A Little Bit of E’erything.

Posted by Adam Hart August 12, 2008 (2 weeks ago) at 3:16 am

That means Olympics, football, Red Sox, and popular culture happenings. There is some shocking, and hurtful, information about your precious Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony. A thought on Jed Lowrie. Some legal talk over Marvin Harrison. And, of course, some sort of attractive lady link.

Oh, You Liked Them There Opening Ceremonies?
They were actually pretty great. At least, the single part that I watched — the thousands of drummers drumming in sync. It was something I expect not to be that big of a deal in China. Like, those guys probably do that same routine in Tiananmen Square on every Tuesday. But the shocking, hurtful news about these ceremonies is that the fireworks display was computer generated. At least the aerial view we saw on TV. Withleather.com brought this to my attention. But, really, they don’t look that bad on normal video.

I’m disappointed. Disappointed that the Chinese couldn’t pull off a CGI victory over Team USA in Men’s Baskteball. Heck, China could be sweeping the entire Olympic Games. They’re not using their technological superpowers to their full advantage. Sort of like Superman:

“Use my x-ray vision to check out naked chicks through the locker room wall? That would be unethical.”

“Rob a bank with my superhuman speed and strength? I could never live with myself.”

“Accept the presidential nomination and rule the world with an iron fist? Maybe if I lived in Russia.”

Sorry, Julio Lugo
But you are out of a starting job. Collect your money as you will. But Jed Lowrie is the new shortstop of the Boston Red Sox. After yet another bases loaded hit in last night’s game against the White Sox, it has become clear that Lowrie is too important to this weakened lineup to sit the bench in favor of you. Again, I’m sorry. But it’s for the best.

Did I Miss Something?
Or did nothing ever come of that Marvin Harrison situation. You know the one I’m talking about. Did that just go away? Or is Bill Polian on the Philadelphia Police Department Competition Committee, too? Is it now a rule that there will be no investigations into the involvement of an Indianapolis Colts player in a shooting? If so, that’s a good rule, Bill. Great use of your power. I’m just curious how you got the media to leave this alone as camp rolls around, but the Patriots couldn’t ditch Spygate even after losing the Super Bowl. Don’t tell me you’re on the SPJ Competition Committee, too?!

Death
You are my bitch-lover! Sorry, I just had to. The support of Secretary Cleary is hilarious, and only included in the uncut version. “You tell that mean ocean!”

Olympic Aspirations Update
Okay. I am seriously training for Men’s Team Handball. I checked out the National Governing Body’s website, and they seem to be just starting things up. I need to get in on the ground floor of this sport. The only problem is that the nearest club teams exist in New York. But, I can petition the Governing Body for a startup league in the Greater Boston area. I truly believe I could be on that National Team. It will take a lot of hard work. And it would be awesome if they let me assemble my own rag-tag group to compete in the 2012 Summer Games, like in D2: Mighty Ducks. Except, as player-coach, I would be more like that guy from Iceland. In Team Handball, anything goes. We’re playing for Gold. Not “good sportsmanship” or “pride”. Or worse, “to just have fun”.

I’m Going To Stop Talking
Because she told me to. She being Gemma Atkinson. And me being the one obliging.

If You Love To Hate NCAA Football’s Elite…

Posted by Adam Hart August 9, 2008 (2 weeks ago) at 10:07 pm

USC’s starting QB dislocated his knee and is shaky for the season opener August 30th against Virginia. But Pete Carroll still loves everybody.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno is forced to answer questions about an ESPN Outside the Lines report concerning PSU recruiting practices — whether they are choosing talent over character. And actually, JoePa comes out looking good on this one. He’s got quick wit for a 127-year-old.

Charlie Weis… well, it’s all been downhill for him since leaving the Pats. But he has a starting quarterback. That’s good news, right? Not saying the guy will be any good. Just that he is the starter. Check out the report. Do it.

It’s always nice to be kept abreast of the latest dirt in college football. Because college sports aren’t about loving your own team. They’re about hating the rivals, the powerhouses. If only Quinnipiac was good enough to have rivals.

10 Reasons Everyone Can Enjoy the Olympics

Posted by Adam Hart August 7, 2008 (2 weeks ago) at 6:18 pm

Opening ceremonies kick off in Beijing on Friday. Some people believe the Olympics have lost their luster. I call those people party poopers. There is every reason in the world to watch the ‘lympics. And I’ve got ten for you. Get out your anti-smog mask; it’s time to get excited!

