Keep Calm, Win Titles

As the soccer worlds celebrates the new kings of Manchester, just remember this is not the first time that people have questions the future of Manchester United.

When Sir Alex took over in 1986, he said that the club would surpass Liverpool when it came to league titles. People laughed at him and people said it would never be done, fast forward to today and Sir Alex has seen off Liverpool.

Next up people said that Arsenal was passing Sir Alex by after the Invincibles in 2003-2004, that was not the case, Sir Alex saw off their challenge and pushed them aside.

Fast foward to 2003 and people said Fergie and United could not compete with The Special One and Roman's billions at Chelsea. After a couple of years, Sir Alex saw off that challenge and chased a number of managers out of the Premier League.

Today its Manchester City and their billions. Sure Sunday hurt, but lets be honest this United team was not classic and we came with 90 seconds of a title. Just remember Sir Alex has taken on all comers and he is usually the last one standing, which is exactly what is going to happen. 

Cover Story: A Blue Moon Kind of Feeling

 As a Manchester United fan yesterday was tough, I thought we had the title in our hands, but in the end Manchester City took it with the last kick of the season. Congrats to the Citizens on their title and I look forward to wars of the next decade. Here are some of the outstanding front pages from around England detail the drama of the seasons final day. 

Prospect Plus: Austin Wilson

Stanford outfielder Austin Wilson has been know to prospect followers for the last couple of years. During the draft two years ago, Wilson turned down millions of dollars to play at Stanford. Wilson is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2013 MLB Draft. The OTWT Scouting Department took in his game against Oregon State on Sunday on FCS as part of our on going Prospect Plus series and here is our report





Stats against Oregon State on Saturday: 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Positives: Honorable mention All-Pac-10 as the team's starting right fielder, batting .311 over 55 games and 51 starts with 25 runs and 30 RBIs during his freshman. Runs well for a big guy was 5 for 5 on stolen bases, stole 25 bases during his senior year of high school.  Has a quick stroke, reminds many of Dave Winfield. Has great power potential, could be a 35 home run guy in the majors. 

Negatives: His size might be an issue, pitcher could find a couple of holes in his swing. Limited defensively will only  be a corner outfielder.

Nats/Phillies is set to become a blood bath

Last night, we saw what  Nationals-Phillies rivalry could turn into. Cole Hamels and Bryce Harper might prove to the people that set it off. Over the next two years, this rivalry figures to heat up and it could get nasty.

Really Big Red is the 15th best coach in the NFL?

The draft is over and now NFL writers are looking for something to write about. Over at National Football Post they decided to do a head coach power ranking story. The list is a little over the place, but the one thing that drives me nuts is ranking Eagles head coach Andy Reid in the teens, come on he is a pain but he is a top level coach. Come on we all hate Andy at some point but lets be honest he is a top 10 coach.

A new addition to the golf bag

In honor of the Birds great draft, an Eagles towel on the golf bag.

Prospect Plus: Richie Shaffer

Clemson third basemen Richie Shaffer is expected to be one of the first college bats off the board during the upcoming MLB Draft. The OTWT Scouting Department took in his performance against Georgia Tech on Friday night on TV, as part of our ongoing Prospects Plus series. Here are our thoughts. 

Stats against Georgia Tech on Friday night: 1 for 6 with 3 strikeouts

Positive: Team co-captain in 2012...corner infielder who has tremendous power...one of the best defensive first-basemen in Clemson history. Can either play first base or third base. Did show great patients waiting back on a change up and getting a hit on a 0-2 count, it was a nice piece of hitting. Should be a mid-first round pick.

Negatives: has a big swing and struggled with the off speed pitch during the game against Georgia Tech on Friday night. I know he is a power hitter but striking out three times is not good. Looked over match on some offspeed pitches thrown by Georgia Tech pitcher Buck Farmer.

Twitter is going to destroy the NFL Draft

While the NFL has taken steps to eliminate networks from giving out draft picks before they are officially announced, there are still many issues. On Thursday night, many of the teams first round picks were released on twitter before the commissioner announced them. The Sherman Report takes a look at the impact Twitter had on the draft: Twitter removes draft suspense for ESPN, NFL Network.

