The Zoner

NEW SITE!!

2006-09-14T08:59:00.000-05:00

The new home of the Zoner:

CLICK THE PIC TO GO THERE NOW!

THE AL MVP NO ONE'S TALKING ABOUT

2006-09-12T12:16:00.000-05:00

He's homered in 6 straight games. His numbers look like this:

36 98 .283 .396 .566, 73 walks

His team is in 1st place by 5.5 games. And he bats 4th in the lineup.

I'm not saying he should win the award, but shouldn't we be hearing about him in conversation? Without Thomas the A's are an afterthought.

Frank Thomas AL MVP A's

MY 9/11 STORY

2006-09-11T12:08:00.000-05:00

The Bears had just kicked off the 2001 season. The Jerry Angelo era was now in effect, and it began with a 17-6 loss to the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. By Tuesday morning I had had enough of the dissection of the game. I woke up and had to hurry to get to downtown Chicago. I did not turn on the TV.

I was serving as a juror on a federal case in which the accused was being tried for bank robbery. I got to the train station, boarded, put on some music and closed my eyes. It's easy to fall asleep on the downtown train because Union Station is the last stop. There is no fear of missing your stop. I love to sleep on the train. The ride was very peaceful.

As I exited Union Station on to Jackson, I noticed that there were many TV crews and reporters scurrying about. I was on my way to the Dirksen Federal Building, next to the famous Sears Tower. Fearing boredom during the downtime of the trial I decided to buy a newspaper, even though I already had one.

As I approached the vendor with change in my hand he said, "Saddam Hussein blow up New York and he is coming here next."

We made the switch of change for paper and I gave him an assuring nod, kind of like a 'Right On'. But what I was really thinking was that it was quite early to be that drunk.

But as the sleep was wearing off I started to put things together. People talking with animated gestures, the paper vendor, all the TV crews--maybe that guy wasn't nuts.

I entered the courthouse and heard the security guards talking about the WTC. As I approached and got my bag ready for search, I slightly interrupted with "So it's true then?"

They said that it was and filled me in on what they knew. I made my way up to the juror's room. On the way I began to think about where I was. I was in a United States federal building next to one of the world's most renown landmarks. And immediately I did not want to be there anymore.

As I got to the room, I told the jury assistant exactly that. With the USA under attack, I did not want to be in a federal courthouse next to the Sears Tower. She told me that the trial was being postponed.

Now all I wanted to do was get home. On my way out I checked my train schedule. If I hurried I could make the next train. If I didn't I would have to wait another hour and I did not want to be downtown. I ran.

I made it. I got on the train and it was packed. It seemed everyone was thinking like me--just get out of there and go home. People kept boarding the train. It was so crowded that it stirred more anxiety in me. But I had a seat and we were departing soon so I was OK.

Except that we didn't depart on time. They made a brief statement over the PA system. It did not assuage any of my fears or my fierce desire to just leave. I just wanted movement. I thought of getting off, but why? Where would I go? 10 minutes passed and it seemed like forever on a hot, overcrowded train.

Finally a slight jolt and we were exiting the station. A man was playing audio from his phone of CNN. I remember wondering how he was able to do that. Did he have someone playing the TV for him and setting the phone next to it? In that upper section of the train we all listened to it.

But then, just seconds out of the station the train stopped. That freaked me out. And I wasn't alone. Again the PA blah-blahed something. I still just wanted movement. It was hot and I wanted to have space, to be alone and to be at my home.

Thankfully it started back up and we crept away. We were moving very slowly, but it was fast enough for me. With all the people it took longer than usual. But I got to my stop, in my car and quickly back home.

I had still not seen anything on TV yet. I had talked briefly with my wife and sister on the phone and then changed clothes. When I finally turned on TV and saw the collisions for the first time, like most, my mouth just dropped. I just sat there and watched something I never thought possible take place before my eyes. Unreal.

After receiving and making more phone calls and watching some more TV coverage, I was overwhelmed. I laid on the couch and went to sleep. Wishing none of it had ever happened.

Tech. Tag:

9/11

BEARS DOMINATE GREEN BAY

2006-09-11T09:33:00.000-05:00

All the worries of the preseason came to a screeching halt, with a hand to the face from Jerry Angelo that said "I told you so." Bears 26, GB 0.

His first 2 picks in the draft, Danieal Manning and Devin Hester making huge contributions. Who wants Leonard Pope now?

Des Clark showing up big time. Muhsin Muhammad showing that he is a stud receiver. So I guess you don't go from 16 TDs to bum status in one short year.

D-Lineman Mark Anderson, a 5th round Angelo pick, showing speed and moves, getting to Favre and sacking him.

The Bears DBs could have had 5 picks altogether. Favre was just throwing it up there for most of the 2nd Half.

And Rex Grossman playing like a veteran, getting the ball to his receivers and executing beautiful play-action.

But maybe the biggest star of all was sitting in a box high above the field. Ron Turner. He called a killer game. The mix was perfect. Granted, the Pack are brutal. But it was quite a win. You just know that Favre has all those retirement questions bouncing around inside his brain today. And it's courtesy of the Chicago Bears.

The Bears weren't deficient in any phase yesterday. They just need to stay consistent and stay healthy, the biggest task of all.

Bears NFL Rex Grossman Ron Turner Packers Favre

NFL WEEK 1 PICKS

2006-09-08T08:14:00.000-05:00

Using Danny Sheridan's odds, each week, or until I completely embarrass myself, I shall test my prognostication skills for 3 games.

Week 1 Picks

Tennessee -2 1/2 over NYJ
Washington -4 1/2 over Minny
Buffalo +9 1/2 at New England

Technorati tags: NFL Picks

THE METS HAVE A SHOT

2006-09-08T07:56:00.000-05:00

In Walt We Trust sums up the NL's chances in the World Series as such:

“I have no doubt that whoever represents the National League in the Fall Classic will be taken out quicker than a bowlegged asthmatic kid in a grade school dodgeball match.”

What about the Mets? Only Minnesota, Oakland and San Diego have allowed less runs. Only the White Sox, Yanks, Indians and Phils have scored more. They have a run differential of +134, topped only by the Tigers and Yanks. Their starters don’t look that great, but they can thump, their defense is incredible and their bullpen is awesome. And don’t forget the El Duque factor.

The AL is the dominant league. But I give the Mets a chance, assuming Pedro is healthy.

Technorati tags: World Series / Pennant Races / MLB / Mets

FOR THE PEOPLE?

2006-09-07T10:18:00.000-05:00

Government. For the people? You decide after you read this article from MSNBC about how the government could provide immediate help to troops in Iraq and actually save lives, but chooses to wait due to money and politics.

Hat tip to Bruce Bonnheim.

WASHINGTON - Rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, are a favorite weapon of insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are cheap, easy to use and deadly.

RPGs have killed nearly 40 Americans in Afghanistan and more than 130 in Iraq, including 21-year-old Pvt. Dennis Miller.

“They were in Ramadi, and his tank was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade,” says Miller’s mother, Kathy. “Little Denny never knew what hit him.”

Sixteen months ago, commanders in Iraq began asking the Pentagon for a new system to counter RPGs and other anti-tank weapons.

Last year, a special Pentagon unit thought it found a solution in Israel — a high-tech system that shoots RPGs out of the sky. But in a five-month exclusive investigation, NBC News has learned from Pentagon sources that that help for U.S. troops is now in serious jeopardy.

The system is called “Trophy,” and it is designed to fit on top of tanks and other armored vehicles like the Stryker now in use in Iraq.

The Israeli military, which recently lost a number of tanks and troops to RPGs, is rushing to deploy the system.

Trophy is the brainchild of Rafael, Israel’s Armament Development Authority, which has conducted more than 400 tests and found that the system has “well above [a] 90 percent” probability of killing RPGs and even more sophisticated anti-tank weapons, according to reserve Col. Didi Ben Yoash, who helped develop the system. Ben Yoash says he is “fully confident” that Trophy can save American lives.

And officials with the Pentagon’s Office of Force Transformation (OFT) agree. Created in 2001 by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, OFT acts as an internal “think tank” for the Pentagon and is supposed to take a more entrepreneurial — and thereby less bureaucratic — approach to weapons procurement and other defense issues, and to get help to troops in the field more quickly. OFT officials subjected Trophy to 30 tests and found that it is “more than 98 percent” effective at killing RPGs.

An official involved with those tests told NBC that Trophy “worked in every case. The only anomaly was that in one test, the Trophy round hit the RPG’s tail instead of its head. But according to our test criteria, the system was 30 for 30.”

As a result, OFT decided to buy several Trophies — which cost $300,000-$400,000 each — for battlefield trials on Strykers in Iraq next year.

That plan immediately ran into a roadblock: Strong opposition from the U.S. Army. Why? Pentagon sources tell NBC News that the Army brass considers the Israeli system a threat to an Army program to develop an RPG defense system from scratch.

The $70 million contract for that program had been awarded to an Army favorite, Raytheon. Raytheon’s contract constitutes a small but important part of the Army’s massive modernization program called the Future Combat System (FCS), which has been under fire in Congress on account of ballooning costs and what critics say are unorthodox procurement practices.

Col. Donald Kotchman, who heads the Army’s program to develop an RPG defense, acknowledges that Raytheon’s system won’t be ready for fielding until 2011 at the earliest.

That timeline has Trophy’s supporters in the Pentagon up in arms. As one senior official put it, “We don’t really have a problem if the Army thinks it has a long-term solution with Raytheon. But what are our troops in the field supposed to do for the next five or six years?”

Kotchman, however, says the Army is doing everything prudent to provide for the protection and safety of U.S. forces and insists the Israeli system is not ready to be deployed by the U.S. “Trophy has not demonstrated its capability to be successfully integrated into a system and continue to perform its wartime mission,” he says.

That claim, however, is disputed by other Pentagon officials as well as internal documents obtained by NBC News. In an e-mail, a senior official writes: “Trophy is a system that is ready — today... We need to get this capability into the hands of our warfighters ASAP because: (1) It will save lives!”

Officials also tell NBC News that according to the Pentagon’s own method of measuring a weapons system’s readiness, Trophy is “between a 7 and an 8” out of a possible score of 9. Raytheon’s system is said to be a “3.”

So why would the Army block a solution that might help troops?

“There are some in the Army who would be extremely concerned that if the Trophy system worked, then the Army would have no need to go forward with the Raytheon system and the program might be terminated,” says Steven Schooner, who teaches procurement law at both George Washington University and the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s School.

Trophy’s supporters inside the Pentagon are more blunt. As one senior official told NBC News, “This debate has nothing, zero, to do with capability or timeliness. It’s about money and politics. You’ve got a gigantic program [FCS] and contractors with intertwined interests. Trophy was one of the most successful systems we’ve tested, and yet the Army has ensured that it won’t be part of FCS and is now trying to prevent it from being included on the Strykers” that OFT planned to send to Iraq.

For families of soldiers like Denny Miller, any delay in getting help to the troops is unthinkable.

As Miller’s mother, Kathy, put it, “Do they have children over there? Do they have husbands or wives over there? They need to sit back and look at it maybe from a different angle. I just think it's ridiculous!”

The Pentagon is now trying to interest the Marine Corps in testing Trophy. But because of Army opposition, there are currently no plans to send the system to Iraq.

Tech Tags: Politics War RPGs Iraq

HILL MAKING HIMSELF KNOWN

2006-09-07T09:36:00.000-05:00

Cubs fans may have an excellent reason to watch games until the end of the season. Rich Hill.

Last night Hill had his best start, a dominating 7 1/3 innings with 11 Ks and only 4 hits allowed. His last 4 starts have given Cubs fans a glimpse of what Hill can do.

The numbers for his last 4 starts:

28 1/3 IP, 18 hits, 5 ER, 25 K, 6 BB.

Earlier this year Baker was quoted as saying something to the extent of there being no good reason to bring Hill back up. Earlier I have referred to him as "The Great Rich Hill", because of Hendry's steadfast refusal to include him in any deals.

Hill is a rare find--a big lefty that can strike guys out. Maybe, just maybe, the Cubs have a #2 or #3 pitcher for next year. Yes it's September, but you can't help but be impressed by Hill. And next year he goes into the season knowing he can be successful in the bigs. And that is huge.

Closer, of course, is a totally different story. But for now, rejoice!

