moochpuppy

I think the Twins are making a big mistake using Santana tonight against the Tribe instead of tomorrow against the Sox.

Yeah, let's trash the place before anyone has a change to see the new stadium inside and out and be able to make a viable observation.

No question.....Colon. Then you start Loiaza in Game One.

Damn, with all those elevens, Williams should have sent them to the craps table to win some money for a 5th starter.

Cubs' ticket scam of '03 looks very familiar September 11, 2003 BY GREG COUCH SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Major League Baseball has hit the Cubs with its ''severest criticism and censure'' for a ticket-scalping scandal that has made national headlines and stained a thrilling season. The league said it lacked hard evidence to say with certainty that the Cubs were in collusion with the scalpers, getting tickets to them and then sharing the cut in a phony box-office scam, as accused. Still, the league's report said the Cubs ''must be held responsible.'' It said that scalpers had gotten tickets from the Cubs' office when no one else could and that the Cubs admitted to selling 630 tickets to one person. The league then changed a ticketing rule to ensure this never will happen again. This is a lesson in learning from your past. The censure was not for the Cubs' current ticket-scalping scam. It came in 1908, the last time the Cubs won the World Series. In a scam eerily similar in style to this year's, the Cubs were accused of scalping World Series tickets. Today, the playoffs and World Series are not impossible goals for the Cubs. And Wrigley Field Premium Ticket Services, the Cubs' scalping shop, is open for business. The Cubs bait fans by advertising tickets at one price, sell the tickets at that price to themselves, to Premium, and then switch prices by scalping to the public. On Wednesday, the person answering Premium's phone said the company didn't know yet whether it would sell playoff tickets but that it hoped to. So I called baseball commissioner Bud Selig's office to see if he might put the arm on the Cubs. Just stop hurting the game. Think how this story could escalate if the Cubs scalp World Series tickets. Selig's office didn't call back. In 1908, baseball didn't have a commissioner, but in light of the Cubs' scalping scam, it announced that ''hereafter all of the tickets for all the games during the entire Series will be handled by [the major-league office].'' To save public trust, baseball would sell the tickets itself. Eventually, baseball brought in a commissioner to help police the sport. And 95 years later, with teams selling their own postseason tickets again, Selig does nothing but go on Cubs TV broadcasts to blubber about what a great job he has done. On Dec. 17, 1908, the Chicago Daily News wrote from New York under the headline, ''WOULD ABOLISH WORLD'S SERIES.'' ''A report is current here among major-league men that the world's series may be abolished next year. It was said yesterday that when the magnates meet for the schedule sessions in Chicago in February, a determined effort will be made to get a motion through to do away with the series. ''Those who are opposed to the games will use as an argument that the recent ticket scandal and the demands of the players for more money have not benefitted the game at all...'' The Cubs almost killed the World Series. Maybe it's understandable to forget such old embarrassments. But this entire surprising season has shared headlines with the Cubs' dirty greed. With a chance to give us our dream playoffs, what do the Cubs do? Come up with a fresh, new ticket scam. Angry Cubs fans have been e-mailing me about it. Season-ticket holders had to pay up Wednesday for playoff tickets. One e-mailer said his tickets usually are $25 a game. The Cubs charged him $1,355 for his two seats for what could be 10 postseason games, including the World Series. He was OK with the price hike but was upset by this line on the sheet the Cubs sent him: ''If the Cubs are eliminated from postseason contention before playoff tickets are mailed, we will automatically credit your payment to your 2004 season-ticket account.'' The Cubs will hold his money until January, when it's time to pay for next year's tickets? Why should the Cubs be the ones earning interest on his money? White Sox season-ticket holders were given the option of getting a refund. Do the math: The Cubs sold roughly 15,300 season tickets. If this e-mailer's $67.75 per postseason ticket is the average, then the Cubs basically will be sticking their most loyal fans for a $10.2million interest-free loan for four months. At the current prime rate, that would mean skimming nearly $140,000 in interest on money that's not theirs. That would cover roughly one-third of their legal fees in the ticket-scalping case. We never can trust the Cubs again and always must keep watch. A whole year of bad press over dirty ticket policies, and they do this anyway. But that's a modern-day scam. The one they've been running all year has roots from 95 years ago. The day the Cubs opened the Series against Detroit, on Friday, Oct. 9, 1908, the front page of the Daily News had headlines about the buildup. Also this: ''Eager Fans Storm Places Where They Think Tickets Are Procurable, and Police Have Hands Full to Check Them...'' The next day, after the Cubs won Game 1, the main headline on the front page read, ''Chicago win first in World's Baseball Series.'' The secondary headlines, still on Page 1, read, ''More than 5,000 Men and Women Stand in Line...'' and ''...Many Maintain an All-Night Vigil.'' And ''Confusion in Announcement of Selling Places Results in Discomfort--Prospective Crowd Loud in Their Complaints at Management.'' The Cubs were in the World Series, but that fact had to share the front page with their deceit. The Cubs told fans that they could buy tickets at noon Friday at Spalding's, 147 Wabash. Fans arrived early and waited. And waited. Hawkers sold stools. At 1:30, the Cubs said the tickets would not be sold until 6 a.m. Saturday. Meanwhile, scalpers were buying them out of the Cubs' office, then selling to people in line. So people lined up early Saturday, only to be told at 1 p.m. that they had to have reservations. Scalpers apparently had them, and sold to people in the new line. Shorting the supply. Jacking up prices. Ripping off Average Joe. Ah, the good old days.

