PHILADELPHIA (AP)—From losingest team to longest game, the Philadelphia Phillies are World Series champions.
Strange as that sounds.
Strange as it was.
Brad Lidge and the Phillies finished off the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in a three-inning sprint Wednesday night to win a suspended Game 5 nearly 50 hours after it started.
Left in limbo by a two-day rainstorm, the Phillies seesawed to their first championship since 1980. Pedro Feliz singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh and Lidge closed out his perfect season to deliver the title Philly craved for so long.
“It was a crazy way to win it with a suspended game but we did and it’s over and we’re very excited,” 45-year-old Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer said. “It has been a long wait, but it’s worth it.”
Series at a Glance
vs.
Phillies win series 4-1
Game 1: at TAM
PHI 3, TAM 2 - FinalRecap Box Score
Game 2: at TAM
PHI 2, TAM 4 - FinalRecap Box Score
Game 3: at PHI
TAM 4, PHI 5 - FinalRecap Box Score
Game 4: at PHI
TAM 2, PHI 10 - FinalRecap Box Score
Game 5: at PHI
TAM 3, PHI 4 - FinalRecap Box Score
*
Bundled in parkas and blankets, fans returned in force to Citizens Bank Park and saw the city claim its first major sports championship in 25 years. No more references needed to those sad-sack Phillies teams in the past and their 10,000-plus losses.
“They could taste it just as much as we could,” Series MVP Cole Hamels said.
It was among the wackiest endings in baseball history, a best-of-seven series turned into a best-of-3 1/2 showdown when play resumed in the bottom of the sixth inning tied at 2.
How bizarre? Hamels was a star in Game 5—and the ace never stepped on the mound Wednesday night; Two Rays relievers warmed up to start, and there was a pinch-hitter before a single pitch; “God Bless America” was sung rather than the national anthem, and it was quickly followed by the seventh-inning stretch.
All because the game was suspended Monday night after rain made the field into a quagmire, washing out the foul lines, creating a puddle at home plate and turning every ball an adventure. Commissioner Bud Selig eventually called it— he got booed when he presented the MVP trophy to Hamels.
For Philly, it was more than a World Series win. It was a bit of redemption for all the losses, the jokes, the slights.
Finally, something to celebrate.
How much did Philly fans want a champion to call its own?
Well, the sports hero they point to with the most pride isn’t even a real person—Rocky Balboa.
Yo, Adrian … the Phillies did it!
“It’s over,” shortstop Jimmy Rollins said. “It’s over, man.”
Lidge went 48-for-48 on save chances this year, including two this week. He retired two batters with a runner on second, striking out pinch-hitter Eric Hinske to end it.
Lidge jumped in front of the mound, landing on his knees with arms outstretched. Catcher Carlos Ruiz ran out to grab him, and teammates sprinted to the mound to join them as towel-waving fans let loose.
“At first, I couldn’t believe it. And then the gravity of what happened hit me,” Lidge said.
A generation ago, it was Tug McGraw who went wild when the Phillies won their first title. A few days after country singer Tim McGraw scattered his dad’s ashes on the mound, it was Lidge’s turn to throw the final pitch.
Despite low TV ratings and minus the majors’ most glamorous teams, fans will always remember how this one wrapped up. And for the first time in a long while, kids saw a World Series champion crowned before bedtime.
“I believe this firmly, our guys are not going to be satisfied without playing in October from now on,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “And that’s a good thing. And that’s all because of this group of people this year.”
Reliever J.C. Romero got the win, his second of the Series.
Hamels went 4-0 in five postseason starts, beating the Rays in Game 1 and pitching six sharp innings in the rain during Game 5. He was set to be the first batter when the game resumed, and was immediately pulled for a pinch-hitter.
While former NL MVPs Ryan Howard and Rollins drive the Phillies, it was their less-heralded teammates who helped win it on this chilly night.
Tied at 3, Pat Burrell led off the seventh with a drive off the center-field wall against J.P. Howell. Chad Bradford relieved and one out later Feliz singled home pinch-runner Eric Bruntlett.
Rocco Baldelli’s solo home run off Ryan Madson made it 3-all in the top of the seventh. The Rays almost got more, but All-Star second baseman Chase Utley alertly bluffed a throw to first on a grounder over the bag and instead threw out Jason Bartlett at the plate.
A man walks past a rain covere… AP - Oct 28, 6:47 pm EDT
Pinch-hitter Geoff Jenkins, the first batter Wednesday night, doubled and later scored on Jayson Werth’s bloop single.
In all, there were six new pitchers, three pinch-hitters and two pinch-runners when play restarted.
Manager Charlie Manuel, whose NL East champions clinched a playoff spot in the final week, guided the Phillies’ second overall championship in six World Series tries. The Phils helped themselves by going 7-0 at home this postseason, beating Milwaukee and the Dodgers in the NL playoffs and then defeating the Rays.
