Letter to Pope Francis

Dear Pope Francis,

I appreciate you coming in peace to get us back on track again and we welcomed you with open arms and clear eyes.

I am a Methodist and a Lutheran, a mixed denomination person who has his criticisms of the Catholic Church, however, is very supportive of SOME of the positions you take. To be frank, I haven't got a problem with the church, it's just you do things differently than other religions...

First of all, I appreciate your stance on abortions. There's a thing called the "sanctity of human life" and planned parenthood has VIOLATED that sanctity several times by selling baby parts and live tissue. I don't really have an official stance on the right of abortion, but I seem to be getting to be more pro life than anything. Personally, if a girl is raped, has a baby, and she doesn't want it: Why kill it? Give it up for adoption if they don't feel they can handle the stress.

Second, I am very happy that you took a stand with the Lutheran church on the joint justification of the doctrine. Seems like you are very much doing your very best to make peace with the church that broke away from you over 600 years ago. But do not think of Reformation Day as a day of thievery by the Lutheran Church, think of it as a day in which new religious denominations were founded that prayed to the same god yet under differentiating circumstances. Understand

Third, It's time for you to back off from politics. You are head of a church, not a politician. Your job is to spread peace to the world, make nice to the warring nations, and keep the peace between the religions. It's not your job to tell politicians to tell us what we should and shouldn't do. As the head of the catholic church, you have one job, pray for the world and hope peace comes to it.

Finally, thank you for coming to America. I hope that Ben's Chili Bowl, Pat's, Geno's, and others were good to your tasting and also you had a great load of fans who appreciated everything you did.

I also found it really amazing that you... Instead of eating with congress... you ate with the homeless. That got me very happy. Thank you for coming to America and please visit soon again, we'd love to have you again.

~ Joshua

NFL Week 1 - Let the games begin!

Hello,

Picks will be posted every Wednesday during the football season

Note: These picks are for fun and FUN ONLY, do not ask me to help you out with fantasy football, fanduel, draftkings, or anything else. I only do picks because I can.

Opening Statement:

The NFL regular season has begun and with 256 games to Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco, California. Are we ready for some football? I am. The excitement factor will be based off of a 0 to 10 rating. So grab some wings, popcorn, and other munchies... Get a beer or two... It's time for some football!

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WEEK 1 GAMES (Team on right is the home team)
Wins are worth 2 points

Pittsburgh vs. New England (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 9.0)
Foxborough, Massachusetts - 8:30pm - Thursday
Selection: New England
Score: 37-29

Indianapolis vs. Buffalo (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 5.3)
Orchard Park, New York - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Indianapolis
Score: 26-21

Green Bay vs. Chicago (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 6.2)
Chicago, Illinois - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Green Bay
Score: 31-13

Kansas City vs. Houston (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 4.1)
Houston, Texas - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Houston
Score: 27-17

Carolina vs. Jacksonville (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 3.0)
Jacksonville, Florida - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Carolina
Score: 30-21

Cleveland vs. New York-AFC (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 3.2)
East Rutherford, New Jersey - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: New York-AFC
Score: 25-15

Seattle vs. St. Louis (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 7.4)
St. Louis, Missouri - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Seattle
Score: 26-21

Miami vs. Washington (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 6.0)
Landover, Maryland - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Miami
Score: 24-13

New Orleans vs. Arizona (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 6.8)
Glendale, Arizona - 4:05pm - Sunday
Selection: New Orleans
Score: 30-27

Detroit vs. San Diego (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 7.5)
San Diego, California - 4:05pm - Sunday
Selection: Detroit (UPSET SPECIAL)
Score: 27-26

Baltimore vs. Denver (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 8.4)
Denver, Colorado - 4:25pm - Sunday
Selection: Baltimore
Score: 34-21

Cincinnati vs. Oakland (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 5.0)
Oakland, California - 4:25pm - Sunday
Selection: Oakland
Score: 26-16

Tennessee vs. Tampa Bay (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 2.4)
Tampa Bay, Florida - 4:25pm - Sunday
Selection: Tampa Bay
Score: 19-16

New York-NFC vs. Dallas (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 8.1)
Arlington, Texas - 8:30pm - Sunday
Selection: Dallas
Score: 33-26

Philadelphia vs. Atlanta (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 7.9)
Atlanta, Georgia - 7:00pm - Monday
Selection: Atlanta
Score: 34-28

Minnesota vs. San Francisco (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 9.1)
Santa Clara, California - 10:20pm - Monday
Selection: Minnesota
Score: 30-20

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Final scores along with the previous picks will be posted on the next Wednesday's selections along with the next week's picks.

