All too true

Tom G at Balls, Sticks and Stuff has outdone himself this time. Apparently, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins has started (started, mind you) to sour on the Phils current seven game losing streak. To illustrate this, Rollins had some things to say about the young kids management has been trotting out to the pitcher's mound each night. I almost kind of feel like, with these young pitchers coming up, that we're trying to rebuild... It's hard coming off a season like last year, and [to] have a feeling like that. That's the way it is. Tom retorted with the following uncomfortably, undeniably funny comment: Take a look at yourself first. In yesterday's day game, Sal Fasano struck out and twenty-eight seconds later, not even half a minute, the broadcast was going to commercial because you took one freaking pitch and grounded out. Stevie Wonder sees more pitches than you do. The best that I can come up with is a quote from The Untouchables: Like many things -- we laugh because it's funny and we laugh because it's true.

Gambling on Wimbledon

First, there were the Black Sox. Then came the Boston College point shaving scandal of the 70s. Most recently, it's been match-fixing in soccer in Germany and Italy. Now, it seems, tennis may be next. Rueters is reporting that "unusual betting patterns" were detected before the first-round match between Britain's Richard Bloomfield and Argentina's Carlos Berlocq. An Internet bookmaking firm has contacted tennis authorities about unusual betting patterns after hefty sums were bet on a first round match at Wimbledon won by Britain's Richard Bloomfield. The alert was raised by the online betting exchange Betfair after up to 340,000 pounds ($619,300) were traded on world number 89, Argentina's Carlos Berlocq, to lose just hours before he went down 6-1 6-2 6-2 to Bloomfield, ranked 259, in Tuesday's match. That was around 30 times as much as had been invested on similar matches between relatively unknown British players at the tournament.

As my nieces would say, "Again!"

Some interesting news from Newsday via Off Wing Opinion and James Mirtle. The NHL is apparently interested in staging another Heritage Classic this season, with a New year's Day game between the New York Rangers and Islanders at Yankee Stadium the most likely matchup. There It Is take: I love this idea. I think there should be one Heritage Classic every season between two rivals -- geographic or not. Give me any Canadian team, any Original Six team, throw in some other northern teams -- Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, New Jersey, Columbus, Buffalo, among others -- and you have an instant event. Come on, who doesn't want to see more images of an NHL goalie playing an actual game while wearing his mask and a wool cap over top of that?

Marino, Cuban bid on Pens

Good news in the battle to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh. National Football League Hall of Famer Dan Marino and Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban -- both Pittsburgh natives -- have joined with a New York City financier in a bid to buy the team. There are at least four other offers to buy the team, though the Marino-Cuban offer is believed to be the only one fully committed to keeping the Penguins in Pittsburgh. There It Is take: I really don't want to see the Pens leave Pittsburgh. As much as I can't stand them, there's too much history to lose if they leave, plus the natural rivalry with the Flyers would be lost forever no matter where they would move to. As such, if this is the offer it takes to keep them where they are, then I'm all for it. Not to mention that having Cuban as an owner would guarantee getting the NHL a whole lot more national exposure.

Flyers new and old

The Daily News' Ed Moran checks in with an update on the Flyers' thoughts on free agency. He confirms that Donald Brashear, Kim Johnsson Brian Savage, and Chris Therien will not return to the team. He also pried from the following quote from GM Bob Clarke: "Desjardins said he is feeling like he wants to retire," Clarke said. "I met with him and we talked and he told me that he's thinking that that's what he will do." Meanwhile, Inquirer beat writer Tim Panaccio gives a quick recap on each of the Flyers ten draft picks from Saturday.

Flyers draft

First round      22nd overall -- Claude Giroux, RW, Gatineau (QMJHL) Second round      39th overall -- Andreas Nodl, RW, Sioux Falls (USHL)      42nd overall -- Michael Ratchuk, D, U.S. National U-18 (USDP)      55th overall -- Denis Bodrov, D, Togliatti (RUS) Third round      79th overall -- Jonathan Matsumoto, C, Bowling Green (CCHA) Fourth round      101st overall -- Joonas Lehtivuori, D, Ilves Jr. (FIN Jr.)      109th overall -- Jakob Kovar, G, Budejovice Jr. (CZE Jr.) Fifth round      145th overall -- Jonathan Rheault, RW, Providence (Hockey East) Sixth round      175th overall -- Michael Dupont, G, Baie Comeau (QMJHL) Seventh round      205th overall -- Andrei Popov, RW, Chelyabinsk Tractor (RUS) UPDATE: Draft grades are in. The Hockey News gives the Flyers a B, while Sports Illustrated gives the team an A.

"Ah, what's our pick?"

That was what General Manager Bob Clarke uttered at the podium yesterday before announcing the Flyers had selected Claude Giroux with their first round pick. Giroux was a rookie in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this past season, piling up 103 points (39 G, 64 A) in just 69 games. Though first reports from the Flyers staff likened Giroux to Simon Gagne, now they are comparing him to Devils' center Scott Gomez. For more on Giroux, click here.

Carolina Hurricanes, Stanley Cup Champions

What are five words I never thought I would put together to make a sentence? I'll readily admit that I never saw this coming. Congratulations to Carolina and the Hurricanes' fans on a well-earned Stanley Cup. Enjoy it while you have it, for it's never as long as you'd like it to be. I didn't see one minute of this year's Final series, unfortunately. For their take on what happened, click over to James Mirtle, Eric at Off Wing, Damien Cox, and Bob McKenzie. Also stop by Yahoo for Dan Wetzel's take on the Carolina fans.

A picture says a thousand words

Need I say more?

Stanley Cup Final. Game 7 tonight.