The Sports Rumors

Today’s Rundown 9/21

*The New York Mets are choking like no other.  On September 12th, they had a 7 game lead on the Philadelphia Phillies.  Now, only 9 days later, that lead is down to 1.5.  Unbelievable.  The Mets lost to the Marlins last night after blowing a three run lead twice in the same game.  They were put away in the 10th inning.  There are only a few games left and the Phillies have a legit shot at taking the division.  What a collapse of epic proportions that would be, possibly costing Willie Randolph his job.

*Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko has said he is willing to leave the $63 million remaining on his contract on the table for a chance to leave the NBA.  Apparently, he has no desire to play in the league.  He wants to go back and help his country in the Euro leagues.  Okay, here is a thought.  Don’t sign a long term deal with big bucks and have a franchise and their fans invest their future in you, if you’re not sure that you want to be here.  I hope the Jazz screw Kirilenko and don’t release him from his contract.  I think it is absolute BS to sign a deal and then after you’ve made a good few million, want to opt out and go home.  The Jazz invested a lot in this jackass and he was an integral part of their system.  To screw over a team and a city of fans that embraced you is very, very low.  I hope the Jazz give him hell and don’t let him out of his contract without some hefty fines that reach back into the paycheck’s he’s already received.

*It’s Friday folks and you know what that means.  The NFL Picks for each game will be released later this afternoon when I’m done with them.  Also, as I do weekly, I will pick three Sunday day games, the Sunday night game, and the Monday night game and give you my predictions versus the spread.

Today’s Rundown 9/3

*Pedro Martinez returned for the New York Mets today and threw his 3000^th career strikeout in the process.  Martinez helped the Mets cruise to a 10-4 victory over the Reds and improve their record to 77-60.  Martinez pitched five innings, while throwing 76 pitches, striking out four, walking three, and giving up two runs.  The Mets now lead the division by five games over the Philadelphia Phillies. 

*While the Mets were winning, the team across town was losing to the Mariners by a score of 7-1.  The Yankees dropped their second straight game and the Mariners won their first game in ten contests.  To make matters worse, Roger Clemens elbow had some tightness and was taken for an MRI after the game.  The Mariners have cut the Yankees wildcard lead to one game, with two games remaining in the Bronx. 

*New York Giants crybaby defensive end Michael Strahan has ended his holdout and reported to Giants’ camp today.  The seven time pro bowler missed all of camp and all four preseason games, costing him over half a million dollars in fines.  Really makes no difference if he’s there or not because the Giants are going to be terrible.  If I were the running the Giants, I wouldn’t even want Strahan and his baggage back.  Save the money, the cap space, and get that loudmouth over the hill bum out of New York.  But what do I know. 

*The Cleveland Browns have selected Charlie Frye to be their starter for week one.  Yeah, Frye really is best for the future of the Browns.  Not the quarterback you drafted 22^nd overall and has all the potential.  Whatever, it’s the Browns.  I don’t know why I even bother reporting on them. 

*James Blake lost in five sets in the U.S. Open and Andy Roddick advanced in just two.  Roddick has to beat Feliciano Lopez Monday night and his reward is a matchup with No.1 seeded Roger Federer.  I heard that Federer guy is pretty good, and I also heard that he owns Roddick.  Yeah, I heard something along those lines.