KJC

Blue Jays trade Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez to the Padres for Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar its probably not the best just the first big one i could think of that every player produced in the bigs at one time or another...

as a cowboys fan this is bad news. Portis is the MAN and is only 22 years old FALL THROUGH! PLEASE!

Jose was known from his HS days for hitting long balls all the way out of the HS park into the street...

Broncos blockbuster: Portis trade may be near Deal for Redskins' Bailey, No. 2 pick close, sources say By Adam Schefter Denver Post Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS - The Broncos and Washington Redskins are closing in on a blockbuster deal that would send Denver's Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis to Washington for Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey. In addition to Bailey, Denver is asking for Washington's second-round pick in the April draft, National Football League sources confirmed this weekend. Until now, the Redskins have balked at surrendering the pick, one reason no agreement has been announced. Yet at least two other sources close to the Redskins say the deal, which would be one of the biggest in football history, is all but done. The Broncos are trying to first finalize a new contract with Pro Bowl middle linebacker Al Wilson before dealing with the Redskins. The Wilson deal could be completed today. But if the trade between Denver and Washington were completed, Bailey then would need to be signed as well - likely to a lucrative contract. This is the reason trade talks even began to percolate. Washington grew frustrated over its stalled negotiations with Bailey, and Denver does not want to negotiate a new deal with Portis, who still has two years remaining on his contract. A Denver deal with Bailey might not be as difficult. Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, has worked with the Broncos on numerous contracts in the past, including kicker Jason Elam's in February 2003 and safety Nick Ferguson's last month. The NFL trading period opens March 3, but the Broncos and Redskins could agree to a deal before then - if they haven't already. The Redskins appear to be soliciting offers from, among others, the Detroit Lions, New York Jets and Houston Texans. "As to who we'd be interested in, right now that's something we want to keep to ourselves," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said this weekend. Broncos officials declined to comment on the possible deal. None of the possible trading partners could offer a player as prolific as the 22-year-old Portis, Denver's record-setting running back who predicted at this month's Pro Bowl that a 2,000-yard season is in his view. Anyone who watched him rush for 1,591 yards last season, despite missing three games with sternum and ankle injuries, would not question it. "I know my 2,000 will come," Portis said in Honolulu. "It's just a matter of time." While the deal would be met with cheers in Washington, it would be met with even louder cheers in Kansas City. During the Broncos' past two games in Denver against the Chiefs, Portis rushed for 348 yards and scored nine touchdowns. There are questions within the Broncos organization about whether running backs Quentin Griffin, Ahmaad Galloway and Mike Anderson would be good enough to carry the team through the playoffs. Should Denver land the extra pick from Washington, the team would be positioned to draft one of this year's higher-rated running backs, perhaps even former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, with whom Broncos officials met Thursday night. Moreover, Denver's defense would be instantly fortified and upgraded. Bailey would be the prototype cornerback the Broncos have coveted since they showered millions on Dale Carter during the 1999 offseason. Bailey, 25, is regarded as one of the game's top cornerbacks. Asked at the Pro Bowl to name the best cornerback in the game, Philadelphia's five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent said: "Cover-wise, you have to look at Champ Bailey. Champ has the best cover skills." Although he is regarded as a supreme cover corner, Bailey has failed to make some of the big plays he did early in his career. During his five NFL seasons, Bailey's interception totals have dropped from five in each of his first two seasons to three in 2001 and 2002 to only two last season. But the Broncos are not concerned with the plays Bailey didn't make in Washington but rather the ones they think he could make for them. With Bailey blanketing one side of the field in man-to-man coverage, Denver would be able to offer more help to its other cornerback, Lenny Walls, who played exceedingly well the first half of last season but struggled in the second half when wide receivers figured out he could not cover the counter move. Denver's secondary could use a jolt. In its first playoff appearance since the 2000 season, Denver allowed Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning to complete 22 of 26 passes for 377 yards and five touchdowns. But the only way to get a player of Bailey's abilities is to surrender a younger and more productive one. Ordinarily, Denver would not consider trading Portis. However, the organization is leery of Portis' request for a new contract at a time when he has two years remaining on his current one. If the trade comes to fruition, it would go down as one of the biggest in NFL history. Perhaps the biggest also involved the Broncos, who in 1983 traded backup quarterback Mark Hermann, offensive tackle Chris Hinton and a 1984 first-round draft pick that turned out to be guard Ron Solt to the Colts for the rights to quarterback John Elway. The other notable football trade involved the Dallas Cowboys, who in 1989 sent running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for five players, six draft choices and a first-round pick in the 1992 draft. The Cowboys' then-coach, Jimmy Johnson, used two of those picks to draft Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, and safety Darren Woodson, a five- time Pro Bowl selection and the team's all-time leading tackler. -Credit Denver Post LINK If you dont want to read it, basically one rumor is Portis to Washington for Bailey and a 2nd rounder, I have also heard Bailey to Seatle for Alexander. I will keep you posted...

