A-Rod snubs his old school; plus Neil Rogers, Wade v. Riley, fight video, Family Guy poll, Dolphins-Estefans, Mickelson & more

     [Twitter.com/gregcote]

     A-Rod snubs Westminster Christian: A mole tells us Yankee Alex Rodriguez snubbed his former school, Westminster Christian, when that school's baseball and softball teams were honored for the 2009 state championships prior to Saturday's Marlins-Yanks game here. Joe Girardi, Derek Jeter and others met with and congratulated the kids. A-Rod was a no-show despite direct requests through both clubs and through WC coach Rich Hofman. Well, so much for Alex's post-steroids image rebuilding. Then again, he had a great excuse. He was suffering fatigue, remember!? Greeting those kids would have been just too, too exhausting for the poor fella!

     The rap on Vontae Davis?: New broke today that the Dolphins' recent No. 1 draft pick was arrested June 9 in his old college town of Champaign, Ill., because his vehicle was too loud and he was driving without a valid license. But the Dolphin say Davis was here at a practice that day. We'll see how this shakes out.

     Uncle Neil off the air. OY!: WQAM just announced that longtime and legendary rant-radio fixture Neil Rogers is leaving the air by mutual agreement. That's big news in local Marconi wireless circles. Also a boost for rival 790 The Ticket, because Uncle Neil remained a ratings monstah. 'QAM plans to replace Neil with sports talk from 10-2 because, well, you know, there just are not nearly enough sports-yak blowhards in this market! ( :D ) Rogers says he has no plans to seek another on-air job, which means offers are invited and he'll be back on the air soon.

     Wade vs. Riley: Who blinks?: It's amusing, this little public back-and-forth between Heat prez Pat Riley and superstar Dwyane Wade. Riles say he won't make any major personnel moves until D-Wade signs a long-term contract. Wade can wait until 2010 to do that and says the Heat should make their moves now, not wait a year. Hmm. What's it all about? What will happen? Rest assured the people who are intensely watching include Chris Bosh. And should include Michael Beasley, too. I'll explore all of this in an upcoming column. What Riley and Wade do -- and whether they do it this summer or in '10 -- is all that matters with the Heat now. That's especially so with Miami having no first-round pick in this week's NBA Draft. Picking 43rd and 60th is not likely to mine a lot in the way of lasting talent, considering Rasual Butler is about the only Heat 2R pick this decade who amounted to much of anything, although Mario Chalmers from last year obviously looks promising.

     The Conga line forms here: Star-struck Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is expected to announce Thursday that Gloria and Emilio Estefan (pictured) -- voice and brains behind the Miami Sound Machine -- will be new minority partners in the Dolphins. Earlier Ross brought Jimmy Buffett into the fold. If this is a systematic march through every So-Fla celeb in the music business, I can only presume the Dolphins will somehow find a way to skip over Luther Campbell and 2 Live Crew.

     $pending big to keep Josh Johnson: The Marlins, not known for opening the wallet on long-term contracts with the exception of Hanley Ramirez, need to pull the trigger again for pitcher Josh Johnson, who is 14-2 since returning -- better than ever -- from surgery. This guy is a legitimate ace, and still only 25. He had better make the all-star team, at 7-1, with a 2.66 ERA and 3.7-1 K's/walks ratio. Johnson's agent said over the weekend it may take close to CC Sabathia money to sew up Johnson. Will the Marlins pony up? A major selling point of the new stadium was the increased revenue streams allowing competitive payrolls. That was tantamount to a good-faith promise.  Well, it looks like spending to keep Johnson will be a major test on whether Jeffrey Loria will put his money where his mouth is. [By the way, click here for a YouTube video of a fight in the stands at Sunday's Yanks-Marlins game].

     'Family Guy' poll: I love Family Guy. It's one of the few things on TV I try not to miss. This is one of those niche polls for people who feel as I do. My favorite character is a dead-heat between Brian and Peter, followed closely by Stewie and Quagmire. Weigh in.

Online Surveys & Market Research

     Mickelson falls short: Phil Mickelson finished as U.S. Open runnerup for a record fifth time today, with Lucas Glover winning. Sorry, Luke, but outside of your family, I doubt many people in America wanted to see you deny Phil his emotional tribute to his cancer-stricken wife. Click here for my column on the U.S. Open finish, online now and shipping to Tuesday's paper.

