Short Interview with Dan Plesac

Daniel Plesac was a pitcher with an 18 year career from 1986 to 2003. He played for the Blue Jays, Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Phillies, and Diamondbacks. Today, Plesac works as a news telecaster for Comcast Sportsnet Chicago, co-hosting as a highlighter for Chicago Cubs and pre and postgame shows.

Q1: Who was your idol and why?

A1: Cal Ripken Jr. because he played a lot of games and every one of them.

Q2: Is this the year for the Cubs?

A2: Yes! It is by far the best team in 100 years.

Q3: What was it like playing in Wrigley Field?

A4: It is the neatest place to play. I only didn't like it as a pitcher is when the wind blew.

Q5: What is your most memorable moment?

A5: Pitching in the 1987 All Star Game.

This post is dedicated and in honor of my biggest fan Amy E. Thank you for a great day at Wrigley. Sorry about the Cubs.

Colllege Football Weekend Recap

As the highly anticipated college football season begins I was happy until my favorite team, Michigan, goes for a two point conversion down by twoo and it was, NO GOOD. This was a little weekend of upsets and a weekend for the two seed to be upset. The upsets include: #9 Clemson, #17 VT, and #25 Pitt.

The number two seed Ohio State did destroy Youngstown State 43-0 but their junior, running back sensation, Chris "Beanie" Wells took a hand off at about the three yard line, dropped the hand off and slipped on his foot in the third quarter. His feet slipped underneath him as he planted to make a cut, with the ball rolling free as he hit the turf. Before the injury, Wells ran for 111 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown run. OSU's Heisman Hopeful has yet found out when his return is but the team wouldn't need him against Ohio opposed to how important he is against #3 USC on the 13 of September where they are playing to keep their National Championship bid alive.

I was pretty impressed mostly with the highly overrated Georgia. They are worthy of a top 5 seed but not 1. Matthew Stafford looked wonderful and in eight carries, my Heisman selection, Knowshon Moreno, scored three TD's, a career high. For the first time in three years the number one seed on the AP Poll did not fall on week one.

Other news from around the league is that Coach Joe Paterno who started his 43 season at Penn State yesterday, tied Bobby Bowden for most coaching wins at 373. Also Appalachian State couldn't pull off another upset in Baton Rouge against the defending champions, LSU.

Look out for Mark Sanchez, USC (coming of popping his knee cap on August 8th and played sensational yesterday), Charles Scott, LSU, and Shun White, Navy, who ran for 348 yards in 19 carries with three touchdowns. White averaged 18.3 yards per carry and his longest touchdown was 87 yards.

E-mail your comments at kingofsportsblog@aim.com.

Interivew with Jennie Finch

Jennie Finch is an American softball player who pitched for the USA softball team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics, and is also pitching for USA softball in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Although she is listed on the roster as a pitcher, Finch sometimes plays first base. She is widely regarded as the most famous softball player of all time.

Q:Who was your idol?

A: Orel Hershiser


Q: What is your most memorable baseball moment?

A: Representing my country in the Olympics.


Q: How long will you continue to play?

A: Who knows Lord willing... hopefully a while!

Q: When did you start playing baseball?

A: 5 yrs old

Q: What would you say to a young athlete about becoming great?

A: Practice hard and have fun!

Q: How did you get started in professional softball?

A: They contacted me about playing... it was a dream come true!

Q: What are the keys to success?

A: Dedication, practice, hard work, competitiveness!

Q: Who was your best opponent?

A: Japan

Now That's A Comeback

Bottom of the eighth inning after the Philadelphia Phillies pulled Cole Hamels who threw a gem. Ryan Madson came in and Mike Fontenot hit a pinch-hit home run and the score is 4-2. Then Alfonso Soriano doubled and then before you know it Chad Durbin's in and Aramis Ramirez is at the plate with the bases loaded. Shane Victirino didn't even move. Ramirez destroyed the ball 389 feet. Aramis now has 99 RBI's and is an NL MVP candidate. Like I said yesterday, the fans at Wrigley won't give up until they win.

Cubs could give the KO to the Phils this series with the momentum they have. I get to see the Cubbies on Sunday.

As October Approaches Soon, Who's In and Who's Out

I made my predictions on the site before the season had began and now I will redo then as we come to the end.

American League

American League East: Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox are only 3.5 games out with a lot of games to still be played and I think last night's win will carry to winning the division.

