Owner: The Jaunt URL:http://the-jaunt.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:39:21 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: The gates are open at all times here at The Jaunt. Within this section of cyberspace everyday is fan appreciation day, the drinks are never flat, and you don't have to be subjected to a loud; shirtless fat dude. Here at The Jaunt you will be enlightened a Site statistics:Click here
Promotion of the Week - 01/22/07-01/28/07: Autographed Redick Photo to Sell on eBay to Duke Fans 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The Jaunt considers the many promotions and giveaways at sporting events throughout the season, and hand-picks the best of the week.NBA - Orlando Magic - Amway ArenaFriday, Jan. 26 vs. Atlanta Hawks - 7:00 p.m.- J.J. Redick AutographedPhoto
(First 2,500 fans).This could actually be worth something someday...if he can find a spot in the starting rotation. You know, and other minor accomplishments. Photo Coming Soon
Buried Deep In The Count 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The gift that keeps on dying. I came across the announcement for the following a while back, but I need to put this up. Major League Baseball has ventured into the morbid side of fandom by offering team logos to be proudly displayed on caskets and urns of those fans who literally live and die with their teams.The company forging ahead with this idea is Eternal Image. Major League Baseball was first to sign a licensing agreement, with NFL, NHL and NASCAR possibly following suit.It's only fitting that the first team logo to be introduced on an urn was that of the Philadelphia Phillies. The losingest franchise in sports history...associated with death? The suicide squeeze is on.RelatedVenture banks on fans taking team-pride to grave Read more:Buried
NBA All-Star Dance Team As Voted By Fans 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The NBA
's version of a beauty pageant has concluded, and here is the first ever All-Star Dance
Team. Even hotter than this parade of beautiful women, is another woman -- and self-proclaimed bitch -- selecting her top 5 dancers overall. Rachel, from Give Me The Rock, wants to be able to select from each and every dancer, and really...why be limited? The more the merrier (or so I have been told).Anyone else think it's kind of lame that they made it all PC with one dancer from every team? Next year, it should be like the real All-Stars with everyone voting among all the cheerleaders in the league. I'm sure NBA.com would get a lot more hits if they just had gallery upon gallery of hot dancers.*raises hand* I think it's lame, Rachel! And also they should base the selection process on a reality show-type series of contests. Such as -- and I'm just thinking out loud here -- the widest split, the bounciest...um...personality, and uhhh... I gotta go. Read more:Voted
Mets Fan Banned From Shea 1970-01-01 00:59:59 He's an impostor! Get him!18-year-old Ryan Leli was said to have flashed fake NBC press credentials for the purpose of mingling with New York Mets players in August.A New York Mets fan who was accused of posing as a reporter in order to meet players took a plea deal Tuesday. It spares him what could have been a seven-year prison sentence. But he's barred for three years from Shea Stadium and KeySpan Park -- the home of the Mets' minor-league affiliate, the Brooklyn Cyclones. What is great is that the kid had the stones to try the same exact thing a week later. Good game, bro.Related:Shea Stadium ban for Mets fan who posed as reporter Read more:Banned
Up Close And Personal: Madison Square-Off Garden 1970-01-01 00:59:59 By Eric McClungI've never been one to leave games early no matter the score or time remaining. Sometimes you'll see a miracle comeback. Sometimes you'll see a guy get smacked in the mouth. When its the Knicks it could only be the latter. I never got to see my Nuggets in person. I never got to see a basketball game in the world famous MadisonSquareGarden
. Sounded like a great early Christmas gift. But there was no way of knowing instead of drinking the milk and cookies I left for Santa he'd be setting the tree on fire instead. Last night heading in to the closing moments of the 4th in a 20 point rout Nuggets guard JR Smith was going up for his second breakaway highlight dunk in as many minutes. However Knicks reserve Mardy Collins had other ideas.Perhaps angry the Nuggets were running up the score in the Garden with several starters still in the lineup, Collins grabbed Smith from behind around the neck and shoulders and sent him FedEx into the hardwood. What ensued was mayhem. I s Read more:Close
, Personal
, Madison Square
No Risk Reward for Fans Planning Super Bowl Trip 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Sports Traveler, based in Chicago, IL, announced they are offering fully refundable Super
