As far as gift ideas for the sports lover go, there are millions. Especially considering the fact that NFL merchandise sales alone have skyrocketed in recent years. In fact, Superbowl XXXV ranked as the second most-watched show ever! (Second only to the final episode of M.A.S.H.) It becomes especially hard to make a decision if you're not a sports fanatic yourself. Since sports collectibles are by and large for the die-hard sports junkie, most of the people you will be buying gifts for will be avid fans. There are a few things you should consider when looking for that perfect sports gift for him. The first thing you want to think about is who you're buying for.
It is very important to consider the personality of the person who will be receiving your sports collectible as a gift. If there's a special man in your life, let's focus on buying a sports gift for him. Whether buying for the professional, the game-goer, or a student, knowing his lifestyle give you a great advantage in choosing the perfect sports gifts for him. Consider the following question: Where will he be using or displaying the sports collectible? Let's say your spouse is a fan of basketball. If he has an office in a high-rise with a view and a comfortable chair consider business organizational items that include NCAA merchandise. Checkbook covers, money clips, business card holders, and other professional accessories are perfect sports collectibles for the businessman. Also, for items that are going to be used in a professional setting, you'll want to stick with gifts that have an executive look. Try to avoid sports collectibles with huge logos or loud colors. This man will want to show that he's a huge fan without having to wear the big, foam finger at the office!
The game-goer on the other hand would love nothing more than to have that souvenir from the game. They range in prices from the free cup you get when you buy your beverage, to the expensive jerseys. Better yet? Purchase the tickets as part of the gift and go with them to pick out the sports collectible they choose from the game. That way you're assured of a winning gift idea!
For a student who is a big baseball fan, you'll want to look for MLB merchandise that he can take with him to class. Backpacks and equipment bags can be embroidered with the logo of teams like the Houston Astro's or any other NFL, MLB, or NCAA team that he loves. There are also cell phone and mp3 player covers and school supplies like notebooks, and pencils in the colors of his favorite team. Also, most students don't have the budget for tickets to professional games, so when buying sports gift for him, getting even “cheap seats” will land you some good gift-giver points.
When you know his personality type, it makes it easier to find the sports collectible that matches him well. So go ahead and shop with confidence knowing you'll find the perfect sports gift for him!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sports Injuries Prevention and Back Pain
Learning proper stretch exercises:
In sports people learn techniques, and will train to enjoy the sports. The problem is most trainers fail to train the peers correctly. Injuries occur when inappropriate training and techniques are used. In addition, many people engage in sports failing to wear proper clothing, helmets, etc, and sometimes people will participate in sports when weather or visibility is poor.
When weather is cold, it is important that you wear warm attire. Wearing proper attire can help you avoid respiratory conditions, which affect the liver, lungs, etc, and can lead to back pain. In addition, those joining in exercises or sports should wear proper shoes to avoid slips and falls. Helmets are essential to prevent brain injuries. Brain injuries will affect the spinal columns, which leads to back pain.
When weather conditions interrupt visibility, it poses risks. In fact, various people have sustained back injuries while jogging at night, since these people failed to wear proper attire, such as reflective tabs, etc. Motorized accidents can occur when the driver cannot see the runner, jogger, etc. This means the vehicle hits you and if you are not lucky enough to die, you should pray that you are lucky enough to miss back pain. Back pain is one of the worst types of pain you will ever endure. Since many people are misinformed as to how to stretch the muscles before exercising, we can consider a few helpful steps.
As mentioned earlier it is important to perform proper exercises before joining in sports. Proper exercises start with warm ups. Warm ups include neck, shoulder, arm, and leg stretches. How to perform neck stretch exercises:
To start neck stretch exercises you want to stand erect. Lift the head so that it extends upward. Now, move your head so that it bends slightly forward. Continue to change directions, bending until your chin rests slightly on your torso. Balance the head, turning it to the left or right and hold your position. After a few seconds turn your head so that it rolls to the other side of your body. Hold the jaw down, hold, and continue stretching the neck up to five counts.
