Not Guilty, Tebow Statue, Major League

The Casey Anthony verdict felt a lot like the OJ "not guilty" gut-punch. No one's blaming this one on race relations. If Casey Anthony is guilty, and the only people who think she's not were on the jury, then justice will have to wait, but it always seems to catch up. Ask OJ...


I didn't know much about the "Tot Mom" until I spent several days in the University of Florida hospital waiting rooms. If you think people in this state got caught up, Florida was 24/7. I haven't seen my dad so hooked on television since Johnny Carson retired...

I'm happy to report my mom has exceeded all expectations. She's already out of the hospital. I doubt anyone reads this who hasn't had cancer impact their life in some way. My mother is now in her second fight, and she's still standing. I sincerely thank all those who passed along their thoughts and prayers...

Even though we were at the University of Florida hospital, Tim Tebow did not perform the surgery. We did visit his statue though. Really...


More surprising: the Pope on Twitter or Andy Fales on Twitter?...

I was wrong about Albert Pujols; he's back before expected. However, why not wait until after the all-star break?...

I don't think we'll notice any immediate changes at the Iowa Speedway, but long term, it will only help to have the Clements in charge. Most importantly, they're local, but they're also passionate about racing...

76 wins in a row? Martensdale-St. Mary's now has the second longest streak in United States high school history. 76... in baseball? Impossible. Sooner or later you run into a hot pitcher...

Love the quote from British Open champ Louis Oosthuisen at the John Deere Classic: "I believe if you've got a tractor, it's got to be green"...

I finally saw the Hangover 2. With lowered expectations, I thought it was funny. It is the same movie again, though not as good, and the ending is absolutely ridiculous, but some crude laughs...

The Sports Illustrated issue "Where Are They Now" is my favorite of the year. I immediately skipped ahead to the story on Major League. Yes, Charlie Sheen talks about doing 'roids to get his fastball into the mid-80's, but there are many other enjoyable nuggets...

Pujols Back, Clemens' Kid Juices I-Cubs, Andy Fales Tweets

(Zach)
Happy Birthday USA.  You may be pushing 250 but you're still looking fine.

So just how bad is the Hawkeyes season opener against Tennessee Tech probably going to be?  The Golden Eagles played a pair of BCS Bowl teams in TCU (Rose Bowl) and Arkansas (Sugar Bowl).  They lost by a combined score of 106-10 (44-3 at Arkansas, 62-7 at TCU).
 
The Cubs lost today on a walkoff wild pitch by Carlos Marmol.  At least they find new and entertaining ways to lose.  Hawkeye and Cyclone fans are counting down the days till kickoff.  Cub fans are counting down the days till the season ends (only 85 to go!).

Albert Pujols said he may be ready to play tomorrow.  That's incredible.  Hopefully he's not risking any further injury.  I know he wants to get back, but is it really worth it to push to play the last couple games before they go to the All-Star break?  Use the extra days to keep getting right.

Roger Clemens' son Koby hit a pair of homeruns for Oklahoma City to cool off the I-Cubs 3-2.  I hear there was some real "juice" in those long balls.

In a development that easily ranks right up there with cavemen discovering fire, Andy Fales made his first tweet today.  He was grumpy and complained about how Twitter cuts into his independence since he'll have to update it all the time.  Twitter won't change Andy.  Andy might change Twitter.

Hanrahan The Manrahan, I-Cubs Better Than C-Cubs?, Kiddie Pop Music

(Zach)

Great to have Keith back in the office and back in the saddle.  Even better to hear how well his mom is doing.

I don't know what is more impressive: Joel Hanrahan making the All Star game, or him making it as a Pittsburgh Pirate.  Either way, Norwalk's finest was more than deserving.  He's tied with four other guys for the NL saves lead at 24, but Joel is a perfect 24-24.  The other guys have all blown at least one.

The Pirates are a nice story.  But after watching nearly 8 years of Clint Hurdle magic in Denver, be warned that a fall is probably coming.  Save the miracle year of 2007 his teams always tend to tail off late and, lets be honest, they are the Pirates.  Either way, you have to wonder if Hanrahan will be on the market.  The Pirates aren't going to contend for the division, they'd just probably like to finish .500 for the first time in 19 years.  Even if that is in play, could they really afford to hang on to Joel if some contender offers a great package at the trade deadline?  Hanrahan has said he wants to stay with the Bucs.  Stay tuned. 

