News item: The Ravens wrapped up their final voluntary minicamp Thursday, 46 days before the opening of training camp at McDaniel College in Westminster.
My take: I never thought I'd say this at this early point in the baseball season, but those 90-degree, 100-percent humidity days in Carroll County sound pretty good to me right now.
News item: Orioles pitching prospect Jake Arrieta made his major league debut Thursday night against the New York Yankees, just two days after Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg set the world on fire in his debut.
My take: Arrieta wasn't too shabby either, and now you can fantasize about what the Orioles rotation will look like if he, Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman develop the way everyone hopes they will.
News item: The Southern California football team has been declared ineligible for postseason play for two years and placed on probation for four years because of NCAA infractions involving Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush.
My take: In a related development, former USC coach Pete Carroll has taken full responsibility along with the $33 million he'll receive to coach the Seattle Seahawks for the next five years.
Related news item: Former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, whose team went 13-0 but was left out of the BCS national championship game in 2004, wants a recount now that USC will have to forfeit its lopsided victory over Oklahoma in the title game.
My take: I suppose he has a point, but I've got a question: If the Trojans have to give up that game because of Reggie Bush, do they get back his stupid fumble in the 2005 title game against Texas?
News item: The University of Colorado has agreed to leave the Big 12 Conference and join the Pacific-10, which is expected to expand to as many as 16 teams and break up into eastern and western divisions. Colorado's president called the school a "perfect match" for the Pac-10.
My take: I agree, and I've got some oceanfront property outside Denver for sale if anybody is interested.
News item: ESPN.com is reporting that Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is "closer" to accepting an offer to become the new coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
My take: I'm not sure what "closer" means in this case, but if I'm Izzo, I tell the Cavs that I'll sign my new contract at the news conference announcing that LeBron James just signed his.
News item: The Orioles have begun their search for a new permanent manager and are expected to conduct interviews with a number of candidates over the next several weeks.
My take: Meanwhile, Juan Samuel spent his first week as the interim manager auditioning against the Boston Red Sox and Yankees, which is a lot like auditioning for fire chief by sleeping in a burning house.
News item: The United States plays its first match of the World Cup against England on Saturday in South Africa.
My take: Judging by the hype, this is the biggest thing to happen between these countries since the Revolutionary War. If England wins, does that make us even?
News item: The Walt Disney Company has decided to close down most of its ESPN Zone sports-themed restaurants, including the one at Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
My take: Frankly, I'm shocked the Inner Harbor location wasn't more profitable. One of these days, I was planning to pack up all the kids, drive past a similar place in the Arundel Mills mall and try to find a cheap parking space downtown so they could run up my credit card playing arcade games that are almost as good as the ones on Xbox 360.
Listen to Peter Schmuck on WBAL (1090 AM) on Fridays and Saturdays at noon and with Brett Hollander on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6. Also, check out his blog, "The Schmuck Stops Here," at baltimoresun.com/schmuckblog.