Yankee Bowl

There are times for desperation, but this may hit an all time low for Yankee Stadium (speaking like the true Yankee historian that I am not), but after the ridiculousness that is known as the new Yankee stadium ticket prices, the front office has decided to sell the rights of the stadium to NCAA for one of the many pointless bowl games. How pointless do you ask? It will be the be the ferocious match up between a fourth place Big East team against a seventh place Big 12 team in 2012. WHOA!! When do those tickets go on sale?! I'm going right now to buy a tent to wait for them. At least it makes sense having a Big East team playing somewhere remotely near the schools' location, so they may have some people coming to the game. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg expects over 40,000 fans and roughly $47 million to the city, "Nobody stages big events like the Big Apple. We've got the experience, we've got the resources, and we've got the spirit. It's a win for the fans of both teams playing, and it's a win for New York." With this we have two of the evils in the world of sports combining, the greed of New York teams and the awful BCS system that dishes out terrible bowl games. Whoopee.

Marquez v. Mayweather

I don't claim to be a boxing expert by any means. I absolutely love the earlier era of boxing, meaning the 50's-80's, guys like Sonny Liston, Joe Fraizer, George Foreman and one of my top 5 favorite athletes Muhammad "Don't call me Cassius" Ali. I can watch old fights from those guys forever( possibly the fight of the century, the Thrilla in Manilla). Over the past half-century, boxing has become somewhat of a back burner sport to American main stream sports: football, baseball, basketball, etc. Even more so recently with MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), boxing has been on the steady decline.

As an above average sports fan I can't name a single heavy-weight boxer, but there are old timers that remember exactly where they were when Ali took down Liston within the first minute with his infamous lightning punch. Sure, I know Manny Pacquaio Floyd Mayweather and many other light-weight stature boxers. All I am trying to say is where will boxing be in 15-20 years? Hopefully, back at the top.

Anyways now that I've gotten that rant off my chest, I want to discuss and give my predictions for the big fight that is coming up in less than 48 hours: Juan Manuel Marquez v. Floyd Mayweather. I'll set the scene a little bit for those who don't know about these guys.
This is Marquez's first fight as a Welterweight. However, this is Mayweather's first fight since his second "retirement," after beating Oscar De La Hoya to retain the WBC Welterweight belt. He remained retired for roughly 16 months, until the announcing of this fight. Marquez has been beaten only 4 times in 55 fights, while Mayweather is still undefeated in 39 bouts.

PREDICTION: Marquez in 12.

With my little knowledge of boxing and the fundamentals, I'm going to have to go with the man with all of the training. Mayweather is suffering with some personal issues, his uncle and trainer had a recent run in with the law, that can take a toll on anyone's mental state. I do believe it will be a close fight, lasting all 12 rounds, landing in the hands of the judges in the end. How can I not pick the guy who drinks his own urine? That right there is the definition of though.

*For more on the ESPN did a great piece on the fight and broke it down. HERE*

Is Shawne Merriman gonna have to choke a bitch?

By no means am I misogynist or do I call women bitches, but I thought this title is hilarious referencing this infamous skit, where the normally mild-mannered Wayne Brady terrorizes Dave Chappelle and say the all too quoted line, "Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?" to one of his prostitutes. Any ways, Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman is in the news again, this time it's off the field shenanigans. Tila Nguyen,better known as Teila Tequila an MTV reality-show/internet celebrity, is accusing Merriman of physically assaulting her.

Merriman was arrested early Sunday after Tequila accused him of choking and throwing her while she was at his suburban San Diego home. Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment.

Merriman and his attorneys are claiming that his actions were in defense of Mrs. Nguyen, stating that he was preventing her from leaving her home because she was intoxicated. Needless to say, I don't think it would be that hard to restrain a girl who you have 177 pounds on without choking her (Nguyen: 93 lbs., Merriman: 270, enough said). This sounds like a lot of he said, she said stories with two celebrities thrown in the mix.

Merriman is generally know for his on field antics such as convulsing after every tackle or hard hit he delivers. I don't know if this is a celebration or a side effect of steroid use. Merriman missed the 2008-09 season due to a torn ligament in his knee and reconstructive surgery, he has 39.5 sacks through 3 seasons as well as reaching the Pro Bowl all 3 years.

Please Shut up Curt

As tragic as the passing of beloved senator Ted Kennedy is, the less and less I want to hear about it. OK I grew up in Massachusetts, I kind of like the guy, he's done nothing wrong to me (besides getting away with murder). Good, he was New Englander and supported New England sports, as for his politics I haven't the slight clue what his views were. But, yes it is tragic when a popular public figure passes in a legitimate manner.

Now, who will fill his spot? Possibly a long-time politician, maybe someone who understands what he people want and knows how to reach them? No, how about a once (big emphasis on the once) adored Red Sox pitcher. The infamously, republican, out-spoken, author of 38pitches.com; Curt Schilling is considering filling in that spot.

From 38 pitches.com:
"While my family is obviously the priority, and 38 Studios is a priority, I do have some interest in the possibility. That being said, to get to there from where I am today, many many things would have to align themselves for that to truly happen."

I've said it once I'll say it until he stops, Please Curt just shut up, please.