Here's the latest medal count....through 08/15:
| Medal Tracker - Beijing 2008 | |||||
| Rk. | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 |  USA | 14 | 13 | 19 | 46 |
| 2 |  China | 26 | 9 | 6 | 41 |
| 3 |  Australia | 5 | 7 | 8 | 20 |
| 4 |  Russia | 3 | 8 | 8 | 19 |
| 5 |  Korea | 6 | 9 | 3 | 18 |
| Full Medal Tracker | |||||
This week, the sports world has been glued to the Beijing Olympics....
So let us get you up to date on what's been happening in Major League Baseball.
Two of the mighty (during the '90s) ........died this week. The New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. The Yankees have lost 7 out of their last 10 to fall 9 1/2 games out of the division lead.
The Braves were swept by the Chicago Cubs this week and fell to 10 games out. The Cubs won every game against Atlanta this year for the first time ever.
Manny Ramirez was asked by new manager (Joe Torre) of his new team( the Dodgers) .....to get a hair cut........and he did. His dreadlocks still extended down his back.....but were about an inch shorter. Well.......he did as he was told.....he got a hair cut. Manny ....being ...Manny.
Prince Fielder jumped in the face of Milwaukee Brewer pitcher, Manny Parra, after Parra had pitched a loss against the Cincinnati Reds. A shoving match ensued......the two had to be separated . This was on August 4..........After that, the Brewers won 8 in a row. Club house harmony.....is so over-rated.
The Barry Bonds rumors are heating up again. The latest is that the Tampa Bay Rays are entertaining thoughts of signing Bonds to help their offensive line-up down th
e stretch run of the pennant race. It sounds nutty.....but.....The Rays are young......they need a DH......Bonds and the circus that will surround him will take the pressure off the rest of the team. This may well work.
The standings....as of today:
Courtesy of Yahoo Sports..
Regular Standings
From GaPeach 913......
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
It was ....the summer of 1968.....
In Mexico City.......the Olympics. (It actually took place in mid October).....but .....
Tommie Smith and John Carlos of the USA track team, raised their arms straight into the air....and made a fist. On the platform of the medal winners.......after Smith had won the gold in the 200 meters....and Carlos had placed third.
No words..........just an arm raised.....and a fist formed.
Well........The United States of America.....well.......they went .....bananas!
"How dare they disgrace the USA?" "They made a Black Panther signal!!!!!" "They should give there medals back!!!!"
And so forth...........and so on..........The Media crucified these men..........And for what?
For expressing themselves as black men.....going through the trials........that were...........the '60s......Remember 1968? Martin Luther King was assassinated. Robert Kennedy, also. Thee Democratic National Convention? The race riots? Those were ...trying times.
And these two men........chose the forum.....which was the Olympics.....to express themselves....
Fast forward........2008.....Beijing.......
Seems the Spanish basketball team made a statement......expressing themselves.....using their fingers....to "slant" their eyes........China style.
Well ........as usual.....the US media..........has been hammering these guys....calling them racist, etc.
Spain and the rest of world........says. "What's the big deal?"
And we agree......We are so "politically correct" in this nation.........it's become pathetic.....
Lets...........let........people express themselves.......It's really not all that bad.
Women's Beach Volleyball.....that is...
It began here......in the deep south. The 1996 Atlanta Olympics introduced the rest of the world to volleyball.......played in the sand......with 2 person teams.
Put the women teams in bikinis......all of a sudden ......the sport just takes off. Go figure!
Of course, beach volleyball originated back in the 1920's............in Santa Monica, California.
It's popularity was always high out west, and with the television ratings garnered in Atlanta, it has been one of the most watched Olympic events in the 2000 Athens and 2004 Sydney Games.
I like the competitiveness of the game.....the scenery is not bad either.....
Here's what others are saying:
Beach Volleyball's Moment
The competition at Beijing's 12,000-seat Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground is one of the hottest Olympic tickets. The sport, with its beach-party atmosphere featuring impeccably cut and tanned athletes competing in skimpy bathing suits, is seen as having huge entertainment potential, which is why NBC is featuring it live in prime time throughout the Summer Games.
Read more from Wall Street Journal
See........I'm not the only one.
If....it's Wednesday.....It must be Hump Day.....
A few thoughts......and a little news.
19-17.....And this was a Major League Baseball game....
Last night the Boston Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers 19-17, after blowing a major league record 10 run lead.
