Tell me you saw the U.S. Open?? Just an amazing performance in the playoff round between Rocco Mediate and Tiger Woods. If you missed it...Tiger did what Tiger does...make clutch putts and stay calm under pressure and with a bum knee. Just amazing...so much so, it was aired almost immediately following on ESPN Classic as an "Instant Classic." No suprise that the ratings for the tourney also did well on Sunday....an 8.5 rating and a 16 share...which was second only to the NBA finals coverage. Plus, going home to this isn't exactly a chore:
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Woods outlasts Mediate for U.S. Open title SI.com With a throbbing knee and a pounding heart, Tiger Woods made one last improbable escape Monday and won the U.S. Open in a 19-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate, his 14th career major and maybe the most amazing of them all. One shot behind after a collapse no one saw coming, Woods birdied the 18th hole to force sudden death at Torrey Pines against a journeyman with a creaky back who simply wouldn't go away.
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There will be no housecleaning Enquirer.com Walt Jocketty dismissed a published report that he "wants to clean house." "I don't where that came from," he said. "First of all, I'd would have never said clean house. It's not necessary. There's a strong possibility we'll have everyone till the end of the year. Dusty (Baker) and I are haven't been here that long. We're still evaluating the team. We haven't had the luxury of seeing everyone over a long period of time."
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Dr. Joe Morgan...yeah he's a doctor Enquirer.com Just call him Dr. Joe Morgan. The baseball Hall of Famer and two-time NL MVP with the Reds received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from California State University - the school where the Oakland native earned a bachelor's degree after his 22-year playing career. "I've always felt that the quality of your life is directly related to the quality of your education," Morgan told graduates of the university's college of business and economics Saturday. "If you continue your education, I believe you'll continue to improve the quality of your life." Morgan, an Emmy-winning broadcaster for ESPN, earned his degree in 1990.
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Do the Bengals need Chad Johnson that bad? Sporting News Unless Chad Johnson can play cornerback, safety, outside linebacker and defensive end all at once in addition to starring as a somewhat content wide receiver, he won't be of much use to the 2008 Cincinnati Bengals. And even without his pouting presence on offense, the Bengals probably would have enough pop to average around 23 points again.
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Chick Ludwig's Camp Countdown Sporting News As recently as 2005, the Bengals were the talk of the league, skyrocketing to the top of the AFC North and making their first playoff appearance in a staggering 15 years. Two disappointing seasons and a host of bad press later, their return to disparity has been just as swift. Now Cincinnati is largely dismissed as long on character concerns and individual stars but short on team -- a bunch of also-rans squandering a great deal of talent.
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Reds try to decide what to do with struggling Bailey USA Today What do the Cincinnati Reds do with Homer Bailey? The 22-year-old right-hander got knocked around again on Sunday, leaving him 0-3 in three starts this season. The former first-round draft pick seems to be caught in a rut with no clear idea of how to get himself turned around. It might take a trip back to the minors to do that.
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Running out of show ideas? USA Today Brad Garrett's latest series will be on the even-smaller screen. The star of Fox sitcom 'Til Death switches to reality and the Web with Dating Brad Garrett, an online series that will follow him on 10 dates with women chosen by a panel that will include Garrett's ex-wife, Jill, and his urologist. Those seeking a date with the 6-foot-8 Garrett, known to millions as Robert on Everybody Loves Raymond, can make their pitches by uploading videos starting today at crackle.com/datebrad.
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TV execs are just getting lazy USA Today De Mol, co-founder of the international media giant Endemol (Deal or No Deal, Big Brother, Fear Factor), says anyone can have a great idea for a reality show, and he's starting a website,TalpaCreative.com, to solicit concepts. "Everybody watches TV. Everybody has an idea about TV. A doorman or waitress can have a good idea," he says. "We're looking for the next big thing."
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Former Steeler lineman says steroids were in play Pittsburgh Tribune Review Walking tall out of a House of Representatives hearing on the scourge of steroids in professional sports, former Steelers offensive lineman Steve Courson on Wednesday reiterated claims dating back to the early 1990s that the Pittsburgh dynasty was fueled by drugs and that both coach Chuck Noll and founder Art Rooney tolerated the free use of "juice" to hike performance.
