random ramblings fred riecke, gamblersdata
…The family of Joe Paterno announced Sunday morning that the legendary Penn State football coach passed away – no doubt in part from a broken heart. There is no doubt that Paterno totally mishandled the Sandusky scandal and he has certainly paid for that poor judgement. And, as has often been reported, Joe was somewhat of a tyrant on campus. However, when all is said and done I will sigh and focus on all the positive things he has accomplished. I know that is not fair to those who were harmed in the process and for that I am sorry. Joe is just a few years younger than my dad who passed away some time ago. Men from that era were a different breed than even their sons. If you know men on the down side of their 80′s you will know what I am talking about. It is by no means an excuse, but it is a simple fact.
…Premature reports of Paterno’s death claimed the job of the student run college newspaper. The managing editor of Penn State’s student-run Onward State stood down Saturday night after the website incorrectly reported that the university’s former football coach Joe Paterno had died. The report, which cited sources, caused an online frenzy after CBS Sports ran with it — originally without crediting Onward State — before a family spokesman told The New York Times that the reports “were absolutely not true.” Joe Paterno’s sons Scott and Jay also took to Twitter to deny the reports, saying their father — who has been in the hospital since Jan. 13 — was in “serious condition” and “continuing to fight” in his battle against lung cancer. The Onward State report said Penn State players had been notified of the legendary coach’s death via email, but the website later tweeted an apology saying, “We were confident when we ran with it, and are still trying to figure out where our process failed. We apologize sincerely for error.” The managing editor, Devon Edwards, then released a statement saying he would be stepping down, effective immediately.
…I’ve never been a Brent Musberger fan but he had a very prophetic conversation on the Dan Patrick show a while back. Talking about why Paterno kept coaching at 85, Brent offered some insight. Musburger admits to having a personal friendship with Paterno and says that through his candid conversations with JoePa, he knows exactly why he continues to after all of these years. “This is a tough one for me because I have to say up front that JoePa is a dear friend of mine…I’ll tell your listeners the truth as to why he still does it. He is fearful — and he looks back at Bear Bryant as the example — he is fearful that he would not be with us if he stepped away. He is a man that doesn’t fish, doesn’t play golf…he has no other interest other than his family and football. And he’s just afraid what would happen with the rest of his life if he walks away from it.”
…An upcoming book penned by his former coach Hank Haney has Tiger Woods using words like ‘unprofessional’ and ‘disappointed’. No, he’s not commenting on his past few years, he’s attacking the book’s author. “I think it’s unprofessional and very disappointing,” Woods said, “especially because it’s someone I worked with and trusted as a friend.” There have been other one-sided books about me, and I think people understand that this book is about money. I’m not going to waste my time reading it … I just think this book is very self-serving.”
…You would think that the Mayweather – Pacquiao fight will eventually have to happen. I’m not so sure. I’ve never seen such an obvious money making blockbuster stall as long as this one. Once again, the Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao mega fight has taken another wild turn, with reports that Manny Pacquiao had personally spoken with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on the phone, in hopes of making their fight a reality, “I said just give me a 50-50 split in revenue and there would be no problem, anytime. It’s up to you. We’ll wait for your answer,” said Pacquiao during his interview. Mayweather supposedly balked and wouldn’t accept 50-50 and once again claims Arum is the stumbling block. Now comes word that Juan Manuel Marquez and Lamont Peterson appear to be out of the running to face Manny Pacquiao in June, so the two fighters are targeting one another with the idea that the fight would lead to the winner facing Manny later in 2012. And RingTV.com has learned that WBA junior middleweight beltholder Miguel Cotto is the likely pick to face Manny Pacquiao in a return bout on June 9 in Las Vegas at either the Thomas & Mack Center or the MGM Grand. I don’t see that as a huge live draw or a big ppv draw either. There something very strange about the whole deal.
…If you believe Freddy Roach, there will be a Maywweather – Pacquiao fight. Manny Pacquaio’s trainer appeared on Fox Sports Radio and said he believes the big fight will finally go down in November. Roach is a one of a kind guy and may be the most respected trainer today. HBO is running a series “On Freddy Roach” which is a must see for boxing fans. I saw Roach fight many times in his career and have been a huge fan of his ever since then. Check out the HBO show – you won’t be sorry.
…Speaking of television, Phillies’ center fielder Shane Victorino will be appearing on an upcoming episode of the CBS series Hawaii Five-O. Victorino is from Hawaii, so it is only natural that the Flyin’ Hawaiian gets in on one of the hottest shows on television. There is no word on what role Victorino will play, nor when the episode will air.
…The Indianapolis Colts fired Jim Caldwell this week following the team’s brutal 2-14 season. The Indianapolis Star reports that former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel may be interviewed to fill the vacancy. In their report, the Star says team owner Jim Irsay’s plane flew to Sarasota, Florida Friday morning where Tressel owns a home. They say that multiple sources expect Tressel to be interviewed for the job. Tressel served as a consultant for the Colts this past season after resigning as coach of the Buckeyes in May.
