Puckheads, it is your turn...

Basketball, football and football have taken some abuse the last three days. Up today: hockey. Go wild in the comments section.

LeDouche

Hear about the ESPN reporter that managed to follow LeBron James in Vegas for a night last week?  If you managed to see it on ESPN, consider yourself lucky as the article was pulled almost as quick as it went up yesterday, though the only reason I can surmise is it makes 'Bron look like a loser and his people objected and like the pandering poodle they've become to him, they yanked it.  But thanks to the fine folks at Deadspin, you can read it here below.  Get the feeling 'Bron is, for lack of a better word, a bit of a tool?  If you haven't with "The Decision", you will when you get a load of this act.

With the New York Yankees in Cleveland this week, there's a great piece here on how former Cleveland Indian isn't treated with near the disdain that 'Bron is and will continue to be.  Must be something to do with being respectful.

Stephen Strasburg was yanked from a start on Tuesday night and has some shoulder inflammation. If he's shut down for the year, that hurts him even more going forward as he was already looking at an innings cap next year, made only bigger if he doesn't get a tonne of work in this year.

Manchester United faced the MLS All-Stars last night at a packed Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas - yes, home of the NFL Texans - and had a pair from Frederico Macheda in the first 12 minutes, including the first 22 seconds in to lead Man U to a 5-2 beating of the All-Stars.  Good news for Toronto FC's Dwayne DeRosario: he scored a beauty after megging Wes Brown.

Great piece on the 25 Most Hated Teams of all (the) Time(s).

Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo confirmed the rumblings that came post-All Star Game that Chris Bosh had mentally checked out are something he subscribes to.  He added a little fact to it as well in announcing that Bosh was medically cleared to play six games before agreeing to do so.  Way to show up in the crunch, Bosh.  Am sure that that kind of intestinal fortitude will show for the Miami Heat.  He's not exactly smashing that "RuPaul of big men" tag that Shaquille O'Neal dropped on him a couple years back.

The word "boycott" comes from Charles C. Boycott, an Irish landlord whose high rents led the entire region to stop selling him basic goods.  Love Mental Floss.

Some impressive work in the comments section in taking apart basketball and football the last two days.  Going to keep this going for a while I suspect as there is some great stuff here.  Today: baseball.  Go nuts!

Football gets curbstomped today...

Only the one entry today, but back tomorrow with the full shebang.

Up today in the sports splattering forum - aka the comment section - golf. Oops, not a sport. We're taking on football, of the gridiron variety. Have at it, you know the spot. I'll chime in later today.

Tampa Bay Ray Matt Garza tossed the fifth no-hitter of this baseball season. That's the good news for Garza. The bad? Dallas Braden, Roy Halladay and Edwin Jackson are a combined 5-13 since their no-hitters this season.

If you've not been watching ESPN's 30 For 30 shows, be sure to start now on TSN. They're almost always fantastic.
The Chicago Bulls aren't convinced that Tracy McGrady is a good fit.  Why?  Because he's an injury prone guy who has never made it out of the first round of the playoffs?  Tough crowd.

The Toronto Blue Jays are now 10-0 against the Baltimore Orioles this season after last night's win.  Well, at least they've got one team in the AL East they can beat up.

In CONCACAF Champions League play tonight, Toronto FC host Honduran side CD Montagua.  The game marks the home coming of former Red Amado Guevara, who will no doubt be motivated to stick it to TFC's coach Preki, a pair with a lot of mutual dislike, to put it mildly.

Go to the comments section today and have your digs at what is lame about basketball.  Open subject in that you can talk pros, amateurs, rules, coverage...anything.  Have at it.  Coming up tomorrow: football (the North American variety).

Perhaps the best taken penalty kick I've ever seen comes in this Spain vs. Italy under 19 game last week.  Still can't figure out how he managed this...

The Toronto Blue Jays have an ad lauding their "hustle and heart"?  Hilarious. They know Adam Lind, Juan Encarnacion and Yunel Escobar are on the team, right? Not exactly the greatest hustle guys you'll ever see.  It is 80's night at the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles game and broadcast tonight on SportsNet. Interesting, since getting into the 80's remains the Jays annual goal.

That sound of something circling the drain is the sound of the Boston Red Sox season imploding, now nine back of the New York Yankees in the loss column.

Dallas Cowboys rookie Dez Bryant doesn't believe he's been drafted to carry pads or be subject to other hazing rituals, or so he says after he refused to carry Roy Williams shoulder pads.  Carry the stuff, Dez.  If it was good enough for all the guys before you, it is good enough for you.

The early days of Chelsea's season aren't looking so great.  Didier Drogba is expected to miss the start of the season with an injury, Ricardo Carvalho wants to move to Real Madrid, and Ashley Cole is expected to.

English side Portsmouth was pounded 4-0 by DC United in a friendly, New York Red Bulls beat Manchester City 2-1 and in the biggest shock, the Kansas City Wizards beat Manchester United 2-1.  Seems visiting the U.S. isn't just about getting a good paycheque for the club while pounding a defenseless opponent anymore.

