Random thoughts while wondering what ever happened to Salome Barojas:

First Sign of Spring Dept: Pitchers and catchers are getting ready to report at a spring training facility near you.  The first sure sign of spring is the first injury to a pitcher at Cubs camp.

Dodged a Bullet Dept.: Being named head coach of the Dallas Cowboys is not what you think it might be.  Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is much better off in the shadow of Lovie Smith than the shadow of Jerry Jones.  I mean, if you are going to have the kind of job where you are dictated to all day, best it be from someone who actually knows what he's talking about and not a wanna be in a suit.  Those wanna bes in suits are really annoying.  And, as I know from personal experience, detrimental to your success.

Under the Bus Dept.: We've featured this one before, but it does bear a reprise: Major League baseball is not the National Football League and while Bud Selig is lining the owners pockets with cash, the fans are taking it up the back side.  Bud, it would be nice if just once you and your bunch of  hyenas thought about the people that support the sport.  It seems to me by alienating your hard core fan base,  you are leading the charge to make baseball is going to go the way of the NHL.

I will not buy a dish to follow baseball, football or any other sport.  I like my cable package.  And to tell me, a consumer that has spent money with MLB the last two seasons on In Demand Extra Innings, that the only way you will take my money is for me to mount hardware on the side of my house, I say forget it. 

This didn't have to happen.  MLB could have made a deal with both.  But, apparently they did not and now all the Yankee fans in Arizona or the Dodger fans in North Carolina are screwed unless they buy a dish. 

You had me at hello, Bud.  But instead of gracefully extending your hand and accepting my $149, you chose to urinate on me.  Thanks, pal.  I only wish they had rehab facilities for baseball junkies so I could get cured and wouldn't have to deal with you or your sorry stewardship of the sport anymore.

Cat in the Sox Hat Dept.: And driving the Dewalt #17 car today will be Manny Ramirez.

Talking Heads Dept.: Here's Dr. Z's annual rankings of NFL announcers.  Bryant Gumble does not deserve any stars and I agree totally with the Monday night football booth.

ESPN has so many talented play by play and color guys available to them and yet they foist Mike Tirico upon us.  And then, there is the whole subject of Kornheiser.  Didn't ABC learn it's lesson with Dennis Miller? 

I also think Troy Aikman is what he is (a guy who took two many shots to the head) and that the only football analysts I really like do college games (Gary Danielson, Bob Griese, Paul McGuire.)  The best play by play guys out there, in my opinion are probably Brent Musberger (there, I said it) Verne Lundquist, Brad Nessler, Ron Franklin, Mike Patrick and arguably, Jim Nantz.  Dick Stockton, Dick Enberg and Al Michaels are starting to lose it, Greg Gumbel should be hosting a studio show somewhere; Albert is fair, Ian Eagle is dull, Ron Pitts is awful and Gus Johnson is worse.

Most of the color guys are either old and set in their ways (Dan Dierdorf) or just plain awful (Steve Tasker, Phil Simms).  Dick Vermeil is excellent but you don't get to see him near enough.  In fact, I'd love to see Nessler or Patrick with Vermeil and Theisman on MNF.  Oh wait, that makes sense and ESPN would never do that.

Calm & Collected Dept.: It looks like calm, effective leadership is all the new rage as opposed to the scream, yell and boot up your backside school of management. Damn, I am cutting edge.

Barach to the Future Dept.: Barach Obama agrees to become the fly to Hillary Clinton's Spider. Interesting note about the junior senator from Illinois.  Earlier in the week, he talked about how he needed to quit smoking because the American People would not want a President who smoked.

Is this what it's come to?  We worry if a candidate drinks, smokes or swears and not concentrate on their policy?  We like John Edwards because he has movie star looks and sounds like Andy Griffith not knowing what his policy on Iraq really is?

If Barach Obama is the right guy with the right answers, I don't care if he chains Camels in the oval office. 

Check Please Dept.: For a guy who allegedly cared so little about his son when he was alive, Fred Goldman continues to attempt to cash in on Ron when he's dead.   In my opinion, Fred is a greedy opportunist.  I honestly believe in Fred's twisted mind he wanted to become the next John Walsh.  Fred even did a radio show and a TV show for a couple of weeks but nobody cared.  Fred needs some quality time with the great healer. 

Big Bad Blowhard Dept.: There was a tribute for musician Don Henley the other night to celebrate his stance on the music industry.  Henley is widely known (besides for his music with the Eagles) for testifying in front of congress that consolidation in broadcasting has hurt airplay for artists.

No, Don, it has had no effect on airplay for artists who haven't recorded a hit record since 1993.  You know, guys like you.  Radio has never and will never determine the hits, the public does that.  And I guarantee you, if a record is good enough or there is enough demand by the public for it, it will get played.  To blame the lull in your career on the radio industry is like blaming 9/11 on the air traffic controllers.

He's Dead Jim, Dept.: Looking to immortalize some death other than a big bosomed blond who married a millionaire?  You've come to the right place.  I saw this guy in person and he provided a lot of smiles to people for many years.

He's Dead Jim Dept. Pt. II: Looks like the end of the mule train.  He also sang the theme from one of the greatest movies of all time.

He's Dead Jim Dept. III: I guess God must have asked for some Grey Poupon.

Beer Belly Dept.: Here's to your new drinking buddy.