Texas Sports Fan Blog

Upon reading ESPN’s NBA summer forecast, I saw what I thought I would see. Out of the 93 panelists, 88 picked the Lakers to win the west for the 4th straight season. Who would have guessed right? They kept their core together while also adding veterans Steve Blake and Matt Barnes.

The other five panelists’ picks were what really surprised me. The Rockets and Thunder were picked to win the west by two panelists apiece. As I sat there looking at this, I was baffled. Sure, the Thunder made a monumental leap last year, but to make the Finals this coming year? That is a bit premature methinks. And the Rockets? Yao Ming has not been healthy for a full season in quite some time now. Even with him, they are not a championship caliber team. I’m not sure what makes them look so attractive.

One panelist picked the Dallas Mavericks. Yes, the same Mavericks team that underachieved yet again last spring by being ousted in the first round as the number 2 seed by the number 7 seed Spurs. Again I ask, what makes them a title contender?

Not only was I shocked to see those trio of teams as predicted Finals teams, but I also was shocked not to see a trace of the Nuggets, Jazz, or Spurs. Sure, the Nuggets have the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors to deal with along with an ailing head coach in George Karl, but they are still a great squad. Although the Jazz lost Carlos Boozer, they gained Al Jefferson to fill the gap. And the always potent Spurs could surprise some people this year. The rapid development of George Hill, DeJuan Blair, and the acquisition of the best big from Europe in Tiago Splitter could be enough to vault them into title contention again, provided everyone stays healthy and Richard Jefferson plays to his potential.

The west isn’t as narrow as everyone thinks. There could be a surprise or two left in the teams thought to be below the mighty Lakers.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

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There were plenty of fond memories from Monday’s home opener, but in the end, it was a day to forget for the Indians and the sellout crowd at Progressive Field.

Fausto Carmona offered up another positive performance, and rising star Shin-Soo Choo enjoyed a highlight-filled game, but Cleveland still lost, drop-ping a 4-2 decision to the Rangers in front of 42,061 fans.

Nelson Cruz’s two-run home run off reliever Jamey Wright with one out in the 10th inning broke a 2-all tie and sent the Indians to their fourth straight defeat.

It was the second straight day that Cleveland’s bull-pen, a suspect group even before losing closer Kerry Wood to injury, had a hand in torching a potential vic-tory.

“It’s nothing to be happy about, but we’re not the only team that’s had struggles at the back end (of the bullpen),” said Indians manager Manny Acta. “It’s going to get better as the season goes on.”

Cleveland’s bullpen actually staved off the defeat for an inning after Wood’s replacement, right-hander Chris Perez, struggled again in the ninth inning.

Click here to read the full article – By Chris Assenheimer of http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com

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The Texas Rangers acquired right-handed pitcher Edwar Ramirez on Tuesday from the New York Yankees for cash considerations. Ramirez, who turns 29 later this month, was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Feb. 28. He takes up the Rangers’ final spot on the 40-man roster.

Ramirez had a 5.73 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 22 innings of work (20 relief appearances) with New York in 2009. He had two stints with the Yankees last season, pitching the rest of the time at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, where he went 1-5 with a 3.19 ERA in 29 games.

Ramirez was a regular in the Yankees’ bullpen in 2008 with a 5-1 record and a 3.55 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings. Opposing batters hit .215 against him.

Click here to read the full article – By Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com

Texas Tech released a depth chart Thursday for Saturday’s game against Nebraska showing Steven Sheffield as the No. 1 quarterback.

Tech coach Mike Leach has made no official announcement, though when he was asked earlier this week if he faced a new problem at quarterback, he said, “This is the first time I’ve ever changed or potentially changed or any of that. Yeah, I guess it’s new at that position.’’

Taylor Potts, who started the first five games before suffering a concussion, is on the travel roster for the Nebraska game and is listed as the backup to Sheffield on the depth chart.

Potts practiced this week in pads, although all Tech quarterbacks always work out in blue jerseys that signify no contact allowed.

