Tim: Nice timing on the Mizzou commentary. The PD has been running too many positive articles for an 8-1 team emerging from two decades of college football oblivion. You've been in town for what, about 8 minutes? But you know the reason for the attendance problem. I'm sure people would be overrunning Columbia if Mizzou had scheduled LSU, USC, OSU and the New England Patriots. People would rather go watch a 5-4 squad than an 8-1 team with very real conference championship possibility. Thanks again for taking a huge dump right in front of the parade I've been waiting 40 years for.

Joe Strauss: I'm guessing the season ticket base would be higher if one of those powers was included on MU's home schedule. I'm not sure, but I don't think Buffalo and Nevada travel well. (But SEMO... look out.) Enjoy your parade. It would be great for it to become an annual event.

HL: Joe,

Today XM's Charlie Wilson said newspaper reports had Omar Minaya and Mark Shapiro in discussions about the Mets kicking the tires on Cliff Lee.

Shouldn't Lee be the type of pitcher the Cardinals are looking for to fill out the back end of the rotation? He seems to be cut from the Chris Carpenter-mold and has a reasonably contract if he can rebound from a helacious 2007.

Lee is owed $3.75M in 2008, $5.75M in 2009, and has a $8M club option ($1M buyout) in 2010.

Any grumblings of Cardinals having any interest there?

Joe Strauss: The Cardinals have considered Lee before. He's a fly ball pitcher but Busch is at least a pitcher-neutral park. He's out of favor in Cleveland. His contract is manageable for a guy who can produce. Last season gave rise to questions about his productivity. The Cardinals say they're looking for a No. 2 starter. I don't think Lee fits that description based on last season. It's also likely the Tribe is seeking young players.

Roger Waltemath: What qualifys you Joseph to be a Sports writer?

Joe Strauss: I can spell "qualifies."

"Bard": Oh great and glorious Smirkmeister!!!!! Albert Pujols' place in history is clear, but what about his place in the lineup? Even El Diablo, with his nose for palace intrigue, must concede to a tsunami of sentiment that El Hombre might better benefit El Birdos by batting in the cleanup spot. Or would that be too tramautizing to the lineup? Would it be wrong to say you could draw on your vast experience in Atlanta and Baltimore to give us a read on where Pujols should hit in the order? ... Cleanup: Up Arrow? Down Arrow?

P.S. I think you must have M-I-Z ... E-N-V-Y.

Joe Strauss: You sound as if you've sat within several feet of the ChatMeister in the Busch Stadium press box. I'm bullish on moving El Hombre to No. 4 in the lineup. It accomplishes what TLR attempted by batting the pitcher eighth. The Cardinals were feeble in the first inning last season. First-inning production is what motivates Tony to bat Albert third. However, I don't see a true No. 3 hitter (.310, 20-25 HR, 90-110 RBI) on the current roster...

As for envy... come to Jordan-Hare or Sanford Stadium on an October Saturday. It's OK. Really.

Chris: Also, difficult scheduling is what did Onfario in. Penn St. got to being Penn St. by "cupcaking it" for years!


Seriously, look at the top 25's OOC schedule and explain which school's is tougher.


MIZZOU RAH!

Joe Strauss: Look at your 2008-10 schedule and get back to me, Chris.