Buehrle doggone stupid

WHITE SOX PITCHER Mark Buehrle doesn't know when to quit.

Last week, Buehrle, a dog owner and staunch animal rights advocate, told MLB.com that he rooted for Michael Vick to get injured playing for the Eagles this past season.

Vick, of course, spent 19 months in a federal prison for his role in operating a dogfighting ring.

Yesterday, given a chance to recant, or at least explain his comments, Buehrle dropped the ball.

"I said it. It's on old story," Buehrle said after arriving in Glendale, Ariz., for spring training. "Past history stuff. I said it. I meant it. It's over and we'll move on."

Buehrle, who likes to hunt, was asked how someone who shoots animals could criticize Vick.

"Hunting is a sport. There are hunting stores out there," Buehrle said. "If that's illegal, shame on my dad, shame on my grandpa, his grandpa. It's kind of been brought up throughout the history of America. The last time I knew dogfighting was a sport was never."

Police arrested a man in connection with the poisoning of the historic Toomer's Corner oak trees at Auburn University.

The 130-year-old trees are revered by Tiger fans, who gather in front of them to celebrate victories.

That said, one might think the suspect would be a student from a rival school. Some young punk looking to make a name for himself.

Actually, he's 62-year-old Harvey Almorn Updyke, Jr., who Auburn police arrested at 1:26 a.m. yesterday morning. He's been charged with one count of first-degree criminal mischief.

Bond was set at $50,000 and, if convicted, Updyke, of Dadeville, Ala., could be sentenced to 1 to 10 years in prison.

Police first learned the trees were poisoned when someone claiming to be "Al from Dadeville" called a radio show on Jan. 27 to gloat about the deed.

Auburn officials tested the trees and found they had been poisoned with a powerful herbicide. Horticulturists on campus say there is little chance the trees can be saved.

- Tom Mahon

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