Weekly Wrap-Up: September 23, 2008

A collection of random stories and insights from the week that was…

IT AIN’T OVER ‘TIL…NOW: After 85 years, Yankee Stadium has taken its final bow. Appropriately enough, the cathedral on the corner of 161st and River closed with one last rendition of Sinatra’s “New York, New York” after a 7-3 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles. So here’s a tip of the cap to The House that Ruth Built, which hosted the likes of Maris and Mantle; Ali and Pele; Martin, Munson, and Mr. October; perfect games by David Cone, David Wells, and, of course, Don Larsen; the George Brett Pine Tar Incident and the Jeffrey Maier home run; Bob Sheppard and three popes; The Greatest Game Ever Played and The Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth.

FISH OUT OF WATER: Ronnie Brown single-handedly outscored the New England Patriots Sunday, rushing for four touchdowns and passing for another in a 38-13 drubbing of the defending AFC Champions. The ‘Fins rushed for 216 yards – the Patriots combined rushing and passing for 216 yards. Kevin O’Connell, an undrafted rookie out of San Diego State, took over for Matt Cassel late in the blowout. All this happened to New England against a team entering the game on an eleven game road losing streak.

FANTASY FORTUNE: Side note: I have three fantasy football teams. One of which is in a league with Youcastr’s own Matt Schaefer, who I shall play in Week Five. However, the league that is at the top of my priority list is with an eight-team league with people from my workplace. This week, I got this great idea, seeing LaDainian Tomlinson limping around, to bench him and add his backup, Darren Sproles. LT scores his first two touchdowns of the season, and I can’t get any credit for it. To make matters worse, I also benched T.J. Houshmandzadeh just in time for him to have a breakout game as well. Despite all this, I survive for a one point win. The message that greeted me from my boss on AIM after the conclusion of last night’s Chargers-Jets game? “You lucky little $#!t.” I’d argue that Ronnie Brown owners who actually started him were luckier, but that’s just my humble opinion.

BOO-S-A: Unfortunately, I didn’t see any of the Ryder Cup this weekend. Fortunately, Boo Weekley made it worth watching all on his own. Unfortunately, that doesn’t really matter to a whole lot of people. That’s really all I can say without making assumptions, so I’ll move on before I make a fool of myself.

THE NEED FOR SPEED: In a move announced today, Team Red Bull released A.J. Allmendinger from his 2009 contract to, one would assume, place Scott Speed in the #84 Toyota for the 2009 Sprint Cup season. Casual racing fans (not to be confused with casual NASCAR fans, who are convinced turning right should be illegal in automobile racing) may remember Speed from his not-so-impressive stint in Formula One. However, the 25 year old Californian has proved his mettle this season, currently leading the ARCA RE/MAX Series points standings thanks to a series-high four wins. He also boasts a win in the Craftsman Truck Series at Dover to his credit. Don’t forget the improvement that Team Red Bull’s other Cup team, the #83 driven by Brian Vickers, has shown this season. Speed could be a sleeper in ‘09, and he’s my early favorite for Rookie of the Year…assuming he actually gets the ride, of course.

GOOD NEWS – LATE NIGHT WITH ROY IS A MONTH FROM TOMORROW: The North Carolina Tar Heels began the second half of their ACC contest with the Virginia Tech Hokies leading 10-3 thanks to a 32 yard pass from T.J. Yates to Brandon Tate. If they could preserve this lead, the Heels would be 3-0 for the first time since 1996. Of course, fellow fans know what happened next. An Orion Martin sack fractured Yates’s ankle, back-up Mike Paulus (brother of Greg, the Dook point guard) threw two interceptions, the Hokies won 20-17, and Yates will be out until, at best, the Homecoming game against Georgia Tech. O basketball, where art thou?

YESTERDAY IN SPORTS HISTORY… Gene Tunney defeated Jack Dempsey at Soldier Field in the infamous “Long Count” bout. The 1927 fight was a rematch of a Tunney victory in Philadelphia a year earlier.

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