Luck of the Irish

Harrington Wins in Playoff

(As reported by Ron Green Jr., The Charlotte Observer)

As Padraig Harrington sat watching as Sergio Garcia tried to win the British Open, the Irishman turned down the volume on the television and thought about what could be rather than what might have been.

A lifetime of dreams and an afternoon of remarkable drama were wrapped in the moment as Harrington watched, trying not to allow the double-bogey he had just made on the 72nd hole to begin eating a hole in his stomach.

It didn't matter it had been 60 years since an Irishman had won the Open or eight years since a European had won a major. As Harrington sat there, having rekindled memories of Jean Van de Velde in the way he chopped up Carnoustie's closing hole with the Open lead, he wanted to believe he would have another chance.

When Garcia, desperately seeking his own golden moment, saw his 8-foot putt to win kiss the left edge of the hole and stay out, Harrington's hope was rewarded.

Harrington birdied the first extra hole to gain a two-stroke advantage over Garcia and went on to win the four-hole playoff by one shot, capturing his first major championship.

"I never let myself feel like I'd lost The Open Championship," said Harrington, who had played 23 consecutive holes without a bogey before his double at the 18th in regulation.

"I never let it sink into my head that I'd just thrown away the Open Championship. If I had thrown away the Open, it would've been incredibly hard to take."

Squadoosh!!

NPSE Zone ESPN Personality of the Day

Tony Reali, host of ESPN's Around The Horn and Pardon The Interuption's stat boy is Monday's NPSE Zone ESPN Personality of the Day.

Reali, 29, graduated from Fordham University in 2000 with degrees in both communications and history. At Fordham, Reali was a sportscaster for the campus radio station.

Reali joined ESPN in 2000 as a researcher and writer for the game show "2 Minute Drill," hosted by Stuart Scott. In 2001, Reali joined PTI alongside hosts Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser as the show's factchecker at the end of each episode.

In 2004, Reali replaced Around The Horn host Max Kellerman after he left for Fox.

*Image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

Trick Or Treat

No One Sings Like Olbermann

You Gotta Earn Your Wings To Be At This Place

When's The Last Time Your Hair Actually Moved, Like 1977?

The Magazine for Sports Nuts

Mute Math Band Roadies Fool Mike & Mike

ESPN Radio's Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg, hosts of the morning drive radio show Mike and Mike In The Morning, Tuesday appeared on CBS' The Late Show with David Letterman.

Backstage before their appearance, roadies from the band Mute Math told Golic and Greenberg they were members of the band and asked to take pictures with the two, Golic and Greenberg said on their radio show Wednesday.

When the band came out to play on stage, Golic and Greenberg said no one on the stage resembled the guys who asked for pictures before the show, adding that they must have been fooled by a few of their roadies.

Barry Bonds Is Sad

Bonds Will Miss Another Start


(Compiled by The San Jose Mercury-News)

Barry Bonds took himself out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive night Tuesday, and he won't start today, Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said.

With Bonds claiming exhaustion and leg soreness, Bochy said he would adopt a more conservative approach with his soon-to-be 43-year-old cleanup hitter - especially when it comes to playing day games after night games.

"From this point on, I'm going to avoid that as much as I can," Bochy said. "That's catching up with him more than anything, especially in this hot weather."

Bonds, who lined out as a pinch hitter Tuesday in the Giants' 4-2 victory at Wrigley Field, is in a 0-for-21 slump - matching his worst since April, 2001. His worst streak was 0 for 23 as a rookie in 1986.

He will be available to pinch hit again today, Bochy said.

Bonds was expected to be in the lineup Tuesday but told Bochy that he had too much shin and hamstring soreness to play. He said he hasn't recovered after playing 12 innings Saturday afternoon on the heels of a Friday night game.

Bonds also appeared to need a mental break after going hitless in last weekend's three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which ended with three losses and an overturned laundry cart.

"How can I take a mental break when you guys are standing at my locker?" Bonds said to a half-dozen reporters. "That's kind of tough.

It's Bonner Time

NPSE Zone ESPN Personality of the Day

Michelle Bonner, a SportsCenter anchor, broke the Michael Vick story alongside Brian Kenny on Tuesday 6 p.m. eastern time edition of the show.

Bonner graduated from Northeastern University in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in English. She began her broadcasting career working for TV stations in Virginia, New Hampshire and Maine before working for CNN from 2003 to 2005.

