Odds and Sods

It was a magic night in Istanbul, but not for Liverpool who were defeated 2-1 by Besiktas.  The Turkish club had neither a goal nor a point coming into this match, but that doesn’t appear to matter when you are playing Liverpool lately.  Widely expected to cruise through Group A, the Reds now sit with just one point from  three matches and six pts behind group leaders Marseille.  Could the biggest and bestest club in the whole wide world be eliminated in the Group Stages?

Chelsea were not overly impressive, but at this point Blues supporters will take whatever they can get with a 2-0 victory over Schalke.  Malouda’s goal was bad keeping and Drogba’s, though impressive, was a bit fortunate as well.  The Germans matched Chelsea often for quality of play, but didn’t have enough up front to be decisive.  It could have been different had Kevin Kuranyi not injured himself in pre-match warm-ups.  Chelsea now have 7 pts from 9 matches and are first in Group B.

The Gunners matched their best result under Arsene Wenger, destroying Slavia Prague 7-0 at home.  The kids were alright as Walcott and Fabregas eached dropped a deuce and Bendtner dropped one in in the 89th minute for good measure.  It was Arsenal’s 12th consecutive victory in all competitions as they continue their marauding ways.  Let the Theo for England campaign begin now.  They are currently 1st in Group H with 9 pts from 3 matches, having scored 11 and allowing nil.

Ukraine was rather weak.  Manchester United came into the match missing Neville, Hargreaves, Carrick, and Scholes, and it did not matter as they cruised to a 4-2 victory.  Despite Dynamo leading in attempts in goal, Man U were far more clinical.  With Rooney and Ronaldo rolling, they are an extremely difficult team to beat.  Lord Ferg will be worried about their tightness at the back, however, as they allowed two goals.  He was obviously not pleased with keeper Edwin Van Der Sar, whom he removed from the match.  United are currently 1st in Group F with a perfect 9 pts from 3 matches.

Rangers may not have shown up to play football, but they got a key result at Ibrox holding Barcelona to a 0-0 draw.  Barca out-shot Rangers 17-3, but for all the technical skill and crisp passing, the fancy-dans could not put one in the net.  The Scottish Renaissance should continue as both clubs sit atop Group E on 7 pts and appear fairly safe bets to qualify for the knockout stages.

Major League Baseball is set to announce revenue of over $6 billion, the largest amount ever. It is an increase of 11% over last season.

Baseball suffered numerous drug scandals this season. Steroid Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s home run record. Numerous players were either suspended for amphetamine usage or linked to HGH through pharmacies. The specter of the Mitchell investigation and its “scandalous” revelations haunts “OCTOOOBER.”

Fans have once again proved that, despite the voiciferous moralizing of Mike Lupica and his little buddies, they don’t care.

The Odds and Sods for 24 Oct 2007

Red Sox - Rockies.  The clash of titans.  The epic dream match-up for which we have all been waiting.  Dane Cook, we await your hyperbole.  We’ll start with that baseball hotbed of Denver.

Woody Paige reads like a transcript of Bill Walton doing spoken word.  Jim Armstong apparently interviewed Papelbon, caught a college kid from Colorado outside the stadium (He’s not a bandwagoner his family has had tickets since the 90’s!), and then went on a bender at the Cask N’ Flagon.  Matt Holliday is going to become baseball’s next big superstar, until he hast to take his hat off for a commercial.

Now for Boston.

Tony Massarotti gives his keys to the series.  Sean McAdam goes through the matchups.  Bawb writes a piece on Tim Wakefield’s injury.  Jackie MacMullan profiles Terry Francona.  Here is one from everyone’s favorite Bill Simmons as well.  “Mike” Lupica also writes that the Sox were “money well spent,” because even though they didn’t spend well they are still playing?  And how about a stereotypical Shaughnessy column for good measure.  Guliani is pulling for the Red Sox.  A small part of my fandom just died.

The New Yorker.  Yes, the New Yorker weighs in on the whole Scott Boras situation, about seven years after everyone else.

Jay Mariotti writes about how the HGH cloud is swirling over the series.  Then talks about Paul Byrd, who is not playing in the World Series and mentions nothing to do with either the Red Sox or the Rockies.  Apparently, Bud Selig is at fault for not bringing the World Series to a grinding hault so we can all sit around and discuss the Mitchell investigation.

Arsenal matched their best ever result under Wenger, destroying Slavia Prague 7-0.  Young Theo Walcott got his first two Champions League goals.  Man U beat Dinamo Kyiv 4-2.  Barcelona drew with Rangers 0-0.