BoSox Shutout...Again

• Chelsea and Manchester United locked horns at Wembley Stadium in London for the Community Shield, a friendly ahead of the English Premier League curtain raiser next weekend. Chelsea were winners on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
  
• UFC 101 saw Anderson Silva score an easy win over Forrest Griffin and BJ Penn tap out Kenny Florian in the fourth round of their championship fight.
  
• the New York Yankees shut out the Boston Red Sox again yesterday, stretching their AL East lead to 5.5 games, and stretched their shutout innings streak to 24 on Boston.
  
• Chicago Black Hawk Patrick Kane was arrested in a dispute over twenty cents change with a cab driver. You can't make this stuff up.
  
• Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price was rocking a Washington Nationals hat around Montreal. That guy could really use a publicist to spare him boneheaded moves like that.
• A survey of 5,500 teens in Canada looked at the popularity of various sports in the six NHL cities. In Toronto, and only in Toronto, did the NHL not rank first. It was actually third choice after the NBA and soccer.
• MLS Commissioner Don Garber says Montreal is almost certain to be the next expansion site for the league in 2011, giving the league three Canadian franchises including Toronto and Vancouver, the latter joining next year.
• Here's a very large part of why the New York Yankees are having such a great year. Check out their hitting numbers from inning seven onward. Across the board, incredible
• Surprise, surprise - David Ortiz maintains he never bought or used steroids. Funny, a certain test seems to indicate otherwise. What a douchebag.
• Sounds like it may have been the Chicago White Sox that put in a claim for Toronto Blue Jay Alex Rios. After taking on Jake Peavy, seems owner Jerry Reinsdorf has some money to spend. Maybe he decided Rios was a better investment than a hockey team in Arizona?

Have a great Sunday.

Real Deal Beatdown

• Seems that Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios was put on waivers and claimed, allegedly by the San Francisco Giants, according to Buster Olney at ESPN. Hell of a chance for the Jays to shed some payroll for a guy with $60 million left on his pact.
• A day after getting smoked by the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox designated John Smoltz for assignment. Surely he's done, no? Also released with a .193 average: Jason Giambi by the Oakland A's.
• Speaking of the Yanks and Sox, they went a mere 15 innings before the Yankees won 2-0 thanks to an A-Rod bomb his first in 73AB's. Is he a "true Yankee" now? AJ Burnett only gave up a single hit over 7 2/3 innings. That's more like the AJ the Bombers signed. The Sox managed four hits on the night. The Yanks are now 4.5 up on the BoSox.
  
• Toronto FC were on the wrong end of a 5-1 beatdown by Real Madrid at a flash bulb popping BMO Field. Despite the scoreline, TFC actually acquitted themselves quite well in not looking to just kill the game to keep it close. In related news, Cristiano Ronaldo's legs are insured for $162 million Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star blasts Ronaldo's detachment here. Hilites here. Love that the guy in the picture is rocking an Al Bundy "Polk High" shirt.
  
• New Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler was asked which fans were better: those of Da Bears or those of his previous team, the Denver Broncos. Guess who he picked? Yep, Da Bears. What a stunner!
• the Toronto Argos were shutout last night. Yes, a CFL game in which a team was shutout. 25-0 at the hands of the Montreal Al's. Well, at least you can say there is a lot of "o's" in "Toronto Argos".
• Bukkake's selections for tonight notwithstanding, looking forward to tonight's UFC 101 card. Some of the main fights, with my picks in included: BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian (Penn is a killer at 155, and won't lose two straight); Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin (Forrest brings Anderson's best out of him, and gets beat as a result); Amir Sadollah vs Johnny Hendricks (Sadollah, only on personal preference as the UFC needs a guy with Amir's character), and loads more coming from Philly tonight.

Have a great Saturday!

Real Madrid invades T.O.

• Check out Baltimore Ravens Terrell Suggs t-shirt he wears under his gear every day. That's good stuff.
  
• The Cleveland Indians are poised to lose $16 million this year. That might explain their recent purge of big contracts, though they did manage to keep Grady Sizemore in the fold, at least for the time being. No doubt if they could ditch Kerry Wood and Travis Hafner, they'd do that in a heartbeat. Seems like a long time since the sold out "Jake" was rocking every night, no?
• Jeff Blair at The Globe & Mail wants to see the Toronto Blue Jays do something, anything, different. Hard to disagree, though you can't exactly say they haven't worked some young arms in this year, but his point about Kevin Millar is valid. Why play that guy when you've got younger options you can get some innings and AB's for the future?
• seems FC Shalke 04 of the German Bundesliga's fan base has upset some Muslims, who object to the usage of Muhammed in a song, even though they're merely saying he was just a fan of Shalke. Maybe Muslims prefer Bayern Munich?
• word is David Ortiz will speak about his failed drug test before Saturday's game in New York. Whenever you're ready, Papi, no sense rushing into these things.
• speaking of New York, the Yankees raked the BoSox for 18 hits last night in lighting up the pitcher once known as John Smoltz, and won 13-6, their first "W" against Boston in 9 tries . Check out this great piece on how the rivalry is hot again, and how just maybe the Sox and Yankees have changed roles of recent years. AJ Burnett has much to make up for tonight after two brutal starts against the Sox earlier this year. Josh Beckett is on the bump for the Beantowners.
• if you're a fan at all of an athlete that speaks his mind, whether you agree or disagree, and brings a bit of colour to a drab, cliche riddled world and is a hall of fame talent, then like myself, you'll miss Jeremy Roenick, who is retiring after 20 years.
• 18,000 showed up to watch Real Madrid practice at BMO Field last night. That's pretty impressive, though it is one of the best teams in the world. Can't imagine TFC does anything but get hammered by Real tonight. Coverage on GolTV and ESPN.
• the Washington Nationals have 10 days left to sign Stephen Strasburg, who some have called the greatest pitching prospect in the history of the game
• remember BJ Ryan? He's the one time Blue Jays closer who the Jays ditched because he was completely inneffective, especially at a salary north of $10 million. Ryan went to the Chicago Cubs and was working his way back with their AAA team, or at least he was until yesterday when he asked for and received his release. End of the road? Sure seems that way.
  
