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by Gil Elliott
MECHANICSVILLE, VA – Isn’t is funny how we sometimes have so much to say and just when we come up with a gem of and idea, someone else scoops you? Alas, being a bit slow on the draw only worked for Marshall Matt Dillon as he drew a steady bead each week while his opponent fired quickly and off the mark.
Media types I think are a lot like the unseen gunslinger who was quick on the draw but off the mark in his haste to be the fastest. Making wild and often unsubstantiated predictions based on little fact and much innuendo. Chalk it up to the 24/7 world we live in when no news is bad news and rumor is often reported as fact and the absence of real information is filled with countless hours of speculation.
Could we be talking baseball here? For each of us who is an ardent follower of the game of baseball, we wait for news of our team, anxious to learn every thing we can about our favorites. How do they look, think they will hit 30 homers this year, play more than 120 games, or stay away from the juice and other temptations? Maybe we are looking for a spark plug, a guy who has marginal talent but gets the most out of what he has and brings his “A” game every night. Everyone knows the story of “Charlie Hustle” and his drive to become one of the greatest ball players of all time.
The coming season holds so much promise for so many clubs. Right now everyone has a clean slate. Granted, some have a bigger slate with which to work and better chalk with which to write but for now everyone is equal. All full of hope that this will be their season. For 29 teams, that hope will be crushed by October. Some sooner than that but surely the World Series will produce only one winner.
It is unfortunate that our society has become so jaded that only a world championship is used to measure success verses failure. Does losing the Super Bowl mean the 2007 Patriots are still not one of the greatest football teams to ever have played the game?
I can remember very vividly how I felt when the Braves lost the World Series to the Twins back in ’91. Disappointed to be sure but I refused to feel bad. I had witness so many Braves teams fail to get to the big show. I told my friends and co-workers that although I was disappointed the Braves had not won what I thought to be one of the greatest world series ever played, I could not be unhappy because for an entire season they had brought me joy, had entertained me and lastly had made me proud to be a Braves fan.
In subsequent years the Braves have only one Worlds Series Championship but by no means should they be considered losers. A medium market club that has competed consistently with behemoths that by rights should be able to outspend and out play the Atlanta club every day of the week but baseball can be a humbling game. The best team does not always win. Even the worst of clubs manage 60 wins per year.
So fans, we are all equal in the standings on this date, we will scan the internet and newspapers and other media for some words of encouragement that our team is the best, that the Braves are a lock to win another championship and will grouse and complain when all the ink goes to teams located in big markets. Do not despair my friends, in ’91 the Braves were picked to finish last by nearly everyone, in ’06 they were picked to finish first. So much for the experts, the game still have to be played on the field. Just ask the NY Giants about that one.
Regardless, this looks to be a good year for the Braves, a deep pitching staff, good defense and a potential powerhouse for scoring runs, the Braves appear ready to make a run. However, do not judge success solely on a World Series Championship, look instead to the fact of whether or not they achieve to their full potential and didn’t fall short through lack of effort.
Like our old friend from Mercer University has said, “a team that works hard can beat a team with talent that doesn’t”.
~Gil Elliott~
Super, Gil! I’ll never forget that ‘91 series. Riveting.
Many thanks for the lead!
Gil-As an Alumnus, thereof, I must inform you that it is Mercer UNIVERSITY!!!! Good blog, though.
Looks like I picked a good day to rest and recuperate for the Grinch’s visit. It is pouring rain. Hopefully it will be a nice Friday and weekend-and NEXT week as well.
I LIke ThaT leaD veRRy much. LeW maY be aVoiDing me SenSe he diD not comE hear on My laSt day. SeaLs are not For EverbUddy. But I haVe gooD maNners and sHare my wHelk witH frIends. I maY need theRapy whEn I geT homE.
ChopSeal-I wouldn’t have made it any way-It is pouring rain-at least on this side of town. Great weather if you’re a Seal, perhaps, but for baseball-not so much.
Lew,
Do you have enough closet space for multiple pairs of Grinch shoes? Will you have to move all the cars out of the garage to store Grinch shoes?
We know what Grinch’s drink, but what do they eat? Do you have carry out from Whoville in Orlando?
I just want to make sure you are ready for the invasion for green folks from the north….
