cp176

I not going to argue with you about the differences between Benintendi and Moncada for sure. I am very happy we have what we have. What I will say is that if (big if) Moncada should develop his potential, we are talking about two really different ballplayers. Moncada still could become a once in a generation talent and Benintendi could become very good. The difference in raw strength is extreme. Now this I will say - I play golf down here quite often with some good old Bluejays' fans and believe me they wouldn't listen to anything Gibbons said about anything.

I did see them both before they were called up. At the minor league level, Benintendi was ahead of Moncada from a defensive standpoint. Offensively not in any way. I'm certainly glad that we got Sale but I will be very interested to see how and if Moncada develops.

Somebody has to carry that minor league load.

Not to mention the fact that Pomeranz is younger and actually looks to be in better shape. Of course Farrell was responsible for putting Wright in the game - thus I guess in some people's minds he has to be responsible for the injury. I'm sitting here thinking that Wright knows who is responsible for him getting hurt when he attempted to go back to the bag . It was not an unusual move by any means even though it has given Farrell dislikers some more fodder the cannon. Farrell can take it!

Absolutely - I'm a guy so I have to admit that I like looking at the Natalie Gulbis pics but I really do appreciate what I consider the "real" beauty some of these other gals have. A combination of real strength and beauty. There are also some great stories out there. Just had dinner with a man who caddied in a tournament for Althea Gibson back in the late 70's - the end of her playing days. Women like Gibson and Zaharias were unique in their day. Athletically at the top of their food chain.

Lexi Thompson - Cheyanne (sp) Woods etc.,etc. There are some very bright and very attractive young ladies playing out there these days. They are really really good players as well.

Justin Thomas is one of my favorite young players. Barely stays in his shoes when he swings the driver. Eventually - keep your eye on Patrick Rogers

Price is going to be just fine. He is tough and he is committed. He pitches on the days that he is scheduled to pitch. the amount of money some of these guys get paid rarely seems to have much to do with their performances. it's like play money. Saying he isn't worth what he is being paid is like suggesting that some of them actually are. Nope - their not! good for him for getting what the market dictated.

How in the hell did Moret even get mentioned on any same page as these guys? Moret didn't last long for specific reasons but while he was here, he showed All-Star quality.

Rogelio Moret was the real deal and a very sad story. I remember him very well. He threw hard! He really looked like he was going to be special. he had some serious issues.

Pablo is entering through a fairly decent window where he could be really productive. 5,6, 7 + years depending on injury of course. At some point in time, all "older" athletes have to pay a price for out past I think. I have stayed fairly fit for the last 50 years but the aches and pains just happen. I don't think that anyone is immune. back, hips, knees, shoulders ... all moving parts. The older I get, the more I tend to think about the quality of life I lead as opposed to just extending it.

This is no knock on a game that I have loved forever but playing baseball at any level does not lead to the type of overall fitness that Sandoval is heading toward. He could play in every game and still gain unwanted weight this year. He is going to have to pay attention. He probably likes how the new Pablo looks and feels though.

My opinion of him has certainly changed. I always felt that there was a chance that he could make a decent comeback though. He still could do that. My opinion was that he was a lazy fat slob and really didn't care a lot about much more than his paycheck. Clearly I was wrong but I don't think that anyone ever suggested that he would be able to do what he has done physically. He is obviously motivated by something other than the $. Regardless of what he does, what he has done is great.

Interesting theory of yours. I would like to think that a professional athlete had to train fairly hard at some point. It's for sure that over training does often lead to injury. For me it is a pick your poison situation. I would take my chances with the guy who has literally worked his ass off. I'm hoping that whoever has worked with him is good enough to realize that nutrition and rest are just as important as the hard work. They should be. It's a good story.

I care about how he plays and produces of course but more importantly for me is that here is a guy who actually faced a tough situation head on and did something about it. What he did in a relatively short period of time is not an easy thing to do. He gets my support! Obviously if someone looked at this negatively they might say that he hasn't done anything more than he should have done. It just isn't that easy.

Sandoval is just 30 years old. Has he ever been in better shape than he looks to be in right now? The potential for him to be a productive player over the next 3, 4, 5 years is a real possibility. Don't you have to be just a little bit excited for him and for what he might be able to do? He has clearly done the work that he needed to do.

Has there ever been a rumor that Craig was a steroid guy? I'm not trying to start one but it is hard to imagine his decline not being linked to something other than just natural ability. He is young and it is very strange.

Leon + Vazquez - Moses+Ryan or even Tillman + Nixon Hope not but you never know. I don't see an equal to Fisk+Montgomery here. I really hope one of our guys hits a little. Key word is a little. My money is still on Leon.

for me too - and for years I asked kids to do the same thing. they didn't like doing it but they did it.

No one has come out and said anything for obvious reasons but I have to believe that E-Rod's bosses have to be concerned about his planning to pitch in the WBC. If he is healthy, he could be very good if he isn't, not so much. He is taking a risk if he pitches in the WBC. Whatever comes of it, he is the one who ultimately has to live with the risks.

Original games performed naked - do we have to do these things naked?

It is personal that is why it is nonsensical to argue over it. I just appreciate anything and anyone who puts in the time and works hard at anything athletic. On a personal level I consider anyone who is physically fit and works at it an athlete. They want to call what they do a sport - fine by me.

You ever tried it? I don't really mean any disrespect but I try not to judge if I haven't walked along at least a little bit in someone else's shoes. If someone is engaged in a physically demanding activity that they want to consider a sport, ok with me. Might not necessarily be a sport I like to watch or engage in but who am I really to say what they do isn't a "sport". There are plenty of very non-athletic people participating in activities that some would call sports. Some might not. If a person has the attitude that if something is worth doing than it is worth doing well, then i guess that means they have done their preparation prior to participation. If they want to call what they do a sport then it sure works for me. In my particular golf case, it doesn't bother me at all if someone who is ignorant about what it takes to excel at the game doesn't think that it isn't a sport. They have no clue what it takes to do it well. After my playing days were over, I did play a great deal of men's league basketball and fast pitch softball. Sports or just recreational activities? Depends on your perspective and whether or not you just rolled off the couch to play. I was a marathon runner - sport? It was for me and for those who don't consider something like this activity a sport I would ask them it they think that they could do the work entailed to go under 2:40? It is all a matter of perspective.

Whether anyone considers cheerleading a legit "sport" or not is like so much else - personal opinion. I have mixed feelings about the purpose of cheerleading myself but I would never doubt the athleticism of some of the kids who choose it as their activity of choice. Some outstanding gymnasts there!

thanks for saying this.