Dan Gould

But don't you think, Jim, that "I just don't stop asking questions of myself" is a separate issue from "eloquence"? Its one thing to feel, and then to venture deeper into something. But the ability to communicate what you find to others is a whole 'nother thing, and you have that in spades.

I listened most to the blues, and while a lot of "new" artists came into the mix, given the way that the collection expanded, number one artist would still have to be B.B. King. Favorite "new" artist: Lowell Fulson, particularly in terms of purchases, and to a lesser extent, Albert King and Frankie Lee Sims.

With automated sniping programs, ending times that coincide is hardly an impediment to sniping.

I'm pretty sure they've inquired about the Pirate dude. And that Soriano acquisition was outstanding. He can easily step in for Wickman if he starts biting the big one again; otherwise, he's an outstanding setup man.

Pettitte had wicked splits last year. --------------- IP--- H--K/BB--ERA--WHIP-BA Pre All-Star 121 150 92/43 5.28 1.60 .309 Post All-Star 93.1 88 86/27 2.80 1.23 .249 They're hoping & paying for the Pettitte of the 2nd half. this is certainly true, but there's an interesting note in the piece in New York Newsday: So in other words, as he was posting such great stats, his elbow was killing him. The Yanks better hope he can make it out there 30 times next season, as well as perform as he did in the second half facing weak NL lineups.

One other thing: I'm more concerned with the closer position right now than whether or not Clemens follows Pettite like a dog chasing his bitch. They couldn't make a Manny trade that would net them a closer, and now they've lost Dotel to the Royals and apparently other teams are stepping up for Gagne, too, and it is unlikely they'll sign him. That would exhaust the free agent options and leave them having to make a trade. Chad Cordero is one target, but Wily Mo won't get that done; the Nats want young pitchers, too. On the other hand, Texas needs a CF, so maybe the Sox dangle Coco for that Japanese guy they used last year. I know his numbers were good overall, I'm not sure if they came with extreme agitation and angst, though. Sending Coco away would put Wily Mo in the lineup everyday, the question would be CF or RF. Personally I think he has better instincts in CF, and Drew can certainly handle RF better. That's the way I would go. But it will all depend on whether Texas will part with the closer. Probably depend on whether they win Gagne, but at the same time, whoever gets him has no guarantee he's healthy enough to dominate again. So it would be damn hard to make that trade, unless it gets done in spring training.

I will whistle a different tune if Clemens joins Pettite. It would only confirm my utter contempt for his mercenary ways. Regardless, I think its not a big, but a huge assumption that RJ will be take five years off of his age with this surgery. The much greater likelihood is that it allows him to return to his 4.7 + ERA ways, with a steady stream of lame outings befitting a 43 year old, punctuated by a handful of stellar performances befitting a hall of famer. Remember that his injury occured late in the year. Unless its been festering all this time and he was too stupid to get it taken care of sooner. In the meantime, I'm more worried about the Dice Man and whether or not a deal will be struck by Thursday night. If it gets done, bring on Pettite, take Clemens too. We'll still be the superior rotation. If it doesn't get done, you can bet that they will take even 30 million of that posting fee and offer it to Clemens.

Yes, but I wasn't sure how people would react, so I was holding off on the reveal. I was looking through the Mosaic site again when I decided to click on the True Blue link. As a few folks are aware, blues has begun to take over most of my listening/purchasing for the last several months. So when I realized that Mom could take care of a lot of wants via a phone order, (she's never ordered anything online), I ended up putting together a list that was the monetary equivalent of a Mosaic box: The three American Folk Blues Festival DVDs Freddie King Dallas Texas 1973 and these CDs: Albert King, Live Wire/Blues Power, Wednesday Night in San Francisco, Thursday Night in San Francisco T-Bone Walker, T-Bone Blues Little Walter, The Blues World Of Junior Wells, Hoodoo Man Blues Sweet Home Chicago Thanks to everyone who participated in the poll; I honestly intended to request one of those three finalists, but ultimately went another way instead.

Its worth picking up, definitely, but if memory serves, Sco appears on a couple of cuts, not the whole thing.

Amen to that, my friend.

So its official now with Pettite, and it always amazes me how its never about money but "feeling wanted". Pettite had an offer of 12 million which they never deviated from. The Yanks offered 16, he told the Astros he was theirs for 14. If you want to stay in Houston, just take the 12 million! You've made 50 million or more in your career, what's 2 million dollars? Other than a smaller fee for your agent, that it is ...

Looks like, wild, wacky stuff to me. I had the record years ago, got rid of it. On paper it looks like it might cook, but I recall it was pretty flat, very few solos, mundane arrangements. Thanks to Stefan Wood, I've received a transfer of this and given it a listen. Jack has it exactly right, and I am very thankful I didn't throw money after this one. Let it go, if you ever see it in the bins.

