What’s worse than just mailing it in? E-mailing it in after that.
Real Madrid star Marcelo found himself left off Brazil’s national team for the Copa America tournament after he boasted in an electronic message that he faked an injury to avoid playing in a friendly against Scotland.
Alas, Marcelo’s e-mail inexplicably listed one recipient too many: Brazil coach Mano Menezes.
Good to the last shot
With a Thursday deadline looming, no appreciable progress has been made in NBA labor negotiations last Friday, but it’s no big deal, veteran watchers say.
These NBA contests always come down to the last two minutes, anyway.
Dog Daze of Summer
What, you think it’s easy playing for an 80-year-old manager?
“(Jack) McKeon asked me what I had going on tonite,” tweeted Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison. “Told him I was going home 2 play w/ Twitter. He replied ‘oh, what kind of dog is it?’ “
Pupil of the game
Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton says the reason he’s hitting .113 in day games and .377 at night is the color of the eyes he was born with — blue.
A spokesman for God said he couldn’t comment until He’s seen a copy of the lawsuit.
Going to Plant B
Not that the Oakland Raiders have a history of top draft picks withering on the vine or anything, but Al Davis might be wise to consider crop insurance.
George Clooney in cleats
Kevin Huntley, a defensive tackle for the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, is playing 40 pounds lighter this season.
“I don’t feel my stomach moving around when I do stuff anymore,” he told The Globe and Mail, “so I’m back to my sexy days.”
Talking the talk
• Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon Express, on Ohio lawmakers passing a bill allowing patrons to take concealed weapons into bars: “In a related story, Plaxico Burress has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.”
• Comedy writer Bob Mills, on the Cubs drafting Wayne Gretzky’s son: “He’s not a bad pitcher, but he keeps kicking the pitcher’s rubber into the dugout.”
• Dan Patrick of Sports Illustrated, on the resignation of Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez: “Apparently he tweeted graphic photos of the team’s performance with runners in scoring position.”
• Giants pitcher Jeremy Affeldt, via Twitter, with a superhero style question: “If Superman is so smart, why does he wear his underpants on top of his pants?”
It has a ring to it
Ex-lightweight champ Juan Diaz has quit the ring to attend law school at Dartmouth, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
In other words, he’s going from boxers to briefs.
Dwight Perry: 206-464-8250 or dperry@seattletimes.com