As for the rest of the All-Stars:  Starlin Castro is the right pick for the lowly Cubs.  No Pujols is less a snub and more an acknowledgement of his injury.  How in the hell is Paul Konerko not on there (and I fully expect him to win the fan vote)?  And why did the players elect Chipper Jones (feeling sentimental that it might be his last year?).  I shall be voting a few hundred times for my favorite player, Todd Helton, in the last man in.

Perhaps the I-Cubs should be promoted and the C-Cubs demoted?

The Iowa Cubs closed out the mother of all homestands with an 8-1 win over New Orleans.  The I-Cubs have now won ten of their last eleven and finished the season long 13-game homestand 10-3.

Brings up an interesting question.....are the I-Cubs better than the C(hicago)-Cubs?  Joking aside the answer is obviously no, but the thing ya have to like about minor league teams is that  those guys are going all out in every game because they want to make it to the Show.  When a major league team with underachievers and overpaid guys struggles, most of them start to tank it by July. 

Bryan LaHair has quietly had a great season.  23 homeruns and 65 RBIs nearly equals his totals from last year and it's not even the All Star break.  He hit a dinger Sunday that looked like it was going to sleep with the fishes in the Des Moines River.  Unfortunately for him he'll probably never get a shot with the big Cubs anytime soon since it would be a shocker if they fail to sign a Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols type guy at first this off season.  Has to kinda suck to be in that position.

One complaint about the I-Cubs games.  STOP WITH THE KIDDIE POP MUSIC!  I get that you want to be family friendly but I don't need to hear Justin Bieber or any other boy band every inning.  The one that got to me Sunday night was when they started playing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey, except it was from a kiddie band that sounded like they were 12 years old.  I swear to God if I hear Rolling Stones, Beatles, or Bob Seger songs covered by some flavor of the month kiddie pop band I will personally go over to the music booth at Principal Park, unplug all the cords, and chuck the stereo system into the Raccoon River.

Quade Blows Up, Job Security, Carpet Bomb For Keith

(Zach)

Mike Quade probably doesn't miss his old Iowa Cubs salary or the differences of living in Des Moines compared to Chicago.  But you have to wonder if he misses managing the Iowa Cubs right now.  The nightmare of a year continued today when Quade was tossed in the second inning of their 1-0 loss to the White Sox.  Sad thing is Quade had a legit beef, he was arguing a double play call in which replay showed the Sox second baseman clearly missed the bag.

Mike just needs to find a happy place.....like Des Moines?

Quade's getting a lot of heat from Cub fans.  I think most of that is because they passed on Ryne Sandberg.  I got news Cub fans-if you think Ryno would have won with this Cub team you're nuts.  You could win manager of the year if you go 81-81 with this group.  Once the Cubs dump the contracts of aging and under-performing vets (IE Kosuke Fukudome), then we'll see how Quade does.

The I-Cubs continue to be the anti-Chicago Cubs.  They've won nine of their last ten after beating New Orleans 9-4.  Sucks they won't be in town on July 4th.  They wrap up the 13-game homestand tomorrow night.

Kick it or get kicked out

I think the guy who gets knives thrown at him in the circus has a better chance of lasting longer than anyone who kicks for the Iowa Barnstormers this year.  Last night Nich Pertuit (the fifth Barnstormer kicker this year) probably ensured he'd finish the year.  Pertuit hit the game winning field goal and was a perfect 6-6 on extra points (the first time all year Iowa made all their extra points in a game).  After the game coach J.T. Smith said he threatened to take Pertuit's lunch money if he missed the kick.  I believe him.

Keith is back tomorrow after tending to his mom's surgery in Florida.  I'm sure Keith has to be hurting for Paul Rhoads.  Paul's 78-year old mother Mary passed away after a fight with Alzheimer's.  Everyone in the sports department sends our thoughts and prayers to coach Rhoads.

On the lighter side, we wanted to welcome Keith back, so we decided to leave a mess for him......

Welcome back boss!

Okay the truth is the new carpet is going in and because of it we had to move everything off the floor.  It looks like a bomb went off.  Not really our fault, but Keith is the one who always says we need to do some "spring cleaning".  I have this feeling his eyes will get wider than the guys in "Total Recall" who got sucked into an oxygen-less Mars atmosphere.

Too Hot for Makeup, MC22 Does it Again, Fareway Lady

(Chris)

Okay, let me rephrase what I said about liking the heat. I like it when I'm dressed for it, but I hate it when I'm not. Tonight, after I walked off the anchor desk at 6pm, I went to shoot the I-Cubs --- in a suit, tie, and makeup. It was awful.

