Utley, Cable, Iverson, 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:


---Thanks to the heroics of Chase Utley, the 2009 World Series will return to the Bronx for a Game 6. Chase Utley has been downright spectacular in this World Series, belting five home runs, three of which were hit against CC Sabathia. With Ryan Howard struggling, the Phillies desperately needed Utley to deliver, and he has delivered in a big way. If the Phillies somehow find a way to come back and win this series, Utley is the surefire MVP.

---Still, the Yankees are in the driver's seat. If they hang on and win the championship, the franchise should give a special nod of appreciation to Johnny Damon. Damon had one of the most resilient at-bats in World Series history in the ninth inning of Game 4, fouling off pitch after pitch against Brad Lidge, eventually getting a base hit. Damon followed his single with one of the most heads-up baserunning plays I've ever seen. After stealing second, Damon had the awareness to recognize the defensive shift being put on by the Phillies with Mark Teixeira at the plate, and he immediately stole third. It was an incredibly intelligent play that drastically altered the momentum of the series.

---A-Rod keeps on getting clutch hit after clutch hit. How much do you think the Yankees are paying Kate Hudson?

---Has there ever been a more inconsistent starter than A.J. Burnett? Burnett followed up his brilliant Game 2 performance with a god-awful meltdown in Game 5. When Burnett takes the mound, all Joe Girardi can do is cross his fingers and hope and pray, because you never know what you're going to get.

---With all due respect to Peyton Manning and the undefeated Colts, the best team in the NFL right now is the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees and company put on another electrifying offensive display against the Falcons last night on Monday Night Football, essentially clinching the NFC South with nine weeks to play. If the Saints meet the Colts in the Super Bowl, the score will be something like 128-125.

---What has happened to the New York Giants? After a 5-0 start, the G-Men have lost three consecutive games. Eli Manning has looked terrible, and the once-stout defense has struggled mightily in three straight losses to the Saints, Cardinals, and Eagles. Tom Coughlin's team was once declared a Super Bowl favorite. Now, due to the resurgence of the Eagles and Cowboys, their playoff hopes are very much in doubt.

---As a Niners fan there isn't much to brag about right now. We have lost three straight, and are once again in the midst of a quarterback controversy between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. But there is one positive, and that is Michael Crabtree. Crabtree has had an instant impact at the wide receiver position, and he has not shown any sort of rust after missing all that time.

---Is there a more dysfunctional sports franchise than the Oakland Raiders? I don't think so. The latest saga in Raiderville is regarding head coach Tom Cable. Nothing has been proven, but in light of the overwhelming accusations, it appears that Cable is a violent thug. Just another season of fun and games for the Raiders.

---It's that time of year again, when the BCS comes and absolutely ruins the tremendous excitement of the college football regular season. Florida, Alabama, Texas, Oregon, Boise State, Iowa, and TCU all have an argument that they belong in the national championship game. But instead of letting it play out on the football field, the BCS will ensure that six of the aforementioned teams get screwed. Wake up college football, you need a playoff.

---Tim Tebow is having another stellar year, and the Florida Gators are again the favorites to win the national championship. However, it is not all smiles in Florida right now after the disgusting behavior of linebacker Brandon Spikes, who attempted to gauge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in Saturday's game. Coach Urban Meyer has suspended Spikes for the first half of their next game, but that penalty is not severe enough. Spikes should be ashamed of his actions, actions that warrant at least a one-game suspension.

---He's only played one game, but Allen Iverson is already complaining. A.I. criticized the Grizzlies after their overtime loss to the Kings last night, saying that he should not be coming off the bench. If I were Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins, I would start taking some Advil, because Iverson is going to be a major headache this season.

---I know I'm a professional Laker hater, but I can't be the only person who is annoyed with the staged antics of the Lakers bench. Whenever the Lakers score, the players on the bench do this ridiculous choreography with their feet. It's dumb and juvenile behavior that shouldn't be expected from a championship-winning team.

---Kudos to the Boston Celtics for re-signing Rajon Rondo. Rondo may be a step behind Chris Paul and Deron Williams, but he is still an elite point guard who will be a major player in the Celtics organization for years to come.

---So we all knew the Nets were bad but, my goodness, I didn't know their offense was this bad. The Nets put up a mere 68 points in an embarrassing loss to the Bobcats last night. With guys like Devin Harris, Rafer Alston, and Brook Lopez, New Jersey should be able to score a lot more than that.

---Quick NBA programming note: Look for the inaugural edition of my NBA Power Rankings, coming to a computer near you on Friday. The power rankings will become a Friday tradition.

---I'll conclude with my thoughts on the recent revelations regarding tennis great Andre Agassi, who admitted past meth use and a deep hate for the sport of tennis in his recent autobiography. I admire Agassi's candor, and as a huge tennis fan I will always hold him in high regard. But these revelations just make me sad. Tennis fans always viewed Agassi as a happy-go-lucky guy with a passionate love for the game, when in fact he was an unhappy man making a living at something he hated. Sad.