Manny Ramirez makes his debut in Taiwan

Believe it or not, Manny Ramirez is now plying his trade for the EDA Rhinos, a Taiwanese team in the Chinese professional baseball league.

Yeah, this is going to end well. Manny being Manny, in Taiwan.

This is not a dream. This is reality. Manny Ramirez, yes, that Manny Ramirez, is now playing professional baseball in the Chinese baseball league. He is playing for the EDA Rhinos, one of the four Taiwanese teams that ply their trade in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. Ramirez is earning the equivalent of approximately $25,000 a month to play, although you can bet there are other benefits. For example, we doubt he is paying for his accommodation and there appears to be some sort of ‘daily stipend’ involved, which is probably bigger than you or my monthly salary anyway.

Put it this way, we highly doubt Manny Ramirez is playing baseball in Taiwan and China for $25,000 a month alone.

Manny has his debut under his belt now, making it all official. In this historic encounter (anything involving the words ‘Manny Ramirez’ and ‘Chinese baseball league’ in the same sentence can be called historic) the Rhinos lost to the ‘Brother Elephants’ (once again, this is not a dream, this is all reality) 8-9. Ramirez went 2 for 6 with two singles. The capacity crowd of 20,000 Rhinos fans greeted his every move with a fondness and admiration normally kept for puppies doing something cute.

Manny’s first hit in Chinese professional baseball came in the second inning. We have it for you right here, and yes, you are welcome.








What does Manny make of all this? There are unconfirmed reports that the dreadlocked slugger and former World Series winner thought his agent said 'Toledo' (not Taiwan) and agreed to the deal on that basis. Whilst this report is not confirmed, this is the same player who once sent a car out for valet service with over $250,000 in uncashed pay checks in the glove compartment.

So, you do the maths.



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Bruins media and fans announce player coming to Boston a little too quickly

Boston sports media and fans on Twitter left with proverbial egg on face as Jarome Iginla goes to the Penguins, not the Bruins as so many expected (and so many announced).

Jarome Iginla goes to the Penguins

Last night was set up to be a thing of beauty for the Boston Bruins and their fans. The Bruins were playing old rivals the Canadiens on the ice and behind the scenes the Bruins front office was manoeuvring to make a trade with  the Flames for their long-time captain Jarome Iginla. Despite his age (35) and relatively ho-hum regular season thus far for the Flames, Iginla’s potential arrival sparked great excitement among the Boston fans and media.

As the evening progressed, some just couldn't help themselves.

Bruins media and fans jump the gun

The report that the trade had been made official appears to have originated from TSN's Aaron Ward. The Bruins, though, are saying they never made any official announcement, and that appears to be the case. As reports started to come out that Iginla was infact going to Pittsburgh, confusion reigned.

Then the hard truth set in, and it is safe to say that Tuukka Rask did not take the news well

Tuukka time!

The above and the below should serve as a timely reminder to all to check your facts, sources and then check your facts again before making announcements. Otherwise you end up like poor old Mike Petraglia, who must still be sifting through the Trolls on Twitter.

Answer: Pittsburgh

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Florida Gulf Coast dunk their way into our hearts: VIDEO

Florida Gulf Coast drop a load of dunks on, well, everyone, on their way to the Sweet Sixteen.

FGC go dunk crazy

First Harvard knocked out number 3 seeded New Mexico. Then Wichita State bonked out number 1 seeded Gonzaga. Make no mistake however, the underdog story of March Madness thus far is Florida Gulf Coast. The tiny college which only reopened for business in 1997 has blasted aside first the 2nd ranked Georgetown Hoyas and now 7th ranked San Diego State.

Florida Gulf Coast's (FGC) weapon of choice?

The dunk.

There's a video doing the rounds with FGC's wide array of 'get out of your seat' dunks, doing the rounds, we have that embedded for your viewing pleasure below, however you will notice there appears to be a rap video wrapped around the important stuff (the dunks). If you want to cut straight to the dunking action, we have you covered too, just go here. 

Enough with the talk, on to the dunks. Here are all of Florida Gulf Coast's postseason dunks, starting with their Atlantic Sun quarterfinal against North Florida.




Well now, how's that? You probably feel posterized after just watching that. Here's hoping FGC can continue their merry romp through March Madness.

The kids look like they are having fun, and they are definitely fun to watch.

