The Buzz: Toppsy-turvy

Rudy Giuliani may not have played his cards right in his run for the White House, but he can brag about having his own baseball card. (Take that, Mike Huckabee.) Topps has issued a card with a doctored picture of Giuliani celebrating on the field with the Boston Red Sox after they captured the World Series - sure to make those in Yonkers go bonkers. Roughly one in every 70 packs will include the image, making him a strong candidate for collectors. The Buzz always knew the deck was stacked against him.

Playing shallow

Derek Jeter settled his income tax dispute. He was tagged after he neglected to claim New York as his home base from 2001-03, even though he had an apartment in Manhattan and worked in The Bronx. The state, unlike some scared pitchers, wasn't going to just let Jeter walk.

Road to recovery

Appearing on "The Late Show with David Letterman," Eli Manning speculated that the reason Bill Belichick left the field early was because he was "trying to beat traffic." Just because your Super Bowl hopes were cut off like your T-shirt is no excuse to be rude.

Yield to the champs, coach. (And watch for falling dynasties.)

Shea goodbye

The Mets are Movin' Out of Shea Stadium after this year and Billy Joel will be the last artist to play there - in a July 16 concert. Talk about recruiting an impressive closer.

Joel surely will help the venue go out on a good note.

Buffalo roam

Eh great place for football: Running through 2012, the Buffalo Bills will play eight regular-season games in Toronto. Many believe team owner Ralph Wilson is targeting Canada as a permanent home.

Some possible reasons: universal health care; tired of inauthentic maple syrup stateside; can never have enough snow; eager to use new passport; anywhere's better than Buffalo.

Man advantage

This Valentine's Day, give the lady in your life some ice - or at least some ice time. The Washington Capitals will host Hockey 'n Heels (Babes 'n Blades must've been trademarked) on Feb. 25, a clinic on fundamentals for females. Among the activities: a Q&A with players' wives - finally, some light will be shed on the glamor of being a hockey bride - and a cocktail party. But attending women should be careful who they mix it up with; instead of a day spa, treat her to a day spar.

Third-and-so-long

Last week, HBO sacked "Inside the NFL" after more than 30 years on the air. The only team to take a harder hit in February was the Patriots.

Driving force

The Buzz is still struggling to understand how the Lakers obtained Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown. (Did the Grizzlies get to write that off as a donation on their taxes?) The trade was like swapping a Saturn for a Saab - you know, exchanging a weak engine for a more, um, Pauerful one.

Online poll

Will Shaq rise from the ashes in Phoenix or has the sun set on his career?

- He'll be great.

- It's too late.

Vote and see results at PilotOnline.com