Thursday, July 20, 2006

We'll miss you, "Jaws of Life".
















The white flag finally got raised at Ontario and Carnegie as Wicky Wicky Bob got traded to Atlanta. If you read between the lines, the Indians saw this as another opportunity to save cash. Otherwise, why wouldn't we trade our closer for a major leaguer?

No, Mark Shapiro talked mumbo-jumbo about the idea of taking a younger player, catcher Max Ramirez, with a higher ceiling. Meaning we won't have to face the processes of arbitration and potential free agency with Max for a long time, because of his age. As a matter of fact, we passed up the Braves' top prospect, who was a AA catcher, opting for a Single-A guy. Larry Dolan makes me want to puke.

However, it is way too soon to judge this trade. Wickman will probably retire soon and we may have Ramirez for several years after that. And he may not even be a catcher, as he is just learning the position, being a former third baseman. But maybe we could have received a little more in a deal, as a Lake County for Fulton County deal doesn't seem equitable, at this point.

Meal of Links

Haley Joel Osment wrecks his car. But couldn't it have been a better car?

On my way to work this a.m, there was a bad wreck that called for life flighting, Route 8 closed both north and south, and major traffic tie-ups. I barely got through the toll booth at 8, before I had to park it. I cranked the radio and started the Sudoku while I waited. I'm a sympathetic sort, but what else could I have done?

The 1981 Atari Game Catalog. That's 25 years ago, but it could be the 1700s as far as gaming is concerned.

Exercise Yard

Floyd Lazarus, I mean Landis, rode a race at today's Tour de France that cannot be overstated. It was a ride of EPIC proportions, one for the history books. It may have been the greatest one-day ride in the history of the event. Pick a name: Lemond, Hinault, Indurain, Merckx, Armstrong. It was that good. Given up for dead after yesterday's collapse, Landis wins Stage 17.

The wackiest of Tours continues, with Landis now only 30 seconds behind Periero for the yellow jersey. He has an excellent chance of succeeding Lance. It's there for the taking. Again.

Visitor

21 Across: Group with the album, "Hey Ho Let's Go!" (7 letters) Answer: Ramones

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dumping salary...where have I heard that before...Oh yeah, the Cleveland Indians in the 70's, 80's and maybe early 90's. I'm like you, I did not truly appreciate how good the Tribe was 1994-2000. I guess the window is only open so long in Cleveland and then Larry Dolan paints it shut so he doesn't have to pay the heating bills. The trouble is you gotta have some fresh air (AKA talent) to blow by the competition.

Anonymous said...

Don't forget there were a lot of career seasons last year and so far lightning is not striking twice.-------------JMK er, Mr.negative

Anonymous said...

In the Sunday paper they said that Wickman turned down two other trades before the trade to Atlanta. This is in contradiction to what Shapiro said. PFS