The Fletch is coming to Philly

The Eagles selected Mississippi State DL Fletcher Cox with their first pick. The Fletch is coming to Philly.

Live Blogging: NFL Draft 2012

Starting at 7:30, the OTWT will be taking you through the fun of the NFL Draft

Scouting report: Natural Knee Bender

Name: The Moose
Height: 2 ft 6 inches
Weight: 29 pounds
Head: 19 3/4
Position: Left Tackle
40 yard dash time: Depends on what type of lawn tractor is chasing him
Positives: Being short, Huba has a low center of gravity. He is explosive like a choo choo. He is also explosive when food is shown to him. Loves being outside, so practice should not be an issue. He is a natural knee bender.
Negatives: limited football knowledge and lack of potty training make him a project. Easily distracted by Elmo dolls, trains, and lolly pops, so his focused has been questioned. Still naps, which might make him miss afternoon practices and 1 p.m. games. Wants to be paid his signing bonus in lolly pops. His large head makes finding a helmet for him a challenge.
Draft position: third rounder

The Cover Story: Sending the Penguins home

The Flyers have ended the Penguins season in six games. The Philly Daily News had a classic front and back pages to honor the win this morning They have had great front and back pages all during the series.

The baby Flyers are easy to love

Fresh off of knocking the Penguins out of the playoffs, Philly Daily News columnist Rich Hofmann looks at why this team is easy to love.  Fans get behind kids and that has been in the case in Philly this year. The city has taken to this team that was rebuilt over the summer.

Cover Story: Pat Summitt says good bye

There might not be a bigger story in the history of the state of Tennessee than University of Tennessee head women's basketball coach Pat Summitt stepping down. The story was on the front of almost every newspapers in the state. Here are those front pages. 

Another great front page from the Philly Daily News

During the Penguins/Flyers playoff series the Philly Daily News has been on the top of their game when it comes to its front page and today they hit another home run.

Prospects Plus: Freddy Galvis

In our continuing series on top prospects in baseball, the OTWT scouting staffs breaks down the game of Phillies second baseman Freddy Galvis. The group saw him play on Saturday against the Mets.

Stat line Saturday against the Mets: 1 for 3 with a strikeout. Video of his only hit is below.

Positives: Galvis has been in the Phillies system since he was 16-years old. The first thing that you notice is that his glove is already at all star levels. According to Baseball American, Galvis has "incredible instincts" on defense. Galvis was the 6th ranked prospect in the Phillies system at the start of the year.
Negatives: The biggest is his bat. As a major league he has struggled with the bat and his minor league numbers show that is going to continue. During his minor league career he hit only .246. There is some debate on if Galvis will be a full time player. According to Baseball America: "Most scouts think his defensive wizardry will make him an everyday player, but some think he's no more than a second division regular." Not exactly the biggest endorsement.

Professional Tailgating: A return to the ballpark

Nothing beats your first baseball game of the year and on Saturday the crew headed to the Mets and Phillies game. Here are some of the sights and sounds from the game. The Mets beat the Phillies 5-0.

Buffalo Style Sunflower seeds what could be better

Everyone gathering before the game

After being a jerk, this Mets fan is escorted from his seat

Top of the division

I know it's nine games in but look who is leading the NL East, yes the Nats. Come on boys lets keep this up.

A perfect combination: NASCAR and a liquor store

Going to Daytona might be the goal of most NASCAR fans, but a simple trip to the liquor store might just do the trick. During a recent trip the liquor before WrestleMania, I noticed the number of NASCAR themed displays. Below are two of the them featuring Kevin Harvick and Special K. 

Shearer hanging with the Amish

While visiting the Strasburg Rail Road on Tuesday I noticed something that I did not expect to see in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. There was a guy wearing an old school Newcastle United Alan Shearer jersey complete with Barclaycard Premier League patch, yes Barclaycard. Good to see a Gordie fan hanging out with Amish.