Eddie Griffin (May 30, 1982 — August 17, 2007) was an American professional basketball player. The Harris County Medical Examiner’s office has identified former Rockets power forward Eddie Griffin as the man who died when the SUV he was driving plowed into a moving train in southeast Houston last week. Officials said Griffin, 25, drove his Nissan SUV through a railroad crossing barrier, past flashing warning lights and into a moving train in the 5300 block of Lawndale about 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 17. The accident remains under investigation by Houston police. Griffin’s vehicle burst into flames on impact with […]
EXCLUSIVE: Stephen A. Smith Stripped Of Column
UPDATE: The Philadelphia Inquirer confirms our story. * Inquirer sports columnist Stephen A. Smith has been stripped of his column and has been offered a job as a general assignment reporter in the Inquirer’s sports department, according to sources inside both the Inquirer and the Daily News. Things reportedly came to a head during a meeting last Friday, when Smith was told of his re-assignment. Smith reportedly told his bosses he would give them an answer when he gets back from vacation in two weeks. In the wake of painful lay-offs and general belt-tightening, Inquirer Editor-in-Chief Bill Marimow has been […]
BREAKING: Michael Vick Pleads Guilty
RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 20 — Michael Vick, the star quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, has accepted a plea offer from federal prosecutors in a criminal case stemming from a dog-fighting ring that was run from a property Mr. Vick owned. Michael Vick’s plea deal likely calls for prosecutors to recommend a lighter sentence as long as Vick cooperates with the government’s investigation. Mr. Vick will probably face a sentence of at least a year in prison under the deal. His future in the National Football League appears bleak. [NEW YORK TIMES]
GAMBLOR: Ex-Flyer Turned Bookie Sentenced
As expected, former Philadelphia Flyers hockey player Rick Tocchet was sentenced Friday to two years’ probation for his involvement in an illegal gambling operation. Tocchet, 43, who now lives in Phoenix, Ariz., pleaded guilty three months ago to counts of promoting gambling and conspiracy (see related story). Tocchet is on an indefinite leave from his position as assistant coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. Tocchet admitted he was part of an illegal sports betting ring between September 2002 and February 2006. The ring, based in the South Jersey and Philadelphia areas, took in millions of dollars in bets from all over […]
BREAKING: Slim, Shady Ref Does The Right Thing
DISGRACED NBA referee Tim Donaghy and two Delaware County men who have been linked to him in a gambling probe are expected to turned themselves in this morning at federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., a source told the Daily News Donaghy, 40, [PICTURED, LEFT OF KOBE BRYANT] is expected to plead guilty to charges that he bet on games he officiated, a source said. Another source said Donaghy also would plead to a charge of “criminal information,” meaning he used his position to provide information for financial gain outside of his job. Federal arrest warrants are also expected for James […]
HOLY COW: Phil Rizutto, RIP
Phil Rizzuto, the sure-handed Hall of Fame Yankees shortstop nicknamed The Scooter, who punctuated his extended Yankee life as a broadcaster with birthday wishes to nuns and exclamations of “Holy cow!” died today. He was 89. His death was confirmed by the Yankees. Rizzuto played for the Yankees from 1941 to 1956. His departure was abrupt. No longer willing to carry an aging, seldom-used infielder, the team cut him on Old-Timers’ Day. Soon after, he began calling Yankee games for WPIX-TV/Channel 11 and did not leave that role until 1996. Rizzuto played an integral role on the dynastic Yankees before […]
SPORTO: The Tour De Farce
BY MIKE WOLVERTON SPORTS GUY I’m pretty bummed about the Tour de France. I watch every year and I love it — partly because of the complicated strategies that play out in what is really more a team event than an individual one, and partly because of the pure machismo on display during the crucial mountain climbs. And more than anything, I enjoy watching because no event takes place on such a glorious playing field . . . day after day, the views of sweeping vistas, majestic mountains and ancient castles are breathtaking. On some days, the scenery is even […]
EARLY WORD: Play That Funky Music White Boys
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FLYERS MAKEOVER: Pretty In Pink?
Flyers fans desperate to eradicate the painful memories of last season and see nine new players who weren’t on the roster at midseason will have to wait until mid-October. That’s because the Flyers are headed to western Canada for a week when the 2007-08 season opens and won’t make their Wachovia Center debut until Oct. 13 against the New York Islanders, who could be the worst team in the Atlantic Division this season.The first chance fans here will get to see general manager Paul Holmgren’s remade cast in person — dressed in the team’s new, skin-tight Reebok sweaters (NOT pictured) […]
The Super Plastic Fantastic All-Star Home Run Derby
BY MIKE WOLVERTON SPORTS GUY I’ll admit I haven’t watched the All-Star Home Run Derby in a couple years. It’s kinda boring. But I sat through it last night as a service to you, and because everyone knows that reading about the All-Star Home Run Derby is even MORE fun than watching it, I wrote up this running account. You’re welcome. And here’s what happened: Hosted this year at Candlestick Park AT&T Park in San Francisco, the Derby started with a live performance from (Lord have mercy) Counting Crows, singing their marginal hit “Accidentally in Love.” Sorta undermines the notion […]
NHL DRAFT: The Weak Shall Inherit The Earth
BY MIKE WOLVERTON The Flyers sucked last year. Credit them for consistency, though, as they sucked early on, sucked in the middle and sucked straight on through to the end. Hey, it saved all of us the pain of watching them take a dirtnap in the playoffs. The fact is, the Flyers have been a flawed team ever since The Strike Season, and ever since then they’ve been too big and slow to deal with the escalating metabolism of the “New Faster, More Agile NHL.” Mercifully, the makeover has already begun. Ever since Messier brought the Stanley Cup to NYC, the […]
We Need A Pitcher Not An Underwear Stitcher
The Phillies, not that surprisingly, followed their recent stretch of good play by losing two of three to the Tigers over the weekend, and packed their bags as a third-place team once again for the road trip that began last night in Cleveland with Cole Hamels on the mound. As always with the Phils, things could be better, things could be worse. INQUIRER: Always Keep Your Eye On The Ball Not The Other Way Around
SPORTO: The Hating Is The Hardest Part
BY MIKE WOLVERTON SPORTS GUY I’d never been to Citizens Bank Park. I’m not even a Phillies fan — all Astros all the time. My favorite color is orange, and growing up in the late ’70s those rainbow uniforms spoke to me. The last three years I’ve been working as a minor league baseball announcer in South Jersey, and haven’t had a chance to see the Fightins in their new home. But the Giants were in town and I wanted to see good ol’ Barry, so last Monday I packed up the toddler and made the trip. I wore my […]