The Hog Tale

Are You Kidding Me!? Really?

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:05:00 +0000

So, the question for this year's Razorback basketball team won't be will the Razorbacks improve on this past season and finish in the upper half of the SEC West. The question is going to be will the Razorbacks have anyone left in uniform that played last year to play this season?

On the heels of Jason Henry's dismissal and Marcus Britt' DUI which followed Brandon Moore and Andre Clark leaving the team, we now learn that junior guard Stefan Welsh has been suspended indefinitely from the basketball team.

What is wrong with these kids and where did they come from? I feel like this is a reality version of the TV show "Lost." We have all of these kids screwing up left and right, making poor choices, getting second and third chances, but some inevitably vanish or leave. The only difference is these guys don't have a plane crash to blame it on. This is getting old. Fast.

I have all the confidence in the world in Pel to pull this program together, get everyone on track, and together do some great things in the SEC over the next two or three years. But, at this rate, we are doomed for another losing campaign next season and I'm saying this in July.

What the hell is going on?

Hurley says get your asses in gear and no more screw ups from the basketball program for at least the next 12 months.

Bye Bye Jason

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:40:00 +0000

You can now add Jason Henry's name to the list of Razorback ballers not returning to the team next season. No official word as to why Jason has been released has been given but Jason has been "day to day" according to Coach Pelphrey since June. But, it is now official, Jason Henry will not be a Razorback next season.

I've said more than a few times on here that Jason Henry probably had the most upside and potential of any of the freshmen from last year's team because of his raw athletic ability. Apparently, though, his lack of work ethic both on the basketball floor and in the class room was a major obstacle that ultimately ended Henry's career here at Arkansas. I'm sure we'll see Henry resurface somewhere else as players of his caliber usually always get second chances.

This does help the numbers game that the basketball team had been facing though. Fourteen committments and only 13 scholarships don't work, but now that Henry is gone things are back even again. Good luck J.H.

Don't Be Like Dan And Have A Good 4th

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:31:00 +0000

NWA Naturals and one of the Royals' top pitching prospects Dan Cortes was arrested early Wednesday morning on Dickson Street for disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Cortes was caught urinating on a fence near a bar, but I'm sure that fence had it coming. That fence was probably smart mouthing the 22 year old pitcher and his 5-6 record and 4.00 ERA. Last season Cortes was 10-4 for the Naturals with a 3.78 ERA, so I'm sure the fence set Cortes off and it got what it had coming to it.

Anyway, hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th!

Former Baller Beverley Drafted

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:36:00 +0000

A year after leaving the University of Arkansas under still slightly cloudy circumstances, former guard Patrick Beverley was drafted last night in the second round of the NBA draft.

Here is ESPN.com's Chad Ford and his take on the Heat's draft choices...

Analysis: The Heat did OK for themselves in the second round. They fell in love with Beverley upon his first workout back from the Ukraine and had been pursuing him ever since. Beverley and Dozier both are terrific athletes. Beverley also is a good defender and scorer. Dozier blocks shots and runs the floor.

This draft is not going to dramatically change the fortunes of the franchise, but I do think Beverley in particular could help the Heat down the road.

Here is my take on it...

Patrick Beverley was a tenacious baller during his time here at the U of A. If he keeps his head screwed on straight, becomes a top-notch defender, gives the ball up to D Wade enough, and just does what he's told, he could find some playing time off of the bench for someone somewhere. If nothing else, he's proven he can play overseas. Good luck Patrick.

Wow, How Time Flies

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:27:00 +0000

The summer is here and the laziness has set in (as is evidence by my lack of posts this month). The Hogs made a great late season run to land in the final four of collegiate baseball teams. Unfortunately, they didn't quite have enough...

Fire power! (sorry this will only make sense to you if you have kids or can't get enough of Ben Stiller movies)

The real unfortunate result was that the CWS finals featured Texas and LSU. I was cheering for a continuous rain delay or a never-ending scoreless tie. Trying to decide who to cheer for in that is kind of like deciding between death by shark or death by falling into a volcano. Either way it sucks and is quite painful, and that's what watching the CWS best of three series between LSU and Texas was like.

The only thing I can say about LSU is that Paul Mainieri seems like a genuinely good guy and it was pretty cool that he got to celebrate his first championship with his dad on the field after the game.

