WGEM Sports Stew

MLB Power Rankings - July 22

To listen to the MLB Power Rankings, tune into WGEM SportsCenter presented by Hardee's every Tuesday from 7 to 9 a.m. on ESPN 1440....We've Got Your Game! Don O'Brien and the show's producer Broc Hampsmire pinch-hit for Tyler and Josh on this week's edition.

1) LA Angels (60-39) second straight week -- Impressive three-game sweep of the defending champion Red Sox to start the second half of the season. Will they pull the trigger to get an impact bat before the trade deadline to offset their outstanding pitching, though? Do they need to?

2) Tampa Bay Rays (58-40) up two spots -- They are back in first in the AL East, led by another power surge from 3B Evan Longoria. This kid is a superstar in the making, no doubt about it. If they add an outfield bat (Nady or Bay from Pittsburgh?), they will definitely be in it until the end.

3) Chicago Cubs (58-41) second straight week -- Alfonso Soriano will be back in the leadoff spot later this week. Sweet Lou is hoping that sparks a struggling offense. In three of their four games since the All-Star break, the Cubs have scored one or zero runs!

MLB Power Rankings (July 15)

To hear Tyler & Josh's MLB Power Rankings live, listen to WGEM Sportscenter Presented by Hardee's every Tuesday from 7-9 a.m. on ESPN 1440 ... We've Got Your Game.

               

1) LA Angels (57-38) up one spot -- For the first time this year, the most consistent team will finally top the Rankings. Are they better than the Cubs or Red Sox on paper? No ... not even close. But they have the deepest rotation and play stellar defense. They have nobody in the top 10 in any offensive category.

2) Boston Red Sox (57-40) up three spots -- In their final 10 games prior to the Break, the BoSox went 7-3 and took back first place in the AL East. How have they done it? Jacoby Ellsbury and his 35 stolen bases would be one reason.

3) Chicago Cubs (57-38) up one spot -- Losing Kerry Wood for a short period of time will only hurt if Carlos Marmol stumbles. Which he has the past month: One blown save and a 13.50 ERA.

4) Tampa Bay Rays (55-39) down three spots -- It looks like the feel-good story may be slipping. The Rays needed a break like no other, and be happy Joe Madden that you don't have many All-Stars. A huge second half from Carl Crawford (.270, 23 steals) is needed.

Hooch's Monday Musing July 14

Take a trip with Josh Houchins, as he recaps the weekend in his own weird way...

* Have you ever been to a local county fair and try to shove every type of fair food in your mouth in one day? It's been two days and I am still feeling it. But very nice job, Lewis County, Mo.

* Speaking of fair foods ... funnel cakes and then curly fries would be my top two consumptions.

* Getting back to sports, the MLB HR Derby is tonight and the winner will be Lance Berkman. Earlier this morning on WGEM Sportscenter presented by Hardee's I thought Chase Utley would be your winner, but do you recall Berkman's show at Minute Maid Park a few years back from the right side of the plate? He will be hitting from his power side -- left -- this time and he will be bouncing balls off the facade in New York Stadium just like the Babe did.

* And Berkman's kind of chubby like the Babe as well.

* The Dark Night comes out this Friday. Awesome.

* Josh Hamilton could eventually be the greatest baseball "story" of our generation. My question for him: "Do any of your old friends (and he'll know what I mean by 'old' friends) come around and want to visit? If so, how do you tell them to stay away?"

* Giving a hockey player an 11-year deal seems a little out there. Are you sure the NHL is going to be around in 11 years?

* Tim Lincecum should have been named the NL's starting pitcher for the All-Star Game and not Ben Sheets. But does it really matter? We saw Brad Penny mow them down two years ago and the NL still lost.

* See if I travel to the 2008 Olympics now. The Chinese government will not allow crossbows or daggers in the facilities.

* Not only should the Cardinals watch out, but the Cubbies need to take notice of the fast-approaching Brewers as well. C.C. Sabathia looked great Sunday afternoon, and if Milwaukee is willing to spend for bullpen help, the Brew Crew could be pushing September close to 100 wins.

* The Arena League, WNBA, Lacrosse, MLS, or other irrelevant sports need to stop being used in Sportscenter's Top 10. I know ESPN is pushing some of those sports big time, but that is causing me not to watch the Top 10. (Unless Candace Parker is involved)

* You have to love Vai Sikahema. The 45-year-old rocked Steroid Boy over the weekend in a celebrity boxing bout. Not only was Sikahema doing what all sports fans admired by beating up Jose Canseco, but he was an All-Pro return man for the Phoenix Cardinals. (Hey, very often do I get to express my love for the football Cardinals. Just let it go.)

