replaced. Within hours Raider executive John Herrera has categorically the rumors, doubts and nfl throwback jerseys
Schefter on the NFL network for the dissemination of rumors denied. Once the shell is, curiously, does not withdraw its limits Herrera defamatory comments.
Now rumors are flying again, with reports that Jim Harbaugh, Jim Fassel and Marc Trestman is on the position to Raiders head coach has been contacted. Denny Green was not mentioned, we can decide this Arent, thought imagination of journalists to get bored watching the news out of nothing to discuss.
And again Herrera is on the hill, say that the Raiders have not asked anyone about their head coaching position. He turned around and said that owner Al Davis has and current head coach Tom Cable long, long discussions about the team, like a cable is designed to able to keep your job interviews. But this is Byzantine.
It was noted that the Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson was pregnant in 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway, ostensibly for an interview with the position of offensive coordinator teams. In any normal computer, it would be a signal cable, is to keep your job, but on a team in Oakland, Dallas and DC, resident, where the owner of the rule of the interference, Davis had a number of personal and then press defines the role of Machine Head Coach Cable.
Jackson is probably there to the career of quarterback JaMarcus Russell left to save, with no interest, but rather emulate the success of his self-proclaimed idols, Peyton Manning seems. Based on the advice of outside experts, should Hue Jackson Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction in the middle of vengeance Russell to sit and read that someone was there to draw your attention first.
The only real bright spot to this day the report by Jason La Canfora NFL Networks Mike Waufle interviewed for the position of defensive line coach. For those who do not remember, the coach Waufle Raider D-line was 98-03 when the Raiders linemen had a carousel to overcome the defensive. If someone Kelly, Warren, Seymour and the band can do on the Raiders need their Waufle.
As suspected, the candidates head coach, you can almost certainly rule out three pretty quickly.
Trestman is a very lucrative contract with the reigning champions of CFL, living in a situation that the second coming of Alexander is considered. Although most coaches strive for a franchise of the NFL lead, when Trestman no convincing evidence that increase their status or their financial portfolio, would work with the Raider. HED and probably give up some autonomy in exchange for a look over his shoulder ubiquitous Davis.
Jim Harbaugh has already publicly rejected the position, although he never formally offered to him. Harbaugh has a sweet concert, what is coaching the football program is at Stanford University and is good with him. Harbaugh seems from a family that instilled in their children in the integrity, in contrast to Lane Kiffin, and come back, is the Raider coach not only attractive for someone who is already sitting in the chair.
This leaves Fassel, ask the alone of all the evidence for the positioning for the concert Raider, whether the opportunity seems to be. Fassel was the coach of the NFC champion New York Giants coaching units focus Locomotives Las Vegas, do not even have a team of most NFL fans. Therefore, it is no wonder his work Fassel wants Raider it is certainly a possibility away from the center of attention, even when the light silver and black.
But, as Davis has shown time and again, coaches the courts as a student melodramatic scare those affected and also advertises all know is, it seems wrong.
With all that considered, and the fact that Oakland has never been fired so far in the season and head coach, most likely Tom Cable will be back next season and ready to continue their way victory. In other words, if Russell Davis rejects some real talent brings on the offensive line cable, an offensive coordinator to take advantage of such a backfield advantage of a team and a couple dozen other things, the Raiders need to know to leave the basement.
When the time of the year the only thing more widespread rumors Coaching is absolutely the staff team in order to hide the truth is the only thing we know for sure that prepare deny changes to Oakland (and Juan Herrera I, that in each step.) Unfortunately, the changes arent necessarily good or bad, just different.
Schefter on the NFL network for the dissemination of rumors denied. Once the shell is, curiously, does not withdraw its limits Herrera defamatory comments.
Now rumors are flying again, with reports that Jim Harbaugh, Jim Fassel and Marc Trestman is on the position to Raiders head coach has been contacted. Denny Green was not mentioned, we can decide this Arent, thought imagination of journalists to get bored watching the news out of nothing to discuss.
And again Herrera is on the hill, say that the Raiders have not asked anyone about their head coaching position. He turned around and said that owner Al Davis has and current head coach Tom Cable long, long discussions about the team, like a cable is designed to able to keep your job interviews. But this is Byzantine.
It was noted that the Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson was pregnant in 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway, ostensibly for an interview with the position of offensive coordinator teams. In any normal computer, it would be a signal cable, is to keep your job, but on a team in Oakland, Dallas and DC, resident, where the owner of the rule of the interference, Davis had a number of personal and then press defines the role of Machine Head Coach Cable.
Jackson is probably there to the career of quarterback JaMarcus Russell left to save, with no interest, but rather emulate the success of his self-proclaimed idols, Peyton Manning seems. Based on the advice of outside experts, should Hue Jackson Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction in the middle of vengeance Russell to sit and read that someone was there to draw your attention first.
The only real bright spot to this day the report by Jason La Canfora NFL Networks Mike Waufle interviewed for the position of defensive line coach. For those who do not remember, the coach Waufle Raider D-line was 98-03 when the Raiders linemen had a carousel to overcome the defensive. If someone Kelly, Warren, Seymour and the band can do on the Raiders need their Waufle.
As suspected, the candidates head coach, you can almost certainly rule out three pretty quickly.
Trestman is a very lucrative contract with the reigning champions of CFL, living in a situation that the second coming of Alexander is considered. Although most coaches strive for a franchise of the NFL lead, when Trestman no convincing evidence that increase their status or their financial portfolio, would work with the Raider. HED and probably give up some autonomy in exchange for a look over his shoulder ubiquitous Davis.
Jim Harbaugh has already publicly rejected the position, although he never formally offered to him. Harbaugh has a sweet concert, what is coaching the football program is at Stanford University and is good with him. Harbaugh seems from a family that instilled in their children in the integrity, in contrast to Lane Kiffin, and come back, is the Raider coach not only attractive for someone who is already sitting in the chair.
This leaves Fassel, ask the alone of all the evidence for the positioning for the concert Raider, whether the opportunity seems to be. Fassel was the coach of the NFC champion New York Giants coaching units focus Locomotives Las Vegas, do not even have a team of most NFL fans. Therefore, it is no wonder his work Fassel wants Raider it is certainly a possibility away from the center of attention, even when the light silver and black.
But, as Davis has shown time and again, coaches the courts as a student melodramatic scare those affected and also advertises all know is, it seems wrong.
With all that considered, and the fact that Oakland has never been fired so far in the season and head coach, most likely Tom Cable will be back next season and ready to continue their way victory. In other words, if Russell Davis rejects some real talent brings on the offensive line cable, an offensive coordinator to take advantage of such a backfield advantage of a team and a couple dozen other things, the Raiders need to know to leave the basement.
When the time of the year the only thing more widespread rumors Coaching is absolutely the staff team in order to hide the truth is the only thing we know for sure that prepare deny changes to Oakland (and Juan Herrera I, that in each step.) Unfortunately, the changes arent necessarily good or bad, just different.
2010年7月25日星期日
The Del Webb Yankees
Richard Sandomir’s fine piece in the Times on Colonel Jacob Ruppert, the beer baron whose money made the Yankees into the Yankees football jersey
long before George Steinbrenner was conceived, touches on, but does not dwell on, the subsequent reign of the man who made the Yankees, in some circles, less than likeable.
That would be Del Webb, who with his partner, Dan Topping, bought the club for $2.8 million in 1945, and then later sold it CBS in 1964 for $14 million. “Best deal I ever made,” said Webb, who made his money building things, sometimes for people of questionable legal and moral standing.
It was Ruppert who built the original Stadium, who signed Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Henrich, Lazzarri—pick a name, find a Hall of Famer. But it was Webb who, expanding on Ruppert’s success, transformed the club into the object of fear, envy, and in cities that made up the American League map, occasional loathing.
Webb was not a presence in the clubhouse, save for appearances after yet another World Series victory where he could be spotted toward the back—a tall, bespectacled man with a receding hairline and a smile that revealed nothing. It was Topping who was seen at the ballpark, but then Topping, a rich kid and a dabbler, was occupied primarily with marriage, divorce, and remarriage. He did it five times, most famously to Sonja Henie, the Norwegian figure skating champion. Webb, on the other hand, was self-made, a one-time amateur ballplayer who, when illness ended his career, took up building houses in the Southwest. With the help of friends with influence, and with a reputation for finishing work on soccer jerseys
time, he expanded his business. By the time the war came, Webb landed a contract to build the internment camps where Americans of Japanese ancestry were imprisoned. If he felt bad about this, he never said so.
long before George Steinbrenner was conceived, touches on, but does not dwell on, the subsequent reign of the man who made the Yankees, in some circles, less than likeable.
That would be Del Webb, who with his partner, Dan Topping, bought the club for $2.8 million in 1945, and then later sold it CBS in 1964 for $14 million. “Best deal I ever made,” said Webb, who made his money building things, sometimes for people of questionable legal and moral standing.
It was Ruppert who built the original Stadium, who signed Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Henrich, Lazzarri—pick a name, find a Hall of Famer. But it was Webb who, expanding on Ruppert’s success, transformed the club into the object of fear, envy, and in cities that made up the American League map, occasional loathing.
