2012 European Championships cheat sheet - Group C

As you must surely know by now, soccer's less glamorous and yet possibly technically superior second biggest tournament starts on the 8th June. Just around the corner. This 2012 European Championships cheat sheet? So what's this all about, you might ask. Simple. What we're doing here is taking a team from the upcoming European Championships and equating them with a team from American sports, just to give, in particular, our American users a better idea of what to expect from teams in the Euros.

Over the next few nights we will be knocking these out, group by group, like Justin Verlander racks up strikeouts. Tonight we turn to Group C.

Let's chop it up.


Group C 

Spain 
For Spain, you can quite simply equate them to the 2002/2004 era New England Patriots. Yes, they are that dominant. Xavi and Inniesta mould into one Spanish version of Tom Brady, whilst Pique and Puyol can play Bruschi and Vrabel. Spain won the last World Cup, and the European Championships is there for them to take, if they want it bad enough. We could be witnessing a period of dominance as good as if not better than the incredible Patriots team of 2002-2004. No side has ever won back to back European Championships whilst being holders of the World Cup, but Spain might be just about to do exactly that.

Italy 
 In direct comparison, Italy may well prove to be the Indianapolis Colts of the 2002/2004 era. If you recall, the Colts were heavy favourites both to beat the Patriots and to win the Superbowl during that timeframe, but instead fell flat on their face. Italy, for some bizarre reason, are still being touted by some as potential tournament winners. Perhaps those who are coming out with this drivel forget the Paper Tiger Italians failed to beat Slovakia and New Zealand in the 2010 World Cup and crashed out at the group stages. Italian football in is turmoil, amid allegations of max fixing at its highest levels. Still, some still think Italy can win this thing. They are in for a shock when Andrea Pirlo breaks out his best Peyton Manning face, upon the occasion of their inevitable demise.

Croatia 
The Butler 2010/2011 NCAA Basketball team. The dark horses of the tournament. They have actually taken the description for ‘Dark Horse; out of the dictionary and just replaced it with a team photo of Croatia. They are the poster boys of the phrase. Well, them and Butler. Much like Butler before them, Croatia are a team low on star-name-power but high on team work and discipline. They are extremely well coached by former Croatian great Slaven Bilić and have plenty of young talent to see them past Ireland and Italy (maybe not the Spanish, though) which would see them qualify from the group. Croatia are the real deal. You just don’t hear much about them. They are, like Butler, a true dark horse.

Ireland 
There are some in Ireland suggesting this Irish team might unite the country much like the Jackie Charlton led teams and indeed the Mick McCarthy World Cup team did in years previous. Largely fuelled by greedy companies trying to cash in on merchandising and such, Ireland is being led down a blind alley of false hope in the inevitably doomed belief it might win a match or two and qualify for the next round. A huge dose of realism is well overdue. Glenn Whelan in midfield? This might be the single worst quality team to qualify for a European Championship in the last decade. Having said all that, Irelands undoubted grit and determination, and wonderful, colourful and positive fans (the single greatest travelling fans, bar none, in all sports) will bring something to the tournament, even if Ireland don’t score in any of the three matches. So, for Ireland, read the Oakland Raiders. A pretty useless team, that isn’t going to win anything, but people will end up talking about their fans.

Tune in tomorrow evening for Group C!




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2012 European Championships cheat sheet - Group B

As you must surely know by now, soccer's less glamorous and yet possibly technically superior second biggest tournament starts on the 8th June. Just around the corner. This 2012 European Championships cheat sheet? So what's this all about, you might ask. Simple. What we're doing here is taking a team from the upcoming European Championships and equating them with a team from American sports, just to give, in particular, our American users a better idea of what to expect from teams in the Euros.

Over the next few nights we will be knocking these out, group by group, like the referees calling technicals on the Celtics last night.

Let's chop it up.

