Dan Gould

Don't forget that A-Rod has a full no trade clause, and I seriously doubt that he'd approve a trade to the Cubs. I do think it would be a great move for the Cubs, giving them two excellent players in the infield (with Derrick Lee) and might give them a chance to start building a winner. But there's just no way. A-Rod is a Yankee to stay, and when all is said and done, I doubt that his numbers will look anywhere as "bad" as they do now.

different people take different approaches to BFT, and you ought to know that if you've participated in even a few (and I know you have). I frankly have more important things to deal with right now than in depth commentary on the songs you selected, or spending a few more hours trying to "get it". I listened; much of the music didn't grab me. BFD. These discs get a wide variety of responses. Hell, nine times out of ten, Evan gives some sort of variation on "I can't identify anyone, but I liked it. Thanks a lot". The fact is that you shouldn't be seeking validation by expecting universal acclaim for the songs you selected. I appreciate what you are saying, but isn't part of the point of this whole exercise to comment on who you honestly respond to the music? IMO it should not simply be an identification test. It takes a lot of thought and time to compile one of these discs and I can understand how it would be frustrating to go through all that work and then have participants not even take the time to comment. It is not a matter of seeking validation or acclaim. Regardless of whether the response is positive or negative I think the preparer of a BFT would appreciate a little more than a simple two line dismissal of an entire disc. This issue has been discussed before. The fact is that different people approach this differently, and they always will. Some are uncomfortable making musical comments. Some can't be bothered. There was even one person who objected to the entire idea that everyone should feel obligated to comment, and told us that he just wants to see what other people put on a BFT prior to assembling his own. You get whatever responses you get. Some are going to go in depth, some aren't. Now, after this diverting discussion, I can't wait to hear the responses I get on my BFT in August. Fair warning: I didn't pick songs I especially love. Some are just meant to make people say "WTF?"

And as I've mentioned, Sheffield and Matsui may return after the minor league seasons are over, leaving them with no place to go for rehab. Will they be nearly as effective, trying to get their timing back against major leaguers in the middle of a pennant race?

different people take different approaches to BFT, and you ought to know that if you've participated in even a few (and I know you have). I frankly have more important things to deal with right now than in depth commentary on the songs you selected, or spending a few more hours trying to "get it". I listened; much of the music didn't grab me. BFD. These discs get a wide variety of responses. Hell, nine times out of ten, Evan gives some sort of variation on "I can't identify anyone, but I liked it. Thanks a lot". The fact is that you shouldn't be seeking validation by expecting universal acclaim for the songs you selected.

How the hell does anyone get out of college in this day and age without a credit card????

Well, if it happens you can say the odds weren't nearly as long as they were with Small, the career minor leaguer. The fact is that Fat Sid was 17-12 with a 3.75 ERA in 2003. Unfortunately he's 22-30 and since then, with an ERA around 5.75. Too bad the original Fat Sid already tried, and failed, in his comeback with the Yanks:

Can anyone explain to me why they let Lieber go in the first place? True, he had a so-so year during the year he was with them, but I seem to remember that when the games got very important towards the end of the season and into the playoffs, he pitched consistently well. I guess you don't remember, Marty. The Yankees actually held an option on Lieber for 2005, but they felt it was for too much money so they declined it, planning to sign him for less. Cashman totally misread the market for pitching and the final result was that the Phils jumped in with a three year offer that Lieber accepted. Bottom line, Lieber skipping off to Philadelphia made Carl Pavano that much more important to the Yankees (although perhaps they would have gone as hard for him regardless) so the argument can be made that in effect the Yankees swapped Lieber for the MIA Carl Pavano. And paid much more money for him, too. The lesson here is that if you have an option on a halfway decent pitcher, you need to think long and hard before declining it, because there are plenty of teams out there that will bid up the price for a starting pitcher and its not worth the risk.

For once, I get to be the one to say that this poll is defective, since I don't get the correct choice: ZERO.

Try to google your search terms along with "organissimo". That works best ever since the last upgrade which really screwed up the search function.

I think its safe to say that I am long past my Wynton phase. There was a time that I automatically picked up whatever he put out but at some point (sometime before he got dropped by Columbia) I stopped really caring and I've never even bothered with the BN titles. Now, I still generally agree with the message - blues and swing is still a prominent factor in what I dig the most - but I just don't care that much about the messenger.