…According to sources, the Brewers player and reigning National League MVP Ryan Braun has formally initiated the appeal process regarding his 50-game suspension due to failed drug test administered during the playoffs. Since news of his positive test was made public, Braun has professed his innocence through his spokespeople. Braun’s test originally raised red flags because of the presence of elevated levels of testosterone. Upon further examination that testosterone turned out to be synthetic. Rumors are floating about health issues requiring the use of the banned drug, but Braun has yet to explain. Braun referred only in passing to his positive drug test and possible 50-game suspension as he accepted the National League MVP award Saturday night at a black-tie dinner. Radio?TV sports talk host Dan Patrick believes Braun will be exonerated.
…Lawyers for Ben Roethlisberger and a woman, who accused the Steelers quarterback of raping her at a Lake Tahoe hotel-casino back in 2008 have reached a settlement, which ends her civil lawsuit against Roethlisberger. The AP is reporting that Andrea McNulty, the woman who filed the lawsuit, and her lawyer Cal Dunlap confirmed the settlement, on Friday, but declined to talk about the terms of the agreement. The settlement also dismisses claims made against Harrah’s employees whom McNulty had accused of covering up the alleged sexual assault in Roethlisberger’s penthouse suite in July 2008. Big Ben was never charged in this case. but was suspended by the NFL.
…The poor Miami Dolphins. They went all in on Jeff Fisher and lost out to the St. Louis Rams. But maybe things are looking up. Now that Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin has been hired by the Dolphins, will Green Bay backup quarterback Matt Flynn follow?
…Say it ain’t so. Last week, ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com reported that the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays had a look at Ramirez batting in an indoor cage. “The Orioles and Blue Jays saw Manny work and Baltimore liked what it saw, but Oakland has been the team that has expressed the most interest, even before having him work out,” the source said. Of course there is that 50 game suspension hanging over Manny’s head and that might be a deal breaker.
…The Texas Rangers made a big move by signing Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish to a six-year, $60 million deal. When considering the posting fee paid just to negotiate with the right-hander, that means the Rangers spent over $110 million to get Darvish on board.
…The Celtics are old and they look it. Now comes word that indicates the Celtics have given Danny Ainge the go-ahead to trade any member of the team. It could be time for Boston fans to move on. Ainge also remarked that if the deal was right he would have traded Larry Bird, McHale and Parrish. And had he done that, he’d be have been lynched by the Celtic fans.
…The San Francisco 49′ers said that there would be no unruly behavior tolerated at last Sunday’s playoff game with the NY Giants. Undercover cops were dressed as Giants fans at the NFC Championship Game looking to eject fans exhibiting unruly behavior. It’s a simple ruse that all stadiums should use to eliminate the ruffians from sporting events. Even the most die hard fanatic would think twice about harrassing an opponent’s fan if the possibility existed that said fan was an undercover cop.
…By now, the Fausto Carmona and player-to-be-named-later jokes have been told and the pitcher’s mug shot has circulated around the web yet questions still remain. Carmona, the Cleveland Indians pitcher who was released from custody on Friday in his native Dominican Republic, had been arrested on Thursday for using a false identity. Police say Carmona’s real name is Roberto Hernandez Heredia and that he is 31, three years older than his age listed by major league baseball.
…TMZ is reporting that Vanessa Bryant is set to get $75 million in her divorce settlement from Kobe Bryant. I guess that makes her the most eligible female on the block!
…Could Prince Fielder wind up with the Dodgers? The longer he remains unsigned, the more that becomes a possibility. MLB is expected to identify a buyer for the team in early February, and the potential buyer could ask Frank McCourt to get Fielder signed.
… University of Georgia football player Sanders Commings was arrested on a domestic violence charge. UGA Police Chief Jimmy Williamson says the 21-year-old senior cornerback was arrested early Saturday after he struck his girlfriend in the face on a street corner in downtown Athens. “I’m aware of the situation and in the process of gathering necessary information,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said in a statement released by the university. “However, any time a student-athlete is arrested, it is a matter of serious concern.”
…GoGamecocks.com is reporting that It appears that South Carolina quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus‘, er, “legal incident” is finally on the verge of being put behind him. Court documents show that Mangus paid a $ 470 fine to settle his nuisance conduct charge, which he picked up nearly a month ago when Greenville police spotted Mangus urinating in public. According to the police report, Mangus had slurred speech and smelled strongly of alcohol. He was arrested and suspended by South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier before being reinstated for fall practice. Mangus was docked about $ 14,000 in pay and will not be eligible for any bonuses this year.
…You remember the Cam and Cecil Newton scandal? The NCAA did about everything it could to quash the mess and now they have finally acted. They’ve closed the loophole. The excellent website www.deadspin.com reports the NCAA was rocked by reports that Newton’s father requested cash from Mississippi State for Newton’s committal. The NCAA loves to cling to its whimsical little principle of amateurism, so evidence that Cecil Newton sought money from MSU—and slightly less evidence that he received it from Auburn—was bad. But not illegal! That’s changed. The NCAA’s Legislative Council approved a few new rules at their annual meeting, chief among them what’s being called the Cecil Newton rule, which bars family members of athletes from financially gaining from their offspring’s unique talents.
The actual rule qualifies “family members, certified contract advisors, financial advisors, marketing representatives, brand managers or anyone who is employed by or associated with such individuals” as agents. Why this was not done before is the mystery.
