Welcome Back, Rick Reilly.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=reilly_rick&id=4299149

Reilly offers his best article in a long, long time. How acting like you were still playing high school sports could make your 9-5 that much better.

Because, remember, the beatings will continue until morale improves.

Chicago Biases

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-07-cubs-ramirez-chicago-jul07,0,3685292.story

First, Dave van Dyck's detailing of Rammy's return to the field last night.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-07-white-sox-bits-chicago-jul07,0,1465006.story

Second, Sox Beat Writer Mark Gonzales' detailing of how Gordon Beckham is heating up and settling in at the hot corner for the Pale Hose.

From the Artist Formerly Known as Sports Illustrated

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/07/06/midseason.awards/index.html?eref=sihpT1

Even though the mighty have fallen, always worth while to see who's taking home imaginary mid-season hardware for individual performance. This edition: MLB

I'm Pretty Sure the Last Time I Heard The Sporting News Mentioned was in Bull Durham

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-07-06/mlb-power-poll-biggest-first-half-surprises

But what's better than quick notes on baseball's first-half surprises?

From the Pioneers at DeadSpin

http://deadspin.com/5308468/diagramming-sarah-palins-full+court-press-metaphor?skyline=true&s=x

Was anybody else caught off-guard on Sarah Palin's full-court-press-as-a-resignation? ... Yeah, weird.

You Can't Trust 'Em for Calling Out Irregulaties in Politics, but They Did All Right With This One

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/sports/baseball/07injuries.html?_r=1&hp&pagewanted=all

The New York Times, everybody! Good read going into why there's such a ridiculously high population on the Disabled List this summer.

Believe It Or Not, They Still Have Baseball in Baltimore

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-sp.cowherd02jul02,0,4009446.column

... But nobody's buying the Orioles-Fans-As-The-Forgotten-Tortured-Fanbase-Not-From-Chicago-Boston-or-Philly.

Most Rational, Most Realistic Michael Jackson Article Since... you know...

http://www.newsweek.com/id/204296

Newsweek still exists apparently... same with Life. who knew?

Enjoy all these reads... all of them supremely better written and more articulate than my ramblings. Working on an MLB All-Star piece that I'll have ready for you by week's end just in time for the All-Star Break.

The Headline

Roger Federer won his 15th major yesterday by defeating Andy Roddick in an amazing match. A 16-14 5th set won it for Federer and left Roddick with yet another gut check loss. ...

It really looked like Roddick was going to pull it out, too. The turning point, though, came in the 2nd set when Roddick had 3 unforced errors allowing Federer to win 16 straight points to clinch the 2nd set.

Roddick was good enough to win yesterday; in fact, Roddick should have won. But in the end it was Federer, much the same way the Yankees win so many playoff series, and his audience of Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg that were too much for Roddick to handle.

I'd love to see Andy Roddick bounce back in the US Open. It might just be enough to rouse the American fans' interest in tennis reminiscent of the Jim Courier, Andre Aggasi, Pete Sampras days.

Manny's Back!

Amazing what a 50 day absence will do to a man.

Can anybody else remember Manny Ramirez digging hard enough on a grounder to make it a close play at first let alone having reason to argue with the umpire?

Hopefully, this is a new leaf for Manny. The biggest story about Manny from last week stopped being how he's a major attraction in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and turned into "Why is Manny Getting a Free Pass from the Fans?"

Maybe because the press has been giving Manny a free pass since he was picked off of first base, while still in his pre-dreads Cleveland Indians days, by Javy Lopez in the 1995 World Series. For the last 15 years, it's all come down to "Manny Being Manny". The beat writers, the commentators, the ESPN achors all let it boil down to "Manny Being Manny."

So where does this leave everything as of the free pass on steroids? It leaves us here: Manny's an asshole. And we know it. A complete and total douchebag that can flat out rake. Also worth noting that his team proved it's the best team in baseball without Manny Ramirez. When a team's winning, there's really not a whole lot to complain about.

So Manny's a d-bag and the Dodgers are solid top to bottom. Agreed? Muy Bien.

Rasheed Wallace Agrees to Sign with the Celtics & Jason Kidd Promises to Sign with the Mavericks.

Perfect. And both teams are eligible for tax cuts because they support more Baby Boomers than social security.