Going to start a little something tomorrow that looks for some participation, and that is a daily crack at a particular sport and what you think is lame or needing improvement.  So, get ready for that.  Something to keep you coming back on days where I may or may not be entering full updates.

Thank you, Winnipeg, for the best story of the year

See, if you're going to have a child, you're best off to actually say their given name out loud before you give it, with all possible permutations.  Just saying, Mr. and Mrs. Bonner.

Toronto FC host FC Dallas today at BMO Field with a 4pm kickoff (CBC for TV coverage) in a key MLS game for the Reds, who need to start grabbing three points for wins at home instead of the singles for ties, especially against a team like Dallas that they're fighting for a playoff birth against.  This is the middle of a three game week for TFC, with an August 27th Champions League date against Honduran side Club Deportivo Motagua on Tuesday night at BMO Field.  Speaking of TFC, Jason DeVos at the CBC looks at the squad at the roughly mid-point of the season.

A Muslim cleric in Malaysia has banned his 81 million followers from wearing Manchester United gear because their Red Devil logo promotes, well, satan.  Quoting from Deadspin here, so you're not thinking it was me editorializing: "Also banned: Barcelona, and the national jerseys of Brazil, Portugal, and Serbia (that one's probably not an issue) because they feature crosses on their crest. I'm going to assume Israel's jersey, because it doesn't feature any religious symbols, is totally kosher in Malaysia."

Love this story out of Winnipeg, where a local is in hot water after repeated calls to 911 demanding that they summon the RCMP and find a way to return some stolen property.  The property?  The Winnipeg Jets. Amazing.  But wait...it gets better.  When told that enough was enough and the police were coming, he asked "if you’re coming to get me, can you bring me some smokes?"  Best story of the year?  Just may be.

Not sure which of these Mike Vick stories I find harder to believe: that the Eagles viewed him as the least likely QB they'd deal entering this off-season, or that offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg says he's back and he expect some very big things out of him this year.

This report has the New York Yankees as the most likely to acquire Dan Haren.  Memo to Brian Cashman: do it, especially if the centrepiece is Joba Chamberlain.

Whatever happened to that creepy Nike ad with Tiger Woods and his dad doing the voiceover?

Disposable razors lasting months?  Thanks to this trick, maybe.  Haven't tested it but will with the new Shick Hydro 5 which I've found lasts a solid three weeks, and this is coming from a guy who shaves his head and face daily.

Pete Rose had a lot of hits in his career, but this might be the best one yet.  How is he pulling this?

The new coach of the French national soccer team - Laurent Blanc - has suspended the entire team for their opening game of Euro 2012 qualifying for their act in South Africa.  Yeah, boot a bunch of quitters for a game - that'll teach them!  But at least Frenchman Thierry Henry scored a beauty of a goal, and had a great start in New York Red Bull colours, according to this report.

Guaranteed win night at Rogers Centre tonight...for David Braley

It is guaranteed win night in Toronto tonight for one David Braley.  Why?  Because he owns both teams playing at the Rogers Centre: the Argos and BC Lions.  The only way this could stink more was if there was a gambling allegation tied to the game and Braley.

Yes, that is the goals scored by individual shoe at the World Cup in South Africa. 

Weird stat that you wouldn't expect: over 11 seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vinny Lecavalier has only missed 33 games total, but has only been above 80 points in a season twice.  His career average is 67.


CC Sabathia turned 30 on Wednesday. He got there with 148 wins and 1,700 strikeouts.  The last pitcher to have so many wins before his 30th birthday was Greg Maddux who won 151 games in his by the time he turned 30. The last pitcher with that many strikeouts was Pedro Martinez, who had 1,981 at age 30.  He's about the best bet to reach 300 next, and still remains a long shot. Really puts that feat in perspective, no?  Sabathia picked up #149 last night in the Yankees 10-4 win over Kansas City.

On Wednesday night, Philadelphia Phillies starter Joe Blanton was allowed to hit with the bases loaded in 7th inning and struck out. The next inning, he gave up the tie-breaking HR to Matt Holliday and the Phillies went on to lose to the St. Louis Cardinals. Blanton's ERA after 6th inning this yeat: 17.18!

Kansas City, Cleveland and Seattle: Easy matchups for the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox this weekend.

Thierry Henry scored in his first game for the New York Red Bull, a 2-1 loss to visiting Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League. After Henry's interview on that joke of a New York morning show a couple days ago, here are some tips for interviewing Henry.

NFL gets paid from networks next year and beyond whether they play or not.  Hope the players are saving their bucks.

Here's a peak at the the top ten most underhyped players in MLB.

