GUESSING GAMES

When I was youthful, I always liked that little Guess Who game. At least when it was some girls' hands covering my eyes. I'd just as soon smudgy guys' hands stay off my person.

But this is another entry about baseball. Think I'm ready? Well, here's why: my St. Louis Rams didn't make the playoffs; my Phoenix Suns are a mess; my University of Illinois basketball team has infuriated me so much that I may tune in for awhile, but I'm not looking forward to when they play on the Big Ten channel; my Arizona State basketball team is lousy having dropped their 8th consecutive Pac 10 game last night; my SIU Salukis are non-entities. Who else is there for me to root for, except the MTV Rams who are having a very good season, but they're not on tv. Professional golf doesn't interest me too much anymore either, but I may watch a few holes of the Phoenix Open played about 2 miles from my house.

So seamball--bring it on. With a disclaimer and a prediction. I'm really tired of all the Albert Pujol's contract extension estimated to be $300 million over 10 years. Pujols is simply one of my all-time favorite players. But his demands, while economically sound considering his production, are not economically sound considering his age and the money ownership doles out for the Cardinals.

Number 5 is trying to re-coup some of the money he didn't get paid in the past for a deserving player. You can't get it back. I found that out by being on our teachers bargaining unit. Get what you can, but when Jimmy Carter 19% inflation hits and you got 7%, well baby that's history. You won't get it later.

If I were ownership of the Birds, I'd overpay for Albert. But I'd also go after a lot of other quality players by throwing more money at them. The team they purchased only 15 years ago or so has made them a bundle, and they won't lose out by spending more. But I've always been good at spending others' money.

And now my prediction(s). The Cardinals will NOT sign Pujols to an extension before the imposed or supposed February 15 deadline. They'll cite the current economy and attempt to sign him as a free agent at season's end--at least that will be their position. They may even be bold enough to point out that they would rather sign 3 players for $100 million each to strengthen their team and note they got the best years out of Pujols who will turn 32 before his new contract kicks in.

It will be a PR nightmare. But they know the Cardinal fans will be back at the turnstiles, and they know Pujols will enter the Hall of Fame as a Cardinal.

I hope it doesn't play out that way. But if they would invest $300 million in 3 players instead, it just might pay more dividends.