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The Dodgers announced today that Matt Kemp and Chad Billingsey have re-signed with the team. By doing so the Dodgers avoid arbitration with both players.

Matt Kemp signed on for two more years at a believed total guarantee sum of $10.95 million. Chad agreed to a one year $3.85 million dollar contrac.

I love the Matt Kemp signing other than I wish it were a longer deal. This kid has a potential factor that is huge. Defensively, although he learns every game, he’s a huge plus in center field. And I don’t think he’s come close to what he can do at the plate. Last year he batted .297 with 26 homers and 101 RBI’s. I think every single one of those numbers will improve next year.

The Chad contract I’m happy with only because it’s only for one year. Chad will basically have this year to prove the second half of last season was a fluke. As a Dodger fan I hope he does prove it.

I still don’t believe it. Blake Griffin out for the rest of the year. The curse seems to have reared its ugly head again.

Even for the Clippers this just doesn’t seem fair. I feel for you Clipper Nation…

So much to talk about…

The Clippers beat the Miami Heat 94-84 last night to win their 4th in a row.  It’s almost as if the Clips are preparing for the premier of Blake Griffin, hopefully it will be by the end of January. I have always felt that this Clippers team was much better than what their record was showing. They just didn’t seem to show up every night (Baron Davis). Hopefully that has all changed and they continue this higher caliber of play.

Pete Carroll’s reign as coach of the USC  Trojans has come to an end. Today Pete Carroll resigned as head coach of the Trojans, effectively making him the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Since joining the Trojan program in 2000 Pete turned a lackluster program into Pac-10 champions (2002-2008) and National Champions (winning it in 2003 and splitting it in 2004. His leadership and energy will be sorely missed.

Bynum for Bosh? I’m torn with this rumor. Chris Bosh is a baller. He would bring another dimension  to an already potent Laker offense. But the Lakers would lose size, a defensive edge, and a true center if this happens. But how do you turn down Chris Bosh

Vladimir Guerrero  is a Texas Ranger. He signed a 1 year $6 million dollar deal with incentives and a mutual option for a second year. Vlad is in the declining part of his career, he batted .295 with 15 homers last year for the Angels. The lowest totals in home runs since 1997 and his lowest batting average since he played 9 games in 1996. He’s still a dangerous batter and will be missed as an Angel.

The Clippers for the rest of the year shall from this day forward be named: The Giant Slayers.

After beating the Celtics on a last second shot on Dec. 27, the Giant Slayers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 102 - 91. In front of a crowd of mostly Laker Jerseys, the Giant Slayers played like the better team for most of the night. The Lakers seemed very lethargic and never seemed to be able to get out of that rut.

Meanwhile the Giant Slayers seemed to have a bounce in their step. Even when Kobe went on a small tear in the third, Baron (25 points, 10 assists) was there to match him every step.

Here’s my take on the Giant Slayers, they are a much better team then their 16 - 18 record may show. I think they play like they are on the Clippers. They dont seem to have a mentality of better teams. Baron plays like he’s on the Clippers. He’s much better than that. Everyone on that teams only seems to show up every once in a while. Like nothing is wrong with them losing. That would never happen on the Lakers.

All I know is that once that mentality changes, the future of the Clippers will be much brighter.

It’s almost become common place. Let me give you the scenario: A few seconds are left on the clock. The Lakers inbound the ball and it at some point lands in Kobe’s hands. Kobe puts up the shot, the crowd watches as the ball flies through the air, the buzzer sounds, then the ball calmly goes through the hoop. Game over.

That scene could be played in any number of games throughout Kobe’s career. But this year it seems like it’s on a loop.

Tonight was no different and my immediate reaction was “Really? He did it again.”

The only bad part of this last second shot and win is that it will hide the Lakers awful defense. Tomorrow people will be talking about the shot instead of how the Lakers can’t seem to defend perimeter shooters…

What a way to start off 2010. The Boston Bruins beat the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in  an overtime thriller that will be tough to top in future Winter Classics.

In a game that had 38,112 people in attendance at Boston’s Fenway Park, only one person mattered when the red light went off in overtime. After an incredible skirmish in front of the Bruin goal that had the goalie flopping around like a fish on land, Maro Sturm scored the game winner which sent the crowd into a frenzy. Including myself and I’m not a Bruins fan.

What a great showing for the NHL.

Now let’s hope the Kings get their game together and string some wins together.

The Los Angeles Galaxy announced earlier today that they signed striker Landon Donovan to a new four year contract. This will keep Donovan in Galaxy colors through the 2013 season. The team also announced that they will allow Landon to pursue joining a team overseas during the off-season.

I love this. Great news for the Galaxy and their fans. The team’s captain and workhorse gives me more reasons to go to the Home Depot Center and watch more games. Now hopefully they can surround Landon with quality players so we can return the MLS Cup to its rightful owners.

We knew this day was coming. For some reason, it still doesn’t help.

The Los Angeles Dodgers traded veteren outfielder Juan Pierre to the White Sox for two minor leaguers to be named later (Foxsports.com is reporting the players are John Ely and Jon Link, both starting pitchers). The Dodgers will also be picking up the tab for most of the reamining two years on Pierre’s contract.

As a dodger fan I’m sad that A) we lost Pierre and B) we didn’t get more in return for Juan. I feel like the White Sox got the better end of this deal. Dare I say they stole Juan?

As a fan of Pierre I’m happy he’s getting to play everyday. He deserves it.

The last time the U.S. played England in a World Cup game the U.S. beat England 1 - 0 in what is now known as the “miracle on grass”. It happened in group play in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. U.S. fans hope history repeats itself in Rustenburg on June 12.

The last time the U.S. beat England was in 1993 in Foxborough, Mass. by a score of 2 - 0. They have lost twice since then to England, 2-1 in 2005 and 2-0 last year, with a total record 2 wins and 7 losses.

The U.S. also drew Algeria and Slovenia in Group C. Probably the best draw the U.S. has ever had, great news for the National Team. If they don’t make it out of group play it will be because of their own doing. Lack of quality play, no focus, or injury would be the biggest culprits.

I cannot wait for the World Cup to begin. Until then I will count the days down and start buying my U.S.A. gear to get ready for the tournament!

Why did you get married in the first place?

Now before you cast the first stone, here me out. And this goes out to anyone that’s in the spotlight and rich, but mostly it goes out to sports athletes (Kobe and Magic ring a bell?). Why do it? Especially if you’re young and in your prime. The temptations are just too great and a lot of famous people have fallen to those same temptations.

Be young, enjoy the life you get to live. Don’t think just because your (enter name here) you are immune to public scrutiny and shame. But most of all don’t think you wont get caught. Not in this day and age with cameras everywhere.

I guess what I’m saying is that the hurt caused by Tiger Woods to his wife and kids is something that will never completely go away from them. This all could have been avoided a long time ago if ‘I do’ was never uttered.