This Day in Sports History - 5/29/2010

Roy Halladay of the Phillies pitches a perfect game to defeat the Florida Marlins, 1-0, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami. The lone run of the contest is scored in the third inning on a three-base error by Marlins CF Cameron Maybin. Halladay faces three pinch hitters in the ninth inning. Ray Lamb hits a fly ball to deep center field where Shane Victorino snags it. The final out is recorded when Ronny Paulino hits a grounder to third baseman Jaun Castro, who fires the ball across the diamond to first baseman Ryan Howard. Halladay throws 115 pitches and strikes out 11. It is the second perfect game of 2010, following the gem by Dallas Braden of the Athletics on May 9. It is the first time since 1880 that there have been two perfect games in a season.

This Day in Sports History - 5/9/2010

Dallas Braden of the Athletics pitches a perfect game to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-0, at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland. The contest is on Mother's Day, a significant date to Braden because his mother died of cancer during his senior year of high school. Braden's only previous national exposure came two weeks earlier when he publicly criticized Alex Rodriguez for walking across the mound during a game. During the perfect game, Braden throws 109 pitches and strikes out six. In the tense ninth, Braden retires Willy Aybar on a lineout to first, Dioner Navarro on a fly ball to left field, and Gabe Kapler on a groundout. In a post-game interview, Braden's grandmother adds to the Braden-Rodriguez feud, saying: "Stick it, A-Rod."

This Day in Sports History - 2/7/2010

Four years after Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Saints celebrate a Super Bowl win over the Indianapolis Colts, 31 - 17, in Miami. The underdog Saints fall behind 10 - 0 in the first quarter before two second period field goals make the score 10 - 6. New Orleans coach Sean Payton has a surprise in store on the second half kickoff: a successful onside kick. The Saints drive for a touchdown, add another field goal for a 16 - 10 lead, and then fall behind 17 - 16. But a two-yard pass from Drew Brees to TE Jeremy Shockey and a two-point conversion put the Saints back on top, 24 - 17. The Colts march for a game-tying TD when cornerback Tracy Porter returns an interception 74 yards for a score. Brees has 32 completions in 39 attempts for 288 yards, two TDs and no interceptions.

The Best of 2010

With 2010 coming to a close here is a post with my 23 favorites posts from the year. Hope you enjoy these and feel free to check out other ones.

1. The Icky Shuffle: Israel Sets up Sophisticated Hospital In Haiti
2. The Icky Shuffle: Psych Live 1/25/10
3. The Icky Shuffle: Alone in the Shadows: The Triumph of Larry Doby
4. The Icky Shuffle: Super Bowl XLIV Preview
5. The Icky Shuffle: Meet Joel Pollak
6. The Icky Shuffle: 2010 NFL Mock Draft
7. The Icky Shuffle: Ernie Harwell Farewell Address
8. The Icky Shuffle: Bud Light Real Men of Genius on WGN Morning News
9. The Icky Shuffle: Memorial Day 2010
10. The Icky Shuffle: Comedian Elon Gold parodies "ShamWow!" on the 2009 Chabad Telethon
11. The Icky Shuffle: Tuvia Grossman Meets The Soldier Who Saved His Life
12. The Icky Shuffle: A Must See for all Teachers
13. The Icky Shuffle: Peyton Hillis Highlight
14. The Icky Shuffle: Governor Christie Today Show Profile
15. The Icky Shuffle: Look-Alikes 10: Election Day Special
16. The Icky Shuffle: LeBron James Nike Ad and a Few Spoofs
17. The Icky Shuffle: Colt McCoy vs. The Patriots
18. The Icky Shuffle: Kevin Bush: College Football Player, Iraqi War Veteran
19. The Icky Shuffle: Bernie Kosar Beats the Steelers
20. The Icky Shuffle: Gov. Mitt Romney on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
21. The Icky Shuffle: Happy Birthday Larry Bird
22. The Icky Shuffle: Look Alikes 11: My Favorite TV Show Edition
23. The Icky Shuffle: RIP Bob Feller 1918-2010


