Tragic Death for Angels Rookie

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The life of a promising young rookie has been taken prematurely. According to TMZ, Angels rookie pitcher, Nick Adenhart and two other people were tragically killed in a hit and run just hours after he pitched. There is currently no information on the other two people other than one of them is an Angels employee.

The preliminary story has an unidentified driver blowing a red light and plowing into the car that Adenhart was riding in.  The driver then fled the scene, but was later apprehending by the police.  Personally, I hope they throw the book at this person.  Forget life in prison.  This is not just a tragic story because he was a promising young professional athlete.  Let's not forget there are two other people who lost their lives and that is no less tragic.  My family has recently been affected by a tragic car accident so my thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of all three people.  Let's hope the media allows these families the respect and time to deal with the sudden and tragic loss. 

T.O. all of a sudden a team player?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Terrell Owens finally got the memo: Why don't you act more like a team player? Don't get me wrong, he's talented -- he's a tad overrated, too -- but his constant complaining and me-first attitude has proven to suck the life out of just about every team he's been with. 

But outside of that -- catching the football, running routes, giving it 100 percent all the time, I've never had an issue with T.O. 

Apparently, Owens, after 14 years of doing his own thing in the offseason --whatever he does, it does work because him being in shape has never been an issue -- he finally woke up and realized the more work you put in with you team during the offseason, perhaps the better chemisty you'll have which may translate onto the field. Not to mention, he should make a positive impression on his new team.

Owens showed up for the Bills' voluntary offseason conditioning program, something that he's never done in another uniform.

I hope he's doing this because he realizes the important of being together with his new Buffalo teammates. But I'm thinking this is being done as a clever PR move to say to the fans that Owens is now all about team.

We haven't been living under a rock for the last 10-plus years, though. T.O., as talented as he is, is all about himself. Remember his famous quote: "I love me some me!" Doesn't sound like that's about team, does it?

Perhaps T.O. realizes he better change his image? But perhaps he's already setting himself up for other organizations to believe he's changing his ways so they will sign him to a lucrative deal after this year when he kicks the Bills to the curb because they are losers?

We know what you're about T.O. It's not T-E-A-M, it's about $$$$$$$$$$ and TDs. 

Memo: How long will it take before the Bills wish they didn't sign you?

You're not a team player, never have been and never will be.

We'll get our popcorn ready!

Frozen Four Preview: BU will take the crown!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The Frozen Four will begin this evening in the nation's capitol.  Despite the fact that I work for Agganis Arena, the BU Terrier Men's Ice Hockey arena, I will not be in attendance this weekend.  Instead I'll be watching both games Thursday and the national championship on Saturday evening on the World Wide Leader.   If ESPN and the NCAA were given a truth serum, they would admit they're not thrilled with the draw.  One has to assume the  TV ratings will be down this year because the remaining teams do not provide the most excitement for hardcore college hockey fanatics, much less casual fans.  There's no Michigan, Notre Dame, Minnesota or Wisconsin.  Instead we have Bemidji State, Miame (Ohio), Vermont and Boston University.  BU is the only #1 seed left in the tourney and the overwhelming favorite.  Now on to the analysis

National Semifinal: Miami (Ohio) vs. Bemdji State (Thursday @ 5pm on ESPN2)

These teams have a lot in common.  Both teams were huge underdogs entering the tournament, they're both #4 seeds and have reached the Frozen Four for the first time in their programs.  On paper, Miami is the favorite.  They finished 2nd  in the CCHA, play a much harder regular season schedule and play a very balanced style of hockey.  On the other hand, the Bemidji State Beavers are hot as a team could be after dismantling Notre Dame5-1 in their opening round tourney game, and then Cornell 4-1 to punch their ticket to the Frozen Four.  What's most impressive about The Beavers run is their tally of 9 goals against the two of the best defensive teams in College Hockey.  

Prediction:  Bemidji State.  The Cinderella story will last for one more game.  

