Random sports takes and other thoughts without cleaning out my official Reporter’s notebook, mostly just clearing my brain:

I’m sorry, but Pete Rose belongs in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum while he’s still alive. Not posthumously.

What is going on with Pat McAfee?

Charles Barkley still owes me $100. With interest, Chuck, that’s about a grand by now.

The University of Colorado is making a big mistake by allowing football coach Deion Sanders to refuse to answer any questions from Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler for allegedly making “a series of sustained, personal attacks” against him in Keeler’s coverage of the program. “Planet Prime” needs to chill and the school needs to immediately rescind this silly, stupid ban.

Is it just me, or does Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis look just like Paul Jr. from that old TV motorcycle reality show “American Choppers?”

When I think of the number 16, I think of Joe Montana, Bobby Hull, Dwight Gooden, and yes, “Peggy” from “King of the Hill.” She wore size 16 shoes on her right foot, size 16? on her left.

I’ve never once stretched during the seventh-inning stretch in a baseball game.

Why do I think the Phoenix Suns are still missing something they don’t have?

Putting Jordan Montgomery in the bullpen was the only decision the Diamondbacks could make. Now about that closer situation? I trust Torey Lovullo with the call.

I don’t care what you say, you will never get me to eat that cotton-candy burrito thing they’re serving at State Farm Stadium this season.

I delivered newspapers for this place when I was a kid. Will that help increase my pension? Do we still have a pension here? Asking for a friend.

Major League Baseball should go back to making a pitcher throw four pitches to intentionally walk a hitter. That way, if he leaves one too close to the plate, a batter could reach out and tag it for a double down the line — or better. Who wouldn’t want to see more of that?

Which reminds me, “The Natural” is the best baseball movie of all time in my book. “Field of Dreams” and “The Sandlot” aren’t far behind but give me Robert Redford as “Roy Hobbs” any day of the week. What say you?

I interviewed the late, great Wilt Chamberlain, but I really wish I could have watched him play live in his prime.

If you put mustard on your hash browns, we cannot be friends.

It was cool to see undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver Xavier Weaver win a spot on the Cardinals’ 53-man roster now that Zay Jones has been suspended for the first five games of the season.

See the team: Cardinals set 53-man roster on 2024 NFL cut day

Caitlin Clark has been an absolute inspiration to watch. She reminds me of one of my favorite basketball players ever, “Pistol” Pete Maravich. I’ll bet she’s as good at playing H-O-R-S-E as he was, too.

After watching the silly strike zones by some of these major league umpires, can’t we just bring in the robotic, automated strike-zone system already?

Russell Wilson might open the season as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, but Justin Fields will be leading the offense before you know it.

Now that he’s named rookie Bo Nix his starting QB, Broncos coach Sean Payton needs to ride or die with him the entire season.

Do you think former Dolphins coach Brian Flores truly regrets how he apparently treated quarterback Tua Tagovailoa? I do.

He still has a chance, but if Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte hadn’t suffered that ankle sprain and then reinjured it, he would be well on his way to winning National League Most Valuable Player honors.

Do people still play racquetball anymore?

I once cold-called Boston Celtics’ executive Red Auerbach for a story I was researching back in the 1980s and he answered his own phone. I didn’t like his basketball team much, but I really liked Red after that.

Yes, it’s a rule but when you happen to lazily “ground” your club in the sand during a supposed friendly golf outing with your pals, why does one smart aleck in the bunch always want to charge you with penalty strokes?

The best part of fantasy football is the draft.

True story: The first time I ever ate sushi was in the media dining room at Wrigley Field in Chicago. I just wish someone would have told me that you’re not supposed to scarf wasabi like guacamole.

I’m secretly selling Marvin Harrison Jr. jerseys out of my basement if you’re interested. Just kidding. I don’t have a basement.

Those Lume deodorant commercials on TV have got to go!

Ballpark hotdogs don’t necessarily always taste the best.

Nobody asked me, but … pistachio is the best ice cream ever invented, using a leaf blower at any point before 7 a.m. should be a criminal offense, and cornhole isn’t a real sport — it’s just something to do to pass the time with your friends until the burgers and dogs are ready on the grill.

And finally, why isn’t Larry Fitzgerald already in the Arizona Cardinals’ Ring of Honor? Make it happen soon, Michael Bidwill.

Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc and Manuch on Fox Sports 910-AM.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Random sports takes and other thoughts floating around my brain