Gregory Pratt

Is he retiring after this year -- what do you guys think? I think it depends on how well the Cubs do and how his health holds up, but moreso on the Cubs winning and how good their team is lined up to be for next year, too. Maddux wants another Ring. (Of course, he'll have to hold off on that while with the Cubs...) On another note, am I the only one pulling for him to win the National League Cy Young, and happy he's off to three great starts? Maddux will always be a Brave to me. But, more importantly, he'll always be a damned good pitcher.

I saw clips of Kent and Bonds fighting. I wanted to find out why. I did a Google search and browsed through a bunch of things. This came out -- and I was very surprised.

QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 12:55 PM) I didn't get the whole story, but you quit over a number? In a few years, you will regret it. I didn't quit over a number solely. I quit over the Coach being consistently disrespectful, rude and shoddy and the fact that I never got any playing time even when he'd just told me that I'd be getting some playing time. All the Coach ever did was treat me like s*** until he finally crossed the line. Why stay on a team where I won't even get to play? I can warm up on my own, thanks. And my teammates were, by and large, jagoffs with the Coach's approval. You might say I'm selfish bot quitting. I don't think what I did was. On our team, you don't even earn your spot through tryouts -- you earn it through the Coach putting you on, and often that choice is made through "age" and "experience." It's not worth it. I'll join a Summer League instead.

I am saying that I didn't even have a clue he'd been subpoenaed, and I didn't know there was any connection. I didn't jump to a sole conclusion, personally, and the fact that my post is a genuine inquiry and not any sort of conclusion or attack is clear. Given that he didn't testify, I'd like to know why, along with the summons. ::shrug:: If anyone knows, let us know.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...SPG0K5ATIC1.DTL Why was AJ subpoenaed? Did anyone suspect him of steroid use on a serious level, or was it because of the one season he was with the Giants? I thought that was odd as hell and left me a little surprised. Someone shed some light.

QUOTE(watchtower41 @ Apr 18, 2006 -> 12:15 PM) It was #1 Web Gem on ESPN, Ravech already predicted that it will be a nominee for Web Gem of the Year. I'll be so bold as to say that it'll win, too. Nothing is going to top that.

I love it. QUOTE(JoeBatterz @ Apr 18, 2006 -> 07:46 AM) At least they are not tossing urine samples. Hoho, would that be something to see. f*** Barry Bonds.

Pitch inside. Hit the corners. Stay composed. Go Garland! And I do hope AJ catches today. I really don't like Widger called games, and I think Garland needs AJ today.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Apr 18, 2006 -> 06:54 AM) Cool story. Count's been nothing but good for us, and he definitely could've raked it in big time outside of Chicago. It's really nice to hear that players want to play/stay here now. Players have wanted to stay here before! Robin Ventura wanted a no-trade clause because, quote, "I don't want to sign here to get sent somewhere else." I mean, I don't think you were saying that players have never wanted, or often don't want, to stay here. I just wanted an excuse to tell a cool Robin Ventura story!

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/whitesox.asp?id=177210 I'd fire that agent. Contreras, Buehrle and McCarthy are the only indispensable pitchers as far as starters go, IMO. I like Garland and Garcia and Vazquez just fine -- Vazquez I'm particularly fond of -- but those three are the best, I think, and Contreras is particularly fierce. I'm happy to have him, but stunned by that piece.

If ever put into the situation, I wouldn't mind batting Iguchi leadoff. You know, if Podsednik dies.

I just came back from the game. I love Contreras.

Should be a slaughter. I can't wait for Thome to hit eight. And Contreras -- oh how I love Contreras games.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Apr 17, 2006 -> 10:09 AM) The Fan Deck is straightaway centerfield, not opposite... and I highly doubt anyone will ever hit a ball up there. I believe you were thinking Fundamentals. I'd s***, make a sandwich with my s***, and then eat my s*** sandwich if anyone ever hit one up there. I will hold you to that.

