Morning briefing

It's a thong story for Giambi

Baseball players are notorious for finding quirky ways to break slumps and Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees is no exception.

Giambi told Conde Nast Portfolio magazine that he wears a gold lame tiger-striped thong under his uniform when he's in a funk at the plate.

"I only put it on when I'm desperate to get out of a big slump," he said.

He then added that he's not afraid to share the wealth. He has left the golden thong in the lockers of Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Johnny Damon, Robin Ventura and Robinson Cano during various slumps.

"All of them wore it and got hits," Giambi said. "The thong works every time."

Trivia time

Four years ago today, Randy Johnson pitched a perfect game, becoming, at 40, the oldest pitcher in the modern era to accomplish the feat. Whose record did he break?

Short and sweet

As Manny Ramirez approaches the 500-home run mark, the Boston Red Sox are putting together a series of videotaped congratulatory messages to be played at Fenway Park when Ramirez reaches the milestone.

Among those asked to tape a message was Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees, himself a member of the 500-home run club.

According to the New York Daily News, the Yankees had reservations about Rodriguez doing the message for a member of the rival Red Sox, but he did it anyway.

His message?

"Manny, I'm going to keep this short because I'm probably getting booed. Congratulations and many more."

Carrying a load

Jevon Kearse is back with the Tennessee Titans, and just like last time he has something to prove.

The Philadelphia Eagles cut the defensive end after he registered only four sacks last season while recovering from 2006 knee surgery.

The Titans drafted Kearse in 1999, when he was considered a risky pick because he was smaller than most defensive ends, but he went on to win defensive rookie of the year and make two Pro Bowls.

"Back in '99, I had a chip on my shoulder," Kearse said. "Ten years later, that chip turned into a boulder, so now I've got a boulder on my shoulder."

No Bull

Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Tribune wrote that the Chicago Bulls might want to consider signing Gloria James, who nearly became involved in an on-court fracas involving her son LeBron during the Cleveland Cavaliers' series against the Boston Celtics.