Junior Pitcher Taryne Mowatt outshines NCAA Strike Out Record Holder and 2007 College Player of the Year Monica Abbott to lead The University of Arizona past The University of Tennessee to the College Softball World Series. Abbott-who just this past week passed Cat Osterman to set the NCAA Career Strike Out mark with 2,271 suffered a very rare defeat. Abbott had been nearly unhittable in the World Series up until last night but Arizona touched her for 5 runs on 10 hits. The big blow was a three run by 2B Chelsie Mesa. Taryne Mowatt was named the Tournament's outstanding player and pitched every inning of the 8 games that Arizona played in the series, throwing 1000 pitches along the way. She recorded her 42nd win of the season, a UA record. Mowatt's signature pitch is her change up and she kept the UT hitters off balance all night. She was clearly getting squeezed by the Home Plate umpire but was able to keep her composure and keep the ball off of the center of the plate for an impressive win.



Abbott will play for Team USA this summer and then will join the Washington Glory of the Women's Professional Fastpitch Softball League. Mowatt should be back at Arizona next season for her Senior Year.

Looks like the NBA is coming after Billy Donovan, Head Coach of the National Champion Florida Gators. The Orlando Sentinel, citing two anonymous NBA front office executives, reported Tuesday night that the Magic had contacted Donovan's agent. Also, the Associated Press reports that Donovan recently talked with the Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley, who is searching for a new coach. Donovan called the discussion "informal" and declined an official interview.

Billy is too young and fiery to have to be relegated to the NBA. While TV ratings will no doubt have absolutely nothing to do with Donovan's decision making process-the NBA playoffs got killed in the ratings to a MMA bout last week! Why would Billy want to go to the Association, trudge through an 82 game schedule, watch horrible defense and one on one clear outs when he can live in a College environment, win 25 games a year, enjoy the thrill of the Final Four. This feels like the scene in Tin Cup when Kevin Costner hits over and over into the water and the announcer says-"somebody tackle this guy". Can't his mentor, Rick Pitino talk him into staying with the College Game? Pitino had stints in both New York and Boston-with teams who actually had good shots at making playoff runs-and came back to the College Game.

Hopefully this is just a case where Donovan is letting these rumors out to help him in his negotiations on a contract extension at Florida. The College game needs him and the NBA would just be a grind on him.

Hey Billy-Stay in the Game!

The 132nd running of the Preakness Stakes goes off this weekend with the top 3 finishers from the Kentucky Derby (Street Sense, Hard Spun, Curlin) plus Circular Quay headed to Pimlico for the second jewel of The Triple Crown. With only 9 horses entered in the race-the post position draw will not have as much of an impact on the betting lines or the outcome as the 20 horse field in the derby did. If you want serious talk of Beyer Speed Figures, Lasix dosages etc-go to the Daily Racing Form. We're here to help you understand how to enjoy your Preakness Experience.

Rule number 1-everyone should experience the infield at the Preakness once-just once. If you are between 20 and 30 years old-you can handle hanging with guys and girls from Dundalk, wearing wife beaters, shot-gunning Natty Bohs and peeing along the fence on garbage bags duct taped up to hide you from the TV cameras.

Rule number 2-Parking. The best place to park is as close to the track as you can get-in somebody's front yard. As you near the track-you will see church groups, gas stations, shopping centers all selling parking spots for $20 for the day. Skip those and go all the way to the track and you will see kids selling spots in their front yards. This is the way to go. They'll keep an eye on your car for you and you get a spot close to the track.

Rule number 3-try the Black Eyed Susan. The Kentucky Derby has the Mint Julep-The Preakness has the Black Eyed Susan-which is no nastier than the aforementioned Mint Julep. The official Recipe is: 2 parts Bourbon, 1 part Vodka Citrus, 3 part Sweet & Sour Mix, 1 part Orange Juice.

Rule number 4-you can bring your own beverages in as long as they are in a see through container. Don't be the guy at the entrance to the race dumping out your 60 gallon Igloo Cooler. Go to Walmart and buy a clear box and pack it with ice and beer. You'll thank me.

Rule number 5-buy a beer from Clancy. Clancy is a local beer vendor who works Orioles, Ravens and sometimes Redskins games. He hustles, pours beer over his shoulders and will even work out a tab for you if you are going to be in the same spot all day. You'll be able to spot him because he's the one running all over the track bringing beer to the folks who are calling him by name.

Rule number 6-stay for the last race. The Preakness Stakes is simply the 10th race of the day. Stay for the final race, let the crowd thin out, get one more bet down and relax.

Rule number 7-buy a Daily Racing Form and a Quick Sheet and place some bets. Even if you don't know what you are doing-pick up the forms and place some $2 bets. It makes the racing much more fun. If you know what you are doing you're probably not reading the Oldenfat Blog looking for tips:)

Rule number 8-Have Fun! Hey-it's going to be hot, you're going to be surrounded by obnoxious drunks, it's going to be crowded. If you can't handle that-watch it on TV. But don't go to the track and get all Otis and get yourself in trouble.

Rule number 9-Stay in the game!

