Correction

In the post "USA Basketball Roster Announced" I made a slight chronological error. China is NOT the host of the 2006 FIBA World Basketball Championships, Japan is. However, China IS the host of the 2008 Olympics and will be in that basketball tournament as well by virtue of being the host country.

Greg Maddux Goes to Dodgers

One of my favorite players of all time, Greg Maddux, was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers today for shortstop Ceasar Izturis. Maddux, with 327 career wins, is arguably the greattest pitcher of this era along with Roger Clemens. I always remember Greg Maddux being the favorite Atlanta Brave of my late great grandmother as well as a favorite of Jeff Foxworthy in his standup routine in parts mentioning the Atlanta Braves. Maddux, however, will be most remembered for winning the Cy Young an unprecedented 4 straight seasons from 1992-1995, the last of which he won his only World Series with the Braves over the Cleveland Indians. It makes sense for Maddux to leave the woeful Cubs who despite a weekend sweep of the Cardinals, are far from being in contention. Maddux goes to the Los Angeles Dodgers where he joing National League All-Star game starter Brad Penny and former Cub Nomar Garciaparra as the Dodgers make a run to win the woeful National League West. Maddux, a sure fire first ballot Hall of Famer will always be remembered in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field and Izturis, frankly, has some big shoes to fill. I mean seriously, he must feel like the guy who was traded to Red Sox for Babe Ruth. Izturis, a 2004 Gold Glove winner, will fit right in on the Cubs because he is recovering from off season Tommy John surgery- join the club Ceasar! I think I can join Cubs fans everywhere in tipping my hat to Greg Maddux, while it hurts to see a such a legend go, it's good to see a superstar have a chance to win another championship.

Train Comes Back With Another Great Album

Train's done it again. Most people wrote them off before their last album My Private Nation in 2003 when original member Rob Hotchkiss had left the group. Then, after that tour, another original member, Charlie Colin left the group, leaving only lead singer Patrick Monahan as the lone original member. However, For Me, It's You sounds just as great as other smooth mellow Train albums. The title track, as well as the hit "Cab" are really worth the listen. I was also surprised that despite losing a key songwriter in Colin, the lyrics are still rather intelligent, including the lyrics in the great the song "Give Myself To You". These guys were mentioned back in a previous post as being one of the greatest live performances I've seen. I'm sure that with this new album, these guys would be more of a Tigerland/small venue band than the larger Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg. Train will never be an "arena" band, but their tone of their songs just sound like the kind you like to sit around in a coffeehouse and listen to. I am still exploring this album and getting to know the musical in's and out's of some of the lesser known tracks that make Train so good (the "not single" tracks, "Mississippi", "Lincoln Avenue", "I Am", and "Hopelessly" are among Train fans as well as my favorite songs by the group- very uncommon for top 40 groups). Anyway, give this album a listen- great for any occasion.

Reggie Bush Signs with the Saints

Ok we weren't dreaming- Reggie Bush IS actually a Saint. Also, let me add that Mickey Loomis said in yesterday's press conference "it's alot tougher to get from Los Angeles to Jackson than you might think." Um no it isn't...I know what you mean. Anyway, the waiting, wishing, and fingernail biting can officially stop now. It was reported Saturday that Reggie Bush signed a 6 year deal with the Saints that could top out at around $51 million, with 26.5 million in guaranteed money, just .2 less than #1 pick Mario Williams. I cannot even begin to state the importance of this signing. The Saints now have a substantial crowd drawing player in place for at LEAST six seasons. I know sports can't "save a city", but one player can damn sure save a team. However, I must add as a sidenote, that are good friend, Mr. John Martin Lassiter has been reporting for General Pigott.com from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS (for a later complete training camp wrap up) and has said that the Saints young players look really good and the veterans look sharp. However, after he gave me this excited report and the great prospect of getting Reggie Bush, I replied by saying "Lassiter it doesn't matter, we have one winnable game on the whole schedule!". The truth hurts.

Random Movie Review- #21 "The Best Man"

