World Series Package Now Available at MLB.com
MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, announced today that its World Series subscription package, which includes live streaming of every postseason game for fans living or traveling outside of the United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, South Korea and Japan, is available for new MLB.TV subscribers exclusively at http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index_ps.jsp .
Additional benefits to World Series package subscribers are:
- On-Demand Video – Watch every regular or postseason game in its entirety on-demand at 400k or 800k or utilize the video linescore feature to view any half-inning from any game in 2008. Full-game video archives will be available approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of each game.
- Gameday Audio - Listen to every inning of every game of the Fall Classic in its entirety, live with no blackout restrictions. Fans can also choose either the home or away broadcasters for each game.
- Mobile Alerts – Customizable alerts that are delivered directly to a mobile phone provide access to up-to-the-minute World Series information, including lead changes, home runs, and up-to-the minute news from every game. As an added bonus, off-season alerts such as breaking news from the Hot Stove and Baseball Winter Meetings in December are included in the package.
- MLB.com shop discount – Phillies and Rays fans can commemorate their teams’ berths in the World Series with official clubhouse merchandise such as caps and t-shirts and receive a 15% discount off that next purchase from the MLB.com shop. Offer expires on November 15, 2008 and cannot be combined with any other offer. Discount does not apply to taxes, gift cards, shipping and handling.
Source: MLB.com
Expresso Fitness Launches New Generation of Web-Enabled Cardio Bikes
Fitness Industry Leader Takes Exergaming to the Next Level with S3u(TM) and S3r(TM) Bikes
Expresso Fitness(R), the leading supplier and developer of interactive cardio fitness systems, today announced the launch of their third generation of upright bikes (the S3u(TM)) and second generation of recumbent bikes (S3r(TM)). In keeping with Expresso’s tradition of creating innovative, premium products, the two new models integrate high-quality fitness with sophisticated computer systems to provide true exertainment.
“The development of the new Expresso Bikes demonstrates our promise to help exercisers achieve their personal fitness goals through motivating and engaging virtual programs,” said Brian Button, CEO of Expresso Fitness. “Additionally, it communicates that exergaming is more than just a trend. It is a consumer demand and a shift in the way exercisers view fitness.”
The new Expresso Upright and Recumbent Bikes offer enhanced features and functions designed to immerse you in your workout.
- Best-in-Class Video Screen: An exceptional viewing experience with the largest screens in the industry, boasting a 19″ widescreen LCD at an angle ideal for upright and recumbent biking.
- Improved Ergonomics on the Upright: More dynamic shifting functions, which are now conveniently located on the handlebars.
The new Expresso Upright and Recumbent Bikes engage both the body and mind by bringing the adventure of outdoor riding indoors and allowing users to race in over 30 virtual tours, access chases or watch TV. All Expresso Bikes are automatically and continuously refreshed with new workouts and programs, keeping exercisers engrossed.
Expresso riders experience better training results than those using ordinary stationary bikes because they are able to personalize and track their workouts. All Expresso Bikes monitor personal data such as heart rate, power and calories burned for the duration of each ride, offering gym-goers the most superior fitness capabilities available. Additionally, they offer riders the option to race against their best personal time with the ghost ride feature, use a pacer to gauge their progress or compete in real-time against virtual competitors, friends or members within the same fitness facility. After working out, riders can visit www.expresso.net to monitor their progress or see how they compare to on the global and facility-based leader boards.
New Expresso Upright and Recumbent Bikes are available for purchase now and are located at fitness facilities across the country. For more information, please visit www.expresso.com.
Source: Expresso Fitness
ESPN Deportes Heats Up the Screen with More Than 60 Winter League Baseball Games
Exclusive Coverage of Winter Baseball from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Mexico
As the 2008 Major League Baseball season comes to an end, ESPN Deportes will present the most extensive coverage of winter baseball from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Mexico. ESPN Deportes will televise more than 60 winter league baseball games, including each league’s championship series. In addition to its extensive coverage of each league, ESPN Deportes will for the first time air Beisbol Esta Noche every Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Winter baseball-related content will be featured across various platforms: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Deportes Radio, ESPNdeportes.com and ESPN Deportes La Revista. ESPN Deportes will feature more than 200 hours of winter baseball-related programming — the most ever televised by any network in the U.S. — with a group of at least 12 commentators, including hosts, analysts, reporters and contributors. Coverage of Winter Baseball will culminate with the Exclusive coverage of the 2009 Caribbean Series LIVE from Mexicali, Mexico.
