NewUserName

just reading through some comments on internet stories about this, it is amazing the excuse making people are making for this guy. I think even if he is completely innocent(which is a real looooong stretch after watching the video), it is hard to imagine him racing today.

Tony Stewart is kind of treated like Dale Earnhardt Sr in racing. Drives dangerously, but somehow with them people say "that's just winning". Others who drive much cleaner are often thought of as dirty drivers.

All jokes aside...Does Mike Olt still have trade value? He did show power as a part-time player. Went back to Iowa and has done well. I understand his overall game was bad in the majors, but could he be a solid piece in a deal for some pitching?

I think Nolan Ryan was never considered a 'Great' pitcher while he was in his prime. He was well liked but never thought of in the same way as Seaver, Carlton and some others. I think it was his endurance to pitch into his late 40s that made him as loved as he was. He also pitched a no hitter on the day Henderson broke the SB record. It was widely thought that Henderson kind of behaved like a douche when he broke the record(not by me, I loved him). Ryan kicking the crap out of Robin Ventura also was well received. Late in his career he basically got the same media treatment that Cal Ripken got most of his career. Similar to Derek Jeter now. I am not saying he wasn't great, but they would make you look really foolish trying to say something negative about him.

and for the first time in a while, U-M football can hold its head up high I didn't see Sparty in that mess:)

How is a Sunday afternoon game sent to WCIU? No Bulls or Hawks.

I read somewhere that just because they are 3 top guys in the Angels system does not mean that they were any good.

I thought that same thing the other day, but it turned out to be several pages on Criminal Sexual Assault

Yeah, but I'm still unclear as to whether that was just the 12 year old(Murray?) throwing [expletive] up against the wall or not. As for PTBNL's, I'm pretty sure there are deals done that performance dictates what list of players a team gets to choose their PTBNL from. My thinking is that unless they're waiting on injury reports on Alcantara, they're simply taking their time scouring the lower levels. This trade seemed like Oakland was hot to get it finalized, so they may have an idea on a group of players and just giving the Cubs time to scout

exactly. I understand if Barney was a solid everyday player and this would just be the teams way of dropping a contract and playing a younger player of somewhat equal value. But Barney has been a below average player for several yrs now and never was anything more than an okay regular 2nd baseman for 1 yr.

He was very good for several yrs and very likable for some reason.

I wanted to get a post on the first page of future HofFer Smith Alcantara's NSBB thread.

He is refusing Bosio pixie dust treatment....jerk

I think part of the FA issue is that they have targeted the wrong guys. They got Weiss last yr and that has been nothing short of a disaster so far. But the main ones they have missed out on are Suter/Parisse(both wanted to go to Minn and I dont think the Wings were matching the offers they received from Minn) Myers wanted to go to Pittsburgh, he could have gotten a better deal from almost any other team. Niskenan and Boyle are a little perplexing, but it is really just 2 guys picking another team when all things seemed to be equal. If the Wings could have decent health this season, they could easily be a contender in the East this. I know the Rangers just went to the finals, but I have a hard time saying that the Rangers and the Caps are clearly better than the Wings....actually I think the Wings are better than the Caps. And the Rangers could miss the playoffs again this season

I think Hossa can be productive in the league if he learns a few new tricks. He certainly has the strength and ability to stand in front of the goalie on the PP like Ciccarelli or Holmstrom. He is also a work out warrior, so no reason to think that he will not be able to be somewhat productive until he is 40. I can see some team signing Saad to a very large RFA deal that would make it extremely hard for the Hawks to match. Would be prudent for the Hawks to get him extended before the season ends.

I loved Dwight Smith. I thought for sure he would have a long solid career as a productive player.The 1989 ROY and runner-up? Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith, IIRC. Has there ever been another case where that has happened with teammates? I thought 1989 was just the beginning of a long run for the Cubs. I was already a avid Bill James reader in 89, so I never bought into the Walton thing that much. But with vets like Dawson and Sandberg. Younger players like Smith, Walton, Grace and Maddux. It was hard not to be very excited about the Cubs, even after they got whoooped by Will Clark in the playoffs

I loved Dwight Smith. I thought for sure he would have a long solid career as a productive player.

In 3 years there will be little reason for him to play LENGTH: 12 YEAR(S) VALUE: $63,300,000 TYPE: STANDARD EXPIRY STATUS: UFA SOURCE: CapGeek SEASON AHL SALARY NHL SALARY P. BONUSES S. BONUS AAV CAP HIT 2009-10 $7,900,000 $7,900,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2010-11 $7,900,000 $7,900,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2011-12 $7,900,000 $7,900,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2012-13 $7,900,000 $7,900,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2013-14 $7,900,000 $7,900,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2014-15 $7,900,000 $7,900,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2015-16 $7,900,000 $7,900,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2016-17 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2017-18 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2018-19 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2019-20 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 2020-21 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $0 — $5,275,000 $5,275,000 which of course is going to be another reason that the league is going to be really tight with allowing the Hawks some kind of loophole....the league really hated these types of contracts, voided several before the recent CBA and made sure they were not allowed in the new CBA. Here is the thing, you wanted the guy when you had almost no cap room. Made it happen anyway and have been rewarded with a couple of cups and could get more because of the the contract. Had a chance to get out from underneath the contract after the last CBA and didnt. I don't think anyone is going to be shedding any tears for the Hawks on this one

Not exactly, and there still will be a slight cap hit involved. Hossa has a history of back problems. Quite a bit different from several severe concussions and loss of vision in one eye. NHL has been very strict in its attempts to stop teams from circumventing the cap. My guess is that now that Philly is getting away with it, the NHL is going to be very wary of other teams looking for that loophole. Also, you have to actually hope Hossa doesn't want to play.

Sharp will be gone by the end of the next season. Hossa will be "retired" ala Chris Pronger within the next couple of seasons. The salary cap should increase to 74 million next season and continue to rise(although this year its at 69 when most people said 71). It wont be as bad as the last time Toews and Kane had new contracts kick in. They might take a slight step back in 2015-16 season but the Hawks should remain in the hunt for the Cup for the next decade. In 3 years people will look back and say the Hawks got a bargain. I don't think you can just call 'Chris Pronger retirement' and it works out that way.

I think we are similar in age. I was too young to understand why Kingman was a bad player. Jerry Morales was waaaaaaay cool as a CFer. Made basket catches all the time, plus he had the hands above his head batting stance

the original Steve Ontiveros

http://m.mlb.com/video/v34335559/toroak-samardzija-arrives-in-oakland-meets-media/?query=jeff+samardzija Definitely took a couple shots at the Cubs. Judging from that press conference, I underestimated his desire to leave. I don't question his desire to leave the Cubs and be in a better current situation. I just don't get how a seemingly smart guy does not understand what the Cubs are doing.

Wow http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2116121-padres-set-live-ball-era-record-for-worst-team-batting-average-in-calendar-month

Letting one of them go? No way. Trade, maybe in the most extreme of circumstances. That's what I meant, but yeah. In the back of my mind I've always thought there was a chance Buffalo would do something crazy to trade for Kane. But in the real world I just don't think it is at all plausible or useful. If Buffalo gets the number one overall pick next season, I think the Hawks may be able to recoup their loss of Kane if McDavid becomes the player some think he will. But that would take several years. I really cannot think of any other way the Hawks would be able to get back equal return for Kane or Toews. Hawks are kind of in a tough spot because they are in a great spot....they have 2 future HofFers, who are still very young, who have good experience. Personally I think they have to bite the bullet and pay them, and then figure out how it will work under the cap