Mad Stork Sports Signing Off

 

Just a word of thanks to the many of you who supported me 

in this venture to break into the world of sports talk radio.  

It seems that I came up a little short.  It was fun, interesting, 

and truly an experience, an eye opening experience for sure.  

I didn't want to leave without saying Thanks.  I hope you 

enjoyed it at least a little.  It just goes to show that being 

a loudmouth with a big voice that likes sports isn't enough 

to make it in this business.  Thank You for listening even when 

you didn't want to, Thank You for Your Support, and know that 

I appreciate each and every little thing you helped me with 

along the way.  THANK YOU & Thank You AL DAVIS for 

the inspiration. 

Originally Posted on 11/18/2012
    
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Ranting With Rizzo Show Finale 11-24-12

The "Ranting with Rizzo" is no longer!  I have decided
to put an end to it, and here is where I say my goodbyes
to you, and all those who supported me.  Thank You
Enjoy:   


   
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Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio Finale For 11-21-12

The return of Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio was 
was short lived, this is the final show and podcast on
ScatterRadio, so if you missed any part of the show,
here it is: 
   
  
  
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Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 11-17-12

The "Ranting with Rizzo" podcast is for a chance to
listen to what you may have missed this past Saturday!
Enjoy:   

 
   
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A Pre Thanksgiving College Football Watch List

Gary Cosby Jr./The Decatur Daily    
    
The third weekend in November means Thanksgiving day
football for the pros,  and conference Championship games
for college football games start to wind up.  Bowl bids are
on the line and upsets carry much more weight as previously
undefeated and #1 ranked Alabama found out last week.
I told you you'd be on the edge of your seat if by some
chance that game was close, and it was. Here's what games
are worth keeping an eye on this weekend: 
 
1. USC vs UCLA - Huge rivalry, and their ranked #17 and
#18,  Wow!  Add to that two former NFL head coaches
facing off here.  Should be interesting. 
   
2. Texas Tech vs Oklahoma St. - The loser falls out of the top
25 for the rest of the season probably never to be seen again.   
Think teams don't care about that?  Think again.  
   
3. Stanford vs Oregon - Stanford edged out Oregon St. last
week, but I'm afraid the in state cousin may not be a victory
in their future.  Only one way to find out. 
   
Honorable Mentions: 
Rutgers vs Cincinnati 
Northwestern vs Michigan St. 
Iowa vs Michigan 
 

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Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio Podcast For 11-14-12

The return of Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio is
here, and this podcast will cover the Jets trashing of
Time Tebow, R.A. Dickey winning the Cy Young and 
the Knicks hot start.  We will also bounce around a
bit to cover as much as we can.  So if you missed any
part of the show, here it is: 
   
   
  


   
      
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Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 11-10-12

The "Ranting with Rizzo" podcast is back after a brief 
Hurricane Sandy hiatus.  Here's a chance to listen to
what you missed this past Saturday!  Enjoy:  

   
    
     
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NFL Stone Cold NFL Locks Week 10

   
    
I feel a hot streak coming on after another disappointing
week without a 3-0 mark.  2-1 is nice, but it's hardly
a guarantee, and that's what "Stone Cold Locks" are
supposed to be.  So Giddyup, here is a 3-0 week for
you, and confidence in improving on the terrible 17-9
record so far this season. 
  
1. Pittsburgh - like sending lambs to the slaughter, the
Steelers are getting better, and the Chiefs are just bad
enough that the could lose to the one loss Alabama
Crimson Tide.   
 
2. Seattle - Pete Carroll said it again this week, and I
agreed with him the first time and again now, "Mark
Sanchez left college too early".  The 12th man in Seattle
will rattle the Sanchise and the rest of his teammates. 
  
3. San Francisco - The Rams are better, but they're not
ready for this type of battle with the Niners.  Could be
as bloody as the Chiefs loss, but that's just too hard
to imagine. 
     
     
      
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A November College Football Watch List

     
Kevin C. Cox/Getty        
       
Second weekend in November means no team can afford
to make a mistake, bowl bids are a precious commodity,
and some coaches can save their jobs with impressive wins
this late in the season.  Stay tuned!
 
