WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS

Around the horn with a little baseball...and other things.

***CHIEN-MING WANG...IS GONE***
The Yanks wanted to hedge their bets on Wang's bad shoulder and offer a minor league contract with a major league deal if he's okay. Wang's agent wanted it guaranteed. When the Yanks said no-way, agent Alan Nero said, "He'll be moving on."

***BAD TIME TO BE A FREE AGENT***
There were 300 free agents when we started. 34 have signed, which leaves 266 more standing out in the rain. Some of them are going to be disappointed. I can hear Miguel Tejada now: "Attention K-Mart shoppers..."

***WHO'LL BE THE YANKS DH?***
One baseball exec thinks the Yanks will be content to use minor league prospect Juan Miranda. He's a 26 year-old first baseman. He hit .288 with 19 homers for Scranton last year. Naw, where's Matsui?

***SYRACUSE ROLLS***
A workman-like victory over St. Francis (the college, not the icon) yesterday. Vod is right about Andy Rautins; Syracuse is a different team when he's on the floor. Most amazing stat from the game: the Orange had 24 assists on 29 baskets. And consider this: TWO great passes could lead to a basket, but only ONE assist will be awarded, unlike hockey, where two players can be rewarded for passes leading to a score.

***DIFFERENT FLAVOR CUPCAKES***
What do Central Arkansas, Tenn. Tech, UC Irvine, Western Carolina, Sam Houston, Rider and No. Carolina-Ashville have in common? Answer: they all helped the nations' top three basketball programs to a combined 21-0 record. Yes, Kansas, Texas and Kentucky have bolted to undefeated seasons with the help of these "tin-cans." Picasner was aware of this and really wasn't picking on Syracuse.

and finally:
***A PRO-FOOTBALL QUESTION***
When does Big-D turn into Little-D? Answer: in December. Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo, continues to build up big stats and bigger losses every time it gets down to crunch time in the schedule. Yes, I know there are 40+ other players involved, but only ONE gets to date Jessica Simpson.

In closing, Vod, Chad and the ladies are having plaque put on their table at the Fairport Village Inn after Saturday's 3-hour laugh-fest. The waitress said we were their BEST customers that afternoon. ...Of course, we were their ONLY customers, too!