Chris Griffin
I am currently in my seventh year of teaching high school English. I have coached basketball and baseball. When I am not spending time with my family, I am most likely researching, discussing, watching, or writing about the Red Sox, Redskins, or Bulls.
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- Contributor since
- 3/5/2009
Education/Experience
BA, Southern Connecticut State University; MA, Sacred Heart University
Displaying Results 1 - 90 (of 90) for All Content
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Initial eligibility requirements for the prospective college athleteThe process of registering to become an athlete on the collegiate level could be tedious and confusing, so hopefully these tips will make your senior year of high school a little less stressful and more enjoyable.
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How to effectively motivate the high school athleteBeing a high school coach is one of the most challenging jobs a coach can encounter. Keeping your high school athletes motivated during a long season could be the most difficult aspect of being a coach. Here are a few tips.
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Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard enters All-Star break on a roll: A fan's takeWhile the beginning of the season may have posed some questions to panicky Red Sox fans, there is no doubt that Daniel Bard's two-month long dominance of Major League Baseball has answered many of those questions and silenced most of his critics.
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What Parents Should Do to Help Their Children Prepare for High SchoolMany students enter high school unprepared for the challenges that lie ahead of them, which can lead to a disappointing freshman year. Here are a few tips parents can use to help their children prepare for high school. -
Fan's take: With young guns on DL, Wakefield continues to be 'Mr. Dependable'For the second year in a row, the Red Sox have seen many of their young stars make a trip to the disabled list, while its steadying force has come from an unlikely veteran in Tim Wakefield -
How to Write an Effective College Letter of RecommendationWriting a college letter of recommendation for your favorite students can be a daunting and pressure-filled task, but with the following tips, your letter writing days can become much more enjoyable and free of anxiety. -
Fan's take: For one night only, Red Sox need Matsuzaka to be an aceDaisuke Matsuzaka has been inconsistent, to say the least, over his four year career with the Red Sox.In game five of the season, they need Dice-K to be the man they signed him to be. They need an ace.
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The five longest work stoppages in professional sports historyAs we sit and wait for the NFLPA and the owners to reconcile and get back to work, here is a list of the five longest work stoppages in American professional sports history.Also published on:
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President Obama Finally Gives Hope to Teachers With His Plans for No Child Left BehindWhen President Obama stepped into office in January of 2009, he vowed to revamp the educational system by tweaking, not eliminating No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Nearly two and a half years later, it looks as if this process is finally coming to a head.
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Fan reaction: Two Red Sox pitchers heading in opposite directions as Opening Day approachesAs the Red Sox continue their preseason slide, which has now hit 10 consecutive losses, there are two starting pitchers who seem to be headed in opposite directions.
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The five best underdog runs in NCAA men's basketball tournament historyAs the 2011 NCAA quickly approaches and teams like Oakland, Belmont, and Utah State vie for the title of this year's Cinderella team, I began thinking about the best runs by an underdog team in the history of the NCAA Tournament.Also published on:
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Mauricio "Shogun" Rua Heads into UFC 128 Healthy and DangerousMauricio "Shogun" Rua did not exactly have the type of start to his UFC career that he or anybody else expected. Now that he is healthy and confident heading into UFC 128, Rua could be one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC. -
Fan reaction: Mechanics issue continues to plague Papelbon in spring trainingAfter struggling through the 2010 season, Jonathan Papelbon came into spring training promising a much different 2011. So, far, if the spring is any indicator of the regular season, it looks like more of the same is likely.Also published on:
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Cinderella's Big DanceA March Madness haiku
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Fan reaction: Adrian Gonzalez impresses in his debut with the Red SoxAfter weeks of agonizingly slow rehab, Adrian Gonzalez finally debuts with his new team, and does so in impressive fashion. -
Top 5 athletes to come out of retirementTiki Barber's shocking announcement to come out of retirement immediately made me think about other players who have retired at an early age and then decided to come back. Here are the top 5 athletes to come out of retirement.Also published on:
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Fan's take: A breakdown of the top five UFC heavyweightsCain Velasquez is the champion after thoroughly dominating Brock Lesnar. Now, the question remains: Can anybody beat him? Here is a breakdown of the top 5 heavyweights (including the champion).
