Just like my town's 4th of July Fund bake sale, the world of sports has provided plenty of fireworks these past few weeks. I have been revelling in the simple pleasures of cold Coronas and amazing athletic competitions. There are major stories to discuss in soccer, baseball, basketball and competitive eating, so let's get down to it.

Soccer
Like many folks, I was dismayed to see the legendary Zinadine Zidane end his career with a disgraceful headbutt into the sternum of Marco Matterazzi. However, I agree with his being voted the player of the tournament, despite the violent episode. Moreover, two things rankled me even more than Zidane's misguided header.

1. None of the officials saw the episode live, no matter what they claim. They are connected by buzzers, headphones and microphones so that they can easily alert each other in case one of them witnesses serious foul play. If they'd seen the incident as it happened, they would have surely informed the referee, who would have stopped the game immediately to make sure Materazzi wasn't critically injured. That they only stopped the game, conferred, and produced the red card after almost 30 more seconds indicates that they saw the video replayed on the stadium's large screens, which is not allowed under the rules. If they are to referee the game using those video screens, why not go back and give France the penalty the deserved from Cannavaro's clumsy second-half challenge in the box?

2. While they weren't alone in their conduct, the Italian team embodied everything that was wrong with this World Cup. Diving, faking injury, time-wasting, fouling, pressuring the referee and playing extremely defensive, negative soccer, they were poor ambassadors for the sport. The money and win-at-all-costs attitude that pervades the game is killing its soul.

Baseball
The All-Star break is here and my predictions from the spring are looking good. The Boston Red Sox are on course to beat the New York Yankees in the AL East, Barry Bonds has passed Babe Ruth but looks like falling short of Hank Aaron in the all-time home run stakes and the Chicago White Sox are having another terrific season.
The Detroit Tigers and New York Mets are my surprise teams of the first half-season, and I think the Tigers will be able to hold on for a playoff place. Watch out for the Colorado Rockies in the National League West.

Basketball
Thumbs-up to LeBron James for staying in Cleveland and trying to build something. He chose to win the title with his team rather than opting for a greater market and lesser team in New York or Los Angeles. He's been making excellent decisions on the basketball court, and this shows he can make excellent decisions off it as well.

Competitive Eating
Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, one of the biggest competitive eating events extended the legacy of Japan's Takeru Kobayashi. Kobayashi managed to down 53 and 3/4 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, setting a new world record. There was a bright spot for the United States, however, as rookie Joey Chestnut came in second after eating 52 hot dogs and buns. Congratulations to both athletes.

Disagree with my views on the World Cup? Think I don't know anything about baseball? Want to chide me for jumping on the LeBron James bandwaggon? Feel like buying me a hot dog? Hit me with a comment.