Here are a few games to keep an eye on: 
 
1. Oregon St vs Stanford - maybe one of these two actually
gets a BCS bowl if they finish off string enough. 
   
2. Texas A&M vs Alabama. -Never underestimate the
upset, I don't see it here, but you'll be on the edge of your
if by some chance it's close in the 3rd and 4th quarter.  
   
3. Nebraska vs Penn St -Nebraska can ruin their season if
they drop this one, and Penn St can put the Ohio St loss
behind them if they can steal one like this one on the road. 
   
Honorable Mentions:
Notre Dame vs Boston College 
Miss St vs LSU
Northwestern vs Michigan


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Stone Cold NFL Locks Week 9

   

      

Andy Lyons - Getty Images       
    
Stone Cold Locks is taking a beating this year, the
record has now dropped to a dismal 15-9, and
1-5 over the last two weeks.  There are no gimmes
this season.  Let's see what this week has in store
for us.  Here goes: 
  
1. Green Bay - My only winner last week, so I'll stick
with them, plus Arizona looks horrible after a 4-0 start. 
 
2. Washington - RGIII shows Cam Newton and the
nation who's the Man.
 
3. Houston - It won't be a very happy homecoming
for Mario Williams as far as I can see.
     
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A College Football Watch List For Your Weekend

Marvin Gentry/US Presswire 
  

These games are really living up to the hype most weeks,
and last week was really no different.  A pretty solid 
lineup all around and though this week may be no less
important it's still gonna be hard to match.
 
Here are a few to keep an eye on: 
 
1. Alabama vs LSU - This game is really a no brainer.
There's alot on the line and the loser will most probably
be knocked out contention for any shot at the title. 

2. Texas A&M vs Mississippi St. -Mississippi St already
showed you last week that they aren't in the same class as
Alabama yet, but a W here from either team can get them
high enough in the top ten if they run the table the rest of
the way to get them a decent BCS Bowl bid.
  
3. Nebraska vs Michigan St -Nebraska trying to show it
can win an important road game, and Michigan St will try
to show it can beat a ranked opponent.

Honorable Mentions:
Texas Tech vs Texas 
Oregon vs USC
Oklahoma St vs Kansas St.


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Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 10-27-12

The "Ranting with Rizzo" podcast is available from this
past Saturday if Hurricane Sandy left you any power.
Have a listen, and enjoy:  
   
  
    
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Stone Cold NFL Locks Week 8

   
     
     
After another 2-1 week I'm 14-7, so the less I say the better
off I am.  Once again let's see if I can shake this mediocrity,
and find a perfect 3-0 week, here goes:

1. Tennessee - The pickins' are slim, but the Titans have been
solid at home, so here goes.

2. San Diego - Either they win or Norv gets shipped to a
Community College near you right after the game.
 
3. Green Bay - Holy Crap!, This one looks too easy.
What could possibly go wrong? 
   
   
    
     
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BCS & Non BCS College Football Watch List

   

These games are getting so important and so good that
I don't even need to look very hard  now that they have
such a large bearing on  BCS rankings and are even a big
deal to school like Penn State and Ohio State who aren't
even Bowl eligible.  Last week proved to be a pretty solid 
schedule of suggestions and fairly solid, this week though
it's gonna be hard to top some of the key games.
 
Check these out: 
 
1. Notre Dame vs Oklahoma - I can't tell if this is gonna
be a blowout or if it's going to live up to it's billing, but
whoever wins this game is going to benefit hugely in the
BCS Standings long term if they stay undefeated the rest
of the way.

2. Florida vs Georgia - The gators have everything to lose
with a loss here and the Bulldogs everything to gain if they
can manage to win this one and save face after a beating
at the hands of South Carolina a few weeks back. With
this game at Georgia, anything is possible.  
  
3. Penn State vs Ohio State - This is the biggest game to
not have any impact in the standings.  As mentioned at the
top, neither of these games are bowl eligible, but Ohio State
only has to wait til next year, while PSU has 3 more years
of waiting after this.  The truth is, it means alot more to the 
Nittany Lions than it does to the Buckeyes, but if Ohio St.
loses, it will be a major letdown for Urban Meyers squad.


