Forget T.O. - Nicolette Sheridan loves who? - Joe Torre!!!!

Did Joe ever get this love in New York?

Hall of Famer Gary Zimmerman had a choice - a Viking or Bronco

Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes about Hall of Famer Gary Zimmerman and how he is going into the Hall of Fame as a Denver Bronco and not a Minnesota Viking... "Gary Zimmerman played more seasons with the Vikings than the Broncos, and was chosen first-team All-Pro more times in Minnesota than in Denver, but he won't be carrying anything purple into today's Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies in Canton, Ohio. "My loyalty," he said, "is to the Denver Broncos." He isn't kidding. In fact, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen will present the former left tackle tonight when he joins the 2008 class." ...

Mark Craig

Emmitt Thomas has come a long way from Bishop College

Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star writes about former Kansas City Chief and now Hall of Famer Emmitt Thomas and his humble beginnings... "He was a raw rookie from an obscure, historically black college that no longer exists. He was undrafted, unheralded and unpretentious. So when Emmitt Thomas filled out a standard questionnaire for the Kansas City Chiefs, who brought him into camp in 1966 with about 125 other players, he found one way to grab the club’s attention.
QUESTION: What single experience stands out as your greatest in football? ANSWER: College: Checking Otis Taylor in man-to-man coverage." ...

Randy Covitz

Fred Dean - from hard partier to Hall of Famer

Nancy Gay of the San Francisco Chronicle writes how former NFL great Fred Dean was once a hard partier, uut now he is a Hall of Famer...his bond with Eddie DeBartolo Jr. was something special... "It took 18 years for Dean, who was a four-time Pro Bowler and won two Super Bowl rings - to get into the Hall. Unlike so many of Dean's contemporaries, he did not play the bulk of his career as an every down player. Walsh turned him into the NFL's first "situational" pass rusher, a standup quarterback hunter in the 49ers' 3-4 defense." ...

Nancy Gay

Manny Ramirez wearing #99

Drunk man stuck in chimney loses clothes in Warren, Ohio

This past Wednesday night, the police in Warren, Ohio had a call about a man being stuck in a chimney at the log cabin on city square...when police arrived, it was the same man that they arrested a few hours earlier for public intoxication...however, because the jail was overcrowded, he was booked, then released...well, instead of going home, this drunk had the crazy idea of crawling down the chimney...however, the best part, when police were trying to pull him out, his clothes came off...the video is a bit grainy, but enjoy...

Whatever happened to Olympic swimmer Janet Evans?

As part of our feature "What ever happened to . . . " today's spotlight is on former Olympic gold medal swimmer Janet Evans...

Evans was born in August 21, 1971 in Placentia, California...a year before the 1988 Olympic games she broke the world records in the 400-, 800- and 1,500-meter freestyle events....once she arrived in Seoul, Evans won three gold medals and set a new world record in the 400-meter freestyle event - a record that would hold for 18 years...

In 1989 Evans won the Sullivan Award as the nation's top female amateur athlete...in 1992 she won a gold and silver at the Barcelona Olympics...Evans swimming career ended after failing to make the 1996 Olympic team for the Atlanta games...

But she was not out of the spotlight at those games...she once said in an interview that her career highlight took place at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympics when she handed the torch to Muhammad Ali just before he lit the cauldron...she said that she cried after seeing Ali escorted from the Olympic stadium...

Evans still holds the world record in the 800-meter (8:16.22) which was set in August 1989...it is swimming's longest standing current record...what makes Evans' swimming marks even more remarkable was that she competed against bigger and stronger athletes...however, Evans had an unorthodox asymmetric ("loping") stroke and a strong respiratory system....

Since retiring, Evans ran a marathon and was a motivational speaker...she recently appeared n the reality show Celebrity Circus...she married in 2003 and has a 20 month old baby girl, Sydney...

Enjoy this 8 minute clip of the lighting of the Olympic cauldron at the 1996 games in Atlanta...

