Leftover rants

Justin Verlander flirts with yet another no-hitter one game, then gets beat by the Cleveland Indians shortly thereafter. Despite all the hoopla about Verlander being the best pitcher in the game -- he's a rather journeyman-esque 4-3 right now. By the way, whatever happened to that "Fastball Flakes" cereal that was named after him? Is that supposedly still out there? I never did see it on the grocery store shelves. But I'm a Sugar Frosted Flakes kind of guy anyway. When it comes to tigers and cereal, Tony still gets my vote. He's been grrrreat for a lot longer than Justin.

You've probably seen the commercials featuring LA Clippers superstar Blake Griffin going back in time to give his younger self a little advice. Blake the man tells Blake the boy to "keep lifting", and someday the boy will look like him, as the elder version not so sublety refers to his physique.

How hilarious would it have been if the younger version responded with, "Whoa, if I keep pumping iron I'm going to grow up to play on an under-achieving team and even uglier than I am now? Forget that, I'm heading to Mickey D's to pig out".

And it's a Kia commercial. A South Korean auto company. C'mon Blake. Can't you find an American car to endorse? In other terminology, KIA stands for killed in action, which is exactly what some of those, ahem, friendly Asian auto companies would like to see happen to American manufacturers. Guys like Griffin making ridiculous salaries, which are paid for by Americans, and can drive any kind of vehicles they want, don't seem to understand they're stabbing many everyday American workers in the back by doing such commercials for a quick cha-ching. If for no other reason -- I'm glad the Clips got bounced in the first round of the playoffs.

To my knowledge, no member of the Detroit Lions got arrested in the last week. Every little positive step helps. Knock on wood, but don't hold your breath. As long as coach Jim Schwartz is the head zoo-keeper -- anything's possible. That's like having Gary Busey or Charlie Sheen in charge of a summer camp for kids. Trust me, you really wouldn't want to know what your beloved offspring might be up to under such tutelage. If the little darlings eventually arrive back home safe and sound, and no fingerprints, mug shots, or rap sheets were involved along the way -- be happy. It could be worse. A lot worse.

Unconfirmed rumors have it that after having been properly pampered on a tropical island of luxury for the last few months -- a certain Princess has once again opted to spend a little time amongst the lowly commoners.

Huh.

Maybe I'll hear from her.

Stranger things have happened.

Or maybe not.

Those blue-bloods can be a finicky bunch sometimes.