Celtics are still the 3rd best team in the East and will be out of the playoffs in the first round.

Mavericks lost relevancy 2 years ago.

Now THAT'S how you run a franchise.

Let's Talk About Shock Value

Steve McNair's death is officially ruled a homicide.

Now THIS is shocking. A quiet, soft-spoken NFL quarterback never linked to anything even remotely foul took two the head and two more to the chest.

Over the last week and a half, people have been stating their states of shock over the death of Michael Jackson. MJ's death doesn't even compare to Steve McNair's death in terms of shock.

How could anything Michael Jackson did, including death, after 1994 serve as shocking? You could have told me anything about Michael Jackson--literally, anything--and I would not have been shocked. He was easily the craziest person not accused of being a serial killer of the 20th century.

Possible MJ Scenarios that Wouldn't have Shocked Me:

1.) Michael Jackson's joining the preisthood.
2.) Michael Jackson's attemtping to adopt a baby from Nigeria.
3.) Michael Jackson's joingin the priesthood and then adopting a baby fron Nigeria.

Throw in the fact that found next to Steve McNair was his mistress. Sure, it's assumed that professional athletes all have one or two extra women on the side, but to have both pro athlete and his mistress executed mafia style? Now THAT'S crazy.

And as of 11:07 AM today, Nobody's uttered a word about it.

Crazier than pretty much anything Michael Jackson ever did.

Lebron, you asked for help. You got it. You definitely got a big body to go down low.

The Phoenix Suns agreed to send Shaq to Cleveland for Sacha Pavlovic, Ben Wallace, the No. 46 pick in the draft, and $500,000. MAKE IT RAIN!

The trade solidifies a few things for us going into tonight's draft: ...

1. Phoenix has officially entered Rebuilding Mode. Amare Stoudamire and Steve Nash might be on the move next.
2. Cleveland wants to win yesterday. That's the only reason Cleveland would trade for Shaq who's definitely running on low in the gas tank. He's got 1, Maybe 2, more solid seasons left in him. Would you believe it if I told you that Shaq's still putting up 17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks a game? More than that, would you find it equally as or more shocking that Shaq actually played in 75 games last year averaging 30 minutes a night? Me TOO! Really, I had no idea... I blame this on ESPN for sucking in its west coast coverage. The jury's still out on your LA Sportscenter...

As for the Rest of the Draft...

Blake Griffin goes first, Thabeet goes second (he'll suck, by the by), Rubio third, and Stephen Curry goes either 6th or 8th. Do any of those guys make a difference next year a la Derrick Rose? Nnnnnope.

The rest of the class is filled with 6th men, roster fillers, and D-leaguers.

With that, the Chicago Bulls select...

Nobody of any consequence.

I've had my fill of guys with solid college pedigrees (Hinrich from Kansas, Jay Williams/Duhon/Deng from Duke, Noah from Florida, etc.). If new GM Gar Forman goes anywhere near DeJaun Blair (achy-breaky knees, no heart), Tyler Hansbrough (all heart, too many miles), or Nick Calathes (PG out of Florida), I'm already claiming it a true Cubby Blue "Wait Till Next Year...".

Rumor mill's really churning hard on Kirk Hinrich's leaving the team this summer, if not tonight. If it's tonight, it's the No. 26 pick and Kirk Hinrich to Portland for Travis Outlaw and another guard. ANOTHER GUARD!

For the love of all things naked and alcoholic, show me a 4 or a 5 with B+ offensive ability downlow. Outlaw has some offensive ability (~13 pts per game, 1 offensive rebound per game), but I want a big body down low that's ready to bang.

Since there's nobody like that in the draft outside of Blake Griffin, I motion to mortgage the draft to get an established big man. The two options here are, in order of likelihood, Amare Stoudamire and Chris Bosh. I'd prefer Chris Bosh, but I'd settle for Amare Stoudamire--and it hurts to say that. Amare Stoudamire will play no more than 50 games next year and miss the entire post-season. Mark my words.

For Some Reason, People are Still Surprised Yao Ming's Big Ass Foot is Still Broken...

Wake me in February to talk about an NBA center that's constantly nursing a sore foot.

LSU Chalks Up Its 6th CWS Title...

Behind it's powerhouse offense.