1) Who will win the series (CHW/BOS) (2 points)? Sox 2) Which team will hit more homeruns (CHW/BOS) (2 points)? Sox 3) How many errors will the Sox make (4 points)? Zero 4) Who will lead the Sox in runs scored (4 points)? Lee 5) How many extra base hits will the White Sox have (5 points)? Nine 6) How many pitches will Bartolo Colon throw (3 either way) (5 points)? 108 7) Which bullpen pitcher will face the most batters (4 points)? Sully 8) Will Mark Buehrle pitch in to the 7th inning (Y/N) (2 points)? Yes 9) Who will lead the AL Central after the series (2 points)? Sox 10) Who will have more hits Magglio Ordonez or Bill Mueller (2 points)? Maggs TIEBREAKER: Total runs scored by both teams during the series 33

That comment wreaks of Terry Ryan. :finger

M - V - P.....M - V - P.....M - V - P.....

Twins notes: Third base coach Newman rushed to hospital La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune Published September 11, 2003 TNOT0911 CHICAGO -- Twins third base coach Al Newman was rushed to a hospital during Wednesday night's game against the White Sox after suffering an aneurysm. Newman, 43, underwent a CAT scan at Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center that diagnosed the condition, and spent the night undergoing more tests. The White Sox's medical staff acted quickly to keep Newman out of danger. Twins trainer Jim Kahmann said that White Sox team physician Bernard Feldman had Newman sent to the city's top neurological center. "Because of the diligence of the White Sox staff, we were able to catch this very early," Kahmann said. "The White Sox were exceptional." Newman appeared to feel fine as he chatted with media, players and coaches before Wednesday's game, but began feeling pain when he stretched his neck. "Right before the game, he came down with some serious headaches," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It got a little nerve-racking around here." Kahmann said Newman complained of having the worst headache he's ever had, which sent up a red flag. While Scott Ullger filled in as the third base coach, doctors attended to Newman. Gardenhire politely asked the media to leave the clubhouse for a few minutes after the game so he could inform players of Newman's condition. "Our thoughts are all with Al," Gardenhire said, "as they should be." Milton on Sunday? Righthander Joe Mays will be placed on the 60-day disabled list, which will create roster spot for lefthander Eric Milton, who has recovered from March knee surgery. Now there might be a spot in the rotation for Milton to slide into, too. Gardenhire said Milton is strongly being considered to start Sunday in Cleveland. Righthander Rick Reed and lefthander Carlos Pulido are in the running, too, but Milton appears ahead. Pawlenty visits The Cell Gov. Tim Pawlenty visited U.S. Cellular Field on Wednesday night, but said his appearance had nothing to do with stadium politics. "We got here this morning for a Midwest-Japan bioscience summit," Pawlenty said. "We weren't planning on coming to the game. We kind of ad-libbed that." Pawlenty was asked if he had any advice for Gardenhire. "Just win, baby," he said. Etc. • The White Sox released pitcher Jose Paniagua on Wednesday, a day after he made an obscene gesture at the plate umpire as he left the field. On deck White Sox righthander Esteban Loaiza (19-6, 2.60 ERA) has a chance to win No. 20 today at 1 p.m.. Righthander Brad Radke (11-10, 4.93) will start for the Twins.

