September 3, 2008 4:02 PM

Open Mic: Straight from the shot glass

Is it possible that Milwaukee Brewers CC Sabathia loses out on the Cy Young vote, but wins the National League's Most Valuable Player award?

I know the MVP usually goes to the every-day position player. Roger Clemens is the last starting pitcher to win a league MVP (with Boston) in 1986. The N.L. hasn't had a starter win the MVP since St. Louis Cardinals ace Bob Gibson in 1968.

If the Brewers catch the Chicago Cubs to win the N.L. Central, or make it into the playoffs as a wild card, you have to acknowledge Sabathia's contribution. He's 9-0 in 11 starts for the Brewers since the trade from Cleveland in early July.

Sabathia, who won the American League's Cy Young award last season, is a throwback - literally - to ol'-school pitchers. You know, completing games and throwing shutouts. His Cleveland and Milwaukee stats combined, Sabathia has thrown nine complete games and five shutouts.

Major League Baseball hasn't had a pitcher finish with six or more shutouts since Tim Belcher had eight for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1989.

One thing is certain whether he wins a Cy Young and/or MVP: CC doesn't stand for 'Chump Change'. Sabathia certainly will increase his $$$$ power when time comes to sign a new contract in the off-season . . .

Former NFL defensive lineman Warren Sapp thinks he knows the secret to the Broncos' running attack. "(Broncos coach Mike) Shanahan's going to get into that nasty little double tight end set that he likes, put it in motion, find out if you're in man-to-man defense or Cover 3 because those are the basic coverages that you get, and then he'll attack -- run the ball." Sounds simple, eh? . . .

Did you know?: The Broncos have gone 33-13 in regular season games (during Shanahan's tenure) when a running back gains 100 or more yards on the road. Last season Denver had three 100-yard rushing games on the road (two by Travis Henry and one from Selvin Young). Young and Henry are two of the 10 different running backs to post 100-yard rushing games on the road (regular season only) for the Broncos since 1995. Aaron Craver, Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Reuben Droughns, Clinton Portis, Quentin Griffin and Tatum Bell complete the list . . .

The Broncos haven't had a 100-yard rusher against the Raiders in Oakland since 2004, when Droughns bulled his way for 176 yards on 38 carries. Fact-o-meter: Broncos, during Shanahan's tenure, are 9-4 against the Raiders in Oakland -- 5-0 when a back rushes for 100 or more yards . . .

The Detroit Lions cut Tatum Bell and signed Rudi Johnson. Word is that security cameras caught Bell stealing Johnson's luggage at the team complex. Not sure if film shows that Bell tripped and fumbled the suitcase . . .

Eric Young officially will retire as a member of the Rockies. The public is invited to attend the announcement at Sports Column (on Blake Street) on Sept. 12 at 4:30 p.m. I've been waiting for the Rockies to start doing some things to recognize stars of the past. If they can't retire jersey numbers, then post some names and numbers (Ring of Fame-like in football) around the ballpark. Better yet, carve out space in the concourse at Coors Field and make it museum-like with plaques, photos and memorabilia that recognize contributions from players like E.Y., Larry Walker, Andres Galarraga and others who might be deserving of such honor . . .

Oscar De La Hoya fights Manny Pacquiao in December. De La Hoya will drop weight to reach the mandatory 147-pound limit. Pacquiao has to gain weight to reach 147 pounds. Seems like the bigger man should win, right? I'm curious to see if Pac-Man can take a punch and has enough thunder to pummel 35-year-old Oscar into retirement -- which is where he belongs. De La Hoya hasn't won a meaningful fight since the 1990s. Prediction: If Pacquiao wins, be ready for Floyd Mayweather Jr. to announce his comeback against Pac-Man -- in a fight promoted by De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions . . .

Anybody seen Matt Holliday's bat the past week? . . .

One week into the college football season, and my Heisman favorite (Ohio State's Beanie Wells) is injured . . . Let's see, Wells winning the Heisman, the Buckeyes winning the national championship, the Browns winning the AFC North ... Whew, the Cleveland inside me is leaking out again. But don't get any ideas -- these Browns still are like new Coke. I'm not on their bandwagon . . . Yet . . .

In case you missed it, I've got the following teams winning division titles in the NFL this season: San Diego, New England, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Dallas, New Orleans and Seattle. Wild cards? Denver, Jacksonville, Arizona and Tampa Bay. OK, so it's one thing to call me nuts. It's another to give me your picks in print, so everyone can see, as well. Don't just stare at the computer screen like a geek. Start pecking those keys with your picks . . .

A few of my picks for Week 1 of the NFL season: Giants, Lions, Bengals, Seahawks, Jets, Patriots and Cardinals . . . View the Sam-ulcast (click here) for all the picks . . .

All the picks except Monday's Broncos-Raiders game . . .

When you wade through the laughter and jive of Sapp, you get perspective from a guy who knows the game of football. But don't expect him to wear a coaching hat any time soon. "The hours are too long, my brother," he told me. "I actually went to the job one time at 3:30 in the morning. I left the (night club) and wanted to see if Jon Gruden really goes to work at 3:17 a.m. He was there. I was like, 'You've got to be kidding me.' The hours are too long. The reward is lovely. The blame is ridiculous. But that's the life of an NFL coach."

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