Impress All the Women, Pretend I'm Samuel Clemens, Wear Seersucker and White Linens

Congratulations once again to Ms. Amanda Pierce for almost naming "Anytime" by My Morning Jacket as the Thursday Song of the Day. Luke, before you file an official protest with the Running Down a Dream Song of the Day Rules Committee, you should note that she named the correct band and actually made an effort to win the prize, whereas your lack of participation was noticeable.

One of the more jarring sports-related experiences that I have had in the past 18 months occurred last May in Arlington as the Ballpark was transformed into Fenway Park Southwest by a roving band of bandwagon-hopping BoSox fans. The only living member of the Jig and Twig witnessed the same phenomenon last night at the Juice Box and left feeling worse than Kobayashi after a 4th of July spent at Nathan's Famous hot dogs on Coney Island.

Finally, thanks to information relayed by an unnamed source from the ABC/ESPN promotional department, Running Down a Dream is proud to bring you the rejected taglines for today's Euro 2008 Final between Spain and Germany:

Rejected Tagline #1:

Franco!

Hitler!

It's the Euro 2008 Final...on ABC!!!!

Rejected Tagline #2:

Guernica!

Dresden!

It's the Euro 2008 Final...on ABC!!!

To Guide Me Give Me Your Strength

Congratulations to Mr. Christopher Luke Reeves for correctly naming "When You Come Back Down" by Nickel Creek as the Tuesday Song of the Day. A near congratulations to Ms. Amanda Pierce for almost naming "When You Come Back Down" by Nickel Creek as the Tuesday Song of the Day. As I've said before, Luke Reeves is no respecter of persons when it comes to the Song of the Day contest.

I realize it's probably too late in the proverbial game to throw my Euro 2008 support behind Spain, but in honor of the last minute theatrics that have characterized this year's tournament I'm throwing my support behind near-septuagenarian manager Luis Aragones, Liverpool ace striker Fernando Torres, Valencia striker David Villa, and Real Madrid netminder Iker Casillas.

Tomorrow, the Spainards take on the Russians in a familiar retelling of the War of.....wait, Spain and Russia may be the only two European/Eurasian countries that have never fought reach other. Either way, Spain is already crafting excuses for a possible defeat tomorrow based solely on the color of their jerseys, yellow.

The traditional Spanish superstition surrounding the colour is thought to have arisen because French playwright Moliere was said to have worn yellow when he collapsed on stage performing Le Malade Imaginaire in 1673. He later died at his home.

And that, my friends, is why I love the beautiful game. Only an international soccer match could somehow turn on one team's ridiculous superstitious beliefs based on the death of a 17th century French playwright. Wake me up next time that the Mavericks are blaming their next losing streak on Miguel Cervantes.

Then, and only then, will I be impressed.