Schilling, unlike too many of today’s players, is true definition of at “team player”. If mental picture of his bloody sock and decimated ankle last October in ALCS doesn’t confirm that, I’m sorry for ya’. He has agreed to take on this role, which gets him back in rotation without putting too much wear and tear on ankle. In other words, Johnny, he’s doing this “for team”. He will be a lot fresher than most starters when September rolls around, and if he’s healthy, more than likely he will be sharp (see Schilling’s past history).

Obviously, Red Sox manager doesn’t see this as a reason for dissention. "This is not permanent," Francona said of Schilling closing. "Whether it's two weeks, two months, it's not two years. We don't know what's going to happen. Two weeks ago, we weren't having this conversation. We're trying to do best we can. I don't think we have leeway to not win. Our job is to win. So we're going to do best we can to win.” Exactly!! Francona is smart enough to realize that if it’s not working, he’ll pull plug on experiment and go to plan B. Then, maybe Johnny Damon can set pitching rotation and won’t be in such a panic over a team they eliminated from Playoffs in 2004

John Onan (aka Ego74) is Sports Moderator at http://www.theopu.com and a regular Football Contributor at http://www.realfootball365.com

The Florida Marlins continue to underachieve and disappoint. Good timing for Cubs, who go into All Star Break on a high notes. Now that whispers for Dusty Baker’s job have lowered, I’m starting to hear calls for Jack McKeon to step down. Considering his age and fact that he has already accomplished what he set out to do (a World Series Title in 2003), he will probably step aside at end of year, or sooner.

With news that Toronto Ace Roy Halladay will be out for at least a month with a fractured tibia, coupled with fact that Red Sox and Yankees are both red hot, look for Blue Jays to consider becoming a seller towards trade deadline. I don’t see them holding a fire sale, but Miguel Batista and Ted Lilly could be had for right asking price