Marathon men

Thursday marked the end of the longest tennis match in history. A three day, ten hour marathon that left the sports world stunned, and the players dead tired. This was a record breaking match in the most obvious kind of way.

Longest match in Wimbledon history prior: 46 games
Isner v. Mahut: 163 games

Below is a list of other amazing statistics from this mind boggling match:

Longest match in tennis history at 10 hours

Most games in tennis history: 163 (previous was 112)

Most aces in a match: Isner 98 Mahut 95 (previous record-individual 78) for a combined 193 (previous record-combined 96)

Longest set in history at 118 games

Mahut had just three break points during the entire match.

The first four sets took 2 hours, 54 minutes. The fifth set is at 7 hours, 6 minutes and counting.

Mahut won 448 points to Isner's 428. Isner had more winners: 333 to 318.

The final set is longer than the previous longest match in tennis history. That was 6 hours, 33 minutes.

Isner had four match points, one at 11-10, two others at 33-32 and another at 59-58. The first and last match points came nearly six hours apart.

At 50-50, Mahut had two break points and Isner promptly served a 134 mph ace.

With Mahut serving at 52-53, the pair exchanged a 16-shot rally which ended with a Mahut forehand winner. It was the longest rally of the match. On the next point, Mahut dove for a backhand at the baseline following another long rally.

The players took their first bathroom break at 58-58. While walking in the tunnel, they exchanged pleasantries, the first time they had spoken all evening.

Mahut only qualified for Wimbledon after winning a qualifying match in a 24-22 final set.

The match is almost two hours longer than the longest Major League Baseball game in history (an 8:06 game between the White Sox and Brewers in 1984).

The scoreboard stopped working at 47-47.

*All statistics found on Yahoo Sports

Here today... Ghana tomorrow.

An unfortunate end to an improbable run. The United States soccer team lost this evening to the Black Stars of Ghana.

It was a truly heartbreaking loss. The game was tied at 1-1- at the end of regulation. Ghana scored their second goal during overtime. The US was clearly exhausted... 120 minutes had taken it's toll on the Yanks, and that was how the cookie crumbled.
Although we didn't advance. I think that the Stars and Stripes have cemented their presence in the world of Soccer.
It is widely known that the U.S has never fully embraced to sport of professional soccer, but this World Cup run had America on the edge of their seats. Now hopefully we will stay there.

Mad about you.

If I got paid $91.5 million to play baseball professionally, with other professionals...this is how I would not act.



However, I am not Carlos Zambrano. "Meltdown Man" has struck again... and yet again, his own team mate and a Gatorade dispenser are a target of his frustration. This time however, the Cubs team brass have had enough. Today's temper tantrum has earned this giant man-baby an indefinite suspension.

It appears that Carlos was upset about teammate Derrek Lee's failed attempt to make a play to stop a line drive from White Sox batter Juan Pierre. Both the Cubs and the Sox agree that the play could not have been made. Lee was pinching in preparation for a bunt that never happened.

"Due to the fact he was playing in for the bunt, it limits your range from side to side," Pierre said. "Derrek Lee is a Gold Glover. If he can't get to the ball, then it was a hit."

I would preface the following with a "No offense", except for the fact that I don't care. I find it humorous that Carlos Zambrano is the one blowing his top over missed plays by his team mates. If I am not mistaken... which I am not... wasn't it you, Big Z, who was pulled from your starting position and placed in the bull pen as a reliever because you weren't cutting it as a $20 million a year pitcher? Hey, maybe your frustration would have been lessened by NOT giving up 4 runs in the first (and only) inning that you pitched today. Although, I guess that I would be in a pretty bad mood too if I was pitching with an ERA of 5.66... one of the highest in Major League baseball.

Sure "Sweet" Lou Pinella sent you home early and you are suspended indefinitely. Sure you have to apologize to your team. But guess what.. you make $20 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. I think that the Cubs should take the money remaining in his contract and use it to feed starving children in Africa. Or give it to an under-supported school district. Hey, there are thousands of people along the Gulf coast that could use that kind of money, since they are out of work because of something out of their control. You, Carlos "I blame everyone else but myself" Zambrano... you have control over your job performance. You are whining and crying more than a 6 year old girl because your team isn't winning. You play for the Cubs... WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?!?!? You are an embarrassment to yourself, the sport, and the Cubs. And don't you think they suffer enough already? So instead of acting like a spoiled brat, why don't you grow... or buy... yourself a new set of "equipment", man up, and act like the professional you are paid to be.

Happy Friday!

U-S-A
U-S-A
U-S-A
U-S-A

This is a great look at the way the US has embraced the World Cup.

New York Times

I've got a fever... and the only perscription is more vuvuzela.

World Cup fever has swept the entire world, including the soccer-fickle United States. One of the most striking
things about the World Cup is the imagery. So here, courtesy of Sports Illustrated, are some of the greatest pictures from World Cup 2010.

*Like a fine food and wine pairing, I suggest this entry be read with the speakers on. Best if accompanied by "
World Cup 2010" *

Back to the grind.

So much has happened since my last post!!! I don't even know where to begin. SO here are my thoughts on things that have happened over the last month... short, sweet, and simplified.


BLACK HAWKS WIN THE STANLEY CUP!!!!!
Hey Cubs... time to step up your game. You are the only team that still sucks in Chicago. OK, well maybe the Bulls too... and the Bears. And occasionally the White Sox.
The Big 12 became the Big 10... and the Big 10 is now the Big 12. And I am checking out from college football. Everything about NCAA football has to be overly complicated... nothing can ever be about just playing the game.
However... Thank you Texas for keeping the division formerly known as the Big 12 from imploding. Hook em' Horns.


WORLD CUP FEVER HAS SWEPT THE GLOBE!!!!!Soccer fever is contagious... The drama, the spectacle, the vuvuzelas!
For one month, every four years...The United States will pretend to care about soccer. T.O is a No Go.
Terrel Owens is unemployed. Nobody in the NFL wants to sign him to a contract. And no one seems to care but him...

Lakers win the Championship...
... which is clearly big news because they never win anything... ever.