How to perform shoulder stretches:
Again, stand erect. Lift your arms so that it extends above the head. Clasp the hands, joining them and pulling the hands downward and behind your head. Hold and repeat the steps five counts. Next, with your arms behind your back, reach down and hold your hands at a pointing position. That is, bring your fingers together at the points while one arm is over the shoulder and the other arm is behind the back. Pull in opposing directions once in position. If the arms are bent, extend the right arm, bending it back and over the right shoulder and the head. With your free hand, grab your elbow and hold. Pull the elbow gently toward the free shoulder, and repeat the steps on the left side.
You can practice the windmill, shoulder shrug, triceps stretches, arm circles and more to warm up before breaking into a full-speed workout.
How to perform the windmill:
The windmill is one of the oldest stretches in the history of workouts, yet the stretch is often missing in action, since many people do the windmill incorrectly. To start, stand erect. Your arms should be down at your side. Once in position, swing upward, the right arm and bring it to the front, up, and around behind your back so that it forms a circle. Repeat your steps up to five counts and continue to the other side.
In sports people learn techniques, and will train to enjoy the sports. The problem is most trainers fail to train the peers correctly. Injuries occur when inappropriate training and techniques are used. In addition, many people engage in sports failing to wear proper clothing, helmets, etc, and sometimes people will participate in sports when weather or visibility is poor.
When weather is cold, it is important that you wear warm attire. Wearing proper attire can help you avoid respiratory conditions, which affect the liver, lungs, etc, and can lead to back pain. In addition, those joining in exercises or sports should wear proper shoes to avoid slips and falls. Helmets are essential to prevent brain injuries. Brain injuries will affect the spinal columns, which leads to back pain.
When weather conditions interrupt visibility, it poses risks. In fact, various people have sustained back injuries while jogging at night, since these people failed to wear proper attire, such as reflective tabs, etc. Motorized accidents can occur when the driver cannot see the runner, jogger, etc. This means the vehicle hits you and if you are not lucky enough to die, you should pray that you are lucky enough to miss back pain. Back pain is one of the worst types of pain you will ever endure. Since many people are misinformed as to how to stretch the muscles before exercising, we can consider a few helpful steps.
As mentioned earlier it is important to perform proper exercises before joining in sports. Proper exercises start with warm ups. Warm ups include neck, shoulder, arm, and leg stretches. How to perform neck stretch exercises:
To start neck stretch exercises you want to stand erect. Lift the head so that it extends upward. Now, move your head so that it bends slightly forward. Continue to change directions, bending until your chin rests slightly on your torso. Balance the head, turning it to the left or right and hold your position. After a few seconds turn your head so that it rolls to the other side of your body. Hold the jaw down, hold, and continue stretching the neck up to five counts.
How to perform shoulder stretches:
Again, stand erect. Lift your arms so that it extends above the head. Clasp the hands, joining them and pulling the hands downward and behind your head. Hold and repeat the steps five counts. Next, with your arms behind your back, reach down and hold your hands at a pointing position. That is, bring your fingers together at the points while one arm is over the shoulder and the other arm is behind the back. Pull in opposing directions once in position. If the arms are bent, extend the right arm, bending it back and over the right shoulder and the head. With your free hand, grab your elbow and hold. Pull the elbow gently toward the free shoulder, and repeat the steps on the left side.
You can practice the windmill, shoulder shrug, triceps stretches, arm circles and more to warm up before breaking into a full-speed workout.
How to perform the windmill:
The windmill is one of the oldest stretches in the history of workouts, yet the stretch is often missing in action, since many people do the windmill incorrectly. To start, stand erect. Your arms should be down at your side. Once in position, swing upward, the right arm and bring it to the front, up, and around behind your back so that it forms a circle. Repeat your steps up to five counts and continue to the other side.
Sports Jerseys For Casual Fashion
Sports jerseys are among the hottest casual attire on the market right now. The are, in fact, so fashionable that even professional cycling jerseys are fast gaining in popularity. Whether the preference is to wear jerseys from a favorite vintage team or from present day NFL or NBA teams, wearing a sports jersey is on target for looking good. While the consumer is certainly free to pay top dollar for a jersey at the local sporting goods store, they could save a bundle at a great online sporting goods site. Web sites often have the best selection as well as the lowest prices. With the high security features that modern sites employ, problems like identity theft and fraud have become much less of a concern.
