Trade Deadline In A Few Hours

Look at that headline. Can you think of a more exciting sentence in sports? Sure, sure, the games themselves are exciting. As a Cubs fan, I nearly wet myself over the last few days as the Cubs have won 3 or 3 from Milwaukee at Miller Park. The only thing more exciting than winning is someone getting your hopes up with trade scenarios...even though we know damn well that Superstar X isn't going to be traded to your team at the deadline for two or three midlevel minor league prospects.
Does anyone really believe for a second that Manny Ramirez is going anywhere today? The only way Manny heads to South Florida this year is if the Sox meet the Marlins in the World Series. There, I said it! So go to ESPN.com today and read about how close Boston is to trading their best offensive player since Ted Williams--they're in a tight race with the Yankees and Rays--sure, it'll happen.
But we do have a little activity this morning. The outfielder formerly known as Ken Griffey Jr. is heading to the White Sox (pending approval). I'm not sure what this does to the White Sox, or even where they'll play Griffey. This trade opens up the door to the possibility that Griffey goes from "greatest baseball player in a generation" to platooning with Brian Anderson in just under nine years. If nothing else, this trade will allow the White Sox to move Nick Swisher to 1B full time.

Another great thing about the trade deadline is being able to see a headline that on any other day would seem compleatly ridiculous such as "Will Ohman in High Demand".

There you have it. Teams trying to get in their final positions before the stretch run over the next two months.

*Speaking of Griffey...the card pictured is his rookie card from the 1989 Upper Deck collection. If you collected baseball cards between 1985-1995 you recognize this card as the holy grail of cards. So, do you have any guesses how much it's worth today? $25. You can find it on Ebay for anywhere between $11 and $25. Maybe it was a good thing your mom threw all your baseball cards out.

Logjamming With The AARP

I have to give credit to a friend's roommate for something he said a while back about coffee. To this day, it's one of the truest things anyone has ever told me. He said, "coffee is a great reason to get up. If life sucks and I'm lying in a comfortable warm bed, I can always take solice in the thought that there's a cup of coffee waiting for me. Because, life is hard...but there's always coffee". Honestly, truer words never spoken.

Now, I'm not one of those obsessive coffee drinkers where I cannot start my day until I have coffee. Not one bit. Just a fan of coffee. Black. Strong. Insert joke here.

The Reach Blog began as something to do while I drank coffee in the mornings. It turned into something that I loved doing and began to take on a personality of it's own--mainly sports. But today is one of the most important days in the history of the site.

Why is that you ask?

Because I am finally going to post the story I was born to post. A story about Japan's 73 year old porn star Shigeo Tokuda.

Nothing that I could possibly type could be funnier than the actual story itself. So why try? Don't worry about watching this at work--it's a CNN clip. They aren't allowed to show nudity, but they'll unleash Glenn Beck on their guests (see video below). Go figure.

Go Long...Get Open...I'll Throw It To You

Tough day here in The Reach Blog offices. I think the correct term is "food poisoning" but I prefer the technical term, "fucking misery". Ever throw up 15 times in the span of 15 hours? Fun stuff. 15 is just a rough estimate--I lost count at 3am. It takes me back to my days as a socially outcast cheerleader--the pressure to be thin.
Anyhow, speaking of getting sick. Imagine being a defensive coordinator and having to face this offense. It's called The A-11--go long...all of you and I'll throw it. A better description can be found here. The offense involves two quarterbacks, one center and eight receivers. Somhow, perhaps thanks to an airtight group of lawyers--the offense is legal. How about seeing some video you ask? Well now. Try this on...

Josh Childress Heads To Greece

What is the best word to describe this summer's free agency period in the NBA? I tend to lean towards "perplexing". It all started with Baron Davis blindsiding the Warriors and signing with the Clippers--which led to his Los Angeles teammate for all of 30 seconds, Elton Brand to opt out of his contract and head east to Philadelphia.

Then the Clippers were left with all this extra money and the rumors had linked Charlotte's Emeka Okafor or Atlanta's Josh Smith to possibly being brought in to replace Brand. Then things got weird.

Three days ago, a story broke and suggested that Atlanta's Josh Childress was considering an offer to play in Greece for the club Olympiakos. Initially, the reports seemed to be dismissed by most because why would anyone leave the NBA for Europe when they're logging big minutes on a playoff team? Turns out, Childress was serious about jumping the pond and proceeded to sign the richest contract in Euroleage history. Thanks Europe! It turns out that Josh Childress was the "player to be named later" in the whole David Beckham trade. They must like the afro. Strange business in the NBA.

