MLB rears its hypocritical PC head during World Series

A lot was made this week of Houston Texans owner Bob McNair comparing kneeling NFL players and team ownership after blurting out the common and often used expression, “Inmates running the prison.” (McNair later distanced himself by explaining that he meant players and the NFL Commissioner’s Office)

Many called it racist, reinforcing a stereotype and unfair to lump millionaire NFL players in with domestic abusers, violent felons, drug users, and even murderers walking the penitentiary yard — all criminal character flaws which we know that saintly and law-abiding NFL players have over the years proven to be just plain untrue. 

And Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, Ray Lewis, Josh Gordon, Adam Jones, Joe Mixon, Dalvin Cook… have a bridge to sell ya.

Anyway, now along comes the World Series and Major League Baseball’s chance to throw shade over the NFL fallout from the kneeling controversy … and they are blowing it. 

Don’t let the exciting fall classic between the Dodgers and Astros fool you. While commissioner Rob Manfred is publicly banging his drum about that tired, age-old PC diversion — doing away with the Indians’ Chief Wahoo mascot — as a smoke signal smokescreen, MLB is sweeping some their own dirty issues under the Astroturf (they still have that at Minute Maid Park right?)

On Saturday, Manfred announced a five-game suspension without pay for Astros slugger Yuli Gurriel after cameras caught the first baseman making a “slant-eyed” gesture and saying the Spanish word “chinito,” a slang term for “little Chinese guy,” in reference to the Japanese-born Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish after hitting a home run.

Yuli Gurriel under fire after gesture made in dugout after homering off Yu Darvish: https://t.co/CoY4gEYRDG pic.twitter.com/TmF1HJNUTo

— Deadspin (@Deadspin) October 28, 2017

Manfred’s punishment was quick and decisive.

Too bad it will be served next year at the start of the 2018 season.

Manfred said it was important not to penalize the Astros’ other players for Gurriel’s inappropriate gesture and there was always that roadblock known as appeal but, just like his justification, the punishment was weak and self-serving.

“I felt it was unfair to punish the other 24 players on the Astros roster,” he said. “I wanted the burden of this discipline to fall primarily on the wrongdoer.”

So, instead of sending a real message to players right now, the whole incident will probably be a forgotten Astro burger by next season.

Gurriel went on to apologize to Darvish, the Astros, the Dodgers, MLB and fans and— more sincerely and likely — secretly thanking the commish. 

Darvish took the higher road and said on social media: 

“No one is perfect. That includes both you and I. What he had done today isn’t right, but I believe we should put our effort into learning rather than to accuse him. If we can take something from this, that is a giant step for mankind. Since we are living in such a wonderful world, let’s stay positive and move forward instead of focusing on anger. I’m counting on everyone’s big love.”

Which brings me back to the kneeling.

Bruce Maxwell was the only player in MLB this year to take a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice — which is within his rights. But it seems the Oakland As catcher took it to another level when he used his political stance to claim an Alabama waiter last week denied him service at a restaurant for taking that knee during the anthem. 

Maxwell said the waiter recognized him for being the only MLB player who knelt and then claims that the waiter then said he voted for Donald Trump, supported the President's views and would not serve the athlete before asking the manager to have another server handle the group.

A story the waiter, Matt Henry, says was completely untrue.

“He is outright lying. This is really upsetting as he was given full service, I didn’t even know who Bruce Maxwell was," Henry said.

And now fresh off that public display, Maxwell has been arrested after a female food delivery person alleged he pointed a gun at her.

Scottsdale police said officers went to Maxwell’s home Saturday night after getting a call about a person with a gun. Maxwell was booked on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. Now he'll be taking a plea.

I don’t know if the inmates run a prison in the NFL but they just might run the burgeoning asylum in MLB.

Let's see how warden, I mean, commissioner Manfred handles this.

Jonny Gomes gives 'un-politically correct' speech at Royals celebration (VIDEO)

Jonny Gomes did more than steal the show at the Royals celebration in Kansas City on Tuesday, the bearded outfielder also invented the mic flip.