Live coverage begins Wednesday, Oct. 15, with the Venezuelan League featuring Navegantes del Magallanes and Cardenales de Lara at 8:00 p.m. ET. Coverage of winter baseball from the Dominican Republic begins Sunday, November 2 with the battle between Leones del Escogido vs. Las Aguilas del Licey. ESPN Deportes will also air the finals of the Mexican Pacific League in January.
VENEZUELAN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE
This season, ESPN Deportes will televise one regular-season game per week, every Wednesday, plus exclusive select playoff games and the entire championship series. The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League consists of eight teams in two divisions (East Division: Navegantes del Magallanes, Leones de Caracas, Tiburones de la Guaira, Caribes de Anzoategui; and West Division: Tigres de Aragua, Aguilas de Zulia, Cardenales de Lara, Bravos de Margarita). The league’s elimination (opening) round includes 62 games from October to December. The top two teams from each division, as well as the best third place team, will move on to the 16-game round robin semifinals in January. The top two teams from the semifinals advance to a best-of-seven series in a 2-3-2 home field format at the end of January. The Venezuelan champion moves on to the Caribbean Series. Venezuela has won the Caribbean Series six times, most recently in 2006, when the Leones del Caracas took the title. Notable player’s that have played in Venezuela include: Luis Aparicio, Dave Concepcion, Francisco Rodriguez, Miguel Cabrera and Johan Santana.
Commentator Lineup
Luis Alfredo Alvarez, play-by-play
Alvarez joined ESPN in 1995 and continues to handle play-by-play for a variety of sports. His assignments have included baseball, golf and tennis. He also serves as host for Beisbol Esta Noche, the company’s Spanish-language original production of Baseball Tonight, and Cronometro, modeled after Pardon the Interruption. He has covered high-profile events such as tennis’ Australian Open and French Open, golf’s PGA Tour, Champions Tour and LPGA, and both the Summer and Winter X Games. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Alvarez began his broadcasting career at Omnivision, where he served as a play-by-play commentator for baseball and basketball.
Francisco Blavia, analyst
Blavia joins the ESPN Deportes team this year as an analyst for the 2008/2009 Venezuelan Baseball League. Blavia has more than 10 years of experience covering sports; has worked for some of the most recognized TV and radio networks in Venezuela including Venevision, RCTV, SportPlus and Deportes Union Radio covering Venezuelan baseball, MLB, soccer and Venezuelan basketball. Blavia also had the opportunity to work as a commentator for the Cardenales de Lara baseball team for 4 years and currently covers Leones del Caracas. A native of Barquisimeto; Blavia obtained his degree in Communications at the Universidad Catolica Cecilio Acosta de Maracaibo. Blavia currently resides in Caracas, Venezuela.
DOMINICAN BASEBALL LEAGUE
Exclusive coverage begins Sunday, November 2, at 4 p.m. ET a live telecast of the Leones del Escogido vs. Tigres del Licey. This season, ESPN Deportes plans to telecast 26 Dominican Baseball League games, mainly on Fridays nights and Sunday afternoons. The Dominican Baseball League consists of six teams: Aguilas Cibaenas; Azucareros del Este; Estrellas Orientales; Gigantes del Cibao; Leones del Escogido; and Tigres del Licey. Each team plays a 50-game schedule, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. The titleholder then goes on to represent the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series. Notable player’s include: Juan Marichal, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Jose Reyes and Miguel Cabrera
Commentator Lineup
Kevin Cabral, play-by-play commentator
One of the most respected sportscasters in the Dominican Republic, Cabral returns for his third consecutive season of Dominican Baseball League. Cabral started his broadcasting career in 1983 as the host of the radio program Frente al Deporte. In 1986, he began what would become an 18-year stint as a television commentator and announcer for Major League Baseball games on the regional channel Circuito del Cibao.
Ernesto Jerez, play-by-play commentator
A native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, Jerez joined ESPN in 1995 as a baseball announcer and has become the signature voice for the company’s Spanish-language Major League Baseball games. He primarily serves as game announcer during ESPN’s Spanish-language Sunday Night Baseball telecasts. Known to viewers for his famous home run call, he also regularly contributes to SportsCenter, ESPN Deportes Radio and ESPNdeportes.com.
