2002 Darryl Kile is found dead in his hotel room before a Route 66 rivalry game. The Cardinals pitcher's tragic death still brings a tear to my eyes today.

1926 Grover Cleveland Alexander was picked off of waivers by the Cardinals from the Cubs. The pitcher was 39 at the time.

1930 Lou Gehrig smashes three homers in a game.

1946 Bill Veeck buys the Cleveland Indians.

1958 A game in Kansas City is delayed for 29 minutes because of a tornado. The A's beat the Red Sox in that game 2-1 on their home turf.

1959 Sandy Koufax whiffs 16 hitters on the Phillies.

1982 Pete Rose moves into 2nd place on the all-time list with another hit.

1983 The NHL adds a five minute overtime.

1984 Carl Pohlad is the new CEO of the Minnesota Twins.

1987 Tom Seaver retires.

1990 General Manager Bobby Cox is named the manager of the Atlanta Braves. We can safely say that his reign in Atlanta wasn't bad at all. Russ Nixon was the man who lost his job as manager.

1991 The Quebec Nordiques selected Eric Lindros with the first pick in the NHL Draft. Lindros also had a great career.

1993 Anthony Young went winless in 27 starts, but he actually pitched okay during that span.

1994 The Rockets beat the Knicks in 7 games to win the NBA Finals.

1997 Ernie Els won the Buick Classic.

Happy birthday to Carl Hubbell, Pete Maravich, Clyde Drexler, Kurt Warner, Champ Bailey, Brad Hawpe, and Ian Kinsler. That's a nice list right there.

Happy 33rd Birthday!

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL, Champ Bailey, Kurt Warner, MLB, Red Sox, Indians, Twins, Athletics, Phillies, Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Cubs, Anthony Young, Bill Veeck, Bobby Cox, Carl Hubbell, Carl Pohlad, Darryl Kile, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Lou Gehrig, Pete Rose, Russ Nixon, Sandy Koufax, Tom Seaver, NBA, Knicks, Rockets, Clyde Drexler, Pete Maravich, Other, Sports History, Ernie Els, Defunct Quebec Nordiques, Eric Lindros

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6/22 Daily Rundown: A new proposal

June 22nd 2011 06:13

1. Owners giving a new proposal to players

The players will get 48 percent of the revenue, and it will never go below 46.5 percent. If the salary cap for a year is at 125 million or something like that, a team's payroll must be around that amount. That could be difficult for teams in smaller markets, but it forces owners to actually spend. There is a rookie wage scale in this proposed deal, but it isn't finalized yet. A player must have four years under his belt in order to become a UFA, and tags (such as the franchise tag) are going to be discussed in the next round of player-owner negotiations. Retired NFL players will also get benefits such as improved health care, and I am glad that is in the proposed deal.

2. Dwane Casey hired

Finally. Former Mavericks assistant coach Dwane Casey was hired by the Toronto Raptors to be their new coach. Casey was probably the best assistant coach in the league, and he is finally rewarded with his first head coaching gig. I love this guy, but I don't know if even he can change the mess in Toronto. They have the worst roster in the league, and there isn't a star on this team.

Casey is going to give his offensive players freedom, and he is going to emphasize defense. This is, after all, a defensive-minded coach on a team with absolutely no defense. Have you seen Andrea Bargnani try to play D? He's going to try to bring something to this defense and work with his players to improve their defense.

3. Jose Reyes waiting

Jose Reyes told the Mets that he doesn't want to engage in negotiations during the regular season. He wants to keep playing for the Mets, but he doesn't want any distractions hindering his performance this year. He is easily the team's best player, and he has the highest WAR in the NL. The Mets shouldn't trade him, and they should make every effort to re-sign him in the offseason. This is their star.

4. Thanks Pat

Erik Spoelstra is one of my favorite coaches in the NBA, and he's one of the best coaches out there. He is the reason why Dwayne Wade kept on improving, and he is the reason why the Heat even made it this far. Remember that whole crying episode? Spoelstra had to be Sparky Anderson, and then some. He not only had to manage three superstars with egos of their own, but he also had to coach a team with no bench.

