U.S. Boxing Team Suffers Tough Loss

One of the medal favorites for the U.S. Boxing team was forced to withdraw just days before competition begins after collapsing while trying to make weight. Gary Russell Jr., of Capitol Heights, Md, was scheduled to compete in the bantamweight division which requires fighters to be no heavier than 119 pounds at weigh in.

Russell is a 2 time American Champion, winning in both 2005 and 2006. He missed the 2007 Championships due to injury. He had also performed well against international competition, winning the Bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships while just 17 years old.

Not all hope is lost however, the U.S. squad still contains 2 reigning World Champions as both welterweight Demetrius Andrade and flyweight Rau'shee Warren won Gold at the 2007 Championships. Both will enter competition in Beijing as medal favorites.

The U.S. Team is hoping to improve on it's total of 2 medals at the Athens game. A Gold won by light heavyweight Andre Ward and a Bronze won by middleweight Andre Dirrell.

Boxing competition for the 2008 Games begins on August 9th.

Memorable Olympic Highlight of the Day. Day 3

Olympic basketball hasn't exactly been anything to brag about in recent years. The mighty U.S. Men's Basketball team has come to the sobering realization that the rest of the world has caught up. This has become evident every year in the NBA Draft as unknown international players are regularly taken in the lottery ahead of their more proven American counterparts. Sure, we still have more talent than any other country, but as Puerto Rico and Greece showed in recent years, good team play and timely perimeter shooting can trump a roster of All-Stars.

It makes me long for happier times. When Gold medals were a foregone conclusion and the opposing teams were more interested in getting autographs from the U.S. Team then actually trying to win. I am referring of course to the original Dream Team. The greatest collection of basketball talent ever assembled. It was without a doubt the greatest basketball team ever assembled and one could argue they were the most dominant sports team of any kind.

So without further ado, I give you.. The one, the only. THE Dream Team.

Aaaand they're off.....

Though the Olympic opening ceremonies in Beijing don't take place until Friday Night, the Olympics officially got under way on Wednesday with several soccer matches. Both the US men and women were in action Wednesday. The US Women, once a superpower in the women's soccer world, fell to Norway 2-0. The US struggled to create goal opportunities without star Abby Wambach. It will be a tough road for them to qualify for the medal rounds.

The US Men fared much better, defeating Japan by the score of 1-0. The lone goal was by Houston Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden in the 47th minute. The win was key to the American chances for advancement to the medal rounds, as the play 2 strong teams in Nigeria and Holland in the coming days.

The Summer Olympics.... where great athletes and hot bods.... come out to play

Everyone loves the Olympics right? Every 4 years great athletes from countries all over the globe join together to compete, but for us guys..... we also get a chance to check out some new hot bods. Good looking girls seem to be abundant in Olympic competition. If you are like us and want to check out some eye candy while watching the games look for these girls.

Natalie Coughlin, Swimming

Natalie was a double Gold medalist in 2004 at the Athens games. Pictures of this cutie with her gold medal were all over the news. She will be back in Beijing looking to add to her collection.

Alicia Sacramone, Gymnastics
Alicia will be making her Olympic debut in Beijing. The 20 year old gymnast is not only a hottie, she is also an Ivy league student at Brown University.

Amanda Beard, Swimming
Probably no one made more money off their success at the Athens games than Amanda Beard. The gorgeous gold medal winning swimmer, went on to pose for playboy and numerous other publications. She will be back not only to defend her gold but also her status as top hottie in American Olympic sports.

Jennie Finch, SoftballWe have all seen Jennie before, she has been featured nearly everywhere as one of the most beautiful athletes in American sports, but who wouldn't want a chance to get another look? The ace softball hurler is back for her second Olympics, and you want want to miss her.

Anyway, we hope you enjoy these 2008 games, the competition will be intense and the ladies will be lookin' hot. Who knows what new hot bod will emerge as a new sex symbol. We know one thing though, we'll be watching girls....

Memorable Olympic Highlight of the Day. Day 2

Rulon Gardner vs. Alexander Karelin at the 2000 Games in Sydney. Karelin hadn't lost a competition match in 13 years prior to this match. He hadn't even allowed his opponent to score a single point in a match for 6 years. He is generally considered to be the best and most feared Greco-Roman Wrestler in the history of the sport.

In their only previous match, Karelin had dominated Gardner, winning 5-0 at the 1997 World Championships. It was such a huge upset that if you listen to the match commentary in the video they actually compare Gardner winning to the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Hockey upset.

Let's be honest. It's a pretty boring match. For the most part they just stand there and jostle back and forth. But everyone likes to root for the underdog and Gardner was as big an underdog as you'll ever come across.

I think my favorite part of this clip is towards the end you hear a woman (Gardner's wife perhaps?) shouting into a cell phone "He won, he won, call everybody". That part totally gives me goosebumps even 8 years later.

