Late Thoughts

-Busy, busy busy. Grizzlies, KMOX, free-lance voice work, regular agency business. Too busy to write. I know it's been a month. Sorry.

-I'm not a hitting coach...but it seems obvious from the centerfield camera shot on TV that all of the Cardinals left-handed hitting outfielders have a swing problem that needs a cure. Colby Rasmus has been OK. Chris Duncan a streaky unsatisfactory. But Rick Ankiel looks like he's totally out-to-sea without a life raft.

Rasmus has a dip in his swing...and if a pitcher can locate the ball up in the zone on the outside half of the plate he's going to pop it up every time. Duncan has that big, long swing where it frequently looks like he's trying to shovel the ball out of the park. He swings so hard it looks like he's expending a week's-worth of energy each time he takes a hack. The swing seems to start from the backstop.

And Ankiel...well he looks like he's lunging at the ball and hitting almost entirely off his front foot. Unless the pitcher really misses on location with a fastball down and in, Rick doesn't appear to be capable of hitting anything. He's not staying back on the ball...and therefore has no balance to his swing. He's not going to hit anything off-speed or anything hard and up in the zone..inside or outside. His bat is always under the ball....way under. If he hits it...it's most frequently a pop-up or lazy fly ball. It looks like most of the problems of these three guys could be cured by doing what Albert always does. Stay back, and trust your hands to get the bat head out. Snap the bat through the zone with your weight back as much as possible. That levels everything out and gives you a chance to hit line drives.

For that matter, it looks like Ryan Ludwick could use a dose of the same medicine. His swing got a lot longer since last year too. He was really snapping his hands through the zone last year. This year...not so much. Not good production from the current crop of outfielders. At least not at this point in the season. Some instant anlysis from a non-hitting coach. Don't you feel better?

-So glad that there will be another year of Keith Tkaaaaaaaachuuuuuuuuuuck wearing The Note.

-The Grizzlies are off to a poor start this season. Phil Warren's bunch is struggling to find consistency. One night the pitching isn't there. The next it's the hitting. The next it's the defense. Last year about this time they found their stride. I think the roster is good enough. Just a matter of pulling it together. Hopefully that'll happen before too long. Of course, GCS Ballpark is always fun no matter if the team is winning or not. See ya there!

-Another step forward in the career of actor-son Stewart. He spent Sunday, Monday and part of Tuesday this week in Charleston, West Virginia. It was a resprise of How Cissy Grew...the play he did with James Denton of Desperate Housewives, his wife Erin O'Brien, and budding young star Liz Vital last fall in Hollywood. Charleston native, and award-winning playwright Susan Johnston's play was the featured material at FestivALL Charleston. Apparently the locals loved the Monday evening performance and reception after where they were able to schmooze with the talent. Ms. Johnston is in the process of developing the material into a screenplay and chances appear to be good that WVa money and some from Tinseltown may turn the project into film. Of course, we're hoping young Stew might get a chance to ply himself if it happens. Other things in the works too...but too soon to spill.

-How cool is it to know that every goal that new Hall-of-Famer Brett Hull scored in a Blues uniform in St. Louis was announced by yours truly. Neat feeling.

-Number-one son Ian is making mom and dad proud by doing something with his life that we never saw coming...teaching. Not just teaching high school... but also acting as a supervisor/teacher for kids in the Battle Mountain HS (Vail, CO) district who have mental and physical challenges. Still playing and recording his music too. Teachers may be our country's most under-appreciated profession. But Ian is appreciated big-time by two people back home...that's for sure.

-President Obama throwing out the first pitch at the All-Star Game in St. Loo. He plays a lot of basketball...so I hope the Commander-in-Chief gets in a little pitching practice so as to not look foolish. Somehow I think he'll do allright.

-Once again we go straight from cool days into sweltering here in the Midwest. Why should I expect any different. Moderation is lost on Mother Nature around here.

-Oh the power of lust, testosterone, and fantasy to overpower common sense. I'm talking about SC governor Mark Sanford, of course.

