I was at the Indians game and, of course, the Tribe lost, 4-1. We actually saw how the Hot Dog Derby is rigged. The winner is figured out ahead of time, for video screen purposes. There was a row in our section chosen. The problem was no one was in the row. The Fun Bunch marketeers were then pleading for people to get in the row, even as the race was being shown on the screen.

When the race was concluded, by golly, that was the winning row. It looked on the screen as if it was totally random. Then again, nothing is random at that park, is it? Casey Blake still whiffs, "Make Noise" messages appear at odd times, and Eric Wedge still can't manage.

Examples: Wedge had Jason Johnson come out for the 7th. The "Innings Eater" had somehow given up only 2 runs on 9 hits through 6 innings. Count your blessings.

Victor Martinez big night on Wednesday was followed by an off day today. It seems he is breaking out of his slump, why have an off day today? For rest? This was the same guy who caught the entire game in that Memorial Day shellacking, for no apparent reason. The guy can't catch 140 games again.

The other highlight: Sushi at the ballpark. Not bad. I had the spicy tuna and burned my entire breathing system with wasabi. Diet Dr. Pepper is new at the park, as well.

Meal of Links

Wendy's decides to use a new cooking oil. Now if they would expand their salad dressing offerings, we can talk.

It looks like Chef Ramsay can "shut it down" for several more years. "Hell's Kitchen 2" starts Monday.

How to solve a runny nose. Without the use of a drug!

Exercise Yard

Keith Olbermann writes about Jason Grimsley. The whole Forrest Gump aspect to this guy's career and how it relates to steroid/HGH use is pretty amazing. Interesting that Keith mentions the Indians of Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome. The only team in the last 70 years to score 1,000 runs, although Albert was gone by that time. And remember the year (2000?) when we had several players go down with muscle pulls and somehow it was those pesky "supplements" that players were taking.

At least it addresses some issues like:

Baseball needs an HGH test. Without it, the cheaters are always two steps ahead.

Pitchers take steroids? Umm, yeah.

And if the feds ever come calling, make sure you have legal representation.

Visitor

48 Across: Swashbuckler Flynn (4 letters) Answer: Flynn