Vintage sports jerseys are perhaps one of the top casual clothing accessories around. They represent legends from a nostalgic era. They embody all of the heroes that can only be seen in historic reels or ESPN Classics. Playing in a simpler era, these athletes personify a time when drug tests, court cases, and other distractions weren't a part of the game. Plus, these jerseys just look cool. Whether the goal is to purchase an old Astros jersey with the rainbow stripes, or an old Hartford Whalers sweater, they have the old-fashioned style sure to stand out in a crowd.
Of course, sports jerseys are stylish as well. There is the world famous purple and gold jersey of the world-class Los Angeles Lakers, or the black and white of the San Antonio Spurs. Or if American football is the preferred sport, how about the yellow and black of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Whether the jersey is from the NBA or NFL, jerseys also help proclaim allegiance to the wearer's favorite teams. Jerseys are the best way to loudly and proudly display loyalty for local or favorite clubs. These jerseys can even fire up a crowd when worn to the game.
Finally, don't forget the lesser known sports. Soccer jerseys, and thanks to the rising popularity of Lance Armstrong, those professional cycling tops are swelling in popularity as well. In fact, cycling jerseys from The Discovery Channel, and the US Postal Service are among the fastest selling items in any sport.
Keep in mind that it's not likely to be appreciated, though, if the opposing team's sports jersey is worn to the home coliseum. A favorite jersey can actually become downright hazardous in the more zealous sports towns such as Detroit, Philadelphia, or New York. Wear the unpopular team's jersey at your own risk in such towns, and consider having a change of clothes in case things gets out of control.
Vintage sports jerseys are perhaps one of the top casual clothing accessories around. They represent legends from a nostalgic era. They embody all of the heroes that can only be seen in historic reels or ESPN Classics. Playing in a simpler era, these athletes personify a time when drug tests, court cases, and other distractions weren't a part of the game. Plus, these jerseys just look cool. Whether the goal is to purchase an old Astros jersey with the rainbow stripes, or an old Hartford Whalers sweater, they have the old-fashioned style sure to stand out in a crowd.
Of course, sports jerseys are stylish as well. There is the world famous purple and gold jersey of the world-class Los Angeles Lakers, or the black and white of the San Antonio Spurs. Or if American football is the preferred sport, how about the yellow and black of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Whether the jersey is from the NBA or NFL, jerseys also help proclaim allegiance to the wearer's favorite teams. Jerseys are the best way to loudly and proudly display loyalty for local or favorite clubs. These jerseys can even fire up a crowd when worn to the game.
Finally, don't forget the lesser known sports. Soccer jerseys, and thanks to the rising popularity of Lance Armstrong, those professional cycling tops are swelling in popularity as well. In fact, cycling jerseys from The Discovery Channel, and the US Postal Service are among the fastest selling items in any sport.
Keep in mind that it's not likely to be appreciated, though, if the opposing team's sports jersey is worn to the home coliseum. A favorite jersey can actually become downright hazardous in the more zealous sports towns such as Detroit, Philadelphia, or New York. Wear the unpopular team's jersey at your own risk in such towns, and consider having a change of clothes in case things gets out of control.
Sports Legendaries - Holland Soccer Stars
Throughout time, Holland gave out some truly outstanding soccer players, most of them surpassing the status of Holland soccer stars and becoming famous on an international level. Give me 5 minutes of your time and I'll give you an overview of Holland’s all-time soccer stars that includes players such as Dennis Bergkamp, Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard or Marco Van Basten, players that have changed the way the game is played and marked their name in the international hall of fame. But enough blabber, let's get down to business:
Holland Soccer Stars - Johan Cruyff
Cruyff is considered THE most important Dutch soccer player of all times and he gained legendary status wherever he played, be it for Ajax Amsterdam, FC Barcelona or even Feyenoord. Cruyff is also considered third in a list of the best all times soccer players, following Pele and Maradona closely (some even say he was over Maradona, as Maradona had feats of brilliance combined with poor games, whereas Cruyff kept a high standard for himself all throughout his career). He redefined modern soccer as we know it with his game style and vision on the pitch and many football specialists agree that Johan Cruyff was one of the smartest and most calculated players ever to feel the grass of a soccer stadium.
