Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Wednesday 07/02 A.M. Quickie:
MLB All-Star Voting, Rays, Baron D, More

As I wrote in the lead of today's Sporting News column, I am torn about the All-Star Voting (which ends tonight): Six Red Sox in the starting lineup would make me retch; six Red Sox in the starting lineup at Yankee Stadium would make me laugh.

There is a middle ground: Youkilis, Pedroia, Manny, Papi -- yes. Varitek and Drew -- no. Either way, Red Sox Nation is flexing; the Rest of the Nation isn't organized enough to rally around one "Anyone But Red Sox" contender at each position.

Meanwhile, I would love to see Kosuke Fukudome make the All-Star Game as a starter -- but not at the expense of Ryan Braun, who probably ranks as my favorite active player. Should be an interesting final surge today; presumably, Japan in its entirety rallies more than Milwaukee.

In the NBA, the Baron Davis deal putting him in LA with the Clippers is fascinating. Remember yesterday that I was saying Gilbert Arenas is first-team All-NBA when it comes to entertainment? Baron joins him, instantly giving the Clips a star they can build some enthusiasm around -- not to mention lure Elton Brand back (if he doesn't go to Golden State) and pair with rookie Eric Gordon.

Oh, and the Seattle judge decides on the fate of the Sonics today: My bet is that they are allowed to leave for OK City.

Finally, you might still be a month away from caring about watching Olympic events on TV, but you really should be watching the US Olympic swimming trials, where world records are falling every night and the nail-biting finishes between going-to-Beijing 2nd and going-home 3rd are intense.

Here is the complete column
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More later. I have a book review ready for a new book that I think is a must-read for this long weekend.

-- D.S.

1 comment:

BobbyStompy said...

Shanoff, that Michigan shot in your column was so stupid. Every coach has to come from somewhere. Believe it or not, Utah is, in fact, a college, and Urban Meyer coached there before he came to Florida.