Say What?
During Game 1 of the Yankees-Tigers division series, the always-goofy color commentator Tim McCarver took his weirdness to a new level. With Tigers outfielder Marcus Thames at the plate, play-by-play man Joe Buck began to discuss the former Yankee farmhand's long journey to the big leagues. Buck then explains how Thames was inspired by his mother, a quadriplegic. Buck reports that Thames said something to the effect that "How could I complain about being sent down (to the minors) when my mom couldn't lift a glass of water to her mouth?" By that time, Thames is retired and Craig Monroe is at the plate. The giddy McCarver then utters something similar to "That provides the perfect transition; Monroe's mother is named Marilyn -- Marilyn Monroe!" That leaves me wondering whether McCarver is an insensitive jerk or merely losing his mind.

Barry's Best Buddy
Greg Anderson is a loyal man. He's done two stints in jail after refusing to testify against a friend that's done something that everybody has basically known for years. Anderson, of course, is Barry Bonds' former "trainer" and longtime personal confidant. The former BALCO employee was recently released from jail after spending 30 days in the clink for contempt of court after he refused to answer questions related to Bonds' alleged steroid use.

Anderson's attorney, Mark Geragos (who also represented Michael Jackson and Scott Peterson), says the testimony in which the Bonds-related questions are based was obtained through illegal wire-tapping and is thus, inadmissible in court. Anderson, who could blow the lid off the Bonds case and put this mess to bed, has already spent 50 days in jail without cracking. I'm beginning to think that he never will. Not many people like Barry Bonds these days, but as long as Anderson still does, the slugger may be fine.

Brewers In Denial
The Milwaukee Brewers entered the 2006 season with high expectations. After posting an 81-81 record in 2005, their first non-losing campaign since 1992, many expected the Brew Crew to contend for a playoff spot this season. It didn't happen. Injuries and a 10-game losing streak sunk their chances as they limped to a 75-87 record. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the team's official line is that just a few "tweaks" are needed to turn things around in 2007. If you're a Brewer fan, that can't make you happy. Every team goes through injuries and many of the wounded were of the predictable sort, Ben Sheets and Corey Koskie, for example. Milwaukee needs to commit more resources to its starting rotation and I'm not talking about Grant Balfour, who was signed this week. Unless the front office is playing coy and really plans to add a top-of-the-rotation starter (or two), I'll be writing something similar to this next year.