Needles Notes: 21-Year-Old Wins World Series Of Poker Main Event

Here’s something to take your mind off the Packers debacle in Tampa. Is poker a “sport?” That is debatable, but if not, then poker is certainly a profitable business for a lucky few.

 

One of them is Joe Cada, a 21-year-old from Michigan, who chose cards over college, much to the chagrin of his parents. But early Tuesday in Las Vegas, the young poker pro won poker’s biggest prize: the World Series of Poker Main Event title and a cool $8.55 million, becoming the youngest winner in the 40-year history of the tournament.

 

Cada, whose mother is a dealer at MotorCity Casino in Detroit, outlasted 6,493 other players in the tournament, which began back in July, and then took a 115 day break before nine players began play on the final table Saturday.

 

Among those Cada defeated in the final table was Phil Ivey, considered the top poker player in the world, and Darvin Moon, who won $5.18 million for finishing second.

Needles Notes: There’s No Parity In 2009

Remember when parity was supposed to rule sports? 2009 is definitely not a year filled with parity. No, it’s been dominated by the usual suspects.

 

The year began with Florida winning another national championship in college football, and the Gators are on their way to another.

 

The Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl title, more than any other team (although the Packers still own the most NFL championships with 11.)

 

North Carolina dominated college basketball, with the Tar Heels winning their fifth NCAA title (only Kentucky and UCLA have won more).

 

The Lakers won their 15th NBA title, second only to the Celtics, who have won 17.

 

Tiger Woods dominated golf again, even though he didn’t win a major championship.

 

Roger Federer continues to be the dominant force in tennis, setting a record for the most Grand Slam titles with 15.

 

Jimmie Johnson is closing in on his fourth straight NASACAR title, which would be a record.

 

And Wednesday in New York, the Yankees won their 27th World Series title, by far the most of any MLB team. Congratulations to the “Evil Empire” for buying another championship, spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $400 million during the offseason on free agents like C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, to go along with Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and a host of other players making more then $10 million a year.

 

Does the title mean vindication for admitted steroid users like Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte? Here’s what it tells me: the lesson A-Rod and Pettitte gave to the youth of America is, cheat, and you will be rewarded with millions of dollars and a championship, and after receiving forgiveness from the fans, you will be treated like a hero, as long as you win.

 

I prefer parity, and clean ballplayers.

Needles Notes: It’s ‘Throwback’ Month For Wisconsin Sports Teams

It is officially “throwback” month in Wisconsin. The Badgers kicked things off on Saturday — which was technically still October, but stay with me — with their first shutout win over Purdue since 1955, and linebacker Chris Borland became the first Badger to both force and recover at least three fumbles in one season since 1972.

 

On Sunday, Brett Favre had the best performance ever at Lambeau Field by a 40-year-old quarterback.

 

Brandon Jennings became the first Bucks rookie to average at least 20 points per game in his first two NBA games since Marques Johnson in 1977, and added 25 in his third game on Tuesday.

 

Wednesday night, 47-year-old former Badger Chris Chelios skates against the Admirals at the Bradley Center for the Chicago Wolves. Chelios helped lead the Badgers to the 1983 NCAA Championship before embarking on a 25-year NHL career.

 

And, this Sunday in Tampa, the Buccaneers will wear their “Throwback Uniforms” against the Packers, featuring the orange and white color scheme they wore from 1976 to 1996. The Packers will be wearing their normal uniforms, but it looks like Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher will be the starting offensive tackles for Green Bay, reprising the roles they filled for most of the games between 2000 and 2008.

Needles Notes: Leading Rookies May Have Played In Wis. Last Weekend

Sports fans might have seen two rookies of the year playing in Wisconsin in the span of 24 hours this past weekend.

 

Saturday night, Bucks rookie guard Brandon Jennings put on an incredible show at the Bradley Center in the Bucks’ home opener, scoring 16 of his 24 points in the third quarter, single-handedly taking over the game against the Pistons, which the Bucks won 96-85.

 

They are only two games into the season, but Jennings has already made himself the frontrunner for NBA Rookie of the Year, especially with Clippers forward Blake Griffin, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury. Again, the NBA season is only games old, but Jennings might be the most dynamic Bucks rookie since … well, maybe Glenn Robinson in 1994, certainly since Lou Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) in 1969.