Honorable Mentions:
Alabama vs Mississippi St 
Kansas St vs Texas Tech
Kent St vs Rutgers 

 
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Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio Podcast For 10-24-12

The World series is a topic of conversation on this
episode, but we also take time out to discuss the some
upcoming college football games this weekend, and
also bounce around a bit to cover as much as we can.
So if you missed any part of the show, here it is: 
   
    
   
     
        
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Is Bill O'Brien College Football Coach Of The Year?

    
  
Yes it may be a bit too early, and yes there are many worthy
contenders, but I can't hold back my excitement for what
O'Brien has been able to do at  Penn State so far with the
mess he took on.  O'Brien was certainly up against it when
he took over a team that was up against an almost "Death
Penalty" type punishment from the NCAA for things his
predecessors did, or "didn't" do, and the pro Joe Paterno
people hated him even before he got there, so starting off
0-2 didn't make things any easier.  Now the team is 5-2,
should be 6-1 if not for FOUR missed field goals in a
ONE point loss, and they have a shot at taking down
"THE" Ohio State and Urban Meyer this weekend.


I don't expect Penn State to win this game, but if they do,
you can certainly make a case that the headline in this
story is much more likely than you may have first thought.
  
 
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Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 10-20-12

"Ranting with Rizzo" on Saturday, previewed the Jets
and Patriots match up as well as who the Detroit Tigers
might be facing in the World Series.  Here's the podcast
of this past Saturday's show, Have a listen, and enjoy: 



 
 
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Stone Cold NFL Locks Week 7

A 12-6 is far from  the "can't miss" that Stone Cold Locks
are supposed to be, so I will hunker down and try to get
back on track with my first 3-0 week, after another 2-1
last week.  Let's see if I can shake this bad luck, here goes:

1. New England - The Jets have nothing but a decent defense
and too many holes on offense.  Should be a one sided affair.

2. Buffalo - Yeah, I said it, now all I have to do is cross my
fingers and hope that Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't throw 5 picks.
 
3. Chicago - Lions would have lost last week if they were
facing a competent opponent.  This week I'll pretend that
the Bears are just that, competent.
  
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College Football Weekend Watch List

The must watch games are getting more and more important
now that the BCS rankings are out and the higher a team is
ranked the more money their school can earn via the Bowl
selections, so it's worth seeing what's on tap, and who will
help bring home the big bucks for their school. Last week
all of the suggestions were once again fairly solid, and
this week I hope to give you more of the same.

Check out these games: 

1. LSU vs Texas A&M -I'm still not a believer in #6 LSU
and the #20 Aggies have alot to gain by winning this one,
so it's worth spending some time to see how this battle turns
out.

2. Stanford vs California - Cal Stanford is always a good
one to begin with, but now Cal can knock Stanford out of
the top 25 here, so expect a little extra gusto from the Cal
Golden Bears in this battle.
  
3. South Carolina vs Florida - Third HUGE game in a row
for South Carolina, and after falling to LSU last week

Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks need this badly in order to stay
relevant in the National title hunt. And oh yeah, it's Spurriers
return to the swamp, nothing dull about that, I assure you.
 
Honorable Mentions:
Temple vs Rutgers
Kansas St vs W Virginia
Florida St. vs Miami(FL)
Penn St vs Iowa
Michigan St vs Michigan  

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Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio Podcast For 10-17-12

The Yankees are a huge topic of conversation on this
episode, but we also take time out to discuss the new
BCS rankings, and the NFL games done and to come.
So if you missed any part of the show, here it is: 



  
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Yankees Collapse In ALCS, Inevitable

 
 
You don't have to be a Yankee hater or detractor to say I told
so on this one.  Critics and experts have been warning Yankee
fans all year, live by the Home Run, DIE by the Home Run,
and that's exactly what the Yankees did.  This was the worst
defeat the Yankees have suffered since being swept by the
Big red Machine Cincinnati Reds in the World Series back in
1976, and even though they blew a 3-0 game lead vs the Red
Sox just a few short years ago, they did win three games.
For an organization that is as prideful as the Yankees, they all
hurt, and this was the 1st time they had ever been swept in an
ALCS, OUCH.

