Catching Up On Things

What a weekend. Time off is a great thing; time away is even better. I've watched very little sports since Thursday night as I needed a "refresh my batteries" weekend to get ready for the on-coming cold winter weather. Knowing there was no Notre Dame on Saturday, and no Bears game certainly made it easier to get away from the television set.

So here goes a Quickie-style recap of the news and games I missed for the last three day while adding Fleece & Flog's unique spin on each blurb.

• Oakland gets swept outta the playoffs by the Whi -- I mean -- the Tiggers, and downtown Detroit survives the night. I suppose the denizens of Detroit are kinda used to championships by now (think recent Red Wings and Pistons triumphs), but are they used to Maggs? Maybe they'll spray all their Ben Wallace 'fros with activator to make Maggs' 'fros.
• Oakland has gotta be wondering what the hell hit them. Their playoff run ended quicker than a virgin's night in a whorehouse. Frank Thomas won't be leading any resurgent, scrappy team this year. Nope, he'll be collecting one hell of a payday instead. And don't be surprised if it's in the AL East.
• The NLCS is now tied 2-2. So this is what we were waiting for: some spirited competition. There've been two shutouts, a few comebacks, clutch hitting, clutch pitching, and I basically can't call this series. Tonight's game winner will probably have the edge, and normally I'd recommend watching this game as Glavine and Weaver each pitched a gem in Game 1, but there's a certain football game on tonight.
• How about some Chicago baseball news, you say? Well, these blurbs came out today, but I can help but throw them out in passing......
• Maybe Joe Girardi will ask for his deposit back on that house he's having built in the north suburbs, cuz reportedly he won't be managing the Cubs. Hawk Harrelson's best friend, Lou Pinella, has signed a 3 year contract with the Cubs, and I'm hoping we don't see another explosion of retro-60's/ 70's clothing when those two get together. The area golf courses had better get extra collision insurance on their golf carts.
• Walk softly and carry a big bat, or in the case of Juan Uribe, a gun. The White Sox shortstop is wanted for questioning in the shooting of two men in the Dominican Republic. And in case you're wondering neither men's names are Ozzie Guillen or Greg Walker.
• FOX baseball analyst Steve Lyons was fired for insensitive comments spoken on the air concerning the bi-lingual speech of Lou Pinella. I don't think Psycho meant any harm by his comments; it sounded more like banter amongst friends. But in this politically correct day and age, we're implored to think before we speak. Of course this is a guy who forgot he was in an MLB stadium being broadcast to thousands of homes when while at first base he tried to cleam the dirt outta his pants by dropping them. I guess he doesn't think that often at all.
• Ohio State must have a fear factor about them cuz #2 teams are dropping like flies. The #2 ranked Florida Gators are the second team in two weeks to drop outta the #2 ranking. While two incidents do not a conspiracy make, if USC or Michigan lose next week, I'm calling in Woodward and Bernstien to investigate. If they're not available, maybe Geraldo will take the case.
• Speaking of the Big Ten, the canyon between the haves and the have-nots is far and wide. Iowa falls to Indiana. MSU fell to the Illini earlier in the season. The normally tough Minnesota Golden Gophers are 2-5 this season. Notre Dame got spanked by...wait, ND isn't in the Big Ten. I can't wait for OSU to smash U of M.
• The Miami/ Florida International game and brawl is just another black eye for college football. Or should I say about 40 black eyes. If Larry Coker survives the season with his job it'll be another conspiracy mystery to ponder. Dan Lebatard can have this story. Bring back Butch Davis.
• The Chicago Blackhawks fall 4-3 to the St. Louis Blues and yet are finding fans with their energy and fun style of play. One guy that won't be voted as a fan favorite, however, is Nikolai Khabibulin. Patrick Lalime is due back from injury when? Get your organ lessons now!
• The Chicago Bulls won their second preseason game in Phog Allen Fieldhouse. If a ball goes thru a hoop in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it really equal 2 points? Oh, and Kirk Hinrich needs to stop making Ganja Garcia his best friend.
• And finally, I'm praying for rain here in Chicago tonight. Why? So my softball game gets cancelled so I can watch the Bear on MNF. Anyone of American Indian heritage wanna indulge me with a rain dance? Please? I'll pay you!