Maybe this guy needs to develop some technical or computer skills because this pitching thing ain’t working out. Scott Mathieson is still being bothered by setbacks from his Tommy John surgery and it could affect the future of his floundering career:

Mathieson, the team’s 17th-round pick in 2002, has seen team physician Michael Ciccotti and noted orthopedic surgeons Lew Yocum, who performed the first surgery, and James Andrews, who will perform the second surgery, for opinions on his right elbow. His latest MRI shows the ligament is intact, but stretched out. Andrews will scope the elbow first, but Phillies athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said a second Tommy John is most likely.

Mathieson could be a good reliever or average starter if his body would cooperate. Sadly this may not be in the cards for the Phillies, and perhaps Mathieson might have to give up his dream of being a big league pitcher. There are some success stories, but it looks like most people who have multiple Tommy John surgeries just don’t resurface as major league talent.

Good luck to Scott, but I’m wondering if he should put himself through this sort of long, slow process again. He may just not be built to do this stuff.

He’s getting a Webby Award for his special achievement!!!  Check it out:

Stephen Colbert will be honored for the innovative way he has used the Internet to interact with fans of The Colbert Report - from Google bombing to make him the top search result for “greatest living American” to challenging the “truthiness” of Wikipedia. In his presidential campaign, the “One Million Strong for Stephen T. Colbert” Facebook group attracted more than 78 members per minute in its first week, while his supporters have raised more than $250,000 for the education charity DonorsChoose.org.

Stephen Colbert has finally been recognized by the most impressive awards show that deals with the internet. Colbert has changed the way his fans interact with his television program.  He deserves kudos for that. Other media outlets seem to ignore the way that Colbert rules, and even attempt to mock him:

Despite aggressive campaigning on Larry King Live, Today and his own show, the voters have spoken — and the winner is not Stephen Colbert. The falsely outraged host will reportedly address this slight on his eponymous pretend cable news program later this evening.

Dicks. Colbert is your god.

Remember the time the Cory and Eric and Shawn went on a trip to a college?!?!!  OMGZ IT WAS HIJINX GALORE FOLKS!!!

And he’s in San Francisco already:

Rollins flew to San Francisco yesterday and will join the Phillies today at AT&T Park, where they open a three-game series against the Giants tonight. Rollins, who has been on the disabled list since April 20 with a sprained left ankle, played three games this week on a rehab assignment in Clearwater, Fla.

Rollins was believed likely to be activated before tonight’s game, but the Phillies stressed there was no guarantee. They planned to have athletic trainer Scott Sheridan run Rollins through a series of drills to test the ankle.

If the Phils deem the ankle OK, they will activate him. If not, they won’t.

Longest. Sprain. Ever.

Terrific

I read a fun little stat in the Inky yesterday:

Entering last night, Chase Utley, with 13 home runs, and Pat Burrell, with nine, had combined for more homers than six teams: the New York Mets (20), San Francisco Giants (19), Oakland A’s (18), Washington Nationals (18), Kansas City Royals (16) and Minnesota Twins (16).

Wowzers.  The Twins ARE in first place in the AL Central division, albeit only 1 game over .500. The As are 22-14 and tied for 1st in the AL West though.

It’s been the talk of the nation: who will Tom Hanks vote for in the presidential race? Will he go for Hillary Clinton’s ties to her husband’s 90s presidency? Or would the venerable actor back McCain’s senatorial experience? Or would he perhaps go with a message of change and pick the senator from Illinois? Well folks, he’s made his decision. End the discussion. Stop the rumor mill. He’s picked a side.

IT’S OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OBAMAMANIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here’s more: “As an official celebrity, I know my endorsement has just made your mind up for you.”

You certainly have Tom. Thank you. Surely Indiana voters heard of this selection off the wire and headed to the polls in large numbers and pulled that lever for one Barack Obama. We’ve got the official celebrities like Tom Hanks and Sheryl Crow, not fake celebrities like Perez Hilton.

Well, Mrs. Clinton did get one celebrity endorser that I would call a real one, unfortunately:

Unclean!

Don’t underestimate the force. A Jedi never uses the force for attack.

Bill Simmons gets his man (courtesy Awful Announcing). Shame on Kimmel for perpetuating this lie upon both his company and the public.  Roger Clemens is saddened:

No comment on this score:

The skirmishes of the first six games boiled over with 9 minutes, 9 seconds left in the third quarter, with Boston already leading 51-28, when Rondo got the ball on a breakaway in the third quarter and had only Marvin Williams to beat.

Yes, they won 99-65 and held the Atlanta Hawks to 26 points in the 1st half.  Only two Hawks players, Joe Johnson and Salim Stoudamire, managed to amass double-digit point totals and the team shot 29.3% from the field for the game.  29.3%.  I have never seen a shooting percentage that low.  NEVER. I’d say it was a pathetic showing by the Hawks but I promised I wouldn’t comment.

Next up for the hated Celtics will be the Cleveland Lebrons, er Cavaliers.  Perhaps the Celtics have exercised their demons with this long series against the Hawks.  This series against the Cavaliers could go down like butter with them sweeping or winning in 5, or they could have another long series which requires a game 7 victory.  I would pick the latter simply because Lebron James CAN win you a game or two in every playoff series by himself.  The man averaged 29.8 pts, 9.5 rebounds and 7.7 assists against the Wizards.

In any event, I’ll be rooting for a Cavaliers/Orlando Magic conference finals.  I’ve had it with the Detroit Pistons and I don’t like the Boston Celtics.  The Western Conference is where it’s at anyway.

The biggest news to come out of yesterday’s post-game quotes was the fact that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel doesn’t faint from seeing San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum enter a room:

Lincecum, a shaggy-haired, 170-pound righthander, got a no-decision but lowered his ERA to 1.49.

“He’s good,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “To me, he looks like a little clubhouse guy or a batboy with that long hair, but he’s got a fastball.

“I wouldn’t say he’s pretty, though,” Manuel added with a laugh. “They call Cole Hamels ‘Hollywood.’ I don’t think they call him that.”

Cold.  Just cold.  Tim’s been crushing on Charlie all season and then he does him like that.  You could’ve let him down easily Charles, but instead you have to dig the knife and give it a little twist.  Why you gotta be like that?

Come on James. COME ON

Manuel said that shortstop Jimmy Rollins, recovering from a sprained left ankle, is expected to play in minor-league games in Florida beginning tomorrow.

Could Rollins be ready to play over the weekend in San Francisco? “Maybe,” Manuel said.

Remember the time Mr Turner was an integral part of the show, and his buddy Eli was also regularly on it?!  And remember when big man Frankie was the ‘enforcer’ but wanted to be loved?!?!?! I DO I DO OMGZ DO I EVER

Yes folks, Hillary Clinton told people to back the ‘filly’ in the race, Eight Belles, a not-so-subtle hint for people to back herself in the Democrat nomination process.  The horse then finished in 2nd place, broke both front ankles, and had to be put down ON THE TRACK.

Hmm.  No. No message there.