Bob Hille's starting 5

Sporting News, The, July 15, 2005 by Bob Hille

1 The All-Star Game. Really, some fans take the voting a little too seriously. I hear the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth art questioning Cesar Izturis' OPS.

2 Greg Oden. The best prep big man since Shaq chose Ohio State in part for its accounting program. In a related note, Ernst & Young will have pingpong balls in next years lottery.

3 The British Open. I'm all over the wave of nostalgia. But the Golf Channel's gone a little too far with its tribute to Jack Nicklaus' favorite Sansabelt slacks.

4 The Yankees. A bolt of lightning struck the roof of Legends Field while team execs met. Apparently, the Boss had just said, "Do whatever's necessary ... including trading Jeter."

5 Augusta National. Club members voted to lengthen the home of the Masters to 7,445 yards. It came down to that or wasting the money on installing women's restrooms.