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Topics to Chew On: Tobacco & Otherwise

October 19, 2011 @ No Comments

Health officials from the cities of the World Series participants and four Democratic senators have asked the players union to agree to ban chewing tobacco at games and on camera during the Fall Classic. Guess those legislators don’t receive campaign contributions from the tobacco lobby.

The only reason to have a Minnesota Vikings mention is to justify running this photo. As if justification is necesaary.

“When players use smokeless tobacco, they endanger not only their own health, but also the health of millions of children who follow their example,” the senators wrote to union chief Michael Weiner. Signing the ltter were Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate; Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey; Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut; and Senate Health Committee Chairman Tom Harkin of Iowa.

In Senate speech Tuesday, Durbin said, “Let’s not let the health and safety of young baseball fans across America be a bargaining chip between the major league players and the owners. Let’s win one for the kids across America.”

All we need now is for President Barack Obama to concur with the senators. If recent politics provide any barometer, Republicans then would come out in favor of chewing tobaco.

Among other things to chew on (non-tobacco division):

* The Chicago Cubs still have not worked out the deal to bring Theo Epstein from the Boston Red Sox to be in charge of the baseball side. Oh, to have the artistic ability to craft a “Where’s Theo” series of books similar to “Where’s Waldo.”

* New Florida Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen has unkind words for several parties regarding his departure from the Chicago White Sox. Well, you didn’t expect him to make news chatting about the Marlins, did you?

* The St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are the teams in the 2011 World Series. Which is exciting for folks in St. Louis and Arlington, Texas. And possibly a few other places. Definitely not in the big offices of Fox, which will televise the series. The teams could set a TV record — for lowest ratings. The Rangers’ 2010 World Series appearance against the San Francisco Giants drew an 8.4 rating to match the Philadelpia-Tampa Bay 2009 series. There’s some consolaton for Fox: The National League champ could have been Milwaukee.

* Red Sox pitchers Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Jon Lester have denied drinking in the dugout during games. As anyone knows, that’s what the clubhouse is for.

* Those NBA labor negotiations would seem pretty much like any of the league’s games: Tune in for the last two minutes or so.

* Minnesota reportedly will be turning over the starting quarterback reins to rookie Christian Ponder and turning away from veteran Donovan McNabb. Which is about the first time this season that Vikings fans actually might enjoy one of their team’s offensive turnovers.

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