The All-Red Spos Team

All the talk about Bruins-Canadiens, but what about the other big Boston-Montreal sports "rivalry?"  Here are the best players who played for the Boston Red Sox AND Montreal Expos during their career.

SP: Pedro Martinez
C: Tim McCarver
1B: Cliff Floyd
2B: Wil Cordero
3B: Mike Lansing
SS: Orlando Cabrera
LF: Troy O'Leary
CF: Carl Everett
RF: Andre Dawson
DH: Ivan Calderon

BENCH
Otis Nixon
Matt Stairs
Curtis Pride
Spike Owen
Steve Lyons

STAFF:
Bartolo Colon
Bill Lee
Oil Can Boyd
Tomo Ohka
Greg Harris
Rheal Cormier
Bruce Chen
Jeff Reardon
Ugueth Urbina
Lee Smith

MANAGER: Dick Williams

GENERAL MANAGER: Dan Duquette

BROADCASTER: Jerry Trupiano


What a squad!

Eddie Valiant Is Dead

TMZ is reporting that actor Bob Hoskins has died at the age of 71.  He of course was best known for his role as Toon Detective Eddie Valiant in one of greatest movies of all-time, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988).

To this day Roger Rabbit is still one of my favorite movies. I would watch it more than once in a day growing up, I've probably seen that movie more than any other. And how good was Hoskins?  I was shocked he didn't win an Oscar for it or appear in every movie after that.  He was awesome.  Then throw in the fact that he's doing most the scenes by himself before they dub the toons in (sorry for breaking that 4th wall on you). But the guy was great. 

Eddie is with his brother now, Teddy, in heaven.  Valiant & Valiant are reunited, look out toon criminals, look out. 

R.I.P. Bob Hoskins. 

Bruins vs. Canadiens Schedule

The schedule has finally been released for the Eastern Conference Semifinal match up between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.  RDS of Quebec was the first to report.

Bruins vs. Canadiens Eastern Conference Semifinals schedule: pic.twitter.com/JN7xHli50A

— Rich Keefe (@Keefe21) April 29, 2014

#1 Contender's Tournament for IC Belt

Who will win the #ICTourney to face champion @WWEBigE at #ExtremeRules? We find out LIVE on #RAW on @USA_Network! pic.twitter.com/2kYd0mRtn8

— WWE (@WWE) April 28, 2014

John & Suzyn As Performed By Jones & Keefe

The Rich Keefe Project's Top 50 Big Board

1. Jabari Parker, Duke, SF, freshmen
2. Andrew Wiggins, Kansas, SF, freshmen
3. Joel Embiid, Kansas, C, freshmen
4. Julius Randle, Kentucky, PF, freshmen
5. Dante Exum, Australia, PG, international/ 18 years old
6. Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, PG, sophomore
7. Aaron Gordon, Arizona, PF, freshmen
8. Noah Vonleh, Indiana, PF, freshmen
9. Gary Harris, Michigan State, SG, sophomore
10. T.J. Warren, North Carolina State, SF, sophomore
11. Kyle Anderson, UCLA, SF, sophomore
12. James Young, Kentucky, SF, freshmen
13. Dario Saric, Croatia, F, international/ 20 years old
14. Rodney Hood, Duke, SF, sophomore
15. Doug McDermott, Creighton, F, senior
16. Andrew Harrison, Kentucky, PG, freshmen
17. Adriean Payne, Michigan State, PF, senior
18. Tyler Ennis, Syracuse, PG, freshmen
19. P.J. Hairston, UNC/D-League, SG, junior
20. Jerami Grant, Syracuse, PF, sophomore
21. Aaron Harrison, Kentucky, SG, freshmen
22. K.J. McDaniels, Clemson, SF, junior
23. Shabazz Napier, UConn, PG, senior
24. Nik Stauskas, Michigan, SG, sophomore
25. Elfrid Payton, U. Louisiana-Lafayette, PG, junior
26. Zach LaVine, UCLA, SG, freshmen
27. Glenn Robison III, Michigan, SF, sophomore
28. Semaj Christon, Xavier, PG, sophomore
29. Melvin Ejim, Iowa State, SF, senior
30. Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee, PF, junior
31. Alex Poythress, Kentucky, F, sophomore
32. Cory Jefferson, Baylor, PF, senior
33. Cleanthony Early, Wichita State, F, senior
34. DeAndre Kane, Iowa State, PG, senior
35. Mitch McGary, Michigan, C, sophomore
36. Isaiah Austin, Baylor, C, sophomore
37. Russ Smith, Louisville, PG, senior
38. Sean Kilpatrick, Cincinnati, SG, senior
39. Patric Young, Florida, PF, senior
40. Spencer Dinwiddie, Colorado, SG, junior
41. Jahii Carson, Arizona State, PG, sophomore
42. Deonte Burton, Nevada, PG, senior
43. C.J. Fair, Syracuse, F, senior
44. C.J. Wilcox, Washington, SG, senior
45. Nick Johnson, Arizona, SG, junior 
46. Jordan Clarkson, Missouri, G, junior
47. Roy Devyn Marble, Iowa, SG, senior
48. Keith Appling, Michigan State, PG, senior
49. Bryce Cotton, Providence, G, senior
50. Cameron Bairstow, New Mexico, PF, senior

Note: I only ranked 2 international players (Exum/ Saric).  These are the only 2 I feel comfortable ranking, based off of YouTube clips and reading scouting reports and what not.  Others are probably deserving, but it'd be complete guess work and hearsay.  