Group B

Germany 
Ah yes, the Germans. Or, for our purposes, The 2012 New York Yankees. It is almost too easy to equate the Germans with the Yankees. They have expensive, talented and high profile players all over the park and their history in major tournaments is second to none. The Germans come into the tournament expecting to win, the Yankees go into every season expecting to win. Much like the Yankees, the Germans should be there or thereabouts come tournament end, their high profile, vast talent supplies and fanatical fan base simply demands it. But wait just eine moment bitte, are we talking about the Yankees or the Germans in that last sentence? Could be either, right?!

Netherlands 
Robin van Persie and the Dutch are taking their talents to Poland this summer, and they are very much alike the ‘Big three’ era Miami Heat. Robin van Persie is played by LeBron James, and the out of form, hobbled Wesley Sneijder is of course played by Chris Bosh. The Dutch have some very high level talent, particularly in the form of Van Persie, however the sum of all their parts might not be enough to win the tournament, much like Miami. The Dutch continuously flatter to deceive, time after time they look primed to win, only to fall flat, and that’s almost exactly like the Heat. There is every chance Robin van Persie will, like LeBron, have the pundits drooling salaciously over his every move. Yet, there is also every chance both gentlemen will ultimately come up short.

Portugal 
There is no doubting the Portuguese prowess in attack, the problem lies in defence, where Portugal struggle to keep even the most inept sides from scoring on them. The one thing you can take to the bank when it comes to Portugal is they will field the greatest player in the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo has no Lionel Messi to worry about (Argentina’s late application to become part of Europe in time for the tournament was roundly rejected) and the tournament is sitting there waiting for him to conquer it. He really is head and shoulders above the rest, which makes Portugal the Michael Jordan era Chicago Bulls. Like Jordan, on his day, in this tournament without Messi around stealing the spotlight, Ronaldo simply has no peer. He is, like Jordan, probably the one player who could win this tournament on his own.

Denmark 
Massive outsiders, largely written off before the tournament kicks off, the Danes do however have some very talented players and a superb team ethic. Much like the 2003/2004 Boston Red Sox teams. The super talented and quite possible insane Nicky Bendtner is played by Johnny Damon with a hint of Kevin Millar. Bendtner will be ably accompanied by twenty year-old Ajax starlet Christian Eriksen. In a small tournament (just 16 teams), on their day, anything can happen with this talented group.Whether, like the Red Sox,  it ends bad (2003) or good (2004) remains to be seen!

Tune in tomorrow evening for Group C!




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2012 European Championships cheat sheet - Group A

As you may or may not know, soccer's less glamorous and yet possibly technically superior second biggest tournament starts on the 8th June. Just around the corner. This 2012 European Championships cheat sheet? So what's this all about, you might ask. Simple. What we're doing here is taking a team from the upcoming European Championships and equating them with a team from American sports, just to give, in particular, our American users a better idea of what to expect from teams in the Euros.

Over the next few nights we will be knocking these out, group by group, like Josh Hamilton loses balls in the bleachers.

Let's chop it up.

Group A

Poland
For Poland, we present for your approval, The 2012 Utah Jazz. Poland, like Utah, back-doored it into the Championships. Utah were the bottom seed West of the NBA, Poland are one of the lowest FIFA ranked teams ever to 'make' the tournament. We say 'make' as Poland are only in it because they got a free pass as hosts. Utah, like Poland will, played in front of boisterous home crowds, there was no doubt, and there will be no doubt, about the passion of the home fans. The problem for Utah was they just weren't very good, and the problem for Poland will be very similar. Utah went 0-4, and Poland will probably get pretty close to that.

Greece
For Greece, we have the 2012 Detroit Tigers. Greece carry the weight of their entire nation on their shoulders, much like the Tigers have come to be the torch bearers for their economically depressed city of name. A good tournament for the Greeks would mean a huge lift for the nation, much as a good playoff run for the Tigers would mean a big lift for the city of Detroit. Much like the Tigers, Greece are also no mugs. Greece topped their qualifying group and were undefeated in the process; notching victories over Israel and group favorites Croatia. The Greeks may not play the prettiest football (and Detroit have been known to kick the baseball around a little during the playoffs) but it is hard not to root for them to lift the depression hanging over their home nation. Much like very few of us would begrudge the Tigers a deep playoff run a little later this year.

