RK Sports Promotions Blog

Denny McLain To Appear in Bordentown, NJ

Denny McLain will be appearing at the Sports Card show on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at the Ramada Inn in Bordentown, NJ. Special autograph pricing: BUY 1 AUTOGRAPH GET 1 FREE! Denny McLain was the last pitcher in baseball history to win 30+ games in a season. In 1968, McLain was 31-6, won the Cy Young Award, won the MVP Award and won the World Series. He followed up that performance by winning the CY Young Award again in 1969. For all the details, click here.

Denny McLain

Clayton Kershaw Best Pitcher in Baseball

People are comparing Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers to Sandy Koufax. Kershaw won his 20th game this year in 26 starts (tied for the fewest starts in MLB history). Kershaw's 1.80 ERA is insane. His strikeout to walk ratio 228/31 is also insane. The scary thing is, he is only 26 years old! With a 2.49 lifetime ERA and 5 consecutive 200+ strikeout years, Kershaw seems destined for greatness. Now is the time to start (if you haven't already) stockpiling Kershaw collectibles. Want to view 1000's of sports collectibles including Kershaw and the Dodgers, visit www.RKSportsPromotions.com. You'll be glad you did!

Adrian Peterson Placed On Exempt List

The Vikings announced early Wednesday that Adrian Peterson will not be allowed to practice or play for the Minnesota Vikings until his court case is over. That means Peterson's season is probably over. The Vikings had reinstated Peterson on Monday and quickly did an about face when business sponsors started dropping the Vikings. Maybe the Vikings should have known that this was going to happen. Look at the Ray Rice situation. Look at all the other situations where sponsors have dropped players and teams for their actions. Wouldn't it be easier to get it right the first time? Maybe each team should hire a "Common Sense" coordinator since many owners don't have it. I guess you don't need common sense if you have a lot of money. The website you need to visit regularly for great NFL collectibles (including the Vikings's Adrian Peterson) is www.RKSportsPromotions.com. The website is TONS of FUN!

Frank Torre Dies at 82

Former Milwaukee Braves Baseball player, Frank Torre, passed away at the age of 82. Frank was instrumental in the Braves 1957 World Series Championship. Frank hit 2 home runs to help beat the Yankees in 7 games. Frank and his brother Joe were extremely close. I remember in 1996 when Frank had a heart transplant, the impact it had on his brother. Frank also had a kidney transplant in 2007. It was nice to see that Frank was around when his brother Joe was inducted into Baseball's Hall Of Fame. Be sure to visit www.RKSportsPromotions.com for incredible World Series and Torre items. Over 7700 items to choose from!!!

Tough Guy Ray Rice Cut By Ravens


Ravens cut RB Ray Rice after release of video


AP - Sports
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Ravens cut RB Ray Rice after release of video
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In this May 1, 2014, photo, Baltimore Ravens football player and former Rutgers University stand out …
 

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Ray Rice was let go by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday and suspended indefinitely by the NFL after a video was released showing the running back striking his then-fiancee in February.


 

The grainy video, released by TMZ Sports, shows Rice and Janay Palmer in an elevator at an Atlantic City casino. Each hits the other before Rice knocks Palmer off her feet and into a railing. Months ago, a TMZ video showed Rice dragging Palmer, now his wife, from the elevator at the Revel casino, which closed Sept. 2.

In a higher-quality video shown to The Associated Press by a law enforcement official Monday night, Rice and Palmer can be heard shouting obscenities at each other, and she appears to spit at Rice right before he throws the knockout punch. After she collapses, he drags her out of the elevator and is met by some hotel staff. One of them can be heard saying, ''She's drunk, right?'' And then, ''No cops.'' Rice didn't respond. The video, which is slightly longer than the TMZ version and included some audio, was shown to the AP on condition of anonymity because the official isn't authorized to release it.

Earlier Monday, the Ravens said they never saw the new video. Hours later, they sent out a one-sentence release:

''The Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of RB Ray Rice this afternoon.''

The website you need to visit NOW is www.RKSportsPromotions.com for a HUGE selection of sports collectibles.

Coach John Harbaugh said he met with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, team president Dick Cass and general manager Ozzie Newsome after they saw the video, and they made the decision to let Rice go.

