Friday's Tidbits: July 24

It's Friday again, and you know what that means, another edition of this week's tidbits from your boy. Let's get to them, shall we.


1. A Perfect No-No

Chicago White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle threw the first perfect game of the 2009 season yesterday afternoon in 5-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The former 38th round draft pick in 1998 out of Jefferson College, needed only 116 pitches and six strikeouts to make history. More importantly, the win moved the White Sox into a first place tie with the stumbling Detroit Tigers.

Other than throwing the first perfect game of the season, Buehrle accomplished a few other historic marks on Thursday. He became the sixth pitcher in history to have thrown at least two career no-hitters, including a perfect game, joining Randy Johnson, Sandy Koufax, Jim Bunning, Addie Joss and Cy Young as the other five to have done so. He also is the 28th pitcher with multiple no-hitters. Both are impressive feats.

While Buehrle deserves the praise for his impeccable day, he might want to send home plate umpire Eric Cooper another thank you card. Why another one? Cooper was the same umpire behind the plate for Buehrle's first no-hitter back on April 18, 2007.

Coincidence? In this case, I say yes.

2. The LeBron Dunk Tape

The Dunk

In case you missed it, the craziest dunk to have ever been performed in our lifetime was released on Wednesday by the tabloid publication TMZ. Well, if you're Nike, you thought it was the craziest dunk of all-time.

In reality, the Jordan Crawford through the lane dunk, over a late-helping from the weak-side LeBron James tape surfaced after Nike supposedly seized all film of the dunk in efforts to product James' image and its own. But really, all Nike did was leave many, many people confused and mildly disappointed.

The dunk by Crawford was a was a good one, and he did it on camera in front of the NBA's MVP and many at the Nike camp. However, was it good enough for the largest sporting apparel to hide the video from the world? My two-year-old cousin would tell you no, and I would agree him.

Twenty years from now people will remember this whole situation for how it played out, rather than the dunk itself.

I'm a fan Nike and LeBron James, but they really messed up here.


3. MLB Trade Deadline

Major League Baseball's trading deadline is quickly approaching, and for a few teams, this is the time to add the final pieces to the puzzle for a late playoff run. For more teams, though, it's time to dump salaries and prepare for the future.

Here are the two big fish that could end up in a different ponds by next week or sooner....

-Roy Halladay: Many teams have shown interest in the Blue Jays ace, which is a great thing for the trading market. More competition usually leads to better trades.

A day after Toronto said they would accept offers for Halladay, the usual suspects came to the forefront: Yankees, Red Sox, Mets and Dodgers. But recently, the Cardinals and Phillies have stepped into the Halladay sweepstakes, and now these two teams have jumped out in front of the others. Don't discount the Brewers out of this race, either.

The Blue Jays want prospects in return, and not just any prospects, the best ones. This may be hard for teams to do, as many organizations like to hold on to their top young players to build for the future and save money.

UPDATE-Matt Holliday: The St. Louis Cardinals are the winner.

Deal:

Per ESPN: Matt Holliday to St. Louis in exchange for third baseman Brett Wallace, outfielder Shane Peterson and right-handed pitcher Clayton Mortensen, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Cubs note....Look for the Cubbies to make a move for relief pitchers George Sherrill and Chad Qualls.

4. College Football Recruiting Notes

It's tidbit #4, and we haven't discussed recruiting yet?

Take it easy, we have arrived.

Though still months away from National Signing Day, many of the top programs from around the nation continue to improve their future rosters, adding five-star quarterbacks and two-star long snappers. As in every recruiting cycle, there are teams who outperform others off the field. Let's take a look at who's dominating the recruiting circuit right now.

Texas: Everything is bigger in Texas, and their current recruiting class isn't any different. The Longhorns have landed 19 total commitments so far, all of which are from instate. No wonder high school football runs rampant down there. While most teams are scrambling for their first commitment, Texas can sit back and watch the others battle it out, while they continue to look around for quality over quantity. The Longhorns are also still in play for the nation's second best wide receiver, 6-4, 205 pound Darius White. If you haven't guessed it, he's from Fort Worth, Texas.

USC: Robin Hood would not like the USC Trojans. Pete Carroll robs the rich and poor, and remains rich. This is pretty easy accomplish when your team has won a record six BCS bowl games. At the moment, the Trojans own 10 commitments, including pledges from the nation's fourth best running back in Dillion Baxter and top tight end Xavier Grimble. The Trojans also added Jesse Scroggins, the nation's third best pro-style quarterback, just yesterday. With many of the top players in the nation still looking around, most of them have USC on their short list. Look for the rich to become richer by February.

Florida: Urban Meyer has the persona of a top flight businessman. No wonder his business, or Gator program, is the best in the country. It's no coincidence why so many of the top players tend to flock down south to Gainesville, even in the summer. Currently, the Gators have landed 15 commitments, most notably the eighth best prospect in the nation in athlete Matt Elam.

