Odds & Sods...The Center Ice Version

There's a lot going on in the news right now, much of it twisted. So I'm going to do my best to untwist.

NEWS
Greta Van Sustern did a nice job interviewing Chavo Guerrero Jr. last night on Fox News' On The Record. She treated the third-generation wrestler with great respect and showed interest in his chosen profession. No smirks or chuckles. Chavo was one of the folks who was receiving those eerie text messages during the last few hours of Chris Benoit's life. Chavo is also the nephew of Eddie Guerrero who died in 2005.

Bad job - as usual - by former Westchester D.A. Jeanine Pirro trying to insinuate that someone in the W.W.E. may have been involved in murdering Benoit. The Wikipedia entry regarding Nancy Benoit is peculiar, but to suggest anything more without evidence is sloppy. But then again we are talking about Miss Lip Gloss, who regularly saw evidence as an annoying inconvenience while Westchester D.A.

Sadly, I have to report another pro wrestler has passed away. John Kronus, who was most well-known for being one half of The Eliminators' tag team was found dead in his New Hampshire apartment yesterday. No further details were given. He never worked for the W.W.E. but I'm sure the press will say he did.

Does anyone think that yesterday's steam pipe explosion near Grand Central Terminal might be a 'dry run' by terrorists?

Marianne Pearl is suing several members of al-Qaeda and a Pakistani bank in connection with the brutal slaying of her husband. I'm not sure what will ever come of it, probably nothing. But she is a brave woman, which was clearly shown in A Mighty Heart; the best movie of the summer.

I've read that General David Petraeus is the best military man this country has seen in 50 years. There is good news on the ground in Iraq, that is only being reported sparingly. This is a great thing because our troops are not leaving that country anytime soon. Congress can grandstand all they want; they will never vote to pull the troops out. The Democrats who keep saying they want the troops home, we'll never vote that way because they are not strong in their convictions.

SPORTS
The N.F.L. has a big problem on their hands with Michael Vick. Do you suspend him without Vick getting his day in court? Does anyone think that other N.F.L. players are not involved either directly with Vick or in this sort of thing? I think we are just scratching the surface of another disgusting display of behavior off the field by professional athletes. But I'm willing to let the fact bear themselves out. In America, we are innocent until proven guilty, last I checked. Still, the guys in charge have a tough decision to make. There is going to be a great deal of pressure for Vick to be suspended, but what if he is found not guilty. Either way the N.F.L. has big problems.

Shocking that Garry Sheffield has gotten himself in trouble for shooting his mouth off! Just shocking...

I'm sure it was a very happy 67th birthday for Joe Torre last night when the Yankees won their fourth straight series by beating the Blue Jays.

Unless you are a complete Kool-Aid drinker for whatever team you root for, you have to acknowledge A-Rod's greatness. Maybe, he's more comfortable in New York and ready to have a big post-season. I'm not sure about that, but it's hard to deny his talent. Nonetheless, he's laughing all the way to the bank.

Is it possible that the Rangers might have two Alaskan natives on the team this season? Scott Gomez and rookie Brandon Dubinsky.

The Blueshirts are counting on cutting Darius Kasparaitis and his $3 million salary some time before the season starts. This way they can get below the $50 million cap. However, reports are circulating that Kasper is in top notch shape, having lost a significant amount of weight, and is ready to stay with the big club. Could get very interesting!

Again, the hiring of Brent Sutter as the Devils' Head Coach is a brilliant one. Only thing is that now GM Lou Lamoriello can't blame anyone. He's got the best coach behind a Devils' bench since Pat Burns.

Blueshirts open camp on Friday September 14th and then start the pre-season against the Devs the following Friday at MSG.

Gary Player - who has a book coming out, don't they all? - says that a couple of guys on the P.G.A. Tour admitted to him that they are using steroids. I remember hearing some folks on the radio screaming that there is no possible way either M.L.B. pitchers or golfers could be "juicing." I guess they were wrong, again! Amazing!

OK, I admit I snapped a photo of one of my hockey jerseys...It's a joke dammit!

Stay Onsides!