Monday Open Thread

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 8:55 AM EST

Otherwise known as Feck Sammy Sosa In His Ear Day.

According to the source, Sosa feels that he has done a lot for the game of baseball and should be treated with respect.

Really Sammy? I thought it might make more sense to be paid for your robust 2005 production (221/295/376). Or perhaps for your inter-personal skills you've exhibited in the past few years.

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Good!

Sammy's playing right into Bodes' hands. Cap'n Leatherpants didn't want him anyway, and as Nate explored this weekend, he's always two steps ahead of things, even when it looks like he's ten steps behind.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 9:18 AM EST reply actions

I'm Just Impressed

That Bowden's "Operation Hoard" started paying dividends this weekend!

I'm not as big on prospects as the NFA folk, but this 300K guy sounds like he could be a superstar!

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

Schimatastic?

Since YUDAMAN isn't apropos here. What would it be? Shimatastic? Basilrific?

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

WWN's got the right idea

Here. Feel insulted, Sammy, feel insulted.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 11:53 AM EST up reply actions

Murderous Rage

Everything about the people in charge with this team makes me sooo angry. Yet here I am...

Nasty Nats -- Half-Assed Blogging Since 2005

by Rocket1124 on Feb 13, 2006 9:32 AM EST reply actions

Baseball's Built On...

... hate and disappointment.

If you didn't have those two, you couldn't appreciate the good things.

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 9:38 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but everybody needs a little murderous rage

It's healthy.

Right? ;-)

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Nats Noir

Check out Nate's three-parter on the whereabouts of Darrell Rasner. It would appear Bodes found a use for Bernie Castro.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 9:40 AM EST reply actions

Thanks Bas,

Check's in the mail! ;-) In other news, we can still make room for Sammy if we jettison that slacker Jason "Harvey" Bergmann. After all, he projects as no better than a middle reliever... and we already have Valerio de los Santos.

Nats Triple Play... 3 times the pointless blather of other Nats blogs.

by Nate @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 9:53 AM EST up reply actions

Hey, it's good!

Plus, you fit in "There's too many of them!" Which in itself was kinda gratitfying. ;-)

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

Simmons Asked A...

..good question the other day. If OJ HAD won a Super Bowl MVP, would the NFL have invited him for the Super Bowl ceremony? Would he have attended? What would the crowd's reaction have been?

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 9:49 AM EST reply actions

That really is great, Nate

It's too bad it makes so much sense.

by Cameron on Feb 13, 2006 10:02 AM EST reply actions

Instead of the 30+ year old retreads

why doesn't Jim Bowden look for guys like this? Guys like Tucker and Anderson are known quantities. Unfortunately I have a feeling that this regime would view Borchard in the same light as Ryan Church.

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 10:42 AM EST reply actions

i'd much rather

...give Borchard a look than the crap Bowden has dragged in. Odds are he's going to flop, but yaneverknow. (He had a HoF career in an OOTP league for me once. Finished with 498 HR)

by yuda on Feb 13, 2006 11:02 AM EST reply actions

Argh

Really starting to annoy me that the majority of Olympic coverage right now is about someone who (a) won't be competing and (b) shouldn't have been on the team in the first damn place.

by David on Feb 13, 2006 12:15 PM EST reply actions

True 'dat

I caught a moment of the Today Show in the lobby today when Emily Hughes was on. Katie Couric was fawning about how classy (?!!!) Michelle Kwan was and how graciously she handled the whole situation. Hughes was cheerful and polite, but if I were her I'd want to strange Katie C. live via satellite.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

Thank God

...for the Post's curling blogger. At least that gets me news about the Kiwis almost pulling an upset and the US men having a massive 5-point end. (cue Gannon)

by David on Feb 13, 2006 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

The Olympics have been worth it

just for the chance to see Bob Costas interview Captain Tomato, or whatever they call that snowboarder doofus. I can really imagine him and Sasha Cohen!

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

The "snowboarding doofus" is great!

seriously, who wouldn't want to be that guy at age 19

Why do you have to be so condescending?

by Cameron on Feb 13, 2006 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

Because I'm a jerk!