“I always thought we’d win the World Series. I knew we could beat anyone in the league,” Manuel said.
Once known as a city of champions, Philadelphia sports fell on hard times after Julius Erving and Moses Malone led the Sixers to that 1983 title.
Since then, the Phillies, Eagles, Sixers and Flyers made it to the championship game or round—seven times, in total—and lost all of them.
Mud covers an on deck batting … AP - Oct 28, 5:35 pm EDT
The city became so starved for a crown that it was ready to throw a parade down Broad Street for a horse. But local colt Smarty Jones lost, too, in his bid for the Triple Crown.
“People enjoy being associated with winning and a world championship is the ultimate,” Mike Schmidt, MVP of the Phillies’ other championship, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press this week. “It unites a town behind one team.”
Cheesesteaks, on the house.
Tampa Bay did itself proud, too, until this final week. Baseball’s best success story this season, the worst-to-first Rays played like the downtrodden Devil Rays from the past decade.
Even so, the gap between the Phils and Rays wasn’t enormous. Had Evan Longoria’s late, long drive off Jamie Moyer in Game 3 not been blown back by the wind, the teams might still be playing.
Notes
The World Series failed to make it to a Game 6 for the fifth straight year, the first time that’s happened. … Burrell went 1-for-14 in the five games. … Howell put down the first sacrifice bunt of his career.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Beatles Take Video Game Plunge
October 30, 2008 , 11:00 AM ET
Antony Bruno, Denver
Music from the Beatles is coming to videogames ... but not to "Rock Band."MTV Networks and Harmonix -- the game developer behind the popular "Rock Band" franchise -- together with the Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd., are developing an entirely new interactive music game based solely and exclusively on the entire Beatles catalog.The game, which does not yet have a title or release date, will not be part of the "Rock Band" franchise, but will be based on the same platform. Since the project is still in early development, all parties were stingy on details during a conference call this morning (Oct. 30). But here's what is known so far:-- The game is designed to take users on an "experiential journey" through the Beatles' career, music and vision. It will also include new types of interactive gameplay associated with the Beatles' imagery in addition to its music. Surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, are involved in the vision and creative direction.-- The music will come from master recordings of the Beatles' U.K. releases, but will not be remixed or remastered. Giles Martin, the son of original Beatles producer George Martin and co-producer of the Beatles' "LOVE" project, will serve as music producer.
-- A fourth-quarter 2009 release is in the cards.There are numerous details still unconfirmed. Neither MTV or Apple Corps would comment on whether Beatles content will be available for the "Rock Band" franchise as downloadable content at any point, and Apple Corps CEO Jeff Jones said the announcement was in no way meant as a precursor to the Beatles' catalog arriving at digital music services.It's also unclear whether the new game will be compatible with any existing "Rock Band" game peripherals -- such as the plastic guitar and drums controllers -- or if new custom instruments can be expected. Both MTV/Harmonix and rival Activision, which publishes the competing "Guitar Hero" franchise, have actively courted the Beatles for some time in an attempt to score content from high-profile artists. Jones cited the fact that MTV/Harmonix was the first to introduce a full-band interactive music game as a significant factor in the decision, as well as MTV's long history of working with artists. Little is known about the deal structure. Neither company would characterize the terms in any specific way, but hinted that all involved essentially "owned" a piece of the project, suggesting it is not a typical licensing deal. "Nothing is typical about the Beatles," Jones said.
Antony Bruno, Denver
Music from the Beatles is coming to videogames ... but not to "Rock Band."MTV Networks and Harmonix -- the game developer behind the popular "Rock Band" franchise -- together with the Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd., are developing an entirely new interactive music game based solely and exclusively on the entire Beatles catalog.The game, which does not yet have a title or release date, will not be part of the "Rock Band" franchise, but will be based on the same platform. Since the project is still in early development, all parties were stingy on details during a conference call this morning (Oct. 30). But here's what is known so far:-- The game is designed to take users on an "experiential journey" through the Beatles' career, music and vision. It will also include new types of interactive gameplay associated with the Beatles' imagery in addition to its music. Surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, are involved in the vision and creative direction.-- The music will come from master recordings of the Beatles' U.K. releases, but will not be remixed or remastered. Giles Martin, the son of original Beatles producer George Martin and co-producer of the Beatles' "LOVE" project, will serve as music producer.
-- A fourth-quarter 2009 release is in the cards.There are numerous details still unconfirmed. Neither MTV or Apple Corps would comment on whether Beatles content will be available for the "Rock Band" franchise as downloadable content at any point, and Apple Corps CEO Jeff Jones said the announcement was in no way meant as a precursor to the Beatles' catalog arriving at digital music services.It's also unclear whether the new game will be compatible with any existing "Rock Band" game peripherals -- such as the plastic guitar and drums controllers -- or if new custom instruments can be expected. Both MTV/Harmonix and rival Activision, which publishes the competing "Guitar Hero" franchise, have actively courted the Beatles for some time in an attempt to score content from high-profile artists. Jones cited the fact that MTV/Harmonix was the first to introduce a full-band interactive music game as a significant factor in the decision, as well as MTV's long history of working with artists. Little is known about the deal structure. Neither company would characterize the terms in any specific way, but hinted that all involved essentially "owned" a piece of the project, suggesting it is not a typical licensing deal. "Nothing is typical about the Beatles," Jones said.
