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I can't see him moving yet. He's recently signed a lengthy extension, he's said he likes and wants to stay at Utd, and Real Madrid have said they can't get him. Granted all of that doesn't mean much. The real issue is that the transfer fee would be astronomical. Well, that and there is no reason that Manchester United would want to sell him. They don't sell young stars, they buy them. There's a history of Premier League players not doing well in the European and World player of the year awards, but if United go deep in the Champions League this year he has to be at the ceremonies again this year. He tends to be heavily marked against the elite teams and doesn't produce as much, though. If he can do what Kaka did last year in the semis and final of the CL, it's his to lose. This is his free kick goal today, absolutely ridiculous. Haven't seen many better

I believe that the owners of the sports memorabilia shop and the auto shop at the SE corner of Addison have not agreed to sell and would therefore still remain. Hopefully they're just holding out for more money that will eventually cave, because to build that huge complex and have those two shops cut out of it would look terrible. I live in the area as well. At first I didn't support the building because I thought it would take away from Wrigley's grandeur. At 8 or 9 stories I still think it might, but some of those areas along Addison and Clark can use a facelift (or new face entirely). Nothing along Addison from Clark to Sheffield is worth saving. The triangle lot should be redeveloped. The McDonald's is awful, and someone should redevelop the U-Haul outlet north of Patterson as well. It's a fun area, but most of the commercial lots directly across from the stadium are eyesores. The one redeeming factor is that the McDonald's parking lot allows for a broad view of Wrigley when you're still a couple hundred feet away. Btw, anyone know what they're doing to the Addison sidewalk? Just extending the new brick design or is it something more extreme?

Increase the chances of giant slaying, but increase the chances that there are no small clubs by the "Sweet Sixteen", too. Or, at least fewer than appear now. I agree that they're never going to win the cup, but it's nice when they can make it to the quarters or semis. Also, what shnsajax said about catering to the Premier League.

How do they do the draws for the FA Cup - do they not seed any of the teams? here's the 3rd round draw from earlier this year. i've said they should seed it and make it a huge bracket like the ncaa. the people of england have complained about the fa cup losing a lot of its luster, but making it bracketed will add some excitement. I assume you mean seeding from the 3rd round on? It seems like that would make it even easier for the top of the Premier League teams. I don't live in England so it's hard to say the level of excitement regarding the FA Cup, but it's easily only the 3rd most treasured trophy and I'm not sure bracketing will do much for it. Although, I must admit I love the brackets here in March so who knows? I'm shocked - shocked! - that Manchester United drew a Premier League team. 10 in a row and 15 of the last 17, I think. What are the odds?

picture 14? It is 14 now. Go to #9 in the regular photos, not the ap photo's for a better look. Follow up: It took 33 stitches to the face to close it up yesterday. That's one heck of a story to explain the scar on your face, though... "Yeah, I was cleated while captaining my team to the NCAA championship." Girls would swoon!

I'd say it's clear that, barring injury, it will be Man U and Arsenal battling for the title with Chelsea challenging. Man U beat Chelsea 2-0 at home, tied Arsenal 2-2 on the road, and beat Liverpool 1-0 on the road. Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 at home, tied Man U 2-2 at home, and tied Liverpool 1-1 on the road. Liverpool tied Chelsea 1-1 at home. So Liverpool has played each of the top three, all at home, and only took 2 of 9 points. That doesn't bode well for when they go on the road against the three teams. Man U has taken 7 points with one home and two road matches. Arsenal has taken 5 points with two home matches and one road match. Chelsea has only taken one point but they've played all three matches on the road. I just don't think Liverpool has what it takes to compete with the top-3. Chelsea will be making some moves in the transfer window and will undoubtedly improve their team. But I'd bet right now that Arsenal and Man U will occupy the top-2 spots at the end of the year. They really don't have enough. Maybe next year with another year of Ryan Babel they will be a little better or close the gap between them and Chelsea. Torres has made them better than last year though. Gerrard should just go to Arsenal so he can win the personal Trebel :-). Watch they will probably make another Champions League semi or even final. At this point that is what they are playing for this season. The Big 4 is a myth. Liverpool just aren't in the same class as the other 3, and haven't been for a while. IMO they're at the top of the Next 3 - Liverpool, Everton, Portsmouth. And this year Aston Villa, Man City, and Tottenham are the next tier. Liverpool can concentrate on the Champions League (and FA Cup), which Rafa started doing with 20 minutes left against Reading anyway. The last six years Liverpool has finished 2nd-5th-4th-5th-3rd-3rd, plus have won a Champions League and were runners-up last year. They haven't been as good as the other three, but are closer to that group than the second set. And the FA Cup. They are probably one player away. Ah, true, forgot. I'd optimistically agree, though I hope it's only one player. I'd be satisfied with fourth this season. They've only lost twice, so it's not like they've been poor. I said that they'd be top of the next three, so we seem to have them in the same place just a matter of how close to each group. But if the EPL didn't get 4 teams into the Champions League every year I'm not sure that there'd be such a thing as the Big 4. They have won a few cups during their EPL championship drought, and they have the history, but it's clear that they're not in the same class as the other 3. If they're one player away, it's a magical player. I think Torres and Gerrard are the only ones they have that could possibly start somewhere in the other 3 (injuries aside, of course.) Ok, maybe Agger and Mascherano depending on the situation.

