Farney

The last week and half has been hell for Cardinals fans. Sitting on a 8.5 game lead in the Central last Monday, the Cardinals have gone 2-8 since then, while the Astros got hot and climbed within a half game of the lead. The final tw0 games (maybe three for the Cardinals, if they have to make up a rained out Giants game) will determine everything. Even the Reds are still in it - 2.5 games back from the Cards.

Though facing elimination with a Cards win or a lose of their own, the Reds might be the biggest playoff threat if they can pull it off. Why? They play with ten men in the field. Now, I've counted, and I've only seen nine fielders in any of their games. But try telling this to Reds' first baseman Ryan Freely. Freely insists that the Reds are aided by a midget named Farney. Farney lives in Ryan's head and talks to him constantly during games. In some cases, Farney helps Freely in the field, beyond just giving instructions and advice. But don't take my word for it - read about it here:

http://www.deadspin.com/sports/top/ryan-freels-little-friend-193311.php

Man vs. Panda

Finally, here's a story about a man who fought back when attacked by a panda. It took the courage of a drunken Chinese man to finally start evening the score:

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-China-Man-Bites-Panda.html?ex=1159416000&en=116f36ab71d557d2&ei=5070&emc=eta1