tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899Wed, 06 Nov 2024 02:51:45 +0000MLBNCAA FBBoise StateTennisBCSBNP Paribas OpenNBANFLMarch MadnessOhio StateBud SeligMLB PlayoffsNHLNY YankeesPiratesRafael NadalBeijing 2008Fearless PredictionsIdahoNCAANovak DjokovicTim TebowFloridaGolfMid-MajorsNCAA BKSmurf TurfSonicsUSCAll-Star GameBlue (and Orange)Cam NewtonConference AlignmentDodgersHeismanOregonRoger FedererSuper BowlTim LincecumWAC3 Games in 3 DaysAcademicsAdmiral AckbarBob Hope ClassicBrett FavreESPNJohn IsnerLeBron JamesMarinersMichael PhelpsOklahomaPac-10PenguinsRed SoxStanley CupSteelersTexasUtahVancouverVictoria AzarenkaWorld Series100th PostA-FraudAlbert PujolsAlex OvechkinAndy MurrayAngelsApple CupAustralian OpenBad KarmaBarry BondsBig 10BobcatsBrett KeiselCanucksCapitalsChicago BearsChinaCollege BBCollege Football PlayoffsEugenio VelezEvan LongoriaEye of the StormForbes FieldGonzagaHeatHope SoloHumana ChallengeIdaho Potato BowlInstant ReplayJay CutlerJoe PaternoKatie HoffLA LakersLance ArmstrongLonghorn NetworkMCWMannyMaria SharapovaMark IngramMatt BarkleyMatt CainMavericksMichael JordanMichelle WieNBA DraftNebraskaOpen ChampionshipOriolesPenn StatePete RoseRecruitingRoy HalladaySECSF GaintsSiouxSpring TrainingSpygateSteroidsTiger WoodsTony RomoTour de FranceUniformsUrban MeyerUsain BoltYankee StadiumpadresFOR PETE'S SAKE IS SPORTS COMMENTARY ON BASEBALL, FOOTBALL AND WHATEVER ELSE IS WRITTEN FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF EVERY FAN.http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Pete)Blogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-8190073539996730089Sat, 09 Mar 2013 20:01:00 +00002013-03-09T12:01:00.070-08:00BNP Paribas OpenNovak DjokovicRafael NadalTennis Novak Djokovic addresses the media before he opens play at the 2013 BNP Paribas Open.  World No. 1 Novak Djokovic says he's feeling good ahead of a busy tennis month starting with the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells this weekend. "Couldn't ask for a better start of the season, winning Australia and Dubai, playing on hard courts, which is my most successful and most preferable http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2013/03/djokovic-rafas-on-right-way.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-3346794776502125713Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:53:00 +00002013-01-28T09:53:52.975-08:00Australian OpenESPNTennisVictoria Azarenka Victoria Azarenka defended her Australian Open title with a gritty performance over the weekend after enduring a wacky end to her tournament run. Her 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, victory over Li Na saw nearly 30 minutes of the match disappear thanks to three interruptions, including a lengthy fireworks display for Australia Day and a 10-minute injury timeout after Li took a spill slamming her head on the http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2013/01/vika-serves-notice-down-under_28.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-3091044284551197873Sun, 09 Dec 2012 08:39:00 +00002012-12-13T01:01:28.006-08:00College Football PlayoffsHeismanNCAA FBThere was an interesting juxtaposition today in the world of college football. As I watched the Army-Navy game, and parts of the I-AA (FCS) and D-III football playoffs, there were student-athletes playing the game they love for no other reason. Those playoff formats leave absolutely no room to debate who calls themselves champs. On the flip side, three D-I college football players were in New http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/12/college-football-playoff-not-upgrade.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-630572804036649693Sat, 05 May 2012 19:20:00 +00002012-05-05T12:20:00.536-07:00Conference AlignmentIdahoWACThe days when college conferences were held together by academics and geography are gone. In this ugly new age, all that matters is perceived football prowess and access to television markets. That means even more universities are changing their conference allegiances. The latest shake up came on Friday with the expansion of Conference USA. Texas-San Antonio, Louisiana Tech, http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/05/left-in-lurch-idaho-must-go-on-alone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-7047751616970979854Sat, 05 May 2012 05:51:00 +00002012-05-04T22:51:37.824-07:00MLB Angels pitcher Jered Weaver reacts to throwing a no-hitter May 2 (Getty Images) Baseball has always been in my blood. I was attending professional games even before I was born. For me, no matter how much snow was on the ground, mid-Febraury was a sign that spring was just around the corner. And Major League Baseball's Opening Day has always been one of my most anticipated days of the http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/05/hitting-fans-cycle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-7299450672547532241Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:18:00 +00002012-03-18T20:25:55.074-07:00BNP Paribas OpenJohn IsnerTennis John Isner celebrates a victory over No. 1 Novak Djokovic. John Isner was no match for Roger Federer in the finals at the BNP Paribas Open. But Isner's two weeks in Indian Wells were something special, and for the first time in a long time an America seems poised to challenge tennis' upper echelon. Isner will become the second U.S. player in the ATP Tour's top 10 rankings, because of his http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/isner-ready-to-fill-american-void.