-The biggest sports story of the month, heck maybe the year, should be the Team USA soccer win over Spain the the FIFA Confederations Cup semifinal. But unfortunately the sport is still way down the list of sports priorities in the good ol' USA.

-Enough with the Brett Favre stuff already. He enjoys playing the diva too much.

-Something is very unexciting to me about the second Transformers movie. Nothing wrong with Megan Fox...but neither Shia LeBeouf or the trailers get me wound up.

-At five minutes and six seconds after 4 on the 7th of July the time will be 04:05:06 07/08/09. Thought you'd like to be the first to know. That sequence of numbers will never occur again. The next such similar sequence will happen on August 9th of 2010 at 6 minutes and 7 seconds after 5.

Suspicion

-Yeah..that's an Elvis song...(he did it in '62 before sound-alike Terry Stafford had the hit with it in '64) but its also how I feel about the outcome of this year's American Idol. I suspect that the better performer lost because his competitor's total was fueled by prejudice-laden supporters. I wrote about this a few weeks ago when the competition was starting to boil down...and my opinion is no different today. Adam Lambert, the San Diego glam-rocker, was beaten by Kris Allen and the conservative masses. I'm guessing they voted more against Adam than for the new Idol. Kris alluded to the possibility himself earlier in the week in an interview saying he hoped people would vote based on talent...and nothing else. We all know what that "nothing else" is. Allen also practically apologized after being named the Idol saying Lambert should have been standing where he was.

And I'll bet it wasn't even close. Why? You'll remember in past seasons Ryan Seacrest would open the show...and usually remind us several times...about how close the voting was. He'd say something like..."After X-million votes were cast, the winner was decided by less than y-thousand votes"..or something to that effect. Last night there was no mention of how close the voting was. If so, I apologize because I missed it. I'm thinking the AI producers were likely embarassed by the final tally...and didn't want to feed any post-announcement controversy that it might have created.

I think I can safely say that America...and the American Idol voting system...failed the test of whether or not our country is ready to accept, and put the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval on, a performer who is obviously representative of an alternative lifestyle.

I'm not writing this to belittle Kris Allen or knock his talent in any way. In fact, if Adam were not more deserving, I would be totally thrilled with Kris as this year's Idol. He's head and shoulders more deserving than several previous winners. Heck, so is Danny Gokey who finished third. Both Kris and Adam have bright futures ahead in their own genre if managed correctly. But, both were in this year's competition...and the better man...the one some compared to a new Elvis...didn't win.

Suspicion torments my heart,
Suspicion keeps us apart,
Suspicion why torture me?

The View from Here

-Please come to the open house and pet adoption event at The Doggie Stylist at Bellson Animal Hospital in Columbia this Saturday. Life-partner Barb is hosting from Noon-4pm. Many available doggies and kitties from the Monroe County Humane Society. You need a pet don't you?

-The Cardinals are coming back to earth...like all baseball teams eventually do in a 162-game season. I'm starting to get a bit concerned about Adam Wainwright. We all know he's better than what we've seen. Gotta wonder about his arm health.

-Now that a family has been murdered in Columbia, Illinois, there's nowhere left in the world something like that couldn't happen.

-Ever tried Pritchard's rum, distilled in Kelso, Tennessee? Mighty good if you like rum with your Coke Zero.

-Good to see T.J. Oshie and David Backes making a difference for Team USA at the World Championships in Switzerland....and Chris Mason for Team Canada.

-No question about who was the best on this week's American Idol performance show. Adam Lambert hands down. Will he move on to next week as it should be? As they say, it's up to you America.

-So there's an offer...or is it two?...on the table for the Phoenix Coyotes. One is contingent on the team being moved to southern Ontario. The other would keep them in AZ. The Canadian offer is for much more $...but now there's a bankruptcy court involved and the NHL office...and...well it's going to get messy.

-Great news!! They found the 3-year-old boy who went missing in Madison County, MO. The parents must have been a mess. They have shoes I wouldn't want to have occupied.

