Sports this 'n' that

 Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made some "legend" picks for this year's All-Star Game, taking place July 14 in Philadelphia. We reported that the Phillies' Bryce Harper was granted legend status, which is a little bit ridiculous when you think about it.

Now comes word that the AL "legend"-designate is Detroit pitcher Justin Verlander, who used the opportunity Wednesday to announce that he will retire after the season. Verlander has also pitched for Houston, the Mets, and San Francisco. He'll hang 'em up after the season so he & wife Kate can start a family.

Thanks for the memories.

The injury bug continues to plague the Mets.

Infielder-designated hitter Mark Vientos, mired in a season long malaise, was removed from today's matinee vs. Kansas City after getting hit by a pitch, which fractured his hand. The Mets won't say just yet how long Vientos will be out, other than "weeks".

And a lot of fair weather "fans" wanted him gone by the trade deadline. Sure, kick the guy when he's down.

Reddit is the only form of social media I use. Good thing, too.

Three days after the US was eliminated from the World Cup, a member of the Trump administration is trying to justify President Pampers persuading FIFA President Gianni Infantino to rescind the red card issued to a US player a week ago. Not that it did the US any good, but the annoying orange's meddling was the kiss of death.

Try telling that to this moron.

Proof that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree of stupid.

Andrew Giuliani heads up a "World Cup task force", and said it has to do with the amount of money the US spent to help host the tournament, which wraps in 10 days. Sorry, Goofiani, Jr., but Trump was wrong, and you know it.

Shouldn't you be getting a prescription for Ginkoba for your father, anyway, Andrew?

Musical Interlude: The Age of Aquarius (1969)

 The 5th Dimension's "Age of Aquarius" was released as a single in 1969, coupled with "Let The Sunshine In", off the "Hair" soundtrack. However, we have this clip, origin unknown, of the group performing "Aquarius", complemented with cheesy special effects.

Musical Interlude: The Stranger (1977)

 Billy Joel. Carnegie Hall. "The Stranger", title song from the album. Enough said.

Karmic justice: Belgium eliminates the USMNT in the World Cup

 In the end, to borrow from Shakespeare, it was much ado about nothing.

The Belgian Red Devils were angry, hungry, and motivated to beat the US men's national soccer team in the World Cup, and did so in a 4-1 victory Monday that was as much a statement as it was about proving a point.

The Belgians had appealed the decision to reinstate US striker Folarin Balogun the day before, but the appeal was denied. In hindsight, the admission by president Trump that he prevailed upon FIFA president Gianni Infantino to rescind Balogun's suspension gave the Belgians all the motivation they really needed, and gave the US the dreaded kiss of death.

The above photo comes from X, and had been captioned, "Overturn this", after Belgium advanced to Friday's quarterfinal match vs. Spain. With all the controversy and attendant attention on them, the USMNT didn't play their best game, and the Belgians shut them out in the 2nd half.

If only Trump had kept his mouth shut on this matter........!

When Icons Meet: Look who shows up on The Man From UNCLE (1964)

 From season 1 of The Man From UNCLE:

Two years before Star Trek, Leonard Nimoy & William Shatner are among the guest stars. You'll also see Werner Klemperer, a year before Hogan's Heroes. Missing from this scene? Sheila MacRae, who'd soon, if not by then, join The Jackie Gleason Show.

Some folks on YouTube thought Shatner's character was drunk. Can't say for sure. Full episodes are not available.

Is FIFA trying to rig the World Cup for the US?

 On Wednesday, US striker Folarin Balogun was given a red card during a win over Bosnia, meaning he would not play tonight vs. Belgium.

However, FIFA reversed field four days later, and suspended the red card for a year for Balogun, clearing him to play tonight (8 pm, Fox). Immediately, the suspicions were raised, especially after it'd gotten out that the White House, or, more specifically, president Donald Trump, contacted FIFA honcho Gianni Infantino or one of his aides, asking for Balogun's reinstatement.

Photo courtesy Reuters/MSN.com.

Fans outside the US now don't want the US to host another World Cup, feeling as though Infantino is again currying favor with Trump, in turn making the country as a whole look bad, as if Trump doesn't do that himself on a daily basis.

Even though Trump, as a representing statesman, will present the championship trophy following the finals on July 19, he'd be better off sending VP JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his place, for obvious reasons. He's already stained this year's tournament enough.

As for the question of the tournament being rigged, the answer is no, as of right now. No one expects the US to reach the finals, but one major obstacle was removed Sunday night when Brazil was eliminated by Norway at Met Life Stadium, 2-1. Given that the Belgians are upset over Infantino's latest ruling, there's every reason to believe the US won't move to the quarterfinals.

And, in all fairness, maybe it's better that way.

2026 All-Star rosters revealed

 When fans vote for the annual All-Star Game, this year's edition taking place July 14 in Philadelphia, they ignore current events like idiots. When I've cast a ballot over the years, I've taken injuries into account. The majority of people voting don't because they have a singular purpose.

Blind loyalty also means blind stupidity in some cases.

Let's take a look at the starters voted by Idiots Anonymous.

American League:

Catcher-Shea Langeliers, Sacramento.

First base: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto, who may have set the record for fastest opt-out in All Star history, as he dropped out within an hour of the rosters being announced on Fox, due to a back issue.

Second base: Ernie Clement, Toronto.

Third base: Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay.

Shortstop: Bobby Witt, Jr., Kansas City.

Outfield: Byron Buxton, Minnesota; Mike Trout, Los Angeles; Aaron Judge, Yankees. Of these, Judge may not make it due to injury.

Designated Hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Houston.

National League:

Catcher: Drake Baldwin, Atlanta. Baldwin's been struggling since coming off the IL, and had the night off last night vs. the Mets.

First base: Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles.

Second base: Ozzie Albies, Atlanta.

Third base: Max Muncy, Los Angeles.

Shortstop: CJ Abrams, Washington.

Outfield: Juan Soto, Mets; Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia; Andy Pages, Los Angeles.

Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles (who else?).

It's already been reported that Sacramento's 2nd year star, Nick Kurtz, will replace Guerrero. Judge likely will be replaced as well unless he returns this week. The Mets' lousy season is punctuated with Soto being the only one on the roster at this point, though if any pitchers opt out, relievers Luke Weaver and/or Devin Williams may be added.

Philadelphia's Bryce Harper was designated as a "legend pick" by Commissioner Rob Manfred. Legend? Harper? It is to laugh. Scott Boras Badenov must've slipped a few extra bucks Manfred's way to get that "honor".

Just pray the world's oldest wet blanket doesn't show up in Philadelphia. If you don't know who I mean, you haven't been paying attention.