Has the newness worn off for you yet? Are you tired of seeing pitchers hit or the DH walk to the plate? Has MLB Interleague Play run its course – or, is baseball now just playing too many games?

I know, attendance for Interleague games remains up versus regular league play, but that might be skewed by real rivalry games, such as: Yankees-Mets; Cubs-White Sox; Angels-Dodgers; Giants-A’s; Indians-Reds; Royals-Cardinals; Marlins-Rays. Plus, any National League team relishes a series with the Yankees or Red Sox – the two biggest road-draws for years.

Call me old-fashioned, but I’d prefer waiting for October to see American League versus the National League.
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While I’m on the subject of Interleague Play, I might as well add my two-cents regarding the DH rule. Having lived in an AL city most of my life, I’ve been watching the DH for so long (it was introduced in 1973) that I no longer have interest in watching pitchers hit. Nor does Hank Steinbrenner, especially after losing pitching ace Chien-Ming Wang to a base-running injury. Two sets of rules in one league are ridiculous. Plus, one would think the MLB Players Association would push for the DH in the National League to extend time-served for some aging players.

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Be sure to vote in this weeks www.HOFN.com Poll regarding Interleague Play. Are you for or against?

Here’s another question for you…other than baseball, is there another sport where the defense has the ball?

When did ABC/ESPN become the PR team for Kobe, Inc?

How tired are you of the references “the best player on the planet,” or those silly comparisons to Jordon? Please. Kobe hasn’t even been the best player on the floor. That distinction belongs to Paul Pierce. Even more sickening…how many times are we to be subject to the piece on Kobe at home portraying the good family man? Are we to dismiss his admitted adulterous sexual encounter in Eagle, Colorado on July 1, 2003? I know that incident is old news and should be put to rest – and it would be, if not for the “family man” campaign imposed by Kobe’s ABC public relations team. He’s trying too hard to convince the pubic he’s something we all know he’s not. Maybe if he bought me a $4M diamond ring, as he did his wife after his Colorado indiscretion, I’d forgive him, too.

It seems apparent that Kobe wants and needs to be liked. With apologies to LeBron James, Kobe is the best player in the league…but, likeable? Magic or Jerry West he’s not. First, he runs Shaq out of town – then he wants out of LA himself. Even Lakers’ fans had enough of Kobe prior to the start of the season. However, it’s amazing what a few W’s can do for fickle fans.

As the Finals heads back to Boston for game six, let’s hope we’ve seen the last of the Kobe campaign and just see a great game.

We’ve all seen and heard enough about the rich Celtics – Lakers traditions. Well, almost. How can this championship round go on without hearing the names Chick Hearn and Johnny Most? It can’t.

Considered the two greatest basketball radio-broadcasters of all-time, Hearn and Most were the voices of these two great franchises – and as much a part of their glorious history as Russell, West, Bird and Magic.

Johnny Most announced Celtics games “high above courtside” (his traditional opening remark), from 1953 to 1990. Chick Hearn could be heard calling Lakers games from 1965 to 2002, including a consecutive-game streak of 3,338. Between the two, there were 25 championships (16 by Most and 9 by Hearn), and nearly 90-years of radio-broadcasting. Most passed away in 1993. Hearn in 2002.

Hearn was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also inducted into the American Sportscasters Hall of Fame in 1995 – and has a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Most was inducted into the media-category of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, and was awarded the Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Basketball Hall of Fame trustees. That he’s not an actual Hall of Famer is a travesty.

Hearn is credited for numerous basketball sayings – called “Chickisms,” including “slam dunk,” “air-ball,” and “no harm, no foul.” My personal favorite was “ticky-tack” foul. Most was best known for his raspy voice and villainizing of Celtics opponents. His famous call: “Havlicek stole the ball” lives in NBA and Celtics lore.

I grew up listening to Johnny Most – and grew old admiring Chick Hearn. There will never be anyone like them again.

Celtics versus Lakers just isn’t the same without them.

Some of us fiftysomethings remember Bizarro, one of the spinoffs of the Superman comics. In the series, Superboy was hit by some rogue radioactive ray and transported to Htrae – Earth spelled in reverse – a cubically-shaped planet where to do or say anything good or right became a crime.

Sounds like contemporary France to me.

Just today a Paris court convicted animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot of “provoking discrimination and racial hatred.” The 73 year-old former film star and pin-up girl must also pay almost $25,000 in fines and damages. Her two-month prison sentence was suspended.

Her crime?

In a December 2006 letter to now President Nicolas Sarkozy – who at the time served as Interior Minister – Bardot objected to the growing public celebration of the Muslim feast of Aid el-Kebir. A rather bloody sheep slaughter – sans anesthetique– is among the highlights of the fiesta.

