Armchair Weekend in Review (May 19-21, 2006)
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by user JB82
I must admit that going in, my thinking was that this weekend sports-wise would be full of excitement. In retrospect, it has become one of the most depressing of this year to date. So everyone who's reading this please take your Prozac and we'll get on with the dissemination.
Tragedy at the Preakness Stakes
- The main source of depression was what happened at the Preakness Stakes on Saturday. For those of you who haven't heard, Barbaro (the favorite) went out of the gate as the horses had already been loaded and ready to go. The horse got an on-the-spot check-up and everything was OK. Thus, Barbaro was put back in the gate. However, the worst was yet to come. Barbaro pulled up lame in his second trip out of the gate – with all the other horses this time. Barbaro suffered a fractured leg and was taken to a veterinarian.
Monday Extra
- Barbaro is doing alright, but according to the surgeon, this may have been a life-threatening injury. It's already sabotaged his career. My prayers are with the horse.
Bonds at 714*
- Well, he's finally gone and done it. Barry Lamar Bonds went and tied the über-legendary Babe Ruth on Saturday. Bonds took a 1-1 pitch from Oakland Athletics pitcher Brad Halsey into the right field stands and thus he tied the Bambino. On a side note, San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain one-hit the A's the next day 6-0.
More MLB Interleague From the Armchair
Subway Series: The Lost Weekend
- For me as a New York Yankees fan, the above title was my impression of the twice-yearly meeting between the Yanks and their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets.
- Friday: The Yanks give starting pitcher Randy Johnson a 4-0 lead in the first, only to have him nearly blow it by the time the inning was over. Then, he inherited a 5-3 lead and blew that one outright, allowing the Metropolitans to tie the game. Later on, in the fourth, the Yanks get the lead 6-5, only to have the Mets tie the game again and eventually woudl lead to a bottom-of-the-9th game-winning double by David Wright over the head of Johnny Damon. Final: Mets 7, Yanks 6.
- Saturday: For me, this was the highlight (and only good part) of the weekend. The Yanks were down 0-4 in the ninth when the Shea Stadium PA system blasted Metallica's "Enter Sandman" to announce the arrival of Billy "I Ripped My Entrance Music off Mariano Rivera Because I Couldn't Find My Own Damn Music" Wagner, who promptly pulled a Randy and allowed the Men in Pinstripes to tie the game at 4. In the eleventh, Andy Phillips got the eventual game-winner, Mo retired the side and the Yanks won, 5-4.
- Sunday night: One lesson I learned from this game was that Aaron Small is no Shawn Chacon. Another night of Yanks pitching blowing leads, this time by wallops from Carlos Delgado and Wright. Mets win 4-3, Yanks banged up and in bad shape en route to Boston.
Cubs vs. White Sox: Throwdown in Chi-town
- Picture this for one moment: You're a catcher. The opposition's runner is rounding third and headed towards home plate with a full head of steam. Your left fielder is sending a throw right towards you at the same time. Suddenly, he comes toward as soon as you get the ball in you glove. You try to block the plate but somehow you both collide.
- In baseball, that's a part of the game. What happened afterwards on Saturday was certainly not. Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski bowled into Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett and was called out. Pierzynski, in disgust, slapped home plate, much to Barrett's chagrin. One bear hug and right hook later, the fight was on. Both catchers, as well as ine player each, got the gate. BTW, the White Sox won 7-1.
- Oddly enough, another fight almost like this happened thirty years ago on Saturday in the Bronx. Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk had a collision with the Yankees' Lou Piniella – yes, that Lou Piniella. The two tussled a bit and then the battle escalated. Cooler heads eventually prevailed, until Sox pitcher Bill Lee gave Graig Nettles his best right hook and the fight was on again. Lee became a casualty as he hurt his left arm giving Nettles his Rocky Marchiano imitation.
NBA Playoffs From the Armchair
- The Palace at Auburn Hills, the Detroit Pistons' home court, is known as a very difficult place to win on the road. Just ask Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs were knocked out of the playoffs by the defending Eastern Conference champs 79-61.
- Early on, it seemed to be "no Jason Terry no problem" for the Dallas Mavericks. However, Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs had them wishing he hadn't given ex-Maverick Michael Finley one in the family jewels in Game 5 as the Spurs cruised to a 91-86 win.
NHL Playoffs From the Armchair
Western Conference Final: Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks
- The bottom of the Western Conference seeding barrel began their series on Friday night with a 3-1 win by the Oilers over the Ducks. Second verse was the same as the first on Sunday.
Eastern Conference Final: Buffalo Sabres vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- The battle of rookie goaltenders (Ryan Miller for Buffalo, Cam Ward for Carolina) was overshdowed by a game winner from Sabres' defenseman Jason McKee
Fast Track
- Jimmie Johnson wins the Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway while the Tony Stewart-Matt Kenseth rivalry flared up again as the former talked smack to the latter's crew chief, Robbie Reiser.
- Qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 finally came and went, with Sam Hornish, Jr. the polesitter.
And finally...
If you're expecting my take on the 500 and other sports happenings from the Memorial Day Weekend, prepare to be dissapointed. I will be taking next weekend off, but do expect me back in two weeks.
Until then, let's all be good sports.
Date
Mon 05/22/06, 1:50 pm EST
