Roger Clemens pitching tonight for the Lexington Legends:
What an exciting night for Lexington! The city is shutting down for the Rocket to pitch tonight. http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/06/6clemens.html

Not only are the Astros smart for bringing him back but they are also even smarter for making him pitch in their minor league system. Attendance is not bad for these clubs but they are not the best either. The record attendance for the Legends is 9,012 and it came on “Faith Night.” In Austin, a normal Round Rock Express game usually has around 9,000 people per game. They are expecting 14,000 for the Rocket game. The Astros made a smart business decision by making Roger go on this last hoorah trip around their system because they fill seats and spark interest in every fan who comes out to follow the Astros more closely. When was the last time you watched a minor league game on ESPN? That’s right, you have not. The Astros come off looking like geniuses when their minor league teams are taking up programming on the World Wide Leader of Barry Bonds network.

Many people are bashing Roger for making the comeback and that he comes off as an egotistical maniac who wants attention. Speaking to Roger in the clubhouse after a game last season, I did not catch myself once thinking that this guy is an egotistical maniac. Clemens, like many great athletes, has the drive to compete and not leave the game behind. Do you remember when Michael made his comeback? Do you remember at his last All-Star game he took up a starting spot even though he was not deserving of it? Even with all of that Jordan left the game in peace and knew he was leaving it in good hands. This is what Clemens is doing. He is going to leave the game in peace and he said in an interiview on the Dan Patrick show that he is excited to talk to the younger guys about the game. This is his final hoorah and we should be enjoying this, not calling the guy out for coming back. Who knows, when is the next time a father-son combination like this will play together? Oh, that’s right, Jeffrey Jordan is a senior in high school. Yes, only two years until MJ makes another come back.

Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft
Did you know it is today? I didn’t think so. How sad is it when a major sporting league has a draft and no one knows about it? Even the NHL and WNBA get television coverage for drafts. I think my recreational basketball league had more coverage than the MLB first year player draft. For all of the Longhorns reading this, Drew Stubbs went to the Reds (The Astros drafted him out of high school but he did not sign due to contract breakdowns). The White Sox drafted pitcher Kyle McCulloch.

High school players are eligible to be in the draft and play for their respective minor league teams out of high school. I respect the MLB for keeping the system the way it is by letting high school players be in minor league systems if they are ready. Say a brilliant high school kid found the cure for cancer or made huge advancements in his field. Would we as a society say, no sorry go to college, learn the basics, ace every test and then come back to us in a year? This is what the NBA is doing. Imagine putting LeBron in the NCAA, he would essentially have to learn the basics, ace every test and then play in the NBA like the standout student who has the cure for cancer. No way am I comparing the cure for cancer to sports, so don’t go crazy about it.

Stanley Cup Finals:

I’m sorry NHL, I’m done with you. I tried watching the Stanley Cup Finals. I put it on NBC, the broadcast partner of the NHL, and guess what I find, the season finale of the Apprentice. I have to get the Outdoor and Life Network to watch teams play for Lord Stanley’s Cup. This is a joke, good job NHL on trying to win back some fans. I actually ENJOYED watching the Stanley Cup Finals the year before the lockout. I blocked out three hours to watch the games but this time around I can’t even watch anything on local TV. At this rate, the WNBA will be around longer than the NHL.

Zambrano pitches a no hitter until the 8^th inning against the Astros:
Who are the Astros? It’s all about the Lexington Legends this week.

What To Watch For:
Trust me, it’s worth all eight minutes. Thanks to Salman for finding this one.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1TJ_UKt4QtQ&search=mrs%20world

Mavericks reach the NBA Finals:

In my last entry, I said the Suns would win game six by at least 10 points. Boy was I wrong. In the first half, it seemed as if the Suns were going to make game six an easy route but the Mavericks turned it on in the second half. The biggest thing to take from the game is that Dallas won it with defense, as they have in every other game. The x-factor for the Dallas Mavericks is clearly Jason Terry. In the first half, he did not score due to foul problems. When Terry started to hit some shots and clock some time, the Mavericks turned it on. Before Terry, the Mavericks were down 14, after Terry started playing aggressive ball they were up by 10.

Being from Houston and a San Antonio Spurs fan, I have a natural hate for Dallas. The only time I root for Dallas is during Texas-OU weekend and that is because I go up there for the game. I do not like Dallas fans and their cocky attitudes about their pro-franchises. They seem to brag about every win no matter how unimportant the win is. Today, Dallas fans can brag all they want because the Mavericks are in the finals but from here on out please don’t act like bumbling fools who brag about mediocre performances on the court and the field. I don’t care that the Cowboys won nine games, they missed the play-offs just like the Texans. Even though I hate Dallas as a fan, as a professional I have to admit that what the Mavericks did is respectable so I congratulate the Mavericks on making it to the NBA Finals. For the first time since the Kobe-Shaq break-up, I might have to root for the Big Hypocrite to beat the Mavs.

