Whaddya mean I’m probably the thousandth dweeb to use that tired old reference on the tubes since Rio was chosen as the site for the 2016 Olympics? Most of you young whippersnappers probably don’t even know who Duran Duran is, let alone have any knowledge of their sonic stylings from the 1980s. For instance, did you know that Duran Duran continues to be the preeminent band that uses the same word twice in their name? That’s right. Screw those Tora Tora and Talk Talk dorks. And what in the hell can the Yeah Yeah Yeahs be thinking? Duran Duran is where it’s at, my friends.

Where was I? Oh yeah, I thought for the first day of my second weekend keeping watch over With Leather, I would ease into the day like an old man into a nice warm bath. Nothing too thought-provoking, nothing too serious. Don’t worry, my dissertation regarding the BCS and its role in our country’s GNP will be coming later – stay tuned.

Moving on, apparently as Americans, we are supposed to feel discouraged and heartbroken about Chicago losing out on their Olympic bid. I’m sorry, but that is completely xenophobic and short-sighted. The Olympics are supposed to be a celebration of every nation’s inclusion in the global community, so instead of moping around feeling sorry for ourselves, how about we give Rio (and by extension, Brazil) their due credit and recognize the amazing country that Brazil is and all of the wonderful things the nation has contributed to the world?

For instance, did you know that Rio de Janeiro means “Rio of Janeiro” in Portuguese? Interesting, huh?

Enjoy the photos (and more!) after the jump.

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Harold Reynolds is trying to get paid:

[T]he former All-Star second baseman was in New Britain Superior Court in Hartford, Conn., for a hearing regarding ESPN’s refusal to turn over personnel files.  Reynolds has filed a $5 million lawsuit against ESPN for breach of contract and wrongful dismissal after being let go as an analyst by the network last July.

Of course the scuttlebutt on the cul-de-sac is Harold was fired for improper touching, or as we of the Catholic faith call it: "the altar-boy's burden".  Awful Announcing has provided some very sexy pics of the court documents, but the more pressing question is: "What the hell are we going to do with Eric Young?"  We were first introduced to EY when ESPN2 had to fill the twenty minutes between Dice-K's first Fenway start and Boxing.  Felix Hernandez was throwing ice that night if you remember, but EY insisted he would have gotten into Hernandez's head by pointing out to the umpire that King Felix's gold cross was a distraction by being out of his jersey.  Undoubtedly, EY would have gone 4 for 4.  Next, when Cleveland played some home games in Milwaukee and Baseball Tonight trotted out the Major League comparisons, EY's assignment was to present the greatest eye wear in MLB history ala Ricky Vaughn (executed much better on Joe Sports Fan).  EY promptly informed us that Kent Tekulve was the closer for the 1977 World Champion Pirates (wrong – 1979) and that Harry Caray announced the Cubs for 52 years (wrong again – Cards, White Sox, then Cubs).  

Alas, I see no return to the salad days of Ravech-Reynolds-Gammons.  Might I suggest a BT team Karl Ravech, the voice of John Kruk, and the lovely Alessandra Ambrosio wearing nothing but a chest protector? -KD

IBF Heavyweight Champ Wladimir Klitschko made a stop in NYC yesterday:

Wladimir Klitschko was here en route to Las Vegas for tonight's Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather bout and stopped by the Fantasma Magic Shop, where he impressed some professional prestidigitators with his mind-reading skills and card-trick prowess.

Houdini, Blackstone, Henning, Copperfield – Klitschko?  That's right, and Wladimir is probably better than all of them.  I'm not saying that his sleight of hand skills are better than those of the aforementioned masters, but none of those other guys could kill you with his bare hands.  "Ze cahd you peeked iz ze eight ov spades," predicts the giant Heavyweight.  "Uh, yeah, you guessed it Champ.  How did you do that?  You're a genius Champ," you say as you swallow the three of hearts.

Klitschko, a Ukrainian who lives in Germany, then worked his magic at the Rangers game as he chatted up supermodel Karolina Kurkova and Nobu owner Drew Nieporent.

I wonder what Klitschko's mind-reading powers revealed when he was conversing with the lovely Karolina.  Maybe something like, "As  long as you're rich and famous, I will love you."  I kid, Karolina.  I know you desire pale assistant editors, and that celebrity and wealth do not inflame your passion nearly as much as a ribald limerick.  Anyway, the Rangers lost to the Sabres 2-1, and that's your NHL update of the day. -KD