After further review, this ‘horn-hater’ has ruled the ruling on the field should stand and the obnoxious non-stop blowing of Vuvuzelas at the FIFA World Cup 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa should be allowed to continue.

Okay, I admit it is the most obnoxious thing I have ever seen or heard at any sporting event, right up there with some fat inebriated guy with a dirty jersey shouting obscene-laced one-liners at some innocent opposing players. BUT, Americans need to step back and cool it with the criticism and grass root campaigns to ‘ban the horns’ and except it as a unique custom of our friends from Africa.

Like most Americans, this year I decided to jump on the fast-moving bandwagon of FIFA and tuned in to several games including the highly-hyped U.S. vs. England contest Saturday. And like most people in this country, media and fans alike, I acquired an instant dislike for the constant noise of the Vuvuzelas that at first I thought was a horrible overseas signal struggling to make its way from one satellite to another and through my cable to my television set.

While I was Tweeting “WTF is that!” and “Somebody make it stop!!” Skip Bayless from First and 10 was Tweeting “I had to turn my TV sound off, I couldn’t stand it.”

On the flip side of that NBA player Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks welcomed the noise Tweeting several times throughout the tourney in support of the custom.

Examiner.com Sports Columnist Paula Duffy says in her column today, ”we have thunder sticks in baseball and NBA basketball, air horns in football and even cowbells when the Sacramento Kings want to drive Lakers coach Phil Jackson round the bend.”

Now before writing your favorite Congressman, ask yourself, how would you respond if citizens from India started a campaign in the U.S. to stop eating meat because cows are ‘sacred’ and the next time you’re hunkered over a steak at the local Outback Steakhouse, a group of them asked you to please drop to your knees and worship your 48-ounce sirloin instead of eating it?

In Russia, the fans join together creating an ear-piercing whistle when they are displeased while here in the states we boo. Should we ask Russia to ban whistling next time we play them in the Olympics on their soil? If they asked us to convert our booing to whistling to avoid confusion to their country, we would tell them the same thing we would tell the India folks who wanted us to praise our steak, “Shove it where objects are only supposed to exit.”

Africa’s business pertaining to sports is their business and if we are interested in jumping on board to take part in the FIFA activities and support Futbol, then we need to chill out and take a step back, way back.

The Vuvuzelas blowing is actually a really a cool tradition when you think about it. These fans are dedicated to spending hours, yes with a plural, pumping wind into these instruments non-stop. That’s more stamina then would have been required for any of the hell raising I did with my counterparts at raucous Olympia Stadium and Historic Tiger Stadium when I was a youngster growing up in Detroit and believe me, we blew the frickin’ roof off those places more than a few times.

Hats off to the people of Africa and the FIFA fans for introducing this unique custom to our country, and hopefully as I have done, many of you will get used to the African fans and their Vuvuzelas and welcome them with open arms.

Copyright © 2010 Sports Climax, LLC

When I picture USC execs standing to face the music and have to accept the sentences for their NCAA crimes, a caricature scenario runs through my mind that includes ex-Trojans football coach Pete Carroll driving off in the getaway car leaving his fellow cronies behind to take the beating.

Carroll’s name has come up around the NFL regarding coaching vacancies several times over the years since he returned to an NCAA bench but he never took any offers seriously enough to leave until this off-season.

When it was announced Carroll would be leaving USC to return to the NFL, the NCAA allegations against USC were long out there with investigations dragging out over several years, so the timing of him shedding his Cardinal and Gold comes into question.

Being behind the Trojans bench this year would have been a disaster since the sanctions include a two-year ban from participating in a bowl game, the loss of 20 scholarships and sacrificing wins over the past several years. The L.A. Times has all the sanctions listed here.

Good luck recruiting with your hands tied like that.

The records for top NCAA football programs after being issued harsh sentences have produced grim results in the past. The five-year conference records for Alabama Crimson Tide was (21-14), OU (17-15-2) and Auburn (18-22) after being penalized by the NCAA and after an impressive winning run, the University of Miami took several years to dig out of a hole after they were slammed with sanctions.

It’s all about recruiting in college ball which is basically the minor league of the NFL. Elite high school players get lured to whatever schools can get them the most exposure to the NFL scouts.