Gautam Gambhir gets off with a rap over the elbow
THE International Cricket Council has endorsed declining standards of player behaviour by failing to take adequate action following the spiteful opening day of the third Test here.
India's double century-maker Gautam Gambhir could escape an automatic suspension after avoiding a charge of "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact" for striking Shane Watson with an elbow during Wednesday's play.
In November last year, Gambhir was found guilty of that same offence, violating level 2.4 of the ICC's code of conduct, when he collided with Pakistan's Shahid Afridi during a one-day match.
The ICC handbook states that any player found guilty of the same offence within a 12-month period automatically has the severity of the penalty raised a level. While level two infringements carry fines ranging from 50 to 100per cent of a player's match fee and a suspension of one Test or up to two one-day matches, Gambhir would have been facing much tougher level three penalties. These range from a suspension of two to four Test matches or four to eight one-day games.
Instead, Gambhir has been charged with a level two offence which states players "shall at all times conduct play within the spirit of the game as well as within the Laws of Cricket".
The charge relates to Gambhir striking Watson with an elbow to the ribs while taking a run on Wednesday. The often vocal Watson has been charged with the same broad offence but with a lesser level one penalty after being accused of saying something inappropriate to Gambhir.
A level one offence carries a fine of up to 50 per cent of a player's match fee.
The charges were laid by on-field umpires Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar and third umpire Suresh Shastri and will be heard by match referee Chris Broad overnight.
Inaction on other incidents appears to endorse opponents abusing each other to the point where an umpire is forced to step between them and the fielding team's captain and vice-captain become involved.
That is the only conclusion which can be drawn from a failure to take action against Simon Katich and Gambhir for their unseemly verbal clash late on Wednesday.
It has been alleged that television footage shows Gambhir calling Katich a "f**** cheat", igniting the conflict after Gambhir had his path blocked by Katich while trying to field off his own bowling. Their confrontation became so heated that umpire Bowden stepped between them.
And twice vice-captain Michael Clarke stepped in to pull Katich away while captain Ricky Ponting also ran in to calm things down, pointing to Clarke to take Katich away from Gambhir.
The same cover-all level two clause of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game was employed to report India fast bowler Zaheer Khan during the second Test in Mohali. Zaheer was fined 80 per cent of his match fee after running to give Matthew Hayden a fearful send-off when he was dismissed in the second innings.
It continued India's record as the worst behaved team in the world, with about 50 separate guilty verdicts at disciplinary hearings compared to Australia's 30 or so over the past decade.
While Gambhir's strike of Watson looked deliberate and upset the Australians, the Indian opening batsman claimed it was an accident.
"It (contact) wasn't deliberate. It just happened. I don't think I needed to get into this argument with Shane Watson because I feel he had no option of getting me out," Gambhir said. "There wasn't a need for me to stick my elbow out, it just happened."
Gambhir also tried to play down his ugly clash with Katich.
"It's part of the game," Gambhir said. "They were desperate to get me out and they were trying to break my concentration."
Clarke felt the need to step in and drag Katich away to stop the incident getting out of control.
"It just looked like the boys were talking so I just wanted to make sure say what you want to say and let's get on with it," Clarke said. "I said 'Kat, let it go, mate. Just get back and bowl. It's fine. Let it go'."
India's double century-maker Gautam Gambhir could escape an automatic suspension after avoiding a charge of "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact" for striking Shane Watson with an elbow during Wednesday's play.
In November last year, Gambhir was found guilty of that same offence, violating level 2.4 of the ICC's code of conduct, when he collided with Pakistan's Shahid Afridi during a one-day match.
The ICC handbook states that any player found guilty of the same offence within a 12-month period automatically has the severity of the penalty raised a level. While level two infringements carry fines ranging from 50 to 100per cent of a player's match fee and a suspension of one Test or up to two one-day matches, Gambhir would have been facing much tougher level three penalties. These range from a suspension of two to four Test matches or four to eight one-day games.
Instead, Gambhir has been charged with a level two offence which states players "shall at all times conduct play within the spirit of the game as well as within the Laws of Cricket".
The charge relates to Gambhir striking Watson with an elbow to the ribs while taking a run on Wednesday. The often vocal Watson has been charged with the same broad offence but with a lesser level one penalty after being accused of saying something inappropriate to Gambhir.
A level one offence carries a fine of up to 50 per cent of a player's match fee.
The charges were laid by on-field umpires Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar and third umpire Suresh Shastri and will be heard by match referee Chris Broad overnight.