''It's something we saw for the first time today, all of us,'' Harbaugh said. ''It changed things, of course. It made things a little bit different.''

The action represented a complete reversal for the team, even though an Atlantic City police summons stated that Rice caused ''bodily injury to Janay Palmer, specifically by striking her with his hand, rendering her unconscious.''

The Ravens had used words like ''respect'' and ''proud'' in referring to Rice following his arrest.

When the NFL announced Rice's two-game suspension for domestic violence on July 24, Newsome said: ''We respect the efforts Ray has made to become the best partner and father he can be. That night was not typical of the Ray Rice we know and respect. We believe that he will not let that one night define who he is, and he is determined to make sure something like this never happens again.''

In late July, Harbaugh said, ''The thing I appreciate about it is how Ray has handled it afterward by acknowledging it was wrong and he'll do everything he can do to make it right. That's what you ask for when someone does a wrong thing. So, I'm proud of him for that.''

Asked Monday night if Rice misled him, Harbaugh said he didn't want to get into ''all that.''

''I don't think of it that way. Everything I said in terms of what I believe, I stand by,'' he said. ''I believe that still, and I'll always believe those things, and (we'll) always stand in support of them as a couple, and that's not going to change.''

Rice said in a news conference this summer that his actions that night were ''inexcusable.'' But the Ravens never took action against him until after the second video was released.

The NFL, which has been working hard to promote the game to women, also took action after the explicit video was released. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that, based on the new video evidence, Rice has been suspended indefinitely.

''We requested from law enforcement any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator,'' NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday morning. ''That video was not made available to us and no one in our office has seen it until today.''

Goodell indicated as much on Aug. 1 when during the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend.

''When we're going through the process of evaluating the issue and whether there will be discipline, you look at all of the facts that you have available to us,'' Goodell said. ''Law enforcement normally has more ... information, facts, than we have. We'll get as much as we possibly can.''

Rice's lawyer, Michael Diamondstein, declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press.

Rice, 27, stood to make $4 million this year.

''Obviously, any video that depicts an act of violence in that video is disturbing to watch. For our union, we have an unshakable position against any violence, certainly domestic violence included,'' NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said at the Seahawks' facility in Renton, Washington. ''It will be a time for us now to catch up with everything else that has occurred today.''

He had been charged with felony aggravated assault in the case, but in May he was accepted into a pretrial intervention program that allowed him to avoid jail time and could lead to the charge being purged from his record.

After Goodell drew criticism not being tough enough on Rice, in a letter to all 32 NFL owners in August saying he ''didn't get it right.''

First-time offenders now face a six-game suspension.

Rice began his suspension Sunday, when the Ravens opened their season with a 23-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He was scheduled to return after Thursday night's game against Pittsburgh.

He leaves the Ravens as the second-leading rusher in franchise history, behind only Jamal Lewis. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Rice is the team's career leader in total yards from scrimmage (9,214) and is the only player in Ravens history to rush for 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons.

But those are mere numbers, and his actions in that elevator shed a new light on him.

''I'm not going to go into what he told us or anything or if it matches or if it doesn't,'' Ravens receiver Torrey Smith said. ''That doesn't matter. What matters is what you see. It wasn't a pleasant site at all.''

Rice hasn't spoken often to the media since his arrest, but on July 31 he said this is ''something I have to live with the rest of my life.''

He added: ''I know that's not who I am as a man. ... I let so many people down because of 30 seconds of my life that I know I can't take back.''

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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Philadelphia and AP Sports Writers Brett Martel in Metairie, Louisiana, and Tim Booth in Renton, Washington, and AP freelancer Jeff Seidel in Baltimore contributed to this report.

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The website you need to visit NOW is www.RKSportsPromotions.com for a HUGE selection of sports collectibles.

Wes Welker Gone For 4 Games!


Broncos WR Welker suspended for 4 games


AP - Sports
 
Broncos WR Welker suspended for 4 games
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Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker and Virgil Green, left rear, watch play from the sideline against …
 

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- The Denver Broncos will be without Wes Welker for the first four games of the season after the NFL said the receiver violated the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.

