Draft Pick Signing Deadline and opening of New Medowlands Stadium

Major League Baseball teams have until midnight tonight to sign their draft picks from the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft. It's worth noting that there are 15 first-round picks who have yet to sign, the most notable being the Washington Nationals' no. 1 overall pick Bryce Harper. The list is as follows:

1. Bryce Harper, Nationals
2. Jameson Taillon, Pirates
3. Manny Machado, Orioles
4. Drew Pomeranz, Indians
5. Barret Loux, Diamondbacks
6. Matt Harvey, Mets
7. Karsten Whitson, Padres
8. Deck McGuire, Blue Jays
9. Yasmani Grandal, Reds
10. Dylan Covey, Brewers
11. Josh Sale, Rays
12. Christian Yelich, Marlins
13. Zack Cox, Cardinals
14. Kyle Parker, Rockies
15. Zach Lee, Dodgers

Indications are that Harper and Taillon, the first two picks in the draft, will sign before the deadline for big money contracts. Many expect Harper to get more than the record $15 million that the Nationals gave last year's no. 1 overall pick Stephen Strasburg.

As for me, I'll cross out the names of those who sign, as well as their figures.

As well, tonight at 8:00 PM the New York Giants and New York Jets will face-off in the first game at the New Medowlands Stadium. I'll be watching that game too. Should be a good one.

Bob Sheppard, iconic Yankees PA Announcer, dies at 99

Bob Sheppard, the PA Announcer of the New York Yankees for over 50 years, died this morning at his home in Baldwin, NY at the ripe old age of 99.

Robert "Bob" Leo Sheppard was born on October, 20 1910. "The Voice of God," as Sheppard was nicknamed by Reggie Jackson, began his career as an announcer for the Yankees in 1951, announcing the game in which Mickey Mantle debuted in against the Boston Red Sox, until 2007, when he had to leave due to a bronchial infection. A graduate of St. John's University in 1932, Sheppard earned his Master's Degree in speech from Columbia University. Sheppard did not return to old Yankee Stadium for the 2008 season, and officially announced his retirement on November 27, 2009.

Before his retirement, Yankees' shortstop and captain Derek Jeter asked Sheppard to record himself announcing Jeter's plate appearance with the traditional:

"Now batting, numbah two,
Derek Jee-tuh, numbah two."

Jeter proclaimed that he would use Sheppard's announcing for every plate appearance of his career until his retirement, a huge tribute to the man behind the mic. Sheppard responded saying that Jeter's request was "one of the greatest compliments I have received in my career of announcing,"adding,"The fact that he wanted my voice every time he came to bat is a credit to his good judgment and my humility."

To this day, Sheppard's voice still announces Jeter when he comes to bat.

"He adds elegance to the game," said Fox Sports announcer Tim McCarver. "The best words to describe his introductions are 'eloquent' and 'elegant.'"

Sheppard, who has been forever immortalized in the Yankees' Monument Park in center field, announced 62 World Series games, two All-Star games, and introduced over 70 Hall of Famers throughout his illustrious career. Sheppard also served as the voice of the New York Giants from 1956-2006. However, it is his role with the Yankees that Sheppard will forever be remembered for.

Rest In Peace Mr. Sheppard.

Alltagetha: Pierce, LeBron & Swish

While we all wait with nine hours remaining until LeBron James tells the sporting world of his decision...

- Former New York Giants favorite and star linebacker Antonio Pierce has announced his retirement from the NFL. "A-P" will now join ESPN as a NFL analyst, and will appear on "NFL Live" today at 4 PM ET to discuss his retirement, as well as his new job working as a sports analyst. Pierce follows Michael Strahan, another Giants great and future Hall of Famer, into the career of broadcasting and being an analyst. Pierce began his career with the Washington Redskins for four season before signing with the Giants in 2005.

"I am definitely going to miss the fans, the locker room talks, and the excitement of putting on a NFL uniform every Sunday, but I am ready to put on a new uniform, and I am extremely excited about contributing my knowledge and experience in this new endeavor to the championship team at ESPN. I thank my family, friends, teammates, and fans for their support throughout my career and as I move in this new and exciting direction," Pierce said in a statement.

Pierce led the Giants in tackles three times, was a three-year captain, a Pro Bowl pick in 2006 and one of the inspirational leaders of a squad that did not have a losing season in his five years with the franchise.

His five-year totals with the Giants: 537 tackles (322 solo), seven sacks, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and four interceptions. Pierce also had 44 postseason tackles (28 solo). (ESPN)

- Today is D-Day. Well, D-Day for LeBron James that is. Tonight at 9 PM ET on ESPN, LeBron James will announce his decision on where he will play next year. It's been narrowed down to the Knicks, Heat, and Cavaliers. This morning, sources have indicated that James is going to go to Miami to form a powerhouse with the Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Other sources have said that LeBron is going to New York, where he was spotted house shopping yesterday with Amare Stoudemire and Allan Houston. Some say he's staying in Cleveland. We'll find out tonight.

- Today is the last day to vote for the Final Vote for the MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim. Nick Swisher of the New York Yankees is holding a slim lead over Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox. Remember to vote for Swish! Voting ends at 4 PM ET today! SEND SWISH! GET THE MAN TO ANAHEIM!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE.

A superbowl in the swamp in 2014? (Update: We got it! Superbowl 2014 in NY!)

The ongoing debate in the NFL this off-season: Will there be a Superbowl in 2014 at the new Medowlands Stadium in New York/New Jersey?

Some think "that's crazy, no way will there be a cold weather superbowl." However, it's not as crazy as you think. Ask yourself this: What better place is there to sports' biggest game played than in the home of the NEW YORK Jets & Giants? All big things happen in New York, and a Superbowl would only make it more interesting. Today is D-Day for the vote on where the 2014 game will be hosted, and Medowlands Stadium has made it to the final round of voting. The Giants/Jets organizations have 15 minutes to make an impression of commissioner Roger Goodell and his staff. It's well known that the commissioner is in favor a cold weather Superbowl: "The 2014 Super Bowl at New Meadowlands Stadium would surely prove to be a history-making event of unmatched excitement. We understand that the main hesitation regarding a Super Bowl in our region may be the weather. We do not think this is reason alone to forgo the nation's most dynamic area." The
Jets and Giants must be happy about that for sure.

What do I think?
I think it'd be a great idea. A Superbowl played in the stadium of two of the most historic NFL teams ever? That'd be sweet. A cold Superbowl would be cool too. I'd like to see the reaction of the players when they find out: "We're playing in the swamp?!"

Get ready NFL Fans: Superbowl 2014, New Medowlands Stadium - East Rutherford, New Jersey


UPDATE 3:55 PM: The Commissioner's staff is supposedly to decide where the Superbowl will be held for 2014, today at 4:00 PM EST. Stay tuned!

UPDATE 4:41 PM: The votes are in! We got it! The 2014 Superbowl will be played at Medowlands Stadium. See more here.
A Superbowl in New York could be the greatest thing to happen to football. The game's biggest game on the world's biggest stage. Welcome to New York Superbowl 2014.