Welcome to the Club: Bryce Harper

Few athletes appear on the cover of America's premier sports magazine, Sports Illustrated. Only two athletes have appeared on the cover, while still being high school students: LeBron James and this week Bryce Harper.

According to scouts, Harper is baseball's new "Chosen One." Major League Baseball teams will have to wait to get their hands on the uber prospects, Harper is not eligible for the draft until 2010.

Bryce Harper: June 8, 2010

LeBron James: Feb. 18, 2002

Staying on Top

Windsor Spitfire fans thought things could not get any better after they won the Memorial Cup last month, but the Memorial Cup could just be the start of it. With the glow of the Memorial Cup still in the air Windsor management decided to do what any good group would do: strike fast.

The staff talked defenseman Cam Fowler(right) out of his commitment to Notre Dame and persuaded him to join the defending Memorial Cup champions. Hey anyone who turns down Notre Dame in any sport is a hero of mine.

"In signing Cam, we feel that this marks one of the most significant moves that our hockey club has made since the inception of our ownership," commented Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel to Our Sports Central." Cam will have an instant impact on our team when he joins us next season."

Fowler joins Taylor Hall giving the Spitfires two of the top five ranked prospects in the 2010 NHL Draft.

If all goes as plan, Fowler and Hall could join Brampton's 2000 draft class Rostilav Kleska, Columbus, and Raffi Torres, Islanders, as the only team mates to be drafted in the top five in the last decade.

In addition to have two of the best 2010 draft prospects, the Spitfires also will be returning one of the best teams with defensive point man Ryan Ellis leading the charge. So for a team that had never won a Memorial Cup before this year, the next one might be a little easier.

Proof Joey Harrington was once good

When you have a great season in college football the following year, you get the honor of gracing EA Sports NCAA Football. During the 2002 season there was no greater player in college football then Oregon QB Joey Harrington. So after he graduated he was on the cover of the NCAA Football.

A couple of days ago I was walking through GameStop and saw a used copy NCAA Football 2003, for less then a dollar, with a player that I did not remember. After a while it hit me, it was Joey Harrington.

So what if Harrington was a disaster in Detriot. At least we can all remember at one point he was good.

Best of Special1 TV

The gang wraps up the season with a best of episode, classic bits.

OTWT Non-Top Four All EPL Team

All of the trophies have been given out, the season has officially come to an end, so now its time to name the Only Time Will Tell Non-Top Four All EPL Team. It would have been easy to select an all EPL team that included the top four sides, but this was a little more fun.

So here goes:

Goalie: Tim Howard, Everton
Defense: Brede Hangeland, Fulham (pictured right)
Defense: Phil Jagielka, Everton
Defense: Lucas Neill, West Ham
Defense: Glen Johnson, Portsmouth
Midfielder: Ashley Young, Aston Villa
Midfielder: Stephen Ireland, Manchester City
Midfielder: Tim Cahill, Everton
Midfielder: Antonio Valencia, Wigan
Forward: Robinho, Manchester City
Forward: Luka Modric, Spurs

If you have any issues with this team post your comments below. I can not wait for the start of the 09-10 season. Its only approximately 10 weeks away.

All Hail the Champions: Barcelona

If United would have won I would have done the same thing, so in the interest of fairness here is how some of the daily papers in Spain and England covered the Champions League Final:

The Guardian (England)

LaVanguardia (Spain)
Avuli

Pure Class

It has been a couple of hours since Barca lifted the Champions League Trophy and as a United fan, all I can say is "Pure Class." Sure it hurts to see your team beaten on the biggest stage but when they are beaten by a five star performance, you have to tip your hat to the other team.

After starting the game slowly, the Barca midfield showed why they are the best in world. Their runs were great, their passing was five star. It was a performance for the ages by the red and blue and the trophy is well deserved.

For a United fan the last two years have been amazing. The trophy haul includes: two Community Shield, two Premier League Titles, a Carling Cup, Champions League and a Fifa World Club Cup. Seven trophies in 24 makes the pain go away a little quicker.

My United scarf is sitting on the couch knowing the season is over and ready to be put in the closet for summer. In August the scarf will again come out of the closet for the Community Shield and today in Rome will be a thing of the past.

Its almost game time

The Champions League Final will kick off in less then 20 hours and for one I can not wait for the battle in Rome between United and Barca.

