In A Mood

I was looking back and laughing a bit at some of my posts that were written when I was feeling a bit feisty. I think they are pretty funny and the comments are certainly interesting on a few. Of course, I will never rant on like today's video about actually hating sports but I found it funny that this guy felt he needed to make a weekly show professing his hate of sports. All I have to say is that there is a thin line between love and hate. As for my rants - you be the judge:

I was tired of hearing about my hometown not being a "sports town". Read my rant and tell me what you think. Don't hate us.

This one sure got a reaction and even ranked up there on Digg after it was written. This was Brett Favre's first retirement. (Special note: please stay home Brett. Take up golf or something.)

One of my other favorites is when I wax poetic about the problem with sports in Los Angeles. The original image had to be replaced so some of the comments may not make sense.

Another of my personal favorites is this silly tirade. I just had to do it.

What is your favorite thing to rant about?

Sunday Sports Wrap - May 31, 2009

Can you believe that May is over? Where is 2009 going?

Condolences: Although I wasn't rooting for their team, I must send my condolences to fans of the Cavs (that's you C, please don't take it too hard). The Magic simply outplayed them and wanted it more. Period. The really amusing thing for me is that at the end of the 3rd period a friend from Florida was already talking trash about the Magic vs. Lakers series. I'm just hoping they stop showing those creepy Kobe and LeBron puppet commercials. I wonder what Jerry West is saying now. Oh yeah, probably something to the effect of "one man does not a team make", I'm sure.

Not Enough Attention: I really have not heard much about hockey at all lately since the Ducks were removed from contention. I did notice that an important game was televised last night at the same time the Magic vs. Cavs game was on. Last night the Red Wings took game one against the defending champ Pens. Tonight is game two. I quite enjoy hockey myself but really feel that the sport doesn't get enough attention.

Soccer Sunday: Tune in to Fox Soccer Channel today and see the Boston Breakers face Sky Blue FC. Kelly Smith of the Breakers is tied with the Los Angeles Sol's Marta for most goals in the league. The Sol have the top spot in the standings right now followed by the Breakers.

Today In Sports History

1937 - Brooklyn Dodgers snap NY Giant Carl Hubbell's 24-game winning streak

1985 - The New Orleans Saints are sold for $70,204,000

Missing Out On Soccer

My sports ADD has been less prevalent lately as I feel like I've been golf, golf, and more golf for the most part. Okay, there has been a bit o' IWFL, MLB, NFL, and NBA sneaking in but it is pretty much golf. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

With that said, I was reminded yesterday about the Los Angeles Sol and the awesome Marta. In fact, there are some very cool events coming up with them. First, there is the Meet Marta pack. You pay $35 for one ticket, get in to two games (March 10 and June 3) and get a photo with Marta. The team is also offering a Mother's Day pack: for $49 you get 4 tickets and a pic with one of the players.

In addition, you can enter to be a sideline reporter for the Sol. The team also has a Viral Video Challenge.

Seriously, the WPS and Sol have a lot of extra opportunities for fans that you just don't see in other sports or leagues. The players are amazingly accessible and appreciate their fan base.

There are teams all over the country so check out your local squad today. You won't be disappointed.

Sunday Sports Wrap - March 29, 2009

WPS: The day is finally here - the first Women's Professional Soccer game kicks off in just a few hours. The Los Angeles Sol host the Washington Freedom. The game is televised on Fox Soccer Channel and you can follow players and staff on Twitter. Check here for all the details. Go Sol!

The Madness Continues: Do I even need to remind you that March Madness continues today? I didn't think so.

Can He Do It?: Tiger Woods was in second coming into the final round today at Bay Hill just five strokes off the lead. Maybe he's back in form? Maybe not?

Today In Sports History

1989 - The first Soviet hockey players are permitted to play for the NHL

1992 - Ladies Figure Skating Championship is won by Kristi Yamaguchi

Tales From The Inbox - March 24, 2008

WPS: This Sunday, March 29 is the start of the season for Women's Professional Soccer. The Los Angeles Sol take on the Washington Freedom. In the meantime, the WPS is trying to get 10,000 fans on Facebook. As I am writing this they are at 9,444. They're on every other major social media spot as well.

