Bud has actually done some good in his 75 years

Well today is the man responsible for bringing and keeping Major League Baseball in Wisconsin for at least the next 30 years. His name is Allan H. "Bud" Selig and while people focus on the negative of what he's done to the game (The steroid era, the All-Star Game tie, Interleague play, just to name a few) I'm going to focus on a few of the biggest successes that Bud has had in his 75 years, 40 of which has been with the Brewers and MLB.
In 1969, he etched his spot in Brewers history by agreeing to take the one-year-old Seattle Pilots franchise that had entered the MLB as an expansion franchise.
The former used car salesman was turned down in his attempt to buy the Chicago White Sox (even after they played games at Milwaukee County Stadium with huge success) and turned his attention to the Pilots from Max Soriano after being a minority owner of the Milwaukee Braves and pulling his stake before the team left town.
Once the Brewers moved to Milwaukee and played their first season, Selig helped them rise to, of course the World Series in 1982. I won't get into that, as many already know about that.
Selig's biggest accomplishment as Brewers owner has to be the building of Miller Park which keeps the Brewers in Wisconsin for another 30 years.
While some may not like the park, I happen to think it's one of the best in all of baseball and continues to hold on to that place even with new parks popping up.
Soon after the park was built, Selig dropped the "acting" part of his title and become the commissioner of basebal.
One of his best achievement and ideas has been the Wild Card. Which, as fate would seem to have it, helped get the Brewers into the playoffs for the first time in 26 years last fall.

A bit of a history lesson there. Now to today's Brewers news, which includes some roster moves. The Crew did pull out a big win this afternoon to get the split with the "Natinals" and after the game put Jeff Suppan on the DL and sent Bill Hall down to Triple-A Nashville.
The Suppan move wasn't surprising, bu the Hall one sorta was. It was one that I was hoping for, however.
Even better it is a move that is his idea, as the story said. My fave quote is: "My batting practice the last few weeks has been some of the best of my career."
That goes in line with what he said a couple weeks back that he still believes he "is the best third baseman in all of baseball."
I don't even need to say anything here. Oh Billy.



Now for some Bears news today. The team is arriving in Bourbonnais and start training camp tomorrow. That has triggered some news to kick things off.
I got a chance to check Around the Horn and PTI today and both discussd this news of Brian Urlacher apparently talking smack about new quarterback Jay Cutler. To be true, former Bears WR Bobby Wade said Urlacher called Cutler a pussy. Haha.
Well, Urlacher and Culter both arrived in Bourbonnais and are laughing off the issue.
If both guys can laugh it off, it can only be good for these guys. And to be real, I'd put money Brian did call him a pussy. Did you see him be a baby to get out of Denver?
Plus, how many friends call each other pussies all the time? It's just guy talk. Didn't mean anything.

Now to today's Nussie Hunter. She is a woman I'm a big fan of. OK, well I'm more a fan of her baby daddy than I am of her, but I know she is quite smart and funny because the two of them met on his show.
I'm talking about Layla Kayleigh, cohost of America's Best Dance Crew, and the "better half" of the Covino in Covino and Rich. Yep, that's Steve Covino, II's girl and she is awesome. Makes that British accent so hot doesn't she?



She's also a backer of PETA. Which I dicovered in this TwitPic from Covino and Rich earlier today. Haha.



Programming Note: For sure no blog tomorrow as the weather pushed the WIAA Summer Baseball Champoinships back to tomorrow. Sorry. Just keep reading and give me some comments and feedback.

Mighty Casey at the bat is the you-know-what!

There I was driving back to the hotel after a trip down the street in Stevens Point Wednesday night to get some grub when Ken Macha called on my boy Casey "Tits" McGehee when the man I'm leading the Rookie of the Year campaign for blasted his eighth home run of the season. The bomb gave the Crew a lead they would never relinquish en route to the win which was much needed.
Even more important, however, was the news I discovered while reading my random blogs after getting back to my hotel room tonight. I saw it on Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt's Twitter page, which I currently follow that Casey's son Mackail, who has cerebral palsy, threw out the first pitch. It was a great night for the McGehees and it just shows he is the type of guy to root for.
And heck, he's among great company in the discussion for NL Rookie of the Year. And if he is given a chance to get in the lineup on a daily basis, he's shown he can contribute. Heck it's a move I'd make.

I'd mention the other news of the day that Cliff Lee has been traded to the Phillies and my thoughts on it, now. Well, just figures. the Brewers seem to be sitting on their hands at the moment. I know it's tough giving up something to get something back, but maybe it's just a sign this team doesn't have it and it's not worth selling some big future parts to help this team.

Ok, enough on that. Now to some more good stuff. I was reading that Vin Scully is talking about retiring after next season. Let me first say that would be a sad day for baseball as he is one of the best. That got me thinking about some of Vin's best calls since it was the discussion on Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio on my drive to Stevens Point. (Yes I know I ripped ESPN the other day, but it was a long drive and I needed a sports fix!).
They gave the one in the video below, but I thought I'd get something that spruces it up a little more. Plus it combines it with one of my other favorite things, Nintendo and RBI Baseball.
It was actually done a couple years ago, but doesn't get old. Hope you like it as much as me. I know it's like 8 mintues, but it is the full 10th inning.



OK, time for a quick visit from the Nussie Hunter. It's in two parts today. Most of the people I'm friends with share my love as a kid of "Saved By the Bell" so I'm hoping you saw this video that I found today on SI.com's Hot Clicks. It's of Tiffani Thiessen (Yeah, she dropped the Amber, but whatever). The video is in regards to a reunion of the original cast of the show on the Jimmy Fallon Show. The funny thing is, we were already given a preview when Mark-Paul Gosselaar showed up on the Fallon Show as Zack Morris. It was hillarious. Even better. He was on my fave radio show, Covino and Rich, earlier that same day.

Tiffani Thiessen is Busy from Tiffani Thiessen

But since I'm a picture guy, too. She has to make an two appearances today. Hope you enjoy!



