The National League All-Star team was announced and Andrew McCutchen was not voted in.  That was to be expected, but he also wasn't chosen as a reserve.  The Brewers, Cards, Reds, and Bucs are grouped together in the NL Central.  The Cards, Brewers, and Reds all had three players selected.  The Pirates had one.  Matt Holiday and Jay Bruce made the team as alternates.  Cutch has had a better season than Holliday and arguably better than Bruce.  Why not two of our guys.  No respect.  The only alternative at this point is to vote for Andrew as the fan selection.  WHAT???  Another three outfielders and still no Andrew McCutchen?  Are there really eleven outfielders better.  What a CROCK!

     On the day of the trade my heart sank.  We gave up way too much.  The deal smelled of Dolan and Isiah.  Dolan, the money grubbing owner, and Isiah, the franchise assassin.   Together they had brought the Knicks to the point of irrelevancy, placing the ever-loyal and devout fandom in a frenzy of exasperation.  When, finally, Isiah was exiled, there was once again hope.  The hiring of Walsh was an occasion for celebration, a breath of anticipation that the bottom had been reached and our beloved team would soon improve.  And it did.  Walsh made changes.  He took apart the team and reassembled it.  Although he could not sign Lebron, he did get A'mare, added Felton, and we, the fans, took to the youngsters and had faith in the future.  Dino, Wil, Mozzy, and AR - the future.  We had high hopes for them all and then they were gone.  We were led to believe Walsh was pushed into the deal and that Isiah's fingerprints were all over it. I was ANGRY.  I posted DOLAN MUST GO repeatedly.  My anger faded - I got over it.  I was a Knick fan.

     Today Ed Walsh resigned.  He wanted total control over the team and Dolan would not allow that, presumably would not allow Isiah to be cut out.  I'm in shock, way beyond angry.  I can no longer call the Knicks my team.  Dolan has taken them from me and as long as he remains I will not come back.  I am sixty-four years old and have rooted for the Knicks for over fifty years.  This is hard.  Maybe I'll go with the kids and pull for the Nuggets; maybe I'll just enjoy the beauty of the game and decide each game on a whim.  This is hard.

     Knick fans -  I hope you get what you want.  You are the most knowledgeable and loyal group in the league - you deserve the best.  But the owner and the specter of Isiah make it impossible for me to continue.  This is so so hard.  Good bye Knicks - I loved you.

The Melo obsession is at fever pitch.  Over at ESPN a Denver fan proposed a three way trade with the Sixers that netted us Carmelo.  In return we gave up Curry, Gallo, Wil, and our still non-existent first round pick.  To paraphrase Seth I wanted to "chew glass and projectile vomit".  What would net us that pick?  Landry?  I'm sure none of us want to gut the team to get Melo, but I wonder just what the Melo maniacs out there are willing to give up.  And how do they propose to fill out the roster after the trade?  What's our new starting line-up?  So fire away Melo for _________.

Has anybody noticed what Ronny Paulino is doing at Indy?  In three games he's gone 9 for 13 with 4 doubles and 2 homers.  His OPS is over 2!  Only three games, but maybe the demotion has had some effect.  Maybe he's decided to put some effort into his game and when, and if he returns, he may be more like the player he was several years ago.  I gather the Buc pitchers like throwing to Chavez, but it would be nice to have two catchers who hit well.

I've got nothing informative to post right now; hopefully will in the future.  I just want to say thanks to Charlie. This is the best Pirate site I've found (is there a better one, lol) and Charlie's comments and work on mainting the site are top notch. I especially enjoyed your post on the status of the relief staff and thought your Rule 5 piece was as informstive as any blog I've recently read. Keep up the good work,  Let's Go Bucs!