Two straight days of Mel Kiper and Collin Cowherd was a little tough to take but nobody knows the most minute detail about every single kid who ever put on a college football uniform than Mel does. Here is the Oldenfat Nation's list of hits and misses from our perspective on the 2007 draft.

Hits-

1. Cleveland Browns-They got a franchise left tackle in Joe Thomas with the third pick in the draft. They also had the luckiest draft day when Brady Quinn slipped by the Dolphins and they were able to trade picks with the Cowboys to take him. They solidified their offense for years to come in just over 4 hours of work on Saturday.
2. Detroit Lions-They got the best player in the entire draft when Oakland passed up Calvin Johnson, whom the Lions took with the 2nd pick in the draft. Despite using their considerably high draft picks to select wideouts in 4 of the previous 5 NFL Drafts-this was absolutely the right pick. Johnson is fast, huge and a hard worker. He will not wash out like their previous Wideouts (Charles Rogers, Mike Williams). They also got highly regarded QB Drew Stanton out of Michigan State. They also traded QB Josh McCown and the previously mentioned Mike Williams to Oakland for a 4th round pick. There is a lot of talk about how the Lions got fleeced by only getting a 4th round pick for Mike Williams because he was originally a top 10 pick but who in their right mind would offer them anything for him based upon his production to this point?
3. Dallas Cowboys-With the 26th pick in the draft that they got in a trade with Cleveland-they picked the best defensive end available in Anthony Spencer-who will team up with DeMarcus Ware to form a formidable set of bookends. They also got Cleveland's first round pick next year-which should be a top 10 pick.

Misses-

1. Miami Dolphins-what in theeee hell were they thinking? This pick sure takes the Texans off the hook for the biggest bonehead pick on draft day. Brady Quinn fell into their lap at pick number 9 and they took Ohio State speedster Ted Ginn. To put it in perspective-they gave up a potential franchise quarterback that they have not had since Dan Marino retired for a kick returner and number three wideout.......They came back and took BYU quarterback John Beck. He won't make anybody forget Dan Marino.....
2. Oakland Raiders-If you are going to trade away your top wide receiver-why would you not fill his slot with the best player in the draft who also happens to be a wideout? In all likelihood-Jamarcus Russell will see the season from his backside-sitting it on the bench for the first half of the season and then getting knocked on it when they finally put him in behind this jail break inspiring offensive line. Russell was just a two year starter at LSU but on the plus side showed very strong improvement from his Sophomore to his Junior season. He's as big as a house so maybe he could go in and block for himself while standing in the pocket with nobody to throw the ball to.......
3. Houston Texans-I'll always bust on them for picking Mario Williams last year-but they seem to deserve it. Instead of picking a stud lineman to help keep Matt Schaub upright (something that David Carr knows a little bit about), they picked up another D Lineman to go with last years D lineman (WHO WAS PICKED AHEAD OF VINCE YOUNG AND REGGIE BUSH). I think the new commissioner needs to impose the best interest of the game clause and hand out some discipline to the brain trust of the Texans. I think a drug test is in order here. Who in their right mind makes these picks?

Stay in the game Oldenfat Nation-here's hoping you're not a Texans or Dolphins fan and your team made the right picks!

As draft day nears it is always enlightening to watch all of the hand wringing over what to do with the number 1 pick. It looks easy from the outside-simply pick the best available, can't miss College Football player available. How could he miss? Make the right choice and you are set for years. Make the wrong choice and be a perennial early round drafting team. Take a look at the top 3 picks in each draft since 2000 and see for yourself how they have panned out......it's not as easy as it seems.

2000-B-
1) Courtney Brown-156 tackles in 7 year career, 0 in 2006. Currently unsigned free agent.
2) Lavar Arrington-3 pro bowl appearances-2001-2003-however seen as over-rated and recently released by Giants
3) Chris Samuels-a solid left tackle-3 pro bowl appearances-2002, 2006, 2007

2001-F
1) Michael Vick-71 TDs and 52 INTs in up but mostly down career. He is Ryan Leaf off the field but gets a break because he is a good looking charismatic kid. If he was fat and nasty looking like Leaf he'd have been gone 4 years ago.
2) Leonard Davis-9 tackles in 6 seasons........
3) Gerard Warren-142 tackles in 6 seasons-

2002-C (Julius Pepper ruined the curve)
1) David Carr-This is the guy that caused the Texans to pass on Vince Young last year-then they released him this year.....59 TDs and 65 INTs. Recently signed as a backup to Jake Delhomme in Carolina.
2) Julius Peppers-2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 3 Pro Bowl Appearances-2005-2007. An absolute animal. A game changer. They got this one right......
3) Joey Harrington-Currently on his 3rd team after signing with the Falcons to back up Michael Vick. 72 TDs and 77 INTs in very underwhelming career.

2003-B
1) Carson Palmer-2005 FedEx Air Player of the Year, 2 Pro Bowls, 2006 and 2007. Bengals' single season passing TD record holder-32 and Bengals' single season passing yards leader-4035. They got this one right.
2) Charles Rogers-4 career touchdown passes....another Matt Millen 1st round wideout......
3) Andre Johnson-2 Pro Bowl appearances-2005 and 2007, 2 1000 yard receiving seasons, 17 TD passes.

