Yoenis Cespedes is a good catch for Red Sox

We’ve seen the incredible out-of-body throws Yoenis Cespedes has made from left field. We’ve seen his power to all fields. We’ve seen his baserunning ability.

He is, basically, a five-tool player. So why did the A’s trade their cleanup hitter for Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes? Well, they did it because they believe pitching will bring them over the top and into the World Series. A championship is the one thing that’s eluded Billy Beane’s run of superb teams with a limited budget.

Beane has always been willing to give up something to get something. So he gave the Red Sox what they wanted - a centerpiece player who can help revamp their offense, give them outstanding defense and as he heads into his prime years become a more complete player.

 

Cespedes has a .767 OPS but a.303 on base percentage with only 28 walks. That flies in the face of what the Red Sox offense has looked like the past few years, but this is where Melvin believes Cespedes will get so much better.In a recent discussion with A’s manager Bob Melvin, who threw batting practice to Cespedes almost every day, he commented that at some stage of his career he’s going to pull all facets of his game together and become an even greater force.

A powerfully built man, Cespedes, who comes in at a shade under 6 feet and 220 pounds of muscle, has 17 homers and 67 RBI for the A’s. He is hitting .256. His value will also be in protecting David Ortiz in the lineup. And with Mike Napoli’s power, the Red Sox now have two power bats in the middle of the order from the right side.

The Red Sox outfield is now one of the top defensive outfields in baseball. Cespedes and Jackie Bradley Jr.’s arm should really help deter opposing runners from taking the extra base.

If the Red Sox keep Shane Victorino in right and he stays healthy, that becomes an excellent defensive mix.

Losing Jon Lester is never good. But if you had to lose him, why not lose him for an impact offensive player?

The Red Sox also received a competitive balance pick from Oakland. So this is almost as if the Red Sox lost Lester as a free agent. This way they get the draft pick and they get the All-Star player.

The Red Sox didn’t get any prospects in the deal, but there could be more ahead. Andrew Miller is sought after by a dozen teams so he should bring quite a bit in return.

Those prospects can bring you established players.

As we’ve pointed out, replacing Lester is one of the hardest things to do. We’ve mentioned Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels as a possibility with four years and an option remaining on his contract.

A free-agent like James Shields could be a possibility as his price tag will be far less than Lester’s. Cliff Lee could also be a possibility with two years remaining on his contract if he doesn’t go in a deal in the next month.

Losing Lester is tough, but with a premiere slugger in an era where power is hard to find the Red Sox came out of it pretty well.

Cespedes is a free-agent after next year, so the Red Sox have to begin thinking of an extension for the 28-year-old outfielder. He will make $10.5 million next season.

Sources:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/07/31/yoenis-cespedes-good-catch-for-red-sox/DyJrJQBnJ7bM5NgfCxL5aN/story.html

Usain Bolt has denied labelling the Commonwealth Games are "a bit shit"

Glasgow: Superstar athlete Usain Bolt has denied labelling the Commonwealth Games are "a bit shit", dismissing quotes in a newspaper report as nonsense. According to The Times, the world's fastest man said the Glasgow Games were "a bit shit", and that he was "not really" having fun.

"The Olympics were better," he reportedly said as he waited for his car in the drizzle on Tuesday.

But the Jamaican runner used Twitter to deny the report on Wednesday.

"I'm waking up to this nonsense..journalist please dont create lies to make headlines," he said.

Bolt's manager Ricky Simms told BBC Sport the remarks attributed to the athlete were "utter rubbish".

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Glasgow: Superstar athlete Usain Bolt has denied labelling the Commonwealth Games are "a bit shit", dismissing quotes in a newspaper report as nonsense. According to The Times, the world's fastest man said the Glasgow Games were "a bit shit", and that he was "not really" having fun.

"The Olympics were better," he reportedly said as he waited for his car in the drizzle on Tuesday.

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Not a happy selfie ... Usain Bolt at the netball on Thursday. Photo: AFP
But the Jamaican runner used Twitter to deny the report on Wednesday.

"I'm waking up to this nonsense..journalist please dont create lies to make headlines," he said.

Bolt's manager Ricky Simms told BBC Sport the remarks attributed to the athlete were "utter rubbish".

Bolt from the .... Prince Harry with Usain Bolt in Glasgow. Photo: Reuters
Simms added: "The atmosphere in and around the stadiums has been absolutely fantastic and I have absolutely no idea where these quotes have come from."

