Latest News
Monday meanderings: If baseball’s All-Star Game determines homefield advantage for the World Series and fan voting is part of the process, why don’t fans get to decide what teams are in the World Series — or at least in the postseason? Does that sound stupid? Probably because it is — just as is having either fans part of the process (which baseball wants to make them feel they have at least an emotional investment in what should be an exhibition game) or the game’s outcome having any tangible consequence.
Ingrid Romero provides today's soccer coverage. Well, something like that.
* With the news that Bryan LaHair of the Chicago Cubs is the National League’s backup first baseman, Cubs fans can breathe easier about their team having home field for the World Series. says by the time the Cubs make it to the World Series for the first time since 1945 in quest of their first Series crown since 1908, LaHair won’t be an all-star.
* Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker is upset with NL manager Tony La Russa (who retired after the St. Louis Cardinals won the 2011 World Series) because Baker believes he has all-star caliber players who did not make the team. As if the former Cubs skupper who can make that claim.
* In case anyone was wondering whether occasionally outspoken A.J. Pierzynski has a broadcasting career waiting for him after his big-league career ends, he will if he wants one. In part because he’s not afraid to say what’s on his mind (assuming that’s where his utterances come from). Responding to a quote by American League manager Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers (“He beats you mentally, he beats you physically, so I feel really bad for Pierzynski.”), Pierzynski said: “If he felt that bad, he would have put me on the team. He had an opportunity to do it. He didn’t do it.”
* OK, let’s get this straight. The Houston Rockets have offered Chicago Bulls backup center Omer Asik a three-year, $25.1 million deal. Wow. Makes you wonder whether the Rockets initially tossed out another number and Asik — not known for having good or even average hands — dropped it. Maybe Houston meant to offer Asik 25.1 million in Turkish currency, which translates approximately to a mere $13.9 million.
It’s going to be a new era at Fox Sports with an old (OK, not that old) Erin Andrews.
Erin Andrews probably won't be wearing this outfit as part of her new gig. Then again, it is Fox ... Credit: ABC
Andrews, who departed ESPN on Friday will host a new primetime college football pregame program on Fox and appear on the network’s NFL and MLB coverage (and elsewhere in Fox’s wonderful world of sports — and don’t be surprised if she surfaces elsewhere, too) Fox said Sunday in announcing her multi-year deal.
“Opportunities to add someone of Erin Andrews’ caliber don’t come along often and we’re thrilled to welcome her back to the FOX Sports family,” said Eric Shanks, executive producer, co-president and COO, FOX Sports Media Group. “Erin is one of the hardest-working, most-respected individuals in sports television and we expect her to have an immediate impact. In addition to having her anchor our new college football show and studio coverage, we expect her to be a big contributor to our MLB and NFL coverage as well as other major events.”
The fact that she has 1.3 million Twitter followers, has appeared on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and is good-looking don’t hurt either.
Andrews, a 2000 University of Florida graduate, began her television career with Fox Sports Florida as a reporter in 2000.
“To have the chance to not only host the primetime college football pregame show, but cover the NFL, MLB and various other incredible Fox Sports properties is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Andrews, 34, said.
Well, until the next once-in-a lifetime opportunity comes along.
Le'coe Willingham poses with Jesse Jackson.
Gospel Night at the Chicago Sky’s WNBA game against the Atlanta Dream was something of a revival for Shay Murphy, Sonja Petrovic and Le’coe Willingham — in terms of their offensive game. And you also can toss in Ticha Penicheiro who tossed in a three-point basket (and four assists to tie for the team high) as the Sky rallied to down the Dream 71-69 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.
Murphy (13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-4 three-pointers), Petrovic (12 on 5-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-4 three-points) and Willingham (11 points, 4-of-7, including 3-of-5 three-pointers and six rebounds) logged more minutes than any Sky starter not named Sylvia Fowles (21 points on 6-of-8 field goals and 9-of-10 free throws; 12 rebounds).
Swin Cash, Sylvia Fowles and Shay Murphy pose with Jesse Jackson.
In the fourth quarter when the Sky outscored Atlanta 25-15, Murphy and Willingham played the entire 10 minutes (as did Fowles) and Petrovic 9:46. Starters Swin Cash and Ruth Riley sat the entire period, and Tamera Young played only the final 14 seconds. Ten of Murphy’s points came in the final quarter with Courtney Vandersloot adding seven, Fowles six and Petrovic two.
The victory was the first for the Sky (8-5) since guard Epiphanny Price was injured on June 16 and halted a four-game losing streak. Angel McCoughtry, the WNBA’s leading scorer, led the Dream (7-8) with 21 points (8-of-24 from the field).
The game featured a loud crowd — it sounded like the loudest all season at Allstate — and included Jesse Jackson Sr., who visited with the Sky in its locker room after the game.
Jesse Jackson and Ticha Penicheiro pose.
“What I like is finishing the game with our bench out there and to have those veteran players coaching from Ticha to Swin to Ruth, letting them know how many fouls we have to give after a timeout,” SKy coach Pokey Chatman said. “It sounds different coming from a player and it gives you confidence.”
“I just try to come off the bench and bring energy,” Murphy said. “he starters play so many minutes so I try to just come off and get a deflection, a steal, or knock down a shot to help out the team. I just want to be a positive influence whether it’s three minutes or 15 minutes.”
“We haven’t been playing well up until now,but to get that good feeling of coming out and starting the game great meant a lot,” said Fowles, who scored the Sky’s first four points. “It was way overdue, so I’m happy.”
Some video from the postgame:
After the game, Marvin Sapp was featured at Gospel Night. If the YouTube censors are a little lenient, there should be two videos featuring him:
Speaking of the Olympics (OK, so we weren’t; merely seeing if you’ve been paying attention), Charles Billich is an artist whose work has been part of the Olympic Games. As fate — and incredible work by the research department at elliottharris.com — would have it, he also has a Playboy connection:
Advertising opportunities are available on ElliottHarris.com. For information and rates, contact sales@elliottharris.com.