NY Mets Deal For Santana

New York Mets, Minnesota Twins Reach Tentative Deal for Johan Santana

NEW YORK (AP) -Johan Santana is a contract extension and physical from going to the New York Mets.

After months of deliberation, the Twins reached a tentative agreement Tuesday to part with the two-time Cy Young Award winner for outfielder Carlos Gomez, and pitchers Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey, two people familiar with the deal said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

"If it's true, obviously, you're getting arguably the best pitcher in the game," Mets third baseman David Wright said.

The next step is for the Mets to negotiate a contract extension with Santana, who is eligible for free agency after this season. The three-time All-Star is owed $13.25 million this year and likely will seek an extension of five-to-seven years worth at least $20 million annually.

New York and Santana have until 5 p.m. EST Friday to reach an agreement, a baseball official told The Associated Press, also on condition of anonymity. If the Mets and Santana strike a deal, the players would have to pass physicals and the pitcher would have to formally waive his no-trade clause.

The Mets emerged as the top candidate for a trade after the winter meetings, when the New York Yankees withdrew their offer, which included pitchers Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, and the Red Sox refused to improve their proposals, which would have sent pitcher Jon Lester or outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury to the Twins along with prospects.

Minnesota general manager Bill Smith called teams last weekend and asked them to make their best offers. Smith informed the Mets on Tuesday that he was accepting their proposal, which included their Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 7 prospects, according to Baseball America's ranking. New York did not include its top farmhand, outfielder Fernando Martinez.

A left-hander who turns 29 in March, Santana gives the Mets a replacement for Tom Glavine, who left New York to return to the Atlanta Braves. New York, trying to bounce back from a record-setting September collapse last season, has a projected rotation that also includes Pedro Martinez, John Maine, Orlando Hernandez and Oliver Perez.

Santana is 93-44 with a 3.22 ERA in eight major league seasons, winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2004 and 2006. He has been less successful in the playoffs, going 1-3 with a 3.97 ERA.

"For our younger pitchers to develop under a guy like Pedro, a guy like Johan, you can't ask for any better situation," Wright said. "He's going to go out there and he's going to give you seven or eight innings every five days and he's going to get you a win. That's just what it comes down to. I've gotten a chance to get to know him a little bit the past couple years. He seems like a great clubhouse guy. He's going to fit in perfectly with the chemistry that we have."

With Santana gone, there is a big opening in the Twins' rotation. Francisco Liriano is on track to return after missing last season following elbow surgery, but Carlos Silva signed with Seattle as a free agent, leaving youngsters Scott Baker, Boof Bonser and Kevin Slowey as the starters with the most experience.

Humber, a 25-year-old right-hander, has made one start and four relief appearances for the Mets during the past two years, and went 11-9 with a 4.27 ERA last season for Triple-A New Orleans. The 22-year-old Gomez batted .232 in 125 at-bats with New York last year and .275 with 19 steals in the minors.

Guerra, who turns 19 in April, was 2-6 with a 4.01 ERA at Class A St. Lucie, and Mulvey, who will be 23 in May, was 12-10 with a 3.20 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Binghamton and one at New Orleans.

On a day filled with political rhetoric and general bs, it was great coming across this story. Especially since I am a "mega" Mets fan. Now, if they will just get the dealio done by the Friday deadline, I can really look forward to spring training. Let's Go Mets!

Mets Rule,

Bobby Sharpe "Dragon, Book Of Shang": Dragon, Book Of Shang Is Coming Soon! www.myspace.com/akuasharpe

Obama Wins South Carolina Primary! So?!

(CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama claimed a significant victory in the South Carolina Democratic primary on Saturday, telling supporters "we are hungry for change."

The Illinois senator earned more than twice the vote that rival Sen. Hillary Clinton did, 55 percent to 27 percent, unofficial returns showed.

Former Sen. John Edwards was third with 18 percent. Here is the rest of the story.Obama claims big win in South Carolina - CNN.com

Time for me to weigh in on the political front. Congratulations Barack! Enjoy it while YOU can. Unless Obama can convince every "young" eligible voter and every "black" voter to come out and vote, and, convince all of the older voters and most "white" voters to stay home, he has virtually NO CHANCE! Hey, I have NO problem with Barack Obama, except that he has limited experience. Also, let's face it, "he is black, and, this is still the USA with all of it's bigotry, prejudice and discrimination". Like it or not, that's the way it is. Regardless of what bs the media and pollsters are trying to get YOU to believe.

