There were no tickets to be found for Saturday’s UK/FL match-up and believe me I tried!! 71,024 fans filled Commonwealth Stadium to watch the Kentucky WildCats lose a heartbreaker to the Florida Gators 45-37. The Cats never quit, they have no quit in them. I continued to believe we would win the game until the Gators scored with 1:33 left on the clock bringing the score to 45-31. This game broke an 8-game home winning streak for UK. Even after losing, Kentucky should be seen as valid adversaries. After last week’s battle against LSU, the WildCats could have folded and fallen flat on their faces. We lost the game but we certainly didn’t fall flat on our faces. Although I am brokenhearted, I am extremely proud of my team.
Here are a few tidbits from the game;
* This made Florida’s 21st straight win over Kentucky. They are 16-10 in Lexington.
* On 3rd down conversions Florida was 7 out of 11.
* First half the Cats had the football longer and out-gained the Gators but did not outscore them.
* Kentucky gained 512 total yards. This was the most against Florida so far this season. For the game the WildCats had 512 total yards to Florida’s 427.
* Andre Woodson was 35 of 50 for 415 yards and tied his career high with five touchdowns. His pass efficiency rating was 172.7. He has thrown for at least 2 TDs in 9 straight games.
* Florida's Tim Tebow was 18 of 26 for 256 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. His pass efficiency rating was 202.71.
* Jacob Tamme became the 10th player in Kentucky history to have 100 career catches.
* Lyons’ 3 touchdowns was a career high for him.
* Injuries or sickness for the Cats - Keenan Burton suffered a strained knee in the second quarter, but returned. Tony Dixon left the game with a sprained ankle. Linebacker Johnny Williams could not finish the game because of an injured foot. Tamme has been bothered by turf toe, and suffered a bruised shin. Jason Leger did not finish the game because of a bout with the flu.
* Urban Myer on the Cats: "We made a couple of comments throughout the week that we saw this Kentucky team a couple of years ago. Rich (Brooks) is a very good friend of mine and that's one of the best-coached teams. Obviously, that offensive personnel is greatly improved as well as the entire team personnel, so we saw that coming two years ago when we played them here. That was a big win against a quality football team, a very quality football team."
Here is what the SEC East standings look like now:
South Carolina 3-2
Georgia 3-2
Florida 3-2
Kentucky 2-2
Tennessee 2-2
Vanderbilt 2-3
The Kentucky WildCats have no time to pause and lick their wounds. They must prepare for Mississippi State this Saturday. The much needed rest will come the following weekend and UK will need it for the upcoming back-to-back road games at Vanderbilt and Georgia. Then comes the season finale with big-time rival Tennessee. GO BIG BLUE!
On this HE SAID SHE SAID, we have decided to write a fictional conversation between the two of us concerning THE game on Sat. Of course I am talking about the Kentucky WildCats vs the Florida Gators. You, the reader, must decide if SHE SAID is closer to the truth or if HE SAID is more believable. This should really be fun! Hope you are ready!!
My Mother decided she wanted her attic emptied so guess who was called upon to assist her? Yep, her only daughter, ME! It was 8A.M. when I arrived home from taking my daughter to school. I walked to Mom’s house and worked until approximately 5P.M. I returned to my house tired, dirty and hungry!
I felt better after a long hot shower and thought I should check my caller I.D. before eating. One number appeared time after time after time! “OH NO!” It was Rev. As I dialed his number, I wondered if I had the energy for this call. You will understand why once you read the transcript of the dialog. I dial the dumber but before it could even ring, Rev Answers…
REV – “Hey! What’s up?” (breathing kind of heavy.)
BGL – “Hi, Dear. I saw where you had called several times and thought I better call you back!” (laughing.)
REV – “Sorry about stalking you…he he he. What do you want to do with HE SAID SHE SAID this week?”
BGL – “With the game between Kentucky and Florida coming up, I think we should do something on that. Don’t you?”
REV – “What will you be wearing?” (again, breathing kind of heavy.)
BGL – “REV!” (trying to ignore the statement I go on) “Last week we switched roles but it was obvious my heart wasn’t into it. So, let’s switch back this week. What do you think?”
REV – “Do you have different sundresses? Are you wearing one right now?”
BGL – “REV! Try to focus! Did you see the AP poll? That #### from ESPN, Craig James voted Kentucky 24th! Oh well, he played for SMU and that is in Texas…need I say more?” (laughing) “We could do a poll of our own for HSSS. We couldn’t do any worse than this guy!”
REV – “That sounds good! Do you want to be on top or the bottom?” (yep, you guessed it, heavy breathing)
BGL – “For now I would rank FL just above the Cats but after we beat you my Cats should move ahead of both the Gators and Tigers!”
REV – (cannot repeat)
BGL – “Remember, this is for HSSS? Kentucky leads the SEC in scoring at 42.7 points per game and total offense at 460.0 yards per game. Even so, did you know that the Gators are picked to win by a touch down?”
REV – “Yeah, I saw that. Know what else I saw?”
BGL – “What’s that?”
REV – “A cute little blue and white sundress! I thought about you when I saw it. I bet you have one don’t you? Being a WildCat!”
BGL – “Rev, what is it with you and sundresses?”
REV – “Why don’t you go put it on?”
BGL – “Now!?”
REV – “Yes, I’ll wait on the line!” (gasping for breath)
BGL – “Alright, hold on.”
At this point I laid the phone down. I had to eat, wash the dishes and do some laundry. Once this was done my daughter yelled at me to come watch “Wild Hogs” with her. We really enjoyed the movie and the couple hours of rest! I got ready for bed and decided to check my email real quick. That’s when I saw the phone laying beside my PC. OMG!! I forgot about Rev!!
BGL- “Rev? Are you still there?”
REV – “Do you have it on? (scary breathing)
BGL – “Good night Sweetie…love ya!”
REV – “I’ll admit Kentucky will beat Florida!!”
BGL – “You will?”
REV – “Sure!! Tebow is a wimp anyways! Everyone knows The WildCats are going to win. You guys have Woodson and you beat LSU, we couldn’t do that! So... are you wearing it?”
BGL – “Okay Rev. Yes, I have it on.” ( ;) I lied )
REV – “I’ll write it now! UK by 6.”
