If you are a big fan of the Olympics and you can't wait to watch the events that unfold over the next 2 weeks I commend you.  It seems every time the Olympics come around I become less interested.  It takes a bunch of millionaire basketball players to make me pay attention to basketball.  Meanwhile, athletes who've had to sacrifice themselves over years of training for this very day, who don't have luxury cars or houses or jacuzzi's, don't draw as much interest.  That seems unfair but that is reality.

Let's walk around the leagues...

- FINALLY!  Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers have parted ways.  Here are a few thoughts about that whole situation:

*The Green Bay Packers may have moved on, promised Aaron Rodgers a starting role and felt like they had to eliminate what could have been a cancer on the team, but if they were a QB choke-job away from winning the Super Bowl and Favre is the better quarterback why get rid of him for very little in return?  How badly did they want him out of Green Bay?

*By the time Rodgers is ready to lead, IF he's ever ready to leave, will the rest of the team still play at the level they were at last year?  Doubt it.  They will lose defensive players , guys will get hurt, running backs will break down and every team is a big injury or two away from a disastrous season.  Green Bay needed to take their shot this season.

*There is more that meets the eye with that situation.  What it is we may never know.  I just don't see teams giving up a 4000 yard passer with a 2-1 TD to INT ratio very much.  We know Favre is selfish and will put himself above the team whenever he can, but was he also taking too much control over the offense?  Did McCarthy only want Favre to throw 30 times instead of 40 per game and that ticked Favre off?  We won't know, but it had to be bigger than just a couple of mind changes and a little jerking around in order for the Packers to get rid of their beloved quarterback.

- Did Kobe Bryant really say he'd play in Italy for $50 million dollars?  Before I go there, did Kobe grow up wanting to be an NBA superstar and win championships?  We assumed so.  I just wouldn't expect the one player that people talk about as a cold-blooded assassin who should have the ball with 5 seconds left on the clock.  All this tells me is Kobe will play for the money.  And all this does is validate the argument I have made for nearly 3 years that Bryant isn't MJ, isn't as clutch as you think and now I have a brand new one: a money-over-winning player.  I'm sorry, making 50 million in Italy does nothing for the guy or this "legacy" that he's built.  If he had a shread of killer-instinct that people say he has he would have said "Hell no.  I play to win NBA championships".  Sorry Kobe fans, your boy isn't what you thought he was - then again we could have told you that 5 years ago when he was in Colorado.

- 3 reasons why Tampa Bay could hold off Boston and New York in the American League East: Carl Crawford, BJ Upton and Carlos Pena.  None of the 3 keys to their offense has had a good year.  Crawford hovers around .300 every year and is barely over .270.  They NEED him to heat up because when he is hitting and running the bases well he's one of the most lethal weapons around.  Upton, who's power numbers have dropped, is hitting just above .260 and is slumping.  He's a guy who should be hitting .280 and they need him to carry the team for a week or so with a power surge.  Pena is a .260 guy at best.  He's under .240 and they need him to also have a power surge and somehow lift that average.  The Rays have not hit all that well this year and if their pitchers hit the wall in September, which could happen, they will need the hitting to step up. 

- The Florida Marlins may have wanted to send rookie sensation Mike Stanton to Boston for Manny Ramirez.  He is proving that he can carry teams offensively AND the NL East is as vulnerable as ever.

- Someone should tell Prince Fielder to chill out.  He can't take his anger out on teammatesespecially since we aren't sure if he's upset with them, himself, his dad or the fact that he hasn't seen his #### since high school.

- The waves must be too great in San Diego for him to refuse a deal to Boston.  Either that or Boston just want as many outfielders as they possibly can and Giles would rather start than have a shot at a ring.  It's probably a tougher decision than we think; start for a bad team, ride the bench for a serious contender.  I'd probably take the ring.

- The PGA Championship is this weekend? 

- 20 years ago today: Wayne Gretzkey was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.  Has it been THAT long since the biggest trade in hockey history took place?

That will do for this morning...

I thought I would never talk about the WNBA in any blog I would ever write in my lifetime.  It shows that I should never say never, and that the reason I wouldn't touch that topic is that I don't get ESPN 2 in Canada.  Unless the WNBA is carried by an ABC or FOX or CBS, I'll never get to watch the WNBA.  Needless to say, my knowledge of the game is weak.

