Brog: Erin Andrews? How-To On ?Caress Me Down? Kansas City Royals VS Boston Red Sox MLB Tickets, (?Should?ve never told Tebow the interview was uncut and uncensored. Nuts!) Nice to see The Grip? is back! And of course, The Grip? takes on a whole different meaning depending on the context. BTW, leave your own caption in the comment thread if you please. From the I?m-Not-Making-This-Up-Dept. SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY reports that Stats LLC today unveiled ?a joint venture with Naveen Aranha, CEO of India-based Sportz Interactive, to create Stats Middle East.Stats LLC today will announce .

Favorite sports memories Twice this week, I've seen things at baseball games that may end up being some of my favorite sports memories, ever. One was nothing historically significant; just a really well-pitched minor league game that ended with a walkoff home run. The other probably also holds no huge, big-picture significance, but it was good for a chuckle: Royals shortstop Tony Pena, Jr. pitching. Pitching really, really well. Maybe these two games won't stand the test of time; but some moments will be with. Tickets.

Rays-Royals, day 1 The biggest difference in the Rays lineup tonight is that SS Jason Bartlett is back after missing 16 games, in which the Rays went 7-9. Otherwise, the big news is what isn't different, as manager Joe Maddon decided to stick with the same top of the lineup he used against lefthanders for tonight's game against Kansas City righthander Gil Meche. That means righthanded hitters B.J. Upton and Evan Long.oria will stay in the Nos. 2 and 4 spots, with lefthanders Carlos Pena and Cliff Floyd fifth and . Kansas City Royals VS Boston Red Sox Tickets.

Quar-Tar Century Cheap Kansas City Royals VS Boston Red Sox Tickets, Just a quick note that today marks 25 years since the infamous Pine Tar Game between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals, in which George Brett - as a sportswriter quipped at the time - became the first player ever to hit a game-losing home run! I remember watching this game when it was actually occurring, and I don't think I've ever before - or since - seen anyone get quite as angry as Brett did. At someone who isn't their teenage child, I mean of course. The overly sticky bat that.

Mitch Maier NOW; Gathright to DL MLB, Reported by a poster at Royals Corner, now confirmed by 610 Sports, Mitch Maier is in Kansas City. via kansascity.royals.mlb.com Maier is hitting .316/.366/.470 with 9 HR and 41 RBI in Omaha. He just hit a home run last night and drove in three. Rumor is a trade is afoot according to our anonymous Royals Corner poster. Jayson Stark is reporting Jose Guillen is drawing interest, particularly from the Braves, but the Royals are asking for too much. Others have pointed out Jim Moloney's repor.

[SHOWER-SHOE FUNGUS] Playing A Little Pepper: Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals VS Boston Red Sox, FIRST INNING A look back. The A's threw three lefties in this series against the Rays and yet the Rays still won 2 games.Did this series lay any doubt on the notion that the Rays struggle against lefties and need a right-handed bat before the trading deadline? In the series, the A's starters tossed 16 innings and gave up 9 runs on 16 hits. And the starters also did a good job of beating themselves, walking 10 batters and striking out only 9. Still, it wasn't like the A's were starting.

Molony's Latest: Francoeur, Bay, Blalock MLB.com's Jim Molony has a new column up. The Braves will listen to offers for Jeff Francoeur and Will Ohman, and maybe Mark Teixeira if the Braves struggle in the next week. The Royals are said to be interested in Francoeur. Mike Gonzalez is unavailable. The Braves have scouted Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, in case they decide to become buyers. The Phillies had an exec scouting the Pirates recently. The Phils are looking for a lefty reliever. The Phillies also may be looking at relievers. Kauffman Stadium.

Royals put steals leader Gathright on DL (AP) Kansas City, The Kansas City Royals placed outfielder Joey Gathright on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a lingering shoulder injury and recalled outfielder Mitch Maier from Triple-A Omaha. Gathright has been bothered by a bone bruise in his right shoulder this season. He tried taking pain medication .after the All-Star break, but the injury didn't improve.

Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Kotsay, Street Time to round up today's links. Pirates president Frank Coonelly expressed frustration with the Pedro Alvarez negotiations, in the first public comments on those talks. Dejan Kovacevic's source says the Pirates aren't requiring two prospects for Xavier Nady or Damaso Marte. One elite prospect would work. Mark Kotsay wonders if he'll be traded this year. As with Mark Teixeira, it'll depend heavily on the next week. Richard Justice takes Drayton McLane to task. DRays Bay relays a Peter Gammons . MO.

The Intersection of Mercy and Athleticism I recently chatted with an enthusiastic and well-informed reporter about professional athletes and the pardon power. The interview was, of course, prompted by speculation regarding baseball's Roger Clemens (who has not be convicted of anything) and former track and field star Marion Jones (who received a 6-month sentence for lying to federal investigators). There is also a long-standing call for the pardon of deceased boxer Jack Johnson (who was charged with violating the Mann Act). The discussi. Kauffman Stadium Tickets.