Athletes have wish list for Christmas

The holidays are approaching, and with that as we all know, comes Christmas presents. Since there has been so much happening in the world of sports lately, I figured I'd venture into the minds of some teams, and take a guess as what is on top of their Christmas wish list.

I'll start with Major League Baseball, since the dreaded Mitchell Report came out last week.

There's roughly 90 players that probably wished they'd never thought of the possibility of being the greatest player of all-time and had stayed away from HGH and/or steroids. Roger Clemens is the second-most mentioned player in the report, and he has now come out through his agent, and publicly stated that he denies having ever taken any sort of enhancing drug. His long-time pal, Andy Pettitte just revealed a few days ago, that his report was correct, and that he had taken two doses of HGH to try to get back to the game. My thoughts, are that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa got their Christmas wish early, by not being slaughtered in the media lately for all of their "alleged" use of steroids.

The Red Sox nation is probably wishing that Johan Santana hadn't started up the talks with the New York Yankees again, seeing that if they had locked him up in a deal, then the division would've looked lop-sided for the next few years.

The L.A. Dodgers may soon wish that they hadn't paid so much money for Andruw Jones, but things may pay off in the end. Don't return your present of Jones just yet, but keep the gift receipt handy.

In the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs' Christmas wishes have been coming true, as they're signing on players that could potentially catapult their team to the top of the division. I hate to say it, but watch out for the Cubbies.

The St. Louis Cardinals on the other hand, I don't know if they really know exactly what's going on right now. They got rid of Jim Edmonds, which may sound smarter now, than it did during the hours that it first took place. He's aging, and he was going to be a backup to the youngsters. Now, they're just left with the youngsters. I'm sure GM John Mozeliak is wishing for somebody to come along and save the day.

Hopefully they'll have somebody that can put some people in the seats this season.

A third baseman, a good, healthy starter, an outfielder (or two) and a more-

dependable second baseman would be nice to add to the mix. Add that to the list Mozeliak, right next to patching up whatever happened between Scott Rolen and Tony LaRussa. Hopefully the Redbirds will get things steered in the right direction this season.

On to the National Football League where Christmas wishes are being sent out left and right for various reasons.

Two teams, the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles are probably wishing for new quarterbacks.

McNabb at Philadelphia has nearly worn his welcome out, according to late reports, and Da Bears, well, they haven't had a quarterback in a few years, despite getting to the Super Bowl last season.

Terrell Owens is wishing this year, that Keyshawn Johnson would come out of retirement and suit up next to him in the blue and gray of the Cowboys.

Johnson is wishing that he'd never mentioned his name (Owens), as the tabloids have run wild with the two fellas' little tiff.

Me, I'm wishing that they'd both drop it, so it won't be blown up all over ESPN anymore.

The St. Louis Rams are wishing for just anything. Anything that will work to win a game. Hint: Ask the Miami Dolphins, they've finally figured it out. Hopefully the Rams will come out healthy and strong in 2008, ready and reloaded.

The whole league is probably wishing that somebody, anybody would take out the only undefeated team left in the league. (New England Patriots) It's my wish too, so, Santa if you're reading, please be generous.

It's been a great season so far in the NFL, and from the looks of it, the playoffs should be great to watch.

On to the other league, the National Basketball Association.

Kevin Durant, the league's second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, is probably wishing he could've gone a little lower in the draft, as his Seattle Supersonics are just awful.

The Miami Heat and New York Knicks are probably wishing for new head coaches, as both teams are on the low end of the totem pole this season.

Pat Riley is a great coach, but obviously something's not working in the Sunshine State anymore.

Isiah Thomas and the Knicks, now that's a whole other story. I bet they're wishing they could get rid of him and move on. It's just horrendous to watch on TV too.

After seeing Michael Jordan highlights on TV, I'm wishing he'd come out of retirement again, (for the second or third time) and show everybody how it's done.

It's time to just sit and wait for what the jolly man from the North Pole has in store under the tree this year.

My wish for you, is a safe and happy holidays from the sports desk.