Winnik - A This is one grade that could take all day to write up. A 9th round draft choice that once strutted the ranks of the ECHL, Dwin had an amazing year. This is the guy who made the BigKidz line click. Hell, he had an impact w/ every line he played on.

I can’t point to a single game that Dwin took a shift off ( okay maybe he lost a little steam towards the end of the season, hitting wise) but he battled his way onto the team and never stopped fighting for his spot. Dwin was surprising in his speed, secondary scoring, excellent work in the corners, behind the net and along the boards.

http://www.youtube.com/v/PpVQUrgKlUg&hl=en

He hit, he fought, he scored and he led the opposing team on merry chases while the Yotes line changed. (see Chicago game when 4 Hawks chased him for what seemed to be like a year while he kept the puck alive behind their net until Wellie made it down ice. Dwin casually tossed him a sweet saucer pass for the score, despite the gang of Hawks surrounding him).

http://www.youtube.com/v/z4q_wIna6fs&hl=en

Can you ask for more? Experience will give it to him. He’s definitely a keeper to me.

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Manny Ramirez became the 24th member of the 500 Homer Club tonight. He hit his milestone at Camden Yards off Chad Bradford in the 7th inning. He hit a middle-out pitch into the right field bleachers about halfway up, and into a bunch of citizens of Red Sox Nation.

It took a while for this to happen. Manny has been in a slump. It seems that guys going for milestone hits do that. Remember A-Rod’s 500  homer and Biggio’s 3,000th hit?

The next milestone is Junior Griffey’s  600th. He hit 599 today.

Congrats, Manny and many more! 

 ByrnesBlogger1

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While I'm covering the Cal State Fullerton regional for The College Baseball Blog, Brian Young of CBB has a full recap of yesterday's action:

Brian Young - (Tempe, AZ) -

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Poll

NBA Finals Outcome

• Lakers in Five
• Lakers in Six
• Lakers is Seven
• Celtics in Five
• Celtics in Six
• Celtics in Seven
• Stern wins regardless so who cares..

  68 votes | Results

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What’s up Arizona sports fans? It’s a busy sports weekend in the Grand Canyon State.

Former ASU A.D. Kevin White, heading further east, from Notre Dame to Duke. I guess now that the lacrosse scandal is over, the job is a lot more attractive. Now, if he can just get that football program turned around. [Charlotte.com]

ASU has a surprisingly tough NCAA Regional game with Stony Brook, and Brett Wallace hits a ball that’s still going. [Thesundevils.com]

Sun Devil softball keeps on rolling at World Series in OKC [Thesundevils.com]

Brandon Webb tries to break the Snakes’ 5-game slide against Washington tonight [The Sports Network]

Rattlers can clinch playoffs with a win at revamped Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]

CSTV gives an off-season look at ASU Hoops [CSTV]

The Cardinals go north of the border for a hire. Now if somebody can explain to him that in American football, there’s 4 downs, and the field is only 100 yards long, that would be a good start. [Montreal Gazette]

Mercury still looking for their first win, take on Lynx [East Valley Tribune]

Not to mention, U of A baseball and softball continuing their postseason quests. The ‘Cats baseball team will take on Michigan today. [Tucson Citizen]

…and the ladies battle Alabama in a loser’s bracket game in Oklahoma City. [Tucson Citizen]

Told you it was busy…and when its all over, come back to AZSportshub.com for news and analysis. Go grab your remotes, enjoy your sports Saturday.

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With test results in, D-backs decide to sit outfielder a week

By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

Strains are measured on a one to three scale with three being the worst. Byrnes is between one and 1 1/2 according to Melvin.

“I think we are going to try to shut him down for a week or so,” Melvin said. “So whether or not that gives him enough time to get back in 15 days has yet to be determined.”

The whole article.

It is amazing how athletes can be injured by the smallest things. I remember that a couple of years ago Mariano Rivera hurt his back while bending over to tie a shoelace.

ByrnesBlogger1

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Willie Harris’ 3-run home run off of Micah Owings broke a 3-3 tie in the 7th inning, and the Washington Nationals handed the Arizona Diamondbacks their 5th straight loss. Harris, getting a rare start, came into the game hitting only .161 with 1 homer on the season, and only 8 in his career-spanning 530 games. But hey, that’s what happens when you’re not playing well; unlikely heroes rise to the occasion to make the pain of losing that much more intense.

The Diamondbacks again didn’t help themselves at the dish. Arizona managed only 6 hits, including solo HRs by Orlando Hudson and Chad Tracy.

