According to the fantasy baseball site Rotowire.com, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have optioned troubled outfielder Elijah Dukes to the minor leagues and placed him on the temporary inactive list.  However, it isn’t clear where Dukes will go since the Durham Bulls have already publicly stated that he isn’t welcome back on the team after troubles last season.

Therefore, Dukes is likely going to get moved in a deal or released from the organization.

Joe Theismann calls Kornheiser ‘extremely neurotic’, says ‘MNF’, ‘PTI’ shouldn’t mix (The FanHouse)

Michael David Smith of The Fanhouse and PFT.com writes that a report in a Boston, Mass., website shows that former “Monday Night Football” analyst Joe Theismann (rhymes with Heisman) wasn’t very pleased with fellow booth mate Tony Kornheiser.

“I’m not happy with what happened. … Tony is extremely neurotic. … I believe, 100 percent that you cannot insult the football fan. “Monday Night Football” is about football, and I hope that they continue to deliver that product to the fan. “Monday Night Football” cannot be an extension of “Pardon The Interruption,” because the game is too important.”

Joey Legs is never at a loss for words, is he?

Arizona police pull Tank Johnson over for speeding (AP/ESPN)

Once upon a time, Tank Johnson of the Chicago Bears said he’s going to get his life in order and try to be a model citizen after getting a second chance from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.  This, however, is not the way to start it off:

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson was pulled over for speeding in Arizona early Friday morning, and police drew blood to determine whether he was drunk, according to a newspaper report.

“We are aware Tank was pulled over early Friday morning in Arizona,” the Bears said in a statement. “We are currently gathering facts regarding the incident. We will withhold further comment until we have more information.”

The report further mentions that the Bears lineman might’ve been impaired at the time of his traffic violation.

Johnson had been going 40 mph in a 25 mph zone when the officer “made observations that led him to believe Johnson was impaired,” Duncan said.

Henry to sign with Barcelona (Soccernet)

French soccer star Thierry Henry is departing the Arsenal of the English Premier League and will sign with Barcelona (take that, Alexi Lalas!).  The deal is reportedly a four-year pact.

Henry helped the Gunners win two English Premier League titles and four Football Association Cups.

Tiger gets expanded role as pitchman for GM (AP/USA Today)

From the AP:

Tiger Woods will no longer be the primary pitchman for the Buick nameplate as General Motors Corp. finds a broader role for the golf great, the automaker’s top sales executive said.

Badgers’ Klubertanz fined for cow tipping (madison.com)

University of Wisconsin hockey player Kyle Klubertanz and former hockey player Jeffrey Slinde were each assessed $200 fines today for tipping over a cow last August in front of the Kohl Center, home of Badger hockey.

The picture that accompanies this story is hilarious.

Tip o’the cap to The FanHouse for the story.

News and notes while trying to figure out why people would celebrate the saving of a decrepit ballpark…

Paul Pierce meets ‘Mini-Me’, disses him, apologizes (TheBigLead)  High-comedy right here.

Quickie: Giambi, Durant vs. Oden, CWS, NHL Draft, more! (danshanoff.com) The usual quick, pithy comments on the news of the day, brought to you by the great Dan Shanoff.

…and Shooter McGavin as the ‘Yankee Clipper’ (Siberian Baseball) ESPN will be unleashing a cinematic masterpiece, The Bronx is Burning, soon to their airwaves.  The best news of all: Christopher MacDonald, best known for his role as Shooter McGavin in Happy Gimore, will play Joe DiMaggio. Great casting.

Cheerleading twins: A duet of pleasures (KSK) Oh yyyyyyyyyyeah. The Houston Texans are on the clock!

Top endorser in sports? It’s not just about Tiger Woods (CNBC) Sports business guru Darren Rovell breaks down who is the best athletic endorser in sports marketing.  Also noted by Rovell:

• Greg Oden signs with Nike
• Cadbury Schweppes’ publicity stunt involving a marathon runner conducting a 24-hour treadmill run
• Glaceau will run Coke’s Powerade brand after their purchase of the vitaminwater maker
• GSI Commerce gets deal with the NBA

San Jose deals Toskala to Leafs for 13th pick (TSN.ca)

The San Jose Sharks dealt goaltender Vesa Toskala and wing Mark Bell to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for first and second-round picks in 2007 and a 2009 fourth-round pick.

We’ll be updated this post throughout the day for additional information on this quasi-deadline day. Well, at least until we leave at 6:30 PM EDT and then you’re screwed.

***UPDATED at 2:17 PM EDT***

The trade that would send Adrian Aucoin to the Calgary Flames has finally been executed.  The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman waived his no-trade clause and was dealt to Calgary with a seventh rounder in 2007 for Andrei Zyuzin and Steve Marr.

***UPDATED at 4:19 EDT***

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-upped forwards Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi. Keep your excitement down to a minimum, please.

***UPDATED at 4:38 PM EDT***

According to anonymous hockey blogger Eklund, the Nashville Predators have dealt goalie Tomas Vokoun to the Florida Panthers.

***UPDATED at 5:06 PM EDT***

It’s official — the Predators have dealt Tomas Vokoun to the Florida Panthers for a first round pick and two second rounders.

