http://www.sportsnipe.com Frontpage Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448274/canada-gets-what-needs-toronto-sun.html Canada gets what it needsToronto Sun,  Canada - 1 hour agoBut the Swedes tied it up when Maple Leafs defenceman Anton Stralman scored in the final minute of the period. The Canadians started to look like themselves ... Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448273/man-united-chelsea-to-showcase-their-talent-champions-league-final.html What a brilliant achievement it has been for two English teams to get to this years Champions League final. Chelsea have already made an appearance  in the League Cup Final and came second in the Premier League by two points, meanwhile Manchester United have deservedly secured a 17th top flight title and are now pushing for a double.   The only worry is that on such a big stage, at a neutral venue the game may turn into a stalemate, as was the case in last years FA Cup final. That match was tense and drawn out and in truth it never really got going. The two teams back then as they are now were so well matched that it took 117 minutes for the deadlock to be broken. It would be a shame if on the biggest stage of European football the two English giants failed to impress. Nobody wants to see a bad Champions League final and people especially don’t want to see a bad Champions League Final featuring two teams from their own country.   However, both teams have clearly improved in the Champions League in the Last couple of years and both deserve to grace the final. It was only last year that people were talking about a Wayne Rooney goal drought in the Champions League and how concerned they were that Cristiano Ronaldo hadn’t scored. Chelsea had also been knocked out previously by three English teams (Arsenal and Liverpool twice) and people wondered if they had what it takes to succeed in the competition.   I believe with the confidence the flair players now have in the competition, this final encounter will not disappoint. Cristiano Ronaldo, Salomon Kalou, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney can really turn this into an amazing spectacle. They, of course, will have to be at their best if they are going to breach the respective defences of United and Chelsea. It is a difficult game to make predictions on but I am a Manchester United fan so I'm hoping the Red Devils can pull through. There's no doubting that this will be a tough and engaging match-up.   Many believe that the style of football that Chelsea play is not good enough to grace a Champions League final but in the last round against Liverpool over both legs none of their goals came from ‘route one football’. The detractors will hopefully take the time view the game before criticising a potential gem of a fixture. I feel that the English teams stability have helped them to achieve success in the Champions League this season. Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea have by and large kept the same team with a few additions from last season. Arsenal on the other hand, have made a few more changes which has seen their season peter out. Had they had had the same squad depth that Chelsea and United had then they may well have been in contention for this double.   We should start to get used to three English teams in the semi-final as this is the second year in a row it has happened. The past three years have seen an English team contending for the title of the best club in Europe. Liverpool featured in the final in 2005 and 2007, Arsenal in 2006 and now both Manchester United and Chelsea in 2008. Each final has had its twists and turns but have ultimately been memorable for one reason or another. What is sure to say is that the cup with the big ears is coming back to England. Long may this trend continue. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448152/wet-cool-but-theres-lots-to-do-toronto-star.html Wet, cool - but there's lots to doToronto Star,  Canada - 56 minutes agoIt begins at 9:45 pm 1) Watch a team named the Toronto Maple Leafs play a sport well: The Intercounty Baseball League's Leafs won a league championship last ... Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448151/dream-showdown-toronto-star.html Dream showdownToronto Star,  Canada - 55 minutes agoAnton Stralman, the 21-year-old Maple Leafs prospect, kept Sweden in the game with his second goal of the contest, but it was the Canadians, once challenged ... Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448150/leafs-stralman-stars-for-sweden-two-goals-toronto-star.html Leafs' Stralman stars for Sweden with two goalsToronto Star,  Canada - 54 minutes agoThe slick skating defenceman intially declined the Maple Leafs wishes to join its farm team for the playoffs and asked, instead, to accept Sweden's ... Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448149/oakland-raiders-god-bless-america-long-live-nation.html Over the past few weeks I have read many Oakland Raider articles written by the Raider Nation, Sports analysts and those who despise the black & silver. To be honest, I am the writer who is part of the Nation of Raiders.... I don't get paid for my opinions and don’t have to worry about my job on the line. I don't worry about grammar mistakes or punctuation. But I take great pride in my knowledge of football and in particular with the Oakland Raiders. So if your not a Raider Fan listen to the words of a loyal contributor, embrace my wisdom or laugh at my loyalty, because either way your still reading. For the Past five seasons the Oakland Raiders have done badly. Actually let me re-word that, In the last five seasons the Oakland Raiders have been such an embarrassment in the NFL that it has left the PROUD Raider Nation silent, a PROUD OWNER hidden and confused, and a PROUD team accepting losses. So did anything change last season? Well I suppose there was a new vibe in Oaklandwith the new personality of Head Coach Lane Kiffin. But did it work? I mean how could a kid for a Head Coach come into one of the most prideful winning organizations and sell a system the team would believe in? Well.... on paper he didn't. He failed. He failed Al Davis, the Raider Nation and succeeded for all Raider degraders. After all his preaching of 'I’m In' and blah blah blah the Oakland Raiders only won four games.  