Here, Rob, let me give you even more good news. Spiezio's looking like he's going to make the team as this year's John Mabry.

We'd let Alfonso play 2B, wouldn't we?

TSF

I've got a FEVAH!! And the ONLY CURE....is MORE COW-BELL!!!

If Ponson's got an ERA of 6+ come June 1, a lot of people are going to be screaming for his head. Or Dave Duncan's, for keeping Anthony Reyes in Memphis in favor of Sir Sid. But this decision still could easily work out in the Cards' favor, if Ponson puts together around 200 solid, sober innings of 4.00 or below.

I just look at all the other players over the years who struggled with substance abuse and very few kicked it. So I'm skeptical that Sidney Pontoon will stay clean especially when adversity strikes, which it does with most pitchers in the course of a season.

On a related note, Shawn Kemp recently announced that he's ready to return to the NBA. No, seriously. Anyway, if Kemp, Vin Baker, Darryl Strawberry or Doc Gooden are representative examples of players coming back from substance abuse, then we're in trouble with Pontoon. I should also mention that all four of those guys were much, much better at their respective professions than Sir Pontoon ever has been at his. Obviously I'm hoping he stays sober and gives the Cards 200 league-average innings (anything better is just wishful thinking), but I also hope that the team has a quick hook if it's mid-May and his ERA is above 5.00.

I've got faith in TLR's ability to hit the trapdoor button if Pontoon can't remain afloat. Look how fast the door hit Roger Cedeno's ass when he cratered last year. And that guy's nowhere on the radar screen this year. So if the Michelin Man knows what's good for him, he'll attend his AA meetings and do every last thing Dave Duncan asks of him. Getting ground ball outs on a regular basis would be very helpful.

Anybody interested in participating in my Dusty Baker Dead Pool? I'm predicting he'll be fired on June 4, 2006 but that leaves many dates open for you. Give me an email address and I'll send you the calendar once it's full. There's a limit of 3 dates per person.

Anybody interested in participating in my Dusty Baker Dead Pool? I'm predicting he'll be fired on June 4, 2006 but that leaves many dates open for you. Give me an email address and I'll send you the calendar once it's full. There's a limit of 3 dates per person.

I saw a lot of Ponson last year in Baltimore (seeing that they're the team primarily on local TV), especially early in the season when he actually had some solid outings. He's definitely got a 15-win season in him, and if anyone can bring that out, it's Duncan. Innocent until proven guilty, I say.

I actually think the Cardinals are in an ideal situation to take advantage of Ponson's potential. My father used to say that when "encouraging" someone, all you needed to have was a big stick. You didn't have to hit them with the stick, or even show them the stick. They just needed to know you had it. The Cards have two in Reyes and Wainwright, which is why I don't think there will be a trade at the end of camp. Until Ponson demonstrates he has his stuff together during the season, I predict that Walt will keep them all.

If there's a team that get to Ponson's potential, then it's probably the Cardinals. I do hate to see Lumberg, er, LaRussa burying Reyes.

Shawn Kemp comparisons? Ouch.

All indications are that Spiezio will break camp as a utility infielder and Luna will be sent to Memphis. That takes away an effective PR in the late innings but plugs in a slightly better veteran defensive player. There's a trickledown effect at work here that suggests this opens the door wider for Skip Schumaker. Squeeks is an outstanding defensive outfielder and a speedy runner. He plays the same game as Taguchi but when Taguchi starts, STL needs a defensive sub in the late innings for the other OF spots AND they need his foot speed. Should Schumaker make the team, that leaves Duncan in Memphis until he's ready for prime time. Your thoughts???

Honest to god, if Spivey isn't cut by the end of the day I'm gonna fly to Florida and kick his ass myself. He is in full Rick Ankiel meltdown mode and unsalvagable.