Let me start by saying that this movie, directed and produced by Spike Lee's cousin, Malcolm, is quite possibly the best African-American produced film of all time (with #23 "Love and Basketball which Sanaa Lathan ALSO appears in along with this one), and has been called one of the few African-American movies in recent history with great "cross-over potential". There are several things that make this movie VERY watchable. For one, I would dare say that the diversity and development of characters in this movie is unmatched by most movies. In fact, you could easily write a very long paper about the different characters in this movie- it's that deep. Also, the comic lines especially from then up and coming star Terrence Howard (who plays Quentin, the only character in the movie really without alot of direction, but everybody has a friend like this guy- 5 jobs in 2 years, yeah you know the type) calling the single women at the wedding a "hoasis". Also, the fact that Malcolm Lee took an African-American story a different direction than other black movies of the late 90's (movie was made in 1999) with no mention of drugs, violence, or gang related activities. All of the characters are very successful and most are very affluent. This was one of the first movies to ever have such a cast. Also, the plot twist in this movie is SPECTACULAR. Also, it features a great soundtrack. However, this movie loses several points by being almost too "stereotypical african american", like when Nia Long all of a sudden says "hell yeah, girlfriend can throw down", and the men constantly referring to each other as "n word", which really disrupts a rather well put together script. Anyway, the movie revolves several friends from college coming back to New York City for Lance Sullivan (Morris Chestnutt), the running back for the New York Giants, wedding to Mia (Monica Calhoun). However, the thing on everyone's mind is Harper's (Taye Diggs) new book , Unfinished Business, which is a fictitious account of his real life experiences, in which all the characters in the movie are in the book, including Harper's old "friend" Jordan (Nia Long). The whole time, you wondered why Harper was so reluctant to let the book get out, and it turns out he had slept with Mia in college long before her and Lance were engaged. In one of the best plot twists I've ever seen, Harper and Lance after two fights show one of the best dipictions of friendship and forgiveness I've ever seen in film right before the wedding is to take place. That's what keeps this movie from really making a high mark. GREAT concept, GREAT cast, GREAT characters, GREAT plot, but it rollercoasters so much on your emotions that you don't know whether to laugh or take it seriously. However, if you're in the mood for something different, and something that will make you laugh and cry within 10 minutes of each other, check out "The Best Man".

Lance Bass- The Next Michael Jackson, or Just Another Regular Ol' Queer?

What a great example set by my fellow Mississippian, Lance Bass- be gay with another celebrity!. I think it's even more hilarious that my cousin Taylor once said "Lance Bass looks like Ellen Degeneres.". You always figure at least one guy in a boy band is gay, but I was really thinking that JC or Justin would have been the culprit in N*Sync. I always had respect for Lance for claiming Mississippi as his home and being very vocal about that, and even owning a home in the Jackson area. However, I can't figure out what a man with SEVERAL thousand women at his feet could possibly be thinking to come out of the closet as a homosexual. Something else though is that I understand if someone wants to be gay, I mean, it's a free country, but WHY WOULD YOU WANNA BE GAY WITH ANOTHER CELEBRITY? I mean now everyone in the world is gonna have mental pictures of Lance and the guy from The Amazing Race together in some not so public moments, and every interview he gives for the next 5 years is gonna be about that, and is gonna take away from anything N*Sync was planning as a reunion. They also took it to another level in recently being seen wearing each other's clothes. So, even if Lance wasn't out of the closet, this action would automatically qualify him as gay on the spot. However, I think there's one question that everyone asks themselves about every person when they first come out of the closet- "is he gonna be a "cool" gay person or like Michael Jackson freak-me-out gay?". With the early "wearing my boyfriends clothes" incident, I am afraid that Lance could take an Elton Johnesque turn toward queerdom that is seldom matched, even by the fab five of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Well, the good news on that would be that Mississippi wouldn't be last in something, I guess.

LeCharles Bentley Sidelined for the Season

The first day of the Reggie Bush holdout was met with a minor indirect piece of good news for the Saints. Former Pro Bowl center, LeCharles Bentley, who signed with the Browns in the offseason (and then New Orleans traded to get Cleveland center Jeff Faine- essentially making it a trade), severely injured his knee yesterday on the first day of contact drills at Browns training camp. This is good news because we didn't pay the $11 million that the Browns paid just to have him sit on the sideline all year. Faine is a more durable linemen (knock on wood) that has experience in a solid running game in Cleveland blocking for Reuben Droughns. This is the first time I can ever remember something like this happening in the Saints favor. It's usually the big time free agent signee for the Saints being the one hurt (Allen Pinkett, Jeff Blake). Anyway, let's just keep our fingers crossed for Reggie.

This Just In......

Austin Peay is like a prison camp right now. You can't get anywhere on campus due to a band camp of the Tennessee drum and bugle corps, and the Tennessee Titans shutting down the whole campus for their training camp. Ridiculous!

Analyzing the Holdouts

Well, according to ESPN.com last night, the contract talks between the Saints and Reggie Bush are supposed to "heat up" today. However, the contract talks between the Saints and Reggie Bush could very well hinge on the contract talks between the Titans and Vince Young. According to ESPN.com's senior NFL editor Bob Glauber, Vince Young, who believes he should have been the #1 pick (and honestly, with the Texans situation, he might have a point) and wants more than 2006 #1 pick Mario Williams. The contract asking price, reportedly, is 6 years, $60 million, which would make Vince Young the richest rookie NFL history. However, this decision to pursue this contract has led Reggie Bush to say "well I was drafted ahead of Vince, and I should have been the #1 pick as well, so why should he get more money?". This puts the Saints in one hell of a situation. For the Titans, they have a marginal, but still effective veteran at quarterback in Billy Volek. Nashville is not a city being rebuilt, and the high profile games of the Colts, Patriots, Cowboys, and the return of Steve McNair against the Ravens have led to the Titans selling out all of their home season tickets for their entire run in Nashville. So, worst case scenario is Vince Young is traded to another team for an unbelievable amount of talented players. However, the signing of Reggie Bush is much more important to New Orleans. While Deuce McAllister is already in place, Bush and Deuce are completely different players- anyone realizes this. Then, with the city of New Orleans being rebuilt after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the life that Reggie Bush breathed into the city was unparalleled in the history of professional sports. Also, the Saints sold 56,000 season tickets, which is up from 40,000 their last year in New Orleans. So, with the lesser population being in New Orleans, one would have to guess that if Reggie Bush isn't in place to play this season, the Saints could be looking at close to or over 20,000 of those season tickets being returned for refunds. Thus, in point, ending the Saints run in New Orleans and wasting alot of NFL money to make the Superdome ready for the 2006 season. Saints fans, I can't tell you how important getting this deal worked out is. I don't care if Tom Benson has to have one less car or one less suit, REGGIE BUSH NEEDS TO GET HIS MONEY- THE FUTURE OF THE SAINTS DEPEND ON IT. Let's just hope that the Tennessee Titans don't play a bigger role in this than they have already.

