Loose ends

Two other minor, notable moves for the Sox:

On Nov. 24, they signed Kevin Walker, a 28 year old LHP who spent most of 2004 toiling away at Class AAA Fresno for the San Francisco Giants organization, going 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA in 69 2/3IP. In the bigs in '04, he pitched just 1 and 2/3rds in 5 relief appearances for the Giants, and managed to rack up a 16.20 ERA. He's a bit better than that horrific stat suggests - in five major-league seasons, Walker has gone 7-2 with a 4.45 ERA, 95.0 IP, in 113 games, with all 7 of those wins coming 4 years ago with San Diego. Looks like he'll be added, along with Hermanson, to the glut of middle relievers competiting in spring training to start the season in Chicago. More likely, he'll wind up in Charlotte, and we'll see him in september, 2005.

Kelly Wunsch was lost to the LA Dodgers, though I can't find an offical news release on this.

I also read an article about KW at the winter meetings, where he comes right out and says the Sox just don't any money left to spend, and they'll likely start the season with the team they've got. So don't expect any big news... However, those quotes lead me to believe a trade is in the works for early in the season involving a big name like Lee. With the addition of Dye, that seems more likely than ever.

Speaking of "loose ends"... I'm not a fan of Howard Stern - I'm more of a Steve Dahl guy from way back in the day - but he had an interesting interview with Anna Benson, uber-hot nympho wife of Met pitcher with a girlie name - Kris Benson. Benson is from the frozen shores of Superior, Wisconsin, and was the #1 draft pick in 1996, but hasn't done much in the majors, other than make millions of dollars he doesn't deserve. After the Pirates got fed up with his injury-prone arm, the Mets took a chance and signed him to a one-year contract last year. He gave them 31 starts and 200 IP, but could only amass a Jerry Koosman-like 12-12 record. His ERA was above 4, and he struck out only 134. That was apparently good enough for the Mets to sign him up for a 3-year deal worth, get this - $22.5 million over 3 years. His gold-digging wife, meanwhile, is the headline grabber.

Apparently, from one story I read, she ran away from home at 16, got pregnant at 17, and raised the kid on her own by stripping. Enter Benson, who met her in - surprise- a strip club. They started dating and Anna, wack job that she is, claims they didn't have sex until they were "married." Since that time, she's bragged about their sexual exploits in various major league stadiums. On Stern's show, Dirtbag Anna revealed her brillant strategy for keeping her pro athelete in check - they guys have been known to be, uh, "unfaithful", on occassion ya know. Her strategy? If she catches Kris cheating, she'll bang the entire Met team - including trainers, coaches, grounds crew and the bat boy. I know what you're saying - "What a classy gal"., but I admire her honesty.

I've read some funny posts on www.soxtalk.com about the signs Kris Benson will see from opposing fans. Stuff like "Anna Benson Glory Hole" and "Hey Anna I saw a tape of Paris Hilton with Kris, and I just signed a contract with the Mets". He deserves it. Moron.

I've seen her pics, and yeah, she's hot... but no more than other groupie. Apparently, based on her quotes, she's also a major head case. Poor hillbilly Kris Benson may be in a bit over head. Wanna take bets on how long it takes her to blow Kris' millions on shoes? Her website drones on about some charities she's given to, but that could dry up if she starts shoving Benson's contract money up her nose. We'll see how long it takes...

Music I'm listening to: Theivery Corp, Fourtet, Nightmare on Wax, Bowery Electric...