Oops.

So you know how when you go on a talk show, you recieve a bump in a political race? This blog appears to be the opposite for sports. I raved about Homer, and he got killed (more on that in a minute). And the Lakers KG dream, not only is that dead, but it appears quite likely that KG will end up in Pheonix, the antithesis of all things holy in basketball. The mojo was off yesterday, and I'm afraid to say anything positive today.

As for Homer, I charted every pitch he threw last night. Yes, that makes me a complete loser with absolutely too much time on my hands. Quite honestly, having a blog did that anyways, but it just added to the fact. Other than the fact I now know more about Homer Bailey than almost any other common man on the planet, this was a painful experience. My findings:

1. He threw 44 pitches, 21 for strikes and 23 balls.
2. He threw 39 fast balls, 4 curve balls, and 1 change up.
3. He threw 2 curveballs out of the strike zone. Both were swinging strikes. He threw 2 curveballs in the strike zone. They were both singles.
4. The home run by Ryan Howard was David Ross' fault. Terrible call on the pitch. Homer didn't miss the glove.
5. Some how Homer walked a pitcher on 4 pitches who was up to bunt.
6. 12 batters faced, only retired 3 (2 double plays). 6 first pitch strikes.

My verdict: Obviously the Kid, who is less than a calendar year older than me, has a lot to learn. But for that bad start that every one knew was coming, it could have been way way worse.

The reporting on Chris Benoit is getting out of hand. 'Roid Rage is random acts of violence caused by anxiety and insane levels of chemical imbalance. Based on the details of what Benoit did, this was not random. It was the final deliberate act of a deranged man who had gone insane.

Three burning questions for Wednesday June 27:

1. What are the odds that Harang has another good start in succession? Its been a year of inconsistency for him and the whole team.
2. Does anyone remember that UK-UCLA game from Maui last year? The team that showed up in the 2nd half of that game was way better than the one that bowed out to Kansas in the 2nd round of the tournament. The difference in that team is the difference in our coaching office.
3. How many times can Carson Palmer answer the same damn question to different networks? We're all ashamed. It needs to turn around. He's getting tired of answering the question, and I'm growing tired of listening.

"Seven is fine, but eight is great..." ~Robert Horry

Essential Reads:

• Check out the post Reds beat writers blog. He is a funny guy. http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/spring/
• Mike Lupica describes the troubles of the 2007 Yankees. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/col/lupica/index.html
• Tim Cowlishaw takes a moment away from NASCAR and the NHL to talk Romo. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/tcowlishaw/stories/062707dnspocowlishaw.30c33fc.html

I'm going to go ump a little league baseball game. Hopefully I'll be home in time to watch the bullpen blow the game, and catch the end of the Cubs winning their 6th straight game. Oh happy day...