Thanksgiving has come and gone and more than one sports columnist around the world has written what they're thankful for.

Don't worry, I won't join that club.

The only thing I'm truly thankful for is that NBA Commissioner David Stern stood up and slapped Ron Artest down like the punk he is.

Don't get me wrong, the fans who started it should be prosecuted in whatever way the authorities and the management at the Palace at Auburn Hills see fit. However, players charging fans in the stands cannot be condoned and Davey did what he had to do.

In a time where the NBA has lost some of its luster, they need to be doing it cleaner and better than the next league. Stern cemented his place as the number two league executive, second only to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. However, 'Tags' hasn't had to deal with any kind of decline in his league.

And no, Michael isn't coming back again.

On some other topics?

The New York Mets reportedly have topped the Boston Red Sox offer for Pedro Martinez. That's just what they need. Another 30-something pitcher who maybe has two good years left in him. They just made what I thought was a good move by letting Al Leiter walk (even though trading him last August would have been better) and they go and jump back two spaces.

Here's a special request to new GM Omar Minaya from MetsNation ? Youth, please!

Here's hoping Scott Kazmir is a bust with the D-Rays.

On the 'He's still alive?' front: the Chicago Bears signed Jeff George to be the latest in a parade of quarterbacks since the departure of Jim Harbaugh. Now while it's easy to write this one off from the get-go, this might actually pan out. George's ego has to have taken a blow from being out the league for two years. He's saying all the right things (whatever role they want me to play..., etc.). As long as Rex Grossman's back under center in 2005, why not take a chance with the rest of this season? There's still one more game against the Packers left and Craig Krenzel, Jonathin Quinn, or Chad Hutchinson don't stand a chance.

If Bears fans can't have the playoffs, I'm sure they'll be happy with sweeping the Packers.

While they're at it though, maybe they should give Ryan Leaf a call.