Eli Manning's Silence About Plaxico Burress Spoke Volumes

It looks like Plaxico Burress found a fly in his soup during last night's dinner meeting with Tom Coughlin-- and that fly's name might be Eli Manning.

Burress can cook up every reason in the book to explain why he spurned the New York Giants for their Meadowlands cellmates--I mean stadium-mates--the New York Jets, but the absence of any public support from Manning down the stretch might have swung Burress's decision from Big Blue to Gang Green.

If the Giants quarterback is still blaming Burress, and his arrest for gun possession, for costing the team the 2008 season and Manning's chance to get back-to-back Super Bowl titles, he's barking up the wrong goal post.  Ironically, Manning's lack of vocal support for the return of his one-time favorite target could cost him this season as well.

The Giants team is getting old and, now that the Philadelphia Eagles have buffed up their defensive backfield-- with the signing of DB-extraordinaire, Nnamdi Asomugha-- and the uncertain return of receiver Steve Smith to the Giants, the loss of Burress may have just given a huge advantage to the Eagles in their two division game match-ups.

 Coughlin seemed friendlier than a flair-covered waiter at Bennigan's, leading up to his dinner with Burress, while Manning played the snobby waiter at a French bistro.

All week Roethlisberger openly campaigned for Burress' return to the Pittsburgh Steelers.   Manning only mumbled a few standard comments.

"You just don't want distractions," said Manning.  "Distractions, whatever they may be, can hurt a team.  If you're spending your time concerned about something else, bringing your attention away from the opponent on your preparation, that's considered a distraction."

I tell you what distraction is Eli.  Distraction is being asked 'Why didn't you lobby harder for Burress' about five-thousand times this week and looking for a top-notch wide-out in the fourth quarter this season.

Make no mistake, Manning supports Burress' second chance and even made a call to his former wide-out while he was in prison, but hasn't bothered to jump on the "We Want Plax" bandwagon.

By all accounts, the meeting with Coughlin went swimmingly.  The head coach was smiling yesterday and put it bluntly, "The meeting went well."

Not well enough, as Burress's "fully-guaranteed," one-year deal for $3.017 million with the Jets the next day will attest.

Let's give Manning the benefit of a doubt.  Maybe the silent treatment wasn't such a bad idea.  I don't remember Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, standing in Times Square singing a tribute to the ex-con and look where Burress ended up.

"I never really lobbied for anybody," said Manning before the meeting.  "So if this is the right spot for Plaxico, if the Giants and Coach Coughlin are pleased with his attitude and after talking to him, then [I'm] happy to have him."

In the end, here's what Manning's silence about signing Burress said.

No distractions.  Burress' return to the Giants will disrupt an already shortened training camp.  It's about the team, not one player.

Why all the fuss over a soon to be (August 12)  34 year-old receiver who hasn't played a down in 2 1/2 years?

How is a guy who was never a fan of Coughlin's discipline and structured system going to feel about  routine after almost two full years in lockup?  Does the prison stint help Burress cope with Coughlin's Captain Bligh act?

Finally, Manning doesn't want to insult his current group of receivers.  After all, he threw for over 4,000 yards last year and has two Pro Bowl-caliber wide-outs in Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks.  Joined by Mario Manningham, Manning believes he has the nucleus of a solid receiving corp.

"I like our receivers here, I think we have a great crew, very talented, they work hard," he said.  "Can you have too many good receivers?  No, I don't think so.  I'm going about my business and preparing for myself.

Hey, everybody wanted little Eli to man up and be more assertive--so there you go.

Maybe Burress would have picked the Giants if Manning took the time to drop a dime or, just maybe, Coughlin put that fly in the soup.

Is There A Possible Return Of MLB To Montreal?

When the Montreal Expos left for Washington D.C. there wasn't a chance that there would be a possible return of Major League Baseball to the French- Canadian city. All I can say is never say never.

There have been rumors floating around that there could be a possible return of the Expos to Montreal. The rumors have been started by former French-language Expos broadcaster, Rodger Brulotte.


Last Friday, on radio station CKAC, Brulotte said he has been approached by an unnamed business group interested in trying to bring baseball back to the city – and we’re not talking about the minor leagues.

Brulotte also posted the news on his RDS blog and was a guest Tuesday afternoon on Mitch Melnick’s radio show on The Team 990. Brulotte said he had rebuffed the group of investors several times over the last couple of years before finally taking them seriously.


Brulotte says the fact a recent Conference Board of Canada report declared Montreal could still support Major League Baseball under the right conditions led the unnamed group to publicly explore the city’s appetite for it.

First of all stop teasing the Montreal fans, because baseball isn't coming back to Montreal. Number two unless a group with a ton of money gets involved I don't think ownership can support baseball in Montreal. Football still hasn't returned to Los Angeles, so baseball isn't coming back to Montreal. 

Bank Suing Marbury For $16 Million

Stephon Marbury has made around $151 million throughout his basketball playing career. So it should be no problem for him to pay back a loan. Well, it's a problem when it's $16 million dollars.

Marbury is being sued by Wells Fargo/Wachovia for the $16 mill he guaranteed to Starbury the company. Here's an excerpt of the report from CBSSports.com.

The balance due and owing on the Note, as of September 11, 2010, is the principal balance of $16,063,179.49, together with default interest, late charges, sums advanced for the protection of the Property, attorney's fees, and all other sums due under the Note, the Mortgage, and other applicable loan documents.



Essentially, Marbury guaranteed a $16-million loan to Starbury, the company. Starbury the company hasn't paid the loan back, so now Starbury the former Knicks point guard has to. The collateral he put up for the loan only covered a small part of the judgment against him.

You can check out more on Deadspin.com.

I know Marbury wasn't the sharpest tool in the drawer, but I figure since he's still playing in China he's bring in some money to pay this back. Besides he made $151 million there shouldn't be any problem paying this back. Right. Right?

Samaki Walker's Poor Attempt At Hiding Drugs From The Police

Kids don't take this statement to heart, well at least some of it. If you are going to do drugs and at some point if you are approached by police, give up the goods, do not try to eat them. Apparently former NBA player Samaki Walker thought that eating them to hide them from police would be a good idea.

Arizona authorities allege former NBA basketball player Samaki Walker tried to eat marijuana as a Department of Public Safety officer approached his 2002 Mercedes-Benz during a traffic stop Thursday in Kingman.



Officials said about 10 grams of marijuana was seized from the vehicle with some prescription drugs and eight bottles of liquid steroids.


 Walker, who had a 10 year NBA career, most notably with the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, after being drafted ninth in the 1996 NBA draft still plays professionally in Syria. He says he had the steroids to help improve his athletic ability. Steroids are legal in Syria.

Walker was booked on drug charges; bond was set at $2,000, and an Aug. 5 preliminary hearing was set.


Even though he wasn't a top of the line NBA player I know he made some money. So what was he doing still rolling around in a 2002 Benz. I know he could afford some kind of upgrade.

First Rodney White and his underground bunkers, now this.      

Andy Van Slyke Rips Colby Rasmus

 In an interview with Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Andy Van Slyke. Even though the trade happened Wednesday, Van Slyke had some choice words for the young Colby Rasmus and his lack of accountability.

"According to what I read, he's never been happier (being traded) since he's been a Cardinal," Van Slyke said. "How can you be happy being traded from the St Louis Cardinals? It's the most nonsensical thing I could ever imagine.


