It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Okay, there's a good chance that C.J. Spiller and James Davis run all over Alabama on Saturday night at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. There's also a possibility that Tommy Bowden messes something up. Um, I tend to lean towards the latter.

While he may have been playing against a tired defense, Chris Smelley looked crisp and desicively better than Tommy Beecher and deserves the starting nod over Beecher next week against Vanderbilt. And I don't doubt for a second that Spurrier won't name Smelley the starter early next week.

It was really good to see Sammie Stroughter back on the football field last night for Oregon State. After missing last season with a kidney injury, the dynamic wideout had 12 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns, including a first-half 55-yard score, in the Beavers' 36-28 loss to Stanford. It was also great to see Jim Harbaugh get his team off to a nice start as the Cardinal look to make huge strides this year in the Pac-10.

Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin have been solid out of the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen all season, but they could not protect a lead for Cole Hamels on the road last night at Wrigley Field. Aramis Ramirez hit a dramatic grand slam as the Cubs moved to 34 games above .500 and 6 1/2 games ahead of the Brewers in the NL Central. The Phils were able to get to Ryan Dempster and had a commanding 4-1 lead entering the bottom of the eighth

The Dodgers continue to self-destruct. getting swept by the Nationals to lose their seventh consecutive game and fall 3 1/2 games behind first-place Arizona in the NL West.

The Marlins are now 10-15 in August after their 4-2 defeat to the Braves. The club has not won two in a row this month.

Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett was scratched from his start against the White Sox and placed on the DL with elbow trouble and tingling in his pinkie finger. He was scheduled to fly to Birmingham, Alabama to meet with Dr. Trouble James Andrews. The Red Sox won't have to worry about defending their World Championship without Beckett because they likely won't get to the playoffs without him.

Tampa Bay is now 11-0-1 in series play after the All-Star break, as Edwin Jackson won for the sixth time in seven starts. Despite their AL-best 49-19 record at home, the Rays only drew 14,039, making it the sixth straight game with an attendance under 20,000. Unreal and sad.

Red Sox Bury Yankees; Mets Bounce Back

It's safe to say that the Red Sox ended the faint playoff hopes of the New York Yankees last night. Behind four RBI from Jason Bay and a Dustin Pedroia grand slam, Boston roughed up Andy Pettitte and the Yanks 11-3. The Sawx have outscored the Yanks 18-6 in the first two games of this final three-game set between the teams at Yankee Stadium. Hank Steinbrenner's admission to the press that "They suck" was pretty awesome, pretty succinct, and pretty correct.

The Yankees have not consistently produced offensively all season, and their pitching just isn't good enough in a league where pitching has never been better. Most shocking, however, is the listless nature in which the Yankees have played all season, particularly during the stretch run.

Not to put too much stock in one baseball game in a 162-game season, but last night's Mets victory over the Phillies really was huge. Even without ace Johan Santana's best stuff, the Mets regained a half-game lead over Philly

What a job Dan Wheeler has done as a fill-in closer for the Tampa Bay Rays. The right-hander has nine saves in 11 chances and has helped solidify the back end of the Tampa 'pen. If and when Troy Percival comes back from the DL, the emergence of another quality late-inning option will only help the Rays down the stretch. Too bad no one is there to witness the great story that has been their season, as 13,000 measly fans watched their 1-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays last night. The good news is that TV ratings for Rays games are up, which is encouraging at least.

Finally, I hope Fabrice Santoro is resting comfortably after being shaken up by Andy Roddick's serve at the U.S. Open. Do you need a cup of water Fabrice? Perhaps a cold towel? Seriously, this is professional tennis, not ping pong.

Dreadful Night in New York

M-E-T-S Mets Mets Mets! Terrible loss last night, as Jerry Manuel's squad blew a 7-0 lead on the road in Philly, helping the Phils overtake the NL East lead. For the 22nd time this season the Mets blew a save, further highlighting the mind-boggling decision not to acquire a reliever at the deadline. Ace Johan Santana tries to play stopper tonight.

Meanwhile, the star on New York's other team, Alex Rodriguez, finished 0-5 with seven left on base last night as the Yanks are making clear that they are no longer factors in the AL East. To his credit, the reigning MVP took the blame for the loss to the BoSox. Shocking stat pack of the year: Mr. Madonna is 1-10 with the bases loaded on the season and has 3 RBI in the seventh inning and on. Three!