*Image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

Your Lips Are So Soft

VICK INDICTED

Probe Alleges Falcon's QB Sponsored Dogfighting

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection to the probe of a Virginia home he owned, Michelle Bonner and Brian Kenny reported on the 6 p.m. Tuesday eastern time edition of SportsCenter.

To read the full ESPN.com story, click here.

Who's Hot? Jessica Biel

ESPN's summer SportsCenter-filler series Who's Now broke into the second round Tuesday, with golfer Tiger Woods facing off against NBA superstar Dwyane Wade.

Alongside host Stuart Scott, second round panelists include ESPN's Mike Greenberg with Kevin James and Jessica Biel, stars of the summer movie "Chuck and Larry." The panelists replace Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Wilbon and Kirk Herbstreit, who broke down the first round pairings.

According to ESPN.com's Page 2, the panelist's choice of winners will only factor in as 10 percent, with fan votes through the Web site making up the rest. In the first round, panelist's choices made up 30 percent of the final vote.

Here's how the second round pairings breakdown:

MICHAEL JORDAN REGION
July 17: (1) Tiger Woods vs. (4) Dwyane Wade
July 18: (2) LaDainian Tomlinson vs. (3) Steve Nash

MUHAMMAD ALI REGION
July 19: (1) Peyton Manning vs. (4) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
July 20: (2) Alex Rodriguez vs. (3) Kobe Bryant

BILLIE JEAN KING REGION
July 21: (1) LeBron James vs. (4) Jeff Gordon
July 22: (2) Derek Jeter vs. (3) Reggie Bush

BABE RUTH REGION
July 23: (1) Tom Brady vs. (4) Maria Sharapova
July 24: (3) Shaquille O'Neal vs. (7) Tony Parker

*Who's Now image courtesy of ESPN.com

ESPN Mini-Series Moves to Tuesday Nights

Episode 2 of ESPN Original Entertainment's "The Bronx is Burning" will air Tuesday night at 10 p.m. on ESPN, an advertisement for the mini-series said.

The eight-part mini-series chronicles the New York Yankees and baseball's triumph over the turmoil and hysteria that scarred New York City in the summer of 1977.

During the season, the Yankees came to embody the hopes and fears of all New Yorkers, as seen in the show through manager Billy Martin, superstar Reggie Jackson and owner George Steinbrenner.

Oliver Platt stars in the series as Steinbrenner, alongside John Turturro who stars as Martin.

*Image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

"Ultimate" NASCAR Countdown Finally Heads Into Top Ten

After months of breaking down the top 100 moments in the history of NASCAR, ESPN's Ultimate NASCAR Countdown will finally break the top ten tonight.

With only ten days of classic moments left to enjoy during commercial breaks, fans everywhere must soon decide what to do with their post-countdown lives.

If you're a part-time NASCAR fan like most SportsCenter viewers including myself, that post-countdown era will usher in a long-awaited sigh of relief.

Todd McShay is Back

NPSE Zone ESPN Personality of the Day

ESPN and Scouts, Inc., college football insider Todd McShay re-appeared on Sportscenter Monday, breaking down NFL rookies in the AFC East.

McShay makes a number of appearances on various ESPN and ESPN Radio programs and worked extensively in the network's breakdown of the 2007 NFL Draft.

McShay was the quarterback of his high school football team in Swampscott, Ma., before walking on as a defensive back at the University of Richmond. After graduation, McShay began working for The War Room, which was later purchased by ESPN and renamed Scouts, Inc.

Although ESPN hasn't stated so publicly, the network significantly increased McShay's television exposure in late 2006 and have used him in a similar way to Mel Kiper Jr.

SportsCenter: The Saturday Morning Cartoon

Peyton Manning Tivos Grey's Anatomy

Backstage at the 2007 Espy Awards, former Grey's Anatomy star Kate Walsh told ESPN's Stuart Scott that Peyton Manning came up to her at the show, informing her he's a big fan of Grey's Anatomy.

Walsh said Manning told her that he Tivos Grey's Anatomy

LT Takes Home Four Espys

Chargers RB Wins Male Athlete of the Year

The 2007 edition of the ESPY Awards debuted Sunday night on ESPN, with San Diego Chargers' running back Ladainian Tomlinson taking home for awards, including male athlete of the year.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel and basketball superstar LeBron James hosted the annual awards show recorded Wednesday in Los Angeles. Among the highlights of the show included a shower scene with Kimmel and race car driver Danica Patrick, both naked in a locker room shower.

