LOU'S SPORTS PAGE
The Backstory On Local Sports
Compiled and edited by O-N Radio Sports Director, Lou Mandeville.
7/31/09
Ok the only qusetion I have is why is Bud Selig the commisioner of MLB?
NY Yankees-Alex Rodriguez,Andy Petitte,Mike Stanton*
Boston Red Sox-David Ortiz,Mike Lansing*,Mo Vaughn*
Tampa Bay Rays-Adam Piatt*,
Baltimore Orioles-Brian Roberts,Rafael Palmiero*,Miguel Tejada*,Larry Bigbie*,Todd Williams*
Toronto Blue Jays-Glenallen Hill*,Gregg Zaun*,Roger Clemens*,Howie Clark
Detroit Tigers-Nook Logan*,Rondell White*,Magglio Ordonez,
Minnesota Twins-Chuck Knoblauch
Cleveland Indians-Paul Byrd*,David Segui*Chuck Finley*
Kansas City Royals-Jose Guillen,Stephen Randolph,
Chicago White Sox-Jim Parque*,
Oakland A's-Jason Giambi,Jack Cust,Jose Canseco*,Mark McGwire*
Seattle Mariners-Mike Morse*,Brett Boone*
Anaheim Angels-Gary Matthews Jr,Adam Riggs*,Troy Glaus*,Wally Joyner*
Texas Rangers-Ivan Rodriquez*,Rafael Palmiero*,Juan Gonzalez*
Florida Marlins-Josias Manzanillo*Kevin Brown*
Philadelphia Phillies-Todd Pratt*,JC Romero,Lenny Dykstra*
Atlanta Braves-David Justice*,Kent Merker*
NY Mets-Gary Sheffield,
Nationals/Expos-F.P.Santangelo*Ron Villone
Cincinatti Reds-Hal Morris*,Bronson Arroyo
St Louis Cardinals,Ryan Franklin
Milwaukee Brewers-Fernando Vina*,
Pittsburgh Pirates-Kevin Young*
Chicago Cubs-Sammy Sosa*
Houston Astros-Ivan Rodriquez,Miguel Tejada,
Colorado Rockies-Denny Neagle*
San Francisco Giants-Barry Bonds+,Benny Santiago*,Matt Herges*
LA Dodgers-Paul Loduca*,Eric Gagne*,Jeff Williams*,Manny Ramirez
San Diego Padres-Ken Caminiti
Arizona D-Backs-Jason Grimsley*,Matt Williams*
* some of these guys are retired. Some played for many teams so they are listed twice in some cases, but you get the picture
Example a guy Like Pudge is listed twice cause he currently plays and was implicated with another team.
A guy like Manny is listed only once with the Dodgers but chances are very good he used with both Boston and Cleveland.
7/25/09
As Promised some racing stuff
http://blogs.courant.com/autoracing/2009/07/thompson-international-speedwa-3.html#more
Above is the link to the Shawn Courchesne story about the NEW competition director at Thompson Speedway
I told you about the rough racing the 16th …I highly recommend this guys blog for local racing fans.
And now….
My Solution to NASCAR’s deepening financial crisis.
2 divisions Sprint and Nationwide or Camping World…
Rosters: if you are a rostered Sprint series driver that is the only Nascar series you compete (of course you can still appear at Thompson,Stafford,Eldora,Oxford Plains, or any other small track you have the time for.
Events 36 Sprint and 30 Minors limit mutual dates to about 15 and move up ARCA, Camping East,West, Whelan Modifieds, or local Late models & dirt even as the partner races. Increasing TV exposure for those classes in turn.
Rosters will be dictated by the top 35 in points for sprint and the other series unless you move up or the following year in which case the 36th driver would be fulltime. Any other driver can drive any other series anytime. You just have to qualify.
My Proposed 1st year rosters…..Minors based on combined truck/nationwide standings and prospect popularity.
Sprint
Tony Stewart
Jeff Gordon
Jimmie Johnson
Kurt Busch
Denny Hamlin
Carl Edwards
Ryan Newman
Kasey Kahne
Juan Montoya
Kyle Busch
Mark Martin
Matt Kenseth
Greg Biffle
David Reutimann
Clint Bowyer
Brian Vickers
Jeff Burton
Marcos Ambrose
Jamie McMurray
Joey Logano
Dale Earnhardt Jr
Casey Mears
Elliot Sadler
Martin Truex Jr
Kevin Harvick
Bobby Labonte
AJ Allmendinger
Reed Sorenson
Sam Hornish Jr
David Ragan
David Stremme
Paul Menard
Robby Gordon
John Andretti
Scott Speed *
Because Mike Waltrip will not be running a full 2010 schedule we got to 36...
The Minors I favor the truck, also the rumor has it Nascar is trying to create a COT for the Nationwide series and I hate the COT.
