SPORTING NEWS STRATS THEIR STUFF W/’86 MLB REPLAY: THE SPORTING NEWS has much fondness for the 1986 MLB season. So much so, they want to do it all over again:

The sports site will be re-visiting the Year of Bill Buckner’s Bounce through “1986: Take Two”, a web page featuring reposted stories and articles from the season.And with the help of Strat-O-Matic, the site will also be replaying the ‘86 schedule, back before the time of wild cards and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The games are set to begin in November, and will have some well-known names managing the squads:

Pitcher-slash-blogger Curt Schilling will have a tough time running the Red Sox in the first week or so, since he’ll likely have some postseason matters to attend to. And former pro Doug Glanville hopes to fulfill the Phillies’ dream of winning it all.DEADSPIN guru Will Leitch will be LaRussin’ over to manage the Cardinals, while Howard Stern sidekick Baba Booey (nee’ Gary Dell’Abate) tries to reproduce the glory years of Mookie-mania.

Most importantly, SbB will be shufflin’ the lineup while enjoying the waterfalls at Royals Stadium as manager of the Kansas City squad.

DEVIN HESTER JOINS (SOMETIMES UNFORTUNATE) LIST OF FOLKS ROOT-ROOT-ROOTING FOR THE CUUUUU-BIEEEES: Bears speed demon Devin Hester set yet another hometown Chicago crowd afire, but this time with his Monsters of the Midway melodies as he sang ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ at a recent Cubs contest:

Which such a tear-jerking and ear-obliterating performance in mind, here’s a look back at how other 7th-inning guests fared at the Friendly Confines (and I don’t care if they ever get back):Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder - as coherent as ever:

CCR frontman John Fogerty - not quite up to par as he was with ‘Fortunate Son’ and ‘Centerfield’:

NASCAR heartthrob Jeff Gordon - pleased as punch to be in ‘Wrigley Stadium’:

IRL hottie Danica Patrick - proving once again not everyone can drive and sing:

Former Cubs outfielder Doug Glanville - complete with Harry Caray glasses (and a quick intro of Tommy Lasorda on the phone):

So, judge for yourself how these virtuosos of Peanuts ‘n’ Cracker Jack compare to The Man Himself.

And as you do, don’t forget to enjoy some quality refreshment.