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JIM DONALDSON: Goodbye, and good riddance

What were the Brewers thinking?

Sure, they had lost their closer, Francisco Cordero, to the Reds in free agency, but Eric Gagne? For a guaranteed $10 million?

Obviously, Milwaukee is hoping its gets the Gagne who pitched for the Rangers (2.16 ERA, 16 saves in 17 opportunities, a 2-0 record, and a .192 batting average against) and not the Gagne who pitched for the Red Sox (6.75 ERA, three blown saves in as many opportunities, a 2-2 record, and a .325 batting average against.)

Fortuitously, the Sox will get a supplemental choice in the 2008 draft, between the first and second rounds, because they offered Gagne arbitration, which he declined, thus entitling Boston to a compensatory pick.

Unfortunately, to obtain Gagne, Boston gave up young lefty starter Kason Gabbard, who was 4-0 for the Sox when he was traded to Texas, along with minor league outfield prospect David Murphy, a former No. 1 draft choice of Boston, who hit .340 in 43 games for the Rangers.

The deal, which seemed like a good one when it was made shortly before the trading deadline, turned out to be a disaster for the Sox.

Brewers fans (poor souls) should be reminded that they can't spell Gagne without G-A-G!

Posted by Jim Donaldson  at 1:53 PM | Permalink

Hear Gerry Goldstein singing his paean to Papelbon

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

Thy fastball does amaze us.

Audio: Hear Gerry Goldstein singing his paean to Papelbon

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

To new heights does it raise us.

When it’s hard and letter-high

It hums in tight and buzzes by.

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

Thy fastball does amaze us.

But Papelbon, O Papelbon,

How sorry is thy dancing.

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

Improve that awful prancing!

On the mound thou comes up big,

But spare us, please, that Irish jig.

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

How sorry is thy dancing.

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

We love thy boyish smile.

But Papelbon, O Papelbon,

Thou needs to change thy style.

Please kindly lose that fat cigar,

And put away thy air guitar.

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

We love thy boyish smile.

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

Thy pitches do sustain us.

But Papelbon, O Papelbon,

Thy wardrobe it does drain us!

With other teams all wilted now,

We’re forced to see thee kilted now.

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

Thy pitches do sustain us.

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

Despite this carping carol,

O Papelbon, O Papelbon,

No matter thy apparel!

For all that we could care,

Pitch in thy underwear!

O Papelbon O Papelbon,

Thy fastball does amaze us!

—Gerry Goldstein

* To the tune of O Tannebaum

Posted by Pam Cotter  at 11:35 AM | Permalink