It’s all about things being broken this week. Broken bones, broken hearts, and as painful as it sounds, even a testicular fracture. Before I become a broken record, let’s just get to the tomato throwin’…


Throwing Tomatoes – Volume IX


Seattle SuperSonics and its Ownership
…for packing up and moving to Oklahoma City.
It’s always tough to see a team move. I feel for the fans of Seattle… for a lot of reasons. The Mariners enter the season with hype and falter. The Sonics never quite got it done in the 90’s. Now they add a potential star in Kevin Durant, only to have their team pack up and leave for the nation’s heartland.

A-Rod’s Love Life
…for finding a way to get all intertwined into the sports pages.
If I wanted to read about A-Rod and something besides his game (baseball game that is), I would pick up a Cosmo or People, or maybe even turn on TMZ. The only splitting I want to hear about is his bat after a high-and-tight fastball. Unless soon-to-be ex Cynthia has some more vulgar shirts, perhaps directed at Madonna. Maybe A-Rod has one for Lenny Kravitz… such as: “If You Can’t Say No”, then don’t “Dig In” with an “American Woman”. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Chris Snyder
…for not taking better care of the “family jewels”.
Poor Chris Snyder. He’s on the DL. But wait, it gets worse. He’s out with a testicular fracture. A busted nut if you will. The irony is, Snyder was replaced on the Arizona roster by Robby Hammock. Get well soon Chris.

Michael Beasley
…for getting injured minutes into the Heat’s opening camp practice.
OK fine, so it’s a cracked bone. That still counts as being broken. I get that he can still play, but stemming off the drama that already existed with Pat Riley apparently not being crazy about the pick, now this happens to Beasley in his opening practice? Get ready for some drama on South Beach this year.

George Sherrill
…for not trusting his fastball.
Blowing a save hurts a closer… and a team. But how about blowing back-to-back games when your team has the lead, two outs, and two strikes in the 9th inning. That’s what Sherrill did last week. I believe both pitches were on hanging sliders too.

The Brett Favre Saga
…for not going away.
This tomato is not directed at Favre himself, but more so at the rumors and sources that desperately continue to resurrect stories on Favre making a triumphant return to “Cheeseland”. C’mon people, let’s figure this story out and put it to bed.

Aaron Rodgers
…for ticking off some of the best fans in football.
Aaron Rodgers has upset Green Bay fans already and he hasn’t even taken the field yet. To further explain, Rodgers was quoted as saying “I don’t need to sell myself to fans, they need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut”. I wonder if the Brett Favre rumor came out to try and “stir the pot” more, perhaps making some Green Bay fans long for their Hall of Fame QB to change his mind and return for one more year? Rodgers later apologized, but something tells me he’ll still hear some boos at Lambeau Field when the season starts.

The Colorado and Florida Pitching Staffs
…for giving up 35 runs and 43 hits in one game
OK, so I throw a tomato at the pitching staffs of the Marlins and Rockies for their Fourth of July slugfest that provided fans with plenty of offensive fireworks. It was like teeball out there. Still, how I wish I was one of the fans sitting in the seats at Coors Field on the night when Colorado walks off with a crazy 18-17 victory over the Marlins. Now that’s exciting!

Troy Tulowitzki
…for injuring himself out of frustration.
It’s just been one of those years for the Colorado shortstop. This time, he’s visiting the DL due to a cut on his hand (that required stitches). How’d he get it? Try by slamming his bat down, only to have it slice his hand open. That’s call for an extra-large tomato… and a little Neosporin too.

People Drinking Wimbledon “Haterade”
…instead of watching the Finals this weekend.
Tennis fan or not, if you missed this weekend’s Wimbledon finals, then you missed something special. Especially on the men’s side, where Rafael Nadal was able to knock off five-time Wimbledon champ Roger Federer in a match that lasted nearly five hours.

The Orioles on Sunday
… and the fact that they just can’t win.
Make that 13 consecutive losses for the Baltimore Orioles on Sundays. Yes, that’s 13. The O’s haven’t won on Sunday since the opening week of the season, with the latest setback being a difficult 11-10 loss to the Rangers at Camden Yards. Maybe the Baltimore faithful can give Adam “Pacman” Jones a call. I hear he can make it rain and he’s free on Sundays until the Fall. Oh wait, that’s… nevermind.

Tyson ####
…for only qualifying for the 100m in the upcoming Olympics.
#### suffered a severe cramp during the 200 meter Olympics Trials race, therefore knocking him out of the competition for a medal in Beijing. One of the fastest men on the planet, and because of a cramp, he won’t have a shot.

Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week
Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition

Milwaukee Brewers – at the NL Central after reportedly trading for Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia
Kyle Busch – at the NASCAR field after winning his sixth race of the 2008 season.


This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… let the countdown begin until the next “Brett Favre to Return” rumor surfaces.