Naw, keep it the White Sox but can you imagine this team with Vlad, Vidro and Vazquez?

(from Minneapolis Star-Tribune) Dustan dust-up It's not a real Twins-White Sox series without some controversy, and Dustan Mohr added a little more heat to this series with comments about Chicago's home run celebrations. Mohr told the Associated Press following Tuesday's 8-6 loss that he was tired of watching White Sox hitters standing at the plate and admiring their home runs. When asked about his comments a day later, Mohr would not back down. "I don't care," Mohr said. "I wasn't trying to disrespect anyone. I just said I was tired of seeing them stand in the batter's box, watching their home runs. No disrespect, but there's no need to show anyone up. We don't do that to them." White Sox players weren't pleased. "Last year, they win and we don't say anything," outfielder Magglio Ordonez said. "Now we win and they're offended?" Even if the White Sox were proud of their home runs Tuesday, some Twins didn't care. "I was more upset about the balls going over the fence," center fielder Torii Hunter said.

Falcons 49ers Chiefs Colts Dolphins Browns Packers Saints Bills Buccaneers Seahawks Chargers Raiders Eagles Vikings Giants

The Expos would turn into the Ross Perrot of Chicago Baseball. Yeah, let's try and dilute the Sox fan base more so that the Cubs fan base looks even larger. :fyou How about just combine the Expos in with the Sox? Now that's an idea!!!

Hey Dustin, maybe you should talk to your pitchers and tell them to stop serving up them gopher balls.

Yeah, that must be it!

Jordan and ishmookie, Can I have your address so that I can get reimbursed for my roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis to Chicago, along with my car rental and Hotel expenses. I can take care of the ticket costs, parking and food. Since there are two of you the cost shouldn't hit your pocketbook to hard. Thanks! :finger

The Cubs may be sitting pretty, but when all is said and done I hope it's the Sox that will be standing tall!!

Twins fans need to think before they speak or just shut the f*** up Sox attendance: 72 dates 1,670,573 avg: 23,202 Twins attendance: 73 dates 1,675,891 avg: 22,957

WOO! 11-5, 14pts.....looks good enough for a 2nd place tie.

FYI southside: There is now a feature that does allow you to change stat categories and re-run the standings. Whew, that saved me alot of aggravation.

No you can't. I did the same thing in my baseball league How did you resolve the issue with the other owners southside?

I'm running a league and there were a couple stat categories I selected that we weren't supposed to be using. Will I be able to go back and make an adjustment for week one? Please tell me yes. I can't gain access to fantasy sports at work or I would check myself. Thanks!

Hey Spiff, how do you figure points? For example, there are some players with 11-4 records with 11pts and players with 10-5 records with 11pts.

1) Who will win the series (CHW/MIN/Split) (2 points)? Sox 2) Will any of the games go extra innings (Y/N) (2 points)? No 3) How many errors will the Sox make (4 points)? Two 4) How many RBI will Paul Konerko have (4 points)? Four 5) How many homeruns will the Sox hit in the series (5 points)? Eight 6) How many relief appearances will the bullpen make (5 points)? Seven 7) Which Sox starter will give up the fewest earned runs (4 points)? Colon 8) Will Carlos Lee have at least 4 RBI in the series (Y/N) (2 points)? Yes 9) Who will lead the AL Central after the series (2 points)? Sox 10) Will Michael Ryan hit a homerun (Y/N) (2 points)? No TIEBREAKER: Total attendance for the series 125,000

The Twins are 2-4 vs. Texas and 5-8 vs. Cleveland this season. Any driving their doing is from the back seat.