Scotty Bowman coming to the Blackhawks, perhaps the move of the day?
Griff coming to the Southside?
The Cubs clinching the NL Central?

Nope.

Ron Artest.

What a f#$@% moron. We knew this. True. But only guys with a special kind of mental aptitude could ratchet idiocy up a notch like this....

this is Ron Ron's response to new teammate and consummate pro Yao Ming hoping Ron Ron's fighting days were behind him...

"I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto"

"That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about."

"If you go back to the brawl, that's a culture issue right there."

"Somebody was disrespecting me, so he's got to understand where I'm coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed."

I wonder if all the other black athletes Yao has played with appreciate this...

wish for, Kenny Williams.

Apparently the White Sox GM has finally landed Ken Griffey Jr., the Reds' outfielder he has long coveted and tried to acquire in 2005 and several times since. No word yet on who the Sox are giving up in the deal, which makes it difficult to assess, but that's what we're here for.

Speculation is that Griffey will play center, Nick Swisher will go to first and Paul Konerko will go to the bench or split time with Swisher and DH Jim Thome. I've got no problem with the slumping Konerko taking a seat, but having 38-year-old Griffey play center is a big mistake. He was brilliant there ... in Seattle. But that was a long time (and many injuries) ago. There's a good reason he hasn't played center for the Reds since 2006. He can't.

And while he may be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Griffey's flame is starting to fade. In his quest to reach 600 career home runs earlier this year, he had more at bats between homers than he has ever had in his career. And Cincy's home park is nearly as homer-friendly as U.S. Cellular. Griffey still has one of the sweetest swings in baseball. Sadly, it's just as fluid and smooth a stroke on a swing-and-a-miss as when he connects.

It appears Williams has added another streaky power hitter who doesn't run particularly well. If he wanted one of those from the Reds, younger Adam Dunne, who is also on the market, was probably the better choice.

Something tells me this is just the precursor to another deal that might ease that first base-DH logjam and bring the Sox some bullpen help.

The great part about golf is that there is always a back nine, so if you somehow didn't get your fill on the front side - there's always more to be had after the turn. That's what this part of the Beacon News' weekly golf coverage will do for you

The Back Nine is back after a two week hiatus, and it's full of all kinds of good stuff for you...with times being tough, we realize it's tough to get out of the house, stay somewhere and play golf.

But this week, we highlight three places in WIsconsin that you can get to easily and play some great golf: Grand Geneva Resort, Trappers Turn Golf Club & the Kalahari Resort and Erin Hills...

read on for useful links and directions....

BREAKING NEWS: Western Golf Association Chairman John Fix talked to The Beacon News a short while ago about Rich Harvest Farms (Sugar Grove) being part of the seven-year rotation for the Western Amateur...

"We held one of our junior events there, the Western Junior, and of course the Solheim Cup is going to be there (in 2009) and he's had some other things there. I think in (Jerry Rich's) mind, this is good for the Chicagoland area, it's good for the Western part of Chicago, and the Western suburbs. A lot of play comes to Medinah and Olympia Fields and these other major courses that have been very active in the PGA and the USGA and I think this gives him an opportunity, and the people that you have circulation-wise, an opportunity to see some really wonderful golf and some wonderful players."

A complete story will be available in tomorrow's Beacon News...

BREAKING NEWS: Rich Harvest Farms, a private club in Sugar Grove and host of the 2009 Solheim Cup, is one of seven clubs that will host the prestigious Western Amateur.

Following this year's tournament at Point O'Woods Golf & Country Club in Michigan, the Western Golf Association will be returning one of the top amateur tournaments in the world to the Chicago area after nearly 40 years.

