The Tickets have arrived

Got home yesterday and look what was sitting in my mailbox, ya my tickets to see Real Madrid vs. DC United. Can not wait.

Soccer's Lost Souls

Three years ago, Jose Antonio Reyes and Ricardo Quaresma were the talk of the football world. Both were talented offensive player that played with flair. Fast forward a couple of years and both have almost lost their ways.

Reyes dazzled as a young player at Sevilla and then Professor Wenger made a move to bring him to his football factory in London.

Things started well for the young Spaniard, but it soon turned sour after reports surfaced that Reyes was not happy in London and wanted to return the Spain. Arsenal loaned Reyes to Real Madrid for the 2006-2007 season, but he did not impress enough to earn a permit deal. Arsenal then decided to sell Reyes to Atletico Madrid where he spent a season before he was sent out on load to Benfica for the 2008-2009. While playing well at the Portuguese giants, a full time move was not agreed upon. So to start this season Reyes will again be with Atletico Madrid looking to settle with a club for more then one season. Despite being only 25, Reyes has played for five different clubs and is in the process of being an lost player on the world stage.

Quaresma is the Portuguese version of the Reyes, a ton of talent but has yet to settle at some of the worlds better clubs.

Quaresma started his career at Sporting and then moved to Barcelona, but things did not go well there and he high tailed it back to the place of his birth, this time with Porto. After a couple of impressive season at both club and national team levels, Quaresma found himself at Inter Milan, where people thought that he would flourish under Jose Mourinho, just like Ajen Robben did at Chelksi. But that has not happen, after failing to impress during the first half of last season, Mourinho sent Quaresma out on loan to Chelski. While at Chelski things did not go that well and at the end of the season he was returned to Inter. Things have gotten so bad that Turkish side Besiktas have asked about taking him on loan for this season. Just like Reyes, Quaresma has already been through give 5 teams and his only 25 years old.

Despite having great skills Reyes and Quaresma both have to establish themselves this year or their dreams of being a world class player will be dead for good.

The Final Count Down

The clock is running on the Nats to sign top overall pick Stephen Strasburgh. I like many Nats fan hope the clock does run out without him in a Nats jersey.

The King is in the house

Getafe CF are hoping that the 2009-2010 season is a whopper of a season, ya I know its terrible joke. The Spanish club agreed to a sponsorship deal with Burger King, while that not mean anything the new kits include an interesting wrinkle.

If a players scores a goal and covers his face with the shirt, the King comes out (photo courtesy of Football Shirt Culture) It's an interesting and clever shirt.

The Fryar Fan Club

Three seasons with the bird and you get your own fan club. I spotted the girl above at the Cowtown Rodeo last weekend and I could not believe my eyes when I saw that she was wearing an Irving Fryar t-shirt jersey, hey I never knew they made one. Hey you never know what you are going to find when you go to the rodeo. I'm wondering if there is someone out there with a Mike Zordich t-shirt jersey, if so please contact OTWT.

D.C. here we come

After the fun of the last couple of days, today I figured that I would try to get tickets to see Real Madrid and DC United in DC on Aug. 9. At first I figured there would be no way that I would get the tickets, but I was able to score a pair in Section 430. I know there not the best seats but it gives me, a United fan, a chance to see Ronnie and as I have stated here before I wish him all the best at Real except when it comes to playing United in the Champions League. Can not wait to go.

Happy Bastille Day

In honor of Bastille Day, OTWT features great moments in french football featuring everyone favorite colorful french striker Djibril Cisse.

Broken leg vs. Blackburn

Broken leg vs. Chinese National Team

So happy Bastille Day to all of the my french readers.

A new number 7

Best, Charlton, Cantona, Beckham, Ronaldo, and now Owen. Yes Owen. Manchester United announced today that former Kop hero Michael Owen will wear the famed number 7 shirt. It may sound a little strange to have the former Anfield legend wear the shirt, but if you think about it might make total sense.

People say Nani could one day fill Ronaldo's shoes, but giving him the famed jersey at this point in his career might bring him undo pressure.

Owen might not be the long term number 7 but he is a good choice to hang on to it in the short term until Nani is ready to take over full time.

