Ecclectic Sporting Notes of the Week

Pet Jerseys. I know you're saying to yourself I wonder how I can help my dog support my football team at the same time I'm supporting the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). Well, I'm here to help you out. Pick up Rover an NFL jersey personalized for him. You'll have to pay close attention to the sizing chart though - since when is a 13-pound dog "large?"

Speaking of "dogs" or "An offer you can't accept." How about the dog-eat-dog world of college football. University of Washington booster offered the University a total of $200,000 if the school would get rid of the Athletic Director, a man by the name of Todd Turner, and the Head Football Coach, Ty Willingham; a $100,000 for each. A former mayor of Everett, Washington, Ed Hansen, offered the school the money towards law school scholarships. A contemptible offer on its face, the school and it's President apparently ignored the offer. Turner has since resigned; Willingham has since been extended. When asked, Hansen said he would likely donate the $100,000. If President Emmert has a shred of integrity, the "gift" will be returned unaccepted.

A Bet Not Worth Making. The engraving of the name "Indianapolis Colts" onto the Lombardi trophy hadn't even started when Las Vegas set the odds on the New England Patriots winning Super Bowl XLII at 9-1. When they completed the trade for Randy Moss, the odds decreased to 5-1. Currently with their record standing at 16-0 and heading into a Divisional Round contest with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the odds are 1-6. Back in February, 2007, a $100 bet would have given you the chance at $900. Now, a $600 bet will give you the chance at $100. For this writer, I'll take cash in hand over a possible free ride any time. Hard to get rich on a bet if you're not gambling, but it's also hard to lose your shirt on a bet you don't make too!

"The Jake" becomes "The Pro." One of the ballparks of the early- to mid-1990's that revolutionized the idea of a modern baseball stadium, Jacob's Field, will become Progressive Field for the 2008 season and for at least 16 years after the Cleveland Indians announced today the $3.6 Million/year deal for Progressive Insurance to name the park. 2023 is also the year the Indians' lease on the park expires. The money hardly seems worth the effort to a baseball organization - until one adds up the years and realizes that $57 Million over 16 years is a decent, if not spectacular deal. Hey, that additional revenue will pay for a utility infielder, right?

6 Months & 400 Hours. Marion Jones was sentenced to 6 months in jail and to 400-hours of community service for lying to federal prosecutors. She had pled guilty to 2-counts in October 2007; she was sentenced to 2-months on the second count, but will serve that time concurrently with the 6-month sentence. She has been stripped of her Olympic gold medals won in Sydney in 2000.

Freeze! It's the MLB! Major League Baseball has begun implementing the recommendations of the Mitchell Report, and has established an investigations unit. Commissioner Bud Selig says "The department of investigations will have critically important responsibilities in protecting the integrity of our sport." However, important aspects of these "important responsibilities" are not yet clear. What is clear to this writer is that baseball has succeeded in spite of itself, with this as one more example of a complete lack of leadership and a failure of strategic vision - there is no apparent idea of what this unit will do, nor of its responsibilities.

It's a Wrap! That's all for this report of the ridiculous and the sublime.