  

Toronto Rocks for Yankees

• The visit by Real Madrid to Toronto is expected to rake in $3-4 million profit for MLSE. Not a bad return for a million and change invested.
• There is life in Jim Balsillie's bid after all, after word came out that the judge ruling on the case will include Balsillie in the September auction of the team. I'd hate to be around Gary Bettman when that word came out. Love it.
• Seems odd that Eli Manning is making more than Peyton Manning now after signing an extension for 6 years and $97.5 million, if he sees out the entire deal through 2015. Of course, Peyton more than makes up for it with his seemingly endless endorsements.
• ESPN Insider says that the possibilities for Michael Vick this year are down to three: Baltimore, New England and Green Bay.
  
• The Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators are working on a three way deal with the Habs getting Patrick Marleau, the Sharks Dany Heatley and the Sens Tomas Plekanec and Jaroslav Halak or Roman Hamrlik. Interesting stuff in a relatively silent time of the off-season.
• The San Diego Padres released pitcher Mark Prior? You know you're done when...
• Vince Young is parroting his former college coach Mack Brown and saying he'll end up in the Hall of Fame, as well as winning a Super Bowl. Call me crazy, but he should set his sights on starting, for starters
• for a mere $800k, you can have a private box in the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, called Cowboys Stadium. But wait - there's more! You'll need to still buy your tickets. And a pizza, free of toppings, will set you and your crew back $90. A six pack of beer for your buddies runs a mere $66. Who comes up with this stuff in any economic environment and thinks it is a good idea to let that pricing get out? Can't imagine those packages sell, but then again, it is the Cowboys and it is Texas.
• the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are set for a four game slate that means a whole lot to the Yankees, 0-8 vs. Boston this year. The Yanks could really take over the division if they win 3 of 4 or more, as they're coming in up 2.5. With John Smoltz on the mound tonight, it is lining up well for the Bombers. Jason Bay being out for what appears to be a pair of games doesn't hurt either.

Have a great Thursday!

• If Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge's ERA is 7.11, does that mean he never closes?
• Just days away from UFC 101 on Saturday night from Philadelphia. Shaping up to be a solid card, if not one that will suffer from the large shadow of UFC 100.
  
• Manny Ramirez RBI's last night were his first since July 22nd in a 17-4 LA Dodgers win over Milwaukee. His streak of no comments about the the 2003 failed test revelations remain intact. Post-game last night, the Brewers Prince Fielder tried to get into the Dodgers locker room after getting dotted in the ninth innning.
• Here's a interesting piece on the Toronto Raptors large international flavor. The Raptors have done much to overhaul their roster despite Bryan Colangelo once calling the 2008/9 roster the best he had assembled in Toronto. He best be revising that comment if a fickle fan base and Chris Bosh have much to say about it.
• Not sure about you but I like "Morency". I loved "Drive This".
• Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young's college coach at Texas, Mack Brown, told the Jim Rome Show he believes that VY will win the Super Bowl and go on to a Hall of Fame career. Make of this what you will.
• New York Yankee Johnny Damon is hitting a career .355 with four homers against Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay after last nights 2 for 4, including a homer. The Yanks won 5-3 including three round trippers. Halladay's numbers since coming off the DL are hardly overwhelming. The Jays are 1-7 in Halladay's last eight starts and the Yankees have scored 10 runs on 19 hits in their last two victories over Halladay.
• Toronto FC had a pile of chances - sound familiar? - but couldn't score and have bowed out of the CONCACAF Champions League after a scoreless draw at Puerto Rico.
  
• The Pittsburgh Pirates, as one example of what bad management can do, bring in $70 million in revenue before they sell a ticket or collect their revenue sharing cheque. They're spending $25 million on players, dead last in the league. Small wonder they've got a beautiful new park that nobody goes to. But hey, at least the city of Pittsburgh has the Steelers and Penguins.
  
