Top 10 Must-See Sporting Events

Contrary to popular belief, watching sports live can sometimes be less entertaining than watching it on TV. There's that annoying fan next to you, a line in the bathroom, a line to grab a beer, and that back of yours could sometimes use a more comfortable seating arrangement. With that being said, there are sporting events that I would thoroughly enjoy to see live. And those events are listed here, in my TOP 10 must-see sporting events. This list is obviously subjective so try not to freak out when you see something you disagree with. However, I did try to incorporate a variety of sports to keep it as objective as possible. Anyways, here are some sporting events that I, and maybe you, hope to experience some day.

Three's Company But There's Only One

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Bubba Watson. These three gentlemen will be paired for the opening round at this year's U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. There is a lot of hype surrounding this group as it features three of the best golfers in the world. However, neither Mickelson nor Watson compare to Tiger Woods.

 

Coming off a remarkable win at the Memorial Tournament only a couple weeks ago, Woods enters the U.S. Open as the 3-1 odds favorite. Tiger's win at Memorial was his 73rd PGA Tour win of all time tying him Jack Nicklaus for 2nd all-time. Tiger is now only 9 PGA Tour wins behind Sam Sneed who has the most PGA Tour wins of all-time at 82.

Tell 'Em How You Really Feel

The Los Angeles Kings are the 2012 Stanley Cup champions. This is the Kings first ever championship and my-oh-my did they earn it. The Kings' road to the Cup began after firing their head coach midway through the season and then barely making it into the playoffs as the #8 seed. Once they got into "the dance" they went 16-4 and began every series on the road as the proverbial underdog taking out the #1 Vancouver Canucks, the #2 St. Louis Blues, the #3 Phoenix Coyotes and lastly, the Eastern Conference New Jersey Devils to cap off their historic playoff run. Only such a run could elicit such an emotional response from the Kings captain Dustin Brown.

Before continuing, go ahead and watch the short video clip of Dustin Brown's postgame interview with NBC's Pierre McGuire.

After watching the video you notice the blatant F bomb by the Kings captain. When I first heard it I thought he said it, but wasn't really sure. But sure enough, after watching it over and over, it is quite clear that Dustin Brown did indeed use some profane language.

This leads me to the main purpose of this post.

Game Grub

When people watch sports, whether it be live or in the friendly confines of their own home, there is, among other things, food. Throughout the course of time, especially in America, there has been a strong relationship between food and sports viewership. Understanding the importance of this connection, I've put together a list of the best possible food choices when watching a particular sport. Now I'm only focusing on the food aspect here, but it should go without saying that a cold beverage is a mandatory part of your meal and/or your game. Never leave a soldier behind.

Anyways, without any further ado here are a few sports accompanied with their recommended meal. Bon Appetit everybody.


BASEBALL: Hot Dog, Bratwurst
Recommended Sides: Watermelon, Baked Beans, Corn, Salad, French Fries

Fire up the grill, throw some brats or dogs on there maybe grill up some onions and let it ride. Ketchup, mustard, relish, sauerkraut, peppers, however you like it just be sure to give the bun a minute or two on the grill to give it a nice toasty taste. I don't think you can wrong with this option as it is a pretty standard food choice for a pretty standard game.



BASKETBALL: Steak
Recommended Sides: Salad, Rice, Steamed Vegetables, Potatoes
The best game to watch and play deserves only the best when it comes to food. A well-seasoned, juicy steak accompanied with a nice salad and rice always does the trick. Maybe add some A1 sauce or Worcestershire sauce depending on the mood but whatever you do, make sure you're cutting that bad boy with CUTCO - the finest kitchen cutlery in the world

Interested in CUTCO? Feel free to contact me.

The Greatest Not To Be

Words cannot describe it but they can try. 

I believed I could fly. 

I did fly, higher than high. 

Then I fell lower than low. 

Left my hometown on the go. 

Took my talents to South Beach guaranteed rings. 

Guaranteed things since I was king of kings. 

Not one, not two, not three, not four.
Now in troubled waters just looking for the shore.

They all probably think I'm a liar.

"He's so good, so strong, but he has no fire." 

I'm just a man expected to be more.

I try to block it out but I can't close the door.

Nobody can guard me when I have the ball.

Except pressure, that guy's too tall. 

Have You Ever Wondered?

If the foul pole is in fair territory then why isn't it called the fair pole?

Why is it the only sport without a time limit?

If the pitcher makes a fielding error and a run scores is it an earned OR unearned run?

Why is it the only sport that requires wearing a hat and a glove?