BGL – “Nite nite, Rev.”
REV – “WAIT! Can I use your avatar this time?”
CLICK…
Now it is up to you. Read HE SAID and make your decision. Whose conversation would be closer to reality? PLEASE leave your answers on both blogs so Rev can get the tally correct this time! Hope you all had as much fun as I did!!
With 4 starters out, the Kentucky WildCats beat the LSU Tigers 43-37. The celebration in Lexington, Kentucky is going strong as I write this. I have lost my voice and am so hyped up I may not sleep a wink tonight. Yes, there were some things I disagreed with but all-in-all it was an amazing effort by the WildCats and coaching staff!! I must praise the UK deffense. They had taken out LSU's number 1 RB, Hester, the previous play and Kelley stopped the Tigers on 4th and 2 in the 3rd OT lifting the Kentucky WIldCats to a win over the number 1 ranked team in the country. As far as the offense went, Andre made some beautiful passes but when Burton didn't seem to have the stuff due to an ankle injury, Johnson stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball out of the park.....or should I say across the goal line! Also, kudos to Locke who's block allowed Woodson to pass to Johnson for 6 pts. Let me add that Woodson was not sacked the entire game. This is what college football is all about. I am so proud of my Cats. Be sure to check out my fellow WildCat blogger, UKjedi, for more on this game.
It seems in sports we are always comparing players and debating the “best”. Whither it is Bird or Magic, Chamberlain or Russell, Koufax or Gibson or, in this HSSS debate, Smith or Sanders. In my opinion, Jim Brown was the best overall running back so I guess this argument will be who the best was during the 90’s or who the was best between the two; Emmitt Smith or Barry Sanders. Rev, being very biased, mistakenly chose Emmitt Smith. I, on the other hand, actually chose the best RB of the two and that is Barry Sanders. Special thanks to Hoit for this HSSS suggestion.! Let us know if you have any for us and we will look into it!!
"I was always someone who led by actions, not words," Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders was never a man that gave good quotes. He was a man of very few words. He was a man that never showed much emotion. You would never see Barry Sanders spike the ball after a touchdown. His actions spoke for themselves.
Sanders was one of the most electrifying runners to ever play the game. He spent his entire pro career with the Detroit Lions (1989-1998.) Each season with the Lions, Sanders rushed for more than 1,000 yards; the first running back to do so. Sanders best year came in 1997 when he rushed for over 2,000 yards. He became only the 3rd player to reach this plateau in a single season and the first since O. J. Simpson to rush for 2,000 yards in a span of 14 consecutive games.
Barry Sanders played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1986 to 1988. He backed up All-American Thurman Thomas during his first 2 years but became the Cowboys starter his junior year once Thomas moved on to the NFL. That season has been called the greatest ever in college football history. Highlights of Sanders’ collegiate career:
*Set 34 NCAA records during his Heisman Campaign.
*Holds the college single-season rushing record with 2,628 rushing yards in 1988.
*In 1988, Sanders won the Heisman Trophy.
Sanders left for the NFL draft after his junior year and was selected by the Detroit Lions with their 1st-round pick (3rd overall) in 1989. Barry’s size while a concern was deceptive. He was too quick for defenders to hit consistently and way too strong to be brought down with arm tackles. His explosiveness and ability to reverse direction seemingly at will, often left defensive players tackling nothing but air. Sanders finished his first season 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns, and won the Rookie of the Year Award. Listed are highlights of Sanders pro career:
*15,269 career rushing yards *109 career touchdowns (99 rushing, 10 receiving) *76 100-yard rushing games *10 consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons (1989-1998) *Tied NFL record for total 1,000-yard rushing seasons *NFC Rookie of Year (1989) *2-time NFL Player of Year (1991,97) *10-time Pro Bowl selection (1989-1998) * Five-time NFC rushing leader (1989,90,94,96,97) * Four-time NFL rushing leader (1990,94,96,97) *Set NFL single-season records for most 100-yard rushing games and most consecutive 100-yard games (14 in 1997) *Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2004)
At the age of 30, Sanders astonished fans when he announced his retirement from pro football. Barry left football still in his prime, having gained 15,269 rushing yards, 2,921 receiving yards, 118 kickoff return yards, and 109 touchdowns (99 rushing and 10 receiving). Upon retirement, he was so close to Walter Payton's career rushing mark of 16,726 yards. Only Payton and Emmitt Smith, who broke the record in 2002, have rushed for more yards than Sanders.
His retirement was unexpected and controversial. Just two years earlier, Sanders had renewed his contract with the Lions for $35.4 million over six years with a signing bonus of $11 million. The Lions demanded he return $7.3 million of the bonus. When Sanders refused the franchise sued, eventually winning and Sanders was ordered to pay $5.5 million plus interest over the next 3 years.
At the time of his retirement Sanders owned almost every Lions’ rushing record along with numerous all-time NFL records. However, in the argument of who is the best between Sanders and Smith, numbers are really pointless. For example, Smith gained 10,160 yards in seven years with the Cowboys, an average of 1,451 yards per season. Sanders, over eight years, gained 11,725 yards, an average of 1,466 per season. See my point? Numbers don’t show the moves and stamina. They don’t record plays that start wide right and end up on the left side with every guy in the secondary scrambling to save his job.
Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith have similarities. They both have the strong, thick legs which defied logic when they moved up and down and sideways all at the same time. Their legs changed the thinking of NFL personnel directors about RB with short stumpy bodies. Sanders and Smith proved that it is okay to be short; it just might be preferred.
"Here's what I see," Jim Brown says. "Emmitt is a great player in a great system, a system that suits him perfectly. He is a hell of a warrior, and he fits into the Dallas scheme better than anybody.” "I don't think Barry's ever been used properly, but that's a different story. If I had my pick of anybody in the league, and I was picking in terms of talent -- maybe not even winning and losing games, but just pure talent -- I'd take Barry. He's the most talented running back in the NFL."
Sanders' rare abilities go well beyond cerebral explanation. The human form just wasn’t meant to cope with endless runs on artificial turf, with stops so hard and fast the skin tears from underneath his toenails, turns so quick tendons and cartilage are expected to fly out of his knee and into the face of the defender. There is no explanation for the manner in which the upper half of his body charges along in one direction while the lower half whirls off in another. “Sander's body seems to change form when needed -- solid to liquid, liquid to gas.”