Coming up in 2011 I will continue our countdown of the 50 greatest coaches, more on the MLB Free Agents as they sign, players lists of Minnesota, Atlanta and Denver amongst others, more look-alikes. Also with politicians starting to campaign for the 2012 Presidential Election I will bring you videos and stuff related to that. And finally a new feature starting next year will be my "This Day in Sports" posts. They will not necessarily appear everyday but I'll give you some of the good stuff.

Carlos Pena

Carlos Pena signed a 1 year 10 million dollar contract with the Chicago Cubs. Pena has spent his last four seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. Pena hit .196 this past season with 28 HRs and 84 RBIs. Pena is a solid power hitter and does an excellent job defensively.

Related Posts:
1. The Icky Shuffle: MLB Free Agency 2010

Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko re-signed with the Chicago White Sox on a 3 year 37.5 million dollar deal. Konerko is not only an excellent batter but a great teammate. With the earlier signing of Adam Dunn the White Sox now have a much improved offense and both Konerko & Dunn can split time between 1B and DH. In 2010 Konerko finished 5th in AL MVP voting with a .312 batting average, 39 HRs and 111 RBIs. He is also 35 home runs away from 400 in his career.

Related Posts:
1. The Icky Shuffle: MLB Free Agency 2010
2. The Icky Shuffle: Adam Dunn
3. The Icky Shuffle: Best by the Numbers - Chicago Edition

Jayson Werth

The big deal of the Winter Meetings so far has been Jayson Werth signing with the Washington Nationals on a 7 year deal worth 126 million dollars. Werth is 31 years old but has only played 775 career games. Werth is a career .272 hitter with 120 homeruns and 406 RBIs. The Nationals have some good talent in Ryan Zimmerman, Nyjer Morgan, John Lannan and Drew Storen, of course they also have former number one picks Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper. The Nationals have also been linked to players like Cliff Lee and Adam LaRoche.

Related Posts:
1. The Icky Shuffle: MLB Free Agency 2010

Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter re-signed with the New York Yankees. Jeter was the Rookie of the Year in 1996 and World Series MVP in 2000. In 2010 he batted a career low .270 and a career low OPS. (On-Base % + Slugging %) of .710. Jeter is 74 hits away from 3,000 as he has 2,926 career hits. Jeter also has a career postseason batting average of .309 with 20 homeruns and 57 RBIs.

Related Posts:
1. The Icky Shuffle: MLB Free Agency 2010

Aaron Harang

Starting Pitcher Aaron Harang signed a 1 year deal with the San Diego Padres. Harang is a San Diego native and although he had a difficult season with the Reds he has pitched well in PETCO Park (which is considered a "pitchers park"). Harang missed two months during the season due to lower lumber spasms, so that's something to look out for.

Related Posts:
1. The Icky Shuffle: MLB Free Agency 2010

Mariano Rivera

The New York Yankees have re-signed Mariano Rivera to a 2 year contract. Rivera is ranked 2nd All-Time in saves behind Trevor Hoffman with 559 saves. Rivera also has a career postseason record of 8-1 with an ERA of 0.71 and 42 saves.

Related Posts:
1. The Icky Shuffle: MLB Free Agency 2010

2. The Icky Shuffle: Best by the Numbers - New York Edition

3. The Icky Shuffle: President Obama and the Yankees

Adam Dunn

The Chicago White Sox signed 1B Adam Dunn to a four year $56 million contract. Dunn is a pure power hitter who consistently hits close to 40 home runs, with his career high 46 HRs in 2004. With Dunn, the White Sox have some options of where to play him as he's played over 1,000 career games in the outfield and the past few seasons at first base. If the White Sox re-sign Paul Konerko they may rotate him and Dunn between 1B & DH.

