Happy New Year!

...Well...in six hours anyway:)

iBear is moving.

Well I guess technically iBear is always moving, but now I'm actually changing my place of residence. This weekend is going to be crazy hectic (and suck bigtime...) so I'll be offline for at least a couple of days. Catch you later!

Just got back to Florida.

My grandmother had a stroke (on Thanksgiving) and for the first 24 hours we thought that it might be cancer. (The initial scans showed a mass in the brain, that later turned out to be the damage caused by the stroke.) She's lost some of her visual field, but there isn't any loss of motor or cognitive function.

So very scary, but could have been worse. She's obviously very grouchy about the frustration; therapists and appointments and such, but all things considered this wasn't as bad as a stroke this size usually is.

Happy Thanksgiving!

...I'm going back to bed.

Steelers face the Partiots tonight...

The Pats haven't lost back-to-back games since 2003, but their Offense is weak since losing Moss, and their Defense is inexperienced. Hopefully the strongest Defense in the NFL can shut down New England, and Big Ben can carve up their coverage:)

Moving on...

Wow. I haven't updated this blog since October 12th, which means that I completely forgot to mention that I moved on from baseball to football on about...October 13th.

Steelers are playing a hell of a season, despite losses to the Baltimore Ravens and the New Orleans Saints. They're in Cincinnati for Monday Night Football this week, so let's all be good sports and hope they slaughter the Bengals:)

Rays are out...

Cliff Lee pitched a hell of a game, but the real let-down was that the Rays allowed 3 runs that shouldn't have scored...and one of those needed help from the 1st Base Umpire. This brings us to the nasty little dark secret of Major League Umpiring: Major League Umpires are grossly incompetent. Check out a couple of the most grievous issues:

Pena called for a "foul ball" in the 1st inning of Game 1:
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12756591

Blatantly blown call on Michael Young, resulting in a 3-run homer in Game 2:
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12766341&topic_id=14873500&c_id=mlb

Andrus comes off 2nd Base and is tagged out in Game 3...unless you're an umpire:
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12790473&topic_id=14871222&c_id=mlb

Finally, Guerrero scores after the umpire denies the Rays the 3rd out:
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12815307&topic_id=14872768&c_id=mlb

For the sake of objectivity, I looked for umpiring mistakes that favored the Rangers, but couldn't find any that were as blatant as the first few. In short, MLB umpires can't do their job. There has been a lot of discussion over the last year or two about replay in baseball, and I think that this one 5-game series proves that it is necessary. We have been seeing a ton of these kind of mistakes over the past few seasons, and I think this makes it very clear that the umpires, by themselves, simply aren't good enough. No Major League Baseball game should ever hinge on a blown call. If the officials can't get the plays correct, then they should be augmented with replay. Let's get it right, people!

ALDS Game 5 starts tonight at 8!

Big left-handers David Price and Cliff Lee square off again in a rematch of Game 1. The difference is that last time the Rays' cold offense let Lee off a big hook in the 1st inning, while this time around they are far from cold. Here's hoping the Rays can keep this momentum flowing in Game 5 and even into the ALCS against the Yankees! :)

Well that game was just pathetic...

We had an excellent shot to jump on Cliff Lee early, but the Home Plate umpire decided that wouldn't be nice, so he invented a foul tip on Carlos Pena's check swing and eventually called him out on what should have been a 4-3 count. Needless to say, that put a hitch in the momentum of our offense, and Cliff Lee used the opportunity to regroup. The umpire continued in that vein, expanding the strike zone for Lee whenever the Rays threatened to piece together a rally. The good news is that this umpire can't possibly be behind the plate more than once more in the ALDS.

Here's hoping the Rays put together some momentum tomorrow afternoon.

Rays win the AL East!

New York lost to Boston while the Rays' game was in progress, officially clinching the division for Tampa Bay. This sparked a rally for the Rays' offense; Carlos Pena hit a game-tying 2-run double in the top of the 9th off outstanding Royals Closer Joakim Soria, and the Rays went on to win it in the 12th on the strength of Rocco Baldelli's first stolen base of the year and Rafael Soriano's franchise record 45th Save.

Rays play the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in St. Pete. 2 years out of three we've won the Division title!

The AL East crown comes down to the wire!

The Rays find themselves tied with the Yankees on the last day of the season, though thanks to their 10-8 record against New York this year they command a much stronger position. The Rays' magic number is 1: if they win today, they win the division title. If the Yankees lose today, the Rays win the divisional title. The Yankees' only hope of owning the East is for New York to win, but the Rays to lose. And since the Yankees are in Boston and the Rays in Kansas City, Tampa Bay fans can't help but feel optimistic.

In other sports news, my 3-0 Steelers play their longtime black-and-blue rival Baltimore Ravens today. And I finally get to see them on TV! :)

Now THAT was a baseball game!

