Defending champion Pat Cash, a native of Australia living in London, defeated Mats Wilander of Sweden 7-5, 6-4 Friday in the semifinals of the Hall of Fame Champions Cup at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Cash will meet fellow Australian Mark Philippoussis in the semifinals on Saturday in this eight-player event for former ATP World Tour standouts age 30 and over.
Todd Martin, the 2007 champion, and Jim Courier meet in the other semifinal.
The winners meet Sunday afternoon at 1 for the winner's check of $60,000.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Philippoussis beats Pernfors in Hall of Fame Champions Cup
Mark Philippoussis served 22 aces in beating Mikael Pernfors 6-3, 6-4 in their quarterfinal match on Friday in the Hall of Fame Champions Cup at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Philippoussis, whose last win came here in the 2006 Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, will meet the winner of the Pat Cash-Mats Wilander match later today.
Cash is the defending champion of this eight-player event.
Philippoussis, whose last win came here in the 2006 Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, will meet the winner of the Pat Cash-Mats Wilander match later today.
Cash is the defending champion of this eight-player event.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Patriots lose 7-6
O'Connell back at QB to replace Hoyer to see what he can do in do-or-die two-minute drill.
Starts from his 18. Some short completions ... a takedown ... an incompletion ... a scramble and time expires as Pats lose by one.
Starts from his 18. Some short completions ... a takedown ... an incompletion ... a scramble and time expires as Pats lose by one.
Palmer in
Oh my, Palmer's at quarterback for Cincy.
But a binoculars check shows it's Jordan Palmer, not Carson.
Jordan's pass on fourth-and goal from the New England six falls incomplete.
Oh, these riverboat gamblers from the Queen City on the O-hi-o.
But a binoculars check shows it's Jordan Palmer, not Carson.
Jordan's pass on fourth-and goal from the New England six falls incomplete.
Oh, these riverboat gamblers from the Queen City on the O-hi-o.
Ochocinco the Quote Machine
On his extra-point kick:
" 'Esteban' Ochocinco is back. The most interesting footballer in the world. Everyone has to remember, I've always said that soccer is my No. 1 sport. I think Ronaldinho would be proud of me right now."
" 'Esteban' Ochocinco is back. The most interesting footballer in the world. Everyone has to remember, I've always said that soccer is my No. 1 sport. I think Ronaldinho would be proud of me right now."
Bengals take lead on exhibition-only play
The Bengals go up 7-3 with 1:55 left in the half on a 24-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Chris Henry on a - get this! - fourth-and-16. Pats corner Terrence Wheatley is having a tough first half.
But do you think Cincy would have done this in the regular season?
Or have Chad Ochocinco kick the extra point?
At least Pats respond with a Gostkowski 41-yarder with 27 seconds to go to get New England within one in a ho-hum first half.
But do you think Cincy would have done this in the regular season?
Or have Chad Ochocinco kick the extra point?
At least Pats respond with a Gostkowski 41-yarder with 27 seconds to go to get New England within one in a ho-hum first half.
McGowan to the rescue!
Cincy has a 27-yard pass reception go for naught when safety Brandon McGOWAN!!! makes a big hit, causes a fumble and Pats recover.
McGowan's from Maine. New England guys - that's the region - are shining defensively.
McGowan's from Maine. New England guys - that's the region - are shining defensively.
The Butler did it
Nice pass breakup by rookie cornerback Darius Butler on a third-and-seven throw intended for Andre Caldwell. Butler's the rookie from UConn considered a fabulous athlete.
Relief pitchers?
Pats go nowhere after second drive "starts" with Brady flattened on a bear-hug sack.
Bengals on offense and Kevin O'Connell and Brian Hoyer are throwing spirals to each other on the sidelines.
Bengals on offense and Kevin O'Connell and Brian Hoyer are throwing spirals to each other on the sidelines.
Patriots score first
Brady did overthrow Randy Moss and Wes Welker, but did get the Pats to go more than half the field - 52 yards - for a Stephen Gostkowski 32-yard field goal.
Love to see Joey Galloway, Welker and Moss line up on the right side. Brady's got to love that, too.
Love to see Joey Galloway, Welker and Moss line up on the right side. Brady's got to love that, too.
Good Patriots D
Standing O for Brady coming into the huddle for the first time since you know when after D stops Cincy.
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots at Gillette
100 hundred minutes before the Patriots and Bengals meet and not many more than a few hundred sweltering fans in the stands.
I've heard Tom Brady will be play anywhere from two series to two quarters.
I've heard Tom Brady will be play anywhere from two series to two quarters.
Tennis, anyone?
Todd Martin opened the Hall of Fame Champions Cup today with a 7-5, 5-7, 10-6 win over Wayne Ferreira. Ferreira doesn't seem to have lost much of a step since his ATP days. He ran Martin ragged, and chased down some shots that I wouldn't expect anyone to reach, let alone a 37-year-old.