Here is the line up I see Sir Alex going with:
Goal: Van der Sar
Defense: Evra
Defense: Rio
Defense: Vidic
Defense: O'Shea
Central Midfield: Giggs
Central Midfield: Carrick
Central Midfield: Anderson
Wings: Rooney
Wings: Park
Forward: Ronaldo

This is similar to the lineup that Sir Alex used against Arsenal in the semifinals. Rooney and Park will track back enough to limit the wing play of Messi and Barcelona and if things go crazy Carlos and the Berba are ready to be called on.

Let's go United.

Save Carlos

A new signing for the show. The worlds most famous Hammers fan joins the crew for next season.

The Premier League will look a little different next season

I started watching the Premier League in the mid-90 and there have been a couple of things that have stayed the same during that time. The Champions League representative almost always come from the Big Four, Liverpool will not win the title, and Newcastle United will pack St. James for any game. But next year that will not happen as the Toon were relegated yesterday afternoon after falling to Aston Villa 1-0.

While not a big fan of the Toon, the black and white shirt meant something, but now because of bad management and spine less players Newcastle will have to fight to rejoin the Premier League. But next season the Toon Army can enjoy their trips to Sheffield and Forest.

Did you ever think that Burnley would be in the Premier League and Newcastle would not.

OTWT: Preseason College Football Top Five

All of the spring games are over, the draft has been completed so that can mean only one thing let's look ahead to next years college football season.
1. Florida: So last years champions returns Jesus, Tebow; and most of a super defense. Wow this does not set up for a repeat.
2. Oklahoma: All of there key offensive players decided to take another run at the title after being beaten by the Gators in the BCS Title game in Miami.
3.Texas: Left out of the party last year, the Horns have all of the pieces that are need to be playing in the final game of the season.
4. USC: Sure they have to replace most of their defense but they just keep recruiting high school All Americans, so it should not be that big a deal.
5. Penn State: Sure they lost all of their receivers but with a week non-conference schedule it should be easy for the Nittany Lions to still be playing in January.

The great wordsmith of the SPL

He might be in the hot seat at Hearts in Scotland by Csaba Laszio has quickly developed a reputation as one of the quotable managers anywhere in the world. Here are some samples of his great use of the English language, well Scottish that is:

• "I am not stupid. The fans hear Csaba Laszlo. They think 'Who? Ah yes, he kicked the Hearts record goalscorer'. Ugh...Uganda?! Where is Uganda?! Some people, if you ask about Kampala, he think 'this is a nice food!' but yeah, it's true I am not stupid."
• "If you see that your team plays this s**t like we did in the first half, you can just run out of the stadium and say 'it's Mothers' Day tomorrow' and forget about the football. But we are guys, we are at Ibrox and we are still in the first half. I wanted to kill some of the people in my dressing room at half time, but then I have to go to jail and we don't get a point! But the second half was sexy." - Csaba 21/3/2009
• "Always on the television is Rangers, Celtic, Celtic, Rangers, Rangers, Celtic and other teams only get on the television one or two times, but only if they play against the Celtic."
• "We didn't get any red cards, we didn't get any yellow cards and we didn't get any punishment from the referee for arresting the time. The referee never had the possibility to tell my players to go quicker. We used only the rules that football gives us.''

United in White

So the big ears cup final is almost here and United will be wearing white the for final, a little surprised by this. Its a nice look and they will be wearing white shorts too. Photo is from manunited.com.

Show some class Rafa

Tradition has it that the second place manager in the EPL pens a letter of congratulation to the championship winning manager. Sir Alex had to send it to Wenger and Jose.

Wenger had to send it to Sir Alex. It just part of the deal.

But now based on his war of words with Sir Alex, Rafa Benitez has all but refused to send the ceremonial letter to Sir Alex. He said he does not agree with what the ole Scot has had to say during the season.

I know some people at Liverpool don't even like Rafa but this has gone far enough. I know Rafa will go on and on about how his side had the best record against the other top side. But the fact is that the Spanish manager did not get job done and now has to do what is right and write a letter to Sir Alex. So its time for Rafa to grow up and show some respect.

Abs by Ronnie

The puppet Ronnie teaches you how to get ready for the summer.

A picture is worth a 1,000 words

It only took a point and that is exactly what United did this morning, got a point against Arsenal and got their trophy. After being challenged by Liverpool, the Red Devils showed their class and took home another Premier League title. Now United and Liverpool are tied with 18 English First Division champions. Next years race should be epic.

The Steal of the 2008 NHL Draft

During the 2008 NHL Draft, Kelowna Rockets defenseman Tyler Myers had to wait till the 12th picks for his name to be called, but during the last years he might be developing into the steal of the draft for the Buffalo Sabres.

