STONES reserve J Valverde, activate S Service.

RUFFINS reserve D Minor, activate P Wilson.

PICTS reserve R Chavez, activate M Matheney.

RUFFINS reserve T Perez, activate J Reyes.

DEM REBELS reserve D Tankersley, activate M Kinney.

COPPERFIELDS reserve M Byrd, activate W Pena.

SPLINTERS reserve M Corey, activate P Byrd.

SPLINTERS reserve J Fikac, activate C Capuano.

RUFFINS reserve B Hill, activate J Castro.

STONES reserve K Garcia, activate B Hall.

COPPERFIELDS reserve G Maddux, activate J Brower.

LAMBCHOPS reserve M Adams, activate J Witasick.

LAMBCHOPS call C Beltran (.52) from the Free Agent Pool, reserve M Morris, waive A Telemaco.

SLUDGE reserve M Ginter, activate J Kennedy.

SLUDGE reserve D Weathers, activate V Santos.

RUFFINS reserve J Thomson, activate W Williams.

RUFFINS reserve T Redding, activate J Cruz.

PICTS reserve C Vargas, activate A Pettitte.

PICTS reserve J Michaels, activate D Glanville.

STONES reserve M Bradley, activate R Simon.

STONES reserve B Larkin, activate D Cruz.

STONES call W Franklin (.05) from the Free Agent Pool, reserve S Service, waive W Betemit.

DOORMATTS reserve C Freeman, activate S Taguchi.

DOORMATTS reserve J Knott, activate S Burnette.

SPLINTERS reserve G Matthews, activate L Walker.

SPLINTERS reserve C Capuano, activate O Moreno.

DA PAUL MEISTERS reserve T Zeile, activate J Cirillo.

NOTE: I wrote the following on Wednesday. As I prepare to post the report on Friday afternoon, it looks as though my fears may be materializing…

2004 is shaping up like every other year in recent history, or is it just my imagination. Maybe it's selective memory, but it seems every year about this time the Cubs are on an incredible hot streak – pitching lights-out, hitting the ball all over (and out of) the park, while the White Sox are floundering – struggling to score runs, blowing leads late, and making mental mistakes afield.

Then comes the Sox-Cubs interleague series. The Sox spank the Cubs all weekend long (twice on Sunday), embarking on a torrid winning streak and sending the Cubs into a month-long tailspin. It's my impression that this has become an annual occurrence, though as I said, it may just be a couple old scars leaving an indelible mark. The Cubs started fumbling in their last two games versus the Cardinals, so they’re already scuffling.

I hope I'm wrong, but past history (or my impression of it) leads me to predict that the Cubs will struggle to take one of three from the Sox this weekend. The Pale Hose will beat the snot out of Mark Prior and company, their pitchers will tie Sosa, Alou, Ramirez, and Lee in knots, and Ozzie will thoroughly out-manage Dusty.

And if you think I'm attempting to put the old reverse jinx on this weekend's series, you're damn right…

No, this isn't a get-out-the-vote plea for the All-Star Game; it is actually something much more important. An online petition has been circulating in an attempt to right an incredible wrong perpetrated by Major League Baseball.

http://www.petitiononline.com/fark421/petition.html

Note: Those of you who commented on the Report pictures of the baseball-playing mom on Mother's Day and of Jennie Finch a few weeks ago ought to really love this one. And no, I wouldn't attach my name to this petition, though I did find it humorous and very cleverly written.

It's been interesting for me to keep tabs on the potential Topper Budget balances as I update the chart each week. Until recently, there had been pretty active movement up and down the list each week. Things seem to have stabilized a little bit, but I imagine more shifting will take place as dumping becomes more active.

Or will it (dumping become more active)? I'd be interested to know if the new Topper plan has factored into anyone's trade decisions this year. Has the thought of potentially redrafting a B-contract player at a discount next year caused anyone to have second thoughts about trading one away (or even acquiring one)? Are teams in the lower fourth of the standings making a concerted effort to stay competitive in the hopes of adding a penny or two to their 2005 budget?

These are all rhetorical questions – I wouldn't ask anyone to reveal strategy which the season's still in progress – but since I update the budgets each week I'm curious about any effects the rule may be having.

Record Book

Week Ending 6/25:  No new records were set this week.