January 27, 2012, 7:52 am
‘Hold me, Slider’: Manny Acta’s tender mascot hug
Big League Stew (Yahoo! Sports: Blogs)

The first instinct is to make fun of Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta and his way-too-sincere embrace of Slider, the team's whatizit mascot. But after further review, I can't ascertain that this isn't the moment that Acta first learned of Prince Fielder's signing with the Detroit Tigers. You'd react the same way, too, upon remembering that Drew Pomeranz and Alex White are now members of the Colorado Rockies organization. There's a live Create-a-Caption going on right now so we're not going to make this an official contest. But feel free to entertain the rest of us with your own lines in the comments while we consider making this the official Twitter avatar for @bigleaguestew. Want more Big League Stew all winter long? Follow 'Duk on Facebook and Twitter!

 

January 27, 2012, 6:47 pm
Yahoo Survey: Fans check the score everywhere … even when they shouldn’t!
Shutdown Corner (Yahoo! Sports: Blogs)

SUNNYVALE, Calif., (January 27, 2012) — It seems there's nowhere men won't check the score of an NFL game. According to a survey released Saturday by Yahoo! Sports, the No. 1 sports destination on the Internet, men check NFL scores more than women (82% vs. 65%), and are more likely to check scores at some of the most inappropriate locations.  The survey of 1,500 U.S. adults ages 18 to 64 indicates that 25% of male fans have checked a score while using the bathroom, and 4% have even looked at scores during a funeral. Other out-of line locations where men have checked NFL game scores include: Class (22%) Date (18%) Wedding (12%) Child's school event (12%) Church service (8%) Other key findings include: Willing to Pay Big Bucks? Football fans surveyed would only be willing to spend $407 on average to see their favorite team play in the game. While overall men are willing to shell out more for a ticket ($480), young men are willing to pay the most ($606). America's Game? With patriotism high as we start a presidential election year, a majority of Super Bowl watchers (65%) agree that an international city should not host the game. Older adults are the most adamant about the Super Bowl remaining in the U.S., with 69% of men and 70% of women over 35 agreeing. Game or Commercials: Men vs. Women When it comes to why viewers tune into the Super Bowl, the majority (67%) of men say the game is their favorite aspect, while most women (58%) rank watching the commercials as their favorite part of the event. After the game is over, women (and men) can visit the Big Game Ad Network on Yahoo! Screen, Yahoo!'s newly launched video destination, to re-watch their favorite commercials and catch any they missed. Fan Favorite 75% of fans have a favorite player, and this player is typically selected based on his on-field performance (41%), followed by the team he plays for (33%). 13% of female football fans and 5% of male fans admit to choosing their favorite play

 

January 27, 2012, 5:36 pm
Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Stephen Curry trains his dog
Ball Don't Lie (Yahoo! Sports: Blogs)

At this point, seemingly half the NBA is on Twitter. It's a wild world of training updates, questions as to which movies they should go see, and explanations of their Call of Duty prowess. Every so often, though, you also get a picture into the more interesting aspects of NBA life. This feature is your window into that world. Chris Paul: Just ran into @MagicJohnson...I could talk to him ALL day #Gr8ness Greivis Vasquez: Do we have chipotle in New Orleans? Or something similar?? Chris Douglas-Roberts: Sleep is the brother of broke. Rudy Gay: My sock game is killing @therightpargo1 instagr.am/p/lDWk5/ Stephen Curry: My dog barks too much when the doorbell rings. So, we train her by watching $100,000 Pyramid reruns on GSN. She loves the 7/11. Too funny You can also follow Eric Freeman on Twitter at @freemaneric.

 

January 27, 2012, 10:04 pm
Blackhawks get Brendan Morrison, Flames get scoring help for their AHL affiliate
Puck Daddy (Yahoo! Sports: Blogs)

The first major domino leading up to the 2012 trade deadline has fallen, as the Chicago Blackhawks have acquired center Brendan Morrison from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Brian Connelly. Okay maybe it's not that big a deal. The 36-year-old Morrison clearly doesn't carry a whole lot of cache anymore. Still, this is a good deal for both sides. The Blackhawks get a piece that can help them both now and going forward. From the Globe & Mail: In Morrison, 36, the Blackhawks get a short-term fix at centre, where they currently have two mainstays, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp, out with wrist injuries. Morrison's versatility is what made him effective for Calgary in a little over a year and a half in the Flames' organization and is presumably also what made him attractive to the Blackhawks. Well-liked for his professionalism, Morrison can play up or down the depth chart, depending upon need - and for a Chicago team playing mix-and-match with its secondary forwards, he looks as he will be a good fit. This is all provided Morrison can stay healthy however. He's had problems with his knees for quite some time. On the Flames' side, it's hard to see this as anything but a contract dump. As mentioned, Morrison has had problems with his knees, and he's been little more than a thirteenth forward this year. Here's Feaster, explaining Morrison's expendability: "As we projected our line-up going forward we felt it was going to be difficult for us to find a spot for Brendan or get him significant ice-time," said Flames General Manager Jay Feaster. "Given his pending UFA status and the fact that we were not going to re-sign him, we felt it important to try to move him for another asset. In Brian Connelly we obtain a 25 year old highly skilled AHL All-Star defenseman who is still a legitimate prospect. We are excited to have Brian in the organization." That said, I know it's easy to, but don't tune out as soon as he starts talking about Brian Connelly.

 

January 27, 2012, 1:57 am
Bayern commit Torres-esque PR fail
Early Doors (Yahoo! Eurosport)

As great stories go, it is hard to believe the tale of a man not being paid for not turning up for work was never seized upon by Dickens, Tolstoy or Cervantes. For this is the issue that has spellbound … Continue reading →

 

January 27, 2012, 10:32 am
Evra can cope with Anfield abuse
Paul Parker (Yahoo! Eurosport)

If Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has his way and the top clubs are allowed to enter B teams into the league ladder at the expense of existing Football League sides it would be an absolute embarrassment to English football. One … Continue reading →

 

January 27, 2012, 3:41 am
Time for indirect action
Jim White (Yahoo! Eurosport)

Queens Park Rangers felt moved to clarify yesterday that they were not paying Manchester City £4 million for Nedum Onouha but something closer to £2.5 million. And, now that he is to wear the hooped shirt, the player will not … Continue reading →

 

May 12, 2010, 8:53 am
The biggest game of my life
Danny Murphy (Yahoo! Eurosport)

I have played domestic and European finals for Liverpool, I have represented my country and been involved in a relegation dogfight, but tonight's Europa League final is the biggest game of my career.It is certainly the biggest in the club's history, and I am extremely proud to be leading out the lads in Hamburg. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously and I relish the role of Fulham captain. ...