So what’s going on in Knoxville then? Where Lane Kiffin left the University of Tennessee hanging just as the team was making its way around the corner from a dark, dingy alley they had been stuck in for several years.

Be assured there will be some heavy partying at that campus when Kiffin learns his recruiting has suddenly become so difficult.

Kiffin is known as one of the kings of recruiting and even went as far as sending hot looking babes in skimpy outfits to high school games and events trying to lure top prospects to UT during his short stay.

While all this is happening in Southern California, the caricature comes back to mind and I picture Carroll glancing back in the rear view mirror of the getaway car, well out of danger, heading toward sunnier skies in Seattle.

MORE: L.A. Times Lists All Sanctions Here

Copyright © 2010 Sports Climax, LLC

PHILADELPHIA – After nearly a half-century drought, the Chicago Blackhawks hoisted the Stanley Cup after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Flyers battled back from a one-goal deficit scoring late in the third period to send the game to overtime but Buffalo native Patrick Kane responded by scoring the game winner at 4:06 in OT.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville celebrated after the win:

“The party in Chicago is going to be all-world. It’s been a long time.”

Yes it has. The last time Chicago won the cup was in 1961 when names like Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull were on the back of one of the NHL’s most famous sweaters.

Blackhawks captain, 22-year-old Jonathan Toews is having a great year regarding hardware. After winning a gold medal in this year’s Winter Olympic Games, Toews not only gets his name on hockey’s Holy Grail but he also skated away with the Conn Smythe MVP award. He finished the playoffs with 29 points in 22 games.

“This tops everything, for sure,” said Toews. “We’re brothers in that locker room and we pull for each other, and that’s what makes this so special.”

After receiving the cup from NHL Commish Gary Bettman, Toews did his skaete-around then handed the Cup to Marian Hossa, who was becoming notorious for losing the Finals after being a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings runner-up teams in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

“I was so happy to be in the Final but at the same time it was scary,” Hossa said. “I’m so glad. I won it. I got the Stanley Cup. What a feeling. Wow. This is unbelievable.”

Other top contributors were African-American player, Dustin Byfuglien, who found the back of the net 11 times during the playoffs, Patrick Kane (28 points) and Patrick Sharp (22 points).

More Blackhawks: Dustin Byfuglien Interview/Feature

Copyright © 2010 Sports Climax, LLC

CLEVELAND, OH. – Michigan State Spartans basketball coach Tom Izzo is one of the top basketball coaches in the country and his ability to make sound decisions is one of the reasons. That same attribute may keep him behind a bench surrounded by Spartan green instead of NBA Cleveland Cavaliers jerseys.

Michigan State AD Mark Hollis has announced that Dan Gilbert has expressed a strong interest in his coach, Izzo, although he has not been given an offer yet. But who is Gilbert? The main interest that will put a guy behind that Cavs bench may need to come from LeBron James but only IF he is in the land of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next season.

Gilbert is a Michigan State alum and thinks Izzo walks on water but until James thinks the same AND has a contract signed, we may see Izzo left hanging in quasi-land.

In 15 years as an NCAA coach, Izzo has won a national championship and led his Spartans to 6 Final Fours but regardless of his ability to win and lead, many do not expect him to take the Cavs job unless James has signed on the dotted line. On the flip side of that, regardless of his resume, he may have to wait for LeBron’s approval anyways.

To wad up and throw away his current contract that has him locked in until 2016 for a total rebuilding scenario without LeBron in Cleveland would be like trading in a Bentley for a Yugo.

The Cavs have remained one of the top teams and contenders in the Eastern Conference with James on the court but have still failed to win a title even though they have opened their wallet and surrounded James with a variety of talent over the years.

That being said, if James leaves for a larger NBA market like New York or Chicago, then Izzo may prefer to stay put in Lansing where Spartans fans are pacing the floor, awaiting this decision.

The LeBron sweepstakes has taken center stage even to the Boston Celtics and L.A. Lakers NBA Playoff Finals and now Izzo’s name has been thrown into the fiasco.