Following their downtown parade and in front of a sea of fans at Union Station, Gomes, who wasn't even on the Royal's postseason roster,  grabbed a U.S flag, asked for a moment of silence in memory of Mike Moustakas’ mother, Chris Young’s father and Ednison Volquez’s father, who all passed away in the past four months, and gave this memorable speech:

Jonny Gomes was born to give this speech https://t.co/UqjVYESytI

— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) November 3, 2015

“It’s unbelievable what those boys did,” Gomes said. “It’s unbelievable what they did! It’s unbelievable what they did! They stole bases, they hit homers. Hey guess what, Cy Young winner, not on our team, beat him. Rookie of the year, not on our team, we beat him. MVP of the whole league, (turns around) sorry guys not on our team. But we beat that guy too! You know why we beat them. Because all of you all people had our backs.

“And Dayton Moore put this team together and Yost delivered it by being the captain of the ship. You all want to be politically correct, I’m the un-politically correct person. We whooped their ass!”

(Mic flip)

Can't wait to see what he wears to the White House this time. 

Jonny Gomes is going to the White House with the Royals. Never forget what he wore when he went with the Red Sox. pic.twitter.com/sM6y9gsEm2

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 4, 2015

New York mayor's heartfelt tweets about Mets were actually written by staffer

It turns out that all those sincere, heartfelt tweets from New York City Bill Mayor de Blasio’s Twitter account in the midst of the team's failed World Series run weren’t coming from his heart at all.

De Blasio, who with his wife Chirlane McCray dressed as Mets "fans" for Halloween, appeared at a news conference Monday, and summed up the Game 5 loss by saying “Eight good innings. And some tough luck thereafter.”

And before that, the mayor's Twitter account made de Blasio sound like a sensitive Metsie.

The only thing was these gooey tidbits from de Blasio were actually coming from a member of his staff.

PHONY! Mayor Bill de Blasio admits staffer wrote his New York Mets tweets https://t.co/zRFV2XeJyc

— Kyle (@kyleraccio) November 3, 2015

Even the most teary-eyed Mets fans could see behind Twiitter slop like: “Something happens when you’re a Sox fan living here for a few decades. You slowly fall in love with the Mets.” as the avatar mayor tweeted just before the first pitch of Game 5.

Wicked bad.

New York. You elected a Red Sox fan. You got a Red Sox fan.

Mets come out of clubhouse to salute Citi Field fans after losing World Series (VIDEO)

Still chanting "Let's Go Mets" long after the final out of the World Series, hundreds of Mets fans asked for and got a curtain call from their team after losing Game 5 to the Royals — putting an disappointing end to their fantastic season.

It was a heart-wrenching loss Sunday night, but that didn't stop David Wright, Jacob deGrom, Wilmer Flores and most of the team from coming out of the locker room to say farewell to the Mets faithful until next season.

The gesture won't eliminate the pain of losing, but it reminded everyone of the great ride this team and their fans had this season — together.

Mets players salute their fans. Pure class. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) pic.twitter.com/W9NoNdSKz1

— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) November 2, 2015

Noah Syndergaard's Game 3 ball he threw at Alcides Escobar's head is for sale

Mets starter Noah Syndergaard opened Game 3 of the World Series with a 99 mph fastball that buzzed by the head of Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar. 

Syndergaard, sounding a little peeved at the Royals' quick triggers before the game, pretty much predicted this scenario earlier as the Mets entered the night down 0-2 in the World Series.

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I'll be able to break out tomorrow night," the hurler said Thursday. "I'm looking forward to it." 

And it didn't take long to figure out what "tricks" he was talking about.

Syndergaard dà il benvenuto ai @Royals in questo modo #WorldSeries #LGM pic.twitter.com/wgm971SM7Q

— Giacomo Moccetti (@mocc88) October 31, 2015

And before you could say Mrs. Met, that same baseball was already available on Major League Baseball's auction site.

The first pitch of #WorldSeries Game 3 came in real HOT. Be careful if you get it: https://t.co/ns84Jll6YP pic.twitter.com/uYv6qlTud3

— MLB (@MLB) October 31, 2015

There are six days left to bid and the latest offer is already $1522, so who knows how high the price will climb.

But don't expect any bids on Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas' reaction to Syndergaard's chin music, that's priceless.

