rician blast

Players "compliment" one another when they're on the field/ice/court at the same time...tough to make happen in baseball. While I see your point, a liability is a liability, and the Yankees are giving up something fairly significant when they use either of those players over the others. That said, I'm quite happy with that platoon, it's always a good laugh seeing Johnny throw and Swisher is amusing to watch run. And Gardner is...well, Gardner.

Right-o. At least someone gets it. The Sox 2009 pitching-related moves are relatively inexpensive, while the Yanks dumped big $ on the biggest names...THAT is the difference. Sox are trying to contain payroll, Yanks are...well...the Yanks are being the Yanks.

You know Hank still has a hard-on for Manny.

Bergeron had a little extra hop in his step last night. He looked really comfortable out there. I'm still scared for him every time he is in a potentially vulnerable position. I like the way Bitz has been playing, but I'm not ready to declare him a finisher. Michael Ryder is playing fantastic hockey, he looks very fresh out there. Wish the B's had Sturm in the mix...would make them a bit more flexible...and maybe I'd never have to see Axelsson on the PP again!

So now he's turned down $45m for 2 yrs. Wonder if he and Boras countered or if they flat out said no. This is playing out pretty funny.

By the way, anyone see Bergeron throw a hit or two the other night? He surprised me. Marty Brodeur should make his return tonight. Wonder when they play the Rangers next...and if the Rangers would call up Avery around then.

Yeah, read that...he and Yuri were probably headed over to GNC. bwahahahahaha!

Damn you Coco, damn you. You foiled my ruse. you're so smart.

CC in the annual Yankees spring training bukakke fest: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HS1spWnkn4o/SOAuZDODiNI/AAAAAAAAClQ/rT93-A5toCY/s320/PrinceChampagne.jpg

Good one From 2002-2008: Yanks made playoffs 6 of 7 yrs Sox made playoffs 5 of 7 years Angels made playoffs 4 of 7 Dodgers made it 3 of 7 years Cubs 3 times Atl 4 times St Louis 4 times In 2002 3 of the playoff teams were top 10 in payroll...2003 I believe it was 3 or4. In 2004 4 playoff teams were in the top 10 in payroll...and St Louis, Houston and Angles were 13,14,15, respectively. In 2005, 3 of the top 4 payrolls made the playoffs. 5 playoff teams were in the top 10 in payroll. Two more were 12th and 13th in payroll, the lowest playoff team was at 17. 2007 saw 5 of the top 10 payrolls make the playoffs, with 4 of the playoff teams in the top 5 in payroll! In 2008, the #4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 payrolls all made the playoffs. Far from a level field.

BS21, thank you, my thoughts exactly.

No s***, it's getting painful. I see a big difference in the way teams are playing the Bruins as compared to earlier this year. In the early part of the season, the B's broke out of their zone with speed and confidence, often uncontended...now teams are putting much more pressure on their D-men and standing up forwards in the neutral zone. That's where your talent and skills...or lack thereof...really show up. The B's aren't as bad as they've been playing (to be honest, some of the losses were fairly well-played games) but I think it is evident that they're not nearly as good as the record indicated when they were something like 36-8-6 or went 23-2 over a stretch. They're 4-4-2 in their last 10...not horrific, but not very good. As for Bergeron, I recall pre-concussion (first one) saying that he was good BUT that there were a lot of teams that had 2 or 3 young players of that caliber on their squads, so I was never overly impressed. Now, post two-concussions, he's a shell of his former self. He's becoming a $5m liability. So why are they playing him so much? Bergeron has 2 yrs left on his deal after this season. With Krejci and Kessel due significant raises this year, with Thomas likely commanding $4-5m after this season, they have little, if any, cap space. I'm wondering if perhaps the Bruins are desperately trying to display some value in Bergeron, so they can find a way to unload his contract. Nearly $5m for a third line center is a lot of cabbage.

Nope. But I certainly don't agree that without them he's not in the league. BTW, his pt. totals and goals are not that dissimilar to a lot of very valuable players.

I don't buy that...he's actually a reasonably talented hockey player. Without acting like a douchebag he'd still be effective, he can skate, he can score an occasional goal, but most of all, if he plays the system that his team utilizes, he's a solid, if unspectacular, forward. Some opponents and teammates have said as much...that he's a good player who chooses to spend his time on the ice antagonizing...it's effective, but he'd be equally effective, in other ways, just playing hockey. On the other hand, despite the Rangers record with him last year, his teammates wanted him gone, as did his Dallas teammates, and I suspect other teammates wherever he's played. He's a fkn embarrassment and when you're own teammates have no respect for you, that, IMO, offsets any short term gains.

Yes he does. So what comes out today? ARod is connected with a Ukranian steroid ring? ARod was sleeping with his cousin? ARod has a penile implant? ARod gerbil dances?

Mike Francesa (WFAN) was saying today "we're going to talk a little football then do some basketball, as we await how ARod's story continues to unravel." Mike, like me, is adamant that ARod has not told anything near to the whole truth, and it's like he plans a segment of his show for the next round of inconsistencies.

Very well said Example.

The tax dollars wasted on this are minimal when compared to other s*** that goes on in Washington. Would I like my elected politicians focusing on something else? Sure. Problem is they either won't or it'll be something else totally fkn ridiculous or they'll simply mismanage the important stuff. We paid Sen. Chris Dodd to Chair the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. How'd that f***ing work out? Sleeping at the wheel. We paid Bernanke to head the Federal Reserve and he helped bury us in the current crisis. The answer can't always be easy money...sleeping at the wheel. We pay elected officials to curb illegal immigration, secure our borders...yet administration after administration does nothing.

MRI for Garnett. Fingers crossed. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3920443

Hey, you make a good point, BUT this is the way of the world nowadays. Knowing this is how things work, the decisions we make, the mistakes we make, and how we own up to those mistakes is crucial...you know it, I know it, and f*** me but the professional athletes HAVE to know it. Yes, ARod's steroid usage pales in comparison the the econcomic crisis, the war in Iraq, the plight of oppressed people across the globe... but HE made his bed, and then he lied in it...he f***ed himself.