Tech Tags: Cubs Dusty Baker Rich Hill MLB

SUPER BOWL PREDICTIONS

2006-09-05T20:10:00.000-05:00

Wow! Just got an e-mail from the excellent Draft Sharks with a list of Super Bowl Predictions from around the country. Some of them are shocking. Throw yours in if you have one.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sportsline: Pittsburgh vs. Carolina
Dave Richard, CBS Sportsline: Cincinnati vs. Dallas
William Foote, Ultimatecapper.com: Indianapolis vs. Seattle
Ty Gaston, Ulitmatecapper.com: Denver vs. Arizona
Adam Schein, FOXSports.com: Cincinnati vs. Carolina
Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Indianapolis vs. Dallas
Dr. Z, Sports Illustrated: Miami vs. Carolina
John Clayton, ESPN: Indianapolis vs. Seattle
Trey Wingo, ESPN: Miami vs. Carolina
Michael Irvin, ESPN: Denver vs. Dallas
Ron Jaworski, ESPN: Indianapolis vs. Seattle
Chris Mortensen, ESPN: Cincinnati vs. Dallas
Len Pasquarelli, ESPN: Indianapolis vs. Seattle
Michael Smith, ESPN: Indianapolis vs. Carolina
Merrill Hoge, ESPN: Cincinnati vs. Dallas
Tom Jackson, ESPN: Indianapolis vs. Carolina
Mark Schlereth, ESPN: New England vs. Carolina
Sean Salisbury, ESPN: Indianapolis vs. Carolina
Mike Golic, ESPN: Indianapolis vs. Carolina
ESPN SportsNation Poll: Indianapolis vs. Carolina
Doug Kretz, Scouts Inc: Denver vs. Seattle
Jake Jarmelli, American Sports Analysts: Kansas City vs. Dallas
Mike Beas, Herald Bulletin: Indianapolis vs. New York Giants
Micah Joel, Mad Sanity: Cincinnati vs. Arizona
Adam Stone, DeafDC.com: Denver vs. Carolina
Greg Melikov, Sportsbook.com: Indianapolis vs. Dallas
Chris Schultz, TSN Canada: Indianapolis vs. Seattle
Ron Borges, MSNBC.com: Cincinnati vs. Carolina
Jason Whitlock, ESPN Page 2: Baltimore vs. Washington
Gary Myers, Daily News: New England vs. Dallas
Hub Arkush, Pro Football Weekly: San Diego vs. Carolina
Dan Arkush, Pro Football Weekly: Indianapolis vs. Seattle
John Miller, Draftsharks.com: Kansas City vs. Atlanta
Lenny Pappano, Draftsharks.com: San Diego vs. Carolina

As for me? Seattle vs. Indianapolis. I think that right now on paper it makes the most sense.

Technorati tags: Bears / NFL / Super Bowl

HE BEAT IT!

2006-09-05T00:37:00.000-05:00

Not only is he comfortable with his girth, he's also a good friend. Cuz the guy next to him looks loaded and he's holding him up.

DON'T WANT TO GET ALL FANCY

2006-09-05T00:33:00.000-05:00

GIVE IT UP FOR ME!

2006-09-04T01:00:00.001-05:00

Can't have "Developers" without this one!

DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS!

2006-09-03T22:23:00.001-05:00

BEARS: GAMEBREAKERS NOT NEEDED

2006-09-01T09:33:00.000-05:00

The Trib's Don Pierson has a good column today about the Bears indifference to stud WRs. They did not draft a WR this year. They should have added one as well as drafted one of the many Tight Ends available in the draft this year, Des Clark's fine performance last night notwithstanding. I saw Leonard Pope make an excellent red zone TD catch against the Bears earlier in the preseason and it irritated me.

Pierson writes:

While nearly every other team in the NFL added receivers via free agency, trades or the draft, the Bears stood pat, hoping they would manufacture help for Muhsin Muhammad from within.

It hasn't happened, leaving the Bears alarmingly short at the biggest big-play position in football.

Mark Bradley was supposed to be fully recovered from a knee injury that cut short his promising rookie season.

He's nowhere near ready to play and limped off the field Thursday night with a hip bruise.

Currie was the hot name of the off-season, the track star whose rookie season was wiped out by injury. If the Bears could run a relay race in Green Bay, Currie might help. But he lost battles Thursday night to Cleveland reserve cornerback Daven Holly, a former Bears washout.

Bernard Berrian did not suit up because of a "bruised" knee. This did not seem to shock close observers of his career.

Justin Gage started opposite Muhammad and caught one pass for 11 yards before joining Muhammad on the sideline to give more playing time to Bradley, Currie and Rashied Davis, the converted defensive back from the Arena League who has been as reliable as any Bears receiver this preseason.

The Bears had needs at secondary, no doubt. And they chose to fill them via free agency and the draft. It's likely too much to ask a unit with basically a rookie QB, possibly a rookie RB and inexperienced WRs to be a playoff-caliber offense.

Let's face it--as good as any team's defense is, there are times your offense has to win it for you, specifically with big plays. The Bears may have plenty of big plays this season. But they could have ensured more of them by adding another Wide Receiver and a young Tight End.

More Here:
Chicago Bears NFL Sports

BEARS: 2 "PROVEN" QUARTERBACKS

2006-08-30T11:32:00.000-05:00

According to Cris Collinsworth and his column at NFL.com, "The Bears, like the Jaguars, are in the enviable position of having two proven starting quarterbacks."

Rex Grossman has started all of 8 games in 3 years, and 1 playoff game last year. He's thrown for all of 4 TDs in those games, countered by 6 picks. He was 17-41 against Carolina in the playoffs.

I like Rex Grossman. I think he can be a good NFL QB. But the only thing he's proven is that he can get hurt on a regular basis and he's an awesome practice player.

I give Grossman 3 games this year before Griese takes over. If he can't put up some numbers in the first 3 games--all against seemingly weak division foes--then Griese gets the call against Seattle on Sunday night, October 1, in a nationally televised game.

Griese has his limitations, but also a solid set of NFL skills. You know what you will get with him. More TDs than picks, a good completion percentage and that intangible veteran know-how. He's hardly going to throw into double and triple coverage like Grossman has this preseason.

Does Grossman have greatness in his future? Perhaps. But if it isn't shown soon, it can wait yet another year.

More Here:
Bears NFL Rex Grossman Brian Griese

DUSTY'S FUZZY MATH

2006-08-30T09:21:00.000-05:00

Phil Rogers heaps another shovel of coal on top of Dusty Baker today, clearly refuting Baker's claim that a healthy DLee would "make up 10, 12, 15 games by himself."

Rogers calls upon the services of Rob Neyer and Will Carroll to shoot down Baker's theory. Carroll said "That's impossible" and Rob Neyer called it "absurd".

Of course, knowing that Baker is a manager who cares not about OBP and thinks walks clog up the bases, it should hardly come as a surprise that he thinks one player is worth that much. Snobs vs. Slobs details precisely why Baker is conceptually challenged in an article called "Dusty Baker has seen the world from outer space, and it is definitely flat". I wish Baker would read it.

The Rogers article is worth reading as it gets into Win Shares and VORP, Value Over Replacement Player. And Rogers has his own take on it as well, mentioning how many at-bats Baker wasted on Neifi Perez and the like.

Meanwhile, Baker refuses to get it. He had Freddie Bynum play 2nd base last night and Theriot at SS. Cedeno pinch-hit. Why the lineup card is not stenciled with Cedeno, Murton and Theriot for the remainder of the season is anyone's guess.

And on top of all of this the Cubs can add closer to the list of needs for next year. Dempster has been brutal and took the loss last night. He blew his 7th save opportunity last night, after blowing it Saturday against STL. He's always walked too many batters and this year is no exception. A closer simply can't do that. At this rate maybe they can make him a starter again. I'd rather see Howry close games next year.

More Here:

Cubs Dusty Baker VORP Win Shares

DENIS LEARY ON RED SOX, MEL GIBSON

2006-08-29T20:04:00.000-05:00

Denis Leary joins the Red Sox broadcast booth and hilarity ensues.

Thank you, Glumbert.

NO WORD ON HARDAWAY OR MULLIN BUT...

2006-08-29T13:40:00.000-05:00

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Coach Mike Montgomery was dismissed by
the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, and Don Nelson was ready to
step in.

Golden State will re-hire Nelson, the second-winningest coach in
NBA history and the last coach to lead the downtrodden Warriors to
the playoffs, on Wednesday, a league source told The Associated
Press.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal
hadn't been completed, said the 66-year-old Nelson settled his
differences with Warriors owner Chris Cohan and agreed to return to
the club where he went 277-260 from 1988-95 and led Golden State to
its last playoff appearance in 1994.

NOW HERE'S A MOVIE...

2006-08-29T08:13:00.000-05:00

DUSTY TALKS ABOUT FUTURE

2006-08-28T09:53:00.000-05:00

A revealing column in the Trib today by Paul Sullivan on the future of Dusty Baker. Baker has softened some of his defiance in recent days, and even stunned me with his declaration that he "always wanted a team of young players".

It's natural for someone in a state of flux to be emotional. Baker has certainly been that and pensive about his stay here and beyond.

"You always want to be where you're wanted."

And has he felt that?

Baker paused before answering. "Sometimes," he said. "But I guess that's better than not at all."

Told Sunday the comment had left the impression the Cubs had not made him feel wanted, Baker stood by his cryptic answer.

"That's how you feel—'sometimes,'" he said. "That was the best answer I could come up with at the time. You put yourself in my position. What would your answer be?"

Hendry said last month he would decide on Baker at the end of the season. Has Hendry said anything since then to make Baker think the Cubs did not want him?"

No, it's not only Jim," Baker said. "It's the whole picture, the whole thing."

By the whole thing, does he mean the city of Chicago?"

Yeah, just [the whole thing], period," he said. "Sometimes. I'm not the overwhelming favorite. You hear about who's available, who's going to take the job. That leads to [the answer] 'sometimes.'"

Media have speculated about who would replace Baker if he leaves. Names from Joe Girardi to Bruce Bochy to Bob Brenly to Fredi Gonzalez have surfaced in the last month, though Girardi is under contract with Florida through 2008 and Bochy with San Diego through 2007.

Presumably, none of the speculation has come from conversations with Baker's boss.

"No, but my boss said he'll wait until the end," Baker said. "That's why I said 'sometimes.'"

My question is this: What strong points, traits or successes do you point to in favor of rehiring Baker?

More here:Dusty+Baker Cubs

REDS CATCH REDBIRDS

2006-08-25T08:26:00.000-05:00

And so the Cubs season actually starts today. They have a chance to put some hurt on the Cardinals and ruin their playoff chances. It's not as if they have anything else to play for.

With a Reds win and a Cards loss last night, they are tied for first in the NL Central.

Whose lineup would you rather have? I'll take the Reds.

But while the Reds began a 10-game road trip, the Cards are at home for series against the Cubs, Florida and Pittsburgh. The Reds continue on in San Fran and the go to LA and San Diego.

The Cards have Rolen, Edmonds and Albert, but not much else. And after Carpenter their rotation is Cub-like.

It's hard to see one of these teams getting hot enough to win 90 games. Making it ever more the shame that the Cubs never got it together this year.

Technorati tags: Cubs Cardinals Reds Pennant+Race

FANTASY FOOTBALL BUSTS

2006-08-24T11:39:00.000-05:00

I have to agree with Football Minds. They are calling for Aaron Brooks to be a big bust in Oakland.

Yes, they have many weapons. And yes that's what I said last year when I got all giddy about Kerry Collins. It didn't work.

The addition of Art Shell might help the O-Line but it's just not very good. Football Minds also points out that in a recent preseason game "announcers are quoting Moss about how he “would love to be catching passes from a guy like Walter, who is young and has a strong arm and can get you the ball.”

Hmm. it could be that last year was a blip for Brooks, who has otherwise been solid in his career. But I wouldn't bet on that and I sure won't spend a high draft pick on him.

Any busts or breakout predictions? Please share...

More Here:
Fantasy+Football Aaron+Brooks Raiders NFL

LOVIE DESERVES A RAISE?

2006-08-24T09:14:00.000-05:00

I found the "Football Dawg" via technorati. He writes that Fox has an article that suggests Lovie Smith deserves a pay raise.

The Dawg says:

Here is the thing. Smith may be be doing a great job in Chicago, but a) he signed the contract, b) he has the best talent in the league, c) he got seriously burned by Carolina which is attributed to nothing other than bad coaching. So why would I give him a raise? The NFC North was a cake walk last year. The Bears had to make the playoffs on the strength of their defense alone. As much as people complain about Kyle Orton and being a third string QB, what counts, is that he played well and did what was necessary. That is called players stepping up. The problem for me is that when it counted, the coach failed and got seriously out-Foxed. I will harp on this for a long time, but how hard is it to plan a defense for an offense that had one weapon? I don't care how good Steve Smith was, you don't let him beat you. And it is based on that, and that alone that Lovie should not be getting a pay raise.