To me this is what the Olympics are all about. Most of us had never seen a Greco-Roman Wrestling match in our lives prior to this event and Rulon Gardner was just another farmer from Idaho. But in 5 minutes time he captured our imagination and created a memory we can all share. That's why it's fun to watch the little events. You never know when history is going to happen.

Obscure Olympic Event Preview of the Day : Handball

Our first Olympic event preview will take a look at Handball. Handball is a fast paced and entertaining game that features lots of scoring. It is not uncommon for a game to finish with both teams scoring over 30 goals a piece as they race up and down the court to leap and fire shots on goal.

Men's Handball was first introduced at the Olympics in Berlin in 1936. It didn't catch on though and was subsequently left out of the Olympics for almost 40 years until 1972 in Munich (Apparently the Germans love their handball). It has been played at every Olympics since. Women's Handball has been contested at every Olympics since 1976 in Montreal.

Handball has never been a popular sport in the United States, largely because we suck at it. Although one could argue it's lack of popularity is the reason we suck at it. The United States has never won a medal in Handball.

The rules of Handball are somewhat similar to Basketball with the biggest difference being that players can hold the ball for 3 seconds and take up to 3 steps between dribbles. Goals are scored by throwing the ball into a 6 meter wide goal that is defended by a goalkeeper.

Games consist of 2 thirty minute period or halves. Up to 2 five minute overtime periods can be added on in the event of a tie but after that a penalty shootout determines the outcome. The penalty shootouts are similar to those in soccer or hockey where 5 players from each team get a single shot to score a goal.

Teams to watch for

In Men's handball the favorites have to be Germany. They won the last World Championships held in 2007 and won the Silver at the 2004 Games in Athens. Not to be overlooked is Croatia which has won the Gold at 2 of the last 3 Olympics.

In Women's handball the favorites, until somebody proves otherwise is Denmark. The danish ladies have won the Gold at 3 consecutive Olympics. They didn't medal at the World Championships in 2007 though. Russia won the Gold in both 2005 and 2007.

Players to watch

Men's

Ivano Balić : Balić of Croatia, is not only the best player on the planet today, but is widely considered of the greatest players in the history of the game. He is a 2 time World Player of the year and has won the MVP at 6 different International Competitions.














Women's

Gro Hammerseng of Norway.

Hammerseng is the reigning World Player of the Year and has twice been named the MVP of the European Championships.













The United States did not qualify for Men's or Women's handball for the 2008 Olympics.

Favre to the Bucs? Please God let it be true...

The Tampa Tribune is reporting tonight that Bret Favre is finally headed out of Green Bay and off to the "other" Bay...Tampa Bay. Sports fans everywhere, including The Fellas, are praying fervently that this news turns out to be accurate.

Look, Brett Favre is a Hall of Fame Quarterback who played with guts and tenacity his entire career. But the past month has been an absolute train wreck for him, the Packers and the empty shell formerly known as Aaron Rodgers. Favre has alienated fans and foes alike with his waffling, although we hear a new sponsorship deal with Eggo is in the works so he's got that going for him.

The real loser here is Rodgers. No matter how well he plays, if Favre goes to Tampa and plays well, people will ask all season long: "How much better would Green Bay be if Bret was still there". Rodgers almost has to play at an All-Pro level in his first full season as the starter to be off the hook here. And that's asking a lot of anyone. I just can't see him sticking around in Green Bay after his contract expires.

Ultimately though, I just want it to be over. I'm tired of seeing Favre's face on the front page of every bloody major American sports site 24/7 and I just want him to go away.

Have fun in Tampa, Brett.. You'll look incredible in pewter pants.

Beijing 2008: 6 names you'll know two weeks from now...

We all know about Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant and Jennie Finch. They have proven their talent before in front of the world, but who are the future American stars? Who are the athletes that will shine during these 2008 Olympics? Who will etch their names next to the likes of Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens? Here is a list of 6 American athletes competing in the Olmypics this year that you may not know, however in a couple weeks, we think you will.

#6 Ben Askren, Freestyle Wrestling
Askren (pictured right) is a talented wrestler, winning two NCAA titles for Missouri in the 174 lb division in 2006 and 2007. Askren will be competing in the 164 lb weight division here at Beijing. He has never competed in a big international event before, but he oozes talent and has the confidence to go alogn with it. "I'm going to win a gold medal" he told the AP.


#5 Thomas Finchum, Platform Diving Finchum was named the 2007 American Diver of the year after racking up numerous medals at international events, including a bronze at the 2007 world championships. Finchum is only 18 years old and is looking like Americas best hope for a gold medal in Men's diving.


#4 Kate Zeigler, Swimming
Zeigler (pictured left) is the American Swimming newcomer to watch. The 20 year old from Virginia will be swimming in the 400 and 800 meter freestyle events. She is a nedal favorite in both, especially the 800. She holds the world record in the 1500 free, however it is not an Olympic event.