Carlos Jose Lugo, sideline reporter
Lugo brings vast baseball knowledge and more than 17 years of broadcasting experience in radio, television and print media to his role as field reporter for ESPN Deportes’ telecasts of the Dominican Baseball League. Lugo launched his broadcasting career in 1987 as an MLB analyst on Radio Dial in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. He is a familiar voice on radio, known for his work as a sports commentator and MLB analyst for FM-103, Radio Continental and Radio Clarin, and Rumba FM (98.5).
Juan Marichal, analyst
San Francisco Giants great and Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal returns for his third consecutive season. Marichal, the only Dominican-born player in the Hall of Fame, started his career with Dominican League’s Leones del Escogido. The high-kicking right-hander made his Major League Baseball debut against the Phillies in 1960, finishing his first game with a one-hitter, striking out 12 in a 2-0 victory. Marichal won 243 games, was named to nine All-Star teams and was named the All-Star Game’s Most Valuable Player in 1965.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
ESPN Deportes will air the finals of the best baseball Mexico has to offer; the Mexican Pacific League in January. The Mexican Pacific League (Spanish: Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, LMP), also known as MexPac, has been running for over five decades as a winter league. It has long been recognized as one of the big four winter leagues and features a mix of major league players, top prospects and Mexican League players. The champion team has played in the Caribbean Series since 1971. The season is from the middle of October to the end of December with playoffs and final series in January. Notable players include: Fernando Valenzuela, Vinny Castilla, Jorge Cantu, Oliver Perez and Esteban Loiza.
Commentator Lineup
Jorge Eduardo Sanchez
Sanchez currently serves as anchor for ESPN Deportes’ SportsCenter. He first joined ESPN in 2000 as a commentator and play-by-play announcer for ESPN 2 in Mexico, serving as a play-by-play announcer for Mexican Pacific League, the Caribbean Series, Tennis Masters Series, and NCAA Basketball.
Oscar Soria, analyst
Longtime Spanish-language voice of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Oscar Soria returns for his third consecutive season as Mexican Pacific League analyst on ESPN Deportes. Soria is a veteran of 18 seasons as a broadcaster with Mexican Pacific League’s Hermosillo Naranjeros and also covers the Diamondbacks for Spanish-language paper El Imparcial, writing a daily column. The native of Tijuana, Mexico graduated from Universidad del Noroeste.
Eitan Benezra, sideline reporter
A native of Queretaro, Mexico, Benezra brings vast knowledge in Mexican baseball to ESPN Deportes’ telecasts. Benezra hosts show “3 y 2 Cuenta Maxima” Estadio W in Mexico and serves as baseball commentator for Estadio W 730 AM in Mexico.
Beisbol esta Noche
Carolina Guillen, host
Now host of Beisbol esta Noche, Guillen joined ESPN as a SportsCenter anchor for ESPN+ (serving the Southern Cone) in May 2004. Her work outside of SportsCenter has included a variety of assignments. She served as co-host for ESPN’s Spanish-language coverage of the Summer X Games and has served as sideline reporter for the MLB All-Star Games, Little League World Series and Caribbean Series. Guillen began her career in her native Venezuela with Meridiano Television as a reporter for Winter Baseball.
2008 WINTER BASEBALL SCHEDULE ON ESPN DEPORTES
(All times ET; Schedule Subject to Change)
(* denotes delayed games; all other games live)
Venezuela Baseball League Schedule
Date Time (ET) Teams
Wednesday, Oct. 15 8:00 p.m. Lara @Valencia
*Wednesday, Oct. 22 4:00 a.m. Bravos @ Aragua
*Wednesday, Nov. 5 4:00 a.m. Bravos@ Caracas
*Wednesday, Nov. 12 4:00 a.m. Zulia @ La Guaira
Wednesday, Nov. 19 8:00 a.m. Aragua @ Magallanes
*Wednesday, Nov. 26 4:00 a.m. Magallanes @ La Guaira
Wednesday, Dec. 3 8:00 p.m. Caracas @ La Guaira
*Wednesday, Dec. 10 4:00 a.m. La Guaira @ Caracas
Wednesday, Dec. 17 8:00 p.m. Bravos @ Caracas
Wednesday, Dec. 17 8:00 p.m. Lara @ Aragua
Dominican Baseball League Schedule (Games to be announced at a later date)
Mexican Pacific League (Games to be announced at a later date)
Source: ESPN Deportes
Andre Agassi Celebrates Longtime Supporters at 13th Grand Slam for Children at Wynn Las Vegas
Natasha Bedingfield, Sheryl Crow, The Killers, Lifehouse, Ray Romano, Rod Stewart and David Spade donate their talents to help the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation transform education for underserved youth.
An economic storm. The most devastating week on Wall Street. A pivotal United States presidential election on the horizon. Americans worrying about their retirement funds. Tonight Andre Agassi recognized the real worries his 1,900 guests are facing – and then helped them escape and celebrate.
“We put on an amazing party tonight in partnership with our host Wynn Las Vegas and presenting sponsor Genworth Financial,” said Andre Agassi. “It was a party to celebrate many successful years of raising money for underserved children hand-in-hand with our generous supporters and sponsors. And at the same time, it was a party to look to the future and what can be accomplished with the Foundation’s new mission.”
The Foundation has focused on serving some of the neediest children in Las Vegas, Andre Agassi’s home town, by building and supporting the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy (a model charter school), the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Club and other beneficiary organizations that provide education and enrichment opportunities for at-risk youth. Now, the Foundation’s mission is to transform education across the United States.
“If we continue to give 600 Las Vegas children a quality education each year at Agassi Prep, we will have made a difference,” explained Agassi Foundation CEO Steve Miller. “But if we can do that and make a difference in public education for children nationwide through policy and partnerships, then all the better.”
Performers donate their time to support the Agassi Foundation’s efforts. This year, guests were entertained by Natasha Bedingfield, Sheryl Crow, The Killers, Lifehouse, Ray Romano, Rod Stewart and David Spade at the 13th annual Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit concert, presented by Genworth Financial. Grammy award-winning producer, arranger and composer David Foster returned for his 13th year as musical director.
Highlights of this year’s event include:
- A never-before duet, Sheryl Crow and Rod Stewart performing Crow’s “The First Cut is the Deepest.”
- A red carpet full of talent: In addition to performers, surprise guests included singer Mariah Carey and her husband, actor and rapper Nick Cannon; Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson; performer Donny Osmond; comedian George Wallace; 2008 USA Olympic Gold Medal-winning basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski; “Kick it up a notch” celebrity chef and Foundation board member Emeril Lagasse; just named top pop group by MTV, a capella group Mosaic.
- Two packages were auctioned off live: Chosen for his influence in the American pop art movement during nearly 50 years, James Rosenquist created an original commemorative work of art called “The Hole in the Center of the Clock – Timekeeper II, A Heart for Andre Agassi, 2008.” The second package included lunch with Oprah Winfrey and a South African adventure.
Agassi explained to attendees that while the event is a benefit, this year’s focus was not on counting the dollars, but instead celebrating accomplishments made possible through the support year-after-year of talented performers, generous sponsors, enthusiastic attendees and hard-working volunteers. Agassi summed it up as “a night full of heart.”
About The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation
The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation is dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth. The Foundation drives reform by engaging in practice, policy and partnerships that provide quality education and enrichment opportunities. The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit public charity that was established in 1994. Learn more at www.agassifoundation.org.
Source: The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation
China Aims for Victory in Opening Leg of the Greatest Race on Earth
China’s Lu Lu Li Competes in the Nairobi Marathon – The Opening Leg of the Greatest Race on Earth Series 2008/09
On Sunday 26th October the world’s leading marathon relay series The Greatest Race on Earth (GROE) 2008/09 gets under way with the Nairobi Marathon.
Last year’s Nairobi Greatest Race on Earth category winner, China’s Lu Lu Li, will be hoping to better her overall second place this year. In the Greatest Race on Earth category she crossed the finishing line first.
The 19 year-old’s time of 2 hours 47 minutes 37 seconds was the perfect start to The Greatest Race on Earth for the Chinese women’s team. At the end of the series, the team went on to finish third overall behind the Kenyan ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams.
Also running for China will be Xiaoyan Guo who will race in Singapore, Xin Zhang who will run in Mumbai and Fengxia Yang who will run the final leg in Hong Kong.
For the first time in the GROE, China will also be represented by a men’s team in the Nation’s Challenge. The male team consists of Shouquan Wang (Nairobi), Teng Ma (Singapore), Shuai Yuan (Mumbai) and Meng Li (Hong Kong).
GROE is sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank and with USD 1 million, it has one of the richest prize funds in world athletics.
Starting in Nairobi, The Greatest Race on Earth series moves on to Singapore on 7th December, before going to Mumbai on 18th January and finishing in Hong Kong on 8th February.
This year’s Greatest Race on Earth series will see 23 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams from 25 different countries around the world competing in the elite Nation’s Challenges. The four team members will run in one marathon each with the winning team being the one with the quickest cumulative time.
