Out of left field

I don't go to many Cubs games, basically one a year, but I did go last Sunday. And I witnessed the greatest individual hitting performance I've seen since Michael Brenly lit up the Quad City River Bandits last July in Peoria. Really, it was an electrifying afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links

Howdy there, Free Keon and Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media Readers,

I may be wrong, but I have a feeling that you are one side or the other as far as the NFL Draft bonanza. For those who can’t get enough and love the extra day, let’s get right to that portion of links. For those who are asking themselves if the spectacle will ever end, let’s get that out of the way. Whatever your thoughts, here we go.

Naturally, we start with reports from St. Louis and Detroit.

Another football story that has dominated the headlines for weeks is, of course, Big Ben. Here’s the latest from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Shifting to baseball, the hometown pundits are clearly against Carlos Zambrano’s move to the bullpen, but there he sits.

While one hurler has fallen upon hard times, Ubaldo Jiminez’s life could not be much better after twirling a no-hitter. Read Jim Armstrong’s interesting story from The Denver Post.

Finally, back to football for a look at Illini draft prospect Jon Asamoah.

Thanks for reading. Please note that I will be away next week. Slammin’ Sam will return Tue., May 4.

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links

Happy Thursday, Free Keon and Slammin' Sam Readers!

You would think with football fervor in full swing, according to the media, that is, that the NFL Draft is next weekend or something. Actually, it's April 22, but what's the difference? Plenty of football stories - We'll focus on Da' (Dud) Bears with these two local reports.

While Bears fans hope for their team's resurgence, Cubs fans are eager for Alfonso Soriano to come around.

Sticking with baseball, no need to wait for the Yankees to return to form. The Bombers won their first Spring Training contest yesterday. Here's an inpiring story about the man who connected on the walk-off winner vs. the Pirates. This story transcends baseball, whether or not you are a Yankees fan.

Next up, everybody seems to be talking about Manny Pacquiao, so here's a story about his upcoming fight that may be his last.

Finally, Hank Gathers' legacy continues to live on 20 years after his life was cut short.

Thanks for taking time out to visit Slammin' Sam's links today!

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links

It’s Thursday, and of course that means Slammin’ Sam’s Links.

We start with a goodbye, followed by a hello.

Goodbye LT. LaDainian Tomlinson ranks eighth all-time in rushing yards and second in career rushing touchdowns. Not to mention he’s one of my favorites. Here’s hoping for a rebirth for No. 21.

Hello to Marlon Byrd. Most view him as Milton Bradley’s replacement with the Cubs, but don’t let Byrd hear disparaging words about his former Rangers teammate.

Staying in the Windy City, at least one Blackhawks player appears bound to receive a hero’s welcome after the Olympics.

As for the man who shot the Hawks’ Patrick Kane and his teammates past Switzerland on Wednesday, props to Zach Parise.

Last, boos for Jay McGwire. Predictably, he wants to capitalize on his brother’s re-entry into the spotlight.

Thanks for spending part of your Thursday here at Free Keon.

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Congratulates Andre Dawson!

Good afternoon, all! As I sit here compiling the Thursday Edition of Slammin’ Sam, snowflakes continue to frolic hither and thither with no destination in particular. And just like snowflakes, each athlete comes to play with different characteristics, hoping that he or she can add to the beautiful sporting landscape.

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Thursday Edition

Hello, hello, and welcome to Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media’s Thursday links edition. Good stories abound today! We’ll start our journey on the West Coast and move toward home base in Illinois.

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Congratulates Girardi and More

Coming at you with a distinctly Illinois edition of Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media today. In fact, I’d argue that the biggest story for the next few days emanates right out of the heartland. That’s thanks to World Champion New York Yankees manager Joe Giradi’s East Peoria, IL roots. Congrats to the Bombers and their skipper.

The Associated Press’s Jim Litke reminds readers that Girardi set a target for a Yankees’ World Series winner not too long after he hung up his catcher’s gear. A decade later, Girardi hit the mark dead on.

Closer to home, Chicago Sun-Times writer, Chris De Luca echoes Litke’s sentiments and adds that the Yankees are simply the right fit for Girardi. Any other scenario, including a spot at the helm of the Cubs’ ship would have yielded different results.

New York Post columnist Mike Vacarro writes a more personal story about Girardi’s latest experience, which can be seen through a lens familiar to any number of fans. It’s all about family.

Finally, the last link in the apparent Joe Giradi corner today is from the New York Daily News. Marie Henry couldn’t care less that Girardi just guided the Yanks to the title. She didn’t even recognize him. All she knew was that Girardi was there for her in her time of need.

Those of you non-Yankees fans can breathe now. We’ve emerged from that realm. De Luca’s colleague, Neil Hayes says former Illini football head man and current Bears Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner is running out of excuses.

Sam Miller/Free Keon