The clubs included in the rotation to host the championship are:

2009 - Conway Farms Golf Club, Lake Forest
2010 - Skokie Country Club, Glencoe
2011 - North Shore Country Club, Glenview
2012 - Exmoor Country Club, Highland Park
2013 - Olympia Fields Country Club (South Course), Olympia Fields
2014 - The Beverly Country Club, Chicago
2015 - Rich Harvest Farms, Sugar Grove

"We couldn't be happier with the rotation we've been able to put together for the next seven years," WGA tournament director John Kaczkowski told The Beacon moments ago. "The clubs we've put together share a common theme in that they're all strong supporters of the Western Golf Association and the Evans Scholars program, but they're all, first and foremost, fantastic golf courses."

check back in shortly for an update on the WGA's thoughts on Rich Harvest Farms, and for a complete story - check out Thursday's Beacon News

Pssst! Hey, NIU football coach Jerry Kill:

If you think you get more out of players who have a chip on their shoulder you might want to pass this little nugget to your guys next week when training camp opens.

Caught ESPN's NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. last weekend on the radio giving his preview of the Mid-American Conference. Guess what?

Jeff Samardzija = Kyle Farnsworth 2.0

how many of those goofs at Wrigley Field tonight thought Ryne Sandberg was actually playing for the Peoria Chiefs?.....

i know you missed me.

I thought i'd return from my 2 week hiatus all full of p$%^ and vinegar, Daily Doses backed up like a 54-year-old in need of Benefiber....

but that's not true...unfortunately...

though i am wondering why the Angels would want Mark Texiera instead of Paul Konerko? I mean, shoot. Don't they know Konerko loves the Left Coast?

I listened to entirely too much sports talk radio in Milwaukee, but it was interesting to find out that they're all pretty much sick of Brett Fahv-rah too....

and Ned Yost....

and they're developing a real, real hatred for Cubs fans.....which is nice. Good to see that cheddar in the veins broil a little bit...though from all accounts the first game at Miller Park last night was nearly half Cubs fans anyway....

Apparently this Bears' quarterback competition between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton really is a tossup. (Can't you feel the tension building?)

On Wednesday, Grossman literally won a coin flip that determined who got to work with the first team on the first day of practice. The two QBs will now alternate days working with the first team.

Reports didn't say who flipped the coin, but given their track record of catching the ball, I'm guessing it wasn't a Bears' wide receiver. Unless, of course, he was instructed to let it fall to the ground.

Given the team's quarterback history, maybe the coin flip isn't such a bad way to go. In fact, coach Lovie Smith might want to try doing it weekly to determine his starter.

First reaction to hearing Michelle Wie had been disqualified Saturday for not signing her scorecard in the LPGA Tournament in Springfield, Ill.?

Maybe she thought she was exempt, like she has been several times in that other pro tournament in Illinois in the Quad Cities (John Deere Classic) , thought the smart alec in me.

But then I read that Wie hadn't signed her card for Friday's round. Somehow, LPGA officials didn't DQ her until after she had played her round on Saturday. (She would have been in second place had it stood).

So who was more delinquent? Wie for not properly signing the card or LPGA officials for not disqualifying her before she played that round Saturday. They said they weren't informed until after she started her round on Saturday.

Don't imagine there would have been financial reasons. You know, like a lot of people drawn to the event on Saturday to see, among others, a player like, I don't know, Wie?

Nah!

Of course, there were only two of the tour's top 10 money winners at the event.

We're not saying. Bull, we are saying.

Two "major metropolitan newspapers" for a city that hopes to host a future Olympics can't be bothered or can't afford to send anyone across the pond to cover one -- and arguably, the most important -- of golf's four majors.

Why, because Tiger's not there?

Shame. They're missing some great stories.

I may strain a shoulder patting myself on the back, but on March 4th I wrote the following. In light of recent headlines, I'd say it bears (or vikes, bucs or ravens, depending on who you read) repeating:

I'll believe it when I see it. Next fall when the Packers line up for their opener and Brett Favre isn't under center for the 254th straight time.

