BenMaller.com - Ben's Takes

Friday Thoughts, Opinions and Notes

By Ben Maller

Former Cowboys' lineman Nate Newton was caught with 218 pounds of pot, plus $18,000 in cash in the next car. My co-worker Chuck Booms of Fox Sports Radio had the line of the week. Booms said the $18,000 was for McDonalds afterwards.

It's sad, but this was almost a lock to happen. The family of the late Korey Stringer will file a lawsuit of more than $100 million against the Minnesota Vikings at the end of the season for its alleged negligence in his death.

Last week, state occupational safety officials said the Vikings violated no health or safety guidelines in Stringer's death and had provided satisfactory training about heat-stress hazards as required by state law to players, coaches and trainers.

I agree with the report, this was a fluke tragic event.

Lamar Odom seemed sincere when he admitted he chose to experiment with marijuana. Odom is a good kid, and lets face it he's not the only NBA player who does pot.

Charles Oakley, while playing with Toronto this April said 60% of NBA players are stoned on pot when they take to the floor. Still Odom should be smarter than this, after getting nailed in March for dope.

Charles Barkley of TNT said that he believes 60% of NBA beat writers also smoke pot

Louisville is about to become a pro sports city. The Charlotte Hornets are close to being a lock to relocate to Kentucky after the season.

Times have sure changed since I was a kid. Columbus, Memphis, Nashville, Jacksonville and San Jose have all become home to pro sports.

Steve Smith of the San Antonio Spurs is a better basketball player than Derek Anderson of the Portland Trail Blazers for whom he was traded.

Mitch Richmond looks like a bust so far, falling in line with Glen Rice and Isaiah Rider.

I saw the Memphis Grizzlies play the Clippers Wednesday night at Staples. The Grizz should change their nickname to the Memphis BBQ... Now that's good stuff...

Hats off to the Chicago Bulls who reached a new low last night with a 53 point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The worst loss in franchise history.

After the loss to the T-Wolves, Bulls' coach Tim Floyd said his team would have lost to a junior high team.

George Steinbrenner is up to some of his old tricks again. The Yankees fired batting coach Gary Denbo Wednesday, three days after the Yanks lost the seven-game world series to the Diamondbacks. Denbo spent more then a decade in the Yanks' organization.

Don Mattingly could be back in pinstripes next season as Yankee hitting coach.

I wish former Dodger Johnny Oates the best in his fight with a Brain Tumor, even after Oates, then the skipper in Texas, kicked me out of the Rangers' clubhouse a few years ago.

Who would have thought that two major league baseball franchises would be born and two would disappear while Los Angeles still doesn't have a pro football team, and Anaheim doesn't have a pro baseball team.

How much has Coors Field helped Todd Helton? The Rockies' firstbaseman passed Arizona's Randy Johnson as baseball's top player, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Sammy Sosa of the Cubs is 3rd.

Helton batted .336 with 49 HR's 146 RBI's and 132 RBI's... On the Road Helton was a .286 hitter with 22 HR's and 62 RBI's while scoring just 48 runs...

Brett Boone had a career year last season with the Mariners hitting .331 with 37 HR's and a league-leading 141 RBI. Boone will never come close to these numbers again, yet the Mariners are offering Boone a deal worth $20 and $24 million over three years. Trust me this will be a horrible deal over the long run.

Troy Percival would look great in a Dodger uniform. Percival blasted the Angels last season. The odds of an Angel-Dodger trade are slim. The last deal between the teams was in 1976.

Robin Ventura can't play anymore so the Chicago White Sox are considering taking him off the New York Mets' hands. That makes sense.

Attention Dan Evans, Pedro Astacio a former Dodger who lost 14 games for the Rockies and Astros last year has become a free agent. You better act fast, Astacio also has arm problems.

Stanford has ruined the Pac-10's BCS chances this year. The Cardinal knocked UCLA & Oregon out of the BCS but ended up losing to Washington State and Washington.

Ben Maller Trivia Question of the Week: Name the last NFL, NHL and NBA teams to fold (not move or get renamed).

