Roy Oswalt would like to go back to Philadelphia

It's almost like deja vu for Roy Oswalt. If you recall, last season Oswalt was holding court for potential suitors as he took his time picking a team to play for. After missing about half of the season Oswalt settled on the Texas Rangers.

Things didn't go to well for Oswalt in Arlington as he had a run in with manager Ron Washington after being demoted to the bullpen.

Oswalt is once again a man without a team. But in a bit of a surprise Oswalt says he would love to come back to pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies. Oswalt also said that he hasn't felt this good since 2010.

Maybe the Phillies could use him if Roy Halladay's struggles continue. But if I'm Oswalt I would go ring chasing and sign with a contender. Even at 35 and how he's pitched in recent years he cant be that much worse than some of the back end starters that are pitching right now.

Russ Smith's father says he's going pro

The father of Louisville guard Russ Smith has said that his son will be entering the NBA draft. Even though Smith was the Cardinals leading scorer, he did not have an impressive showing in the national championship game. But Russ Sr. says that his son has "done it all".

By that he's saying that he's won a national title, back to back Big East tournament titles, and back to back Final Fours. So according to dad, he's accomplished all he can in the college and should ply his trade in the NBA.

I beg to differ with him. I'm no scout but neither is Senior so that makes none of us an authority as to whether he should go pro or stay in school. Smith is a good perimeter defender but smallish (6-0, 160 lbs.). He would have to play point guard, but he puts up too many shots. I don't think that style would do well in the NBA. According to DraftExpress.com Smith is considered a second round pick (34th overall). Not guaranteed to make a roster but would still have a chance.

On the flip side I understand what his father is saying. In my opinion Smith's game has plateaued and his stock probably won't be higher than what it is now. Why come back to have scouts find every flaw in your game for another year. Also, it's a pretty weak draft so there could be a chance that Smith has some impressive workouts and moves into the first round.

I just think Smith's game just isn't suited for the NBA since I see him as an undersized two guard. I could be wrong and maybe he carves out a nice career for himself which i would like to see. But there have been plenty of good college players that just couldn't cut it in the NBA.

"It Girl" of the week: Kellie Maines

The "It Girl" of the week is Kellie Maines

Jamie Moyer hasn't ruled out pitching again

Even after spending 25 years in the majors, former longtime Seattle Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer still hasn't officially retired. Moyer was in Seattle to throw out the ceremonial first pitch against the Houston Astros Monday night and told reporters that he still hasn't ruled out trying to pitch again. Even at the age of 50.


“I haven’t closed that door yet,” Moyer said. “I don’t know when I would make a decision. I really haven’t put a lot of thought into it. I’m enjoying my time at home at this point. I’ve got  a college senior playing baseball. A college freshman starting at Pepperdine, playing baseball. By the way, they beat U-Dub two out of three this weekend and he had the game-winning hit on Saturday in extra innings. I’m a proud dad, I was there to see it.

“I’ve got a daughter graduating from high school, going to college. Another daughter that’s going to be a junior next year. And then I have two fourth graders and two first graders. So, I’m enjoying my time. And I’ve got a garden growing. I’ve got lettuce I’m eating now and micro-gardens. I’m excited about that. I’ve got some fruit trees going in. I’ve got a puppy. So, I’m doing some things I haven’t done in a long time.”

“But I haven’t discounted potentially maybe trying to come back but I don’t forsee it happening this year.”

Moyer must really love the game or he wouldn't bring up the possibility. I don't think it'll happen but he's a lefty and as long as he could be efficient in a short span of a game someone might sign him. Besides who am I to tell him that he shouldn't do it.

I just think it's a player that move on but if he feels he can still contribute to some team, why not give him a chance to prove it. Just because he's 50 doesn't mean he can't help anyone.

John Lackey hurts arm again

It's hard to believe that in December in 2009 John Lackey was a desired commodity. The Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates, were all interested in Lackey.