What a waste of another year for the Black & Silver, well, you know what that means. Fire him and hire a new coach. Pick em out of a hat for all the league cares. I definitely would fire Coach Kiffin and bring in a new coach, if was complete idiot. If I was negativly biased of the Oakland Raiders....If I couldn’t see that the flame of Kiffin is still burning in the Oakland Raiders. Understand that Lane Kiffin inherited the mess of 4 previous coaches who really cared less about the team. Who were more concerned with calling their players 'stupid' rather then addressing their problems and fixing them. Kiffin has brought hope, he has brought a system that shows promise, but more importantly has brought identity to a team. His attitude is contagious & His charisma is undeniable. Everyone can easily feel his energy, even the Raider Nation down here in Fresno California. I promise you. We have an unproven franchise QB in Jamarcus Russell. We have two unproven Franchise RBs in Darren McFadden & Michael Bush. We have an Oline who finally had ONE solid year but still have to prove if the consistency is there. All three of our WR's Curry, Walker, and Carter are proven but remain injury prone. We have a young unproven TE in Miller who we will expect much of. On the other side of the ball.... We have an unproven amount of Defensive Lineman who we will expect to make an immediate impact. DL who the NFL seems to think won't be enough. We have a Safety in Huff who we've been waiting on to produce for years but still hasnt.  Do you really believe the Nation of Raiders are so ignorant, that they believe 'potential' alone wins Superbowls? We don’t, and we are expecting all of these players to produce and we strongly believe in Kiffin n Company to redeem the Oakland Raiders that we remember.....and that you tremble. It isn't difficult to see that you feel the presence of the beginning of our return, and to that I say....the Raider Nation will always embrace more fans! God bless and long live America and the Nation of Raiders    Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448148/ioo-days-counting.html Could the appalling behaviour of fans during and after the Glasgow Rangers v St Petersburg in Manchester this week be repeated at Valhalla in September ? Golf and The Ryder Cup in particular, has been subject to problems during recent times. "The War on the Shore" in 1991 at Kiawah Island and the scenes at Oakland Hills Country Club during 2004 spring readily to mind. A very tense atmosphere dominated the 2002 match at The Belfry and only skillful handling by the police and stewards averted serious trouble. Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo must exercise great care with words and deeds in the months ahead. Every comment and nuance they make will be exploited by the media, always keen to maximise TV ratings and increase newspaper circulations. Both teams are not yet finalised, however those who are almost sure of a final place and those who have played in previous matches must also use common sense when commenting on the fixture. Europe, it seems, will have several rookies in the team and this alone will present opportunities for intimidation, prior to and during the game. Samuel Ryder, presented the trophy, to foster goodwill and fellowship between the professional golfers in Great Britain & The United States of America. The commercial success of the venture and the huge crowds it attracts may well put his noble gesture in jeopardy, if the officials, players and media let things get out of hand. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448147/kyle-busch-being-compared-to-nascar-icon.html The aggressive driving of Kyle Busch, a budding villian and one of the most hated drivers in Nascar, has been likened to the style of Dale Earnhardt. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448146/video-new-clip-from-nikes-quotthe-cesc-fabregas-showquot-arsenal-star-visits-sports-psychiatrist.html (3:13) NIKE Live: "The Cesc Fabregas Show" forsakes the normal straight interviews or chat show format to deliver a completely alternative view of the player, bringing together the worlds of football, comedy, and entertainment and creating a genuine platform for fans to gain insight into the public athlete and the private person. --- http://www.NikeLiveFabregas.com/ MVNsoccer posted 88 minutes ago from www.youtube.com [link]Find more top sports news, videos, and blogs on BallHype: Soccer, Nike, Arsenal, Cesc F�bregas, Premiership Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448145/watch-french-ligue-1-football-matches-online-auxerre-lyon-lens-bordeaux-nancy-rennes.html Watch French ligue 1 football matches online, Auxerre Lyon, Lens Bordeaux, Nancy Rennes, Marseille Strasbourg, Lens Bordeaux, Sochaux PSGChannel: Sports Tags: Watch French ligue 1 football matches online Auxerre Lyon Lens Bordeaux Nancy Rennes Marseille Strasbourg Sochaux PSG Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448109/may-twofour-celebration-cant-measure-up-without-great-toronto-sun.html A May Two-Four celebration can't measure up without a great ...Toronto Sun,  Canada - 19 minutes agoHey, I found out Maple Leafs general manager search committee chairman Gord Kirke is in San Francisco this weekend and I am thinking, who the hell is he ... Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448108/luca-toni-to-beat-ronaldo-ballon-dor.html Cristiano Ronaldo has scored an outstanding 41 goals this season and still has a chance to add to that tally in the Champions League final in Moscow next week.  The United winger has undoubtedly been in fine form and is being tipped to receive the Ballon d’Or award. But it appears that the Premier League’s best player has some competition.  Bayern Munich’s Luca Toni has also had a stellar season for the Bundesliga Champions, scoring 36 goals in all competitions.  His tally may be five short of Ronaldo, but if Italy wins the Euro this summer, then it appears Luca Toni may become a hot favorite alongside Ronaldo to scoop football’s most prestigious individual award.  Luca Toni also won the German Cup with Bayern and made it to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup before exiting to eventual winners Zenit St. Petersburg.  Big performances in major international tournaments have been the deciding factor in years past, with Fabio Cannavaro piping Barcelona’s Ronaldinho to the award in 2006.  