FGC celebrate yet another dunk

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English Rugby continues to make a mockery of itself

English Rugby continues its streak of embarrassing moments by crying about referee after a 3-30 bashing

The Nike video promoting England's 2011 Grand Slam - not a super successfull prediction

There are moments where it is acceptable to complain about a sporting result. Say for example, a tight game where a referee makes a bad decision that directly effects the outcome of the game. Then there are moments where it is probably best to take it on the chin, and maintain a dignified silence. Say, for example, when your Grand Slam hopes have been shattered to pieces and handed to you in a 3-30 drubbing.

Wouldn't you know it, England refused to take their 3-30 shellacking laying down. Naturally, it was all the referees fault! Back to that in a moment, but why are we saying England 'continues' to make a mockery of itself? What's that, you actually need evidence on this? Okay so!

Lately, whenever England gets in sight of The Six Nations Grand Slam title, they go a little wobbly in the knees and also in the brain department. How about this lovely little shirt, available on the Internet, which those in authority in English Rugby thought would be a super idea. They probably should have waited, no?

Enlish Grand Slam t-shirt - get yours on eBay!

Then there is the little matter of that painfully embarrassing 2011 Grand Slam video Nike made for the English team. Sadly for all parties involved, it was released before the tournament was decided. Let's just say that didn't work out so well either (see Ireland 24 England 8).

So what now? Well, in another painfully embarrassing 'brain burp', England seems to be attempting to insinuate match day referee Steve Walsh's erratic decision making caused the English downfall. This would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic. Whining like this might be somewhat understandable if the game had been anyway way close. However, the manner and ease with which Wales dismissed England mean that this pathetic whimper is at best childish, and at worst actually pretty insulting to Wales.

The English Grand Slam hopes for 2013 were absolutely obliterated by a red tide of Welsh passion and skill, suggesting anything else is a fools game. However, English Rugby does have priors, and we would have to assume will continue to wilt like flowers in winter at the mere sniff of a Six Nations Grand Slam.

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Why the USA can't win the World Baseball Classic

The Public, Press and Players in the USA all have a part to play in Team USA's failure to advance in the World Baseball Classic

Down and out - The USA will have to just watch
 the rest of the World Baseball Classic

Is ESPN still 'a thing', or is it basically a portion of the Miami Heat website now? This morning on first viewing the ESPN main page had between 5-7 major headlines involving the Miami Heat. One tiny, short sentence mentioned the fact the USA has been knocked out of the World Baseball Classic.

That in itself is a nice little pointer as to why the USA will not win the tournament any time soon.

Taking a step back for a second, is there anything worse than a big fat bully who loses a game of anything, and then walks away, dismissively, arrogantly proclaiming 'Whatever! I didn't wanna win it anyway!' That's pretty much the overall attitude being displayed by a very large number of people, press and players involved with Team USA and it's early exit from the International tournament of the game that America is supposed to own.

There isn't even a simple answer. The USA's problems in the World Baseball Classic (WBC from here on in this article) are of a deeply ingrained, toxic nature, and they come from the very roots of American society and it's attitude to international sports.

You know the problems are deep and toxic when a major US sports website has to beg; ''Time to start caring about the WBC''. Note to the USA; everyone else does already care about the WBC. The USA is out in the cold on its own on this one

Everything about the US participation reeks this time round. Have you noticed players and media on the US side complaining about the way first the Dominican and then Puerto Rico celebrated their wins? Pathetic. Very poor sportsmanship on the USA's part. Winners celebrate. Losers go home. Losers go home, and if they have any class at all, losers keep their mouths shut. Once again we find ourselves saying, note to the USA; this tournament means a lot to the Dominican and Puerto Rico, and all the other teams, bar the USA. With that in mind, you should expect them to celebrate their backsides off.

This is where we need to broach the topic of the USA's attitude towards international sports. In 2007 it was major news that LeBron James decided he would play for the Dream Team. You can say with authority than in every other corner of the World, that kind of news would only have been of the headline variety if the player had decided not to play for his country.

Playing for your country should not be an option. Every single United States eligible player who did not give themselves up fully for the World Baseball Classic should be absolutely ashamed of themselves  The only reason anyone should be excused is if they were injured. That's it. There is absolutely no other valid reason.

That's how all other countries in the entire World approach international sports. And that's why they both play and celebrate the game so hard. Their love for playing for their country.