"I couldn't have been more upset than when I got traded (to Pittsburgh). It took me a month to get over it."

He said Rasmus' apparent happiness at being traded "shows you how totally emotionally different a player he is than I was. He's going from a potential playoff team to a team that hasn't won anything in 20 years.

"If he stays where he is emotionally, he's going to be the same player he is right how. His whole game is derived from emotion. He doesn't use his intellectual mind; he uses his emotional mind.


"No wonder he's never performed the way he should have.


"Then his father says the Cardinals have changed his game. Well, I would hope so," Van Slyke said.


"He and his father think he's still playing in high school. He continues to throw the ball to the wrong base and not break up double plays. You can't do those things at the big-league level.


"It's up to the Toronto organization to keep him accountable, like Tony (La Russa) and his coaches tried to do."

Sounds like Rasmus' father is a welfare version of Marv Marinovich. It's hard for a coach or manager to get through to a player when his father is in his ear all the time. Even though I think this trade will come back to haunt the Cards in the future, Rasmus still has some growing up to do. St. Louis is a great baseball city and would've supproted him even though he had issues with Tony LaRussa.  

Former Yankee Paul O'Neill Shows Off His Mythical 'Rabbit Ears'

Former New York Yankees right-fielder and "Seinfeld" actor, Paul O'Neill, finally proved to the world the existence of a piece of Little League equipment called "rabbit ears" used during his youth.  After a friend sent over one of the beat-up head protectors, O'Neill sported the unusual leather ear flaps on air.

A couple of weeks ago, while doing his broadcasting gig on the YES Network during a Yankees game, the talk turned to batting helmets and how they have evolved over the years.  O'Neill casually mentioned wearing the rabbit ears during his Little League years in Columbus, Ohio.  O'Neill's co-caster, Michael Kay, did a double take and, like a million other listeners, and said he never heard of the such a piece of equipment when he played baseball while growing up in New York.

Was it myth or reality?  Some people thought O'Neill was living in some fantasy land and was, himself, probably beaned in the head too many times.

O'Neill insisted it was regulation gear for protecting a kid rounding the bases and thought he might have one lying around somewhere.  O'Neill was occasionally ribbed after he could not find or produce the legendary head gear.

In a time long before video and phone cameras,  O'Neill was unable to document or produce evidence to back his fabulous tale; so rabbit ears were as real as Nessie and Bigfoot.

Finally, during today's game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium, a weathered pair of blue rabbit ears made it to the broadcast booth, verifying the existence of the funny-looking head protectors.

The odd looking gadget fits over your head and looks like a hybrid of a wrestler's ear protector and the bottom-half of a football helmet worn during the Bronco Nagurski era.  There is no protection on top and has no visor.  It looks the players cap is worn under the top straps.

I still don't understand why you needed one to run the bases.

So, Paul O'Neill, you are vindicated for what was once thought to be a too vivid imagination.  Now find the Fountain of Youth that has revived Bartolo Colon's career.

Marhaban Ya Ramadhan

Tak terasa terkenang kembali, bagaimana tetes air mata dengan perasaan haru ketika kita berpisah dengan bulan Ramadan di tahun kemarin. Kini, ia kembali datang ke hadapan kita. Ia membawa bongkahan kemuliaan di tengah ringkihnya dunia yang seolah sudah sesak dengan praktik hidup yang kotor penuh kepalsuan.Ramadhan setiap tahun, hawa sejuknya seakan selalu menyusup ke kalbu yang khuzu.

Fisherman Hops on Shark's Back For Ride Of His Life

A Massachusetts fisherman gave new meaning to "Jumping the Shark" after he literally hopped onto the back of one of the fish while it swam alongside his boat.

Eric Jacobs pulled the stunt while angling off the New England coast and a huge basking shark sidled up to the port side of his fishing boat.  Jacobs did his best imitation of Fonzie, dove into the water and got towed about fifteen feet while hanging on to the shark's dorsal fin.

"It was very exciting until I realized how far the boat was from me," said the human chum.  " I said 'I need to get back on the boat.'"

Although it is in the shark family, Jacobs was in no imminent danger.  The basking shark is not a man-eater and dines mostly on plankton and small fish.  The breed is the second largest fish in the ocean and can grow up to 30 feet long.

Jacobs said he realized it was just a harmless basking shark before he dropped his pole and took his plunge to infamy.

"I need to swim with him.  I need to be part of this," contemplated Jacobs before his jump and, in the understatement of the day said, "It was the experience of a lifetime."

He must have realized how crazy it was after ten seconds.  Just check out how fast Jacobs swims back to the boat.

Wildlife officials said the basking shark is a protected species and they frown upon the idea of shark-riding.

I knew Red Sox fans were crazy and this proves it.

Orlando Hudson's Fan-Friendly Goof

Orlando Hudson, the four-time Gold Glove winner of the San Diego Padres, was a little too eager to please a fan and his brain freeze cost the Padres a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Playing second base on Tuesday night at Petco Field, Hudson called for Ryan Robert's pop-up in shallow right field.  Without breaking his stride, Hudson snagged the ball, headed towards the right field stands and flipped the ball to a ball-girl before heading to the dugout.

Major problem.  It was only the second out.

Seeing Hudson's goof, Padres first baseman, Jesus Guzman, ran to the ball girl, but it was too late, it was in the stands.

Diamondbacks Chris Young and Miguel Montero were permitted to take two bases.  Young scored to make it 4-0.

The personable Hudson laughed at the epic blunder.

"You see it every now and then," he said.  "Life goes on, nobody's perfect."

Arizona went on to win, 6-1.

One Fan's Take On The Colby Rasmus Trade

It's no secret that that the clash with manager Tony LaRussa is the chief reason that Colby Rasmus was shipped to the Toronto Blue Jays. 

What's funny is how a St. Louis Cardinals fan modified his Colby Rasmus shirsey (jersey shirt).

As Cardinals fan I think this deal might come back to haunt them.

Jerry Meals' Family Being Harassed

When Jerry Meals blew the call at the end of the Braves-Pirates game a few nights ago, I don't think he figured that there would be some fans that would take their outrage a bit too far. Yes, he blew the call, but hell, he's only human. I'm still bitter over the blown call in the 1985 World Series, but I've never let my fandom get in the way of human error. What is happening to Meals and his family is absurd.

According to Meals' daughter the family has received threats and harassing phone calls. This is a bit much. Jim Joyce didn't catch this much flack for ruining Armando Galarraga's perfect game.

A source who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation told  ESPN.com's Amy K. Nelson that Major League Baseball’s security division is investigating apparent threats made against the family. Among them were calls made to the family and people showing up at the Meals’ home. The exact nature of the threats is still unknown.

MLB Vice President of Baseball Operations, Joe Torre, delivered a lenghty apology. 

“Unfortunately, it appears that the call was missed, as Jerry Meals acknowledged after the game. Many swipe tags are not applied to the runner with solid contact, but the tag was applied and the game should have remained tied. I have spoken with Jerry, who is a hard-working, respected umpire, and no one feels worse than him. We know that this is not a product of a lack of effort.