Steve Nash and Baron Davis: Fill In The Headline

Imagine if you and your friends were the ones riding the tandem bike dressed like a couple of goons. What are the chances someone would wedge a large stick into your spokes? 75%? 90%? Let's face it, you're just not that cool. Atleast not cool enough to pull it off. Two time NBA MVP Steve Nash? Well, he's cool enough. And the Los Angeles Clipper who did those commercials with Adam Sandler? Apparently he's cool enough (although, between being a Clipper and doing those commercials, you'd think he'd have some humility). Here's the scene from Santa Monica this past weekend. From Barstool Sports:

"You want to know why the Clippers and Suns will never beat the Celtics? Because Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are in the gym doing box squats, shuttle runs, and plyometrics until they puke - then they do some more. Baron Davis and Steve Nash, on the other hand, are busy renting a tandem bicycle and cruising around Santa Monica pier together while dressed up like extras from the Cosby Show and Weekend at Bernies. I don't even know where to begin with this picture I just took. Someone help me make sense of this ridiculousness...the only explanation I'm willing to accept is that they were participating in some sort of performance art project. Even still, this is worse than the prospect of seeing Paul Pierce rollerskating down Storrow Drive rocking neon Vaurnet wraparounds, a Lycra singlet, and a fannypack."

Update: Ladies and gentlemen...we have video. It's creepy.

Someone Joey Harrington is Related to Wins Again

Padraig Harrington won his second conseceutive Britis--er, Open Championship yesterday defeating the feel good story that was Greg Norman (on an ugly bleek looking course). Actually, Norman beat himself again in the final round of a major. The Norman story was a great story while it lasted. As we've heard a million times this weekend, he got married to Chris Everett three weeks ago and came to The Open immediatly following his honeymoon. What does this teach you kids? That's right. Poon will make you a better golfer...even at age 53. I just threw up in my mouth.

On a historic note, it was the first major championship that didn't involve Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods since 1961. I can't wait until next month's PGA Championship when it will be the first major championship that didn't involve Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods since yesterday. Ah, starting off the week with a lame joke. Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week.

Justin Morneau Wins Home Run Derby, Everyone Else Disagrees

Seriously, next year...the year after, five years after that, will anyone remember that Justin Morneau won the Home Run Derby? After the hitting display that Josh Hamilton put on, he only lost because he was so tired from lapping the field twice.

It was a special night. It wasn't even the ammount of home runs that Hamilton hit that was impressive, it was how each Home Run seemed to go farther than the one before it. It was the way that Yankee Stadium seemed to embrace Hamilton (who apparently had a drug problem) as one of theirs by chanting his name, almost willing him to hit 30 in the first round.

Funny thing about Justin Morneau though (by the way, did he ever say the right things after the event), he won the MVP two seasons ago and I bet casual baseball fans still don't know who he is.

Two more notes about last night's derby: 1. Rick Riley is god awful. If ESPN keeps using him during these events--I'm going to get fat Elvis on my television and fire a couple of rounds into the screen. As good as his writing has been in years past, I hope ESPN kept the receipt. But he wasn't nearly as bad as...

2. Joe Morgan. I used to wonder why people seemed so down on the guy. But apparently I wasn't listening close enough. The man was openly rooting against Morneau (not rooting for Hamilton--against Morneau) in the final round.

As for tonights game? I have a good feeling about the National League. Stay tuned.

My Medicine

I have no idea how long this song has been around (only a few months though). Anyhow, it's from Snoop Dogg's new album "Ego Trippin'". Truth be told, I haven't listened to an entire Snoop Doog album since "Doggystyle" (hell, I knew every word to every song on that album in sixth grade...suburban white kids from Minnesota are hard as hell).
Anyhow, this song is unexpected to say the least. It features Everlast (who was the lead singer of House of Pain--remember them?) and Willy Nelson. Snoop and Willy Nelson. You might want to worry about a possible contact high from just listening to this song. I suppose it was just the right ammount of 'medicine' for Snoop to successfully record a country song.
Enjoy "My Medicine"...

Hey, F*** You David Stern

This could turn out to be a landmark moment in the one year breeding ground that is college basketball. Brandon Jennings, the number one ranked point guard prospect in the nation has decided to pass college ball entirely and head to Europe for one season before entering the NBA Draft (and also brought the flat top fade back--so the kid can't be all that bad). The headline says it all. Jennings is encouraging NBA Commish David Stern to forcibly insert his age limits into his anus.