A look at the schedule coming off the road trip to Florida and Atlanta was pretty promising, with San Francisco and the Nationals coming to Chase Field. Promise has snowballed into a 5-game losing streak in which the Diamondbacks have been manhandled to the tune of 35-16. In the last 11 games, the D-Backs are 2-9, and have only scored more than 4 runs once, an 11-1 pasting of Atlanta last Friday.

MLB.com: Recap | Boxscore

Here’s what others are saying about the Nats win over the D-Backs…

D-backs drop opener to Nationals [Azcentral.com]

Harris’s Three-Run Homer Lifts Nats in Arizona [Washington Post]

Game 2 of the 3-game series is Saturday with Washington’s Jason Bergmann (1-1, 4.50 ERA) facing Arizona’s Brandon Webb (9-2, 3.01 ERA). First pitch is 5:10 at Chase Field.

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It’s the weekend Arizona sports fans. Let’s hope you didn’t waste this week on something pointless like these Japanese scientists did. We don’t want to waste your time on a Friday so here are your Arizona sports headlines:

• Arizona defeats Eastern Michigan 13-7 this afternoon [AzStarNet.com]
• Brandon Medders clears waivers…really? No one wanted a crappy reliever from the D-Backs’ pen? [EastValleyTribune.com]
• Steve Cherwonak is named the president of the Arizona Sundogs (that is minor league hockey)[ SquareSpace.com]
• Mountain Pointe grad Joe Mather gets the call up to the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals (if you can consider them a big league club) [CanadianPress.com]
• The Diamondbacks and Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers will donate proceeds from D-Backs Swing’ to children’s healthcare at local hospitals [Top40-charts.com]

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Last night’s performance had shades of 2004 both from Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks.

Johnson threw 7 innings allowing 6 hits, 2 walks and 2 runs along with 9 strikeouts. His 9 strikeouts tied him with Roger Clemens for second all-time at 4,672 (insert your own steroid joke here, just make sure before you insert it’s of age).

The performance was vintage Randy Johnson and put him in line for his 289th victory leaving the game with a 3-2 lead.

The Diamondbacks bullpen was also vintage 2004 giving up a run in the 8th and one in the 9th to blow the game for Johnson.

The game marked the second time in as many starts that the bullpen has cost Johnson the win. Over those two starts Johnson went 13 innings giving up 3 runs on 1 hits with 19 strikeouts and only 2 walks. When you have a 2.08 ERA with 19 strikeouts it’s pretty difficult to be 0-0 but between the bullpen and offense that is where Johnson finds himself.

Ouch: Hamstring tare for Eric Byrnes

It’s never a good thing when the word tare is preceded by any body part, especially when its the hamstring. For Eric Byrnes it’s twice as bad as it was discovered that he has a tear in both is left and right hamstring.

Byrnes said on Bickley and MJ on XTRA 910 this morning that an MRI revealed the tears but that they weren’t unexpected.

Hopefully Jeff Salazar and Chris Burke are ready for extended playing time because Byrnes may need more than 15 days to rest.
Listen to Byrnes’ entire interview here

Tonight’s Matchup:

Arizona Diamondbacks (30-24) VS. Washington Nationals (23-32), 6:40 p.m. TV: FSNAZ 

Radio: 620 AM KTAR

On the mound:
WAS: Tim Redding (6-3, 3.59 ERA)
ARI: Micah Owings (6-2, 3.73 ERA)

Quick Hits:

• Tim Redding is 3-0 on the road this season
• Owings first win came against the National last season on April 6th. He went five scoreless innings allowing only one hit
• Over the last two seasons the Diamondbacks are 7-6 against Washington

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Ramblings from the desk and brain of Vince Marotta…

Is Wheeler new public enemy number one in Phoenix?

As a sports fan, I’m usually refreshed when an athlete proves its not all about the money, and they do the right thing for their career. You know, guys like Grant Hill, who turned down a lot more cash elsewhere to play for a team with championship aspirations. Maybe for the first time ever though, I’m scratching my head over one of these instances.

Coyotes’ 2004 draft pick Blake Wheeler, who announced earlier this month that he was leaving the University of Minnesota is the one. The Coyotes had 30 days to sign Wheeler following his announcement, and offered him the maximum amount the contract would allow. Wheeler turned it down, only taking 21 days to decide that he wanted nothing to do with the Coyotes’ organization.

