Afternoon roundup: Are you ready for some football?

-The 2007 NFL season kicks off tonight with a possible super bowl preview. I'm taking the Saints. I still have questions about the Indianapolis defense, especially when you factor in all of the new faces suiting up for Tony Dungy.
-A-Rod: an MRI in the afternoon and two homers in one inning at night. The Yanks took two of three from Seattle to open up a three-game lead in the wild card race.
-The Phillies blew a six-run lead and remain three games out of the playoff picture.
-The Diamondbacks moved back into first in the NL West.
-"The mack-daddy baseball team."
-Andy Roddick played well, but once again couldn't overcome Roger Federer.
-Allan Houston is on the comeback trail.
-Another amusing tale about a Maryland student-athlete.
-The women's soccer team moved to 3-0 on a penalty kick in the 87th minute.
-A stress fracture in his kneecap should not force Travis King to miss game time.

Weekend jumpoff

I am headed out on vacation this weekend, but not before dishing out some useful links.

-In honor of Texas' 30-run fiesta, the greatest beatdowns of all-time.
-The Red Sox are apparently America's team now. Peter Abraham of The Journal News digs a little deeper.
-An interesting fantasy football guide worth reading (especially if you have a draft this weekend, like i do).
-Jerome Bettis comes clean.
-Best high school quarterback coach ever?
-It's a boy!
-Speaking of beatdowns, Venezuela got one last night.
-Don't talk about moving if you're an NBA owner.
-The FedEx cup gets underway, sans Tiger.

Finally, here are five albums that you should check out before the sun sets on summer:
-Rooney - Calling the World: Mix the Beach Boys, late 70s/early 80s classic rock, and modern pop rock, and this is what you get.
-The Cat Empire - Two Shoes: This Australian group mixes ska, funk, latin music, and many other influences.
-Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets: Green Day meets indie rock.
-Stars - Set Yourself on Fire: Another melodic indie effort.
-Entourage: There's something for everyone here. My personal favorite is 'Wanna Know' by Obie Trice.

Have a nice weekend. See you on the other side.

Afternoon roundup: Fixing a hole

-Mike Mussina got bombed again. The Yankees now sit six out in the East, and four games back in the loss column in the Wild Card race (because Seattle doesn't lose). Garret Anderson set a franchise record with 10 RBIs.
-Tyler Kepner of The New York Times profiles the man behind Joba mania.
-Impressive win by the Mets. Is the real Carlos Beltran back?
-Another twist in the steroids saga.
-Dave Trembley gets rewarded.
-Would this team ever commit an error?
-Welcome back, L.J.
-Eli v. Tiki.
-Atlanta Falcons, the movie.
-If Starbury is on your side, you must be doing something right.
-The Tournament of the Americas kicks off tonight. Can the U.S. squad redeem itself? Best of luck to Panama's own Danilo (J.R.) Pinnock.
-This is why he needed to feed his family.
-Football at age 59.
-The amazing race.
-Next time find a designated golf cart driver.

Recent roundup: So much to say

My apologies. It's been a busy time of the year as we wrap up the summer and prepare for another semester of programming. Interesting things are in the pipeline. Hopefully they happen.

-Can't go without mentioning the passing of Phil Rizzuto. As a lifelong Yankees fan, the first games I ever watched were called by Scooter. By all accounts, he was a good man. He will be missed.
-The lead is back down to four. After Boston's recent 6-7 stretch, Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald wonders about their mysterious ways.
-The young guns in the Yankees' bullpen come through as the Bombers take three of four from Detroit. Joba for president.
-Joel Zumaya is back. The Tigers' bullpen needs him during this big week which brings Cleveland and the Yankees to town.
-Jeff Conine to the Mets?
-Nice catch, little man.
-Jose Offerman went batty.
-Michael Vick accepts a plea deal. Don Banks of SI.com says Vick's apology is too little, too late.
-Carnage in baltimore.
-Trent Green beat out Cleo Lemon for the Dolphins' starting job. Is anyone surprised?
-Care to bet on whether or not Tim Donaghy will name other NBA officials?
-Don't visit DeShawn Stevenson's house.
-Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis says star prospect Jimmy Claussen made an honest mistake.
-Note to self: don't ever say anything negative about Zinedine Zidane's sister.
-High School Musical 2 madness is sweeping the nation.

