Tuesday, February 12, 2013


Miami-Dade County and the Miami Dolphins have agreed on holding a county-wide election on whether or not to use bed tax money to renovate the Seven Names Stadium, but Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez wants to hold the team and the NFL hostage by not releasing any money until the league officially awards a Super Bowl to South Florida.  Here’s the link to the complete article:


Here’s an interesting (yet sad) look at the Stadium upgrade, from a Broward County resident’s (moocher’s) point of view.  


The Miami Heat enjoyed their day off yesterday, and it is back to the hardwood tonight at the AAA as they welcome the Portland Trailblazers. Tipoff is 7:30 pm, and you can watch the game on Sun Sports and NBA-TV on your cable or satellite company.  With the All Star weekend coming up, the Heat are leading the pack in the Eastern Conference with a 34-14 record, including a mark of 22-3 at home.  After tonight’s game, the team will head to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder on Thursday night, their last game before the break.  Of course, the big three will not have a break as LeBron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh will be representing the Eastern Conference in the annual All-star game in Houston.    
In the NBA yesterday:

LA Clippers 107 Philadelphia 90
Chris Paul had 21 points, 11 assists, and five steals in three quarters of work.  Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford scored 20 points each.

Charlotte 94 Boston 91
Byron Mullens led the way with 25 points and 18 rebounds.  Boston’s 7-game winning streak is history.

Minnesota 100 Cleveland 92
Lukke Ridnour led six Timberwolves players in double figures with a game high 21 points.

Brooklyn 89 Indiana 84 (OT)
Brook Lopez had 25 points and eight boards, Joe Johnson added 17.

New Orleans 105 Detroit 86
Ryan Anderson exploded for 31 points, Robin Lopez added 23 points and collected 10 rebounds.

San Antonio 103 Chicago 89
Playing without their big three, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker. the Spurs still won their 13th game in the last 14.

Washington 102 Milwaukee 90
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 28 points

Atlanta 105 Dallas 101
Josh Smith, rumored to be on the trading block, scored a game-high 26 points.  Al Horford scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, Jeff Teague had 20 points and nine assists.

TONIGHT’S GAMES:  

Portland @ Miami 7:30 pm Sun Sports & NBA-TV
Denver @ Toronto 7:00 pm
Sacramento @ Memphis 8:00 pm
Oklahoma City @ Utah 9:00 pm
Phoenix @ LA Lakers       10:30 pm
Houston @ Golden State       10:30 pm NBA-TV

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  As Yankee captain Derek Jeter works his way back into shape after last year’s fractured ankle, we look at history for a moment.  Who was the last Yankee captain before Jeter?  Tell you later, Alligator.

In college hoops, the University of Miami Hurricanes moved up to  #3 in the AP poll, behind Indiana, who remained at #1 despite a loss against Illinois this week, and Duke, who is #2, despite the fact that Miami pummeled them a couple of weeks ago by 27 points. The #3 ranking for Miami is the highest in school history.  Rounding out the top five are Michigan and Gonzaga.  This week, the Canes play in Tallahassee on Wednesday night against the Florida State Seminoles, and at Clemson on Sunday evening.  Miami is 19-3 and 10-0 in the ACC, and have reeled off 11 consecutive  wins.

FIU will be on the road in Troy to take on the Trojans on Thursday, before returning home to take on Western Kentucky at the US Century Bank Arena on Saturday night.  

In NFL news, the Philadelphia Eagles and QB Michael Vick came to an agreement on a restructured, incentive-laden, one-year deal that can pay Vick as much as $10 million.  Good luck with that. 

Spring Training is here!  I will be bringing you analysis of all 30 teams over the next three weeks.  I began yesterday with the Atlanta Braves and the Baltimore Orioles.  Today, may I present to you the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Boston Red Sox.  

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS   81-81 Mgr. Kirk Gibson

Always busy in the offseason, this past winter was no exception.  They added RHP Brandon McCarthy, 3B Martin Prado, OF Cody Ross, Reliever Heath Bell (thank you), SS Cliff Pennington, 3B Erik Chavez, 1b-OF Eric Hinske, RHP Randall Delgado, SS Dick Gregorius.  Of course, Justin Upton and Chris Johnson were traded to Atlanta, and OF Chris Young and pitcher Trevor Bauer are also elsewhere.  Will be watching to see how McCarthy returns after he took a line drive to the head last year.   

BOSTON RED SOX 69-93 Mgr. John Ferrell

After a disastrous season with Bobby Valentine at the helm, the Red Sox did some serious house cleaning.  After a huge salary dump last August, the moves continues with the addition of 1B/C Mike Napoli, SS Stephen Drew, OF Shane Victorino, RHP Ryan Dempster, OF Jonny Gomes, RHO Joel Hanrahan, and C David Ross.  The hiring of their former pitching coach, John Ferrell, as their new manager should help with a pitching staff that totally fell apart.   

