1. Darren Baker Rule
Bud Selig will issue an edict next month requiring batboys to be at least 14 years old. The new rule won’t affect Ken Griffey Jr., who continues to spend much of his childhood in the Reds’ dugout.
2. Matched set
Soccer stud Ronaldo won the Golden Ball on Monday as the best player on a European club. He also won in 1997. That’s quite a pair.
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3. Wheels turn slowly
Gerrik Latta, a former member of the U.S. junior national cycling team, filed suit claiming he was tricked into using banned, performance-enhancing drugs. Does that excuse ever work?
4. Are you excited?
The Mets signed Yankee pitcher
Mike Stanton to a three-year deal.
“This puts an exclamation point on our pitching staff,” said Mets GM Steve Phillips. To make room on their roster, the Mets cut a comma.
5. Show your cards
ESPN.com says the NBA Draft lottery process may be televised from start to finish to quiet conspiracy theorists who complain someone such as, maybe, let’s say LeBron James is already slated to be in a big market, say, maybe, New York. And the Knicks’ horrific 7-14 record really adds the realism.
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6. Fashion police
Allen Iverson lamented Monday he’s “never mentioned” as part of the 2004 U.S. Olympic basketball team. Iverson was wearing a Celtics jersey as he spoke. He plays for the 76ers. If he played for the U.S. in Athens, would be break out the Lithuanian tie-dyes?