Go to bed kids, Mike Moustakas is cursing at folks. #WorldSeries #Royals #Mets https://t.co/kl4BkC1uR8

— Joe M's Right Arm (@JoeMsrightarm) October 31, 2015

Manhattan bar changes name to 'Daniel Murphy's Pub & Restaurant' during World Series

After Daniel Murphy broke the MLB postseason record for home runs in consecutive games, the Mets second baseman became the most talked about sports figure around New York City bar stools. So it seemed only natural that at least one NYC pub would honor the slugger who was on everyone's beer-drenched tongues.

And with a name like Murphy, what better way to pay tribute than naming an Irish pub after the sports hero.

At least during the World Series.

And this week, one of the most well-known baseball bars in the city announced the name change on their website, as a new banner with Murphy's name was unfurled across the bar's facade.

Foley's owner Shaun Clancy, who is from Ireland and markets his Manhattan restaurant as "an Irish bar with a baseball attitude," said that the fact that Murphy is Irish American made honoring him even more applicable.

"Daniel Murphy is having a month, or two weeks, for the ages," Clancy said.

And while pundits claim chances of the Mets keeping Murphy after the World Series are slim, Yankees fans drowning in their Guinness can only hope Brian Cashman is once again tending bar at the establishment if Murphy stops by.

Photo by Tony Mangia

Who knows? Maybe the GM can give the free-agent Murphy a buy-back and a contract.

Well ... A-Rod is officially a Yankee again: Report

Yankees fans don't have a lot of reasons to be happy about the World Series officially putting a bow on the 2014 MLB season. Besides the realization that Derek Jeter will never play in pinstripes again, there's also that uneasy feeling of knowing Alex Rodriguez is officially back on the team once again.

Well ... at least A-Rod is celebrating.

When Pablo Sandoval caught the final out of Game 7 Wednesday night, he effectively activated Alex Rodriguez from his season-long suspension. More ironic now when you think that there is a distinct possibility that the soon-to-be free agent Sandoval could have the 39-year-old Rodriguez as his occasional backup at third base on the Yankees next year.

With end of playoffs, A-Rod becomes a reinstated player and is now back on #Yankees roster
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) October 30, 2014

The second Panda caught the final out, Rodriguez completed his season-long doping ban — a punishment that outgoing Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig handed down on Aug. 5, 2013, nearly 15 months ago.

Although he served his ban for violating MLB’s collective bargaining agreement and joint drug agreement, A-Rod appealed the original 211-game ban which was reduced to 162 games by an independent arbitrator. So the embattled player may not be out of the woods concerning possible future legal woes.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has said that the reinstated Rodriguez will be the starting third baseman if he proves healthy in spring training and demonstrates that he still has the skills to play. 

There has also been discussion speculating Rodriguez could possibly play first base.

A-Rod has two surgically repaired hips, turns 40 in July and hasn’t played organized baseball in a year. He’s owed $61 million by the Yankees for the three years left on his deal.

I don't hear any cheers in the Bronx.

Homeland Security confiscates bootleg Royals panties in Kansas City: Report

In what has to be the panty raid of all panty raids, Homeland Security descended upon a Kansas City lingerie shop and confiscated a number of undies accessorized with the Royals logo — all because they didn't have the expressed written consent of Major League Baseball.

During the undercover underwear raid, the Department of Homeland Security confiscated the bootleg women's lingerie bearing the Royals design inside the shop, according to The Wichita Eagle. 

The federal officers were there to stop the business  — Birdies Panties — from making the unmentionables with the Royals logo during the team's unbelievable run to the World Series.

The boyshorts-style ladies delicates were created as a show of support for the Royals — playing in their first World Series since 1985 — but the design which said "Take the Crown" used an interlocking "KC" very much like the team's official logo.

According to the report, shop owner Peregrine Honig described the visit from the agents as "scary."

“We just thought it was something funny we could do,” Honig told The Eagle. “But it was so scary.”

While the Feds may have been intimidating, the agents treated the pair nicely, said Honig's store partner, Danielle Meister.

“They felt like they were kicking a puppy,” Meister said in the report.

