BigbadB

You're right. I had no idea New Orleans was devastated by a hurricane until the Saints starting winning football games. Again, why the cynicism? This country has a long history of people reacting strongly to the initial news event, but then letting the story disappear. The damage caused by Katrina is something that cannot be fixed by a flood of water bottles and canned goods to the area. It is an ongoing struggle. Causes that constantly have attention brought upon them are the ones that receive the most effort, both in man hours and financial assistance, and that is often the difference between solving a problem and letting one fester. Yes, we all know Katrina happened. But everytime a story is written about what people are still enduring, and what still needs to be done, somebody somewhere is probably reminded, and inspired to do some good. Not to mention the fact the people of New Orleans actually have something to be somewhat cheerful about. I can't imagine the feeling of waking up everyday in what looks like a war ravaged city, and knowing that it will probably look that way again tomorrow. If the Saints season brightens even just a few people's days and weeks, it's more than they had before football season. Go Bears! If the Bears lose, I'll be cheering on the Saints to Super Bowl victory. I hate the Pats and Colts.

Not only does Veal nap prior to games, but it looks like he naps during caravan's also. He must be well rested. :D

2004 Nomar Garciaparra >>>>Ramon Martinez>> Alex Gonzalez Alex Gonzalez played SS less than Ramon and Nomar

Hello Captain Obvious! :D Nothing wrong with posting it here.

I think the Pirates won big time in this deal.

Yay! I was hoping for this trade. Enter Scott Thorman! (sorry, fantasy baseball excitement)

Yeah, that's the guy. I guess he's from San Diego, but I don't follow that sport, yet.....

A friend of mine was at the game. His seats were right behind Paul Lidell (sp?), one of the top Ultimate Fighters. My friend left the game because he couldn't stop his brothers (very drunk) wouldn't stop messing with Paul and his girlfriend/wife? He was very embarrassed and didn't want to be any part of what might have happened later. I don't think anything did happen, but I'm not sure.

I noticed on Rotoworld that the Tigers are making Omar Infante a back up this year. I'd much rather have him than Izturis.

Ha! Put Bonds #2 in the line up behind Youkilis and his .381 OBP and just watch Manny and Ortiz go to town.

Win or lose, Mark Prior will make less money than Cesar Izturis or Jason Marquis or Scott Eyre.

I'm going to go ahead and disagree with you here. We don't know how Prior's arm got ruined. Could be from pitcher abuse, could be from poor conditioning on his part. I think the abuse had a lot to do with it, personally. But, if there is even a remote chance the Cub organization had anything to do with his injury problems, I would demand a raise. The insignificant raise he "might" receive in arbitration is nothing in comparison to what he might have made if he was never injured in the first place. How much in earnings does he stand to lose over the course of his career from pitcher abuse early in his career if his pitching arm is never the same? And if by chance he comes back healthy in 2007, whatever he is making is probably going to be significantly less than what he is worth. This is a non-issue, IMO.

He might actually be a good CFer. Torrii Hunter was blocking him at Minnesota and Juan Pierre was blocking him here. While I was witness to most of those really bad spike throws Jones made last year, when he released the ball properly, his throws typically weren't half bad. The spike throws were some of the worst I've ever seen an outfielder throw, but that's a timing thing that can be corrected. I say sit down with the boy and work it out. Problem is, if he becomes a platoon player, he'll probably want to be gone no matter what. But, his inability to hit left hand pitching will go wherever he goes, so there is a risk of him turning into a part time player wherever he ends up.

The Phillies mascot reminds me of a dinosaur. There you go!

LOL, no. I have cut back to half a pack a day. Now that Vegas is pretty much smoke free (excluding hotel rooms and the casino gaming floor), it will be easier for me to attempt. But, a little bit at a time is a step in the right direction. Shockingly enough, the law they attempted to pass in California would have made it easier for me to quit, but it was shot down. It was an increased tax that would have made smokes about $4.00 more a pack. I guess even the non-smokers thought that was a bit too much. That's good, because cold turkey makes me a very, very wound up individual, and nearly impossible to tolerate for more than a few minutes at a time.