Webb was not a presence in the clubhouse, save for appearances after yet another World Series victory where he could be spotted toward the back—a tall, bespectacled man with a receding hairline and a smile that revealed nothing. It was Topping who was seen at the ballpark, but then Topping, a rich kid and a dabbler, was occupied primarily with marriage, divorce, and remarriage. He did it five times, most famously to Sonja Henie, the Norwegian figure skating champion. Webb, on the other hand, was self-made, a one-time amateur ballplayer who, when illness ended his career, took up building houses in the Southwest. With the help of friends with influence, and with a reputation for finishing work on soccer jerseys
time, he expanded his business. By the time the war came, Webb landed a contract to build the internment camps where Americans of Japanese ancestry were imprisoned. If he felt bad about this, he never said so.
zm45az@yahoo.com
Thank God for Barbie. I had read a few reviews of “Toy Story 3” before seeing it, and had two main worries going in. First, that it nfl throwback jerseys
was some sort of anti-daycare (and, by extension, anti-working mother) screed; and that it might over-fetishize the relationship between a toy and a particular child, to the extent of moralizing about the need to sustain that relationship well past the point of playability. To express that second concern differently, I was afraid that I would never be able to get rid of a toy again without drama, and in a New York apartment that really is a problem. There is no “attic mode” in this town.
Happily, in addition to proving that you can look great in an astronaut suit and high heels, Barbie saves the movie (though she doesn’t do it alone; one of nfl jerseys
the points, in fact, is that most things worth doing are worth doing with others). (And I will insert a general spoiler alert here.) She, and not Buzz, or Woody, or the damaged Jessie, is the moral center of the movie. Barbie delivers the bottom-line indictment of Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear,
Authority should derive from the consent of the governed, not from the threat of force!
No truer words have been spoken, and certainly not with such pony-tailed frankness. But Barbie is not simply a vessel for others’ ideas—she’s not just a Press Secretary, or even Political Theory Professor Barbie. She acts. When she walks away from Ken and his Dreamhouse to join her friends behind bars in the Caterpillar room, with her head held high, she shows that she already knows what Woody struggles the whole movie to figure out. Buzz’s reaction to the horde of football jersey
toddlers is that more “age-appropriate” toys should be sent into their room—his cohort doesn’t belong in such a rough neighborhood. Under Barbie’s thoughtful leadership, as seen in the montage during the closing credits, a Buzz-like toy does go in, but, thanks to tag-team burden sharing and a support network—Cheerleader Barbie knows how to use a bully pulpit—makes it out in one piece. Daycare can be groovy. (On this point, I disagree with my colleague Richard Brody about the film’s message.)
was some sort of anti-daycare (and, by extension, anti-working mother) screed; and that it might over-fetishize the relationship between a toy and a particular child, to the extent of moralizing about the need to sustain that relationship well past the point of playability. To express that second concern differently, I was afraid that I would never be able to get rid of a toy again without drama, and in a New York apartment that really is a problem. There is no “attic mode” in this town.
Happily, in addition to proving that you can look great in an astronaut suit and high heels, Barbie saves the movie (though she doesn’t do it alone; one of nfl jerseys
the points, in fact, is that most things worth doing are worth doing with others). (And I will insert a general spoiler alert here.) She, and not Buzz, or Woody, or the damaged Jessie, is the moral center of the movie. Barbie delivers the bottom-line indictment of Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear,
Authority should derive from the consent of the governed, not from the threat of force!
No truer words have been spoken, and certainly not with such pony-tailed frankness. But Barbie is not simply a vessel for others’ ideas—she’s not just a Press Secretary, or even Political Theory Professor Barbie. She acts. When she walks away from Ken and his Dreamhouse to join her friends behind bars in the Caterpillar room, with her head held high, she shows that she already knows what Woody struggles the whole movie to figure out. Buzz’s reaction to the horde of football jersey
toddlers is that more “age-appropriate” toys should be sent into their room—his cohort doesn’t belong in such a rough neighborhood. Under Barbie’s thoughtful leadership, as seen in the montage during the closing credits, a Buzz-like toy does go in, but, thanks to tag-team burden sharing and a support network—Cheerleader Barbie knows how to use a bully pulpit—makes it out in one piece. Daycare can be groovy. (On this point, I disagree with my colleague Richard Brody about the film’s message.)
2010年5月15日星期六
Blue Jay bright spots
The season has been over since the all-star break, despite the spin that the Blue Jays front NFL jerseysoffice might put on things. But for three Blue Jays this has been a breakout year, the likes of which have not been seen in these parts for quite some time.
In fact, the numbers that the top third of the batting order have put together can be put up against any in baseball. Marco Scutaro, playing as a regular for the first time in his eight year career and not your prototypical lead-off man, has been nothing short of spectacular.
Playing in more games this season than he ever has, Scutaro has been the lynchpin. His numbers across the board are all career-highs, the most noticeable is that he's one run from scoring 100 on the season. No one would have dreamed that up before the season. But more importantly, no shortstop has accepted more total chances this season and his fielding percentage should get him a lot of votes for a Gold Glove. Sure, he's always been considered a journeyman from his time in Oakland, but he has shown that he's as slick a fielder as anyone in the game, playing one of the most demanding positions always with a smile on his face. The spotlight may not find him like Derek Jeter, but his numbers this season were equal or better on some levels.
For second baseman Aaron Hill, this has been the greatest comeback season in franchise history. After having his 2008 season cut short after just seven weeks when he collided with David Eckstein, resulting in a concussion that left him lethargic and nauseous for the rest of the year. No one really knew what to expect from the 27-year-old because different people respond differently to post-concussion syndrome and there really is no pattern. But Hill arrived in Dunedin this spring looking fit and trim with no lasting effects from the injury. And when you look at his numbers (.288 average, 30 doubles, 32 HR and 98 RBI) no one could have expected this level offensive output.
Despite the team crashing and burning, things could not be better on a personal level. He made his first All-Star appearance, set new career-highs and records for a Blue Jays second baseman (and remember, his numbers have eclipsed those of the great Robbie Alomar), and became a father for the first time with the birth of a daughter just over a week ago. To say these are the best of times for Hill would be an understatement and if he doesn't win the MLB Comeback Player of the Year then something is wrong.
For left fielder and designated hitter Adam Lind it's been the type of year that was hinted at last year after Cito Gaston and Gene Tenace returned to the dugout in late June of 2008. Like a sponge, Lind has soaked up any and all information that the veteran manager and hitting coach have sent his way and the proof is in the pudding. On Monday night in Detroit, Lind blasted a three-run home run off Tigers' ace Justin Verlander, giving 100 RBI for the season. You couldn't help but smile as Lind returned to the dugout to be mobbed by his teammates and the grin on his face was that of a young man who couldn't believe what he just accomplished. Remember this was the same Adam Lind that was sent back to triple-A last season after a stumbled through a 1-for-19 stretch. In fact, by his own admission, Lind thought his major league dream was now over and was preparing to become a lifer in the minors. But when Cito arrived to take over from John Gibbons he put Lind in the line-up every day and the rest his history. He becomes the 17th Blue Jay to drive in 100-plus RBI (32nd overall), joining a list of some of the franchise's all-time great hitters. All that's left for Lind this season is one more home to give him 30 and a couple of points on his batting average to reach .300 and putting the finishes on one of the most complete offensive seasons in the history of the ball club.
So, you see, as bad as this 2009 season turned out to be, there have been great performances. I know, in the end, we'll look at the standings and see the team firmly entrenched in fourth place, close to 30 games behind the high-flying Yankees and close to 20 games under .500. But for Marco Scutaro, Aaron Hill and Adam Lind this was an unforgettable campaign when they showed the world that they were among the best in the game.
TWO REASONS TO WORRY IN THE BRONX
Don't get me wrong Yankees' fans, I still see your team as the one to beat once the playoffs begin. Derek Jeter is having one of those magical seasons that have solidified his Hall of Fame credentials, CC Sabathia is likely the Cy Young award winner when it's all said and done, Mark Teixeira showed what all the fuss - and the money - was about, and Mariano Rivera showed that despite his advancing age he still one of the greatest shutdown closers in the history of the game. But for two other high profile Yankees, big questions remain. Alex Rodriguez, arguably one of the most talented players ever, still has not done squat in the post-season and needs to step up this fall. Some would say that nothing short of a Joe Carter moment - walk-off home run to win a World Series -- would ever make the fickle fans in the Bronx totally embrace A-Rod, who seems, at times, more interested in dating Madonna or Kate Hudson than he is winning baseball's ultimate prize. Then there's case of A.J. Burnett, well known in Toronto from his three-season stint as the number two man in the rotation behind Roy Halladay. No one has ever question Burnett's abilities. When he's on - and that includes mentally - there are few pitchers in the game that can match his pure 'stuff'. But when he's not focused, he's just a frustratingly average pitcher, which is the way that his first season in the Bronx has gone. After starting out 10-4, 3.53 ERA in his first 20 starts, Burnett has been slapped around pretty severely. Over his last nine starts, he's gone 1-5, 6.10 ERA, and showing, once again, why the name 'A.J. Burnett' and the phrase 'complete pitcher' will never spoken in the same sentence. Despite the way that they manhandled the opposition this season, the Yankees will not be automatic if Burnett continues to cough up these fur balls on a regular basis. I could be wrong, but after having watched every one of his starts from 2006-08, when he's bad, he's really bad and October is not the time to pitch like that. Too much is at stake.