The Colorado Rockies are at it again. The scrappy ballclub is looking to duplicate their late-season surge of last season, pulling to within six games of division-leading Arizona in the NL West after a 7-2 win over the San Francisco Giants. Geez, I still can't believe how bad that division is.

Meanwhile, the dreams of an all-Florida World Series are becoming more unlikely. The Florida Marlins continued to flounder last night with Kevin Gregg imploding in the ninth inning against Atlanta as the club fell six games behind Philadelphia in the NL East. The young pitching staff has not thrown the ball well over the last month.

American League Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee--yeah, I gave it to him already--moved to 5-0 with a 1.86 ERA in August last night in Cleveland's 10-4 win over Detroit.

The Twins lost for the fourth straight game, falling again to Seattle to drop another game to the first-place Chicago White Sox. If it's not a saggy bullpen, it's a lack of offense for the Twinkies.

On the NFL beat, Chargers stud linebacker Shawne Merriman has two torn ligaments in his knee, yet still plans to play through the injury as four doctors have told him that the injury can't get any worse. The leader in sacks over the last three seasons, Merriman was expected to anchor a defense that many feel can help put the Chargers over the top in the AFC.

Finally, did Tim Tebow really contribute in 55 Florida TD's last season? For the Gators to compete for a national title, however, Percy Harvin must be healthy and a featured tailback--Emmanuel Moody?--must emerge.

Twins Bullpen's Road Woes Continue

For the second day in a row, the Twins' bullpen failed on the road as Minnesota lost ground on the White Sox in the AL Central race. The Twins sit only a game back but failed to take advantage of playing the Mariners with Francisco Liriano on the mound. Liriano and Kevin Slowey, in particular, have been spectacular in outpitching their opponents to keep the Twins in the thick of the division race. The bullpen, however, is one of the worst in baseball on the road. Conversely, the unit has been spectacular at home. The Twins do, however, play the White Sox at the Metrodome in the final week of the season, and the Dome has been a house of horrors for the ChiSox. This race has been too tight for the division title not to come down to the season's final week.

Huge win for the Phillies on Monday, as the team completed its sweep of the Dodgers behind another gem from Brett Myers. Reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins' bat finally seems to be heating up, helping set the table for a dominant offense. Meanwhile, Mike Pelfrey continued to live up to his potential with a complete game win over the Astros to keep the Mets a half-game ahead of the Fighting Phils in the AL East. John Maine, however, has been placed on the DL, making it even more crucial for Pedro Martinez and Pelfrey to continue their strong pitching. And that bullpen continues to be painfully bad on most nights. The Mets and Phillies play in one of three huge series that kick off tonight, along with the Brewers/Cardinals and Red Sox/Yankees. The Brewers, by the way, are 15-6 since getting swept by the Cubs at home. Ned Yost did a very nice recovery job.

Olympic Wrap-Up and...a Carl Pavano Sighting?

The United States reclaimed its spot atop the basketball world on Sunday, as the Redeem Team found redemption in the form of an 11-point victory over Spain to capture the gold medal. The big lead had dwindled to two late in the game, but the Americans had enough firepower and a stopper in Kobe Bryant to hold onto the victory. While the U.S. regained the long-sought gold, the Spaniards hinted that the Americans may not ever be able to reclaim long-standing dominance, as the talent gap has clealry closed between these national teams.

Nice of Carl Pavano to drop by the Yankees clubhouse and actually make a start on Sunday in Baltimore. $39.95 million dolars for 20 starts in pinstripes. Nice.

According to Red Sox manager Terry Francona, pitcher Josh Beckett has inflammation in his right elbow. This could be a devastating blow for the Red Sox' playoff hopes and success, as the club is struggling to get quality starts as it is.

Right-hander Anthony Reyes may have found a rotation that he could stick in, as the former Cardinal has had a nice stretch of starts to begin his Cleveland career. And break up the Indians, who have now won seven in a row.

Cubs GM Jim Hendry absolutely committed robbery in acquiring Rich Harden from the A's. What dividends the injury-prone righty has paid.

The U.S. Open tennis tournament began this morning, and four-time defending champ Roger Federer looks to salvage his disappointing season by taking another hard court major title. Meanwhile, last year's women's champ, Justine Henin is probably relaxing by a beach somewhere.