Get the dread out

Check out the results of this poll. Nothing like a little optimism. Since May 29, when the Red Sox had a 14.5-game lead, Boston is 34-32, while the Yankees are 45-22.

New York's sweep at Cleveland this weekend was impressive. The Yankees have a tough road to travel through the end of august: after three home games against Baltimore early this week, the Bombers host Detroit for four, go west to face the Angels for three, visit Detroit for four, and then host Boston for three. If the Yanks are still within striking distance when the Sox come to town, look out above.

Destruction of national pastime given two-minute standing ovation

Courtesy of The Onion.

Morning roundup: Rocky Mountain way

-Colorado slapped Milwaukee around. Don't look now, but the Rockies are only four games out in the West and two back in the Wild Card.
-The Mets rally and hold on for a dramatic victory over Atlanta.
-Chipper Jones says Alex Rodriguez will have to answer questions about steroid allegations.
-Pedro Martinez struggled in his first rehab start.
-The Yankees got bombed. Boston stopped the panic for at least one night. Detroit dropped to 3-10 since July 25. Cleveland faltered in extra innings. Seattle won behind four RBIs from Jose Vidro. What does it all mean? Boston's lead is back to six in the East, Cleveland remains a half-game up in the Central, while Detroit and Seattle are now tied for the Wild Card lead with the Yankees a half-game back.
-Roy Oswalt won a battle of aces. The Cubs remain a game behind Milwaukee in the Central.
-Barry Bonds went deep again. Mike Lupica has some final thoughts now that the carnival is over.
-Reggie Miller might be making a comeback with the Celtics.
-Another twist in Kansas City's running back saga.
-Watch out for those water parks.
-David Beckham may finally suit up tonight.

Morning roundup: Bonds bonanza

-Barry Bonds finally did it. Check out the cover of the New York Post featuring the 'sultan of syringe.' Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams are in agreement on the issue. As he always seems to do, Mike Lupica says it best.
-Kudos to Hank Aaron for being a class act.
-A Mets fan caught number 756. Things got bloody in the fight for the ball.
-Mike Backsik of the Nationals gave up the historic blast. His father was once in the same situation.
-The Yankees continued the slugfest at the plate, and it carried onto the field. Joba Chamberlain was as good as advertised in his first major league appearance.
-The Red Sox looked bad in a 10-4 beatdown at the hands of the Anaheim Angels of Anaheim. Three months ago, Boston's lead over the Yankees was 14.5 games. Now it's down to five.
-The Boston Globe reports that Wily Mo Pena has cleared waivers.
-This is one of the many reasons why a moose should never pilot a vehicle.
-Jake Peavy hasn't surrendered a run in 19 innings.
-Brady Quinn is signed, sealed, and delivered to training camp in Cleveland.
-Longtime assistant Dino Gaudio will take over for the late Skip Prosser at Wake Forest.

Down the stretch they come: American League

Six teams are fighting for four playoff spots (apologies to Minnesota and Toronto, but neither is close enough to merit inclusion at the moment). Here's how their schedules compare:

-Boston (68-44)
Remaining Games: 50 (25 home, 25 away)
Remaining Opponents: 12 against Tampa Bay (six home, six away), 10 against Baltimore (three home, seven away), six against the Angels (four home, two away), six against the Yankees (three home, three away), six against Toronto (three home, three away), four against Minnesota (four home), four against the White Sox (four away) two against Oakland (two home).
Average Win Percentage of Opponents in Remaining Games: .480
Record Against Remaining Opponents: 35-20 (.636)
Key Stat: The only remaining opponent Boston has a losing record against is Oakland, a team they only play twice.

-Yankees (62-50)
Remaining Games: 50 (23 home, 27 away)
Remaining Opponents: Nine against Toronto (four home, five away), nine against Baltimore (six home, three away), eight against Detroit (four home, four away), six against Boston (three home, three away), six against Tampa Bay (three home, three away), three against the Angels (three away), three against Cleveland (three away), three against Seattle (three home), three against Kansas City (three away).
Average Win Percentage of Opponents in Remaining Games: .512
Record Against Remaining Opponents: 34-31 (.523)
Key Stat: Only 18 of the Yankees' 50 remaining games are against teams with a losing record.

-Cleveland (63-49)
Remaining Games: 50 (21 home, 29 away)
Remaining Opponents: Nine against the White Sox (three home, six away), nine against Kansas City (three home, six away), eight against Detroit (five home, three away), six against Minnesota (three home, three away), five against Seattle (one home, four away), four against the Angels (four away), three against the Yankees (three home), three against Oakland (three home), three against Tampa Bay (three away).
Average Win Percentage of Opponents in Remaining Games: .500
Record Against Remaining Opponents: 38-27 (.585)
Key Stat: 27 of Cleveland's 50 remaining games are against teams with a winning record.

-Detroit (62-49)
Remaining Games: 51 (30 home, 21 away)
Remaining Opponents: Eight against Cleveland (three home, five away), eight against the Yankees (four home, four away), seven against Oakland (four home, three away), six against Minnesota (three home, three away), six against the White Sox (three home, three away), six against Kansas City (three home, three away), three against Seattle (three home), three against Texas (three home), three against Tampa Bay (three home), one against Toronto (one home).
Average Win Percentage of Opponents in Remaining Games: .497
Record Against Remaining Opponents: 36-36 (.500)
Key Stat: Detroit still has eight games to play apiece against Cleveland and the Yankees, the teams closest to them in the Central and Wild Card races.

-Angels (65-46)
Remaining Games: 51 (29 home, 22 away)
Remaining Opponents: Seven against Seattle (four home, three away), seven against Toronto (four home, three away), six against Boston (two home, four away), six against Oakland (three home, three away), six against Texas (three home, three away), four against Cleveland (four home), three against the Yankees (three home), three against Minnesota (three home), three against Baltimore (three away), three against the White Sox (three away), three against Tampa Bay (three home).
Average Win Percentage of Opponents in Remaining Games: .508
Record Against Remaining Opponents: 44-34 (.564)
Key Stat: 33 of the Angels' final 51 games are against teams with a winning record.

-Seattle (60-49)
Remaining Games: 53 (23 home, 30 away)
Remaining Opponents: Seven against the Angels (three home, four away), seven against Texas (three home, four away), six against Minnesota (three home, three away), six against Oakland (three home, three away), six against the White Sox (three home, three away), five against Cleveland (four home, one away), four against Tampa Bay (four home), three against Detroit (three away), three against the Yankees (three away), three against Toronto (three away), three against Baltimore (three away).
Average Win Percentage of Opponents in Remaining Games: .499
Record Against Remaining Opponents: 40-33 (.548)
Key Stat: Seattle has the most remaining games out of any of the playoff contenders in the American League.

Morning roundup: Loose lips sink ships

-Charlie Weis can keep a secret.
-We were disappointed last week, but it now seems as though Pacman will indeed be entering the ring.
-Donovan McNabb says the Eagles can win it all.
-The Yankees were left for dead a month ago. Now they're only a half-game out of the playoffs and just six games behind the Red Sox. After weeks of speculation, phenom Joba Chamberlain has finally been called up to the big leagues.
-Randy Hill of Fox Sports wonders why no one is paying attention to the Diamondbacks.
-Rats!

Wrapping up the big news of the week

Alex Rodriguez hit career home run number 500 yesterday, becoming the youngest player ever to reach that benchmark. For once, it's nice to see someone not linked to a steroids investigation arrive at an important record. Did anyone else feel slightly nauseated watching number 755 fly out of Petco Park last night? Mitch Albom sums it up best.

In the hustle and bustle of work this week, I never touched on the Kevin Garnett trade once it became official. I liked the young players Danny Ainge had picked up over the past few years, but being from Boston, I know it's a city that can only tolerate losing for so long. The Celtics are now relevant again as legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. They have three veteran all-stars, each of which is hungry for an NBA title. It's the right move for the Celtics.

It's also a good move for the NBA. It got the Tim Donaghy stuff out of the headlines for a couple days, and now the league's most storied franchise is going to be competitive again. With the Knicks getting Zach Randolph, there could also be playoff basketball in New York come April. Success in the northeast (see numbers one and four on this list) is good business for the NBA.