The Yankees couldn't manufacture any runs, got badly out hit
by a team that had the fewest wins of all the playoff teams, 
and the only time they showed ANY life was with the 2 two
run home runs in game one in the bottom of the ninth and
with Eduardo Nunez's solo shot in the top of the ninth on game
three.  That's all this team had going for it, not a single solitary
thing more.

Once their Captain Derek Jeter went down it was even more
evident that any comeback had left the building.  Fans blame
A-Rod, but please feel free to spread the wealth.  Swisher,
Texeira, and Cano among the big names were just as equally
to blame.  Any other thought is ludicrous.  You may and can
look forward to pitchers and catchers in 2013 Yankee fans,
but unless this team gets younger, learns to run, and steal bases,
the only thing you can look forward to is lapping the field in the
regular season and falling on your face during October baseball.


 
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Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio - Tonight 8PM

Join me tonight at the new time for Mad Stork Sports on
ScatterRadio at 8PM. Tune in and make your voice heard. 
Find the show here on ScatterRadio
   

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Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 10-13-12

"Ranting with Rizzo" was on at noon Saturday, miss the
the show 1170AM WDIS?, Well, here's the podcast
of this past Saturday's show, Have a listen, and enjoy: 



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Stone Cold NFL Locks Week 6

US Presswire  
  
10-5 and feeling disgusted with this "can't" miss picks,
but at least I said it from the onset last week, Green Bay
was my only shaky pick of the bunch, and they were my
only loss.  Next time I won't make that type of pick,
and I'll stick with the spirit of the"LOCK"
OK, Here goes:

1. Atlanta - Want the truth?  Hope I'm wrong, but I don't
see how Oakland wins this game.  Too many holes.

2. Baltimore - Ditto, read the description for pick one and
insert Dallas where it says Oakland, except for the "I hope
I'm wrong part"
 
3. San Francisco - Sorry Eli, but the Niners have payback
on their mind and I think they get some.  At least it won't
knock you out of the playoffs. 
 
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Pre BCS Ranking Football Must Watch List

 
Photo: Michael Conroy, AP 
   
The picks of must watch games the have been real real
good, so it's worth checking in here to see what might be
a good suggestion.   Last week all of the  the suggestions
had some merit in one way or another, and now that the
BCS rankings are right around the corner, you can expect
the games to get even more competitive.
Check out these games: 

1. Notre Dame vs Stanford - This game is going to say quite
a bit about the winner and help one of these tow make a
huge leap in the first BCS numbers for 2012.  Notre Dame
has trailed ONCE this season, Don't miss it !

2. Texas vs Oklahoma - Always a good one to begin with,
and now the winner can really benefit form a victory against
a high ranked opponent.  Let the Red River flow.
  
3. South Carolina vs LSU - This could crush LSU's season
or make them relevant again, and it's time for us to see is
Spurrier's Gamecocks performance last week was the real
deal or just a fluke.
 
Honorable Mentions:
Syracuse vs Rutgers
Texas A&M vs La. Tech
Fresno St. vs Boise St.

 
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Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio Podcast For 10-10-12

   
The Orioles, A's, Jets and Tebow are all on the agenda
and topics of conversation on this show, so if you missed
any part of it on ScatterRadio, here it is: 



 

 
    
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NEW TIME - Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio - 8PM Tonight

Join me tonight at a new time for an hour on Mad Stork
Sports on ScatterRadio at 8PM. Tune in and make your
voice heard.  Find the show here on ScatterRadio
   
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Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 10-6-12

"Ranting with Rizzo" is on every Saturday at noon on
1170AM WDIS, but if you missed it, here's the podcast
of this past Saturday's show, Have a listen: 
  
 
   
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Stone Cold NFL Locks Week 5

Rest In Peace Al - 7/4/29 - 10-8-11

   
Last week much more like what a "LOCK" pick should
be, and a 3-0 weekend was a nice band aid to what has
ailed me so far.  My mark is still only 8-4 and I really
need to build on it to ensure that I don't go over my loss
total from last year of nine.  This week I will try and copy
last week with another perfect slate, here goes: 