Right on Dawg. That doesn't mean I don't like Lovie because I do. But this is the year he truly proves his mettle. He'll likely have to make 2 huge decisions at RB & QB that will affect the whole season. Let's see how Lovie does this year. Then we can talk about raises. Or possibly finding someone else.

FREAK OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE

2006-08-23T16:58:00.000-05:00

Man Accused Of Biting Boy's Genitals

hat tip: the drudge report

AND WE'RE BACK!!

2006-08-23T09:37:00.000-05:00

Apparently some of you have been trying to post comments and they have not been posting. Blogger is making some huge, overdue changes and there are evidently some quirks. It's odd because my last post was my 500th and that's when my former template quit cooperating.

So I decided to switch rather than fight and went to a new Blogger template. It has some nice new functions but not the look I want. I will be working on it and might even just get my own domain.

Anyway, we're up and running and there's a lot happening in Chicago sports. Consider this an open thread. Post any questions or comments or cool links.

Show some love while I think of a nice way to rip Cedric Benson. It's the premiere of Open Zoner Wednesday.

ZONER'S DESIRED BASEBALL POSTSEASON

2006-08-22T11:02:00.000-05:00

Let's start with the hated Cards. I would actually like 2 things to happen. I would like to see the Reds win the Central and the Redbirds get the Wild Card. Then I would like to enjoy the thrashing of the Redbirds by the Mets.

I'm glad Maddux is a Dodger and I hope they win the division. I think that the Reds vs. Dodgers would be an entertaining matchup, even if they aren't great clubs.

I would like to see the Dodgers win the NL. Is there any team besides the Mets that think they can win the NL? The Dodgers were in last place after losing 13 of 14 and were 7.5 out of 1st. They win 18 of their next 21 to take the lead by 4 games. Also, Grady Little has been ripped enough.

Furcal started slow but has been red-hot in July and August. Kenny Lofton is still playing well. Betemit has been incredible. And the Mets are still a hated foe of the Cubs. Go Dodgers!

In the AL I would love to see the Sox win the division. But if not the wild card will suffice. Boston looks beat down lately. It would be a trip to play against the A's and Frank Thomas. That would be wild.

The Sox don't look like the same club from last year. But they bop. I would not be surprised to see them win it all again.

What do you think will happen, or what do you want to see?

POLITICS ASIDE...

2006-08-21T22:46:00.000-05:00

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR

2006-08-21T18:42:00.000-05:00

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THE NEIFI ERA

2006-08-21T15:26:00.001-05:00

It gives me great joy that Neifi Perez is no longer a member of the Cubs.

Let's get this out of the way: he was versatile, a solid defender and his teammates liked him. Hooray.

Through no fault of his own he stood in the way of the development of several Cubs. He simply couldn't play himself out of the lineup no matter how bad he was. And he was very bad. He was just abysmal at the plate. He had all of 5 walks in 236 ABs this year. His average was .254; his OBP .266. He takes to the plate with him the antithesis of solid strategy. Hack and hack some more.

My favorite moment of the Neifi era was when he bunted in the 9th inning against the Nats earlier this season. That doesn't sound all that bad until I add that there were runners on base and 2 outs. He bunted into the final out of the game. With runners on base. I've never seen that before and doubt we will see it again.

It was written about here on The Zoner. I posted a great take on it from Federal Baseball, which they titled "Thank You, Neifi".

Here are the highlights:

The batter, Neifi Perez, bunted the very next pitch right back to Cordero, who successfully excuted the throw to first and closed out the victory. Yes, Perez bunted into the last out.

Now, Perez is a severely limited threat at the plate. I recall listening to a spring training game last March, Cubs vs. Royals, with XM picking up the Kansas City feed. The Royals' announcers were brutal whenever Neifi came to the plate. At one point, Perez popped to second, and longtime play-by-play man, the type of guy you imagine would be a slow but kindly golfer who lets you play through on a Saturday morning outing, sarcastically spitted, "Hey, we've never seen that before."

Perez is a plainly horrible offensive player.

Still, bunting into the final out of the game is . . . sheesh, a special kind of giving up. Sure, Otis Nixon did it---badly---in the sixth game of the '92 World Series (bunting into the final out), but at least Nixon was blazing fast and could have made it to first on a reasonably well-placed bunt. Perez doesn't even have much speed.

Imagine Mark Brunell trying to execute the two-minute drill throwing right-handed; imagine Chris Dudley trying to drop-kick free throws; imagine Robert E. Lee leading monkeys on roller skates into battle. That's about what Neifi Perez did yesterday, only the others would have had a bit more justification. What Neifi did, especially given the situation, rhymes with quicken-spit.

See you Neifi. I told you every year from my super-close seats at Wrigley that a walk is not an out, but you never listened.

More here:
Neifi+Perez Cubs OBP

TYSON NOT DONE YET

2006-08-21T09:26:00.000-05:00

Mike Tyson used to refuse to lose. Now he just refuses to leave. Pride Fighting Championships, what many in the Mixed Martial Arts community believe is the top MMA group in the world, has announced Tyson's signing.

Perhaps the biggest surprise at the press conference was the attendance and
announcement of former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.
Apparently Tyson has entered into some sort of agreement with the Japanese
promoter.

Neither he nor Pride would give any specific details as to
their partnership when Tyson was asked if he will be fighting for the promotion in the future. But just his presence alone at the press conference is sure to
ignite plenty of speculation.

It will be intersting to see which weight class he fights in and how much training he will do before he fights. MMA involes grappling, Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, Judo, Kick-Boxing and more. I don't know how many of those skills Mike can handle. If he fights as a heavyweight, he'll look back and think that Lennox Lewis was Peter Pan compared to what he will face.

Hat Tip to JKDilla.

More here:

Pride MMA UFC Mike+Tyson Fedor

WATCH WHERE YOU WALK

2006-08-19T09:27:00.000-05:00

The video quality is terrible and I wonder if it's staged. But by golly, I sure did laugh.

GROSSMAN BEST DO WELL TONIGHT

2006-08-18T10:37:00.000-05:00

Grossman needs to atone for his shoddy performance in the Bears 1st preseason. He'd better get it done tonight.

Actually, I don't believe that. But listen to some Bears fans and that's what you hear. I suppose it comes with the territory of being A) a Bear and B) an injury-prone QB with little experience, great potential and a fanbase that expects nothing less than 25 TD passes this year.

I don't quite care if Grossman has a passer rating of 23 throughout the preseason. And while that's an exaggerationI'm more concerned to see him get nailed a few times and get up for the next play, the next series. It would likely take another Grossman injury to prevent him from being the starter against Green Bay in the opener. So let's relax a bit and watch Manning, Manning Jr., Rashied Davis catching passes, P.J. Pope and all the other new Bears and new stories for the season.

Because we know that the coaches love Grossman, as do his teammates. We know he knows the playbook back and forth. It would be nice to see him excel in the preseason. But if he doesn't I still trust Lovie Smith and Co. on playing the best players. They've earned that trust because they have done that so far.

Will that change soon with the Thomas Jones/Cedric Benson situation and also with Grossman/Griese. Will Lovie stick to his word? Time will tell. But I won't freakout now. Maybe soon, but not now.

More here:

Chicago+Bears Rex+Grossman Lovie+Smith Thomas+Jones NFL Sports

SPORTS BLAH? NO WAY

2006-08-17T14:38:00.000-05:00

No banal prose to be found over at Sports Blah. Maybe too many jokes about genitalia, especially the male-type, but the 'dorks on sports' know how to tap that keyboard. The end result is taking something that is usually staid--in this case a review of a trip to Philly and Citizens Bell Park--and making it funny and colorful. The Blah is one of the reasons I love blogs. You won't find writing like that in any newspaper. Surely not from your local sports columnist, where banal prose not only flows it gushes.

And by gosh, half of the Blah loves the Bears. So go read that review.

CUBS ROOKIE THROWS A GEM

2006-08-17T08:54:00.000-05:00

During the 18 inning game with the Astros the other night, Dusty Baker used all 25 players on his bench, including the next day's starter, Rich Hill. Baker was scolded for by umpires for wanting to put Neifi Perez in the game a second time. That's a joke.

But the Cubs needed someone to come up and pitch in yesterday's game so they called up an unheralded AAA lefty named Ryan O'Malley.

The rest of the story from Chicago Sports right here. Great baseball story.

Technorati Tags: Cubs, Dusty Baker, Sports

BE THERE

2006-08-15T22:07:00.000-05:00

WHAT TO DO WITH MARK PRIOR

2006-08-15T10:13:00.000-05:00

Oddly, of late anyway, I find myself in agreement with Phil Rogers. Phil writes today about Cubs fans being nuts to want to get rid of Prior.

I don't even like looking at Prior much these days, let alone watching him pitch--when he is on the active roster, of course. But Rogers makes solid points.

The best point, in my opinion, is that you will get nothing in return for a HUGE investment. By my rough estimate the Cubs have paid Prior around $22 million. Certainly they have received some return from that. But to then let him go--a 1st round pick--for nothing is the stuff that really bad teams are made of. They sell low and buy high. The Cubs have been guilty of this before. They can't do it with Prior.

And as much as I think that Prior is soft and/or injury prone, let's face it--in 2003 he was as fierce as anyone pitching in the game. Whether or not he can harness that ferocity again is yet to be seen. It's hard to say yes at this point. But at the least you have to get him serviceable on the mound and then trade him. You just have to get something for him.

My main concern is that he will be healthy but then when the slightest thing happens to him he will recoil and return to the softness he has demonstrated.

Rogers writes: "You think two runs in Greg Maddux's first 20 innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers is bad? That's a smudge on the glass of a window at the Sears Tower compared with the nightmare of watching Prior go somewhere else and succeed.

Getting Prior healthy and back on top of his game has been the first priority for the Cubs since he got drilled in his right elbow by a Brad Hawpe liner in 2005. It remains their most important mission. If they are going to compete again, there's a better chance of doing it behind Prior and Carlos Zambrano than anyone they could go outside the organization to get."

And that's the biggie. It would be so Cubs to get rid of him for nothing and then he goes out and dominates the league. As much as I'd like to part company with Prior, Cubs fans need to give him one more year. I'm not saying full reliance on him to come out and help the Cubs win the title, but at least more time to at least get something in return. And if he happens to come out and be the 2003 version, then great.

TIGERS GROWLING, UNRAVELING

2006-08-14T09:55:00.000-05:00

It's about time the Tigers have hit a speed bump. The Sox went and swept them and charged back to within 5 1/2 games. Meanwhile, it's just about that time of the year when teams freak a bit and start playing tight. The Tigers fit that bill.

Let's start with their skipper, who is shocked that a guy with almost 500 career HRs guessed right or reacted right to a pitch and crushed it. From chicagosports.com:

Right in the middle of the controversy is Jim Thome, who smashed a Verlander pitch for a two-run homer during a four-run fifth. The pitch was a changeup after Thome had taken four straight fastballs.

"Almost impossible," manager Jim Leyland told Detroit media. "It's pretty suspicious when a guy looks at [four] straight fastballs and then doesn't flinch on a changeup and stays back and hits it out of the ballpark. I love Jim Thome, and he's a hell of a hitter, but that's one of the damnedest things I've ever seen."

Said Thome: "I don't know what pitch is coming. I don't get the pitches. I just hit."

Paul Konerko, who bats behind Thome, said: "No one told me [what was coming]. Jim has almost 500 home runs. No offense to anyone in [Detroit's] dugout, but Jim hits homers off a lot of good pitchers."

Well maybe if he looked at 4 straight fastballs he was waiting for a changeup.

Meanwhile, Detroit has a reason to be tight. They just got swept by the Sox and head to Boston. The Sox are at home against KC. The Tigers also committed 3 errors on Saturday and allowed 4 unearned runs. The Sox finally got a good start from Buehrle, a shutout from Contreras and allowed only 1 walk in the 3 games against Detroit.

After Boston, the Tigers have 4 against Texas and then 4 against the White Sox in Detroit. After KC, the Sox head to Minny for 3.

PRIOR GETTING LABELED

2006-08-11T09:58:00.000-05:00

Golf is nothing without the jokes, barbs and needles. One of the classics is when someone duffs it off the tee (golf equivalent for bunt when not meaning to), someone inevitably will say, "Does your husband play?" That someone is usually me. I usually lead my group in barbs. It sure isn't birdies. Today, Mark Prior is getting asked if his husband plays, so to speak.

In today's Sun Times, Greg Couch completely encompasses my feelings on the whole Prior issue. The headline reads "Have You Met the Mrs.? Prior Playing Cower Ball". The line is a referral to a scout's labeling of Mark as "Mrs. Prior". Apparently around baseball, and more importantly the Cubs, have had enough of Prior's act.

