CanOfCorn

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Oct 14, 2006 -> 03:07 AM) Actually, Gordon gave Illinois a verbal commitment, which is non-binding. Generally, you do not recruit a kid that is committed elsewhere. In this case, Mike Davis left IU and Kelvin Sampson came in. Gordon always had interest in IU, just not in the situation with Davis, who was there when he gave Illinois his verbal. Two of Sampson's assistant coaches have ties to the Gordon family. One of them coached Gordon's dad, I believe. The bottom line is that the Gordon's contacted Indiana to see what it was like with the changes. At that point, you can't ask IU's coach not to recruit a kid that shows interest. IU did nothing wrong here. If you want to be mad at Gordon for changing his mind, his dad for possibly orchestrating or whatever, fine. But if the roles were reversed, I guarantee you Weber would have done the same. And he should. Look at it this way. Let's say a 4-star SG from Peoria currently committed to Missouri, calls Coach Weber tomorrow. He says "Coach, I always wanted to play a UI, but didn't have a chance when you had Gordon coming in. I know you sent me letters last year and I understand why they stopped when Eric committed. I think Illinois would be the best place for me to play if you would have me. I'd be close to home which would make my family happy and I think I would be more comfortable. Can I come talk to you next weekend?" Do you honestly think Weber would say no?? Now he might ask the kid to talk to Coach Anderson first and let him know he is coming up for a visit or he may respect the kid's right to take a look (like looking for a new job) without giving up what he has in his pocket (the Missouri scholarship offer). There is no way Weber would not talk to the kid. No way. And once again, nor should there be. Eric Gordon is NOT a 4-star PG from Peoria. First thing you want to do before checking out other school's is decommit. Like you said, it's really non-binding. I am pissed at the Gordon family, but if I'm the other school, in this case IU, then I say, we will not actively recruit you until you decommit. You can visit, meet with the players, whatever, but coaches will NOT recruit. Maybe I'm just being bitter, but that's the kind of thing that would make the recruiting trail better. You can't "recruit" behind the scenes just in case a player decides to de-commit...that does two horrible things, one, it doesn't instill confidence in the player you ARE recruiting and two, if player one DOES sign a letter-of-intent, then you just pretty much screwed player two. The NCAA has to decide if this is a business or not. If it IS a business, then the above scenario is right. If not, the recruiting process needs to be fixed.

QUOTE(AbeFroman @ Oct 16, 2006 -> 12:42 PM) the mentally ill Like I said...Cub fans.

Check out the following link. These are players that will be free agents in 2008. This may be the best way to upgrade pitching. Might have to wait until the trade deadline but who knows. Free Agents after 2007

You don't need to replace A-Rod if you are the Yankees. Crede's defense would be enough. They've got enough mashers in that lineup so if Crede hit .250 - .260 with 20 and 70, I think they would take that. He would make the whole left side of that infield better and probably still be the best SS on that team as well as the best 3B. So, Crede, Broadway and [insert starting pitcher here] wouldn't be that bad of a trade. I think that's pretty even. Maybe even throw in another prospect or two to get one and cash back.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 16, 2006 -> 08:25 AM) Dear Mr. Selig- Please do not do anything to further lengthen the season, which already extends far too late in the year for teams not in the tropics. Thank you. -Baseball Fan From the desk of the Commissioner's Office Major League Baseball New York, New York We will be doing away with all off-days and adding 30 days of double-headers. Why? Because I'm the commissioner and a car salesman, that's why. Baseball's biggest fan, Allan Huber "Bud" Selig, Jr. PS. Shut it.

Sounds to me like Lyons' should definitely been suspended...probably for the rest of the season and then bring him back next year if he doesn't resign on his own. And as for Lou...if you think he's pissed about THAT comment, wait until he's managing the Cubs next year....

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Oct 16, 2006 -> 05:09 AM) That is good news, but not surprising. Who in their right mind would watch that disaster of a team. Cub fans.