Gale Sayers, who played for the Chicago Bears and who is consider by some to be the best running back of all time was asked to compare Sanders with Smith. "I wish Barry had a better line to run behind. I'd like to see what would happen then. Many times when you see him, he's making moves behind the line of scrimmage, trying to get away. A lot of times Emmitt isn't touched until he's five yards past the line. When Barry's five yards into the secondary, he's gone. People talk about whether Barry can gain 2,000 yards in a season. Well, if he had Dallas' line, we'd be asking how many years he'd be gaining 2,000 yards. Look at his stats now: He's gaining 1,500 or 1,600 yards anyway. I think Emmitt is a good second-effort runner, a strong runner, but I go with Barry."
Emmitt Smith had an all pro offensive line with 2 potential Hall of Famers. Payton had one of the best as well in 1984. Barry Sanders had none. Emmitt Smith played with a hall of fame QB and WR Barry Sanders did not. Emmitt Smith didn’t have to carry his team’s burden. Barry Sanders did. He was all Detroit had. The fact that Sanders accomplished all that he did with the minimal support that he had is absolutely astonishing.
Every time Barry Sanders touched the ball, he was a threat to score. That cannot be said of Emmitt Smith. Smith benefited more from his surroundings than any of the all time rushers. Put him in a Lions uniform and you get very little. Put Sanders in a Cowboys' uniform and it’s scary. This is how I always compare great players. If they switched teams would they still be as dominate? Emmitt Smith would not. Barry Sanders would.
Rev had an idea about this week’s He Said She Said. It was that I argue the case the Florida Gators will beat my Kentucky WildCats in football this year and his debate will be the WildCats will beat his Gators. While I am a little scared, I agreed this could be a great approach especially for the debates we have on HSSS. It would be too easy and expected from me to fight….full out kicking and screaming that UK will beat FL in football and for Rev to, of course, take the Gator side. So, how shocking is this?
I didn’t realize all the feelings I was going to go through writing this and now actually posting it for others to read. It is like I am being unfaithful. I even asked Rev to come find my body along U.S. 119 because I know my WildCat brothers and sisters are going to kill me! I hope everyone, including Florida fans (because I am worried about Rev’s safety after this) will understand what we are doing. It is a different look at each other’s teams; a fresh view from another’s aspect of the game; AND I did get an adamant Gator fan to admit UK will beat FL in football this year….lmao I can’t wait to see what I can get him to do during basketball season!! I am joking! This is a wonderful idea and I have argued the case against my beloved Cats.
Tradition:an inherited pattern of thought or action.
Tradition is often overlooked or even snubbed for some reason these days. As a former basketball player I know how important believing you can win is to a team. A squad can have all the talent in the world but if they do not expect to defeat their opponent every time they step onto the court or field, they will lose. Don’t get me wrong, of course you need talent! However, you better have the mind-frame of a winner as well. The Florida Gators’ football program knows what I am talking about. This program is known and feared across the country. They have an inherited pattern of thought or action and that is winning.
Their first meeting with the University of Kentucky was in 1917. The game was played in Lexington, KY and the Cats came away with a 52-0 win. Since that time the Gators have met the Cats on a football field 56 times. FL owns the series with 39-wins, 17-losses and 0-ties. The last time UK beat FL was back in 1986 in Lexington with a score of 10-3. This year’s meeting takes place on Oct. 20th at Kentucky. But before we can take a look into the future, let’s glance into the past…
The Gators’ first snap was in 1906. Coach James Forsythe led the University to 3 winning seasons. During the 1910s the football squad acted as an independent team. In 1912, they became part of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. In 1922, Florida joined the Southern Conference. They remained there until finding their permanent home with the SEC in 1933.
It would be in the 1960s before the world got a glimpse of what would become a long run of dominance. Head Coach Ray Graves swaggered with a team record of 70 wins. The 1966 team is considered one of the best teams in Florida history. They were led by Heisman Trophy winner, Steve Spurrier. 30 years later in 1996, the Gators won their first ever National Title. The quarterback from that championship team was Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel. During the title battle, Anthony Reidel set a record for the SEC player to score the most points -18, and touchdowns - 3, during a championship game.
The Orange and Blue are known for winning a total of 8 SEC football conference championships. Only 7 are recorded because of NCAA violations, the Gators were officially stripped of their 1984 SEC championship. The 1985 and 1990 teams finished best in the SEC, they were not eligible to compete for the championship because of NCAA violations that previous coaching staff committed.
Florida holds a handful of SEC records. In 1996, Florida scored the most points with 45. In regular season games, the Gators hold the record for scoring the most touchdowns (nine vs. Central Michigan in 1997).
Before you can judge the 2007 team you must assess their leader. At the Helm of the 2007 Florida Gators is Urban Meyer, one of the most celebrated coaches in college football. His winning percentage of 83.1% is ranked 7th nationally among active coaches. Coach Meyer is the 3rd highest paid college coach with his current 6-year contract.
Before Urban Meyer came to take the reigns of the Florida program, he had already won the;
2001 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year
2003 Sporting News National Coach of the Year
2003 and 2004 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year
2004 Home Depot Coach of the Year Award
2004 George Munger Award for the Collegiate Coach of the Year
2004 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
2004 Pro Football Weekly National Coach of the Year
2004 Woody Hayes Trophy Award
2004 Victor Award
In just his first 2 seasons, Meyers led the Gators to finishes of 9-3 and 13-1, respectively. This, as we all know, took FL to a 2006 BCS National Championship victory over Ohio State.