The six foot six inches defenseman is a tower of strength in his own end, but what surprises you is that he skates so well for a big man. During the World Junior Championships this year, we was a tower of strength on Canada's drive for their five straight title in the end. Then after he returned to the Rockets he was one of the driving force behind them making to the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Myers showed his true class for the Rockets during their opening game 4-1 win over host Rimouski in the Memorial Cup last night. He scored a fantastic goal, and was a tower of power in the Rockets back line.

Every time a defense man stands that tall the comparisons to Chris Pronger start rolling in, but this might not be that far from the truth. Traditionally a man that stands that tall does not move this well, but that is one of Myers best skills.

Before the Memorial Cup started he signed the Sabres and come next year he might be showing people that he might be the best player to come out of last years draft class.

Its been a long week

Things have been nuts at the OTWT home office, a busy week at work and an issue with the offices computers have caused havoc with our posting schedule.

We hope to be back and rolling next week. In case your need you your OTWT fix you can follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/JWVerticalJump
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Special One TV: Wormholes

Wenger has lost his mind and thinks that hey might be in the Champions League Final despite being knocked out by Manchester United.

Trade Ya

The National Football League is thinking about doing the unthinkable, playing the Super Bowl in a foreign country as early 2016.

It appears that talks have started between London and the league. So maybe there is something possible. This season the NFL is going to play regular season games in three different countries: United States, Canada, and England. In the past the league has also played a game in Mexico City, so there is an international market for the great American game.

The Super Bowl is the most watched game in football and to have it played in another country might upset some purist, I for one don't real care because I'm never going to be able to go to a Super Bowl, so who cares where it played.

But here is a suggestion, if London gets a Super Bowl then we should get their biggest event and I don't mean the FA Cup, give us the next Champions League final that is schedule for England. It would be the perfect trade. People on each side of the pond would go to see each event meaning a ton of money in tourism. So let's make this happen.

The Main Event: The Champions League Final

The build up for the Champions League final has already started and its clear what the main story line of the show piece event is going to be: Messi vs. Ronaldo. The Daily Mail has hit it right on the head with the photo above. So lets get the hype machine rolling and hope for a great final.

Trophy is Hot Hot Hot!

Corinthians won the Paulista Championship over the weekend but something happened when they got the trophy it ended up on fire.

The Red Devils march on to Rome

For the second year in a row United are marching on to the European final. Ronnie is amazing and Park might be the most underrated player in the world and that showed in their 4-1 aggregate win over Arsenal. But I feel for Fletcher who will miss the final because of a red card. So the Only Time Will Tell Tailgating Crew will be marching back to Fado in Philly for the Final again.

More on the game later after I have a chance to watch it.

The Trap Door

Leeds, Charlton, Southampton, and Norwich have something in common. During the last decade all four of they have been in the greatest league in the world, the Barclays Premier League. Next year they might have something else in common, playing in League One, the third division of English football.

The lure of the Premier League is great but dropping out of the League can almost drive a team off a cliff. When teams go down they are saddled with large wage bills and have to do their best to trip them without the killing the product on the field and usually that is a dangerous balancing act.

Just take Charlton for example. A couple of years ago they were the model premier league team finishing safely out of the relegation zone, then something happened the fans at The Valley wanted more and that is when the slide started. First they parted ways with long time manager Alan Curbishley and then they tanked with the end of the season two years ago seeing them relegated to the Championship. Large wage bills and bad decisions saw them end this season relegated to League One.

At this rate Newcastle should watch out, going down could lead to the same slippery slope.

Sven has Swine Flu?

Top Picks Madden Style

The picks have been made, they have been introduced, and now its time to see what they look like in the new Madden Video Game. Here are a couple of the top picks:

Matt Stafford: Lions

Jason Smith: Rams

Aaron Curry: Seahawks

Tyson Jackson: Chiefs

More will be coming over the next couple of weeks.

OTWT Draft thoughts

The picks have been made and now teams get to see what they have selected. Here are some thoughts on the NFL Draft from the OTWT Scouting Department.
• Eagles fans always scream about them never drafting a receiver in the first round and this year they did with Mc9 and then got a guy to help take the toll off of Route 36.
• Another year another QB for the Jets and the New York Daily News sums up the trade with Cleveland and former head coach Eric Mangini: Thanks Eric.
• Remember Jet fans Sanchez only started approximately 16 games and that is not a good thing.
• The big winner in the draft was the state of New Jersey. Seven guys in the first round not bad for the Garden State.
• The Lions are in the process of building a nice little offense. Last year it was running back Kevin Smith to go with CJ now the lions add Stafford, Pettigrew and Derrick Williams. Maybe the Lions have figured this out.
• The Raiders should just pass on their first round pick. Hayward-Bay over Crabtree come on.
• Could Percy Harvin be the a new version of Randy White. A receiver who slid because of issues. Great boom bust player.
• The Bears got the best player during the draft process Jay Cutler.
• Glad the Bucs love Josh Freeman cause I think he might be one of the most over rated QB in the history of the draft.
• I think some NFL fans should watch some college football games before talking about their teams picks.

