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The NFL “released” their schedule. Well, kind of. Dates and prime-time games for the 2012 NFL schedule were announced, but all teams have known their opponents and home/away games for months now.
Each team plays six games against their three division rivals (once at home and once on the road), plays every team from the division of the other conference once on a four-year rotation, every team from a division in their own conference once on a three-year rotation, and then one team each from the other two divisions in their conference that finished with the same rank as them (For example, 1st place teams play each other, 2nd place teams play each other, and so on).
Hence why the 49ers 2012 schedule looks as difficult as it does, it’s a “1st place schedule.” In addition to the six games against the NFC West (Cardinals, Seahawks, and Rams), the Niners will play the NFC North (Bears, Lions, at Packers, and at Vikings), the AFC East (Bills, Dolphins, at Jets, and at Patriots), and the division winners from the NFC East (the Giants) and the NFC South (at Saints). Of the 49ers 13 opponents this season, five of them are coming off of a playoff berth, including the two who made the Super Bowl. They’ll have to face both teams they played in the playoffs last season. Plus they’ll have the Jets and the Bears both teams who narrowly missed the postseason in 2011.
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I will admit that I am relatively new when it comes to watching UFC, especially when it comes to fighters I have yet to watch, I am still a huge fan of mixed martial arts and the competition it brings. And on Tuesday night (May 15) I had the distinct pleasure of watching my first fight featuring Korean Zombie (Chan Sung Jung) as he took on Dustin Poirier.
Before the fight began, I was warned by both my best friend and sister’s boyfriend that I would be in for a treat. Both explained to me Zombie’s American fight history and how he was known for his barn burner fights. They also wanted to explain how he got his nickname but figured it would be better if I just watched.
Once the fight began and I saw Zombie and Poirier going after one another, I knew right away exactly why he was called Zombie. He kept taking hits on his chin and delivering equally impressive blows back. After a couple of takedowns in the first round, Zombie appeared to have a slight edge. The second round certainly didn’t disappoint and neither did the third round.
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The fastest man in the world – 3 gold medals in Beijing and world record holder in the 100m and 200m – has recently kicked his girlfriend to the curb to focus on the upcoming London 2012 Olympic games. Bolt’s 6 month relationship with Lubica Slovak, a 28 year old Slovakian beauty – I know it’s crazy, a sprinter named Bolt and a Slovakian woman named Slovak, what are the odds — must had been a total distraction but then again we all know how women can get.
For instance, in Bolt’s hometown in Jamaica, the press was bashing the Olympian because he chose to date a white woman. They actually had a cartoon about Bolt running past a local black women to chase Slovak – probably wasn’t that funny. But you want to know what is funny – how many different jokes we can come up with about Usian Bolt and his relationships/sex life:
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Now that baseball is more than a month underway, fans get a better perspective of what teams to look out for when they come to town. It’s still early, with four-plus months left, but it won’t stop the debate regarding which teams are looking the best and which aren’t playing up to their potential. Just like every year, there are teams that come out of nowhere and surprise us, such as the 2011 Cleveland Indians and 2010 San Diego Padres. There has been quite a few of those so far this season as well. Here’s a list of teams up to this point that have raised a few eyebrows and whether or not they can continue their winning, or losing, ways.
Oakland Athletics
The A’s aren’t one of the top 10 teams in baseball, they don’t really have any stars, but they are 18-16 and second in the AL West. The A’s have surprised many by keeping their head above water and doing better than pre-season front-runners, Los Angeles Angels. They do have a star in the making with Cuban power force, Yoenis Cespedes and are getting the best out of their new starting right fielder, Josh Reddick (acquired in the Andrew Bailey trade). Second baseman, Jemile Weeks who became a fan favorite last year has gotten off to a sluggish start .192/.268/.296 and could attribute it to a sophmore slump. Even with the emergence of Reddick, Cespedes, the A’s offense still has a ways to go.
The pitching has been a bright spot with a team ERA of 3.56, ranking 12th in MLB. Starters Bartolo Colon, Brandon McCarthy, and Tom Milone have gotten off to good starts. Phenom Jarrod Parker has given up only 4ER in 20IP since being called up. That’s the future A’s fans have been waiting for.