However, I have watched WNBA games and it has been rough for the most part - and I only mean the execution rather than physical play.  But the LA Sparks and Detroit Shock (shocked that I knew?) had a brawl that has captured the attention of sports fans across the continent.  Lisa Leslie, a star WNBA player as well as a mom and a player who was involved in the brawl, handled herself so well that I had to write about this.  What she said was this incident will bring more attention to their league and it's not the way they wanted to do it.  I agree that she didn't want the attention to happen like this, but she's got to be somewhat happy that the league that she has worked so hard to help build has become significant for at least a few seconds.  I bet that the other side story to this matchup that people care about is Michael Cooper v. Bill Laimbeer - two former rivals from a long time ago who happen to coach women for a living.  Aside from them, do you have any connection with the WNBA?  I know Candace Parker is related to Toronto Raptor Anthony Parker.  So this brawl hasn't hurt the league thanks to all the exposure and attention it has gotten.  All you have to do is check Youtube for further evidence.

One guy who might get hurt is Rick Mahorn, who pushed the biggest star down to the ground (Leslie).  People can talk about how he was trying to break the fight up, but if you check out the different camera angles you will see he just pushed her down - accidentally or not.  For those of you who don't know who Rick Mahorn is, he was a former Detroit Piston that everyone talks highly about because he was part of 2 championships when in reality he just happened to be at the right place at the right time (yes, that was me deflating Mahorn as a player). 

And Leslie handled herself well.  Would you hear an NBA player talk about how he is a father who wants to set a great example?  Say what you want about the league, about Leslie or otherwise, she proved that perhaps there is a sports league that has a few classy athletes.  Although that doesn't help as it comes on the heels of a brawl that has put their league on the map for the time being.  I would watch the NBA over the WNBA 100% of the time but I now find myself respecting the league after this incident.  Strange...

OTHER STUFF:

- I got to attend the Rogers Tennis tournament in Toronto and stood about 10 feet away from Roger Federer during warm-up.  I have never seen a bigger crowd around a practice court than I did on Monday when Federer was preparing for his doubles match.  He was bounced from the tourney on Wednesday but I bet he could use the relaxation time to get re-vamped for another US Open run.

Side note: Apparently, Andy Roddick's family kicked people out of their row that was not cheering for Andy.  They were in a seating area that was for general admission.  I guess we know where he gets his insecurities from.  I got this from some ladies who sat close to the family.

- Brett Favre might want to use a pay phone and call collect rather than use his team phone.  Although the Minnesota Vikings should know better and deserve to be punished for going against NFL rules, does Brett ever think about anyone but himself?  I guess he wants everyone to bow down or bend over backwards for him.  Sad.

- The AL Central is showing how overrated their division is.  The Chicago White Sox are well below .500 against the AL East, at .500 against the AL West while their record has been padded by their play within their division as well as their weak NL opponents.  Minnesota is worse as they can't beat the East or West.  Detroit cannot win in the central, but that will change over the next couple of months as they continue to make their charge towards first place in that overblown division.  The AL East has and will continue to be baseball's strongest division.

- Dear Lebron, don't tell me, show me...

I can't believe July is almost over!

When you are a franchise that finds out your starting quarterback is retiring - after nearly reaching the Super Bowl - you tend to be disappointed with the decision, but because you have a job to do you can't be stuck in the past and you have to look toward the future.

The Green Bay Packers were forced to do so when Brett Favre announced his retirement earlier this year. So when I see a headline like this:

Favre: I don't feel welcome in Green Bay

I don't feel bad for Brett. The organization believed the face of their franchise was through with football. Regardless of how selfish or classless Favre has been, Green Bay knew that losing Brett at that time was a liability. Why? Because they wanted to win a Super Bowl and they were so close this past season. Now they have to do it with basically a rookie quarterback. So be it. That is football. That is the way it goes. And now Favre says he wants to come back? The franchise was forced to move forward because YOU moved forward. Now you expect them to take a step back for you? What kind of self-service, me-first athlete are you?

You have put this organization in one hell of a rough spot simply because you've never truly cared for anyone except yourself. Go play for Minnesota or whomever, choke in the playoffs as you normally do on cue and keep padding the career stats so that you make Peyton Manning work harder to blow your records away. And maybe this year you can sincerely congratulate a running back who scores a touchdown that you felt should have been a pass.