Floyd Landis Tests Positive for Testosterone

To quote one of my favorite Jay Money quotes ever, "See, this is why I can't take you seriously!". While there is no doubt in my mind that Lance Armstrong is clean, the sport of cycling is probably the most doping filled sport in all of the world. It was released this morning that American and eventual Tour de France champion Floyd Landis (pictured here) tested positive after the 17th stage in which he made up an 8 minute deficit in a performance that was called by many cycling insiders "the greatest performance in the history of the Tour de France". This mars a great story in which Landis, a former U.S. Postal Service teammate of Lance Armstrong, and always seen as "being in his shadow", is also scheduled to have hip replacement surgery in the next few weeks because of a serious hip injury. Not only does this new release look bad for the United States and cycling, but it's gonna open a whole new can of worms on Lance Armstrong.

Me and Eskew in 20 Years- An NFL Story, Part 1

I just found this picture of me and Eric at a New Orleans Saints vs. Austin Peay playoff football game in 2026 in Clarksville, TN. As you can see, Eric has to wear an Irish T-Shirt because his red hair is gone. This picture was taken at 6am on Thursday morning. The game was on Sunday, and we had been camping out for 3 days. We had to go to Clarksville two weeks ahead of time to reserve our spot in line. Three days later, we went to wait in line for the game with two coolers, five kegs, a van full of Mike Anderson's seafood, a grill, and John Drew on speed dial to cook the meat. John Drew had to come to the tailgate, because he heard that according to several people in Baton Rouge. "they don't know who John Drew is at Austin Peay". John, eventhough he is nearly 90 years old, made the trip down from New Jersey wearing his throwback Jim Brown jersey. When we had set up shop for our tailgate (in the middle of school hours) someone asked what we were doing. Trying to avoid a scene, a local APSU fan we had just met went up to the parking attendant and said "aw they just waiting for the Saints". When this wasn't good enough for him, Eric called our good buddy Brad Wilson who came hauling around the corner in his brand new black Hummer with his son Braden riding shotgun. All of a sudden, that thing lit up like a christmas tree- I mean seriously- blue lights galore! Brad got on his intercom system on the truck, and just by looking important, the campus security officer was scared away. However, me and Eric missed all of this- because we thought we saw some single military daughters walking a distance away. However, we got the four hour story from John when we got back. It's almost like we were there, and when you think like a logistical engineer, you can really relate. However, we later found out that John didn't see any of this, because he was telling the guy cutting the grass the difference between sleepers and nappers, the technique for cooking at Fall Fest, and the story of the polling place. Anyway, the tumultuous adventure was capped off by Austin Peay squeaking past the Saints 79-6. With the Saints' only touchdown coming on the opening kickoff being returned by NFL veteran Reggie Bush, but the PAT was blocked and returned for 2 points . A valiant effort, but the Saints still can't figure how to stop the run....or the pass.

Tracking Pigott's NFL Teammates

Well most people don't believe me- but I do have five former high school teammates currently in the NFL. Pictured here (clockwise, from upper left) are Chris Spencer of the Seattle Seahawks, Parys Haralson of the San Francisco 49ers, Mike Espy of the Washington Redskins, Doug Buckles, most recently of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Stephen Gostkowski of the New England Patriots. Starting with Spencer, who played in the Super Bowl, he might be the best young center in the league, and was recently on espn.com in the "ultimate salary cap team" by John Clayton, with John Clayton calling him the best young offensive lineman in the NFL. I'll always remember Chris having the biggest foot I've ever seen wearing a size 21 shoe. Leaving Ole Miss after his junior season, Chris was a huge part of Eli Manning's success in the SEC. Mike, who is an undrafted free agent with Washington, and son of former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy, Sr., and who I spoke with Friday night, enters camp on a loaded team already with receivers Antwaan Randle El, Brandon Lloyd, and of course Santana Moss. However, Mike is a dangerous kick returner, and could sneak onto the roster that way. I always remember him on every punt return (even in practice) reaching down on the ground and grabbing the grass, similar to Russell Crowe in #4 Gladiator. Haralson, a 4th round pick of the 49ers, could start as a rookie. While at Tennessee, he was the active SEC sacks leader, and is a relentless pass rusher. The funny thing about Parys is that he was this size at 14! Gostkowski might be the best kicker I've ever seen. A 4th round pick of the Patriots, he was the only kicker taken in the draft. He left Memphis as the 13th all time leading scorer in NCAA history including 70 made field goals. Beaver was a 3 sport athlete in high school being the closer on the 2002 state champion baseball team as well as playing soccer. Doug is currently back in Mississippi, but the last I heard, was trying to catch on with the Kansas City Chiefs. Also a part of the formidable Ole Miss offensive line unit with Spencer, Doug was the 1999 State player of the year in high school and was only held back from making Tampa Bay's final roster due to a long standing hip injury (I remember when he injured it). So, next time you wanna talk smack about my high school football team- take a look at these guys.