Furcal and Andruw article:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080220&content_id=2382289&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Gil: Excellent lead, my friend. The Braves have always been my team, bad seasons or good. But the good seasons sure have been alot more fun. I am in total agreement with you that our beloved Braves should not be defined by post-season disappointments, but rather by sustained excellence. Does losing the Super Bowl mean the 2007 Patriots are still not one of the greatest football teams to ever have played the game? Such a true statement…
Flange-Believe me-If there is anything in Orlando, it is restuarants-that and gas stations. We’ll find something. Plenty of closet space for those Yellow shoes. Have no fear on that count. As for the drink. I’m a teetotaler. Haven’t had an alcoholic beverage in over 20 years (too much prescription meds)-I’ll keep him in line.
while chop seal will continue to beet write, chop seal is ready to come home from spring training. chop seal does not appreciate some of the things beet writers must endure. chop seal witnessed a small beet writer being taunted by the players. the players had this small beet writer’s laptop and the players were holding the laptop over the beet writer’s head and tossing it back and forth to each other while the small beet writer was jumping and trying to recover the small beet writer’s laptop. it was not pretty and some big tears rolled down the beet writer’s cheeks – and this was not a girl beet writer. everyone knows there is no crying in and/or around baseball. chop seal was ashamed at that moment to be a beet writer. and now, chop seal is on the way home.
but, on the brighter side . . . chop seal has a future as a columnist.
Hello, Flange, my guitar talkin’ friend. Check out this link for many avatar possibilties.
Renteria says Tigers are ‘like a dream team’.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-tigers-dreamteam&prov=ap&type=lgns
Tigers are a dream team. What a lineup! If they can get consistent pitching…
Oh, I forgot to say g’morning all! G’morning all!
Hello? Hello… hello…
Was it something I said?
I did shower this morning!
VOR,
Thanks for the help! I like the “Turbo Flange”! That has a certain ring to it.
I have all of next week off so I will get my avatar corrected then.
No, hurry, Flange. Just yankin’ your chain a bit…
Turbo Flange-Judas Priest,right?
Gil: Excellent job on the lead. Good work, dude. For all the disappointment of losing the 1991 Series, I think all of us who were on board for that entire season were simply amazed — and exhausted — when it ended. Believe me, the city partied during the parade as if the Braves had WON the Series. Great times. No shame in losing the greatest World Series ever. Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve … ah heck, it beat going 65-97!
It’s raining and cold here along the southern rim of the capital city this morning. Not exactly good weather for baseball, or for drinking coffee on the back patio.
Duty calls. Fish to fry. Won’t be around much this weekend. Even with the trip postponed, still got so much to do around here, methinks I won’t be on the rig much after tonight.
Chopper, keep us informed. Lew, get your rest. The Grinch is coming soon.
Selah, good folks.
The Scribe abides.
–30–
Lew,
Very good!
VOR, no worries! I need to get an avatar just haven’t come up with the right one yet.
General Question,
Does Pedro Martinez look huge to anyone else? In all of the interviews of him that I have seen this spring where he is basking in his grandeur, he looks like he has gained 50 lbs…
And did we ever get a reaction on the cock fighting stuff? I know it is a different “culture”, but isn’t that the same excuse that Whoopie G. used for Michael Vick?
flange1 out
Flange-I mentioned Pedro’s appearance on the blog which shall remain nameless. He looks positively bloated. Sure to be good for his chronically bad toe health. He should know by now THAT TOES ARE NOT TO BE TRIFLED WITH. I think a sage person may have mentioned that before.
Morning, all…only got a sec. Lew’s apparently so busy blogging he won’t answer his phone. Lew, I typed in “Lew’s son’s house in Orlando” on mapquest and it told me that wasn’t enough info. Should I just drive until I smell potatoes?
Flange, I’m bringing a trunkful of Who Hash and Roast Beest. Fear not.
Lew,
You are right about toes. I learned about toe health from someone a couple of years back and my health has improved since!
I also have always had a problem with Pedro’s attitude. Maybe he just does not interview well, but he always comes across to me as a guy that thinks he is better than everyone else.
His last statement that “he dominated” the latest era and that he did it clean, and that folks should look for the good stories and not just the bad.
Again, what about the cock fighting thing???? Is that a good story from a good person…
flange1 out
Grinch, that is a good thing! We could not have a starving Grinch on our hands!
chop seal has sent the following text message to this journalist: “CaN I stOp aT ScriBe’s for the fiSh fry?” of course, this is up to scribe. baby seal would be a delightful playmate for the little scribes – but chop seal is a beet writer so all bets are off. scribe, please let this journalist know. coming through anyway, may as well stop for some whelk.
and lew, it is true that toes are not to be trifled with. and it is true that the extra weight will takes its tole on the sore toe. tole, toll, troll. no trolls here.
and raisins, edgar has merely noted that woodward and wilson and redman and orr are not in camp with the tigers. oh, the humanity!
