An Illini Double Standard when it comes to Oral Committments

As you must know, all Illinois fans are pouting about Eric Gordon coming off his oral commitment to Illinois to go to Indiana, a move that was made after Indiana got rid of Mike Davis to go to his home state team. Apparently when Illini Nation points a finger, it forgets that it points four back at themselves.

From the Chicago Sun Times:

Homewood-Flossmoor's Russell Ellington, who had given oral commitments to Iowa State and later to Iowa, now has given an oral commitment to Illinois coach Ron Zook.

The 6-3, 205-pounder, who is projected to play linebacker, has played wide receiver as well as on defense. He was moved to quarterback, where he sparked the Vikings' surprising run to the Class 8A semifinals.

"Things with Iowa just haven't felt good for the last few weeks in particular," Ellington told Tim O'Halloran of EdgyTim.com. "My family in particular just didn't feel comfortable with some of the things they were hearing about me from Iowa. I really don't want to get into the details, but I told the Iowa coaches a few weeks ago that I was going to reopen my recruiting. I decided this past weekend that I was ready to give Illinois and coach Ron Zook my verbal commitment."

Ellington will join friend and H-F football and basketball teammate Supo Sanni.

"They recruited us as individuals and sold us both on the positives of Illinois," Ellington said. "Sure, Supo and I are already talking about being roommates at Illinois and all of that, but that was never the big plan or anything like that. It just worked out that way, and I'm pretty happy.

We Await the Japanese Language Signage Behind Home Plate

Now that Kosuke Fukudome is signed up for 4 years, we can see if he is closer to Ichiro Sukuki, Hadeki Matsui, or So Taguchi....

Well, if nothing else, I now know where my increased season ticket payment is going.

The First Post-McDonough Promotion Set

According to sources, the Cubs will be having its First Turn Back the Clock Day, wearing the 1948 uniforms. No date was set.

Seems like McDonough always said that every day was Turn Back the Clock Day, so there was no need. Was this a promotion that he had vetoed up until his travels to West Madison Street?

We'll see...

"That's Why They Call Him Dick" Williams to HOF

Dick Williams, the manager of the 1984 San Diego Padres, and the A's dynasty of the 70s, was elected today to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Hopefully, he will not spend time in Cooperstown in the same way he did before a fantasy camp in January 2000.

Back then, rollers were called to Williams' hotel after several guests reported that the 70-year-old was walking naked and masturbating outside of his room in Fort Myers, Florida, where he was attending a Fantasy Baseball camp. For the record, Williams denied the part about the tossing off.

He was known as a gruff guy. Not gruff but lovable, just gruff. The scuttlebutt was that the arrest caused HOF officials to encourage voters to keep him out in the Spring 2000 veterans' vote.

Good to see jerking off in public won't keep one out of the Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile, Marvin Miller, not to mention, Ron Santo, is on the outside looking in.

Looking at this picture, Dick looks like the Strother Martin character in Slap Shot, and here is him talking about Dick's "avocation:"

P.S. Tossing off, or Throwing Things, Indeed...