Back to the Razorbacks though, big ups to Diamond Hogs for rebounding from their late season slump to almost bringing home a national championship. The Hogs didn't quite have the fire power or the horses needed to endure a 14 day stretch in Omaha like Texas or LSU, but they left everything on the field and for that I couldn't be more proud of the boys and Coach Van Horn especially since it was the bright light among the big three sports this year for Arkansas.

Now, as college baseball fades into the distance, all eyes will once again focus on the upcoming football season, and I for one couldn't be more ready.

Nice

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:42:00 +0000

In one hell of a CWS game, the Razorbacks hung around just long enough to capitalize and steal one from a Virginia team that squandered opportunities at every turn.

Andrew Darr did it again with the winning double in the 12th and Dallas Kuechel was a beast getting out of numerous jams in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th to win it for the Hogs. This was all after Cox singled with two out and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth setting up a 2 run homer by Brett Eibner to tie it three.

Awesome, awesome game. I don't know if anyone will be available to pitch Friday against LSU (probably Eibner again) but that was a game for the ages indeed.

Another Reason LSU Needs to Lose 2 in a Row

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:15:00 +0000

This clip is pretty funny even though Mike Irwin may disagree with you. It occurred after last night's crushing loss at the hands of LSU, and Irwin was a split second away from cracking some skulls in Omaha.

What was the idiot South Carolina fan doing there? I like how Mike cracks on LSU fans towards the end of the clip though. Hang in there Mike and beat down one of those punks with your microphone next time it happens!

Omahogs 1-0, Take On LSU Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:45:00 +0000

Well, we easily dispatched the Cali boys from Fullerton on Saturday, and now we face some real competition - SEC competition. Once again the Hogs and LSU Tigers will square off on the diamond. Only this time, the winner will have the inside track to the best of three championship series.

The Hogs went 1-2 during the season against LSU. The first loss started an eight game SEC losing streak that ended in the SEC tournament with two wins over Florida. The game will be at 6pm tonight on ESPN.

Darr To Believe

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:28:00 +0000

Ice down the cooler, pack up the car... road trip to Omaha!

Andrew Darr's 2 run double in the bottom of the ninth against Florida State clinched the two game sweep and is sending the Hogs to Omaha for a first round matchup this weekend against Cal St. Fullerton. It's the Razorbacks first trip to the College World Series since 2004.

Super Regional Time Baby

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:23:00 +0000

Get ready Semiho's, because the Diamond Hogs are coming for ya. Playing the underdog, no respect card really well lately will be the Razorbacks this weekend in Tallahassee.

All three games if needed will begin at 11 a.m. CST with Friday and Sunday's games being on ESPN and Saturday's game being on ESPN2.

Sure the Seminoles (#6 at 45-16 on the season) raked this past weekend scoring like 500 runs or something, but I don't see that happening again and I see the Hogs rolling in a two game sweep!

Things Are Not Britty for Arkansas Basketball

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:52:00 +0000

Ernest Hemingway once said “An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools.” In Marcus Britt's situation, the fool was himself after he was charged with DWI by Forest City police last weekend. You didn't know I was going to break you off some Hemingway today did you? Consider yourself enlightened and use that quote next time you're out slamming wine coolers with your buddies.

Britt, the Hog baller, who averaged 3.7 points per game last season registered in at .113 on the ol blood alcohol register and has been suspended indefinitely by Coach Pelphrey. This is GREAT news coming on the heals of the whole Patrick Beverley thing, the transfers of Brandon Moore and Andre Clark and the whole academic mess that the basketball program is in right now.

In addition to the DWI, Britt was charged with driving with a suspended license, no insurance, failure to appear, running a stop sign, kicking baby kitties, bad breath, and not being a better offensive player.

Britt is known more for his defensive play so it was surprising that he made such an offensive move like running a stop sign. That's what the booze will do though.

The failure to appear stems from a 2007 warrant for failing to appear after Britt receiving a speeding ticket. Dude, show up and take your beat down like a man. Did he really think the legal system would just forget about him?

As usual Homer Simpson explains an athlete's need for drunkedness as only he can...

“Son, when you participate in sporting events, its not whether you win or lose, its how drunk you get.”

