(Photo Courtesy: Aaron Torres)

(*** Aaron’s Note: This article was originally posted at Aaron Torres Sports on May 28, 2010.

However, in honor of my grandmother turning 97 today, and still going strong, I decided to repost it. Forgive me for the dated “Celtics-Magic" reference and please forgive me for the terrible writing. Hopefully I've gotten better over the last couple years.

Still, enjoy the article and enjoy the holiday weekend)

To some of you, I know you think of me as some crazed, bizarre, sports lunatic. A guy who falls asleep with West Coast baseball games on, and wakes up to replays of Sportscenter in the morning. A guy who watches classic college football games for "fun," reads passages from old Sports Illustrated's when he's bored, and even flips on the India-Pakistan cricket match when there's nothing else on TV. Well, with the exception of the cricket, you'd be right (Ok, ok, I watched cricket, but it was just ONE time. I swear!).

However, beyond that though, I'm a relatively normal guy, that does the same stuff everybody does. I go to the mall and hang out with my buddies. I play pick-up basketball and hit the driving range every once in awhile. And despite what internet rumors might be out there, yes I even put my pants on one leg at a time. Even if it took me until I was eight to totally figure out how.

Anyway, being a sportswriter, I'm sure many of you assume that I spent this past Monday watching either Game 4 of the Magic-Celtics series, or the opener of a three game Red Sox sweep of the first place Rays. Actually though, I was doing my normal guy routine at a birthday party.

Now before we go any further, I know what you're thinking, and no this wasn't one of those "Brody Jenner on The Hills," type birthday parties, I promise. There were no crazy antics or binge drinking, and truthfully, there weren't even presents exchanged.

Why no presents?

Well, I was at my grandma's 94th birthday party, and honestly, what do you get a 94-year-old that has it all? A Nintendo Wii?
 

As you’ve probably noticed by now, Aaron Torres Sports is in fact a sports website, however if there’s one thing you need to know about Aaron Torres personally, it’s that I like educating myself about stuff outside of realm of bats and balls as well.

Part of it is of course that whole “knowledge is power” thing, but the other is that I am genuinely interested in meeting anyone who is truly passionate about what they do. Some of my best friends on this planet have job titles that I can barely spell and definitely can’t pronounce, yet what I always admire about them is that they bring the same passion to their field (be it geology, civil service or again, some inaudible career choice) as I do to sports and writing.

That’s also why when the t-shirt company Design by Humans invited me down to their offices a few weeks ago, I was game; one look at their website and it was obvious they were passionate about what they do, and the product they provide.

Well folks, the third and final Captain Morgan “Perfect Getaway” challenge is here, and with it, your third and final chance to win great prizes. I’ve already got great swag to give away, but if we can somehow win this challenge, one reader of this site will win an iPad mini, Beats by Dre headphones and more. Last week we finished in third place out of 10 competing websites.  

By now you know the drill: Captain Morgan has provided a clue. You need to watch the video, review the clue and then answer the question in the comments section below. Please note that only answers in the comments section will be accepted.

Also note: This clue will again require some minimal Google research on your part. In addition to that research, feel free to reference your answers with others in the comments section.

Anyway, here is this week’s clue:

The mechanism used to set the prisoner free; the number of these found in the 2010 Panama excavation is this challenge’s key. (Hint: Sundance)

Again, there’s nothing much to this giveaway. Just Google the answer to the question and enter in the comments section below.

As always you’re more than welcome (and even encouraged) to hit me up on Twitter, via my Facebook page or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Now, get to Googling and share some answers!!
 

To quote Jim Nantz: Hello, friends!!

It’s Tuesday, and like I did last week, it’s time for another Challenge with Captain Morgan. This is the second of three challenges that can net you a ton of great prizes via Captain Morgan including an iPad mini, Beats by Dre headphones and lots of other cool stuff.

Unfortunately last week we did not get enough responses to qualify for any of the big prizes, but there are still two more challenges for you to enter and win. Plus, I do still have Captain Morgan SWAG to give away to my winners as well.

Anyway, it’s time for the second clue, which reads as follows:

The Captain’s vessel is of great fame. The answer to this challenge is in its name. (Hint: Morgan’s flagship)

Now please note, that after consulting with some other websites who are participating in this event, to find this answer, it may require some very minimal Google research in addition to watching

Once you do have the answer though, please just write it in the comments section and submit.