Inaction on other incidents appears to endorse opponents abusing each other to the point where an umpire is forced to step between them and the fielding team's captain and vice-captain become involved.
That is the only conclusion which can be drawn from a failure to take action against Simon Katich and Gambhir for their unseemly verbal clash late on Wednesday.
It has been alleged that television footage shows Gambhir calling Katich a "f**** cheat", igniting the conflict after Gambhir had his path blocked by Katich while trying to field off his own bowling. Their confrontation became so heated that umpire Bowden stepped between them.
And twice vice-captain Michael Clarke stepped in to pull Katich away while captain Ricky Ponting also ran in to calm things down, pointing to Clarke to take Katich away from Gambhir.
The same cover-all level two clause of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game was employed to report India fast bowler Zaheer Khan during the second Test in Mohali. Zaheer was fined 80 per cent of his match fee after running to give Matthew Hayden a fearful send-off when he was dismissed in the second innings.
It continued India's record as the worst behaved team in the world, with about 50 separate guilty verdicts at disciplinary hearings compared to Australia's 30 or so over the past decade.
While Gambhir's strike of Watson looked deliberate and upset the Australians, the Indian opening batsman claimed it was an accident.
"It (contact) wasn't deliberate. It just happened. I don't think I needed to get into this argument with Shane Watson because I feel he had no option of getting me out," Gambhir said. "There wasn't a need for me to stick my elbow out, it just happened."
Gambhir also tried to play down his ugly clash with Katich.
"It's part of the game," Gambhir said. "They were desperate to get me out and they were trying to break my concentration."
Clarke felt the need to step in and drag Katich away to stop the incident getting out of control.
"It just looked like the boys were talking so I just wanted to make sure say what you want to say and let's get on with it," Clarke said. "I said 'Kat, let it go, mate. Just get back and bowl. It's fine. Let it go'."
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Beyonce Upstages Jay-Z, Wayne At NYC Show
Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and Ne-Yo brought major star power to Power 105's Powerhouse concert last night (Oct. 29) at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., but it was a surprise appearance by Beyonce that stole the show.The singer entered the stage during Jay-Z's set and performed the choreography from her new single, "Single Ladies," flanked by two background dancers. Though she didn't say or sing a word, Beyonce, clad in black stretch pants and a black turtleneck, drove the crowd wild when she flashed her extraordinarily large wedding ring at the end of her performance.Ne-Yo's set featured hits like "So Sick" and "Miss Independent," plus guest turns from rappers Plies and Fabolous, who performed their verses on "Bust It Baby Pt. 2" and "Make Me Better," respectively.Lil Wayne began his set fully clothed in a vest, flannel shirt and jeans but ended up topless. Many fans thought that Jay-Z would join Wayne for their duet "Mr. Carter," but he rapped alone on the track. Backed by a DJ and a full band including a female bassist, Wayne pulled out his own green and white Fender guitar and sang "Comfortable" in a highly off-key pitch. Still, fans sang along as he ran through "Ms. Officer," which featured Bobby Valentino, "I'm Me," "Please Don't Shoot Me Down," and "My Life." Rapper and fellow Cash Money executive Baby appeared to duet with Lil Wayne on "Pop Bottles" just before the younger MC went into a spastic rendition of "A Milli." Hopping up and down during most of the song as he rhymed, Wayne was eventually calmed down by an assistant who cloaked him in a robe, James Brown-style. For a touch of comedy, he closed the set by lip-synching Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."
Jay-Z was the evening's last performer and touted the most elaborate stage setup and a full band dressed in suits. A large TV screen hung from the ceiling above the stage while another three-part screen spread across the stage itself and behind Jay-Z as he ran through classics like "Hello" and "U Don't Know." The screen continually showed a montage of 1930s gangsters, continuing the theme of from last album, "American Gangster," as well as clips from Jay-Z's many videos. After "Roc Boys" and "Lucifer," Jay-Z said he was only going to play "the sh*t that I like now." Tracks like "Can I Live," "Blue Magic" and "Swagger Like Us" followed, and Jay-Z reminded the crowd to vote on Nov. 4."This is the most important election ever," he said. "Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Obama could run and Obama is running so we all could fly
Jay-Z was the evening's last performer and touted the most elaborate stage setup and a full band dressed in suits. A large TV screen hung from the ceiling above the stage while another three-part screen spread across the stage itself and behind Jay-Z as he ran through classics like "Hello" and "U Don't Know." The screen continually showed a montage of 1930s gangsters, continuing the theme of from last album, "American Gangster," as well as clips from Jay-Z's many videos. After "Roc Boys" and "Lucifer," Jay-Z said he was only going to play "the sh*t that I like now." Tracks like "Can I Live," "Blue Magic" and "Swagger Like Us" followed, and Jay-Z reminded the crowd to vote on Nov. 4."This is the most important election ever," he said. "Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Obama could run and Obama is running so we all could fly