• Terrell Owens show is charting at #797 in the latest Nielsen Rankings, something Jim Rome made sure he hilited. In response, T.O. has fired a few salvos back at Rome. Thank to TS for flipping that piece my way.
• speaking of Twitter, the San Diego Chargers Antonio Cromartie was fined by the team for tweeting that the nasty food at the Bolts camps the last couple years is why they haven't been a Super Bowl team.

That's all for today, have a great one.

Fedor flees to Strikeforce

• Has anyone heard a word from Roy Halladay since the trade deadline? Seems quite the cone of silence has descended upon the ace pitcher wanting out of Toronto. Former teammate and now New York Yankee AJ Burnett was regularly exchanging messages with Halladay leading up to the trade deadline, partly to urge Halladay to move to New York, and word from Michael Kay at ESPN Radio New York is that the messages stopped on Wednesday and Burnett told Kay that something wasn't right. Is Halladay super bent over how JP Ricciardi handled the situation? It'd be hard to believe otherwise, really.
• there could well be some hope yet for Jim Balsillie's bid to move the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton, as the Phoenix judge presiding over the case has ruled that the auction of the team will now be September 10th and that he may allow outside bids. Gary Bettman did not have a good day yesterday as a result, but really, it isn't personal.
• Fedor Emelianenko has inked a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce where he'll no doubt feed on a steady diet of lesser competition. Eventually, you'd think he'd want to go to UFC, no? UFC President Dana White had some pointed comments, as you might expect, at the bottom of that same link.
  
• Count Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic among those who aren't a fan of Brock Lesnar. Cro Cop best be careful or he'll end up on the wrong end of a beating from Lesnar sometime down the road, assuming he can even work his way into the title picture.
• it may be a bit too much crystal ball, but RM reader Big Daddy sends this piece from the Bleacher Report that looks at the future of the NFL and CFL in upstate New York (read: Buffalo) and how the latter may replace the former.
• one Steven Thompson of Burnley in the English Premier League tumbled into the beer garden in Portland during an exhibition match on Sunday. Thompson took it upon himself to get up, grab a pint off a table, take a giant swig and jump back into play. Awesome. Wonder what NFL Commish Roger Goodell would do if one of his players ever did that?
  

Check out the Alessandro Del Piero's penalty kick in the finals of the 2009 Peace Cup. Not sure what is funnier, Del Piero's effort, or the call of the commentator, which could also double as the best call since "Boom goes the dynamite", if not ever. Enjoy.

Tequila dropped from diet = 30 pounds lost?

• the most impressive part of the Detroit Tigers adding payroll in Jarrod Washburn is that they're paying $71 million to Magglio Ordonez, Gary Sheffield, Jeremy Bonderman, Carlos Guillen, Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson, players either no longer with the team or of no use to the team this year.
• here are 20 things that make you look like a sporting doofus
• check out the trailer for The Ultimate Fighter, which will start on September 16th. 4 former NFLers, Kimbo Slice 11 others heavyweights are in the mix, and with Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson as coaches with a serious hate on for each other, this could be the best one yet.
• speaking of the UFC, turns out negotiations with Fedor Emelianenko didn't quite pan out and he won't be on board for the time being. Seems the UFC wanted a three fight deal. Fedor wanted a one time only affair.
• police station videos, mostly of drunks, hard as that may be to believe.
• Buster Olney says the San Diego Padres are aiming to drop their payroll to $20-$25 million in the next two years from the $75 million they were at to start this season. So much for Petco Park giving them the revenues to play with the big boys. Somehow, the Padres still managed to take 3 of 4 from the Philadelphia Phillies, outscoring them 17-10.
• New York Yankees outfielder Melky Cabrera hit for the cycle yesterday. He also tapped porn star Marey Carey. The 8-5 Yankee win over the ChiSox left CC Sabathia a career 6-0 when starting against Mark Buehrle.
• with fantasy football drafts around the corner, time for a look at the 8 personalities at every draft. So very, painfully, true.
• Tennessee Titan LenDale White dropped 30 pounds before coming into camp this year. A big diet change? Only if you think that by stopping Patron tequila consumption is a big dietary change.

Have a great Monday.

David Ortiz = Liar

• One lie begets another. First David Ortiz says he didn't know how he could've tested positive, and now comes word that he was notified years ago that he had failed.
• And the tale of Arturo Gatti gets curiouser and curiouser. First there was mystery as to how he had died which ultimately led to his wife being arrested for murder. Then came a ruling that it was a suicide. And now, his body was exhumed for another coroner's looksie in Montreal, who are not ruling out he was murdered. Very, very weird.
• Not only is the NHL looking into the Marian Hossa signing for whether there was a salary cap rules infraction, you can add the Chris Pronger extension in Philadelphia to the mission as well. Seriously, did the NHL figure these 10+ year deals some guys were getting weren't done with a wink from team to player?
• Remove the Edmonton Oilers from the list of those interested in Dany Heatley. Gonna be a tough year for Heatley if he's stuck in Ottawa with a coach he reportedly can't stand. Count San Jose and Montreal among those interested in picking the whiner up.
• The late Bobby Robson, a huge star in English soccer's history books, gave as good quote as Yogi Berra or Muhammed Ali. For example: "We didn't underestimate them. They were just a lot better than we thought." Plenty more here.
• Toronto FC drew 1-1 at New England despite playing nearly half the game a man down after a weak red card to Chad Barrett.Oh, and again they gave up a goal in the last 15 minutes.
  
