dpapo

As far as Baltimore, I guess it depends on what you're interested in. The Inner Harbor, which includes the National Aquarium is a good tourist spot. Fells Point, which you can take a water taxi to from the Inner Harbor has some shops and restaurants. It's another popular tourist type area. Hampden, which is more in the heart of the City and has fewer tourist, also has some small shops. For people familiar with Milwaukee, it's like a combination of Brady St. and the South Side/Bay View. There are a couple of decent art museums. The Walters Art Museum, which is in the downtown area and the Baltimore Museum of Art, which is north of the downtown area, near John Hopkins University and not too far from Hampden. If you are into History, there is Fort McHenry. Another place you can get to by Water Taxi. I'll also leave a few links of the things I've mentioned in case you're interested. www.baltimore.org/ www.hampdenmerchants.com/ www.fellspoint.us/ www.thewalters.org/ www.artbma.org/ www.harborplace.com/html/ www.nps.gov/fomc/

As far as whether Vick gets suspended prior to the end of the trial, the following quote seems to suggest he won't, "We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts." In regards to the allegations themselves, if true, they are pretty sick. "The indictment alleges that the 27-year-old Vick and his co-defendants began a grisly dogfighting operation in early 2001 in which dogs fought to the death -- or close. Losing dogs were sometimes killed by electrocution, drowning, hanging or gunshots." Also, "About eight young dogs were put to death after they were found not ready to fight in April 2007. They were killed "by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground," according to the indictment." sportsillustrated.cnn.com...ml?cnn=yes Edit: CNN also has a copy of the indictment. It's about 19 pages, but having read parts of it, Vick is alleged to have played an active part as oppose to the claims he made about not knowing anything about it. Whether or not the allegations are true, they aren't that he was a fringe participant, but rather as I wrote, actively involved in things. So, Vick is probably either going to have to go to trail to prove his innocence or make some sort of plea bargain. i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/imag...17/ind.pdf

Things aren't starting off that great today. Jenkins misplays the ball in the outfield and the Cubs have already scored a couple runs in the 1st and are still batting.

Don Walker must be reading Brewerfan.net. He has an article which covers the subject of Yi draft rights. If Yi does have a current signed contract with the Chinese team, which you think he would, then that would probably mean that he is not eligible for next years NBA draft. www.jsonline.com/blog/?id=92

Listening to Yost post game interview with reporters, I believed someone asked him about having 4 Brewers in the All-Star game. Yost said it was nice, etc... And it was nice having a couple veterans and a couple youngsters. So, assuming that the reporters got the word already, along with Yost, I'm going to assume Fielder and Hardy were the youngsters and that Cordero and Sheets were the veterans. Just a guess on my part. Edit: A bit quick on the Fielder starting, I was looking at last week all-star voting. Sorry.

So far, so good. Though it sure will be nice to get a few more runs. Maybe make the Cubs use up their bullpen.

Great start, let's hope Yo pitches a strong game and this doesn't become one of those 12-10 type of games.

Invader3k appears to be right about the entry. Also a dispute about the condition of Benoit's son. sports.espn.go.com/espn/n...id=2919341

Here is what someone wrote on another message board about that "rumor". "According to the ESPN messege boards, CBS Sports Radio is reporting a 3-Way Trade is in the works which would send Yi to the Lakers, Kobe to the Mavericks, and Harris and Josh Howard to the Bucks." As we all know, rumors from ESPN message boards are 99% accurate.

Larry Harris is on WSSP. I caught the interview in progress. Said that he informed someone, I believe it was Yi's agent that if Yi was there at 6, they would take him. I came in right when it was being mentioned, so I'm not clear who he told, but I think it was Yi's agent. Anyway, he went on to say that Yi will be playing with Milwaukee and there will not be a hold out. They will meet up with Yi at Las Vegas next week. Don't know if it was a set up meeting or they will both be there and be able to get together at that time.

I think Yi is getting bad representation from his agent or handlers. Putting up a big stink about where he is willing or not willing to play is one thing that I don't agree with. However, as far as Yi goes, I think what's even worse is that he seems as though his agent is either lying or isn't being honest with him about things. I say this because of the following comments. "It's a surprise to me (to be drafted by the Bucks) because when I was in China, Milwaukee didn't come to watch me play or to work out," Yi said. Now either Yi is just lying or he isn't being told the truth. The Bucks have seen him play and they did want to see him work out but weren't allowed to. Then you had this great comment from Ric Bucher from ESPN last night. "While the Bucks might want to keep him, the truth is . . . Milwaukee does not fit the parameters of where they wanted to go," reporter Ric Bucher said. "And the interesting part here is that Larry Harris is going strictly on what his father has told him about this kid. He did not see Yi play in China this season." Gee, I wonder who told him that. My guess is that Yi agent/handlers were telling him the same thing. And doesn't Ric Bucher look foolish and like a total idiot for stating that on National TV. He looked like a complete tool for Yi's agent. Even seemed to look a bit pissed himself when he said it. Okay, maybe I'm was reading something more into it in hindsight, but he sure looks foolish for not knowing his facts. And Steven A. Smith looked even worse for then picking up on that and shouting about it and along the way showing that he didn't know what he was talking about. At least Jay Bilas showed that he did some preparation and knew his stuff. Don't know how all of this is going to work out, but I hope Yi does come to the Bucks and ends up being a great pick.

