Erik Estrada is being raked through the coals today for saying that, "he's seen my share of child pornography," and on the surface it seems like a terrible statement to say on-air. However, if you listen to the interview in context, he actually mentioned in conjunction with talking about a good cause.

With that said, he does take the time at the end to talk about Ron Jeremy's junk, and say he wanted to stick a fork in Traci Bingham's neck, so there's that....

I'm not quite sure why they were talking about a VH1 show, that took place about five years ago, but whatever gets the interview going I guess. While that was certainly entertaining, I hear it wasn't nearly as good as his rendition of the seventh inning stretch. If anyone has the video, let me know.

Erik Estrada's Awesomely Awkward 7th Inning Interview: "I've Seen My Share of Child Pornography." (Fan IQ)

A few of the Chicago Bears were on hand for last night's WWE Judgement Day, but it was Alfonso Soriano that became the highlight of the show. Well for at least 5 minutes or so. Real World/Road Rules/WWE Star, The Miz, called the outfielder out during a segment, and all Soriano could do was stand there and take it....

That was really about it. Pretty funny stuff for awhile, Soriano looking awkward, then wrestling between two random dudes. That was awfully merciless though, and I have to say the "yearly injury" part was my personal favorite. Good times.

There's nothing better than someone completely butchering "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" at Wrigley, and it's even better when said person has nothing to do with the Cubs. Why they thought Denise Richards would be a great get and performer, is beyond me, but at least it gave us this fabulous clip!

Wow. That was just painful. I always wondered why people who know they can't sing, would put themselves in a position like that, but I guess some folks just can't avoid the attention, whether it's good or bad. Given her past, I think Denise is a perfect example of that one.

Steve Phillips recently shared a bit of criticism on the Cubs, which Manager Lou Pinella didn't take kindly to, and the ESPN analyst sought out the coach before last night's ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game. Phillips had questioned Pinella's patience when dealing with Kosuke Fukudome, and apologized for his comments yesterday. Via the Chicago Tribune....

In an interview on WMVP-AM 1000 this spring, Phillips told Chet Coppock: "My view is Lou doesn't have a great deal of patience for assimilation into culture, assimilation into the team. He is just not the most patient guy around, and he also tends to verbalize his frustrations in an angry way. I think that may have affected Fukudome a little bit."

That comment upset Piniella, who later told the Tribune: "I don't have much respect for Steve Phillips. Let him be around a little more and see what transpires before he makes assumptions. I've lost total respect for this guy. If he had something to say, let him say it to me."

Phillips had not spoken to Piniella about the comments until Sunday night. Piniella appeared to accept his explanation.

But Phillips was not the only one on ESPN critiquing Piniella. The manager was watching "Baseball Tonight" in the clubhouse with several players after Saturday's game when he heard that he was already showing impatience by changing closers one week into the season.

"If that's the worst thing they say about me on ESPN, I'm happy," Piniella said.

I think it's pretty apparent that Lou doesn't have much patience, so I found it a bit odd when he got that upset about the original comment. I really don't think Phillips should have apologized, but alls well that ends well I guess.

ESPN's Steve Phillips apolozies to Lou Piniella (Chicago Tribune)

Manny and the Dodgers look to put the Cubs away at Chavez Ravine while the Phillies are sending out Old Man Moyer to do the same to the Brewers in Milwaukee. Your announcers on TBS are, again:

Philadelphia Phillies at Milwaukee Brewers - Brian Anderson, Joe Simpson, John Smoltz and David Aldridge
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers - Dick Stockton, Ron Darling, Tony Gwynn and Tom Verducci

Yep, it's a baseball open thread, and if this week in college football isn't doing much for you, have at it. Personally, I wish TBS nothing but awful things -- these announcing crews have been less than stellar, and I wish Vin Scully could at least call a Dodger game or two.

Hey, it's NFL Sunday, but we can't ignore baseball today because we have some DRAMA!!!! for you! The Mets are finishing up against the Marlins on TBS today (if the rain lets up), and the Brewers take on the Cubs an hour later for NL Wild Card rights (those of you with WGN on the cable or satellite or the appropriate Fox Sports channel will get to see this). Both teams wins, both teams lose, it means a play-in game.

