Yardbarker: All Articles

Pronounced Cracks in Baseball’s Glass Ceiling

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:58:15 -0500

Kim Ng has been key in helping breakthrough baseball's glass ceiling for women. Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr. is a guest contributor to The Biz of Baseball. See other submissions by him within the Articles and Opinions archive. Dr. Donna Lopiano, renowned scholar on gender equality in sports, recently gave a lecture to a group of sports business scholars on women’s sports markets and barriers to their growth. At the outset, Lopiano recounted a time in her childhood when she aspired to play for the New York Yankees and become a pitcher just like her childhood idol Bob Turley. Unfortunately, a childhood dream to pitch in the Major Leagues would never become a reality due to four words that would change her life forever: “Girls can’t play baseball.” Even though it is highly unlikely that a woman will ever don a major league uniform, their impact on the baseball industry has been profound. Today, women have ascended to positions of tremendous power and influence within Major League Baseball’s hierarchy. Not only have women become chief executives and financial officers, presidents and executive vice presidents of Major League ball clubs, but they have successfully infiltrated the male dominated baseball operations department. Trail blazers such as Kim Ng and Jean Afterman currently hold desirous positions as Vice Presidents and Assistant General Managers for two of baseball’s most historic and successful franchises, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. In recent years, the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres were so impressed with Ng’s credentials as a talent evaluator and executive, both ball clubs interviewed her for their vacant general manager positions. While the Mariners and Padres both decided to go in different directions, Ng convincingly proved that her time will come sooner rather than later. Ownership groups are no longer a fraternity defined by myopic attitudes and egregious behaviors regarding women. Instead of bravado and machismo impairing business decisions, owners now actively seek counsel from female executives whose sports business acumen is extraordinary. Not only do they understand the nuances and eccentricities that accompany both E.B.I.T.D.A. and E.R.A., but they are able to bring a new perspective to the seismic changes impacting baseball’s consumption. In the past, Major League Baseball has earned its fair share of criticism for its reluctance to embrace societal advancements. However, they should be commended for their genuine efforts in the hiring of female executives and building relationships with an audience other than the male 25-54 year old demographic. Over the past decade, Major League Baseball has engrossed itself in comprehensive market studies and initiatives geared towards building lifelong relationships with women. Astonishingly, women comprise 46% of the sport’s audience. Licensing of merchandise now reflects the excessive demands that women and young girls have placed on baseball for apparel designed specifically for them. While promotions honoring Mother’s Day and raising money for breast cancer awareness have been well received, it is the unique ball park experiences that have piqued the interest of many. Afternoons of yoga at Dodger Stadium or pregame wine tasting events with the Minnesota Twins have given women an opportunity to intimately connect with baseball while purchasing a product tailored to their hobbies and interests. Even the hallowed halls of Cooperstown have recognized the importance of women to baseball by honoring their vast accomplishments. The grandest tribute comes in the form of a plaque hanging in the Hall of Fame gallery for civil rights pioneer Effa Manley. The former co-owner and business manager of the Negro League’s Newark Eagles was a prominent female executive during a tumultuous time of war and civil unrest. She is also the only woman ever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. As the general manager meetings take place in Chicago this week, I am confident that a woman will proudly represent a Major League ball club at these meetings within five years as a Senior Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations. To many, a venerable position like this is held in high regard and treated with great reverence. While some might view the hiring of a female general manager as a novelty, others will see it for what it actually is: an opportunity to hire the best qualified candidate. Baseball and business intelligence are not a birthright to a single gender, but acquired through passion and perseverance. While a woman might never throw a perfect game or hit a home run in the World Series, they can and will assume a position of great power and influence in a sport deeply vested in tradition and lore. OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK (THE BIZ OF FOOTBALL) Boise St. Engages PR Firm in Attempt to Gain BCS Game Does the NFL Salary Cap Still Work? Browns Fire GM George Kokinis After 1-7 Start UFL Failing to Dazzle at the Turnstiles (THE BIZ OF HOCKEY) "Buzz" Hargrove Resigns As Interim Ombudsman of NHLPA BANKRUPTCY JUDGE APPROVES SALE OF COYOTES TO NHL (THE BIZ OF BASKETBALL) Timberwolves File Lawsuit Against AEG Over Target Center Signage Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Settles For $2.725M in Housing Discrimination Lawsuit NBA.TV Adds Brent Barry to On-Air Talent Roster (SPORTS BASH) Roger Clemens Should Have Listened to Momma The NHLPA Is Sports’ Dysfunctional Stepchild Rumor: Liberty Media Backing Out of Purchase of Bodybuilding.com After FDA Raid Sammy Sosa Proves Being a Metrosexual Has Its Consequences Key Off-Season Dates on MLB’s Calendar (and notes about them) Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr. (wayne.mcdonnell@nyu.edu) is a clinical assistant professor of sports management at the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management at New York University.

