The only facts you need to know about the Rays and the draft without falling asleep is that they went full-on best-player-available mode and their top three picks just completed their times tables. Outfielder Josh Sale of Bishop Blanchet High in Seattle, catcher Justin O'Conner from Cowan High in Muncie, Indiana (both 1st rounders), and Drew Vettleson of Central Kitsap High in Washington. Seniors rule! The Rays received an additional 1st round pick because they were unable to sign last year's top pick, which is pretty sweet. Why does the name Bo Jackson keep popping in my head?
Quicker Hits: Hall and Oats cancel Diamondbacks postgame concert because of Arizona's insistence of enforcing federal law (That'll show them), 10 people trampled at a World Cup warm-up (and they say Americans are violent), Jim Nantz knows a little too much about Bette Midler (below), and did Pete Rose cork his bat? (betcha 5 bucks he did)
Until tomorrow, try to look busy and go fax something.
If Tiger won, would Jimmy have broken out a little Survivor?
"Risin' up, back on the streets
Did my time, took my chances"
Welcome back to Bill's Sports Binge. Your cheat sheet to the big picture of today's local and national sports headlines. It may be light on the details, but so is the hot receptionist you've been trying to bang impress. And isn't that why we're all here? You can admit it. We're in the trust tree here.
Bad joke. His name is actually Guy Boucher, not Bobby. But hey, you'll remember his name now, won't you? Word association saved my ass more than once in college. That and Vivarin. Man, I used to sprinkle that shit on my Frosted Flakes during exam week. Where was I? The point is, there's not a hell of a lot to report on this guy (get it?). Water cooler survival tips: He's 38, which would make him the youngest in the league, he was named the top coach this year in the American Hockey League where he was coach of the (papers rustling) Hamilton Bulldogs which is a top affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, and he recently turned down a head coaching job in Columbus. Cynics will accuse the Boltz of hiring an unproven nobody, but they're the same people that toss out the term "retread" when an experienced coach is considered. All I know is I never heard of John Torterella when he was hired out of the AHL, and nobody knew who Erin Andrews was when she covered the Lightning in 2001. To sum up: Until we know more, I'm taking a tip from Torts when he said, "Shut yer yap." That, and I love Erin Andrews.