This Just In.......

After today's student payroll meeting with Austin Peay Financial Aid and Human Resources, my IQ has officially dropped 94 points, and damn I have a headache.

Pigott Loses To a 3 Year Old at Bowling

Here in this picture is me with my little cousin, Samuel Forbus, who celebrated his 3rd birthday this past Saturday in Nashville with a smashing 93-78 bowling victory over me. The pizza made my hands greasy, I promise.

USA Basketball Roster Announced

I seriously hope that it works this time. Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski announced his 15-man roster for the FIBA World Basketball Championships in Japan today. He must cut down the roster to 12 before the first game, but the roster is as follows:

G Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
G Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
G Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
G Kirk Hinrich, Chicago Bulls
G Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
F Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
F Bruce Bowen, San Antonio Spurs
F Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
F Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
F Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers
F Shane Battier, Houston Rockets
F Antawn Jamison, Golden State Warriors
F Amare Stoudamire, Phoenix Suns
C Brad Miller, Sacramento Kings

You might notice that there are no NBA teammates on this team- weird. Anyway, other American stars such as Adam Morrison, Luke Ridnour, Shawn Marion, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Chauncey Billups, and Paul Pierce weren't included on the roster, but are still a part of the USA basketball roster and could take part in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. I like the fact that this team had to try out and actually had to go to camp to make the team. I like the fact that Jerry Colangelo is making players commit to being on the team for 3 years, not just for one tournament (KG). This team is a much better put together team as well. With a potential starting lineup of Paul, Wade, James, Brand, and Howard, there are several other specialists off the bench. You have a shotblocker in Howard, a lockdown defender in Bowen, shooters in Hinrich and Arenas, and a pure scorer in Johnson. I think the embarassment of years past is finally starting to set in to these guys as well. The USA will face really only two tests in the opening round play with China, which is the host country and the team of Houston Rockets center Yao Ming. They will also face a Puerto Rico team which features Detroit Pistons point guard Carlos Arroyo and Denver Nuggets center Daniel Rodriguez. Puerto Rico beat the United States in the 2004 Olympics, and will definitely smell blood again. Other top teams in the tournament include Brazil who will be led by Denver Nuggets Nene', Australia (which will feature #1 NBA Draft Pick Andrew Bogut), Dirk Nowitzki-led Germany, Pao Gasol's Spanish team (which finished 4th in the olympics), then of course Olympic Champion Argentina who will be led by San Antonio Spurs Manu Ginobli and Detroit's Carlos Delfino. The United State must find a way to play together and put the USA back where it belongs among International Basketball powerhouses.

Greatest Pay Per View Ever?

I know it's hard for a brand-exclusive Pay-Per-View to claim this title, because usually the joint ones (Royal Rumble, Summerslam, Survivor Series, and Wrestlemania) are the more memorable ones. However, 15 years after the 1991 WCW Great American Bash (which, ironically, I have on tape) was dubbed the "worst pay-per-view in wrestling history", the 2006 version made some milestone history. First of all, Bobby Lashley, the Great Khali, and Mark Henry all had to be scratched at the last second due to for real injuries. Henry with the torn ACL, and Lashley and Khali with, oddly enough, liver problems. Secondly, all Smackdown! champions were in action, with all but Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms being in a title match. The bash also featured the first ever Punjabi Prison match. Originally scheduled to be The Great Khali vs. The Undertaker, Khali, as mentioned before, was a late scratch due to liver problems, and GM Theodore Long appointed The Big Show as his opponent. In arguably the bloodiest match in WWE history, the Undertaker wound up victorious when he was the one who escaped from the large bamboo structure. Next, fans witnessed fan favorite Batista snapping on Mr. Kennedy. Finally, in one of the most controversial heel turns in the history of wrestling, Chavo Guerrero turned on Rey Mysterio hitting him with a steel chair and allowing Booker T to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. I can honestly say that people who follow the WWE closely will always remember that one for the simple fact that the legacy of Eddie Guerrero brought the two together. I sincerely hope that this feud is not being carried out in the name of the late Eddie Guerrero. There are just certain lines that you don't cross. However, this pay-per-view is that Smackdown! needed to get back on par with the excitement of RAW and it gave itself alot of momentum leading up to Summerslam on August 20.

