Is it just us, or is gambling with the knees of the best catching prospect since Johnny Bench a little like buying a Bentley and waving off the extended warranty? Good luck.

But just in case ...

Boxing trainer Wily Joe Byrd came up with one of the best contingency plans ever this week while preparing for his son Chris Byrd's upcoming fight against low-blowing heavyweight Andrew Golota.

"We will take Golota to school - confuse him," Joe Byrd said to the Detroit Free Press. "We'll also make sure Chris' cup fits right."

Blood, sweat, tears

The New York Times reported this week on a survey by New York University's George H. Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising.

According to the study, 60 percent of Mets fans polled said they made a charitable donation last year. Only 54 percent of Yankees fans said they had. When asked if they ever had given blood, Mets fans also had the edge.

In a related story, it is believed 75 percent of Red Sox fans would sell a kidney for a World Series title.

Every time you point a finger ...

New York Knicks forward Tim Thomas was fined $7,500 this week for publicly criticizing the referees after a loss to the Indiana Pacers - a 21-POINT LOSS.

Eh-ight in a row

Canada won its eighth women's world hockey championship Tuesday night, beating the United States 2-0. The Canadians have beaten the United States in all eight finals since 1990, once again hammering home the point: Canadians are good at hockey.