Backstage, Stuart Scott named Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat the event's best dressed star.

Phillies Lose 10,000th Game

Phillies First Professional Team to 10,000 Losses

(As reported by the Associated Press)


Never known as lovable losers, cursed, or even affectionately as bums, the Philadelphia Phillies have long held a more pitiable title: The losingest team in sports.

From the Baker Bowl to the Vet and Citizens Bank Park, futility has tailed them like the sound of boos that echo throughout Philly for the disheartenment of every September collapse, every last-place finish, every near miss.

No team has lost quite like the Phillies. Now, make it 10,000 times.

Bad starting pitching, brutal relief, hardly any hitting, it was all in there in Sunday's milestone loss. Albert Pujols hit two of the St. Louis Cardinals' six homers in a 10-2 rout.

"I don't really care about it,'' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We haven't been really talking about it. Our players haven't been talking about it.''

Maybe there wasn't much chatter in the clubhouse, but the fans jumped all over the ugly number. They started Web sites that counted down to 10,000, blogged about the memorable defeats and brought signs to the game that poked fun at the unimaginable number.

Kuselias Now

NPSE Zone ESPN Personality of the Day

Eric Kuselias is the former host of ESPN Radio's The Sportsbash and currently hosts ESPN2's NASCAR Now.

Kuselias joined ESPN in 2003. He is a Boston Red Sox fan and a member of Mensa International, a society for people with high IQs.

*Image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

ESPN Wouldn't Be the Same Without Athletes Around the Office

Cowherd Says He Has Three Ideas for Dan Patrick's Replacement

Mike Tirico to Replace Dan Patrick?

ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd said Thursday he has three ideas for potential candidates to replace Dan Patrick as the new host of his radio show, but wouldn't say who his three candidates are.

Among possibilities is Monday Night Football play-by-play man Mike Tirico, sportswriter and PTI substitute Dan Le Batard and possible SportsCenter's Scott Van Pelt.

Patrick announced this week his intentions to leave ESPN for good Aug. 17.

Dan Patrick Plans ESPN Exodus

Dan Patrick's ESPN Exit

ESPN's Dan Patrick announced Monday on his radio show his intentions to leave the network Aug. 17, making little indication as to what he plans to do next.

Patrick, 51, began working for ESPN 18 and a half years. Since then, he has become a staple of the network, working in all facets of its empire.

"I've spent 18 years here. It's been home, but I thought I was starting to take it for granted," Patrick said.

"I felt I was doing my job, but I wasn't satisfied," said Patrick. "I wasn't going anywhere with it, I wasn't getting better. My bosses knew I felt this way the past couple of years."

Patrick did say Tuesday he has no intention of succeeding Bob Barker as host of CBS' "Price Is Right" game show, but did say he would some day once again consider working in radio.

Baseball Tells ESPN It Can't Broadcast Baseball Tonight Live from All-Star Game

MLB Punishes ESPN After Early Broadcast of All-Stars

Major League Baseball informed ESPN Monday it won't be allowed to broadcast Baseball Tonight live from AT&T Park following Tuesday's midsummer classic, saying the network violated its agreement with the league by releasing the names of the players selected to the All-Star Game too early.

ESPN was told not to release the players' names until a selection show concluded on TBS. ESPN instead announced the players a few minutes early on Baseball Tonight.

"ESPN viewers will receive the same in-depth All-Star coverage they have come to expect," ESPN said in a release. "We have a long and productive relationship with MLB that we value."

Guerrero Outlasts Rios in Derby Action

Guerrero Becomes Homer Hero for a Day

There weren't any splash landings Monday night in San Francisco, but Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels was still able to put on a show for fans around the world, outlasting Alex Rios or the Toronto Blue Jays to win his first Home Run Derby.

"The first time I came in 2000, I swung at every pitch, so you learn," Guerrero said through an interpreter during the derby.

"I came back this year with a different philosophy. I was going to try to take a pitch between, to rest a little bit," he added.

ESPN's Chris Berman, Dusty Baker and Joe Morgan were on hand at AT&T Park while right-handed batters stole the show from McCovey's Cove.

Kirk's Now

NPSE Zone ESPN Personality of the Day

ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit has been pulling double-duty as of late, serving on the panel for SportsCenter's Who's Now series.