If some batters hit both right and left handed why don't any pitchers throw right and left handed?

Why are the dimensions of a baseball field different for every field and not universal?

Why is it the only sport that allows you to eat and drink and chew tobacco while you play?


Why are they called runs and not goals or points?

Why does one league have a designated hitter and one league requires the pitcher to bat?

What in the world does hum babe, hum now mean?

Why is the field part grass and part dirt?

Why is the pitching rubber placed on a mound and not a flat surface?

Who the hell cares who's on first?

I bring up all these questions because if you think about baseball in comparison to every other sport, it's an odd game. And here in America, we absolutely adore it. Little League is the largest youth sports organization in the United States and baseball is known as "America's Pastime." And next to the NFL and NBA, Major League Baseball is the most popular professional sport in America.

Have you ever wondered what makes baseball what it is?


I'm taking off, you take it easy.

Bisq

New Nicknames

Athletes and their nicknames has always been something I particularly liked. Nicknames are fun and interesting and imaginative. For the purpose of this blog post, I thought it'd be amusing to come up with some nicknames for athletes who either don't have a nickname or their existing nickname is rather lousy.

So, without any further delay here are some nicknames that I've come up with. Enjoy.

Derrick Rose: "The Florist"

I have to give credit to Williams for coming up with this one actually. It's definitely one of the cheekier nicknames and one of my favorites without question. The Florist - it gets me every time. It's so perfect, the #1 is shaped like a rose in a sense, the Bulls are red, and Derrick Rose is a signature franchise player much like a rose is a signature flower. Could it be any more beautiful?

The Bulls star has a rose tattooed on his right hand

 

Peyton Manning: "Patient Manning"

Manning loves to analyze the defense and put his team in the best situation possible to be successful on every play. What's funny is although Manning is patient, he is also like a doctor, surgically dissecting every opponent. Be sure to check out this YouTube video to get a sense of Manning's play calls and audibles on the field.

Check out this video, it's unreal.

Dwyane Wade: "Dwayne Wade" or "Flyash"

Depending how you look at it, Dwyane Wade should really be Dwayne Wade. Crazy huh? His common nickname is "Flash" but it isn't in correspondence with the way his real name is spelled. If we're going with Flash shouldn't it be spelled F-L-Y-A-S-H?

Dwyane Wade's "Flash" pool

Hard Knock Phins

New QB Ryan Tannehill and wife

HBO's Hard Knocks announced Tuesday that it will be covering the Miami Dolphins for their 2012 season of the program. For those of you who have never seen Hard Knocks it is basically a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at a specific NFL team during the pre-season. In this year's case, the Dolphins will be the featured team.

You know, Berg is a big 'phins fan or phan however you want to look at it, and he tells me it should be pretty interesting. Initially, I didn't doubt it because the previous episodes that I have seen were very entertaining. But after some more thought I don't know how the Dolphins and HBO are going to pull this off, or at least contest with previous seasons.

Even though HBO does a great job with this program, I think all signs are pointing to a down year much like the 'phins upcoming season.

Here's why.

Finals' Predictions

Four NBA teams remain and only one will hoist the hardware. Below, I have made my predictions for the remaining playoff games. Call me bold, call me crazy, call me what you will, I'm getting rowdy.

Google Girlfriend

Have you ever noticed when you do a Google search of an athlete or celebrity one of the most recurring "fill-in" words I guess is what you would call it, is the word girlfriend? For some reason or another our society has a fascination with being in the know with who athletes and celebrities are dating. So, as standard in my DNA, I got to thinking.

Which athlete is the ultimate ladies man?

To be honest, there wasn't a whole lot of thinking that needed to be done. I knew the answer almost immediately. But, to be fair to the other male athletes I'll acknowledge them by putting them in my TOP 5 athletes with the most impressive dating record.

I doubt that hairstyle lasted long in the marriage.

5. Tony Romo
Known for: Carrie Underwood, Jessica Simpson, Candice Crawford.

I've always questioned Romo's ability at the quarterback position, but he seems to avoid interceptions and fumbled snaps off the gridiron. Romo just recently got married to Candice Crawford after having two high-profile girlfriends in Underwood and then Simpson.



4. Andy Roddick

Roddick with his wife Brooklyn Decker.

Known for: Mandy Moore, Maria Sharapova, Brooklyn Decker.

A lot like Romo, Roddick has had some questionable efforts in the realm of competition, but when it comes to females Roddick ranks atop the leaderboard. Roddick's dating history is impressive but his wife is the best winner he's hit in his entire career. Roddick's wife is Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker who, by herself, automatically puts Roddick in the top 5.








