Buehrle, Wise, T.O., and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

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

---Mark Buehrle has thrown a perfect game in Chicago. The White Sox ace made baseball history on Thursday, making the Tampa Bay Rays hitters look completely defenseless. Another spectacular chapter in the career of one of baseball's most underrated pitchers. Mark Buehrle now has a no-hitter, a perfect game, and a World Series ring, all of which have come in the last four years.

---Buehrle should give a special tip of the cap to teammate DeWayne Wise, who made an unbelievable leaping catch to rob Gabe Kapler of a home run in the ninth inning. Wise, whom manager Ozzie Guillen put into the game as a defensive replacement in the ninth, somehow managed to hold onto the ball after bobbling it due to his collision with the wall. An absolutely amazing play that will be replayed for years to come.

---Could the perfect game be a sign of destiny for Ozzie Guillen's White Sox? I still like the Tigers to win the AL Central, but the ChiSox will make this an interesting race in August and September.

---Speaking of interesting races, how about the mayhem that has ensued in the NL Central. The Cardinals, Astros, Brewers, and Cubs are all fighting for the division crown. The team currently playing the best baseball? Miguel Tejada, Roy Oswalt, and Cecil Cooper's Houston Astros.

---If I were Terry Francona, I'd be a little nervous about falling to second place behind the Yankees. The Red Sox have thoroughly dominated the Yankees this season, winning all eight games between the two teams. Yet Derek Jeter and company somehow find themselves in first place. Joe Girardi's team is playing extremely well right now, and the opposite is true for Boston. After getting whipped by Ian Kinsler and the Rangers, the Red Sox are officially in a worrisome slump. We're in store for another thrilling race between these two ancient rivals.

---And in all honesty, I'm a bit puzzled by the Red Sox acquisition of Adam LaRoche. LaRoche is a tall, lanky first baseman with some power, but if Theo Epstein expects LaRoche to be the missing piece that will carry Boston in October, he's sorely mistaken. However, I expect Epstein, one of the best GM's in the game, to make another move before the trade deadline.

---My Giants have been struggling as of late, but we picked up a big win today in Atlanta behind the resurgent arm of Barry Zito. Up next: a HUGE series in Denver with the wild-card-leading Rockies. Go Giants!

---That controversial dunk video of Jordan Crawford and LeBron has finally been released, and it turns out it was much ado about nothing. So what was LeBron so worried about? Why did he have such a hissy fit and demand that the tapes of the dunk be confiscated? C'mon King James, you're WAY better than that!

---And finally, Terrell Owens' new reality show debuted this past week. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........Sorry, I just dozed off there for a little bit.