When Is Next Year?

It was a wild one...

2007-06-10T21:47:00.000-07:00

I have some amount of respect for umpires. They spend just as much time working on the game as the players do and hold more responsibility with the judgements they make about certain pitches and plays. But, I am furious about home plate umpire Jim Wolfe's attitude during tonight's game. Especially in the first inning when he threw out Ted Lilly after he hit Edgar Renteria with a pitch.

The insanity!

I didn't see anyone tossed when Alfonso Soriano was hit by a pitch in the first pitch of yesterday's game? Nope, not at all. Then Wolfe, who was mic-ed by ESPN for the game, said some peculiar things when darling skipper Lou Piniella asked him why Lilly was ejected. Wolfe clearly stated that he was waiting for it to happen.

And Renteria certainly did not have to try and demolish Mike Fontenot's nose in retaliation of getting hit by a pitch. You still have your fingers, but I don't know where your brains went.

I will agree with Joe over at TVFTB, Joe Morgan and Jon Miller (both of whom I am no particular fan of) and Peter Gammons (who I just adore) treated and covered the situation graciously and very well. And I too am worried about Lilly because this makes him open to a suspension. And that is one of the last things the Cubs need at this point.

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Ok, and I personally swore off writing about Barry Bonds. But I can never give up a habit that easily. But this is from April 3. It's two months old, I should've posted it sooner, but summer classes kick your but harder than regular semester ones do. I have been busy.

Here is another piece I wrote for The Plainsman Press, who I will be back with in the fall and I am really looking forward to it.

Bonds milestone will be missed

by Caroline Basile, sports editor

With San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds quickly approaching Hank Aaron’s home run record, many people have opted to not even watch the game.

I am one of these people.

Sadly, the stigma that the steroid allegations have brought on Bonds have driven some supporters away from anything involving him. I can see why, too.

Bonds has gone from a treasured and admired player in America’s favorite past-time to the brunt of HGH jokes and criticism. It has never been announced publicly if Bonds failed a drug test. But if he did, I don’t think it would surprise anyone after the many fiascos we’ve all watched Bonds go through.

You should realize that your reputation has gone south when the commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig, or the man whose record you are breaking won’t even attend the milestone game of your career.

Hammerin’ Hank Aaron won’t attend the game, telling Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution “I'm 72 years old, and I'm not hopping on a plane and flying all the way to San Francisco for anybody."

I can’t blame Aaron for not going. Why would you watch something you worked so hard at broken by someone else, especially someone with such controversy surrounding him?

Selig has stated that the MLB will celebrate it just like any other event, but was not clear about whether he would be attending the game or not.

I wouldn’t attend. As an opponent of steroid abuse, I could not sit by and watch someone with so many allegations of steroid use surrounding them and not think the whole time whether he is such an amazing hitter because of pills, or is it natural?

Yes, this is a major milestone in baseball, but does it deserve as much attention as Roger Clemens’ 3,000th strikeout got? Or Greg Maddux’s 300th win? It does and probably will get more than enough attention, and that’s for the MLB office to deal with. But on a personal level, I’m not going to watch it or care.

Bonds has already hit three home runs this season and needs 15 to match Aaron’s record. The problem that people have with Bonds isn’t just the steroid accusations; it’s just that he hasn’t done much to prove otherwise.

Yes, this is a big deal. It’s one of the biggest records in baseball, so how could it not be? But my choice not to watch is my own. I’d much rather watch Tom Glavine get his 300th win and appreciate a player without the tainted image that Bonds has.

It shouldn’t be about just Barry either. There have been many exciting moments so far this season. Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle threw a no-hitter on April 18, and Glavine is projected to win his 300th game this season. Also, several hitters are nearing their 500^th home run, including Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, and Jim Thome. Personally, I’d rather see these milestones and events get more attention than Bonds’ 756^th home run.

With this stain on his career, one can’t help but wonder if I’m not the only one not watching, and I know I’m not.

Bonds has gone from being admired and honored as one of the top hitters, having surpassed Mark McGwire’s record for most home runs in a season with 72. Every slugger from McGwire to Sammy Sosa to Miguel Tejada has been under steroid scrutiny, but none more so than Bonds. Because of this, no one can believe his constant denials of use.