A note: I'll try to get a post in Friday. It might be short, but it will be the opening day of Bears Trainin Camp which I'll have to start the news real on. Hope I can deliver.

Boom Shaq-a locka!

Yeah, I know what you're thinking right now, "What the hell is Shaq doing? And who is that over grown behmouth trading choke grabs with him?"
Well, if you didn't know the Diesel was the special guest host of WWE Monday Night Raw last night and things looked pretty good for Shaq. He is actually a huge fan of WWE and every time they show up in a town he is in (He has changed addresses a lot over the last few years) he shows up at the events and hangs with the boys in the back.
He was the special enforcer for a tag team match at the end of the show (I know the details, but not sure you want to be impressed by my geekness) and ended up getting involved. That led to the what you see here:




Seeing this got me thinking about the athletes that have made the jump into the ring. Lawrence Taylor, who headlined Wrestlemania IX, probably tops the list as one of the biggest names to appear in WWE. There's a big list of football players.
There are also some other sports stars. Dennis Rodman headlined a pay-per-view by teaming with Hulk Hogan in WCW.
He even has his own action figure (cause that's what boys call it!). There is one on eBay if you're interested in buying one, too. Haha.



Last night also meant a new T.O. Show on VH1. If you read yesterday's post, you saw how excited I was for it and I was once again impressed. This week we saw him arrive in Buffalo. You know, the more I see of him, the more I like him. Some have said it's the worst reality show ever, but I think it helps make him personable which is something he needs.
Here's one of the bonus scenes. It opens with his best friends and publicists talking about the episode. After this, you've gotta check out the entire episode.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

That was the good side of Monday night. The bad was the Brewers game that saw Jeff Suppan give up 10 runs and Josh Willingham put himself into the history books.



Willingham hit not one grand slam (which deserves a pat on the back), but rather, two. Not sure if you're a massacist or not, but you can watch them here. Yeah I know! If it wasn't against the Brewers I'd be impressed. Instead, I'm ready to pack up the memorabilia and get ready for the Bears to open training camp Friday in Bourbonnais. The fact Suppan had to stay in the game because manager Ken Macha doesn't feel better about any of the other pitchers in the bullpen to come into the game says something about where the team is at right now. The talk about the team trading for a top tier pitcher like they did last year to get CC Sabathia, is now long gone because people are realizing it wouldn't help a whole lot. Like one of the guys I follow on Twitter wrote today, it really can't get much worse.

Enough of that, time to get something that can pick us all up. As just a regular guy trying to make it big I like to see some guys that have everything go through some tough times. Well, that's the news today as Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian have apparently parted ways. That, my friends earns her a spot on today's Nussie Hunter. As I'm not really a fan of her booty, here's her front side (which isn't bad if you ask me!)



Another programming note: Tomorrow I'm covering the WIAA Summer baseball state tournament for Preps On The Net in Stevens Point, but I'm going to try to make a post. It might be a bit later than normal, but we'll see what we can do.

Monday night is now T.O. Show Night!!!

Red Rover, Red Rover, we call T.O. over!! Well, it's another Mooooonday night and while there's not Monday Night Football, there is Terrell Owens on Monday night which, to me, is just as good.
I am a sports guy and heck, I've made my living covering the games I love for the past four years, so that might have a part in this, but I finally saw the first episode and loved the show. It gave a peak at him as a guy and it was pretty great.
The opening of the show humanized him and showed his soft side as he was on his couch and obviously had been crying. For those that laughed at him, just think about getting fired and what you would think.
The funniest part of the show that made him seem like just a regular guy was when he first arrived in L.A. and caught the eye of the real estate agent. I mean, he looked like a kid when he saw the Asian Jules and smiled like a little kid. Could you really blame him? I mean, c'mon.
That's why I'm so pumped for tonight's show which shows him arriving in Buffalo. Could be some awesomeness there!

Continuing on the football talk today, here's a countdown that will tell you when it is football season. In more pertinent news, NFL Commish Roger Goodell handed down a conditional re-instatement of Michael Vick today and he will be allowed back into the league but will have to serve a suspension that will last until Week 6 of the regular season. Peter King at SI.com has a story that's on point on the subject.
My take on the matter is this and it might not be what jives with what the "good guy" would normally say, but hell, just listen. He did his time. He knows he messed up. And he's got Tony Dungy at his side now to help make sure, as Peter King says, some of those "hangers on" aren't around anymore to pull his life down. So how can you deny the man a chance to make a living? I can understand the additional 4-6 game suspension so see if he has learned and can be a model citizen. He gets through these next two months, then let him show what he can do for a team and maybe show a lot of those naysayers he's still got it. Don't make him pay anymore for his crimes. I've read some "For what Michale Vick did to those dogs, he should suffer 10-fold." I mean, really? Yes, what he did was awful, but the point of the justice system is to rehabilitate a person. Don't, just because he is famous and a football player, try to make an example out of him. That's just as bad an idea as giving him a free pass b/c he's an NFL QB.

OK, enough time on my soapbox, let's bring some funny (Plus I need something to get my mind of the Brewers struggles).

I found this on SI.com's Hot Clics today and I must say, after last week's rain delay in Pittsburgh, some of the funniest baseball talk and events seem go down during them. This is St. Louis prospect Casey Mulligan dancing to "Thriller" during a rain delay. Takes a bit for the good stuff, but just wait for it.



This is another one from Hot Clicks, that shows some differences in the end of Back to the Future I and Back to the Future II. The one difference I like, Elisabeth Shue. Love her!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Time for the return of Nussie Hunter and this one is from WWE as last night I watched WWE Night of Champions with Susie and Nick. Decent show, but one thing people don't realize is the fact they have some of the hottest women you've seen on their shows. It's ridiculous. One of my faves, Mickie James, won the Divas Title last night and I couldn't be prouder.



Hope to have a recap of Shaq as the host of WWE Raw tomorrow for you guys. Have a good night!