• The Toronto Argos and Winnipeg Blue Bombers combined for 49 points. Over the course of two games. When did the CFL become so boring? The Bombers were 13-12 winners last night at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, which was booze free for the game. I'm sure that did wonders for the crowd in that snoozer of a game.
• how about the five hottest cheerleader outfits? You know, just for fun.
• check out the boxscore in the Chicago Cubs 9-8 win over the Florida Marlins last night for one of the weirder reads you'll see. Alfonso Soriano, for example, played left field, 2nd base, 3rd base, and finished playing 2nd again. He was not alone.
• check out Chase Utley's bit of payback Friday night in San Francisco after being thrown at. Awesome.
• even more awesome than that is David Beckham's free kick goal last night in a friendly against Barcelona played in front of 90,000 in L.A.
  

Have a great Sunday.

• The MLB trade deadline has come and gone and there were some significant moves. The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies made the boldest moves. SI's Ted Keith rates the winners and losers among the active, as does ESPN's Jayson Stark here. Among the relatively inactive, hard to figure what the Blue Jays were doing ditching one of their few plus bats and gloves in Scott Rolen while not moving free agent to be Marco Scutaro and of course, not moving Roy Halladay. In the Stark piece, one scout says of the Jays: "on the day after the season, they won't get 70 percent of what they've been offered right now." Well played, JP. Also surprised the New York Yankees didn't pick up some pitching help with Joba Chamberlain on an innings cap that could see him shut down entirely later in the year despite stellar outings his last three starts. That, and it was clear last night that Sergio Mitre as your fifth starter won't get it done.

• Cliff Lee went the distance in his first start as a Philadelphia Philly, whiffing six in a 5-1 win over San Francisco. The Phillies are essentially going to cruise to the playoffs.
• Former Boston Red Sock and now Cincinnati Red Bronson Arroyo says he wouldn't be surprised if he was on the 2003 list of 104 that failed drug tests because he heard he took a supplement that had steroids in it. More likely, he took a steroid that had supplements in it. Bonus points to Arroyo for creativity at least.
• RM reader AF passes on an unofficial-official view of the aforementioned list of 104 failed drug tests can be read here. If true, then Carlos Delgado has quite the sack bitching earlier this year about a lost MVP award to Alex Rodriguez when he was revealed as being on the list. If you're a fan of a team, odds are at least a couple guys on your team appear here. Not on: Albert Pujols or Derek Jeter. So there is that.
• Toronto FC is visiting the New England Revolution tonight (7:30pm, GolTV) badly needing a result to stay afloat in the tight Eastern Conference race. Have a feeling Ali Gerba finds the net twice tonight and the Reds take the points. Bold prediction? Maybe, given TFC is 0-3 for the franchise on visits to Foxboro.
• Why radio sucks, part 496: some DJ this morning joked that this Civic Holiday weekend had something to do with Honda Civic's.
• If you don't have VH1 and have been unable to cach The T.O. Show, it begins airing tomorrow night at 7pm on CityTV in Canadaland. Check it out.
• 2 weeks away from the start of the English Premier League season. Cannot wait. In related news, Jose Mourinho is again lobbying to take over at Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson packs it in. Meantime, Xabi Alonso is looking to bolt from Liverpool in what would be a huge loss as he looks to be the latest to join Real Madrid.
• coincidence? The Yankees are 23 games over .500 with A-Rod, 2 under without. No question he makes a huge impact to that team.
• strangest thing: I kept using yesterday's Douchebag Name Generator and no matter what I did, it came up "Curt Schilling". Schilling did indeed weigh in on David Ortiz drug usage.
  
• finally today, here are the punchlines to 100 offensive jokes. Enjoy.

Have a great Saturday.

Boston Roid Sox

• David Ortiz is on the not-so-secret 2003 failed drug test list. Well knock me over with a feather. You mean to tell me a guy who hit 58 homers in 6 years prior to 2003 can't suddenly put on a pile of muscle and jack 245 in the next 7 years? (End sarcasm). Rob Neyer at ESPN figures Ortiz proclamations earlier this year were his "I didn't knowingly..." preemptive shot. And how's this Papi quote: "based on the way I lived my life I'm surprised to learn I tested positive." And people who drive drunk are shocked when arrested for same. This revelation is Christmas in July for anyone long tired of Red Sox "Nation" and ther holier than thou talk to all, particularly Yankee fans. And mere moments after it was revealed he failed in 2003 along with Manny Ramirez, along comes this website. Love it. If you're wondering, that svelte fellow to the left is Papi in 2002 while with Minnesota.
  
