Lets talk Big Ben. At Miami of Ohio he was a stud. If you didn't notice, you didn't watch.

How 'gay' am I for the Ohio State Buckeyes? Well, that's a weird question. I'm a huge Buckeyes fan. I keep my sex life and my sports allegiances separate - except that one time I was on a blind date and she told me she graduated from Michigan - Check Please!

Remember when we all thought that Billy Bean's method was foolproof? Read MoneyBall. It's all in there. It's the formula for winning. Except, it hasn't produced a title.

I'm sure there is a stat somewhere that golfers who take dead aim at the pin end up closer to the pin than golfers who aim for the middle of the green. Yet, it's the guys who aim at the fat part of the green who end up with their PGA tour cards.

I've read articles about how it isn't logical to get insurance on rental cars. I remember the article made perfect sense (I think it was on Slate, go read it, King). But, I'll still opt for the insurance everytime.

In other words - if you are an NFL coach and go for it on fourth like King thinks you should, get prepared to get fired when you don't convert enough (because it will never be enough ). So, NFL coaches, you can keep doing what you're doing, or, get fired, and go for it on fourth every time you want when you're coaching 5th graders.

Who wants another example? Really? I don't care, I'm writing it anyway.

King of Queens - great show. They aired an episode during which Carrie, Doug's wife, talks some smack behind her boss's back. It's all about how the boss doesn't respect or appreciate her and her colleagues enough. Turns out, one of the girls Carrie ranted to, got in the bosses face and said the same things, demanded respect. The boss was impressed by her fortitude, and gave her a promotion and a raise.

Carrie could have said those things to the boss. The comments were right, they were rewarded --- BUT, she didn't know how her boss would take them. Yeah, this is convoluted, but, it works. Doing what is right, especially when it is really risky, isn't usually as good for your job security as taking the safe way out.

aka - there aren't 10,000 NFL head coaching jobs; and it wouldn't take too many 4th down fiascos to get blackballed.

I was reaching. If anyone needs me, I'll be at home, beating a dead horse.

Bryant Gumble has a television show on HBO. He, and his producers, are desperately trying to maximize viewership. Imagine that think tank: hmm, well, we could interview a jockey, or we could dig into this basketball gambline thing more. No, that's not exciting enough. Wait!! I got it!! Gather round all!! Lets bang the race drum! BOOM BOOM BOOM.

Ratings ensue. Even other media sources (wink, wink) pick it up --> more ratings.

Maybe I imagine the average American to be more enlightened (no pun intended) about race than most. Maybe it's because I'm not racist in the least bit - other than giving minorities the benefit of the doubt in any conceivable situation. Nevertheless, this is just ridiculous.

My Bury Bonds vote?

Well, the man wipes his ass with the game. Lets stamp an asterisk on that ball. I'm counting down the days until I take my future son to Cooperstown, like my pops did with me and my bro. Except this time, when Trot (yeah, his name is going to be Trot) asks why there is a huge black star-shaped stamp on Bonds's ball, I'll tell him, "that's what they do to cheaters." See, go look at Babe Ruth's bat - no star stamp, go look at Hank Aaron's helmet - no stamp, lets go look at Pete Rose's record breaking hit ball - no stamp. See?!

I'm not black, so I feel a litle uncomfortable even HAVING an opinion, let alone expressing it.

How sad is it that Political Correctness has made people uncomfortable about having opinions?

We have reached a new low as a 'socially progressive' society.

all those people who wanted to lynch Tim Hardaway for hating gay people. He's allowed to hate gay people. It's not nice, but it's his right to believe what he wants to believe. PC or not.

Alright, you guys win. Now I'm uncomfortable having opinions. Damn, it's just like college. I was too frightned to speak up as a conservative. Now I'm becoming too frightened to speak up as a living breathing human being with my own brain and thoughts.

Whenever we have a race issue, let's just give the floor to Thrasher. I'm sure we can all agree that will be more productive than allowing anyone with the slightest bit of European heritage to speak.

If I was only comfortable enough to tell you people some of my life stories, you guys would understand where I'm coming from when it comes to race. For one - I have multiple african american relatives.

Got around to reading your options for tomorrow's reaction to the Mark Ecko thing.

We all know it's going to be #4. Let the coins be flip.