Monday 18 April 2005

Steinbrenner Calls In FBI To Hunt For 'Real' Yankee's'
Homeland Security Looks At Possible Terrorist Plot; MLB Considers Shutdown

Agents and investigators of both the FBI and Homeland Security descended on Yankee Stadium early last evening to begin one of the largest manhunts in U.S. history. Their target may be the baseball team, the New York Yankees

As his team flopped into losing their eighth game out of the last ten, owner George Steinbrenner became very concerned that his team was not the 'true Yankees' and, after contacting General Manager Brian Cashman, Steinbrenner called into the FBI to seek their assistance.

A command post has been set-up at Yankee Stadium and agents have been dispatched to Tampa Bay, Florida, where the Yankees are scheduled tonight to compete against the Tampa Bay Devilrays. Additional agents have been sent to all 30 teams of Major Baseball to begin investigating and collecting witness statements.

The Yankees and Devilrays are currently tied for last place in the American League Eastern Division.

Steinbrenner stated he felt something was amiss, as the team started the season very 'sluggishly".

"I am bitterly disappointed, as I am sure all Yankee fans are, by the lack of performance by our team. It is unbelievable to me that the highest-paid team in baseball would start the season in such a deep funk".

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales did confirm that the Justice Department has been contacted and it was Gonzales who, in addition to the FBI investigating, called in Homeland Security officials. Gonzales indicated that recent terrorist chatter has been "high" and there are concerns that there could be some level of terrorist involvement.

In Tampa Bay, FBI agents are collecting and examining fingerprints and DNA samples for those that say they are New York Yankees. Results of those tests may take days, even weeks to complete.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig released a statement that Major League Baseball is offering "full cooperation" to the investigation and his office is monitoring the situation "by the hour". There is speculation that, if the case isn't solved in the next 24-hours, Selig may shutdown baseball, as a precaution for any other teams being taken over or damaged in this plot.

The FBI, in a brief statement, stated that no subjects are being ruled out as possible suspects. Washington insiders say the FBI is tracking down a rumor that drug lords and pharmaceutical companies may be involved, as retribution for the steroid hearings and possible ban of steroids in baseball.



Sideways Team Uncorks Again
Begin Shoot on Sequel, Rightside-Up

Who knew the runaway 2004 smash hit film, 'Sideways', was only the first installment of a trilogy?

'Sideways' was the sleeper hit of 2004, winning an Academy and Writer's Guild Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as two Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture and Best Screenplay. Thomas Haden Church was also nominated in the Academy's Best Supporting Actor category and 'Sideways' was the top selections of both the New York and Toronto Film Festivals.

Producers Michael London and George Parra have cast and crew together again for the second chapter, 'Rightside-Up', which begins principal shooting in Madison, Wisconsin this week.

Where 'Sideways' had Miles Raymond, played by Paul Giamatti and Jack, by Haden Church, touring through California's wine country, 'Rightside-Up' will have the introspective pair visiting the cheese capital of Wisconsin. Carrying over their oenophile skills, Jack and Miles seek out the perfect cheese to accompany a fine Merlot.

"That's kind of a running joke", offered London. "Where we, somewhat dissed merlot in the first film, we thought we'd make it up to it in this film".

In 'Sideways', Miles declares, in a rather disparaging manner, his dislike for merlot

Wine industry analysts stated that, while merlot did take a bit of a dip in sales, 'Sideways', overall, boosted the wine sales, perhaps as high as 15%.

London was tight-lipped as to the storyline for 'Rightside-Up'. He indicated that Maya and Stephanie, played by Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen, will have roles in the story but declined to state how large a presences they will have, even hinting that Miles and Jack may meet with some 'cheese girls'.

London offered that during the shooting of 'Rightside-Up', some scenes for the third and final installment, 'Upside Down', will be shot. London refused to discuss the storyline or characters for 'Upside Down'.