Intentional Foul

Reliving Josh Hamilton’s Greatness (Home Run Derby)

Chris — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:41:42 +0000

No, the Texas slugger isn’t participating in tonight’s Home Run Derby, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy his incredible 28-homer round from last year. The funny thing is, because totals don’t carry over, Hamilton couldn’t reproduce his first round magic and wound up losing to Joe Mauer, who is actually going to defend his title.

It won’t be an easy defense, however. Mauer will be going up against names like Pujols, Howard, and Fielder; as well as Adrian Gonzalez, Brandon Inge, Nelson Cruz, and Dustin Pedoria’s replacement, Carlos Pena. For what it’s worth, Pena is leading the AL in home runs (24). Of course, the perceived favorite, Albert Pujols, is leading all of MLB with 32 dingers. Lest we forget, this year’s All Star festivities are taking place in St Louis, making Pujols’ favoritism all the more legitimate.

And that’s why I’m picking Ryan Howard to win. It seems like the person expected to win usually doesn’t. Ain’t that right, Garret Anderson?

In case watching balls fly over fences to the melodic home run calls of Chris Berman isn’t enough enjoyment, make sure you try out Home Run Derby’s annual drinking game — provided, that is, you don’t mind if your liver leads a long and productive life.

If, however, you have one of those unruly livers who doesn’t know its place or how to be quiet, HDR’s drinking game is the perfect way to silence it… Or inspire it to commit an outright revolt against you and your body’s evil ways.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, sponsored by Ticket Solutions.

Reliving Josh Hamilton’s Greatness (Home Run Derby)

The Texas End Zone Looks Mighty Fine

Chris — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:04:09 +0000

This post is just a friendly reminder that in about 54 days or so, the Texas Longhorns will be playing on a new football field, something the awesome Texas cheerleaders were happy to “showcase” for us — with the help of the ShaggyBevo.com forum. And EDSBS. Speaking of, isn’t time for Orson to start his “Countdown” posts?

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, sponsored by Ticket Solutions.

The Texas End Zone Looks Mighty Fine

Dollar Beer Night Leads to Fun Signs (Lexington Legends)

Chris — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:03:00 +0000

In there relatively short lifespan, the Lexington Legends, a minor league baseball outfit, has had their share of interesting stories; the most notable of which was a pre-bad guy Roger Clemens going through a minor league assignment with the team that plays at Applebee’s Park. If the Clemens clan represents the high point for the Legends — not including the co-championship in 2001 — last Thursday night’s shenanigans might represent its low point, at least on a public relations standpoint.

But from the standpoint of a fledgling blogger, dollar beers + drunk college students heckling an opposing outfielder = good times and awesome, drunkenly-created empty beer cup signs that deliver like UPS. The guys at HGHalftimeReport have much, much more (language NSFW):

After spelling “#8 SUCCEEDS” in the fence to please the dickhead, his co-workers, and #8… we went in for the kill. Within seconds we changed our praises of confidence for #8 to what will go down as the greatest prank minor league baseball has ever seen…

As the last cup was placed to spell “#8 SUCKS BALLS + COCK”, the Legends left fielder hit a grand slam into our section. It was an act of God. Every face in the ballpark turned to watch the ball go over the fence but they got more than they expected as they saw our masterpiece. As the ball landed in the stands, the camera man zoomed in on our section not knowing what he was putting on the big screen. It was a success.

The post in question also has some killer pictures of the prank, and amazingly, while the group was removed from the Applebee’s Park for their creative use of empty beer cups, they weren’t permanently banned, meaning this probably isn’t the last time we’ll hear from our heroes.

In fact, the post ends with an ominous warning: “See you next Thursday.” If this is the type of fun we can expect out of the dollar beer bloggers, sign me up as a regular reader.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, sponsored by Ticket Solutions.

Dollar Beer Night Leads to Fun Signs (Lexington Legends)

Diving Catches + Hot Chicks = Win

Chris — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:08:12 +0000

Seeing how it’s time for MLB’s All Star break/festivities, this video is a good way to start the week. In it, we have further proof that attractive women and baseball mix very, very well. It’s also proof that diving catches made by said attractive women mix even better. And with that, the fine ladies at Babes Love Baseball have another candidate if they want to add another contributor.

Just make sure to feature more video of her making diving catches, because that’s just full of win.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, sponsored by Ticket Solutions.

Diving Catches + Hot Chicks = Win

A Thought About LeBron and Jordan

Chris — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:47:37 +0000

Something occurred to me while sitting through, like, Day 3000 of LeBron’s Dunkgate “scandal” concerning Jordan Crawford’s now-mythical dunk: Is this another viral marketing move on Nike’s part, and Ryan Miller is simply playing along? Granted, there’s not much you can do, commercial-wise, with an NCAA athlete, lest you want to threaten his eligibility. Regardless, there’s just too much buzz surrounding a simple, but probably very impressive dunk over the NBA’s reigning King for Nike NOT to capitalize on it.

Perhaps TNT’s Kenny Smith is in on it as well.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, sponsored by Ticket Solutions.