Looking to give the "Perfect Blog" today

Well, this afternoon was a perfect one for Mark Buehrle and the Chicago White Sox. Of course, I was doing other things at the office, but when word came over he was into the eighth with a perfect game in tact, I was glued to the Game Tracker, then the radio in the car outside of the office (Yes, 670 AM The Score reaches West Bend).

I tuned in just in time to hear Dewayne Wise make a home-run stealing catch on Gabe Kapler's shot to left center field. It sounded good when I heard it, but after seeing it, I knew it was crazy. Wow. The story is every perfect game and no-hitter seems to have a defensive play that is amazing and that fit the bill in this one.

Here's your comb around the Interweb for some stories on the gem of a game pitched by the somehow underappreciated southpaw. Mike Bauman talks just about that fact here and this one talks about Mark getting a call from Chicagoan who just happens to be President, Barack Obama.
Those are on MLB.com, these are on ESPNChicago.com. Nick Friedell writes how the scene was (obviously) wild at U.S. Cellular Field and this story looks back at his first career no-hitter in the bigs, back on April 18, 2007.
Finally, here's a look back at all the perfect games in MLB history as this was the first in 10 years. It was also the first no-hitter of the 2009 season. Here's a look back at the rest of the no-hitters in MLB history.

Yesterday, the main feature here was the Lebron dunk video and, to be honest, it was such a disappointment. So lame. Well, Ebaumsworld.com got a much clearer one. Same play, just as lame. Was reading a story on SI.com on the matter of confiscating the tapes and what it does for LeBron and I might agree with him a little bit. Take a read for yourself.
Here's the new dunk video:



Another great video today that I found today on SI.com's Hot Clicks, one of my usual spots, is this Joe Flacco NFL.com "Fantasy Files" They had the same feature last year. Take a look at some of the best here.



OK boys and girls, I've told you before I was a big fan of Entourage and this week's episode was a damn good one. But apparently Seth Rogen didn't get the joke. He's pissed about Turtle and the gang making fun of his fatness and looks. Here's the story.

While I'm on the subject of Entourage, I always have to make time to mention Sloan, or Emmanuelle Chriqui, who is one of my favorites on the show. Apparently Perry Reeves really likes her breasts. And well, how can you not? That folks, is our Nussie Hunter for the day!



A programming note for you: Tomorrow I'm covering baseball all day and won't have time to get a post in for sure. So might have a 3-day weekend as I make a trip back to Cuba City to handle some business and then see some friends. Keep looking for some great web knowledge.

So this is what all the fuss was about?!

Who is that player above? For those of you that don't know that is Jordan Crawford and he is involved in one of the biggest sports scandals in recent memory (Brett Favre please stay away).
He is the basketball player that dunked on LeBron James back at his basketball camp a couple weeks back and all the tapes of the incident had since been confiscated by Nike and LeBron.
Well TMZ.com bought the tape and debuted it today. It's kind of grainy and reminds me of the Zapruder tape shot on the grassy knoll that fateful day in Dallas the day President Kennedy was killed.
Either way, it is good to finally see some tape. Here it is for you to judge for yourself. I want to hear what you guys think. Be sure to leave a comment or E-mail me.


OK, now that we've moved on from that incident, it's time to move on with something more in-season like baseball. Conducting my daily reading today and SI.com unveiled it's list of 100 best players in MLB today. One look at it and two Brewers are in the top 13 as both Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun check in at No. 11 and No. 13.



Also worth a mention for the Brewers is Yovanni Gallardo who makes the list at No. 97. Good recognition for the Crew as they press to make the playoffs for the second straight season.
On the list as a whole, I'd say it is pretty right on. I'd like to say I know everything about every baseball player, but I have my own sports coverage to study and aside from my guys in fantasy baseball, I can't study everyone. So, if you take a peak at the list, let me know who you think should make it. I don't really have a problem with no additional Brewers on the list. I'd imagine Trevor Hoffman is somewhere in the next 20 or 25 players.
The No. 1 player on the list is Albert Pujols and I don't think many would have a problem with him hold that spot. Heck, he's been the driving force to my fantasy team this year that is is first place.

In some other sports stories I'm following, the Erin Andrews story continues to draw headlines. The New York Post posted stills from the video in Tuesday's paper and on their site. Well, I still won't get anywhere near the video because it's just damn wrong. ESPN (while I ripped them yesterday) followed with a ban from any of their employees on their outlets.

Now these last two items aren't sports, they are something I'm high on which is the "Pussification of America." It was discussed on the Covino and Rich Show yesterday (During Pussification Tuesday) that Miley Cyrus is being sued in a class action lawsuit by some Asian woman for (get ready) $4 Billion. Whoa! Here's the picture. Not how almost everyone in the pic is squinting their eyes. This is the lamest thing I've ever heard in my life. Does anyone get a damn joke anymore? Damn people! Here's a link to U.S. News and World Report that basically laughs at this lady.



OK boys, it's Nussie Hunter time. Today is a Hometown Hotties edition. I got the new Maxim yesterday and this month they have all 100 of the semifinalists in the competition. Two of the 100 are from Wisconsin and I say we get behind them. There were 14 that made the competion on some level, but these two made it through to the final 100.
First up is Tanya from Sussex. And Megan from Verona. Be sure to check out both pages and watch their videos. Both seem like great girls. Not going to say which one I like more to poison the sample here, but take a look for yourself with a double dose today. And don't forget to vote both of them into the finals on Maxim.com.

