Burrell, A-Rod, Favre, 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:

---I'm back from an amazing weekend in San Francisco, where I attended 2 of the 3 Giants-Dodgers games. My beloved Giants swept away the hated blue in electric, enthralling fashion.

---I don't know if a sporting event can get any louder than the crowds at AT&T Park over the weekend. The Orange and Black faithful screamed their hearts out for the Giants. After chanting "BEAT L.A.!", "LETS GO GIANTS", and "SWEEP!" at the top of my lungs, I returned home with a hoarse voice and a smile on my face.

---There were several notable storylines over the weekend for San Francisco. There was Tim Lincecum, Aubrey Huff, Edgar Renteria, Buster Posey, Brian Wilson, Chris Ray, Javier Lopez, Juan Uribe, Barry Zito, and Guillermo Mota all delivering in clutch fashion against the hated rivals from down South. There was Matt Cain pitching a masterful game on Sunday Night Baseball to garner his first career win against the Dodgers. But the biggest hero of the weekend was Pat Burrell.

---In the long history of the storied Giants-Dodgers rivalry, Pat the Bat's go-ahead, two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning against Jonathan Broxton deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the famous home runs by Brian Johnson and Joe Morgan, home runs that drove a stake through the heart of the Dodgers. A classic moment.

---In other baseball news, Alex Rodriguez is still stuck at 599 career home runs. Trying desperately to bolster A-Rod out of his current slump, Brain Cashman announced today that the Yankees have re-signed Kate Hudson.

---As the Yankees and Rays continue to play exemplary baseball, the Red Sox keep falling behind the pack. With no move at the trade deadline, Boston is D.O.A.

---Just a thought: The Braves are fantastic, and the surging Phillies just acquired Roy Oswalt. But is it too crazy to think that the Marlins could make a run at the playoffs in the NL East? With Cy Young candidate Josh Johnson, and powerful offensive threats Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, and rookie Mike Stanton, this Florida team is very dangerous.

---On to the NFL now, where Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are now teammates in Cincinnati. Ummmmmm, don't see how this can possibly work. Can somebody say Clash of the Egos?

---Meanwhile, Brett Favre says that he is going to retire. In other convincing news, Rod Blagojevich says that he is innocent. Believe it when I see it, Brett.

---That's all for today's edition of Random Observations. And remember...............Go Giants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!