       Pizza Hut becoming The Hut: Corporate rebranding for some reason fascinates me, like when Kentucky Fried Chicken over time became KFC and now plots to disassociate entirely from the once-iconic Colonel Sanders. The latest? Pizza Huts are dropping the 'Pizza' from their name and gradually becoming The Hut. Seriously. (See left). I doubt this is a good idea. The word 'hut' alone conjures the phrase "Quonset hut" (right) and invites the notion that when you enter a Hut restaurant you will dine in the humid squalor of Spartan, 1940s-era corrugated-metal army barracks and be served gruel by emaciated, time-warped prisoners of war.

     Cote Rules: Cycling: Guys, be a serious cyclist. Own an expensive bike. But, unless you are Lance Armstrong ascending the Alps, do not -- do not -- wear the colorful, logoed racing garb of a competitive cyclist. Seriously. Because, when you are biking on local roads looking like this guy here, 84 percent of the motorists who see you are thinking, "Dork," and struggling to resist a strong urge to "accidentally" run you into a ditch.

     That'll do it for now.

Comments

[pe123]

ummm...Mario Chalmers was a second round pick.

[mike1]

"Family Guy" is pure, hilarious comedy. Enough pop culture for everyone of all ages and genre. "American Dad" is not bad either. There's so many joke,s I can't even remember 10% of them the next day.

In contrast, I saw "The Year One" over the weekend, and it was filled with constant lame jokes.

Greg Cote, you missed the opportunity to include a paragraph on a classic day in US soccer with the miracle advancement to the semifinal round.

[Central Floridian Fin Fan]

You finally did me in when you included Family Guy (Sports significance????). I should have left long ago when you showed your true lefty loony self and all of your Obama love affair references (and Bush bashing) - again no sports significance whatsoever. Good-bye forever Cote the Crazed Lefty. I'll stick to the other "real" sports columnist.

[Bruce]

I am glad to see nobody has voted for Lois, Meg, or Chris. I would hate to meet the person whose favorite Family Guy character is Meg.

As for "The Hut," it's not images of a quonset hut that Pizza Hut is risking, it's Jabba the Hutt. And while Pizza Hut has never shown any concern for health (as they have stuffed everything with cheese except the individual pepperonis), I don't think they want their customers picturing Jabba when they order.

[OC Dolphin]

Good one Bruce.

[the shadow knows]

mike1,

for all of yesterday's drama, the yanks are history early against espana, even though they lost 1-0 last time in a friendly.

[Paul in Coral Gables]

Nice that you highlight a non-fued in the Heat organization and fighting at the Marlin game. Don't you have anything negative for the Dolphins today?

[Alex]

Cote that was a hilarious fight at the Marlins Yankees game. The Marlins (30 million dollar payroll) own the Yankees (200 million dollar payroll). We'll beat them in the World Series, an interleague series like we just saw, and in the stands. That 150 pound marlin fan was classic! LMAO at the flying punch. Marlins rule!

[FZB]

Cote, I don't really like you that much, but I think we can find common ground in FAMILY GUY.....my favorite is Peter, followed very closely by Stewie....

GENTS....six weeks to training camp !!!!

[The Absolute Truth]

WQAM will rue the day they bought off the 800 lb gorilla known as neil rogers, wqam is all about there ridiculous number of commercials they run on that station, they are able to charge the rates they do because they are up there in listeners..of course the cumulative is brought up by the fact they had....Neil of course, NOW with neil being gone are they going to run more commercials?? There overall market share is going to decrease because of neil's departure, who are they going to bring in to maintain the ratings to be able to overcharge for commercials Sid?? I hope not, they got rid of that obnoxious voice on 790 and the last thing wqam needs is his voice, add to that all he wants to talk about is new york sports and you have enough even before he is thought of. Seriously WQAM, if anyone is reading this and you guys are considering that guy...dont do it, you want to talk about losing listeners, Well, other than mad dog and dolphins gameday, you guys have now lost me, i will go back to my sirius nfl radio and bubba the love sponge, so on second thought, do what you want, wqam is now an afterthought.

[Dave Lorenzo]

Greg,

I am a long-time fan of your columns: I read them with near-religious fervor, although I disagree at times. Todays blog was terrific, with comical slivers of Family Guy--which I love--and numerous other ramblings and musings which were witty, pithy, and right on the mark.

However, (you knew it was coming) the piece on the cyclist with the pro clothing was at the least unnecessary--and more realistically--it was thinly veiled approbation of violence against cyclists.