First up is Tanya from Sussex



Megan from Verona

ESPN is truly the new four-letter word in sports

It was kind of a slow sports night last night and as I comb around for my daily reading I noticed two stories in some places that didn't show up in others.
The first is, of course Erin Andrews, and I will most certainly not be talking more about her. (Go get 'em girl) and this Ben Roethlisberger news of a civil sexual assult case brought against the two-time Super Bowl Champion QB. Now it showed up in my Pro Football Talk Twitter I am "Following," but is nowhere near the "worldwide leader in sports." I was thinking, OK, maybe they're just waiting to confirm it, but then I found this. Now that may just be one's belief, but the guys at PFT kept their ear to the street and then waited for this notice to come across saying not to cover the issue at all.
Now I'm as much of a sports nerd as anything and ESPN is very good at what they do, but at the same time they call themselves "The World Wide Leader in Sports" and ignoring big stories like this show there is a bit of an agenda at stake with them.
I've said it before to get your true perspective on what is going on, you need to get your sports knowledge from somewhere other than ESPN. I don't know how many guys I run into that say they know sports because they watch SportsCenter like five times a day. Now sure you know what is going on, but you don't know the true story. You have to hit some of the local papers where the news is coming from for the full perspective and maybe hit some blogs and message boards.
I made a call into the Scott Ferrall Show a few weeks ago about John Anderson and Scott Barnaby getting into a bit on stage at SportsCenter and what followed from Ferrall was an hour tirade about how ESPN sucks and I would have to agree with him for the most part.
If you stop and think about it though, it's what you would expect in knowing the E in the name stands for Entertainment. That makes everything else make sense now doesn't it?
My take is this, sports fans, it's a fault of theirs for missing the boat on this and if you don't know anything about it, you have to be sure to get your news (this holds true not just for sports) from a variety of sources.

Today is a bit of a random mix of topics that have come up throughout the morning and day for me with the big news of the past day being the T.O. Show's debut on VH1 last night. I haven't had a chance to watch it yet (blame a Brewers rain delay last night) and was sidetracked all day at the office.
What I've heard from friends leads me to beleive some rather solid high spots from the guy Skip Bayless calls "Team Obliterator." I must say I'm looking forward to it. I'll give my review of Episode 1 tomorrow.

Onto some pop culture now and Chris Brown gave his public apology on YouTube yesterday for his incident with Rihanna.
First off, I did watch that and I must say, it was lame. Horrible in fact.
Good thing Rihanna found a new guy, Drake, that is smashing the charts with "Best I Ever Had."



Finally, a quick Nussie Hunter at a chick that got on the nerves of my radio boys Covino and Rich the last couple of days, Julia Allison. She's a dumb blogger chick who called them obsessed with looks. Well, you decide for yourself, here.


And if that one isn't enough, there's this one, showing she is all class.



Be sure to check out the C&R Forum here and here for the discussion.

Meet the newest member of Brewers, Felipe Lopez

With a trade by the Brewers, it's time to play meet your newest Brewer. The Crew acquired left-handed second baseman Felipe Lopez from the Arizona Diamondbacks. It is a move that, as Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes, helps fill the gap left by the injury to Rickie Weeks.
Somehow the fine folks at MLB.com have him already in a Brewers cap, but I know he has not put one on yet. Take a look at his player profile page, here.
The 29-year-old Puerto Rican-born Lopez is a switch hitter that is much stronger from the left side. He has played second base most of this year, but has spent time at third, short and in the outfield during his career.
I'm most impressed with his .305 batting average this season and .364 on-base percentage. It's something this team needs to do for the likes of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. I'd say, this helps Braun more right now who needs anything to help him get out of the biggest slump of his career, hitting 5 for 36 (.139 BA) over the last nine games.
Back to the Lopez move and how it will help the Brewers; it allowed the team to send rookie third baseman Mat Gamel back down to Triple-A Nashville and allows Craig Counsell to move around and play a little third base with Casey "Tits" McGehee and maybe some shortstop fo J.J. Hardy.
I still think the move sets the team up for another big move. Could that be Roy Halladay, assitant GM Gord Ash and the team's top scouting asst. were in Toronto to see "Doc" gun down the Red Sox Sunday so they are certinaly taking the opportunity seriously, but only time will tell.

And as I was writing this I was following the JS-Online In-game blog for the Brewers game and came across this "Ode to Gamel's return to Nashville." It was too good and clever not to mention.

Gone Back to Nashville (an ode to Gamel's stint with the crew)

You leave it over the plate, and I'll hit a liner
I maybe in AAA but nothing about me's minor
I'll improve, right my ship all the while with a dip
I'll always get my hits, I pick the right pitch
So Report this, Tom: Tomorrow I'll hit a bomb
a blast to deep center, F@^% the weather, it don't matter
I'll tell it like it is: I'm only getting better
and I may bat lefty but I can sure as hell hit stetter
(chorus)
I've gone back to nashville to work on my swing
I've gone back to nashville, bein with the crew was just a fling
now I've gone back to nashville, got to work and step up my game
I've gone back to nashville, when I'm back you'll see a change
(/chorus)
the injustice is that bill hall isn't doing anything, at all
yet he gets those huge paychecks and has a saved spot on the bench
he's always swinging for the fence and he's far worse than kevin mench
and yeah that does say quite alot, because that really should be my spot
But the fact is that it is not, so I'll call up jeffress to smoke some pot
I'm going to smoke away my sorrows and dream of major league tomorrows

I'm getting sent back down but next time I'll stick around
because I know for sure that I can play much better than most in triple A
I make errors or so that's what they say but I didn't make many anyways
But I won't let this get me down cause one day I'll win that triple crown
and I'll do it for this little town after improving myself with the sounds

Now on to other news over the weekend, the ESPYs aired last night and I most certainly did not make an effort to watch. However, I will take a chance to take a look at what the ladies were wearing. You can go here, for a link to pics. They're not today's Nussie Hunter, I have other ideas. Natalie Gulbis is just smoking, if you ask me.

Who won, I don't care. In other ESPN news, I did not partake in the Google search for the Erin Andrews hotel peephole video. That's not the way I wanted to go about seeing her naked. And she's seeking to sue and get some coin for damages and rightly so.

I was actually excited when I read in today's Hot Clicks on SI.com that FX is looking to run a sitcom based around guys in a fantasy football league. Might be a cool idea.

OK, the Brewers rain delay is almost over and I need to hit up Buffalo Wild Wings with Vaughan (his first of many shout outs in this blog I would assume) but before I go, this blog is all about meeting the new Brewer Felipe Lopez. Upon doing a Google search for him, I found more hits for his wife, Jennifer than him.
Upon a Google search I found out that while she is not the uber-famous Jennifer Lopez you were thinking of, she is a 28-year old that posed for FHM online in 2007. They met in her hometown of Hagerstown, Maryland.
That same Google search also led me to this gallery of hot baseball wives and girlfriends from SI.com.