Even though it's hotter than two mice making whoopee in a wool sock, I'd still rather be outing at an I-Cubs or Menace game, than inside at a Barnstormers game. We only get weather nice enough to wear T-shirts outside about 4 months a year. I like to enjoy it.

Why, in the name of awful TV, is there a Quad-Cities high school softball game on MC22 when the Barnstormers are supposed to be on? They're tape-delaying the Barnstormers telecast until 10pm. Apparently, the three people that were at this softball game needed to see their kids on crappy standard def TV. I do give them props for unveiling the newest advancement in TV technology --- smurf-vision.

The crowds are getting pretty sparse at Wells Fargo Arena, for Barnstormers game. The good news is, the Stormers finally won, and Brad Banks was under center. Better late than never.
It was "Beer Day" on the Murph n Andy show, today...otherwise known as the best day of the year. It sounds like Andy wants to try his hand at beer brewing. Last week it was moonshine, now it's beer...maybe next week he'll have his own dairy cow.
 

Hy-Vee is paying that Curtis Stone dude about $3-million for its advertising campaign. I wonder how much Fareway is paying it's spokeswoman. My guess is, they give her free ceral or something.

Streak Ends, LD Returns, Bud Blunder

(Chris)

The I-Cubs finally got beat, but it took a 2-out grand slam in the top of the 9th to do it. So long 7-game winning-streak.

Adrian Clayborn says he skipped the rookie symposium because he's always been broke, so he won't have a problem hanging on to his money. What to do with your new-found riches is one of many things they talk about at the symposium, but it wasn't the only thing. Here's what former NFL head coach Herm Edwards had to say...and he didn't hold back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VOj_AAClgM

It's hot outside, but I'm not complaining. I played 18 holes, today, and loved every minute of it.

Larry David tore things up on the Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno, Wednesday. I never watch the interview portion of a talk show, but LD is must-see TV. The Curb Your Enthusiasm season premiere airs Sunday, July 10th, on HBO.

We had a tasty discussion about the best Prime Rib in Central Iowa, on the Murph n Andy show. It all started when our intern, Zack Spears, said there were no good steak places in town. That's just not true. The best prime rib I've had is at Sam and Gabe's, in Urbandale. I never understand why people would order chicken, or pork, in a restaurant. There's just no way to top a great steak or prime rib.

Any now, for your random pic of the day. Do I really need a reason to post these Erin Kiernan photos, again? I didn't think so...

I don't like the new Budweiser cans. It's not that I'm not patriotic...I just think the vintage Budweiser cans are the best-looking cans of anything, anywhere. I can't wait to see the old cans again, after July 4th.

Keith's Mom continues to improve following surgery. He sent me a text saying she was one morphine drip away from "planking" in the ICU. Keith should be back, on Sunday, for SoundOFF.

Is it football season, yet?

Puppet Mania, Wild Thing Juiced, Gimmie Video

Sifl & Olly inexplicably went off
the air in 1999.

(Chris)

The majority of today's Murph N Andy show was about puppet fetishes. It may have been the most enjoyable discussion I've ever had, hosting the show. It took me back to the days of the Sifl & Olly show, on MTV.

Two lockouts in one year? If we don't have an NFL season, or an NBA season, I'm becoming a soccer fan.

I'm sure steroids weren't
the only illegal drugs
Sheen was taking on set.

Charlie Sheen says he was on steroids when filming the movie, "Major League". Why?! The dude wore long sleeves in every pitching scene.

Jeff Peterson decided not to come back to Iowa. Big surprise. He chose Florida State as his final college destination. Sun is much better than snow...and FSU is much better than Iowa.

I'm excited to see how ISU's new scoreboard will impact the gameday experience. The $5-million videoboard is now the 16th largest of it's kind in college football. It's also a lot bigger than Iowa's board. I just hope they decide to use at least half of the board for video, unlike Iowa. There are more ads on Iowa's videoboard, than actual video. We don't need a bunch of dumb stats, either. I want to see video!

Also being replaced is the Jack Trice sound system, which was the worst of any BCS stadium I've been to. Hopefully they'll have speakers on both sides of the field.

Eventually, the video board will look like this --- but I'm not
sure they'll ever be able to hold Texas Tech to -45 points.

The only thing that could stop the I-Cubs, was an off-day. Iowa puts its 7-game win-streak on the line, Thursday night. It's going to be a hot one, but I won't be complaining. I've spent too many 40 and 50-degree nights at Principal Park.

As many of you know, Keith has been in Florida as his Mom was about to undergo surgery for liver cancer. I'm very happy to say that his mother made it through surgery, just fine, and the doctor said it went as smoothly as possible. That's great news. Hopefully Keith will be back, on time. He's supposed to come home Saturday night.