AC/DC Debuts At No. 1 With 784,000
Updating a story first posted here last night, AC/DC earns its first Billboard 200-topping debut with "Black Ice," blasting onto the chart with the second-biggest sales frame this year. The Columbia set, released exclusively through Wal-mart, Sam's Club and AC/DC's Web site, moved 784,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.That number only trails the opening frame for Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" (Def Jam), which bowed with 1.005 million units earlier this year. "Black Ice" also provides AC/DC's best sales frame since SoundScan began tracking data in 1991.AC/DC topped the chart in early 1982 with "For Those About To Rock We Salute You," which climbed to No. 1, but did not debut there. Thanks to deep discounts at Wal-Mart, the band's back catalog enjoyed a huge week, shifting 92,000 copies combined. "Back in Black" went from 9,000 to 21,000, while "High Voltage" rocketed from 4,000 to 11,000.Debuting at No. 2 is the soundtrack to Disney's "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" with 297,000. That's the best debut sales week for a theatrical film soundtrack since November 2005, when "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" started at No. 2 with 317,000. "HSM3" is the first in the series of the "High School Musical" films to debut in movie theaters as opposed to on the Disney Channel.T.I.'s Grand Hustle/Atlantic album "Paper Trail" falls 2-3 with 93,000 copies, a sales decrease of 29%. With a 50% dip, Kenny Chesney's "Lucky Old Sun" drops from the summit to No. 4 with 88,000. Metallica's "Death Magnetic" (Warner Bros.) continues its decline 4-5 with 52,000 (+3%), while Kid Rock's "Rock N Roll Jesus" (Atlantic) clings to No. 6 for a second week at 40,000 (-11%).
R&B/Gospel outfit Mary Mary notches its second top 10 debut as "The Sound" (My Block/Columbia) begins at No. 7 with 37,000. The duo's self-titled set peaked at No. 8 in 2005.Slipping 24% to 31,000, Ne-Yo's "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam) keeps the No. 8 spot warm for a second week. Amid a tumultuous week in the news for the star, Jennifer Hudson's self-titled Arista set slips 5-9 with 29,000 (-37%). Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" re-enters the top tier 12-10 on a 2% decrease to 25,000. One slot below, Adele earns a new peak on the big chart as her Columbia effort "19" climbs 46-11 after her appearance on "Saturday Night Live." Sales rose from 11,000 to 25,000.Hank Williams III bows at No. 18 with "Damn Right Rebel Proud" (Sidewalk) with 20,000, easily scoring his best charting album. His previous best came with 2006's "Straight to Hell," which peaked at No. 73.Lee Ann Womack starts at No. 23 with "Call Me Crazy" (MCA Nashville), after moving 17,000. Her last set, 2005's "There's More Where That Came From," debuted at No. 12. Other debuts this week include post-hardcore band Escape The Fate's "This War Is Ours" (Epitaph, No. 35, 13,000), Polyvinyl act Of Montreal's "Skeletal Lamping" (No. 38, 12,000), country singer Craig Morgan's "That's Why" (BNA, No. 39, 12,000), Brett Dennen's "Hope for the Hopeless" (Dualtone/Downtown, No. 41, 11,000) and Labelle's "Back To Now," the funk trio's first set since 1978 (Verve, No. 45, 11,000).At 7.07 million units, sales this week are up 8.3% from last week's sum and down 15.2% from the same week last year.
R&B/Gospel outfit Mary Mary notches its second top 10 debut as "The Sound" (My Block/Columbia) begins at No. 7 with 37,000. The duo's self-titled set peaked at No. 8 in 2005.Slipping 24% to 31,000, Ne-Yo's "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam) keeps the No. 8 spot warm for a second week. Amid a tumultuous week in the news for the star, Jennifer Hudson's self-titled Arista set slips 5-9 with 29,000 (-37%). Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" re-enters the top tier 12-10 on a 2% decrease to 25,000. One slot below, Adele earns a new peak on the big chart as her Columbia effort "19" climbs 46-11 after her appearance on "Saturday Night Live." Sales rose from 11,000 to 25,000.Hank Williams III bows at No. 18 with "Damn Right Rebel Proud" (Sidewalk) with 20,000, easily scoring his best charting album. His previous best came with 2006's "Straight to Hell," which peaked at No. 73.Lee Ann Womack starts at No. 23 with "Call Me Crazy" (MCA Nashville), after moving 17,000. Her last set, 2005's "There's More Where That Came From," debuted at No. 12. Other debuts this week include post-hardcore band Escape The Fate's "This War Is Ours" (Epitaph, No. 35, 13,000), Polyvinyl act Of Montreal's "Skeletal Lamping" (No. 38, 12,000), country singer Craig Morgan's "That's Why" (BNA, No. 39, 12,000), Brett Dennen's "Hope for the Hopeless" (Dualtone/Downtown, No. 41, 11,000) and Labelle's "Back To Now," the funk trio's first set since 1978 (Verve, No. 45, 11,000).At 7.07 million units, sales this week are up 8.3% from last week's sum and down 15.2% from the same week last year.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Venus Williams wins 38th career title
Venus Williams claimed her second title of the year on Sunday when she defeated unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta 7-6 (7/1), 6-2 in the final of the Zurich Open.
