Last year at this time, I reflected on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, in this diary.

http://www.athleticsnation.com/2008/1/21/12222/6703

It has been a year since I wrote that , and since then we have reached another milestone in American History.  Barack Obama is on the verge( see it does have Oakland A's references) of making the history, that Dr. King  fought for and preached about.  It instills the pride, that I feel, and try to portray to my son, and  the younger generation of African American youth.

Well, I will leave it at that, and get back to the baseball.

A player. who's name always came up with trades with the A's has been sent to Baltimore.

The Chicago Cubs finally lost patience with former prized prospect Felix Pie, trading the outfielder to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday for left-hander Garrett Olson and minor league pitcher Henry Williamson.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/18/sports/s125958S66.DTL

Cole Hamels signs extension

Cole Hamels has about everything an ace pitcher could want after only three years in the major leagues.

The Phillies left-hander was the MVP of the World Series, he's earned a reputation as a big-game pitcher, he's been an All-Star and he's married to a former Playboy playmate.

While the Phillies partied with a parade, Hamels planned a low-key celebration.

Now, Hamels has a hefty three-year, $20.5 million contract to go with the championship he's still savoring.