James VandenGriffith, IceBorg's Hot Ride, Planking on the Radio

Every time I see James Vandenberg without his helmet on, I think of Opie from The Andy Griffith Show.

Opie and James. It's a stone cold look alike.

The I-Cubs won two games in one day, without benefit of a double-header. Monday night's game went 15 innings. It didn't end until Midnight. Then the Cubs had to turn around and play a noon game. No sweat. They've now won 7 in a row.

It's fitting that on a day when the I-Cubs won two games, the C-Cubs lost two games. 



Gagne's record may never be touched.

Joel Hanrahan is now 23-for-23 in saves. That's fantastic, but it's still nowhere near the Major League record. Dodgers closer, Eric Gagne, saved 63 straight from 2002 to 2003. I don't think anyone will ever top that.

The IceBorg stepped into a racecar for the first time in his life, Tuesday. NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. took him around the Iowa Speedway at 170mph. Even though Zach wasn't driving, he says he has a new respect for drivers. I feel the same way. Last year, I was able to ride shotgun, and drive a stock car. It's amazing how hard it is to turn the steering wheel, and how hot it gets inside the cab. Some drivers lose as much as 15 pounds of fluid, each race.

North Korea had an excuse for losing to Team USA, 2-0, in the Women's World Cup --- lightning. The team claims that several of its players were struck by lightning, earlier in the month, and they weren't able to play as well as they could have. This story doesn't even need a punch line.

At 2:35pm, I became the first person
to ever plank on the radio.

Keith blogged about 'planking' a few weeks ago, but I didn't have any idea what it was, until today. Murph n Andy intern, Zach Spears (offensive lineman on ISU football team), said that all of his teammates were doing it this morning. I thought that it was something that gave you some sort of high, like the goof balls that asphyxiate themselves for fun, but there's no fun involved - ni fact, it hurts. All it is, is a test in core strength and endurance. 

Sometimes I wonder if the Tea Party is just some kind of a prank that I'm not in on.

After 30 years, the channel 13 newsroom is getting a much-needed carpet makeover. I never thought I could be this excited for new carpet, but I am. 

Coincidence of all Coincidences, Sprayberry Reunion, and Sports Abyss

(Chris)

How this for a coincidence coming full-circle? In May, Marlon Byrd landed on the DL when he was beaned in the head with a pitch (in Beantown I might add). He was replaced in the game by Reed Johnson --- the same Reed Johnson that was beaned in the head earlier this month, during a rehab assignment of his own, in Des Moines. Tonight, Byrd stepped into the box for the first time since being hit, and he was hit again --- this time, in the ribs. Ouchy.

Megan and Marlon in the 1995
Sprayberry High Yearbook.

Megan Salois is a big Marlon Byrd fan. She went to school with him at Sprayberry High School, in Georgia. Not only do I love the name Sprayberry, I love how Megan looks like someone straight out of the 1970's with that black and white pic.

The Big Cubs play a double-header, Tuesday. They're so bad, even Ernie Banks is saying.Let's just play one."
Tuesday, the IceBorg is going to hop into a racecar, at Iowa Speedway. I'm not too worried though. Our interns tell me the dude refuses to go over 50mph on I-80.

Andy and I talked a lot about the abyiss that is the sports landscape this summer, on Murph n Andy. There's really no interesting sporting event taking place, until the start of college football, except the British Open. I can't wait to see what Rory does on his home turf. Andy is pretty upset that there's nothing to keep his interest, but I'm just happy that college football is now only two months away. Bring on September 3rd!

My golfing buddy is obsessed with playing before 8:00am. I don't understand it, either, because he works until 10:30pm just like me. Last night, I went to bed at 4:00am, and had to get up at 7:15am to golf. I'm running on Diet 7up and garden salsa Sun Chips.

You can't argue with the fact that
indycars look cooler than stock cars.

I don't know why, but I enjoy open-wheel racing way more than stock car racing. NASCAR doesn't do it for me, but Indycars are pretty cool (especially when you can see the vapor trail behind the wings).

Cubs Win Streak, Broomed, Perrier

(Zach)

For the first time this season, the Cubs have a five game winning streak!  Wait, my apologies, the Iowa Cubs have a five game winning streak.  Sorry to try and wake Chicago fans from this coma inducing year.

Tough to get a read on these I-Cubs.  They go from hot to cold in a heartbeat.  Probably won't be a playoff team in the PCL, my guess is third place.  But they will be entertaining.  And to about 99 percent of people who go to I-Cub games, that's all that matter.