“Having been the beneficiary of calls like this and having been on the other end in my experience as a player and as a manager, I have felt that this has always been a part of our game. As a member of the Commissioner’s Special Committee for On-Field Matters, I have heard many discussions on umpiring and technology over the past two years, including both the pros and the cons of expanding replay. However, most in the game recognize that the human element always will be part of baseball and instant replay can never replace all judgment calls by umpires. Obviously, a play like this is going to spark a lot of conversation, and we will continue to consider all viewpoints in our ongoing discussions regarding officiating in baseball.


“We expect the best from our umpires, and an umpire would tell you he expects the best of himself. We have to continue to strive for accuracy, consistency and professionalism day in and day out.”


Listen up Pirates fans. Everyone makes mistakes. I understand this is the closest you've been to a pennant race in the last 20 years or so. Get over it. If anything you guys should be bitching about MLB not having a replay system that can make a proper call on a close play. I understand that it could possibly cost you in the standings at the end of the year, but it's not that serious. It's BS and 99% of them probably couldn't referee a checker match.




    

Former Yankees Pitcher Hideki Irabu Found Dead Of Apparent Sucide

The long and troubling road of former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu came to a sad ending today.  The one-time Japanese Pacific League star, and Major League bust, was found dead at age 42 of an apparent suicide in his Rancho Palo Verdes, California home.

Irabu was one of the of the key members of the great 1998 Yankees team which beat the San Diego Padres in the World Series and the Yankees team which beat the Atlanta Braves in1999 for the championship; although Irabu never threw a pitch in either series.

The much-maligned Irabu was once called the "Nolan Ryan of Japan" when he tore through the Japanese leagues.  After Hideo Nomo successfully blazed a trail for Japanese pitchers, the exotic Irabu was brought to the U.S. in 1997 with high hopes.  Japanese fans--many who had never even seen a Yankees game-- came by the thousands to the Bronx.

Irabu's most famous moment in the majors is probably when he ended up being called a "fat... toad" by Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, after the hefty righthander failed to cover first base during a game.  Steinbrenner became increasingly more disgusted with his investment and the fact that he wasn't living up to the $12.8, four-year contract during his years with the team.

The Yankees first traded for Irabu-- after he refused to go to the San Diego Padres-- and the 28 year-old Irabu made his debut on July 10, 1997 against the Detroit Tigers in grand style.

Irabu thrilled the crowd of 51,000 as he struck out nine with a 96 mph fastball and got his first major league victory.  Current Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, was the catcher that day. After that auspicious opening act, it seemed like it was all downhill from there.

Irabu's abrasive personality, lazy habits and language barrier caused bickering with teammates and the media.  During spring training in 1998, Yankees pitcher David Cone finally had enough and verbally laid into the slacking Irabu in the locker room.

The increasingly unpopular Irabu finished the 1998 season 13-9 with a 4.06 ERA but manager Joe Torre had so little faith in Irabu, he kept the high-priced starter on the bench during the entire Yankees playoff run and World Series victory over the Padres.

Irabu went 11-7 during the 1999 season, which didn't satisfy Steinbrenner and he was traded to the Montreal Expos for Jake Westbrook and Ted Lilly.

Irabu fared no better up north.  He gained weight and reportedly drank to excess.  Knee and elbow surgeries plagued the ever-fattening Irabu and he was finally suspended by the Expos while on a rehab assignment in Triple-A.  He played 14 games for the Expos and finished with a 2-7 record and 6.69 ERA.

The last chapter of Irabu's major league career ended before the 2002 season, when the Texas Rangers tried to convert the burned out Irabu into a closer.  It was a major failure.

Irabu made millions from the Yankees but never made a mark in the league-- excluding the brilliant first game he pitched.

He was arrested for a bar fight in 2008 and a DUI in 2010.  The reclusive Irabu attempted a comeback in Japan in 2009 but shied away from the media until his arrests and ending with the sad news of his death today.

"He was found dead by an apparent suicide," said Los Angeles County Sherriff's Sgt. Michael Arriaga to AP.

During six seasons in the majors (1997-2002), Irabu finished with a 34-35 record and a 5.15 ERA.  His poetic legacy may be that he was an integral part of two World Series Championship teams but never played in one.

Irabu should be remembered for widening the door for Japanese position players like Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui.

The tragic reality is maybe, if Hideki Irabu never came to America, he would still be alive right now.

Mirny Mine, Rusia: Tambang Berlian Terbesar #2 Di Dunia

Mir Mine atau Mirny Mine adalah tambang berlian berupa lubang besar terbuka yang berlokasi di Mirny, Siberia Timur, Rusia. Tambang ini memiliki kedalaman 525 meter dan berdiameter 1,200 meter. Tambang ini menjadi tambang terbesar kedua di dunia setelah Bingham Canyon Mine. Ruang udara diatas tambang ini ditutup bagi helikopter karena sejumlah kecelakaan yang terjadi dimana mereka terhisap kedalam akibat udara yang mengalir kebawah lubang.

Tambang ini ditemukan pada 13 Juni, 1955 oleh ahli geologi Soviet, Yuri Khabardin, Ekaterina Elagina dan Viktor Avdeenko dalam Ekspedisi Amakinsky di Yakut ASSR. Mereka menemukan jejak batu volkanik kimberlite yang biasanya dihubungkan dengan berlian. Atas penemuan ini, pada tahun 1957 Khabardin dianugerahi Lenin Prize.

Di samping pengaruh iklimnya yang cukup mempersulit, pada tahun 1960 tambang ini memproduksi 10,000,000 karat berlian per tahun. Lapisan atas tambang ini (340 meter kebawah) memiliki berlian 4 karat per ton ema, dengan rasio relatif tinggi akan bebatuan mulia hingga batu-batu industrial. Berlian terbesar di tambang itu ditemukan pada 23 Desember 1980, dengan berat342.5 karat atau 68 gram dan diberi nama "26th Congress CPSU".

Perkembangan yang amat pesat dari tambang ini membuat khawatir De Beers, perusahaan yang saat itu menjadi distributor berlian terbesar di dunia. De Beers harus membeli berlian Rusia untuk mengontrol harga pasar, dan oleh karena itu harus mengetahui sebanyak mungkin perkembangan tambang itu.

Pada tahun 1970, eksekutif De Beers, Sir Philip Oppenheimer dan kepala geologis Barry Hawthrone tiba mengunjungi tambang di Mirny meski hanya memiliki waktu 20 menit karena batas visa mereka akan segera habis. Namun demikian mereka sudah cukup mendapatkan informasi penting yang ingin mereka butuhkan.

Setelah beroperasi selama 44 tahun, pada 2001 tambang itu ditutup. Setelah kejatuhan USSR (Uni Soviet), pada tahun 1990an, tambang itu dioperasikan oleh perusahaan berlian, Sakha yang mencatatan penjualan berlian tahunan sebesar $600juta.

Saat ini tambang itu dioperasikan oleh Alrosa, perusahaan berlian terbesar di Rusia dengan 3600 pekerja.

Pada tahun 1970an, konstruksi dilakukan dengan membangun jaringan bawah tanah. Produksi berlian dengan metode ini dimulai pada tahun 1999 dan diperkirakan akan berlangsung selama 27 tahun kedepan. Perkiraan ini berdasarkan kedalaman 1220 meter. Dan untuk menstabilkan lubang utama yang terbengkalai, bagian dasarnya dilapisi oleh puing-puing setebal 45 meter.