Talk about your wild games........The evening featured a combined 36 runs, 37 hits, 4 errors and a total of 11 pitchers used.
Here's the box score: Box Score
This Michael Phelps dude is really good.....
Back by popular demand........
We bring you greetings from "The Classic City"......Athens, GA
Thanks to the Athens Banner-Herald.......Here's todays Police Blotter.....
A Watkinsville man is facing felony charges after he assaulted a Hull convenience store clerk over two $3 bottles of stolen Mad Dog 20/20 and a $2 bottle of beer, according to the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
Craig Nicholas Lakins, 23, was charged Monday with kidnapping, aggravated assault and robbery. Police said Lakins was sitting in his car and grabbed the arm of the clerk just before 9 p.m. Thursday at Diamond Hill Grocery, drove off and dragged him for 75 feet.
The clerk had confronted Lakins about stealing the alcohol, and when the clerk reached in to take the bottle, Lakins grabbed his arm, police said.
The clerk was taken to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment of several abrasions he got falling to the asphalt and a wound to his wrist that required stitches, police said.
The Monte Carlo was not stolen, police said, but officers saw a bag of marijuana in the car, and when they searched it, found another bag and a digital scale, police said.
Adrian Lynn, 29, of Lombardy Drive, was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a drug-related object and driving without insurance, police said.
Talk about bad luck.......this guy was in the wrong place...with the wrong car...
Yes.......I am a proud Papa...
And I have a slide show to prove it. A week ago I escorted my daughter, Madison, down the aisle of marriage.
She wedded the love of her life, Paris, in a ceremony captured by the technology of digital cameras.
My thanks to 6eVoices' own Tammy.....who put this show together.....
Enjoy......
Click to Play
Everybody's coming after Georgia.......
Number one in the pre- season means everybody is taking pot shots at Georgia......Fans, sports-writers, foes.......
But when I heard that even Russia had invaded Georgia late last week.....I must say.....I got a little concerned.
Oh that's a different Georgia?
Never mind.
NBC has these Olympics covered.....24/7.......
The Peacock network that is NBC really has this 29th Olympiad covered. With it's broadcasting family consisting of NBC, MsNBC, CNBC, and the USA network, there is not an hour in the day when the Olympics are not shown.
With the 12 hour time difference.......it works for me. Whether it's Beach Volleyball, boxing, swimming, bike racing, or gymnastics........it's on.....somewhere.
And that's a good thing.
R.I.P...........Isaac Hayes.....
The man who brought us "The Theme from Shaft" music...........wrote the song "Soul Man" made famous by Sam & Dave.......and later starred in Comedy Centrals' "South Park", died yesterday, at the age of 65.
Ironically , Hayes is co-starring with recently deceased Bernie Mac, in a film titled , "Soul Man".....to be released later in the year.
Is that weird.........or what?
Meaningless games of pre-season.....
The NFL got into full pre-season game playing.......and yes it was all .......for the most part.....meaningless. The New England Patriots sat out 26 of their better players.
I don't blame them ..........There is too much invested these days.......and injuries can just ruin a season.
A hint..........of fall in the Air?
Yes........it was faint.....it wasn't much.....
But I could have sworn over this past weekend.....I noticed......Fall is in the air.
Morning temperatures were around 60 degrees.......Cool , for August, in this southern college town.
Relief.....from the dog days of summer........
Won't be long now...
Beijing, China.......
Very touching moment.....here's a clip of one of the "Sudan Boys" (Lopez Lomong).......Now a US citizen......Who will carry the American flag at the opening ceremonies....
Watch and listen.......courtesy of .....the Associated Press and YouTube....
New York is so full of itself...........
New York, New York.....the city so nice.....they named it twice.....
New York City.....The Big Apple.....The city that never sleeps....The media capital of the world...
New York.......as in.....the Yankees, Mets, Islanders, and ......Jets.
And the Jets have landed ....one Brett Favre........you remember Brett.....the quarterback who retired.....then un-retired....
Well, Mr. Favre........Welcome to the big city........and all the media hype........
Here's a little taste.......of what's in store for this Mississippi boy:
You're a long way from Wisconsin , me lad.....
Sounds like something out of the '60's......
But this is 2008..........in downtown Atlanta.....At Phipps Plaza....
Seems former NBA star Joe Barry Carroll was asked to leave......then escorted out.....of a Phipps Plaza eatery in Atlanta, Georgia.......for refusing to give up his seat.....for two white women.