Jerry Reinsdorf and Kenny Williams -- tsk tsk tsk. Perhaps they're interested in pursuing the 1990s all over again. Maybe soon Jerry will push Joe Crede to New York and trade our best pitchers because the Tigers are scary this year. For all the nonsense about this being "the real world," the baseball diamond isn't a cubicle, mates, and the pitcher's mound isn't the same as a podium in front of Goldman Sachs or at a Burger King. Ultimately it's not a big deal to me, but the players should be able to have a little fun and look the way they want to look within reason -- and that merely means that something so blatant and excessive like, oh, tatooing a dick on your cheek, would be wrong. The length of your hair isn't subject to regulation "within reason" unless you're, you know, tripping over it while running out a single. Pierzynski's hair isn't out of line or out of reason. And, since someone mentioned it earlier, I think this is excessive worrying about nothing much like it's unnecessary concern to be worried about Buehrle sliding and hurting himself when he slides. He's not a moron and it's just not likely. Perhaps he should have someone else dress him and bathe him and carry him home and drive him wherever he goes.

QUOTE(My Dixie Normus @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 08:49 PM) Wells is damn tough out. Except when he's playing in the WBC. I hate Vernon Wells.

Give Anderson to Philadelphia for Rowand.

Iguchi is a big boy. I'm sure he understands that Garcia's frustration wasn't personal. Freddy probably just threw his hands up because he wanted it over and it was a natural reaction. I don't think anyone really thinks Garcia was trying to show Iguchi up.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 08:09 PM) Its not about an injury. Its about Mark waving on the fans to come on the field, which sitting from my seat, he did do. It sucks he cant do it anymore, cause it was great for us today, but I dont blame them for a fine. One idiot(the fan) ruins it for everyone once again. If it's about that, then Kenny Williams is the idiot. Just forbid him from waving to the fans and "seem[ingly]" inviting people onto the field, and let him keep doing it during rain delays. By the way, I was there too. Bad ass game. A lot of fun.

This is bulls***. He should do it again next time, and the time after, too. I'd understand if he was doing something truly reckless, but it's silly simple fun. A five year old can do it and does do it without being injured. What're Ozzie and Kenny going to do if he does it again -- fire him? Bench him? I hope the fine isn't a bulls*** and excessive number, either.

It was a good game. I loved it. Buehrle was sliding on the tarp during the delay and everything just clicked. I was happy with Garcia even with the fifth taken into account. The rain, people! QUOTE(shawnhillegas @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 03:27 PM) so is the consensus that freddy still has these complete, occasional breakdowns or do we blame the 5th on the rain? Freddy was fine during this game. It was the rain and problems with gripping the ball. And there were a few borderline umpire ball-calls that bothered me. QUOTE(elrockinMT @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 03:33 PM) Right now, early in the season of course, Freddie is the #5 guy in the rotation. I'd rather see McCarthy in there I think. Maybe we will trade Freddie G for a #1 closer? Billy Koch available? Freddy is either our four or three, depending where you put Vazquez. Garland's our five.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 08:55 AM) Patterson also had 4 years to back up that theory. Anderson's had 11 games so far this season. All I'm saying, is that the Brian Anderson you're seeing now, is not the Brian Anderson you're going to see at the end of the season. Give him time. He can have the time. I don't make the f***ing roster, as Ozzie Guillen would tell me, after all. I just have no problem calling him Korey until he proves me wrong, because my hopes aren't particularly high for him.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 08:52 AM) I think it would be a lot easier to accept Anderson's struggles right now if Pods could actually do something. Instead, we've had far too many games where the 9/1 is an automatic 2 outs. It's too bad that Mackowiak is swinging the bat well, as that would at least give us some production from CF. The most concering thing, IMO, with Anderson is that he just isn't hitting the ball well (same with Pods). It's not just that he isn't hitting it well. It's that he's striking out twice a game with the bases loaded. Pods after him is a problem, too.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 08:45 AM) And I still think he can. But I think it's just unfair that people are already practically giving up on him, and comparing him to Corey Patterson. We've only played in 11 games so far. Rookies are gonna hit bumps in the road, and that's a fact of life. Let's hope Anderson's hitting his major one right now, and that he can get things sorted out, and become the hitter people expect him to. I think it's fair for me to compare him to Patterson until he starts putting up good numbers. Patterson was solid in the outfield and abysmal at the plate. Anderson strikes out like it's going out of fashion and strands runners like they've got nowhere to go. I do hope he comes around, but until he does... ...K is for Anderson.

Everytime I see him at the plate, I ask myself, "I thought the Cubs shipped Korey Patterson to Baltimore?"