Trading Places

With the MLB trade deadline today there have been many transfers, and even more rumors of big names switching to contenders. One of the biggest moves of the weekend was New York Yankees acquisition of former Phillies slugger Bobby Abreu. The Yanks will hope Abreu's added pop in RF will be able to propel them past the Red Sox atop the AL East. The Mets were also busy this weekend dealing OF Xavier Nady for Roberto Hernandez and starter Oliver Perez out of the Pirates staff. The Tigers added 1B Sean Casey from the Pirates in exchange for minor league pitcher Brian Rogers. The Reds were able to Kyle Lohse from the Twins for minor leaguer Zach Ward in hopes of shoring up its rotation for their playoff push. The Cardinals were able to acquire a strong 2B in Ronnie Belliard from the Indians for reliever Hector Luna. The Rangers and Brewers were able to figure out a 6-player deal that saw Carlos Lee go to Arlington and Kevin Mench wind up in Milwaukee. The big names that were still unmoved included Miguel Tejada, Barry Zito, Alfonso Soriano, and Greg Maddux. It looks as if these veterans will remain with their current clubs unless a last minute deal is announced.

Eating Ourselves to Death

This week Reuters is reporting that more and more Americans are unable to have x-rays, ct-scans, MRI's, and other scans at medical facilities. The reason for this is not due to faulty equipment or risk of radiation, but rather because they are too fat to get proper results. Patients are either too big to fit into machines, onto tables, or too dense to get proper ultrasound readings. This poses a major problem for both doctors and patients. Doctors worry that they will be unable to find possible tumors, blood clots, diseased organs, broken limbs, and a host of other medical issues. According to the study by the Journal of Radiology .15 % of Americans are too obese for these procedures, and while this figure doesn't seem all that high it has doubled in the last 15 years, and will only continue to grow. Some companies are such as Siemens are starting too manufacture larger machines to accommodate the rise in obesity. The problem is that these machines are too costly for most facilities to afford, and can only be bought by the larger facilities in the country. Chalk this up to another tax burden for all of us because so many of us can't stop stuffing our faces with fatty foods while sitting on the couch. We wonder why the cost of health care and insurance is so outrageous, but in all reality we are doing it to ourselves. Put down the double cheeseburger and go for a bike ride people.

Serie Scramble

Just when it looks like Italy was cleaning up their tarnished image from a match fixing scandal that has plagued the league for many years, the FIGC has reneged on their punishments of the four involved clubs. Just days after being relegated from Serie A to Serie B, three of the four Italian clubs that were punished had their relegation removed upon appeal. Florentina and Lazio were reinstated to Serie A, but their point penalties were increased (Florentina from 12 to 19, Lazio from 7 to 11). AC Milan is also allowed to stay in Serie A with their point penalty decreased from 15 points to 8 points. Juventus was the largest offenders in the scandal and as a result they will maintain relegation to Serie B but will start with a 17-point deficit instead of the original 30-point penalty. Juventus still has chance with another appeal to be restored to Serie A, but hopefully the FIGC will hold strong and not give any more ground to Italy's most powerful club. Though many of the clubs biggest names have bolted out of Turin due to the relegation, hopefully it will take them awhile to build back their status as a powerhouse. Meanwhile the real losers in this appeals process are Lecce and Treviso who were slated to take the place of Florentina and Lazio as result of their punishment, and now both clubs have to move back to Serie B due to the reinstatement. Ramble On can only hope that Italy will crack down harder on the many scandals that have plague the nation's clubs for years.

Double the Football

A season after business tycoon and Tampa Bay Buccaneer owner Malcolm Glazer purchased the majority share of English football club Manchester United, Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner is interested in following suit by purchasing Aston Villa football club. Lerner is a young 44-year old billionaire and the chairman of MBNA, and though the Browns will not confirm this rumor, they have issued a statement that Lerner is currently pursuing a business venture in England. Though the Cleveland Browns have not been a very successful on-field NFL team, Forbes business magazine ranks them as 7th most valuable franchise in the league. The current owner of Aston Villa is 82-year-old Doug Ellis and he has chaired the club for over 24 years now, and Villa is in desperate need of a cash infusion to become competitive in the EPL once again. Aston Villa has failed to finish in the top 5 of the EPL since the '96-97 campaign, though they were FA Cup finalists in '99-00. This past year they finished an abysmal 16th out of 20 teams. Ramble On can only wonder whether or not the Claret and Blue will have the type of backlash that Glazer faced when the felt Americans were infringing on the most English of sports. Only time will tell with what degree that takeover will be met.

