Punch and Judy Garland

Sounds like they are trying a new tactic with Carrie, rip job motivation through the media.

I disagree about Hendry. I think he is an excellent GM. You can't dismiss the Lee/Ramirez pickups. Those are ginormous acquisitions. I hate the Cubs but he's pretty good

Short of Herschel Walker who was a star but not a superstar, I don't know that trading a superstar really has ever worked out. It certainly didn't with guys like Jabaar, the Big Unit (for Seattle), Schilling for Arizona. It's too early to say for A-rod (although those were special circumstances given the money). I can't imagine trading Ramirez will have a positive effect on the BoSox. His teammates actually like him unlike TO which makes this situation different

A lot of teams are putting less emphasis on offense in center (unless they leadoff like Pierre or Damon) than in a while. I think teams like Boston and NY and a few others are really looking for defense in center over all else. I think you could get a pretty good value in return for Rowand and it wouild open up a spot for a top guy who is probably ready to make the jump to the bigs

not sure steff but I do know that some players have been traded away from no-income tax states and if they have a clause they can get additional money for going to the new state. I imagine that when a player goes to a Florida team that he gets a residence so that he can take advantage

I'll play for Tampa, AZ, or Florida. No income tax right?

QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 07:29 AM) Actually this is a league MVP. And the Yankees would have a harder problem without a 3rd baseman, the Red Sox could let the pitcher bat. When you start playing that game, shouldn't you look at the quality of the backup? Doesn't that also follow which team would be worse? Gee if we take Ortiz off, who could DH, vs. who could play 3rd and bat. All that proves is A-Rod is surrounded by better talent. Who would have thought 50 years ago that something called VORP would be brought into the MVP discussion? Wow. Interesting point though.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 12:19 AM) If you have the payroll to afford him like the Yankees do, he's worth it. I would love to have him on the Sox but other areas of our team would suffer due to his $25 million salary. Think about this though. The Yankees pay him about 18 or so right with the Rangers picking up the remaining 7? A-rod at 18 compared to Paulie at 14 is a laughable landslide no offense to Paulie

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 05:19 PM) Actually, I'd say 1 at bat can do it...if that at bat costs you a shot at a championship. So Ted Willliams wasn't great then?

QUOTE(Antonio Osuna @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 11:32 PM) The true test should not be stats, but this: Take A-Rod off the Yankees and take Ortiz off the Red Sox. Which team plays more worse as a result? I say the Red Sox do. The Yankees are going to lose power without A-Rod, certainly, but I think that Ortiz is more essential to the Red Sox. And that's more closely related to value than mere stats. We have separate awards for stats; the batting crown, RBI crown, etc. THat may be true, but doesn't that argument indicate that Vladimir Guerrero is your AL MVP?

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 10:44 PM) Well id take him if I was going to play him at SS..... Thats probably a good point. If pressed, I take Pujols over anyone. But A-Rod is obviously special although more so at SS. Third was always the better offensive position until we hit that stretch a few years ago with Tejada-Rodriguez-Nomar-Renteria-Jeter all at their peaks. Now with the emergence of David Wright, Cabrera moving to third, and Aramis Ramirez coming on-it seems that third is a loaded position. This is sort of a fantasy take on it though as both are important positions defensively and great luxuries to have a big bat at.

Yeah Pods shouldn't have gotten votes. Once he stopped running, he was pretty much below average for this team (the postseason notwithstanding). I would have believed more in Hafner but he had that slow start that kind of botehrs me. Plus, Victor Martinez and Sizemore were pretty comparable in their value in terms of turning that offense around. Hafner is an excellent MVP sleeper pick for next year

Pierre was simply huge for them in the 03 playoffs. That said, when you have a 400 obp guy like Luis Castillo, you can deal from strength and pare some payroll by trading Juan. I also guess they must think that an offseason of rest will help Castillo regain his hip strength. When Pierre was moved down to 7th in the order, he really was hurting the team production wise. I'd be stunned if they got Pie but Rich Hill would still be a nice pickup for the Marlins. The Yanks probably don't have a Rich Hill

QUOTE(bighurt2719 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 03:29 PM) if and only if we lose PK do i consent to this deal OK. I'll let Abreu's agent know that he shouldn't pack his bags until you sign off on it

Yeah I can't imagine losing both Konerko AND Garland this offseason. That said, if we had to do that to keep other guys in a few years (Buehrle) then it'd be ok (although I don't think that its an either or situation.