Also taking part in the series will be a Visually Impaired All-Stars team, including recent Paralympic marathon gold medallist Qi Shun, who will run to raise awareness and funds for Seeing is Believing.
Source: The Greatest Race on Earth (GROE)
U.S. Navy Athletes Complete 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship Triathlon
Navy athletes hailing from Ohio, Miami, Northern CA, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis qualified to compete in the 30th annual competition
Six active duty U.S. Navy athletes today drew upon the strength, determination and commitment they have learned serving our nation to compete with the world’s most elite athletes in the 30th annual Ford Ironman World Championship Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii.
“Today six Navy athletes took serving their country one step further by pushing themselves to their physical limits in a world class test of human endurance,” said Captain Duncan Smith of Naval Special Warfare Command. “Navy is proud to celebrate our 30th year of participation in Ironman. Athletes of this caliber and the Ironman organization at large share many of the core values we hold dear in the Navy: pursuit of excellence, personal fitness and unwavering commitment.”
Today’s race will air at 2:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 13 on NBC.
Two Navy SEALs and four members of the U.S. Navy athletic team were among an elite group of only 1,800 athletes who participated in the most prestigious world championship race the sport has to offer: 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking and a 26.2 mile marathon run through ocean waves and challenging lava-covered terrain. This year’s Navy triathletes represent a diverse mix of Navy careers:
- Commander Kristan Barnes is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a Naval flight officer currently serving as Officer in Charge, Afloat Planning System, Pacific Operational Support Division, Pearl Harbor. A native of Vermillion, Ohio, she is an avid triathlete, completing six full marathons and Ironman Arizona this year.
- Commander Keith Davids, a native of Miami, is a decorated U.S. Navy SEAL and commanding officer of SEAL Team ONE. He completed his first marathon at the age of 11 and is joined in Kona by his wife, Commander Yvette Davids, commanding officer of the USS Curts.
- Lieutenant Commander Damon Dixon, a Naval Academy graduate and Navy oceanography officer, is executive officer of the Naval Oceanography Special Warfare Center. A native of the San Francisco Bay area, Dixon began competing in triathlons in 2004. To prepare for Ironman he spent between 16 and 22 hours training each week.
- Lieutenant Commander John Marinovitch grew up in Davis, Calif., and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is a surface warfare officer on USS Independence. Ranked a three-time all-American in swimming, he has competed in triathlons for the past 18 months.
- Lieutenant Jeff Tomazewski grew up in Pittsburgh and is an aviation maintenance duty officer at the Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey, Calif. He is a seasoned triathlete; today’s race was his sixth Ironman triathlon and his third Ironman World Championship.
- Petty Officer 1st Class David Goggins grew up in Indianapolis, Ind., and is assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, Calif. As a Navy SEAL, he has served in Afghanistan and Iraq. As an Ultra Athlete, Goggins has completed 14, 100-plus-mile races, finishing in the top five in most of them. Goggins finished second at the Ultraman World Championships on his first attempt. This is his first Ironman Triathlon.
Source: U.S. Navy
Red Cross Racing Members Cheer on Biffle in NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup
Red Cross Racing members will be cheering on driver Greg Biffle this weekend during round five of the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion, is in third place in the Chase, only 77 points behind the leader.
Biffle, along with the American Red Cross, 3M Company and Roush Fenway Racing, kicked off Red Cross Racing during the April Talladega race to educate NASCAR fans about the importance of giving blood. So far, nearly 26,000 have registered with the program and more than 18,000 have given blood.
Admission to the interactive Red Cross Racing traveling display with its interactive activities is free. Fans can join the NASCAR-themed Donor Rewards Program right at the track, or by visiting redcrossracing.com. The exhibit will be at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Friday and Saturday, October 10 and 11.
Red Cross Racing members have the chance to accrue points and exchange them for NASCAR-themed prizes such as caps, tee shirts, jackets, and limited edition die-cast cars. Once registered, individuals are automatically entered for a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to the Daytona race in February 2009. The prize package includes airfare, hotel, two race tickets and pit and garage tours.
“I gave blood myself,” said the No. 16 driver. “Driving home, I felt so good, knowing my blood could help save someone’s life.”
To give blood, you must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. Some states allow 16-year-olds to donate with parental consent. Red Cross urges everyone who can to join Red Cross Racing by visiting redcrossracing.com and scheduling a blood donation appointment to help ensure an adequate supply of blood is available when needed.
Source: American Red Cross