News item: Trade rumors continue to swirl around Cleveland Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia, though general manager Mark Shapiro insists that he wants to re-sign the club's veteran ace.
My take: It's OK for Orioles fans to dream, but Sabathia probably isn't going to be wearing Baltimore on his road jersey next year.
News item: Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow, who already had a checkered past, was suspended recently by Kentucky racing officials after one of his other horses tested positive for an excessive amount of Clenbuterol.
My take: Somebody needs to go undercover and get to the bottom of horse racing's drug scandal. Where's Mr. Ed when you need him?
News item: Bulgaria has announced it will withdraw its weightlifting team from the Beijing Olympics after 11 of 13 members tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug.
My take: Wouldn't surprise me a bit if Rep. Henry Waxman runs for office in Bulgaria so he can hold another round of steroid hearings.
Bonus take: Really, 11 of 13? And it wasn't the Tour de France?
News item: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday that the system that allows top draft choices to receive huge signing bonuses without playing a down in the league is "ridiculous."
My take: Hard to argue with that when former Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long now is worth significantly more than Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning.
News item: The Houston Astros released pitcher Shawn Chacon the day after he grabbed general manager Ed Wade by the neck and threw him to the ground.
My take: If you're looking for a bright side, it's the first time anyone in an Astros uniform has gone for the throat this season.
News item: Don Imus insists he was trying to make a sarcastic point when he made a racially charged comment on his radio show.
My take: That's plausible enough, but it's not as if he has earned the benefit of the doubt in the racial sensitivity department.
News item: The foreclosure sale of cornerback Adam Jones' home in Tennessee has been postponed until next month.
My take: Apparently, the mortgage company is holding out hope Jones will show up at the home office and make it rain.
News item: Fresno State came out of nowhere to win the NCAA baseball championship and become the first No. 4 regional seed to both make the College World Series and win it.
My take: What a nice Cinderella story. Now Fresno is known for more than just its walnuts and Trent Dilfer.
