Water Cooler – September 2nd, 2010
Here we go with today’s sports water cooler talk. Here, you won’t just find the straight news; you’ll find the stuff everyone is talking about – the ice breakers, the Twitter Sports Picks and topics…well, basically all the stuff you discuss at the water cooler.
Enjoy!
Who would’ve thought we’d see Nyjer Morgan in the daily news at all this season? Low and behold, he became a one-man army last night.
MLB news: Nyjer Morgan brawls with Marlins; Nats’ color man Dibble axed; Prior coming back?
Nyjer Morgan was already in hot water for throwing a baseball at a Phillies fan last week. But he took his insanity to a new level last night in Miami.
The speedy Washington Nationals outfielder started the carnage two nights ago when he bowled over Marlins catcher Brett Hayes at home plate, separating his shoulder. Last night, Florida starter Chris Volstad remembered; he beaned Morgan in the fourth inning.
Morgan responded by stealing second and third; the Nationals were trailing 14-3. When he came back up in the sixth inning, Volstad fired a pitch behind Morgan. Then the gloves came off. Morgan charged Volstad and threw a haymaker at him before Gaby Sanchez clotheslined Morgan to the ground. Then what appeared to be the entire Marlins team piled onto Morgan.
Morgan left the field flipping the bird and muttering obscenities at the Florida crowd. Methinks he’ll soon get another suspension tacked onto the seven-game ban he was already appealing.
It’s been a tough week for the Nationals, who had to wave goodbye to Stephen Strasburg; the phenom will have Tommy john surgery tomorrow. Rob Dibble, the color commentator for Nats broadcasts, ended up jobless as a result of Strasburg’s injury. He criticized the kid for “not playing through pain” before learning how severe Strasburg’s elbow damage was. The Nats themselves had him removed from team broadcasts.
Another former injury-prone pitching phenom, Mark Prior, wants to make one more comeback. He has 20 strikeouts in 10 innings – with the Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball League. He’s had a million shoulder surgeries but he says his fastball is still around a respectable 92 MPH.
NCAA football news: Mark Ingram to miss opener; UNC suspends Austin indefinitely
FOOTBALL STARTS TODAY FOLKS! Get your Picks here! All NCAA Football Season Long!
Alabama will have to begin its quest for a national championship repeat without its star running back. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram injured his left knee in practice this week and had it scoped; he won’t be ready for Alabama’s season opener Saturday night against San Jose State. Nick Saban says Ingram had never looked better before his injury and that he won’t be out long. Capable Trent Richardson will start in his place.
North Carolina’s defense is expected to be formidable this season. But it won’t have one of its studs — defensive tackle Marvin Austin — for the crucial season opener against LSU. Tar Heels coach Butch Davis has suspended Austin, who projects as a future NFL first-rounder, indefinitley for violating unspecified team rules.
NFL news; Patriots lose Leigh Bodden for season; Cardinals shopping Leinart
The New England Patriots can’t catch a break this preseason. Their “D” already lost defensive end Ty Warren; now they’re placing starting cornerback Leigh Bodden on injured reserve, ending his season. Though he’d played through a knee injury over the last few weeks, the Pats say it was a shoulder injury that knocked him out for the season. He led New England with five interceptions last season.
Arizona is actively shopping Matt Leinart. In other news, the milk in my fridge is past the best before date. You interested?
The Cards are trying to trade him but can’t find a buyer so far. Oakland is happy with Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski. The Bills reportedly don’t want to mess with the already-fragile confidence or their quarterbacks. Rumor has it the Giants may want him to play second or third fiddle to Eli manning.
NHL news: Anti Niemi signs with Sharks
Instead of focusing on the NHL’s crusade to void contracts, let’s look at something a bit more positive. Stanley Cup champion goaltender Anti Niemi, let go by the cash-strapped Chicago Blackhawks, is now a San Jose Shark. He signed a one-year, $2-million deal. The only real loser in this signing; Antero Niittymaki, who may have thought he’d be the starter after signing with San Jose on July 1.
Comments are welcome below!
SPORTSBOOK.COM PROMOS – JOIN and GET up to $100 FREE – 10% New Member Bonus on your first deposit. $20 Mobile Free Play – Stay on the go and in the dough with Sportsbook.com Mobile. Bet now! Join Now