Hopefully Oliver Perez can be as "gangsta" as Johan Santana was yesterday. LET'S GO METS!

The AL Central's a bit more complicated. Minnesota is a half game up on the White Sox, so if the Twins beat the Royals and the White Sox lose to the Indians, it's done. If both teams win or the Twins lose and the White Sox win, the South Siders host Detroit for a make-up game, which could lead to a tiebreaker game.

Treat this as your baseball open thread.

So if you are/were a Cubs/White Sox fan that was either watching Playoff games this October at a Wrigley/Cell-area bar, or heading to one after you attended the game, what is the worst news that I could pass along to you? (Think about it for a second and then move onto the next paragraph)

Chicago's Mayor, Richard Daley, is seriously asking that bars near both parks cut of alcohol sales after the 7th inning of series-clinching games during these upcoming Playoffs. No, not at the ballpark like they've always done....at EVERY surrounding bar as well. Via Chicago Breaking News....

Mayor Richard Daley said today the city will ask bars near Chicago's baseball stadiums to voluntarily cut off alcohol sales after the seventh inning of home games where the Cubs or White Sox could clinch a playoff series.

While other city officials cautioned that they had yet to discuss the plan with bar owners, the mayor said it was a no-brainer.

"What we're asking is common sense. You can drink as much beer for seven innings as you want," Daley said. "Give me a break. This is common sense, that's all it is. We're asking for the cooperation of everyone."

Asked what he would tell business owners who fear a loss of business, Daley replied, "I'll have somebody buy their place tomorrow ... If you've been drinking for five hours and you're laying on the floor, don't give that person another beer.

"I mean, give me a break ... It's not going to cost them any business. They made enough money all year, I'm sorry. We're just talking about common sense."

Ummm....no. That's not common sense actually. The only thing this plan will accomplish will either be, a riot, or assuring that your ass isn't going to get re-elected. If people want to drink, or continue to drink, they're going to find a way. Pissing off business owners, and Baseball fans, by doing this seems like a very bad idea if you ask me, but I'm not paid to make decisions like this. Thank god because I would probably try and make booze free or something, which could ultimately have the same effect.

Ballpark area bars could go dry after 7th (Chicago Breaking News)

Taking a short break to note the awesome accomplishment of the Tampa Bay Rays this year: with last night's win, they've locked up a guaranteed playoff spot (either the AL East title or the Wild Card, depending on the rest of their play next week.) Going from worst in the league to a playoff spot is one heck of an accomplishment, and considering their pitching, they are not a team I want to go against in the first round despite lack of experience.

Also, the Cubs put their stamp on the NL Central last night, and their Division Series opponent will depend on how the Wild Card plays out -- if it's the Brewers, they'll go play the NL West winner; more likely, if it's an NL East team, it will be the Wild Card winner.

So, tip your beer or soda for both those teams right now.

I've seen a lot of things in Baseball, but I can safely say that I've never seen this before. Watch closely as Jim Edmonds tries out his version of the hidden ball trick at Wrigley Field....

That's pretty wild, but I was thinking it would have been even more awesome if it was someone's hand. How crazy would that have been? Jerome Walton's hand just falls on Jim Edmonds head and everyone in the stands turn to each other, nods and says, "oh THAT's what happened to him!" (sorry it's still early and the video pretty much spoke for itself)

Funny item from Rumors and Rants this morning. I've heard of certain refs not being good luck for certain teams, but this is the first time of the same being true for an announcer....

But I forgot about the X-Factor. Being a Fox national game of the week -- but not THE game of the week -- it was none other than Dick Stockton in the booth. And after Saturday's loss, the Cubs dropped to 0-3 in games called by Stockton this season. At least if my memory serves me correctly.

According to my charts, that gives the Cubs a six-game losing streak in games announced by Stockton. And that's before confirming the unsubstantiated rumors that he called Game 7 of the 1945 World Series. (Sure, he only would have been 3 at the time, but there was a war on. You never know.)

So as Cub fans try to break down how the team matches up against each prospective playoff opponent, just keep in mind that the biggest name to fear may be the one in the broadcast booth.