Japanese fans celebrate during the World Baseball Classic

It is wildly ironic to be talking about this particularly in the case of the United States. The Third Reich would blush at the plastic Patriotism that is on display at every United States sporting event these days. Bombers designed to kill thousands of people flying over head, thousands of military personnel in the stands, flags waving everywhere and nationalist chants emanating from the stands. USA! USA! However, when the country needs its best players on the diamond, where are they?

Injured? No doubt a few were. Worried about injuring themselves? Probably another bunch fall under that category. Protecting themselves and their financial future, wrapping themselves in cotton wool before the MLB season starts? That's probably the most prevalent excuse, right?

What sets the other countries that are superior to the USA on the diamond apart is their players would literally do anything for their country.

True patriotism.

They would play through injury for their country, and they would, and do, put their bodies on the line just for the honour of wearing their countries jersey.

It's simple, easy and true patriotism. Nothing manufactured, nothing glossy and nothing fake. Your country comes calling, you put the jersey on.

There. Are. No. Valid. Excuses.

Last night on Twitter one of the beaten USA players said a graceful thank you to those who supported the team the last week. He said he wished they had done better. Then he finished by blubbering 'The USA is still the greatest country in the World'. 

That's exactly the attitude that is preventing the USA from winning the World Baseball Classic.

That very arrogance, taking the place of the true-patriotism shown by all the other countries that take part, is one of the restraints that are preventing the USA from progressing in the tournament. Until the USA is humble about the WBC, until everybody, press, people, players all chip in an invest in this tournament, until that time, the USA certainly is not the greatest country in the World. They didn't even make the semi finals.

Until everyone involved in Team USA understands and admits that they are not the greatest in the World, and knuckles down to try and change that situation, they will always just be another team looking on as the real greatest international baseball teams in the World go about their business.

Japan - Note to USA, the actual greatest. 

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Patriots fan and writer outrage at loss of Wes Welker is misguided

Fans and writers wailing about loss of Welker to the Broncos seem to have forgotten how the Patriots deal with high priced free agents

Wes Welker - not the first Patriot to depart in the free agency process

The departure of Wes Welker from New England to the Broncos via free agency has predictably been the catalyst for the usual over the top dramatic hyperbole from some of Boston’s finest sporting media entities. I was amused to read one prominent scribe describe the loss of the wide receiver as such;  ‘’Patriots drop ball in Welker, Amendola swap’’. On his page there is a link to his Twitter feed and his top Tweet was this cracker; ‘’Hey, Ryan Mallett is younger than Brady, let's go with hom (sic) at QB, too.;]’’. Fantastic stuff. Exactly the kind of over the top and completely pointless reaction we have sadly come to expect from Boston writers, both journalists and bloggers alike, the last five years in particular.

Exploring our friend’s ‘analysis’ through the medium of his scorching headline for a second, to this day I find it hilarious when a blogger preaches forth on a coach making a mistake. Really? The Patriots ‘dropped the ball’, did they? One can only assume that one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, Bill Belichick, lost the above headline writers phone number, or maybe forgot to check in with him, before all of this went down. Naturally if the writer had warned Belichick he was about to drop the ball, the coach would have followed the bloggers advice and paid top dollar to keep Welker.

The subsequent Tweet is funny too. Funny like dental surgery. It represents exactly the kind of anti-contextual, highly sardonic approach that many New England writers take, thinking that this sparkling attitude substitutes for an inability to be otherwise interesting. For such a Democratic voting, liberal region, New England sure produces a lot of angry, reactionary, caps using, keyboard bashing writers.

In truth, Tom Brady will miss his sidekick, Welker

All of this arm waving, hysterical, blustering, rhubarb, rhubarb outrage at Welker leaving is at best short sighted, at worst, pathetic.

To insist loudly that the coach of one of the most successful American sporting franchises ever has ‘dropped the ball’ in this situation is about as knuckle headed as it gets. It is also in complete denial as to the recent history of the New England Patriots and their marquee free agent players.

Did Belichick and the Patriots drop the ball with Richard Seymor? Should they have backed the truck up at his mansion and paid him whatever he wanted to keep him? The same question for Lawyer Milloy. The same question for Mike Vrabel and a host of other former Patriot players who decided to test the free agency market instead of staying in New England.

Dropped the ball? Wes Welker knows all about dropping the ball. Particularly the last couple of seasons.