With the country in the shape it is now, we do not need a "rookie" in office. Sorry people, "Hillary is NOT a rookie". She spent 8 years in the White House with her husband. Don't even tell me she doesn't know what that is all about. Plus, she would still have her husband on board if needed.

In summing up, "I prefer to have Hillary as my presidential candidate and Barack Obama as my vp". He would gain invaluable experience and would probably be a shoe in the next time around. About now, we DO NOT need another "white male" screwing things up for us. They have had their chance long enough. "It Is Time For A Change"!

The Right Choice Rules,

Bobby Sharpe "Dragon, Book Of Shang": "NEW" Sneak Peek "Dragon, Book Of Shang" www.myspace.com/akuasharpe

Get Some Balls Like This Man

Prime Minister Of Australia John Howard

We need a Leader Like This!

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Uh, is there anyone running for president in this country that has the "stones" to give this kind of speech or, address? Right, I didn't think so. What a shame. Every country should take this approach and quit pandering to these migrating immigrants that want us to change for them. "Excuse me, YOU want your culture and beliefs, then stay in your country and have at it."

For those of YOU that know me and my philosophy, YOU know I am not about all that christianity mumbo jumbo etc. However, Prime Minister John Howard of Australia is right on the money with everything else.

Stand Up & Have Some Stones People,

Bobby Sharpe "Dragon, Book Of Shang": Dragon, Book Of Shang Is Coming Soon! www.myspace.com/akuasharpe

Off Planet Visitors UFO Spotted In Texas

Dozens in Texas Town Report Seeing UFO

STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Jan. 14) - In this farming community where nightfall usually brings clear, starry skies, residents are abuzz over reported sightings of what many believe is a UFO.

Several dozen people - including a pilot, county constable and business owners - insist they have seen a large silent object with bright lights flying low and fast. Some reported seeing fighter jets chasing it.

"People wonder what in the world it is because this is the Bible Belt, and everyone is afraid it's the end of times," said Steve Allen, a freight company owner and pilot who said the object he saw last week was a mile long and half a mile wide. "It was positively, absolutely nothing from these parts."

While federal officials insist there's a logical explanation, locals swear that it was larger, quieter, faster and lower to the ground than an airplane. They also said the object's lights changed configuration, unlike those of a plane. People in several towns who reported seeing it over several weeks have offered similar descriptions of the object.

Machinist Ricky Sorrells said friends made fun of him when he told them he saw a flat, metallic object hovering about 300 feet over a pasture behind his Dublin home. But he decided to come forward after reading similar accounts in the Stephenville Empire-Tribune.

"You hear about big bass or big buck in the area, but this is a different deal," Sorrells said. "It feels good to hear that other people saw something, because that means I'm not crazy."

Sorrells said he has seen the object several times. He said he watched it through his rifle's telescopic lens and described it as very large and without seams, nuts or bolts.

Maj. Karl Lewis, a spokesman for the 301st Fighter Wing at the Joint Reserve Base Naval Air Station in Fort Worth, said no F-16s or other aircraft from his base were in the area the night of Jan. 8, when most people reported the sighting.

Lewis said the object may have been an illusion caused by two commercial airplanes. Lights from the aircraft would seem unusually bright and may appear orange from the setting sun.

"I'm 90 percent sure this was an airliner," Lewis said. "With the sun's angle, it can play tricks on you."

Officials at the region's two Air Force bases - Dyess in Abilene and Sheppard in Wichita Falls - also said none of their aircraft were in the area last week. The Air Force no longer investigates UFOs.

About 200 UFO sightings are reported each month, mostly in California, Colorado and Texas, according to the Mutual UFO Network, which plans to go to the 17,000-resident town of Stephenville to investigate.

Fourteen percent of Americans polled last year by The Associated Press and Ipsos say they have seen a UFO.

Erath County Constable Lee Roy Gaitan said that he first saw red glowing lights and then white flashing lights moving fast, but that even with binoculars could not see the object to which the lights were attached.

"I didn't see a flying saucer and I don't know what it was, but it wasn't an airplane, and I've never seen anything like it," Gaitan said. "I think it must be some kind of military craft - at least I hope it was."

So, once again people see a UFO and the government tries to discredit the event. The government is never going to admit to UFO's until one actually lands and an "off planet" being bitch slaps some high placed government flunky. I can't wait for that day! lol

Aliens & off planet beings rule,

Bobby Sharpe "Dragon, Book Of Shang": Dragon, Book Of Shang Is Coming Soon! www.myspace.com/akuasharpe

One Of My Favorite Brooklyn Dodgers Dies

First MVP in World Series History Dies

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (Jan. 14) - Johnny Podres, who pitched the Brooklyn Dodgers to their only World Series title in 1955, died Sunday at the age of 75.