* A question was tabled this morning on the radio show whether Ryan Ludwick is for real or not. Eric Ervin says he is, while I am still not sure. Your thoughts?

* Nothing wrong with CBS saying bye-bye to Billy Packer. Dick Vitale has the ability to keep up with the new style of basketball unlike Packer. John Madden is still OK in a limited role doing football, because the game hasn't changed. Joe Morgan is fine with baseball for similar seasons. But the game of basketball has evolved -- for the good and the bad -- more than any sport out there and Packer was on the outside looking in more often than not.

* Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donated the money a magazine gave them for pictures of their twins. Think about the life of Brad Pitt for a moment: Rich, built, hangs out with cool people, and oh yea, gets paid a ton for pictures of babies from his unmarried partner. Now if that was a class in college, I would have enrolled all four years.

* And finally, Brett Favre, please make up your mind. I have always respected the guy, not only for his abilities on the field, but for doing a lot off of it as well. But I am afraid by the time he is (actually) finished with football, his name will not be worth what it once was. That's sad.

--HOOCH--

One in a Million

During his military days Don Patterson once lived a week without food, only water. 

On Friday night, Western Illinois' head football coach now stricken with tonsillar cancer maintained his sense of humor with me during a lengthy phone conversation and even quipped, "I've lived without food before, I think I can do it again.  The only thing that will be different when I return will be my waistline."

Despite facing his most difficult opponent Patterson remains the same.  He still took time out to call WGEM and thank us for our story but more importantly to reitirate that he'll be back in the saddle soon enough.

The guy is one in a million.  He's the epitomy of what's right in college sports.  Sure his team's have been mediocre (20-24) since their last playoff appearance in '03.  But Patterson and his staff have consistenly graduated players, improved facilities, stayed competitive within the Missouri Valley Football Conference (formerly Gateway), and raised thousands of dollars not only for football but practically every other Western athletic program with recent trips to LSU, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, and next month's $300K+ trip to Arkansas.

And on top of that Patterson is as friendly, compassionate, and warm-hearted as any college football coach you'll ever come across.  I deal with him on an almost weekly occurrence and I look forward to every conversation we have, most of which last in upwards of 30 minutes. 

So to learn of his illness was especially tough to handle.  And the fact that he won't be on the sidelines for several weeks is hard to imagine.  But he wanted to assure Leatherneck fans that he'll be back as soon as his body allows him to do so.

His surgery is Monday in Iowa City and he hopes to attend the Missouri Valley Football Conference Media Day in St. Louis on Tuesday July 22nd.  After that my guess is we'll see him sooner rather than later as his beloved Leathernecks make a bid for a conference title and a return trip to postseason play.

Here's to a speedy recovery for a wonderful man.

- Marth

Yep, looks like ol' Kash is at it again

The best part about this fantastic manager tirade is...

1. ... the manager's name is Kash Beauchamp. Honestly, who names a kid Kash?
2. ... when he goes to argue with the ump. Stone Cold Steve Austin's theme music kicks in with the glass breaking and everything. It must be an everyday occurrence for old Kashy!
3. ... the obvious: Another wrestling reference when Kash goes Bushwhacker on the ump!

What's your favorite part?

**Tyler**

The New Age Yankees

Are the Chicago Cubs the new age Yankees? 
As the Yankees have done in the past, the Cubs are spending enormous amounts of money to obtain the best available players. The latest trade for Rich Harden puts the Cubs in awesome position to win the NL Central, the NL Championship, and the World Series.

Are we to not expect the Cubs to win the World Series just because they are the Cubs? They have spent the money and made the moves to be the best team in baseball and now I expect them to win the World Series and so should you.

As for Cubs fans ... be happy that your team is spending money and wanting to hoist that W.S. trophy!  But don't get defensive when a fan of another team seems jealous. They should be jealous because most likely, their favorite team is not constantly pulling off amazing, beneficial deals. The Yankees have only made two deals in the past two seasons that helped -- they obtained Bobby Abreu two years ago and Wilson Betemit this season. Hmmmm ... the new evil empire may be in Chicago!

I want you to take a look at the dough the Cubs are shelling out this season. Here are some player contracts. It is amazing!

