Matt Bush to have Tommy John surgery

Since we've recently posted about baseball's former No. 1 pick, we figure we should give you an update about his most recent setback.

Here's a quick recap: Bush was picked No. 1 by the San Diego Padres in 2004 but never made it past Class A Advanced because of inconsitency and injury. After struggling this year, the Padres made him a relief pitcher and sent him to extended spring training.

A strong-armed and successful pitcher in high school, the Padres didn't want to completely cut ties with a 21-year-old kid they gave a club record $3.15 million signing bonus to. In his first outing in Class A Fort Wayne (where he played most of his minor league ball), Bush injured his elbow on the eighth pitch he threw.

Now, he's facing Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. That injury usually takes pitchers 12-14 months to recover from and some never do.

Is this it for Bush?

Reggie Miller still mum about return to NBA

The greatest three-point shooter in NBA history still isn't sure if he's going to play again.

A report surfaced a few weeks ago about Reggie Miller contemplating a return to the league, specifically the revamped Boston Celtics.

But Tuesday at Peyton Manning's annual charity bowling event, Miller was mum about his return.

"I think I'll let my body and the people I've called and talked to, help me make that decision," he said. "It will all come together."

It would not be out of the question if Miller, who has never won an NBA championship, would return and play for the Celtics.

Boston recently traded for future NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, who's been recruiting Miller to join the Celtics. Check out this audio from last week's Dan Patrick Show.

Boston also made a draft day trade for super-scorer Ray Allen. The Celtics also have talented all-around forward Paul Pierce to form the three-headed monster that could dominate the Eastern Conference, which only has four (now five) teams with a chance at a title.

All three are 30 or older, and have tasted playoff success but never a championship ring. So there's a sense of sense of urgeny to win before their bodies begin to fail.

If Miller, 42, returns, it'd likely be as a role player. He'll probably be good enough for 20-25 minutes a game. In his day, Miller was constantly moving without the ball, running off screens, and ferociously defending the opponent. His body should still be in decent enough shape to provide quality off the bench.

Miller will also play in the same division as the New York Knicks, where longtime rival/friend/feud buddy Spike Lee sits courtside everyone home game.

Remember Reggie, Spike?

All-Time Gold Glove Team?

ESPN has constructed a list of the All-Time Gold Glove Team by each position. We like the idea, but not some of the choices. Here is a list of who they picked:

C- Johnny Bench with 10 Gold Gloves
1B- Wes Parker with 6
2B- Joe Morgan with 5
SS- Ozzie Smith with 13
3B- Brooks Robinson with 16
OF- Willie Mays with 12
OF- Roberto Clemente with 12
OF- Ken Griffey Jr. with 10
P- Greg Maddux with 16

These are all quality players, but we feel that some positions were poorly represented. Now on to our list:

C- Johnny Bench: One of the greatest catchers ever.
1B- Keith Hernandez: He has 11 Gold Gloves and was on Seinfeld. Nice career pretty boy.
2B- Roberto Alomar: Could have gone with the homer pick and said Ryne Sandberg (9 Gold Gloves), but Roberto has 10.
SS- Ozzie Smith: Those back flips alone give him my vote.
3B- Brooks Robinson: All we have to say is 16 Gold Gloves. Next highest guy is Mike Schmidt, with 10.
OF- Willie Mays
OF- Roberto Clemente
OF- Ken Griffey Jr.
P- Greg Maddux: Probably the best fielding pitcher ever.

If you are going to make a list of the All-Time Gold Glove Team, shouldnt the guy with the most at his postion be on it? That is all we ask.

Whitlock goes after Wilbon; local writer Zaleski shreds Ronny Thompson

We knew it was just a matter of time.

Ball State alum and prominent online journalist Jason Whitlock has come to the rescue of his alma mater, tore apart Michael Wilbon's piece on former men's basketball coach Ronny Thompson, and smacked around Thompson all at once.

In his FoxSports.com column entitled 'Real Talk,' Whitlock says what we've been saying about Thompson and that Ball State athletic department all along. Thompson was distant with fans and media. He was shady toward co-workers. He cried racism when things got bad; most of it brought on by himself.

The athletic department, headed by Tom Collins, is poorly operated. From the extra-benefits (books) violations to the firing of the women's volleyball coach to this Thompson fiasco, that office is dysfunctional.

Check out this excerpt:

The turmoil within the athletic department and Thompson's total lack of people skills combined to throw the basketball program into chaos. Thompson has claimed that the rampant stories about his poor relationships with longtime boosters, trainers, secretaries and other Ball State coaches are all exaggerated, distorted or a byproduct of racism. It's just not true.

