Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports.

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Brett Favre makes T.O. look like a team player.

---Wouldn't we all understand if Aaron Rodgers covers Favre's locker with graffiti?

---Manny Ramirez got off to a good start with the Dodgers this past weekend, but so did Jason Bay with the Red Sox. I'm still skeptical about this trade from Boston's perspective, but maybe Theo Epstein knew what he was doing after all.

---That White Sox-Royals brawl yesterday was a little odd. Memo to Miguel Olivo: There is no way D.J. Carrasco was trying to hit you.

---Speaking of the White Sox, they have fallen a half-game back of the first place Minnesota Twins. Chicago better start winning on a consistent basis, because the Twins are for real.

---The Mets look weaker with each passing day. The Phillies look stronger with each passing day. The Marlins look stronger with each passing day. It is way too early too panic, and I stand my prediction that the Mets will win the division. However, there is major worry in Queens right now.

---Wild, roller coaster affair in the Bronx yesterday between the Angels and Yankees. The game had more twists and turns than Lombard street.

---I don't mean to dismiss the very serious and important political concerns surrounding this year's Olympics in Beijing, but the Olympics are a time for athletic competition, patriotism, and inspiration. It would be a shame if politics dwarfed the actual games.

---Ron Artest makes the Rockets better, there is no doubt about that. But Rick Adleman's team has no shot at a championship, even with the trio of Artest, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming. The West is that loaded.

---Here is the World Series I want to see: Cubs-White Sox. What an awesome showcase for Chicago that would be.

---Georgia is ranked number 1 in the college football coaches poll, followed by USC and Ohio State. Pete Carroll's Trojans and Mark Richt's Bulldogs are the two best teams in the nation, but Jim Tressel's Ohio State Buckeyes have the easiest road. The Big Ten is no match for the Pac-10 or SEC. Opponents like Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are not in the same league as Florida, LSU, Cal, Oregon, UCLA, and Tennessee.

---The Little League has implemented instant replay for the upcoming Little League World Series. So, what is Bud Selig waiting for exactly? Now I do not think Major League Baseball should use replay in all aspects of the game, but replay is a necessity on fair or foul calls.

---The Fred Dean glasses moment at the Hall of Fame induction in Canton on Saturday was a classic.

---The stands were drenched with burgundy and gold. It felt like a Redskins home game.

---Go Big Brown! Go Big Brown! Go Big Brown!

---Thrilling finish between the Phillies and Cardinals last night in St. Louis. The Cardinals made Brad Lidge sweat, but Lidge remains an elite closer. In fact, outside of Francisco Rodriguez, Lidge is the best closer in baseball.

---And finally, here is my bold prediction of the week: The Angels will make the playoffs. How is that for going out on a limb?