Zygi, It's Cold Outside

Wow, it was cold in Minnesota last night, eh? Not that I was at the game. Heck no. I was sitting comfortably in the man cave, sipping on hot cocoa. Yummy.

What wasn’t so good was the game. It was a stinker by most measures. A stinker unless you like the way weather often inserts itself into sports. I do. That’s why I (sometimes) write this blog. You do. That’s why you’re wasting time, probably at work, reading this nonsense.



When we looked at the NFL schedule back in September – when the Vikings had Super Bowl hopes and the Bears… we’ll, we didn’t know what to think about the Bears – we thought that, come December 20, the Vikes would be sitting as comfortable in the playoff picture – playing in the cozy Metrodome – as me sitting on my man cave couch.

It’s funny how 16 inches of snow on the Metrodome roof – not to mention an aging quarterback’s banged up body – can change things.

By the way, in case you somehow missed the action or any news reports, the Bears won 40-14 and clinched the NFC North title. Game time temperatures were 20 degrees with a wind chill of 9. Burrrr! Pass the hot cocoa… and someone take the whip cream away from Ty.


Zygi said what? You would think last night’s conditions would prompt the Vikings brass to build some sort of super indoor football facility and perhaps chip in a little cash so that all cold-weather teams could build a dome. Not the case. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said he’d like all the Vikings home games played outdoors. “Football should be played outdoors, and for the Vikings in the past, the weather has given the Vikings a big advantage," Wilf said… uh, before the game. We’ll see if he changes his tune.

Before we go today, let’s take one more look at that Metrodome roof collapse. I just can’t get enough.

Good night everybody.

Going to the World Series Tonight? Bring an Umbrella

It was a beautiful night for baseball in San Francisco last night, at least as far as I could observe by sitting on the comfy couch in my man cave.
Tonight’s Game Two of the World Series, however, may be a have a different feel to fans at AT&T Park – a wet feel.

According to the National Weather Service, a weather system will be approaching the ballpark from the north, just about the same time – 4:57 Pacific – Giants’ starter Matt Cain tosses the first pitch.

Chances of rain are at 30 percent – according to Weather.com – at game time, decreasing to about 10 percent as the game progresses. No heavy rain is expected, so the game should be completed tonight. Temperature at first pitch should be around 63 degrees.

Someone please inform Kristen Lee about the impending rain, so she won't think Giants fans are spitting on her. Thank you.

Blog Drought

Hey, there you are, Perry.

Oh, wait. It’s me who’s been gone for so long.

Have you missed me? Don’t answer that.

You know, I’d update The Rainout Blog more often if wasn’t for this work thing I have to do everyday.

Anyway, I thought I’d share this Associated Press cool photo of a mechanic for Red Bull driver Mark Webber pushing a rack tires through rain following a practice session for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix. This weekend’s race in Kuala Lumpur, where thunderstorms are forecasted through Sunday, could turn out to be another thrilling soaker like last week’s Australian Grand Prix.

Ok, is this a triumphant return for The Rainout Blog? Nope. But, I hope to update this thing a little more frequently, particularly since baseball season is about to begin. You know how I love baseball rainout stories.

Yeah, It's Cold in Wisconsin

When you look at the NFL schedule and notice that the Green Bay Packers are playing on a Monday night in December, one question immediately pops to mind: Will there be snow?

According to the National Weather Service, there is a chance, a small chance, of white stuff falling on Lambeau Field. And if it does snow, no accumulation is expected.

Bummer!

However, it is Green Bay in December, so you know it’s going to be frostier than Thanksgiving dinner at Elin and Tiger’s house. At the moment, the 10-day forecast is calling for temps to dip to about 25 degrees.

Hold on.

Ok. Vince Lombardi just called and said that sounds like a heat wave.

Anyway, Tom Silverstein has a story in the Journal Sentinel today about the Packers’ remaining frostbitten schedule, which includes road games in Chicago and Pittsburgh and a game back at Lambeau against the Seahawks.