The third seeded American, who was playing the 60th final of her career, won her 38th title, adding to the Wimbledon crown she earned in July.Pennetta, who rose to a new career-high ranking of 14 yesterday, was seeking her fourth consecutive win over Williams, after beating her in Bangkok last year and at Roland Garros and in Moscow this year.The quality of play was worthy of a final, with the players evenly matched in the first set before Pennetta showed signs of weariness in the second set.The Italian, who was involved in a three-set doubles semi-final as well as a hard-fought singles match on Saturday, looked the stronger player in the opening set. She rallied aggressively from the baseline and drew some superb defensive play from Williams, although she twice failed to make the killer shot at the end of a rally.Neither player faced a break point in the entire first set, although Williams was taken to deuce five times. But having held serve more easily, only going to deuce once, Pennetta was totally overwhelmed in the tie-break, dropping the first six points.In the second set, a slightly tired-looking backhand into the net gave Williams a break for 2-1 and the American consolidated that in the most spectacular fashion, by holding her next service game with four consecutive aces.Pennetta’s challenge then faded badly and, although she survived a break point at 3-1, another netted backhand gave Williams a further break for 5-2.But the drama in the last Zurich Open to be held was not quite over. Williams thought she had won when a ball from Pennetta was judged to have landed right in the corner of the court, a dispute that brought Venus’ father and coach Richard to his feet. That brought the score to deuce, but the contest was over two points later. This story has been viewed 370 times.
The third seeded American, who was playing the 60th final of her career, won her 38th title, adding to the Wimbledon crown she earned in July.Pennetta, who rose to a new career-high ranking of 14 yesterday, was seeking her fourth consecutive win over Williams, after beating her in Bangkok last year and at Roland Garros and in Moscow this year.The quality of play was worthy of a final, with the players evenly matched in the first set before Pennetta showed signs of weariness in the second set.The Italian, who was involved in a three-set doubles semi-final as well as a hard-fought singles match on Saturday, looked the stronger player in the opening set. She rallied aggressively from the baseline and drew some superb defensive play from Williams, although she twice failed to make the killer shot at the end of a rally.Neither player faced a break point in the entire first set, although Williams was taken to deuce five times. But having held serve more easily, only going to deuce once, Pennetta was totally overwhelmed in the tie-break, dropping the first six points.In the second set, a slightly tired-looking backhand into the net gave Williams a break for 2-1 and the American consolidated that in the most spectacular fashion, by holding her next service game with four consecutive aces.Pennetta’s challenge then faded badly and, although she survived a break point at 3-1, another netted backhand gave Williams a further break for 5-2.But the drama in the last Zurich Open to be held was not quite over. Williams thought she had won when a ball from Pennetta was judged to have landed right in the corner of the court, a dispute that brought Venus’ father and coach Richard to his feet. That brought the score to deuce, but the contest was over two points later. This story has been viewed 370 times.
Bernard Hopkins dominates Kelly Pavlik
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Bernard Hopkins gave Kelly Pavlik a boxing lesson and a first loss that he will never forget.
The 43-year-old Hopkins used lightning quick combinations and a cagey, near-perfect defense to embarrass and confuse Pavlik in a 12-round non-title bout Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall.
Hopkins, who dominated the middleweight class for a decade, made the 26-year-old Pavlik — the WBC and WBO middleweight champion — look slow and powerless in fighting at 170 pounds, 10 pounds over his weight class.
"I think this was my best performance, better than (Antonio) Tarver, better than (Felix) Trinidad, better than Oscar (De La Hoya), better than my 21 defenses," Hopkins said. "I am extremely happy."
Hopkins received winning scores of 119-106 from judge Alan Rubenstein, 117-109 from Barbara Perez and 118-108 from Steve Weisfeld.
The mismatch was obvious from the opening bell, and Hopkins reveled in the beating he gave the Youngstown, Ohio boxer. By the fifth round, Pavlik was bleeding from the nose and by the seventh Hopkins was taunting him.
During one stretch in the round, Hopkins landed four or five straight punches, and then stepped back started winding up on his punches before delivering them.
"He was a great fighter but I knew my style and quickness was underrated and it was going to give him problems tonight," Hopkins added.
Pavlik (34-1) never stopped stalking Hopkins of Philadelphia, but he never seemed to hurt him.
"I just could not get off tonight," Pavlik said. "I don’t know why? It was not his slickness. It just wasn’t me out there tonight. I couldn’t do anything I’m used to doing. We’re going back to the drawing board. it just wasn’t me tonight. I’ll be more comfortable going back to 160."