In the letter to Sarkozy – which was later reprinted in her animal rights quarterly journal – Bardot wrote that France is “tired of being led by the nose by this population that is destroying us, destroying our country by imposing its acts.”

New French anti-racism laws now prohibit “inciting” hatred based on religion or national origin. The court sided with the radical group MRAP, whose lawsuit claimed Bardot’s words were as “inciting” as they were indeed insightful.

For the time being, at least, we in the United States have a first amendment to the Constitution that guarantees free speech. It is the amendment without which all the others are rendered meaningless.

The world of Bizarro never had one.

France just lost theirs.

Okay. It looks like Hillary is out, so that leaves McCain vs. Obama in the next presidential election. It should be a donnybrook of epic proportions. So much at stake for America, so much at stake for both parties. Plenty of mud to be slung in both directions. But let’s have some fun.

What kind of game plan would the great coaches of our time, Wooden, Auerbach, Lombardi put together in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents. How would they attack?

The coaches would note that one of the many attributes cited by McCain supporters is his heroic service to the military. A McCain strength magnified by Obama’s lack of military service.

For the Obama team, McCain hasn’t demonstrated nearly the strength that Obama has in communicating his message to people of color or woman. He has also been less than diplomatic at times in contrast to the more urbane Obama.

I’m guessing Coaches Lombardi, Wooden and Auerbach might ask what do we need to neutralize our opponent’s strengths. Well, there is a draft of sorts coming up. The Vice Presidential draft. Each Presidential Candidate gets a first round draft pick.

I could see it now. Red Auerbach stepping up to the Podium and declaring, “with the first round pick of the Vice Presidential draft, Senator Barack Obama selects General Wesley Clark.”

Clark, a retired four-star general was valedictorian of his class at West Point. A former declared candidate for the Democratic nomination, Clark spend 34 years in the Army and the Department of Defense. Clark commanded Operation Allied Force in the Kosovo War during his service as the Supreme Allied Commander of Europe of NATO from 1997 to 2000.

With the Republicans now on the clock, the Obama lack of military experience is the trump card that McCain had been holding is now totally neutralized by this deft move by the Democrats.

Okay, so now what do the great coaches muse? I, I’ve got it. Back to the podium strides Auerbach. “With his first round pick in the Vice Presidential draft, John McCain selects Condoleezza Rice.”

Rice, the 66th United States Secretary of State, is a career diplomat, a good buffer for the emotional McCain, but more importantly let’s just say it…”I see your African-American heritage and raise you a woman.”

It’ll probably never happen…but let’s just say.

There have been great rivals in pro sports, but none compares to the championship confrontations between the Celtics and Lakers.

Since the first finals in 1947, when the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the Chicago Stags, there have been 61 NBA champions. The Celtics and Lakers have combined to win 30 of those titles – with the Celtics owning 16 and the Lakers 14, including 5 as the Minneapolis Lakers. It will soon be 31 championships.

As a reminder, the Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960. Prior to their move, the Minneapolis Lakers won 5 championships in 6-years from 1949-1954. They were led by the great George Mikan. The 6′10″ Mikan was voted one of the 50-greatest NBA players of all-time in 1996. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959.

Since 1959, the Celtics-Lakers have played against each other in the finals 10-times, with the Celtics winning 8. The dominance of the Celtics began during the Russell-era when, from 1957-1969, Boston won 11 Championships in 13-years. Seven of those titles were versus the Lakers.

In the 70’s, the Celtics and Lakers played in the Finals 5-times (none versus each other). The Lakers played in 3 – winning once (’72), while the Celtics won both of their appearances (’74 and ‘76).

However, it was their dominance of the 1980’s that is best remembered by most. Those Bird-Magic years were unforgettable. During that decade, the Lakers appeared in 8 Finals – winning 4. The Celtics played 5 – winning 3. They each played in 4 finals in-a-row; the Lakers’82 –’85, and the Celtics ‘84 – ‘87. Their head-to-head battles were legendary. The Celtics won in ‘84, and the Lakers in ‘85 and ‘87. And, if not for the crazy shot LA fans will never forget – by Houston’s Ralph Sampson, they would have also played in 1986, which was won by the Celtics over the Rockets.

So here we are … Celtics versus Lakers one more time. It may not be Bird, McHale and Parish versus Magic, Kareem and Worthy… but there are plenty of stars to satisfy the NBA marketing team.

I can already hear the Celtics’ fans chanting … “BEAT LA”.

Posted by Don Gilbert

Who will win the NBA title? Vote now at www.HOFN.com.

Whether “Conviction” or “Crush,” the brawn and beauty that is Gina Carano will be in more than a few living rooms these next few days and breaking down barriers while she’s there.

Having already been featured recently on ESPN’s E:60 show and having come away victorious in the first-ever women’s mixed-martial arts fight on Showtime, Carano is a star attraction Saturday as the burgeoning sport of MMA finds out just how mainstream it is. Then, two nights later, she’ll settle back into her roll as the most popular American Gladiator since Zap or Nitro.

So, in three nights’ time she’ll be featured on both CBS and NBC, not a bad run.

Elite XC, likely the No. 2 mixed martial company behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship, will make history on Saturday when it airs live on CBS - the first MMA brand to appear live on network television. Making history right along with the show will be Carano, 5-0 in MMA competition, and opponent Kaitlin Young, who will continue to grow women’s MMA competition when they become the first two ladies to showcase their talents on network TV. That’s the “Conviction” part, her MMA nickname.

Then there’s “Crush.” “They call me Crush, because America has a crush on me and I crush people,” she told viewers during the aforementioned ESPN spot. She prefaced the line by adding just how “cheesy” it was, letting everyone like her even more after seeing her embarrassed, crooked smile and bitten-lip charm.

While the second season of American Gladiators has fallen upon reported ratings hardship, it’s done nothing to lessen Carano’s star power.

Of course, neither has her stunning beauty. Along with an entertaining stand-up fighting style, Carano’s good looks and charisma have no doubt made her the brightest star in women’s MMA. Insiders will say someone like Megumi Fujii or Tara LaRosa or Yuka Tsuji - all names you probably haven’t heard - are likely the best. But Carano’s no Mia St. John or Anna Kournikova, either. She trains at Xtreme Couture - UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture’s camp - and has a successful Muay Thai background, as well.

Make no mistake, whether it’s as an American Gladiator with a jousting lance in a Burbank television studio or a modern-day gladiator with gloves wrapped around her hands inside a cage, Carano is pretty damn good at what she does. It’s all the extras that, indeed, make her an “it girl,” in the public eye.

And even still, as a vocal champion of the sport of mixed martial arts, I wonder if the mainstream is ready to see ladies beat each other up. Some may see it as sexist, but I was always the guy in high school trying to break up a girl fight, while all the other guys were cussing at me to the let them go. “It’s natural for guys to get in the fight get a little blood here and here. My daughter Gina’s a beautiful young woman, I really don’t like seeing people trying to mess that up,” Glenn Carano, Gina’s father said on ESPN.

Perhaps that’s a better explanation. Nevertheless, in a few nights, we’ll get to see if the mainstream American television audience is ready to watch a night of mixed martial arts - I think the numbers for UFC on Spike TV, say it will. Will also find out if the mainstream is ready to watch the ladies duke it out - I’ll be watching through my fingers to tell you the truth, but, like just about everyone else I think, I’ll be watching. Then again, myself and Mr. Carano are guys, the target demographic for MMA. Who knows where the ladies can take the sport?

If nothing less, sex and violence certainly sell. If nothing more, Gina Carano is a star on the rise - somebody I think everybody will be watching.

With Memorial Day upon us, we all need to take a moment and reflect.

As a Baby Boomer, I’m fortunate to have been born from parents of “The Greatest Generation.” For those unknowing, the Greatest Generation is a term used for Americans born from about 1911 to 1924. Americans who lived through the Great Depression, served in World War II and some the Korean War, and rebuilt the world’s industries.

Since my father served in World War II and received the Purple Heart (he lost an eye during the Normandy invasion), I have always had a great understanding of Memorial Day. Like many WW II Veterans, my father would never speak about the war, his injuries, or loss of comrades. However, as a child, I leaned of his experiences from a family member. While my Dad was never pleased that I gained this personal information, I will always be grateful to my Uncle for sharing what he knew about my father with me. You see, my Dad was a true hero – and knowing of his experiences helped shape my life and gave me an ever greater appreciation and love of him, as I grew from a child to a man.

So come Memorial Day, I always take time to reflect on its meaning. However, since the National Holiday Act of 1971, I fear most think of it as just another 3-day weekend. Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, is supposed to be a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Unfortunately, over time, I fear its tradition has been ignored and neglected.

With most of the Greatest Generation deceased, it’s our generation’s responsibility to keep the true meaning of America’s greatest holiday alive. Maybe we should begin by pushing for recognition of a Senator Daniel Inouye bill. On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced bill S 189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of “the last Monday in May” – and not allow it as part of the Holiday Act and a 3-day weekend. By the way, Senator Inouye is not only a member of the Greatest Generation, but also the recipient of America’s highest military accolade – the Medal of Honor.

