The first significant move of the MLB off-season went down yesterday, with the Florida Marlins Dan Uggla dealing 2B - sorry Toronto Blue Jays Fan, he's not coming to T.O. - for a surprisingly small package of Omar Infante and Mike Dunn, considering it was an intra division deal with the Atlanta Braves, whose offence looks decidedly better today for the cost of a utility man and a reliever.  As for the Marlins, they've added four solid relief options in the last week to a pen that struggled badly last year.  Things should pick up with the first batch of GM meetings on the go in Orlando.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, never short on opinion, is openly delighting in the Miami Heat's early season struggles.  While most are no doubt enjoying it, the key here is it is early.  Don't be writing them off just yet.

Had it nor aired on Monday Night Football, I'd swear this video of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid in the punt, pass and kick competition was doctored.  Let's just say that Reid was a little bit bigger than the rest of the 13-year olds.

How very progressive of the President of the Croatian national soccer federation to declare that homosexual players will not be allowed to play for the national team and that "luckily, only normal people play football".  Am sure he thinks there's a test for that, too.

The most surprising thing about talk of an expanded playoffs in baseball is that MLB has had to say it seems unlikely to happen for next year.  That the question exists is an improvement.

Speaking of structural change, the NFL Players Union has offered its take on the proposed move to an 18-game schedule.  They want a dramatic cut in off-season workouts, two in-season bye weeks, and an increase in rosters from 53 to 56 or 57, a reduction in games needed to qualify for medical benefits and  pension.  Oh, and more money, of course.  All seems pretty reasonable to me.

Pitcher Brad Penny is engaged to Karina Smirnoff, WAG extraordinaire.  Nice work, BP.  You wrapped up a solid free agent, now to get yourself a job.

Here's a look at a bunch of sports conspiracy theories, and how believable they are, including the "Michael Jordan was suspended by the NBA for gambling when he went to play baseball."

If you're a Twitter fan, here's a list of MLBers confirmed as legit accounts on Twitter.  Not surprisingly, Vernon Wells is as electric on Twitter as he is in regular TV interviews, which is to say, he's not.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be including video of the FIFA Goal of the Year nominees each day until the entire short list is covered.  Some real gems in the mix.

Carmelo Anthony took a swipe at Chris Bosh - which is turning into its own sport of late - in saying he wouldn't leave the Denver Nuggets hanging when it came to his free agency.

Courtesy of GBVH, a fantastic little ditty called "F**k You, Hipsters".  Great stuff, though I'm all in favor or Hipster Hitler, as you know.

In a move that would more than likely fix all of the Dallas Cowboys discipline, accountability and divisiveness issues by his sheer presence, the squad might be hotly pursuing Baltimore Ravens free agent Ray Lewis. Wonder if Terrell Owens will do his Lewis dance impression again if that happens? Hell, if I'm Jerry Jones, I make the offer, and give him the head coaching job while he's at it...the Super Bowl coverage has yet to start, but one thing for certain: nobody else will be publishing a Top 10 Quarterback WAG's - Wives and Girlfriends - list like this...the Atlanta Braves are looking to add Andruw Jones after he was released by the L.A. Dodgers. Frankly, for a mere $400k, with the Dodgers picking up the other $20 million and change, I'm shocked more teams aren't looking to gamble. Word is Jones has shed a few pounds, that's a start...if anybody can figure out why Dallas Mavs owner Mark Cuban, in keeping his tradition of matching fines received by the NBA with donations to charities, is looking to make a donation to the NHL Players Association Goals and Dreams Fund in the names of Steve Moore and Todd Bertuzzi, I'd love ti hear it...in a five month period ending last year, 41 WWE wrestlers tested positive for marijuana. Well, if you can't pop painkillers like candy anymore, what else are these busted up guys to do?...interesting English Premier League stat: if you take away the final five minutes of the game, here's how the standings would look with the points on 85 minutes, with the actual position and points in parenthesis. 1. Arsenal - 45 (41, 5th); 2. Chelsea - 44 (45, 3rd); 3. Manchester United - 43 (47, 1st), Liverpool - 43 (47, 2nd), Aston Villa - 43 (44, 4th)...interesting point about the idea salary caps promote parity: in the last 30 years, there have been 20 champions in Major League Baseball. In the NBA, with a cap? 9...Washington Capital star - and one of the world's most electric players in any sport - Alexander Ovechkin has taken over 100 shots on goal more than the next player in the league...quick poll at the right, enjoy...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

That Donovan McNabb didn't know it was possible to tie in the NFL is absolutely mindblowing. A quarterback, of all positions, should know the rule book inside out. Tends to help you with, you know, knowing the game and all...each team that has beaten the Detroit Lions this year has failed to cover the spread the next week. Early Week 12 play: Atlanta to cover against Carolina. Remember gamblers, streaks only end once...Mark Cuban has been accused of insider trading. If they made an example of Martha Stewart for doing same, betting they'll treat him even more harshly...how much money was lost by people who had bet the Pittsburgh Steelers to cover on Sunday? A mere $66 million...true stat: the New England Patriots are 6-0 in games they win the coin toss in, 0-4 in games they don't...Buffalo Bills fans might have had enough of Monday Night games after the past two years. Last year, if you recall, they lost at home after a frantic Dallas Cowboys comeback and last second Nick Folk field goal. Last night, they lost when Rian Lindell went wide right. The loss dropped the Prime Time Picks to 13-7..I haven't a clue why Lance Armstrong says he fears for his safety at the Tour de France. Everybody knows that when encountered with any form of aggression, the French turn tail...Citigroup will be laying off 53,000 world wide, many in New York. But fear not, the New York Mets will still get their $20 million for naming rights to the new stadium - per year...have a great Tuesday.

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

The painful "will he or won't he?" saga of Mats Sundin appears as though it is a "he will", with December 1st as the likely return date for the legenary Swede. The Leafs don't seem a likely landing spot, and as mentioned here before, that is for the best for both. Where he does end up remains a mystery, but there could be some interesting trades coming as some teams look to clear cap room to try to land Sundin...the Oakland Raiders are an NFL worst 7-29 on the road since 2003...the LA Dodgers offer to Manny Ramirez is said to be two years and $45 million. No chance that is accepted. SI.com's Jon Heyman still has the Toronto Blue Jays listed prominently as a possible suitor. Makes a lot of sense, no?...that thud you just heard was the Toronto Raptors coming back to reality after a beatdown at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks last night...are the Montreal Canadiens for sale? Depends who you believe, but hard to figure that George Gillett would be airing such a possibility in their 100th season...Bud Selig and MLB want no part of Mark Cuban owning the Chicago Cubs. How does that make any sense? He took over the sad sack Dallas Mavericks and made them an absolute first class operation where players want to go now, so why not? Because he criticizes the establishment on occasion, and usually with good reason? Pathetic...that's it for today, Manchester United vs. Arsenal beckon...have a great Saturday.