Archive for April 6th, 2007
Continue Reading April 6th, 2007
What’s coming up in the world of minor league baseball … it’s the triumphant return of Rick Chandler’s Minor Enterprise!
Things looked bleak for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Their home opener on Thursday was snowed out, causing the team to put out the call to its loyal fan base to come over and help shovel off the field, so that Friday’s game could be played. But darn it, only one guy showed up. So what happened? Well, you’ve seen it in the movies a zillion times; just when all hope seems lost, the Verizon Wireless Zamboni appears on the horizon to save the day.
The AHL’s Monarchs sent the Verizon Wireless Arena’s Zamboni and the all-terrain vehicle used by the team’s mascot down the street to MerchantsAuto.com Park to aid in snow-clearing efforts. The ice-scraping Zamboni, which made the trek from the arena to the ballpark with a Manchester police escort, arrived around 10:45 a.m.
If only we could have been there to see that glorious motorcade. Minor League baseball and hockey, working hand-in-hand for a stronger America.
Elsewhere on tap:
• Jered Weaver Rehab Night (tonight, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Class A California League). It’s an Opening Series bounty for Quakes fans this season. Not only did Bartolo Colon make a rehab start on Thursday (four scoreless innings vs. Lake Elsinore), but Weaver gets the start tonight against the same team, trying to shake off elbow tendinitis. Now, if they had a hit-Scott-Boras-in-the-face-with-a-heavy-beanbag booth in conjunction with this, that’s a promotion we’d fly out for.
• Myron Noodleman Appearance (tonight, Montgomery Biscuits, AA Southern League). According to the team’s site, the “King of Cool” will “roam the stands and perform interactive skits with players, umpires and fans.” Make sure to bring your cookie sheet.
• Pre-Game Ceremony With Pat Summerall (Thursday, April 12, Arkansas Travelers, AA Texas League). The dedication ceremonies for Dickey-Stephens Park shall not be left to amateurs. We have no idea how the former New York Giants placekicker was enticed to journey to North Little Rock for this, except that he is a University of Arkansas graduate (1953). But sure to be a magical evening.
• Mascot of the Week: Don’t turn around, kids! Sweet Jesus … If Rusty, here (Corpus Christi Hooks, AA Texas League) isn’t pure, Grade A nightmare fuel, then nothing is.
• Bobblehead of the Moment. Brandon Inge Bobblehead Giveaway, Lynchburg Hillcats (Class A Carolina League). Yes, the Hillcats are a Pirates affiliate. And yes, Brandon Inge has played his entire Major League career with the Tigers. But he’s also a Lynchburg native, and his bobblehead features him in his Brookline High uniform. This promotion occurred on Thursday at the Hillcats’ season opener, and we have been scouring eBay for this treasure ever since. No luck so far. [Thanks to Benjamin Hill]
Hey, kids! Send your minor league tips on promotions and wacky mascot antics to rickchand@aol.com.
Continue Reading April 6th, 2007
If you’re like us — and Lord help you if you are — much of the summer is spent counting down the days until the new version of Madden is released. (This year, the Buzzsaw is gonna be good! Leinart to Boldin … Buzzsaw!) Even though the NFL Draft still hasn’t happened, they’ve already released some player ratings, and it turns out that Bears return man Devin Hester notched the first-ever 100 rating for speed. He’s pretty happy about it.
“That’s just about the best thing you could have told me,” Hester said with a huge smile, when informed of his new Speed rating. “It’s an honor — I don’t know what to say, really.”
Yep: A professional football player taking the most joy from his imaginary rating in an imaginary video game. We absolutely love sports sometimes.
Perfect Score [Chicks Dig The Long Ball]
Continue Reading April 6th, 2007
Several prominent black baseball players — not that many to choose from anymore — have taken the opportunity to honor Jackie Robinson by wearing No. 42 on April 15, the 60th anniversary of Jackie’s first day in the bigs. (It was initially Ken Griffey Jr.’s idea, though, sadly, coming up with it caused him to pull a hammy.) One of the people honoring Jackie is not Garret Anderson.
“It wasn’t my idea, and I’m not the type of person to jump on the bandwagon because someone else is doing something,” Anderson said in the LA Times. “If I did it just because someone else was doing it, it would seem kind of empty to me.”
Of all the times to assert one’s individuality, this seems like a highly appropriate one, yes?
Garret Anderson Doesn’t Care About Black People [LAist]
Continue Reading April 6th, 2007
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sports
Milestones in human speed:
- May 6, 1954: Roger Bannister runs a mile in under four minutes.
- June 14, 2005: Asafa Powell runs 100 yards in 9.77 seconds.
- April 5, 2007: ESPN reveals Devin Hester will have a speed rating of 100 in Madden NFL ‘08.
