A morning peek into what sports bloggers around the web are saying, interspersed with various news, gossip, and analysis. We rant, but not like Mel Gibson.

Hit streaks begin at 30, so we introduce you to Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley. (New York Times)

Remember how NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. judged the Hooters pageant last week? Finally, we’ve got some photos of the epic event. We’re kinda partial to No. 108. (Popoholic)

We may go hell for this, but … would you do Linda Cohn? (The Big Picture)

Watching jacked up makes us want to decleat someone. The music could have been cooler, though. (Awful Announcing)

Just your average weekend night in Sin City - Scott Podsednik’s Playmate wife Lis Dergan, NHL’s Jeremy Roenick, baseball groupie Alyssa Milano and a coterie of celebrities. (Las Vegas Journal-Review - sightings)

An unknown pitcher by the name of Chuck James was abhorrent Sunday, as the Braves were swept by the Mets. Carlos Beltran jacks two more, and damn if he’s not rapidly turning into an NL MVP candidate. (Braves Journal)

Another rough day for closers - Brad Lidge screws Roger Clemens out of a victory, and Bobby Jenks blows one in Baltimore. Commence countdown to the USA Today cover feature on closers. (Can’t Stop the Bleeding)

So when is Al Harrington going to Indiana, anyway? (Hawks Blog)

Spend the weekend at the beach and miss the World Series of Poker? Catch up here. Great recap, with the exception of the Shannon Elizabeth photo. She’s gone downhill since showing us her splendid cans in American Pie. (Deadspin)

Way back when, Michael Jordan nearly went to UCLA. If that doesn’t float your boat, there’s a You, Me, and Dupree review. (Insomniac’s Lounge)

Michael Cuddyer of the Minnesota Twins earns boyfriend of the day honors from a female blogger for coming through with an 8th inning triple as the Twins salvaged the series with Detroit, winning Sunday 6-4. Far be it from us to criticize the streaking Twins, but the offense looked dreadful this weekend, and Minnesota clearly should empty the farm system today to acquire a big bat (read: Alfonso Soriano). (Bat Girl)

ESPN desperately needs some copy editors. (Tim Saler.com – second item)

Sun rises, death happens, Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey sounds off. (NY Post)