An American Sunday in Europe

While typing this entry Ramble On is watching Tiger Woods win the 2006 British Open at Royal Liverpool. This will be Woods 3rd British Open victory, and 11th Major Championship overall since turning pro in 1996. This was his first victory for Tiger since the passing of his father Early Woods back on May 3rd of this year, and as a result his emotions were high after sinking his final put on the 18th green. Hats off to Tiger and another great major tournament, it won't be long bef0re he makes a run at the PGA Championship August 14-20 at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, IL. ........

Woods wasn't the only American with a Sunday victory in Europe. American Cyclist Floyd Landis was able to continue where Lance Armstrong left off, winning his first ever Tour de France. Landis was able to mount an incredible final day after falling to 11th on a disastrous Saturday ride. Landis becomes only the third American along with Lance Armstrong and Greg LeMond to win cycling’s most biggest race.....

Now its time for one more American victory over Europe as the U.S. Women's soccer team get set to take on Ireland in a match from San Diego, CA at 4:00 est.

Summer Blockbuster

After a long week and long day, last night Ramble On and his wife along with 4 other friends were able to head to the cinema to enjoy You, Me, and Dupree. This was a typical Owen Wilson movie; doesn't matter what the story line is, because he steals the show. Even with the horrible acting of Matt Dillon and Michael Douglas; Wilson and co star Kate Hudson make a great on screen duo in a very entertaining and funny movie. If you are not a fan of Owen Wilson (which another problem all together) then you will probably not enjoy this one. Besides the movie one other preview caught my attention. There is a new Samuel L. Jackson film coming out in August dubbed a thriller with the ridiculous title Snakes On A Plane. The opening preview seemed to be a don't add your own soundtrack warning that most movies now have, but in fact to everybody's horror it was an actual trailer for an actual movie. The premise being that hundreds of deadly snakes are aboard an airplane in mid-flight who happen to kill the pilots? Then the screen flashes to two almost naked girls making out in the plane lavatory, and then cuts back to the snakes and Samuel L. Jackson wielding a gun on the plane. I don't know what type of financial trouble that Jackson is in, but there are few explanations that I can think of where he willingly agreed to make this movie. If this movie manages to make more than $20 million then I think its time to pack up and get out of the country.

Community Service?

Yesterday FIFA announced that French midfield Zinedine Zidane and Italian defender Marco Materazzi will be punished and fined. Materazzi will be fined $4,000 and suspended for two matches for inciting Zidane with off-color comments about his family. Zidane will be fined $6,000 and forced to do community service in France in lieu of a suspension since he is retired. What type of punishment is this? $6,000 is nothing to a superstar of Zidane's level, and doing community service seems less than a slap on the wrist. I think that FIFA really dropped the ball by not coming down harder on the Frenchman for such a violent outburst on the world's biggest stage.

Turning Over A New Leaf

The New York Red Bulls announced today that Bruce Arena will take over as head coach and sports director of the club after a poor start with a 2-3-7 record. The winningest U.S. men's national coach will take over starting August 12th when the club takes on UEFA winner FC Barcelona. Just days after being relieved of his managerial duties for the nation's squad Arena agreed to a second stint in the MLS after leading DC United to back to back MLS Cup's in '96 & '97 in just three seasons. Arena will have his work cut out for him, as the Red Bulls are last in the Easter Division, and second to last in the entire league ahead of Real Salt Lake. Meanwhile the search for Arena's replacement is still on, with many believing that Jurgen Klinsmann may be on the list of possibilities.

Yo Blair

Forget talks of eliminating terrorism, energy security, open trade talks, or fighting infectious diseases, the big news coming from the G8 summit in St. Petersburg was the candid conversation caught on tape between President Bush and Prime Minister Blair. The two leaders began by talking about an exchange of gifts (sweaters?), and then quickly descends into talks about the current mid-east crisis.

