Per the story Aurilia open for a Giants return from today's San Fransisco Chronicle, Rich Aurilia says he isn't sure whether he'll exercise his half of the $2 million option for 2007 with the Reds. He says he had a lot of fun in San Fransisco and wouldn't mind going back there.

“The Giants are definitely on my list,” Aurilia said. “It's something definitely on my mind. I hope there would be interest. I'm curious to see who they will bring on to manage the team.”

The article goes on to mention how coincidental it is that Aurilia learned to play first, second, and third base in Cincinnati, and those positions just so happen to be question marks for the Giants next season. And despite an earlier comment about making the team younger, managing general partner Peter Magowan isn't prepared to go all youth-movement on us:

“When we say we're going to get younger and healthier, that's' on an overall basis,” Magowan said. “That will not prevent us from signing a player or two that fit the exact profile we have essentially been signing the last four, five years, who are elderly, good players at the tail end of their careers, but we think can have a place on our team. It's one thing to have one or two of those guys. It's another to have seven or eight of them.”

I know this isn't anything worth panicking about, but ACK! I'm panicking! I'd totally miss Richie. What other player's wife could I get to call in to the podcast??

The Cardinals are about to send out Chris Carpenter for his second appearance in the short series with the Padres. Looking ahead, it sorta makes you think that even if they can manage to dispatch San Diego tonight, they'll have a tough time with the Mets, seeing as they won't be able to start out the series with their ace.

Now, I'm not one to praise the managing prowess of Tony LaRussa, but I think he's got it right. They can't be worrying about New York yet, right? One series at a time. On game at a time. One inning at a time.

You listening, Narron?

Go Padres!

According to the story After 113 losses, racehorce retires published yesterday on asahi.com, Haru Urara has retired. Haru Urara is a racehorce that began racing in 1998, racked up 113 straight losses, and left the track this August. She was officially retired on Sunday when her owner cancelled her registration as a racehorse.

As Haru Urara approached 100 straight losses, she gained nation-wide popularity and a movie was made to tell her story. In 2004 she sold out the Kochi racetrack with people desperate to see her first victory. Of course, they were disappointed.

“She leaves the track without ever winning, but this time I want her to win by living her life devoted to a new task that can help people,” her owner Mihoki Anzai said.

And I know just how she can do it, too. Ladies and gentlemen, I think the Cubs have a new mascot.

Aaron Harang's human league profile has been updated with happy news.

Thanks to Marc for keeping us up to date on the happenings of the team, even though they’re done actually playing.

Aaron and Jennifer Harang are the proud parents of their first child as of Tuesday, October 3. Daughter Addison Kay Harang was 7 lbs, 7oz and 19.5 in. She’s going to be a tall one; I wonder where she gets it from.