Crazy 8's

In an inning that can only be called crazy, the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox combined for a whopping 16 runs and, fittingly, scored eight apiece. Even better, Roger Clemens was booed off of the mound when Joe Torre pulled him after giving up the eight-spot. In all fairness to the Rocket, only three of the runs were earned. So, in Yankee-offensive-explosion fashion, they came up in the bottom of the inning and racked up eight runs of their own. Clemens' counterpart Jon Garland didn't fare as well as his figure eight all came in legitimately.

The 16-run second inning was tied for the fifth highest scoring inning in MLB history falling short of the two 17 run innings, an 18 run affair and the Indians and Red Sox 19 run record. Historians were also cheated by A-Rod who failed to hit his 500th career home run which, when it happens, will make him the youngest player in history to reach the feat.

The game ended with the Sox coming out on top 13-9 since New York couldn't manage to put anything together against the Chicago relievers.

Madden watch! 12 days to go!

Less than two weeks out from Madden 08’s release the fine folks at EA Sports have decided to let our mouths water a bit by releasing more the ratings of all the players in the game. Since there’s way too much to be argued with these stats, we’re just going to stick to the 99’s. For those who don’t know what a 99 is it’s the highest overall rating a player can get in the game; it’s a very lofty height and quite the achievement as a player. Five players have the honour of being rated 99 this season and while some deserve it, some don’t. Of the five, Peyton Manning, Brian Urlacher, Ed Reed, Champ Bailey and LaDainian Tomlinson, it’s conceivable that only two of the three truly deserve a 99.

Tomlinson and Manning are both no brainers considering the past two seasons that Tomlinson has had and the overall greatness of Manning combined with the fact he finally brought home a Super Bowl ring. The defensive players are a bit iffy. Brian Urlacher is as dominant and talented as a linebacker but 99 feels too high for him. Ed Reed should be in the mid-90s range if anything; he is talented but didn’t have a season good enough to warrant a 99. As for Champ Bailey, he may be as good as any CB in the game, but a 98 might be a bit more appropriate, even just to maintain the prestige of 99.

Culpepper finds a new home

In move of startling logic, the Oakland Raiders have come to a deal with former all-pro quarterback, Daunte Culpepper. This is just one of those moves that makes too much sense after the Raiders drafted JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick this year. Russell and Culpepper play fairly similar styles, well, maybe Daunte played that type of style when he didn't have a wrecked knee and his inability to read plays wasn't completely exposed. But, on paper, it looks like a good move for the sad-sack Raiders.

Also, it makes even more sense because now the Raiders have a big-name (but still lousy) QB to go into the pre-season with if JaMarcus doesn’t sign a contract soon. And that contract should’ve been something that Oakland management taken care of a long time ago.

Deadline Day in MLB

In what will no doubt be the biggest deal of this year’s deadline, Texas slugger Mark Teixeira will be terrorizing the NL east with the Atlanta Braves. The deal will send Teixeira and reliever Ron Mahay to Hotlanta in exchange for uber-prospect and all-name team catcher Jarrod Saltalamachia, Elvis Andrus, Neftali Perez and a player to be named later. This deal should put some fear into the eyes of the division leading Mets and second-place Phillies although they did make some less-significant moves to improve themselves pre-deadline. Both teams brought in new second basemen via trade; the Mets upgrading over Ruben Gotay to Luis Castillo and the Phillies bringing in Tadahito Iguchi from the White Sox to replace the injured Chase Utley while he rehabs a broken hand.

The Braves weren’t done though and also brought in Octavio Dotel to help out in the bullpen for Kyle Davies. Dotel has been injured this season but is a good arm to have, especially if closer Bob Wickman breaks down.

It’s also looking like the Yankees big name acquisition of this deadline is going to be Wilson Betitmet. Pretty weak in comparison to what they’ve done in the past put at least they’ll be filling a need. Well, sort of. Actually, not really, don’t they need help somewhere besides a utility infielder? Anyway, the Dodgers get average reliever from the Yanks in the exchange.

And where oh where will Eric Gagne go? That’s the big question now with several teams in the mix.

**UPDATE**

So it turns out that Boston felt like making an over-the-top move by acquiring Eric Gagne from Texas for Kason Gabbard, David Murphy and Engel Beltre. This move only bolsters what is already the best bullpen in baseball, but honestly, I think it was a move to spite the Yankees who were also persuing the Canadian closer.

Dreams can come true

It looks like the Hotlantic might earn its name this season with another superstar coming in. With the Bulls and Suns bungling up trade offers for Kevin Garnett, the Boston Celtics gladly swooped in and now has a very potent three headed monster. All it cost them was their future as well. By exiling Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair and two first round picks to the T-Wolves for KG, the Celtics haven’t left much depth on their bench to a) Start a better than decent point guard or center and b) have anybody good coming off the bench in case Allen, Pierce of KG get into foul trouble or even injured (which will no doubt unravel the team).

In a way, the 2007-08 Celtics eerily remind me of the team I managed to build in NBA 2K7. Through some shrewd moves and stunning cap-management, I was able to bring Kobe, LeBron and Tim Duncan to Toronto. Sure, I was starting Alonzo Mourning at Centre and Boobie Gibson and Nick van Exel at the point but there the three-headed Kobroncan monster to even that out. With shooters Jason Kapono and Matt Gansey coming off the bench and Anderson Varejao and Derek Lee to rotate in down low, the team is far-and-away better than this Celtics but, of course, it’s only a video game and I’m very sure that the Spurs would never deal Duncan to Toronto, even if they get Boozer, Stackhouse and the 13th overall pick in exchange.

The biggest bowl I can think of

Arguements could be made for the NFL’s Super Bowl or the NCAA’s Rose Bowl or national championship game - even the bowl of cereal that you ate for breakfast has a chance – but is there a more important bowl than the Arenabowl? Well, not in July at least.

Yesterday afternoon the San Jose SaberCats took it to the Columbus Destroyers and captured their third title in six years. QB Mark Grieb won the MVP by completing an outstanding 24-of-29 passes including four touchdowns.

Now, it might just be me, but can anybody out there name more than two of the teams in the Arena Football League? How about a past champion? Or even a player who is currently in the Arena League (Besides Mark Grieb)? A past player besides Kurt Warner? It’s a lot harder than you thought it would be, isn’t it? Does that mean I won’t post about Arenabowl XXII? Of course I will, it is the biggest bowl to occur in July after all.