John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Thinking out loud…while wondering how many people I actually know might have helped Whitey Bulger stay on the lam…
• Kudos and congratulations to former Hendricken outfielder Evan Marzilli, who is living the dream in Columbia, SC. Not just one – but TWO – national college baseball championships in two years at South Carolina. What can he do for an encore?
• Same to former Brown tennis player Jamie Cerretani, who with his partner Philipp Marx has reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in doubles competition. One question – does he know Maria Sharapova?
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST• There’s a new support group out for the PC basketball program…it’s called the Providence Fullcourt Boardroom, put together by former Friars Sean Holley (’84) and Dickey Simpkins (’94). Several former Friars and alumni are involved with the group, which hopes to reunite alumni and assist in the development of the basketball program. To get in touch, email [email protected] …
• For all of the complaining about Red Sox pitching…the bats have certainly gone quiet of late, haven’t they? Doesn’t bode well for a potential World Series match-up with a National League team, does it?
• That big YAWN you’re hearing is the collective “fandom” on NBA collective bargaining agreement negotiations. The season doesn’t start until after Christmas, anyway…
• A great story this week from Phillies’ rookie pitcher Vance Worley, who wanted an autograph from Dustin Pedroia…but couldn’t get one unless Dustin actually met him first. So, he dusted Pedey back with a high and tight fastball in the first inning…Dustin, meet Vance. Vance, say good bye to that autograph…
• And what grade do we give Terry Francona for the “Adrian-Gonzalez-move-to-right-field-so-David-Ortiz-can-play” line up change? How about an incomplete…since Ortiz responded with an “oh-fer” at the plate…
• Don’t look now, but all of a sudden, the Yankees are getting healthy again. Derek Jeter, Bartolo Colon and Phil Hughes could all be back in the line up soon, with the team already back in first place. Cue the evil empire “Death Star” march…
• Charlie Sheen used steroids before his Ricky Vaughn “Wild Thing” role in the movie Major League? He says they improved his fastball from 79 to about 85 mph. No word on any lingering brain damage he might have suffered, however…
• I don’t like to be cynical, but…Dolphins LB Channing Crowder said last week that “hypothetically, I don’t have any more of my Florida jerseys. There were some Jacksonville businessmen that really hypothetically liked my play.” Now, he’s saying he didn’t sell anything while in college. Oh, ok…
• You can call me crazy…but the more I think about it, the more I think the Patriots should give Plaxico Burress a call…
• If the NFL was really smart, it would announce a new labor deal with the players this weekend…July 4th, on America’s birthday. Celebrate our independence and the return of our football. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
• Here’s a stat that just blew me away this week…not just that Roger Federer lost a quarterfinal match at Wimbledon, but that Federer was 178-0 in Grand Slam matches after winning his first two sets, until he lost this week. That’s a wow…
• Not a good week for Terrell Owens…first, a possible knee injury that could end his career. Then, the mother of his child files for back child support…welcome to the real world, T.O. How’s that for a new reality show?
• In the Big East…former Pitt football coach Michael Haywood, who was fired 16 days after he was hired last December following a domestic battery charge, is asking the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to investigate his termination. No surprise here, as Haywood’s contract with Pitt was worth up to $7.5 million…
• File this under the “if it were a Hollywood script, it would be rejected for unbelieveability” scenario…the owner of the Columbus, OH tattoo parlor that got Terrelle Pryor and several other Ohio State football players (and the school) in trouble? He just pled guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges…
• The Fiesta Bowl is asking 31 politicians who received free tickets where they got them from, how they may have benefited the non-profit group that runs the bowl, or face repaying those costs. Umm, isn’t that a little like trying to squeeze toothpaste back into the tube?
• The NCAA may have scolded Kentucky for including vacated wins from UMass and Memphis in John Calipari’s won-loss record, but that ain’t slowin’ down the Wildcats. Coach Cal was rewarded with a two year contract extension this week, now covering eight years and $36.5 million. He’s coming off a Final Four appearance in his second year as UK coach, and has the #1 recruiting class coming in next year, according to ESPN.com…
• As Al Davis once said – “just win, baby.”
• Are you watching the women’s soccer World Cup? No cheating now…think fast. Where is Equatorial Guinea located? And did you even know it existed before this week?
• I’m assuming, of course, that Whitey Bulger had help from someone, somewhere, during his years on the run. But hey, this is Rhode Island…and I remember Joe Mollicone’s run from Lil’ Rhody in the early ‘90’s. Somebody knew someone, somewhere back then…and they still do…
• The mailbag question this week comes from Pete in Pawtucket, and he asks “can Marshon Brooks really make a difference for the New Jersey Nets?” Well, it depends on what the difference is…will he make them better offensively? Yes, provided Deron Williams finds him often enough on the floor. Defensively? TBD…but I don’t believe that’s why they traded for him…
• Interested in having your questions on local RI sports (including the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Send ‘em to me! It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions and comments to [email protected]. We’ll share mailbag comments right here!