Looks like the Bucks won the bluffing game. Although, I do wonder how much of it had to do with Yi and how much how to do with his agent/camp. I'm sure Yi would have liked to have played in a bigger City, but it seems like he just wants to play in the NBA and his camp was making a bigger issue about where. At least I hope that how it ends up turning out. Yi claims he's happy to be a Buck By Emmett Prosser Thursday, Jun 28 2007, 09:35 PM Yi Jianlian claims he will not be another Gary Sheffield or Javon Walker. Though Yi's camp refused to let the Bucks watch Yi workout last week, Yi said in an interview Thursday night that he planned to play for the Bucks this season. "I'm not really familiar with the city, but I'm happy to play with the team and I'm happy to play in the NBA," Yi said. "I don't know much about the team...in China we didn't see a lot of games. I've never been therre, it's kind of a new city for me." What else can Yi say? He has two options. He can play on a front line with Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva next season, or he can go back and play in China. While I'm sure the Guangdong Tigers would love to have him back, I'm guessing that the Bucks will be able to offer a slightly larger signing bonus. He'll be a Buck and he'll like it." --Also on the Prosser blog, an article about Yi from CNNSI. sportsillustrated.cnn.com...ml?cnn=yes blogs.jsonline.com/nbadraft/

From Emmett Prosser on his blog, Thursday, Jun 28 2007, 07:05 PM Hoping to cash in on the recent wave of international stars in the NBA (France's Tony Parker was the MVP of the NBA Finals), the Bucks have selected Yi Jianlian with the No. 6 pick. Despite the fact that Yi's representation did not want him in Milwaukee, general manager Larry Harris has gambled that Yi will play in Milwaukee next season. Steven A. Smith of ESPN is yelling at will about the fact that Harris has never seen Yi play. However, as usual, Smith is full of it. The Bucks' scouting staff has seen Yi play at least 20 times over the past four years including in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 World Championship

I'm not sure just how great of a defender Harris is, when Dallas lost to Golden State, Baron Davis averages 25 points per game on 54% shooting. Anyway, the rumor doesn't appear to be vaild. This is from the Dallas Morning News. "We're just going to draft," president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "Crazy things happen, and there are some contingent things out there. But that likelihood is extremely low." Not that there weren't juicy pieces of speculation floating around the country Wednesday involving the Mavericks. An Eastern Conference insider said he'd heard the Mavericks were entertaining an offer to get the No. 6 pick from Milwaukee for Devin Harris, a deal that might have included other players. While that proposal might make sense because Harris grew up in Milwaukee and the Bucks need a point guard, it wasn't valid. Rather, the Mavericks are taking a cautious approach to the draft. They have brought in more than 25 players over the last 10 days, and virtually all are projected to go late in the first round or in the second round. That doesn't mean the Mavericks won't move up into the top half of the first round. It just doesn't seem likely." www.dallasnews.com/shared...52aff.html

SportsNation Chad Ford: (12:40 PM ET ) I think there's a chance they trade it. Mavs and Sixers have been trying to get in. Mavs offering Devin Harris. Sixers offering 12 and 21. Seems like both deals are worth taking for Milwaukee. If they keep the pick, I'd say Jeff Green If the Bucks were to make either of those deals, I would be disappointed. I don't like either deal. If those are the trade options for the Bucks, they just might as well take the best player available at no. 6. Plus, the more I read, the more likely it seems that Conley may indeed be there at No. 6, depending on any trades occuring. It looks like the Hawks are down to Yi and Horford. Memphis have had 3 players come back for a second workout, Horford, Brewer and Noah. The Celts seem to be done to Yi, Brewer and I forgot the 3rd player, but it wasn't Conley. Could all be smokescreens, but there at least there seems to be a decent chance that Conley could be there at No. 6 for the Bucks.