Texas Softball and Baseball out of Post Season Play:

For the first time since 2001, the Texas Baseball team is not going to the College World Series. Having the baseball team at the World Series was as consistent as the Mavericks not playing after May. This year is shaping out to be a weird year in sports. What’s next, the Clippers are going to make the play-offs? Oh wait, that’s right. I’m not disappointed with the men’s season. They won the Big 12 in a year that was supposed to be a semi-rebuilding year. At least this senior class has a ring to go out on top.

Cat Osterman is not leaving UT with a championship ring. The women fell to UCLA yesterday to end their season and Cat’s career. With the lack of run support, not even Cat could win against No. 1 UCLA. The biggest disappointment from all of this is that students did not celebrate the career of Cat as they did for every other great athlete to come play at UT. Thanks Cat for everything.

Albert Pujols on 15-day DL:

What better time than now to make a push for the central, come on Astros! This just shows how hard it is to get 70+ homeruns. No matter how good the player, injuries will happen, unless you are on ‘roids. At least we know that Phat Albert is not on the juice.

James Dolan (owner of the Knicks) has a band:

From the article on ESPN2.com by Kieran Darcy (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=darcy/060602&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab6pos1)

James Dolan and his band played a set at some nightclub in New York City. Is it me or does this anger sports fans? I know it angers me. Sure Dolan is allowed to have a life and do things he likes but not when his franchise is in such disarray. Why isn’t he out fixing things with Larry Brown or firing Isiah Thomas? For once in my life, I’m proud to be a Texans fan, at least my owner cares about the team.

What to Watch for: Mike Tirico

If you have not noticed, Tirico is by far the best play-by-play guy on TV and Radio. He is my favorite PBP (play-by-play) guy because he makes the game fun to watch and hear. When the NBA Finals start, make sure you listen to Tirico, either on Radio or TV (depending on schedules). Also, he is also the voice for Monday Night Football.

The Miami Heat Make it to the NBA Finals:

Congrats to the Heat for making it to the NBA Finals. As much as I dislike Shaq, I have to admit that when it mattered he showed up and played some big games. It's going to be tough for me to root for Shaq because I picked Kobe as my rooting interest when the breakup happened. How about Dwayne Wade? What a player! Who would have guessed that he would be the first to reach the NBA Finals. Also give credit to Pat Riley for putting this team together and trusting a bunch of guys who were failures everywhere else. When I first heard that Riley traded a team that was one rib injury away from the finals last year for players like Jason Williams, Antoine Walker and James Posey, I thought they would finish third in the East (I picked Indiana to win the East but Artest had to be Artest). Looks like Riley really knew what he was doing when he took those guys and assigned them a role.

Does Shaq make the next best player great:
the argument that Shaq makes the next best player even better is one that is hard to break down in such a short period of time. Penny Hardaway had knee injuries so you can't compare it. Two years removed, Kobe Bryant looks like he is doing just fine without Shaq. Would Dwayne Wade be this good without Shaq on his team? Wade sure showed signs of being a great player in his rookie season during the playoffs where he single handidly carried the Heat to a playoff series victory. In order to judge this question, I suggest this, Would the heat be in the finals without Wade? Would the Heat be in the finals without Shaq? Replace Wade with an average 2-guard and keep the same team, what happens? I think the Heat make the playoffs but do not get passed the first round. What if the Heat replaced Shaq with an average center, would they be in the finals? I think they would be in the playoffs and MIGHT win the first series, but not the finals. With all the arguments that people make that Shaq made Penny and Kobe who they are, I think you can equally argue that those players made it a lot easier for Shaq to be Shaq. Hard to compare it since Shaq has never played without a top 10 (during the seasons, not all-time) on his team. Sorry Shaq, as good as you were, a lot was due to Penny and Kobe.

Lance Armstrong did not like riding towards the end of his career:
In a recent interview with Men's Health, Lance said he hated riding towards the end of his career. One of America's most celebrated celebs hated riding, how great is that? That's like Jordan coming out and saying he hated playing the last three rings and wished it was over. Keep things like this to yourself Lance. How about the steroid question? There is more information regarding Lance allegedly taking 'roids than Barry Bonds. Why are we not calling out Lance as much as Barry? Could the color of his skin play a role in that, yes. Every time the casual sports fan hears Barry Bonds they think of 'roids while Lance's name brings up an American hero. Not saying the media says, "oh we need to roast Barry because he is black" but it seems as if they are a lot tougher with Barry and the 'roids scandal.


