December 18, 2006

Sorry kids, but not only is this late, but it’s also going to have to be short and probably filled with spelling/gramar mistakes!

NASCAR Update:
Rumors previously putting Johnny Sauter in the #88 Ford at Robert Yates Racing were, well rumors. According to motorsport.com via jayski.com, Ricky Rudd will take over the #88 (#28 in 2007) after a year off. Rudd previously raced at RYR from 2000-2002.

NASCAR will be looking for a new sponsor for the current Busch Series when Busch leaves after the 2007 season.

Giants Update:
Sorry, this took a while to get over. The Giants have had glimmers of hope over the last six games, but have only been able to put one win on the board and that didn't come against the Philadelphia Eagles who they lost to 36-22 on Sunday. The Giants' inablity to score a touchdown was their true weak spot. They settled for 9 points instead of 21, which would have changed the game entirely. Big Blue looks for a win against the strong New Orleans Saints on Sunday, if they have any hope of making it to the playoffs this year.

Around Sports:
Baseball
After being let go by the Atlanta Braves, Marcus Giles looks to be joining his older brother, Brian in San Diego. The 28 year old, second baseman will likely make less than the expected $5.5 million he would have received through arbitration with the Braves. An announcement is expected early this week. (Foxsports.com)

The Minnesota Twin’s Brad Radke is expected to announce his retirement. The 34 year old right hander has been hammered by shoulder problems. In his 12 year career he has amassed a 148-139 record.

Vernon Wells signed a monster seven year, $126 million contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Basketball
The NBA has handed out some hefty fines after Saturday night’s brawl between the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets. The NBA’s leading scorer, Carmello Anthony was suspended 15 games for punching Mardy Collins. Denver’s J.R. Smith and New York’s Nate Robinson received 10 game suspensions. Other suspended players included the Knicks’ Mardy Collins, who began the brawl by fouling Smith (6 games), Jared Jeffries (4 games) and Jerome James (1 game) and the Nuggets’ Nene (1 game). Both teams were fined $500,000 a piece.

Football
After a thrilling Sunday overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, the Chicago Bears clinched home field advantage in the playoffs.

Even with the New Orleans Saints 16-10 loss to the Washington Redskins, the Saints were still able to clinch a playoff spot when the Carolina Panthers lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 37-3. This is the Saints first playoff appearance since 2000.

Running
Indian runner, Shanti Sounderajan, failed a gender test and was stripped of her/his silver medal which he/she received in the woman’s 800 meters at the Asian Games.

Around the World:
In this better be amazing news…the Four Seasons in Jakarta has put a $110 hamburger on the menu. The burger is made out of 225 grams of kobe beef. But that hasn’t made them a big seller, only 20 of them have been ordered since it hit the menu. (Reuters)

Celebrity Tid Bits:
Congratulations to “Apprentice” season one winner, Bill Rancic and E! News anchor, Guiliana DePandi on their engagement. The couple has been dating for 10 months.

Congratulations to Sugarland who scored their first #1 single since the band became a duo with “Want to.” They also had their sophomore disc Enjoy the Ride go platinum. Apparently Christmas came early for Jennifer and Kristian.

The Pursuit of Happyness was number one at the box office this weekend. The new Will Smith movie brought in $27 million. Right behind it was Eragon with $23.5 million followed by Charlotte’s Web with $12 million. Happy Feet continue to wow audiences coming in fourth with $.84 million and The Holiday with $8 million rounded out the top five.

According to Eonline’s Watch with Kristin, ABC’s “Help Me Help You” has been cancelled.

Happy Birthday shout outs to Christina Aguilera (26), Katie Holmes (28), Brad Pitt (43), Ray Liotta (51), Stephen Spielberg (60) and Keith Richards (63).

It’s been fun blogging with you,
Kate