In the 70s, managers like Billy Martin, Ralph Houk and especially Earl Weaver made the season fun, even in August when your team was in the basement.

This radio clip from one of Earl Weaver's shows always makes me laugh. But it is not safe to play at work!

Justin Verlander of the Tigers filed for arbitration, seeking $9.5 million. Given the salaries some other pitchers are getting, this is a steal. I know it's just arbitration, I know it's just a bargaining maneuver. Still, if I were the Tigers I wouldn't even bother suggesting a lower price.

In 2009, Verlander was 19-9 and the league leader in:

• strikeouts
• innings pitched
• starts

Detroit is very fortunate to have Verlander. Anything could happen but he sure looks like another Roy Halliday.

When you run the Giants and that employee is Tim Lincecum.

So, a guy like Bobby Seay is getting $2.5 million this year. For those of you not B students, that's the same as a $125,000 a year salary -- for 20 years.

Given that you're probably gonna pull down about $50,000 a year for 20 years if you study, and maybe $35,000 if you don't -- but can use that extra time to focus on that professional athlete dream, maybe it's worth pursuing it.

Of course, Yankees also achieved the most.
Sports Illustrated has the breakdown here:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tom_verducci/01/19/verducc...

The Hall of Fame voters may be as silly and snobbish as the college football poll voters, and both must wield contorted logic to justify their choices, but, they usually get things right.

Still not this year. Not with Jack Morris still out of the Hall of Fame, yet Andre Dawson is in? Come on.

There are 3 separate big league teams with championship rings that wouldn't have them if not for Jack Morris. How many players can you say this about?

The Detroit Free Press also makes the case:

http://freep.com/article/20100107/BLOG18/100107018/1322/Percentages-favo...

Look, I'm not gonna get into an argument about whether NCAA sports is a feudal system, is racist, is ripping off the "student" athletes. Cause if I did, you'd lose, so there.

But, one Christmas gift this year was a framed shot of Tom Brady in action -- for the University of Michigan. It's a sweet picture, a sweet gift.

And the University gets a bit of the price of this item. Tom Brady, nothing. Sure, he's married to a supermodel and has millions, but that doesn't excuse me. I really gotta find a way to give him a deserved royalty.