...Same as the Old Boss

The Cubs have made yet another of their patented free-agent signings, paying too much for too long to someone who doesn't deserve it.

31-year-old Mark DeRosa, who had his first solid season last year for Texas, has earned a three-year deal with the Cubs that will pay him $13 million. Undeterred by the crippling long-term deals he gave to Neifi Perez, Glendon Rusch, and Jacque Jones, Cubs GM Jim Hendry has once again shelled out the shekels for a player who has already given the best he's got.

DeRosa's arrival means that Ryan Theriot, who hit .328 in 53 games for the Cubs last year and gave them a low-cost leadoff-hitting possibility, is now reduced to fighting for a utility job with young Ronny Cedeno, who needs consistent at-bats if he is ever to become a solid major league player.

If this is any indication of the Cubs' plan for the future, I think I'll become a Cardinals fan.

"I'm the Face" Playlist, 11/8/06

Hey, all. I was graciously asked to guest DJ with Eric Colin and Dan Parry last night at "I'm the Face," Chicago's monthly mod festival at Subterranean. Here's what I spun.

Set I
Fever Tree--San Francisco Girls
The Zombies--Leave Me Be
Southwest F.O.B.--Smell of Incense
The Remo Four--In the First Place
Amen Corner--High in the Sky
Dave Clark Five--You Got What It Takes
Rodd Keith--Lost in Space
Brenda Lee--Ride, Ride, Ride
Georgie Fame--Yeh! Yeh!
The Bee Gees--I Close My Eyes
Dave "Baby" Cortez--Popping Popcorn
Mongo Santamaria--Watermelon Man
Muito Na Onda--See You in September
Chris Montez--Call Me
The Fifth Order--A Thousand Devils (Are Chasin' Me)
The Crystals--He's a Rebel
Brian Hyland--The Joker Went Wild
Len Barry--Bullseye
The Standells--Riot on Sunset Strip
Frank Wilson--Do I Love You? (Deed I Do)
Rood (sic) Keith--The Eyes Have It
Gene Pitney--She's a Heartbreaker


Set II
Bobby Parker--Watch Your Step
Major Lance--Um, Um, Um, Um, Um
Jan Bradley--Your Kind of Lovin'
The Velvelettes--Needle in a Haystack
Jr. Walker & the All-Stars--Shake and Fingerpop
Bill Deal & the Rhondels--I've Been Hurt
Peaches & Herb--We're in This Thing Together
Sugar Pie DeSanto--Soulful Dress
The Equals--Baby Come Back
Tom Jones--The Lonely One
The Kinks--Everybody's Gonna Be Happy
Bonnie & Nita--I Just Can't Go
Len Barry--1,2,3
Rodd Keith & the Go-Getters--Go Go Girlie
The Count Five--Psychotic Reaction
The Buckinghams--Don't Want to Cry
Cyril Neville--Gossip
Paul Revere & the Raiders--Too Much Talk
Spencer Davis Group--Waltz for Caroline
Peanut Butter Conspiracy--It's a Happening Thing

thank you.