And Kevin Cowherd of The Baltimore Sun advises Ravens players to stay close to the bench heaters Monday night.

The photo above is from the AP. Thanks, guys.

Man U Gotta Love Soccer in the Rain

Turkish champion Besiktas is facing Manchester United Wednesday night in the Champion’s League group B match at Old Trafford. In the photo above, Besiktas players are seen practicing in the pouring rain. There’s only a 20 percent chance of rain when the two teams meet Wednesday night, but it will be cold. The wind chill is projected at 33 degrees. If you go to the game, send me a photo and I’ll post it on The Rainout Blog. The e-mail address is rainoutblog@gmail.com.

Word from the Booth

Hey, I know this sports-weather blog stuff is a fascinating, riveting read. However, if you really want something totally cool and interesting, check out Word from the Booth. It’s a new blog created by my pal in Tennessee – I thought the Jets would win the Super Bowl before this guy started blogging – and it offers compelling topics about stuff that you may have never heard of. For example, do you know about Thanksgiving maskers? Me neither, until I read Word from the Booth.

16 years ago...

Cold, Frosted Coors

I’m in the minority here, I know, but I love playoff baseball games played in football weather. According to the forecast for Saturday night, that’s exactly what we’ll get when the Colorado Rockies host the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Division Series in Denver. Weather.com is forecasting – get this – a 70 percent chance of snow showers and temperatures to be in the mid 30s when the first pitch is thrown at 7:37 p.m. local time. The wind chill at game time will make fans at Coors Field feel like it’s about 23 degrees.

I know baseball purists hate cold weather baseball games, but I love the added drama that little snow and chill can deliver.

The Open in Pictures

Yahoo! Sports has a great photo gallery of the rain-drenched U.S. Open. I don't think I've ever written more about golf and rain than I have today. The photo here is from the Associated Press.

Done for the Day

Play at the U.S. Open has been suspended for the day. They'll try again Friday morning.

No word yet on a postponement of the Yankees/Nationals game. It's still in a rain delay.

UPDATE: The target -- this has become a moving target -- for the first pitch at Yankee Stadium is now 4:05 p.m.

Send Us Your Rainy Sports Photos

By the way, I've been intending to write this, but keep forgetting: If you happen to be at the U.S. Open or Yankee Stadium, e-mail to me a cool rainy shot and I'll try to post it here. Be sure to send me your name so I can give you credit. The e-mail address is: rainoutblog@gmail.com.

Thanks.

The Organist is Playing “Singing in the Rain”

It’s raining in the Bronx, delaying Joba Chamberlain’s first pitch in the Yankees’ rubber (boots) match with the Washington Nationals. Jack Curry has the rain delay covered, including Johnny Damon’s forecast, on the New York Times’ Bats blog.

Frank Franklin of the Associated Press took the above photo exclusively for The Rainout Blog (that’s not true).

Keep visiting The Rainout Blog for updates on the Yankees/Nationals and U.S. Open rain delays. (That, too, is probably not true. I got stuff to do, ya know?).

Weather Update

...from usopen.com:

"Mike Davis just informed us that it will be at least until 2 p.m. before players possibly could get out to the practice range to warm up for a resumption of play today. Heavy rain is still expected over the next 45 minutes, but the good news is there's a window this afternoon when golf should be able to resume. The hope is that the morning wave of 78 competitors can complete round one today, with the afternoon wave, which includes Phil Mickelson, completing the first round on Friday.

Once the rain does stop, Jim Hyler, the chairman of the Championship Committee, said it would take 30 minutes or so to get the course back into playing condition."

Running updates can be found here.

Rain Delay at Black

Play currently is suspended at the U.S. Open because of heavy rain. While you’re waiting, here is an insightful article about how U.S. Open officials are combating the wet conditions. By the way, the photo is from the Associated Press.

