Best Beatles Songs of All Time

To celebrate the release of the Beatles Rock Band video game and the the new box set of remastered versions of all 14 of their studio albums, Entertainment Weekly has ranked their top 50 Beatles songs. While I don't totally agree with the list I love that this gives me the chance to make my own top list. Here it is:

B Mac's Top 20:

I split mine into two lists because The Beatles were two of the greatest bands of all time.

From 1962-1966 they were the greatest pop band of all time and from 1967-1970 they were the history's preeminent classic rock band.

Early Beatles

1. "Help!"

2. "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"

3. "In My Life"

4. "Paperback Writer"

5. "Please Please Me"

6. "Rain"

7. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"

8. "Tomorrow Never Knows"

9. "She Said She Said"

10. "Eleanor Rigby"

Late Beatles

1. "Something"

2. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

3. "Come Together"

4. "Hey Jude"

5. "Yellow Submarine"

6. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

7. "Revolution 1"

8. "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band"

9. "Rocky Raccoon"

10. "Two of Us"

Albums everyone on Earth should own:

Revolver - (1966)

1962-1966 (The "Red" Album)

1966-1970 (The "Blue" Album)

The White Album (1968)

Anthology, Vol. 2 (1996)

1 (2000)

EW's Top 50:

1. "A Hard Day's Night" 1964 (A Hard Day's Night)

2. "A Day in the Life" 1967 (Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band)

3. "Yesterday" 1965 (Help!)

4. "Strawberry Fields Forever" 1967 (Magical Mystery Tour)

5. "Something" 1969 (Abbey Road)

6. "She Loves You" 1963 (Past Masters)

7. "Let It Be" 1970 (Let It Be)

8. "Tomorrow Never Knows" 1966 (Revolver)

9. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" 1965 (Rubber Soul)

10. "Across the Universe" 1969 (Let It Be)

11. "Elanor Rigby" 1966 (Revolver)

12. "Penny Lane" 1967 (Magical Mystery Tour)

13. "Help!" 1965 (Help!)

14. "Hey Jude" 1965 (Help!)

15. "In My Life" 1965 (Rubber Soul)

16. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" 1968 (White Album)

17. "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" 1965 (Help!)

18. "Blackbird" 1968 (White Album)

19. "Golden Slumbers/Carry the Weight/The End" 1969 (Abbey Road)

20. "Can't Buy Me Love" 1964 (A Hard Day's Night)

21. "Revolution" 1968 (Past Masters)

22. "If I Fell" 1964 (A Hard Day's Night)

23. "We Can Work It Out" 1965 (Past Masters)

24. "I'm Only Sleeping" 1966 (Revolver)

25. "I'm A Loser" 1964 (Beatles For Sale)

26. "Paperback Writer" 1964 (Past Masters)

27. "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" 1968 (White Album)

28. "Rain" 1966 (Past Masters)

29. "I Saw Her Standing There" 1963 (Please Please Me)

30. "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" 1969 (Abbey Road)

31. "All My Loving" 1963 (With the Beatles)

32. "I Am the Walrus" 1967 (Magical Mystery Tour)

33. "I Should Have Known Better" 1964 (A Hard Day's Night)

34. "I've Got a Feeling" 1970 (Let It Be)

35. "Nowhere Man" 1965 (Rubber Soul)

36. "Dear Prudence" 1968 (White Album)

37. "She Said She Said" 1966 (Revolver)

38. "You Won't See Me" 1965 (Rubber Soul)

39. "Taxman" 1966 (Revolver)

40. "With a Little Help From My Friends" 1967 (Sgt. Pepper)

41. "Day Tripper" 1965 (Past Masters)

42. "I'm Down" 1965 (Past Masters)

43. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" 1963 (Past Masters)

44. "Come Together" 1969 (Abbey Road)

45. "Lovely Rita" 1967 (Sgt. Pepper)

46. "Ticket to Ride" 1965 (Help!)

47. "Helter Skelter" 1968 (White Album)

48. "Here Comes the Sun" 1969 (Abbey Road)

49. "I'm So Tired" 1968 (White Album)

50. "All You Need is Love" 1967 (Magical Mystery Tour)

Feel free to post your favorite Beatles song or your own list. (Hint: It's really hard)

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The Admiral's Ship Comes In

David Robinson Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

The 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame class will be remembered for one man, Michael Jordan. While Jordan is arguably the greatest player of all time and revolutionized the league, he was never My Guy. I have ultimate respect and admiration for him as a player and an icon but My Guy was David Robinson.

I was ten years old when Robinson entered the league in 1989 to play for the San Antonio Spurs. (He was actually drafted number one overall in 1987 but had to fulfill two years of his obligation to the Naval Academy before joining the league.) For some unknown reason that became my team. Don't ask me why or how. I became a Spurs fan and David Robinson became My Guy.

Dozens of my trapper keepers were adorned with his number "50" and too many portraits were attempted by me in art class. I remember having a long sleeve David Robinson white T-shirt that had arrows and targets on the elbows to remind you when playing ball to "always use your elbows." I remember the lame "Mr. Robinson's neighborhood" campaign Nike tried to roll out in the '90s. I don't remember this horrible video game he put his name on. I remember his NBA Hoops rookie card with him posting up and calling for the ball. I'll never forget him scoring 71 points on the final day of the 1993-94 season to win the scoring title from Shaquille O' Neal. The following year he won the MVP award and faced his in-state rival in the playoffs. After getting abused by Hakeem Olajuwon that year in the postseason it left no doubt who was the best center in the game and the sad realization that Mr Robinson would never be one the truly greats. I remember Robinson getting ejected for the first time of his career the game immediately following his wedding. I kinda liked that. I can recall the Spurs starting lineup during his prime without effort: Avery Johnson at the point, Vinny Del Negro at shooting guard, Sean Elliot at small forward, Terry Cummings doing his thing at power forward, and big D in the middle.

Robinson received a late career gift when after a horrible injury-riddled season the Spurs had the No. 1 pick in 1998 and selected Tim Duncan. Duncan allowed Robinson to finally claim a title in the strike-shortened season of 1999. And again in 2003 in Robinson's final season they were crowned champions. But by then it was Duncan's team and he was only a role player. Still here are the facts about his career: No 1 draft pick, rookie of the year, 1992 Defensive Player of the Year, 1995 MVP, two-time NBA champion, 10-time all star, 4-time all NBA team, member of the 1992 USA Dream Team, named one of the NBA's top 50 all time players in 1996, and only the fourth player to score 70+ points in a game. A worthy Hall of Famer.

I never really enjoyed his late career playoff runs and championships because sometime in the late 90's me and the Spurs had an amicable divorce. My interest in the NBA was waning and I think the year of Robinson's season-ending injury I needed something to revitalize my fandom. I locked onto a young high school kid from Philadelphia by way of Italy who had been acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers on draft day. Even after the roller coaster career of Kobe Bryant and his off court dramas, I can't say I regretted it. I'm sure one day soon this marriage will end too when Bryant decides to move on from L.A. and I'll search out a new franchise to invest my interest in. (Johnny Flynn, I can be easily swayed to the Timberwolves camp.) I still always rooted for Robinson personally and it seems like he was always a true stand-up guy. The NBA renamed their award for outstanding charitable efforts in honor of Robinson. Just an all around good person. So enjoy these clips... And here's to you Mr. Robinson...

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B Mac's Super Bowl Pick and Predictions

In honor of the greatest sport on this big, blue planet I've decided to share with you my predictions, prognostications, and premonitions on the upcoming 2009 NFL season. Okay here we go...

Pick Six: The only six teams in the league with a shot at the title - New England, Pittsburgh, San Diego, New York Giants, Philadelphia, and Minnesota. Anyone else makes a run at it and I'll be shocked. (Come on Chicago, shock me!)

Teams on the Rise: Houston, Seattle, Green Bay, Oakland

Window of opportunity closing fast: Indianapolis, Tennessee, Dallas

Disasters in the making: Denver, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, St. Louis, Buffalo

Three for Me. Fantasy players I'd take off the board as soon as possible:
LaDanian Tomlinson: wasn't this guy Superman just two years ago?
Marques Colston: just stay healthy and collect passes and TDs all day from Drew Brees.
Matt Schaub: poised for a breakout year on a breakout team; I see him as this year's Phillip Rivers with better targets.

Three for You. Players I'd avoid like the plague:
Kurt Warner: only 4 times in his 10-year career has he started at least 14 games
Matt Cassel: even before knee injury this guy had system-QB-bust written all over him
Brian Westbrook: two words - old, brittle. Honker Gridiron fans feel free to laugh

2009 Predictions:

AFC
New England 13-3
San Diego 12-4
Pittsburgh 11-5
Houston 10-6
Indianapolis 9-7
Tennessee 9-7
Miami 8-8
Cincinnati 8-8
New York Jets 7-9
Baltimore 7-9
Cleveland 7-9
Oakland 7-9
Jacksonville 6-10
Kansas City 6-10
Buffalo 5-11
Denver 4-12

NFC
New York Giants 12-4
Seattle 11-5
New Orleans 10-6
Minnesota 10-6
Philadelphia 9-7
Chicago 9-7
Green Bay 9-7
Dallas 8-8
Atlanta 8-8
Arizona 7-9
Carolina 7-9
Washington 7-9
San Francisco 6-10
Detroit 4-12
St. Louis 4-12
Tampa Bay 3-13



MVP: Drew Brees, QB New Orleans
DMVP: Jared Allen, DE Minnesota
OMVP: LaDanian Tomlinson, RB San Diego
ROY: Hakeem Nicks, WR New York Giants
DROY: B.J. Raji, DT Green Bay Packers
COY: Jim Mora, Seattle




Super Bowl XLIV: New England Patriots over New York Giants



I love New York's offensive and defensive lines. They are beasts upfront. Brandon Jacobs can emerge as an elite back if he stays healthy. Still not sold on Eli Manning as an elite signal caller, but if he can lead the Giants through a mistake-free postseason they can return to the big game. He needs a WR to emerge from the shadow of Plaxico Burress who was an elite talent that made Eli's life easier. Look for Hakeem Nicks, the rookie WR from North Carolina, to make a splash.


Tom Brady returns from his 2008 season-ending injury to almost the exact record setting offense he led two years ago. Loaded with receivers (Moss, Welker, Joey Galloway), complemented by a packed backfield (Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Fred Taylor), and led by the best coaching staff in the sport, the Lombardi trophy returns to the Haah-baarh.

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The Purple Judas

Brett Favre's new teammate in Minnesota, Adrian Peterson, has the greatest nickname in sports, The Purple Jesus. Well AP meet your new QB, Brett Fav-rah, the Purple Judas. When Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ all he got was thirty pieces of silver. Favre's betrayal will be much more lucrative. A two-year $25 million contract lured the humble Mississippi farmer out of his second self-imposed retirement.

How could he do this? How could THE Green Packer of our generation sign with the hated rival Minnesota Vikings. The face of a team, a franchise, hell a large chunk of the Midwest that loves dairy based snacks, has traded his legacy for a year with the Purple Plague.

Why? Because Favre is a paradox wrapped in a riddle. He carries himself as a humble, aw-shucks common man while drawing as much attention to himself off the field as Chad Ochocinco. He is an egomaniac wrapped in a blue collar image. He needs to be needed. Green Bay decided last year they didn't need him and sent him down the road to the New York Jets. Result: 8-8, no playoffs. So he retired. No he didn't. Oh yeah he did. No wait, he's back again.

Now the Vikings need him. They need him because they had one of the worst QB situations in the league. They were desperate for a human being that could stand upright and throw the ball in the general forward direction of their team without skipping it like a stone across the water. (You suck, Tavarious Jackson.)

And like suckers the Vikings nation is eating it up like Christmas came on the 4th of July and Santa brought them a new shiny toy that will lead them to the promised land. Not quite. What you have is a 40 year old, brittle QB that used to smack your team around from the other sideline. The guy you used to boo and jeer and cuss on Sundays from 1992-2008. Like Jerry Seinfeld once said, we sports fans are idiots. We don't cheer for people, we cheer for laundry. Now that Favre wears purple, he's one of yours. Enjoy.

To quote another comic genius, Vince Vaughn in Old School, "Old people die, Mitch. It's what they do." Well in the NFL old QBs get injured. It's what they do. Minny goes to Lambeau Field in Week 8 for a Monday night game. If Brett makes it there in one piece I'll be surprised.

Games to Watch:

Week 4: Green Bay at Minnesota

Week 8: Minnesota at Green Bay

Week 12: Chicago at Minnesota

Week 16: Minnesota at Chicago

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B Mac's NL All Stars

Yesterday I set the American League straight, now it's time to fix the National League's roster for next Tuesday's All Star game. Adhering to the rules and standards, i.e. 33 man roster and including at least one player from each team; here are my selections. (Bold = league leader, Italics = top 5 in league.)

STARTERS

• C- Brian McCann, Braves (.299 BA 8 HR 35 RBI)
• 1B- Albert Pujols, Cardinals (.332 31 HR 83 RBI)
• 2B- Chase Utley, Phillies (.307 20 HR 61RBI)
• 3B- Pablo Sandoval, Giants (.328 13 HR 50 RBI)
• SS- Hanley Ramirez, Marlins (.348 14 HR 60 RBI)
• OF- Raul Ibanez, Phillies (.312 22 HR 59 RBI)
• OF- Brad Hawpe, Rockies (.324 .577 SLUG 57 RBI)
• OF- Ryan Braun, Brewers (.321 16 HR 58 RBI)
• SP- Dan Haren, Diamondbacks (8-5 2.16 ERA 0.83 WHIP)

BENCH

• C- Bengie Molina, Giants (.266 11 HR 50 RBI)
• 1B- Prince Fielder, Brewers (.312 22 HR 77 RBI)
• 1B- Adrian Gonzalez, Padres (.256 24 HR 52 RBI)
• 2B- Brandon Phillips, Reds (.268 13 HR 56 RBI)
• 2B- Freddy Sanchez, Pirates (.316 25 2B .477 SLUG)
• 3B- Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks (.259 24 HR 62 RBI)
• 3B- David Wright, Mets (.328 20 SB 43 RBI)
• SS- Miguel Tejada, Astros (.329 29 2B 47 RBI)
• OF- Justin Upton, D'Backs (.296 16 HR 12 SB)
• OF- Matt Kemp, Dodgers (.319 19 SB 46 RBI)
• OF- Adam Dunn, Nationals (.259 22 HR 60 RBI)

BULLPEN

• SP- Tim Lincecum, Giants (9-2 2.33 ERA 149 K)
• SP- Matt Cain, Giants (10-2 2.42 ERA 12 QS)
• SP- Josh Johnson, Marlins (7-2 2.82 ERA 15 QS)
• SP- Yavonni Gallardo, Brewers (8-6 2.95 ERA 120 K)
• SP- Chad Billingsley, Dodgers (9-4 3.14 ERA 115 K)
• SP- Ted Lilly, Cubs (8-6 3.32 ERA 13 QS)
• SP- Javier Vasquez, Braves (6-7 2.95 ERA 136 K)
• RP- Heath Bell, Padres (23 SV 1.49 ERA 1 BLSV)
• RP- Ryan Franklin, Cardinals (20 SV 0.83 ERA 1 BLSV)
• RP- Francisco Cordero, Reds (21 SV 1.75 ERA 1 BLSV)
• RP- Trevor Hoffman, Brewers (19 SV 1.85 ERA 1 BLSV)
• RP- Houston Street, Rockies (22 SV 2.82 ERA 1 BLSV)
• RP- Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers (20 SV 2.72 ERA 2 BLSV)

Who I left off:

Yadier Molina, C Cardinals (.284 5 HR 28 RBI) Fans chose him over his brother probably because the game is in St. Louis and he is a superior defensive back stop. His numbers don't measure up to brother Bengie.

Carlos Beltran, OF Mets (.336 8 HR 40 RBI) He's hurt and won't play in the game.

Jason Marquis, SP Rockies (11-5 3.61 ERA) Again the league leader in the overrated stat of pitcher's wins with 11. His ERA ranks 20th in the NL and has benefited from a Colorado offense that is averaging 6.67 runs during his starts.

Ryan Howard, 1B Phillies (.253 21 HR 63 RBI) A ridiculous manager's selection that makes Howard the 4th first baseman on the National League squad. A choice that should have been used for more versatile and deserving, Kung Fu Panda (Pablo Sandoval). No wonder the American League hasn't lost a game in this series since 1996.

1st HALF MVP: ALBERT PUJOLS, 1B ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Pujols leads the planet in almost every offensive statistical category the computers can invent, including home runs, runs batted in, on base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, total bases, extra base hits, and walks. Let's just hope (knock on wood) we're seeing the first historic clean season from a slugger in the steroid-testing era.

1st HALF CY YOUNG: DAN HAREN, ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

This is a really close call between Haren and San Francisco's Tim Lincecum. I'll admit I am slightly biased because Haren has help me dominate my fantasy league this year. Following him game in and game out has given me a front row seat to his brilliance this year. He has been the most consistent starting pitcher in all of baseball (16 quality starts out of 18 games started) and is only overlooked because of Arizona's hideous record (18.5 games out of first in the NL West) and lack of offense in Haren's starts (5.65 runs/start; 44th in the NL out of pitchers with a minimum of 80 innings pitched). He should be your All Star game starter.

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B Mac's AL All Stars

As usual the fans and MLB have screwed up the all star rosters. I'm here to fix them. Adhering to the rules and standards, i.e. 33 man roster and including at least one player from each team; here are my selections for the 2009 All Star Game in St. Louis on July 14. (Bold - league leader, Italic - top 5 in league.)

STARTERS:

• C- Joe Mauer, Twins (.388 BA 15 HR 47 RBI)
• 1B- Justin Morneu, Twins (.313, 21 HR 69 RBI)
• 2B- Aaron Hill, Blue Jays (.298, 20 HR 59 RBI)
• 3B- Evan Longoria, Rays (.287, 16 HR 65 RBI)
• SS- Jason Bartlett, Rays (.354, 8 HR .558 SLUG)
• OF- Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners (.356, 17 SB 120 H)
• OF- Torii Hunter, Angels (.305, 17 HR 65 RBI)
• OF- Jason Bay, Red Sox (.263, 20 HR 71 RBI)
• SP- Zach Greinke, Royals (10-5 2.12 ERA 5 CG 15 QS)

BENCH:

• C- Victor Martinez, Indians (.299, 14 HR 58 RBI)
• 1B- Mark Texeria, Yankees (.281, 21 HR 63 RBI)
• 1B- Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (.323, 17 HR 48 RBI)
• 2B- Ian Kinsler, Rangers (.252, 20 HR 52 RBI 17 SB)
• 3B- Kevin Youklis, Red Sox (.289, 14 HR 47 RBI .959 OPS)
• 3B- Michael Young, Rangers (.314, 10 HR 34 RBI)
• SS- Derek Jeter, Yankees (.315, 10 HR 17 SB)
• SS- Ben Zobrist, Rays (.288, 17 HR 50 RBI 1.009 OPS)
• OF- Carl Crawford, Rays (.314, 43 SB 58 R)
• OF- Luke Scott, Orioles (.304, 17 HR 50 RBI)
• OF- Jermaine Dye, White Sox (.300, 20 HR 54 RBI)
• OF- Adam Lind, Blue Jays (.309, 19 HR 59 RBI)

BULLPEN

• SP- Roy Halladay, Blue Jays (10-2 2.79 ERA 11 QS)
• SP- Edwin Jackson, Tigers (6-4 2.59 ERA 13 QS)
• SP- Felix Hernandez, Mariners (8-3 2.62 ERA 13 QS)
• SP- Kevin Millwood, Rangers (8-6 3.34 ERA 12 QS)
• SP- Cliff Lee, Indians (4-8 3.45 ERA 14 QS)
• SP- Justin Verlander, Tigers (9-4 3.59 ERA 141 K)
• SP- Mark Buehrle, White Sox (9-2 3.14 ERA 11 QS)
• SP- Nick Blackburn, Twins (7-4 2.94 ERA 3 CG)
• RP- Marino Rivera, Yankees (23 SV 2.43 ERA 1 BLSV 14.33 K:BB)
• RP- Joe Nathan, Twins (22 SV 1.35 ERA 2 BLSV)
• RP- Jonathan Papelbon (22 SV 1.84 ERA 2 BLSV)
• RP- Andrew Bailey (9 SV 2.03 ERA 1.01 WHIP)

1st Half MVP: JOE MAUER C MINNESOTA TWINS

How does someone miss 22 of their teams first 85 games and claim the most valuable player of the first half of the season? How about these May stats? .414 BA .500 OBP 11 HR 32 RBI 1.338 OPS? Is that something that might interest you? After finally officially qualifying for MLB stats with enough at bats this week, he leads the league in batting, on base %, slugging, and OPS. He also plays the most difficult defensive position on the field and anchors another solid Minnesota pitching staff. In the history of major league baseball three catchers have won a league batting title. Joe Mauer is two of them (2006, 2008)

1st Half Cy Young: ZACH GREINKE KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Speaking of hot starts, check out these April/May stats for Greinke: In 11 starts he had 10 quality starts, 8 wins, 4 complete games, and 3 shutouts. Through those 11 starts he amassed an ERA of 0.90. Since then he has cooled off but he still leads the league in ERA, QS, CG, shutouts, and is 2nd in strikeouts with only 21 walks in 18 starts. The most dominant starter in the league.

Who I left off the team:

Dustin Pedroia 2B Red Sox: An up-and-down 1st half which leaves him only 3 HR in 328 AB and an OPS under .800.

Tim Wakefield SP Red Sox: He leads the league in the most overrated of pitching stats, wins (11). He ranks 26th in the AL in ERA (4.31), 15th in innings pitched (108), and has walked at least four batters in 5 of his 17 starts.

Josh Hamilton, OF Rangers: Last year's home run derby hero was voted in as a starter by the fans. Big mistake. He's only totalled 138 at bats this year with .254 BA 6 HR 24 RBI in 38 games.

Brian Fuentes, RP Angels: He leads the league in saves with 24 but also has 3 blown saves and an ERA of 3.38. Honestly he probably would have the roster spot if not for the one player per team rule. It hurts me to admit the one team in the league that doesn't deserve an All Star is my favorite team, the Oakland Athletics. Andrew Bailey has had a solid start but has only been the team's full time closer for about a month and has more blown saves than Fuentes with 15 less saves.

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Oakland's One Shining Moment in 2009

Being an Athletics fans recently has not been a very promising prospect the last few years. Last year they finished 24.5 games out of first place in the West Division. They also dumped a bunch of salary in trading away their top three starting pitchers Dan Haren, Rich Harden, and Joe Blanton. In 2007 they finished 18 games out of first place and and lost pitcher Barry Zito and Frank Thomas (4th place in 2006 MVP voting) to free agency. Since their 2006 playoff run to the AL Championship Series they have consistently traded away and ignored re-signing high priced veteran talent in favor of acquiring young, cheap players to build up an impressive farm system. In the current economics of Major League Baseball this is one of the few ways for a small market team like Oakland to compete. In 2009 the A's had an approximate payroll of $63 million. Slightly less than the to the 2009 salaries of New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez, Mark Texeria, and CC Sabathia ($69 million combined).

It's hard to be patient as a fan. You want your team to win right now, every year. That's why the NFL is so popular; every year going in there is a legitimate chance that your team will compete for the playoffs. For God's sake the Arizona Cardinals were in the Super Bowl last year. And I guess technically its possible in the MLB. The Tampa Bay Rays ($31.8 million payroll in 2008) made an appearance in the 2008 World Series after winning a division title over the New York Yankees ($218 million) and Boston Red Sox ($155 million). Oakland is now using Tampa Bay's template to build a contender 2-3 years in the future.

We finally got to see a glimpse of that future last night in Boston. The A's trail in the West eleven games out of first place and nine games under .500. Their season was basically over before July 4th. The offseason trade of Matt Holliday from the Rockies and the free agent signings of veteran position players Jason Giambi and Orlando Cabrera has done little to improve the anemic offense that has plagued the team since '06. The only reason to follow the team this year is the development of their talented but youthful pitching staff.

Brett Anderson, a 21 year old baby-faced Texan, making his 15th start of his rookie season dominated the Boston Red Sox in their home park. Anderson stole the spotlight from Nomar Garciaparra who was making his first return to Boston since being traded away in 2004. Pitching a complete game 2-hitter, Anderson shut down one of the top offensive teams in one of the most batter-friendly parks in the majors.

Brett Anderson's stat line for the game:

9 IP 2 H O ER O R 9 K 2 BB

ESPN.com gave Anderson a game score of 90, which ranks as the third best-pitched game in the American League this year. He became the first rookie to shut out the Sox in Fenway since Jim Abbot in 1989. It's the A's first complete game since Justin Duscherer threw one last July.

Anderson, 21, along with Dallas Braden, 25, and Trevor Cahill, 21, make up the core of Oakland's young starting staff. Along with top prospect Michael Ynoa, 18, and minor leaguers Dana Eveland, 25, Gio Gonzalez, 23, and Josh Outman, 24, they make up a deep pool of pitchers for the A's to build on. If they can develop or add some offense and cultivate their pitching prospects correctly, there is reason for hope in the Athletic Nation. Just not right now, but maybe later.

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Ron-Ron in La-La Land

On Thusday night Ron Artest announced that he had agreed to join the Lakers for a mid-level exception contract of approx. $6.2 million per for either 3 or 5 years. In what amounts to a virtual trade with the Houston Rockets, after Trevor Ariza agreed to sign with Artest's former team for the same mid-level exception for 5 years.

What does this mean for LA? It means that they have in effect set themselves a championship window of 3 years. For the next three years they'll keep the core of Kobe-Gasol-Bynum-Artest locked up. Having done virtually nothing the last two years in the draft and focusing on veteran players, Phil Jackson and Mitch Kupchak have decided to play for right now. After the 2011 season it looks like it'll be time to blow it up or reload in a new version with (hopefully) Kobe and Bynum.

Next priority is locking up Lamar Odom to join that core of talent. Odom is reportedly seeking a $10 mil.+ deal. LA is offering in the neighborhood of $8 mil. and is likely to be Odom's best offer. Worst-case scenario is that San Antonio overpays Odom to keep him out of LA and deepen the Spurs bench.

The Artest signing was a good defensive signing in a matter of speaking. It kept Artest away from a contender like Cleveland who was reportedly pursuing him to add alongside LeBron James and Shaquille O' Neal. It also opened up the postion in Houston for Ariza and kept him off a likely championship contender. Cleveland and Boston were rumored to be after him. For all the improving that Cleveland, Orlando, and San Antonio have done this offseason it is good to see LA being proactive and not standing pat with the same vulnerable squad that won the 2009 title.

The two biggest questions for LA going into 09-10 will be likely be defending opposing point guards (Derek Fisher despite his Game 4 heroics is still old, slow, and a terrible defender) and Andrew Bynum's continuing development as a force underneath. There is no question they have the talent both on the court and on the coaching staff to repeat as champs. Like every team going into a new season they'll have to find a new chemistry with new faces, get lucky and stay injury free (that means you, Bynum!), and stay hungry and motivated.

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NBA's Wild Week

A recap of the deals that went down and how they'll affect the NBA in 2009-10.

TUESDAY: San Antonio trades for Richard Jefferson (Kurt Thomas and Bruce Bowen to Milwaukee) The Spurs add a fourth scoring option alongside Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker. Jefferson is a durable offensive weapon who has not missed a game in the last two years while averaging 21.1 points per game. Milwaukee clears over $15 million for the 2010 free agent bonanza.

WEDNESDAY: Minnesota trades Randy Foye and Mike Miller for Washington's number 5 overall pick in the 2009 draft. (Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov to Minnesota)

Rumors fly out of Boston trying to package either Rajon Rondo or Ray Allen. Neither trade materializes.

THURSDAY: Cleveland trades for Shaquille O' Neal (Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to Phoenix). The Cavaliers bring a big post presence and a superstar to play along side LeBron James.

Orlando trades for Vince Carter (Rafter Alston and Courtney Lee to New Jersey). The Magic add another jump shooter but trade away their best perimeter defender in Lee. A move that could push Orlando over the top or destroy the chemistry that carried them to the Finals last year.

NBA DRAFT:

#1 LA Clippers: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma

• #2 Memphis: Hasheem Thabeet, Conneticut
• #3 Oklahoma City: James Harden, Arizona State
• #4 Sacremento: Tyreke Evans, Memphis
• #5 Minnesota: Ricky Rubio, Spain
• #6 Minnesota: Johnny Flynn, Syracuse
• #7 Golden State: Stephen Curry, Davidson
• #8 New York: Jordan Hill, Arizona
• #9 Toronto: DeMar DeRozan, USC
• #10 Milwaukee: Brandon Jennings, Italy

other notable picks

• #12 Charlotte: Gerald Henderson, Duke
• #13 Indiana: Tyler Hansborough, UNC
• #18 Minnesota: Ty Lawson, UNC (traded to Denver)
• #21 New Orleans: Darren Collison, UCLA
• #36 Memphis: Sam Young, PITT
• #37 San Antonio: DeJaun Blair, PITT
• #41 Milwaukee: Jodie Meeks, Kentucky
• #55 Portland: Patty Mills, St. Mary's

FRIDAY RUMORS

Phoenix and Golden State talking about swapping Amare Staudemeire for a package including Stephen Curry.

New York Knicks talking to Minnesota about trading for Ricky Rubio who says he will not play in a small market and may return to his professional team in Spain. Minnesota's back-to-back picks of point guards Rubio and Johnny Flynn makes a little more sense now.

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Trailer Park

Ten movies I am already in love with after two minutes.

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Repeat Viewing: Old School

This will be the first of a new, recurring series of revisiting classic movies in my collection. These will generally be movies I have watched, rewatched, and probably rewatched again and again. We will cover all genres and all eras. Suggestions for future reviews are welcome. In honor of director Todd Phillips new summer smash hit, The Hangover, the first movie in the series will be his earlier comedy classic, Old School.




Old School



Date Released: 2003
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Luke Wilson, Will Farrell, Vince Vaughn
Director: Todd Phillips

Plot: A newly single man, Mitch (Luke Wilson), moves into a house near a college campus. After his friends (Vince Vaughn and Will Farrell) throw him a wild party they find out that, due to new zoning rule, the house must be school-affiliated or Mitch has to move out. To satisfy the zoning rule (and to escape their own boring lives) they decide to start a new fraternity open to men of all ages. Hilarity ensues.

Best scene: The breaking-in-the-house party "Mitch-A-Palooza." The amazing unleashing of Frank the Tank, Snoop Dogg's backyard jam, and Mitch's hookup with his boss' daughter (Elisha Cuthbert).

Best line: "We're going streaking!" - Frank the Tank

Future TV Stars:

• Ellen Pompeo as "Nicole", Mitch's love interest. She would later gain fame as Dr. Meredith Grey, the star of ABC's Grey's Anatomy.



• Terry O' Quinn as "Goldberg", Mitch's boss. A veteran TV and film actor who would star in TV hit Lost as the mystic island warrior, John Locke.

Cameo out of left field:

• James Carville, former Clinton administration advisor and political analyst, as himself. He is brought in as a substitute debater who is bested by Frank. ("What happened? I blacked out.")

That Guy Hall of Fame:

• Matt Walsh as "Walsh", Mitch's co-worker. You might recognize Walsh, a stand up comic and writer, from such TV shows as Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, Arrested Development and small roles in movies like Bad Santa, Starsky and Hutch, Semi-Pro, Step Brothers, Role Models, I Love You Man, and The Hangover.

Soundtrack: Mostly upbeat, familiar, contemporary pop songs, but also some classics and blues mixed in.

• Ryan Adams, "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)" kicks off the movie with Mitch running through the airport to get home to his horny girlfriend.



• Dan Finnerty and the Dan Band, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" possibly the funniest wedding band scene of all time. with the over-eager lead singer inserts some choice words into the 1983 Bonnie Tyler classic.



• Snoop Dogg, "Papered Up" Snoop kills this Eric B. and Rakim old school jam during the Mitch-A-Palooza backyard concert.



• Metallica, "Master of Puppets" While the men collect their fraternity rushes in a tricked out black-as-death conversion van, Metallica thrashes through their speed metal classic.
  

Permanent Influences on Pop Culture:

• Frank the Tank



• "You're my boy, Blue!"



• "earmuffs"

Breakout Star:

Will Farrell as Frank the Tank. This is the movie that turned Will Farrell from Saturday Night Live star into bonafide movie star. Remember before this Farrell's biggest movie roles were as the villian Mugatu in Zoolander and as a wildlife marshall in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Post-Old School Farrell starred in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy, Elf, and Woody Allen's Melinda and Melinda within a year. The rest is history.

Upon Further Review: (The Hangover SPOILER WARNING AHEAD!!!)

Re watching this since having seen the The Hangover there are some startling similarities and themes. The lead characters in both movies follow a certain "type." Mitch in Old School (OS) is basically Doug, the groom-to-be in The Hangover (TH). A straight-man who is the stable center for his wacky friends. Beanie (Vaughn) in OS is a smooth-talking family man exactly like Phil the school teacher in TH.

Frank the Tank is a mash-up of Stu, the dentist, and Alan, the bearded man-child in TH. Stu is a repressed professional in an unhappy relationship about to propose to an abusive shrew. Frank is a repressed animal unleashing himself after recently marrying into an unhappy union. Alan is a socially awkward tag along whose actions lead directly to a night of lost memories and misadventures. Frank is a middle-aged man recapturing his youth while shooting himself in the neck with horse tranquilizers, doing beer bongs, and streaking solo through town.

Another weird similarity: Doug gets stuck on the roof of the hotel for two days getting baked by the sun and turning bright red. Frank botches his mascot dive through a flaming hoop and reemerges in the locker room with his entire body turned bright red from the burning suit.

END OF SPOILERS

Final Verdict:

Old School is a timeless comedy gem that gets better and better with each viewing. It is the rare funny movie that doesn't fall apart before the credits roll. The plot, as thin as it is (frat vs. dean of college), stays good to the end and the subplot with Mitch pursuing Nicole doesn't drag the comedy down. Pompeo actually brings a different vibe and a bubbly energy to the movie that shifts gears nicely. Luke Wilson is good as Mitch and Vince Vaughn has some great one-liners while basically playing himself. But really this is the Will Farrell comedy show. His Frank the Tank character is one of the funniest, self-destructive schlubs ever to be put on film and he steals every scene he's in.

Repeat Viewing Grade: 5 out of 5

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NBA Finals Hangover: Purple Reign

Los Angeles 99, Orlando 86

The 16-0 run in the second quarter was the beginning of the end. The shot clock violation with three seconds left in the game signaled the end of the end. The Los Angeles Lakers are your 2009 NBA Champions. A historic title in three dimensions: title number 15 for the Lakers organization, title number 10 for Phil Jackson, passing Red Auerbach for No.1 on the coaches list, and title number 4 for Kobe Bryant.

Bryant capped off the series with another great all around game in which he scored 30 and added 6 rebounds and 5 assists. He led the Lakers in scoring and assists in each game of the final series. He won his first Bill Russell Award for Finals MVP averaging 32.4 points, 7.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds. Yeah he shot a lot (avg. 27 shots per game for the finals), but he also passed a lot and boarded a lot. He did everything a lot this postseason. Now he's won championships a lot. He ties Tim Duncan and Shaquille O' Neal (and teammate Derek Fisher) as the only active players with four titles.

Is this a new dynasty in the making or is this the end of an era? Phil Jackson is likely going to retire after suffering through the year with a bad hip and various ailments. He has nothing left to prove and all signs point to Kurt Rambis inheriting the team. Role players Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza who made invaluable contributions are both free agents. The Lakers will likely have to decide between re-signing either the inconsistent 30 year old power forward or the 23 year old hustling swingman who will make substantially more than the 3.1 million he was paid in 08-09. My preference would be Odom but only because he is likely to take an LA discount and some GM will overpay Ariza and try to make him an offensive focus which he never had to do on this team. Speedy point guard Shannon Brown is also a restricted free agent but I can't imagine LA letting him go after his impressive bench play in the western conference playoffs.

There is also this comforting certainty. Kobe Bryant isn't going anywhere after finally stepping out of Shaq's enormous shadow and claiming his place in history. Assuming Kobe won't exercise his player option this offseason, the core of this team remains locked up past 2011. The huge post presence of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum will be in the paint into the foreseeable future and that should be enough to keep Kobe a Laker into 2010 (when he'll become the organization's all time leading scorer) and hopefully up until his induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

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Game 4 Hangover: The Fisher King

Lakers 99, Magic 91

There's been no bigger critic of Derek Fisher this postseason than me. I have called for his benching, declared him over the hill, and threatened to become a Cavs fan next year if he is the Lakers starting point guard opening night. I don't think I like the taste of crow, but I'm gonna eat a whole big pile of it today. Derek Fisher may have won the 2009 NBA championship last night.

For 47 minutes Derek Fisher was 0-5 from three point land. Good thing in the NBA redemption is only twenty three feet away. With ten seconds left and the LA trailing 87-84, the Lakers inbounded the ball and the defense swarmed to Kobe Bryant as they brought the ball up the court on a fast break. When the ball reversed to Fisher, alone on the right side of the court 1 on 1, Jameer Nelson slacked off him and Fish pulled up with perfect form and nailed his first 3 of the night.

When he hit the three that tied the game at 87 Orlando must have been thinking, "Not our year." The Magic scored four points the rest of the game. Fisher hit another huge three in overtime with the game tied at 93-93 with 30 seconds left. Lakers 3, Magic 1. What a huge swing. If not for Fisher, the series is tied 2-2: Orlando has the momentum, Game 5 at home, and the Lakers are doubting themselves, their effort, and their future. Instead L.A. can end the series on Sunday against a Magic team that folded faster than a cheap tent in the third quarter last night.

If LA can end the series Orlando will spend the offseason thinking about what could have been. What if the team would have shown up for Game 1? What if Courtney Lee makes the layup in Game 2? What if Dwight Howard makes a free throw in Game 4 with 11 seconds left to ice the game? A trip to the NBA finals is a precious thing in the league. A good year becoming a great year has more to do with luck and timing than players and talent. Everything came together for Orlando this year. After Game 1 they've outplayed LA for most of this series. Unfortunately it looks like LA is going home with the trophy in the offseason and all Orlando is going to have is What Ifs.

Who Showed Up:

Derek Fisher. 12 pts (2-7 3FG) One stat will show you King Fisher's effect on Game 4. His plus/minus for the 42 minutes he was on the court: +15.

Trevor Ariza. 16 pts (6-14, 3-4 3FG) 9 reb 2 stl. With LA trailing by 12 at halfime Trevor Ariza had zero points on 0-5 shooting. Then he came alive in quarter number three. Ariza went four out of four from the field for thirteen points along with invaluable defensive pressure, rebounds, and just plain hustle.

Dwight Howard on defense. 21 reb 9 blk. A monster in the paint, Howard gobbled up 11 rebounds in the first quarter and affected nearly every shot at the basket while blocking an NBA finals-record 9 shots from the field.

Who didn't show up:

Dwight Howard on offense. 16 pts (5-12 FG 6-14 FT) 7 TO A nightmare at the line, Dwight choked when he could have put Orlando in the driver's seat on the way to victory lane. With the Magic up 3 with 11 seconds left, all Mr. Superman had to do was make 1 of his 2 free throws to ice the game. You want to be an elite player you win that game for your team, Clark Kent.

Rafer Alston. 11 pts (5-13 FG) Confined to the bench for most of the second half (3 shot attempts after halftime) in Stan Van Gundy increasingly erratic bench rotation, Skip to My Lou might not be such a happy camper today.

Kobe Bryant. 32 pts (11-31 FG) 8 asts 7 rebs 49 min. Another decent offensive night where Kobe gets his numbers and fills the stat sheet but fades toward the end. Lowlights of the Night: 1 for 5 in the second quarter while LA was digging into a 12-point halftime deficit; 2 for 8 in the fourth quarter continuing to destroy his "closer" persona; his increasingly dangerous "tunnel vision" in crunch time which cost them a chance to win Game 2 in regulation and almost cost them in Game 4's overtime. Is there any reason for him to take 5 of LA's 7 shot attempts in OT when he can get his teammates a much better look at the hoop? The Lakers might win the series and Kobe might finally get his ring without Shaq, but don't let anyone tell you they won this series because of Kobe Bryant. He has better teammates that pick him up when he fails and the perfect mesh of veterans and youth that defer to him and his ego.

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EW's Best and Worst Reality Shows of All Time

Here is Entertainment Weekly's list of best and worst reality shows of all time. As a professed reality show "hater," I was surprised how many of these I have actually watched. Almost half.

BEST
1. Survivor CBS 2000-present
2. The Amazing Race CBS 2001-pres.
3. The Osbournes MTV 2002-05
4. Project Runway BRAVO 2004-pres.
5. The Real World MTV 1992-pres.
6. American Idol FOX 2002-pres.
7. Jackass MTV 200-02
8. Top Chef BRAVO 2006-pres.
9. Project Greenlight HBO/BRAVO 2001-05
10. America's Next Top Model UPN/CW 2003-pres.
11. The Bachelor ABC 2002-pres.
12. Bands on the Run VH1 2001
13. The Real Housewives of ... BRAVO 2006-pres.
14. The Hills MTV 2006-pres.
15. Big Brother CBS 2000-pres.
16. Blind Date SYNDICATD 1999-2006
17. Deadliest Catch DISC 2005-pres.
18. The Apprentice NBC 2004-pres.
19. Jon & Kate Plus Eight TLC 2007-pres.
20. Flavor of Love VH1 2006-08

WORST
1. The Swan FOX 2004
2. Britney and Kevin: Chaotic UPN 2005
3. Are You Hot? ABC 2003
4. Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire FOX 2000
5. The Anna Nicole Show E! 2002-03
6. Am. Idol/Dancin w/ The Stars Results Shows
7. Cheaters SYND 2000-pres.
8. Kill Reality E! 2005
9. Boy Meets Boy BRAVO 2003
10. Skating With Celebrities FOX 2006

What do you think of the lists? Any opinions on the ranking of these shows? Did they leave off any of your favorites? Comment away, reality watchers...

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