• Rick Pitino’s reputation has taken a huge hit, as the Louisville b-ball coach impregnated the woman who’s been trying to extort him, then paid $3,000 for the abortion.

And now Karen Sypher says her marriage to Cardinals equipment manager Tim was all just a sneaky plot by Pitino to keep an eye on her. But hey, don’t blame Rick - blame 9/11!

• The release party for the new Miami Dolphins cheerleaders bikini calendar was quite the spectacle.

• Jay Mariotti denies that he’s going to be writing for the Chicago Tribune. Can’t wait to see Jay’s debut column in the Trib on September 1st!

• Manny Ramirez gets a memorable reception from San Francisco Giants fans - the same kind of reception that Barry Bonds used to get everywhere else except in the Bay Area.

• Engaged Malibu fashion designer Ali Kay may have encouraged Reggie Miller’s unwanted advances by sending the ex-NBA star photos of herself in bed & in a bikini. At least Ali’s still pretty good at making clothes.

• Why would someone be blowing kisses & flirting with ESPN.com writer Jemele Hill while on the 405 ? L.A. drivers really are crazy.

• Jeanie Buss believes that boyfriend Phil Jackson will be leading the L.A. Lakers for longer than most people think.

• The Argentinians really know how to hold a new soccer uniform launch - more ladies, less apparel.

• Nastia Liukin is one athlete whose Twitter account is worth following, thanks to all the superb self-snapshots she’s been loading up.

• Of course, an SI editor had to do one better by Tweeting some sneak peek pics of beautiful Bar Refaeli posing for next year’s swimsuit issue.