What a game last night at the Bronx. A 15-inning, 4-hour 50 minute game ends with a walk-off sacrifice fly by the Rangers' Michael Young, scoring the winning run in the person of Justin Morneau, giving the AL a 4-3 win and a 12 year unbeaten streak. Other things worth noting from the game.
I'm leaving for two weeks starting tomorrow and will not have internet access until I get back on July 15, the day of the MLB All-Star game. Btw, if you haven't voted 25 times yet, VOTE! You have until Wednesday. The players I voted for are below.
Anyway, because I won't have internet access, I won't be able to post here. However, I encourage you to visit my awesome affiliates (under the favorites tab) for all your sports talk and news while I'm gone.
So, I'll be back on July 15. Until then, I hope you check out my affiliates and have a good summer.
FIRST ROUND
| 1. | Chicago Bulls | Derrick Rose (PG) Memphis |
| 2. | Miami Heat | Michael Beasley (PF) Kansas State |
| 3. | Minnesota Timberwolves! | O.J. Mayo (SG) USC |
| 4. | Seattle Supersonics | Russell Westbrook (PG) UCLA |
| 5. | Memphis Grizzlies@ | Kevin Love (PF) UCLA |
| 6. | New York Knicks | Danilo Gallinari (SF) Italy |
| 7. | LA Clippers | Eric Gordon (SG) Indiana |
| 8. | Milwaukee Bucks | Joe Alexander (SF) West Virginia |
| 9. | Charlotte Bobcats | D.J. Augustin (PG) Texas |
| 10. | New Jersey Nets | Brook Lopez (C) Stanford |
| 11. | Indiana Pacers$ | Jerryd Bayless (PG) Arizona |
| 12. | Sacramento Kings | Jason Thompson (PF) Rider |
| 13. | Portland Trailblazers% | Brandon Rush (SG) Kansas |
| 14. | Golden State Warriors | Anthony Randolph (PF) LSU |
| 15. | Phoenix Suns | Robin Lopez (C) Stanford |
| 16. | Philadelphia 76ers | Marreese Speights (C) Florida |
| 17. | Toronto Raptors% | Roy Hibbert (C) Georgetown |
| 18. | Washington Wizards | JaVale McGee (C) Nevada |
| 19. | Cleveland Cavaliers | J. J. Hickson (PF) NC State |
| 20. | Charlotte Bobcats | Alexis Ajinca (PF) France |
| 21. | New Jersey Nets | Ryan Anderson (PF) California |
| 22. | Orlando Magic | Courtney Lee (SG) Western Kentucky |
| 23. | Utah Jazz | Kosta Koufos (C) Ohio State |
| 24. | Seattle Supersonics | Serge Ibaka (PF) Congo |
| 25. | Houston Rockets$ | Nicolas Batum (SF) France |
| 26. | San Antonio Spurs | George Hill (PG) Indiana Purdue |
| 27. | New Orleans Hornets! | Darrell Arthur (PF) Kansas |
| 28. | Memphis Grizzlies# | Donte Greene (SF) Syracuse |
| 29. | Detroit Pistons^ | D.J. White (PF) Indiana |
| 30. | Boston Celtics | J. R. Giddens (SG) New Mexico |
!Traded to Memphis
@Traded to Minnesota
#Traded to Houston
$Traded to Portland
%Traded to Indiana
^Traded to Seattle
"Underdog does not mean anything. "
The Fresno State Bulldogs certainly proved CWS most outstanding player Tommy Mendonca's words on the field.
Steve Detwiler drove in all six runs for Fresno State last night, as they captured their first ever CWS in Game 3, 6-1 over Georgia. The Bulldogs finished 47-31, the most losses ever by a champion. They certainly deserved it, though. They had to beat #3 Arizona State, #6 Rice, and #2 North Carolina twice."These guys beat the best," Fresno State coach Mike Batesole said, "and I guess that's what you have to do to win a national championship."
The amazing has happened again in Beantown.
The Boston Celtics won their 17th championship, and first in 22 years Tuesday, with a 131-92 Game Six thrashing of the Los Angeles Lakers at the TD Banknorth Garden, completing a magical season that ended with a title. It also put the seal on the biggest turnaround in NBA history, as the Celtics went from winning 24 games last season to being on top of the basketball world this year.
In the clincher, the big three were great again. Kevin Garnett scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Ray Allen put in an NBA Finals record-tying seven three-pointers, and Finals MVP Paul Pierce added 17 as the Celtics set an NBA record with a 39 point win in the championship clincher, the highest ever.
"This is the reason we came here," Garnett said. "This is the reason we got together… This is it right now."
The championship is the first for the most of the players on the team, including head coach Doc Rivers.
"My first thought was what would my dad say," Rivers said, "and honestly I started laughing because I thought he would probably say, if you knew my dad, 'It's about time. What have you been waiting for?'"
Meanwhile, for the Lakers, it was a bitter end to a great season, as the outcome was never in doubt by halftime. The Celtics put the game away in the second quarter, outscoring the Lakers 34-19. Regular season MVP Kobe Bryant scored 22 points, but shot just 7-22 from the field against the best defense in the NBA.
"They were definitely the best defense I've seen the entire playoffs," Bryant said. "I've seen some pretty stiff ones and this was right up there with them.