Tracking Tiger

The weather is playing a factor as the U.S. Open begins this morning. Jim Baumbach of Newsday is following Tigers woods throughout the day on the newspaper’s On The Green blog. The photo above is from Newsday’s J. Conrad Williams.

And what's better than reading live updates about the U.S. Open on a blog? Well, watching the tournament on your computer -- if you're not near a large scree TV. You can watch live -- the rain is pouring now -- on the U.S. Open Web site.

Wet Sox

The White Sox game with the Cubs, as you already know, was rained out on Tuesday, but the coolest baseball rain delay photo from the past week is this AP snapshot of the Sox grounds crew as they squeegee water from the tarp covering the field during a rain delayed game between the Pale Hose and the Tigers.

Striking Photo

I’m about two weeks late with posting this AP photo of lightning striking at the Southern California Golf Association golf course in Temecula, Calif. on June 3. It’s a great pic, so you’ll give me a break on its tardiness to the blog, right? Enjoy!

By the way, you can keep up with U.S. Open weather conditions at weather.com

Rain Could Halt U.S. Open

The potential of significant rainfall on Thursday and Friday has USGA officials concerned about possible delays at the beginning and throughout the U.S. Open, which begins Thursday at Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y. So, are USGA officials open to extending play into the early part of next week should play be held up by rain? Jim Hyler, a USGA vice president and chair of the championship committee told the New York Times: “If we can’t play it, if it’s not fair to be playing the ball as it lies, we’ll suspend play. We’ll stay here until we get a champion.” Rainfall from last week has the course already soggy, the Times story said.
How much rain will it take to garner a play suspension? “If we get an inch of rain Thursday, I’m fairly sure we’ll get a suspension,” Currier said. “Especially if it’s an inch of rain in a couple hours. If it’s spread over the whole day, we’ll be O.K. But if it comes quickly, the bunkers will fill up fast. It seems like we haven’t seen the sun in a month. I’m gearing myself for four days of rain.”
Read more of the New York Times story>>

Cincinnati Reds Grounds Crew Pulls the Tarp in Thunderstorm

Tarp Problems at Nationals Park

Two Out on Opening Day, so far

It’s opening day, and threats of rain and snow already have claimed two games. The snowy forecast in Chicago led officials Sunday to postpone Monday’s White Sox opener, and rain in Boston today has led to delaying the Red Sox contest with Tampa. Also, rain has been falling in Cincinnati, but the Reds and Mets continue to play through. And, as you can see in the photo, the tarp has been on the field today in Baltimore, but it looks like the O’s and Yankees will begin on time.

By the way, for more frequent Rainout Blog updates, follow the blog's Twitter page at Twitter.com/Rainoutblog.

A Snowball's Chance in Jail

Much attention has been given to the huge snow boulder Shaun Ellis of the Jets tossed into the stands at Qwest Field Sunday, but how about the snowball Todd Kobus took in the puss while being escorted from Gillette Stadium? Hilarious!

Kobus is the fella who rushed onto the field in the fourth quarter Sunday and tackled the Patriots’ Junior Seau on the sideline. Kobus is now saying that he is a big fan of Seau, and meant only to give the linebacker a hug. Whatever the motive, Kobus has been charged with trespassing and assault and battery. Police said Kobus was intoxicated. No kidding! Boston’s Fox 25 has video on its web site of Kobus being led off the field under a shower of snowballs. Enjoy the show.

Above photo: AP Photo/Boston Herald, Matthew West

Bears Heat Up in Record Cold

How cold was it in Chicago last night? Cold enough to be the coldest Bears home game since the NFL began keeping such statistics in 1963. The cold, hard facts about Monday’s night’s weather says the temperature was 2 degrees, and the wind chill made Soldier Field patrons feel as if it were minus 13 degrees as they watched the Bears slip past the Packers in overtime. The Chicago Sun-Times web site has a list today of the Bears top 5 coldest games. The Packers have been the opponent in four of those games.

