The Critic

The Cubs will win the NL Central. They've hung around with extended injuries to many key players. Their pitching is solid and only going to improve when Ryan Dempster is ready to contribute. They have a LOT of major and minor-league trade bait for the things they could use ( offensive SS, upgrade in CF, another middle reliever and/or closer ). Hendry has done a really good job of identifying needs and acquiring good players to fill the holes. Like it or not, and I KNOW a lot of people here don't like it, the Cubs are a scary team if and when they all get healthy.

I'm not really going to pay attention to how he does. I was a somewhat reluctant fan of his while he was here, but now he's a Fish so I'm letting it go.

He should be fairly comfortable against the Expos in Montreal, since they draw minor-league crowds. Hard to get nervous in front of 3,000 people. I have a bad feeling that Jurassic Carl will have a big day, though. Go GET 'EM, number 49!!! ( Don't know if he'll wear that number on Saturday, but that's the number he has in that picture )

They should pay him 17.3267549287107% of the payroll... ...AND NOT ONE PENNY MORE!!!!!!!!!!

...there's one in every crowd.... I also used to have a cheapo replica of the 1976-era "blue collar jersey" - which I have ZERO chance of ever squeezing into again, since I was 13 back then. I wonder if that thing is still at my Mom's?

"Nice body, BUT HER FACE..." That's as detailed as you need it to be.

Salt Lake City, Utah - WORLD FAMOUS for their JAZZ... I kinda like the jerseys, but there's nothing unique or different about them - the road uni has that old Toronto Blue Jays "soccer numbers" thing happening...

"who are you, and what do you do that makes you famous?" My favorite Stuttering John celebrity question - it NEVER failed to get the "celebrity"s blood boiling.

That Astros jersey is FUGLY. I find it hilarious that all the freakin' ugly jerseys from the 70s and 80s are now back in style, all of a sudden. Everyone I knew HATED the Sox uniforms in 83 - called them "toothpaste tubes" or "cereal boxes". BTW, I still have my Sox jacket from 89 - blue with the script "White Sox" on the front in red with white trim. Don't really fit in it anymore - it's a men's Large, and time and pizza have taken their toll!! ...I could probably get a decent price for it on eBay....

Will it have a built-in drunk tank/overnight holding cell? Better make it a BIG one...

Looks about right to me. Barrett is the only quarrel in that lineup. Hitting a bit better than Miggy, and Barrett's been good at throwing out would-be base stealers. Upon further consideration, maybe I have to go with Paulie at first, just cuz Frank hasn't played it that much and PK is having a REALLY good first half too. The rest of these choices are very easy, though.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/06/17/bryant.c...y.ap/index.html The jury will be allowed to submit questions to witnesses? Guaranteed, their questions will be the dumbest ones asked ever.

One word for this thread: wow. Tex, for you I have this: Even when it fell on deaf ears, which was EVERY TIME, your logic was solid. Note to self: Never get involved in a contract with Juggs. If I do, I'll use an Etch-A-Sketch.

USCF Comiskey Classic Bank One Ballpark Wrigley Miller Busch

Just saw on SportsCenter that the Hurricanes traded Arturs Irbe to Columbus for future considerations. Aren't you an Irbe fan? Can't really make a judgment on this trade right off the bat, since "future considerations" is such an unknown return. Comments?

Don't know if anyone posted this anywhere else, but the guy has been "outed". This is from yahoo: The man who took the foul ball has not responded publicly to the criticism, but The Dallas Morning News identified him as Matt Starr, a married, 28-year-old landscaper and former youth minister. Starr is "not the bad guy he's been made out to be," said Rick DuBose, senior pastor of the Sachse Assembly of God Church. "He probably got a little aggressive and did something he regrets. But that's not Matt. He's a good kid, a good young man." I dunno - sounds like a fake name to me, like a pro wrestler's name or a rock star®'s name....

Don't you mean "LIGHTING UP" the parade floats???

Wow. It looks like the Lakers aren't even trying anymore. AWFUL shot selection, NO offensive sets, no life, nothing. It is SO over and done for this team. And I have to say that I am happy that Karl Malone and Gary Payton failed AGAIN in the Finals. f*** both of them, the babies.

Or maybe... SUSHINGO!!!! or.... SUSHI 'N' GO!!!!!

4th of July game at the Deadly Confines this year has been changed to an ESPN Sunday Night game. Not bad, since most people have the next day off.

Oh yes, it IS history, old man! I'd be interested to see what percentage of the posters here weren't even born yet in 1971. I was 8 years old in 71 and that was the first Sox team that I really watched closely and became a HUGE fan of. Fond, fond memories of walking to the park with my brother smelling the cigar smoke and hearing the organ music playing in the park.....good times....

We disagree on The Moth, and that's fine. But I'd submit that the view on Grace is slightly tainted by the fact that he turned on the Cubs. If Grace had done the exact same things as an ex-Sox, I don't think that it would be hilarious to many people here.

I've heard about 3 tracks, and it just sounds tired and recycled to me. I won't be picking it up.

The "Koch sucks" horse is dead, we can all stop beating it now.... ...EXCEPT for this... ... I was very disturbed to read that quote in yesterday's Sun-Times from Ozzie basically saying that once (if?) Billy throws a few good outings in a row, he will close games again. I really REALLY hope that's just Oz backing his guy publicly, and that he doesn't actually plan to let BK close again! If he gives Billy the keys again, the fans will go apes***, ESPECIALLY if (when?) Shingo has the success I personally believe he'll have as the closer.

HEY! THE UPPER DECK PEOPLE DO NOT GET TO USE THE AMENITIES DOWN THERE!!!! Seriously, I like the things Brooks has done so far......even the (ugh) mascot, I guess! ....actually, I'll never LIKE a mascot, but if it hooks kids on the Sox, it's okay I guess....