Joel Sherman at the NY Post looks at the New York Yankees lineup and concludes that their best centre fielder is playing left, and their best leadoff guy is batting ninth.  Same guy in both cases isn't where he should be: Brett Gardner.  I can see the delicacy about the batting order, because as Sherman notes, Derek Jeter should be hitting towards the bottom with how he has produced this year, but not sure why the attachment to Curtis Granderson already.

On holidays next week so the dailyness of RandoMango will not quite be there, particularly next weekend, but be sure to click over and click away regardless. If there's nothing up by 11am, you can assume a dark day in this corner.

Check out this streaker at the BC Lions game last week. He busted three tackles before being down by security. Word is the Toronto Argos are interested.

The MLB trade market is about to get hot if the talk of a deal that would send Roy Oswalt to Philadelphia materializes and see Jayson Werth shipped out of Philly to Tampa Bay.  Yes, Oswalt makes more than Cliff Lee, who was brilliant last year - and better than Halladay has been for the Phil's this year - but unlike Lee, he's not a free agent heading to the Yankees this offseason.  The Phillies still have themselves a sizeable hole to dig out of in the NL East with the Atlanta Braves up 7 games on them, with the NY Mets 6.5 back, and getting stronger with the return of Jayson Heyward and dealing for Alex Gonzalez.  But, there's word that Oswalt's desire to have his 2012 option guaranteed could scuttle the deal.

Also in the article above, if you don't have ESPN Insider, it is worth that Toronto Blue Jay Jose Bautista will be arbitration eligible and likely to get $10-$12 million, a big bump from his current $2.5 million, and that there is "no way" the Jays would pay that, and they, according to a rival executive, "have to trade him. They're not going to keep him around at that salary, based on one good year."  Why not?  They signed Aaron Hill and Adam Lind to long term extensions on less?

Think New York Mets starter Mike Pelfrey is hurt?  40 hits in 14 innings pitched seems to suggests something isn't right for a guy who dominated most of the season to this point.

I'll never understand how there can be three chairs in a row - same as three urinals - and somebody, there first, picks the one in the middle. Also something I won't get: how great Heineken tastes in cans and how absolutely terrible it is in bottles, even straight out of the case and not exposed to sun.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson thinks the super busy English season could use a break to give its players time to get healthy, and that the absence of a break hurt players based in England at the World Cup this year.  Looking at how England performed, plus Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres and others, there may be something to that. Didn't bother Carlos Tevez a bunch but he doesn't seem to tire ever.  


FIFA has the subject of video replay on the agenda for an October meeting.  At least they're not in a hurry.

Stop me if you've heard this before.  An NBA player - Chris Paul in this case - wants out of a situation he deems unfavorable - New Orleans in this case - to move to join another star - Amare Stoudamire in this case - to chase a ring in another city - New York in this case.  Hey, didn't we mention that rumor of CP3, Amare and Carmelo Anthony hooking up in New York last week?  Seems like there's something to it.

The Most Homerotic Sports Photos Ever Taken.

New Liverpool signing Joe Cole - who is no doubt a fantastic player - says that Liverpool is the biggest club in England.  Didn't know he was a comic too.  Funny he mentions Champions League action with respect to Liverpool because they'll be a spectator this year after finishing 7th.

Happy 20th birthday, Rosie Jones.  NSFW, folks.

Stop talking, CBWhore

The NHL has rejected the 17-year, $102 million deal between Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils.  Why?  Just because guys drafted at the top this year will have begun and ended their careers before that time is done is no reason to suggest something shady is happening.  Oh, wait, it is.

Check out this piece on Chris Bosh.  This guy is deluded as all hell if he thinks that people care all that much about every bit of video from his part of "The Decision" and want to see a movie, or TV series on the subject.  Get a grip, clown. We're way more interested in the $49.5 million pad that LeBron is set to buy, for example.

Generally, if you're famous, on TV, a multi-millionaire, and a two time Super Bowl Champion with the Dallas Cowboys, you're probably not going to fool anyone in the game of Survivor into thinking you deserve another million bucks and further fame.  But, that's not stopping former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson from joining the cast of Survivor: Nicaragua.  Maybe Double J is just bored?

The Edmonton Eskimos have opened this CFL season 0-3, hot on the heels of the Edmonton Oilers finishing 30th out of 30. Seems the City of Champions is doing much to cushion the blow of some of Toronto's pro sports teams.  Hey, is Baltimore part of Edmonton?

Off the usual for a second, The Recording Industry Association of American paid its lawyers more than $16 million in 2008 to chase internet "pirates", and recovered all of $391,000.  And people wonder why the record industry is dying?

Baseball commentator, and full-time Asshat, Tim McCarver likened the abscence of Joe Torre from the new Yankee Stadium to the Nazi's or Russian communists removing former leaders from history with these comments: "You remember some of those despotic leaders in World War II, primarily in Russia and Germany, where they used to take those pictures that they had ... taken of former generals who were no longer alive, they had shot 'em. They would airbrush the pictures, and airbrushed the generals out of the pictures. In a sense, that's what the Yankees have done with Joe Torre. They have airbrushed his legacy. I mean, there's no sign of Joe Torre at the stadium. And, that's ridiculous. I don't understand it."  Classy, McCarver.  Maybe the reason there are no pics of Torre in the new stadium is because he's never managed or set foot in it and didn't exactly leave on good terms with anybody, and took a blow torch to certain players, execs and part of the current ownership group in a book?  Funny they might be a little sour over that and not have a shrine to him.  And in keeping form, he later apologized for the comments.