10 Years Ago Today Pat Tillman Was Killed

118th Boston Marathon

Perfect day for 26.2 miles.  I could never run this whole thing so I'm genuinely impressed by those who do.  I went down today and hung out past the finish line.   It was an absolute zoo, hard to get where you wanted.  But great job by police and security and everyone who came out.  

You can see the finish up in the distance there. 

Congrats to this bro!  

Here's what 36,000 waters look like.  

Celtics Draft Positioning

Celtics lost and won a "coin toss" today. The C's were tied with the Jazz for the 4th worst record in the NBA.  They will split odds (as noted in a previous post) but in the off chance neither team gets into the Top 3 they need to determine who is ahead of who to fill it out, and Utah won the toss.

Celtics get the 5th position in the lottery and 1 less combination than the Jazz. 

But on the positive side, Celtics own the Nets pick this year and they were tied with the Wizards. This time they got it, so the Celtics will pick 17th.

A lottery pick (Top 8 guaranteed) and #17.  Not horrible.

UPDATE: The Celtics current lottery odds are now...

1st = 10.3% 2nd = 11.1% 3rd = 12% 4th = 0% 5th = 24.6% 6th = 34.5% 7th = 7% 8th = 0.4%

The Twitter Playoff Hockey OT Game

Very simple.  Predict who will score the game winner in overtime.  And use the hash tag...

#RichKeefeStanleyCupPlayoffsOvertimeGoalScorerPredictionChallengeContest

Let the best man/woman win!

Keefer Madness NBA Awards

“Ben Wallace Award, for the Worst Free Throw Shooter In the League”

          Andre Drummond, Pistons – 41.8%

“The What Is Wrong With Me Today!?! Award, goes to the players with the Worst FG %”

          Brandon Jennings, Pistons – 37.3%

“The Big O Award, for the player with the most triple-doubles”

          Lance Stephenson, Pacers – 5

Yinka Dare Award, for the players who doesn’t pass and had the fewest assists

          Bismack Biyombo, Bobcats – averaged 0.1 per game, 8 total in 77 games.  1,070 minutes…

Billy Holye Award, for the best white player in the league:

          Kevin Love, Timberwolves, 65 double-doubles (most) 26-12.5

Arvydis Sabonis Award, best international player:

          Goran Dragic, Suns, 20 points, 6 assists

LaRue Martin Award, for the worst 1^st overall pick, potentially ever:

          Anthony Bennett, Cavs,  4 pts, 3 rebs, 52 games 12.8 mins per game

Send it in Jerome Award: player with the most dunks this season:

          DeAndre Jordan, Clippers, 245 dunks in 82 games just under 3 per game

Ocean’s 11 Award, for the player pulling off the greatest theft:

          Keith Bogans, Celtics, made $91,967.24 for every minute he played (55 minutes in 6 games, “earned” $5,058,198)

Celtics Lottery Odds

The Celtics (25-57) finished the season TIED with the Utah Jazz for the 4TH WORST RECORD in the NBA.  Because of the tie the C's & Jazz will split ping pong balls/ draft combinations.

Here are their chances for each pick.

1st = 10.35%
2nd = 11.15%
3rd = 12%
4th = 4.95%
5th = 30.6%
6th = 26%
7th = 4.8%
8th = 0.2%

---------------------------------------------

33.5% Top 3

69.05% Top 5

Guaranteed Top 8

NBA DRAFT LOTTERY = MAY 20th

Also the BROOKLYN NETS pick (the C's 2nd 1st Round pick this year) will be 17th OR 18th based on a coin flip.  

NBA Playoff Match Ups

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Indiana Pacers
8. Atlanta Hawks

4. Chicago Bulls
5. Washington Wizards

3. Toronto Raptors
6. Brooklyn Nets

2. Miami Heat
7. Charlotte Bobcats

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. San Antonio Spurs
8. Dallas Mavericks

4. Houston Rockets
5. Portland Trail Blazers

3. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Golden State Warriors

2. Oklahoma City Thunder
7. Memphis Grizzlies

The Sports Brief's 2013-14 NBA Awards

MVP:
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Defensive Player of the Year:
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

6th Man of the Year:
Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers

Rookie of the Year:
Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers

Coach of the Year:
Jeff Hornacek, Phoenix Suns

Most Improved Player:
Lance Stephenson, Indiana Pacers


1st Team All-NBA:
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
James Harden, Houston Rockets

2nd Team All-NBA:
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

3rd Team All-NBA:
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
Al Jefferson, Charlotte Bobcats
Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns
DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors


1st Team All-Defense:
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors
Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

2nd Team All-Defense:
Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies


1st Team All-Rookie:
Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
Trey Burke, Utah Jazz
Tim Hardaway, Jr, New York Knicks
Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets

2nd Team All-Rookie:
Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics
Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings
Giannis Antetokoumpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Nate Wolters, Milwaukee Bucks
Hollis Thompson, Philadelphia 76ers

Boston Marathon Bombing 1 Year Anniversary

PHOTO: On April 15, 2013, their lives intersected at the Boston Marathon http://t.co/9RaveFDwCV pic.twitter.com/ylqVHjedmS

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) April 15, 2014

WWE Tournament for the IC Belt

Smart.  Love brackets.