- What did anyone expect from Alex Rodriguez? Did you expect him to be a faithful, loving husband? Did you expect him to show class on the ballfield? Did you expect him to come through in the clutch? Did you even expect him to participate in the home run derby? If you said yes to any of these then you should probably take a break from sports and take some time off for personal reasons. It would be out of A-Rod's nature to do the right thing. I bet a long time ago he was a nice kid, did right by everyone and was a tough kid. Then somewhere down the line things changed; he stopped showing guts, he continue to plow through women despite being married and his insecurities caught up to him ON the field as well as off it. The more homers he hits the less impressed we are with him. He just cruised past Yankee legend Mickey Mantle and I could care less about it. Seriously, whatever is making you play without a Richard isn't worth all of this Stray-Rod, so move forward.

- Within 3 years the Washington Wizards will live to regret the Gilbert Arenas signing. First, will he stay healthy. Second, will he ever touch the production he had 2 or 3 years ago before he had the injury? Last, who the hell thought he was worth 111 million for 6 at his very best? Is he even a top 5 guard in the NBA? No way. He isn't a Deron Williams or Chris Paul-type of player, but he's more like an Allen Iverson - and he isn't even Allen Iverson. He may not even be Baron Davis. What a horrible move by Washington. This is a move backward.

- Sticking with basketball, Phil Jackson must think he can coach the cancerous Ron Artest, otherwise there would be little interest. Considering that Phil did win a ring with Dennis Rodman (3 rings) and Isiah Rider, he may be the guy to keep him in line. However, Artest will be asked to do more than what Rodman and Rider were asked to do on the court. And if Kobe doesn't get in Artest's face because Ron is "his boy", then Kobe is softer than you all realize. MJ would never allow a teammate to skate on stupidity. Who knows where the Lakers would move?

- I haven't watched a single minute of Golf since the U.S. Open. In fact I've watched more LPGA than PGA since Tiger announced he was going to the 60-day DL. I have moved forward to next year.

- Over to the NHL...naw, I won't do that to you. Not today.

-

It was an interesting scene in Toronto tonight as I arrived to the Air Canada Centre just an hour after news broke of the big trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies.  Over the last couple seasons we have waited to see if the Lake-show could pull the trigger on a deal - or if they had the players to deal for an impact player.

With Kwame Brown's contract about to expire and Memphis's intent to rebuild it made sense to make a deal.  Memphis grabs a young kid, a relatively young guy in Brown and 2 draft picks that need lots of prayer to become impactful.  This allows the Grizz to start over amd they will have some cash to show for it.

The Lakers grab a guy who can make an immediate impact.  This move allows them some breathing room as Andrew Bynum recovers from injury, and it gives them a blanket if Bynum does not return to form.  If he does return to form it allows Lamar Odom to slide to the small forward position while Pau plays the 4.  And, it gives them a deeper bench when Luke Walton slides beside some of the other contributors like Ronny Turiaf and Jordan Farmar.

This is a win-win for both teams without a doubt.  The need to crash the boards is imperative in the West and Los Angeles has more weapons than they know what to do with.  I should know; I watched a depleted Laker team roll over the Toronto Raptors.  Kobe Bryant was on tonight and unlike last night he got some help offensively.  Tonight's game proved that Toronto may be able to score but can't hold it together defensively on a consistent basis.  But with L.A. playing their 2nd game in as many nights they should have been stronger out of the gate.  Lakers got momentum and never looked back.

Last point on the Lakers: Prior to this deal I was still not on-board with putting them into the serious contender category despite their strong record.  Now, my view has changed.  They are absolutely a team that should be a factor in April.  This is a team built to go past round 1.  If they don't there is a problem.  They now have a great starting 5 (with Bynum back) and the forward position was a bigger need than point guard.  Derek Fisher can run the show because he won't try to do too much.  He knows the offense, he knows his limitations, he can still hit shots and knows how to play in big games.  Specifically speaking, Paul Gasol is a better acquisition than Jason Kidd.

Other stuff....

- I just realized Fox used the "Pau-er" line.  I'm pissed.