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-6494150095343176087Sun, 18 Mar 2012 07:40:00 +00002012-03-18T00:41:08.310-07:00BNP Paribas OpenRafael NadalRoger FedererTennis Roger Federer cracks a smile after downing rivalRafael Nadal in Indian Wells. One of the all-time great sports rivalries finally played out in front of the rabid tennis fans in Indian Wells, Calif. After a rare desert rain delay at the BNP Paribas Open, No. 3 Roger Federer and No. 2 Rafael Nadal took the court for their 28th meeting. Watching the two display their skill in person is http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/roger-defined-by-rivalry-with-rafa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-1402041541594538318Sat, 17 Mar 2012 08:26:00 +00002012-03-18T18:24:03.763-07:00BNP Paribas OpenNovak DjokovicTennis World No. 1 Novak Djokovic opened up about his past before taking the court for the semi-finals at the BNP Paribas Open. "It's hard to say what I felt as a kid," the Serb said. "I just remember I fell in love (with tennis) at the first sight." Djokovic said it was like destiny he picked up a racquet, because in his family nobody played. "They were all professional skiers or soccer players http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/bnp-paribas-open-djokovic-takes-look.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-2900681577112908504Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:15:00 +00002012-03-18T21:02:05.495-07:00BNP Paribas OpenTennisVictoria Azarenka The talk of this years BNP Paribas Open has become a two-day stomach bug that's impacting everyone. It's a nasty virus you would not wish on your own nemesis, but the worst part is it's keeping players off the courts. A total of 10 players have withdrawn with the bug, while former champion Vera Zvonareva withdrew for another virus. The latest big name to fall ill, Mike Bryan, of the Bryan http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/virus-becomes-talk-of-tournament.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-5668974709539631681Mon, 12 Mar 2012 06:57:00 +00002012-03-18T21:13:48.465-07:00BNP Paribas OpenTennis The defending BNP Paribas Open women's champion Caroline Wozniacki shared a laugh with American Mardy Fish Saturday, March 10. No. 4 ranked Wozniacki made quick work of Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-0 before she crashed the press conference being held by Fish. Fish was about to answer a question about the London Olympics, but instead took a surprise question from the Dane. Looks like http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/bnp-paribas-open-wozniacki-poses-as.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-3348501407604943605Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:43:00 +00002012-03-18T00:41:41.995-07:00BNP Paribas OpenNovak DjokovicRafael NadalTennis Part of the fun of the BNP Paribas Open is that all the top players in the world come to Indian Wells, and they are way more relaxed here than at any of the other big tennis tournaments. Case in point what has become an annual ritual on the grassy warm-up area just outside the main stadium, pickup soccer games. Before the action on the courts heats up, No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Rafael http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/bnp-paribas-open-having-fun-off-courts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-2178395534157523825Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:47:00 +00002012-03-08T18:50:39.567-08:00Andy MurrayBNP Paribas OpenJohn IsnerNovak DjokovicRafael NadalRoger Federer American's Sam Querrey (sitting left) and Mardy Fish (sitting right) rest during a practice session in Indian Wells. Over the next two weeks, I have the privilege to help cover the 2012 BNP Paribas Open for Palm Desert Patch.com. I always have enjoyed watching the major tennis tournaments over the years, especially when my namesake, Pete Sampras was dominating. But watching the tophttp://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/can-us-regain-tennis-prowess-at-indian.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-9004413003733290176Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:03:00 +00002012-03-01T23:07:53.124-08:00MLBMLB PlayoffsMajor League Baseball appears to be tinkering with something that's not broken in the sport, its postseason. Word is, the league and its players' association are close to announcing a playoff expansion that would give one-third of all teams a berth in October starting this year. Under the new playoffs, the fourth and fifth place wild-card teams in each league would meet in what will likely be ahttp://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/mlb-playoff-fix-will-do-more-harm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-7528731777275168878Thu, 01 Mar 2012 02:17:00 +00002012-02-29T22:09:02.619-08:00BobcatsNBA It's been that kind of seasonfor Bobcats coach Paul Silas (AP Photo). The Charlotte Bobcats are working on a historic season, but for all the wrong reasons. Owner Michael Jordan might want to consider renaming the franchise the Bob-Kitties, because Charlotte's failures are reaching epic proportions. With a 15-point loss on Leap Day, the Bobcats now only trail the 1972-73 Philadelphia http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/02/bobcats-winning-at-losing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-8897170713614297952Tue, 28 Feb 2012 02:54:00 +00002012-02-27T21:58:04.562-08:00Alex OvechkinCapitalsNHLDuring the past three seasons at the NHL trade deadline, the Washington Capitals were looking to add depth for a Stanley Cup playoff  push. But this year, the Caps were in the strange position looking to make a move just to secure a playoff spot. Inside of pulling the trigger on a big move, Caps GM George McPhee pulled a surprise by making no notable trades at all. The four-time http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/02/caps-ovechkin-need-to-soul-search.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-200565914681519921Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:08:00 +00002012-02-03T20:55:55.906-08:00BCSBlue (and Orange)Cam NewtonNCAA FBSECThe Southeastern Conference just cannot help itself. The SEC released a new T-shirt this week highlighting its superiority on the football field and six consecutive BCS championships its teams have won. It's just a blue shirt with the SEC logo and the words, "Home of  5  6 consecutive national champions." The conference is so arrogant it does not name its championship teams, http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/02/for-sec-bcs-is-media-birthright.