AL Cy Young Award contenders David Price and CC Sabathia pitched a hell of a game, but the Rays finally won with a walk-off homer in the 11th: 1-0, and we move back on top of the AL East!

Ouch...

So the Rays got thrashed by the Angels this afternoon, but the important thing to remember is that we took the series two out of three.

24-17...Steelers WIN!

And although it was just preseason, I am now relatively confident that Leftwich can fill in for Big Ben during his suspension. (Stupid, Ben...just stupid!)

Steelers leading Giants 10-7 at Halftime.

I know it's just the preseason, but looking pretty good, guys! :)

And since I'm in a celebratory mood:

I present to you a clip from the Holy Grail of Whose Line: "Scenes from a Hat" featuring guest star Robin Williams!

Rays beat Cliff Lee for the 3rd time this season; are once again tied with the Yankees for best record in baseball!

An absolutely amazing game last night! Started out as a classic pitchers' duel between our own David Price and the Rangers' Cliff Lee. By the end the lead had shifted three times, and the Rays offense finally put together a 4-run 8th inning to chase Lee and secure the Win!

Awesome stuff! Let's hope that turns into a momentum game for the Rays!

Back from Arkansas...LONG drive yesterday!

We were on the road from 7am to 1am...and I feel like it.

And finally, a little vid to help shake off the stiffness and soreness of the road:

Going out of town tomorrow!

iBear will be gone for two weeks, and doesn't expect to update any blogs while I'm away...in fact, right now I'm just hoping Tropical Storm Bonnie doesn't decide to invite herself along on my vacation!

Whose Line does Gilbert and Sullivan:)

Long Thread: Some of the Greatest Whose Line is it Anyway? sketches EVER!

Rays sweep Red Sox, have now won 5 in a row!

I love sweeping the Red Sox:)

Happy 4th of July!

For all of you not in the US, that's our Independence Day! And for all of you who are British, BITE ME! (Except for a handful of smoking-hot British actresses. I offer them my renewed assurance that I have never mocked their home country in the entire history of the universe:P)

USA eliminated from World Cup by Ghana.

No doubt because I neglected to watch the final 10 minutes...but there was a baseball game on:)

USA score last-minute goal; go from elimination to top of Group C!

Ridiculous stuff in South Africa! Maybe we should tell the US team that it's always the last 10 minutes:)

Rays lost today...and dropped out of 1st place:(

Losing to the Marlins this afternoon dropped the Rays to a game back of the New York Yankees.

But more importantly, we're now only a half-game ahead of the REd Sox...and I hate the Red Sox!

So I watched the 1-1 tie between US and England...

...And it didn't entirely suck!

; )

May consider watching part of the US vs UK match in the World Cup tomorrow.

I said I may consider it. No promise to watch is stated or implied...especially if there's a baseball game on at the same time:)

So I'm really concerned about my niece.

She's almost 3 now, and last night she fell out of a chair and hit her head, knocking herself unconscious. She spent a lot of last night in the ER, but apparently was okay this morning.

There have been a few guesses floating around about what happened (there is a different sort of underlying drama in the situation), but I'm not going to play that game. Kids fall. My niece is a little sparkplug of a kid, so she probably racks up more than her fair share of falls. I see no reason to believe it's anything more complicated than that.

Just glad she's okay.

Home again, home again.

Visit to Northern Arkansas was hectic, but I liked seeing everybody and especially liked not crashing on the drive home:)

Just a warning to my reader(s).

Going out of state tomorrow morning, so don't expect any blog updates for about 10 days or so.

Rays sweep 2-game series with the Indians!

David Price pitched an excellent game tonight.

Tomorrow we're in New York, to face the Yankees and their 2nd-best record in all of Baseball.

Should be an excellent series!

Rays take 2 of 3 from Mariners, INCLUDING beating Cliff Lee again!

It should be noted that this entire best-record-in-baseball-hot-streak is happening with several of our best hitters in a SLUMP! That's right!

In the last 7 days, for example:
Jason Bartlett is hitting .174
BJ Upton is hitting .222
And Carlos Pena is hitting a shocking .154

In addition, super-slugging Super-Utility-Player Ben Zobrist doesn't have a Home Run yet this season!

However, our starting rotation has an incredible ERA of 2.75, the best in the AL. We have allowed the fewest runs in the AL. And our team batting average jumps with runners in scoring position.

In short, the Rays still have the best record in Baseball, and tonight welcome the Cleveland Indians to St. Pete for a 2-game series.

Let's go get 'em, guys! :D

Rays take series from Angels, STILL possess best record in baseball!

Good to see our bats wake up again, but I guess Southern CA will do that to native Evan Longoria!

Rays are back at the Trop on Friday against the Mariners. We're 3-0 against them so far...and that was in Seattle. Let's not let up on that pressure now!

Rays are now on a 3-game losing streak:(

But I console myself with patently absurd internet videos:)

Rays now 20-7...STILL best record in baseball!

