Juan Castro signs with Twins

From the Seats, November 24, 2004

MINNEAPOLIS - The Twins made their first signing of the season Tuesday with Juan Castro, a utility infielder that played with the Reds last season.

Castro bated .244 and made 66 starts at four different positions. 35 games at third, 21 at short, 7 at second and 3 at first and had a .973 fielding percentage.

I would imagine that Castro will serve as a backup infielder to whoever might end up at second, short and third. Although with Ojeda and Punto do the Twins need another back up infielder? Maybe the Twins will end up drawing names from a hat to decide who will play where each night and have a infield by committee. 

Artest doesn't get it, NBA needs to be tuff

DETROIT - On Tuesday I watched an interview on the Today show with Ron Artest who started the brawl with fans and players in Detroit Friday night. In his interview he was more concerned about promoting his new CD instead of the issue at hand.

Artest has been suspended for the rest of the season, and without surprise himself and the players union don't think that is fair. According to the players union 30 games would have been appropriate.

Well Artest has been suspended a number of times in the past and has had to go to anger management. It was brought up that he broke a camera last season and had to pay for it. In the interview he was more concerned about getting the camera he payed for back than what happened Friday night. On top of that he gets laughs from someone in the background. These are examples that the punishment he got is what he needs.

In fact I think that should be the start. Fine him what he would get paid for a season, make him pay that to a charity and than have him to community service. Make the team pay a seasons worth of his salary to a charity as a fine. The other players involved should get the same fines.

There is only one way for to get the message across and that is by hitting their wallet, and doing it big.

It amazes me that there are people who stick up for Ron Artest, saying he is a good kid. Well good kids don't do things like this. Don't make excuses for adults that are interested in acting like children.

 The rest of the players and fans involved also need to be charged, all need to pay for their actions.