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News of the day

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Published August 15, 2007

Correspondent of the day

NBC announced Tuesday plans for a fourth hour of the Today show starting in September. Among the developments, former NFL back Tiki Barber will be regularly featured during the fourth hour, which will run from 10 to 11 a.m.

Fans of the day

Well, not really. According to many major-leaguers, playing at Fenway Park can be eye-opening, and not in a good way. For example, the Angels' Gary Matthews told the Los Angeles Times that Yankees fans have "more class" than Red Sox fans. More seriously, Matthews said: "They're loud, they're drunk, they're obnoxious. They're one of the few places you'll hear racial comments."

Dad of the day

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was named to Star magazine's list of Runaway Dads. Brady broke up with girlfriend Bridget Moynahan and began dating supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Later, Brady learned Moynahan was three months pregnant with his child, but he has stuck with Bundchen. Others to make the list were Billy Crudup, who left actor Mary-Louise Parker when she was eight months pregnant, and Kim Porter, who was dumped by P. Diddy after delivering twins.

Poll of the day

Sports Illustrated has released its preseason NCAA football rankings, and though the magazine has been known to make some pretty wacky picks in the past, this year's choice for No. 1 seems to the safe pick. But check out the surprise at No. 3. Here's the magazine's top 10:

1. Southern California

2. LSU

3. Florida

4. West Virginia

5. Louisville

6. Michigan

7. Virginia Tech

8. Texas

9. Oklahoma

10. Wisconsin

Your two cents

Subject: New Lightning part-owner Doug MacLean.

As a very informed NHL hockey fan as well as a founding fan of the Blue Jackets even prior to the hiring of Doug MacLean I can tell you this, MacLean has passion. Passion for hockey, passion for winning, and passion for sharing the hockey experience with all - including the fans.

He is a very intelligent and friendly individual, sometimes a bit too passionate but what fan of hockey isn't? And he is that, too: a dedicated hockey fan.

Some of us in Columbus believe he was humbled with his lack of success here and that he will correct his shortcomings; I am one.

He will build on the hockey passion already known to exist in Tampa and raise that passion to a height not yet seen there. He will build more hockey ice rinks for kids, he will build more amateur hockey leagues and he will sell the game and the Lightning as it has never been sold before. ... You will know who Doug MacLean is in short order.

Good luck, and good luck to goalie Marc Denis. Just wait till you see how he plays now that Doug is back with him.

Robert Allen

Columbus, Ohio

The list

Hot dogs are a ballpark tradition, but where's the best place to go if you're a vegetarian? That would be Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals named it the top vegetarian-friendly baseball park in the country. Here are the top 10:

1. Citizens Bank Ballpark, Philadelphia.

2. AT&T Park, San Francisco.

3. Safeco Field, Seattle.

4. Petco Park, San Diego.

5. Busch Stadium, St. Louis.

6. Coors Field, Colorado.

7. Rogers Centre, Toronto.

8. Dolphin Stadium, Miami.

9. McAfee Coliseum, Oakland.

10. (tie) Minute Maid Park, Houston.

10. (tie) Chase Field, Arizona.

[Last modified August 15, 2007, 00:10:56]