My first meeting with Ronny Thompson was terrible. He was aloof and short with me and three of my former teammates — all black — inside a restaurant on campus. Two weeks later, Thompson saw me filling in for Wilbon on Pardon The Interruption and he called me enthusiastically, kissing my rear end and asking me to wear a Ball State basketball jersey the next time I was on PTI. I accepted his calls and forged a bit of a relationship solely out of respect to his father and my love of Ball State.

Muncie Star-Press sports writer Doug Zaleski has weighed in on Wilbon's column, basically calling it a fluff piece. This is a must read.

Thompson told Wilbon he took over a program that was at "ground zero."

"There were no jump ropes, no workout gear, no shoes, nothing," Thompson was quoted in the Wilbon column. "I'm talking nothing ... like number two Boys Club on North Capitol. I drove to a store and bought basketballs."

Thank goodness Wal-Mart was open that day. Imagine what Thompson's record would have been had he not rescued the program from this potentially catastrophic void of basketballs. The Cardinals might have lost all of their games last season instead of just a school-record 22.

Make sure you read some of the comments, too. It gives some perspective from the fans about the character of Ronny Thompson.

Here's some good stuff from The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy, too.

The Indianapolis Star has picked up the story.

And, of course, our favorite blog (besides our own, of course!) The Big Lead weighs in.

Some actual basketball fallout from Thompson's resignation has begun; two of his eight recruits signed in November will leave the program and transfer.

Also, here's a decent Ball State Daily News story on the new coach Billy Taylor and the mess he's been left with.

Mike Vick knows where Osama bin Laden is hiding

It's FoxNews, so take it for what it's worth, but Mike Vick is getting sued by a prison inmate for $63 billion dollars. The lawsuit alleges Vick stole two of the man's pit bulls, sold them on eBay and used the money to buy missiles from Iran.

The hand-written complaint also claims Vick needed those missiles because he pledged allegiance to al Qaida on February 10 this year.

This kind of madness cannot be made up. But it gets better.

The plaintiff seeks the money in gold and silver and to be delivered via UPS to the front gates of the prison.

He also claims Vick subjected him to "microwave testing." What the hell is microwave testing?

He further states Vick used drugs in a school zone and is involved in "the business of illegal steroids."

Wilbon weighs in on Ball State fiasco, neglects facts

We apologize for the late posting today. It's only Tuesday but we're already suffering the first hangover of the week. Onto business...

As we posted last week, the Ball State athletic department is in turmoil.

We're going to be up front here. We (NDub) are a Cardinal; certainly proud.

We don't have any experience working with athletic department officals or coaches, but here's what we know from Muncie media reports and hearsay.

Former men's basketball coach Ronny Thompson came off as a shady guy. He hardly talked to fans. He was short to the media. He led the program to it's worst record in school history (9-22). Upon his hiring, Thompson requested most people in the basketball operations side be let go so he could bring in his own people. Needless to say, Thompson was not liked.

Thompson, citing a racially hostile environment, resigned on July 12 after one season at the helm. He sent his resignation via e-mail. The Ball State Daily News reported Thompson wanted out as early as May. His lawyer denies he resigned amid secondary NCAA rules infractions, but the previous link speaks otherwise when one reads the e-mails he exchanged with BSU President JoAnn Gora and AD Tom Collins.

We also know Thompson hasn't talked to the media... until now, it seems. The Washington Post's Michael Wilbon wrote a piece today about Thompson's side of the story. It's interesting but not the full story.

Wilbon neglects to mention that women's volleyball coach Randy Litchfield's contract was not renewed last December after 18 seasons on the job. He thinks it's because he tattled on Thompson's first violation of NCAA rules in May 2006.

"My staff were unfortunate witnesses to that and were forced to file official statements of that with university compliance," Litchfield said. "We have some reason to believe our requirement to report these violations were connected to our termination."

Wilbon also neglects to report of the new NCAA violations Ball State may have committed, three of which were possibly done by Thompson and staff.

Curious.

The Big Lead reported last week that Thompson and his lawyer were contacting prominent black sportswriters in attempt to get one of the scribes to tell the former coach's side. Wilbon bit.

There are people at Ball State who want you to believe everything that went wrong is Ronny Thompson's fault. They tell folks Thompson is arrogant and distant and a bad basketball coach. They tell you Thompson didn't extend himself to the booster club. They point to a new black coach as indication that everything's hunky-dory on campus and that Thompson's claims of a racially hostile environment are bogus, despite the coach's photos of hateful signs laying on the floor of what used to be his office.

