History Time: Bonds And His Dingers: The Madness Continues …

Continue Reading July 28th, 2007

OK, here we go … Dontrelle Willis is all that stands between Barry Bonds and his sleepover with history (9 p.m. EST, ESPN). Does Hank’s record fall tonight? Will Dontrelle toss a couple fat ones? (Remember: He does idolize him!) And what about Bud? Will he call the game a 0-0 tie after the first pitch? Oh, man, I’m dewy with anticipation! Let’s go get drunk! Huzzah!

In Brief: Heartwarming story about Orioles’ umpires …

Continue Reading July 28th, 2007

Heartwarming story about Orioles’ umpires attendant Ernie Tyler who’s about to miss his first game in 47 years to be at Ripken’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony. [Foul Balls]

Stop The Small Plastic Gun Violence: You Still Got That Little BB In Your Eye, Kornacki?

Continue Reading July 28th, 2007

You’d think having to cover the Kansas City Royals was a pain in the ass as it is when … BAM! A pellet-gun bullet straight to the face! Jesus, Emil! Watch where you point that thing!

From the Associated Press:

KMBC reporter Karen Kornacki was interviewing shortstop Tony Pena Junior before the game when she felt the pellet hit near her left eye, according to station assistant news director Gary Roberts. A Royals spokesman says [Emil] Brown didn’t mean to shoot Kornacki, calling it an accident.

Kornacki ended the interview and left the locker room immediately. An assistant team trainer treated Kornacki and gave her an ice pack.

Unfortunately, Kornacki wasn’t seriously injured by the stray pellet. I can only imagine she was looking forward to not having to watch another Royals’ August. Please send your condolences here.

Emil Brown Shoots Reporter In Eye [RTC Talk]

In Brief: Vick’s “other” federal case includes being …

Continue Reading July 28th, 2007

Vick’s “other” federal case includes being sued for identity theft, racketeering and pledging his allegiance to Al Qaeda. Plaintiff seeks $63,000,000,000.00 billion dollars … in gold and silver. [Above The Law]

Ron Mexico: Vick Co-Defendant Set To Make Plea Agreement

Continue Reading July 28th, 2007

One of Michael Vick’s co-defendants is about to throw him to the dogs. (Zing!) A plea agreement hearing has been scheduled for Tony Taylor — no, not the Pride of Philadelphia — at 9 a.m. Monday in the federal dogfighting conspiracy case.

Prosecutors claim Taylor, 34, found the Surry County property purchased by Vick and used it as the site of “Bad Newz Kennels,” a dogfighting enterprise. The Hampton man also allegedly helped purchase pit bulls and killed at least two dogs that fared poorly in test fights.

I’m no legal expert, but I’m pretty sure a Taylor plea deal will involve some sort of testimony against his fellow defendants. This can’t be good news for Vick. But hey, it is for us! Thanks, Tony!

Plea Deal For One Of Vick’s Co-Defendants? [MSNBC]

And oh, thanks to Dan for the amazing pic. You’re the man now, dawg!

Daily Closer: One Swing From History

Continue Reading July 28th, 2007

Whoa, boy! I’m starting to get all antsy … Barry Bonds hit his 754th career homerun — a first inning solo shot in a Giants 12-10 win over the Marlins last night– leaving him just one shy of tying Hank Aaron’s record.

Bonds blasted Rick Vanden Hurk’s 2-1 changeup over the outfield fence just to the right of the 404 marker in left-center. Bonds knew it was gone immediately, and gave a little fist pump as he rounded the bases. I have no idea why I just told you that. He was also wearing pants.

Barry will face Bay Area native Dontrelle Willis tonight seeking his first long ball off the left-hander. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. Eastern Standard, homes. TIVO that shit.

• Bonus Action. Jeremy Guthrie allowed only two runs in six innings to lead the Orioles to a 4-2 victory over the Yankees. HOWEVA, earlier in the day, New York defeated Baltimore 8-7 in the completion of that game suspended on June 28 by rain. Play resumed in the eighth with the Yankees up 8-6, and closer Mariano Rivera gave up a late before earning his 16th save. Or was that his 10th save? Help!

• Oh My God, They Brought Back Kenny! Kenny Lofton, playing in his first Cleveland game since the ‘01 playoffs, started in left field and finished 3-for-5 with an RBI as the Indians beat the Twins 10-4. Lofton received several loud ovations and got creamed in the face by Trot Nixon … with pie.

• Break Up Dem D-Backs! Um, is that even a baseball saying? Break ‘em up. I think so. Tony Clark’s homer to lead off the bottom of the eleventh inning pushed the Diamondbacks past the Braves 8-7. Arizona has now won seven straight.