Source’s Anonymity Isn’t Much of a Secret

Talk about getting outed. A recent New York Times story quoted a “general manager of an American Football Conference North Division team who requested anonymity” on the fix the San Diego Chargers were in regarding the Chargers holding the No. 1 pick and Eli Manning’s voicing his disdain for playing with them.

Seems fair enough, but according to Michael David Smith of FootballOutsiders.com, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out the identity of the mystery GM.

“That division has four teams,” Smith wrote. “One has an owner who handles the duties of general manager, and two have no one with the title of general manager. That leaves the fourth team, the Baltimore Ravens, and its general manager, Ozzie Newsome, as the obvious source of this quote.

“When a source requests anonymity, isn’t it necessary to do a little more to conceal his identity?”

More anonymity: The “source’s” quotes weren’t all that revealing to begin with. “If you’re the Chargers right now, you’re sort of darned if you do and darned if you don’t,” the Times story read in reference to the Chargers drafting Manning, which they did before trading him to the New York Giants. “They’ve got to answer to their fans and they have to answer to themselves.”

The writer, meanwhile, may have to answer to his source.

Trivia time: Of the 11 pairs of brothers that have been NFL first-round draft picks, only three such sets of siblings have been drafted at the same position. Who are they?

His ears are burning: What does it say about the state of heavyweight boxing when Mike Tyson is looked upon as a savior by none other than one of its current champs?

“Mike Tyson is a big draw,” said International Boxing Federation champion Chris Byrd. “And I need Mike Tyson for sure. I’m glad Don King is courting him because I’m with Don King and I would love to fight Mike Tyson.”

Yeah, and Will “The Fresh Prince” Smith once rapped about beating Mike Tyson.

Batter up: The St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League are auctioning on EBay a plate appearance in a May 14 preseason game. The Saints, who once employed Darryl Strawberry, know no boundaries for gimmicks as they have offered fans haircuts and massages in the past.

The winning bidder must be at least 18 and pass a physical before signing the two-day contract, which includes a practice day. As of Wednesday afternoon, the reserve bid of $5,501 was met.

Looking back: On this date in 1986, Boston’s Roger Clemens set a major league record by striking out 20 batters in a nine-inning game, and the Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners, 3-1.

Trivia answer: Quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, defensive tackles Merlin and Phil Olsen and running backs Steve and Ebert Van Buren.

And finally: Toronto Raptor star Vince Carter, on trade rumors that have him skipping town: “I’m one of those people that when it happens, it happens. Until then, I’m a Raptor for life.”