Nine-time winners Hunter, Ichiro lead AL Gold Gloves

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:35:00 -0500

Derek Jeter won his fourth Gold Glove at shortstop, joining New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira among the American League players honored for fielding excellence.

Salute to the Troops

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:21:01 -0500

I wanted to take the time on Veteran's Day to give my personal salute to the men and women who protect our country. While many people talk about the "battles" that professional athletes face on game day, nothing compares to the actual battles that our veterans and the current troops face in the military. One day to honor them just doesn't seem like enough.

My father served in the Navy so I am aware of what our troops do and what they mean to this country. I will forever be thankful to these men and women.

Keep up the great work and get home safe!

Saudi Arabian Soccer Player Scores Goal In Two Seconds

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:20:33 -0500

Scoring in two seconds? Boy, does that measurement of time take me back to the night I lost my virginity. Nawaf Al Abed, who plays for Al Hilal, a Saudian Arabian soccer club, scored a goal two seconds into a match against Al Shoalah in a Prince Faisal bin Fahad Cup match. Al Abed took the opening [...]

Ricky Stanzi Has Surgery And Won't Be Back Before Bowl Game

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:48:00 -0500

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi underwent surgery earlier this week on his severly sprained right ankle suffered during Iowa’s loss to Northwestern on Saturday. The surgery was confirmed by head coach Kirk Ferentz on Tuesday, and he also confirmed the news that Iowa fans were crossing their fingers would somehow not end up being the case. As miraculous as Stanzi has seemed at the end of some

Video: Kobe Bryant on TBS' premiere of 'Lopez Tonight'

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:50:06 -0500

Comedian George Lopez's new late night show "Lopez Tonight" premiered anoche on TBS. Joining Lopez for the star-studded premiere were actress, friend, and fellow Chicana, Eva Longoria Parker, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and some guy in a rad 90s-like windbreaker, who I'm told plays basketball or something. Cheers, Hooped Up.

Jasper Howard 'Took Swing' At Murder Suspect

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:51:55 -0500

Dave Altimari of the HARTFORD COURANT reports today that two witnesses, including a player on the UConn football team, told police that “Jasper Howard took the first swing at the man accused of stabbing him to death.” The fight began after two members of the team — Brian Parker, a redshirt freshman, and freshman A.J. Portee [...]

My Adventures in Italy: Entry 1

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:56:27 -0500

What’s going on everybody back in the States, welcome to my blog. So I decided to document my current residency/trip to Teramo, Italy and blog it for everybody to view for different reasons. First reason, I want to look back at this experience years from now and remember exactly what I was thinking at that particular time in my life. Not wait as time pass or once I’m back in America to change my initial thought process on each week-to-week learning experience my mind is giving me at this very instance. Second reason, I really don’t have a lot of stuff to do here so far, why not make my time here useful and productive. Might as well use that degree for something right? Third reason, I have a horrible memory so this could help me out when remembering things that I probably would forget anyway. Fourth reason, I want people to know what kind of stuff I’m doing over here just in case they might never travel out the country, you can live through me a little bit I guess. Lastly, I know you all miss me, so this is my way of talking to everybody if I don’t on a consistent basis. I’m hoping I can post new stuff every week, especially if I don’t get lazy. If I do (there’s a good chance), then for sure every two weeks, we will see what happens as we go. I know my entries aren’t going to be all accurate grammar wise, so don’t judge me ok? I’m not trying to get an A+ here people. So lets begin!