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Fan reaction: Young prospects shine in Red Sox spring training win over rival YankeesTerry Francona got to see a little bit of what the future holds for the Red Sox in their spring training victory over the Yankees.
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Fan reaction: Andrew Miller impresses in spring training for Red SoxOne of the biggest moves of the Boston Red Sox off-season may not prove to be the addition of Carl Crawford or Adrian Gonzalez, but instead pulling off a trade for a once promising pitcher who has been unable to reach his potential.
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3 ways a professional athlete should know it's time to retireWashed up, former stars hanging on to their professional athletic careers can be both annoying and sad for the sports fan. But, for the athlete, it is even harder. Here are 3 ways a professional athlete should know that it is time to retire.Also published on: -
Fan perspective: Big Papi's big smash a welcomed sign for the Red SoxAfter beginning the 2010 season in the most miserable slump in his career, David Ortiz hopes that with a new and hopefully improved batting stance, the 2011 campaign will get off to a much quicker start.
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A fan's perspective: Why sports fans should support the owners in labor talksAs a member of a union, one would expect me to side with the athletes in the recent labor talks. While I have in the past, as the likely NFL lockout quickly approaches, I have begun looking at this issue from an entirely different perspective.
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Fan outlook: Boston Red Sox to use spring training to solidify strong bullpen with a lefty specialistThe Red Sox have a lineup to match or exceed the production of any other team's in baseball, and a revamped bullpen that should be lights out. However, this spring, they will be searching for the final piece to their bullpen puzzle -- a lefty specialist.
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Fan perspective: Top 4 NBA trade deadline trades of all timeAs talks of Carmelo Anthony's new home dominates the talk of the 2010/2011 NBA trade deadline, it got me thinking about actual trades that have happened in past NBA deadlines.
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The 2007 NFL Re-Draft: How it would gave gone had we known what we know nowAfter seeing the 2007 NFL draftees for four years in the league, this is what would have happened had the teams known what they know now. -
The 2009 NFL Re-Draft: How it would have gone had we known what we know nowAfter seeing the 2009 NFL draftees for two years in the league, this is what would have happened had the teams known what they know now. -
The 2008 NFL Re-Draft: How it would have gone had we known what we know nowAfter seeing the 2008 NFL draftees for three years in the league, this is what would have happened had the teams known what they know now. -
2011 NFL Round 2 Playoff PicksAfter an exhilarating Wild Card Weekend, Round 2 is shaping up to be even more exciting. Here are my second round picks. -
My 2011 major sports championship predictionsAs we approach a new year, I have included my championship predictions for NCAA football, NFL, NBA, MLB, and NCAA basketball
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5 longest NCAA Division I winning streaksIn light of the UCONN Lady Huskies improbable run to 90 consecutive wins, I have compiled a list of the 5 longest NCAA winning streaks in history. You may be surprised to find out that UCONN's 90 is not number 1!
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Why a high school coach should also be a teacher at the same schoolWhile there are many good coaches out there who have never taught, a teacher has a connection with the kids that many non-teachers lack.
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UFC 125: Resolution - Edgar Vs. Maynard Preview and PredictionsUFC 125 will pit Frankie Edgar defending his title against Gray Maynard. Here is the card and my predictions.
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10 Tips for a Successful Student Teaching ExperienceStudent teaching is the most stressful time of any aspiring teacher's college experience. These tips will help all student teacher's in having a positive and rewarding ten weeks.
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Fan reaction: Hey Redskins, it's time for Gano to go!After missing two chip shot field goals and being a part of a botched extra point, Graham Gano should be cut loose by the Redskins, proving to be another failed kicker in Washington.