After pouncing on the Longhorns for 4 early runs, Texas tied the game but couldn't put anything else together. LSU put up 6 more runs before the 9th as it brutally beat the hell out of Texas' pitching.

Every Texas pitcher looked scared shitless to be on the mound. Ouch.

In somewhat unrelated news, I'm roadtripping to Omaha next year to hit on every LSU sister, girlfriend, wife, and mother. The more mardi gras beads, the better. And upon my return, I'll be speaking Cajun dialect.

One City, Two Teams

Hopefully, I can say it for certain this time: The White Sox look to be putting it all together. HA! Noooo, I can't. But still... it could be worse. It could be the Cubs. Did anybody else see the embarrassment in Detroit? Even when I wouldn't mind--hell, I'd even prefer--a Cubs win, the Cubs just can't make it happen. Jesus God.

The Sox nutted all over the Dodgers, the best team in baseball, last night with 6 home runs including 2 off the bat of Josh Fields, while Gavin Floyd kept the Dodgers quiet at the plate giving up only 3 runs (1 earned)on 6 hits in 6 innings.

Somebody open up the gloves on defense though! Another multi-error game for the Sox as Gordon Beckham picks up his 4th on a ground ball and Alexei Ramirez tacks his 6th on a line drive.

And, Jimmy Gobble, you can go away now. Thank... no, no... Thank you. That'll be all.

The Headline

And a most pretentious one at that... Manny Ramirez went 0-for-2 for the Albuquerque Isotopes in his first action since his suspension.

The bigger story here is the fact that Manny Ramirez's playing in Triple-A is such a big freaking story. ...

ESPN made sure we knew how each of Manny's 2 at-bats turned out (K, ground out to short). And John Kruk graciously expanded on why the guy's swing is out of sync. Clearly, knowing Manny hasn't played in a game since his May 7 suspension isn't enough.

It's a slow day in news when Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the country's newsline boom. It's not like Ozzie Smith, Don Mattingly, Daryl Strawberry, Mike Scioscia, Steve Sax, and Doc Gooden didn't all play for the Isotopes 15 years ago. What? That was an episode of The Simpsons? I don't believe you.

Does anybody else feel weirdly sympathetic to Manny Ramirez? In today's LA Times, T.J. Simers' article headline reads "Even He Can't Stay Mad at Manny."

Manny's a cocky, show-boating, selfish player, but, god dammit, I love watching him hit. **Sentiments not applicable to Yankees fans living outside of the Washington Heights neighborhood**

Can we think of any other athletes who fit the Manny Ramirez criterion of being a shitty-teammate-and-makes-no-qualms-about-it-but-people-like-him-anyways?

The NBA Draft Started Last Night and Nobody Told Me...

The Minnesota Timberwolves basically own the first round of tomorrow night's draft. The post-Kevin McHale Era begins with Minnesota's sending Randy Foye and Mike Miller (White Guy with a jumpshot!!) to Washington in exchange for the No. 5 pick in the draft, Darius Songalia, Etan Thomas, and Oleksiy Pecherov.

With this trade, the T-Wolves now own the Nos. 5, 6, 18, & 28 picks. I call bullshit. There's no way the T-Wolves need All Those 1st Round Busts when they have Darius Songalia.

And raise your hand if you know who Etan Thomas or Oleksiy Pecherov is? I'm pretty sure Oleksiy Pecherov is the chick from Dodgeball with the messed up teeth. ... No?

Has there been a draft with a less intriguing crop? After Blake Griffin, we're talking about Tyler Hansbrough, Louisville's & Pitt's front court, Steph Curry, Eric Maynor, and Brandon "Loopholes Live in Italy" Jennings.

Here's to Not watching Feburary 2010's Rookie-Sophomore Challenge.

Richard Jefferson Just Got Traded Again...

This time he's leaving Milwaukee and headed to San Antonio in exchange for 800 year old Kurt Thomas, Bruce Bowen, and Fabricio Oberto.

Milwaukee then went ahead and traded Oberto to Detroit for about 10,000 shares of GM... oh, and Amir Johnson. (who ARE these guys...)

In the Most Entertaining Baseball on TV for the Last Week...

Texas beat LSU 5-1 last night in Game 2 in the best of 3 College World Series.