Curt Schilling believes Manny Ramirez saga affected the Red Sox

In Thursday morning's Boston Globe, Steve Silva interviewed outspoken Boston pitcher Curt Schilling and his thoughts about Manning Ramirez....the article is below...

Rehabbing Red Sox righthander Curt Schilling this morning said he thought the Manny Ramirez situation has affected the team and keeping him in Boston for the stretch run could present a problem.

"At the end of the day you're taking the field with a guy who doesn't want to play with you, doesn't want to be there, doesn't want to ... obviously effort-wise is just not there and that's disheartening and disappointing," Schilling said during his weekly appearance on Boston sports radio WEEI's Dennis and Callahan program.

Does he think it's time for Manny to go?

"Would I be the only guy in the New England area that said no if I did?" Schilling replied to the question. "I think I'm probably with the consensus. It's very obvious from anything you see or hear he doesn't want to be here. And anytime that there's a piece of the equation you have a problem, and then not trading and leaving him here is a problem because you don't know what you're going to get."

Schilling was asked if he was insulted by Manny's "the Red Sox don't deserve a player like me" comment.

"I was here for the end of both Pedro [Martinez] and Nomar's [Garciaparra] situation and I'm not sure how there's any parallels there," Schilling said. "... I've always felt the organization extended a lot of courtesy Manny's way and I know Terry [Francona] as a manager, like with everybody else he went that extra mile for Manny. It's disappointing to see that not get recognized, but that happens.

"The hard part for me was this [situation with Manny] derailed into a train wreck so quick, so fast, and so oddly. You had the Buddah Zen Master guy in spring training, reading and 'life is good, don't worry be happy' and it just looked like he was poised to have a monster season. Physically he worked his butt off. Obviously he wants to play longer. Anytime a guy like that is motivated, you get excited. You get a chance to see some stuff...

"We had a conversation a little while back, talking about what he should do and how things are gonna go and there's just really not a reason from a business standpoint for the Red Sox to do anything right now. There really wouldn't... Why would they? Given your age and the contract situations. Why would they not just kind of wait and see how things played out. I think there was, maybe there's some feeling on his part that if he did what he did last winter and he came out and had a monster first couple of months that they'd sit down and say 'OK we want to keep you here the next four years, let's get something done,' and it felt like to me that the second he realized that that was not an option, this just went straight downhill."

Could this situation have caused the Red Sox, losers of 4 of their last 5 on this homestand, to lose its focus?

"Absolutely, absolutely," Schilling said. "This is one of those things ... the trading deadline is always a weird time for everybody, no matter what team you play for but this ... when things are going on with Manny, the fact that Manny's locker was in the back, and not with the rest of the guys, ended up being a thing that worked because media wasn't hovering, there wasn't stuff going on, but it appears to me that he's moved out into the clubhouse now to try and make sure he gets his message broadcast and that's ... it's not fun.

"I would absolutely agree that it's affected this team. I don't question it. I've been around when it did before in '06. These are your teammates and it just makes it hard when every question, you're struggling in a 1-for-14 and grinding your [expletive] off at the plate and every question is about something that you have absolutely no control over..."

Schilling also said would give Jason Bay his No. 38 (and Bay's number with the Pirates) if Bay ends up joining the Red Sox in exchange for someone to give a five-figure donation to his charity, Curt's Pitch. "It pretty much can be had right now... yeah ...we'll work something out," Schilling said.

Manny Ramirez traded to the Dodgers: Boston gets Jason Bay from Pirates

Thursday, July 31, 2008
Ramirez traded to Dodgers in three-way deal

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN.com news services

Slugger Manny Ramirez's stormy relationship with the Boston Red Sox appears to be over.

A baseball source has confirmed Ramirez has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, ESPN.com has learned. The Red Sox will pay remaining $7 million of Ramirez's contract, ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reported.

Jason Bay is going to Boston as part of the deal, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported. And the Pittsburgh Pirates get four minor leaguers as part of the three-way deal.