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NBA Finals Game 6 tonight Time to prove why you're the MVP if you're Kobe Bryant. More importantly, though, tonight's game against the Celtics is going to be a much more telling performance on the bench from Phil Jackson. Although Boston lost in game 5, they outplayed the Lakers and will run away with tonight's game easily unless Kobe can throw down, and Phil can outcoach Boston's "Big 3."
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Beer pong coach faces charges Enquirer.com A Mason High School basketball coach was charged today in connection with a "beer pong" party at his home in January. Michael J. Crotty - a longtime assistant coach for the boys basketball program at Mason - was charged with "knowingly allowing underage persons to remain at his residence while possessing or consuming alcohol," according to charges filed this afternoon by Mason Police.The party, which took place in January, included 19-year-olds who had graduated from Mason High School the previous year.
Mets can Willie Randolph ESPN Willie Randolph is out as manager of the New York Mets, fired in the middle of the night 2½ months into a disappointing season that has followed the team's colossal collapse last September. Bench coach Jerry Manuel takes over on an interim basis for Randolph, who led the Mets to within one win of the 2006 World Series. They got off to a strong start again last year but plummeted down the stretch and have been unable to rebound.
You think Griffey's going back to Seattle...doubt it If Griffey's goal is to win a ring, why in the world he go back to Seattle when the team is in shambles?? SI.com The Mariners have fired general manager Bill Bavasi, as Seattle lags
along with the worst record in baseball after starting the season with
playoff hopes.Bavasi was fired Monday morning. Vice president/associate general manager Lee Pelekoudas will take over in his place.
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NBA Finals back to Boston SI.com As purple-and-gold streamers rained down,
Lamar Odom shook his head in approval,
Derek Fisher caressed the game ball against his chest and
Kobe Bryant clapped his hands before striding from the floor. ''I love L.A.'' blared through the speakers and ''Not In Our House!'' flashed on the scoreboard. The P.A. announcer cried, ''This is not over yet!'' The
Los Angeles Lakers aren't done playing. The NBA finals are headed East.
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Creepy or genius? USA Today Microsoft and Harrah's Entertainment introduced a high-tech interactive bar table Wednesday that lets patrons order drinks, watch YouTube videos, play touch-screen games and even flirt with each other.
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Reds may bump Bailey from rotation C. Trent Reds manager Dusty Baker said the team would have "serious discussions" on Monday's off day about Homer Bailey's place in the rotation following Sunday’s 9-0 loss to the Red Sox. "There's got to be some discussions," Baker said. "If you're not making pitches and it's your job to do, we've got to figure out what's up and why. They hit him pretty good."
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Boston massacre Enquirer.com Homer Bailey’s third start was likely one he’d like to forget. The right-hander gave up three home runs in just 2 1/3 innings and left the game to a cacophony of boos and a 5-0 Reds deficit. That set the tone for a grueling 9-0 Reds loss to the Boston Red Sox Sunday at Great American Ball Park before 39,958 fans. The match-up was the last in a three-game series that Boston won, 2-1.
Did you watch the U.S. Open?? If you wanted drama....you got it on Sunday. Conveniently, almost minutes after the Reds game, Tiger had just taken the tee box...so I saw most of his round. And for Tiger fans, you can't be happy how he started....but even if you're a Tiger-critic, you sure as hell have to be impressed with how he finished. Bad knee and all, he manages to nail a clutch putt to force a playoff today at noon. Perhaps even more impressive, the performance from Rocco Mediate - looking to become the oldest U.S. Open Champion.
Homer going in wrong director for Reds Dayton Daily News As one press-box observer said before the game: "Homer Bailey vs. Josh Beckett? Why are we even here?" Astute observation. The Reds put up a feeble fight against Beckett — six hits in seven innings, half Joey Votto, two by utility infielder Jolbert Cabrera and one by pinch-hitter Javier Valentin. Bailey, though, with his 0-3 record and 8.76 ERA, is more of a concern to Reds manager Dusty Baker than Beckett. Baker even indicated a change could be made.
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Cincy pro teams not done embarrasing fans Dayton Daily News The Cincinnati Bengals made the playoffs for the first time in a decade and a half in 2005. That gave fans reason to hope that the team had completely rebounded from its placement in the depths of NFL football. Now look at them. Shipping off unruly players (who are then suspended by the NFL, again). Welcoming malcontents to minicamp. Finishing under .500, and likely staying there with all of their issues.
