"PLEASE!" SAYS FREEL, "EASE ME!" *

Brother Johann, public spokesperson for the Concordian Order's baseball operations, made a brief public appearance today to announce that a trade had been brokered between the St. Francis Friars and the West-leading Darwin Finches.

"Apparently," said an ominous Brother Johann, "there has been some discord in our clubhouse. Individuals who have forgotten that they are supposed to be team players are unhappy with their playing time. To help ease this, ah, burden on our spirits, we regretfully announce that outfielder Ryan Paul Freel has been traded to the Darwin Finches. We hope that this will ease the feelings of contention on the club, and help keep Mr. Freel from repeating some of his past errors in judgement. We wish him well in his future endeavors, but we must stress that the organization is committed to virtue, and there is no virtue in putting your selfish interest ahead of your teammates. As it is written, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (James 3:16)

"We are happy," continued a more ebullient monk, "to note that we have received relief pitcher Brandon Lyon in exchange for Mr. Freel's contract, and in the process we have retained nearly $1.5 million in savings that can be applied to our organization's player development. We are certainly in need of more pitching due to situations with Frank Francisco, Yusmeiro Petit and Juan Salas. Mr. Lyon has had some success in the past, particularly when he toiled for the Melkonian Organization.....we can't remember their team's name for some reason, just the Melkonian Organization. We hope that Mr. Lyon can recapture his past form with the Friars!"


"In the meantime," continued the Head Dominican, "may you know the peace that passes all understanding. Go Friars!"

* OK, if you don't get that, you just need to broaden your horizons and listen to HUNT-tree music. Real HUNT-tree, not that phony 'turbo tonk' the country stations spend a lot of time playing these days.


* OK, if you don't get that, you just need to broaden your horizons and listen to HUNT-tree music. Real HUNT-tree, not that phony 'turbo tonk' the country stations spend a lot of time playing these days.