National Semifinal #2: Vermont vs. Boston University (Thursday, 8:30 ESPN2)

At the risk of sounding like a homer, this is the year of the Terrier.  That have the hottest goaltender in the country, freshman Kerian Millan, the best overall defenseman, Senior Matt Gilroy, and one of the best all around players in Colin Wilson.  Oh by the way, Gilroy and Wilson will are also 2 of the 3 Hobey Baker Award finalists.  By all accounts, the BU Terriers are the best overall team in College Hockey, and should win the national title this weekend.  There's only one problem.  They happen to face the only team in the Hockey East they had a losing record against.  Vermont was 2-1 versus the Terriers this season and swept them on BU's home ice of Agganis Arena in November.  The Catamounts won both games 4-3 and aren't the least bit intimidated by BU.  Vermont is lead by junior forward Viktor Stalberg and the diminutive senior Peter Lenes.  Both players have a knack of playing big against BU as they've combined for 9 points against the Terriers in three games this season.  The Catamounts are also a good defensive match up for the Terriers.  Vermont defenders are constantly in BU's passing lanes and disrupting the flow of the puck.  That right there, is the key to beating BU.  If Vermont can stay out of the penalty box, and disrupt the Terriers on offense, then they have a chance to make it to the championship game.  

Prediction:  Boston University.  Keiran Millan continues his hot streak and puts BU in the finals.  

National Championship: Bemidji State vs. Boston University (Saturday @ 7pm on ESPN)

Boston University is just too talented.  Vermont will be a much harder game for the Terriers than the underdog Beavers.  It's a great story for college sports, but the Beavers will not be able to add their first Division I Men's Hockey Championship.  This will be the 5th overall Men's Ice Hockey Championship for the Boston University Terriers.  With the win, there will be whispers a plenty about Jack Parker.  Will he decide to retire on top?  My guess is no.  

Make sure to check back on Saturday morning for the Championship Game preview.  

Who will wear Green on Sunday? The Masters Preview

By Matt Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The field at the 2009 Masters is so deep with talented golfers it makes it hard to predict a winner. With that said, here are the top ten players that I believe will be in the hunt come Sunday afternoon.

10. Trevor Immelman, the defending champion has been quiet this year but his play looks encouraging through the Florida swing.

9. Sean O'Hair has the length to neuralize August National, and he's had a week to get over that heartbreaking choke job at Bay Hill.

8. Mike Weir, 2003 Winner, has had a slow start to 2009 but Augusta seems to bring out the Canadians best game.

7. If Vijay Singh's, 2000 Champ, back is healthy he has a good chance to win another Masters.

6. Rory McIlroy, the 19 year old phenom, won on the European Tour this year but to expect the teenager to slip into a Green Jacket in his first visit is a bit of a stretch.

5. Zach Johnson, 2007 Masters Champion, knows what it takes to win at Augusta and he's playing really well this year. Don't be suprised to see him near the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.

4. Phil Mickelson, 2004 and 2006 Masters Winner, has won two events this season. Mickelson recently regained the No. 2 spot in the world, but will "Lefty" implode in another Major?

3. Geoff Ogilvy has a major league game and two wins under his belt this year. The former U.S. Open Champ should contend.

2. Padraig Harrington, thanks to Tiger, is not the top story coming into The Masters; even as he attempts the third leg of the Paddy Slam (Harrington has won the last two Majors). Although, so far this year he's been sub-par.

1. From Tiger Woods', Masters Champ in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, full rookie season in 1997 through 2008, Tiger has been victorious in one out every three Majors he's competed in and only missed the cut once, The 2006 U.S. Open.

Tiger's Major Results

Since 2005 Tiger has won six out the twelve Majors he's played in, that's before his recent knee surgery to correct his ailing limb. Now that his knee is better than ever, which he proved at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, if I were a betting man and the choice was Tiger or the field, I'd go with Tiger. But, let's see what pans out over the next four days..