Random Movie Review- #12 "The Road to Perdition"

If you haven't seen this movie- see it. Tom Hanks plays, to me, his most underrated character in all of his movie roles. The story of Michael Sullivan in "The Road to Perdition" is one of the most heartwarming, yet morbid stories to ever hit the silver screen. The star studded cast also includes Paul Newman, Jude Law, and the new James Bond, Daniel Craig. The story starts out at a wake for a member of John Rooney's (Newman) crime group. It turns out that Rooney had him killed because he believed he was stealing money from him. At the wake, his brother begins to speak and says that "Mr. Rooney runs the town with an iron fist." Before he can go on, Michael Sullivan (Hanks) pulls him from the stage and the party goes on as usual. Rooney then tells Sullivan and his son (Craig) to go to his house that night to "talk to him". However, curious about his dad's "adventures" and really not knowing what his job is, Michael Sullivan, Jr. (played by Tyler Hoechlin- Sullivan, Jr. is also the narrator of the story and it begins with a flashback) hides in the backseat of his father's car to see what is going to happen. When his father and Rooney get out of the car, he peaks in the window and sees Rooney kill the man and his father kill the two men he has there with him. Afraid that the boy would talk, Connor Rooney then breaks into Sullivan's house and murders Sullivan's wife, and who he believes is Michael, Jr. It was, however, his younger son. At this exact time, John Rooney, in order to cover his own ass, attempts to have a local pimp kill Sullivan to have his debts paid off. Sullivan survives this attempt and then takes his son and flees town. Connor Rooney is sent into hiding where Michael Sullivan can't touch him. In order to get the mob to give up Connor Rooney, Michael Sullivan goes all over Illinois mainly in the Chicago area robbing banks of "dirty money" that they are holding for Al Capone as a "blackmail" for the mob to give up Connor. When Capone finds out about this, he sends Harlen Maguire (Jude Law) , a hitman/photographer who sold photos of the people he killed. Michael Sullivan winds up killing John Rooney so the mob would have no reason to protect Connor Rooney. This bonechilling scene ends with the line from Rooney saying "I'm glad it's you". After this, the mob lets Sullivan kill Connor, and that seems to be the end of it, but not so much. Watch the movie to get the rest. This movie would be in the top 10, but the very depressing and morbid mood throughout the whole movie keeps it from making you feel good. While the rewatchability is great (you always notice something different because the plot has so many twists)., the depressing yet heartwarming story puts you on an emotional rollercoaster. It's also a rare movie (along with #20 "The Rock") where all the characters are somewhat likeable, but in the end, they mostly all turn out bad, which makes it kinda dissapointing. Also, any movie where every major cast member but one dies is a huge bummer (huge spoiler). Anyway, check it out sometime and watch it late at night to add to the effect- just pay attention.

Braves Making Run To October?

I never thought I would be writing this a few weeks ago, but the Braves are now just 4 1/2 games behind NL Wild Card leader Cincinnati after a tough loss to St. Louis last night. The Braves also traded for Indians closer Bob Wickman, and should make another move in the near future for another reliever. On top of this, Chipper and Andruw Jones are lighting the stat books up at a blistering pace, and Jeff Francouer is finally finding his stroke again. However, the main thing people don't know is the relatively easy schedule the Braves have coming up. They open a series today with the Phillies. After that, they have series with the Pirates, Reds, Brewers, Cubs, and Marlins. Actually, with the exception of two important series with the NL East leading Mets, the rest of the Braves schedule is rather easy. With Tim Hudson, John Smoltz, and Horacio Ramirez all leading the way, there really is a possibility for these guys to sneak into the post-season for a mind boggling 15th straight year! The most unbelievable thing is that the last time these guys didn't make the playoffs I was in THIRD GRADE. What a great story. Now that the Cubs are out of it, let's see those tomahawks choppin!

Saints release Dwight Smith

It's falling into place. It was announced early this morning that the Saints will be releasing their starting strong safety, Dwight Smith. Smith, who had a stellar season at strong safety taking the place of injured but now healthy Jay Bellamy, was conceivably released to free up his large salary. While a great player, he is a Drew Rosenhaus player, which automatically makes him expensive. This frees up money to sign Reggie Bush, and also frees the way for Bellamy to return to stong safety and seemingly would keep Josh Bullocks at free safety, with Roman Harper waiting in the wings to take over eventually for Bellamy. Eventhough I hate to see Smith go, the Saints still have Steve Gleason to back up Bellamy and obviously second round draft pick Harper from Alabama. I like the direction the Saints are going right now to develop young players behind veterans, and then insert them when they get ready and get them valuable on field experience. I have said over and over again that this is the way the team needs to build. I just hate that it cost us a really good cover safety. Happy trails, Dwight Smith.

Shea Hillenbrand did WHAT?