Russia
Mother Russia is something of a dark horse coming into the tournament. Much like the underdog '96/'97 New England Patriots, the Russian team has plenty of talent in its ranks, but are largely unfancied pre-tournament. For example, the Patriots had Drew Bledsoe, Russia have the potential match winner but ultimately flawed Andrey Arshavin.

The big problem for Russia, much as it was for the Patriots, is their head coach's head may be somewhere else. Many think that Patriots team was undone by Bill Parcell's itchy feet, and Russia's coach, Dick Advocaat, is moving on when the tournament ends. How focused will he be? There is no way to tell, but the precedent is not good.

Czech Republic
The Czechs are hoping their disciplined play, well marshaled defence and superior goalkeeper can catapult them out of Group A and deep into the tournament proper, You could say the Czechs defence has to over come their attacks frailties, much like the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are the perfect choice, as they were a great defence, but by no means the best of all time (The Vikings, Bears and Steelers various greats will always be better, despite Ray Lewis's enormous mouth and ability to put out hits). The Czech;s defence is great, but not GREAT.  Unlike the Ravens, the Czechs probably aren't going to win anything, no matter how many penalties Peter Cech saves.

Tune in tomorrow evening for Group B!




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EA Sports Madden 13 will feature 'Tebowing' as a celebration

Should be interesting to see how the religious right takes this one. Word has come out that the all powerful, market dominant EA video game 'Madden 13' will have 'Tebowing' as one of the touchdown celebrations. At this stage in the game, most people have come to accept 'Tebowing' as a harmless little gimmick, and some are even analyzing it as actually a sign of respect for the person it is imitating, Tim Tebow.



From first look, EA has done a pretty good job with it, but, you be the judge.



From The Bleachers can't wait to get playing Madden 13, to see if in Franchise mode as the Saints you can implement a bounty system, and those little CGI characters go attacking other players knees and what not.

We do know now that Tebowing is in the game, and, it looks pretty funny (no way to tell as yet how funny it will be after your first 4,565 touchdowns, though)

No word as yet if 'Gronking' (spiking the rock as hard as possible) or 'Bradying' have made the cut. No word either if Tebow's Madden character can throw the ball in a straight line or not either.

Baseball Ireland A-League weekend wrap up May 19th-20th

The weekend just past saw a full slate of league games in the Irish baseball league. Beautiful Corcaigh Park, the home of Irish Baseball, saw the 2011 Champion Dublin Spartans host the Greystones Mariners. The Mariners banged out an impressive 10 hits on their way to a very respectable 5-2 win over the Spartans veteran side. The Spartans are now on a surprising 4 game losing streak, whilst the Mariners announced they will be pushing for the playoffs this season, sitting on a nice 3-2 record after 5 games.

In Shankill at ‘BlackSox Park’ the Munster Warriors and the BlackSox played a double header, with the Sox taking both close fought encounters. The Sox won the first game 7-5 and the second 6-4. The Sox are now 5-1 and second in the league to the Dublin Hurricanes. 

The Dublin Hurricanes

                                                     

The latter traveled up North to play the Belfast Northstars. The game was a well-played, tight affair with the score at 4-3 ‘Canes in the fourth inning. The ‘Canes bats erupted however and the Dublin team ran out 16-4 winners on the day. The Hurricanes are on a stunning run dating back to last season. In 2011 the ‘Canes won all 15 of their league games, and they have started 2012 5-0, meaning they have now won 20 league games in a row over two seasons.

The ‘Canes face a big challenge in two weeks’ time against the Greystones Mariners. Next week the A-League sees action between the BlackSox and Spartans, Saturday morning at BlackSox Park in Shankill, and Munster will be desperate for a win against Greystones, the game being played at Corcaigh Park in Dublin.

