The 10 Spot: June 2, 2005

1. Four members of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Fab Five will throw out the first pitch of a Red Sox-Angels game in Boston on June 5. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

2. Sharp Electronics, a sponsor of the San Francisco Giants, is installing 27 solar panels at SBC Park to recognize Wednesday's U.N. World Environment Day. Sharp hopes to finish the job quickly before the sun is once again blocked by Barry Bonds' head.

3. A thoroughbred owner has sued for the right to name a 2-year-old filly Sally Hemings, after the slave and reputed mistress of Thomas Jefferson, because the horse's mare is named Jefferson's Secret. The owner alleges that his First Amendment rights are being infringed. Jockey Club officials called that argument irrelevant because Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, not the Bill of Rights.

4. The 49ers are under fire after a 15-minute video meant to prepare players for dealing with the media was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle. The footage includes racial jokes, lesbian soft-core porn and topless women. Co-owner John York blasted the video, stressing that it's his job to embarrass the organization.

5. There was heavy reader response to the critical comments made by Dave of Charlotte, N.C., in Wednesday's 10 Spot about Danica Patrick, with the mail running 20-1 against Dave. Most took issue with his contention that "anybody can drive a car," pointing out that clocking laps at 225 mph within a few feet of other cars doing the same for several hours is far different than a Sunday drive. As John of Green Bay put it, "I bet if ol' Davey-boy strapped on a helmet and went for a spin around Indy he'd have to change his Underoos." Still, a few intrepid he-men leapt to Dave's defense. Justin of Saginaw, Mich., wrote, "Women are not equal to men. And if they want to be the same as men, I suggest they get a sex change." Wow, Justin makes Dave sound like Gloria Steinem.

6. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and prominent Canadian diplomat Maurice Strong have reportedly joined forces to propose a new hockey league if the NHL continues its lockout. Giuliani evidently believes that a new league provides the best chance for a New York City team to make the playoffs.

7. The NHL and NHL players union continued negotiations on Wednesday in Toronto, with reports indicating that they would break out in small groups to define what constitutes revenues. Here's a tip: First cross off "TV rights fees."

8. Boston city officials have pulled the plug on an "ultimate fighting" event scheduled for this Saturday in a city nightclub, calling it a threat to public safety. Besides, that's what Fenway Park is for.

9. The NBA has hired Matthew Dowd, who worked as a strategist for President Bush's re-election campaign, to help the league improve its image. Dowd's first task is to spin the obvious decline of outside-shooting ability as evidence of a strong defense policy.

10. In an effort to raise money for the annual payments due to the Saints, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco is expected to push for measures including higher taxes on hotel occupancy and auto rentals. If that doesn't work, city officials will go through the pockets of tourists who pass out on Bourbon Street