YASNY

All that I have to add is this, as everything else has been thoroughl.. ummm .. discussed. It was stated that Sox will "never" catch the Cubs. I wholeheartedly disagree with that statement. The whole "lovable loser" magic is crumbling right before your eyes. They are now expected to win, and when they don't, again, it's going to be the first step on the road to "looking back at the good old days" for that franchise. Sosa is at the age where could lose his bat speed at any time, and if he was "steriod supplemented", it may happen tomorrow. Venerable Wrigley Field is dump that is just waiting to be recognized as such. How much longer do you think that rickety old place can be used without some drastic, but not cost-effective reconstruction? The Cubs are a fad . Fads come and go. This is their moment to soar toward the sun, but like Icarus, they'll soon be plummeting back to earth. The Tribune company is going to run that franchise into a state of such disrepair that they'll be in the dumper for years. You heard it here first.

I'm hoping that this is just a little negative blip in our season, and we'll get back on a roll soon. The team is going to have to overcome the Magglio injury and Koch's implosion.

There was not one iota of new information in that article. All of that has been hashed and rehashed on this board already.

Losing Maggs after this year is not a franchise breaker if the money saved on his salary is reinvested wisely. Retaining him at $15M a year very well could be, if he gets hurt. Griffey never had injury problems before he went to Cinci, but we all know how that turned out. Do we want to be the Reds of the past few seasons? Trading Maggs would be a dumb move. We should be adding players, even "rent-a-players", not subtracting. Just consider Magglio a "rent-a-player" that didn't cost us any prospects. Not a bad deal.

I'd rate that need for a "Finley" type right up there with the bullpen arm, if not even more of a priority.

I'd rather see us "rent" Steve Finley. He'd be cheaper. He's a winner.

I've always liked Hawk. I can take or leave DJ. He's not a buffoon like Joe Carter was, but he doesn't bring much to the table.

I was under the distinct impression it was time to panic. Our last few series haven't been pretty.

I don't recall much teeth gnashing when the trade was made. It's kind of hypocritical to bash KW at this point. I consider this like second guessing a manager when a move doesn't work. If you didn't call it a bad move at the time the decision was made, stow it.

Moneyball was a good read. I enjoyed it, but it is a Beane worship. If you want a little historical perspective on baseball, try "Veeck As In Wreck" by Bill Veeck and "Ball Four" by Jim Bouton. "Ball Four" is an excellent book mostly set in 1969 when Bouton was a pitcher with the Seattle Pilots, with flashbacks to his Yankee days as well. I highly recommend it.

It's not a bad gamble, imho.

I don't think Contreras is in A ball because he's that bad. The Yankees have an organizational facility there. I think it's in Tampa and that's where they hold ST. I'm sure there is a perticular person there they want to won't with Contreras. There are other factors besides ability for him being sent there.

Where's the strip club option?

I grew up in Chicago Ridge. I was really saddened when I first heard about this incident. A series of mistakes made by adults and this little guy suffers because of it, along with his parents and siblings.

I wouldn't walk across the street to see any produced by that maggot.

He assumed it would be okay because Wrigleyville is so safe.

Start your own poll!

I voted Clemens, but Vlad has to be considered as well. Where's Uribe?

As opposed to Koch, who we were only hoping against hope that he might be able to get it done. And that was from those of us that were generous toward Koch.

Kenny will get someone as soon as someone else is ready to make a deal. Too many GM's are in "wait" mode right now.

I agree J4L. He's very solid now, and should just get better.

Early in Tuesday's game, Buehrle was getting rocked. Ozzie left him in there and he settled down and pitched well. He gave Garland the same leeway, but in this case it didn't work. I don't think either case was a mistake, I just think the baseballs were jumping out of the yard Tuesday and Wednesday.

Not me. I think Borchard has a lot greater chance to be a real impact player than Reed. I think Reed will be a solid #2 type hitter in the big leagues, and those guys are valueable. I just think Borchard can be so much more than that.

There's no way I'd gamble on picking up tickets on gameday. The road trip itself jacks up the price of going to a game for me. I guess I'll miss the series again this year, as all my inquiries have been in vain. Though, in one instance it was my own fault.

OK. Let me try this again. Ross Gload will not play third unless it's an emergency situation or a publicity stunt. He throws left handed.