How stupid are some NCAA Rules? DeShaun Foster is seen driving an SUV and now he can't play against Oregon. This is such a perk. I drove around an SUV for years. Trust me its nothing special.

Let's be real, every major college football program cheats to win. That's how life in big time college sports are. The smart schools are able to get away with it.

Hats off to Lee Klein of KFI 640am who I had dinner with this week at "Johnnies Pastrami" in Culver City. Klein my former partner has the second highest rated show in LA Radio overnights on Monday... Second to the Wave.

Former "Ben & Dave" intern, turned writing stud Arash Markazi, slammed T.J. Simers of the LA Times in his recent column in the "Daily Trojan." Click Here to Read It

Thanks to everyone who voted in the first BenMaller.com poll question this week. I have a feeling we had alot of ballot stuffing going on. It was very close to call but Jason Smith (31%) beat out Jeff Biggs (26%) as my best all-time partner. Dave Smith (22%) was 3rd right there along with the Jackass.

If you have an idea for a BenMaller.com Poll question, Drop me a line and I'll consider it.

Now a message from our sponsors...

A friendly reminder to listen to my radio show this weekend on your local Fox Sports Radio station. It's me along with Bob Page at the Fox Sports Update desk from 5am till 8am(est) Saturday morning. Sunday morning from 4am till 7am I'll be back again.
(Now Heard in Tulsa, OK.)

Sunday night listen to my new program from 10pm till 2am along with Jason Smith on your local Fox Sports radio station. (Now heard in Jacksonville, Fla)

Ben Maller Trivia Question of the Week Answer: The Dallas Texans, 1952, who had been the New York Yankees in the AAFC and the NFL before trying Dallas; they folded in midseason and finished the schedule as a road-only team based in Hershey, with 12 players stocking the expansion Baltimore Colts the next season. (More trivia: last NHL foldee--Cleveland Barons, merged into the Minnesota North Stars in 1978. Last NBA foldee- Baltimore Bullets (original), 1954)

Big Ben Maller's Five Star College Pick of the Week

(9) BYU (9-0) at Wyoming (2-6)

The Line: BYU -22 1/2

Last Meeting: BYU 19-7 in Provo, Cougars lead the all-time series, 35-29-3

Did you know? BYU leads the nation in scoring with an average of nearly 51 ppg.

Big Ben's Breakdown: The Cougars offense is the best in college football thanks to the efforts of two guys. RB Luke Staley has 19 rushing touchdowns on 120 carries and is averaging over nine yards a carry. QB Brandon Doman has played like one of the top signal callers in the nation with his 66.5 percent accuracy and 2,388 yards through the air. He has tossed 23 touchdown passes, while being intercepted just three times in 266 passing attempts.

The thing that scares me about betting on the Cougars is the defense. That BYU is allowing teams to score an average of almost 27 points a game in 2001 is nothing to be overly proud of, but the Cougars' offense has been so good it hasn't mattered YET. Opposing offenses have found a weakness with the rushing defense of the Cougars. To this point teams, are averaging 232 yards a game on the ground, leading to 18 touchdowns. The good news is that BYU has been up by 28 points in most games so rush defense has not mattered much.

Wyoming Defense has been allowing opposing offenses to gain about 250 yards on the ground as well as another 215 yards by way of the pass. The Cowboys' offense is nothing special either.

Ben's Bottom Line: BYU head coach Gary Crowton loves to go for the kill. The Cougars have run up the score on just about everyone they have played this year. It's late in the year but not too late to jump on the Cougars' Covering bandwagon.

BenMaller.com's Final Score: BYU 60, Wyoming 28 (Cougars by 32)

Other College Picks: *Auburn +8 at Georgia, Stanford -9 1/2 at Arizona, Oklahoma -17 1/2 vs. Texas A & M, Kansas St. +13 1/2 at Nebraska, Washington State -1 1/2 at Arizona State, Tennessee -24 vs. Memphis, Boston College +19 vs. Miami, Virginia Tech -23 1/2 at Temple. *Cincinnati +7 1/2 vs. East Carolina

Big Ben Maller's Five Star NFL Pick of the Week

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Cleveland Browns (4-3)

The Line: Pittsburgh -3

Ben's Pick: Cleveland to cover

Did You Know? The Browns' offense is ranked 31st and last in the NFL averaging just 255.1 ypg.

