Video of the day: Alvarez on commitment

You don't become an All-American third baseman and No. 2 pick in the 2008 MLB Draft overnight. Former Commodore Pedro Alvarez talks to Stack TV about his dedication to the game that he loves.

"I'm at the field for a big portion of the day," Alvarez said, "and it doesn't really bother me just because obviously baseball's what I love to do and the better you can become, the better you feel about yourself."

Alvarez noted that his strong work ethic came from his father.

"I always knew (dedication) was important because my dad emphasized it a lot, and as a child, I was lucky enough not to be stubborn and I listened to him," he said.



"I sacrificed a lot as a child, but I feel like it's paid off now and will pay off in the future," Alvarez said.

It most certainly will. Best of luck, Pedro, and thanks to the NY Dore for the find...

Video of the day: Foster posterizes "Fezzy-Winks"

Vanderbilt's all-time leading scorer Shan Foster recently competed in two summer leagues with the Dallas Mavericks, who selected him with the 51st pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

In five games in Las Vegas, Foster averaged 8.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He shot 49 percent from the field, which was tops among the Mavs' perimeter players, and also displayed a well-rounded game that had to please Dallas coaches and execs.

However, Foster's shooting stroke abandoned him in the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City. In six games, the 2008 SEC Player of the Year averaged 6.5 points (good for fifth-best on the team) on just 33 percent shooting, including 2-for-11 from 3-point range.

Still, Foster was 11-for-12 from the foul line and averaged 3.2 rebounds, grabbing eight boards in the finale against Utah, 1.3 assists and 1 steal, and added one absolutely monster dunk over Utah’s Kyrylo “Fezzy-Winks” Fesenko, sparking a Jazz timeout. Feel free to replay several times.



While I am certainly not speaking from experience, posterizing an awkward white dude named "Fezzy-Winks" has to be one of the best feelings in the world. Conversely, there's probably not much worse than backpedaling awkwardly on a fast break in an attempt to protect the basket only to watch helplessly as a 6'6" NBA hopeful/talented musician with major hops skies over you on his way to the rim.

And if "The Truth" (see, is it that hard to come up with a normal nickname?) was 50-50 to earn a roster spot before that dunk, how do you cut him now?

Videos of the Day: Top 5 Individual Moments of 2007

I don't know why I'd be nostalgic for the '07 football season, but I put this together anyway. I thought these were the top 5 individual Vanderbilt moments/performances of 2007.

5. Earl Bennett cements his legend

No. 10 made a diving catch in traffic for reception 209 to make himself the all-time SEC receptions leader. In all the years of the illustrious Southeastern Conference, no one has made more catches in their career than Bennett. It's been said a lot, but that really is an incredible achievement.


4. Nickson starts the year out right

Chris Nickson didn't have a memorable season, but his season-opener against the Spiders was about as good as a game a QB can have. Nickson was 19/26 for 284 yards and passed for four touchdowns, and Bennett set a school record with 223 yards receiving. Best pass is at 2:20.


3. D.J. Moore soumersalts into the end zone

D.J. picked off EMU QB Andy Schmitt and did a Reggie Bush into the end zone. Pretty cool stuff. It's at 3:50.


2. Defense puts on a show in Columbia as Vanderbilt gets biggest upset since the 1930s

Not really an individual performance but this merits mentioning. Vanderbilt put 17 points on the board, then the defense took over and absolutely stifled the (then) No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks. The Commodores had seven sacks, three interceptions, forced a fumble, and held the Cocks to 1-12 on third-down conversions. Vandy finally got the best of the Ol' Ball Coach; this also began the period when South Carolina, to quote Stewie Griffin, collapsed into itself like a neutron star.


1. The Sean Walker Show

Hey, look what happens when the Commodores open up the playbook. Walker showcased his speed with his first touchdown on a double reverse to give Vanderbilt the lead on Homecoming. His other touchdown was the No. 1 play on SportsCenter that night, and it might have been the greatest catch of the year for the whole conference. His older brother made this video, and a familiar face introduced the Vanderbilt players for ESPN that day.

Video of the Day: Start collecting your Earl Bennett football cards

As we turn our attention to the upcoming football season, I couldn't help but think about how much the Commodores are going to miss that soft-spoken wide receiver from Birmingham, Alabama.

Over the past three years, Earl Bennett was so consistently spectacular that we eventually began to take him for granted. It's going to take years before we truly appreciate what Bennett accomplished in the black and gold.

