I like DLEE alot...but to say the problems Bradley and Jones had dont help to lure African Amercian players to Wrigley is stupid. (He forgot to add LaTroy Hawkins) Let's see what Andre Dawson has to say about his time in Wrigley. How about Lee Smith. Leon Durham? Not to mention the old greats Billy Williams and Ernie Banks.

The problem with the players Lee mentioned is they all sucked.

^ +1

I think, one of the beauties of internet "communities" (or whatever you want to call this) is that they are color blind. We read and give and take based solely on the content of the comments. I don't know what color or race any of you are, and you don't know same about me. So unless you are a black man that has played a professional sport, do not say Lee, or anyone else be JJ or Milton or whoever, that they overly sensitive about racial treatment or that "it's part of the game" because that is just bullshit, plain and simple.

D Lee is stand up guy and he's been a helluva Cub. When he goes, he'll be missed.

D lee is speaking his mind...that doesnt make him racist...And he does have a point!! I have been to numerous cubs games where milton would strike out and everyone would boo...it was like a big joke to boo this guy every time he came to the plate! Fontenot had a horrible year but was rarely booed and def wasnt booed before he got to the plate..Milton did shoot himself in the foot with his comments but us cubs fans validated his comments by not giving him a chance...At some point we have to stop being nieve!!! these arent the slavery days but i know a LOT of white people in chicago that just simply dont like black people..Milton most def received racist comments directed towards him...I receive them playing Halo 3 online...Soon as they hear my voice, hear comes a black joke...I understand that everyone isnt racist but to assume D Lee or Milton or any other black athlete in chicago doesnt get racist emails or heckled is rediculous..D lee is simply speaking the TRUTH...and Milton just wasnt strong enough to handle it..

Charle, I'm sure Miltongot a few racists insults...when you think of the mass of humanity that passes through Wrigley...there's always going to be some racists.

BUT, Fontenot wasn't boo'd because 2 things.

A)He had a decent year before.

B)He was making minimum $$$.

On the other hand...Milton represented

a huge investment...cost us ((in some fan's mind) DeRo and Wood...and if you recall...started out opening day at Wrigley with a groin pull that seemed like it lasted forever.

-then he didn't hit...and it was downhill from there.

It really had nothing to do with race.

As far as the DeRo/Wood thing...that wasn't his fault either...Hendry

unintentionally set it up that way.

I respect your opinion suzy...but I believe Wrigley had a man crush on booing Bradley..I think cubs fans liked getting under his skin because he showed his emotions..Im not arguing it was because he was black but i would like to point out that Kerry Wood pretty much stole money from the cubs for YEARS and had a terrible year in 09, so no one should miss him besides in the community...yet he is loved for some reason??? Soriano played hurt all year and was also booed on the regular...Yes he sucked but he deserves some credit..Dempster had a horrible year for his contract yet he is loved...I just believe humans are bias towards their own race..And wrigley is a mostly white crowd..I dnt really have a solution besides, boo everybody or just dnt boo at all because i will admit that we (african americans) are sensitive to this issue and often over react...especially in a uncomfortable (majority white people) setting...Im not sure if you are white but, just imagine yourself on a 25 man roster with probly only 3 or 4 other white people, and crowd full of black people booing you every game even before your first at-bat of the day...I also think D lee was just angry because Marlon wasnt traded for Milton yet this story gets printed...they are compared because they are both black which, is wrong because they have completly diffrent personalities..

Charle, I respect your opinion also...

I'm white...so I can't speak to black sensitivities...But I agree with DLee..

As far as Soriano goes...he's a nice guy and I admire his grit...but if you read my posts...I was screaming at the Cubs to

bench him or put him on the DL from June forward.

I'm not fond of free swingers...and it doesn't matter to me if it's Dave Kingman/ Adam Dunn/ or Soriano.

Bradley is a sad chapter of Cubs history.

Hendry billed him as a slugger...and he really wasn't...If Bradley would have been white...with the same personality

and performance...I still think he would have heard just as many boo's.

I'd be lost on a 25 man roster anyhow...

because I don't speak Spanish/Japanese/

Korean...then there's the "A League of

Their Own." thing.

However, I got a taste of that feeling

when I was in college....One Summer I took a job in a manufacturing environment

in Milwaukee. I was one of 3 white people...(out of 200 or so)....so in a

very small way...I understand your point Charle.

Now let's get back to baseball talk...I'm sure Aaron will be after me again re Dunn. ( He is a FA after this season unless Washington extends him.

Be forewarned CCO...I smell an Aaron post coming on this very topic this summer. :)

A few thoughts....

* I do not think D Lee is racist.

* I do believe that D. Lee is very sensitive about how black players are treated by fans.

* I believe ALL players should expect to be praised or booed based on their play.

** I believe all Major League players should have ALREADY known that they are expected to be praised or booed based on their play.

The irony is: Some didn't transfer knowledge from the short to their long-term memory.

