As we all know baseball season has started and we are all crossing our fingers for the Baltimore Orioles (6-2, 2-0 road), or at least Baltimorons are! Yesterday the Baltimore Orioles played in Texas against the Texas Rangers(3-5, 3-2 home), beating them 7-5 last night! The Orioles moved up to 6-2 placing them 1st in the Eastern Division. Last night, the O's caused the Rangers to have their 5th straight loss but yesterday was the most exciting game to watch. The scored was tied at 3, but Luke Scott put the game at 7-3 when he had a two-run double. The manager for the Orioles, Dave Trembley said, "Guys coming back on short rest, guys having to throw more pitches, more innings than they've thrown. I dare say we got the most out of everybody out there. Like I've been saying, in the early part of the season, what it comes down to is you got to make pitches and you got to make plays. We made pitches and we made plays when it counted."
The game was a really exciting and last season Texas had won five out of nine match ups against the Orioles last season. Looks like we are coming back.

Thats all for now in the sporty Life with Lizard!

Go O's!!!

Angel Cabrera Wins at the Masters to get his first green jacket

At the August National, people were screaming cheers of happiness for Angel Cabrera as he took the course by storm. This is the kind of chaos the the Masters needs! He was the least likely to take it all and "He heard the roars for Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods a supercharged duel that was pure theater. Cabrera never lost hope..." Cabrera said with an interpreter by his side, "It's a course that you can do a lot of birdies, a lot of bogeys," "A lot of magical things happen. It's simply the Masters." Kenny Perry was on the way to success when in 22 holes, he didn't have even on bogey, until he had shots on the last two holes for a 71, which ended up in a three-man match up, including Chad Campbell. At the same time Cabrera shot a 71, and looked like he may be the one in trouble when his tee-off on the first play-off hole landed behind the trees. However, he managed to scruple up a par, putting in him in a dangerous putting position. But with pure luck, Perry on the second extra hole ended in a bogey. Coming from Argentina, Cabrera at No. 69 in the world became the lowest-ranked player to win the Master's since the worlds ranking in 1986! My year of birth thank you very much! Anyways, Cabrera so pumped to win his green jacket said, "This is a great moment, the dream of any golfer to win the Masters, I'm so emotional I can barely talk!" And there you have it, hope and dreams do come true!

That's all for now in the Life with Lizard!

Sister: BU, Brother: UVM

In college hockey, this past Thursday, April 7. 2009, The Boston University Terriers tool on the Vermont Catamounts in a semi-final face off. Boston, with a record of 33-6-4, surpassed Vermont winning 5-4. Boston, the number one overall seed and has claimed six championships this year alone, has a past season of unbelievable hockey. My sister, soon to attend Boston University, and my brother entering into his 1st year of law school, and four years prior at the Unversity of Vermont, made the game a little difficult to cheer for!

“We’ve had a very good year,” BU coach Jack Parker says. “We’ve won a lot of championships, won a lot of games. We have a good power play.We’ve been very, very good killing penalties, the second half of the year especially." In addition, Boston has had great goaltending by Kim Kastuk. They have a very strong defense and coach says they may possibly be the best defensive players he has ever had the honor of coaching. The result, a lot of winning and a very successful season overall. They are two games away from the national championship and do worry however that they may not be able to produce.

Compared to Boston, Vermont has reached the Frozen Four only once.

In addition, Vermont has been the only team to to defeat Boston twice this year. But this game, had an unlucky third chance and just came so close yet didn't take the win they had hoped for.

“But where they present their biggest challenge is they’re getting great goaltending and they really work hard defensively. They’re a real solid team in their own end. They’re a real solid team on the initial rush. You don’t get many jumps against them. You don’t get odd-man rushes.”

The problem, BU has had the same strengths and then some and they are undoubtedly the most impressive team still on their way to the top. The Vermont Catamounts record, is not as good as Boston University with 22-11-5.

Head coach Kevin Sneddon admits that there is still work to do and that rest was the best cure for the team at the time but unfortunately, maybe too much rest got the best of them. The game was an exciting on to watch but in the last seconds of the game, Boston was the sure pick to win.

Good luck to my brother and sister in school and for the next match up!