Grinch- 2739 Annhurst Ave. Orlando
Flange-Yeah, I wondered about the dominating an era statement. Considering Pedro won 200 games and Maddux will win over 350, it makes you wonder what his criteria are.
Lew,
I know that you have heard a good bit from Pedro being closer to Boston and NY than this Georgia boy, and Peter Gammons continues to speak so highly of Pedro, I guess I don’t like him because he was a Dodger….
Still can’t give up that rivalry even if they have AJ and Furcal on the team.
Question-Does a 209-93 record get Pedro in the HOF?
Lew,
My thoughts are NO. Gammons says yes and compares to Sandy Koufax.
Gil, very nice lead. Like many here, I am very excited about our team this year. It seems that there are many more options than in the recent past. It sounds like Wren/Cox will have to make some tough decisions on how to construct the 25-man roster, and that’s good.
CL, I enjoyed the article you posted. Here’s my favorite line. It’s from Joe Torre.
And he said Jones reported to his first Dodgers’ camp “a bit” overweight…
One would think that with all the grief he got last year and in prior years that he might have worked a little harder over the winter.
I’ve never been a big Pedro fan either. While I certainly respect his ability to pitch, I’ve always thought that he was an arrogant you-know-what. I think a certain amount of that is acceptable and possibly even necessary to play at his very high level, but he takes it to a new level.
Pedro did, in fact, dominate this era in the chicken-fighting world. His chickens kicked more chicken butt than those of any other participant over the last 15 years. Recently, though, there has been a falloff in performance from Pedro’s chickens. Many liken it to increased testing for non-organic chicken food compounds by the DCFL [Dominican Chicken-Fighting League], even though the DCFOA [Dominican Chicken-Fighting Owners Association] has opposed this testing. (Editor’s note: No word, yet, if the chickens oppose the testing as they remain unrepresented. Although I hear Scott Boras is exploring options…) I believe the falloff in Pedro’s chicken-fighting success is due to Pedro eating more of his chickens… and biscuits… and gravy…
VOR,
I am not to familiar with much of the sporting activity in the Dominican other than baseball so thanks for your post!
Is Pedro in the DCOHOF (Dominican Chicken Owners HOF) or is he just full of chicken s#@*?
Questions for the ages!
I respect Peter Gammons-the guy’s a HOF er, but he’s dead wrong on that comparison. Yes, Pedro had some great seasons and won some Cy’s (though I still think Neagle should have beat him out for one). But he did not dominate those seasons like Sandy did in his. Also-Koufax lost several seasons due to a chronic arthritic condition-it severely curtailed his career.
Pedro missed a year and a half-AFTER his decline had already begun. Koufax was still winning 25 games a year, throwing a no hitter per year and pitching over 300 innings each and every year. His string would have continued were it not for the medical condition. Pedro’s dominance ended several years before his injury. No way he deserves enshrinement.
Lew says
February 21, 2008 at 11:38 am
Question-Does a 209-93 record get Pedro in the HOF?
No, Lew, Having “Boston” across his chest in 2004 gets him into the hall of fame. Not saying it’s justified, … but likely.
Quickcomparison of Pedro and Sandy’s 6 best years-
Pedro had five seasons over 17 wins- Koufax also had five. In between, Pedro had a 76-3 season, Koufax had a 14-7 year.
Pedro pitched 230 Innings 2 times. Koufax pitched one year under 200 innings and 3 over 300.
In those six years, pedro went 104-32. Koufax went 129-47 Each won 3 Cy Youngs.
I need to check one more thing. Be right back.
For the most part, Gammon’s is most deserving of his own enshrinement. However, his love for the BoSox sometimes clouds his better judgement, and former BoSock(?) Pedro is a perfect example.
Singular form is Sock or Sox? I know they should always be in pairs, but my own rarely are. How I can open the drawer and find 3 socks, none of which match another, I’ll never know. And how is it that I have an odd number of socks at any given time, anyway. I wear them in pairs, why can’t they return to me in pairs?
