The legend Calls It a Career

Well, we all knew that this day would come yet it does not make the shock and sadness any easier. Today, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson announced he will be retiring at the end of the season, which for Manchester United is on May 19^th as they travel to West Brom. The last home appearance for Sir Alex will be this Sunday against Swansea.

If you are not familiar with the work of Sir Alex you are not familiar with the man who is in my opinion the greatest manager in the history of sports, and I am talking about ANY sport. Here below is a list of championships won by Sir Alex not only during his time with Manchester United but also while he was managing teams in his native Scotland.

St. Mirren:

 

1 Scottish First division championship 1977

 

Aberdeen:

 

3 Scottish Premier division Championship- 1980,1984,1985

4 Scottish FA Cup Winners- 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986

1 Scottish League cup Winner- 1986

1 UEFA Cup winners' cup Winner- 1983

1 UEFA Super cup- 1983

 

Manchester United:

 

13 English Premier League Winners- 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013

5 FA Cup Winners- 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004

4 League Cup Winners- 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010

10 FA Community Shield Winners- 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011

2 UEFA Champions League Winners- 1999, 2008

1 UEFA Cup winners' cup Winner- 1991

1 UEFA Super Cup Winner- 1991

1 Intercontinental Cup Winner- 1999

1 FIFA Club World cup Winner- 2008

 

Replacing Sir Alex will be a job for no normal person. Whoever takes his place leading the Red Devils will always have the shadow of Sir Alex hanging over them and will always be compared to Sir Alex. No doubt the next manager and the ones to follow will never measure up to Sir Alex. Whoever replaces Sir Alex will be in a no win situation and I would not wish the position on anyone.

All of that being said this is not about who will be the next manager of Sir Alex but about Sir Alex himself. His work not only with Manchester United but for the world of soccer will never be equaled and will never be forgotten. He has done so much to help build Manchester United and the sport of soccer in general throughout the world what it is today. I cannot be argued that without the work of Sir Alex Manchester United would not be the biggest sports franchise throughout the world and through that work more people have learned to love the beautiful game. I know if not for what he has done I would not have fallen in love with Manchester United and the sport of soccer. He deserves all the accolades thrust upon him and the sport of soccer and even more so Manchester United will never be the same without Sir Alex.

Through the shock and sadness of realizing that after 2 more games Sir Alex will no longer be the man in charge of Manchester United there are smiles knowing that he is able to do what most never will be able to ever do, go out on top. He led this year Manchester United to their 20 league title and built what some say might be one of the best Manchester United teams of all time and for that I and the world salute him.

Sir Alex is the best out there bar none. He will never be forgot, nor will what he has done for the sport ever be duplicated. Like soccer or not, he is the best manager there has ever been.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket

Here is the Sports Hotdish Stanley Cup Bracket. We’ll talk about it on this week’s show but I would also love to hear what your predictions are. Fire them into the site here and let’s see who gets the closest to calling the whole thing right.

Totally Ingenious!

I know we have those out there that read this page that are athletes so I wanted to post this for all of you out there. Talk about a great way to save money and not have to buy those overpriced ice packs. I know what I’ll be making up a bunch of later tonight.

The Champs Once More!!!!

I mentioned on last week’s show that is Manchester City lost their game on Sunday and Manchester United won their game today that once again, for the 20^th time they would reign as champions of England. Well, it brings me great joy to say that both of those results happened and for the 20^th time, and the 13^th of the Premier League era the Red Devils of Manchester United have hoisted the championship trophy. Is it safe to assume that Manchester United as a franchise is one of if not THE top sports franchise of all time? Is it safe to assume that Sir. Alex Ferguson is one of if not THE top managers of all time? I think the answer to both of those two questions can be answered with a resounding YES!

Now I know there out there that will disagree with what I have just said, and if you are one of them I invite you to join me at 7:00 pm CST this Wednesday over on Talkshoe (LINK HERE) and voice your opinion. If you agree with me, join me and share your excitement over the champs returning to their rightful place on top of the English Football world. Either way I hope to see ya for the show.

This just in, Gary Bettman will NEVER let the Phoenix Coyotes move to Quebec.

I saw an article posted this past week that talked about the potential of the Phoenix Coyotes moving to Quebec. Well, after I had a great laugh reading it I had to wonder if the author has ever heard of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and know how badly he wants to keep teams south of the Mason-Dixon Line in the NHL. Sure the Atlanta Thrashers move to Winnipeg, but after Bettman wiped the egg off his face it was obvious that a move like that would never happen again. He wants the NHL in non-traditional hockey markets and there is, obviously if you have any clue on this situation no way he’ll let the Coyotes leave the desert. It does not matter how bad the search for new ownership needed to keep the team in Phoenix might be, no matter how much Quebec might have ready to go to bring them up there it will never happen. Those that want to see this happen, and you can count me as one of them better get used to seeing a team in Phoenix not Quebec.

Now, before you trash me over this, like I said I would love to see a team, Phoenix or whoever it might be back in Quebec but the facts are the facts, Bettman will never let that happen. There is a better chance of Houston getting a team over Quebec or any Canadian city for that matter. Bettman would rather the NHL go belly up keeping teams in the South than put them in hockey market locations. He has yet to realize that hockey will never be a major draw in areas like Phoenix, Dallas, Florida or Carolina, and I say that as someone that moved from Minnesota to Texas and will drive 4+ hours to watch the Stars play. This is not hockey country like the north is and it will never catch on like Bettman wants it to. If he would ever just admit this was a doomed experiment perhaps the NHL could be better than it is today in terms of both financial and popularity. Then again, this is the troll we are talking about.

I’m back!!!!!

Well folks, the Sports Hotdish show is returning to the air this Wednesday night at 7p.m. CST with the replay on Full Gamut Radio (fgrn.net) at 6p.m. CST Thursday. I hope you will be able to join us for the fun. I am making a few changes to the show that I think y’all will like, so tune in and enjoy!

Our Forgotten Favorite Bombo Rivera

If you were a kid like me who grew up in Minnesota or were a Minnesota Twins fan in the late 1970’s you no doubt were a fan of former Twin Bombo Rivera, this week’s inductee into our ring of Our Forgotten Favorites. Even though Rivera was never a superstar he was a fan favorite without a doubt, even inspiring Garrison Keller to pen “The Ballad of Bombo Rivera.” Rivera started his career off with the Montreal Expos and finished it up with the Kansas City Royals but it is time in Minnesota that he is most remembered for. So, for the many great childhood memories I have this week I am happy to induct Bombo Rivera into the ring of Our Forgotten Favorites.

*Rivera’s lifetime stats can be found at the link HERE.