2004-B-
1) Eli Manning-54 TDs, 44 INTs in 3 year career. Made nominal improvement from 2nd to 3rd year. Average QB.
2) Robert Gallery-Widely considered a bust. Has certainly not had the benefit of quality coaching while playing for Oakland.
3) Larry Fitzgerald-1 Pro Bowl-2006, 1409 yards receiving in 2005, 24 career TDs. They got this one right.

2005-B-
1) Alex Smith-went from 1 TD and 11 INTs in rookie year to 16/16 last year. Not spectacular-but showed significant improvement. 49ers look to be on the rebound.
2) Ronnie Brown-1000 yard rusher in 2nd season. 10 TDs in 2 year career. Solid NFL running back.
3) Braylon Edwards-showed good improvement from Rookie season to last year. Had 884 yards receiving and 6 TDs last year. Solid NFL wideout

2006-C (Mario pulls the average down here)
1) Mario Williams-no matter how Williams' pro career plays out-he'll always be the guy who cost Charlie Casserly his job for passing over Vince Young and Reggie Bush-perhaps the biggest draft day bed wetting in NFL history. He had a fair season for a rookie D Lineman-35 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 3 passes defensed, although he was often outshone by fellow rookie DeMeco Ryans-who won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award after posting 155 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 int and 1 fumble recovery, despite being picked 32 spots behind Williams.
2) Reggie Bush-NFL Rookie of the Month-December 2006, 565 yards rushing, 742 yards receiving, and 8 TDs while splitting time with Duece McAllistar in New Orleans.
3) Vince Young-put up just OK numbers from a stats perspective but he won games. He took the Titans to an 8-5 record in the 13 games he started-after they started off 0-3. He put up 12 TDs and 13 INTs and added 552 yards and 7 rushing TDs.

Hey NFL teams-try to pick a couple of guys who can Stay in the Game!

The thoughts and prayers of Oldenfat Nation go out to the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg, VA community today after the tragic events that took place on campus yesterday. We are a Virginia based Corporation and are surrounded by friends, family, neighbors, co-workers that have a tie to Virginia Tech-either they are alumni or they have children attending school there or are just fans of the Football Team.

We pray for the wounded victims that are still in the hospital and wish them the best in their recoveries. We pray for the families of all of the victims who lost their loved ones too soon. We pray for the parents of the shooter who also took his own life. Lastly-we pray for our own families and hope we never have to feel the loss and pain that was felt by so many at Virginia Tech yesterday.

Here at the Oldenfat Blog we normally stick to what we know-sports and beer. But the outrage over the recent comments from Don Imus about the Rutgers Women's' Basketball has us confused.

We are not confused over whether or not Imus's comments were racist and offensive-they WERE. What we are confused about is when is the Reverand Al and Jesse radio show to chastize Ludacris , Pepper, Eamon, TLC and other musical artists who use the exact same word in their songs. Where are the boycots of their records or demands for their firings? How can Ludicris get away with his lyrics in the song "Ho": Hooooooooo (Ho)Youza Hoooooo (Ho)Youza Hoooooo (Ho)I said that youza hooooo (Ho).....How can Pepper sing in his song Ho's: "Run down the road still viewing sluts, bowcats, These ho's are trying to fool me". Eamon sings in his song I love them Ho's: "I love them ho's, love them ho's, love them ho's"......

Is there a list of words somewhere that is available that shows us which words a rap star can use but a Shock Jock cannot use? Reverend Al and Jesse would be much more believable if they would also shout out their outrage when athletes and artists of color use the exact same words that Imus did than if they only show outrage when it is an old white dude saying it.

Again-we have no problem with everybody getting upset over what Imus said. It is indefensible. But it is also indefensible for ANY other member of society to use the exact same words-regardless of their color, their sex, their job or for any other reason. Let's fire them all!

The Washington Nationals warned their fans that this would be a "rebuilding process". They gave ample warning that they were building for the future and were not willing to overpay for starting pitchers for this year while looking to the future. They told us they would be bad-BUT THEY NEVER TOLD US HOW BAD! Through 7 games the Nats have been outscored 45-18 and have not started a single inning with the lead. Not one. They did come from behind to win their 3 game of the season 7-6 on a walk off groud rule double-but that is the only time they have held a lead all season! Now of course it is early and, as catch Brian Schneider says "you don't hit the panic button after 1 week", it is reason for concern. Their offense has been anemic. Until Austin Kearns' RBI single on Sunday-they had been 0-26 with runners in scoring postion. That is not a reflection of having a triple A pitching rotation-that's just bad baseball. And to make matters even worse-the cold snap to start the season has RFK stadium looking as empty as the old Olymic Stadium in Montreal. We can only hope that the jet stream gets back to normal, the bats wake up a little bit, and a couple of these cast off pitchers sack up and show some pride and get somebody out! Hey Nats Fans-please Stay in the Game. We've been without baseball for 33 years. Even bad baseball is better than no baseball-and an afternoon at the ballpark sure beats putting on a suit and sitting on the beltway!