Riders win 2013 opener at Edmonton

The Saskatchewan Roughriders opened the 2013 CFL season on the road against the Edmonton Eskimos Saturday, riding a dominant first half to a 39-18 win, ending a six game losing streak at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium in front of 35,869.

The Riders got the ball first and got a big play when Darian Durant eluded a sack and found Chris Getzlaf for a 29 yard gain to the Edmonton 21. Kory Sheets hauled the mail home three plays later, scoring around the left end from 19 yards out, capping an 8 play, 74 yard drive. Chris Milo converted and with 4:51 gone in the opening quarter, Saskatchewan was up 7-0. On their next possession, another big pass play from Durant to Getzlaf, plus several hard runs by Sheets put the Riders in position for Durant to fire to Taj Smith in the left flat from the 12. Smith scored and Milo would convert with 48.6 seconds left. The major, coming at the end of a 9 play, 94 yard drive, gave Saskatchewan a 14-0 advantage.

The Roughriders would start their fourth possession at their own 45, but after one first down, they'd end up settling for a 56 yard Ricky Schmitt punt single and a 15-0 lead with 10:17 to play in the opening half. The Eskimos would thing crank up the offense, as Mike Reilly hit a long one over the middle to Fred Stamps to the Saskatchewan 30. Reilly would scramble for a first down but the drive broke down at the 18. Grant Shaw came on but missed a 25 yard field goal wide left with 7:41 remaining. The single put Edmonton on the board, trailing 15-1. The Eskimos tried to run out the clock, but Reilly, throwing the ball deep in his own territory, was picked off by Rey Williams, who stepped in front of the intended receiver and took the ball 19 yards for the touchdown on the half's final play. Milo converted and at the half it was all Riders, leading 22-1.

Saskatchewan opened their first possession just across centre field and after Durant rolled to his left and found Weston Dressler for a 38 yard gain. Two plays later, Durant flipped one to Getzlaf for a 3 yard touchdown. Milo kicked the point and 4:04 into the third, the Roughrider lead was up to 29-1. Saskatchewan continued the pressure on the ensuing kick, as Sam Hurl recovered a fumble at the Edmonton 30. Sheets would bust one over left tackle to the 4, then Durant would fire to the right side to Scott McHenry, who caught the ball and rolled across the goalline for the major. The Milo convert, with 9:47 to play in the third, increased the Rider lead to 36-1. Shaw would responded for the Eskimos with 7:49 remaining, kicking a 40 yard field goal that trimmed the deficit to 36-4. Edmonton would then draw within 36-6 on a conceded safety touch from Schmitt with 2:36 left in the third.

A Diamond Ferri interception return set Saskatchewan up just across midfield late in the third, reaching the Eskimo 18 as the quarter ended. The drive broke down there and Milo would come on to kick a 24 yard field goal with 13:28 remaining, increasing the Roughrider lead to 39-6. Stamps would catch a 19 yard strike from Reilly for Edmonton but the two-point convert failed and with 6:07 to go, it was 39-12 Saskatchewan. The Eskimos recovered the ensuing short kick but couldn't capitalize, with the Riders taking over at their 17 with about 4:00 to play. Shaw would kick a 37 yard field goal with 1:31 to play for Edmonton, who would then add a 27 yard Shaw field goal with 4.6 seconds to play for the final score of 39-18 in favor of Saskatchewan.

For the Roughriders, Darian Durant was 14-of-22 passing for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns. Kory Sheets ran the ball 17 times for 131 yards and Chris Getzlaf caught 3 passes for 67 yards and a major. For the Eskimos, Mike Reilly was 17-of-35 passing for 259 yards, 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. Fred Stamps caught 5 balls for 106 yards and a touchdown. Saskatchewan had 353 net yards, 19 first downs and no turnovers. Edmonton had 417 total yards, 23 first downs and turned the ball over 4 times.

The Riders start the season 1-0 and will go for win number two next Friday at home against the 1-0 Calgary Stampeders. Kickoff on 620CKRM, the Rider Radio Network and TSN is set for 9:00pm EDT. The Eskimos, starting the season 0-1, play at the 0-1 Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday, July 7th, at 5:00pm EDT.

It's Saturday

It's Saturday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is June 29th, the 180th day of 2013. There are 185 days left in the year.

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Blackhawks celebrate with crowd of 2 million.

Draft needs: Breaking down positions by team.

Visit the official league website, http://www.nhl.com/.

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The Virginia constitution was adopted and Patrick Henry was made governor on this date in 1776.