Bowl travel packages. Fans who typically book advance trips to the host city of the Super Bowl, do so knowing full well they are shelling out a lot of money and may not even get to see the team which they support. However, this week Sports Traveler is offering fans a chance to put down a deposit which will guarantee them a trip to Miami if their team wins their respective championship games."We have been receiving phone calls and emails about Chicago Bears Super Bowl packages since the season began in September," said Anbritt Stengele, founder and President of Sports Traveler. A long time Chicago Bears fan herself, Stengele said even friends, family and distance relatives have been contacting her about being able to get a deal for a possible Chicago Bears trip to the Super Bowl without having to pay for it if the Bears don't go. Ticket packages are available for fans of all four remaining teams:
What is Your Favorite Tailgating Venue? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 World Harbors -- makers of a variety of sauces and marinades -- is searching for the top tailgating hot spot, and have launched a nationwide contest asking fans to submit their entry for favorite pro or collegiate venue. Voting for "Win Extra Points for Taste" can be done online or at participating supermarkets, and votes will be entered into a drawing for a 32" Flat Panel LCD TV. The winning venue will be announced Tuesday, February 6, 2007 (based on number of entries).Here are the current leaders:Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, NJ - Home of the NFL New York Giants and the New York JetsSoldier Field Stadium in Chicago IL - Home of the NFL Chicago BearsArrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO - Home of the NFL Kansas City ChiefsHeinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA - Home of the NFL Pittsburgh SteelersGillette Stadium in Foxboro MA - Home of the NFL New England Patriots Read more:Favorite
, Tailgating
, Venue
Colts Depending on Fans for Everything Except Actually Playing the Championship Game 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The Indianapolis Colts
gear up to take on their biggest nemesis and psychological roadblock to Super Bowl XLI. The Colts and Peyton Manning are certainly going to need the help of the fans. This Friday, the organization is hosting pep rallies for fans to participate in...well, rallying together and swapping pep.The first event is a Blue Friday, brought to you in part by Bud Light, which will return to the Circle Centre Mall food court on Friday, January 19th from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Fans will have a chance to listen to live music from Dave and Rae, get autographs from Colts Alumni players, Cheerleaders and Blue the Colts Mascot. Fans may also receive a free AFC Championship Game collector's edition poster and a Colts team poster courtesy of the American Dairy Association of Indiana. Colts fans will also have an opportunity to register to win AFC Championship Game tickets to the Colts vs. Patriots game.Later on Friday, the Colts will be throwing a "Rally in the Alley" from 5:00 pm-6: Read more:Depending
, Everything
, Actually
Cases Being Made For Colts Victory 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Indianapolis is buzzing as Colts
fans are buying case after case of various beverages in preparation for their championship showdown against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Local company, Zink Distributing, has cited a significant spike in sales as overjoyed fans are stocking up for their party of choice."People are excited. And I'm talking excited not onlyfrom the bar and restaurants, for getting people to come in to watch the game,but also when you take a look at the grocery stores and the liquor stores,buying beer, being home, having parties to watch the Colts," said Jim Zink Jr.of Zink Distributing.Zink projects to sell approximately 15-20,000 more cases than the company sold last year during the Super Bowl weekend. Other local businesses are bracing for the enhanced amount of patrons as well. Indianapolis blues bar/restaurant, Slippery Noodle, is predicting about an 80 percent increase in sales based on this Sunday's matchup and the Coca-Cola bottling plant knows that custom Read more:Victory
WWDJD: What Would DeJesus Do? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The Chicago Cubs are holding their annual convention this weekend to allow fans the opportunity to rub elbows with current and past Cubbies. The likes of Ernie Banks, and new star Alfonso Soriano will be on hand to sign autographs and just be overall legendary. However -- Hall-of-Famers and superstars aside -- this convention just serves as an excuse to hang out with iconic major leaguers such as Ivan DeJesus, Micky Morandini and Rod Beck.Mark Grace? Ryne Sandberg? So what!?I'm looking to pick the eccentric brain of Steve "Rainbow" Trout, joke around with Rod Beck discussing his obviously-intentional "walrus look," ask Morandini what it's like to be a real-life Simpsons cartoon character and follow DeJesus around the whole time...just to see if he signs autographs for non-Latin fans.You other attendees can go get your precious little balls signed by Ryno and Banks. I'll be hangin' with the cool crowd.Related:2007 Cubs Convention Details