Seriously, turn off whatever slumping MLB team you're watching and get some metal bat PING sound effects in your life.

In last night's Game 2, Texas owned LSU all night. Tyler Jungmann pitched 9 innings scattering 5 hits for 1 run, 9 strikeouts, and only 2 walks. And TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF from the previous night's relief appearance of 6 pitches, 6 balls, and a shower.

Watching the game, though, you just kept waiting for LSU to storm back. The Tigers have been an offensive powerhouse all series scoring 6+ runs 10 times throughout the CWS tournament.

Like I said, much more entertaining than whatever terribleness the Sox, Cubs, Yankees, or Mets put on last night.

Is BG7 motor city bound?

Cubs Win Streak is Over...Derek Lee's is Not
Despite a decent outing from Ryan Dempster the Cubs four game winning streak ended at the hands of the Atlanta Braves 2-0. Derek Lee did extending his hit streak to a career high 19 games. Its nice to have you back DLee. White Sox were idle on Monday.

US Soccer Miracle Win in Confederations Cup
While I was out duffing golf balls this Sunday for Father's Day with my Dad and two brothers the United States Men's National Team somehow advanced to the semifinals of FIFA's Confederations Cup in South Africa. Of course the USMNT plays great the one game I don't watch. The US advanced by dominating the champions of Africa 3-0 and benefiting from Brazil defeating Italy by the same score. The US face Spain (FIFA #1 team in the world) on Wednesday on ESPN 2:25 EST. Check out my report on the game at theloveofsports.com. Anything is possible!!

The College World Series Has Arrived
I watched a college baseball game for the first time in awhile and was actually entertained. LSU won the first game of this year's series defeating powerhouse Texas 7-6 in 11 innings. The Tigers will try to finish of the Longhorns Tuesday night 7 P.M. EST on ESPNThe fans in Omaha where the CWS is held every year was packed. Good for you College Baseball.

Ben Gordon to Pistons?
There has been talk of the Chicago Bulls shooting guard going to Detroit for big money recently. After a killer series against Boston in the playoffs the Bulls have to decide if they want to keep the former UConn Huskie. John Paxson better make some serious moves if Gordon goes to "The D". DWade in a Bulls uniform? In my dreams.

Greatest mustache of my life.

Reciever Dante Stallworth is suspended indefinitely by NFL Commish Roger Goodell

The Cleveland Brown wide out received a controversial sentence for killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol. 30 days in jail. A person dies and he gets 30 days. Michael Vick was in jail for like two years and his crimes weren't even people related. Did Stallworth bring back Johnny Cochrane from the dead for his guilty plea. Jaysus.

So now begins the "How is Goodell Going to Straighten Out This Bad Apple" debate on ESPN that will last forever. Way too many people think it's Goodell's job to turn these troubled players lives around. Say I'm a professional football player and I get into legal trouble. Do you think me walking into a room with some guy I've never met before is going make me see the light and turn me into a boy scout?

The first day of the US Open was rained out.

You know its a slow news day when precipitation is the top story.

How about Phil's hair? Sorry, that's all I got. Wake me up when John Daley makes a comeback.

On a more personal note the Heffernan men will venture out to golf course this Father's Day for a day of lost balls, divits, curse words, broken tees, ketchup stains, slices, and swass. A lot of swass. Seriously, I have a problem.

Confederations Cup: US Gets Owned By Brazil. Italy is Upset by Egypt.

Being the soccer nerd I've become I found a way to watch the U.S. get walloped by Kaka and company. Depressing to say the least. The team looked lost.

But a lighter side the Pharohs took down the defending World Champions Italy in a huge 1-0 victory. Now all the U.S. needs to do is beat them by at least 3 goals and hope the Italians get spanked by Brazil.

After that horrific of a performance I hope U.S. coach Bob Bradley shakes up the starting lineup quite a bit. C'mon boys give me some hope!

I hit my eight year old brother Brendan in the lip playing catch with a hard ball

While I've been in Columbus I've been working with the little guy with his baseball skills everyday and I think I've made him worse. Momma Hef says only rubber balls from now on. Probably a good idea. Kid was ok. Little blood, front lip the size of Angelina's. Credit to my buddy after he took it right in the kisser he came back out and started playing catch again. It reminded me of the Adam Sandler CD bit where he's in right field praying to God the batter doesn't hit it to him. Big game for the little guy on Saturday. Let's hope there's no tears.