10. Some would expect me to throw up ten attractive female athletes and that would be that. I think I deserve a little more credit. I can respect the games for the purity of athletic competition. Plus, I’m saving those girls for higher on the list………… Reason #10 is Michael Phelps. He won six gold medals in his Olympics debut in 2004. He is a swimming phenomenon. Plus, Nick Lachey’s girlfriend seems to like certain things about him. His story is one to watch during these games.

9. New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst was already in Beijing for the SuperLiga Final, which the Revs won. He missed out on that trophy. But maybe he could help the U.S. bring home the gold in soccer. He is a proven player outside of U.S. territory. Remember that goal he scored in Toronto?

International soccer seems to be the only version American sports fans are even slightly interested in, so this gives me the slightest hope that these soccer games will be allowed on the television at my gym. Soccer fans need to enjoy the ‘lympics, too.

8. It’s the final year for Softball and Baseball in the Olympics. The IOC is dropping these games, but keeping badminton, handball and shooting…. guns. Because the Olympic games are about peace between all nations and peoples. This means it is the last time we will watch players like Jennie Finch on the Olympic stage.

If I’m allowed to stare into the eyes of female athletes like Finch every morning over in the NECN.com web center, it will make the Olympics 1,000 times better. And, of course, I would share that joy with NECN.com patrons.

7. Rhythmic gymnastics. This one speaks for itself. Well, with the help of this video clip.

Of the six rhythmic gymnasts, I’ll be rooting for Almudena Cid, because I like Spain the best out of the participating countries. There is the added bonus that she may be a descendant of El Cid, the hero of every student who takes Spanish class in high school.

6. Chinese food. During the most recent Winter Games in Tourin, I would eat heaping plates of spaghetti & meatballs in celebration of the host country. In 2008, I will be making multiple trips to Young China in East Providence, RI. Bring on the General Tsao’s chicken. And that’s an order, soldier. Haha!……… ha?

5. Hope Solo watch. As the starting keeper for the US Women’s soccer team, Solo will be under the watchful eye of the soccer community — and not for her tomboyish good looks. But because the last time she took part in an international competition — the 2007 FIFA World Cup — she was benched in favor of longtime US keeper Brianna Scurry, and did not take the news lightly:

“It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that. There’s no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves. And the fact of the matter is it’s not 2004 anymore. It’s not 2004. And it’s 2007, and I think you have to live in the present. And you can’t live by big names. You can’t live in the past. It doesn’t matter what somebody did in an Olympic gold medal game in the Olympics three years ago. Now is what matters, and that’s what I think.“

At the time I agreed with Solo, and still do. She was dominant in net for our country, having allowed just 2 goals in 4 games. When Brazil rolled along, head coach Greg Ryan went with the 36-year-old Scurry because of her good track record against the South American power. The US women lost that game 4-0 with Scurry in net. It’s time for Solo to prove her worth to the world.

4. The choice of eye candy on the tennis courts for those with a keen eye for men. There is the sleeveless appeal provided by Rafael Nadal and his golden pipes. On the opposite end of the spectrum is class-act Roger Federer and his milk loving body. Add in the chance of an encore to that “amazing” Wimbledon Final and sports fans could be in for an all-around treat.

3. Synchronized swimming, where two become one. And beautiful Brazilian twins have a leg-up on the competition in that light. Anytime my ears pick up that a Brazilian female is competing, I will immediately look at the television. They have proven time and again that they are the real deal. (Turns out they didn’t make the Brazilian Olympic team. Whatever. They’re still attractive. And you can still picture them cheering on their teammates in unison. Jumping up and down, etc. Your imagine is your most powerful tool. Use it.)

2. The undisputed most attractive(center)/likeable female US athlete: Lolo Jones. She is a true catch. The automated song on her website oozes personality. Not only did she win the US trials in the 100m hurdles, but she read my mind in her post race interview: I’m so ready for the Olympics. Millions of teenage boys will fall in love with Lolo Jones these Olympics. Only patriotism could top her on this list…

1. Watching the United States win the medal count, despite the IOC choosing to hold this year’s games inside a smokestack. Anyone who thinks the IOC chose Beijing on its merits is a loony toon. The world is tired of the Red, White and Blue destroying the competition every four years. So much so that they even have double agents working within the USOC, trying to guilt American athletes into breathing that “air”. Well, it doesn’t matter. They could hold these games underwater, and our athletes would find a way to grow gills. That’s right, America is unstoppable! Now go watch yourself some Olympics.