- After his 13.5 million is up in 2008, Johan Santana will pull in 137.5 million over 6 years.  That is phenomenal.  Hope the kid can hit.

All seriousness, the guy is one of the best pitchers in baseball and barring any setback or injury he should contend for a Cy Young.  Being able to avoid a big bopping DH and getting the opportunity to face pitchers with 1 or 2 out and runners on base will pay off for Johan.  It is a different ballgame with different scenarios when you play in the National League in comparison to the American League.

As for the contract itself, a lot of bad pitchers get paid a ton, so this is not a surprise and not out of this world in comparison to the #3 pitchers who make 8 figures per year.

- When Bill Belichick says his team is "ready to roll", I tend to believe him.  Some may feel the New York Giants can beat New England and they may be right, but I don't see it.  Yes, they played the Pats tight IN New York IN the cold IN front of their hometown.  In Arizona it will be warm and it is a neutral site.  The way I see it, the conditions favour the New England passing attack.  Passes that went through the hands of receivers will be easier to catch, and nobody is as accurate or precise as Tom Brady - even if he is disrupted in the pocket.

The real question should be if Eli Manning can continue his excellent play.  In my mind, he's grown as a player over the last month or so.  And he should be proud of the way he has battled throughout the playoffs.  He has beaten two teams he wasn't suppose to beat, outplay both quarterbacks and has defied expectations, which brings me to this...

- Tiki Barber is trying to protect himself now that his former team has made it to the Super Bowl the year after he reitres.  Tiki came with baggage and now that the baggage is gone the team can re-focus.  He had his quarrels with Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin and Michael Strahan.  This isn't a coincidence.  Somewhere down the line we have to look and say that maybe New York really IS better off without him.  I think they are.

- Who are we kidding when Pat Riley says Shaquille O'Neal should be in the All-Star game?  Should Magic be playing as well?

- Again, I realize nobody really cares about hockey but I will say it again: Alexander Ovechkin is THE best hockey player on the planet.  He is one of the very few players who has to single-handedly carry his team to victories.  I wonder how long he can keep this up.  Eventually he will need a stud playing alongside him.

Time to unwind.  And get ready for the Super Bowl.  I hope to witness history this Sunday.  It will be nice to explain how I got to watch a Football team go undefeated in one season.  Doesn't come around often folks.

The events that occurred at the British Open yesterday gives us even more respect for Tiger Woods.  Yes he did not win the British Open but what you saw yesterday was something he would not have done that both men did yesterday.  We aren't talking about club selection or what shot to play, but talking about being able to finish.  He goes for the throat and that is why we respect his game a lot.  

Yesterday we watched Sergio Garcia lose a tournament that was all but wrapped up for him.  He was finally going to take the #### off his back, so to speak.  But Padraig Harrington, down 6 shots to start on Sunday, comes back to take the lead heading into the 18th green where he finally realized for a second that he was Padraig Harrington.  He didn't stuff the golf ball in the drink once, but TWICE!  AFTER THE DROP NO LESS!!!  How?  Is that even possible?  

I see golfers on the course but do we have any competitors left in the field?  

Yes it created TV drama for anyone who cared to watch golf yesterday, but it exploited what they and several other golfers would have done if they were put in the same situation or one similar to it.  But we know that we cannot put Tiger Woods in that same boat because when he has a tournament within his grasp, meaning he's in the lead, he finishes.  That is what the great ones do, and we saw two guys who aren't great.  Harrington after the tournament admitted that he didn't feel he had a chance at winning.  Do guys just show up to these tournaments just to have fun, party and potentially grab a paycheck?  Don't answer that.  I know golfers play for the money more than winning.  That is unfortunate but that is the reality.

- It has to suck if you are Arthur Blank right now.  The owner of the Atlanta Falcons had a decision to make with Michael Vick and despite his bad feeling about Mr. Mexico, he stuck with his "Top-Dog" money-player and decided to choose him over Matt Shaub and to a lesser extent, Jim Mora Jr.   Blank takes a lot of pride in a player having integrity and is all about being a class-act and with everything that has unfolded since the Shaub trade he probably feels that if he went the other way with the decision he would be looking very good right now.  But when you give a player a big contract you tend to lean in the direction of keeping him.  You want to see your investment blossom before quitting on it.

