Joe Crede made a handful of standout defensive plays against the Indians Tuesday night. There's really no news there, considering Crede has long been one of the best third basemen in baseball. It's shocking that Crede has committed 16 errors so far _ 2 more than he's ever made in a full season _ but there is no need to panic, Sox fans. "I think Crede can make 100 errors,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He could make 20 errors, but he's going to save 100 runs.'' The high error count means Crede is highly unlikely to win a Gold Glove this season. Big deal, Guillen said. "Crede is the best (defensive) third baseman in the American League,'' Guillen said. "I don't care what people say.''

Guess what year the following comment was made by a state lawmaker regarding the state budget:

"... a budget that is not expected to last throughout the year, but long enough to last through the elections. You know what's going to happen? Come January and February, we're not going to have money for this program or that program.

The Answer:
1994. Then-state Rep. Lauren Beth Gash, a Highland Park Democrat, was explaining to Lakeland Newspapers reporter Kevin Hanrahan why she was one of a select few lawmakers to vote against the state budget.

Keep in mind, this was back during Republican Gov. Jim Edgar's tenure, which in retrospect is perceived as being extremely fiscally responsible.

The Cleveland Indians probably hate Nick Swisher right now as much as White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen hated Swisher the last three years. When he was playing for the Oakland A's, Guillen said he hated the way Swisher always seemed to come up with big hits. And Guillen really hated the way Swisher celebrated during games. It's pretty safe to say Guillen is Swisher's biggest fan this year. The outgoing switch-hitter homered from both sides of the plate against the Indians Monday night _ the second time he accomplished the difficult feat in the month of June. Swisher had a miserable May, batting .176 while hitting just 1 home run. After going deep twice on Monday, the final day of June, the first baseman/oufielder finished the month with 7 HR while batting over .300.

Manager Lou Piniella says it's not the best timing, but he and the Cubs have excused third baseman Aramis Ramirez for the first three games of this series against the Giants to tend to a family matter back home in the Dominican Republic. With that, Lou will put Mark DeRosa at third base for the games Ramirez is out. Matt Murton starts in left field tonight. Expect to see Daryle Ward out there later in the series. Lineup Fukudome, RF Theriot, SS Lee, 1B Soto, C DeRosa, 3B Edmonds, CF Murton, LF Cedeno, 2B Lilly, P

On Friday, Gov. Rod Blagojevich traveled to Harrisburg way down in Saline County to announce he's moving more than 100 state traffic safety division employees there from Springfield. That's a few hours away from the Capitol and, perhaps not surprisingly, few of the employees plan to uproot and move if this ever comes to fruition.

The governor said he's moving the jobs there because Saline County's unemployment rate is among the state's worst and he's trying to help.

With that sentiment in mind, if you were supreme ruler/governor, what state agency or department would you move where for maximum economic impact?

Can we give all the small-ball talk a rest now? When it comes to the White Sox, it's not going to happen. This is a team built to play in the launching pad known as U.S. Cellular Field. The Sox hit 3 more home runs in Sunday night's win over the Cubs, and they've hit 18 homers in their last seven home games. Overall, the White Sox lead the American League with 109 HR. Yes, it would be nice if the Sox had a prototypical leadoff hitter, and a little more speed throughout the lineup. But hey, you can't have everything. As long as hitters like Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, Carlos Quentin, Paul Konerko and Joe Crede are in the lineup. just get some guys on base and wait for the bomb.

Got to like the way Lou handled things yesterday, both in game and after the game _ on several fronts. When he went out to the mound to have a "nice chat" with Sean Gallagher, Lou gave him what for, to be sure. With the Cubs' bullpen overworked and short-handed, Lou needed Gallagher to give the team a few innings. Lou also had words of technical advice: bury the slider. Gallagher did so and changed the eye levels of the White Sox hitters. As a result, he was able to gut through 6 innings. After the game, Lou praised Gallagher to the hilt, saying he was proud of the "young man." The Cubs lost the battle, but maybe Lou gained a pitcher in the long run.

You know that scene in "Amadeus" where Salieri is looking over the manuscripts of Mozart's music, and Salieri is devastated by the genius he is looking at?

That's more or less how I felt while watching "WALL•E."

How did the tale of a lonely robot bring tears to my eyes? How is it both a searing indictment of, and a love letter to, the human race? How did Disney release a movie that seems to be against everything an enormous media conglomerate stands for? How did the director of "Finding Nemo" top himself?

You'll find out when you see it.

White Sox general manager Kenny Williams intensely dislikes the media coming around and pumping up his players, especially the younger ones. That's why Williams initially bristled when asked about Alexei Ramirez possibly winning American League Rookie of the Year honors this season. "I'd rather you didn't...,'' Williams started saying. "Ah, what the (heck), go ahead. He can't speak or read English anyways.'' On the baseball field, Ramirez keeps showing there's very little he can't do. It took the 26-year-old Cuban defector a little time to get going, but Ramirez is rapidly becoming the Sox' best all-around player. Yes, he looks like he needs a few dozen doughnuts, but the rail-thin Ramirez can hit for surprising power. He can also run, throw and play three positions.

The Cubs put lefty Scott Eyre on the DL this morning and recalled righty reliever Jose Ascanio from Iowa. Eyre's strained left groin won't let him pitch this weekend, and the Cubs are short of pitching to begin with. Ascanio is just getting back into the swing of things after missing a couple weeks at Iowa because of a death in the family.