Keeping Score

Bob Ryan, in the Boston Globe: “If Manny (Ramirez) is lying, and we discover that he's been juiced for a long time, the ramifications for Boston and the Red Sox are enormous. He was a major part of what went on in 2004 and 2007. He was, after all, the MVP of the 2004 World Series. Any implication that a juiced Manny helped end the 86 years of misery and trauma would not be good.” . . . More from Ryan: “If Manny is telling the truth, shouldn't it be easy to prove? There would be some kind of doctor's record, correct? We really should be able to get to the bottom of it, correct?” . . . And a bit more from Ryan: “Anyway, we tried to tell you folks in L.A. that you didn't just get yourself a great slugger. You got yourself a 24/7/365 reality production entitled The Manny Ramírez Show, produced, directed, written by, and starring Manny Ramírez. This is a man around whom things just seem to, well, happen.”

Gerry Callahan, in the Boston Herald: “We think Roger, Barry and Mark are guilty. We know Manny is. We're pretty sure Clemens, Bonds and McGwire are lying, cheating, drug-addled frauds who for many years bilked baseball out of records, awards and money. We know that is precisely what Manny Ramirez is.” . . . One more from Callahan: “It is tempting to call Ramirez the dumbest man in baseball, but that wouldn't account for Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, the star-struck rube who fell off the turnip truck from Boston and under the spell of Ramirez and his unctuous agent, Scott Boras. Poor Frank. He wants to pal around with Hollywood stars so badly he gave Ramirez a $5-million raise even though no one else was interested.” . . . Richard Justice, in the Houston Chronicle: “Now it's impossible to look at any major leaguer and know for sure he's clean. We go to ballparks anyway and watch on television and don't waste a lot of time worrying about how the sausage is made.” . . . The sports editor of this daily journal, who is a supporter of the Detroit Red Wings, would love to make a Stanley Cup bet with Bill O’Donovan, the news anchor at CFJC-TV, who loves those dastardly Chicago Blackhawks. But I am not one to be taking candy from babies, so will pass on making an offer.

Isn't it amazing how the NHL just continues to shoot itself in the foot? Desperate for positive coverage in the Excited States, and with Ovie meeting Sid the Kid in a playoff matchup that had at least some of the U.S. abuzz, the NHL is the subject of conversation because the Phoenix Coyotes are in bankruptcy court and, on the ice, one player sucker-punches another and doesn't get suspended. . . . If ever you wondered whether the NHL pooh-bahs condone the violent side of their game, well, now you have your answer. . . . Here’s Barry Melrose, ESPN’s hockey analyst: “That was a sucker punch. I haven’t seen a punch like that in 20 years in the NHL. The NHL blew it. I can’t believe the NHL did not suspend (Scott) Walker.” . . . Michael Wilbon, on ESPN’s PTI: “The NHL never gets it right, not when it comes to this. What does this serve, does this showcase the incredible skills of the NHL players in the Stanley Cup playoffs? They want this, they endorse this. This is garbage.” . . . To which Wilbon’s partner, Tony Kornheiser, responded: “This is what the NHL wants.” . . . Sadly, the man is correct. . . . And the fact that Walker, Carolina Puncher, scored the goal that gave the Hurricanes a Game 7 victory over the Boston Bruins looks good on the NHL.

Greg Cote, in the Miami Herald: “The Indianapolis 500 is coming up in (one week). That's the race where Danica Patrick always gets more attention than whatever schmo actually wins the race.” . . . There are rumblings that former Kamloops Blazers captain Jared Aulin, 27, is hoping to resurrect his professional career next season. Aulin's pro career didn't last five seasons before a shoulder injury KO'd it. He’s had some time away so perhaps he is healthy enough to try again. . . . Troy Mick, who was prevented by health problems from completing his one season as head coach of the Blazers, is back in the coaching game, this time as part-owner, general manager and head coach of the Kootenay International junior league's Revelstoke Grizzlies.

Norman Chad, the Couch Slouch, explains “why everyone (I know) hates the (Boston) Celtics” at si.com: “Here are three largely factual Celtics facts: They never lost a Game 7 at Boston Garden on a Sunday. There was not a traveling call on a Celtic in the postseason between 1957 and 1986. In Game 5 against the Bulls last month, Ray Allen became the first Celtic to foul out of a playoff contest since Satch Sanders in 1966.” . . . Admit it. You really weren't surprised when the Vancouver Canucks' season ended without a Stanley Cup parade. . . . But, geez, who could have guessed, when they were three minutes away from taking a 3-1 series lead that a few days later they’d be done like dinner?

If you haven’t heard, Snoop Dogg has a medical marijuana card. Only in America, kids, only in America. . . . Steve Rosenbloom, at ChicagoTribune.com: “I read that the new Yankee Stadium is the most expensive place where athletes play and I'm wondering, more expensive than Madonna?” . . . Jeff Gordon, in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Old school: Coffee, 'greenies' and chewing tobacco. New school: Red Bull, steroids, women's fertility drugs.” . . . Scott Ostler, in the San Francisco Chronicle: “I'm no chemist so I don't know exactly how HCG works, but I think it's important that we keep Manny Ramirez away from OctoMom.” . . . Jerry Sondler, a Warwick, R.I., resident, emailed the Los Angeles Times to ask: "Is this a suspension or is Manny on maternity leave?"

Gregg Drinnan is sports editor of The Daily News. He is at gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca and gdrinnan.blogspot.com. Keeping Score appears Saturdays.