Bullpen Session

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Erin Andrews, Troy Vincent, Dick Vitale and more.

Also, here are some follow up thoughts to some of my latest blogs.

First, let’s start with Chad Johnson. The Bengals’ wideout has been tight lipped since the Pro Bowl. And, because he’s not talking, I guess Johnson must be pleased with the Bengals’ efforts to try and move him before the season.

Then again, there hasn’t been a soap box for Chad to vent on during the past few weeks. I think we’ll hear more from 85 around the NFL Draft in April.

This picture was taken in New York City. Well, at least it’s not scrolling the latest Bengal arrested

• It seems the Florida Marlins will get the new ballpark it deserves. As I’ve said before, there’s no reason MLB can’t be huge in Miami. And, a beautiful new ballpark will jump start the South Beach baseball community.

Also, a new stadium will pull in several million more dollars for the Marlins. So, it will be very interesting to see how the organization spends its extra dough.

News Alert: The Tampa Bay baseball franchise has officially changed its name from Devil Rays to Rays (sunshine). No joke.

And, this team is even building a new ballpark. Honestly, this park could be the best in baseball when it’s completed. No, I’m still not joking.

The stadium’s roof is meant to look like a giant boat sail that will shield both the field and spectators from rain or extream heat

Did I mention that I love the Bay Rays new uniform? It’s classic, clean and simply sharp. Plus, I’m a huge believer that likeable uniforms make a difference in teams winning and losing games.

Carl Crawford sports the team’s new uni

And, as a fan of the Rays, I’m now predicting Tampa will win more than 70 games in a season for the first time ever. Again, not joking.

Not to mention, whenever I tell someone that I’m a fan of the Tama Bay Devil Rays / Rays, it’s always a “how in the hell did that happen” response.

Of course, it makes sense, the D-Rays have always sucked and the closest I’ve ever come to Tampa is Orlando.

Here’s the how and why. Growing up a Reds fan, I loved manager Lou Piniella. After all, he guided the Reds to its last World Championship in 1990. Plus, who doesn’t like a good first base throw every once in a while.

Lou threw a fastball

So, when Reds owner Marge Schott unceremoniously fired Lou I had another reason to pull for Piniella.

Considering the Reds performance during the late 1990s, latching on to the “Refuse to Lose”bandwagon was pretty easy during Lou’s campaign in Seattle.

Naturally, when Lou headed to Tampa I did too in an odd way. Plus, the Devil Rays needed some good baseball fans. So, I decided that if I could root for the lousy Reds I could do the same for Lou’s boys too.

So basically, the D-Rays fan club consists of Dick Vitale, that crazy fan sitting behind home plate in Tropicana Field and me. Very prestigious, I know.

Anyway, I’m very excited about the new direction of this once dreadfully awful franchise.

Rocker (1998-’03) saved 88 games in his career. However, he never saved a seat on NYC’s subways

• John Rocker is dishing out some tuff criticism of MLB Commissioner Bud Selig.

Basically, Rocker claims Selig both knew about and even helped in the cover-up of steroids scandals in MLB.

Of course, after hearing Rocker alter his previous statements about Bud, that leads me to believe the truth is somewhere in-between Rocker’s comments. Although, at this point, MLB fans have already made up their minds about steroids users and Rocker, and they don’t particularly care for either.

• On a lighter note, here’s a wonderful article on the great Bob Gibson. I think MLB should find a way to recognize Gibson. Maybe an award for the league leader in ERA would work.

• By far, this is the best story of spring training 2008.

• My favorite position in football is defensive back. I like the mentality that goes along with playing the part and the athletic ability it takes to cover a receiver that knows where he’s going each play.

Vincent (1992-’06) collected 47 career INTs playing for Miami, Philly and Buffalo

Former Eagles DB Troy Vincent was one of the better DBs in the league during his playing days.

Now retired, Vincent has taken up coaching young corners. However, it’s Vincent who could be coached up on performance-enhancing drugs in football.

Here are some of Vincent’s remarks in responce to an accusation that the NFL has a larger steroids problem than MLB.

Vincent suggests that recreational drugs are the greater challenge facing the NFL, not PEDs.

• “You don’t usually find (performance-enhancing drugs) on the north side of Philly or in a rural Texas neighborhood,”

• “I’m dealing with 20-year-olds popping with God-given ability.”

Yikes!

Troy meet Mr. Clemens, Rocket this is Mr. Vincent. Have you two met before?

• I’m not a NASCAR fanatic but, I know enough about racing to hold my own. You can thank my NASCAR loving father and two brothers for this.

It’s not that I dislike NASCAR but, the never ending whining and complaining among teams and car manufactures drives me nuts. Although, when the drivers get into it with each other that’s good television.

However, the incessant cheating that happens week-to-week is embarrassing.

The owners, crew chiefs and drivers must be held accountable for cheating. Heck, even Troy Vincent would agree NASCAR has a cheating problem.

Still, I’m just amazed how NASCAR fans brush off cheating like it’s actually part of the sport. Maybe it is? At least that’s how NASCAR comes off with its weak penalties for cheaters.

OK, what’s the answer? To start, how about stricter point penalties for cheaters. Get a clue NASCAR, now is the time to clean up your sport like everyone else.

• Any idea who Sarah Paven is? I didn’t have one either before I read this story.

Anyway, this article has an interesting twist that exposes a great player, unthankful coach and another embarrassing sports move by a university.

1) Preview of the article.

2) Read the article here.

3) Summary.

• Look who’s out and who’s in at ESPN.

When Salisbury first started at The Leader I was a big fan. Then, that ego started to grow and pretty soon Salisbury was ditched by Chicago’s ESPN Radio 1000 and now he’s through as a lead ESPN NFL TV analyst. Not surprising.

• Speaking of ESPN, is Erin Andrews above us or truly down to earth?

That sweater really brings out her fit waistline

• When did Ron Jeremy start doing commercials for McDonalds?

• Movie you have to see: Eastern Promises with Viggo Mortensen.

I’m not a big fan of fight movies but, this flick had the most thrilling, cringing and believable fight scene of any movie I’ve ever seen. Although, I’d only give the story line a C+.

• Movie I’m hesitant to watch: Cornhole the movie. Enough said.

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Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Dick Vitale, Erin Andrews, John Rocker, McDonalds, MLB. NFL, Ron Jeremy, Troy Vincent