I'll be in the minority here, but I would (a) try to trade Derrick during the season to maximize a return, or (b) just not extend him at season end.

It's time to just go another direction and not provide an extension to another aging veteran. This may be a good time for Aramis to maybe shift to 1B (to extend his longevity) or hopefully Vitters can play into the equation.

Derrick been a solid member of the team, and a "good guy" as well.

That might be a minority view...but it's not mine....I'm in agreement.

Your option (b) is more realistic...

because of Derrick's no trade clause...

and desire to finish his career as a Cub.

btw...I have little time this am to post links...but check out Gordan W's column

in the Sun Times re our minor league

system.

At the very bottom...he lists a line-up

composed of arriving prospects...and veteran "keepers".

At 1b...is Adrian Gonzales.

Suzy...I agree on the no-trade. But if the Cubs aren't legit contenders mid-season, and Derrick has a chance to "go out" with a final WS push with another team, then that might be a possibility.

Re: Adrian Gonzales...that's the guy to get!

Bryan, we should still be in "contention"

by the July trade deadline.

btw...My definition of contention is less then 10 games out by the July 31

trade deadline.

However...since the Cubs approached Lee last year about his trade status...it does have to be on their mind.

It's what really makes this year so interesting...because we all know inevitable changes are coming to the core of this team...and probably

management.

Bryan...I do hope you have a broom

handy for your opening attendance

record in 2010.

I actually only made 2 games last year...

but I was 2-0.

JimC...I agree.

I've got a broom for the opening series, but would be thrilled if we took 2 of 3.

Bryan, maybe you should consider a CCO sign...you know we'll all be watching!!!

and yes...with every series...I'd be extremely happy with 2 out of 3.

A CCO sign sounds like a great idea. We'll be in the lower RF bleacher area for each game, so we'll put something in place.

Bryan, that would be great. Thanks!

cool!!!

mlbtraderumors said Peavy talked with Kenny Williams about acquiring Adrian Gonzales...but said the talk was unnecessary...because Williams was expected to be first in line if the Padres made AGON available....they speculated the price would be a package centered around Beckham.

It gives you an idea of what we would have to give up...if we did pursue that avenue...as DLee's replacement.

I'm not sure even Kenny would go there...

for Beckham....but he always thinks big.

Suzy:

I think you first love (The BOSox) will get AGon.

I'd prefer the love I'm living with(Cubs) get AGON...but you're probably right....Boston would be the frontrunner...But we can all dream.

nope............dlee is not a racist.

jones and bradley sucked here(actually jones helped win the division in '07 the 2nd half) and should not of complained using the race card.......for god's sake mr cub is black ......milty and jacque: but u can't blame dlee for what he said and he's not a racist; just dumb on your part! end of dicussion.

Ahhh Derrek. The hostility towards Jones and Bradley had absolutely nothing to with the color of their skin. It had everything to with their performance and the amount of money they were being paid. They just used race as a diversion from the embarrassing value they returned on the money paid to them. Lee thinks Chicago is rough? I would like to have seen the treatment a Bradley or Jones would have gotten in Philadelphia or New York, during one of their lean years. They would have begged for the good old days in Chicago.

very true

Derrick Lee is a racist.

pathetic comment........U should be banned from this site.

grow the hell up and get a clue!..........

he's comments have nothing to do about him being a racist, dumb ass.

Jones and Bradley attributed their unpopularity to "racism." Gary rightly identified the true source of their unpopularity: their on-the-field performance.

Lee should have said, "If a person of another race had come over . . . ." Why did he just say, "white guy?" That's racism. See?

Picayune???? :)

Rip, you's trollin???

No, I'm not trolling. I didn't know what that meant until I just looked it up.

What would you guys deem fair for an extension for Derrek Lee? And for how long? If he is wanting 10 million per for 3 years, best wishes! Two years would block Vitters (assuming the transition to 1B goes smoothly and is ready to go). A championship team should have an influx of one prospect contributing a year IMO. Castro takes over midseason this year, along with Cashner at some point. Would you prefer Vitters at 1B to start 2011 at minimum or Derrek Lee at probably 7 to 9 million?

Woody, Thankfully, we don't have to

worry about it until after the season...

see how he does and how his neck holds up.

Lee accepted a below market contract last time...so I would not expect him

to be exhorbitant.

I would think a one year deal...with a mutual option should do it...IF, IF,

the Cubs choose to go in that direction.

They may not...and if this season does not go well...it may be in the hands

of another GM.

I also would not count on Vitters being ready in 2011...it might be 2012....

I am just going on my own personal perception, but it seems like 1st base is about the easiest position to fill in MLB. I would go 1 year at 15 mil for my extension offer.

He needed a fair amount of time off last year because of his neck. He's admitted that it's condition is only going to get worse.

Derrek at 7 to 9 because Vitters is in A ball hes not gonna start before 2012