The Philly Sports Journal

It was late in the East so lots of people missed it, but Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino left Wednesday’s game against Arizona in the seventh inning with a “left knee contusion.” He made a diving catch in the first inning and got up slowly. The Phillies downplayed the injury, and hopefully it’s nothing, but it’s rare for a gamer like Victorino to come out because he’s hurt.

· USC could be in trouble again for NCAA violations.

· TMZ has obtained the tape of Erin Andrews’ 911 call about “two assholes” sitting outside her house.

· Dale Hansen, who said the Dallas Cowboys might as well sign Osama bin Laden to play wide receiver when they acquired cornerback Pacman Jones, quit his job at the ESPN radio affiliate in Dallas after the Worldwide Leader mandated that the station not discuss the rape lawsuit against Ben Roethlisberger. Hansen also famously said that the only difference between Al Davis and Jerry Jones is the white jumpsuit.

· Fresno State coach Pat Hill faces an uncertain future.

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The Eagles have opened training camp. They even have a new defensive coordinator in Sean McDermott. Their top pick, Jeremy Maclin, remains unsigned, and questions linger about the health of Brian Westbrook.

In years past, Philly fans would be abuzz about the Birds, but the Phillies are the world champions — who are in first place and have won 17 of their last 20 — while the Birds have fallen short the last several years.

Just another reason why now isn’t the time for the Phils to pull an Eagles by standing pat instead of going for a game-changer like Roy Halladay. Negotiations continue…

· Former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress is staring down the barrel of two years in jail. That’s what Michael Vick served.

· Not everyone is a fan of Florida messiah Tim Tebow. I couldn’t agree more. All the idol worship of Tebow is nauseating and undeserved.

· There are some intriguing questions about the Big 12 this year.

· The Kansas City Chiefs are fleecing fans, with the help of commissioner Roger Goodell.

· The state of Delaware hit a snag last week in its effort to legalize sports gambling.

· Speaking of gambling, Las Vegas is still betting on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who’s facing a civil suit for rape.

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If Phillies slugger Ryan Howard stays on his current pace, he’ll be a member of the 500-home-run club in six years. Last night against Florida, he reached 200 homers faster than anyone in history.

It was Howard’s 658th game, which is almost exactly four big-league seasons. In other words, he’s averaging 50 homers a year.

Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner had been the quickest to 200, and Howard beat him by 48 games. Kiner, who became hampered by injuries late in his career, only ended up playing 10 seasons.

Howard is 29 years old. Babe Ruth played until he was 40. Hank Aaron retired at age 41, and Barry Bonds was blackballed at 37. If Howard plays until he’s 40, and in the unlikely event he continues at his current home run clip, he’ll be bumping into Aaron and Bonds on the all-time list.

· Former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell, who went undrafted, will try his hand in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he’ll compete for the starting job against four other QBs.

· Kelly Blair, who used to own a gym in Houston, said he never supplied Roger Clemens with HGH and looks forward to testifying in front of a grand jury.

· The Cubs signed closer B.J. Ryan to a minor league deal. Meanwhile, Cubs manager Lou Piniella visited the White House and spent a few minutes with President Obama.

· Washington Huskies offensive lineman Skyler Fancher, who has a broken leg, chased down a purse snatcher.

· NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes says Broncos coach Josh McDaniels can’t be trusted.

· That’s all for now. See you next week.

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The state of Florida seems to have resolved its issues over election results, but when it comes to student-athletes’ grades, the Sunshine State is still a little fishy. There was the cheating scandal at Florida State, and now South Florida is wondering why one of its recruits had nine grades changed in high school. The NCAA is also on the case.

· The San Francisco Giants head into the second half feeling like contenders.

· Manny Ramirez returns home with the Dodgers tonight. However, just because he’ll be welcomed back doesn’t mean baseball fans don’t care about steroids. He’s a great player who’s fun to watch, and of course L.A. fans are glad to have him back.

· Last year, Texas Tech had issues finding a good kicker. Now the Big 12 has suspended the Red Raiders’ punter. 

· The University of Arizona will launch its own sports network this fall.

· Many college athletes are getting stuck with the bill after injuries.

· Arkansas State cornerback Paul Stephens was kicked off the team after he was shot while apparently trying to break into an apartment.

· Offensive lineman Kurt Wermers decided to leave Michigan for Ball State because he didn’t get along with UM’s coaches.

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By signing Pedro Martinez, the Phillies are throwing a wild-card personality into a clubhouse that is known for its great chemistry. But I think he’ll fit right in. I think he’ll love playing for Charlie Manuel, and alongside Chase Utley and Victorino and Howard, and fans will embrace him. Besides, Pedro has something to prove. He wants to win, he wants to show up the Mets, and he knows that if he pitches well he’ll get a juicy new deal somewhere next season.