Been here for little bit over a week now (Aug 30), my internet just got installed in my place the other day. I didn’t really know what to expect once I came to Teramo regarding my place, car, food, the people and the whole playing basketball in Europe. I decided I was just going to take it as goes, so I wouldn’t disappoint myself pretty much. Everything has been pretty great so far. My place is nice I think; it’s 3 bedrooms (my bed is a queen), 2 bath apartment. My three teammates that are American who lives in my building here are older than me and married at that. Plus, all their wives are coming to stay here in a month or less, so I kind of feel like I’m going to be really chilling by myself soon, but I got my PS3!

Kitchen (top) Living room (bottom)

Outside my room (top) Inside my room (bottom)

Bathroom 1 (top, tub) Bathroom 2 (bottom, shower to the left behind the door)

Second bedroom (top) Third room (bottom, dryer and closets)

View from the living room balcony (top, left side) View from the left side (bottom)

Traveling to get here, which took about a full day was cool. I slept for most of it so the time went fast to be honest. We landed in Roma by way of Madrid, Spain (that’s what they call it here not Rome) and drove to Teramo in the team van, which took almost 2 hours, I feel asleep for most of that too. Soon as we get there, we had a team meeting for everybody in the organization that lasted an hour. Most of the coaches and players speak predominantly Italian but one coach is a translator and most of the teammates speak pretty good English too. Then after the meeting was over with, they took us to the track! I was like, “What the hell is wrong with these people?” “Can’t they just see I got here for traveling across the world” Anyways, I sucked it up and we jogged for 15 minutes around the track as a team and then we called it a day. Since then though, we run in the morning, which I didn’t mind at first, but now is getting tired of it and then practice in the evenings. The gym is hot and humid as hell so when we’re done I’m always dripping with sweat all over, we will see if this keeps up.

The city looks old but has that beautiful, historic feel to it. I believe it’s about 50,000 people living here and about 10-15 miles from the Sea. Everybody I met here is nice and the ones I don’t know just stare at me because I’m tall, dark, handsome and from America and they know I’m here to play basketball for their city. It didn’t take long to know my way around driving in the city. There are a couple roads I stick to that take me where I need to go for whatever reasons, so I’m good for that standpoint.

Picture outside the arch (top) From the inside (bottom)

Food here is another story though. Ok, if you know me, you know I loved me some breakfast. That is my specialty and the only thing I can proudly say I can cook and better than anybody! Just imagined how I felt when I get here and found out that breakfast is not a main concern here. No waffles, no pancakes, no syrup, no grits, no omelets, no french toast, no breakfast sandwiches, no sausage (the way I like it) and especially no BACON!!!!!!!!!! Bacon is my crack! It broke my heart when I saw that. Luckily enough, the other day I found something pretty close to bacon and I have force myself to use it as my substitute for the moment. At night, there are I think 4 to 5 restaurants here that sever pasta and pizza, the local foods and that’s it. So for dinner, I have been going back and forth with pizza pasta or I make hamburgers at home. So to make sure I stay healthy and get my much needed nutrients, I added salada (that’s Italian for salad people, lol) to my every night dinner menu.

I’m going to end it here people because I feel I wrote too much as is. That, or I’m tired or typing, plus I need to stuff to use to write next weeks blog. I got to keep my material new and fresh so you all can keep coming back. Hoping the lucky few that were smart enough to look on my page or see the notification of this and click to see. I thank you for reading my first entry, hope it was entertaining. Ttyl!

Yankees Could Keep Pettitte, Damon, Matsui

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:20:48 -0500

After months of talk that the Yankees would only keep one of Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that the World Champions will try to re-sign both players, plus Andy Pettitte. The Yankees are more intent on retaining their own free agents than they are on acquiring Matt Holliday, Jason Bay or John Lackey. Yankees GM Brian Cashman would prefer to bring all three back on one-year deals to minimize risk. Teams might be reluctant to sign Damon - a Type A free ...