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Poile Named General Manager of 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team

Shero to Serve as Associate General Manager, Burke as Director of Player Personnel

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – David Poile (Nashville, Tenn.), general manager and president of hockey operations for the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators, will be formally introduced as the general manager of the 2014 U.S. Olymipc Men's Ice Hockey Team at a press conference tomorrow (June 29) in New York City it was announced today by USA Hockey. David Poile “We couldn't be more pleased than to have David as our general manager,” said Ron DeGregorio president of USA Hockey. “He continues to have a remarkable management career in the National Hockey League and the vast experience and expertise he brings to the table will serve us well in our goal to bring the gold medal back to the United States." "Being chosen for this position is a tremendous honor," said Poile, whose 31 consecutive years as an NHL general manager rank as the second-longest active streak in the league and third-longest in NHL history. "When you get to represent your country, it's a special feeling. I look forward to working with our management team in fulfilling our ultimate goal of bringing home the gold medal." Additionally, USA Hockey will introduce Ray Shero (St. Paul, Minn.) as associate general manager and Brian Burke (Edina, Minn.) as director of player personnel for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team tomorrow. "With David, Ray, Brian and Jim Johannson, our assistant executive director of hockey operations, we have a management team in place that has the wide array of experience necessary at the Olympic level," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "It's an all-star cast that our country can feel very good about in leading Team USA into Sochi." "It's a real honor to be involved," said Shero, who was recently named the 2012-13 NHL General Manager of the Year. "I look forward to the journey ahead and know that while we have a challenge in front of us, it's a challenge we all look forward to." "I'm honored to be asked to work on building this team," said Burke. "Our player pool is ever expanding and that's a reflection of the great progress hockey continues to make in our country. I'm certainly excited about not only where we are today, but what the future holds." In addition to the formal announcement of Poile, Shero and Burke at tomorrow's press conference, USA Hockey will also unveil the head coach of its 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team and details surrounding its planned orientation camp this summer. The press conference will be streamed live at USAHockey.com. Poile Career Highlights • 31-year NHL management career; second-longest active streak in league and third-longest in NHL history • Three-time finalist for NHL General Manager of Year • Three-time honoree as Sporting News' Executive of Year • Teams have qualified for playoffs in seven of his last nine years in Nashville and in 14 of his 15 seasons in Washington • Original member of U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group ABOUT POILE Poile is the general manager of the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team for the first time after serving as associate general manager of the silver medal-winning 2010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. Poile has spent the last 31 years as an NHL general manager, the second-longest active streak in the league and third-longest in NHL history. Poile has been the only GM of the Nashville Predators since their inception in 1997. He has developed the expansion franchise into a Stanley Cup contender over the last decade, qualifying for the playoffs in seven of the last nine seasons. Previously, Poile was the general manager of the Washington Capitals for 15 seasons, where his teams reached the playoffs 14 times. A three-time honoree as the Sporting News' Executive of the Year, Poile is also a three-time finalist for NHL General Manager of the Year. He is an original member of the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group that was formed by USA Hockey in 2007 to assist with the selection of players and staff of U.S. Men’s National Teams, including the Olympic Team. Full Poile Bio ABOUT SHERO Shero is serving as the associate general manager of the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team for the first time. The executive vice president and general manager of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins since 2006, Shero was named the 2012-13 NHL General Manager of the Year after the Penguins finished 36-12-0, won their first Atlantic Division title since 2008 and were the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2009 and have reached the playoffs in each of Shero's seven seasons. In addition, Shero spent eight years as an assistant general manager for the Nashville Predators and six seasons in a similar capacity for the Ottawa Senators. He is an original member of the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group that was formed in February of 2007 by USA Hockey to assist with the selection of players and staff of U.S. Men’s National Teams, including the Olympic Team. Full Shero Bio Ray Shero ABOUT BURKE Burke is serving as the director of player personnel for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team for the first time. He has been an NHL general manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs (2008-13), Anaheim Ducks (2005-08) and Vancouver Canucks (1998-2004) and helped guide the Ducks to the Stanley Cup title in 2007. Burke, who served as senior vice president and director of hockey operations for the NHL from 1993-98, is currently a member of the Ducks staff as a professional scout. He served as the general manager of the silver medal-winning 2010 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team in Vancouver, B.C., and is an original member of the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group that was formed in February of 2007 by USA Hockey to assist with the selection of players and staff of U.S. Men’s National Teams, including the Olympic Team. Full Burke Bio Brian Burke