There is a problem with winning college championships. That is you usually lose a lot of star talent to the pros the next season. The 2007 University of Florida Football Gators did just that. They lost star QB Chris Leak (free agent with the Bears) and a host of others. However, Coach Meyer did find a replacement for Leak. His name is Tim Tebow. Tebow IS the FL offense. It is essential he stay healthy and as much as he runs this is highly questionable by the time the Gators face the WildCats. This Heisman candidate just earned his second Offensive Player of the Week honor after last weeks win over Ole Miss. Tebow accounted for 427 yards of total offense (best in the SEC this year), including a school record 166 rushing yards by a quarterback. He also had career-highs in completions (20), attempts (34) and rushing attempts (27) while throwing for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Thus far, for the season, Tebow leads the SEC in passing efficiency, is 6th in rushing yards and leads the SEC in rushing touchdowns (7). Adding to this offense is WR Percy Harvin and RB Kestahn Moore. Harvin has 155 yds RUSH and 336 REC; a total of 491 yds offense after 4 games. Moore has netted 279 yds RUSH and 37 yds REC; a total 316 yds offense after 4 games.
The big question will be can the FL defense stop UK’s offense. After losing 9 defensive starters from last year’s National Championship team, the Gator defense is definitely in a rebuilding year. They do return pre-season, First Team, All-SEC selection, DL Derrick Harvey. But after 4 games the Gators D is led by sophomore LB Brandon Spikes. This young man has 21 solo tackles and assisted on 15 for a total of 36 tackles. With the loss of Marcus Thomas the Gators D has been solid but has not had the kind of success stopping the run that Thomas brought.
The Florida offense is averaging 44.5 points per game while their defense is holding opponents to 22.0 ppg. The Gators are scoring 2 or more touchdowns each quarter. The WildCats have a hard time dealing the run especially against QBs. This along with their slow starts and having to “come-back” in the 4th quarter will be their downfall. There is no answer for Tebow. His 358 yds RUSH and 1096 yds PASS says it all. I do believe the game will be tight, but Florida will hold with tradition and beat Kentucky 31-30.
"Without free speech no search for truth is possible... no discovery of truth is useful... Better a thousand fold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech. The abuse dies in a day, but the denial slays the life of the people, and entombs the hope of the race."
Charles BRADLAUGH British social reformer (1833-1891)
On August 1st minor league baseball took being politically correct to the field. The Lowell Spinners and the Brooklyn Cyclones played what some are calling the first ever P.C. baseball game. In the spirit of P.C.-ness, different positions were renamed. First, second and third basemen became “basepersons,” the batboy was a “batperson,” and perhaps the strangest of all, the shortstop was renamed to the “vertically challenged stop.” Errors were not announced to the fans so that the player who committed them would not be offended. Although losing could have given one of the teams a complex, the score was kept and Brooklyn won this odd game, 9-5.
I do believe one should censor themselves but the problem with the culture of P.C. or being political correct, is that it browbeats the general public into accepting certain judgments, values and opinions. Our society embraces these to the point of sacrificing an individual’s right of expression. This leads to contempt, malevolence, and hatred for anyone displaying an unpopular belief. Many deny themselves their freedom of speech for fear of humiliation, fear of appearing ignorant, and even fear of retaliation.
Several months ago shock jock, Don Imus, was fired because he referred to the Rutger Women’s basketball team as “nappy headed ####’s.” Now he faces a libel, slander and defamation lawsuit from Kia Vaughn, the star center for the women’s basketball squad. Please do not leave me messages accusing me of siding with Imus, I am not. His words were deplorable and he had a responsibility as a public figure to censor himself. However, freedom of speech means that an individual has rights to individual liberties. That liberty includes both the accepted and unaccepted of #### or written expression. This subsumes even bigoted speech no matter how repulsive you or I might find it.
We all know that the old saying, “give them an inch and they’ll take a mile” is very true. Let’s say for arguments sake that Vaughn wins her lawsuit. Now I want you to look to the future. During an NBA game one of the players takes his time getting down the floor to play defense – not a vision that is too hard to picture. One of the sports announcers spots this and says the player is slacking and lazy, hurting his team. Afterwards that “lazy” player finds out about the commentators remarks. Claiming the announcer hurt his chances of signing a major contract with someone like Nike for fitness wear, the player sues the announcer and the station carrying the game. And you know what? Using the Imus case as precedent, he will win. It is now coming to the point that any sport’s personality needs the advice of a lawyer before making any comment about a player, team or franchise. Other examples include Rush Limbaugh and John Rocker. Both made stupid remarks which were politically incorrect and both ended up losing their jobs due to this stupidity.
Many more sports figures have lost their job, been suspended or fined for exercising their freedom of speech. Many terms can be labeled as politically incorrect. I wonder which are P.C. and which are not. Who are the members of the “thought police” that make this determination and how do you join? One of the qualifications of being Politically Correct is that you must not only have correct thoughts at all times, you must also condemn those who display incorrect thoughts.
Team mascots are certainly not off limits to the searching eyes of the “thought-police.” The University of Illinois caved to political pressure and booted their mascot of 81 years. Will others soon follow suit for fear of being ostracized from the ranks of the Politically Correct? Will fear of economic consequences finally push owners to change the names of mascots that have represented them for what is for some, a lifetime?
Maybe we should do some good and help a few of these owners. I’m listing the names of each team in the MLB, NFL and NBA. I ask of you to come up with new names; names that are politically correct. Because this is my blog ;) , I will serve as the “thought police” and decide which are P.C. and which are not. As squads are renamed, I will add the new mascot beside the old along with the name of the clever person who thought of the P.C. mascot. Once a team has been renamed no other names will be taken for that particular one….no matter how brilliant they might be!
Do you find this silly? I hope you do. I also hope you find it a little disturbing. It is not only the liberties of Don Imus and others like him that I am debating for; it is for you. I fight for your right to agree with this piece but most importantly, I fight for your right to disagree and voice that opinion.
It does seem that mothers have now changed the old rhyme told to us long ago to Sticks and Stones may break my bones but call me names and I’ll sue you for millions.
MLB
Arizona Diamondbacks - Avsfreak24 thinks this mascot should be changed to; Arizona Golddiggers
Atlanta Braves
Chicago Cubs
Colorado Rockies - Apparently Rev agrees with me about Freedom of Speech. This is from him; Colorado Stoners
Cincinnati Reds
Florida Marlins
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Dodgers
Milwaukee Brewers
New York Mets - I thought this was funny. It also comes from AvsFreak24; New York Stepchildren
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
St. Louis Cardinals
Anaheim Angels
Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
New York Yankees - Once again AvsFreak24 has a suggestion; New York Bankees
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays
Washington Nationals
NFL
Arizona Cardinals - From SwackDaddy; Arizona Roadrunners....The Cardinal is not indigunous to AZ, and They Have no passing game.