Having never watched a Vanderbilt football game without Earl Bennett, it's going to be a little strange when there is no No. 10 lined up wide this fall. Probably stranger than it is to see Bennett wearing a Chicago Bears jersey during this Topps 2008 NFL Rookie Photo Shoot.



Here's what I wrote about Earl for The Hustler when he declared for the NFL Draft back in January. I think you'll enjoy it:

When asked what he would buy with his first NFL paycheck, Earl Bennett did not hesitate.

"My mom a house," he said.

The answer reaffirmed what we already knew - that, as talented a player as Bennett is, he's an even better person. For No. 10, it was never about the records. In fact, those seemed to matter more to us than to him. After games, Bennett used to say he would trade all of his catches in for a bowl berth. And he meant it.

Looking back at his remarkable career, so many games stand out.

We saw him break out against Richmond on Family Weekend in 2005. He never looked back.

We saw him torch Florida in "The Swamp" and unfairly get called for an excessive celebration penalty, which was ironic considering his modesty, and then again in 2006, when he made two defenders knock heads.

We saw him make The Catch on a slant over the middle to give the Commodores their first victory over Tennessee since 1982. Bennett said that game was his favorite.

This season, we saw Bennett earn first-team All-SEC honors, despite constant double teams and erratic quarterback play. And we saw him play through pain most of us have never felt.

Players like Bennett do not come around often, and while selfish Commodore fans and players would have liked to see him return for his final season, we both understand and support his decision.

To the NFL team that drafts Bennett, you will not regret it. You are not only getting a great route-runner with exceptional hands and fearless attitude, but over 6,000 new fans.

"Hopefully people will remember me by my character and not my outstanding ability on the football field," Bennett said.

How about we do both?

Video of the Day: Move over Usher, Shan Foster to go platinum

In his spare time, Shan Foster decided to write a song about the upcoming NBA Draft (Thursday at 7 p.m. CT). "The Truth" never ceases to amaze us.



Here are the lyrics to Foster's new hit single "I can't wait to play in the NBA"

I can't wait to play in the NBA (2X)

I'm waiting for the draft
working hard to improve to my craft
From New Orleans to Tennessee
I'm the best at shooting the three
I'll take you off the dribble, pass my man
I'm in the lane, now watch me slam

I can't wait to play in the NBA (2X)

Just as a kid, watching TV
Already knew what I want to be
Started off as just a dream
But my family believed in me
Played for Vandy, for USA
But now I'm headed to the NBA

I can't wait to play in the NBA (4X)

Man, I'm going to miss Shan Foster. He is projected to land in the second round (No. 54 by ESPN's Chad Ford). Listening to Foster perform, you realize that a) he has a pretty good back-up plan if this basketball thing doesn't work out and b) he really wants to play in the NBA. We're certainly pulling for him.

How great would it be if Foster performed this live on ESPN on draft night? "From New Orleans to Tennessee, I'm the best at shooting the three." It doesn't get much better than that.

Link: ESPN The Magazine

Video of the Day: Ryan Flaherty Highlight Reel

Ryan Flaherty was drafted as the 41st overall pick in the country by the Chicago Cubs, a team that has lately been concentrating more than most major league clubs on selecting college players with more experience than those just out of high school.

The shortstop had an outstanding three-year run with the Commodores, batting .349 with 20 home runs and 169 RBIs for his career.

In the 2008 campaign, Flaherty showed a knack for power, hitting 14 home runs and driving in 63 runs, leading the team in both categories.

VUCommodores put together a highlight reel of some of his best defensive and offensive moments from 2006 to 2008.

Video of the Day: Alvarez Highlight Reel

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Vanderbilt junior Pedro Alvarez with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. In this MLB.com piece, the Pirates say they are confident that Alvarez will be a Major League third baseman.

Also, make sure to check to this SI.com feature about the sacrifices that Pedro Jr. and Sr. have made over the years.

Lastly, enjoy this highlight reel put together by VU Commodores. Thanks for three great years, Pedro, and best of luck in the future. We'll be watching.

Video of the Day: Aaron Baker wins it for the Sooners

Well, there it is. In the bottom of the ninth, Oklahoma's Aaron Baker belted a 2-2 pitch from Russell Brewer out of the park to end Vanderbilt's season.

Video of the Day: The Truth

Here is part 2 of Shan Foster's interview with the Barca Blog, where The Truth discusses how he's preparing for next month's NBA Draft, the impact of Kevin Stallings on him as a player and what he hopes will be his legacy at Vanderbilt.