Ronaldinho was in the form of his life and had just won the Champions League and La Liga with Barcelona.  But a strong showing from Cannavaro in the World Cup earned him the Ballon d’Or award. So if Luca Toni shines this summer for Italy in the Euro and Cristiano Ronaldo fails to win the Champions League, then deciding who should receive the award may not be so straightforward for the voting body.  But even if Ronaldo doesn’t win the Champions League this year, he still has a chance to shine in the Euro 2008 as well, meaning it would take some incredible performances by Luca Toni to pip Ronaldo to the award.  And with Ronaldo in the form of his life, don’t be surprised if he’s the won who shines this summer and goes on to collect the Ballon d’Or.   Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448107/anaheim-ducks-offseason-news-owner-accused-fraud.html   Writers Note: This Article appears in its entirety as found on Los Angles Times online. The original article is by Helene Elliott of the latimes.com and the link can be found at the bottom of the article. The owner of a Southern California-based NHL team is accused of fraud in a long-playing scheme, news that might ring a bell for anyone who watched Bruce McNall bamboozle banks and plunder the Kings' treasury before he was forced to sell up and spend four years making wallets in federal correctional facilities. But the allegations made Wednesday against Ducks owner Henry Samueli aren't a script for Grand Theft Hockey, the Sequel. The civil complaint filed Wednesday against Samueli and three other men by the Securities and Exchange Commission is significantly different from the misdeeds that led McNall to plead guilty to four criminal charges and forced the NHL to keep the Kings afloat until new owners could be found. Although Samueli on Wednesday resigned as chairman and chief technology officer of Broadcom Corp., the chip-making company he co-founded, the NHL has not asked the Corona del Mar resident to step aside as owner of the team that won the Stanley Cup 11 months ago. Nor has the league told him to sell his stake in the Ducks or the management contract for the Honda Center. "Today's announcement has no impact on Henry's status as an NHL owner or on his ownership of the Ducks," Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. "Civil litigation happens all the time. That doesn't disqualify anybody from owning a franchise, much less an NHL franchise." According to NHL bylaws, the league can assume control of a club only if an owner were to be convicted of a criminal offense. That hasn't happened here. Michael Schulman, Samueli's top executive in his hockey and non-hockey ventures, said the Ducks would not be affected by the allegations that Samueli and others had backdated stock options at Irvine-based Broadcom. "Not at all," Schulman said. "In terms of the Ducks, nothing has changed there, in terms of our operations." In a statement released by the Ducks late in the afternoon, Schulman also said Samueli would continue to be active in matters relating to the Ducks, the arena and philanthropic activities. Samueli will also retain his post as the Ducks' representative to the NHL's Board of Governors. Samueli and his wife, Susan, bought the arena management contract in December 2003 and purchased the Ducks from Disney 18 months later. They're well-regarded for their hands-off policy toward personnel decisions and for their generosity. They designed and paid for jaw-droppingly lavish Stanley Cup rings that were presented to players and staff members a few months ago, and they allowed General Manager Brian Burke to assemble a payroll that brushed the salary cap in the just-completed season. The NHL was not surprised at the complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana and it will watch closely as the matter goes through the legal system. But know this: If NHL executives believed the Ducks' business operations were imperiled they would have acted swiftly, having learned the hard way that stability is vital to perception and reality. John Rigas, facing bank, wire and securities fraud involving his family-owned firm, Adelphia Corp., was forced to relinquish his ownership of the Buffalo Sabres The club fell into bankruptcy until businessman Thomas Golisano bought the club. Rigas was sentenced in 2005 to 15 years in federal prison. The NHL was burned twice by owners of the New York Islanders. The league allowed John Spano to purchase the club for $165 million in 1996 and run it for more than six months before it became evident that he lacked the funds to satisfy his obligations. He later pleaded guilty to bank fraud and spent five years in jail. Sanjay Kumar, a co-owner of the Islanders and executive of the software firm Computer Associates, was indicted for securities fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice in 2004 in connection with an accounting scandal. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay $798.6 million in restitution. He sold his equity stake in the Islanders to his business partner, Charles Wang, who still owns the club. Looking further back, longtime Toronto Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard served a year in jail in the 1970s after being convicted of fraud for diverting money from the accounts of Maple Leaf Gardens to his own accounts. And in the 1950s, a federal court dissolved the International Boxing Clubs owned by Chicago Blackhawks owner Arthur M. Wirtz and his business partner, James D. Norris, on the grounds the pair had taken a stranglehold on championship boxing bouts in the U.S. Nice list, eh? The NHL has an inglorious history of owners who had uncomfortable brushes with the law. Maybe because it has had so much practice and has learned to be cautious, the allegations made against Samueli Wednesday will not topple the Ducks or the league.  Photo: From latimes.com via original article by Helene Elliott as reported May 15, 2008. Link: http://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ducks/la-spw-ducks15-2008may15,0,700338.story   Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448106/werth-hits-three-homers-as-phillies-beat-blue-jays.html Jayson Werth surprised even himself with his power surge. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448105/memphis-ad-denies-that-he-talking-big-east-conference.html Filed under: Big East, Memphis Basketball, Big East Basketball, Conference USA Basketball, Memphis FootballMemphis athletic director R.C. Johnson is saying that the school is not discussing a move to the Big East conference ... despite reports saying they were.''No, absolutely not,'' Johnson said. ''I have had no meetings with the Big East.''"We have no expansion plans and are speaking to no schools about expansion," Big East spokesman John) Paquette said. However, that doesn't mean that he's not interested in leaving Conference USA. There are some rumblings that Memphis does want to move up into a BCS conference and believe they've set up their program to be an attractive addition somewhere.The pros for staying in Conference USA is, well, domination in basketball and a shorter travel schedule. The cons are everything else (competition, mo' money, mo' exposure, etc). They'd also rejoin Louisville and Cincinnati as conference brethren. The rumblings also have East Carolina also thinking about bolting C-USA for the Big East.Continue reading Memphis A.D. Denies That He Is Talking With the Big East ConferencePermalink | Email this | Comments Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448104/paula-upbeat-despite-new-injury.html Paula Radcliffe is confident she will be fit for the Olympics despite a new hip injury. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448103/lakers-108-jazz-105-learning-to-rely-on-bryant-close-out-utah.html Kobe Bryant is a bona fide star, but he could not lead the Lakers to victory in Salt Lake City on his own. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448102/i-heart-adp.html D-Day is rapidly approaching for all Azzurri hopefuls (including Alessandro Del Piero) and there's not many days left to convince Roberto Donadoni. Several important people from the world of soccer have officially and unofficially "sponsored” Del Piero in the past few weeks, and they have all been bestowed with our official "I Heart ADP” pin. :)mcalcio posted 5 minutes ago from delpiero.theoffside.com [link]Find more top sports news, videos, and blogs on BallHype: Soccer, Alessandro Del Piero, Juventus, Italy Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448101/montgomery-gets-46-months-for-fraud-ap.html Olympian Tim Montgomery had everything he ever wanted. Once known as the "world's fastest man," Montgomery won a silver medal in the 400 relay at the 1996 Olympics and gold in the same event in 2000. In 2002, he set a record of 9.78 seconds in the 100-meter dash. "I've stood on top of the mountain," he said. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448098/reds-indians-cincy-hitters-work-count-beat-cleveland-43.html All season long the Cincinnati Reds have been notorious for not working the count against opposing pitchers, and what has it gotten them? An 18-23 record good for last place in the National League Central. But tonight they did the opposite of what they have done all season. The game started with fireworks. In the bottom of the first inning after a walk to Ken Griffey Jr., Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips hit a two run homer to the upper deck in left center field to go up 2-0. In the third inning, the slumping left-fielder Adam Dunn hit a home run to right field to push their lead to 3-0. On the mound for the Reds was the young Johnny Cueto, who after a sizzling start to the season, had been very ineffective and inconsistent since. But on this night he started out hot throwing a no-hitter through five innings, but in the top of the sixth things got interesting. He gave up a lead off home run to third baseman Casey Blake. The next  batter was pinch hitter Travis Hafner who hit another home run to right field. Cueto then retired Grady Sizemore to before facing Jhonny Peralta who proceeded to hit a home run to right to tie the game at three. Cueto was relieved by Jared Burton in the seventh who got into a jam by loading the bases with two outs, due to a fielding error by first baseman Joey Votto who had two errors in the night, before being replaced by left-hander Jeremy Affeldt. Affeldt ended the inning on a ground out by left-fielder David Delluci. The Reds threatened in the bottom of the seventh with runners on first and second before Jerry Hairston Jr. struck out swinging. Reds reliever David Weathers came on in the eighth to give up a ground rule double before striking out Asdrubal Cabrera to end the inning. In the bottom of the eighth their patience at the plate paid off. After Ken Griffey Jr. grounded out to shortstop, Brandon Phillips walked. Joey Votto followed with a double to left to advance Phillips to third. Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion got down in the count only to work a walk to load the bases. On the mound for the Indians in the eighth was reliever, Jensen Lewis a Cincinnati native, who started to feel the hometown pressure. With the count full to Adam Dunn, Lewis walked Dunn to bring Phillips in from third to give the Reds the lead 4-3. Lewis got out of the inning but the damage had been done. The Reds brought in their closer Francisco Cordero, who blew his first save of the year on Wednesday night, and he quickly disposed of the Indians by striking out the side and getting his eighth save of the year. Reds reliever David Weathers got the win improving his record to (1-2) and Indinas reliever Jenson Lewis took the loss sending his record to (0-2) Tomorrow will be quite the pitchers duel as the Reds send their ace right hander Aaron Harang (2-5) against Cleveland right-hander Fausto Carmona (4-1) in what will be a packed house at 3:55 PM EST at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448097/home-sweet-braves-brilliance-in-atlanta-embarrassment-on-road.html This season the Atlanta Braves have been a tale of two teams. One dominant and the other, well, pathetic. All through out the history of sports there has been a sort of team "bipolarism", where for instance one team will take on two very different persona's and you never really know which will show up at game time. Some times this is brought on by a star player or team leader not being on the field or even for a number of baseball teams playing great against a righty or lefty and struggling with the other. However this year the Atlanta Braves have stumbled upon a bad