Wild World of Wednesday - July 30, 2008

NBA: Ron Artest is moving to the Houston Rockets. There was a rumor that the Lakers were trying to get him by offering up Lamar Odom. Speaking of the Lakers, in spite of “moving back to Europe” rumors, Sahsa Vujacic has re-signed with the Lakers. Also in the NBA, everyone’s favorite referee Tim Donaghy was sentenced to 15 months in prison. His defense put forth the “gambling addiction” sob story.

NFL: The first preseason game is this Sunday. Can you smell the excitement? I can. I’ll be headed to at least one Chargers and one 49ers game at some point during the season and I can hardly wait. If I really had my wish I would also get to Raymond James to see the Bucs at least once. You know, I used to hate them until I went to college there and met a nifty Bucs fan guy. Now I realize that the whole league talks so much trash about them. Why? The NFL Network gives them no respect whatsoever. Last time I checked, they won a Super Bowl more recently than the Falcons, Saints, or Panthers. Oh yeah, the Panthers even LOST a recent Super Bowl. The Bucs defense is always strong and Gruden knows what he is doing. Why no respect? Seriously…all I have to say is…fire them cannons! If anyone knows where I can get the simulcast online for free to hear Gene Deckerhoff call the game while I watch it on my NFL Sunday Ticket, please let me know. I miss hearing his voice.

Futbol/Soccer: Manchester City is making a play for one of Chelsea’s best. They confirmed today that they are quite interested in Ben Haim. Chelsea just completed their preseason tour in Asia with a win over Malaysia XI. As much as I absolutely love and adore soccer/futbol I could never cover it as well as Monica does at A Futebol Fan. Check out her rather extensive coverage here. You can check out other good soccer blogs from around the world also in my links section.

Golf: The 2008 World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational is on this week. You can check the Golf Channel on Thursday and Friday for coverage and CBS over the weekend. Many are picking Stewart Cink to be the winner but don’t count out Geoff Ogilvy or some of the other talent.


Today in Sports History

1932 - The Summer Olympic Games open in Los Angeles

1947 – Arnold Schwarzenegger is born (no, this is not my foray into politics – he was a sports/fitness figure before he was a politician)

1990 - George Steinbrenner is forced by Commissioner Fay Vincent to resign as the principal partner of the New York Yankees