ABOUT JOHANNSON Johannson will be making his sixth appearance with a U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, including roles as a player (1988, 1992), team leader (2002) and in a management role (2006, 2010, 2014). Johannson has extensive experience in international competition outside the Olympics, with leadership roles with the U.S. Men's National Team in each of the last 15 years and serving as general manager of the last four U.S. National Junior Teams (three medals; two gold, one bronze) among the highlights. Johannson has been a full-time member of the USA Hockey staff since 2000 and serves as the organization's assistant executive director of hockey operations. Full Johannson Bio Jim Johannson NOTES: In addition to the formal management team of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, others members of the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group will be involved in the building of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, including NHL general managers Stan Bowman (Chicago), Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia),Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles) and Dale Tallon (Florida) and NHL scout Don Waddell (Pittsburgh) ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Gavin Regan, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. National Teams ... The appointment of the management staff and head coach of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team is subject to the approval of the United States Olympic Committee’s Games Preparation Division. Bylsma Tabbed Head Coach of 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team USA Hockey Unveils Plans for Summer Camp at Kettler Capitals IcePlex in Arlington, Va. NEW YORK CITY – Dan Bylsma (Grand Haven, Mich.), head coach for the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins, will be the head coach of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, USA Hockey announced here today at a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis in Manhattan. Dan Bylsma “We're thrilled to have Dan as coach of our men's Olympic team” said Ron DeGregoriopresident of USA Hockey. “He's rapidly established himself as one of the most prominent coaches in our country today and we know he'll help put us in the best position of achieving our ultimately goal of bringing home the gold medal." "In Dan, we've chosen someone that has had terrific success and relates well to players," said David Poile, general manager of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team and also the GM of the NHL's Nashville Predators. "We're extremely pleased and I know that our entire management group looks forward to working with him and his staff." "I'm excited beyond what words can properly describe," said Bylsma, a multi-sport athlete in high school who played college hockey at Bowling Green State University, enjoyed a nine-year playing career in the NHL and is today one of the NHL's most successful coaches. "It is an unbelievable honor to be selected to represent our country as the coach of the Olympic men's hockey team. Together with our coaching staff and management group, I will do everything I can to prepare our team to be in a position to win gold in Sochi." USA Hockey also announced today that it plans to conduct an orientation camp the last week of August in Arlington, Va., at Kettler Capitals IcePlex, the practice facility of the NHL's Washington Capitals. The camp will feature the top men's players in the United States. "While complete details are still being worked through, we're thrilled to bring the camp to the D.C. area and cannot thank the staff of the Kettler Capitals IcePlex and Washington Capitals enough for hosting us," said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey and part of the management team for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. "We'll have more to say on the camp in the weeks ahead, but we're excited to be bringing the most talented men's players in the U.S. together in our nation's capital region." Bylsma Career Highlights • Head coach of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins since 2008-09 season; won 2009 Stanley Cup championship • NHL career record of 201-93-25; fastest NHL coach to reach 200 career victories • 2011 Jack Adams Award as NHL's Most Outstanding Coach • NHL forward played 429 career games over nine seasons (1995-2004) in Los Angeles and Anaheim ABOUT BYLSMA Bylsma is the head coach of the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team for the first time. In four-plus seasons behind the Pittsburgh Penguins bench, he has led the franchise to a Stanley Cup championship in 2009, received the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's Most Outstanding Coach in 2010-11 and delivered the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2012-13. Bylsma produced a trio of 100-point seasons during his first three full NHL campaigns, while in 2012-13 Pittsburgh won 75% of its games (36-12-0) in a shortened season. His regular-season record of 201-93-25 marks the best regular-season winning percentage in team history (.669) and the second-best win total among Pittsburgh coaches. Bylsma became the fastest coach to post 200 victories when he reached the plateau in just 316 games on April 23, 2013. Bylsma, who enjoyed a nine-year NHL playing career (1995-2004), played NCAA Division I ice hockey at Bowling Green State University from 1988-92. Full Bylsma Bio NOTES: While USA Hockey released details of the management team for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team yesterday, the group was formally introduced at today's press conference, including David Poile, general manager; Ray Shero, associate general manager; Brian Burke, director of player personnel, and Johannson ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Gavin Regan, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. National Teams ... USA Hockey expects to announce assistant coaches and support staff for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team later this month ... The appointment of the management staff and head coach of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team is subject to the approval of the United States Olympic Committee’s Games Preparation Division.

