Ex-commissioner Fay Vincent thinks Bonds should be investigated and he called his successor (Selig) to pass along the suggestion. At this point, I think Selig has to do SOMETHING on this issue or he risks losing any credibility he has left. In my mind, Vincent’s tenure was defined by the way he dealt with Pete Rose. In much the same way, I believe Selig’s will be remembered by what he does on the steroid issue. I think Selig and the rest of baseball took a pretty big hit with the congressional hearing. I mean they had to be threatened with legal action before they did anything about the issue. Anyway, I am getting a bit off track. Back to Bonds…

I have read a few different articles about Bonds and people saying that he merely exploited loopholes in the system. Um, sorry, but isnt doing illegal drugs against MLB’s rules? Sure, Bonds says he never “knowingly” did roids… yeah, and I never knowingly sped but I still have the tickets that say its against the law. Ignorance is NOT an excuse and he should be treated as any other criminal who happens to play a sport. Now, I don’t think Selig has the guts to go into the record books as I feel needs to happen, but I HOPE he has the guts to stop a cheater and a criminal from breaking one of the greatest records in the game. Now, if they throw “track and field” type testing at Bonds and he turns up clean (somehow) and he faces whatever kind of discipline needed for the criminal stuff, then let him play. Personally I would like to see players who get caught doping banned for a year and a second time they are out of baseball. That would make sure everyone, including Bonds, knew exactly what was going into their bodies. Anyway, I am sure this issue isn’t finished but I think thats all I’ve got on it for now.

EDIT: I just read an article on Bonds that I think is a MUST READ on the subject. Here’s the link: Skip Bayless’ Bonds Article.

Team USA needed a win against the underdog South African team to move into the next round of the World Baseball Classic… boy did they get one. Roger Clemens tossed a one hitter, Ken Griffey Jr. homered twice and drove in seven runs. First baseman Derrek Lee also helped the cause with a home run and four runs batted in. The game got so out of hand (the final score was 17-0) that the mercy rule was invoked, ending the game after only 5 innings. It looks to me like Junior’s comeback year last year was no fluke. I hope he can stay healthy enough to show fans his silky smooth home run swing 30 or 40 times this year. With so much being made about Bonds (I’m going to post on this in a little while) and all the uproar about steroids, its nice to see players like Griffey hammer the ball. Power hitters like Lee, Griffey, Pujols, and A-Rod are exactly what baseball needs right now. When Griffey hits one out, the first thought through my head isnt “I wonder if he’s on the juice.” To me, thats baseball like it oughta be.

The Cardinals signed So Taguchi to a on year deal today. If you had asked me last year during Spring Training, I wouldn’t have liked this at all. In fact, I called Taguchi “So I bat my number Taguchi.” Of course, that was before So filled in for Larry Walker last year and did a great job of it. I hope the “Gooch” gets a starting job this year. If he doesnt work out, we can always make a trade for another outfielder during the year. Between So and John Rodriguez I figure one of them, if not both, has to pan out. I have to be honest; I’m not really excited about Encarnacion. I think we needed a bigger bat than he offers. No Taguchi wont hit 30 homeruns, but he brings a certain style of play to the team that I think is good for us. Basically, I really like this move by the Cards.

Manager Tony La Russa said yesterday that the starting second baseman has not yet been determined. While Junior Spivey (right) is widely considered to be the front-runner, the Cards also have Aaron Miles and Hector Luna fighting for the position. La Russa and the rest of the Cardinal staff seem to have some sort of unexplainable affection for Luna. They keep saying that if he gets the chance, he could be something special. Well I’ve watched him play too and there is a reason he isn’t getting and extra chances. I guess we’ll wait and see on this one but I would be MUCH more comfortable with Spivey or Miles at second.

In other news, it looks like Scotty Ballgame is back in action and feeling fine. Rolen went 0 for 2 at the plate but swung the bat well. The gold glover also dove for a ball in the field without incident. If the Cards are going to contend for a title this year, Scotty is going to have to stay healthy and be productive. With the retirement of Larry Walker and the loss of Reggie Sanders, the Cards are going to need someone to help Pujols drive in those runs. I am still holding out hope that one of these new outfielders turns out to be lightning in a bottle and can take some of the pressure of Scotty and Edmonds but I wouldnt count on it right now. Also, I still wouldnt rule out a trade for an outfielder later in the season but we have to be in position to contend if or when that trade happens. A lot of that is going to ride on the shoulders (and knees) of Scott Rolen.

According to reports, the Cubs look to be getting closer to signing Derek Lee to an extension. This would pretty much be the smartest thing the Cubs could do since Lee is outstanding. He is perhaps the only Cub player that I dont hate, just out of principle. I mean, its tough to dislike someone who quietly goes about his business of very nearly winning the triple crown.

The Cubs also appear to be leaning towards keeping second baseman Todd Walker. Unable to find enough interest in the former batting champion, Walker has played impressively this spring. In my opinion they should keep him around. He’s not a Soriano or a Roberts but he’ll give the Cubs what they need from the second baseman.

I hate to say it, but it looks like the Cubs are making some smart moves this spring.

So, I just noticed while putting the finishing touches on the Schedule page that the Cardinals and Cubs last meeting is in August. One of the greatest rivalries in the game, and we dont even play each other in September? That just seems idiotic on the MLB’s part. Chicago plays the Reds 7 times in the last 15 games and the Cards play the Brewers 7 times in their last 14. Wouldnt it make a bit more sense to save a series to close out the season with? I mean, the rivalry aside, MLB would idealy have the division on the line in the last few games of the season and as much as I hate to say it, I think the Cards will be battling the Cubs and/or the Astros for the division this year. I guess it could work out well if the Brewers surprise people but still, I’d like to see the Cubs in the last few games of the year and I doubt I’m alone. (In case you were wondering, the BoSox and the Yanks dont play each other in the last 12 games either. Who made this schedule?)

Ok, this is it. This is the official launch date of FanForHire.com! March 9th, 2006 at roughly 12:45 a.m. CST. Believe it or not, we’ve already gotten a couple of donations so I’d say its going well. This is gonna be a short blog post but there will be plenty more in the days and weeks to come. For now, just tell your friends about FanForHire.com