Valascus

This is a excerpt from an article Dayn Perry recently wrote on "deals that need to get done". Number 3 on his list is Zito to the Mets and it makes perfect sense...and I do mean perfect. "Barry Zito is an overrated talent, but he makes sense for the Mets, who badly need a reliable innings guy in the rotation. Zito has never been on the disabled list in his career, and he's logged at least 213 innings in each of the last six seasons. Zito's prone to the longball, but Shea is a brutal park for power hitters (particularly right-handed power hitters) and will help to mask that deficiency. If Zito winds up a Cub or Ranger, he's going to get lit up. For Zito to succeed his home park needs to be a pitcher's environment. The Mets need durability, and Zito needs a forgiving park and a slick defensive outfield. It's a match."

I agree with DMB here about Sup. He is a good pitcher in Saint Louis. Dunc knows just what to do to get the most out of him. Also, his style of pitching florishes here due to the better than average offense and strong defensive play. Put him in a situation where the team struggles to score runs or the defense is suspect and he is gonna get roughed up. I like Sup, I hope he stays, but I think he will end up elsewhere. The Cards just don't have the money to resign him. I would rather have Sup than Weaver, if I had to make a choice between those two. If Minaya is as good as everyone claims he is (and don't get me wrong, he is doing well with the Mets) then he better do whetever needs to be done to get Barry Zito. Zito would fit the best there.

I was also one of the half mil without power. Mine came on last night at 6:30, but we couldn't come home yet because the wife was at work til 9:00 and my daughter was asleep. Besides, we had to let the house warm back up to normal before we could bring the little one back here. It ended up inadvertantly killing my fish and we lost all our frozen and refrigerated food. I tried to save the fish by moving him out of his 30 gallon tank here and into an extra 10 gallon I had lying around where we were staying. He apparently didn't like the 10 and repeatly tried to jump out and damaged himself banging against the top of the tank. Oh well...at least I tried. It was try to move him and he MAY die...or leave him be and he WILL die. It just sucks because that fish has survived an 8 day power outage last summer and 4 moves, and just when I thought I had him saved from this one he dies. But I guess that if this was the worst thing that happened that is alright I suppose. None of our pipes burst...no damage to our trees or house of any kind...no one in my family that lives around here was hurt by the storm...so I guess all is well.

Whew...we are getting pounded. It's been nothing but ice since about 10 this morning. Now they are saying a full inch of ice and sleet followed by the foot of snow. Travel is gonna be fu-un. Good thing I ain't got nowhere to be. :

MVP voting is done at the end of the 162 game regular season. So the teams that are going to the playoffs are known to the voters and usually does make a difference in the vote. I agree that the Baseball Writers Association of America blew the call on BOTH MVP results. If anyone really truly got robbed it was Derek Jeter...and you don't hear him complaining about it.

I am in the same boat as you are Paparock. I can't seem to catch a fish on a spinnerbait to save my life. Doesn't seem to matter what size, retrieve, what the conditions are, color, what kinda blades, doesn't matter. For some reason I just can't catch fish on 'em.

I agree with DMB here...Pujols may be a great player and all, but he needs to keep his mouth shut here. He is not currying any favor with the sportswriters by publicly blasting their decision and it does make him look like a sore loser. I mean, dude, you just won a WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP...and you are gonna whine cuz you didn't win the MVP?! He is better than that, at least I hope he is. Shut up, enjoy your offseason, and take your rediculous amount of cash you make to the bank and laugh all the way. Geez... And as far as Soriano goes, the Cubs can have him. Yes he swings a good bat and has great speed, but his defense is THE MOST HORRENDOUS OF ANY BIG NAME PLAYER. It's bad...and I mean bad. He is also a club cancer. He whines and complains when things aren't going his way...I give you two examples: 1) When he got traded from the Yanks to the Rangers he whined and complained about it, then in his entire tenure with the Rangers put up mediocre numbers cuz he didn't feel he was getting paid enough and didn't want to play there. 2) Last offseason when he ended up with the Nats and they wanted him to switch positions, he literally threatened to NOT PLAY AT ALL if he didn't get to play his "natural" position...yeah...he plays that position about as natural as a monkey going into outer space. He held out all offseason and whined and complained for a trade to somewhere he could play 2nd, then finally caved and played LF and only put up decent numbers during his unhappy stay with the Nats cuz he knew it was a contract year and had to work to get a good free agency contract. He appears happy with the Cubs...amazing how money can "cure" his attitude problem. Not the kind of player I associate with the pride, integrity, and professionalism St. Louis baseball is played with. Let him become disenchanted with the Cubs in the middle of that giant 8 year contract...I bet his numbers will start declining and won't be nearly as nice around the clubhouse.

