What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:
1
Ichiro has been a hit in Seattle.
Literally.
Like 2,533 of them in 1,844 games over the past 12 seasons.
He led the American League in hits seven times. He was the AL MVP and AL Rookie of the Year in 2001. And though his numbers have started to slump, he has remained a big draw for Mariners fans.
Which made it a rather strange sight on Monday — Ichiro in a uniform other than Seattle’s.
If a fan would have walked into Safeco Field with no knowledge of the trade, they might have thought Ichiro in a Yankees uniform was just part of a clubhouse gag.
However, it was no joke.
2
Yahoo! Sports Jeff Eisenberg points out that Penn State football players are now free agents and the recruiting game is on.
Eisenberg writes:
When Penn State running back Silas Redd checks his Twitter mentions Monday evening, this is some of what he’ll find.
A note from a UConn fan encouraging him to “come to UConn now” to take advantage of available playing time at running back. A message from an Oregon supporter urging him to join Kenjon Barner in the backfield to give the Ducks a potent one-two punch. And best of all, a doctored photo of Redd clad in a Tennessee uniform from a Vols fan eager to see the Doak Walker Award nominee in orange next season.
CBSSports.com reported that Penn State has virtually no ability to restrict their current players from transferring just weeks before the start of fall camp. Players must only inform Penn State of their interest in exploring their options and opposing coaches need only to send the Nittany Lions a list of players they intend to pursue.
3
Peyton Manning quarterbacking the Denver Broncos. Tim Tebow with the New York Jets.
Those are two interesting storylines going into NFL training camp this week, but they will be hardpressed to top these two doozies:
• The wide receiver formerly known as Ochocinco is once again Chad Johnson. He legally changed his name back to the original on Monday. Oh yeah, and he’s with the Miami Dolphins.
• New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker will be playing with new hair in 2012 as he has had a hair transplant and will appear in ads for the Rhode Island doctor who performed the procedure.
For more Talking Points, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/talkpoints360