Future Thoughts

The OTWT Scouting Department loves the MLB Futures Game and here are some of the departments thoughts on the game:

• The length of the rain delay has been so long that some players are now eligible for free agency.
• Feliz has electric stuff. The Rangers have great pitching in the minors. He might be up in the next couple of weeks.
• GM can not be happy that their prize kids are playing in rain like this.
• I bet Blue Jays scouts are really examining Kyle Drabek during his outing. He will be the center piece to any deal. Showed great command in his inning of work.
• Another Phillies guy takes the mound, Flande. The Jays will have their choice of pitchers in a trade. He has good stuff. A couple of years ago the Phillies system was terrible, now its loaded with high ceiling players. Ed Wade deserves a lot of credit for it.
• The M's Tyson Gillies has speed, speed, and more speed. He is not afraid to run.
• Colorado's Eric Young has surprising power. The home run he hit just kept going.
• Devils Rays prospect Desmond Jennings looks like the typical Rays outfield prospects, long and athletic.
• I could listen to Peter Gammons talk all day about prospects and the Cape Code League. A true legend.
• Astros Jason Castro showed off a great arm in gunning down a runner trying to steal third base. Besides the arm Castro also hit a home run. He is showing all of the tools.
• I can not believe that there have been 11 Futures Game. Alfonso Soriano the first MVP of the game, sounds weird.
• .190 against BA against for Casey Kelly, Red Sox, in the minors. Very impressive inning and his last for the season, now he is going to play SS after the game.

Simply The Best

I know it has taken awhile but here is how different newspapers cover Federer winning is record breaking grand slam in tennis. Fed is simply the best.

The Times of London

Basler Zeitung (Switzerland)

Chips to Trade

One of the best things about the South Atlantic League is seeing players that will have a huge impact on the Major League Baseball trade deadline. During the OTWT Scouting Departments trip to see the Lakewood BlueClaws, the single A affiliate of the Phillies, we reviewed some of the players that could be used in trades for the defending World Series Champions.

Travis D'Arnaud, a former first round pick, shows signs that he is going to hit and could be nice chip to have. Catchers are usually tough to come by, making his value a little higher. Baseball America says that he has a line drive swing and gap power.

Anthony Gose, the former second round pick, is a great athlete but it might take some time for his bat to come around. Some scouts might fall in love with him which could make his trade value a little higher. Baseball America says that he is the best athlete in the system and if it does not work out in the outfield he could always be a power arm.

Zachary Collier, a former first rounder, is another athlete that might generate some interest from other teams. According to Baseball America, Collier swing and build has brought comparisons to Garret Anderson.

With untouchables like Dominic Brown, Kyle Drabek, and Michael Taylor in the system. The Phillies will look to using their chips in Lakewood to go make a deal for a starting pitcher.

Professional Tailgating: Men with guns

The OTWT Scouting Department made another trip to the see the Lakewood BlueClaws this week and boy where there a lot of the men with radar guns at the game.

Scouts looking for a trading partner for the upcoming trading deadline. OTWT Scouting Department noticed scouts from Brewers, Royals and Rockies checking out the action. Could a deal for Gil Meche be in the cards.

A moment of silence for former SAL President John Henry Moss, who recently passed.
Despite not having a radar gun, the OTWT Scouting Department still had scout type seats.
The BlueClaws Ground crew does a great job getting the tarp on the field

Rain delay can only mean one thing, watching another game on the big screen.

Over the next couple of days I will break down the prospects from Lakewood that could be moved as the deadline moves closer.

Really

When I first read the headline: Owen to United. I first thought it would be a great signing for Leeds, but the more I read I was surprised it was Manchester United. After thinking about it for a little bit, it might not be that bad an idea.
First of all its not going to cost a transfer fee and Owen's contract is going to based on performances so if he stinks he will not get paid. If it happens he will be an extra part and will not beat out of names such as Berba, Rooney, Walbeck, and Kico for starting spots. He could be a great asset coming off the bench in the 70 minute. While it sounds crazy to bring the former Kop legend to United, it does make sense on a couple of levels.

Professional Tailgating: Pork Roll Egg and Cheese races

Minor league baseball has hit an all new low, pork roll egg and cheese races. During the Lakewood BlueClaws game on Wednesday and during one of the innings the pork roll, egg and cheese all hit the field in a match race. Only in New Jersey can this be considered a classic.

It makes me proud to be from New Jersey.

The home of Bronze Balls

Eutaw Street at Oriole Park at Camden Yard is famous for one things, balls hitting the pavements. Everytime a home run leaves the Park and lands on Eutaw Street, no matter which team, the Orioles mark the spot with a bronze ball detaling the day, team, and the distance of the home run. While street is littered with great home run hitters, there are some names that just make you think about the game of baseball.