Bush: And thanks for the sweaters - I know you picked em out yourself...
Blair: Oh yes absolutely - in fact I knitted it!!!
(laughter)
Bush: What about Kofi Annan - he seems all right. I don't like his ceasefire plan. His attitude is basically ceasefire and everything sorts out.... But I think...
Blair: Yeah the only thing I think is really difficult is that we can't stop this without getting international presence agreed. I think what you guys have talked about which is the criticism of the [inaudible word]. I am perfectly happy to try and see what the lie of the land is, but you need that done quickly because otherwise it will spiral.
Bush: Yeah I think Condi's [US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice] gonna go soon.
Blair: Well that's all that matters but if you... You see at least it gets it going.
Bush: I agree it's a process...I told her your offer too.
Blair: Well it's only if she needs the ground prepared as it were. If she goes out she HAS to succeed whereas I can just go and...
Bush: You see the irony is what they need to is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's all over...
Blair: Dunno... Syria....
Bush: Why?
Blair: Because I think this is all part of the same thing...
Bush: (with mouth full of bread) Yeah
Blair: Look - what does he think? He thinks if Lebanon turns out fine. If you get a solution in Israel and Palestine. Iraq goes in the right way
Bush: Yeah - he's [indistinct]
Blair: Yeah.... He's had it. That's what all this is about - it's the same with Iran
Bush: I felt like telling Kofi to call, to get on the phone to Assad and make something happen.
Blair: Yeah
Bush: [indistinct] blaming Israel and [indistinct] blaming the Lebanese government....

These are our world leaders in a time of crisis.

The Verdict is In

A recent poll by the Detroit Free Press shows that despite the hard times the Michigan economy is experiencing, Michiganders still love Michigan. With the domestic auto industry still struggling greatly, 88 percent of Michigan residents still say they love Michigan, and most of those have not even considered moving out of state for any reason. This gives great hope to the regional economy, proving that Michigan residents are a durable breed, that are able to endure hardships, and not quick to give up.

So Long Bruce

Yesterday US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati announced that they will not renew the contract of Men's National Boss Bruce Arena. After eight years and two world cups his tenure as coach is over. Many called for this move after a disappointing performance by the men's national team at this year's cup.....


Italy boss Marcello Lippi also announced his resignation this week, just days after leading the Italians to their 4th world cup title. Lippi stated that the recent Italian scandals had really hurt his family, and that he no longer wanted to remain in the public eye.....



Juergen Klinsmann also announced his resignation on Wednesday citing that he felt too burned out to continue. Despite many German soccer fans across the country including Chancellor Angela Merkel to remain on as boss of the team. There have been rumors that Klinsmann may be offered a job to replace Bruce Arena as the US skipper, but Klinsmann stated he had not been approached with any contract offers. The former world cup winner makes his home in southern California, and no doubt he would be on most people's list to take over the US side.

Mid-Summer Classic

The American League rallied in the ninth inning to defeat the National League 3-2. Michael Young hit a two RBI triple in the top of the ninth of San Diego's Trevor Hoffman to give the AL its 4th straight year of home field advantage. Mariano Riveria came on to close out the game for the AL giving them their 9th win in 10 years against the NL (there was a tie 2002 thanks to the commish).

Valiant Efforts

Today Germany will take on Portugal in the third place match of the world cup. Both sides have done well this tournament and exceeded most expectations. The host nation was involved in curious amounts of controversy leading up to the cup and their were even calls for the firing of boss Jurgen Klinsmann for a number of reasons including the style of soccer he had his team playing. Now many in the national media are running a petition to keep him as coach. The Portuguese side also has played wonderful soccer in the tournament. After winning their group they disposed of Mexico in the round of 16, and then took down European powerhouses Holland and England before losing to France in the semi's thanks to only surrendering a goal via PK's. Today's fixture will be the perfect lead up to tomorrow's championship match between Italy and France.

Hiatus

After a few weeks absence due to wedding, honeymoon, and settling back into the apt, Ramble On is pleased to be back and posting once again. The World Cup has surely not disappointed this time around and I am very impressed with the Italian side. Amid the Serie A Italian football scandal that has plagued the entire nation, a suicide attempt by a former Italian national player, and with naysayers all around the boys in blue have been playing world class soccer and dominating their opponent's on the pitch. The Italian brand of soccer is cocky, arrogant, dramatic, and beautiful all at the same time. Bolstered by an incredible tournament performance by keeper Gianluigi Buffon (who has let to allow a goal by any other team than his own), strong leadership by veterans Totti, Del Piero, Cannavaro, and others, this Italian side is fun to watch. France has also been on top of their game after a shaky start to their cup. Zidane looks as though its 1998 again, Frank Ribery is making a name for himself, and Henry is Henry showing why he led the EPL in goals scored this year. It should be a splendid match, and a final for the ages, the world will be in for a treat to watch the likes of Totti and Zidane battle in the midfield, while Toni and Henry try and beat Barthez and Buffon.