So, none of Sammy's 76 other bats revealed any cork or other foreign substance. Some are saying that gets him off the hook, but at the same time, why cork just one bat? More importantly, why cork just one bat and then lose track of it? Is this some sort of home-run Russian roulette? Something does smell awfully funny here.

Back on the FCC front, the Tribune has consistently been one of the most narrow-mindedly "synergistic" media companies out there, so I guess it shouldn't surprise me that Illinois Senator Peter Fitzgerald was one of the few who defended the FCC decision during Senate hearings on Monday. The downside is that there's really no righteous indignation to be had here, as Fitzgerald isn't going to run for re-election. I'd be willing to bet the Trib would endorse him if he did.

And one year ago today, I bore witness to one of the biggest events in the history of American soccer. I got off the plane in Seoul, South Korea on the 4th, in the thick of celebration for the home country's World Cup victory over Poland, spent the night in what could charitably be called a "love hotel," and then set off on the 5th to Suwon, where the United States dispatched with world power Portugal by a score of 3-2. When we took a 1-0 lead, we were ecstatic. At two goals to none, we were astonished. When the American squad went up three goals, we had nearly run out of emotions. It was an amazing thing to see, part of a wonderful trip that I still haven't posted any pictures of to the site.