Seattle Snow

But this photo (see below post) may be the best of Sunday's football action.

Seattle may have the most picturesque stadium… ever!

Oh, Baby! Let It Snow

I was looking through all the snow photos from Sunday's NFL action, and, so far, this is my favorite.

Frozen Phins

Hey, did you hear that the Miami Dolphins played in the coldest game in team history Sunday in Kansas City? Of course you did. Everyone has heard it by now. The temperature was 10 degrees with a wind chill at minus 12 at kickoff. The previous coldest Dolphins game was in December 1977 in Foxboro, Mass. What I want to know is: What was the temperature at the Dolphins coldest home game and when was that game played? Anyone who e-mails me with the correct answer wins a free subscription to this blog.

Jets Shaun Ellis, Hurls Giant Snowball at Seahawks Fans

Bear Weather

From today's Chicago Sun-Times:

Bear weather / BARE weh THUR / n. / Popular -- and much-overused -- term to describe miserably cold conditions for Chicago Bears games at Soldier Field, conditions that die-hard fans can attest don't necessarily help the home team. Bear weather is marked by: steam coming off Brian Urlacher's head, snot frozen to fans' faces, a wicked wind off the lake that sends field goal attempts awry and, perhaps, snow: e.g., tonight's game conditions.

The forecast for tonight's Monday nighter at Soldier Field calls for low temperatures at 11 degrees with windchill at minus 2.

Isola Recalls Last Knicks Snow Day

Snow is hitting hard in many parts of the country, but so far there are no NBA or NHL postponements to report. In today’s N.Y. Daily News, Frank Isola remembers the last time the Knicks had a snow day.

The last time the Knicks had a home game postponed, Don Nelson went bar-hopping on the snow-covered streets of Manhattan. That was back on Jan. 7, 1996, a little more than two months before Nelson was fired despite being nine games over .500.
In ’96, the Sonics were already in New York but the league and the Knicks still decided to postpone the game. The Milwaukee Bucks arrived in Manhattan late Wednesday night and as of noon today the Knicks are still planning to go ahead with the game.

Mass Snow Fall

I just read that Massachusetts is expected to receive 10 to 14 inches of snow from the storm hitting the state today. It’s already white in Foxboro, as you can see in this Gillette Stadium web cam.

White (Sunday Before) Christmas

I’m an idiot.

Of course, if you’re a regular here, you already know that. My latest blunder involves my fantasy football team. Sure, I’m in the championship game, so I must have been doing something right, right? But where I went totally wrong was benching Payton Manning this week in favor of Matt Cassel. Manning tossed for 368 yards and three touchdowns last night in a win over Jacksonville. This Sunday, Cassel will be tossing snowballs.

When the Pats host the Cardinals Sunday, temperatures will be in the 30s and there is a good chance of snow and a wintery mix. Someone on the radio this morning – I don’t remember who – said the conditions could be similar to the Tuck Rule game. (That was a fun game to watch… until the @#$%& Patriots won on a totally bogus, @##$%&&* rule.) Patriots kicker Steve Gostkowski is preparing for whatever conditions arise (or fall) while the Pro Bowlers’ wife is preparing for the warmth of Hawaii. Meanwhile, the Warm-Weather Birds may be a little nervous about leaving the cozy, warm confines of their home dome.

The Panthers play the Giants in the wind tunnel that is the Meadowlands Sunday night in a super important game for both teams. The game forecast calls for temps in the 20s and single-digit wind chill. There’s also a chance for snow and freezing rain. (I’m trying to work in an Earth, Wind and Fire reference, but I’m just not that talented.)

Snow possibilities also are forecasted for Seattle on Sunday where the Jets hope to not allow their playoff chances melt like a snowman at August training camp. Remember when Brett Favre used to be the cold-weather king? I’m not sure that’s the case these days. I think he’d rather be playing indoors and wearing purple.

