No Tanks

As much as it pains me to say, the Chicago Bears did something right. After giving defensive tackle Tank Johnson a chance to redeem himself following weapons charges and probation violations and the shooting death of his friend/bodyguard (at a nightclub days after his arrest), the Bears waived him. Reports are that Johnson was arrested June 22, 2007 in Arizona for speeding and suspicion of DUI.

While speeding isn't a horrible offense and whether he was DUI remains to be seen, for whatever reason he was out at 3 a.m. After being released from jail a few weeks ago, Johnson said he was a changed man and would strive to walk the straight and narrow. He claimed he would be the poster child for athletes who got in trouble and turned things around.

That didn't last long. The Bears told Johnson he was under a zero-tolerance plan. It's nice to see them stick to that. Johnson had no business being out at 3 a.m. drunk or otherwise. Yes, he had a legal right to go out but he knew he'd be subject to the professional consequences of doing so.

So, it looks like his 8 game suspension will likely be at least a year. He'll be back in the league after that. Some team (the Cincinnati Bengals?) will take a look at him. But his next contract will probably be for the league minimum and probably will have similar zero-tolerance language. Hopefully, "changed woman", Paris Hilton can do better.

Now, why is Adam "Pac-Man" Jones still on the Tennessee Titans?

Schnauzers on Parade

Went to the Internation Kennel Club's (IKC) dog show at McCormick Place in Chicago. I don't know the difference between the IKC and the AKC as far as standards and whatnot. In any event, we got to the Saturday, February 24, 2007, event at around 10 am in order to see the 11:45 am miniature schnauzer competition. We wanted to make sure we got ring-side seating. Which we did.

Unfortunately, the judge was delay in attending allegedly due to the weather. She was an older woman with harsh and angry gray hair. In short, the 8 and 9:30 am competitions could not proceed at Ring 13 (where the miniature schnauzers were scheduled). When the judge finally arrived around 11 am they were running way behind. From our seats we got to watch neighboring rings and so got to see the Yorkie, Bichon Frise and whippet competitions. And Ring 13 was also home for the Giant Schnauzer competitions which was delayed.

When the miniature schnauzers finally took the ring it was almost 3 pm. But like the gritty little dogs themselves the wife and I persevered. It was comical to see how the miniature schnauzer competitors sized each other up (not the handlers). None of the other breeds we saw that day did that. The schnauzers yapped at each other, at passing people, and inanimate objects. Anything to assert schnauzer dominance. I wonder if that counts against them in judging. It really shouldn't since that is a trait of the breed.

I got lots of miniature schnauzer photographs. They all had docked ears for some reason. I had heard that undocked ears had become more common at competitions. We also saw the rumpled Neopolitan mastiffs, Black Russian terriers and the best in show puppy competitions.

Didn't stick around to see the Best in Group competitions or Best in Show since it is a given that the miniature schnauzer will get snubbed again. So why ruin the moment?

All in all, a great time was had by all. Despite the weather which put a damper on our departure from the Chicago Lyric Opera's presentation of Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte due to the wife's open toed footwear not being resistant to the 3 inches of slush that had to be negotiated before we could catch a cab. But that's a story for another day.

Play Ball!

Yes, pitchers and catchers just reported to spring training last week and position players slowly are filtering in as well. But let me be the first to report: THE CHICAGO CUBS ARE ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION.

"What?" you ask, "Didn't the Cubs just bring in a new high profile manager who was wanted by nearly every club with a managerial opening?" Very true. This is supposed to be the "next year" that Cubs fans have been waiting for. But the Cubs have brought in the "It" manager before and while "Dusty" Piniella may breathe some long missing life into the dugout, the talent on the field has to get the job done. I'm still waiting for Piniella's miraculous turnaround to happen in Tampa.

"What about the Cubs free agent signings? Certainly they'll help." Alfonso Soriano is a top notch hitter. Slugging in a pitcher friendly RFK Stadium last year was most impressive especially given the early controversy of his position change. But don't you think he might be looking at the second base position at Wrigley with a jealous eye with the revolving door of so-called talent there? Ronny Cedeno is still just trying to avoid spiking himself after moving to second. Mark LaRosa? Ryan Theriot? Are they really the answer? Just wait. A controversy will be a-brewin'.

The Cubs overpaid for Ted Lilly which will incite Carlos Zambrano to demand even more money or risk yet another clubhouse distraction. As Zambrano (or as he refers to himself "The Big Z") said, "Whatever happens, I don't want to know about a contract during the season. I want to sign with the Cubs before the season starts. If they don't sign me, sorry, but I must go. That's what Carlos Zambrano thinks." Gotta love a guy who talks about himself in the third person. Oh, YEAH!

And, of course, the Cubs didn't just sign new problems. They re-signed Aramis Ramirez. He of the lackadaisical hustle and head-bonking pop-ups. If Piniella can get Ramirez to show some heart, the Cubs may actually have some hope. Nah.

Oops, gotta go. Kerry Wood just got hurt again and Larry Rothschild is helping him and Mark Prior rehab with the infamous towel drills. Ya know, cuz that's been so effective in the past.