Future Brooklyn Nets; Slaves to Corporate America 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The corporate name attached to the future Brooklyn
arena has been announced, and to the dismay of a duped black community.The future home for the Brooklyn Nets will be emblazoned with the corporate logo of a British bank that was founded on the slave trade, collaborated with the Nazis and did business with South Africa's apartheid government. Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner announced his mega-deal with Barclays Bank on Thursday — but critics slammed the developer for plastering the controversial bank's name atop the arena after having courted African-America
n support for his mega-development.Just a week after celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King -- and a few weeks short of Black History Month -- corporate America reminds us once again that cut-throat tactics are what this country was built on, and continues to thrive on. Related:Blood money: Nets arena to be named after bank founded on slave money Read more:Future
Up Close And Personal: Welcome To My Misery 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Don't blame us, the tickets were purchased way in advance. January 26, 2007 was intended to be a night of All-Stars -- Allen Iverson and LeBron James -- squaring off to showcase their crowd-pleasing talents and energizing persona, instead the evening turned into one big disappointing reminder of how the sports gods loathe me.A buddy of mine organized a trip to the Sixers/Cavs game earlier in the season. The first words out of my mouth were "Sure man, this will probably be the last time I get to see A.I. perform live in a Sixers uniform." Not two weeks later, my hometown Sixers were already unceremoniously cutting ties with the face of their franchise since 1996. So, I've had a few months to realize that when I attend the upcoming game, pretty much the only reason to go now is to admire "King James" as he beats up on the lowly sixers.In the waning moments before we head out to the Wachovia Center for the game, I receive an ominous text message from my colleague.Colleague: "Dude, LeBro Read more:Close
, Personal
, Welcome
, Misery
Moving Out and Moving On Up 1970-01-01 00:59:59 First, the moving out part. The Jaunt will be on a rather extended hiatus due to relocation. Being a new home-owner, I won't have nearly enough time in between packing up years worth of crap, throwing away letters from fake bitches who were 'madly in love with me,' nor will I be able to tear myself away from my ever present tool belt. Granted I really don't know how to use the handy little gadgets I'll be toting, but there is a certain boost in testosterone when donning the man-garter. Plus -- let's face it -- chicks dig a guy who can tape measure his own drill bit.Oh, who am I kidding!? I'll be scrubbing toilets, setting out knick-knacks and preparing fluffer nutter sponge cake.Now, for the moving up part.A while back we posted the video of the now-infamous "F*** Da Eagles" girl who was spotted on camera at the Saints game. Maxim magazine sought out the giddy little naughtily-clad football chick to do a photo shoot.During the Saints/Eagles Divisional Playoff game, Heather Roths Read more:Moving
Sponsors Racing For Stadium Naming Rights 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Any true sports fan knows that NASCAR sucks. Unless, of course, you partake in sexual activities with your own family members and you also refer to them as your "Pit Crew." In which case, NASCAR rules the day in your eyes.All personal biases aside, however, I can applaud NASCAR for coming up with a creative twist on a friendly bet that will crossover onto the baseball diamond.Officials from the Miller Brewing Co. are taking their beer war with Anheuser-Busch from the race track to the baseball field. Miller Lite announced Friday it would wager naming rights of Miller Park in Milwaukee for a 2008 weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals if Budweiser would do the same for Busch Stadium
in St. Louis.The bet will be dependant on the following: Which sponsor's driver finishes ahead of the other in the 2007 Nextel Cup point standings. If Budweiser-sponsored Dale Earnhardt Jr. finishes ahead of Miller Lite-sponsored Kurt Busch, under the terms of the yet-to-be-agreed-to wager, Miller P Read more:Sponsors
, Racing
, Naming
, Rights
Promotion of the Week - 02/05/07-02/11/07: Charles Barkley Statue 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The Jaunt considers the many promotions and giveaways at sporting events throughout the season, and hand-picks the best of the week.NBA - Philadelphia 76ers - Wachovia CenterSunday, Feb. 11 vs. Dallas Mavericks - 6:00 p.m.- CharlesBarkleyStatue
(courtesy of Toyota). First 5,000 fansFans will be receiving the likeness of one of the NBA's all-time greats in the form of a mini-statue. Charles Barkley
, of course, is not very statue-esque these days. Wait...was he ever?? Wasn't one of his 3,000 nicknames "The Round Mound of Rebound?" Well, yes. But for you young-heads out there, here is a pic of Sir Charles...svelte as he wanna be!