Evil Empire, beta version 2.0

Apparently you now have to look 200 miles to the north to find it on a map.

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away

It has been a very busy few days, so I apologize to the blog's three loyal readers for my inactivity. The trading deadline has come and gone with a flurry of deals to discuss.

-The Braves get first baseman Mark Teixeria and reliever Ron Mahay
-The Rangers get catcher Jason Saltalamacchia and minor leaguers Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, and Matt Harrison
Teixeira is easily the biggest catch of the deadline. This move makes the NL East race a lot more interesting than it was on the morning of July 30, as first base was the biggest hole in the Braves' lineup. Mahay and Octavio Dotel, who John Schuerholz also acquired, will help upgrade an Atlanta bullpen that ranked in the middle of the pack in the majors. Teixeira becomes a free agent after the 2008 season, and since he is represented by Scott Boras, you can be sure he will look for a hefty pay raise. If the Braves catch the Mets and win the NL East, then the move will have been worth it. But what if Atlanta misses the playoffs in each of the next two years? A lot of experts think the sky is the limit for Salty, and each of the other three prospects has some potential. That being said, I think both teams made out well here.

-The Red Sox get reliever Eric Gagne
-The Rangers get starter Kason Gabbard, and minor leaguers David Murphy and Engle Beltre
This is essentially a two-month rental for the Red Sox, as Gagne becomes a free agent at the end of the season and will surely head elsewhere. It's a good move for Boston in that it strengthens a bullpen that has suffered some recent injuries: Mike Timlin is battling shoulder soreness, while Brendan Donnelly is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery. If Gagne can stay healthy, which is a big if, opponents will have difficulty after the sixth inning facing a Hideki Okajima-Gagne-Jonathan Papelbon combination. However, at least one scout thinks Gagne's stuff isn't what it once was. The only way I like this move for the Red Sox is if they make a deep run in October. If either Gagne or the team falter, I think we'll all look back and say Boston gave up too much.

-The Dodgers get reliever Scott Proctor
-The Yankees get infielder Wilson Betemit
The Dodgers desperately needed bullpen help, and they should find it in Proctor. Despite the fact that he was overused by Joe Torre, Proctor should strive in the pitcher-friendly NL West. Betemit can play multiple positions, and will allow Torre to give Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez occasional days off. However, the Yankees are still in need of bullpen help, and trading away their workhorse, even though he had struggled of late, doesn't make sense unless they find other ways to get to Mariano Rivera. If the Yanks locate that help, whether it be through the waiver wire or the minor leagues, then I say both teams win here. The Yankees get bonus points for holding onto all of their highly-touted pitching prospects and not giving into the temptation presented by quick-fixes like Gagne.

The moves mentioned above were the big ones. I like the Padres' pickups of third baseman Morgan Ensberg and outfielder Rob Mackowiak, as they make the San Diego lineup more versatile in that tight NL West race. Kevin Towers didn't stop there, acquiring relievers Wilfredo Ledezma and Will Startup, and outfielder Scott Hairston. You've got to love general managers who aren't afraid to go out there and make some bold moves to fill holes.

The Mets picked up second baseman Luis Castillo from the Twins for a pair of minor leaguers. Jose Valentin is out for the year, and even when he was healthy, he wasn't putting up the same type of numbers as a year ago. Castillo will do well hitting behind Jose Reyes, but while he is a gold glove-caliber second baseman with postseason experience, he's not the same player he once was. Ruben Gotay had filled in pretty well for Valentin, so I don't think this one is a slam dunk by any means. If Castillo can return to being the type of player he was in Florida, then this move will be looked at as a steal for the Mets, especially if he contributes in October.

Scott Linebrink is one of the most underrated relievers in the majors, but the Brewers gave up a lot for him. If Milwaukee can't stop the bleeding in the NL Central, I think they'll look back and regret this one. The same goes for the Kenny Lofton deal by the Indians in the AL Central.

The Phillies had to go out and get Tadahito Iguchi after the injury to Chase Utley in order to keep pace with the Mets and Braves in the NL East. I think both the Astros and Devil Rays win in the Ty Wigginton-Dan Wheeler deal. If you watched the Yankees-Devil Rays series a couple of weeks ago, you know that there is nowhere to go but up for the Rays' bullpen. What were the Pirates thinking when they acquired Matt Morris? It makes no sense.