Giants fan who returned Travis Ishikawa's walk-off home run ball gets World Series tickets (PHOTO)

Imagine being a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan and holding a piece of team history in your hands — and giving it up. Willingly.

That's what Frank Burke did — after catching Travis Ishikawa's dramatic Game 5 NLCS Series walk-off home run ball (video at bottom) that gave the Giants the pennant and sent them to the World Series last Thursday — when he returned the prized souvenir to the San Francisco hero. 

Travis Ishikawa did get to take home a souvenir #SFGiants #OctoberTogether (Photo @bradmangin) pic.twitter.com/g7jK8Xw6og
— #OctoberTogether (@SFGiants) October 17, 2014

Burke, an auto repair shop owner from nearby Oakdale, said he knew how important the ball was to Ishikawa and wanted him to have it back.

"I believe in karma," he said. "I didn't hit that ball ....if anybody's going to have that ball in their game room or trophy case, it's going to be the guy who hit it."

Burke said he hadn't planned on keeping the ball. He keeps home run balls from his high school days in his own trophy case.

"They're still important to me, they're part of my memories," he said. "So why would I think that he (Ishikawa) wouldn't want the same thing?"

So after having the ball authenticated by a Giants official, and being told that Ishikawa wanted it back, Burke went down from his right field seat to the clubhouse and handed it over.

Ishikawa shook hands, thanked him, and gave him a signed bat in return.

Burke said Giants officials asked him what he would like and he suggested World Series tickets but was told that was unlikely.

After doing a media interview the next morning, however, he got a call from the Giants. Burke now has four tickets to Game 3 of the World Series against the Royals at AT&T Park on Friday night.

Burke plans on taking his friend, Greg Leutza, who is battling cancer and said the ball and the bat weren't the things he treasured most.

"Just the memory for me and my buddy, that's priceless," he said. "That meant more to me than anything else will."

Sounds like a true friend — and fan.

Dog chews up Orioles fan's playoff and World Series tickets: Report

Tell me if you've heard this one: My dog ate my …

Well this life-long Orioles fan hopes at least one Camden Yards ticket-taker has.

Karl Breslaw's Baltimore Orioles playoff and World Series tickets almost became Kibbles & Bits after his dog chewed up the valuable ducats.

"I didn't think much of it," Breslaw said about hearing a truck pull up outside his Maryland house. "A couple minutes later it dawned on me what that truck was."

It was FedEX delivering his precious tickets.

"I went outside and I found basically this, scattered all over the place," he said holing up shredded cardboard and papers.

Breslaw's seven-month-old 80 pound Burmese mountain dog names Fezzik got to the tickets first, chewing them to a pulp.

The good news is, while the world series tickets are damaged at the top corners, the bar codes and seat locations are in tact. So, he can thank technology if the Orioles made it that far.

"The first time I've ever had any package damaged in any way, shape, or form. It had to be a playoff ticket; it couldn't have been my wife ordering something mundane from Amazon, it had to be my playoff tickets."

Breslaw isn't mad at Fezzik's taste for playoff tickets: "Oh, he's still my big boy. We're bonded for life."

Next time Fezzik, just chew on the delivery guy's leg.

Shane Victorino has already won the MVP — Most Valuable Pedi-wear (Photo)

When you're representing the American League, what could possibly be more American than red, white and blue baseball cleats with stars, stripes and eagles emblazoned on the side? 

While Shane Victorino's shoes certainly are awesome, Ken Rosenthal wondered why the Flyin' Hawaiian wasn't already in his flashy shoes.

#RedSox’s Victorino pondering this footwear tonight. pic.twitter.com/4YRBiTFddC
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 30, 2013

Cardinals flight delayed for six hours before crucial World Series Game 6

The St. Louis Cardinals were delayed for six hours in advance of Game 6 of the World Series after their team plane got grounded by mechanical problems.

Of course some people had fun blaming the delay on an obstruction by Will Middlebrooks.

Quick somebody photoshop Will Middlebrooks in front of the #Cardinals team charter as it sits on a runway. #WorldSeries #stlcards #redsox
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) October 29, 2013

Here you go.. @dgoold Quick somebody photoshop Will Middlebrooks in front of the #Cardinals team charter #worldseries pic.twitter.com/NgIGGX5IUh
— nick osterholt (@nicko5150) October 29, 2013

The players and their families kept their cool and a sense of humor while they lingered on the tarmac at St. Lambert Airport in St. Louis.

