Speed Read: Eli’s Space Condo Could Beat Rams

It was a slow night in the world of sports with the baseball playoffs off until Thursday, and the only football game to be found was the timeless Troy-Florida Atlantic rivalry. So let’s focus our attention on what really matters: Eli Manning’s futuristic space condo.

Eli Manning's futuristic house

Manning and his wife have a hyper-modern 3,000 square-foot condo in Hoboken, N.J., where nearly everything is operated with a remote control. Among the amenities: several 63-inch flat screens, steam-resistant speakers in the bathroom, and a secret bar stocked with top shelf liquor. ELECTRONIC HOUSE magazine is on the scene (with a slideshow to boot):

Eli’s guests are probably most excited by the hidden bar in the living room. It appears to be a normal column next to the wet bar–until Eli presses a button on a nearby Crestron wall panel. It then becomes James Bond-esque: The column slowly rotates and reveals a covert bar area. “I just kind of wanted the place to have a little secret,” Eli laughs.

Also included are two layers of automated shades that provide varying degrees of sunlight exposure. The place even has a computer that sets the the interior lighting to pre-programmed levels at the touch of a button. You know, for those days when you can’t even be bothered to expend the energy to flip a switch.

Eli Manning's computerized house

Unfortunately, most avenues for humor here have been completely destroyed by the fact that Eli Manning is currently the reigning Super Bowl MVP. He was a much easier target when he was losing playoff games 23-0.

In the things-that-actually-happened-last-night department, Greg Oden finally made his long-awaited debut as Portland stomped Sacramento 110-81 in the preseason opener for both teams. Oden had 13 points, five rebounds, and two blocks in 20 minutes of action. It was also the NBA debut for Portland’s Rudy Fernandez, who delivered several highlight moments to a near sell-out crowd at the Rose Garden. Even more impressive: none of the current Blazers have ever been charged with a felony.

Greg Oden debut

Now for your Wednesday surgery round-up! Mariano Rivera had a calcified joint shaved in his shoulder. The shavings will be packed in a Pringles can and auctioned on eBay.  He should be able to throw again in three months, and is expected to not have lasting effects. Meanwhile, Omar Vizquel had laser eye surgery. I’m sure the Giants are happy that he did this after he hit .222 for them this year. The Cubs’ Carlos Marmol got into a car accident in the Dominican Republic and had to get some stitches in his head.

Of course, Marmol could’ve just as easily ended up with a gash in his head on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium if he would’ve been anywhere near teammates who took frustrations out on the plumbing near the visiting dugout after their season-ending loss. The pipe-bashers caused a flood, according to the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES’ Chris De Luca. Brad Lidge is scheduled to tear a quad slipping in the puddle Sunday night.

• If the Dodgers do somehow win the World Series this year, let’s hope they take a cue from their 1981 counterparts and put together a four-man singing crew that rivals this one (thanks to BIG LEAGUE STEW for the video footage):

• WFAN’s Sweeny Murti thinks he knows why the Yankees aren’t doing so well these days: they could’ve drafted better players between 1997 and 2003. What he doesn’t acknowledge? Every other team passed on all of the listed players they could’ve had at least once as well.

• The Flyers played at the Spectrum for the final time last night (the building is being torn down next year), and lost — to their minor-league affiliate. To be fair, it was a home game for the Phantoms.

• Yesterday was the 100th annversary of the worst beatdown in college football history, so says BLEACHER REPORT. You’re off the hook, Neuheisel.

• What does 11-19 in your first three years get you? If you’re Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins, it’s is a two-year extension (AP, via YAHOO! SPORTS).

• Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s son is the owner of the AAA baseball and minor-league soccer franchises in Portland and he’s looking for an $85 million bailout from local taxpayers to help renovate their current stadium for an MLS team and build a new baseball stadium, says OREGONLIVE.COM.

• HOME RUN DERBY’s jersey of the week? This guy:

Brewers fan

Looking in the mirror might be painful for a few days.

The Saints have taken down a photo of the Vikings’ Chad Greenway clutching Reggie Bush’s facemask, according to PRO FOOTBALL TALK.  The team claims that posting the photo didn’t have anything to do with being mad at Ed Hochuli’s crew for missing the call.

• Broncos kicker Matt Prater tells the AP (via the NEW YORK TIMES) that he wants a shot at breaking the record for longest field goal, after his 55-yarder on Sunday looked like it would’ve been good from 70 yards. Unfortunately, Lane Kiffin isn’t his coach.

• Last, but most definitely not least, SHORT NEWS has the heartwarming tale of an injured soccer player who discarded crutches and a cast and scored the game winning goal with his injured foot…and then vomited from the overwhelming pain.

What is your favorite factoid about Eli Manning’s home?

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Blog Jam: ‘Boom Goes The Dynamite’ Gets a Job

• DEADSPIN happily informs us that the “Boom Goes The Dynamite” guy has found himself a real life sports reporting job.

