Leinart throws a strike

There should be some tension between Matt Leinart and Vince Young. It was Young who dashed Leinart's dream of finishing his collegiate career with a national championship at the Rose Bowl. It was also Young who was picked third in the 2006 NFL Draft to play under Norm Chow in Tennessee while Leinart nearly fell out of the top 10. Yet there the two quarterbacks are chatting and sharing a drink next to the pool table at Lucky Strike in Hollywood during Leinart's first annual celebrity bowling night benefiting his foundation.

"We're the future," said Young, drawing comparisons to another friendly rivalry. "We're like Magic and Bird. We'll always be friends."

Young did more than give moral support to Leinart during his event. He came through late, as he usually does on the field. While Leinart urged the celebrity-filled room to bid on the silent auction items displayed at the front of the club before it closed, Young walked over and scribbled his name down for about eight items, overbidding on a couple, including a Barry Bonds signed baseball and a Tiger Woods autographed photo.

"I like the items but I really want to help Matt," said Young. "I'll always be there for Matt and his foundation because I know he would do the same for me."

The event, which raised more than $100,000, brought out a who's who list of celebrities in sports and entertainment, including Terrell Owens, Reggie Bush, Maria Sharapova, Kristen Davis and Nick Lachey.

As Leinart strolled down the lane to see how each team was doing, he was even surprised at how many of his A-List friends come out. There was Serena Williams laughing it up with Kevin Garnett after he tried to show her how to hit a spare, Henry Winkler and Owens cheering on the Captain Morgan Mascot, who was on their bowling team, and Derek Fisher getting congratulated for re-signing with the Lakers by professional surfer Bron Heussenstamm; although its apparently news to Fisher

"I did what?" asked Fisher when he hears the news.

"It's on the TV now; they're reporting you just signed with the Lakers," said Heussenstamm. "I haven't signed anything yet," he said. "We'll see."

While Fisher's future may have been up in the air, there was no doubt that the future of Leinart's foundation looked to be in good hands as he celebrated the evening on the second level of Geisha House at his after party. "I've wanted to do this my whole life," said Leinart. "I always wanted to give back to the community and it feels good to be able to do that now."

The Beverly Hills Hotel is often called "The Pink Palace," but at the moment it has a slightly darker hue as it is the home of "The Blues" with Chelsea players and coaches walking around the lobby decked out in their appropriately colored warm-ups. While socialites sip martinis in the Polo Lounge, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba chat on their way past The Cabana Club Cafe. The talk of the afternoon is the signing of David Beckham, and as Jose Mourinho sits on the red carpeted stairs leading up to the hotel, he thinks the newest addition to the Galaxy could be just the man to raise soccer's profile in the United States. "It's a big moment for Los Angeles and U.S. soccer," he said. "It's a pity he couldn't remain in Europe but he will do well here."