It's Friday

Howdy Doo from me to you! It's Friday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is September 2nd, the 245th day of 2011. There are 120 days left in the year.

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NHL's Gary Bettman, NHLPA's Donald Fehr release joint statement on three recent deaths.

Vancouver releases Cup Final riot investigation results.

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Today's Birthdays: Football player-turned-broadcaster Terry Bradshaw is 63 ... Actor Mark Harmon is 60 ... Tennis legend Jimmy Connors is 59 ... Actor Keanu Reeves is 47 ... Actress Salma Hayek is 45 ... Actress Cynthia Watros is 43.

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Duggan Named Finalist for 2011 Sportswoman of the Year

Voting to Take Place on Women's Sports Foundation's Facebook Page

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Meghan Duggan (Danvers, Mass.), a member of the U.S. Women's National Team and recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin, was named one of 10 finalists for the 2011 Sportswoman of the Year, presented annually by the Women's Sports Foundation. The recipient of the award will be voted on by the Foundation Awards Committee and fans.

The Women's Sports Foundation will bestow the award on an individual and team sport athlete based on their achievements between Aug. 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011. Past winners include: Jessie Vetter (2009), Nastia Liukin (2008), Mia Hamm (1997, 1999) and Michelle Kwan (1998).

Duggan put together a storybook women's ice hockey season during the 2010-11 season. She accumulated 87 points (39-48) to lead all NCAA Division I women's players, and was named the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award recipient, which is presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey.

She guided Wisconsin to the program's fourth national championship, recording a goal and two assists in the Badgers' 3-2 win over Boston College in the national semifinal and earning NCAA Women's Frozen Four Co-MVP and All-Tournament honors.

In addition, Duggan was an All-America First Team selection, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year, team captain and Jeff Sauer Most Dedicated Player award recipient. She was also named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week twice.

On the international side, Duggan led Team USA to gold at the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship in Zurich and Winterthur, Switzerland. She also led the U.S. Women's Select Team with five points at the 2010 Women's Four Nations Cup in St. Johns, N.L., where Team USA placed second. For her exceptional efforts, USA Hockey awarded her the Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award in June.

Voting will be open through midnight EDT on Monday (Sept. 5) at the Women's Sports Foundation's Facebook page. Fans are permitted one vote per category.

The Sportswoman of the Year honorees will be announced during the 32nd Annual Salute to Women in Sports awards gala on Oct. 19. The annual fundraising gala will take place at Cipriani Wall Street and will be hosted by journalist and sportscaster Bonnie Bernstein.

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September is World Animal Remembrance Month, Update Your Resume Month, Shameless Promotion Month, Healthy Aging Month, Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, Peas and Radish Month, Passion Fruit and Peach Month, One-on-One Month, National Skin Care Month, National Rice Month and National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

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Sean Lucas faces battle for starting spot with Roughriders.

Riders add U of S Huskies product to practice roster.

The Riders are back in action this Sunday, September 4th for the annual Labour Day Classic against the league-leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Riders, with Ken Miller back at the controls as the teams' Head Coach, look for a reversal of fortune after a disastrous 1-7 start, the worst mark in the CFL. Winnipeg, which went 4-14 last season, enters the game at 7-1, the best record in the league. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm EDT on 620 CKRM and the Rider Radio Network, with Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri calling all the action. Listen link is on the right side of this blog. The game can also be seen live in Canada on TSN and online in the U.S. on ESPN3.com.

Visit the team's official website at http://www.riderville.com/.

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The Great Fire of London broke out on this date in 1666. The fire burned for three days destroying 10,000 buildings including St. Paul's Cathedral. Only 6 people were killed.

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By The Numbers: Week #10.

Zwelling: Rideau bulks up to reach new heights.

7-1 Bombers expect challenge from 1-7 Riders.

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

Visit the leagues' official website, http://www.cfl.ca/.

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The U.S. Treasury Department was established on this date in 1789.

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Getting to know Mike Remmers.

If healthy, Wheaton could have big season.

Commentary on Riley's decision.

The Beavers open their 2012 college football season tomorrow at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, hosting the Sacramento State Hornets. Mike Parker, Jim Wilson and Ron Callan call the action on 860AM KPAM and the Beaver Sports Network, with kickoff set for 4:00pm EDT. Listen link is on the right side of this blog.

Visit the official Oregon State Beavers football website here.

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A new survey finds that 71% of Chinese workers admit to calling in sick when they weren't. On the other hand, only 16% of French workers say they have taken a fake sick day. The survey found that about half of all Americans have taken a fake sick day -- on par with countries like Canada and Australia.

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LANDOVER, Md. -- Gridlock is common in the nation's capital, whether it's Congress, the Redskins' starting quarterback dilemma or traffic.

In fact, one of the Bucs' charter buses got stuck in rush hour and arrived late to FedEx Field, less than 90 minutes prior to kickoff of Thursday's preseason finale.

But after the 29-24 loss to the Redskins, there's a pileup at several positions that Bucs coach Raheem Morris must sort out by Saturday's 4 p.m. deadline to reach the 53-man roster.

"It was a tough-fought game by a bunch of guys that will make it tough for me (Saturday)," Morris said. "I'm proud how the team played. For those guys to fight back under those circumstances on the road … those guys had a bunch of fun.

Read the rest here.

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Feeling obese? Don't sweat it. Researchers say in two decades half of Americans will be obese.

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Should I have the macaroni and cheese Mommy?

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Bison-Ten Yell Day is today. It celebrates the bicentennial birthday of Bison-Ten-Yell, the imaginary creator of a series of ten battle yells. His system was later adopted by football players and is still used today.

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ARLINGTON, Tx. -- The Rays had reason to be frustrated Thursday night after another abysmal offensive performance led to a 7-2 loss to Texas that knocked them back to the fringe of playoff contention.

