Saturday Short Stuff

In the New York Yankees' first day of spring training, the team went to the arcade. Nice move by skipper Joe Girardi to help the team bond and loosen up. Story by Ben Shpigel in the New York Times.

Barry Zito drilled Prince Fielder in the back with the first pitch against the Milwaukee slugger. What? That's in retaliation for the home plate celebration last year? Don't you celebrate when you strike out someone for a win? Deal with it. He didn't thumb his nose down at you. He didn't laugh at you. He hit the freaking ball over the outfield wall.

Alex McLeish's name is floated to replace Rafa Benitez in Anfield. Why not Fabio Capello? Is Jose Mourinho a wise choice? The problem with the Portuguese coach is that it always has to be about him. He thinks that he's the show. But Liverpool needs a damn good manager.

Almeria vs Barcelona and Real Madrid vs Valencia tonight. Big games for both squads. As for the Catalan club, Thierry Henry hasn't played well at all this season. Karma for the Hand of God 2 or is he saving himself for the World Cup? Not good, Henry. Not good. On the other hand, the same can be said about Kaka and Karim Benzema for Real Madrid. They haven't done well. In fact, it's the oft ridiculed Gonzalo Higuain who is doing well.

New York -- you should have really acquired Roy Halladay from Toronto. Or even Cliff Lee. Gotta watch what Boston is doing with their staff and pen.

I read in When the Game Was Ours how the Celtics gave up on Bill Fitch during the 1983 season. Most of the Celts just stopped running and did not try to win a title. The goal was to get Fitch fired. Said Larry Bird, maybe those teammates of their should have been shipped out. The same thing happened again in 1985 after Cedric Maxwell signed a new contract -- he did not report in any game shape and his mental edge was gone. And Max felt disrespected when he was traded to the Clippers. You should have played hard, Max!

Can you say the same this spring training with Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees? A-Rod did not inform the club right away that the FBI got in touch with him regarding Anthony Galea who is linked to the steroid scandal. Why does it always have to be about you, Alex?

And since her loss to Cyborg, Gina Carano, better known as Crush, filmed a movie with Antonio Banderas. So when are you getting back in an MMA ring?

Speaking of American Gladiators, read Dan Clark's -- or Nitro as he was known on the show -- book Gladiator: A True story of 'Roids, Rage, and Redemption. It's now available in local bookstores.

Here is a brief review lifted from the web:

Aggressive, explosive, and boasting awesome athletic ability, Dan Clark rose to tremendous fame as Nitro on American Gladiators. He quickly emerged as the most popular cast member and became a reality television superstar. But a twenty-year affair with steroids led to a life of pissing blood, smuggling drugs, destroying hotel rooms, getting arrested, growing breasts, and lying bloodied in the street after a vicious fight with his best friend.

This is Clark's riveting, fiercely candid account of his life, career, and steroid addiction. From an upbringing defined by tragedy and a difficult search for identity to tales of performing center stage at Madison Square Garden and bedding Playboy Bunnies and porn stars, Clark explores the price of fame, the pressure of stardom, and how the whole steroid-fueled fantasy finally imploded.

What began in high school as a way to speed up recovery from injury rapidly turned into an all-consuming addiction. With selfdeprecating humor and a trove of incredible stories, Clark provides an eye-opening report on the dangers of steroids both obvious and hidden -- and offers his thoughts on why steroid use remains a persistent problem today. More than just a pulpy exposé, Gladiator is a triumphant story of self-discovery and redemption.

Arellano University and Emilio Aguinaldo College will be formally joining the NCAA next season but on probationary status. And Letran College won the NCAA General Championship -- the eighth in their history. Congrats!

In ateneoalumnisassociation.org
- Denise Roco on the Indie Music Scene
- Jan Carlo Gavile on Ateneo Women's Volleyball
- Ateneo High School Booters win first UAAP Juniors Football Crown
- Pro-file: CGC Travel
- The Eternal Hong Kong by Rick Olivares

Sesqui grads! Get Your Free AAA Membership Card Now!
On the 150th birthday of the Ateneo, the Ateneo Alumni Association is offering a special promo to the Sesqui Batch of 2010 FREE membership. Come on down to the AAA office located at the ground floor of Bellarmine Hall to fill up a form or download the attached .pdf file or register online at www.ateneoalumniassociation.org/nocard and you're all set. If you register now, your membership card will be distributed during your graduation. Promo is open only to the graduating seniors of 2010.

For more info on the AAA membership click here. Call us at 426-6001 local 4687-89 for more details.

Check out AAA's new partner merchants:
Orinda Beach Resort
- Diniwid, Boracay
- 15% on Published Rates
- Free breakfast; shuttle around Boracay and Welcome drinks
Boardeaux Wine Bar
- 10% on all Wine purchases
- Free Wine and Cheese Tasting, Wine Challenges Blind Toasting
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Oasis Hotel / Maranao Grill
- 10% on published rates (cash)
- 5% on published rates (cards)
- 10% on Food & Beverages (cash)
- 5% on Food & Beverages (credit)
- Oasis Hotel, Angeles City
Ecopath Corporation - Timberland
- 15% on regular items (cash / cards)
- all branches