 

Prank Madness

I have always been a fan of pranks in the sports world. Whether its athletes, fans, or coaches its always nice to see some comedy in the competitive world of sports. So without further ado I give you some of the best athlete pranks, in no particular order since laughs shouldn't be ranked but rather appreciated:

Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick gets the shock of a lifetime. I hope Japan treats you well big guy.

Landry Fields tries to connect with his fans in a grassroots kind of way.

This one is done by Yale students, and its quite evident that this is an Ivy League prank.

2012 All-NBA Teams

The NBA announced its All-NBA teams today acknowledging 15 NBA players that were honored by being selected for the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team. It was no surprise to see the 1st team headlined by superstars Lebron James, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant. However, there were a few surprises and players I felt deserving of more recognition in their 2012 NBA campaign. Here's my take compared to the Association's.

NOTE: These teams are based solely on the 2012 season, therefore career statistics do not play a factor in making the annual All-NBA teams. With that being said, injuries do play a factor, for example, the 2011 MVP Derrick Rose missed 27 out of 66 games thus making it difficult to consider him for any of the three teams.

Anyways, here's the NBA's best in 2012...

Lebron James won his third MVP trophy in 2012

All-NBA 1st Team
G Chris Paul - Los Angeles Clippers
G Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers
F Lebron James - Miami Heat
F Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder
C Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic

I don't have any problem with the 1st team members as they are the best players in the world at their respective positions. I'm just glad David Stern finally allowed Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant to be on the same team together.

Team Bisq

It wasn't until this past Sunday that I had watched the 1994 American classic Forrest Gump in it's entirety.  Throughout the film I was kicking myself for not having seen it earlier in my life. The more I watched the film, the more I grew to admire Gump, Forrest Gump. He was fast, he was loyal, he was genuine, he was smart in his own way, and he was an overall good human being.

After watching the film I immediately knew I was going to post something about the film and intertwine it with the sports theme of the blog. So, after some thought I decided that I was going to build a sports movie character organization.

Below, I have ranked the TOP 10 sports film characters of all time through a "draft" beginning with my coaching staff.



Without any further delay here is the draft breakdown of Team Bisq...

Stop The Flop

Somewhere in Serbia Vlade Divac is smiling as NBA players have mastered the art of flopping. And somewhere in Germany Bayern Munich players and fans are living on the wrong end of karma after forward Franck Ribery flopped in yesterday's UEFA Champion's League Final. As the match was nearing its end, Ribery fell to the pitch in an attempt give his team a chance at getting a potential game-winning penalty shot. After the referee had signaled for the penalty shot Ribery was attended to by the ever-so-deliberate medical unit before being taken off the pitch where he would watch his teammate take the shot. As Ribery looked on, the little pain that he was feeling from his "injury" quickly shifted from his foot to the pit of his stomach.

Click HERE to view the entire video of the foul.

Bayern's Franck Ribery drawing a foul in the penalty box

Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Cech had done the impossible. He made an unbelievable save to keep Chelsea's hopes alive and extend the match into extra time.  After 30 minutes of extra time the score remained 1-1 forcing a penalty shoot-out that would seal the fate for both teams.  In the shoot-out, Didier Drogba - the man who made the "foul" on Ribery and almost cost Chelsea the match - had an opportunity to win the match for Chelsea taking the potential game-winning shot. And, as destiny and karma would have it, Drogba scored the match winner to give Chelsea the Champion's League crown while all Ribery and Bayern Munich could do was watch helplessly.

Summer Sports

Hydrate up.

Now that summer is here or almost here for most of you, I got to thinking which summer activities are the best when the sun's shining, the girls are half naked, and hydration is a must.  The dog-days of summer can be tough on the average athlete but with the right amount of sunscreen, beverage intake, and competitive spirit, dominating the summer athletic grounds won't be a problem for you.

With no further delay, here's a list of the top 5 activities that are perfect for your summertime experience.

Lather up.

 
5. Wiffleball: Oh yeah, some good ol' wiffleball is always a good call.  Careful though, make sure you're arm and beverage are getting plenty of ice after throwing a high-volume of pitches.

4. Tennis: Tennis can be exhausting, but it's a good way to workout and have fun. I'd recommend a headband and any other band you can get your hands on because you're not leaving the court without a good sweat.

Throw It Down Big Fella

In case you've been living under a rock and haven't heard about this video take a look.  It's become a sensation all over YouTube and here's why...

