Armchair Weekend in Review (July 13-15, 2007)
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by JB82
Just a tad quiet this weekend, but there was some excitement over the last three days. So, let's get to it...
MLB Highlights
- After going 0-12 in their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds took out his frustrations on the Bay Area media:
- "It's an embarrassment for me to be wearing this (certain four-letter obscenity, used in this case as an adjective) uniform 'cause of the way I'm playing. There, that's it. Now go away"
- Meanwhile, Detroit Tigers outfielder Gary Sheffield said that his ex-skipper Joe Torre treated African-American players differently while Sheff was with the New York Yankees. Kenny Lofton, fellow ex-Yankee and journeyman, backed him up on that. When asked for a reaction, Torre, to his credit, gave the shopworn standby, "No comment."
- Since their inception in 1883, the Philadelphia Phillies have become one of this country's (read: U.S.) losingest pro sports franchises. Despite World Series appearances in 1915, 1950, 1980 (which they won), 1983, and 1993, losing has been the Phils' boast. That feeling was exemplified in spades Sunday night as a Phils ninth-inning rally fell short against the St. Louis Cardinals, 10-2. The 10,000-loss plateau is a first for any franchise in North America, let alone the U.S. of A.
- Remember last weekend when Erik Bedard struck out fifteen batters in a 3-0 shutout win? Friday night, the Baltimore Orioles pitcher fanned half as many batters in another gem, a 2-0 shutout of the Chicago White Sox.
Over now across the pond
While David Beckham's ballyhooed Stateside arrival isn't until next week, we still have some Transatlantic tidbits to tide us over.
- The weekend saw the Tour de France maillot jaune change bodies twice. First, it was German Linus Gerdmann via winning Stage 7 on Saturday, knocking prvious leader Fabian Cancellara all the way back. The next day, it was Michael Rasmussen's turn in Stage 8, taking the jersey and the "King of the Mountains" top spot as well.
- Phil Mickelson decided to get a tune up for next weekend's British Open at Carnoustie, Scotland by participating in the Barclays (without an apostrophe) Scottish Open at Loch Lomond (you take the high road, and I'll take the low road, and I'll be in the clubhouse afore ye). Well, "Lefty" looks in rare form after bunging up a mulligan on his 18th tee shot, forcing unheralded Frenchman Gregory Havret to win the tournament. Shades of Winged Foot in June of '06...
Distant Early Warning (CFL update)
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers slotback Milt Stegall remains tied for the all-time touchdowns lead in the CFL after a 19-15 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos. Stegall shared the distinction of being the CFL's Jerry Rice two weeks ago against this same Eskimos team. Better luck next week against the Montreal Alouettes.
- Speaking of Les Als, quarterback Anthony Calvillo passed the 50,000-yards passing career mark in a 29-20 win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Coincidentally, the 14-year CFL veteran thought about this milestone he crossed the 40,000-yard barrier against this same Ti-Cats team a few years back. Cavillo went 27-37, throwing for three scores and 310 yards in the game.
- The British Columbia Lions blew out the Saskatchewan Roughriders 42-12 to remain undefeated (3-0) on the young season.
Fast Track
- All it took was a lecture from team owner Joe Gibbs to get Tony Stewart back on track in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Stewart nailed his first win of the 2007 season outside Chicago in the USG Sheetrock 400.
- The IRL had a more peaceful ending to its race compared to last week, with Scott Dixon taking his second win of the year. Danica Patrick scored a third-place finish at the IndyCar event in Nashville, tying her highest finish this season.
- Someone not named Rossi or Stoner won in MotoGP for only the second time this year. The winner at Germany's Sachsenring: Spaniard Dani Pedrosa. The main series heads Stateside to California next weekend.
We'll see you then
As always, let's all be good sports...