 

Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, the difference maker in the Vikings’ 38-26 win over the Packers was not Brett Favre. It was Vikings rookie Percy Harvin, who appears to be the favorite for the Rookie of the Year award in the NFL. Harvin caught five passes for 84 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown grab when he beat three defenders to pluck the ball out of the air, then danced around his fallen foes. Harvin also returned five kickoffs for 175 yards (an average of 35 yards per return), including returns of 77 and 48 yards to set up touchdowns. Throw in a 2-yard run, and Harvin accounted for 251 yards, tilting the field in the Vikings’ favor.

Needles Notes: Rodgers Needs To Take Some Blame

I got into a huge debate on the radio on Monday about Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. On one hand, Rodgers passed for 287 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions Sunday in the loss to the Vikings, he is the NFC’s top-ranked passer and he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October.

 

On the other hand, Rodgers is on pace to set a Green Bay record for most times sacked in one season, which is a product of both inept play by the offensive line and Rodgers holding onto the ball too long. Also, in one and a half seasons as the Packers starter, Rodgers now has a record of 10-13, playing with nearly the same cast of characters as the group Brett Favre led to a 13-3 record and a spot on the 2007 NFC Championship game.

 

I believe the Packers made the right move in trading Favre to the Jets last year, making room for Rodgers to finally take over the starting job. I also do not believe Rodgers is to blame for the Packers having only four victories against teams with a winning record over the last two years.

 

However, I also feel Rodgers is not immune to criticism. I think he has, in some ways, received a “pass” from the media (myself included) over the last two years because of the incredible way he has handled all of the “Favre drama” with class, and I believe we sometimes fail to criticize his play. Rodgers needs a signature win that he engineers in the face of great odds late in a ballgame against one of the top teams in the NFL. Fair or not, that was something Favre often did, and Rodgers does not have one on his resume. It’s not always his fault, but I believe the NFL is a quarterback league, and most of the pressure should fall on the starting quarterback.

 

The majority of NFL MVP awards have gone to quarterbacks. The majority of Super Bowl MVP awards have gone to quarterbacks. The majority of the highest-paid players in the NFL are quarterbacks. The quarterbacks receive most of the credit when a team wins; conversely, they should receive the same amount of blame when a team loses.

Sutton Says: Game Not A Total Dud

As Brett Favre made his way onto the field for the Vikings opening drive, the cheers for Favre were drowned out by boos. A smile filled his face, whether he was glad to be back at the Frozen Tundra which led him to a Super Bowl or the fact that this is really happening.

 

For all of the publicity this past week about Favre’s first time back at Lambeau and the question of what is the best team he has been on, did the game really live up to the hype?

 

The first half of the game had the implications of a dud. The Vikings came right out of the gates and racked up 17 points in the half. It wasn’t until halfway through the 3rd quarter that the Packer’s offense woke up from it’s slumber.

 

Packer fullback Spencer Havner was a surprise today, he had two receiving touchdowns that brought the Packers back into the game. The Vikings sealed the game with two more passing touchdowns in the 4th quarter. Jeff Dugan scored on a 2-yard pass and Bernard Berrian added one on a 16 yard reception.

 

The quarterback battle was what made this game live up to its hype. Brett Favre threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns and counterpart Aaron Rodgers had 287 yards and three touchdowns, respectively.

 

Although the score was not what most of the Cheesehead state wanted, it definitely made for an exciting Sunday afternoon.

Kendeigh’s Corner: Boos And Cheers Will Both Be Loud

All week long we in the media have been suggesting ways to greet Brett Favre Sunday at Lambeau Field.

 

Should you boo him? Should you cheer him? Should you sit in silence? My feeling is people will boo and boo loudly. And, some will cheer and cheer loudly.

 

My guess is there will be more boos than cheers. But when? There’s no way they will introduce the Vikings individually. So, do you boo him when he trots onto the field 45 minutes before game time? Favre was always one who savored the pregame kibitzing with opponents and other dignitaries but don’t expect it Sunday. He didn’t do it on that Monday night in Minnesota, he won’t do it Sunday either.

 

That leaves the big reaction to when he leads the Vikings on to the field before their first series. Before you decide how to greet him, remember the 16 great years in Green Bay, the Super Bowl title, the return trip the following year. Remember too that it was Brett Favre who retired from the Packers.

 

It was Brett Favre who got cold feet a month later, changed his mind to play again and then changed it back before the news became public.

 

It was Brett Favre who put his team in a terrible spot by having a change of heart at the 11th hour.

