The Columbus Crew

For over 200 million dollars, I think it's fair to expect more than a bunch of minor leaguers in your lineup. For over 200 million dollars, I think its fair to expect pressure on everyone, even the biggest of superstars.

Sure, the heat is on Randy Johnson and Alex Rodriguez. The Big Joke has performed as un-Unit like as is possible, reverting back to a form only the Montreal Expos have seen of the foul mouthed lefty. His fastball has no explosion, its lost about 5 mph. His slider doesn't bite, thus making it a sad excuse for a breaking pitch or just a fat fastball. And, now, he can't intimidate anyone anylonger. Here's case in point. Mark Kotsay, a weak hitting, albeit decent hitter overall, Centerfielder that bats from the left side of the plate. Kotsay, again, not known for his power, drilled a homerun off of RJ that is still traversing the hills of NY, I believe its made its way to White Plains.

A-Rod, he'll come around, we can leave him alone for right now.

The problem here is that there have been so many injuries that the team is practically decimated. Sheffield...Runs into the brick wall that is Shea Hillenbrand and now wont come back until he is ready for himself. Matsui...Dives trying to make a nice catch, instead catches a bad break, Literally. Then, it just gets ridiculous from here. As you know, Pavano and Dotel started the season injured, so we can count them out. After Chacon's 1.1 and 7 ER escapade a few days ago, he now has a bruise titled, and I kid you not, a hemotoma in his leg. Otherwise known as a bruise because he was getting the shit kicked out of him too hard. Then, Pavano, after his rehab is finally going well, pulls himself out of a Double A start in Trenton because of arm stiffness. Bubba Crosby pulls a hamstring running to first on a single. Tanyon Sturtze has a rotator cuff injury and is getting what should be season ending surgery. It's all good in the neighborhood.

Well, if that neighborhood is Columbus, Ohio, than yes. Well, actually no. While its nice that their players are now in the bigs, they now have no one to play.

You want Melky Cabrera in there. Fine. Kid hit over 380 in the minors. I'll give you him. But, you start putting guys like Kevin Reese, a man who hit under 260 in the minor leagues, mind you, and I have a problem with that. I have a problem with Scott Erikson. Maybe if this was 1997, I'd be ok with it. But, sadly, its not and a winning ballclub can't put him out there. Ever. The man has no stuff, no velocity, no break, and no control. 3.2 innings this year, only 2 hits, but 6 walks. He's has NOTHING! Get him out of my sight, he's a disgrace to the uniform and to the league. He was good for three or four separate years about 10 years ago. Happy trails.

On a day like today, you simply can't have 4 outs in the lineup (Bernie, Melky, Bubba/Reese, Stinnett). OK, so you say its just one day, Posada will come back tomorrow then. But what about when Giambi or Damon needs a rest. Then Williams stays out there, and maybe, just maybe we're lucky enough to get a Andy Phillips or Miguel Cairo sighting.

And no, that's not Superman on the horizon. It's superprospect Kevin Thompson. This OF from Columbus is waiting, matter-of-fact, he's chomping at the bit, to wiggle a spot into Torre's everyday lineup so that he and his mates from Columbus can inch closer to their diabolic plan to overtake the New York Club. Kudos to you and the rest of the Crew from Columbus.