Barry Bonds= Paula Abdul?

Barry Bonds dressed up as American Idol judge, and former singer, Paula Abdul today at spring training. Why did Barry do this? It was supposedly a rookie spook, and he spooked us all right. I'm sorry, but this just doesn't look like a guy who is on the edge of retirement. He is having too much fun out there to do that.

Barry has recently been taking a lot of heat from fans about his "steroid use". I am one of those fans who believed that Barry was on the juice, but you still can't take away what this guy has done. He is the most dominant hitter in the league, and most feared. Bonds is just 6 home runs away of beating Babe Ruth's record of 714; and just 47 off of Hank Aaron's record. All of us who have bashed Bonds, I think it's time to drop it. We need to stop blaming and start appreciating the history we are witnessing. This is a one in a lifetime player on our hands, so we better treasure it.

E-mail Jeff: jeffhathorn@gmail.com

Who's an Idiot?

Chicago White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams recently called the two-time MVP Frank Thomas, "an idiot."

"He's an idiot. He's selfish. That's why we don't miss him," Williams said, responding to a Thomas interview.

Supposedly, Thomas didn't appreciate the way his career with the White Sox ended. Frank said that chairman Jerry Reinsdork never broke the news that he wasn't going to be returning as a White Sox in 2006.

Thomas has recently said that he respects Jerry Reinsdork, but that Reinsdork didn't appreciate him and treated Thomas like a "passing player".

I agree that not being straight forward with Frank Thomas is a mistake. Thomas is the best Chicago White Sox ever, and for them to not treat him like he deserves is wrong. HOWEVER, from the statements made by General Manager Williams it seems that Thomas wasn't necessarily a great teammate; as you can see in this quote by White Sox GM Kenny Williams, "We don't miss him, by the way. If you go out there and ask any one of my players or staff members, we don't miss him. We don't miss his attitude. We don't miss the whining. We don't miss it. Good riddance. See you later.

I wish you luck in Oakland Frank, but you've got to remember that you're not that young 25 year old player anymore. Everyone ages, and you've got realize that you aren't as great as you used to be.

E-mail Jeff: jeffhathorn@gmail.com

And the Actor of the Year Goes To...

Today in a game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Garnett showed his frustration at a bad call by throwing the ball lightly into the stands. What KG didn't see is that his ball would hit a grown man square in the face. Like I said before, this was a lightly thrown ball, lighter than your 90 year old Grandma in the nursing home. The guy then continued to act as if he had been shot. He called an usher over to his seat and then he was CARTED off of the court. Kevin was then ejected from the game, because anytime the ball is thrown into the stands by a player it is an automatic ejection.

The NBA really needs to look at this rule. If a player throws the ball in the stands from total frustration he needs to be ejected, but if the player tosses the ball under the goal and it accidentally hits a fan, maybe give him a technical, but don't eject him from the game. Kevin didn't do anything wrong, and I hope the fan recognizes that.

For those who didn't see this acting job, you can see it here.
LINK TO HIGHLIGHT

E-mail Jeff: jeffhathorn@gmail.com

Vince Young's Wonderlic Score= 6 out of 50

Texas QB Vince Young has reportedly scored the lowest ever on the Wonderlic IQ Test. All incoming NFL players take a 50-question version of the Wonderlic, with a 12-minute window within which to finish it. Here are 15 example questions from the Wonderlic IQ Test, LINK.

Scoring a 6 is extremely pathetic. How is this guy supposed to break down NFL defenses when he's pretty much an idiot? Sorry Vince, but your stock may have just dropped a little.

UPDATE:
Reportedly Vince Young was given the opportunity to retake the Wonderlic Test and this time scored a 16. This is still a below average score and will probably take the test yet again. My question is why is Vince allowed to do this? Not everyone is able to take this elementary level test multiple times, so why is he allowed to? Vince, I don't know what they taught you at Texas, but obviously not very much.

E-mail Jeff: jeffhathorn@gmail.com

Connecticut Gets Their Revenge On Villanova

No. 4 Connecticut defeated No. 2 Villanova 89-75 Sunday, February 26. Even though just two-weeks earlier Villanova defeated Connecticut 69-64, knocking UConn off the No. 1 spot of College Basketball.

UConn went on a 18-3 run in the second half and really took control of the game.
Connecticuts Denham Brown had a career-high 23 points in the game.

E-mail Jeff: jeffhathorn@gmail.com

Craig Biggio Not Hanging Up The Cleats Just Yet

Craig Biggio, the long-time Houston Astros catcher, outfielder, and second baseman is entering his 19th season in 2006. What keeps Craig going on for nineteen seasons is his desire and love for the game. Craig has not only been the face of the Houston Astros organization, he's also one of the best players to every play the game. When Biggio replaced Catcher Alan Ashby no one knew that the young 22 year old kid would soon grow into a legend. Craig is just 205 hits shy of becoming the 27th member of the 3,000 hits club, and also a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame.

Craig, if you're healthy you just play as long as you can. There are millions of people who would love to be in your shoes right now. If you feel like you can still play the game, then why give it up? Just keep on doing what you're doing in Houston as long as you can.


E-mail Jeff: jeffhathorn@gmail.com

Ricky Williams

Miami Dolphins RB Ricky Williams

Ricky Williams recently failed a drug test, which created a lot of speculation of whether or not Ricky was back puffing on the magic dragon. This wasn't the first time Ricky has been in trouble with the league's substance abuse policy, this is actually the fourth time in Williams' career. Ricky is currently appealing the case, which could take up to six weeks. If Williams is convicted he will face a one-year suspension from the NFL. Saban has recently told reporters that he supports Ricky Williams; and who wouldn't the guy is one of the best Running Backs in the league.

Per the Associated Press, Saban told reporters the following:
"We want to support every player, and I think every player knows he has a responsibility for what to do and what not to do," Saban said. "As a coach, I also feel a responsibility to put a player in the best situation possible so he can have success."

Ricky, you've got to stop doing this. People are eventually going to grow tired of your little problem. If you keep this up no one will want to take a chance on you.


E-mail Jeff: jeffhathorn@gmail.com

NFL Draft 2006

With the NFL Draft just 65 days away there has been a lot of speculation on who will be drafted where. Sure everyone knows that Reggie Bush will go first to the Texans, Leinart second, and Vince Young third, but not everyone knows about the rest of the field. Here's my list of the top players entering the NFL.

1. Reggie Bush, RB, USC
2. Matt Leinart, QB, USC
TIE 3. Vince Young, QB, Texas
TIE 3. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
4. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
5. Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
TIE 6. A.J. Hawk, OLB, Ohio St.
TIE 6. Michael Huff, S, Texas
7. Mario Williams, DE, North Carolina St
8. Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
9. Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa
10. Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
11. LenDale White, RB, USC
12. Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech
13. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
14. Winston Justice, OT, USC
15. DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama
16. Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio St.
17. Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina
18. Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
19. Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn
20. Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia