Al Lopez Ghost (old)

yet another guy who refuses to play for us. Not to mention the guys on our team who refuse to play for us!

I'd say Frank winds up in Baltimore. I don't care what hat he wears in the Hall. By the way, they changed the policy on that, the player no longer gets to decide, the Hall does. Frank's been the greatest, he can still hit, he's too one dimensional, and we finished out of the playoffs with him, so we can finish out of the playoffs without him and use his salary elsewhere.

He's such an asshole. I heard the tape yesterday on the Score, and the funny thing is that the guy who asked the question that prompted Sosa's reply was George Offman, number one Cub suckup on the Score.

I wouldn't be in a hurry to trade Carlos Lee. About 2 or 3 years ago Curt Schilling said he would never play for Jerry Reinsdorf. Some fallout from the strike years.

Today's Southtown says he's already been told.

Daubach never drove in more than 78 runs at Boston, he had four years ranging between 73 and 78. I'd keep Colon if at all possible. I wouldn't blow it up yet...We drew 1.94 million this year, and we will be a long time away from that if white flag right now. We can wait until mid 2004 to trade Magglio, there'll be plenty of interest. I would definitely move Paulie for salary reasons, and if Frank stays, fine, if he goes, fine. But if we can't keep Colon, and we don't come up with a major league replacement, we're through. Loiaza will drop to about 15 games next year, and Garland is Garland.

If the players wanted to play for Manuel so much, they should have won for him, playing hard from day 1 through yesterday. Having failed to do that, they have no voice in the decision on the managerial job.

Thursday's Southtown is saying that Jerry Manuel has already been told that his services will not be required after Sunday's game. In other shocking news, the sun rose in the east this morning.

From Wednesday's Tribune: "The players had the opportunity to give all they had. There were no shackles on anybody. They were free to play. Whether they did or not, that's up to them. That's not up to me. I've created an atmosphere for them to perform. Some did and some didn't." I think there's nothing I can add.

I guess this all played out on WGN radio yesterday. Some Cub Fans thought it would be, I dunno clever, to take a goat to the Astros game yesterday - to exorcise their Billy Goat demons. So they flew down there, bought a goat, bought themselves and the goat tickets to the game, and tried to get into the park with the goat. There is a bright spot to this pathetic story. A Sox fan heard about this plan in progress, and called the Astros to warn them as to what was in the works. I admire that Sox fan. No word on what happened to the goat.

You got it.

Thanks everyone. I'm really wondering what day opening day is, what NL teams come in and when, are we home on the various holidays, etc. Guess it's too soon.

I'm wondering if we win tonight, will we start Cotts tomorrow?

This is the time of year when I keep walking over to customer service to see if they have an early bird schedule. So far, nothing. I heard somewhere that the Yankees will be visiting Dodger Stadium this year, and I think that a tentative schedule has to be given to the player's association in August. So do any of you have access to info about next year's schedule?

Allow me to barf.

There is a team in Chicago that never gets criticized for poor play, and in fact markets it. Go celebrate the Cubbies, if you want fans who mindlessly cheer incompetence.

If Frank were playing back then, Frank wouldn't have been allowed to play back then.

A big part of the Frank Thomas analysis has to be his home-road splits. On the road last year: .240, 4 HRs. This year: .242, 12 HRs. MVPs hit on the road. MVP from 1991 through 2000, except for 1998 (Belle) and 2001 (injured). But last year no, and this year it's arguable.

Guys and Gals, just give it up already. The players have.

I think you're wrong. Didn't Loiaza start Tuesday, the 16th? So, wed, thurs, friday, then he started Saturday. That's 3 days rest. Garland went the 17th, so Sunday was 3 days rest too.

Someone who's getting 14 million for one year will not renegotiate to a long term contract at 8 million a year. Why would he? Hell, the players union would crucify him.

How would Rob Deer have cracked a bat? Must have dropped it in the dugout.

Jose will sit tonight vs. Wells, so that's good news.

The team that KW assembled could have won this division under another manager. So it's see ya, Jerry.

19 wins. 'nuff said.