Round Trippin' 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The Jaunt presents various topics of interest from around the web.Plans for new Twins ballpark up in the airStoic Link to Baseball History Stands Guard (Washington Park - Brooklyn)Uniformity and BaseballsOur Trip to Motown - More BaseballFans Keep Beaver Stadium Among Nation's Top Drawing VenuesTrapped in Husky Stadium: A harrowing tale of survivalFans from the '40s and now show strong support (Colorado Buffaloes - NCAA Basketball)Top 5 Ways To Make The Pro Bowl Better'Citi' feeling like home Read more:Trippin
, Round Trippin
Bang A Gong, Aussie Cheerleaders Gone 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The South Sydney Rabbitohs, an Australian rugby team backed by Russell Crowe, have let go of their cheerleaders in favor a marching band. The decision came after complaints from women including Crowe's own wife claimed the girls were too inappropriate for rugby. However there were no complaints filed about the hooker.The squad of 15 'bunnies' was known for their tasseled miniskirts and fishnet stockings.The Jaunt sends it's best wishes to the cheerleaders as we hold out for the day when scantily clad sideline entertainment becomes understood worldwide. Read more. Read more:Aussie
, Cheerleaders
The New Age Slash? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Kordell Stewart could play quarterback, running back, and receiver. Heck, he even punted a few times.Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson could get it done on the diamond and on the gridiron. But I bet they never did a toe touch jump.Enter Rockland High School starting quarterback Andrew Weiss. When he isn't in pads eluding a blitz he's on on the basketball court.Well, next to it.Doing cartwheels and back flips.While it's not uncommon for high school athletes to play multiple sports most don't pick up the megaphone. Read more
Gimme Shelter 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Governor Ed Rendell has announced his fellow Pennsylvania paper pushers have reworked their offer to the Pittsburgh Penguins to keep them put in PA. Although he acknowledged an agreement is not yet final other officials have hinted that a deal should be forthcoming.Meanwhile, Penguin fans have flocked to the ancient Mellon Arena. Recording 17 sellouts through 27 home games already exceeding last season's total and averaging 95% capacity at home.When an attempt to approve the new arena with funds supplied in full by a casino developer were shot down the forthcoming Sprint Center in Kansas City offered the Penguins a home rent free along with revenue-sharing. My lease is up soon if there's no takers...On the other side of the county the Seattle SuperSonics are also attempting to score a new building. They are hoping to dip into the same taxes that helped the Seahawks construct Qwest Field and the Mariners build Safeco Field. The Sonics are eying two locations in the Seattle suburbs. Th Read more:Gimme
, Shelter
, Gimme Shelter
Super Bowl Tailgating: fans need not apply 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Uber tailgater Jay DiEugenio, 'The Tailgate Guy' is piping hot because his grill isn't."It's been a tough season for tailgating. First Penn State shuts down parties during the game, and now the NFL bans tailgating at the Super
Bowl. Tailgating
is not a crime!"The Miami Dolphins are fine with the common folk grilling and downing some pregame brews, but it's the No Fun League that ain't."And there is no tailgating anywhere within a one-mile radius of the stadium … and there are no RVs allowed." Sue Jaquez, a member of the Super Bowl
XLI Host Committee said to local news reporters.But hey, at least you can rock out with John Fogerty at the 'official' NFL Tailgate Party.On Friday CBS' The Early Show had two of Miami's top chefs square off in tailgating death match. Follow the link for their recipes (WARNING: girlfriend assistance strongly recommended)
Hiatus? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I'm no stranger to The (soon-to-be-famous) Jaunt. I wrote the Nuggets/Knicks brawl article and gave Mark the bad news about missing King James but I am new to the staff. Ok, so Mark and I are the staff. But that means twice the coverage of... of... all the great stuff you are used to The Jaunt covering! You can get the box scores and the bloated opinions anywhere but we are here to cover that stuff that falls between the cracks. The stuff fans can get their fingers directly on the pulse of. Mark will be back soon as he gets setup in his new house (Dude, I'm still waiting for the NBA 2k7 rematch) but for the in between it's you and the new guy! Give me feedback so I can setup my spam filters accordingly. Read more:Hiatus
