"Shoot at the middle rim."

By Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell

Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and vice-presidential candidate, has caught some criticism at a recent convention for apparently writing notes on her left hand. Who knows what she really recorded on the all-natural notepad. Perhaps some notes to not forget in her speech or maybe just a reminder of what to do or not to do.

This got me thinking about athletes and their struggles in front of the microphone. Some could use their own notes so they stop putting their figurative foot in their mouth, while others could use some reminders to not repeat bad behavior. So I wonder: what notes and reminders would some athletes write on their palms?

Shaquille O’Neal, Cleveland Cavaliers center at the free throw line: “Shoot at the rim in the middle.”

Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts coach: “Game face at all times.”

Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers center: “Don’t tick off former g/fs w/ cameras.”

Danica Patrick, newest NASCAR driver: “Walk away from ‘rear-ending’ jokes.”

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: “Do NOT forget front tooth today.”

Rick Barnes, University of Texas basketball coach: “Call NCAA about Kevin’s eligibility.”

John Wall, University of Kentucky freshman point guard: “I love playing for Coach Cal.”

Larry Drew, UNC point guard: “Order transcripts for transfer.”

Roy Williams, UNC basketball coach: “Order transcripts for Larry Drew.”

John Terry, Chelsea and England national team midfielder: “Stop answering Victoria Beckham’s calls.”

Pete Rose, MLB all-time hits leader: “Deny Deny Deny … ‘I’m sorry.’”

Mark McGwire, former single season HR record holder: “I’m not here to talk about the past.”

Tiger Woods, pro golfer: Right hand: “I’m here to talk about golf” Left Hand: “Don’t answer John Terry’s calls.”

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings QB: “I ________ be back.”

Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks coach: “Call Calipari – thank him for advice.”

Got any additions? Let ‘The Pine’ hear ‘em!

>Carlo Ancelotti newest Chelsea manager, already seeing transfer strain of EPL financial woes

Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti left AC Milan to become the most recent manager at Stamford Bridge. This is Chelsea’s fifth manager since hiring Jose Mourinho away from FC Porto in 2004.

While Mourinho brought the club two Premier League titles and many other trophies, none after him were able to do the same until this past FA Cup victory. Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s owner, has longed for the manager that can handle the throng of superstars since Mourinho’s departure. His hasty hiring and firing practices has led him now to Ancelotti.

Ancelotti has already felt the financial strain of the Premier League. He wishes to sign a major player to help change the identity of the Blues, but realizes that might not be possible without a sale of his own. Surprisingly, Much has been said about captain John Terry’s possible sale.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe

Some even suggests that the sale of Terry may be the financial gain they need to change the identity of the team to Ancoletti’s liking. Crazy to think of Terry in anything other than Chelsea blue. If Terry or Chelsea actually go through with such a move, one has to question the loyalty in sports today as Terry seems to be of the character of said trait.

Speaking of John Terry…

> Manchester City pulling its best Real Madrid impression, sign Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor

While other clubs have felt the strain of worldwide economic woes, big spending Real Madrid and Manchester City have thrown any financial caution to the wind and have spent. The team making the most headlines this summer in Manchester is not the one you would think.

Manchester City has signed Carlos Tevez away from neighboring Manchester United as well as Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor. City has plenty of fire power and have to be considered a huge threat for the top four positions and Champions League and possibly even the Premier League title.

It’s looking more and more like they won’t get their English star in Terry, as Chelsea have already rejected two offers in the realm of 30 million pounds. Regardless, City have added expensive players like Robinho, Tevez, and now Adebayor. The battle for Manchester may augment itself and become the battle for the Premier League.

>Seattle Sounders drawing consistent crowds, currently sit second in MLS standings in first year

How many people attend an MLS game? I can’t tell you the average across the league, but I bet Seattle’s franchise can debunk your prejudices concerning MLS attendance. For their home games in 2009, they currently average 29,983. Yes, I typed that correctly. In fact, they exceeded 31,000 on three occasions, two of which have been their last two home games. I have plenty of questions.

Should I be surprised? Something tells me that their attendance will drop dramatically after this inaugural season. I have mentioned before that I am a big fan of the Philadelphia franchise building its stadium in Chester, PA. There will be much more of a demand there. But I don’t know if interest in the MLS can be sustained like it is in Seattle.

It might also help that the Sounders, who formerly played in the USL divisions, are one of the league’s best teams. They only trail Houston in terms of standings, attaining 28 points with a 7-3-7 record. Their goal differential is also tops in the leagues along with Houston at +10.