1. The anticipation.  For a second there you really thought big boy was going to slam it home.  Little did we all know that the only thing he'd be slamming home was his face.  Luckily for everyone though there was some protective padding there.  Otherwise, big boy's face is broken, the Atlanta Hawks have a lawsuit on their hands, and this video goes from hilarious to hilarious and "did they really think he was going to dunk it?"

2. The disappointment.  The poor guy just laid there face first on the canvas in utter sorrow and embarrassment.  But, I gotta hand it to the big guy, he competed.  All anyone can ask for is your best effort and he clearly displayed that even when the odds (and gravity) were strongly against him.

Bye Beads

I'm a big ESPN guy for those of you who didn't know that already.  It's my homepage on my computer and it's on the TV even when I'm not in the house. One day I hope to be lucky enough to land a job there with my own radio show or as an anchor for the latest edition of SportsCenter.  So, when I hear that Michelle Beadle, a good-looking, funny, and knowledgeable female is planning on leaving ESPN for NBC Sports Network it rattles me a little bit.

Let's be honest, Beadle is a babe.  She's been deemed as the heir apparent to Erin Andrews who is the godmother of sexy sports reporters.  For what it's worth, I give a slight edge to Andrews in the physical department and Beadle a slight edge in the mental department.  Andrews has raw talent, she's good, and she knows it.  Beadle's a guy's girl.  She looks good but knows how to have a good time.  Either way you look at it, it's like Andrew Luck and RG3, you can't go wrong.

SportsNation

Beadle was best known at ESPN for her role on SportsNation.  This was a great show in large part due to her gorgeous blue eyes and my man Colin Cowherd giving the best insight to all things sports since Berg & Bisq.  The show was funny, it was light, it was sometimes stupid, but it was different and that's what made it appealing.  This duo definitely ranked in the top 3 for me as far as ESPN tandem's right behind Neil Everett & Stan Verrett and Scott Van Pelt & Ryen Russillo.  But now that Beadle is leaving what is ESPN is going to do with the SportsNation program?  More importantly, what are they going to do to replace the ever-so-beautiful Beadle?

So You Think You're Big League

An interesting thing happened at the Diamondbacks-Cardinals game the other day. A guy took a girl on their first date to the ballgame, and proceeded to bring a sign that proclaimed that it was their first time out with each other. Well the guys at Fox Sports Arizona caught the couple and made a bit of an event out of it.  Take a look at the video it's actually quite hilarious. 

Contrary to popular belief, I'm not too familiar with the whole dating situation--its pretty foreign to me. But I'm going to go ahead and offer this guy some advice.

1. Don't announce to all of Chase Field that this is your first date. In reality, if you hadn't done that then there would be nothing to talk about and it actually turned into quite a funny situation but the whole poster thing was awkward. The two seemed as if they had no rapport and she was a bit standoffish. But hey in the end it turned out to be a good move, although I think the girl had no intention of denying him a second date on camera--bless her heart.

AAA always there when you need them

 2. Yo dude, when you car breaks down whatever you do, don't call your date to pick you up. Call your mom, your buddy, AAA, your math teacher, your ex, but not your date. It implies too many negative connotations, and its just the first step to a disastrous date. I know you were probably worried about being late and everything, but having to rely on your date for a ride is so unbecoming. C'mon man, you're better than that.

Ship Him Out Of Boston

Robert Valentine, also known as Bobby V is the manager for the ailing Boston Red Sox.  Sox Nation (Boston accent) can't be too pleased with the state of their ballclub or their new skipper.  I'm not even a Sox fan and I cringe every time I turn on SportsCenter to see them getting waxed by an inferior opponent. I mean at this point I guess you can't exactly call them inferior opponents but it is what it is.  And right now, Red Sox players and fans are fatigued.  By fatigued, I mean exasperated mentally, physically, and emotionally with Bobby Valentine. Yeah, I'll cut him some slack and point out that they are missing some key players due to serious injury, but my God get control of your clubhouse Valentine.

Valentine came into Boston with a chip on his shoulder.  He took over for Terry Francona who I happen to like now that he is a frequent contributor for ESPN.  Ironically enough, Valentine was an ESPN analyst after coaching overseas in Japan.  So, essentially Francona and Valentine swapped places and boy-oh-boy ESPN loves it and the Red Sox hate it.

Things are definitely NOT okay in Boston

Valentine is more concerned with calling out players than getting his unit solidified on the diamond.  By the way, the guy he called out was Derek Jeter.  Probably the last person you want to call out for a variety of reasons.  First off, he plays for the team that basically pushes you around in what Boston calls a rivalry.  He's a 12-time All-Star having won five world championships.  And lastly, he's 37-years-old playing like he's 27 with a .388 BA 5 HR and 15 RBI.  Meanwhile, the Sox are 12-18 and in last place in the vaunted AL East.
 