I'm waking up to this nonsense..journalist please don't create lies to make headlines

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 30, 2014
When asked about the reported criticisms from the Games' biggest drawcard, Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Hooper deferred to Bolt's Twitter statement.

"We take Mr Bolt at his word," he told reporters.

"We're very pleased with how he's responded and that's our position."

Referring back to Bolt's weekend press conference, Hooper said: "He's very upbeat, very positive, very focused on delivering for his fellow countrymen in the relay events.

"He has said what he's said and I don't wish to comment on the journalistic work of The Times."

The Jamaican spent part of Tuesday at a reception with the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, before the obligatory round of photo opportunities.

Other than that, he has kept a low profile, having earlier said he would be trying to avoid the cameras as much as possible.

Prior to Bolt's Twitter denial, Australia's team boss Steve Moneghetti said he'd spoken to all his 607 athletes and officials and had received nothing but positive feedback.

"Village life is terrific, the accommodation, the training venues are outstanding. Our athletes are saying they are some of the best they've ever had," he said.

Bolt arrived in Glasgow to a flurry of interest from the locals. Fellow athletes and officials have seemingly been desperate to get a ''selfie'' with the fastest man in the world.

So, why has Bolt chosen to make his way to Scotland this time around? Earlier this week he explained that having missed the 2006 Games in Melbourne with a strained hamstring and the 2010 Delhi version because it interrupted his world championships preparation, he was keen to run at an event "that Jamaicans have always been keen to take part in".

Autos off, eateries to shut for Bangalore bandh today

BANGALORE: Normal life is likely to be disrupted on Thursday as autorickshaws will go off roads, restaurants plan to remain closed and there are doubts over functioning of multiplexes and bus services. For, more than 50 pro-Kannada organizations have called a dawn-to-dusk Bangalore bandh to protest increasing incidence of sexual crime against women and children.

Schools are also likely to remain closed and services in government offices disrupted as the bandh is backed by the Karnataka Government Employees' Association, which has 45,000 members, including government school teachers. BBMP employees will also keep off work. However, the courts will function as usual.

"Everybody should support us on Thursday. Only then we can send a strong message to rapists and curb increasing violence against women. If people violate the bandh call and go on with activities such as film shows and shooting, we will stage protest on the spot. Those not supporting the bandh will be responsible for any damage happening there," Vatal Nagaraj, head of the forum of pro-Kannada organisations, said.

Vatal said the problem is not only about the increasing sexual crimes, but also about the brand Bangalore. "Around 10,000 people will take out a peaceful rally from Town Hall to the chief minister's residence in the morning," he added.

Though the government has not declared a holiday, several private educational institutions have decided to remain closed. Others will take a call on Thursday morning. "The safety of schoolchildren is our responsibility. The schools will decide depending upon the situation," said L R Shivaramegowda of the Karnataka Private Schools Joint Action Committee.

Similar is the situation with colleges. "Colleges can decide on their own depending upon the situation," said B Thimme Gowda, VC, Bangalore University.

However, exams have been postponed. The MBA fourth-semester examination of Bangalore University scheduled for Thursday will be held on August 5; the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board's I DEd Examination scheduled for Thursday will now be held on Friday.

The Jawahar Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park will also remain closed. Others that will be shut are APMC markets. Private goods trucks will also go off roads.

Most private companies are planning to wait and watch, while others have made alternative transportation arrangements for their staff. TCS and IBM have given their employees option to work from home, while Infosys said, "At the moment it is business as usual. However, our bus schedule has been modified."

The BMTC and KSRTC will operate as per schedule. It's usually the buses that are attacked by protesters, so the corporations have beefed up security.

G Ramesh, BMTC director (security and vigilance), said, "Services will be normal. But we have sought police protection to secure our buses and depots. We have also alerted our depot managers to take security measures for the buses."

BNS Reddy, KSRTC director (security and vigilance), "The bandh would start only by 8am and most of our operation is during night and Bangalore-bound buses would reach early morning. Major services are not going to be affected." The transport department has asked the corporations "to take a call on halting services only if there is disruption or damages to vehicles.

If there's no untoward incident, the Metro services will not be affected. Namma Metro MD Pradeep Singh Kharola said, "Depending on the situation, we can take action or stop operation."

Sunanda Arul, additional divisional railway manager, Bangalore division of South Western Railway, said, "We come under the Essential Services Act so even if some people try to block way of trains or squat on tracks, RPF will consider them as trespasser and take action," she said.