Yanks hope Brown is nasty as he wants to be Monday, February 23, 2004 BY DAN GRAZIANO Star-Ledger Staff TAMPA, Fla. -- On the first day of spring training workouts, the pitchers generally aren't throwing the ball as hard as they can. Usually they're just warming up, getting into the flow of the spring, loosening muscles they haven't used in a while. Which is why it surprised Yankees catcher John Flaherty that his hand hurt so much on Thursday. Flaherty was catching Kevin Brown, one of the Yankees' new ace right-handers. And Brown was rocking back into his old-style windup and firing hard, hard sinkers into Flaherty's mitt. "It was not fun," Flaherty said. "Your thumb takes a beating. But I was impressed. He was full-bore right away." The best advice for Brown's new teammates is to get used to that. Brown is a full-bore guy, and those who know him aren't surprised to learn he's throwing hard on the first day of spring training. His personality would allow nothing less. It was that fiery personality and in-your-face mound presence that prompted the Yankees to trade Jeff Weaver to the Dodgers for Brown in the days that followed Andy Pettitte's signing with the Houston Astros. When healthy, Brown is the ace of any pitching staff. And in many ways it was he, not Alex Rodriguez or Gary Sheffield, who may have been the most important acquisition of the Yankees' off-season. "There's no question about it," manager Joe Torre said. "I think he's very key for us, because he gives us, along with (Mike Mussina), two guys that have been there and experienced that. Assuming he's on his game, there's no question he's a key man for us." Brown has missed time each of the past three seasons with injuries to his ankle, elbow and back. He missed the first couple of games of the 2003 season as he recovered from off-season surgery on his back. He still finished 14-9 for the Dodgers with a 2.39 ERA and 211 innings over 32 starts. But he will turn 39 years old on March 14. So there are reasons to be concerned. But when they watch Brown pitch, and they look at the numbers he has put up as one of the dominant pitchers in the National League since 1996, the Yankees also have reasons to be excited. "He's one of the best there is," said Mussina, who teamed with Brown on the 1995 Baltimore Orioles. "When he's healthy, he's basically unhittable. That's what the numbers show." Flaherty remembers one time when he hit Brown. It was in 1997, when he was with the San Diego Padres and Brown was pitching for the Florida Marlins. Flaherty hit a home run against him. Still remembers it. "He went back into his rock there, at the beginning of his windup, and as soon as he leaned back, I started my swing," Flaherty said. "I cheated that much, and I connected. I couldn't believe it." Brown probably couldn't believe it either. More than likely, he began cursing and kicking the dirt on the pitcher's mound before the ball even cleared the fence. And it's entirely possible he trashed some valuable piece of electronic equipment in the clubhouse as he carried his rage with him once the inning was over. That wouldn't be out off character for Brown, who has something of a reputation as a hothead. "The thing you've got to know about Brownie is just not to go near him on the day he's pitching," said Sheffield, who played with Brown in 1996 and 1997 in Florida and from 1999-2001 with Los Angeles. "He's all right as long as you don't get in his way." "He's pretty hard on himself," said Yankees reliever Paul Quantrill, who played with Brown in L.A. the past two seasons. "Here's a guy, he gives up two hits and pitches a shutout, and he's in there barking about the two hits." Brown won't deny it. In fact, the only reason he even takes exception to such characterizations is to inform you that he doesn't bark at teammates -- only himself. And the occasional reporter. "I'm probably a perfectionist," Brown said. "But more than anything, I just tell it like it is. Sometimes that rubs people the wrong way. Especially when you're a guy people think has a temper." Brown's temper is well documented, but so is his excellence. Only once in the past eight seasons has his ERA been higher than 3.00, and that was in his injury-ravaged 2002 campaign. When healthy, he has consistently ranked among the league leaders in ERA, innings, strikeouts and victories. And it's no coincidence. "I used to hate facing him, because you'd swing and you'd think you had it, and then it was at your back foot, just like that," Flaherty said. "And you didn't even know if he struck you out with his splitter or his sinker, because all you knew was it was hard and you missed it by a mile." That is the Kevin Brown the Yankees are hoping takes the mound for them this season -- hard sinker, nasty temper and all. He thinks it shouldn't be a problem. "I feel so much better than I did this time last year, when I was coming off the surgery," Brown said. "All last year, I never felt right. But now I feel like I used to feel all the time." That could be good news for the Yankees, and bad news for the rest of the American League.

that is impressive that the average age is 25! if and thats a big IF the team can keep the core starters together for a long time this could be a great run... and to think we have Allison and Berzardo on the way

Ramon's AAA digits from his time there are truly impressive, and if he can just give us the "threat" of power on a consistent basis he will be an above average C. Redmond is and always will be a superb backup who will give you everythign he has once a week...

so my Burkett autographed baseball isnt going to increase in value? *plays catch with it*

Chocolate Foam :shifty

I like what the Indians did wiht the rebuilding project, but dont count out the Chi Sox or the Twinkies...

