Many people submitted multiple versions of what is essentially the same joke and we already posted a couple of them days ago, so you can probably stop making them now. And simply changing the crappy team in the punchline doesn't make it more original. Folks tried the Cubs, the Lions, the (baseball) Giants, the Pirates, the Bills ... basically anyone who roots for a horrible team has, at some point in the last week, made some kind of zinger along the lines of "Boy, maybe [pathetic sports franchise] should sign that guy!" Then they chuckled softly to themselves and shook their head wistfully, while everyone around them rolled their eyes and pretended to look for a lighter ball. (In my mind, this story takes place at a bowling alley.) It's the mid-December 2008 version of the "black box" joke. ("Why don't they make the plane out of that?!")

Plus, the guy is going to need all of Scott Boras' power just to get him out of whatever Iraqi prison he's currently rotting in. There's no way he's ready to report to camp by February.

Al-Zaidi's precision and velocity were so impressive — and actual physical results so benign — that his brazen act has inspired a new wave of American shoe comedy. On the forefront is the always hilarious Don King, who is praising Bush's reflexes after noting that the 43rd President successfully ducked both shoes. Supposedly King made the comment to TMZ, comparing Bush to a boxer. OK.

Then Bugs & Cranks gets in on the fun, parodying the Pittsburgh Pirates' recent signing of Indian pitchers Rinku and Dinesh.

Late Monday night, the Pirates came to terms with Iraqi pitcher Muntadhar al-Zaidi. The 28-year-old al-Zaidi will participate in the team’s Minor League Spring Training next year. According to Baseball-Almanac Dot Com, there has never been an Iraqi-born player in the Majors. Earlier this offseason, the Pirates signed a South African shortstop and two Indian pitchers.

“Signing those two kids from India was the best publicity the Pirates have had in over 15 years,” said Huntington. “Our pitching basically been crap with guys from countries that don’t start with I, so we want to keep going in this new diretion. We’re also on the lookout for prospects in Iran, Indonesia, Ireland and Italy.”

Of course the Cubs then throw their hat in the ring, via The Heckler. Key quote: "Somebody's got to take Bob Howry's spot."

Then there's this (please report your high score).

Pirates Sign Iraqi Shoe Thrower [Bugs & Cranks]
Don King: 'Bush Has Unbelievable Reflexes' [TMZ]