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It's lookin' like rain here today. How 'bout where you're at?

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Whatever it takes: Cornish, Stamps galllop past BC.

Thriller in T.O.: Argos outlast Tiger-Cats in season opener.

Visit the CFL's official website, cfl.ca.

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On this date in 1860, the first iron-pile lighthouse was completed at Minot’s Ledge, MA.

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Edmonton, AB - Wins have been few and far between for the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, but Saskatchewan Roughriders Head Coach Corey Chamblin didn’t want to talk about history when talking about his team opening up the 2013 CFL season in Edmonton.

Read the rest here.

Saskatchewan opens their regular season this afternoon at the Edmonton Eskimos. Kickoff on 620ckrm, the Rider Radio Network, TSN, ESPN2 and ESPN3.com, is set for 3:30pm EDT.

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On this date in 1888, Professor Frederick Treves performed the first appendectomy in England.

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Tampa, FL. — There are 19 rookies on the Buccaneers’ 90-man training camp roster, and all of them have the same goal: to be a part of the team come September. For about a month and a half, learning what it will take to be a Buccaneer has been the focus of every rookie in Tampa, from second-round draft pick Johnthan Banks to undrafted free agent Tim Wright.

Read the rest here.

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Marvin Pipkin filed for a patent for the frosted electric light bulb on this date in 1925.

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St. Petersburg, FL. -- Before Friday's series opener against the Tigers at Tropicana Field, manager Joe Maddon spoke about how the Rays needed to start defending their turf, how they had to flip the script against a Detroit club that has had Tampa Bay's number over the past few years.

Read the rest here.

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"Vic and Sade" debuted on NBC radio on this date in 1932.

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Denver, CO. -- Even with struggling veteran Barry Zito on the mound, Coors Field seemed like a golden opportunity for the Giants to snap a four-game losing streak. Despite the troubles that have defined Zito's career with San Francisco, he owned the fourth-lowest ERA (2.84) against the Rockies of all active pitchers.

Read the rest here.

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The Federal Highway Act authorized the construction of 42,500 miles of freeway from coast to coast on this date in 1953.

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Jimmy plays catcher at the mall.

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as watching Rider football, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History

1956 - Elvis Presley rehearsed for his upcoming appearance on Steve Allen's TV show. On July 1, he sang the song "Hound Dog" to an actual basset hound.

1960 - Filming finished for the Elvis Presley movie "G.I. Blues."

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On this date in 1954, the Atomic Energy Commission voted against reinstating Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer's access to classified information.

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Today in Beatles History:

1966 - The Beatles performed in Tokyo. About 500 police officers were needed to contain the crowd.

1982 - Paul McCartney's album "Tug Of War" was certified platinum by the RIAA.

1995 - A Pizza Hut commercial featuring Ringo Starr premiered on U.S. television. Starr was the drummer in a re-formed Monkees with Davy Jones, Mickey Dolenz and Peter Tork.

1998 - George Harrison announced that he had been receiving treatments for throat cancer. He added, "I'm not going to die on you folks just yet."

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Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller were married on this date in 1956. They were divorced on January 20, 1961.

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Today in Sports History:

1897 - The Chicago Cubs scored 36 runs in a game against Louisville, setting a record for runs scored by a team in a single game.

1941 - Joe DiMaggio got a base hit in his 42nd consecutive game. He broke George Sisler's record from 1922.

1958 - Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 in the World Cup. Pelé, at age 17, scored a goal in the game.

1998 - With negotiations on a new labor agreement at a standstill, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that a lockout would be imposed at midnight.

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The shuttle Atlantis and the Russian space station Mir docked on this date in 1995, forming the largest man-made satellite ever to orbit the Earth.

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SPARTA, Ky. -- When you win a rain-shortened race, you can’t do a burnout -- but Brad Keselowski certainly tried.

After being declared the winner of Friday night’s Feed the Children 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway, 30 laps short of the scheduled finish, Keselowski did donuts on the frontstretch, minus the usual smoke because of the wet, slippery asphalt.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 2000 in Santa Rosa, CA, the official groundbreaking ceremony took place for the Charles M. Schulz Museum.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders at Edmonton Eskimos 3:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies 4:10pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 7:15pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Quaker State 400 Presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway 7:30pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 1:40pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies 4:10pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros 8:10pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros 8:10pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros 8:10pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros 2:10pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox 7:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway 7:30pm EDT

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Calgary Stampeders 9:00pm EDT

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

Saturday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox 7:15pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers 7:15pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway 7:30pm EDT

Sunday --

Izod Indy Car Series -- Pocono Indy Car 400 at Long Pond, PA. 12:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox 1:40pm EDT

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

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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!

It's Friday

It's Friday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is June 28th, the 179th day of 2013. There are 186 days left in the year.

