Rainbow Brite

Baseball: Aaron Rowand had a coming out party at Citi Field on Monday, going 4-for-5 with a homerun as the Giants pounded the Mets, 10-1. South Orange, NJ native Joe Martinez picked up the win for San Francisco...David Wright says he will be back before the end of the season. Why? So you can play with a brain injury on a non-contending team?...The Braves tallied six runs in the third to press past the D'Backs, 9-4...Atlanta placed Nate McLouth on the DL with a sore left hamstring...The Cardinals continue to roll, topping the Dodgers, 3-2...Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda will miss his next scheduled start. Did that even need to be announced? He just got drilled in the head over the weekend...It's not looking good for Cubs closer Kevin Gregg who gave up a three run homer to Kyle Blanks that gave the Padres a 4-1 victory...With Boston idle, the Ranges increased their lead in the Wild Card race to one full game after taking down the Twins, 8-5...Twins first baseman Justin Morneau left the game early with an inner ear infection...The Red Sox have released John Smoltz...Detroit has acquired Aubrey Huff from the Orioles for pitching prospect Brett Jacobson...In other Baltimore news, they lost to the Angels, 8-5. Vlad Guerrero had two homers and five RBIs in the victory...The Nationals actually signed number one draft pick Stephen Stasburg before the deadline to a record $15.1 million contract.
(Photo: AP)

Basketball: The Raptors have reportedly traded Carlos Delfino and Roko Ukic to Milwaukee for Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems...The Phoenix Suns have signed Taylor Griffin to a contract. Taylor is Blake Griffin's older brother...Carmelo Anthony is suing his business manager for misappropriating funds. That's not a very good business manager.

Football: The Giants shocked the Panthers, 24-17 after Tommie Hill returned a last second fumble for a touchdown. Plays like that prove why this is called the preseason...Rams QB Marc Bulger broke his pinky and will be out for 2-to-4 weeks...The NFLPA is advising players about a possible lock out in 2011. Let me give you a little hint, you're the biggest sport in America, a lock out will change that fact and not for the better...Speaking of terrible decisions, Raiders coach Tom Cable allegedly had a physical altercation with defensive assistant Randy Hanson that sent Hanson to the hospital for x-rays on his jaw. Of course all parties are staying mum on the subject...Jay Culter is not going to make friends with his teammates if he continues to criticize them for preseason game gaffes. Now say you're sorry to Devin Hester. You really hurt his feelings.

Hockey: As the US National Hockey team descends on Woodridge, IL, Patrick Kane held a press conference saying he's sorry for Cabbiegate. I have to admit, I am almost feeling bad for Kane. But then I remember he's 20, an excellent player on a solid Blackhawks team who in a few months will be making noise for other things besides this and that empathy feeling kind of subsides...The Rangers have signed veteran free agent Vinny Prospal to a one year deal.
(Photo: Getty Images)

Nascar: Jeremy Mayfield's stepmon needs to put down the moonshine.

Best of the Rest: Greg Paulus has been named the starting QB for Syracuse...Brazilian tourism is teaching 300,000 people English and Spanish ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

Check this Out: Last week I finished an excellent book about a New Orleans football team trying to make it in the days, weeks and months following Hurricane Katrina. The book, Hurricane Season follows the players and coaches in the week prior to the Hurricane and then the months afterwards, showing the hardships of moving on while also showing the bonds that can be made in the face of such devastation. Even if you're not a big football fan, this book is a recommended read. Click here for more information.