[Newman]

Originally Posted by BigRapidsJackass

I got to listen to today's non-game on the radio. Would it kill the Rox radio guys to mention Rick Ankiel's HGH use? They were oohing and ahhing about Rick's combined minor-major league HR total of 43. I think one mention per series is in order. Preferably on a player's first plate appearance so the fans can discount the stats accordingly. Also, do our radio guys not have internet access? They kept wondering aloud about how far Jefferson City is from St Louis. Painful.

One interesting point they did make: LaRussa batted the pitcher 8th, Miles 9th. Partly a commentary on the suckitude of Miles and the ability of Wainwright to handle the bat. But they did say that Hurdle mentioned that if Kaz had be re-signed he would've considered batting Kaz leadoff and Taveras 9th. Hurdle is not immune to innovation! I would've loved to see that, but I don't think we have any decent hitting pitchers anymore. Maybe Morales, who looks like he knows what he's doing at the plate.

All hail midwestern spring rainstorms!

Fernando Vina made his debut last night, on Baseball Tonight, and he said he was sorry that he was busted for HGH (or was it steroids) and that he thought nothing should happen to any of the players mentioned in the Mitchell Report. Being embarassed is enough of a penalty. Let's turn the page and move on. Why have consequences?

And of course his buds in the booth, Ravi and Steve Phillips, had nothing to say. But Karl Ravitch at least did ask Vina. Personally, I'm asking, why does he have a job at espn, Fernando? He's lost credibility in my mind, if Chelsey will allow me to use the word credibility. When asked if he thought players were still taking HGH Vina said no. They wouldn't risk it. Blah blah blah. I thought that was totally laughable. There's no testing for it. Why wouldn't they risk it? Athletes are always looking for an edge. Big money's at stake. Why does Vina still have a job there? Bring back Harold Reynolds. What did Harold get canned for? Flirting?

Found myself last night, watching the Yanks vs. Toronto, more often than our Rox. Why? Better broadcasters + they have a crawl screen on the bottom, giving info, like Putz on the DL, which gets my fantasy baseball mind buzzing at high speed. Would it hurt FSN to run a crawl screen at the bottom with info? Baseball is such a slow paced game.

Originally I scoffed at LaRussa and his ploy to bat the pitcher 8th. Now, being stuck with Taveras on my fantasy team, I'm thinking why not give it a try? I think Morales is a better hitter than Willy.

Was disappointed in Cook. St Louis is throwing a AAA pitching staff at us, after Wainwright. We should be sweeping them after the opening rainout.

And how about hitting Hawpe 5th against righty pitching, and Atkins 6th? What's wrong with that?