However, travelling within the city is likely to be difficult as auto rickshaws will be off the roads as most unions have extended support to the bandh.

On cab services, RK Holla of Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners Association (BTTOA) said, "We are not taking extra bookings... But there is no way we are going to stop operating services to companies, usual tourists and airports."

Many hotels and restaurants will remain closed as the hoteliers association has extended support to the bandh call. Meanwhile, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) head HD Gangaraju said they are not supporting the shutdown.

"However, it is the left to theatre owners to take a call on running shows," he added.

Deadpool's Hollywood screen test begins with Gwen Stefani

So, have you heard? Footage from the Deadpool movie pitch leaked (ahem, but we're not posting it here).

Yes, the footage has been all over the internet, posted up and taken down nearly as quickly by Fox's legal team (hence us not posting). In fact, after a low quality version leaked first, a higher (about DVD) quality version popped up. The result has been a staggering amount of fan joy for the two minutes of footage that seems like a Deadpool fan's dream-come-true, and an equal amount of fan outrage that Fox hasn't backed up a truck full of money to everyone involved and made this a full-length feature film.

So Fox, we're giving those fans a central voice here: Why the heck haven't you made this movie?

The segment was animated by the incredibly talented folks at Blur Studio, known for their incredible video game trailers and intro videos (See: Star Wars: The Old Republic and DCU Online for two of my personal favorites), as well as the entire intro sequence to Thor: The Dark World, where Malekith's Dark Elves clash with Odin's father Bor. Directed by the Studio's Tim Miller, they used motion capture and voice over from Ryan Reynolds to get that extra dash of authenticity - while he played a "Wade Wilson/Deadpool" in X-Men: Origins - Wolverine, Reynolds has been very outspoken for years about wanting to play the classic comic book version of the character. It was comissioned by Fox, and based off the script by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, which itself has at times leaked partially and even in full on the internet.

Deadpool's creators are both very enthusiastic about the footage. Robert Liefeld, speaking to DailySuperHero.com, confirmed the footage and said he was privy to its creation from onset to the final product (this two minutes that has leaked is part of a larger pitch).

"I'm quite pleased at how it turned out," the artist said of the footage. "I'd also like to note that this was filmed 3 years ago this summer and that Tim and his crew have upped their game considerably beyond what you see here. I can only imagine how amazing Deadpool would look 3 years later with all of Tim's advancements as a director."

He also said this would be just the tip of the iceberg if the script's original vision came to life.

"One more thing, because Tim and Rhett and Paul were so generous with me and allowed me to witness the entire process from concept art to storyboards to pre-viz, I assure you there are many more impressive sequences beyond this one. If they were allowed to release the hounds, it would be incredible. You can see that they have a great command over the look and feel of Deadpool," Liefeld said.

The character's co-creator Fabian Nicieza agrees. In a post on his facebook page, the writer said, "If the opinion of the character's co-creator counts, this test footage from the long-dormant Fox Deadpool movie gets a big thumbs up. Tone is right, character voice by Ryan Reynolds is perfect. I avoided reading the Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick screenplay on-line, but I couldn't resist the test footage Tim Miller directed. Would love to see Fox finally realize that this movie would work, even if it was R-rated. It doesn't have to make X-Men or Marvel Studios box office numbers to be a success."

And therein lies the problem. The pitch, and the test footage, is definitely a "hard-R-Rated" pitch. The violence, the language - it's clear that the filmmakers have every intention of going all-out; even further than the comic usually goes (especially when it comes to language which for some reason can only be in MAX comics while dismemberment and beheading is fine for your standard Marvel book - but that's a whole different op/ed). Frankly, Fox - and likely every other studio, are scared of making a hard-R comic book movie. There are numbers to back that up, of course, with movies like theBlade trilogy each doing about $130-150 mil in worldwide gross, The Punisher pulling in a dismal $54 mil worldwide, and more recent high-profile release Kick-Ass 2 doing $60 mil across the globe (a decrease of 20 million domestically and 36 million worldwide from the first).