After leading the Packers and a bunch of no-name receivers to the NFC Central title, a three-loss regular season record and an unexpected run to the NFC title game, Favre couldn't be angling to negotiate a contract extension could he? In the name of Brian Urlacher, I hope not, but I remain unconvinced.

The British Open teed off today minus the man, who is back home in Orlando recovering from knee surgery.

It's safe to say Tiger Woods is missed, but the old fellows who run The Royal and Ancient, which stages THE CHAMPIONSHIP, should consider themselves lucky. So, too, should TNT television executives.

Why?

Because somebody turned back the clock.

Look, as I write this, Greg Norman is tied for second after shooting an opening round of even par 70, one stroke behind a trio of players that includes Rocco Mediate, who Woods out-dueled on one leg at last month's U.S. Open.

Greg Norman !?!?!

He's 53, which puts him in my group, also known as Generation Dirt (as in old as ...)

It's a little early for this talk, but remember Jack Nicklaus winning his last Masters in 1986 at age 46? Or when he made another run at the Masters at age 58 in 1998, only to finish sixth?

Fresh off the honeymoon with new bride Chrissy Evert, here's hoping Norman doesn't tire and manages to stay in contention. It would make this major much more memorable than "the one they played without Tiger."

"I've got to keep my expectations low. I haven't played a lot of golf," Norman told TNT. "But it's a lot like riding a bike. But sometimes getting back on the bike you get a little wobbly."

check this place out - there is something, um, how you say...well, you gotta love girls who love baseball, let's put it that way...especially White Sox baseball ... here ya go...

is better?

1) Arizona's Bob Melvin fruitopia thing for Taco Bell.
2) Lou Piniella's staged rant with the ump, who obliges by throwing him out (sorry I've forgotten the product).

14-plus innings, that's enough. He gone.

Time to grab some, uh, bed

An awful lot of people paid an awful lot of money to leave early from tonight's All-Star game,didn't they. It's the top of the 14th and there's plenty of good seats available. Unless, of course, they reopened the beer stands and all those people are standing in line.

Major League Baseball officials are considering limited use of instant replay in the near future. In tonight's All-Star game, second base umpire Tom Hallion helped make a strong case for the need for it.

Twice the ball beat a runner to the bag at second and both times replays clearly showed the runner beat the tag to the bag. On both occasions, Hallion called the runner out.

And on the bang-bang play where an AL runner was thrown out in the bottom of the 11th? From one angle in particular, it was pretty obvious the runner's foot touched the plate before the tag, even though the ball got there first.

One of MLB's goals is to keep the interruption of play to a minimum when and if instant replay is used. Good luck with that.

I'm guessing Colorado reliever Aaron Cook is Dan (2 errors) Uggla's new best friend.

Whiff. Whiff. Whiff.
Sorry Demps, maybe Hurdle should let you bat.

Clint Hurdle does know Ryan Dempster has not won on the road this season, right?

Somebody wake Lou up so he can tell Hurdle.

The game is tied in the ninth, both managers are running low on position players and pitchers. Do you think Bud Selig is getting nervous?
After all, it matters, right?

Good luck picking an MVP for this one.

Evan Longoria just tied it, 3-3, but Wagner got out of the inning with no further damage.

Aramis Ramirez is due up in the ninth so I predict his home run will prove to be the game-winner.

Look, it's the 8th inning but there are injured Cubs Kerry Wood and Alfonso Soriano in uniform, on the bench, even though they won't be playing.

Kudos to both of 'em.

Twenty years ago, some of the game's greats would have been long gone.

Yankee manager Joe Girardi warming up Mariano Rivera in the bullpen.
George Steinbrenner is in the house. Girardi better be careful, considering his team's place in the standings, he might not want to give George any ideas about what job he's best suited for at Yankee Stadium, even if George has turned the reins over to his kid.

Discuss. Who's more overrated, Papelbon or those classy New Yawk fans who are often tabbed as some of the most knowledgeable in baseball.
Give me the guy from Bahston.

