What, did they expect a medal?

PITTSBURGH (ASSOCIATED PRESS) - A T-ball coach accused of offering an 8-year-old boy $25 to bean a disabled teammate is unlikely to receive a fair trial because of intense media coverage, the man's lawyer said.
Mark R. Downs Jr., 29, of Dunbar, was scheduled to go on trial Tuesday in Fayette County on a string of charges, including solicitation, corruption of minors and reckless endangerment. He refused a plea agreement in December.
The charges against Downs drew the attention of media outlets around the world. Many columnists expressed disgust at what they considered adult corruption of a child's sport.
"We feel he's been persecuted by the media," defense attorney Thomas Shaffer said. "[The case] was on from the nightly news in Japan to every syndicated network broadcast across the country."

***This guy is lucky the charges don't carry death threat implications ***

Wild, wild Wild Card Race

Ah, the National League Wild Card - 20 games to go and still as clear as mud, what with eight teams fighting for one playoff invitation (yes, that eight includes Los Angeles, because of the Dodgers' failure to shake the Padres and assure that the NL West flag is truly their own).

Which team will prove to be the mudder, the horse with the best kick left in this wacky stretch drive?

My only prediction: The Phillies - the team with the most obvious Mvp candidate (Ryan Howard, left) and the easiest remaining schedule - have the path of least resistence of the brood and, therefore, the least amount of excuses not to win advancement to the playoffs. If you think not, take a look at what faces the contenders, and the pretenders, in the final three weeks of the regular season as they head into play today (Sept. 11):

Los Angeles: 76-67 (32-40, road)
Games left: 19
10 home, nine road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Four (vs. San Diego)

San Diego: 74-68 (36-31, road)
Games left: 20
Six home, 14 road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Seven (Four at L.A., three at St. Louis)

San Francisco 72-71 (32-39, road)
Games left: 19
Nine home, 10 road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Seven (three at St. Louis, three vs. L.A.)

Philadelphia 72-71 (36-33, road)
Games left: 19
Seven home, 12 road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Zero

Florida 73-71, after 16-5 victory over Mets Monday (33-38, road)
Games left: 18
Eight home, 10 road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Six (two vs. Mets, four at Mets)

Cincinnati 71-72 (33-26, road)
Games left: 19
Seven home, 12 road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Three (vs. San Diego)

Houston 70-73 after 7-0 loss at Cardinals Monday night (32-40, road)
Games left: 19
Ten home, nine road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Six (Two at St. Louis, four vs. St. Louis)

Atlanta 69-74 after 8-3 loss to Cubs Monday night (36-38, road)
Games left: 19
12 home, seven road
Games remaining against teams at least five games over .500: Three (vs. Mets)