MORE QUICKIES

***THE USUAL RUMORS***
Because the Yanks haven't gone undefeated for the season, the sportswriters begin speculating on all the superstars the Yanks will go after. This year is no different. Girardi started it by suggesting that when Posada can catch full time again, the Yanks will drop a catcher (Moeller) and perhaps add a bat. That's all the experts needed to hear. Among their speculations are the following:
Adam Dunn, who bats left, throws right and catches with neither.
Prince Fielder, who still can't make it all the way to 2nd base without an oxygen tank.
Jose Guillen, who needs to be introduced to his glove.
Paul Konerko, who Ozzie Guillen can't seem to find a spot for.
Plus these guys are all first basemen (and I use the term loosely). It's gonna get awfully crowded there.
And, of course, Cliff Lee, to fill the void in the rotation that everyone but the Yankees feel is there.
All of these guys come with big price tags and their respective clubs will want prize prospects in return. Am I the only one that sees the Yanks in first place with the best record in baseball and with the #3 & #4 hitters having off years? I don't see any desperation nor does Cashman.

***SPEAKING OF FIRST PLACE...***
Remember all the talk about how "perfect" a team the Rays were, with pitching, speed, defense and hitting? Well, all you have to do is hit a little slump and everybody jumps on the "I knew they weren't that good" bandwagon. They're still a good team and will be there to the end, and I did think they would finish behind Boston & New York at the beginning of the year.

***DID ANYONE ELSE NOTICE...***
...that the Sox and the Yanks are two of the best teams in baseball and both are riddled with injuries? The Yanks are coming out of it, but Boston still doesn't have an outfield.

***IT'S NOT EXACTLY THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS, BUT...***
I know baseball teams use a lot of promotions to draw fans, just go to a minor league game and see the endless parade of games, contests and mascots that do their best to amuse the fans between innings. The Brewers have their "Sausage Race," the Twins have the "Kissing Game" so the Pirates have come up with their own promo: "The Pierogi Race." For those of you unfamiliar with it , a pierogi is a European dumpling. Annie-O and I will be taking in a Pirate game in August. We'll bring back pictures if the race isn't over with by then.

CP-