Abe Frohman

I know Vance has been calling for the Cubs to acquire Bonds, and it just seems so wrong. You have to ask yourself if he would be healthy and worth the investment. I think he would be. Yes, I detest his personality and morality - but the dude is crippled and still is mad productive. I would be really pumped if we got Bonds for a couple years. I just have a feeling that he will either remain in SF or go to the AL and DH. Having Bonds in LF for 100-120 games would really do beautiful things for this offense. As far as his clubhouse presence goes, I only know one person who was his teammate in the past, and that guy says that Bonds was one of the best teammates he ever had. According to him, Bonds is not anything like what the media makes him out to be.

For the record, I am dronk right NOW. I have no idea why I am on this board at this time, but I would buy Bartman several beers fo sure. I have no ill will towards him, and kudos to him for becoming a part af Cub history. Really. God bless Makers mark.

Amen. Thank you Wood/Prior/Goat.

I would not trade Zambrano for anyone.

I honestly don't know how anyone can look at that picture and make a legitimate argument that the ball was in the stands. fan interference, batter's out, Gonzo not hurrying to make a DP, batter's out. pen in, game over, on to the WS. That is the FIRST THING that I thought when it happened. Why was that not fan interference? Why didn't Dusty Baker come running out and point that out? I believe Dusty came out to the mound because Prior was upset, but don't remember any talk about it being a fan interference call. In addition, there is no excuse for Bartman and the people around him. Not that the whole collapse is his fault, but anyone with that good of seats (plus the fact that I am assuming that he was listening to the game on those obscene headphones) should have their head in the game. If you are thinking, you take your arms and move everyone out of the way to allow Alou a chance at making that catch, which I am convinced he would have done. Instead, you try for a souvenir and hurt your team. Alou deserves ZERO criticism for being mad. I would think that I would have climbed the wall and done something with those headphones. Regardless, bonehead play by Bartman - but that is it. Not his fault the Cubs didn't win that game and advance to the World Series.

From what I can recall he mistimed his leap. I think he had about a 50% chance at that ball, and it would have been in the webbing of the glove. I don't think he mistimed his leap, kinda looked like he actually caught it. I think he was right on that ball.

Do you really want your kids to draw a conclusion on someone based on an accusation? Didn't you see where I said "alledgedly?" I put it there for a purpose. I'm not really going to debate on the way I raise my kids, but you ought to catch my drift. I know (and they will too) that it is not fair to judge a person, much less judge a person based on rumors. That being said, I am not an idiot. Collective baseball fans are not idiots. If someone does not believe that drugs (steroids, amphetamines, etc.) were not, and possibly still are not parts of professional baseball, collegiate baseball, and sadly - even high school baseball - that person doesn't really have their eyes open wide enough. I enjoyed reading Canseco's book for one reason. I saw it as an opportunity to see what a former ML baseball player has to say without the influence or loyalty to the "Union." Not saying that I believe everything Canseco said was true, but I am pretty sure that more of it is true than false. I love baseball, and I love coaching kids. It is unfortunate that in order to get to the "next level," a kid needs breaks. By breaks, it is who you know, where you play, who sees you, etc. Lots of kids still juice up to get the edge. Unfortunately, that is how it is in baseball. Hell, I play in a men's baseball league now, and there are guys who are on roids. It's pathetic.

What do you do about all the others? Why do you have to explain it to your kid? Because I want to raise my kid with standards.

Perhaps the Cubs could get Jeff Pentland to work with him the way he did with Sammy. If Soriano could cut down on the K's, and more importantly - walk 50-100 times a year - he would be an absolute MONSTER offensively.

I don't think the roids made him that good, but they did make him a bit better. I venture to say they probably prolonged his career a little allowing him to accumulate the needed statistics to be a HOFer. The degree to which he was aided (IF aided) by PED's will never be known. Regardless, I would have a hard time explaining to my kids why a person who alledgedly cheated is being honored. Examples need to be made. McGwire should not be exempt. I would vote NO to McGwire for HOF. It's on HIM, not the writers and fans, to clear his name.