You can view the schedule and the league tables for both the A and B leagues on the Baseball Ireland website Adult league page. For more about the Irish National Baseball facility at Corcaigh Park click here.

If you are interested in playing baseball in Ireland, go to this page and contact the League Coordinator. Most other baseball Ireland related queries can be answered starting at that contact page.

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Baseball Ireland - we do it wetter

                                      

Former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon might be losing it

It would appear former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon is starting to channel the spirit of Rickey Henderson, the current reigning champion of speaking of one’s self in the third person. Either that or he has basically completely lost it. On Wednesday Papelbon sat in for a scheduled Boston station radio interview. He made some, well, interesting comments. Enjoy the pick of the bunch, below.

On the Red Sox training staff (telling him what to do every day)

"The previous trainer there tried to tell me everything and that he knew everything about me. It's just not the case. I know myself. I know how to get through a 162-game season. The trainer don't know how to do that and the trainers here (in Philadelphia) have been phenomenal. They understand that I am going to be successful because I know how to be successful. I still did things my way when I was there in Boston. I just had someone chirping in my ear the whole time."

This is easily something you could believe attributed to fictional superstar Kenny Powers;
‘’ They understand that I am going to be successful because I know how to be successful.’’

Did you feel (bad) about leaving the Red Sox after the chaos of the collapse last September?

"I don't feel bad. No. Cinco is gutless man. I don't feel bad for people."

You would assume he meant ‘heartless’ perhaps, but, onwards and upwards…

On his ability and confidence to close?

"I am confident in my ability and ain't nobody going to tell me what to do. Nobody tells Cinco what to do."

Nobody puts Papelbon in a corner! One thing does have to be said, Papelbon is fiercely loyal to his former team mates in Boston.

What did you think of the Red Sox clubhouse? Does it need to be blown up after what you saw last year?

"That starting staff is some professional pitchers man. I don't care who you are in the big leagues. You are going to go through rough patches, especially in that division, but the thing is that personally I would want those guys to go to war with to go through those rough patches cause they know how to get out of it. There is no doubt about that."

For the complete interview including sound bits, check this site out

The Terrific Ten: IrishCentral's MLB top ten power rankings May 16th 2012

Here we go. Our sometimes weekly, occasionally accurate, often controversial, Top Ten MLB rankings. Assuming this article leaves you feeling confused, angry and upset, as it often will, the comment section is open and available for your top ten!

Please note, this is a Top Ten with a twist. This list details one through ten the ten most likely teams to win the World Series, not the current ten best teams. Consider that before you charge into the comments section all bluster and anger!

For example, and we hate to break this to your Baltimore fans, the Orioles are not going to win the World Series. They will appear in many a MLB power ranking, just not this one. Let’s just get that out of the way right now. No chance at winning the big one so, no Orioles.

We fully expect our top two to play the World Series against each other. So confident, are we, that we will put their World Series and NL and AL Championship odds beside them, despite the fact you cannot place a bet in the United States, even though you can own a gun. Go figure.

Right, let’s chop it up.

1. Our current most likely AL representative: Texas Rangers, 23-12. 21/10 to win the AL and 7/2 favorite to win the World Series.
As long as Josh Hamilton stays healthy, the Rangers are a monster. He is the leading light in a powerful offense that is devouring the AL’s pitching, and spitting it back out disdainfully. Texas leads the majors in runs scored, averaging half a run more per game than the next-best offensive team. It all starts with Hamilton, who in one single game last week blasted four homers and a double, tying the all-time AL record with 18 total bases in a game and becoming just the 16th player ever to hit four homers in a game. Texas are about to embark on a cupcake portion of their schedule also. Their next six opponents are the Royals, A's, Astros, Mariners, Jays, and Mariners again. Of course, waiting in the distance, those cold September and October months that Texas will no doubt get a taste of, but will they be able to handle it? Playoff pitching, cold weather, balaclavas and Nolan Ryan's enormous head  freezing to death angrily in the front row.

