Archive for April, 2009
Lovely Ladies of the Kentucky Derby…UH YUMP!!!
By: Carl H | April 30th, 2009 | Category: UH YUMP!!!You should all know what tomorrow is by now… the 135th Kentucky Derby. That means today, at the Oaks and tomorrow local yumps and celebrities alike will be out in bunches sportin’ their Kentucky Derby and Oaks hats. Even Barbie got her a Derby hat this year… The lovely ladies of the Kentucky Derby, UH YUMP!!
For the Pinkie’s Derby Predictions, we break down the field from first to last, click here.
[CLICK HERE FOR ENTIRE GALLERY OF KENTUCKY DERBY HAT WEARIN' YUMPS]
Game 21 Recap: Marlins 8, Cubs 2 (10)
By: Miller | April 30th, 2009 | Category: UncategorizedThis is just starting to get ugly, as in 2006 ugly. For those who don’t know, or in my case, have blocked out the memory of 2006, the Cubs were atrocious and finished with a 66-96 record that year. The 2009 Cubs team is not that bad, but you wouldn’t know it by watching them play lately. The Cubs yet again failed to score more than a couple runs and watched their bullpen and defense let them down.
The Cubs took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 5th after back to back home runs from Milton Bradley and Mike Fontenot. Starter Sean Marshall threw a fantastic game going seven innings and giving up only one run while striking out six. Marshall gave way to set up man Carlos Marmol, but then things got ugly.
With a 2-1 lead, Marmol promptly walked the first two batters he faced. As Cameron Maybin sacrificed, Marmol threw wildly to first allowing the tying run to score. Marmol eventually got out of the inning with no further damage. That would not be the last poor defensive play of the night. Despite coughing up the lead, the Cubs had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the 9th.
Ryan Theriot led off with a single, then stole second. So with a runner on second, no one out, and the heart of the order coming up, the Cubs were feeling pretty good. It would be short lived. Kosuke Fukudome struck out swinging, as did Derrek Lee who is now batting .189 with one YAK EM (Micah Hoffpauir anyone?). Milton Bradley was intentionally walked and the Marlins brought in lefty Renyel Pinto to face Mike Fontenot. Sweet Lou countered with Reed Johnson, but Johnson grounded out to end the threat.
In the 10th, Aaron Heilman replaced Kevin Gregg, who pitched a scoreless 9th inning. Heilman gave up a bloop double to Alfredo Amezaga, then walked Wes Helms. Emilio Bonifacio slapped a grounder to Derrek Lee who threw to second for the force out, but shortstop Ryan Theriot flat out didn’t catch it. The ball hit him in the glove, but he simply failed to catch it. As the ball rolled into left field, the Marlins took the lead 3-2.
Jorge Cantu came up a few batters later and broke the game wide open with a bases clearing double to put the game out of reach. Heilman (2-1) took the loss, while Pinto (2-0) got the win. The Cubs will now look to Rich Harden to once again stop the bleeding as he faces Graham Taylor. The game is at 2:20 pm EST and can be seen on CSN.
CLICK HERE FOR THE BOXSCORE COURTESY OF YAHOO
2001 Kentucky Derby – Monarchos
By: nickev | April 30th, 2009 | Category: Horse Racing - VideosMonarchos runs the second-fastest Kentucky Derby in history to claim the Roses, at 1:59.97, and becomes only the second horse in Kentucky Derby history to finish under two minutes. Secretariat, the Greatest Horse of All-Time, finished at 1:59.40.
NBC Miami: John Wall to decide between UK, Miami
By: Guy | April 30th, 2009 | Category: CatsNBC MIAMI – Despite odds longer than a full-court buzzer beater, Frank Haith and his hardwood Hurricanes might actually be one of the finalists to land the nation’s best high school player.
John Wall, the nation’s consensus no. 1 recruit is said to be considering lacing up for UM – a coup almost as big for the ‘Canes as Wall declaring them the lucky recipients of his services.
A source close to Miami’s program has said that during Wall’s recruiting visit to Coral Gables last week, the 6′4″ guard from Raleigh’s Word of God Christian Academy told Haith his decision would come down to Kentucky and Miami, according to Jorge Milan of the Palm Beach Post.