That's all for today in sports news in the Life with Lizard.

Back to one of my favorite boys...T.O!

I have always said I would love to do public relations or sports marketing for Michael Vick, Terrell Owens, or any other psychopath in the NFL, but I haven't gotten the chance yet! Anyways, Owens, off to yet another "great start" came a litttttle late to the beginning of practices at the Buffalo Bills facility for voluntary workout. In fact, a few weeks late! Shocking with no remorse, Owens preceded to have no understanding of the problem at this current juncture. "With a shrug of his shoulders, Owens noted he wasn't the first or only NFL player to miss a session where attendance isn't mandatory. It just seemed that way to T.O., based on the headlines he generated after failing to arrive for the start of the program on March 23.That's the thing, what I find so unfair about it is that I'm not the only guy out of 32 teams that didn't show up," Owens said Thursday." Gotta love him! Hope he has a coat, its cold in Buffalo, real cold and its about to get colder if he doesn't realize he gets paid to play football, not play video games at home. "Owens also had a message for anyone questioning whether he'll be a disruption. Breaking into a smile and standing before eight cameras and a dozen reporters inside a cramped interview area outside the Bills' media room, Owens said: "No worries."" What a riot...literately a riot!

"The things that I've accomplished so far really eclipses anything negative that anybody says about me," Owens said. "[Aikman] said it, and I'll move on."

Thats all for today in the sporty Life with Lizard!

Follow-up...Adenhart

"At the time of the crash, Mr. Gallo's blood-alcohol content is estimated to be almost three times the legal limit," Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said. Gallo is looking at a possible 55 years to life in prison if found guilty on all charges. He is also scheduled for his first court appearance this upcomng Monday on April 13th.

Adenhart dies in car crash

Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher, Nick Adenhart passed away on Thursday morning after a terrible car crash. Incidentally, this accident was just a few hours after pitching.
The previous night on Wednesday Nick Adenhart pitched a 6 inning scoreless ballgame, walking three, and 5 stroked out. This was only his 4th major league start and according to multiple sources, three others were killed in the crash, which occurred in Fullerton, California and one person is in critical condition. The accident happened when others who witnessed the crash said that a red minivan drove through a red light and hit a car carrying four people. Not only that, the driver of the red minivan hit and ran but got arrested only a mile or so from the scene.
I seriously think that all should give credit to this talented baseball player and wish the family our condolences.

NBA Draft: Say Hello to Blake Griffin

Didn't take too long for Blake Griffin to make a decision involving his future. Griffin announced Tuesday that he will give up his final two years of eligibility in order to head to the NBA. Being one of the best players at Oklahoma University, he tore up the basketball court like no athlete I've ever seen. The AP player of the year, has been honored as the player of the year! "It was a choice coach Jeff Capel called a "no-brainer," with Griffin establishing himself as a likely candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft this June." Well that sums it up, Griffin aided the Oklahoma Sooners in winning 30 games in a full season and that is only the 5th time in school history! Squashing competition, he beat school records for double-doubles and rebounding as well. Whose to blame him for wanting to step up to become a new face in the NBA? "I felt in my mind from the time that I actually thought about it that this would be the right decision," said Griffin. That's about right! Get ready to rumble Yao Ming!

That's all for today in Life with Lizard!
By the way still accepting donations for Bruce at Superbowl!

Markakis, the big name in Baltimore!

Nick Markakis at twenty-five years old signed a six-year, 66.1 million contract extension in February. Therefore the Orioles knew what they needed to do in the spring. But since I am a public relations major, I found it interesting that Markakis hired public relations firm, Marriottsville-based Maroon PR to build his “brand” and place him in the limelight, especially the sports spotlight! Of course, with this plan Markakis has, he needs to be impeccable in the stadium as well as out. Markakis is craving media attention and like rookie Joe Flacco, Markakis is looking to get some endorsements and other opportunities. An interesting article I read, mentioned David Warschawski, branding expert. I found this funny that he commented on Markakis, because I applied for a position at that public relations agency! They do unbelievable work and I am sure Markakis is now going to be in the limelight for sure, as Warschawski is a huge name in the public relations business. “Barring a miraculous turnaround that involves the Orioles in the World Series this fall, the way to start building Markakis’ brand now is the way Maroon’s last Orioles client, Cal Ripken Jr., did it: through consistency and a built-up reputation as a workhorse and exceptional ballplayer.” Cal Ripkin was another client that Maroon PR also represented so I think that this firm will be able to set strategies to help Markakis get to the goals he wants and complete the objectives he has in mind. Tomorrow is opening day for the Baltimore Orioles and I am pumped. Hopefully all the support from the fans for the Orioles will set them free to come back and win!