How about 25 reporters that should be in the SI Swimsuit Issue?

Love that the agent of The Old Has Been even thinks he's a drama queen.  Amazing quotes in that link.  The drama queen is building up the talk about his ankle that I'll predict here miraculously heals about the third week of pre-season.  I'm crazy like that.

New York Red Bull signing Thierry Henry is nothing if not a classy, patient man judging by this interview on a New York morning show.  Maybe they'd have faired better if they mixed in some research?  Very classy showing the controversial hand ball against Ireland repeatedly in the background.  Embarrassing stuff.

Apology unaccepted

Predictably, Dwayne Wade is apologizing and backtracking from his "World Trade" comments over the weekend.  No apology for being so self-absorbed is predicted.

Pierre LeBrun offers up five suggestions to improve the NHL. Can't say I disagree with a single one of them, but where was "remove Gary Bettman and Don Cherry from any further roles" or "shave 20 games off the schedule" on the list?

Fantastic interview here from the exceedingly open book that is Mike Tyson.  Well worth a read.

Joe Cole is now officially a Liverpool player after agreeing to a four year deal, ending his time with Chelsea. Expect a lot of player movement in the next ten days or so as the English Premier League season in particular is just around the corner with an August 14th start date.

The Capello Index, a website that was to feature English coach Fabio Capello's grades of all the players on England as well as the rest of the World Cup squads, except he actually had nothing to do with it, is now and for now online.  Word is Capello is sour that his name has been attached to this and been made public and wants it taken down so if you want to see how "he" graded players, be sure to check this out sooner rather than later.

Speaking of the World Cup, Michael Grange at The Globe & Mail looks at how Canada will get to the big tourney for the first time since 1984.  I'm thinking "buy tickets" would've been a more fitting approach.

The New York Yankees may trade for Toronto Blue Jays reliever Scott Downs?  At least it'll force him to get that greasy lettuce cut.

Word is that MLB has threatened to  what say you all of word that to fold the Texas Rangers if a bankruptcy court forces ownership to the highest bidder.  Seems strange, no?  The goal is to put it in the hands of someone more cash strapped, the same way they did with the Chicago Cubs instead of selling to Mark Cuban, so that teams won't increase their salaries further.

"We lose 2-3 games...you all are going to make it seem like the World Trade is coming down again..."

Check out this for a ridiculous quote: "We're going to be wearing a bullseye. But that's what you play for.  We enjoy the bullseye. Plus, there's going to be times when we lose 2-3 games in a row, and it seems like the world has crashed down. You all are going to make it seem like the World Trade is coming down again, but it's not going to be nothing but a couple...games."  If you had the Miami Heat's Dwayne Wade, you win nothing.  Good to see he's not taking his team and game so seriously.  Asshat.  A caller to The Jim Rome Show last week said one ring in Cleveland would've been as important to his reputation as five straight in Miami would be.  Strangely, that makes a lot of sense.

On the subject of The Three DB-gos, says Michael Jordan: "There's no way, with hindsight, I would've ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, 'Hey, look, let's get together and play on one team.' In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys."
Now that the Toronto Blue Jays have designated Nick Green for assignment, the two lowest batting averages on the team belong to Adam Lind and Aaron Hill.

Check out the 25 Douchiest Moments on ESPN the last year.

Another great baseball injury: Russell Branyon of the Seattle Mariners hurt his big toe while - wait for it! - closing the curtains.

If the rumors are to be believed, Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho could be MLS bound, and to the LA Galaxy at that.

The number "forty" is the only number that is spelled in alphabetical order.  In case you were wondering.

Not sure how I made it this far without seeing Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd mock "The Decision" at the ESPY's.  This is awesome.

68 + 1

Hands down, the greatest shirt in the history of shirts appears at left today.  Speechless.

Not good news coming out of Buffalo on the Bills ticket front.  Although the visits by the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers are sold out, and the NY Jets visit is just about, they're expecting to sell fewer than 50,000 season tickets this year, a drop off of 5,000 from last season.

Chicago Black Hawks captain Jonathan Toews took the Stanley Cup home to Winnipeg and did the usual public rally, a City Hall visit...and a ride on the bus.

If you were one of the 39,000+ in attendance at the Rogers Centre, you got to witness a fantastic performance from Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov who scored a beauty, set up another with a ridiculous pass, and in general toyed with Glasgow Celtic for a full 90 minutes in Man United's 3-1 win.  Worth every one of the $165 paid.  Hopefully you got there early.  Seems the Rogers Centre had thousands upon thousands jamming the entrances in the first 15 minutes of action.  Guessing it had something to do with not being used to such large crowds.