Unfortunately it appears that Saint Louis is about to get absolutely hammered by a pretty good winter storm (by midwestern standards anyway). 1/4" to 3/4" of ice followed by 8"-12" of snow. Temps are about to plummet from 60's down to mid 30's and continue falling throughout the rest of the day tomorrow. The low on Friday is 12 degrees. Far cry from the 70 degree day we just had around here. That's a pretty good snow around these parts. we never seem to get hit too bad... maybe a couple storms roll through that may drop 1 to 4 inches of snow every year, but something like this is pretty rare. Oh well...

That is where you and I differ. I would let a complete stranger come and fish my pond as long as they obeyed the rules I have set forth and respect my property. The thing about most trophy bass factory type ponds is that they are vigiliantly maintained by their owners using guidelines set forth by the state dept. of conservation.

I have one. One LC Sammy 100...and I want more LC. Just can't afford it on my budget. I could definately go for some pointers, gunfish, and would peruse some of their cranks.

I see and respect your points and opinions on this matter, though I do not agree with them. A public access lake that you may consider "the norm" is usually maintained very well by whatever state it is in conservation dept. Joe's Schome's trophy bass factory of a pond, was more than likely created with the help of the very same conservation dept. that maintains the public access waters. And even if it wasn't, that just means Joe Schmoe spent A LOT of time, effort, and money to get his pond to that point. If a record fish is caught from his pond and is not considered a record, then that is not fair to Mr. Schmoe and his money, time and effort are all for naught. Great strides are made by state conservation authorities to keep "normal lake" fisheries in optimal condition, just like Joe Schmoe tries to keep his water in optimal condition.

I think that a record caught from a private pond should stand, regardless of how the pond is managed. If that pond is managed for the production of trophy fish then more power to the owner. I have fished many a private pond. Ya know how? I asked. Very nicely and with a 6 pack. More often than not, as long as you don't mess the place up, practice catch and release (unless the property owner says otherwise), and respect the rules that the owner sets for his property, most people will allow you to fish their private waters. The waters may not be directly accessible to the public...but anyone can knock on Joe Schmoe's door and ask to fish his water.

This is the only forum that I actively partcipate in. Sometimes I'll go read the Saint Louis Cardinals fan forums, but the amount of childish behavior, people trolling, namecalling, etc. ect. just kinda turned me off to their whole forum. That's the biggest reason I like it here. Everyone's opinions are respected and flair ups between members or members and mods are few and far between at best. Quite often you can have an intelligent and thought inspiring debate here that doesn't get out of hand. You don't see that many other places. Gets outta control pretty quick.

Not a nog fan here either...though I do have one fond memory of it. One year around the holidays when I was about 4, I decided I would like a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast. I got out my bowl and spoon, got the Cheerios, and opened the fridge and took out a carton of what I thought was milk. I didn't think to look at it very closely and couldn't read very well yet...it looked like a milk carton. My folks said the look on my face was priceless when I took my first bite of that bowl of Cheerios in Egg Nog. Mmmmmmmmmmmm... ;D

Holy Monkey!! That is a monster pike!!! Bet he was a vicious fighter...wow...don't lip that bad boy...you may lose a hand.

Yeah...those pic are very pretty...and there are many nice comforting things about the winter that are nice and cozy feeling...EXCEPT FOR IT'S FREAKIN' FREEZIN' OUTSIDE. I am with Raul here...I despise cold weather. I don't think there are many things about it I would miss if I lived somewhere where it didn't occur. Cold weather just...well...it just sucks.

I would go with a replica. I think the technology and skills available to good taxidermists has come a long way and it is possible to make a replica that looks identical to your fish. The key is finding a reputable taxidermist, taking as many pics in as much detail of the fish as possible along with proper length and a few girth measurements, and finally, paying top dollar to have it done. Now, for me, paying top dollar for a replica is a tough blow to the ol' pocket book to take, but if I ever catch a DD fish, you can bet I will document every inch of that fish to the best of my ability and as long as the fishes safety will allow for as nice a replica I could get.

