Tyler (not Durden) makes the roster.

Boy, wouldn't it be just all sunshine and roses if Tyler Colvin didn't sit on the bench for a week before he got one pinch hit opportunity and then another week, etc. You would like to think that Colvin would be able to be rotated in and out of the lineup and that all 4 outfielders would play nice, but that just won't happen.

There is no way Colvin starts 2 games per week, barring an injury or trade - hey, we can dream. Now will this turn out to be ultimately bad for the kid? Who knows. I can't imagine it'll be great. Will it irrevocably damage him or launch him into stardom? Neither will probably happen but I would argue that damage is infinitely more likely.

In a perfect world, Colvin could rotate in once for each starter once per week or every other week or so. Actually, I take that back. In a perfect world, Colvin learns to play second base, but that's another conversation.

Let's hope this roster move is more Gordon Beckham than it is Corey Patterson.

Hold on! Wait! I have an idea!

Seeing as how we're a two team radio station, let's get rid of sports talk! Yeah. There's an idea. Sounds idiotic right? Well that's just what WGN is doing -

WGN-AM recasts Kaplan as 'sports insider,' gives Laski 'Sports Central' slot

First, the y get rid of weekend sports central which, at times, tempted me to leave work early to listen. Now, weekday Sports Central. But don't worry. Kapper will still be there as a talking muppet during postgame. That is until he wakes up and heads over to ESPN or the Score.

Look, I wasn't a Kathy and Judy fan. In fact I sustained many injuries diving for the radio to turn it off. But this latest trend to turn WGN into controversial radio is just ridiculous. My DAD listens to FM radio now since Pig Vomit took over. My Dad. Until recently, I'm not sure my father realized the dial on the radio turned, WGN was such a mainstay in his truck - even Kathy and Judy lord only knows why.

Feeling the loss.

Ok. I'm a little miffed. I have stuck out my neck on a few occasions over the past few months to defend Paul Sullivan a.k.a. @PWSullivan a.k.a. What the fuck are you blocking me for??. And all that was turned on its head today by a simple little message on twitter:

"This user has blocked you from following them."

So I got curious...what could I have possibly said to add myself to the illustrious ranks of A League of Her Own, Another Cubs Blog, etc who Paul thinks don't like him?

So I went back over my Twitter feed for two months and here is my list of atrocities:

Please @PWSullivan, please stop writing about MB so every other blogger in the city can stop writing about how much they hate you. - 11:24 AM Mar 10th

Yeah we're pretty sure Lou will be managing in April too. RT @PWSullivan: Oz sez Lou will return to Cubs in 2010: http://bit.ly/bdDxHo 1:58 PM Mar 6th

@PWSullivan Tell Lou, at this point, we don't care who he hits like, just so long as he hits the damn ball. 7:46 AM Feb 27th

History is written by the winners. RT @PWSullivan: Hendry says arbitration battle vs. Theriot wasn't "adversarial." 10:40 AM Feb 20th

Bastards.. RT @PWSullivan: ESPN Classic now showing Game 6 Cubs-Marlins for Valentine's Day Heartbreakers Marathon 5:16 PM Feb 14th

@PWSullivan Do you really think it's appropriate to refer to a player on the team you cover as "The Riot"?? #tongueplantedfirmlyincheek 11:21 AM Feb 4th

@doc_blume @PWSullivan So what? Neither can Silva. 6:31 PM Feb 3rd in reply to doc_blume

# Reading/listening to @thekapman or @PWSullivan is like watching Michael Moore. As long as you go into it knowing there's an agenda... 11:02 PM Feb 1st

All due respect but WTFE RT @Aisle424: RT @anothercubsblog: Paul Sullivan is a liar http://ow.ly/1nXL19 10:38 PM Feb 1st

I'm just curious as to which on got me the hatchet? My guess is one of the two most recent -

Please @PWSullivan, please stop writing about MB so every other blogger in the city can stop writing about how much they hate you. - 11:24 AM Mar 10th

Yeah we're pretty sure Lou will be managing in April too. RT @PWSullivan: Oz sez Lou will return to Cubs in 2010: http://bit.ly/bdDxHo 1:58 PM Mar 6th

Here's the thing Chicken Little. Every time PW writes anything about Milton Bradley, a lot of bloggers that I follow go completely ApeSh*t and go off on another tangent about how PW is a horrible man and a horrible reporter, blah blah blah blah. Dude. I was just sick of reading about it.