Now, Jennings (who originally signed with Arizona) is yet to sign with an agent who will help him get set up with a contract in Europe (How would the bidding go? Do European leagues have drafts? Is it like when the Yankees signed Jose Contrares). Jennings and his family are going to consult with Sonny Vaccaro (how could this possibly go wrong?) before hiring an agent.

The fade. Word. Seriously, word to Kid.

*UPDATE*: ESPN's Jemele Hill (who can be over the top at times) has an article that's a pretty good read regarding Jennings' decision. If you have a chance, it can be found here.

About That Interview Last Night...

Well, after a little bit of a delay, The Reach Blog made it's radio debut last night, thanks again to Josh for having me on. I ended up calling in and doing a prerecorded interview. The lovely people in Deadwood will be able to hear the interview play in portions throughout the rest of the week. As for this site...well, I'm still working on figuring out how to post the audio so give it some time. If you'd like a copy of the interview emailed to you, contact me and I'll set you up.
As for the interview itself, well, I suppose it went OK. Not bad for a first time. We talked midseason baseball and Brett Favre (again, this is the only mention of the supposed comeback by #4 you'll get--I'm done with that story).

Cubs Answer Brewers, Land Harden

So the Chicago Cubs have answered back to the Milwaukee Brewers and landed former Oakland pitcher Rich Harden. That sound you're hearing is a collective gasp from Cubs fans when they realize that Harden has been on the DL six times in six seasons. But why should the Cubs get nervous? Their pitchers get hurt after they land in Chicago...not before. There's no way this ends up like Mark Prior--(sorry, it's not my intention to sound this bitter).

Harden has been viewed as a second tier pitcher (with Sabathia being the only true first tier pitcher) this trading season but his numbers have been great when he's pitched (5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season). The Cubs gave up Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, Matt Murton and Josh Donaldson to aquire Harden who has not won more than 11 games in a season in his career.

Two blockbuster deals in three days? I suppose the trading season is officially on. Fasten the seatbelts.

UPDATE: The Cubs also get pitcher Chad Gaudin in the trade. Gaudin is 5-3 with a 3.59 ERA.

Reach Blog On The Radio

For those of you in South Dakota area, I will be interviewed on Josh Nguyen's radio show on KDSJ 980AM tonight at 7pm (cst). This is a big step for the site becasue it means that someone is actually asking for our opinion as opposed to us just offering it. If you want to listen to the interview live you can do so by clicking here and then clicking on the "LISTEN LIVE" button on the upper right hand corner of the home page.

So gather the family and sit really close to the radio (or computer if you don't live in Deadwood). We will be quizzing people on the interview on this site tomorrow, so you're not going to want to look foolish.

And as far as getting the interview on this site...I'm not sure what the time table for something like that is (and if we'll even be able to do it).

KDSJ989.com

MLB Midseason Awards (A-Rod Free Edition)

It seems like we blinked our eyes and all of a sudden...we're less than a week from the All Star Break. This is good for a few reasons, most notably, because it means we're seven days away from not having to watch that awful All Star game commercial. Secondly, it means in about two weeks, the season will start to get real interesting with the trade deadline approaching.

Like with most leagues, it's fun to see where things stack up if the season ended today. I mean, this is a rather historic season so far. If the season ended today, the Cubs and Phillies win their divisions with St. Louis as a Wild Card. Arizona and LA are locked in a heated battle to be the team that sucks the least (since both are under .500 currently--hell, the Giants are only 5 games out. Can't we just give the Marlins or Brewers the finals spot instead of a team from the NL West?). In the AL, NOBODY saw Tampa making the run that they are currently making. Same goes for Minnesota (1.5 games out of the division lead behind the White Sox). If the season ends today, Tampa, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston are in. Imagine if these teams hold on and make the playoffs...two Chicago teams, maybe two Los Angeles teams, two teams nobody expected in the playoffs in the first place (St. Louis and Tampa Bay).

So how did we get here in the first place? Who are the movers and shakers in the first half? Let's rundown the midseason awards (including two potential award winners that were traded for each other before the season began):

AL MVP: Josh Hamilton, Rangers- Hamilton's comeback story has been one of the great storylines over the last two years or so. For those that don't know, Hamilton was the first overall pick in the 1999 draft and proceeded to be suspended by baseball altogether when he developed a drug problem. He wouldn't play any baseball between 2002 and 2006.

