From the Bleachers

2012 European Championships cheat sheet - Group C

As you must surely know by now, soccer's less glamorous and yet possibly technically superior second biggest tournament starts on the 8th June. Just around the corner. This 2012 European Championships cheat sheet? So what's this all about, you might ask. Simple. What we're doing here is taking a team from the upcoming European Championships and equating them with a team from American sports, just to give, in particular, our American users a better idea of what to expect from teams in the Euros.

Over the next few nights we will be knocking these out, group by group, like Justin Verlander racks up strikeouts. Tonight we turn to Group C.

Let's chop it up.

2012 European Championships cheat sheet - Group B

As you must surely know by now, soccer's less glamorous and yet possibly technically superior second biggest tournament starts on the 8th June. Just around the corner. This 2012 European Championships cheat sheet? So what's this all about, you might ask. Simple. What we're doing here is taking a team from the upcoming European Championships and equating them with a team from American sports, just to give, in particular, our American users a better idea of what to expect from teams in the Euros.

Over the next few nights we will be knocking these out, group by group, like the referees calling technicals on the Celtics last night.

2012 European Championships cheat sheet - Group A

As you may or may not know, soccer's less glamorous and yet possibly technically superior second biggest tournament starts on the 8th June. Just around the corner. This 2012 European Championships cheat sheet? So what's this all about, you might ask. Simple. What we're doing here is taking a team from the upcoming European Championships and equating them with a team from American sports, just to give, in particular, our American users a better idea of what to expect from teams in the Euros.

Over the next few nights we will be knocking these out, group by group, like Josh Hamilton loses balls in the bleachers.

EA Sports Madden 13 will feature 'Tebowing' as a celebration

Should be interesting to see how the religious right takes this one. Word has come out that the all powerful, market dominant EA video game 'Madden 13' will have 'Tebowing' as one of the touchdown celebrations. At this stage in the game, most people have come to accept 'Tebowing' as a harmless little gimmick, and some are even analyzing it as actually a sign of respect for the person it is imitating, Tim Tebow.

From first look, EA has done a pretty good job with it, but, you be the judge.

Baseball Ireland A-League weekend wrap up May 19th-20th

Former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon might be losing it

It would appear former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon is starting to channel the spirit of Rickey Henderson, the current reigning champion of speaking of one’s self in the third person. Either that or he has basically completely lost it. On Wednesday Papelbon sat in for a scheduled Boston station radio interview. He made some, well, interesting comments. Enjoy the pick of the bunch, below.

On the Red Sox training staff (telling him what to do every day)

"The previous trainer there tried to tell me everything and that he knew everything about me. It's just not the case. I know myself. I know how to get through a 162-game season. The trainer don't know how to do that and the trainers here (in Philadelphia) have been phenomenal. They understand that I am going to be successful because I know how to be successful. I still did things my way when I was there in Boston. I just had someone chirping in my ear the whole time."

This is easily something you could believe attributed to fictional superstar Kenny Powers;
‘’ They understand that I am going to be successful because I know how to be successful.’’

Did you feel (bad) about leaving the Red Sox after the chaos of the collapse last September?

"I don't feel bad. No. Cinco is gutless man. I don't feel bad for people."

You would assume he meant ‘heartless’ perhaps, but, onwards and upwards…

The Terrific Ten: IrishCentral's MLB top ten power rankings May 16th 2012

Here we go. Our sometimes weekly, occasionally accurate, often controversial, Top Ten MLB rankings. Assuming this article leaves you feeling confused, angry and upset, as it often will, the comment section is open and available for your top ten!

Please note, this is a Top Ten with a twist. This list details one through ten the ten most likely teams to win the World Series, not the current ten best teams. Consider that before you charge into the comments section all bluster and anger!

For example, and we hate to break this to your Baltimore fans, the Orioles are not going to win the World Series. They will appear in many a MLB power ranking, just not this one. Let’s just get that out of the way right now. No chance at winning the big one so, no Orioles.

Respect and the Red Sox

Once again, Fenway Park was an ugly place to be last night. The ‘boo’ birds were out in full force.  In case you missed it, Josh Beckett was bashed around the park like a Piñata and for once, much maligned new manager Bobby Valentine had a quick hook, coming to get the former Ace of the Sox faster than many expected. Beckett faced a loud, angry wave of negativity as he trudged back to the dugout. Fans made all sorts of faces, gestures and finger signs your momma definitely never taught you.

It looked something like the ugly, angry crowds that ‘grace’ English soccer grounds every weekend, where the fans frequently chant in their thousands that the referee is into self-satisfaction.

The continuing evolution of Tom Brady's hair

So you thought we were finished with this whole fascination with Tom Brady's hair? Well, you couldn't be more wrong. The Internet is awash today with stories relating to Brady's appearance at the Met Gala in New York, and his choice of hair styles on the night. Gone is the buzz cut. Gone is the Justin Bieber, replaced by, well, nobody really knows what this is.

We are at such a loss, that we need your help! As we continue to track the evolution of Tom Brady's hair styling, we want you to tell us what you think this hair-do should be called.

Get voting, if you take too long, he may come up with something completely new, and we will have to start again!

Winger James McClean subjected to sectarian abuse on Twitter after Ireland UEFA Cup call-up

Mariano Rivera: ''Celebrate him as high as you can''

There is going to be a lot said in the next few days about pretty much everything and anything Mariano Rivera related. You will read all about his marvelous career, the World Series rings, his incredible 'cutter', perhaps one of the most feared pitches in all of Major League Baseball.

For me, one of the most biased and dedicated Red Sox fans you could find, not nearly enough will be written about the man's dignity and grace.

Hideki Matsui signs for the Tampa Bay Rays and watches a lot of porn.

Two-time All-Star and MVP of the 2009 World Series Hideki Matsui  is now a  part of the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays' organization. Matsui signed a minor league deal with the (Devil) Rays and will join the organization's extended spring program Wednesday in Port Charlotte. Matsui, who turns 38 in June, hit .285 with 173 home runs, 753 RBIs and 248 doubles in nine big league seasons, seven with the New York Yankees. The home runs and RBIs are the most by a Japanese player in major league history.

Right, enough with the pleasantries. Whilst this is a nice little MLB story, and we all hope Hideki makes it up to the ‘bigs’ and loses a few baseballs in the cavernous, largely empty stands in Tampa, much bigger related news is afoot.

In the latest issue of GQ, the following quote was attributed to Matsui.