TOMORROW:  The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox

In news around MLB, 

The Cleveland Indians came out of nowhere and signed OF Michael Bourn to a four-year, $48 million contract, pending a physical.

Derek Jeter ran yesterday for the first time since breaking his left ankle back in October.  When asked how it felt, Jeter answered “great”.  The Yankee captain expects to start in the Yankees’ opener against the Boston Red Sox on April 1st. Good news.

The New York Mets officially announced the signing of reliever Brandon Lyon to a one-year deal.

The Colorado Rockies and OF Dexter Fowler avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a two-year contract worth $11.6 million.

The Cincinnati Reds came to terms with OF Shin-Soo Choo to a $7.37 million, one-year deal, avoiding salary arbitration.  The Reds added some bullpen depth by signing former Marlin Clay Hensley.  

Regardless of what you read or hear, I am still told that MLB is continuing its efforts to try and “persuade” the Marlins ownership to sell the ball club, possibly to Governor Bush and his group.  (Maybe a financial incentive?) We’ve already seen how MLB is willing to punish South Florida as long as Jeffrey Loria owns the team.

Dear Jeffrey Loria and minions:  

You're still here?!?!? What do you mean, you still haven’t sold the team?  What are you waiting for now?  Valentine’s day?  Easter?  Next year’s HOF election?  Haven't you done enough damage already?  Baseball fans in South Florida need a Marlins owner that loves the game of baseball, and doesn’t just love owning a team.  We need an owner that wants to win, not one that just treats it only as a money-making business.

Stay alert out there, Mr. Loria.  Your window of opportunity to get out of town is opening up in just a few days.  The five-year anniversary of the Marlins and Miami-Dade County agreement for the baseball stadium is coming up on February 21, 2013.  After that time, the “penalty” for selling the team is only 5%, a mere pittance, based on a $250 million value of the team.  You’ve already saved much more than that on the salary dump this season alone.  Of course, you and your minions have already decided not to field a quality major league roster this coming season, hopefully setting up the sale of the team.  (I’m sure MLB is willing to cough up the 5% just to get you out of their hair.) 

We’ll continue to keep our fingers crossed and light a candle in the meantime. 

Here’s the answer to today’s question:  As Yankee captain Derek Jeter works his way back into shape after last year’s fractured ankle, we look at history for a moment.  Who was the last Yankee captain before Jeter?  

“Donnie Baseball”, Don Mattingly, was the 12th captain, from 1991 through 1995.  Here’s the complete list of Yankee captains:

1. Clark Griffith P 1903-1907
2. Kid Elberfeld SS 1907-1909
3. Hal Chase 1B 1909-1912
4. Roger Peckinpaugh SS 1914-1921
5. Babe Ruth         OF May 20-May 25, 1922
6. Everett Scott SS 1922-1925
7. Lou Gehrig 1B 1935-1941
8. Thurman Munson C 1976-1979
9. Graig Nettles 3B 1982-1984
10. Willie Randolph 2B 1986-1989 co-captain
11. Ron Guidry P 1986-1989 co-captain
12. Don Mattingly 1B 1991-1995
13. Derek Jeter SS 2003-Present

Babe Ruth was only captain for five days.  He was suspended from a game against the Washington Senators when he threw dirt in the face of an umpire while arguing being called out on a stolen base attempt.  On the way to the dugout, a fan started insulting Ruth, so he attacked the fan in the stands as well.

Don’t miss my two “Descarga Deportiva” segments (for the Spanish-challenged, “Sports Jam Session”) every day, Monday through Friday, at 9:25 am and 12:15 pm on Radio Esperanza, 1550 AM or on the internet on www.miradioesperanza.com

The 9:25 am segment on Radio Esperanza is brought to you by the fine folks at La Lechonera Products.  The inventors of the original mojo criollo way back in 1970, also offer the BEST naranja agria (sour orange marinade) product on the market, along with the latest additions to the family - the SALSA PICANTE (hot sauces, both HOT and EXTRA HOT), SALSA DE ALITAS (Buffalo Wings Sauce) and the truly incredible SALSA PICANTE con AJO (Garlic Pepper Sauce - Sriracha).  Look for all the La Lechonera products at Publix, Winn Dixie, Sedano’s, Presidente, and GFS.  If they don’t have it where you shop, ask nicely the first time, then use whatever means necessary to make sure they start offering the complete line of products.  Go to www.lalechoneraproducts.com and LIKE them on Facebook.  Check out some great recipes!  

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Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day. 

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