In fact, the numbers that the top third of the batting order have put together can be put up against any in baseball. Marco Scutaro, playing as a regular for the first time in his eight year career and not your prototypical lead-off man, has been nothing short of spectacular.
Playing in more games this season than he ever has, Scutaro has been the lynchpin. His numbers across the board are all career-highs, the most noticeable is that he's one run from scoring 100 on the season. No one would have dreamed that up before the season. But more importantly, no shortstop has accepted more total chances this season and his fielding percentage should get him a lot of votes for a Gold Glove. Sure, he's always been considered a journeyman from his time in Oakland, but he has shown that he's as slick a fielder as anyone in the game, playing one of the most demanding positions always with a smile on his face. The spotlight may not find him like Derek Jeter, but his numbers this season were equal or better on some levels.
For second baseman Aaron Hill, this has been the greatest comeback season in franchise history. After having his 2008 season cut short after just seven weeks when he collided with David Eckstein, resulting in a concussion that left him lethargic and nauseous for the rest of the year. No one really knew what to expect from the 27-year-old because different people respond differently to post-concussion syndrome and there really is no pattern. But Hill arrived in Dunedin this spring looking fit and trim with no lasting effects from the injury. And when you look at his numbers (.288 average, 30 doubles, 32 HR and 98 RBI) no one could have expected this level offensive output.
Despite the team crashing and burning, things could not be better on a personal level. He made his first All-Star appearance, set new career-highs and records for a Blue Jays second baseman (and remember, his numbers have eclipsed those of the great Robbie Alomar), and became a father for the first time with the birth of a daughter just over a week ago. To say these are the best of times for Hill would be an understatement and if he doesn't win the MLB Comeback Player of the Year then something is wrong.
For left fielder and designated hitter Adam Lind it's been the type of year that was hinted at last year after Cito Gaston and Gene Tenace returned to the dugout in late June of 2008. Like a sponge, Lind has soaked up any and all information that the veteran manager and hitting coach have sent his way and the proof is in the pudding. On Monday night in Detroit, Lind blasted a three-run home run off Tigers' ace Justin Verlander, giving 100 RBI for the season. You couldn't help but smile as Lind returned to the dugout to be mobbed by his teammates and the grin on his face was that of a young man who couldn't believe what he just accomplished. Remember this was the same Adam Lind that was sent back to triple-A last season after a stumbled through a 1-for-19 stretch. In fact, by his own admission, Lind thought his major league dream was now over and was preparing to become a lifer in the minors. But when Cito arrived to take over from John Gibbons he put Lind in the line-up every day and the rest his history. He becomes the 17th Blue Jay to drive in 100-plus RBI (32nd overall), joining a list of some of the franchise's all-time great hitters. All that's left for Lind this season is one more home to give him 30 and a couple of points on his batting average to reach .300 and putting the finishes on one of the most complete offensive seasons in the history of the ball club.
So, you see, as bad as this 2009 season turned out to be, there have been great performances. I know, in the end, we'll look at the standings and see the team firmly entrenched in fourth place, close to 30 games behind the high-flying Yankees and close to 20 games under .500. But for Marco Scutaro, Aaron Hill and Adam Lind this was an unforgettable campaign when they showed the world that they were among the best in the game.
TWO REASONS TO WORRY IN THE BRONX
Don't get me wrong Yankees' fans, I still see your team as the one to beat once the playoffs begin. Derek Jeter is having one of those magical seasons that have solidified his Hall of Fame credentials, CC Sabathia is likely the Cy Young award winner when it's all said and done, Mark Teixeira showed what all the fuss - and the money - was about, and Mariano Rivera showed that despite his advancing age he still one of the greatest shutdown closers in the history of the game. But for two other high profile Yankees, big questions remain. Alex Rodriguez, arguably one of the most talented players ever, still has not done squat in the post-season and needs to step up this fall. Some would say that nothing short of a Joe Carter moment - walk-off home run to win a World Series -- would ever make the fickle fans in the Bronx totally embrace A-Rod, who seems, at times, more interested in dating Madonna or Kate Hudson than he is winning baseball's ultimate prize. Then there's case of A.J. Burnett, well known in Toronto from his three-season stint as the number two man in the rotation behind Roy Halladay. No one has ever question Burnett's abilities. When he's on - and that includes mentally - there are few pitchers in the game that can match his pure 'stuff'. But when he's not focused, he's just a frustratingly average pitcher, which is the way that his first season in the Bronx has gone. After starting out 10-4, 3.53 ERA in his first 20 starts, Burnett has been slapped around pretty severely. Over his last nine starts, he's gone 1-5, 6.10 ERA, and showing, once again, why the name 'A.J. Burnett' and the phrase 'complete pitcher' will never spoken in the same sentence. Despite the way that they manhandled the opposition this season, the Yankees will not be automatic if Burnett continues to cough up these fur balls on a regular basis. I could be wrong, but after having watched every one of his starts from 2006-08, when he's bad, he's really bad and October is not the time to pitch like that. Too much is at stake.
2010年5月14日星期五
Life after Doc
The departure of Doc has left the NHL Jerseys Jays' rotation with a massive hole, and make no mistake it will take more than just one starter to pick up the slack. The Jays currently have no one on the staff with the skills (or tenacity) to win 15-20 games, pitch close to 240 innings and face the full 27 batters at least seven times a year.
If the season were to start today, the Blue Jays starting rotation would be Shaun Marcum, Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, Marc Rzepczynski and Brett Cecil. The average age of this fivesome is 25, and they have combined to make just 136 major league starts. There, likely, won't be a more inexperienced rotation in the majors next season. And remember, the supposed ace of the staff, Marcum, has not thrown a meaningful pitch since September of 2008, when his elbow failed and he underwent Tommy John surgery.
There's no way to candy coat this, folks. Phrases like "growing pains" and "work in progress" will be used early and often when the team reassembles in Florida next February. Forget the spin that the front office will try and put on this; the Blue Jays are in rebuilding mode.
The removal of Halladay from the 2010 equation guaranteed that next season would be a very tough sell to a Toronto sporting public mired in losing seasons from all its professional sports teams. The small crowds that showed up post-Labour Day last season will likely become the norm next season while the fans try and figure out just where this team fits in the grand scheme of things. That's not necessarily a bad thing; as the old saying goes: It always darkest before the dawn. Well, the trading of Halladay, the best pitcher ever drafted and developed by the franchise, definitely represented the most recent low point in club history.
Now that the media conferences are over and the full page newspaper ads are in the blue box it's time for the Toronto Blue Jays to start the preparations for life after Roy Halladay.
Dave Stieb, Jimmy Key and Carlos Delgado all left, but it never hurt like this.
I, for one, am going to take a 'wait and see' approach. There is still time to add a top of the rotation starter to help eat up all the innings that Halladay annually kept away from the bullpen. I was hoping that Anthopoulos was going to take a shot at landing Javier Vazquez or Jason Marquis to fill that massive void, but the Yankees threw together a package that the Jays could only dream of for Vazquez and the Nationals found the money to sign Marquis to a two-year, $15 million.
Three names that still fit the bill are Justin Duchscherer, Braden Looper or Joel Pineiro, but they will come at a cost and are being pursued by teams willing to outspend the cost conscious Blue Jays.
So, we'll wait and see what is coming next. But in my humble opinion, replacing those massive Halladay innings is far from being resolved.
But the acquisition of Kyle Drabek, Travis d'Arnaud and Brett Wallace is exactly what was needed for a franchise devoid of top prospects. Yes, I realize that Alex Anthopoulos was part of Ricciardi's posse, but the fact that Paul Beeston hand-picked the 32-year-old Canadian to rebuild the franchise gives reason for optimism. Beeston, along with Pat Gillick, assembled the original Blue Jays teams from expansion to perennial playoff contender and everyone involved - including the fans whose patience is being stretched dangerously thin - is hoping that the magic can return.
If the season were to start today, the Blue Jays starting rotation would be Shaun Marcum, Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, Marc Rzepczynski and Brett Cecil. The average age of this fivesome is 25, and they have combined to make just 136 major league starts. There, likely, won't be a more inexperienced rotation in the majors next season. And remember, the supposed ace of the staff, Marcum, has not thrown a meaningful pitch since September of 2008, when his elbow failed and he underwent Tommy John surgery.
There's no way to candy coat this, folks. Phrases like "growing pains" and "work in progress" will be used early and often when the team reassembles in Florida next February. Forget the spin that the front office will try and put on this; the Blue Jays are in rebuilding mode.
The removal of Halladay from the 2010 equation guaranteed that next season would be a very tough sell to a Toronto sporting public mired in losing seasons from all its professional sports teams. The small crowds that showed up post-Labour Day last season will likely become the norm next season while the fans try and figure out just where this team fits in the grand scheme of things. That's not necessarily a bad thing; as the old saying goes: It always darkest before the dawn. Well, the trading of Halladay, the best pitcher ever drafted and developed by the franchise, definitely represented the most recent low point in club history.
Now that the media conferences are over and the full page newspaper ads are in the blue box it's time for the Toronto Blue Jays to start the preparations for life after Roy Halladay.
Dave Stieb, Jimmy Key and Carlos Delgado all left, but it never hurt like this.