Yeah, it's confusing to me, also. If you are going to pick random towns and teams to be a fan, why on Earth would anyone pick the Cubs? It's Bears, Cubs and Bulls for me, though I'm not really an NBA fan anymore now that the greatest player that ever lived is retired (Jordan). I support the Chargers and Padres when they aren't playing the Cubs, but it's because I live here now. But, when they play against Chicago, my allegiance is still with the area I grew up in and followed from day 1.

Troll says what? :D

Are you kidding me? California invented it. There are whole towns you can't smoke in. Del Mar and Solana Beach, you are not allowed to smoke in your car as you pass through. It's banned at beaches, stadiums, pretty much everywhere. A smoking area well away from the non-smokers would have been a much more effective plan. To make me leave the stadium and then cross the street before I light up, thanks, but no thanks. I can see the game perfectly fine from my tv. I'll buy my consessions at the local grocery store, and they'll be much cheaper, thanks! Meanwhile, corporate America, who voted out smoking pull into their parking spot in their 10 MPG smog emitting SUV's. You won't smoke while doing it though. :lol: True, but I'll smoke on the way there and on the way back.

Are you kidding me? California invented it. There are whole towns you can't smoke in. Del Mar and Solana Beach, you are not allowed to smoke in your car as you pass through. It's banned at beaches, stadiums, pretty much everywhere. A smoking area well away from the non-smokers would have been a much more effective plan. To make me leave the stadium and then cross the street before I light up, thanks, but no thanks. I can see the game perfectly fine from my tv. I'll buy my consessions at the local grocery store, and they'll be much cheaper, thanks! Meanwhile, corporate America, who voted out smoking pull into their parking spot in their 10 MPG smog emitting SUV's.

And I'm just the opposite. I refuse to pay for tickets to a baseball game when the organization has made it very clear they don't want me there. (ie. smoking not allowed ANYWHERE on the stadium grounds at Petco) And when I am successful at quitting, I still won't go. I will still be bitter that they didn't want my money then, therefore they can't have it now.

I don't like the idea of moving Moore. If Aramis gets hurt, Moore and McGehee are the only respectable options at 3b, IMO. Moore has a little bit of major league experience. McGehee doesn't.

Jacque Jones, Scott Eyre, Scott Moore and Carlos Marmol for Rocco Baldelli? Way too much. But, I'd do it.

Kill me now. It's news like this that reduces the trade value of a player, and Hendry is becoming famous for this. All it would have taken is for Hendry and Jones to have an understanding that letting it slip that Jones wants out of town will make trading him a much more difficult task. The Cubs deserve fair trade value in return regardless of Jones' feelings about wanting to leave. Now that it is rather apparent that he does want to leave, unless someone is still willing to offer up as much as he should have netted in trade without this news, I'd have to inform him that he'll be the opening day CFer in Chicago this year, unless of course the opposing team is starting a Lefty. With the current market, Jones has value in trade. If this news reduces that value, he should remain a Cub. In other words, I wouldn't trade him just to trade him, even if he really does want to be traded. In other words, I don't know who blabbed to the media about Jones' desire to leave Chicago, but the cat is out of the bag now, and it's too bad, so sad for Jones at this point. Unless, of course, someone offers fair return. I just don't understand it.

Rotoworld's take: The Cubs are continuing to shop Jacque Jones, who would prefer to move on after one year in Chicago. Cubs manager Lou Piniella has been in contract with several of his new players since being hired, but Jones isn't one he has reached out to, seemingly another sign that the 31-year-old isn't in the team's plans for the future. If a Jones deal can be pulled off, the Cubs will likely sign Cliff Floyd with the money they free up. They could also pursue Darin Erstad or Steve Finley as center field help. Source: Chicago Sun-Times

Ryan Howard?