Some random observations and questions:

Remember when it was hard to find someone to defend Charlie Manuel or Joe Paterno? Sure you do. It was only two years ago.

Do you know even one Tampa Bay Ray fan?

Looks like Brad Lidge's career really wasn't irreparably damaged by Albert Pujols' monster homer in Game 5 of the 2005 NLCS.

Sarah Palin dropped the puck on opening night and the Flyers proceeded to lose four straight games. How long until Flyers fans start talking about the Palin Curse?

It's hard to watch Jamie Moyer pitch and not think of Randy Jones, the Padres' 1976 NL Cy Young Award winner.

Who would win a 40-yard dash: Matt Stairs or John Kruk?

By the way, you have to like the Phillies' left-handed pinch-hitting options of Stairs, Geoff Jenkins and Greg Dobbs.

They might remind you of the days of Del Unser and Greg Gross. Unless you're an Orioles fan and would rather talk about Terry Crowley and John Lowenstein.

You used to be able to give the Eagles three points whenever David Akers lined up for a field goal. Now you have to wait for the replay.

I missed Steve Coates' interview with the world's most famous hockey mom, but I bet Coatesy as the host of "Meet The Press" would be fascinating.

Everyone knows Casey Stengel was the first manager of the Amazin' Mets. Who was the first manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays?

The Rays' first manager was Larry Rothschild. The team went 63-99 in its inaugural season in 1998. Rothschild managed for 3½ years, compiling a 205-294 record.

Yes, he's the same Larry Rothschild who's the Cubs' current pitching coach. Guess he still hasn't found a way to pitch to Manny Ramirez.

Hard to believe Pacman Jones didn't make it through the NFL season, isn't it?

Could Daryll Clark have been doing this well two years ago? Or did he just magically get this good by watching Anthony Morelli?

They used to get a laugh at Michigan Stadium when they announced the Slippery Rock score every Saturday. Now they probably get a laugh at Slippery Rock when they announce the Michigan score. Toledo 13, Michigan 10?

Is Joe the Plumber in a higher tax bracket than Joe Six-Pack?

Everyone conceded that the NFC East was the NFL's best division. So what happens last week? The Cowboys lose to the Cardinals, the Redskins lose to the Rams, the Giants lose to the Browns and the Eagles struggle to beat the 49ers. Guess it pays not to read your press clippings.

It's a cold world out there. Terry Bowden says his brother, Tommy, deserved to lose his job after Clemson's 3-3 start. "He knew that no matter where you go, there is an expectation of success that must be met," Terry wrote on his blog on Yahoo.com last week.

You can only wonder what Terry would have written about his dad if Florida State had lost to North Carolina State on Thursday.

And I'm glad my brother doesn't have a blog.

Terrell Owens has no problem with the Cowboys' acquisition of Roy Williams. At least not until they start throwing to the new guy.

Let's hope we get the election over before they start pandering to Joe Flacco.

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Jim Hersh is sports editor of the Sunday News. E-mail him at jhersh@lnpnews.com.