Good news soccer fans: the scantily clad ladies promoting Setanta Sports at Rogers Centre last night tell me that their channel is going HD for this coming soccer season, with over 600 games shown in HD.  The cost?  $16.95 a month, only a couple bucks more than the Extremely Low Def they offered before.

Manny Pacquiao has agreed to all terms for a fight with Floyd Mayweather, yet another deadline passed.  Something to do with Mayweather wanting guarantees that his perfect record will remain intact.  Moreso theory than fact...or is it?

Former Toronto Raptor Hedo Turkoglu had gall bladder surgery?  This should surprise nobody because while in Toronto, he sure displayed a lot of gall.

You know I'm a fan of baseball injuries.  The latest?  San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos hurt his back...holding in a sneeze.


Check out Holland's Arjen Robben ranting about the officiating in the World Cup Final.  Tool.

Not sure how it took so long to see this one, but check out German World Cupper Mesmut Ozil's juggling act in pre-game warmups.

Hollywood LeBron

Fantastic article passed my way by one JG, who often checks things out herebouts.  The title says it all: Sorry if you think soccer sucks.  But nobody cares what you think.  Fantastic.  I've loved hearing some football or baseball fans tell me that it moves to slow.  Really?  Last I looked, save for one halftime, it doesn't stop, and 90 minutes takes either that or just over.  Not the three plus hours that the 60 minutes of a football game takes, not the infinite time a baseball game can take.  Don't get me wrong, I love all three, just don't understand the ridiculous need to compare all three when you can judge them all on their own merits.  Do I like the diving and theatrics of some?  Hell no.  But if you're a (North American) football fan and don't think there's theatrics there, you're dreaming.  Or if you think grabbing a guy by his nutsack or fishhooking him is sport, then carry on.  If you think there's no diving in basketball or hockey, you're simply not paying attention.

Now here's an NBA star I can get with: Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant has no opt out clause in his new contract. Why? To aid the team's recruiting efforts to attract other players so they don't fear the team losing its young star, unlike a certain former Cleveland Cavalier.


Thierry Henry, former French captain and a highly decorated player with both Arsenal and Barcelona, has finally agreed to terms to play for the New York Red Bull in the MLS.  Also entertaining a move to the MLS?  Manchester United's Ryan Giggs.  Giggs and many of his start teammates are in Toronto tonight for a friendly - exhibition game to the uninitiated - against Glasgow Celtic.  Yours truly will be sitting midfield 18 rows up.

Great bit of info passed my way from regular reader KD: World Cup fans watching at outdoor venues in South Korea, not wanting to miss a minute of the action, drove a 168% increase in the sale of adult diapers in the last month.

The MLS, which owns its players as opposed to individual teams, says it will not sell U.S. World Cup star Landon Donovan.  Me, if he wants to go, you let the man go to bigger clubs and more fame.  He's still young enough that after a couple years in Everton or Chelsea, as has been rumored, that he can come back and you can still cash in.

Somebody might want to tell MLB Commissioner Bud Selig that his "this one counts" thing for the All-Star Game can officially die now.  The game Tuesday drew the lowest rating of all the times.

A double shot of MMA talk here: 10 reasons why UFC rules sports.  Also, 10 must see fights for the second half of 2010.

Think Jacksonville is sweating losing the Jaguars?  Some fans have started a website called "NowayLA" to push to keep the team in J-Ville.

If you haven't had enough of Chris Berman's "back, back, back" routine at the overdone Home Run Derby, then you'll enjoy this compilation of his 2010 effort.  If you are tired of it, then only go there if looking for torture.

What would RM be without a regular installment of WAG's?  Up today, the 50 Hottest WAG's of all the times.

Why the internet rules, part 7,869,419: the Mel Gibson Soundboard.

Why the internet rules, part 7,869,420:  LeBron James dumps on Cleveland, NWO Wolfpack style...

Baseball's back!

The Major League Baseball schedule fires back up today, thankfully. What a horrible time to hit the All-Star break the same day that the World Cup ended. That's like being at a keg party and somebody randomly shuts off the taps while you're on a malted hops frenzy.

George Steinbrenner's funeral goes Saturday in Tampa. The Yankees Old Timers Day is slated for Saturday as well with a game against Tampa Bay to follow. Scalpers must be drooling over the prospects this weekend with the second place Rays in the house. 

Somebody let Toronto Blue Jay Jose Bautista know that Hollywood Hogan called...he wants his beard back.

Speaking of the Jays, if not for their month long slumber, Toronto might well be looking at three active pro-sports teams with winning records now that the Argos moved to 2-1 early in the CFL season and Toronto FC doing the deed. Of a more ominous note for the Boatmen: their home opener drew a mere 20,242.

