Mike,

I believe the negatives you are viewing on this board the opinions of a very few vocals who are in the minority.

Many rant because that is their nature. It's tough but you shouldn't take any of these negative posts personally.

Unfortunately you can't do what I did several months ago after being called an "ass kisser" after sticking up for purebaseball - stop writing posts. I don't recall anyone being that offensive to you, maybe because they know better.

Several things:

Don't give up any of your remaining teams, we need you in those leagues.

Try not to let "them" get under your skin. I know from all the years that I have been with you in PB that you have a very thick hide (yea, sometimes a little too thick) but you need it, particularly now.

We will all wait until the B14 mess is settled and then enjoy the rookie and free agent drafts and the new season.

After reading your post I sensed not only frustration but also hurt. I would ask you to take a deep breath and think of all the good this game has done over the years. Paul Reiss
got more enjoyment out of this in his final years than anything else in his life - I know as I had long talks with his mother (as well as Paul). Many others (probably the silent majority you speak of) would probably shed a tear if PB disappeared from their lives. You have brought much happiness to many people over the years - that is what you should concentrate on now.

Finally, I would ask those who are reading this some simple questions:

Why are you reading this? Why have you gotten this far in your reading? Would you miss this forum if it were no longer there for you to read and place comments?

Your answers to those simple questions may speak volumes about your reasons for participating.

And Mike, I thought about you several weeks ago when we had the Northeast blizzard as I knew from your partial schedule that you would be in the area. I got 24 inches and if you dodged that one then you certainly can dodge the bullets shot at you in this forum. Watch out, the long range forcasters are talking about another in mid-March.

Tim