What does Vegas know about the NFL?

Vegas Sportsbook released its over/under for wins per NFL teams this week. It was the topic on the Scott Ferrall Show Wednesday night and some of them make sense and others make me wonder whether my judgement is clouded.
Here are the numbers first off:




Here it is by division


OK, as a Bears fan, I'll focus on that. Last year the team went 9-7 and did so with the defense that was shoddy and an offense that sputtered. Now that guy at the top of the page, you know Jay Cutler, should help guide the offense in the right direction and help give it some muscle. Now did the Bears go out and get a Grade-A wideout, no, but who's to say a QB that can sling it all over the field can't make the guys they have there better? I mean Brett Favre only had one or two WRs in his day that were anything without him. The Bears are banking that Greg Olson and Desmond Clark can continue to shine at tight end and Devin Hester can come into his own at the wideout spot and a couple of the rookies can step in and be a solid No. 3 and No. 4. Then, of course, there's Matt Forte who can be solid out of the backfield.
My prediction for the Bears this season is a 10-6 record and the NFC North title. Brett Favre will do nothing in Minnesota and Green Bay will be the Bears closest contenders. I mean, there's no way they lose five straight games by a field goal or less again this year. Percentages say you win some of those games.

OK, now for some fun for the day and some links for you to take in. Saw Richard Jefferson went on the Howard Stern show to clear his name on the matter of him leaving his fiance at the alter. Check a couple days back on that story. I posted her pic.

Now for a couple videos. Michael Jackson was laid to rest last week, but Shaq did a video tribute to the "King of Pop" by doing a rendition of "Beat it."


That's the sports info for the day. But I found this on today's Hot Clicks on si.com and it was too good to pass up. Who knew you could do so much with Post-It Notes.



Now here's the Making of the vid. Whoa!...



Finally today. I was on Maxim.com and found out the Christina Aguilera hurt herself while challenging her husbund to a game of tennis on her Wii and hurt herself. Here's the story. It would be a shame for me to pass on this opportunity to admire the blonde bombshell and put her in my Nussie Hunter section, who I have had my eye on for oh, the last 10 years. Wow!



That's all out of me today. Time to enjoy the weekend. Be sure to let me know if you find something on the Web worthy of a mention here at wilbersway@gmail.com.

Macha-raina time in the second half of the season for the Crew

It's time for the second half of the Major League season is upon us and it gets started tonight when the Brewers take on the Reds to start a four-game series.
Things didn't got well for the Brewers to end the first half of the season and there needs to be some things that go in the Crew's favor if the second half is to result in another playoff berth.
News didn't start well when Dave Bush did not give a solid outing in his second Minor League start in Huntsville. He was scheduled to come back and start Monday's game in Pittsburgh for the Brewers, but we'll have to wait for word now. New word from Ken Macha is that "Mean" Mike Burns will make that start.
It is becoming more and more clear that Doug Melvin needs to make some sort of move to settle that starting rotatation. The talk that Doug Davis is going to come back to Milwaukee and help bring this team together, is crazy. I don't see that move helping this team at all.
I'd like to see something along the lines of a middle of the road guy to settle the rotation and maybe I'm crazy in thinking Boston would want too much for lefty Clay Bucholtz.
Aside from moves, it is clear starting pitching needs to come around for this team to have a shot at the Cardinals and the top of the NL Central. Manny Parra showed what he was capable of in his first start back from the minors last week. I was very impressed with that and think we need something along those lines from here on out.
In other spots, guys like J.J. Hardy and Corey Hart need to come up and live up to their billing of career stats. In listening to what Mach and Melvin have said recently, I'd say that's what they are waiting for. They do that and be consistent the rest of the way and avoid the slumber Hart, especially, hit the last two Septembers.
The final thing that needs to come around is bench play. In the National League the bench is rather important for pinch hitters and guys like Jody Gerut and Bill Hall have not carried their end of the bargain to say the least. Both need to go away and if Bush is able to come back and contribute, I don't see a move for a bat on the bench to be a bad idea.
Tom Haudricourt is the authority on the matter. Be sure to take a look at his story in today's JS.

In other Brewers notes, I was reading one of the blogs I found on Twitter, Miller Park Drunk. Don't let the name fool you, it is pretty funny. Today's blog, was a rather good one and and made a note of an interview Ryan Braun did with a new social networking site, Likeme.Net.



Not sure why I care where Ryan thinks is cool, but hey. Some places get off on that.

Was listening to the Scott Ferrall show in Howard 101 last night and they were talking about the T.O. Show that is coming up on VH1. That is the picture below. That's the nice one of the bunch. The one Scotty and the gang had a problem with was this one. Umm, you decide for yourself.



OK, time to shove off for the Brewers game tonight. An early start, means more pressure on me. Before I leave, I didn't forget about today's Nussie Hunter. This one is for you Chris. It's Chanel from Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. Rob was pushing her Facebook page today on his FB. Be sure to take a look.



OK, that's all out of me today. If you have any pics, stories or vids you think are funny or are good sports talk, be sure to E-mail me at wilbersway@gmail.com.

Can the National League please win an All-Star Game?!

Who would have thought when it happened in 2002 that it would be the closest the National League would get since 1996. The tie at the Miller Park Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the last time the NL has not lost the Mid-Summer Classic in 13 years and with it being the determining factor in home field for the most important series in the sport, doesn't bode well for the Senior Circuit.
While ratings were down slightly nationwide, it was a hit in Milwaukee, ranking just second in the country to just the host city of St. Louis.

The game itself was a solid game. Kind of a lame statement I know, but it wasn't expected for an All-Star Game. I don't expect scores to be 15-14, but I do expect something like 7-6, not the final of 4-3. When it came down to it, a triple followed by a sac fly turned out to be the difference.
Plus it was kind of odd the guy that won the MVP award and earned a bat for his troubles, did so with his glove, bringing a home run back to the field.