If you add to those the three game sweep in the NLDS last year against the Diamondbacks, that makes the team 0 for the last 6 in games Stockton has called. I don't think I've ever heard of that before. What's even more is that the Cubs could very easily draw Dick Stockton again this Playoffs season. I'd be begging for Chip Caray if I were you, Cubbies fans.

If anyone has memory of an "Announcer Jinx" on your team please share it in the comments.

Keep This Dick Away From The Cubs (Rumors and Rants)

I've never believed that Sports writers should lose their allegiances once they are on a national level, but that certainly seems to be an unwritten rule. I think Wilbon's love for all things Chicago is clearly documented almost daily on PTI, but he almost considered not singing "Take Me Out...." because of potential backlash. The Chicago Tribune even said it, "raised issues."

"If I live 40 more years," he said, "it will still be the coolest and most bizarre thing I have ever done."

Cool for obvious reasons: Wilbon grew up idolizing Ernie Banks and wearing Ran Santo's No. 10 jersey on his South Side Little League team. The Northwestern alum has hit Wrigley more than 100 times as a fan. And bizarre because of the ethical line he seemingly had crossed. No, this wasn't cheering in the press box. It was wearing a team's uniform on its home field before 40,000 fans.

"When they asked me to do it," Wilbon said, "I thought: No. Sportswriters, journalists don't do that."

Then Wilbon remembered: He's not just a sportswriter. He estimates that no more than 20 percent of his "PTI" audience would even realize he writes a sports column for the Washington Post.

"There's fairness but no objectivity," he said. "I'm not going to pretend I don't root for the Bulls. The people we cover are much cooler with that then this false pretense of objectivity."

Man, the fraternity that is sports writing is just wacky. I love how you have to immediately cut all ties to any team you ever loved as soon as you get to a certain level. That has to be borderline impossible for some people. Obviously you need to be somewhat objective, but this really shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Wilbon at Wrigley raises issues (Chicago Tribune)

(FYI- Sorry for the delay in postings this morning. I had to run errands and Auto Publish failed me.)

Cubs Fans have long been called the craziest, and also obnoxious (Brennamania!), fans in Major League Baseball. I think we can add this clip to the list of unbelievable antics by the Bleacher Bums.

Meet Molly Dapier who reports for Mouthpiece Sports. Molly is doing a spot outside Wrigley and some interested fans want to get on the broadcast. Hmmm, we have a bunch of water.....how could we possible? Ohhhhhhh! Via HR Derby....

Awesome. I understand she's pissed, and I would be too, but in the end it's just water. She's lucky it wasn't goat blood or something. Good times.

This is how Cub fans get a bad name - dumping water on Blonde reporters (Homerun Derby)
Reporter Doused By Blue-Painted Cubs Fan Outside Wrigley Field (Deadspin)

What the heck is up with kids and beer over the past few days? Now we don't know for sure if this a cerveza or not, but I'm with HRD....I think we can say this kid is throwing one back during the Cubs-Giants game yesterday. Watch closely behind the dugout after Derek Lee records the second out of the inning....

Sorry for the choppiness, but I thought the slo mo at the end got the job done. I guess it could have been a lemonade and the ice melted, but that sure looks like an Old Style if you ask me. What are the chances the camera is watching right then? Amazing.

Is this Kid drinking beer at Wrigley Field? (Home Run Derby)

Here's an update and video in regards to the WGN telecast which is rewinding back to 1948 today. It's been a fun couple of innings with only a few camera angles and everyone seems to be playing along. Bob Brenly has already complained about the heat in his "burlap suit" and they even have a typewriter that someone has been hammering away on.

Here's the opening of the telecast and the first pitch....

It really is awkward to watch a game without multiple camera angles. I think my mind is so trained to be focusing on multiple images that I noticed my A.D.D. kicking in halfway through that first inning. Good stuff though WGN.

Update: I stopped back in during the top of the ninth inning and Len Kasper was talking about the old "Hey Hey" graphic that WGN had back when the late Jack Brickhouse was the announcer. Kasper said they were waiting to use it during a Cubbies homerun in an homage to Brickhouse, but they hadn't hit one. Bob Brenly said that they should wait until the bottom of the ninth and that you never know what could happen. Well they did and this happened....