What a stink bomb of a week for local baseball teams.  Cubs, Cards, Twins all swept, and the White Sox lose two of three to Washington.  Is it football season yet?


Lot of comments rolling in on the "What's Bugging Andy" regarding the Des Moines Register.  I want to tread lightly on this as I've only been back for three months now and haven't known everyone who lost a job.  I and my dad always read Sean Keeler and had some good discussions on his columns.  Though we work in a business where firings of coaches is routine and newsworthy, you hate to see anyone lose a job, and Andy made a great point about staff reductions lowering the overall quality of what viewers and readers get.  What's scary and sad is that it seldom ever has anything to do with the quality of one's work. 

I'm thinking about dropping a Twitter bomb on Andy to start tweeting on his Twitter.  Every day a thousand people should send him a message on Twitter asking him to make a tweet.  Then again, do that and he may well leave the thing.

Either Andy's pissed about the Cards or trying to figure out how Twitter works

As I sit here I'm drinking a small bottle of Perrier with some Lemon and Lime mixed in.  I've always heard people say this stuff tastes great and so I finally decided to try it.  I think those people are full of crap.  This stuff is terrible.  Then again, what else would I expect from something made by the French?  They've been on a losing streak since they invented French Fries.

Andretti Wins, Barney Back, Cubs Still Suck

(Zach)

As I was running the WHO Sports ship solo tonight (though our intern Tad was in Newton for the race and worked his butt off as well), shooting a few events, and trying to navigate through some technical difficulties, I didn't get to follow the Iowa Corn Indy 250 too closely.  I kinda wish I could have been there.  Racing on live TV bores the heck out of me.  Being there in person is really fun.

My initial impression-how the hell did an Andretti go 78 races and five years without a win?

On a night when there were plenty of wrecks, Marco Andretti made a bold move to pass Tony Kanaan on lap 232.  As a guy who knows a thing or two about belated gifts, nice post fathers day treat for his dad Michael.

Several years in and I still don't know what Go Daddy does.  Guess I get distracted....

Danica Patrick finished 10th and, from what I saw, never really was in contention.  It's hard to get a read on her.  Over-hyped?  Certainly, but most figures in pro sports are anyway.  Frankly, I like her attitude.  She is sassy and has a bit of swagger/arrogance in her.  I think if you're going to be in that spotlight, and going to be a champion, you need to have that.  Now she just needs to win a bit more.  Won't get any easier going forward.  This is probably her last appearance in Iowa with Indy Car before she heads to the Nationwide Series.

Ana Beatriz, Mike Conway and points leader Will Power all threw out first pitches at the I-Cubs game on Wednesday night.  All three wrecked and were DQ'd Saturday (Conway and Beatriz actually wrecked with each other).  The curse of Cubbie Bear I guess.

Bet Cubbie wouldn't have wrecked

Darwin Barney made his rehab start with the I-Cubs and went 1-3 in Iowa's win over the Albuquerque Isotopes.  I like the Barney story.  Not necessarily a top prospect, but a guy who worked his way up to become a pretty good player in the bigs.  Hard not to root for him, and if the Cubs are ever going to contend for anything meaningful again, they need to take a page from other teams and get more of their homegrown talent to produce on the big stage rather than dole out terrible deals to fading veterans.

Speaking of the Cubs.......well lets just not speak of the Cubs.  To quote the sage Homer Simpson: "that team sure did suck last night.  They just plain sucked!  I've seen teams suck before, but they were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked!"

Jim Hendry is offering this guy 42 Million for 4 Years

Saw a trailer for the movie "Moneyball" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiAHlZVgXjk).  I'm somewhat interested in seeing it, partly because I'm curious how much Hollywood will embellish the story.  It's based on the 2002 Oakland A's that were built on Billy Beane's sabermetric approach.  While they won 20 games in a row at one point that year, they also had been a playoff team prior to that year, and subsequently lost in 5 games in the ALDS to another financially strapped winner, Minnesota.  Beane is the hero of the movie, but it's not been a great run of late in real life.  The A's have fallen on hard times on the field and in the ticket counter (actually trying to move to San Jose), and Beane has made several bad deals that seemed to go counter to his "Moneyball" philosophy.  Though I doubt it would happen, how weird would it be if the movie about Billy Beane's baseball genius came out AFTER Beane just got canned?

