R.I.P Wayman Tisdale

Just heard that Oklahoma Sooner great Wayman Tisdale passed away this morning due to cancer. He was 44. 

For all you college basketball fans from the 80's, the man was a monster on the court and a great guy off it.

Click on the link for more details.

Bill

What's Bill Thinking?

Yes I know I've been MIA the last couple weeks, but I needed a chance to "recharge my batteries". 

Here's currently what's on my mind:

1. Manny - We all know now about the positive test and the suspension. At first I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I read some interesting info yesterday detailing how the positive test came about and I've since changed my mind. Guilty! In a nutshell, he tested positive for a steroid back during spring training. The league scheduled a hearing to hear Manny's side before ruling on a suspension. Manny and his lawyers were going to fight it due to the low amount of steroid level in his system. The interesting thing that happened was the league was able to acquire Manny's medical records (which is allowed under the collective bargaining agreement) from the players union and in it was the evidence of him taking the HCG. With that, they had him for taking 2 substances on the banned list. At that point, Manny dropped the appeal and accepted the suspension. 
2. Brett Favre - Retire, please....... I know it's his life and career, and he can continue to play as long as possible, but I'm done with listening to it and whether he'll come back or not. If I'm Minnesota, why do you want him? Supposedly his shoulder still needs to have surgery on it and at this point, is he really better than Sage Rosenfells, who you traded for in the off season? I don't think so...... He's not the difference between the Vikings winning the Super Bowl or not. Anyway, I wish the media would let this die an abrupt death. Let him go to his farm in Mississippi, make some more blue jean commercials and let us remember him for the player he used to be. 
3. Red Sox / Angels Series - Big 3 game series starting tonight at Angels Stadium. I'll be there tonight and Thursday, maybe I'll do a live "blog" update. I know everyone would be excited about that! Both teams started out the year slowly but have turned it around and been playing good baseball over the last 10 games. The Angels come off a 3 game sweep of the always dangerous Royals and the Red Sox come in having won 3 or their last four. Jered Weaver is on the mound for the Angels and Justin Masterson pitches for the Red Sox tonight. The Red Sox trail Toronto by a game in the AL East while the Angels are a 1/2 game behind the Texas Rangers. Should be fun! 
4. Brandon Wood - Speaking of the Angels, here is a little bit of info you might not have heard coming out of their farm system. Wood, who has been their top prospect for a few years, is now playing SS for the Angels AAA affiliate in Utah. There were a lot of people (including yours truely) who wanted to see the Angels insert Wood in the lineup to start the year, but the Angels kept him down in AAA. He, of course, has been tearing it up and a few weeks back brought him up and sat him on the bench for 7 games, while Aybar and Izturis struggled. The thinking to start the year was put Wood in at 3rd base and use Figgins as a utility guy. Wood started the season in Utah at 3rd base, but since being sent back down, he's now playing SS. "Inside sources" are telling me expect to see Wood brought back up and given a shot at winning the SS job. Should be interesting to follow. 
5. "Big Baby" - Glenn "Big Baby" Davis hit the winning shot at the buzzer on Sunday for the Celtics in their game at Orlando. When the ball went in and the buzzer sounded, he turned to run up the court to celebrate with his teammates. When he turned to run, there was a referee standing there, so he turned to the side and ran along the sidelines and bumped into a teenage boy standing there, knocking off the kids hat. Well apparently the dad is angry that Davis bumped into his son and is out to get his 15 minutes of fame by doing interviews and demanding an apology from Davis and the Celtics. He says he's sent emails to Boston and the league but so far no one has gotten back to him.  You've got to be kidding me.... I'm not sure, but I think written on the tickets there is some liability clause which states you as a fan take responsibility for your well being should a player dive into the stands, etc.. Especially sitting in courtside seats, you've got to expect contact with a player. Isn't part of the excitement sitting there?? If you haven't seen the footage, click on the article heading.

Bill