It will take a negative test to get me back to even paying close attention to what Bonds does this season. It takes a test to know the truth, as we all learned in the Anna Nicole baby fiasco, so why not just take a test and prove everyone wrong?

Texas Senate looks to cut steroid abuse

2007-04-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Once again, college = lack of blogging. But not of writing at least something about sports. This is another piece I wrote for the South Plains College Plainsman Press.

Texas Senate looks to cut steroid abuse

by Caroline Basile, sports editor

Many Texas high school students participate in some type of athletic program while attending school.

To some of these students, these sports are everything, and they would do anything to compete well in these activities. Some students even consider and use steroids to bulk up and try to become better athletes.

But the side effects on the body are astounding. Using steroids can increase the risk of cancer and heart disease, and they also cause severe mood swings. I honestly don’t think it is worth it to damage your mind and body to become a better athlete than your teammate.

The Texas Senate has introduced a bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, that would create a mandatory steroid testing program in 30 percent of Texas public schools that have athletic programs. In addition, athletes must participate in the program in order to play.

Is this a great idea? I think so. It shows high schoolers that it is not acceptable to use substances to create a fake physique. The University Interscholastic League, which is the governing body for Texas public school sports, will create and decide the rules for the testing program.

A similar program was explored at by Texas lawmakers in 2005, but it lost ground when school districts were shocked at the costs. There were estimates that the tests could cost as much as $200 per test.

This should show students that taking steroids is no laughing matter. This would make it just like some professional sports that have random drug testing. It does so many different things to the body and should not be taken with hopes of becoming a big football or basketball star.

The program has many supporters, including former Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, and Don Hooton, who became an anti-steroid activist after his son Taylor committed suicide at age 17. His doctors believe that it was brought on by depression, which occurred after he quit using steroids.

I know many athletes who are still in high school, trying for scholarships and signing letters of intent. Whether they or their teammates take advantage of the easy access of steroids is still unknown to me, but I hope that they would know better than to mess up their bodies.

Student athletes should be punished for their use of steroids, whether it’s sitting out one game or the whole season. They need to get the idea out of their heads that taking steroids would make them better players. If that means suspending them, then that should be the appropriate action. It just isn’t right for anyone to be using.

This is not the first kind of testing program implemented into public schools. New Jersey implemented a limited testing program in fall 2006. But in comparison, Texas’ agenda against the use of steroids will be the largest effort. More states need to add testing programs, as this would help cut back on steroid use.

I hope that kids in high school realize that they don’t need to use drugs to be better athletes and players. I understand that it can be very competitive, especially if you are in the big game or hoping for an athletic scholarship to a college.

There is just as much pressure to perform well as there is in professional sports. I can see how one can contemplate using steroids. It’s almost as tempting as blowing a stop sign when you see no one else there or cheating on a test. But it’s not worth your neck, or the rest of your body.

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Since this was published, several bills about steroid testing in Texas are floating around in the house.

2007-04-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

Ok! The following is an opinion piece I wrote for the Plainsman Press, South Plains College's student newspaper. It appeared in the March 5th issue.

New baseball season brings hope...again

by Caroline Basile, sports editor

With spring training starting soon, many fans and their teams are preparing for the start of a new season.

Hope springs eternal in the hearts of many baseball fans as they root and cheer for their team, hoping they make it to October and can win it all.

As a fan of the Chicago Cubs, I have wished, hoped, and prayed way too many times that this year would be ‘the year,’ and every year, along with other Cubs fans, I have been disappointed.

Keeping faith in your team is extremely important. Being a fan, you help to represent your team. It’s your cause. It’s the reason you watch the game on TV, have a party for the big game, and go purchase season tickets.

After the Cubs lost 96 games last season and their rival, the St. Louis Cardinals, made it to the World Series and won it all, disappointment was all I felt. Another losing season, another summer gone. But, with the start of spring training, hope that this year will be different has been rekindled in me. I realize that no matter what, if you stick with your team, they are bound to amaze you somehow.

Yes, the Cubs have not done anything spectacular to show that this upcoming season will be different than the last. The good I saw was that team president Andy MacPhail resigned, and Dusty Baker and his toothpicks were not hired for another season.

