Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Sports this 'n' that

This is defnitely not how you want to start your college basketball career.

UCLA freshman Jalen Hill, Cody Riley, and LiAngelo Ball were arrested Tuesday in China on shoplifting charges, the accusation being that they stole sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store next door to their hotel in Hangzou, where the Bruins will play their an exhibition game this weekend. There are reports that suggest the trio, if convicted, could face 3-10 years in a Chinese prison, ending their college careers before they get started.

Stage parent LaVar Ball had planned on a press conference today, but was advised against it, and is looking for more details. The elder Ball has previously said that he would have his youngest son, LaMelo, who is in China with his family, play there until he's eligible for the NBA draft, rather than finish his high school career in the US. We're all better off if Papa Big Mouth doesn't say anything until he gets home.
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The last of WWE's big 4 pay-per-views, Survivor Series, may have just gotten an upgrade on one of their main events.

On last night's same-day-tape episode of Smackdown, A. J. Styles defeated Canada's Jinder Mahal, representing India, to win the WWE title, and will advance to face Universal champion Brock Lesnar on November 19 in Houston. Throughout Mahal's run as champion, he has rarely won a match without the assistance of the Singh brothers (formerly known as the Bollywood Boys), who, like Mahal, are representing India, but are really from Canada. On paper, a match between Styles, who has a slight experience advantage over Lesnar, may actually be more appealing to the casual fans, especially considering how WWE has taken some heat for using Mahal to expand business into India. The Monday Night Raw crew will be in India December 8-9, but there is no guarantee that Mahal would get the title back before then. More than likely, he would be posited as an underdog challenger, and forced to work as a babyface (hero), rather than the villain he's been presented as. It's the fault, of course, of WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon, looking to create a new revenue stream at the expense of common sense, ignoring the fact that Mahal had zero credibility as champion because of the repetitive nature of his title defenses.
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The NFL has its answer to LaVar Ball, Kanye West, and President Trump.

Miko Grimes, wife of Tampa Bay defensive back Brent Grimes, made some seriously false statements when appearing on the Revolt network the other day. Mrs. Grimes claimed that the Oakland offensive line took exception to QB Derek Carr's objection to their kneeling during the national anthem, and "let" Carr suffer a back injury.

As it turns out, Mrs. Grimes was as wrong as wrong could be. The Raiders, as well as several media outlets, have pointed out that Carr was supportive of his teammates, and that his injury wasn't in week 3 against the Washington Trumpets, but rather the following week. Miko didn't have her facts straight, and, as of press time, hasn't recanted her statements, now that she knows they're false. President Trump could use her as another minister of misinformation if needed, but until then, she'll settle for something the President has plenty of, a set of Weasel ears
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Major League Baseball's Gold Gloves were handed out Tuesday. And the winners are.....

CATCHER
American League - Martin Maldonado, Angels (1)
National League - Tucker Barnhart, Reds (1)

FIRST BASE
AL - Eric Hosmer, Royals (4)
NL - Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks (3)

SECOND BASE
AL - Brian Dozier, Twins (1)
NL - DJ LeMahieu, Rockies (2)

SHORTSTOP
AL - Andrelton Simmons, Angels (3)
NL - Brandon Crawford, Giants (3)

THIRD BASE
AL - Evan Longoria, Rays (3)
NL - Nolan Arenado, Rockies (5)

LEFT FIELD
AL - Alex Gordon, Royals (5)
NL - Marcell Ozuna, Marlins (1)

CENTER FIELD
AL - Byron Buxton, Twins (1)
NL - Ender Inciarte, Braves (2)

RIGHT FIELD
AL - Mookie Betts, Red Sox (2)
NL - Jason Heyward, Cubs (5)

PITCHER
AL - Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays (1)
NL - Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks (4)

Let's just break this down:

AL:

The Royals, Angels, & Twins have 2 apiece. The World Series champion Astros were shut out, along with the Yankees. Don't worry. Everything will balance out once the rest of the awards are handed out.

NL: Arizona & Colorado each have 2, but nothing for the Dodgers or Mets? Figure the Dodgers' Cody Bellinger will be the NL Rookie of the Year, but the Mets will get Charlie Brown'd altogether after a horrible season.
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Condolences to the family of former Phillies & Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay, who was killed in a plane crash Tuesday. Halladay, a 2-time Cy Young winner, reached the World Series twice with Philadelphia, winning it all in 2008, but losing to the Yankees the next year.

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