An NBA referee comes out with a new book detailing his past adventures working undercover with the mafia:

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED chats with Bob Delaney, a 20-year court veteran and former New Jersey state trooper, who writes about his experiences with Tony Sparano…er, Tony Soprano types in “Covert: My Years Infiltrating The Mob.”

The book, targeted for a February release, describes Delaney’s three-year saga as an undercover cop in the 1970s. His dangerous work helped bring in 30 members of the Bruno and Genovese crime families. But it also brought about feelings of guilt for turning in people he became very close to, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Read more…

Jose Canseco’s next book is apparently suffering from writer’s block:

The NEW YORK DAILY NEWS reports that the former slugger was planning on penning a new missive to follow up his 2005 opus “Juiced”. The new work, titled “Vindicated”, was expected to be released around Opening Day next season.

However, co-writer Don Yaeger has decided to pass on the project. The former SI editor believes that there isn’t enough stuff for another best-seller - especially in regards to Canseco’s claims of juicy material on Alex Rodriguez:

“I don’t think there’s a book there. I don’t know what they’re going to do. I don’t think he’s got what he claims to have, certainly doesn’t have what he claims to have on A-Rod. There’s no meat on the bones.”

Read more…

• WITH LEATHER wants to know if you know how to Ram it:

• MR. IRRELEVANT is disturbed by the way the media thinks Sean Taylor had it coming.• THE GHOSTS OF WAYNE FONTES hits the bookshelves to find literary help for these sports figures.

• Some drunk Ole Miss gals give their thoughts on the dearly departed Coach Orgeron:

• 100% INJURY RATE tries to cure itself of Olympic fever, as they run down past mascots of the Games:

• FOOTBALL JESUS LAS VEGAS takes a fond look back at all the College GameDay signs at last week’s Kansas-Missouri game.• CHICAGO BULL finds the Illinois football and basketball coaches are exact opposites.

LOWER HANDICAP IS MCDONALDS DRIVE-THRU VISIT AWAY: The GLASGOW HERALD has a great primer on John Daly’s new book: “Golf My Own Damn Way“. From what the Herald reports, there’s more unearthed gems in the Daly document than hidden in Charlie Weis’ folds.

Excerpts:• “prepared for his Open Championship-winning final round at St Andrews in 1995 by eating 10 chocolate croissants.”

• “advises golfers to ‘let your belly lead your hands’“.

• “munches through 20 packets of M&Ms in a round and was once disqualified from a junior tournament for having a bottle of Jack Daniels in his bag.“• “suggests the PGA Tour should allow players to wear Bermuda shorts, should make carts mandatory and should strip-search spectators to keep mobiles and cameras off the course.”

I think we all could see that last one coming.

M. STRAHAN: OUR FOREMOST MODERN (TOILET) HUMORIST: NAUGHTY AMERICAN (very NSFW link) reviews Michael Strahan’s “Inside The Helmet” book which gives us a window into the discerning world of Monsieur #92’s unabated love for watersports and scatological humor.

Strahan on #1: “Here’s how the pee prank is usually pulled off: While one player distracts the mark with a little conversation in the shower, another player sneaks up and empties his bladder on the victim’s leg. The targeted teammate usually doesn’t notice, because warm urine is pretty much the same temperature as the water.

“It’s the perfect crime, until the victim notices an audience of large naked men pointing and yukking it up.”

Strahan on #2: “Another lowbrow practical joke that’s common in NFL training camps, Strahan reveals, is the ‘take-a-dump-in-the-wrong-part-of-the-toilet’ caper. All that this one requires is removing the top of the toilet tank, making a deposit, replacing the cover, then sitting back (from an odor-free distance) while the stink bomb builds strength yet remains frustratingly hard to pinpoint.“Giants fans can certainly relate to the latter prank, since they’ve got plenty experience with a “stink bomb that builds strength yet remains frustratingly hard to pinpoint“:

JACKSON’S “HEART & SOUL” JAB JUST LATEST KOBE BEEF: Phil Jackson let it be known that he has a beef with the way Kobe’s been playing:

In the newest episode of “As The B-Ball Turns,” ESPN offers up the latest spin by the Lakers coach on his sullen star.

After Saturday’s practice, Jackson jawed to reporters about Bryant’s work ethic: “Obviously he hasn’t thrown his heart and soul into performing on the floor.”

But Kobe fights back at Phil’s flip remark: “That (should be) the least of his concerns or anybody’s concerns.”

Jackson’s recent jab at Kobe is nothing new between the two. Back in 2004, Phil was off the Lakers’ bench and on the streets, peddling his new book, “The Last Season”.

Within the pages, Jackson expressed his frustrations with Bryant, calling their relationship a “psychological war”. At one point, Phil pleaded with management to trade Kobe, telling them, “I won’t coach this team next year if he is still here. He won’t listen to anyone. I’ve had it with this kid.”

