Manny Ramirez suspended 50 games for positive PED test

As if baseball didn't have enough of a public relations problem, news come out today Manny Ramirez has tested positive for PEDs. He will be suspended 50 games, effective immediately. I guess it shouldn't surprise anyone, as any player who has ever had a good season lately was most likely on them. The fact that they haven't gotten caught does not necessarily prove their innocence, it's probably more of an indictment on MLB's crappy drug testing.

In the past six months, arguably baseball's two most elite players have either been busted or have admitted to using PEDs. You would think as shady as baseball is, they would simply try to hide it under the rug. The only thing left to complete the trifecta would be if Albert Pujols tests positive for performance enhancers. And, sorry, you've got to be kidding yourself if you don't think he's on them.

May 7th: On this date...

... in 1998, Ya boy Walter McCarty made his on-screen debut playing "Mance" in Spike Lee's basketball movie, "He Got Game." The film featured Denzel Washington, Ray Allen, Rick Pitino, Rosario Dawson, Jim Brown, and a personal favorite John Turturro. The Spike Lee joint opened to 1319 movie screens across the nation and finished with a $7 million opening weekend. Which in 2009, is the equivalent to approximately $7.3 millions. Kudos Waltah.

... in 2003, Ya boy kept his entertainment career alive by releasing the above album, Moment For Love. The R&B record featured dope songs such as: It's On Tonight, Freaky Wit Me, and Love You The Right Way. Walter had a habit of being in front of the microphone, as he was popular for singing the National Anthem at each stop in his basketball career. Louisville sucks.

Late Night Recap

Johnny Rondo continued his freak streak in the NBA playoffs tonight leading the Celtics to a Game 2 win against Orlando. Rondo ended the night with his third triple double of the playoffs, tying Larry Bird as the only other Celtic to accomplish this feat. Umm.....that's not bad company, especially considering their history.

Rivals is set to name Kentucky as the top recruiting class in the nation for 2009.

Matt Jones looks at the scholarship situation for the Cats this fall. I will be unveiling the Kentucky basketball totem pole for the 2009-10 Cats tomorrow.

Finally, as hard as it was for me to sign up for all the Twittering, I manned up and did it. If, for no other reason Coach Cal is raffling off three signed Lebron witness t-shirts from the last night's Cleveland playoff win. This guy could literally sell me anything. I'm puddy in Calipari's hands.

I'm taking the weekend off from the internet world (off to Western Ky), so if anything goes down, you are to blame. Don't forget the mother's this weekend either. They deserve it.

Some Family Love

I would be remissed if I didn't mention a little nugget from today's Inbox. It has come to my attention that my "little" cousin Lauren is a part of the top doubles team at Mercer County. Lauren Yates and LeeLee Baxter have been ranked the #1 ladies doubles team for the upcoming 12th Region Tournament (May 15-17). Here is a writeup from the Advocate Messenger of some of their latest handy work. The Mercer County Titans ladies tennis record is currently 16-1.

When her Granny, Martha Sue Mayes, was reached for comment, she said, "Ohhhhh, she's the finest thing I ever did see! Granny knew that she would do it all along." Did you hear that? Granny just went third-person on ya!

Hopefully this finds Lauren and she's not too embarrassed. We just wanted to wish them luck on their journey to the 12th Region Tournament and give props because they were due. Good luck ladies!

Random Youtube clip

Just a little something for you on this rainy wednesday afternoon. Its UK fan and BBB correspondent from our Northern Kentucky Bureau Bob Herzog.

It's Official! We have a Point Guard

Eric Bledsoe officially chose Kentucky this morning at a press conference at his high school. MyFoxMemphis had a live feed eerily similar to that of the Zapruder film, but it was clear enough for me to see a UK hat on Mr. Bledsoe.

When asked whether or not he though the Cats could win a Championship this coming year, I'm almost positive he said something to effect of, "Yeah, I think we can because Pat's coming back. I haven't talked to Jodie much, but yeah, I think we can win a title." Or something to that effect.

This would definitely be two great pieces of information to find out on a gloomy Lexington day. If anyone sees Pat today, tell him he is legally bound to come back to UK this fall because Bledsoe said so.

We currently have a complete starting five coming to UK this fall, and everything we have when they get here is gravy. My guess is the NCAA selection committee will definitely match us up with Memphis come next spring.

Carry on.

Bledsoe is a cat

Time to get sh*t right!

Bledsoe announced his decision today. He said he isn't worried about Wall coming to UK. He said that Calipari said that he would start, and if Wall came to UK they'd both play at the same time. He went on to say they would "Get sh*t right!".

