Heard a suggestion for a nickname for Carlos this AM that I kinda liked. The Big Zamboni. It fits because he has ice water for blood, but would a Hispanic be upset with an Italian nickname? What Big Z did last night was the definition of "Ace." If only Kerry Wood could keep his composure like Z and Prior do. I always see Kerry sitting next to Prior in the dugout. I wonder who talks and who listens?

The more I see of Kenny Lofton the more I wish that somehow his brain could be transplanted into Corey Patterson. Lofton is the consumate professional baseball player. Patterson is your consumate bonus baby. Lofton wins you games. Patterson finds ways to cost you games. Lofton makes contact. Patterson strikes out. Lofton does things right on the basepath. Patterson gets tagged out oversliding second on a steal attempt. Sign Lofton to a 1 year extension. Or see if the babe with the boots from Star Trek can still do surgery.

So what's up with Cruz? Lot's of speculation at C&AC. Gotta hope that they are keeping him around for the 3rd inning today -- the point where Estes is removed. I hate rooting against Estes. My first house was on Estes just down the street from Jack's Restaurant in Skokie on Touhy. Great pancakes!

Chuck