Over the past couple of months, Indiana basketball has had troubles. First the Sampson incident, next players not coming to meetings for Dakich, and all the dismissals of players. The only good thing that Indiana has seen is the arrival of new head coach Tom Crean. So, it can't get any worse can it? Well, it is.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana coach Tom Crean dismissed forward Brandon McGee from the team on Thursday, leaving the Hoosiers with only three returning players for next season.

McGee was kicked off the team because of academic and team guideline violations.

"Our coaching and support staff tried to make this work out, but we felt that there were some basic standard operating procedures that were not being met," Crean said in a statement.

The 6-foot-7 McGee played in 17 games during his freshman season, averaging 1.5 points and 1 rebound.

McGee's dismissal comes days after Crean signed 7-foot, 255-pound center Tijan Jobe from Olney Central junior college in Illinois. Jobe, who averaged 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds last season, will be able to play for the Hoosiers this year.

Jobe is from Gambia and chose Indiana over UAB, Auburn and Nebraska.

He is the sixth player Crean has signed to scholarship offers to play for the Hoosiers next season since becoming coach last month. Others are forward Tom Pritchard and guards Verdell Jones III, Matt Roth, Devan Dumes and Nick Williams.

The only returning players remaining on the IU roster are guard Jordan Crawford, forward Kyle Taber and walk-on guard Brett Finkelmeier.

I'm not a math major or anything, but if i'm correct, thats only 9 players so far on the team as of now. Not good for Indiana.

 

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Whats happening in the world?

What is this world becoming? First, California allows gay marriage, and now a couple is caught trying to sell their child online. Yes, I said it. A couple in Germany offered their child online for approxiametely $1.60 in US money. After the couple was caught, the mother of the child said, " It was just a joke. Its not like a was really gonna do it." Well, it sure is some joke... On you. Now the couple will be punished(I didn't listen long enough to hear the punishment). Thank goodness, no offers were made for the child.

GAS prices continue to go UP

Ken Griffey Jr. back to Seattle?

 There's been some rumors going around about Jr. back to Seattle... Good call if you ask me. The Mariners have been disappointing so far this year and Jr. could bring some energy to the team. And Lord knows thhey need it. The M's are sitting at the bottom of the AL West with a 15-24 record, and this team had some high expectations coming in.Behindthe Rangers. Griffey could help this lineup and organization tons. In the lineup, he could help protect Beltre, Ibanez, and Sexson, and give them a decent third OF. For, the organization, he could increase revenue. No, he;s not what he used to be, but he's a great player. I  think Seattle would love to see him back in town(even if he is aged).

Now, to Cincinatti-

  This would also help the Reds. It would clear some salary cap space, and they could fill some holes in FA or other trades. They would also get some youth in return, even thogh they have it already. It doesn't look as good for the Reds as the Mariners yet, but i think it would pay off later.

If you ask me i'd love to see Jr. back in Seattle. The city is losing their sports figure, but he could help ressurect it.

Hanley Ramirez is a Marlin for now. Saturday, the Marlins signed him to a 6yr. $70 dollar deal

But Leading Off-

The 2006 Rookie of the Year is batting .338 with 8 HRs and 21 RBIs. To go with that, he has 13 SBs and 33 runs scored. The Marlins have posted a record of 23-14, leading the division over the Mets by 3 games. So, not a bad idea to sign the guy long term... And this is a very big surprise coming from the Marlins history of unloading young stars. Most of these guys have became household names around the league, including Edgar Renteria, Josh Beckett, A.J Burnett, Dontrelle Willis, and Miguel Cabrera. And somehow, they win World Series' and unload again. So, they must be doin something right. But, Ramirez will not become one of the guys on this list. Anyway, back to his deal and the Marlins hopeful new home.

Back to the Story-

 Hanley Ramirez  agreed to a $70 million, six-year contract to remain with the Marlins, a person familiar with the negotiations said Saturday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press because the deal hadn't been completed. It's expected to be announced next weekend when the team returns home from a seven-game trip.

In February, the Marlins reached an agreement to build a long-sought, retractable-roof stadium near downtown, which is expected to substantially increase revenue for a franchise with a history of poor attendance and tight budgets(well they need the revenue, seeing that they have one of the lowest payrolls in the league).

Now it's likely Ramirez will still be with the Marlins when they move into the new ballpark in 2011. His deal would be the most lucrative in franchise history, topping the $61 million, six-year contract Gary Sheffield signed in 1997.

Ramirez's contract would average $11.7 million a year. The Marlins' best-paid player this season is closer Kevin Gregg at $2.5 million(WOW!!!).

The 24-year-old Ramirez, who will make $439,000 in 2008, would be eligible for arbitration after this season. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2006 and had a breakout season in 2007, when he hit .332 with 29 home runs, 81 RBI and 51 stolen bases.

 

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So, the Marlins may begin to stock up on some youngsters, including Andrew Miller, Scott Olsen, and Dan Uggla. But, I gotta sy congrats to Hanley Ramirez, his family, the whole Marlins organization, and Marlin fans. The future looks very bright for this organization.