SOX & Dawgs

BangTheBook.com was started back in 2001 as a sports handicapping service. After a few years BTB realized that in order to help people bet on sports the best way was to have an open sports pick forum where sports betting enthusiasts can share football picks and sports betting tips. As the forum grew BTB then noticed the need for online sportsbook reviews to provide players reputable places to bet. Along with daily bookmaker bonus code information and poker promo codes. BangTheBook specializes in most major sports including College Football, NFL Football, College Basketball, Major League Baseball, NBA Basketball, and NHL Hockey so no matter what time of the year it is you can be sure that BTB will have all your football betting and sports needs covered.

Thabeet Breaks Jaw

Ian — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:15:15 +0000

Former UConn Huskies and current Memphis Grizzlies center Hasheem Thabeet is out indefinitely after fracturing his jaw on Tuesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

While battling underneath the basket, Thabeet collided with Zach Randolph’s head which fractured his jaw.

Thabeet’s had a slow start for the Grizzlies. In seven games, he’s scored four points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Jasper Howard Stabbing Started With a Fight Over a Girl

Ian — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:21:44 +0000

The arrest affidavit for John Lomax III, the person charged with the stabbing of UConn Huskies cornerback Jasper Howard, was released on Tuesday and it appears the fight started over a girl.

Redshirt freshman wide receivers Brian Parker and A.J. Portee made some remarks about a girl and were confronted by Johnny Hood, who was also arrested on charges of interfering with an officer and breach of peace. The police had come onto the scene and tried to clear up the mess.

Meanwhile, witnesses state that Lomax and Hakim Hakim Muhammad, who was charged with conspiracy to commit first degree assault, went back to their car to retrieve something. They then encountered Howard.

According to Michael Smith, a sophomore receiver on the football team, he saw Jazz throw a punch at Lomax. After he threw the punch, Jazz was then stabbed by Lomax according to the arrest warrant. Jazz then ran across the street saying he’d been stabbed and eventually fell down on the ground by the Student Union.

Parker was stabbed during the fight as well as one of his teammates tried to pull him from the fight.

You can reading the entire arrest warrant here.

Bart Steele Moves Forward With Lawsuit

Ian — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:07:03 +0000

Last year in October, I was contacted by Bart Steele, who is suing TBS among others for a song that he had written last year. Well late last night, he updated me on the situation and here is what he says in his own words:

Appeal filed in Steele v. Turner Broadcasting et al (case#08-11727)
Coincidence or Copyright Infringement?

On Friday, November 6, 2009, I filed a Notice of Appeal to the First Circuit Federal Court, which marks a turning point in my copyright lawsuit. The defendants in the case include Turner Broadcasting, Major League Baseball, The Boston Red Sox, and Bon Jovi. These defendants are connected in many ways–Major League Baseball Advanced Media runs Bon Jovi’s website.

My lawsuit is based on what I believe was the defendants’ use of my Boston baseball playoff song “Man I Love This Team” as a temp track in the production of a commercial for Major League Baseball. The audio portion of that commercial was performed by Bon Jovi. I believe that commercial–both the visual images and the Bon Jovi audio-were derived from my song.

I sent my song to the Red Sox and Major League Baseball and told them I had written another version called “Man I Really Love This Town.” In basic legal terms, what I believe defendants did was make an “unauthorized derivative work.” Their MLB “I Love This Town” campaign was one of the most expensive sports commercials in history.

The easiest way to understand what they did is to watch the commercial, with my song substituted for the Bon Jovi audio, and see how well it matches up. Boston Magazine described this as “advertising’s equivalent of Dark Side of the Moon and The Wizard of Oz.” Actually, it’s worse. Watch the commercial with my song (posted below) and decide for yourself. The documents I filed with the trial court contain extensive detail about the similarities, but here are just a few:

at the exact time I am singing “Yawkey Way”, the video shows a Yawkey Way street sign, and Bon Jovi is singing “this street”
at the exact time I sing “Tigers”, the video shows a Detroit Tigers player
over 50% of the commercial’s lyrics are identical to, or paraphrased from, my song
96% of the commercial’s frame cut editing is in perfect synchronization with my song’s tempo, beat and measure
the commercial and my song are exactly the same length.