Two things-first, how does any North American kid who grew up playing hockey spit in the face of Wayne Gretzky? Sure, the Coyotes haven’t made the playoffs since the 01-02 season, and a lot has been made of their financial struggles as of late, but how does Blake Wheeler say ‘no thanks’ to the Great One? Especially when its someone who’s never played a minute in the NHL? Secondly, this is another prime example of a stupid NHL rule. The ‘Yotes draft this kid in 2004, 5th overall, and wait patiently for 4 years while he plays college hockey. Then he decides to go pro, and they have 30 days to sign him? The team has held his rights for four years, they should at least have the opportunity to try to trade his rights, and get something better as compensation than the 5th pick in the 2nd round that they’ll be getting.

Its even more amazing, considering the fact that in 2004, Wheeler thought he might be drafted by the Coyotes in the 2nd round seeing as he was rated as the 17th best North American skater that year by the NHL’s Central Scouting Service.

Here’s hoping that Coyotes fans remember this about Blake Wheeler the first time he steps on the ice at Jobing.com Arena.

0-17: The Arizona Wildcats baseball team is in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the NCAA Regionals this weekend and they open play against Eastern Michigan. The interesting thing about EMU is that they started the season 0 and 17…that’s right 17 straight losses to open the season. A deeper look at the Eagles’ stats shows that not only are they 25-32 on the year, but their pitching staff’s collective ERA is 7.65! The combination of the ‘Cats superior talent, shaky EMU pitching, and a short porch in left field at Ray Fisher stadium is the recipe for an Arizona rout.

Waiting by the phone: If you are a basketball coach and have not been contacted by the Phoenix Suns for their vacant head coaching position, check your pulse, because you may be dead. Tyrone Corbin is getting a second interview with the team, and expect them to talk to Spurs’ assistant Mike Budenholzer now that the evil empire Spurs have been eliminated from the postseason.

WTF??: Can anyone explain how Kobe Bryant can shoot 134 free throws in rounds 1 and 2 of the NBA Playoffs, and only shoot 11 in 5 games against San Antonio? If you say its because Bruce Bowen is that good a defender, I will hip check you into the press box.

Separated at birth?:
Maybe not separated, but Lakers’ forward Pau Gasol is definitely related to Zohan…Adam Sandler’s hilarious new comedy You Don’t Mess With the Zohan starts Friday, June 6th at a theater near you.

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Brian Shaw is more than just another name on the Suns coaching list.

When reports appeared this week that Lakers’ assistant Brian Shaw interviewed for the vacant Suns coaching position [EastValleyTribune.com and AzCentral.com], most people probably brushed it off. It was viewed as Steve Kerr just interviewing another assistant coach, but there is more to this interview than meets the eye (No Shaw isn’t a Transformer).

One of the biggest hurdles for the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns will be Shaquille O’Neal (no pun intended…OK maybe a little). Whoever is selected will have to find a way to motivate and excite Shaq so he comes to camp in shape and ready to play (ask Pat Riley, it’s not an easy job).

Shaw just so happens to be very familiar with that task. Shaw was O’Neal’s teammate on two different occasions, with the Magic and the Lakers.

Shaq respects Shaw so much that he referred to him as “his best teammate ever” and gives credit to Shaw for teaching him “how to be a leader and win championships.”

Quite the ringing endorsement from the Big Aristotle (than again, he does endorse Pepsi-Cola, Taco Bell, Burger King, Radio Shack, his own movies/rap and Vitamin Water so maybe it doesn’t carry that much weight).

The most interesting part of the entire process is that Shaw is one of the few candidates that interviewed before it was reported that he was a candidate. Once it was reported it was not confirmed by the Suns for a few days.

Why the sudden secrecy in their search? Was it just a fluke? Were the Suns just busy with NBA Draft camp? I’m guessing not seeing as Steve Kerr took time to answer fans questions on his blog while Vinny Del Negro and David Griffin both answered Suns.com’s questions? Or better yet, is Shaw the Suns’ main candidate and they are waiting for the Lakers to finish their playoff run (hopefully Boston or Detroit can finish it for them).

I guarantee one of two things will happen: Brian Shaw will be named the new head coach of your Phoenix Suns or Shaq will come into camp out of shape and less than thrilled about the season.

Did Lute Have To Give Up Custody Of Recruits In His Divorce Settlement?

On the same day as Lute Olson’s divorce settlement became official he lost more than just half of his money and possessions. Lute lost yet another recruit.

This time Arizona’s top prospect for 2009, point guard Abdul Gaddy, has decommitted (which I wasn’t aware was even a word let alone a possibility for the once great Arizona program to have occur).

He sited the changes to Olson’s staff as the reason for his change of heart.

“There’s just a lot of change going on,” Gaddy said. “I don’t really know the coaching staff. I know Lute Olson, but when I committed, I committed to Lute Olson, Kevin O’Neill, Josh Pastner and Miles Simon. I had a relationship with that coaching staff.”

