Thursday Linkage: Michael Kay and Snoop, Mariners Meltdown, Burglars Get the Bedpost and More

It's been a long week. A quick trip around the Interwebs, and a few posts we've enjoyed from some of our immensely talented and entertaining bloggin' brethren.

The baseball junkies at Bugs & Cranks break down a one-hour special we are simply kicking ourselves for not DVRng. The participants? Yankee announcer Michael Kay and Snoop Dogg. Talk about going together like peas and carrots.

With Leather shares news of how backup Packers running back Noah Herron took matters into his own hands when burglars broke into his home. His weapon of choice was innovative. Made me think a bit about Prince Akeem's mop job in Coming to America.

Can't Stop the Bleeding relates the only thing the Mariners had going for them after manager, GM and presidential tirades rained down upon the underperforming M's yesterday: Supertroopers.

Drunk Athlete continues its tradition of sharing pictures of, well, drunk athletes. The latest installment features Allen Iverson. Absolutely nothing is surprising about these photos. In fact, that's exactly what I expected to see accompanying the headline "Allen Iverson in Da Club."

KSK shares one more area where Jets fans can feel sorry for themselves, our ability to select scantily-clad cheerleaders to run around the stadium with large flags attached to...uhhh...huge poles. Meaning, we're not good at choosing those either.

The Big Lead informs us that there are attractive women who are voluntarily hanging out with Mike Tyson. By the way, when did Iron Mike eat those children he was talking about? It undoubtedly looks like he has, although it apparently doesn't bother the leggy blonde.

On 205th shows us why being the son of David Beckham doesn't suck. Is it strange to envy a nine year-old?

Finally, in lighter news, Busted Coverage does yeoman's work desparately seeking to find a way to make us mildly interested in the NBA Finals. He introduces us to one of the Lakers girls.

Seriously, Richie? Am I Missing Something??

OK, had to get something up on this. Just watched this highlight from last night's Rangers/Mariners game over at Deadspin and, quite honestly, I am still trying to figure out if I'm completely missing something.

Briefly, I'm all for a good bench-clearing brawl. I don't want to see it disappear from the game. Hell, our tagline endorses such antics as old-school baseball. However, like hockey, there are unwritten rules.

I believe it's rule 43, section II, sub-section B that states "overpaid, whiny bitches shall not charge the mound on balls that are more than six inches from the inside portion of the plate." It goes on to further stipulate that "one will be subject to unrelenting ridicule on the InterWebs should said batter also throw his helmet at the opposing pitcher at any time during his charge to the mound."

Really, Richie? You're 6-8, 240. The ball was not even in the county of "inside." We're sorry you've K'd 36 times in 33 games and are hitting .209, but try to refrain from misdirecting your personal frustrations against opposing pitchers. Oh, yea, and throwing your helmet at a pitcher, particularly, when you have eight inches and fifty pounds on them, is a sissy move...you big baby.

Can We Pay Attention to Baseball for a Second?

Dane Cook is Ready. Are You?

While it's quite entertaining to talk about athletes who've just received enormous contracts putting guns to stripper's heads to cop a feel (allegedly), coach's sons getting bombed at the local Dick's Sporting Goods (Andy, time for a longer leave of absence, perhaps? From the team, not your family...) and MVP quarterbacks fathering children out-of-wedlock, I've made an executive decision to return to on the field action for a few moments.

Specifically, it's time for people to start getting a bit more excited about the MLB playoffs. Now, not sure if we need to get out-of-breath, I...can't...believe...they...scored...30 runs...Tim Kurkjian-excited, but I for one am enthusiastically looking forward to the postseason.

So, why am I excited? Simple. Combine compelling MLB postseason action with the start of the NFL season and the pleasant temperatures of early fall and you've got sports fan bliss. And we're looking at the potential for serious races in every divison coming down the stretch. There's a lot to look forward as we head towards September.

A.L. East:

I'm not buying that the Yankees are done. Not for a second. As a bona fide Yankee-hater, I'm enjoying pulling for the M's and hoping the wild card thing sorts itself out, but I've seen this story play out too many times. I'd be lying if I claimed the frightening premonition of another A.L. East crown for the Spankees hasn't come into my head on at least one occasion. I'm not saying it's going to happen, but I also don't think it's that much of a stretch. The Sox haven't proved to me they're going to pull away and the fact is Wang, Clemens, Pettite, Hughes is a solid rotation (intentional Mussina omission). I can already see Miguel Cairo going on a tear...maybe a late season aquistion who goes off and blasts 7 home runs in 10 games type-of-thing...Clemens proving his veteran mettle down the stretch...I just threw up in my mouth...just a little bit. You can already see the nerves in Beantown fraying via the forums and chat rooms talking about the second half and the Yanks schedule versus the Sox, excuses galore. This one is going to test my patience.

A.L. Central

With all due respect to Cleve Fan (one of The Legend's most devoted readers), the Tribe and Tigers are going to be battling to the final day of the season. Despite their recent struggles, Detroit isn't going to go 3-7 in their next 10 day stretch. Zumaya's back throwing smoke. Their lineup is solid. Aside from the fact that Todd Jones still closes for them, the Tigers are still a very good team. Speaking of which, how exactly is this guy still their closer? He's got a 4.56 ERA and has given up 55 hits in 51 and 1/3 innings. I feel for Tigers fans. Billy Wagner induces a mild case of nausea for me every time he takes the bump. Jones has to be a full-blown heart attack with every appearance. Regardless, this race should be fun to watch. These teams have another 3-game set in late August that could have a lot riding on it. And don't completely sleep on the Twinkies. Don't think they're going to pull ahead of the pack, but that team is scrappy enough to add a little spice to things come September.

A.L. West

Talk about stories that aren't getting enough attention. The Seattle Mariners? Picked by many "experts" to finish dead-last in the A.L. West are not going away. Granted I don't get to watch a lot of A.L. West action on the east coast, but who the heck are these guys? Sure, I can name most of the starters, but outside of Ichiro who scares you in this lineup? Apparently, the numbers show that Guillen, Beltre and Ibanez should. Also, Putz is lights-out. On a side note, Richie Sexon should get some Rob Deer All-Star honorable mention consideration. This race isn't fading away either. And kudos to John McLaren for keeping the dream alive up in the Pacific Northwest.

More to come later on the National League. One other random thought as we envision the playoffs come October...is there any way to get Vin Scully up in the booth? The only wet-towel on the whole playoff thing is the realization of the trumvirate of FOX, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. Not to mention that incredibly annoying little talking ball "Scooter." Scooter only serves to remind me of those absolutely pointless transformer-things that grace us with their presence during every FOX NFL telecast. Is their some kind of network pre-requisite that lame animated characters must accompany otherwise compelling sports coverage?

Until later...