Strike One

Marking one in the "win for society" column, much-maligned Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returned to the field last Sunday, helping the Steelers knock off the Colt "My Wife's Really Hot" McCoy-led Browns at Heinz Field. Of course, Roethlisberger's stat line - three touchdowns, one interception and 257 yards against the Browns - wasn't the biggest reason to cheer Sunday. Big Ben deserves major kudos, and perhaps even an ironic cameo in the next Hangover movie, for managing not to rape anyone last week.

Strike Two

Lost in the magic that was Cliff Lee's Game 3 gem against the mighty, all-powerful Yankees (taste that, Mariner fans!) was a somewhat bizarre story first reported (naturally) by the New York Post. According to the paper famous for headlines like "Headless Body in Topless Bar," a crazed fan took to the field in the top of the fifth inning, intent on delivering a message to star Yankee man-ho Alex Rodriguez. The message was apparently scrawled junior high-style across a picture of Rodriguez that the crazed fan (who legally changed his name from Joe Rogan to Grim LeRogue - probably after Fear Factor, I assume) was carrying with him. The Post reports LeRogue was incensed at A-Rod for his romantic relationship with Cameron Diaz, and another picture carried by LeRogue depicted the There's Something About Mary star with the message, "We will be together soon."

Sadly, LeRogue's message to A-Rod seems to have been nothing more than insane babble. Given the chance, most baseball fans outside of New York could probably think of a few real "messages" they'd like delivered to the reigning champ of pompous douchey-ness. Like, "Pssst! No one likes you!"

Strike Three

When it comes right down to it, punters don't get a lot of love. Case in point: there are no punters in the NFL Hall of Fame, nor will there ever be. To become a punter you have to be the kind of person that can handle constant ridicule and public humiliation from fans and teammates. Every time the team bus stops at Applebee's there's a new opportunity to fuck with the punter.

It can take a toll on a man, and Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee might just be starting to show the signs of it.

According to The Indianapolis Star, McAfee was arrested Wednesday morning on suspicion of public intoxication after police received reports of a man swimming in Central Canal in Broad Ripple, which is apparently a popular Indianapolis nightlife area.

When police asked McCaffee how much he'd had to drink he reportedly replied, "a lot, because I am drunk."

True that.

CUP CHECK DUMB JOCK OF THE WEEK

It's still Brett Favre. Sorry for the letdown, but that's still "Lil' Brett" in those pictures, so Favre still deserves the honor. Not surprisingly, Favre has developed tendinitis in his elbow. Wonder what that's from?

LOCAL BLACKOUT

It was a good week to be a Puget Sound area sports fan as the Huskies pulled off an epic victory over a significantly favored Oregon State team on Saturday; the Seahawks secured their first road victory since prior to the Tom Flores era on Sunday; and on Tuesday the Mariners officially introduced Stacey Keach, err, Eric Wedge as their new manager.

Wedge, naturally, will be the next in a long line of managers eventually axed for Chuck Armstrong and Howard Lincoln's continued incompetence.