 

There’s no question he’s one of the greatest players in Packers history. However, he’s the most prominent player on football’s most storied franchise to join its most bitter rival.

 

So, remember the good times yes, but also remember the bad as well. You decide.

Needles Notes: Favre Says Only 2 Family Members Going To Game

There are some interesting notes from Brett Favre’s news conference Wednesday in Minneapolis. Favre said only two members of his family plan to attend Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field, and he refuted reports back in June that his family had booked a large block of rooms at a Green Bay hotel for this weekend.

 

“No,” Favre said. “There’s only two going. I heard that we booked 40 rooms or something, but I’m way too cheap for that, I can assure you.”

 

As for the reception he expects Sunday, Favre said he has been booed before in Green Bay and expects to hear both cheers and boos from Packers fans. However, the Vikings quarterback said he is not hurt by Packers fans who no longer support him.

 

“Packer fans are, as you know, like no other. If you’re a true Packer fan, you want the Packers to win, and if you’re a Brett Favre fan, then this week you obviously don’t want me to win, but for the most part you’re like, ‘I hope the guy does well, but I hope the Packers go all the way.’ To me, that’s it. Now for the people that have jumped ship, or whatever, completely, what can I do?”

 

Favre also revealed that he has been feeling ill since last Friday, and he was listed on the Vikings injury report with a sore hip, but you know there is nothing in the world that will keep him from taking the field Sunday.

 

One other item that could add fuel to the fire — Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. Rodgers is the NFC’s top-ranked quarterback (Favre ranks third), but Favre’s Vikings hold a one and a half game lead over the Packers, and the veteran outplayed his former backup in the first meeting Oct. 5 in the Vikings 30-23 victory.

Needles Notes: It’s A Big Day In Operation Football

It’s Christmas day for high school football fans: the opening night of the WIAA state playoffs. 224 teams begin play Tuesday night, and the field will be trimmed down to 56 teams by the time Brett Favre takes the field at Lambeau Sunday afternoon.

 

In my opinion, the two best first round matchups are in Division 2. Greendale (7-2) plays at Franklin (7-2), while Cedarburg (8-1) hosts Sussex Hamilton (7-2).

 

Barring first round upsets, the action really heats up Saturday in the second round, with these potential matchups: Waukesha West (9-0) vs. Arrowhead (7-1), two of the top five teams in the entire state; top-ranked Homestead (9-0) vs. Menomonee Falls (8-1); the Franklin/Greendale winner vs. Waterford (8-1); and the Brown Deer/Catholic Memorial winner vs. the Whitefish Bay/New Berlin Eisenhower winner.

 

The odds are very strong that we will see an all-southeastern Wisconsin matchup in the Division 1 championship game on Nov. 20 in Madison: Homestead, in the title game for the fourth straight year (if they can survive without playing a single playoff game at home), against the survivor of the other bracket (Waukesha West, Arrowhead, Marquette or Kenosha Bradford).

 

Cedarburg or Franklin have an excellent chance to reach the Division 2 championship game, and Pewaukee and Wisconsin Lutheran have to be the favorites in Division 3.

Needles Notes: Here’s Another Drama, Better Than Ballon Boy Or Jon And Kate

As we prepare for round two of Brett Favre versus the Packers, another scintilating story that actually knocked “Balloon Boy” and “Jon & Kate” out of the headlines for a few days is winding down.

 

ESPN has fired both baseball analyst Steve Phillips, and the 22 year old production assistant whose affair with Phillips led to his termination.

 

Here’s where the story takes another interesting turn, with the following passage taken from an Associated Press story by Stephanie Reitz.

 

A representative for Phillips said he is entering an inpatient treatment facility “to address his personal issues” but did not elaborate on the issues or type of treatment Phillips is seeking.

 

With his voluntary trip to an inpatient treatment facility, Phillips becomes the latest in a growing number of celebrities to enter rehabilitation programs or seek counseling amid scandals about their behavior.

 

“If you can say, ‘I’m getting treated for this,’ it can be a way of saying, ‘It’s not my fault that I did it,”‘ said Lori Brown, an associate professor of sociology at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C.

 

“We as a society are trying to ‘medicalize’ almost everything, even criminal or immoral behavior or behavior that’s socially inept – but being a jerk is being a jerk,” Brown said. “For people who are in the rehab field, it can be irritating to know that someone really needs the resources and can’t get them, when someone else may use it just to hide away for a while.”

 

And now, back to Brett Favre versus the Packers, round two…