The Dolphins are staring at back-to-back cold weather games, starting this week in Kansas City where the high temperature is expected to top out at 9 degrees with winds reaching 18 to 24 mph and gusts as high as 33 mph. A week from Sunday the Dolphins travel to play the Jets in what could be a cold, night contest if the game is flexed into primetime, which could happen if the game is to decide the AFC East title.

"Cold weather can be used as an excuse," said Miami and former Jets quarterback Chad Pennington to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "Both teams have to play in it. I did it for eight years. It's really a mind-over-matter type of thing. Cold weather, that's what football is really all about."

It still hurts a little inside to say “former Jets quarterback Chad Pennington.”

Perhaps the coldest game of the week will be Monday night in Chicago were the low temperature is predicted to be 2 degrees when the Bears and Packers kick off.

Pat’s Kick Snowballs Giants to Famous Title Tilt

Before the Giants and Colts hooked up for the 1958 NFL Championship – you know, the “Greatest Game Ever Played” – the G-Men had to win a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns. That playoff became necessary on Dec. 14, the final day of the regular season when Giants kicker Pat Summerall nailed a 49-yard game-winning field goal in the snow. ReelSportsFan.com has highlights of the game.

Polar Bears Welcome Brees

The Bears and Saints go toe-to-toe Thursday night in Chicago, and while both teams will be fighting to remain in the playoff hunt, the story of the night will be the Windy City weather.

Forecasters are calling for temperatures to dip to the lower teens with wind gusts as high as 20 mph. That’s not good news for Saints quarterback Drew Brees, whose passer efficiency rating at Soldier Field is 16 points below his career average. Bears linebacker Lance Briggs thinks Brees may be a bit too soft to play in the Chicago cold after Brees has spent his pro career playing in a warm city and indoors.

"Drew Brees has been in San Diego and in New Orleans in a dome,” Briggs said. "So when he comes out here, and he's got his hand-warmer fanny pack, it's a whole different ballgame. He's freezing; his blood is real thin."

In their past two trips to Chicago, the Saints have moved the ball well, but also have committed seven turnovers. The Bears defense also sacked the QB six times.

Last week, Chicago defeated Jacksonville 23-10 in 19-degree temperatures – minus 1 degree if you factor in wind chill. It was the coldest game ever in Jaguars history.

“If you talk to teams that aren’t from Chicago, believe me, they don’t want to come to Chicago this time of the year to play football,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “For us, it’s a part of our everyday life. It’s no issue with us.”

Flight Crew Weathers Turbulence Better than Jets

On Wednesdays during the NFL season, SI.com posts a photo gallery of some of the league’s cheerleaders from the previous week’s action. The week 13 gallery went online today, and four of the 28 images are of a soaking wet New York Jets Flight Crew. More than half of the gallery is photos of Chargers cheerleaders doing their thing in sunny San Diego and the Vikings gals cheering in the climate controlled Metrodome. Boring. Well, not boring, but you know what I mean. Enjoy the show.

Kirwan Writes about Our Two Favorite Subjects

I knew the rain poured in Tampa during the Bucs game Sunday, but I had no idea that there had been a tornado warning. But, one of my favorite NFL guys, Pat Kirwan did. In his NFL.com column this week, Kirwan delves into weather-related issues from Week 13 that include the importance of ball control through inclement conditions and how the Power I formation can be effective in poor weather. Kirwan also notes that when “rain, snow, and wind become factors, it looks like the fast players slow down and the big old fat linemen seem to get on a level playing field.” You can read Kirwan’s column in its entirety here.

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Cheering in the Rain

As I sift through the all the photos from rainy football games from the weekend, I think I've decided that this is my favorite. Why would it not be?

Tallahassee Soaker

According to a story on Gainesville.com, 1.34 inches of rain fell on Tallahassee Saturday. Much of the soaker occurred during the Florida Gators 45-15 win over state rival Florida State.