Cubs Win!! DLee goes deep

Derek Lee is on a 14 game hit streak! His eight inning 2-run home run helped the Cubs beat the Southsiders 5-4. Kevin Gregg picked up the win actually. Jaysus.

The US Open is slated to start today Bethpage Black on Long Island today. Will Tiger dominate? Will Phil "Sentimental Favorite" Mickelson win one for the Gipper? Will the gallery be as good as 2002? ...

Lots of questions and only one certainty on Day 1... the entire tournament is up for grabs. The weather conditions will limit everybody's short game, but should definitely curtail Tiger's tee shots.

Does Tiger have a marked advantage anyways? He sure does. He's that much better than anybody else, but here's to hoping Phil doesn't choke, we find another Rocco Mediate dark horse, and somebody takes a hybrid club to Rorry Sabbatini's knee cap.

If the weather keeps up as is, I'll bet the Field over Tiger.

SOO-WEEEEEEEEE

All hog calls are in honor of the Arkansas Razorbacks who pulled off a great, great comeback in an elimination game last night against Virginia.

With 2 outs and a man on first in the top of the 9th, Arkansas ties the game at 3 with a 2-run homer. In the bottom of the 9th with runners on 1st and 2nd for Virginia, Arkansas turns a web gem of a 6-4-3 double play.

Arkansas closed it out with 2 runs in the top of the 12th.

Only slightly less amazing than the game itself: The fact that I could not remember a single name from either team. Research before you write, Blake?... is that what you said? No, sir, I did this in honor of every college sports video game that never assigns names to its simulated, polygonic players. It's the name on the front that's more important than the name on the back. Kurt Russell taught me that in Miracle, I'll have you know.

How come the College World Series doesn't get more burn? Pretty much every game for the last 2 weeks of the tournament is awesome. The tournament itself is flawed. Games like FSU's 37-0 win over Ohio State shouldn't even be played.

You know it's bad when the Florida State coaches are dumbfounded when they have no answer to, "Hey, coach, do you think you shoulda let up a bit out there?" They had no answer... "We tried to. Really, we did. We just kept hitting the ball."

Rumor Mills Never Stop Churning...

Amare Stoudamire to the T-Wolves? SI.com reports that something might be brewing here.

Just another sign that Minnesota is a terrible franchise beyond Kevin McHale. Amare Stoudamire? Most Overrated. Big. Ever.

He could be Moses Malone and he's barely Antoine Carr. (Really, put some Oakley shades on Amare during the game and tell me he doesn't look like Antoine Carr.)

Well, That Didn't Take Very Long At All.

Brazil vs Dem Yanks. Right the Eff Now.

6 minutes in and Felipe Melo puts one in the back of the net.

Here's to hoping Brazil has another "But We're Brazil. jajajajaja" let down like it just did against Egypt.

Otherwise, Thanks for coming, Team USA!

(SeanHef... Your rebuttal)

Not that anyone cares, but...

No Morning Stretch tomorrow. At least not from me.

Wisdom teeth are coming right out and I'm gonna be high as a kite watching Cubs - Sox and then re-runs of 227 a la Pineapple Express.

Speaking of Cubs - Sox...

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhahahahahahahaha.

And, no, this is not the first time I've gloated my barely mediocre team over the North Side's slight less than mediocre/definitely underachieving team.

Today's pitching matchup is Gavin Floyd vs Carlos Zambrano. I'm excited to watch and not remember this one. I can only imagine the anethesia is going to have me fiesty and full of ethnic slurs for Carlos Zambrano.

The Sox need JD, Paulie, A.J., and Alexei badly. I'm not expecting anything more than 2 runs off of Zambrano, but if the Sox can chase Zambrano to the showers in the 5th or 6th then I'm supremely confident the Sox bats can handle the Cubs bullpen.

Special nod today to Ozzie Guillen for managing that game yesterday. Took Danks out at the right time, called for a hit and run with Paulie and a man on first at the right time... and did somebody say Scott Podsednik suicide squeeze?

Hoping for another good one today.

Good Guys Wear Black!