Not only does EA think Hester is faster than any other football player in history, the noted kick returner is set to become the first player to get a perfect rating in any stat category in the perennial football franchise.
Hester said he was honored by the, er, honor, but not exactly surprised — according to ESPN, “Hester has been known to have been lobbying members of the Madden NFL 08 development team for the top speed rating.” NFL players exerting undue influence on developers? We smell a scandal. Maddengate!
Our main question now is what will happen if someone faster than Hester comes along? Will EA create a 101 rating? Or will the 100 rating eventually become like a “perfect ten” game review — good, but not perfect?
[Update: Fixed the date above. Thanks Products]
[Thanks tevetorbes]
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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/
Continue Reading April 6th, 2007
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sports
Milestones in human speed:
- May 6, 1954: Roger Bannister runs a mile in under four minutes.
- June 14, 2005: Asafa Powell runs 100 yards in 9.77 seconds.
- April 5, 2007: ESPN reveals Devin Hester will have a speed rating of 100 in Madden NFL ‘08.
Not only does EA think Hester is faster than any other football player in history, the noted kick returner is set to become the first player to get a perfect rating in any stat category in the perennial football franchise.
Hester said he was honored by the, er, honor, but not exactly surprised — according to ESPN, “Hester has been known to have been lobbying members of the Madden NFL 08 development team for the top speed rating.” NFL players exerting undue influence on developers? We smell a scandal. Maddengate!
Our main question now is what will happen if someone faster than Hester comes along? Will EA create a 101 rating? Or will the 100 rating eventually become like a “perfect ten” game review — good, but not perfect?
[Update: Fixed the date above. Thanks Products]
[Thanks tevetorbes]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/
Continue Reading April 6th, 2007
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sports
Milestones in human speed:
- May 6, 1954: Roger Bannister runs a mile in under four minutes.
- June 14, 2005: Asafa Powell runs 100 meters in 9.77 seconds.
- April 5, 2007: ESPN reveals Devin Hester will have a speed rating of 100 in Madden NFL ‘08.
Not only does EA think Hester is faster than any other football player in history, the noted kick returner is set to become the first player to get a perfect rating in any stat category in the perennial football franchise.
Hester said he was honored by the, er, honor, but not exactly surprised — according to ESPN, “Hester has been known to have been lobbying members of the Madden NFL 08 development team for the top speed rating.” NFL players exerting undue influence on developers? We smell a scandal. Maddengate!
Our main question now is what will happen if someone faster than Hester comes along? Will EA create a 101 rating? Or will the 100 rating eventually become like a “perfect ten” game review — good, but not perfect?
[Update: Fixed the date above. Thanks Products]
[Thanks tevetorbes]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/
Continue Reading April 6th, 2007
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sports
Milestones in human speed:
- May 6, 1954: Roger Bannister runs a mile in under four minutes.
- June 14, 2005: Asafa Powell runs 100 meters in 9.77 seconds.
- April 5, 2007: ESPN reveals Devin Hester will have a speed rating of 100 in Madden NFL ‘08.
Not only does EA think Hester is faster than any other football player in history, the noted kick returner is set to become the first player to get a perfect rating in any stat category in the perennial football franchise.
Hester said he was honored by the, er, honor, but not exactly surprised — according to ESPN, “Hester has been known to have been lobbying members of the Madden NFL 08 development team for the top speed rating.” NFL players exerting undue influence on developers? We smell a scandal. Maddengate!
Our main question now is what will happen if someone faster than Hester comes along? Will EA create a 101 rating? Or will the 100 rating eventually become like a “perfect ten” game review — good, but not perfect?
[Update: Fixed the date above. Thanks Products]
[Thanks tevetorbes]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/
Continue Reading April 6th, 2007
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sports
Milestones in human speed:
- May 6, 1954: Roger Bannister runs a mile in under four minutes.
- June 14, 2005: Asafa Powell runs 100 meters in 9.77 seconds.
- April 5, 2007: ESPN reveals Devin Hester will have a speed rating of 100 in Madden NFL ‘08.
Not only does EA think Hester is faster than any other football player in history, the noted kick returner is set to become the first player to get a perfect rating in any stat category in the perennial football franchise.
Hester said he was honored by the, er, honor, but not exactly surprised — according to ESPN, “Hester has been known to have been lobbying members of the Madden NFL 08 development team for the top speed rating.” NFL players exerting undue influence on developers? We smell a scandal. Maddengate!
Our main question now is what will happen if someone faster than Hester comes along? Will EA create a 101 rating? Or will the 100 rating eventually become like a “perfect ten” game review — good, but not perfect?
[Update: Fixed the date above. Thanks Products]
[Thanks tevetorbes]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/
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