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MLB General

The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend: Choosing Sides in the 2008 World Series

“There is nobody as enslaved as the fanatic, the person whom in one impulse, one value, assumes ascendancy over all others.” -Milton R. Sapirstein

There are few things more aggravating than trying to escape mushrooming media hype of a story you just don’t want to hear. The internet is a demon the day immediately after your team blows Game 7, or your idolized all-star is caught in salacious mischief, or your star QB’s season-ending injury is documented in 14,000 different photo angles.

You’d think that New York City journalism would be so overwhelmed with news that it could avoid spinning out the same stories over and over. But as it stands, the only thing transpiring in Manhattan is the election. And the World Series. And trying to decide what’s less interesting is like trying to pick between sharing a cell with Omarosa or Andy Dick.

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Categories
NFL General

Week 8 2008 NFL Picks and Podcast

There’s one thing that’s becoming clear: if you like money, go with Trevor’s picks against the spread and especially his lock of the week. The rest of us are muddling around while Trevor continues to milk the Titans ATM machine. The featured games this week are Cards @ Panthers, Chargers @ Saints, Giants @ Steelers, and Colts @ Titans.

You can download the podcast directly  (running time 90 mins) or subscribe to the feed.  

If you use iTunes, just click here and then click subscribe and iTunes will take care of the rest.

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Categories
College Football

10-25-08 College Football Picks

Well, a long overdue abscence from the SportsColumn has subsided.  Due to my success this year with the picks I’ve been making in my office pool, I will be posting my picks every week for the rest of the college football season.  We all know this has already been an exciting season with many twists and turns, so please don’t go bet your homes on these picks.  (Unless your home is about to be forclosed due to your awful subprime mortgate you received.)

I have truly been a terror on the betting lines this year, I only hope I can pass along some good luck to all of you sports enthusiasts.  Each week I will be picking a game from each of the “Big Six” conferences with a breif analysis alongside.  I will be using the lines from Sportsbook.com.  (They didn’t pay for that advertisement.)  I’m going to try to get my column up on here by Thursday of each week.  Now that all of the rules and regulations are aside, without further adieu, The First Annual Steffey Report…

Cheesy Drumroll Please…

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Categories
Philadelphia Phillies

Hoping for the end of the world

The Tampa Bay Rays are in the World Series. First pitch is in about 5 minutes and then it will be official. They are the Cinderella team, the feel good story, the team that went from worst to first, winning the AL despite one of the smallest payrolls in the majors. They have a storied franchise history that has reached double digits. They have fans that have followed the team since the first George W administration! That, folks, is dedication.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ledger, we have the Phillies, the losingest franchise in all of sports (Washington Generals aside), a team that harkens back to the 1800s, a team that has something called tradition — you know, little things like keeping the team name the same, not changing up uniforms like the new spring fashion line, not having a ridiculous manufactured theme song (“Feel the Heat! Rays!”), etc. A team with a fan base that can make more noise with towels than all of Tampa with cowbells. A fan base that would actually appreciate a World Series and understand what it means.

And since we all know that (Sports) God is dead and/or hates Philadelphia, there is no question that the Rays will win the 2008 World Series. At 2:3 odds, they are a bargain. Go ahead and bet the farm.

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All Other Sports

From Belmont to Breeders’ Cup

Insert cliché. Does it really matter which one I use?

Horse racing is at a crossroads…

Horse racing is hoping that any publicity is good publicity…

Horse racing is down to its final strike…

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Categories
NFL General

2008 Week 7 NFL Power Rankings

So much for bringing sexy back. Their cool “Wildcat” offense is no longer surprising or effective, and the Dolphins are back to being the Dolphins again. So, what does this mean for the league?

Well, first of all, it means literally any team can beat any other team. The Chargers, Patriots, Dolphins, and Browns are all you need to look at to believe it. They’ve all beaten and lost to opponents they probably shouldn’t have, and I’ve got news for you. It’s not ending here.

With the St. Louis Rams winning their second straight game over a solid opponent, they become the new Miami Dolphins, and they place themselves back in playoff contention. For now.

The only constant we can rely on in today’s NFL is the Tennessee Titans haven’t lost yet, and that uncertainty is the name of the game. If you’re still in love with the days when Brett Favre was always wearing green and gold, no matter the injury or the weather, then you better start forgetting. It’s time to adapt.

Even when considering Tennessee, it’s time to realize there’s no sure thing in this league. As discombobulated as the Colts seem to be, they’re sure to give the Titans a tough game next Monday. And the week after that the former Oilers get the surging Packers. Can they really make it to 8-0?

In today’s league, it’s anyone’s guess. And as I’ve said all season: Stop guessing, and start watching. This isn’t a tarot card totin’ man’s land. This is for football fans. Leave your bets in Vegas, because baby, you’re gonna lose.

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Categories
General Sports

Honesty is the Key

  In an interview a few days ago, Ricky Williams, running back of the Miami Dolphins, told the media he seriously considered smoking weed in his team’s bye week. While Ricky is known for lighting up in the past, he claims to have put this phase of his life behind him and focus on football. And while most of the world looks down on Ricky for his comments, I admire the honesty. Then I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if all sports figures were this honest….

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Categories
Soccer

Beckham and the MLS: success or failure

Taking an in-depth look at the David Beckham and MLS partnership. Has this situation accomplished what it set out to do?

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Categories
College Football

Fan the flames

The USC program gets plenty of praise.  It’s hard not to admire a program that routinely recruits the best athletes and competes for the national championship every year.  However, all is not rosy at USC with losses to vastly inferior teams the past three years.

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Categories
NFL General

Week 7 2008 NFL Picks and Podcast

Vegas Vinny lead the way last week with a 12-2 record. Let’s see if he can continue the streak this week. RJ also got off the schneid with his Lock of the week and we’ll see if he can make it two weeks in a row. The featured games this week are Saints @ Panthers, Vikings @ Bears, Colts @ Packers and Broncos @ Patriots.

You can download the podcast directly  (running time 90 mins) or subscribe to the feed.  

If you use iTunes, just click here and then click subscribe and iTunes will take care of the rest.

Continue reading “Week 7 2008 NFL Picks and Podcast”