• Yesterday the Philadelphia Phillies trounced the New York Mets for the fourth consecutive time. The win brings the Phils within two games of the NL East and wild card lead. Since both teams have a knack for dropping the ball in the clutch, this should be an interesting September. My money is on the Phillies!
• Team USA looks as dominant as it did in 1992. The difference between this year and last? Kobe Bryant. His leadership, drive, and experience has given the Dream Team (yes, we can use that term again!) a swagger that hasn’t been seen since Charles Barkley was elbowing Angolans.
• Haters beware: the Yankees are picking up steam. After beating up on the Red Sox, New York is in the lead for the wild card. Who wants to play them in the postseason?
• The NL Central is still anybody’s division. Unfortunately, it seems like Chicago, St. Louis, and Milwaukee seem not to want the crown. With Chicago up by two games and Soriano back in the lineup, conventional wisdom says the Cubs are the favorites to finish in front. Given Chicago’s history of colossal failures, my money’s on the Cardinals.
• Donovan McNabb has looked great in the preseason. Barring injury –which is more than a notion for the increasingly frail quarterback– expect him to put up MVP numbers.

The Boxer Rebellion
By Keith Boykin 

One day last summer I was walking home from the gym in Harlem when I noticed a young shirtless man walking slowly in front of me. He was walking with the familiar side-to-side swagger of young men in hip hop as I followed far behind. By the time I approached him, I realized the reason he was walking so slowly. His pants were sagging so far down that the full length of his boxer shorts were exposed. He must have heard my footsteps as I approached from behind because he turned around just as I got closer. He scowled a look that could kill, pulled up his pants and then stood on the edge of the sidewalk until I walked by.

What was that all about? If you’re going to walk around half naked in the streets, don’t get offended when people stare at you like you’re crazy. And as much as I appreciate the right of all people to dress the way they want, I have to be honest. I certainly would not want my kids to dress like thugs, and I’m glad that my two teenage godsons don’t. I once had a prospective intern (who I later hired) who dressed this way to his job interview with me, and I had to warn him that he would never get a job in most places dressed like a thug. But having said all that, I am still troubled by the new trend, reported in today’s New York Times, of cities that are outlawing sagging pants.

For the rest of the story, click here. 

The internet has been flooded with audio of Senator Larry Craig’s (R-ID) arrest for soliciting sex in a public bathroom. Click below to hear the full nine minute recording.