The A’s released Thad Bosley yesterday. Perhaps the most intriguing comment was in today’s Chronicle when the reporter wrote that it was unclear if Bosley would be paid for the remainder of his two year contract.

I haven’t seen the contract, but if Bosley refused to be reassigned to another position in the organization, and if the contract allowed for such a reassignment, then the A’s could be off the hook for the balance. Otherwise, they have to pony up for the remaining two years salary.

Anyway, the entire affair was unnecessary and truly should have been avoided. Bosley is a former major leaguer who carried himself with confidence and wanted to be recognized by management as the man who coached two MVP’s and a silver slugger.

It wasn’t to be. Ken Macha and Bosley had a falling out and the manager prevailed. A failure on both men’s part which should have been avoided.

Thad Bosley is a pro and a good man who coached his hitters well enough to see them win 205 games in 2001 and 2002. I’ll miss his presence on the team.

Wasn’t his replacement Dave Hudgens released from the major league staff last time because the players wouldn’t listen to him?

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The Tigers knocked off the Yankees yesterday assuring The Rocket of number 300 today. The Tigers will not beat the Yankees in this series. Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell who retired this season will be calling the game on Fox in Detroit. I’d like to hear his call of the game.

Jeremy Bonderman 20 year old phenom won’t know what hit him when he sees the hoopala and press surrounding The Rocket today.

Jim Kaat Yankee broadcaster suggested on the air that Jose Contreras isn’t suited for bullpen work. King George heard him and urged Joe Torre to start his 32 million dollar project. It took David Wells’ calf injury to get Torre to move on the idea, now Jeff Weaver may go back to the pen because Contreras threw a gem against Detroit.

Toronto is going to a four man rotation this month. Guess who doesn’t want to do it? Cory Lidle. The righty never liked pitching on three days rest and only agreed to try it, he told the manager that he reserves the right to opt out if he doesn’t feel right. This attitude of me first got Lidle in trouble in Oakland and got him a ticket out of town. Of course, his 4.8 million dollar salary for 2003 didn’t endear him to the A’s either.

Toronto crushes the ball ala Texas, but the Blue Jays have some pitching that can get the ball to the closer Cliff Pollitte. Doug Davis goes to the pen as the odd starter out until Lidle complains that he can’t hack the four man stuff.

The Red Sox dropped Johnny Damon to ninth in the order. Amazing what a four game losing streak will do to the lineup.

Kevin Millar and Bill Mueller, two real hitters, have solidified the Sox order.

Did Roy Hallady really win six games in May? The A’s haven’t seen the Orioles, Blue Jays or Red Sox yet. They are in for a surprise because these teams can put runs on the board quickly. The A’s will need superb pitching and better hitting to beat the rest of the teams from the AL East.

The Twins don’t beat the Mariners or the Yankees, who do you think they would like to see in the playoffs in the first round?

Minnesota reliever JC Romero is starting to get hit more often and shortstop Cristian Guzman went five games without a hit.

I can’t wait to see Eddie Guardado pitch to Barry Bonds next week. Everyday Eddie throws nothing but fastballs and doesn’t back off coming right at the hitter. Can you say 450 foot homer.

Brett Boone, Edgar Martinez, and Ichiro are just scalding the ball. Ichiro, an MVP two years ago, has his average climbing every week, he’s now up to .317. Boone hit his 200 th homer this week, 199 as a second baseman (one as a pinch hitter) and now has his sights on Ryne Sandberg’s mark of 277 as a second baseman.

If Freddy Garcia pitches a good game today against Minnesota, the rest of the West better take notice.

Eric Byrnes doesn’t miss his pitch. The way he plays has to be admired. What took so long to give this young man a real chance? Someone should step up and answer the question.

Miguel Tejada is back.

Derek Lowe had another growth removed from his nose. Lowe had a cancerous growth removed over the winter. Lowe’s season has been shaky already, he didn’t need this also.

Cubs – Astros, 16 innings 1-0 Cubs. Dotel, Lidge, and Wagner seven relief innings three hits and fourteen strikeouts. The real hero, the Cubs Kris Wellmeyer who struck out four of six and won the game, he has been fabulous everytime out for Chicago.

Jeroime Robertson who threw well last time out against Kerry Wood who should be prepared to throw about 130 pitches, because there is no pen today.

A Rod is slumping, Texas believe it or not is slowing down at the plate. Mark Texeira has his average up to .240 or so, the kid can hit, just give him time. I’m waiting for Hank Blalock to slow down, but it isn’t happening.

Greg Maddux will win 300 games, why is everyone saying Clemens will be the last three hundred game winner? Maddux needs about 23 more, isn’t that doable no matter where he plays next season?

What was more of a long shot Eric Byrnes 21 game hitting streak or Kenny Lofton’s 26 gamer?

Elmer Dessens has been a bust for Arizona. The Diamondbacks haven’t hit well and you know what their pitching hasn’t been so good either. It just isn’t their year.

Dontrelle Willis another great game, he has a live arm and hit a game winning homer too. The A’s face him next Thursday in Miami.

Jason Isrighausen will try to come back within the next ten days, if he can’t the Cards have to make a move, I don’t see how they got this far with Cal Eldred and Jeff Fassero closing games.

The White Sox are the only threat to Minnesota in the Central. KC is horrible, they do just enough to lose games, shortstop Angel Berroa kicked away the game to the A’s Saturday, who don’t go easily under any circumstances.

Let’s see how Bartolo Colon, Jon Garland, Esteban Loaiza, and Mark Buehrle do against the NL West, I think they will do pretty well, and at some point this summer Chicago will put pressure on Minnesota.

The Angels are 5-6 against Baltimore and Tampa Bay heading into today’s game.

The way the Orioles hit, just check the averages in the paper, Colby Lewis will be in trouble today against Sidney Ponson and the O’s.

Can Aaron Sele slow the Devil Rays who aren’t that bad? The Rays actually pull it together at least twice maybe three times per week.

I like interleague play, it is a nice break in the schedule.

Beautiful Sunday for baseball, let’s play two.