Boston's J.D. Drew, outa here.

A.L. 2, N.L. 2

Hey, Edinson, bummer. Carlos Zambrano is no longer in line for the win. Be careful, he's got a temper.

It takes Fox until the sixth inning to inform us that Giants' stud pitcher Tim Lincecum was taken to the hospital before the game with flu-like symptons?

Yo, Josh Groban, pick up that tempo on "God Bless America" will ya? We haven't got all night.

Start spreadin' the news ... NYC is the entertainment capital of the world and the best MLB can come up with for the anthem is Sheryl Crow?!?!?

Lame.

As a Cincinnati Reds fan I don't have much to cheer for tonight with only one player, Edinson Volquez, on the roster.
That left me to look forward to the introduction of living Hall of Famers who were on hand for the pre-game festivities at Yankee Stadium. Problem was, only Tony Perez from the Big Red Machine that swept those damn Yankees in the 1976 World Series was on hand.

No Joe Morgan at second base alongside Ryne Sandberg. No Johnny Bench behind the plate with Gary Carter. What gives? I'll have to find out, but Morgan's absence is especially disappointing since he was on hand the night before for the ESPN-televised Home Run Derby.

Suspend the bum from the Hall for the rest of the season and replace him with my all-time favorite Red, No. 28, Vada Pinson.

which means there won't be a daily dose for a few days. i'm not going to tell you how many. the goal is make this particular post the most seen in innnernet history, only because you'll be anticipating your next hit...fiends...
may The Fire and The Passion be with you ...

and something to chew on...
The Fire and The Passion has dropped in popularity, while Nick Swisher can now, temporarily, say he has more Fire and Passion...

Fortunately, Cubs fans only think Ryan Theriot has Fire and Passion, but clearly, he does not compared to the aforementioned...

Boo Weekley is right - the food across the pond sucks....anyway, I don't blame Kenny Perry, and neither should you...who gives a crap if he goes to Royal Birkdale, or that he didnt try and qualify for the US Open...he's been a non-factor the majority of his career in majors, so why is everyone so up in arms that he would be this year? because he's won a few events?

please.

it's one thing to win the Memorial. it's another to win a major. Sorry.

and, the guy is 47 years old...let's be honest with ourselves here.

here is the list of the oldest guys to win a major, and you'll see that Kenny Perry is not really on this level...

Julius Boros: 1968 PGA Championship, 48 years, 4 months, 18 days
Jack Nicklaus: 1986 Masters, 46 years, 2 months, 23 days
Old Tom Morris: 1867 British Open, 46 years, 99 days
Hale Irwin: 1990 U.S. Open, 45 years, 15 days old
Roberto de Vicenzo: 1967 British Open, 44 years, 93 days
Harry Vardon: 1914 British Open, 44 years, 41 days
Raymond Floyd: 1986 U.S. Open, 43 years, 9 months, 11 days
Ted Ray: 1920 U.S. Open, 43 years, 4 months, 16 days old

That Tony Stewart is "forming his own team?"

forgive my ignorance on the subject of the guys who speed through left turns all day (and night), but why does this matter?

to me, this is akin to a golfer changing equipment, or getting a new clothing sponsor....its the same guy....and there's potential that he may not perform as well in the past...but I fail to see why this is so huge that it warrants this type of attention...

The great part about golf is that there is always a back nine, so if you somehow didn't get your fill on the front side - there's always more to be had after the turn. That's what this part of the Beacon News' weekly golf coverage will do for you

This week I caught up with NIU alumnus Joe Vrankin, the CEO of TopGolf, a wonderful and very unique facility in suburban Wood Dale...Read on for more!

"I'm tired of this crap" and "please, use a rubberband to shoot me in the eyes with Pez" ...
all the Brett Favre stuff.