They aren’t without their noticeable players either. Former U.S. national team goalkeeper and Fulham goalkeeper Kasey Keller plays in the net. The Washington state native has recorded five clean sheets so far.

Forward Fredy Montero leads the team with 9 goals and 6 assists. The twenty-one year old Colombian, who celebrates his twenty-second birthday this coming Sunday, is fun to watch. He has skills to become a great player and not just in the MLS. He was very popular in playing in his native country and has four caps for the Colombian national team.

But here is the key for the MLS: can they hang on to a young star like Montero? They’ve lost Jozy Altidore, Maurice Edu, and many others to European transfers. As far as Seattle, it seems to be a beakon of hope as far as soccer interest. European clubs have made many a summer trips to the city because they know there is a demand there. Chelsea returned for a friendly against the Sounders this past Saturday and I think Real Madrid was there a couple of years ago.

You can see Montero’s ability to settle the ball and find the back of the net here. His debut in the MLS where he scored 2 goals and had an assist against New York below. An amazing player.

Got any soccer news or comments? Take a seat on the bench and let your ‘pickins’ be heard.

On the 2010 World Cup…

The most competitive group for the European region has to be Group 7. Lithuania is the surprise leader after two matches, with Serbia, Austria, France and Romania looking up. Here’s to Scotland winning Group 9 and advancing. And speaking of international play…

How much more grueling can these international schedules be? I noticed a host of superstars sitting out until the second half of their English games this weekend, including Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. This weekend I heard a commentator ask the Oregon coach if he thought the travel to Purdue threw his players out of sync. Try being American DeMarcus Beasley, who plays for the Scottish club Rangers, and cross an ocean twice a week to play in some grueling matches. Speaking of Beasley and the Americans…

Why isn’t the U.S. national team popular in its own country? Let me give you an example. I am a high school teacher and coach located near an air force base in North Carolina, so there is quite a few students who are worldly and soccer savvy. Here is a list of the soccer jerseys/t-shirts I have seen at the school: Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, Italy, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chivas, Barcelona, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, AS Roma, and AC Milan. I’ve taught a few of the kids on the soccer team and they can talk at length about any of these club and national teams. If I ask about the U.S., they show no interest.

Lastly, I think we’re going to see a resurrection for England in the next World Cup. Theo Walcott, who plays for Arsenal, scored a hat trick against Andorra. He’s been hyped up for quite some time and is now just starting to mature and show ability to dominate, just not over a long period of time. He’s still very, very young and coming into his own.

On the EPL…

Caught a few minutes of the Manchester City-Chelsea game this past Saturday. Chelsea looks in top form already. Once Drogba gets back to 100% they’ll be tough to even draw with. I was able to catch a little of Robinho’s magic. He looks unbelievable with the ball in tight quarters and will be fun to watch. I don’t know if this legitimizes Manchester City as a threat to qualify for Europe though. After all, they are the EPL equivalent for the New York Mets. So is Man. City the place where potential goes to die? Speaking of Chelsea…

I don’t know why, but I love John Terry and it seems that, outside of Chelsea and England fans, he’s hated. He’s a dirty player at times but I love his passion for the game. When he crosses those lines, he’s fearless. I caught his red card for purposely pulling a player down that had nothing but green in front of him. It was near midfield and there was a defender on his way back, so the red seemed a little harsh. Even the announcers vehemently protested the call and said a yellow would have sufficed.

Liverpool has taken the first round of the North-West derby against Manchester United, 2-1. Right now Liverpool sits atop the table with Chelsea as United continues to look up with only four points. This game made me realize how homely some soccer players are. Berbatov, Carlos Tevez, Ferdinand. Even managers like Middlesbrough’s Gareth Southgate. There are some real monsters out there. I dare you to google some of these names.

I was completely wrong in my EPL predictions. But not about Chelsea winning this year or Man. United finishing below Liverpool. I should have picked Hull City to be my surprise team. I took a chance on West Brom because of their goal differential in the championship last season. Hull City is sitting pretty in fourth place. It won’t last though; they’ve played some struggling teams and their goal differential is –3. And as I look at the table, there are about nine more teams I was completely wrong about. Tottenham in dead last with only a point? That’s a lot of spent money only to be relegated.

What is with EPL teams having funky colors for away and alternate jerseys? Last year Chelsea wore a florescent yellow away jersey; now they’re in black. Manchester City has some sweet home digs with baby blue, but decided this year to go with orange for away. Why? There is no orange in their crest. Manchester United wore blue two years ago. Now those are gone and they’re back to white. This annoys me, just like when the Red Sox wear green or NBA teams decide to have a fifth uniform with a throwback color that no one remembers.