Fabulous Phil, The Answer & The Waiting Game

No big rant today boys and girls… just some random thoughts befitting of a Thursday that needs to end already….


Phantastic Phil? - All of Yankee nation is anxiously awaiting the debut of phenom Phillip Hughes, who will take the mound tonight against the Blue Jays. One Yankee buddy described the much hyped hurler as "He's our Mark Prior." If Hughes can have a sliver of the impact Prior did for the Cubs in 2003 (18-6, 2.43 era, 245ks in 211 innings), he will a saving grace for the Bombers.

If this kid falls flat on his face tonight, you will hear the groans resonating from the Bronx all the way across Baseball Nation.

When was the last time you heard Yankee fans counting on a rookie to save their season?

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Make It A Bloody Buddy! – Everyone remembers Curt Schilling's infamous bloody sock during the 2004 playoffs and what a hero Schill was turned into for braving the pain. Well guess what? Some are saying it was all BS.

According to Orioles announcer Gary Thorne, Sawx catcher Doug Mirabelli revealed it was all a publicity stunt and it wasn't blood – it was paint. Of course #38 has vehemently denied it – as has Mirabelli and even a Hall of Fame rep, where the fabled sock currently resides. Who knows what it was, but the funny part was when one announcer questioned whether Curt was the type of guy who would pull such a stunt, his announcing partner said absolutely not.

Really? Because to me, he's exactly the kind of self-promoting jackass that would do it.

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part – The NLF Draft is upon us. But no mock drafts here. Truthfully, I don’t know nearly enough about this year's college crop to even attempt a prediction. And since my Bears don't pick until the end of the first round, I could care less which team trades up to take Calvin Johnson or who Brady Quinn falls to. There's a reason these teams have such high picks. They stink. Who cares who they take?

But what will be fun to watch is who becomes this year's uncomfortable green room sitter. You know – the guy who was a sure fire Top 5 pick who falls… and falls… and falls and is ultimately forced to put on a fake smile for the cameras as a dozen or so players go before him – a la the Aaron Rodgers and Leland McElroys of years passed.

And maybe – just maybe – in the 10 hours of monotonous Mel Kiper babble, viewers will get a treat if one of the players pulls a Thurman Thomas and dozes off while waiting. Priceless.

The Michael Vick Police Blotter – The fleet-footed QB is turning into the gift that keeps on giving – at least for dudes like me who love exploiting millionaire mischief.

This time, Vick is in hot water after animal control officers found 70 dogs (mostly pit bulls) at a home owned by the QB. Most of them had injuries and scars and most were malnourished, according to reports. Amidst the evidence, officials reportedly found something called a "rape stand"; a device used to tether a female dog so male dogs can have easy access to the female for breeding.

Classy.

Here's a crazy idea Mike – you get paid uber millions to play football. Just stay home, sit on the couch and quit being such a doosh bag.

Love For The Answer – I've never been a big fan of the Allen Iverson bashing bandwagon. I mean come on, none of us like practice. But dude, you're getting paid more money per game than most of us make in a decade. Just go put on your sweats and run around for a few hours. Combine that with the tats and the rows and I can see why mainstream America isn't embracing Allen as the NBA poster boy he could and should be.

But I digress…

I'm typically one of those fans who, if you're not on my team, you're against me and I don't like you. But I really do respect the way AI plays the game. This is a midget amongst giants who shows no regard for his body when he drives the lane.

This is a guy who got hammered time and time again against the Spurs on Wednesday night and shot an astounding ZERO free throws. That's right ZERO. No fouls. Nada. And not once did I see Iverson bitch and moan. He just plays the game. He plays it hard. And he keeps on playing no matter what you throw at him.

In one sequence, after driving the lane and drawing some serious (yet uncalled) contact, he landed awkwardly and twisted his ankle. And while many of the NBA prima donnas would've writhed on the ground for some extra camera time and a few extra gasps from the home fans, Iverson hopped up, limped to half court and waved Steve Blake back to the bench despite being visibly shaken.

The next play, a still gimpy Iverson plays the passing lane and steals the ball, leading to a fastbreak for the Sixers.

If more guys played with the hustle of AI, more fans would come back to the sport. Just a thought.