***UPDATED at 6:41 PM EDT***

According to anonymous hockey blogger Eklund, the Chicago Blackhawks have moved their first round draft pick to the Phoenix Coyotes for a roster player and third pick overall.  Phoenix highly covets Patrick Kane.

***UPDATED at 6:53 PM EDT***

Well folks, we’ve got an evening of fun planned at the Philadelphia Fightins taking on the St. Louis Cardinals, so for all your NHL Draft blogging needs, be sure to check out The FanHouse Draft Blog

Detroit deals Maroth to St. Louis (FOX Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded for left-handed starter Mike Maroth from the Detroit Tigers, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Maroth is 5-2 with a 5.06 ERA this season.

(From time to time, we’ll post a short blog entry regarding a current topic or something else that catches our fancy. It might be something trivial or something that really makes us wonder what the hell is going on.)

On a hot, humid June 22 back in 2002, fans in like us were in Wrigleyville, Illinois anticipating another Cardinals-Cubs match-up.  The two clubs were set to battle in a key Central Division match-up after the Cardinals lost to Jon Lieber after first baseman Fred “The Crime Dog” McGriff tattooed two solo dingers off St. Louis starter Woody Williams, 2-1.

After that St. Louis loss, both sides would never be the same.

More after the jump »

Coach, 40, weds 16-year-old student (ABC)

When the Supreme Court yesterday announced that states can prohibit high schools from recruiting athletes (PDF), we had no idea the response would be as swift or as dramatic…

Sounds kookie? Read on, from ABC News’ lede for the story:

The Hagers are trying to figure out how life went off track for their teenage daughter, Windy.

They envisioned that life for the good student and promising athlete would be filled with dreams of the prom and college, but that all changed this week when Windy, 16, married her high school track coach.

“She was a dream kid,” said her mother, Betty Hager. “We’d never have to worry about Windy trying to get by with something.”

Just to clarify: yes, her name is Windy and she’s a track & field runner. And while you’re at it, hit the link for a pic of the “happy” couple.

Pacman surrenders to authorities in Vegas, will not plead guilty (AP/ESPN)

Pacman Jones, the perpetually troubled cornerback of the Tennessee Titans, turned himself in to Las Vegas, Nev., authorities after they charged him with two felonies related to a strip club attack in February.

Jones is scheduled to return for a July 27 appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court, his lawyer, Robert Langford, said Friday. A booking photograph released by police showed the Tennessee Titans cornerback cut his hair, shedding his distinctive dreadlocks.

Griffey fears boos returning to Seattle (AP/USA Today)

Legendary slugger and future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey, Jr. fears his return to the town that witnessed his initial fame first-hand will boo him upon his return. Griffey returns to Seattle for the first time since 2000, the year he was dealt to his hometown Cincinnati Reds.

“I have none right now because I don’t know what to expect,” Griffey said of his emotions this week, with the Reds in Oakland. “People take it as I don’t want to go back, but it’s just that I don’t know what to expect. Maybe it will be different once I get there.”

While we admired Junior Griffey while growing up (posters, Upper Deck rookie card and trying to find a way to buy his candy bar), perhaps he shouldn’t have leaked out this week that he’s willing to accept a deal to the Chicago Cubs should it ever come up.

Brainwashing by Scott Boras (The Hardball Times)

The excellent online publication The Hardball Times chronicles the history of baseball super agent Scott Boras and his relationship with current New York Yankee, Alex Rodriguez. John Battain goes back in time and highlights all the old newspaper clippings that related to Rodriguez’s departure from Seattle and how agent Boras orchestrated the move through carefully placed stories.

The article also notes:

• Sammy Sosa’s 600th base knock
• The days and nights of the Toronto BlueJays
• Players that may knock off Earl Webb’s record for doubles in a season (67) under the assumption the players in question reach 600 ABs

Random YouTube magic: Chicago Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears in 1929 (The FanHouse)

Dan Benton of The FanHouse happened to stumble upon this YouTube goodness: highlights of a 1929 NFL game that pits the Chicago Cardinals (forerunner to the St. Louis-Phoenix-Arizona squad) taking on cross-town rival, the Chicago Bears.

From Benton:

These home movies were taken on a black and white 16 millimeter over the course of the 1929 season. The games were played in Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field between the Chicago Cardinals (6-6-1) and the Chicago Bears (4-9-2). The first game ended in a 0-0 tie, while the Cardinals walked away with a dominating 40-6 victory in their second meeting.

[youtube SitUbhD_sw0]

Bud iced: Junior signs on with Sony for Hendricks ride (AP/SI.com)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. ended the uncertainty Thursday about what corporate logo would be on the hood of his new ride with Hendrick Motorsports by announcing his partnership with Sony Electronics.

Earnhardt told reporters that it was time for a change when talking to reporters in Napa Valley, Calif., where he’ll be competing in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in nearby Sonoma.

“I’m a big electronics fan. I’m a big computer guy. It’s products I can dig.”

Junior even brought up the fact that he got a nice digital camera out of the deal. Big spenders, that Sony.