case of "sports bipolarism". They are the best team in baseball when playing at home and the worst while playing on the road. It has been quite baffling and is starting to become one of more talked about stories in baseball. It is not uncommon for a team to do better at home than on the road. In fact, there are only six teams in the American League and just four in the National League with losing records at home. However, home field advantage in major league baseball has never been fully comprehended. Football, hockey, soccer (internationally speaking) all usually play in front of very intense crowds and a number of very intimidating venues. This is hardly the case in baseball. Only a handful of stadiums are every at capacity and even fewer have a true hostile environment. Sure the players may be a little more familiar with their field, the lighting set up, where the fences are etc., but it is very hard to pinpoint what makes a baseball team have a distinct advantage over another simply because of location. For the Braves it has not just been a slight advantage this year. They are literally the best team in baseball while playing at home. 15-4 at "The Ted" in Atlanta, that's a .789 winning percentage. They always seem to find a way to win while playing in the friendly confines of Turner Field. Tonight the Braves, who just returned from a 2-5 beating tour of Pennsylvania, only had three hits going into the sixth trailing 2-0. They scrapped up two to tie it and then later on in the eighth, Mark Kotsay pushed across what became the winning run. It was nothing spectacular, but why when in similar situations on the road, have they failed to produce? Wednesday night in Philadelphia the Braves, down two in the ninth, scored one and then had two men on with Mr. Clutch, Jeff Francoeur at the plate only to see lazy fly ball caught at the last second to end the game. That is the way the entire season has went for the Braves. Always finding ways to win while in Atlanta and always finding ways to blow the game or let it slip away while on the road. That same team with the league best .789 winning percentage at home are just 6-16 on the road. A .272 winning percentage. It is truly baffling. Yes, the Braves have suffered a number of injuries this season, but they don't seem to be playing much better or worse with out the regulars. They have also had struggles winning in one-run-games, however those struggles are not nearly as bad while at the Ted. Maybe the players really like sleeping in their own beds and spending time with their family. (although many players do not live in Atlanta) Maybe they love playing in the Atlanta heat. Maybe they like seeing themselves on major league baseball's largest HDTV in Turner Field. Or maybe they just love wearing white. While I would love to think I have the answer, I can only raise questions, just like everyone else. Nothing explains this distinct difference of play in between games at Turner Field and away games. It just doesn't add up. Even though the Braves are playing one of the wackiest seasons in recent memory, they are currently only two games out of 1st in the NL East. If they continue with their current winning percentages the Braves would end the season at 86-76. 49 more wins at home and 16 more on the road, if you really want to know. That would more than likely put them at least a few games back from winning the division, so it is absolutely necessary for the Braves to begin to win more on the road if they want to make it back to the playoffs this year. One thing is for sure. If you're a bettin' man, don't bet for the Braves on while they're on the road and don't bet against them in Atlanta, because as of now, there is no telling when the madness will stop. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448096/cristiano-ronaldo-im-best-yet.html   41 goals, six assists, and an abundance of Man of the Match awards, Cristiano Ronaldo’s statistics speak volumes of his outstanding talent.  Ronaldo is undoubtedly in the form of his life and many have deemed the United winger as the best player in the world.     The Professional Footballers' Association award, the Players Footballer of the Year Award, the Football Writers Association Award, the English Golden Boot Award, as well as the Sir Matt Busby award, have all found their way into Ronaldo’s expanding trophy case in the past few weeks.  Ronaldo also became only the second player to ever win both the FWA and PFA awards in consecutive seasons.  Thierry Henry of Arsenal managed the feat in 2003 and 2004.     Ronaldo recently lifted the Premier League title for the second consecutive season and the Portuguese superstar is now being regarded as the best footballer in the world. But the Premier League’s top performer this season, still only 23, claims he isn’t the best in the world just yet.  "I have been totally surprised by how many goals I have scored as I am not even a centre forward," he said. "But to be the best in the world I have to win titles like the Champions League and the Premier League. "I am a winner and I have a dream that we will win the double this season. It would be madness if we did but why is it not possible now? "It is not easy to win anything, especially not the Champions League. I think if you win that then you go down in history and that is what I want." If Ronaldo does win the Champions League then he will not only mark his name in the history books, but he will have confirmed his standing as the best player in the world.    The former Sporting Lisbon wonder kid also has a chance to shine this summer for his country when Portugal plays in the Euro 2008.  Ronaldo was involved in Euro 2004, when his side lost in the final to Greece.  So if Ronaldo’s claims are true, that we can only hail him as the world’s best after he wins the Champions League, then it looks like we’ll have to wait for a couple more days to see if Ronaldo really is the best footballer on the planet.               Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448095/bike-hndlbar-cell-ph-mnt.html If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! BIKE HNDLBAR CELL PH MNT ARKON SM227 UNIVERSAL CELLULAR PHONE MOUNT FOR BICYCLE HANDLEBARS PEDESTAL ATTACHES TO BICYCLES HANDLEBARS; UNIVERSAL CELLULAR PHONE CRADLE HAS...Channel: Sports Tags: Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448094/cripple-creek-colorado-has-gold-rush-charm.html Gambling Anyone? This is a quaint little old west town that was hugh during the gold rush, gold was first discovered here in 1890. There were thousands of residents during that time. Then when the rush was over all the people left and it almost became ...Channel: Sports Tags: Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448093/orzechs-second-goal-game.html soccer newsChannel: Sports Tags: soccer news hot Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448080/reds-indians-cincy-hitters-work-count-beat-cleveland-43.html All season long the Cincinnati Reds have been notorious for not working the count against opposing pitchers, and what has it gotten them? An 18-23 record good for last place in the National League Central. But tonight they did the opposite of what they have done all season. The game started with fireworks. In the bottom of the first inning after a walk to Ken Griffey Jr., Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips hit a two run homer to the upper deck in left center field to go up 2-0. In the third inning, the slumping left-fielder Adam Dunn hit a home run to right field to push their lead to 3-0. On the mound for the Reds was the young Johnny Cueto, who after a sizzling start to the season, had been very ineffective and inconsistent since. But on this night he started out hot throwing a no-hitter through five innings, but in the top of the sixth things got interesting. He gave up a lead off home run to third baseman Casey Blake. The next  batter was pinch hitter Travis Hafner who hit another home run to right field. Cueto then retired Grady Sizemore to before facing Jhonny Peralta who proceeded to hit a home run to right to tie the game at three. Cueto was relieved by Jared Burton in the seventh who got into a jam by loading the bases with two outs, due to a fielding error by first baseman Joey Votto who had two errors in the night, before being replaced by left-hander Jeremy Affeldt. Affeldt ended the inning on a ground out by left-fielder David Delluci. The Reds threatened in the bottom of the seventh with runners on first and second before Jerry Hairston Jr. struck out swinging. Reds reliever David Weathers came on in the eighth to give up a ground rule double before striking out Asdrubal Cabrera to end the inning. In the bottom of the eighth their patience at the plate paid off. After Ken Griffey Jr. grounded out to shortstop, Brandon Phillips walked. Joey Votto followed with a double to left to advance Phillips to third. Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion got down in the count only to work a walk to load the bases. On the mound for the Indians in the eighth was reliever, Jensen Lewis a Cincinnati native, who started to feel the hometown pressure. With the count full to Adam Dunn, Lewis walked Dunn to bring Phillips in from third to give the Reds the lead 4-3. Lewis got out of the inning but the damage had been done. The Reds brought in their closer Francisco Cordero, who blew his first save of the year on Wednesday night, and he quickly disposed of the Indians by striking out the side and getting his eighth save of the year. Reds reliever David Weathers got the win improving his record to (1-2) and Indinas reliever Jenson Lewis took the loss sending his record to (0-2) Tomorrow will be quite the pitchers duel as the Reds send their ace right hander Aaron Harang (2-5) against Cleveland right-hander Fausto Carmona (4-1) in what will be a packed house at 3:55 PM EST at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448079/john-smoltz-to-tally-more-saves.html John Smoltz is close to his return to the Atlanta lineup from his trip to the disabled list. Smoltz has confirmed his ongoing discomfort in his shoulder and his own doubts about returning as an Ace to the Braves starting rotation. The possibility of John returning to the bullpen, where he has already compiled 154 saves, looking more and more likely. My understanding being that Smoltz needs to pitch at least 200 innings to be eligible for his 2009 option to return to Atlanta, I am trying to come to terms with the fact that this could possibly be Smoltzy's final season. Losing Smoltz's veteran arm in the starting rotation will not be that detrimental if it is being utilized in the bullpen potentially nailing down saves and racking up W's leading our boys from the ATL to another N.L. East Division title. A veteran with John's credentials and the proof that he has the ability to overcome injuries and be an asset to his team in whatever way he can. It looks like the legendary Bobby Cox thinks that best way would be to ease Smoltz back into the closer role in which everyone remembers how dominant he was. He will be great when he returns. After tonight's win (3-2) versus the Athletics, the Braves record stands at 21-20 (15-4 at home), Chipper Jones is knocking the cover off the ball batting .423, and No, I am not going to mention the possibility of something that hasn't happened since 1967, because it is way to early to even to speculate. Chipper is capable of doing it though hoping he stays healthy. He's the face of the Braves franchise, drafted first in 1990 by us, he has the tools. He is definitely looking like an MVP so far. The Braves have a few injuries at moment, but through that we have been able to stay just 2.5 or so games out of first. Timmy Hudson is being himself being dominant on the hill as usual. We have a plethora of guys who can get the job done, in the field and at the plate. I believe our lineup has what it takes to vault us to the top of the N.L. East, with the mix of young and elder players we have the tools and staff to get there. I've seen enough of our guys this season to know that we just need something to bring it all together, and I think that might be installing Smoltz as our closer. Now just a little bit about me. I just finished my sophomore year in college, which was pried me away from watching and being my usual die-hard Braves self in that they are no longer on TBS. But now I am back and today I ordered MLB Extra Innings which will allow me to watch my Braves on practically a daily basis. So look for more in depth analysis from me later this season after I can actually watch instead of picking apart box scores. I am excited about the rest of the Braves 2008 season. Thank you for reading Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448078/west-indies-vs-australia-test-live-online.html Watch West Indies vs Australia Test Live Online Australia were fought tooth to tooth. so Do not forget to Tune in to www.action8cricket.com Our site is efficient in helping you keep a track of the latest news scores and commentary as well.Channel: Sports Tags: Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448077/williams-sisters-out-rome.html Both Williams sisters have been bundled out of the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia but in different fashions. 