Dear Mr. Steinbrenner, thanks for passing. Couldn't have come at a better time. Yours, LeBron and Tiger.  The New York Times, by the way, had 43 pages on Steinbrenner's death yesterday.

For those that wonder why I don't cover Tour de France more, I give you this to appease: the 15 best wipeouts.

Funny that some of the same people loving the Jays free agent acquisitions from parts unknown are the same people who relentlessly crack on the Leafs doing same. Can't have it both ways, I'm afraid.

Buster Olney warns that newly acquired Blue Jay Yunel Escobar couldn't get along in the famously good Atlanta Braves locker room. This could get good as the Jays slide further out of contention and Escobar having a down year.

Line of the night from the second episode of Entourage: "I'd rather wax my asshole."

The soccer "silly season" is about to get underway now that the World Cup is out of the way.  First up is talk that Kaka is on his way out of Real Madrid after one season, with Chelsea a possibility.

Lou Pinella is managing through the last year of his contract with the Chicago Cubs, as is Joe Girardi with the New York Yankees.  Girardi is a born and raised Illinois boy, and his openly discussed the Cubs job as being attractive.  Leverage for a new Yankee deal?

Tweets Gary Busey - yes, that Gary Busey - "Mel Gibson may be blackballed from Hollywood, but he still has a future in ghostwriting songs for rappers."

Have a great Thursday.

"You don't apologize for NOTHING? Then you're a dishonest..."

You know that George Steinbrenner's death is a big story when it boots Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption to ESPN2.  Wonder if that pushes the Hal Steinbrenner, The Boss Jr., to push hard for a Yankees World Series win in his dad's last year?  Checkout Steinbrenner's Greatest Hits.  But hey, at least I had The Boss in my Death Pool for 2010.

Dave Feschuk at the Toronto Star hammers Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo for his latest version of Raptors Makeover.  Fault him for not getting it right if you will, but can't fault him for sitting by and not trying.

There's a ticket for the Toronto Blue Jays visit to Yankee Stadium on Stub Hub going for a mere $350,000.  Presumably that includes parking, a hot dog and beverage?

The World Cup was a ratings bonanza for CBC, shattering previous records in Canada.  Partly, that is the result of being on CBC which is so widely available, and partly, because now bars are counted with far greater accuracy.  The finals peaked at over 7.5 million viewers.  A 3D viewership rating of 4 viewers is also rumored to have been set.

Bruno Fernandes Das Dores de Souza - in the running for Brazil's goalkeeping job for 2014 World Cup - is pretty safely out of the running now.  Seems 'ol Bruno didn't take kindly to a girl he got pregnant - porn star Eliza Samudo - deciding to keep the now four month old baby, so he hired a couple of goons and watched while they choked her to death, then had her carved up and fed to dogs.  Classy.

Jon Heyman at SI.com dishes out his mid-season awards for each league's MVP, LVP (least valuable player), Cy Young, Cy Old (worst pitcher) and more in this spot.  A good recap of a great first half.  Of note: check out the Cy Young race in the N.L.  Freaking impressive.

ESPN's Jon Miller - and he can't pronounce Adrian Beltre without saying "Bell-Tray", so take this with a heavy dose of sodium - has accused the Colorado Rockies of manipulating the balls used in home games, mixing in some non-humidor balls when the Rockies are trailing.  That's a pretty heavy accusation to levy without a whole lot of evidence.

It wasn't long ago that the Chicago White Sox were prime fire sale candidates.  But, win 25 of 30 and you suddenly become buyers, which they may need to with Jake Peavy out for the season.

Check out the 14 Best Goals of World Cup 2010. I'm sure some comedic lightweights are waiting to say "hey, every goal made it!"  Save it.  Not sure Forlan's goal vs. Holland or Ronaldo's vs. North Korea belong.  Landon Donovan's goal is my top one.  Goosebumps still.

Mel Gibson is insane.  This is the most amazing 8 minutes and change you'll hear this year.

A slow day in the world of sports...

The Sports Pickle notes that "despite a name that would suggest it would feature nothing but stars, Major League Baseball will reportedly include three Toronto Blue Jays players in this week's All-Star Game, a move that could possibly undermine the entire event."  The game goes tonight, of course.


It comes as a huge surprise to nobody that Rev. Jesse Jackson has likened Cleveland CavaliersDan Gilbert's treatment of LeBron James owner to those of a slave master: "His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave"  Sorry, Mr. Jackson, it is actually possible for a black man and a white man to have a disagreement that isn't racially motivated.  But that doesn't keep your name in the spotlight, does it?

Good news for the surprising New York Mets.  They're getting Carlos Beltran back in the mix this week for the first time this year.

2010 marks the first time since the six division format began in MLB in 1994 that no team enters the All-Star break with a lead in their division of five games or more.  The Texas Rangers are closest at 4.5, but they did just get swept at home by Baltimore.


Might the NBA see a "big three" in New York in the coming years?  They might, if Chris Paul was serious about comments he made about joining Amare Stoudamire and Carmelo Anthony in the Big Apple. 