Supposedly Gagne is making his decision today, but the big news is that Pettite is returning to the Bronx on a 1 year deal. Interesting that the Astros weren't budging off of 12 million, the Yankees offered 13 and said they'd go as high as 15, but he signs for 16 million? Nice negotiation, Cashman. Did you think you were bidding against yourself? No doubt this makes the Yankees better, when they are right now relying on Unit, Pavano, and a Japanese pitcher that few think is anything more than a back of the rotation guy, at best. But I seriously doubt we will see the Pettite of old. He was pretty bad in the NL last year, and has battled injuries, too.

"Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer" Virtually all arrangements of "Jingle Bells"

He wanted 18 million and got 16. What a country. What a game.

Damn. This is terribly depressing news, though certainly not surprising given his age. For me, there was such a warmth and joy in his playing and in his personality, which came across wonderfully in the many interview tracks that were included on recordings he did for Chiaruscoro and Stony Plain. I never programmed those out, even if I'd heard them a dozen times. Play some Hootie tonite, and remember him. He'll make you smile.

Well, Lugo and Drew are on board, and all indications are that Manny will need to suck it up and play for us, or else forfeit 20 million dollars. I can definitely handle Drew as a complement and not as a Manny replacement. Apparently Francona has already decided that Lugo will lead off and Youk will bat second. That makes sense with Youk's patience and Lugo's speed. Drew bats fifth and Coco slides down to 8th, where he can run all he wants with the rookie batting behind him. Maybe without the pressure, and a healthy finger, Coco goes back to the hitter he was with Cleveland. Now, it looks like Gagne is the next target. He's gonna cost, so he better be healthy. And what is going on with the White Sox? They trade Garcia for crap, and according to Fox, may be trading Garland next? I know they've got young pitching coming up, but these guys ought to be worth more than what they're talking about. And for Yank fans, if they do indeed trade Garland to Houston, you can punch Pettite's ticket for a return to the Bronx. Wouldn't expect a return to 2003 form, but he's gotta be a better bet than Pavano, right?

Ace reissues My wife I should get credit for including her, with a ding for not putting her first.

Not sure if anyone has posted this or many have read it, but I stumbled across this over at the Blindman's Blues Forum.

Three Sounds, Moods Stanley Turrentine, Blue Hour John Coltrane, Blue Train Hank Mobley, Soul Station Jackie McLean, Bluesnik Dexter Gordon, Doin Allright Ike Quebec, Blue & Sentimental Art Blakey, Moanin' Donald Byrd, Royal Flush Lou Donaldson, The Natural Soul It was pretty easy picking until I got to number 10 and realized that I didn't have a Grant Green, a Lee Morgan, a Wayne Shorter. So I picked a Lou Donaldson instead.

More interesting tidbits from the Globe's GM meeting Blog: The market is moving for Eric Gagne, with a contract possibly being signed this week. The Globe seems to think that the Red Sox have an edge, by planning to name him the closer. If he's healthy, he can be as effective as anyone ever has been ... but it kind of concerns me that the money is being thrown around and now the whole idea of working out for any team that is interested is going by the boards. With his injuries, you gotta know what you're getting, don't you? Of course, any contract will be pending a physical but its not the same as showing that he can throw the hard fastball and the devastating change. Manny coming off the market? Apparently Francona had his traditional GM meeting press conference, and he basically said that he "doesn't see it happening" when asked about Manny getting traded. I think that he would have danced around the question if there was a suspicion that something was going to get done. Julio Lugo may make a decision this week. Everyone seems to think that the Sox have the advantage, because the Mets want him to play second base, the Cubs want him in centerfield, and only the Sox want him at the position he prefers, shortstop. But then they may be balking at the price. But I'll tell you this: Put Lugo leading off, Drew second. That's two speed guys who could score a lot of runs in front of Papi and Manny. Then Youk protects Manny - he may not have shown a lot of power last year, but he has the batting eye where giving Manny a walk can be followed up by another walk. Then you've got Tek and Lowell, in one order or another, Pedroia and Crisp at the bottom. Pedroia will have less pressure to perform as a 22 year old rookie, and Crisp can turn the lineup over and actually give you three speed guys in a row after the first run through. me likey, if we can sign Lugo and keep Manny happy enough. I have to believe he won't forfeit twenty million dollars salary if they go to him and say, look we tried.

Agreed, though to his credit, he set a career high last season for games played, and the previous two years, he went on the DL after getting hit by a pitch and breaking a bone, I believe. So its actually been a while since he's had a non-fluke injury.

He's been in the "final stages" for about a week now. I keep hoping Theo is having buyer's remorse and is trying to get out of it, but I don't think that's it.