- Publish date:
Game Plan
• WATCH
World Series rematch
O.K., so the stakes aren't so high this time, but Saturday's Phillies-Rays exhibition game—which airs at 1 p.m. on the MLB Network—will still have a few juicy story lines. Among them: Pat Burrell, who spent the first 11 years of his career in the Philadelphia organization and went deep three times during the 2008 postseason, is now Tampa Bay's DH.
• WATCH
The Accenture Match Play Championship
The return of Tiger Woods (page 32) is sure to attract viewers. (TV ratings for last month's Buick Invitational were off more than 50% from 2008, when Woods won it.) Should Woods, the defending champ, struggle, watch Geoff Ogilvy. The Aussie has made it to the finals of the 64-man tournament twice in the past three years—and won it in 2006.
• READ
The Corporal Was a Pitcher
In 1944 Army Cpl. Lou Brissie was nearly killed in a German artillery attack in Italy. Doctors wanted to amputate his left leg, but Brissie, an aspiring pitcher, told them he'd rather die than lose the limb. Wearing a metal brace, he made it to the majors with the Athletics in 1947 and was an All-Star two years later. As told by Ira Berkow, Brissie's story is gripping and inspiring.
• WATCH
The Haney Project
Acclaimed swing coach Hank Haney takes on his toughest pupil: Charles Barkley, owner of what is widely regarded to be the world's ugliest golf swing. How bad is it? Haney is devoting seven (often hilarious) half-hour episodes of his Golf Channel reality show to Sir Charles. (The first airs March 2 at 9.) One thing's for sure: He can't make Barkley's stuttering swing any worse.
• LISTEN
To the calls of Randy Moller
Catchphrases are so 1998, but the voice of the Florida Panthers makes goal calls so bizarre and passionate (incorporating everything from movie quotes to lyrics to current events) that a four-minute best-of reel is on YouTube. Even if you cringe at "Boo-Yah!" you'll have a hard time not chuckling at a grown man screaming, "They scoooore! She blinded me with science!"
The Pop Culture Grid
How do sports stars fit in? | Song no one knows I listen to | I think I'm addicted to ... | Most overrated TV show | ____ would have me at hello | I should win an Oscar for ... |
COURTNEY LEE Magic G | Womanizer by Britney Spears | Krispy Kreme doughnuts | Entourage | Beyoncé | My singing |
KELLY JOHNSON Braves 2B | You're the Best Around by Joe Esposito | Dr Pepper | The Real World | Kate Beckinsale | My dominant putting in Tiger Woods PGA Tour |
MIKE GREEN Capitals D | Fantasy by Mariah Carey (top) | I really don't know | Rock of Love | Megan Fox (left) | My hairstyle |
ROY HIBBERT Pacers C | Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi | Video games | How I Met Your Mother | No comment | The amount of rookie stuff I have to do |
INSIDE THE GRID
"I am not afraid to rock whatever style is out there and influence the fan base," says Green left, a popular scorer who likes sporting a faux-hawk. Lee, who ranks second in three-point shooting among NBA rookies, says of his impromptu crooning, "I like to sing about whatever is out there and to make stuff up as I go. I could sing about your black size 2 sweater, your brown shoes or even this recorder in my face."
PHOTO
AL TIELEMANS (BURRELL)
PHOTO
TODD BIGELOW/AURORA (OGILVY)
PHOTO
JOHN BYRNE/CAL SPORT MEDIA (BARKLEY)
PHOTO
MIKE STOBE/NHLI/GETTY IMAGES (PANTHERS)
PHOTO
ALEX BRANDON/AP (CAREY)
PHOTO
CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES (GREEN)
PHOTO
BILL FRAKES (LEE)
PHOTO
ERICK W. RASCO (DR PEPPER)
PHOTO
BOB ROSATO (JOHNSON)
PHOTO
FRANK MICELOTTA/GETTY IMAGES FOR SPIKE TV (FOX)
PHOTO
LOU CAPOZZOLA (GREEN WITH HELMET)
PHOTO
GARY DINEEN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (HIBBERT)
PHOTO
CHARLEY GALLAY/GETTY IMAGES (BON JOVI)
PHOTO
