A fond farewell

The season will likely end without much fanfare, but for one night all eyes were fixated on the Bronx Bombers.

Fittingly, 85 years after Babe Ruth opened Yankee Stadium with a victory, Marino Rivera recorded the final out. What was likely the last home run was the game winning run, a hit by No. 26 Jose Molina matching the number of championship banners brought back to the Bronx.

As the lights were turned off at the old Yankee Stadium, baseball history has once again been darkened in New York. In putting their stamp on the Yankees, the Steinbrenners traded away the richest history in professional sports for cup holders and luxury boxes.

When the new stadium opens next year it will retain the Yankee name and shape, but it be a clean slate. Gone is the storied building where Lou gave the Gettysburg Address of baseball, where Joltin' Joe and the Mick patrolled a vast center field, where Maris' 61st home run was belted and the spot where Don Larsen, David Cone and David Wells were all perfect.

When Yankee Stadium is turned into another Bronx public park, MLB will be left with just two meccas -- Wrigley and Fenway. Baseball's new wave in stadium building is refreshing, gone are the old concrete mausoleums. From coast-to-coast new baseball parks like PNC, Petco and Comerica are characters in themselves. Unfortunately, new parks have no ghosts (or demons like the Black cat).

It will soon be up to aging stars such as Jeter, Rodriguez, Rivera and Posada to write the first new memorable moments. But today, it's time to wish a fond farewell to Yankee Stadium.

For pictures of the last game at Yankee Stadium click here.

Following the letter of the law

ESPN’s talking heads need to get off their soap box.

The talking head's verbally lambasted Pac-10 officiating crew after they assessed a late unsportmanslike conduct penalty to Huskie quarterback Jake Locker during Saturday’s Washington-Brigham Young game.

In the final minutes of the game Locker orchestrated what looked to be a game-tying drive, only to have a yellow flag rain on his touchdown parade. Fifteen-yards later, the Huskies extra point attempt was blocked, sealing a BYU victory. (Watch it here)

Simply put, Rule 9, Section 2, Article 2c says a player can be penalized for an unsportsmanlike act for "throwing the ball high into the air." The rule also prohibits kicking, throwing, spinning or carrying the ball any distance for an official to retrieve it and spiking the ball (as is allowed in the NFL).

ESPN’s Mark May tried to say that Locker just “flipped the ball over his shoulder.” However, most estimates placed its trajectory at about 25 feet. That is one heck of a “flip.”

After the game, Referee Larry Farina had a comment regarding the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

“After scoring the touchdown, the player threw the ball into the air and we are required, by rule, to assess a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty,” Farina said. “It was not a judgement call.”

Farina may have violated the ‘spirit of the rules’ but he was dead on flagging Locker. A rule is a rule. Getting caught up in the moment doesn’t excuse the fact that when any football player reaches the end zones he should act like he’s been there before.

Sorry ESPN, point the finger of blame where it belongs…at a QB who's been there before and should have known better.

NFL '08 Story lines galore

It's football time again. And there are only two story lines entering this NFL season.

Brett Favre and his messy divorce with the Green Bay Packers, and Brett Favre's move to Broadway.

OK, I'm only joking. There have been several other high-profile changes since the NFL's memorable '07 finale. Dominant stars such as Michael Strahan, Warren Sapp and Jonathan Ogden all retired. And Pro Bowl caliber athletes like Jeremy Shockey and Jason Taylor will don new uniforms.

Injury watch is also on. Three of the games biggest stars didn't play a down this preseason. QB's Tom Brady and Peyton Manning and running back LaDainian Tomlinson all start the year nicked up.

So how will it all play? Without further ado here are the Fearless NFL Predictions for 2008.

AFC OUTLOOK

1. San Diego -- The Chargers start the year banged up: LT, Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates and Shawne Merriman all need ice packs. However, the Bolts are the most talented team and should finish tops in the AFC.
2. New England -- The Pats will experience a post-Super Bowl hangover. But the Brady-to-Moss connection is good for at least 12 wins in a weak division.
3. Jacksonville -- This is the year a team breaks through in the South division. If the defense shows up, the Jags are a legit Super Bowl contender.
4. Pittsburgh -- The schedule is brutal (toughest in the NFL), but the Steelers will benefit from a down division and a healthy Troy Polamalu.
5. Indianapolis -- Peyton Manning (infected bursa sac) will be fine as the perpetual MVP candidate will guide the Colts to the playoffs again.
6. Denver -- Jay Culter will prove he was the best quarterback in the '06 Draft as Mike Shanahan & company won't miss the playoffs for a third straight season.
Playoff bubble: Buffalo -- I think the Bills are still a year away, but they are moving in the right direction. Edwards, Lynch and Evans make up a great young offensive trio.
Over-hyped: Cleveland -- Some analysts are picking the Browns to win the AFC North, but their 10-6 record last year was a tease. Cleveland only beat one team that finished with a winning record in 2007.

NFC OUTLOOK

1. Dallas -- The Cowboys have the best collection of stars in the NFL and on paper are the best team in the NFC East. Last season's 13 wins weren't a fluke, the 'Boys will be back.
2. Green Bay -- The Packers are built for another long playoff run. With Aaron Rodgers assuming the helm, Green Bay will prove last year's championship game wasn't just Brett Favre's doing.
3. Seattle -- I'll probably regret this, but the Seahawks look like the most consistent team in the NFC Worst.. I mean west. They should run away with their weak division again.
4. New Orleans -- Will somebody please give Drew Brees an MVP award already! Brees has a plethora of targets to throw to and the Saints should regain their conference championship form.
5. NY Giants -- Losing Osi Umenyiora for the season hurts. But it seems like the Giants can plug anyone into their D-line and get results. This is a scary power football team.
6. Tampa Bay -- The Bucs are going to win their games in the trenches. Both the offensive and defensive lines are great, and the ageless wonder Jeff Garica can still deliver the goods.
Playoff bubble: Arizona -- The Cardinals playoff hopes are contingent on one big if. If Kurt Warner starts at QB in place of Matt Leinart, Arizona should make a playoff run.
Over-hyped: Philadelphia -- The Eagles seem to be a consensus pick for the Wild Card. But Donovan McNabb & company can't stay healthy, which doesn't bode well for making the postseason.

AFC Championship: Chargers over Jaguars

NFC Championship: Giants over Cowboys

Super Bowl: Chargers over Giants