Herbstreit joined ESPN in 1995, shortly after finishing a career as a four-year letterman as quarterback of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Herbstreit joins ESPN's Michael Wilbon, Keyshawn Johnson and Stuart Scott on the Who's Now panel, analyzing each day which athletes have most worldwide notoriety.

*Image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

We'll Try Almost Anything

Sluggers Set Aim Tonight for the Bay

Pujols, Rios Final Two Additions to Home Run Derby

Many of Major League Baseball's most powerful home run hitters will face each other in tonight's State Farm Home Run Derby.

Albert Pujols and Alex Rios were the final two additions to the list Sunday of the derby, which will air live Monday night on ESPN from San Francisco's AT&T Park.

Also participating will be Justin Morneau, Vladimir Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez, Ryan Howard, and Prince Fielder.

Dave Revsine Leaving ESPN for the Big Ten

Big Ten Network May Look Familiar

ESPN's Dave Revsine will be leaving the worldwide leader to become the host of a nightly sports news show in the new Big Ten Network.

Revsine will host "Big Ten Tonight," which will debut Aug. 30.

At ESPN, Revsine has hosted a variety of the network's programs, including SportsCenter and College GameNight.

Did Jay Crawford Get the Ax?

Rita Ragone Accuses ESPN Hosts Jay Crawford, Woody Paige of Groping Her

ESPN's Matt Winer and Josh Elliott filled in Monday as the hosting duo on ESPN2's First Take amidst sexual harassment allegations against usual host Jay Crawford.

Crawford and Woody Paige have been accused by Rita Ragone, a former make-up artist for the show when it was known as Cold Pizza, of groping her and forcing her into graphic sexual discussion off the air.

A suit was filed in late June in Manhattan Federal Court. Ragone said she was fired in April of 2006 after ESPN executives blew-off her complaints.

Less than a year ago, Harold Reynolds was fired from the network, reportedly after an incident of sexual assault.

*Image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

It's Dustiny

NPSE Zone ESPN Personality of the Day

Dusty Baker, a former Major League Baseball player and manager, began working for ESPN in 2006.

Baker played from 1968 to 1986 with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics. He became manager of the Giants in 1993 and led them to the World Series in 2002 before becoming manager of the Chicago Cubs.

With ESPN, Baker provides analysis on Baseball Tonight and game telecasts.

*Image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

I Don't Know If They'll Be Any Good or Not

Like College Football, A Disappointing End?

Stars React to 'Sopranos' Finale

On ESPN Radio and ESPN2's Mike and Mike in the Morning Monday, Mike Greenberg noted that Sunday's final episode of HBO's "The Sopranos" was similar to the end of a college football season in the way it leaves fans questioning what could have been.

Mike Golic quickly refuted his partner's comments, saying it was much different from the Bowl Championship season because with college football, there is always another season beginning about nine month later.

In Sunday's 'Sopranos,' Tony didn't get whacked as many expected. Rather, the show's writers left the conclusion of the series open for its viewers.

Can LeBron Save the Cavs?

Spurs Dig In, Win Again

The San Antonio Spurs dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday, taking a 2-0 in the NBA Finals.

As the series heads back to Cleveland, can LeBron James figure out a way to beat the Spurs? If the Cavs want to avoid a sweep, they'll need to somehow find a way to stop Tim Duncan, Tony Park and Manu Ginobli - who each had 20 points in game 2.

Wake Up with Sage

NPSE Zone ESPN Personality of the Day

Sage Steele joined the ESPN family in 2007 and since then has worked as ESPN2's First Take news anchor.

Steele also hosts Sportscenter once in a while and, on the TV side of Mike and Mike in the Morning, anchors sports highlights.

Before joining ESPN, Steele worked for a sports station in Baltimore. She graduated from Indiana University.

*Image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

Sweet Sixty-Two

Who Will Have the Better Sunday? Tony Parker or Tony Soprano

So, with the NBA Finals and the series finale of "The Sopranos" both set to begin in just a few hours, who will have the better Sunday night?

Tony Parker or Tony Soprano?

Parker has been one of the key elements of the success of the San Antonio Spurs this season. The 25-year old phenom has become one of the elite players in the NBA, and only seems to get better as his relationship with Eva Longoria grows.

The last episode of one of the greatest TV series ever will air tonight on HBO. Many ESPN personalities have weighed in on their thought of what may happen, with the latest being Stephen A. Smith on Sunday morning's edition of SportsCenter.

Smith told Bob Ley he doesn't think Tony Soprano will be killed, but thinks someone in the Sopranos immediate family will get whacked.

