257-268-209-734... Team shot 3400 even!

MLB writer Adam Mccalvey predicts Prince will hit open market as a free agent after 2011 season and not sign an extension w Brewers, according to his twitter page.

Minnesota broadcast team's call of Favre's INT

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/images/01/25/FavreINT.mp3

Brewer's 25-man roster

With the most recent signing, the 25-man roster is really starting to take shape. Here is what I got...

PITCHERS (12)

1. YO
2. WOLF
3. DOUG DAVIS
4. BUSH/PARRA/SOUP
5. BUSH/PARRA/SOUP

6. SOUP? (Long Relief)
7. VILLA
8. STETTER (Lefty)
9. VARGAS
10. HAWKINS
11. COFFEY
12. TREVOR TIME

POSITIONAL (11)

C - ZAHN
Backup - KOTTARAS/SALOME

INF - PRINCE, WEEKS, ESCOBAR, MCGAHEE
Backup - Counsell

OF - BRAUN, GOMEZ, HART
Backup - Gerut

That leaves 2 spots open IMO. The most intriguing I think will be whether Gamel makes the ballclub as a platoon at 3B or if they send him to the minors (maybe even to start working out as a right-fielder). I also think they send Navelson and Mulder (when he signs) to Nashville so that both can provide some much needed insurance incase (when) a starter gets hurt. You wonder if they'll open the year with an additional (13th) pitcher for the bullpen like they've done in the past? If so, who would it be? Tim Dillard or Chris Smith could be options at long relief. If Gamel doesn't make the club, then the Crew could opt for a 5th outfielder over a 6th infielder. I don't see anyone on the roster that could fit this bill currently. Perhaps there is still another signing to be had. Perhaps there is a free agent who will take a minimum salary to stay in the game and be a pinch-hitter late in games (kind of like a Matt Stairs for Philly).

NFL PLAYOFFS WEEK 2

Last week, I went 3-1 vs. the spread and straight-up and I'm currently in 1st place out of 10 in a little playoff-picking pool against the spread with some friends and colleagues.

Here is who I like this weekend...

AZ +7.0 over N.O. (but, like N.O. straight up to win the game)
IND -6.5 over BALT
MIN -3.0 over DAL
SD -7.5 over NYJ

Last play of the Pack-Cards playoff game

Bill Simmons, a writer for ESPN.com, did his typical Friday column and gave out "awards" for the 1st round playoff games. He had this to say about the ending of the Pack-Cards game...

The Apollo Creed Award for "Best Body Sag That Induced Chills"

"The Cards-Packers recap done by NFL Films for "Inside the NFL" was one for the ages. I watched it four times. Maybe that wasn't the best game ever played, but it's hard to remember a more exciting one. (I hate doing the "best ever" thing with games; it's more about "entering the discussion." And that game entered the discussion. The next time you have a "most entertaining playoff games" conversation, that one has to be mentioned.) Anyway, they show the game-winning fumble return by Dansby. That's immediately followed by a from-the-sideline angle of the play -- you can barely make it out, and it's hard to even tell what's happening -- but when the fumble happens, the heavyset guy in front of the camera sags to his knees.

Wait a second … that's Mike McCarthy!

I saw it once, then rewound it and watched it again. It's incredible. He's watching the play, the fumble happens, and right as Danbsy grabs the ball and starts running, it's like someone took a bat and swung it to the back of McCarthy's knees. He doesn't just sag to the ground. He melts. He collapses. It's the modern version of the old "Wide World of Sports" "agony of defeat" moment. I'm not kidding … I watched it 13 times. I kept rewinding it. It's brutal. It's agonizing. It's football. You will never see a better clip of a coach getting his heart ripped out. Beyond that, it captured that game to a tee. I will always remember that replay."

NFL PLAYOFFS WEEK 1

Here is who I like this weekend (straight up and against the spread)...

Jets over Cincy (on the road)
Ravens over Patriots (on the road)
Cowboys over Eagles (at home)
Packers over Cardinals (on the road)