Squeaky Bum Time

The season is coming to an end and its squeaky bumb time.

OTWT: NFL Mock Draft

Hey its that time of the year again, where everyone is doing a mock draft and OTWT is no different. So direct from the OTWT Scouting Department here is our mock draft:

1. Detroit: Matt Stafford, QB, Uga.
2. St. Louis: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
3. Kansas City: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
4. Seattle: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
5. Cleveland:BJ Raji, DT, Boston College
6. Cincinnati: Eugene Monroe, OT, UVa
7. Oakland: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
8. Jacksonville: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Mizzou
9. Green Bay: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
10. San Francisco: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
11. Buffalo: Michael Ohler, OT, Mississippi
12. Denver: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
13. Washington: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
14. New Orleans: Darius Butler, CB, UConn
15. Houston: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
16. San Diego: Chris Wells, RB, OSU
17. New York Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
18. Denver (from Chicago): Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
19. Tampa Bay: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
20. Detroit (from Dallas): Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Okie State
21. Philadelphia: Knwoshon Moreno,RB, UGA
22. Minnesota: Clay Matthews, LB, USC
23. New England: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
24. Atlanta: Malcolm Jenkins, CB,OSU
25. Miami: Darruis Heyward-Bay, WR, Maryland
26. Baltimore: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
27. Indianapolis: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
28. Buffalo: (from Philadelphia and Carolina): Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
29. New York Giants: Will Beatty, OT, UConn
30. Tennessee: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
31. Arizona: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pitt
32. Pittsburgh: Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois

Will be back Sunday with a small wrap up of the draft proceedings.

All Hail the Ginger Ninja

Sure he is not the same player that he used to be but Paul Scholes has always been class. Last night he played in his 600th game for United. So from one devil to another thank you Paul. Scholes might be the best English player over the last 15 years and he did it all with class, never looking for attention. So again Thanks.

He scores goals, galore,
He scores goals!
He scores goals, galore,
He scores goals!
He scores goals, galore,
He scores goals!
Paul Scholes - he scores goals...

Alex the Great

Sometimes ESPN hits a home run and that is exactly what they did with the E:60 feature on Alex Ovechkin. The feature really showed what type of character Ovie really is. Rachel Nichols does an outstanding job on the feature. Truly a must watch.

Toronto loves their Bills, wait no they don't

On my recent trip to Toronto one thing became clear, nobody cares about the Buffalo Bills playing games at the Rogers Center. The only time we saw anything was when we were walking around the Roger Centers.

Logo on the wall of the Rogers Center, the excitement of seeing it was something to behold

The official Bill Toronto Series Team Store, it was more like a storage closet

The only thing in all of the bars that we were in that featured JP Losman's Potential beloved Buffalo Bills.

So to say that Toronto has Buffalo Bills fever would be not be telling the truth. They care more about World Junior Hockey stars. Look out Toronto, the Bills and Jets are coming late this year.

A Little Slice of History

For the last couple of years hockey has been on the back burner, but this year after the great World Junior Championships, my love for hockey was back. During our recent trip Toronto, Wifey and I found sometime to take a walk down to the Hockey Hall of Fame and in the end it was well worth it.

The original Stanley Cup

The current Stanley Cup, you can even walk up and touch it

Patrick Roy Canadians sweater as part of the 100th anniversary of the Habs exhibit.

Robinson, LaFluer, Savard do you really need to say anymore.

Super Mario, Simply the Best. You guys have the Great One, I'll take Super Mario any day of the week.

The next Syd the Kid, John Tavares. His All Star Jersey

The Memorial Cup exhibit, Junior Hockey's version of the Final Four.

World Hockey Championship's Exhibit

There are great exhibits all of the hall, but standing next to the Stanley Cup is something that I will never forget. Here are more photos of my trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Remembering Joe and Mitch

1993 is more then 15 years ago, but at the Rogers Center in Toronto it seems like just yesterday that Joe Carter took Mitch Williams deep into the night to win the World Series. Last week during my trip to Toronto I took a walk around the Blue Jays Shop at the Rogers Center and the moment is still all over the place.