Like Texas and USC, and even Ohio State, Florida has the ability to recruit any player of its choosing, whether it be a three-star safety, or the top overall lineman in the country, like Seantral Henderson. Henderson, a 6-8, 301 pound monster offensive tackle from Saint Paul, Minnesota, recently put Florida, along with USC, Florida State and Michigan on his short.

Commitment Lists of Other Top and Local Programs

Notre Dame
Michigan
Illinois
Purdue
Indiana
Michigan State
Pittsburgh

5. Top Four College Players to Watch in 2009

I've made a short list of four players who I think should have monster seasons in 2009. Make sure to remember these names. You'll see why this fall.

Jahvid Best, California: Best should rush for over 1,000 yards and score 18 or more touchdowns this season. He's super quick, and hits the hole hard for a smaller running back. He's a home run threat every time he touches the ball.

Highlights

Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State: Many college football fans have heard of him,, but after this season, every college football fan will have heard of him. The 6-2, athletic wide receiver should surpass his 19 touchdown total from last season. He's a future first round draft pick.

Highlights

Jevan Snead, Ole Miss: The once former Texas Longhorn made some noise last season after throwing for 26 touchdowns and 2,762 yards. Back and better than ever, the future NFL signal-caller could throw for over 30 touchdowns and 3,000 yards this fall. Some experts believe Snead could be the first quarterback drafted next year, ahead of Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow and Zac Robinson.

Highlights

Noel Devine, West Virginia: Possibly the quickest running back in the country, Devine will be a one-man show in Morganstown, with Pat White now in the NFL (Go Dolphins!). Since high school, Devine has shown to have an extremely quick first step and make people miss at will. Although he stands 5-8, he will lower the pads and take on bigger defenders. Look for Devine to double his rushing production from last season.

Highlights

Golden Tate, Notre Dame: You really didn't think I would leave a Irish player of the list did you? You can call it bias, but most non-Notre Dame fans would agree that Golden Tate is primed for huge season in South Bend. After reeling in three touchdown passes in the 2009 Hawaii Bowl, the quick, soft hands Tate is ready to take the next step in becoming on the nation's best wide outs. An NFL future is assured, now it's a matter of putting together a good stat sheet. Tate had 10 total touchdowns, along with 1,090 receiving yards last season. If all goes well, look for a 16 touchdown, 1,500 yard season. Remember, he's sharing catches with another future NFL prospect, sophomore Michael Floyd.

Highlights

6. NFL Strength of Schedules

Take a peak...

1. Miami Dolphins	.594
2. Carolina Panthers	.592
3. New England Patriots	.590
4. Atlanta Falcons	.588
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	.580
6. Buffalo Bills	.570
7. New York Jets	.568
8. New Orleans Saints	.557
9. Philadelphia Eagles	.535
10. New York Giants	.527
11. Jacksonville Jaguars	.516
11. Dallas Cowboys	.516
13. Indianapolis Colts	.512
14. Tennessee Titans	.508
15. Houston Texans	.506
16. Washington Redskins	.492
17. San Diego Chargers	.484
17. Kansas City Chiefs	.484
19. Oakland Raiders	.480
19. Denver Broncos	.480
21. Detroit Lions	.467
22. St. Louis Rams	.465
22. Cincinnati Bengals	.465
24. Seattle Seahawks	.457
25. Cleveland Browns	.449
26. San Francisco 49ers	.443
27. Arizona Cardinals	.441
28. Baltimore Ravens	.438
29. Pittsburgh Steelers	.434
30. Green Bay Packers	.428
31. Minnesota Vikings	.420
32. Chicago Bears	.414

7. Rumblings.....

-Tom Crean will have to wait a little longer if he wants a committment from 2012 standout D'Vauntees Smith-Rivera. Rumors swirled last week that Rivera wanted to commit to IU last month, but this was before a few new programs started to show interests, like North Carolina and Duke. Now, Rivera said he's going to wait a little longer before committing, and take more visits.

-Carlos Boozer to the Heat? Very possible, according to multiple sources close to the Heat and Boozer. One such trade suggests Boozer heads to Miami, Odonis Haslam and a first round pick go to Chicago, and the Bulls send Kirk Hinrich and cash to Utah.

-The IPFW men's basketball program recently released its upcoming schedule for the 2009-2010 season, and once again, the Mastodons will take on a number of top-tier, non-conference opponents, such as road games against Wisconsin, Michigan State, Washington State, and Gonzaga.

-Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski is starting to put together the 2012 U.S. Olympic basketball team, otherwise known as the Redeem Team II. Kobe Bryant said he's coming back, and now, Kevin Durant is ready to make the pledge. Very good start, I'd say. Hopefully, for the Red, White and Blue, others will follow suit.

-Look for a special Brett Favre and Michael Vick tidbit edition sometime in the near future. Both issues need to be discussed at length, and will here very soon.