With tinges of gray in his beard, Hopkins even looked the fresher fighter. He came into ring wearing an executioner’s mask and black robe with an ’X’ on both, and he terminated Pavlik’s perfect mark in improving to (49-5-1).
The crowd had come to hail Pavlik, who had battered Gary Lockett in his first title defense in June.
When he was in trouble early, they chanted "Kel-lee! Kel-lee!"
Halfway through the fight the chants become "B-Hop! B-Hop!"
Hopkins landed a barrage of blows in the 12th round and started yelling at Pavlik in a move that was no more than a gleeful taunt.
"I wanted to pick it up and step it up," Hopkins said. "I wanted to stop him."
When the final bell sounded, both fighters continued to throw punches, forcing referee Benji Esteves to dive between them.
Hopkins then walked over to the television cameras and glared, wondering how so many had predicted that Pavlik would knock him out for the first time in his career.
In hindsight, it’s a wonder Pavlik was still standing at the end.
Hopkins praised Pavlik after the fight.
"I was a fan of yours before the fight and I am a fan of yours now," Hopkins told Pavlik in the corner. "You just need to get a little more slickness. You need to bend you knees more like your coach was telling you. Middleweight is your destiny."
The 43-year-old Hopkins used lightning quick combinations and a cagey, near-perfect defense to embarrass and confuse Pavlik in a 12-round non-title bout Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall.
Hopkins, who dominated the middleweight class for a decade, made the 26-year-old Pavlik — the WBC and WBO middleweight champion — look slow and powerless in fighting at 170 pounds, 10 pounds over his weight class.
"I think this was my best performance, better than (Antonio) Tarver, better than (Felix) Trinidad, better than Oscar (De La Hoya), better than my 21 defenses," Hopkins said. "I am extremely happy."
Hopkins received winning scores of 119-106 from judge Alan Rubenstein, 117-109 from Barbara Perez and 118-108 from Steve Weisfeld.
The mismatch was obvious from the opening bell, and Hopkins reveled in the beating he gave the Youngstown, Ohio boxer. By the fifth round, Pavlik was bleeding from the nose and by the seventh Hopkins was taunting him.
During one stretch in the round, Hopkins landed four or five straight punches, and then stepped back started winding up on his punches before delivering them.
"He was a great fighter but I knew my style and quickness was underrated and it was going to give him problems tonight," Hopkins added.
Pavlik (34-1) never stopped stalking Hopkins of Philadelphia, but he never seemed to hurt him.
"I just could not get off tonight," Pavlik said. "I don’t know why? It was not his slickness. It just wasn’t me out there tonight. I couldn’t do anything I’m used to doing. We’re going back to the drawing board. it just wasn’t me tonight. I’ll be more comfortable going back to 160."
With tinges of gray in his beard, Hopkins even looked the fresher fighter. He came into ring wearing an executioner’s mask and black robe with an ’X’ on both, and he terminated Pavlik’s perfect mark in improving to (49-5-1).
The crowd had come to hail Pavlik, who had battered Gary Lockett in his first title defense in June.
When he was in trouble early, they chanted "Kel-lee! Kel-lee!"
Halfway through the fight the chants become "B-Hop! B-Hop!"
Hopkins landed a barrage of blows in the 12th round and started yelling at Pavlik in a move that was no more than a gleeful taunt.
"I wanted to pick it up and step it up," Hopkins said. "I wanted to stop him."
When the final bell sounded, both fighters continued to throw punches, forcing referee Benji Esteves to dive between them.
Hopkins then walked over to the television cameras and glared, wondering how so many had predicted that Pavlik would knock him out for the first time in his career.
In hindsight, it’s a wonder Pavlik was still standing at the end.
Hopkins praised Pavlik after the fight.
"I was a fan of yours before the fight and I am a fan of yours now," Hopkins told Pavlik in the corner. "You just need to get a little more slickness. You need to bend you knees more like your coach was telling you. Middleweight is your destiny."
Phillies get early look at Tropicana Field; World Series begins Wednesday night
The Philadelphia Phillies got an early look at Tropicana Field, site of Wednesday night's World Series opener.
Instead of waiting until the day before, they worked out Monday evening at the quirky ballpark. By the time the first pitch is thrown, they will have been off for six days since winning the NL pennant.
"Once we kind of get back to that flow, it starts to come naturally," Ryan Howard said.
It will be a World Series of contrasts: North vs. South. Old vs. New. Rest vs. rust. Beloved vs. belittled.
Well, both have disparaged over the years.
The frustrated Phillies have been around since 1883 but the losingest team in the history of U.S. major leagues has had just one title to celebrate, back in 1980. The Rays? The franchise didn't start play until 1998, didn't have a winning season until this year and didn't even shed the Devil from its nickname until after completing play in 2007.
"People were happy when we got our 71st win. People were excited when we got our 81st win, saying you guys have cleared the .500 mark. We still kept going," said Rays pitcher Matt Garza, the AL championship series MVP. "We've proved doubters wrong this entire time."