The other reference - maybe it was a typo, but you're a reporter. You report to thousands of people. Someone's gonna call you on it. You said Lou will be managing in 2010. IT IS 2010!

I have done nothing but support PW and his right to say whatever her wants because I recognize that there's an agenda there. Most of the time his quips are funny, so I ran with it, even if it did stretch the limits of what might be considered respectable journalism in some circles. But now I'm blocked. WTF? I guess to say Paul Sullivan is thin skinned would be like saying Hitler wasn't a very nice guy.

Well guess what Paully. You jsut became my new twitter crash test dummy. I can't read ya. But I CAN reply to ya.

I Think You Are Underestimating The Amount Of Sneakiness Sir

Hey everyone guess what? Baseball's coming! It's really sneaking up on us this year. It's being Vewy vewy qwiet. Maybe it's the Blackhawks heading toward the playoffs (which I'm actually following for the first time). Maybe it's the snow on the ground. Maybe it's because there are really very few compelling stories in Spring Training this year. Whatever it is, I'm having trouble coming to grips with the fact that Baseball is 15 days away. This time last year, I was halfway through my 2009 roster breakdown. Which reminds me I should probably get going on that.

It's just one of those springs where it's just sneaking by and we're completely unaware. Or at least I am.

It could also have to do with the fact that I have no high hopes, nor low hopes for this season. I'm not really looking forward to watching a .500 team play 162 games....again. Cuz it was such a joy last year...

Bullpen? Who needs it?

Because I'm sure all of our starters will go deep into every game, you know like they used to.....back.....in the.......60's....

Anyway. Guzman's shoulder has finally packed its bags and headed home, dragging Angel behind it, so we're left with a more scary version of our bullpen including Marmol, Grabow, Caridid (for a couple weeks anyway), Marshall, and...and....Crap...

I hold out hope for John Grabow - maybe not 4 million dollars of hope, but hope. He did a pretty good job with the club last year after his acquisition. Caridad is making a good show of himself in camp this year, but it's Spring training in Arizona - not exactly a good guage for a set up man. Oh Jimmy why did you not get Putz or Capps. Either one of them would be a welcome addition to what we have now. Eh well. I'm sure it will contribute to what is destined to be a frustratingly boring and uninspired 84 win season.

But I still can't wait for baseball to start!

Chicago was a perfect fit for MB

So everyone in the world has been saying that Chicago was not the best fit for Milton. I disagree. I think Chicago was the perfect place for Milton. Here's why:

Chicago has a lot of media and fans who will listen to the sh*t dribbling out of his mouth. Heck, even now that he's gone, he's still getting airwaves on Chicago's dime. The NY Post, or Times, or whatever (it's all F'ing New York), and now ESPN are giving Milton the opportunity to continue to spout his drivel, because in Seattle, no one pays attention long enough to care. What Milton didn't realize was, he blew his load too soon.

He had a full three years to spout, and could've gone on unabated if he'd just paced himself. Ya know? Year one could've been about how uncomfortable he was, then year two, he could've brought up how no one in the club house likes him. By year three, his walk year, he could've brought up the racist hype and honestly, even after he resigned somewhere else with someone who could "change" him, he would've so incensed the crowd here he could've ridden that train until 2020 - on 20/20 no less.

Too bad we missed all that...

Spring training....meh

So Spring Training games are here at last. Words cannot express how happy I am that we can all watch and listen to live baseball again. Words cannot express it, because I simply do not care. These games don't mean anything, and I frankly stress myself out enough during the regular season, so when it comes to Spring training, I really, really don't care. Hang on. Let me try to care.

Nope. Not working. I care about Spring Training games just a hair more than rugby games in the outback between two aboriginal tribes. The only, small, incomprehensible way this affects my life in the slightest is that now the Cubs reporters are back to their full time jobs so there's more to read and digest. But honestly, I won't care until April. That's when I go all in. Wait. I think I feel some excitement building....nope false alarm. Burrito....

Maybe they won't be so bad....

Ok, let's be clear about something. The 2010 Chicago Cubs will not suck. Not like Pirates or Royals kind of sucking anyway. Cubs fans, we loves our dramas. So while we all curse and rail that this team will be so bad, yeah well, they could be worse. Far worse.

