Random Thoughts Thursday

This is gonna be short and sweet...I've got to be in class in T minus 15 minutes...Be on the lookout for a possible Mount Rushmore post later in the afternoon if I have a chance before I go to work tonight...I'll get to the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies in a minute, but first a few bullet points...

*Not sure how many of you watch the Ulitmate Fighter Wednesday Night's on SpikeTV, but it's easily the best reality show on television. If you love Mixed Martial Arts, you'll enjoy the show. If you're into drama between housemates, you'll really like the show. And if you have a special place in your heart for douchebag villians like I do, you'll absolutely love this show. Last season was tremendous in part because Forrest Griffin and Rampage Jackson have such contrasting personalities as the two coaches. This season I didn't think could possibly have the same sort of intrigue with Frank Mir and Antonio Noguiera as the coaches, but Dana White proved his genius yet again, by casting television's best new bad guy since Spencer Pratt. Junie Browning as a decent enough fighter with some serious inner demons who causes all sorts of issues when he catches even the slightest wiff of an adult beverage. He's done outrageous things on several occasions that would have normally gotten a contestant kicked off, yet Dana is smart enough to realize that by keeping him in the house, the tension builds and when he does finally get blasted in the ring, it will make for outstanding television...

*Is Greg Oden destined to be Sam Bowie for the remainder of his career? What is it about Portland big men anyway? Injuries plagued Bill Walton coming out of UCLA, otherwise the Trail Blazers would have had a dynasty on their hands in the late 1970's. Oden just can't seem to stay healthy and that's gotte be disheartening for Blazer fans who have anticipated this kid's debut for over a year now. Speaking of the NBA, how's my Eastern Conference NBA Finals prediction looking after the Wizards got worked by the lowly Nets in their opener last night? Can I get a mulligan on that one?

*Finally, congratulations to the Fightin Phils on their first World Series Title since 1980. They proved to be the better team and Cole Hamels is the truth. My fantasy teams are stacked heading into next season with Hamels, Howard & Lincecum as my keepers in one league and Reyes, Longoria & Lincecum in the other. I love Joe Madden and while it's obvious that he did an incredible job with this young roster, I do think he made a couple questionable decisions last night after the resumption of play. I can't defend allowing J.P. Howell stay in and bat and waiting that long to utilize David Price. But the decision that really had me scratching my head that no one seemed to mention, was why on earth you would pinch hit for Rocco Baldelli who had just homered to tie the game? And for Ben Zobrist? Gimme a break...