Tony Dungy and Justin Tuck Think Giants Would Be Good Fit For Plaxico

It looks like Plaxico Burress' two former teams, the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers, are the front runners for the talented wideout's services this season.  Former Colts head coach, Tony Dungy,  said New York would be a " great home" for Burress' new start.

The New York Daily News reported that Dungy believes, if Burress and Giants head coach Tom Coughlin can put aside their past differences, New York would be the ideal fit for the 33 year-old Burress second go-round in the NFL.

Dungy, acting as Burress' mentor, said his charge needs a "good support system" to get back on track and the troubled wideout already has built a strong foundation with the team owners, Steve Tisch and John Mara.

"I think Mr. Tisch, Mr. Mara, he has a good relationship with them," said Dungy.  And he has a great, great relationship with a lot of the other players that are still there."

Giants defensive captain Justin Tuck agrees. He believes the two men can hammer out their differences.

"Anytime you have a dispute between two people, both people need to talk it out like men," said Tuck.  I think that's what we have on schedule, so we'll see what happens."

It looks like Burress' affection for Rex Ryan and the Jets has faded and now Burress is set to meet with the Giants tomorrow night before heading to Pittsburgh for a meeting with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers.

"I think [the Giants] would be a great kind of family organization for him," said Dungy.

The Giants have already reached out to Burress, even after he was let go by the team for his 2008 arrest for gun possession, subsequent conviction and stint in prison.

Mara drove up to the upstate New York correctional center to pay Burress a visit behind bars and quarterback Eli Manning was one of the first players to welcome his former-favorite target back after his release this spring.

Manning must be drooling at the prospect of throwing to Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham and possibly Burress.  Can you say Air Eli?

Now Burress has to bury the hatchet with his former coach and antagonist, the disciplinarian Coughlin.

I can only imagine how Friday's night meeting will go.  It's hard to imagine how Burress, just released from almost two years in stir, is going to thrive under the strict Coughlin.  It's like going from life under one prison warden to a head coach who is sometimes called one.

Forget the steak and potatoes, the real main dish on Friday night's dinner table is the thousands of dollars in fines, benching and two-week suspension for a rules violation handed down to Plax by Coughlin in the past.

Can Burress abide by Coughlin's tough love rules and avoid the suspensions and fines he accrued in the past?  Until last week, there was a perception that Coughlin didn't even want Burress back, now they are breaking bread together.

The "mellower" Coughlin just signed a one year extension to his contract and the Giants are notorious for not releasing a coach during the final year of a deal so, if this relationship gets stormy again, the old man isn't going anywhere.

The post NFL lockout has left teams scrambling for stability.  The Giants are familiar with Burress and Burress still has a veteran's knowledge of the Giants playbook. 

To Dungy, familiarity will be important to Burress' comeback.

"People need to understand that it is a little bit different," said Dungy.  "It's not just kind of like a free-agent coming into your team.  He has to regrow and redevelop.  You just want that support there, and I think the Giants would be one of the good teams for that."

Whether or not the Giants become Burress' halfway house to resuming a life on the outside remains to be seen.  Maybe the Giants just want to keep Burress' slim chance of hooking up with another "second-chancer," Michael Vick and division rival the Philadelphia Eagles at bay?

It won't be easy for Burress in New York.  You'll probably see more photos of Burress on the street than on the field and night out at a restaurant will be in every gossip page in New York.  Even if people don't hit the floor every time he reaches into his sweatpants pockets, every paparazzi will hit their camera shutter release.

How those scenarios fit into Dungy's theory is speculative at best.  Maybe New York isn't he best place to quietly return to society. 

The Giants team leaders don't think so and have given Burress a vote of confidence.  Manning confirmed speaking with Burress about coming back.

"I don't know what's going to happen with that," said Manning.  "I know he and coach Coughlin might meet sometime.  We'll just see what happens after that."

Tuck says Burress would be welcomed back by everyone.

"I can't speak for Coughlin or Plax," said the defensive end.  "It's well documented they've bumped heads in the past.  Hopefully a little time apart has rekindled the love they share for each other."

Wow.  The words 'Coughlin, Plax and rekindled love' in a quote.  I'm going to tear up.

Jadwal Imsakiyah Ramadhan 1432 H | Marhaban Ya Ramadhan

Bulan Sya’ban 1432 H menyisakan waktu beberapa jam lagi. Ini artinya, dan tidak lama lagi kita akan berjumpa dengan tamu agung, tamu istimewa; Ramadhan yang mulia.Ada dua buah do'a yang hampir sama dalam menyambut bulan nan agung Ramadhan. Yang satu sampai kepada kita melalui Imam Ahmad dan yang satu melalui Al Baihaqi dan Thabrani.اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِى رَجَبٍ وَشَعْبَانَ وَبَارِكْ

Kibot: Robot Pengasuh Yang Cerdas

Sebuah perusahaan telekomunikasi di Korea, KT Corporation, menciptakan sebuah robot bernama Kibot. Robot ini mampu membaca, menyanyi bahkan bicara kepada anak-anak dalam beberapa bahasa.

Kibot adalah robot setinggi 12 inci yang berbentuk seperti mainan kera. Meski penampilannya sekilas seperti mainan biasa, namun robot canggih ini telah dilengkapi kamera dan wi-fi. Kibot dijual seharga sekitar Rp4juta.

Komunikasi berjalan melalui kartu flash, namun fiturnya yang paling menakjubkan adalah ia mampu membuat ibu terhubung dengan anak-anaknya sepanjang waktu.

Melalui telepon, ibu yang berada di tempat kerja bisa menyuruh robot untuk mencari anak-anaknya di rumah. Fungsi videophone mempermudah orangtua mengarahkan anak-anaknya yang masih balita untuk melakukan berbagai hal.

"Kami percaya penjaga bayi, tapi terkadang lebih mudah untuk memiliki seseorang atau sesuatu yang bisa memonitor bayi-bayiku... Kami sudah mencoba semua mainan edukasi interaktif, tapi yang satu ini benar-benar mendukung interaksi baik dalam bahasa Korea maupun Inggris," seorang ibu berkata kepada ABC News.

Kibot adalah teman bermain yang sempurna sebab ia tak pernah lelah mendorong anak-anak untuk bermain dan menjelajah. Kibot juga bermanfaat dalam mengajarkan anak-anak berbahasa Inggris di usia dini. Sebagaimana tren yang sedang berkembang di sekolah-sekolah swasta di Korea yang mengharuskan anak-anak bisa berbicara dalam Bahasa Inggris.

Saat Kibot ditinggal sendirian, ia akan bergerak ke sekeliling rumah mencari anak kecil untuk diajak bermain. Robot ini adalah teman bermain yang sangat penuntut sebab ia tidak diprogram untuk menjawab tidak dalam bahasa apapun.

Hampir semua rumah di Korea Selatan memiliki akses Internet broadband, yang memposisikan Korsel dalam puncak daftar negara di dunia yang paling sering terhubung secara online.

Yankees Seeing Red Flags In Ubaldo Jimenez Deal?

Colorado Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez has become a very hot commodity in the AL East these days.  The New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox have all considered a trade for the flame-throwing hurler, according to reports.  Only now, the Yankees are wondering why the young (27) and relatively inexpensive ($2.8 million contract this year, $4.2 million in 2012 with an option in 2013 for $5.75 million) ace of the Rockies is being unloaded.