I, for one, am going to take a 'wait and see' approach. There is still time to add a top of the rotation starter to help eat up all the innings that Halladay annually kept away from the bullpen. I was hoping that Anthopoulos was going to take a shot at landing Javier Vazquez or Jason Marquis to fill that massive void, but the Yankees threw together a package that the Jays could only dream of for Vazquez and the Nationals found the money to sign Marquis to a two-year, $15 million.
Three names that still fit the bill are Justin Duchscherer, Braden Looper or Joel Pineiro, but they will come at a cost and are being pursued by teams willing to outspend the cost conscious Blue Jays.
So, we'll wait and see what is coming next. But in my humble opinion, replacing those massive Halladay innings is far from being resolved.
But the acquisition of Kyle Drabek, Travis d'Arnaud and Brett Wallace is exactly what was needed for a franchise devoid of top prospects. Yes, I realize that Alex Anthopoulos was part of Ricciardi's posse, but the fact that Paul Beeston hand-picked the 32-year-old Canadian to rebuild the franchise gives reason for optimism. Beeston, along with Pat Gillick, assembled the original Blue Jays teams from expansion to perennial playoff contender and everyone involved - including the fans whose patience is being stretched dangerously thin - is hoping that the magic can return.
2010年5月11日星期二
View from the cheap seats
If you recall, when Colby Armstrong was with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he and a few of his teammates picked up magic as a hobby.
"Hi, I'm Colby Armstrong, the newest Hockeycentral panel member and I used to be Sidney Crosby's roommate."
Big freaking deal Mr. Name Dropper. So you are tight with the best player in the planet. How does that help us in this series?
If I want to know what kind of toothpaste Sidney uses or if Alex Ovechkin really pranks Crosby in hotels around the league, Armstrong would be a perfect fit.
But I learned many years ago, never to complain in this business. So I went off in search of an extra seat in the secondary auxiliary press area.
In case you are wondering, the secondary auxiliary press area is where the NHL puts the misfits of the media. Radio stations you've never heard of, magazines that end in ".com" and reporters from overseas all converge in this Bermuda Triangle.
I'm sure when I pulled into the area, everyone thought I was a Spanish reporter here to cover my first Stanley Cup Finals.
I had half a mind of saying, "Crosby has been berry, berry good tonight."
But the problem was, I actually couldn't really see if Crosby was berry, berry good, because the seats in the secondary auxiliary press box have obstructed views.
As a result, I ended up watching the game on the NBC feed. It's actually the first time I've ever watched a playoff game on NBC and it was a real eye-opener for me. I had no idea that the network did so many In the end, it was a bizarre evening for me. With the Penguins winning Game 3, that ensures we return to Joe Louis Arena for Game 5, where I have a guaranteed seat in the press box.
I never thought I'd actually see the day where I was looking forward to a trip to Detroit. Colby Armstrong - you really can perform magic.
cross-promotions within the broadcasts.
For example, did you know that when Sidney Crosby is behind the net with the puck, Mike Emrick is contractually obliged to say, "Sidney is in The Office - which airs Thursdays at 9pm."
I also found it a little strange that they always referred to the extra players as "Scrubs". And I swear I heard Ed Olczyk say, "Pittsburgh has lost some toughness with George La-30 Rock out of the lineup."
Well he certainly has a gift in that realm because last night --Armstrong made me disappear.
I was asked by my producer to give up my normal seat in press row at Mellon Arena so that Armstrong could sit beside our Hockeycentral panel crew of Nick Kypreos, John Garrett and Daren Millard.
I just want to know what Armstrong is bringing to the equation that warrants me getting bumped.
On a side note, this is a reminder to Fox that they shouldn't have given up on the NHL. Imagine the cross-promotions they NHL Jerseys could have done for "Malkin In The Middle?"
"Hi, I'm Colby Armstrong, the newest Hockeycentral panel member and I used to be Sidney Crosby's roommate."
Big freaking deal Mr. Name Dropper. So you are tight with the best player in the planet. How does that help us in this series?
If I want to know what kind of toothpaste Sidney uses or if Alex Ovechkin really pranks Crosby in hotels around the league, Armstrong would be a perfect fit.
But I learned many years ago, never to complain in this business. So I went off in search of an extra seat in the secondary auxiliary press area.
In case you are wondering, the secondary auxiliary press area is where the NHL puts the misfits of the media. Radio stations you've never heard of, magazines that end in ".com" and reporters from overseas all converge in this Bermuda Triangle.
I'm sure when I pulled into the area, everyone thought I was a Spanish reporter here to cover my first Stanley Cup Finals.
I had half a mind of saying, "Crosby has been berry, berry good tonight."
But the problem was, I actually couldn't really see if Crosby was berry, berry good, because the seats in the secondary auxiliary press box have obstructed views.
As a result, I ended up watching the game on the NBC feed. It's actually the first time I've ever watched a playoff game on NBC and it was a real eye-opener for me. I had no idea that the network did so many In the end, it was a bizarre evening for me. With the Penguins winning Game 3, that ensures we return to Joe Louis Arena for Game 5, where I have a guaranteed seat in the press box.
I never thought I'd actually see the day where I was looking forward to a trip to Detroit. Colby Armstrong - you really can perform magic.
cross-promotions within the broadcasts.
For example, did you know that when Sidney Crosby is behind the net with the puck, Mike Emrick is contractually obliged to say, "Sidney is in The Office - which airs Thursdays at 9pm."
I also found it a little strange that they always referred to the extra players as "Scrubs". And I swear I heard Ed Olczyk say, "Pittsburgh has lost some toughness with George La-30 Rock out of the lineup."
Well he certainly has a gift in that realm because last night --Armstrong made me disappear.
I was asked by my producer to give up my normal seat in press row at Mellon Arena so that Armstrong could sit beside our Hockeycentral panel crew of Nick Kypreos, John Garrett and Daren Millard.
I just want to know what Armstrong is bringing to the equation that warrants me getting bumped.
On a side note, this is a reminder to Fox that they shouldn't have given up on the NHL. Imagine the cross-promotions they NHL Jerseys could have done for "Malkin In The Middle?"
2010年5月10日星期一
Slumdog beat reporter
Earlier this week, Dean herded a good chunk of the Soccer jerseys Ottawa media into his office at Scotiabank Place and showed them the video clip.
And much to my chagrin, every single person agreed with Dean that I am a stunt-double for this guy. It was one of those totally politically incorrect moments where a bunch of people stand around laughing at a minority.
Now I'd like to think I look nothing like this guy. I even showed my wife the video clip and she said I didn't look like him at all. (On a total side note, I showed my wife the video clip on my netbook with a tiny screen).
So I'd like you the unbiased sports fan to be the judge. Do I look like this guy? He appears at the 0:55 mark and again at 1:38. But be prepared, he only appears for a couple of seconds at a time.
Personally, I'd like to think I look more like a young Tony Batista in his prime. I'm talking about the Batista who hit 41 homers with Toronto, not the Batista who managed just two long balls in his last year in the majors.
Right now, I have a running feud with Dean Brown and I'm trying my best to hide it. When I opened the broadcast last night, I wanted to say "With more on this game, let's send it upstairs to the talented Garry Galley - and that other guy."
Why the animosity towards one of the best play-by-play men in the game?
Simple.
Dean Brown thinks I look like a guy who appears in a music video for a song that was a big hit in Slumdog Millionaire.
And much to my chagrin, every single person agreed with Dean that I am a stunt-double for this guy. It was one of those totally politically incorrect moments where a bunch of people stand around laughing at a minority.
Now I'd like to think I look nothing like this guy. I even showed my wife the video clip and she said I didn't look like him at all. (On a total side note, I showed my wife the video clip on my netbook with a tiny screen).
So I'd like you the unbiased sports fan to be the judge. Do I look like this guy? He appears at the 0:55 mark and again at 1:38. But be prepared, he only appears for a couple of seconds at a time.
Personally, I'd like to think I look more like a young Tony Batista in his prime. I'm talking about the Batista who hit 41 homers with Toronto, not the Batista who managed just two long balls in his last year in the majors.
Right now, I have a running feud with Dean Brown and I'm trying my best to hide it. When I opened the broadcast last night, I wanted to say "With more on this game, let's send it upstairs to the talented Garry Galley - and that other guy."
Why the animosity towards one of the best play-by-play men in the game?
Simple.
Dean Brown thinks I look like a guy who appears in a music video for a song that was a big hit in Slumdog Millionaire.
2010年5月9日星期日
Kings rally from 3 goals down to beat Ducks in SO
Teemu Selanne scored two goals for the Ducks, who weren't officially out of the playoff race until moments before the shootout began. That's when the Colorado Avalanche won their own shootout against Vancouver to eliminate Anaheim.
After Williams trimmed the Ducks' lead to 4-3 with 12:04 to play, Los Angeles evened it with its first rush after goalie Erik Ersberg left the net. Williams chipped a pass from the wall and past Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer to Handzus, who poked it home for his 19th goal.
Jack Johnson and Kopitar scored in the shootout, while Ersberg stopped Selanne and Saku Koivu.
Alexander Frolov and captain Dustin Brown also scored for the Kings, who pulled goalie Jonathan Quick after the franchise's single-season wins leader yielded three goals on eight shots in the first 22:01. Ersberg made 12 saves in relief for the Kings, who clinched a playoff berth two nights ago with Calgary's loss to Chicago.
Bobby Ryan and Jason Blake each had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who seemed to be cruising to their ninth victory in 12 games before the evening fell apart _ just like the season of a club that couldn't make the playoffs with eight Olympians in its lineup.
