Jim Fainter

WSF: I like Pierre. His speed would really help us. I don't know why the Marlins would be anxious to move him, though. Speaking of the Marlins, their rookie pitcher Willis just shut out the Mets.

He's already signed to a long term deal. I'm convinced his best position is left, because he throws like a girl.

The 1955 team was the best Sox team of the 50's except, of course, for the 1959 pennant winning team. That was the one that got away.

There have been lots of great pitchers who have consistently gone deep into counts. Some guys pitch better 3 and 2 than others.

It looks as if Ginter has done the best job. We should bring him up and release Rick White. He (White) obviously has no future with the Sox, and he isn't tradable and he has used up almost half of his salary. Give Ginter some innings here, free up that Charlotte roster spot for somebody from AA, which will make more innings available for the rest of the Birmingham staff, etc.

TO WS613282. First, happy birthday. Since you are from U of A, how about your giving a report on Anderson, our 1st rounder. Tks.

I just grabbed the May 12 issue of Sports Illustrated. Great article on Billy Beane. Most of it is on scouting theories. I don't know if you can get the actual article on the internet. Beane Counter.

He was probably getting it on with some other player's wife.

Chet Lemon played center for the Sox. No relation to Bob Lemon.

Rex, how do you like Bajenaru?

RE: The Cass Michaels beaning. No batting helmets. People often forget how much tougher it was to hit in those days. No batting helmets, so there really was the intimidation factor, and hitting backgrounds were terrible in just about every park. Lots of white shirts in center field bleachers. Now they are all closed off and with appropriately dark backgrounds. I have a 1954 memory here, also. Cass Michaels started out as the regular third baseman. He was strictly a journeyman player his entire career, but that year he started out on fire. Then they traded for all-star George Kell from Detroit, and they had to keep him on the bench, because Michaels was so frigging hot. After a few days they benched Michaels anyway. Later he got beaned. I believe that was all in the same year, but I am trusting my own memory, which sometimes is a mistake.

I don't think Josh Paul would have to clear waivers again this year -- just once a year ( I think ). We should hear something soon on the Charlotte roster.

Remember, Appling spent his whole career with the Sox, and Aparicio was traded twice by the Sox. He had considerable stretches with both Baltimore and Boston, and it wasn't until the end of Aparicio's career that he became a .300 hitter. He should never have been traded.

So we add Joe B and this guy Rivera to our Charlotte roster, which means that two guys have to go. Wonder who? And what are the redeeming qualities to Mr. Rivera that made us pick him up off the powerful Padre roster and take up one of our 40 man slots? Come in Rex with the answer.

Don't forget Ryan Meaux. He made it, too.

Beltran will either cost a s***potful of prospects or our #1 draft choice next year which will probably be in the top ten. Plus a lot of money. I can't see it.

One could say, "good morning" to a sportswriter, and he could make it look as if you were whining if he wanted.

I noticed on our home page that Jason Schmidt is not scheduled to throw against us. Good!!! That guy is a stud. Great arm, great stats this year. But, he last threw on Saturday, which means that he would have four days rest for our Thursday encounter. I hope they save him for KC on Friday.

Lou is using whatever psychology he can on Liefer. He is going to try and make a player out of him.

Frank's made a believer out of me.

I remember Ferris Fain coming back from that hand injury and hitting a bases loaded inside the park homer.

Rex, are you in charge of weather for our minor league teams?

Last winter, when I was new to this board, I expressed my doubts about Joe B, and I was roundly criticized. I still have those doubts. The kid looks great, runs great, throws great, but I have never seen a good major league hitter swing the way he does. Everyone is entitled to mistakes in the draft. If he doesn't make it, so what. Send him down and let him flounder at AAA. If he figures it out, we have a winner. Otherwise, let's stop the wishful thinking. He has to learn to hit before he comes to the show again. I would rather concentrate on some other option in center.

Consider two things: 1) don't sign anybody associated with agent Boros, 2) if you are thinking of signing any free agent next off season, remember that you will be giving up a VERY high draft choice. There are a dozen or so studs out there that can be had for our top value, tradable players that won't cost 10 million per year.

They are both overpaid, A-Rod more than Hurt. Hurt has a more honorable agent. A-Rod has a better sex life. Hurt has a bigger house. I think these kind of comparisons are more entertaining.