Insert Padres in place of the Cubs..

Sorry, but I loved this rant..I really do.

Baseball's worst free agent signings evah!

For an interesting MLB read, check out Jon Heyman's column. I don't agree with the order, but I do agree all these teams got hosed..Here are his top five:

1. Hampton, $121 million, Rockies (and Braves). The deals for him and Denny Neagle ($55 million, five years) set the Rockies back five years. On the other hand, the complicated trade to send him away and get the Rockies on the path to the World Series was a stroke of genius. The Braves, who got him from the Marlins in November 2002, two days after Colorado dumped him, are known for wise pitching decisions, but this has to be their worst.

2. Carl Pavano, $40 million, four (long) years, Yankees. Never really looked interested. Changed agents more times than he actually pitched.

3. Albert Belle, $65 million, five years, Orioles. Brought surly mood, diminished power and bad hip to Peter Angelos' brand of bad baseball.

4. Chan Ho Park, $65 million, five years, Rangers. Poor Tom Hicks. Or should I say, rich Tom Hicks. Park showed up without much zip on his pitches, then delivered almost zip for the money.

5. Jason Giambi, $120 million, seven years, Yankees. He apologized for who knows what but hasn't yet apologized for taking all this money, which is, of course, obscene. He's still got $26 million to go in this the final year alone, assuming the Yankees decline the option year for a measly $5 mil.

My personal favorite Kevin Brown is on the list too..Dodgers got hosed in that one..big time :)

They shoot horses don't they??

Someone needs to tell Buddy Black to see Alex and buy a fucking clue.

Trevor Hoffman is done..stick a fork in him Black. We can not afford to let Hoffman keep blowing saves..we are UNDER five hundred as it is, you stupid sumbitch..

Life...its a big no-hitter sometimes..

Randy Wolf..the perennial injury-prone strikeout king almost got a no-no last night..just gave up two hits for the Padres. 

I have my courtdate with the Workers Compensation Board..D-day is May 6th 8:30am. We will find out if I can see the QME of my choice hopefully. The insurance company is attempting to use a technicality to disqualify him..they don't like that he usually advocates for the patient..moi. 

I will be heading down to SoCal tomorrow..dogsitter that I am. Hopefully she has internet..I didn't figure to ask..dumbass me. 

Have a good Thursday folks..the weekend is just over the horizon. :)

Watch the Big Unit gratis tonight!

Those tightwads at MLB.com are offering..for some friggin reason, free access to the Dbacks-Giants game tonight on their site.

I pay for a subscription for the entire year. This isn't sour grapes..but why in the blue hell is Randy Johnson's comeback a big fucking deal? The man has spent more time on the DL in the last three years than the entire Dbacks team combined.

Anyway..if your interested..check it out. here.

Baseball and other things..

I am still watching my Padres..lose.

But I know it's a long-assed season..and for that I am thankful. As for the entire MLB:

Ch..ch..changes..to their collective bargaining agreement with regard to roids and other no-no's. From MLB's press release, the policy changes are as follows:

1. Increased Independence - the Independent Program Administrator ("IPA") is appointed for a multiyear term and can be removed only in very narrow circumstances.

2. Increased Transparency - the IPA will annually and publicly report key statistics related to the program and record retention requirements will be lengthened.

3. Testing - 600 additional tests will be conducted each year and the number of off-season tests will double on average.

4. Flexibility - the agreement institutionalizes an annual review process to allow the parties to respond to new developments.

5. Education - the IPA, in consultation with the parties, will develop an annual mandatory education program for players.

6. Amateur Draft - Baseball's testing program will be expanded to cover top prospects.

Is it good..of course..does it make any difference..hard to say..desperate men use desperate measures.

And about the other things in life..they suck at the moment. The Workers Compensation thing is driving me insane..literally and figuratively. WTF is it with these people..the xrays and MRI's don't fucking lie..its a screwed up back on lots of levels..I am tired of living on muscle relaxers, vitamin C and pain pills..to paraphrase a line from the Grateful Dead.

But we have baseball for moi and the ball and chain tonight..on the big screen. Dodgers and Padres again..with Peavy and the big guy Penny going for the Dodgers tonight and the weekend. We will try to watch it together..if either team starts stinking up the joint..we retire to opposite rooms so we can root or bitch in private.

JFK and I have so much in common..

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Righteously filched from Dickie Smalls blog.

Trevor Hoffman..you are beginning to get on my last nerve dude..

Last night, continuing along the same path he took at the end of last season..Trevor Time became a homerun derby inning for the Astros.

After it was all over, he had given up four runs.

Flash back to the last three games of last season..Trevor blew all three of those fuckers and the Padres only had to win ONE of them.

Heath Bell is waiting in the wings..the Padres need to get him acclimated to closing I do believe.