Last Meeting: Steelers, 22-0. At Pittsburgh, Bettis outgained the Browns by himself, rushing for 105 yards and a touchdown. Cleveland had just five first downs and 104 total yards.

Big Ben's Breakdown: Both these teams enter this game coming off emotional losses a week ago. The Browns were on the verge of a victory over the Chicago Bears before allowing a pair of touchdowns in the final 28 seconds of regulation. Chicago then scored on a Mike Brown interception return in overtime for a stunning 27-21 victory. Pittsburgh should have beaten Baltimore last week. The Steelers completely outplayed the Ravens, but Kris Brown missed four field goals in a 13-10 loss.

Kordell Stewart has finally come around of late having thrown for more than 230 yards in consecutive games, the first time that has happened in three years.

The Browns' defense must win this game. Cleveland's front seven must slow Jerome Bettis and again make Kordell Stewart beat them. Browns' defensive end Keith McKenzie is lost for the season. McKenzie, who led Cleveland with eight sacks last season, fractured his left ankle in the first quarter of last Sunday's loss.

Courtney Brown must step his game up to the next level to pick up the slack. The Browns have won two of the last three meetings between the teams. I have a feeling they will keep this one close and cover that spread at home.

BenMaller.com's Final Score: Steelers 14, Browns 13

Other NFL Picks: Carolina +17 1/2 at Rams, New England -6 vs. Buffalo, Green Bay -2 1/2 vs. Chicago, Detroit +5 vs. Tampa Bay, Denver -6 vs. San Diego, Philadelphia -4 1/2 vs. Minnesota.

Jason Smith of Fox Sports Radio, NFL Lock of the Week

Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets

The Line: Jets -5

Thanks to Ben for letting me spew about the Jets on his site, and allowing me to pick my lock of the week. So here we go, it's up to you, New York!

First of all, the Jets decided to give Kyle Turley a game ball for his efforts in stopping the Saints on Sunday night. Maybe it was an 'up-cycle' for KT. What a big win for my Jets. Something to build a season on, or, more likely, to just negate the following week with a loss. (Oh, welcome to the NFL Lamont Jordan by the way). This week, it's the underachieving Dick Vermeil-crying Trent Green interception-throwing Chiefs coming to the Meadowlands, where New York is a less-than stellar 1-3 this year. 4-0 on the road, however, and the Jets tried to re-schedule this game for Arrowhead but were denied. Now, onto our opponent.

Kansas City tried in vain last week to trade Trent Green back to the Rams in exchange for Vince Ferragamo and Dieter Brock, but were rebuffed. Priest Holmes ran for over 180 yards against the Chargers, which translates into 65 yards against anyone else, and as we know, the Jets aren't just anyone else.

This week, the lock of the week is the Jets over Kansas City. We beat them in the playoffs in 1985, we can do it again. (Hey Crash Gansz isn't still coaching them, is he?)

Jason Smith's Final Score: Jets 31 Chiefs 14. Testaverde 2 TD passes, John Abraham 3 sacks, Priest Holmes 1 ulcer.

Write Back:Send Ben Maller E mail by CLICKING HERE!

Ben Maller Breaks Down Week 9 In the NFL Here
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Thursday, November 08, 2001

Closs Trots back to Pro Basketball

By Ben Maller

Keith Closs, a former Los Angeles Clipper, has made a return to pro basketball. Closs has signed a deal with the Harlem Globetrotters. Closs is a 7'3" 212lbs center who played his college ball at Central Connecticut State. He played in the LA Summer pro league after college and Jerry West, the Lakers GM at the time, fell in love with him. West felt that Closs could be a quality player given the right coaching. The Lakers never did end up signing him. Instead, Closs was signed as a free agent by the Clippers on August 8, 1997 after playing in the Atlantic Basketball Association during the 1996-97 season. Closs signed a multi-year deal. In three years as a member of the Clips he averaged just 3.9ppg, 2.9rebs, and 1.3blks. He was released by the Clippers after several off the court problems.