I know, you think I am being too sensitive. But there are few positions where one is more vulnerable as when one is on a bike, a motorcycle, or running on the road. And I can tell you from a cursory glance of the blotter that killing a cyclist with your car will usually get you less jail time than one gets for killing a dog.

In the future, please resist your strong urge to accidentally write humor in your blog by condoning bully-behavior against cyclists. (Especially in the road-rage capital of the U.S.--Miami!)

[Jimbo]

DaveLoranzo , don't pout. Just, don't go where the huskies go, don't you eat that yellow snow.
Mike, no one gives a shit about soccer, for once and for all dude, come on. Except the Estephan's & Stewie, they like soccer and lactating grandma's.

[Jimbo]

Peter Griffin has a set of balls as his chin. From what I understand, Kurt looks like Peter Griffins twin.

[Jimbo]

before u know it, the Adams Family will buy part of the Dolphins.

[Jimbo]

Jeffry Dahlmer is going to buy some shares of the Dolphins 2. Heard that he goes around singing that catchy commercial "My balony has a first name,, it's...."

[Estoban]

I'm gonna play my banjo at the Miami games with Peter Ross. Can't forget my black hat with the dingleberry's dangling around. What's that smell? Had to replace and dingleberry yesterday.

[Scrote UM]

Did someone say Stewie or Chewie?
How about those Cane's!!!!!!!!!!!

[Estoban]

Meant to say Stephen Ross.

[Steak UM]

Fry me up one there Mr French.

[Tom]

Good for Neil. The retirement community was lacking in sanctimonious holier than thou assholes. Neil should fully plug that hole nicely. Get it?

[Tom]

Jimbo

You're on a roll. Jeffy Dahmer singing commercials,lactating grandma's, and Kurt getting teabagged. Damn that's funny.

[Jimbo]

Tom, my stamina is down, can't hang like I used to. Need coffee. It's hot out here in Colorado, must have sweated a gallon running yesterday afternoon. Getting ready to do the Pikes Peak ascent in July.

[Qwertyuiop]

Mario Chalmers was a second-round pick, but he wasn't a HEAT second-round pick. They traded for him. So, Cote's off the hook on that one.
As for Neil Rogers, I've listened to Neil for a long time, still listened every day, and, yes, the show had gotten stale at points, for a variety of reasons, and yes, the show was a shadow of what it was in the 1980s and 1990s, but this is still a dark day. It should not have ended like this.

[Jorge Alvarez]

1) Neil Rogers: For years, a local media icon. He will be missed. Good luck with "Mad Dog" boring you for 3hours a day

2) There will be no Wade v. Riley. Both are smart men, and understand what it at stake. If Wade agrees in principle, Riley will get someone like Chris Bosch, via trade, becasue Bosch as made it clear he will go FA, and Toronto wants something back, sign both long term, and bring another championship, back to Miami.

3) What a great day to finally see latin ownership in South Florida.

4) Josh Johnson: The Marlins need to get him signed long term for many reasons. A) 5-6, 35-40m contract is still economical. Compare to Jon Lester [Red Sox]. The Marlin ownership must be accountable to due to money being spent on the new stadium. They must provide "proof" of commitment to the community. he Marlins must now answer to the community, especially with all the public funding givent to them. It's almost now as being a public company, we [the fans], being stockholders in the team.

4) Family Guy is great, Stewie is the best, but to this date, the most intelligent, funniest, and creative animated show still belongs to South Park!

5) Phil Mickelson: You gotta feel for this guy. Five runner-ups to the US Open without a trophy. Kind of makes you forget about Greg Norman's woes a bit.....

[Scrote UM]

I gotta plastic pink flamingo in my back yard.

[Jimbo]

MLBaseball has been an American institution since pre 1900.
The top crust of participants are turning up hot for illegal perforance enhancing techniques. Bonds, Clemons, ARod, etc.
US government elected officials are looking into this. Why?

*You can look at this 2 ways*
1. widely pubicized reason is that it is America's past time and should be snowy white like a virgin on prom night. Protected and guarded like Ft Knox.

2. Unknown factor(my reasoning) is that US Elected officials namely Congress and Senate work very little at anything OTHER than getting themselves in office, re-elected to stay in power for their own self benefit.. not the percieved public good. "Performance enhancing" is oxy moron when your talking US Socialist Republic Officials. They don't understand and avoid people who perform above and beyond the norm or minimal effort.

[mike1]

Quagmire is my favorite. The Woody Woodpecker scene is awesome.

I believe a spin of is being made for Cleveland.

[mike1]

Jimbo, Baseball being an American institution since pre-1900 is the only reason the game exists today with still some popularity. Just out of tradition, passing on from generation to generation. The snoozefest that it is, if that game had been invented today, it would be ignored more than soccer. 162 games a year..plus pre-season and post-season; we're talking major overkill or something so boring.

Thankfully, football season is around the corner.

[Jimbo]

Mike, baseball is not overkill. It is methodical and the argument is after 162 games there are no "flukes" on divisional winners. Pro Football is always my first choice.

Anyone else wondering WTF??????

Iran is in civil war, middle class & students want freedom, screaming for it, dying for it. (Notice the signs in English). European leaders are voicing their strong opinion supporting human rights and equality.

Where is our President?
Supporting the current regime. Isn't this the guy that preached - never let a crisis go to waste?

Welfare recipients at an all time high in Florida.(not just FL, most states)

Is this the Hope and Change some of you guys voted for?

A few of us on here were not duped a yr ago.

I am taking my unconfiscated retirement $ and living in Philippines in a decade.

[Jimbo]

Mike, I haven't watched a BaseBall game on tv this yr.
Enjoy the shit out of going to beautiful Coors Field and watching it real time.

[Ed McMahon]

Heeeeeeeeerrrrrsssss St Pete!

[the shadow knows]

men,

that janet jackson super bowl halftime killed local radio: first joe and mark's nighttme fiesta was obliterated, then neil rogers was handcuffed by thos ein gread fear of the FCC. 10-2 used to be an interesting four hours when george rodriguez was the second fiddle. byebyebye to fun radio, and rest in peace, celia cruz.

[flasportsfan]

Guys, I heard Billy Donovan will be on air with Evan Cohen on ESPN 760 at 4:30 today. Listen live at http://www.espn760.com, or check it out in the Audio Vault afterward.

[Robert Amezega]

Rich Hofmann..................maybe this will be a wake up call to you for your continued, stupid support of an A H O L E that is clearly not the same person you recall knowing.
Maybe now people like you and Lazaro Llanes will recognize the cockaroach that ARod, AFraud, ARoid has become.
It is un conscionable what he did to those kids at WC. To see Derek Jeter interact with them, and WC's own NOT, simply unfUCing amazing

[mike1]

Jimbo,

I go to one Astros game a year. Good to get out and watch. But it seems like few people are actually watching the game. People constantly get out of their seats, forcing us to have to stand to let them out; blocking our view. If they're not coming & going, they are having conversations with each other. There is so much in-between time of something happening. People get up and about in football, but nothing like baseball. Rarely in soccer because there is no stoppage except for half time.

[r. duke]

Hey Cote what's so funny about fatigue? If Alex was too tired to greet the kids he was too tired. End of story. Plus I do not believe greeting strangers with children is in his job discription. Cote you are an example of what is wrong with all life here on planet Earth... Hey Jimbo you get that Luger and manuel I sent you for er I mean, for which I sent you?

[r. duke]

Mr. Ross please don't let Gloria and her Sound Machine play at ah "Shark Beer Stadium." Their time has passed as has Crocket and Tubbs...

[Kurt]

From what I understand, Jimbo smells like cigaretts and hot dogs.

Your affinity for a sophmoric television program speaks to what type of person you are. I pegged your right on a year and a half ago. So pleased to see you fit the demographic.

[Jimbo]

Kurtensce, I didn't introduce the topic you Chatting Kathy. Your like a stalker or better known as having "Cecil Collins" syndrome.

[Jimbo]

Mike, I try to take in 1 or 2 MLB games a yr. Live close to the Air Force Academy and watch them occasionally. Great time and they are usually competitive.

Have any of you guys ever been in the Seattle/Tacoma area? If so, gimme some input on what to look forward to.

[Gloria CeilingFan]

I wanna sign "My world keeps going around and around"

[r. duke]

lol. I'll flick the off switch and save us both from anymore nausea and Labyrinthitis Gloria!

[david in los angeles]

um, jimbo, if you pulled your head out of limbaugh's a s s, you might have caught these quotes from YOUR president..

“i appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings and imprisonments of the past few days.”

“we also know this: Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history.”

