Still a few hours left till the trade deadline. The Yankees got their big trade made with 24 hours to go. Now they can sit back and watch the rest of the American League scramble. The Yankees and the Phillies made a deal sending four minor leaguers, class A Carlos Monasterios, 21, and Jesus Sanchez, 18, a triple A shortstop, C.J. Henry, (the 20 year old was the the top draft pick in 2005), and pitcher Matt Smith, 27, to Philadelphia. The Yankees in return get Bobby Abreu and pitcher Cory Lidle. Everyone has heard of Abreu, the lefty hitting outfielder, has averaged 25 homers a year for the past 5 season. This year he has just 8 but has an on base percentage over .400 and that right field porch in Yankee Stadium should increase his home run production. Cory Lidle, I think is going to be the best of the trade. The righty is 8-7 but has won his last 4 in a row. One of his losses came against the Yankees. It sounds like he will move into the 4th spot in the rotation, getting his first start Thursday. I wonder how much input 3rd base coach Larry Bowa had in this trade?
Murphy, this is for you. Was that 3 home runs in the top of the third that Schilling gave up? Boston's lead in the AL East fell to just a half game with a 10-4 loss to the Angels Sunday night.
Nothing went right for the Sox as their star pitcher was beaten like a red headed step child on ESPN's Sunday night game for all the world to see. Part of his uniform was bloodied after this outing but this time it wasn't his sock . Schilling gave up one in the first; two in the second and then three, yes 3, tres, trois, drei, big dingers in the third. The beantown boys tried to make things interesting but with two down and two on, Mike Lowe couldn't sell that he had been hit by the pitch to the home plate umpire and weakly(like a girlyman) struck out on the next pitch ending the inning, and the rally. You know things are going the wrong way when Mr. Red Sox, Ben Affleck, sitting in the front row with his wife, Jennifer Garner, lets the
Angels firstbaseman lean into the seats to catch a pop up. Ben, bring a glove to the game. (Jeffrey Maier ring a bell?)

Division Notes Meeting Thursday night. Our chieftain is working on the agenda.
Turning Point Parade, Sunday Aug. 6
Anyone willing to help with the Commodore Barry diner Sept. 9 please contact me.
Evening @ the Races Friday Sept. 1
The annual Golf Outing will be held on Sept. 24 for more info see Paul Maguire after the meeting.