I’m neutral, at this point, about the signing of several free agents, including Cliff Floyd and Alfonso Soriano.

I am skeptical of the hiring Lou Piniella as their new manager, only because I think Joe Girardi would have brought a very fresh, young view to the Cubs, of which they are in need.

Also, they gave an additional year to injury risks Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Why sign them again, when both haven’t won 20 games total in the past two seasons?

Despite all of this, I watch every game when I get the chance. Despite all of the losing, being so close to the World Series in 2003, I watch.

I don't know if I watch because I am a fan, because I was raised on Cubs baseball, or for the thrill of the game. It's many factors, I suppose, but mostly the thrill.

Everyone who has ever been a fan of a team or a game knows the agony of watching a game when the score is tied, there’s a man on third with two outs and the count is 3-2 on the rookie kid who is still nervously at-bat. There is an anxiousness to the game from then on, and you swear on your life that if your team loses, you will never root for them again, never watch, and never buy tickets to their game. The team then loses the game, and everyone is devastated.

But you still root for them.

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Of course since then, Mark Prior has been demoted to the minors (it's about time!) and the season has started. I am going to start blogging more, I have been so busy but I'll keep everything up to date as I can.

GO CUBS!

Fans of the year

2006-12-25T15:41:00.000-08:00

As I was reading down this list of well-deserving fans of the year (Yeah, you OU fans understand) I saw that somehow us Cubs fans made the list. Yep.

"You, the Chicago Cubs fan who should be enjoying a dynasty right now but instead saw Mark Prior and Kerry Wood throw a combined total of 63 innings last season as your team finished last."

Yeah.

Not much change has happened. Other than signing Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, and Mark DeRosa.

Not to mention Kerry Wood.

Ok, maybe I'll be so busy with school that I won't even notice how bad this is starting to look already. It's not even spring training yet and there is already negativity about this upcoming season. At least Cubdom does not have to deal with Dusty anymore.

Say hello to your new manager!

2006-10-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

The Cubs are planning to announce the hiring of their new manager, Lou Piniella, tomorrow (10/17).

I highly doubt that good ol' Lou is just going to sit around and chew toothpicks. Look at his reactions!

Priceless.

Also! Rumors are swirling that the Cubs are trying to get A-Rod. *laughs* Yeah, I know. Funny.

I really do need to update more. My last update was July 31st, I apologize for that. Not alot has happened this season, at least for the Cubs. For me, yeah, lots of things. College, becoming sports editor of my college's newspaper, trying to pass history, and to try and get enough sleep to be somewhat human everyday.

Another mediocre season gone. Another injured pitching staff still there, crying like babies. Oh, imagine the possibilities.

Yep. I Can't wait until the spring. :D

Going to California...

2006-07-31T16:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I do realize I've been lacking in the blogging department lately, sorry about that. I am at work most of the day.

Today was the trade deadline.

A trade was agreed upon that would send Greg Maddux to the Dodgers for Cesar Izturis.

Yeah, I know, Izturis.

The deal isn't sealed yet though, it's got to be approved by Bud Selig first because it involves more than a million in a cash transaction.

It seems the Cubs are looking for a team full of crappy arms, hence sending away Maddux. Look out Big Z, you're the only guy left with a decent arm. I am slightly saddened by this, but not a whole lot. Let's face it, the Cubs suck this year. Bad.

Rancid rotten eggs.

Todd Walker was traded to the Padres for some minor league (A ball folk! Class A!), pitcher and cash.

Don't lose hope, only a few more games left and it'll all be over.

My mom and I were talking, she said to root for a different team. LOL. That's not possible I told her, we bleed blue. But meh, she has a point. I just think I'm going to turn the tv off for the rest of the year. Classes start for me on August 28th. So it may be awhile for blogging.

Long time, no blog

2006-06-21T23:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, Jay Mariotti is really pissed. Who can blame him? Truth is, Ozzie Guillen has no class, or tasteful things to say. Look at his tirade he had on Alex Rodriguez for being picky about which team to play for in the WBC.

Guillen should know what he's saying. It's called thinking-before-you-speak. I practice everyday, Ozzie, you can too.