While Los Angeles is headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, Anaheim will be home for the first time since before the NHL work stoppage in 2004-05.
Selanne scored his 604th and 605th career goals to extend a late surge in what the Finnish forward says is likely his final NHL season. He has five goals in the Ducks' last four games, moving within three goals of Dino Ciccarelli for 16th place on the league's career goal-scoring list.
Ducks backup goalie Curtis McElhinney made 36 saves. Anaheim played its sixth straight game without star center Ryan Getzlaf, who has a sprained left ankle, and goalie Jonas Hiller, who has back spasms.
Early in the second period, Quick and Kings defenseman Randy Jones handed Anaheim its third goal by horribly botching an exchange behind the net, sending the puck straight to Ryan in front for his 32nd goal while Quick still was behind the net.
NOTES: Getzlaf says he still intends to try to play on his injured ankle in the Ducks' final three regular-season games. He played through the injury while helping Canada to a gold medal in the Vancouver Olympics, but has aggravated the injury several times since. ... Los Angeles last overcame a three-goal deficit Feb. 6 against Detroit. ... Anaheim ended the Kings' nine-game winning streak with a 4-2 victory in Los Angeles' last trip down the I-5 to Orange County on Feb. 8.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Michal Handzus tied it with 1:09 left in regulation to cap the Kings' rally from a three-goal deficit, and Anze Kopitar scored the decisive shootout goal in Los Angeles' 5-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
Justin Williams had a goal and an assist in the third period for the playoff-bound Kings, who trailed 4-1 late in the second period before rallying for their fourth win in six games against Anaheim in the annual Freeway Faceoff.
Brown batted home his own rebound midway through the second period to get the Kings going, but Selanne ripped a power-play goal past Ersberg before Frolov trimmed the Ducks' lead to World Cup Soccer Jersey 4-2 entering the third.
After Williams trimmed the Ducks' lead to 4-3 with 12:04 to play, Los Angeles evened it with its first rush after goalie Erik Ersberg left the net. Williams chipped a pass from the wall and past Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer to Handzus, who poked it home for his 19th goal.
Jack Johnson and Kopitar scored in the shootout, while Ersberg stopped Selanne and Saku Koivu.
Alexander Frolov and captain Dustin Brown also scored for the Kings, who pulled goalie Jonathan Quick after the franchise's single-season wins leader yielded three goals on eight shots in the first 22:01. Ersberg made 12 saves in relief for the Kings, who clinched a playoff berth two nights ago with Calgary's loss to Chicago.
Bobby Ryan and Jason Blake each had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who seemed to be cruising to their ninth victory in 12 games before the evening fell apart _ just like the season of a club that couldn't make the playoffs with eight Olympians in its lineup.
While Los Angeles is headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, Anaheim will be home for the first time since before the NHL work stoppage in 2004-05.
Selanne scored his 604th and 605th career goals to extend a late surge in what the Finnish forward says is likely his final NHL season. He has five goals in the Ducks' last four games, moving within three goals of Dino Ciccarelli for 16th place on the league's career goal-scoring list.
Ducks backup goalie Curtis McElhinney made 36 saves. Anaheim played its sixth straight game without star center Ryan Getzlaf, who has a sprained left ankle, and goalie Jonas Hiller, who has back spasms.
Early in the second period, Quick and Kings defenseman Randy Jones handed Anaheim its third goal by horribly botching an exchange behind the net, sending the puck straight to Ryan in front for his 32nd goal while Quick still was behind the net.
NOTES: Getzlaf says he still intends to try to play on his injured ankle in the Ducks' final three regular-season games. He played through the injury while helping Canada to a gold medal in the Vancouver Olympics, but has aggravated the injury several times since. ... Los Angeles last overcame a three-goal deficit Feb. 6 against Detroit. ... Anaheim ended the Kings' nine-game winning streak with a 4-2 victory in Los Angeles' last trip down the I-5 to Orange County on Feb. 8.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Michal Handzus tied it with 1:09 left in regulation to cap the Kings' rally from a three-goal deficit, and Anze Kopitar scored the decisive shootout goal in Los Angeles' 5-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
Justin Williams had a goal and an assist in the third period for the playoff-bound Kings, who trailed 4-1 late in the second period before rallying for their fourth win in six games against Anaheim in the annual Freeway Faceoff.
Brown batted home his own rebound midway through the second period to get the Kings going, but Selanne ripped a power-play goal past Ersberg before Frolov trimmed the Ducks' lead to World Cup Soccer Jersey 4-2 entering the third.
2010年5月8日星期六
Stars will not re-sign Turco after 9 seasons
Turco was 21-26 in the World Cup Soccer Jersey playoffs for the Stars, including four shutouts. Three of those shutouts came in one series, in the first round of the 2007 playoffs against Vancouver when he had a .952 save percentage. The Stars were still knocked out in seven games.
"I want to thank Marty for 10 years of service here," Nieuwendyk said. "He's a friend, he's been a terrific competitor and a fan favorite. He has a lot to be proud of."
In 53 games this season, Turco posted a 22-20-11 record. He had a .913 save percentage and 2.72 GAA.
The 26-year-old Lehtonen, a native of Finland, was coming back from two back surgeries and had not played this season when acquired by the Stars. He appeared in 12 games for Dallas with a .911 save percentage and 2.81 GAA.
Lehtonen was the second overall pick by Atlanta in the 2002 draft.
DALLAS (AP) - Goaltender Marty Turco's time with the Dallas Stars is over.
General manager Joe Nieuwendyk said Tuesday that the Stars will not re-sign Turco, a three-time All-Star who just completed his ninth season with the team.
"I just felt like it was time we went in a different direction," said Nieuwendyk, a former teammate of Turco's who became GM last summer. "I think he clearly understands the situation."
Kari Lehtonen, acquired from Atlanta in February, will go into next season as the team's top goaltender.
The 34-year-old Turco just completed a $22.8 million, four-year contract he signed in January 2006 that kept him from becoming a free agent at the end of that season.
Turco holds the Stars franchise record with 509 games played as a goaltender, winning 262 games with a .911 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average. He had 40 shutouts.
In 2002-03, his first as the starting goalie, he set a modern NHL record with a 1.72 GAA, a mark that has since been broken.
"I want to thank Marty for 10 years of service here," Nieuwendyk said. "He's a friend, he's been a terrific competitor and a fan favorite. He has a lot to be proud of."
In 53 games this season, Turco posted a 22-20-11 record. He had a .913 save percentage and 2.72 GAA.
The 26-year-old Lehtonen, a native of Finland, was coming back from two back surgeries and had not played this season when acquired by the Stars. He appeared in 12 games for Dallas with a .911 save percentage and 2.81 GAA.
Lehtonen was the second overall pick by Atlanta in the 2002 draft.
DALLAS (AP) - Goaltender Marty Turco's time with the Dallas Stars is over.
General manager Joe Nieuwendyk said Tuesday that the Stars will not re-sign Turco, a three-time All-Star who just completed his ninth season with the team.
"I just felt like it was time we went in a different direction," said Nieuwendyk, a former teammate of Turco's who became GM last summer. "I think he clearly understands the situation."
Kari Lehtonen, acquired from Atlanta in February, will go into next season as the team's top goaltender.
The 34-year-old Turco just completed a $22.8 million, four-year contract he signed in January 2006 that kept him from becoming a free agent at the end of that season.
Turco holds the Stars franchise record with 509 games played as a goaltender, winning 262 games with a .911 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average. He had 40 shutouts.
In 2002-03, his first as the starting goalie, he set a modern NHL record with a 1.72 GAA, a mark that has since been broken.
2010年5月7日星期五
Predators rally past Blues. 3-2
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Dustin Boyd scored his second goal of the game 48 seconds after teammate Patric Hornqvist tied it late in the third period, helping the Nashville Predators beat the soccer jerseys St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Sunday night.
Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo had a goal and assist for the Blues, who fell to an NHL-worst 12-18-5 at home with a setback that could be devastating to faint playoff hopes. They were 9-3 in the previous 12 games, but remained six points out of the final Western Conference spot with 10 games to go.
David Perron put the Blues ahead early in the third, swatting in a backhander.
Colaiacovo's power-play goal in the first period ended Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne's shutout streak at 149:04, including 1-0 victories over Columbus Saturday and 5-0 over Minnesota on Thursday. Rinne made 59 saves before the goal.
Boyd added his first goal in nine games since being acquired from Calgary on the trade deadline to tie it at 1 late in the second period.
Nashville outshot the Blues 39-25 and carried play much of the final two periods with a combined 29-13 advantage. That made things easier on Rinne.
Alex Steen assisted on both St. Louis goals and has 19 points in 19 games.
Hornqvist scored his team-leading 28th goal on a rebound with 3:34 left, and Boyd also converted a rebound with 2:46 remaining after a Blues player diverted the puck to his stick off Martin Erat's centering pass from behind the net.'
NOTES: Predators F Jason Arnott (blow to head) and Blues D Roman Polak (shoulder) were among the scratches. Both were injured Saturday. ... Colaiacovo's goal was his fifth of the season and first since Dec. 29, also against Nashville at home. ... The Blues sold out their 28th game on free-food night, with fans helping themselves to hot dogs, chicken fingers, popcorn and soft drinks.
Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo had a goal and assist for the Blues, who fell to an NHL-worst 12-18-5 at home with a setback that could be devastating to faint playoff hopes. They were 9-3 in the previous 12 games, but remained six points out of the final Western Conference spot with 10 games to go.
David Perron put the Blues ahead early in the third, swatting in a backhander.
Colaiacovo's power-play goal in the first period ended Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne's shutout streak at 149:04, including 1-0 victories over Columbus Saturday and 5-0 over Minnesota on Thursday. Rinne made 59 saves before the goal.
Boyd added his first goal in nine games since being acquired from Calgary on the trade deadline to tie it at 1 late in the second period.
Nashville outshot the Blues 39-25 and carried play much of the final two periods with a combined 29-13 advantage. That made things easier on Rinne.
Alex Steen assisted on both St. Louis goals and has 19 points in 19 games.
Hornqvist scored his team-leading 28th goal on a rebound with 3:34 left, and Boyd also converted a rebound with 2:46 remaining after a Blues player diverted the puck to his stick off Martin Erat's centering pass from behind the net.'
NOTES: Predators F Jason Arnott (blow to head) and Blues D Roman Polak (shoulder) were among the scratches. Both were injured Saturday. ... Colaiacovo's goal was his fifth of the season and first since Dec. 29, also against Nashville at home. ... The Blues sold out their 28th game on free-food night, with fans helping themselves to hot dogs, chicken fingers, popcorn and soft drinks.
2010年5月6日星期四
Hurricanes beat Capitals in shootout
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Chad LaRose scored in the fifth round of soccer jerseys a shootout to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday night.
The contest marked the first time three rookie defensemen have scored goals in a game since Toronto and Chicago did it on March 8, 1947.
Carolina rookies Jamie McBain and Bryan Rodney had first-period goals, and Washington rookie defenseman John Carlson also connected.
Alexander Semin also scored for the Capitals.
Washington outshot the Hurricanes 43-31.
Manny Legace was the winner in goal, while Semyon Varlamov took the loss.
Carolina took the lead at 2:11 of the first on a power-play goal from McBain, who beat Varlamov on a one-timer from the high slot. McBain has points in five of his first six NHL games.
Rodney doubled Carolina's lead at 9:09 when he scored from the slot on an even-strength rush for his first NHL goal.
Semin got Washington on the board at 1:43 of the second with a five-hole goal from between the circles for his 35th goal of the season. It was his 23rd goal in 29 career games against Carolina.
Carlson tied it at 2:12 of the third, beating Legace on an even-strength rush for his first NHL goal in his 46 games.
NOTES: Rookie defenseman Drayson Bowman was recalled from Albany of the American Hockey League. ... Washington has a club-record 109 points.
The contest marked the first time three rookie defensemen have scored goals in a game since Toronto and Chicago did it on March 8, 1947.
Carolina rookies Jamie McBain and Bryan Rodney had first-period goals, and Washington rookie defenseman John Carlson also connected.
Alexander Semin also scored for the Capitals.
Washington outshot the Hurricanes 43-31.
Manny Legace was the winner in goal, while Semyon Varlamov took the loss.
Carolina took the lead at 2:11 of the first on a power-play goal from McBain, who beat Varlamov on a one-timer from the high slot. McBain has points in five of his first six NHL games.
Rodney doubled Carolina's lead at 9:09 when he scored from the slot on an even-strength rush for his first NHL goal.
Semin got Washington on the board at 1:43 of the second with a five-hole goal from between the circles for his 35th goal of the season. It was his 23rd goal in 29 career games against Carolina.
Carlson tied it at 2:12 of the third, beating Legace on an even-strength rush for his first NHL goal in his 46 games.
NOTES: Rookie defenseman Drayson Bowman was recalled from Albany of the American Hockey League. ... Washington has a club-record 109 points.
2010年5月5日星期三
Caps hold on to beat Blue Jackets 3-2
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Alexander Semin, soccer jerseys Tomas Fleischmann and Mike Green scored first-period goals and that was enough for Jose Theodore as the Washington Capitals beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 on Saturday night.
Theodore had 34 saves and improved to 18-0-3 with a goals-against average under 2.70 since Jan. 13, extending his own Capitals record for decisions without a regulation loss.
Washington set a franchise record with its 51st win of the season. The victory also drew the Capitals nearer to clinching the Presidents' Trophy for the best record in the NHL. They need only another win or a San Jose loss to grab that trophy for the first time _ and home ice throughout the playoffs.
Antoine Vermette had two goals and Rick Nash two assists for the Blue Jackets.
The Caps added to their franchise record for points in a season (114) and also set a new mark for road wins (23).
The Caps led 3-1 for almost 40 minutes until Vermette picked up his second goal of the night off Nash's feed from the back wall to Vermette, alone in the slot.
Theodore made several strong saves in the waning moments, the Caps preserving the lead when R.J. Umberger's shot slid just wide of the far post with 3 minutes left.
The vaunted Washington offense, the most prolific in the league at 3.80 goals per game, flexed its muscles three times in the opening period.
After Theodore turned aside a couple of quality Columbus chances in the opening minutes, Semin took a short bump pass from Brooks Laich, settled the puck and rocketed a shot past goalie Mathieu Garon for his 38th of the year.
Garon was knocked to the ice by former teammate Jason Chimera _ traded by Columbus to the Capitals in a December deal _ with the Blue Jackets' Anton Stralman picking up a penalty on the play. Garon was on the ice for several minutes before play resumed.
Just seconds after that power play ended, the Capitals struck again when Eric Fehr dug the puck off the back wall with a blind behind-the-back pass to Mike Knuble, who then saucered a setup pass for Fleischmann.
That was it for Garon, who had two saves on four shots. He was replaced by Steve Mason, held out of the lineup while recovering from a slight shoulder injury sustained in a 3-2 loss at Detroit on Thursday night. Mason finished with 22 saves on 23 chances.
The Capitals made it 3-0 on a 5-on-3 advantage, Green scoring unassisted on a hard slap shot from the top of the right circle. The goal gave him a career-best 74 points.
But the Blue Jackets got on the board at the end of that two-man disadvantage. Nash chipped the puck away from defenseman Joe Corvo between the penalty boxes, then swooped up the right wing. He waited for a sliding Corvo to clear out of the way before feeding Vermette for a jam shot for his 26th goal.
The Capitals, unlike the Blue Jackets, were able to kill a lengthy 5-on-3. Columbus had almost 1 1/2 minutes with two extra men in the second period, but never really threatened.
NOTES: With just one goal in his last six games, Alexander Ovechkin remains stuck on 133 career goals at home and 133 on the road. He didn't have a shot in the first two periods and finished with two. ... Umberger's six-game points streak came to an end. ... Columbus RW Derek Dorsett played in his 100th NHL game.
Theodore had 34 saves and improved to 18-0-3 with a goals-against average under 2.70 since Jan. 13, extending his own Capitals record for decisions without a regulation loss.
Washington set a franchise record with its 51st win of the season. The victory also drew the Capitals nearer to clinching the Presidents' Trophy for the best record in the NHL. They need only another win or a San Jose loss to grab that trophy for the first time _ and home ice throughout the playoffs.
Antoine Vermette had two goals and Rick Nash two assists for the Blue Jackets.
The Caps added to their franchise record for points in a season (114) and also set a new mark for road wins (23).
The Caps led 3-1 for almost 40 minutes until Vermette picked up his second goal of the night off Nash's feed from the back wall to Vermette, alone in the slot.
Theodore made several strong saves in the waning moments, the Caps preserving the lead when R.J. Umberger's shot slid just wide of the far post with 3 minutes left.
The vaunted Washington offense, the most prolific in the league at 3.80 goals per game, flexed its muscles three times in the opening period.
After Theodore turned aside a couple of quality Columbus chances in the opening minutes, Semin took a short bump pass from Brooks Laich, settled the puck and rocketed a shot past goalie Mathieu Garon for his 38th of the year.
Garon was knocked to the ice by former teammate Jason Chimera _ traded by Columbus to the Capitals in a December deal _ with the Blue Jackets' Anton Stralman picking up a penalty on the play. Garon was on the ice for several minutes before play resumed.
Just seconds after that power play ended, the Capitals struck again when Eric Fehr dug the puck off the back wall with a blind behind-the-back pass to Mike Knuble, who then saucered a setup pass for Fleischmann.
That was it for Garon, who had two saves on four shots. He was replaced by Steve Mason, held out of the lineup while recovering from a slight shoulder injury sustained in a 3-2 loss at Detroit on Thursday night. Mason finished with 22 saves on 23 chances.
The Capitals made it 3-0 on a 5-on-3 advantage, Green scoring unassisted on a hard slap shot from the top of the right circle. The goal gave him a career-best 74 points.
But the Blue Jackets got on the board at the end of that two-man disadvantage. Nash chipped the puck away from defenseman Joe Corvo between the penalty boxes, then swooped up the right wing. He waited for a sliding Corvo to clear out of the way before feeding Vermette for a jam shot for his 26th goal.
The Capitals, unlike the Blue Jackets, were able to kill a lengthy 5-on-3. Columbus had almost 1 1/2 minutes with two extra men in the second period, but never really threatened.