Danica's Ovaries, Old-time Football, Andy's Moonshine

(Chris)

IceBorg snapped this photo
of Danica cooling off the pits

Danica Patrick is always good for a head-turning quote, or two, when she comes to Newton. Friday was no different. When talking about last year's event, Danica mentioned how uncomfortable she was going over the bumps on turns 1 and 2. Then this... "Last year in practice, I don’t know if I went flat-out until qualifying. That took some ovaries to do because I wasn’t really excited to do it — but I did it." We'll see if she goes ovaries-to-the-wall, Saturday night.

It always fascinates me to watch 'Big Ten Film Vault' on BTN. If you're unfamiliar, it's a program that airs Big Ten season recaps from the mid-50's to the mid-60's. A couple of the things that strike me: - There are thousands of empty seats at every stadium (which were much smaller back then)
- The Cheerleaders looked absolutely ridiculous
- There was a lot of toilet paper throwing after touchdowns

- And the game was played in black and white



These MSU cheerleaders were
often mistaken for refs.

Our Internet content guru, Alisa (who also helps out with SoundOFF), is getting chewed out tonight. She said a few of her friends were coming in from out of state, so she told them to go to an I-Cubs game. They asked if there was any chance it would be sold out. She said "no" ... and when they got to Principal Park, all they had left were standing room only seats. To top it all off, they hate Iowa. Good start to the weekend.



Principal Park is great, especially when it's packed. The I-Cubs played in front of 13,549 fans, Friday night. Baseball, beautiful weather, and free fireworks --- can't beat it.



Andy's cousin, Randy, concocting
a batch of moonshine for the party.



Andy made a big batch of moonshine for a get-together at his house, tonight. I'm a guy that likes to stay away from any kind of hard alcohol, but Andy already said he won't let me come unless I promise to drink some. He says it takes like apple pie. Sounds kind of girlie for such a manly drink.

I can't say I'm too surprised that Diante Garrett didn't get drafted. If not for the experts predicting a 2nd round draft choice, I wouldn't have thought he even had a chance. NBA teams must see something in him. Garrett says he's already received several offers, with guaranteed money, to try out for the team. My guess is, he ends up playing somewhere in the D-League, next season.

Poor Phillie Phanatic

http://www.crossingbroad.com/2011/06/actual-video-of-the-phanatic-getting-hit-with-foul-ball.html



Car Sneezing, Painted Toes, Bieber is Street Tough

(Chris)

I found out, today, that Indycar drivers are only able to breathe one time every six seconds, at the Iowa Speedway. The G-forces don't allow them to take a breath in the turns. I wonder what would happen if one of them had to sneeze?

I'm not, at all, entertained by the NBA Draft, but there's nothing else on TV. Currently, we're at the end of the first round. Most people believe Diante Garrett will be taken mid-to-late 2nd round. I hope they're right, but I wouldn't be shocked if he wasn't picked.

At this rate, the NBA is about to surpass the NHL in number of foreigners in the league. Americans are about as common as a Big Ten player being drafted.

Blue and Pink for prostate and breast
cancer. Black and Yellow for the Bucs.

Joel Hanrahan must be whipped. His girlfriend was somehow able to get him to get a pedicure, after saving his 20th game in 20 tries, Wednesday night.

I was at a friend's house playing NHL '10 on ps3, until 4am. We stopped playing games at 2am --- that's when my Democratic friend got into it with my Republican friend. I would say it was like being the moderator on 'Crossfire' ... but I'm pretty sure these two don't know a thing about politics.

I have Bieber Fieber

Justin Bieber was attacked at a fragrance unveiling. But wait, it gets better. Bieber was taunting the attacker by yelling, "What? What?!". As it turns out, the attacker wasn't an attacker --- it was a police officer trying to help Bieber when the crowd got unruly. Bieber suffered a few scratches, but his wig was unharmed.

College Football Predictions, 'Open' Ratings Tumble, Right on Red

(Chris)

I was going through all the highlights of Iowa's 2010 football season, Wednesday afternoon. The Hawks led, or were tied for the lead, in all 13 games, with under 5 minutes to play. Sometimes I forget how close the Hawkeyes were to being great, last season.

These two Hawk fans have yet to leave
TCF Bank Stadium, in Minneapolis. 

Phil Steele was on the Murph n Andy show, and he gave his predictions for the 2011 season. you can listen to him here: http://www.kxno.com/cc-common/podcast/single_page.html?more_page=&podcast=murphnandy&selected_podcast=6-22-11%25202PM.mp3 He thinks the Hawks will surprise some people, and finish 9-3.

The news isn't as good for the Cyclones. Steele doesn't think the Rhoads crew will be able to match last year's win total, of 5. He did, however, say that he's underestimated the Cyclones in each of Rhoads' first two seasons as head coach. I'm not sure what to think, from either team. The main reasons are the big question marks under center.