Holland Soccer Stars – Ruud Gullit
Gullit was one of the most important Holland soccer stars during the 80s and 90s and he was amongst the first to define the "complete midfielder". That meant that he could play almost any position in midfield his coach would place him in, from a defensive role to a supporting playmaker or an attacking midfielder. Together with Marco Van Basten and Frank Rijkaard, he succeeded in bringing Holland their first international cup ever, winning the 1988 European Championship.
Holland Soccer Stars – Frank Rijkaard
Together with Gullit and van Basten, Rijkaard formed an internationally renowned midfield triangle for both his club, AC Milan and his national side. Based on this triangle, AC Milan had a tremendously successful period, winning the European Cup (today's Champions League) twice and the Serie A championship on two editions. The same success soon came on at national level as well, as the Holland national soccer team won the 1988 European Championship with a team based on the three magnificent players. Although Frank Rijkaard didn't stand out as much as Ruud Gullit or van Basten, since he had a more defensive role in the squad, but playing alongside his two "side-kicks" he would form an unstoppable midfield for any team.
Holland Soccer Stars – Marco Van Basten
Although no one can reach Johan Cruyff's throne as the most important Holland soccer star of all time, van Basten came close enough and definitely closer than anyone else could. His tremendous career at Ajax and AC Milan as well as his goals for the Holland national soccer team made a lot of people see Cruyff's successor in van Basten. Unfortunately, after several successful seasons with AC Milan and winning the European Championship with his home country in 1988, van Basten suffered a career-ending injury at one of his ankles, when he was just age 30.
Holland Soccer Stars – Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp was part of a particular group of strikers: those guys that seem harmless 85 minutes of the match, only to blast the other team into oblivion for the remaining 5. Bergkamp will probably remain known in the history book of soccer by three things: his fear of flight that didn't allow him to join overseas matches, his incredible goals (fewer than many other strikers, but definitely more artful) and his loyalty for English side Arsenal London, for whom Bergkamp played for 11 seasons.
Holland Soccer Stars - Johan Cruyff
Cruyff is considered THE most important Dutch soccer player of all times and he gained legendary status wherever he played, be it for Ajax Amsterdam, FC Barcelona or even Feyenoord. Cruyff is also considered third in a list of the best all times soccer players, following Pele and Maradona closely (some even say he was over Maradona, as Maradona had feats of brilliance combined with poor games, whereas Cruyff kept a high standard for himself all throughout his career). He redefined modern soccer as we know it with his game style and vision on the pitch and many football specialists agree that Johan Cruyff was one of the smartest and most calculated players ever to feel the grass of a soccer stadium.
Holland Soccer Stars – Ruud Gullit
Gullit was one of the most important Holland soccer stars during the 80s and 90s and he was amongst the first to define the "complete midfielder". That meant that he could play almost any position in midfield his coach would place him in, from a defensive role to a supporting playmaker or an attacking midfielder. Together with Marco Van Basten and Frank Rijkaard, he succeeded in bringing Holland their first international cup ever, winning the 1988 European Championship.
Holland Soccer Stars – Frank Rijkaard
Together with Gullit and van Basten, Rijkaard formed an internationally renowned midfield triangle for both his club, AC Milan and his national side. Based on this triangle, AC Milan had a tremendously successful period, winning the European Cup (today's Champions League) twice and the Serie A championship on two editions. The same success soon came on at national level as well, as the Holland national soccer team won the 1988 European Championship with a team based on the three magnificent players. Although Frank Rijkaard didn't stand out as much as Ruud Gullit or van Basten, since he had a more defensive role in the squad, but playing alongside his two "side-kicks" he would form an unstoppable midfield for any team.
