Check me out over at my new pad, Pinstripe Alley, where I've begun and will be doing most of my future writing.Cheers!

SRPA: The Rugby League world was rocked today by 5 seconds of silence from Brisbane Rugby League commentator Dickie “Barracuda” McDagstead. A full 5 seconds’ silence went to air on McDagstead’s watch during the weekend’s Roosters v Broncos match, each second a bombshell to the heart of the proud winter code.

Cricket With Balls’ Jrod bemoans the similarity of UK Sky Sports’ Cricket logo with the Major League Baseball one.Sat at the Mac trying to find something to fuck around with when I should be writing, I fired up Photoshop:Them apples. You like?

I never really warmed to Robbie Keane - I always suspected he’d be crap at Kareoke. He’s no Chris n Glen, put it that way. He’s not even a GazzaMore Tour De France pictures? OK

This trade might not seem like a win at first glance. Kyle Farnsworth is having his best season since 2005 (ironically when he spent half the year with Detroit), while Pudge is having a pretty average season (for him). But Cashman, unlike the Marte/Nady deal, is selling high on Farnsy.

I don't know about you, but it's sure as hell seemed to me that Yankee hitters have been far more aggressive at the plate this year. Do the facts back that up? To BRef we go!There are a few factors that can tell us whether they're being more aggressive. One is how often they're putting the first pitch into play.

He'll have shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and will need about six months to rehab. He should be ready for Spring Training in 2009.- Damaso Marte is pretty good. In fact, he's the second best left-handed reliever in baseball history!

The Yankees are considering trying to acquire Seattle lefty Jarrod Washburn, who's been a solid back-of-the-rotation starter during his 11 year career. Apparently, Seattle would be willing to take Igawa, a mid-level prospect and cash. If that's true, the trigger has to be pulled. End the OKei experiment. Washburn has been a Yankee-killer, so this falls under the "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" category.

The Yanks won their fourth in a row (12-4 behind another lucky Sir Sidney start), but news came down that Jorge Posada could miss the rest of the season with a labrum injury. Jose Molina will fill in more than adequately behind the plate, but it's at the plate where Posada's loss will be felt most.

No I have not seen the movie (and yes I am very excited to be in the theater tomorrow to watch it). But I am talking about the Magic's very own superhero.And it is not Dwight "Superman" Howard.A lot of Orlando Magic fans I have found are forgetting about their "Batman." No joke(r).Tony Battie is ready to don his cape and save the day for Orlando. OK maybe he is not that good and cannot do that much. But believe that he is a band-aid for Orlando's center problem.Battie missed the last season because of a torn rotator cuff.

Orlando answered their point guard questions by signing Anthony Johnson to a two-year deal. The move effectively ends any chance of resigning Keyon Dooling although the team may still be in the market to add another player -- especially a point guard.The Orlando Sentinel reports the Magic may resign Adonal Foyle after all as well.Johnson has made a career in the NBA as a solid backup. He is not a fantastic or outstanding player. Just pleasantly boring.He is a decent defender and a traditional point guard. He can score a little bit and make some plays.

Sports Illustrated has an interesting report out this week on the relationship between salaries and wins. And to my surprise the Orlando Magic did very well this year.The Magic were in the top five in the NBA in SI's formula -- which pretty much equates to cost per win. So much for Rashard Lewis' ridiculous contract.Then again, Dwight Howard was still on his rookie contract and Lewis was in the first -- and cheapest -- year of his contract.

The much publicized Dwight Howard Vitamin Water commercial is starting to make its way on to televisions. OK, I saw it in a movie theater.The schtick is he and other athletes are training to be Russian Cosmonauts with a salty old veteran telling them they will need more than Vitamin Water.

Do not worry, this did not happen yesterday. It happened a couple of seasons ago.According to a story in The Orlando Sentinel, Dwight Howard apparently broke Mickael Pietrus' nose in a 2006 game against the Golden State Warriors when Pietrus tried to steal the ball from Howard.I think this is the first recorded time Howard has hurt someone not on the Magic.Howard famously -- or infamously -- gave Jameer Nelson a concussion a couple of years ago going up to block his shot.

Multiple sources, including ESPN.com, the Florida Today and the Orlando Sentinel, are reporting the Magic have agreed to terms with Mickael Pietrus. Orlando is planning to use most of its mid-level exception to sign the shooting guard from France, effectively ending their chase for Corey Maggette and re-signing Keyon Dooling.Pietrus is a very athletic two guard. He can hit some mid-range jumpers and has three-point range. He is a decent defender.