Daily Brew 8/3

What's the sign of a good team? Closing games out. So where would that leave a team that runs the opposing starter out of the game in the second inning, gets back-to-back homers twice, has a five run lead three innings in, which eventually becomes a four run, then a two run, then one, and then blows the lead in the ninth. Or what about that team that gets runners on first and second with no one out in the 10th, and finishes the inning with no runs in and runners stranded on first and second. We all know that team that drops the potential double play ball that would have bailed them out when a line drive isn't caught during a hit and run situation. Better yet, that team that WALKS in the winning run. Ah yes, we all know that team well. That team is last nights Brewers. I'm so disgusted with that game last night that I'm not even going to write anything else about it.

The Miami heat, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets, Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics pulled off the largest trade in NBA history when they swapped 13 players. This deal was bigger than the 4 team 12 player deal that saw Patrick Ewing get shipped to Seattle. Here's a breakdown of what each team gets:

Miami: Antoine Walker, Jason "White Chocolate" Williams, James Posey, Andre Emmett and the draft rights to Roberto Duenas.

Memphis: Eddie Jones and Raul Lopez.

New Orleans: Rasual Butler and Kirk Snyder

Utah: Greg Ostertag

Boston: Curtis Borchardt, Qyntel Woods, Albert Miralles, two second round picks and cash.

Was Miami the only team looking to not dump salary and get better in this deal? Memphis gives up a headache in Jason Williams but they downgrade at the two guard position in swapping James Posey for Eddie Jones. I know the Celtics are trying to go totally young, but isn't Qyntel Woods the guy who was arranging pit bull fights, or something of that nature? Plus he's already spent time in Portland. Good luck there. On a side note, does Portland play the role the Chino does in the O.C.? "Oh man that's the guy from Chino who stole the car" can easily translate into "oh yeah, hes that guy from portland that assaulted his nanny."

It turns out that the steroid that Rafael Palmeiro tested positive for was identified as a "potent" steroid. New York University Professor Dr. Gary Wadler, an expert in sports doping, said it was "A mildly strong to strong steroid...Potent is the word I'd use." The steroid has been identified as Winstrol or Stanozobol and is the same drug used by sprinter Ben Johnson. Oh yeah, it's also a steroid that you can't purchase over the counter. Sure you didn't know you were taking it Rafy, I believe you. You just unkowningly ended up in Mexico one day, and then I'm sure you probably don't remember how this happend, but somehow you ended up buying this drug.

Not sure how many Hockey fans we have here, but my favorite team the St. Louis Blues dealt their team captain and former League MVP Chris Pronger to the Edmonton Oilers for defensmen Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywitka. Kind of a head scratcher, Pronger is one of the best defenders in the league and is still only 30, but Eric Brewer is a guy the Blues are very high on, he's 26 years old and a former 5th overall pick (by the Rangers I believe). This looks like a deal that allows the Blues to get younger, and add some talent that could blossom. I personally can't wait for the NHL to get back this fall. The rules changes are going to make it awesome to watch. If you don't like Hockey, it's probably because you've never taken the time to learn the rules or watch it. I was a moderate fan at best until I attended a playoff game in St Louis in 2001, and then I was sold.

Yes, I realize I've been talking up the A's the past few weeks and it may get annoying to some of you at times, but realize this, the A's have gone 33-7 in their last 40 games. 33-7. That's scary good, that's like late 90's Yankee dynasty good. A young team who was supposed to finish in third or fourth in thier division is making winning look that easy? Lets give credit where credit is due.

Okay, I know Deion Sanders loves him some him, and enjoys the spotlight, but allegedly lying about taking some type of steroid? That's just dumb. Why would you want that attention. If you don't know what I'm talking about, Deion told reporters that he took a drug for his injured ankle before returning to football last season and when he came back he tested positive for steroids. Because of this he was tested weekly. The Ravens claim he was tested weekly because he skipped a drug test and the NFL had "reasonable cause" to test a 37 year old man coming out of retirement, and no, he never tested positive for any steroid. Prime Time. (I wish I could somehow play a clip of "Must Be the Money")

Zaza Pachulia has recieved a four year $4 million offer from the Atlanta Hawks. Once he signs the deal the Bucks will have 7 days to match it or let him go. They are expected to release center Calvin Booth, which will give them luxary tax relief if they exceed the salary cap. If they are able to hold onto Pachulia they would have a solid rotation on the front line with Andrew Bogut, Joe Smith and Bobby Simmons all presumably starting and Dan Gadzuric, Zaza and Desmond