A pillar at the shop features newspapers from that day

An action figure of the moment that Carter made Phillies fans cry. I thought about getting one for my friends over at Sox and Phils, but thought better of it.

Its one of the iconic World Series moments and in Toronto and Philly they are never going to forget it for very different reasons.

The Dream Dies

At some point Sir Alex was going to have to make a decision on what was going to be more important defending the League and Champions League title or trying to add the FA Cup to the cabinet.

Today we found that answer out as Fergie did what he had to do and picked a youth side to face Everton in the FA Cup semifinal, which they loss on penalties.

Rooney, Ronnie, and Carrick were all left at home after getting the job done earlier in the week at Porto. Fergie had to rest them at some point and he was not going to do it in a league game with Liverpool breathing down their necks. So this was the perfect chance. Now the stars will have a full week off before playing Portsmouth on Wednesday.

I know the English press is going to kill him for playing the kids but he had to and its not like the kids were poor at times the kids gave the Everton first team all they can handle. So while the dream of winning everything is over , if they retain the two biggest trophies in the sport, his move to play the kids will be hailed as the right one.

Professional Tailgating: Spring Game Time

A college football spring game is the perfect time to fire up the grill and welcome back tailgating. So on Saturday the Only Time Will Tell Tailgating Crew made the trip up to the State University of the New Jersey for their annual Scarlet and White game.

The newest in Rutgers footwear

People were arriving early for the annual right of spring

It's hard to get any look at the team before the gameConstruction crews are going to work to complete the new sections of stands before the start of the season.

Rutgers corner Brandon Jones picks a D.C. Jefferson pass off during the game

Rutgers Spring Game

The Only Time Will Tell Tailgating Crew spend the day at the annual scarlet and white game. I think Rutgers found their starting quarterback and a new star is born on defense. Photos and videos to come tomorrow.

The King of Toronto

Hockey is king in Canada and during my recent trip to Canada, the Toronto Sun newspaper showed how big the game is. On Wednesday the Sun decided to break rank with other major newspapers in the country and not put the death of a local solider in Iraq on its front page.

So what was the big story that The Sun led with, sure it had to be something bigger then a solider death. To some it might be, The Sun lead with Toronto Maples Leaf's GM Brian Burke's comment about trading up in the June NHL entry draft to get John Tavares. Some scouts compare Tavares to Syd the Kid in Pittsburgh and getting the junior sensation would make the Leafs matter again. But come on putting this on the front of a major daily is something that the staff of The Sun should be ashamed of, this shows how much the game means to the people of the Canada and the city of Toronto.

Managers Looking For Work

The boy looks at how the economy has affected out of work managers, good piece of journalism.

Wiki Wayne

The boy explains the FA Cup, wikipedia style.

Sven has lost it

Sven weirds everyone out and Wayne always makes sure that he keeps the right amount of injury time. The muppets, as my friends at Sox and Phils, call them return to celebrate Easter.

Professional Tailgating: Rings Rings Rings

The game was dramatic, but all of the fans at Citizens Bank Ballpark Wednesday showed up for one reason to see the World Champions get their jewelry.

The Rings arrive in the stadium


The starting lineup of the Game 5 of the World Series is given their rings. Gotta love the way the fans treated Pat Burrell.

Professional Tailgating: Bling Bling edition

Instead of working on Wednesday, Only Time Will Tell decided to head over to Citizens Bank Park for the Phillies Ring Day. To some getting their ring is the first time that a player can really say that they are World Champions and Phillies showed that rally from seven runs down to win 12-11.

Former Red Sox's World Series Hero Derek Lowe throws between starts

Japanese Media, who is following Braves picture Kenshin Kawakami, hangout around the bullpen before the game.

Harry K throws out the first pitch before the rings are given out

The Phillies World Series rings arrive.

Brad Lidge wraps up the Phillies first win of the season.

Gimme Five

For the beloved Heels, the 2009 NCAA Tournament was a business trip. Get to Detroit and get the job done. That is what they did a dominating performance against Nova and then beating Michigan State in their own back yard for the title.

Here is how some of the papers on Tobacco Road cover the crowning of the new kings of college basketball.

The Charlotte Observer

News and Record

The News and Observer

Winston Salem Journal

The Sanford Herald

Sven is looking for a job

Fresh off getting the sack from Mexico, It is looking for a new job.