Third baseman Andy LaRoche and right-handed pitcher Bryan Morris will go to the Pirates from the Dodgers. Outfielder Brandon Moss and right-handed pitcher Craig Hansen will leave the Red Sox organization for Pittsburgh, ESPN.com has learned.

Remarks by Ramirez, who has been involved in trade rumors the last few years, might have been the final straw.

"The Red Sox don't deserve a player like me," Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com Wednesday. "During my years here, I've seen how they [the Red Sox] have mistreated other great players when they didn't want them to try to turn the fans against them.

"The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy," Ramirez added. "I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me. I'm not talking about money. Mental peace has no price, and I don't have peace here."

ESPN.com staff writer Amy K. Nelson, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney and ESPN senior writer Keith Law contributed to this report.

Erin Andrews - what she was wearing that got the Chicago Cubs and Lou Piniella all bothered

This is what ESPN's Erin Andrews was wearing on Wednesdsay night as she sauntered through the Chicago Cubs locker room...Photo is from the Chicago Sun-Times

Ken Griffey to play centerfield for Chicago White Sox

From Mark Gonzalez of The Chicago Tribune

Ken Griffey Jr. headed to White Sox
By Mark Gonzales, 7:40 a.m.

MINNEAPOLIS - The White Sox have agreed to acquire slugger Ken Griffey Jr. from Cincinnati, pending Griffey Jr.'s approval.

A source confirmed the proposed trade, which was first reported by FOXSports.com. The move could have significant ramifications should Grffey agree to the trade, since he has veto rights by having at least 10 years of major league service, including more than the past five with the same team.

With Jim Thome entrenched as the designated hitter, Griffey could return to center field, flanked by left fielder Carlos Quentin and right fielder Jermaine Dye. That could mean that Nick Swisher and Paul Konerko, both hitting below .240 for most of this season, could share first base, with Swisher continuing to play the outfield some.

Griffey, 38, is batting .245 with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs for the Reds. He has hit 608 career homers.

Griffey is in the final year of a nine-year contract, with a club option for 2009 at $16.5 million or a $4 million buyout. The Reds are looking to retool their roster while being destined for a sub-.500 season in the National League Central.

Ken Griffey Jr. traded to Chicago White Sox!

Foxsports.com is reporting the White Sox have traded for Cincinnati Reds slugger Ken Griffey Jr. The deal is pending the approval of Griffey, who can veto the trade because he is a player with 10 years of experience, including five with the same team. It is not known what the Sox would give up for Griffey.

Lou Piniella calls out Erin Andrews in Chicago Cubs locker room

When reading the article by Mike Nadel about Erin Andrews flaunting in the Chicago Cubs locker room on Wednesday, it seems like Cubs manager Lou Piniella called her on it...Nadel writes:

This went on for at least an hour. Finally, Piniella emerged from his office, ready for his dugout media session. As he turned the corner, there was Andrews in all of her bare-legged, high-heeled, low-necklined glory.
“Hey, hey, hey! Look at this!” Piniella said, loudly and excitedly. “Are you doing a baseball game today or a modeling assignment?”
Fair question. I have seen Andrews at many events in recent years and this was the first time I had witnessed anything quite like this, which is why it seemed so bizarre.
Did she really feel playing the sexpot was necessary to practice journalism? She is good-looking enough and has enough of a high-profile job that she would get plenty of interviews and attention even if she showed up in a burlap sack.
One thing for sure: There was a discernible buzz in the Cubs’ clubhouse Wednesday before a pitch ever was thrown — and that buzz had nothing to do with the anticipation of another huge victory over a division rival.

Erin Andrews ESPN's "It" Girl Distracts Chicago Cubs before big game against Brewers

Mike Nadel of the Peoria Journal Star writes how ESPN's "It" Babe - Erin Andrews was a hot number in the Chicago Cubs clubhouse before Wednesday's game... " Her skimpy outfit — designed to accentuate her, um, positives — had players leering at her. Some made lewd comments under their breath. Others giggled like 12-year-olds." ...

Mike Nadel

Brady Quinn not the stud muffin with Cleveland Browns - it is Kevin Kasper?

