Jocketty out as Cardinals GM (STL Today)

In a shocker, the St. Louis Cardinals and general manager Walt Jocketty have “parted ways,” reports Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Assistant general manager John Mozeliak has been named interim GM by Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. and is a candidate to succeed Jocketty on a full-time basis.

A press conference is scheduled for 5 PM EDT.

***UPDATED at 5:00 PM EDT***

We plan to frantically be blogging the press conference as it happens. Stay tuned to TBL.

More after the jump »

(From time to time, we’ll post a short blog entry regarding a current topic or something else that catches our fancy. It might be something trivial or something that really makes us wonder what the hell is going on.)

Major League Baseball’s post-season kicks off Wednesday with their Division Series and we couldn’t be any happier.

Outside of the WNBA’s playoffs, there’s nothing more exciting than Division Series baseball. Of course, we come across as a little bit bitter that our favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals, crapped the bed a bit this season amid a myriad of problems and that might have dampened are mood.

In any case, it’s time to just go through a quick hit list of predictions for the first round Division Series’ (Serieses? Serieie?)

More after the jump »

News and notes while this Scottish guy recovers from an epic hangover…

HHOF’er Francis’ wife found safe (TSN.ca) The wife of Emile Francis went missing after dropping off her husband at airport.

Man for the job? (Bugs & Cranks) Is Pete Mackanin the right man for the Cincinnati job?  Our spies tell us that Bob Brenly is likely to land the gig.

Source: 49ers Smith to follow Andrews’ advice (AP/ESPN) An update of sorts on an earlier story.

Dr. Z ranks the NFL teams (SI.com) Browns, Cardinals make strides in Zimmerman’s latest rankings.

Bruce Pearl: Ladies man (The Big Lead) Nicely done, Mr. Coach of Tennessee basketball coach.

Bulger benched; Frerotte to start (STL Today)

The St. Louis Rams have named back-up quarterback Gus Frerotte their starter this Sunday against Arizona, reports STLToday’s Rams beat writer Jim Thomas.

Frerotte replaces the battered Marc Bulger, whom head coach Scott Linehan profusely praised the last two days as the guy that gave the Rams the best chance to win against the Cardinals.

It appears like the switch was made to give Bulger some time to heal his broken ribs.

The new ‘American Gladiators’ names a new host, brother! (Awful Announcing)

Joe Theismann, recently relieved of his duties — whatever those were — at ESPN, was once a co-host of American Gladiators, the late 1980s show that was a cult favorite with its cheesy events and even cheesier body builders-turned-gladiators (remember Malibu?). He shared duties with Mike Adamle and another NFL legend, Larry Csonka.  Late night Saturdays were quite the treat back in the day, thanks to this show following SNL in our market.

Now comes word that the re-incarnated series, courtesy of NBC, has tabbed a host and Theismann cannot be pleased.
More after the jump »

Sources: Falcons to ask return of bonus money at hearing (ESPN.com)

Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reports that the Atlanta Falcons have requested that suspended quarterback Michael Vick to return $16 million in bonus money to the club.  A hearing on the matter is to be held Thursday.
More after the jump »

And now for some potentially bad news in Philadelphia sports…(The Daily Examiner)

According to sources close to The Daily Examiner, Andy Reid’s time at the helm of the Philadelphia Eagles may be nearing an end.

Family issues have taken a toll on Reid and several players seem to be biding their time until he makes an announcement.
More after the jump »

(From time to time, we’ll post a short blog entry regarding a current topic or something else that catches our fancy. It might be something trivial or something that really makes us wonder what the hell is going on.)

In a bit of poor planning, the NHL begins anew on the first night of Major League Baseball’s division playoff series.

Yeah, we know they fired up the regular season schedule in London, England over the weekend but did anyone get to watch any of it?

Nevertheless, we’re fired up that hockey’s back and we have a team that’s slowly — but surely — gaining steam and making positive steps in attaining the ultimate goal: Lord Stanley’s Cup.

More after the jump »

A new season for Sidney Crosby (ESPN.com)

As the NHL season is set to open Wednesday throughout North America, ESPN took some time to throw the spotlight its way on the main page at 1 AM ET Wednesday.

E.J Hradek and ‘Handsome’ Barry Melrose break down one of the league’s few marketable stars for 2007-2008, Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby.

More after the jump »

Vick takes PETA class on respect for animals (AP/SI.com)

Beleaguered Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick stepped into classroom to learn all he could about on how to be empathetic to animals and how to provide them protection.

More after the jump »

News and notes while we keep former NHL exec and Hockey Hall of Famer Emile Francis in our thoughts…

Source: MRI shows serious injury to 49ers’ Smith (ESPN News Services) The dreaded words that a fan of any team doesn’t want to hear: “seeking a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews.”

Vick to enter plea on state felony charges (USA Today)  The charges: beating or killing a dog and engaging in and promoting dogfighting.

Nationwide to sponsor Busch Series (ESPN.com) The insurance firm replaces Anheuser-Busch as a sponsor after 26 seasons.

Glavine likely done in Big Apple (SI.com) Jack Wilkinson of SI.com writes that Tom Glavine will decline his player option for ‘08 and will either retire or return for one more go-around with the Atlanta Braves.

Armstrong blasts Landis decision (AP/Y! Sports) Lance Armstrong believes an American jury surely would have ruled in favor of Floyd Landis, unlike the arbitrators who found him guilty of doping.

Former Northern Colorado backup punter Mitch Cozad sentenced to 7 years in stabbing of starter (AP/Y! Sports) Re-read the headline.