1. Giants - It's Cleveland, what more do I need to say?

2. Houston - Against the Jets it should be like taking candy
from an infant.

3. Green Bay - The only "shaky" pick here, but I can't see
Rodgers getting outplayed by Luck.  Just don't see it.  
   
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NCAA Football Game Must Watch List

 
 
I can't help but admit that the picks of must watch games the
past couple of weeks have been all winners, and worth the
channel time.   Last week the first two suggestions were
decided by 3 points or less, and the other was a 95 point
shootout.  Not bad, but lets see what we can do this week
to enhance your college football viewing pleasure. 

1. Nebraska vs Ohio State - This for me says it all about
Bo Pellini and the Cornhuskers.  If they can win this I "may"
start to believe they have something to offer long term this
season, otherwise it's a nice feather in the cap of Meyer.

2. LSU vs Florida - #4 at #10, and #4 LSU has been playing
with fire the last weeks by cutting it close and underestimating
their opponents.  If they do that here, expect a flip flop of
sorts in the rankings for these two.  Both undefeated.

3. Georgia vs S. Carolina - If #5 Georgia plays defense like
they did last week #6 S. Carolina will be very happy to take
advantage of it, but this is a game that the Gamecocks have
been prone to underachieve in the Steve Spurrier era at SC.

Honorable Mentions:
Northwestern vs Penn State
Miami(FL) vs Notre Dame
West Virginia vs Texas
UCLA vs Cal 
   
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Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio Podcast For 10-3-12

The Orioles, A's, Jets and Tebow are all on the agenda
and topics of conversation on this show, so if you missed
any part of it on ScatterRadio, here it is:
 


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Red Sox Fire Bobby Valentine, Sky Still Blue

 
US Presswire 
 
This might be the dumbest thing I write about all year, it's
just too easy.  Did anyone, ANYONE think that hiring
Bobby Valentine as manager of the Boston Red Sox was
a good idea?  It was one of the most inevitable things we
had to expect.  Not that Valentine is a bad manager, and
you don;'t have to agree or disagree with that statement
for that matter, but it was just a B A D fit, period.

Valentine could be manager of almost any team, and would
have been a better idea than hiring him in Boston, but
whether it was ownership or the GM, the ball was dropped.
I have no idea what they were looking for Red Sox fans,
not a clue.  Exposure? Discipline? Headlines?  Don't know,
but what I do know is that no one is more to blame for the
Red Sox huge shortcomings this year that whoever it was
that pulled the trigger and had the final say on this hiring.

I will make an admission though, when Boston traded away
Gonzalez, Beckett, Crawford, and Scutaro, I thought that
they might be in a way backing Valentine.  Shame on me.
I was wrong, and way off, I should have stuck with my initial
instinct, this was a bad fit, and he wouldn't last past this
season.  The news gets worse Sox fans, this won't be an
easy hole to dig out of, not at all.  
  
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Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 9-29-12

On "Ranting with Rizzo" this past week we addressed 
the outcry over the replacement officials, and what
a wacky week three it became. We also take a look
at the MLB season as it starts to wind down.
Have a listen: 

 

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Stone Cold NFL Locks Week 4

 
 
















Last week I was beyond stunned, it was clearly an
unmitigated disaster.  In all my years of Stone Cold
Locks here on MSS I have never gone 0-3, at least
not that I can or want to remember.  My mark is
5-4 and can't ever remember being this close to .500.
This week I will try reverse the 0-3 from last week,
here goes:

1. Arizona - I'm buying in, they may be for real.

2. Houston - Not really a fan, but Oh well.

3. Green Bay -Along with the Saints they are 1-5,
combined, WOW!, bet you didn't see that coming.
   
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A College Football Game Watch List For Today

ESPN . com Illustration 
 
Last weeks picks turned out to be pretty good, so if you took
my advice and watched any of them, chances are you weren't
disappointed.  This week could be just as good, because it will
be difficult  to be better, and a dud is always bound to appear.
Here's a few games I think are worth watching if your into the
college football scene:

1. Ohio State vs Michigan State - Michigan State already lost
to Notre Dame this season, so if they lose this one at home
this season will be nothing but a footnote for their fans.

