The Bridgeport International

Not sure what to think about this one; though I'm sure someone could offer some insight to this B! News contributor...

Avoiding A Fatal Trap

When crooning with the Asians it's best to avoid this classic Sinatra ballad

White Sox Pitcher Freddy Garcia Drunk at Sox Fest 2010 Bashing the Cubs

Keep your boozing off camera edition.

El Caballo??

With football in the rear view mirror we figured a little baseball discussion may ward off the winter blues:

Discussion: Carlos Lee
By Mark Polishuk [January 30, 2010 at 8:33pm CST]
Since their team won the NL pennant in 2005, Astros fans have had reason to feel frustrated. A roster that has included the likes of Lance Berkman, Wandy Rodriguez, Roy Oswalt and future Hall-of-Famer Craig Biggio has averaged just under 79 wins per year since that World Series appearance.

This unimpressive stretch of play has led some fans to argue that club should give up on its hopes of contending over the next few seasons and focus on re-stocking its minor-league system. However, as MLBTR's Tim Dierkes pointed out in his Offseason Outlook piece last October, this is a team that "could contend with the right free agent additions." In the wide-open NL Central, the Astros seem to be perpetually just a player away from a playoff berth. Even in 2006, when the club finished 82-80, they still finished just 1.5 games behind the eventual World Series-champion Cardinals.

This winter has provided the same mixed message from Houston, following its 74-88 record in 2009. Owner Drayton McLane spoke about the importance of developing young talent in an interview with The Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice last June, but the Astros' offseason moves (trading for reliever Matt Lindstrom and signing free agents Brett Myers, Brandon Lyon and Pedro Feliz) make it seem like Houston is once again reloading rather than rebuilding.

If the Astros ever did commit to a rebuild, however, the most obvious candidates for a deal would be their three biggest contracts: Berkman, Oswalt and Carlos Lee. Houston has $2MM buyouts on Berkman's contract in 2011 and Oswalt's contract in 2012, but most people agree that these two iconic Astros seem destined to retire with the franchise.

That leaves Lee, who is owed $18.5MM per season through 2012. The outfielder has performed well in his three years in Houston (.305/.354/.524) but may be showing signs of a decline. His 26 homers and .831 OPS last season were his lowest totals in each category since 2002 and 2005, respectively. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart says that between Lee's big contract, poor defense (a -4.6 UZR/150 according to Fangraphs), full no-trade clause and a desire to stay in Texas due to his ranch business, Lee is "about as untradeable as they come."

Let's speculate, for a moment, that Lee could be persuaded (probably through a cash bonus) to leave the ranch behind and agree to a deal. Houston would almost surely have to eat at least half of Lee's remaining contract in any trade, but for a big-market AL team that could afford to pick up the other half, Lee would be an intriguing DH option.

Perhaps the best fit is Chicago. Much has been written about Ozzie Guillen's DH-by-committee plan for the upcoming season, and the White Sox seem committed enough to the idea to pass on signing Jim Thome. But if the Sox find themselves in a pennant race and their platoon of designated hitting options (Omar Vizquel? Really?) isn't working out, then they could make a play for an everyday DH. Lee would fit that bill and, since he spent the first six seasons of his career with the White Sox, might be amenable to waive his no-trade clause to return to a familiar location.

This scenario is, admittedly, a longshot. It's much more likely that, no matter if the Astros choose to keep aiming for contention or commit to a proper rebuilding process, Lee will be a constant in the Astros' outfield. You could say that Lee is Houston's answer to Vernon Wells --- an unwieldly contract that is too big to trade and also takes up enough of the payroll to hamstring the team from making other moves.

Superbowl

Who Dat?

Saints 29 Colts 28 (8-2 SU this postseason)


Other helpful sources
Accuscore Colts 28.8 Saints 26.8
Indiana University Simulator Saints 30.7 Colts 27.9

GoodLuck

Tis the Season

B! News Social

From the Tribune, Feb 2005 - right about the time Scott LC was waving knives at hookers.

Enjoy the Sod making and curing these next few weeks -- East Coast Farnese will be teaching Mid Atlantic folks how to deal with snow.... Snowmaggedon!

Bridgeport: The Community of the Future

B Gone Fishin

Watch Fishing with John - Tom Waits in Entertainment  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

A View from the SodFather Pt1

Where to take your sweetie

 

Lot's of local options including The sit down, franco's, gem bar, and Bionda. But, don't forget about Chinese New Year coming up on the 14th. Happy year of the TIGER.

Down On The Farm Is No Lie

It looks like the success in putting our guys in the Mayor's, Governor's and President's office has left the farm system barren.

More pressure to get it done this year boys!

Around the Hood

Who knew the neighborhood was home to a Fox sports soccer reporter.
Perhaps he'll lend an ear to our various opinions on this summer's World Cup.
We wish him the best health.

Speaking of health, it looks like a neighborhood favorite is on the way to a full recovery. God Bless!

Some folks think Bridgeport is the new hip spot in town

Cubs Manage To Lose Even In Offseason

Chicago Tribune
By Fred Mitchell

Andre Dawson will be going into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Montreal Expos, the Tribune has learned.

Dawson, who played the first 11 seasons of his major league career with the Expos, signed a blank contract to play with the Cubs in 1987 and promptly won the National League Most Valuable Player Award after hitting 49 home runs.

After attending the annual B.A.T. banquet in New York Tuesday night, Dawson sent the following text to The Tribune:

"Hall will issue a press release (Wednesday) announcing that I will go in as an Expo."