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National attention on the Reds...but not in a good way USA Today Manny was out of the lineup. Big Papi was out of town. The Boston Red Sox sure didn't look like themselves with their two biggest hitters gone. Couldn't tell by the scoreboard, though. Coco Crisp kept Boston's depleted lineup rolling by driving in four runs, and Jacoby Ellsbury homered and stole two more bases for a Red Sox rookie record in a 9-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
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Griffey considers Rays as an option Sporting News Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. reportedly would consider waiving his no-trade clause for a deal to the Tampa Bay Rays if they stay in contention. A resident of Orlando, Fla., Griffey told friends that the Rays could be a possible destination for him if the Reds decide to trade him, according to SI.com's Jon Heyman.
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Griffey watch ESPN Now that that pesky 600-Homer Watch is out of the way, the Reds can listen to offers on Junior Griffey. But unless he relaxes and starts swinging the bat dramatically better, scouts we've surveyed say they wouldn't recommend him as a thumper worth trading for. "You're talking about a guy who can't catch up to a good fastball anymore," said one scout, "unless it's guess-guess, cheat-cheat. I hate to say it, but it was no accident that 600th homer came on a breaking ball." Meanwhile, a friend of Griffey's says to forget, once and for all, the idea of Junior returning to that mess in Seattle -- because "what's the draw? Playing for a mediocre club a half-continent away from home? I don't think so."
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The Vick family just can't figure it out Sporting News Former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick was arrested early Friday and charged with driving under the influence and eluding police. Vick, the brother of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, signed as a free agent receiver with the Miami Dolphins after a troubled career at Virginia Tech. He was released by the Dolphins in 2007.
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World's biggest badass nominee? Boston Herald Daniel Craig may be taking his acting role as James Bond too seriously. The fierce Englishman was taken to the hospital after slicing the tip of his finger in the latest of several injuries to hit the set of “Quantum of Solace,” the newest “James Bond” action flick, The Daily News reported. A source on the set told UK’s Daily Mail that “there was quite a lot of blood and it was decided he needed to go to (a) hospital for treatment.” The 40-year-old star lived up to his character’s toughness when he reportedly waltzed back on set for work later in the day.
The ribs won't be cold C. Trent Kevin Youkilis had a reservation at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse for Saturday night and his homer in the 10th inning helped make sure his friends and family would get their ribs on time.
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Youkilis kills Reds Enquirer.com A Cincinnati native sealed the win Saturday at Great American Ball Park. Unfortunately for the Reds, Kevin Youkilis plays for the Boston Red Sox. Youkilis, a Sycamore High and University of Cincinnati product, broke a 4-4 tie with a solo homer to right field in the top of the 10th inning. Coco Crisp followed with a homer of his own, also to right field, in a 6-4 Red Sox win before a sellout crowd of 40,947 at Great American Ball Park.
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CJ participates fully at minicamp Saturday Our own C. Trent Rosecrans was on the scene... Not only did Chad Johnson practice, besides his choice of long pants over shorts, he appeared no different than any of his teammates, going through all the team's drills. "He came out and worked the last two days and I think it's been good for him to get back into the flow of things," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "We still have to get some clarity on the ankle and being able to deal with that because it is something we dealt with a year ago. He always wants to play and do things but we have to make sure... He has some time in his career so he needs to make sure that he makes good decision that way."
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Johnson practices at minicamp Saturday Fox Sports Receiver Chad Johnson fully participated in drills for the first time Saturday as the Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up their minicamp. He declined to talk to the media again, other than to say "Vote for Obama" as he walked off the field - apparently throwing his support behind Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski talked to Johnson at the end of Saturday's workout. "He's rusty," Bratkowski said. "I told him he looked rusty. Nobody likes to hear that. He's going against guys who have been out here for 14, 16 (voluntary) practices, you know. You're going to look that way."
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Who's gonna step up?? Although Carson has been trying to defend Chad until lately, while TJ has analyzed the situation as "not that complicated," a New York Giant speaks out on Plaxico Burress and a very similar holdout situation.
Center Shaun O'Hara said: "Either you are with us or you are against us," O'Hara said between practices. "And I think the players are doing a good job of focusing in on their daily tasks and their jobs, and as long as we all continue to do that, this team will succeed."
