Monty on Cycling

If you have seen the Facebook page, I have been updating on the Tour de France. My favorite sprinter is Mark Cavendish, he is also my favorite cyclist. He has 3 '10 Tour de France stage wins.



His leadout man, Mark Renshaw got DQ'd for Rough Riding/Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Tyler Farrar's lead-out man, Julian Dean came down on him. Renshaw used his head to knock Dean away. After launching Cavendish, Renshaw came down on Farrar. Tyler had to put his hand on the back of Renshaw to keep him away.


If you are going to DQ Renshaw, you must also DQ Dean. If it is about safety you MUST toss both or neither of them.

Farrar abandoned in Stage 12, so in my mind justice was done.

Dan Gilbert is my Hero

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

Greatest owner in the NBA & maybe anywhere just because of the balls it took to say that.- Monty



“He has gotten a free pass,” Gilbert said in a phone interview with The AP. “People have covered up for (James) for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is.”

Gilbert feels James quit on the Cavs during their second-round series against the Boston Celtics, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to eliminate Cleveland.

“He quit,” Gilbert said. “Not just in Game 5, but in Games 2, 4 and 6. Watch the tape. The Boston series was unlike anything in the history of sports for a superstar.”

The Cavaliers were beaten by 32 points in Game 5. During the game, James appeared distracted and uninterested, often glaring at Cleveland’s coaches as the Cavs tried to foul to get back into the game in the second half. James also made some puzzling postgame comments, saying he had “spoiled” people with his play over seven seasons.

Gilbert also said he believes James quit on the Cavs in Game 6 of their series in 2009 against Orlando.

“Go back and look at the tape,” he said. “How many shots did he take?”

LeBron James

Everyone has an opinion on LeBron James, so here is mine.

It seems that LeBron's career in Cleveland is over. His last game in Cleveland was a game where he quit on his team, his town, & his friends. His last moment with his hometown Cavs should have been giving his best, except we get him running for the door.

So he is going to Miami & perhaps finally get a championship.

Whenever he comes back to Akron & Cleveland, he will have earned the boos and jeers. Not because he left, but because he quit on the team & fans before he left.

Monty's Outside Toss

Decided to make this about my fandom


My first sports detailed memory was in 1986. It did not involve football or hockey, it was baseball. It was the '86 World Series, Mets vs Red Sox


My parents let me stay up late on school nights to watch the World Series. I got to see my then favorite team (The Mets) play. It was the last games for my dad's favorite player, Tom Seaver.


I saw Mookie Wilson & Bill Buckner, Clemens & Gooden.


It was the first time I got to stay up late on my own. That series led me to really enjoying the World Series. There was only one other World Series that captured my imagination, but that is a story for another day.

Better Late, Than...

So I finally get to it, it is time to talk Nationals.


This team could be a force in the coming years. Due in main part to three strong up-and-comers, Bryce Harper, Drew Storen, & Stephen Strasburg.


I'll start with the 2010 Number 1 Pick, Bryce Harper. This kid hits bombs, he is a pretty good catcher with a big-time arm. The Nats at the moments are looking to put him in the outfield. He looks to be in the running for a call up in 2012 or 2013.


Now we got a forgotten young man, but looks to be a stud closer. That guy is Drew Storen. He is on the team now, but is used mainly as a set-up man for the set-up man. He should be closing no later than the start of the next season.


Now for the biggest name in baseball currently, Stephen Strasburg. This guy has got amazing stuff. His fastball has big speed and plenty of movement. His curveball is absolutely devastating. Plus his change-up is over 90 MPH. This kid seems to be the real deal.


For Washington, their future is bright as the sun. Their present is not too shabby either.

Best WR That is not Jerry Rice (via vote) Past 35 Years

10. Hines Ward





Highest Placing: 7th by Ashley
Lowest Placing: 15th by Rick V



9. Terrell Owens





Highest Placing: 2nd by Jeremy & Buffalo Rick
Lowest Placing: Not Ranked by Eric, Monty, & Rick V.



8. Sterling Sharpe





Highest Placing: 1st by Ashley
Lowest Placing: Not Ranked by Tim & Web



7. Marvin Harrison





Highest Placing: 1st by Jeremy
Lowest Placing: Not Ranked by Monty



5. Andre Reed (tie)





Highest Placing: 1st by Buffalo Rick
Lowest Placing: Not Ranked by Tim



5. Steve Largent (tie)





Highest Placing: 1st by Eric
Lowest Placing: 14th by Ashley



4. Art Monk





Highest Placing: 1st by Web
Lowest Placing: 15th by Tim



3. Randy Moss





Highest Placing: 1st by Tim
Lowest Placing: 11th by Buffalo Rick



2. Tim Brown





Highest Placing: 1st by Rick V.
Lowest Placing: Not Ranked by Web



1. Cris Carter




Highest Placing: 1st by Monty
Lowest Placing: 8th by Tim & Rick V.



The Real #1: Jerry Rice






Just Missed the Cut: Isaac Bruce & James Lofton

Ken Griffey Jr.

Junior Griffey was drafted in 1987 by the Seattle Mariners. In 1989, he became my favorite player. I always paid attention to what he did, even though my love of baseball eroded.



For me, his was the most beautiful swing in baseball. It is what a swing should be. He was great offensively & defensively. Injuries hampered him, but those things happen.



For his career, here are his stats:

.284 Batting Average, 630 Home Runs, 1,836 RBI, 2,781 Hits, & 10 Gold Gloves


So with Griffey's retirement, the last of my childhood favorite players has retired. (Anthony Carter, Michael Jordan, & Mario Lemieux) So there goes the last piece of my childhood. I never got to see Junior in person, but I want to thank him for being great on the field, in life, & as a role model. So goodbye, Junior. We'll see you in Cooperstown