For the Brewers at the game, I have Prince at the top of the page and one night after delivering in the Home Run Derby, he came through in as a pinch hitter with an RBI double that gave the NL the lead at the time.
Ryan Braun played right field for the first time and you say it's not a big difference, but there is a bit of a different feel over there. You get used to where the center fielder is and the atmosphere near the line. Some of what makes the move easier is familiarity with the ballpark and the center fielder.
Then the late addition to the squad, the all-time saves leader, Trevor Hoffman came on and pitched a scoreless seventh inning only to watch the guy that replaced him in San Diego, Heath Bell, gave up what turned out to be the winning run for the AL.
In all, the trio represented well for the Brewers and I hope they get things started well for the second half Thursday.



The other highlight of the night was President Obama throwing out the first pitch. (Here's a look at Barack's day in pictures) I thought it was rather comical that it was one of the items up to select on the ESPN.com game "Streak for the Cash."
First of all, Albert Pujols caught it (which made me a winner), but FOX botched shooting the thing and we had to guess and wait for a second running of the first pitch to see how it went.
Gotta love how the lefty got it there. Some would object to his White Sox jacket, but hey, he's a sports fan and he's from Chicago. I have no problem with it.

Today was the premiere of the new Harry Potter movie and I listened to the Covino and Rich show the other day and they made a big deal about Emma Watson. I'm not a big fan, but hey, to each his own. She's not related to Randy Watson, so I can't get behind her. Haha.

And finally today, ESPN started it's push for the ESPY's this weekend. I must say I'm not into them at all. I'd rather bash my head against a wall, but when I checked out si.com's Hot Clicks today, Erin Andrews got me all excited for the event. Well, excited to see her anyways.
I must missed the fact the other day, she got hit in the face with a foul ball at the Mets-Dodgers game and actually had to go to the hospital. Poor thing. Hope she's OK.



And I lied with this being the finally, as I have a double dose of eye candy today. When I heard Richard Jefferson called off his wedding two hours before the ceremony I wondered what had happened. Turns out the fool still spent his $2 million on the festivities in Atlantic City and even after knowing he wasn't going through with it, passed his AmEx Black Card to his boys for the night. PARTY! So changed my mind. What a loser! Check out Kesha Ni'Cole.



OK boys and girls, now I'm done for today. Hope you enjoy it. Again, if you have anything you think can go here in terms of viral vids and pics be sure to E-mail me at wilbersway@gmail.com. On tap for tomorrow is a look at the Brewers second half. Send your comments my way about the season.

Save me from the 'Prince HR King' cliches!!!

He did it! Milwaukee's own Prince Fielder won the 2009 State Farm Home Run Derby. I didn't get a chance to catch it live, but I did catch the highlights. Hey, my take on that is that it saved me from all off Chris Berman's lame ass "Back, Back, Backs" He threw out all night. Terrible!
I was all over Twitter and Facebook tracking the Derby throughout the night and can say I was damn happy to see the Prince had come through.
Maybe it is the small-town feel that Milwaukee has and how everyone around here seems to rightfully take ownership of the team and players. It's a great feeling to watch Prince, using one of Ryan Braun's bats bash homer after homer out of Busch Stadium.
I loved the celebration Prince and Brauny shared after he bashed the winning shot, which is why I posted the pic above. For a team that is down right now, he certainly picked things up.
The way Prince hit the longest two home runs of the night, measuring 503 and 497 feet made it clear he was the deserving choice.
One thing that did come up when I simply Googled "Prince Fielder Home Run Derby" was a PETA story promoting the fact he's a vegetarian.
I also think Tom Haudricourt's Journal-Sentinel story with Fielder wining the derby was pretty good.
Like I said, I was in La Crosse following the derby on Twitter and he became the No. 1 item in the Trending topics. It was super. Here's a look.

Brock makes a great bad guy if you ask me!

As I said Friday, this was going to be a great weekend to be a dude with all the great events to watch and it did not disappoint.
Let's start with the big event of the weekend, UFC 100. Brock Lesnar's resounding victory over Frank Mir to unify the UFC Heavyweight title and ensuing celebration made him the most hated man in all of mixed martial arts from this writer's vantage point.
The reaction I got from friends was that they didn't like his reaction (flipping the bird to the fans) and small tirade he went on in the post fight interview. Check what he said in this Sherdog.com story I found where I found he earned a talking to from UFC President Dana White.
If you ask me, just like in WWE, UFC needs "good guys" and "bad guys" and if Brock wants to play the role of bad guy, then let him. The way he went off saying he'd rather drink Coors (Anheiser Busch is the No. 1 sponsor of UFC) and how he was going to get on his wife (Heck, she is a three-time Playboy cover model) you'd think he enjoys it. Foxsports.com's Alex Marvez and I share the belief that Brock seems to relish in the role and it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for him to take the torch and run with it.
And OK, maybe Brock went about it in a bit of an odd way that did not sit well with the sponsors and whatnot, but just like when WWE pits the best "face" against the best "heel" he could be the biggest thing in UFC and very few will like him. You know what, that's fine with me.
With former WWE star Bobby Lashley making a name for himself in the lower ranking MMA leagues, rest assured White, in his ongoing attempt to pattern himself after Vince McMahon, will not pass up a chance to put both of these guys against each other in the cage. It would only make sense, right?
OK, enough on that. Now to tonight's featured event. I made the drive to La Crosse in time to get the Super 8 hotel and caught the season premiere of one of my favorite shows, Entourage, tonight.
I must say, I was very impressed. The boys are back on their game and while the season is moving in a new direction with how the boys interact, I'd say it's a good move.
We didn't get too much on things, but it's going to be clear that each of the boys is going to be doing their own thing this season. The night did end with Vinny sitting by himself in an empty house while Turtle is with Jamie Lynn, E is with Sloan and Drama is on the set of his TV show.
Speaking of Johnny Drama, Kevin Dillon, the actor that plays my favorite character on my fave show, is going to be at Bootleggers in Milwaukee on Friday. I must say I might just have to get some people together and make a trip down to the city to meet the guy. Could be a blast and the hangout in the club, would be worthwhile afterward, too.
If you don't know the show, I must give you the line I use at random times. VICTORY! I looked for a best-of, but only using seasons 1-2 didn't cut it for me.