The Dodgers?

I hate the Dodgers.  Or should I say I used to hate the Dodgers.  In the span of about one month the Dodgers have gone from one of my most hated organizations to one that I'm beginning to favor.

Nobody calls a better game than Vin Scully

I took Clayton Kershaw as my No. 1 arm in my fantasy baseball league.  Matt Kemp is about as exciting a baseball player you're going to find.  Magic Johnson just bought the team.  Their home whites have to be one of the cleanest looks in the game.  And, let's not forget about ol' reliable, Vin Scully.

Matt Kemp is becoming a star in Los Angeles

What's not to love?


Well, for starters,  I'm an Angel fan.  Secondly, it's difficult to attend a ballgame without looking over your shoulder thinking you're going to get put into a coma.  Thirdly, what they call a baseball cathedral ought to be called Waste Management Ballpark.  And lastly, the fact that they replaced "Dodger" with "Hot" for their stadium hot dogs has to the biggest scam right up with there with having to pay ten bucks for a cold one to wash it down.


But, for now, I say forget all that.  The Dodgers have emerged into a respectable organization with a bright future.  Did I just say that about the Dodgers?  Really?  The Dodgers?

I'm taking off, you take it easy.

Bisq

Could It Be?

In case you didn't offer up one of your toes, a la Bunny Lebowski "allegedly", to watch the Mayweather-Cotto fight this past Saturday then you missed Floyd "Money" Mayweather's star-studded entourage. If you know anything about Mayweather you would know that it comes to no surprise that he surrounds himself with people who aren't struggling to pay their cable bill. But it does come as a surprise as to how his group of friends came to be (note: WWE wrestler Triple H is not pictured but was another member of Mayweather's escort team). It makes you wonder what these celebrities are up to in their spare time:

A young, confused Lebron

Apparently Lebron James used to spend his time in the cornfields with Kevin Costner. Hey Lebron, "If you build it he will come...but I don't think he will bring your championship ring." Also, I advise that he puts a shirt on for two reasons; 1. It gets pretty cold in those cornfields, and 2. The tattoo on Lebron's back is not only a self proclaimed nickname but its also just a terrible tattoo. But hey, do what you got to do Lebron, I just hope you brought your talents to the ol' cornfields with your excellent body. 

 

Chewy and Wicket make a great battery

And what we have here is a sight to see. Chewbacca straddling the mound pitching to his battery mate, Wicket the Ewok. I'll tell you what, if I drafted Chewy I'd probably start him out in the bullpen and then slowly transition him into the starting rotation. I feel like he would be a four pitch guy with good late life. And for Wicket, no doubt the guy knows how to call a game and I'm sure he can handle a stick. Heck he and his buddies handled the Empire pretty smoothly. I wonder if Yoda is their agent, because he might make Scott Boras look like a schoolgirl. Either way, these two could help out a couple MLB squads.

Great Time Of Year

For sports fans everywhere how can you not love this time of year?  Spring's over, summer is in full swing and sports are at their peak.  The major league baseball season is fully underway, the Stanley Cup playoffs are bubbling with excitement, and the NBA playoffs are as intense as ever.  Sure, not having football right now kind of stings but I can live with baseball, hockey playoffs, and basketball playoffs.  And if you really want to get rowdy throw in the Champions League final (that's a soccer championship in Europe for all of you Americans).  It's a beautiful time of year to crack open a cold one, fire up the barbecue, and enjoy some quality time with family and friends.  Cheers everyone.

Be sure to check out these video clips, they are ALL truly inspiring and entertaining.

"MLB Genrations" Great 2012 MLB commercial 

"Beacuse it's the Cup" Another great commercial - Stanley Cup 2012

NBA Playoffs 2012 "Burn it Down" promo video

MUST-SEE commercial that blends the past and present greats of the NBA

I'm taking off, you take it easy.

Bisq

Welcome To The Bigs Kid

Last night on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball the Philadelphia Phillies visited the Washington Nationals.  Being that this was the "game of the week" there was a lot of hype surrounding 19 year-old phenom Bryce Harper.  Harper, according to scouts and analysts has everything it takes to be a premier player in the league for a long time drawing comparisons to Ken Griffey Jr. and Chipper Jones in their prime.


Having said all that, Cole Hamels could care less.  The Phillies starting pitcher plunked Harper in his first at-bat of the game with a 94 MPH fastball.  After the game Hamels admitted to hitting Harper on purpose saying, "I was trying to hit him, I'm not going to deny it."  Hamels went on explaining in more depth as to why he decided to hit the 19 year-old rookie.

