Paul: Quite a few people in St. Louis are of the opinion that AP should have 2-3 MVP awards and 2-3 Gold Glove awards. Is this homer sentiment or evidence that AP is undervalued by the greater baseball community? Is there any relation to McGwire not recieving the MVP in '98? Also, if AP is short a couple trophies on his mantle, how does that affect how his career is viewed after he retires (i.e. five years after he retires)?

Joe Strauss: I can't argue your premise. I've voted Albert MVP twice. So, obviously, I feel he deserves multiple awards. The Gold Glove is a tough one. Derrek Lee is fabulous there but I didn't think he was an overly compelling candidate this season. I believe if Albert lost it, Todd Helton would take it.
Albert's a Hall of Fame player who only needs to play 10 seasons to achieve minimum longevity for consideration. I don't believe McGwire has any effect on his standing.

Randy K: Dear Chatmeister:

I must confess that Wednesdays with Mr. Chat are infinitely more entertaining than those without. Add in a strong college football column...and you're an all-purpose threat today. I agree 100% about Mizzou playing a tougher schedule. Back in the 70's, 28 of their 40 non-conference foes in the decade were top 20, and 12 of them were top 10. That was cool.

To baseball. In his last four seasons, Jim Edmonds has gone from 153 games played, .301 ave., 42 HR, 111 RBI, 1.061 OPS to 142/.263/29/89/.918, to 110/.257/19/70/.821 to 117/.252/12/53/.728. His only number that's gone up is errors, from 2 to 3 to 5 in the last three seasons. Do you think it's reasonable for the Cardinals to expect him to reverse this trend in '08? I know he's going to be their centerfielder...but I don't think he's a centerpiece player any more. With the Carpenter injury and the dearth of chips to trade and talent on the FA market, I say the club should save it's bullets for '09.

Finally, I'm having an argument with a friend in Vegas. He insists that Florida is going to win by at least 6 1/2 at South Carolina. I say if there's one game the head ball coach will stay in, especially at home, it's the one vs. the Gators. What do you think?

Joe Strauss: People, most wearing black and gold and some wielding crayons, construed today's tome as a rip job. Untrue.
If a football coach is going to challenge his fan base to show up for a game against a downtrodden opponent, is it out of line to challenge his program to upgrade its schedule. Backing out of arrangements with Iowa and UCLA doesn't suggest ambition. I'm not suggesting that Mizzou go back to the days of trying to slay every giant in the nation, but an intersectional home-and-home against a traditional "name" team would help elevate the program. It's too bad an 8-1 team can't sell out Senior Day and its QB doesn't receive deserved mention for the Heisman. Lack of tradition and scheduling play a part. More later...

Edmonds has been a diminished player the last several years. He has suggested next season may be his last. If he has made that decision, I expect him to throw everything into 2008. Edmonds exhibited flashes near the end of '07. If he has a healthy, productive spring training, look out.

I like the Ball Coach Saturday...

Paul: Jeff Gordon in his Q & A Monday wrote that Duncan and TLR loved Dan Haren. What were the circumstances of his departure? Where there some in the organization that predicted he wouldn't pan out in the majors? Did anyone realize how good he was going to be?

Joe Strauss: Minor quibble. Dunc' loved Haren but TLR lobbied the club to go after Mulder when he became available after the '04 World Series loss. TLR has since admitted he was wrong, his P.C. was right. The day after the trade Walt Jocketty remarked words to the effect, "We don't think Dan Haren will ever be the pitcher that Mark Mulder is."

Johnny Walker: Hey Joe,

What is Chase Daniel's chances for the heisman this year? Oh wait... this isn't a Mizzou chat... hmmm... then why are you writing about them? Do you even watch football or know where Columbia is? Stick to baseball, it's what you somewhat good at.

Joe Strauss: Unfortunately, Daniel's chances aren't as good as if he was seen on national TV against an intersectional power, or even Notre Dame. Thanks for the backhand compliment. I enjoy your product, John.

Kevin: Joe,

Thanks to your horrible and poorly thought out article about Mizzou, I now have the proper motivation to never read the Post-Dispatch again.

You have a clear agenda against this state's flagship public university. Your writing of this article will cost this once-proud newspaper some subsricptions, starting with my own.

Kevin

Joe Strauss: Sorry your sensitivities can't handle a conflicting view, Kev. Write anytime. I'm wondering how many rebukes are being sent by those who wished Coach Pinkel fired barely a year ago. It's your own coach who wonders why the faithful can't sell out Seniors Day. I'd love to see Mizzou restore its football tradition. I don't know if that happens when you line up Nevada, Buffalo and SEMO.