Who Is John Effing Hart?

What a dagger thrower this John Hart kid is, eh? Kid is an unheralded freshman, has played about 30 minutes all season, is not even listed in the Purdue scorebook, and comes off the bench last night to light up the Illini for 14 points in 18 minutes of play.

Steve Lavin said it best during the game. This was not a "one-hit wonder" performance. Hart was hitting hesitation shots, was creating separation from defenders, was getting to the basket and was dropping long threes. He may not light it up night after night, but in the 18 minutes he played last night he flashed moves that will play even when teams actually have him listed in their scouting reports.

F this guy.

That's all this Purdue team needs. Another good player.

Also, good game by Demetri.

Petco Park On A Quiet Thursday In January

Last Thursday afternoon - well before the debacle at Qualcomm on Sunday - I arrived in San Diego and took a stroll down to Petco Park. As the photos above can attest, the day was absolutely perfect.

As I walked around the ballpark enjoying the perfect warmth of a sunny 69 degree day, I imagined Jed Hoyer sitting inside in his office, reading some scouting reports, chatting up some agents by telephone and likely housing a fish taco lunch. Then I thought about his office at his last job, probably in some early 20th century windowless tank at Fenway, the frigid winds of a Boston January seeping through the crumbling concrete as he scarfed down a quick bowl of clam chowder in between "emergency" calls from Theo Epstein, pressing him for inconsequential data about some overpriced free agent.

And then I thought to myself: well played moving to the Diego, Jed. Well played.

Chargers Lose To The Jets

"You're my hero, Chargers. And you come out and stink like that. Poop. You poop mouth."

Today The Chargers Play Football

Bolts - Jets for the right to face Indianapolis in the AFC Championship Game.

It happens today at the Q.

Folks, there is no one in the League I'd rather have quarterbacking the Bolts than Philip Rivers.

Let's get it dun, Philip.

All Hail The Return Of Scotty Bombs, But Say Goodbye To Kouz

Scotty "Bombs" Hairston is back with the Padres and, dare I say it, all is now right with the Drino world.

Yesterday, Jed Hoyer pulled off his first major deal as the Padres GM, sending Kevin Kouzmanoff and Eric Sogard to the A's for Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham.

I heard the news as I was driving my rented Chevy Impala along N. Harbor Dr. to pick up my wife from the San Diego Airport. In my excitement I nearly drove the car into the harbor.

The dark side of the move is that Kouz is no longer a Padre. Images like the one above won't be happening in any Drinos games next season. Don't feel bad for Kouz though. He gets to stay on the West Coast and play for a team that almost always competes for a division title. No doubt he'll fit in well with the citizens of Oakland. They seem like good people.

Heath Is In The Fold To The Tune Of $4 Million

The Drinos and Heath Bell agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration. The deal is worth $4 million to Heath and should allow him to stock up on things he likes, like candy bars and ass kickings.

Jed Hoyer may still choose to trade Heath - which might make sense if in return he can get a promising young arm - but for now Heath is on board, ready to close out games for the 2010 Drinos.

Having a closer of Heath's skill might not seem necessary to a team that no one expects to compete, but not having Heath makes it even more likely the team will not compete. It's one of those self-fulfilling prophecies the Greek dramatists wrote about so much.

A Heath Bell-Mike Adams-Luke Gregerson-Edward Mujica-Adam Russell-Joe Thatcher-Ryan Webb bullpen could be rather ridiculous. I'm on board.

Diego

I'm on the ground in the Diego.

Repeat. I'm on the ground in San Diego.

Currently at Java Joe's down the street from Petco Park. Things are pretty quiet this Thursday afternoon in the East Village. The weather could not be more perfect.

The calm before the Bolts-Jets storm.