[caption id="attachment_10050" align="alignright" width="270" caption="The shot heard round the upper Midwest. (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)"][/caption] The hottest topics for the week of August 14, 2011 ... The 600 Club: If Jim Thome hits his 600th home run and nobody cares, did it really happen? Big Z: After some unruly conduct Carlos Zambrano was put on the disqualified list – which seems unnecessary, since he’s already on the Cubs. Draft signing deadline: Baseball fans (and by that we mean player agents) all agree that this is one of the most exciting days of the year. Bruce Bochy: The San Francisco manager says a hypnotist helped him quit smoking. But no luck on his other addiction: grizzled veterans. Toronto Blue Jays: They claim they are not stealing signs – just borrowing them. Mo problems: Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera gave up a home run in two consecutive games for the first time ever. A New York senator blames the Tea Party. Barry Zito: After spraining his ankle during a rehab start, his return to the Giants has been delayed – so, their playoff chances just got better. No mo LoMo: When asked about demoting outfielder Logan Morrison for his Twitter use, 80-year-old Marlins manager Jack McKeon said, “What is an Internet?” Extra innings NFL Preseason: After months of bickering like the Real Housewives, the owners and players have air-kissed and made up and now it’s time for a mani/pedi. Tiger Woods: He didn’t make the cut at the PGA Championship and now his future is uncertain – except for absurd wealth, trashy women and Valtrex. Contributors: Zach Pennington, Nick Astrupgaard, Justin Workman, Brian Solari
