Jim Fainter

Hawk said something semi-profound. Twice he said that the Sox are a poor bunting team, or words to that effect. Later, after Konerko failed, Hawk took a shot at Manual when he said "Part of managing is knowing what your players CAN do, and part is knowing what they CAN"T do." I think Hawk is disgusted with the team. I don't get the telecasts as often as most of you -- just my opinion.

Bad night for getting hit in the face. An even worse injury tonight was in a CWS game. A player for Cal State Fullerton took a fast ball squarely in the face on a bunt attempt. Was not pretty.

Hernandez is in a big time slump and had been benched in favor of Jose Uribe, who will turn out to be a terrific shortstop. The Denver report tonight said that the Cubs initiated the trade talks for Hernandez. That was a direct quote from Manager Clint Hurdle.

Jose (Mr. K) Hernandez to Cubs for Belhorn.

Rex, what would the almighty players union do if they were suspended that long?

I saw the replay. Wilson was out of line. He didn't like an inside pitch while bunting, mouthed off, and Farnsworth took care of business. Last time I saw a pitcher so aggressive was Nolan Ryan.

The Rockies had Greg Vaughn at AAA for free. (Tampa Bay is stuck with his huge contract) He was hitting very well, and with interleague play coming, they thought Vaughn would be better at the DH role than Kapler. Vaughn had a contractual deadline to be brought up or released. Plus, the Rockies were on the hook for half of Kapler's salary, and they were hopeful of trading him during the ten day period in which he was sent down. Didn't happen, so Kapler can be picked up for peanuts.

He was Minor League Player of the Year one year.

I saw him whenever he played this year. Excellent defense, good arm, runs well, hustles his ass off. He needs to play more to be effective. Last year he had a pretty good stretch after he came over from the Rangers. Walker was hurt, and Kapler got same ab's. Didn't happen this year, since the Rocky outfielders are playing well. Kapler was number 4. He hits the ball hard, but it doesn't go anywhere. He is a classic case where too much weight lifting hurt his power. He is better than Rios, IMO. I bet somebody picks him up.

There has always been a $3.5 MM option for 2004 on Loaiza.

My tongue was in my cheek when I said that about FDR, but I was kidding on the square. It has always pissed me off that black players weren't allowed for all those years. As a baseball fan, I feel cheated. I won't go into the social injustice -- nothing new to offer. But FDR was President for 13 years or so while this was going on, and I think he could have done something, at least made an issue out of it, since he had the power and the clout. I've read all sorts of things about him in my life, good and bad, but I never saw anything about this issue. Maybe he didn't care. Maybe he didn't know about it. Maybe he was too busy on other matters. Maybe he was afraid of political consequences and backed off. But he was wrong not to do something about it. Baseball was a big deal in this country then. Since Judge Landis' position was obvious, it should have been dealt with on a presidential level, that's all I meant to say.

Our two future studs were honored by Baseball America. Brian Anderson was named to the second team All America and Clint King was named to the third team.

What matters to me is the stupid GM's who give away millions of their team's money to guys who can't play. See Mo Vaughn, et al.

That was Matt Williams' year.

Blame it on FDR.

I always felt like Doby got screwed in the P.R. Dept. Robinson got much more adulation over the years, and I don't want to take anything away from him. Doby had just as tough a road to hoe, and he didn't have Pee Wee Reese next to him. Plus, Doby might have been a better player, for whatever that is worth. I remember a few things about his playing career with the Sox, which was after his prime years. He could really play, and he had all the tools. Fundamentally as sound as anyone. Sox fans booed him a bit much, but it was not because of race. The whole town loved Minoso, remember. But Larry had an arrogant way about him that did not translate well to the fans, especially when he was in a slump. But I remember that BIG FIGHT mentioned earlier. I also remember a homer he hit that was one of the longest in Comiskey Park history. Way up in the upper deck in right center -- a little more to the left and it would have way over the old bullpen, a little higher and it would have been out. I never saw anyone else hit one there. I remember feeling badly that we didn't keep him around for the pennant year of 1959. I also never understood why some team didn't hire him as a hitting coach in the 80's or 90's -- unless I missed it.

I don't get the big infatuation with Fossum or those other guys. The Red Sox won't want to break up their team or rotation. If we are out of the race by mid-July, I would love a Sanchez for Colon swap. The valid comparison would be Sanchez or a number 1 draft pick next year.

He's a .270 or so hitter.

I'm still surprised that we have two Rookie League teams. Isn't that unusual?

I noticed Hankins started at third for Charlotte. Permanent?

ChiSoxFan, my understanding of the draft and follow rule is that if Sweeney opts for a Junior College, then we can sign him prior to next June's draft; if he goes to a Division I school, we are history.

Is Sweeney signable, or are we just whistling "Dixie?" Draft and follow for next year?

Is the drought over yet in North Carolina?

Just a day or two after Rex extolled the virtues of young Mr. Munoz, he came up with a clinker last night and gave up 3 earned runs in one inning to re-inflate his ERA. On a more serious note, Rex, in the past you have kind of dismissed Ross Gload as a prospect, but he keeps on hitting. Now up to .337. There must be some arbitrary level of hitting that will make the brass stop and take a look at him. I realize the Rockettes gave up on him, but they have Helton and a slew of first base prospects plus a couple of really good outfield prospects, too. There was just no room for him. I was just wondering if you could re-visit Gload's chances. I mean, could Rios, Daubach, or Konerko hit .337 at AAA? TKS.

Did I miss Hankins? Also, will this list be kept available for future reference?