"Everyone is just watching movies," Michael Wacha said from the plane, a couple of hours into the delay.

"But everybody seems to be doing all right. We're fortunate that our club allows our families to travel with us. We have some younger kids. But I'm impressed with how everybody has handled it. Fortunately we have plenty of food, snacks for the kids, lots of entertainment with on-board movies, and everybody travels with all their high-tech stuff. Most of these kids are pretty happy that they're not in school right now, and it's a great way to spend a day, and no complaints so far."

The team was not scheduled to undergo a workout at Fenway so manager Mike Matheny did not anticipate the delay having much of an effect, reported ESPN.

David Freese tweeted from the plane that someone had even ordered pizza while second baseman Matt Carpenter tweeted: "On the bright side really getting to know some of my teammates children #bonding #cardsplaneproblems."

Pizza is on the way boys!!! #IMOS
— David Freese (@dfreese23) October 29, 2013

It took all day before the Cardinals finally arrived in Boston, trailing the Red Sox 3-2 going into Game 6 on Wednesday night. 

Their flight took off about 9:10 p.m. EDT after a delay that appeared to last around 6 hours and landed shortly after 11 p.m.

On the bright side really getting to know some of my teammates children #bonding #cardsplaneproblems
— Matt Carpenter (@MattCarp13) October 29, 2013

Jennifer Garner sports 'Red Sox' beard on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' (VIDEO)

When Jennifer Garner walked out onto set of Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday night, she was sporting a beard that made the fuzz her husband, Ben Affleck, wore in his "Argo' film role look like a five-o'clock shadow. She explained that the Duck Dynasty makeover was a nod to the Boston Red Sox and one of their most famous fans — Affleck.

Kimmel took just one at the beautiful actress and said, "Yes, please take it off. It's disturbing."

Garner said the fake beard was meant as good luck for the Sox players — currently playing the Cardinals in the World Series —  riding their own wave of bearded success throughout the playoffs.

"That's really all that's happening at my house right now, I don't know if kids are being fed, or if trick or treating is going to happen," Garner joked. "But it's part of the deal. It's one the deals you make with devil when you're living with Ben Affleck."

Also part of the deal is dealing with Affleck's superstitions when it comes to the Red Sox.

"Once you get into the playoffs, it's like, somebody made an error so I have change where I'm sitting on the couch?" Garner says. "You wore this shirt yesterday, or had a hot dog at this time yesterday ... It's a little bit ridiculous. But he's not kidding. It's some weird guy thing."

Is Affleck the luckiest guy in the world or what?

Red Sox impressed with paper airplane toss from stands (VIDEO)

After the Red Sox beat the Cardinals 3-1 in Game 5 at Busch Stadium Monday night, Sox hero David Ross talked about how impressed he was with the throw that sent a giant paper airplane near the mound. And, apparently, so was the rest of the team.

Bud Selig to present Mariano Rivera with Historic Achievement Award before Game 2

Recently retired New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera will receive the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award before Game 2 of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, Major League Baseball announced.

All season long opposing teams paid tribute to the future Hall of Famer with gifts and ceremonies. Now MLB commissioner Bud Selig will hand Rivera this honor before Thursday night's game at Fenway Park.

The 43-year-old Rivera, who retired this year after 19 seasons, will get the award at a 7 p.m. press conference. Rivera, who will be accompanied by his wife, Clara, and three sons will then be honored on the field as part of the pregame ceremonies.

Rivera, baseball's all-time saves leader with 652, recorded 44 saves with a 2.11 ERA in 64 games in his final season. Thursday night will mark the first time MLB has given the award, which was created to recognize contributions of historical significance in MLB, since Ken Griffey Jr. received it in 2011.

Past recipients are Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Ichiro Suzuki, Roberto Clemente, Rickey Henderson, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr. and Rachel Robinson.

Even die-hard Sox fans will be glad to see the deserving Mo get this award during their World Series.