• Julian de Guzman has turned down the Toronto FC offer that would've made him their highest paid player at $2.75 million for two years, as he prefers to stay playing in Europe. Shame, he'd have been a good get for TFC on the run in this year.
• Ichiro's walk off hit on Wednesday night was surprisingly the first of his 1953 hits in his career.
• My gift to you today to share with all your friends is here.
• The Toronto Blue Jays Roy Halladay sweepstakes are said to be "dead" at the moment. I'll believe that when I see it. The Texas Rangers are said to be in the mix but find that hard to believe, especially when owner Tom Hicks is in a cash crunch, and Halladay is said to be hardly a fan of pitching at The Ballpark in Arlington. That, and when you think "contender", you don't generally throw Texas in the mix annually.
• 50 female celebs, mostly hot in my books, rocking wife beaters.
• the Edmonton Eskimos dished out a nice bit of payback on the Montreal Alouettes last night after taking a fisting a few weeks back in Montreal. The Eskies won 33-19 at Commonwealth.
• the Chicago Black Hawks deal with Marian Hossa is under investigation by the NHL for trying to circumvent the salary cap structure. Word is there was talk of Hossa retiring before the end of the front loaded deal which would see Hossa collect most of his money, but the cap hit is averaged out for the duration, and upon retirement, written off. Surprised this idea has only come to light now. Wonder if the former GM Dale Tallon had anything to do with pointing the NHL in that direction?
• Bukkake passed me the vid below and it isn't your standard Rickroll. Check out what they've done to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" . Strangely hypnotizing. Have a great Friday.

PhiLEE makes a left turn

• ESPN.com's Buster Olney told The Jim Rome Show that he figures that the moment the trade deadline passes tomorrow, Roy Halladay's value in a trade will drop 40-50% into the range of what the Minnesota Twins pulled for Johan Santana which is to say, not much. No pressure, J.P. Ricciardi.
• the once favored-to-get-Halladay Philadelphia Phillies looked in another direction ultimately and dealt for Cleveland Indians ace Cliff Lee. Lee is an attractive pickup, especially when he didn't cost anything off the Phillies major league roster. He's got great numbers this year outside of his won-lost record for a brutal team, is a career 12-2 vs. the National League, and at $9 million coming off a Cy Young last year, is a hell of a bargain. Did J.P. Ricciardi overplay his hand?
• in news that ought to surprise nobody, the NHL Board of Governor's unanimously - unanimously! - rejected Jim Balsillie's bid to become and NHL owner, while approving Jerry Reinsdorf's bid despite it being ultimately for tens of millions less for the Phoenix Coyotes. Is there a worse leader of a league in sports than Gary Bettman?
• I've always had the opinion that creating or even signing a petition qualifies you as a loser, so who else but Toronto Maple Leafs fans would be putting together a petition to get the Buds to go to their 1967-style logo. Sure it is better, but do you really believe that it is something the Leafs brass hasn't already considered?
• Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo has had ex-girlfriend Jessica Simpson banned from his property after he dumped her a few weeks back? Weird.
• Toronto FC dropped the opener in their CONCACAF Champions League, 1-0, despite dominating play. TFC will need to win the second leg and score 2 or more to advance.
• sounds like tomorrow is the day that Fedor Emelianenko will officially be introduced as a UFC fighter. Cannot wait to see him in the octagon, particularly against Brock Lesnar.
• the MLS All-Stars vs. Everton FC was a fantastic game to watch, loads of chances from both sides. The MLS crew looked incredibly cohesive for a bunch that had just come together days prior. The winner? Everton, by a 2-1 score in penalties. Unlike other all-star games, this one had hard competition, contact and guys who were looking to win. Man of the Match? As great as Conor Casey was for the MLS All-Stars, have to give the nod to Everton keeper, the U.S. born Tim Howard. Fantastic game from him to keep it close. Soccer is a game that lends itself well to an interesting all-star game.
  
• since opening the year 22-9, the Toronto Blue Jays are 27-42. Hard to believe it is the same team, isn't it?

Have a great Thursday.

No Halladay deal on the Jays deadline: the sun still comes up

• Y2Halladay went by kinda like Y2K, all is fine and the world is still spinning on its axis. The ace pitcher is still a Blue Jay and despite GM JP Ricciardi's pronouncements that the deadline was yesterday, is there anyone that doubts that he won't get moved in the next couple days if the right deal falls into place? Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports says the Boston Red Sox need Halladay badly. Joel Sherman at the NY Post says the New York Yankees have too many question marks for 2010 to not chase someone at the deadline or in free agency.
  
• The Yankees are two games into a stretch where they'll play 19 of 26 on the road. Make or break? Maybe "make" but not likely "break" given their position at the moment. Quite the turnaround in the AL East the last few weeks, no? Real heartbreaker seeing the Boston Red Sox choke away a big lead in the 9th with Johnathan Papelbon snorting away three runs himself, only to lose 9-8 in extras while the Yankees were bobbling the ball about in Tampa en route to a 6-2 loss.
  
• The MLS All-Stars will face Everton of the English Premier League tonight in Utah. Kickoff is 9:30 on ESPN2 if you've got it. Not represented in the All-Star game are any Toronto FC players. They've got a CONCACAF Champions League game on the go at BMO Field against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Coverage on GolTV at 8pm.
  
