K-Rod Ties Single Season Save Record

Los Angeles Angels closer, Francisco Rodriguez, earned his 57^th save of the season last night in a 7-4 win over Seattle. With that save, K-Rod tied the single season saves record, set by Bobby Thigpen in 1990 as a member of the Chicago White Sox. K-Rod may get a chance to break the record tonight when the Angles face off against the Mariners. If he does not get the chance tonight, he will have 15 more chances until the end of September to get it done. 

Odds are that K-Rod will be able to break the record and possibly put the number of saves in a single season over 60. There is no doubt that K-Rod has been a dominant closer for many years, but it is interesting to note that he breaks the record in the final year of his contract. In the open market, K-Rod will command top dollar from any team wishing to have his services, and after a record breaking year like this, I would say he has earned it.

Saturday's Big 3: Week 3

Another college football Saturday is almost upon us, so let's take a look at the top three games for week 3.

3) #10 Wisconsin at #21 Fresno State
Fresno State coach Pat Hill has made a carrier of playing any team at any time at any venue. The Bulldogs traveled across the country to play Rutgers and got a victory. Wisconsin is lead by tailback P.J. Hill, a bruising, downhill runner whose already racked up four TD's in two games. I like Wisconsin going to the west coast and getting the win.

2) #2 Georgia at South Carolina
It's a clash in the SEC as National Champion hopefuls Georgia take on the old ball coach and South Carolina. Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno is showing everyone why he is a real threat to win the Heisman, scoring 6 times in the first two games. But this is 'Dogs first test on the road and the Gamecocks will be looking to get a loss to Vanderbilt out of their heads. This is an easy pick, I'm taking Georgia.

1) #5 Ohio State at #1 Southern California
This is the match up that college football fans have been waiting to see since the schedule came out. It is by far the most anticipated regular season game this year. The hype machine has been on all week for the so called 'clash in the coliseum'.

Ohio State did not look goodt after a narrow escape against Ohio, a game they played without their top runner, Chris "Beanie" Wells. USC has not played a game since their 52-7 trouncing of Virgina in week one.

Ohio State's D is lead by James Laurinaitis, and he'll be busy trying to stop the Trojan offense with RB Joe McKinght and QB Mark Sanchez, who looked great week one. USC is led by hard-hitting LB Rey Maualuga, who will have his hands full when Ohio State brings in dual threat QB Terrelle Pryor.

With or without Wells, who is a game-time decision to play, I see a victory for USC. I wouldn't be surprised if they won by 2 or more touchdowns.

735 Days—Shaq Calls his own Retirement

Phoenix Suns center, Shaquille O'Neal told a Florida television station that his NBA career would be over in 735 days. O'Neal plans to play the remaining two years left on his contract, and then call it career. The 36-year-old was bothered by injuries last season and hopes to rebound in the final two years of his campaign. As confident a man and player as Shaq is, perhaps it is a little too early to announce retirement. A decision to retire is final and not negotiable in any way, just ask Brett Favre.

Staal Signs Extension

ESPN.com is reporting that Carolina Hurricanes Center, Eric Staal, has signed a long-term contract believed to be worth over 8 million dollars a season for the next 7 years. The 23-year-old Staal ended last season with 38 goals and 44 assists. As the NHL looks to increase its appeal and ratings in non-traditional hockey markets, having a player of Staal's caliber sign long-term to a team like Carolina can only help in what seems like a bright future for the NHL.

Bruins Discuss Possible Outdoor Game at Fenway

Bruin's owner Charlie Jacobs has mentioned the idea of possibly hosting an outdoor game as a part of the NHL's "Winter Classic" series, sometime in the future. Potential locations for the game are Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, and the Boston Common. After the success of the New Year's day game in buffalo this past year, many teams have been interested in hosting an outdoor game. Traditionally a popular sport in cold weather areas, the NHL is increasing their popularity with every outdoor event that they host. The NHL should explore Boston as an opportunity to host an outdoor game given the recent success of cult-like sports franchises like the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.

Saints Lose Colston

The New Orleans Saints will be without star wide receiver Marques Colston for the next 4-6 weeks following thumb surgery Wednesday. It is believed that Colston tore a ligament in the thumb during Sunday's 24-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Colston finished the game with a mere 26 receiving yards on three catches for the day, far from his usual numbers.

This is a big loss to the Saints and Drew Brees in particular who has had a very good chemestry with Colston the past two seasons. Colston had 2,241 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns in his first two seasons as a Saint.

Simms Signs With Titans

The Tennessee Titans have announced the signing of quarterback Chris Simms. Simms, who was in New England for a workout on Monday, will serve as the backup to Kerry Collins this week as the Titans are without regular starter Vince Young following what the team is calling a minor knee sprain.

Simms spent five seasons in Tampa Bay, two as the starter, before being cut back in August.

The Titans issued the following statement following the signing:

"Chris has been a starter in the league and should fit into our system well," said Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt. "He is a smart player who is a student of the game and has the presence in the huddle that you look for in a quarterback."

Chelios Returns for a 25th Season

The Detroit Red Wings have signed 46-year-old Defenseman Chris Chelios to a one-year deal worth $750,000. The 2008-2009 season will be Chelios' 25th NHL season and 9th season with the Red Wings. He is currently the oldest active player in the NHL. Placing things in perspective, Chelios entered his 3rd season in the NHL the year Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby was born.

Merriman Out For Season

Shawne Merriman, linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, will be placed on the IR so he can have a total reconstructive knee surgery, according to a Chargers source. The 24 year old Meriman was going to try to play the season with two torn ligimates in his left knee, after many doctors told him not to do so. He left last Sunday's game after only tallying two tackles.

Brady Who?

Have no fear, the Red Sox are here!

On a day that sunk the hearts of many all across New England with the news that Tom Brady will miss the remainder of the season, the Red Sox sought to put a smile back on the face of sport fans in Boston Monday night.

Jon Lester and Jonathan Papelpon combined for a seven hit shutout as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0 to climb withing a half game of the AL East lead.

The Rays, who have lost six of their seven games so far in September have watched their lead in the AL East drop from as much as five and a half games at one point down to a mere half game going into tomorrow night's match-up in Boston. A win for the Sox in that game would put them back in first place for the first time since July 17th.

People have been waiting all season for the Rays to fall off. They are so young and so talented that it has taken much longer than anticipated, but it appears that time has finally come. Injuries to speedster Carl Crawford and rookie of the year favorite Evan Longoria are starting to take their toll. If there is any good news for the Rays coming away from this game it is that Longoria has been activated from the disabled list and could play by the end of the week. It remains to be seen whether or not he will be available in the remaining two games of this series with Boston.