Naturally, recruiting whispers come buried under a pile of salt. And the news differs from the 19-year-old’s public statement that he will whittle his options down to three or four from Duke, North Carolina State, Baylor, Kentucky, Miami, Florida, Kansas and Memphis any moment now.
No word on whether this news came before or after North Carolina Central got involved…yes, I am kidding. Wall’s visit to NC Central is nothing more than a courtesy to the school. It will give them some publicity, and fresh off of a move to Division I basketball, they need as much of that as they can get.
John Wall will visit North Carolina…North Carolina Central that is
By: Guy | April 30th, 2009 | Category: CatsOK, now John Wall is just trying to mess with us, I’m convinced.
According to the Charlotte News and Observer, John Wall will visit North Carolina Central on Friday. North Carolina Central is an historically black college and just hired Lavelle Moton, who has worked with John Wall for many years:
“I want to find out what a historically black school has to offer,” Wall
said Thursday night. “This is a visit to find out some things.”
Wall had planned to trim his list of eight schools to three or four by
Friday, but, “truthfully, it looks like it is going to be Monday now,” Wall said Thursday night.
Wall currently has N.C. State, Baylor, Kentucky, Miami, Duke, Kansas,
Memphis and Florida on his list.
He said there are no leaders, not any group of leaders. He said internet reports that he had cut his list to Kentucky, Miami, Duke and Florida were erroneous.
“I have not told anyone a group of leaders,” he said. “In my mind, the schools are even.”
There is clearly no decision coming anytime soon for John Wall, despite the reports last night that he had picked UK.
2000 Kentucky Derby – Fusaichi Pegasus
By: nickev | April 30th, 2009 | Category: Horse Racing - VideosFusaichi Pegasus ends the “20-Year Favorite Jinx” and claims the roses with Kent Desormeaux aboard. Desormeaux wins his second Derby in three years, he also rode Real Quiet in 1998.
John Calipari from EA Sports’ “March Madness”
By: nickev | April 30th, 2009 | Category: Cats
To see the rest of the gallary, check out the photo gallery.
Jodie Meeks: “I will probably be back next year”
By: Guy | April 30th, 2009 | Category: CatsAllKYHoops.com is reporting that Jay Crawford of ESPN asked Jodie Meeks about his future. Jodie had this to say at the Catspy’s last night:
“Right now I don’t know exactly what will happen, but I will probably be back next year.”
I know I have expected Jodie to return for his senior year next year to improve his draft stock. Jodie stands to gain a TON by playing for John Calipari next year. He’s going to be forced to improve his handle, plus, there will be a ton more open space in the dribble drive motion offense.
On the subject of Jodie Meeks, UK is now making those famous Witness t-shirts that commemorate Jodie’s 54 point explosion in Knoxille available to the public for purchase. This is firmly in the gray area when it comes to profiting off an amateur athlete, but it doesn’t feature Jodie’s name, so I guess it’s OK. Besides, the shirts are really cool.
Also check out a John Calipari still shot for EA Sports’ “March Madness”.
1999 Kentucky Derby – Charismatic
By: nickev | April 30th, 2009 | Category: Horse Racing - VideosFor the second time in three years, the same silks win the Derby as Charismatic and Chris Antley give Bob & Beverly Lewis their second Run For The Roses victory. The previous Lewis winner was Silver Charm, trained by Bob Bafferty. Charismatic is trained by D. Wayne Lukas, giving him his fourth Kentucky Derby win.
Florida Marlins @ Chicago Cubs – Series Preview
By: Miller | April 30th, 2009 | Category: UncategorizedThe Cubs come limping home after a fairly disastrous road trip. The Cubs went to St. Louis and dropped two of three, then headed to Arizona where they promptly dropped two of three as well. The Cubs (10-10) are hoping the Friendly Confines can bring out the best in them and they will need it against the very talented Florida Marlins (13-8).
The Cubs have gotten relatively healthy the past few days as first baseman Derrek Lee, primary set up man Carlos Marmol, and right fielder Milton Bradley have all returned to action. However, the status of third baseman Aramis Ramirez is still in question. Ramirez will have another workout prior game 1 on Thursday to test out his injured calf. Everything I’m hearing at this point suggests he’ll head to the 15 day Disabled List. The Cubs will need all hands on deck as they have a challenge this weekend against Florida.