As you watch and listen for yourself, keep in mind that the defendants claim the commercial was a wholly independent creation, neither copied from nor influenced by my song. Yet, at the same time they admitted they had access to my song. They claim that any similiarities (and there are many-see for yourself) are mere coincidence. You decide. The video is posted below.

“Thou Shalt Not Steele” – Bart Steele 11/09/09

This announcement and the MLB video with my song are conveniently located at:
www.myspace.com/chelseacitycouncil

And here is the Bon Jovi/MLB version.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 11/10

Ian — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:12:45 +0000

UConn Football links

Has There Been A Team That’s Lost Five Games By 15 Pts.? [Desmond Conner - Hartford Courant]

Your Thoughts On UConn At 6-6 And Bowling? [Desmond Conner - Hartford Courant]

Big East football: Pike might start for Cincinnati [Connecticut Post]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Vanguard reflections [Jim Fuller - New Haven Register]

Signing on the dotted line [Jim Fuller - New Haven Register]

Davis Likes UConn [Rich Elliott - Connecticut Post]

UConn women roll; Dixon hurt [Connecticut Post]

Dixon Strains Hamstring In UConn Win [Hartford Courant]

State recruits finding success outside Storrs [New Haven Register]

Huskies impressive even on an off night [New Haven Register]

Dixon injury mars UConn exhibition win [The Day]

UConn women suffer 1st key injury [The Republican-American]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Coombs-McDaniel Good to Go [David Borges - New Haven Register]

Gavin Edwards Through Two [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Jamal Coombs-McDaniel Cleared To Play [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Coombs-McDaniel good to go [Neill Ostrout - Connecticut Post]

Countdown: 4 [TheUConnBlog.com]

NCAA says UConn freshman good to go [Connecticut Post]

UConn Men: Coombs-McDaniel Eligible To Play [Hartford Courant]

Coombs-McDaniel cleared to play for Huskies [The Day]

UConn men’s freshman cleared to play [The Republican-American]

Other UConn related links

Momentary Huskies: The Best Of UConn Basketball Transfers [Hartford Courant]

Men’s Ice Hockey: Huskies Unveil New Third Uniform For 50th Season [UConnHuskies.com]

Men’s Ice Hockey: Larson Named AHA Rookie Of The Week [UConnHuskies.com]

Women’s Volleyball: Connecticut Garners BIG EAST Volleyball Weekly Honors [UConnHuskies.com]

Women’s Soccer: Huskies To Face BU In First Round Of NCAA Tournament [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey: Bubbler sisters get it done for Huskies [The Sentinel]

Jason Varitek Back With Red Sox In 2010

Ian — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:50:26 +0000

Just hours after the Boston Red Sox declined their option on catcher Jason Varitek, he has decided to exercise his player option worth $3 million. He can make an additional $2 million in incentives based on the number of games he starts.

The news was first reported by Adam Hirshfield of NESN.com.

With Victor Martinez coming back as the full-time catcher, the Captain will most likely will be relegated to the backup catcher’s spot. My best guess is that he’ll probably catch at least Josh Beckett and maybe Jon Lester on occasion.

Varitek hit .209 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs in 109 games during the 2009 season. He did see his role reduced behind the plate when VMart was acquired from the Cleveland Indians.

Jason Varitek to Exercise Player Option, Will Stay With Red Sox [NESN.com]

Theo: Red Sox see Martinez as their everyday catcher [Full Count]

Update 10:44 PM: According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe via Twitter, Jason Varitek has not picked up his option yet. He does say that it could come on Tuesday.

Wakefield Re-Signed For Two Years; Varitek’s Option Declined

Ian — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:27:26 +0000

Rather than exercise the annual $4 million option on Tim Wakefield, the Boston Red Sox have re-signed him to a 2-year deal worth $7 million. They also announced they have declined the $5 million option on Jason Varitek’s contract. Varitek still holds a $3 million team option that includes $2 million in incentives based on games played.