Couch writes, "Some are speculating that the newest excuse is excessive sweating, making it tough for Prior to grip the ball and impossible to throw the curve. Let's think of something better."

A telling moment came about a month back when Prior was getting shelled by the Nats in DC. He stood on the mound with Baker and looked at his hand as if one of those monsters from "Alien" was going to pop out. Apparently he had hand cramps. He looked as if he was stroking out. That's how he rolls these days. And it's one of the saddest things I've seen in sports.

More here:

Mark+Prior, Cubs, Dusty+Baker, Golf+Jokes, Hyper+Hydrosis

MAUER PAYS OFF IN MANY WAYS

2006-08-09T18:19:00.000-05:00

Most of you know a few things about Joe Mauer. He was selected #1 overall in front of Mark Prior. He leads the majors in hitting at .367. But what you might have forgot or might not have even known, is what else Mauer brought to the Twins.

A great article in this week's SI tells how Mauer was deemed major league-ready by the Twins in '03. That allowed them to trade A.J. Pierzynski to the Giants. They received pitcher Boof Bonser who has been doing a little yo-yo between the big club and the minors. Still a decent prospect. But they also received stud closer Joe Nathan and ROY candidate Francisco Liriano.

So not only is Mauer the best hitter in baseball, his arrival allowed the Twins to obtain those 3 players, 2 of which are all-stars.

Mark Prior won his 1st game of 2006 last week.

Technorati Tags: Joe Mauer, Mark Prior, Twins, Cubs, MLB

LANDIS STILL LAMELY DEFENDING HIMSELF

2006-08-09T09:27:00.000-05:00

Was it something he ate? "Now there's also the possibility, and it's an argument that has been used by other people," Landis told host Jay Leno on Tuesday. "At this point, I don't know if it's somehow or some way I ingested something that caused the tests to be that way."

Landis also repeated some of the possibilities suggested in the days since the test was made public. He and his defense team have floated anything from cortisone shots taken for pain in his degenerating hip; drinking beer and whiskey the night before; thyroid medication; his natural metabolism; and dehydration.

At one point, Landis also insisted that his body naturally caused the positive tests. On Tuesday, he also called into question the integrity of the testing monitors.

Click the link for more.

read more | digg story

WHEN LIVE TV GOES BAD (REAL BAD)

2006-08-07T21:14:00.000-05:00

You must remember the internet classic "Boom Goes the Dynamite", simply the rage last year, where the college student basically implodes during a sportscast and became a national hero/icon/loser/laughingstock (your choice). Of the same ilk comes this gem, passed on by valued reader and freakish Tiger fan PB. He also let me drive his Vette today and I gotta tell you, I'm looking forward to a midlife crisis should funds permit. So enjoy "Lorchcast". It's more bad execution than simply talent implosion, but there are some classic moments throughout.

Remember, ya gotta guard Merv.

ON LANDIS

2006-08-07T16:20:00.000-05:00

Landis keeps claiming his innocence, but it doesn't make sense to me. I want to see what everybody says about him when he's proven guilty, which he really already is. His arguments are akin to Palmeiro saying he got it in his blood from taking a B12 shot with another's needle. If it is some sort of conspiracy, why wouldn't he be outraged from the start instead of making up excuses?

Will he be ripped on like Bonds is should his guilt become undeniable? Right now everyone seems to be treating him with kid gloves. Is there a racial component here that's working in his favor?

ULTIMATE HOCKEY HIT

2006-08-03T16:10:00.000-05:00

ULTIMATE HOCKEY HIT

Buffalo's Brian Campbell nails Philly's Umberger. What a great call to boot.

INSIDE MATT MILLEN'S BRAIN

2006-08-03T13:06:00.000-05:00

I commented on the site that it's nice to know there are some other cities that have goofballs running teams too. Millen qualifies, and I wonder how he is still employed. Check out this hilarious off-season to-do lost for Millen.

The Wayne Fontes Experience: Inside Millen's brain: My preseason to-do list

THE TOP 25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES

2006-08-03T12:46:00.000-05:00

Ron Zook, baby. Right? Wrong. Click on 'read more' for a great article and analysis on the top college football coaches that you would hire if you were an AD.

I wonder if Pat Fitzgerald will make this list next year.

read more | digg story

FANTASY FOOTBALL ADVICE

2006-08-03T10:23:00.000-05:00

I've slowly been ingesting my Sports Illustrated Fantasy Football issue. I'm seeking advice. I'm also giving it so if you have any questions post a comment.

I play in a keeper league. I can keep 4 players, although I don't have to. I am definitely keeping Randy Moss, Cadillac Williams and Clinton Portis. I am contemplating the benefits of keeping Reggie Wayne vs. Antonio Gates. We do not have to play a TE, so that plays into it.

Gates has a rookie QB in Phil Rivers. That makes me nervous. But maybe Gates is the guy that just falls out of bed and gets 10 TDs and 1000 yds.

In Indy, I think Manning is going to go off again with the loss of E. James. Whatever Joseph Addai turns out to be, it doesn't look like goal-line stud will among the descriptions.

From NFL.com draft profiles: "Despite measured size, Addai looks like a third-down back on film and plays smaller than his size. While he can keep feet against hits, he lacks the power and strength to break tackles. An upright runner that takes a lot of hits because of it, and struggles to run with power on inside rushes. Not a shake-and-bake runner that can make tacklers miss. Despite being a good athlete, he lacks the explosive burst and top-end speed you expect from a guy who runs a 4.4 in the 40. "

Which brings me back to Wayne. I'm thinking his yards and TDs will go up to somewhere around his 2004 totals. Which is why I'm leaning toward keeping him.

Chime in on this as well as any other FF stuff.

REQUIEM FOR A ROOKIE CARD

2006-08-02T12:22:00.000-05:00

Awesome article from Slate on a woebegone baseball card collector--and what kids these days are missing out on. Just click on 'read more'.

read more digg story

IZTURIS & DUSTY: IT'S JUST SO CUBS

2006-08-02T10:50:00.000-05:00

Cesar Izturis made his Cubs debut and it was, well, so Cubs. He turned a triple into a double as he stood and watched a long fly he hit instead of running, wrongly thinking it was going to be foul. But he was 2-4 for the night.

Dusty Baker stuck to his script and total lack of understanding as to how to make a lineup by saying that in Izturis he now had "a double leadoff hitter". Izturis boasts a career OBP of .295 and a career BA of .261.

Baker also started Neifi Perez at 2nd Base. The reason for that is apparently Ronny Cedeno did not have a 2nd Baseman's glove. Not sure why he couldn't borrow Neifi's or Izturis' glove for that. Or why when the deal went through they didn't get him one so they can start working together in the middle infield. That, is also so Cubs.

Izturis is only 26. It's certainly possible that he could blossom into a good hitter. But not likely. People can't stop talking about all those hits he had last season before his injury. But consider his career numbers in total. In over 2000 minor league at-bats, he hit .261/.295/.338 for an OPS of .633. So you have a sample of almost 4500 professional at-bats with the numbers you see above. Don't hold your breath.

And while he may be quick he's a poor basestealer at only 70% for his career. So it's likely that he will be a guy who does not get on base a lot and when he does gets thrown out stealing. So Cubs. And Dusty wants to bat him 2nd, or 1st if Juan Pierre goes bye-bye.

RUSH FIGURES OUT WHAT SIDE HE'S ON

2006-08-01T09:33:00.000-05:00

From Billmon.org who says, "I've always wondered when Limbaugh would finally figure out which side he belongs on."

Rush Takes the Islamofascist Line

"Until civilians -- frankly, I'm not sure how many of them are actually just innocent little civilians running around versus active Hezbo types, particularly the men -- but until those civilians start paying a price for propping up these kinds of regimes, it's not going to end, folks. What do you mean, civilians start paying a price? I just ask you to consult history for the answer to that.”
Rush Limbaugh
On the Qana Massacre
July 31, 2006

"We declared jihad against the US government, because the US government is unjust, criminal and tyrannical. It has committed acts that are extremely unjust, hideous and criminal . . . As for what you asked regarding the American people, they are not exonerated from responsibility, because they chose this government and voted for it despite their knowledge of its crimes in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and in other places."
Osama bin Laden
On His Fatwa Against America
March 1997

PRIOR SOUNDS LIKE BAKER

2006-08-01T08:55:00.000-05:00

Stop me if you've read something like this before.

"I threw the ball good enough and did exactly what I wanted to do," Prior said. "He (Orlando Hudson on his grand slam) popped it up and, unfortunately, the wind was blowing out. In 15 other National League ballparks, it doesn't go out. I want to give us a chance to win ballgames. Unfortunately, I didn't pitch well."

This is something that Dusty Baker would say. That "Well, they got lucky and we didn't" garbage. Just curious, with the score 15-4, why didn't the Cubs hit more "pop-ups"? Prior did not throw the ball good enough. He did not do exactly what he wanted to do. He can't even make sense in one paragraph, contradicting himself at the end.

Just own it. Talk about next year. Don't give excuses. And hate to harp on it, but this is one of those things where a different manager would make a difference. Baker has set the stage for this type of thinking. There are numerous examples of how he tries to explain away things or how they "must have a lot of breaks coming our way". It's obviously seeped its way into the players.

MADDUX TO L.A.

2006-07-31T15:21:00.000-05:00

The Cubs have reached a tentative deal to send Greg Maddux to the Dodgers, FOXSports.com has learned. Apparently it's for Cesar Izturis. Izturis made his 2006 debut in June after coming back from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The former Gold Glove shortstop has seen time at third base and second base while batting .252 with one home run and 12 RBIs in 32 games.

This is so Cubs because Izturis has career averages of .260/.295/.339. He will be the new Neifi Perez.

read more digg story

CUBS DEAL WALKER

2006-07-31T14:58:00.000-05:00

The Cubs have traded Todd Walker to the Padres for rookie league pitcher Jose Ceda. Ceda, 19, is 2-0 with a 5.31 ERA for the Pads in the Arizona summer league. He has K'd 31 in 23 IP and is billed as a power-pitcher. According to scout.com he hits 99 on the gun.

The Cubs also gave the Padres cash. Which is always nice.

WAKE UP WALMART COMING TO YOUR TOWN

2006-07-31T14:32:00.000-05:00

19 States
35 Cities
35 Days
1 Mission
Change Wal-Mart and Change America

That’s right. Starting tomorrow, for 35 straight days, WakeUpWalMart.com is taking its national movement, and our headquarters, on the road in a non-stop, cross-country bus tour hitting 19 states and 35 cities in 35 days.

The tour is an exciting and unprecedented move in our campaign to change Wal-Mart and build a grassroots movement to stop big, powerful corporations from taking America in the wrong direction.

So, for the next 840 hours, 6 over-caffeinated Americans and one really big 45-foot long bus (nicknamed Smiley) are going from New York City to Seattle to fight for good jobs, more affordable health care, and a better life for all hard-working families.

Click here to get on board the bus and join our fight for a better America:
http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/tour/rsvp/

The fight to change Wal-Mart is already being referred to as one of the “hottest, highest stakes political contests in America.” And, our national bus tour will be no exception. At several stops, we will be joined by some of our nation's best and most passionate political leaders like John Edwards, former Vice Presidential candidate and U.S. Senator.

With over 248,000 Americans, WakeUpWalMart.com is standing up to rich, powerful corporations like Wal-Mart and spreading the word that it is time for Wal-Mart to do what is right instead of shipping U.S. jobs overseas and not providing affordable health care. In town halls, public squares, and at state fairs, we will be hitting the streets to take our fight for a better America directly to the American people.

Will you join the most exciting grassroots movement and help us fight for a better America?
Click here to RSVP to the 2006 Change Wal-Mart, Change America tour stop in your town:
http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/tour/rsvp/

Over the next 35 days, we will be sending you emails from the road and updating our website every day with photos, videos, funny tidbits and upcoming event details. If you don’t want to miss any part of the tour, be sure to check back often.

Most importantly, sign more people up to the campaign. We have set a goal of signing up at least 25,000 new supporters over the next 35 days. Please do everything you can to recruit at least 5 more friends.

If nothing else proves the power ordinary people have to do extraordinary things, just look last week at what happened in the city of Chicago. Despite Wal-Mart’s enormous efforts to defeat a living wage bill, the Chicago City council set a new bar for what it means to be a responsible corporate citizen and passed a living wage for working families.

A living wage in Chicago is a testament to the power you have to change a $300 billion company, to change corporate America, and to change the world we live in. But, change begins by joining together. I hope you will join with us and our 248,000 supporters as we go across the country to fight for a better America.

Thank you for all that you do,

Paul Blank
WakeUpWalMart.com
P.S. Click here to read an article about the 2006 Change Wal-Mart, Change America national bus tour.