• Before he was shot and killed in a robbery on Saturday, boxer Vernon Forrest Twitter page was updated the previous Sunday to read: "Man I had a nightmare last nite I dreamt I come home and found 4 guys were breaking into my house. I pull my heater and it was empty they chased me and was about to shot me then I woke up. The first thing I did was get my heater and made sure it was loaded. That dream will not come true." Creepy.
• Are you like me and figure those increasingly popular bumper stickers that read "Out of a job yet, keep buying foreign" are likely made in China? I'm sure their TV's are made here too, and at least some of their clothes.
• Pumped to hear Danko Jones "Papa" and "Your Tears My Smile" played on The T.O. Show's first episode.
• Crazy stat: Bobby Abreu is driving in the highest percentage of baserunners (22.6%) since Larry Walker in 2002.
• I'm having a hard time understanding what all the fuss is over Toronto Argo Arland Bruce III losing his playbook, leading to his suspension. Everybody knows the Argos playbook is run-incomplete-punt.
• And who is the knucklehead that came up with the "Family Day" idea for Saturday's Argos vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers game at Rogers Centre and made it an alcohol free event? Quick, how many of you had a family event sans booze?
• How about ChiSox pitcher Mark Buehrle? Not only was his last start a perfect game, but he took another perfect game into the 6th last night with two out. Buehrle retired 45 straight before the run came to an end with a walk and then a hit. Amazing. Story of the baseball season so far.
• The Detroit Tigers have scored 2 or fewer runs in 22 games this year. That kind of thing won't take you far.
• ESPN Baseball Today Podcast asks if Josh Hamilton is Brady Anderson v2.0. Ouch.
• Boston Red Sock Jason Bay went into the tank about the time he became a U.S. citizen on July 4th. Coincidence?
• going to keep this format for the next week or so and ask again what you like. Personally, I think it makes it easier to read and latch onto a point or two. We shall see.

Have a great Wedenesday!

Halladay move day?

Trying a slightly different format today and breaking things up some. Let me know what you think, prefer or no?

• here's the latest on the Roy Halladay talks, which go into the alleged deadline day today. Sounds like the Red Sox or Phillies are the likely destinations, with the Yankees and others lurking. One report says the talks with the Phillies are not going well.

• six games for Mike Vick is Roger Goodell's verdict, though he can start practicing immediately. I seriously hope T.O. adds to his talk from Sunday and weighs in on the six gamer.

• well this is an improvement for A-Rod. He's no longer kissing himself in the mirror, but is openly out with Kate Hudson.

• some interesting stats in the NFL that compare wide receiver production on Super Bowl winning teams last decade to this. This decade, your top wideout averages about 10 yards fewer receptions for a season, 250 yards fewer on the season, 2.3 TD's less and on average, appears in 3 fewer Pro Bowls.

• an ominous sign of things to come? This week's Buick Open - and remember, they have had Tiger Woods endorsing their product - is likely the last time under that banner on the PGA Tour. So auto sponsorships are dwindling, tobacco is banned, doesn't leave a lot of big spenders out there, does it? Organizations dependant on title's attached to their events have to be real concerned. See "NASCAR".

• here's one view of the five most ridiculous moments in MMA history.
  

• as if the New York Mets weren't a big enough circus, they went and fired an exec who tore his shirt off and challenged minor leaguers to a fight and argued with closer Francisco Rodriguez, and in the process of so doing, GM Omar Minaya accused a beat writer of lobbying for a job and that being the cause of him exposing the issues. Very, very weird.

• two hits and run over seven innings was all Yankees starter AJ Burnett gave up to pick up win #10 on the year as the Yankees dropped Tampa Bay 11-4 to put Tampa 7.5 games out. Burnett is on an absolute roll right now, winner of his last five decisions, as are the Yanks, winners of 22 of 28

Have a great Tuesday.