Ever heard of Kevin Kasper?...probably not, but this 30-year-old former Iowa Hawkeye wide receiver just may be the hardest working guy in the NFL...this hard worker has kep him around the NFL with five different teams...and this year he is trying for his sixth - the Cleveland Browns...

What makes Kasper unique is that he is a freaking stud...forget about Brady Quinn being the team stud muffin...if Kasper makes the team, he is DA MAN as you can tell by the photo of him on the cover of MM magazine...at the 2001 NFL Combine, Kasper broke three Combine records...

To read more about Kasper, check out a great article written by (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reporter Chris Herring ...

Early Betting Lines on Key College Football Games

Here are the lines are this year's marquee games...the estimated lines are from Phil Steele's Power Sweep...for more information check out his site at Northcoast Sports Service...

Saturday, September 6
Miami (Fla) @ Florida - Florida -18.5

Saturday, September 13
Ohio State @ USC - USC -5.5
Michigan @ Notre Dame - Notre Dame -3.5

Saturday, September 20
Florida @ Tennessee - Florida -6.5
Georgia @ Arizona State - Georgia -4.5
Notre Dame @ Michigan State - Michigan State -3

Saturday, September 27
Alabama @ Georgia - Georgia -9.5

Saturday, October 4
Ohio State @ Wisconsin - Ohio State -4.5
Missouri @ Nebraska - Missouri -5.5
Florida State @ Miami (Fla) - Miami -2.5

Saturday, October 11
LSU @ Florida - Florida -8.5
Oklahoma vs. Texas - Oklahoma -6

Saturday, October 18
Ohio State @ Michigan State - Ohio State -9
Missouri @ Texas - Texas -3
Michigan @ Penn State - Penn State -9

Saturday, October 25
Georgia @ LSU - LSU -1
Penn State @ Ohio State - Ohio State -11
Alabama @ Tennessee - Tennessee -4

Saturday, November 1
Florida vs. Georgia - Florida -2.5
Nebraska @ Oklahoma - Oklahoma -17.5

Saturday, November 8
Alabama @ LSU - LSU -7
Cal @ USC - USC -13

Saturday, November 15
Ohio State @ Illinois - Ohio State -8
Texas @ Kansas - Texas -3
Georgia @ Auburn - Georgia -1

Saturday, November 22
Michigan @ Ohio State - Ohio State -14.5

Thursday, November 27
Texas A&M @ Texas - Texas -15

Friday, November 28
West Virginia @ Pitt - W. Virginia -6.5

Saturday, November 29
Notre Dame @ USC - USC -16.5
Auburn @ Alabama - Auburn -1

Saturday, December 6
USC @ UCLA - USC -14

A. Rod to enforce prenuptial agreement against C. Rod

The New York Daily News reports that Alex Rodriguez plans to enforce his prenuptial agreement with his soon to be ex-wife..."Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez is playing hardball against his wife in their divorce case, saying he wants their prenuptial agreement enforced and charges that he cheated on her removed from the record." ...

New York Daily News

John Lynch - Denver Broncos part ways

Mike Klis of The Denver Post writes how Denver safety John Lynch and the Broncos have parted ways..."After 15 NFL seasons and nine Pro Bowl selections, Lynch left the team's training camp Tuesday after asking for his release in hopes of playing elsewhere. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan allowed Lynch the chance to explore other options, including retirement." ...

Mike Klis

Bill Stewart brings a breath of fresh air to West Virginia football

Pete Thamel of The New York Times writes how West Virginia is moving forward under new head coach Bill Stewart, who beats to his own drum... "More Ned Flanders than Woody Hayes, Stewart is clearly one of the more fascinating characters to emerge recently in college football. During an interview over breakfast Tuesday at Big East media day, Stewart talked straight from the set of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” by starting sentences with phrases like, “Ah, gee,” “dadgum,” “good golly” and “gee whiz.” ...

Pete Thamel

Dancing Mexican Midgets!

Midgets are just great...but there is nothing better than Mexican midgets who dance...check this out!!!...