According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, the deal for Wakefield is worth $3.5 million in 2010. In 2011, he would be paid a base salary of $1.5 million and could earn an additional $2 million in incentives.

Wakefield needs 18 more wins to become the Red Sox all-time winningest pitcher. He was 11-5 and had a 4.58 ERA in 21 starts. He spent a good part of the second half on the disabled list with back problems. He’s had the problem surgically repaired and will be ready for the spring training in 2010.

Update: John Tomase of the Boston Herald has the breakdown of Wakefield’s new deal.

Red Sox Exercise Option On Contract Of Victor Martinez

Ian — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:15:38 +0000

Back on October 12th, we learned that the Boston Red Sox were going to pick up the option on the contract of catcher Victor Martinez. And today, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein made it official.

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have exercised the $7.5 million option on VMart’s contract. And he has also points out, we know wait to see if the Red Sox will do the same thing with Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.

The Red Sox hold an annual $4 million option on Wakefield and hold a $5 million option on Jason Vartiek. Tek also has a $3 million player option plus can earn an additional $2 million in incentives based on how many games he starts.

In 56 games with the Red Sox, VMart hit .336 with 8 home runs, 41 RBIs and a stolen base. Overall in 155 games with the Indians (99 games) and Red Sox, he hit .303 with 23 home runs, 103 RBIs and a stolen base.

In other Red Sox news, Nick Green and Joey Gathright have elected to become free agents after being outrighted to the minors last Thursday.

Jordan Todman Named To Big East Honor Roll

Ian — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:59:45 +0000

Any other week when you score four touchdowns, you’re probably going to be named the Big East Offensive Player of the Week. But on a week where your defense gives up 711 total yards and 555 yards to one person, you’re going to have to settle for the Big East Honor Roll.

And that’s just what UConn Huskies running back Jordan Todman will have to do as he was named to the Big East Honor Roll on Monday.

In the 47-45 loss to Cincinnati on Saturday night, Todman had 26 carries for a career-high 162 yards and a career-best four touchdowns.

The Huskies are off this week as they prepare for a trip to South Bend, IN to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 21st. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 11/9

Ian — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:51:14 +0000

UConn Women’s Basketball links

It’s game day for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team as they will wrap up exhibition play with a game against Vanguard at 7 p.m. at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. There is no television coverage but the game will be available on Husky Vision for $9.95. You can listen to the game on the WTIC/UConn Radio Network.

Rebecca and RuthAnn Lobo to appear at UConn on Monday [John Altavilla - Hartford Courant]

Delle Donne Out Of The Gate In Style [John Altavilla - Hartford Courant]

Jess McCormack Is Back On The Floor [Basketball New Zealand] [John Atlavilla - Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Buck struggles to adjust [Connecticut Post]

UConn Women Play Second Exhibition Tonight [Hartford Courant]

Sophomore Hayes embracing new leadership role [New Haven Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

By a Toenail [David Borges - New Haven Register]

Dyson Rips Apart Big Toe, Shreds UMass-Lowell Defense [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Still Not Much From Chuck Okwandu; Plenty From Oriakhi [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

UMass-Lowell Coach Greg Herenda [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Kingsley Onyechi on Alex Oriakhi [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

More Calhoun Analysis of Oriakhi and Okwandu [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Countdown: 5 [TheUConnBlog.com]

Rust Proof [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Patched-up Dyson scores 32 in UConn’s final preseason tuneup [Connecticut Post]

UConn’s Dyson Scores 32 Despite Painful Toe Injury [Hartford Courant]

No stopping Huskies’ Dyson [New Haven Register]

Dyson returns, scores 32 despite torn toenail in exhibition finale [The Day]

New No. 34 for UConn men [The Republican-American]

A ‘DIFFERENT’ UCONN READY FOR BIG EAST IN 09-10 [NBE Basketball Report]

UConn Football links

Following up Cincinnati loss [Chip Malafronte - New Haven Register]

