I know things are bad right now, but I think we have to focus on the whole and consider how much better this team is than it was the same time last year. Wayne Krivsky has done a lot of good by bringing in solid Baseball Guys who play the game the Right Way. This is paying huge dividends even if the results aren't quite there yet.

I can't tell you how many times last year Adam Dunn or Edwin Encarnacion put a bat on the ball only to exit the batter's box and run down the third base line. They weren't playing the game the right way! Fortunately Brook Jacoby and Jerry Narron have made examples of them and that sorry sight has become much less frequent.

From April 13 through the 22 last year, Austin Kearns went to bat with a Prince AirDrive Midplus Racquet. He had no sacrifice flies during that time and later spent 15 days on the DL with tennis elbow.

When considering Krivsky's moves one has to look at the WHOLE picture. He inherited a roster full of players who didn't do the little things and play the game the right way. Remember Vladimir Kaminsky, the quick-skating fourth outfielder who could deliver massive checks? No doubt he had talent, but he just wasn't a Baseball Guy.

May 27, 2006: Felipe Lopez once again fails to play the game the right way.

BOTTOM LINE: I have to conclude we're better off now than we were. If our boys can just hustle and do the little things we should be all right.