Dawson was the only player selected for the Hall of Fame in 2010 by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Photo: Andre Dawson takes a cut in 1985. (Rick Stewart/Getty)
Dawson famously signed a blank free-agent contract with the Cubs during spring training of 1987. Cubs general manager Dallas Green filled in the contract with a modest $500,000 figure for the 1977 NL Rookie of the Year.

Dawson later told me: "If I had to do it all over again, I probably would do it the same way. It was just a matter, for me, of going somewhere that I knew I would enjoy the game and be a little more respected from a management standpoint. I couldn't have picked a better place. I always loved daytime baseball and I always enjoyed playing in Wrigley Field."

Dawson had made it clear earlier this month to the Tribune that he preferred going into the Hall of Fame on July 25 in Cooperstown, N.Y., as a Cub.

"I will probably have a preference, but again I will respect their decision," he said then. "I feel that (the decision) is probably going to be based on the history of the game. (The Hall of Fame officials) made it obvious when they sent the letters out to us before the announcement...and I respect that."

Dawson will join catcher Gary Carter as the only members wearing Expos hats on their plaques.

Old Time Comiskey Union Steward Passes

A good friend to many Bridgeporters who spent their early years hawking product at the ballyard.

John A. Segvich


Segvich, John A. U.S. Army Veteran, beloved husband of 63 years of Helen (nee Schurla) Segvich. Cherished son of the late Samuel amd Hermina Segvich. Loving father of John (Carol) Segvich, Michael Segvich C.F.C., Maria (Joseph) Marusarz and Steven (Lisa) Segvich, devoted grandfather of John (Wendy) Segvich, Matthew (Patty) Segvich, Joseph Marusarz, Alexandra Marusarz, Max Segvich and Mia Segvich. Proud great-grandfather of Madeline, Nicholas, Julia, Ethan and Sarah. Dear brother of the late Sam (Maryann) Segvich. Fond brother-in-law of Peter (Sandra) Schurla. Treasured uncle of many nieces and nephews. Funeral Wednesday 8:45 am from Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn to St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church, 2823 S. Princeton Avenue in Chicago for Mass at 10:00 am. Interment St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday from 3 pm until 9 pm. Member of SEIU Local #1. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church or Congregation of Christian Brothers c/o St. Laurence High School, 5556 W. 79th St., Burbank, IL 60459 would be greatly appreciated. 708-425-0500.

Spotted!

Local Bar Drawing Rave Reviews

Bernice's can do no wrong!

Dan Hynes Gets the Nod

Packy and Bocce Bruno spotted at Rally

Roland into The Weekend Part III

"Damn, I was smokin' last weekend. Everyone wants to lay their hands on me, Mr. Senator! 4-0 including a bigtime upset with the Jets. Hell ya. Let's keep it rollin!"

Colts 28 Jets 20
Saints 32 Vikes 18

"When in doubt, bet on Burris"

Egg Store Closes Shop

The Egg Store took a page out of the old Baltimore Colts playbook seemingly dissappearing overnight. With the lack of grocers in the neighborhood what better time to start up a little Bnews cooperative....alla the former Hyde Park Co-op or the snazzy REI

Dining in the Precincts

The neighborhood is enjoying some good dining coverage this week. So here's a few options for places to fill up before this weekends NFL clashes.
Freddies

The Trib takes a look at Han 202

And should you prefer something more relaxing keep your eyes posted for Mr. Miller

Bridgeport Meet and Greet

Dear Friends,
Come meet our friend, Maureen Kelly, who is running as a candidate for Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Maureen's family grew up in the hood, and she's a big sox supporter. Mo worked for Senator Durbin with B Staff a few years ago, and is well prepared for the MWRD. The event is this Saturday afternoon, January 23rd at Schaller’s Pump from 4:30 to 7:00. Please bring along your friends and family. The cost is only $20.

Event Info
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Schaller’s Pump
3714 S. Halsted – Chicago

Capps Dispatched to Washington

Does Bnews ambassador Capps have his eyes set on meeting Ayla Brown, Senator Elect's Brown daughter, to ease through the health care legistlation?

The Week Ahead and Behind

The NFL Playoffs are in full swing and the Bnews is pleased to have the red hot Sen. Roland Burris prognosticating for us. Burris went 4-0 (3-1 ATS) last week, including the impressive pick of the Jets as outright winners. Burris will have his selections posted for us this Friday.

Around town, election season is in full swing and early voting stations are up and running at McKinley Park and at the Chinatown Library...so get out and vote.

Out on the Potomac, the East Coast Farnese are pleased to report that the Whitesox will be in Washington for a three game series with the nasty Nats June 18-20. This is an excellent opportunity to schedule a visit to TK's Bed and Breakfast and Coastguard Mario's Dog Pound.

Alongside these developments longtime Farnese backstop Pudge
had some harsh words for baseball’s cheaters. Wouldn’t be surprised to see The Commander make a run at the baseball commissioner’s job or public office down the line.

And our log cabin builders should check out this bathroom

Guillen Reality Show for MLB TV?

If we get Sweaty Freddy in Rocky's this may be a hit reality show.

Roland Into the Weekend II

"If that fool on the Packers completes that long pass in overtime I'd be 3-1 ATS last weeknend and you folks would want me to stay around here longer. Anyway, I'm Even-Stephan for last week"
"What about the juice, Senator"
"Roland don't pay no juice"

Picks:
Saints 31, Cardinals 21
Colts 28, Ravens 20
Vikings 26, Cowboys 24
Jets 28, Chargers 20

"Take the Caddy by Joe Harris"

Goodbye Mrs Podsednik

Another reason to be lethargic this month: the loss of Mrs January on these pages.