Former Coach Chris Ford suspended and fined Closs many times for showing up late to practice and games. One of these times Closs went out and got a tattoo on his back of the globe, above the tattoo it read "FUCK THE WORLD." Now Closs gets to see the world as a member of the Trotters. Closs also played with the Pennsylvania Valley Dogs after his stint with the Clips and was playing overseas before the Globetrotters came calling.

Closs is most famous for getting his ass kicked outside a West Hollywood nightclub that was video taped and shown on both local and national television. To view the press release of Keith Closs Signs with Harlem Globetrotters Click Here. The Globetrotters also have former NBA Players Doug Smith and Oliver Miller among others.

UCLA vs. Oregon and USC at Cal Previews Available By Clicking Here permalink

Tuesday, November 06, 2001

How the 2002 NL West was won by the Dodgers

By Ben Maller

Major league baseball owners voted in Chicago to get rid of a pair of franchises before the start of the 2002 season. That also means Realignment. Texas will move from the AL West to the AL Central. In the NL, Pittsburgh will move from the six-team Central to the NL East, filling the void left by the Expos. And, in the most shocking move of all, Arizona will move from the NL West to the AL West. The World Champions of baseball will defend their title in that other league!

The AL West would continue to be the best division in baseball with the Mariners, Athletics and Diamondbacks battling for the top spot with the Anahem Angels almost guaranteed a last place finish, a place they should get used to.

There has been some speculation that major league baseball will play musical chairs with its owners. One report had Expos owner Jeffery Loria taking three of his best players and going to Florida to buy the Marlins. John Henry, the current Marlins owner would buy the Anaheim Angels from evil Disney and bring three of his best players from South Florida to Orange County. The Marlins best players in my opinion are all pitchers, Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett and Ryan Dempster.

As for the NL West this division will almost be handed to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres are in a rebuilding mode till they get a new ballpark in 2004; the Rockies can't seem to find a way to win playing at Coors Field, and the Giants are about to lose 70 homeruns when Barry Bonds jumps ship for the New York Yankees.

I would like to thank Jeffrey Loria the owner of the Montreal Expos, Carl Pollad the owner of the Minnesota Twins and Bud Selig the commisioner of major league baseball for bringing the postseason back to Dodger Stadium.

Montreal does not deserve a franchise anymore. As for Minnesota, I feel horrible for the fans there who are paying the price for baseball expanding to Denver, Miami, Phoenix and Tampa Bay in the 90's without thinking of the long-term impact. This move not only affects the 50 players on the major league rosters of the Twins and Expos but also many good hard working front office employees and people that make their living off the games: The taxi cab drivers, the peanut vendors, the television crews, the hotels. Also don't forget the down the line effect of getting rid of a combined eight minor league franchises and all their front office employees and players.

This is something that had to happen to help get the competitive balance back in the game. It's not the complete answer, but it's a step in the right direction.

Need to know more about the Montreal Expos and Minnesotta Twins? This info was provided by HistoricBaseball.com

The Montreal Expos joined the National League as an expansion franchise in 1969 and were the first team to be fielded in Canada. In their first season, the Expos struggled to a 52-110 record. The Expos have never won a National League Pennant or appeared in the World Series. The team developed the reputation of being a small market club that could develop young talent before they became stars. Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Larry Walker, Delino Deshields, Andre Dawson and Gary Carter were all Expos before going on to other teams. The Expos held baseball's best record in 1994 when the players' strike brought an end to the season.

CHAMPIONSHIPS
The team has not won a championship or pennant.

TOP MANAGER
Felipe Alou managed the Expos from 1992 until he was replaced during the 2001 season. Prior to the 2001 season, Alou had posted a 670-685 record. Buck Rodgers managed from 1985-1991 and finished with a 520-499 record. Rodgers (1987) and Alou (1994) were both named NL Manager of the Year during their tenures.

MVPS
The team has no league MVPs.