YANKS GET ABREU

2006-07-31T09:32:00.000-05:00

Killer move by the Yanks to get Abreu and Lidle. Lidle may be a league-average pitcher (or slightly above), but he's healthy and gives you innings. The Yankees need that right now.

Abreu is an on-base machine that can run and hit. Some bemoaned his lack of power since his HR Derby win, but anyone who has pop and a .427 OBP is worth having. Maybe not at the salary he makes, but since when do the Yanks care about that?

What did the Phils get? Mostly out of Abreu's big contract. They also got CJ Henry, a speedy SS in A-ball and 3 other prospects. A Citizen's Blog agrees with my assessment that it was mostly about getting out from Abreu's deal. He has a good summary and analysis of the deal there.

So does this put the Yanks as the team to beat in the East? Consider what their lineup could look like in the near future:

CF Damon
SS Jeter
1B Giambi
3B A Rod
DH Sheffield
RF Abreu
LF Matsui
C Posada
2B Cairo

That's insane. Now who wants to bet they go out and get another pitcher today?

RANGERS WITH FIRST DUMB DEADLINE DEAL

2006-07-28T13:56:00.000-05:00

Here is your starting rotation:

Your #1 guy Millwood has some nagging injuries and isn't pitching that well anyway.

At #2 is the solid yet unspectacular Vicente Padilla.

At #3 is John Koronka, whose ERA has ballooned to over 5 since getting some early wins.

At #4 is Adam Eaton, who has been on the DL all season. He's walked 4 in 3.2 IP and has an ERA of 7.36.

And at # 5, you currently have rookie John Rheinecker, or possibly retread John Wasdin or the struggling Kameron Loe.

So by all means, go out and get another power bat. Huh? The Rangers have traded for Carlos Lee, sending Kevin Mench, Laynce Nix and Francisco Cordero to the Brew Crew. Kudos to Bob Melvin. He got 3 pieces for 1 that is overrated and won't be around next season.

Cordero had a terrible April and lost his closer job. But since then he has been great. Mench is a solid every day player that might still reach a higher level. Nix looks to be a utility-type OF after some hype as a Ranger prospect. He has some skills and some uses. He bats left, can run some and has some power.

Didn't the Rangers watch the Tribe of the 90's? Gotta have some big gun starting pitching in the postseason or you're going home without hardware. Of course they still have to get there first. And hey, good luck with that.

FILING FOR DIVORCE--FROM ESPN

2006-07-27T14:34:00.000-05:00

This guy nails it. He's Ed from the Sports Frog. Surprised I didn't see Scoop Jackson mentioned.

Dear ESPN, I am filing for divorce

I have carefully thought this through and I believe a divorce is our only resolution. I have been loyal and faithful to you and you have s--t on me, cheated, lied, took 5 months to send me a check and you won’t let me see some of my friends anymore.

You took away David Aldridge and foisted Screaming A on me. From a thoughtful, insightful, coherent reporter to a screaming clown who is nothing less than a thug wannabe.

You finally began having blogs for some of your writers, three years after blogs became relevant, and you put them all on Insider. Boston Pete goes inside. So does Neyer. You give Joe Morgan a column and you refuse to put that Inside, thusly infecting millions of minds with his egotistical drivel and complete disregard for facts. He still thinks Billy Beane wrote Moneyball.

SportsCenter went from a highlight show to an hour of self-promotion of the preening anchors. Trey Wingo now hawks the ESPN Mobile phone that the WSJ says less than 10,000 have sold. (I can get what I need free from Google via text, thanks anyways.) Suzi is selling Chevys and Mayne is in an empty stadium denouncing the Gecko.

I remember Sunday nights with Patrick and Olberman being a smart, funny, hip program. There is nothing left on your networks that fits that description. Allowing Bonds on Bonds to air on your network (Barry owned a piece of the production company) eroded the last bit of credibility you had.

How you have managed to not f--- up PTI is the only thing that amazes me at this point.
Simmons has lost major velocity on his fastball due to his Hollywood sell out. Skip Bayless shouldn’t be allowed to write a grocery list. Page 2 is a collaboration of some very unfunny, barely talented people.

Cold Pizza was a failure of previously unknown proportions, making Chevy Chase feel better about his show. You recently had Larry the Cable Guy on Cold Pizza because he voiced a car in the Disney movie Cars. Was Hillary Duff too busy for the show ?

And what's the latest ESPN original programming? Darts !!! F-----g Darts I guess with Domino season being over you had to find something to put on the air.

Your NFL soap opera show, whatever it was named, was pulled because you didn’t have the balls to look Tagliabue in the eye and stand your ground. If you thought the show was good then run it. If you were worried it was offensive then why bother to air it to begin with ?

I even used to like Chris Berman. I may have been the last one out there that did. There is no way he should be calling games, it is utter torture.

Some of the ones that got away from your evil grasp seem to be flourishing elsewhere. Jimmy Roberts, Robin Roberts, Gayle Gardner, Charlie Stenier.

The continual prostitution of air time.The silver bullet 6 pack of questions. The Budwiser hot seat. The Miller Lite moment of dead air. What next, today's beaning brought to you by Advil ? Webgems by Spiderman 3 ?

I loved you for a long time. I was devoted and caring. And now even your MLB gametracker is Inside. Well I don’t want to go Inside, frankly it scares me.

I just want to get away from you and not see your anchors pimping out the next s----y Disney sports movie. Synergy my a--. “Daddy, I wanna race” “Daddy, I wanna race” “Daddy, I wanna race” “Daddy, I wanna race” “Daddy, I wanna race” “Daddy, I wanna race”.

My advice, hire Peter King because he will fit right in. And add about thirty more ombudsmen while you are at it. As far as I am concerned we are finished.

Posted by edwzipper @ 02:11 AMThe Sports Frog - THE Sports Blog

EVEN THE KIDS KNOW

2006-07-27T14:07:00.000-05:00

Even the kids know.

BASEBALL'S STAGGERING STATS

2006-07-26T18:57:00.000-05:00

Let's start with White Sox and their foes. After their sweep of the sinking Sox, the Twins have now won 34 of their last 42 and have tied the Sox for 2nd in the AL Central.

It's hard to criticize a team that's still 18 games over .500, but the White Sox have lost 12 of 15.

On May 30th, Mark Buehrle was 6-2 with an ERA of 2.62. After getting shelled again today, he is now 9-9 with a 4.81 ERA. So his ERA has almost doubled since the end of May. He has lost 5 straight and has given up 34 earned runs in his last 26 2/3 innings pitched. That's simply staggering (like the post title says). In July, hitters are nailing him at a .394 clip. For the season it's up to .291.

I heard a sports talker say the other day that he's not worried about Buehrle because his body of work is too large and he's sure he will bounce back. Well the numbers I just pointed out are a large enough sample that even I figured out that this is approaching Micah Bowie territory. It's not unlikely that I could step up and lace one through the right side off Buerhle right now and I bat lefty. Is it safe to say that unless Buehrle finds himself the Sox are doomed to be one of those clubs that win it all and miss the playoffs the next year? I think it is, and they don't call me the best color man in the league for nothing.

On to the Cubs. Look, we are going to end this Dusty Baker thing right now. Every team has injuries. Even teams like the Royals and Pirates. They are the only teams in MLB with records more lousy than the Cubs. But the thing of it is, you could combine the team payrolls of both of those teams and it still would not equal that of the Cubs. As Alec Baldwin said in GlenGarry Glen Ross, "Your excuses are your own."

Really--this is the equivalent of GGGR. Baker says he can't sell with these stale leads, but Baldwin would say "Hit the bricks, pal". If you think that suddenly Baker is going to sell, you're nuts. He has to go.

WHY BOXING IS ON THE WAY OUT

2006-07-26T16:52:00.000-05:00

Thom Loverro on why the sport of boxing is finding its popularity shrinking to the UFC. Click on 'read more' for the story.

read more digg story

FANTASY FOOTBALL (GEEK) STORIES

2006-07-25T22:49:00.000-05:00

Here is an e-mail that I just sent my lovely wife. This is pretty bad considering our 5th anniversary is approaching. Perhaps she'll think the subject line "Save the Date" has something to do with our plans for that weekend. But I didn't think of that until after I hit send. I was preoccupied with Cadillac Williams.

From: "Matt" <matt------------>
To: "Melissa" <melissa--------->
Subject: save the date!
Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 9:03 PM

...for my fantasy football draft. Wednesday, September 6th. Please ask for that night off from work.

I Love You!!!

A few years ago, I had my draft scheduled on the same day as an annual family reunion. As the date approached, I developed a fever, a cough and a bad cold. The deal was for me to go to the draft and then on to the reunion where I would meet my family.

Neither happened. I stayed home and did the draft from home via phone. As my wife was getting ready to go to the reunion she asked if I was going to come later. "I really doubt it.", I said.

She was slightly perturbed. "Well why not?"

"I'm sick. If I'm not going to my fantasy football draft you know I'm sick!"

She saw the logic and truth in that. My team sucked that year.

Do you have any fantasy football or sports stories about you and your loved ones? Bring them on. And make me laugh.

Technorati Tags: fantasy football, Cadillac Williams

ESPN FIRES HAROLD REYNOLDS

2006-07-25T16:32:00.000-05:00

This is odd because I heard him saying how ARod should be traded from the Yanks the other night and I thought it was asinine. He was saying how he thought ARod could not come back from this latest slump. John Kruk let him and Steve Phillips (another I can do without) have it real good.

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KEN WILLIAMS KEEPS ON WORKING

2006-07-25T08:29:00.000-05:00

You gotta love Ken Williams. As Kool Moe D once sang, or rather rapped, "I go to work." Williams does just that.

Getting Mike MacDougal from Kansas City was a stroke of genius. How is it that in a league filled with teams that need closers and/or bullpen help that Williams goes out and gets MacDougal for 2 marginal--being kind here--prospects?

Not only does it shore up the bullpen, but it also serves as a shot of adrenaline to closer Bobby Jenks. That part of getting MacDougal is secondary, but nevertheless it will serve as a spur to Jenks to keep working lest he lose his gig. Williams makes these types of moves regularly.

Supposedly the Sox are now leading the Soriano Sweepstakes. I'd rather see them go for a starting pitcher, but another rumor has the Sox getting Soriano simply to deal him in a package for somethung else.

Who knows. As for now, Williams added a pitcher that throws hard, has experience closing and has several years left before free agency. Not only has he helped solidify the pen this year, he's building 2007's team. Genius.

WELLS DESERVES MORE PROPS

2006-07-24T11:42:00.000-05:00

It's really time we start talking more about Vernon Wells as the AL MVP.

• Ranks 6th in AL in BA (.322)
• Ranks 5th in AL in HR (26)
• Ranks 6th in AL in RBI (78)
• Ranks 3rd in AL in SLG (.624)
• Ranks 5th in AL in OPS (1.009)

He's also likely to win his 3rd consecutive Gold Glove in Center Field. He's stolen 11 bases. The series he has against the Yanks was tremendous. The July 20 game was one for the ages. Wells had 4 hits including the game-winning HR off Mariano Rivera in the 11th inning. Yesterday he had 2 HRs and a double. Toronto won 3 of 4 from the Yanks.

The Jays are only 4.5 back in the East now. Wells deserves more props.

WHITE SOX IN SORIANO MIX

2006-07-24T08:39:00.000-05:00

It was revealed the Sox are among 4 teams that are said to be the finalists for the Alfonso Soriano Trade Bonanza.

I think Sox GM Ken Williams might have showed his downcard a bit when he said, "It doesn't surprise me. I knew it would come out. Whoever gets him, it will be a high price to pay."

And my take on that is he simply wants to drive up the price. I don't think Williams would use major resources--be they prospects, cash, major leaguers--without getting quality pitching in return.

Soriano is an exciting player. He hits long homers and steals plenty of bases. He's a lock for the 30-30 club this season and maybe even 40-40. But he is a free agent likely to command at least 10 if not 12 or more million per season. He would also instantly make the Sox sacrifice plenty of solid defense to get his bat in the lineup. Anderson would go to the bench. He's been absolutely awesome in CF and he has been hitting well of late. But then you get Soriano in Left and Pods has to go to CF. I don't like Pods in CF simply because I believe it increases his chance for injury and he just isn't as good as Anderson.

I think the comment Williams made was a little too thinly veiled. The writer of the column seems to think so too. If there is a National Willaims should be asking about, maybe it's Tony Armas Jr. Like Soriano he is a free agent after the season. He probably wouldn't cost too much and when healthy he is a solid starter or you could use him out of the pen.

WILLIS TO THE BIRDS?