Kicking a dead horse

Buffalo Bill Terrell Owens has spoken out on the Michael Vick issue and taken NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to task for contemplating suspending Vick further. Have to say, I totally agree with T.O. on this one, his "kicking a dead horse" comment aside, though I especially loved T.O. telling the Commish he should go sit in a jail for 23 months. What's the point in suspending him further? He's done his time, and there are guys who have done arguably worse still playing the game...Monday Night Raw's use of celebrity "hosts" each week is a pretty clever idea. Get a celeb with something to shill, and have them on the show to draw their own fans and give the WWE a rub. Up tonight? Some guy who goes by the name of "Shaq" and next week, Jeremy Piven (aka "Ari Gold" from Entourage)...who was the imposter at the baseball Hall of Fame inductions that looked like inductee Rickey Henderson? No third person references, no massive ego pumping - where is Rickey? Whoever that guy was, it was awesome hearing him thank the "commission" of baseball, with no "er" at the end. Here's a piece from ESPN's Jerry Crasnick on Rickey as a great teammate...I don't know what it is about Toronto FC captain Jimmy Brennan that annoys me so much but I just find him annoying and a total self promoter whose ego far outstrips his abilities and contributions. Check out the guys website - ego much?...here's a nice collection of things that can happen at a police station. And speaking of places with bars, come to find out OJ Simpson isn't exactly enjoying himself as he finds himself in a cell with a guy who is in for murder and furious the Juice got away with same. Talk about proof that karma exists...for you Twitter fans, here's a list of pro athletes who partake. Of course, you can also catch me here...going back to August 2007, Mariano Rivera has no converted 41 straight save opportunities at home...how is this for odd: both of Mark Buehrle's no hitters took two hours and three minutes...in two finals - Confederations Cup and Gold Cup - the U.S. has been outscored 8-0 in the second half, aided greatly by yesterday's 5-0 demolition by Mexico...John Smoltz has an ERA of 7.04. Look it up, it's true. Do the Red Sox look like they've hit the wall the last two weeks or what? Losing 2 of 3 to Baltimore at home? Word is that GM Theo Epstein is working overtime to work a deal for Roy Halladay or Victor Martinez...strange but true: if Halladay gets moved to Philadelphia while the Toronto Blue Jays are in Oakland, he'll only have to change hotel rooms as the Phillies are in the same hotel for a visit to San Francisco. Wonder if crossing paths in the lobby will be at all weird this weekend?...not about to discuss He Who Shall Not Be Named but Norman Chad has a hilarious piece at SI.com covering the drama (queen)...here's a far better version of the Lebron James being dunked on video...Bud Selig is said to be contemplating a pardon for Pete Rose that would allow him - finally - to get in the Hall of Fame. That's why they pay you the big bucks, Bud...the Pittsburgh Pirates ran a promotion this past weekend where for every run they scored, they'd knock a $1 off a $24 ticket to the upcoming Nats series at PNC Park this weekend. Of course, they went out and got shut out twice in a row...Jeff Blair looks at the Toronto Blue Jays for 2010. Adam Lind at first? Makes a lot of sense with his stick, if he can get the leather working. Be sure to read the bottom of the article for some awesome smack on Dany Heatley...if you missed Brock Lesnar's interview on the Jim Rome Show Thursday, sucks to be you. Incredibly interesting stuff, and he's not nearly the villain he's being portrayed as. Sure he let's his mouth go a little too easy after a fight when the adrenalin is pumping, but he's a smart guy, and an athletic freak...have a great Monday.

If Roy Halladay is going to be dealt before the trade deadline, it sounds like it won't be Philadelphia, who contend the Toronto Blue Jays are asking for too much of them in J.A. Happ, Kyle Drabek and Dominic Brown. Who jumps into the void? The Yankees have received a call, says Peter Gammons at ESPN, and the Jays are asking for Phil Hughes, Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero. Only the three top prospects, JP?...the Gold Cup final goes today and for the second straight tournament they're in, the U.S. is in the mix to win it, this time on home soil and against Mexico. I'll be shocked if they don't do it as they're a better side than Mexico, and have owned them on home soil for years...Serbia is imposing limits on foreign born players looking to ply their trade in their top soccer league. Two things on that. One, Michel Platini, FIFA President, no doubt hopes that trend continues though it seems as though the EU would strike such a move down if it came to the broader continent. Two, are you like me and don't figure there are too many people looking to get into Serbia to play?...Rick Reilly at ESPN gives us his 10 sporting events to see before you die. Warning: highly Americacentric. The World Cup doesn't make the list, but the Home Run Derby does? Weird...speaking of homers, the pace has fallen off at Yankee Stadium considerably, and unless there is a serious spike, will fall well short of the 303 home run record at Coor's Field in Colorado. Funny that it isn't front page news like it was the first couple weeks...all kinds of rock lookalikes here. Definitely some good stuff...Real Salt Lake is looking to ink Ruud van Nistelrooy some day soon. That would be awesome, though I guess his knees wouldn't love some of the surfaces in the MLS at the moment...Toronto FC continued a strange tradition of blowing games late, as they gave up an injury time goal to lose 3-2 to Columbus. TFC was even up 2-1 at one point. The Crew set an MLS record by going undefeated at home in 19...Terrell Owens on his first day in Buffalo Bills camp: "I know that the Buffalo fans are very, very fanatical." You don't say?...check out UFC fighter BJ Penn jump out of the shallow end of a pool with no hands. Exactly as awesome as it sounds...have a great Sunday.

Adios, Doc?

