Chris Davis is a legitimate source of power with 10 home runs in his first 103 at bats in the majors.

While trolling around the ‘net this past week, I came across this list on CBS Sportsline of the Top 50 Sports Jerks. Evidently, this is something they did for the first time last year, and are now looking to make this an annual effort. If you take a good look at the list, there are numerous inclusions that are somewhat questionable, and several glaring omissions. First off, I believe that if you’re going to make a list like this every year, that dead people should not be included. Even if it weren’t an annual list, the inclusion of people that are no longer alive and here to defend themselves is dubious at best. Half the fun of a list of jerks is getting to hear how someone defends himself when confronted with inclusion on the list. Then there are the omissions. How can Bud Selig not be included here? George Steinbrenner didn’t make the list either. Two of the biggest jerks in sports broadcasting today, namely Joe Morgan and Tim McCarver, didn’t make it either. So, while it’s an interesting group assembled in the list, it’s not without its flaws. I wonder if the author would include me on the list for criticizing his work?

I’ve seen alcohol-free sections in baseball parks for those patrons who don’t care for the rowdy element at ball games. I have also seen so-called “family” sections that are intended to make a trip to a ballgame a better experience for families with young children. (Not that many families can afford to go to the game these days) There is even a special section at Fenway Park that is set aside for Yankee fans coming in from New York. It’s out in right field and has mostly obstructed view seats. (Heh heh) But, the Seattle Mariners have taken the whole special section thing to new heights, by providing a somewhat odd accommodation for some of its fans in designating a special area of their ballpark as a “peanut free zone.” Apparently, peanut allergies have become so widespread that entire sections of the ballpark need to be set aside for victims. What’s next, the lactose-free loge seat?

I’ve been spending a lot of time recently watching my son play soccer on a team made up of players from his high school varsity and junior varsity teams. Soccer is one of those sports that never got much respect where I grew up in New York. Back when I was a teenager, we had a soccer team at our high school, but I didn’t know anybody who played soccer. It had a reputation for being a “sissy” sport. I found this picture here that sort of sums up how soccer was viewed by the kids in my neighborhood. I’m sure Mr. X would agree that the guy making the grab in this photo probably has his hands full of nothin’.

There is so much talk out there about how arrogant New York Yankee fans, and Boston Red Sox fans are because of the annual expectation that their team will be in the running for a playoff and/or World Series appearance each year. This year, I’ve found that it’s Chicago that tops everyone in arrogance. For well over a month now, bloggers from the Chicago are have been spouting off about an all-Chicago World Series, simply because the two Chicago teams were sitting in first place in June and July. There have even been offers made to Steve Bartman to come forward, I’m guessing so that he can be safely hustled out of town in the event the Cubs make it to the World Series (Not going to happen by the way – you heard it here first). Bartman has politely declined to come forward in the past, and is continuing to do so now.

Here’s a story that absolutely floored me. An eight-year-old girl was disqualified from a tennis tournament because she was found wearing a wireless earpiece through which she was getting instructions from her father. Nothing like teaching your child that it is acceptable to cheat right from the beginning.

It sure seems to me like injuries are becoming more prevalent in baseball this season, and that players have been out for longer periods of time with injuries. I would be very curious to see some data comparing injuries in number and in length this year and in years past to see if there has been an increase. Further, I’d be curious to know if there has been an increase in frequency and length of injuries, if it can be attributed to HGH and steroids no longer being used by athletes and ball players. There was a story in USA Today earlier this week that a urine test has been developed to detect HGH use. If there is still anybody in baseball, or any other sport, that is still using HGH; it appears the end is near.

And now, a look at the box scores from Tuesday night:

Miguel Cabrera finally looks like the player the Tigers thought they were signing. In July he’s hitting .330 with seven homers and 27 RBI. He’s going to be huge down the stretch.

After a couple of rough outings, Doug Davis went out an had his best game of the season Tuesday night, going seven and two-thirds innings, striking out eight, and holding the Padres to just two hits for his fourth win of the season. Davis is looking fantasy roster-worthy again. The D’backs need him to be more consistent if they are thinking of contending, especially now that Micah Owings has been shipped off the minors to find his lost stuff.

I hope you’re aware of the damage Chris Davis is doing on behalf of the Rangers. He’s hit safely in eight of his last ten games, with five multi-hit efforts along the way. During that stretch he’s batted .357 with four home runs. Overall, he is batting .291 with 10 home runs in just 103 at bats. If you need power, Davis has the goods to keep up this torrid pace, and could be on your waiver wire.

Good to see Brett Myers have a good game, even if it was the Nationals. Myers scattered four hits over seven innings struck out two and walked one. Collin Balester of the Nationals was almost as good. He gave up just two hits over six innings and struck out five with no walks. His only mistake was serving up a home run ball to Chase Utley. Both Myers and Balester are probably on your waiver wire. I believe in Myers and recommend you grab him for the stretch. As for Balester, er, not so much.

John Lackey was absolutely dominant in shutting down the Red Sox vaunted offense Tuesday night. Too bad Dustin Pedroia had to spoil all the fun. Right now there is probably nobody in baseball as hot as Pedroia. Over the last month he is batting .355, with 21 runs scored.

The Dodgers have now gotten three good performances out of Jason Johnson, most recently in starting Tuesday’s game against the Giants. He scattered five hits over six innings and struck out three, lowering his ERA to 1.38. Don’t get sucked in by Johnson’s gaudy numbers in this little sample. He’s never been anywhere near this good, and I doubt he will continue to pitch like this for long. You’ve been warned!