Atlanta Falcons - Practicing his FREEDOM of SPEECH, this one comes from Reverend Rhythm; Atlanta Dog-Executioners...I think this speaks for itself!
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills - Another good one from SwackDaddy; The Buffilo Williams
Carolina Panthers
Cincinnati Bengals
Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers - SwackDaddy strikes again!The Fudge Packersrofl
Houston Texans - Yet another name speaking against all P.C. comes from the Reverend; Houston BorderCrossers
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
New York Jets
Oakland Raiders - dehbashi suggested this one; Oakland Jailers
Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers - Socratesofswat came up with this for my beloved Steelers; Pittsburgh BOOTY HUNTERS
San Diego Chargers
San Francisco 49ers - My favorite from Rev (although his "thought police" might arrest him!!); San Francisco (well, you know)
Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis Rams
Tampa Bay Buccanneers
Tennessee Titans
Washington Redskins - Suggested by bafongu; Washington Mocaskins
Around this time every year we, the fans, know it is time for pro-football when we hear Hank Williams, Jr. sing “Are You Ready for Some Football.” Apparently Hank is serenading the wrong crowd! He should aim his vocals towards the rookies drafted by the NFL months ago but who have yet to step foot on the field. Until recently approximately 20% of the first round draft picks had not signed their contracts. For a league as well run and as well respected as the NFL, this is absolutely ridiculous! It is time the NFL takes some advice from the NBA and enforces strict salary caps. Rev will try to persuade you this is a bad thing but I have listed just a few reasons enforcing a salary cap like that of the NBA would be good for the NFL.
ROOKIE HOLD_OUTS:
The Oakland Raiders knew long ago they would draft JaMarcus Russell as the #1 overall pick. The draft occurred back in April and Russell has yet to ink the agreement. Why? MONEY! Russell is holding out for more money. He is holding out for guarantees even though he hasn’t suited up for one game. Others that held out for bigger contracts include Calvin Johnson, Levi Brown, Darrelle Revis, Brady Quinn, Dewayne Bowe, and John Beason. A strict salary cap would all but eliminate rookie hold-outs.
DRAFT FOR NEED RATHER THAN AFFORDABILITY:
The top picks are eating away larger and larger portions of their prospective team’s salary. This leaves less for resigning veterans or adding free agents. The draft is supposed to assist the bottom teams from the previous year however it has become more o####amble than an investment. Remember Ryan Leaf? Russell could be signing what will be the largest contract in the history of the Oakland Raider’s. It is reported to be around $60 million dollars with $30 million of it guaranteed. If he turns out to be another “Leaf” the Raiders will have their hands tied for the next several years and efforts to better the team will be close to impossible. Russell is justifying this huge amount because it is a percentage increase from last years #1 draft pick. If future rookies continue to follow this logic by 2008 the overall #1 pick will be expecting $65 million and in 2015 the “chosen one” will be earning $100 million dollars! Teams would never be able to draft according to need but would have to try to improve the squad with who they can afford.
ROOKIES WOULD HAVE TO PROVE THEIR WORTH:
How many teams have invested huge lumps of money towards their futures only to have their choices bomb? The Chargers drafted Ryan Leaf as the #2 pick overall. Tim Couch was drafted #1 overall by the Cleveland Browns. Both teams gambled millions of dollars only to lose. Neither Leaf nor Couch ever lived up to their huge salaries and those teams are still paying for their mistakes. The Browns have never been able to overcome the drafting of Couch. Some rookies start out making more than many of veteran players will receive during their entire career without having stepped one foot on the field. The salary cap would make rookies prove themselves for the first couple of years thereby preventing hold-outs and the gambles teams are forced to make.
GOOD FOR OWNERS, VETERAN PLAYERS AND COACHES:
General Managers and Coaches have to have control of the money in order to build their teams and complete the roster. The more control they have over the money, the more creative they can be in building towards the future. Owners would no longer be taking a big gamble with their team’s futures by signing an untested player and overloading their future salary cap. As it stands now, owners must debate with greedy agents rather than know exactly what they would be spending. This takes the control of one’s team completely out of their hands and ultimately out of the hands of the coach. Only a few players take up the bulk of the salary cap and these are often recently drafted rookies rather than proven veterans. This makes no sense. Proven veteran players should be taken care of first and foremost. Agents would, of course, object to a strict salary cap because they would no longer be able to use kids just out of college to fatten their pocket and egos.
Huge rookie contracts should not be the norm for the NFL but they are. Because more and more rookies cannot come to an agreement on their contracts, more and more are reporting late for training camp. The NFL should give the NBA a call. Greg Oden signed with the Portland Trail Blazers almost immediately because the pro basketball league dictates how much money each rookie will make. Oden will start out at around #4 million a year. Unlike Russell, Oden will not be the highest paid player in the NBA; this is saved for the veterans of the game. There are no hold-outs or heated debates about money. The rookie player can focus on his new career as a pro.
I am not saying that players like JaMarcus Russell don’t deserve to get rich, but his pay demonstrates just how seriously insane the salary structure is of the NFL. The salary cap should remain at the same level with a smaller slice going to rookies and the bigger portion awarded to proven veterans; in other words, a strict rookie salary cap. In a few years Russell just might be worth the $30 million dollar payday. Until then, the NFL needs to reserve that kind of money for the players that have proven their worth on the field. The NFL might be the top sport in the country but would someone tell them to put the lid down before they flush more money down the toilet!
We have come to the 3rd installment of “He Said, She Said.” While the last 2 have been extremely interesting and fun, this one should inspire somewhat of a feud from those on either side of the fence. This time Rev and I ask, “Should Pete Rose be allowed to take his place among baseball’s greatest in MLB’s Hall of Fame?” How many years has this debate been going on? For some, it is a lifetime. Should Pete Rose be inducted into the Hall of Fame or should baseball stand by their “ban for life” decision passed down in 1989. Baseball has been extremely clear of its stance on gambling. The HOF is filled with adulterers, racists and crooks of every kind who have gotten away with suspensions or a slap on the wrist. But gambling is the HOF’s murder charge and the sentence is death. How just is this stance? Can’t the Hall forgive the sinner without forgiving the sin?