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Brouhaha still brewing over Griffey's 600th HR Ball USA Today Justin Kimball says he never wanted 15 minutes of this kind of fame. The 25-year-old aspiring musician bought a ticket - Section 130, Row 8, Seat 23 - for the Florida Marlins' game with the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night, hoping for that once-in-a-lifetime brush with history. He was in the right-field seats, envisioning that Ken Griffey Jr., one of his boyhood idols, would hit career home run No. 600 into his waiting hands. Kimball says the miracle happened. His attorneys have nine witnesses saying the same. But the Marlins say his recollection isn't true, and video replays don't conclusively support the claim, either.
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Now that's Aaron Harang Enquirer.com To beat the World Series champions was nice. To get back to even on the homestand was sweet. But Aaron Harang's performance was the best part of the Reds' 3-1 victory Friday over the Boston Red Sox before a crowd of 38,855 at Great American Ball Park. "We needed our big boy to get on the board tonight," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.
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A hug-filled homecoming Enquirer.com Sean Casey doled out hugs like handshakes and grinned for hours before Friday's game at Great American Ball Park. There were people to see, pictures to pose for, teammates to catch up with. Nobody - not even an unfamiliar face - eluded The Mayor's enthusiasm or nostalgia. "This place," Casey said, "will always be home."
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Minicamp pleases Lewis Enquirer.com No NFL coach would ever say his team's minicamp was not a success, Marvin Lewis included. "The exciting part is we're in a good spot," Lewis said this afternoon, after the team completed its fifth of five scheduled minicamp practices. "We've done a lot of football since March 24." The end of minicamp closes the 12-week offseason program for veteran players, Lewis said. Rookies can be around for another two weeks before attending the NFL Rookie Symposium.
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A more jovial Johnson Enquirer.com The Bengals can book a room at Georgetown College for Chad Johnson. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said that the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver will go to training camp in July. "Chad is going to do the honorable thing," Rosenhaus said in an ESPN interview. "He'll be at training camp."
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TJ shakes off rust quickly Dayton Daily News So much for T.J. Houshmandzadeh's rust. It's all gone. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver turned up the volume of his play Friday, June 13, running smooth routes and making several leaping catches on Day 2 of minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. Houshmandzadeh, who was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2007 (112 catches, 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns), decided to train again on his own in Southern California this offseason until his presence in Cincinnati was mandatory.
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Chris Henry suspended indefinitlely by NFL pending trial SI.com Former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. The Bengals released Henry on April 3 after he was arrested for the fifth time. Henry is scheduled for trial June 24 in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on charges of assault and criminal damaging. A man accused Henry of punching him in the face and breaking his car window with a beer bottle. If Henry is acquitted, the suspension could be lifted, Henry's agent Marvin Frazier said. If Henry is convicted, he faces at least a one-season suspension under the league's conduct policy. Henry was suspended for the first eight games last season for violating the policy, his second suspension from the league during his three-year career.
Brad Pitt's got himself a freak... USA Today Angelina Jolie says being pregnant has its perks. "It's great for the sex life," she tells Entertainment Weekly magazine. "It just makes you a lot more creative. So you have fun, and as a woman you're just so round and full."
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Father of the Year Award Winner: Kevin Federline....for real E! Ever the good dad, the former Mr. Britney Spears left sons Jayden James and Sean Preston back in Los Angeles with the nanny so he could receive the award in person. But K-Fed was shy about accepting it. "The club had a trophy for him in the kitchen, but he didn't want to get it in public," a club source tells E! News
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Selig in "only thing" holding up MLB instant replay Sporting News "It is a matter of when, not if," one league source said Friday on the condition of anonymity. With USA Today reporting that the move could be made by Aug. 1, the source said, "I don't doubt that it could be done. Everyone talks about logistics and the time it will take to implement. What logistics? The guy on his couch with a remote can replay it now. That's all the logistics you need. "The only thing holding this up is the commissioner. If he finally gives it his blessing, it can happen quickly."
Zimmer brings new energy Enquirer.com - Mark Curnutte In the football laboratory that is spring minicamp, the Bengals were
scheduled to add a handful of new plays blitzes to their defensive
repertoire Friday morning. Install, it's called. But
first-year coordinator Mike Zimmer wasn;t happy with the overall
performance from the two practices Thursday. The defense would, almost
as punishment, be forced to work again on the assignments from the
previous day.
