Ok guys, I'm sorry for this, but I have to bring it up.

In the wake of A-Rod's admission of steroid use and one of the bright-shining bastions of hope in the old ways of baseball - hark work, skill, baseball intelligence - dies a slow, painful death, how do we go forward?

For me, this was sort of the last straw. It killed me. I don't know why, I just don't. I think the worst part of it is the punditry:

1. Bud Selig comes on and says that A-Rod has tarnished the game... Really? You didn't tarnish it when you used inferior techniques because you didn't want a slow down in the baseball economy? You didn't tarnish it when you ignored this on your doorstep? So we're supposed to absolve the 2nd most culpable person (outside of those taking the supplements).

2. TV pundits say that A-Rod is a farce, a sham, whatever. Peter Gammons (who I like) grills A-Rod and then makes him into a sham, but you're telling me that Gammons had no clue, at all? We didn't say anything about this ruining the game when they had knowledge. They didn't know in 2000? 2001? 2002? Am I the only one outraged here?

3. Finally, I really don't think anyone is above reproach now. Did Greg Maddux juice? Peter Moylan? Pete Orr? I understand we get upset when people "insult" our idols, but is it that far-fetched to believe that Chipper took something? I don't think so.

Sorry for this rant and beating this dead horse.

Dear Santa:

Please give me any team winning the Series other than the Yanks... Oh, and the Mets... And possibly the Phillies, but especially not the Yankees.

The Yanks now look like this:

Teixeira: 8 yrs, $180 mil

AJ Burnett: 5 years, $90 mil

CC Sabathia: * yrs, $160 mil

Got save us all.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3790141

I HATE THE YANKS! I HATE THE YANKS! I HATE THE YANKS!

First off, let me state this unequivocally, I am, in no way, attempting to divert any traffic or draw direct attention away from this blog. Gondee does an INCREDIBLE job posting news and tidbits and this is probably my favorite blog on the net.

However, I just wanted to make you guys aware of another blog, http://www.thebravesblog.com/

This was started by a friend of mine and I will be posting there as well. If you guys have a few moments, please take one of them and stop by and post a comment or two. We're trying to get it off the ground and gain somewhat of a following right now.

Thanks, and again, I'm not wanting to take away from this site.

The AJC published an article with the first public statements (at least that I've seen) from Jordan Schafer. Nothing particularly interesting, Schafer does NOT admit to using HGH, but he does apologize for his actions. It's hard to believe he'll be reinstated on May 31st.

Since the suspension, he's been playing extended Spring Training with the scrubs and rehabbing kids, hopefully he can return to form ASAP.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/04/29/schafer_0430.html

Hey guys, just a quick update for those of you who haven't checked the league or didn't get the email I sent. Here's the lowdown:

We've added more pitching positions and 1 utility batter.

Also, the time of the draft has been changed from this Saturday afternoon, to MOnday night at 8:30. Please let us know when is best for everyone, I want a consensus, or at least as close as we can get to one.

Thanks

Is anyone interested in joining a Talking Chop Fantasy Baseball league on Yahoo? I would set it up and be the GM, we could get a good draft time for everyone and decide on a good set of rules.

Just let me know. If we can get 8-10 people who really want to play, I'm down.

I don't know if there's ever been a Talking Chop league, I'm sure there has been, or is one, so if I'm stepping on toes, my bad.

Well everyone, it's officially baseball season, Chipper Jones has suffered his first recurring injury of the new year. In what promises to be a headline that we'll see all year long, Chipper Jones was injured in batting practice this morning.

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2008/03/02/_here_it_is_a.html

Barry Bonds has been formally indicted by a Northern California grand jury. According to published reports the indictment included 4 counts of perjury and 1 count of Obstruction of Justice, stemming from Bonds telling a federal grand jury that he did not knowingly use performance-enhancing drugs.

According to ESPN, he could face 5 years in prison/3 years supervised probation for EACH count of perjury, AND 10 years in prison/3 years supervised probation for the obstruction charge, if convicted.

What do you think?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3112487

It seems as though the next few years are going to be extremely interesting. Smoltzy is getting old and it may be soon that he retires. Tex is up for a new contract at the end of this season and the next few years are ripe with free agent talent, such as Jake Peavy.

So then, do you pay the piper for Santana? He's the best pitcher in the majors and has at least 3 legit out pitches, if not more. Now, the Twins are probably going to trade him sometime soon.

If you're the Braves, do you pony up the goods? At least 3 MLB-ready prospects for the chance to re-sign Santana after that.

Eric Karabell, of the Evil Empire, er ESPN, has an interesting thought on A-Rod: The Renteria trade has opened up a huge whole in the left side that can be filled by the one, the only, Alex Rodriguez.

I know how big of a contract he will require, but Atlanta might be a good spot for him. Semi-apathetic fans, not a ton of media scrutiny and a great spot in the lineup for him.

Don't care what you think, but it has been suggested. You can find it in the "Blogs" section at ESPN.com