But they should have been happy the loss wasn't more embarrassing. They were held without even a baserunner for the first five innings. First baseman Casey Kotchman, the only lefty in the lineup, broke through against Rangers starter C.J. Wilson with an infield single to start the sixth inning.

"He had no-hit stuff," Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Wilson. "We were getting bad swings, and the ball was jumping."

Read the rest here.

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Tivo only began compiling data on recorded shows in October, 2007, but since then the most Tivo'd show has been Grey's Anatomy.

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SAN FRANCISCO, Ca. -- The San Francisco Giants, 6 games out in the National League West, open up a huge 3 game weekend series tonight against the division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks. Matt Cain starts for the Giants and Arizona's Joe Collins gets the call for Arizona. First pitch is set for 10:15pm EDT.

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Today is Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day, Calendar Adjustment Day, Chicken Boy's Day, Emma M. Nutt Day, National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day and Toy Tips Executive Toy Test Day.

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Today in Elvis History:

1957 - The Elvis Presley EP "Loving You Vol II" hit #18 in the U.S.

1957 - The Elvis Presley soundtrack EP "Love Me Tender" hit #22 in the U.S.

1961 - Joe Dowell's version of Elvis' "Wooden Heart" hit the U.S. charts.

1966 - Elvis Presley completed his work for the film "Double Trouble."

1967 - Elvis Presley's album "Double Trouble" hit #34 in the U.K.

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In theaters this weekend: The Debt (R); Apollog 18 (PG-13); Shark Night 3D (PG-13).

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Today in Beatles History:

1965 - The Beatles received a gold record for the song "Help!"

1965 - The Beatles released "Yesterday."

1978 - George Harrison married Olivia Trinidad Arias. She was a secretary at his Dark Horse record company.

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DON'T GO CHEAP ON HALLOWEEN -- You've probably noticed the Halloween stuff is going up on store shelves. It is September, after all...so why would retailers wait until October 1? Anyway, if you're the kind who thinks apples and oranges is what kids want in their trick-or-treat bag you're wrong. It's #4 on the "worst things" you can pass out list:

5) Sugar-free candy
4) Fruit, like apples and oranges
3) Small boxes of raisins
2) Toothbrushes
1) Pennies

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Today in Sports History:

1917 - Grover Cleveland Alexander (Philadelphia Phillies) pitched and won two entire games of a doubleheader versus Brooklyn (5-0 and 9-3).

1924 - Bill Tilden won his fifth straight U.S. Open men's singles title.

1957 - Warren Spahn (Milwaukee Braves) set a record for left-handed pitchers when he recorded his 41st shutout.

1961 - The estate of Ty Cobb was estimated at $11.78 million. Cobb had died two months earlier.

1962 - Ken Hubbs (Chicago Cubs) set a record for a second baseman when he played his 74th game without an error.

1966 - The Miami Dolphins played their first regular-season game. They lost the game to the Oakland Raiders 23-14.

1970 - Billy Williams (Chicago Cubs) set a National League record when he played in his 1,117th consecutive game.

1970 - Jimmy Connors played in his first match at the U.S. Open. He lost to Mark Cox.

1971 - Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors won their first U.S. Open singles matches.

1973 - Billy Martin was fired as manager of the Detroit Tigers. Martin was relieved of his duties three days after ordering his pitchers to throw spitballs against Cleveland Indians batters.

1981 - The Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners played to a 7-7 tie after 19 innings. It was the longest game in Fenway Park history. The game was resumed the following day and the Mariners won 8-7 in 20 innings.

1986 - The Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs played 14 innings and used 53 players in the game. Houston won the game 8-7 when the game resumed the next day.

1990 - Bobby Thigpen (Chicago Cubs) set a major league record with his 47th save.

1996 - Mike Greenwall (Boston Red Sox) set a major league record when he drove in all nine runs in a 9-8 win over the Seattle Mariners.

1996 - David Cone (New York Yankees) pitched in a game for the first time in four months after an aneurysm was removed from his shoulder.

1998 - Mark McGwire (St. Louis) hit his 58th and 59th home runs of the season. The record at the time was 61 held by Roger Maris.

1998 - Sammy Sosa (Chicago Cubs) hit his 56th home run of the season.

1998 - Nomar Garciaparra (Boston Red Sox) hit his 30th home run of the season. He joined Mark McGwire, Rudy York, Ron Kittle and Jose Canseco as a player that hit 30+ home runs in his first two years.

1998 - Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers) signed a six-year contract for $36 million. The deal made him the highest paid wide receiver in the league.

1999 - Cal Ripken (Baltimore Orioles) hit his 400th career home run.

2003 - Eric Gagne (Los Angeles) established a major league record with his 55th consecutive save.

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On this date in 1864 during the U.S. Civil War, Union forces led by Gen. William T. Sherman occupied Atlanta following the retreat of the Confederates.

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Coming up:

Tonight:

NFL Pre-Season Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Wisconsin Dells Ducks 11:00am

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs USF Bulls or Florida Eels 4:00pm or 6:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 6:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Great Clips 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Wisconsin Dells Ducks 11:00am

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs USF Bulls or Florida Eels 4:00pm or 6:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 1:40pm EDT

IZOD Indy Car Series -- Baltimore Grand Prix at Streets of Baltimore TBD

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers 4:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 4:05pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 4:05pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 10:05pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 6:35pm EDT

Thursday --

Nothin' Doin'

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox 7:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Florida Eels 5:15pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox 7:10pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Wonderful Pistachios 400 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Florida Eels 8:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions 1:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox 1:40pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers 4:05pm EDT

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Florida Junior Blades 4:40pm EDT

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That's all for another day. Thanks for stopping by, I hope that you'll do so again tomorrow. Thanks again!