Which is why I am really hoping that the upcoming live project will include several prime Arno tracks.

Livan has been atrocious pitching in a big park in a weak league. Lieber has declined too. Neither should be expected to excel in the AL. And they'd cost a lot, too. I am afraid that there will be no help for AL teams as far as pitching goes, unless Zito gets traded, and I doubt that the A's will trade him to a team they may face in the AL playoffs. The only pitcher in the NL who might be available and might actually succeed in the AL is John Smoltz, and I'm not convinced he'll be traded. The better move, Dave, may be to go for Abreu or Soriano and hope that the offense can overcome whatever eggs the back of the rotation lays.

How about you tell me why your team deserves the praise its gotten? Tell me why anyone should be afraid of your starting five? And there's talk that they are dangling two of those five to try to get bullpen help? Newflash: The only thing that may keep the White Sox from pulling an Indians-size collapse is all of those veterans probably won't let it happen. Probably. But this is a fundamentally flawed team without a prayer of catching the Tigers.

With the Giants in the thick of it, Schmidt isn't going anywhere. And I'm tired of trading away good young talent for a pitching rental. Given the market for pitching, it is inevitable that someone will overpay for a Schmidt or a Smoltz or whoever. I'd much rather stick with what we have and see where it takes us. There is too good talent both on the ML roster right now, and down in AA to make anymore stupid moves. I'd much rather add an effective David Wells at the deadline, and get rid of Seanez and Tavarez for a couple of mid-level prospects than give up our future for a modest upgrade now. Or how much do you want to bet that the move they make will go down with the Larry Andersen for Jeff Bagwell or Jeff Suppan for Freddie Sanchez deals? Yup, Sanchez was traded for Suppan, a worthless sack of garbage for a young infielder who is now hitting .350+.

I was going to post about this back when I first spotted it on Alan's site. It was originally titled Last Dance and my copy of the vinyl sounds pretty good to me, though I can't comment on the CD transfer, obviously. I second Jim's recommendation, aside from his final Concord recording, this is one of the few straightahead dates he did at this stage of his career. Jim, JAM put out a number of recordings, including several by Gene Harris, in the late 70s - early 80s.

it sounded "insightful" the first time I read it. That shocked the hell out of me as I've never heard Hawk say a single insightful thing.

Marty, I can't believe you can stomach those White Sox announcers. I've never been able to listen long enough to hear any honest or insightful commentary, they are the worst "homer" announcers in all of creation. I am absolutely stunned that they could manage to say a damn thing that would constitute criticism of their team. I hate announcers who act that way, and "Hawk" and the other guy are the very worst example I have ever heard.

I take back everything I said about the Red Sox making a push based on the schedule, and I take back absolutely nothing I said about the White Sox. They SUCK big time. But thanks for bending over for the Yankees. At this rate, when the Yankees take over the division lead, the Red Sox will lead for the Wild Card and the "CHUMPS" will be on the outside looking in, where they belong. Seriously, how can any team have a serious chance with one ancient ace and the rest are complete and utter crap? (I know, I know, you're thinking that Schilling is an ancient ace, and the rest of the staff sucks but I'll take Beckett and Wake over any other two on the White Sox staff. Hell, if Wells returns, he leapfrogs everyone the White Sox threw against the Yankees.)