NE Olympics update: Soccer

Posted by Ted McEnroe August 7, 2008 (2 weeks ago) at 10:21 am

New Englanders are undefeated at the 2008 Olympics!

Michael Parkhurst went the full 90 as the U.S. Men’s Soccer team beat Japan, 1-0 in their Olympic opener. The Providence native started on defense. Manchester, N.H. hometown hero Charlie Davies dressed but didn’t play in the contest.

AFC East Gets More Favre-y

Posted by Adam Hart August 7, 2008 (2 weeks ago) at 4:10 am

The worst has come true. Brett Favre Watch is now over — in Green Bay, at least. The national media will be forced to find something else to occupy their obviously ample time. Because Mr. Favre is going to the New York Jets. This ship known as the AFC East may just be turning itself in the right direction.

First, the Dolphins bring in Bill Parcells, who is sure to improve the team before deciding to leave it in the hands of someone else in a couple years. Now, the Jets bring in a Hall of Fame quarterback to take over for the light throwing Chad Pennington. The Jets aren’t fooling around, as they feel the need to compete right now with the arch-rival New England Patriots and the team in their own backyard, the defending champion New York Giants.

I actually like Pennington as a QB. It’s a shame he had those shoulder problems, because he has pretty good leadership qualities — in my mind anyway.

The Pats breezed through their 6 AFC East games last season. Two of those six just became a bit tougher.

Viva la Revolution!

Posted by Ted McEnroe August 6, 2008 (3 weeks ago) at 9:34 am

A commenter by the name of alpha rightly scolded us here on the blog for not noting that the Revolution beat the Houston Dynamo, 6-5 in penalty kicks to win the Superliga title in Foxboro yesterday. The game ended tied at The highlights did make it on Sports Late Night last night at 11 - so touche to alpha, who said “no local TV mentioned it,’ but they deserve a shout out here and their very own set of highlights.

Unfortunately, since the best highlights are those from the Spanish language telecast, and the MLS has not made it possible to embed video from their site, you’ll have to go sniff them out for yourself at http://www.superliga2008.com/. The Revs never led, trailing 1-0 before getting the tying goal with a little time left in the first half. Then in OT, a Shalrie Joseph header knotted the game at 2 after the Dynamo took a 2-1 lead in the 98th minute.

Then it was just 8 rounds of penalty kicks for the Revs to win that, 6-5. I was lame. I went to bed early. And for that I feel guilty.

Now - let’s get the Revs to win the darn MLS Cup! Please?

But there is a certain joy of hearing “Gooooooooooooooooooooooooool!” that makes even the rainiest Wednesday a little brighter.

UPDATE:

No, they’re not the best. But they are tracked in English, for those who are not bi-lingual. The second language being “futbol”.

Pats Training Camp Observations

Posted by Mike Giardi August 5, 2008 (3 weeks ago) at 5:53 pm

Just got done with the Pats afternoon practice session. Another minus the big guns. No Tom Brady. No Randy Moss. I’d be surprised if either played Thursday night in the preseason opener. The good news is that Mike Vrabel has been activated from the PUP. He doubts that he’ll play against the Ravens either, but did say that’s not his decision (gee, I wonder who’s it is??)

Some observations:

- Rookie cornerback Terrence Wheatley made a nice play during the 7-on-7’s, deflecting a Matt Gutierrez pass that was intended for Jabar Gafney. Gafney had beaten Wheatley to the corner, but the ball needed a little more air underneath it.

- Gutierrez biggest mistake came right at the goal-line. He didn’t release the ball when he should have (his internal clock should have expired), then threw too late to the sideline. Whoops. Antwain Spann picked it off and would have taken that one to the house.

- Earlier in that same drill, another example of why Chad Jackson isn’t there. Matt Cassel was clearly eyeballing the wideout, but he did a poor job of finding a hole in the secondary, sliding into- coverage instead of toward a vast opening away from the goalpost. That’s where Cassel threw it. I think for emphasis.

- During 11-on-11’s, tight end Jonathan Stupor was all alone in the right flat. Cassell dumped it off to him, and Stupor turned his head before he caught the ball. That drew some “ughs” from a nice crowd.

- Cassell also had a chance to hook-up with Wes Welker on a deep ball. Welker was staying on the numbers, but Cassell led him into the hashes and - more importantly - into coverage. The pass went incomplete.

- We didn’t have to watch Chris Hanson punt the ball very much, but he put on a clinic. On consecutive punts, from 40-plus, he basically deadened the ball on the one-yard line. Impressive.