Marat Safin Says Agassi Is "Stupid", Should "Shut Up"

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:55 -0500

Tennis-playing dude Marat Safin isn't exactly broken up over revelations that fellow competitor Andre Agassi was addicted to crank. If he feels so bad about it now, Safin says, then why not give back all that money he didn't win? Safin told L'Equipe that if Agassi is trying to clear his conscience because he lied to the ATP to get out of a failed drug test, then wouldn't it make more sense to give back the money that the ATP allowed him to win by not banning him from the spor...

The Broncos Are Who We Thought They Were

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:45:56 -0500

Denver’s 6-0 start? A distant memory. Now they struggle to run (66 yards last week in Baltimore, 27 last night vs. Pittsburgh) and the offensive load has been thrust upon the hairy Kyle Orton who … tossed three interceptions, including one pick-six in a humbling 28-10 loss to the defending Super Bowl champs. Since the Eddie [...]

EA Sports MMA Video Game Trailer - Video

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:29:21 -0500

Check out the trailer for the upcoming EA Sports MMA video game. The trailer aired live on the Strikeforce CBS broadcast and appropriately features Brett Rogers vs. Fedor Emelianenko. As far as graphics go, the game looks tremendous. Related posts:Fedor Emelianenko To Headlines EA Sports MMA GameMayhem Miller Goes Nuts On EA Over MMA Game Rating – VideoA Randy Couture, Dana White, and Fedor Emelianenko MMA Dance Off – Video

Lakers Great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Has Leukemia

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:22:10 -0500

Broderick Turner of the LOS ANGELES TIMES reports this morning that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a “rare form of leukemia, but the Lakers legend says his long-term prognosis is very good.” Abdul-Jabbar, 62, revealed during an interview Monday that he has Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that produces cancerous [...]

Douche Of The Week

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:05:00 -0500

The Deuce is great when it comes to starting weekly posts that we have no intention of keeping up. This one is no different. Douche of the Week should be self-explanatory. Email us if you need clarification. You may find yourself in the mix for the following week. First up is a fan at the Chelsea-Manchester United match this past Sunday. We'll get to John Terry's dad in a few but witness this off-brand Mark Morrison who managed to make his way onto televisions around the world. ...

LARRY JOHNSON, PITTSBURGH STEELER?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:54:00 -0500

Could this man be the next member of the Pittsburgh Steelers? If it were up to him...yes. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, RB Larry Johnson, recently freed of the burdens of an NFL contract, would like to join the Steelers. Let me try and contain my enthusiasm.

Predictably, the internet has gone wild with this nugget of information; but just like the Michael Vick-to-the-Steelers theory, let's slow down a minute before we go signing anyone on behalf of Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin. Once again, the Steelers do not need this player. They already have several running backs who are more than capable of handling an NFL workload. And while the Steelers are certainly are not exempt from players who have had run-ins with the law, they have been their own players, not players from other teams who are being given a second chance at NFL life by the Black and Gold. With the exception of the extremely mislabeled Jerome Bettis, images are not generally rehabbed in the Steel City.

Again drawing comparisons to Vick and ignoring the off-field distractions, this is a player who is in a career freefall. After Johnson's ridiculous two-year run of 752 carries, 3539 yards rushing, and 40 total touchdowns in just 25 starts between 2005 and 2006, his numbers have predictably flatlined. He was clearly overused by the Chiefs in that time, and his stats are a direct reflection of the heavy workload. He hasn't played more than 12 games in a season since then, his top yardage total was 874 in 2008, and he's getting just 2.7 yards per carry this season. I don't know about you, but those numbers don't really excite me.

In short, if you really feel that the Steelers need an expensive, overworked, baggage-laden, soon-to-be-30-year-old running back, then by all means, I suggest you support the Larry Johnson-to-Pittsburgh cause. But I'm guessing you won't have much support.