On the strength of a dazzling overall performance on the road this year, the Tampa Bay Rays continue to have the best record in MLB.

So far, the Rays boast an astonishing 11-1 Road record this season, including a four-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway.

Having already won the 3-game sereies in Seattle, the Rays aim to sweep the Mariners tonight and continue their road trip down the West Coast.

At 14-5, Rays have best record in MLB!

A franchise-best start for TB, and they have the talent to keep this up. Greatly improved situational hitting has been the main difference from last season, although our starting rotation is also much deeper. (And #4 Starter David Price is dominant so far!)

Day off today, but we're hosting the AL West-leading Oakland A's tomorrow.

Peace out, and a reminder: vote Evan Longoria into the All-Star Game!!!

Rays returning to St. Pete after best road series EVER!

9-1 on the road trip. That's in Baltimore, BOSTON, and Chicago! Rays have the best record in the MLB at 12-4.

Tonight we come back and rock the Trop.

Be afraid, Blue Jays.

Be very afraid...

Rays win 7 in a row!

That makes 8 straight road wins going back to last season; a franchise record!

Tonight David Price takes the Rays into Chicago to face the White Sox. Can the Rays keep this streak going?

iBear certainly hopes so:)

Rays go for the sweep tonight!

First 2 games looking good. Tonight Niemann takes a shot at sweeping the O's.

And Evan is on fire to start the season! As of right now, he's on pace for 324 RBIs for the season...which is past reality and into the realm of video-game stats:D

Rays win Opener with 2-run walkoff hit by Carl Crawford!

Awesome 4-3 game against Baltimore. Evan goes deep, Carlos bunts against the shift, and Carl knocks in 2 runs with a 1-out single.

I like 2010:D

UK goes down.

Weird, weird game. Wildcats don't make a 3-point for the first...30 minutes or so.

West Virginia doesn't score a single 2-point for the first half.

Just a really, really odd game.

New prediction: Duke wins it all.

West Virginia leads Kentucky 28-26 at Halftime.

Expect UK to let the Cats out of the bag in the 2nd half!

Kentucky and Duke are the only two #1 seeds left in the tournament!

Just a (not very) subtle reminder that UK Wildcats are my basketball pick! :)

Funneling readers (I hear some blogs have those:P) toward my Political Blog this week.

But my NCAA prediction still stands: UK Wildcats for the Championship!

Just to reiterate...

UK Wildcats are still iBear's NCAA basketball pick.

I just thought I'd remind everyone.

Well I missed that one:)

Saints beat the Colts. Way to go...but I didn't see that coming!

The Superbowl is this weekend!

Excellent...

NFL players are the gladiators of Modern America. Expect an excellent game from these two leading teams!

And Peyton Manning's Colts will win. You heard it here, even if not first:)

iBear is officially calling his NCAA Basketball prediction.

UK Wildcats for the Championship.

I watched these guys play the Gators, and it's now halftime against the Razorbacks.

Utterly dominant.

I haven't seen basketball played like this in a long time.

Store-bought Mojito Mix has too much lime!

Can't taste the mint or the rum, just lime...and I know I should've been able to taste that much rum! There's nothing but lime...too much lime. Stop saying lime. I said lime.

Oh yeah...and the Colts issue a smackdown to the Ravens.

Lime.

iBear's heart goes out to the earthquake victims in Haiti.

At approximately 4:54 EST, a massive earthquake (reports vary on intensity, but it appears to have measured somewhere from a 7.0 to a 7.3) struck just 10-12 miles SW of Port-au-Prince, the capital city of the severely-impoverished Caribbean nation. Landlines and cell towers are still down, but initial reports described buildings crashing to the ground, some sliding into ravines, and a major hospital collapsing under the strain.

No one knows yet how many people have been trapped in the rubble, and searches began slowly after a trio of aftershocks--each tipping the Richter Scale at over 5.0--hit the already devastated city.

Casualty estimates will have wait until communication is restored, but it doesn't look good. Haiti is far-and-away the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere; and the population density of Port-au-Prince, combined with the severely under-code housing, combine to make one of the worst sets of circumstances for quake victims.

Best of luck to everyone in the area...more details as I have them.

Okay...prediction time.

Colts win the Superbowl.

That's all I got.

No idea what's going to happen in the NFC; could be Cardinals (played very well for most of the Green Bay game) or Saints (although they've really dropped off here recently) or Cowboys (even if only because of what they did to the Eagles...two weeks in a row!) or even possibly the Vikings...though they're probably lowest on that list.

The only team that might be able to beat the Colts right now is San Diego, so that should be a great AFC Championship Game!

Okay...

...NOW you can wear it for mourning:(

Everyone wear black tomorrow...

...Not in mourning, but because my Steelers need a little help to make the playoffs!

iBear will be watching that very carefully!