We've had severe internet problems here the last couple of days and writing a blog  (let alone doing a radio show) have been next to impossible.  If you'll indulge me, I'm just going to write it stream of consciousness style in one big package instead of breaking it down into little ones.  We apologize to both of you who read this blog for not being here the last couple of days:

• On the Sox: Who would have thought with all the high priced pitching talent the Sox have that Freddie Garcia would be the team's second most affective starter?  Mark Buehrle had absolutely no movement or location on Tuesday and was rocked because of it.  Gavin Floyd is a mess right now.  Jake Peavy is trying way too hard and has lost confidence in two of his four pitches.  John Danks has been good, but gets no run support.  Last night, the Sox played like all of hopeing they can turn it around knew they could play, but only because Garcia kept them in the ball game.  You can't win when your starters are constantly giving up six to nine runs a game.
• I am sick to death of all of these people who are demanding to see the kids NOW.  There was one guy who sent a mailbag entry to the Trib's Mark Gonzalez that said something like "Do you think bringing up Tyler Flowers would help right now?"  Help what? Help to increase the team's strikeout total?  Help to increase the team's error total?  All of you yahoos who screamed for Gordon Beckham last year still standing by your man or do you want him dispatched to Charlotte?  One more time, in English: Tyler Flowers is not the be all and end all and he is certainly not ready to play catcher at the major league level.  Period.  Paragraph. End of discussion.  If you were really a Sox fan, you'd know that.
• Kudos to baseball commish Bud Selig for doing the right thing and not overruling Jim Joyce's blown call.  That's a Pandora's box no one ever wanted to see opened.  And kudo's to Joyce for admitting he was wrong and apologizing to Galaraga personally.  You think Joe West or Phil Cuzzi would have done that?
• On the Hawks, okay they are up two games to one but they won't stay up if they don't change a couple of things.  The first is, quit turning the puck over so many times in the first period.  The second is don't let Pronger, Hatrnell and that hyena Carcillo get in your head .  Use your speed and your defensemen's ability to jump into plays to your advantage.  Take advantage of Philly penalties and put it in the net during a power play.  Keep the pressure up on Michael Leighton because the more shots you put on him the better the odds are that he'll crack (see game 1). Then have Ben Egar go clock somebody just to watch them bleed.
• Scott Hartnell was originally a draft pick of the Nashville Predators and on his first ever day of training camp, I sat in the bleachers with former Pred's assistant Paul Gardner.  I told Guards I thought the kid really had some jump and Guards told me he thought the kid was tough and could play both a physical and a finesse game, similar to a Claude Lemeuix.  I have a picture somewhere of me interviewing Hartnell after practice and I remember thinking what a decent kid he was.  I've always had a soft spot for him, although right now, all bets are off.
• I love all these writers who all of a sudden think they are hockey experts (you know who you are, David Haugh.)  The Chicago media wrote off hockey in the 1990's to go worship at the feet of Michael Jordan, but suddenly every one from the cynical Boors and Bernstein to the snot nosed weekend punks on the Score (who were two years old the last time the Hawks were in the finals in 1992) to Rick Telendar are hockey aficionados.  It's laughable.  The only two guys you should take anything seriously from are Tim Sassone from the Daily Herald and, of course, our hero and role model, Steve Rosenbloom.
• Speaking of Pronger, why is everyone acting so surprised that he is in complete control of Dustin Byfuglien?  Doesn't anyone realize how good Pronger is and that he is a sure bet for the hockey hall of fame as one of the most dominant defensemen of his generation?  Like him or hate him, Pronger is one of the best at what he does.
• I love how the media makes it seem like Versus is available only at the South Pole or something.  Even if you are a Hawk fan, you've probably watched a game or two on Versus.  To those of us who live out of the area, Versus is how we get our hockey fix. Versus also has some great college football games in the fall.
• Don't you love how ESPN just can't wait to piss all over the legacy of Ken Griffey Junior .  Can't we just say "Great player, didn't use steroids, will go to HOF" and move on.  ESPN is starting to sound more like TMZ every day.
• Good luck to former Score host Mike Murphy on his non-compete suit against CBS .  First, they fire him almost a year ago for nothing other than being in a time slot they needed.  Then, instead of using him on the weekends like they said they were going to, they just sort of let him drift.  As someone who sued unsucessfuly over a non-compete once (and lost) I can tell you that in the case where they fire you, you should immediately be allowed to work.  I don't see how any employer can prevent someone from pursuing their career if they are deemed no longer necessary.  And, before I get an e-mail from someone in radio, I understand why we have non-competes. I'm just saying in some cases, they should not be valid.
• UCLA legend John Wooden is probably not going to last the weekend based on media reports .  What a great life he has had!
• The best thing about the Hawks playoff run and all the discussion of the plight (or is it blight) of the baseball teams is that the Bears are flying completely under the radar.  In a make of break year, that's welcome news to Lovie Smith. Enjoy it now, Lovie, because come August there will be no where to hide and no one to hide behind.