The AJC has the story:
Former NBA all-star suing Tavern at Phipps
The restaurant owners feel they have done no wrong. They are of the feeling, "Southern gentlemen at this establishment always give there seats to the ladies".
But why just ask .......the black men? Is this Rosa Parks.......all over again?
According to the suit........there were plenty of white men........who were not asked to give up their seats. Why ........the black man?
This will get interesting.....unless there is an immediate settlement.......which I think is inevitable. The restaurant has too much to lose.
I applaud Joe Barry..........for hanging tough.......
And .....I ask you........the readers......."Would you give your seat up .......for a white woman"?
And we wonder why the rest of the world hates us...
Leave it to Americans.....to always try to make a point. Yes, Beijing, which is hosting this year's Olympics......has a slight smog problem. Seems the air might be a tad unsafe at times.
Well, our USA cycling team arrived Wednesday wearing black pollution masks. Of course, this immediately pissed off all of China.
Has the cycling team ever heard the term "Ugly American"? China knows it has a smog problem. They have been shutting down plants and manufacturers for months now, and didn't deserve the "rub it in your face" actions of a few snobbish, spoiled, American athletes.
A much needed win........
The Atlanta Braves won a baseball game last night. Not a big deal. They are just playing out the string........too far out of the pennant race.
But guess who the winning pitcher was? Yep! None other than Mike Hampton himself. Hampton got his first win in about 3 years......hit an RBI double....and helped the Braves defeat the San Francisco Giants, 11-4.
With the recent loss of Brave's announcer, Skip Caray..........and the stark realization this season is done.....it was good to see a win.
And it was better to see it with Mike Hampton pitching.
Who's cover ....is it?
Sports Illustrated.....is playing mind games with college football fans. The magazine has a long standing tradition of having different covers for different geographic regions.....But come on........this is .....all south.
I've seen 2 completely different covers for the August 11th edition. Which will it be, guys?
USA Men's basketball team struggled?
Yes they did......
In it's final exhibition game against Australia, the US led by only four points midway through the third quarter and was up only seven in the fourth, but held on to win, 87-76. The Aussies rested their best player, Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut, who sat out the game.
Guys.......get real. We here at 5 on Five were bold enough to predict you would not only win the gold medal.......but dominate as well.
And dominating is not shooting 3 of 18.....from the 3 point line. Or hitting just 20 of 33 from the foul line. Let's just hope ......you needed a game like this one...to get it out of your system.
Some .....things...I think ........I think.......
I think it's hot.....my body ...knows...it's hot. In this southern college town, today....it was 99 degrees.....and humid.....and very uncomfortable.
I think ......Obama needs to lighten up with all the TV commercials.....one every ten minutes it seems. All it's doing is pissing off the conservatives......don't peak too early.....Save it for November, man.
I don't think my "DIRECTV" likes the heat either....several channels are digitally .....screwed up in the heat of the day......only to come back to normal....when the sun goes down. Go figure.
I think....I'm tired.....at least my eyelids are.......and the rest of me will follow.
Have a great Hump Day.
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Recently....the media....has been killing the Bulldog football team....
You know the team.....from this southern college town.
You've seen it....or heard it.....or read it.....
Headlines like:
At Colorado, at least 28 football players have been involved in police incidents since February 1987. The other program with the most publicized incidents is the University of Oklahoma's. Since January, five football players have been arrested on weapons or rape or drug charges.Read the entire article:
Some sadness..too.....
On a weekend when all was well in my world.......
The sports world suffered a loss.......
Long time Atlanta Braves broadcaster Skip Caray died in his sleep on Sunday.
Skip was the son of legendary Chicago Cub play by play personality, Harry Caray.......and the father of budding superstar sports announcer, Chip Caray.
But .......Skip......was just Skip. Dry sense of humor..........cynical..........off beat......but talented none the less.
He came to Atlanta in the '70's..........Used to call Hawks games on radio......
Then Ted Turner turned WTCG 17 ( a UHF channel) into WTBS (the first "superstation").......and the rest of the world got to know Skip Caray..........and the then "America's Team.......the Atlanta Braves.
The thing I always liked.......about Skip? He could care less.........w
hat people thought of him....Seriously!
Print media would get all over him in the local papers across the nation ( for being a "homer")..........but he .....would have a mic.......and of course the last word.
In this southern college town..........we have Larry Munson..........
In the ATL...........it was Skip Caray.......
Skip.......you will be missed.