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-6190081669501180995Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:15:00 +00002012-02-02T21:36:49.929-08:00NCAANCAA FBRecruitingAnother National Signing Day has passed and once again the SEC is on top. For the fourth time in the past five years, Rivals.com gave Alabama and coach Nick Saban a national recruiting title, inking three five-star prospects. SEC schools also made up five of the top 15 recruiting classes according to ESPN's experts. It's no doubt that the SEC's success on signing day has helped translate http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/02/signing-day-cap-can-even-playing-field.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-9104259617127414787Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:56:00 +00002012-01-31T22:05:10.857-08:00NHLThere's growing chatter from many sports columnists that the NHL is suffering from a star crisis. They believe the NHL lacks true superstars. But it certainly didn't seem that way at Sunday's All-Star game in Ottawa. From Evgeni Malkin to Pavel Datsyuk to Marian Hossa, the game's top talent showcased amazing skills and athleticism. All three of players were vying for the league's scoring titlehttp://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/01/star-power-is-alive-on-nhl-ice.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-2606442668155893372Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:26:00 +00002012-01-28T22:30:41.269-08:00NHLPenguinsIn this modern day of sports arenas, anything that's been around a decade is old. Any building five decades old is essentially the equivalent of the Egyptian Pyramids. That's why the iconic Civic Arena, more affectionately known as the Igloo, is coming down piece by piece in Pittsburgh. The arena opened in 1961 and the Penguins took ownership of the dome when they joined the NHL six years laterhttp://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/01/thanks-for-memories-igloo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-6578857296713546776Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:09:00 +00002012-01-22T21:10:33.391-08:00Bob Hope ClassicGolfHumana ChallengeA year ago, I walked the Palmer Private course at PGA West during the Bob Hope Classic and the atmosphere was stale. The crowd was old and there was no buzz on the course. Greg Norman and President Bill Clinton joke around (Jim Edwards/Patch.com) Something had to change and it did. The PGA commissioner and a man from Hope, Ark. stepped in and save to the Hope. Former President Bill Clinton http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/01/humana-clinton-bring-new-life-to-hope.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-8212868984316197006Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:22:00 +00002012-01-22T19:55:00.577-08:00Brett FavreNFLTim Tebow Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is the new Brett Favre of the NFL. Favre was either loved or hated, much like Tebow is now. And No. 4 was also unconventional, choosing to throw into triple coverage over the easy target, making the big plays and big mistakes. Favre used to be the go-to name in pro-sports, there was even an entire summer ESPN camped out in Hattiesburg, Miss., but now itshttp://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/01/tebow-takes-media-mantle-from-favre.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-3288698530402395296Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:39:00 +00002012-01-13T12:39:13.699-08:00NHLProfessional athletes hurt themselves in a lot of bizarre ways. Like when pitcher John Smoltz scalded himself while ironing a shirt - while he was wearing it. But a hockey player sat out a game this week may take the cake, the pancake that is. Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Penner suffered back spasms while taking a bite of "delicious pancakes." Of course Penner has been the joke of the NHL, http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/01/nhl-star-catching-flap-for-pancakegate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-668295612648358159Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:20:00 +00002012-01-13T01:59:48.672-08:00BCSNCAA FB Alabama's Trent Richardson celebrates the BCS title (AP Photo) The Bowl Championship Series has its flaws, but for the first time the system truly failed. In most years, the BCS has benefited from an undisputed champion winning like in 2001 when Miami beat a Nebraska team who did not win their own conference and jumped two other deserving schools. The BCS did not get http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2012/01/tide-swells-for-playoff.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-559956349443320869Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:51:00 +00002011-12-09T10:34:32.832-08:00Albert PujolsAngelsMLBThe Los Angeles Angels kept swinging in the free-agent market and they finally hit one out of the park on Thursday. Angel fans can forget about not keeping Mark Teixeira and missing out on Carl Crawford and Adrian Beltre in year's past, because Albert Pujols, the best hitter of this generation, will be calling Angel Stadium home. The deal that brought Pujols to Southern California will cost http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2011/12/angels-turn-tide-on-al-rivals.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792235333051645899.post-8286565481483734868Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:36:00 +00002011-11-20T22:21:18.185-08:00Bud SeligMLBMLB PlayoffsNY YankeesRed SoxMajor League Baseball has decided to dramatically change its October look, and not for the better. The playoffs will be expanded by two teams as early as next year. That means one-third of baseball's 30 teams will make the postseason, in what feels like another Yankees-Red Sox exception. The first Yankee-Sox playoff exception states if the team with the best overall record and the http://forpetessakeonline.blogspot.com/2011/11/expanded-playoffs-reward-mediocrity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pete)0