Schefter: Larry Johnson wants to play for the Steelers [PFT]

Email: Mondesishouse@gmail.com Twitter: twitter.com/mondesishouse Facebook: Facebook Group

Here we go again: the Phillies are pursuing Roy Halladay

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:12:00 -0500

You knew it was only a matter of time before this rumor started up again: according to Jim Salisbury of the Inquirer, the Phillies are interested in acquiring Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. Yep, that's the same Roy Halladay the Phils pursued at the trade deadline last year before they balked at Toronto's high asking price and instead went with Cliff Lee at a discounted rate, a move that certainly worked out well. If you recall, in July, the Blue Jays were asking for J.A. Happ, Kyle Drabe...

What would a college football playoff look like this year?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:20:55 -0500

Last year, I proposed an eight-team playoff system for college football that would take the place of the BCS. Here are my assumptions: 1. The six BCS-conference champs get an automatic bid unless they are ranked outside the top 15. There would need to be some sort of ranking system used. For now, we will use [...]

Bradley Being Discussed In Three-Way Deal

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:55:46 -0500

A very interesting idea is being reported by Ken Rosenthal: a three-way deal, with Milton Bradley going to the Blue Jays, Luis Castillo to the Cubs, and Lyle Overbay to the Mets. Rosenthal said "The teams indeed have discussed the framework of such a deal, though not in direct fashion, according to major-league sources." Breaking it down, the trade makes the most sense for the Mets, who would clear second base for long-coveted Orlando Hudson, a free agent. Overbay has also mashed r...

Calvin Johnson denies any rift with Stafford

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:02:39 -0500

Lions receiver Calvin Johnson had a frustrating return to the lineup Sunday, catching just two passes for 27 yards against the Seahawks. Some of that frustration apparently spilled over to the sideline when television cameras caught quarterback Matthew Stafford and...

Hahn : Make Iverson A Knick

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:01:20 -0500

If Alan Iverson can’t start ahead of Mike Conley, would he get more minutes than Chris Duhon in New York? Newsday’s Alan Hahn calls a mooted (by him, anyway) Knicks approach towards the iconic, yet embattled point guard “the equivalent of the franchise selling its soul”, while in the following breath, promising, “at least Iverson [...]

Elias Rankings for the 183 Potential MLB Free Agents

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:05:16 -0500

The Major League Baseball Players Association today released the Elias rankings for all 183 players that have been deemed to be "potential" free agents for the 2009-10 off-season. The term “potential” pertains to contract provisions with allow options, for either the player or club, to exercise. For example, Manny Ramirez is one such player. He exercised his player option for the 2010 to allow him to remain with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Some clubs have exercised options to release players. An example would be J.J. Putz with the New York Mets. The Elias rankings are important in determining draft pick compensation, should a player sign with another team (a player that files for free agency can resign with their former club. Case in point, Alex Rodriguez who resigned with the Yankees in 2007) Players are ranked as A, B, or no ranking what so ever. Clubs that sign a Type A free agent then give their 1st-round pick to the player’s former club. The exception would be unless the pick ranks within the top 15, in which case a 2ndround pick goes to the former club. That club also gets an extra pick between the first and second rounds. If a club loses a Type B free agent to another team, that club then gets an extra "sandwich" pick. The rankings are based upon player stats as collected by Elias. Select Read More to see the complete listing

Vick: "I Won't Be A Wildcat Guy. I Can't."

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:20:00 -0500

Bob Costas caught up with Mike Vick for an interview that aired during last night's pregame show, and let's just say he doesn't seem too thrilled to be here. "It would be hard," Vick said of returning to the Eagles, according to excerpts released by NBC. "It would be an everyday struggle. But I would have to take that time to hone my skills and get better. I'm excited about the opportunity I have moving forward whether it's with Philadelphia or another te...