Giants fans celebrate World Series title with fire

San Francisco Giants fans took to the streets to celebrate their team's World Series win over the Detroit Tigers with a giant party near City Hall Sunday night.

However, as it has become all too common with victory parties, joyous mayhem turned into scattered riots after small bands of fans started to rampage in the San Francisco streets.  They lit things on fire, overturned cars and injured several people.

Call it panda-monium or whatever, it's hard to understand why fans destroy their own city when the home team wins.



More than 10,000 people gathered Sunday night to watch the game on Jumbotrons set up around the city's Civic Center.  After the Giants swept the Tigers for the world championship, people emptied into the streets to celebrate until the early morning.  Car horns blared as fireworks filled the skies said witnesses.

Several fires were set, windows were broken and people jumped on cars and buses on Market Street and near AT&T Stadium where the team plays.

Police reported that isolated groups of rioters roamed the city but had been scattered by authorities by daylight.

The victory parade has been scheduled for Wed. Oct. 31 — coincidentally, Halloween day.  Think things will be crazy?

Bird poops on TV anchor during live shot outside AT&T Park

It may somehow mean good luck to the San Francisco Giants, but Paul Robins is the one who took it for the team after a bird pooped on the local TV anchor while he and Bethany Crouch were doing a live pre-World Series broadcast outside AT&T Park Thursday.

Yes — and Robins is his real name.

The Sacramento-based KTXL morning show anchor took a direct hit to his shoulder from one of his winged critics as his co-host Crouch, wearing one of those — depending where you're from — ubiquitous (Giants fans) or annoying (Tigers fans) panda hats, laughed hysterically.

"One of my goals in life is to make it on YouTube, and I think I did just that," Robins said of his new found social media fame.  "It's raining bird crap, if I may say that."

Yes you did and I guess you can.




Lucky for Robins,  pandas don't fly.

Goat ends Cubs losing streak but still banned from Wrigley Field

The five Chicago Cubs fans who trekked nearly 1,800 miles with a goat to break the Chicago Cubs' so-called "Billy Goat Curse" arrived in Chicago on Monday— the same day the team ended a 12-game losing streak— but were told goats are banned from entering Wrigley Field.

The group planned to bring "Wrigley" inside for Tuesday's game, but were told the Cubs still wouldn't allow the animal into the park.

Instead, the celebrated animal (a 22-pound Nigerian dwarf goat) was the center of attention outside the stadium as the five trekkers continued to raise money for cancer research by selling t-shirts with the slogan "Crack the Curse" printed on them.

Maybe it was a coincidence the losing streak ended the same day the group ended their three-month journey— or maybe it was just because the Cubs were playing the slightly more pitiful San Diego Padres— but either way, the Cubs actually have a two-game win streak since little Wrigley came to town.

In their quest to end the "Curse," the five hikers started their 1,746 mile trip to Wrigley Field in Mesa, Ariz. on Feb. 25 and raised over $20,000 on the way.

The Cubs said they will donate $1,746 to their cause— $1.00 for every mile the group walked, but stopped short of saying if they would infuse any more cash into the team's payroll.

The curse got its start during the 1945 World Series after a local tavern owner was told by the Cubs he couldn't bring his goat into the game.  In retaliation, he put the famous whammy on the Cubs when he said the team would never win a World Series game again.  Sixty seven years later, the Cubs are still waiting to make it back into the Fall Classic.

The five young hikers— Matt Gregory, Kyle Townsend, Patrick Fisher, Blake Ferrell, and Phillip Aldrich— aren't even from Illinois but are Cubs fans nonetheless. They still hope the Cubs will lift the team policy on banning goats at Wrigley Field— at least one time.

"It's all about respecting the goat," said Aldrich.  "The hike is about 2,000 miles, but you know, raising money for cancer research and letting the goat see all the different parts of the country like Route 66, the goat's helped us raise over $20,000. To me, that's respecting the goat and I think that was part of the curse, not respecting the goat."

A lot of fans have brought goats to Wrigley for their fifteen minutes of fame, then the next thing you know the cute little creature is hanging in the butcher shop window.  Wrigley deserves a chance to literally munch on the ivy-covered walls because he has the blisters on his little hooves to earn that right.