1
Pedro Martinez became the youngest of more than 50 baseball figures depicted in portraits at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery.
The 40-year-old pitcher was the fourth Latino to be so honored, joining Juan Marichal, the late Roberto Clemente and Sammy Sosa.
Martinez was joined at the ceremony by his wife, his children, older brother Ramon and their extended family. The Dominican Republic Ambassador Roberto Saladin was also on hand as well as Marichal, the only baseball Hall of Famer from Martinez’s native land.
Smithsonian officials gave no indication how long Martinez’s image would hang on its walls. However, Talking Points is pretty sure former Red Sox manager Grady Little will not be consulted about an appropriate time to remove the portrait.
2
Chad Ochocinco has caught a break.
Kansas City’s Major League Soccer team has asked the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to play in their reserve team’s game on Monday against a local squad.
Ochocinco, who says he actually preferred soccer until he was persuaded to focus entirely on football after the 10th grade, began a four-day trial with the MLS team on Wednesday in part as a way to stay fit and keep busy during the NFL lockout.
Talking Points thinks soccer is a perfect fit for Ochocinco, as it leaves his hands free for posting tweets.
3
Good news Raiders fans. For the next five years, you’ll know exactly where Barret Robbins is.
The former NFL lineman was sentenced to five years in Florida prison for a drug-related probation violation.
Robbins was a Pro Bowl center for the Oakland Raiders who didn’t play in the 2003 Super Bowl after disappearing several days before the game and then showing up incoherent the night before.