American League Central: Minnesota Twins

The Twins have an easier schedule as they come down the home stretch and will edge out the White Sox.

American League West: Anaheim Angels

It isn't even close in this division and it wasn't since May.

American League Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays

With a narrow and lucky finish, unlike the '07 Mets, they choke and become the wild card team.

National League

National League East: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phils are a half game out and are going to sneak out with the division again.

National League Central: Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have really had a remarkable season and I think the players and fans courage with a mix of Lou Piniella the Cubs could go all the way.

National League West: Arizona Diamondbacks

At first I predicted them to struggle and Andruw Jones to hit 40 and I was way off. The Dodgers have lost 6 in a row and have knocked them selves out of the playoffs.

National League Wild Card: Milwaukee Brewers

This is a remarkable wild card team. CC Sabathia was a great pick up and this team is good enough to face the other wild card team in the World Series.

Playoffs (match ups are due to change)

Division Series

Angels vs Rays

3 2

The Rays put a hell of a run together but K-Rod is to good and if it is one to nothing in the eighth and he comes in it is over.

Red Sox vs Twins

3-0

The Twins got lucky that Detroit wasn't that good and that CC was traded but they got lucky in making it to the playoffs and they go home losing 3-0.

Phillies vs Brewers

1-3

Prince jacks a couple and they are on their way.

Cubs vs Diamondbacks

3-1

Due to a snowstorm in Chicago the series is canceled and is played in the clubhouse as a Rock-Paper-Scissors NLDS. Webb's fastrock wins them one and that all. Just Kidding! Cubs destroy but lose one because of mistakes in the bullpen.

Championship Series

Red Sox vs Angels

3-4

In the closest series of all-time Anaheim wins 4-3. In the 15th inning of game 7 a guy named Chone Figgins rips a triple and then Vlad with to out hits a base hit up the middle and it's over.

Cubs vs Brewers

4-2

The BrewCrew showed their youth to much and lost to the Cubbies.

World Series

Cubs vs Angels

Result: Cubs 4, Angels 3

The Hundred Year streak is OVER! Can you believe it?!?! Fans crowd the field like the old days, tears in the players eyes, and the city, WOW!

AL MVP: Carlos Quentin

NL MVP: Chase Utley

AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee

NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb

AL ROTY: Evan Longoria

NL ROTY: Geovanny Soto

AL Manager of the Year: Joe Madden

NL Manager of the Year: Lou Piniella

The Supreme Team

I couldn’t watch the Dream Team but I feel like I am by watching the Redeem or maybe even the Supreme Team. They played Australia this morning at 8:00 AM ET and wrecked them. The largest lead of the game was 32 and they won 116-85. USA came out strong in the second half with a 14-0 run which was cut by a Patrick Mills three (who scored 20)and were only up one in the first quarter. The team knows that they can’t expect a first half knockout because they have to wear teams out. Three three pointers changed the momentum of this game. To end the first half as the USA was up 9 Deron Williams hit a buzzer beater three then in the second half Kobe and then Melo hit three pointers to make it suddenly an 18 point game. USA now meets the winner of Argentina/Greece. Argentina has played well could they possibly give them a fight? As the US team gets closer to gold listen to the luck they have, Kobe’s birthday would be the day before the finals and Michael Redd’s birthday is on the finals. In the victory Kobe and Lebron combined for 39 points and 15 boards as LJ had a double-double.

The United States dominated them in every statistic. Australia was out rebounded 58-27 and every other stat. Literally! As the gold comes closer for us watch them play on Friday for the chance to get to the Finals.

Get Ready For The Open, The Seeds Are In

Rafael Nadal and Ana Ivanovic, both ranked world number one, have been named as the top seeds for the US Open which begins at Flushing Meadows on Monday. It is the first time that Spaniard Nadal, who replaced Roger Federer at the top of the men's rankings on Monday, has been the top seed at a grand-slam tournament even though Nadal could have always been the better player.

Federer, who has won the US Open in each of the past four years, is seeded second, the first time he has not been the top seed in a grand slam since the Australian Open of 2004.Novak Djokovic, champion of the Australian Open and runner-up to Federer last year, and David Ferrer four. Roddick was seeded eighth and James Blake, who beat Federer at Beijing, was ninth.

On the womens side Jelena Jankovic at number two. Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia is seeded three, ahead of Serena Williams. Olympic champion Elena Dementieva is seeded fifth, with French Open and Olympic Games runner-up Dinara Safina sixth and Wimbledon champion Venus Williams at seven. The last two U.S. Open women's champions are out of the upcoming tournament -Justine Henin retired and Maria Sharapova is injured.

How Do You Like That?

After leading the Bears to the Super Bowl XLII, Rex Grossman is no longer the quarterback of that team. Kyle Orton is the new QB in the Windy City. Out of Purdue, Orton is 25 and he played weeks 15-17 for the Bears last year and appeared in 2005. Orton won the competition without directing the offense to a touchdown or completing a pass of more than 17 yards. His five preseason possessions resulted in two field goals and three punts. Orton really deserved his chance after in his last year at Purdue he had 31 TD's and 5 interceptions. Lovie Smith finally had to put him out there over Grossman at the season opener against San Fransisco at home.

Here's the big question Bears fans are thinking about: How will the Bears do this year?

and Devin Hester the release of Benson the Bears could be contenders. The division is up for grabs. The Lions can play well but don't count on it. Green Bay with Grant and possibly Rodger's could win 10 or more but the threat is Minnesota. Even with With the addition of Matt Forte the good running back from Tulane and Kevin Jones from the Lions along with re-signing guys like Brian UrlacherTavaris Jackson's injury (he might be back Saturday and if not they have Gus Frerotte or John David Booty) they are fine because of one of the best running backs in the league, Adrian Peterson. Last year they almost made the wild card with a record of 8-8 but they'll got better.

Chicago Bears: 9-7 or at the most 11 wins and will make the playoffs.

Interview with Kristine Lilly

KRISTINE LILLY
Position: Forward
Height: 5‑4 (1.63 m)
Born: July 22, 1971, in New York, New York
Hometown: Wilton, Connecticut
College: University of North Carolina

U.S. National Team: The world’s all‑time appearance leader, she has stepped away from soccer to have a baby, due in July of 2008 ... She captained the U.S. Women’s National Team from 2005–2007 ... The only player in history to play in five FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments ... Not counting 2001 when the USA played 10 matches and 2005 when the USA played nine, Lilly played more than 1,200 minutes for the National Team every year since 1991 ... She appeared for the United States in three different decades ... She scored in every world championship tournament she has played, except the 1991 Women’s World Cup when she was 20 .

Q: What was it like playing on the wonderful 1996 team with Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy?
A: It was great playing with Julie and Mia. Not only did we have fun playing on the soccer field but it was even more fun hanging out off the field and being friends.

Q: What was it like winning the Herman Trophy?
A: The Herman Trophy was so long ago and it was an honor. It is nice to be recognized for your achievements but it isn’t what I shoot for.

Q:Who was your idol?
A: My idol growing up was my older brother.

Q: What is your most memorable soccer moment?
A: I have a lot of great memories. When I was little it was the oranges at half time and when I got older winning an Olympic gold medal and the world cup in ’99 was pretty special.

Q: How long will you continue to play?
A: I will continue to play for as long as I can. Probably another 2 years. We shall see.

Q: When did you start playing soccer?
A: I started soccer when I was 6 years old.

Q: What would you say to a young athlete about becoming great?
A: I think if you want to be great at something you have to keep practicing. You can’t stop trying to get better. being great isn’t just a one time thing you have to constantly work out it!

A: How did you get started in professional soccer?
Q: I made the national team when I was 16 years old. Then from there I grew up playing as soccer grew to be more and more popular. The women’s pro league started in ’01 and then ended in ’03 and now it is coming back in ’09 so it is great that the opportunity will be there for many young girls.

Q: What are the keys to success?
A: Working hard and dedicating yourself to something and having fun.

Q: Who was your best opponent?
A: Pretty much all the countries were great opponents. You can’t take anyone lightly.

Q: What was your most memorable goal?
A: I think my first goal on the national team was pretty memorable.

I'm Back and Phelps Could Have Won the Olympics...ALONE!

Look who's back! I am! Hopefully you enjoy the first article of the summer.

Phelps! 8! It sounds impossible. Michael Phelps has won more gold medals then anyone. 51.68. This number describes how long it took Phelps to set 7 world records and got 66 million people to tune into NBC on Thursday to see the 100-meter butterfly by one-hundredth of a second. Phelps could have possibly single-handedly saved the Beijing Olympics and many more to come.

Perhaps this legend who is become just as important as the President to come deserves to be covered in ticker-tape cruising down Manhattan because he is a HERO!

Bye, Bye, Mark Spitz someone else is taking up the spots in the record books.