The Marlins feature perhaps the best young player in baseball today, shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Last season Ramirez batted .301 with 33 YAK EMs, 35 steals, and a .940 OPS. So far this year, he’s batting .289 with 2 YAK EMs and 12 RBIs. However, the offensive star so far for the Marlins this season has been Jorge Cantu. So far this year, Cantu is batting a cool .362 with 6 YAK EMs, 18 RBIs, and .1189 OPS.
The Marlins as a team are 14th in batting average and 12th in OPS. Despite the early season numbers, the Marlins have a lineup full of home run hitters. With players such as Dan Uggla, Jeremy Hermida, and Cody Ross, to go along with Ramirez and Cantu, the Marlins have the capability to produce a YAK EM with each batter.
Marlins lineup
1. Emilio Bonifacio 3B
2. John Baker C
3. Hanley Ramirez SS
4. Jorge Cantu 1B
5. Dan Uggla 2B
6. Jeremy Hermida LF
7. Cody Ross RF
8. Cameron Maybin CF
The strength of the Marlins is their starting pitching. The Marlins’ staff features Josh Johnson, 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA and one complete game, and Chris Volstad, 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA. Even though other starters Ricky Nolasco, Annibal Sanchez, and Andrew Miller (currently on 15 day DL) do not have as good numbers, every one of the Marlins pitchers features very good stuff and has the ability to the throw a gem each time out. Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has said publicly he believes the Marlins have the best starting rotation is the National League. Cox could be proven correct by year’s end.
The Marlins bullpen is shaky. Their closer is Matt Lindstrom, 8.31 ERA and 5-7 save opportunities. Despite having electric stuff, Lindstrom can be very wild and is one of those closers that will always keep you in the game (much like Cubs closer Kevin Gregg). The rest of the Marlins pen is okay ERA wise, but they walk batters. The plan against the Marlins is to not give up the long ball and keep the get into their bullpen. If the Cubs are able to do that, they should be capable of taking this series. Onto the pitching matchups:
Game 1 – 8:05 pm EST, WCIU
Sean Marshall (0-1 4.50 ERA) vs. Chris Volstad (2-0 2.70 ERA)
Marshall pitched well in his last start giving up 3 runs over 6 innings against the Cardinals, but took the loss. Marshall is 1-3 with a 4.38 ERA in his career against the Marlins.
Volstad got a no decision in his last outing against the Phillies giving up 3 runs over 7 innings. Last year, Volstad gave up 4 runs total in his two starts against the North Siders.
Game 2 – 2:20 pm EST, CSN
Rich Harden (2-1 3.86 ERA) vs. Graham Taylor (0-1 9.82 ERA)
Harden has been pretty spectacular so far this season. In his last start against St. Louis, Harden went 6 innings, gave up two runs and struck out 9. So far this season, Harden has struck out 35 in only 21 innings. The Cubs will be just fine if he keeps this going.
Taylor, called up in place of the injured Andrew Miller, got rocked in his last start against the Philies. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings whilst giving up 4 runs and walking 6. He’ll definitely need to improve on that to keep a spot in the rotation.
Game 3 – 1:05 pm EST, CSN
Ted Lilly (2-2 3.80 ERA) vs. Annibal Sanchez (1-2 4.13 ERA)
The Bulldog was not good in his last start against the Diamondbacks. Lilly gave up 5 runs in only 5 innings of work. He displayed an unusual lack of command and will need to shore it up against the home run hitters of the Marlins.
Sanchez got shelled pretty good in his last start against the New York Mets giving up 6 runs over 6 innings. Despite his numbers, Sanchez has very good stuff and can definitely shut down a team if he is on his game.
Game 4 – 2:20 pm EST, WGN
Carlos Zambrano (2-1 4.64 ERA) vs. Ricky Nolasco (1-2 6.92 ERA)
Big Z did it all in his last start giving up 3 runs over 7 innings. Zambrano also went 3-4 the plate with his first YAK EM of the year. This game will also feature the retiring of the number 31 for the Cubs, in honor of Ferguson Jenkins and Greg Maddux, both of whom wore that number during their time in Chicago.
Nolasco, like the other Marlins starters, did not pitch well his last time out. Against the Mets, Nolasco gave up 4 runs over 5 innings. Nolasco is a former Cubs top prospect acquired by the Marlins in the Juan Pierre trade of 2006.