The thing is, Deadpool is an inherently different character from all of those. He's a popular Marvel Comics character with ties to the X-Men (a franchise seeing a revival at Fox) and a Q-rating that's never been higher. He's plastered all over Marvel Comics on a monthly basis, whether its in the pages of his ongoing series, guest starring spots, or just on covers making fun of internet memes (and occasionally other comic book companies). And most importantly, if this footage is any indication, he'd have the right mix of almost cartoony ultra-violence, irreverent humor, and action sequences that would keep any audience in their seats. And it has the blessing of his creators, something that comic fans are always happy to see. And hey, tone down the language (the leaked footage has several S and a couple F-bombs), and maybe roll back a little of the gore, and you can still hit that PG-13 sweet spot, opening up the audience considerably. According to Liefeld, the pitch has always been for a PG-13 film.

"The version under review is a PG-13 version, not an R," the creator tweeted. "The PG-13 rating now allows for truckloads of violence and edgy themes.... An R rated version is not a consideration and hasn't been for years."

So Fox, why haven't you made this movie? Take the fan's love and joy of this two minutes and use that - let it fuel you. Make Deadpool happen. It's time to try something new. It's time to watch Deadpool singing Gwen Stefani and kicking a guy out of a moving SUV. Make Deadpool happen.

Sources:
http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/30/5951797/deadpool-movie-leaked-footage
http://www.newsarama.com/21757-so-fox-exactly-why-haven-t-you-made-that-deadpool-movie.html
http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/30/7-reasons-the-leaked-deadpool-footage-shows-us-why-a-film-would-be-awesome-4815732/

Sharknado 2: Everything You Need to Know Before Watching The Epically Absurd Second One

Around the time National Geographic produces its inevitable retrospective “The 2010s: What Was That All About?” historians should have a clearer understanding of why “Sharknado,” out of all the cheekily exploitative schlock movies programmed by Syfy, became a Twitter meme and cultural phenomenon. Fellow Syfy movies like “Sharktopus” and “Piranhaconda” must be kicking themselves. Inevitably, that mini-eruption spawned “Sharknado 2! The Second One,” which plops down into the summer, cheesy as ever, with an added infusion of conspicuous celebrity cameos that success has made possible. In that respect, it’s not just our fishy friends who can smell blood in the water.

Not surprisingly, the sequel indulges in all kinds of callbacks — treating the earlier version as if it were “Citizen Kane” — while relocating from Los Angeles to New York, after one very unfortunate flight (with Robert Hays, no less, as the pilot) that bears survivors Fin (Ian Ziering) and April (Tara Reid), who is heading to Gotham to promote her book on their joint ordeal.

Still, those unpredictable weather patterns and snapping clouds — raining terrible-looking CGI sharks down from the sky — have followed them, as Fin labors to save his friends and family, which includes rescuing his brother-in-law (Mark McGrath), who’s at a Mets game; while Fin’s sister (Kari Wuhrer) tries to keep her daughter and assorted pals alive. (As usual, it’s a pretty good tipoff, based on the billing, who is and isn’t shark bait.)

For all the famous faces who pop up — including the “Independence Day” tandem of Vivica A. Fox, as one of Fin’s high school chums , and Judd Hirsch, as a helpful cab driver — the pair that really stands out is “Today’s” Matt Lauer and Al Roker, who occupy almost as much screen time as the principals, as they explain the “sharknado” threat on air. While the first glimpse might make them look like good sports, the repeated visits merely underscore the impression that there’s practically no limit to the silly stuff Lauer will do, provided the asset in question (in this case, Syfy) is part of the overarching NBCUniversal umbrella.

Writer Thunder Levin and director Anthony C. Ferrante are wise not to try to elevate the material just because of the freak social-media storm that lifted the first one. Still, aside from a few clever moments (like an homage to “The Twilight Zone’s” “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” episode; or the challenge of finding appropriate weapons, thanks to New York’s gun — and hardware — laws), the creatives haven’t managed to bridge the gap between blood-spurting exploitation and winking genre parody.

“All this attention’s crazy,” Fin complains in the early going, citing the admiration they’ve received.

True enough. And about the best one can say is that success hasn’t spoiled “Sharknado 2,” mostly because, for all intents and purposes, all the heavy lifting was pretty much done after they titled it.

TV Review: 'Sharknado 2! The Second One'

(Movie; Syfy, Wed. July 30, 9 p.m.)

Production

Filmed in New York by the Asylum.

Crew

Executive producer, David Rimawi; producer, David Michael Latt; co-producers, David Garber, Paul Bales; director, Anthony C. Ferrante; writer, Thunder Levin; camera, Ben Demaree; production designer, Stephanie Barkley; editors, Ana Florit, Vashi Nedomansky; music, Chris Ridenhour, Christopher Cano; visual effects supervisor, Emile Edwin Smith; casting, Mike Fenton, Ann Frederick. 120 MIN.