Edsall: The Day After Cincinnati [Desmond Conner - Hartford Courant]

UConn Football Chat With Desmond Conner Live At 10:30 a.m. [Desmond Conner - Hartford Courant]

Why Hasn’t The Reason UConn Isn’t Good Been Reported? [Desmond Conner - Hartford Courant]

What we learned in the Big East, Week 10 [Big East Blog - ESPN.com]

Week 10 review, Week 11 preview [Big East Blog - ESPN.com]

Big East power rankings, Week 11 [Big East Blog - ESPN.com]

Quick Sunday call [John Silver - Journal Inquirer]

The day after another close shave [Neill Ostrout - Connecticut Post]

Bye week should provide relief for UConn football team [Connecticut Post]

Edsall Won’t Single Out UConn’s Defense [Hartford Courant]

Bye week gives Huskies opportunity to rest up for Irish [New Haven Register]

Huskies’ frustration mounts after another strong effort results in loss [The Day]

Better times ahead for UConn football [The Republican-American]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey: BIG EAST Field Hockey Champions!!! [UConnHuskies.com]

Women’s Ice Hockey: Special Teams Play Key in 7-2 Women’s Ice Hockey Victory at Maine [UConnHuskies.com]

Women’s Volleyball: Balanced Efforts Lead Huskies to BIG EAST Weekend Sweep [UConnHuskies.com]

Men’s Soccer: One and done, again [The Daily Campus]

Field hockey takes home Big East tournament title [The Daily Campus]

Where Will Alex Gonzalez End Up In 2010?

Ian — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:05:21 +0000

Right now, it’s not looking like he’ll be a member of the Boston Red Sox.

According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have declined the $6 million option on the contract of shortstop Alex Gonzalez. He does say the Red Sox would like to have him back at a lesser salary.

By declining the option, the Red Sox will pay the $500,000 buyout on his contract.

Given the fact that Jed Lowrie has had injury problems, this move is surprising to me.

The Red Sox will now enter the offseason without a shortstop, a position which has been something of a black hole for them since the trade of Nomar Garciaparra. Gonzalez did an admirable job in 2006 but wasn’t asked back.

He did the same thing in 2009 as he committed just one error in 44 games with the Red Sox. Not known for his bat, he was rather productive as he hit .284 with five home runs and fifteen RBIs.

I sure hope that Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has a plan because Red Sox Nation will be all over him if he doesn’t bring in a shortstop that can get the job done. All you need to do is look at what happened to Julio Lugo.

“Celebration of the Life of Jasper Howard”

Ian — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:50:40 +0000

Here is a press release from the University of Connecticut Division of Athletics concerning an event to honor the memory of UConn Huskies cornerback Jasper Howard.

STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut will host a “Celebration of the Life of Jasper Howard” on Thursday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Jorgensen Auditorium on the Storrs campus.

Howard, a UConn football student-athlete, passed away on Sunday, October 18.

The celebration will provide the greater University community an opportunity to remember Howard through several speakers and musical interludes.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 11/8

Ian — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:17:14 +0000

UConn Men’s Basketball links

It’s game day for the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team as they will take on UMass Lowell in exhibition play at the Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT at 1:00 p.m. There is no television coverage but the game will be available on Husky Vision for $9.95. You can listen to the game on the WTIC/UConn Radio Network.

Countdown: 6 [TheUConnBlog.com]

UConn vs. UMass-Lowell Sunday [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Jerome Dyson Playing For First Time Since Feb. 11 [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Alex Oriakhi Off To Good Start [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Calhoun Likes Challenge Of UMass-Lowell [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Okwandu Needs To Improve [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Jim Calhoun on Darius Smith [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Who’s Your Shooter? [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

Austrie, Anderson on the court together Nov. 27 [Mike Anthony - Hartford Courant]

UConn Moments: Top 10 Men’s Losses [Hartford Courant]

Lowell Connector [David Borges - New Haven Register]

At last, Dyson back as UConn starter [Connecticut Post]