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Lightning to use compliance buy-out on Lecavalier.

Bettman discusses Phoenix situation, Olympics.

Visit the official league website, http://www.nhl.com/.

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Today's Birthdays: Kathy Bates (Fried Green Tomatoes, Titanic) is 65; John Cusack (Con Air, Say Anything, Grosse Point Blank) is 47; Dancer Lacey Schwimmer (So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars) is 25.

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Alouettes rally in fourth to open season with a win.

Stephen: Stamps season opener takes on different vibe.

Visit the CFL's official website, cfl.ca.

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On this date in 1894, the U.S. Congress made Labor Day a U.S. national holiday.

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Regina, SK - Tearrius George had the perfect description Thursday for his plight this week.

"It's like that little kid sitting on the porch," George began. "Your mom tells you not to go out of the yard and all the kids are down the street playing football and all you can do is watch.

"That's how I feel right now."

Read the rest here.

Saskatchewan opens their regular season on Saturday, June 29th at the Edmonton Eskimos. Kickoff on 620ckrm, the Rider Radio Network, TSN, ESPN2 and ESPN3.com, is set for 3:30pm EDT.

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On this date in 1902, the U.S. Congress passed the Spooner bill, authorizing a canal to be built across the isthmus of Panama.

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Tampa, FL. — The Bucs are still making some tweaks to the roster they will take to training camp in a month, but the current shape of that 90-man crew provides some insight on the upcoming positional battles.

Read the rest here.

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Paula Deen supporters are buying up the TV chef's cookbooks, pushing the author to the top of the Amazon's bestseller list. Deen's newest book, Paula Deen's New Testament, won't be released until October 15, but it is currently the No. 1 best-selling book on Amazon.com and has been one of the 15 most popular books on the site for the past four days.

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St. Petersburg, FL. -- Alex Colome has stood on the mound at Tropicana Field before, pitching an inning or two, as he recalls it, back when he was with the Rays' Rookie-level affiliate.

Read the rest here.

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A study at Columbia Business School shows that the bigger the desk someone has the more likely they are to steal. [Makes sense. The bigger the desk the more places you have to hide the stuff you stole.]

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Denver, CO. -- As the Giants lick their wounds following a sweep at the hands of the archrival Dodgers, if the scuffling squad has any reason for comfort, it's that it has company. The weekend opponent, the Rockies, have been in a free fall lately as well.

Read the rest here.

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'Tis the season for drinking beer. And while summer time often means slamming your hand into an icy cooler and popping the top on a cold can or bottle, for peak pleasure consider drinking only bottled beer that's been poured into a glass. The beer experts say much of the taste comes from the aroma and if you drink from the bottle, you won't be able to take in the aroma as well.

... But don't chill the glasses in the freezer. When the ice crystals melt they add water to the beer and can dilute the flavor.

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You really like taking pictures of me, don't you Daddy?

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as marking my Daddy's 93rd birthday yesterday, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History

1973 - The album "Elvis - That's The Way It Is" was certified gold by the RIAA.

1993 - The Elvis Presley five-CD boxed set "The King Of Rock'n'Roll - The Complete 60's Masters" hit #159 in the U.S.

2004 - SIRIUS, a satellite radio provider, announced the launch of Elvis Radio. The radio channel debuted on July 2.

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A Canadian landowner has donated 800 acres near the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border as a sanctuary where moose can make whoopie. The Nature Conservancy of Canada created the "moose sex project" to enlarge dwindling herds.

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Today in Beatles History:

1991 - "Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio" debuted at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.

1999 - George Harrison disclosed that he had a cancerous lump removed from his neck the previous summer.

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NUMBER FOR THE DAY - 2,150: Active nuclear warheads controlled by the U.S.

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Today in Sports History:

1971 - The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the draft evasion conviction of Muhammad Ali.

1995 - The NBA Draft was held at the Skydome in Toronto, Ontario. It was the first time the draft was held outside the United States.

1996 - Darryl Strawberry hit his 300th home run. 

1997 - Mike Tyson was disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield's ear after three rounds of their WBA heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas, NV.

2000 - Jeff Cirillo (Colorado Rockies) hit three home runs and a double against San Francisco.

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IN THEATERS TODAY - The Heat (R) and White House Down (PG-13)

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 7:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Feed The Children 300 at Kentucky Speedway 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies 8:40pm EDT

Saturday --

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders at Edmonton Eskimos 3:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies 4:10pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 7:15pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Quaker State 400 Presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway 7:30pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 1:40pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies 4:10pm EDT

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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!