Believe it, or not, The Chicken talks
while he performs. Just wrong.

This is my fifth summer, in Des Moines, and I've now seen the "Famous Chicken" five times --- too many. The Chicken makes the Globetrotters' act look as fresh as sweet corn in July. The worst part is, the dude inside the mascot, talks! And to make matters worse, when he talks, he spreads his beak apart, and you can see his face. The Chicken continues to frighten generation, after generation, of kids...including me.

This weather sucks.

Diante Garrett hopes to hear his name called in Thursday's NBA Draft. The former Cyclone point guard is projected to go somewhere in the middle-to-late second round. It would be one of the all-time upsets, if Garrett gets picked. This was a guy that was highly criticised through his first three years at ISU. Many didn't even think he was a Big 12 quality guard. He certainly proved his doubters wrong. Credit Fred Hoiberg for that.

As expected, the ratings for the final round of the U.S. Open were abysmal (26% lower than the 2010 Open). I found it interesting that Murph and Andy (two non-golf fans) said they were more enthralled with Rory's runaway, than most other years. For huge golf fans, like myself, it was the most uneventful final round in the 20 years I've been watching. That being said, it's nothing but great for the game of golf, in the long run. Rory McIlroy now has more star-power than any other golfer, not named 'Tiger'.

Andy made a great point that I completely agree with, on SoundOFF. No matter what Rory does, he will never be an American. That's the one, and only, problem I have with him. I really like the guy. He's engaging, and fun to watch...but he's not one of ours. Come on Tiger, we need you.

Red-light cameras don't prohibit you
from turning right on red.

I saw it happen, in Davenport, and it's happening in Des Moines. Motorists are scared to death of the red-light cameras. Now, even if it's an intersection where you're allowed to turn right on red, some people are too scared to risk it. I've decided that every minute of my life that's wasted is worth $1 ... therefore, I'll be billing the city, every week, for all the time I lose thanks to these ridiculous cameras.

Andy is now on Twitter. You can try to follow him @AndyFales ... but I think he has it set up in a way that blocks anyone from following him.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Keith, his mother, and the entire Murphy family, this week. As Keith mentioned in Tuesday's blog, he's going to be in Florida for the next 10 days, as his Mom battles cancer for a second time. Keith cares more about his job that anyone I've ever worked with, but it doesn't even approach the love he has for his family. I'm sure he got it from his parents.

Keeler Out, Goodbye Norm, Finding Rory

• I really feel for the many talented people at the Des Moines Register who lost their jobs Tuesday. There's just nothing good about it for anyone.
• It's a gut-punch to hear talented sports columnist Sean Keeler is out. Sean's perspective is one of the main reasons I subscribe to the Register and read it daily. I often agreed with Sean's takes, but appreciated him even more when I didn't. A good writer challenges and deepens our thoughts. I can't remember the last time I was at a big sporting event and didn't see Keeler there. He worked hard, and kept improving.
• On our radio show, we quickly heard from Cyclone fans who thought Sean was too hard on ISU, and Hawkeye fans who didn't think Sean was fair to Iowa. In other words, he wasn't a cheerleader. We don't need that from a columnist; we can get that 47 places on-line. Increasingly, regardless of media, we know the news instantly---who won, who lost---what we need is context, perspective, opinion.
• Last month, we had a really silly idea for a SoundOFF video: The never-before-seen Hollywood trailer for the 1927 version of The Hangover. Chris Hassel called Sean Keeler and asked him to play the part of Zach Galifianakis. Sean came right over, strapped his baby in as required, and stole the show.
• I'm told I need to watch The Company Men. Sounds like the perfect week.

• Comedy Central just cancelled the Norm Macdonald Sports Show. What?! It was irreverent and funny, and had a loyal niche audience. It  couldn't cost much to make. I guess sports comedy just won't work. The Onion SportsDome parody already got the ax.

• The Voice has found a solid group of finalists. The show is entertaining, even when Christina is babbling, or threatening to spill out of her blouse. Javier Colon sang one of my favorite concert songs, the Coldplay tearjerker/anthem Fix You. He did okay too.
• Rory McIlroy made the cover of  Sports Illustrated, though you have to look close to see him.

• I'll be gone for a while. My mother is having another fight with cancer. As usual, she's more worried about everyone else. Mom's the most unselfish person I've ever known. I wish I could do more.

• Please be kind to Chris, Zach, and Andy... they're covering for me.