Will somebody please, please drop the "Delonte West tapped LeBron James mom" story already so we can all laugh at him even further?  There will be no running from that one.  A great shirt being sold off a very cryptic sounding website called kissmyasslebron.com appears at left.  Love the latest gloss I heard for him: LeCon.

Confirming what we already suspected, Scarlett Johansson is hot for Mango. Speaking of Scarlett, check out this guys running list of 500 things he'd do to bang her.

For those scoring at home, finished 36-28 in the World Cup picks.  56% and change.

Overall the average goals per game at the World Cup was 2.27, just ahead of Italia 90’s mark of 2.21, which is the lowest of all time, but in the knockout stage the goals per game average rose to a healthy 2.75 which was the best since 1998’s mark of 2.81.  There were 145 goals scored in total.

Presumably, somebody won the Home Run Derby, if it is indeed over.  Prediction: Chris Berman overdid the "back, back, back, back..." thing somewhere during the first at bat, if not sooner.

First we hear that Bryan Colangelo has jettisoned the horrible Hedo Turkoglu deal, and now comes word he's shipping Jose Calderon?  The man must be after my heart.

Tough week for Yankee fans.  Bob Shepperd passed away on the weekend, and they'll use his voice (recorded) to introduce Derek Jeter, and today, we hear that George Steinbrenner has passed away.  You may not have respected everything The Boss did, but you have to want him as an owner.  Committed to winning.  Period.

Have a great day.  GO A.L.!

Spain triumph

The World Cup Final was a chippy one, crossing the line into dirty several times.  One might argue Nigel De Jong's kick to the chest of a Spanish player was the worst moment, and while that should've been a red card, I'm not entirely sure it was the worst thing I saw on the day.  My "dirtiest" was the great Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta diving twice down the stretch, the first screaming like he was cut in two when he was untouched by Gregory Van Der Wiel, and the second got John Heitinga sent off with 11 minutes to go in extra time.  Of course, minutes later, Iniesta scored the winner and Spain are the World Champions.  I thought Spain were the better team on the day, but Holland had the better chances and could've easily stole the game.

Wow, at least the Miami Heat introduction of the The Three DB-gos wasn't ridiculous.  Video here. And in the spirit of Miami, will LeBron change the baby-powder-in-the-air ritual he does pre-game to use cocaine?  I'm interested to see who comes out last in the pre-game introductions.  Memo to Chris Bosh: fear not, it won't be you.  The Cleveland Plain Dealer has a look into how the deals to bring Bosh and LeBron came to be.  Well worth your time, though you may feel the need to shower after from the sliminess of it all.

If you're wondering what was on Iniesta's shirt that he showed off after scoring, it read: "Dani Jarque siempre con nosotros" - Dani Jarque is always with us.  Jarque is the former Espanyol captain who died of a heart attack last year at 26.  Speaking of shirts, not sure how I feel about Spain changing into red jersey's with a gold star on it - to indicate a World Cup winner - in time for the trophy presentation.  Seems a bit cheesy, no?

Love how Deadspin has declared Bobbi Eden the biggest winner in yesterday's World Cup final for being able to remove her name from the "Jaw Transplant List" now that she's off the hook for hummers to all her Twitter followers.

I don't always agree with every move that Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo makes, but he does have a knack for eliminating a problem in short order and moving on, as he just did in moving Hedo Turkoglu to the Phoenix Suns.

Maybe the Texas Rangers missed that career 7.62 ERA that Cliff Lee has pitching at The Ballpark in Arlington, and he was shelled for three homers and six runs in a loss Saturday in his Rangers debut.

Surprised the guy that jumped from the stands and tried to do something to the World Cup trophy yesterday didn't get more play here.  Check this out:

The heart says Holland, but the head says Spain.  Who to take?  Well, Holland enter the World Cup Final with a record 6 wins in the tournament, a first.  Spain enter looking like they finally found their dominant ways of Euro 2008 based on their performance in the semi-finals against Germany, a 1-0 Spanish win.  Spain have struggled to score goals all tourney long, 1-0 winners whenever they've won, despite creating piles of chances.  Holland on the other hand have scored multiple goals in every game but one.  Spain are the more experienced side, but have counted on late goals to win more often than not.  Holland have scored some lucky goals to be sure, but have looked comfortable in every game.  Who wins?  Again, the heart says Holland, the head says Spain.  Taking Spain.

The Toronto Blue Jays are 5-14 against the AL East's Big Three.  Fire up the "move to the Central" movement anytime you're ready, Jays Fan.

Wesley Sneijder and David Villa sit tied with Thomas Mueller and Diego Forlan for the golden boot with five goals apiece.  Only the first two have a shot to break the log jam in today's game.

Drinking game for the World Cup Final: everytime they mention in the broadcast, and it'll mostly be in the unimaginative pre-game and half-time shows, that we'll be seeing a first time winner, have a drink.  You'll be trashed by the half.

