EVIL~! alkeiper

Even if he's associated with it, I really don't see the problem here. I don't see anything written thus far that's out of line. And managers have been associated with books all the time. Some are brutally honest, and quite a few of them are excellent reads. I hate the recent media's obsession with criticizing sports figures who speak out. Creating a corporate atmosphere where everyone toes the party line makes for truly boring sports.

That's an odd player option. How many options are pay cuts over the previous season?

Considering Rollie Fingers swept the awards, I'd agree with that sentiment.

The Royals signed Zach Greinke to a four year deal, terms yet undisclosed. This is a big deal since Greinke is one of the better young pitchers in baseball, and this buys out two years worth of free agency.

I read the Bible quite a bit in my younger days. I don't recall Jesus ever pontificating on the proper merits of sports conduct.

Now this has really gotten out of hand. Firing a coach for winning too big? Please. This really sends the wrong message. A high school game ended 100-0. The proper response for the losing team (and maybe both teams) is "so what, it's just a game. Life goes on." Instead, this makes a game seem much more important than it really is.

I never understood the popularity of "E's and Wizz," but then I never did drugs. I think "Underwear" is the best track of the album.

Reading the article, it's not a Torre autobiography. Is it even a biography on Torre or is he just an interview subject? This is getting blown way out of proportion.

That's Paul Williams, the composer.

I always counted the division series winners as division champions. That's pretty standard in leagues that utilize the split season format every year, typically in A ball. If it helps, it gives Montreal another division title, and Oakland retains their's. Besides, if I had to explain how the Cardinals and Reds won division titles and neither made the playoffs, my head would explode.

That should have been stopped no later than the end of the eighth round. Great KO from Mosley.

Great performance by Mosley so far, though I doubt it's a shutout.

Simply not scheduling an opponent would be a good start. Or maybe they can take the other 12 students and form a JV squad.

2000 saw Lennox Lewis beat a fair trio of contenders. His first bout pitted Lewis against the previously undefeated Michael Grant. Lewis next took on Francois Botha and knocked him out in the second round. In November, he took on tough David Tua. Though Tua was a fine fighter, he was no match for Lewis's superior height, and Lewis took home a unanimous decision. In 2001, Lewis was challenged by Hasim Rahman, a decent boxer who nonetheless had lost his biggest fights. Lewis received a rematch later in the year. In 2002, a dream match came to fruition as Lennox Lewis took on Mike Tyson. That brings us to Lewis's most controversial fight, against Vitali Klitschko. Obviously Lewis deserved to win the fight. Klitschko probably could not have possibly have won the fight if it had continued with his eye in that bad of shape. Klitschko certainly deserved a rematch, but never got one as Lewis took that fight as his cue to retire. Ring Magazine at this time chose to ignore the alphabet rankings and issue their own championships. Journeyman Corrie Sanders had scored a shocking upset knockout of Wladimir Klitschko and based on that, his next bout versus Vitali was declared a World title bout. Sanders was not a legitimate option, but Vitali was as good a choice as any. Next up was Danny Williams, who had stunned Mike Tyson with a fourth round knockout. Klitschko then chose to retire due to injuries. Though he since returned, the heavyweight title now sits vacant. As long as Vitali and Wladimir are the number one and two heavyweights, it is unlikely we will see a new undisputed champion.

Yeah, the fact that digital is a weaker signal annoys me. I only get three channels over the air as it is.

The Queen is Dead is a great album. I don't know it track by track so I can't justify putting it on my own list, but it's great.

Let's see. Beach Boys - Pet Sounds Pulp - Different Class Pulp - His 'n' Hers The Beatles - Rubber Soul Belle & Sebastian - Tigermilk KMFDM - Angst Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine Nick Drake - Pink Moon Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit

Personally, I think if you are going to field uncompetitive teams in competition, you need to know to not sweat the score. The only good solutions are either not fielding a team, or better scheduling and grouping.

Watts is remembered mostly as a promoter, but he also had a fairly significant run in 1964-65, both teaming with Bruno Sammartino and feuding against him.

The Brewers have one division title, the other was a wild card berth. It's a shame that the Expos' run from 1979-81 has been forgotten. They won the division title in 1981, and lost the pennant races on the final weekend in both 1979 and '80. They had Gary Carter and Andre Dawson in their lineup, Steve Rogers as their ace. A couple breaks and they might (might) have been a dynasty.

I'd like to see less mega-threads in sports myself. I think the problem is that people are afraid to start new threads if they don't have a strong enough opening post. As mod, I think I could do more to start new topics. Something like "Titles or Talent" is a great prompt when there is a lack of good sports news.

Given the contracts the Mets have shelled out the last few years for Johan Santana, Carlos Beltran, etc., I don't think the Mets can be accused of being cheap. They need to spend on a pitcher. Their current LF option is far better than their fifth starter. Lyon's a good talent, but he could never stay healthy long enough for his career to gather any momentum. If he's the Tigers' closer, he is a fine option until he hits the DL. With that team, he'll fit right in.

One thing to remember. Howard doesn't have to prove he is worth $18 million. He has to prove he's worth $16,000,001.

Quick note Cheech. I'm not certain any projections on Howard are admissible in an arbitration case. He's getting evaluated purely on what he already produced. Jeff Kent HOF? I say yes. Any second baseman who hit that well and had as long a career is in. His teams made the playoffs seven times, so obviously his attitude and defense were not serious detriments to the team.