Let’s first take a look at what the man has done during his MLB career. Pete Rose earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle” because of his determination and the passion he took with him every time he stepped onto the diamond. He was famous for always running to 1st base even after a walk and reviving the dangerous head-first slide. Rose is the only player to play 500 games at 5 different positions and is probably the most efficient switch-hitter in baseball history.
Pete’s love for the game was apparent in everything he did. His career was impressive as he still holds quite a few records. These include 4,256 hits, 3,562 games, and 14,053 at bats. He also has in his arsenal three batting titles, 1968, 69 and 73; six World Series appearances – three ending in championships. He is 2nd all-time in doubles, 4th in runs, and amassed at the least 100 hits in his first 23 seasons, another record. He had more than 200 hits in a season 10 times, also a record, and led the league in hits for 7 seasons.
Rose was Rookie of the Year in 1963. In 1975 he was named the World Series Most Valuable Player, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, The Sporting News Man of the Year and was named the Player of the Decade for the 1970s by TSN. Anyone who knows baseball has certainly heard of “The Big Red Machine.” Rose was one of the most important contributors to the Reds domination of the 70’s.
In 1989, Charlie Hustle was banned from the game for gambling on baseball while he was manager/player for the Cincinnati Reds by then Commissioner Giamatti. His statistical standing in the history of major league baseball cannot be touched but will they ever be officially recognized? Some say yes if he owns up to what he has done and apologize for the behavior. I say, why should this matter?
Since Rose’s departure from the game as a player, there has yet to be anyone to fill the void of his passion and desire. I heard Joe Morgan once say in an interview that if he could impose one wish on a young player coming into the major league, it would be to spend one year with Pete Rose as a teammate.
The Hall of Fame just isn’t complete without the inclusion of Pete Rose. It is a museum for the fans and is supposed to honor those who played the game better than anyone during their tenure. I understand and do agree Rose should never be allowed to manage again nor hold any position in professional baseball. However, apology or not for the gambling, Charlie Hustle is a Hall of Famer. PLEASE stop moralizing MLB! Don’t kid yourself that past, current, and future inductees were given some kind of character and moral fitness test prior to their admission.
Under any impartial standard, Pete Rose was one of the greatest players to play the game of baseball. Under any sober standard, he has to be included in the group of people who are the greatest players to play the game of baseball.
Honor the player. The gambler has been punished.
For the view from the other side of the fence see what Rev has to say...
Billy Gillispie’s remains focused on lifting Kentucky Basketball back where it should be…the top. Apparently it is never too early to recruit talent. High school sophomores Ross-Miller and Dakotah Euton have both committed to play for UK. Hoop Scoop ranks Ross-Miller as the 5th best player from the class of 2010 and ranks Euton 11th. This has placed the WildCats second (behind Ohio State) among the nation’s best recruiting class of 2010.
With incoming freshman Patrick Patterson and Alex Legion, Ross-Miller becomes the 6th player to either sign or commit to Kentucky since Gillispie was hired. Other commitments are from high school senior to be DeAndre Liggins and junior to be G.J. Vilarino. With the number of prospects that have visited UK more help could be on the way for the 2007-08 season. Included among the visitors are forward Leonard Washington, who originally signed with Southern Cal, and Mike Jones, who transferred from Syracuse to Indian Hills Community College.
Former Kentucky Women’s head coach, Mickie DeMoss has come out of retirement after only 3 months. DeMoss announced she will be joining Texas as an assistant coach. However, it might not be that easy to do. The new job could violate UK’s buyout clause which was part of DeMoss’ previous contract with the WildCats. Less than a year before resigning DeMoss signed a 5-year deal with Kentucky which would have paid her $350,000 per year. Included was a buyout clause that said if the coach left Kentucky to take another coaching job she would have to pay the university $200,000 for each year remaining on the deal, totaling $800,000. It is not clear how long DeMoss would have to stay out of coaching before being allowed to return without having to pay the big bucks. So far, the University of Kentucky has no comment. Walter McCarty replaces Marvin Menzies and joins Rick Pitino’s staff as Louisville’s assistant basketball coach. "I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be back with Coach," McCarty said. "To be back here with him, it means a lot." McCarty was Pitino’s starting forward on the 1996 National Champions, the Kentucky WildCats. Pitino also coached McCarty when he played for the Boston Celtics. "All young people today overestimate their abilities and what they need to work on," Pitino said. "They'll get an honest answer from Walt. They'll be able to understand what it takes to be a pro." Marvin Menzies left Louisville to become the new head coach at New Mexico State. The Maxwell Award is given each year to the most outstanding player in college football. UK’s senior quarterback, Andre Woodson was named to the pre-season watch list for this prestigious award. The Chuck Bednarik Award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football. Wesley Woodyard, the WildCats’ senior linebacker, was named to this pre-season watch list. Woodyard’s name also appears on the watch lists for the Ronnie Lott Trophy (national defensive player of the year/character) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year). The SEC is still working to get the Sept. 15th Louisville/Kentucky college football game televised. While CBS, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU have no openings for that date, the league is still working with the Big East and television networks to get the largest distribution possible. Southeastern Conference Associate Commissioner Mark Womack said there is some flexibility in the league’s television contract which could mean that the game will be shown live in the Lexington and Louisville markets. UK’s Athletics Director remains confident everyone in the state will be able to watch the game."We know that's important to the fans, and we'll work with the league to get it done in the best way possible."The Minnesota Twins selected Ben Revere as the 28th overall selection in the First Year Player Draft. 19-year-old Revere was ranked as the 42nd best high school prospect by Baseball America. Most in the baseball world expected the young man to go somewhere in the second round. "My advisor called me at 3:30 and said the Twins were really interested in me for the 28th pick, and my heart started pounding big-time," Revere said. "I just never thought I would go in the first round. And when the moment it came, well, it's just been a blessing, definitely." During his senior year at Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington, Kentucky, Revere batted .516 with 10 doubles, five triples, and 41 RBIs. This, along with 9 HRs and 24 stolen bases earned Revere the 2006-07 Gatorade Kentucky Baseball Player of the Year.