Teams like his Cavs, the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and New Jersey Nets are drooling over the image of seeing James suit up in their buildings, salivating over the idea of having him suit up in their uniform.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh has basically thrown away a few seasons creating enough cap space while it was earlier that rumored Derek Jeter and Jay Z would get involved in the recruiting mission.

In the Windy City, a billboard sits at Grand Ave. and La Salle St. that says “Chicago wants LeBron.” LeBron probably won’t even be driving in that area in Chicago but that’s how much hype surrounds his free agency.

Politicians are even getting in the mix with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland leading a group of people singing a song entitled “Please Stay LeBron,” and President Obama suggesting where James should sign.

With this circus atmosphere surrounding LeBron and the Cavs, Izzo may have to wait for the official offer that may only come after James signs and APPROVES him as coach.

Izzo may not be used to players making coaching or organization decisions like that but welcome to the NBA . . . before even getting there, Mr. Izzo.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

DETROIT – Let’s play a name game, ‘Bill Buckner’. Okay now that you have the image of the star Red Sox player letting the dribbler through his legs during the 1986 World Series to allow the New York Mets to get up off the mat and defeat the Boston Red Sox, let’s toss another name out there, MLB umpire ‘Jim Joyce’.

Joyce has been calling balls and strikes behind the plate as a full-time major league umpire since 1989 and before last night was known and respected enough to be involved in two World Series, 11 other playoff series and a pair of All-Star games.

But after last night’s Bill Buckner moment, Joyce will forever be remembered for altering MLB history with one of the most asinine, missed calls in the history of sports.

With two outs in the 9th inning at Comerica Park in Detroit, young starter Armando Galarraga was one out away from pitching the first perfect game in the Detroit Tigers franchise history.

The final batter hit a ground ball, the play was made at 1st base and as the crowd and players were ready to erupt in celebration, Joyce called the runner safe.

After the game, replays clearly showed the runner was out and the game should have been over. After the game, Joyce apologized to Galarraga and the Tigers.

Apology NOT accepted.

Why, because that play wasn’t even close by umpire standards. These guys nail split-second plays at first all year long. This runner was out by almost a half-step. If the play were even closer, in a situation like that with a perfect game on the line on a home field, only a moron like Joyce would make that gaffe.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig has the power to reverse Joyce’s blunder since the umpire admitted he made the incorrect call and the replays verified the runner was out:

“It was the biggest call of my career, and I kicked the shit out of it. I just cost that kid a perfect game.”

ESPN reported that Selig would likely consult with his top advisers before reversing the call and I believe he will do the right thing and give the franchise their first perfect game. This reversal would have no bearing on the final 3-0 score in the shutout over the Cleveland Indians.

While we await Selig’s decision, Joyce is scheduled to be behind the plate in Detroit for this afternoon’s game between the same two teams, hope his skin is as thick as armor.

Like Buckner’s play that rocked the baseball world, still to this day, this timing of Joyce’s blunder may follow the umpire around for the rest of his career.

The gaffe also gives a ton of ammo to proponents for expanding the instant replay for MLB.

An anti-Joyce Facebook page was created shortly after the game and a website called firejimjoyce.com was launched.

In the meantime, welcome to the Bill Buckner Hall of Shame, Mr. Joyce.

Copyright © 2010 Sports Climax, LLC

In case you were wondering how Jay McGwire’s book “Mark and Me: Mark McGwire and the Truth Behind Baseball’s Worst-Kept Secret” is doing, well, today the Barnes & Noble website has it ranked 94,956 in sales and also has slashed the price 28%.

In the book, Jay, an avid body-builder and heavy steroid user, threw his brother under the bus, sharing information with the world that Mark, one of MLB’s most famous sluggers, had managed to keep away from the media, league and fans for years.

The New York Times did a story about there being little intrerest in the book when Jay and his agent were shopping the project around early in 2009.

In an interview with ESPN just prior to the book’s release, Jay told the network the details and types of performance-enhancing drugs he says Big Mac used during a three-year stretch beginning in 1994.

Later in the interview Jay commented on how he was not approached during the steroid investigations saying, “It’s funny, huh? You’d think that you’d want to go to the core of the story.”

Yeah it is funny . . . how people’s lack of interest in the core or any part of the story has it collecting dust on book shelves across the country and currently ranked at 94,956.