"I'm Happy" Dayton Daily News We know that Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson lives, breathes, eats and drinks. But we just discovered that he speaks! Johnson said during the club’s open locker room period after Friday
morning minicamp practice that he’d speak to reporters “off the
record,” adding, “but there’s really nothing to say.” Told that he seemed to be in a better mood Friday than he was Thursday, Johnson replied: “I was in a good mood yesterday (Thursday). I’m happy. I don’t have anything to be mad about.”
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Be a witness to history Weather permitting, from 5:00 to 5:45 tonight the 1975 World Series trophy will be on display to the public outside the gates at Crosley Terrace, the main entrance to Great American Ball Park. The Reds and Red Sox will play tonight at 7:10 p.m. in Boston’s first visit to Cincinnati since the ’75 World Series.
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Circus of the star Enquirer.com The showdown at minicamp Thursday involving the Bengals and Chad
Johnson had been in the making since January, when the wide receiver
first said publicly he was unhappy with the team. Here's how the day's events unfolded.
Major League Baseball wants to implement
instant replay by Aug. 1, according to two high-ranking officials
within the World Umpires Association. The officials said MLB approached the umpires
Wednesday to request that replay be used on "boundary calls," which
include whether a home run clears an outfield wall or if a potential
home run is fair or foul.
A Mason High School basketball coach was charged today in connection with a “beer pong” party at his home in January. Michael
J. Crotty – a longtime assistant coach for the boys basketball program
at Mason – was charged with “knowingly allowing underage persons to
remain at his residence while possessing or consuming alcohol,”
according to charges filed this afternoon by Mason Police.The party, which took place in January, included 19-year-olds who had graduated from Mason High School the previous year.
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The spirit of '75 Enquirer.com The moment that stands out for me from the 1975 World Series is not
the Carlton Fisk home run to win Game 6 for the Red Sox, nor Tony
Perez's home run in Game 7 or Joe Morgan's single to drive in the
Series-clinching run. When I think of the 1975 World Series, the
image that springs to mind is that of left fielder George Foster
throwing out Denny Doyle at the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning. The
Reds had blown a 6-3 lead and now, with the scored tied at 6-6, the Red
Sox had the bases loaded and no outs when Boston's Fred Lynn lofted a
short fly ball to left field. As Foster ran toward the line to catch
the ball, it was difficult to tell if it would be fair or foul.
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Sweep avoided Enquirer.com It was a game the Reds had to win. To get swept on the first
three games of a homestand with the World Series champion Boston Red
Sox due in next could put the season on the express train south. But the Reds pulled it out, thanks to a good eye by Ken Griffey Jr. and a good swing by Brandon Phillips.
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National media rips Bengals camp Dayton Daily News - Chick Ludwig Members of the national media were highly critical of the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice habits at minicamp on Thursday, June 12. “I just came from Cleveland Browns minicamp,” one guy said. “The difference is night and day.”
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Backfire....antics could get Chad Johnson suspended Sporting News Though the NFL's club discipline schedule does not expressly allow
teams to fine players for refusing to practice, the collective
bargaining agreement permits a team to fine or suspend a player for
engaging in conduct detrimental to the team. Surely, refusing to
practice when otherwise healthy constitutes detrimental conduct
(although Chad Johnson's agent Drew Rosenhaus claims he has a bum
ankle, and Burress was hobbled by ankle/knee problems last season). It
is, in fact, the essence of conduct detrimental to the team because it
defies the entire concept of "team," in which each member has a job to
do and does it.
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Must be a fun morning for Kobe Bryant During the post-game press conference following their devistating loss to Boston, Kobe had this to say about the "rebound" process:
KB: "Whine about it tonight. A lot of wine, lotta beer. A coupla shots..
Maybe like 20 of ‘em.. Digest it.. Get back to work tomorrow. Nothing
you can do."
"Nothing we just wet the bed. A nice big one too. One of the ones you
can’t put a towel over. It’s terrible. There’s nothing you can do about
it. They played great in the third quarter, we played like crap. They
got back in the game and pulled out a great win, now it’s time to move
on to the next one. Period."
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I'm Ron Burgandy??
