REPORTING FROM THE JOCK-OSPHERE

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We are just the immobile-headed scrooges in a bobblehead world.
[Ed's Note: In the long view of the sports media industry, it's still a relatively new concept that athletes, agents, executives and yes, mascots, could circumvent us and tell their own stories…instantly, on blogs. We say, fantastic—but we're going to cover what they're writing.]
Curtis Granderson: Bobblehead Blunders
The Tigers outfielder on his various bobbleheads:
"This won't be the first bobblehead of me, but it will be my first Tigers bobblehead," he writes. "In the previous ones, there have been issues in the production process. I've seen bobbleheads of me where I was a white player, one where I was batting right handed and I've heard that in this current one I'm extremely chubby. I think every bobblehead should have final approval from the player. If I had my say, I wouldn't want to just do a normal standing pose. I would want to either be sliding into a base or diving for a ball, and hopefully have it look somewhat like me."
While we applaud Granderson for his bobblehead design ingenuity, having a likeness of him sliding or diving would render the bobble of the head less profound than on a normal vertical plane, right? Time to call in Dwight Schrute for the answer to this one.
Jerry Reinsdorf: What Blind Luck?
While taking in the White Sox 4-1 win last evening at U.S. Cellular Field, Jerry Reinsdorf, who also owns the Bulls, and thus a 1.7 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, struck gold, Jerry, gold!.
"High fives and whoops of joy in the owner's suite tonight, and not just because of early game home runs by White Sox Carlos Quentin and Jim Thome," writes Scott Reifert, vice president of communications for the White Sox. "The crowd in the suite was stunned when the Bulls beat all the odds and won the first pick in this June's Draft."
"I'm thrilled," an elated Jerry Reinsdorf said. "We're all thrilled. This is great for the organization and great for Bulls fans. Cell phones around the room immediately exploded when the drawing was held just as the White Sox vs. Indians game got underway."
Trenni Kusnierek: On the Road Again
The FSN Wisconsin broadcaster on the Brewers bus rides:
"I think what often gets lost behind the box score, is that the players wearing a uniform are real people," he writes. "The guys have bills to pay and kids to tuck into bed. On post games bus rides there is often a steady murmur of the quiet 'I love you' or 'be good for mommy'. There are shopping bags being lugged around with American Girl dolls and sweet smelling leather baseball gloves. And thanks to technology fatherly advice is even passed along via a webcam."
Rumor has it Prince Fielder keeps the American Girl dolls for himself.
Len Kasper: Jim Edmonds Isn't a Show-off
Resident Cubs chantuer and announcer, Len Kasper, discusses recent Chicago acquisition Jim Edmonds' style of play:
"He plays as shallow as he can possibly play with the idea that he can still get back and make those catches if needed," he writes. "I laugh when people say he does it on purpose to make the catch look better. That's ridiculous. I'm guessing Jim plays it that way because he knows he's CAPABLE of making those tough catches."
What, no love for Reed Johnson?
Paul DePodesta: Clandestine Scouting During the Shagadelic Amateur Draft
"Sometimes the gamesmanship goes a little too far. A few weeks ago I was leaving a high school game and on my way to another one. I was expecting to be in the car for at least an hour, so I planned to stop at the bathroom before leaving. With no indoor bathroom in site, the port-o-potty on the way to the parking lot was the only option."
As I approached, I thought I heard a voice. It was only when I reached out my hand to grab the door handle that I heard the voice loud and clear. It was a scout, inside the port-o-potty, on his cell phone reporting what other teams were in attendance at the game. Out of respect for his effort (and sacrifice), I kept walking."
This may be a little more Austin Powers than 007, but it does illustrate the competitive nature of the draft. We all know what players we like, and none of us are telling. :-)"
Thomas Lyman: Fighting Words for GEICO
"I currently reside in a world where I am forced to turn both left and right, and race in a series that is likely under the radar for most of you. Now, let's back up a couple of laps."
My childhood was drowned in auto racing—I even went to Talledega while in the womb—and those memories definitely left a mark. Growing up in the Atlanta area, my father dragged my brother and I out to Road Atlanta as often as he could, to watch road racing at its finest. As crazy as it sounds, in the early 80s, teams like Hendrick and Roush actually fielded cars in various road racing series, before NASCAR became the powerhouse it is today. As I got older, and my father was transferred around the country, we attended all sorts of events—NASCAR at Michigan International Speedway, IMSA at Watkins Glen—and at every stop, I'd scour the Yellow Pages for go-kart tracks, eager to test my skills against other 8-year-olds. Before Loren Wallace was in diapers, I was tearing up the public go-kart tracks across the country. Save that, GEICO."
Robert Guerrero: Fighting in the Bay
The IBF and NABF boxing champ wants to fight Manny Pacquiao in his home base of San Francisco. Watch him represent—do people still do that, represent?—the Bay in a video HERE.
Blogging: The Final Frontier
Two players from the Gateway Grizzles of the Frontier League have just donned the blogging caps. Peep Jeff Vincent HERE and Alex Merricks HERE.
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