This year will mark the 81st edition of the MLB All Star Game when baseball’s stars will take the field on July 13, 2010 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

That’s the good part now here’s the bad part.

Fans can vote up to 25 times for their favorite player so basically people will be sitting at their laptops stacking votes; no wonder every year we see unworthy athletes being announced in the starting line-ups.

Almost forgot to mention, the voting is open worldwide so people in places like Madagascar and Irkutz will be helping to put these rosters together, we know how important it is to allow the people in these regions to get involved in the process.

The voting takes place on the internet at MLB.com and all 30 club sites are encouraging their fans to vote for their jerseys; some mentioning the 25 vote limit, inadvertently promoting metacarpal syndrome.

The ballot is sponsored by Sprint and closes on July 1 at 10:59 p.m. CT with the starting rosters being announced during the 2010 All-Star Game Selection Show on TBS on July 4.

The game will be televised nationwide on FOX with pre-game stuff beginning at 8 PM ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage.

Ready fans, start your clicking!

Vote on MLB.com here.

After the Boston Bruins went up 3-0 in their Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers, it was only human for them to think in the back of their minds they were advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. I mean, Philly barely squeaked into the playoffs at No. 7 seed.

It’s not like Sid ‘The Kid’ or Alex ‘The Great’ were on the opposing bench. It was Philly and no team had come back from a 3-0 deficit since the star-studded New York Islanders did it in 1975.

Fast-forward to three games later when the guys in gold from Beantown found themselves returning home with the series tied 3-3 but hey, still no worries, right?

Not only were the Bruins returning to their home ice supported by a raucous sold-out arena for Game 7, but Flyers starting goaltender Brian Boucher was injured so fill-in Michael Leighton would be between the pipes.

The Bruins responded with a vengeance, tallying the first 3 goals of the game, letting the world know they intended to stop the Flyers from becoming only the second team in the NHL since 1942 to rebound from a 3-0 deficit.

Up 3-0 at home with the crowd in a frenzy fantasizing about flooding the streets with a classic Beantown celebration, the Flyers scored the next 4 goals and sent the arena and city’s heart beat into a straightline, shattering the dreams of an alcohol-infested night.

This implosion, ladies and gentleman (there’s usually only one of you here) is worthy of a classic, side-armed, Zsa Zsa Gabor Bitch-Slap!

And get this, the Flyers who started the playoffs a No. 7 seed actually will have the home ice advantage in the Eastern Conference Finals because the No. 8 seed Montreal Canadians gave Crosby and his Pens a face-washing and sent them home packing.

This Bruins implosion should remind every sports fan in America that it is NEVER over ‘til that fat bitch takes the mic.

Rumors will be flying in this NBA off-season about what jersey LeBron James may land in.

SLAP! Excuse me, I just hauled off and slapped myself.

There are still two rounds to go in these NBA playoffs and the media, including us, are already absorbed in the LeBron sweepstakes.

Last time I looked there were four NBA teams that earned some press time by advancing to their NBA Conference Finals. Boston, Orlando, Phoenix and the L.A. Lakers all deserve the attention since they . . .

Forget that, back to LeBron.

After the Cleveland Cavaliers were given a shocking quick exit courtesy of Kevin Garnett and the Celts last night, Celtics fans was throwing in their two cents and giving a national television audience their prediction raising the roof with a chant:

“New York Knicks. New York Knicks!”

James had a statistically good night throwing up a triple-double, 27 points, 19 boards and 10 assists.

‘Throwing up’ may not be the best description pertaining to LeBron’s scoring; it seems more suitable for describing the symptoms Cavs fans may be having after another early ouster from the playoffs and the realization James may have played his final game in Cleveland.

When asked, James did not lay out any detail as expected about slam-dunking in another NBA uniform but he also did not suggest he will stay in the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame either.

“It’s all about winning for me, and I think the Cavs are committed to doing that,” James said. “But at the same time I’ve given myself options to this point.”

If LeBron does pack his bags, his final game could not have been a worse going away party. He was actually booed off the court after the Celtics took it to the Cavs blowing them out 120-88.

So where does ‘King’ James land? And I use that name lightly after his failure in this year’s playoffs.