"I'm really struggling. Wayne is still such a great athlete," Martin said during his on-court
interview after the match. "Most of us have retained some of our skills, but Wayne, more than anybody other than (Pete) Sampras, has maintained his level of athleticism. It's very intimidating."
And, this just in, it's really, really hot and humid over here. Walking to and from the beverage cooler is making me sweat. Can't imagine playing a tennis match.
The wonderful U.S. judicial system
Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress — who caught the game-winning pass in Super Bowl XLII, ending New England’s chance at a perfect season — pleaded guilty on Thursday to a weapons charge and agreed to a two-year prison term. The charge stems from an incident in which Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg in a New York City nightclub.
Kudos to district attorney who set out to make an example out of Burress — hopefully it’ll make other star athletes think before they act — but at the same time, it makes me question the U.S. judicial system as a whole.
Donte Stallworth, who struck and killed a 59-year-old man in Miami on March 14, pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony, for which he received a whopping 30 days in jail. He served just 24.
I can see where the punishment fits the crime in the Burress case, considering he put several lives — including his own — in danger. But why can Stallworth, who was suspended for the entire 2009 season by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, essentially walk away with a minimal jail sentence after committing a heinous crime, one that if you or I committed, would come with a hefty penalty?
If you’re a capitalist, the answer is simple: Money. The family of Mario Reyes reached an undisclosed settlement with Stallworth, who signed a seven-year, $35 million contract in 2008. He earned a $4.5 million roster-signing bonus the night before the crash.
Ah, the United States of America. Where money can’t buy you love, but it can go a long way in keeping you out of jail.
Kudos to district attorney who set out to make an example out of Burress — hopefully it’ll make other star athletes think before they act — but at the same time, it makes me question the U.S. judicial system as a whole.
Donte Stallworth, who struck and killed a 59-year-old man in Miami on March 14, pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony, for which he received a whopping 30 days in jail. He served just 24.
I can see where the punishment fits the crime in the Burress case, considering he put several lives — including his own — in danger. But why can Stallworth, who was suspended for the entire 2009 season by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, essentially walk away with a minimal jail sentence after committing a heinous crime, one that if you or I committed, would come with a hefty penalty?
If you’re a capitalist, the answer is simple: Money. The family of Mario Reyes reached an undisclosed settlement with Stallworth, who signed a seven-year, $35 million contract in 2008. He earned a $4.5 million roster-signing bonus the night before the crash.
Ah, the United States of America. Where money can’t buy you love, but it can go a long way in keeping you out of jail.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Talk is cheap
I get that there are football coaches out there who want to make a splash during their first seasons at the helm, but there are two in particular who need to do it by winning — not by talking.
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and the University of Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin are a couple of loudmouths without shutoff buttons. It seemed the minute they were hired, they went directly after their biggest adversaries — Bill Belichick for Ryan and Urban Meyer for Kiffin — through the media. Keep in mind neither had won a game yet.
Ryan, who said he’s not here “to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings,” added a little more gas to the fire by saying, “How much more motivation are they going to get by putting a quote from me on the wall, saying I believe in my football team and I’m not going to be intimidated by a coach or anyone else? If that’s where you’re going to draw motivation from, hell, we’ll probably kick your (butt).”
Kiffin, who wrongly accused Meyer of a recruiting violation during a function for boosters, has made his team a target for the Gators, the defending national champs who will enter the season at the No. 1 team in the country. Undoubtedly, both coaches are talking the talk to get fans excited again after tough seasons.
“I think he’s brought the team back to life,” 27-year-old Tennessee fan Kevin McGlothlan said. “I think it’s great. I love the cockiness. Tennessee needed cockiness.”
The bottom line is that they both looked like fools, and in the process, only put more pressure upon themselves. What the Vols, who went 5-7 last season, and Jets, missing the playoffs at 9-7, need is not cockiness, nor verbal barbs. They need wins.
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and the University of Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin are a couple of loudmouths without shutoff buttons. It seemed the minute they were hired, they went directly after their biggest adversaries — Bill Belichick for Ryan and Urban Meyer for Kiffin — through the media. Keep in mind neither had won a game yet.
Ryan, who said he’s not here “to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings,” added a little more gas to the fire by saying, “How much more motivation are they going to get by putting a quote from me on the wall, saying I believe in my football team and I’m not going to be intimidated by a coach or anyone else? If that’s where you’re going to draw motivation from, hell, we’ll probably kick your (butt).”
Kiffin, who wrongly accused Meyer of a recruiting violation during a function for boosters, has made his team a target for the Gators, the defending national champs who will enter the season at the No. 1 team in the country. Undoubtedly, both coaches are talking the talk to get fans excited again after tough seasons.
“I think he’s brought the team back to life,” 27-year-old Tennessee fan Kevin McGlothlan said. “I think it’s great. I love the cockiness. Tennessee needed cockiness.”