CY YOUNG
Pedro Martinez (1997)

ROOKIE OF YEAR
Carl Morton (1970), Andre Dawson (1977)

RETIRED NUMBERS
8 - Gary Carter (C)
10 - Rusty Staub (1B-OF)
Andre Dawson (OF)

The Minnesota Twins actually began as the Washington Senators in the new American League in 1901. The Senators remained in Washington from 1902-1960 and appeared in just three World Series, winning in 1924. In 1961, the team was shifted to Minnesota as part of the American League expansion. The move created the Twins and another Senators franchise in Washington. By 1965, the Twins would become competitive and contenders for the division titles.

CHAMPIONSHIPS
* 1924 - Defeated NY Giants in 7 games
* 1987 - Defeated St. Louis in 7 games
* 1991 - Defeated Atlanta in 7 games
* Won the AL Pennant in 1924, 1925, 1933, 1965, 1987 and 1991

TOP MANAGER
Tom Kelly had been manager of the Twins since 1986 and was the manager for the team's two World Series wins in Minnesota. He was named AL Manager of the Year in 1991.

MVP
Zoilo Versalles (1965), Harmon Killebrew (1969), Rod Carew (1977)

CY YOUNG
Jim Perry (1970), Frank Viola (1988)

ROOKIE OF YEAR

Albie Pearson (1958), Bob Allison (1959), Tony Oliva (1964), Rod Carew (1967), John Castino (1979), Chuck Knoblauch (1991), Marty Cordova (1995)

RETIRED NUMBERS

* 3 - Harmon Killebrew (3B)
* 6 - Tony Oliva (OF)
* 14 - Kent Hrbek (1B)
* 29 - Rod Carew (2B-1B)
* 34 - Kirby Puckett (OF)

Now let's get ready for an early January dispersal draft. The Anaheim Angels figure to have the 11th pick while the Dodgers should have the 18th pick.

THE DODGERS HAVE A JONES ON THEIR MIND. CLICK HERE FOR DETAIL
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Clipper Curse Continues

By Ben Maller

Lamar Odom is the greatest player in Los Angeles Clippers' franchise history. The problem is he can't escape the hex that has been with this franchise since they left Buffalo for San Diego. Odom was suspended for five games by the NBA on Monday for violating the league's anti-drug policy, his second such punishment in less than a year.

Publicly the NBA says this is Odom's second violation, in truth its most likely his 3rd. The first time a player violates the policy it's not announced to the public and that player does not get suspended.

Odom was suspended last March for the same violation and when he returned he said, ``It was kind of immature. I'll never miss another game because of a suspension or anything like that again.

``Hopefully, enough people have been around me to really know me and understand me, and hopefully not let one mistake knock down everything I've tried to accomplish. Now I'm doing what I have to do with the NBA and with myself, so I won't be put in that position again.''

Odom has a whole lot of talking to do when he returns this time. Odom has let down his teammates, coach Alvin Gentry, GM Elgin Baylor, Fox Sports TV, the people that work at Staples Center and, more importantly, the Clipper Fans.

Lamar is 6'10" and can do it all on the basketball court. Odom has gotten off to a slow start this season but was still averaging 14 points, 10 rebounds and a team-high 3.7 assists. The reason the Clippers were able to get Odom with the 4th pick in the 1999 draft was because of some questions about his life off the basketball court. That's why the Bulls, Grizzlies and Hornets decided to pass on Odom despite the fact that he has unlimited potential. That's why Elton Brand, Steve Francis and Baron Davis were all drafted ahead of him.

After my shift at Fox Sports Radio Monday night, I talked with an "NBA Insider" on the phone. According to my source, the folks in the front office for the Clippers were outraged at this latest blow thrown by Odom. My source indicated that this latest suspension could very well signal the end of Odom's tenure with the Clips. The team will not trade Odom now but must question how they can give Odom a mega $80 million dollar deal, when he can't stay clean. We all know that owner Donald Sterling has a history of not giving out big money deals, now he's got a built in excuse to not pay Lamar.

Today is Odom's 22nd Birthday, lets hope he can turn things around. I would hate to see Lamar playing for the Memphis Grizzlies next season.

The Clippers should consider pulling the radio spots that feature Odom along with other players saying they love being Clippers and telling fans that they won't let them down. Odom just let the fans down!

Odom should try and buy a ticket to this Saturday's game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. Its "Lamar Odom Bobble Head Doll night." I'm guessing it doesn't come with a "bong" or "drug test".