Oh Hell Nah: High Heel Nike Jordans For Your Lady?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:58:35 -0500

Somehow, not fakes. (Rodman would’ve laced them for a game) And we can confirm at least two purchases. Share This

Lawrence Taylor arrested? Yawn. Lawrence Taylor sober? Whoa.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:02:31 -0500

Maybe this was presumptuous and pessimistic of me, but when I first saw the headline about Lawrence Taylor being arrested, I kind of assumed it was for some horrible, drug-related crime. Something that would make me read the article and say, "Aw, come on, Lawrence," and then shake my head and say a little prayer for humanity. Not necessary, as it turns out. Taylor was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, and guess what? He was completely sober! Cops didn't even feel th...

Oregon Ducks reinstate suspended tailback LeGarrette Blount

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:44:20 -0500

Suspended running back LeGarrette Blount has been reinstated by the Oregon Ducks.

Allen Iverson Might Retire (It Didn’t Have to Be This Way)

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:12 -0500

There’s been a ton of drama surrounding Allen Iverson over the past week or so, ranging from issues with his role on the Grizzlies and playing time, to possible problems at home which have led to A.I. taking an “indefinite” leave of absence from the team. And now this morning, the Memphis Commercial Appeal is [...]

IS LARRY JOHNSON’S CAREER OVER?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:11:37 -0500

Word is out that the Kansas City Chiefs have officially parted ways with their petulant running back, Larry Johnson. I guess guys that criticize the coaching staff and address the media as “f*****s” aren’t the locker room staple that they once were. But either way, it’s not a foregone conclusion that the Penn State product’s [...]

Shocker: Skipping your senior year of HS is a bad idea

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:51:31 -0500

Jeremy Tyler was a 6'11" high school phenom who, had he continued playing in high school could have played for one year at any college of his choosing and... potentially... spun that into getting paid millions as an NBA lottery pick.

I say he WAS a high school phenom because Jeremy skipped his senior year... went overseas to make $140,000... and THEN make the jump to the NBA. And shocker of shockers... it's not going so well (via FanHouse).

His coach calls him lazy and out of shape. The team captain says he is soft. His teammates say he needs to learn to shut up and show up on time. He has no friends on the team. In extensive interviews with Tyler, his teammates, coaches, his father and advisers, the consensus is that he is so naïve and immature that he has no idea how naïve and immature he is. So enamored with his vast potential, Tyler has not developed the work ethic necessary to tap it.

“The question is whether he’ll take responsibility of his career,” Haifa Coach Avi Ashkenazi said. “If he thinks he’s going to be in the N.B.A. because his name is Jeremy Tyler and he was a very good high school player, he will not be.”

I'm going to call this the "see what Brandon Jennings started?" phenomenon. High school guys thinking they're too good for the US system so they chase a little bit of money overseas. I will admit, it worked out for Jennings because it knocked him down a peg. It forced him to grow up. He's better for the experience. But Tyler's not following the same path:

“All he had to do was go and do what Brandon did, shut up and go learn,” said Sonny Vaccaro, an adviser to Tyler and Jennings. “He obviously isn’t doing that. He thinks that he’s Kevin Garnett.”

This is almost like when KG came out of high school. There were a couple of guys... like him and Kobe... that were good enough to do it. But then everyone got starry-eyed and figured THEY could do it too... leading to a bunch of busts.

Who knows... maybe this kid will shape up and turn it around. It's early yet and he's young. But I just don't like this trend of players going over to Europe first before coming to the NBA. If it continues, expect David Stern and the NCAA to get together to figure out a way around it.

Eagles Not Sure When RB Brian Westbrook Will Return

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:23:23 -0500

Eagles coach Andy Reid said Brian Westbrook was held out to give rookie LeSean McCoy some first-team reps. Reid told reporters Westbrook had not...

Chad Ochocinco tries to 'bribe' official on replay ruling

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:53:03 -0500

The artful use of a folded bill can get people past a long line at a club, seated quickly at a restaurant with a 45-minute wait or, as countless detective shows have demonstrated, a good piece of information from a cab driver with a hazy memory. As Chad Ochocinco(notes) found out today, it will not get you a call during an NFL game. The impish Cincinnati Bengals receiver playfully tried to bribe an NFL official today during his team's game with its division rival, the Baltimore Ravens. Wi...