Philadelphia is famous for the Liberty Bell, cheesesteaks and booing Santa Claus. Tampa/St. Pete is known for the Gasparilla Festival and strip clubs. Until now, its most noted baseball team was the Yankees, who have held spring training there since 1996.
But baseball's glamourpusses have all gone home, with the Yankees and Mets failing to make the postseason, and the Cubs, Dodgers and defending champion Red Sox all getting bounced out of the playoffs.
Tampa Bay was a 200-1 shot to win the Series when betting opened, ahead of only Kansas City and Washington (both 250-1). Philadelphia was 18-1.
Instead of waiting until the day before, they worked out Monday evening at the quirky ballpark. By the time the first pitch is thrown, they will have been off for six days since winning the NL pennant.
"Once we kind of get back to that flow, it starts to come naturally," Ryan Howard said.
It will be a World Series of contrasts: North vs. South. Old vs. New. Rest vs. rust. Beloved vs. belittled.
Well, both have disparaged over the years.
The frustrated Phillies have been around since 1883 but the losingest team in the history of U.S. major leagues has had just one title to celebrate, back in 1980. The Rays? The franchise didn't start play until 1998, didn't have a winning season until this year and didn't even shed the Devil from its nickname until after completing play in 2007.
"People were happy when we got our 71st win. People were excited when we got our 81st win, saying you guys have cleared the .500 mark. We still kept going," said Rays pitcher Matt Garza, the AL championship series MVP. "We've proved doubters wrong this entire time."
Philadelphia is famous for the Liberty Bell, cheesesteaks and booing Santa Claus. Tampa/St. Pete is known for the Gasparilla Festival and strip clubs. Until now, its most noted baseball team was the Yankees, who have held spring training there since 1996.
But baseball's glamourpusses have all gone home, with the Yankees and Mets failing to make the postseason, and the Cubs, Dodgers and defending champion Red Sox all getting bounced out of the playoffs.
Tampa Bay was a 200-1 shot to win the Series when betting opened, ahead of only Kansas City and Washington (both 250-1). Philadelphia was 18-1.
Eminem Goes Deep With Dr. Dre On New Album
Andre Paine, London
Eminem says his comeback album will have a "lot of material" after five months of solid work on the record with Dr. Dre. As previously reported, the set is titled "Relapse" and is expected before the end of the year via Interscope.Speaking to BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe, Eminem said, "For the last five months I've been working pretty much straight with Dre. There's going to be a lot of material, more so than I've had on an album with him producing before."He added, "Obviously his beats are insane but aside from that I can rap, I can write and not worry about what the beat has to sound like and how loud a snare drum is. All those things are taken care of for me. I feel like a spoiled rapper. I get to pick and choose everything."The rapper said he has no plans to tour at present and, referring to his previous success, has "no desire to be that big again."Asked about his voting intentions next month, Eminem said, "Yeah, I will vote for Barack Obama. I can't get too political honestly because I don't know enough about everything to know what's going on.
"I know we're going into a recession and pardon the cliche, but we need something to change. I think Barack would be a breath of fresh air to get what's left of the Bush administration out the door."Eminem's memoir, "The Way I Am," hits stores internationally this week.
Eminem says his comeback album will have a "lot of material" after five months of solid work on the record with Dr. Dre. As previously reported, the set is titled "Relapse" and is expected before the end of the year via Interscope.Speaking to BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe, Eminem said, "For the last five months I've been working pretty much straight with Dre. There's going to be a lot of material, more so than I've had on an album with him producing before."He added, "Obviously his beats are insane but aside from that I can rap, I can write and not worry about what the beat has to sound like and how loud a snare drum is. All those things are taken care of for me. I feel like a spoiled rapper. I get to pick and choose everything."The rapper said he has no plans to tour at present and, referring to his previous success, has "no desire to be that big again."Asked about his voting intentions next month, Eminem said, "Yeah, I will vote for Barack Obama. I can't get too political honestly because I don't know enough about everything to know what's going on.
"I know we're going into a recession and pardon the cliche, but we need something to change. I think Barack would be a breath of fresh air to get what's left of the Bush administration out the door."Eminem's memoir, "The Way I Am," hits stores internationally this week.
Spears' Driver's License Case Dismissed
The criminal driving-without-a-license case against Britney Spears in Los Angeles has been dismissed.A mistrial was declared this morning (Oct. 20) when jurors said they couldn't come up with a unanimous decision following two full days of deliberations. Jurors were deadlocked 10-2 in favor of acquitting the pop singer of any wrongdoing.A couple of hours later, prosecutors said they would not pursue the criminal case further, and the case was dismissed.Spears hit a parked car last year while driving in California on her Louisiana license. Her attorney said she didn't meet the state's residency requirements and was within the law.But prosecutors said the 26-year-old needed a license because she was married, had two children and filed for divorce in Los Angeles -- and was ostensibly a California resident.
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