Ricky Williams rushes for 7-yards:
Only if coaches and trainers were stricter with Ricky. He could have gone down as a top five RB of all time. Now he might go down as the best RB that never could hold off an addiction.

Mavs v Suns, game 6:
I have the Suns winning this game by at least 10. Dirk went nuts in game 5, he must have been watching Bay Watch with his boy David "Hassle-I cry during American Idol-hoff" before the game. The Suns are an amazing team when facing elimination. They came back from the 3-1 hole against the Kobe's and won game 7 against the Clips. Dallas get ready for Game 7.

World Cup Hype:
Less than a week away and no one is talking about the most exciting sporting event in the world! I know soccer is a "puss sport" or a "pansy game" but I challenge you to watch some matches next week and say that after your viewing. Soccer players do act a lot and throw fits but with the World Cup all of the sissy players are at home while the best of the best are playing for their nation. I encourage you to watch the World Cup and root on the USA team. Everyone loves an underdog story, the USA might be the best one.

UT Softball falls to Arizona:
Cat Osterman gave up a run and the Longhorns lost. The horns play tomorrow night against the winner of UCLA/Alabama. The horns have to win every single game from here on out until the final series. Cat Osterman has one more chance to win it all, good luck.

Welcome to Pardon the Raheel Ramzanali. Many watch the popular daily sports topic show Pardon the Interruption on ESPN, this is a spin-off of the show but with my thoughts on every sports topic. This is my way to express my opinions on hot topics in sports for those who want to read. Enjoy and I encourage comments so we can get a forum going. Let's get this going!

Roger Clemens: If you have not heard the astros signed hall of fame pitcher Roger Clemens to a pro-rated contract worth about $12 million. I think this is a great move even though the price might be high. The Rocket is going to be pitching for about 17 games (from last season’s stats) for the remainder of the season. Let’s break this down:
Pitching 17 games (not including the post season): about $706,000 a game

About 101 pitches a game: the Rocket will make $7,500 a pitch!

Even though this seems like a lot of money, I believe it is worth every dollar. The Rocket makes The Astros relevant again. In the last two years, the Astros had their best seasons in franchise history and their first trip to the World Series. If we go with the logic of teams getting better every year and learning from the past, pencil in the Astros to win the World Series.

Watch out for the Astors to get hot once the Rocket joins the pitching staff. Not because he will win every game, but because of what he brings to the clubhouse. He is a great teacher who values the art of teaching younger pitchers the ups and downs of being a major league pitcher. I hope he can fix Brad Lidge because that guy is going to be a big part of the success of the Astros. Pitcher to watch out for once the Rocket gets back on the staff is going to be Andy Pettitte. Andy and the Rocket are like brothers and the recent struggles Andy has been going through will be turned around with the presence of the Rocket.

What to Watch for: Texas Women’s Softball team in the Women’s College World Series. If you want to watch the greatest pitcher in the history softball tune in today to see Cat Osterman versus Arizona State. She is the Vince Young of softball but even more accomplished. On my radio show this semester we argued about who is the better athlete in their sport, Vince Young or Cat Osterman? Vince Young did something that no quarterback will ever do again in the national championship game but Cat Osterman is a once in a lifetime athlete that dominates his or her sport every year they play. I could sit here and list stats for you but that will not do her justice. Go to this website and read everything, make sure you have a good hour to read this because the list is long! (http://www.texassports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=48&change_well_id=17&member_id=70)

Cat Osterman is going to win the national championship this year because of her will, the same will that was present in Vince Young. When great athletes want to win a game, they will. Just look at LeBron James, he single handedly pushed the Pistons to the brink of elimination. Vince Young knocked out the greatest team in the history of NCAA, according to ESPN, out. If Cat does not pitch the Longhorns to a ring, it will be because her arm fell off.

Suns v. Mavericks game 5: Yes the Mavs knocked out the Spurs, congrats but everyone seems to be surprised that they have not swept the Suns. Cuban built The Mavs to take down the Spurs. Both the Rockets and Mavs know that in order to get out of the Southwest or the West, they have to knock out the Spurs at some point. I am not surprised that the Mavs are having trouble with the Suns. The Suns are a pesky team that will not go away. Both LA teams have pushed them but some how they win game 7’s and come back from improbable holes. If anything, this is their year to get to the finals, yes even without Amare. I am not going to sit here and say Dallas is going to win after I say this is the Sun’s year. I am taking Phoenix to win this series. If the Suns are going to pull a game in Dallas, it will be tonight.

Check back later for more sports topic and much more!