Bizzaro Beantown 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The Patriots lost Peyton's number somewhere. The Bruins are in last place. Even the Sawks pitchers and catchers don't report for another two weeks. Well, at least there's that classic Celtic pride. Or is there?Friday's Boston Megaball jackpot is $65 million, but it looks like the Celtics are playing a different lottery. Tied for a NBA worst 12 wins and staring at their 13th loss in a row the Boston crowd was far more interested in the present Wednesday night. A surprising 'MVP' chant was overheard. And no it wasn't for Al Jefferson's twelfth double-double of the season. Surprisingly it was for a player on the other team, more surprising it was for the arch rival L.A. Laker's Kobe Bryant as he was on his way to pouring on 43 points.While some were leaving to beat the traffic in the final 2 minutes Kobe threw down a reverse dunk and drained a 3 "Kobe!" and "MVP!" chants could be heard. A far cry from the "Beat L.A.!" chant that made its way from the Garden to any arena a Los
An American Football Game in London 1970-01-01 00:59:59 In 2005 the San Fransisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals met across the border and set the record for the largest attendance ever for a NFL game. Mexico was just the starting pointing for the NFL's desire to expand it's audience globally.Next season the NFL will trade the bottle of tequila for a cup of tea sending the Miami Dolphins and New York (Football
) Giants to the new Wembley Stadium for a week 8 match up. Twickenham Ruby Stadium, also in the UK, and a site in Germany were also said to be in the running to host the NFL's first regular season outside of North America.Although the NFL Europe's two British teams folded both NFL commish Roger Goodell and London mayor Ken Livingstone expect nothing short of a success."We are expecting nearly 10,000 American
fans to travel to London to watch the game as well as people from Europe." Mayor Livingstone said following the announcement.The Fridge, William Perry, was also on hand to view the near-complete arena, "From what I have seen of th
'Go Blue' vs 'Super Bowl Shuffle' 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Indianapolis hip-hop group Mudkids have released 'Rock N' Roll (Go Blue)' to back their home town Colts in the Super
Bowl. After watching the video one can not help but flash back (in horror) to the infamous Chicago Bear's classic 'Super BowlShuffle
'So on this most holy of Super Bowl Eves we pause to honor these Super Bowl "jams" (WARNING: major douche chills ahead):Mudkids 'Rock N' Roll (Go Blue)'1985 Chicago Bears 'Super Bowl Shuffle'
The Jaunt Fantasy Camp: Fantasy Baseball Primer #1 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Pitchers and catchers are starting to report around the league but The Jaunt is reporting to fantasy camp! While I'm not here to turn The Jaunt into a fantasy site I've have a lot of success playing fantasy sports over the past few years and I am here to spread my knowledge to the masses. The Jaunt is all about capturing the spirit and interest of the passionate fans, something fantasy sports can also do. So let's get started...The Jaunt Fantasy Camp
: Fantasy Baseball
Primer #1By the Numbers... In a standard league each week you are ranked in each of 10 categories: 5 batting (batting avg, runs, stolen bases, home runs, and RBI) and 5 pitching (wins, saves, strikeouts, and WHIP) This is how a typical league is setup. You may find leagues that may or have more or less categories or will take away points for things like blown saves and losses which may slightly alter your drafting strategy (something we will talk about later)The Name of the Game... There's many different styles fantas
Round Trippin' 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The Jaunt presents various topics of interest from around the web.Some ideas for squeezing sports into your datesWembley Stadium's built from a stolen design?(Not) Feeling Minnesota: Vikings delay details for new stadiumTwins tooSonics close to scoring a new arenaSixers bring back the sexy, err, the red Read more:Trippin