Friday Funnies

In light of the holiday weekend, here are some funnies to get you ready for the weekend. Those that were inappropriate were left off. Also, RIP Adam Rauch (MCA) founding member of the Beastie Boys. In his honor:

Brought to us by TheHoopDoctors.com here are the top ten bloopers of the NBA season:

A couple of kids doing funny things:

And lastly a story about Jeff Francoeur, who knows how to give back to the fans.

Thanks for reading, have a great weekend. Until next time, this is the Berg just trying to stay relevant.

Redunkulous

Last night in the Heat - Knicks game the Heat proved that the Knicks have no business being on the same floor with them even if it's at the Garden.  However, there was one bright spot in the Knicks' performance.  If you didn't get a chance to see J.R. Smith's dunk then go ahead and take a look below.

After seeing this dunk and some back-and-forth text messaging with a friend, aka Sparky Anderson, I asked myself who are the best dunkers of all time?  I immediately thought of guys like Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Dominique Wilkins, and Dr. J, but there are many others.  Below I've compiled some videos of the NBA's greatest dunkers of all time in no particular order.  Enjoy and look out below!!

Vince Carter - Half Man Half Amazing, Vinsanity, Air Canada

 

Michael Jordan - Air Jordan, MJ, His Airness

Kobe Bryant - Black Mamba

Julius Erving - Dr. J, The Doctor

Shawn Kemp - The Reign Man

Lebron James - King James, LBJ

Dominique Wilkins - The Human Highlight Film, Nique

Clyde Drexler - The Glide

Blake Griffin - Ginger Griff

I'm taking off, you take it easy.

Bisq

Leave It To Weaver

Rarely does a young boy fulfill his dream of playing under the bright stadium lights as a major league ballplayer.  It's even rarer to become one of the best pitchers in the game and better yet, throw a no-hitter.  And that rarity is now a reality for Jered Weaver who threw a no-hitter last night against the Minnesota Twins.

But like I've mentioned before, I'm a fan of Weav because of everything he does outside of the box score.  He is the consummate competitor, the perfect teammate, and a good guy as evidenced by his post game interview.  He signed a 5-year $85 million dollar contract extension in the off-season when he very easily could have made substantially more money by leaving for free agency.  But, Weaver declined and decided to stay loyal to his Southern California roots because that's just the kind of guy he is.  He's an easy guy to root for and there honestly isn't enough I can say about Jered Weaver the man.

As a pitcher, he often gets lost in the mix when you rank the top pitchers in the game.  But if I had to win one game and had to give the ball to one guy it would be Jered Weaver, no doubt about it.  He doesn't throw 98 MPH and he doesn't have a staggering breaking ball, but he sure as hell has heart.  And I'll take that on any given night.  With that said, it's not like Weaver is just an average pitcher.  He is the ace of one of the best rotations in baseball, he was a 1st round draft pick from Long Beach State, and he's cemented himself as a Cy Young candidate in the American League every year.

Weaver and his teammates celebrating the no-hitter. Careful! There's a beverage involved.

Happy 21st Birthday Berg

On this day (May 3) in 1991 the Berg was born.  I don't know how many pounds and ounces the guy was, all I knew was that I had a little brother.  And it's been boy-oh-boy ever since.

Berg sporting the White Sox uniform on the top left

With Berg turning 21 today I think it's an opportune time to give you some background on where the name "Berg" actually came from.  For those of you aren't fully aware of the name origin it all started back when we were kids.  During the days of summer it was standard for us to play out on the street and make trips to the community pool.  We would spend hours upon hours playing baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and any other sport we could think of until we got called in for dinner.

The house across the street from us had two boys roughly around the same age as Chase and I so competitive 2-on-2 games were conveniently arranged.  In our neighborhood also lived a couple of Anaheim Ducks hockey players.  Because of this, we were all into hockey.  We would play hockey with a tennis ball serving as our puck with one scorer and one goalie to a side.

Can It Chuck

He may be wrong, but he doubts it.  I know he's wrong, I don't doubt it.  Charles Barkley has lost some weight but he's also lost his mind.  I've honestly started to think that TNT keeps him on as a NBA analyst for the mere fact that his absurd commentary provides some sort of comedic entertainment.

For example, just last night after the Lakers took a 2-0 commanding lead over the Denver Nuggets, host Ernie Johnson asked Barkley if he still thinks the Nuggets are going to win the series.  Are you serious? Why Barkley even thought that was a logical pick in the first place is beyond me.  But to think the Nuggets can still win after being down 2-0 to a clearly more dominant team is preposterous.