So let's be realists here. The Cubs are looking to be a probably slightly higher than .500 team at this point. And that's probably the worst of it. Not so bad that we get to really complain about it (not with any real leg to stand on anyway), but not good enough to overtake the Cardinals or possibly the Boo-hoo Crew. Our 2010 Cubbies are probably gonna be ridiculously average. And that's the really sad part. Expectations are so high after 2003, 2007, and 2008, that the "average" that would've been welcome relief in the 80's and 90's is torture in the 2000's.

I'd write more, but I'm tired and need a nap....

Zambrano's fuse....

A couple of other folks have sounded off on this piece by Danny McWhackadoodle of Chicago Tribune and WSOX fame.

Ok first of all, Danny Mac does not (nor anyone else at the southside radio station) keep secret about his baseball allegiance in this town. I can only imagine the whiplash caused by the double take when McNeal handed this piece to his editor - "You're writing about what?"

While we're on the subject, Dan McNeil ranting about someone else's temper is like Hitler saying "I don't know, that's a little harsh." Maybe we shouldn't be listening to the guy that was both suspended and fired by a certain other sports radio station within a year.

You want tantrums and general stupidity Danny? I'd suggest you tune into WSOX from 9-1 every weekday.

Today is the day!

All the off-season moves, the excitement, the wonder, the Wrigley renovations, it's all so mesmerizing. It's inspired my wife and I to plan our summer very carefully and map out everything we want to see from this year. It's so exciting and so motivating. I've got my two computers here. I'm pushing for a personal best 120 virtual waiting rooms. Everything is ready. Everything is planned for our....

2 games.

Spring is in the air...So the hell what?

This is my obligatory "Pitchers and Catchers" blog posting - everyone needs one. So here's mine. Since it's officially time to look forward to the season, here's what I'm looking forward to.

A completely forgettable season. There won't be any controversy, no great events, no horrible events. The Cubs will probably finish second or third, or whatever ain't first. There will be highs and lows. A walk-off against the Cardinals. A walk off by the Cardinals. The Sox will make us grab our ankles when they show up with Peavy, Buehrle (or whoever you spell his name - how about Bueller?), Danks, Damon, Quentin, etc.

People will talk and rant about how Zambrano is a nut case, he needs to be traded, Lee should be traded, Theriot should be traded, where's Castro, what the hell is Castro doing here, we miss the Hoff, blah blah. We will search for something to get excited about - good or bad - and the best we'll come up with will be something Carlos Silva's mom says.

Gonna be boring folks. Strap in and enjoy the virtually flat ride.

But in the meantime, here's some obscenity-laced Metallica for you:

Not so much "Presale" as it is a "sale"

The Cubs announced recently that fans will have the "opportunity" to purchase individual game tickets before everyone else during their "pre-sale" starting February 15th at 10am and going through noon on Feb 18th. For the privilege of buying tickets before everyone else, you need only pay 20% above face value. Ok - a couple of things:

1. If everyone can buy tickets during the "pre-sale", it's a SALE. Just call it what it is. There's not unique opportunity here. Everyone is invited. If you want the good seats, you gotta pay the good prices.

2. There's a business model that generates profit by inflating ticket prices of good seats and selling them above face value. It's called "scalping". Once again call it what it is.

Long story short - either fans are getting screwed or fans are getting screwed. Either you pay the inflated prices for the good games. Or you pay the regular prices for the games nobody cares about. Oh wait, they already have that in the tier system. So wait. I'm confused.

Long story short, I've only heard about the Cubs doing this which means they're the only franchise with the balls to try and pull it off. It's sad that withholding my money is the only way to protest which only means I'm depriving myself of the experience while 20,000,000 other lackeys step into my place.

I fought the law, and I won....

I apologize to all my readers, er ok, both my readers, but this is neither "one minute" nor Cubs.

Shawn Wasson, a.k.a. "The News Junkie" was broadcasting his usual show on Saturday morning. He was reporting a story in which a principal sent a student home for wearing the wrong jersey to school. According to Wasson, The principal singled the student out in class, berated the student publicly, then denied the student his education by sending him home for supporting the wrong team. He and I needed to have a chat - Email sent:

Greetings News Junkie,

I happened across your radio program on my lunch break earlier, and unfortunately, did not have time to call in - 30 minutes just isn't as long as it used to be. You were discussing the merits of a principal sending home a 17 year old student for wearing a Colts jersey on Black and Gold day. So I found the following story, and wanted to comment on your position:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584975,00.html?test=latestnews

First of all, while requiring student to wear uniforms is not a popular stance among the students, one could easily argue that wearing standard uniforms in an academic environment is considered a normal practice by schools across the country. The theories behind adherence to a dress code range from child safety to student focus on curriculum. Whether or not the practice of a dress code policy is right or not is not in question here. The problem comes when the school relaxes those policies for whatever reason.

