I don't know what frightens me more—the idea that all three Presidential candidates appeared on WWE Raw Monday night—OR the state of pitching in baseball, especially the bullpens.

Having elected officials connect themselves with some of the most stupid and absurd elements of our society is scary and questions character in their desperation to get votes. Ralph Nader and Grandpa Al Lewis are looking great now. Can you imagine John Adams, Abe Lincoln or Harry Truman—guys who clearly didn't care about what people thought; only about doing what they thought was right—appearing on a wrestling show?

The thoughts of managers these days can't be too stable either. Friday night, Johan Santana goes 7 great innings. Two batters get on in the eighth, and Santana—the 137.5 million dollar man—comes out of the game. The bullpen nearly blows the game.

Saturday: after having a horrible Friday night, Aaron Heilman redeems himself, getting out of a bases loaded jam. The Mets win the game. Sunday: Andy Pettitte throws 7 shutout innings, and is removed. The same day, the Rangers remove Kevin Millwood after two runs over six, and the BoSox rally to beat the Rangers. The same day, Olson allows 1 run over 7 and is taken out by the Marlins. The Fish DO AT LEAST go on to win the game.
Monday night, Carlos Zambrano—18 game winner last season-holds the Mets to 1 run over 7 and is lifted. Meanwhile, the Rockies pen allows 5 runs to the Phillies in the final two innings of the game.

So I ask: WHERE is the stud starter who says, "Skip, you ain't going to the bullpen today." That's what happened in Game 5 of the 1969 World Series. Jerry Koosman spotted the Orioles an early 3-0 lead, and told the team, "That's it boys, they get no more. The Mets chipped away, and finished off the Birds.

Recently I’ve gotten quite a few comments on my anti Wrestlemania entry. Hey, some of them were quite creative. But so that everyone understands my position:

“Professional Wrestling” - the WWE, TNA, ECW, WHATEVER - is a waste of time. The fact that people enjoy exihibitions that already have predetermined endings demonstrates how delusional they are. The fact that you watch a product whose most successful owner (Vince McMahon) run by a man with no soul, no concern for his employees -demonstrates how delusional you all are. "Pro" wrestling does nothing but glorify violence. It has no union to protect its members from the whims of McMahon. Same thing with Jeff Jarrett and TNA Wrestling-WCW before that, or NWA. Doesn't matter. Guys are in 200-300 matches a year, away from home weeks at a time. Rick Rude, Kurt Henning, Owen Hart, Eddie Guerrero, Elizabeth Hulette-to name a few-have all died from drug use. (or in Hart's case, negligence on the part of the WWE.)

Chris Benoit caused the deaths of three people, including his own. He is responsible for his actions, perhaps answering throughout all eternity for the killing of his wife and son.
BUT: Where were Vince McMahon and the WWE to even consider drug testing or any signs of help to Benoit or others? Such actions now are too little too late-like Bud Selig ALL OF A SUDDEN interested in cleaning up baseball. If Congress hadn’t come-a-calling, steroids would still be the norm in hardball.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

I don’t know what makes me more depressed. The fact that 75,000 people showed up for Wrestlemania Sunday night, or that boxing’s one real star, Floyd Mayweather, was paid 20 million bucks and ‘knocked out’ The Big Sham, er, make that Show. Just reminds you that boxing is just about dead. Don King’s twin brother Vince McMahon will do anything for a buck. At least no wrestler died in the ring, like Owen Hart a few years back. (McMahon didn’t cancel the event after Hart died in front of 20 thousand people.)

Its been almost a year since Chris Benoit killed his wife, son and himself. The litany of wrestlers who die young is longer than than Lindsay Lohan’s visits to rehab. Still, McMahon churns out ‘sports entertainment’, making Bud Selig look like a DEA agent when it comes to drugs and concern for his employees. McMahon has admitted to using the stuff, and beaten charges for distributing. If you’re over 12 years old and need that to see this garbage, get a life.