Friday, July 30, 2010
Trey DePriest to announce Decision Friday
New York Yankees on verge of acquiring slugger Lance Berkman in trade with Houston Astros: sources
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Yankees are on the verge of landing slugger Lance Berkman from the Astros, according to two major-league sources, adding a powerful bat for the stretch run.
Berkman, a 34-year-old switch-hitting first baseman/outfielder, will provide another option for Joe Girardi in the DH mix, which has been a revolving door since Nick Johnson went down with a wrist injury in May.
The Yankees and Astros were still working out the final details of the deal, though the Bombers are not expected to give up any of their blue-chip prospects. New York will likely pick up a majority of the $7 million owed to Berkman, which includes a $2 million buyout of his 2011 team option.
Berkman, a five-time All-Star, had to agree to the deal thanks to his standing as a 10-and-5 player, having spent his entire 12-year career with the Astros.
Berkman is hitting .245 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI in 85 games this season, though he has a respectable .372 on-base percentage. Berkman won't solve the Yankees' problems against lefties, as he's hitting a dreadful .188 with one homer and four RBI in 64 at-bats against southpaws.
His home-road splits are also quite notable, as he's hitting .287 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 45 home games, numbers that drop to .194, 4 and 18 in 40 games away from Minute Maid Park.
Berkman has only played first base during the past three seasons, so it's unlikely that the Yankees will use him in the outfield despite his 801 career games out there.
'Jersey Shore's' Snooki arrested
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. — Reality television star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi was taken into custody Friday afternoon for disorderly conduct, police confirmed. |
According to Police Chief Thomas J. Boyd, Polizzi, a member of the cast of MTV's Jersey Shore, was taken to the police station about 3:30 p.m., where she faces being charged with disorderly conduct. Boyd would not provide further information at this time.
Jersey Shore is currently taping its third season here. The cast of the show spent the spring in Florida to shoot season two. The premiere of that season last night on MTV drew 5.3 million viewers, according to ratings firm Nielsen.
Borough Administrator John A. Camera said that beachgoers were complaining this afternoon about a disorderly person, which turned out to be Polizzi, who they said was falling on other people and bothering them.
When police confronted her about the behavior, Polizzi was indignant enough to warrant being locked up in the Seaside Heights jail, Camera said. He emphasized that she was not arrested.
"It really is true, and has been proven — whether it's a show or not," he said. "When people misbehave in public, it's the same: The police expeditiously end their bad behavior so all the good people can enjoy their time."
A representative of MTV declined to comment.
On Thursday, Camera released a statement on behalf of borough officials, stating the show has brought in millions of dollars and an influx of business.
However, he said the Borough Council "wants it to be known that they do not condone discriminatory remarks against Italian Americans or anyone else, domestic violence and/or the promiscuous and otherwise bad behavior sometimes portrayed on the show."
"The cast of this show are not indicative of the majority of those who visit and enjoy the Jersey shore and Seaside Heights every summer," he continued in the release.
Camera said Friday the cast and crew of Jersey Shore have cooperated with the borough and hired off-duty police officers for extra security to handle the crowds.
"Last year they were able to film without much security or notoriety," he said. "Our police department is there to handle the situation and make sure nobody feels threatened or uncomfortable in Seaside Heights.
Earlier Friday, Snooki was partying on the beach with a beer bong, only she was filling it up with Coca-Cola, the celebrity gossip website TMZ.com said.
"We're told she was also seen at a local bar taking 'body shots,' " the site said.
Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest React To Ellen's 'American Idol' Exit
Fans and bloggers aren't the only ones sharing their reactions to the news that Ellen DeGeneres is leaving "American Idol" after just one season. Fellow departed judge Simon Cowell and current host Ryan Seacrest have also revealed their feelings about the news.
Cowell, who left the show after last season, seemed to imply that he thinks DeGeneres is making the right move. "As I got to know Ellen, I grew to really, really like her," Cowell said in a statement to theHollywood Reporter. "I have huge respect for her because she's always been in control of her own destiny."
Ryan Seacrest also dished his two cents on the comedian's unexpected exit. The host took to Twitter on Thursday night with nothing but kind words for his colleague. "Spoke with ellen d tonight aka @theellenshow. I will miss her on Idol. She's one of the kindest and most talented people in Hollywood," he tweeted.
On Thursday, Ellen announced her departure from the show in a statement she posted on her website. "It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for," she wrote. "I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on 'Idol' and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be."
'American Idol': Kara is reportedly out
The musical chairs at the judge's table of "American Idol" continue, as reports circulated Friday morning that Kara DioGuardi has been fired from the hit series.
TMZ reported that the songwriter/judge has been let go and follows Thursday's announcement from Fox that Ellen DeGeneres, who appeared for only a single season, has also departed the program. Meanwhile, Deadline.com identified actress/singer Jennifer Lopez as a judge when the show returns for its 10th season next year.
The reshuffling is far from over as the network scrambles to replace star judge Simon Cowell, who left the show in May amid great fanfare. Of the judges from last season, only Randy Jackson remains a judge on what is still America's most popular television series.
Huguette Clark Estate?
Huguette M. Clark is the owner of the Clark Estate and I wanted more info about him.
Does anyone know about a website where I can read mister Huguette M. Clark's bio? Or a wiki article?
Montana Fishburne Revolutions: Laurence Fishburne daughter getting into Porn?
Montana Fishburne wants to be an actress...just not the kind that her father Laurence Fishburne is currently in.
On TMZ, they're reporting that Montana, daughter from Laurence's first marriage, is making a sex tape on purpose. From TMZ, ((TMZ has learned Montana Fishburne is starring in a porno flick for Vivid Entertainment -- explaining, "I've watched how successful Kim Kardashian became and I think a lot of it was due to the release of her sex tape." ))
You better believe Laurence is beyond pissed. Because I've listened to Dr. Drew a little bit too much, I think this a way to get back at her father for some reason. What better way to piss him off but to get into porn.
I also have to wonder if Brian Pumper had something to do with her new venture in Porn Alley. Supposedly, it was revealed that she's been secretly dating Mr. Pumper. Has this been confirmed?
Using sex tapes to get into acting or becoming famous aren't exactly the ways to get noticed and stay noticed. And, using Kim Kardashian as a career model isn't too smart, because Kim has nothing else to offer other than showing up to parties and reality shows. You'll get 15 minutes of fame, but that's about it. Hell, Paris Hilton's fame is starting to fade.