Chipotle Provides Advice for C.J. Wilson

Aren't players supposed to start underachieving AFTER they get paid?

So, one would think that C.J. Wilson, coming off the best season of his career and on his way to gross overpayment by [insert Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Phillies here], would take advantage of postseason's grand stage to hammer home that he deserves Barry Zito money. Yet, someone forgot to tell him that he's not supposed to pitch like the current Zito until he gets his check.

It's hard to believe that Wilson, who compiled a 16-7 record in the regular season with an ERA of 2.97, is on the verge of becoming the first pitcher ever (yes, EVER) to lose 4 games in a single postseason.

Sometimes in these situations, the questions are complicated and the answers are simple (thank you, Dr. Seuss).
-Wilson has allowed 6 home runs this postseason, just 10 off the number he allowed all season. -Wilson is walking 1 batter per 1.5 innings this postseason, about two times the rate he allowed free passes this season.
-Wilson is throwing his cutter (his third most used pitch this season) 33% of the time in the postseason, a huge increase in usage from the regular season.

So I've got a little advice for C.J. via Chipotle and Willie Nelson (with an assist from Coldplay). Wilson must go back to what made him one of the best pitchers in the American League. He has to throw his fastball for strikes, let his defense make plays and let his offense do the talking. In other words, he has to go 'back to the start.'

Guy pretending to be Redskins QB makes bold prediction

I know what you're thinking...did Tim Tebow gain weight?

Actually, the chubby quarterback in this video is not an out of shape Tebow, although their talent levels are probably about the same. It is actually Rex Grossman, who apparently thinks that since he rode one of the best defenses of the past decade to the Super Bowl, he is the savior of the Washington Redskins. In fact, he thinks so much of the Skins, he made a prediction that would make Rex Ryan go, "Dude, really?" According to Grossman:

"We don't need people saying we're the best right now, but when it's all said and done, I really feel like this team's gonna win the East."

I won't go over the 10 pages worth of predictions that are on par with Grossman's, but let's just say they include Charlie Sheen going on a worldwide tour promoting sobriety. But hey, let's not be too hard on Sexy Rexy, after the Eagles, Giants and Cowboys, the NFC East is looking pretty weak this year.

Prime Time gives a Hall of Fame speech to remember

(Fast forward to the 5:00 mark)

"See the problem is with some dreams, the dreams are only about you. If your dream ain't bigger than you, there is a problem with your dream."

Leave it to Prime Time to steal the show at this year's Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The truth is, Deion Sanders' speech was the one we were all waiting for, the one we expected to bring the house down. What is surprising is why Sanders' speech was so great. Yesterday, we saw a side of Prime Time we've never seen. We heard the story of the promise he made to his mom that she would never work another day in her life. We learned of the night in his FSU dorm room that Prime Time came to life.

"I pre-rehearsed the sayings because I knew I had the substance. I knew I had the goods, I knew I had the work ethic, but I needed to secure myself enough that my mama would never have to work another day of her life."

Was the speech truly from the heart, or just another pre-rehearsed act from Sanders? I'll leave that for you to decide. But one thing is for sure, Prime Time can deliver one hell of a speech.

I Think About Hitting Home Runs ALL THE TIME!

Read This Blog Post? Go Ahead, #JerryMealsSaysItsSafe

Somewhere, Jim Joyce is smiling. Finally, someone blew a call on the level of Joyce's infamous "imperfect" game call. That someone is Jerry Meals and that call put the Pittsburgh Pirates on the losing end of a 19-inning marathon with the Braves. Now before you tell me that this call was not nearly as controversial as Joyce blowing Armando Galarraga's perfect game, consider this:

-The Tigers still won Joyce's game, the Pirates lost (isn't that what REALLY matters?)
-This call affects the Pirates race for the NL Central Division crown, and considering their steep competition, EVERY win is going to matter for them.

With that said, I am not a proponent of extra replay in baseball. Baseball games are long enough without replay, and this is coming from someone who loves baseball. If baseball wants to increase its fan base, adding replay would be the wrong way to do it. That's like trying to get people to start going to church by telling them it's an hour longer than usual. Replays I am a fan of? How about taking another look at some of the best Tweets from today's trending Twitter hashtag, #JerryMealsSaysItsSafe. Enjoy.

- @Greg_Gormley: "I'm gonna carry this gun around, just in case because #JerryMealsSaysItsSafe " -Plaxico Burress

- @putorti: Go ahead Fredo, go fishing. #jerrymealssaysitssafe

- @acutiee: Might call up Casey Anthony and ask her to babysit, don't worry #jerrymealssaysitssafe (too soon?)

- @sean_wise: Ben Reothlisberger wants to tell you a secret in the bathroom? Go for it!! #jerrymealssaysitssafe

- @HenryT: Betting the farm on the Cubs winning it all #jerrymealssaysitssafe (I had to)

Jason Kipnis: Giving Fans a Reason Not to Hate Cleveland

Drew Carey, you lied to us. For years you told us "Cleveland rocks," and for years we didn't believe you, but we pretended not to care. We'll Drew, the secret is out. Cleveland, in fact, does not rock.

LeBron took his talents to South Beach, and as much as you hate him now, most people did not hate him before he left. The Browns are, well, the Browns. Then, there are the suddenly contending Indians. The Indians are the only worst to first team in history that fans AREN'T rooting for. Why, you ask? Simply put, there isn't a player on the Indians worth rooting for. Grady Sizemore? Maybe if he wasn't a walking DL stint, I'd think about it. Asdrubal Cabrera? Sure, his plays on defense are off the charts, but when he started to turn routine ground balls into the Asdrubal Cabrera show, the act got old. Orlando Cabrera? You're right, low blow.

But alas, there is light at the end of the miserable tunnel leading to Cleveland.

Enter Jason Kipnis. Kipnis has everything you would want in an underdog to root for. He went from an undrafted high school player who was only given books to play at the University of Kentucky to Pac-10 Player of the Year at Arizona State. He went from (in the eyes of scouts) lacking elite arm strength, power and speed, to being the top prospect in the Indians organization. Don't believe the hype? Check out Kip taking "elite" prospect Julio Teheran deep in the Futures game. Then check out his web gem from his MLB debut last Friday. Note to Asdrubal Cabrera: this what it looks like when a great play needs to be great to get an out (notice the lack of a behind the back throw or unnecessary bare hand grab). Get on board, people.

If You Only Watch One NASCAR Clip, Let It Be This One

This, ladies and gentlemen, is America at its finest. I don't think I'd be going out on a limb if I told you that this will be the only time I ever write about NASCAR, but with that said, let me tell you it could not be more worth it. Pastor Joe Nelms gives a pre-race prayer that would put Ricky Bobby to shame, thanking the Lord for his "smokin' hot wife," among other things. Anything else I explain would not do justice to Pastor Nelms, so I'll let you watch for yourselves. Fast forward to the 47 second mark and enjoy.

Bob Ley Reminds Viewers He's White

This Outside the Lines episode aired about a month ago, but unless you're part of the 1% of ESPN viewers that actually watches Outside the Lines (seriously, this show is where good times on ESPN go to die), it probably slipped by unnoticed. That's where I come in. Tip for ESPN: If Bob Ley rapped on the show more often, it might not only still be on because you feel bad for him. Enjoy.