· Some folks in St. Louis rightly feel that Stan Musial, one of the greatest hitters and all-around ballplayers ever to live, was slighted again at the All-Star Game.

Here is a local review of Fox’s coverage of the game.

· Bernie Kosar is in deep financial trouble, and even considered suicide.

· Injuries are piling up for the Tennessee Vols.

· Some guy has recreated a photo from the 2006 Utah vs. Brigham Young game on his basement wall — using golf tees.

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ESPN has made some changes to its lineup of college football commentators. Recently hired Matt Millen will have a prominent role, and the popular team of Mike Patrick and Todd Blackledge will be split up. Also, unfortunately, Craig James is still with the network.

· Sports Illustrated’s Frank Deford says the NCAA is as bad as the BCS.

· Dismantling the BCS may not automatically lead to a playoff system, but it’s a good first step.

· By the way, Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman, who is chairman of the BCS presidential oversight committee, has used bogus, disingenuous arguments to defend the BCS all week. For example: A playoff system would distract student athletes from their studies (even though they’d be on winter break). His e-mail address can be found on this page.

· This guy is convinced Florida coach Urban Meyer will leave for Notre Dame after this season. It wouldn’t be surprising, but in the meantime Charlie Weis has a chance to win people over again in South Bend.

· Pass-catching tight end Tony Gonzalez may do more blocking in the Falcons’ offense.

· Former Yankee Jim Leyritz, who’s facing DUI manslaughter charges and also was arrested for allegedly beating his wife, broke down in court.

· The Oakland A’s will retire Rickey Henderson’s number. Remember this Rickey moment?

· LSU is adding its name to the front of its football jerseys.

· Have a good weekend. See you next week.

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Sporting News columnist Stewart Mandel thinks today’s U.S. Senate antitrust hearings about the BCS will be a waste of time. Maybe he’s right, but I’m all for the hearings. So what if it’s self-serving grandstanding by politicians (that’s nothing new). At least the issue of a college football playoff — or, specifically, a lack thereof — is in the spotlight.

And please don’t tell me the government “shouldn’t get involved because there are much more important things to worry about.” Obviously there are much more important things to worry about, but it doesn’t mean they can’t worry about this too.

A multi-billion-dollar business called college football, in which millions of Americans invest money and time, has been hijacked by a handful of people. It’s worth a look.

Prosecuting murderers is much more important than going after burglars, but we still put people in jail who rob houses. It’s okay to multitask.

· The amount of time Major League players have been out with injuries has jumped in the last couple years, and there are a few theories about why.

· The sale of the Chicago Cubs from the Tribune Company to the Ricketts family appears to be just about done. Basically, the deal just has to be approved by Major League Baseball (commissioner Bud Selig has said he foresees no problem) before being signed. After the sale goes through, the Ricketts are planning a makeover of Wrigley Field within a few years.

· The resurgence of University of Miami football may have taken another step forward.

· Steve McNair’s murder, apparently by a girl with whom he was cheating on his wife (although we don’t know the whole story yet), has brought the subject of infidelity into the public consciousness, from sports radio to conversations among friends. And many people are wondering how he’ll be remembered.

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In an article in the latest edition of Men’s Health, Phillies ace Cole Hamels talks about overcoming setbacks.

The lefty also admits he let his offseason workouts lapse after winning the World Series, often accepting too many public appearances and other gigs. It was a mistake he has learned from but it has affected him this season.

And Hamels discusses how he came back from a major arm injury in high school, when doctors told him he should give up baseball.

· Mets fans are concerned, and they’re fed up with David Wright’s failure to deliver in the clutch. 

· Most preseason college football magazines are touting Florida as No. 1, while Alabama fans are feeling slighted because their team isn’t a consensus to win the SEC West.

· St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz believes the Cardinals are too reliant on Albert Pujols, while fellow columnist Jeff Godon praises the franchise’s player devlopment.

· Michael Goldsmith, who was stricken with A.L.S., threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium on the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man” speech.

· For a rundown of this year’s All-Star rosters, click here. And to vote for Shane Victorino for the final NL spot, click here.

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Most places don’t hire violent convicted felons, but even if he is still suspended by the NFL, Michael Vick may find work in the UFL when it debuts in October. 

· Apparently the new Yankee Stadium is starting to feel like home.

· The University of Florida president wants less alcohol at the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.

· Although Ryan Leaf still faces legal troubles in Texas, fugitive charges against him in Washington were dropped.

· The president of the University of Utah, which went undefeated and beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, will testify in Tuesday’s Senate antitrust hearing about the BCS.

· It’s good to be back. Happy 4th. See you next week.

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