sfaJack

Nah, no suicide. They'll just jump off the bandwagon and start harping for the Texans even more than they already are.

They aren't trading either guy. It's not gonna happen. They shouldn't either trade them either. They have a break in the schedule and, like Bruiser said, have a shot at making a run. It isn't as if they're 10 back or something. Their biggest problem, which I think will kill them in the end, is that they are chasing too many teams.

Why not. Let's see if I hate myself in the morning.

Ricky always has been a strange one. But I'd have to say that THIS is certainly out there, even for him. I can at least respect him somewhat for quitting if he knows his heart isn't in it.

Hawkins is the best pitcher in the Cubs' bullpen this season, and that makes him the #1 option when it comes time to finish off games. Is he perfect for the role? No. But you can count the number of teams that have a grade-A dominant closer on one hand. Even Gagne isn't "perfect" this year. I'm more worried about the mental stability of Carlos Zambrano than the Cubs' closer woes, to be honest. The Cubs' vulnerability to "power outages" in the lineup has cost them more games this year than the ninth inning failings of LaTroy Hawkins. Deal with that first.

Just to further dismay Vern, Gerry Hunsicker said again today that he has no intention of trading any "key pieces" of the team by the deadline, next season (and beyond) be damned. He said being only 6 back of the wild card, he feels they're in the race and that the attitude is the same in the clubhouse, so they're going to go for it.

Oh, I definitely think they should start shopping Beltran and beg Kent to agree to a trade as well. I don't understand why they think they're still in the race, but I'd guess it's probably because they've sold the fans here on their whole "It's Our Turn" marketing and are reluctant to give up the ghost just yet at the risk of poor PR before next season. Uncle Drayton is ALL about positive PR, believe me. Supposedly, the Astros would want a catching prospect (in addition to others, obviously) in return for Beltran, and the name that keeps coming up is Kelly Shoppach. And FS, where'd you hear Beltran say he won't resign without the hill and flagpole being gone? I haven't heard that, but it's pretty funny for some reason. I'd put his chances of re-upping with the Astros at about 5%, even if they get rid of that crap in the outfield.

Again...in how many ballparks has Take Me Out To The Ballgame been replaced by God Bless America? I don't know of any. Why is this some big bone of contention for some of you people?

Yeah, people are talking. The Bush-haters are saying, "See, Bush is the suckiest!" and the Bushies are saying, "See, Michael Moore is an idiot" while listing all the ways his film is wrong. People ARE talking, but it's only resulting in both sides digging their heels in further and deepening their resolve. I don't know of too many people whose view has instantly been changed because of F9/11. Which is exactly the point that's been made many times about why it's useless to bother with rebutting your "points." You don't WANT to believe anything other than what you already believe, so really, what is the point in trying to enlighten you? You addressed nothing. The fact that Bush has said nothing is meaningless. What is the fucking point of the President of the United States wasting his time firing back at an overweight (OMG Mikey Moore Fat LOL2004~!) filmmaker who has too much time on his hands? Hell, if Bush DID respond to Moore, you'd probably jump all down his throat for taking his focus off of running the country. And a lawsuit would be a waste of time. Besides that, what the hell would it prove, other than to say the President is a crybaby? It's pretty rare that a day goes by without the President being burned in effigy somewhere, somehow. It goes with the job. That's because you're an idiot.

Hunsicker said a couple of days ago that he's "not even thinking about it" in regards to selling off either of those guys. And Kent would have to waive his no-trade clause, which is supposedly an idea he has been very cold to. The Astros would probably have to pick up the majority of his contract as well, given his option for next season and all the deferred money he is due and we all know how, uh, frugal Drayton McLane is. I'll be surprised if they move either of them, unless they lose 5 or 6 games in a row between now and this time next week. The Astros still believe they have a run in them.

The fact that Agent cares so much surprises the hell out of me for some reason.

Holy shit! How the hell did THAT ever happen? This is terrific. I've had tickets to the Rangers/A's game next Saturday (7/31) for a couple of months now, but I never thought so much could really be on the line for either team in the game. Should make the trip north even better now.

Jesus Christ. What the fuck are you...12? I don't post much in CE, mainly because most anything I have to say has already been said, but goddamn it, this is perhaps the most absurd and most retarded thing I've seen written here in weeks. And that's saying something. Many times in many threads on this board have the inaccuracies and outright lies in F9/11 been rebutted by MikeSC (mainly), Cerebus, and some others. Go hunt down one of those threads and enlighten yourself. Or just Google for it if you need more "credible" sources. The problem is that it won't do any good. Nothing anyone can or will say would ever sway your opinion on the matter, so really, why bother? Shit...as long as we're banning Choken for being useless, why not this fucker as well? Good lord.

I don't think it's replaced Take Me Out to the Ballgame in that many ballparks, has it? Certainly none that I've seen, but I'm curious. Minute Maid Park does it right, I suppose, in that they do THREE songs during the stretch: GBA, Take Me Out, and then the real good stuff: Deep In the Heart of Texas. Yeah, baby. Oh, and who cares if Delgado doesn't stand up during GBA. His choice.

Are you crazy? I love Capital One. If I buy a pack of gum, they raise my credit limit by $200.

I used to have that shirt.

If anyone cares...

Yeah, I know. The chronic injuries the Cubs have endured this year is really starting to frustrate me and has put me in a bad mood. I actually think it's cool that the Reds are showing signs of life. I want Griffey to get another chance to play for something big one day.

Yeah, it is pretty great, especially since the Cubs are somehow still in front of the Reds and all. And the Astros have NOT been killed by injuries. They've had some, yes, but to say they've been killed by them is a pretty good reach.

Mark Prior left the game tonight apparently complaining of "discomfort" in his elbow. This is not good.

I'll take the Cowboys if no one else has stepped up.

Sweet ending. Hard to top that. Very enjoyable game. I'll have to tune in next year for sure.

Do you also have a problem with ESPN turning the HR Derby into a 3 hour fiasco with way, way, way too many commercials? That sure pissed me off.

MLB Extra Innings has a free preview on digital cable this weeked, starting tomorrow and running through Monday. Don't know if anyone else cares, but I'm excited.

The way they were talking up Justin Morneau in his last AB, I was surprised to see he's only at A level.