Jim Fainter

No use sperculating about Koch a at this time. Sounds like he'll get a few rehab innings at Charolotte. If he gets hit hard, he's through for the year; if he is lights out and hitting 98, then we can speculate.

I think Reed will be ready for the show next year. Especially if he does well in the AFL. Sox will have to make room for him.

And what happens if he doesn't clear waivers? Why wouldn't some team pick him up? My guess is that he would be named in the off season.

He'll be too good to hit in the 8 hole next year.

Now I have heard that he was a long time heavy smoker, which doesn't surprise me because a lot of players in his day smoked, plus I knew that he had lung cancer. Let this be a lesson to you youngsters out there. He might still be alive and healthy if he didn't smoke. If you have the habit, quit, please. End of rant.

Have we heard a new Hawk expression tonight? "The Sox are layin some hemp tonight."

Does anybody know the stats he had for the Sox in the brief time he played here.

Too bad neither the Astros or Cards had the ability to put the NL Central away.

Al, You are correct. A single bad call does not reflect on the integrity of the game. A series of bad calls by the same ump MIGHT, and those guys should have some system of public accountability. For years they were without scrutiny. Somewhat improved now. We have seen several obvious calls go against us this year, a few when the ump was grossly out of position. What are you supposed to do, look the other way, say "Oh, well," when that happens? Twice this year within one week the lowly Rockies were flat screwed out of games by bad calls, one on the last play of the game when the ump was not in positon to make a routine call at first. What else does he have to do but to be there and make the right call? What happens the next day --- nothing. Absolutely nothing, and that is wrong. That's what I'm talking about. I don't have any magical solution, but there should be some system of public accountability by the umps who f*** up. After that Rocky game I frankly questioned the ump's integrity, it was so bad. As a postscript, I still remember the last playoff game the Sox played (against Seattle in 2000 for you youngsters). There were two awful calls by umps against us in a very tight game. Again, I don't have a solution, I'm just babbling. I fully realize that bad calls are part of any game on any level. But big league umps should be scrutinized more than they are.

But the incompetent ump goes into his whole unscathed. When they make an obvious bad call that is critical to the game's outcome, or in this case to a no hitter, the guy should be publicly disciplined. Suspended for 2-3 games w/o pay, probation after the second or third offense. Umps should not be exempt from matters dealing with the integrity of the game.

Tim Hummell played for Charlotte Friday night. Who did we give up for Sullivan?

I have shirts older the Cotts.

Which GM will offer him $8-10 MM next year?

Hope Kenny doesn't trade them next year.

Who did we send down when we added Sullivan?

If Jason doesn't get a GM gig by the time he's 30, he ought to go into politics.

My guess is we give up at least three out of Pacheco, West, Wylie, Wing, An, Bullard, and whoever else they asked Kenny to throw in there. How can you say this is a good trade if we don't know what we gave up? In the past Kenny would get out-negotiated by GM's; now he can get out-negotiated by an "acting" GM. If you were Cincy, why would you NOT ask for Pacheco? In fact, I bet they even asked for Reed. Why not ask for him? Kenny never says "no." He should have been a woman. I can just see it. Pacheco and Reed with another pitcher or two thrown in because Cincy wanted them. Is Sullivan better than Schoen? Yes. Therefore, Kenny probably gave up a lot more than he gave for Schoen.

Can she hit?

I agree. The Cubune is trying to start a centerfield controversy.

His average is climbing at the right time.

There'll be a leak in the next few days. I just don't trust KW.

I bet Pacheco and a bunch of others are gone. KW no doubt gave a wide selection.

Half you guys thought Schoeneweis was a great pickup. He can't get anybody out and we gave up two pretty good prospects for him, not to mention Glover. Bittner had another good game by the way, 20 innings, 10 hits, no runs since we donated him to the halos. Sullivan is arguably better than Schoen, so KW probably gave a choice of a bunch of prospects just to make sure we get f***ed, so there is no telling what we gave up. I just don't trust him negotiating away our minor leagus system. I bet Pacheco is gone.

But Helton at .346??? Without a doubt one of the elite players in the game.

I'm surprised they havent been sitting Jose all season to avoid paying him that much. It is way too much. But we will need a shortstop next year. If the Sox are satisfied to have Jose here next year, they ought to give him a compromised contract now for 2004.