2. Our current most likely NL representative: Los Angeles Dodgers, 23-11. 13/2 to win the NL and a great value 14/1 to win the World Series.
Matt Kemp this, Matt Kemp that. Kemp’s injury is a minor setback. He will be back soon. It is not a season ending injury. The Dodgers are built on solid pitching, a couple of big bats (Don’t forget Andre Ethier!) and tight defence. Their starters have been superb in 2012, led by Clayton Kershaw, and their closer, Kenley Jansen, who is averaging almost 14 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. Outstanding.

3. New York Yankees, 19-15
No doubt there are issues. Their closers keep getting hurt (Rivera, now Robertson). Their first baseman can’t hit (Mark Teixeira is in one of the worst slumps of his career). They are patched together in places. However, their 57 year old shortstop, held together with glue and sellotape, is batting Ted Williams, and they are having absolutely no problem scoring runs. Also, you are completely deluded if you think the Yankees aren’t going to go out and trade body parts, money, scrap metal and whatever else they have left in their minor league system for a shut down starter or two before the trade deadline. That’s just who they are.

4. St. Louis Cardinals, 20-14
Have you ever heard of Lance Lynn? No? In your defence, not many had prior to 2012. He is currently leading the Cards in wins (6), ERA (1.81) and strikeouts (44). The kid can deal. Their rotation is solid, and Adam Wainwright will boost that to 'great' when he gets back to his usual self. The fun really starts with their offence. Rafael Furcal is absolutely murdering the baseball right now, while Carlos Beltran has a jaw dropping 13 long balls already. Carlos, who knew?!

5. Tampa Bay Rays, 21-14
How the Tampa Bay Devil Rays manage to lay in the weeds just out of the Zeitgeist is anyone’s guess. They are basically a stacked baseball team now, devoid of any of the trappings of the under-dog role they used to play so well. Maybe it is something to do with the absolutely pathetic attendances they get down there in Tampa. 9,000 people at a Major League ball game? Still, dangerous in October when the bandwagon fans show up.

6. Atlanta Braves, 22-13
Can a team win a World Series on the strength of its bullpen? Sounds ludicrous, but the Braves are going to give it a shot. When Atlanta take a lead from the sixth inning on, the game is effectively over. Their setup guy, Jonny Venters, would close for most MLB teams, and is averaging an absolutely disgusting 14.49 strikeouts per 9 innings. Swing and a miss. Their actual closer, young, inferno-baller Craig Kimbrel, is clocking up an average of 14.79 strikeouts per 9. That's just Dutch porn filthy. You better get ahead of the Braves, or you are going to be swinging and missing a lot.

7. Washington Nationals, 21-13
Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg may get all the column inches, but Gio Gonzalez is the real story in Washington. He has a pretty little ERA of 1.94 in over 40 innings pitched, and is averaging a hefty 10.80 strikeouts per 9 IP in 2012. If he can cut down the walks a little (17 to date) he can throw his cap in the NL Cy Young ring.

8. Miami Marlins, 18-16
Miami got off to a stuttering start, but alarm bells must be ringing with baseball 'purists' everywhere, as the Marlins cruised past .500 and start to look like a potential playoff threat. Fun fact, Carlos Zambrano, yes, that Carlos Zambrano has an ERA of 1.88.

9. Los Angeles Angels, 15-20
They might be way under .500, but over the course of the season, they have a better shot at winning the big prize than the Orioles. Even Baltimore fans know that.

10. Boston Red Sox, 15-19
Last week everybody hated Josh Beckett. This week everyone loves him. Welcome to Boston.

Respect and the Red Sox

Once again, Fenway Park was an ugly place to be last night. The ‘boo’ birds were out in full force.  In case you missed it, Josh Beckett was bashed around the park like a Piñata and for once, much maligned new manager Bobby Valentine had a quick hook, coming to get the former Ace of the Sox faster than many expected. Beckett faced a loud, angry wave of negativity as he trudged back to the dugout. Fans made all sorts of faces, gestures and finger signs your momma definitely never taught you.