Lackey had been the Angels ace and was one of six pitchers that won at least eleven games from 2004-2009. Baseball Prospectus said that, "Lackey stands alone as the best of the best, a relatively young righty who carries significantly less risk than the other high-upside hurlers."

Well, the man who was once considered to be the best pitcher in the 2010 free agent class is down again.

In late December 2010, the BoSox thought they were getting an elite pitcher, but after a mediocre 2010 season and sub-par, injury riddled 2011 season, Lackey appeared to be just another starter.

Lackey did not pitch a game in 2012 due to Tommy John surgery, spending the entire year on the disabled list.

And sadly on his first start in a Red Sox uniform since 2011, Lackey left the game in the fifth inning. Currently as of Saturday night, Lackey's arm injury has only been diagnosed as a strained right bicep.

“It’s sore. But hopefully not too serious,” a downcast Lackey said after the Sox were beaten, 5-0.

“I turned around and he was holding his arm. Hopefully he’s OK,” catcher David Ross said. “It stinks. I think everybody is worried about him and will say a prayer for him. He’s such a good teammate, first of all. To come back and how well he was throwing the ball, I was excited for him.”

This is of course horrible news for all Red Sox fans, who were looking for a bounce back season from the number 41.

Hopefully he only strained his right bicep, or else his season and possibly even his career in Boston may be finished.

Joe Flacco to portray Johnny Unitas in upcoming movie

Joe Flacco became the highest paid NFL player and was the Super Bowl MVP. Flacco now will portray Baltimore Colts legend Johnny Unitas in a movie about Unitas' life. 

Joe Unitas told The Baltimore Sun that Flacco will play his father playing football in the final scenes depicting the Colts' 1958 championship game victory in "Unitas We Stand" .

Filming is scheduled to begin July 15 and is expected to last around nine to 12 weeks. Ideally, Unitas would like to release the movie timing it to the Super Bowl next year. Unitas said having someone with Baltimore ties play his father was important. Flacco said that he was honored to play the role of Unitas. Joe also hopes to film the entire movie in Baltimore.

"He does things the right way and is a good role model for kids and he gets what hard work is and does everything he can for the team. There are a lot of parallels that can be drawn between Joe and my dad. My production team is very fortunate and thankful that he's dedicated to help us and play my dad. I know he doesn't do a lot of things away from the game, and football players' time off in the offseason is very valuable. For him to take time away and commit to doing this is very humbling."

The movie is based on Tom Callahan's best-selling book: "Johnny U: The Life and Times of Johnny Unitas."

Pittsburgh blocking Rushel Shell's transfer options

University of Pittsburgh running back Rushel Shell announced that he would be leaving the football program and transferring elsewhere. No one knows what Shell's plans were but the school is blocking any potential transfer to Arizona State, Arizona, or any ACC school.

I understand blocking a move to an ACC school since the Panthers will be leaving the Big East to join the ACC. Normally any school on a future schedule would be blocked but Arizona or Arizona State don't fit the description. The reasons why they're blocked is because the coaches at the schools have Pittsburgh connections.

Arizona State boss Todd Graham left Pittsburgh for Tempe after one season in the Steel city. So there is some animosity there. Graham and his staff recruited Shell and it was reported that Shell was leaning towards the Sun Devils. 

Current Pitt coach Paul Chryst has to sign off on the transfer, but won't do it if it's to Arizona or Arizona State. Arizona has former Pitt coaches on their staff so that's the reasoning behind that.

I could understand if he wanted to transfer within the conference and he could come back to haunt you. I would block that, but i don't understand why he won't let him go play for the coach that recruited him. I know it's like poaching but coaches do it all the time when they leave a school and are recruiting a player and said player ends up at the coach's new school. You think John Wall was actually going to Kentucky before John Calipari got there? Me neither.

Coaches have the freedom to leave any time without anyone blocking their path, let the kid go to where he wants to play.