Sports can be really frustrating for the die-hard fan – especially those that have to watch their teams blow a lead, choke in the playoffs, or continuously underachieve.  That’s where Throwing Tomatoes comes in.

Hell, only a few teams win championships every year… so that means the majority of us go home unhappy when it comes to our sports fandom.throwingtomatoesbanner

Don’t sweat it – venting helps… and throwing tomatoes can too – so go ahead, “Rock the Red” this week – and I don’t mean that popular playoff slogan coined by the Washington Capitals…

Throwing Tomatoes: April 28, 2010

Washington Capitals

…for setting a new playoff record.

The Washington Capitals had a lot to brag about heading into the NHL Playoffs: The Presidents Trophy (most points in regular season – 121), the best home record in hockey (30-5-6), most goals (318) and highest goal differential (+85)… need we go on?

After a shocking opening round exit, the Caps now own a new record: that being the first ever #1 seed to lose to an 8-seed when leading the series 3-1.

It just goes to show you that just like in every other major pro sport, defense (and in this case, great goaltending) wins championships – and NOT flashy, potent offense.splatteredtomato

Let’s just say that the phrase “Rock the Red” is taking on new meaning tonight.

Alexander Ovechkin

…for becoming the Tracy McGrady of hockey.

Yes, I went there.  Listen, I give all the credit in the world to Montreal’s defense and goaltending – but on top of that, when you’re a superstar, you have to find a way to get it done during clutch playoff games.

Kobe has… Jordan did…Sid the Kid did.

Ovie didn’t – and hasn’t as of yet… plain and simple.  For those counting, that’s two crushing playoff Game 7’s now for the nation’s capital.

Mike Tomczak

…for keeping the tradition alive for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks.

As discussed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the former Steelers QB has been charged with assault after a domestic dispute.

First, the Steel City couldn’t get Big Ben out of the news, and now this.

Something tells me, there are a few Pittsburgh locals that almost wanted their hometown team to draft Tim Tebow… just to have a borderline choirboy in town.

Mike Brey

…for the rumors out there – that potentially could wind up true.mike-brey-rumors-notre-dame

RUMOR ALERT: OK, call the rumor police – as this one isn’t set in stone yet, but enough places have touched upon it – including here via Chicago Now.

Still, at this point – with all the ways that people of any level in the sports world are getting negative press, would we really be shocked at this point?

The rumor involves Brey being involved with a TV news reporter – and well, if it winds up true, then I guess the ol’ coach has been scoring a lot more than his team did during March Madness.

Count it… albeit in bad taste.

Jeff Ireland

…for using ridiculously bad judgment when questioning WR Dez Bryant.

By now, you know the story with Miami Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland, who during an interview asked WR Dez Bryant if his Mom was a prostitute.

OK, so for one – bad judgment.  But two, I get tough questions to judge a player’s character, but how is this one relevant – or in any way coming close to being tactful?

On top of that, in the article link above, Bryant mentions how others asked if his Mom still did drugs.  IMO, test the kid and grill the kid, but leave his Mom out of it – if anything, his troubles in life have only made him stronger.

And Jeff, “do you still think you’ll have a job in a week?”  What, wrong question to ask?

To Any NBA Prognosticatorhaterade

…that hated on the Milwaukee Bucks.

Many people out there didn’t give the Bucks much chance to knock out the Atlanta Hawks after Andrew Bogut got hurt late in the season.

But with a 91-87 win earlier tonight, Milwaukee is now up 3-2 in the series.

How’s the Haterade taste?

Baltimore Orioles

…for their abysmal and embarrassing 4-17 start.

It can’t get much worse for the Birds.  I said it once and I’ll say it again – the O’s need a change.

Trembley seems like a good guy, and certainly the injuries and other struggles haven’t helped the team out of the gate, but I said it before – it comes down to accountability.

Someone has to take the fall, and the head honcho needs to find ways to keep a team from getting to this point – and that hasn’t happened.

So “for the birds” is exactly right…

This has been Throwing Tomatoes, where “rockin’ the red” is NOT a good thing…