OK, I got a little distracted there for a minute… my apologies. It’s gonna be one of those days…
Pedro had a 76-3 season? He gets my vote…
Sorry, Lew, couldn’t resist…
go braves! beat l.a. yes, jimmy smith remembers this fondly. journalist also remembers an earlier time when the dodgers were loaded and would come to atlanta and embarrass the braves. jimmy smith remembers sometimes braves players did not hustle and sometimes did not appear to try very hard. and the dodgers would beat them senseless. oh, the humanity! flashback! an ugly time. but the werm turned. and hopefully, the werm will turn some more. and not a dodger blue werm – a braves worm. and what would a braves worm look like? much like a nightcrawler . . . and with big teeth.
7-3 season.
After his last good season in 200, when he won 20 games for Boston, Pedro has won 14, 16, 15,9, and 3 games. In his final season when he was forced to retire due to the pain, Koufax went 27-9. Do you think Koufax would have tailed off that dramatically had he remained healthy, having won 25, 19, 26 and 27 games the precedeing four seasons- more games than Pedro won in ANY of his seasons (except the 19 win year, of course)?
Last good season in 2000, not 200-Even Bob is not THAT old.
bob was on blueberry hill before the blueberries.
I suspect a Braves worm would look alot like this.
452.63 miles? Oh, the blueberrity! My poor Grinchmobile.
Chop Seal, does Jimmysmith ever make you watch the Lawrence Whelk show?
Later, all. Must do skoolwerk.
Grinch-Told you it would be about a seven hour drive. However, spending time with Me and the Braves (and Phillies) is worth it.
Lew,
The Gammons comparison did not sit well with me either. It’s like comparing Ted Williams and Bob Horner.
Lew, Grinch, Chop Seal,…..What’s a man gotta do to see some Spring Training photos around here? I’m not talking MLB.com or ***.com. I’m talking Braves and Stuff Exclusive photos. Come on, slackers.
Flange-If Pedro can come back and win 15 games this year and next, I would probably consider him a HOF candidate. He did, after all, win 3 Cy Young awards. That would give him 239 wins-still far less than I would like for an inductee, but at least it would be somewhat amenable to argument as he missed a year and a half and played for some terrible teams in Montreal..
Hillbilly-I’ve been carrying two portfolios full of artwork, prints and baseballs to get signed. It’s real hard to hold a painting to be signed and snap photos simultaneously. Would y’all rather have photos or autographed memorabilia as awards?
more photos can be found at http://www.journalistjimmysmith.com
that’s http://www.journalistjimmysmith.com
Just jabbin’ you, Lew.
sometimes slow to load due to all the exclusive spring training photos . . .
Lew,
Maybe you are right, but Dale Murphy has 2 MVP’s and he is getting very love for the HOF..
hillbilly, journalist can send hillbilly a nice poultice for hillbilly’s back. let jimmy smith know.
Some more love for Scott Borass……..
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/02/21/sheffield.boras.ap/index.html
Flange-Yes, but Murph also had a relatively unproductive career in Batting Average,never played on really good teams, only hit over 40HR one time and ended up a few HR short of enough to be considered after the steroid era. I would like to see him there, but you have to realize Roger Maris had two MVP’s as well, played on World Championship teams, had a 45HR and a 61 HR season and he’ll never see enshrinement either.
Hillbilly- I Didn’t take it personally, but I had to assign priorities. Thought the award material would be a better way to expend my meager store of energy. Could have used some help from the elusive creature with the cheesy fish breath, though.
oh, the humanity! look at this!!!
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080220&content_id=2382289&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
journalist jimmy, you’ve been scooped by the lady of the blog. She posted that link three hours ago!
Please try to keep up!
yes, but carolina lady did not mention that andruw watched some film and corrected andruw’s swing . . . very perceptive of andruw. should have studied some film while all spread out in the box last year. and what will joe torre do (wwjtd) when andruw reverts to that ugly, ugly, stance? will joe torre allow andruw to remain in the lineup at cleanup for weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks . . . or will joe torre place andruw on the bench in favor of juan pierre? oh, the humanity! oh, the humanity!
a little known fact: juan pierre has more hits than anyone in the majors outside of ichiro suzuki in the last seven years
could andruw be benched for juan pierre? oh, the humanity! better listen to joe torre!!
Great blog Gil!!!
