She looks good on a $100 bill, doesn't she?

Tim McCarver in a Tux....Looking good.

A day after some of us tried to determine if a skipper has ever been fired between games of a doubleheader, the New York Mets succeeded in ending the managerial career of Willie Randolph after his club had won 3 of their last 4. And why, exactly, was Willie and a pair of his soon-to-be-sacked [...]

As sports fans, we're trained to love the underdog. We adore the David vs. Goliath match-up. We crave the upset. We root against dynasties and traditional powerhouses because of it.

With one exception: Tiger Woods. We love Tiger Woods.

We, admittedly, are not golf fans and know little about the game, so when we watched the captivating playoff round of yesterday's U.S. Open (by far the most golf we've ever watched in one sitting), we were puzzled to see the crowd at Torrey Pines so behind Tiger when his competitor, Rocco Mediate, was the classic underdog: a low-ranked 45-year-old no-name who had never won much of anything and seemed like the nicest guy in the world. more...

We've never really considered ourselves "Seattleites" despite spending the past six years in this cold, damp metropolis. But after a day like the city had yesterday, you sorta have to feel for them.

Within a couple hours of each other, the opening arguments were made in the Seattle vs. Sonics trial (the team is like totally moving, but might be forced to play two lame-duck seasons first. That might be fun.) and more...

England's Kevin Pietersen in no stranger to which-side-are-you-on? controversies, but his recent success at what can be best be described as impromptu switch-hitting has gained the full attention of cricket's governing body. From the Guardian's David Hopps :

The MCC laws committee will discuss the legality of Pietersen's switch-hitting – in which he transforms himself into [...] more...

Of the hordes of Red Sox fans invading CBP this evening, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Bob Ford writes, "It is a nation whose currency is based on being cloying, self-important, pompous, overly loud and, regrettably, ever-present, and the economy is great." As opposed to say, those charming Phillies Phans who keep it within city limits? more...

The day after losing Chien-Ming Wang to a torn ankle tendon, leave it to genetic lottery winner Hank Steinbrenner to insist there's something improper about the National League's refusal to employ the designated hitter. From the AP :

"My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century," Steinbrenner said in [...] more...

What's good, Yardbarkers? Saying I'm excited for tonight's A's/Angels game would be an understatement. Yardbarker's Big John Lackey is on the hill, and I have the privilege of live blogging his performance from the press box. Ah, the perks of being a Yardbarker employee. I'll be sharing my thoughts throughout the game via comments. Jump in if you want to talk baseball!

He was only campus for one year, but he did put up "one of the best single seasons in college basketball history for a freshman." You can vote over at Bevo Sports.

I'm not for or against it, but I think they probably could have waited a few years. Is it that important to do it months after he left for the NBA.

Maybe I'm just jealous. The only place my jersey hangs is my closet.

Life hasn't been easy for Elijah Dukes or his family. In an article with the Tampa Tribue, Phyllis Dukes, age 34 and mother of 6, discusses what it's been like raising kids and how she hopes to get Elijah help.

You don't hear Ichiro talk that much, but he's usually gold when he does. Earmuffs, Cleveland fans.

Those were the days, when the New York Knicks flopped in the finals and not the regular season. A good recap of some of the worst individual performances in Finals history as we head towards the first game of the Spurs/Cavs series.

Albert Pujols, the Astro Killer, was at it again last night. This time taking the Dan Wheeler deep in extra innings. That makes back to back outings in which Wheeler has faced the Cardinals and given up three earned runs. He shouldn't be in any danger of losing his job, but as Astros Dugout indicates, right or wrong, you can already sense the Brad Lidge whispers coming.

I really don't see that happening unless it's strictly to showcase him for another team and a future trade. Since Lidge is a free agent at the end of the year and Houston is struggling, it's a legitimate concern for Wheeler fantasy owners.

Without Josh Johnson and a healthy Anibal Sanchez, the Marlins have struggled to keep pace in the NL East. Ultimately, it's their fall from contention and not an injury that could cost them another starting pitcher.

"Through arbitration next offseason, Willis' salary could reach as high as eight figures, assuming he brings down that ERA and finishes anywhere between the 12 victories he had last season and the 22 from two seasons ago. And a team that is remarkably still without a home won't be willing to make that kind of payment."

Have you ever seen someone ask their boss not to fire them? It's sad and If they don't get fired right then and there, it's only a matter of time. The same goes for Willis and trade talks.

"It's not as if trading Willis is a big secret, or even a touchy subject around the Marlins. Willis has jokingly yelled ''Don't trade me!'' when certain front-office members pass through the clubhouse. But it might not be much of a joke for long."