NOTES: With just one goal in his last six games, Alexander Ovechkin remains stuck on 133 career goals at home and 133 on the road. He didn't have a shot in the first two periods and finished with two. ... Umberger's six-game points streak came to an end. ... Columbus RW Derek Dorsett played in his 100th NHL game.
2010年5月4日星期二
The Desert Foxes outrun the Pharaohs
El Merreikh Stadium, located in Khartoum Sudan, had the privilege of hosting the only world cup qualifying play off game played on African soil. The eagerly anticipated match between Egypt and Algeria would see the winner walk away with a ticket that would allow that country to enter South Africa for the 2010 FIFA world cup.
Algeria, popularly known as the desert foxes, managed to get the better of the Egyptians when they won by a solitary goal. The goal was scored towards the end of the first half by Antar Yahia superb rocketing shot, which almost ripped the roof of the net.
With both teams jointly sharing 13 points at the top of the group standing, a playoff was to decide who was going to South Africa. Five months ago, at Mustapha Tchaker stadium Algeria had beat Egypt 3-1. However, the second leg played last weekend, favored the home team where Egypt won by two goals at the intimidating Cairo International Stadium.
In the 1980s the Algerians were a force to recon with. They represented Africa in 1982 and 1986 world cup and in 1990 they won the African Nations cup as the host country. The only disappointment was the fact that they couldn’t compete in that year’s world cup, held in Italy, because Egypt had denied them a chance. Since then, Algerian football has never come back to international limelight. The win against their bitter rivals could perhaps send hopeful signal on what the future holds for them.
Egypt, widely known as the pharaohs, was the first African country to take part in the world cup. Although they are the reigning African Nations cup champions and with no doubt one of the best African football nations they are yet to translate this continental success to international glory. As fate would have it, they now find themselves feeling what the Algerians felt when they trounced over them 19 years ago.
The two North African giants will renew their rivalry in Angola next year where they will be featuring in the African Nations Cup. Until then, Algeria will just be NBA jerseyspartying.
Algeria, popularly known as the desert foxes, managed to get the better of the Egyptians when they won by a solitary goal. The goal was scored towards the end of the first half by Antar Yahia superb rocketing shot, which almost ripped the roof of the net.
With both teams jointly sharing 13 points at the top of the group standing, a playoff was to decide who was going to South Africa. Five months ago, at Mustapha Tchaker stadium Algeria had beat Egypt 3-1. However, the second leg played last weekend, favored the home team where Egypt won by two goals at the intimidating Cairo International Stadium.
In the 1980s the Algerians were a force to recon with. They represented Africa in 1982 and 1986 world cup and in 1990 they won the African Nations cup as the host country. The only disappointment was the fact that they couldn’t compete in that year’s world cup, held in Italy, because Egypt had denied them a chance. Since then, Algerian football has never come back to international limelight. The win against their bitter rivals could perhaps send hopeful signal on what the future holds for them.
Egypt, widely known as the pharaohs, was the first African country to take part in the world cup. Although they are the reigning African Nations cup champions and with no doubt one of the best African football nations they are yet to translate this continental success to international glory. As fate would have it, they now find themselves feeling what the Algerians felt when they trounced over them 19 years ago.
The two North African giants will renew their rivalry in Angola next year where they will be featuring in the African Nations Cup. Until then, Algeria will just be NBA jerseyspartying.
2010年5月2日星期日
GERMANY
NFL jerseys
It was the weekend everybody had been waiting for as Leverkusen failed to claim all three points, allowing all-conquering Bayern to close the gap at the top. Now it is simply goal difference, after Leverkusen drew 1-1 at Bochum, with Bayern winning 3-1 at champions Wolfsburg. With Franck Ribery back, and on the scoresheet, it is hard to know what will stop Bayern.
In fact all of the top five clubs, bar Bayern, failed to win this weekend, with Ruud van Nistelrooy's debut for Hamburger SV not even enough to inspire them as they drew 3-3 with FC Koln who fought back from being two goals down with quarter of an hour to go.
Elsewhere, Werder finally ended their losing streak with a 2-1 win over bottom-club Hertha on Friday, while Christian Gross's VfB Stuttgart continue to surge with their fifth consecutive win over Nurnberg. Hannover 96, on the other hand, are struggling in 16th having lost their last six and not won since October.
It was the weekend everybody had been waiting for as Leverkusen failed to claim all three points, allowing all-conquering Bayern to close the gap at the top. Now it is simply goal difference, after Leverkusen drew 1-1 at Bochum, with Bayern winning 3-1 at champions Wolfsburg. With Franck Ribery back, and on the scoresheet, it is hard to know what will stop Bayern.
In fact all of the top five clubs, bar Bayern, failed to win this weekend, with Ruud van Nistelrooy's debut for Hamburger SV not even enough to inspire them as they drew 3-3 with FC Koln who fought back from being two goals down with quarter of an hour to go.
Elsewhere, Werder finally ended their losing streak with a 2-1 win over bottom-club Hertha on Friday, while Christian Gross's VfB Stuttgart continue to surge with their fifth consecutive win over Nurnberg. Hannover 96, on the other hand, are struggling in 16th having lost their last six and not won since October.
Five Great Moments In Lionel Messi’s Brilliant 2009
Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi capped a wonderful year when he was awarded the World Cup Soccer Jersey 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year. And it was a year full of many highlights.
The award came on the back of the recent announcement that Messi was the winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or for 2009.
But on the field is where we want to focus as Messi helped FC Barcelona claim an unprecedented six titles in the calendar year, whilst also seeing his native Argentina clinch qualification for the 2010 World Cup.
Indeed, it has been a year of complete success for Messi winning the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, Spanish La Liga, Spanish Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup along with his individual honours.
And his latest honour was unanimous as he claimed 1,073 votes, some 700 more than second-placed Cristiano Ronaldo.
So here is Sports Pundit’s list of Messi’s brilliant moments in 2009.
5.
CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, 14-Oct
Uruguay 0 Argentina 1
Messi openly admitted his form at international level in 2009 wasn’t up to scratch but he still did enough to help Argentina qualify for the 2010 World Cup after a tumultuous campaign under Diego Maradona.
For a while it had seemed Argentina would fail to secure automatic qualification in South America but in mid-October in Montevideo they sealed their passage with a hard-fought victory over Uruguay.
There was no dream late winner from Messi, but he was involved in the decisive goal as he and Juan Sebastian Veron set up Mario Bolatti from a set-piece. And Messi has ominously promised his international form will improve at next year’s World Cup.
4.
Copa del Rey Final, 13-May
Athletic Bilbao 1 FC Barcelona 4
This triumph would be Messi and boss Pep Guardiola’s first of many in 2009, although they had to do it the hard way after Bilbao took the lead early through Gaizka Toquero.
And the Basque side fought hard after their early strike but Yaya Toure equalized for Barca before the break. Still going into half-time, Barca weren’t totally on top. That was until the second-half, when Barcelona started with 20 minutes of wonderful football producing three goals.
Messi was at the heart of it all, missing a pair of opportunities before he put the Catalans ahead on 54 minutes. Messi’s pinpoint pass set up Bojan Krkic for the third before Xavi sealed it. It was the step one complete in the treble for Messi and Barcelona.
3.
Club World Cup Final, 19-Dec
Estudiantes La Plata 1 FC Barcelona 2
Messi struck an extra-time winner as Barcelona fought back from the brink of defeat against the South American champions, to complete a historic sixth title in the one year with victory in Abu Dhabi.
Mauro Boselli had put Estudiantes ahead before the break and Barca looked destined for disappointment until Pedro Rodriguez equalized on 88 minutes.
And then 20 minutes into extra-time, Messi popped up at the right place at the right time to chest home the winner to ensure a fairytale year was complete. It was a fitting end.
2.
Spanish La Liga, 2-May
Real Madrid 2 FC Barcelona 6
Mathematically, Barcelona won the title on May 16 after their nearest rivals, Real Madrid, slipped up but their 6-2 El Clasico rout at the Bernabeu had sealed the deal a fortnight earlier. Barca led Real by just four points going into the clash with five league games left, so the stage was set for a crucial encounter.
But Messi was imperious in a display which left little doubt as to the destination of the 2008/2009 La Liga crown. And Barcelona did it in emphatic style in their rival’s backyard. It was truly incredible stuff.
In typical 2009 Barca style, they trailed early before hitting back with three first-half goals with Messi claiming one as well as an assist. Messi grabbed another after the break, as Barcelona inflicted real misery on Real Madrid piling on the goals in a decisive victory.
1.
UEFA Champions League Final, 27-May
FC Barcelona 2 Manchester United 0
Despite the pressure of completing the 2008/2009 treble against the reigning European champions Manchester United, Messi and Barcelona rose to the occasion in Rome to lift the Champions League trophy with the Argentine grabbing the decisive goal.
Barcelona were brilliant all evening with fluent football and while Messi’s magic wasn’t totally shining, he wouldn’t be denied in the grand stage. Samuel Eto’o had put Barcelona ahead after 10 minutes but their result remained open well into the second-half.
That was until Messi intervened, for once with his head, when he produced the sealer on 70 minutes from Xavi’s cross. The result was right as Barcelona produced a dominant display as 2008 World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo bowed to the new maestro Messi.
Finally, In Messi’s Words
"A magnificent year for me and Barca has ended in the best way. I have the good fortune to play in a great team. It was an historic year for Barca and for me but it's thanks to the work of everyone.”