You are so right about teams almost being considered failures if they don’t win the WS! (Or any other championship in any sport) The Buffalo Bills are “losers” for losing those Superbowls, yet what about other teams during that era that didn’t get out of the first round??? Somebody should dig up those teams and mock them!
and Bob, from the previous blog…
Actually, you really never forget, or so methinks … you just can’t remember
Truer words have never been spoken Bob!
… or you mis-remember…
Bob, I read it, ’twas not wasted. I enjoy the posts on your past; it’s like I was there. Good stuff for a guy like me who doesn’t get out of his bubble very often. And I can only dominate it very short periods. Not to mention, I’m all but certain nobody else can be around.
Berigan, 161 games in the summer in St. Louis is awfully impressive. I wonder if innings caught could be found. Alas, I am too lazy.
journalistjimmysmith.com
This hall of fame stuff is frustrating. Anything subjective is. Maris, Rose, Simmons aren’t in. Murphy. What’s the opinion here on McGwire and other HIGHLY suspected, but unproven users? Do they EVER get in?
Hi folks. Connectivity problems, probably due to the weather. Behind with everything today: work, my blog, other blog reading, B&S reading, etc.
Esteemed JJS, tell Chop Seal to come on. Fish will be frying into the night at the rate I’m going so far, unfortunately. Alas, at least the commute is measured in steps, not miles.
T-minus two days until Grinch and Lew are together in Orlando. Is Mickey’s Place ready for both of you together?
Later, folks.
–30–
Steve-No they do not. Not my opinion about whether or not they should, but McGwire is the indicator here. He has not received any support his two years of eligibility and people actually LIKE him-widelyconsidered the savour of baseball with Sosa (the corked bat lends fire to his not getting in IMO). Think of Bonds and Clemens who fans love to hate-or Rafael Palmiero who tested bad. A lot of players with some good numbers will not go into the Hall.
Great lead, Gil.
I have been sick as a dog for the past week. My sinuses feel like a swampland.
Pedro is definitely a Hall of Famer. That dude was so dominant. I don’t think win totals should matter. Don Sutton gets in because he wins 300 when Pedro doesn’t because he only won a little more than 200? That would not be right in my book.
I think the Hall of Fame needs to stop focusing so much on the compilation of stats for guys who hang on forever. The focus should be more on the 5 year and 10 year periods of dominance.
People are in the Hall of Fame that never had a dominant decade like Dale Murphy did or a 7 year period of absolute dominance like Pedro did.
It is called the Hall of “Fame”. When is a player at his most famous? During his 5 to 10 year period of dominance that defines him as a ballplayer.
Too many guys are becoming Hall of Famers because they hang around too long when they were not even a top 10 baseball player during their best 5 to 10 year runs.
journalist jimmy smith Says:
February 21, 2008 at 12:57 pm
hillbilly, journalist can send hillbilly a nice poultice for hillbilly’s back. let jimmy smith know.
JJS, Can she cook, too? What?
Poultice…O.k., now I see.
Braveheart-Sorry Dude, but Pedro was not dominant that long. Barely winning 200 games is not HOF material-especially when 280+ wins of Blyleven and Tommy John didn’t prove enough. Haven’t checked, but I doubt anyone with that few wins has been inducted-unless as a reliever like Fingers or Sutter. Pedro just does not match up-no matter how much he may think he does.
Lew, you should have mellowed out to some Dark Side of the Moon, last night while the eclipse was going on. That might have restored your meager energy.
Hillbilly-Maybe ifI were twenty years younger and had been in better health the last three years, that might be true.
Braveheart-Two pitchers over the last 60 years actually give Pedro’s 209 wins hope of induction to the HOF-Don Drysdale, also 209 and Bob Lemon’s 207. Other than them, Pedro needs another 25-30wins.
Hmmm… Pedro says, “I did it clean.” Celebrity blogger is Mr. Clean. I haven’t seen them both in the same room at the same time… Could they be one and the same?
Of course, Mr. Clean appears to be in much better shape…
Hillbilly- I AM getting around MUCH better than I wastwo years ago when I was here. 3 years back I was 54 going on 70. Today I’m almost 57 going on 55. Big difference
Actually Lew, Pedro was dominant for a 7 year period of time from 1997 unti 2003. His ERA+ numbers were 219, 163, 243, 291, 189, 202, 210 during those 7 seasons. That is completely dominant. No other pitcher in the history of the game has been similarly dominant for such an extended period of time.
By comparison, in his six year period of dominance, the ERA+ numbers for Koufax are 123, 141, 159, 187, 160, 190.
