"...and Vick is gone!"

As NFL fans, we are used to hearing this phrase on a Sunday afternoon from broadcasters as Michael Vick takes off on a scramble around the end and finds a seam to the end zone.

Now, he's scrambling for his career, reputation, and life...well, life as he has known it.

On the evening of August 24th, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell nailed another one out of the park and suspended Vick indefinitely from playing in the NFL only hours after his guilty plea.

Here is the letter that Goodell sent to Michael Vick. There were moments of laughter, crying, and cringing as I read this letter yesterday morning all the while with a big smile on my face. I pumped my fist as I realized that we as football fans finally have a REAL NFL commissioner who honestly cares about the integrity of this sport.

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/pdf/070824/michaelvickletter.pdf

30-3

On June 29, 1897, the Chicago Colts played the Louisville Colonels and scored 36 runs to set the major league baseball record for runs scored in a game. I'm not sure how many runs Louisville scored but it doesn't really matter.

Last night (one hundred and ten years later), the second most runs were scored in a nine-inning MLB game when the Texas Rangers, who had struck out 30 times in the previous two games combined and had a total of 7 hits and two runs, scored 30 vs. the Baltimore Orioles.

30 runs! 29 hits!....in one game!

That's what a lot of teams will accomplish in a 4-5 game stretch.

Two Rangers, Ramon Vazquez and Jarrod Saltalamachhia, each had two home runs and 7 RBI's. This was only the second time in MLB history that this had been accomplished. Another two Rangers each hit a grand slam, Marlon Byrd and Travis Metcalf. This was only the second time in franchise history that this occured.

Each Ranger starter had at least one hit and one run scored. Eight of the nine starters had at least one RBI.

And.....this was the first game of a doubleheader. The previous MLB record for total runs scored in a twin-bill was 21. Texas went on to win the second game 9-7. Thirty-nine runs in two games!

Other interesting notes about this historic day:

• The Baltimore Ravens haven't given up 30 runs in a game since 2005.
• The Orioles obviously set a team record by losing by a 27-run deficit. The previous team record was a 19-run deficit in 1996.......to Texas.
• The Houston Texans have scored at least 30 runs only three times in their five-year existence.
• Rangers reliever Wes Littleton became the first MLB pitcher to record a save with a 27-run lead.

Sports Dispatch

• There are two head coaches and two players who are currently active that were in the NFL when Ronald Reagan was President: Mike Shanahan began his coaching career with the Oakland Raiders in 1988 while Joe Gibbs broke into the league with the Skins in 1982. Jeff Feagles (Giants punter) was a rookie in 1988 with the New England Patriots and is entering his 20th season. Vinnie Testaverde's rookie year was 1987 with Tampa Bay and, today, signed a one-year contract with the Pats for his 21st season.


• There are three words that more than likely give Michael Vick the only hope he has of ever putting on pads again - Arena. Football. League...and that isn't even a guarantee.


• Vick's career suicide does put a smile on my face in regards to the media. There won't be any future raging debates on whether or not he belongs in the Hall of Fame.


• I love NFL preseason.


• When Arizona Diamondbacks rookie pitcher Micah Owings took the mound last night with his 0-5 record and 5.70 ERA against the potent Atlanta Braves, I'm sure his mind was on his mechanics and not making mistakes. I'm sure the furthest thing from his mind was entering the record books. Owings broke out of his shell by getting the win by holding the Braves to three runs on three hits while striking out seven through seven innings. Oh, and he also was 4-5 with 2 home runs, four runs scored, and six RBI's from the plate. He became the first MLB pitcher in history to have four hits, four runs, and six RBI's in the same game.
• Watch out for the Boston Celtics this upcoming NBA season. They traded over half their team for Kevin Garnett to go with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. They're also trying to woo Reggie Miller out of retirement. I wonder if Larry Bird has been staying in shape.
• As an NBA fan and follower, I remember dreaming of the day when there would be an NBA without Dennis Rodman. I now have that same yearning for Major League Baseball. When that "thorn" named Gary Sheffield (not Barry Bonds) is finally removed from the league, I will be one happy man.
• I would not be opposed to the Dallas Cowboys cutting or trading Julius Jones. Marion Barber III runs with purpose and passion and is so damn elusive.

"Hi, Tim? This is Michael."

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy is rumored to be ready to turn himself in to a Brooklyn federal court and plead guilty to betting on games he officiated according to an insider to the probe. The FBI is also investigating whether or not he provided inside information to other referees.