Thanks, and be well.
Keith

The Chicken, Alec Baldwin, Miss Iowa

• I'll be stunned if Albert Pujols is back in four weeks, and surprised if he even makes it in six.
• Pujols reportedly turned down a LOT of money from the Cardinals. Since then he had a slow start, heated up, now an injury. I wonder if he'll even be offered what he turned down. I think it's reasonable to ask if we've already seen Pujols at his best.
• The Chicken will bring all the same routines to Principal Park Tuesday night. And by all the same, I mean all the same genius routines. Love The Chicken.

• Wednesday is Jeremy Hellickson bobble-head night at the I-Cubs. Mini-Hellboy is in a Hoover uniform, which makes it more local.

• I found Rory McIlroy's complete domination at the U-S Open riveting. I watched most of it.
• McIlroy comparisons to Tiger are inevitable, though at 14 to 1 in majors, perhaps a tad premature. McIlroy's skills look comparable, as is his back story, but Rory seems like he actually enjoys and appreciates fans, a big improvement from Tiger.
• Rick Brown of the Des Moines Register has forgotten more golf than I know.
• My family made me feel special on Father's Day. It doesn't get much better than that.
• Played bocci ball with friends at Tumea & Sons Saturday. Not only was it a blast, the people who work there could not have been nicer. We'll definitely be back soon.
• Can it really be 25 years since Len Bias died?
• Iowa State signed Alec Baldwin to a track scholarship. I hope he shows up in better shape than the most recent season of 30 Rock.

• Miss USA overlooked Miss Iowa again. Rebecca Goldsmith, we love you more than Trump.

• Severe weather will find you anywhere this year, even the College World Series.
• I think the Iowa Corn Indy 250 at night will the take the event up a notch, and it was already pretty darn cool. Indy cars go 35 miles an hour or so faster at Iowa Speedway than the NASCAR cars.

McIlroaring, ISU's Rolls Royce

(Zach)

Rory McIlroy will probably play professional golf for about another 30 years and win several majors.  But I'd put money on him NEVER playing that well again in a major tournament (or maybe any other tournament).  -16 at the US Open is the definition of being in the zone.

It was a nearly flawless performance from a guy who had been very flawed at previous majors.  The Masters this year.  The British Open and PGA Championship last year.  And that's the scary part now.  He was close before, and now he seems to have learned from his past mistakes, and he's only 22.

I keep hearing the claim that he is the next Tiger Woods.  For his sake I kinda hope not.  Hopefully he has a little more maturity and control of his personal life as his fame grows (IE not hooking up with every Perkins waitress he meets in every city).  Tiger's life and game has gone to hell in big part because of it.  He'll always be one of the great golfers in history, but I believe he was on track to be THE greatest, and I think that window is fast shutting.  On second thought, McIlroy's performance and arrival may have slammed it shut.  It's going to be a lot tougher for Tiger to win majors when he returns.

Spent some time at the Capital City League.  From the stands to the floor it definetly has an Iowa State feel.  High profile transfers Royce White (Minnesota), Korie Lucious (Michigan State) and Will Clyburn (Utah) are all on the floor.  White will be eligible to play next season while Lucious and Clyburn have to wait till 2012-13.  White looks like he's 30 and plays like a man amongst boys.

I'll call my shot here-ISU will be in the NCAA Tournament in 2013.  These three bring a type of athleticism and talent on the floor that will be a game changer in Ames.  The only problem?  Making sure they all STAY together till then.  White's had a history of problems, though I think the fact he appears to have been a model citizen last season when he sat out bodes well.  Lucious had a big falling out at MSU.  White told me a year sitting out can go fast.  I hope so. 

Oh I know!  Our parents weren't brother and sister before they married!

I'm glad to see this Nebraska-Iowa rivalry is catching on.  This is already more serious than they treated their previous rival in name only Colorado.  But seriously Nebraska fan, come up with something better for the shirts.  You just wasted your first two comebacks for when Iowa beats you this fall.

I heard that rumors of the Yankees being interested in Carlos Zambrano were squashed.  Five bucks says Carlos started those rumors. 

With all the conference realignment in college sports we've been treated to a bevy of lame new logos and themes.  "Legends" and "Leaders" divisions from the Big Ten still takes the stupid cake, but we may have a challenger courtesy my Alma Mater's conference.  The Mountain West had a nice run as non-BCS buster for a while, but with BYU, Utah and TCU all headed out, they figured it was time for a new look.

Kind of subpar in my opinion.  Really subpar when it turns out they bastardized it off the British TV series "Doctor Who".

You know your conference is irrelevant when it pays millions of dollars only to get ripped off by a rip off.