ESPN first reported Welker's suspension, saying the violation had to do with amphetamines.Normally, the league announces such violations on Monday. News of Welker's ban didn't come down until late Tuesday, after the league offices had closed and the Broncos had already finished drawing up blueprints for their opener against Indianapolis, undoubtedly with Welker playing a prominent role.

Welker told the Denver Post in an email that he was ''as shocked as everyone at today's news.'' He noted he's meticulous about what he puts in his body and would ''never knowingly take a substance to gain a competitive advantage in any way.''

The 11th-year pro who's been the NFL's top slot receiver over the last decade added that he never concerned himself with the league's drug rules but now realizes those policies ''are clearly flawed.''

While it takes multiple violations of the league's substance-abuse policies to trigger a suspension, a four-game ban is issued for a single violation of the NFL's ban on performance-enhancing substances.

Welker's suspension will cost him roughly $706,000 in base salary.

''Tonight's news regarding Wes is very disappointing, but we understand the league's authority in this area,'' coach John Fox said in a statement. ''While it's unfortunate to not have him to start the year, I have full confidence in our wide receivers and expect that group to continue playing at a high level.''

Welker played a key role in the two greatest statistical offenses in NFL history: the 2007 New England Patriots and last year's Broncos.

He caught 73 passes for 778 yards and a career-high 10 TDs despite missing the last 3 1/2 games of last season. He returned for the playoffs and had 18 catches for 160 yards and a TD.

Without Welker, Peyton Manning will have to lean more on speedy wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who's played in the slot before, or tight end Jacob Tamme, who filled the role at times last year when Welker was out.

Tight end Julius Thomas is also better working the middle of the field. And if Sanders moves inside, that opens up playing time for rookie Cody Latimer or Bubba Caldwell opposite flanker Demaryius Thomas.

''I have no doubt that Wes will remain focused on his preparations for the season and stay in excellent shape during his time away from the team,'' Fox said.

Even before Welker's ban was issued, the Broncos were facing a daunting first month to open the season. Kicker Matt Prater has been suspended for the first four games for an alcohol-related violation of league rules and leading tackler Danny Trevathan is out for the first three games with a broken left leg.

Welker will miss games against Indianapolis, Kansas City, Seattle and Arizona. All four teams won 10 or more games last season.

The Seahawks and Colts both feature physical defensive backs that roughed up the Broncos' receivers at the line of scrimmage in wins over Denver last season.

Adept at getting open in 1-on-1 coverage and finding the holes in zones, Welker hit it off immediately with Manning last year after spending six seasons in New England with Tom Brady.

Welker was excused from practices for two days last month, apparently to meet with league officials about his pending suspension. He then played in a preseason game against Houston on Aug. 23, when he sustained his third concussion since Nov. 17.

Welker returned to practice Monday but declined comment afterward, saying he had to rush to a team function.

His latest head injury came when he tried to duck following a catch over the middle and absorbed a helmet hit by D.J. Swearinger.

Swearinger's hit knocked Welker from the game and drew a 15-yard penalty and the wrath of Manning. The quarterback raced up to say some choice words to the swaggering safety, drawing his first taunting penalty of his career. He was later fined $8,268.

''Obviously, I'm concerned about Wes,'' Manning said after the game. ''I didn't like seeing him come out of the game with a blow to the head. He had one of those last year that kept him out for a while.''

Welker will now be out of action until Oct. 12, when the Broncos visit the Jets.

The website you need to visit NOW is www.RKSportsPromotions.com for a HUGE selection of sports collectibles.

 

Johnny Manziel Tells The Redskins They Are No. 1

Joseph White of the Associated Press reports:  If the Cleveland Browns pick a quarterback based solely on numbers, there's not much either Johnny Manziel or Brian Hoyer did to show he deserves the job.

If the choice is based on maturity, the hot-shot rookie's obscene gesture lost him some ground to the nondescript sixth-year veteran.

Manziel raised his middle finger toward the opponents' bench as he returned to the huddle late in the third quarter of Monday night's 24-23 loss to the Washington Redskins. Truth be told, it was one of the few times a Browns QB actually found his intended target.

''It does not sit well,'' Cleveland coach Mike Pettine said. ''It's disappointing, because what we talk about is being poised and being focused. ... That's a big part of all football players, especially the quarterback.''