-I've watched enough of the Ducks-Redwings series to know that if the Blues do indeed make a deal for former star Chris Pronger, it would be a very good thing.

-Son Stewart is getting a lot of great feedback from the producers and on-set people about his on-camera work for the movie he's shooting. The Eves has another week of shooting. Then editing. Probably early next year before it would hit the theaters.

-George Clooney. 48 years old today...and never been kissed. Yeah...right.

-Just watched an interview with Rick Ankiel on TV. He looks...rightfully so...very happy that he still has the use of his limbs. I haven't seen him so outgoing and "perky"?? before. But sometimes coming that close to tragedy is what it takes to make one realize how lucky they are.

-No matter how you slice it, the USA is the only place on this planet I'd want to call home. Oh we have our problems, but I'll take them because of all the good that comes in the bargain.

Idolotry

-After laying off the blog for a bit, I've decided to once again size up the American Idol situation...because, well because I just happen to be one of the 40 million or so Americans who is still fascinated by the whole thing.

If you watched last night's results you may have been as surprized as I was to see this season's most "out there" and amazing performer Adam Lambert show up in the bottom three. In fact, although I don't think it was actually stated by Ryan Seacrest that he was in the bottom two, Adam was in the last two standing before Matt Giraud was sent packing.

Now let's be honest here, if Adam doesn't win the competition this year it won't be because he isn't the most brave, vocally-gifted, and imaginative performer the show has ever seen. Because he is. Those who have visited here regularly over the years know that I was, and still am, a HUGE Chris Daughtry fan. But as talented as Chris is, and was, he just can't do the things vocally that Adam can. I don't know if anybody can. And Daughtry has gone on to become one of America's top recording stars. There have been some vocal superstars come out of the AI tournament, but Adam's range and seeming ability to hit any note, anywhere, anytime is almost beyond belief. And, because of his theatricality, he seems to be destined for a longer, and more profitable, run in Las Vegas than Cher, Celine Dion, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra combined.

So, what is it that landed the Hollywood-based Lambert in the bottom of America's three last night? One has to believe that personal and presentation characteristics are hampering his appeal to the masses. His voice and performance surely aren't.

Lambert is the closest thing to a champion of Bohemianism that supporters could hope to see succeed on this show. I tend to believe that its only because his performances have been consistently off-the-charts amazing, that he's still in the running at this point. Because we all know there is a significant portion of the population that is majorly uncomfortable with anything "boho". Lambert hasn't denied or declared anything about his sexual orientation...at least not to my knowledge. Although, it's easy to do a Google image search and find photos of him kissing other guys. Hard to determine if they're authentic. He also regularly sports a group of friends and family in the AI audience that appear to be highly non-traditional. And his glam outfits and sweeping hairstyles are, no doubt, also uncomfortable to the conservative masses.

So, has America acknowledged that Adam is the front-runner and boycotted the voting because of who he is and what he represents? Or, have his fans just become complacent, a la Daughtry in Season 5, and allowed his support to slip? Whatever it is, now that the competition is down to the final 4, and with Rock Week coming up (guest mentor Slash), Lambert should have a genre' in which he can blow the place apart.

The other fascinating aspect of the competition at this point is that the remaining four competitors-- Lambert, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta-- may be the most talented top four in the history of the show. And, as I've said here before, at this stage it becomes more of a likeability contest than a talent contest. Danny and Kris probably have the mainstream "warm and fuzzy" vote wrapped up. The quirkiness of Allison and Adam no doubt hamper them. If each performs up to his/her ability next week, I expect the voting to turn into a referendum on likeability and talent, but maybe more so America's values. If the playing field is level, and without prejudice, Adam should win as best performer. If not, I believe an unwillingness to accept him as a person will be his doom. How many votes would Elton John get in such a competition if he were in it now, "out" with his values, and wearing all of his whacky get-ups? Something to think about...Sir Elton getting voted off a talent show.

To say the least...interesting....very interesting.