Cast

Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, Vivica A. Fox, Mark McGrath, Kari Wuhrer

Sources:
http://variety.com/2014/tv/reviews/tv-review-sharknado-2-the-second-one-1201266887/

UCLA flood: DWP should cover costs of water-main break, school says

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The quiet summer campus of UCLA found itself suddenly steeped in water and chaos after a major water pipe burst and spewed some eight million gallons, stranding people in parking garages and flooding the school's storied basketball court less than two years after a major renovation.
The 30-inch, nearly century old pipe burst under nearby Sunset Boulevard on Tuesday afternoon, sending water 30 feet into the air, opening a 15-foot hole in the street and inundating part of the campus that was soon swarmed with police and firefighters.
"Unfortunately UCLA was the sink for this water source," UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said.
The break came amid a historic drought when residents are now being threatened with $500 fines for overuse.
"We lost a lot of water, around 35,000 gallons a minute, which is not ideal in the worst drought in the city's history," City Councilman Paul Koretz said.
The flooding hit the part of campus that is home to its athletic facilities, with the greatest danger coming in a pair of parking structures that quickly began filling with water.
Firefighters, some using inflatable boats, saved at least five people who were stranded in the structures where more than 100 cars were stuck, city fire officials said. No injuries were reported.

L.A. City Councilman Felipe Fuentes cautioned that Angelenos shouldn’t jump to conclusions after the pipeline break. He said the city clearly needs more funding for its water infrastructure, but he rejected the idea that the Sunset Boulevard incident itself pointed to a need for a rate increase, saying it was too soon to tell what had gone wrong or how to fix it.


“I don’t think it’s a secret that we have a lot of old pipes and infrastructure,” said City Council President Herb Wesson, who planned to visit the break site Wednesday with Fuentes and Councilman Paul Koretz.

Wesson said it was too soon to say whether rate increases would be needed, or whether it was a mistake to not pursue a hike this year.

“I want to do this in a methodical and not a knee-jerk fashion,” Wesson said. “I’m too old for my knee to jerk.”

Sources: 

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Water-Main-Break-Floods-UCLA-Campus-Sunset-Boulevard-Closed-269200881.html

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-ucla-water-main-flood-damage-liability-dwp-20140730-story.html

ESPN suspends Stephen A. Smith for comments about provoking assault

NEW YORK –  ESPN has suspended outspoken sportscaster Stephen A. Smith for a week because of his comments about domestic abuse suggesting women should make sure that they don't do anything to provoke an attack.
Smith's commentary occurred during a discussion on ESPN2's "First Take" last Friday about the NFL's two-game suspension of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice following charges he assaulted his now-wife. The remarks attracted widespread attention, including a stinging rebuke online from a fellow ESPN personality.
Smith issued an on-air apology Monday, saying it was the most egregious mistake of his career.
A day later, ESPN took action. The network's chief executive, John Skipper, told ESPN's staff in a memo it was done after a "thoughtful discussion" about appropriate actions with men and women in his company.
"I believe his apology was sincere and that he and we have learned from what we've collectively experienced," Skipper said.
Smith will not appear on "First Take" or ESPN radio until Aug. 6, the network said.
During the Rice discussion, Smith alluded to women in abuse cases when he said, "Let's make sure we don't do anything to provoke wrong action ... we got to also make sure that you can do your part to do whatever you can do to make, to try to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Shortly after Smith's remarks, colleague Michelle Beadle responded on Twitter that "I was just forced to watch this morning's First Take. A) I'll never feel clean again B) I'm not aware that I can provoke my own beating."
Beadle, host of ESPN2's "SportsNation," continued with a series of tweets. She said that "Violence isn't the victim's issue. It's the abuser's. To insinuate otherwise is irresponsible and disgusting."
Smith, during his apology, said it wasn't his intention to say that women could be responsible for their own abuse. "It was not what I was trying to say," he said. "Yet the failure to clearly articulate something different lies squarely on my shoulder."
Smith didn't explain the point that he was trying to make.
ESPN frowns upon its personalities attacking each other on social media or other forums. But it did not announce any punishment for Beadle.

Sources:

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/07/29/espn-suspends-stephen-smith-for-comments-about-provoking-assault/