Remember, only answers in the comments section will be accepted, but once you do comment you’re automatically entered to win all the great prizes I mentioned above.

Also remember that the website with the most comments wins the best prizes. Therefore, feel free to share this post with friends, family and anyone else who might be interested in entering.

As always if you have any questions or comments for me, feel free to hit me on Twitter @Aaron_Torres or e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Now, get to Googling and share some answers!!
 

(Photo Courtesy: USA Today Sports)

A few weeks ago, the good folks at My Golf Locker shared a fun post with Aaron Torres Sports, about ‘Classic Masters Moments.’ It was a huge hit, and when my friends over at GolfPoser could do their own post, I quickly obliged.

Here is their take on golf equipment and clothing, and its importance to your success on the course.  

The PGA Tour is a year-long grind, where the world’s best golfers are forced to play some of the toughest courses under some of the most averse conditions.  In the coming weeks, PGA pros will have to play in the humidity of Florida, the extreme heat of Texas and at stops in New England, the Midwest and deep South, before the tour wraps up in Ohio in early October.

And just like their favorite professionals, weekend warrior golfers have to consider all the elements when they get set to take the course as well. Being in peak mental shape isn’t the only thing that makes a successful golfer; other variables such as the equipment they use, the caddie they have and even the clothes they wear are important too.  

Speaking of golf clothing, here are a few things golfers need to consider when they hit the links this spring and summer.

Hello everyone!!

So as you probably remember, last week I made an announcement about a really cool giveaway that I’d be running with Captain Morgan.

In it, I’m going to give you a chance to win free prizes, including Captain Morgan gear, and potentially, if you and I can work together, some REALLY COOL prizes, like an iPad mini, Kindle Fire, Beats by Dre Headphones and more.

Yes, I’m being totally 200 percent serious. I am competing against a few other blogs in this contest, and at the end of the week the blog with the most correct answers to the question below will receive one of those epic gifts I mentioned above. There will be three separate contests over the next three weeks, so there is always time to answer later if you can’t today.

Still, you don’t need to wait until Friday for free prizes, since I will start by giving away the first gift today: A FREE Captain Morgan hat and t-shirt. Not a bad way to start things, right?  

For a chance to win the FREE swag and enter yourself to win the bigger prizes, all you’ve to do is two very simple things.

1. Watch the video above.

If you do, you’ll see a video in which Captain Morgan helps a prisoner escape from jail. Next, Captain Morgan and the prisoner then make a getaway on a couple of horses.

2. Next, you need to answer the following riddle, provided to me by the folks at Captain Morgan.

PLEASE NOTE: You need to answer the riddle in the comments section of this post. ONLY answers in the comments section will be accepted.

Anyway, here is the the riddle you need to answer:

In 1668, Morgan sealed the prisoner’s fate. Atop a creature he got away, the number of which you must say.

Yes, that is the riddle and it directly corresponds to the video.

And while the riddle does seem complicated at first glance, it isn’t when you break it all down.

While I can’t give away too much about the answer to the riddle, what I would suggest is this: Watch the video a few times, pay attention and carefully analyze the riddle. Most importantly, focus on the word “creature” in the video, and the number of those specific “creatures” you see.

So there it is.

Please remember that to be entered to win any prizes, you must answer the question correctly ONLY in the comments section below. All other entries will not be accepted.

And finally if you have any further questions, please feel free to e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or hit me on Twitter @Aaron_Torres and I will be glad to help you out.

Again, answer the question correctly in the comments section below, and you’re automatically entered to win Captain Morgan swag... with the possible opportunity to win EVEN MORE, including iPad mini’s, Kindle Fire’s, Beats by Dre headphones and much more!

Thanks, and remember I’ll be posting a new one of these giveaways every Monday for the next three weeks!

 

If there’s one random thing you probably don’t know about me (or care to know, honestly) it’s that I don’t generally enjoy sports movies very much. Maybe “don’t generally enjoy” is a bit of strong statement, but at the same time, you’ve got to understand that for me, sports is my life. It’s what I do and who I am. And because of it, it means I’m quite picky in what kind of sports content I consume. In a lot of ways, you could call me a sports snob in that way.

So when a sports movie does come out, inevitably I always go through the same routine in my head. I wonder aloud if checking out the movie will actually be worth my time. If I’ll actually learn or take anything away from it. Or if ultimately I’ll just end up angered by it; because I mean seriously, is there anything more annoying than some Hollywood director taking a great story, and twisting facts strictly for entertainment purposes? Not much, as far as I’m concerned.