Maybe what is needed here is a seminar for frustrated wives of fishermen during which through hypnotic suggestion the wives will be aided in begining to want fish with the men they Love. At the count of three ladies you will all awake and remember nothing of these suggestions but when next your husband talks of fishing you will have a strong craving, as if fishing were rewarding you with chocolate, to go with you husband and become a fisherwoman. What do think guys? :-? I am all for it...except in my wife's case replace chocolate with cheesecake and I have it MADE. ;D

With Bonds there is no doubt. He used, period. He himself on the stand came out and said he "accidently used it" thinking is was flaxseed oil or something like that. I honestly think that MLB will let Clemens slide due to the experience they had at the end of Raphael Palmeiro's career and the fallout that occured. I don't think they will touch Clemens publicly for fear of ruining what they consider an ambassador of the sports career and bringing to light just how many players do use. Like I said beofre though...I don't know if he is using or not. He could be completely innocent, but this constant suspiscion is the sad reality of the game today. The players themselves, MLB, and the Players Association all have a piece of the blame in this. Anyways...As far as the Yanks go with resigning Moose, I think that is a good idea. There have been rumors abound that some teams have actually inquired about Carl Pavano on the trade market. It would be wise for the Yanks to keep their ears to the ground for any credible offers and jump at it. As far as Johnson goes...well...if I were part of the organization I can't honestly say I would feel comfortable anymore giving him a roster spot. He is just not very consistent anymore and seems to have a lot of injury issues. The amount of money he commands just isn't worth what you get out of him in return anymore. So far it looks to me like the Yanks will end up with Moose, Igawa, Wang. That much seems to be known. On another note concerning the Cubbies and their GM, Jim Spendry...er Hendry, it is rumored that they ahve offered free agent pitcher Jason Schmidt a 3 year 44 mil dollar contract. It has not been said whether or not it has been accepted. I doubt it will be. The market for starting pitching has not been set yet, and I think Schmidt and his agent will wait to see what the market doesn before saying much of anything to any deal.

I am at the point where I generally want to go after fish that are larger, but some days...especially in the slow winter months...catching a bunch of smaller fish that fight like their lives are on the line are fun to catch.

I sometimes wish my wife had CRS disease. I can't even come CLOSE to anything like plausible deniability. She remembers EVERY bait, rod and reel, accessory, fishing tool, and fishing trip I go on and hold me to 'em... . Heck, she gets more frustrated when I lose lures than I do. Especially cranks...boy that really gets her goat. Fishing is just something she doesn't understand and probably never will.

A little bird just told me the Cardinals are "very interested" and "hotly pursuing" Luis Gonzalez to play left field for them next season. He will be 40 years old in '07 and I can't see the Cardinals offering him more than a 1 year deal...2 at best. Now...that being said, I don't think Gonzo is done and has at least one solid year left in him at least. I think he is a .280, 20 HR, 90 RBI kinda guy, which is better production than the Cards got platooning a buncha folks. He also hits a TON of doubles. As long as he can stay healthy...even at his age he is a decent upgrade over the Taguchi, Duncan, Rodriguez, etc., etc, platoon the Cards marched out last season. Hey...if they get him...do you know what that means...GASP!!! The Cards will have regular day to day players at EVERY position. Wooooooooooooow! Another significant baseball happening was for the Yanks. They won the rights to bid on Kei Igawa. This is significant, because it significantly lessens their interest in Ted Lilly...which means the Cardinals can pursue him. The Cubs are also apparently interested in Lilly...meaning if they are still in spending mode they may try to toss him another over inflated contract like they have every other player they have signed so far. Then again, the Cubs may have emptied the coffers on Ramirez, Soriano, and Mark DeRosa leaving the Cardinals, who have spent very little, to swoop in and gank the all important pitching from their grasp.

He may be better statistically than Sup, but I'll take Sup ANYDAY in high pressure situations. Sup is just a ROCK when it comes to the playoffs or against big name pitchers...they don't call him the Giant Slayer for nothing. Kip Wells has never even gotten a WHIFF of the playoffs...let alone a high pressure situation. I agree that Duncan can probably hone him into a good pitching weapon, but he can't give him the stomach for the playoffs. But that is true...I have sen Dunc do more with less.

Well whaddaya know...Walt just called me too. Told me the same thing, but also told me the Cards signed Kip Wells, Eli Marrero to a minor league contract, and resigned Gary Bennett. I told him that I could see Marrero and Kennedy...but wasn't so sure on Wells. I told him hopefully he sees something I am missing.

Ding!! Glad that happened. He'll be a good fit and has already worked with David Eckstein while they played together in Anaheim. One key piece down. Ted Lilly and Gil Meche left to get...and resigning either Weaver or Suppan. Those things happen I smell another NL Central Championship. You must have some pretty good connections to get a call from Walt. Tell him to tell Dewitt to up payroll a bit.