Does the Rockies organization know something about Jimenez that others don't?

Jimenez is regarded as the best starter available before the July 31st deadline.  Other pitchers like Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers of the Houston Astros are out there but don't have the numbers or name recognition of Jimenez and the Seattle Mariners Felix Hernandez is off-limits to anyone, according to the organization.

The red flags being thrown up by Jimenez begin with his second half slump last season after starting the season 15-1.  He finished the season by going 4-7 down the stretch.

At the 2010 All-Star break, Jimenez was considered one of the best starters in the game until it seemed his fastball seemed to fade quicker than his CY Young hopes.

This season, the rightie is 6-9 with a 4.20 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 122 innings.  After a slow start, Jimenez is 5-4 since June 18.

Sure the Rockies are asking a lot in return for their pitcher and that has already pretty much scared off the division-leading Red Sox.  The second-place Yankees may follow. Toronto is just hoping for a steal a deal for the future.

New York is balking at the Rockies asking price of three prized minor-leaguers-- Manuel Banuelos, Dellin Betances and Jesus Montero.  Even Ivan Nova's name has been thrown into the mix.  No way that's going to happen.

Why the Yankees are hesitant to give away some prospects for a stud like Jimenez--who could give them the 1-2 punch they desire-- isn't apparent as it looks.  His age and past history don't include any major breakdowns--physically or mentally.  Jimenez's only time on the DL was for a broken fingernail-- not exactly career-ending-- and has never had any shoulder or elbow injuries that the Yankees are aware of.

One of Jimenez's flaws is his wildness and a high-maintenance throwing delivery.  The fact that he is a product of the NL is a negative too.  The Yankees have had previous problems with pitchers who switched leagues. Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano come to mind.

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd has said his team is willing to trade Jimenez only because they underachieving and it's time shake some life into the roster.  The GM also cited the lack of other blue-chip starters on the market and trade-bait like Jimenez will bring the Rockies a high return.

He may be thinking a Bernie Madoff type exchange.

Some experts think Jimenez's problem is emotional, and he is bitter at the Rockies for not signing him to a long term deal like teammates Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez.

Another reason the deal should send flags up all over.  Why wouldn't a team sign their ace to a long-term contract in the first place?

"Even if this is his floor, then he is still good enough to pitch in a rotation in the AL East," said an executive that inquired about Jimenez.  "He has value at that level, especially with a good contract.  And if he pitches like he pitched the first half last year, then he's up there with CC [Sabathia, [Jon]Lester and [David] Price among the best pitchers in the division."

Whether or not Jimenez is good enough to be a No. 2 pitcher on the Yankees is debatable.  A.J. Burnett is such a significant drop-off from the No. 1 starter, CC Sabathia, there is definitely an opening for that role. One problem, Jimenez's wildness has a vaguely familiar A.J. ring to it.

The Yankees rotation could be firmed up this afternoon.  Phil Hughes gives it another shot to see if his dead arm issues are over.  Hopefully, the third time is a charm for the struggling righthander and a successful outing would give the Yankees a good inventory of arms while Ivan Nova goes on Saturday.

So far the Yankees haven't been pushing GM Brian Cashman to make a deal before the deadline.  After CC and A.J., the starting rotation is hanging on to the rejuvenated arms of Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia-- who knows how long they can hold out--and rehabbing Hughes and Nova.

 If Cashman does push the button for Jimenez, it could come at too high a price. 

Today, the Yankees GM will just watch his real trade deadline Holy Grail, Seattle Mariners Felix Hernandez, face his team at Yankee Stadium.

Mengapa Pluto Dikeluarkan Dari Sistem Tata Surya?

Untuk waktu yang lama, Pluto dipercaya lebih besar ukurannya dari Merkurius, tapi setelah penemuan Charon (bulan terbesar Pluto) pada tahun 1978, status keplanetannya mulai dipertanyakan.

Dengan mempelajari Charon, ahli-ahli astronomi dapat menentukan secara akurat massa Pluto dan secara mengejutkan ternyata planet itu jauh lebih kecil dari Merkurius dan bahkan bulan kita sendiri.

Selama akhir abad ke-20, lebih banyak objek mulai ditemukan dalam jarak ke orbit Pluto dan sekitarnya; salah satunya Eris, yang diperkirakan lebih besar dari Pluto. Eris ditemukan oleh Mike Brown dan timnya yang berbasis di Palomar Observatory pada tahun 2005.

Penemuan-penemuan ini mengarahkan International Astronomical Union (IAU) untuk mendirikan komite pada tahun 2005 untuk mempertimbangkan definisi resmi sebuah planet. Ada sejumlah perbedaan definisi, namun pada tahun 2006, akhirnya menurut kriteria yang ditentukan, Pluto pun dikeluarkan dari persatuan 9 planet terbesar di tata surya kita.

Objek angkasa yang dapat disebut planet haruslah memenuhi persyaratan ini:

1. berada dalam orbit yang mengelilingi matahari

Pluto jelas berada dalam orbit mengelilingi matahari, namun begitu juga ratusan asteroid diluar planet. Sejauh ini Pluto masih dapat dipertahankan.

2. memiliki massa yang cukup untuk menyokong keseimbangan hidrostatis

Dengan kata lain, objeknya harusnya memiliki bentuk yang benar-benar bundar. Namun pada kenyataannya tidak ada planet yang bundar sempurna. Menuruti perputarannya, planet seringkali menjadi sedikit lonjong searah sumbu kutubnya.

Kriteria ini juga berarti sebuah planet harus memiliki gravitasi yang cukup untuk mengatasi kekuatan lain dan membentuk tubuh yang kurang-lebih bundar. Pluto mampu menjaga keseimbangan hidrostatis, mengingat banyaknya asteroid dan planet-planet kecil lainnya yang memiliki bentuk yang rancu atau tidak bundar.

3. memiliki orbit yang bersih dari objek-objek lain

Disinilah Pluto harus tamat. Kriteria terakhir ini mengharuskan bahwa planet harus memiliki orbit yang bersih dari objek-objek lain yang memiliki ukuran yang sebanding. Ini artinya sebuah planet harus dominan secara gravitasi dalam orbitnya. Disinilah Pluto gagal bertahan.

Pluto tak hanya berbagi orbit dengan sejumlah objek Sabuk Kuiper (kawasan berbentuk cakram diluar Neptunus) lainnya, tapi juga mengambang didalam orbit planet es Neptunus!

Harus diingat bahwa Neptunus tidak dapat dikenakan oleh peraturan ini sebab Neptunus dianggap mendominasi orbitnya secara gravitasi (tidak sebanding dengan Pluto). Dan kedua planet tidak benar-benar berbagi orbit, akan tetapi hanya memiliki jalur yang bersinggungan secara menyilang.

Maka kasus Pluto pun akhirnya ditutup pada tahun 2006 saat IAU menurunkan status Pluto menjadi planet kerdil.

Dwight Howard Will Never Play For The Heat

Everyone knows Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is a big kid and everyone knows it. Howard recently attended the Comic Con in San Diego and let out some of his inner child. There is one thing Howard doesn't kid about and that's his NBA future.

Howard wants to win a ring in the worse way, even though from the outside looking in some may not know it. He'll be a free agent after the 2012 season and he really doesn't care to discuss it. There is one team that won't be on his destination list though. The Miami Heat.

