Sports Redux: Venezuelan Justice

We saw some serious ex-Red Sox Sports Blotter Action yesterday. Former pitcher Ugueth Urbina was sentenced to 14 years in prison in Venezuela for attempted murder.

And not just any attempted murder. Urbina doused five of his own employees with gasoline and paint thinner and went after them with a machete. Somebody clearly just watched Reservoir Dogs. Only 14 years for wailing on people with a machete? Sounds like a light sentence to us. Urbina says he didn't do it. But the sentence speaks volumes.

Elsewhere, we heard NESN's Hazel Mae refer to Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy as "public enemy number one for Celtics fans" because he wants all NBA teams to have a shot at the No. 1 draft pick. He thinks that might prevent teams from throwing games. (Not that they'd ever do that - goodness, no!)

Van Gundy's idea might improve NBA games considerably. His proposal will never happen, but at least he probably made franchise owners quake. And his comments may have influenced the Celtics before last night's game against the Magic - they defeated the Magic in double overtime, 105 to 96.

On the downside, Paul Pierce's elbow is bothering him again. Since there aren't too many games left, and the Celtics sure aren't going to the playoffs, Pierce may as well take an early vacation. That isn't the same as throwing a game - the team should protect one of its most valuable assets.

Image of Ugueth Urbina sans machete from allposters.com.