According to the news article, "A Livingston Parish School Board member said Frost wasn't sent home, but was told he couldn't wear the blue jersey at school. Keith Martin, whose district includes Maurepas, said the school uniform had been relaxed only for black and gold."

Please note the two phrases - "Frost wasn't sent home" and "the school uniform had been relaxed only for black and gold". It is not uncommon for schools to allow "Dress down days" or similar practices for special events such as fundraisers, sports teams, school spirit, etc. In this case, the school relaxed their policies to support the New Orleans Saints team in the Super bowl. The school did not require any student to wear the Saints' colors. It offered them the option.

The article goes on -
"According to Martin, a friend of Brandon Frost's had asked Vampran on Thursday whether Brandon could wear a Colts jersey, and had been told "no."" - self explanatory

"During a class on Thursday, Frost said, he talked about his plans to wear his jersey rather than Saints colors. He said the teacher warned him he'd get in trouble." - Self explanatory. He's been told no twice.

"Larry Frost said he didn't know about that when Brandon asked Thursday whether he could wear the jersey. He said he told his son to come home if he was hassled too much." - Sounds like Dad is the one sending him home.

"Brandon Frost said Vampran called him out of his first class Friday and told him, "I don't recall saying you could wear a Colts jersey on Black-and-Gold Day."" - 100% accurate. The Principal did not say the student could wear "any jersey". - Please note "Called him out of his class" - he did not confront the student in front of other students as you suggested on your show.

""He started to get angry with me," Frost said. "I thought I remember him saying, 'If you like Indiana so much, why don't you go back?"'" What? You mean a principal got upset when a student - who had already been told he was wrong twice - started mouthing off to him about a jersey. I particularly like the sentence "I thought I remember him saying..." You mean as opposed to "You're going to have to change shirts"?

Then Dad, decides to call the ACLU about this affront to his son's free speech. This isn't free speech. This is a t-shirt. This is a dress code. Even the ACLU doesn't want to take that one on.

I could frankly go on and on, but at the end of the day, when you send your child to school, you are not buying "an education". You are paying for the teachers to dispense knowledge at a facility. This facility has rules and regulations for a reason. Flagrant disregard of these rules make for a hostile learning environment. Teachers have a hard enough time teaching. Telling 17 year old kids that they do not have to honor those rules that are put place to facilitate learning only leads to a breakdown in the learning process - more so than asking a kid to change his shirt or go home.

I am willing to concede that perhaps the principal did say the remark about going back to Indiana, only because as the article state, he acknowledged that he should not have done so. If so, that was wrong. But not ACLU wrong. However inappropriate, I can only guess what equally inappropriate/downright offensive things the student in questions must've said in the exchange. You'll notice those quotes were left out of the paper.

Bottom line: even if this dress code policy was not written down or set in stone, two things remain clear:
1. The student was told no, 2 1/2 times. Twice in school, and one half when the father admitted that there may be trouble. While he didn't say it wasn't allowed, granting permission to come home if there's trouble seems to be at least a tacit acknowledgement that this is not - for lack of better words - "a good idea"

2. The student clearly violated the spirit of the rule. Black and gold day was clearly meant to celebrate the home town's team and their accomplishment. Not only did the student violate that rule, he completely went in the opposite direction. I somehow think that if the students were told to wear school colors, and this student wore something not in the school colors and he were sent home, this would not be an issue.

This was a 17 year old kid flagrantly violating a rule, and being allowed to do so by his parents, the neighborhood, the newspaper, and the ACLU. Clearly THAT is the wrong message to be sending - not "my team is better than yours".

Hey you, Ryan, yeah you. Come here....

What are you an idiot? Sullivan might think so. (couldn't resist) You're going up against the Cubs in arbitration? Did you know I'm a psychic? You're gonna lose. Badly. And you'll be a not-so-happy-go-lucky plucky, scrappy little infielder. You'll be a bitter angry upset little infielder and you'll still have a rag arm, but you won't be as aww-shucks-like.

Don't get me wrong kid - you're kinda cute in a "I won't throw the puppy out in the cold unless he chews my mattress" kinda way. But beyond that, you're a slap hitter and an average fielder. Not exactly the gateway to Jeterdom ya know?

