Did anyone see the highlights of the World Cup qualifying match between Ireland and France? Ireland held a 1-0 lead during stoppage time. A French player hit the ball near the goal with his hand, so that he could center it for a temmate, whose goal should have tied it. Everyone playing saw the handball, except apparently the official. The resulting goal sent France to play for the World Cup and Ireland home.

The match was in France, and afterwards the French player admitted his handball was obvious. I'm wondering if the official just was reluctant to call a violation against the favored home team, who would have been knocked out of the World Cup. I have a hard time seeing how this was missed.

I don't think it was "missed" by the official. FIFA wants France in the World Cup and not Ireland.

Just what I need...another reason to dislike the French.

No extra incentive needed.

I guess FIFA wants more headbutting action in the Cup.

0-16 Nets 1 loss shy of worst NBA start

Can't help but wonder what Plaw would say about his team

Kobe's game winner last night was ridiculous. Fun to watch.

[quote=pizzaboy]Kobe's game winner last night was ridiculous. Fun to watch. The guy is the personification of clutch.

Anyone else excited that the baseball winter meetings started today? I can't stay off the Giants website reading about rumors and plans for the team. I think I'm one of the few people who follows baseball year round. The offseason is almost as exciting as the regular season to me, in a different way.

I was happy the Phillies signed Placido Polanco to replace Feliz. Even though Pedro is better at third defensively, Polanco's return to Philadelphia will bring some needed versatility in the lineup.

Borough backs down on attempt to remove Steelers banner Thursday, December 10, 2009 By Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Alissa Myers received a warning letter from the Penbrook zoning manager on Sept. 30, telling her that the 2-foot-by-8-foot "You're in Steelers Country," banner displayed on her front porch violated the borough code.

Yesterday, the American Civil Liberties Union sent borough manager and zoning officer James Armbruster a letter telling him that the ordinance controlling signage was unconstitutional.

The ACLU threatened to file a First Amendment lawsuit against Penbrook if the borough pursued sanctions against Ms. Myers.

Yesterday, solicitor Bruce Foreman said he'd be happy to work with the ACLU to revise the sign ordinance and today sent a follow-up letter confirming that.

Penbrook is 10 minutes from my house. I see several of those signs in the area. I always wondered why she was singled out in Penbrook. I think the ordinance is selectively enforced.

I'm sure Phillies fans here are ecstatic about getting Halladay with a contract extension. The rich keep getting richer!

It was a deal the Phillies were forced to do. Lee was demanding Sabathia money to sign an extension, which the Phillies were unwilling to commit to. Halladay had told the Phillies that he'd be willing to sign with them for less. Halladay is a bit of an upgrade from Lee, who performed very well in the postseason. Halladay has an incredible track record with an 18-6 record against the Yankees. He's also torn up the NL. He throws harder than Lee, and is better suited for Citizen's Bank Park than just about anyone.

The Phillies had to part with Kyle Drabeck, who is the top pitching prospect in baseball and the guy the Blue Jays wanted all along. I was sad to see that happen. But the prospect the Phillies received looks like he'll be exciting to watch.

The other prospect the Phillies gave up was outfielder Michael taylor, whom I've seen play plenty of times in AA. He reminds me of Mike Cameron. MAny teams were interested in him, and I understand the Blue Jays will likely deal him to Oakland.

Taylor already has been traded to Oakland for third baseman Brett Wallace.

Oakland will love Taylor, who'll probably be ready to play some time in 2011.

The Phillies managed to hold onto their top prospect, Dominic Brown, who'll likely replace Ibanez in two years. Or Werth if he leaves after next year.

Villanova wasn't the only Pennsylvania school to win a national championship this weekend. The Penn State Lady Lions completed their third straight undefeated volleyball season by beating Texas Saturday night. Texas won the first two sets, but Penn State won the next three. It was an amazing display of athleticism and mental toughness by both teams.

Mark McGwire has finally admitted to using steroids.

My younger son, a high school freshman, is going out for the school's JV baseball team. Because the school is big, it's generally tough to make the team. They have weight lifting and running now and batting cage practice on the weekends. They also have workouts next week at 5:30 AM. Some of these are optional, but you know those that skip an early practice will be noted and remembered when it's time to pick the team.

My older son made the team as a freshman, but was ill last year and wasn't able to qualify for the team. As a junior this year, he's decided not to go out for the school team because of work, but will play Legion in the Spring.

Good luck to both your sons, KL!

Indeed. Good luck to your boys Klyd

Thanks, both of you.

I tell them that glory lies not in the destination, but in the journey.

My older Son got "player of the week" with his darts league in Newport News. My daughter and her hubby is on the same team. Damn, I wish I was there to watch them and cheer them on.

The Augusta Chronicle reported on Tuesday that the All-American Basketball Alliance plans to kick off its inaugural season in June and hopes that Augusta will be one of 12 cities to host teams.

But here's the kicker: According to a press release the newspaper and other Augusta media outlets received from the new league, "only players that are natural-born United State citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league."

That's right. Lewis, who calls himself the commissioner of the AABA, will exclude blacks and all foreigners from his new league, which the newspaper said will be based in Atlanta.

According to the Chronicle, Lewis said he wants to emphasize "fundamental basketball" instead of "street ball" played by "people of color."

Wait, an all white basketball team?

Are you sure this isn't a promo for the special olympics?

Updated Jan 22, 2010 5:59 PM ET
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)
Professional golfer Jim Thorpe has been sentenced to a year in prison for failing to pay more than $2 million in income taxes.

Thorpe's attorney, Mark Horwitz, said Friday that Thorpe must turn himself in to authorities by April 1. The golfer also was sentenced to two years of supervised release and 200 hours of community service. He must try to repay the taxes while he's on supervised release.

In September, Thorpe pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to pay income taxes and had faced up to two years in prison.

Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:05 pm EST

Prank goes awry when coach hits blindfolded shot
By Chris Chase

The prank was set up perfectly. A high school girls' basketball coach in Kansas was told he'd win tickets to the Final Four if he hit a half-court shot while blindfolded. The crowd was instructed to scream wildly when his attempt inevitably failed (because, really, that shot is nearly impossible) so the coach would think the shot went in. For an instant ,he'd think he was Final-Four-bound and then the joke would be revealed. There was just one problem, though: He made it.

This Sunday will be the first Sunday since August with no FOOTBALL!

Oli, I saw the video on the news this morning. The kids gave him a gift certificate to a local restaurant. And the newscaster said that offers for Final Four tickets have been pouring in.

There's the Pro Bowl....