JUSTIN SPEIER NAMED ANGELS’ RECIPIENT OF THE 2008 ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD PRESENTED BY CHEVY

Justin Speier today was named the Angels’ recipient of the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. He is one of 30 Major League Club nominees for the national 2008 Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community.

Tomorrow will mark the seventh annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball in 2002 to honor the legacy of Roberto Clemente.

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy, is part of Chevy’s official sponsorship of Major League Baseball, and recognizes those players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams.

The award is named for Clemente, a 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. This award perpetuates Clemente’s legacy and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.

Fans are encouraged to participate in the selection of the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. From September 3rd through October 5th, 2008, fans can log on to www.chevy.com/clemente and vote for one of the 30 Club nominees.

Speier makes a continuous effort throughout the season to reach out to the local community making numerous visits to young patients at local children’s hospitals and hosting children from the Make A Wish Foundation at Angel Stadium. Speier also participated in the Challenger League Youth Baseball Tournament held at Angel Stadium last November, working with children with physical disabilities for a day of baseball and fun at the ballpark.

A former Marine, Speier also continues to reach out to recognize members of the military. Speier spent a day at sea during the offseason visiting the crew aboard the USS Nimitz as well as paying a visit to the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland to meet with soldiers injured while serving our country.

Speier will be honored during pregame ceremonies at Angel Stadium prior to the Friday, September 12th game vs. the Seattle Mariners.

The fan vote winner will be tallied as one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. Participating fans automatically will be registered for a chance to win a trip to Game Three of the 2008 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy will be announced.

As the official sponsor of the Roberto Clemente Award, Chevy will donate $7,500 to the charity of choice of each of the 30 Club recipients. Chevy also will donate $30,000 and a Chevy vehicle to the national winner’s charity of choice and an additional $30,000 will be donated by Chevy to Roberto Clemente Sports City, a not-for-profit organization in Carolina, Puerto Rico, designed to provide recreational sports activities for children.

UCF Sends Media Trying To Join O'Leary Teleconference On Amusing Detour

The following story could happen to anyone, and probably has happened to a few of us. So, I'm not dogging the UCF media relations person.

I just thought it was funny.

posted by Iliana Limón on Sep 1, 2008 4:13:52 PM

UCF's teleconference with Coach George O'Leary was canceled today and because school officials accidentally gave the number for a phone sex line instead of the teleconference number.

When I dialed in, the voice on the other line said, "Hi sexy, you've reached the one-on-one fantasy line." I gasped, hung up and figured I must have dialed the wrong number. So, I checked the UCF news release and dialed again, but I got the same phone sex hotline complete with offers I can't really post on this blog.

It turns out Leigh Torbin, UCF's new director of athletic communications, accidentally listed one digit incorrectly when he released the teleconference information and sent the media on an amusing detour. Torbin said he feels terrible about the error and set up another teleconference with O'Leary at noon Wednesday.

"Today's scheduled call was not able to occur due to my own technical mistakes for which I deeply apologize," Torbin wrote at the end of the latest news release announcing the Wednesday teleconference.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2008/09/opps-ucf-sends.html

Go Check Out Charger Girls As They Unveil Their 2008-09 Swimsuit Calendar

WHAT: The Charger Girls, the hottest dance team in the NFL, will unveil their 2008-09 Swimsuit Calendar. A portion of all proceeds from the calendar sales will be donated to the American Diabetes Association.

The calendar was shot on location at scenic points in and around San Diego by Chargers team photographer Mike Nowak. The Charger Girls swimwear was provided exclusively by Sauvage. The styling for the Charger Girls was provided by E FACTOR salon & spa.

WHEN: Thursday, September 4

7 pm, VIP Reception
7:45 pm, Official unveiling
9-10 pm, Open to the public

WHERE: Universal
1202 University Avenue

San Diego, CA 92103

619-692-1900

http://www.chargers.com/charger_girls/

Leave Palin's Daughter Out Of The Campaign

As much as the news of Sarah Palin's daughter's pregnancy flies in the face of all her conservative beliefs as it relates to sex education and the practice of abstinence, I do not believe her daughter's pregnancy should into question Palin's ability to serve in public office.

Nor do I think it should be a road that Obama/Biden should venture down that road during the campaign. Leave that up to the liberal blogs and talk show hosts because we all know, if the situation was reversed, the likes of Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity would be all over it. But just because conservatives seem to always use such mudslinging practices, it doesn't mean everyone or anyone else should.

I think a much bigger issue is the investigation underway in Alaska as to whether she tried to force the firing of a state trooper involved in a custody battle with Palin's sister. And after the state commissioner would not fire the trooper, the governor allegedly turned around and fired the commissioner. This would be a huge abuse of power and further call into question her judgment as a public official.

Barack Obama Delivers On The Biggest Stage

Coming from someone who minored in political science and once considered a career in public office, I think Barack Obama hit a home run with his acceptance speech.

