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The D.C. Expos?

Should Major League Baseball move the Montreal Expos to Washington, D.C.? Charles Pierce of Slate says not just no, but hell no. And there are numerous reasons — political, culutral and athletic. (But Dr. S says if you do bring a NL team to Washington, don't call them the Senators ... that was an AL franchise. Instead, call them the Nationals.)

More Mascot Madness

Anderson Township (Ohio) High School's nickname was the Redskins until the principal decided to change it in response to a diversity committee's recommendation. But now a student is bidding to keep the nickname. The twist: She's an Inca and says she was promised she could portray the Redskins' mascot this year.

Are We Living In Titletown?

The Jackson Senators have been a success on and off the field in their two seasons at Smith-Wills Stadium. On Monday night, they open the Central Baseball League playoffs (brought to you by Budweiser, America's favorite sports drink) against the Fort Worth Cats. Get out to the park and back our boys.

Wouldn't It Be Simpler To Just Win?

Here'a another reason to hate youth sports: A team playing in the Junior League Softball World Series had to forfeit a game for intentionally playing poorly. You see, it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.

Little League World Series: Don't Believe The Hype

ABC and ESPN are showing every game of the Little League World Series again this year (the championship game is Sunday on ABC). Personally, Dr. S. regards Little League ball as the only baseball on TV worse than your average American League game. And talk about corrupt. Danny Almonte is the rule, not the exception in the history of the Little League World Series. Slate says that the Little League World Series sold out long ago and the actual games are about big bullies beating up on little kids.

Kobe Not Feeling Charitable

Dr. S believes that Kobe Bryant wakes up every day saying to himself, "Surely things can't get any worse." Wrong, Kobe.

So Little Time, So Much Blather

The Seven Minutes That Shook The World went down Wednesday as Kobe Bryant made his first appearance in court on a sexual assault charge in Eagle, Colo. As expected, the entire thing was a four-ring circus (counting the one he gave to his wife).

Is It Too Late For A Bass Action Suit?

Dr. S read in the latest JFP that Lance Bass of *NSYNC is being inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame. Lance Bass? LANCE BASS!!??? What th ----? Muddy Waters, Elvis Presely, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Rodgers and Lance Bass. Which of these do not belong in the hall of fame? Holy crap!

Love That Cup

I know that Jackson Free Press readers don't rate Popeyes chicken as the best in Jackson, but the fast-food restaurant has a neat cup it's giving away. It pays tribute to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and features the hats of Negro Leagues teams. It's a small thing but Dr. S thinks it's neat. Call it lagniappe.

Kobe's (First) Day In Court

NBA superstar sexual predator Kobe Bryant gets his first day in court on Wednesday at around 5 p.m. CDT. Pick just about any channel, almost all of them will be showing it. How will the Kobe case rank among sports celebrity trials? But whatever happens, it won't be good for the NBA, no matter what idiot Mavs owner Mark Cuban says.

No More Nutella for Kobe

Bad news for Kobe Bryant: On Monday, two days before his initial appearance in court on a charge of sexual assault in Eagle, Colo., he lost his endorsement deal with Nutella, the chocolate-flavored hazelnut spread that's a big seller in Europe but no threat to replace peanut butter over here. (But Dr. S likes it.) The judge said Bryant has to show up in court, a rarity and major pain in the ass for a major celeb like K.B. Meanwhile, Bryant apparently had too much time on his hands over the weekend, so he went to the Teen Choice Awards to pick up a date, er, I mean, a trophy for favorite male athlete. Bad move, Kobe. After all, a teen choice is what got you into this mess.

Warming Up For Football

Players for the state's Big 3 college football teams, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss reported to campus on Sunday. They begin practice on Monday. All three play their season openers on Aug. 30. The rest of the state's college teams will begin practice this week. The high school and pro teams are already in camp. Ah, football season ... you can tell from the sauna-like weather it's getting close. Stay tuned for Dr. S' previews. And remember, his predictions are for entertainment purposes only. (They make me say that. You should bet the house on the teams Dr. S picks.)

Sens vs. the Fly Boys

The Jackson Senators open a three-game series at home on Monday night against the Coastal Bend Aviators. The Senators lead the Central Baseball League's Eastern Division'; the Aviators are atop the Western. This could be a CBL championship series. Regardless, it's baseball in J-town, so Dr. S prescribes a visit to Smith-Wills. Drink a beer, eat some ballpark food and enjoy.

Play Rugby!

Play Rugby, the toughest full-contact team sport you will ever love. All are welcome with no skill required. Jackson Rugby practices every Tues. and Thurs. 6 - 8 p.m. at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Madison. 714-4444. http://www.jacksonrugby.com

The Kobe Case: The Law, The Media, The Lakers

Slate's Dahlia Lithwick says the upcoming Kobe Bryant trial will showcase America's mixed-up rape laws. Meanwhile, as more information in the case surfaces, media organizations are asking the judge to unseal court records. A hearing is being held Thursday.

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