Today with family and relatives in town for a wedding, time is very scarce for blogging, but I have a few minutes so I’ll do as many links as I can.
The hockey world is still reeling from Derek Boogaard’s death last night. While he was an enforcer, reading stories and tweets shows you how much he was loved by teammates, fans and writers. The best article I can link you to is from Michael Russo from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune who became Boogaard’s friend when he was at the Minnesota Wild. Reporters are always told to not become too close to their subjects, but in some cases, it can’t be helped and here’s a case where Russo is able to give us some very emotional thoughts on Boogaard.
Our other big story comes from Buffalo and involves ESPN and TSN NHL analyst Matthew Barnaby who was arrested last night on multiple domestic violence charges involving two women. T.J. Pignataro of the Buffalo News says Barnaby faces arraignment this morning.
The Big Lead has video of an Albany (NY) news anchor laughing hysterically at a member of Colorado Rockies ground crew getting stuck underneath the tarp during a rain delay.
The Sports Video Group notes that TNT is on pace to get the best NBA postseason TV ratings in cable TV history.
Newsday’s Neil Best says Fox Saturday Baseball is heading for primetime tonight.
Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner writes that the NHL Conference Finals begin tonight.
Jim says there will be plenty of baseball to watch this weekend on both the national and local levels.
Stuart Korfhage in the St. Augustine (FL) Record goes inside the NBC Sports production truck during the Players Championship.
Barry Jackson from the Miami Herald says Dan LeBatard will have his own ESPN2 daytime show starting in the fall.
Ty Tagami and Christian Boone of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution report that it will take at least couple of weeks to determine the cause of death for Chicago sports anchor Daryl Hawks who was in town to cover the Bulls-Hawks series.
Daniel Paulling in the Birmingham (AL) News says ESPN.com really blew it in its insider posts regarding the death of an Alabama offensive lineman.
The Dallas Morning News discusses a new reality series produced by Fox Sports Southwest on a new college football program.
Jim Benson at the Bloomington (IN) Pentagraph is happy to have TNT airing the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
Indianapolis Business Journal notes the Indiana Pacers’ TV ratings are up even as attendance is going down.
Andrew Blankstein from the Los Angeles Times has Jay Mariotti’s lawyer calling the charges against his client “lies”.
Ferd Lewis at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser says the WAC would be willing to play on Sundays during the NFL lockout if ESPN asked.
Sox & Dawgs has the latest commercial by New Era involving 30 Rock’s Alec Baldwin and The Office’s John Krasinski.
Steve Lepore of Puck The Media says Comcast SportsNet Bay Area set record ratings for Game 7 of the San Jose Sharks-Detroit Red Wings series.
I’ll give Steve the final word on the Matthew Barnaby situation.
We’ll end it there for now.
