ESPN.com's T.J. Quinn cited sources as saying that MLB officials have "contacted the DEA and U.S. attorney's office in Southern Florida in an effort to unmask the names of any players who might have violated the league's drug policy." Federal officials are "discussing how to honor the request, which follows months of mutual frustration between MLB and the DEA over their parallel investigations into the Biogenesis clinic and related criminal activity." One source said that five players "have been identified during the investigation, although it is not clear whether all five are on major league rosters" (ESPN.com, 8/7).
TWO FOR YOU: In San Diego, Tom Krasovic wrote two exhibition games "is all an NFL team needs to get ready for the season." We know this "because in the third exhibition of every preseason, most teams play their starters well into the third quarter." With two fewer exhibitions every August, "less would become more each summer and fall." The NFL's "shield" would have "more luster, too, for there's a dulling effect to sparsely populated stadiums and a watered-down product" (UTSANDIEGO.com, 8/7). In Cincinnati, Paul Daugherty wrote NFL teams should let fans into preseason games "for free." Daugherty: "Think of the PR statement that would make" (CINCINNATI.com, 8/7).
EVENT PLANNING: In Michigan, Joe Warner noted "if support is strong" at the LPGA Turning Point Invitational at the Country Club of Detroit on Aug. 25, it could give the club in Grosse Pointe Farms an opportunity to "host an annual tour event." Corporate sponsorships of LPGA events in Grand Rapids this week and Grosse Pointe Farms at the end of the month "show the appreciation that Michigan has for the LPGA." Commissioner Mike Whan said, "We're looking for the right longterm partner. We have an option before the last major of the year ... that would work with an international airport. The window works very well if we can figure it out" (GROSSE POINTE NEWS, 8/7).
