>Charlie Manuel seems a popular choice in the next-manager-to-be-fired parlor game. There is also a lot of talk about the Phillies dumping a boatload of players before the trading deadline Sunday. What is the local talk about that?

It's only constant. Some folks here really want to see Abreu go. I've about reached the limits of my patience with Burrell, who seems to have such potential, but never lives up to it. Today's paper says it's unlikely either will go, because Gillick wants too much for them. We shall see.

>The Tigers are now 7 1/2 games ahead of the Sox, a

I'm not sure how to live in a world where the Tigers might win a pennant. <vbg>


>You know what team I kinda like? The Mets. I will never forgive them for 1986 [g] but of course this is an entirely different group of players. They have a lot of talent, a lot of spirit, and they're fun to watch.

The Mets seem to have finally realized that the way to build a winning team is by growing it instead of buying it. If the Phils can't win the division (and that's increasingly clear), I'd sure rather have it be the Mets than the Braves.

>We should really go to a ballgame sometime. Purely platonic, just two FoxHeads afflicted by a lifelong passion for baseball.

Absolutely. Let me know if you're ever in the are. I don't have Chicago or Milwaukee on my agenda any time soon, but I'll keep this in mind.

Tamar