How awesome was that? And the Cubs even went on to win in the eleventh, 3-2.

Turn Back The Clock Broadcast Today On WGN (Awful Announcing)

I'm a huge fan of ideas like this and I'm going to try and get video for you, but the Cubs are turning back the clock to mark the 60th anniversary of Cubs baseball on WGN. The game will start out black and white and will slowly add more elements to the broadcast as the game goes on.....

When you turn on the Cubs and Braves game Thursday, don't panic. There's nothing wrong with your TV set.

The teams will turn back the clock in honor of the 60th anniversary of Cubs baseball on WGN in the first throwback game at Wrigley Field. The plan is to begin the television broadcast in black-and-white, not color.

The game should be a treat for TV viewers, who can watch the first two innings in black and white with fewer camera angles. The telecast will try to go without a center-field camera and use basic graphics at the start, and then add a camera or another technical advancement as the game progresses. Commentators Len Kasper and Bob Brenly will don appropriate 1948 garb in the booth.

Sounds like a blast. Wrigley will even have drinks in the stands for only $.75. Unfortunately that will only be for the first hour after the gates open and will not include beer. The game is at 1:20pm today and I'll try to add some video or screenshots if I can get them.

Cubs to turn back the clock at Wrigley (MLB)

Rick Sutcliffe is back in full swing as an announcer and every paper out there is trying to get an interview with him following his bout with Cancer. I'm pretty sure the ones that follow the one in the KC Star won't be able to top this tidbit that the paper got when asking Sut about his friendship with Bill Murray....

Sitting in the booth, [Steve] Stone and [Bill] Murray had to stall while a new pitcher warmed up. Murray looked at Stone and said, “I betcha a case of beer Sutcliffe steals second.”

Stone laughed and pointed out Sutcliffe had never even attempted to steal a base. He pointed out Sutcliffe had a bad hamstring. He pointed out Sutcliffe was not exactly the world’s fastest human being.

“But,” Sutcliffe remembered Stone saying, “I’ll take the bet because I’d like to win a case of beer from you.”

The pitcher was still warming up when word spreads and a fan yelled, “Hey Sut, Murray just bet Steve Stone a case of beer you’ll steal second!”

Standing on first base, Sutcliffe decided: Screw it. I’m going.

“All of a sudden the pitcher comes down and I tell my mind to go but my body won’t move and I literally almost fell down,” he said.

Then Expos manager Buck Rodgers yelled to first baseman Andres Galarraga, ‘Play behind him, he ain’t frickin’ going anywhere!’ ”

Sutcliffe took off running. All 6-7 of the Red Baron hauling ass for second base just to mess with Cubs announcer Steve Stone.

“I am gone,” Sutcliffe said. “He comes down and looks over. Well I’m halfway to second. I’m going, ‘Ah, he got me.’ Well the dummy goes to home so now I’ve got to get going again. But there’s still a play. That’s how slow I am.”

The throw. The slide. He’s safe.

“I look up into the booth and Murray’s going crazy and I kind of gave him a little whatever,” Sutcliffe said, reenacting a manly head bob. “I throw a shutout, I steal a base, and we were locked for life.”

How awesome is that? What happened to the days in Baseball when there was drinking and betting in the booth??? I would certainly poke fun at it, but I'd rather have those type of play-by-players over people who don't care about their job as an announcer. Good times.

As Rick Sutcliffe fights cancer, he treasures the connection with his hometown the most (KC Star)

(posted by One More Dying Quail)

Joe and Tim had a discussion last inning on the Alfonso Soriano and the problems created by his return from a recent calf injury. Somehow, they got around to talking about Soriano's place in the batting order - should he stay at the top or should Piniella drop him lower was pretty much the dilemma they were considering.

McCarver's thoughts? "Soriano should stay in the leadoff spot because that's what he's always done and if you drop him below the fifth spot in the order, you lose his speed."