Before I went to see the fight Saturday night at Bootleggers, I went to the Brewers game. And while I brought my "Mann-Roid" sign. That, however, was outdone, by this sign, that was in my section. Too good!!! Oh, this one was also a goody and was brought by the same guys.
While I'm on the subject of Brewers, got to get a little rib in on Bill Hall, who, for some reason had a story written about him for Brewers.com this weekend.
The quote that stands out to me the most is that he still thinks he is the "best third baseman in the league" right now. I mean really? Here, read the full story for yourself.

Oh, I haven't gotten you any eye-candy yet. So, here it is. I've been watching Hayden Panettiere since she was the littel girl in Remember the Titans. Now she's in Heroes and is the start of the new "I wanna stick it in your butt, Beth Cooper." No that's not it. I mean it "I want to give you the Roman War Helmet, Beth Cooper." No sorry, that's not it, either. Haha. The real name is "I Love You Beth Cooper." I must say she is quite divine. You now get a pic (with my boys Covino and Rich, check the link to their site) and this to the interview on Maxim.com.



OK, you get a blog now because I will not have time to get one up Monday at a reasonable time and won't have the chance to comb the Interweb for juicy goodness.
I will be back Tuesday with a special MLB All-Star edition of Wilber's Way. If you have any ideas, be sure to E-mail me at wilbersway@gmail.com.

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!!

Get more pictures like this from SHERDOG.COM

OK boys and girls. One of the best weekends to be a dude in recent memory is upon us. And I'm going to be right in the middle of it.
It's going to start Saturday with a trip to the Cathedral (Miller Park if you're new to my lingo) to welcome, OK maybe unwelcome, Manny Ramirez to Beer City.
I just want to go on record and say I'll be the guy in section 223 with the Mann-Roid sign screaming at the top of my lungs with each of his ABs. I asked the question about the sign around the office and on my Twitter and FB last night, and it's going to be in Dodgers Blue because is there really another option?
Then, the night shifts to what is in the photo at the top of the blog, UFC 100, which is being dubbed the biggest MMA fight ever. And even if the fight sucks, it's going to be the most bought UFC event ever.
I'll go on record and say my WWE allegiance has me rooting for Brock Lesnar over Frank Mir here just to show what he is made of and that it isn't all fake and does take some ability to do what the guys in WWE do. Now I do have mad respect for Mir here and think he could do what he did the first time he fought Brock and catch him in a submission to win the fight.
Got some links from the Four-Letter sports network with Brock saying he's evolved as a fighter.
Here's some insight on all of the fights. Plus, I read these on the UFC Website in finding a place to watch the fight. Mir says he's seeking consistency in this fight and this story on Brock saying he is keeping it simple this time around.
The hard part for me is going to be finding a place to see the fight as I will be at the Brewers game and am going to have to go do some probably already uber-packed sports bar, pay a cover and get a shitty seat with people that have no idea about the sport or either guy and just wear their lame Tapout! shirt out.
One of the great pieces of scenery at the fights is going to be Holly Madison who will be a ring girl at Mandalay Bay. Figured I'd give you this hot pic and a video of her on Jimmy Kimmel. Pretty funny and she looks damn hot.








And my final thing on the UFC fight, is this. If you remember the Rampage Jackson video I posted yesterday of Rampage humping the chick interviewing him (take a minute, if you haven't yet to check it). Well, her name is Heather Nichols and she did an interview today on si.com's Hot Clicks with Jimmy Traina. Be sure to check it out.
Now to Sunday's great event, the season premiere of HBO's Entourage. I'm a huge fan of the seris and will be watching back seasons to get ready for this. Be sure to check out a sneak peak scene here. Also, be sure to check this written preview.
Now I'm going to dish about how excited I am about the whole thing. This show has become one of my favorites and the reason I sprung for HBO in the past. Always funny and always hot chicks rolling around the screen. I'm a huge fan of Johnny Drama and love quoting the show. It's just a great guy's show to follow and hopefully try to live your own version of.
And while I have the platform to post my own blog, let me give you a reason to watch Sunday. Special, note, it's not E. Thank me later! That's my dream girl Sloan :)




OK. I've delivered on the eye candy and on the big weekend. Oh and how can I forget one movie I'm kind of excited to see how it does, Bruno. Sasha Baren Cohen was on Letterman the other night and did the Top Ten List. Enjoy this, it's pretty good!





OK, that's enough out of me for today. It's time to enjoy the weekend.
**A special programming note is that I will be posting on Sunday night and not Monday this week because I will be taking in six baseball games in La Crosse. Don't worry, I'll deliver the same things I would have come through with Monday. Including a UFC 100 recap and my Entourage reaction from my hotel room in LAX.

Remember, if you find something you think I should post, be sure to E-mail me at wilbersway@gmail.com. SEE YOU IN THE PROMISED LAND!

It's like Deja Vu all over again!

OK, back for Day 2 of Wilber's Way and I'm feeling a little peeved on the Brewers performance today. I was probably in the minority in being confident in Manny Parra coming through today and he did in a big way.

The Brewers' version of Manny being Manny threw seven shutout innings, struckout seven, walked just one and allowed three hits. He didn't give up a hit until the fifth inning and of his 110 pitches, 77 were strikes. All-in-all a solid effort from Manny in a spot he had to come through in.

He did his part, but almost everyone else forgot to pick him up. The bullpen gave up five runs in the top of the eighth inning and the offense mustered just one run, continuing a trend that leads me to believe the team needs a bat almost as much as it needs a pitcher.