Here's more turmoil in the Ball State athletic offices and how they tie into the Thompson saga:

Suspicion has been raised as to the source of those racially charged notes left in Thompson's office. Was it Thompson himself? These notes were found in Thompson's office after the second set of violations by his staff were raised. Was Ronny and Co. trying to get sympathy in light of their violations?

We also find it a tad strange that campus police said the conclusion of the investigation would be announced "by Wednesday" July 18. Funny we haven't heard anything yet. Why? Bad, bad, bad PR. Regardless if the notes were planted or not.

That's not the only thing. Read the link we posted to the story about Thompson wanting out as early as May. The contradictions Collins are clear. The guy has been caught lying/twisting several times in this debacle.

By the way, David Land, that guy who oversaw that student athlete books-for-money scam got a new job.

We're going to put on our investigating shoes and see what we can dig up. We're on campus now for the school year, so we've got time to be intrepid slueths.

Babe Ruth turned tricks, played baseball

In the biggest no duh moment of the day, Page Six at the New York Post is reporting that a new book titled "Five O'Clock Lightning" - which chronicles the 1927 World Series winning New York Yankees - says Babe Ruth bedded countless women in his day.

The Sultan of Swat bedded an endless parade of women, regularly visited whorehouses, and considered his sex organ and and his home-run bat his two greatest assets, according to "Five O'Clock Lightning," which chronicles the legendary,World Series-winning Yankee team of 1927.
"Liquor, women, partying and sex were always present . . . and where George Herman Ruth was always at the top of his game," writes Harvey Frommer, whose book hits stores in November.

Here's another excerpt, which we find freakin' hilarious.

Ruth routinely held wild parties jammed with young beauties in hotels on the road. During one bacchanalian bash, Frommer says, "Seizing the moment, savoring the time, perhaps a bit tipsy, the Babe climbed atop a piano and bellowed at the women, 'OK, girls, anyone who does not want to get [bleep]ed now can leave!' "

How do we follow that? We wish Kige Ramsey was reporting for 'YouTube Sports' on this so we could just link to his video. Unfortunately (?) for us, the broadcasting genius is not.

The Babe is clearly one of the greatest ballplayers and womanizers in history. We respect that. What's better than baseball and women? OK, football and beer. But that's it.

So let's get this straight: Babe did it on whores and booze. Aaron did it on class. How did Bonds do it?

Matt Bush injured in first Class A outing

Former No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 MLB draft, Matt Bush, was injured in a relief pitching appearance in game on Thursday night.

Bush came on in the sixth inning and was facing his second batter of the game when he felt a pop in his right elbow. He immediately dropped his glove and clutched his elbow. He threw just eight pitches.

It's another setback for Bush, who was converted by the San Diego Padres in June from shortstop to pitcher because he was oft-injured and wildy inconsistent. He was making his first outing in Class-A Fort Wayne after being promoted from the Padres' Arizona rookie league.

Bush was placed on the disabled list; it is uncertain how long he will be out.

A source confirmed the injury was a right elbow strain; medical staffs are still examing the extent of the injury.

Read our Tuesday post about Bush's crazy journey.

Jerry Jones walks it out

Listen to the way he says "what?" at the end. We can't even describe it. It's almost hoarse... or even womanly.

And how about the grunting sounds?

We're creeped out.

(High five: With Leather and KSK)

Beasley subjected to "monkey" chants

We know soccer isn't exactly a popular sport here in the U.S. But this should enflame even the least of soccer fans.

American midfielder DaMarcus Beasley scored his first goal for Glasgow Rangers and was taunted by racist fans during a 1-0 victory over FK Zeta on Tuesday night in European Champions League qualifying.

A small section of fans made "monkey chants" aimed at Beasley and teammate Jean-Claude Darcheville, according to Rangers' Web site.

We don't really like soccer. We loved the World Cup, but the MLS and that other stuff just doesn't do it. Beasley, however, is our boy. He played his high school futbol here in our city. His family resides around here and Beasley often comes back and puts on camps and mingles with the kiddies. So this angers us.

Zeta spokesman Veselin Tomovic said the "monkey chants" were common among the Montenegro fans and were not specifically aimed at Beasley.

"Our fans chant that to their opponents all the time, it has nothing to do with the color of skin," he said.

We'd like to drop some jokes about Montenegro never really being a country until last year, but we'll leave the history of Europe lesson up to Trip McFeeley, who could name you the Roman emporer in 1216.

Instead, we offer this interesting story from Keith Jackson of Scotland's The Daily Record. A snippet:

DaMarcus Beasley and Jean-Claude Darcheville were subjected to abhorrent chants from a section of FK Zeta's home supporters who will presumably have skulked off into the night dragging their knuckles behind them.

