Swine Flu?

• Toronto FC are on the road tonight in California, playing Chivas USA who always pack in the crowds in Carson. With the playoffs in site, every point counts for the Reds, who will be minus "Captain Overrated" Jim Brennan, out for a game after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend.
• that's ESPN's Erin Andrews to the right. Wonder if the pictures of her last month in her hotel room naked were taken after getting the mud off?
  
• after a slow start to the year, hard not to imagine Mark Teixera of the New York Yankees nabbing the AL MVP award. As good as his offence has been, his defence at first has made a world of difference, especially in cleaning up the throws of the rest around the horn. Mix in that he's on the team with the best record in baseball and the argument becomes much easier. In the NL, is there anybody other than Albert Pujols?
• with Michael Vick, the Old Has Been, Rick Pitino and David Ortiz acts in recent months, and his own flying under the radar, Alex Rodriguez is almost starting to seem like a normal guy of late, no?
• what are the odds that the swine flu would hit a Japanese baseball team called the Japanese Ham Fighters?
• hard to believe, but the Texas Rangers have allowed the fewest runs in the American League. Considering the bandbox they play in, that is damn impressive.
• Gary Sheffield must have been reading this space a couple days ago and realized that as the New York Mets leading home run hitter, he should be paid a lot more than he is. So of course, he sat out a game and is said to be upset with management. Sheff is a serious piece of work.
• San Jose Sharks captain Patrick Marleau and assistant Joe Thornton have been relieved of their duties. Can't recall two guys losing their letters at the same time before without being traded.

Have a great Saturday, go Reds!