- Who wants this win, Team A, Team B or Tim Donaghy?  Good question, harder answer.  Two of the three is right and only Donaghy would know the proper answer.   This whole situation has been such a nightmare for David Stern and the NBA that you may as well hear this during post-game sideline interviews:

CHERYL MILLER: Kobe your Milwaukee Bucks came through in the end, tell us what went down during the last two minutes of the game.

BRYANT: Well the official came up to me and said he had a dime down on us for this game so he said if I cut to the basket and charged into KG that he'd call a foul on Garnett so that he'd foul out.  We know he's a crucial part of the Memphis Grizzlies.  It's always comforting to know the ref has your back when he's betting on our games.

MILLER: Don't you think it takes the integrity away from the game Kobe?

BRYANT: Yeah but a win is a win for us.  Watch out for the Milwaukee Bucks BABY!!!!! (crowd cheers).

This was the best news Mike Vick heard all week because this took some of the attention away from him.  With the exception of P.E.T.A.

- If the New York Yankees are going to make their run, it happens now.  Not because this is the best time to do it but because they have the weaker part of their schedule happening right now.  Kansas City could not come at a better time for them, along with Baltimore and the White Sox who have played in a cloud at times this year.  If they dont rip through their schedule over the next few weeks then they are done.  But don't be surprised if they really begin to turn it up.  At the same time, try not to get too impressed with them because they would have just beaten up all the bums and that does not prove anything to anyone.

- Last year I said that if I started a franchise today and I could have any baseball player in the major leagues it would be Albert Pujols.  Why not?  He's still young (27) and he will continue to mash the ball for a long time, and hopefully for a longer period than some of the other established superstars.  The guy who may be second on that list is Albert Pujols Jr, otherwise known as Miguel Cabrera.  He's only 24 and the kid is a mashing machine.  Hopefully he does not go Bobby Bonilla and eat his way out of the major leagues.  Some say he has an attitude problem but he's not the first stud to have one of those.

Either way, those two guys would help my franchise win.  Eventually.

This week has been slack for yours truly so I want to take the time frame I have today to talk about some random events occuring everywhere in sports...

- Last Sunday: Chicago v. Chicago had an interesting play which exposed baseball and it's commentators who know nothing about the game.  When you watch basketball or football games you generally hear a color commentator know exactly what's going on with a random play and why a call was made.  Well in this baseball game the commentators didn't know and neither did the sports guy on the desk in Toronto knew either.  That also means nobody in that network knew it either.  Because I still umpire, I can clear that play up easily:

The runner collided with the shortstop at second base in an attempt to go to third, which is interference.  A defensive player cannot make contact with a runner as he/she is still running, whether they are running from one base to another or going back to a base when the fielder is not attempting a play. 

The White Sox got the runner on 3rd base in a rundown and got him out, as well as the guy between first and second.  So instead of 2 outs, all runners were sent back because of Juan Uribe's stupidity around the bag at second base.  But here is where the commentators and Toronto sports network dropped the ball...

The desk #### said the play should have been called dead which is absolutely false.  The play must play out because if there was an overthrow and a runner scores on that play, the play stands.  Best example I can give you is this: When a defensive player is offside in football, do they give the offense a free play?  Yes.  So if Peyton Manning throws a TD does it count?  Yes.  If they call the play dead while Marvin Harrison is wide open I would bet the Colts would be really ticked right?  Well, the same rings true with baseball as that kind of play warrants the teams to finish the play before making the call.  If the team committing the foul benefits, the umpires will not let them.  But if the team being hindered benefits with the play continuing, the play will stand and the call would be null and void. 

The Chicago commentators we're yelling about the game being played under protest.  "Hell yeah this game will be played under protest!".  Great, too bad your team will lose the protest.  As for the network in my neck of the woods, not having one person in that building sure about this call means they are not taking their sports not named hockey serious enough.

- Frank Thomas is a hall of famer regardless of playing more games at DH than First Base.  His statistics at first base were incredible during his time.  Ken Griffey may have been a better homerun hitter and Barry Bonds may have been the best all around player during Thomas's prime, but was there a more dangerous hitter than Frank?  He was one of the first in our time to personify the importance of challenging for the Triple Crown.  He was Albert Pujols before Albert Pujols, and Big Hurt's On-Base Percentage was always high.  He would have played more first base had the DH rule not existed and probably would have ended his career a few years back.  And even then I thought he was a Hall of Famer because of the dominance he had during the prime of his career.