Holland Soccer Stars – Marco Van Basten
Although no one can reach Johan Cruyff's throne as the most important Holland soccer star of all time, van Basten came close enough and definitely closer than anyone else could. His tremendous career at Ajax and AC Milan as well as his goals for the Holland national soccer team made a lot of people see Cruyff's successor in van Basten. Unfortunately, after several successful seasons with AC Milan and winning the European Championship with his home country in 1988, van Basten suffered a career-ending injury at one of his ankles, when he was just age 30.
Holland Soccer Stars – Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp was part of a particular group of strikers: those guys that seem harmless 85 minutes of the match, only to blast the other team into oblivion for the remaining 5. Bergkamp will probably remain known in the history book of soccer by three things: his fear of flight that didn't allow him to join overseas matches, his incredible goals (fewer than many other strikers, but definitely more artful) and his loyalty for English side Arsenal London, for whom Bergkamp played for 11 seasons.
Sports Supplements
The concept of improving our athletic prowess through the practice of sports nutrition is actually a very old practice. From the first time humans started recording their history sports nutrition, primarily through the ingestion of appropriating foods, was an important part of succeeding at athletic endeavors. The earliest humans in various parts of the globe used foods and other products to help improve their strength, flexibility, agility, speed and general sports abilities.
During medieval times physicians actually encouraged their patients to consume a human heart as part of their physical sports regime. This practice, though of course hampered by the inability to easily obtain an available human heart, was nevertheless thought to increase the athlete’s bravery as well as her or his intelligence. It was the pituitary glands, extracts of that human heart, that physicians of that time period thought enhanced the strength of the sports enthusiasts’ muscles.
Mushrooms were a staple of any athlete’s regime of preparation for sports as far back as 300 BC. In ancient Greece those preparing for the Olympics ate mushrooms avidly. In the Netherlands in the 19th century commonly focused on their swimming ability, and to enhance this they regularly consumed great amounts of caffeine. During this same time period – the 1800’s – athletes in Belgium dipped sugar cubes in ether and then ate them. This was thought to give them great agility and strength. Marathon runners at that time, however, focused on drinking their cactus. Cactus was the 19th century Gatorade, though at that time electrolytes were not even thought of.
Of course, sports and athletic supplements and the consumption of foods especially made to enhance physical prowess and athletic ability are commonplace in the 21st century. Dietary supplements not only for athletes but for folks just trying to live long and healthy lives are found everywhere. You can pick up a sports drink, a vitamin supplement, an herb to cure whatever ails you, as well as weight loss and herbal stop-smoking products at health food stores, pharmacies, supercenters, supermarkets, through direct mail catalogs and at so many sites on the Internet. Over 40 percent of the population of the world consumes dietary supplements on a regular basis, either for sports, for preventative measures, for cure or control of diseases or just for optimum well being. 59 percent of the globe’s professional athletes take dietary supplements to enhance their agility and sports capabilities, and 43 percent of amateur and collegiate athletes do so as well.
While there are a number of dietary supplements available such as protein shakes and herbs, the most common supplement for those concentrating on their sports nutrition is with a daily intake of vitamins and minerals. The most common of these are B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, iron, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin E. Not only do these professionals and amateur athletes take supplements to excel at sports. They also want to recover from their strenuous workouts quickly and ward off any injury or illness that could be the result of overexerting themselves.
During medieval times physicians actually encouraged their patients to consume a human heart as part of their physical sports regime. This practice, though of course hampered by the inability to easily obtain an available human heart, was nevertheless thought to increase the athlete’s bravery as well as her or his intelligence. It was the pituitary glands, extracts of that human heart, that physicians of that time period thought enhanced the strength of the sports enthusiasts’ muscles.
Mushrooms were a staple of any athlete’s regime of preparation for sports as far back as 300 BC. In ancient Greece those preparing for the Olympics ate mushrooms avidly. In the Netherlands in the 19th century commonly focused on their swimming ability, and to enhance this they regularly consumed great amounts of caffeine. During this same time period – the 1800’s – athletes in Belgium dipped sugar cubes in ether and then ate them. This was thought to give them great agility and strength. Marathon runners at that time, however, focused on drinking their cactus. Cactus was the 19th century Gatorade, though at that time electrolytes were not even thought of.
