Obligatory Sports Babe
This morning we’ll go with former Arizona State softball player Bianca Cruz, who Busted Coverage has learned, is looking for votes so that she can become one of Maxim’s Hometown Hotties.
Matt Harrington
Between 2000 and 2004, Matt Harrington, a top prospect coming out of high school, was chosen in all five MLB drafts, but never signed a contract despite receiving offers of up to $4 million. He slipped further down the draft board each year, and today, according to this piece in ESPN The Magazine, makes $11.50 an hour at Costco.
The Changing North American Soccer Landscape
Interesting piece in the New York Times’ soccer blog, Goal, about the state of the MLS, where they address how “exposure to top-level international soccer and foreign leagues via TV and the Internet, combined with the changing demographics of the country, has increased demand for quality content. … A new challenge for the league, one [that Commissioner Don] Garber didn’t anticipate for another ten years.”
Rivalry Weekend
The Yankees and Red Sox renew their rivalry this weekend, and according to Deadspin, David Ortiz is getting an early start with some words about Joba Chamberlain, and his proclivity to throw at peoples’ heads. "None of that, man — just play the game the way it's supposed to be, and that's about it," Ortiz said, referring to Chamberlain. "This is a guy, as good as he is, the next step for him will be to earn respect from everybody in the league. He's not a bad guy, but when things like that happen, people get the wrong idea."
Watering Down NCAA Hoops
100% Injury Rate over at FanIQ has a great article on high school junior, basketball phenom, and surefire number one pick in 2011, Jeremy Tyler, who is forgoing his senior year to play professional ball in Europe. In short: “What Tyler is smart enough to see is what we all should see if we look closely. For upper-echelon athletes, college is not for getting education. It's a minor league for pro sports - without pay.”
Lindsay Soto
Apparently Lindsay Soto, the hot reporter for Versus, almost let her sweater puppies out when Interviewing Rob Niedermayer, but sadly got the word to cover up. Wait, this is noteworthy? Sports By Brooks thinks so.