Hump Day Headlines

In this week's version of Hump Day Headlines, we discuss the latest steroid news in baseball, Mo Williams finally gets his all-star bid, Mike Brown crushes the referees, and the best in hockey duke it out in Beantown...

• A day after the A-Rod steroid saga that has taken up post after post on our blog (thanks for the tremendous feedback by the way), now baseball has a new name to worry about.  Miguel Tejada has been charged with lying to Congress, although it was for lying about an ex-teammate's use of steroids, not his own.  Tejada is a real winner, not only because he himself has been accused of taking steroids by his own former teammate, known 'roider Rafael Palmeiro, but the all-star shortstop also lied about his age after he forged documents when coming to play baseball in America to make him appear to be a younger, more marketable player.  So it's not like lying isn't a trend with Mr. Tejada.  The teammate wasn't identified in the court documents, but apparently played with him in Oakland in 2002.  And for the record, the '02 season was the year Tejada won the American League's Most Valuable Player honor.  Miggy is expected to plead guilty.  If convicted, Tejada could spend a year in jail on the misdemeanor charge, but it is believed he won't get that great a sentence.  (Remember, constitutional law doesn't always apply to athletes.)
• After being snubbed, and then being snubbed again, Mo Williams finally has his all-star selection.  First he wasn't selected as a starter, which was no surprise.  But the curious part of this saga is that he wasn't selected as a reserve by the Eastern Conference coaches, and then was passed over by Commissioner David Stern in favor of the Celtics Ray Allen when Jameer Nelson's injury had him out of the game.  Now that Chris Bosh is out, Williams finally will get a chance to represent the Eastern All-Stars at the game in Phoenix this weekend.  The Cavs' point guard is having a very solid season this year, averaging 17.1 points and 4.2 assists per game, and is one of the biggest reasons for Cleveland's 39-11 start.  He ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring among point guards and second in free-throw percentage.  Congrats on the selection, Mo.  I'm sure you're looking forward to feeding LeBron in the All-Star game on Sunday.
• And while we're talking about the Cavaliers, how about their loss lass night in Indiana?  Two fouls called with less than a second remaining in regulation determined the outcome.  First, with the Pacers leading 95-93 with 0.8 seconds left, the Cavs tried an alley-oop inbounds play to LeBron James.  Danny Granger went up with him, and James drew the foul on the contact.  He hit both free throws to tie the game.  Then with 0.2 seconds left, referee Joey Crawford called a foul on Bron, and Danny Granger hit one of two free throws to ice a 96-95 win.  Cavs coach Mike Brown was livid after the game, calling referee Joey Crawford's call "horse crap" and "the worst call I've ever been a part of."  (Click here to read more of Brown's comments.  They're worth the read.) Expect a fine for that one, Mr. Brown.  But the man has a point.  A foul with 0.2 seconds left?  Seems like a make-up call to me.  That's what Brown alleged, and after seeing the replay, it certainly looks like overtime would have been the better option.  Another point here, why is Joey Crawford still employed?  This guy has butchered many calls over the years.  He thinks fans are coming out to watch him referee.  David Stern should have his pink-slip in the mail today.
• Finally, for all you puckheads out there, a great match-up last night may have changed the argument for which team is the best in hockey.  A lot of hockey experts would probably tell you the Boston Bruins are the best team in the league this year.  In 55 games played, they have accrued the most points, with 85, as they're 39-9-7 on the year.  But last night the best of the west, the San Jose Sharks slapped the B's with a 5-2 win in Boston to come within 4 points of the black and gold.  San Jose, in just 51 games, is 37-7-7 after the win, and scored four goals in the 3rd period on Tim Thomas to win it.  (And no, it's not the same Tim Thomas who Scott awarded a spot on the "All Don't Give a Crap Team".)  San Jose is loaded, just as is Boston, but last night was definitely a statement win, especially when you consider the Bruins only have lost four times in regulation on their home ice.  Granted, I'd say the Eastern Conference is tougher than the Western Conference this year in hockey from top to bottom, but the Sharks definitely showed that the best of the west is just as good if not better than the best in the east.  Oh, and what sweet revenge for former Bruins captain Joe Thornton.