Random Stuff of Interest

Omar, thanks for all those years of stellar defense, but especially for covering the Goo Goo Dolls.

-With Omar Vizquel now the all-time leader in games played as a shortstop, one blog breaks down his case for the Hall of Fame. [Boys of Summer]

-Chargers fans should be excited about rookie DB Antoine Cason. His attitude, work ethic and passion to help the team win has impressed both coaches and teammates at mini-camp. [North County Times]

-Who's done a better job of falling on their ass, Mike Vick or Lindsay Lohan? Britney Spears or Isiah Thomas? Just the fact that someone attempts to answer these questions is admirable. [Rumors and Rants]

-The Celtics are now up two games to one on the Pistons, and some Detroit fans are questioning whether or not Chauncy "Big Shot" Billups should take a seat for Rodney Stucky. [The World of Isaac]

-A nice piece on the most exciting (or annoying to some) PA announcer in the NBA, Detroit's John Mason:



-Wharton Business School professor Justin Wolfers did some research which indicated that white refs were more likely to call fouls on black players and vice-versa. Not only that, he espouses that his data can be an effective way of beating the Las Vegas point spread. All white refs at a Jazz home game means bet the farm! [NPR.org]

-A miced up Ronnie Turiaf leads us to believe that he is not normal. But then again, who is? [Odenized]

-With the number seven pick in the NBA draft and a slew of impending free agents, the Clippers are entering what looks to be a fairly tumultuous offseason. However, the idea of drafting uber-athletic UCLA guard Russell Westbrook is exciting, as his game has some Rajon Rondo-esque qualities but with better defense. [ClipperBlog]

And of course anyone who reads this blog regularly knows I'm a sucker for youtube highlight packages set to rap music:



Finally, your Inspirational Sports Quote of the Day:

“Nice to meet you. I'm not gay.”

-Recently retired and future Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza, responding to rumors about his sexual orientation

Mark Cuban: What. A. Douche.

Clipper Darrell: A stalwart at Staples

This has to be one of the most disturbing stories that has come out of the sports world for quite some time. For the past seven years, Darrell Baily aka "Clipper Darrell" has been a Clips season ticket holder, and is reknown for his courtside spirit during home games at the Staples Center. Darrell is a family man with four children, owns a Clippers suit, a Clippers car, and a special Clippers room to watch road games in.

I taught Mark Cuban everything he knows. Even YOU have a price, Clipper Darrell, HAHAHAHAHA...

Darrell's enthusiasm for his favorite NBA team did not go un-noticed at a recent home game against the Dallas Mavericks. In fact, owner Mark Cuban was most impressed, and in an unprecendented move (via ClipperBlog), has offered Darrell a job with the Mavericks to be THEIR "Number One Fan" :

The Clippers’ loyal and most recognizable fan, Darrell Bailey, AKA Clipper Darrell, might be taking his enthusiastic, crowd-leading voice to Dallas.

The (Orange County) Register learned Thursday that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has scheduled a meeting with Bailey, Jan. 25, in Dallas.

“He offered me a job in Dallas, to do the same thing I do for the Clippers,” said Bailey, whose day job is as an automobile customizer and salesman. He came up to me at the (Jan. 12) game and told me that he loved what I do. That shocked me.”

“I’m still loyal to the Clippers,” Bailey said. “That’s my team. But it isn’t every day that a billionaire knocks on your door. I have to go out and listen.”

Absolutely unbelievable. Not only does this place Mr. Baily in a compromising position, but what kind of message does this send to Mavericks fans? That they're lame and not doing a good job? Well he's right, Mavs fans suck, and let's keep it that way. And although there is some anti-Darrell sentiment amongst some season ticket holders, the reaction to what CD does has been generally positive. Don't do it Darrell, Clipper fans need you!

Bill Walton, in the San Diego Clippers glory days