Crossing Artie Lange off my blogcast list...no, wait!  I could use the publicity...adding Artie Lange on to my blogcast list.

  • HBO chose an unusually light sports night to throw their new investment Joe Buck on live TV.  The big story today is that Artie Lange ran rough-shod over Buck and turned the last 10 minutes into a stand-up routine at Buck's expense.  Of course, Lange is the only reason anyone is talking about the show today, so they are secretly happy about it. 
  • Here's my problem: Buck does not have the journalistic chops of his predecessor Bob Costas or anyone on "Real Sports".  His entire hour was puff.  He's funnier than Costas, but his interviews with Chad Ochocinco and David Wright (Note: I missed the Brett Favre interview.) were better suited for "Extra" or "Entertainment Tonight" than HBO.  Buck should stick to what he knows, but he'll be back because HBO is paying him a boat-load to be there.  I just wish it was "Dan Patrick Live." 
  • I listed Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder 7th on my list of best 3-4 combos in baseball.  Last night, they went 5/8 and drove in 11 runs, including a Fielder grand slam.  More importantly, the Brewers are contending in the NL Central, despite losing CC Sabathia, thanks to their dynamic duo.  On second thought, they belong 5th ahead of Carlos Beltran and David Wright. 
  • Also, now that Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay hit back-to-back, I'd move them into 7th ahead of Michael Young and Josh Hamilton.
  • Barry Zito is 13-24 over the last two seasons.  By the end of this year, he will have made $33 million in the last two years combined.  He's going to need a BIG!!! second half to make that worthwhile. 
  • Quote of the week: "After my fourth season I asked for $43,000 and GM Ed Barrow told me 'Young man, do you realize Lou Gehrig, a 16-year man, is playing for only $44,000.'  I said Mr. Barrow, there is only one answer to that -- Mr. Gehrig is terribly underpaid." - Joe Dimaggio
  • Dimaggio was the first big time baseball player to hold out for more money, but he was still negotiating his own deal.  For those that remind you of the golden years, remind them that athletes always loved money.  Not to mention, Dimaggio used to keep a cigarette lit in the dugout when he was on the field, so it'd be ready for his return.
  • The U.S. men's soccer team had not lost a game that it was leading at halftime since 1993.  That is, until yesterday, when they took a stupid red card against Italy and had to play a man down for 60 minutes.  It'd be a good lesson to learn if they did not do the exact same thing when they played Italy in the World Cup in 2006.  The truth is 11 vs. 11, the Americans outplayed the Italians in both games.
  • I watched Taken with the wife last night.  It's a fun movie and Liam Neeson is badass.  If only Oscar Schindler could wreck havoc like that, his list would've been so much longer.
  • You can now email me at jmoore@ibnsports.com and I'll answer any questions or post your comments on the blog.