You Can Put It On The Board! YES!

I'll Take A Split

Considering how bad the Sox have played on the West Coast over the years, I'll take a split with the Angels. Last nights game was a tough one as Jose Contreras pitched a good game but the offense just could not score. Jose controlled the entire game until he gave up a two run homer in the seventh that put the Angels in the lead for good at 3-2. Contreras went seven innings giving up three runs, on four hits, while striking out nine. It sure was a tough one to lose.

What you talkin' bout DJ?

Well for the first three games of the series it was definitely tough to listen to it. DJ and Donn Paul were the commentators. That's right, two commentators and no announcer. Donn Paul had some good stories but it was just painful to listen to. DJ asked Paul what was his most favorite memory from this playing days. Paul told him it was watching Craig Grebeck and Ozzie Guillen hit back to back home runs off of Nolan Ryan at old Comiskey Park. I would have loved to have seen that. But you all know that DJ had to put his two sense into the story and kept going on and on about Craig Grebeck. Grebeck was a solid player but nothing great. DJ talked of him as if he is a Hall of Famer. He said that Grebeck had some great power for a little guy and hit a good amount of home runs in his career. Well I looked it up and in the 12 seasons that Grebeck played, he hit 19 career home runs. Good call DJ.

I really liked hearing Jack McDowell during last nights game. He has a ton of knowledge about the game. He was quick with his comments and gave out some very good information during last nights game. He basically knew what the pitcher was going to throw during each at bat all game long. He would say that the pitcher is most likely going to do this and that during a certain situation and just about everytime he was right. I was very impressed with McDowell. Too bad he isn't available all year long as I would love to hear Black Jack in the booth with Hawk instead of DJ.

Note To Kenny Williams

The Blue Jays, who lit up AL Cy Young winner Johan Santana last week for seven runs, say the Minnesota ace tips his pitches. Santana is 0-2 with a 7.13 ERA in his last three starts against Toronto, yielding 25 hits in 17 2/3 innings.

I hope Kenny has Toronto's GM J.P. Ricciardi's number on speed dial.

Santana faces the Blue Jays tonight so that should be something to look out for.

Something To Think About

The Marlins are telling teams that third baseman Mike Lowell is available. He is struggling big time at the plate so far this year but is a proven All-Star in this league. What do you think of Joe Crede for Mike Lowell? I like the idea. Lowell has a very solid bat when he is hitting good and has a good glove at third base. We have been waiting years now for Crede to start hitting and I don't know when he is going to start. One thing about Joe though is that he has an amazing glove at the hot corner and should win a gold glove sometime in his career. But let's take a look at the stats.

Joe Crede
27 years old
2005 salary: $400,000
47 games, AVG - .234, HR - 4, RBI - 16, 4 E in 104 chances

Mike Lowell

31 years old

2005 salary: $7.5 Mil

41 games, AVG - .208, HR - 2, RBI - 18, 1 E in 116 chances

Lowell is older and has a much larger contract but I would take the risk. Plus remember what Kenny has done in the past couple of years with the trades he has made. When he acquired Everett and Roberto Alomar, he didn't pay much at all for their big contracts. He made the teams that traded them pay for just about the entire contract of the player. So I am not worried about Lowell's big contract. Of course I am sure that this wouldn't be a straight up deal. Other players are sure to be involved. Who do you all want? Crede or Lowell?