Luke Gregerson Is In The Fold

Luke,

The Redbirds recently sent you over to the Drinos as the last piece of the blockbuster Khalil Greene-for-Two-Unknown-Minor-League-Pitchers deal that set the baseball world on fire last Fall. I'm not sure folks in the know - or those out of the know, for that matter - have calmed down yet from considering the potential implications of that monster deal. ESPN has not stopped talking about it. The MLB Network has updates on the trade running at the bottom of the screen about every 6 seconds. Barack Obama even fielded a question about it during his press conference last night.

People just can't get enough of this deal and now you are the final piece of the puzzle. You're that hard to fit middle piece with no clear markings on any border. Fame has been thrust upon you, Luke, and I hope you're the man to handle it.

True, it's going to be hard to avoid the spotlight pitching in San Diego or Portland or San Antonio, or wherever else you might end up, but by God I know you can weather the storm and come out the other end smelling like roses.

Or something like that.

Best,
Bevormo

Former Natty Pitcher Joins Drinos

The Drinos yesterday signed Shawn Hill to compete for the #5 spot in the pitching rotation. Hill, who has had injury problems over the past few years, was recently released by the Washington Nationals.

This is a good move. When you think of franchises that really know how to develop players and that are overstocked with talent, you have to think first of the Washington Nationals. Their castoffs - blocked in D.C. by the Nats' ridiculous array of talent - stand a good chance of dominating elsewhere in the league.

Go ahead and pencil the Padres in for a few more wins now that Shawn Hill is in the mix.

Back In The Saddle!

Le Bracket

The games are set. The bracket is ready. Games on.

Actually, please ignore the bracket above. It is from last season and was all I could find during a quick internet search. The 2009 Big Ten Tourney bracket is apparently not yet released in a form suitable for posting on this blog. At least not in a way that matches my limited technical skills.

So, I have to ask you imagine along with me. Our Illini are the #2 seed in this year's tourney and earned a first round bye. The Illini play Friday evening at 6:30 EST against the winner of the Thursday afternoon contest between Iowa and Michigan. The Illini can't overlook this game. Remember, the Illini were in Iowa's position last season - the #10 seed - and snaked all the way to the tournament final.

Can't wait for Friday. Should be choice.

Big Ten Tourney

Calvin,

The good ol' Big Ten Tournament starts later this week. This will be your last tournament so I encourage you to make the most of it.

I know you will.

A strong showing in the tournament should give the Illini a 4 or 5 seed. An early exit might mean a 6 or 7.

The stakes could not be higher.

Good luck and see you next Friday.

Best,
Bevormo

Don't Leave Us

LT,

Rumor has it you may leave for New Orleans. That the decision, in fact, is in your hands.

All I can say is this: please don't go.

Please. Don't. Go.

Best,
Bevormo

Cro

Crime Time,

Hey, buddy. How are things going? I hope that's not an important call because I wanted to to talk to you about something and it really can't wait.

Remember last offseason when you were coming off your 10 pick season and, after talking with Deion "Prime Time" Sanders, you floated the notion of nicknaming yourself "Crime Time."

I do.

I thought it was kind of stupid at the time but I was willing to wait out a final reaction until after the 2008 season. I figured if you had 10 or so more picks (or 12 like you predicted) then you could nickname yourself anything you wanted. Now, after your two pick season, I have concluded that the nickname Crime Time is stupid. Please don't use it anymore. For the time being you are Antonio Cromartie. Or, if you really need a nickname, at most use some variation of your actual name, like, as noted above, "Cro."

Two picks earns you the right to be nicknamed something dull, like "Tony," but I'm willing to let you go with "Cro."

Now let's get that hip healed and prepare to dominate this Fall.

Best,
Bevormo

Emil "Bomb" Brown

Emil,

I've been so busy at work lately I haven't been able to follow much of Spring Training. Word came my way though that you hit a 3-run bomb this afternoon off the Brewers' Jeff Suppan.

Nice work.

You keep that up and I'll look for a photo of you in a Drino uniform.

Best,
Bevormo