A Thought About LeBron and Jordan

Serena Gives Good Interview

Chris — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:35:23 +0000

Yeah, this is a little dated, considering the way time works in the blogosphere, but nevertheless, I found it quite entertaining. And truthful; although, this is just the audio portion of Serena Williams’ post-Wimbledon victory press conference. One thing’s for certain: The picture placeholder being used is quite keen, if, for nothing else, for Serena’s awesome “Are You Looking At My Titles” t-shirt. Perhaps the shirt — and its message — was meant for Jason Whitlock as a preemptive retaliation; because we all know he is indeed looking.

Just not at her titles.

In other news, how in all that’s holy is Serena not the number one women’s player in the world? Perhaps she should get some senators in on the action — once they get done straightening out the BCS.

/Stifles laughter

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, sponsored by Ticket Solutions.

Serena Gives Good Interview

That’s How You Coach Defense (Gold Cup)

Chris — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Thank goodness for this year’s Gold Cup. Otherwise, I would be drowning in a world of Major League Baseball. Much like Santino Quaranta’s fantastic strike on Wednesday night, last night’s match between Panama and Mexico provided some fireworks; although, I don’t think they are the kind CONCACAF intended. What we have is Mexico’s coach, Javier Aguirre, helping out his defense in whatever way he can think of. In this case, with his legs; against an opposing Panamanian player in the field of play.

Needless to say, Aguirre’s tackle didn’t go over too well with Ricardo Phillips, the recipient of the ~~poor tackling attempt~~ the trip. Perhaps someone should tell Mexico’s coach that would’ve been a foul had he been an eligible player on the field.

Naturally, Phillips didn’t take Aguirre’s trip too well and decided he’d retaliate by pushing the coach back. This, of course, led to a little sideline fracas between the Panamanian player and Mexico’s group of reserves. Once order was temporarily regained, both Aguirre and Phillips were red-carded out of the match. For those of you following along at home, besides being mired with the Phillips/Aguirre ugliness, a player being taken out on a stretcher that got overturned due to fan bombardment, and general fan unruliness, the game ended in an almost-too-boring-to-type 1-1 draw.

Too bad the goal scoring excitement didn’t match the player-coach animosity we were treated to.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, sponsored by Ticket Solutions.

That’s How You Coach Defense (Gold Cup)

Ocho Wants To Tweet, Dammit

Chris — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:48:53 +0000

I think from this point forward, I’m going to simply call him Chad. While there are a few in the sports world, I don’t there are many quite as well known as the receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. Chad Campbell might disagree, but he can go screw. Anyway, Johnson Ochocinco Cinco wants to tweet during the game and at halftime, something which has definite potential for entertainment value. Alas, the NFL isn’t encouraging this behavior and has even gone as far to threaten fines.

And that, friends, just won’t do for Chad.

Read more about Chad’s upcoming Twitter battle with the NFL here.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, sponsored by Ticket Solutions.

Ocho Wants To Tweet, Dammit

Is Sideshow Varejao Worth $50 Million?

Chris — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:01:43 +0000

Word is, Cleveland Cavaliers forward and Sideshow Bob lookalike Anderson Varejao has or will sign a $50 million contract extension to stay with LeBron and Shaq. Good for him. It’s always nice to maximize your potential monetarily — or, in some cases, over-maximize it. While it’s certainly not Varejao’s fault the Cavaliers are/were willing to drop that kind of cash on him, the question needs to be asked: Is Danny Ferry and crew overpaying for a player who, besides being a thorn in the side of every post player the Cavaliers face, offers these numbers: nine points and a little over seven rebounds? While Varejao doesn’t block a lot of shots, he is a pesky defender and does a good job of getting under the skin of opposing players.

But is that body of work worth half of a hundred million?

Not only are the terms eye-popping, the deal is supposedly worth six years; a long time to pay a role player that kind of money, especially when he isn’t All-Star material. And what happens if LeBron does leave after next season? The Cavaliers will be stuck with an overpaid power forward who does his best work when he’s far away from being a focal point. However, if James leaves, Varejao becomes the face of the franchise — it’s kind of hard not to when you are making that kind of money.

How attractive will the Cavaliers be if they have to rebuild in a post-LeBron era with Sideshow Varejao as one of the top paid players on the team — a player that isn’t anywhere close to being a centerpiece? Who knows? Maybe teams of unrestricted free agent role players will recognize Danny Ferry generosity and flock together, forming the best role-playing team you can overspend for.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, sponsored by Ticket Solutions.

Is Sideshow Varejao Worth $50 Million?

Captain America Is Alive and Well

Chris — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:35:43 +0000

No, IF did not become the latest Marvel Comics blog — although, I like the sound of that — but when his death has been widely reported, these errors must be pointed out: Captain America is alive and apparently, he likes watching his soccer team play in the Gold Cup, b-team or not. Oh, and it looks like he turned his shield into a tuba.

Looks like the reports of his resurrection were quite accurate after all.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, sponsored by Ticket Solutions.

Captain America Is Alive and Well