8:00 PM CSN Baltimore has video of Marcus Smith, a U.S. soldier who dressed as a minor league umpire to surprise his children at a Bowie Baysox game with a home visit from Afghanistan.
7:45 PM A Japanese Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was swept out to sea during last year's tsunami washed up on a shore in British Columbia last month. The bike's owner asked that the motorcycle be displayed at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee as a memorial to the tsunami victims.
7:30 PM Buffalo Bills receiver David Clowneytweeted the results of his HIV test which came back negative. And to the critics of his decision to share his results, Clowney added: "Some people are Ridiculously stupid ... And can't see the bigger picture about things that are important in this world."
Sean Avery of the Dallas Stars is kind of like the A.J. Pierzynski of hockey: He kind of roams the ice like a pinball, picking fights with everyone he comes across, hoping that eventually an opponent will lose their cool and (a) serve some time in the penalty box, (b) draw a suspension, or (c) go wacko and retire to an insane asylum for the remainder of their days. Which means that Avery must be pleased with himself today after hearing the news that Ben Eager of the Blackhawks got suspended for 3 games after an Avery-induced fight.
(Sean Avery on the left, Ben Eager on the right, during happier times)
As TSN reports, Eager got stuck with the suspension after Avery got him so upset he actually swung at him with his hockey stick, while Eager was on the bench. “Avery had skated by and apparently said something to the Hawk bench. Eager reacted by swinging his stick.”
Eager will lose $9,677.43 in the process, which will be donated to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. Ironically, most of that money will be used on players maimed by Avery.
• Move over, Allie LaForce: WHEN KEGSTANDS GO WRONG serves up yet another collegiate challenger to someday succeed sideline siren Erin Andrews - Liberty University sports reporter Samantha Steele:
• Papa John’s wants to make up for their LeBron James “Crybaby” shirts by offering Clevelanders 23-cent pizzas. Unfortunately, the garlic sauce will now cost $11.99.
• Darren Rovell of CNBC knows Big Brown is in good hands, as the Kentucky Derby winner is insured for $50 million.
Via FARK, we have located a dandy YouTube video of a prank that’s a bit less harrowing and nasty than the Phillies’ Brett Myers setting up the fake trade bit on Kyle Kendrick: the Dallas Stars took rookie defenseman Matt Niskanen’s Pontiac Sunfire and “pimped” it.
It’s all surprisingly rather low key in comparison — goalie Marty Turco isn’t going to be mistaken for Xzibit anytime soon, and the most amusing bit is that it’s not even Niskanen’s car — he’s been borrowing it from his parents. Rookie salary structures are tough things, aren’t they?
NHL WILL TAKE THE VERSUS DEAL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH: While the NHL has fallen off the map for most people outside the Original Six cities, financially the league has never been healthier, thanks to a salary cap that probably saved 60% of the teams.
So even while teams like Detroit and Colorado fail to fill seats, the bottom line has never been fatter for the league.
Also included:
• upgraded video entertainment system
• iPod docking station at each seat
• two electrical outlets and phone jacks at each seat
• a bar in the back
• four-seat couch
So while we all have a pity party over the Versus deal, the Southwest Airlines of sports leagues proves they ain’t exactly making peanuts.
The FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM reports the nuptials between the skater and money-maker shaker will take place in Athens. However, the article neglects to mention which Athens - Athens, Greece; Athens, Georgia; or the Athens Cafe in Astoria, New York. (We’ll assume there’s a Texas version, and leave it at that.)
But we’re not sure if Modano is really ready for the sacred institution of marriage. During his lengthy NHL career, #9 has been involved in only one fight - a matchup against Rod Brind’Amour.
However, Brind’Amour’s surname roughly translates to “sprig of love”. So, if Modano’s single bout of fisticuffs was really a matter of the heart, Mike & Willa have a chance, after all.