- I don't care about his career batting average being 12 points better than the average second basemen or the fact that he just got to 3000 hits, Craig Biggio is no better than Barry Larkin who will not go to the Hall of Fame.  Biggio has to be credited for his longevity in the game of baseball, but the Hall of Fame is a bit extreme.  Look, he is a guy you'd have on your team in a second and would love to have him without a doubt.  He has been a very good player and second baseman, but the Hall of Fame?  I realize he's as solid as they come and his consistency is incredible but when I think of solid players at their position I think of Biggio as a Barry Larkin.  I also think if Biggio gets into the Hall of Fame then an argument can be made for Jeff Bagwell, who's impact for Houston was felt just as much as Biggio's. if not more.  If solid is another way to get in, then the Fred McGriff hype-train should start now.  And let's also remember that the best second basemen during Biggio's time were Roberto Alomar and Jeff Kent.

- The Boston Celtics got one of the best pure shooters of our time, Ray Allen.  The guy can absolutely stroke the rock and despite his ankle surgery he should still be more effective than the next option Boston has.  Only problem I saw with the trade involving them and Seattle is this: What will Seattle do with 3 point guards who are neither great or bad, and which ideal shooting guard will Boston move to play the point.  Each candidate are better suited at the 2 but they feel one of them can play the point.  Otherwise they would not have traded Delonte West. 

- Great move by Charlotte to get Jason Richardson.  The guy is very underrated and he's the best dunker I've ever seen.  Vince Carter may get all the hype but remember that J-Rich did all of Vince's dunks with greater difficulty and without a helper in the 2003 and 2004 slam-dunk contests.  And before last season J-Rich had improved his game every single year until injuries derailed his season last year.  If he's healthy he should thrive in the East.

- If Rashard Lewis goes to the Miami Heat you can pencil them in as the favourites to win the East Conference (keywords: East Conference).

- Good morning KG and Kobe.  How are you gentlemen feeling this morning?

- To anyone that is from or currently resides in Kansas City: Can you guys and gals honestly support an NHL franchise.  I'm really curious as to why the NHL would like to have a team in that market.

...If I don't get the chance to say this tomorrow, I wish Canada a happy 140th birthday on July 1.  Have a great long weekend my fellow Canadians! 

Just kidding :).  As if The Dan could come up with a legitimate argument seeing that I barely watched him growing up.  Oh yeah, I saw him in his last 2 seasons trying to play with a shuffled deck of vertebrae.  I thought that would be a funny title - hope you laughed.

Now to the serious stuff.

- Chris Benoit - Yes, the guy has gotten more attention for stupidity than he ever did during his wrestling career but that's because there is a lot of shock-value to this story.  Who would kill their wife, kill their son, chill in the house with the dead corpse and then decide to lop his own throat?  Are we kidding here?  All we needed was a kid in the house to say "I see dead people.  No seriously, I see dead people and this #### did it." 

Now, some of you will claim that this was not his fault and that the drugs did him in.  What?  This out-of-mind character has been self-inflicted the moment he began taking the needle. This is all his fault.  Granted, the pressures of being a Wrestler is to be big and bigger.  However, shouldn't there be a time to stop?  Shouldn't there be a time where someone decides that his family is too important to lose?  He could have went into rehab, got his life together and live happily ever after, especially after the way his best friend died.  But he chose the coward path and there should not be any person here who can sympathize with a man who suffocated his 7-year old son, let alone choke his wife.

Last point, how ####y was this cat as he walked around the house, probably lifted weights, grabbed a drink or 6 and ate food with his wife and kids dead in the house?  I find that creepy as hell.  Nothing like forcing loved ones to fade out and then leaving them there for hours to chill.  Crazy.

- Can anyone honestly 'make it rain'?  People can honestly 'make you fired', and that's what Tank Johnson got.  Chris Henry - take notes on that.  And yes I know it is Pacman's catch phrase.  Does it even matter?  We sit here in the midst of former players fighting for health safety and pension money for all the injuries endured on the field while these guys are taking the game for granted.  Football is not for the weak to say the least.