This story has me seriously perplexed. I mean seriously, I have all the respect in the world for Shea Hillenbrand for adopting a baby girl. My good friend Matt Rouse in Alabama has adopted three children and it takes a special person to really take children in. However, searching for a pat on the back is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of. Shea Hillenbrand should have adopted the girl because he wanted to make a difference in the little girl's life by giving her a wealthy family to grow up in and have a daddy that plays Major League Baseball, and to affect possibly several other people just by taking another human being in. But no, he publicly said that he was upset about the Blue Jays not "congratulating him publicly". Then, throwing a fit about not starting when your making $6 million a year? Come on! Hillenbrand is at BEST the third best hitter on the team (especially behind Vernon Wells and Troy Glaus) and he is asking for superstar treatment. Doesn't work that way. However, while you can easily only get mad at Hillenbrand- what the hell are the Blue Jays thinking running a franchise this way? What kind of owner condones a manager admitting to the press that "I challenged Hillenbrand to a fight." See, this is why the Blue Jays will never be a contender in the AL East. Ever since their world championship of 1993, they have made bad PR move after bad personnel move and it's gonna hurt them in the long run. I think there's an outside possibility they could sneak into the playoffs this season, but with drama and chemistry problem like this going on, I seriously doubt it. Even at the professional level, it is the duty of the manager of a baseball team to keep the team together, not spark incidents in the clubhouse like John Gibbons does now. It's a shame that a good player and a really good season for the Toronto Blue Jays is gonna be wasted like this and only be remembered for this ugly incident.

Random Movie Review- #7 "The Matrix"

Honestly, I forgot how freaking awesome this movie is. I mean seriously, there are four things that makes this movies just freaking unreal: 1- the fact that it makes you think the whole time you're watching, 2- the fact that Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne can beat the hell out of anyone at anytime, 3- the great quotes "Welcome to the real world", "and that, Mr. Anderson, is the sound of inevitability" among others, and 4- the absolutely ridiculous awesome visual effects. However, there are two things that keep this movie from being in the top five. The fact that Keanu Reeves is the lead role of Neo is very disheartening. Reeves has been a very fine actor in other movies that are more fit for a actor with his skill. The whole time I watch this movie still I'm waiting for him to go "WILD STALLYNS!". Also, the fact that the movie was made as part of a trilogy. Cool concept, yes, but the original movie starts off very thick and detailed, which is cool. The first time I saw The Matrix I was thinking there could be so many twists it was ridiculous. The first few scenes along with Neo figuring out who Morpheus is is really thick. However, starting with Joe Pataliano "Cypher" turning on the crew and trying to have the whole crew killed and the mainframe codes to Zion's computer turned over so he can be reinserted into the matrix. Leading up to this, it could have gone any direction, but then, the producers decided they want to get the movie over with in under two hours, so the whole thing just flies by. Granted, in the last scenes, maybe the coolest gun scene, special effects scene, and fatality scenes take place, which makes it ok I guess. I really wish that #31 Matrix:Reloaded and #26 Matrix:Revolutions would have been combined into one "storyline" instead of having two storylines. If these movies would have been combined into just telling the story of Neo and not jumping into all these other subplots that consequently take place, we might have been talking about The Matrix Trilogy as maybe the greatest trilogy in movie history. Anyway, my rant is over. Take away all the negative things I just said and you have one kick ass movie. The fact that the movie (with the exception of the whole "agent" concept) is very believable is mind boggling to me. I mean seriously, after I saw the movie the first time, I was seriously wondering when I was gonna wake up and find myself in the matrix field like Neo did. Also, the concept in the movie is one of the coolest ever. It just offers the truth, nothing more.

This just in......

This blog is interrupted by another commercial break during the Century 21 Home Run Derby. Congratulations to Thomas Howard for winning, and maybe Tivo has me spoiled, but I can't watch something that has 14 commercial breaks. It's ridiculous- ESPN has a commercial break between each hitter that lasts at least 4 minutes. They spend more time on commercials than they spend on the actual contest. I can't watch it. That's why I watched RAW, which had a grand total of SIX commercial breaks.

Italy wins controversial World Cup

Italy's Fabio Cannavaro (pictured here) deserves to hold the FIFA World Cup after his stellar performance throughout the tournament. However, what he didn't deserve was to be overshadowed by two controversial stories that are now rocking the soccer world. The game started with the story of the Italian soccer fixing scandal. Cannavaro, who plays for Juventus, could be greatly affected by this scandal. However, the saddest thing is how Zinedine Zidane's act of lunacy took away from everyone else on the field and certainly overshadowed Italy's fourth World Cup title. In the 111th minute, Zidane, who is considered one of the greatest players to every play the game of soccer and had already scored in the 7th minute, viciously head butted Italy's Marco Materazzi after the two had exchanged words. This savage act led to Zidane, who had announced he was retiring after this World Cup, being red carded and leaving his team to play with 10 men for the last 9 minutes when Italy was getting tired and took one of the great PK takers in FIFA history out of the shootout equation. I think John Lassiter put it best when he said "I have never seen a player fall from grace quicker than Zidane just did!". Seriously, this selfish act was up there with Woody Hayes as being one of the stupidest things I've ever seen a legend in their respective arena do. As I said, unfortunately, Zidane, who also was voted the tournament's MVP (obviously the votes were tabulated before the red card), scarred a game that would have gone down as one of the best World Cup finals ever. Still can't believe it.

Blue can't catch a break....or make a good decision!