It also didn’t help that both Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom had dreadful series, with the Celtics frontline role players of Kendrick Perkins, P.J. Brown, and Leon Powe playing shutdown defense while also providing a spark at the offensive end.
Ultimately, these current Celtics continued the tradition of greatness that was passed on to them by past legends like Bill Russell, John Havlicek, and Larry Bird, and, in the end, they wrote some of their own history as well.
He does it again. On a gimpy knee, Tiger rallied from one shot down going to the 18th hole to force a sudden death playoff with Rocco Mediate. In the sudden death playoff, Woods tapped in a par putt and watched as Mediate's putt just missed, before celebrating his 14th career major. The 45 year old Mediate fell victim to the best player in the world even after coming back from a three-shot deficit after 10 holes to take a one shot lead going into the final hole of their 18-hole playoff. Tiger, in pain throughout the week, played through it to hit several memorable eagles putts, as well as birdies on 18 in consecutive days to extend the championship. "This is probably the greatest tournament I've ever had," Woods said.
Before about 13000 fans at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, last night, in the first inning, Ken Griffey, Jr. became sixth player in MLB history to reach 600 homeruns. He took Mark Hendrickson deep on a 3-1 curveball and hit it 413 feet into the right field seats. Congrats to Griffey and who knows how many he might have hit if it weren't for injuries.
A classic matchup that the NBA, ABC, and the rest of the world wanted: 
vs. 
. And once again, you came here for the preview, as I break down all the position battles.
Point Guards: Derek Fisher vs. Rajon Rondo
Derek Fisher, like Chauncey Billups in the Eastern Conference Finals, is a veteran that should control the game when things may get out of hand, and is a proven clutch player if the Lakers need him. Rondo, meanwhile, struggled through the Eastern Conference bracket, and was outplayed by his opposition (Mike Bibby, Delonte West, Chauncey Billups). He needs to establish himself offensively in this series, or the Lakers will just ignore him and load up on the big three.
Edge: Lakers
Shooting Guards: Kobe Bryant vs. Ray Allen
The NBA MVP has played like one through the Western Conference bracket, averaging 31.9 PPG, and single-handedly carrying the Lakers in many games when they were down. Ray Allen has struggled to himself, and has frankly looked washed up these playoffs for the Celtics. He needs to step it up and rediscover his shot for Boston to have a chance in this series.
Edge: Lakers
Small Forwards: Vladimir Radmanovic vs. Paul Pierce
Radmanovic is a great three point shooter and should be key when the Celtics double team Kobe Bryant. He needs to knock down open three pointers and play smart basketball for the Lakers. Paul Pierce established himself as the leader of this team during their Eastern Conference run. He was the guy the put his team on his shoulders and carried them down the stretch in many games when KG and Ray Allen weren’t hitting their shots. He needs to have that same closer mentality for the Celtics, and not depend on others to score if he’s got the hot hand
Edge: Celtics
Power Forwards: Lamar Odom vs. Kevin Garnett
Lamar Odom has had probably the best season of his career, taking a number three role to Kobe and Gasol. He plays tough and strong, but can also score if needed to down the stretch. He needs to do the little things (grab rebounds, help on defense) for the Lakers to equalize the big men on the Celtics. Kevin Garnett has been the X-factor for Boston this year, bringing toughness as well as a defensive-minded attitude about how to win. At times, he can feel reluctant to post up and settles for jump shots. He can’t do this against the Lakers. He needs to attack Pau Gasol and look to score whenever he has the ball. Because when he does that, usually good things happen.
Edge: Celtics
Centers: Pau Gasol vs. Kendrick Perkins
Gasol was the best move made during the many blockbuster trade deadline moves and has fit in nicely as Kobe’s new center. He can score in the post consistently and also is a good defender. Kendrick Perkins had a nice break-out season, joining the starting lineup with the big-3. He provides rebounding, strength, and defense. The Celtics won’t ask more of him, as his offense is inconsistent.
Edge: Lakers
Sixth Men: Luke Walton vs. James Posey
Walton is a prototype bench player. He brings many skills to the table. A decent three-point shooter, a good defender, and a great rebounder, he can help the Lakers in many ways that don’t always show up on the box score. Posey brings finals leadership to the Celtics and has been a key player off the bench in the Eastern Conference playoffs. He can shoot the three, and will also play a big role in guarding Kobe Bryant.
Edge: Celtics
Coaches: Phil Jackson vs. Doc Rivers
Phil Jackson is going for his record breaking 10th ring as a coach and is a hall of famer. Doc Rivers has had a great run coaching the big three, and led them to a league best 66-16 during the regular season.
Edge: Lakers
My prediction: win series in seven games, 4-3
Finals MVP: Kobe Bryant
Last round’s record: 1-1
Playoff record: 8-6
Despite all his antics, Manny Ramirez is one of the greatest hitters of all time. Last night, on the first pitch of the 7th inning, he took Chad Bradford deep at Candem Yards in Baltimore to become the 24th player with 500 HRs in his career. I just want to say congrats to Manny on a great feat and a hall-of-fame career.
Finally a NBA Finals appearance for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Pierce scored 27 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and had two steals as the Boston Celtics eliminated the Detroit Pistons Friday 89-81. It is the first Finals appearance for Boston since 1987.
