dalektea:

Independent Olympic Athletes at the London Olympics 2012

These folks aren’t with any country, and they have the most swag.

Two are from a recently dissolved country.  But, on a more somber note, one is from the Sudan but refused to represent them after many of his family members were killed by Sudanese government sponsored forces and he himself was sent to a labor camp.

This looks like a scene from Community. 

(Source: twitter.com, via rookiecootie)

philadelphiaphillies:

Phillies and Hamels agree to a six-year, $144 million deal

Count Cole off of the trading block! The 2002 draft pick has decided that Philadelphia shall stay his home as he agreed to the Phillies’ deal for a six year, $144 million contract extension with a vesting seventh year option.  Hamels, 28, would have been a free agent at the end of this year, but the Phils snapped him up less than a week before the trade deadline.  Cole signed the highest Phillies contract in franchise history and has the second largest contract for a starting pitcher, right behind C.C. Sabathia (signed a 7 year/$161 million contract).

Cole’s press conference was today at noon EST with Ruben Amaro Jr.  They discussed Cole’s decision to stay here, including Roy Halladay’s comment of him and Cliff Lee twisting Hamels’s arm to stay.  Cole mentioned the dedication of the fans and how he would love to bring home more championships here (yeah!)  One of the memorable moments during the conference was Cole & Ruben’s remarks about money (from phillies.com)

“Money has never been an issue or the reason I get on that mound every day to try to win ballgames,” Hamels said. “I know it comes with it, but ultimately I play because I purely enjoy the game, I want to win. And I feel this is the best opportunity to win a championship again.”

“You’d play for free?” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. joked. “Now, all of a sudden I’m very uncomfortable.”

“I learned in economics there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” Hamels countered.

So what does this mean for the Phils before trade deadline?  Well, talks have shifted back over back to Shane Victorino.  Hunter Pence had mentioned he heard his name as a possibility on “MIke & Mike” morning show, but no definite answers.  I don’t doubt that the Phillies camp has something up its sleeve.  

(via henryrowengartner)