2:39 am, 7/01/12

2:39 am.  Things here at work have finally quieted down a bit.  I find the respite boring, so what to do?  Might as well post something here.  But what?  I'm not the writer, my wife is the blogger in the family.  My sense of humor tends to the obscure, so that is out.  DC United won tonight by 3-0, but it was over Montreal, so conversation about that ends faster than France's participation in a competitive soccer tournament.  I haven't had free time to read or watch movies lately, so I can't even go there.  So how about we do 5 random thoughts from the world of sports that affect my favorite teams?.  From "Huh, how about that?"  to "Horny Playboy centerfolds couldn't distract me from this!"

5.) Keep it in your pants! - The worst kept secret in American sports is that a significant portion of our professional athletes are swingers/adulterers/philanderers of the highest order.  From the ribald and frequently drunken escapades of Babe Ruth to Tiger Woods sticking his "putter" in all the rough he could, sex "scandals" have embarressed many players, regardless of the sport.  So this week brings news that Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson is being shaken down by a stripper, and ex-NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens is trying to prevent a "girlfriend" from selling pictures of him masturbating.  A number of media outlets are treating this as a big deal.  I say, "So what?"  A secret isn't a secret if more than one person knows it.  Having said that, none of the people involved here are angels.  Jackson (the adulterer) is being "extorted" by a stripper with a list of criminal convictions that would make a seasoned hooker blush, while Owens is suddenly afraid that after his ex- got the pictures, she would try to make a quick buck selling them (sort of like how he's whoring himself out now to any pro or semi-pro football team that will listen).  My question is, by what thought process did any of these four think these escapades would end well?  Then again, I may be giving too much credit to any of them by expecting rational thought.

4.) Orioles trade for Jim Thome - Quelle surprise!  Baltimore made a trade that didn't involve a salary dump, a desperate grab for "prospects" or getting fleeced by sharper GM's.  This deal actually makes a lot of sense.  The Orioles, despite their shockingly competitive start to the season, can't hit.  Thome is at the age (41) where he is a totally useless in the field, BUT he can still swing the bat with venom.  The designated hitter was created for guys like him.  The Phillies clear a roster spot for someone who can actually reach down to their ankles to field a grounder, plus take a flier on a couple of very raw prospects (neither of whom had a prayer of contributing to the Orioles within the next 3-4 years).  Even if Philly gets nothing from the prospects, this is a deal that can help both clubs in the short term.  Not bad, Orioles.  Not too bad at all.

3.) Wizards fail to screw up the Draft - Despite a debatable trade just a couple of days before the 2012 NBA draft (I thought the Ernie Grunfeld should have either kept their draft pick OR gotten more from the Hornets), the Wizards still managed to get the player they coveted and most analysts seem to agree was the best fit for their team.  By drafting guard Bradley Beal, the Wiz hopefully have an ouside shooter who can force teams to stop packing the middle against John Wall's slashing drives.  Of course, they promptly wasted their 2nd round pick on a Euro guard who will likely never make an impact on the NBA, rather than picking from several well regarded players still available at the time. Nevertheless, in the past few days thay have added the shooter they wanted, a decent big man in Okafor and a hard working veteran in Trevor Ariza at the cost of Rashard Lewis and a late draft pick.  While no one can be sure how this will turn out, I am a little happier about the Wizards and their situation than I was a week ago.

2.) Good News/Bad News about Chris Pontius - As is becoming routine of late, Chris Pontius turned in another stellar effort for DC United tonight in their 3-0 win over Montreal.  The highlight was an excellent slithery run that turned 3 defenders inside out before finishing with a supurb left footed strike to open the game's scoring.  It's clear now (after 9 goals in 18 games) that Pontius is fully recovered from the broken leg he suffered at the end of last season.  It should also provide more evidence to US National team manager Jurgen Klinsmann that Pontius is ready for another look as perhaps (best case scenario) a Clint Dempsey protege.  The bad news is that Pontius' body of work has not gone unnoticed by international scouts, and the others whispers concerning him are about a move to a European club, specifically Socheaux (likely based on a recommendation from Charlie Davies) and Rennes.  Hopefully those moves are a ways off, and Pontius can help lead United on the deep playoff run we fans have so desperately craved for 8 long years.

1.) Spain v. Italy - A decent, if not sparkling Euro 2012 ends later today with the final between defending champs Spain and an Italy side looking for a first major title since 2006.  Spain has looked almost bored at times, though that is partly because a disturbing number of opponents just packed everyone back on defense and played for a tie or penalties.  Since it's opening tilt against Spain in the first game of group play (a 1-1 draw), Italy has played a more attacking style led by Pirlo, di Natale and Ballotelli.  Hopefully they continue this approach rather than bunkering the defense again, but I still don't think their shaky back four can hold up against the likes of Pedro, Xabi Alonso, Fabregas, Iniesta and the rest of the Spanish attack.  I think Italy will give it a solid effort, but in the end Spain will simply be too good.  3-1 Spain.

Well, those are my over-caffinated musing for today.  Hope you enjoyed.  Regards, JW