It looked something like the ugly, angry crowds that ‘grace’ English soccer grounds every weekend, where the fans frequently chant in their thousands that the referee is into self-satisfaction.

Now, it is clear to even someone as optimistic and hopeful as myself that changes are required with the Red Sox. Hopefully level headed, intelligent and logical changes, but changes none the less. If this means packaging up Beckett, Youkilis or another veteran with a prospect or two and going heal-for-leather after ‘King’ Felix Hernandez (This guy dreams of seeing him in a Red Sox uniform) or another ace-type starter, or whatever, change is required.

However, the level of anger and stupidity being displayed by Red Sox fans and writers, in the park and in social media, is nothing short of ignorant. Why so, you ask. Simple, it is very insulting to the players that are literally giving their heart and soul night in and night out for the Red Sox. They do not deserve the pathetic ‘support’ Red Sox fans are showing their team right now. Booing? Are you serious? Do you want your team to lose? Are you rooting for your team to do poorly?

How about the complete Muppet, the absolute clown of a chug monkey, who chose to show up in Fenway with a bag over his head last night? There are so many problems with this. First of all, dude, go watch a different sport. Baseball is not the sport for you. Secondly, the bag-over-the-head gimmick is meant for NFL teams who are 0-14, or NBA teams who are tanking a season to get a high draft pick. It was not meant for a team that has won two World Series in the last eight years.

And no, I reject the sentiment that the guy in the paper bag was funny. He was not funny. He was insulting to Dustin Pedroia, who is playing his soul out every night for the Red Sox. Pedroia would literally do anything to make Boston a better team. He is playing at 100% and is also playing at a very high level technically. He is on top of his game. How dare you put a bag over your head and express intimated disgust at the play of Dustin Pedroia. I would like to see that Muppet with the bag on his head, oh God how ironically funny you are sir, explain himself face to face with Dustin Pedroia.

With the bag still over his head.

What idiots like him are doing is insulting to Pedroia, it is insulting to David Ortiz also, a man who has dedicated himself to being in super athletic shape and bashing the hell out of the baseball at a pace that people are starting to ask, should we give this guy a new, long term contract. Ortiz is a man on a mission, and looks to be at a skill level in 2012 that he just might put the Red Sox on his back and pull them out of this mire all on his own. I would pay a cold hard $100  cash money to see that buffoon with the bag over his head explain himself to Mr David Ortiz.

In person, with the bag over his head.

That idiot, and his idiot friends at the park last night, on Twitter, on all the moronic social media entities you want to name, were insulting to Pedroia, Ortiz and also many other honest, hardworking Red Sox players. Ryan Sweeney is having a great start to his Boston career. Why does he deserve to have abuse hurled at him? Mike Aviles and Will Middlebrooks are exciting additions to the team.

Scott Atchison has played in 14 games and has a sparkling ERA of 1.23, local boy Rich Hill is pitching well as is Matt Albers.

Why do any of those guys deserve the disgraceful disrespect being show to the Red Sox by their fans and attached sports writers? The answer is simple, they don’t.

Look, nobody is saying change isn’t required. Nobody is trying to say that Boston are having a ‘good’ season so far. The fact of the matter is the team needs a bit of a shake-up. However, this does not give Red Sox fans the excuse to act like absolute morons, night in and night out.

Bill Simmons, ‘The Sports Guy’, used to say that once one of your teams have won a title, in any sport, you cannot gripe about them in any shape or form for five years. I guess we have hit that five year threshold, it would certainly appear there were a lot of people at Fenway Park last night ready to cash in on their goodwill chips and let the negative vitriol rain down from on high.

Those who follow the Red Sox are fast getting a reputation of being some of the worst fans in professional sports. Unhappy with that label? Then, do something about it.