The Chicago Bulls make a lot of sense since they have a foundation in place and plenty of championship history with Michael Jordan’s No. 23 jersey hanging in the rafters. Derrick Rose is one of the top point guards and Joakim Noah is developing along at a nice pace.

The Bulls gave away John Salmons and their No. 1 pick to the Fear the Deer group in Milwaukee and many believe that was solely to free up a butt-load of cash to bid on LeBron.

Miami is a part of this buzz as well and the timing of Pat Riley going to the press and declaring he may be interested in coaching again may not be a coincidence. Besides, they have the hottest cheerleaders on the planet who make every game feel like a sexy Halloween night.

Finally, the Celtics fans’ prediction, the New York Knicks. James has come right out and said New York is his favorite city and Madison Square Garden is his favorite NBA arena to play in and the Knicks have been clearing cap room for quite some time preparing to make a maximum offer to James.

If James is serious about wanting to be the first billionaire athlete in the universe, then the Knicks would almost have to be the place.

For sympathy reasons we will mention the train-wreck New Jersey Nets and give honorable mention to the L.A. Clippers because we have a really smart writer on staff here who lives on the west coast and thinks they may be prepping for the auction.

This summer will be one of the most interesting NBA off-seasons for sure, oh and BTW, I almost forgot to mention, the NBA Conference Finals start this weekend.

Copyright © 2010 Sports Climax, LLC

New York? Chicago? Miami?

Rumors will be flying in this NBA off-season about what jersey LeBron James may land in.

SLAP! Excuse me, I just hauled off and slapped myself.

There are still two rounds to go in these NBA playoffs and the media, including us, are already absorbed in the LeBron sweepstakes.

Last time I looked there were four NBA teams that earned some press time by advancing to their NBA Conference Finals. Boston, Orlando, Phoenix and the L.A. Lakers all deserve the attention since they . . .

Forget that, back to LeBron.

After the Cleveland Cavaliers were given a shocking quick exit courtesy of Kevin Garnett and the Celts last night, Celtics fans was throwing in their two cents and giving a national television audience their prediction raising the roof with a chant:

“New York Knicks. New York Knicks!”

James had a statistically good night throwing up a triple-double, 27 points, 19 boards and 10 assists.

‘Throwing up’ may not be the best description pertaining to LeBron’s scoring; it seems more suitable for describing the symptoms Cavs fans may be having after another early ouster from the playoffs and the realization James may have played his final game in Cleveland.

When asked, James did not lay out any detail as expected about slam-dunking in another NBA uniform but he also did not suggest he will stay in the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame either.

“It’s all about winning for me, and I think the Cavs are committed to doing that,” James said. “But at the same time I’ve given myself options to this point.”

If LeBron does pack his bags, his final game could not have been a worse going away party. He was actually booed off the court after the Celtics took it to the Cavs blowing them out 120-88.

So where does ‘King’ James land? And I use that name lightly after his failure in this year’s playoffs.

The Chicago Bulls make a lot of sense since they have a foundation in place and plenty of championship history with Michael Jordan’s No. 23 jersey hanging in the rafters. Derrick Rose is one of the top point guards and Joakim Noah is developing along at a nice pace.

The Bulls gave away John Salmons and their No. 1 pick to the Fear the Deer group in Milwaukee and many believe that was solely to free up a butt-load of cash to bid on LeBron.

Miami is a part of this buzz as well and the timing of Pat Riley going to the press and declaring he may be interested in coaching again may not be a coincidence.

Finally, the Celtics fans’ prediction, the New York Knicks. James has come right out and said New York is his favorite city and Madison Square Garden is his favorite NBA arena to play in and the Knicks have been clearing cap room for quite some time preparing to make a maximum offer to James.

If James is serious about wanting to be the first billionaire athlete in the universe, then the Knicks would almost have to be the place.

For sympathy reasons we will mention the train-wreck New Jersey Nets and give honorable mention to the L.A. Clippers because we have a really smart writer on staff here who lives on the west coast and thinks they may be prepping for the auction.

This summer will be one of the most interesting NBA off-seasons for sure, oh and BTW, I almost forgot to mention, the NBA Conference Finals start this weekend.