Angels Thrwarted In Move To Strengthen Team

The Los Angeles Angels failed to strengthen their team, when they attempted to trade for Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee. Lee has a no trade clause and nixed the deal saying he wanted to do what was best for him and his family and stay in Chicago. He also said that he would like to remain a Cub after this season and beyond.

Even though Lee has somewhat struggled this year, he would've been welcomed to an Angels team that needs another bat in the lineup. His Gold Glove defense would've also been a help. Current first baseman Kendry Morales is on the DL with a broken leg after celebrating a a walk off grand slam in May. This is a blow to the Angels in their pursuit of the first place Texas Rangers, but I'm sure they'll keep looking to make deals until the trade deadline on Saturday.

Lorenzen Wright Found Dead

Former Memphis Tiger and Atlana Hawks center Lorenzen Wright was found dead in Southeast Memphis. I never knew he was missing until i read the report that his body was found this afternoon.

Wright last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009. He starred for his hometown Memphis Tigers in college and also played for the Grizzlies. Wright was a former lotttery pick and played in the NBA for over a decade. 

The police report said it appeared Wright had been shot multiple times and that it did not appear to be suicide. Wright was 34 and left behind six children. 

'Reality Boys' Team Up In Cincy

After seemingly being blackballed by the NFL, Terrell Owens finally has a home. Owens is the newest member of the Cincinnati Bengals. Owens officially signed with the Bengals yesterday and now joins fellow reality star Chad Ochocinco. Ownes is a good pickup and him and Ochocinco, along with Antonio Bryant gives the Bengals a potentially explosive group of receivers. Of course if this pairing was done about 5 years ago it would be absolutely lethal. Owens clearly isn't what he once was. Although, even at 37, he has kept himself in great physical condition and still can get the job done. He gives quarterback Carson Palmer another target to throw to, if he can hang onto the ball. Owens has been plagued by drops the past few years and he also has his past to deal with. He does have a lot of baggage, but I also believe he really wanted to win. It just always came to his teammates' expense. Maybe he's turning over a new leaf. He was awfully quiet in Buffalo last year. Not just statwise either. I wasn't in the locker room, but there weren't any public outbursts or throwing his quarterback under the bus. Even though the Bengals are starting to resemble the Raiders of old, with the cast of characters they've assembled, this could actually be a good landing spot for Owens.    

Jack Tatum, R.I.P

The man who I consider the godfather of hard hitting safeties, Jack Tatum, passed away from a massive heart attack. He was 61. Tatum previously battled diabetes and other health problems for years.

To me, Tatum brought in the era of the jaw rattling safety. He was a feared man on the field. Ronnie Lott, Kenny Easley and others were players in the same mold. Hard hitting, fearless, and dared you to come across the middle. Being from Michigan it would be wrong to pay a Buckeye this much respect, but Tatum was the man. He was more known for paralyzing a defenseless Darryl Stingley in 1978. Even though he never formally apologized, there was some remorse for the vicious hit that confined Stingley to an electric wheelchair the rest of his life.

Tatum was best known for his days as a Raider, but played his last year for the Houston Oilers. He may not have been the best to play the game, but to me, the godfather of safeties that made receivers think twice about going across the middle.

They're Done

I hate to keep harping on one thing and beating a dead horse, but after being no hit by Tampa Bay's Matt Garza, I came to the conclusion that the Detroit Tigers are done. Donelike the Thanksgiving turkey when the little red thing pops up. The Tigers showed no signs of life and looked overmatched most of the night. I guess that's what happens when you have to replace proven major leaguers with 4a player types. Some will fault Jim Leyland, but he's only playing the hand he's been dealt. It's been a combination of bad luck, untimely injuries, and Dave Dombrowski not building enough quality depth in the minor league system. It's all happening at the worse time of the year, where th Tigers face their most brutal stretch of game. All on the road no less, where they've struggled all season.

I hate to give up on the season, but it's pretty hard to watch a team that seems close, but they're really far away. I still say don't make any desperation moves since they really don't have any chips to bring to the table. Unless they get a sweetheart of a deal. It would be a disservice to the fans to publicly admit giving up on the season. Deep down I think they all know it's pretty much over and the day will come where they'll be playing for next season and beyond. I'll still watch ad support them any way I can, but I think i have the same sentiment as many Tigers fans. It's over. Wait til next year. Then again, I could be wrong. Stranger things have happened. 


Yes, Garza still has that thing on his chin.

Tigers Need Help After Guillen And Ordonez Injuries

With Carlos Guillen on the 15 day disabled list and Magglio Ordonez out for the time that you get a rebate check (6-8 weeks), the Detroit Tigers might be desperate to pull the trigger on a trade that could bring another heavy bat to their lineup. This is a big blow to their hopes of catching the White Sox and without them they could fall out of the race altogether.

I would like to see them make a trade, but I just don't think they have enough ammunition to get a trade done without depleting a pretty thin farm system. They were rumored in talks for pitching, notably Arizona's Dan Haren, but he was dealt to the Angels. I heard they might be in play for Kansas City's Jose Guillen. Another rumor that has been put out there is that they are interested in Washington's Adam Dunn. I'm sure Tigers fans would love to see that, I just don't think they have the goods to get the deal done. I also heard they had scouts looking at the Phillies' Jayson Werth. With the Phillies semi struggling on offense, that might not happen.  If the Nationals reportedly asked the White Sox for Gordon Beckham, they'll want Fort Knox from the Tigers. If they can't get any deals done without giving up anything significant, I'm afraid they'll need to pull the retooling trigger a bit faster than the people of Detroit would like.

USC's Short Term Success Yields Long Term Problems

If everyone in the Pac-10 plays thier cards right, they can bury USC, starting this season. With the Trojan brass booting out former Athletic Director Mike Garrett and giving back Reggie Bush's Heisman, it seems like they're trying to get back into the good graces of the NCAA. They also picked former Trojan QB and Rhodes Scholar Pat Haden to run the athletic department. All because everyone looked the other way and Garrett was so smug and arrogant that hedidn't want to see the wrong doing going on with the football and basketball programs.

The if you don't know, you don't need to know atmosphere in Trojanland, fostered by Garrett and former coach Pete Carroll and others allowed to go on at USC was and is unacceptable. Of course the only ones punished for this are the current and future players at USC.

This is why I say it's time for teams in the Pac-10 to step their game up and bury USC. This is theperfect time for Rick Neuheisel to get UCLA back on track. This is a prime moment for Oregon to cement their staus as kings of the Pac-10 (if they can keep out of trouble). California and Washington can possibly take a step up in class by landing some great talent that is sure to spurn USC to go elsewhere. The Trojans are amn lucky Texas, Oklahoma, and others didn't take the invite to go to the Pac-10. I'm sure they'll get back on their feet, but it might take a while before that happens.