The Headline

The Crosstown Series' opener was postponed last night.  With both teams looking as mediocre as ever, I was really hoping for a good game, a bench clearing brawl, and Carlos Zambrano's exploding his knee rounding second base. ...

What am I left with?  Mets - Orioles... great.  I'd rather watch the '69 World Series on ESPN Classic.

David Wright's dreamy and all, but the Mets' Mike Pelfrey blows harder than Linda Lovelace.

Today's Cubs-Sox Game

Danks v Dempster as the pitching match-up. Jermaine Dye should be back in the lineup after 3 days off, Paulie's lookin' good after a quick gut check with stretched thumb ligaments, and Gordon Beckham's looking like he's adjusting well to major league pitching.

As for the Cubs? No A-Ram, but Mike Fontenot is still swinging the stick as a illegitamate power threat. Pfff... please, let me know when Alfonso Soriano is hitting above .250.

With some warmer weather, I'm expecting (Re: Hoping) for the Sox's bats to B an L on the Bleacher Bums' Ts.

In case you're completely naive...

Sammy Sosa tested positive for steroids. Somebody finally leaked. Sure, it's a matter of semantics, but can we really call this a "leak"?

Confirming Sammy Sosa took steroids led to my sleeping better last night... or it could have been the Jack Daniels.

Honestly, before the Sox traded Sosa to the Cubs for George Bell, I would have bet my life that George Bell would have beaten the ever-loving shit out of Sosa. Then 1998 came and Sosa looked like Bobbly Lashley (formerly of the WWE, current of some backyard MMA league) before Bobby Lashley died his hair Demolition Man blonde.

Moving on...

Da Bears' Wide Receiving Corps Could Look Like a Less Famous Version of the Team of Convicts from Necessary Roughness...

If they sign Plaxico or Brandon Marshall. Personally, I wouldn't mind Brandon Marshall if I had an inkling that Lovie Smith would do more to keep him in line.

Doesn't Lovie Smith just strike you as the parent that disciplines his 5-year old child with "Let's talk about this. This is why this is bad. Now go to your room and think really hard about what you've done." Flash forward 10 years and everybody's trying to figure out why this kid is such a nightmarish hemorrhoid on the sphincter of society. All the ritaline in the world won't help this kid and all the inflatable Weeble-Wobbles dressed up in women's lingerie won't suffice Brandon Marshall's slap-a-ho muscles.

What about Plax, you say? I've said it once and I'll say it again: One false move and get swiss cheesed up.

Sorry Dwight.

So yeah...nobody told us that part of the deal with having a website was that you have to know, write on it regularly. Admittedly, we've been about as productive as a GM plant the past few days. But in a nutsehell, here's what you missed:

The Lakers now lead 3-1 in the NBA finals after their second OT win in four games.

You gotta feel for the Magic. Homeboys can't finish. Both overtime losses shouldn't even have made it to OT as they blew leads late in both games AND choked in the waning seconds of regulation when they had opportunities to regain the lead and put the game away - twice. Kobe still complains too much and Howard can't hit a free throw to save his life. But how about D. Fisher?!?! OMAGOD!!!! Dude could be the next big shot Bob. His late in regulation 3 poiner, followed by a clutch 3 in overtime did more than anything else to twist the knife in Orlando's back. As much as I hate to admit it, I'll be very surprised if this series makes its way back to the City of the Angels. The Magic are simply outgunned.

Playmakers at 'Bama are in a whole heap of trouble for getting free textbooks.

My personal feelings about Nick Saban and the integrity of any program he's a part of aside - we're missing the point here. These guys weren't getting free clothes, or cars or hookers or blow - they were given free text books. You know - to learn? Like you do in college. Can't we just chalk this one up to "perks of being a student-athlete" and be happy they even wanted text books. I didn't play college sports. Learning was the whole reason I was there - and there were semesters where I didn't have a single text book. Also - let's cut the shit and call this what it is. These guys make millions of dollars for the school every year. We can pay their tuition, but not for their text books? They can take a free x-box from a bowl committee, but not from a booster? They can get free shoes from Nike, but not from an agent? Let's lighten up on the hypocrisy and stop forcing these kids to live in a "take this, not that" environment. Do you remember college? You were 19, poor as hell and far from home. You would have taken just about anything for free.

