Average Joe

After countless wasted hours of speculation and pontificating by the media, Senator Obama finally unveiled his choice for VP. The campaign did a remarkable job at keeping the senator's pick away from the prying press, who could not wait for this monumentally important revelation. It is important to remember that the only time anyone cares about the VP in a campaign is the lead up to his selection, as the super smart talking heads can yell and scream at each about who it could or could not possibly be. Soon-to-be-Senator Mark Warner would have been the best choice, but he seems contempt winning a crushing victory in November. Senator Clinton might have been the best pick when it comes to the electoral map, but could not be chosen given the tenor of the campaign. Governor Tim Kaine was in the running, but lacked enough experience to get the call. Senator Evan Bayh was a Clinton supporter and helped secure her victory in Indiana in the primaries, thus he was not going to be chosen. For me, I liked the thought of Governor Kathleen Sebelius, a centrist Democrat who was re-elected as governor of Kansas in 2006 by 17 points.

Senator Biden is a safe, but super boring, pick. He adds the missing experience that seems to make many uneasy, having served in the Senate 14 years longer than Senator McCain. He is a foreign policy heavyweight, serving as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. His relationships around the world are a plus for the Obama campaign. He is also an aberration in the sense that he serves in the U.S. Senate and is not a millionaire. He will help with those working class voters that have previously backed Senator Clinton. If you have never heard of the former British Labour Party Leader, Neil Kinnock, you soon will. At the end of the day, Senator Obama's choice is not important, but Senator McCain's is. How bad does he want to win Pennsylvania? Enough to pick Governor Tom Ridge, who is pro-choice? Could it be Governor Mitt "the Mormon" Romney? Or could the former maverick give the finger to the entire Republican establishment and pick his pal Senator Lieberman? Senator McCain's choice is the one that counts.

Diamond Dust: Power Players Edition, V.4.0

Top Bats:

1. Albert Pujols (3)-.356 (2)/27 HR (11t)/85 RBI (9t)/.462 OBP (1)/.630 SLG (1)/79 R (14t)/34 2B (7t)
2. Lance Berkman (1)-.331 (4)/26 HR (13t)/93 RBI (5)/.431 OBP (3)/.603 SLG (3)/99 R (1)/39 2B (1t)/15 SB (20)
3. Ryan Ludwick (NR)-.308 (9)/31 HR (4t)/95 RBI (4)/.383 OBP (14t)/.606 SLG (2)/88 R (6)
4. Josh Hamilton (2)-.303 (11t)/29 HR (3t)/115 RBI (1)/.550 SLG (6t)/81 R (11t)
5. Jose Reyes (NR)-.301 (13t)/91 R (4)/40 SB (2)/14 3B (1)/13 HR/53 RBI

Guys to keep an eye on: Chipper Jones (4), Ian Kinsler (5), David Wright, Manny Ramirez, Carlos Lee, Carlos Quentin, Chase Utley, Dan Uggla, Ryan Braun, Jermain Dye

Top Arms:

1. Cliff Lee (1)-18-2 (1)/2.43 ERA (1)/141 K (7)
   
2. Brandon Webb (NR)-19-4 (1)/2.74 ERA (3)/153 K (7t)
   
3. Tim Lincecum (5)-14-3 (5t)/2.48 ERA (1)/200 K (1)
4. Francisco Rodriguez (3)-54.1 IP/2.65 ERA/49-54 SVOP (1)/60 K
5. Edinson Volquez (2)-15-5 (2t)/2.80 ERA (4)/155 K (6)

Guys on the radar: Johan Santana, Brad Lidge, Dan Haren, Chad Billingsley, Ryan Dempster, Jake Peavy, Roy Halladay, Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana

It's Okay to Watch Gymnastics...This Week Only

The Olympics are here an it is the only time when sports like swimming, volleyball, and track & field are interesting. While some would ponder why a country with the track record of China should have been rewarded with the attention of the world, others would tell us to forget about Chinese treatment of Tibet, it's environmental record, the country's despicable human rights record, and why Taiwan is required to compete as Chinese Taipei without its national flag (what will there anthem be if they win gold?) and enjoy Michael Phelps and the return to dominance of US basketball. Phelps is the story, as the Golden Boy is now 3-3 in his quest to win 8 gold medals. This would be a pretty impressive athletic feat, kind of like the time I walked the bases loaded before subsequently striking out the side when I was 14. Some would say winning one Olympic medal would be impressive, thus Phelps is merely a show-off. The record for career gold medals is 9, which Phelps tied earlier this evening with 5 more races to go. If you missed the amazing finish in the men's 4 x 100 relay last night, go here and watch it.

For the take of a guy who remembers watching Tommie Smith and John Carlos in Mexico City in '68, go here.