In Marcus Britt's case, it's not drunk enough to make this all go away and that's what he needs right now.

Mom Confirms Mallett Broke Finger Throwing Footballs Into Space

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:34:00 +0000

It appears that Razorback QB Ryan Mallett has a broken right ring finger he sustained during "a workout" and will be out of action for a couple of weeks.

Ryan's mother Debbie confirmed that Ryan broke his finger, but that it's not going to be that big of a deal.

"It's the stress and strain Ryan puts on his throwing hand when he starts chunking footballs into space," said Debbie, "It really upsets me when he does this because those footballs aren't cheap, and for him to just throw those damn things into space to never be seen again is disrespectful to me, it's disrespectful to potential airplanes flying above, and it's disrespectful to those people that need those satellites in orbit. He thinks it's funny, but this wouldn't be the first time he's knocked a satellite off it's proper course."

Mallett, who beat out Tyler Wilson in the spring for the starting job, has been praised by the coaches for his strong arm and leadership abilities. The only negative on the transfer from Michigan is his ability to hold his alcohol.

"I would say that's the most disappointing thing about Ryan so far," said one coach wishing to remain anonymous, "His arrest for being drunk in public and not being able to dial a cell phone or speak coherently leads me to believe that he might be a little bit of a lightweight when it comes to drinking. We can work on that and he can improve in that area. That'll just come with growth and maturation."

Mallett will be sidelined a few weeks before he can begin throwing again. At that time he'll continue his free lance summer demolition work where he's hired to throw footballs to knock down houses and buildings as a cheaper alternative than paying for a crane and wrecking ball.

Patrick Beverley Didn't Do All His Own Work? Shocker!

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Personally, I've always been under the impression that all collegiate athletes do all of their own work and are never assisted. Ever. Whether they're at Furman or Florida I've never thought it matters. Now? Collegiate athletics has been tainted for me.

Apparently former Razorback basketball player Patrick Beverley was caught cheating last year and that was the main reason for his leaving/dismissal from the University.

"I definitely don't want to throw anybody under the bus," Beverley said. "But people were doing papers. I was given paperwork. Someone wrote a paper and I turned it in. Like I said, I was wrong about that. To this day, I'll always tell the truth. I stood accountable and told them, ‘Yeah, I turned in a paper that wasn't mine.'"

The University stands behind some lame student privacy law and won't confirm or deny anything at this point, but I for one am shocked!

In a reported rumor, Coach Pelphrey may or may not have had this to say:

"Patrick Beverley is a dumbass. You don't have someone else do your work and then turn it in. Back at Kentucky when I used to do papers for Jamal Mashburn we would always get together and read over it and make it sound like Jamal's verbage before turning it in. Patrick Beverley is not a 4.0 valedictorian from Maumelle and his paper should not have reflected that."

After further investigation by our Hog Tale insiders, Beverley's paper that was questioned was entitled "Patrick Beverley's Theory on Quantum and Nuclear Physics."
The "A" that Beverley received on the paper helped him garner a passing grade in his Physics class going from a "F" to a "D." His previous papers entitled "The Po-Po Be Trippin' - A study about the physics of falling" and "Pitbull Fights be Physics-cal" both received failing grades for not really having anything to do with Physics.

All Smyly in Norman

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:44:00 +0000

Talk about easy. Was there ever any doubt about the Hogs this weekend? OK, you don't have to answer that question. The beleagured, faltering Diamond Hogs stumbled into Norman having won only 3 of their last 13 games. However, something in Norman suited the Razorbacks just fine. The color red? The combined 4-0 record against WSU and OU during the regular season? The stinch of cows grazing in the outfield? Whatever it was, the Arkansas bats were resurrected and with it their season in a three game domination of Washington State and OU twice.

Redshirt freshman Drew Smyly tossed 8 and one-third innings no-hit ball yesterday along with 12 K's to lead the Razorbacks to an 11-0 Regional clinching win. What a performance by a guy who hadn't lasted more than 6 innings or had more than 6 strikeouts in a game yet. Those OU Spooner players are still trying to catch up to Smyly this morning.

Oh, sorry Andy Wilkins did not hit five homers for you like I promised last week. You'll just have to settle for his 12-16 performance with 2 homers, 5 doubles, and 11 RBI's. That was a good enough performance to earn him the Most Outstanding Player award.

