Chin Lung Hu played shortstop for the Dodgers last night. If he played first we could ask "Hu's on First?"  Sorry. I'm Asian, so don't write me about it not being p.c. 

It's time to realize that David Weathers may not be the best set-up man for Cordero.  At times, the set-up guy has it harder than the closer, since he may have to come in to extinquish a fire in the eighth.  Weathers is not going to blow people away with his fastball.  When Weathers is unable to get good movement on his sinker and slider, forget about close games like the one last night. He's also a pitch to contact guy, i.e. force contact and get the at bat over within three pitches.  Pitch to contact guys are ill suited to be closers or set up pitchers.  Late inning pitchers must throw strikes but not allow the opponent to put the ball in play where something can happen like an error or hits in close games.   Don't force contact.  Ptich to contact guys should be used in long relief.                                                                                                                                                                                    

With Odell cut, Bengals look to their usual places to get players.  Here's a dramatization of where they get their players. 

But seriously, the linebacker position is looking thin.  Ahmad Brooks ' status is unclear coming off a groin injury and possible suspension for off field conduct.  Rashad Jeanty had injuries in 07 also.  Dhani Jones was picked off the NFl scrap heap.  Keith Rivers is a rookie.   Better hope we can find somebody's salary cap casualty. 

First, I love interleague play. Kobayashi had no idea on how to pitch to Dunn, thanks for the inside change up. Second, you Griffey haters stop trying to get him traded. The problem is not him but Corey Patterson.  He's batting only 227 and has a OBP of .273.  So move one of the centerfielders  to bring up Jay Bruce not our Hall of Famer. You can't honestly think that Patterson is better than Jr.?

Third, it's May.  You fans of little faith, stop trying to blow up the team. In 1973, on July 1 the Reds were 11 games behind the Dodgers in the Western Division.  In danger of falling 12 games back, Hal King came up to the plate and blasted a three run homer to win it for the Big Red Machine against those hated Dodgers.  That homer ignited the Reds.  (Follow the link, it's listed as one of the top ten moments at Riverfront.) We won the division later that year. This year we've got more time and less distance.

We just swept the Tribe and the Marlins.  Both teams came to town in first place in their divisions.  They were playing good baseball.  So, relax.  The Cubs will wilt, hey they're the Cubs! 

If you saw HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, you found out that the Patriots were spying on other teams for eight seasons, from 2000-2007. They would film the defensive coordinator sending  in signals, then the play.  Matt Walsh seemed to indicate that the films were broken down after they were delivered.  Which seems to indicate that the advantage would most likely be against division opponents. Regardless, the Pats had an advantage when they saw the taped team again. Say, when the Jets defensive coordinator would send in the play, the Pats knew the play coming in. They were in their "huddle." Think of the advantage when you knew where the blitz was coming from. The right pass would lead to devastating results.                                                                                 

    So how do those three Super Bowl Championships look now?  Is Tom Brady that great a quarterback when he knew what the other defense was calling? Certainly, Bill Belichick is no longer the great football genius he was thought to be.  Commissioner Goodell certainly didn't go over the length and depth of the cheating did he? So the Pats paid $750,000 in fines, and a first round pick in which they had an extra one.  In return they get three Super Bowl championships.  That's a pretty small price to pay.      

The NFL wants you to believe that Spygate is over. Well, why did Roger Goodell destroy the Patriots' tapes in 2007? After Mat Walsh gave his tapes to him, did you know between 2000-2002, he recorded 6 games for the Patriots?  And no, it wasn't just the Chargers' cheerleaders. He recorded the opponent's play calling. If Goodell really wants to clear the air, why not release the tapes to the public. Let experts analyze what advantages the Patriots got.  Instead of acting like Pontius Pilate, Goodell should make a statement about the integrity of the game. Fans want their sport to be real not pro wrestling. How's the Hall of Fame look for Coach Bill Belichick now?  

There are some who think that Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter's investigation is frivolous . Realize that Pats beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl. Their fans are his constituents. Think of the millions of fans who watch the Super Bowl. Think about the millions and millions of dollars spent on the NFL by fans who think the sport is legitimate. So I say, keep it going Sen. Specter.  Meanwhile, check some of the comments made by Walsh to HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" to be broadcast this Friday.