Taco Bell raps. This commercial is hilarious. Watched it not to long ago and needed to share. "The Taco Bell girl just owned you!" = Fantastic

COOLER TALK - TAMPA BAY RAYS

ARE THE RAYS FOR REAL? Last season the Rays completed one of Major League Baseball’s most improbable runs to the postseason. They were able to makeover their image. Going from perennial AL East doormat to World Series contender, in one season. It became one of the greatest single season turn around's in Major League Baseball’s history. 

Unfortunately for the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays their cinder-fella, fairy tale story was cut short. An now with 41 games complete, the new darling Rays find themselves hovering around .500, with a record of 20-21.

It is way too early to panic, right? The biggest concern for Tampa, so far, has been its pitching staff. The two aces of the staff have not been able to be their dazzling 2008 selves. James Shields is just 3-4 on the season and has been far too inconsistent. Scott Kazmir has struggled too, allowing 10 ER’s in his last two starts (6.97 ERA).

The spark is there, fans are just looking for the fire from last season.

RAY of hope. Last season revealed just how good the Rays were. Led by big name stars as B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, James Shields, and Scott Kazmir. So Evan Longoria’s explosive start comes as no surprise – 11HR’s and a major league leading 46 RBI’s. People will tell you they expected Longoria to lead the way.

But it is an unusual suspect making things happen for the Rays early on. Jason Bartlett’s hot bat has been a pleasant and welcomed surprise to the Rays dynamic offense early this season. So far, Bartlett boasts the third best batting average in the majors (.380), and in just 138 at-bats this season he has five homeruns (4 more than last seasons one homerun – in 454 at-bats).

Worth the PRICE. David Price. The Tampa Bay Rays made him the first overall pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. Last season Price was named the BEST prospect in baseball. So what are the Rays waiting for?

The buzz still looms. With continues speculation as to - When will the Rays prized minor league jewel – DAVID PRICE – get a bona fide chance to prove himself on the big league level?

Patience. That is the name of the Rays organizations philosophy. Trust in that philosophy. After years of 60-win seasons, patience prevailed. Price will get his chance. Just be patience. He is definitely worth the price.

** B.J. Upton’s bat has slowly become more and more alive over the last week of baseball. Not to say he is 100-percent healthy, but the fact that Upton has two homeruns and five steals in the last seven days, shows he is getting better following the off-season shoulder surgery. 

COOLER TALK - THE STATE OF BOXING

HATTON v. PACQUIAO. This past weekend, I found myself out at a bar getting ready to watch the highly anticipated fight between Hatton vs. Pacquiao. The brawl was expected to be the fight of the year, as two of the sports finest were set to go toe-to-toe, for an epic throwdown. But that wasn't the case. Following two first round knockdowns, Pacquiao dropped Hatton in the second round with a pulverizing, two fisted beat down. Methodical and destructive is the best way to describe Pacquiao's beat down of the Hitma, who never seemed to have a chance. The fight was over so fast that I, most likely among others, was left wishing for another opponent for Pacquiao to take on. Both of these fighters are champions. And Both have battled and beaten some of the sports best. But it was Pacquiao who stood above the rest on Saturday night, becoming the new junior welterweight world champion. Furthermore the win cements his status as the worlds best pound-for-pound fighter. Pacquiao has now won championships in six weight classes (112, 120, 126, 130, 135, 140) - tied with Oscar De La Hoya for the most. For now, or until Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao meet, PacMan will remain king of the world. 

STATE OF BOXING. IS THERE HELP ON THE WAY? Not sure. At this point I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. They biggest fights always have been between the heavy fisted, heavyweight sluggers. Too many of the so-called big fights are between the lower weight classes. People have lost interest. The big characters of the past are gone, and as much as Floyd Mayweather Jr. tries to attract attention to the sport he isn't big enough. Boxing needs another Ali, Foreman, or Tyson. Another problem boxing is facing is that their are far too many weigh classes. It is too hard to follow boxing. Through the years, the amount of weight classes has inflated from three or four to a number that is closer to 20. My advice for the world of boxing... use the KISS rule - Keep It Simple Stupid! Lets just hope Mayweather in his return (in August) can win so that the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight won't be just a dream fight. Pretty Boy Floyd taking on the Pacman just sounds right, and has fight of the decade written all over it.