When the Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James formed the "Big Three" in South Beach, Howard knew that basketball supremacy in the state of Florida left the Magic Kingdom. Howard has gone on to mock James' hairline, the chalk toss, and "The Decision" just to name a few examples.

When asked about who he's thinking of playing for it was no laughing matter regarding the Heat.

What about the Lakers? "That's everybody's question," he told the "Kick" audience. "I am wearing purple … but that's Rock's outfit."



The Heat? "Never."

Now the Heat would be the quickest way of getting to his goal of being an NBA champion, but he wants to blaze his own trail and be a leader of a team and not a follower.

Asomugha Planning For Life After Football

Free Agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha will be the most sought after free agent when the spending frenzy begins. There might be one small nugget that could limit his suitors. Asomugha wants to be an actor when his playing days are over.

"You keep hearing that Nnamdi wants to go somewhere where he can begin to focus on his post-player career — even though he'll give his all as he's playing — and he has a great interest in being an actor," ESPN's Chris Mortensen said Tuesday on ESPN's "Mike & Mike Show."

Well, Nnamdi's going all O.J. Simpson on us. You know how it is everyone that's not an actor wants to try their hand at it. He'll definitely have to give his all given the amount of money he'll be making. Word is that the New York Jets might be moving to the top of the list given the large media market there.

This is something to keep an eye on, but my gut says he lands with the Philadelphia Eagles.    

NASCAR Pastor Thanks God For His "Smokin' Hot Wife" During Pre-Race Prayer

A pastor at a NASCAR Nationwide series race, thanked God for cars, racing fuel and his "smokin' hot wife," during a pre-race prayer in Nashville last Saturday.  Pulling a line from the character Ricky Bobby in  the movie "Talladega Nights," Joe Helms, pastor of the Family Baptist Church in Lebanon Tenn., shake and baked a lot of God-fearing attendees at the race .

While delivering the pre-race invocation, Helms paraphrased some lines from the 2006 film starring Will Ferrell.  He blessed the "drivers worthy of this track" and also thanked God for Dodges, Toyotas and Fords; along with Sunoco racing fuel and Goodrich tires and GM performance technology.

Sounds like the pastor is shaking hands with God and a few racing sponsors.

The video shows Helms surrounded by race car drivers, soldiers,  his wife Lisa and his two children at the race track.  Helms also thanked the Almighty for his kids, Eli and Emma-- the "little E's"-- and finished his blessing with these words, "in Jesus' name, boogity, boogity, boogity ...Amen!"

Helms attempt to lighten the prayer service, held on the side of the  racing oval and in the middle of the Bible Belt, drew mixed reactions.

The drivers standing next to Helms realized where the lines were coming from and held back giggles; while the pastor's daughter shook with laughter.

The "smokin' hot wife" line comes from a scene in the movie where Ricky Bobby blesses a fast food meal.

Helms said he used the lines because he wanted to avoid "cookie-cutter prayers."

Sounds like the pastor was "all jacked up on Mountain Dew" and now,  Helm's flock might saying, "Holy, moly, that's like lookin' up Yasmine Bleeth's skirt!"

Nutrisi Untuk Sistem Kekebalan Tubuh

Bawang putih paling baik dikonsumsi mentah ketimbang dimasak jika ingin menambah sistem kekebalan tubuh Anda. Karena bila dimasak dapat menghancurkan sebagian manfaat kesehatannya. Salah satu caranya adalah dengan mengonsumsi ekstrak bawang putih yang sudah tua. Proses penuaan alami pada bawang putih meningkatkan antioksidan dan menambah kemampuan bawang putih dalam menaikkan kekebalan tubuh. Selain itu bawang putih yang sudah tua juga tidak memiliki bau yang terlalu kuat.

Vitamin C adalah nutrisi penting bagi kekebalan tubuh. Konsumsilah secara rutin makanan bervitamin C setiap hari seperti buah, sayur, terutama buah-buahan asam seperti jeruk, kiwi, stroberi, brokoli, kol dan parsley. Suplemen vitamin C juga dianjurkan untuk menangkal demam dan flu. Minumlah 2-3 gram per hari.

Seng (zinc) juga mineral penting lainnya yang dibutuhkan untuk fungsi kekebalan tubuh. Seng dapat ditemukan dalam makanan seperti daging sapi, ikan, ayam, susu, telur, kacang polong dan biji bunga matahari dan biji labu. 45mg suplemen Seng sangat bermanfaat untuk kekebalan tubuh Anda.

Spirulina adalah sejenis alga laut yang dapat merangsang kekebalan tubuh. Tanaman itu juga dapat mencegah kanker dan kaya akan nutrisi seperti besi dan selenium yang berfungsi sebagai antioksidan dalam tubuh. Spirulina dapat diminum dalam bentuk kapsul atau tablet. Minumlah 5g per hari atau tambahkan satu sendok dalam bentuk bubuk ke dalam minuman favorit Anda.

Makanan lain yang baik bagi kekebalan tubuh adalah miso, jahe, bawang merah, yoghurt, teh hijau dan rumput laut.

Ada beberapa rempah-rempah yang umum digunakan para herbalis dan naturopath untuk meningkatkan kekebalan tubuh dan melindungi dari serangan flu, yaitu termasuk astragalus, andrographis, Echinacea dan daun zaitun.

Makanan yang sehat adalah dasar dari kesehatan yang baik dan sistem kekebalan tubuh.

Makanan yang seimbang akan memberikan Anda semua nutrisi penting yang dibutuhkan tubuh untuk sistem kekebalan tubuh seperi seng, vitamin A dan C, selenium dan besi.

World Series Champs Giants Visit White House; President Obama Admits He Fears The Beard

The San Francisco Giants,  2010 World Series Champions, visited President Obama at the White House yesterday.  The nation's number one baseball fan called the team, "Characters with character,"  then singled out out Giants closer Brian Wilson by asking," Where's the guy with the beard?"  Obama looked at Wilson's Grizzly Adams-type facial hair, shook his head and said, "I do fear it."

Obama, taking a break from his budget battle, met with the Giants yesterday afternoon in the East Room of the White House and wished the team well in it's quest to defend it's World Series Championship unless it was against his beloved Chicago White Sox.  "Which right now isn't a sure thing," he joked about his struggling home team.

The President shook hands with the players and mingled with a gaggle of San Francisco politicians including former mayors and House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi.

Besides seeking out the free spirit Wilson, Obama sounded like he feels a kinship with Tim "The Freak" Lincecum and the rest of the team's collection of castoffs and misfits.

"The Giants may be a little different, but know how to win," said Obama, a knowledgeable baseball fan.

Obama congratulated the Giants for their miraculous season, where they won their first World Series Championship since moving to San Francisco from New York 53 years ago.

The President got to hang with one of his idols once again, Willie Mays-- who was once a guest on Air Force One during a trip to the 2009 All-Star Game.  Mays presented the Leader of the Free World with a Giants jersey signed by the team.  Obama joked about his flight with the baseball great, Mays.

"Very rarely, when I'm on Air Force One, am I the second most important guy on there," he said.  "Everyone was passing me by-- 'Can I get you something Mr. Mays?'"

The President lauded the team for efforts to support injured U.S. troops and praised the players for being the first American sports team to make an "It Gets Better" video to help gay and lesbian youths who have been bullied.

