Fred Lane (RB for the Colts and formerly of the Panthers) is now "Memory" Lane. Fred was shot and killed in his home by his wife Deidra. It seems that Fred had put his life on the "wrong lane" recently having been arrested for gun possession and drug possession charges in February and then having his wife file a complaint against him for domestic abuse in March. Police are investigating the situation to see if it was self-defense; no charges have been filed. Probably a few folks are wondering just how they could arrange to introduce Deidra lane to OJ since she seems to know how to deal with domestic abuse.

Meanwhile the police officer in Hoboken who was beaten by Penn State football players several months ago has filed suit against them. He is claiming that the beating and injuries that resulted have caused a "significant loss in the quality and enjoyment of his life." Stand by for more news in this one; I suspect this one is only in the first quarter of the game!

You may have missed this in the agate type, but the Wizards have invited Taymon Domzalski to join their summer league team and to compete for an invite to their training camp in October. You may remember Taymon from Duke games. He was always easy to spot because he was the clumsy one who was always in mortal danger of tripping over his own feet.

The Orioles lost yesterday to the Yankees after leading the game 7-0 in the second inning. But it was not another blown save because the pitching broke down real early. Starter Sidney Ponson could not get out of the second inning and they went to Jason Johnson who has been demoted to the bullpen - again - because he has been winless and useless as a starter. Everytime he gets sent to the bullpen or to the minors or is taken out of a game quickly, Jason whines and complains. Yesterday he shows up with a 7-4 lead and two men on base. Jason focuses all of his attention and skill on the situation to assure that he gets back in the starting rotation ASAP, and gives up back to back home-runs and loses the lead and the game; he is now 0-8. This is the second time in the last month the Orioles lost a game after leading by 7 runs.

Speaking of pitching woes, the Yankees recalled Doc Gooden from the minors and will start him against the Mets during their weekend series. Unless there has been a major change in Gooden's velocity on his fastball, then they better set up the batting cage and put the protective fences up around the infield or someone is going to get hurt.

The same Phi Beta Kappa geography majors who put Carolina, Atlanta, St. Louis and New Orleans in the NFL West must be the ones who decided to play the PGA Western Open in Lemont Illinois. If the Lemont Chamber of Commerce could read a map - not a given - they could claim to be an Equal Geographical Opportunity Golf Site and offer to host the PGA Eastern Open there too. Hey, it's actually closer to the Atlantic than to the Pacific if anyone cares to measure. In the Western Open, Casey Martin - the PGA's designated poster child for ruination of the game - poses little threat to make the cut here. In his first round he shot a 77 leaving him 14 strokes off the lead. I'm going to track the performances of this guy who has been granted a rule exemption by the courts that is so unfair because it gives him such a horrendous advantage. If he is lucky, he will win the Buttcheese Pro-Am played in some garden spot like Minot ND.

Finally, what is up with Detroit sports franchises. Barry Sanders quits the Lions; he won't even take phone calls or answer letters from the coach or the GM. The Tigers are trying to unload Juan Gonzales who is sufficiently unhappy there that he turned down a contract worth a guaranteed $140M over 8 years. Now the Pistons are on the verge of losing Grant Hill to Orlando and are entertaining "sign and trade" deals with the Knicks and Lakers. Maybe this is the price they have to pay for the former Tiger owner firing Ernie Harwell? Or maybe for tolerating Wayne "the Brain" Fontes for so long?

But don't get me wrong, I love sports...