he’s gonna fall short of getting into the Hall of Fame this year…

The Associated Press surveyed about 20 percent of eligible voters, and only one in four who gave an opinion plan to vote for McGwire this year. That’s far short of the 75 percent necessary to gain induction.

“There is a clause on the ballot indicating that character should be considered and after his nonperformance at the congressional hearings his character certainly comes into play,” said the Dayton Daily News’ Hal McCoy.

“He doesn’t want to talk about the past?” he said, “Then I don’t want to consider his past.”

Remember when? Well, not anymore….

The Toronto Blue Jays were hoping to introduce free agent Rod Barajas as their new catcher on Tuesday.

That apparently is not going to happen.

A source said that talks on a two-year deal worth between $5.5 million and $6 million hit a last-minute snag on Monday. Barajas, who has changed agents, was supposed to fly to Toronto on Monday for a physical but canceled his trip.

In response, the Blue Jays have apparently cut off negotiations. Club officials were not immediately available to comment.

Instead, ESPN reports that they’re close to re-signing catcher Greg Zaun…those crazy Jays…

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, Miller Lite has been rolling out commericals with a “man law” theme — a bunch of guys (celebs like Burt Reynolds, Jimmy Johnson, Jerome Bettis to name a few) sit around a big, wooden table and discuss issues like how to serve beer and banging on someone’s beer bottle….

Here’s some outtakes, courtesy of the fine folks @ YouTube…

[youtube]zids8QyfsWs[/youtube]

There’s more fun at Miller’s interactive site, ManLaws…

from the great Ken Rosnethal…

Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com

The Indians have found a new left fielder, reaching agreement with free agent David Dellucci on a three-year, $11.5 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned.

The deal is contingent on Dellucci passing a physical. The examination is expected to take place Thursday in Cleveland.

The signing of Dellucci, a left-handed hitter, will enable the Indians to play Shin-Soo Choo in right field and move Casey Blake to first base. Jason Michaels, a right-handed hitter, likely will play left against certain left-handed pitchers.

ESPN.com news services

Mike Vanderjagt’s short, but rocky tenure as the Cowboys’ kicker is over.

ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that Dallas has released Vanderjagt and signed Martin Gramatica to replace him.

The most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history, Vanderjagt, who signed a three-year contract worth nearly $6 million as an unrestricted free agent this spring, has converted only 13 of 18 field goals. That’s only two fewer misses in 11 games than the nine-year veteran had in the past three seasons combined.

According to ESPNews, the Phillies and Adam Eaton have agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract…

The whole story is located on ESPN.com…

The Red Sox are aggressively shopping outfielder Manny Ramirez now, according to major league sources, at a time when the slugger’s trade value has peaked, and there is a sense among some executives that their trade talks are gaining momentum.

“I wouldn’t be shocked if the Red Sox traded him by Saturday,” says one big league official.

More after the jump »

ESPN baseball analyst (INsider required) provides his take on the current Hall of Fame ballot, which now includes the controversial slugger Mark McGwire…

An excerpt:

We have no testing results to go by. So how are we going to figure this out? By who got bigger and later got smaller? By whose stats exploded and whose didn’t?

By which guys made miraculous comebacks from the dead? By which guys showed up in the wrong book or on the wrong subpoena list or on the wrong floor of Congress on the wrong day?

This, friends, is a mess. But you already knew that. Except now it takes on a whole new dimension of mess-hood.

This is the point where we have to decide where The Big Mess fits in the context of baseball history.

So do we let some of these guys in? All of them? None of them?

More after the jump »

Didn’t know she was still relevant…

Pam Anderson Files for Divorce

TMZ has learned that Pamela Anderson has filed for divorce from husband Kid Rock.

Anderson, who is represented by celebrity hotshot lawyer Neal Hersh, cited irreconcilable differences.

The couple was married August 3, 2006. Earlier this month, Anderson suffered a miscarriage.

Two teams in the number one slot — football and hoops…life is good at tOSU….

ESPN.com news services

Unbeaten Ohio State moved to the top spot while Maui Invitational champ UCLA is No. 2 in this week’s ESPN/USA

The Buckeyes (6-0) received 11 first-place votes — two fewer than the Bruins (4-0). Ohio State was ranked third a week ago; UCLA was fifth.

Pittsburgh, unbeaten at 6-0, is third and earned five first-place votes.

Pending a physical, the Jays are expected to add catcher Rod Barajas to a two-year deal….

The 31-year-old veteran, who spent the past three seasons with the Texas Rangers, will board a plane in Phoenix today or tomorrow and head to either Florida or Toronto for the physical. He has agreed to a two-year deal believed to be worth more than $6 million. And, according to sources, the club will announce his signing Wednesday after a separate press conference tomorrow to unveil newly acquired DH Frank Thomas.

Also, it looks like a five-team race for Adam Kennedy, the former Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim second baseman…

Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi is now full-throttle into the busy free agent season, and has also entered a five-team race for second baseman Adam Kennedy. An eight-year veteran and former first-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals (1997), Kennedy is seeking a four-year deal at about $20 million, and will almost certainly solidify Aaron Hill as the club’s shortstop if Ricciardi can land him.

As part of the continuing crusade to provide content for The Buried Lead, a series of recurring pieces titled “The Best of Nine” will be rolled out on a weekly basis.
What is “The Best of Nine”?

Derived from the series composition of baseball’s fall classic’s past (1903 and 1919-1923 World Series’ specifically), the Lead will attempt to tackle nine issues in a rapid, stream of consciousness format…from any category. Coming up with a best of ten list would –

1. Not make any sense because one side wouldn’t get an advantage in such a set-up…
2. Not be easier to only come up with nine…
3. Be clich� to come with a ‘top ten’ list…

So without further ado, “The Best of Nine”…

More after the jump »