George
I have to admit, I bought in to the hype. They have an All American Center, a solid PG in Craft and experience…which sounds like a perfect recipe for a championship season. Their losses wouldn’t be that big of deal to most teams but this was supposed to be one of the 3 elite teams with UK and UNC. Their losses against Michigan, Michigan St, Illinois, and Indiana were bad losses for a team that was supposed to be one of the best. We should be discussing Ohio State or UK at this point of the season but they will be fighting for a #2 seed at this point.

NickEv
No doubt. You’re talking about a team that went into last season’s tourney as the overall number one seed that brought back Jared Sullinger, William Buford, Aaron Craft and more. This team should be right up there with Kentucky and Syracuse, but they are not. They seem a bit soft to me, which has really been exploited in their four conference losses. They also are really missing the three-point specialist that they had in Diebler a year ago.

2. Does the SEC deserve more than 3 teams in the tourney?

NickEv
I think they’ll get more than three, but right now I really don’t think they deserve it. Alabama and Mississippi State have really been disappointments this year. In mid-November, ‘Bama beat Wichita State and Purdue in Puerto Rico, but really have not racked up a quality win since. Combine that with league losses to South Carolina and LSU, along with their entire team racking up suspensions, and they don’t look like a tourney team. Mississippi State has a ton of talent, but like many of Rick Stansbury’s teams they aren’t living up to it. Arnette Moultrie is a double-double machine, Dee Bost is a quality guard, Rodney Hood is a 6-8 guard that can light it up from deep, and Renardo Sidney is a lazy fat man that has the skill level to be a beast underneath. Yet, they lose three strait in league play to the likes of Georgia, LSU and Auburn, who have a combined 13 wins in league. Their best two wins on the season are against Texas A & M and Arizona, teams that found their way out of the Top 25 a long time ago. Both of these teams have the talent to be in the tourney, no doubt. They just aren’t playing like it. If I had to pick one over the other, I’d go MSU over ‘Bama simply because they beat them head-to-head. But, the two face off again on February 25.

George
The easy answer is no. The real answer will be determined if Miss St or Bama can win 2 games in the conference tourney and win the games they are supposed to the rest of the season. I am glad you broke it down because just imagining Renardo playing half court games makes me lazy.

3.Is the Manny Ramirez experiment going to fail, like he does performance enhancing tests?

NickEv
It’s worth the risk for the A’s. In 2010, he batted .311 with 40 RBI in 60 games for the Dodgers. The kid can hit. Heck, he could be the best right-handed hitter in this era. If it does fail, I say no biggie. It’s definitely worth it. Just don’t get caught using performance enhancing drugs, again.

George
Manny being Manny is not fun anymore and even worse when he was being Manny he was all juiced up! I will just never know what was Manny and what was PED…plus, he’s going to the A’s who will be fighting for third place in the AL West so it doesn’t really matter.

4. Is Greg Oden really Mr.Glass from Unbreakable?

NickEv
You need to quit with these movie analogies. I assume Mr. Glass breaks when people touch him. If that is the case, then yes Greg Oden may be Mr. Glass from Unbreakable. But, let’s be honest. Greg Oden looked like a 40-year old man as a freshman in college. He knees were bad in college. Why did the Blazers take him over Kevin Durant in the first place? They’ve done this twice now. Taking a big man with bad knees over an explosive athlete who can score the absolute hell out of the basketball. Remember, Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan? Dumbasses

George
“They called me Mr. Glass”…and by assume, you are saying a movie with Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson is not good enoughh for you?…Greg Oden is a nice old looking young man who was drafted by the wrong team. The Blazers had Walton and the aforementioned Bowie who both couldn‘t shake the injuries and Oden was an obvious continuation of that legend. Jordan is certainly the G.O.A.T., but they had a Hall of Famer in Clyde the Glide already playing that position, so I never criticize that selection. Both could not have played and the Rockets took Hakeem so why no hate on that?

