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Monday meanderings: Center fielder Ryan Sweeney had six runs batted in for the Chicago Cubs in a 14-6 victory Sunday (June 23) over the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. He had seven in 89 at-bats entering the contest. Almost as amazing was shortstop Starlin Castro drawing his 12th walk of the season. On the minus side, he did have two errors to give him 14 for the season. Yean, but the Cubs are only 15 games back and tied with Milwaukee for fourth place in the National League Central (also tied for last for those who view life from another perspective).
For more Amanda Latona, scroll down. You’re welcome.
* Speaking of Chicago shortstops’ shortcomings, Alexei Ramirez had an error, his 12th of the season, as the White Sox fell 7-6 at Kansas City. The Royals ended reliever Jesse Crain’s scoreless streak at 29 innings. On the plus (??) side, the three runs Crain allowed were unearned, his earned-run average is a miniiscule 0.52 and he would seem the team’s most viable All-Star Game candidate. For the record, Ramirez did not draw a walk. So he remains at 10 for the season. He has 14 RBI (in 289 at-bats). Feel free to compare that with Cubs outfielder Sweeney’s numbers. Or even light-hitting Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney (15 RBI in 217 at-bats).
* Doc Rivers, who has Chicago-area roots, is leaving the Boston Celtics to coach the Los Angeles Clippers. He reportedly is leaving a three-year, $21 million deal to take a three-year, $21 million deal in L.A. The Celtics wil receive a 2015 first-round draft pick. Which, if things go the way the Clippers and Rivers envision, will be so low that it almost will be a second-round pick. Well, as long as guard Chris Paul re-signs with the team — which he presumably will not that Rivers is the coach. Which means Rivers is worth it to the Clippers if for no other reason than that. Interesting Rivers can make more money as a coach than he did as a player.
* Speaking of the Clippers and anything with a Chicago connection, veteran Celtics star Kevin Garnett — who played at Farragut many years ago in high school — reportedly is willing to waive a no-trade clause in his contract to approve a trade to the Clippers. More star power on the Clippers than on the Lakers? Somewhere Phil Jackson is midly amused and quite possibly smirking.
Amanda Latona posted this on her Facebook fan page. The least we can do is run it here.
* Speaking of basketball, Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose continues his rehab from anterior-cruciate ligament surgery more than a year ago and should be in reasonably good enough shape to watch the NBA draft. Which is not to say he will.
* Congratulations to Amanda Latona, who took first place in the Greater Gulf States IFBB Pro Bikini competition over the weekend in New Orleans. For those in the audience who believe we are making mention of this purely to justify running a photo of the lovely lass (not that justification is needed when you are in charge of content), let me assure you that is not the case. We also have video from the Arnold Sports Festival a few months ago in Columbus, Ohio, that we have not used. Well, not until now. Timing is everything. And that’s the naked truth. Or close to it.
Yes, we are aware the hockey season could end Monday. All the Chicago Blackhawks have to do is win Game 6 in Boston against the Bruins to capture the best-of-seven series 4-2. What all that means — other than euphoria for Hawks fans and despair for Bruins backers — is time also is running out for videos featuring Miss Finland(s).
As those who are frequent visitors to this site probably are aware, we have been running videos of various Miss Finlands as a tribute of sorts to Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, who is from Finland. Whether Rask merits such an honor is up for discussion. There is no doubt Miss Finland (regardless of year) always will be welcome around here:
Here is where we go for non-gratuitous video (thanks to the diligence of the editorial and video departments at elliottharris.com — at least that’s what they call it — and their broad definition of “gratuitous”) And what better way to start off the week than by having more Amanda Latona:
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