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The Flip Side - May 4

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 4, 2008

Thinking' out loud until it started to hurt...

Shortly 'after publishing a story claiming President Vladimir Putin has left his wife to marry a 24-year-old former Olympic gymnast, a Russian tabloid suddenly suspended operations. World reactions to the possible strong-arming of the press have been varied, although Roger Clemens called Putin "a true hero."

After seven Cy Young Awards and more than 4,600 career strikeouts, now we find out Clemens was an even better batsman.

Within the past week the embattled pitching legend and self-described family man has been accused of spending his playing career hooking up with a country music singer, John Daly's first ex-wife, a former stripper and maybe more. That may explain Clemens' penchant for retirement. Nobody can make that many pitches without occasional rest.

Two Central Washington softball players carrying an injured Western Oregon opponent around the bases so she could complete a home run is being hailed as maybe the greatest show of sportsmanship of all time. I can't help but wonder. How would average SEC football fans react if their team performed a similar selfless act to lose an important game?

The slimmed-down NFL draft, needing just 5 hours, 53 minutes to complete its opening two rounds, was criticized in some circles for having moved too quickly. Speaking of which, isn't it sad only six more months remain in the presidential campaign?

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is in a funk over his team's second consecutive first-round exit from the playoffs and 3-12 postseason record since blowing a 2-0 lead in the 2006 NBA Finals against Miami. OK, now do you believe in karma?

New England Patriots All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss announced plans to field a Moss Motorsports team in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series. I hear Moss' entry will be pretty much like every other ride except occasionally might shut down for no apparent reason.

The Cincinnati Bengals, those zany contributors to police blotters everywhere, took Appalachian State safety Corey Lynch in the sixth round of the NFL draft. Lynch is married to the granddaughter of evangelist Billy Graham and organized team bible study while at Appalachian State. Theologically, I believe this is what's known as a test of faith.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito, in the second season of a seven-year, $126 million contract, is 0-6 and has been banished to the bullpen. Nevertheless, he remains unbowed, saying "from my standpoint, this is a bump in the road." The same, of course, is often said about the armadillo.

Campus police had to be called when, during a meeting with new coach Tom Crean, Indiana University freshman basketball player Eli Holman had a temper tantrum, vowed to transfer and threw a potted plant across the room. Don't worry, kid. The last guy at Indiana to do the exact same thing finished his career at Texas Tech.

An online poll by Time magazine of the top 100 most influential people of the year ranks Nelson Mandela No..19. At No..16 is soccer's David Beckham. Just imagine if he actually did something.

The NCAA's newly created St. Petersburg Bowl must now search for a title sponsor. On the positive side, parking will not be an issue.

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