, Round Trippin
The Jaunt Fantasy Camp: Fantasy Baseball Primer #2 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Welcome to part two of The Jaunt's introduction to fantasy baseball. This short series focuses on how the game works, how to prepare yourself going into draft day, and how to make your picks: first round to last. Today's topic is sound pre draft philosophies.The Jaunt Fantasy Camp
: Fantasy Baseball
Primer #2Diversify Your Portfolio... Drafting your fantasy players is the start of the investment that is your roster. Over the course of the season you'll be making short term investments like a relief pitcher stepping in temporarily as a closer due to injury. But the goal of the draft is to finish with a well rounded team. Chicks may dig the long ball and it's obviously helpful for home runs and RBI. However, loading your team with all sluggers may cost you in batting average and typically aren't going to steal you many bases... During the first initial rounds draft the best available player. Period. Never go into a draft thinking the roster should be built around speed or power or
Baseball Traditionlists...Cover Your Eyes 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The world famous home to the Chicago Cubs -- Wrigley Field -- has long since been known as the classic no-frills; throwback ballpark. Manual scoreboard, the last team to have lighting installed for night games (until 1988) and the unique ivy-covered outfield walls that are woven throughout the entire history of Wrigley Field.Well, take those same beautiful ivy walls and smack a big friggin' eye-sore of an advertisement over that piece of identity. That's what fans will see beginning this season, for at least the next two years.The Cubs announced a multiyear deal Wednesday with Under Armour, a sports apparel company, agreeing to place its logo and name on the outfield doors. Terms of the agreement were not announced, but the ads will bein place at least through 2008.Click-Clack. The corporate world has even the resistant Cubs selling out. Harry Caray must be rolling in his grave.Related:Cubs show tradition the door with ad deal Read more:Cover
Finally You Can Be Proud To Have A Beerbelly 1970-01-01 00:59:59 From the annals of "Why the hell didn't I think of that?" comes a sneaky product called "The Beerbelly." The Beerbelly is a simple yet unique idea in which you risk gaining a few pounds -- and becoming a self-conscious fatty for a day -- with the trade-off being that you can store 80 oz of beer (or what have you) concealed under your flannel or your "Steppenwolf" T-Shirt.The Beerbelly, the stealth beverage systemthat makes it easy to sneak a drink where ever you want!• It holds 80oz,that's more than a six pack of your favorite beverage• Your drink is heldin place in an insulated very comfortable sling under your clothes looking justlike a real home grown beer belly.• One size fits most, up to a 40 inchwaist and up to 6'8" tall• You can drink from the tube/nozzle or you canpour directly from the tube• Holds hot or cold drinks• Made of topquality materials and constructionSo there you have it, no more waiting in long lines for flat beer only to be gouged with overprice Read more:Finally
, Proud
Texas Rangers Breaking Wind 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Whatever happened to the days of licking your finger and sticking it up in the air to test the effects of wind? TexasRangers
President Jeff Cogen opted to bust out $100,000 in order to get a detailed report on the wind conditions within The Ballpark in Arlington.The Rangers spent that hundred grand on a wind study todetermine just how much fly balls are affected. A little? A lot? Did thebuilding of the infamous Gold Club - or Cuervo Club as it's now called - sevenyears ago make a major difference? The answers are all there on Cogen'sdesk in a 400-plus-page document that arrived in late September and detailsalmost every nuance of the wind effects at The Ballpark.So first we're testing players for steroids. Now we're gauging ballparks for wind? I say play ball! It's a damn simple kids game that gets over and over and over-analyzed year after year. Pretty soon the government will step in and start issuing ballpark search warrants."Mr. Cogen...you're coming with me! We found some tr Read more:Breaking
, Texas Rangers