This year though, Hamilton was named a starter to the All Star Game while putting him up numbers to the tune of .308, 19 HR, 85 RBI in, assuming he stays healthy, his first full season in the Majors.

NL MVP: Lance Berkman, Astros- It would be interesting if these two players did win MVP considering both teams have very slim shots to sniff the playoffs. But that should be a testiment to how great both players are playing. Berkman is making a run at the Triple Crown batting . .348, 22HR, 70 RBI. This is the toughest award to decide right now, as Chipper Jones and Hanley Ramirez could both have cases made.

AL CY YOUNG: Cliff Lee, Indians- Another great story from the first part of the season. Lee was sent down to the minors last season to work on his control (see Cubs fans, there is hope for Rich Hill). This season, he's 11-2 with a 2.43 ERA and 99k. Arguements could be made for Joe Saunders who is leading the AL in victories and Oakland's Justin Duchscherer who has come out of nowhere to lead the AL with a 1.96 ERA.

NL CY YOUNG: Tim Lincecum, Giants- Lincecum leads the NL in strikeouts with 122, second in ERA with 2.49 and is doing pretty good for himself with a 10-1 record. Edinson Volquez is another guy I think gets a strong look from voters but could end up with Rookie of the Year instead.

AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Evan Longoria, Rays- The Rays are looking quite smart after locking up Longoria with a long term contract before his first big league game. Longoria has been just about as solid as you can ask a rookie to be batting .283 with 16 HR, and 52 RBI.

NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Geovaney Soto, Cubs- As tough as it might be to give Soto the nod over the previously mentioned Edinson Volquez, Soto's Cubs are in the thick of the playoff race right now. Soto has put up almost identical numbers to Longoria this season batting .289, 15 HR, 52 RBI.

AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Joe Maddon, Rays- You know what? I think this race is closer than it appears (Minnesota's Ron Gardenheire is a close second) but I have to give it to the manager of the team that has been the biggest story in major league baseball thus far. Nobody expected Tampa to be leading the Red Sox by 4 games at this point in the season.

NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Tony La Russa, Cardinals- Heading into this season, the National League Central was supposed to be a two team race between the Cubs and Brewers. How dumb of us to count out a Tony La Russa run ballclub. The Cardinals are currently in second place and if the season ended today--they would be your Wild Card winners. All this without a pitching staff. Well played Mr. La Russa. Well played.

The DeLorean: Back For 2008

That's right Marty, we need to go back...back to the future! After the last DeLorean drove off the line back in 1982, only about 6,500 of the original 9,000 still remain. Well, acording to Jalopnik, we can expect the DeLorean to be back on the road in 2008. So take from that story what you will...I saw the story as I was leaving the Reach Blog Offices and figured you would appreciate it while you were drinking your morning coffee and eating your Frosted Mini Wheats (or whenever the hell you visit this site).

Rock The Casbah

We really need to get the ball rolling on legalizing the use of testicles for currency because I would give my middle nut to see The Clash live. Of course this won't happen becasue, aside from the testicle for currency thing--which isn't going to happen, regardless of what those damn Liberterians promise--Clash lead singer Joe Strummer died from a heart attack five years ago.
I could go on and write for an hour about how great I thought they were, but as of right now, time is limited. I spent the last 45 minutes trying to find the perfect Clash video--and I couldn't choose one so I picked one at random.
"Rock The Casbah" was the only song of theirs to make it onto the Billboard Top 10 list in America (reaching #8 in 1982). The video for "Casbah" was their most popular (understand that The Clash broke up not too long after MTV came around--they never benifited from the channel and only made low budget videos).
Topper Headon was the most well known drummer of The Clash but is absent from this video after being kicked out of the band due to growing drug problems (the rumor is, that Headon wrote the main piano riff on the song but wasn't specifically credited). This opened the door for Terry Chimes to return to the band for a third tenure (he was the band's original drummer in 1976).
Much to the dismay of the band, this song was the first song played on "Armed Forces Radio" at the start of the Gulf War in 1991. The song also managed to be named the #20 "Conservative Rock Song Of All Time" by The National Review. The sound you hear right now is Joe Strummer turning in his grave.
Well, enough chit chat...I give you The Clash's "Rock The Casbah"...enjoy...