Admit it, though: the guy's clearly a doofus. ;-)

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

okay, he's a doofus

but he's a rich doofus with awesome hair

by Cameron on Feb 13, 2006 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

Oh yeah

No doubt.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

What's the difference . . .

between a snowboard and a vacuum cleaner?

The position of the dirtbag.

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by Ryan @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

On a related note

There's a small Q & A with Sarah Hughes in last week's SI. She confessed that she hoped her '02 gold medal would help her attract boys, and she revealed she had an incredible crush on Mets 3B David Wright.

Sounds all "17ish," I know, but it was pretty funny.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

I miss Later...

I don't like Costas when he's pontificating about how the 1942 Brooklyn Robins were superior to whoever, but he was at his best with his old talk show. I remember staying up late far too many nights to watch that. He really knows how to give and take with a subject, and he knows how to be completely unserious while still maintaining a serious comportment.

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

Zuckerman will be on MLB Radio next

and likely offer little that we haven't mined already.

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 12:38 PM EST reply actions

Did Zuckerman say anything?

Was it about the lease or the team? IIRC, <strike>Mark</strike> Tim Lemke is the Times' Nakamara.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

try using...

[del] instead of [strike] (except in the correct type of bracket).

by yuda on Feb 13, 2006 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

guess

not

by yuda on Feb 13, 2006 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

Scoop

I can't use some tags, weirdly. Like <pre>.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 2:33 PM EST up reply actions

Alright

Jim Bowden is <del>hyperactive</del> resourceful.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

Guess he's just hyperactive

The truth never lies.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

Zuckerman

offered no insights. Most of the time was spent discussing Sammy Sooser

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

First Team Health Report posted

Baltimore Orioles

by rferry on Feb 13, 2006 2:01 PM EST reply actions

Mailbag goodness

Let the fisking begin

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:09 PM EST reply actions

I could be wrong...

... but didn't the team ASK him to sit out for opening day because of the groin strain???

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Him being Church, of course

But he strikes out a lot, too.

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

Weird mailbag

Very personal. His psyche is crumbling right before our eyes.

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by Ryan @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

C'mon Ryan

You read what he wrote to Farid. He doesn't take ANYTHING personally.

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but you saw his picture

He was obviously blitzed out of his gourd when he said that.

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by Ryan @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

Farid gets mailbag love

asking about where the Expos equipment went

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

We have our new Ladson favorite sentiment

Which one is the most likely to stick this season ... NJ gets hurt too much or Ryan Church is a pussy who strikes out?

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

I'm trying to figure out...

... there's no doubt that NJ gets injured too much, but if they're 'freak' injuries as he categorizes them, is it something worth getting worked up over?

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

"Propensity" for freak injuries?

Well, with the heel thing, you've got all the BPG experts calling him a ballerina or whatnot. ;-)

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

What a putz

Come on -- Frank Robinson is great, but... look at how he screwed this team's pitchers up! There's no consistency in the insanity, even.

This team's going to be terrible this year, and even terribler if Bowden continues to make decisions. Oh, and I'm not saying Nick Johnson's Lou Gehrig or something, but damn, he's one of the best hitters on the team!

What's the obsession with forcing people to play beyond their breaking point, too?

by Cameron on Feb 13, 2006 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

breaking point is FRobby's problem

He's balls to the wall constantly. Sometimes you've gotta let your starter go out there and give up 7 runs to save the bullpen for tomorrow night.

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

Lightning in a bottle

The expression is, of course, more slogan than anything by now.

Would "Jim Edmonds potential" from a second-year OF qualify? What about "20 homer capability" from Marlon Byrd? What about the "leadoff sparkplug the team needs"? The point doesn't really seem to be "lightning in a bottle" as much "remedial philandering."

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

That's Rapidly Becoming

The Cliche from hell. There was one earlier from this year.... and damned if I can remember it. But it had all the emptiness of 'pitching pitching pitching' did.

Oh yeah, 'managing by his guy'. What the feck does that mean other than that he fecks up frequently?

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Pretend that...

... that was lucid and not riddled by typos.

