He just wants to help the ballclub any way he can

"We just need to bring a little more energy and intensity to the table ... Through a season, teams go through ups and downs. It's a little dead period for us now. I know the media has been asking questions about Detroit coming in because they're simply leading the Central, but every game is important, every series is important. We're not really looking at the standings right now. We've just got to take some energy into each and every game."
-- Podzzzie

Ok, it really is Smiff...

Being somewhat suspicious of spam in any format, I had trouble believing Smiff really had finally joined the dark side that is any social networking site invented post-Friendster.

But it's him - proof:

Smiff removed "King Crimson" from his favorite music.
Smiff added "King Crimson/Robert Fripp" to his favorite music.

That is awesome.

I'm guessing he also likes guys who are ballplayers

Clint Hurdle said he consulted with several people when putting together his National League batting order. Oakland GM Billy Beane probably was not one of them.

"You look at the numbers that many of these men have put up," Hurdle said. "(But) you know, I’m a big fan—I hear about OPS, OBP—I’m a big fan of G-U-T-S. I like guts."

He's a gritty, gutty gamer...a throwback, a BALLPAYER!, comes to play...eats nails, check his stool, etc.... (cont'd)

Michael Bourn was benched Monday in favor of Darin Erstad for the third time in four games. Bourn is in the midst of a 0-for-19 slump and is hitting just .218/.274/.293 overall, while Erstad has batted .307/.353/.441 in a part-time role. "We'll go with the veteran," manager Cecil Cooper said. "He's been through these kinds of things before, and we don't lose anything defensively. This guy is a Gold Glover, and he's ready to go every day."

"been through these kind of things"...last place?