Bob Uecker Shows Humor Still Intact on Upcoming MLB Network Special

by Ed Price

Filed under: Brewers, MLB Media Watch, Sports Business and Media

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Two surgeries on his heart in the past eight months did not remove Bob Uecker's sense of humor.

Uecker, the self-deprecating Brewers radio broadcaster also known for his work in ads, late-night talk shows, movies and a sitcom, is the featured guest Friday on MLB Network's "Studio 42 with Bob Costas."

Costas taped the interview with Uekcer, his former broadcast partner with the Baseball Network and NBC, in late September. In it, Uecker -- the self-proclaimed "Mr. Baseball" -- discussed his appearances on the "Tonight" show with Johnny Carson, in Miller Lite ads, in "Major League" and on "Mr. Belvedere."

But, especially with Costas as willing straight man, every subject allows Uecker, 75, to mock himself. In six seasons with the Braves, Phillies and Cardinals, Uecker batted .200 and started just 217 games.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/24/bob-uecker-shows-humor-still-intact-on-upcoming-mlb-network-spec/

Natassia Malthe Nelly Furtado Nichole Robinson

McCarty, Nyassi among those chosen in 2010 Expansion Draft

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/HfDp7RWbiX0/mccarty-nyassi-among-those-chosen-in-2010-expansion-draft.html

Sophia Bush Stacy Keibler Summer Altice

FanHouse TV: Steve Phillips on Josh Hamilton Winning AL MVP

Filed under: Rangers, MLB Awards, MLB Video, Executive Take

The MLB awards season concluded on Tuesday with Josh Hamilton winning the AL MVP.

Steve Phillips thinks someone else deserved the award, and explains for FanHouse TV.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/23/fanhouse-tv-phillips-on-josh-hamilton-mvp/

Maggie Grace Maggie Gyllenhaal Majandra Delfino

Patriots vs. Lions: Tom Brady Leads New England Back After Sluggish Start

Filed under: Lions, Patriots, NFL Analysis

The Lions headed into Thursday's game at 2-8, while the Patriots came in at 8-2, so surely there couldn't be a competitive Thanksgiving Day contest in Detroit this year, could there?

Actually, for three quarters, the Lions gave the Patriots all they could handle -- Detroit actually led 24-17 late in the third quarter and the game was tied 24-24 into the fourth. But New England dominated the fourth quarter on the way to a comfortable 45-24 victory, which moved the Patriots a half-game ahead of the Jets in the AFC East. New York hosts Cincinnati on Thanksgiving night.

Some thoughts on the Patriots-Lions game:

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More: Box Score | Recap | Tom Brady Named Game MVP
Two Lions Call Out Teammates Following Loss

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/25/patriots-vs-lions-tom-brady-leads-new-england-back-after-slugg/

Leeann Tweeden Leelee Sobieski Leighton Meester

Billy Hunter '99 Percent Sure' of an NBA Lockout Next Summer

by Jon Weinbach

Filed under: Sports Business and Media

'Tis the season in the NBA for Blake Griffin dunks, turkey handouts -- and gloomy predictions about the league's labor negotiations.

Today at a Thanksgiving-themed charity event in New York, Billy Hunter, the executive director of the NBA players' union, told reporters he's "99 percent sure" the league will have a work stoppage next summer. The NBA's collective bargaining agreement with its players expires in June, and league commissioner David Stern recently said owners are losing nearly $400 million a year, and are seeking dramatic salary and contract-length reductions in the league's next labor deal.

The NBA has enjoyed peaceful relations with its players after a lengthy labor fight nearly canceled the 1998-99 season. In that battle, Stern and the owners were intent on reducing the power of player agents and establishing a hard cap on maximum salaries. Now, the owners are asking for more concessions from players -- namely shorter guaranteed contracts and a smaller share of "basketball-related income," or BRI.

Currently, players receive 57 percent of BRI, which includes revenue from ticket sales, national media deals, league sponsorships, and merchandise. It does not include, however, money from arena naming rights, local media deals, or 60 percent of proceeds from luxury suite and "premium" seats.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/11/22/billy-hunter-says-hes-99-percent-sure-of-an-nba-lockout-next/

Amy Smart Ana Beatriz Barros Ana Hickmann

Kasey Kahne Wins Pole for NASCAR Finale, Jimmie Johnson Leads Contenders

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Kasey Kahne won the pole position for Sunday's Ford 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, while four-time defending Cup champ Jimmie Johnson's sixth-place effort was best of the three drivers vying for the season championship.

Kahne's No. 83 Red Bull Toyota turned a lap of 176.904 mph around the 1.5-mile oval, bettering Carl Edwards' Ford and Jamie McMurray's Chevrolet. (Kahne is shown at right checking times during qualifying).

But as significant as who will be starting up front is who won't be. Championship points leader Denny Hamlin, who holds a tenuous 15-point edge over Johnson, will start 37th in the 43-car field. Kevin Harvick, who trails Hamlin by 46 points, will roll off 28th.

"It was tough ... but our car is gonna be fine tomorrow,'' Hamlin said. "We know that. This is a track you can pass (at). We're looking forward to that part of it. Friday has just never been our strong suit and so we gotta battle back again."

Harvick, who has started better then 20th only one time since August, didn't appear overly concerned with his starting position. He finished third at Martinsville, Va., last month after starting 36th and was runner-up at Las Vegas despite starting 34th.

"I thought we might have been a little better, but not much,'' said Harvick, who drives the No.. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy. "Everybody on the car did a really good job. ... We've been talking about where we want to pit here, the same thing we do every week.

"Our car was very comfortable in race trim and we are ready to go.''

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/19/kasey-kahne-wins-pole-for-nascar-finale-jimmie-johnson-leads-co/

Anna Kournikova Anna Paquin AnnaLynne McCord

John Carlson, Karl Alzner Making Strides in Washington

Filed under: Capitals

ARLINGTON, Va. --- It took all of eight games before John Carlson and Karl Alzner -- the Washington Capitals rookie defensemen who had shared the same blue line with the club's AHL franchise -- to be reunited this season.

"Since we put them together, we have lost (once) in regulation," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said from the team's practice facility on Thursday. "That's pretty self-evident, I think. They are playing well. The more they play and the more situations they play in, the more they'll be relied on by veteran players. It doesn't happen overnight."

Alzner, 22, and Carlson, 20, had combined for 70 NHL games before the start of this season, but neither had been up with the big club at the same time -- not that that they weren't familiar with each other. The duo comprised the top defensive line and blue line combo for the Hershey (Pa.) Bears, winners of the last two Calder Cups.

"We know what to expect out of each other," said Carlson, who has nine points and is a plus-9. "It feels good that in every practice and every game, you're playing with the same person. You know where he's going to be and what he's going to do."

Boudreau put Carlson and Alzner together consistently when the Caps faced the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 27. Washington is 9-1-1 since and hasn't lost in regulation over the last eight games entering Friday's contest in Atlanta.

 

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/19/john-carlson-karl-alzner-making-strides-in-washington/

Joanne Montanez Jodi Lyn OKeefe Jolene Blalock