I don't think it can be overstated just how impressive the U.S. men's gymnastics team was last night in capturing the bronze medal. The Chinese and Japanese were both far superior teams with athletes that have been in top-notch training programs all their lives. The U.S team was missing defending all-around gold medalist Paul Hamm and his twin brother Morgan, who were veterans of the Olympic Games and were expected to be the glue for a young team. But Jonathan Horton, Alexander Artemev, and Justin Spring displayed surprising moxy in eeking out a third-place finish ahead of Germany.
Meanwhile, are all these world records being claimed by Michael Phelps and his fellow swimmers a result of those newly designed swimsuits? Apparently they really do make you swim faster. And does technology have a place in the water? Okay, I promised myself I would not be skeptical and I would appreciate the Games for what they are, a spectacle. But I'm just asking. And does Phelps really consume 10,000 calories per day?
New Diamondback Adam Dunn became the first player since 1900 to be traded when leading the league in home runs when Cincinnati dealt him to the desert. While I have never been his biggest fan because of the strikeouts and his lack of defense, Dunn does give the D-Backs a presence in the lineup that they have lacked during their revival the last two seasons. He also has been a Chicago Cubs-killer his entire career, which could be huge for the Baby Backs if they match up with the Cubs in the postseason. But getting to the postseason without Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson will be a chore. It's a shame that Hudson will miss the stretch run for a second straight season.
The injuries to Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford are just devestating for the Tampa Bay Rays. Crawford most likely won't play again the rest of the regular season, while Longoria will miss at least three weeks. Can Rocco Baldelli perform up to his potential down the stretch? It's asking a lot from a guy who will need a few weeks just to regain his baseball strength. Pitching will become even more vital for the Rays to hold off the Sawx and the Yanks, who look like they will not be in the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season. The Bronx Bombers have lost 11 of their last 16 and are fading fast.
Stat of the day: Aaron Heilman's ERA since July 26th: 10.97. Shocking that they didn't make a move for a reliever at the deadline.
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