See More From NickEv HERE

See More from George HERE

Catch us from 10-12 on Sunday Morning Hangover on ESPN 680 or EspnLouisville.com.
Catch Nick on 101.5 ESPN in the Elizabethtown area on Tuesdays and Fridays for StraitCats.com

The Dodgers come into Wrigleyville without unreal hitter/moran Manny Ramirez, but are getting huge production from an unlikely source. Former Cub Juan Pierre has been flat raking for the Dodgers since Manny got even more moranic. Pierre, who signed an absurd 5 year $44 million deal in November 2006, is batting .404 with 46 hits in 39 games. He also has a ridiculous OPS, which currently sits at .996, well above his career average of .723. Pierre still has his blazing speed and is an absolute pest on the basepaths.

Probable Dodgers lineup
Juan Pierre LF
Russell Martin C
Orlando Hudson 2B
Casey Blake 3B
Matt Kemp CF
James Loney 1B
Jamie Hoffman RF
Juan Castro SS

Game  1 – 8:05 pm EST, TV – WCIU

Randy Wells (0-1 1.50 ERA) vs. Randy Wolf 2-1 3.02 ERA)

Wells has been great since being called up from Iowa and quite frankly, should have two wins. However, he does not and sits at 0-1 on the year. He took the loss in his last start, but continued to pitch very well as he went 7 strong innings, giving up only 3 runs and struck out 7.

Wolf’s last start was against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and wasn’t bad. He went 6 1/3 innings, giving up 4 runs on 10 hits. Wolf has been good so far this year, although he has given up some YAK EMs!!!! as he has allowed 7 to leave the yard in 62 innings pitched.

Game 2 – 2:20 pm EST, TV – CSN

Ted Lilly (5-4 3.77 ERA) vs. Chad Billingsley (6-2 2.82 ERA)

Ted Lilly is quite possibly my favorite Cubs player on this roster. Why? Well for starters, he ran over Yadier Molina last season whilst trying to score. Then on Monday night, the Bulldog was ejected for telling home plate umpire Bob Davidson his strike zone was garbage. The best part was that Lilly wasn’t even pitching, he said it from the bench, then upon hearing he was ejected, jumped the rail and ran onto the field to argue some more. LOVE. HIM.

Lilly’s last start was Sunday against the Padres, and it did not go too well. He gave up 5 runs on 8 hits over 6 1/3 innings. Lilly has also been roughed up by the YAK EM!!! ball this season, giving up 10 of them over 57.1 innings pitched.

Billingsley has been very good this year. However, his last start was not as he gave up 5 runs, 4 earned, over 6 innings pitched. He took the loss against the Angels. Unlike Lilly and Wolf, Billingsley will not give up the YAK EM!!! as he has allowed only 1 in 67 innings pitched.

Game 3 – 4:10 pm EST, TV – FOX

Ryan Dempster (3-3 4.99 ERA) vs. Eric Stults (4-1 4.29 ERA)

Dempster was flat terrible in his last start on Memorial Day. Against the Pirates, Dempster lasted only 4 innings and gave up 6 runs, which killed my fantasy squad’s ERA. Dempster is a key to the success of the Cubs and needs to get his act together.

Eric Stults was equally as bad in his last outing. Against the Rockies, Stults lasted only 4 1/3 innings giving up 4 runs, but walked 7.  The left hander does not have overpowering stuff and will use his defense. In 42 innings pitched, Stults has given up only 2 YAK EMs!!!, but has walked 23 and struck out 27.

Game 4 – 8:05 pm EST, TV – ESPN

Sean “Shaggy” Marshall (3-3 3.70 ERA) vs. Eric Milton (1-0 3.00 ERA)

The Shagster was quite good his last time out. In a game called in the bottom of the 6th due to rain, Marshall went 5 innings, gave up a single run and struck out 6. He also contributed at the plate delivering a two-out RBI single. Marshall has been very good as the team’s fifth starter, but with the emergence of Randy Wells and awfulness of Neal Cotts, don’t be surprised to see the Shaggy One back in the bullpen as the lefty specialist.

Milton returned to the major leagues with a win in Colorado on Tuesday. Milton went 5 innings, gave up one run and struck out 3. Milton, who has spent quite some time recovering from Tommy John surgery, earned his first win in the majors in three years. Milton is historically a fly ball pitcher and if the wind is blowing out at Wrigley, it could be a long night for him.

