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-Yesterday's big topic was the Yankees and Mets on a "collision course" to possibly meet in the World Series and touch off the greatest baseball summer we've had in a while. I just don't buy it. While the Amazin's have a free ride to the postseason and possibly the World Series, the Bronx Bombers' path is extremely difficult just to make October for the 12th consecutive year. The Tigers and White Sox show no signs of slowing down and the division-leading Red Sox are going to be tough to catch because they're healthier. Even if the Yanks make the postseason, it's hard to see them winning two rounds to get to another Series.

-On that note, Yankees GM Brian Cashman took a waiver on Sidney Ponson Thursday. Sidney Ponson? What? Melido Perez or Scott Sanderson wasn't available? This is the sad state the Yankee rotation is in. They better hope Ponson becomes another 2005 version of Shawn Chacon or Aaron Small.

-In his first interview since a serious motorcycle incident, Ben Roethlisberger admitted to ESPN's Jim Rome he was close to death. But still hinted that he might ride a bike again with a helmet possibly in the future. Why even take that risk?

-The Rangers' recent signing of Brendan Shanahan was a solid move. Only giving the proven goalscorer a year should help solidify their secondary scoring and power play. There was far too much workload on Jaromir Jagr last season. That should change, giving the Blueshirts more balance this fall.

-Meanwhile, the Devils have had a great summer re-signing star Patrik Elias along with key cogs Jamie Langenbrunner and Colin White. You can't ask for much better from President and GM Lou Lamoriello. Now if only he can find a way to keep Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta longterm under the cap.

-The same can hardly be said of new Islanders GM Neil Smith's moves. While Brendan Witt is a solid addition to the blueline, Tom Poti, Mike Sillinger and Chris Simon aren't exactly championship calibre. On top of it, he committed three years to a 35 year-old Sillinger coming off a career year. If I'm an Islanders fan, that's alarming.

-Serena Williams is finally returning after a six month layoff due to a balky knee. She said she needed the extra time off for a "mental break." You can only hope she'll comeback more focused and play the kind of championship tennis she's capable of. That would be a tremendous boost to American tennis.