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Oct 13, 2006 -> 02:34 PM) my point exactly...bravo to you, great post. Weber has lost Chicago, which Self won back for Illinois, and is now taking for himself .Sampson and Izzo and Motta are going to eat up the midwest. Diamonds in a rough only come once in a while. Don't say that until Derrick Rose commits elsewhere, if he does. He's a Simeon product. If he commits elsewhere, THEN you can say he's lost Chicago. He's not a great recruiter, that's for sure...he needs to hire someone from Chicago, either a well-thought of high school coach or someone off Jimmy Collins staff...or for that matter, Jimmy Collins, if he'll come back.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan99 @ Oct 13, 2006 -> 02:14 PM) Honestly I don't think IU or Sampson did anything wrong in this case. Sampson is a scumbag for other reasons, but not for this. He calculated right hiring his entire staff to entice EJ. My entire problem with the situation was that EJ and his father are liars who handled this situation as poorly as possible. I agree. Because Gordon said he was coming to Illinois, Weber and the staff stopped recruiting for his position. So, they got screwed. Decommit and then look at other schools. If you stay committed, how CAN Illinois continue to recruit for that spot? I mean, if they do, then it looks like they don't want Gordon or are prepared for him to leave, which, if I were a recruit...i would leave. And now, if UI offers that scholarship to another 4 or 5-star recruit, won't that recruit feel like a second fiddle and not want to go? I just think Gordon and his family handled this wrong and the Orange Crush is gonna have a field day with this...which they should and have every right to.

I think Ribbie hit it right on the head. It's one thing for a columnist to admit he or she is wrong...it's another to contradict yourself and get caught in the lie. The fact that he is not apologetic makes it even worse. I can't remember who said it, but Mariotti is a blogger in columnist's clothing. I'm sure he CAN write a daily column that isn't attacking people, but this is what makes people money. There are people everywhere and in every medium that do this: Bill O'Reilly Ann Coulter Keith Olbermann Randi Rhodes Rush Limbaugh The best way to get a newspaper to fire someone is to stop buying the newspaper. Personally, I read the online sports section everyday, except for one columnist...not because he is right, wrong or otherwise, but because I think he rants and raves to get attention, not to inform. He'll be here for as long as he's relevant and when people start to truly ignore him, he'll be gone.

Dear IU, Enjoy Eric Gordon for the year he'll be there. Jerks. Love, CanOfCorn

I'm not sure if he's a free agent, but what about an incentive laden contract for Mark Mulder? He's a Chicago kid and I think grew up a Sox fan. He may not get as much as he thinks considering he's coming off a bad and injury-prone season. Also, Andy Pettitte might be worth a look.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Oct 13, 2006 -> 08:25 AM) Hmm, that would insinuate he's going to IU obviously. Or in other words, he's been lying to everybody at Illinois for 3 months now. I feel bad for the kid if that's the case, but hey, that's his problem to deal with in the future. Oh man...the Crush is gonna have a field day with this one...that is, if IU comes to Champaign this year. I hope the NCAA digs into this...personally, I think they should investigate every situation where a kid verbally commits to one school and ends up signing for another...but of course, they won't.

QUOTE(retro1983hat @ Oct 12, 2006 -> 10:55 AM) They haven't told you yet how the current concession stands will stop selling brats and polish and now will be selling Twinkies and Slim Jims. Maybe they'll start selling Big Gulp Beers? Or even better...SUPER BIG GULP!!!!

You know, it's called a verbal commitment for a reason. Eric Gordon wanted to check out his home states University, which has a LOT of history and a great basketball tradition. When he was being recruited, Mike Davis was pretty much as good as gone. New regime, new found interest. BUT, if Sampson or his staff was found to be recruiting a player that was verbally committed to another school, the Big Ten coaches will let you know it...not by words, but by actions. As someone said before, he is coming to Illinois until he SAYS he's not.

Oooo...that's a tough one. I think I have a couple: Bed tester at the Playboy Mansion. Oktoberfest organizer and beer taster. Seriously though, I think a travel writer or editor.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 12, 2006 -> 10:47 AM) I'm not so sure about that...it's been Stoneman who has reportedly been the one making the decisions about whether or not to move their young talent resources, and thus far he's been very unwilling to do it. I understand what you are saying, but with the lack of protection for Vlad, and the unwillingness of Stoneman to do, well, anything the last couple of years, I would imagine Arte would step in and demand Stoneman make it work. Even if he has to give up some of that young talent. And honestly, a lot of those young players haven't lived up to their potential. Not saying they won't, but so far, not so good.