The baseball season is over, but an active offseason is already in full swing. The NFL football season has reached its midway point. Meanwhile, the NBA season is underway, with some talented teams stumbling out of the gates. There are tomatoes flying as far as the eye can see. It was another wild week in the world of sports, and what better way to show one’s displeasure towards certain individuals than to hurl that famous red fruit that often gets confused as being a vegetable. As always, feel free to chime in, or just sit down, grab a ladle and some toppings, and get ready to make a pizza.

Throwing Tomatoes – Volume III

“Top of the Vine” this week...
Ignorant Media Regarding Moss and Owens
I’m sick of all the stories about how Randy Moss and Terrell Owens have “turned over a new leaf”, and now are team players and overall great individuals. Why doesn’t the media instead mention the obvious? Um, hello? They’re winning! I guarantee if either player were to endure a losing streak, they will fall right back into their old antics. Fortunately for Moss, he may be in the clear. You never know with Owens, as Dallas could drop a few if they aren’t careful (starting this week in New York).

NFL

Chris Henry
Unbelievable… he’s literally hours off of his suspension and set to make his 2007 debut for the Bengals, when he gets into an altercation with a parking attendant. Some people just have a knack for finding trouble.

Don Shula
When discussing the Patriots, “Spygate”, and going undefeated, I think you have to leave well enough alone, especially when you were the coach of the only undefeated team in NFL history.

Bill Belichick
The Patriots are a great team, but their coach is a classless individual with the personality of a rock. I think Belichick is nuts to leave Brady in midway through the fourth quarter during games that are well in hand. I think it is even more crazy to pass the ball in those games, go for it on fourth down, and so on. If he isn’t careful, one cheap shot on Brady (in garbage time) could derail New England’s dream season.

Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams
Each of these two teams get a tomato until they win a game. Last week’s bye week for the ‘Fins and Rams must have felt like a victory. Both face teams that are playing well as of late (Miami vs. Buffalo and St. Louis at New Orleans). I better go buy more tomatoes.

San Diego’s Run Defense
Adrian Peterson is already a star in the NFL. Even so, San Diego’s run defense was the strength, allowing less than 90 yards per game going into the match against the Vikes. Not anymore. Instead, Norv and the gang are about to average a tomato per week.

MLB

Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox
For providing us with a completely boring World Series, and another sweep in a sport’s “final hurrah”. OK, maybe the tomato should be directed more in Colorado’s direction.

Hank Steinbrenner
For thinking that he can acquire a marquee bat (e.g. Miguel Cabrera or Miguel Tejada) without having to part with any of New York’s young talent. What do you think, teams are just giving players away?

Scott Boras and A-Rod
For announcing that A-Rod is opting out of his contract during the World Series. It sure sounds like showing up the Red Sox to me, or just stealing away some attention.

Joe Girardi
The new manager of the Yankees announced he will wear #27 on his jersey, hinting towards being present for New York’s next title, which would be number twenty seven. OK, kind of clever, but overall cheesy in my mind. So if you win one Joe, do you switch to #28 the following year? Give me a break.

College Football

Bill Callahan
It was just a few years ago that he was coaching a team in the Super Bowl. Now, he’s had a major part in taking down a former college football power. The latest blunder, allowing Kansas to put 76 points on the board. Those walking papers also come with a tomato Bill…

Charlie Weis and the Irish
Props to Navy, but incoming tomatoes for Charlie and Notre Dame. It was a battle, and the Irish fell after multiple overtimes. With how similar the team jerseys were, I almost thought I was viewing an offseason scrimmage. Yeah, it was that ugly.

Virginia Tech Hokies
The painful loss to Boston College still looms large. You can’t blow a ten point lead with only a handful of minutes left on the clock. No matter who you are playing…

Boston College Eagles
Fresh off a miracle victory against Virginia Tech, the Eagles lay an egg at home, and fall to the Seminoles. Don’t be shocked if VT exacts their revenge in the ACC conference championship.

Fans Drinking the Dennis Dixon “Heisman Haterade”
Let’s check the stats first on Dennis Dixon of the Oregon Ducks: Over 2,000 passing yards, 549 rushing yards, 20 passing TD’s, 3 INT’s, and eight rushing touchdowns… all for a team ranked third in the country. He’s a leader, he’s a force, he is the Heisman favorite as of today, and if you don’t think so, you’re drinking “Heisman Haterade”.

College Basketball

Billy Gillispie and the Kentucky Wildcats
Not only did Gardner-Webb knock off Kentucky, but they did at Rupp Arena, and by 16 points. Yikes. Can anyone even tell me Gardner-Webb’s mascot without looking it up? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Bet on Wildcats or Bulldogs… then again, Tomatoes would be a good fit.

NBA

Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and Washington Wizards
All three teams are supposed to contend for legitimate Eastern Conference playoff spots. Sure, it’s early, but days in, these three franchises combine for an 0-11 record. Incoming!

Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week
Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition

Navy Football – at Notre Dame, for ending a streak of four plus decades of losing to the Irish
Gardner-Webb – at the Kentucky Wildcats
Kansas – at the College football world, for continuing to not believe in them
Joe Torre – at the National League
Bobby Bowden – for ending Boston College’s undefeated season

This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… now toss that pizza in the oven. I’m famished.