Take it for what it's worth, as the actual report seems to have been pulled from the site, but msnbc.com is reporting that the final All-Star tally was posted by them on-line. Amongst the surprises were Kosuke maintaining his lead over Ryan Braun,  Ichiro taking the last outfield spot in the AL, and Hanley Ramirez  over Tejada at NL shortstop. Something to chat about before the selection show.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25546896/

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3370410

It seems Pittsburgh woke up today, and realized a year late what everyone else already knew; trading for Morris was a dumb idea. Hopefully -- with Littlefield already gone -- this will put Pittsburgh back on the road to being competitive.

Of course, I'm curious to know where people think he'll end up this season. Any chance of him being reunited with Dave Duncan in St. Louis?

 Proving without a doubt that we've all gone steroid crazy, msnbc.com is reporting a number of performing artists involved in the latest steroid scandal. I kid you not.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22649666/

My favorite line:

  "Her spokeswoman denounced the report. "Mary J. Blige has never taken any performance enhancing illegal steroids, or any anti-aging steroids," spokeswoman Karynne Tencer said."

 while breathlessly waiting for some real Free Agent news, I happened across something of a stink brewing in Baltimore, stemming from an Aubrey Huff appearance on the radio. Normally, I'd just pass it over, but after reading the transcripts (and rolling on the floor laughing a few times), I thought I'd pass this one on. Be warned; the transcripts are not for the kids.

http://www.wnst.net/Home/tabid/36/BlogID/3/Default.aspx

 Follow the blog links, and enjoy.

 I stumbled across an interesting write-up from RotoWorld this morning, and thought I'd pass it along:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/column.aspx?sport=MLB&columnid=2&articleid=29153

  I forward this purely for review, without judgment...okay, maybe just one. If I'm trading high-end prospects, why in god's name would it be for Tejada? Okay, I'm done. Any thoughts about this?

  Fortune Magazine is doing a Q&A session with Sam Zell in next month's issue. They are taking requests for questions to ask. While I expect many to be from the business community, it might be a very good opportunity to get some insight into what would be done with the Cubs as well. I'd love to see the BCB community send a set of questions in, but at the very least you might take a look at this issue when it comes out.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/questionsfor/index.html

   I had a chance to settle in for a bit and peek through a few papers this morning, and stumbled onto an article of particular interest.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/272130,CST-SPT-cubnt25.article

  Note, that some side comments appeared in the print version, and were not found online.
  So many comments. So many questions. Not the least of which is .....Who the hell is Gordon Wittenmyer?

    For someone I've never heard of, he dropped quite a few bombs. Among them, that the organization has not been counting on Wade Miller to perform this year, and that the feeling is that his fastball is not coming back. Ever. Furthermore, in identifying his expected 25 man roster, Miller was off it altogether. News to me, and I'm left to wonder that if the Cubs truly felt that way, why did they re-sign him to a 1 year deal?

  It seems Mark Prior is back to throwing on flat ground. As a precautionary measure, of course. Now, I really think he'll be fine for most of the season, but until I see 5 consecutive starts from Mark, my blood pressure is going to continue to be artificially propped up.

  And the dozey of them all? The projected Opening Day lineup for the Cubs. Care to guess what outfielder was sitting this one out?

 And just as an aside, what is Felipe Lopez still doing on the Nationals roster? Anyone have an idea about Bowden's long-term plans for him and Austin Kearns? And for that matter, what it might take to pry the guy loose?

 I'm trying to find information on the largest MLB single season turnarounds for a project I'm working on. Any source or media outlet is fine, as I have no issues with paid content. If not, would someone be aware of a couple of instance besides the 1991 Braves where a team has gone from worst to first in baseball?

I'm slowly but surely making my way thru the last few weeks mail, and came across something that I just had to pass along.

http://www.vocationvacations.com/search/results.php?general=Baseball%20Team%20General%20Manager& country=US

 The long and short of it is that for a nominal amount of coin, you can spend a few days with a real minor-league GM, apprentice style. Not quite the majors, but you should get some real insight into the business of baseball.

I found myself reading through the latest in baseball updates today, and was left with some
general musings....

With Wade Miller reasonably healthy, and 37-16 against the NL Central, why does every journalist
with an editor pencil in Prior as the key to the Cubs season?

Why is Ronnie Belliard still on the market? And is there anyone who wouldn't dump Cedeno in a minute,and use Ronnie as a backup?

I keep getting the feeling that Peter McGowan would like to sign Bonds to keep the faithful on board this year, but would love to see Barry leave once the season actually starts? Is this just my imagination?

The DirectTV fiasco is reason 4,100,279 why people hate MBAs. Deal looks great on paper,
and in reality makes no one happy.

Todd Helton to the Red Sox? Brilliant. Todd Helton to the Angels? Great deal for everyone. Except maybe Shea.

Finally listened to the Cliff Floyd conference call. Ouch. Something tells me Hendry blinks before Opening Day and deals Jacque Jones.  For not a lot.

I've looked over the White Sox deals three times, and I still can't figure out whether Kenny Williams is hiding a request to cut payroll, or is just an evil genius. I still can't see better than 3rd place for them either way

Anyone have any thoughts?