Honestly did Lute’s ex get the coaching staff, the recruits and the prestige of the program in the settlement ? Maybe UofA will get lucky and its a joint custody agreement (Lute you get all odd numbered seasons and mediocrity gets all even numbered).

30 Million Reasons Why The NHL Doesn’t Get It

Not a whole lot is funny with the fact that the Phoenix Coyotes lose $30 Million a season. The only real joke is the fact that the NHL has yet to figure out a way to monetize it’s sport and share the revenues.

If they could figure it out they would be able to prevent clubs like the Coyotes from being in such debt. (note to Gary Bettman: Step one would be getting an actual TV deal with a network more than 12 people with channel 14000 on Direct TV can see).

Your YouTube Video Of The Day

Your YouTube video of the day is a Chicago sports talk host conducting a hard hitting interview with Shaq (it’s so hard hitting they spend the first two minutes discussing the fact that Shaq is big. Wow thanks for breaking that news)

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According to the guy behind the guy behind the guy, Elston Turner just completed a roughly three hour interview with Steve Kerr at the pre-draft camp in Orlando and things went very, very well.

Adelman's head assistant is on the Suns true short list of candidates with Terry Porter, and well ahead of any of the Lakers assistants (Rambis, Shaw.)

Turner is said to be so jazzed up about the job and today's interview that he'll be extremely disappointed if an offer isn't made in the near future.

Something tells me Kerr is far from finished but it's good to know things are progressing and the next steps are being taken.

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Good morning Arizona sports fans. You made it, it’s Friday. Unfortunately Lute Olson’s marriage and Ted Ferris’ Job did not. Apparently Clay Aiken made it to manhood and is going to be a father (I know we are as shocked as you are). Time for the headlines though (because we know you are all busy and need to go get in line for the Sex and the City Movie).

• Randy Johnson pitched like the Randy of old against the Giants and tied Roger Clemens for 2nd all time in strikeouts (and just like the old days the Diamondbacks gave him no run support) [EastValleyTribune.com]
• UofA softball drops their College World Series opener [AzStarNet.com]
• ASU wins their opener [EastValleyTribune.com]
• College Baseball Regional Previews:
  UofA Michigan Region:
  • [AzCentral.com]
  • [MichiganDaily.com]
  • [TheCollegeBaseballBlog.com]

  ASU Tempe Region Previews:

  • [BaseballAmerica.com]
  • [BaseballProspectus.com]
  • [TheCollegeBaseballBlog.com]
• UofA’s top recruit for 2009 decommits (Apparently Lute is losing more than just half of his wealth today) [AzStarNet.com]
• Ex-UofAer Jerryd Bayless thinks last year’s turmoil helped prepare him for the NBA (See Lute did teach last years players something) [AzStarNet.com]
• 11 NHL teams aren’t making money (guess who is losing $30 Million a year?) [UPI.com]
• A Cal fan rates Sun Devil Stadium (Wonder what rating he gives the trough urinals?!) [MyBearTerritory.com]
• Tucson’s newest reliever is ready to give up 6+ runs an outing for hitter friendly Tucson Electric Park [AzStarNet.com]
• Central Arizona knocked out of the Juco World Series [AzStarNet.com]

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Looks like Bob Young at Azcentral agrees with us… a lot.

Young’s blog at Azcentral.com

Originally posted Thursday May 29, 2008 at 10:15 AM
And then there was one. Only one NBA team currently has a head coaching vacancy, and you guessed it, its your Phoenix Suns. That’s because Doug Collins, a TNT broadcaster, and Valley resident is reportedly set to accept the Chicago Bulls’ head coaching position.

Collins’ name was one of the first to surface as a candidate for the Suns’ job, just days after Mike D’Antoni officially took the Knicks’ post. The rumor swirled throughout the media, and was a popular topic around watercoolers and sports radio stations. It swirled so rapidly that Collins himself offered this quote to ESPN.com in a piece dated May 11th:

“The work that has to be done and the headaches you have to put up with today, I’m not willing to pay that price…”

Eighteen days later, we can assume that Collins found some Head On, and applied it directly to his forehead, because he’s going to the Windy City pain-free.

Or maybe “headaches” was just a convenient term for the situation the Suns’ organization is currently in. They possess an aging roster that features a superstar who is developing a reputation for an aversion to defense, another superstar who still plays hard, but is obviously past his prime and has $40 million remaining over the final two years of his contract, an owner and GM who tinkered and interfered with a coach who’s style won an average of 58 games per season over the last 4 years. I guess the above scenario could fall under the “headache” category.