Manziel called the moment a ''lapse of judgment'' and suggested it was brought about by another game of unprintable verbal grief from another team's players and fans. He was openly mocked by Brian Orakpo in the first quarter when the Redskins linebacker raised both hands and performed the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner's ''money'' gesture after a sack by Ryan Kerrigan.

''I get words exchanged throughout the entirety of the game, every game, week after week, and I should've been smarter,'' Manziel said. ''It was a 'Monday Night Football' game, and cameras were probably solid on me, and I just need to be smarter about that.

''It's there, and it's present every game, and I just need to let it slide off my back and go to the next play.''

Meanwhile, Pettine needs to pick a starting quarterback. The performances were so unspectacular that the coach suggested he might audible from his previously stated plan of announcing his regular-season starter on Tuesday.

''All the options are still on the table,'' Pettine said.

Hoyer started Monday night and completed 2 of 6 passes for 16 yards. His self-assessment: ''It probably couldn't have been any worse. It's disappointing. It was embarrassing.''

Manziel, the No. 22 pick in the NFL draft, was 7 for 16 for 65 yards and a touchdown. Of his series early in the game, he said: ''I really tried to force everything and not let it fly like I should have. I need to get better at that and throw the dang ball.''

Those stats, as mediocre as they are, were padded by series against the Redskins' backups. In the first quarter - when Washington's starters were in the game - Manziel was 2 for 7 for 29 yards, and Hoyer was 0 for 2.

''They both missed some throws,'' Pettine said.

If there's any hint as to which way Pettine is leaning, it's worth noting that Hoyer started for the second consecutive game and played mostly with the first-team offense. Manziel was sent out with the reserves to play in the second half.

Manziel took advantage by leading a 16-play, 68-yard drive capped by an 8-yard pass to Dion Lewis for Cleveland's first touchdown.

But the six points were overshadowed by the one finger.

''A lot of people just scream out things that are very, very disrespectful,'' Browns cornerback Joe Haden said. ''He's just got to zone it out."

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Melky Cabrera & Lou Gehrig...What Do They Have in Common?

NBC Sports Aaron Gleeman writes:

In the Blue Jays’ marathon 19-inning win over the Tigers last night Toronto outfielder Melky Cabrera reached base eight times, hitting three singles and drawing five walks.

The last hitter to reach base eight or more times in a game was Hall of Famer Rod Carew in 1972. And before that it was Rocky Calavito in 1962.

So yeah, Cabrera did something pretty rare. In fact, according to the indispensable bible of baseball history BaseballReference.com he’s just the seventh hitter ever to reach base at least eight times in a game.

MELKY CABRERA     August 10, 2014
Rod Carew         May 12, 1972
Rocky Colavito    June 24, 1962
Stan Hack         August 9, 1942
Johnny Burnett    July 10, 1932
Lou Gehrig        September 5, 1927
Max Carey         July 7, 1922

That’s it. That’s the whole list. Oh, and Cabrera is now hitting .318 with an .855 OPS in 118 games for the Blue Jays after so many people used his poor 2013 production as an anti-steroids soapbox.
You can find Gehrig, Carew, Melky and tons of other collectibles at www.RKSportsPromotions.com.

David Price Added To Tigers Rotation

David Price joins Max Scherzer & Justin Verlander in the Tigers pitching rotation. The last 3 Cy Young award winners are sure to give opposing hitters fits. I can't remember the last time a team's pitching rotation was as strong as this. With MVP Miguel Cabrera on offense and the last 3 Cy Young award winners, who is to beat the Tigers? The 1st place Tigers are sure to stay there. There are tons of Detroit Tigers and other teams collectibles on the website you need to visit: RK Sports Promotions

Chuck Knoblach - Hall Of SHAME!

1 day before former Rookie Of The Year & 4x All-Star Chuck Knoblach was to be inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall Of Fame, he was arrested for beating up his wife. Way to go tough guy! Because you were a professional athlete, do you think you can get away with beating up a female? There is no room in this society for cowards like this. This is not the 1st time that he beat up a female. Back in 2009 he was accused of choking his then common-law-wife. The Minnesta Twins have CANCELLED his induction into their hall of fame. Pretty embarassing! Check out 1000's of collectible sports items at www.RKSportsPromotions.com.

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