Since when have kids chosen college over the pros?! Well it happened when it was announced Thursday that Erik Johnson, the #1 overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues was going to play at the University of Minnesota rather than play in the NHL. SAY WHAT? This is the way the Blues seem to be operating now. After coming off their first non-playoff season in my lifetime (which is still one of the most incredible feats in the history of sports), the Blues pick a popular American kid who is supposed to be the next Brett Hull. However, I guess they forgot TO SEE IF HE ACTUALLY WANTED TO PLAY! I mean seriously, you lose Al Macinnis and Pavel Demitra in the same off-season (an NHL record for most combined goals to ever leave a team), can't find a good coach, get desimated by injuries, trade away Doug Weight, and now are in danger of losing the only good player you have in Keith Tkachuk. Ever since their 2000 President's Cup Win and playoff meltdown, and then flirting with greatness by reaching the 2001 Conference Finals, it's like these guys forgot not only how to play hockey but how to manage a team. This team hasn't made a good personnel decision since that time, and it's been a slow decline over those 4 seasons. I am afraid that the Blues are gonna turn into the Boston Bruins or Chicago Blackhawks- like whirlwind of low-mediocrity. I guess it's a given that every team Pigott likes has to suck.

Random Movie Review- #20 "The Rock"

This great movie snuck its way into my DVD player this evening while I was doing laundry here and was my first movie to watch in Tennessee- how novel. Anyway, I have to start by stating something that I think is hilarious. I've done two movie reviews now on my blog and the ONLY person to appear in both films is the stellar actress Claire Forlani (who appears in "Mallrats" as Brandi- T.S.'s girlfriend who has to appear on the gameshow- what a contrast). Anyway, for those of you have not seen this flick, the rather complicated plot centers around Ed Harris playing General Francis X. Hummel, a disgruntled Marine Corps Brigadier General who, due to 83 of his soldiers in the Vietnam and Gulf Wars being ignored without military burials after they were killed and no benefits being paid to their famiies. Hummel then recruits 16 Marines to steal 16 VX Gas Rockets and hold 81 hostages at Alcatraz for a ransom of $100 million from the US Government or fire the rockets on the city of San Francisco. The government counteracts this threat by putting together a Navy Seal team along with nerdy FBI labrat and chemical weapons expert Stanley Goodspeed, played by Nicolas Cage, and former SAS British Operative John Mason, played by Sean Connery, who was a prisoner who escaped from Alcatraz in 1963. The film also features the late John Spencer (of West Wing fame) playing FBI Director Womack, as well as the very sexy Vanessa Marcil (of General Hospital) as Goodspeed's pregnant girlfriend. The cast also feature Bokeem Woodbine (of Ray and Dead Presidents), as well as the up and coming David Morse (The Green Mile and The Negotiator were yet to come) who both play some of the Marines gone bad in Hummel's gang. Anyway, I love this movie because while it moves fast, has great action scenes (including the most expensive car chase scene in movie history until #17 Bad Boys 2), comic relief quotes, but also deals with serious issues, namely terrorism, friendship, patriotism, parenthood, marriage, and strangely enough, wrongful imprisonment. I like that the fact that the movie deals with all these issues as well as centers around the Federal Government, and manages to stay pretty much unpolitical and sticks to the story (I guess because Clinton was still in office when the movie was made). However, some of the fatalities especially, are VERY unrealistic. Also, many of the plot twists and people "being right there to save someone" is very unrealistic. I realize it's a movie, but as you'll eventually see, many of the movies near the top of this list other than notable exceptions like #5 Swingers, the aformentioned #8 Mallrats, and #9 Dogma are comedies, and thus expected to be unrealistic. I am a firm believer that a action or drama dealing with contemporary issues with a plot this thick should be very realistic to fully capture its audience and to be completely effective. Anyway, that's just a small beef. This re-watchability of this movie is incredible, as well as the twists for the first time watcher as well as the I think out of character performance for Nicolas Cage, who usually has a "badass" mentality. It's also a movie where you can begin to like all three of the main characters, no matter how dirty you think they might be at the time. I'd suggest watching this movie, just get ready to really pay attention.

Batista Makes His Return to Smackdown! in a BIG Way

Well I waited for 6 months, and I tell ya it was worth the wait. Batista (pictured here at Wrestlemania 21 winning the World Heavyweight Championship over Triple H) not only called out Mark Henry to the ring, (who injured him in January causing Batista to give up the Championship) but beat the living crap out of him with the ringposts, stairs, and several hits with a steel chair. Mark Henry, who you may remember from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as a superheavyweight powerlifter, and the self-proclaimed "world's strongest man" was cut open and bleeding profusely from the onslaught. This was only appropriate because Mark Henry had just attacked Rey Mysterio, but had also caused Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle, and Chavo Guerrero to be out with injuries. It's kinda like watching the elementary school bully get beat up and loving every second of it. It honestly kinda reminded me of the fight scene from "Friday" when Craig beats the hell out of D-Bow. The best part now is that Batista and Mark Henry will probably have a VERY brutal match at the Great American Bash on July 23 (which, by the way is shaping up to be one of the best pay-per-views in recent memory with the triple threat match with Finlay and Steven Regal taking on Lashley for the US Championship, as well as Booker T taking on Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship, and the one everyone is talking about, the Undertaker vs. the Great Khali in the first ever WWE Punjabi Prison Match). Batista is back, so be very glad and tune in Friday night on UPN to Friday Night WWE Smackdown!- TV that's changing Friday nights.