A spokesman for Glens Falls Hospital confirmed Podres' death but said he didn't know any details.

The left-hander was picked for four All-Star games and was the first Most Valuable Player in World Series history. He became a hero to every baseball fan in Brooklyn when the Dodgers ended decades of frustration by beating the Yankees to win the World Series.

It was the first time a team had won a best-of-seven World Series after losing the first two games, and it was Brooklyn's only World Series victory. The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles after the 1957 season.

The Dodgers lost the first two games of at Yankee Stadium, then the Dodgers won the third 8-3 at Ebbets Field. Podres, going the distance on his 23rd birthday, scattered seven hits.

In the climactic seventh game, at Yankee Stadium, Podres shut out New York 2-0 on eight hits, relying on his fastball and a deceptive changeup.

As the story goes, Podres told his teammates to get him just one run and the Dodgers would win Game 7. They got him two, and the franchise celebrated its first and only championship while playing in Brooklyn.

Years later, Podres was uncertain he made such a brash statement.

"I don't know if I said it or not. That's what they said I said," a grinning Podres recalled in 2005. "Probably young and dumb - something like that would haunt you your whole life. ... You put on a big league uniform, you've got to think you're pretty good."

Tommy Byrne, the losing pitcher in that game, died Dec. 20.

Podres' career spanned 15 years with the Dodgers in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres. He retired in 1969 at age 36 with a lifetime record of 148-116.

Podres also served as a pitching coach when he was older, helping develop Frank Viola when he was with the Minnesota Twins and Curt Schilling when he was on the Philadelphia Phillies staff.

As a kid growing up in New York, my family was split on our baseball teams. My mother and I rooted for the Brooklyn Dodgers while my brother and father rooted for the NY Giants.

Even though he was a lefty, as a right handed pitcher, I still admired Johnny and tried to emulate some of his motions and moves. He and Whitey Ford, and later, Sandy Koufax, were the ultimate lefties of that time.

One of my big baseball thrills was when I actually got to meet and hang out with Johnny when he was a pitching coach with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was a great guy. Thank YOU for the memories JP! See YOU on the other side.

Baseball Rules,

Bobby Sharpe www.myspace.com/akuasharpe "Dragon, Book Of Shang": Dragon, Book Of Shang Is Coming Soon!

Got Money? Here's Your Car & Vacation: Eleuthera

This is why my book needs to be a hit. This is why I need someone to buy the rights and make a movie. I need serious cash so I can buy this Bugatti Veyron!

Bugatti Veyron

In the time it takes you to say "0 to 60," a Bugatti Veyron could be well on its way to doing so; requiring about 2.5 seconds to nail it. In the time you've spent reading this article, a Veyron could have burned its 26.4-gallon fuel supply. At full throttle, it goes from full to fumes in about 12.5 minutes. At this rate, the tires will be nearing the end of their service life as well. However, given enough suitable track, you'll have at least achieved a tad over 250 mph for your trouble. On any single one of these figures, the nearly $1.5-million supercar wouldn't stand with such regard. Yet for all this performance, technology, exclusivity, and desirability to come together on four wheels with such precision and ease of use is more than reason enough to make this the ultimate car to drive before you die.

The Pink House In Eleuthera

If YOU need a serious getaway, like I do right now, here is a cool place YOU can go and chill for awhile. This place belongs to a new friend of mine and seems completely fantastic. I will be checking it out as soon as possible. If YOU want to see what I am talking about and where, click on The Pink House - A Vacation Home for Rent in Eleuthera, Bahamas

Dream Big, Go For It,

Bobby Sharpe reggae8@aol.com "Dragon, Book Of Shang": Dragon, Book Of Shang Is Coming Soon! www.myspace.com/akuasharpe

Samsung TV's With Built In WHAT?

Samsung TVs to Have Built-In Games

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Samsung Electronics Co. will introduce high-definition TV sets with computer-like features, letting users read news from USA Today, play games or look up recipes, the company said Sunday.

A button on the remote of Samsung's new Series 6 and Series 7 LCD and plasma HDTVs displays news, weather, sports and stocks information supplied by USA Today as a picture within the picture. The TV set needs to be connected to the home Internet connection through an Ethernet port for this feature.

Furthermore, some LCD flat-panel sets will come with content preloaded into flash memory, Samsung said. The content will range from artwork that can be displayed as a screensaver, to fitness programs, food recipes and simple games like Sudoku, said Tim Baxter, executive vice president of sales and marketing for the consumer electronics division of Samsung Electronics America.