Future Blues

-As I mentioned on my Facebook page today, I'm not about to get disappointed in the Blues during this playoff series with Vancouver. There's just no sense investing that kind of emotion in it. Sure, I'd like to see them win, but we all know that with this team right now its all about the future. And the future is not yet now.

I'm of the mindset that whatever happens Tuesday night and beyond during the playoffs is a bonus to St. Louis fans. We all know that when we moved from 2008 to '09 there was no believing in a chance for this squad to even make the playoffs. Everyone was talking about what the roster would look like for 2009-10...and was excited about that. So the improbable stretch of games in January, February and March was thrilling and way more cake icing than was expected.

Now, we have the comfort of knowing that even the players that were counted on little to be high-calibre NHL talent have proven we should re-think that. I don't need to name names here..you know who I mean.

The playoff experience alone will be invaluable for our youngsters. Coming back in September for training camp guys like Oshie, Berglund, Perron, Backes, Polak et al will have the experience of a Cup series to draw upon. They will know that its a different game come playoff time. They'll go into each regular season game next year with an understanding of what hockey at its highest level is all about. They'll know that regular season games are simply played to get there...and that's what ultimately really matters. They'll also know that no matter how great they think they are in the regular season... that the level of play there is not where you are ultimately judged in the sport. You must be able to produce in the playoffs or it will follow you around forever...much like it has the Sedin twins up until now.

The job going forward, if anything, becomes more difficult for JD, Pleau, Armstrong and the player mangement personnel. Yes, the pipeline is full of highly thought of prospects. But this now becomes a high-stakes game of sports Monopoly. Who stays? Who goes? Which guys do we see as cornerstone players for the future. Which guys are expendable in return for a veteran who may help us book a Market Street parade in a few years? Which of the young guns about to come to training camp later this year (Eller, Sonne(pic), Palushaj, Cole, Pietrangelo etc.) really have a shot at turning heads in the NHL? Who do you pay the big bucks to stay? Who do you let walk away? The answers to these questions now will be of most interest to me.

So, I'm hoping for the best in '09...but I'll be more concerned about '10-'11-'12 etc.

The Man

-This post is meant as a simple tribute to the wonderful story in last Friday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch and on stltoday.com written by Dan O'Neill.

Dan drew a fine word portrait of the hero of my youth. The athlete that was much more than an athlete to most of us who grew up baseball fans in the Midwest. Like many, I have a vivid memory of crying my eyes out the day Stan played his last game in 1963. I also recall spending one night at old Busch just watching him the entire game. No matter the score...I examined his every move...hoping that somehow I could absorb some of what made him great, and somehow he might feel the affection of his young fan.

As an adult, I've been in his presence several times...but have never had the occasion to converse. I hope that perhaps that might happen while we're both still able.

For those who missed it, here's a link to Dan's story. Enjoy. And thanks Dan for rekindling those old feelings.

Shortcomings

-With two games left, the Blues are in position to control whether they make the playoffs. Win and they're in.

-So, after some urging by my sons, you can now find me on Facebook. Amazing!

-I picked North Carolina to win it all...and play Michigan State in the championship game...on one of my brackets....but so did someone else with more total points.

-Stewart heads for Texas next week to begin shooting for The Eves...full-length, slasher film.

-I can't wait for the cold weather to stop.

-When will MLB learn that it's still cold in late March and early April in certain cities?

-I can't ever remember working on Easter before...as I will this Sunday at KMOX...but I'm sure I must have.

-Have you ever had Pritchard's rum...distilled in Kelso, Tennessee? Regular..and several flavors. Picked up some yesterday on a recommendation.

-Jason Motte's opening game experience proves you could shoot a baseball out of a cannon and most good hitters would still hit it if it goes straight.

-Please don't spread the word about David Backes. He's going to be expensive enough when his contract is up.

-Have you noticed that about every week some bit of news comes out that makes it evident that A-B isn't the wonderful place to work that it always used to be.