Meet The All-Stars

With the Major League Baseball All Star Game only eight days away, the league announced the rosters of each team yesterday during an afternoon "Selection Special" on TBS (of course, that didn't prevent just about every major publication from releasing the rosters four or five hours in advance). As with any all star game, the fans vote on the starters which leads to a few players (sometimes more than a few) that don't deserve to start in the game but get voted in on name alone. This always leaves the door open for the "Who Got Snubbed" colums and debates. I'd like to say we're no different at the Reach Blog...but hell, there are some interesting things to note about this year's rosters:

1. Maybe it's because I've been living in Minnesota for the last 21 years, but the idea that Kyle Lohse was snubbed makes me sick but he is 10-2 with a 3.61 ERA (granted the ERA is a tad bit high). The fact that an arguement could be made for Lohse is unexpected.

2. Jason Varitek is batting .218 but was chosen as a reserve. Over A.J. Pierzynski or Ivan Rodriguez?

3. How about the AL bullpen? Joe Nathan, Jonathan Papelbon, Mariano Rivera, Joakim Soria, George Sherril, Francisco Rodriguez are all closers. What do you think about the AL going to that pen with a lead in the 4th inning?

4. The Cubs and Red Sox each sent seven players (and their managers) to the game. However, I wonder how close Derrek Lee and Mike Lowell came to being named reserves.

5. Who do you have start the game if you're Clint Hurdle or Terry Francona? Cliff Lee and Edinson Volquez? Roy Halladay? Tim Lincecum? Ryan Dempster? The prediction from the Reach Blog offices are Tim Lincecum and Cliff Lee if you're keeping score at home.

6. As for the online vote--do you vote for Giambi's mustache or Evan Longoria? Personally, I'd like to see as many Yankees as possible since this is the last season at Yankee Stadium (and Giambi's been deserving) but the Rays are the story of the season so far and Longoria might be the leading vote getter when it's all said and done.

CC Sabathia Going to Milwaukee

Every year it seems that all it takes is that first big trade to set the rest of the league into a domino effect of trade action. Well, that trade is in the books. The Milwaukee Brewers traded for C.C. Sabathia yesterday. Here's the catch with the Brewers: they don't have the luxury as a small market team of being able to reload year in and year out. Seeing how Ben Sheets seems as good as gone at the end of this season (along with possibly Sebathia and Prince Fielder), the team seems ready to make a run at it this year.

It's worth noting that if Sebathia does leave, the Brewers will receive two first round picks which would only help Milwaukee in their reloading process.

The Indians get Matt LaPorta, the Brewers top minor league prospect along with a few other prospects and a player to be named later. After scanning some message boards in Milwaukee, the trade seems to be mixed among fans.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal boards:

Any one that claims to be a Brewers fan has to love this trade. As many people before me have said, for a small market team to aquire such talent says a lot about the front office as well as the great scouts the Brewers Organization has.After what seems like a thousand years of losing, to finally see the team go out there and make a big splash should make everyone happy. Look, the MILWAUKEE BREWERS are going for it and all they gave up was very good, but very unproven talent at the minor league level. If they lose C.C. and Sheets at the end of the year so be it. Chances are they're going to lose Sheets anyways.All should be proud of the Brewers and lets hope to still be talking about this trade in October!!
- Ryan B, Waukesha, WI

Terrible idea. A sure fire offensive talent for someone who is unproven in the playoffs and has been inconsistent this year. And we only get him for less than half the season. Just terrible. People are so starved for playoff baseball around here they let it go to their heads.
- Lee, Pewaukee

For One Day, Tennis Was Back

A few weeks back Bill Simmons wrote a column for an issue of ESPN the Magazine about how to save tennis. Some of Simmons' ideas might go towards ressurecting the sport--it sure as hell can't hurt if every major tournament has a finale like yesterday's Wimbeldon final. Holy crap. I threw the match on towards the end of the fourth set, right before the tiebreaker thinking that Rafael Nadel might take down Roger Federer. After about two and a half hours, I was still caught up in the match.
I spent the most part of the evening monitoring the media's reaction to the match. I was blown away by the drama and, to be honest, was wondering if it was just me or was the match really as exciting as I thought it was. The consensus: it was the most exciting Wimbeldon final ever. John McEnroe called the it the greatest tennis match he's ever seen.
So if you caught it, consider yourself lucky. If you missed it, don't be quick to write it off as just a tennis match.