Alfonso Soriano:  8 years   $136 million
Carlos Zambrano:  5 years    $91.5 million
Derrek Lee:  5 years    $65 million
Aramis Ramirez:  4 years   $42 million
Kosuke Fukudome:  4 years  $48 million
Ted Lilly:  4 years  $40 million
Jason Marquis:  3 years  $21 million
Mark DeRosa:  3 years  $13 million
Kerry Wood:  1 year  $4.2 million
Ryan Dempster:  3 years  $15.5 million

Maybe for the first time in 100 years Cubs fans should be legitimately upset if their team does not win a World Series.

**Tyler**

MLB Power Rankings (July 8)

To hear Tyler & Josh's MLB Power Rankings live, listen to WGEM Sportscenter Presented by Hardee's every Tuesday from 7-9 a.m. on ESPN 1440 ... We've Got Your Game.

               

1) Tampa Bay Rays (55-33) second straight week -- "Not your older brother's Rays" is possibly the best saying concerning this team we have heard in a long time. No single player has amazing stats, but that is possibly what has made them so good. Battery mates Scott Kazmir and Dioner Navarro made the All-Star team. Guarantee we will never say that again.

2) LA Angels (54-35) up three spots -- They move up because they never screw up. Took down the A's this past week and never blinked. Do only have three players with 10 or more home runs, but do have four pitchers with eight or more wins.

3) Chicago Cubs (53-36) down one spot -- First-half play was awarded with seven All Stars, so now they need to live up to it. Great job taking 2 of 3 from the Cardinals, especially smacking 16 hits in the finale after dropping a wacky one on Saturday.

4) Chicago White Sox (51-37) up two spots -- Pitching staff has quietly came around: John Danks career-high nine strikeouts, Gavin Floyd gets 10th win Saturday, and then Javy Vazquez tosses a complete game in a loss Thursday. Now they really don't have to worry about the Tribe, with big C.C. moving to the NL.

Hooch's Monday Musing July 7

Take a trip with Josh Houchins, as he recaps the weekend in his own weird way...

* The greatest feeling as a sports fan is when something that is hyped to no end produces an amazing outcome. Prior to the men's Wimbledon final, the media repeatedly said the third edition of Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal on grass was going to be one for the ages. Well, they were right. Even though I was pulling for Roger, it was one of the greatest one-on-one shows I have ever seen.

* When growing up, I could get away with skipping Sunday morning church for three sporting events because they started early in the morning: Wimbledon, the Masters, and the Ryder Cup.

* How long now before Nadal is called "The Greatest Tennis Player of All Time?" I say Monday around 10 a.m.

* In what other sport do you "volley" with your opponent prior to the start? Scenario: ARod says, "Hey Mr. Pujols, would you like to play a game of catch before we go to our separate dugouts?"

* I love Jim Carrey. Check out what he did this weekend.

* Initial thoughts on the C.C. Sabathia trade: 1) If healthy, the Brewers have the best 1-2 punch by far in NL Central with C.C. and Ben Sheets. 2) We will find out quick what it means as the Brewers visit St. Louis the week after the All-Star Game, then go home to face the Cubs a week after that. Both are four-game sets. 3) Sabathia and Fielder side-by-side are FREAKING HUGE.

* When Bud Collins says this year's Federer-Nadal match was the best ever says a lot. Never cared for Collins, but the guy truly knows tennis and its history.

* I am rooting for her in the upcoming Olympics.

* Madonna reminds me of Skeletor.

* I don't think I have ever seen Federer make so many unforced errors. Can you tell I enjoyed the final?

* Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani were in Federer's box on Sunday. He's one lucky guy. I love her.

* Sorry about that. I get a little carried away some time.

* Speaking of literally being able to carry someone away, Verne Troyer reportedly has a sex tape. What has this world come to? (And yes, plenty on one-liners and jokes are running through my head right now with the words "Mini Me" and "sex tape").

* It was great to see Rick Ankiel come through with a game-winning SINGLE on Saturday. Not that Ankiel had become a one-trick pony, but the St. Louis CF was seemingly lacking the simple base hit in his arsenal.

* UFC 2009 Undisputed looks amazing.

* And finally, why in the heck was I cheering for someone in Friday's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest? It's not a sporting event, but I was pumping the fist in the air rooting on the boy from the Land of the Rising Sun, Kobayashi. I was chanting "Down that dog!" and "Eat that wiener, you big pansy!"