Giants manager, Bruce Bochy, summed up the visit by saying," Certainly, we were all honored to be there.  It's quite a privilege."

He was probably more thankful the outlandish Wilson didn't wear a skin-tight Lycra tuxedo.

Pra Piala Dunia 2014 ; Indonesia Vs Turkmenistan Leg 2

Leg 2 Pra Piala Dunia 2014 ; Indonesia Vs Turkmenistan , Kamis mendatang, 28 Juli 2011, Firman Utina cs akan menjamu Turkmenistan di Stadion Gelora Bung Karno. Dengan dukungan ribuan suporter serta kualitas rumput yang lebih baik, Skuad Garuda diharapkan mampu memetik kemenangan untuk memastikan melangkah ke babak selanjutnya.Pada pertandingan ini nantinya akan dipimpin oleh wasit kontroversial

"Fanny" Of The Week: Rosa Acosta

This week's "Fanny" of the week is Rosa Acosta

Spencer Hawes' Message To The NBA

The city of Seattle held an NBA sanctioned charity basketball game between some NBA players and Seattle's finest.

After the 2 1/2 hour exhibition, former Washington Husky and Seattle Prep star, Spencer Hawes, stepped to the microphone with a message to the NBA about bringing basketball back to Seattle and a unique haircut to relay the message.

"I just want to leave y'all with one last thing," Hawes shouted. "Come home, Sonics! Come home, Sonics!"


Well the Sonics aren't coming home. I don't know if David Stern will bring the NBA back to Seattle. Personally I would like to see that happen, because it seems strange without a team in Seattle.

San Francisco Giants Plan To Use Falcons To Halt Seagull Invasion

The invasion of seagulls swarming down into the stands at AT&T Park during San Francisco Giants games has gotten so bad the team is planning on using falcons to disperse the invading flocks.

The huge Western Gulls begin swooping down right around the seventh inning stretch to grab discarded food and even snag ball park treats from fan's hands.

By the ninth inning, the attacks in the stands sometimes looks like the scene from "The Wizard of Oz" when the flying monkeys dismantle the Tin Man and unstuff the Scarecrow.  To some fans getting pooped on the head is a worse fate.  I don't think seagull look-alike, Tim Lincecum, getting plopped on his cap would consider it good luck either. 

Maybe the birds come late to catch a glimpse of closer Brian Wilson mopping up.  Who knows what's  nesting in his beard.

The nuisance has increased steadily over the past decade since the stadium opened in 2000, but now, the birds have fans literally running for cover.  The giant bird's diet consists of garbage, eggs, other birds, fish and roadkill.  Apparently they eat anything in their paths.

"We've seen an increase in the birds," said Jorge Costa, Giant's operations manager.  "And the behavior seems to be more aggressive.  They've started flying around and trying to go into the stands while the game's in progress.  That's unusual for them."

Experts think the gulls are attracted to AT&T Park from nests on Alcatraz Island and by the activity of the fans.

"They probably see the lights on, or in the afternoon, they probably see the crowd," said Dan Murphy, Golden Gate Audubon volunteer.  "When the crowd starts thinning, they just show up."

To combat the invasion, the Giants are considering hiring a commercial falconer company to ward off the pests.  The cost to the team is estimated to be around $100,000 per year.

In San Francisco--the Ground Zero of politically correctness--  I'm sure the falcons will be used to only scare the invading scavengers.  No dirty birds will be harmed in the process.

Video Hamil Duluan Sinta dan Jojo jadi Kontroversi

Video nyanyian lipsync yang baru dari duo Shinta-Jojo, "Hamil Duluan", yang dipublikasi melalui YouTube. yang lagu aslinya dinyanyikan oleh Tuty Wibowo menuai kontroversi.Video dibawakan Sinta dan Jojo dengan gaya khas lip sing mereka seperti di Keong Racun tetapi dengan gaya yang lebih lucu dan kocak. Sinta jojo bergaya layaknya sedang hamil sambil bergoyang.Psikolog anak Seto Mulyadi

Yankees To Stick With Robertson As Set-Up Man When Soriano Returns

It sounds like New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi has decided who will set up Mariano Rivera when Rafael Soriano returns to the team and it looks like Dave Robertson, who replaced Soriano, will get to keep the job.  Soriano is expected to return to the club sometime this week after being put on the DL almost two months ago.

This will be the second demotion for Soriano since signing with the Yankees last winter.  Don't expect the surly pitcher to be happy.  First, he took a back seat to Mariano Rivera and now a rumble seat to Robertson.

Robertson has blossomed as the eighth inning set-up man since filling in for the injured and rehabbing Soriano.  He even has an 2011 All-Star Game selection to prove it.

The 26 year-old righthander may have stumbled a little in today's 7-5 victory over the Oakland A's, but over the last two months Robertson has been solid.  He is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA.  But the stellar stats hide a lot of nail-biting drama when Robertson is on the mound.

Robertson is the Yankees version of the Cardiac Kid.  In the 40 innings he has pitched, Robertson's bi-polar statistics include allowing 29 hits and 26 walks combined with an unbelievable 63 strikeouts of opposing hitters.

The tightrope-walking Robertson has allowed only two earned runs over his last 26 appearances and in 21 1/3 innings on the road has not given up a single run.  An amazing achievement, considering it always looks like the bases are filled when Robertson is staring down a batter.

On that note, the lanky hurler struck out a batter for the third out with the bases loaded for a record nine times in a row against the A's on Saturday.  The previous record of eight rally-whiffers was held by former Yankee Jeff Nelson when he was with the Seattle Mariners in 1995. 

Robertson stumbled a bit, during a downpour, in Sunday's 7-5 win against the A's.  He was pulled with two outs in the eighth after his curve ball wasn't tailing and he gave up a couple of earned runs.

When asked about his bases-loaded/strikeout record, Robertson shook his head and told the YES Network, "I can't stop doing that."

Whether or not your heart can handle Robertson's high-wire act, he's getting the job done.

Soriano, on the other hand, will have to earn back his old set-up spot.  The brooding righthander has already gone from closer to set-up this season.  There's really no shame there when it's behind Rivera, but coming back to Yankee Stadium as a middle reliever has to sting.

Before going on the DL on May 27, Soriano was 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

The $35 million rightie pitched the seventh inning for Triple-A Scranton today.  Soriano gave up a lead-off home run before retiring the next three batters.  On Thursday, he threw 16 pitches for Class-A Tampa.  He gave up one run on two hits.  Not exactly reassuring stuff.

Girardi said Soriano could probably pitch Monday as well.

"We're looking at that," Girardi told the YES Network.  "I wanted to see how he feels today.  If he feels good after today and tomorrow, it is very possible he would pitch Monday."

In any case, Girardi said he was going with the hot hand and keeping Robertson as Rivera's set-up man.

On using Soriano as a seventh inning relief pitcher when he returns, Girardi used caution in his selection process and will cope with the eighth-inning conundrum later.

"It's important to get Soriano healthy first," he said.  "If he's healthy, it's a good problem."

Four Players Still Getting Paid During The NBA Lockout

The NBA lockout doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon. You know what that means. There will be players that won't be getting paid. That also means they'll have to stretch those millions for an undisclosed amount of time.

