Left Coast Sports Babe

Injured Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden today endorsed Barack Obama for President.

So much for all those who say that Obama will never capture the senior vote.

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The San Francisco Giants were already facing a challenging year with no slugger to replace Barry Bonds.  Now, their Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel is having knee surgery.  Manager Bruce Bochy thinks the team will be competitive – yeah, maybe with the Pac 10.

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Raul Castro is taking over the presidency of Cuba.     Without an election but appointed as the best man for the job by his brother.  Yet another reminder of how a banana republic likes to keep power concentrated in one or two families.

Kelvin Sampson received $750,000 from Indiana to resign.  Which means that since 2000 the university has now paid more than $4 million to ex-coaches and athletic administrators.

4 million to people who do nothing for the school anymore?   Well, that’s about the same deal Notre Dame has with Charlie Weis.

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And it still might be a better deal for Indiana University than the $2 million Hillary Clinton is paying Mark Penn.
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 Kelvin Sampson is getting $750,000 to leave Indiana University.  This might be the best deal ever involving a broken contract and a cell phone.

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Alfter being taken to the hospital by ambulance for an irregular heartbeat, Mark DeRosa of the Chicago Cubs was found to have a treatable heart condition.  Still, it’s surprising ….generally the ones with the heart conditions are Cubs fans. 

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Ralph Nader might have cost Gore the 2000 election, now in 2008, his entry in the race may hurt John McCain.  Because since Nader turns 74 this week, he may well remind Americans of how quickly senility can set in.

Either that or he will make McCain look young and vigorous.