Jon

Northwestern's offense is not looking very smooth at all today. Add that to their dismal shooting and you get a poor first half. At least they're only down 1, though.

I don't recall Jordan stringing the media along as to whether or not he was going to play the following season in consecutive off-seasons. Jordan made up his mind as to what he was doing next year pretty quickly. It wasn't three or four farewell tours because he couldn't make up his mind or he enjoyed the attention. A comeback is one thing, but going through the same old non-retirement routine year after year gets a tad old.

The Chicago/Zidane rumors have started up again, but Guppy denies that there have been any discussions. Next week's Champions League TV schedule (central): Tuesday 1:30, PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal FC, ESPN2 4:00, Real Madrid CF vs. Bayern Munich, ESPNC Wednesday 1:30, FC Porto vs. Chelsea FC, ESPN2 4:00, FC Barcelona vs. Liverpool FC, ESPNC

*CONFUSED* :oops: Couldn't this be a big disadvantage for the batter? Took me a second read on the first one. The first part is meaningless since such a scenario never would have resulted the runner getting called out. The second part basically means that if the batter starts to walk back to the dugout, once they leave the dirt, they can't then start to run to first base. But that's pretty meaningless, as well, since the odds of reaching first after casually starting to walk back to the dugout aren't too great.

$$$. There's no way Hendry is going to admit a mistake before the season even starts. Maybe a few months down the road, but not so soon. With that said, it hasn't happened yet. But it will. Prior won't be the one left out if he's healthy, though. There's still a chance that honor goes to Hill, although Guzman most likely be a very happy camper come late March.

Those jerseys aren't as bad as I thought. Still not sure what they were thinking with the hats, though. Those don't really match anything.

According to ChicagoSports.com, special teams coordinator Dave Toub has been re-signed to a three-year contract extension.

Northwestern at Iowa tied at 29-29 at the half.

Twice in one week, abuck? That's impressive.

I'm not sure how to account for this prediction. I think you should just give me the $10,000 prize right now. If not, I'll say June 8th.

The same day he realizes what he's gotten himself into.

Remind me to punch this guy in the face. I'd sell that Under Armour stock if I was you.

Pretty much. $$$ does not equal a good team. Cubs fans should be aware of that by now. No Marquis, no need for this, Cubs fans happy.

We'll see how much they get for it. The naming rights for the bleachers went for less than a million, but that mostly just reaches those going into the bleachers (I don't think the once-a-game mention of the Bud Light Bleachers is a huge part of it). On the other hand, the ad board behind home plate gets them about $5 million.

Aside from the fact that they're likely going to be quite hideous, they better pay of at least half of Marquis. While the sign behind home plate didn't really effect those watching at Wrigley, this is going to stick out significantly more so. It won't bother those watching at home for the most part, but this is definitely a huge change for those going to the games (bleacher fans excluded).

How the hell can you not put an additional 1.5 seconds up? Ugh.

Sigh. Hopefully they can get the clock reset, at least.

Wow. How did Gordon get that shot off!?

Derrek Lee said pretty much the exact same thing. It's public negotiating and such a "deadline" often isn't a deadline. I doubt anyone here wouldn't want market value if they were in Z's position after Hendry over-paid like a maniac this offseason. Lee took Konerko money after a ridiculous season. Z is going to take Zito money after an ok season (for an ace)? Lee didn't say he'd leave if he didn't get an extension (at FA market value) by opening day. He just said that he didn't want to worry about a contract during the season. Big difference. Later, Z. Thanks for your loyalty. For a lack of a better phrase, Zito couldn't sniff Z's jock strap over the last three years. Even last year it wasn't that close. And he's three years older. Lee set a deadline for opening day. It was eventually pushed back, but it's the same situation. Derrek said that he'd play out the remainder of his contract if the deal wasn't done by opening day and not negotiate during the regular season. Z said the same thing. You can't take this "I'm gone" stuff seriously. It's a negotiating ploy. Do you really think he'd make up his mind on his future so far in advance? He may very well be serious right now about not negotiating during the regular season, but that certainly doesn't mean that there wouldn't be any contract talk during or after the regular season. Hendry and his agent would remain in contact. If the right deal starts to develop, it's not going to be killed by Zambrano because of how he felt in February.

Derrek Lee said pretty much the same thing. It's public negotiating and such a "deadline" often isn't a deadline. I doubt anyone here wouldn't want market value if they were in Z's position after Hendry over-paid like a maniac this offseason.

Hendry's just trying to cover his butt. I doubt that was his real raction. Regardless, Jim knows that his job is on the line and not only are they at a disadvantage in the trade market because Z only has one year left, but what they'd get in return probably wouldn't have as much of an impact on next year's team as Z would. I'd give it maybe a 30% chance that Carlos goes anywhere, 15% this offseason and 15% next.

And now they look quite horrible.

That's at least the third really bogus foul call on the Bulls. And now a technical...

Nash and Diaw are out tonight for the Suns. Tyrus Thomas will start for PJ Brown, who is out with back spasms. Like the last game, it's on ESPN.