--HOOCH

Great American sports moment on this Independence Day

And I will give thanks to not only a great Cubs moment, but one in American sports history as well.

--HOOCH

Tyler's Fabulous Five X 2

You get a double dose of Tyler's Fabulous Five this week. I have been pondering my favorite sports movies of all-time. First off, I am a sucker for a sports comedy and I am more prone to like movies that are more recent because they affected my life differently.  So if you are looking for the classics...I like them...just not my Top 10.

Honorable Mention: Waterboy, Karate Kid--Bobby Boucher vs. Daniel-Son these two movies just couldn't quite make the cut.

10. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective - I was torn between this movie and Waterboy. I went Ace Ventura because flat out...it was funnier. Waterboy may have more football scenes and Ace Ventura may have none...but the entire movie focuses around the Dolphins and the kidnapping of their mascot Snowflake. Jim Carrey bursts onto the scene, along with Courteney Cox and both go on to have fabulous careers. No arguments?  Alllllllrighty Then!

9. Dodgeball - A good movie is all about the supporting cast. Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn can carry a movie, we all know that. But additions like Rip Torn as Patches (If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball), Justin Long as Justin and Jason Bateman as a stoner color analyst make this movie as funny as it was. ESPN Ocho is a term still used all the time referring to the powerhouse's array of channels.

8. Kingpin - Who thought a bowling movie could become so famous? Stupid humor at its best. Woody Harrelson is hilarious...mix in Bill Murray and Randy Quaid and a really hot chick and you have a good comedy. Great scene with Roger Clemens: Ishmael dances with Clemens girlfriend and Munson knocks out Ishmael, followed by a classic quote: "You didn't have to rub tabasco in his eyes!" "I didn't want him to think we were in CAHOOTS!"

7. Hoosiers - If you ever think you can't do something just watch this movie. Maybe one of the most inspirational movies of all-time sports or not. So many teams in small towns all over the country can relate to this story. Two of my favorite scenes: where Hackman goes to talk to Jimmy Chitwood and Jimmy doesn't miss one shot the entire scene until the end; the fight scene of course where the head goes through the trophy case.

6. Field of Dreams - "If you build it he will come." Maybe the most famous sports quote of all-time next  to "Yo Adrian!" What makes this movie so good is its simplicity. Kevin Costner, an Iowa farmer goes on a journey to reconnect with his dad while getting to watch Shoeless Joe and Buck Weaver and others from the infamous Black Sox Scandal squad. The fact that this movie comes to life and you can still visit the "Field of Dreams" in Dyersville, Iowa is surreal. If you have never done it, I strongly suggest you make the trip. It's worth it.

5. The Program - A powerful, in your face, behind the scenes look at college football. Maybe ahead of its time as far as accuracy goes. Strong cast, James Caan, Halle Berry, Omar Epps, Kristy Swanson. Great appearances from Lynn Swann, Bo Schembechler and Chris Berman. This movie got so crazy that a scene that aired in the theaters did not make the video release. Luckily if you had the chance like me, you saw QB Joe Kane lie in the streets between traffic with his teammates.

4. Remember the Titans - What a fantastic portrayal of the times and football. The fact that this is based on a true story makes it that much more enthralling. Not to mention, the soundtrack was perfectly in tune with the film and the era. Outside of Denzel, the football players weren't hugely popular actors but kids that made the most of the movie experience and sold their parts beautifully.

3. Happy Gilmore - Who can bring golf to the masses? No...not John Daly.  Happy Gilmore! Piggybacking what experts call the funniest sports movie of all-time (Caddyshack) Adam Sandler does a fantastic job of creating his own story and one-liners that will live on in humor infamy. "Somebody's Closer", "You spend more time in the sand than David Hasselhoff","How about a nice warm glass of shut the hell up?"

2. Cinderella Man - Russel Crowe is a stud. We all know it. If allowed, I would put Gladiator on here as the #1 sports movie of all-time. Since we don't condone fights to the death anymore, I am settling for his second best performance. James J. Braddock got it done the old school way, the Dust Bowl Way, the Depression way. Great acting, good fight scenes, realistic.

1. Major League - This is a one-liner wonder. How often do we find ourselves quoting Harry Doyle?  "Juuust a Bit Outside", "Out by an eye lash at third", "This guy threw at his own son in a father son game." Baseball, love story, happy ending with drama...perfect flick.

Let me know your favorite sports movie moments!!