The SPRINGFIELD (IL) STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER today has a baseball yarn for the ages spun by 1983 American League Rookie of the Year Ron Kittle about his former White Sox manager Tony “I know how to f—ing manage” LaRussa.

Pull up a chair.

“My first dealing with Tony, and I don’t even know if he’ll remember that . . . he was (the White Sox’s) Double-A or Triple-A manager and I was in Class A (in spring training) and the catcher got hurt so I was in my catcher’s gear . . . my team had already left; they were at home . . . and it was Double-A vs. Triple-A. So Tony’s at third base (coaching) and the catcher gets hurt, I fill in for him, man at first and third.

“And he goes, ‘We’re not going to steal on you.’ The first thing he said. So I’m thinking, ‘I know what he’s going to do.’ Read more…

• Lisa Guerrero - from primetime sidelines to blogging for the L.A. Times.

• Bet the Philadelphia Police Bomb Squad feels like a bunch of wieners for blowing up a box of the Phillie Phanatic’s hot dogs.

• Ex-Nebraska RB Thunder Collins heals wounded Huskers’ hearts by saying he’s didn’t die in an apparent drug deal gone wrong.

• Plaxico Burress’ two-week timeout could be explained by troubles at home.

• Remember all that money T. Boone Pickens gave to Oklahoma State to build up the Cowboys’ athletic facilities? Well, he might want some of that back.

Read more…

1983 American League Rookie of the Year Ron Kittle is unimpressed by the shoddy benches he keeps seeing that are made out of old baseball bats (and who hasn’t seen three or four?). And not being one to just accept poor craftsmanship, Kittle has decided to take it upon himself to start making his own baseball furniture.

Introducing Benches by Ron. For just $2,000, you can have your very own Kittle-made couch/bench thing constructed nearly entirely out of baseball bats and balls. And if you live within 75 miles of Chesterton, Indiana, Ron will deliver it himself.

Read more…