~ Joshua

Questions to the Editor: End of Summer Edition

As in all past entries... the person wishes to remain anonymous.

Person: Yep! Been a long time! Where have you been??

Me: Busy, working, new job, buying a house, drinking beer, vacation...

Person: You've been through a lot, it seems.

Me: You can say that.

Person: So what is with you and fall. Why do you dislike fall so much...? Don't you like the colors and stuff like so.

Me: While I am fine with the colors and the upcoming events... I don't think many understand that you just can't wish your life away. I know that my wedding is coming up in November but... I really want to just enjoy each day that comes and goes. I wish people would understand that. I post stuff to say: Hey folks, ENJOY life!!! One day at a time! It's 96 degrees and people are still at the beach! BEGONE WITH YOUR PUMPKIN TREATS! Everyone says I have a problem with fall. No I have a problem with people wishing their lives away. I see all these posts of: Oh I just can't wait for autumn, the crisp air, and snuggles... To me: These people want to wish their lives away.

Life is short, take it one day at a time, and enjoy what's in front of you.

Person: Don't you feel like you are upsetting people?

Me: Me? Come on... I just want people to realize, life is short, don't waste it away.

Person: So what would be your idea to fix this?

Me: Start selling the pumpkin spice stuff at the START of fall (September 23) and not before. Mind you, it's not even real pumpkin flavor... it's just cinnamon flavoring that knows somebody... Just like champagne, it's ginger ale that knows someone.

Person: Wedding's getting close. You excited?

Me: With 61 days to go, I'm taking it a day at a time. You know, we started at 439 days, and we are this close. It's not really hit me yet.

Person: Have your schedule together???

Me: Yep, I'll begin with a gym day from 6:00-8:00, I will probably have my opening statement all written out and posted at 7:00am. At 8:25, after I depart the gym, ill pick up donuts and orange juice for the men. At 8:45, I'll get myself a shower and all spruced up... I want all my guys there by 9:00-9:15... this way we're all set to go as soon as the limo gets in (10:30am sharp). Wedding is at 11am.

Person: Looking forward to football season?

Me: Yep, Ravens had a 1-3 preseason but that's ok, I'm looking at the bright side because every preseason that the team has managed 0, 1, or 2 preseason wins, they've averaged 10 to 12 wins and got a playoff berth.

Person: How about college football?

Me: My expectations with Maryland aren't as high, but I'd like to see them get to 6+ wins to get themselves a bowl. I'm hoping that the game vs. Rutgers last year when we blew the lead wasn't a turn of events for what's to come this season. I really just like watching college football all together because it's great to see what the kids can do before the NFL.

Person: I know you are a college basketball person, so what's your take on the upcoming Maryland Terrapins season after a surprising 2nd place finish in the Big 10.

Me: Yep. I was very surprised that the Terrapins did so good when people picked them to finish 8th or worse. There were lazy players the previous season and Turgeon fired them pretty much. I didn't think they would have a team with all the losses. But the moves the Terps made along the way with a highly ranked recruiting class.

Person: So how's the house coming along?

Me: It's pretty much done. Can't thank my fiance's mom and my fiance herself for doing the painting. Lord knows I am no good at it.

Person: With the fall coming up, what's some events you are looking forward to, aside from the wedding and honeymoon?

Me: Of course Thanksgiving with the fam, Christ the King Sunday, and the start of Advent. I like Advent because the vestments are happy and we are singing songs of great joy. Before which, we have to get through Thanksgiving and all that food.

Person: You're planning on doing some working out beforehand right?

Me: Yep, get up nice and early, get a long workout in, try to get at least 3 or 4 hours in.

