It's over, sorta, kinda

It has been awhile since I've written anything. Sometimes sports, and I love them all for the most part, just become mundane at times. I've been following the baseball scene but in the big picture I didn't feel a need or want to write about each day's games.

Now we've hit September and both the White Sox and Cubs are pretty much where I thought they would be right around .500. Technically both teams still have a chance at the playoffs. Realistically, no chance.

Today, or late last night, the Sox traded one of the finest gentlemen in the game in Jim Thome. More amazing he went to the Dodgers where they have a very good first baseman in James Loney and they don't use the DH. Thome is a horrible pinch hitter and has played one game in the field in the last three seasons because of recurring back and heel injuries.

The Dodgers got him with the idea that they have a great chance of going to and winning the World Series. That would be great for Thome since he's never won a ring. But what is he going to do all September? I do not see him being effective at all for them even if they get to the Series. Bad move Dodgers.

Some are calling this White Flag 2 for the Sox because they found a sucker in Colorado to take Jose Contreras. I don't really view these two moves as surrending at all. Contreras has done nothing to help this team since June so his leaving is an addition in my mind because the pitcher who takes his spot will not be any worse.

Sox fans loved Thome. He has been our power threat from the left side but in the last month he has been just that, a threat. No big hits and when he did get on he clogged the bases. I'm not sure who becomes DH, maybe Carlos Quentin, but maybe Ozzie can add speed to the lineup. So losing Thome doesn't hurt as much as some think.

Bottom line is that the Sox are six games behind Detroit. Unless everybody starts hitting, they stop making errors, and the pitchers start pitching better keeping Thome and Contreras wouldn't have made a difference.

But, it would be funny if the Sox got hot and made it to the World Series and Bobby Jenks strikes out Thome to win game seven.

Yay or nay?

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune wrote a story that suggested, no demanded, that the Cubs dump Carlos Zambrano immediately. He was tired of his antics against the White Sox on Sunday in losing 6-0.

The Tribune ran a poll asking fans should the Cubs get rid of him? So far over 16,000 votes and amazingly almost 57% say get rid of him.

The man does not control his emotions well. Granted. He is still one of the most talented pitchers in the game.

What the Cubs need to do is get rid of pitching coach Larry Rothschild and get a coach with backbone to stand up to the immature Zambrano. Thoughts?

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Missed the memo?

At what point do we deem somebody needing help or decide the guy is a blasted idiot?

Milwaukee Brewers prospect Jeremy Jeffress was suspended for 100 games Monday after his second violation of baseball's minor league program for a drug of abuse.

A 21-year-old right-hander, Jeffress also was suspended for 50 games on Aug. 30, 2007. He was Milwaukee's top pick in the 2006 amateur draft, the 16th selection overall, and received a $1.55 million signing bonus.

He was 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA in five starts and one relief appearance for Class-A Brevard County of the Florida State League when he was suspended Monday. He went 1-3 with a 7.57 ERA in eight starts for Double-A Huntsville of the Southern League earlier this season.

"We are obviously disappointed because Jeremy has such great major league potential, and this is a setback in his career," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said in a statement. "We will continue to assist Jeremy and help him with his problem as long as he wants to help himself."

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

More bat tricks

The bat guy is back with a couple more tricks.



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Great bat trick

This guy has an amazing maneuver with the bat. He's Josh Womack of the Long Beach Armada.