Oh, and Guillen got mad because Marriotti told the Cubs to fire Dusty and hire Bob Brenly. I actually agree with Mariotti. Anyone is better than Baker at this point.

Oh!! Lovely little piece slipped over the wire this afternoon, it seems Kerry Wood might not pitch again this season with a shoulder injury.

Well hello again...

2006-05-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

Get out your razors boys!

Yeah, David Aardsma is back.

Jae Kuk Ryu was sent back down to AAA Iowa after a spectacular 1 1/3 innings, in which he gave up four homers(this was spectacular for the Braves, mind you).

Yesterday was truly a weird game, but not unexpected.

Ok, Glendon Rusch striking out 9, that was unexpected.

Tony Womack was 4-for-6.

Ok, now it's time to bitch about it for a minute. They've managed to get swept by the Marlins and the Braves in the same week. I know Hendry came out and said "Dusty's job is safe" or something to that affect, but I still think he needs the boot. It's not helping to have a manager that isn't managing and just throwing players out there, without regards to stats against that opposing team, how many days ago they played, or even the errors they committed. It's just very sloppy baseball for them now.

This is really really depressing

2006-05-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm actually not excited to watch anymore. This is rare. I'll always watch any game, no matter who is playing. But I just don't want to watch my team lose again. It's saddening to think that they aren't even capable of winning two in a row.

There are four major problems with the Cubs that need to be dealt with as soon as possible in order for them to get back on track:

1) (A bit obvious) Dusty Baker
He doesn't seem to care. Really. He just sits back and doesn't do any actual managing. Does he put any thought into a matchup? Who should and shouldn't be playing first and second?

2) Jim Hendry
Even more obvious is the fact that the GM of our beloved Cubbies isn't doing anything. Signing Jones was a bust, and so was getting Wade Miller. He's not going to pitch until June? Who the heck signs an injured pitcher? Oh wait! The Cubs do! All you injured guys keep your hopes up, you may get signed again after all. And lack of having Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in the rotation has hurt the team also. Even if Wood is coming back "supposedly" on Wednesday, I don't think we will see him for another week or two.

3) Relying too much on the strikeout.
I've seen so many hits with two strikes this season, and it's only May. Take a cue for Greg Maddux, get a groundball out. If you have the mental advantage over the hitter to get the strikeout, go for it, but there are 7 guys behind you, use them.

4) Jacques Jones....
is like Korey Patterson. Jim doesn't look at stats either.

Everyone have a good day! I'm happy, you should be too. Not over the team. But I can blog again! Computer was taken over by spyware, and it's all good now.

2006-05-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

Voting for the All-Star Game started today, I've already voted all 25 tiems for one email address. I suggest you do the same. What else are you going to do on the computer? Watch porn?

I have a campaign, VOTE FOR RONNY CEDENO! He's great defensively, and as a hitter, not so much for baserunning(you saw yesterday, you know what I'm talking about).

Remember to vote early and to vote often!
YOU CAN VOTE HERE.

Next stop!!

2006-04-19T23:19:00.000-07:00

Ok folks!! Make room for another passenger! Hopefully he won't be on as long as some of you have been *glances at Kerry Wood's place on the DL* Derrek Lee hurt his arm during a collison with Rafael Furcal at first, which was caused by an overthrown ball by relief pitcher Scott Eyre.

Eyre also left the game with a leg injury.

Lee had x-rays, but were inconclusive at this point. He's flying back to Chicago for more tests.

And so it begins....

2006-04-15T22:58:00.000-07:00

With Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, and Wade Miller on the DL, you would know right away the injury train is just going to keep on rolling.

Latest stops have picked up Jaque Jones with a strained hamstring, John Mabry, who is suffering from a stiff and sore neck after colliding with the Pirates Sean Casey a few games ago, and most recently, Angel Pagan, who hurt his hamstring and possibly knee last night while running to first base on his groundball out.

Will it stop?

No. Of course not.

I don't even think Mark Prior will be back before the All-Star break. I will eat my shoe if he does. I just think it will be a neverending train ride for him and Wood at this point. Granted, everyone in the oranization has been say Wood will have a minor league rehab start "soon" but have given no dates to that.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Derrek Lee get Contract Extension

2006-04-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

Derrek Lee and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $65 million, five-year contract last night.

