Derwood

In fairness, the Braves started out with Jordan and Mondesi in the OF, Perez at Catcher, Franco at 1st.....it wasn't like they planned on this being their post season lineup. It just turned out that way.

Came over from Boston in the Nomar deal. Former 1st round pick

A decent enough recap. Boy, everyone sure loves Pawelek. :-) I love how they say that the Cubs were awesome at every level, only then to explain that the organization was under .500 as a whole. So.....the Southern League was awesome and everything else was.....?

"Fung eez weening and weening eez fung"

Uh Oh! You said the "T" word. Now we're on the list for sure. Last year I was going on a business trip and my wife packed my suitcase. I check in, check my bag and go all the way through security. I'm talking laptop out of the briefcase, putting my shoes back on and I hear, "Northwest passenger Tom XXXXXX please return to the check in counter." I grumble, put my shoes back on, repack my briefcase and go back. Get to the counter and the guys asks me to unlock my bag. I tell him it isn't locked. He says okay, and I go my merry way. Back through security, laptop out, shoes off and I hear, "Northwest passenger Tom XXXXXX please return to the check in counter." Back out, to the counter. Guys asks if it is my bag, I say yes. "Did you pack it?" "No, my wife did." "Did you know you have a FAA banned substance in your bag?" "No, what" He lifts up a can of spray starch. "Aerosol cans are banned on airline flights sir." "Okay, just throw it away." "I can't do that. We have to turn it over to the FAA. Please go fill out these forms." (Name, address, SS, etc.) "I'm sorry, I didn't know. Won't happen again." "If it does, as a repeat offender you may be subject to up to 3 years in prison and a $50,000 fine." "Yes sir." And that's how I became the spray starch terrorist. The really annoying thing is that my wife no better than to think I'm going to use spray starch anyway. Oh well, at least I made my flight - it was delayed. It's nice to know you can count on Northwest for something. My Mom's bag was searched when they did the "wipe" test on the handles. Turns out she was using lotion that had glycerin in it, it got on the suitcase (naturally) and that gets the Feds' dander up.

They probably know that their manager is terrible in the post season. Almost anyone can win consistently with the players he has been given over the years, as the Braves have arguably the best advanced scouting and player development personnel in the league. But Cox makes some terrible game situations (ie pitching around Berkman to get to Ensberg). Some say Cox is underrated, I say he's overrated.

I would root for the Sox. Why not? If you're getting crap from Sox fans, you're hanging out with the wrong people :wink:

A freshman who is on the team this year? Probably Derrick Williams or Justin King.

I believe the NY-Penn League is short-season A ball, so the Cubs would have to move out of the NWL and Boise to get a team in that league. The Cubs have already pulled out of Lansing - their low-A ball team moved to Peoria. Gotcha, thanks. Well I've never been to Boise, but I could probably guess that State College has as much to offer! Plus we're closer to West Tenn and Daytona!

Just like it was nearly impossible for the Yankees to lose the ALCS? I bet a trip back to Fenway will revitalize the BoSox.

Yeah, who knows who will be on the team at that time. The NY-Penn League doesn't start until June 2006

... PENN STATE! This is the most important game in 5 years for the Nittany Lions. Hope they don't embarass themselves on national TV.

What is a "pretty soft $100 million payroll"? The Cubs are top 5 in payroll. I can't argue much with that. I only meant that the money wasn't spent very effectively. I guess "soft" was the wrong word. Plus over 10% of that was paying Sosa...

From http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com: Cubs Organizational Report

they won't be called the Cardinals, so i guess i just root for them in their own little world. EDIT: As per this article, the Cardinals affiliation will end after 2006 (or be renewed). Here's crossing our fingers for a Cubs team! (not likely, I know, as it would mean pulling out of Daytona, Lansing or Peoria in all liklihood)

Maybe someday I'll get a Bears game here. Maybe if they play Pittsburgh or Philly :cry:

I agree in so much as that 3 years of "competitiveness" but failure has been harder than losing 95 and not ever really having any hope. Yeah. That, and the simultaneous success of our biggest rivals. And the complacency when it comes to doing anything about it. A pretty soft $100 million payroll matched with record attendance numbers means no urgency to improve. God how I wish Mark Cuban would buy this team.

So back in March/April, it was announced that my town (State College, PA) would be getting a minor league team. Awesome, right? Brand new stadium less than 3 miles from my house, probably cheap season tickets....I was thrilled. They then announced that the team would be in A Ball, in short season NY-Penn League. Good enough. 30+ home games. No Cubs affiilate in the league, but that's okay. They didn't announce affiliation right away. Many assumed it would be Pittsburgh because the owners of the new team were the group that owns the Altoona Curve (AA Pittsburgh).. So yesterday, they finally announce the affiilation. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS. They are moving the New Jersey Cardinals to State College. Well crap! Can I really get excited about a Cardinal A Ball team? Or should I just suck it up and enjoy it since it's so far removed from the major league level?

The Cubs wouldn't stand a chance against Wells....his control is too good. It will be interesting to see how the WSox approach him.

See my post in the latest Sox game thread - really, after a Sox title, what else could happen? That would complete my list of Cub calamities. The Cubs have been rotten for a long time, but I think the last three years have been especially difficult. I agree in so much as that 3 years of "competitiveness" but failure has been harder than losing 95 and not ever really having any hope.

Ruhle will be back w/Cincy. After Tom House (he ain't going anywhere), I'd interview Wayne Rosenthal or Bryan Price. But, if Kranitz is the only one interviewed, I'll be disappointed for the reasoning that extends to not looking at all the avail. options. If the Cubs are high on Kranitz at this stage, that wouldn't change if they interviewed other options. Kranitz was the leading candidate after Acosta resigned, they went with Marty instead. Couldn't you argue that Kranitz is responsible for not developing Mitre, Welly, Leicester, Koronka, etc. to their fullest abilities?

I think the main problem is that many of you are friends with Sox fans. You need to start at the source of your problem and work from there... :lol:

this thread title needs a '?' added to it

If I was the Phillies GM, I would say: Patterson- Huge Bust Williams- yet to be consistent Rusch- one good season (and not under contract) Koronka- terrible Welly- a project Mitre- Jeremi Gonzalez Jr. Nolasco - years away So why would i want to give up my all star for any of this?

two lefty pitchers facing lineups with righthanded power. Another slugfest?