NBA Star Takes Pay Cut To Sign With Clippers

Talk about headlines I never expected to see...let alone type. The Clippers of all teams made the biggest spash in the very young (but very legal) free agency period yesterday. Baron Davis (not to be confused with Betty Davis or the Beer Baron) opted out of his $16.4 million dollar contract for next season with the Warriors only to head south a few hours and sign with the Clint Howard of the NBA for a smaller ammount.

The deal wouldn't be as shocking as it should be if there had been much precedent in past with the Clips. Alas, no. Here's a list of NBA All Stars that have signed with the Clippers IN THE HISTORY OF THE TEAM:

Glen Rice, Jamaal Wilkes, and Kevin Duckworth (apparently someone else outbid for Chris Gatling).

The signing does keep the spotlight on the Clippers for a little bit longer though, Elton Brand is also a free agent after opting out of his deal with the Clippers. Should they be able to resign Brand, the Clippers will finish off their most successful offseason in franchise history (of course, time will only tell. I'm sure at the time, 1998 looked pretty good when the Clippers won the lottery and drafted Michael Olowokandi).

2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year Should Come From Portland

...and his name isn't Greg Oden. The Portland Trailblazers signed their stud Spanish import Rudy Fernandez today. Fernandez was drafted by Phoenix last year before being traded to Portland.
Here's the interesting thing about Fernandez. There were questions about when he would've been able to join his NBA teams, which is the main reason he fell to the end of the first round last year. If not for the contract problems, it is not out of the question to say that he could've been a top 5 pick in the draft. Comparisons to his game range from Kevin Martin to Manu Ginobli, you get the point--the kid can shoot.
Rudy will also join his sister Marta who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. THE (W)NBA--it's FAM-tastic!
Also, don't be surprised next month when Spain gives the world a run for it's money in the Olympic basketball. They'll be sporting a roster that includes Fernandez, Jose Calderon, Pau Gasol, and Ricky Rubio (who will be a lottery pick next season), and Sergio Rodriguez (Rudy's teammate on the Blazers).

Paper Lanterns (Live)

Out of curiosity, what is your opinion on summer concert festivals? I had an opportunity to go to Lollapalooza last year in Chicago and I loved it. I've stated before that seeing Muse at the festival was somewhere near the level of a religious experience, never before had I seen a more mindblowing live show. It got me thinking about how I might be ten years too young (now, don't get me wrong, I'm happy being 25) but a 22 year old me would've loved seeing Woodstock '94. I actually gave some thought about going to Woodstock '99, but didn't like the chances that my parents would let 17 year old me go to New York for a weekend of this. Probably a good choice as Woodstock '99 ended up being one of the biggest blunders in Rock and Roll history. I'd like to think we've learned (and the lack of testosterone fueled bands like Limp Bizkit and Godsmack being relivant) so we wouldn't pull that crap again.
Then I began thinking about the possibility of Woodstock '09. 40 years later? Why the hell not? Well, for one, it will be tough as hell to convince whoever needs convicing that what happened in 1999 wouldn't happen in 2009. Regardless, I'll state it right now, right here--if there is a Woodstock '09--I'm all in. Why not a collection of yesterday and today? One stage for original Woodstock artists with Bob Dylan, Country Joe McDonald, etc... and one stage for today's artists who would fit the bill (see: peace, love, rock and roll).
After doing a little bit of research I've found out that Woodstock.com is under construction and some internet rumors claim that a Woodstock event will occur in 2009. No further details.
I had to write about this a little bit, I officially have the itch. To momentairly satisfy the itch I give you Green Day's performance of "Paper Lanterns" from Woodstock 1994 (the famous mud fight). Good stuff. And more to the point of Woodstock 2009, who would you like to see perform there? Let me know in the comment section.

Comparing The 2008-09 Chicago Bulls With 1990-91 Seattle Sonics

The fine folks over at Blog-A-Bull wrote an interesting comparison piece comparing the new Chicago Bulls (and by new I mean with Derek Rose) to the Seattle Supersonics team that drafted Gary Payton (they had lucked out in the lottery after just missing the playoffs with 41 wins). Overall, a strong article--except I'm not sure I 100% believe that Tyrus Thomas will be as effective as Shawn Kemp (that would cause me to do backflips). Well, if you have the time, you should check it out.

Also, it warrents mentioning that Shawn Kemp Jr. (the first of many we can assume) is being heavily recruited to play college ball. The 6-9 center is ranked as the 25th best player in the 2009 class. Thought you'd like to know.

Thinking About The Future and the 90s Sonics