Diamond Dust: The This Guy Has Staying Power Edition

I was among those who loved the Ryan Ludwick story in the first part of the season, which culminated in a trip to the All Star Game, but thought there was no way this could last. Over the last 10 games, Ludwick's average has gone from .292 to .307. Over this stretch, he has 6 HR and 11 RBIs. He now has 6 more home runs (29) and 9 more RBIs (82) than Albert Pujols. No one thought this possible, not even Ryan Ludwick's parents. The Not-So Crappy Cardinals have played a decent brand of baseball as of late, but the bullpen is becoming a major issue. Isringhausen does not have it right now, Franklin is not dependable, and McClellan is not ready for the spotlight despite a great rookie campaign thus far. Chris Perez, who has 24 career appearances, got the save against the L.A. Many Ramirez's last night. This is not the guy one wants closing out games this weekend against the front-running Cubs. TheCubs seem to have a stranglehold on the division, but the Cards remain only one game out of the Wild Card, trailing the Brew Crew. The Double C gave another great performance on Tuesday, pitching 5 scoreless (only 51 pitches) innings before taking no-decision when Izzy & Co. blew a 4-run 9th inning lead. I pose the same query form last week when it comes to the Cards. They can hit, but can they pitch? I wish I knew.

Random inane mutterings:

• Manny Ramirez has been on a tear since Boston gave him away, batting almost .600 with 4 home runs and 9 RBIs in 6 games. The funny thing about this is that before acquiring Ramirez, the Dodgers were a .500 team (54-54), and after acquiring Ramirez, the Dodgers are a .500 team (3-3).


• The Mets have bullpen issues, but remain within striking distance of the Phillies.


• The Terrible Tigers are on life support and I fear the doctor is about to ask me if I want to pull the plug on my World Series pick after they lost 6 in a row this week.


• Is Seattle really 26.5 games behind the Angels?


• Chipper Jones could win the NL batting title by missing the rest of the season, he is currently 19 points ahead of Pujols (.369-.350).


• Carlos Lee is the most underrated player in baseball right now (.309/28 HR/97 RBI).

Gridiron Granules: The Could This Clown Be Any More Annoying Edition

The long national nightmare is over, Brett Favre has a new team at last. I would rather watch Fox News go back to running a continuous loop of Jeremiah Wright clips or MSNBC commentators identifying more lobbyists in the John McCain camp or John McCain and Barack Obama continually bickering over tire pressure than another ESPN reporter live from Green Bay. Over the past two weeks, there was a 200% chance one could turn to ESPN News and see someone yakking about the old man. I have had about as much interest in Favre's final destination as I do about who will be America's Next Top Model. Did this clown really think the Packers were just going to release him and let him go to the Vikings or Bears? I am almost ready to move Favre up to #3 on my list of all-time annoying players in NFL history. Chad Pennington was immediately cut, which means he will end up on the Dolphins, as the quarterback situation seems dire (go here for a good laugh). I think baseball pennant races are still ongoing, so could ESPN stop with the saturation coverage of this buffoon. I actually heard someone say Broadway Brett. The Jets just went from a 5-6 win team to an 8-9 win team and nothing more, so keep any Joe Montana to the Chiefs talk to yourself.

Diamond Dust: The Welcome Back Edition

The Double C returned from a long, long, long stint on the DL to pitch effectively on Wednesday night. He only went 4 innings and threw 67 pitches, but he also only gave up one earned run. Needless to say, this was a much better return than the Mark Mulder experience. A healthy Chris Carpenter will add stability to a pitching rotation that has survived despite countless injuries. As of late, the bullpen has been obnoxiously bad. Rookie Kyle McClellan seems overworked, Ryan Franklin has shown he is better suited for the set-up role, and Ron Villone has been awful. A sweep at the hands of the Cubs has put the Brew Crew in a tie with the Cardinals in the Wild Card, but the resurgent Mets and insurgent Marlins are close behind. The Cards can hit (more runs scored than the Brewers), the question is, can they pitch?

Senseless mutterings:

• The Dodgers add Manny Ramirez with the Red Sox giving up a lot financially and in talent to get rid of one of the best hitters of this era. For the woeful Dodgers, this is the type of player they desparately need. A guy who can actually hit the ball over the fence. Of course, Andruw was supposed to be that guy, but his supplier stopped getting him the inspiration he needed, thus he has been rendered ineffective. Furcal's continued absence will be what ultimatley sinks this ship in a bad division.
  
• The addition of Jason Bay was a nice one for the super annoying Red Sox, as they replace an older, disgruntled player with a much younger, happier one. Bay is no Manny and has zero playoff experience, but this guy has not peaked yet and could be a stalwart in that lineup for years to come.
• It must be nice to be the Yankees. You lose your catcher, no problem, just go out and acquire one for $12.5 million. The acquisition of Nady and Marte was a great move.
  
• The rich get richer, as the Angels get Mark Texieria from the disappointing Braves. Now, instead of winning every game 4-2, they will win 7-2. Somewhere, Boby Thigpen is smiling. This team is in a class by itself at the moment.
• The standings seem to be taking on a more recognizable appearance, with a few exceptions. The Devil Rays, Marlins, White Sox, and Not-So Crappy Cardinals continue to defy expectations. The Cubs seem to be pulling away in the NL Central, the Angels might clinch the NL West tomorrow, the Mets have managed to get to the top of a very competitive NL East, and the Tigers are very slowly moving in on the White Sox.

Go see what LWAL's favorite old man thinks here.