" violence is unacceptable, that is not how governments operate with respect to their people,”

“The last thing that I want to do is to have the United States be a foil for — those forces inside Iran who would love nothing better than to make this an argument about the United States. That’s what they do. That’s what we’ve already seen. We shouldn’t be playing into that. There should be no distractions from the fact that the — Iranian people are seeking to — let their voices be heard."

the last quote is a position supported by pat buchannan, henry kissenger, and other republicans to the left of atilla the hun. like i said, stay off politics. while your ignorance is amusing, i visit this blog for sports.. thanks..

[Paul in Boca]

David in LA,
Even though everything you say is spot on, trying to rationalize with a simpleton like Jimbo is really a waste of time. He and his ilk are living in a parallel universe that on occasion intersects with the real world. I enjoy being amused by this cretin.

[the shadow knows]

men,

while i find faults with our president and some of his policies, his stance on iran is the proper one. as stated by david in los angeles, he has let it be known that what is happening in the streets of tehran is, to say the least, unconscionable. there are thos ewho say it is the duty of the good old USA to "meddle" in other country's situations and want him to "act"- citing the sudan, somali pirates, darfur, and a litany of other world problem spots that "w" ignored during his tenure. HBO is in tough, is looking more like nelson mandela after 30 years in prison as his hair grays in front of us. he asked for a nd won the toughest job in the world.

[the shadow knows]

SHOULD READ: "BHO" is in tough

[ginrai]

If I were Stephen Ross I would of considered better of selling a part of owner ship to Bill Parcells. By trying to keep Parcells here long term. It's better to sell to people that know the football business. Estefan and Buffet only know the entertainment business. I also didn't like the idea of Buffet renaming Dolphin stadium to Landshark stadium. How about giving Joe Robbie his stadium's name back? Honoring him as he deserves.

Josh Johnson is a keeper. The Marlins should consider resigning him.

The Heat need a good powerfoward and a center. They should consider getting some added help. Every athlete likes to be on a competitive winning team and at the right price. Even Wade. Also there is never any guarantee that a free agent player signs with their current team.

[Kurt]

Yes! There are others out there who agree with me - Jimbo is a moron!

Quite a dressing down for the one who smells like cigarettes and hot dogs, don't you think?

[mike1]

Shadow, the rest of the world (except Russia, China, N. Korea) is condemning the rigged election; therefore it's ok for us. Sometimes, it's ok..sometimes not. Our Prez is getting a little too much like Neville Chamberlain who tried to appease Hitler a few times by giving away countries. There are some leaders who are not right in the head; and McCain was and still is right (if you saw Larry King last night). You can't sit down and negotiate with someone who is unstable and on top of that, did not legitimately win the election.

[mike1]

Jimbo.

Seattle is in one of the most awesome regions in the US. If you think Miami is expensive for housing and condos..try Seattle/Vancouver/Victoria.

It would take me a lot of time to specifically detail all that you can do..but if you have the time,

Seattle has a lot of great stuff.
Vancouver..gorgeous. Go for a metrorail ride on the south leg from downtown.

Drive up to Whistler (where the Winter Olypmics will be in 2010)

Ferry to Victoria...outstanding. Reservations not necessary. Boat is huge. Might have to wait til the next one; every hour.

Ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles, Wa. For this, you need reservations which you can get on-line.

From Port Angeles...visit Olympic Mtn National Park ...Hurricane Ridge overlook.

Explore the Olympic peninsula; Lake Crescent; East Beach is so nice. Reach the Pacific. Hike to some waterfalls. from Mt Baker (gravel, windy road to the summit)..long distance views of Seattle and Mt Ranier on clear days.

Take a ferry from Bremerton or some other island to Seattle downtown. Drive around Queen Anne Hill; Pike Market; Space Needle; ride the monorail. Drive along shorelines of some of the inner islands on lake Washington and the other side. You'll see beautiful houses perched below and above you. So many..everyone must be rich there.

Dirve across all the birdges; visit Microsoft Campus.

Really great --visit the Boeing Plant in Everett, n. of Seattle. Huge building; where they build 747's etc.

If you have time, visit Mt Rainier.

Tacoma...not as impressive as everything else I described.

On your flight departure from Seattle, there is a decent chance that if you sit on the left side of the plane (facing forward) and if the sky is clear ..you'll have an amazing view from above Mt Ranier. We got lucky. The runway runs north to south.