I'm done with it. I'm done with him. I'm done with all the love for him.

the guy just plays football and beginning with the Pack's loss to John Elway in the Super Bowl in 98, he hasnt done it well when its mattered - he's 3-7 in the playoffs with 19 interceptions.
Honestly, ESPN, everyone in Wisconsin, we .... just ... don't .... care ...

and yet the instant reaction I hear from Cubs fans on this trade is ...
"how could they trade Eric Patterson and Matt Murton?"
"how could they trade Josh Donaldson?"

really? Josh Donaldson? I'd venture to say 99.7% of Cubs fans had no idea a guy named Josh Donaldson even existed let alone played minor league baseball for the organization.

The Cubs just got freaking Rich Harden(!) for the equivalent of that stuff in the corners of the Boston Market cup of cinnamon apples - you know what it is, theoretically, and where it came from...and that it might potentially taste good if you scraped it out, but really, it's not worth it...

Fire and Passion

I guess I should be telling you to vote for Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, but let's be honest - when you can vote for Aaron Rowand, who without a doubt would run over the monuments in Yankee Stadium to rob A-Rod of a meaningless home run, you just have to.

They say the All-Star game is contrived, that Bud Selig went above and beyond in terms of making it "count", or "worth it" to the players....but what isn't fake, what isn't over the top, is The Fire and The Passion.

Rowand '08.

and I saw a guy that was a dead ringer for He Got Game star Ray Allen - only I highly doubt that that Ray was sitting in suburbia polishing off a chili dog ...

which got me thinking of all the random times and places that I've run into a pro athlete...

Fortunately for me, my line of work keeps me from getting all googly about seeing a sports star away from the field, but it's still interesting nonetheless...

like when I saw Greg Maddux in a truck stop Arby's between Tucson and Phoenix...

or Jermaine Dye on a Chicago street corner, waiting to get into a Mickey D's...

or a supremely mulleted Mitch Williams chilling in an airport...

sometimes it's easy to forget that these guys do regular stuff when not in uniform...

Justin Duchscherer?
Dana Eveland?
Greg Smith?

At least I've heard of Rich Harden and Joe Blanton.

Quick! Name three of the regular starters for the Oakland A's. Right now!

You can't can you? You probably said Frank Thomas, but the Big Hurt has been hurtin' big for most of his time back in Oakland.

I mean, Daric Barton, Jack Hannahan and Ryan Sweeney?

They're the Twins of the West - a team that always seems to win despite having no "name" players on the roster, always seems to beat the White Sox and always seems to find pitchers that for whatever reason dominate major league hitters on a regular basis.

The great part about golf is that there is always a back nine, so if you somehow didn't get your fill on the front side - there's always more to be had after the turn. That's what this part of the Beacon News' weekly golf coverage will do for you

Read on for more on finding your balance, and the Fighting Illini Golf & Tennis Invite...

AJ Pierzynski capped another prolonged White Sox winning streak with a walk off home run against Cleveland, and once again I found myself wondering where that phrase came from.

it's only slightly less annoying than hearing from an announcer that the guy went "Oppo" or that the greatest player in the 20th century was Yaz, and I got to thinking - who can I blame for this?

Then I really was irritated when upon reading here that the term was originally used for the pitcher, not the hitter. So that means a phrase I hate has been misrepresented as well!

Too bad not everyone believes what they read on the innernet like I do and stop using those two words together the next time a batter hits a home run to win a game...

BREAKING NEWS: Former East Aurora star Aaron McGhee will be playing summer league ball for the Milwaukee Bucks next week, and has an outside chance of making the team's final roster.

McGhee, who has traveled the globe since leaving Oklahoma in 2002, has a connection with Milwaukee in Bucks assistant Kelvin Sampson - his former coach with the Sooners.

McGhee is listed at 6-8 and is a scoring forward, but Milwaukee has eight players listed at that height or taller. He'll have to prove he can defend on the NBA level for new coach Scott Skiles.