Brad Kesolowski
Jason Leffler
Mike Skinner
Todd Bodine
Ron Hornaday
Justin Allgaier
Matt Crafton
Tyler Maylsam
Kenny Wallace
Mike Wallace
Steve Wallace
David Starr
Johnny Sauter
Ken Schraeder
Jason Keller
David Gilliand
Chad McCumbee
Brain Scott
JJ Yeley
Tony Raines
Michael McDowell
Terry Cook
Dennis Setzer
Joe Nemechek
Danny O’Quinn Jr
Regan Smith
Dave Blaney
Brian Scott
Timothy Peters
Michael Annet
Scott Lagasse Jr
Brian Kesolowski
Aric Almirola
Colin Braun
Brendan Gaughan
There 36 and 35 drivers….about 5-6 of the guys listed in the minors will probably try to run a full Cup schedule. Which they can still do if they chose but if they would rather run just cup no problem there is still plenty of talent below them to take their full time spot in the Camping World/Nationwide series.
LIKE-Boris Said,Patrick Carpentier,Mike Bliss,Travis Kvapil,Scott Riggs,Scott Wimmer,Sterling Marlin,Geoff Bodine,Bill Elliot,Stacy Compton,Johnny Benson,James Buescher, and the Motocross crossover Ricky Carmichael….maybe Danica Patrick?
So there and top 35 are locked into races the next 7 spots are based on speed and of course Nascar provisionals, with the track having a promoter provisional as well. Adding a 44th spot to the grid. Examples of what a promoter provisional could be…. well at New Hampshire a local racer like Ted Christopher or Russ Wood of Pelham and teammate Mike Ordway Jr. of Fremont
Or in Atlanta John Wes Townley(current Nationwide driver) who graduated from the ASA LM Southern Series…or Jeff Connors in Vegas as he leads the points in the superlate models over at the bullring next door to the track….you get the idea.
Anyway the track promoter provisional isn’t my idea Dick Berggren of Speedway Illustrated came up with that one but I liked it so I took it.
This is my solution….because if they admit it or not Nascar is suffering from the fiscal crisis as are most of us. I’d change next season before small teams are eliminated completely $ will always be there for Jack Rousch and Rick Hendrick, not so for Mike Waltrip Racing ,Robby Gordon racing,Tommy Baldwin, and Robert Yates but try putting a race on without these guys.
C-YA
Good Morning 7/21/09
That is if you're not involved in HS Sports. The day we thought would never come appears headed our way as the Woonsocket politico’s are trying to eliminate Varsity Sports.
I mean it makes sense really why should the taxpayers have to put up with a tax increase just to develop character in the youth of the city, the only hope for the city. Why start the young adults of the city down the road of physical fitness rather than obesity, because we all know obesity is the way to go. We all know we should get fatter and then rely on modern medicine to keep us alive as long as our Health Insurance/Medicaid/Medicare can afford.
No the residents of Woonsocket would be much better served if their tax dollars could be used to pay for Health Insurance for unemployed people, or to cover rising costs of Medicare/Medicaid.
After all unemployed people and the elderly both vote, and are obviously the answer to the city’s woes in these trying economic times. Not the youth.
I mean we are already having our taxes go to such noble causes as the bailing out of Banks, (yet people claim they’re still foreclosing on houses)Credit Card companies(ditto), Investment Firms(including executive bonus‘), and of course the US Auto industry(but my car is 11 yrs old). Pretty soon when our fearless leaders decide we need a Government run healthcare system (just like we need them to run everything else for us). They’re going to have a big problem you see because the people they tax to fund all these government programs won’t be working anymore they’ll have joined the smart folks who don’t pay taxes they just reap the rewards of a country that is now content to import everything and export just about nothing besides cash.
Why should we allow tax dollars to go to School Sports when there are still homeless people out there who can vote, Jobless people out there who can vote, Politicians out there who need to get paid while treading water during this era of fiscal crisis. School Superintendents, and Administrators who need that paycheck on top of the retirement check they’re getting from another town/state. ( I mean we all know they’re focused on the future of their new positions right?)
I know I want my tax dollars to go to methadone clinics and needle exchange programs.
Well we can always hope for charitable contributions to keep our schools sports alive. Ooops that’s right how can they after the new federal government restrictions on tax breaks for charitable donations. Why should anyone with money want to donate to charity? The government will take care of everyone right?
The same government that wants to remove varsity sports.
Basically you’re telling us.
No chance at all a tennis player gets a scholarship and goes on to medical school and cures AIDS? No chance at all a Track Athlete goes to college on a scholarship and develops some breakthrough technology in energy solving the countries dependence on foreign oil? No chance at all that the Football Captain develops such leadership and loyalty traits that he leads a Marine Squad, Seal Team, or other Military unit home safe from some dangerous foreign deployment? No chance at all that a Hockey player would go on to the NHL and perhaps put a little mill town back on the map by drawing certain business contacts back to the city? No chance at all that a backup outfielder could develop an interest in civics and lead the city itself one day?
Well ok but what are the chances that hopelessness and despair overtake the youthful exuberance of sports. What are the chances the idle hands theory comes into play for a youth that doesn’t have the option to play sports. The chances that instead of peers on the playing field they seek out gangs for their new peers?
Yeah I guess no chance at all of that right
Side note the Big News of course is that Rhode Island wanted to finally remove the word “plantations” from the official state name…….BUT it is not Illegal for a 16 year old girl to strip for money in a nightclub as long as she’s off work by 11:30pm on school nites……..
Here is my proposal we leave “plantations” in and allow 14 yr olds to vote. I wonder how quick politicos would be to remove school activities for budget reasons then?
Good night
The opinions expressed on this page are Lou's. He works here, but we don't neccessarily agree with him all the time.