Boom Goes The Dynamite guy

• WITH LEATHER will happily rain on the Olympic beach volleyball parade.

• BLOG OF HILARITY finds USC WR Vidal Hazelton going the Vince Young/Jeff Reed route in having some shirtless fun with his buddies.

• MR. IRRELEVANT finds a classic Redskins hog hat that’s the tops.

Read more…

B-R-E-T-T Traded To The J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!

Brett Favre will be staying in a green uniform this season - as a member of the New York Jets.

Brett Favre Jets fans

Jay Glazer of FOXSPORTS.COM first reported & ESPN’s Michael Smith later confirmed that the longtime Packers quarterback is Broadway-bound.

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Writer Who Broke Super Bowl Spying Out Of Work

The New York Giants didn’t beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. No, it was the BOSTON HERALD’s John Tomase and his February 2nd story about the Pats taping the Rams’ walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI that caused New England to fall short of a perfect season.

Boston Herald Sorry Pats

Eli Manning’s very un-Eli-like fourth quarter performance, David Tyree’s spectacular catch, and the Giants’ pass rush had nothing to do with the Pats waiting until SB XLII to lose a game. It was the ink on the page found under the byline that read “John Tomase” that caused Tom Brady, Randy Moss and crew to lose.

At least that’s what the Pats fans have been thinking since February. (PATS FANS.COM’s Official John ‘Borges’ Tomase Should Be Fired Thread” was born on February 6). Fuel was added to the fire this spring when former member of the Patriots’ video staff Matt Walsh handed over eight tapes, yet the Rams’ walkthrough was not one of them. According to PRO FOOTBALL TALK, it looks as though Patriots fans’ wish has come true.

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It’s Eli Manning’s Super Bowl Jersey … IN SPACE!

The launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery was scheduled for 5:02 p.m. ET, and while some minor league baseball attendees may have seen the launch, what they probably can’t see from the bleachers is the plethora of sports memorabilia on board. And before you get all El Guapo on me, I’m perfectly aware what that means, and the collection shouldn’t disappoint.

Eli Manning's jersey is in space

(That’s one small step for a Manning … one giant leap for Manning-kind.)

The uniform that Eli Manning wore during the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII victory over the Patriots is going with the astronauts. Of the seven astronauts, three of them are from New Jersey, which is technically the home state of the Giants. Read more…

Blog Pound: Will Candace Parker Save The WNBA?

  • Unsilent Majority wrote a WNBA post over at DEADSPIN. Beware of flying pigs during your morning commute tomorrow.

Candace Sparks WNBA

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Eli’s Sneakers Reunite Long-Lost Brother & Sister

Eli Manning is a miracle worker. Sure, he was able to lead the Giants to an unexpected Super Bowl victory over Tom Brady & his undefeated Patriots. But we now know how truly magical the NY QB is - his sneakers helped bring together a pair of siblings that hadn’t seen each other in 45 years.

Eli Manning magical sneakers

The HOBOKEN (NJ) REPORTER has the sole-ful tale of Tommy Morrissey, a local resident who was able to reunite with his long-lost sister - all due to Eli’s shoes. Read more…

Billy To Be Sent Packing? “D-U-I” Chant For ‘Melo

No more candy & ice cream for the Yankees? Aw, nuts (& dried fruit & granola)!

• CBS might finally be telling college analyst Billy Packer to pack it in.

Billy Packer

Carmelo Anthony gets treated to special chants at Staples Center.

• An NBA D-Leaguer expresses his desire for “The Office” actress Jenna Fischer through the power of poetry.

• Massive Colorado mascot Ralphie buffalOWNS one of his trainers.

• Quite a weekend for the Manning boys - Eli hits the altar, while Peyton hits the bar.

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Wedding Photos: The New Mr. & Mrs. Eli Manning

Yes, ladies, it’s not just some joking with the paparazzi. The news is true - Eli Manning has officially tied the knot. The Super Bowl-winning QB has received another trophy, as Peyton’s li’l brother married college sweetheart Abby McGrew on Saturday.

Eli Manning wedding photo

(Guess the blue tint on the camera lens was in honor of the Giants)

The ceremony took place down in Baja, at some swanky resort in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico. (Guess our Evite ended up in the spam folder.) It was nice of Eli to exchange vows in such a warm locale, especially after making Abby camp out on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field last January.

About 60 guests attended the “private” ceremony. But that didn’t stop the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS from snapping some pics! The wedding album starter set begins after the jump.

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Blog-O-Rama: ADHD In Baseball; Repeat That?

STEROID NATION has a look at ADHD drugs as they pertain to baseball.

YOU BEEN BLINDED says Stephen A. Smith wants the draft rigged in favor of the Knicks. Like that would ever happen (cough: Patrick Ewing).

Stephen A. Smith makeup

DEUCE OF DAVENPORT breaks down the Bernard Hopkins beat down. Read more…