KEISSER: These 2010 predictions are all but sure winners - Press-Telegram
Among the ones that jump out at me:
June 17: In Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Shaquille O'Neal scores 30 points and has 22 rebounds to lead the LeBron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers to a win over the Lakers. James was injured before Game 7 when he tripped over New York Knicks officials in the hotel lobby. O'Neal holds up five fingers in front of Kobe Bryant after the game. Bryant responds with one finger.July 29: Ending the trading season in a rush, the Dodgers finish their house-cleaning, trading Russell Martin to Chicago and James Loney to Atlanta for prospects. This comes after earlier salary dumps of Hiroki Kuroda to the Phils in June, Casey Blake to Cleveland, and Rafael Furcal to the Mets. The Dodgers accepted low-level prospects in exchange for wiping the books of debt.July 30: Arte Moreno acquires Cliff Lee from Seattle in a pennant run after the M's fall to last in the A.L. West and the Angels press the Yankees for the best record in baseball.August 15: Pete Carroll makes it official, adopts Matt Barkley.
August 16: Rick Neuheisel announces he will adopt the first five-star quarterback who commits to UCLA.He sounds awfully like a Gaylos homer in his Tale of Two Cities rhetoric, but sadly, I have a feeling he's not joking about the Dodgers' salary dumps.October 3: The baseball regular season comes to an end. The Dodgers finish last in the NL West. The Angels win the A.L. West. The postseason schedule announced will allow the Yankees to go with a two-man rotation. Joe Torre retires, as do all his coaches. Mike Scioscia is named AL Manager of the Year again. Vin Scully says he's done; grief counselors are trucked into L.A. by the hundreds.