Getting off the Soapbox...

Game of the Stanley Cup Finals is tonight at 8 on NBC for the 5 of you who care.

I'm predicting a close game, possibly an overtime or two, but barring a Marc-Andre Fleury miracle, Detroit's experience and depth will win out.

Apparently Ronaldo is playing for Madrid now.

I have no idea what any of this means, but Sean said it was important. I guess Real Madrid is going around being the Red Sox to ManU's Yankees - flexing their checkbook in an effort to be top dog - Ahhhh Capitalism.

Chicago baseball teams are disappointing.

I'm not sure what's acceptable down on 35th St. but here on the North Side, .500 ball isn't OK. The Cubbies trail The Brew Crew by 2.5 games while the ChiSox are a whopping 5.5 back of the Tigers.

Let's see, what else?

Meth in Nascar...no big shock there. Rednecks + Speed = Meth. Right?

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=4245969

Vick cut by Falcons...Canada is in for a treat.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4253231

Manny says the wrong thing...Again.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4249022

Mickelson to play in next two PGA events before family vacation and begininning of wife's treatment. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Mickelson family.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4248964

We'll keep writing. You keep reading. Ready? Break!

-Wild Bill

Kobe Loses, America Rejoices!
The Magic take Game 3 of the NBA Finals on their home court 108-104. Outside of LA and Orlando the only reason I have any desire to watch the NBA Finals is to watch Kobe lose. All I am hoping for is a slow motion shot of Bryant balling his eyes out pounding his fists on the court asking the heavens why is he came up short of another ring. Kobe is the kid on the playground that would cheat, spit, cry, and lie to win game of one on one. All you want in the world is for that kid to get his ass handed to him. ...

You hear stories of Lakers practices where if Kobe got beat in a drill by someone he wouldn’t let his teammate off the court until he beat them. It’s one thing to want to be the best you can possibly be, but getting furious over a Jerry West quote about how Lebron is the better player or throwing a hissy fit when you lose it’s not ambition, it’s avarice. I don’t care how sweet his fade away is if struts down the court gloating like an idiot as fellow Bomber writer Will Blake alluded to in yesterday’s Morning Stretch.

And so goes the downfall of the modern athlete. Kobe isn’t the only severely flawed sports star, but this week he’s in the spotlight in all his Macbethian splendor. I don’t know if it’s the times or if the basketball stars we grew up with just knew how to hide their flaws better than the players of today. Perhaps the media’s learned that T.O. sells more than Joe Montana and is in part to blame. I don’t know maybe I’m just a 24 year old geezer who needs to be put in a home somewhere. Who knows? But is it me or does Phil Jackson look like he hates his life?

Wings and Penguins Go to 7
Yes, hockey is still going on for those of you not paying attention. Sid “The Kid” Crosby and the Pittsburg Penguins forced the NHL Stanley Cup back to Detroit for one more game. I say the Red Wings finish them up at home to win another title for the Motor City. C’mon with GM closing which city could really use something to cheer about? Pittsburg just won the Super Bowl. I have a bunch of family in the D and the city sure has seen better times. I got lost downtown last time I was in Detroit and I felt I was in a post-apocalyptic movie.

Kaka to Real Madrid for Way Too Much Money
Despite there being yearlong rumors of Cristiano Ronaldo going to Real Madrid it looks like the club has invested their future in Brazilian 27-year old Ricardo Kaka for 90+ million. Kaka was the best player in the world three years ago, but that was three years ago. He’s at best third in the world behind Messi and Ronaldo, but he has been plagued by injuries in the past year or so. Another rumor from Real Madrid is that they are after Spanish forward David Villa for a mere $50 million. I’d take Villa over Kaka any day. The Spaniard scores goals in his sleep.

USC Head Coach Tim Floyd Resigns
I think it goes pretty much assumed that if you’re a college basketball coach you’re a dirt bag nowadays. Handing some guy a sweaty wad of cash for O.J. Mayo must’ve been the tip of the iceberg. I just want to see Pete Carroll’s dirty laundry in the light of day.

Favre/Vikings Drama Coming to a Head
The Minnesota Vikings have told Brett Favre to make a decision or get lost. I now have a greater respect for Vikings head coach Brad Childress beyond his mustache.

-Sean Heffernan