TONIGHT: It's Round 1 of the No. 1 Contender's Tourney for @WWEBigE's Intercontinental Title, LIVE on #RAW! Bracket: pic.twitter.com/vFk8cpxh6U

— WWE (@WWE) April 14, 2014

NHL Playoff Match Ups

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Bruins vs. Red Wings

Canadiens vs. Lightning

Penguins vs. Blue Jackets

Rangers vs. Flyers

WESTERN CONFERENCE 

Ducks vs. Stars

Sharks vs. Kings

Avalanche vs. Wild

Blues vs. Blackhawks

NBA Draft Key Dates

• April 27: NBA early entry application deadline
• May 2: NBA releases early entry candidates
• May 14-18: NBA draft combine
• May 20: NBA Draft lottery
• June 26: 2014 NBA draft

R.I.P. Ultimate Warrior

Perhaps the defining moment of the Ultimate Warrior's career. Winning the main event AND the title against Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania VI.

Ultimate Warrior: Dead

Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters

— Triple H (@TripleH) April 9, 2014

I can't believe this. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday, at Wrestlemania on Sunday, at Raw on Monday... dead on Tuesday.   What a sad story. 

Bray Wyatt Promos

21-1

I can't believe it.  

Undertaker lost.

Now what?

Undertaker Wrestlemania Hit List

1-0 Jimmy Snuka - Wrestlemania 7
2-0 Jake "The Snake" Roberts - Wrestlemania 8
3-0 Giant Gonzalez - Wrestlemania 9
4-0 King Kong Bundy - Wrestlemania 11
5-0 Diesel - Wrestlemania 12
6-0 Pyscho Sid - Wrestlemania 13
7-0 Kane - Wrestlemania 14
8-0 Big Boss Man - Wrestlemania 15
9-0 Triple H - Wrestlemania 17
10-0 Ric Flair - Wrestlemania 18
11-0 The Big Show & A-Train - Wrestlemania 19
12-0 Kane - Wrestlemania 20
13-0 Randy Orton - Wrestlemania 21
14-0 Mark Henry - Wrestlemania 22
15-0 Batista - Wrestlemania 23
16-0 Edge - Wrestlemania 24
17-0 Shawn Michaels - Wrestlemania 25
18-0 Shawn Michaels - Wrestlemania 26
19-0 Triple H - Wrestlemania 27
20-0 Triple H - Wrestlemania 28
21-0 CM Punk - Wrestlemania 29

? Brock Lesnar - Wrestlemania 30

Wrestlemania XXX Preview

This Sunday it's Wrestlemania XXX from the Superdome in New Orleans.  It'll be a massive 4 hour extravaganza (7-11pm).  Lots of matches scheduled, Hulk Hogan is your host (whatever that does), and as I am for every Mania, I'm optimistic.

What I'm Looking Forward To:

1. Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H

These two have been going back and forth forever.  It's been a long build if you will.  Should be the opening match and should be sick.  The winner will be involved later in the night against champ Randy Orton and Batista in a 3-way for the WWE Heavyweight Championship.  (This thing could turn into a Fatal-4-Way, HHH has that kind of control.)  But everything involving Bryan has been terrific, so I expect the same with these two matches.

Prediction: Daniel Bryan wins.  The YES! fans will be in full force and finally get the show ending and result they've been waiting for.  
(However I am tempted to bet (yes you can bet) on Triple H, Orton, and Batista, they are all huge under dogs and it would be a nice payout... thinking about it.)

2. Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena

Wyatt is my favorite wrestler going right now and he has a real chance to be my favorite all-time.  His promos are off the charts and now that CM Punk is out of the picture, Bray is far and away the best on the microphone.  Despite popular opinion Cena puts on some solid matches.  I'm not expecting this to be Wyatt-Bryan from the Royal Rumble, but this has the makings for Match of the Night.

Prediction: Bray Wyatt... he may get some help from Erick Rowan and Luke Harper... and perhaps a mystery partner/ new addition to the family??? (I have no clue on this, just a guess.)

3. Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar

I mean, it's the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, you're going to watch.  I'm not as in to this one as the recent Taker-Punk, Taker-HHH, Taker-Michaels, but we'll see.  And are we going to get Sting, showing up on Sunday or more likely on Monday?  That I could get excited about.

Prediction: 22-0

Celtics vs. Wizards Tonight

Check out the Celtics at the Wizards tonight on 100.7 WZLX.  Pre game at 6:30pm, tip off at 7:00pm. 

Sean Grande and Rich Keefe on the call.  

Not sure if it's a good sign or a scary one, but the C's are staying just blocks away from the Exorcist stairs.