Manny, don't let the door hit you on the way out...

Honestly, can we just dump this chump? Of course I'm referring to Manny Ramirez. Cleveland was happy to get rid of the clubhouse cancer and I'm counting the days until Manny's off the squad. Despite his undeniable hitting prowress, his lackadaisical play and horrendous defense is just intolerable. On top of that, his clubhouse antics have pissed off everyone. At this point, his talent is not worth his unpredictable behavior. I put him in the same boat as Pedro Martinez - a world-class headache.

Can anyone feel sorry for a guy making $20mn per year who jogs down the first base line in the 10th inning of a tight game? Or, how about his yearly MIA stunts when the team needs him? He's consistently let the team down and it's time to eat some of his salary to dump his unreliable ass. Any outfield acquisition will be an immediate defensive upgrade.

Time to cut our losses and dump this piece of shit. Please, someone take him...

Those streaky Sox...

The 2005 Red Sox squad went 99 games before they played their first extra-inning game, the longest streak in major league history to start a season without playing extra frames. The previous mark was 69 games by the Chicago White Sox to open the 2002 season. ...

It's three and in for 'Triplets' Aikman, Irvin, and Smith

By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News

IRVING – The more owner Jerry Jones thought about it, the more he wanted to induct Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith into the Ring of Honor on the same day.

It seemed so fitting.

After all, they were drafted in successive years. They helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls in the '90s and earn the title of Team of the Decade. And they were nicknamed "The Triplets."

When each of the players embraced the idea, it thrilled the owner.

Jones announced Wednesday evening at Texas Stadium that Aikman, Irvin and Smith would be the 13th, 14th and 15th players inducted into the club's exclusive Ring of Honor.

Click here for the rest of the story...

Tour de France news

Lance Armstrong drives his bike off a cliff- but he still maintains an overall lead of 2:30.

Sox Hit the All-Star Break With a Two Game Lead in the Division

The Sox are in unchartered waters heading into the mid-summer classic. This is the first time in at least ten years (might be longer, I'm sure Cooch will throw me a vine) the Sox have hit the all-star break in first place in the AL East.

Why are you telling us this Lavinius, you query?

First off, you're the query. ;)

Secondly, it segues perfectly into a stat I saw on Baseball Tonight:

155 teams have hit the all-star break with division leads. Of those teams, 103 of them have gone on to win the division. (66.5%)

I likey!

Also aiding the Sox chances is them easily having the most favorable second half schedule of the AL contenders:

Red Sox: 43 HOME/32 AWAY
Baltimore: 34 HOME/41 AWAY
NY Yankees: 33 HOME/43 AWAY
Minnesota: 37 HOME/39 AWAY

The Sox also have 24 of their final 36 games at home, a luxury I'm sure those other teams do not have. I'm more than happy heading into the all-star break up two games in the division with the most favorable second half schedule waiting for us when play resumes...