There seems to be something to the Otsuka rumors. From Adam McCalvy at Brewers.com "Window shopping: Brewers general manager Doug Melvin would not comment on a report Tuesday by MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan that the Brewers are among six teams showing interest in right-handed Rangers reliever Akinori Otsuka. Citing Major League officials, the report said the Brewers, Braves, Indians, Mets, Phillies and Tigers are looking into Otsuka, 35, who suffered a blown save Tuesday night but got the win when the Rangers rallied to beat the Tigers. Otsuka entered Wednesday with a 2.64 ERA and a .205 opponents' batting average in 32 appearances. Melvin typically does not discuss specific players of interest, but did say the Brewers would look to add to their overall depth before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, particularly in the bullpen. "That's what we have focused a little bit on, just because over the course of a year bullpens have a tendency to get overworked in today's game," Melvin said. "Baseball must be at an all-time low for complete games by starters, and because of that you're looking at 15 innings every five days if the starters go six innings. That's where depth comes in." The Brewers have looked particularly at adding left-handed relief, "But I don't see that guy being available," Melvin said." milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...p&c_id=mil

Well Sparky just said he was willing trade Villaneuva, Inman, and Gwynn for 3 months of Buerhle. Tim Allen wants to trade Parra, Inman, Bush and Villy for Buerhle. Its going to be a long month of July. If the Brewers were to offer the White Sox, Parra, Inman, Bush and Villy for Buerhle, the White Sox would take that deal right now and not even think about it. Getting 4/5 of a future starting pitching staff for a 2 month rental? I also don't see the Brewers trading away Villaneuva as he has become too vital to the bullpen and while the Brewers would be upgrading the starting staff, they would also be creating another hole in the bullpen. And the bullpen is probably the weakest part of the team right now.

A few more details, Pro wrestler, family found dead in Fayetteville home By Saeed Ahmed, Kathy Jefcoats The Atlanta-Journal Constitution Published on: 06/25/07 A professional wrestler and his family were found dead inside their house in Fayette County Monday afternoon. Authorities confirmed that Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy and their 7-year-old son were found dead at the home on Quarters and Redwine roads in Fayetteville about 4 p.m. Officials would not say how the family died, other than to say they weren't shot to death. Benoit, 30, was a Canadian wrestler who most recently fought as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment. The organization said on its Web site said that Monday night's broadcast of "Raw" on the USA Network will "serve as a tribute to Chris Benoit and his family." www.ajc.com/news/content/...enoit.html

The sign and trade with Atlanta was actually put forth by Sam Smith and is just something he thinks makes sense. "Here's another deal that makes sense and should happen, though it's difficult to work any trades with Atlanta because of a muddled ownership situation. And I'm also told no such talks have taken place, but they should: The Bucks should re-sign Mo Williams and trade him and No. 6 for the Hawks' No. 3 and No. 11."

No details yet, but here is what Pro Wrestling Observer is reporting. "The WWE just told its talent and released on its web site that Chris Benoit was found dead by Atlanta police. Benoit, wife Nancy aka Woman and son Daniel were all found dead. We have no other details at this moment. It is believed that Chris Benoit's two other children were in Canada. All plans for Raw tonight have been scrapped and they will do a show on the life of Benoit."

A little more information from JSOnline. I guess I should have known that he signed today since I will be at working till 8 (7 Central time) and will probably miss the interview they have with him on the Brewers pre-game show. Assuming they have an interview with him, which I would expect. Should we mentioned his signing on the Major league section since more people check that out. The Brewers today announced the signing of first-round draft pick Matt LaPorta, a first baseman at the University of Florida who will be shifted to left field. LaPorta was expected to work out with the Brewers this afternoon before their game against Houston. No terms were announced but LaPorta was believed to have signed at or near the $2.07 million recommendation by Major League Baseball for his slot in the draft. The Brewers took LaPorta, 22, with the seventh pick of the first round of the June draft. They coveted his power enough to forget about his position in college and plan a move to the outfield. LaPorta, who returned to Florida for his senior season after an injury caused him to slip to the 14th round last year, batted .402 with 20 home runs, 52 runs batted in and 55 walks for the Gators in 2007. He is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award given to the nation's top amateur player, which will be announced Friday. LaPorta, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound right-handed hitter, struck out only 16 times in 169 at-bats. He had a .579 on-base percentage, tops in the nation, and .817 slugging percentage. He led the nation with 26 home runs as a sophomore in 2005 before an oblique injury curtailed his production last year. www.jsonline.com/watch/?w...7&id=25522

Yost managed that bottom of the 8th about as well as the Royals been running the bases. Why no Fielder or Jenkins. There's just no excuse. Terrible job of managing there.

Yeah, it sure would be nice if the Brewers can get a run for Gallardo, especially against a pitcher with a 6+ ERA.

I forgot to mention that this seems to be the year of the surprise, who?, 1st round pick for the pro teams in Wisconsin. Green Bay with Harrell and the Brewers with LaPorta. So, expect the Bucks to take someone no one is really talking about. Say, someone like Al Thornton. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Assuming Oden, Durrant and Hortford are gone, I would like to see the Bucks take B. Wright as he has the best potential upside of the rest of the players available. But, I wouldn't be disappointed if they took Conley. Brewer and Yi Jianlian would be okay. Green would be an eh... pick for me. My biggest worry is with Harris only having one year left on his contract, he either drafts a player that is most ready to help this year/season over a more talented player that may not be as ready this upcoming season.. Or he trades the pick for the same reason.