The whole team choked after his gaff. He does seem to escape criticism, doesn't he? We tolerated his garbage bat, because he was pretty good defensively. But when we needed the glove the most, he choked. That's baseball. If you remember, Alex had some pretty clutch hits that year. If I remember correctly, he had 2 or 3 game winning HR/hits in a week or two. He also hit well in the post season.

The whole team choked after his gaff. He does seem to escape criticism, doesn't he?

I really think that Alou would have made that catch.

Olney mentioned that he will be voting for Mark McGwire for HOF because he is: a) voting for the best players b) avoiding the "slipperly slope" of either voting for the best players during the steroid era, or not voting for the best players of that era. He makes a good point that you would never know who did/didn't use PED's from that era, and it wouldn't be fair to single a guy like McGwire/Bonds out because they have been the focus of the media, etc. Having said that, he mentioned that he didn't think that either Bonds, Sosa, or McGwire will be in the HOF (did I hear him right?) - but he chooses not to be biased in his voting against players from the "Steroid Era." Thoughts?

That was such a good team. They had everything. Except luck.

Tell him he's a great Cub fan.

Jeez, look at these numbers for passed balls for teams that Hough pitched for: 73 Dodgers - 24 74 Dodgers - 19 75 Dodgers - 17 76 Dodgers - 14 77 Dodgers - 13 78 Dodgers - 10 79 Dodgers - 21 80 Dod/Tex - 33 81 Texas - 10 82 Texas - 19 (became a starter mainly) 83 Texas - 14 84 Texas - 33 85 Texas - 23 86 Texas - 25 87 Texas - 73 (sweet, sweet, Jesus) 88 Texas - 36 89 Texas - 42 90 Texas - 35 91 CHIA - 20 92 CHIA - 13 93 FLA - 29 94 FLA - 18

Why spend the money on Piazza? He will never play. He is a DH, he just doesn't know it yet.

How many CFers in the NL played every day and didn't have one error? Pierre wasn't great, but he was better than good.

The line drive and BABIP data suggest 2003 and 2006 are more the norms than 2004 and 2005. I don't think its at all far-fetched that Wells outproduces Jones for the next four years. I think when Pie arrives Wells could be moved to a corner as he isn't that great a CF anyway. Do you really think that Wells is not a great CFer? Three straight Gold Gloves say otherwise. I don't watch him play much, but 3 straight says a lot.

Atlanta would have as much reason to move Jones as Toronto would Wells. It's unlikely that either sign an extension, so both are likley to leave after the 2007 season. Both teams at least want to give the impression of contending, so they will need bonafide talent back in return. I think Atlanta would prefer to move Hudson instead of Jones. They may not be shopping him at all, but how much is Toronto really shopping Wells? Jones has 10-5 rights, so he could veto any trade. Wells doesn't have that. I'm not opposed to Wells. I just believe that if both are available at a near equal price, Jones is the best target. I really can't disagree with you there. I don't think we could lose either way.

You are right, Vance. Although is Atlanta shopping Jones like Toronto is?

Well, of course.

assuming you can extend him, which is in no way guaranteed if he thinks he can make $13 per in free agency That is a very important point. I am thinking that if Hendry were to acquire him, it would be contingent on him signing an extension - which is probably pretty unlikely. BUT, Hendry does want to WIN NOW, so who's to say he wouldn't do something out of the norm (like a 8 year contract). Realisticly, with Pie in the wings - I wouldn't be surprised if the OF is set, or if Hendry goes for Kenny Lofton should he trade J. Jones. I just keep thinking about the statement that this is not the team that will be on the field come opening day.

Tejada & Jones > Wells & Izturis/Cedeno not to mention Wells is a year rental, because his contract demands after 2007 will be insane, especially after the year he is going to have in his contract year. Defensively & Financially: Wells & Izturis/Cedeno > Tejada & Jones. Vernon Wells is not going to come cheap, but who's to say next years Outfield market will be the same as this years. Anyone know who will be on the market next year?