Oh, Tim. Tim. Tim. Speed is nice to have at the top of the lineup, I'll grant you that. If you have somebody who is fast and can steal bases and "make things happen", that's good. But you also want someone who can get on base with some consistency, which Soriano has a tough time doing (career OBP: .325; 2008 OBP: .211). Everyone is the same speed in the dugout.

And as for utilizing someone with speed lower in the lineup...I realize it's the American League, which has the designated hitter to screw everything up, but Julio Lugo is one of the fastest players on the Red Sox and he's hit ninth in the majority of the games he's played this season.

Personally, I'd consider using Fukudome in the leadoff spot. He's an on-base machine. But that's just me.

(I'm not going to devote an entire post to this at this point, but possibly the most ironic moment of the 2008 season just occurred: Tim McCarver saying, "Can't a guy just be in a slump? Why does everything have to be a curse?" while they were talking about the various Cubs curses and the SI cover jinx. This from the same network that mentioned Babe Ruth in every other breath in the 2003 and 2004 playoffs.)

(Ha. "The one thing pitchers love to do is hit in consecutive innings. They know something good happened for their offense if that happens." They won't notice otherwise?)

I still think there are dumb and drunk fans in every stadium, but this video might put the Cubs fans a little bit ahead of every other team. From the "throwing the balls" series in which Brennaman flipped out, comes this clip of a hot dog eating contest in the stands.

It's never good when you A) Lose to a woman in an eating contest and/or B) Almost dying and needing the Heimlich Maneuver. Via Frog Soda....

I love how it's a Reds fan that saves the guy. See you CAN get along with fans from other teams at the stadium! If you're reading Marty Brennaman....you're welcome.

Hot Dog Choke (Frog Soda)

All of Chicago is cursing the name Brennaman these days, but Marty has a message for you Chicagoans.....he doesn't care. Late Friday MB was on WMVP-AM 1000 and wasn't taking ANY of his comments back....

"If they can't understand what happened Wednesday night was completely over the top, then I'm sorry," Brennaman said. "I said how tough it is to root for the Cubs. I think a lot of people feel the same way I do, but they won't articulate it. I'm not afraid to say what I think."

Later on, Brennaman said, "[Compared to Cubs fans] Cardinals fans are hands down the best in baseball. They respect the game. They don't go to the game to do stupid stuff.

"The Cubs have some great baseball fans. But the ones who act like idiots (ruin) it for people like me."

The thing I don't understand is that there are drunk asses in every single stadium. I don't know how you could single out Cubs' fans as the worst, especially when the crime was throwing batting practice baseballs on the field.

Oh and I also heard a rumor that Brennamania cursed at Jeff Brantley on-air this past Saturday, but can't find it anywhere. If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

Brennaman maintains criticism of Cubs fans (Chicago Tribune)
Get Off Marty Brennaman's Lawn You Cubs Fans! (Awful Announcing)

(posted by One More Dying Quail)

Yesterday, PostmanE of We Are The Postmen fame pointed to an article in the Chicago Sun-Times that shined a light on offensive Kosuke Fukudome shirts being sold outside Wrigley Field. Today, the team issued a swift response - buh-bye, T-shirt.

The Cubs halted the production and sale of a Kosuke Fukudome T-shirt hours after a report by a Chicago newspaper that the shirt contained an offensive image.

Deluged with e-mails from fans, Cubs officials discovered the unlicensed product contained a trademarked Cubs logo and confronted the vendor, who complied with the team's demand to pull the shirt, the Sun-Times reported.

"Clearly, the shirt was in poor taste and the Cubs are pleased to know that it will no longer be produced or sold," Cubs spokesman Peter Chase told the paper.

E mentioned in his post that he and his friends had been discussing this all season ("too quietly", he admits). I find it interesting, then, that it took an article in the Sun-Times and tons of emails from fans before the team "discovered" the product. You'd think somebody from the front office would've stumbled past it on the street or something at some point, but I guess not.

The reaction of Fukudome when shown a shirt was encouraging - you can't get everything from reading words on a screen, but he appeared to clearly express his displeasure. More disturbing is this:

Mark Kolbusz, who runs the souvenir stand that sold the shirt, said it was his top-selling shirt.

You mean there are racists outside of Boston? Who knew?