I gave away a daughter.....and gained a son-in-law....
Yes........it has happened!
My daughter, Madison (Pictured with her groom) was married Saturday.......to the love of her life, Paris. I escorted her down the aisle........and keeping it .......all in the family, my father performed the ceremony.
I got to say, "I do", first. Answering the question, "Who gives this bride ....to Paris?"
No hesitation.....no stuttering ........Then I sat down and thought about my life......with my little girl.
That day she was born.......the first steps she took........and the first words she spoke.
I thought of her first day in school.....
I thought of our moves........from New Jersey to upstate New York.....to Georgia.....to New York ....and back to Georgia.
I thought of the times I would put her on an airplane to visit her mom.....
My "boopie".......
There was all the football and basketball games I attended.....just to be there.....for my little girl......cheer leading and jumping......and yelling.
I thought of her high school graduation......
I thought.....of our family cruise..........in which she was the only one who got sea sick. (Of course, she was also, the only who didn't drink alcohol).
And .........I thought.......I ..........am a lucky man.
She was..........and is........so beautiful.......and she was so happy....Saturday....
Which , of course, makes me happy.
And I thought........my little girl .....has grown up. And that's a good thing.
Here's to you ..........Madison and Paris..........
Just a few thoughts..........from a great weekend.
It's ......official!!!!!
The University of Georgia football bulldogs are ranked #1.......according to the USA Today preseason coaches poll.
Wow!
The pressure is on.......let the games begin.
Here's the poll:
 Preseason poll | |||||
| Rank | Team (first-place votes) | Record | Points | Final 2007 rankings | |
| 1. | Georgia (22) | 11-2 | 1,438 | 3 | |
| 2. | Southern California (14) | 11-2 | 1,430 | 2 | |
| 3. | Ohio State (14) | 11-2 | 1,392 | 4 | |
| 4. | Oklahoma (3) | 11-3 | 1,329 | 8 | |
| 5. | Florida (5) | 9-4 | 1,293 | 16 | |
| 6. | LSU (3) | 12-2 | 1,163 | 1 | |
| 7. | 12-2 | 1,143 | 5 | ||
| 8. | West Virginia | 11-2 | 1,008 | 6 | |
| 9. | Clemson | 9-4 | 999 | 22 | |
| 10. | Texas | 10-3 | 979 | 10 | |
| 11. | Auburn | 9-4 | 888 | 14t | |
| 12. | Wisconsin | 9-4 | 747 | 21 | |
| 13. | Kansas | 12-1 | 714 | 7 | |
| 14. | Texas Tech | 9-4 | 644 | 23 | |
| 15. | Virginia Tech | 11-3 | 568 | 9 | |
| 16. | Arizona State | 10-3 | 560 | 13 | |
| 17. | Brigham Young | 11-2 | 547 | 14t | |
| 18. | Tennessee | 10-4 | 506 | 12 | |
| 19. | Illinois | 9-4 | 422 | 18 | |
| 20. | Oregon | 9-4 | 399 | 24 | |
| 21. | South Florida | 9-4 | 350 | NR | |
| 22. | 9-4 | 313 | 25 | ||
| 23. | 9-4 | 203 | NR | ||
| 24. | 9-4 | 112 | 19 | ||
| 25. | 9-4 | 91 | NR | ||
| Others receiving votes | |||||
Alabama (7-6) 83; South Carolina (6-6) 64; Utah (9-4) 60; Florida State (7-6) 53; Rutgers (8-5) 53; Boston College (11-3) 47; California (7-6) 41; Pittsburgh (5-7) 34; Boise State (10-3) 25; Oregon State (9-4) 23; Nebraska (5-7) 17; Cincinnati (10-3) 13; Virginia (9-4) 12; Connecticut (9-4) 9; Michigan State (7-6) 9; Mississippi State (8-5) 6; Kentucky (8-5) 5; Notre Dame (3-9) 5; TCU (8-5) 5; Maryland (6-7) 4; North Carolina (4-8) 3; Texas A&M (7-6) 3; UCLA (6-7) 3; Central Florida (10-4) 2; Georgia Tech (7-6) 2; Louisville (6-6) 2; Arizona (5-7) 1; Colorado (6-7) 1; Oklahoma State (7-6) 1; Tulsa (10-4) 1. | |||||
This guy must not get out much....or watch TV.......or read........
I found myself feeling sorry for him.
Thanks to "eBaum's world" and "Wheel of fortune........
Watch:
