If you answered with anything but the word, Never, then you are WRONG, just like the moronic hockey fans in Montreal and Philadelphia.  I don’t care where it started [Montreal] or where it finished [Philadelphia], you just don’t do that.

Here’s what you need to do during the singing of the National Anthem, no matter what country’s national anthem is playing:

• Take off your hat.
• Put your right hand over your heart or stand at attention
• Stand silently or sing if you care to and know the words.
• Show respect.

Here’s what you don’t do:

• Talk.  And no stupid shouting to signify your team — that means you, Baltimore Orioles fans and Atlanta Braves fans.
• Walk, run or otherwise transport yourself [unless it's an emergency]
• Drink, eat, smoke or engage in any other carnal activity [I think you know what I'm talking about].
• Boo.

The National Anthem stands for something more important than national rivalries.  Show your true colors by standing up to those idiots who have no pride or respect.  Say something to the knuckleheads.  But do it AFTER the whole anthem is played.

The Sioux Falls Canaries of the independent American Association introduce a unique snack at the concession stand this season:  breaded and fried turkey testicles.

Branded as “Fowl Balls,” the protein-laden appetizers will be offered with “your favorite dipping sauce as an alternative to onion rings or cheese sticks.”

According to Canaries Director of Food & Beverage Bill Sedelmeier:  “The Fowl Balls will make a perfect compliment to a cold beer at the Birdcage.”

I’m thinking many cold beers.

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund has announced the kickoff of the fourth year of their Equipment Day Drive initiative.

This season, all 30 Major League Baseball clubs will be participating.  The first two ballparks accepting “new and gently used” baseball gear at their gates were Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals) and Nationals Park (Washington Nationals) this past Friday, April 25.

The other 28 clubs will organize their collections later in the season.  Equipment and money gathered will be donated to a local youth baseball or softball organization chosen by the collecting ball club.

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund began in 1999.  Since then, it has awarded grants totaling more than $13 million to more than 300 youth baseball and softball programs around the world.

Some of the collection dates are listed below.  Check the Baseball Tomorrow Fund website for updates.

• 4/25 – Kansas City Royals
• 4/25-4/27 – Washington Nationals
• 4/27 – San Diego Padres
• 5/3-5/4 – Toronto Blue Jays
• 5/10 – San Francisco Giants
• 5/16-5/18 – Arizona Diamondbacks
• 5/30-6/1 – Milwaukee Brewers
• 6/7 – Pittsburgh Pirates
• 6/12 – Cleveland Indians
• 6/20-22 – Boston Red Sox
• 7/5 – Cincinnati Reds
• 7/6 – Seattle Mariners
• 7/19-7/20 – Colorado Rockies
• 7/19 – Florida Marlins
• 7/26 – Baltimore Orioles
• 8/30 – LA Angels of Anaheim
• 9/6-9/7 – LA Dodgers

After dropping eight of nine games earlier this month, the Class A Visalia Oaks needed a victory.  The front office crafted a novel proposal:  We guarantee a win on April 22, or you get in for free the next night.

The stunt worked as the Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate beat the Inland Empire 66ers on Tuesday night by a score of 10-7.  Ricardo Sosa went 5-for-5 with 2 HR and 7 RBI.

TORONTO — Slumping designated hitter Frank Thomas was released Sunday by the Blue Jays, who cut the 19-year veteran one day after he became angry for being taken out of the lineup.

The move leaves the Blue Jays on the hook for $7,081,967, the remainder of his $8 million salary this year in the $18.12 million, two-year contract the 39-year-old Thomas signed in November 2006.

The guy is going to get paid $25M NOT to play!  AND he’s allowed to negotiate with any team that would have him.  I am sure that there are at least a handful of teams that will take a flyer on him at a reduced rate – say $2M to get an angry superstar to just hit the ball for them.  Nothing else.  Just hit and sit.  And sulk if you’re not playing.  For heaven’s sake.

However, this has an even bigger impact on us, the fans.  Who do you think eats that $25M?  The Blue Jays?  Oh hell no.  Every price will go up at the stadium.  Have you ever once seen the prices go down?

I really don’t like Frank.  He’s not my type of ballplayer. Oh yeah, he’s a superstar and a possible first ballot HOF guy, but he’s a whiner and a cry baby and he’s not a complete ballplayer. He’s a fat-a$$ sitting and waiting on the bench for his turn at bat designated hitter.  Aren’t older players supposed to serve as role models and mentors?  Rather than go home and watch ESPN all day or play MLB Baseball 2K8 on your XBox, wouldn’t you rather ride the pines for 2 years and talk baseball with your friends all day for TWENTY-FIVE MILLON DOLLARS?

The fat lady ain’t singing yet, but she’s warming up.  Can’t you hear her, Frank?  She’s singing the scales and it’s your song.  “ME ME ME ME ME ME”

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