Kentucky Derby Mud Wrestling English Teacher (Busted Coverage) 
***Disclaimer – Not going to lie, I am a little disappointed that Katie went to Busted Coverage instead of the Pinkie***

Italians Rule The Blogosphrere  (MoonDog Sports)

The Curious Case of Dwight Howard  (Hugging Harold Reynolds)

Manny and A-Rod Have A Dugout Chat  (Tasty Booze)

The Office:  Respect The Lie  (9-to-Fried)

Ten of the Biggest Sports Scandals  (Gunaxin)

He's gonna have plenty of time to use that grill while he sits out 50 games

Immediately, I started thinking it could probably be an honest mistake. The doctor may not have been as educated on MLB’s drug policy, thought the medication was acceptable, then Manny took it. It now appears to be more than that.

According to sources, the Dodger outfielder tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG, which is a women’s fertility drug, but is typically utilized by steroid users to rebuild testosterone after they cycled off steroids. HCG can also be used in lieu of steroids as it can provide a significant increase in testosterone.

Either way, Manny really stepped in it. He’s gone 50 games and will have to repair his already questionable image. What this does to his reputation remains to be seen. Regardless, the whole Manny being Manny thing got less cute today.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY FROM ESPN.COM

Man-Ram's whole career a joke???

With the recent steroid scandal staring A-Rod in the face, the Strait Pinkie Squad decided to put together a list of the Top 11 Individual Steroid-Aided Season of All-Time.  Everyone get out your needles.

Top Eleven All-Juiced Seasons

11. Ivan rodriguez aka Pudge Nuts (35 HR, 1999)

*Only year over 27 and only hit over 20 four times. 1999 was also only season where he had over 100 RBI.

Pudge is a 14-time All-Star and a 13-time Gold Glove winner. However, his offensive numbers in 1999 do kind of spark controversy. He hit 35 homers and knocked in 113 runs that season. His next highest totals are 27 and 91. But, Rodriguez did hit double-digit homeruns in 15 strait seasons and hit 20 or more five times. We probably could have just gone with a Top Ten and left Pudge off. But, I didn’t create the list, I just analyzed it. And I lack the brain power or intelligence to recall any conversations regarding the list, in which it was my discretion to trim the list to ten. But, I like odd numbers so we’ll keep it at 11.

10. Matt Williams (43, 1994)

*He hit 43 in only 112 games due to strikage.

Williams hit 378 homeruns in his career so needless to say he was a legit deep threat his entire career. He hit 30 or more six times, including 35 in 1999 with Arizona at the age of 33. He also knocked in 145 in 1999, which was second in the NL to Mark McGwire (147). McGwire also had 65 homers. So yeah Williams seems legit but 43 in 112 games is kind of suspicious. If he would have played 162 games that year he would have been on pace to hit 62 and break Roger Maris’ record.

9. Javy Lopez (42, 2003)

*Most ever by catcher after sucking for three seasons.

Javy Lopez hit ten or more homeruns in each of his seasons with Atlanta. But, after his injury halfway through the 1999 season he really struggled with the bat. He batted .287, .267 and .233 with 24, 17, and 11 homeruns in the next three seasons. And then in 2003 somehow Javy got his stroke back and he looked like he was back in 1998 (34 HR, 106 RBI) but even better. In 2003 he had career-high numbers in three categories (.328, 43 HR, 109 RBI). Making Lopez’s season even more worthy for this list is the fact he was a free agent and signed with the Orioles following his juiced season for 3 years and nearly $25 million.

8. Barry Bonds (73, 2001)

*The most high profile steroid season in baseball history.

The season that steroids allowed Barry Bonds to crush McGwire’s young 3-year old record of 70 homeruns. Why is it only #8 on our list? Because we all know Barry Bonds could rake, with or without steroids. But, 73 homeruns…how is that even possible? 762 career homeruns…how is that even possible? It’s almost stupid and Hank Aaron should be pissed. But, at least he was good. But 73 in a year good or 762 in a career good? Not sure.