Even with a decent start for the A’s, they probably won’t be able to keep up with the Rangers and will fall out of contention for the last Wild Card spot. You know what this means A’s fans, GM Billy Beane will do what he does best, trading veterans for prospects. These players that could be traded are pitchers Bartolo Colon, Grant Balfour, Brandon McCarthy along with positions players Jonny Gomes, Brandon Inge, and Manny Ramirez (you forgot about him didn’t you?) if he seems like a competent player. But this team does have a bright future stacked with young players, so expectations could steadily be growing.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have the fourth best record in Major League Baseball at the moment and are in first place in the AL East. The O’s offense has been a surprise averaging just above 4.5 runs per game.
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There is nothing better than a good brawl between two competitors, but it can all culminate and go away with one perfectly timed punch, kick, knee, or elbow. This leads to complete excitement and enjoyment amongst the fans. Now let us take a look at the top five greatest one-hitter quitters in UFC history.
5. Todd Duffee vs. Mike Russow @ UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans
4. Mirko “Cro Cop” vs. Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga @ UFC 70: Nations Collide
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Here at wrapupp we do a lot of joking around and trash talking — which are both fun — but this post is to draw attention to a great cause being supported by one of our featured columnists, Anthony Garcia. Working with kids takes a lot of patience, understanding, and skill, all things that Anthony possesses in abundance. PopChips is offering an opportunity for the kids to be tutored and surprised by a professional athlete. In this case, Tim Lincecum will come to San Rafael, CA and visit Canal Family Support Kid’s Club to help tutor and read to the kids if they get chosen. Visit the link below to vote for the Canal Family Support Kid’s Club in their quest to bring a world champion in to help make the kids world champion readers!
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Last night the Texas Ranger’s centerfielder had the game of his life. Josh Hamilton has been known to hit the long ball – four years ago he put on the best Homerun Derby that anyone has ever seen at Old Yankee Stadium. Only 15 other players have hit four homeruns during a single game in the entire history of baseball. Here’s the list:
Carlos Delgado, Toronto Blue Jays — Sept. 25, 2003
Shawn Green, Los Angeles Dodgers — May 23, 2002
Mike Cameron, Seattle Mariners — May 2, 2002
Mark Whiten, St. Louis Cardinals — Sept. 7, 1993
Bob Horner, Atlanta Braves — July 6, 1986
Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies — April 17, 1976
Willie Mays, San Francisco Giants — April 30, 1961
Rocky Colavito, Cleveland Indians — June 10, 1959
Joe Adcock, Milwaukee Braves — July 31, 1954
Gil Hodges, Brooklyn Dodgers — August 31, 1950
Pat Seerey, Chicago White Sox — July 18, 1948
Chuck Klein, Philadelphia Phillies — July 10, 1936
Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees — June 3, 1932
Ed Delahanty, Philadelphia Phillies — July 13, 1896
Bobby Lowe, Boston Beaneaters — May 30, 1894
So now the debatable question is this – is hitting four homeruns in one game a harder and more astonishing feat then pitching a perfect game? Simple answer – No! Yes, only 16 men in all of baseball history have hit four homeruns in one game, and yes, 21 pitchers in all of baseball history have recorded perfect games so the number of players to hit the homeruns is – wait, are we even debating this?
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In just a few hours the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers will rekindle their 122-year rivalry. The Giants are down in Chavez Ravine to begin a three-game series against the first-place Dodgers. The Dodgers have taken a soft 18-10 record out of the gates, more on that later, with the Giants coming into the star-studded Los Angeles with a lackluster .500 record of 14-14.
Both teams have injured stars, Matt Kemp of the Dodgers has a hamstring issue stemming from yesterday’s game, but is in the lineup, and the Giants’ Pablo Sandoval obviously out with broken left hamate bone. There won’t be much offense to go around, but as usual, it will be filled with star pitching.
Pitching tonight will Barry Zito (1-0 1.76era) and Ted Lilly (3-0 1.38era). Both soft throwing southpaws have started the season with a bang and hope to continue their unexpected emergence into tonight’s contest. Tomorrow Cy Young Winner Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for the blue and white, and of course has continued his dominance. On the other side of the field, last year’s surprising star, Ryan Vogelsong will be pitching for the Giants. Vogey has also pitched well, but like many other Giants pitchers, doesn’t have much to show for because of a lack of run support. And finally, in the finale of the three-games series, ace Tim Lincecum will take the ball for the Giants. Giants fans hope this start will be a turnaround for the struggling righty who’s posted 5.68era to date. And for the Dodgers, they will trot out Chad Billingsley who’s been knocked around in his past few starts, but still has had a solid season so far.