"It's a different look for Manny," Brewers manager Ken Macha said. "He worked fast, exuded confidence and located his fastball." Macha said Parra looked like a "whipped puppy" when they demoted him. Parra said that made him sound like a kid and he didn't like that description, but acknowledged he was struggling and glad to get back. "I was ready," Parra said. "Nerves weren't an issue at all. It was more of an anxiousness to show that I was confident and had worked on some things." Macha said Parra's effort makes the Brewers hopeful for the stretch run. "If that's what we're going to be looking at in the second half, it'll be a welcome sight," Macha said. "He came back and held his head high and had his chest pumped out."

I'm not going to talk about that much more, because it only frustrates me. Onto something that is litterally the talk of the town in Milwaukee; a possible trade.

In the notes from yesterday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tom Haudricourt reported GM Doug Melvin will make a pitch to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay.
I linked to the story, but the key parts of the story (the quotes from Melvin):

"When a general manager says he is listening to offers, yeah, I'll call," said Melvin. "I haven't called yet. "The guy has a no-trade (clause). You try to wait to see what's coming out of it. Are they doing it for an extension or whatever? They're going to identify the people that they think have enough talent (to make a deal)."

I'd say, Melvin says he's going to make the first call he's going to. What will likely happen would be he would have to be willing to part with a couple of guys on the Major League roster. I'd be willing to part with J.J. Hardy and Mat Gamel and throw in a Bill Hall if needed (I just want to get rid of him).I read a story on Baseballtraderumors.com that basically the Crew would have to give up every big name in the farm system most fans would recognize.
Now I don't believe in selling the farm, but the writer thought it was going to be worthwhile because they can keep Halladay through the trade deadline next year and get something back for him. Sounds good, but that would handcuff the franchise and could backfire.

OK, OK, enough Brewers talk. I got some fun stuff, today, too. Let's start with a couple videos. With the biggest fight in UFC history coming up Saturday night, it's starting to get some press. Saw Rampage Jackson in si.com's Hot Clicks yesterday and have to mention him humping the octagon girl. Still waiting for him to whip it out and give it to her.
I'll have more on UFC 100, which I'm actually very excited about seeing, tomorrow. Should be the full theme of the blog.


Rampage Dry Humps Cagepotato Reporter - Watch more Funny Videos

You know I hate the Yankees and all they stand for. Found this on Today's Hot Clicks and can't turn down a chance to promote it. The Top Reasons to Hate the Yankees. I'd say my biggest would have to be A.J. Burnett's wife. Lucky bastard!

Another cool video I found on the Web after returning from a work trip in Fond du Lac was the new Evian commercial. I have to say I was in awe when I watched it the first time. This is good.

Have to close out with some eye candy. As a sports guy and a member of the business myself, I'm a big fan of Erin Andrews. She's actually pretty good and quite amazing looking, too. I think, she may have met her match though with a British chica named Charlotte Jackson. Enjoy the blog with an awesome comparison and the pic I'll leave you with below. That, my friends, is not EA!

If you have something you'd like me to add for tomorrow be sure to E-mail me at wilbersway@gmail.com.

Boom Goes the Dynamite!

So here it is, my first blog post. As the video and title shows, "Boom Goes the Dynamite!"

I've been working on getting a blog together for a while now and it's finally here. Got a couple points to mention today, but I'll start with thanking a couple people who helped me get this off the ground. First, Luke Lietzau is the man responsible for making the vision in my head come to fruition for the banner. Every good blog I've been through has a solid banner to identify it. And he came through with the homes of my two favorite teams. Also a shoutout to all the little people out there who helped push me and make this possible (you know who you are!)

Now to get into the sports that have me going today. I'm a big fan of si.com's Hot Clicks and Jimmy Traina so I'm going to include the same sort of content from that and other blogs I read and find on the Interweb.

First, Manny Ramirez is going to be at Miller Park this weekend. If I were going, I'd be sure to have my "Mann-Roid" sign ready and yell at the top of my lungs. In his 50 game absence, Manny lost $7.7 million. Here are some suggestions of what he could have done with the money. It's kind of hold, but still good. Not sure which one I like better. I did always say I wanted a little Slumdog girl. Then I'd be able to talk with that accent whenever I wanted!

The second thing I found on Hot Clicks today and it is just too good to resist. With MLB pushing their "Final Vote." Leave it to the folks at sfgiants.com to put together a "Vote for Pablo" campaign. Have to love this video.




Pablo's been steady on my first-place fantasy sqaud on ESPN.com, so I have to give him mad props.

Now to Brewers talk (it will be a staple here) and not even the ace could keep the Brewers in it last night and just keeps showing that while Ryan Braun was wrong in what he said Sunday after losing a third of four games to the Cubs, the team needs help. A comb around si.com and espn.com today showed the Brewers are at least in the discussion.
Buster Olney on ESPN.com's Insider puts the Brewers with good odds:
Buster Olney's Take
The early line on who could win the Halladay trade sweepstakes Phillies 5:2
Dodgers 8:1
Angels 8:1
Brewers 12:1
Red Sox 15:1
Rockies 20:1
Rangers 20:1
Yankees 20:1
Cardinals 50:1
Mets 100:1

Not sure what Doug Melvin is ready to give up. The team is getting Manny Parra (likely) back Wednesday and Dave Bush should be back after the all-star break. When those guys were on during May, the team had the best record in baseball. But when they are off, things fall apart. A move must be made to had a solid No. 1 or No. 2 to the rotation behind Yovanni and give this team the energy it needs to push past the all-star break.

Last year, actually one year ago to the day, Melvin made the move for CC Sabathia that led to the team's first playoff berth in 26 years. I was at that game. It was one of the best environments I had ever seen for a Brewers game. That would later be eclipsed by the playoff clinching game that late September Sunday afternoon and Game 3 of the NLDS that I attended.

OK, I have some business to tend to in the office here, but one last thing before I go. It's from Tiger Woods' golf tourney last week in Washington, DC and Jessica Simpson singing the national anthem.
Here's the video. Be sure to note her facial expressions and working of the mic. Make it seems like she's face to face with Tony Romo's (or insert your name) schween. Don't think horizontal stripes are good for her though.

Be sure to comment below or send any item you think should be mentioned here to wilbersway@gmail.com.