The continuing evolution of Tom Brady's hair

So you thought we were finished with this whole fascination with Tom Brady's hair? Well, you couldn't be more wrong. The Internet is awash today with stories relating to Brady's appearance at the Met Gala in New York, and his choice of hair styles on the night. Gone is the buzz cut. Gone is the Justin Bieber, replaced by, well, nobody really knows what this is.

We are at such a loss, that we need your help! As we continue to track the evolution of Tom Brady's hair styling, we want you to tell us what you think this hair-do should be called.

Get voting, if you take too long, he may come up with something completely new, and we will have to start again!

surveys & polls

Winger James McClean subjected to sectarian abuse on Twitter after Ireland UEFA Cup call-up

Derry boy James McClean

As always, lurking behind any silver lining, is a big old gloomy cloud. Most of us celebrated the news that young, level headed and talented Sunderland winger James McClean was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the 2012 European Championships. Sadly, there were a vocal minority in the north of the country who were somewhat less than elated. McClean announced how happy he was about the call-up on Twitter, and was subsequently subjected to a torrent of vile abuse from some knuckle-dragging, pathetic idiots who went as far as to make confirmed death threats.

McClean talked about the call-up by 'Tweeting' “Absolutely honoured and couldn't be happier to have been called up to represent my country at the euros no better feelin! #COYBIG #ireland #euro12,”

However, some moronic, cowardly Twitter users made threats on McClean's life shortly after. The 23-year-old was born in Derry and took the decision to declare for the Republic of Ireland after representing Northern Ireland as a youth.  He declined an invitation to join the senior Northern Ireland squad in July 2011 in the hope of being recognized south of the border and, despite the fact that nobody should second guess another adults decision on a matter like this, that decision provoked hostility among a minority of Northern Ireland football observers.

“F*** up your dirty fenian b****** il make sure you get shot when you set foot back into gods country #FTP,” one user tweeted.

Another said: “U deserve to be shot for that comment!! Your playing for Ireland and not the country you were born in (NI). #p****”

Cowards, we say? Yes, cowards. Both accounts have since been deleted.

McClean displayed a nice sense of humor when he responded to the threats against him later in the day, saying, “Love the dogs abuse am gettin of shock N.I fans, just worry about watchin ur own country at the euros... oh wait #mybad #awkward haha.”

A PSNI spokesperson told the BBC: "We don't discuss individual cases, however, if we receive information that a person's life may be at risk we will inform them accordingly. We never ignore anything which may put an individual at risk."

McClean, who recently signed a new deal to keep him at Sunderland, gives both Mackem and Ireland supporters reason to hope for the future, with his honest work ethic, and swashbuckling runs down the left side.

Our advice to McClean on this whole sad affair? One of the simple beauties of Twitter is, if people don't have anything nice to say to you, just delete them! To quote the Jay-Z, brush that dirt off your shoulders, and then dip that same shoulder and whizz past an unsuspecting right-back at the Euros!

Mariano Rivera: ''Celebrate him as high as you can''

There is going to be a lot said in the next few days about pretty much everything and anything Mariano Rivera related. You will read all about his marvelous career, the World Series rings, his incredible 'cutter', perhaps one of the most feared pitches in all of Major League Baseball.

For me, one of the most biased and dedicated Red Sox fans you could find, not nearly enough will be written about the man's dignity and grace.

In a world of 'Me First', millionaire, playboy super-athletes, Mariano was or is, depending on whether this terrible injury ends his career or not, a pure diamond in the rough. A gentleman in the truest sense of the word, Rivera was a fierce competitor but a tremendous sports-man also.

For many years Rivera was the torturer, the executioner in chief for Red Sox fans like myself. How many late inning rallies did Rivera's cutter shut-down? Too many. He often did it like a man putting out a flaming match with a massive bucket of water. All too easy.

Then, finally, in 2004, we got to him.

In the infamous 2004 ALCS the great Rivera 'blew' two save opportunities, and the Red Sox created the best and most dramatic comeback in sports, roaring back from 0-3 down to take it 4-3. It was a jubilant time to be a fan of Ye Olde Towne Team.

