Weather Update: Home Run Derby May Be Cancelled

Well I can give you another weather update, as we are just over 24 hours away from the 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby. There is a 60% chance of isolated thunderstorms. In other words, it will rain. The question is what time, as the home run derby is not scheduled to begin until 8 PM EST. There is little to no rain predicted in the evening, so there still is a chance it could happen. I'll put it at 40/60 of occuring right now, but that could change in a few mere hours. Stay tuned.

And just for those of you who are curious, there is no rain predicted for the All-Star Game, so expect there to be a full competitive game on that sense.

Bolted For Life

It has been going around a while but today Lightning forward, Vincent Lecavalier signed a huge 11-year, $85 million "lifetime" contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning which would keep the 28 year old in Tampa until he is 40. The contract will be on average $7.727 million per season and will kick in for the 2009-10 season.

The native of Ile Bizard, Quebec, Canada has played all 9 NHL seasons with Tampa Bay after being drafted 1st overall by the Lightning. In 710 games, Lecavlier has 273 goals and 329 assists for 602 points.

Last season, Lecavalier played 81 games scoring 40 goals and 52 assists for 92 assists and is considered one of the top NHL players of today.

Lecavalier also has 1 Stanley Cup with the Lightning beating the Calgary Flames in 7 games back in 2004.

Report: Mourneau To Take Part In Home Run Derby

Justin Morneau, 1st baseman of the Minnesota Twins, announced that he will be taking part in the home run derby at Yankee Stadium. Morneau has 14HRs and 68RBIs in 94 games.

The contestants for the home run derby are:

-Ryan Braun, Brewers

-Grady Sizemore, Indians

-Dan Uggla, Marlins

-Chase Utley, Phillies

-Lance Berkman, Astros

-Josh Hamilton, Rangers

-Justin Morneau, Twins

-Even Longoria, Rays

Ricco See, Ricco Do

The day after Mark Cavendish won his second stage of the Tour De France, Riccardo Ricco did the same thing, winning Stage 9 in dominating fashion, giving him two stage victories this year. Ricco finished the 139.2 mile-long stage in 5:39:28. This stage was the first stage that involved riding through the Pyrenees. Russian rider Vladimir Efimkin crossed the finish line 64 seconds later than Ricco while France's Cyril Dessel finished in third, 13 seconds behind Efimkin.

Kim Kirchen still retains the overall lead, but Stefan Schumacher gives up his third place spot to Christian Vandevelde of the United States.

Overall Standings after Stage 9:

1. Kim Kirchen (38:07:19)
2. Cadel Evans (6 seconds behind Kirchen)
3. Christian Vandevelde (44 seconds behind Kirchen)
4. Stefan Schumacher (56 seconds behind Kirchen)
5. Denis Menchov (63 seconds behind Kirchen)

A Note From the Editor

Hey guys, Jon here. I am sorry for the lack of posts from me lately, I have been very busy. I got back from Fanfest yesterday, and man was it a thrill. I will have tons of pictures coming up soon. Unfortunately, we were made aware of the passing of Yankees Great Bobby Murcer. I will have more to come later, so stay tuned!

Third-String Durant Leads Roughriders to 3-0 Start

After last night's game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, we can now safely say that Rider Nation is happy about their team being the only CFL team to go undefeated in the season so far. Faced with quarterback issues, Saskatchewan decided to start third-string QB Darian Durant. The 25-year old would engineer a last-minute 82-yard scoring drive that resulted in a Wes Cates 1-yard rushing touchdown with 29 seconds left in the game.

Durant completed 23 of 32 passes for 347 yards in route to the Roughriders' third victory of the season. After the game, Durant said, "I just wanted to win. It's not like we needed a touchdown there. But if I could just get the chains down there into field goal range then we would win because we have an excellent kicker." That "excellent kicker," Luca Congi, converted on two field goals, one from 47 yards, and the other from 14 yards.

Saskatchewan had led during the entire course of the game until Nick Setta kicked a 41-yard field goal to give the Tiger-Cats a 28-27 lead with less than 4 minutes left in the game, but the Tiger-Cat defense could not stop the Roughriders offense from winning the game.