2006-07-21T10:40:00.000-05:00

Quick message to people that are freaking out about the White Sox. They need to relax. It's all good. Really.

Viva El Birdos has the Birds possibly dealing 4 prospects including Anthony Reyes for Dontrelle Willis. Maybe they haven't learned since trading Haren for Mulder. Willis is getting hit pretty hard this year and has been inconsistent. Reyes looks like he will be a stud. Is Willis the piece that propels the Birds to the World Series? I don't know but I doubt it.

SUE YOUR MOM

2006-07-20T12:44:00.000-05:00

According to the poll on the website, 86% of the respondents would not sue a family member. Do not count Carriel Louah as one of them. She is suing her mother. Read on, from local6.com.

MADISON, Wis. -- An Illinois woman is suing her Wisconsin parents for maintaining an icy driveway that she blamed for a fall that broke her ankle two winters ago.

This week, a federal judge refused to toss out the lawsuit, setting up a trial for November.

Carriel Louah, 25, visited Darlington, Wis., to surprise her mother on her birthday in January 2005. But the next morning, she was injured when she slipped and fell on her parents' driveway. She filed suit against her parents earlier this year.

The daughter said that a letter from her mom apologizing months after the fall proves that her parents knew they had a defective gutter for years and did nothing about it.

She's seeking more than $75,000 in damages for medical bills and lost wages.
Her parents said that she can't prove the driveway was icy at the time or that their drainage system was faulty.

U.S. District Judge John Shabaz said that a jury should decide the matter.

SPEIER ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING

2006-07-19T11:54:00.000-05:00

We all make mistakes. Drunk driving is not a mistake. It's especially stupid on a motorcycle.

Cubs third base coach arrested for DUI
CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago Cubs third base coach Chris Speier was
arrested for drunken driving early Wednesday after he ran a stop
sign on a city street, police said.
Speier, 56, was pulled over on his motorcycle around 1:40 a.m.
on North Dearborn Street and charged with driving under the
influence and failure to stop at a stop sign, officer Laura Kubiak
said.

Speier was released early Wednesday and has a traffic court date
of Aug. 10, Kubiak said.

Speier played 19 major league seasons, including two years with
the Cubs, and was a three-time All-Star. He is in his second year
as the team's third base coach. He was the Arizona Diamondbacks'
third base coach when they won the World Series in 2001.
The Cubs beat the Houston Astros 4-2 on Tuesday night.

FIXING THE CUBS?

2006-07-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Trib's Phil Rogers got a decent beatdown on local sports radio yesterday. And deservedly so. His recent article on the Cubs was jaw-dropping.

Rogers claims that the Cubs should re-sign Baker for 2 more years. I'll assume after reading that you'll be off to the link to read the rest of the story.

Welcome back. The odd thing is that a few weeks back Rogers wrote an article about Sox AAA manager Razor Shines and how he would be a great pick for the Cubs to replace Dusty. Now he's not sure. Rogers writes of Baker, "Baker offers you one thing you're not going to get anywhere else—stability." Hmm. That's like saying having an abusive spouse is better than no spouse at all. What exactly is stability? Stability of the nature Baker offers leaves me longing to be greatly unstable.

Rogers runs down a list of potential candidates and says he can't find a better alternative than Baker. Just wondering, but how does he know? The truth is no one does. The truth also is that almost anyone could come in and immediately improve discipline and fundamentals. That is the stability I'm looking for.

Other nuggets from Rogers include:

Trading Michael Barrett and going with Henry Blanco as your full time catcher. "Barrett can hit, but not well enough to offset his subpar skills behind the plate." And Blanco vice-versa. On a team that is last in almost every meaningful offesnive category, trading a catcher that can hit--quite a commodity--is asinine. Barrett is hitting .332/.397/.531. That's great for any player in the league and just amazing from a catcher. Trading Barrett is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
Get Prior healthy and re-sign Wood to an incentive laden contract. Oh. My. Goodness. Has he been watching the last few years? He writes of Baker and stability and then recommends re-upping with Wood and counting on Prior?
Felix Pie is going to be a force but might not be ready until next July. Actually, Pie doesn't even look like he'll ever be ready for the bigs. He's currently hitting .261/.321/.394 wirth 87 Ks in 368 ABs. He's walked only 29 times and has stolen 10 bases while being caught 9 times.

I can't see the logic in many of the things he advocates. Maybe it's because there is none.

BLACK DAYS FOR CUBS

2006-07-17T08:54:00.000-05:00

The Trib's Paul Sullivan continues to examine the Cubs, but I was perplexed when he wrote that the Mets are 'the team Cubs fans most love to hate'. The Cubs and Mets haven't been in the same division in many years. 1969 was more Cubs collapse, although the Mets were incredible. Cubs fans don't like the Mets. At all. That's simple. But the team they most love to hate? Not even close. Cardinals in a landslide, down the slope of the rear portion of LaRussa's mullet. Then the White Sox. After that is the Mets? Maybe so.

But there are bigger fish to fry these days, even if deciding which team is hated most by Cubs fans is a nice, needed distraction. The Cubs gave up 11 runs in one inning yesterday, capped by 2 grand slams in the same frame. Embattled veteran Todd Walker made 2 flubs that accounted for the opportunities to hit the bombs.

The Cubs continue with their delusions. "Pretty good pitches," catcher Michael Barrett said of the two grand slams. "I hate to give the other team credit. They had some lucky hits and bloop hits." OK. Or this from Sean Marshall, who might have still been in shock: "We played an excellent baseball game as a team. It was just that one half-inning that hurt us." Of course. Isn't that always the way?

Baker couldn't even hit a hanging curve out of the park. When a scribe noted that the Cubs had drawn 18 walks in their previous three games, seemingly a sign of increased patience and plate discipline, Baker whiffed at the chance to hand himself some easy credit. "A lot of it is the pitchers we're facing," Baker said. "We got a game plan every day," Baker said. "Whether it works or not is a question, but we have a game plan."

Although I have not agreed with Jim Hendry's every move, I am a backer. I believe he rebuilt the farm system before his tenure as GM and he also turned this club around. I would like to see what he could do with a real manager. I would also like to see him capitalize on pre-deadline trades. We need some solid prospects and some new pieces for next year.

THE TUBES OF INTERNET

2006-07-14T10:47:00.000-05:00

Apparently the internet is made up of a series of tubes.

Check out this clip from "The Daily Show" over at Crooks and Liars. An instant classic.

I'm still laughing.

PRIOR, THE CURSE & THE DRAFT

2006-07-13T17:04:00.000-05:00

Remember how we laughed at the Twins? They were so cheap they wouldn't shell out the cash to take USC's Mark Prior with the 1st overall pick of the 2001 MLB Draft. Prior was the one with the silky-smooth delivery, the textbook mechanics and the heater that blew right by people.

His 2001 season at USC was nothing short of amazing. 15-1 with 6 CGs and 3 shutouts, 138 IP and 202 Ks! An ERA of 1.70.

Today, Mark Prior is 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA. He recently hurt himself in batting practice. Practice. This after getting a rather late start to the season. I don't know what Cher is singing about when she bellows "If I Could Turn Back Time"--likely some plastic surgery procedure--but I know for Cubs fans it means we would have taken Joe Mauer over Prior. Hindsight is 20-20? So what? Cubs fans have special exemption from that.

But it's not just Mauer, who leads the AL in hitting at .378. I found a list of other players selected after Prior in that draft that I would rather have on the Cubs. Take into consideration performance, salary, health and future potential.

For your contemplation:

Mark Texieira- Rd. 1, 5th overall pick
Bobby Crosby- 25th
Jeremy Bonderman- 26th
David Wright- 38th
Dan Haren- Rd. 2, 72nd
David Bush- Rd. 4, 109th
Ryan Howard- Rd. 5, 140th
Chad Tracy- Rd. 7, 218th
Kevin Youkilis- Rd. 8, 243rd

So there you have it. 10 players from that draft I would rather have than Mark Prior.

I will also say this: I think Prior is smart. I think that he probably isn't 100% healthy. Why go out and risk your career for a ballclub that is 34-54? Especially when they tried to trade him? He's getting shelled so an oblique pull is the perfect little setback for him to relax. Whether or not he can take pain or just refuses to deal with pain is not for me to say. But I will. It just seems like he will not grit it out.

Prior said the other day after his oblique pull that "The goat is starting to look real," referring to the Billy Goat curse. I guess he's right.

Because he was the surest thing to ever come out of a draft when the Cubs picked him. And I just revealed 10 guys who I would rather have now. It's all so Cubs. The curse indeed.

**UPDATE**
Cubs today place Mark Prior on 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle retroactive to July 5. In turn, the Cubs re-call infielder Ryan Theriot from Triple A Iowa.

Related stories:
Cubs
Mark Prior
Joe Mauer
Sports

PRIOR: MOCKED BY ALL

2006-07-13T13:18:00.000-05:00

Mark Prior is not only getting ripped by bloggers, the MSM and fans at the ballpark. Even The Onion found some time to give it to him.

Valued reader Schmidty dropped this in the comments section and I just had to repost it.

Disabled List Offers Mark Prior Two-Year, $8 Million Extension

CHICAGO—Mark Prior, the right-handed pitcher who has spent the first few years of his career on the disabled list, is now considering accepting a recent two-year, $8 million offer from the DL that would keep him not playing through the 2008 season. "I couldn't even imagine the DL without Mark Prior—over the years, he has become the face, stiff right elbow, strained subscapularis muscle, and inflamed Achilles tendon of our organization," said Kirk Gibson, manager and longtime former member of the DL, which is currently rebuilding by claiming young arms such as Kerry Wood, Ben Sheets, and Mike Maroth. "We firmly believe that Mark's best injuries are still ahead of him." While Prior's agent says the pitcher is exploring his options, experts predict that it is "inevitable" that Prior will return to the DL and, with the loyalty he's shown in the past, likely finish his career there.

THE REGURGITATOR

2006-07-13T08:43:00.000-05:00

This guy is awesome.

BABY BULLS LOOKING GOOD EARLY

2006-07-12T09:50:00.000-05:00

From Chicago Sports:

Adam Morrison scored a game-high 29 points and D'or Fischer made a tip-in at the buzzer as the Bobcats defeated the Bulls 88-87 in summer league play in Orlando.Thabo Sefolosha hit a 15-footer from the baseline to give the Bulls the lead with 3.1 seconds left. Aaron Miles scored 18 to lead the Bulls, while Tyrus Thomas added 17 and 11 rebounds.

Apparently Sefolosha measured up at a legit 6'7", not the 6'5" as advertised.

BASEBALL'S NEWEST MYTH

2006-07-11T15:34:00.000-05:00

Over at The Cub Reporter, a post was closed with the following: "Enjoy the day off and watch a bunch of guys screw up their swings tonight." That was yesterday about the Home Run Derby.

I posed the question there and also here: Can anyone name for me a single player who has screwed up their swing by participating in this event? I'd love to hear it because I think it's baseball's newest myth.

DUSTY BAKER SOUNDS OFF

2006-07-11T08:36:00.000-05:00

Kudos to the Trib's Paul Sullivan. His interview with Dusty Baker provided insight into how Dusty rolls and he asked tough questions that most fans would want answered.

While there's plenty of fodder and folly to pick apart, I think this passage fully encapsulates Dusty:

Tribune: Would you change anything you've done here?

Baker: Yes, I'd change us winning the World Series. Other than
that, no, I wouldn't change anything, because I'm happier now than I
was at the end of those 15 years, when I was at the end in San
Francisco. It's more than me—it's me and my family.

As long as he's happy, right? Perhaps this interview will hasten his departure.

Technorati Tags: Dusty Baker, Cubs, Mark Prior, Jim Hendry

PRIOR HURT AGAIN

2006-07-10T09:03:00.000-05:00

Gee, here's a surprise: Mark Prior is hurt again. Prior strained his oblique muscle during BP. It always amazes me how these super-fit athletes pull hammys and other muscles so much. That said, I'm skeptical of a guy who has been hit around not wanting to take the bump again for a brutal team. On the other hand, I've had the same injury he has--under several more layers of adipose--and it is a tough injury to heal.

Dusty had this to say: "I know everybody else wants us to go to Iowa [to call up Rich Hill], maybe they'll get their choice. But be careful what you wish for, right? Wasn't that what everyone was saying just [Saturday]?"

I am very careful for what I wish. Calling up a top pitching prospect for a team that has lost 54 games at the ASB sounds exactly like my wishes right now. Guzman too. And more Marmol! I have some other wishes too Dusty. I think they will be fulfilled sooner rather than later.

