NP: Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Keystone 3 (MP3)

I like to consider myself well-informed. Party to that, I tend to seek out information. Sometimes, it's "priveleged" information, and the temptation is great to share it, and that will occasionally get the better of me. But at the same time, the compartmentalization of the Internet community provides a whole other side to secrets, and that's watching to see if and when an Internet bulletin board or discussion group gets wind of what you know already.

With one particular thing I know right now, the response has not been particularly gratifying, as two different web boards seem completely oblivious. It's just no fun whatsoever, and there's very little to gain from dropping in and dropping hints. Some people enjoy that sort of thing, but I'm not one of them, at least most of the time. I can usually generate enough attention (this website notwithstanding, natch) without shouting that loudly on the street corner.

As a result, that's pretty much all I can tell you, even though there are implications for the still hypothetical "job lead leaderboard." Sorry.

Speaking of secrets, Dusty Baker apparently knew one about fifth starter Shawn Estes. With first place on the line, he showed faith in the underperforming pitcher, and Estes responded with his best performance of the season, a complete game shutout. If that doesn't make you a believer in this Cubs team, I don't know what will. T-minus four games and counting. If the season ended today, we'd all be surprised, and the Cubs would be in.