A great signing for the New York Yankees

Mr. Congress himself

A former Expo that was traded to the Dodgers for Pedro Martinez

And Mr. Papa

Professional Tailgating: All You Can Eat

So for a quick get away the OTWT Crew head for the sunny shores of Baltimore, yes Baltimore, what did you think that I was going to say Aruba. So the crew headed to see their beloved Nationals take on the Orioles.

Saint Cal is everywhere in Birdland, it almost gets annoying

All you can eat tickets are a good deal, this was just round one of many. Ice Cream Sandwiches included

The wall of fame features such great players of Gregg Olson and of course Brady Anderson.

Should a person who had a 30 game hitting streak have a higher batting average. So the Nats win in the end, but the highlight of the day had to be when the scoreboard showed the highlights of the US vs. Brazil Confed Cup final. The crowd went nuts when they found out that the states had the lead, but in the Brazil ended up being too much.

OTWT NHL Draft Notes

Another day, another draft, and another edition of the OTWT Scouting Department Notebook.

So here we go:

• There are a ton of Islander fans at the draft glad to see they made the trip to Montreal.
• Pronger to the Flyers, now all they need is a goaltender. The Flyers gave up a ton two first rounders and a young defenseman.
• Garth Snow had to pick Tavares. If not the fans would have burnt down the arena.
• Love the GM trying to speak French in honor of the draft being in Montreal. They sound like I did when I took French in middle school.
• Avs pick Matt Duchene gave everyone a lesson on the different sticks players use.
• Just saw a guy at the Ottawa Senators table playing on Twitter.
• Having Toronto GM Brian Burke wired for sound is awesome, so refreshing.
• Ottawa gets a steal in Jared Cowan, was great as a 17 year old in the Memorial Cup in 2007.
• All of the European draft picks have the classic slim ties. They are classic.
• The Preds selected my favorite player Windsors Ryan Ellis. Love him.
• Love the video of the high school players drafted, its like the old videos of european basketball players that are drafted in the NBA draft.

RIP MJ

Over the past couple of years, few players have kept the dance moves of Michael Jackson going like Donovan McNabb. So here is McNabb doing the moonwalk. He has also been know to break out the Thriller dance when he scores touchdowns. Our little tribute the greatness of Mr. Jackson.

NBA Draft Notes

Who doesn't love a good draft, here are some of the notes from the OTWT Scouting Department about the NBA Draft.

• Beard and bow tie. Tell me James Harden is not old school and cool.
• Draft fashion has always been a big deal and Hasheem Thabeet’s watch is bigger then his arm. Never draft a guys whose watch is bigger then their arm.
• I think that Ricky Rubio could use a hair cut. From Spain to Minnesota talk about a climate change.
• Wow Knick fans are nuts. Don Nelson screws the Knicks again by taking Curry have to love that, years after being run out of town he still can stick it to them.
• Really missing Stephen A. Smith but it was good to see that he was active on twitter during the draft.
• There was a players from Guadalupe and the Congo just picked in the first round, who said the NBA was not international.
• I hope the Timberwolves are working a trade cause Rubio, Flynn and Lawson. That is three point guards for one ball. Reports suggest that Lawson is on his way to Denver for a future one.
• Who said Hansbrough made the wrong choice in going back to North Carolina, he was still a lottery pick. For all of the people that were hating on him, look he is a lottery pick.
• Ellington, Hansbrough, Lawson have it all. Nationals Championship rings and all three first round picks.
• The ACC rules. ACC has at least 6 picks in the first round for the 3rd time in five years (6 in 2007, 7 in 2005). This year the conference has seven, three from the Heels.

Welcome Back David

Since the 2001 British Open something has been missing from the PGA. The 2001 British Open was the last time before this weekends US Open that David Duval, in the responsibility of full disclosure he is my favorite player, was lurking around the leader board.

While Lucas Glover may have run off with the trophy this afternoon, Duval may have been the biggest story at Bethpage Black. For the last eight years the former Number 1 player in the world could not find his golf swing, but that appears to be changing. During the US Open, Duval swing looked back to the classic Duval swing when he was Number 1 in the world. The fans at the Black Course tried to will Duval and his trademark wrap around Oakley's to victory, but a second p lace is a great place to start. People forget that he was he was the person that took the Number 1 ranking away from Mr.. Woods.

Based on one good performance its hard to go nuts, but lets hope that is just the start of Duval getting really back on the track. With his tie for second Duval his now in the field for the next four majors, so maybe this is the start of the second coming of Duval.