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Why I don't care how much my favorite team spends on its players so long as they win gamesI find it humorous when fans begin complaining about the amount of money spent on a free agent, as if it is their money that is going into his pocket. My motto is spend away! Just give me a winner.
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Fan reaction: Shanahan's coaching prowess will be tested over the final four gamesAfter a 5-7 start to the season, Mike Shanahan has a lot of work to do to earn his 7 million dollar salary.
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Top 5 players in UCONN men's basketball historyThe UCONN Huskies men's basketball team has a storied past. They have won two national titles and many other Big East championships. During those years, they have had many great players. Who are the top 5? Read on and find out.
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Arbitration in baseball: Why clubs offer it and why players accept or declineArbitration in baseball is always a tricky situation for the teams who offer it and for the players who either accept or decline it. Many people do not truly understand the process.
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Offseason Dates Every Baseball Fan Should KnowWhile we slowly make our way through the winter months without baseball, there are two dates that will assure baseball will stay active in our everyday lives.
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Why Preseason College Basketball Polls Are Useless Predictors of ResultsEvery year, teams are ranked before the season starts based on unfounded speculation. By the end of the season, the final polls have very little resemblance to those preseason ones.
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5 Stunning Scenes in Gameshow Historypeople all over the world sit in front of their television sets each night, waiting for their favorite gameshow to produce the next "stunning moment". Here are the top 5, so far...
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The evolution of the Ultimate Fighting ChampionshipBack at UFC 1, the idea was simple: put two people in a cage and have them fight until one can't fight anymore. Weight didn't matter. There were no rules. Headbutts? Legal. Kick to the head of a downed man? Legal. Then it was banned and forced to revamp. -
Top 3 golfers to make their name by defeating Greg NormanBefore Phil Mickelson came around, Greg Norman was known for choking away championships. These three players were able to defeat Norman, and in turn, became famous because of "The Shark." -
First person fan reaction: Mike Shanahan's decision to bench Donovan McNabb raises many questionsWith a little over two minutes to go in the game, and the Redskins trailing by a mere 6 points, Mike Shanahan decided to bench his starting quarterback for a lifelong backup in Rex Grossman.
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The Four Most Annoying People in SportsWhile sports really is the a great way to sit back and relax on a day that there is nothing to do, there will always be those sports personalities who drive you crazy.
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3 offseason drills to keep you in basketball shapeBasketball is a sport that one can easily get rusty at without year-long practice. These three drills will keep you in shape and ready to play once the season rolls around. -
Top five most bizarre moments in sports historyEvery once in a while, you get to experience that moment in sports that makes you say, "Did that really just happen?" These moments make up the top five most bizarre moments in sports. -
Top five sports movies to watch with your girlfriendTired of spending your "movie nights" watching The Notebooks or the Dear Johns of the world? If you are a man who is constantly deferring to your significant other to choose a movie, then this is the article for you.
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Esther Vergeer brings wheelchair athletics into the national spotlight with a record that will never be brokenAt the age of 29, Esther Vergeer has won almost 400 matches, more than any tennis player in the sport's history. The only difference is, she has done it while in a wheelchair.
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Affordable, local alternatives to the PGA Tour's Walt Disney World Resort golf coursesA round of golf costing over $100 is a tough pill to swallow for most people. Any PGA Tour golf course will run you about that much. There are many alternatives that may not have the hype, but have a better price and comparable grounds.Also published on: -
The University of Connecticut Huskies welcome all opponents to the Jungle at Rentschler FieldAfter being a Division 1A team for only 8 years, the UCONN Huskies have developed their own set of unique in-game traditions.
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Best sports bars in Norwalk, CT, for Giants or Jets fansIf you are looking for a place to get a beer, some wings and watch your favorite NFL team play, then check out these three sports bars in Norwalk, CT.
