REPORTING FROM THE JOCK-OSPHERE
by Ryan Corazza and Evan Bartsch
Jocks blog, we report (you decide!)
All the best jock blogs in one spot.
Curt Schilling: Live and Direct From Game Two
Curt Schilling, still re-habbing and off the campaign trail, stopped in for some Boston hoops.
"Ok, so I get some ridiculously good tickets for Game 2 of the NBA Finals last night. This was the 2nd chance to see the Celts up close," he writes. "A few observations.
"I had ZERO idea that the NBA game was that physical. Damn. The big boys are getting after it on every play.
"Kevin Garnett, and not that this needs to be stated, but I'll say it anyway, is as focused and locked in as any athlete in any sport I've been around. From pre-game shoot around to last seconds on the clock, this kid is legit. The intensity and reputation are there, wow. His eyes are on the floor, or the ball, all game. What an incredible pleasure it is to watch and be a fan of. I am blown away in that he came out of high school, something that can be a huge disadvantage, and has ALWAYS maintained who he was purported to be."
Rajon Rando: Spreading it, Going up 2-0
The Celtics point guard on his squad's victory last evening:
"Tonight was all about getting into the paint and creating shots for my teammates. I take pride in getting the guys the ball and they were hitting the shot," he writes. "I passed up a few layups and some other shots, but I wanted to spread it around. Look what happened: Paul had 28 and 8 assists so he was passing it too. KG was doing what he's done all year and Leon was big. It was a team effort.
"We need to be proud of ourselves for winning the first two games of the NBA Finals. That was big. But two wins are not good enough. We need two more so we need to watch film, stay focused and execute. I do know this, the two wins will make that long flight to LA much better."
Diana Taurasi: It's the Cappie Patch Doll
Peep the video, then get the back story from Taurasi:
"It's a motivational tool, an inspirational tool, and more than anything else, it gets the real Cappie going every single day," she writes.
"OK, the Yuko Oga part is clearly the funniest. But honestly, it was really tough to keep a straight face when we were filming. Part of the reason was that if you look at the doll, IT REALLY IS A CAPPIE PATCH DOLL! It's so realistic! It has the tattoos, the lipstick, the hair. It is in true form.
"And yeah, I broke out the Cabbage Patch dance. It's the new 'Soulja Boy.'"
Plus one for the WNBA supplanting the bobblehead doll craze with a Cabbage Patch-esque likeness. Minus one for the Soulja Boy reference. It's a push.
Inside the White Sox: Shadowing FireJoeMorgan
So the Chicago Tribune ran a factually incorrect lead to a story yesterday. And VP of Communications Scott Reifert was there to set the record straight, with a tip of the cap to FireJoeMorgan.
"OK, allow me to go FireJoeMorgan on this for a second," he writes. 'They may have the worst winning percentage of any team leading a division …'
"This is just factually untrue. We don't. The White Sox are 35-26 (.574), while Arizona, the division leader in the National League West, is 34-28 (.548)."
"' … but the White Sox have a bigger lead than the best, the Cubs.'
"Well, we actually have bigger leads than five other division leaders: Boston (1/2), Philadelphia (3 1/2), the Cubs (2 1/2) and Arizona (4), but it's the Cubs reference that gets me. What makes them the best? Is it subjective or objective, because if you read today's standings objectively, you'd see that the Angels and Cubs enter today's game with the exact same record, 39-24 (.619), and LA tops its division by 5 1/2 games.
"In the end, not really that big a deal, but where o' where are the fact checkers?"
Inside the Phillies with Larry Shenk: New Formula Sweeping the MLB
"Good Pitching plus Clutch Hitting equaled a Win last night, giving the Phillies a series win," he writes. Sweeping in Atlanta isn't easy but the opportunity is there.
"Can't say enough about the bullpen. Once again they shut the enemy down. Late in the game, clutch hitting by Chase, Ryan and J-Roll sealed the Braves fate.
"The victory was the 300th for Charlie Manuel. Since he became manager in 2005, he has more wins than any other NL skipper."
Alright, Charlie! Three-hundy, that is tops man. You into fantasy baseball at all, C-Dog? Your boy Chase Utley is tearing it up.
Lenny Krayzelburg: Natalie Coughlin is a Multi-Medal Threat
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg talks up the quiet storm that is swimmer Natalie Coughlin.
"Besides her marquee 100 back event, no one has been taking about Natalie Coughlin as a multi medal contender at the Games in Beijing," he writes. "However just like her personality, Natalie quietly gets things done.
"After so many years being the one of the best and most versatile swimmers in the World, she again proved last night that her best days could still be ahead of her. Probably no one expected Natalie to break an American Record in the event she rarely swims. But last night she took down an American Record in 200 IM, event that Katie Hoff has been almost untouchable. This could set up an unbelievable race at the Trials, if Natalie chooses to swim it."
Darren McFadden: It's Official, I'm a Raider, It's My Birthday!
"Coach Rathman called me to congratulate me and we had a good talk," he writes. "When I woke up that next morning I had at least 20 text messages and tons of missed calls. News travels fast I guess.
"I'm just glad I had some of my family with me when it happened. I am going to wait to celebrate when I get home and I have all my family there. That's when we'll really celebrate. Now I'm just going to keep working."
I'm happy for you Darren—just make sure you have a 'Celebration' and not a 'CeleBenson'.
Curtis Granderson: One Hot Series in Detroit
"These games are big because, as you look at the standings (Cleveland is 6½ games behind the first-place White Sox; we are 10 back) and the records for both teams, we both aren't happy where we are right now," he writes.
"A lot of ground can be gained in the American League Central with a few wins by either team. It can also be used to spark a big turnaround.
"The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio makes it a big series, too. It's amazing how people from these two states dislike each other in all sports (Lions vs. Browns, Michigan vs. Ohio State, Pistons vs. Cavs, etc.). It's a short drive from Cleveland to Detroit, and there are a lot of Indians fans here, which always makes for an exciting series."
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