Even back then, Bryant wasn’t too concerned with the book’s comments - or even picking up a copy, responding, “I’d rather read ‘Lord of the Rings’ in one day.”

And so the circus under the Staples Center tent goes on. Preseason rehearsals are over, and the real Lake Show starts Tuesday night against Houston. Better grab some more popcorn, this could get good.

LASORDA HEADING OUT TO THE OZARKS FOR FOOD & FUN: Loosen your belts & get out your crayons, ’cause Tommy Lasorda’s coming to town!

The RUSSELLVILLE COURIER pitches us the news that the former Dodger manager will be in the Arkansas community this weekend for dinner.And not just because he’s hungry. Lasorda will be the keynote speaker for an Evening With Tech Baseball, a combination meal and silent auction event benefiting the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys baseball team.

Yes, they’re really called the Wonder Boys. That’s the best college nickname we’ve heard of since the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs.Tickets for Friday’s food & fun run at $60 a piece, or $600 for a table of 8. Hope you like cannelloni with hog jowls!

Then on Saturday, Lasorda will be giving autographs and signing books at a local office store. However, the article fails to mention exactly which book Tommy will be putting his John Hancock on.

EXCERPT FROM MADAM’S BOOK ON LASORDA ENCOUNTER: SbB has obtained excerpts from the book, “Secrets of a Hollywood SuperMadam”, which chronicles the life of prostitute and Madam Jody Gibson.

In the book, Gibson claims that Tommy Lasorda used her service, and describes a meeting the former Dodger manager allegedly had with one of her prostitutes (employees) in great detail.

CHAPTER 12: Gibson, who referes to herself as “Sasha”, writes that she got a call from client “Jim in Chicago,” who recommends Lasorda (Lasorda, “Sasha” (Gibson) and “Nanna” quotes are in italic).

Lasorda: “I’m interested in spending some time with someone.”

Sasha/Gibson: “Sounds fine. Have you had a chance to look at my California Dreamin’ website? Perhaps there’s someone there you like?”

Lasorda: “Actually, I have. There’s a pretty blonde on there I’d like to meet. #6.”

Sasha/Gibson: “She’s a sweetie. Her name is Nanna. She’s Swedish, about 5’6’’, nice perky 34b, slim and terrific company. Perhaps you can tell me what you’re looking for? Anything in particular I should know?”

I had to ask the standard question.

Lasorda: “Actually, Sash, I’d like to have some porn for me to watch while she sucks my (expletive). I’m into watching two gals together in a movie. Can she have that there?”

I started a file on Tommy and began to make the pertinent notes.

Sasha/Gibson: “How much time are you looking to spend?”Lasorda: “I’m not sure, maybe an hour and a half. I don’ thave that much time. How much for that?”

Sasha/Gibson: “It’s $1,000 per hour. So that would cost you $1,500. You can visit her at her place. She lives in the Hollywood area.”

Lasorda: “That sounds fine, Sash. I’m looking to get together this week. I’m thinking Thursday late afternoon. I’ve got to get home to the wife for dinner.”

(Edit: Nanna reports to Sasha/Gibson after Lasorda encounter)

Nanna: “He was super easy and a really nice guy. You were right on all counts, Sasha. First he requested I pop in my girl, girl porn movie. … He just loved watching all that! I noticed though that he wasn’t the aggressive type.”

Sasha/Gibson: “Really? What makes you say that?”

Nanna: “Well, here I had this real hot porn movie on. He enjoyed watching the girl, girl bisexual sex scenes best. He started to take his (expletive - penis) out and (expletive - masturbate).

“Then when I saw he was good and hard I started to suck his (expletive - penis). He really liked that! Then I used your ‘swirly’ move and relaxed my throat muscles so I could take him deep into my throat.

“The great (oral sex) skills you (Sasha/Gibson) taught me plus the porn really got him off.“

LAWYER: LA TIMES THE PROSTITUTE SELLING OUT LASORDA: The LOS ANGELES TIMES reports that in a major book release due Thursday titled “Secrets of a Hollywood SuperMadam,” Tommy Lasorda is cited as paying for sex through her service.

Lasorda denies the allegations, and his attorney Tony Capozzola appeared on Joe McDonnell’s show on KLAC-AM last night with breaking news: Tommy isn’t happy.Lasorda lawyer Tony Capozzola Audio cut #1: “This is nothing more than a desperate, broke, has-been prostitute who’s seen better days and now she’s trashing people’s reputation in order to make a buck.”

Lasorda lawyer Tony Capozzola Audio cut #1: “Speaking of prostitutes and selling out and pandering, it’s sounds like that’s what the (Los Angeles) Times did to be honest with you.”