I've seen it happen before with marginal players, but I can't ever remember a time when a superstar such as A-Rod become completely inept at the basic concepts of his sport. Stars go through hitting slumps all of the time, but A-Rod can't even throw to first base, and his footwork around third is reportedly bad. He might need to borrow those Tom Emanski videos from Fred McGriff and practice throwing balls into trash cans like those kids who won back-to-back-to-back AAU national championships.

It's amazes me how hard the federal government is gunning for Barry Bonds. They're after him like he owes them money. Oh wait... he does.

OK, so Ozzie Guillen completely berates his stud pitcher John Garland - who was in the midst of a shutout - for throwing the ball behind the Rangers' Ian Kinsler. Twice. Ozzie only gives points for head shots, apparently.

Speaking of being "gangsta", Tony Stewart is the Ozzie Guillen of NASCAR. No respect for rookies, calling people out to fight, and basically saying whatever is on his mind, unsantized for media consumption. I'm not a huge stock car fan, but I dig his style.

About a week or so ago, former Sixers guard John Salmons spurned Phoenix and agreed in prinicple to a sign-and-trade deal that would send him to the Toronto Raptors. In the interim, the Suns filled their backup guard void by signing Marcus Banks to a five-year contract. Now, Salmons doesn't want to go to the Raptors, and no other suitors are lining up for his services. Good work on that, Johnny...

Shawn Kemp was arrested and charged last week with possesion of marijuana.  Is this 1996 or 2006?

Al Harrington is on the verge of being traded back to the Pacers for a bag of air (in reality - cash, a draft pick, and a $7.5 million trade exception). For starters, this gives the Pacers a real solid starting five and a legitimate contender in the East. Secondly, the move completely eliminates ATL as a destination for AI.

On Sunday, I spent a summer evening watching an outdoor, middle school boys' basketball league. As I watched the sun set behind the trees, I realized that the sport of basketball - in its purest form - is one of the most beautiful things in the world.

Saints' fans (all seven of you) can rest easy... there is NO way Reggie Bush is going to sit out the entire 2006 season and re-enter the NFL Draft. Playing that primadonna card, quibbling over millions of dollars isn't going to fly in a city that was devastated by two hurricanes last year.

Names of randomness: C.J. Nitkowski, Craig Stadler, Harold "The Show" Arceneaux, Dale Sveum, Ray Whitney, Tyrone Wheatley

200 - The over/under on the number of yards T.O. gains in that October 8 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Her impressive performance was ignored due to the relative anonimity of the event (the Cincinnati Women's Open), but let me be the first to tell you: Serena Williams is back. She'll be a wildcard in the upcoming U.S. Open, but she's going to make some noise in September.

A man named Eldrick Woods just happens to be "back" as well. No need to put the PGA on notice - I think they've already heard of him.