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Shanoff’s Wake-Up Call: CC, CFB, Gustav, More

Sep 1, 2008, 12:30 PM UTC

(Editor’s note: With the rest of the TSB staff on vacation, this will be the only post for the day. Things get going again on Tuesday.)
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â†µToday’s Calls: Clemson vs. Michigan, USC vs. Ohio State, CC Sabathia vs. Official Scorers, Brandon Webb vs. Carlos Zambrano, Kyle Busch vs. Jimmie Johnson and More.â†µ

â†µThe Opening Pitch: Did CC Sabathia pitch a no-hitter? The Brewers think so; the "official scorer" in Pittsburgh, Bob Webb, disagrees.â†µ

â†µâ†µBut that’s not the right question.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe right question is: Why doesn’t MLB have the power to overrule a hometown scorer’s decision?â†µ

â†µâ†µIn a sport rooted so deeply in statistics and the lore of things like no-hitters, this lack of oversight is mind-boggling.â†µ

â†µâ†µAny local “official scorer’s” ruling should be subject to review by MLB -- especially ones that impact history-influencing ones like no-hitters or hit streaks.â†µ

â†µâ†µEveryone knows -- or at least suspects -- that local “official scorers” are human ... oh, wait: I mean homers.â†µ

â†µâ†µThink that play would have been ruled a single if the pitcher throwing the no-no was a Pirate? Or if the game was in Milwaukee? The fact is: It’s an open (and fair) question.â†µ

â†µâ†µIt is hardly too much to ask that MLB assert its power in ensuring that in-game rulings by “official” scorekeepers are accurate.â†µ

â†µâ†µAgain: It’s a toss-up whether Webb was right or not. A 20-year vet, Webb offers a plausible justification for his ruling. But that’s not the point.â†µ

â†µâ†µAt the very least, MLB should review the play and issue its own judgment -- laying the groundwork to change the rules to assume authority over official scorers’ calls.â†µ

â†µâ†µIf the game’s “integrity” matters -- and MLB upheld that just last week by instituting limited instant replay -- then its “official” scoring needs to be backed (and backstopped) by the league itself.â†µ

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â†µCollege Football: What did we learn from the first weekend of the season?â†µ

â†µâ†µ(1) Clemson proves why CFB’s regular season rules: Friday, the Tigers were a national-title contender; today, they shouldn’t even be ranked, and their national-title hopes are basically shot after one game.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(2) Beanie Wells’ foot injury is the most important thing in college football right now. It impacts Ohio State’s chances at USC in two weeks, along with the Heisman race, where Wells was an early favorite.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(Meanwhile, another big season-ending injury for Georgia. How many more of these can the team withstand and still fulfill its No. 1 potential?)â†µ

â†µâ†µ(3) If Michigan’s loss last season to App State was a shocker, this season’s loss to Utah wasn’t a surprise at all. Rich Rodriguez simply doesn’t have the talent yet to effectively run his spread offense.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(4) Hard to judge: USC and OSU until they play each other; Georgia until they play at AZ St; Florida until they play at Tennessee; Oklahoma until they play Texas; or Mizzou until they play at Nebraska.â†µ

â†µâ†µMeanwhile, check out Spencer Hall’s must-read recap of the weekend.â†µ

â†µâ†µLast Night: Colorado’s Josh Smith and Darrell Scott are the best uncle-nephew combo in sports.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(Meanwhile: Remember when Louisville was a national-title contender? Feels like forever ago; it was 2006.)â†µ

â†µâ†µTonight: Tennessee at UCLA. The Rick Neuheisel Era in Westwood may start as well as the Rich Rodriguez Era began in Ann Arbor.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(And catch the 4 p.m. game: Fresno State at Rutgers. Fresno could be a BCS-crasher this season, starting with a win in Jersey.)â†µ

â†µâ†µMore MLB: More CC Let’s not lose sight that whether it was a no-no or not, CC made his case even stronger for that short-season NL Cy. ... Speaking of no, Brandon Webb was denied his 20th win -- again (and this time it came against the rival Dodgers). ... Huge split for the Phils with the NL-best Cubs (because the Mets beat the Marlins behind Pedro). ... Injury Watch: Carlos Zambrano (tired arm). ... Milestone Watch: Jim Thome hits HR No. 536 to tie Mickey Mantle. ... OK, it’s finally September; every win is -- wow -- more cushion.â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Notes: Who had “Extension!“ in the Ricky Williams Fate Pool. ... What will all those Pats fans do with those hand-made John Lynch jerseys? (They might re-sign him anyway). ... Remember when Rudi Johnson mattered?â†µ

â†µâ†µNASCAR: Kyle Busch may have racked up another W on Saturday, but Jimmie Johnson ultimately ruled the weekend. If you’re in the “Anyone But Busch” camp, this is a good thing for you.â†µ

â†µâ†µNBA: This Monta Ellis story is wild. Did he lie to the team about how he injured his ankle? The Warriors seem to think so -- a nasty twist, especially after he just signed that fat new contract.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: Thoughts are with everyone in the Gulf region today. Sports are the last thing to worry about.â†µ

â†µâ†µDan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com.â†µ

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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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