Thirty six year old husband and father, Antonio Nararainsami, was simply leaving Shea Stadium at the conclusion of last night’s game against the Washington Nationals when he suddenly fell two stories below the left field stands onto concrete flooring. The fatal accident comes at a time when his wife — who did not attend the game — is currently carrying their third child.

The Mets released a statement offering their condolences and no charges were filed as the death was reported to be a mere accident. We would like to do the same here, we offer up our sympathy for Nararainsami’s family. Nobody ever likes to hear of such freak exodus, and it truly is just another reminder of how fragile one’s existence can be.

As we reported previously, all-time great Hakeem Olajuwon was awaiting the unveiling of a commemorative monument dedicated to “The Dream” himself. On Friday one of the best centers in the history of the NBA, was the center of attention as the Houston Rockets debuted the 12-ft tall sculpture etched with Olajuwon’s No. 34 jersey.

The 1,000-pound bronze sculpture, which prominently displays Olajuwon’s No. 34 jersey with a basketball behind it, rests on a red granite foundation that displays Olajuwon’s career milestones.

Monument photo by

The Giants will be honoring the first baseball game played in San Francisco on the same day, and at the same time the first pitch was thrown at Seals Stadium back in 1958. The day’s festivities will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of 16th & Bryant Streets, with the unveiling of a bronze plaque marking the first home of the San Francisco Giants at Seals Stadium. Giants Managing General Partner Peter Magowan and Executive Vice President & COO Larry Baer, along with Giants’ alumni from the 1958 team, including Giants Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda as well as Jim Davenport and Ed Bressoud, will be joined by descendants of Horace Stoneham, the first owner of the San Francisco Giants. Also attending with be Helen Christopher and Ethel Davies, sisters of former San Francisco Mayor George Christopher, who was instrumental in bringing the Giants to San Francisco and Major League Baseball to the West Coast. Giants legendary clubhouse manager and 50-year employee Mike Murphy will also attend.

Throughout the weeks and months leading up to the July release of NCAA Football 09, EA SPORTS will be spotlighting new features and improvements added to the popular gridiron game. This week the focus is on the the graphical upgrades made to the game’s stadium models, and how they compare to last year’s version. Jason Renfroe, art director at EA SPORTS Tiburon has dissected three main areas:

For my money NCAA has always been superior to its pro counterpart as far as capturing the overall atmosphere of a football game, where Madden is boring and stagnant. Aside from the graphical enhancements, EA has also revamped and included the following atmospheric impacts:

This is the type of shit that makes a game more than just “a game.” I hope this all plays out as nicely on my 360 as it does on paper.

As I was gathering up the finite shards of my broken bracket, I managed to catch Kansas University pull out an exciting overtime victory over Memphis in the NCAA Championship game. It was truly an amazing win, and here is some video proof featuring cheering, crying, ‘Rock Chalk’ wear, a 70s porn star reject, and music by Fatboy Slim.Congrats, Kansas!

I am no Jimmy Rollins — aside from the receding hairline — when it comes to making predictions, but I can say with utter certainty that the New York Mets will never win an opening day ballgame at Shea Stadium ever again. Granted, my ‘prediction’ is anything but bold as the Mets will open up in their new Citi Field next year making this the last opportunity at Shea. Yesterday, the final opening day, a franchise record gathering of Mets faithful came out to see their hometown heroes take on the hated rival Philadelphia Phillies. What started out as a gorgeously nostalgic day, slowly turned into a disastrous ending similar to how the Mets choked up the National League East title last season — perpetuated by the Phils’ recent mastery of the Mets.

In true “Team to Beat” fashion, Philadelphia came back from a late 2-0 deficit to win 5-2 to push their winning streak over New York to 9 games.

The Mets have a running count of their own as they have partnered with Lincoln Mercury to do a season-long countdown of the remaining games to be played in the final season at Shea.

The Mets will invite those closely associated with the franchise and Shea Stadium’s history - including former players, celebrities, long-time personnel, and others - to be part of the pregame countdown for every home game through the final regular season game at Shea Sunday, Sept. 28.

The Lincoln Mercury Shea Countdown is on the outfield wall to the left of the batter’s eye. The number revealed in the Countdown prior to each game will reflect the game to be played that day or evening.

The Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League have come to a marketing agreement with their hardball counterpart Chicago White Sox. The unique partnership will allow the Blackhawks to reach a wider range of fans at U.S. Cellular Field, and vise versa with the ChiSox getting some love at the United Center.

Throughout this season the White Sox will incorporate the Blackhawks during in-game activities, including a “Shoot the Puck” competition held once a game atop the home dugout. The White Sox also will hold “Blackhawk Night” at the ballpark on Saturday, Aug. 23. That night will include appearances from Blackhawks players and legends, and fans will have the opportunity to purchase Blackhawks game tickets for 2008-2009.

Fans on this night will receive a replica ‘Soul Patch’ facial hair application, in the likeness of the overgrown flavor-saver sported by Mariners’ reliever J.J. Putz.

Red Sox Nation — a name by which the ever-growing bandwagon-heavy fanbase is referred to — is about to appoint some additional help for positions of ‘power’ in this exclusive; repulsive club. We

last season about the election of a ‘President’ for Red Sox nation, but now the ‘Nation’ has developed a “Five-Point Plan” to better serve their mindless followers with even less important titles.

Despite my snarky tone, I am certainly impressed with point number five which outlines an initiative to get tickets to ‘deserving’ fans who normally do not have access to games. It really should be the only point.

It has happened to all of us, and if it hasn’t…it will. You and your friends are on your way home after a good day at the old ballpark and as you begin your travels, in between singing along to ‘Hey Jude,’ your automobile sputters and dies the hell out. The reasons could be many…maybe you just weren’t paying attention to the gas gauge, or you ran out of blinker fluid, or there was ear wax built up in your tailpipe. Whatever the reason, AAA Wisconsin and Prairie Land Towing got your back — Fo’ free!

Free emergency vehicle assistance is provided for every home game at Miller Park one hour before the first pitch, and from the seventh inning until the stadium lots are cleared after the game. Services include lock-outs, no-starts, flat tires and other related services, as well as towing of a disabled vehicle to a service garage within five miles.

To summons vehicle assistance, Brewers fans can alert a police officer, parking attendant or guest relations.