The High Heat

I'm sure last Saturday night Bobby Cox told Frank Wren that he didn't want Escobar still around when they got back from the break (He'd made another lazy play that put Troy Glaus in danger of getting injured by the runner that day.). Doesn't give the GM a whole lot of leverage in negotiations. The Braves took care of the rest of the season, but hey, it's better than what they got for Francouer.

XM reports the Braves have traded SS Yunel Escobar and P Jo Jo Reyes to the Jays for veteran SS Alex Gonzalez (yes, that Alex Gonzalez) and two minor leaguers. Why? Escobar decided he liked being in Bobby Cox's doghouse, which is the quickest ticket out of Atlanta.

By George, good or bad, you did it your way. R.I.P.

Charlie Manuel says the NL starter is U-bal-doh Jim-in-nez. That's Jim as in Slim Jim. Gotta love Charlie!

Like Mark McGwire, Jeff Bagwell is now the hitting coach for the team he starred for. Who's next, Rafael Palmiero to be named the Orioles hitting coach?

When Wilco opened up for the Stones I thought it'd be so cool if both bands played Casino Queen together, but, alas, there was no co-mingling of shared playlists that night. Not that I was there anyway.

Wilco has had far more financial success from YHF onward. At the time they weren't big enough to afford to operate as an independent business enterprise.

What you do, ask Tom Hicks why the Rangers couldn't get Cliff Lee while he was there? Or did you tell the George Bushes that they rank 42nd & 43rd on the Presidential all-time popularity polls?

Lost in the hubbub about Cliff Lee is that fact that Jake Peavy is done for the season because of a detached shoulder muscle.

Hey, I'm a Phillies fan, but the Indians flat-out got ripped-off for Lee last year; not that the Phils got as much as they could have when they dealt him in the offseason. (Not that Lee was as important to the city of Cleveland as James was!) A couple of days ago I read the Rangers were not signing international talent this summer so they'd have that cash available to make a deal for the sretch run. So far they've acquired Lee and Molina. Pretty sweet for the Rangers. How about a Rangers-Padres World Series!

The Rangers are probably dangling Justin Smoak. The Mariners aren't the Indians or even the Phillies. They want at least one ready-to-play-now stud for Lee.

XM is reporting that the Lee deal is off because another unknown team has made a better offer and the Mariners want the Yanks to compete with it.

Right, but they could have had both simply by trading Blanton. They don't get the same prospects, but, in the this case, so what. They are now going to have to trade for a starter and probably an infielder if they want to get back into it.

Exactly. The Yanks aren't thinking about getting to the postseason. They're trying to win the WS. This is just more salt in the Cliff Lee wound to fans of the Phillies, who are, of course, in search of another starting pitcher and in danger of not even getting to the postseason.

Joey Votto & Nick Swisher win the final vote. Heath Bell was named as a replacement pitcher for Gallardo.

Donny Hathaway may be the most influential soul singer from the 70's.

That's right. Tony - he don't fuck around.

Nobody's Fool is my favorite Russo novel. Sully may be Russo's most well-developed and memorable character.

Camel Records

Now there's a song that's under-mentioned & under-played!

I ditto you again! I've been contemplating re-reading some Russo books, specifically Nobody's Fool and the hilarious Straight Man.

Harkens me back to 1971 and Rick Wise: Dude pitched a no-hitter and hit 2 home runs for the Phillies. Wise was traded to St. Louis for Steve Carlton the next spring. I'd say the Phillies got the best of all things possible in signing Wise(ly).

Ditto.

Sans one of the leading MVP candidates in Joey Votto, of course. Wouldn't it be a real bitch if the NL won on an Omar Infante walk-off!

Volume One