37-year-old Kurt Warner won the starting quarterback job in Arizona after Matt Leinart endured a three-interception, 4-for-12 first half on Saturday night. The Cardinals are internally worried about Leinart's arm strength and consistency, and his relationship with Ken Whisenhurt almost looks irreparable. The NFC West is a very winnable division for the Cards this season--as it was last year--and Warner gives them the best chance to win. But this is a team with a future glaring hole at QB if Leinart can't get his act together after supposedly buckling down this offseason and becoming a better student of the game.

Redeem Team, Ladies Style

The United States women's soccer club reclaimed its role as dominant world force, while the American softball squad exits its final Olympics after a shocking defeat. Carli Lloyd scored in the sixth minute of extra time to give the U.S. a 1-0 win over Brazil and the gold medal for the third time in four Olympic Games. Goalie Hope Solo, who was benched in last year's World Cup, made huge saves throughout to give coach Pia Sundhage her first major victory after taking over for Greg Ryan nine months ago. Meanwhile, the 3-time Olympic champion American softball team lost for the first time ever in Olympic competition, 3-1 to Japan. Sadly, it will be the last softball game played for a long while as the sport has been dropped from the Olympics for the 2012 London Games.

LaShawn Merritt--not Jeremy Wariner--led a U.S. sweep in the men's 400-meters on Thursday. Wariner settled for silver while David Neville claimed the bronze in a race that many thought would be won by Wariner--and perhaps in record time. After racing out to a sizable early lead as he did in the Olympic trials, Neville held on for bronze after being surpassed by Merritt and Wariner with about 150 meters remaining.


Perhaps the most disappointing results of the Games occurred in the sprints, where the Americans went 0-for-6 for the first time ever. Both the men's and women's relay teams dropped the baton, punctuating a brutally disappointing Olympics for Tyson Gay in particular. As disappointed was Lauryn Williams, who botched her exchange with Torri Edwards after running too early in the 2004 Games.

The Dalhausser-Rogers team of course completed the American sweep in beach volleyball, joining May-Treanor/Walsh as gold medalists, while the U.S. women's indoor team defeated Cuba to advance to the gold-medal match on Saturday against Brazil.

And finally, the IOC is investigated the Chinese women's gymnastics team. Hmm, and they're just doing this now?

Lightning Strikes Twice in Record Form

He did it again. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt broke another world record, capturing gold in the 200-meter sprint on Wednesday night to give the Olympic Games a jolt after a little post-Phelps apathy. Bolt became the first man to break world records in the 100 and 200 sprints at the same Olympics. Lightning Bolt bested Michael Johnson's record at the 1996 Games, somewhat of a surprise considering he pulled up and coasted in the final meters of his record-setting 100. This time, Bolt, who had come under scrutiny for hot-dogging and show-boating, made sure he finished the race in a full sprint before celebrating. The guy is incredibly fun to watch, and his personality is unmatched in the world of track and field. If he wants to pull up before the finish line and gesture to the crowd as he leaves his competitors in the dust, so be it. As long as he goes out there and proves that he is the best, why not have a little fun along the way? The scary--and for him, most marketable--part of these Games is that he has room to absoultely shatter the 100 world record the next time he races.

The U.S. men's and women's water polo teams are putting on quite a show in the pool at these Olympic Games, as the respective squads are in medal contention in the final days of competition. It marks the first time the men and women are in the medal round in the same Olympics. The sport is in only its third Olympics on the women's side, and the U.S. has medaled in its first two showings. The men, meanwhile, have not won a medal since winning silver in Seoul in 1988.

Americans Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, meanwhile, took care of Georgian pair Renato Gomes and Jorge Terceiro in just 41 minutes to advance to the men's beach volleyball final. The duo has looked unbeatable after shockingly losing its Olympic debut match against Latvia.

The big story on the American side of the Olympic equation, however, is 400-meter darling Jeremy Wariner. The Texan looks to become only the second man--fellow American Michael Johnson was the first--to win back-to-back Olympic titles in the men's 400 meter. Wariner seeks to eclipse Johnson's world record in the event, but must stave off fellow American LaShawn Merritt in what should be one of the most exciting 400's in recent memory.