Throwing Knives: Tim Donaghy's a Gambler

by BD, Sports Show On Mute

Apparently this chick to the right is going to play Supergirl on Smallville this season. While I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of Supergirl. I won't mind seeing her parading around in that outfit alongside Lois and Lana. Lois, if in my opinion the hottest of them all though. Maybe I'll feature her tomorrow. We'll see. Today, though, its Laura Vandervoort, enjoy! Anyhow, a few things happened over the weekend. Entourage was on again, so I'll be getting to that among other things in a minute but first...

Top Story: That Tim Donaghy Likes To Gamble
Let's be honest, David Stern is staring down the barrel of the ultimate P.R. nightmare. That will (and has) result in widespread speculation. From the Pacific Northwest to South Beach for years to come fans will be dissecting every call the officials make. Revenue will likely take a dip as well. As the average fan would probably spend his/her money on a sporting event they believe to be tamper free.

The most interesting part of this over the weekend was that Donaghy is ready to talk. Since the Association has already said this was an isolated incident. You had better believe that Stern is sweating bullets right now. The possibility that numerous officials or even players, and not just mobsters are involved could cripple the NBA money machine for the foreseeable future. Leaving the league in need of a McGwire/Sosa like event to get things back to where they are now. Well, maybe.

When I talk about losing money. I'm not talking super-salary drop off of NHL like proportions. The league will still make money, just not as much as they had been. The loss is likely to come from the average fan, rather than the hardcore junkies, who will still watch and attend numerous games each season. I'd say most of us believe that officials do not hold grudges, play favorites or anything else of that nature. Sure, every time I see a 35-6 free throw differential I might wonder. But, I won't be lobbing conspiracy theories at Dick Bavetta and the rest of his colleagues whenever I attend a game.

While it's going to take some time for the league to recover, it will. David Stern is, in my opinion, the best commissioner in sports today. And if he can get as far as he has on the NBA's "Thug" image. I have to believe he's more than equipped to deal with this. One day at a time. And restore the unwavering faith we've always (kinda) had in this game.

John Lester Returns Tonight
This is a regular feel good story with sprinkles on top amongst all the bad that's been flying around lately. After being diagnosed with lymphoma last summer Lester underwent treatment during the off-season and successfully defeated the beast that is cancer. After spending the season thus far in AAA, Lester will make his season debut tonight. His opponent? The Cleveland Indians and their high scoring offense. As Julian Tavarez heads to the bullpen and Lester joins the rotation you have to think Boston's only going to get better on the mound. Regardless of what happens against Cleveland tonight I think Lester will be a solid 5th guy for Boston. After all, he can't do much worse than Julian can he? Though if he does he just say: "F--K You I had cancer!"

Coach Killed
The Double-A Tulsa Drillers hitting coach Mike Coolbaugh was hit in the head by a line drive in the top of the ninth Sunday. Coolbaugh was coaching first base when the line drive struck him. This is just a sad, fucked up situation. Can't help but feel bad for all involved including Tino Sanchez the Drillers DH who was the hitter responsible for foul ball. Though he cannot in anyway be faulted for what happened to his coach. I can't imagine how I'd feel if I were in his shoes.

Television *Spoiler Alert*
Entourage was on last night and it was another solid show for the crew. The whole Lloyd/Ari/Tom bit was mildly amusing. Especially when Ari called Lloyd a whore after meeting Tom. It was no surprise to see Drama once again cave in to peer pressure and get rimmed because of it. I'm sorta tiring of the whole Walsh act and E being a huge pussy though, hopefully it gets rapped up by the end of the season.
Rating: 6.5/10

I also caught the Bill Maher HBO special "The Decider" last night. It was decent, nothing to hilarious except this quote: "General Peter Pace said he didn't want homosexuals in his army. Well Peter, at least they know when to pull out of a shit hole."

Weekend Box Office Top 5
1. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
3. Hairspray
4. Transformers
5. Ratatouille

I'm hoping to see Chuck and Larry tonight, if that happens I'll be recapping it tomorrow. I don't know who the hell went and seen Hairspray. But, I can say I wouldn't mind bitch slapping them. As the thought of Travolta in drag is bad enough the one time I had to see it (I blame you Letterman).

Scoreboard - July 22nd
MLB
National League
Florida 9, Cincinnati 3
Houston 1, Pittsburgh 0
Washington 3, Colorado 0
Milwaukee 7, San Francisco 5
Arizona 3, Chicago 0
Philadelphia 9, San Diego 0
New York 5, Los Angeles 4 F/10
St. Louis 7, Atlanta 2 F/10

American League
Kansas City 5, Detroit 2
New York 21, Tampa Bay 4
Toronto 8, Seattle 0
Boston 8, Chicago 5
Los Angeles 7, Minnesota 2
Baltimore 2, Oakland 0
Cleveland 8, Texas 3

That'll be it for today. I'll catch you all tomorrow.