WildCats lose a heartbreaker to the Florida Gators 45-37. The Cats never quit, they have no quit in them. I continued to believe we would win the game until the Gators scored with 1:33 left on the clock bringing the score to 45-31. This game broke an 8-game home winning streak for UK. Even after losing, Kentucky should be seen as valid adversaries. After last week’s battle against LSU, the WildCats could have folded and fallen flat on their faces. We lost the game but we certainly didn’t fall flat on our faces. Although I am brokenhearted, I am extremely proud of my team.
Rev. As I dialed his number, I wondered if I had the energy for this call. You will understand why once you read the transcript of the dialog. I dial the dumber but before it could even ring, Rev Answers… 
this. I have lost my voice and am so hyped up I may not sleep a wink tonight. Yes, there were some things I disagreed with but all-in-all it was an amazing effort by the WildCats and coaching staff!! I must praise the UK deffense. They had taken out LSU's number 1 RB, Hester, the previous play and Kelley stopped the Tigers on 4th and 2 in the 3rd OT lifting the Kentucky WIldCats to a win over the number 1 ranked team in the country. As far as the offense went, Andre made some beautiful passes but when Burton didn't seem to have the stuff due to an ankle injury, Johnson stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball out of the park.....or should I say across the goal line! Also, kudos to Locke who's block allowed Woodson to pass to Johnson for 6 pts. Let me add that Woodson was not sacked the entire game. This is what college football is all about. I am so proud of my Cats. Be sure to check out my fellow WildCat blogger, 
words. He was a man that never showed much emotion. You would never see Barry Sanders spike the ball after a touchdown. His actions spoke for themselves.
Lions with their 1st-round pick (3rd overall) in 1989. Barry’s size while a concern was deceptive. He was too quick for defenders to hit consistently and way too strong to be brought down with arm tackles. His explosiveness and ability to reverse direction seemingly at will, often left defensive players tackling nothing but air. Sanders finished his first season 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns, and won the Rookie of the Year Award. Listed are highlights of Sanders pro career: 
yards, 2,921 receiving yards, 118 kickoff return yards, and 109 touchdowns (99 rushing and 10 receiving). Upon retirement, he was so close to Walter Payton's career rushing mark of 16,726 yards. Only Payton and Emmitt Smith, who broke the record in 2002, have rushed for more yards than Sanders.
scheme better than anybody.” "I don't think Barry's ever been used properly, but that's a different story. If I had my pick of anybody in the league, and I was picking in terms of talent -- maybe not even winning and losing games, but just pure talent -- I'd take Barry. He's the most talented running back in the NFL."
with a hall of fame QB and WR Barry Sanders did not. Emmitt Smith didn’t have to carry his team’s burden. Barry Sanders did. He was all Detroit had. The fact that Sanders accomplished all that he did with the minimal support that he had is absolutely astonishing.
team. A squad can have all the talent in the world but if they do not expect to defeat their opponent every time they step onto the court or field, they will lose. Don’t get me wrong, of course you need talent! However, you better have the mind-frame of a winner as well. The Florida Gators’ football program knows what I am talking about. This program is known and feared across the country. They have an inherited pattern of thought or action and that is winning. 
the 2007 Florida Gators is Urban Meyer, one of the most celebrated coaches in college football. His winning percentage of 83.1% is ranked 7th nationally among active coaches. Coach Meyer is the 3rd highest paid college coach with his current 6-year contract. 
In just his first 2 seasons, Meyers led the Gators to finishes of 9-3 and 13-1, respectively. This, as we all know, took FL to a 2006 BCS National Championship victory over Ohio State. 
Tebow IS the FL offense. It is essential he stay healthy and as much as he runs this is highly questionable by the time the Gators face the WildCats. This Heisman candidate just earned his second Offensive Player of the Week honor after last weeks win over Ole Miss. Tebow accounted for 427 yards of total offense (best in the SEC this year), including a school record 166 rushing yards by a quarterback. He also had career-highs in completions (20), attempts (34) and rushing attempts (27) while throwing for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Thus far, for the season, Tebow leads the SEC in passing efficiency, is 6th in rushing yards and leads the SEC in rushing touchdowns (7). Adding to this offense is WR Percy Harvin and RB Kestahn Moore. Harvin has 155 yds RUSH and 336 REC; a total of 491 yds offense after 4 games. Moore has netted 279 yds RUSH and 37 yds REC; a total 316 yds offense after 4 games.
defensive starters from last year’s National Championship team, the Gator defense is definitely in a rebuilding year. They do return pre-season, First Team, All-SEC selection, DL Derrick Harvey. But after 4 games the Gators D is led by sophomore LB Brandon Spikes. This young man has 21 solo tackles and assisted on 15 for a total of 36 tackles. With the loss of Marcus Thomas the Gators D has been solid but has not had the kind of success stopping the run that Thomas brought. 
opponents to 22.0 ppg. The Gators are scoring 2 or more touchdowns each quarter. The WildCats have a hard time dealing the run especially against QBs. This along with their slow starts and having to “come-back” in the 4th quarter will be their downfall. There is no answer for Tebow. His 358 yds RUSH and 1096 yds PASS says it all. I do believe the game will be tight, but Florida will hold with tradition and beat Kentucky 31-30.
Rutger Women’s basketball team as “nappy headed 
down the floor to play defense – not a vision that is too hard to picture. One of the sports announcers spots this and says the player is slacking and lazy, hurting his team. Afterwards that “lazy” player finds out about the commentators remarks. Claiming the announcer hurt his chances of signing a major contract with someone like Nike for fitness wear, the player sues the announcer and the station carrying the game. And you know what? Using the Imus case as precedent, he will win. It is now coming to the point that any sport’s personality needs the advice of a lawyer before making any comment about a player, team or franchise. Other examples include Rush Limbaugh and John Rocker. Both made stupid remarks which were politically incorrect and both ended up losing their jobs due to this stupidity.
police.” The University of Illinois caved to political pressure and booted their mascot of 81 years. Will others soon follow suit for fear of being ostracized from the ranks of the Politically Correct? Will fear of economic consequences finally push owners to change the names of mascots that have represented them for what is for some, a lifetime?
not only the liberties of Don Imus and others like him that I am debating for; it is for you. I fight for your right to agree with this piece but most importantly, I fight for your right to disagree and voice that opinion.
