I don't know how many of you realized this, but the MLS Cup was awarded yesterday to the Columbus Crew (I had no idea either), and that's where this craaaaazy video comes from. Alexi Lalas had promised to shotgun a Red Bull if the New York Red Bulls made the playoffs and Rob Stone made sure he paid up before the game on Saturday....

I knew Soccer was lame, but this takes that theory to a whole 'nother level. It also took Lalas about five minutes to "gun" that think and it's about half the size of a regular beer can. They must not have been big drinkers at Rutgers University in the 90s.

The NJ.com's Rutgers Football blog posted an item this past Thursday when they learned that Erin Andrews would not be on sideline duty with her normal team for the Fresno State-Rutgers game yesterday. The post stated that Rob Stone was to replace her and the commenters were not very happy about the switch....

Posted by cojoneka on 08/21/08 at 9:49PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Posted by rurockin on 08/22/08 at 7:31AM
Can I write my congressman about this. So unfair!

Posted by scarletpig on 08/22/08 at 12:16PM
I have never felt so betrayed in my entire life.

Okay so there were only seven total quotes, but you could tell it greatly upset Rob Stone. So much so that he and the booth decided to address it part of the way through the fourth quarter....

The guy just continues to crack me up during every report. Also, if Erin Andrews is going to be faxing out letters to read on air, she might want use a little bit nicer kind of letterhead. Maybe something with subtle off-white coloring, tasteful thickness and a watermark? Just a suggestion.

Rob Stone to replace Erin Andrews on the sidelines for Rutgers-Fresno State game (NJ.com)

Rob Stone continued ESPN's recent run of working with blogs by granting and interview with Unprofessional Foul. The topics were US Soccer, US Soccer, Bill Simmons, US Soccer and broadcasting overseas games from Bristol.

What's your opinion of broadcasting games from the "Bristol Broom Closet"? I am staunchly opposed to it because it limits the broadcasters ability to point out things to only the things shown on screen and in replay. Plus, it doesn't give them a feel for the ambience of the stadium.

Trust me, if money was no object it wouldn’t be done. But sometimes you have to be reasonable with your expenses. I am not an executive, but I do know that UEFA was charging insane amounts of money to have a crew call games at the Euro venues. I have never called a game from a monitor, and I know it takes a special skill, and I think we all agree it’s best to be there live. But just having the Euros on our air was a major coup, and the suits at ESPN noticed how successful it was…it can only mean better things for soccer on TV at ESPN down the road.

Everyone knows my stance against not broadcasting on location, but that response seems pretty par for the course. I guess I really don't have a problem with the answer, but we're talking about ESPN here. This is the same network that, up until recently, was prepared to send about 30 people or so to Green Bay for a season opener. They can probably afford some broadcasting fees.

We are talking about Soccer though. Priorities people....priorities. Read the rest of that interview though....it's a good one.

Rob Stone's Not Broadcasting From The Bristol Broom Closet (Unprofessional Foul)

We all know that Rob Stone is a little nuts after his antics last year, but he might be a little more off his kilter than we realize. There's nothing he won't do for a spot and that includes holding a hawk that kills pigeons and getting into a streamer fight with fans. Oh and the hawk's name is "Bitchy"....Bitchy the Hawk....

These don't beat the pimp action from last year, or the hot pepper, but using the name "Bitchy" repeatedly is a winner in my book. I think the name "Stoner" fits him in Toronto. Bravo my friend. Also, if the MLS did stuff like this more often, I might actually watch. Maybe they should just make the entire league, one Premiership team.

Update: I totally missed the corn part. Here it is and thanks to those who mentioned it in the comments. That hamburger looks damn good too....

Meet Bitchie the Hawk (Meet Bitchie The Hawk)

I normally wouldn't draw attention to the nightly annoyance that is Around The Horn but they actually have an interesting guest host this week with Reali on vacation.

Rob Stone will host Around the Horn this week (June 30-July 4), substituting for the vacationing Tony Reali. Stone, who has handled a variety of play-by-play and studio roles as part of ESPN's soccer, college football and bowling coverage, is making his first appearance on ATH. Reali has missed just three shows since assuming the role of host three-and-a-half years ago in February 2004. Stone will also fill-in for Reali the week of July 28-August 1.

Stoner! Hopefully we'll get to see him do something crazy like have Foudy and Mitts sit in on a show, or my personal favorite....



(Quote via ESPN PR, Photo via SBB)

I know you've been anxiously awaiting this release, and here it is. ESPN even decided to bring on an extra analyst that you maybe very familiar with. English Premier League and England Men’s National Team television analyst Andy Gray will be brought on for the Tournament and he'll be both in the booth and in the studio during the 31 Match Tourney.

Here the rest of your players....

Studio Team: Rece Davis, Rob Stone and Julie Foudy
Play by Play: Derek Rae and Adrian Healey
Analysts: Andy Gray, Tommy Smyth, and Robbie Mustoe
Reporter: Pedro Gomez

It's good to see Pedro Gomez finally getting work now that Barry Bonds is out of the Majors isn't it (I kid, I kid). All in all it looks like a pretty good set of individuals. In the studio, Rece Davis did a pretty good job during the 2006 World Cup and Rob Stone and Julie Foudy are great analysts.

I'm not sure of the announcing teams and who's calling which games, but I'll pass that along as soon as I get word.

(Via ESPN PR)

This clip is going to keep me smiling for the rest the week. I don't know how I missed it, but I'm so glad Bleed Crimson passed it on to The Wizard of Odds so I could get my hands on it.

Here we have Rob Stone before the Nevada-New Mexico State game last Friday. Rob is doing a spot with the Chili Pepper Institute of New Mexico State U when he decides to bite into the Bhut Jolokia....the hottest pepper in the world.

Dagger! 5 to 6 hours??? You might have wanted to learn that ahead of time Rob! Way to take one for the team.

Rob Stone Gets Torched (The Wizard of Odds)
The Daily Aggie :: 11/06/07 :: Bhut Jolokia Edition (Bleed Crimson)

This caught me so off guard that I had to share it with you this morning. Rob Stone was doing a sideline report on the "Milk Can" (the trophy that Fresno State and Boise State play for) and afterwards Chris had the dig of the century. Take a listen...

"Good to see Rob Stone's Curves workout pan out....he can lift up the milk can, that was nice."- Chris Spielman

Now that's funny....I don't care who you are. Gave me an actual spittake last night.

I'm going to say that this is possibly my favorite clip that I've ever put together. It's moments like this that only happen when you're watching OK State-Troy at midnight on a Friday night.

Background: Rob Stone is normally the on-field reporter with this team, but he's on Women's World Cup duty. I'm just guessing, but it doesn't seem like he's upset by not being in Troy, Alabama with the guys....

Wow....where do I start? Okay here are some talking points....

1. Heather Mitts.
2. Rob Stone joking on the soccer games that are coming up that morning, "Spielman I know you're fired up for Canada/Ghana at 4:45, 4:55 whatever it is...it's early."
3. The Wally Pipp reference regarding Joe Schad.
4. "Don't we have policies against that sort of stuff."- Sean McDonough, Umm.....do you?
5. Chris Spielman is like the gift that keeps on giving. "I know Lynn is probably watching happily at home, of course she's ready to drop twins any day now."

Ha, how many women out there would love for you to use the term "Dropping Twins"? I'm guessing none.