The Razorbacks are now 36-22 and headed to Florida State University for a best of three super regional this weekend just two wins away from a trip to Omaha.

Baseball Regional Time

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:44:00 +0000

The Diamond Hogs are heading to Norman, Oklahoma for their regional tomorrow, and it actually works out ok for them given the fact that the Hogs swept Washington State earlier this year and beat the Oklahoma Spooners in their only meeting at Baum Stadium earlier as well. Given these wins were during a time when Arkansas was playing pretty well, and we all know that hasn't been the case lately as the Hogs struggled down the stretch and went 2-2 in the SEC tourney. So, they're not actually peaking right now.

Hopefully though the Hogs will enter the regional confident from the fact of going a combined 4-0 against WSU and OU and will get their mojo back and roll to a regional title this weekend. It's a lovely 3 - 3 1/2 hour drive to Norman so ice down the cooler, gas up your yugo, and head to red dirt country this weekend and enjoy some college baseball if you can. Andy Wilkins guarantees five home runs for you.

Tournament schedule:
Friday
1 p.m. No. 2 Arkansas vs. No. 3 Washington State
7 p.m. No. 1 OU vs. No. 4 Wichita State

Saturday
1 p.m. Game 3 (Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2)
7 p.m. Game 4 (Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2)

Sunday
1 p.m. Game 5 (Winner Game 3. vs. Loser Game 4)
7 p.m. Game 6 (Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5)

Monday
7 p.m. Game 7 (if necessary same teams as Game 6)

Memorial Day

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:34:00 +0000

Hope you all had a safe and enjoyable day off as we honor the military and veterans around the world today.

The good news is that the Diamond Hogs gave a pretty good run in the SEC tourney beating Florida twice to end any hope they had at a SEC title only to get turned away and sent home by Vandy.

Now, we'll wait and see where the Hogs end up for a regional.

Elimination Time

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:50:00 +0000

Well, the Hogs took down Florida on Wednesday, but lost a tough one last night in 10 innings to Georgia. So, today, the Hogs and Gataz will do battle one more time at 3pm today for the right to move on in the SEC baseball tourney. See ya later Gator(s).

Yesterday was the funeral of one of my favorite players growing up. Across the border in Oklahoma (from Tulsa), I always enjoyed the play of OU hoopster Wayman Tisdale. Here's a couple of Razorback related photos with Wayman. RIP #23.

Wayman going up against Joe Klein in a loss to the Razorbacks in the Great Alaska Shootout...

In the NBA trying to cover triplet Sidney Moncrief...

SEC Baseball Tourney Time

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:09:00 +0000

You're dead, Florida! You hear me? Dead!

The Diamond Hogs are playing their worst baseball of the season heading into today's first round matchup against the Gataz. On the bright side, the Hogs swept Florida earlier in the season, so here's hoping we avoid a disasterous start to the tourney against the Natty light Gataz.

M Dub Staying, Baseball Team Rallies To End 5 Game Skid

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:14:00 +0000

In what has been a trying off season for Razorback basketball coach John Pelphrey, perhaps a bit of good news will help right the Razorback ship this offseason as Michael Washington has decided to stay on for his senior season according to The Slophouse.

Washington was testing the professional waters and perhaps he found them to be a bit cold at this time in his career. Whatever the case, I'm glad our leading scorer and rebounder will be returning next season.

Coming home after being swept at Alabama and in the midst of a five game losing streak, the Razorback baseball team desperately needed a win last night against ORU. The Diamond Hogs waited until the ninth inning and rallied for a 3-2 win heading into this weekend's final regular season series against Ole Miss. Hopefully we're done with the 17 feet of rain we've received in May and will get some good weather this weekend for the Rebs.

Weekend Baseball At Bama

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:05:00 +0000

Seven games remain in the regular season for the baseball team with none more crucial than this weekend's trio against the gay Bammers in Tuscaloosa.

The Hogs are 31-14 (14-9 in SEC play) and ranked #11 in one of the 36 collegiate baseball polls somewhere.
The Tide is 32-15 (14-9) and ranked #21 by that same poll conducted by a computer somewhere in some kid's basement.
Keuchel, Forrest, and Eibner are the three projected starters tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday respectively and will be bringing the heat for the Razorbacks.