I think it's Man City.

I'd say it's clear that, barring injury, it will be Man U and Arsenal battling for the title with Chelsea challenging. Man U beat Chelsea 2-0 at home, tied Arsenal 2-2 on the road, and beat Liverpool 1-0 on the road. Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 at home, tied Man U 2-2 at home, and tied Liverpool 1-1 on the road. Liverpool tied Chelsea 1-1 at home. So Liverpool has played each of the top three, all at home, and only took 2 of 9 points. That doesn't bode well for when they go on the road against the three teams. Man U has taken 7 points with one home and two road matches. Arsenal has taken 5 points with two home matches and one road match. Chelsea has only taken one point but they've played all three matches on the road. I just don't think Liverpool has what it takes to compete with the top-3. Chelsea will be making some moves in the transfer window and will undoubtedly improve their team. But I'd bet right now that Arsenal and Man U will occupy the top-2 spots at the end of the year. They really don't have enough. Maybe next year with another year of Ryan Babel they will be a little better or close the gap between them and Chelsea. Torres has made them better than last year though. Gerrard should just go to Arsenal so he can win the personal Trebel :-). Watch they will probably make another Champions League semi or even final. At this point that is what they are playing for this season. The Big 4 is a myth. Liverpool just aren't in the same class as the other 3, and haven't been for a while. IMO they're at the top of the Next 3 - Liverpool, Everton, Portsmouth. And this year Aston Villa, Man City, and Tottenham are the next tier. Liverpool can concentrate on the Champions League (and FA Cup), which Rafa started doing with 20 minutes left against Reading anyway.

Arsenal definitely looked a lot better once Van Persie came on, he is so much better in open play than Adebayor. Fabregas is such a pleasure to watch, though, he controls that team going forward. Chelsea miss Drogba even more that Arsenal missed RVP. Shevchenko was ok today (relative to his PL career), but without Drogba Chelsea have many less chances.

Arsenal lose 2-1 to Middlesbrough. They've dropped 5 points in their last 2 games and their lead in the Premiership is down to 1 point over Manchester United. Huge games next weekend - Chelsea at Arsenal, United at Liverpool.

I would take Fabregas and Rooney. In fact, I would take Fabregas ahead of Ronaldinho and probably ahead of Kaka.

This game is far from over, and this Dback team is not that good. I believe.

How many .Geovany Soto. posts will we see?

Thankfully he recovered enough that he'll play this weekend.

C'mon apete6, don't hold back. If Santo wants to have a drink in public to celebrate a rare achievement, let him. B&B should be reprimanded for producing horrible radio while they're on the air. I find that more offensive.

Is there a reason teams don't do a lottery system like the Cubs do with tickets at the beginning of the season? I'm happy for those of you that got through, but having 50-500 windows open is just ridiculous. I'd feel less bitter if it was more random like the lottery system. :)

Soriano's been saving himself tonight for this moment.

101. Thanks. And I don't see the Dbacks sweeping us, so this move will ultimately help us even though it hurt us tonight.

Anyone remember offhand about how many pitches Z threw before going on 3 days rest a few weeks ago?

How did Lou forego tonight's win? Did he tell Marmol to go out there and suck?

So you can see the future too? Well that's swell. Youre being unreasonable. Z was pitching great. If he gave up the home run, fine that sucks. But he had 85 damn pitches. It was a terrible decision to take him out regardless of what Marmol did. I'm being unreasonable? Not exactly. If Marmol comes in and goes 1-2-3, nobody says anything. If Lou leaves Z in and he gives up runs, people would be complaining that Z should have been removed just like they're complaining that he was removed. I was complaining about the move beforehand, so, no, I would say something even if Marmol goes 1-2-3. You're taxing your pen early and there are only 2 (maybe 3 w/ Wood) strong guys when Z can easily go about 15 more pitches and probably not suffer too much in the 4 days. Marquis can start if you really can't handle Z on 3 days rest. I can't believe you would rather have Marquis pitching a pivotal Game 4 than a more ready Z. I know, I know, gotta win game 1 if it's there for the taking. Frankly Z pitching well vs. our best pitcher all year - I'm fine with whatever Lou decided.

Nobody advanced.

Ha, groundball success!

Take a strike, Riot.

And there's no way Kenny Rogers would be stupid enough to have an illegal substance on his pitching hand, either. :roll: Do you really think that Webb wouldn't realize that he would be seen constantly touching his cap with the "pine tar" on the outside? Now I have to let it go, but you guys are being ridiculous.