Another deadline has come and gone, but the fun doesn't necessarily stop there: don't be surprised if there are a number of waivers deals.

So much to say

The sports world is running amok.

It seems as though the Atlanta Braves are the big winners in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes. Despite all of the recent talk, I am surprised that Texas is parting with the first baseman. Since his contract doesn't expire until after next season, I thought that the Rangers might hold onto him until the 2008 deadline. The Braves are essentially renting Teixeira out for the next year and two months (he's represented by Scott Boras, so you know he'll test the free agency waters) for the price of some highly touted prospects. Will it be enough to catch the Mets? Only time will tell.

Another Ranger might be on the move, as the Yankees are reportedly looking to add Eric Gagne to their beleaguered bullpen. With Kyle Farsnworth having seemingly sealed his fate yesterday (it's about time), the Yanks are looking to build a new bridge to Mariano Rivera in the ninth. With Luis Vizcaino pitching well of late, Gagne could give the Yankees another reliable arm to help Joe Torre navigate the late innings.

The trade talk is not limited to the world of baseball, as multiple reports confirm that the Kevin Garnett to Boston rumors are indeed swirling again. Within the past hour, The Boston Globe writes that the deal would send Garnett to the Celtics in exchange for Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and his expiring contract, and two first round picks. You have to think the only way this happens is if Garnett agrees to sign an extension with the C's; this offer is too high of a price to pay for a one-year rental, even for a player of Garnett's stature. Does the triumverate of Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen put the Celtics in the mix with Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, and Miami in the East? I think it might.

Don't worry, I'll catch you

Suddenly the division races have tightened up.

While Boston has pushed its lead back to nine games in the East, Cleveland has pulled within a half-game of Detroit in the Central. Amazingly, despite going 2-7 in their last nine games, Seattle finds itself only four games behind the Angels in the West.

In the National League, the Mets continue to hold Philadephia (3.5) and Atlanta (4.5) at bay despite playing inconsistently for the last couple of months. The Cubs are the hottest team in baseball, and they have closed to within a game and a half of Milwaukee in the Central. Arizona has won eight in a row, pulling even with the Dodgers in the West. Meanwhile, San Diego is only a game and a half back, while Colorado sits four and a half out.

It's going to be an interesting final two months of the season.

Two reasons why Bob Costas is the man

1) "As anyone can plainly see, I'm 5-6 1/2 and a strapping 150, and unlike some people, I came by all of it naturally."
2) "I regard him as one of the greatest players of all time who got inauthentic boost and then became a superhuman player. I wish him no ill whatsoever."

Amazing.

Welcome back

11 months ago, Jon Lester was diagnosed with cancer. Last night, he was the winning pitcher in a Major League Baseball game. Regardless of your team affiliation, it was impossible to cheer against Lester as he took the hill against the Indians. Here's to hoping that opponents start rooting against him again. If that happens, it'll mean that everything in his life is back to normal.

A weekend to forget...

...if you're a member of the Tampa Bay pitching staff, that is. Over three games on Saturday and Sunday, the Yankees compiled the following gaudy numbers:

-45 runs
-53 hits
-10 home runs
-12 doubles

The Bronx Bombers had three five-run innings and a 10-run inning over the weekend. As a comparison, the Nationals only scored 25 runs in seven games this past week. The Yankees put up 21 today. So much for a sleeping offense.

It's just not right

Barry Bonds is now just three homers away from breaking Hank Aaron's all-time record.

Take a look at this chart which looks at some of the players suspected of using steroids. Interesting stuff. In my mind, there's no doubt that Bonds (and many others) took performance-enhancing substances of some sort. As a baseball purist who wishes he could have experienced the days when there were three teams in New York City, it troubles me to think that the greatest record in the game is going to be held by an individual with an undeniably tainted resume. What's even sadder is that we'll probably never know the truth.

You are forgiven?

Could Alex Rodriguez be in Boston next season? This points out that it wouldn't be too much of a stretch monetarily. But would A-Rod want to embrace a place that brought him this and this?

On an unrelated note, while I was looking for the above photographs, I came across this. Amazing.