We're stuck with him through 2010!! YAY!!

Amazingly, that's all I have to say. I could ramble here, but why?

The Wall, pt. 1

2006-04-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'd like to know how many of you saw that and thought of Pink Floyd? But that's not the subject we are dealing with at the moment, most definetly not.

Being as since 2005, the Cubs home game jerseys have had no names on the back and none of us in the house can remember who is who, we started making a roster on the wall above the televison set. Here is a picture of this year's, taken on opening day so yeah, I need to update it with the number changes and such.....

Yep, that's the wall. Last year we had just stuck some band aids on the jerseys for someone on the DL, but we decided to make a big band aid pocket and stuck it on the wall below it. (Look to the lower right corner to see part of it).

We also stick a small star sticker on the player's jersey when they get a home run. Example....

Ok, so that's my wall. I'll definetly have more pictures of this.

Time flies

2006-03-30T10:46:00.000-08:00

Spring training is just about over in hours and then it marks the start of a new season.

One that's filled with many the same as last years. Like injuries. Mark Prior and Kerry Wood being placed on he 15-day DL the other day just simply cemented it in place for me that this year could be just the same. But no one will know that until after it happens, including myself.

Anything is possible.

This is the year.

GO CUBS!

Showing some team spirit!

2006-03-10T22:55:00.000-08:00

The USA team advances to Round 2 of the WBC.

They defeated South Africa(or had BP against basically) 17-0, F/5(you bet they had the mercy rule out). Griffey(yeah, that Griffey) had two three-run homers, and Derrek Lee had four RBI's with a homer and a double.

GO USA!!!

That's all I really have to say, other than, dang, you notice them Cubans? Not bad.

I'm baaaaaaaaacccck

2006-03-03T09:16:00.000-08:00

Smell that?

Yeah, I don't know what it is either.

I'm surprised I'm even awake, I tried to pull an all-nighter for baseball. I managed to watch until the 6th inning of the Taipei/Korea game, knowing well beforehand that Korea won, but then there was the live game of Japan/China, which I seriously wanted to stay up for, Japan won, 18-2.

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!

WGN will have a Cubs spring training game on. Go watch it.

Can you say...

2006-01-24T23:10:00.000-08:00

JEALOUS!!

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5275220

Vince Carter's green monster is showing a bit. Can ya give the guy a break and congratulate him? And how is that "thinking about the kids?" As far as I can recall, almost every boy I knew growing up wanted to be like Mike at one point in their sports playing abilities. So why should this be an unrealistic goal for kids now?

The Lakers only beat the Raptors by 18 points, what if Kobe only had 65 points instead of 81, and LA lost? Would you still congratulate him on it, even if they lost? Carter is having a crybaby attitude about this.

I just felt that needed to be said.

Also, while waiting for spring t get here, I started watching the Australian Open. I'm not a tennis fan like my sister is, but it is a great game to watch. Looks like Federer is headed for another win. I seriously(and jokingly) think that he shouldn't even play in the early rounds, just have everyone in the men's face off until there is one left and he'll face Federer.

I can't wait til Spring.

Woohoo!!

2006-01-11T14:30:00.000-08:00

I'm still doing backflips over the Patterson trade. It's real! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!

Sorry, but Patterson had to go, it's sad that he didn't turn into A-Rod like they said he would, but it happens, time to move on, I hope he does well in Baltimore.

In other news, which has probably already spread everyfreakingwhere, Bruce Sutter was the only player on the ballot elected to the Hall of Fame this year. I understand people saying Goose Gossage should've went in too, but!(and there is always a but!) take into consideration that he only has ten more saves than Sutter, but Gossage played ten years longer than Sutter did. So if you look at it from the point that Sutter had almost as many in less amount of time and with a lower ERA, he really does deserve to be in there.

Ah well...

Breaking news

2006-01-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

More details to come, but early reports are stating that the Cubs have sent Corey Patterson to the Orioles for two minor league players, shortstop Nate Spears and left-hander Carlos Perez.

I saw this on ESPNNews ten minutes ago on the Hotlist.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2285777 <----CLICK LINK FOR ARTICLE

See how boring it gets in the offseason?