Of course, sports and athletic supplements and the consumption of foods especially made to enhance physical prowess and athletic ability are commonplace in the 21st century. Dietary supplements not only for athletes but for folks just trying to live long and healthy lives are found everywhere. You can pick up a sports drink, a vitamin supplement, an herb to cure whatever ails you, as well as weight loss and herbal stop-smoking products at health food stores, pharmacies, supercenters, supermarkets, through direct mail catalogs and at so many sites on the Internet. Over 40 percent of the population of the world consumes dietary supplements on a regular basis, either for sports, for preventative measures, for cure or control of diseases or just for optimum well being. 59 percent of the globe’s professional athletes take dietary supplements to enhance their agility and sports capabilities, and 43 percent of amateur and collegiate athletes do so as well.
While there are a number of dietary supplements available such as protein shakes and herbs, the most common supplement for those concentrating on their sports nutrition is with a daily intake of vitamins and minerals. The most common of these are B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, iron, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin E. Not only do these professionals and amateur athletes take supplements to excel at sports. They also want to recover from their strenuous workouts quickly and ward off any injury or illness that could be the result of overexerting themselves.
Sports Team – Darrel Hair
The Australian cricket umpire Darrel Hair, resident in the United Kingdom is a person who seems to love controversy. He began by no-balling Sri Lanka’s ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan seven times for ‘throwing’ in the Melbourne Test in 1995. Umpire Darrel Hair described the spinner's action as diabolical, prompting the Sri Lankans to complain to the ICC that he had brought the game into disrepute. The Spinner Murali was later cleared by the ICC using sophisticated technology. Umpire Darrel Hair also said in his autobiography that he would not hesitate to ‘no-ball’ Murali at any future matches. ICC said it was unprecedented that a serving umpire would make public comments on current players.
As if this was not enough, this year, in the fourth Test England verses Pakistan, Hair accused the Pakistani’s to have tampered with the ball and penalised them by awarding five runs to England. Pakistanis did not agree and refused to take the field after Tea resulting in the forfeiture of the Match. This is another first in the long history of Test Cricket.
While the issue was raging Umpire Darrel Hair sent an e mail on Tuesday 22nd August 2006, to Doug Cowie under the heading “The way forward” making a “non-negotiable” offer demanding five hundred thousand dollars to retire from International Umpiring. An email was leaked to the press and the motives of Umpire Hair’s decisions on the field were questioned.
ICC’s Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle did not back Umpire Darrel Hair’s ruling on the ball tempering allegation and exonerated the Pakistanis from such wrong doing.
Pakistan have stated officially that they do not want Umpire Hair to officiate in any of their matches, India have asked for him not to be considered for the Champions Trophy and Sri Lanka have long held grievances against him.
However, it is very surprising Umpire Darrel Hair is yet to be taken to task by the ICC although Pakistan Cricket Chief has demanded that Umpire Darrel Hair be removed from the elite panel of Umpires. This is a fair request in the light of the controversial e mail sent by Umpire Hair to Doug Cowie.
Umpire Darrel Hair is on record to say that he will continue umpiring when both his controversial decisions had been proved to be wrong. To find out further information about sportsman, Darrel Hair log onto the Internet today
As if this was not enough, this year, in the fourth Test England verses Pakistan, Hair accused the Pakistani’s to have tampered with the ball and penalised them by awarding five runs to England. Pakistanis did not agree and refused to take the field after Tea resulting in the forfeiture of the Match. This is another first in the long history of Test Cricket.
While the issue was raging Umpire Darrel Hair sent an e mail on Tuesday 22nd August 2006, to Doug Cowie under the heading “The way forward” making a “non-negotiable” offer demanding five hundred thousand dollars to retire from International Umpiring. An email was leaked to the press and the motives of Umpire Hair’s decisions on the field were questioned.
ICC’s Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle did not back Umpire Darrel Hair’s ruling on the ball tempering allegation and exonerated the Pakistanis from such wrong doing.
