7 Things We Missed This Weekend 11/8/10
What an action packed weekend around the world of sports including racing horses and racing cars, fighting jockeys and fighting drivers, and all of the other headlines that you need to get caught up on from the non-football world. Here now is 7 Things...
1) The Chase Heats Up
-For the first time in recent memory, the NACAR Sprint/Chase/Whatever you want to call their playoffs is coming down to the wire and Jimmie Johnson isn't in the lead! Denny Hamlin won at Texas and is now the new points leader with only 2 races remaining at Phoenix and Homestead. He leads JJ by 33 points and Kevin Harvick by 59. In the NASCAR world though, that might as well be a one point lead without the ball. Yes, Hamlin has the advantage, but anything short of 2 Top 5s to end the year won't be good enough with the 4 time champ in tow. [randallsimonssauges]
2) Zenyatta Falls Short
-I'll admit, horse racing is not my cup of tea. Yes, I'll sit down and watch a Triple Crown race, but that's about it. The sport falls somewhere between curling and poker on my list of favorite sports. But, the story of Zenyatta really captured me this week. Especially when I learned that the philly was on her 19 for 19 winning streak and raced this weekend as a 6 year old! Imagine Tiger Woods blossoming as a golfer once he reached the age of 65! It's really an incredible feat and story in horse racing. However, Zenyatta's quest to be a perfect 20 for 20 ended in defeat as she finished 2nd in the Breeders Cup Classic to Blame (what a perfect name) in a legendary finish. Even in defeat, Zenyatta will go down as one of the greats in the history of her sport.... ok wait a second, before we see the video I have to say something. I love animals and everything, but can we please stop this idiocy of listing horses as athletes? They're not athletes... they're f&#*ing horses!! People are athletes! Secretariat was not an athlete, he's a horse. King Kong wasn't an athlete, he was a giant gorilla. And Godzilla sure as heck wasn't an athlete, but a giant lizard. Ok, I'm done ranting, here's the tape...
3) Iverson Arrives... in Turkey?
-Allen Iverson has certainly had one of the most unique sporting careers in recent memory. He made tattoos and cornrows mainstream. He played with the heart of a champion although he never won one. He was always controversial. Oh, and he didn't want to talk about practice. But, after leaving Philly, Iverson's Hall of Fame career has gone into a tailspin. It began with a so-so tenure in Denver, to a mediocre run in Detroit, to a disgraceful stop-over in Memphis before returning to Philly and making Randy Moss' Vikings comeback look like a success. Now, Iverson's career looks like it will end up in... Turkey. Yes. Turkey. Iverson will soon suit up for Besiktas (we think) in the Turkish league. In a way, this was always how it was going to end, right?
4) El Nino is Back
-The big news in the soccer world came from Anfield where Liverpool's revitalization continued under new owner John Henry and the Reds stunned Chelsea 2-0 on the back of 2 Fernando Torres goals. El Nino has been one of the most scrutinized athletes in the sports world because of his lack of form and fitness which has coincided with Liverpool's dreadful recent record. Now, they're finally in the top half of an ever-tightening EPL table. Chelsea and Man Utd look set to battle it out for the top but the race for 3-7 could be the best we've seen in recent memory with Liverpool rebounding and Spurs, Man City, Arsenal, and even Newcastle fighting for European spots.
5) Cliff Lee Gets a Phone Call
-In what may be the least surprising sports story of the century, the Yankees are getting ready to pay Cliff Lee a crap ton of money. The Yanks contacted Lee's agent on the first day of free agency. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if this is how it plays out - 1) Yankees talk to Cliff Lee and give him a blank check. 2) Lee gets an offer from the Rangers. 3) New York doubles it. 4) Lee wears pinstripes. Book it.
6) Hornets' Nest
-Quick - who are the NBA's 2 unbeaten teams? Ok, I'll give you the Lakers, that's not too hard. But who's the other one? Surely Miami, right? Nope. Hmm... Boston? Oklahoma City? Orlando? How about the New Orleans Hornets! (jaws dropping) Yes, somehow the Hornets are 6-0! You know, the Hornets that I picked to miss the playoffs. And it's not the product of an easy schedule - they've already defeated Denver, San Antonio, Houston... and the Heat! Maybe, just maybe... Chris Paul was right to stay.
7) Weekend at the Rac... err... Fights?
-Finally, we have to go back to our Top 2 stories from the weekend and show you jockeys and drivers fighting! Woo!! First up is Jeff Gordon of all people going at Jeff Burton after a wreck at Texas. I give the fight only 3 Cale Yarboroughs out of 10 because I don't even see an actual punch thrown! Gordon confirms what NASCAR fans have suspected for years, he fights like a girl.
Secondly, we go back to the Breeders Cup where on Friday, Calvin Borel went at Javier Castellano. I'll give this fight a 5 only for the homicidal look on Borel's face. He gives Chucky a run for his money for one of the scariest little people of all time. I know what you're thinking, come on now, isn't that too easy to bring out the little people joke? Yes, yes it is.
[randallsimonssauges2]