2005-12-10T13:02:00.000-08:00

Ok! I'm advertising here. My younger sister started a Cubs blog awhile ago(I've got the link on the sidebar somewhere) and after the season ended she didn't write as much, until she decided to do a "Ten Hottest Cubs" Countdown. You can check it out here at Underground Cubbie. It's almost done(she updates every other day), but I'm sure you'll find it enjoyable.

ATTENTION TO MR. JIM HENDRY!:

2005-12-08T23:56:00.000-08:00

Jim, all it takes is one phone call. ONE! And only one question. Do it. For the sake of everyone, just call. I don't even care if you ship out Mark Prior for him(Ok, I kinda care, but that's not the point).

Just make the call. Talk with him. Just do something. It may not happen, but the pieces are there, just complete the puzzle.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2252946

BUZZ!

2005-12-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

God answers prayers.

A deal is in place that would send Juan Pierre to the Cubs for pitchers Sergio Mitre, Reynel Pinto, and Ricky Nolasco. Other reports (The NY Post) have Rich Hill in the deal. Now, it's not official yet, even though it's on cubs.com, it's not there yet.

Now, the Cubs have signed free agent John Mabry, and he'll be on the bench. He played for St. Louis last season and batted .240 in 112 games in 2005.

And no, Mark Prior is not getting traded to Philly for Bobby Abreu. Not yet anyway. I don't think it will happen.

Dallas is on the other side of the state, I could make it there in a day, but alas, high school sucks.

In other trades and signings....

The Reds sent Sean Casey to Pittsburgh for pitcher Dave Williams, trade pending on both players passing their physicals.

The Giants traded Latroy Hawkins and added some cash to the Baltimore Orioles for Steve Kline.

The Cards signed infielder Deivi Cruz to an $800,000 contract today, filling another gap in their bench, and possibly their replacement for Abraham O. Nunez, who signed as a free agent in Philly.

The KC Royals got Mark Redman in a trade with Pittsburgh, they sent pitcher Jonah Bayliss and a player to be named later.

The Braves sent catcher Johnny Estrada to the Diamondbacks for relievers Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal.

Free Agent Jeromy Burnitz is reported to sign with Toronto soon.

Jim Thome got sent to the White Sox for Aaron Rowand. This didn't make sense at the time, until I heard today that the White Sox cut Frank Thomas(by refusing salary arbitration). The White Sox also refused arbitration for Carl Everett.

Kyle Farnsworth agreed to a 3-year, $17 million deal with the Yankees.

Tom Gordon passed his physical and signed with the Phillies.

Third baseman Sean Burroughs was traded from the Padres to the Devil Rays for pitcher Dewon Brazelton.

The Blue Jays signed A.J. Burnett(Mr. Blister) to a 5-year, $55 million deal.

And the Marlins..........

Traded Paul Lo Duca to the Mets for two PTBNL.
Sent Luis Castillo to the Twins for two pitching prospects.
Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, and Guillermo Mota to the Red Sox.

Ok, that should cover it for today.

Well, isn't that just dandy?!

2005-12-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, Jim, start moving things, NOW!

According the AP(I love these guys, how about you?) Rafael Furcal is headed to LA! Yep. He and the Dodgers have a preliminary agreement for a $39 million, three-year contract, pending a physical, which will happen today(Monday). Interesting though, a Dodgers spokesmouth said that no announcement was planned before the winter meetings, which also start today in Dallas.

In other really REALLY Good news..... DA BEARS BEAT THE PACKERS!!!

PTBNL

2005-12-01T18:27:00.000-08:00

According to the AP, the Cubs sent minor-league relief pitcher Jermaine Van Buren to Boston, for a player to be named later. Which for all we know, Van Buren may get sent back to us.

No word on anymore Juan Pierre trade rumors.

OMFG! The Chicago Bears! THE BEARS! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

And you know what's even better? They're playing the Packers this Sunday. The Green Bay Packers aren't having a great year. But the Bears can manage to lose this one too. They could've lost all of them. But they didn't. It weird finding myself having faith ina team that's managed by a guy named "Lovie." But nonetheless, GO BEARS!