7th seed Venus Williams was defeated 5-7 6-2 6-3 by 4th seed Jelena Jankovic.Channel: Sports Tags: tennis wta tour venus williams jelena jankovic serena williams Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448076/live-score-card-40th-ipl-match-between-delhi-daredevils-kings-xi-punjab.html The 40th match of the Indian Premier League is scheduled in between Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab tonight at 8 PM at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi on 17th May 2008. Channel: Sports Tags: IPL Live Score Card IPL Live Match IPL Score IPL Live Score Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448075/live-score-card-39th-ipl-match-between-rajasthan-royals-bangalore-royal-challengers.html The 39th match of the Indian Premier League is scheduled in between Rajasthan Royals and Bangalore Royal Challengers today at 4 PM at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on 17th May 2008. Channel: Sports Tags: IPL Live Score Card IPL Live Match IPL Score Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448074/ipl-39th-match-live-score-rajastha-v-bangalore-security-concern.html Under Security concern after bomb blast in Jaipur, Rajasthan Royals, leading the IPL points table, will host Bangalore Royal Challengers, the bottom team of Indian Premier League, in the 39th and 2nd round of match at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, on Saturday's, 17th May, 2008, fisrt game of the day at 4.00 PM IST. Channel: Sports Tags: 2008 IPL Matches Bangalore Royal Challengers IPL Cricket Indian Premier League Rajasthan Royals Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448073/gerard-fusils-bike-run-adventure-racing-on-budget.html Gerald Fusil is a man who always puts his ideas into action and others follow. The founder of the Raid Gauloises, The world's first true expedition race is always on the lookout to expand the sport. The cost of competing in adventure racing has reached...Channel: Sports Tags: Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3448072/scott-has-australian-open-spot.html ADAM Scott has confirmed he is coming home to contest the Australian Open at Royal Sydney in December, but he has virtually a full season to play before he even contemplates that. Channel: Sports Tags: Scott Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447691/bad-fans-whatcha-gonna-do.html   The unthinkable happened tonight at the Dbacks game.  I actually witnessed section ushers being proactive and saw Chase Field security at its finest. Let me bring to light the extreme apathy that section ushers of the past have exhibited.  I may need to remind some people that Chase Field is a non-smoking facility. Should you choose to smoke, you need to exit through the appropriate gates to gain re-entry.  More than once, someone in section decided to light up and puff away, intoxicating myself, others, and even children with their selfish smoke.  I actually don’t like that smell and would prefer if you did it outside the park, you know, in the designated area.  In order to better serve my fellow Dbacks fans, I promptly told the usher about the problem, to which they quickly responded by doing nothing.  I’ve watched people complain of a particular foul mouthed patron who happened to be offending everyone within ear shot.  I’ve also watched the ushers do nothing about this.  I may be wrong here, but isn’t it the usher’s job to help people find their seats and to report any disruptive behavior to security? That being said, going to a baseball game is certainly an elective activity, and in doing so you are assuming that you will probably be around children.  You will most likely sit next to people who know nothing about baseball or even care.  You will certainly encounter rude drunken fans with no consideration for everyone around them.  Tonight at the game one lone spectator stood up every time the Dbacks were up to bat.  He didn’t do this because he understood that Eric Byrnes really needs to eradicate this slump or because he knew that the Dbacks were down by two runs and we shouldn’t have a problem beating the Tigers.  He stood up because he was drunk and thought he was impressing everyone around him with his perfect delivery of spoon fed generic player nicknames.  Numerous times tonight this man was asked to sit down.  At first it was polite requests but then grew to wearisome groans.  Finally my dear season ticket family member Sandra decided to scream at him to sit down.  This was all to no avail, until the unthinkable happened. What a beautiful thing it is to see security in action.  After hearing multiple complaints I am sure, security stomped down the aisle between sections 134 and 133 and immediately escorted him away from our view.  Upon his removal everyone clapped.  However, most people were clapping because security actually listened to us for once. Let us hope that this is a sign of things to come.  The Dbacks organization needs to remember that we actually paid to have a pleasant baseball experience, and that does not include our view being obstructed for half of the game.  Nor does it include being forced to inhale cigarette smoke from the person three seats in front of us.  If we are going to continue to pay to watch baseball, I expect the Dbacks to make security work.  After all, I am pretty sure that a tiny portion of my ticket pays for them to stand there.  Security needs to be proactive and “patrol” the stadium to ensure that myself and everyone else in the stadium can enjoy their escape from the heat inside the air-conditioned Chase Field. Finally, I implore everyone to take note of the drunken idiot standing for no other reason than to stand.  