Adding cage to oval -- or ice -- makes sense in this angry world
The world is facing a few, shall we say, problems, and people are filled with angst. And anger. It's a perfect storm that could lead to MMA merging with NASCAR or the NHL. Well, in Ray Ratto's mind, at least. 

Can't you hear the Cubs fans? No? Neither can we
The Cubs exited early in the playoffs once again, prompting their fans to openly cry. But something strange happened. They went quiet, choosing to drown their sorrows in seclusion and silence, Ray Ratto says. 

The more things change, the more Clippers, Warriors look the same
They were already Cali cousins, similar in many ways. But in exchanging players, the Clippers and Warriors have gone too far. Actually, check that. They won't go far, Ray Ratto says. 

Attention, producers: Davis brings heat talking heads lack
In one weird, sharp, edge-of-your-seat press conference, Al Davis shows he still has more game at 79 than any talking head stiffs on studio sets. Ray Ratto says this guy needs a regular microphone. 

Linehan beats Kiffin, other hot-seaters to unemployment line
The bad news is that Scott Linehan is unemployed. The good news is that he gets a head start on finding his next job. And the even better news is that he's not Lane Kiffin, who will twist in the Oakland wind until Al Davis wakes up, Ray Ratto says. 

Somebody wanted to KO Ichiro? OK, now do you see how bad it is for M's?
Do some Mariners have an, ahem, issue with Ichiro? They neither confirm nor deny, but attaching star power to Seattle's woes jolts us into grasping how ghastly the M's overall situation is, Ray Ratto says. 

Hank's Yankee whine tasting crowns week of absurdities
The Yankees missing out on the playoffs doesn't bring out the best in bratty Hank Steinbrenner. Ray Ratto says it's obvious Hank is no Boss -- at least he knew how to whine. 

Kiffin to be fired? Won't believe it until we see blood
The reports are out there. As they were after Week 1. And Week 2. Lane Kiffin about to be fired. But trying to figure out what Al Davis is going to do is an exercise in failure. And Ray Ratto doesn't want to hear any more 'reports.' He wants to see the body. 

As ballpark boon winds down, next gen needs to sing a new tune
Yankee and Shea stadiums will soon meet the wrecking ball, to be replaced by publicly financed gems. Same goes for Minnesota and two ballparks in Florida. And that will be the end of all this waste if our children learn from our mistakes, Ray Ratto says. 

Hochuli is only the official face of unruly NFL problem
So Ed Hochuli blew a call? It's amazing NFL officials and fans don't blow gaskets trying to keep up with an out-of-control rulebook. It's time for reform, and Ray Ratto tells the league how to do it.  

Davis-Kiffin spat has Raiders in the storm once again
Al Davis doesn't want Lane Kiffin: Kiffin doesn't want Davis. Nor Rob Ryan. So everybody is waiting, waiting to see the axe drop on the young coach. But with Davis in control, don't expect anything, Ray Ratto says. Ah, Raiderland is wonderful. 

V.Y. gets chance to be still while world around him goes nuts
Vince Young has been to the Pro Bowl and the playoffs, but now this Titan is clashing with adversity. His injury layoff comes at a good time, when V.Y. could use peace and quiet for reflection, Ray Ratto says. 

Have the left thinkers left the scene in Berkeley?
In news you may not have heard about, the final four protestors have left their trees at Cal so a new athletic building project can begin. Ray Ratto says the lack of support for the tree-huggers shows Berkeley isn't as left as we all thought. 

Perpetually putrid Raiders short-circuit fans' hopes again
Once again, Raiders fans got their hopes up after Oakland made some splashes in free agency and the draft. And once again, those hopes were crushed when the Raiders laid another season-opening egg before a national audience. It looks like another lost season in the East Bay. 

Andy, Novak: That's too much sugar after smack-talk, ya dig?
If you're going to engage in smack-talk, sorry should be the hardest word. So don't do it if there's a chance you might want to apologize later. That's all Ray Ratto is saying after Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic show they really don't have the chops for uncivil discourse. 