There was a lot of speculation in the beginning of the season that Pat Riley would take the reigns and boot out Spoelstra. I said that was the stupidest thing, and that I would start raging if that ever happened. Like, why would you even consider firing one of the best young coaches in the NBA? Riley also mentored Spoelstra, and I doubt he would oust him. Riley is also content with sticking around in the background.

Well, Pat Riley said that he won't coach again and that Spoelstra is doing a great job. Thanks Pat, that made my day.

“It doesn’t mean that I don’t have the fire,” Riley said. “But we have a great young coach here and I want to support him and hope that he can grow like I did. This is just his third year.”

5. Tony Parker for lottery pick?

The San Antonio Spurs have talked to several teams with lottery picks about moving Tony Parker for one of those choices. I wouldn't do this if I were the Spurs because this is such a weak draft. I would never trade a a very good player for a pick that will probably yield a decent borderline starter in the NBA. This seems a little out of character for the Spurs, and it would be a huge mistake if they were to trade Parker for the Raptors' fifth pick- or something like that.

A new proposal

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL, NFL CBA, MLB, Mets, Jose Reyes, NBA, Raptors, Dwane Casey, Andrea Bargnani, Heat, Erik Spoelstra, Pat Riley, Spurs, Tony Parker

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6/19 Daily Rundown: Crawford on DL

June 19th 2011 05:53

1. Hamstring Sends Crawford to DL

Carl Crawford was put on the 15-day DL for a minor hamstring injury. The injury happened in a 10-4 win over the Brewers, and the hamstring was viewed as a Grade 1 strain. The medical staff thought it would be best for him to rest up his hamstring. Crawford was injured after beating it out for an infield single.

2. Tiki Barber Battled Depression

Tiki Barber said that he needs football and is actually looking to come back to the NFL. The year after he retired, Barber battled depression for a year thanks to events that occurred off the field. Barber was fired from working at NBC, and there was a chain of events that has led to what is happening now. He's serious about playing in the NFL, but the odds are certainly against him. One thing though: if anyone can make a comeback to the NFL as a 36 year old running back, it's Tiki.

3. Holliday's Big Day Snaps Seven Game Skid

Matt Holliday hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh, and that was all the Cards needed to beat the Royals 5-4. Holliday also had a double and a walk. Matt Treanor went 2-4 with a homer and two runs. Jake Westbrook labored through seven innings and 121 pitches. Vin Mazzaro was slightly better, but the Cardinals' bullpen fared out much better than their opponents' pen did. Trever Miller, Jason Motte, and Fernando Salas gave up just one hit in two innings with two strikeouts (combined).

4. Yanks Scrape by Cubs

The bases were loaded in the bottom of the six thanks to errors from the Yankees' middle infield. Geovany Soto hit one to left, and Brett Gardner came up with the out. Carlos Pena was barreling towards the plate, and Brett Gardner threw a beauty to Russell Martin. Pena slammed into Martin, but the Yankees' catcher absorbed the hit and got Pena out. Brett Gardner showed us why he is one of the best defensive players in baseball. Why do other Yankees fans want to replace him so much?

Mariano Rivera got another save in a poorly pitched ninth; a rarity for the best closer in history. The Cubs always tried to rally in this one, but the Yankees would hold them off each time. Robinson Cano hit two doubles and drew two walks, and Pena hit a two run shot to right. Ryan Dempster was clearly outpitched by A.J. Burnett's eight K's, and Dempster walked six and threw 119 pitches. Jeff Samardzija was also poor as he walked three in 1.1 innings pitched.

5. College Football Player Shot

Brandon Wimberly was shot in the stomach after a fight in Reno. Wimberly was with other football players, and they were in a fight with some other people. Nevada's starting receiver went up to the car, and he was shot by somebody inside the vehicle. The injuries sustained are considered serious but not life-threatening. Thank God Wimberly is OK. I would hate to see somebody killed, especially a young man with untapped potential.