Cricket: English captain Charlotte Edwards was confident that her team would reach the World Cup finals. Indeed, the English team defeated New Zealand for the crown after some tense moments. (Thank you Katharine for the link!)

Small Sensation: My favorite basketball fanatic sent me a note about a truly remarkable athlete that she posted a story about the other day:

If you were blind in your right eye, partly deaf, one leg shorter than the other due to scoliosis, 4' 6" tall, 90 pounds and carting around some undeveloped vertebrae, basketball would not be an obvious goal. Tiffara Steward, however, begs to differ.

The New York Times ran an article about Tiffara Steward, a 20-year old college basketball player can hit 3-pointers and is a prodigy despite her stature.

Sunday Sports Wrap - March 8, 2009

NCAA Women's Hoops: I really like the USA Today CSTV Live Event Central to keep up on scores as there are many to keep up with today. The other good spot to keep up on the all divisions is the NCAA site itself under women's basketball. The Women's Final Four is in St. Louis this year from April 5-7. Yes, March Madness is nearly upon us!

Los Angeles Sol: From 11:00 am - 3:00 pm today is the Solfest 2009 that is free (yes, free parking and admission which is rare around here) to the public at the Home Depot Center. Open practice, prizes, tours, and player meet and greets are only part of the fun.

Surfing: The Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro continue through March 11 in Gold Coast, Australia. For the men - wildcard Julian Wilson defeated the veteran Kelly Slater earlier today in the third round. The women's event has finished with Australian Stephanie Gilmore taking the crown.

Today in Sports History

1968 - 6 year old Tommy Moore scores a hole-in-one in golf in Hagerstown, Md.

1986 - Martina Navratilova reaches the $10 million in earnings mark.

Today is also International Women's Day. This has been observed since the early 1900's and you can read more about it here

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UPDATE: I just received this information from the Homeless World Cup folks:

To celebrate International Women's Day, Global Giving will match every donation you make to the Women’s Homeless World Cup between 8-27 March 2009.

Please support and invite your family and friends to help us reach our goal too! You can make a donation here.

It's a chance to double your money and double your impact for women around the world.

And if the Women's Homeless World Cup can find the highest number of donations we can win additional funding of up to $5000.

The first Women’s Homeless World Cup was held in Melbourne in December 2008. It featured 100 women from 8 nations, and was won by the team from Zambia. It was a resounding success.

“We face a lot of challenges as women but we overcame them to win,” said Sara Daka, Player, Zambia.

Over 70% of players change their lives coming off drugs and alcohol, moving in to jobs, training, education, becoming football players and coaches, leaders in their community.

“My goal is to teach the young how to play soccer in Zambia. This way I can pass on my skills and experience and help others.” Player, Zambai, Carol Kanyemba

"My friends and relatives have received me back home proudly. A soccer game was played in appreciation of my splendid performance and voting me as Best Female Player at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup," Dehkontee Sayon, Liberia

Blogspotting - March 6, 2009

The WPS Skort: The addition of the skort as a part of the uniform for women's soccer has garnered many opinions around the web. Being one that has played a sport or two over the years in a skort I didn't find it so upsetting but others don't feel as I do. They are a staple in tennis and golf and if made right work for other sports as well (I've even skateboarded and done inline skating in one). However, some find that putting women in this fashion item offensive. That is one of the great things about our world - we are all allowed to have our opinion and voice them. We can even agree to disagree. I just didn't realize that everyone would be so upset about this piece of clothing.

On another note in soccer - I found this post about our team in Los Angeles.

WWE: Rob Mars points out that however silly we may find WWE, you can't deny that the women involved are exceptional athletes. So true! Check out his post about one such athlete, Gail Kim.

Around The World: After Atalanta has this post that takes us around the world in women's sports - soccer in Turkey, cricket in Australia, and awards in Switzerland.