May 29, 2009

Link-O-Rama

  • If you've ever wondered what Mr. T would look like throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field while wearing matching American flag bandanna and shorts, today is your lucky day. He's a southpaw!
  • One of the guests on Adam Carolla's podcast this week was James Gunn, who in addition to being a director, writer, and actor is also the brother of former The Hardball Times writer Brian Gunn. Oh, and he was married to Official Fantasy Girl of AG.com candidate Jenna Fischer for eight years. In listening to the podcast it was impossible for me decide whether I was more jealous of Gunn for being married to Fischer or for hanging out with Carolla, which I'm pretty sure means that I'm insane.
  • Speaking of the OFGoAG.com, I'm not ready to dethrone title-holder Keeley Hazell yet, but I am giving serious thought to expanding the "candidates" list to include Diora Baird, Minka Kelly, and Kelly Brook along with holdovers Fischer, Marisa Miller, Mila Kunis, Kate Beckinsale, and ex-OFGoAG.com Elisha Cuthbert. Speak now or forever hold your peace and let me know of any Link-O-Rama regulars who I'm overlooking.
  • Jose Canseco's mixed martial arts debut earlier this week predictably lasted for all of 77 seconds, as he "tapped out to avoid getting hurt" once his 7-foot-2 opponent started mounting an attack.
  • Marko Jaric didn't waste any time after marrying his then-virgin supermodel girlfriend Adriana Lima on Valentine's Day, because she's reportedly three months pregnant.
  • Amazingly, the Nationals aren't any better at spelling than they are at playing baseball.
  • My NBCSports.com colleague Tiffany Simons has been busy shooting Twins-related videos, talking to Bert Blyleven about eating worms and asking Joe Mauer why he didn't end up playing football at her beloved Florida State.
  • Zach Galifianakis interviewed The Hangover co-star Bradley Cooper between two ferns:


    "Is that f***ing Carrot Top behind me?"
  • Let this be a lesson to all the other sports: Stealing ideas from baseball will lead to pain.
  • I'm sure her audience still dwarfs AG.com's, but among the 30 blogs run by MLB.com beat reporters Kelly Thesier's apparently ranks 28th in readership. I'd say something snarky about "Kelly's Corner" as a blog name, but "AaronGleeman.com" isn't exactly an inspired title.
  • As friend of AG.com Thor Nystrom reported while subbing for Thesier at MLB.com, Brad Penny beat the Twins on Monday despite "vomiting between innings." Or as Terry Francona put it: "He would come out, throw up, laugh, go get them."
  • Rotoworld basketball guru Steve Alexander's latest NBA mock draft has the Timberwolves selecting North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson with the No. 6 pick, which would make me happy. He's by far the most underrated player in the draft and point guard is the Wolves' biggest need.
  • Speaking of the Wolves, I'll give new president of basketball operations David Kahn some credit for writing a personal message to fans upon his hiring, although it wasn't the most confidence-inspiring 600 words that I've ever read. He sounds like a very smart, capable person, but it's unclear whether he can actually evaluate basketball players.
  • My favorite television critic, Alan Sepinwall, wraps up what was an outstanding second season of In Treatment with a lengthy and revealing interview with showrunner Warren Leight. It sounds like no one is sure whether the show will come back for a third season, but I'll be Freaks and Geeks-style crushed if it doesn't. Allison Pill really shined this season and likely wouldn't be back for Season 3 regardless, but Gabriel Byrne continues to amaze in the lead role and the show is the most underrated on TV.
  • As a world-class beard-grower myself, I'm humbled by these men.
  • Speaking of awesome facial hair, Clay Zavada's mustache is getting all sorts of attention.
  • Not only did the Dodgers host a star-studded "Blogger Night" at Dodger Stadium last month, they're now "providing press credentials and full media access" to select bloggers. I've got a nice rant all cued up about how that relates to the Twins because of what some of my fellow bloggers have experienced recently, but for once I'll bite my tongue and just say that the Dodgers are way ahead of the curve.
  • In the MVN mock draft, Seth Stohs has the Twins taking high schooler Bobby Borchering at No. 22.
  • Here are some of the highlights from my NBCSports.com blogging this week:

    - M&M Boys putting on a show in Minnesota
    - Rangers tell fan 'Yankees Suck' shirt is 'profane'
    - Burnett, Cash have their 'candlesticks' moment
    - Data doesn't support Bradley's claims of ump bias
    - Rickmania or Doc Porcello? Rookie wins 5 straight
    - National League has the edge in pitchers hitting
    - Chipper finally wears the Golden Sombrero
    - Smoltz's rehab start gets mixed reviews
    - Luis Hernandez, Trey Hillman, and track records
    - Are the Rockies preparing for a firesale?
    - Dodgers doing just fine without Manny

    I also wrote a brief entry about yesterday's umpire-related madness at the Metrodome.

  • Finally, this week's AG.com-approved music video is Carolla favorite John Hiatt doing a live version of "Have A Little Faith In Me":


  • Once you're done here, check out my "Circling The Bases" blog over at NBCSports.com.

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