-I watched a little of the ACMA awards the other night. And I've always liked Reba...but I don't reckon she'd be havin' such a heavy drawl if you woke her up out of a deep sleep...y'all. I ain't sayin' she's a fakin' it or nuthin'. Just sayin'.

Hello..Mr. President

-I told some of this story on the radio Sunday...but it bears another...and more detailed...visit here.

This kid...(well he's my kid)...now 24-year-old Stewart Calhoun continues to have amazing moments in his young life. Another came to him this past week when he got a call from a friend asking if he wanted tickets to see The President. Yeah, that President.

"Well, sure". Why wouldn't someone want to see the President of the United States in person. You'll remember Mr. Obama was visiting Los Angeles last Thursday to meet with The Governator, L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa, do a town hall meeting, and make an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Stewart's friend Paul had done some work for the Obama team during the election campaign and has some Democratic party ties. Paul told Stewart he had two second-row tickets for the town hall event.

So, off Stewart, and friend Dan, went to the meeting thinking they had reserved seats in the second row. When they showed up several minutes before the thing got started, they ran into an enormous line. This, after having to park many blocks away and practically run all the way just to get there in time. Thinking they had reserved seats, they sought out a security person at the entryway to the building and asked if they could just go in past the line of, what they thought were, hopefuls. The security guy says...something to the effect..."These people all have tickets and are hoping to get in just like you. They put out too many tickets for the building to hold everybody."

Unhappy at that news...the crafty Stew and Dan managed to (and he wasn't taught this by his dad) sneak into line at the first available spot. As the line continued to dwindle, it was made clear that not everybody was going to be allowed access due to the fire marshall's maximum. And, as it got closer to starting time, Stew and Dan were the last two people allowed in the building. All others were turned away. Whew!

There was no place to sit. Standing room only. So security people began telling those without seats to stand in certain places where they could get a peak at the stage. Just about the time Stew was settling into his standing place, Governor Schwarzenegger was finishing his introduction of The Prez. Young Calhoun found himself near the spot where Mr. Obama would enter the hall and climb the steps onto the stage. The President came out to the cheers and shreeks of those assembled, he began to shake a few hands. And, although we don't have a photo to prove it, the young fellow that we've been so proud of since drawing his first breath at St. Luke's hospital in Chesterfield in December of 1984, shook the hand of Barack Obama. What a moment for him!!...or anybody for that matter. What we do have on DVR is the town hall meeting...and Stewart in the background of a shot where someone near him was asking a question of the President during the Q&A. That's enough proof for ol' Dad of the hand-shaking claim. You're welcome to read some of Stewart's thoughts on the day at his blog.

Stewart's been in Hollywood now for almost two years trying to catch fire in the acting business, and has had many more of these Forest Gump-type moments in his life than a sensible person could reasonably expect. The frequent serendipitous happenings in his life make me believe that there is some sort of star guiding his steps...or other-worldly entity at his back. That's just one of the reasons his mother and I have always believed in him, his ability to perform, and have easily dealt with his choice to enter the iffy world of show business. Some people just seem to have "it" thrust upon them to accompany their talent. If you were around the young fella for a while...or heard some of the coincidence stories...you'd understand. Some things are meant to be.

Stardom, or not, it never hurts to have a Presidential hand shake in your memory bank.

Spanning the Globe

-Update from Hollywood and our actor son. Stewart has been hired to the cast of The Eves. It's a horror flick that will shoot in southeast Texas in April and May. Release? It's a full-length feature that hopefully will be at a theater near you sometime within the next year. This will be one of those pics that has no real star. In fact, it's unlikely you will have heard of any of the lead actors. But the big thing for Stew is that it's a real, honest-to-badness slasher flick. Not that I advocate, or really enjoy, that sort of entertainment. But it definitely harbors the opportunity for upward career movement for our guy. And think of the others who've made it big in Hollywood after a start in horror films. I don't need to name them for my highly astute readers here do I? Nah!

I've gotten a sneak peak at the screenplay. And I will say this, that the writers and producers have a script to work with that has some meat to it. Many flicks of this genre feature a lot of skin...a lot of slash...(and there's some of that)...but little else. This one also gives the thinkers among us a little bit to work with. Of course, I won't spill the creative beans here, but there's a biblical backdrop...with something to say about the "super-zealots" of the population. Stewart will take on the role of Paul...who as much as a few others in the story...is a central character. Paul brings a sense of stability to the ensemble of characters. We're terribly excited for our guy once again. He keeps taking small steps up in his career each month. And that's saying a lot more than many Hollywood hopefuls can say.

Here's a link to the movie's website...still under construction. Cast photos. Writer/producer bios etc. And Stewart's updated site. Photo at right--> lovely Cathy Baron who plays the part of Nicky in the film.

By the way...Stew and his co-star Alex Schemmer recently received news they have won a Garland Award for their ensemble performance in last year's Thrill Me-The Leopold and Loeb Story. It played at Hudson Backstage Theater in North Hollywood about this time in '08. Unfortunately, the awards will be given out in late April when Stew will be on location with the movie project above. Here's a link to more on the Garland Awards.

-The Blues recently completed homestand puts them in pretty good shape to slide into one of the Western Conference playoff spots. Now, its a matter of doing what they can with 4 home games in their final 13. Not an easy schedule...but they've been good on the road since Christmas. What a job by the whole organization for them to be in this position. Exciting! Even more exciting is the thought of watching Oshie, Berglund and Perron skate for the next several years. One or two more like them and watch out!

-I've got a notion that the economy is starting to bottom out and will be heading back to respectability soon. No facts...just a feeling.

-So far so good with Chris Carpenter. If the guys arm stays in service...the Cards are once again favorites to battle it out for the Central division title.

-Well, I've got two brackets filled out. One is the reasonable one. The other is the hopeful one. I'm hopeful that Mizzou and the Illini will do some damage this year. Both have reasonable chances of making it to the Sweet 16. After that, who knows. The reasonable bracket though has Mizzou losing in the round of 16...and the Illini losing their second game to Gonzaga. Let's hope that hope wins out over reason.

Catchup

-Many thanks to all of you who have congratulated me on my 1000th game with the Blues. As I've often said, my association with the Blues organization has been a lucky break for me and something I'll always cherish. I hope I can hang in there for another few years.

-Also thanks to Jamie Ingle and the folks at the Belleville News-Democrat who included me in a story about people who use their voice to make a living. The story ran in the Sunday Magazine (3/8) and I thought it was very well done.

-Speaking of the Blues, it would be great to see the team make a strong run at a playoff spot in the next five weeks. The odds are stacked against them. But Andy Murray's team has shown that they don't much care about the odds so far this season. They've got a big mountain to climb...but that's what makes sports such an interesting part of life. Nothing is impossible until the numbers say so.

-Some things I will never get a grip on--

• Why some people can't manage the energy to buckle a seat belt...or use a turn signal while driving.
• Why a woman who has been beaten up by a man often gives the guy the chance to do it again.
• Why an adult will shake...and often kill or maim...a helpless infant.
• Why some people don't understand that you don't want to hear their cell phone conversations in a public place. And why they have to talk loud enough for the entire county to hear them.
• Why when some people attain the title of supervisor...they somehow manage to lose the ability to be friendly.
• Why things that taste really good are almost always really bad for you.

-I had an encounter with a young man at the hockey game Tuesday night that got me thinking a bit about what I do. In a good way. I was in the middle of making a few announcements between periods when I noticed this guy being shown into the penalty box to my left out of the corner of my eye. After I finished up, I turned to greet the fellow who had asked one of the ushers to meet me. I introduced myself and we shook hands and the guy said "So this is where you do it huh?". I said, "Yes. This is the place." He told me if he could get this close to the action all the time that he could enjoy hockey a lot more. I said I was sure a lot of people feel that way...when I noticed that he was using a white cane to get around. He told me that I was his connection to the game where he sat in the area set aside for physically challenged fans. He wanted my autograph on his ticket...which, of course, he would never see but I was happy to provide. It reminded me that there's a section of the population that can only enjoy sports through sound and feel...and that I always need to be mindful of that. Next time I'll try to be in less of a hurry to get back to my announcements so I can write down a person's name and phone number to make a follow-up call.

-Khalil Greene--early nominee for Comeback Player-of-the-Year.

-I would have enjoyed seeing Mike McKenna and Ben Bishop play goal for their respective teams in the Blues-Lightning game Friday night. It's amazing how far youth hockey has come in St. Louis...and how many St. Louis kids are now playing...or soon will be... in the NHL.

-Sad to see what's happening to some people and their jobs in the broadcast industry. I thought things couldn't get much worse when I stopped going to a radio station daily in 2004. But I was wrong.

-Good for Brian Williams...at least trying to do some good news in amongst all the gloom-and-doom economic stuff on his NBC Nightly News.

Buyers, Sellers or Both?

-A few days back I mentioned here that it would be interesting to watch what John Davidson, Larry Pleau and company do when faced with the March 4th NHL trade deadline. (That's Wednesday folks) Now that the team has pulled itself back into close proximity of the final playoff spot, it will be even more interesting. Let me share my thoughts. (Remember, I am not a pro sports executive...nor do I play one on TV) First...let's recap some of the trade deadline rumors in the wind.

-The Hockey News has touted a Keith Tkachuk/Dan Hinote to New York Rangers for a prospect-and-a-pick deal for several weeks now.
-There have been rumblings out of Boston that the Bruin fan base will be sick if the B's don't acquire Tkachuk before the deadline for their stretch run. KT being a hometowner and all.
-Bernie Miklasz dropped David Perron's name as one who may go to Anaheim in a deal to bring back Chris Pronger to anchor the Blues D. It seems likely the Ducks would deal Pronger if possible before he goes free-agent on them.
-Hockeybuzz.com and Team 1380's Andy Strickland has said Tkachuk won't go to the Rangers because of his no-movement clause and their up-in-the air coaching situation. Andy also blogs about the possibility of a Pronger deal but says young D-man Alex Pietrangelo might be the Blues youngster involved in such a transaction. So, with all that as a backdrop, here are a few thoughts.

If I'm JD and LP (and I'm not) I keep my eye on the future. If we're being honest with ourselves we can't get so wound up about this year's team that we lose focus. I believe we have to keep putting horses in the stable for the teams that will actually have a chance to win it all. That won't happen..IMHO..this year. Sure, Andy Murray's bunch has been wonderful to watch, especially considering the injury-hampered roster, since the first of the year. Lots of hard work. Lots of emerging talent. Great goaltending. But does this roster realistically have a shot at the finals? Even the playoffs..considering the brutal roadtrip in early April?

So in order to formulate a championship roster for 2010-15 or so when we can realistically envision a Cup, I would both buy and sell. If I can coerce Mr. Walt to spend the rest of this season in the Eastern Conference, I would move him to acquire another top offensive prospect or high pick. I might consider attempting to re-sign him to come back home for his final season or two after that if the deal is right, and he's willing to accept a lesser role on the team.

Then, if acquiring Pronger for a propspect or two is a possibility, I would also do my best to make that happen. Not only would he bring the size and nastiness back to the blue line that this team lacks, he has plenty of name recognition and equity in the market to regain his fan favorite status of a few years ago. Think of what Prongs would mean to ticket sales for '10 and beyond. And ticket sales, don't kid yourself, are a big part of winning any championship. If the front office can count on a season of sellouts...and at least a few post-season "bonus cash" games, all resources necessary can be channeled to the on-ice effort. (I don't think anybody is using number 44 these days either).

Let's see...even if you sent Pietrangelo to Anaheim in the deal. You would be looking at a defense next year that includes Chris Pronger, Eric Brewer, Erik Johnson, Barret Jackman, Roman Polak, Carlo Colaiacovo and then take your pick of (Jeff Woywitka, Jonas Junland, Jay McKee, Steve Wagner, Tyson Strachan, Ian Cole, Mike Weaver, or a few others). With or without the potential Pronger deal it appears that soon the Blues defense should almost have an embarassment of riches...minus the injuries that held the team back this year.

Managing to pull off both a buy and a sell at the deadline would also send the signal to the fans that you're still in it for this year...but making the necessary roster adjustments to be a real contender for next year, and beyond. Like I said, it will be interesting to watch.

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By the way, Tuesday night's game with Detroit will be my 1000th as Blues PA man. I am blessed to have been associated with this organization and to have been healthy enough that its also 1000 consecutive games since I sat behind the mic for the first time in January of 1987. Much thanks to the man upstairs for both.

Five Things

-I'm pulling for Skip Schumaker to be able to pull off the transition to second base. He seems like the kind of athlete who could make it happen...and the kind of person who will give it his best shot. If he does it effectively, The Birds, when healthy, will sport a very formidable lineup. It would give them their best chance to compete for another championship. Even without Schumaker's fliperoo, they'll be OK if Chris Carpenter is able to stay healthy and the closer situation is settled down effectively early in the season.

-Keep your eyes on the Blues over the next week or so. It will be very interesting to watch how they handle things as we approach the March 4th trade deadline. Being only 5 points behind the 8th place team in the Western Conference (as I write), and with several teams either tied with them or between them and a playoff spot, its how they do in the next 3 or 4 games that might determine whether John Davidson, Larry Pleau and company will be in a buy or sell mode. People like Keith Tkachuk, Dan Hinote, Manny Legace and a few others could easily be moved if it appears that the playoff spot is out of reach. The interesting part is that with so many young stars ready in the wings to claim spots on next year's roster, it would be silly to hold on to some guys if you can get anything in return in a deal. The temptation will be great to stock up on some more draft picks.

-I was infuriated to read about the woman who ran the disgusting puppy mill in southwest Missouri at which 208 dogs were seized the other day. There needs to be stricter punishment for people who try to make money on the backs of helpless animals. These dogs were all but being tortured in the living conditions they had. The woman was apprarently even feeding some of the puppies (alive or dead?) to a tiger she also had in her compound. I pray that A) somebody writes and passes a law with teeth that will put an end to this stuff, and B) there's a special place in Hell for the sub-humans who use dogs in this way.

-Which brings me to my next topic. Maria Keena (my co-host on KMOX on weekend mornings) and I were chatting off the air this morning about some of the stories in the news. We wondered if there are any honest people left in the world? There was the puppy mill lady...investment schemes to bilk clients (i.e. Bernie Madoff and others)...Roland Burris/Rod Blagojevich...the many culprits in the mortgage crisis. And that's non-violent crime stuff. It all makes one wonder if conducting a life with dignity and honor has completely gone out of style. Whatever happened to an honest day's wages for an honest day's work? Too much like work I guess...which is maybe too hard to find with the current economy.

-I haven't mentioned it here before, but wife Barb has been thrilled with the response since she opened up her own dog-grooming shop at the Bellson Animal Hospital in Columbia, IL in January. Business at The Doggie Stylist at Bellson has been building steadily without even much promotion. Of course, some of that has to do with the fact she's located on the lower level at a very successful veterinary clinic. But there's also been considerable word-of-mouth business as well. I know one thing. If you have a dog that needs grooming on a regular basis and live in or somewhat close to Columbia (Waterloo, Millstadt, Red Bud, South County, Dupo etc.) where it makes geographical sense, you could not do better for a groomer than Barb. I watched her work with a dog the other day when I had some free time. And she has the most gentle, loving manner with these animals that you can imagine. It's obvious she enjoys (even though some subjects are a little difficult) her new career and the relationship she has with each and every canine customer. She kinda likes the humans that come in too. If you're interested, check out the website we've put up for her at http://www.281dogs.com/.