Not such a great day, but tomorrow will be better I hope. Take care everyone. Thanks for reading!

Plaxico Burress Cut, Giants Show Incredible Decency

New York Giants let Plaxico Burress go today. He is currently facing possession of a deadly weapon as well as potential prison time in relation to an incident in November in which Burress accidentally shooting himself in the leg at a New York nightclub. His case was granted a continuance until June 15^th after his court appearance this past week. Giants General Manager Jerry Reese said, “We hung in there as long as we could in the hopes that there may be a resolution to this situation other than the decision we made today to release Plaxico.” In addition, Giants staff members had originally left open the option of allowing Burress to rejoin the team.
"Plaxico's contribution to our championship season in 2007 can never be underestimated or undervalued," said Coach Tom Coughlin displayed in a written statement on the website. I am a firm believer in second chances and I fully support the way the Giants handled the situation. As for Plaxico, I think he offered a huge amount of talent to the team, but unfortunately, problems off the football field tend to be haunting NFL players at every turn. I wish the Giants well in their upcoming season and truly appreciate the route taken in handling this issue.

 

That’s all for tonight in the Life of Lizard!

Vick, the next big thing in construction!

An attorney for Michael Vick, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, stated yesterday that Michael Vick will take on a 10$ an hour job as a construction worker when he is released from prison. Vick appeared in Court for the first time since establishing bankruptcy to plea with the judge that he's a changed man. HE will be testifying before the court proceedings end on Friday.  "You will hear from Mr. Vick his future intentions, how he's going to change the way he lives his life," said lawyer Michael Blumenthal to the Judge Frank J. Santoro. Vick has been serving a 23-month sentence for having a dog fighting ring, and his plan to work as a construction worker, is based on the future goal of again becoming a professional football player. Will this ever happen? I don't think so. There are too many animal activists, too many teams who don't want the stigma that comes with Vick's reputation, and lastly, no one wants to show support for a player whose been offensive in the past while on the Falcon's and off the team.

Lou Saban Passes Away

Louis Henry Saban a former football player and coach passed away this past Sunday, March 29th, 2009 at the age of 87. He was in the sports business for over fifty years and the first thirty-three years he had 18 jobs and spent generally 2 years at each. At one point he was the president of the New York Yankees. Even though I have be raised by my dad to hate the Yankees since he grew up in Baltimore, and raised to like the Yankees by my mom who grew up in New York, I have to offer some compassion to this accomplished gentleman.  His resume as a coach is quite length and includes: a 1966 Maryland coach, a 1967-1971 Denver Broncos coach, 1972-1976 Buffalo Bills coach, and a 1979 Army coach. He was also a quarterback and linebacker at Indiana University and an all-league linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. Saban was a well established sports guru and I really admire his ability to be such a success and historical figure in the sports world!

Thats all for now in the Life with Lizard!

Is Michael Vick a risk a team should take?

Much like a paper I wrote on Terrell Owens, I think Michael Vick is a liability to any team at this point. His hopes of returning to the NFL are quite high and I think that he isn't realizing no team wants the stigma of an animal killer on their team. Teams in the NFL already have controversial players like Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson, Randy Moss, and the obvious troublemaker, Michael Vick. These guys stir up issues on and off the field. Vick in particular is known for his display of the middle finger to fans, teammates, and press alike. Who wants that added problem? In fact, most teams may settle for a player that rocks the boat for reasons involving their athletic ability but is the trade of worth it? My opinion is that the NFL for years has taken certain issues lightly. Michael Vick is now in a position of pressure where he needs to be making money and rebuilding his image. These things aren't easily done especially after his little jail conquest. I wonder if he is ever going to be back in the NFL with a clean slate. I doubt it.