The passing of Warren Spahn makes for a sad day here in Buffalo. Possibly the greatest professional athlete to hail from Buffalo, NY, Spahn began his playing career as a first baseman for the junior team of the Lake City Athletic Club. Spahn, who attended South Park High School in Buffalo, wanted to continue playing first but the incumbent there was all-city, so Spahn made the switch to the mound. And thus began a career. The Cy Young award winner became the first Buffalonian to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. Compatriot Sean Hackbarth covers Spahn’s career quite nicely here.

Interesting rumor on the possible return of Mariners closer Kaz Sasaki to Japan.

I’ll try to keep the Dodgers news light. They resigned reliever Tom Martin last week to a two year, $3.2 million dollar deal. With Paul Shuey, Guillermo Mota and Eric Gagne already in the pen the loss of Paul Quantrill should be minimal. There is a chance Quantrill could return, as he opted out of the $3.1 million dollar option year on his contract. With a flooded reliever market Quantrill could find it tough to make that kind of cash elsewhere. Some of the top free agent relievers include: Keith Foulke, Ugueth Urbina, Eddie Guardado, Tim Worrell, LaTroy Hawkins, Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Tom Gordon, Rod Beck, Curtis Leskanic, and Arthur Rhodes. And let’s not forget the guys likely to be non-tendered. Quantrill could end up a Yankee if they fail to land Gordon (maybe heading to Tampa Bay) and Hawkins.

I know that most of America is currently rotting it’s brain on the high fructose corn syrup that is reality shows like Who Wants to Kick a Thousandare in the Genitals, but is anyone aware that there are good TV shows currently on network TV? I’ll be watching “24” tonight, and Arrested Development on Sunday nights on FOX is as funny as it gets. And for more good news, The Family Guy might be brought back as well. I knew it was ahead of its time.

Is there anyone happier than Andy Pettitte with the possibility of Schilling joining the Red Sox? George will have the checkbook out for Pettitte and Colon before the ink on Schilling’s extension is dry. And as James Joyner noted last week, the signing of Sheffield is a mere formality at this point.

The Dodgers pursuit of Richie Sexson appears to be alive, but the prospects that may go to Arizona in the Schilling trade may end up in Milwaukee with Sexson a D-Back. Besides, who needs prospects when you just signed 46-year-old Jesse Orosco? The warm Arizona weather should help his arthritis, but what about those annoying control problems? Perhaps these may help.

If Michael Jackson’s only crime is loving “kids” so much, how come he never has any girl kids over for his wacky sleepovers?

MSU Women’s hockey? Smoked Notre Dame 12-1 and 10-0 this weekend.

How many people are aware that Western New York was once a hotbed for college hoops? Bob Lanier at Bona, Calvin Murphy at Niagara, Randy Smith at Buff State. The Aud regularly sold out for Canisius / Niagara games, and fans made the drive down to Olean to see the Brown Indians play. Well, those days are long gone. But I will be taking Son #1 to the Hong Kong Shanghei Bank Corporation arena to catch the Canisius vs. Niagara match up next Wednesday night. It will be his first basketball game, and a jen-u-wine Canisius Golden Griffin alum, his Uncle mark, will even join us! So, with that in mind I thought I would put together a brief outlook for WNY hoops this year for those who are far from home. In other words, short and sweet, because we care, but not that much.

St. Bonaventure’s new coach, Anthony Solomon, walks into what is, with the exception of Baylor, the least desirable NCAA basketball job available. The four-year Notre Dame assistant seems to be a likable, decent man with a strong moral presence. He will need it. He has to overcome a scandal that has led to the suicide of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bill Swan, the dismissal of head coach Jan Van Breda Kolff, President Robert Wickenheiser, his son and assistant coach Kort Wickenheiser and Athletics Director Gothard Lane. In addition, the Bonnies roster only has nine scholarship players; including all A-10 guard Marques Green. Fan favorite Mike Gansey, one of many transfers in the wake of the Jamil Terrell scandal, will be missed. NCAA penalties will be handed down in January, and are expected to include a loss of scholarships and recruiting trips. The Bonnies did beat Robert Morris 78-76, but expect to meet with hostile crowds when they take to the road, especially within the A-10. A last place finish in the A-10 is expected.

For better WNY hoops news, we can turn to Niagara University. Niagara returns all five of its starters and features the best frontcourt in the MAAC. Junior Juan Mendez (18.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg) can explode down low, and has perimeter support from senior swingman Tremmell Darden (17.3 ppg) and Junior PG Alvin Cruz (8.9 ppg, 5.8 apg). It will be a fun year for Purple Eagle fans as Niagara challenges Manhattan for the MAAC title.

Canisius, on the other hand, may well end up at the bottom of the MAAC. A healthy Dewitt Doss and Toby Foster may add some excitement, but will be hard pressed to make up for the loss of Brian Dux and Hodari Mallory.

UB expects to be worse than Canisius, as evidenced by their opening game loss to the Golden Griffs. Let’s send some love to beleaguered UB coach and fellow Sweet Home High alum Reggie Witherspoon. He’s going to need it.

Sabres update soon. Dodgers update by the weekend.