Iverson the answer to Hawks future?

After drafting Duke's Shelden Williams with the 5th pick in this year's NBA draft (and being one of the few teams to not trade away their pick), and signing New Orleans Hornets point guard Speedy Claxton, the next logical move would have to be signing and trading away the very overpaid and underachieving Al Harrington along with Tony Delk and maybe another player to Philadelphia for Allen Iverson. This trade, if it were to become a reality, would give the Hawks a possible three guard starting lineup which would feature Iverson, Joe Johnson, and Claxton. The starting lineup would round out with Williams and center Esteban Batista, giving the Hawks much of a Lute Olson of the mid 90's look on the court. Not only would this spice things up and be an obvious great trade, it would be the biggest name player since Dominique Wilkins to play for the Hawks and would FINALLY put some asses in the seats and quit the ownerships threats to move the team. Plus what better place for Iverson to bring his thugged out act than the most thugged out city in America? Except for Jackson, of course

Goodbye, Baton Rouge

Well I knew this day would come, I just really wanted it to not happen. Being the sentimental person I am, I get attached to people and routines way too easily, and honestly, it still hasn't hit me that I don't work at LSU anymore. LSU kinda creates the attitude and atmosphere of a family and it's something you almost get addicted to. I've said this a million times, and I know most people don't believe it's true, but I really WAS NOT gonna even apply for intramural graduate assistant job at LSU just because I figured it was out of my league. I mean, I grew up pulling for LSU and following Dale Brown's career as well as LSU football. LSU was something that I saw as out of my reach and somewhat of an "unattainable dream". I guess anything's possible. It's amazing how a person can come to a place and be lost, stupid, ignorant, and completely hateable and leave a recreation professional at a fast growing program in a great part of the country. It's almost like I won the #1 pick in the NFL draft and picked Reggie Bush AND Matt Leinart with the same pick. It's amazing that while I was upset about so many things and seemingly constantly frustrated, that all I can do is look back and be happy because if I really look back, the best thing to do is not to look at the stuff that I didn't have, but look at what I experienced and the people I met, like Eric Eskew (pictured here in my last picture taken in Baton Rouge) . (Disclaimer- 1- I was really sweaty from playing capture the flag on the clock 2- Scott Belanger just WANTS to make me look gay) and so many other people who were weird and special in their own way. Oddly enough, I can't think of any one memory that stands out more than any others. I think I'll always remember just being around everyone and enjoying not only working there, but enjoying LIFE. Not only did I grow up alot in Baton Rouge, I LIVED a whole damn life it seems like. I really feel like I grew up alot in just those two years, and now at Austin Peay I already feel more mature and more knowledgeable just from my experience at LSU. Hell, I even miss the food. Strangely enough, I'm at a loss for words. I am just thankful the staff didn't call upon me to make a speech on my last day for one, because I was watching the cnnsi.com cupcast of the aforementioned USA-Ghana soccer game during that staff meeting and wasn't paying attention, but I think if Tamara Jarrett would have been there I would have been giving something like an Oscar acceptance speech. Goodbye, Baton Rouge, it was a long two years, but no one died, and we survived. Thanks to everyone for everything, if that's possible. 5A all the way, geaux tigers.

This just in.....

I've gotten lost eight times in two days in Clarksville- I'm such an idiot

No cheers for USA Soccer

Images like this were not seen this year by Kasey Keller and the rest of USA Soccer Team as they went 0-2-1 in this year's World Cup, managing just a single goal scored. What I can't believe is the fact that after Bruce Arena obviously lost his brain since 2002 (like every American coach does), ESPN.com reported that all of the possible replacements for Arena are AMERICAN!!!!! Are we the stupidest people alive here? Seriously, this is not an American sport, I'm sorry it just isn't. Soccer hasn't been in North America long enough for an American to coach it at a championship level. The United States should spend the money it has and buy a coach like Luiz Felipe Scolari (who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and took an underrated and underskilled Portugal team to the semifinals this year) and teach American athletes how to play at a competitive level on an international stage, not just qualifying in CONACAF. We need a coach who will be aggressive and not sit a dazzling striker like Eddie Johnson on the bench and keep an outdated and overrated Claudio Reyna on the field when he hasn't done anything productive since 1994. We need to keep the attitude and intensity that is shown in players like Brian McBride, Clint Dempsey, Oguchi Onyewu, and Pablo Maestroeni. However, we don't need this "holy shit we're Americans and we're better than you" attitude that seems to have struck every American soccer coach. I really thought that Steve Sampson pulled the biggest dumbass move ever in 1998 when he declared John Harkes "captain for life" of the national squad only to cut him before the World Cup. I think Arena's poor coaching in this cup takes the cake. I am not claiming to be a soccer expert by any stretch of the imagination, but seriously, who wants to watch Americans get embarassed by GHANA????

Sorry for the delay....

But I kinda had a 600 mile move to pull off...