Hank is serenading the wrong crowd! He should aim his vocals towards the rookies drafted by the NFL months ago but who have yet to step foot on the field. Until recently approximately 20% of the first round draft picks had not signed their contracts. For a league as well run and as well respected as the NFL, this is absolutely ridiculous! It is time the NFL takes some advice from the NBA and enforces strict salary caps. Rev will try to persuade you this is a bad thing but I have listed just a few reasons enforcing a salary cap like that of the NBA would be good for the NFL.
draft is supposed to assist the bottom teams from the previous year however it has become more o
have their choices bomb? The Chargers drafted Ryan Leaf as the #2 pick overall. Tim Couch was drafted #1 overall by the Cleveland Browns. Both teams gambled millions of dollars only to lose. Neither Leaf nor Couch ever lived up to their huge salaries and those teams are still paying for their mistakes. The Browns have never been able to overcome the drafting of Couch. Some rookies start out making more than many of veteran players will receive during their entire career without having stepped one foot on the field. The salary cap would make rookies prove themselves for the first couple of years thereby preventing hold-outs and the gambles teams are forced to make. 
more and more rookies cannot come to an agreement on their contracts, more and more are reporting late for training camp. The NFL should give the NBA a call. Greg Oden signed with the Portland Trail Blazers almost immediately because the pro basketball league dictates how much money each rookie will make. Oden will start out at around #4 million a year. Unlike Russell, Oden will not be the highest paid player in the NBA; this is saved for the veterans of the game. There are no hold-outs or heated debates about money. The rookie player can focus on his new career as a pro. 
pay demonstrates just how seriously insane the salary structure is of the NFL. The salary cap should remain at the same level with a smaller slice going to rookies and the bigger portion awarded to proven veterans; in other words, a strict rookie salary cap. In a few years Russell just might be worth the $30 million dollar payday. Until then, the NFL needs to reserve that kind of money for the players that have proven their worth on the field. The NFL might be the top sport in the country but would someone tell them to put the lid down before they flush more money down the toilet!
allowed to take his place among baseball’s greatest in MLB’s Hall of Fame?” How many years has this debate been going on? For some, it is a lifetime. Should Pete Rose be inducted into the Hall of Fame or should baseball stand by their “ban for life” decision passed down in 1989. Baseball has been extremely clear of its stance on gambling. The HOF is filled with adulterers, racists and crooks of every kind who have gotten away with suspensions or a slap on the wrist. But gambling is the HOF’s murder charge and the sentence is death. How just is this stance? Can’t the Hall forgive the sinner without forgiving the sin?
impressive as he still holds quite a few records. These include 4,256 hits, 3,562 games, and 14,053 at bats. He also has in his arsenal three batting titles, 1968, 69 and 73; six World Series appearances – three ending in championships. He is 2nd all-time in doubles, 4th in runs, and amassed at the least 100 hits in his first 23 seasons, another record. He had more than 200 hits in a season 10 times, also a record, and led the league in hits for 7 seasons. 
than anyone during their tenure. I understand and do agree Rose should never be allowed to manage again nor hold any position in professional baseball. However, apology or not for the gambling, Charlie Hustle is a Hall of Famer. PLEASE stop moralizing MLB! Don’t kid yourself that past, current, and future inductees were given some kind of character and moral fitness test prior to their admission. 
Hoop Scoop ranks Ross-Miller as the 5th best player from the class of 2010 and ranks Euton 11th. This has placed the WildCats second (behind Ohio State) among the nation’s best recruiting class of 2010.
retirement after only 3 months. DeMoss announced she will be joining Texas as an assistant coach. However, it might not be that easy to do. The new job could violate UK’s buyout clause which was part of DeMoss’ previous contract with the WildCats. Less than a year before resigning DeMoss signed a 5-year deal with Kentucky which would have paid her $350,000 per year. Included was a buyout clause that said if the coach left Kentucky to take another coaching job she would have to pay the university $200,000 for each year remaining on the deal, totaling $800,000. It is not clear how long DeMoss would have to stay out of coaching before being allowed to return without having to pay the big bucks. So far, the University of Kentucky has no comment.
Louisville’s assistant basketball coach. "I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be back with Coach," McCarty said. "To be back here with him, it means a lot." McCarty was Pitino’s starting forward on the 1996 National Champions, the Kentucky WildCats. Pitino also coached McCarty when he played for the Boston Celtics. "All young people today overestimate their abilities and what they need to work on," Pitino said. "They'll get an honest answer from Walt. They'll be able to understand what it takes to be a pro." Marvin Menzies left Louisville to become the new head coach at New Mexico State. 
football. UK’s senior quarterback, Andre Woodson was named to the pre-season watch list for this prestigious award. The Chuck Bednarik Award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football. Wesley Woodyard, the WildCats’ senior linebacker, was named to this pre-season watch list. Woodyard’s name also appears on the watch lists for the Ronnie Lott Trophy (national defensive player of the year/character) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year). 
game televised. While CBS, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU have no openings for that date, the league is still working with the Big East and television networks to get the largest distribution possible. Southeastern Conference Associate Commissioner Mark Womack said there is some flexibility in the league’s television contract which could mean that the game will be shown live in the Lexington and Louisville markets. UK’s Athletics Director remains confident everyone in the state will be able to watch the game. "We know that's important to the fans, and we'll work with the league to get it done in the best way possible."
Year Player Draft. 19-year-old Revere was ranked as the 42nd best high school prospect by Baseball America. Most in the baseball world expected the young man to go somewhere in the second round. "My advisor called me at 3:30 and said the Twins were really interested in me for the 28th pick, and my heart started pounding big-time," Revere said. "I just never thought I would go in the first round. And when the moment it came, well, it's just been a blessing, definitely." During his senior year at Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington, Kentucky, Revere batted .516 with 10 doubles, five triples, and 41 RBIs. This, along with 9 HRs and 24 stolen bases earned Revere the 2006-07 Gatorade Kentucky Baseball Player of the Year.