So lighten up kid. You're gonna lose, and lose bad. Take whatever bone the Cubs are throwin' ya and run away like a bandit, because that is probably the best steal you'll get all year without being picked off.

This is yet another example of the written word that I wish could be spoken word because it comes off in my head so much better than it looks.

An open letter to WGN RE: Steve Cochran

Dear WGN,

This Blackhawks season has brought to light something that concerns me. Something that I'm afraid will continue into the Cubs season. It seems whenever a sports team who broadcasts on WGN has a game following Steve's show, for whatever reason Steve Cochran is given the go-ahead to broadcast remotely from that location. It would seem that along with that permission also comes permission to drink heavily, become an ass, and generally become less funny than he is on a normal night - no easy feat.

Just why Steve is given the green-light to drink like a catholic priest just before a courtroom appearance while on the air is a mystery, but when the listener can't tell who's further under the table - the host, or Bobby Hull - that's a problem.

Since we're on the topic, if there's any other way to reduce the frequency of the daily 6:30 "Steve's not-as-funny-as-me friends" segments featuring Patti Vasquez and Mark DeCarlo or the bi-weekly Wine "Diva" visits with the same dipsh*ts calling and asking the same dipsh*t questions ("No you should not drink the red wine that's been sitting in your attic since 1692.") it'd be very much appreciated.

I'd go on, but Steve just said something that made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

Love,
OMC

Wild speculation and random thoughts...

Dear Jim Hendry,

I write this letter to you without any specific information, leads, or frankly knowledge, but for what it's worth...

Bakernot, aka the Baker/Fontenot combo is not a good enough second baseman for a team hoping to win a championship, which if I remember correctly, is on your to-do list. One name that is out there that remains a very viable option is switch hitting Orlando Hudson. You remember him - the second baseman for the Dodgers who went to the playoffs the last two years? Anyway, he would be a very good left handed option for a very right handed hitting team. Not that lefty/righty matters, and the fact that he is a switch hitter is not why you should sign him. The fact that he's better than FonteBake is why you should sign him.

You mentioned a desire to add a veteran reliever to the bullpen. You can still accomplish this by trading the now-unemployed Fontenot, and the un-utilized Jeff Samardawhosits, and perhaps several hundred other young pitchers waiting in the minors since inexplicably that seems to be the only position farm system employs.

Anyway, that's about all I have to say here. Seems like if you have only one signing left in you, make it a significant upgrade, not another piece of a puzzle that already has too many pieces.

Love,
OMC and just about everyone else.

Blackhawks Game Twitter Feed

This is just a collection of twitter updates from when I went to the Blackhawks Game on Dec 27th - A dramatic last minute win over the Predators. I've been asked about it, so I thought I'd consolidate. Hey, I'm a Hawks fan too...

Going to the #Blackhawks game tonight, courtesy of my BIL - 9 rows back from the glass. Will update frequently 2nite. Stay tuned.
11:37 AM Dec 27th, 2009 from web

@aleagueofherown I'll make sure to snap off a few twit pics for you all.
11:41 AM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitterGadget in reply to aleagueofherown

http://twitpic.com/vicgr - Ticket = awesome
5:11 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

http://twitpic.com/vicsy - The view from the seats.
5:13 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

http://twitpic.com/vid7f - Damn...that goal is small. Another view from the seat
5:15 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

http://twitpic.com/vif7m - It's a Madhouse....Or so they claim....It's a Madhouse.....I'm insaaaaaaaane!
5:28 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

http://twitpic.com/vifzl - Hawks take the field...er...ice...Still getting used to this whole hockey thing
5:33 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

http://twitpic.com/vih1q - #NIN at a #Blackhawks game....sweet.
5:39 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

http://twitpic.com/vijjj - Asked my BIL if he wanted to trade seats with me. Not surprisingly he said yes...
5:55 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

For those of you on a quest to find seats narrower than the ones at Wrigley - found 'em
5:57 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

Games on. It's.....quiet.
6:10 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

http://twitpic.com/vim4s - Hell of a show so far. Game hasn't evwn started yet. Niemi in goal.
6:11 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

http://twitpic.com/vimkm - Vince Vaughn drops the first puck.
6:14 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

I guess 20,000 people don't make that much noise anymore...
6:20 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

For as loud as this place is during the national anthem - and I'm all for tradition don't get me wrong- I'm sitting in a freakin library now
6:32 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

