Stop Snitchin'

2007 New England Patriots Team Photo

On this evening's Sports Center, they did a piece previewing the Jets/Pats game this week. It featured several Boston Globe writers saying things like "you don't cross Bill Belichick" and because Eric Mangini dropped the dime on the Pats' coach, New England would be out to "embarrass" the Jets, put up 70 points on them and settle for nothing less than Mangenious' "head on platter."

The season that the Patriots are putting on this year is amazing. I am not a fan, but sit in awe when I see them play. They are professional, efficient and ruthless. Do they have something to prove?

Yes.

They do.

While the Boston Globers were alluding to the forthcoming bloodbath the Pats will inevitably lay on the Jets, the fact that it is heightened due to Belichick's visceral hatred for his former protege is sickening.

What's worse in your mind? Being a cheater or being a snitch?

How quickly we forget that Belichick was fined half a million dollars - the highest possible monetary punishment the league can dole out. The Pats were hit for another 1/4 mil and lost a first round draft pick.

Belichick isn't some victim, some innocent man with a chip on his shoulder looking to right an unjust wrong. He was proven to have cheated and was punished heavily.

We chastise Barry Bonds for cheating, for taking an easy, unethical shortcut to rewrite the record books. Is this any different from doing the same, inevitably winning three Super Bowl championships and being well on the way to winning #4 this year? Far be it from me to defend Bonds, but I can't seem to find a difference between him and Coach B.

Barry would have been well on his way to Cooperstown without his little extra helpers. The Pats this year and in the last 5 could have been great teams without Spy-Gate espionage, but now we'll never know. Just like Barry. Tainted.

Just don't blame Mangini. If you do, I bet you're the kind of person who'd wear a "Free Mike Vick" t-shirt.

Misleading Headlines: Hot Stove Edition

ESPN: Cook, Rockies near agreement on 3-year, $30M deal

"ERHSHADA VEENA MATAA HOLLIDAY IMA RICHA BITCHA!"

ESPN: Bonds' close-knit group remains supportive of indicted slugger

"We are very close."

BARRY BONDS INDICTED

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Barry Bonds was indicted Thursday on perjury and obstruction of justice charges, the culmination of a four-year federal investigation into whether he lied under oath to a grand jury looking into steroid use by elite athletes.

TSG: Copy of Indictment



Click here to read article.

Note from Ren: The people of San Francisco kill me. They really do. I can't get over the comments on Sports Center about how the feeling there is that of "shock." Come on.

Other Notable Absences

• Bobby Bonilla: Was in the clubhouse playing cards
• Rickey Henderson: Was in the Clubhouse playing dominoes
• Wade Boggs: Was on a plane threatening to kick a flight attendant's fat lips in.
• Gary U.S. Bonds: Was dancing til quarter til 3.
• Peter Gammons: He's not a nice person. Don't ever forget that.
  

Stopping Plate Tectonics II

I'M FROM QUEENS, NEW YORK!

(Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

The inevitable happened again last night. (Damn Plate Tectonics).

While much ado was made of the anticipated absences of Selig and Aaron, not much was made of the following not being present:

• His 1986 cap size
• Greg Anderson
• Sammy & Mark - Barry's inspirations
• Gary Sheffield's Chef
• Bobby (Barry always seemed to revere Willie much more anyway).
• Cole Hamels - "Mike Bacsik, I served with Cole Hamels. I knew Cole Hamels. Cole Hamels was a friend of mine. Mike Bacsik, you're no Cole Hamels."
• Billy "It ain't cheatin' if you don't get caught" Martin
• Kimberly Bell (We'll be seeing plenty of her soon, though)
• A Giants victory
• The Rabid Wolverine
  

SF Giants fan Reacts to Bonds & 756

At least he got a parting gift...

From CBS Sportsline transaction section...

It was No. 755 and out for Clay Hensley. The San Diego Padres right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Portland on Sunday, a day after serving up the home run that allowed Barry Bonds to tie Hank Aaron's all-time record. The demotion had nothing to with Bonds' historic shot. San Diego's bullpen was taxed after two straight extra-inning games, and the Padres needed a fresh arm, which it got by promoting right-hander Mike Thompson from the Beavers.At the very least, Hensley got a nice parting gift -- an autographed bat from Bonds. Hensley asked for, and got, an autographed bat. "It was a nice gesture," Hensley said. "I appreciate that."
(Updated 08/05/2007).

One day. Two milestones.

A-Rod. Fastest to 500. Hopefully, he makes this next clip just a footnote in baseball history.



Bud's face sums it up pretty nicely.

-posted by Fat Willard