Toronto FC travel to Columbus for a key Eastern Conference battle tonight (7:30pm, SportsNet). They'll be minus their usual fan support in the thousands in Columbus this time around as TFC fans are boycotting after some shoddy treatment earlier this year which included one fan being tasered...Matt Holliday is the first big name player to be moved as baseball's trade deadline approaches, off to the St. Louis Cardinals for a trio of prospects heading the way of the Oakland A's. Are you like me and thought you heard "Halladay" at first and were on edge to hear where he went?...David Beckham says he's got nothing to apologize for when it comes to his baiting of fans in L.A. last Sunday? Whatever works for you, Beck's. I'm sure MLS fined you for no reason too, right?..after a couple days off and one message in particular from Bukkake, it would only be fitting that I return with an ode to Bukkake in this SpriteGermany commercial from ...Dana White tweeted "welcome back Tito" for one time great Tito Ortiz, and Affliction is back as a UFC sponsor after canceling its MMA event, and presumably, involvement in others? What year is this? Wonder if this all but hands Fedor Emelianenko to UFC which would set up maybe the biggest PPV event ever in him facing Brock Lesnar?...Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov says that he can improve on last year's performance. No word if he also stated that water is wet...Roy Halladay went 9 innings in what could be his last start as a Toronto Blue Jay, fanning 10 and getting a no decision as the Jays lost 4-2 in 10 innings to Tampa Bay, let down again by the Jays wet noodle sticks they've been swinging since May. There were only 24,000 in attendance which is an absolute embarrassment. Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun tweeted there were only scouts from two teams in attendance: Philadelphia and the Yankees. The Yankees are also looking at Scott Downs...it had to happen, a leak of the LeBron James video of him being dunked on at his camp a couple weeks back that Nike lamely had confiscated at his request. Blurry, but here it is. Here's collection of videos of what a variety of athletes think of LBJ having the video confiscated. Does he have some compromising video of these people? Finally, Phil Taylor at SI says the confiscation attempt says a lot about LeBron, and the reaction to a dunk hurts his reputation more than the dunk itself. True...that's all for today, back tomorrow.

The Toronto Blue Jays pitched a four player request of Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jonathon Niese and Ruben Tejada from the New York Mets that would've seen the Mets take Roy Halladay. The Mets declined. After all, they did get Johan Santana for a lot less. That said, how awesome would a Santana/Halladay combo look in a great pitchers park? The Halladay saga continues. Joel Sherman at the NY Post says the Yankees and Mets are not interested. Peter Gammons says the Philadelphia Phillies have to make the deal, and could roll off a couple more World Series wins if they do...the Baltimore Orioles are 9-37 since the start of 2008 against the AL East on the road and 35-70 overall...hard not to be thrilled with SportsNet's advertising for the coming English Premier League season when the term "with the majority of games in HD" was thrown in...Quinton Richardson is on the move for the third time in this off-season, this time to Minnesota. He keeps buying properties each time and he'll turn the U.S. housing market around on his own...the Saskatchewan Roughriders are looking to have a domed stadium built to replace the aging Mosaic Stadium. I get that the weather gets a little nasty in Regina at times, but aren't straight domed stadiums a thing of the 80's now and at minimum, you go retractable roof now? You're not getting that for $350 million...if you haven't heard, ESPN hot ass Erin Andrews was photographed naked through her hotel peep hole and in their infinite lack of boundaries - this was the paper that printed the infamous picture of A-Rod and a stripper in Toronto, after all - they printed them. More and clearer pics of a dressed Erin Andrews here...baseball is talking about leaving the Thursday after the all-star game as a day off too. Dear God, please, no!...interesting that the LA Galaxy are apologizing for David Beckham's half-time act against AC Milan a couple nights ago, but Beckham has yet to. The Galaxies largest supporters group, the unfortunately named Riot Squad, are not being shy about what they witnessed, and good for them, in saying Beck's escalated the confrontation rather than acting like a pro...if you're a pro athlete of any consequence, I don't understand how you can ever put yourself in a situation where someone could even make a false accusation of sexual assault. Stay away from people you don't know. Be paranoid. I'm talking to you, Ben Roethlesberger...that'll likely be it for RM until Saturday, on holidays and going to do my damndest to stay away. But if a Halladay move happens, that could lead to a BlackBerry post. See you Saturday.

That's Abigail Clancy, smoking hot English model. She's now engaged to footballer Peter Crouch from Portsmouth in the English Premier League. Crouch is punching well above his weight class in this one, as you can tell here...that Arturo Gatti may have committed suicide seems incredible given what was apparently an open and shut case of murder at the hands of his wife. Still doesn't explain how she was in the apartment 10 hours and didn't know Gatti had expired...the Roy Halladay trade sweepstakes is overwhelming baseball news. One story from the Chicago Tribune says the Yankees will land Halladay if they take on Vernon Wells contract as well, presumably for fewer players going to Toronto for taking on Wells. Another story from Jon Heyman at SI.com says the Jays have pushed the Yankees and Boston Red Sox well down the list to avoid going in division. Which is true? Perhaps both, depending on what is being offered. Pretty crazy time leading to the trade deadline at month end. Halladay put on a vintage display yesterday, going the distance against Boston for the win...David Beckham had quite the night in L.A. last night as his Galaxy played his AC Milan. Set up a couple goals, and as you can see in this video, got into it with some fans. And who was the knucklehead that thought the Galaxies fans wouldn't get wound up by lining up AC Milan as an opponent so soon after he returns from that very squad amid much controversy?...Toronto FC is getting aggressive in its pursuit of Julian De Guzman, perhaps even trying to sign him for just the balance of the year...check out these 10 Great Moment's in 1980's Heel History, including a great video of Don Muraco getting racial with it...the always great Sports Pickle offers this sendup of Brock Lesnar's post-fight act at UFC 100 last week...have a great Monday.

RM returns tomorrow.