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Roger Clemens:
Pitching in his late mother's honor on the day of her
death, Rocket gets a huge, emotional W, limiting the
Marlins to 1 ER and 5 H in 6 IP (with 4 Ks).
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The Lead Item
Two Words For You:
GOOD. SON.
Not all MLB pitching wins are created
equal.
That's why Clemens may have just won the 2005 NL Cy
Young. But it has nothing to do with last night's
stats and everything to do with his status.
None of Chris Carpenter's MLB-leading 21 wins has the
memorableness or emotional impact of Clemens' single
win last night.
The same goes for 21-game-winner Dontrelle Willis
(unless perhaps D-Train no-hits his team into the
playoffs on the season's last day).
Historically, NL Cy Young voters are suckers for win
totals but they're even bigger suckers for
unquantifiable "moments" like Clemens' last
night.
Quality over quantity.
That's been the argument Rocket fans have been
spouting since the first moment in the 2005 season the
Astros offense failed to support him.
Cy voters want to give it to him. And he is,
arguably, the best pitcher in the NL this season,
especially if you consider his age.
But last night's tribute to his mom, whom Clemens
attributed his long-lasting success, is the game that
voters will pair with his MLB-best ERA and BAA to
finally justify a Cy vote for Clemens.
McNabb Update
"Nothing will stop me from being on
that field," the Eagles QB said.
That's a noble attitude, especially for a home opener.
But what about the reality that playing could possibly
affect his season, long-term, and therefore the team's
chances at returning to the Super Bowl?
To wit: Andy Reid is more cautious, just like he's
paid to be: "We are not going to put him out there in
a situation where he could be injured."
MLB AL Wrap
David Ortiz is The Man: Sets an MLB
record with his 38th HR of the season as a DH (42nd
overall, and the game-winner, naturally).
Yankees edge D-Rays: Well, look at that! New
York is finally beating a team they should have beat
all along. Too bad BOS and CLE won, too.
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CHECK OUT THE QUICKIE EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING! |
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| WHO'S GOT THE MOMENTUM ... |
Sacto Monarchs: Beat the Sun in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals
Brooklyn Nets: One step closer to reality with land sale
MLB on ESPN: League inks 8Y deal with network for games |
| ... AND WHO'S GOT NO MO' |
Angels: Swept by Mariners; LA? Anaheim? Or "Slumpville?"
Gabe Kapler: Red Sox OF Damon replacement hurts Achilles
Ohio St fans: I mean the ones threatening that tight end |
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Liriano makes SP debut: Twins rookie is AL
Central's answer to King Felix. ("Prince Nelson?")
Shows promise: 5IP, 2R, 2H, 1BB, 6K.
Game of the Day: OAK at BOS. Red Sox'
second-biggest rival comes to town coming off a tough
series vs. Cleveland, only to face Schilling.
MLB NL Wrap
Bonds Watch: I know Barry is taking
rehab seriously and doesn't like to play day games
after night games...
...BUT his team is in a race, and without him, the
Giants fell just short of toppling the Padres again.
Bonds had one PA as a PH, striking out.
Andruw Jones hits 50th HR: The NL's would-be MVP is the first
player to hit 50 since 2002. (Will anyone dare to ask
if he's been tested?)
Game of the Day: FLA at HOU. Emotional Clemens
start behind both teams, the Astros could leap ahead
of the Marlins with a W.
Saints Update
Let's be clear: The NFL's knee-jerk
reaction to Katrina by putting the Saints in New
Jersey for their "home opener" is unfair to the team
and its fans (which, if you haven't got the memo, is
all of us).
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Lame attempts to create a friendly atmosphere, like
having the Saints wear home jerseys or painting the
end-zones with Saints home logos, just won't do it.
They're simply not fooling anyone.
Why? Mainly because the NFL can't stop fans from
wearing blue and cheering for the, um, "road"
team.
Maybe if the NFL sold tickets exclusively to fans who
promised to root like crazy for the Saints, it would
be fair. But credit Jim Haslett for not buying
in:
"This is a home game for the Giants, and we'll leave
it that way."
Dumb Rams Exec
Dumb or Dumber? That Rams exec who
threatened a St. Louis sports columnist shouldn't be
disciplined for the harassment.
No, he should be fired for being stupid
enough to leave the threat on the columnist's voice
mail.
His voice mail! What a dope.
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Kevin Mathis:
Falcons CB, most notable for being ejected in the MNF
pre-game fight, is done for the year (ACL). Wanna bet
that some evil Eagles fans are smugly smiling?
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Today on ESPN.com
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| Quickie: Live! |
| Page 2 Index |
| Andruw for MVP? |
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| NL Cy Rankings |  Roger Clemens
| Nudges ahead last night?
|  Chris Carpenter
| And *still* underrated
|  Dontrelle Willis
| No 2nd-half fade in '05
|  Oswalt/Pettitte
| Take pick of Astros SPs
|  Pedro Martinez
| | But Peavy's right there |
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More Clemens: First comp I could think of coming off
the game was the MNF game Brett Favre starred in
immediately following his dad's death.
Tampa turmoil: How can a team tick off so many great
prospects? First Delmon Young, now BJ Upton's agent
talks trade. They're stars; play 'em!
Happy retirement: NHL ironman Ron Francis, who leaves
2nd in assists, 3rd in games, 4th in points and 19th
in goals. And he played for the Whale!
More Andruw Jones: He's only the 12th player to reach
300 HRs before his 30th b-day. Contender for 500? He's
only 28; no reason he couldn't be.
Congrats to Britney and Kevin on the birth of baby-boy
Preston. Still: What are the odds that the kid grows
up normal?
Don't forget to make your picks for my Pigskin Pick
'Em (NFL), College Pick 'Em and NFL Eliminator pools.
Group name: Daily Quickie Readers.
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