Your coworker from three years ago cannot see you from section 325 when you are seated in 102, so please do not stand up and wave in the middle of a play while talking obnoxiously on your cell phone.  Meet up on the concourse instead, that is what it’s for.  For those of you who don’t want to get up and wait in the lines to get your beer, plan ahead a couple of minutes.  If you want another beer, get your money out in the end of an inning when nothing is going on.  When the vendor comes to you, hand him the money you got out earlier so that you don’t have to stand up for five minutes fumbling for your wallet, blocking the view of everyone else.  If you do feel like getting up and waiting in the ridiculous lines, please ask your party what they want you to get for them and collect their money before you stand up.  Getting up and then conversing with your party impedes everyone’s view.  This is all just common courtesy. I am not trying to tell everyone to never stand up, that is just ludicrous.  By all means, I beg you, stand up and cheer for the team when it is appropriate.  Just think about others around you when you stand up and realize that they are trying to watch a game.  Let’s start a trend at Chase Field where fans are considerate of one another and understand the fact that we pay good money to watch a game, not your backside or flailing arms.  I’ll just keep dreaming for now. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447690/torre-ok-being-selected-for-allstar-coaching-staff.html Joe Torre doesn't mind that he was left off the coaching staff for the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium. He might not have accepted an invitation anyway. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447689/rosenthal-manny-one-kind.html How well do you really know Manny Ramirez? Before the Sox face the Brewers (on FOX, 3:55 ET), let Ken Rosenthal clear the air. Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447688/there-laptop-in-dugout.html Have you noticed more and more little league, middle school and high school coaches are using laptops in the dugout?Channel: Sports Tags: little league sports baseball shopping laptops Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447687/online-internet-casino-gambling.html Find casinos at this UK gambling casino. Channel: Sports Tags: online casinos internet gambling internet casinos online gambling casino gambling casinos Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447686/another-latino-in-epl.html With the amount of success Fernando Torres has enjoyed in his first season in England, it seems other teams are looking to add more Latino fire power to their front lines. EPL side Tottenham seems intent on purchasing 2o year-old Bolivian striker Marcelo Morena from Brazilian club Cruzeiro.Channel: Sports Tags: losestadoslatinos.com Marcelo Morena EPL Tottenham Cruziero Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447685/motherwell-v-rangers-live-match-preview.html Rangers will be looking to maintain pressure on Celtic when they play against Motherwell in their SPL game this Saturday.Channel: Sports Tags: soccer Premier League live football Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447684/motherwell-v-rangers-live-preview.html Rangers will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Cup final and close down the gap at the top of the Scottish Premier League table to one point when they take on Motherwell in their next match on Saturday.Channel: Sports Tags: soccer Premier League live football Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447683/wwe-judgment-day-live-coverage.html WWE Judgment Day 2008 will be held on Sunday, May 18th at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM. Follow all the hard hitting action as it happens live. Channel: Sports Tags: WWE Judgment Day WWE Wrestling Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447682/blade-runner-runs-in-olympics.html A double amputee sprinter has won the right to be eligible to compete at this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing after sport's highest court backed his appeal against a ban imposed by athletics authorities. Channel: Sports Tags: olympics Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447681/giambi-wears-golden-thong-to-bust-slumps.html Over Giambi s checkered career in the Bronx, he has left the quot;golden thong quot; in the lockers of slumping teammates Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Johnny Damon, Robin Ventura, and Robinson Cano. quot;All of them wore it and got hits, quot; he reports. quot;The thong works every time. quot;Channel: Sports Tags: baseball sports mlb funny humor Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447680/kevin-garnett-in-plaid-shorts.html Someone photoshopped plaid shorts on to Kevin Garnett.Channel: Sports Tags: plaid shorts kevin garnett nba Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447679/liverpool-hobbs-hoping-for-new-anfield-contract.html Liverpool youngster Jack Hobbs is hoping to force himself into the first-team reckoning and earn a new contract. The 19-year-old has now returned from an impressive loan spell with Shorpe United and is looking to make his mark under Rafael Benitez.Channel: Sports Tags: Liverpool Anfield premier league football Premiership Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447678/topeak-joeblow-pro-floor-bike-pump.html If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! Topeak JoeBlow Pro Floor Bike Pump Topeak;s JoeBlow Pro Floor Pump offers outstanding performance and super durability. It features a top-mounted gauge with a pre...Channel: Sports Tags: Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447677/allen-sports-navigator-mobile-phone-software-bluetooth-gps-device.html If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! Allen Sports Navigator Mobile Phone Software and Bluetooth GPS Device Enjoy turn-by-turn driving directions;including visual guidance and voice commands;thr...Channel: Sports Tags: Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3447676/accelerade-sports-drink-powder-15-serving-mountain-berry.html If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! Accelerade Sports Drink Powder 15 Serving Mountain Berry Provides rapid hydration plus the added benefits of all natural protein to re-energize muscles during exercise ...Channel: Sports Tags: Sport Snipe - Sports News - Headline News