If nothing else, let’s start by recognizing the resolution, “National Moment of Remembrance,” passed in December 2000. In short, the resolution asks that at 3pm on Memorial Day, we voluntarily observe (in our own way) a Moment of remembrance and respect.

Thanks Dad.

It takes a lot to get me to the keyboard these days, however no one can do it quicker than Myles Brand, President of the NCAA. All he has to do is open his mouth.

His latest are quotes relative to the NCAA’s seeming inability to protect itself from young high schoolers forced to play in limbo for a year masquerading as college “student athletes.”

Here’s what Brand had to say on Tuesday.

“The NCAA has no ability to influence, in any way, the age rule,” he said. “So any age limitation rules, the 19-year-olds who are so-called ‘one and done,’ are the result of bargaining negotiation between the NBA and the players’ association. The NCAA was not involved in any way in that bargaining in setting up the rule. Only the NBA management and the players association set those rules.”

While Brand is technically correct, the NCAA could do things to ensure that America’s colleges and universities didn’t become holding tanks for the likes of Kevin Love, OJ Mayo and the countless others who pretend to attend college for the purpose of aging a year.

If Brand and the NCAA presidents weren’t such hypocrites, they would look internally at NCAA baseball, for example, where players who are starting college are required to stay in there three years before they are drafted.

But they are hypocrites. Carmello Anthony was a “one and done,” but he won Syracuse a National Championship, and Jim Boeheim and those trustees will dine out on that National Title for years to come.

Kevin Durant, Greg Oden and Michael Beasley are good for business. It’s not secret. But so is Tyler Hansbrough, who decided to hang around for another year at North Carolina. There are plenty of players around willing to stay in college for four years. Why do you think schools like Gonzaga and Davidson can make runs. Their kids stay together.

The NCAA could put an end to “one and done” if they wanted. The truth is, they don’t want to. Brand can whine about the NBA age rule, but all the NCAA has done is create a situation that fuels fiascos like the one facing USC over OJ Mayo. Let’s see how often Tim Floyd and the USC trustees dine out on that one.

Even in the case of USC, Brand will fall back on his tired old, “it’s the University’s job to make sure situations like OJ Mayo are avoided.”

Despite his protestations to the contrary, Brand (and the NCAA) do have the ability to influence the NBA age rule, but it will never happen.

He remains the pip squeak bureaucrat he has always been.

NCAA Basketball is an absolute mess. Clean it up already.

I don’t know why the national media are afraid to say it. Okay, so it has something to do with television contracts, but where are the print media? All these questions as to why there’s a major advantage for NBA home teams in the playoffs is quite simple…it’s partly due to referees’ “home calls.”

Forget the fans who always blame officials for their favorite team’s loss. That has been happening since Naismith invented the game. However, watch games in which you don’t care who wins. Are there not obvious home-town calls that are infuriating?

To be honest, I don’t know what a foul is anymore. I see players mauled in the low post – then a foul is called on a ticky-tack hand-check. How about a player driving to the hole? I know the playoffs are at a higher intensity level than regular season games, but this isn’t rugby. No, I don’t want the game played at the foul line, but there needs to be more consistency with calls.

Everyone (but the NBA) admits to “star calls” and “rookie calls.” It has been happening since black and white television, but appears more obvious today. You can’t tell me Kobe and LeBron don’t get most of the calls at home. If the NBA wants to protect the stars to keep them in the game, change the foul rule and give players 7 or 8 fouls. Hell, why have a foul limit at all? Just give the opponent 3 foul shots, or two foul shots and the ball, if fouled by anyone playing with six or more fouls.

Also, the “hack-a-Shaq” foul strategy, which is now used on any player with a foul shot percentage ala Shaq, is a disgrace to the game. For non-basketball fans, a “hack-a-Shaq” is a foul committed away from the ball on anyone who doesn’t shoot foul shots well – enabling the fouling team a possible possession advantage. Any rule giving a fouling team an advantage needs to be changed.

Here are a few more things the NBA should consider:
• Add an extra foot at each end of the floor. Between the size and athleticism of today’s great players, they need more room under the basket.
• Take away the three-pointer from the corner – it’s too close.
• Go back to two officials. That’s one fewer person on the floor feeling a need to justify a job.
• Allow replay on any play/shot ending a quarter.
• Call traveling and palming the ball – as the rule reads.

The Hall Of Fame Network www.HOFn.com has a poll asking: Which major pro league has the best officiating? I’m not sure which is best, but I do know which is worst.