But if your Ben Gordon, Zach Randolph, Al Farouq Aminu, and Caron Butler the checks will keep rolling. That's because their agent, Raymond Brothers who spread their 2010-11 NBA salaries over 18 or 24 months in case the lockout forces the cancellation of games.

Smart move by their agent and the players for co-signing the deal.

"They will not know financially that they're in a lockout," Brothers told USA Today.
"If there is a lockout, you'll able to pay your bills."

So while there will be players grumbling about paying child support and car insurance, it won't be from any of these guys.

Tendangan Dari Langit | Trailer dan Sinopsis

di saat terlintas di benakkuserasa hariku anganku ingin sepertimuterus seiring berjalannya waktuserasa hidupku karenamulah akukan terus terpacu olehmu selalukau ada di dalam hatikuselalu akan tetap memujamu pasti kita terbang tinggi bila terus berlariteruskanlah tanpa henti terus seiring berjalannya waktuserasa hidupku karenamulah akukan terus terpacu olehmu selalu kau ada di dalam hatikuselalu

15 Year-Old Refuses To Return Hideki Matsui's 500th Home Run Ball

Reversing a chapter from Christian Lopez's book on what to do after you catch a historic ball hit by a professional baseball player, a 15 year-old kid refused to hand over Hideki Matsui's 500th career home run ball back to the player.

Maybe this kid is still holding a grudge against the Japanese because the of the women's soccer team shocker over every teenage boy's fantasy pin-up Hope Solo and the American team in the World Cup.

More likely, he is holding out for some sort of huge payday.

Lopez was the young cell phone sales man who caught Derek Jeter's milestone, and long awaited, 3,000th hit.  After Lopez snagged the home run ball in the centerfield stands, he immediately handed it over to the New York Yankees organization.  In return he was rewarded with signed memorabilia, season suite tickets and a $15,000 IRS bill.  Experts claim the ball could have been worth up to $250,000.  Cynics called Lopez a sucker.

Matsui homered for the Oakland A's on Wednesday night against the Detroit Tigers, giving him 500 home runs between the majors and Japan's Central League.  The A's DH hit 332 homers in 10 seasons with the the Yomuri Giants and 168 in the majors playing for the Yankees, Angels and A's.  140 of those dingers came in pinstripes.

A's first base coach, Tye Waller tried to fetch Matsui's ball after it sailed into the Comerica Park stands, but it looked like he ended up in a public negotiation with the Detroit youngster and his father instead.

The ball probably has more sentimental value to Matsui than any real financial worth on the baseball collectibles market.  So dad shouldn't be planning on an early retirement.

The quiet Matsui downplayed his feat even more.

"I guess you can say I'm happy to get it out of the way," said Matsui through an interpreter.  "To add to that, winning the game just made it even better."

Matsui-debunkers claim the 500 home run total is tainted because most of the four-baggers happened while he was playing overseas.  The former World Series MVP always maintained winning a World Championship was always his proudest achievement.

"It's not like I was aiming for 500 or anything like that in my career," he said.  "Honestly speaking, the way I look at the record in Japan and the numbers here are completely different."

Matsui came to the New York Yankees in 2003, as a 29 year-old "rookie," and played his first seven seasons in the Bronx before playing with the Los Angeles Angels and A's.

Wednesday's home run was Matsui's seventh of the year.  He is batting .223 with 43 RBI's this season.

Tonight he is visiting Hell-- otherwise known as Yankee Stadium in 100 degree July heat-- and the home of some of his greatest major league accomplishments.

Asked if getting No. 500 would have been sweeter at Yankee Stadium Matsui replied," It doesn't matter to me.  I have so many great memories in New York.  I think it would have been asking too much to have it happen here."

One thing is for sure, with Christian Lopez in his Champions Suite seats, fan-favorite Matsui's chances of getting the home run ball back would have been better too.

Alexander Calder | Google Doodles Today

Alexander Calder's 113th Bithday - Google kembali merubah logo sesuai dengan moment yang diperingatinya. Hari ini Google tampil dengan logo bertajuk Alexander Calder's 113th Bithday.Siapa Alexander Calder ? berikut beberapa Profil beliau yang saya sempat himpun dari beberapa sumber.Alexander "Sandy" Calder lahir di Lawnton, Pennsylvania, pada tanggal 22 Juli 1898. Ayahnya, Alexander Calder

Did Colon and Garcia's Last Outings Quell Yankees Trade Talks

Last week the New York Yankees seemed desperate to add another reliable starter to their rotation.  All eyes seemed to be focused on Colorado Rockies flame-thrower Ubaldo Jimenez.  Only problem was, the Rockies would literally be asking the Yankees for the farm to make any kind of trade for their 27 year-old righthander.

The Yankees remember all too well last year's lack of starting pitching in the playoffs and have to be wondering if they can pin four-fifth of their October hopes on Phil Hughes--a pitcher on the mend, A.J. Burnett--who has reverted back to his inconsistent self, Ivan Nova-- who just went on the Triple-A DL for a foot injury, and Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia--two aging veterans picked up during the off-season winter-sale.

Funny thing, outside of CC Sabathia, Colon and Garcia, have been the most impressive this season.  Now the question is can the 38 year-old Colon and 35 year-old Garcia hold up?

Both pitchers combined for a total of two earned runs in 13 innings in two games against the Tampa Bay Rays this week.

Garcia out dueled David Price and struck out seven Rays hitters over 6.2 innings last night.  Last week Garcia was battered in Toronto where he allowed five earned runs in five innings after a 12 day layoff.  Manager Joe Girardi said the layoff was responsible.

Colon's masterpiece the night before was spoiled after centerfielder Curtis Granderson lost a fly ball in the roof of Tropicana Field.  The hefty hurler went 6.1 innings and struck out nine batters.

Reports continue to swirl that the Yankees are still interested in Jimenez, but there hasn't been any official comment from management. Girardi seems content on keeping things as they are.

"This is what we have and we've gotten to this point because of them," he said.  "There's no reason that can't continue."

Well, many fans will dispute that sentiment and the Yankees reportedly have scouts buying more Rockies tickets than usual.

The reasons to add a player like Jimenez, who has 50 wins over his last three years and has over 33 starts in each of his three full seasons.  He had 214 strikeouts last season-- third in the NL-- and the durable pitcher who has thrown 845 innings without any real troubles.  Jimenez has only been on the DL once in his career for a broken fingernail.  The Yankees have to like the thought of getting a pitcher without shoulder, elbow or "dead arm" problems.

Jimenez could come cheap in contract but steep in trade.  He is making $2.8 million this year, $4.2 mil next season and an option of $5.75 in 2013.  Compare that to the $33 million the Yankees will be shelling out for A.J. Burnett over the next two years.

In exchange, the Rockies will probably want Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and Jesus Montero--three of the Yankees top prospects.

Jimenez's bi-polar 2010 season has to be on the Yankees mind after he started 15-1, then sludged through the second half of the season.  He is 6-3 with a 2.61 ERA in his last 10 starts.

The Yankees could wait until the end of the season to get Jimenez and hang on to their prospects, much like they did with Sabathia in 2008, when they held on to Hughes and got the big pitcher they wanted anyway.

The questions now are if Hughes is back to form and  if Colon and Garcia can keep it up for another two-and-a-half months.

They will each get at least another start before the July 31 trade deadline--one more chance to show the Yankees the first half of their seasons weren't a fluke and the team can hang on to their prospects for the future.