A sweep would go along ways to giving the Hogs a chance for the West division title with three games coming up against Ole Miss next weekend at Baum Stadium.

Things That Annoy Me - May Edition

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:50:00 +0000

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, but things have been hectic for me while at the same time being relatively slow around Razorback country. Sure the baseball team is still fighting for first in the SEC West, but some of the wind was taken out of those sails when LSU won two of three last weekend in Fayetteville.

Still, I'm going to tie today's monthly things that annoy me post in with the Razorbacks. Past annoy me posts have covered high school recruting announcements, bursting bubbles, and shooting sleeves.

For May, I'm going with outlandish ticket prices in general, but more specifically the Arkansas - Texas A&M game being held at the new Death Star, errr, Dallas Cowboys Stadium on October 3rd. Cheapest tickets? 85 bones! What the force?! The other prices are $125 and $475 for club seats. Oh, and don't forget the $38 for parking.

For those prices, I would expect a spectacular halftime show where the stadium blows up some planet like Jupiter with its' super death ray. If that happened (get ready for lame Train lyrical reference), we'd have drops of Jupiter in the air.

I say Arkansas fans are getting screwed, and we're getting screwed by former Hog Jerry Jones. How could you do this to us Jerry? Or did we just do it to ourselves? Arkansas signed a crappy contract for this game.

How else do you explain the fact that OU and BYU are also playing there in the stadium's first game EVER and those tickets ONLY begin at $50? I realize Utah is like 8,000 miles away, but still those BYU fans that do attend will be bringing their 12 wives and 37 childrens with them. Also consider that OU is a national championship contender next season with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner back at QB, and the price descrepency between the two games sucks. After paying $150 for a hotel and for gas money and food, this game turns into a $500 minimum trip for two if you spend one night. Extra nights and extra bodies are only going to increase that conservative estimate.

Thanks, but no thanks Jerry. I'll sit at home and watch the game at the new death star in HD instead.

(Don't tell me you've never noticed the resemblance)

Look Out Spain!

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:22:00 +0000

Long John Daly is -2 after the first round of the Spanish Open. Big John is also -60 pounds after lap band stomach surgery, whatever that is. The 43 year old former Razorback is playing a series of events overseas until his six month ban from the PGA expires. All I want to know is was it the surgery or the new hair dye that caused him to think those pants would look good on?

Dick To Davie - Touchdown Jets!

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:12:00 +0000

(Jets fans react upon hearing the good news of Casey Dick and Andrew Davie reporting for a minicamp this weekend)

Expect to hear the Dick to Davie touchdown call often in the coming years in New York, because former Razorbacks Casey Dick and Andrew Davie are headed to the big apple to become superstars.

Both former Hogs will be headed to New York this weekend for a Jets minicamp where it is my best guess that both will test off the charts there, and the Jets will immediately start shopping Mark Sanchez to other NFL teams as trade potential to help acquire more important needs like receiver and more offensive line protection for Dick next season.

I can't wait to hear Jets fans calling the Hogs this fall.

Other non-drafted Razorbacks to sign free agent contracts include:

Tackle Jose Valdez with the Atlanta Falcons
Cornerback Jamar Love with the New England Patriots
QB Alex Mortensen with Tennessee (yes, I re-read that one about 12 times to make sure I was reading it right).

Best Damn Center Drafted By Cinci

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:13:00 +0000

It's official. The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to change their image. Why else would the NFL's thuggiest franchise draft Arkansas center Jonathan Luigs? Where else will you hear the word "thuggiest?" Not only is Luigs a damn good center, but the man is smart and stays out of trouble - two things most Cincinnati players are not.

Luigs went in the 4th round with the 106th pick overall to Cincinnati. Luigs joins SEC opponent Andre Smith who was selected out of Alabama with the Bengals first round selection and sixth pick overall.

Congrats, Jonathan and best of luck in Cinci.

Arkansas Bred and Hog Tale Champ

noreply@blogger.com (KK) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:22:00 +0000

Humanity Advanced slashed and smashed his way to the Hog Tale's first annual Hog Tale Madness Championship with a win in the finals over Bill Clinton.

It's possible that if Clinton had some tats like McFadden that he would have stood a better chance in the finals.

Thanks to all who voted.