So, quick question: How many of you enjoy consuming alcohol? Given that I’ve hung out with many of you and correspond with many others, the answer is undoubtedly “pretty much everyone who reads this site.” That is also reason No. 2,189 why I love you guys, by the way.

Regardless, it’s because of our mutual love of sports and alcohol (not necessarily in that order), that I am VERY happy to announce that Aaron Torres Sports will partner with Captain Morgan for a VERY fun contest and giveaway in the coming days and weeks.

Details on the contest are below, but just know this: By participating, you have the chance to win a bunch of really cool prizes, including Captain Morgan swag (hats, t-shirts etc.)... and, if we end up winning this whole damn contest, it could net you some REALLY cool prizes, such as tickets to professional sporting events in your area.

Not too shabby, right? Either way, here are the details:

Staring next Monday, April 15, Captain Morgan will provide me a video in their “Perfect Getaway” campaign. The video is quick and short, but each each week a new “challenge” will come out of the video that the readers of Aaron Torres Sports have to answer.

Your job is to watch the video and provide the correct answer to the challenge. Please note: You HAVE to provide the correct answer in the comments section of the post ONLY. Answers via Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, Instagram or by carrier pigeon, while appreciated, will not be accepted.

With the NCAA Tournament now in the books, it’s time to announce the winners of the Aaron Torres Sports Tourney Challenge!

Before we get to the winners, I just want to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to fill out a bracket and enter the tournament challenge. As always, it was a great time, and something I look forward to doing again next year!

Anyway, let’s get to the victors. Below are the winners and prizes, determined prior to the NCAA Tournament! If you see your name on this list, feel free to e-mail me your address, and I’ll get your prize out ASAP!

Winner: Shayne’s 15th Bracket (Prize: $50 Amazon.com Gift Card)

2nd Place: 15 Seconds of Glory (Prize: $25 Amazon.com Gift Card)

3rd Place: Cr1spy’s Picks (Prize: Copy of Jay Bilas’ new book, ‘Toughness’)

Best Name: Joe’s Bracket Rescue (Prize: Copy of Bobby Knight’s new book ‘The Power of Negative Thinking’)

Most Total Points after Round 1: Shayne’s 15th Bracket (Prize: Copy of Bobby Knight’s new book ‘The Power of Negative Thinking’)

Most Total Points after the second weekend of the tournament: Josh Wilson of 4FanSports.com (Prize: Copy of Bobby Knight’s new book ‘The Power of Negative Thinking’)
 

Well, the opening day of the 2013 NCAA Tournament is officially in the books, and like I did during Championship Week, I decided to commemorate it all with an audio/video podcast recapping all the action. For those of you who aren’t so tech savvy (and believe me, I’m with you), you can either listen to the podcast by click on the green box below or by downloading in iTunes, or you can watch the video on this website or on YouTube.

To listen to the podcast on this website, click the green box above
To download the podcast straight from iTunes, please click here
To subscribe to the Aaron Torres Sports Podcast, please click here
To listen to the podcast on your iPhone or Android please click here

Regardless, a lot of exciting things happened on Day 1, and I covered it all here, including conversation about the following topics:

- New Mexico’s stunning loss to Harvard. Reflecting back, what was most surprising wasn’t that Harvard won, but that honestly they controlled the game in every aspect. Also, what happened to the New Mexico team that ripped through the Mountain West this past season?

- Conversation about the impressive performances by VCU, Michigan, Syracuse, and the Pac-12 as a whole, as well as disappointing efforts from Missouri and UNLV. Also, with losses by both the Rebels and New Mexico, does this now mean the Mountain West was overrated during the regular season?

- Looking at the No. 1 seeds, why Louisville’s win further validated them as the favorite in this tournament, and why Gonzaga’s close call against Southern isn’t as big a deal as many think.

- Finally, after another disappointing effort for Pitt, has Jamie Dixon run his course with the Panthers? More importantly, might it be time for him to consider looking for another job, say with USC?

As always, you can download the podcast straight from iTunes just by searching for “The Aaron Torres Sports Podcast” and you can also subscribe to the Aaron Torres Sports podcast by clicking here. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel (which I plan on amping up in the coming weeks) by following this link.

And as always I encourage you to share your thoughts either by commenting below or hitting me up on Twitter @Aaron_Torres.