Well, I’ve recently joined the ranks of the bloggers over at mlblogs.com. So, rather than post the same thing here as I am there, I’ve decided to just point you over to my mlb trade rumors blog called The Rumor Mill. I’ll probably start posting again closer to Spring Training when the Hot Stove starts to cool down. Thanks, and see ya in the Spring!

I can’t believe I missed the anniversary (Oct 25th) of the Buckner game (also known as game 6 of the 1986 World Series). I have no excuse. To make up for it, here is an amazing clip of the whole thing… played on the classic game RBI Baseball! I’m certain it took a TON of time to make this but, personally, I love it.

Compare that to the original and all in all, a great job. And any Sox fans that might be reading this… here’s a link to keep you happy…

Ladies and Gentlemen… you’re 2006 World Series Champions…. the St. Louis Cardinals!

No, really…

Barry Bonds, it appears, will no longer be a San Francisco Giant. Espn is reporting that the embattled slugger will file for free agency as soon as allowed (after the World Series is over) and no negotiations have happened between Bonds and the Giants. This would appear to mark the end of Bonds 14 year tenure in the city by the bay.

Now, normally I’m sure there would be at least a few teams willing to take a flyer on a 42 year old slugger, however, this is no ordinary slugger. Bonds is booed in every city the Giants play other than San Fran. Over half of fans in a recent poll said that they hoped Bonds would NOT break Hank Aaron’s all time home run record. Basically, he’s not exactly going to be embraced by the fans of any team that signs him. Add into that mix, the fact that Barry has often said he wanted to end his career with the Giants and this seems like a poor decision to me.

The Giants’ vice president told reporters “Every signing is going to be an undertaking. Whatever we do with Barry, it’s got to be a mutual fit. We’ve got to want him and he’s got to want us.” And as I said, I think Barry would be foolish not to want the Giants. Even if he had to play for a significant discount or even the league minimum for vertans, Barry would be wise to re-sign in the only city with fans who would accept him. This will be an interesting story to watch unfold.

I’ll leave you with a couple of cartoons from toonrefugee.com (used by permission):

Hey, what do you know… the post season isnt even over and already the Yankees are making noise. Apparently the Evil Empire picked up the one year, $13 million option they had on Gary Sheffield. So what’s the big news? Sheffield is throwing a fit. Ok, ok, that is nothing new but his reasoning is. He simply doesn’t want to have only a one year contract. Sheffield is quoted as follows:

“This will not work, this will not work at all. I don’t want to play first base a year for them. I will not do that. I don’t know what they’re [Yankees] going to do. Maybe they picked it up just to trade me. If they do that, if I just [go] to a team for one year, there’s going to be a problem.” (from  Espn.com).

Now, keep in mind that Sheffield negotiated this contract HIMSELF. If you remember, we were treated to a back and forth “he’s signed, he isnt” media circus before he eventually signed the contract that he is now angry about having to fulfill.

First of all, let me just say, I’ve about had it with pre-madona sports players signing contracts and then acting like they are meaningless. Whether its TO, Deion Branch, or now Sheffield, if you sign the deal, play it out! In a day and age when players like John Smoltz (among others) restructure their contracts in order to allow their team more flexibility in the free agent markets, these players’ selfish actions should NOT be tollerated. The whole point of a team option is to give the TEAM the choice as to whether to keep the player or not. So Gary, if the Yankees want you to play first base for them for a year, then do it!

There was a time in baseball that the owners held all the power. Before free agency, teams basically owned players and players basically had to accept whatever the owner wanted to pay them. That might be oversimplifying it a bit but you get the point. Free agency swung the pedulum the complete opposite direction and in my opinion, its time for the owners to take some of that power back. I’m sick of seeing players demand trades and holding out. If the NFL owners had been gutsy enough to do it, they could have simply blackballed TO when he pulled that stunt in Philli. You don’t want to play for the team you signed with? Then you’re not playing at all. If you want to get paid, do the job you were hired to do. That one simple move would have put an end to all the pissing and moaning these rich drama queens are so fond of. Lets just hope George Steinbrenner and the rest of the baseball owners realize its time to “Cowboy Up”.

For the first time in 10 years, a World Series game was postponed due to rain. MLB officials kept fans and players alike, waiting anxiously for hours before calling off game 4. The night was not, however, a complete wash for baseball fans wanting some entertainment. It turns out, both managers teamed up to provide sports fans some long awaited entertainment.

Detroit Tiger’s manager Jimmy “the chimney” Leyland apparently spent the night shortening his life span and tightening his already leathery complexion. “I smoked about a carton, probably the worst day of the year for my lungs,” he said. First of all, notice he didn’t say of his LIFE? That means at some point the old man smoked more than he did tonight, during a three hour rain delay with his heavily favored team down 2 games to 1 in the World Series? Wow. And, since the forecast for the next two days calls for more rain, throwing the entire World Series schedule out of whack, would someone please make Jimmy switch to lights for a while? I’m just sayin is all…

Not to be out done, St. Louis Cardinals’ manager, Tony LaRusa, reportedly spent the evening with actor Billy Bob Thornton. Yes, THAT Billy Bob Thornton. I understand that Thornton was in the remake of The Bad News Bears last year but come on, Tony. You don’t need to look further than Monster’s Ball and Slingblade to realize this cat hasn’t always made the best choices in life. With their team poised to capture their first World Series title in over twenty years, is this really who Cardinal fans (myself included) want to see their manager hanging out with? I think Tony should take up smoking…

eMeLBe.com is a celebration of America’s Pastime. We’ll have news, notes, reactions, and rumblings from around the league. We’ll have game updates, analysis, trade rumors and arm chair managing. Whether its the posteason (now) or the offseason (coming up), we’ll be here, so check in early and often for all your Major League Baseball information!