Darwin’s Theory: Postseason Likely for Barney

Random thoughts while wondering how many games the Chicago White Sox need to win in their series against the Detroit Tigers to become buyers rather than sellers before the July 31 trade deadline:

Video below of Olivia Garson for those interested (and those who aren’t).

* Speaking of dealing players, the Cubs traded second baseman Darwin Barney to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a PTBNL. Despite some of the editorial staff around here thinking those initials stand for “peanut butter to be needed later,” those initials mean “player to be named later.” Although a quick glance reveals no big-league ballplayer has been named Later. The closest the research department at ElliottHarris.com could find was Early Wynn.

* Speaking of Barney, he goes from the last-place team in the National League Central to the first-place team in the NL West. And L.A. acquired him not so much because it needed a Gold Glove second baseman as much as the Dodgers didn’t want rival San Francisco acquiring him. Definite survival of the fittest going on here.

* Speaking of surviving, left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada — who spent nine seasons in Japan and three in the minor leagues — was the winning pitcher for the Chicago Cubs in a 4-1 decision vs. the visiting Colorado Rockies. It was his first big-league victory. Among the anagrams for his name: Wishy auto ads, a shadowy suit, dusty Iowa ash. With this knowledge, you should be able to sleep better. Or something.

* There’s nothing more amusing than various members of the media attempting to make the first few days of NFL training camps as some sort of significant sporting activity. OK, there are a lot of things more amusing than that. But it is interesting to see the media act like they are covering D-Day. And, no, that “D” does not stand for defense.

* Before the White Sox (51-55) start thinking about the American League Central title or a wild-card berth, don’t they have to reach .500?

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