1-1 going into the first intermission. Good times
6:40 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

http://twitpic.com/viwfi - Parking is a b*tch down at the U C
7:15 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

Neither team is controlling the puck very well. Preds up 2-1
7:16 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

http://twitpic.com/viyd5 - There's my excuse to be tweeting all this - Ryno's here!
7:28 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

2nd intermission. Still down 2-1. I suspect this will only be temporary.
7:35 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

It just occurred to me that my 3 year old son will be driving by the time Duncan Keith's contract is up
7:41 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

http://twitpic.com/vj2c8 - Faceoff before the #Blackhawks start the powerplay
7:55 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

Maddon ties it in a breakaway goal! 2-2
7:56 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

#Blackhawks on the power play. 10 min remaining
8:01 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

http://twitpic.com/vj3wa - Another action shot of the #Blackhawks whiffing on the Power Play
8:05 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

Hat's in hand just waiting for Maddon's third. #Blackhawks up 3-2
8:07 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

Damn Power Play only lasted 15 seconds. #Blackhawks up 4-2
8:09 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

Predators blow goats, but still manage to score. #Blackhawks up 4-3
8:13 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

Argh. 4-4
8:13 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

Patrick Kane's 2nd goal is the game winner. 45 seconds not enough for Preds to come back
8:23 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

The hunters become the hunted #Blackhawks win 5 - 4
8:27 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

http://twitpic.com/vj7o4 - Patrick Kane is the #Blackhawks number 1 star of the game
8:29 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

http://twitpic.com/vj7uk - Crowd goes apesh*t and gets a craving for Amstel on Maddon's second goal. #Blackhawks up 3-2
8:30 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitPic

Leaving the #Blackhawks game. Phew. Great game.
8:38 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from txt

Seeing the #Blackhawks win so dramatically tonight allowed me to forget how freakin' miserable I'll be come April...
10:23 PM Dec 27th, 2009 from TwitterGadget

Great game.....

The Cubs conventions is here.

Yay. Now we get to sit in on panels and lsiten to players and management explain why Marlon Byrd and Carlos Silva are the biggest moves that will happen. Yay. Of course, I won't be there. I gotta work. But heck someone will be there and someone will be listening. Most will probably be happy, brimming with optimism because the Mistake is finally gone. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the circumstances of his departure. But gall-dern this season is going to suck big donkey balloons.

I'll be meeting up with some of my tweeps tonight at Kitty O'Shea's restaurant in the Hilton. So that part won't suck......


....probably.

Say it ain't so, Mark. We'd know you were lying, but still

Mark McGuire came out yesterday and told everyone in the world that the sky is blue. No wait. He confessed the shocking revelation the cigarettes are bad for you. Actually, come to think of it, he said he used steriods - You can understand how it'd get all these common-knowledge type facts confused. But here's the worst part about the tearful confession of Mark's last night.

We listened.

Why did anyone waste the resources to put a camera in front of this head-inflated buffoon and give him yet another 15 minutes? Are we that desparate for another Jose Canseco interview? Has this offseason been so ridiculously boring with the Curtis Granderson deal being the top story that we need another 12 weeks of steroids talk? C'mon MLB network. When Marty McGuire called you and said, "I want to confess about using steroids", why was your answer anything but "Get back to us when you have something newsworthy"?

Just one final thought - Hey Albert. Don't let this guy touch you.

Hawk in the Hall and other alliterations...

Andre Dawson was annouced today as the only inductee in today's vote for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Some notable exclusions include Roberto Alomar and Burt Blylevin. This is by the way, the only commentary you'll hear today about the HoF induction. Andre Dawson actually making it in is the afterthought. But of course, he played for the Cubs and will probably be wearing the hat of a team that no longer exists, or the pariah of the national sports media scene.

The exclamation point to this absurdidty came from the Boers and Bernstein show (hereafter referred to as "dipshit and dork") on WSOX. One caller called in with the audactiy to question the lofty D&D's derision of Dawson's induction, and was promptly screamed at, in typical D&D fashion and hung up on. Finally, Bernstein made the comment that the Hall of Fame "no longer has any meaning" to him and how "they'll let anybody in". Excuse me, but Mark McGuire and Manny Ramirez tend to disagree.

Now I apologize that no White Sox players worthy of induction retired up to 20 years ago, let alone 5, but still, please just acknowledge a great player and go on with your pointless Bears ramblings about a new offensive coordinator and the same ineffective line.