'Cats Freeze Out Black Bears

Perhaps you heard already – this game was played Saturday – that the University of New Hampshire and University of Maine played in blizzard-like conditions at Maine’s Alfond Stadium. Who won? Who cares? It was a snow game. Well, ok. New Hampshire won, but that’s irrelevant. The snow is the news here, people. Without it, most of the country would not have known this game was played. (AP Photo/Michael C. York)

Leon Lett Thanksgiving Blunder

Today is the 15th anniversary of Leon Lett’s Turkey Day blunder. Enjoy!

Hazy in Huskieville

It's a bit foggy in DeKalb, Ill., tonight, and the fog is not working as a home field advantage for Northern Illinois. The homestanding Huskies trail Central Michigan 30-6 with 2:50 to play in the third quarter. No photos have hit the Web yet, but I'm sure plenty of pics will pop up soon. Hey, instead of waiting for me to post photos of the fog fest, why not watch the live action on ESPN 2?

Update: Northern Illinois just put eight points on the board with a touchdown and two-point conversion. The Huskies trail now 30-14 and just recovered an onsides kick with seconds to play in the third frame.

Update II: The fog is getting thick enough to force ESPN 2 to use field-level cameras instead of the traditional broad shot. If the atmospheric conditions aren't enough excitement, the hometown Huskies are making a heck of a comeback, trailing 30-27 midway through fourth quarter.

Outstanding in the Rain

Ok, this post has nothing to do with sports – although, I hear this fella has a mean jump shot – but you have to like a guy who’ll roll up his sleeves and a deliver a speech in the pouring rain. I’ll get back to posting sports-weather stories soon… as soon as there is a weather-inflicted sporting event that is not a cricket match.

Best Series Action Yet

Say what you will about Major League Baseball’s handling of the World Series rain delay and postponement Monday night – it seems everyone has an opinion today – but you have to admit that the rain is the most exciting storyline of this lackluster Series. Several columnists, bloggers and radio personalities are chiming in today, and most are going hard after Bud Selig. I would link to a host of stories, but you people are smart. You know how to Google. Knock yourselves out.

Wait, I do want to link to a couple of items. Here are opposing opinions of the Commish’s actions.

Bud Selig makes a bad call for baseball – LA Times

And here’s the other side: (Actually, this is from MLB.com and is more of a skipping-through-a-field-of-daisies argument.)
Silver lining: Another day of baseball

By the way, in case you haven’t heard, the conclusion of Game 5 has been postponed until Wednesday night.

The Rain in Shea...

I have nothing else to do -- actually I have a lot to do, but I'm stalling -- so I'll tell you there's a rain delay in the fifth inning of the Mets-versus-Giants game Shea Stadium. Not many rain delays left at that ol' dump, eh? I shouldn't call it a dump. I've never been there. But those who have, say it's a dump. Anyway, if you're a really bored Mets or Giants fan, you can keep up with the game, once it resumes, on David Lennon's live Newsday.com blog.

By the way, did anyone listen today to Chris Russo on WFAN? I'd liked to know what he had to say about Tim Lincecum getting shelled by Mets batters Tuesday night. I didn't hear Doggie today. I was listening to the Yankees sweep the Rays. Is the SI cover jinx already afecting Lincecum? (That's not a serious question.)

I'm done for now. Have a good night.

Pirates Do it Better in the Rain

The Pittsburgh Pirates survived three hours and seven minutes worth of rain delays Tuesday night to beat the slumping Houston Astros 4-3 at soggy PNC Park. The first delay popped up in the fourth inning, lasting two hours and 30 minutes. The second break in the action lasted 28 minutes and followed less than an hour later in the bottom of the sixth. The delays gave Pittsburgh fans plenty of time to check on the status of the sale of the Steelers. Rain fell steadily at times while the teams played the innings between the two delays. The photo above is from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, which has a full game photo gallery here.

Royal Rain

Heavy rain flooded parts of the outfield before Tuesday's game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. More details at ESPN.com.