And what's up with these Weight Watchers advertisements?  First of all, how can you go from representing Taco Bell to Weight Watchers?  That'd be like Derek Jeter signing with the Boston Red Sox after his contract expires with the Yankees.  Second of all, Barkley himself admitted that Weight Watchers is a complete scam, basically saying he is making easy money for being their spokesman.  But to be honest, that's probably Weight Watchers' fault more so than it is Barkley's.  As it is though, Barkley runs his mouth more than he runs on the treadmill and that's been his M.O. ever since he retired from the NBA.

Keep Your Shoes On

A funny thing happened during last night's Heat-Knicks game. As Mike Bibby went up to battle for a rebound with Dwayne Wade, he lost his shoe. The Knicks grabbed the rebound and were headed down the court, but Wade made sure that Bibby would be playing the possession with only one shoe, as he hurled it a good distance away from Bibby.

An interesting and comical strategy by Wade. Luckily for Bibby and the Knicks, the offensive possession ended in a quick basket. But it brings up an interesting argument. Was that a smart move by Wade? Or was it a cheap move? Clearly there were no dirty motives here, as you can see both Bibby and Wade had a chuckle about it. But one can argue that Wade gave his team a competitive advantage, essentially making the possession 5 on 4.

Mike Bibby back when he learned how to tie his shoes

But you could argue that the Knicks were already at a disadvantage having Bibby on the floor, but now he only had one shoe putting the Knicks in a deeper hole. When you are as old and ineffective as Bibby its essential that every part of your game is thoroughly checked before stepping onto the floor. These aren't the days on the playground where no shoes meant you were faster and more agile. These are the days when scientists and multinational corporations are spending enormous amounts of time and money into researching what makes the best shoe, because the shoes matter.

One Clap

The San Francisco 49ers signed Randy Moss in the 2012 off-season to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million dollars.  Moss retired from football after a tumultuous 2010 season in which he played for three teams.  Now in San Francisco and entering his 14th season, I think Moss will be a great fit in the bay area.  This is also a great fit for the 49ers who paid relatively nothing to help improve a below-average passing offense.

How so?

When you talk about Randy Moss you're talking about one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play the game.  Even at the age of 35, Moss' ability to stretch the field vertically will give the Niners another option offensively to compliment other key players like Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, and Mario Manningham.  Additionally, Moss will create more space for the Niners to utilize their already potent running attack led by a physical offensive line.  Also, and maybe most importantly, Moss will help Alex Smith continue to grow as a quarterback now that he has a legitimate option in the vertical passing game.  I like the move in getting Moss as the Niners look like a serious contender in the upcoming NFL season.

P.S. I didn't even talk about the 49er defense which ranks as one of the best in the league.  Look out for San Francisco.  One-clap.

 

I'm taking off, you take it easy.

Bisq

Moses Fleetwood Walker

Moses Fleetwood Walker

On this day in 1884 professional baseball witnessed its first African-American player.  Often misunderstood, Jackie Robinson was not the first black man to play baseball, but his contributions and lasting impact on the game are not to be overlooked.  The first black man to play professional baseball was Moses Fleetwood Walker.

"Fleet" was an exceptional ballplayer in his day.  One of Walker's teammates said that Walker was the best catcher he had ever played with.  Unfortunately, Walker's career was cut short due to segregation laws in 1891 that exterminated blacks from professional baseball.  It wasn't until 1946 that the aforementioned Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball and enabled blacks to play again.

Jackie Robinson

After Walker's stint as a professional baseball player he became an active member in the black community.  In 1908 he published a document titled Our Home Colony: A Treatise on the Past, Present, and Future of the Negro Race in America.  In this document Walker urged his fellow black people to flea to Africa.  Walker was a supporter of black nationalism and felt that racial equality was unrealistic in America.  Walker died May 11, 1924 and is inducted in the baseball hall of fame.

That's just a little bit of history for you.  Be sure to surf the internet for more on Moses Fleetwood Walker and Jackie Robinson as they deserve recognition for their efforts.

 

Little Big League 1994. Go to 8:49 to see a Fleetwood Walker reference in one of the best childhood films of my generation.

I'm taking off, you take it easy.

Bisq

Stay in Your Seats Please

There was a day when streaking was something to spice up a sporting event. Who could forget the Anna Kournikova streaker at Wimbledon? That was well planned, a good play on a marketing slogan, and it was perfect timing at a widely televised sporting event.