Parker hopes to whack the Cavs with a two-game lead in the finals.

*Finals preview image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

Wave the Jolly Roger! Yanks Look for Sweep Over Pirates

Clemens Leads Yankees to Victory in First Start

Roger Clemens made his long awaited return Saturday to the New York Yankees rotation in a 9-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 44-year old pitcher officially began his 24th major league season with seven strikeouts on 108 pitches, allowing only three runs.

"Each start I go through now, I expect to get stronger," Clemens said.

*Sportscenter images courtesy of ESPN.com

Horse Wins Race!!!!!!!!

Curlin Ends Up Short

Rags To Riches overtook the horse Curlin in the final stretch of Saturday's Belmont Stakes to become the first female horse since 1905 to win the race.

Curlin had been the early favorite Saturday, especially after a win at the Preakness Stakes several weeks back. ESPN was on hand early in the day with a prelude to the race, featuring Kenny Mayne, Rece Davis and Randy Moss.

*Sportscenter images courtesy of ESPN.com

Will the Real Randy Moss Please Stand Up?

Those who watched ESPN's coverage of the prelude to the Belmont Stakes Saturday may have noticed that the Randy Moss analyzing the race was not the Randy Moss they have come to love catching NFL touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders.

The NFL's Moss is the latest acquisition by the New England Patriots, and hopes to turn around his recent struggles in Oakland with Tom Brady and the boys.

His alter ego, horse racing analyst Randy Moss, covers Triple Crown events alongside Kenny Mayne.

Mash and Burn

Jamal Mashburn, an ESPN NBA analyst, began working for the network during the 2006-2007 season, following a long career in basketball.

Mashburn was drafted 4th overall from the University of Kentucky in 1993 by the Dallas Mavericks. He went on to spend time with the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets.

During the 2003-2004 season, Mashburn became one of only six players since 1970 to average more than 20 points per game in his final season. Since joining ESPN, Mashbrun has worked on NBA Fastbreak, covering and analyzing all facets of the league.

*Image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

Sometimes You Need to Bring in a Closer

John Daly's Wife Attacks Him With Steak Knife

John Daly Allegedly Attacked by Wife

After a fight at dinner, the wife professional golfer John Daly reportedly scratched his face and attacked him with a steak knife.

Daly showed up Friday at the TPC Southwind tournament with very noticeable scratches all over his face.

Adam Scott finished the day as the event's early leader, but 26 golfers didn't complete Friday's holes because of heavy rains.

Culpepper Wants Out, Trent Green Looks Like Miami's New Golden Boy

Culpepper Takes a Hike at Minicamp

ESPN's John Anderson reported on Friday's 11 p.m. Sportscenter that Miami Dolphins' quarterback Daunte Culpepper walked out of a minicamp practice Friday, hoping the team will release him so that he can find a new place to play this season.

After months of hesitating, the Dolphins finally traded this week for quarterback Trent Green from the Kansas City Chiefs. Culpepper, upset with the team's decision to replace him after a season where he struggled with more injuries after returning from injuries, has refused to let the team trade him.

Ultimate NASCAR Countown Racing Towards Finish!! Finally Halway Over!!

Finally, after what seems like years, ESPN's Ultimate NASCAR's countdown of the sport's 100 greatest moment has reached #52.

By my estimate, the countdown should finally come to an end and relieve America of its misery sometime around the beginning of August or maybe the year 2019.

Say Hello To My Little Friend

NPSE Zone ESPN Personality of the Day

ESPN's Steve Berthiaume hosted Friday night's 11 p.m. edition of Sportscenter alongside Linda Cohn.

Bethiaume graduated from Emerson College and began working for ESPN in 1999. In 2006, he left ESPN to cover the New York Mets for the SNY network. Berthiaume returned to ESPN in March, where he continues to work on Sportscenter and Baseball Tonight.

He's married to ESPN's Cindy Brunson.

*Image courtesy of ESPNtv.com

Old Timers Day

Baseball Tonight Loves Nick Markakis

Markakis Carries Orioles Past Rockies

Nick Markakis, a Baltimore Orioles outfielder, has turned up his game all season and has been consistently praised by host Karl Ravech and the crew of Baseball Tonight.

Markakis hit a two-run homer Friday to lift the Orioles over the Colorado Rockies. He made his professional debut last season and is quickly becoming a fan favorite in Baltimore.