- Who is the best San Francisco Giant position player right now?  Probably Barry Bonds.  Where is the All-Star game being held?  San Fran.  Fitting that the man who's gunning for the homerun record, legit or otherwise, may not be there.  In the end, Tony LaRussa will do the right thing and take him to the All-Star game.  It's not like LaRussa has never had a junkie on the team. 

Speaking of Barry I was going to drop a post on why he isn't the greatest hitter of all-time but I did not get around to it.  That said, here are the Coles Notes version (In Canada we call those books that help with Shakespeare "Coles Notes")...

1) Would the best hitter ever sport a career average of .299, especially after the BALCO-era numbers he has posted up?
2) Was he a better hitter in the 1990's than Ken Griffey Jr, Albert Belle, Sammy Sosa, Juan Gonzalez or Frank Thomas?  Some of them yes, but if there is an argument to be made we have a confidence problem with Barry.
3) When does 'best all around player' translate to 'best hitter ever'?
4) Even still, was there an argument to be made over the years over Griffey and Bonds?  Yes
5) Has he averaged over 100 RBI's during his career?

Guys, I've only scratched the surface.  Barry Bonds is not the best hitter of All-Time.

- While I'm hot, looks like the Los Angeles Lakers are having a tough time obtaining Kevin Garnett.  Is that because the Lakers don't have much to offer the Timberwolves?  Uh oh, looks like die-hard Laker fans who thought Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum would be enough to get KG were sorely mistaken.  Again.

- TOKEN HOCKEY TAKE: Daniel Briere or Chris Drury?  Answer: Thomas Vanek.  Vanek is a restricted free agent and if I am any team with cap space I take a run at him immediately.  This kid could endup a 50+ goal scorer multiple times and be more valuable to the team than the other two guys.  Are you willing to lose one of the best Left Wingers behind Alex Ovechkin over a couple of 30-year olds with only a couple good years left?  If I am the Sabres, my number one priority is to lock up Vanek.

- Until Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal meet up, I'll only watch Men's Tennis here and there.  Once they do not a point will be missed.

- Message to Golf fans everywhere: Never doubt Tiger Woods.  If you do, he'll show you that you've made a mistake. 

WHAT'S THE DEELEY-O is tomorrow.  You know where to send your entry - it's on the right side in my bio here.  Send before 11AM EST tomorrow and this whole show is devoted to you.  Hope you can check it out.  Cheers.


 

My first order of business is to take a shot at Fox Sports.

I was watching the Milwaukee v. San Francisco game this afternoon where a fan attempted to catch a foul ball with his bare hands.  He dropped the ball, much like several other human beings do when a foul ball goes their way.  For the rest of the inning they had the camera on the guy, goofing on him and showing the replay of the drop over and over again.  

Question for you: You ever try to catch a baseball hit by a major leaguer with your bare hands?  The average human being, man or woman, will have a tough time with it.  I bet the play-by-play man would not have caught it because he is a broadcaster for a reason.  Let me assure you that the duo in the booth was not funny or amusing about the situation, but even bigger than that...

This crew embarrassed an innocent man on National Television for no reason!

He simply went for a catch and he dropped it, and then you didn't let it go.  I may not get offended by the words ####, #### or #### but what Fox Sportsnet did to this guy was out of line.  The display of the man dropping the ball several times and the conduct by the crew goofing non-stop was offensive and stupid.

Speaking of stupid, has Pacman Jones got the message to stay away from stripclubs?  Dude, you should be able to pick up normal women without having to drop a dime for a good time.  It's a bigger turn on to see a woman you'd never expect to strip for you doing it in the privacy of your own home.  Had you come to this realization you'd be in a better situation with your career.  This is ridiculous.

What's even more ridiculous is the situation with Kobe Bryant.  Do you honestly thing Chicago has what it takes to make this deal happen?  Doubt it.  Seriously, there aren't many East teams that can make this deal.  If there was one team from the East that should be all over this is Washington.  Why?  They can get rid of Gilbert Arenas and if it also takes Caron Butler and Etan Thomas so be it.  Even that probably isn't enough. 

I'd like to go on further but it's time to get some sleep.  I'll catch the All-Star Blogger Show tomorrow but in the meantime make sure you check out tomorrow's show at www.chevradioam.com.  It's your day, take advantage, and it's What's The Deeley-O.  Cheers.