He added, "I'm extremely happy. We've just ended a historic year, a perfect year in which we've won every competition we've played in. We just needed to take this last step and everything has worked out how we wanted. It's amazing."
The award came on the back of the recent announcement that Messi was the winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or for 2009.
But on the field is where we want to focus as Messi helped FC Barcelona claim an unprecedented six titles in the calendar year, whilst also seeing his native Argentina clinch qualification for the 2010 World Cup.
Indeed, it has been a year of complete success for Messi winning the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, Spanish La Liga, Spanish Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup along with his individual honours.
And his latest honour was unanimous as he claimed 1,073 votes, some 700 more than second-placed Cristiano Ronaldo.
So here is Sports Pundit’s list of Messi’s brilliant moments in 2009.
5.
CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, 14-Oct
Uruguay 0 Argentina 1
Messi openly admitted his form at international level in 2009 wasn’t up to scratch but he still did enough to help Argentina qualify for the 2010 World Cup after a tumultuous campaign under Diego Maradona.
For a while it had seemed Argentina would fail to secure automatic qualification in South America but in mid-October in Montevideo they sealed their passage with a hard-fought victory over Uruguay.
There was no dream late winner from Messi, but he was involved in the decisive goal as he and Juan Sebastian Veron set up Mario Bolatti from a set-piece. And Messi has ominously promised his international form will improve at next year’s World Cup.
4.
Copa del Rey Final, 13-May
Athletic Bilbao 1 FC Barcelona 4
This triumph would be Messi and boss Pep Guardiola’s first of many in 2009, although they had to do it the hard way after Bilbao took the lead early through Gaizka Toquero.
And the Basque side fought hard after their early strike but Yaya Toure equalized for Barca before the break. Still going into half-time, Barca weren’t totally on top. That was until the second-half, when Barcelona started with 20 minutes of wonderful football producing three goals.
Messi was at the heart of it all, missing a pair of opportunities before he put the Catalans ahead on 54 minutes. Messi’s pinpoint pass set up Bojan Krkic for the third before Xavi sealed it. It was the step one complete in the treble for Messi and Barcelona.
3.
Club World Cup Final, 19-Dec
Estudiantes La Plata 1 FC Barcelona 2
Messi struck an extra-time winner as Barcelona fought back from the brink of defeat against the South American champions, to complete a historic sixth title in the one year with victory in Abu Dhabi.
Mauro Boselli had put Estudiantes ahead before the break and Barca looked destined for disappointment until Pedro Rodriguez equalized on 88 minutes.
And then 20 minutes into extra-time, Messi popped up at the right place at the right time to chest home the winner to ensure a fairytale year was complete. It was a fitting end.
2.
Spanish La Liga, 2-May
Real Madrid 2 FC Barcelona 6
Mathematically, Barcelona won the title on May 16 after their nearest rivals, Real Madrid, slipped up but their 6-2 El Clasico rout at the Bernabeu had sealed the deal a fortnight earlier. Barca led Real by just four points going into the clash with five league games left, so the stage was set for a crucial encounter.
But Messi was imperious in a display which left little doubt as to the destination of the 2008/2009 La Liga crown. And Barcelona did it in emphatic style in their rival’s backyard. It was truly incredible stuff.
In typical 2009 Barca style, they trailed early before hitting back with three first-half goals with Messi claiming one as well as an assist. Messi grabbed another after the break, as Barcelona inflicted real misery on Real Madrid piling on the goals in a decisive victory.
1.
UEFA Champions League Final, 27-May
FC Barcelona 2 Manchester United 0
Despite the pressure of completing the 2008/2009 treble against the reigning European champions Manchester United, Messi and Barcelona rose to the occasion in Rome to lift the Champions League trophy with the Argentine grabbing the decisive goal.
Barcelona were brilliant all evening with fluent football and while Messi’s magic wasn’t totally shining, he wouldn’t be denied in the grand stage. Samuel Eto’o had put Barcelona ahead after 10 minutes but their result remained open well into the second-half.
That was until Messi intervened, for once with his head, when he produced the sealer on 70 minutes from Xavi’s cross. The result was right as Barcelona produced a dominant display as 2008 World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo bowed to the new maestro Messi.
Finally, In Messi’s Words
"A magnificent year for me and Barca has ended in the best way. I have the good fortune to play in a great team. It was an historic year for Barca and for me but it's thanks to the work of everyone.”
He added, "I'm extremely happy. We've just ended a historic year, a perfect year in which we've won every competition we've played in. We just needed to take this last step and everything has worked out how we wanted. It's amazing."
2010年5月1日星期六
Are Portsmouth Gone Anyway?
English Premier League battlers Portsmouth were given a seven-day stay of execution on Wednesday after the High Court was told the club was 'insolvent' owing them a staggering £11.5m.
For now, it is a reprieve for Pompey who faced a winding-up order, but seven days isn't exactly sufficient time to find new owners. NFL jerseys
The situation suggests Portsmouth could soon move into administration and be deducted points as they try to survive in the top flight.
But even if they can't find a miracle buyer, it appears the club are set for the drop anyway.
Portsmouth are currently rock bottom of the Premier League (and have been for some time now) trailing their nearest opponents, Wolverhampton, by five points. They're a long way from safety.
Tuesday's 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland was hardly ideal but having been reduced to ten men after Ricardo Rocha conceded a penalty, which Darren Bent converted, Pompey did well to grab a late equaliser courtesy of Aruna Dindane.
It is these sorts of things which managers say can galvanise a team and turn their season around.
A reinvigorated Marc Wilson said after the Sunderland draw: “If we keep pulling together and give everything I think we can stay up.
“We’re really fired up and feel we can get points from the next few games. This could be the turning point.
“I think we have to be united – and we showed that. We just have to do our best on the pitch.”
The Portsmouth players were seen gathering in a circle after the Sunderland match and the word since the game is they won't go down without a fight.
And considering Portsmouth pulled off a remarkable safety mission over a decade ago, there remains some hope of a repeat, because as Andy Awford (a member of that Blues side which miraculously survived back in the late-nineties) says, 'that is what Pompey are all about'
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant, though, seemed more concerned with the referee's performance after the game, having been sent to the stands at the break after going to face-to-face with the official at half-time.
He's clearly becoming a frustrated figure and with such a task on his hands, it is understandable why.
But while we're on the topic of Grant, he is quite a capable manager and offers Portsmouth some hope.
Still, he's been in charge since mid-November and while Portsmouth have improved, they still sit last.
Curiously they haven't won in the Premier League since mid-December when they stunned Liverpool 2-0 at Fratton Park.
Realistically, they have the weakest squad in the Premier League and it is hard to see them surviving, despite their discussion of a 'turning point'. Their performances (ignoring their gutsy draw with Sunderland) reflect their lack of quality.
So considering the squad at his disposal, Grant really has a difficult task especially with the January transfer window finished with first-choice defender Younes Kaboul moving on as the club tried to sell some assets.
And to rub salt into the wounds, now as well Portsmouth face the threat of points being deducted. It's unfortunate, but it is hard to see them surviving.
For now, it is a reprieve for Pompey who faced a winding-up order, but seven days isn't exactly sufficient time to find new owners. NFL jerseys
The situation suggests Portsmouth could soon move into administration and be deducted points as they try to survive in the top flight.
But even if they can't find a miracle buyer, it appears the club are set for the drop anyway.
Portsmouth are currently rock bottom of the Premier League (and have been for some time now) trailing their nearest opponents, Wolverhampton, by five points. They're a long way from safety.
Tuesday's 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland was hardly ideal but having been reduced to ten men after Ricardo Rocha conceded a penalty, which Darren Bent converted, Pompey did well to grab a late equaliser courtesy of Aruna Dindane.
It is these sorts of things which managers say can galvanise a team and turn their season around.
A reinvigorated Marc Wilson said after the Sunderland draw: “If we keep pulling together and give everything I think we can stay up.
“We’re really fired up and feel we can get points from the next few games. This could be the turning point.
“I think we have to be united – and we showed that. We just have to do our best on the pitch.”
The Portsmouth players were seen gathering in a circle after the Sunderland match and the word since the game is they won't go down without a fight.
And considering Portsmouth pulled off a remarkable safety mission over a decade ago, there remains some hope of a repeat, because as Andy Awford (a member of that Blues side which miraculously survived back in the late-nineties) says, 'that is what Pompey are all about'
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant, though, seemed more concerned with the referee's performance after the game, having been sent to the stands at the break after going to face-to-face with the official at half-time.
He's clearly becoming a frustrated figure and with such a task on his hands, it is understandable why.
But while we're on the topic of Grant, he is quite a capable manager and offers Portsmouth some hope.
Still, he's been in charge since mid-November and while Portsmouth have improved, they still sit last.
Curiously they haven't won in the Premier League since mid-December when they stunned Liverpool 2-0 at Fratton Park.
Realistically, they have the weakest squad in the Premier League and it is hard to see them surviving, despite their discussion of a 'turning point'. Their performances (ignoring their gutsy draw with Sunderland) reflect their lack of quality.
So considering the squad at his disposal, Grant really has a difficult task especially with the January transfer window finished with first-choice defender Younes Kaboul moving on as the club tried to sell some assets.
And to rub salt into the wounds, now as well Portsmouth face the threat of points being deducted. It's unfortunate, but it is hard to see them surviving.
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