Videos of the Day: Shan Foster highlights

Going hand-in-hand with Foster's interview with the Barca Blog below, courtesy of vucommodores.com, here is a compilation of highlights from the last two seasons of the remarkable career of Vanderbilt's Shan Foster.



And, if you haven't checked it out (I don't know how you couldn't have), check out the video of Foster's 42 points against Mississippi State on Senior Night. Not being at that game will always be a regret, but when you schedule Senior Night during Spring Break, a lot of students aren't going to be there.

Video of the Day: The Truth

There may eventually be a better basketball player to put on a Vanderbilt jersey, but I doubt we'll ever see a better person than recent graduate Shan Foster. The school's all-time leading scorer recently sat down with the Barca Blog to talk about a number of topics, including his growth over the past four years and unforgettable performance on Senior Night. Enjoy.

Video of the Day: Road to Omaha

With the final regular season baseball series to get underway tonight in Gainesville (5:30 p.m. CT), I figured it'd be appropriate to show this inspirational video put together by one of our readers, Greg. It gives me chills every time. And what an awesome and appropriate song.

Hopefully the Commodores perform well enough down the stretch to be able to host another Regional at Hawkins Field in a couple of weeks. Last year's atmosphere was unlike anything I've ever experienced.



Special prize to anyone who can find me in the video. I'm in there for a second, I promise.

Video of the Day: O.J. Mayo Investigation

The fact that prized high school and college athletes are receiving improper benefits from runners and agents shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.

Still, ESPN's "Outside the Lines" investigation of USC basketball player O.J. Mayo was too thorough to ignore. Here's a clip of the show in which reporter Kelly Naqi interviews Louis Johnson, a former member of Mayo's inner circle. I think it says a lot about the state of big-time college athletics as a whole.



I'm off to the dentist, but feel free to keep the discussion going on the post below and I'll be back later this afternoon. Hopefully.

Video of the Day: How's that for overrated?

All-American third baseman Pedro Alvarez showed Memphis fans what happens when you start chanting "over-rated!" Watch as the junior hits an absolute bomb over the scoreboard in right field that traveled an estimated 430 feet.

Enjoy.



That's got to be one of the sweetest swings I've ever seen. Thanks to the Barca Blog for the find.

Video of the Day: Scott Van Pelt does a field sobriety test

Thanks to Awful Announcing for this one, featuring Scott Van Pelt of Sportscenter while reporting the No. 1 play of the day from a minor league baseball game between Long Island and Quinnipiac. The catch the Quinnipiac outfielder made is impressive enough, but Scott Van Pelt has a hilarious comment about his friends who came over to congratulate him.

Video of the Day: Charles Barkley can't get enough of Damon Jones

This video is from the 2006 NBA Slam-Dunk Contest where the incomparable Charles Barkley was commentating. At this point in his life, Charles Barkley has reached a status that he can basically say whatever he wants when he's on TV. While the rest of the announcing team talks about Andre Iguadola's flashy dunk, Barkley can't shut up about Damon Jones' ridiculous red jacket.

Video of the Day: Excessive Celebration

Down goes Delaney! Down goes Delaney! Watch as an Arena League Football referee gets drilled right in the uhh...wind area? Mid-section? You have to see this one for yourself.



I love how the player comes over to see if Delaney is OK and how Delaney has to take a deep breath before making the call. Good times.

Video of the Day: Jackie Robinson Tribute

Players across Major League Baseball celebrated the 61st anniversary of Jackie Robinson's barrier-breaking debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers today.

"To me, he means everything," said Cleveland Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia. "I wouldn't get a chance to play this game if it wasn't for him. He means so much to so many people, but he means everything to me."

This video is a nice tribute to one of the sport's strongest and most influential figures. While Robinson may no longer be with us, he remains an inspiration to us all.

Video of the Day: Masters Sunday

If this doesn't get you fired up to watch the Masters, I don't know what will. Tiger Woods (5-under) seeks to win his first green jacket since 2005, but will have to overtake four others, including Vanderbilt grad Brandt Snedeker, who is two shots off the lead at 9-under.



Enjoy the day, everyone.

Video of the Day: Don't try this at home

Locked in a tight race for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award, Kobe Bryant recently pulled off a stunt that Chris Paul could never do -- jump over a moving Aston Martin. Or did he?



There's no question that the video is fake, but props to Kobe and the editing guys for a job well done.