UPDATE: The start of the Royals game with the White Sox was not delayed. The first pitch was fired on schedule. Workers at Kauffman Stadium worked swiftly to remove water from the warning track and other parts of the ballpark. Read more about it on the Royals Web site. At last check this game was going into the 11th inning, tied at 5-5. I'm going to bed.

NFL Teams Soon Will Feel the Heat

Hey, it’s hot as hell outside, but at least we’re not out busting our butts, knocking heads with 240-pound linebackers in 98-degree heat. Wait. That kind of sounds like fun. It would be more fun than sitting at a cubicle all day, right? Soon, NFL teams will be back to the grind as training camps open in about two weeks. Here’s a complete schedule. The Jets rookies report July 16. The J-E-T-S need to begin as early as possible. Our world champion New York Football Giants go to camp in Albany July 25. I went to Bengals camp about three years ago. A friend got me and another buddy sideline passes for an intra-squad scrimmage. That was the closest I’ve ever been to NFL action, and it was a blast.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow Is Probably Another Loss for Nats

Is there a chance that a Nats win or two can be found just beyond that double rainbow? Not bloody likely. This photo was taken in late June, just before the Washington club took the field at Nationals Park and were handed an 8-3 defeat by the Angels. The Nationals have only 34 victories this season, the fewest in the major leagues. I still proudly wear my Curly W cap when I go to the store early, before I’ve had a chance to shower. I get a severe case of bed head when I sleep.

Lightning Strike Kills Three Soccer Players

Ordinarily, I like to keep the mood light here at The Rainout Blog, but I should mention the story out of Cambodia last week about three young soccer players – each were in their 20s – who were struck and killed by lightning during a tournament in the Southeast Asian nation’s capital. Three other players were hospitalized following the lightning strike. The game was being played during a monsoon-season thunderstorm. There’s a Reuters photo on the Web showing players carrying a teammate’s body off the field, but I’m not going to post it or link to it here. It’s easily Googled and found if you like looking at dead people. Not me.

R-Braves Dance Around Rain

Nearly three inches of rain fell in 90 minutes Sunday in Richmond, Va., causing postponement of a minor league contest Monday between the hometown Braves and the Pawtucket Red Sox. It was really windy there, too. So much so, that several nails holding down the tarp were blown lose. You want to know more? Read it here…

More Post-Closing Stuff

I wanted to post the above photo last week, but the pic popped up on the Web shortly after I had decided to close The Rainout Blog. Since I’ve stuck to the closing-the-blog decision about as well as I stick to my workout schedule, I thought I’d post this photo of Zheng Jie during a rain delay Thursday against Serena Williams in a semifinal match at Wimbledon.

Braving the Storm

Ok, I’m already tired of writing about fuzzy balls and bald tires. Let’s get back to baseball for a bit. Did I mention I have shut down this blog? Anyway, the scene above is from Sunday’s Braves win over Houston in Atlanta. Mark Teixiera’s bases-loaded single off the left-center field wall in the 17th inning gave the Braves a 7-6 win. The start of the game was delayed for an hour and 50 minutes and, with the extra innings, turned into the longest game ever played at Turner Field.

No Rain Delays on the F1 Track

Lots of rain Sunday, not just at Wimbledon, but also at the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone. Lewis Hamilton won the event. I have no idea who that is, but the dude managed to survive the wet track and capture the checkered flag. I don’t like to drive on the Interstate at 65 mph in the rain.

How Will They Vote?

These folks will probably vote for the roof (See below).

Hold the Roof, Please

Hey, that was an epic gentlemen’s final at Wimbledon Sunday, eh? I watched bits and pieces of the match, but there’s no way I could have sat through the whole thing. But some of you did watch it all, point after point, rain delay after rain delay. The Guardian is polling you folks today to learn what you think about the possibility of a roof being built over Center Court for future tournaments. Will a lid over the court ruin the excitement for you? Did the rain delays, threat of more rain and approaching darkness add to the atmosphere? You know how I hate domes and roofs over ballparks and such, so I’m voting against the roof. You can cast your vote on the Guardian’s Web site. Happy voting. I’m out!