#3 Lolo Jones, Track and Field
Jones is the next great American sprinter, following in a long line of US medal success. Jones is a 3 time NCAA champion in the 100 meter hurdles and will be making her Olympic debut in Beijing. She is considered a favorite to win the Gold medal.


#2 Shawn Johnson, Gymnastics
Gymnasitcs, America's favorite Olmypic sport...... every 4 years a new hero is made, just ask Keri Strug, Paul Hamm and Shannon Miller. So this year, who will be America's sweetheart? Our guess is Shawn Johnson (pictured right), the talented young gymnast is considered a heavy favorite for the womens all-around gold medal.


#1 Tyson Gay, Track and Field
Who will be the fastest man in the world? That may depend on the health of Tyson Gay. The world-class American sprinter is battling a leg injury. however the sprinter says that won't keep him out of his first Olympics. The defending world champ will be the favorite in the 100 meters if he can get healthy on time.

Memorable Olympic highlight of the day. Day 1

Okay so starting today and throughout the upcoming Summer Olympics, we will be posting a memorable highlight from either the current Games or a past favorite.

Today's entry is the improbable vault by Keri Strug. It would have been amazing for anyone.. But she was only 18?!?! Hell, I was still sitting in the basement playing Sega Saturn when I was 18...

The Olympics are upon us...

Well it's that time again. That special time when you find yourself watching sporting events you didn't even know existed a few months prior. I mean BMX racing? The X Games maybe but the Summer Olympics? Who knew?

In all honestly though, the Olympics are enthralling. You get sucked in so easily. Whether it's Keri Strug and her improbable vault or Vince Carter dunking on Frederic Weis, it always ends up being great television...

Check back here throughout the games for commentary, updates and heavy doses of sarcasm..

Thoughtfully yours,

Gad

We're back!

Okay, so it's been awhile since I've posted anything at all in this space. I wish I could tell you it's because I was signed by the Dodgers or abducted by aliens, but the reality is I just sorta forgot this blog existed. But I'm back, stranger and more cynical than ever. We'll be doing a lot with the upcoming Olympics and then continue on with general sports content throughout the year.

We may also mix in some pop culture stuff and review books and movies on occasion. But for now, let's just talk some sports...

Boston's bid is pure insanity.

51.1 million dollars. Thats how much the Red Sox paid simply to have a conversation with Japanese phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka. If it wasn't clear to you by now that some sort of revenue structure and salary cap was needed in Major League Baseball then this should be proof plenty. There will probably be 6-8 teams who don't even spend that much on their entire player payroll for the 2007 season, yet the Red Sox are paying that much simply for the negotiating rights to one pitcher. Thats not even taking into account the 30-40 million dollar contract he will inevitably sign. By way of comparison the Mariners paid a winning bid in the neighborhood of 13 million to get the rights for Ichiro, the last Japanese star of this magnitude to be posted via this system. Is Matsuzka 3 times the player Ichiro is? Unlikely considering all Ichiro did in his first season in Seattle was win the Rookie of the Year award AND MVP.

The fact is the revenue sharing plan is working and major league teams are more financially successful then at any time in their history. Even the small kids on the block have millions of dollars more to spend then ever before. Something has to be done to slow this spiral of fiscal insanity and a salary cap or some form of stricter salary structure is the only possible answer..

Sadly, however MLB just barely ratified a new Collective Bargaining agreement that does not contain any form of salary cap. So for the time being at least things aren't going to change and the Red Sox and Yankees of the world can throw money around like its going out of style.

Good luck to you Mr. Matsuzaka. No player in the history of baseball has ever had to pitch not only with the weight of his country on his shoulders, but a 100 million dollar bag of silver hanging from his belt.

Free Agency Begins

Well Free Agency has begun. The Cubs really got things rolling by getting a deal done with Aramis Ramirez right at the beginning of the Free Agent window. It was largely believed the Angels were ready and prepared to throw enormous amounts of money in his direction had he decided to test the waters. 5/75 is actually a very reasonable deal too given the talk of contracts spiraling out of control that has been all the rage on the major sports sites and talk radio shows.

It should be a very interesting off-season simply because there are a lot of teams with money and very few players to spend it on.

So lets fire up the Hot Stove and see where it leads us...

Daisuke Matsuzaka

I'm not quite sure what to make of the entire Daisuke Matsuzaka situation. By all accounts he's a very solid pitcher who will make a significant impact in Major League Baseball. But I can't be the only one just a tad worried about this "posting" process. You have to blindly bid a ridiculous amount of money up front just for the privilege of negotiating with Scott Boras on a contract? I bet the GM's are lining up for the opportunity.

Seems like he would be smarter to wait the year, come over to the States next year and sign with whomever he wants. I guess you can't fault a guy for living his dream but its not like Kaz Ishii and Hideki Irabu set the Majors on fire when they came over. How much better can Matsuzaka really be?

If nothing else it should add a little drama to the week leading up to the FA period.