It ain't sports but it's just as sweet!

BadRap.org has their usual Shot Fair in Northern Cali. I love these folks and will give them as much publicity as possible. They are our ambassadors for Pit Bulls..one of the most loving breeds on this planet. I do this as a tribute to my beloved Baby who left us two summers ago and is still missed on a daily basis.

Its the people that are bad, not the dogs folks..remember that.




Here they tell us about the organization:

Padres look pretty good..

Peavy pitched a great game..and life is good right now.

Of course it's only been one game of 162..but every game counts.

Now if my ten fantasy teams can just start off on the right foot..I will be a happy camper.

I play my brother in the league I commish..damn..hate to beat him..but all is fair in love and baseball.

Its here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bush will be on hand to toss the first ball and start the gNat's season off in their new park..

Hope everyone has their teams ready to play..

With the shitty news I got yesterday from the Doc in Hell-A..I need a friggin diversion people.

Let the games begin! :)

Yo Barry..a job offer dude!!

My Padres Class A affiliate, the Lake Elsinore Storm, has offered Barroid the following job:

The Lake Elsinore Storm, a Class-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, released a tongue-in-cheek statement announcing that the club has offered Bonds "a cushy Media Relations position (with slight pay cut from $19.3 million), full use of baseball facilities and of course expanded cubicle space with barcalounger and plasma TV."

Somehow, I don't see Mr. Steroid taking this job..does anyone else? ;)

I used to root for this man..

I always thought John Daly had personal demons that didn't really tell us how good a human being he really is. I know what it's like to deal with a loved one that can not walk away from their addiction to alcohol.

But now..hell..Daly is a jerkwad..and a sad pathetic excuse for a human being. Not because he can't overcome his addiction to alcohol, or he likes women and their breasts..just that he is a jerk and a shell of his former self who refuses to deal with an addiction that can kill him and should end his career and ability to make money from that career. From a recent writeup about him on MSNBC:

Alas, John Daly has become Blutarsky, only without the dignity. What he has done with his career is the sports equivalent of stuffing his face with food and then slamming his cheeks with his hands to simulate the popping of a pimple.

Recently Butch Harmon, the esteemed swing guru who has worked with many of the game's greatest players — including Tiger Woods — washed his hands of Daly. Harmon told the Associated Press: "My whole goal for him was he's got to show me golf is the most important thing in his life. And the most important thing in his life is getting drunk."

If you read the entire article..people are ripping Butch Harmon for going public with his thoughts about Daly..I say..Good on ya Butch..let the world know that feeling sympathy for John Daly is just a worthless endeavor.

Daly has tried to break his addiction to alcohol more times than I can remember. But that said..how many chances does one get? Five..ten? He has the money and the resources to tackle this horrible demon. Another piece from the writeup:

Harmon is being ripped in some quarters because he had the audacity to say out loud what everybody has known for years now: Daly is out of control, and he likes it.

Harmon went off after Daly spent a rain delay at a recent tournament working on his swing inside the Hooters corporate tent at the 17th green. Apparently, everyone was swinging in there. When the rain stopped, Daly had Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden caddying for him, which I guess is preferable to Daly serving as a coach for Gruden. Daly finished that first round with a 77, then he shot himself out of the tournament with an 80 in the second round.

One day after Harmon's rant, Daly tossed more moonshine on the fire by missing his pro-am tee time at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and was disqualified from the tournament. That's Arnold Palmer, as in the most distinguished golfer walking the earth, whose namesake event a troubled entrant disgraces at his own peril.

I just can't stand up for Daly any longer. He isn't worth my time or my support frankly. I hope he eventually finds the will to conquer his demons..but I am not betting on it..nope. This part says it all, for me at least:

He gets into tournaments now via sponsor exemptions, because he no longer has his full PGA Tour card. Sponsors want him at their events because he not only is a disaster magnet, he also attracts fans who revel in his trailer park charm and sympathize with his working class woes. They seek out photos with him and get autographs from him so they can say they once touched someone who once touched greatness.

Farewell Mr. Daly..I am sure you will manage to find a way to play a sport you love..I just don't think your a human being I need to feel sorry for any longer. Perhaps if you actually hit the bottom and had to live under a fucking bridge..you MIGHT realize how much damage you do to yourself and those that care about you. The fact that people and sponsors enable you doesn't help you deal with your disease..and I doubt you ever will.

Listening to Spring Training on the Radio

It takes me back to being a young girl and sitting with my Dad around the radio. Being fixated on that little box with the lousy reception many times.

But today, I sat outside in the warm SoCal sun and I listened to Internet Radio, courtesy of MLB.com. It's not free..nothing is with those bastards..but the quality was good and there were plenty of commercials to get up and get something to eat or drink.