Koufax never went over 200. Pedro did it 5 out of those 7 seasons.
Maddux was more dominant in the era he played in than Koufax. His ERA+ numbers from 1992 until 2002 were 166, 171, 271, 262, 162, 189, 187, 125, 153, 146, 159.
280+ wins of Bert and Tommy John was not good enough because they were not good enough. They were never the best pitcher in baseball and often were not even the best pitcher on their own teams.
Pedro was the best in baseball along with Randy Johnson during that period of time.
Lew, here are some Hall of Famers for you:
Don Drysdale, 209 wins
Dazzy Vance, 197 wins
Bob Lemon, 207 wins
Jesse Hains, 210 wins
Chief Bender, 212 wins
Catfish Hunter, 224 wins
Jim Bunning, 224 wins
Whitey Ford, 236 wins
Juan Marichal, 243 wins
Herb Pennock, 240 wins
So, there is precedent Lew. I know you hate Pedro and any and all things related to the Mets and Red Sox but Pedro is a Hall of Famer without any questions being rightfully asked about it.
Braveheart-I actually saw Koufax pitch-you did not. There was NO ONE better-ever. He was the epitome of dominance in an era of extremely dominant pitchers. Pedro never pitched anywhere within 100 innings of 335 in a single season. He would have fallen apart and folded like a cheap banquet table over 235.
During a four year period, Koufax not only won 24-27 games three times (with arthritis in his pitching elbow,no less), but pitched 4 no hitters in those four years, including a perfect game-something Pedro never came vaguely close to doing. Koufax also pitched for teams that generally scored 1-2 runs per game and he made those runs hold up. I’m telling you,Pedro does not even really compare to Maddux, Glavine, Clemens or Randy Johnson from his own era. He thinks he was the MOST dominant pitcher of his era? No Flipping way. Not even close. Oh yeah- WTF is ERA+? They never even had that when Koufax pitched. It is another of those absurd post facto nouveau cuisine stats you kids are so enamored of. I call them Shakespearean stats-Full of sound and fury but signifying nothing of importance.
Braveheart- A bit more on Koufax- Won all 3 of his Cy Young awards UNANIMOUSLY. Won an MVP award. Each of his CY seasons he won pitcher’s Triple Crown-wins, K’s and IP.
First LHP since 1880 to pitch a perfect game. First pitcher with 3 or more NO NO’s )Ryan the only other).
For his career, he averaged a .205 average against, 9.28 K per nine and only 7 hits per nine.
He has the highest Winning percentage of any ML pitcher with 2000 or more IP.
He retired at age 30 and was the youngest player ever inducted to the HOF at age 36. Pedro does not belong in the same league with Koufax. ERA+ or no.
Yes, there is precedent, but of all of those pitchers, only one-Drysdale, pitched in the past 50 years. Also,for your information, I do not hate the Red Sox-not at all. My feelings about Pedro have kittle to do with his performance as a Met. As far as I’m concerned, he was in a severe decline after leaving the Sox, anyway and has not been a dominant pitcher since 2000.
Also, If you had really read my earlier posts somewhat more thoroughly, you would have seen that I said were he to win 15 games this year and next, giving him 239, I said he would likely be inducted. You really should know better than to try and argue with me, Dude. You may be equivalent of Pedro, but Dude, I’ll always be your Koufax hen it comes to arguing.
Feeling a little feisty today, Lew?
Excuse me-all of the pitchers except Drysdale with less than 210 wins pitched over 50 years ago.
FBG-No-just trying to show Braveheart he is not as great a debater as he thinks. One of the first rules of debating is to get your facts straight before you start. He did not do this. Really, all he had to do was to check Wikipedia.
I often check Wikipedia!
Lew, ERA+ is not a some difficult concept. All it does it take your ERA and compare it to the average ERA in the year you pitched.
If you ERA+ is 170 that means your ERA in that particular season was only 70 % better than the average ERA in the league that year.
But when your ERA+ is over 200, that means your ERA was well over 100 % better than the average pitcher during that particular season. Not too difficult to grasp, Lew.
Pedro was more dominant in his prime than Maddux, Glavine, Clemens, and Randy Johnson. Accept it for what it is, Lew.
