Red’s Rundown (06.27.08)

–Now that Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain is starting to show the dominance that’s expected of him, talking head Hank Steinbrenner is going to have to find something else to complain about. That should be a welcome 30 seconds of silence.

–Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. has taken responsibility for a positive drug test on another horse he trains named Salute the Count. Dutrow told reporters that it was “a mistake in the barn” that led to the results. So far, people believe him. Hey, Roger Clemens, fire your lawyer and hire this guy!

–Olympic sports authorities are claiming that some athletes are turning to a new drug to boost performance: Viagra. The magical pill contains nitric oxide, which increases blood flow. Olympic officials won’t bother blood testing for the drug since most athletes wear spandex.

–Retired New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan has a new job anchoring Fox’s NFL Pregame show this season, but no word yet on whether he plans to hold out for a better contract.

–Two Green Bay men have been arrested and charged with burglarizing the home of Green Bay Packers running back Noah Herron. One of the men, Yeshua Tate, was injured in the attempt when Herron hit him twice with a bedpost in self-defense. Good thing these guys didn’t break into Tank Johnson’s place.

–NFL Commissioner Roger Goodel told the media that it’s “ridiculous” how much the NFL’s untested rookies make these days. For example, rookie Jake Long has a five-year, $57.75 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. Commissioner Goodell’s salary is $11.2 million. If I were him, I’d be mad too.

–Famous Indy Car driver Dania Patrick might have plenty of fans, but some of her colleagues aren’t among them. Driver Scott Dixon called her “a menace.” “I don’t really know where those comments came from,” Patrick said to reporters Thursday. I wonder if it’s because she ran over a 63-year old man with a race car?

–Shaquille O’Neal’s honorary badges in Miami and Tempe, Arizona for his volunteer work with law enforcement will be stripped away after his recent freestyle rap in which he mocks Kobe Bryant. Badges? Shaq don’t need no stinking badges.

–Joey Alfino, RED Editorial Staff.