15 Day DL

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL, Tiki Barber, MLB, Yankees, AJ Burnett, Brett Gardner, Mariano Rivera, Robinson Cano, Russell Martin, Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Royals, Vin Mazzaro, Matt Treanor, St. Louis Cardinals, Fernando Salas, Jake Westbrook, Jason Motte, Matt Holliday, Trever Miller, Cubs, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Pena, Geovany Soto, Jeff Samardzija, Nevada, Brandon Wimberly

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6/18 Daily Rundown: Osi vs. LeSean

June 18th 2011 06:13

1. Osi Umenyiora Shoots Back at LeSean McCoy

I think Osi Umenyiora just hurt himself some more in terms of league-wide respect. He once threatened to retire, and now he said that Jerry Reese lied to him. LeSean McCoy called Osi overrated and the third best defensive lineman on the Giants. I don't agree with what McCoy said at all, but it is his opinion. I think that he is the third most important defensive lineman on the defense. Justin Tuck is better, and Barry Cofield is an important leader. Osi is a great player, but he's such a head case.

You have to read Osi's response to McCoy's comments. He called McCoy Lady Gaga, and he said that he refers to McCoy as a "she". His reasoning for this sexist remark is that LeSean McCoy did what a woman would do. Huh? What are you talking about man? Everybody calls people overrated and soft all the time. There was no reason for him to make a sexist remark.

It's no secret that these two hate eachother, but this is the first time that we've seen it off the field. Thank Twitter for the sudden interest in this rivalry. What's more is that he called McCoy a nobody and said McCoy should stop talking. Memo to Osi Umenyiora: LeSean McCoy is one of the best all-around running backs in the National Football League.

2. Michael Pineda Helps Break Phils' 7 Game Win Streak

If you have the fastest fastball in the majors, you throw strikes, and you have nice offspeed stuff; you're going to be a successful pitcher in the majors. Right now, Michael Pineda is very successful. The most recent young pitching sensation on the M's is tearing up the league. On a team bereft of offense- bereft is a kind word- performances like Pineda's yesterday are necessary.

Michael Pineda took a no-hitter through six, and Brandon League got his 20th save in a rocky ninth. Roy Oswalt gave up eight hits and four runs in six surprisingly poor innings. Recent call-up Dustin Ackley got his first base hit through the veteran ace's legs. The second baseman who should change positions is one of the biggest prospects in the majors. Ichiro had three hits- including a double- and three runs to help lead the M's to victory. And yes, Ichiro was their lead-off hitter so I just made another really bad pun.

3. Red Sox Win Again

The Boston Red Sox beat a tough AL Central opponent 10-4 thanks to some big hitting from A-Gone. He went 3-4 with three runs, one RBI, a walk, a double, and a homer. Big Papi went 3-5 with a double, a run, and a run batted in. Nyjer Morgan went 3-4 with two runs. After three poor innings, John Lackey bounced back and finished off the game with five solid, scoreless frames.

4. Lockout '11: Owner News

A handful of NFL Owners are stalling negotiations because they don't like the deal that Roger Goodell is offering the players. They believe that the deal offered benefits the players more than the owners. The recent summit is for the owners to talk everything together amongst themselves rather than to actually negotiate.

5. Owners Allow Guaranteed Contracts

An important debate among the owners and players in the NBA, the issue of guaranteed contracts has been resolved with the owners allowing the current system of guaranteed contracts to continue. This is good news for the players, but the issue of a hard salary cap also needs to be resolved. Both sides really want to get a deal done and settle their differences even if it means letting the other side get what they want- meaning you didn't want such a thing to happen.

Were you born this way? Or do you like the Paparazzi covering the crazy stuff you do? Or is it just that you and LeSean have a bad romance?

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL, LeSean McCoy, Osi Umenyiora, MLB, Red Sox, Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz, John Lackey, Mariners, Michael Pineda, Ichiro Suzuki, Dustin Ackley, Brandon League, Phillies, Roy Oswalt, Brewers, Nyjer Morgan

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6/17 Daily Rundown: Ricky Rubio Officially On Wolves

June 17th 2011 05:39

The Daily Rundown is a new segment I will do that covers the days biggest stories. I will also comment for a paragraph or so on the subject.

1. Vancouver Riots

[ Click here to read more ]

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