Forget about Spygate already.

That Matt Walsh character stepped up and provided nothing we didn't already know about. The New England Patriots broke the rules, got caught, fined and punished. Whether you agree the punishment was severe enough or not, it is done.

Yes, I am miffed there was a nicely edited tape of the Steelers from the 2002 AFC title game, but I am over it.

I hate the Pats as much as the next guy, but this is all getting old. That said, I am declaring this a Spygate-free zone.

Spygate, you may have a seat over there on the Group W bench next to steroids.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks' Eric Byrnes has been in a slump recently. It is no coincidence that his downturn began when Major League Baseball barred him using his custom-made bats. Why? Because they are red.

Seems MLB does not like the color red and does not approve of it being used to color bats. Byrnes has used some of his own older bats and borrowed teammate's sticks, but is still mired in a 6-for-60 stint.

The pink bat on Mother's day helped. He got his only hit, a double, in his last five games with the special pink bat. I think I would be seeing red if I were Byrnes.

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I ripped the NBA playoffs a few weeks ago and with my expectations so low, I have not been disappointed.

I really do like basketball, but the pro games bores me. I wish they would just start at 0-0 and play the last 5 minutes. They could knock out a seven-game series in an evening or even play as best-of-27 in less time that is takes to brew beer.

Guess you have to like the home teams since no one can manage to win on the road. A Lakers-Celtics matchup would harken back to the glory days of the NBA in name only.

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I really thought Philadelphia would have something for Pittsburgh in the NHL playoffs. I'm not really that surprised that the Penguins are in control, but how easy is a bit of a shock.

That said, I think a Detroit-Pittburgh Stanley Cup final could be very intriguing. Perhaps it will be the passing of one mini-dynasty to the next.

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In Saturday's All-Star race, Humpy Wheeler usually gets it right. The Lowe's track president has picked 10 of the last 19 All-Star (I still want to call it the Winston) winners correct. This year he picked Carl Edwards.

I can't really fault that pick since Edwards is the king of the 1½-mile tracks. But I think Jimmie Johnson or Dale Earnhart Jr. are the ones to beat.

Johnson owns Lowe's Motor Speedway and Earnhardt has been the most consistent driver on the circuit this year. I give the edge to Junior to win tomorrow, then come back next week at the 600.

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This week is a bit of a short column, but I want to end on a personal note. I went down to Florida last week to visit my brother and his wife and my now six-week old new nephew. Luckily for everyone, he takes after his mother.

I couldn't be happier or more proud to be an uncle for the first time.