Thug City: The Bengals just never learn

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

How is Marvin Lewis still the HC of the Cincinnati Bengals? He and the Bengals owners and front office staff have not learned their lesson.  I really think they're making a run at the next generation Oakland Raiders.  Amazingly, the Cincinnati Bengals have announced the signing of Tank Johnson.  I wasn't able to get a quote from Tank, but I am sure he's ready to come in with all guns blazing at the start of training camp.  The Bengals continue to astound me by signing and drafting thugs, morons, drug addicts, wife beaters and ne'er do wells.  

Tank Johnson can now be added to the list of Chris Henry, Chad Johnson, Odell Thurman and Cedric Benson to have donned the Orange and Black over the past several years.  I am not sure people around New England understand how spoiled we are.  While they Patriots have added players with sketchy histories the past few years, they have been able to "reform" the likes of Randy Moss and former Bengal Corey Dillon.  They also perform the due diligence to draft character players in the first place.  

This is just one more reason the Cincinnati Bungles are the laughing stock of professional sports and the worst franchise in the NFL.  

Update: Bengals cornerback Leon Hall was just booked with a DUI.

C's don't need Garnett ... not right now

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Someone please give Kevin Garnett a nice fluffy pillow for his head.

See, I want him to get as much rest as possible. 

With Garnett's knee injury, it seemed like everything was OK when he returned after a 13-game absence.

Garnett wasn't effective anyway, trying to work his way back into game shape. He didn't play more than 17:51 in any of those games, and he scored 10-10-12-4 points.

Something must not have been right if the Celtics decided to pull the plug on KG's comeback -- he's missed the last four games. Or they thought rest was the best recipe.

But I'm not really concerned about it. All indications are the C's are playing it smart with KG -- maybe he'll get some game action in the Celtics' final five games before the playoffs (The C's host the Nets tonight at 7:30 p.m.)? 

But that doesn't even bother me.

I'd rather have a rusty KG in the playoffs that didn't play in those final 5 games, than a KG who came back and tweaked his knee and then his playoff status is up in the air.

The C's have more to lose than to gain by inserting KC into the lineup right now.

In the Eastern Conference, the C's are 4 games behind Cleveland for the top spot, and face it they're not catching Lebron James and the Cavs. But they only have a one-game lead over Orlando for the No. 2 seed.

So the question is: Are the C's more concerned about holding down the No. 2 seed or trying to repeat at World Champions?

Easy call here in my book. Big deal, even if the C's lose ground and have to settle for the No. 3 seed, a healthier KG gives them a better chance to make a postseason run and repeat. The C's can't win it all without him. Kedrick Perkins, Leon Powe and Glen "Big Baby" Davis have been great, and their increased playing time is only going to help in the postseason, but they don't score or defense like KG does.

Who really cares about seedings? Home court, blah, blah, blah. I'll take health over seeding any day. This isn't a inexperienced team that's going to wet their shorts because they've got to play a Game 7 on the road.

Keep on resting KG, and we'll see you in the playoffs.

Do you feel twenty years younger?

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I am sorry, but I just couldn't resist.  I have been a big Ken Griffey Jr. fan since he broke into the bigs.  We've had some ups and downs over the years, but there's something about seeing him back in a Mariners uniform that makes me feel like a pre-teen again.  

When I turned on the MLB Network last night, I absolutely love that channel, to watch some highlights, I was immediately thrilled to see Griffey's blast off Francisco Liriano. Even now, I can't believe it's been a decade since his last game in Seattle.  It doesn't matter to me that he'll spend the majority of his time in either right field or on the bench as the DH.  I love to watch this man play the game of baseball.  The sweet swing still remains as well as that youthful smile.  Personally, I'd love to see him at DH all season and see the numbers he can put up.  I wouldn't be surprised with a .270, 30HR, 1o0 RBI season.  Would you?  Of course I'd be more surprised if he played 150 games.  

Either way, welcome back #24.  I can't wait until the 4th of July weekend so I can go watch him in Fenway.  Junior, just do me one favor.  Please be healthy to play that weekend.