I'm all for giving second chances in life. I have made many mistakes, as we all have, its part of being human. I have interviewed Lamar many times since he became a Clipper and have always found him to be a good guy. However, enough is enough. Odom has to make a commitment to living life the right way,or else go to LAX and get the hell out of town! permalink

Monday, November 05, 2001

Big Ben's Monday Morning Quarterback

By Ben Maller

The New York Jets beat the Saints 16-9 Sunday Night... As long as the Jets play on the road they'll be fine. The J-E-T-S improved to 4-0 away from the swamplands of New Jersey.

The Saints can't win at home either... New Orleans is 5-7 at home overall under coach Jim Haslett.

Kyle Turley lost his mind late in the game and figures to be fined and probably suspended for tossing a Jets Helmet like a discuss.

Doug Flutie the midget QB of the Chargers got knocked out of the game vs. Kansas City. Drew Brees looked good playing in the second half but the Chiefs won 25-20.

San Diego's rush defense should get a game ball. KC half-back, Priest Holmes, ran for 181 yards on 30 carries, the most yards ever against the Chargers, and scored a touchdown.

I have learned some very important lessons this weekend in the NFL. Never bet against a streak. The Green Bay Packers beat the Tampa Bay Buccanners 21-20, Brett Favre is 10-0 against the Bucs in Wisconsin.

The Steelers fell to 5-2 despite having 21 first downs to Baltimore's 10, 348 yards to Baltimore's 183.

It should be noted that the Ravens were the BenMaller.com NFL Lock of the week.

Leave it to the Dallas Cowboys to blow a 17-point halftime lead and lose to the New York Giants. It was the biggest comeback for the Giants since 1986 as they snapped a three game losing streak despite five turnovers.

Ryan Leaf played for the Cowboys. He looked like the same old pathetic QB from San Diego.

The Falcons were sacked nine times by a Patriots team that had only 13 in its first seven games. New England QB Tom Brady had another great game; he threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns - with not one interception among his 31 passes.

When will the real Tony Banks show up? Banks completed 15 of 23 passes for 152 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The Skins QB has six TD's and two interceptions in his last four games.

The Redskins have won three straight, after beating the Seahawks.

Jay Fiedler continues to just win games... Fiedler went 20-for-33 for 287 yards and a score, with one interception. His three wideouts made 13 receptions for 223 yards.

Miami improved to 5-2 and retained a half-game lead over the second-place Jets in the AFC East with a 23-6 lead over Carolina. The Panthers lost their seventh game in a row and fell to 1-7.

The Eagles beat the Cardinals 21-7... Donovan McNabb was 19-of-33 passing for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

Chicago's Mike Brown had a 16-yard interception return in overtime helping the Chicago Bears beat the Cleveland Browns 27-21... The Bears extended their winning streak to six games.

Brian Urlacher and the Chicago Bears have had the magic so far in 2001.

Titans QB Steve McNair threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more. McNair owns the Jaguars. After yesterday's 28-24 win, McNair has now won six of seven games against Jacksonville.

Terrell Owens caught a pair of touchdowns as the 49ers beat the Lions 21-13.

San Francisco is 4-0 when trailing at the half. The 49ers are 1-2 when leading at the half.

Marty Mornhinweg looks like a future Vince Lombardi after this 0-7 start for Detroit.

The Colts didn't miss RB Edgerrin James in their 30-14 victory over the Bills. Dominic Rhodes filled in and rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in his first NFL start.

My game ball of the weekend goes to David Hill, the chairman of Fox Sports. The computer-generated yellow line that shows TV viewers where a team needs to reach for a first down returned to Fox NFL telecasts.

Big Ben's 3 Bum's of Week 8 in the NFL

3.) Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren and QB Matt Hasselbeck. When are the Seahawks going to wake up and play Trent Dilfer?

2.) Cleveland Browns' Secondary. (The Bears scored 2 TD's in the final 30 seconds to tie the game including a Hail Mary).

1.) Kris Brown, Steelers K (Missed FOUR Field Goals).

Ben Maller's 2001 World Series Recap Click Here
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