Throwing Tomatoes: Catfights and Neutral Gang Colors

This week’s batch hones in on gangs and catfights, while also taking the time to toss a few at familiar targets… but enough chatter, let’s just get to the tomatoes.

Throwing Tomatoes – Volume XI

Gang Signs...for potentially spreading throughout sports, this time to the NFL. 

This one goes out to the whole situation. First off, at the NFL. How would anyone in the NFL front office even know this is the case? Are they going strictly off the Paul Pierce situation in Boston? If so, that’s ludicrous.   

Secondly, could any of you point out any of these signs? We aren’t talking something like "The Van Buren Boys" from Seinfeld here are we?! All in all, it’s a shame that sports have come to this.  I hope, for their sake, “tomato red” is a neutral gang color.

Danica Patrick...for getting involved in another altercation. 

Patrick confronted female driver Milika Duno, and later got into a verbal spat, in which Patrick accused Duno of getting in her way too many times. Looks like the post-first-victory struggles are starting to get to Patrick a little bit.   

Come to think of it, does a “catfight” really deserve a tomato?!  

Michelle Wie...for being disqualified at the LPGA’s State Farm Classic. 

Wie was disqualified for not signing her scorecard before leaving the scoring area following the second round. What’s worse is that she was finally in contention (in second place to be exact). Instead, the result is yet another miscue by Wie, who continues to be a huge disappointment.   

Terry Francona...for not taking care of all AL teams during the All-Star game. 

While treading softly with Scott Kazmir and the Rays, Francona ended up overusing Orioles closer George Sherrill, which reportedly got under the skin of the Baltimore front office. As a result, should we expect another AL East brawl? Maybe Coco Crisp should just teach his teammates how to dodge a tomato.  

Dan Uggla...for forgetting how to play defense during the All-Star game. 

Uggla had back-to-back errors in the 10th inning of the All-Star Game, plus three total in the game. He also grounded into a double play and struck out. It could have been worse, especially if Colorado’s Aaron Cook didn’t bail him out by escaping a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the 10th.  

Manny Ramirez...for causing yet another story and altercation. 

Yep, Manny’s in the news again, and once again it’s about his contract. He wants to know if Boston is picking up his option, and was quoted as saying, “I want no more [times] where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing. All in all, it’s another case of “Manny being moron”...scratch that, “Manny being Manny”.  

Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els...for not carrying the torch during Tiger’s absence. 

Apparently, there’s more pressure to perform when everyone is looking for you to perform while Tiger’s at home rehabbing. Even though it could have been much worse for Phil and Ernie at the British Open (Els tied for seventh and Mickelson tied for 19th), neither was really in it after nightmarish opening rounds.  

The Orioles on Sunday...and the fact that they just can’t win...AGAIN. 

Yet another tomato until the O’s can win on Sunday. Make that 15 consecutive losses on Sunday for the Birds...and that stat really IS “for the birds”.  

Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition  

Washington Redskins—at the NFC East after acquiring Jason Taylor from Miami on Sunday. 

Greg Norman–at anyone who says a man in his 50s can’t compete at a major championship. 

Chris Wood—at anyone who says an amateur can’t compete at a major championship. 

Tampa Bay Rays—at anyone who thought they would go away quietly. 

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim—at the AL West after taking a commanding nine-game lead.  

This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… and be sure to avoid the ones with any strange signs or signals on the labels.