Sense, not dollars, keeps Nats' attendance down

Numbers game: Attendance at big-league baseball games is down 10 percent from last year. The Tigers have suffered most, with a 28 percent drop-off, while Washington Nationals attendance has fallen 27 percent. In Detroit, the decline at the gate is blamed on the city's economic depression, while presumably, fans are staying away from Nationals games because the team causes emotional depression.

Oops The Nationals won two in a row at Yankee Stadium. I think that calls for an investigation. Or am I starting to sound like a Steinbrenner?

No kidding That story about Sammy Sosa was a shocker, wasn't it? Were you like me? Did you have to sit down when you heard the news that Sosa was a juicer? Like in a million years, I never would have suspected.

Add juice By now, maybe the most annoying aspect of these steroid revelations is how the players caught in the crosshairs continue to insult our intelligence by lying about it.

Drenched It looks like officials only reacted because of pressure from the media, but at least the USGA is trying to make things right after initially announcing fans wouldn't receive a ticket refund after Thursday's rain-shortened first round of the U.S. Open. Nobody deserves to be soaked twice.

Bashing Tim Hasselbeck isn't a big fan of Plaxico Burress. The former Giants backup QB said on ESPN's "NFL Live" Tuesday, "I played with the guy. I was in the locker room with him for two years. He's a disaster as a teammate." Yet somebody will try to sign him.

Well-centered In the rush to celebrate Kobe Bryant, Lakers big man Pau Gasol has been overlooked. Bryant wouldn't have his fourth ring if Gasol hadn't outplayed Dwight Howard.

In passing So what's the next career-changing challenge for Kobe, trying to win a title without Phil Jackson?

Futbol Caught most of that soccer clinic Brazil put on against the USA on Thursday. Not to say the Americans were outclassed, but it looked like the Brazilians, who won 3-0 while going at about 75 percent, were playing against 11 orange cones.

Word play Wasn't Freddy Adu supposed to be America's soccer savior? He's 20 now and riding the U.S. bench. My apologies for recycling a silly line, but Freddy's career has been much Adu about nothing.

Down and out There have probably been worst busts than Ryan Leaf, but none come quickly to mind.

Oink The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, playing the Tides at Harbor Park this weekend, are further proof that all the good team nicknames have been taken.

Reloading Four North Carolina Tar Heels could be first-round selections in next week's NBA draft. In Chapel Hill next season, their places will be taken by more players destined to be first-round picks. Roy Williams keeps bringing in the pieces needed to stay on top.

Finally The Pittsburgh Pirates have a minor league prospect named Henry Henry. Some day, he hopes to reach the majors majors.

Bob Molinaro, (757) 446-2373, bob.molinaro@pilotonline.com