tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Tuesday Thoughts

While waiting for the sun to come up, some things rolling around in my head:

The Big East Tournament opens today and it promises to be one of the best ever.  It will be interesting to see if Villanova can right the ship.  Of course, I'll be pulling for St. John's, Notre Dame and Louisville. 

Can you imagine the Garden if St. John's makes the finals??

Who would ever have thought that Notre Dame's basketball team would be ranked higher (4th in the country) than its football team(don't think it was ranked this year).

Certainly nice to hear about A.J. Burnett's impressive outing against the Phillies yesterday.  Sure hope this is a sign of things to come this season.

Is there anyone more unlucky than Francisco Cervelli??  This kid needs to skip the Grapefruit League having suffered a broken wrist a couple of years ago and now a broken foot as a result of a foul tip.  It's too bad because the 25 year old really came into camp determined and in great shape.

Been reading and listening to so called fantasy baseball experts who are predicting the continued decline of Derek Jeter.  Here's hoping the Captain shuts these know-it-alls up.

Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of the first Ali-Frazier fight.  I remember listening to the round by round report on the local radio station.  The broadcaster received wire accounts of what happened each round and read them as they came across the wire.  I was a freshman in high school at the time and I remember winning a little bit of money on Smokin Joe's win.

The heavyweight class during the 60's and 70's was at its finest.  There were a number of legitimate contenders and the fights were classics with Muhammad Ali usually a participant against such foes as Frazier, Ken Norton and George Foreman.  Never will be the same.

Read the article in SI about the criminal element in college football.  The story listed the number of players who were charged with crimes ranging from possession of drugs and underage drinking to assault, domestic violence, rape and possession of a deadly weapon.  What was really disturbing was that schools indicated that they did not want to be known for looking to see if a recruit had a criminal record for fear that they would miss out on high end talent.  What a disgrace!  Of course the NCAA is more concerned about having no college football playoff than cleaning up its act.

Staying with college football, Yahoo reports that as a result of a two month investigation that Jim Tressel knew in April 2010 that his players were selling items which didn't come out until December 2010.  In December, Ohio State was saying they just found out about the situation.  If this is true, what a joke.

If you have the opportunity, take in Sportstime Ohio's Chuck's Last Call (CLC).  The show is on from 10pm to 11pm.  The host is Chuck Galetti.  Very knowledgeable and entertaining.

Chuck had Peyton Hillis on last week and it was a great show.  Hillis is a throw back and should do well in the west coast offense the Browns will institute this season (if there is a season). 

Does anybody no what the story is with Sidney Crosby's injury??  What a shame.  Best player in the game and its possible he won't play again this year.

All the controversy over the BYU player being suspended for having premarital sex misses the point.  The school had set certain rules and the kid violated it.  Case closed.

Here's hoping the Miami Heat keeps crying all the way out of the NBA playoffs with an early exit.

And finally, isn't it a shame that baseball doubleheaders have gone the way of rotary television antennas. (I'm really dating myself today)  There was nothing better than taking in a Sunday doubleheader.  Did it a few times at the old Municipal Stadium  watching the Yankees take on the Tribe.

Don't forget this weekend: Spring forward (I hate losing the hour of sleep but at least summer is around the corner).

Tuesday Thoughts

While drinking a cup of coffee this morning, a few things rumbling around in my mind:

The trade deadline came and went and the Kings acquisition of Dustin Penner and the Capitals getting Jason Arnott were the biggest names moved.  The Sabres acquisition of Brad Boyes was a nice one but time will tell if it gets them a playoff spot.

The Maple Leafs were fairly quiet with the only move sending John Mitchell to the Rangers for a 7th rounder in 2012.  Mitchell has never lived up to his potential and hopefully he does better with the Rangers.  Brian Burke made the right decisions not overpaying for older players with salaries to carry.  Stephen Weiss indicated that he would waive his NTC to come to Toronto but reports had it that the Panthers wanted both of Toronto's first round picks. No deal. Good move.

Preliminary reports indicate that James Reimer's injury is not serious and should be at practice today.  The Leafs brought up Jonas Gustavsson as his conditioning stint with the Marlies has ended.  Coach Wilson will have to juggle 3 goalies.

Josh Beckett was hit in the head by a stray pitch by a batting practice coach.  He was suffering from concussion-like symptoms.  I'd hate to be the batting practice coach if Beckett misses time.

So far the Yankees have been pleased by their young pitching prospects.  Other than Ivan Nova there is probably no chance we will see them this season with the big club.

Bob Nightengale of the USA Today was reporting that a source indicated to him that Francisco Liriano will be a Yankee within a couple of weeks.  The deal would include Joba Chamberlain or Ivan Nova and a prospect.  Interesting.  By the way, Liriano was experincing tightness in shoulder after a bullpen session.  I'm not a big Liriano fan, always hurt.

The Knicks big win over the Heat turns up the expectations at MSG.  Another big game tonight against Orlando.

St. John's continues marching along to March Madness.  Steve Lavin deserves Coach of the Year consideration for a tremendous job in the toughest conference in the country.  Can't wait for Big East tournament next week.

Isn't it funny how there is so much hype and over reporting on the NFL Combine??  Like doing well at the Combine means you will be a good pro.

Cam Newton started off well in my book.  He says he's ready to be an icon.  Really??? And you want to know why the NFL can be irritating.

Speaking of the NFL, with a lock out inevitable it just gives me another reason to be irritated with pro football.  By the way, I think the owners are being ridiculous.  More on this in a post later this week.

And finally, did you ever wish we could go back to the day when NFL rookies would play the game instead of trying to be the game.  I'd love to see what Coach Lombardi or Coach Halas would have to say about Icon Cam Newton.