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Since the dawn of time, the question has always come to the minds of men and women all over the world, “Who is the Strongest?” The world of strongman competition has been in existence since 1977 and it all began in Southern California but since then, it has grown into a global phenomenon. The sport has fans worldwide, but this sport continues to elude American audiences because it is looked upon as somewhat of a “caveman activity” where big heavy things are being moved by ogre looking individuals. But at the core of these events comes the competitive fire that exists within all athletes. Although a majority of my articles consist of mixed martial arts endeavors, I wanted to sway towards a sport that I also enjoy to watch that does not get much attention.
5. Bill Kazmaier “The Kaz” (USA): 6’3” 320lbs
World’s Strongest Man Winner: 1980, 81’, 82, Runner Up in 1988. Many people in the strongman world consider Kaz to be the greatest strongman of all because at a time, when international representation was lacking, he gave legitimacy to the title of World’s Strongest Man. He was the first man to win 3 consecutive titles and set the standard for all that were to follow. This was a competitor that built his reputation on intensity. “Just beneath that outer layer of warmth and fuzziness, there’s this boiling rage, this beast of a man.” – 2006 WSM Winner Phil Pfister talking about Kaz. Kaz was one of the few men that was able to make the transition from one sport to another – formidable powerlifter prior to his strongman career. Bill Kazmaier has continued to contribute to the world he helped build as a commentator for many strongman competitions around the world and will undoubtedly always be an icon of the sport.
4. Zydrunas Savickas “Big Z” (Lithuania): 6’3” 370lbs
World’s Strongest Man Winner: 2009, 10’, Runner Up in 2002, 03’, 04’, 11’. Big Z is one of the most experienced strongmen in history having competed in 128+ competitions worldwide, having come from the world of powerlifting and successfully transitioned in strongman athletics. Big Z holds several world records including: Dead Lift (1,117lbs), Heavy Yoke Walk (1,100lbs), Deadlift with repetitions (710lbs x 10), and Giant Log Lift (470lbs). He has also maintained one of the longest careers – first qualifying for WSM in 1998 and still continuing to compete to the present. Big Z is one of the largest men to ever compete and to be quite honest, at first glance, he does not seem all that impressive, but when he starts to move a heavy load, all misconceptions about his physic quickly fade away.
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I was thinking about doing a running diary for the Mayweather/Cotto fight. I’ve been getting the itch to do one. Then, I got a text from my editor, Dave, while Mayweather was walking to ring that simply said, “Running diary?” I have very few rules in life, one is, “Don’t trust women named after Shakespeare characters.” Another is, “When your editor gives you a column idea, do it.” So, without further ado, here’s the running diary. As always, all time are Pacific.
8:35: Celebrities in attendance: Mark Sanchez (Me: “Enjoy the fight Mark, they’re going to stop inviting you to these things when Tebow takes your job.”), Lil’ Wayne, the two main characters from True Blood, (Dad: “Hey, it’s Sookie!” Yes, my Dad watches that show. He also sings Adele in the car. My Dad’s essentially a 17 year-old girl.), Jim Brown (Me: “Hey, where’s his hat?”), and legendary boxers Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, “Sugar” Ray Leonard, and Mike Tyson. Tyson’s sitting next to a very beautiful woman, my thoughts: “She must not know he’s broke.”
8:37: Puerto Rico has a national anthem?! How does Puerto Rico have a national anthem when they’re not, ya know, a nation?
8:38: Marsha Ambrosius, originally from England, sings the American national anthem. I give up. She has a great voice, but well, aren’t female R&B singers supposed to be pretty? What’s up with this, how should I say this delicately, trend of not-so-attractive female R&B singers we have lately? I blame Adele for this.
8:38: This diary’s three minutes old and I’ve already made two Adele mentions. This makes three. I’ll stop.
8:39: I like to pretend that Mayweather had this conversation with himself, “Hey, you know what I want to wear to the ring? Michael Jackson’s jacket from the “Beat It” video!”
8:40: Mayweather takes too long to type out and I always accidentally capitalize the a after the M so henceforth, he’ll be referred to as “Floyd.”
8:41: I know I’m not supposed to cuss, but is that Justin fucking Bieber?!?!?!
8:42: And that’s Triple H! Why are these people walking Floyd to the ring? How did he pick his entourage, Mad Libs?
8:43: Floyd is making a guaranteed $32 million, and that’s before you account his percentage of pay-per-view money. It’s the highest purse ever for a boxer and it’s the reason why Floyd will never fight Manny Pacquiao, why risk a loss when you’re already making more money than anyone else fighting a bunch of people you’ll beat?
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