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Three's a crowd ESPN - John Clayton Chad Johnson showed up Thursday at Cincinnati Bengals
minicamp with an ailment. According to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus,
Johnson might need to have a sore ankle -- a lingering injury from last
season -- scoped. Hours after that revelation, the Bengals issued this
statement and said the ankle might not be the only body part giving him
trouble:
"Chad Johnson was given a physical this morning by one of the Bengals'
team doctors," the statement said. "He did not report any physical
problems to the doctor, and he was cleared by the doctor for practice.
Later, after the physical was concluded, Chad told our training staff
that his back was sore. He refused to practice." Welcome to the jungle, the Chad Johnson Jungle.
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Top 15 Sports Mullets of All-Time The Love of Sports 2. Jaromir Jagr - If this list was based purely on mullet strength,
this guy would be No. 1 hands down. With the amount of curls this guy
has flapping around back there you might as well call it a “curllet.”
If growing a mullet was like karate, Jagr would be Bruce Lee. There are
plans currently being put into place to cryogenically freeze Jagr’s
head when he dies in order to preserve his luxurious locks in the hopes
that future generations may one day be able to unlock its true powers.
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Creepy or genius? USA Today Microsoft and Harrah's Entertainment introduced a high-tech interactive
bar table Wednesday that lets patrons order drinks, watch YouTube
videos, play touch-screen games and even flirt with each other.
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Tim Russert, 1950-2008 NBC News Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief
and the moderator of “Meet the Press,” died Friday after collapsing in
the bureau, NBC News said Friday. He was 58. Russert
was recording voiceovers for Sunday’s “Meet the Press” program when he
collapsed, the network said. No details were immediately available.
Longtime baseball executive Jerry Walker has been hired by the Cincinnati Reds as special assistant/player personnel to President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty.
Walker spent the previous 13 seasons working for Jocketty in St. Louis, for 2 years as director of Major League player personnel and for 11 more as vice president of player personnel. While with the Cardinals, Walker assisted Jocketty with personnel decisions involving the Major League club and oversaw the organization's player development and scouting activities.
He retired following last season. Walker pitched for 8 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Baltimore Orioles (1957-60), Kansas City Athletics (1961-62) and Cleveland Indians (1963-64). In 1959 he became the youngest pitcher ever to start an All-Star Game when at age 20 he took the hill for the American League in the second classic played that summer.
Following his playing career, Walker managed in the New York Yankees' minor league system for 5 seasons before he became a scout for them in 1973. In the middle of the 1981 season he joined the Yankees' Major League staff as pitching coach. He also was the pitching coach for the Houston Astros from 1983-86.
Walker returned to scouting in 1987, when he was hired by the Detroit Tigers as a special assignment scout. He became the Tigers' general manager in 1993 and in April 1994 joined the Toronto Blue Jays as a special assignment scout. Following the 1994 season he joined Jocketty and the Cardinals.
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Just laugh it off for now... Chad Johnson is doing what many people expected...continue his pouting as he did show up to camp. Remember his M.O.:..cash cash cash. He showed up simply because he wanted the money (or in this case, not get fined). Prepare yourself, Bengals fans, he's gonna pout. He's gonna cry. He may even play the silent treatment. Bottom line, when the full camp and then regular season rolls around (and his pay is based around playing)...he'll play.
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Chad here in body but not spirit Dayton Daily News Chad Johnson was here … in body only. His spirit was somewhere else. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver arrived at mandatory, full-squad minicamp on Thursday, June 12, and accomplished … nothing. After going through warm-ups and individual drills, Johnson did not participate in team drills. In other words, he didn’t take one live snap. “He expressed to the medical staff he had some sort of ailment,”
said head coach Marvin Lewis, who claimed he wasn’t disappointed at all.
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Bengals sign Peko to contract extension The Bengals today signed DT Domata Peko to a five-year contract extension. Peko’s original Bengals contract ran through 2009, and he is now signed through the 2014 season. Peko (6-3, 319; Michigan State) is a third-year NFL player in 2008. He was a fourth-round Bengals choice in the 2006 draft. He started every game last season at LDT, posting 65 tackles, including 1.5 sacks. He also had a fumble recovery. As a rookie in 2006, he played in every game in the defensive line rotation and had 49 tackles. “Domata is a fine, young player who has fully proved his worth over the last two years and still has a tremendous upside,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “We are extremely pleased to have him signed to a long-term deal that ensures his future with our team. He has the ability to give us strong support against the run and good pass pressure up the middle.”