Pakistan have stated officially that they do not want Umpire Hair to officiate in any of their matches, India have asked for him not to be considered for the Champions Trophy and Sri Lanka have long held grievances against him.
However, it is very surprising Umpire Darrel Hair is yet to be taken to task by the ICC although Pakistan Cricket Chief has demanded that Umpire Darrel Hair be removed from the elite panel of Umpires. This is a fair request in the light of the controversial e mail sent by Umpire Hair to Doug Cowie.
Umpire Darrel Hair is on record to say that he will continue umpiring when both his controversial decisions had been proved to be wrong. To find out further information about sportsman, Darrel Hair log onto the Internet today
Sportsbooks Add Elections - To Sports Betting Lines Menus
It was just hours after George W. Bush had been re-elected President of the United States in 2004 that sportsbooks began posting betting lines on who would win a four-year lease on the Oval Office in 2008.
John McCain, the Arizona Senator, and Hilary Clinton, the Senator from New York, remain the frontrunners for the Republican and Democratic parties, respectively. McCain, because of his maverick nature, has appeal with moderates, swing voters and conservative Democrats. That would be a formidable foe in the general election but, ironically, that same independent streak—-he strayed from conservative orthodoxy on judges, taxes and gay rights--could hurt him in the GOP nomination process where Evangelical Christians and conservative activists, groups less than enamored with his stance on those issues, are a formidable voting block, particularly in the primaries.
Clinton has the opposite problem. While the former First Lady is wildly popular in Democratic circles and, should she decide to run, would be difficult to beat for the party’s nomination, remains a polarizing figure and could have difficulty winning a general election where many already have a fixed, negative opinion of her.
That said, most betting lines still favor a McCain-Clinton showdown in 2008, although juicy, double-digit prices abound for other hopefuls such as former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani (R), Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R), former Vice President Al Gore (D), Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (D), Massachusetts Senator John Kerry (D), former North Carolina Senator John Edwards (D), Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (R), retired General Wesley Clark (D) and Illinois Senator Barack Obama (D).
Posting betting lines and/or betting on the outcome of presidential elections are not new. The practices gained attention in 1948 when legendary oddsmaker and gambler Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder predicted that heavy underdog Harry S. Truman, who had been elevated to the presidency when Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in 1945, would beat GOP standard-bearer and heavy favorite James Dewey, the Governor of New York.
Snyder based his prediction on the fact that Dewey wore a mustache and his belief that women would find that the facial hair made Dewey look “sneaky.”
At least that’s the way the story goes.
Truman did prevail at the ballot box, famously holding up a newspaper whose headline erroneously proclaimed Dewey the winner.
Recognizing that the 2008 election may be a bit too distant for most bettors, many sportsbooks have posted betting lines in this year’s midterm election, Nov. 7.
The most prominent betting line asks bettors to wager whether the Democrats will regain control of the House of Representatives. Democrats need to pick up 15 seats to wrest control of the 435-seat body from Republicans for the first time since 1994. With an unpopular war in Iraq, low approval numbers for President Bush, and a series of scandals plaguing the Republican Party, most books have the Democrats favored to take over the House.
The Senate, where Democrats need six seats to regain a majority, is another matter. While it’s looking increasingly likely that Democrats will hold all their seats (New Jersey is a problem), as well as pick up seats in Montana, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Rhode Island, getting to six will be difficult. There are three (possibly four) more opportunities.
Claire McCaskill (D) is running neck-and-neck with Senator Jim Talent (R) in Missouri, where stem cell research (she supports it, he doesn’t) is a big issue while Harold Ford (D) is trying to prove that an African American can win in Tennessee, where Bob Corker is trying to hold the seat for Republicans.
A series of gaffes have made Senator George Allen (R) vulnerable to the challenge of former Secretary of the Navy Jim Webb (D) in Virginia while in Arizona, Jim Pederson (D) is attempting to come from behind to beat Senator John Kyl (R), the author of the recently passed ban on Internet wagering.
Many sportsbooks have a betting line on whether the Democrats will gain control of the Senate (“No” still is favored over “Yes”) while some enterprising wagering outlets have betting lines on many of the individual races. Others still offer index wagering on how many Senate seats the Democrats will gain.