I laid back in my chair and listened to the Rangers announcers talk about the 'up and comers' that were invited to participate, some of the names ringing a bell or two. Bakersfield has the single A farm team for the Rangers. The stadium is right down the street from where I live. They are called the Bakersfield Blaze. They suck pretty much but hey..its local baseball.

My Padres beat them..9-5. It was a good day for the old man Greg Maddux who got the win. I remember when Greg would come to Qualcomm as a Brave..he never could win in that stadium ;) It was a split-squad game, so plenty of the Padres A ball players got to show what they had today too.

I don't mind listening to the games on the radio. But I do hope to see a couple of them via streaming video from the Peoria complex. It's a nice place, been there a few times when I lived in AZ years ago. All Spring Training facilities are small venues, but Peoria is considered the largest of all the Cactus League venues..which is great. Reminds me of seeing a good music set in a bar..upclose and personal ya know? The real cozy one is the Giants facility in Scottsdale. That is also the oldest I believe.

God I love baseball.

MLB playing hardball with journalists..

Personally, I think this bs move is all about control..and power. MLB has made shitty moves like this in the past. Like the one where they sued Yahoo and CBS Sportsline for offering real time stats online. They lost in court on that one.

Hope this one goes the same route. I hate control freaks. Seriously. From the Editor & Publisher linkage above:

Major League Baseball's new restrictions on the use of online photo images has drawn a protest letter from the Online News Association, a 1200-member group of Web journalists.

In the letter, sent Tuesday to Baseball Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig, the nine-year-old group objected to the new restrictions that include limits on the number of game photos online and the duration of time video can be placed on a Web site.

The restrictions are being placed on all media credentials for the upcoming 2008 baseball season, which begins later this month.

"These terms interfere with our members' ability to do their jobs as journalists and cover news of public importance," ONA President Jonathan Dube says in the letter.

A hearty FUCK YOU BUDDY SELIG..and I say that with all sincerity you dick.

Favre finally retiring..

After 17 seasons Brett is finally giving it up. From the NYT writeup:

He retires as the N.F.L. career leader in passing yards (61,655), touchdown passes (442), completions (5,377) and attempts (8,758). His 160 victories as a starting quarterback are also a record.

Much of Favre's legacy rests on his durability. He played in his last 253 regular-season games, and 275 games including the postseason, records for quarterbacks.

Buh Bye Brett..plenty will eulogize you. I would rather you just leave..sorry.

Changing the name of Wrigley? Say it ain't so!

With everything having a link to crass commercialism lately..it should not come as a surprise that the owner of the Cubs and their home is considering selling the naming rights to Wrigley Field.

Such blasphemy! Its a travesty!

Its greed really. The new owner will be selling the Cubbie's and their stadium..the only question is if they will be sold together. Billionaire Sam Zell has this to say about the debate currently taking place about the Cubs and the naming rights to Wrigley Field:

"Excuse me for being sarcastic. But the idea of a debate occurring over what I should do with my asset leaves me somewhat questioning the integrity of the debate,"

Ego..thy name is Sam Zell.

Judge orders Bonds grand jury testimony unsealed..

You can read the testimony here. (pdf) The same judge also told the federal prosecutors to redraft their error-laden indictment. Per ESPN:

Among other information contained in the unsealed 149-page court transcript is evidence of an additional positive steroids test beyond the previously reported one in November 2000, sources familiar with the government's evidence told ESPN's T.J. Quinn.
The U.S. Attorney's office had previously disclosed that Bonds tested positive for testosterone, but information about other failed tests has not been previously disclosed.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston ordered prosecutors to amend Bonds' indictment so that each of the five counts against him don't cite multiple statements that prosecutors say are false.

Prosecutors originally accused Bonds of lying 19 different times during his grand jury appearance, and charged him with four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice.

Illston agreed with Bonds' attorney Dennis Riordan that prosecutors must edit out many of the alleged lies or seek a new indictment, which could contain more charges.

I still don't understand why Bonds had the audacity to lie if there are in fact failed steroid tests..I mean come on..its a no-friggin-brainer!

The FBI has opened the investigation..

So now, we all just grab a chair and some popcorn and watch the spectacle. Jeez, wotta load of bs. From the MSNBC writeup:

The probe could result in charges against Clemens of perjury, making false statements or obstruction of justice. Lawmakers did not ask for a similar investigation of McNamee.
*snip*

IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky, a key member of the government's prosecution in the BALCO drug cases, attended the hearing and watched from the second row.

In real baseball news..ITS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!! ST has begun!

Congress asks Justice Dept to investigate Clemens..

As if Congress has nothing better to do..they are now demanding a formal investigation into whether Clemens lied to them under oath.

Such. fucking. bullshit.

The assholes running our country need to be drug behind a truck for about a thousand miles if this is what they are spending their fucking time on.

Tags: Roger Clemens