Related Posts:
1. The Icky Shuffle: MLB Free Agency 2010

2. The Icky Shuffle: Best by the Numbers - Chicago Edition

Victor Martinez

Victor Martinez signed a 4 year contract to play for the Detroit Tigers. Martinez has played mostly as a catcher but can easily find some playing time at 1B and DH. Martinez is a switch-hitter who will bring some pop to the middle of the lineup with Miguel Cabrera. The Tigers are probably not done considering they want to re-sign Magglio Ordonez and GM Dave Dombrowski is a very active GM. Even if they don't re-sign Ordonez the Tigers look like a big contender in the AL Central.


Related Posts:
1. The Icky Shuffle: MLB Free Agency 2010

John Buck

John Buck recently signed a 3 yr. contract with the Florida Marlins. In 2010 he played for the Toronto Blue Jays and batted .281, hit 20 homeruns and drove in 66 runs. But in many ways his largest impact on the team was his ability to handle a young pitching staff. With the loss of Dan Uggla and Cameron Maybin in trades Buck can step into the middle part of the line-up and make major contributions.

Related Posts:
1. The Icky Shuffle: MLB Free Agency 2010

2. The Icky Shuffle: The Best & Worst of Trade Deadline Deals

3. The Icky Shuffle: OLD FACES IN NEW PLACES

Aubrey Huff

In an earlier post titled "The Icky Shuffle: MLB Free Agency 2010" I gave you 25 MLB Free Agents that I'm curious to see what they do.

Aubrey Huff who was #18 on the list recently re-signed with the San Francisco Giants. Last offseason Huff was waiting a long time until a team made an offer but this year, after he helped lead the Giants to a World Series Championship he was given a 2 year deal very quickly.

MLB Free Agency 2010

As the World Series is now over MLB fans now turn their eyes to the free-agent market. There are some intriguing names on the free agency list, and some players whose optioned were not picked up who may retire. Here are some of the players that we will be watching to see where they end up:

1. Cliff Lee, SP
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Mariano Rivera, RP
4. Andy Pettitte, SP
5. Victor Martinez, C/1B
6. Jayson Werth, OF
7. Carl Crawford, OF
8. Adam Dunn, 1B
9. Paul Konerko, 1B
10. John Buck, C
11. Trevor Hoffman, RP
12. Orlando Cabrera, SS
13. Vlad Guerrero, DH/OF
14. Derrek Lee, 1B
15. Orlando Hudson, 2B
16. Adrian Beltre, 3B
17. Carlos Pena, 1B
18. Aubrey Huff, 1B
19. Edgar Renteria, SS
20. Rafael Soriano, RP
21. Adam LaRoche, 1B
22. Johnny Damon, OF
23. Adam Kennedy, 2B
24. Hideki Matsui, DH
25. Aaron Harang, SP

Governor Christie Today Show Profile

Jamie Gangel of NBC News profiled NJ Governor Chris Christie whose stock has recently been rising as a possible Presidential candidate in 2012. This video was not only on the Today Show but as well as on Morning Joe and The Daily Rundown which airs on MSNBC.

Will he run for President in 2012? He says "no" but so did Barack Obama in 2006 when he was helping other Democrats in the 2006 Midterm Elections.

Frank Luntz's Focus Groups on Hannity

Frank Luntz is a pollster who often has Focus Groups on Hannity. Here are two Focus Groups, one from Florida talking about Pres. Obama and the job he's done, and one from California talking about candidate Meg Whitman and the illegal immigrant she had working for her.


Florida Focus Group:






California Focus Group:

Sarah Palin on Hannity Talking 2010 Election

With Election Day 2010 coming quickly the numbers are leaning towards many Republicans winning seats in the Senate & Congress. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is a Contributor on Fox News and is often on Hannity.




As November 2nd (Election Day) approaches we will hopefully show more videos about what is going on in the last few weeks before the election.