Then came the 2005 ring ceremony at Fenway Park. This for me, as a Red Sox fan, is the defining moment in Mariano's career, or at least the part that is compartmentalized and titled 'Mariano and the Red Sox'. As the sun-drenched Fenway crowd roared it's approval, the Red Sox received their World Series rings from the '04 finals. As the Yankee players were introduced to the home-opener crowd, the Red Sox fans booed mercilessly. One by one, to a man, a cascade of verbal abuse rained down on them as they came forth.

Then, something truly unbelievable happened. Mariano's name was called, and the Fenway Park crowd quite literally erupted into an enormous standing ovation. Mariano laughed, beaming from ear to ear, and tipped his hat to the crowd, drawing an extension to the already boisterous ovation.

The thing is, this was not a mocking or ironic ovation. Far from it. Anyone who witnessed it knows that. Instead, it was a moment shared between the massed ranks of Red Sox fans shoe-horned into Fenway that day, and the greatest closer of all time. It was a singular moment where a connection was felt between the two. There was nothing ugly or negative about it, something the current denizens of Fenway Nation could possibly learn from. It was an uproarious outpouring of relief, as if Fenway was throwing its arms in the air and roaring as one, 'Finally!! Finally we got to you, you glorious bastard you!''. It was a roar full of good natured humour, respect and, yes, even love.

The crowd offered it, and Mariano The Great validated it by laughing openly and tipping his hat.  

"It surprised me. I didn't know they loved me so much here. It was nice. I enjoyed it. I had to laugh. What was I going to do? Get upset and start throwing baseballs at people? You just roll with it. Why not celebrate it as high as they could? It's O.K. I have no problem with that."

Mariano, you are one in a million.

Get well soon.

Hideki Matsui signs for the Tampa Bay Rays and watches a lot of porn.

Two-time All-Star and MVP of the 2009 World Series Hideki Matsui  is now a  part of the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays' organization. Matsui signed a minor league deal with the (Devil) Rays and will join the organization's extended spring program Wednesday in Port Charlotte. Matsui, who turns 38 in June, hit .285 with 173 home runs, 753 RBIs and 248 doubles in nine big league seasons, seven with the New York Yankees. The home runs and RBIs are the most by a Japanese player in major league history.

Right, enough with the pleasantries. Whilst this is a nice little MLB story, and we all hope Hideki makes it up to the ‘bigs’ and loses a few baseballs in the cavernous, largely empty stands in Tampa, much bigger related news is afoot.

In the latest issue of GQ, the following quote was attributed to Matsui.

That’s right. Hideki Matsui owns 55,000 adult movies.

A couple of quick fire and (as much as possible) PG thoughts on this alarming disclosure. First things first, as those noisy NFL Sunday guys say, C’Mon man! 55,000?! Is this like one of your buddies saying, ‘Dude, I had like, 75 Tacos last night’. We all know he did not have 75 Tacos last night, but he probably had more than usual. So whilst 55,000 is probably an exaggeration, it is safe to say that Hideki Matsui might own more adult movies than, you know, most people.

Secondly, has Matsui or his accountant ever heard of the Internet? Rumour has it there might be a few adult movies on that. How has anybody who cares about Matsui’s finances not tipped him off to this? ‘Eh, Hideki, nice collection and all, but, have you ever heard of the Internet? I think we can really save some extra walking around money with just a smidgen of online research on your part’.

Third, who gives out adult movies as gifts?! How profanely awkward is that? ‘Hey so, I picked this out for you, it has some boobs in it, I thought you might like it’. So many questions. Does the adult movie selected for you say something about what the person giving you the gift thinks of you?

You know what, let’s stop right there. Too dangerous. Let us all just agree that it is great to see Hideki Matsui swinging his bat again, and the fact is, whilst there is really no logistical way (I mean, where do you store 55,000 adult movies?!) he actually owns 55,000 adult movies, there is no doubt he probably owns more than 'most'.

And let's just leave it right there!

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