Starting center Shawn Byrnes, safety Cody Davis and defensive end Daniel Howard, all of whom missed last week’s game against Kansas State, practiced this week, as did starting cornerback LaRon Moore, who played only the first defensive series against Kansas State. They all are traveling to Nebraska.

Group sales promotion extended

Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said the current group sales promotion of 50 tickets for $50 apiece to the Oct. 24 Texas A&M game will be extended and the same deal offered for the Nov. 21 home game against Oklahoma.

Myers made the announcement Thursday during a news conference to discuss the Jones AT&T Stadium expansion.


Click here to read the full article – By Don Williams of Redraiders.com

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11 October 2008 – Colt McCoy (12) of the Texas Longhorns passes during the Texas 45-35 win over Oklahoma at the Red River Rivalry game played at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Either the Texas Longhorns orchestrated their answers impeccably Monday, or they are genuinely pleased junior quarterback Sam Bradford has returned to the Oklahoma lineup.

Those who appeared at Texas’ weekly media luncheon insist they’re happy Bradford will be back on the field in time for this week’s Red River Rivalry after missing 31/2 games with a separated right (throwing) shoulder.

No one in burnt orange appeared to fight the urge to say, “Aw, man. Why couldn’t he have returned next week?”

There was an upbeat inflection in Longhorn voices while welcoming back last year’s Heisman Trophy winner.

Defensive tackle Lamarr Houston: “Most definitely, I’m happy he’s back. It’s exciting to play somebody who’s got that type of status. He’s a great player.”


Click here to read the full article – By John Rohde of scrippsnews.com

Five days ago, Rangers manager Ron Washington decided to put Hank Blalock back in the lineup.


Blalock, reduced to a reserve role since Chris Davis was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 25, was asked to breathe some life into the Rangers’ slumbering offense with Josh Hamilton and Michael Young still unable to play.

Blalock has done that.

He had two doubles, a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs to lead the Rangers to a 9-8 victory over the Athletics at the Coliseum on Wednesday. The win, combined with the Angels’ loss to the Yankees, moved Texas to within 6 1/2 games of first place in the American League West.


Click here to read the full article – By T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com

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Josh Hamilton could find out on Tuesday how soon he will be ready to return to the Rangers lineup. It could be a big day for him.


Hamilton, who has been sidelined since Sept. 2 with a pinched nerve in his lower back, resumed workouts on Monday after backing off for four days. He took some swings off a tee and off soft-toss pitching in the batting cage, and did some running in the outfield.

All went well. He will try to increase his baseball activities on Tuesday to include on-field batting practice against live pitching.


Click here to read the full article – By T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com

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Texas fans will call it revenge. The Longhorns were more likely to describe it as relief.
Colt McCoy threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Dan Buckner in the fourth quarter that gave the Longhorns some room and No. 2 Texas beat feisty Texas Tech and their prolific new passer 34-24 Saturday night.

The pass to Buckner with nine minutes left put Texas ahead 31-17, but it was an otherwise shaky outing for last season’s runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

McCoy finished with 205 yards and two interceptions on 24 of 34 passing for the Longhorns (3-0, 1-0 Big 12). After the game, the senior revealed he missed practice on Tuesday because of flu-like symptoms that he was dealing with most of the week.

“We had to keep fighting as a team. Not everything is going to go our way,” said McCoy, who completed 15 of 18 in the second half, but also threw an interception in the red zone.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of baxterbulletin.com

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While thousands stormed the field to celebrate, Colt McCoy stood on the sideline in stunned silence.

The Texas quarterback had rallied the Longhorns into the lead, then watched as Texas Tech drove to Michael Crabtree’s winning touchdown catch with 1 second left on the biggest play of the 2008 season.

Now the Red Raiders (2-0) are coming to Austin and revenge is the buzzword of the week, even if the second-ranked Longhorns (2-0) are publicly trying to avoid it.

“They got us,” McCoy said Monday.

“I was just in shock,” he said. “That’s one of the greatest plays that’s ever happened. … The hardest part is you what you did in that game: The offense goes down and scores right at the end of the game and we think we’ve got it won. That’s what makes it so hard.”

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

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