Person: Are you going to be...

Me: If you say, my usual blogs about Thanksgiving, buckets of gratitude, Christmas, letters from Bethlehem, and etc... Yeah, you're right.

Person: I can't wait to read them.

Me: Got to write them first.

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Until next time, this has been questions to the editor.

~ J

28 years, 2 homes, and now a new era begins.

Hello,

September 4th marked the last time I ever slept in my bed at my parents place... I remember that day in 1991, when we left our previous house for the new one.

I remember the last days we were at the old house...

Going over to the park...

My mom cooking in the kitchen...

Eating a calzone hurriedly so we could go to my grandmother's pool.

The times we played Nintendo in the basement...

My mom watching "The Young and the Restless" on the portable television with the channel knob on the side.

Coming home after Christmas Eve...

The sharp television for which either had it on Channel 11 or 13... HRC, IRC, Cable...

A lot of things I remember about the old house.

----

The current house?

I will remember the days we played Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and beyond in the living room...

The days we had the Maurers and the Grabs over.

The family Christmas parties we threw...

The family Thanksgivings...

Everything...

Those days... well, they were great but a new era is beginning.

----

That era is over... It's all over and things will be totally different. It's already different because of the fact that I won't be sleeping in my own bed at my parents place... I'll be sleeping on a futon for a bit until we can get larger bed for my wife and I down the road.

----

Am I sad that this is happening? Yes. But I know that my mom and dad know that their 28-year old has grown up and is ready to start his new life. I kept saying that it was time to push play on life and I will be pushing play on it now.

Things, yes... it just don't feel like it's going to be the same anymore. Waking up in a house that you've barely spent any time in... no internet or anything... it's just going to be different for awhile.

----

November 7th is right around the corner. Am I getting nerve-wrecked? No.

I know that I am marrying a wonderful woman in Joanna. I wrote a great letter to her that will be delivered to her on the wedding day.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of my friends and family there. Looking forward to everything.

----

But it's time to say good-bye to a home I called for 24 years... a home I will still visit from time to time, but... I guess the time is here to begin a new era. It's going to be right goofy going down 295 to 166 to get home.

----

~ Joshua

Sunday Sermon: Where's our patriotism?

Good Evening,

Picture if you will... where you were on 9/11. Just picture it for a minute.

It was a beautiful morning, not a cloud in the sky, and I was on my way to my 2nd full week at Western Tech High School as a 9th grader. I remember being in American Government class which was very ironic because we were assigned a project (which I didn't do...) in regards to George W. Bush. Class was over at 9:00am, while the attacks were currently ongoing.

Then I remember around 9:05, the morning announcements were done but no mention of the attacks (which was a very smart move by our principal) to try to keep us calm. But something was itching at me that something just didn't seem right. Today felt ok, but something was nudging at me saying: "Hey Josh, something's wrong..."

Something was wrong... The WTC towers in NYC were attacked by Islamic extremists and Osama Bin Laden.

The situation was dire as many people were trapped inside the towers and I knew that a lot of people were going to pass on that day.

Then it got worse... The Pentagon was attacked.

It was a very serious situation that just couldn't seem to get any worse... Then it did when another plane about 80 miles from Pittsburgh was overtaken by the Islamic extremists by retaken by the passengers on the plane but they couldn't stop it and it crashed at 600 mph.

By 12:00pm, my mother was taking no chances and took me out of school. Mom pushed me into the car and told me what happened. We came home and on the television... the same towers I visited back in 8th grade... were gone.

Nearly 3,000 were killed... many were displaced... bodies still haven't been claimed... 9/11 was a complete disaster.

Later that evening, it was silent in the skies... not a plane to be heard... It was deafeningly silent and very scary. The full ground stop grounded all the airplanes.

---

Our patriotism on the days prior were lacking... we didn't have many American flags flying and it was just at all-time lows... We thought that our nation couldn't possibly be attacked... Well, were we ever wrong.

9/11 brought back the great patriotism that America needs to seriously be showing again. What will it take to bring back patriotism in America. I see the American flag being desecrated in so many ways... We're in America, this is the land of the free, and the home of the brave... Why in God's name are we doing such despicable acts with our American flag... Why are so many people getting offended by the flag of our nation?!

Do this in any other country and you will get destroyed like nobody's business!

It's popping up all over social media.

1. I am seeing pictures of people on facebook shoving the flag up their rear end

2. People stepping on the flag

3. People burning the flag.

Come on people, where IS YOUR PATRIOTISM! Do you not understand what this flag means to our nation? Honestly? Do you not understand? Think of all the military men and women who sacrificed THEIR LIVES to SERVE AND PROTECT!!!

What about our firefighters... police officers...? They sacrificed their lives on 9/11 as well! I've had enough of this flag desecration! Why aren't we punishing people for this!?

Fly the flag on 9/11 and every day of the week. Remember, this is the country YOU LIVE IN! Remember all the men and women that have sacrificed THEIR LIVES for that flag.

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9/11 is also NOT AN ANNIVERSARY... It is a not even considered a federal and public holiday... For which I don't understand. We call it Patriot Day but there's just no federal recognition for it to become a public holiday of sorts.

It is an extremely significant day in our nation's history.

Why are we calling something an anniversary when it was a dark day?

---

I ask everyone, no matter how old or young you were on 9/11, to fly the flag that our forefathers bore and our military defends today.

It is really sad that our flag continues to be ignored as a piece of our history. Not to mention the fact that people are literally being asked to take it down because "IT OFFENDS"

You know what, if someone tells you that the flag offends... Tell them: "Sorry, this is the flag that my country hails... I will not take it down."

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On this 9/11, 14 years later, remember those who perished... say a prayer for the nation... and hope that this never happens again...

Thank you

~ Joshua

The Road to November: Reality setting in

Hello,

Have you ever gone to bed thinking what does tomorrow bring? How does the future look...? Is it dark? bleak? Is there a big shining light at the end of the tunnel? Do you just want to turn around and go back the other way?

For me, it's the constant countdown running down to November 7, 2015... It is the day that I am about to be a husband... someone who cares for his wife just like a real husband should.

As a follower of Jesus Christ and his teachings. Jesus Christ taught us many things and Paul elaborated on those teachings in his epistles. Paul said: "Wives, submit to your husbands as you would the lord. He is the head of wife as Christ is the head of the church."

However... in continuing... Paul also states to the husbands: "Love your wife as you would love the LORD."

Joanna and I are going to  have a traditional marriage. We both work, have lives, do the housework together, pay the bills, work hard, and we are going to make our marriage last even beyond our olden years together.

We are the last of our families to get married and it does come with some sadness to our mothers and fathers because... this is the last child they are sending out into the world. It is just such a big event.

---

Reality is setting in... I know I won't be the perfect husband but I know darn well I do my very best to be the best husband.

It's really weird to even saying that: "Husband..."

This coming from the guy who didn't think he was going to see the light of marriage... seeing friends see me get married to the one I am giving my heart to permanently...

I didn't think it would happen. I thought I was going to be a single man with no kids going into my 40s and living by myself.

But at 28 years old... I'm just 77 days away from giving my heart to Joanna.

Ever since I've been with Joanna, I've keep knowing more and more that I've made a great decision. I've made new friends, got rid of a lot of rubbish and fakers in my life, people who just want the handout... I've made some incredible strides at work by getting not one but two new jobs...

Changes were coming regardless. I fought hard for a new job and got it... Don't have to work my weekends anymore... I'm spending more time with the LORD in the church... I'm doing everything I can to make my life so much better.

Not to mention I bought a house on my own without any parental help... I purchased my honeymoon without any parental decisions... I'm learning how to do things on my own...

It's time for me to get up, be a man, and take charge of my life... That's exactly what I did.

---

I wrote a very special letter to Joanna that will be delivered on our wedding day in regards to how happy I am to be marrying someone so wonderful and right for me.

---

When I pledged marriage to Joanna with that engagement... Right there, I grew up. Bottom line... and she's been there for me through the best, worst, head-scratching, crazy, and outrageous of times.

And as I learned, it's my job to be there for the best, worst, head-scratching, crazy, and outrageous of times.

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I pledge to be a good and very valued husband and I will be. I got God on my side and Jesus at the ready patting me on the back.

Brandon, a friend of mine, at Steve's party yesterday said:
"The nerves kick in about an hour before the wedding begins..."

---

~ Joshua

A realist Orioles fan...

Hello,

So the O's are having a stretch where they are once again, up and down and still in the run for the playoffs. As I've wanted to be a radio announcer since I was 14, isn't the rule: You have to be objective? And yes, I am being extremely objective and critical.

In 2014, the Orioles won the American League East, making a few band-aid moves, but it worked out because a lot of people didn't understand our strategy. We had a strength of our bullpen, a great D, and we lived and died by the home run. To build upon that great success, I was hoping Dan Duquette would use the money wisely enough to make some moves do so. Instead, he let Nick Markakis walk... he let Nelson Cruz go and he's having great success with Seattle... and now... the O's are up and down and don't know what to do. The O's once again sat on their hands, watched everyone else improve, and teams re-worked their strategies.

Fans say: "But we increased our payroll."

You increased payroll, ok. BUT WHAT IMPROVEMENTS DID YOU MAKE!?!?!? Dan Duquette, you were so distracted by the President and CEO job of the Toronto Blue Jays, that you didn't do a thing!

Folks, I am a Orioles Fan, but there's a thing called: Being a realist.

The pitching this year has let us down badly... We've turned a corner with our D after a questionable first half. We're still free swinging at the ball, just living and dying by the homerun. Might I also state that we also have NO MINOR LEAGUE TALENT younger than 24 READY to come up to the big leagues. We don't have any promising prospects at all! See, my feeling is, if they don't get into the major leagues by 25? They are a career minor leaguer... Our farm system is the OLDEST in professional baseball at 27.8.

Do you guys not understand that the farm system is barren and has no ready talent to come up. Hobgood.... huge bust... Bundy... not even close to being ready, he's oft injured and never ready to go. I gave him time, but I'm running out of patience with him.

I figured some of these guys we had doing really good right now were young and poised and ready to go... Nope, some of them are going into their 30s... Does that not speak any volumes?

I continue to say, we got a lot of questions on our team and understand, our future does not seem to be very bright as Dan Duquette has already stated: WE'RE NOT SPENDING MONEY.

YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO COMPETE AND CONTEND... You have to get the right talent to help the rookies grow up.

---

Fans, if we have enough to carry the team to the postseason. That's fantastic. But anything less than the World Series after being in the ALCS means the season was a failure.

Last year wasn't luck, it was just a lot of strengths we had finally come together.

---

I also ask Adam Jones to stop being such a pathetic prick. Look man, if you say you are the leader you so claim to be then you need to start acting like it and not being so arrogant and uncaring of where this team goes.

---

Losing Markakis was a huge mistake. He was the true leader of the team and spoke when spoken to. He spoke up when he had to. He was the true captain of the team and just did his job. He was very mild-mannered.

---

Fans,

Can you please hear me out? I'm being objective and a realist. I'm not sure if this team has enough left in the tank to get to the postseason... This team is on E... There's no minor league talent ready to come up to help the team... Fans, we may have to face it... there is nothing like in the tank. I hope we have something big come down the stretch, but I don't have a lot of hope for this year or next... Dan Duquette has made it clear that not much is changing next offseason in terms of spending.

Does that not ALARM YOU!? Seriously? Does that not make you a bit fearful about the team's future? This team has no ready prospects and the future is pretty dark.

This is why we need to spend and make signings... it starts this offseason.

~ Joshua

Sunday Sermon: Fear

Good Evening,

Today in church was a discussion and talk about fear. We all have fears, even superheroes had fears, families have fears, and even Jesus had a fear.

Fear is an incredibly common thing among all the residents of the green Earth. We all have a fear of something.

For me, it's spiders and dogs... I've always had a huge fear of spiders and believe me if I see one on our trip to Cozumel... I'm turning myself around and saying: Uh... No.

My fear of dogs began when I was 2 years old and I was bit. My friend Megan P.'s dog bit me and that hurt. Thanks Megan.

But fear is something that comes with the integrity of our lives and how we play our cards down the road. Fear is something that comes natural with our lives and we're all going to have it.

Phobias come in all shapes and sizes:

Algophobia is the fear of pain.

Bibliophobia is the fear of books.

Catagelophobia is the fear of being ridiculed.

Cynophobia is the fear of dogs.

Doxophobia is the fear of opinions.

Kopophobia is the fear of fatigue.

There's over 40,000 listed phobias. Everyone's got one. Why not make Pittsaphobia... Fear of Pittsburgans... or Ohiaphobia... Fear of Ohioans... Or how about Baltimophobia... Fear of Baltimoreans.

Some you can just make up, some of real, or... some... just don't make sense.

----

Jesus himself, probably had a fear of being alone, that's why he always had his disciples with him as they were his followers.

----

But why am I talking about fear?

Fear is something we have to deal with everyday of our lives and not only that, it's part of who we are.... there are many pieces of us we won't necessarily understand but... fear is what we have to deal with day in and day out.

---

And Jesus, I pray that we can overcome our fears... Fears are difficult... Fears are painful... We either have the fear of seeing some crazy... or seeing a pickle... doesn't matter. Fears are tough... Help us all to overcome the fears and phobias of life each day.

Amen.

~ Joshua

End of movie theatres as we know it

Hello all,

Recently, we've seen 3 movie theatre shootings and a question lingering: Is this the end of movie theatres as well know it?

I'm thinking it may just be...

With the advent and dawn of REDBOX, NETFLIX, AMAZON PRIME, and other movie services and with the constant rises in movie ticket and food prices to keep up with profits... I think the decline of the movie theatre is officially here.

Attendance at movie theatres has declined steadily since the advent of movie streaming services. According to some sources, movie theatre attendance is down 20%. People are just not getting up to go to movies anymore nowadays.

January and February are the worst times for new releases due to people not having the money to even go.

People are also afraid of going due to the continued number of shootings going on in theatres. We saw the most major massacre in Colorado with the Century 16 shooting with James E. Holmes.

---

I personally believe this is the proverbial end for movie theatres.

~ Joshua

From an angry O's fan: Dear Dan...

Dear Dan Duquette,

I've been an Orioles fan since birth and have just about had it with you NOT signing anyone in the offseason and IMPROVING the team. I saw other teams spend big money to sign talent and improve their teams. We again, stood pat at free agency, and signed a shortstop who's doing nothing but committing errors and hitting into double plays. I, as a fan, demand an explanation as to WHY you are not signing anyone.

Our talent in the minor leagues is nowhere near ready. Hunter Harvey is still probably a good 2 to 3 years away, Bundy is showing some signs of regression, our hitters are pretty lackluster at best... Do we have ANY developing and ready made rookies to bring up to the minor leagues? The answer to that is NO.

Did the Blue Jays President and CEO title distract you this season from signing anyone? I think it did. All these free agents and international talent could've been signed. Yasmany Tomas and Rusney Castillo are still in their respective minor league systems with NO PLACE TO PUT THEM.... You could've signed them! YOU HAD MONEY...

I am really glad that the Oriole players are questioning the commitment to winning. Yes we were close to getting to the World Series last year but ran into a very good KC team who outplayed us with their D and hitting... But in order to get to that next stage... You have to make IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TEAM. I don't see Everth Cabrera as an upgrade... I see him as a serious downgrade.

Loads of money to spend and not a dime was spent. I believe the fans are going to start questioning our commitment to winning if nothing is done in the offseason... You can take that to the bank... I'm a very upset fan and tired of seeing the same thing in the offseason: NOTHING DONE...

Personally, I believe it's time to send some players to contenders and start growing our minor league system more with better talent. Start gutting the team and having a fire sale.

RAISING PAYROLL does not mean you improved the team, that just means you are paying more money to players.

Letting Markakis and Cruz go was the worst idea ever. Markakis is still mashing the ball and Cruz has 15 homeruns already. Boy did we lose defense, power, and LEADERSHIP. Markakis is a very quiet leader... Jones is too cocky as a leader...

I want to see some changes next offseason... a lot of changes...