It's hard to type angry. ;)

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

A cornerstone of the franchise

That was the first one I noticed, about Guzman. Fortunately, it was labeled "a cornerstone." Still horrific in retrospect (or, really, at the time), but at least somewhat qualified.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

Another cliche from hell

"Intimidating run producer" . . . or something around the time of the Wilson trade. In other words, someone in the middle of the order opposing pitchers would have to respect.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

I think the...

..only person intimidated by Ryan Church was Brandon Watson.

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

errr... by Preston Wilson

damn, I need to sleep!

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

Lightning in a Bottle

Isn't there a blog posting out there criticizing Bowden for GMing by that methodology? He tries to catch retreads/failed prospects on a late in the career upward blip rather than actually, you know, building a farm system.

In his defense, he shouldn't care about building a farm system since the overwhelming odds are against him being here when any prospect develops

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:34 PM EST up reply actions

In fairness....

This is probably the best insight I've seen BL write:
When he was good, Ohka was good. When he was bad, he was awful. There was no in between with Ohka. In the two-plus years I covered him, he never gutted out a performance -- which means he has nothing in his pitches but found a way to get hitters out.

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:18 PM EST reply actions

Fine, but

It's a classic example of focusing on what a player can't do. Ohka's a really, really useful pitcher, no matter how much Frank hates Japs.

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by Ryan @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

Certainly...

He's decent, but at least this is a substantive criticism of him.

Now whether it's valid or not... We certainly know that Rocket Bill wouldn't make shit up.

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

But what's the point?

Is he trying to prove Vazquez is better? Why does that matter? It doesn't look like he's trying to defend the Spivey trade. And I'm not sure it is substantive. ". . . he never gutted out a performance -- which means he has nothing in his pitches but found a way to get hitters out." Ohka never has anything on his pitches, so by Ladson's definition, he was gutting it out when he got anyone out.

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by Ryan @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

Fine

Rocket Bill sucks.

Happy now?

Please don't sue, Bill! He coerced it out of me!

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

I wonder...

Would Bowden actually like Church if he was an unsigned surplus outfielder, rather than a guy who was already here?

Nasty Nats -- Half-Assed Blogging Since 2005

by Rocket1124 on Feb 13, 2006 2:25 PM EST reply actions

Pretty insightful, Rocket

And I'd gather yes. This is the same guy who traded a sentient being for Alex Escobar, literally a human injury.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

It could go the other way, too...

I wonder how much we'd like Church if he wasn't an example of how much Bowden/Frobby sucks...

Nasty Nats -- Half-Assed Blogging Since 2005

by Rocket1124 on Feb 13, 2006 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

I think...

...there's a tendencey to overrate him, of course. But he also needs a chance to show whether he can succeed or fail. He's hit everywhere he's been in the majors and minors. Yet he's still fighting for a chance, at least in theory, with Brandon Watson!?

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

In Watson's Defense

His opportunity to succeed/fail is now. It's likely Church will make the 25-man as no worse than a bench player given his ability to play all 3 OF positions. As much as we would all like to see Church get the starting nod, I am slowly sliding over to the side of let Watson grab the job or become Endy Version 2. Either way, Bowden/Frank will know what realistic choices they have

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

The Problem Is...

...that there's nothing in Watson's record to indicate that he'd be anything but Endy 2.0. Why does he get the benefit of the doubt that Church didn't get?

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

In Bowden/Frank's Perception

Church did get his opportunity and failed to tough it out

Whether or not that is fair is (and has been) open to ample blogging debate.

I've come to accept that Church's opportunity to sieze the starting role can only be achieved by allowing management to see that their ideal solution is not a solution at all.

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

True...

I guess the lesson is to be a real man like Jose Guillen and hit .220 in the second half of the season with little power. At least you're gutting it out. Who cares if you injure yourself so severely that you could end up missing part of the next season, too.

Be a man, Churchie-poo! Be a man!

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

To a certain extent, yes

But I think we all realize that. I recall belaboring the point around Opening Day '05 at my old place, for one: Church was too old to be considered a plum prospect or a projectible star.

He wasn't the former, and he's really not the latter. But he's one of the more talented players we have---and, at the risk of delving into a Bill James aphorism, bad teams project their weaknesses on their best players. If Church is a bad injury risk in even one out of every two seasons, this might be the one where he stays healthy and contributes.