May 6th: On this date...

... in 1997, Richard Pitino resigns from the University of Kentucky under the cover of nighttime, and slithers his way on up to Boston to destroy one of the most storied franchises in the NBA. It probably didn't come as a complete surprise to UK fans, but the feeling of your college team losing its leader, in the middle of an historical run, still upsets me. No less than five Boston television stations carried Pitino's UK resignation news conference (during the day). Immediately, Wildcat fans turned the page and have never looked back, totally understanding Pitino's motives that day. Speculation immediately turned to Billy Donovan on who the next coach would be immediately filled the airwaves with the consensus looking at former Pitino assistant, University of Georgia head coach Orlando "Tubby" Smith. Tubby would inherit the Comeback Cats and lead the team to its 7th National Championship the following spring. To this day, most all Kentucky fans have forgiven Richard Pitino for the events of this day just twelve years ago. And if you're free this weekend, don't forget to watch The Extortioner, Friday's on CBS!

Eric Bledsoe to UK?

"(Gasp!) He has tattoo's", says the old white crowd.

So says MemphisRoar.com, allkyhoops.com, and Jerry Meyer of Rivals.com. They say 2009 #3 PG Eric Bledsoe is moving to Lexington this fall. This definitely eases the pain if John Wall decides to choose someone else later this month. Depending on what Pat and Jodie do this spring, we have potentially added the missing piece to the 2009-10 basketball Cats. Keep your fingers crossed. Press conference Wednesday at 11:00 am EST.

***UPDATE***

Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com is also reporting Bledsoe is UK bound. His source says he got it from the coach recruiting him:

“I got it from a college coach who’s recruiting him,” the source said. “He told some staffs where he’s not going. He said, ‘Kentucky’s my school.’”

Cinco de Mayo: On this date...

... in 1972, Pat Riley was a key contributor in the Los Angeles Lakers first ever title run, helping them squeak past the New York Knicks in overtime 116-111. The win pushed L.A. to a 3-1 NBA Finals advantage. Two nights later, Riley along with legends/teammates Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, blitzed the Knicks to get their first ever crown. Riley averaged seven points off the bench for the season and for the Championship series.

UK calendar

Eric Bledsoe not arrested today -- decision to come Wednesday

Adam Zagoria reports the decision for top point guard prospect Eric Bledsoe will come Wednesday. Bledsoe visited Memphis on Thursday and Kentucky this past weekend. His high school coach said he had great visits at each school and already knows where he wants to go, he simply gets enjoyment watching fans be restless. Bledsoe was recruited by current Memphis coach Josh Pastner, while on John Calipari staff at Memphis. When asked if he could see himself playing with John Wall, Bledsoe replied, "Yes sir."

John Wall, on the other hand, has officially decided not to decide where he will attend college until approximately Memorial Day 2009. Supposedly, he will cut his list down sometime soon, but his current list is as long as my...........well, its really long. So even if he does cut it down, it's still gonna have quite a few teams on it.

While 2009 recruiting is in a hurry up and wait phase, we get news that 2010 has perked up. Will Barton, the #1 SG in 2010/#10 overall in 2010, has spoken to Coach Cal multiple times and claims to be the top target for UK in his class. And even though his current list of schools is lengthy, a decision might come sooner than you think:

“I wouldn’t say I’m a ways off [from making a decision],” Barton said. “But I’m just enjoying recruiting right now and being recruited at a high level because it’s a blessing. It’s very exciting, so I take it day by day and I’ll never take it for granted.

“Everybody’s asking when I’m going to make a decision and I don’t know yet. It could happen tomorrow, it could happen next week. Whenever it happens, it happens.”

KSR also has a live blog tonight at 8:00pm. Carry On.

John Wall recruiting update

There's no decision, or any update on when he will decide, but he was cited by the police for a possible breaking and entering ordeal. Sources close to the situation say the officers found one dozen eggs and a box of Snap-n-Pops on Wall at the time of the detaining.

As commenter "securityguy" said on KSR:

He was taking an unofficial visit and seriously adding this residence to his list of “schools” under consideration.

In a related story, Wall was also cited for tearing the tags off a few mattresses in the summer of 2008. Obviously, no one is condoning this recent incident with Wall, but for anyone to suggest this changes the recruiting of John Wall in relation to UK, they are badly mistaken. With the ego of college coaches nowadays, this only strengthens the argument that he needs to come play for me, because I can show him the proper guidance.

May 4th: On this date...

... in 2007, Kentucky fans swarmed Memorial Coliseum dumpsters once word broke UK was replacing the floor and throwing the old one away. Kentucky.com broke the story and within hours a steady line of cars formed, dying to snatch up a piece of the splintered maple floor. By 9:00pm the same evening, the dumpster was completely empty as the "rabid UK fan base" wanted to get a piece of history. The University saved the keys, center court, lanes, and nearly 700 square feet, including the spot where Kentucky's Vernon Hatton made a shot in double overtime to help the Cats take down Temple.

also,

... in 2007, "rabid" Kentucky fans started showing their impatience with Patrick Patterson as he continued to drag out his recruitment. Everyone knows how this turned out, right? Therefore, if you see or hear someone whining and crying that they cannot wait any longer for John Wall, feel free to smack them upside the head.

May 3rd: On this date...

... in 1982, Kentucky great Frank Ramsey was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Known as the "Kentucky Colonel", the 6'3" guard from Madisonville was best known for virtually creating the role of Sixth Man in basketball. Ramsey was a three time All-American, was a member of the 1951 NCAA Championship team, and led UK's 1954 team to a 25-0 record. He currently sits #26 on the all-time scoring list, compiling 1344 points in just three years.

UK calendar

Kentucky 15/1 to win it all in 2010

What a difference a year makes, huh? Kentucky has been installed as the 3rd choice behind only Kansas and Louisville to cut the nets down in 2010, according to SuperBook.com. I would also think the Cats would jump a bit with the addition of John Wall. Understanding these odds mean absolutely nothing, as a Kentucky fan, to think this is the case after what's gone on the last few years is incredible.

John Calipari has definitely started planting the seeds to reap plenty of rewards in this upcoming decade, but to think it could possibly be happening this fast......(slow clap). In conclusion, if we do not win a Championship in 2010, half the fan base will be irate over the suspect coaching job Coach Cal has done. You know it will happen.

Here are the odds as of May 3, 2009:

Kansas (7/1)
Louisville (8/1)
Kentucky (15/1)
Michigan State (15/1)
Duke (15/1)
North Carolina (20/1)
Texas (25/1)
USC (25/1)
Gonzaga (25/1)

Cutler at it again

During today's Derby coverage, WLEX decided to poke a bit of fun at the Cutler/Gillispie chase interview. Not bad, considering they were on air for over eight hours today. Also, the Coach Cal interview with the notorious Jeannine Edwards.

Derby 135 - Everybody knows....about the Bird - Wow

Mine that Bird blew everyone's mind away today coming from absolutely dead last to storm through the field down the stretch. I had Pioneerof the Nile (2nd), Musket Man (3rd), Papa Clem (4th) paired with Summer Bird (6th) instead of Mine that Bird causing a momentary jolt of excitement, thinking I'd hit the trifecta. Uh, yeah, notsomuch.

Recap

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

May 2nd: On this date...

... in 1989, Seton Hall head coach P.J. Carlesimo says "no" to the Kentucky job. Of course, to save face, UK says the job was never officially offered. Where have I heard this before? Carlesimo had just led the Pirates to the NCAA title game. This decision would put the Wildcats on a new search for a head coach, leading to one Rick Pitino. I'm not for sure what the picture has to do with Richard Pitino. The Extortioner, Friday's on CBS!

Ladies First - Kentucky Oaks 135

Anyone who witnessed the Kentucky Oaks today may have just seen the best 3-year old horse in the world. Rachel Alexandra absolutely destroyed the field in arguably the biggest race of the year for the ladies, leaving many to wonder if she would have been the winner of tomorrow's Kentucky Derby. The filly won by 20+ lengths, nearly broke the track record, and there was not a whip in sight throughout the whole race.

After the tragedy of Eight Belles in last year's Derby, some think the Rachel Alexandra connections didn't want to chance a potentially brutal running in a wild, twenty horse field. On the other hand, one is only left to hope if she will get a chance at the boys in the Preakness or Belmont. If she does, she will be the overwhelming favorite.

Kentucky Oaks recap

May 1st: On this date...

... in 1967, Kentucky guard/forward Pat Riley was selected 7th by the San Diego Rockets of the NBA. Riley is a six time NBA Champion -- once as a player (1972), and five times as a coach (1982, '85, '87-'88, and 2006). Many people forget that Riley was drafted as a flanker by the Dallas Cowboys in the 11th round of the NFL Draft. One of the most versatile athletes in this era, Riley helped lead Kentucky to the 1966 NCAA title game, falling to the ineligible UTEP. Pat Riley is possibly one of the most well-known Kentucky alumni, as he has been a face for our generation of the NBA.