A catchy slogan which a streaker used to his advantage

But streaking has become a lost art these days. Too many people aren't showing enough skin, there isn't great timing, the planning and execution is just poor, and there just isn't something that has wowed us lately. The act of streaking has become too much about the streaker, and less about the level of entertainment. Yes, eyes are supposed to be focused on you, but give us something to watch. You're supposed to be a refreshing break of entertainment from a sporting event that I paid to come see, so don't just be a drunk fool. If I wanted to watch a drunk guy at a sporting event I would much rather google Joe Namath's interview with Suzy Kolber on Monday Night Football.

All I'm saying is if you feel compelled to get out of your seat and streak onto a professional playing field ask this question before you do- What are you bringing to the table? Or in this case, what are you bringing to the game? If it is nothing more than drunken figure eights trying to avoid the security guard, then spare us and stay in your seats. Besides, these days everyone is getting involved to stop the streakers, and that has become more entertaining than the streaking itself.

Until next time, this is the Berg just trying to stay relevant.

2012 NBA Playoffs

The NBA Playoffs are here.  The regular season bears no meaning come playoff time, it's lose and you go home, win and you move on.  Teams are fatigued and injured yet rejuvenated and humbled by the thought of winning an NBA championship.  In the playoffs anything can happen, I guess that's the beauty of it right?  Well, unless you're the 2011 Spurs or Lakers or Heat who all lost as favorites in their respective match-ups.  But, it's now 2012 and a new champion will be crowned as basketball's best. Who will it be this year?

Below are my predictions for the 1st round match-ups.  I will track my pick record and update my picks according to the playoff schedule.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Chicago Bulls

8. Philadelphia 76ers

Pick: Chicago Bulls - Even with Rose out for the season Chicago remains a threat because of their depth and defense.

  

4. Boston Celtics 

5. Atlanta Hawks

Pick: Boston Celtics - Boston is too experienced not to get out of the 1st round.

3. Indiana Pacers

6. Orlando Magic

Pick: Indiana Pacers - Dwight Howard is out for the year and the Magic will struggle without their big man.

2. Miami Heat
7. New York Knicks
Pick: Miami Heat - Lebron James and the Heat are on a mission to not only get back to the finals, but to win it all. 

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. San Antonio Spurs
8. Utah Jazz
Pick: San Antonio Spurs - Playing under the radar works for the Spurs who are a bigger threat than many people think.

4. Memphis Grizzlies
5. Los Angeles Clippers
Pick: Los Angeles Clippers - Chris Paul won't let the Clippers lose in the 1st round (not after off-season talks of being a championship contender).

3. Los Angeles Lakers
6. Denver Nuggets
Pick: Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers won't get beat in the 1st round two years in a row even without Metta World Peace.


2. Oklahoma City Thunder
7. Dallas Mavericks
Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder - Dallas got their ring last year but drew a championship favorite in their 1st round match-up.

I will continue to update my 2012 NBA playoff predictions and keep track of my pick record as the games continue.  Be sure to tune in every night to catch some of the action on TNT and/or ESPN and ABC.

I'm taking off, you take it easy.

Bisq

Baseball and Beer

What better way to follow up an article on baseball ballparks than to talk about one of the most crucial aspects of watching a ballgame; beer. For the most part, the beer choice at stadiums is going to be pretty standard and the selection won't vary that often, only small changes depending on regional loyalties. But one of the most important parts is the price of the beer. SaveonBrew.com has given fans an informative graphic showing them which teams are a little too pricy when it comes to their suds.

A couple of fun and interesting facts for you to ponde

As you will see, and it should come to no surprise, the Angels sell the 2nd least expensive beer when it comes to cents per ounce. Why should that come as no surprise? Because not only are the Angels one of the best organizations in baseball, but owner Arte Moreno is a fans' owner. One of the first things he did as an owner was lowering the beer prices in the stadium. Moreno was able to put two and two together and realize that the satisfaction of his fans comes not only from the product on the field but also from the amount of alcohol in their stomach in relation to the quantity of green in their wallets.

Home runs and pitching gems keep the fans in the stands, but the booze keeps them satisfied and at times raucous. Those dog days in August can be tough on the fans. The sun is beating down on you and maybe your squad is having a bad day; maybe you can't get production from the meat of your order and your starting pitcher's curveball just won't curve, whats better than to wash it down with a cold one? Owners need to take notice and realize that there is no point in making a quick buck by raising your beer prices. Lets think about the fans for a second, and lets keep those beer prices around Joe Albanese's ERA.

Until next time, this is the Berg just trying to stay relevant.