YASNY

When you have nogotiations with individuals, and put them in a team environment, discrepency happens. The players all know this and know it's a business situation. I don't anticipate any "chemistry" problems because of this.

Have you noticed that Hawk fans aren't getting ripped in the press for not showing up, and Sox fans get it all the time? The Hawks are the team that "needs" new ownership more than the rest. However, I'd prefer to see the Sox have a new owner before any of the other teams.

Don Kessinger was a player-manager for the Sox.

If you book today or tomorrow, you can get $99 or cheaper one way airfare to Phoenix from anywhere Southwest flies.

For me, it's the '83 team. That was the first time in my memory that the Sox finished first.

That leaves us no left handed power whatsoever. Jose is not great, by any means, but this team needs him as it is currently constituted.

Have you ever been to Torch Lake, up that way? I went there as a 10 year old back in '68. My first extended camping trip, in fact. The water was so clear and cold. I hope it's still as beautiful today as I remember.

I would guess that someone that was blind from birth would dream of textures, smells, taste, touch (warmth, coolness, etc.), sound .... I mean, their world consists of these things and they can't comprehend images, colors, shading, shadow, light or anything visual.

Take my word for it Jason, in the long run, you pay, and pay dearly, for it.

There is not any of the bastards, from either party, that has any shred of "ehtics" or "integrity".

OK, let's look at it. Konerko: Signed the long term deal after the 2002 All Star season. Williams was stupid not being able to see into the future and anticipate Konerko would have a career worst season. Valentin: Has been a solid, decent ballplayer for 4 years with the Sox. His option had to be picked up, since we have no other power from the left side. Personally, I think Jose is worth his salary to this team. Ordonez: When Maggs was signed, the market was different than it is now. There was nothing dumb about this signing. Koch: Again, Kenny failed to look into crystal ball and see a guy that went from AL relief pitcher of the year to having a terrible year. Hindsight is 20-20.

It sounds like that they gave Rose every chance in the world to do the right thing, and due to the advice of his agent and his own lack of integrity, he missed the chance. He can stay in his "Prison Without Bars" as far as I'm concerned.

I thought it was interesting that he said Rauch had more upside than Cotts, Wright or Diaz.

Pretty bad signing, that's for sure. But let's not forget the Todd Hundley signing on the other side of town.

The Yankees will probably go out and buy Scott Rolen from St. Louis. The Cards are gonna need some major bucks to keep Pujols happy.

The way I see things, it is very smart to slowly develop players. Let them get their at bats or innings pitched at AAA. Let the get older, bigger, stronger, down there. If you bring them up at 22, then by the time they are hitting their prime, they have 6 years of service time and are able to walk via free agency. Bring them up at 25 or 26, let them play through their prime with us, then they can walk. You, theoretically, get more bang for your buck.

I don't like Mariotti at all, but Kornheiser is freaking terrible!

What's the big deal. A rumor is only a rumor until proven otherwise. If you approach it like that, no harm done. Besides, it gives us something to talk about.

Honestly Baggs, what choice does KW have when it comes to this? He has to try and keep payroll down so he CAN add players from time to time.

1. Crede .... He's been progressing nicely. 2. Rowand .... I'm looking for this guy to bust out this year 3. Konerko .... He's too good of a hitter to have a repeat of last year 4. Harris .... Between Olivo and Harris, I think Willie has the better chance to be an offensive weapon. 5. Olivo .... Any improvement at the plate will be welcome.

Wishful thinking perhaps, but I went with Billy.

I thought that was the plan all along.

I haven't heard this anywhwre but here, fwiw. However, I do remember seeing a quote from Maddux that he would not rule out pitching for either Chicago team. Last time I checked, one of those was in the American League.

The way I see it, Ozzie, Frank and Kenny are all in the wrong on this one. Ozzie and Kenny are wrong because they've been flapping their yaps. Frank is wrong for not returning the multiple calls that were made, possibly in an attempt to smooth things over. I would suggest to Ozzie and Kenny that from this point till Spring Training that the subject of Frank Thomas should be off limits with the media.