It really was disgusting to watch these people as they spat their hatred towards the Rangers pair but the courageous Beasley answered them in the best way possible by edging his new club closer to a £10million jackpot.

Apparently, too, parts of Eastern Europe are none too tolerant for gays. Can we paint the broad brush and say these parts are fully intolerant towards gays and minorities?

It would absolutely be a safe bet. Racism is rampant in European soccer. Here's an outstanding piece done by ESPN's Outside the Lines just before last year's World Cup.

756*

We stayed up late to watch it. The kid was going right at him and Bonds had already smacked a double and single in his previous at-bats. We knew it was coming. It just seemed right.

Mike Bacsik left a slider hang on a 3-2 count and Bonds crushed it about 10 seats into right-center field. Bonds knew it as soon as he hit it. He raised his arms above his head and into the cool night sky, admired the shot, briefly glanced at the pitcher, lowered and clapped his hands, then began his 756th trot.

Bonds now stands alone as the all-time home run king. For 33 years, Hank Aaron held that title.

Aaron has never been accused of being anything less than a classy man. He was taciturn as Bonds approached the most hallowed record in sports - his record. Many misconstrued that as Aaron's lack of support for Bonds. In a recent interview with ESPN, Aaron said his reticence was because he didn't want to take away from the lure of the chase.

Minutes after Bonds hit the 435-foot blast on Tuesday night, Aaron paid tribute to him.

"It is a great accomplishment which has involved skill, longevity and determination," Aaron said via videofeed on the outfield screen. "...I move over now and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family in this historical achievement."

Good god that's class.

And class isn't a word that many correlate with Bonds, who has long held almost a hostility toward media and his critics. And we all know why he has critics; that's why an asterik will likely forever be next to his final home run total.

Bonds' body, head, foot size and home runs have all grown rapidly since 2000 even as Bonds reached an age where most players' skills diminish - 35. The book Game of Shadows, which came out in 2006, details Bonds' alleged steroid use.

It would be ignorant to think Bonds was the only player who has ever juiced, especially in this era. We must never forget that he played in an era that most other hitters were juiced. Even moreso, pitchers facing Bonds were just as loaded.

While the evidence seems strongly cirumstantial, Bonds has never been proven guilty of steroid use, while many others of his era have.

So, for now, Bonds must be respected and recognized as the clean home run king.

If for nothing else, fans have to respect the history made last night.

Trip McFeeley, my esteemed cohort who (jokingly?) once said he'd throw 756 back, sent me a text minutes after the epic home run.

"I will always say he cheated. But its baseball history and its cool to see."

It was magnificent to see. As Bonds raised his hands into the San Francisco night, we lept out of our seat and, too, with our hands raised. We just saw history and it seemed right, regardless if Bonds is wrong.

Here's what other blogs are saying about it:

756* (The Big Lead)
At Last Sweet Death: In The End, You Don't Feel Nothing (Deadspin)
Come and Drink the Kool-Aid with me (100% Injury Rate)
756* (Awful Announcing)
It's Over (Babes Love Baseball)
Your New Homerun King (SOX&Dawgs)

Remember Matt Bush?

The No. 1 overall pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2004 MLB draft has been a bust. He never made it past Class A-Advanced. In three and a half years as a shortstop, Bush hit .218 and committed 75 errors. He was hardly consistent and oft-injured.

So, in June, with Bush still struggling, the Padres decided to convert him to a pitcher. Afterall, the guy was given the largest bonus in club history at $3.15 million, so it was worth a shot. Plus he was 9-1 with 91 strikeouts in 66 innings as a senior at Mission Bay High School in San Diego. Not to mention, he's only 21.

Bush was the hometown kid who grew up a Padres fan. More importantly, he was easier to sign than the likes of Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Homer Bailey, Philip Hughes or Stephen Drew. Sadly, for the Padres, signability doesn't always translate to success. And Bush certainly hasn't been successful.

And, as we're sure you know, all of those fellas chose after him, among many others in that first round, are already in the majors, have at least played in a few MLB games, or are in Double or Triple-A.

Not all is lost. Bush has slowly began to work his way back up the ladder. He was promoted today from the Arizona rookie league (Peoria) to Class A Fort Wayne (Indiana), where he started his career.

In 7 2/3 innings (six outings), Bush fanned 16 and allowed just one run (1.23 ERA). He's working from the bullpen and apparently can throw gas, as evidenced by his "best infield arm" ranking he got from Baseball America.

This is Bush's third trip to Fort Wayne.