cwsox

And I wouldn't want an owner like Steinbrenner. And all they are doing now is panic spending since his team has not won a world series in the past two years. What on earth do you do with 7 starters. Going to go with only 4 relievers? Going to pay all that money to have someone sit on the bench and only pitch every 7th game? What will the wonderful club house chemistry be with all those egos? They may make some further moves and the Yankees may still own the AL East but I think their current run is over.

Those types of home calls abound in baseball. DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak was acccomplished with gift calls along the way, for example. It happens all the time. I like nothing cubs at all, but I think Sandberg deserves in. So do Kaat and Byleven and Gossage.

There is a major league difference between the two...

that's ok, I'll wake you up every time I wave my sock with one hand and keep score with the other.

I will be there. I do aim to ask KW a question or two. You want to meet there, would be good.

I cannot offer enough thanks to ChiSoxFn for taking the time to prepare my signature for me - something that I could never do - and he did it, and it looks great, and I am so very grateful! That brings to mind all the work that goes into these boards, we can only imagine, and labors of love to do all this, all this wonderful work, right down to the personal assistance given to me and others, because - not for money or awards - but for love of the Sox and the desire to create a Sox community. Thank you everyone.

That may be and I am not going to over do this - there is a very important legal distinction between the overwhelming majority of owners (and/or GMs or any staff people) each acting independently and with no conversation with one another, overt or tacit, decide not to overbid on a bunch of older, not worth big money players, or, any action in concert with one another. One is legal, one is illegal. At this point, we the viewing public have no idea. But as someone who works in a law office (which I do) I can see that there are real possibilities here. I have no idea which it is. I only discuss collusion because it is a possibility, and is being researched by the agents and the union. Maybe there has been no collusion. Maybe there has. I sure as hell wouldn't pay big $$ for a lot of the free agents out there. But... the questions will be, did MLB act in collusion, or is it only happenstance, and if it was collusion, can that be verified. The owners have done it before. Doesn't mean they did it now, but one can look at it all and suspect that it may have happened now. I am not suggesting it is so, nor dismissing it. We have no way of knwoing now at this time. We shall see.

http://laws.lp.findlaw.com/2nd/956048.html For those who might like to read a court decision on collusion. A few hours later: I got to be thinking, I should explain that this a decision from the 1994-95 labor action. MLB lost in court, appealed, and lost again. This is the decision when they lost again. In fact, MLB always loses these cases. The discussion gives an interesting history of player/owner relations. I read court decisions all day long (in my day job) and they are a hidden side to what is in the papers.

It looks like the union is getting ready for a possible collusion complaint. From what has been public, the lack of bidding for players on the owners part, collusion in 2003 could be a possibility. The big question will be, did the owners not make offers each making an independent decision, or did they in any way communicate amongst each other. If collusion is charged, the discovery process will be able to get at the owners and GMs email, which would make fascinating reading... and indeed, the owners are dumb enough to do it again. I wonder if they did. http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0103/1486718.html

I think Webster did indeed hit one home run Anthony Webster, cf, Bristol White Sox, .352, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 16 SB He was something like 4th in batting average in the Appalachian League and Baseball America named him the 10th best prospect in the Appalachian League after the 2002 season. I have just posted everything I know about Anthony Webster. (and since zach23 is out there lurking somewhere, hi to zach23)

yeah they would - and yes it is.

You are very astute, Heather. You nailed it right on the head.

Is there talk about collusion? I was wondering if it were possible, again, because it sure looks like what went on the last time there was colluision. Not sure of how the latest agreement fit in here, and were the owners acting really like individuals or was there in fact collusion. Steinbrenner's actions would argue against collusion, except if 29 teams are playing collusion and 1 isn't. But I don't know what to think. What do you think, what do you know?

Let me rephrase that. KW didn't change his mind but his course of action was changed. Maybe there needs to be another Stadium Club party like last July 27th. And then maybe the course of action would be changed and Buehrle gets offered enough more to end this drama of who vs who, and get on to baseball. I want MB to stay. We are not a farm team for the majors, we are the majors. I have no desire to see MB move on. There are more alternatives than saying it is all over, goodbye MB.

You are assuming that I *am* not a *real thug.* I had the f***ing neighborhood (we called it "the hood") terrorized. I did all the ass capping that needed to be done!

I sure as hell don't hope that. I hope MB tales all the money he can and stays with us taking all the money that is due him. I have no desire to see us lose MB just so we can taunt KW. I hope KW will increase the offer, a change of position as he did last July with the Frank Thomas trade to Boston, OR that a new GM will kiss and make up with MB and MB stays forever. I sure as hell do not want MB to take the money and run just so we can b**** at KW.

I would have paid money to watch you say that to RPS's face. Damn that would have been fun!

I would have paid money to watch you say that to RPS's face. Damn that would have been fun!

and when do we re-sign Poppy Hildago? It was losing Poppy that caused the less than satisfactory 2001 and 202 seasons.

We'll likely see Hummell this year and if in fact Miles is back in the organization, I'll get a look at him during spring training, but thats most likely the only time we see him unless Hummell or Harris gets injured. take pictures then and post daily on spring training!

now that sounds like Murdoch...

KW was a cheap ass to MB last year but it is odd to me that MB would turn down this deal. He has seen injuries. If he has one, he loses all. That is a lot of money to gamble on being injury free. Although if I were the Sox, I'd add a million or 2 on to offer, since MB is worth the gamble to us that he stays injury free.

That must have been a tough game to be at. Gees. I have been lucky in that when I see the Sox on the road, they almost always win, and are at least in the game when they aren't, other than an 8-2 loss at Wrigley once. I can't imagine how dismal it is to be cheering the Sox and wearing Sox gear in a foreign stadium and have them lose that that.

I'm kind of anxious to see Hummell and a bit less so to see Miles. Hummell sounds like he might be the real thing. Miles, who knows, I have no clue on him, sounds promising but as you say, been in AA ball a long time. Some people develop later than others so maybe he will be a worthy Valentin replacement. (But I am not a real fan of Valentin, I'd like us to have a real shortstop again some day.)

similar talent?