SLIM PICKINGS IN FREE AGENT MARKET

2006-07-07T10:45:00.000-05:00

Wait til next year if your team stinks now. Or maybe even the year after. Because the list of 2007 free agents is pretty boring with the exception of a few top players.

Barry Bonds- Welcome to the A.L...or jail.
Barry Zito- Better career numbers than I thought. He will be paid in full.
Alfonso Soriano- The Angels are hot for him now, the thought process being they can still do something this year. Another guy that will be paid in full. But although his primary numbers like HRs and SBs always look good, he's an out machine with a career OPS of .828. Considering now that he is an outfielder and not a 2B, is he worth the money? Doubtful.
Carlos Lee- He's on pace to hit 50 bombs and yet has never hit more than 32 in any previous season. Like Soriano, Lee is a good player who would be great to have on your team. But if you are giving him the majority of your dollars I'm guessing your team will not be that good. He can't carry you. A career OPS of .832
Jason Marquis- Marquis is in the midst of burning his golden parachute. He will be only 28 in 2007 and had the chance to get paid with a good season this year. He's been brutal. 50-40 K/BB ratio, more hits than IP and 19 HR allowed in 17 starts. His 2004 season is looking like a mirage. Others ruining their free agent years include Mark Mulder, Juan Pierre, Andy Petitte.
Jason Schmidt- Certainly one of the more dominant pitchers when healthy. Schimdt is pitching great in '06. He has an ERA of 2.69, over 100 K's and is on pace to pitch a career-high for innings. Yet since 1997 he's made it past 200 IP only 4 times. He will also be 34 in January. Teams that throw 5 years his way might first want to think about Kevin Brown for a spell.

KNICKS PLAYERS RIP BROWN

2006-07-07T10:38:00.000-05:00

I bet one cool drink that 10 years from now, these players will be talking about how wrong they were about Larry Brown. Here is the story via ESPN.

"Coach Brown is so old-school," point guard Nate Robinson told the New York Post. "He wants everything done just like this, not getting the crowd involved. Isiah wants everyone to have fun.

"At first he [Brown] was trying to take my joy [away] -- don't do this, don't do that. At the same time I had people in my corner saying, 'Don't ever change who you are. You got here by being who you are. By being Nate Robinson,'" he said.

Who is Nate Robinson? A rookie who is maybe league average as far as production is concerned. Who is Larry Brown? Nuff said. Except that how fun will they think 20-62 is? How fun will Isiah be then? And how fun will it be when they win the lottery only to have it handed over to the beloved Bulls who will then take Greg Oden and commence an 8-peat?

SPRAYING TO ALL FIELDS

2006-07-06T11:32:00.000-05:00

Some links and whatnot:

Interesting stuff on the minimum wage increase battle and how its purchasing power has shriveled.

The Man Called Cash and how he made his last album "American V" with Rick Rubin.

Jay Mariotti's Year in Review. Too funny. He is the windsock. Burn!

Cindy Sheehan would rather live under Chavez than Bush. Hey, have at it. Must watch video of her interview with Norah O'Donnell, who does an excellent job.

BULLS SET TO TAKE EAST

2006-07-05T23:50:00.000-05:00

Exit Tyson Chandler. He was traded today for PJ Brown. Enter Brown, Ben Wallace, Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha. I'm all giddy over here--I wanted the Bulls to draft Thomas and I wanted them to sign Wallace. The Bulls have put themselves
in a position to get a player like this. Sure, when all is said and
done they will have likely overpaid for Big Ben. But the contract is frontloaded
and Wallace is a menace. The change of scenery should give him a boost
too.

As for the Heat, I'm already doubting they can do it
again. Shaq is bound to get lazy and remember that the Bulls gave the
Heat their toughest run in the playoffs--without Wallace. I think Cleveland should be feared on the same level as the Heat.

HENDRY SEEMS READY TO MOVE

2006-07-05T09:06:00.000-05:00

At this point, dissecting everything that's said from the Cubs isn't all that worthwhile. It's too easy to call them on their statements, although a part of me asks what is it they are really supposed to say.

But it seems more and more that Jim Hendry is resigned to firing Dusty Baker and make wholesale changes to the club.

"I'm evaluating everything," Hendry said. "When you're having this kind of a year … I'm evaluating all situations. When you're 20-plus games below .500 … we certainly want to give us a chance to see if we can make a run here before the break, see if we can do well the rest of the week. I'll spend a lot of time over the break [evaluating], not just the way the [coaching] situation is, but also with your own players.

"You're getting ready to go into a month where you have to evaluate what you have and who you for sure think is going to get better and you want to keep, and in some other cases, maybe move some guys. You want to give everyone a fair chance to succeed."

My read into that is quit farting around with Neifi Perez and Phil Nevin and play Cedeno and Murton full-time, all the time. Cedeno is playing a lot and should return to start at SS next year, and Murton needs more PT to see if he actually is a starter in this league. Either way, they are both rookies and during these types of seasons the only thing that can be garnered is experience for your younger players.

The Trib reports that the Cubs are 17-45 since the end of April after starting 13-8.

Along with the dismissal of Baker, it would be wise to ship out players for prospects as the farm system has once again dried up. Maddux and Walker head the list as they are free agents to be, but I can also see the case for trading Pierre, Ramirez, Howry, Dempster, Jones and anyone else not named Lee, Barrett or Zambrano.

ALL THINGS WALKEN

2006-07-03T15:29:00.001-05:00

Sorry, I never tire of getting more cowbell. So here are 2 sites to have some fun with.

Walken Clips has a ton of sound bites from Christopher Walken movies. "Does your mother sew? Well, get 'er to sew dat!" (Joe Dirt). You can also view the "Weapon of Choice" video there.

Cowbell Soundboard will not only give you all the bites from that classic skit, you can play the BOC song and actually play cowbell along with it by continually clicking on the Will Ferrell/Gene in the bottom left corner.

I mean really... explore the space.

REAL MEN OF SPORTS WATCHING

2006-06-30T11:03:00.000-05:00

Incredible story off the AP.

Man pulls TV from house fire to watch soccer

BEIJING (Reuters) - A Beijing soccer fan refused to let the small matter of his house burning down disturb his enjoyment of Tuesday's World Cup match between France and Spain.

A fire broke out in a hutong in the center of the Chinese capital at 3am local time Wednesday -- kickoff time in Hanover -- and gutted the traditional courtyard dwelling, the Beijing Daily Messenger reported.

"When the neighbors shouted 'fire!', I took my little baby and ran out in my nightclothes," the man's wife told the paper.

"My husband paid no attention to the danger, just grabbed the television and put it under his arm.

"After getting out of the house, he then set about finding an electric socket to plug in and continue watching his game."

The anti-social timing of the matches broadcast from Germany, which is six hours behind China, has forced some Chinese fans to go to great lengths to follow the action.
One man quit his job in Beijing to return to his hometown Chongqing so he could watch the whole tournament uninterrupted.

State news agency Xinhua reported that the 23-year-old's boss at the IT company had offered him a pay rise, but he turned it down flat, saying the World Cup was more important than his job.

The Guangzhou Daily reported that local police were forced to release a thief arrested for stealing a mobile phone when the victim refused to press charges because he did not want to miss the start of a match.

Although there are also many female World Cup fans in China, one man in the southeastern city had to sign a contract with his wife agreeing to do all the housework during the month of the finals so he could watch the matches at night.

Another from Putian, Fujian province, took a less diplomatic approach, Xinhua reported.
When his cheers during the Argentina-Ivory Coast match woke his wife and she switched off the television, he locked her in their bedroom and settled back down to watch the game ignoring her loud protests.

WHO SAID C-SPAN IS BORING?

2006-06-29T21:09:00.000-05:00

Check out Barney Frank letting loose on the gentleman from Arizona, courtesy of Crooks and Liars.

Technorati Tags: politics

C-LEE WANTS TO JOIN D-LEE

2006-06-29T14:51:00.000-05:00

If he wants $75 mill over 5 years, he'll have to enjoy playing for the Yankees. He's having a great year, but last year he was 811 OPS. For his career he is 833 OPS. For $15 million a year I'm pretty sure Jim Hendry can do better than that.

CHICAGO (AP) -
Brewers leftfielder Carlos Lee is interested in
returning to Chicago.

Should he make it to free agency, Lee confirms he expressed
interest in playing for the Cubs next year.

Lee kept his home in Chicago after he was traded from the White
Sox to the Brewers after the 2004 season.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Lee is looking for a five-year
deal for around 75 (M) million, which Lee denies.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin says Derrek Lee didn't even
get that, referring to the five-year, 65 (M) million dollar
extension the Cubs gave him last year.

Melvin says don't assume they'd be interested in trading Lee.

PAXSON GETS HIS JOB DONE

2006-06-29T10:35:00.000-05:00

John Paxson delivered for the Bulls last night. He got the guys he wanted. Some people aren't too thrilled. The picks may turn out to be busts. But those that write and comment on such things should at least have some facts or maybe even watch the games.

Mike Downey shows again today he'd rather continue trying to be witty than actually have his facts straight.

"First of all, maybe he can rebound like Rodman, but he also shoots like Rodman. Many of the points he gets—and he doesn't get that many—seem to come on putback rebounds. He has absolutely no range I have seen."

First, Thomas averaged 12.3 points per game while playing an average of 25.9 minutes and didn't even start the first nine games. Do the math. I would not be surprised if Mike Downey saw Thomas only in the UCLA game. And all reports speak of Thomas' soft touch. If he had even watched some highlight clips, he'd see Thomas does indeed have a midrange game.

"I feel more comfortable facing the basket and on the perimeter," Thomas said. "Once again, the critics don't know. LSU was the first time I've played in the post. A lot of guys don't know that. They'll say, 'He didn't shoot the ball.' Well, I didn't shoot the ball because I didn't shoot. They'll say, 'He didn't put the ball on the floor well.' Well, the offense didn't let me put the ball on the floor. A lot of people make assumptions and don't really look at the games. I have a little bit to prove and show what I can do."

Exactly.

BULLS SET TO PICK TYRUS THOMAS

2006-06-28T12:25:00.000-05:00

According to Mike McGraw from the Daily Herald, the Bulls will select Tyrus Thomas with the 2nd overall pick in tonight's draft.

McGraw writes: "Unless something unexpected happens, the Bulls will select Thomas with the No. 2 pick in tonight’s draft. The Bulls also own the No. 16 pick of the first round."

I couldn't be happier. I think the kid is a killer.

McGraw goes on to write about Thomas' incredible NCAA tourney run:

"Thomas produced 15 points, 13 rebounds and 7 blocks in a 1-point loss Jan. 7 at Connecticut. In the NCAA regional, Thomas had 9 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks in an upset win over Duke, then 21 points and 13 boards against Texas to send LSU to the Final Four."

NBA Draft.net also has the Bulls selecting Thomas. At 6'8" 217, there is some discussion as to whether Thomas is a 3 or 4. I have the answer. He is both. I liken him to Antonio McDyess from what I've seen. And pre-injuries Antonio McDyess was a very bad man.

At 16, NBA Draft.net has the Bulls selecting Thabo Sefolosha. For some time they had the Bulls getting Ronnie Brewer at that slot, but they have moved his projection up to the 15th pick.

Sefolosha is said to be an outstanding 3-point shooter with "extremely long limbs" who is a good defender and ballhawk.

BEATING THE DEAD HORSE

2006-06-28T07:45:00.000-05:00

As valued reader ML stated bluntly, "How much more do they have to do to tell this puss that his shoulder is fine? They should change his name in all the programs to Kerry Wont."

That remark came based on the news that Wood's shoulder looks perfect upon re-examination.

"RHP Kerry Wood visited Dr. Tim Kremchek in Cincinnati on Monday. Kremchek operated on Wood's shoulder last August. Wood threw a side session while hooked up to equipment for biomechanical analysis. "The MRI in Dr. Kremchek's terms, stated it was pristine, that the labia repair looked as if it was completely intact, looked like it had healed nicely and perfectly. He said his rotator cuff looks pristine, the joint looks good. So there is no significant concerns of any kind of significant issue or injury or anything like that," trainer Mark O'Neal said. Wood is back on the disabled list after making just four starts. ..."

Then buddy Tim Ellsworth passed along this nugget from Rotoworld, indicative of how Dusty rolls:

"With Phil Nevin starting in left field, Matt Murton is on the bench Monday, even through the Cubs are facing left-hander Chris Capuano.

Juan Pierre has a 502 OPS against lefties. Jacque Jones is at 631. Still, it's Murton, who is at 916 in 68 at-bats, getting sent to the bench to make room for Nevin. Dusty Baker has done a lot more harm than good all season long."

If you're going to give Murton a chance to roll, it's against lefties. But Dusty would rather play the vets. In his defense Jones and Nevin had been providing some power, so he would have heard it if he sat them too.