2. Wisconsin vs Nebraska - The Cornhuskers just don't strike
me as a team that will compete at a high level this season, so if
they drop this one to an unranked Badger team at home, next
week at Ohio State might prove to be a disaster for them.

3. Tennessee vs Georgia - This week is a little sparse, but this
is still worth keeping an eye on.  #5 Georgia cannot afford a
letdown against a team that is hoping to catapult into the top 25
at their expense.  Tennessee could surprise some people here.
 

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Pittsburgh Pirates Insult & Injure Their Fans

 











 Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE
  
About a week ago I wrote about how both the Pittsburgh Pirates
and the New york Mets have really made a mess of what started
out as promising seasons early on, and even further along, but
since then the Mets have managed to add a 20 winner into the fold
as a little bit of a treat to their fans, and earlier on rewarded their
fans with the franchises first no hitter as well.  Both of these feats
took place at home, so the home fans really had a chance to enjoy
them, and at least say they were there.

Now though it's true that with five games remaining for the Pirates
they already have four more wins than they did last season, and the
Mets could only improve on last years win total if they won every
last game they have remaining, I'm going to venture and say that
Pirates fans have to be a little less satisfied than they thought they
might be a few weeks a go.  I'm thinking that fans in Pittsburgh
would have been happy to take the consolation prize of finishing
over .500 for the first time in two decades if they couldn't make
the playoffs, but after tonight not only is that off the table, but the
team would have to go 5-0 just to finish .500.  Now not only is
the bar getting lower, and lower for what fans expected from their
team, but it is VERY unlikely.  For the last six weeks or so the
Pirates have not only been going backwards in the standings, but
have also been doing things backwards, like instead of rewarding
their fans with anything like I mentioned earlier, but instead of
what the Mets did with giving their fans a no-hitter at home, the
Pirates eliminated all hope of finishing over .500 by being no-hit
at home tonight in front of their home fans.

I have no doubt that Clint Hurdle has done a great job with this
team, and should likely remain as the manager in Pittsburgh, it
is also quite evident that this type of finish is not only a tease to
the fans that began coming back to the ball park in the Steel City
to root on their team, but is also adding insult to injury on what has
no doubt been a painful couple of decades for the fans.
 
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6PM Tonight - Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio - L I V E

 

Join me tonight alongside Ed Hawkins as we discuss this
debacle that is the lockout of the NFL Officials, and the
maddening level that is has reached.  I will ask Ed, our   
resident hockey expert if the NHL lockout is anywhere
near the end, and of course look at the MLB pennant
races, as well as all the sports news we can fit into an
hour on Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio at 6PM.
Call in and make your voice heard.
Find the show here on ScatterRadio


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Quick Hits: NFL

 
 
Quick hits is really the theme here as far as the NFL is concerned
this past weekend, so I won't waste any time, here goes:

The NY Jets are screwed without Darrelle Revis in their secondary,
and so is he now that he is without that big deal he wanted.
Any NY Jet fan will be all too painfully reminded Leon Washington,
and how similar this is.  The rest of you can look it up.

The NFL was way more screwy than usual this past Sunday.  In all
my years that I have been doing my "Stone Cold Locks" here on
Mad Stork Sports, I have never gone winless, never been 0-3.
THAT is a crazy weekend.  Stone Cold Locks are supposed to
be just that, EASY, but I won't blame the refs.

Then there's that, the replacement referees.  STOP BITCHING about
it.  If it means that much to you, shut off your TV, cancel your NFL
Ticket on Direct TV, and don't show up to the game.  Thing is, you
won't.  As many of you that are out there complaining, there are
that much more that will jump in your place if you don't go.
Look, these guys may not be the best, or even the third best, but
they are officials, not butchers or bakers or candle stick makers.
This too shall pass, and then you'll just have to go back to moaning
about the regular officials.  
  
Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 9-22-12

On "Ranting with Rizzo" this past week there was
talk about the baseball pennant races, and who is
on their way out. We also take a look at week three
in the NFL season. Checkout it out here: 



Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Stone Cold NFL Locks Week 3

 
Last week I was stunned to see the Patriots fall to
the Arizona Cardinals for my 1st loss of the season, 
but now my mark is 5-1 and I'm one missed field goal
away from having been perfect after two weeks.
This week I will try and get back on track by paying
better attention to staying consistent, but I will admit
this week seems especially hard to pick, here goes:

1. New Orleans - They have to win eventually, and 
this is as good a spot as any.

2. San Francisco - Consistency is what they provide.

3. Washington - A little bit of a reach, but in RGIII I Trust
  
Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Must See College Football Games Already In 2012

Yes, some teams are only now playing their third game, while
others are into game four in the wacky schedule that is College
football, but with some changes already in the rankings, their
are some games that are worth watching , so here are some:

1. Michigan at Notre Dame -  #18 at #11 was so easy to pick
here it's criminal.  Miss this game and you miss alot.  The Winner
stands to set themselves up for so much more going forward.

2. Clemson at Florida St. - Another game that can really reward
the winner and hurt the loser.  SEC at its finest.

3. Kansas St. at Oklahoma - Can be a goody, especially if the
upset is in play late in the game.

Those ought to get you started, enjoy the weekend !

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Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Magical Ride For Mets And Pirates Comes To Crash & Burn

Their seasons got off to so much promise, even though
no one believed in them other than some of their most
ardent fans.  The Pirates even had a share of 1st place
for a moment past the season mid season mark.  The Mets
too had possession of 1st place in the NL East for what
would amount to a little less than a moment, and the
reality set in for both of these recently beleaguered
franchises.

I'm not sure which story is sadder, the one which had
the Pirates finishing above .500 for the fist time in
over two decades, but is now in jeopardy, or the one
that has season play six games over .500 hundred for
the 1st half of 2012 only to play a woeful TWENTY TWO
games under .500 since. 

These teams share other things in common as well, both
of their managers are in their second year and have
received much praise for the way their teams have both
played hard, and stayed relevant, butunfortunately the
Pirates like the Mets had a decent start to the season
last year only to have a similar fate in the 2nd half.
Now though the Pirates have already surpassed 2011,
but after being 2-8 in their last ten games and losing
games to the 100+ loss Houston Astros and the clearly
inferior Chicago Cubs, it's bound to leave a really bad
taste in your mouth going into the off season for the
fan base.  Terry Collins had a better 2011 than Clint
Hurdle did, but in 2012 the Mets stand to regress if
you just base this on wins and losses.  At this point
the Mets would need to finish the season 10-2 just to
equal last years mark, and they too are a miserable
2-8 in their last ten games.  Similarly the Mets too
fell victim to the Chicago Cubs, the Mets dropped 2
out of three to them at Wrigley at the end of June and
later dropped 2 out of three at home again just before
the All Star break.  

The fans of these two teams are going to need to hang
on a little longer if they hope to enjoy in the riches
of good seasons to come if there are to be any, but
with baby steps like these, and some one step forward
two steps backward type seasons, it may be a while
before these two managers get to straighten it out. 

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Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 9-15-12

On "Ranting with Rizzo" this past week there was
a big look at the baseball pennant races, and who
still has a shot. We also take a look at week two
in the young NFL season. Checkout it out here:


 
Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Stone Cold NFL Locks Week 2

AP Photo/Evan Pinkus

Last week I started the season 3-0, right where
it should be, but harder than you might imagine.
Teams are still starting to develop, and so is
your opinion of them, so it's easy to get crossed
up and lose what might seemingly be an easy game.
This week I will try and keep that it going by
staying consistent and using what works, here goes:

1. New England - vs Arizona it's like Alabama vs
Idaho in college football, easy.

2. San Francisco - Ladies and gentleman meet the
NFC representative for the Super Bowl in 2013.

3. Pittsburgh - No Revis, no Keller for the Jets,
no 0-2 start for the Steelers.

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis