I had it originally titled "Juan Cruz is______", but since I'm on Juan's side, I didn't want to jinx him seeing a diary that begged the question. My reply to the question is: going to be really, really good next year...as a starter. I think he can pitch, and pitch extremely well, as long as he starts the game. He doesn't have a closers' mentality; something I think you need when you find yourself in extra-innings.

I wish, for obvious reasons, that they hadn't put him in. I would have liked to see Zito's start pushed back, and was looking forward to Cruz starting. I think we'd have seen an entirely different Juan Cruz.

I worked so late that i managed to walk into the nearest bar right at the moment that Yabu hit Ramirez for what I then realized was the winning run. Very disappointing; among the toughest loses that I can recall. I didn't even see Juan pitch.

I feel sorry for him; he always wanted to be a starter in Chicago, and Dusty gave up on him. I think he's going to be a star next year, if he makes the team (which I hope happens) I think he can't handle the pressure, and, more importantly, I think that he'll pitch tough enough if he's allowed to start to avoid most of that pressure. Seriously. The kid is nasty, but he just can't take the pressure, and has said so, without saying so.

dammmit. to walk in on that was just a real sh*tter; I was hoping to walk in and turn the tide of what I knew to be a tie ball game.

Go GET 'EM, A's. BOSTON. almost arch-enemy. 3 of 4 is pretty bad-as$, and that's what I'm looking for. Just wish we'd have seen Juan start one of 'em.