7. Mark McGwire (70, 1998) & Sammy Sosa (66, 1998)

*The season-long HR Derby is scarred for life.  Mark, just admit you shot up.  Sammy, just Flinstones Vitamins, really?

It is sad to say that the season that supposedly brought baseball back after the strike was simply due to a needle in the butt. But, it looks like it was. Hey Mark why don’t you kick your brothers arse from ratting you out and then just come clean? Fat Sam, you went from being skinniest man alive (nearly Otis Nixon status) to a peace-sign kissing chubby dude.

6. Todd Hundley (41, 1996)

*Hit 30 the year after but never more than 24 any other year.

This is what this list is about…suckwads who never would have made a cent if it wasn’t for the use of ‘roids. Hundley’s 1996 & 1997 seasons are such outliers it isn’t even funny. The man hit 202 homeruns in his career and 71 of them came in those two seasons.

5. Mark Bellhorn (27, 2002)

*17 next highest, never in double digits again.

Mark Bellhorn couldn’t hit 27 homeruns in the Little League World Series. But he did so in 2002 and thus became the Chicago Cubs all-time leader for homeruns in a single season by a switch hitter.

4. Luis Gonzalez (57, 2001)

*Prior to his 57 homerun season at the age of 33 his previous high for a season was 31.

How does a man who never hit over 20 homeruns while in his 20′s hit 57 at the age of 33? Is it possible that he found his power-stroke at 30 or did he start having lunch dates with Jose Canseco. Starting at 30 these are the number of homeruns he hit in a season (30-23, 31-26, 32-31, 33-57, 34-28, 35-26). Yeah, he hit 354 in his career but 270 came after his 30th birthday. What do you think Luis got for his birthday present at the age of 30? I am saying black baloons full of some ‘roids. What ya think?

3. Adrian Beltre (48, 2004)

*Highest before his 48 was 23 and his highest since is 26.

The asterik above is enough really. Do you think the Mariners think that Beltre used steroids in 2004?

2. Ken Caminiti (40, 1996)

*MVP, never reached 30 in any other year and admitted steroid use.

When they admit steroid use it just isn’t as fun. Thanks A-Rod. However, Caminiti gives us a stark reminder why steroids are illegal in this country. Unfortunately, he passed away in October of 2004, almost exactly three years after he retired from the game. Caminiti is another guy, like Gonzalez, that didn’t find his power stroke until 30 for some odd reason. At the age of 31 his career-high in homers was 18. He also drove in 130 runs in 1996, which is nearly 40 RBIs greater than his second best season.

1. Brady Anderson (50, 1996)

*Seriously, you are Brady Anderson.

The number one rule of steroids should be as follows, “Don’t inflate your numbers so drastically that people think you are on ‘roids, using a corked bat and have superballs all up in the barrell”. Anderson played in the Bigs for 15 seasons. In those 15 seasons he rounded the bases 210 times, which means that nearly 25-percent of his homeruns came in that 1996 season. He hit over 20 only three times. His second highest total was 24 in 1999. He didn’t reach 50 career homeruns until his seventh season in the League, at the age of 30. Brady Anderson is the posterboy for steroid use.

And here for your viewing pleasure is quite possibly the most steroid-aided homerun in history.  Glenallen Hill finds the Roof at Wrigley…

Did we leave anyone off the list? Think someone is on here that doesn’t deserve to be? Chime in. Let’s hear your thoughts.

Straitpinkie.com is honored to present to you a Pinkie Exclusive.  A Pinkie exclusive that is for humans, chickens, giraffes or any other species that roams the earth.  Discrimination and ”words of hate” please find the door immediately.  Ladies and gents, the most famous chicken to ever cluck…the San Diego Famous Chicken.

The Pinkie: First off, we would just like to thank you for giving us an opportunity to interview you.  We are privileged that you chose the Pinkie to help set the record strait on this whole “playing chicken” fiasco.