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Best sports bars in Norwalk, CT, for Mets, Red Sox and Yankees fansIf you are looking for a place to get a beer, some wings and to watch your favorite baseball team play during the stretch run, then check out these three sports bars in Norwalk, CT.
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Why the 2010 Major League Baseball Season Has Produced the Most Blown Calls in Recent MemoryThe 2010 baseball season has seen more blown calls than any other year in memory. The question is, why? Are the umpires really this bad or are there other factors?
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The Five Most Important Players in Boston Red Sox HistoryThe Boston Red Sox have one of the most storied traditions in professional sports, but who are the five players who have played the most important role in creating such a well known franchise?
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How to Plan the Perfect (and Affordable) Sports Themed WeddingSports themed weddings could be difficult to pull off, but with a few helpful tips, you may be on your way to planning a wedding that very few will ever forget.
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PreciseSeating.Com: A Godsend for Red Sox Fans Looking to Buy TicketsPreciseseating.com is every Red Sox fan's dream. With the numerous quirks and obstructed views throughout the stadium, this website eliminates all of the guessing involved when buying Red Sox tickets.
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Legendary New York Yankees Announcer, Bob Sheppard, Passes Away, but His Voice Lives OnBob Sheppard lived to announce many of the 27 New York Yankees World Series Victories, but at the age of 99, he has passed away. While his life may have ended, his voice will live in Yankees fans hearts forever.
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Brock Lesnar Is, Once and for All, the Best Heavyweight in Mixed Martial ArtsAfter submitting the previously undefeated monster, Shane Carwin, Brock Lesnar proves that he is the best heavyweight in MMA.
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Lebron's Decision Separates Him from Other Superstars in Any SportLebron James unselfishly leaves money on the table in order for a chance to win a championship.
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Fedor Emelianenko's Loss Proves, Once Again, that Dana White Truly is a GeniusFedor Emelianenko losing to Fabricio Werdum proves that Dana White does not have to overpay for anybody in order to get what he wants.
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Only Real Men Wear PurpleA haiku about the famous "people" who don the color purple
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Top 5 NBA Draft Steals of All TimeThese five NBA perreniel all-stars were a bit of a surprise to the league, as they were passed over by many teams, with some even ending up getting chosen in the second round.
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2010 NBA Draft Preview: Al-Farouq AminuAfter putting up another year of stellar numbers for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Al-Farouq Aminu decided to hire an agent and enter himself into the 2010 NBA draft.
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Red Sox Prospect, Daniel Nava, Makes an Unforgettable DebutFrom being cut as a walk on for Santa Clara to being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Red Sox to hitting a grand slam on the first pitch that he saw as a member of the Red Sox, Daniel Nava has a story like nobody else in the major leagues.
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Norwalk, CT, Golfer Pursues His Dream at "The Birthplace of Golf"Norwalk High School Senior Class President, community service volunteer, and golf team member is heading to the University of St. Andrews in Scotland to pursue a degree in business and economics.
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Lessons Learned from Armando Galarraga's Imperfect GameArmando Galarraga's imperfect game through the eyes of a coach and fan, and what lessons can be learned from the situation.
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A Message to All Professional Sports Officials: People Do Not Pay to See You!After Major League Baseball umpire Joe West once again made the papers this past week after an altercation with Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and pitcher Mark Buerhle, it is time for him to realize that people do not pay to see him.
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The American League East Division Needs: Part 2A brief overview of what each team in the American League East needs to compete for the World Series Championship
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The American League East Division Needs: Part 1A team by team breakdown of needs to become World Series contenders.
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How UFC President Dana White Used Kimbo Slice's Celebrity Status to Further His Place as a Business MogulDana White's use of Kimbo Slice was nothing short of genius. He used him for his celebrity status, gave him fights until he was rendered useless, and then fired him, causing him to lose all of his appeal to other promotions.
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Dana White Fires Two Fighters After UFC 113Kimbo Slice, ineffectiveness, and Paul Daley, post-bell sucker punch, have been fired after the highly hyped UFC 113, in which Mauricio Shogun Rua defeated Lyoto Machida to capture the UFC light-heavyweight title.
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The Top 5 Draft Busts of All TimeEvery year sports fans go crazy about the upcoming draft. It gives them a reason to forget about last season and look to the future. Sometimes the future gets put in the hands of somebody who cannot handle the pressure. That is when draft busts are born.
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Learning About Life Through Sports: Why All Students Should Participate in High School AthleticsPlaying a sport in high school teaches students more about life than any other aspect of school. It is not about being a great athlete; it is about learning about life through the lessons learned from sports.
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Parting with PapiAs the Red Sox fans watch the man who they used to adorn as Big Papi turn into a shell of his former self, the question remains: when will the Sox cut their cult hero loose?
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2010 FIFA World Cup: Team USA Has Nothing to LoseTeam USA's keys to being successful in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
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The Truth Hurts: The Tragic Collapse of Allen IversonA little over a decade ago, Allen Iverson beat all the odds being a 5'8" star in a league filled with giants. Ten years and 200 million dollars later,he is broke and jobless.
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Top 5 Cliches that Just Don't Make Sense - You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover...Or Can You?There are those sayings that we hear over and over again, many of which often lead us to question what the heck they are supposed to mean. When we look deeper into these cliches, we discover that they still make no sense.
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Bret Favre is Contemplating yet Another Return to the NFLAfter another winter in which Brett Favre had claimed to be finished with the sport that has made him famous, news has now surfaced that he may be headed to the Vikings for the 2009 season.
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Lies Even the Pope Would TellWe were all brought up by our parents to tell the truth. We were told that lying is wrong. But, is it always wrong? The simple answer is, no! Sometimes it is okay to lie.
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Boston Red Sox Preseason OutlookThe Boston Red Sox consistently have one of the best offensive teams in the Major Leagues, and this year will be no different. See how this year's team will stack up with the rest of baseball.
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Top 5 Golf Tees on the MarketFinding the right tee is an important part of golfing. These five tees will be sure to fit your golfing style, whether you are a newcomer to the sport or somebody who has been playing for years.
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Boston Red Sox Season Outlook - the DefenseThe old saying says, "defense wins championships." This will review the Red Sox defense, and detail whether or not they are championship contenders.
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Why UConn Will Win the NCAA TournamentThe versatility and experience of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team will help them prevail in this year's NCAA Tournament.
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'80s Music Review: Def Leppard's "Hysteria" Runs Wild on ChartsIf you are a fan of classic rock, '80s rock, or just rock music, in general, then Def Leppard's album, "Hysteria" is the CD for you. If you don't have it, then get to a store and buy it. If you do have it, blow the dust off the CD and listen to it.
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A-Rod Proves the Steroid Era in Major League Baseball is Far from OverThe recent news of A-Roid's use of performance enhancing drugs while he was with the Texas Rangers proves that every time we feel that we can move on from the steroid era, something or someone brings us back in.
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UConn Vs. Syracuse: The Best Big East Tournament Game Ever PlayedThe University of Connecticut and Syracuse played in what many are calling the best Big East Tournament game of all time last night. Syracuse prevailed 127-117 in six overtimes.
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Boston Red Sox Season Outlook - the BullpenThis is a complete breakdown of 2009's Boston Red Sox bullpen. Who should be in each role? Should Masterson be a starter or reliever? Will Buchholz even be on the Major League staff?
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Fiance...The Real "F" WordThis is not a bashing of the sanctity of marriage, just of the ridiculousness of the word that comes before the wedding. After reading, I am confident that you will agree with me that there needs to be a new word to signify an engaged couple.
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Red Sox Season OutlookAs the 2009 baseball season approaches, it is time to determine the legitimate goals for the Boston Red Sox (and that other team in the AL East). Will Brad Penny and John Smoltz overcome their injuries and contribute? Will David Ortiz bounce back?