The bottom line is that they both looked like fools, and in the process, only put more pressure upon themselves. What the Vols, who went 5-7 last season, and Jets, missing the playoffs at 9-7, need is not cockiness, nor verbal barbs. They need wins.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Brett's back ... again ... for now
In the words of John McEnroe: You cannot be serious!
I know I shouldn't be surprised to hear this afternoon's news that Brett Favre changed his mind for the 132nd time and decided to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. But for some reason, I never thought he'd actually go through with it. Favre's heart clearly wasn't in it last season with the Jets, and the fact that he waited this long made me think he really didn't want to go through all the rigors of an NFL season again. No one has ever doubted his desire to play, but he gave the impression the last few years that it was the practices and meetings and obligations other than the actual games that wore him down.
Apparently he thinks he's ready to endure those obligations again to spite his former team, the Green Bay Packers.
Admittedly, I am a bit concerned the Vikings will have Favre, even though he's going to be 40 and has a torn rotator cuff. But I'm also eager to see if he can set an NFL single-season record for interceptions (George Blanda set the record at 42 in 1962, and I think Brett can easily surpass that number) and blow up an NFC contender from the inside.
And, of course, I can't wait to hear his reception when the Vikings visit Lambeau Field on Nov. 1. And if any fans wearing green and gold cheers Favre that day, they should have their season tickets revoked. I'm going to boo him heartily from my living room, and I would expect nothing less from anyone who considers him or herself a Packers fan.
Money, money, money
It tends to enrage me when I hear about athletes holding out, or just plain not signing, with the teams that drafted them.
This time of year, it’s usually a few NFL draft picks who haven’t yet signed with their first pro teams, presumably because said teams did not offer enough money. While baseball draft picks signings tend to fly under the radar a bit, one big one did not this summer.
Stephen Strasburg, a hard-throwing right-hander from San Diego State University, ended a lengthy standoff with the Washington Nationals just before Monday’s midnight deadline for draft picks to sign. He agreed to a record contract that will pay him $15.1 million — and he’s never thrown a pitch in the major leagues.
What is really, really irritating about these situations are quotes like this:
“It's an amazing feeling. I really wasn't sure if it was going to happen, but I'm glad it did.”
That’s what Strasburg told ESPN after the deal finally got done. I like how he implies he had nothing to do with the fact that he took so damn long to sign.
There’s nothing wrong with guys like Strasburg, or any highly touted draft picks, trying to get all the money they can when they turn pro. It’s not their fault the system is broken. But far too often, teams put deals on the table that are quite a bit more than fair, and these kids turn up their nose and demand more.
These players say it’s been their lifelong dream to play pro ball. Then, presented with the opportunity get paid millions of dollars while fulfilling that dream, suddenly, those millions aren’t quite enough.
This time of year, it’s usually a few NFL draft picks who haven’t yet signed with their first pro teams, presumably because said teams did not offer enough money. While baseball draft picks signings tend to fly under the radar a bit, one big one did not this summer.
Stephen Strasburg, a hard-throwing right-hander from San Diego State University, ended a lengthy standoff with the Washington Nationals just before Monday’s midnight deadline for draft picks to sign. He agreed to a record contract that will pay him $15.1 million — and he’s never thrown a pitch in the major leagues.
What is really, really irritating about these situations are quotes like this:
“It's an amazing feeling. I really wasn't sure if it was going to happen, but I'm glad it did.”
That’s what Strasburg told ESPN after the deal finally got done. I like how he implies he had nothing to do with the fact that he took so damn long to sign.
There’s nothing wrong with guys like Strasburg, or any highly touted draft picks, trying to get all the money they can when they turn pro. It’s not their fault the system is broken. But far too often, teams put deals on the table that are quite a bit more than fair, and these kids turn up their nose and demand more.
These players say it’s been their lifelong dream to play pro ball. Then, presented with the opportunity get paid millions of dollars while fulfilling that dream, suddenly, those millions aren’t quite enough.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Keep it up, Brett
Being a Packers fan in these parts, since not many people around here can name a lot of current Packers, often I am asked about Brett Favre. I never used to mind. After all, why wouldn’t I be interested in talking about my team’s future Hall of Fame quarterback?
But he’s not my team’s QB anymore and, like most football fans, I’m sick and tired of hearing about Favre and his constant indecision about whether to play another season in the NFL.
To be fair, this time, it’s not Favre’s fault (at least not entirely). Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer quoted a few unnamed Vikings players who indicated that it’s all but a done deal that Favre will be suiting up in purple in the very near future.
As annoying as it is to have these sporadic reports about Favre and his future, it’s also kind of funny. Favre basically held the Packers and their fans hostage every offseason during the last few years of his stay in Green Bay. Is he coming back? Is he retiring? Every spring and summer, we waited with bated breath for his answer. And it was painful, every single time.
So, it’s a bit of a guilty pleasure to see him doing the same thing to the Packers' hated division rival before without even taking a snap for Minnesota. As much as I’d like Brett to just shut up and stay retired, now I kind of hope he keeps stringing the Vikings along for a while.
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