Brock Lesnar's next title defence will be at UFC 121 in Anaheim on October 23rd where he'll face Cain Velasquez.  That's gonna be a bad ass fight.

There have been 33 goals in the last eight 3rd place games so no reason to think today is anything but a free flowing game when Uruguay face Germany. German striker Miroslav Klose needs a goal to share the all-time World Cup goal title, two to own it.  Can't imagine anything other than a German win today, and that indeed is the pick for today.


Tucker Max on Tiger Woods, with a side of LeBron James: "Poor Tiger Woods. His whores took his dignity, his wife took $750mil, and LeBron took his 'Biggest Fuckface in Sports' title."  Must've forgot about the Old Has Been.

Green Bay Packer DB Charles Woodson says his QB Aaron Rodgers is the "best quarterback in the league."  That's so cute when guys confuse "league" with "city" or "division". 

Check out these MMA rankings and pound-for-pound rankings.  Still find it hard to believe Roy Nelson is ranked top ten in anything.

Was the Nigeria/Greece World Cup game fixed, with some Nigerian players on the take?  Could well be, if you believe this piece.  To add fuel to the fire, there was talk before the tourney that the Nigerian players were in a pay dispute with their federation, opening the door for the vultures to pounce.

Toronto FC look to push their unbeated-at-home-in-a-calendar-year streak ever closer to a year today when they host the Colorado Rapids today with a noon kickoff.  I suspect they take all three points today unlike recent games where they start and finish with a draw.

Love the LeBitch quote to the right here.  How very Bryan McCabe of him to ignore his own words.  It was McCabe, mental midget that he is, that once famously said he'd "never" play under a salary cap in the NHL.  Great cover in the Cleveland Plain Dealer above, too.

Back tomorrow with your World Cup pick, and that's despite what is a combo celebration tonight of the birthday of yours truly and a good friend's bachelor party. Man's game, this!

Alex Jones - famed conspiracy theorist and fear-monger at infowars.com - goes off about LeBron James and his decision and what it means in the grand schem of things.  Don't always agree with Jones, or his methods, but he's crushing it here.

Three all-me-go's

The best part about LeJudas announcement yesterday, other than the world now knows and can move on from the tedium of LeBrett updates?  The letter to Cleveland Cavalier fans from owner Dan Gilbert, in which he annihilates LeDouche.  Another report had Gilbert calling him LeQuitter for his playoff performance against Boston.  Amazing stuff.  As for his bit about promising the Cavs win a championship before the Heat do, is there a fan anywhere - other than Miami Heat fans, of course - that doesn't hope it works out that way?  Suddenly, the Cavs are everyone's fav second team.

Miami reporter Dan LeBatard looks at how the deal came together and credits Dwayne Wade with brokering the deal and allowing the Heat to work around tampering rules.  We'll see if things work so smoothly come their first playoff series when they get pushed.

I'm not sure how many rings the Heat will win, but they're definitely in the early lead for most knee braces on under-30 players.  Have fun with that.  "Paging Dr. Andrews..."

Chin up, New Yorkers. Your fine city and horrible hoops squad may not have signed LeBron James, and saw David Lee skip off to the Golden State Warriors of all teams, but at least your Yankees are getting another Lee in town by all indications, perhaps in time to see him start for you tonight instead of against you.

Cleveland Cavalier season ticket holders have their money in for 2010/2011.  Wonder if they're at all angry now?  Funny that Gilbert neglected to mention that bit in his bombs he delivered last night.  And speaking of ticket sales: good luck with that, Toronto Raptors.  Memo to the Toronto Blue Jays: you're no longer the worst draw in town real soon.

The Globe & Mail looks at the battle between Nike and Adidas for soccer supremacy.

Very classy of Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo - the fat one, not the Portuguese pretty boy - to warn current Brazilian national team member Felipe Melo that he might not want to vacation in Brazil after scoring an own goal in Brazil's elimination at the hands of Holland last week.  Don't recall anyone warning Ronaldo after his famous meltdown before the 1998 final against France in which he then played like a zombie.

The last time so much talent got together on one team to grab a ring was the 2003-04 LA Lakers with Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neill all together, and we know how that turned out.


Should Holland win the World Cup on Sunday, that would complete one hell of a season for midfielder, and Manchester United target, Wesley Sneijder.  He's already won the Italian league with Inter Milan, captured the Champions League there as well, and is now on the verge of the ultimate prize.  Not bad for a guy who along with teammate Arjen Robben, was deemed expendable by Real Madrid just a year ago.

I normally don't reference things that appear in the message side of the blog, but had this one saved up from Bill Simmons after yesterday's edition (later referenced by BigHeadedJerk) and it is well worth a read even today, after we know where LeBron James ended up.  Bonus points to The Sports Guy for crushing the notion that Chris Bosh is a superstar.


Finally today, check out the World's Largest Skateboard.  Amazing.