We just don't have many OF who are much better, so there's no sense downgrading him too much, you know?

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

Bowden/Boone

using "lightning in a bottle" back in their Reds days

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 2:37 PM EST reply actions

Have We Heard Anything...

... about the mystery player lately? ;)

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by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 3:12 PM EST reply actions

Not Surprising, But Still

from today's WaPo Chat House with Wilbon ...

Washington, D.C.: Is it just me or did ESPN really screw up the Monday night football booth? Tirico never saw a 3 yard off tackle he couldn't shout about, Theisman is the most disliked broadcaster on TV and Tony...oh man, how much old man kvetching can he fit into 3 hours? Seems like there were much better choices out there...your thoughts?

Michael Wilbon: So, you think I'm going to rip into my friend and mentor of 25 years having a shot at this? What planet are you on, bro? I don't know how this will work out, but I'm rooting for it. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll probably be part of it on some level which I can't talk about yet...But rooting against myself is worse than rooting against the man.

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 3:21 PM EST reply actions

Didn't They Announce...

That they'd be doing PTI live from the event? I wonder if they'll let them go at it at halftime or something.

Remind me not to watch.

The sycophantic coverage of this has annoyed me. Can't someone at that paper write something slightly critical or at least find an opposing viewpoint?

the last two weeks, Howie Kurtz has used his CNN show to air love letters to Kornheiser. I'm sure he's a great guy -- people certainly seem loyal to him -- but that, in particular, bothers me.

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

They did announce that

PTI would be live from the MNF site. I'm wondering if Wilbon will be involved with doing interviews prior to the game that will run in the middle of it/at halftime. The ladies (Tafoya/Kolber) will still get the sidelines, Wilbon will do more human interest stuff

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

what

you mean Howie "Conflict of Interest" Kurtz was being a hack? What a shock!

by yuda on Feb 13, 2006 3:32 PM EST up reply actions

Yay!

I Love me some human interest stories. Can't wait to hear about the long snapper with six toes, or the 5th CB whose great uncle contracted whooping cough.

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 3:30 PM EST reply actions

Human Interest? Where's Jimmy Roberts?

King of the human interest story . . .

Or what about the reporter at the '96 Olympics who waxed and waned about some American gymnast's long road back from a stress fracture or something, while glossing over the fact that the parents of her Romanian competitor HAD LITERALLY BEEN SHOT TO DEATH.

Not surprisingly, a John Tesh piano number* accompanied the American girl's heartwarming story.

*No, not the NBA-on-NBC theme!

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Feb 13, 2006 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

It Does Seem

Like they've toned them down quite a bit this year. It's not nearly as bad as 98 or 00, where they were unwatchable.

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Ugh. I'm not interested in humans.

Seriously, why does every sporting event have to turn into a human-interest-a-palooza? For example, there are Olympic events going on around the clock. Instead of analyzing Michelle Kwan's groin, SHOW THE GAMES! Remember? The REASON YOU'RE THERE?

by Cameron on Feb 13, 2006 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Hmmm

analyzing Michelle Kwan's groin

I think I rented that movie

by Brian @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Conspiracy Theory Du Jour

Sosa wants at least $1M to sign... Jamey Carroll's $700K contract plus $300K from the Rockies equals? Talk amongst yourselves.

Nats Triple Play... 3 times the pointless blather of other Nats blogs.

by Nate @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 3:42 PM EST reply actions

Oh Feck No

Sosa doesn't effing deserve that money.

by Cameron on Feb 13, 2006 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

Well, ...

...seeing as how Rasner's spot on the 40-man is still empty, something better happen or I'm a gonna get uppity!

SP Depth Chart
Livan - Patterson - Lawrence - Ortiz - Drese
Armas - Rauch (SP/LRP) - Rasner

Buck sez Armas (or Drese?) starts the year on the DL negating the 6 starter clog. However, as has been noted Rauch has to be on the 25-man or he's gone. With Rasner gone, if Rauch goes too, we're back to no real SP depth if someone does indeed start the year on the DL.

Nationals Farm Authority - I'm just the guy running the Big Board and helping out where I can. http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/

by Scott @ Federal Baseball on Feb 13, 2006 3:48 PM EST up reply actions