Here's hoping that 5-inning Wright can show some stuff today and the Yanks can sweep. We still need pitching but if we can stay this close while our 250 RBI twosome of Sheffield and Matsui recuperate and then get into playing shape (and when will Cano come off the shelf?), we can be pretty dangerous once September rolls around. Don't know if I want Abreu but the Boss is stupidly upping the price by telegraphing that he wants him. I think Abreu makes more sense for the Yankees than he does for the Sox, yet the word seems to be that the Sox are at least as interested, probably to keep him out of pinstripes. Personally, while he doesn't have the intimidation factor that Sheffield carries, he's a better defender, is several years younger, has a better eye than Sheffield (career .400 OBP) and is likely to find that right field porch extremely inviting. Its also more of a Yankee move to get him, seeing as he isn't young anymore, has big bucks coming to him next year (even more than Sheffield would cost) and would insist on having his option year picked up at 16 mil for him to waive his no-trade. Yeah, that's a Yankee move. Yet, the Sox are reportedly deeply interested, too, and while I agree that Papi-Manny-Abreu is a lot scarier than Papi-Manny-(Nixon-Lowell-Varitek), the club intention to get younger and more athletic isn't served by committing so much money to an aging Abreu. Especially with Wily Mo Pena waiting to take over in rightfield, assuming that Nixon is allowed to walk. Its going to take a lot to get Abreu and I have to hope that the Yanks give up their remaining blue chips, including Phillip Hughes, to get him, and the Sox sit tight. But Abreu isn't my biggest concern with the Phils. No, my dark fear is that we're going to wake up on August 1 with Flash Gordon returning to the Bronx. That would do more to help the Yanks than anything imaginable. With Proctor and Villone and Farnsworth in the less taxing 6th-7th inning, they'd have the guns to do something that's never been seen: Make it a five inning game. That's how good their pen would be with Flash back. One thing to consider about Sheffield and Matsui: the longer they are out, the more likely it is they return when the minors are finished and there's no place for a rehab assignment. How much impact can either one have if the month of September is like the month of March, spring training games that really count? Interesting news for the Sox: They may, just may, be able to upgrade the rotation without making any trades of their prospects or young bullpen guns. David Wells had a very strong bullpen session yesterday, his first throwing off a mound. I know its a long shot, but this has to make the Sox think twice about giving up prospects for a rental of Jason Schmidt or John Smoltz. Getting a moderately effective David Wells into the rotation in August might be the highest impact move of any AL East contender.

Is it possible Texas can win with both offense and pitching? (well, maybe against the O's, right? ) Sorry for not doing anything to help you out this weekend.

Hey Jazzy Paul, I tell you this without fear of contradiction: Whoever thinks the White Sox are the best team in the majors is crazy. Ya should have been swept by the Red Sox and you're about to be swept by the Yankees. What makes you think the pitching staff can get it done? Contreras was beaten by the Sox if not for a fluke, now he gets beaten by the Yankees, and Buerhle gets his clock cleaned yet again. No way in hell will the White Sox catch Detroit. You look more like the 2004 Red Sox, with great hitting and a pitching staff that may or not put it together in time to win when it counts. Oh, and thanks loads for *&^%$# help.

I wouldn't be pissed off that I am not in a position to take advantage of the Concord/OJC sale.

It sure as heck looks like his comeuppance is finally near, and as you say, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. The NYT had an interesting report on an old friend of Barry's who got into the memorabilia business but had a falling out. Bonds apparently got paranoid about "counterfeit" Bonds merchandise and accused his friend of selling fakes and actually went to the FBI. Is there 'roid paranoia like 'roid rage? So the guy told Barry's lawyer "don't do this" and told him he'll bury Barry if he does, with first hand knowledge of steroids, tax evasion through the mistress (who was introduced by the friend's sister, or had some connection to her like that) and infidelity. The NY Daily News had their own report which kind of filled in the blank of why Barry would screw up the market for his own memorabilia by making loud claims about counterfeit. Apparently the belief is that Barry was trying to help cover up the cash he was making from these dealings (the cash he was hiding from his ex-wife and her attorneys/accountants) by roiling the market. As to your questions, I am sure that Barry will play the race card at some point. But the larger issue, to me, is where a trial takes place and whether it is possible (I almost suspect its not just possible, but likely) that in the Bay area there is enough continuing support for Bonds that he could beat the rap. I honestly think the prosecution should move for a change of venue. That may be the battle of the century in this case. It would certainly be ironic if the prosecution used the leak of the grand jury testimony to show that the jury pool is now tainted. Bonds' trainer will be lucky if the indictment does come with the current grand jury, I think it would have been nice to see him kept him jail for contempt while they impanel a new grand jury. But regardless, there is no claim he can make to avoid testifying when this goes to trial. Finally Pete Rose will have someone join him in baseball hell. Who would have guessed that two of the greatest players in history would allow their personal demons to destroy themselves?

Well, I guess that post to the Yahoo group helped. Two more seeders joined up and someone else came in as a leecher. So I'm even uploading now - and at a rate faster than my download. That probably explains how someone who joined later than I did has nearly twice as much downloaded. But overnight, I went up to nearly 40%, so as long as we stay status quo, this could be done by sometime Sunday morning.