Zero-Dizzle Presidential Debate gets straight to the point
Do you wish athletes had some political awareness, yet you rue election season and the network gasbags who come with it? Ray Ratto has the antidote: Gilbert Arenas and Baron Davis. 

CC hush-hush about no-no; Brew Crew should be too
Many feel that CC Sabathia was cheated out of a stinkin' no-hitter -- right Ned Yost? -- but Sabathia doesn't seem to care. That makes Ray Ratto ask, then why does anybody else care? 

Bad Nats offer little hope for good ... but they swept the Dodgers!
It's a Washington tradition -- keeping something going even though it is an abject failure, just to keep the politicos amused. Ladies and gentlemen, the Washington Nationals! At least they can beat the Dodgers, Ray Ratto says. 

Cut through the language, skin soon in LPGA
The LPGA's English requirement isn't about xenophobia, despite the obvious jump. Ray Ratto says it's obviously about the money, so you know what's next -- itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny bikinis. 

Cashing out: Games again show us at our best, worst
The Olympics have something for one and all. One being Michael Phelps, who stands to make millions. The rest may be happy to take the appearance and go. But Ray Ratto says what we can all take from Beijing is an admiration of the Games' ability to overcome the obstacles. 

Deal-maker Upshaw followed hard road to top
'Modest beginnings' doesn't come close to describing where Gene Upshaw came from. Pinning him down later in life was just as difficult: rabble rouser or lapdog of the establishment? What's important is that Upshaw knew who he was, Ray Ratto says. 

Apology ain't no thing if the register don't ring
Oh happy day, the Reds' 'braintrust' apologized for their dismal season. Don't you feel all warm and fuzzy now? This mea culpa might have a little more meaning if the guys in charge put the team's money where their mouths are, Ray Ratto says. 

Phelps can't put pedal to metal while peddling medal glory
This is Michael Phelps' moment. It's time to cash in -- while not making it seem like he is cashing in. Keep your dignity intact, MichaelPhelps, and you'll be cashing in for quite a while, Ray Ratto advises. 

Galaxy say ta-ta to Lalas in La-La land? Who knew?
The sports landscape has been busy, so we'll pardon you for not noticing the L.A. Galaxy firing GM Alexi Lalas. The fact that it was so quiet is damning enough for the MLS, considering Lalas' infamous, unabashed and untrue statement in support of the league, Ray Ratto says. 

Sports Appreciation Day: Amazin' but true, rooting for event is thing to do
Love is blind, eh? Then remove the blinders, Ray Ratto says. If you root for the events themselves, not a specific team or player, you can love sports without being a sucker. Or violent. Or feeling really, really dirty. 

Spitz in the eye: Complaining just another Olympic event
Bela Karolyi disputes gymnastics results, the opening ceremony was fake, the Spanish are racist and Michael Phelps has a God complex. Or at least his supporters are turning him into a deity. All in a day's work at the Olympics, Ray Ratto says. 

Phelps has Lezak to thank, and he should never stop
Don't confuse the American men's amazing 4x100 relay win as Michael Phelps' moment. It wasn't. The team's gold medals are due to Jason Lezak's amazing leg, and Phelps better never forget, Ray Ratto says.  

Olympian effort needed to drum up interest in Olympics
The fascination with Brett Favre is just a symptom. The Becky Hammon case is another. And it's not just the time difference. The Olympics just don't much matter anymore to us Yanks, Ray Ratto says. 

NFL as the moral authority? Since when?
The NFL has taken scandals and behavior issues and perfected them. So where do they get off telling fans to shape up or ship out? Ray Ratto says it's so hypocritical it's absurd. 

Time for Rodgers to fade into the background ... again
Aaron Rodgers was going to lead Cal into a BCS bowl. He was going to be a top-five NFL Draft pick, if not No. 1 overall. He was going to replace Brett Favre. Of course, none of this happened, and it seems to be Rodgers' fate, Ray Ratto says. 

Packers' Green Buy would show true colors for all
Brett Favre has been clamoring to return. And now he's considering a (huge) buyout from the Packers? Ray Ratto says this saga would serve as yet another example that money trumps principle every time.