Pssssst! It’s me

I’m sneaking very quietly in the back door. Yeah, I know I wrote a few days ago that I was closing this blog, but I thought I’d post one more item. I’m allowed, right? Oh, and don’t think I pulling a Favre here. I just ran across this article on Philly.com about the storied history of Phillies rain delays. Uh, ok. This story comes in the wake the Phils’ 2 hour-and-50-minute rain delay against the Mets Sunday. Anyway, enjoy the story. I’m out of here… for good this time. I promise.

Turn Out the Lights, the Blog is Over

It may be worth mentioning that this past Sunday, June 29, was the second anniversary of the Rainout Blog. Ok, maybe it’s not worth mentioning since I lost interest in updating the blog months ago. But it’s nice to say to I posted items fairly consistently over the past two years. With that, I think it’s finally time to put this worthless thing out of its misery. This is the last post. Thanks to those of you who read the blog the past 24 months. You three people know who you are. And thanks to those who took the time to leave comments – even the crazy lady from PETA. Good night, everyone. Last one out turn off the lights.

UEFA Dishing Cash to Replace Soaked Pitch

First of all, the Reuters photo above is one of the best sports-weather photos I’ve seen in a while. As for the story behind the super cool pic, UEFA is shelling out cash to replace the pitch at Basel’s St. Jakob-Park following heavy rain Wednesday during Switzerland’s win over Turkey in the first week of Euro 2008 and ahead of Portugal’s quarterfinal match there Thursday. (Man, that was a long sentence.) The park will host another quarterfinal match and a semifinal. I could really get into this tournament if I didn’t have to be at work when the matches were being played. Stupid job… always interfering with my fun.

HOF Game Dies in the Rain

This year’s Major League Baseball Hall of Fame game was to be the last of an annual tradition that began in 1940. Turns out, last year’s game was the last. Does that make sense? Rain knocked out Monday’s exhibition game in Cooperstown between the Cubs and Padres. MLB announced in January that the exhibition game was ending because of scheduling conflicts. The decision was unpopular among many fans, and some are protesting to keep the game alive. Good luck to ‘em. Hell, I didn’t even know the game was scheduled until I heard it had been rained out.

Rangers Slip and Slide During Shea Delay

Turkey Plays Better in the Rain

I can't say I've seen much of the European Championships, but I did happen to catch of little of the soaker Wednesday between Turkey and Switzerland. Turkey won, 2-1 and, I think, eliminated Switzerland. I'd look it up, but I have to go cut the grass.

More Rain Delays at French Open

The French Open is acting a bit like its more popular cousin, Wimbledon, this week by allowing rain to interfere with the tournament. Six hours of action was lost Tuesday because of torrential rain. Above, workers at Roland Garros sweep water from a clay court in preparation for play.

I mentioned below that I’m about to pull the plug on The Rainout Blog, but also I think it’s worth mentioning that this is the 300th post to the blog since I began this nonsense nearly two years ago. I’ll have to check the rules, but I think 300 posts, like 300 wins for a major league pitcher, may get me extra consideration for the blogging hall of fame.

The Rainbow is Coming Into Focus

I haven’t completely given up on The Rainout Blog, but I can see the end from here. Oh, look. Is that a rainbow? In the meantime, as the blog rests comfortably and heavily medicated on the breathing machine that I’m reaching to unplug, I wanted to post this photo of the Yankees game against the Orioles in Baltimore Tuesday night. Yanks manager Joe Girardi – I gotta get on Joe’s diet and exercise program – argued with umpires that the game should have been delayed because of the pouring rain before Hideki Matsui lined out to right field to end the ninth inning. He’s probably right, but turnabout is fair play, I guess. Remember this from last year?