Interesting timing as Michael Vick's defense team deliberates on what to do for their client after two more of Vick's "friends" said that they will plead guilty and testify against Vick in their participation in a scheme of breeding, training, fighting and executing pit bull terriers that went on for six years in five states.

This makes eight people who have pleaded guilty to their involvement in this horrendous incident; four of whom have cooperated with government officials in creating the 18-page indictment of Vick.

Hey, Michael, you might want to call Mr. Donaghy for advice.

Yahoo! Vick may be out for 2007!

A report from Jason Cole with Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the NFL will likely announce this week or next that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will suspend Michael Vick for the 2007 season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtadbgtFDWUTaK7xUzMaG5FDubYF?slug=jc-vick081207&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Hearing a report like this from Yahoo! Sports doesn't quite have the same credentials or have the same ring as ESPN or Sport Illustrated or even Newsday, but this would be a brilliant move by the Commish. He has been under some scrutiny about not treating the star players like the other non-significant ones (Pac-Man, Chris Henry, Tank Johnson) when it comes to paying the price for violating the personal conduct policy, but this would set the record straight that no one is exempt!

Plus, Vick's dilemma doesn't even come close to that of Pac-Man and Co.

Lucky 13th?

If there is anyone who can destroy the very insane theory of the number 13 representing calamity and tribulation, it's Tiger Woods.

Entering the PGA Championship in Tulsa on Thursday, Tiger was facing his last chance to win a major (his 13th in his career) this PGA season. He had been under some scrutiny for losing his focus due to becoming a father.

He began the tournament with a sluggish 71 (this course is a par 70)...then...he sprang.

On Friday, he rang up 8 birdies and a mind-boggling 63 missing the course record by one after his putt ran around the lip of the hole and settled on the green.

On Saturday, he shot a 1-under 69 to extend his lead by 3 by hitting nine of fourteen fairways and 14 of 18 greens including two birdies and only one bogey.

He has never lost a tournament after leading by more than one stroke after 54 holes, and I don't see this streak ending in Oklahoma tomorrow.

Like Ernie Els (six strokes back) said, "If I was not a golfer, a fan on the couch, I'd be putting my house on him, yeah...the statistics tell you, yes, it's over. But, as a competitor, I can't sit there and tell you it's over...I need to shoot something unbelievable and he's got to make mistakes."

Good luck with that, Ernie.

Tiger is simply amazing.

Welcome to The Sports Club!

NFL. Barry Bonds. Michael Vick. Steroids. Tiger. Bowl games or playoff format. Skateboarder Jake Brown's fall.

David Beckham...ok..maybe not him.

This is the "Starbucks" where you can feel welcome to come sit and relax while discussing today's sports issues, personalities, events, etc. I will use this venue to offer my viewpoint, attitude, and opinion, but I want to hear what you have to say too. There is a lot to glean and learn from in the world of sports and I'd like to share that journey with you.

I will also be using this site to post my weekly football picks during each NFL season which will be introduced by my season preview of each NFL squad. I am an amateur enthusiast and passionate fan of NFL football and have been following it for most of my life like many of you have. I stay focused during each season and attempt to decipher the strategy of each team and the outcome of each game considering ALL factors both on and off the gridiron.

Major League Baseball has a very special place in my heart as well. I love the game and the history of this hallowed sport. Most fans let steroids, free agency, salaries, agents, owners, and hot dog prices create their attitudes and perspectives of baseball. Call me a purist, but I tend to focus on the game itself and my high level of common sense to keep me balanced and even-keeled so as to not dilute my intense love for this institution.

NBA basketball has not escaped the controversy spotlight in the wake of the Tim Donaghy scandal. The popularity and future success (in every sense of the word) of this sport just might hinge on the outcome of this investigation. This is a very popular sport world-wide thanks to the popularity of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and Mark Cuban. I do love and enjoy watching and going to NBA games, but it's no football or baseball.

I will also discuss and listen to any comments and views on golf, college football and basketball, and possibly NASCAR.

You will run into brief responses if the pendulum swings to NHL hockey, tennis, boxing, and the Olympics.

Any mention of soccer, the WNBA, lacrosse, horse racing, and the Tour De France will be met with very few words, but they will be clothed in grace and a big smile.

I invite you to be a frequent member of this club. Walk on in to the bar, take a load off, grab a beer or three, and talk about anything you want to in the world of sports. I'll listen....even if I don't know your name.