An index wager might look like this:
How many Senate seats will the Democrats gain in the 2006 election?
0-220/1
3-4 2/1
exactly 5 8/5
6 or more 7/5
In addition to races for the Presidency, the Senate and the House, some sportsbooks also have betting lines on several Governor contests. What it all means is while some citizens will cast their votes at the ballot box, others will express their opinions with cold hard cash.
John McCain, the Arizona Senator, and Hilary Clinton, the Senator from New York, remain the frontrunners for the Republican and Democratic parties, respectively. McCain, because of his maverick nature, has appeal with moderates, swing voters and conservative Democrats. That would be a formidable foe in the general election but, ironically, that same independent streak—-he strayed from conservative orthodoxy on judges, taxes and gay rights--could hurt him in the GOP nomination process where Evangelical Christians and conservative activists, groups less than enamored with his stance on those issues, are a formidable voting block, particularly in the primaries.
Clinton has the opposite problem. While the former First Lady is wildly popular in Democratic circles and, should she decide to run, would be difficult to beat for the party’s nomination, remains a polarizing figure and could have difficulty winning a general election where many already have a fixed, negative opinion of her.
That said, most betting lines still favor a McCain-Clinton showdown in 2008, although juicy, double-digit prices abound for other hopefuls such as former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani (R), Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R), former Vice President Al Gore (D), Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (D), Massachusetts Senator John Kerry (D), former North Carolina Senator John Edwards (D), Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (R), retired General Wesley Clark (D) and Illinois Senator Barack Obama (D).
Posting betting lines and/or betting on the outcome of presidential elections are not new. The practices gained attention in 1948 when legendary oddsmaker and gambler Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder predicted that heavy underdog Harry S. Truman, who had been elevated to the presidency when Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in 1945, would beat GOP standard-bearer and heavy favorite James Dewey, the Governor of New York.
Snyder based his prediction on the fact that Dewey wore a mustache and his belief that women would find that the facial hair made Dewey look “sneaky.”
At least that’s the way the story goes.
Truman did prevail at the ballot box, famously holding up a newspaper whose headline erroneously proclaimed Dewey the winner.
Recognizing that the 2008 election may be a bit too distant for most bettors, many sportsbooks have posted betting lines in this year’s midterm election, Nov. 7.
The most prominent betting line asks bettors to wager whether the Democrats will regain control of the House of Representatives. Democrats need to pick up 15 seats to wrest control of the 435-seat body from Republicans for the first time since 1994. With an unpopular war in Iraq, low approval numbers for President Bush, and a series of scandals plaguing the Republican Party, most books have the Democrats favored to take over the House.
The Senate, where Democrats need six seats to regain a majority, is another matter. While it’s looking increasingly likely that Democrats will hold all their seats (New Jersey is a problem), as well as pick up seats in Montana, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Rhode Island, getting to six will be difficult. There are three (possibly four) more opportunities.
Claire McCaskill (D) is running neck-and-neck with Senator Jim Talent (R) in Missouri, where stem cell research (she supports it, he doesn’t) is a big issue while Harold Ford (D) is trying to prove that an African American can win in Tennessee, where Bob Corker is trying to hold the seat for Republicans.
A series of gaffes have made Senator George Allen (R) vulnerable to the challenge of former Secretary of the Navy Jim Webb (D) in Virginia while in Arizona, Jim Pederson (D) is attempting to come from behind to beat Senator John Kyl (R), the author of the recently passed ban on Internet wagering.
Many sportsbooks have a betting line on whether the Democrats will gain control of the Senate (“No” still is favored over “Yes”) while some enterprising wagering outlets have betting lines on many of the individual races. Others still offer index wagering on how many Senate seats the Democrats will gain.
An index wager might look like this:
How many Senate seats will the Democrats gain in the 2006 election?
0-220/1
3-4 2/1
exactly 5 8/5
6 or more 7/5
In addition to races for the Presidency, the Senate and the House, some sportsbooks also have betting lines on several Governor contests. What it all means is while some citizens will cast their votes at the ballot box, others will express their opinions with cold hard cash.
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