Before anyone starts defending poor Wes here, and suggesting the Patriots deliberately low-balled his offer, effectively forcing him into the loving arms of Peyton Manning, John Elway and the Broncos, let us not forget this was not week-one of the negotiations. If you think Welker didn’t have an opportunity to ensure he became a Patriot-for-life the last couple of seasons during on-going negotiations, you are being very naïve.

It is amazing that people are ignoring the history of New England’s dealing with expensive free agents, and also the positive alternatives that the Patriots will now explore. Assuming Gronkowski and Hernandez are healthy, New England will once again take the field with the single greatest Tight End tandem in the NFL. Two game changing, impact players unlike anything else going in the league. Danny Amendola is a fantastic, athletic and indeed younger alternative to Welker, and Julian Edelman can pitch in admirably to pick up the slack in Welker’s absence.

No doubt the Patriots have also done their due diligence on the forthcoming draft. Perhaps they can land some help there.

Above and beyond all of that, the most crucial area that needs upgrading is obviously the defence. The Patriots need help in the backfield and in their pass rush. To whine about the departure of Welker and completely ignore the Patriots defensive issues just indicates you are simply not watching the games. Maybe you are too busy updating your Twitter account while the action unfolds on the field in front of you?

Look, here’s the thing. Wes Welker seems like a decent, smart and funny guy, and was a great fit in New England. His extended joke about Rex Ryan’s feet fetish was nothing short of hilarious. He was, is and always will be a top class wide receiver. He is also now a Denver Bronco, and whining about his loss as if it is some kind of mistake by the Patriots is completely denying New England’s history in dealing with high priced free agents.

The Patriots will continue to do business their way, and will continue to be in and around the playoffs in doing so.

If that isn’t enough for you, perhaps you should be blogging angrily about something else.

Wes Welker - Peace, out.

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Highlight video of Brian O'Driscoll emerges amidst calls for statue to be erected in his honour

Fantastic highlight video of Brian O’Driscoll’s glittering career created as some urge for statue to be erected in his honour

Brian O'Driscoll - might he become the first Irishman to captain the Lions twice?

Get ready for a hell of a lot of Brian O’Driscoll related stories doing the rounds on Irish related sporting media the next few days in particular. Ireland finish off what can only be described as a disappointing Six Nations tournament this weekend with a game against Italy, in what could conceivably be the final game in an Irish jersey for who some think is Ireland’s greatest Rugby Union player of all time, one Brian O’Driscoll.

The match has added importance with a view to the Lions tour this coming Summer. Some are taking Lions coach Warren Gatland’s presence at the Irish training camp yesterday as a sign that he will be considering O’Driscoll for the captain’s armband for the touring party. This would of course make Brian the first Irishman to captain the tourists for a second time, a massive honour. Adding fuel to the fire, it should be noted that Gatland was the coach who pushed O’Driscoll to the fore, into the Ireland side in 1999 before he had ever even played for Leinster’s full side. Perhaps it is no coincidence the Lions coach is in town.

As we were saying, there is going to be a huge volume of ‘BOD’ material the next few days, some of worthy of our time, some of it a little hysterical. One fan has gone to the lengths of creating a Facebook page urging people to demand a statue be created for O’Driscoll, for his services to Irish rugby. I will leave it up to you to decide if that’s completely bonkers or not. Someone has also gone to the bother of creating what can only be described as a magnificent highlight video of the great man’s career. If you are a fan of Brian’s at all, you need to check this video out. Find 8 minutes of your time, take the phone off the hook, put your iPad down for a while, and just enjoy what is a fitting tribute to O’Driscoll.



It feels funny saying this past tense, but, watching that video, damn he was good, right? You forget sometimes what a sensational finisher he was, back when he still had pace to burn and before a number of injuries forced him to rely more on his head and less on his legs.

To finish on a personal note, if you have lived in or around the South side of Dublin the last decade or so, you invariably have a Brian O’Driscoll story to share. He used to frequent a bookmakers near Baggot Street a few years ago, and this author met him and chatted to him about three or four times. You couldn’t chance upon a more charming, easy going and personable individual. His complete and utter lack of ego is a testament to the man’s character.

Put it this way, considering his achievements, what he has meant to Irish sports and his charming, disarming personality, if they want to put a statue up on Grafton Street for the man, you won’t hear this guy complain about it.




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