:wacko : uhh Ramp, that ummm wasnt milk :wacko :

i be offended like a mofuh, nah mean? :lol

damnit furman stop using the term wiggish :lol

was that a hoodrat joke by Box Car Louie?

chocolate foam. im not even gonna ask maybe if we ask nicely Admin can upload it from his HD :whistle

no prob

*moves to FANTASY section* :whistle

New York Driver Nabbed While Watching Porn Movie ALBANY, N.Y. (Reuters) - Andre Gainey found out the hard way that in the state of New York it's illegal to drive while watching porn. Police said the 35-year old man from Clifton Park, New York, was watching a adult movie called "Chocolate Foam" on Tuesday night while driving his Mercedes Benz in the town of Schenectady when he was spotted by an officer at a stop light. Police spokesman Pete Frizoni said detectives pulled Gainey over when they saw the movie playing on screens embedded in the car's headrests. When they confronted him, they saw another screen in the passenger-side visor was facing Gainey, allowing him to watch the movie while driving. The case is thought to be the first of its kind in New York, said Joe Pichi, a spokesman for the for the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. "Our biggest problem is illegal cell phone use while driving," Pichi said. "Drivers should be driving." Gainey was charged with a public display of offensive material, driving with a suspended license and driving while watching a television. He compounded his legal woes by giving a false name when he was fingerprinted, prompting police to add a charge of forgery. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 17. - Credit Reuters who would do such a thing? :shifty

EXACTLY the guy was amazing it just seems sometimes players out think themselves listening to these money grubbing agents instead of doing the "right" thing...

Eddie Vedder could put out a record of him making fart sounds with his armpit, and most music critics out there would give him at least 3 out of 5 stars. i think i own that one... i give it :thumbup :thumbup

no way is Sorio peaked out. the guy is as skilled as any player i have ever seen, he is a true 5 tool player. Now playing at the Arlington Smallpark he will put up A Roid like #s for one 5th the salary...

Wade seeking five-year deal for $25 million Tackle Todd Wade's request includes a $10 million signing bonus, and due to interest by other teams and a lean '04 draft, the Dolphins may have to comply. BY JASON COLE jcole@herald.com INDIANAPOLIS - The Dolphins appear ready to take a more aggressive stance toward re-signing right tackle Todd Wade, whose agent presented the team with a five-year contract proposal worth $25 million. That deal includes a signing bonus of $10 million, a price several other teams have indicated they would be willing to match, a source close to Wade said. The Dolphins declined to extend Wade's contract during the past season for a number of reasons. Now, after taking a long look at the available offensive tackles in free agency and in the draft, the Dolphins might have little choice but to meet Wade's demands. ''There's really nobody out there in free agency, and there are about eight teams that need offensive tackles,'' a Dolphins source said Friday. As for the draft, the Dolphins have identified two offensive tackles they would feel confident in drafting. The team expects both to be gone by the time they select at No. 20 in the first round of the draft in April. ''It's just a really bad year for linemen,'' the source said. ``Really bad.'' That brings the Dolphins back to Wade. The team briefly discussed signing Wade to an extension before last season but never got into specifics with agent Tom Condon, who represents Wade. The problem for the Dolphins is they were already tight against the salary cap last season and they viewed Wade as a good player, but not a great one. Condon could not be reached for comment on the offer. Wade did not wish to discuss the offer. He said he hopes a deal with the Dolphins can be worked out but that he is prepared to move on if necessary. ''I like it here and I want to stay, so hopefully we'll get something done,'' Wade said. ``But after the team passed and passed on re-signing me last season, I prepared myself for the chance that I might have to go elsewhere. That's the business side of this, and you have to be ready for it.'' Wade said he has stopped working out at the Dolphins facility for the time being to keep himself from being pestered by anyone from the team. Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman has said several times he will not comment on players the team might or might not be interested in signing. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...all/8005707.htm

so if i was to one day get a C band i could actually pick up the games from PAX even if im not in florida?

can i use the word crawdaddy?

I still expect him to be a fine starter in the bigs it was a steep price to pay but 9er was SO worth it...