The Pinkie: All indications, given your interactions with fans and children at the ballpark, say that you are a pretty easy-going chicken. Would you like to respond to Boras’ seemingly baseless comment that one should “watch out” when playing you?

The Chicken: I’m not a psychologist of course, I just play one at the ballpark toward umpires. But I believe this perceived notion might stem from a childhood trauma of Mr. Boras’ somehow. For me as a young dumpling for example, I had a reviled thing for circus clowns, which extends to this day toward mimes. Still, while there is nothing to “watch out” for, I kind of like the idea of being feared and intimidating, kind of like a gangsta chicken.

The Pinkie: As a member of the species gallus gallus, or gallus domesticus, how is the use of the term “chicken” in human slang offensive to you?

The Chicken: Hmmm, if I was actually smart enough to know what the term gallus domesticus is, I could address the “chicken” slang. Until then, perhaps it’s best if all those outside of our community start using the term, C-word for safety.

The Pinkie: A majority of people would agree that you are the one who is usually the player, not the playee, duping umpires, coaches, players, and groundscrew alike. Have you ever been ‘played’ by anyone?

The Chicken: Yes, years ago when he was a star catcher for the Braves, Joe Torre played a prank on me during a game. He had me suit up in his uniform to warm up the pitcher between innings. But when it was time to hand off his glove, he wasn’t around and had instead taken a new position at third base. And for years, he became an All-Star at the hot corner. He later admitted to the press that he hated being a backstop and called himself the Chicken catcher Torre. He then made an Italian dish to commemorate our occasion, Chicken Cacciatore and went on to make millions in recipe licensing fees. And I never saw a nickel of it!

The Pinkie: If so, what lessons did you learn from getting played, and what advice would you have for those out there who are trying NOT to get played?

The Chicken: The lesson learned was that only turkeys should stick their necks out that far. My advice and copyrighted motto for not getting played is, “Always lay low until you know.”

The Pinkie: Do you have large talons?

The Chicken: Oh yeah, large talons indeed. And you know what that means, of course–big McNuggets.

The Pinkie: Do you harbor any ill-will or animosity towards the Chick-Fil-A cows? Shouldn’t they be ones who are “watching out”??

The Chicken: Yes, I’m afraid the Chick-Fil-A cows have ratcheted up the rivalry between beef and fowl to an all time high by going public. But this is a new era and I’m hereby going to extend a chicken feather of friendship to request a national summit between us at a secret farm club. I plan to go in peace and hope not to leave in pieces.

The Pinkie: Why DID you cross the road????

The Chicken: To get away from a stupid question.

The Pinkie: Being THE FAMOUS Chicken, there is little doubt that your groupie following is astronomical. Is it possible this is what Boras is referring to? Some Rooster from your past who played you by seeing other chickens behind your back, and now has less of a chance of being found than Hoffa?

The Chicken: Hey wait, first of all, technically, I am a rooster. It’s hens who are the females. Chicken is just the general term you humans use for all of us. But in the spirit of your question, yep, Mr. Boras and his sources obviously may have known about my past family’s reputation. My dad ran an underground Southern California syndicate which was in cahoots with the New York families. He was known in those circles as The Godfowler and ran the numbers racket. Instead of laying eggs, he laid odds. And the word was, if you didn’t come up the scratch, you’d go down the hatch.

The Pinkie: Are you jealous of Anaheim’s hockey team?

The Chicken: I have to admit a ping of jealously in being overlooked for a team nickname in favor of ducks. But for crying out loud, would it have hurt to call the team, the Anaheim Mighty Clucks?

The Pinkie: And to settle it once and for all, what came first, you or the egg?

The Chicken: That’s an old barnyard secret and if I were to leak it, I’d be henpecked forever.

For more on the famous chicken go to his official website, famouschicken.com.

We are in communication with The Famous Chicken and look forward to publishing his interview.  Needless to say, the Famous Chicken is extremely anxious for the opportunity to replenish the respect that his species deserves.

In the meantime, check out some of the Famous Chicken’s hilarious antics.  There is not a better mascot in sports.  Not the Philly Phanatic, not the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, no one.  When you think of mascots, you think of the Famous Chicken.