- Lastly, its important to note that whoever was in charge of music during stretch did a nice job getting in a little “Dissident” by Pearl Jam.

Awesome vs. Not-Awesome

Posted by Adam Hart August 4, 2008 (3 weeks ago) at 6:04 pm

In the second installment of this judgmental blog post, I take a look at things both inside and outside of the sporting world to determine just exactly who is winning out these days — ‘Awesome’ or ‘Not-Awesome’. Beware, this post is for entertainment purposes only.

Awesome
Jason Bay’s debut in Boston. He did all the right things in a three game sweep of the Oakland Athletics. The guy is happy to be here, which seems to have the entire locker room relieved. When the trade went down, I was sure that the Sox run production would suffer. It has not. Now let’s see if they can keep it up against teams other than the A’s.

Not-Awesome

The fact that Manny Ramirez looks young, refreshed in Dodger Blue. Bay is working out for the Sox. But you never want an Ex to go on to greener pastures. It’s human nature. Manny is batting .615 in LA — going 8-for-13 with 2 home runs, 5 RBI and 4 runs scored. All one can hope for is a nasty divorce come this off-season between Manny and the Dodgers. And it’s just not nice to hope for things like that.

Awesome
ABC’s Viviana Hurtado. There’s just something about her, something you will see by fast forwarding to the end of this clip (because sitting through a tale of the horrendous mortgage situation in America is depressing).

As a web producer for NECN.com, I am asked not only to post our on-air stories, but also national stories via ABC’s NewsOne service. Basically, everyone who subscribes to this service can use any video in their server, and we agree to send some video to them (most recently some stuff on the Clark Rockefeller search). So, every day I am required to post a Viviana Hurtado news package to our site. And I love it.

What makes this ‘awesome’, is that we also get the ABC NewsOne live feed channel. Last week, I accidentally caught her as she was preparing to do her outro for a story. This was Viviana Hurtado unscripted. And I couldn’t watch it. I felt like a creep. I changed the channel and that was that. Now I know that I could never, ever make it as a Peeping Tom. That is some awesome news.

Oh, who am I kidding. Peeping Tom or not, I’m still a perv. Only a perv would have a secret news crush. Onward.

Not-Awesome
Brett Favre taking my sports coverage hostage. Someone must put a stop to this. I didn’t expect it would be him, though.

Awesome
Zack de la Rocha is back, finally. After his Rage Against the Machine bandmates left him behind for Chris Cornell, it looked like we would never hear from him again. But he is back. This time with the Mars Volta drummer Joe Theodore in a two-man band called One Day As A Lion. de la Rocha handles vocals and the keyboard. Here is the song being played on the radio: Wild International. It’s good to hear that voice again.

Not-Awesome
That I’ve run out of things for either category. Give me some help, people.

The verdict? ‘Awesome’ wins again. Mainly because I thought the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse were on their way to Boston after that Manny Ramirez trade. It’s been quite the opposite.

Running Blog: A Day In Sports Row

Posted by Adam Hart August 3, 2008 (3 weeks ago) at 4:32 am

I miss the days of Celtics playoff games, when I would write running blogs whilst editing video for our postgame shows. Since I am making a cameo appearance back in the sports department today — producing the sports segments four NECN’s news shows — I figured it’s about time I do a runner on a sports shift; let you folks in on just how we do things behind the scenes. Keep in mind, this running blog is for entertainment purposes only.

1:31 If you asked me 12 hours ago, I would’ve said that I’d be turning in a Vin Baker performance today. But, somehow, a good night’s sleep cured me of my evils. I feel great.

2:09 While piecing together my 5pm sports rundown, I’m watching the ending of “Rookie of the Year” on ABC Family. It’s funny, because yesterday I caught some of “American Pie”, which stars the rookie as the Kevin character. Thomas Ian Nichols plays a perfect overly emotional teenager in American Pie. So good, that every time he says something corny I yell “Shut up, Rookie of the Year”. Now? That receding hairline of his isn’t treating him that well. By the way — if my kid ever has that throwing motion as a Little Leaguer, I’ll simply throw in the towel and tell him to take up piano lessons. You figure he’d learn to throw like a man from Gary Busey. “Rowengartner, just rear back and fire. It’s what you haven’t done!”

3:23 Just recorded some Chien Ming Wang video into our editing system. Joe Girardi does not expect Wang back for a September run at the playoffs. That’s a real shame. Oh, wait. No, it’s not. The shame is that Manny has dropped his baggy pants in favor of a tighter, more Joe Torre-friendly pair. Well, he didn’t literally drop his pants. But I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you? Sicko.

5:25 Just pulled off a perfectly produced sports segment, with Mike Giardi holding it down on anchor duties. Typically, I overload the segment and don’t cut anything out, going over my allotted time. The news producer are never happy with me. Today — at least at 5 o’clock — I stayed within my time constraints. You’re welcome, news producers.

6:13 ESPN/NFL Network are taking their sweet time with kicking off the NFL Hall of Fame ceremonies. Guess we won’t be having a soundbite from Andre Tippett’s speech for the sports segment. Good work, guys. Thanks for being so considerate. Is it any surprise that ESPN is treating this like the biggest event of the year? To them, the NFL is king.

6:26 Another well-timed, perfectly executed sportscast. Mike and I are on our way to a 3-for-3 night. Unlike Jason Bay, I don’t have a stadium full of people cheering me on. I don’t even have a newsroom full of people doing so.

6:32 Giardi and I are conversing about Manny Ramirez and his new team, and how he said he’ll cut his hair. Manny smuggled the Red Sox players’ personal barber to LA with him. If I were getting paid $20 million per year, I’d hire someone as my personal shoelace knotter. It’d save a lot of bending down. And it would make me feel really powerful. For, what is money without power?

6:48 Probably the best ten minutes of the day are ending right now. Bob Kraft is putting a close to his introduction of Andre Tippett at the NFL Hall of Fame ceremonies. I could listen to Kraft give speeches all day. He’s always so courteous. I think he should run for president. Listening to Tipp’s speech will only be a let down.

6:59 I was totally wrong. Tippett shed some light on a Patriots team in the 80’s that a 24-year-old like myself never knew. And he seems like a really nice guy. I’d speak my mind about the attractiveness of certain family members of his, but he is a 5th degree black belt. I fear karate. Because, like the frightened baby chipmunk, I am afraid of anything that is different. And a karate practicing football player is pretty different.

7:06 The Red Sox are about to start their game against the A’s. Let’s hope Jason Bay isn’t forced to score all the runs again tonight. Not that Jon Lester needs more than 2 runs to win.

7:14 Emil Brown just hit a two-run homer. I was wrong. Again. Lester is getting hit around the park, so far. Jason Bay may need to bat 17 times today just to keep up with the A’s. Aren’t they supposed to be terrible?

7:22 Youk goes deep, hitting a two-run homer — his 19th of the season. Game tied at 2-apiece. Joey Kramer from Aerosmith, who threw out tonight’s first pitch, caught the home run ball in his Monster Seats. Looking at the people sitting with him, he has something in common with Andre Tippett. What do you think it is?

7:28 Don Orsillo said it best, “It’s all working out.” That being that Jason Bay just hit his first Red Sox home run — a three-run job. It’s a great feeling to get excited about the Sox again. The buzzkill is that they’re facing the A’s, and starter Dana Eveland is tossing BP.

7:37 A bunch of us ordered Bertucci’s. I got the spaghetti and meatballs. I have it written in my will that I want spaghetti and meatballs as my last meal. That’s right, even if I’m in a coma and they’re about to pull the plug on me, I want that stuff pumped into my veins. If I’m trapped in a vicious avalanche, they will send a St. Bernard up the mountain with a mug of spaghetti and meatballs around his neck. Not to save my life. Just so I can die happy.

7:48 I decide it’s time to start editing the Red Sox highlights. Luckily they have a fairly handsome lead. Too bad it’s not as handsome as me. But before I lock myself in the edit bay, I ask Giardi if I can go to the bathroom first. He says, “Okay.”

When I’m done I say, “Thank you.”

7:49 Nah. That didn’t really happen. This isn’t communist China. I can go to the bathroom in my pants whenever I dang well please. But that clip is just too funny not to link to.

11:18 We’re now 2/3’s of the way through Sports Late Night.Thinking quickly, I run over to the web center. I decide to be a good web producer and record on Giardi’s Lars Anderson 1-on-1. That’s the type of team-first attitude that….. will never get noticed by management. Oh well, if I did my work based on how they would react, I wouldn’t do this.

12:43 After posting that video to NECN.com, and then bostonscore.com, I am sending an e-mail out to Giardi. We’re trying to get our blog more notice. And, actually, I think we’ll be posting a lot more fresh content in the coming weeks — especially from Patriots training camp. Anyway, as I go to send him that e-mail, I notice my inbox has two e-mails from my sister. She sent me photos of my dog Mysti from the first day that I got her. They’re very cute. And now you must look at them: