News and Notes for Week of 1-21
NBA
Stephon Marbury-PG-Knicks-If you’re like me and you wasted a fairly early draft pick on Starbury, it’s time to lose the dead weight. Stephon seemed disinterested since the season began and now is likely gone for the year, following ankle surgery. Pickup Nate Robinson immediately! Technically, Robinson is still coming off the bench, but he’s getting starters minutes and starters stats.
Tracy McGrady-F-Rockets-McGrady is finally back and should be put back into your lineup immediately. He played signifigant minutes in his first game back Friday night and you should activate him now. Luther Head loses pretty much all value thanks to McGrady’s return.
Jermaine O’Neal-C-Pacers-Another guy, like Marbury, who seems like he could care less. O’Neal has been unhappy all year long and now he can blame his lackadaisical attitude on his bum knee. He’ll miss at least the next two weeks and he’s even talking like he might just take the rest of the season off, so reserve him ASAP. Troy Murphy and Jeff Foster will see a bump while Jermaine sits.
Mike Bibby-PG-Kings-He’s not the player he used to be, but Bibby can still be a serviceable point guard. He’s missed the entire season with a torn ligament in his thumb, but returned last week and should be active in almost all leagues. If Bibby was left for dead and is on the waiver wire, grab him today! And kiss Francisco Garcia’s value good-bye.
Randy Foye-PG-Wolves-Foye is another one who has not played all season, in his case due to a stress reaction in his knee. But Foye has been cleared to return to practice and if you’ve got room on your bench, you should stash him away. The team expects him back in the lineup around the end of the month and the team with the league’s worst record could certainly use him.
Gilbert Arenas-PG-Wizards-Another guy who you should not forget about, just in case somebody dumped him in your league. The Wizards leading scorer has resumed shooting following knee surgery and it’s looking like he might be back in the lineup following the All-Star break. Hopefully, somebody in your league was shortsighted enough to dump him when reports surfaced a while back that he might be out for the entire year.
NHL
Sidney Crosby-C-Penguins-Of course, the lead story has been the high ankle sprain suffered by Sid the Kid. If you’ve got him on your squad, hold on to your butt. He was more than likely leading your squad, but you might have to get used to life without him for a while. High ankle sprains are tricky and the Pens are not saying much about the injury. He could be back after this weekend’s All-Star break or he could be out until March.
Paul Stastny-C-Avalanche-The Colorado center will miss the next several weeks after going under the knife for an appendectomy.
Antero Nittymaki-G-Flyers-The Flyers continue to ride the red hot goaltending of Nittymaki, who is 6-0-1 over the last 7 games. Never one to show much loyalty towards goaltenders, the Flyers have given Martin Biron just three starts this month, so if you have to have one goalie today, it should be Nittymaki.
Shawn Matthias-C-Panthers-If you’re looking for a young guy who should be available in almost all leagues, Matthias might be it. The 19 year old has made an immediate impact, scoring twice in his first two games. Take a chance that he sticks around.
Peter Forsberg-C-Free Agent-Rumors are swirling that Peter the Great is getting ready to return to the NHL. It’s also rumored the Flyers might be his prime target if he does come stateside. Got room on your bench? Stash him away. He could make the difference down the home stretch.
Remember, have fun. And write me at garymacfantasygod@live.com.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Welcome to Gary's Sports Blog
What do you call it when instead of rooting for a team in the Super Bowl, you’re actually hoping the ground will open up and actually swallow everybody on the field?
Hello world and welcome to the first of what will hopefully be many editions of the Central Record’s fantasy sports blog. And yes, I am a bitter Eagles fan.
If you’re reading this, that probably means you are among the 30+ million who actively participate in fantasy sports.
There was a time that admitting to being in a fantasy league was a taboo, like you had a third arm growing out of your forehead. But now you are more likely to feel peer pressure for NOT being in a league. How the worm has turned in ten years.
Of course you still have the talk radio hosts who snicker when a caller brings up fantasy sports and refuse to acknowledge its popularity.
Not taking phone calls on whether or not someone should start Warrick Dunn over Reggie Bush is understandable. If they accepted every call asking those type questions they would be overrun and couldn’t get to the hard hitting questions like ‘who’s the most famous person ever to wear a bowtie.’
But those who blindly repudiate anyone who admits to being a part of a fantasy league are dinosaurs. The bus has pulled out of the station and you didn’t get a ticket. Sorry, but it’s true.
I myself have been involved in fantasy sports for more than half my life. My first baseball draft was in 1990, when I was a pimply faced 16 year old. I purchased my first edition of the Official Rulebook of Rotisserie Baseball and convinced 3 of my friends to be a part. That’s right. A 4 person fantasy baseball league. (We were in high school, give me a break!)
And so, The Irish Creamers were born. And with the help of Von Hayes, Mike Pagliarulo, Atlee Hammaker and Hubie Brooks, the Creamers came in third place.
Now, it’s 2008 and the Creamers name lives on. Today, I’ve branched out, into football, basketball and hockey. I’ve won my share of championships and hopefully, this blog will help you to do the same. We’ll talk strategies, rankings, commissioner issues, everything related to fantasy sports.
But if there is one thing I want to stress to you, it’s that you must have fun while doing this. If you’re in a league and not enjoying yourself, what’s the point? Get out while you can and find a league you do like.
For those of you active in basketball and hockey, we’ll be talking over the next couple months. Both are great and the seasons are so long that you can always start a league at mid-season if you missed out early on.
If you aren’t into those two sports, no sweat. Baseball is right around the corner and I’ll be getting you ready starting ready in February.
You know why February is the shortest month? Because that’s the month to spend with your family between football and baseball.
Check back often. And have fun!
If you have questions or comments, you can reach me at garymacfantasygod@live.com
Hello world and welcome to the first of what will hopefully be many editions of the Central Record’s fantasy sports blog. And yes, I am a bitter Eagles fan.
If you’re reading this, that probably means you are among the 30+ million who actively participate in fantasy sports.
There was a time that admitting to being in a fantasy league was a taboo, like you had a third arm growing out of your forehead. But now you are more likely to feel peer pressure for NOT being in a league. How the worm has turned in ten years.
Of course you still have the talk radio hosts who snicker when a caller brings up fantasy sports and refuse to acknowledge its popularity.
Not taking phone calls on whether or not someone should start Warrick Dunn over Reggie Bush is understandable. If they accepted every call asking those type questions they would be overrun and couldn’t get to the hard hitting questions like ‘who’s the most famous person ever to wear a bowtie.’
But those who blindly repudiate anyone who admits to being a part of a fantasy league are dinosaurs. The bus has pulled out of the station and you didn’t get a ticket. Sorry, but it’s true.
I myself have been involved in fantasy sports for more than half my life. My first baseball draft was in 1990, when I was a pimply faced 16 year old. I purchased my first edition of the Official Rulebook of Rotisserie Baseball and convinced 3 of my friends to be a part. That’s right. A 4 person fantasy baseball league. (We were in high school, give me a break!)
And so, The Irish Creamers were born. And with the help of Von Hayes, Mike Pagliarulo, Atlee Hammaker and Hubie Brooks, the Creamers came in third place.
Now, it’s 2008 and the Creamers name lives on. Today, I’ve branched out, into football, basketball and hockey. I’ve won my share of championships and hopefully, this blog will help you to do the same. We’ll talk strategies, rankings, commissioner issues, everything related to fantasy sports.
But if there is one thing I want to stress to you, it’s that you must have fun while doing this. If you’re in a league and not enjoying yourself, what’s the point? Get out while you can and find a league you do like.
For those of you active in basketball and hockey, we’ll be talking over the next couple months. Both are great and the seasons are so long that you can always start a league at mid-season if you missed out early on.
If you aren’t into those two sports, no sweat. Baseball is right around the corner and I’ll be getting you ready starting ready in February.
You know why February is the shortest month? Because that’s the month to spend with your family between football and baseball.
Check back often. And have fun!
If you have questions or comments, you can reach me at garymacfantasygod@live.com
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
In Flanders Fields (1915) by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing,
fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.
Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset flow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Canadian poet John McCrae was a medical officer in World War I. A year into the war he published, on Dec. 9, 1915, the sole work by which he would be remembered. This poem commemorates the deaths of thousands of young men who died in Flanders during the grueling battles there. It created a great sensation. Legend has it that he was inspired by seeing the blood-red poppies blooming in the fields where many friends had died. In 1918, McCrae died at the age of 46. We reprint this in honor of Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11. Please feel free to submit a commentary if you desire.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing,
fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.
Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset flow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Canadian poet John McCrae was a medical officer in World War I. A year into the war he published, on Dec. 9, 1915, the sole work by which he would be remembered. This poem commemorates the deaths of thousands of young men who died in Flanders during the grueling battles there. It created a great sensation. Legend has it that he was inspired by seeing the blood-red poppies blooming in the fields where many friends had died. In 1918, McCrae died at the age of 46. We reprint this in honor of Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11. Please feel free to submit a commentary if you desire.
The Central Record reporters are hard at work on election stories for this Thursday's (Nov. 8) edition of the paper - so please make sure you check us out. In the meantime, here are some preliminary results: In Medford, the two GOP newcomers - Mary Ann O'Brien and Robert Martin - handily won seats on the township council, defeating Democratic newcomers Stephanie-Kassel-Doherty and Richard Vogt. In Shamong, Dems Laura King and Steven Bond were defeated by GOP incumbents Jonathan Shevelew and Christopher Norman for township committee seats. In Southampton, John Hicks and Robert Moore, both Republican incumbents, were uncontested in their pursuit of two seats on the township committee. Likewise, in Tabernacle, Noble McNaughton and Joseph Yates, both Republican incumbents, were unchallenged for their two seats on the township committee.
Check us out later in the day for updates - and be sure to read the Nov. 8 edition of The Central Record.
Enjoy this beautiful day-after-election day!
Susan Miller
Managing Editor
Check us out later in the day for updates - and be sure to read the Nov. 8 edition of The Central Record.
Enjoy this beautiful day-after-election day!
Susan Miller
Managing Editor
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Readers ...
The lawn chairs are already lined up along Main Street in Medford - it can only mean that the annual Medford-Vincentown Rotary Halloween Parade will be happening this Saturday night (10/27 at 7 p.m.) It's the 61st year for the parade, which features lots of floats and costumed kiddies.
There are actually all kinds of Halloween-related activities this year - more than ever if memory serves me. Mount Laurel is having a free Halloween Celebration and Parade at Laurel Acres Park on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 to Noon. It's sponsored by the Mount Laurel Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse, and apparently it's the first such event in the township.
The Springhouse development in Medford is having a costume party for dogs on Friday afternoon and the Gibson House is featuring a Haunted Halloween on Friday and Saturday night (at 7 p.m.)
And on Saturday, from 2 to 4 p.m., Shawnee High School will give out candy to trick or treaters - courtesy of the Medford police.
Let's hope the weather cooperates for the outdoor activities!
Susan Miller
Managing Editor
The lawn chairs are already lined up along Main Street in Medford - it can only mean that the annual Medford-Vincentown Rotary Halloween Parade will be happening this Saturday night (10/27 at 7 p.m.) It's the 61st year for the parade, which features lots of floats and costumed kiddies.
There are actually all kinds of Halloween-related activities this year - more than ever if memory serves me. Mount Laurel is having a free Halloween Celebration and Parade at Laurel Acres Park on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 to Noon. It's sponsored by the Mount Laurel Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse, and apparently it's the first such event in the township.
The Springhouse development in Medford is having a costume party for dogs on Friday afternoon and the Gibson House is featuring a Haunted Halloween on Friday and Saturday night (at 7 p.m.)
And on Saturday, from 2 to 4 p.m., Shawnee High School will give out candy to trick or treaters - courtesy of the Medford police.
Let's hope the weather cooperates for the outdoor activities!
Susan Miller
Managing Editor
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Gypsy moths galore!
*Take a ride through the woods in Southampton and you'll see what all the fuss is about this week. Poor Cliff Smith even had a few of the dreaded gypsy moths clinging to his clothes when he visited our office recently to show us the devastation on his property. Southampton officials did not return phone calls from our reporter this week or last week, as we attempted to get official word as to why the township opted not to treat for gypsy moths as other local towns have done. We continue to get calls from very agitated residents - I hope officials are at least responding to the taxpayers of the town, even if they don't call us back.
* By the look of our 'Letters to the Editor' page this week, people are extremely concerned about the Special Review Committee established in Evesham to discuss the appropriateness of the "That's a Family" program - the includes a depiction of gay parents - for third grade students. I've heard - often - from people on both sides of the controversial issue. Let's hope everyone stays open minded and courteous during this debate.
* If you have time on Saturday morning (June 9), grab a canoe (or use one of the borrowed ones from Camp Dark Waters) and join Bernie Mayer and his group of volunteers who will be clearing out debris from the waterway on the Rancocas Creek starting at Camp Dark Waters near Kirby's Mill.
* Let us know how you feel about things in your neighborhood or town. Write a letter to the editor to express an opinion or contact me at (609) 654-5000 Ext. 18 or at news@medfordcentralrecord.com.
Susan Miller
Managing Editor
The Central Record
* By the look of our 'Letters to the Editor' page this week, people are extremely concerned about the Special Review Committee established in Evesham to discuss the appropriateness of the "That's a Family" program - the includes a depiction of gay parents - for third grade students. I've heard - often - from people on both sides of the controversial issue. Let's hope everyone stays open minded and courteous during this debate.
* If you have time on Saturday morning (June 9), grab a canoe (or use one of the borrowed ones from Camp Dark Waters) and join Bernie Mayer and his group of volunteers who will be clearing out debris from the waterway on the Rancocas Creek starting at Camp Dark Waters near Kirby's Mill.
* Let us know how you feel about things in your neighborhood or town. Write a letter to the editor to express an opinion or contact me at (609) 654-5000 Ext. 18 or at news@medfordcentralrecord.com.
Susan Miller
Managing Editor
The Central Record
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Changes in Evesham
It's hard to believe that Mayor Gus Tamburro will no longer be at the helm in Evesham Township. For almost as long as I've been a reporter/editor covering Evesham Township, Gus has been the top guy in town. He attributes his loss (and the loss of the other two people on his team) to Randy Brown (and his two running mates) to changing political perspectives as well as a younger population. For their part, Brown's team - which includes Chris Brown (no relation) and John McKenna - say they are excited to get started on the transition into the inner-workings of Evesham Township politics. There are many wonderful things about Evesham Township - the schools, the neighborhoods, the library, the playgrounds, the sports complex, the shopping centers, to name a few. It's considered one of the most desirable townships in the state - especially if you disregard the traffic nightmare that is the Marlton Circle. We wish the new mayor and council members well.
Susan Miller
Managing Editor
Susan Miller
Managing Editor
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