Serious: Book: Living in Little Rock with Miss Little Rock Album: Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder Movie: High Fidelity or Cast Away (for the irony, no the quality) TV: Seinfeld Person: Mrs. Canofcorn (Safe)...Salma Hayek (Not safe) Not serious: Book: Rand McNally World Atlas Album: Band of the Lost Movie: Cast Away (for the irony, not the quality) TV: Lost Person: Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Oct 12, 2006 -> 03:02 AM) I'm wonder one thing... When the hell was the last time the Angels traded for a big time player? I went back as far as 1998, because it's late as hell...but I settled on Gregg Jeffries. They've traded big contracts(Finley, Vaughn, Bottenfield), and they've traded big names(Edmonds, Guillen)...but most of their trades have been minor deals. Stoneman has also been criticized in the past as being a little gunshy, so it just makes me wonder how serious they are. Then again, there's never been a name as big as ARod on the market. We'll see, if ARod is made available for trade in the offseason, if Anaheim truly is interested. If the Angels go for A-Rod, it won't be Stoneman that makes the final decision, it'll be Arte Moreno. He wants to win and he's willing to spend to do it.

Horrible, horrible news. An eyewitness claims she saw smoke coming off the plane prior to hitting the high rise. Prayers to the Lidle family and the NY Yankee organization. Kinda makes the whole Torre, A-Rod thing small in comparison.

QUOTE(chaerulez @ Oct 10, 2006 -> 11:50 PM) Agreed, this way the Yankees actually get punished for dealing all their farm system talent, instead they get an easy way out by buying all their prospects like Wang, Melky, Cano, and Tabata. It would have to be modified. Like a Rule V draft...worst teams get first dibs, but can pass if they want to, like if they don't think they can sign him because of money. Plus, this might affect the players coming over...he's a veteran player, he should have the right to be a free agent. I mean, he can choose to stay in Japan if he wants, can't he? So why shouldn't he be able to decide what team he wants to play for?

QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 12:04 PM) $500K may cover the cost of TP for the '07 season. Timo Perez? SWEET!

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Oct 10, 2006 -> 07:14 PM) I'm not so sure a trade for Crisp would need to involve Freddy. Papelbon is moving to the rotation next year, they'll have Lester/Schilling/Beckett back for sure and I believe Wakefield as well. I do think Crisp could be had, and I would very much welcome it, but Garcia probably wouldnt be the guy. I would think the Red Sox would be looking for a bullpen arm + a ML for Crisp. Thus, I think Cotts might interest the Red Sox more than Garcia. This would be excellent in that Garcia still would be movable, and could replentish the bullpen. Don't count on Schilling coming back for sure. I would say it's about 80%. Garcia would probably interest a NL team first, I would imagine...and I don't know if Kenny would want to deal someone to a possible playoff foe. That being said, if any Chicago team gets ARod...it's going to be the Cubs. Hendry needs to make a splash and if they end up hiring Sweet Lou, ARod will be a natural choice. They can either let Aramis go and have ARod play 3B or move Izturis to 2B and use Cedeno in a deal or vice versa depending on how much they like Cedeno. And the White Sox don't need more offense, they need pitching.

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 11:54 AM) It says this in the article steff... It is not easy to conjure $500,000 out of the ether, but the White Sox have discovered a way. Their financial trick was really quite simple. They changed their weeknight starting times at U.S. Cellular Field. No more 7:05 p.m. or 7:35 p.m. games, of which there are about 50. They will all begin, for the next three seasons, at 7:11 p.m., courtesy of 7-Eleven, the convenience store giant, which will pay the team an average of a half-million dollars a year to be the name behind the time. does that also include the early start games on Saturday for fireworks? I haven't seen anything about that either.

So, if Joey goey...who replaces him?