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Another awful night of baseball... It's not that they lost...it's how they lost. A 10-0, 3-hit shutout against a pitcher who's averaging 6.0 innings per start and has NEVER thrown a complete game in his career. The hitters can't seem to find a way to get on base...or at least be consistent for more than a day or two. Anyone else wonder what Dick Pole's purpose is on this team?? I get that there's a learning curve with Johnny Cueto...but we've seen and saw in spurts last night that he has some great stuff...but he just can't seem to nail it down night after night. More disturbingly, when he struggles, he gets into a mental rut.....and THAT to me screams of leadership issues (or lackthereof). Something's gotta light a fire under this team....and it has to start from the top.
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Injured Johnson reports Enquirer.com Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said this afternoon that Chad Johnson
did not participate in minicamp practice this morning because he was
injured. "He expressed to the medical staff he had some sort of
ailment," Lewis said of Johnson, who was in his practice uniform and
helmet but but did not participate in the practice. The team
will practice again this afternoon from 3-5, the second of five
practices through Saturday morning. Lewis said he did not expect
Johnson to practice this afternoon.
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Wonder why the Reds aren't winning?? This could be a big part of the reason....Take a look at the Reds batting average leaders with runners in scoring position (who'have played at least 10 games this season).
1. Jay Bruce - .438 (only played 13 games) 2. Jeff Keppinger - .424 *Injured* 3. Ryan Freel - .423 *Injured* 4. Jerry Hariston - .417 *Injured* 5. Joey Votto - .271 --
7. Brandon Phillips - .250 9. Adam Dunn - .235 13 (out of 13). Corey Patterson .200 (he's also played in 30 games).
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Time to win is now... If the Reds want to make up some ground in the Central Division...now is the time.
Pujols out 3 weeks Albert Pujols is expected to miss at least three weeks with a strained left calf, a major setback to a St. Louis Cardinals team already thinned by injuries. The first baseman injured his calf while running out a ground ball during a 7-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. He flew to St. Louis for tests that indicated a strain rather than a severe tear, as initially feared. He will start therapy in the next few days. The Cardinals want to be sure the calf is fully healed before he plays again.
Soriano could miss 6 weeks Alfonso Soriano could miss up to six weeks with a broken left hand after the Chicago Cubs star was hit by a pitch Wednesday night against Atlanta. Soriano was hit in the second inning by Jeff Bennett. The Chicago leadoff man will be in a splint for three weeks, Cubs spokesman Peter Chase said. Soriano spent time on the disabled list earlier this season with a calf injury. After a slow start that led to Cubs fans booing him, Soriano had found his groove recently and helped the Cubs move into the NL Central lead.
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Top 10 MLB Moments that never were The Love of Sports 8. What if Ken Griffey Jr. wasn't injured? In 2000, Griffey became the youngest player to hit 400 home runs at the ripe old age of 30. He'd averaged 50 homers a year over the previous five seasons and seemed poised to challenge Hank Aaron's record before he was struck by a series of injuries. Junior missed 111, 70, 53 and 83 games, respectively, from 2001-04 and another 105 games over the next three seasons. Were it not for the injuries, he'd likely be closing in on Bonds' record at this point.
Gloves come off in fight for Griffey baseball Miami Herald A treasured baseball that could be worth $100,000 is adding new meaning to ``I got it.'' When Ken Griffey Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds hit his 600th home run into the bleacher seats at Dolphin Stadium on Monday, it set off an ownership dispute -- and a negotiating session. The ball is in the possession of a longtime Florida Marlins fan whom the team will identify only as ``Joe.''
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Congrats to John Hamel The Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL announced this afternoon that Director of Public Relations and Broadcasting John Hamel has been named the American Conference’s ‘Public Relations Director of the Year.’ The Cyclones are the ECHL affiliate for the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators of the NHL. Hamel, 41, is in his second season of work with the ECHL Cyclones and his sixth season with the club between their stints between the IHL (1996-97 through 1999-2000) and now. Sandwiched in between is a six-year stint at SportsPlus in Evendale, where John spent four years as the Ice Director. SportsPlus is presently the practice home of the Cyclones.
