I think the statue thing has more to do with how important a player was to the team and its fans than raw stats and HOF qualifications. When you look at it that way, the decision on an individual player is more of a gut reaction to the locals than to the sabre-heads.

As another poster has noted, Baines was HUGE among Sox fans, loved by everyone for his quiet, good nature. He played the game right, and whether you think he's HOF material or not (my heart says yeah, but he got to that big total hits number by playing -- as King notes -- forever), he's entitled to some big props here on the South Side. Same goes for everyone the Sox have honored so far: big local faves who enjoy a significant place in the TEAM's history, if not in all of baseball.

As to the Cepeda statue and his weed bust, maybe locals could drop roaches at the feet of the statue, like the folks leave assorted "homages" at Jim Morrison's grave in Paris!

I'm not trying to be "ageist" here, but these continuing gaffes sure look to me like the sign of a guy who's slipping a bit, as -- quite frankly -- we all do/will as we get into our 70s.

This doesn't mean people in their 70s should be put away, but perhaps they should rethink whether they still have the tools to hold what is often described as the most important job in the world.

I remember when Reagan was running for his 2nd term. My grandfather was exactly his age, and Papa was a sharp guy (undoubtable smarter than old Dutch). But he said that he was well aware of how much he had lost over the last couple years, and said that nobody at that age should be president, period. Anyone with and older parent or grandparent knows that the slips are minor at first, but over a couple of years, it picks up speed.

We've weathered 8 years with an idiot as president, let's pass on a guy who is, if not fully over the hill, certainly has started his walk down a rapidly steepening slope.

After watching one of the "highlights" during Sportscenter on Sunday morning, seeing Manny miss a catchable fly for probably 80% of major league outfielders, fall down, roll around and eventually on top of the ball, I have to ask (and I don't know, as I hardly ever watch Bosox games), what's his defensive liability relative to his hitting?

Also like the fact that you have to be REALLY CLOSE to read the "earn your right" language. Are we to assume that "eatin' ain't cheatin'" on Jesus?

Just as most of the right (not all, but most) was sympathetic in offering heartfelt wishes for good health to Ted Kennedy on his similar diagnosis, I for one will wish Novak godspeed in his treatment and recovery.

One can despise someone's opinions and actions, but wishing ill on another human is downright evil.

Kaine

Bayh

Sebelius

Biden

The only concern about Kaine is the relative lack of name recognition nationally. But his presence could certainly solidify the middle.

Same for Bayh as to the latter, plus--as noted--delivering Indiana's electors. The problem is a two-senator ticket (how's that worked lately?).

Sebelius? Look, I don't want to throw cold water on the hopes and dreams of my progressive bretheren (and sisteren?), but the country is simply not going to elect a black man AND a woman to the two highest offices in the land. We ain't there yet. Sorry, but reality demands the truth, whether you like it or not.

Biden? He's gonna be in the cabinet, not the Naval Observatory.

McCain's refusal to be managed is part of what a lot of casual observers have always like about him. Frankly, it's also why he's been generally adored by the media all these years. Of course, the $64,000 Question is whether a candidate this disconnected from his own campaign message can actually win?

I've said it before, though, and I'm going to keep saying it: the current level of disconnection is due to McCain's age, not his "maverick" nature. Accuse me of being an ageist all you want. I'm not saying that all people of his age are losing it, but age, genetics and personal history have taken too great a toll on a guy who -- frankly -- has never been a genius.

You don't need a Politico article, all you have to do is read the War Room comments to see that there are still some pretty bitter HRC supporters out there.

But those claiming they'd rather vote for McCain than Obama are tough to figure out, given McCain's positions on a number of issues their favorite candidate has long championed.

In general, it appears that more and more our nation is moving towards a "cult of personality" mentality. You see it in the HRC situation noted here, and it was illuminated yesterday regarding the Goodling testimony on how DOJ applicants were vetted (looking for those ready to pledge their fealty to W over the country and the Constitution).

Were we ever a nation where ideas mattered? I think we were, though I acknowledge that personality has always had significant impact in the political sphere. It seems that ideas hardly matter at all anymore.