Free Republic

Baseball writers didn't elect Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday, making an apparent statement on their suspected use of performance-enhancing drugs. In fact, they failed to elect anyone, something that has only happened twice in the Hall's history. Since 1965, the only years the writers didn't elect a candidate were when Yogi Berra topped the 1971 vote by appearing on 67 percent of the ballots cast and when Phil Niekro headed the 1996 ballot at 68 percent. Both were chosen the following years when they achieved the 75 percent necessary for election. Also on...

Actor Tim Robbins has been given some good news after weeks of being attacked for waving peace signs at the Oscars - he's to be honored by UCLA. Robbins and partner Susan Sarandon were blasted by right-wingers for their anti-war stance at the Academy Awards last month - leading to an honor at the Baseball Hall of Fame to be scrapped earlier this month. But now UCLA scholars have stepped up to recognize former student Robbins and bestow the Alumnus of the Year Award on him. UCLA theatre professor Gary Gardner says, "Tim reflects who we are and what we...

It's getting creepy out there. Paranoia is rampant. The thought police are on patrol, shining their flashlights into the corners of your garages, looking to root out and crush anything resembling dissent. Ken Griffey Jr. was in the dugout last weekend in Cincinnati, and because we all saw him writhe in agony a couple of weeks ago, his dislocated shoulder isn't exactly a state secret. Yet when someone asked how his rehabilitation was going, Junior went all CIA on us. "I'm not allowed to talk about it," he said mysteriously. "I can't say anything." Someone has gotten to Kevin Appier,...

<p>DARRYL KILE'S name appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot this year. His death had a profound impact on the baseball landscape in the summer, and though his credentials have no place in Cooperstown, the acknowledgment marked a touching departure from the all-business task of enshrinement.</p>