I didn't trust the Bears initial diagnosis given Bradley's "strain". I'm stunned he didn't break or tear something. Nobody could have watched that play and really believed he wasn't badly hurt. Great news for Bears fans

Well deserved in my opinion. Hopefully Pujols will finally be rewarded for his greatness tomorrow

I sorta doubt Vazquez regrets coming here. I think he wants to be a Florida Marlin for the commute. Decent shot he would have exercised the trade option if he came here too

I know its only 2 percent but people actually want AJ replaced?

Forgot to mention Scott Fletcher who seems like the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet, and Bobby Thigpen seemed like a great guy too. He couldn't believe that I'd know who he was but I told him he saved the game the first one I ever went to. Nice guy

I found it funny that the East-Coast sports media elite thought this guy lacked toughness. He was without his family in a foreign land with a foreign language and must have wondered if it was all worth it. Contreras would be an excellent choice for Sportsman of the year. He has found a home in Chicago and I hope he stays here through the end of his career.

You did relatively well with Mays, who along with Reggie Jackson are considered among the more surly HOF'ers. Heres the guys I met Pete Rose-met him at a show. I came away with an unfavorable impression of him although he didn't really say anything wrong. He'll give you a great autorgaph and inscription but he gives you a bit of a forced smile and you can tell he's there for the paycheck Maggs Ordonez-Very pleasant at a bank opening or something like that. Smiled a lot and appreciated nice comments. Came away impressed Carlos Lee-Didn't say a whole lot at a car dealership I saw him at. Wasn't mean or anything, just sort of a neutral impression Harold Baines-not a warm and fuzzy guy but very accomodating and nice Orlando Cepeda-seemed pretty nice at a show Minnie Minoso-Seems like a great old guy. Met him at a show and was glad I did Eric Dickerson-Terrific guy. Called me "playa". Can't tell you how great an experience it was to meet him at Ditka's annual show. Volunteered to stand up and take a pitcure with me. Wanted to know if I wanted the autpgraph large or small. Very thankful for compliments (looks like he could run for 1000 yards still). Gale Sayers-Kinda like another Harold Baines. Nice guy but obviously a reserved man Ditka-Sort of like a Pete Rose. If you go into meeting him expecting him to be how he is on tv (you ehar this about Bradshaw too) you will come away disappointed. Not a jerk or anything but not particularly personable when I met him. Buehrle-Very nice. Met him at a bank signing. Was gracious and pleasant. Esteban Loaiza-Thought he was extremely nice. Met him at Bergies where all the yuppie kids were brats so when my buddy and I were talking to him he was extremely gracious and we came away big fans Marty Booker-awesome guy. Too bad he's not here anymore Peanut tillman-pretty good guy. Met him after his rookie year. Liked him Ray Meyer-Wonderful man. Highly recommend meeting him if you get the chance Bobby Hull-Seemed nice enough Gordie Howe-Exceptionally nice guy

any news on the wheaties box>? mid-november is rapidly approaching

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 8, 2005 -> 11:19 AM) Chacin Iguchi Street Gomes A lot of splitting hairs here. The Yankees were lifeless when Cano and Wang came up. They were a B-12 shot for that team. Not saying he's the ROY but he is certainly in the conversation. Big Sepetember too in money time

Reggie Wayne vs. Pac Man Jones (a guy I thought would be very good)? Wow. Could get ugly. As a Brady hater and a Patriot hater, this game feels pretty good. At least maybe it will shut up some of the East coast writers. It seems that so many people are just enamored with the Pats (Simms, Peter King, Bill Simmons obviously). THose are guys I like-sans Simms. It gets kind of annoying so I enjoy the crumbling of the Pats