He hit the game-winning jumper at the buzzer.

He scored the game-winning touchdown with no time on the clock.

He sank the birdie put on the 72nd hole of a major.

He was Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, John Elway and Tiger Woods all rolled into one.

He was simply brilliant, or better put, he was presidential!

As I assume with so many of you, I am so moved by what I saw tonight. I am extremely proud to be an American, and more specifically, just like Barack Obama, a bi-racial American.

So I guess now the question is: What are we, as a people and individually, prepared to do to put this man in the White House?

http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/692b67550d64b5b6/nLv4QJ/VEsH/

McCain Congratulates Obama In TV Ad

I just witnessed something so rare in modern American politics that I could barely believe my eyes.

A new John McCain television ad features the Arizona Senator actually congratulating Barack Obama on his historical nomination. McCain even referred to the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech, which took place on this day 45 years ago without actually mentioning it by name. As I said, he "referred" to it.

But nonetheless, I thought the ad was actually heartfelt and sincere. McCain actually seemed genuine in his congratulations, and for the first time since his campaign started, I felt as if he was speaking from his own heart, instead of the notepad from one of his advisors.

But don't expect this type of civility to continue. As McCain, himself, said in the ad, "Tomorrow, we will be back at it."

It's Official: Democrats Nominate Barack Obama

It's not often one is able to witness such an historical moment as just what happened at the Democratic National Convention. I am so proud of my people and, especially, my country right now. I just wish my father was still alive.

DENVER, Colorado (CNN) -- Democrats Wednesday officially nominated Barack Obama to be their candidate for president, making him the first African-American to lead a major party ticket.

Sen. Hillary Clinton asked to cut the roll call short saying, "With eyes firmly fixed on the future, and in the spirit of unity with the goal of victory, with faith in our party and our country, let's declare together with one voice right here, right now that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president," she said.

"Is there a second?" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California asked the crowd of more than 4,400 delegates, prompting a roar of approval.

"The motion is adopted," Pelosi said with a broad smile, officially capping a long and hard-fought battle between Obama and Clinton.

Delegates then affirmed Obama as their choice with cheers.

There were hugs and handshakes as "Love Train" blasted from the arena speakers.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/27/dnc.main/index.html

Lakers Sign Second Round Draft Pick Joe Crawford

EL SEGUNDO - The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Joe Crawford, it was announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Selected by the Lakers with the 58th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Crawford, a 22 year-old native of Detroit, Michigan, played four seasons at the University of Kentucky, averaging 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 127 games (76 starts).

As a senior, Crawford ranked fourth in the SEC in scoring with a team-high 17.9 points per game, scoring 20-plus points 13 times while topping 30 points on three occasions.

Earning Second Team All-SEC honors from league coaches as a senior, Crawford finished his collegiate career as Kentucky's 19th all-time leading scorer with 1,438 points while ranking seventh all-time in three-point field goals made (186).

Additionally, the 6'5" Crawford started all six games for the Lakers Summer League entry in Las Vegas this past July, averaging 11.3 points including .455 (5-of-11) shooting from behind the arc, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 32.7 minutes.

Merriman To Play Despite Two Torn Knee Ligaments

I have to admit, I am a bit shocked by this announcement. I do not know Shawne Merriman personally, nor do I cover the Chargers on a regular basis. So I don't have any inside information as to what led up to this decision. However, I am an expert on knee injuries, having undergone 3 of them myself.

I just find it hard to imagine Merriman being able to play effectively on such an unstable knee. Football is all about speed and force, making your knees two of your most valuable assests.

Here's hoping that Merriman is not only making the right decision, but that his knee holds up to the pressure and expectations.

Jay Glazer

FOXSports.com

It appears the Chargers will have their main defensive lightning bolt after all.

Pro Bowl defensive end Shawne Merriman has informed the team that he will play this season despite having two torn knee ligaments, Merriman told FOXSports.com.

"I know what's at stake," Merriman said Wednesday. "But I had a goal with the team before the season started, and I'm sticking to it."

When asked how sure he was about playing, Merriman replied, "100 percent."

Merriman has a torn PCL and LCL in his left knee, but has postponed the surgery necessary to deal with those issues. He sought the opinion of several noted specialists in the last week. While all of them recommended surgery, the decision was ultimately left to the player.

"I'm putting the surgery off until I need it," he said.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8495712/Merriman-to-play-despite-2-torn-ligaments

Geeter Rocking Out On The Today Show

I just had to share this video from a recent segment of The Today Show from Beijing during NBC's Olympic coverage.

The segment featured gold medal-winning beach volleyball duo Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers. And as you all know, when it comes to beach volleyball, there's really only one person to do the intro: Chris "Geeter" McGee!!





Did my boy, Geet, really just break out the caterpillar in honor of Al Roker? CLASSIC!!