"If you think about the TV experience, it has historically been a lean-back experience," Baxter said, contrasting it to the more active "lean-forward experience" of using a personal computer.
"We think there are opportunities to bring very relevant parts of that experience into the living room," Baxter said.

Users will be able to update the preloaded content by downloading artwork or games onto flash drives, which can be plugged into the sets.

Samsung plans to launch the interactive sets this spring. Prices were not immediately available.

See, tv and technology are moving at the speed of light. If YOU don't stay on top of this evolutionary game, You will be lost. It's exciting and challenging at the same time. Go for it!

Teachnology Rules,

Bobby Sharpe reggae8@aol.com "Dragon, Book Of Shang": Dragon, Book Of Shang Book Update www.myspace.com/akuasharpe

Warner Bros. & Blu-ray DVD Pair Up

Warner Bros. Picks Blu-ray DVD Format

Time Warner's Warner Bros. Entertainment unit announced Friday it would start releasing high-definition DVDs exclusively using Sony's (SNE - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr - Rating) Blu-ray DVD format.

The news is a major victory for Sony as it attempts to make Blu-ray the high-definition standard over rival Toshiba's HD-DVD format. Sony Pictures, News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox and Disney (DIS - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr - Rating) already have decided to use Blu-ray exclusively. That leaves Viacom's (VIA - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr - Rating) Paramount and GE's Universal as the only HD-DVD boosters among the major Hollywood studios.

Warner Bros., which until now has produced titles in both formats, said it would continue to release HD-DVDs until the end of May, after which it will stop producing them.

High-definition DVD adoption has suffered because consumers have been confused about which standard to choose. Players using one standard are unable to play DVDs made using the other standard.

"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger," said Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. "We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass-market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers."

Shares of Sony closed down $1.93 at $52.42 Friday following a broad market selloff. Shares of Time Warner ended the session down 42 cents at $15.91.

This should be a major step in deciding which high def format will survive. Hey, I have already bought a few blu-ray disks. Go get yours and enjoy!

Blu-ray Rules,

Bobby Sharpe "Dragon, Book Of Shang": Dragon, Book Of Shang Is Coming Soon! www.myspace.com/akuasharpe

Women's Sexual Health Aid Coming

University Tests Viagra-Like Drug for Women
Ointment Boosts Libido for Women According to University of Virginia

I am doing a blog on this story because this is a condition that effects roughly 33% of women. That is a huge number. This drug just might reduce that number and give some of these women a shot at better, more fulfilling, sexual gratification. Which, should make for a better and more complete life.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A drug that could do for women what Viagra has done for men is being tested at the University of Virginia. The drug is a testosterone-laden ointment called LibiGel and it's intended to boost the libido of women who have lost interest in sex. It will be prescribed at UVa in coming months to women who are suffering from hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

The condition is believed to affect one-third of American women.

"It is the most common sexual problem that women have," said Dr. Anita Clayton, a psychiatrist with the UVa Health System and author of the 2007 book "Satisfaction: Women, Sex and the Quest for Intimacy."

UVa joins 99 other medical institutions participating in testing the drug's efficacy and safety.

If given the green light by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Illinois-based BioSante Pharmaceuticals Inc. hopes to offer the drug to any woman complaining of a low sex drive.

For now, though, Clayton will enroll 25 women between the ages of 30 and 65 to take part in the national study.

Those women must have had both ovaries surgically removed, be currently taking an estrogen supplement and be distressed about their lack of libido.

Ovariectomies, or surgical menopause, can lead to a drop in sexual interest because ovaries produce roughly half of the testosterone in a woman's body.

Testosterone plays a key role in sexual functioning for men and women.

LibiGel comes in a pump bottle. The woman rubs the small dot of gel into the skin of her upper arm. Over the next 24 hours, the gel's testosterone seeps into her bloodstream, boosting her energy and libido.

Clayton, who is running the clinical trial at UVa, said the drug is better than previous testosterone treatments because it keeps levels of the chemical constant, much like naturally occurring testosterone.

"I expect this will work," she said.

In its second-phase clinical trials at 17 institutions, LibiGel led to a 283 percent increase of satisfying sexual encounters for the women taking the drug.

"A lot of women have this problem, but unfortunately they've been largely ignored by pharmaceutical companies," said BioSante's chief executive, Stephen M. Simes. "It's not fair that women have no drugs, while men have many."

Women Rule,

Bobby Sharpe "Dragon, Book Of Shang": Dragon, Book Of Shang Is Coming Soon! www.myspace.com/akuasharpe