I don't think Dusty will last past the All-Star Break.

Related:
Dusty Baker
Cubs
sports

ZONER WILL BE STREAMING LIVE

2006-06-26T09:46:00.000-05:00

It's the moment you all have been waiting for. Or not. But you can hear The Zoner tomorrow morning live over the internet. I'll be talking Cubs with NPR's Earl Finkler on KBRW at 10:30 Central time. KBRW is located at "The Top of the World" in Barrow, Alaska. If you can't listen tomorrow, there is a wealth of information on their website about the culture and living in Barrow that is very interesting.

You can access the broadcast by logging onto kbrw.org and by clicking on the pulsating boom box under the "Listen Live" link.

ZONER'S SONG OF THE WEEK

2006-06-23T12:24:00.000-05:00

John Wayne Gacy was a serial killer in Chicago in the 70's. We used to drive by his house when we were teens. It kind of freaked us out.

Song of the week: Sufjan Stevens- John Wayne Gacy Jr.

His father was a drinker
And his mother cried in bed
Folding John Wayne’s T-shirts
When the swingset hit his head
The neighbors they adored him
For his humor and his conversation
Look underneath the house there
Find the few living things
Rotting fast in their sleep of the dead
Twenty-seven people, even more
They were boys with their cars, summer jobs
Oh my God

Are you one of them?

He dressed up like a clown for them
With his face paint white and red
And on his best behavior
In a dark room on the bed he kissed them all
He’d kill ten thousand peopleWith a sleight of his hand
Running far, running fast to the dead
He took off all their clothes for them
He put a cloth on their lips
Quiet hands, quiet kiss
On the mouth

And in my best behavior
I am really just like him
Look beneath the floorboards
For the secrets I have hid

OZZIE GUILLEN UPDATE

2006-06-22T10:59:00.000-05:00

Things are getting fired up here in Chicago. Dave Duncan was on local sports radio calling Ozzie Guillen a liar. At the heart of the matter is the beaning of Chris Duncan, Cardinal player and son of Dave. The quote that stirred Dad Duncan up was this:

"I didn't even know that kid was Duncan's kid until after we did it. I swear to God," Guillen said. "I've seen this kid growing up. After we hit him, all my kids said you know that's Dave Duncan's kid. I said, 'Ooohh.' Then I called Duncan and I apologized."

Dave Duncan says he received no such phone call. He also stated--if I heard correctly--that the quote signifies that Guillen ordered the beaning.

This comes after Guillen was quoted the other day ripping a local sports columnist.

"He's not going to run me out of town," Guillen said. "He can kiss my ass. He'll lose his job before I lose mine. I guarantee that . . ."

"I'll leave this [bleeping] town when I want to leave this town, maybe next week. Maybe 20 [bleeping] years, but I'm going to be here a little while."

"Now he wants to get Dusty out of there and put in some [bleeping] guy from the radio booth (actually television analyst and former manager Bob Brenly)."

Guillen went on to call Mariotti a derogatory name for a homosexual and "a stupid idiot."

If the Sox were say, 33-40, I wonder if there would not be more clamor to silence, punish or dismiss Guillen from his duties. But he is simply "Ozzie". And he is winning. To whit, 70% of respondents in a Chicago Sports.com poll voted that Ozzie should not be punished because "It's just Ozzie being Ozzie. He meant no ill will towards homosexuals."

Guillen also has some issues with Phil Garner.

The Garner-Guillen exchange came after published remarks attributed to Guillen claiming Garner treated him "like some crazy Venezuelan" and refused to shake his hand during last year's World Series.

Although not saying he was misquoted, Guillen said Wednesday that he was joking about the "crazy Venezuelan" remark, although Garner apparently didn't think it was funny.

"I take exception to be put into that category," Garner told the Houston Chronicle Wednesday, after he had talked with Guillen. "That's why I called him. It sounds to me like he has some issues. Maybe he can get some help about that."

I remember when Ditka was winning. His mouth wasn't a problem then. But when expectations were not met, people quickly grew tired of his mouth and antics. Guillen seems to be going the same route. Here's hoping he gets more than one championship. The Bears should have but didn't.

DUSTY WILL RIDE ZAMBRANO

2006-06-21T09:55:00.000-05:00

I thought of "This Boy's Life" this morning. I was reading the paper and thought of Bobby De Niro's great character in that film. That was when De Niro still made good movies. Quick--name the last above-average film he has been in. Anyway, "A leopard never changes its spots.", he would say to Leo DiCaprio. At times he would just call him "Leopard". Reading the following made me think of it. Dusty is the leopard.

Carlos Zambrano said he had a "heavy" arm while throwing in his last start, but Baker said he won't be babying his pitcher in his start against Cleveland on Wednesday.

"I expect him to be Carlos," Baker said. "I don't ever want him to go 120 [pitches], but a lot of times it depends on the game and how he feels. Hopefully, if he cuts down his pitches early it gets him to the 120 [pitch] position."

Read: and if he doesn't he'll probably throw 125. Isn't this part of the reason you can Baker? A lame duck manager trying anything to win games with a team that has no shot of postseason play?

But I heard a good point on sports radio yesterday. Jim Hendry has painted himself into a corner by saying he would give Baker a shot with a healthy squad before any move is made. Miller is supposed to be back soon, Prior is sort of back and DLee is taking BP. So look for Dusty to be here through the ASB, if not longer.

CUBAN CLAIMS CONSPIRACY

2006-06-20T12:15:00.000-05:00

A fine piece of writing in the Miami Herald details how the Mavs came unhinged during and after their game 5 loss to the Heat. But is it truthful?

There was Cuban, whose billions can buy just about anything but a mortal slump by D-Wade, careening onto the court in a blue Jerry Stackhouse jersey after the final buzzer, screaming profanely at referee Joe DeRosa.

Cuban then turned to Stern and other NBA officials who were seated at the scorer's table and was overheard to shout venomously in the jubilant din, ``[Bleep] you! [Bleep] you! Your league is rigged!''

Cuban responds on his blog:

Apparently the Miami Herald is reporting i screamed at the NBA comissioner after the game the other night. Didnt happen. Didnt say a word to the man. Not a single word. And that was absolutely by intention.

Apparently this “reporter” has written he has several “sources”. Well they must be the same sources the tabloids use to find two headed babys and aliens, because it didnt happen.

Cuban also blogs about past occurrences with the Miami Herald. Good stuff. I'm looking forward to Game 6 tonight.

Related:

Mark Cuban
Dallas Mavericks
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BAKER MUST BE PLEASED

2006-06-20T10:25:00.000-05:00

He must be pleased because he does not think the Cubs have underachieved this year.

From Chicago Sports:

While the Cubs have been on the ropes since Derrek Lee's wrist injury April 19, Baker refuses to concede they are down for the count.

Asked if the team meeting suggested he was dissatisfied with the team's effort, he answered: "No, no, no."

While Baker said he believed the team was "outmanned" in the three-game series against Detroit, he doesn't believe "underachieve" is a word that describes the Cubs' performance this season.

"I haven't said 'underachieved,'" Baker said. "We haven't performed as well as I think some of them can, over a long period of time ... but I can't say we've underachieved. Sometimes we've lost and other times we got beat."

Baker is becoming quite the wordsmith. But it's all too apparent that he won't admit that the Cubs have underachieved because he would be throwing himself under the bus.

I've no idea why he would want to stay here, but it sure seems like he wants to. Since May 1, the Cubs are 13-32. If that isn't underachieving, I don't know what is.

Kerry Wood is pitching in a simulated game today. He's definitely a first-ballot Simulated Hall of Famer.

More great news:
Cubs
Dusty Baker
Kerry Wood
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THIS WEEK'S GREATEST VIDEO EVER

2006-06-19T23:37:00.000-05:00

It's called "Game Over". And it's mint.

ZONER'S MONDAY MORSELS

2006-06-19T11:17:00.000-05:00

Stuff to chew on...

Great article here about pitchers trying to return from torn labrums. Makes Tommy John surgery seem like getting a sliver removed.

I couldn't help but laugh as Mark Prior got shelled for 6 runs in the 1st inning. It seemed to me that he threw nothing but not very fast-fastballs. To his credit Prior talked about how bad he stunk.

Dusty remains delusional: "This is the hitters' time of the year right now," Baker said. "It's hot. The wind is blowing out. The ball is flying out of here. Every ball up in the air on us was a home run. I'm sure he'll be better next time."

He also added: "You're always looking for miracles. But you're being a realist at the same time. This is a tough challenge for him the first time out."

1st time out? What were all those minor league outings then? I'm so sick of guys coming off injury and rehabbing in the minors and still not being ready to go when they return to the big club. If he dominated yesterday would it then be luck? Such garbage.

As for the Bulls and their 2 1st round picks, I don't want to hear anymore about anyone that is 6'7" or shorter. We have enough guards and small forwards. Draft big or trade the picks. Or if you do pick a 3 or a guard, it better be because you have a package with Ben Gordon ready to go for a proven 4 or 5.

People talk about Thomas and Aldridge as if they are not sure things. Of course they aren't. You think Morrison is? Who is? Not one player in this draft is a sure thing. Thomas and Aldridge are the best available players for the Bulls and their needs. Period.

ZAMBRANO HURTING; BAKER STILL BELIEVING

2006-06-16T10:30:00.000-05:00

From the "Who didn't see this one coming dept.": Carlos Zambrano's arm is starting to ache.

Z said: “I was kind of like feeling my arm ‘heavy'. That’s why I was throwing so many (off-speed) pitches today. I was using my split and my slider a lot. But I feel good. That happens in some part of the season. You have to keep working in between my starts.”

Z left the game after 7 innings and 107 pitches. The 'tired arm' is likely to occur with starters, I agree. But Zambrano has thrown 100 or more pitches in all of his 15 starts this year, including back to back 126 pitch outings in his last 2 starts. Part of that is his own doing. Only Livan Hernandez has faced more batters. Zambrano leads all of baseball in pitches thrown and walks. He's 2nd in K's. So efficiency is not his bag. And of course, as history would tell you, Baker is old school when handling pitchers. I still believe he thinks pitch counts are garbage.

Baker also believes the Cubs still have a shot at post-season play. Dusty said, “No, I always believe it. No, it ain’t going to be tough to sell.” If he truly believes it--and what is he really going to say--he better start handling the big dude with a little more care.

They are back to their losing ways--another 3 in a row--and at 26-39 are 13 back of the Cards. I'm guessing the Cards make it to 90 wins. So not only would they have to pass 10 teams to make the Wild Card, they would have to go 65-32 to win the division. And that does not account for the Reds. Stranger things have happened. But good luck with that. And good night.

Related:
Carlos Zambrano
Dusty Baker
Cubs
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SPIDEY GOES UNMASKED

2006-06-15T10:23:00.000-05:00

Marvel is calling it "arguably the most shocking event in comic book history."

In the "Civil War" Series, the latest edition has Spiderman taking of his mask to reveal himself as Peter Parker.

"I'm proud of who I am, and I'm here right now to prove it," the legendary webslinger tells a press conference called in New York's Times Square, before pulling off his mask and standing before the massed ranks of reporters as newspaper photographer Peter Parker.

"Any questions?" Parker asks in the final panel of the issue, amid a barrage of camera flashes.

The "Civil War" series deals with civil liberties. The article goes on to say "Following a showdown between a group of superheroes and supervillains in which hundreds of innocent civilians are killed, the government passes the Super-Hero Registration Act, requiring all superheroes to reveal their identities and register as "living weapons of mass destruction."

Marvel's roster of invincible crime fighters is split into two bitterly opposed factions, with one camp -- championed by the likes of Spiderman -- in favour of the new law and the other, including Captain America and his ilk, refusing to relinquish anonymity.

I will likely be buying it soon. It sounds cool and likely to be worth something later on. BTW, the movie "Ultimate Avengers" is great too.

Related stories:
Spiderman
Marvel Comics
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THE QUOTE TO END ALL QUOTES

2006-06-14T10:32:00.001-05:00

Life is Crap has the quote of the decade. And you know it is from none other than Cubs skipper Dusty Baker.

"Anybody that's been in baseball knows the toughest guys to pitch against are Minor League guys. Those kids are out there swinging."- Dusty Baker

And therein lies the best laid plans of the Cubs offensive approach. It's similar to me and my golf game: swing hard because you might hit it.

Cubs: 26-37, 12 games back of STL. The Cubs have scored only 249 runs. Only the Royals have scored fewer runs in MLB. The Cubs run differential is -63. Only the D'Rays and Royals have worse.

Who was hitting 1 & 2 again last night? Pierre and Perez. OBP? .284 & .230.

Enough already.