Hey, I’ll put it this way. If the average lawyer or doctor is charging $100 bucks per hour for his services like the average pitcher has an ERA+ of 100, Koufax being able to sell his services for $170, $180, $190 bucks per hour is nowhere near as impressive as Maddux and Pedro being able to sell their services for well over $200 bucks an hour. That is all ERA+ tells you and it does tell you alot about how dominant someone is compared to the average pitcher or worker in the marketplace at the time the person is competing in that martketplace.
Get over the blind optimism for the Braves and the blind hatred for the Mets.
Just kidding you.
You need to relax & rest up today.
Avatar poll (pole?): Do you like my guitar playin’ raisin? Can you even tell he’s a guitar playin’ raisin? Do you like the Raisin Bran better? What about the raisin with the microphone? Just wonderin’. I’m all about pleasin’ the home folks…
Pedro was more dominant in his prime than Maddux, Glavine, Clemens, and Randy Johnson. Accept it for what it is, Lew.
Wha?
WW…glad you’re finally feeling better. Your ‘research’ affirms that…very strong, as usual! You’re a machine!
Now…while glad you’re better, it’s best to keep sinuses a low profile topic…journalistjimmy tends to run with that…and the blog ‘humanity’ struggles with his reports when he gets on a roll!
Raisins…I like your geetar-playin’ shriveled up grape!
Much better than a box!
Better than a fork, too…or box of salt. I don’t like my ‘image’…need a change!
VOR, I thought the Raisin was digging a hole.
Braveheasrt-I’ll get over(or not) whatever I damn well please and no little pissant will tell me what to do. I”ve already told you it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Mets. Nothing. It most CERTAINLY has nothing at all to do with my optimism for the Braves (and I’m not sure why I should get over it either). Can your feeble brain comprehend that concept? As for ERA+-Who cares. It tells me nothing I would ever need to know to evaluate anything. You really need to get over yourself Dude-much more than I do. Pedro had a couple of really good seasons and that is all. There are at least 8 or10 pitchers from his own era that have won way more games than he has. Smoltz has won more(or at least as many-not to count his saves all those years)Even Schilling won more. Should he be enshrined?
He’s shreddin’, dude, shreddin’!
What’s with Comcast…it rains, and the ‘hi-speed’ disappears? I’d hate to see how it would be Seattle!
VOR, I think the Raisin looks a little
. Are his eyes supposed to bug out like that?
Uh, Lew, how’s your blood pressure?
VOR,
I love the rock and roll raisin. He be a bad man.
Lew,
I agree with you on Pedro. I see Braveheart’s argument on ERA+, but I don’t think Pedro is there yet. Maybe as you say if he wins another 30 games or so..
The Great Debater resorted to calling me a feeble minded pissant. Bravo! Sure showed me.
“I have been sick as a dog for the past week. My sinuses feel like a swampland.” – ww
some poultice is left and there is enough for both hillbilly and ww. but ww must not speak sinuses on the carolina lady blog. nothing nostrilly – only stomach linings. ugh! getting queasy. soon to pass out.
and sandy koufax could sell out atlanta stadium in sandy koufax’s day. not many could. and the braves always had something for sandy koufax. remarkably, denny lemaster could take care of business when sandy would come to town. journalist is not old like bob, this is something told to journalist by bob.
WW and Hillbilly, be very careful accepting poultice from journalist jimmy smith. He might have gotten that poultice from Pedro after a chicken fight!
must stay off the furniture when using jimmy smith’s poultice.
removes back hair.
not a pleasant odor.
Gentlemen, I think this is where CL would remind you to keep your debates civil if she were present.
still, could be beneficial to both,
lew, can say p—ant here? and can’t say booger!!!
About 130/50 -I do not get angry or react emotionally when I argue. I choose and mean everything I say. The problem may be that y’all think I’m a loveable Teddy Bear-it ain’t so. I was raised on the mean streets and lived there for quite sometime and do not react well to people thinking a. they know more than I do (they may know as much , but not more) b. thinking they are smarter than I am (they may be as smart as,but not more) or c. thinking I will not react to what I consider a slight to myself, my family, friends or my intelligence. Braveheart, thinking himself an agent provacateur of sorts, has gone this route with me before. Sometimes he just needs a refresher course to jog his memory.
Klobber, Pedro is betting on me in this cockfight I’m having me with Lew right now. After I’m done beating Lew, I will make chicken soup out of his remains and make myself feel better.
Don’t worry CL. Lew and I aren’t fighting. We’re just being gruff, a lil’ shadowboxing, a lil’ sparring, a little spring training b.p. we are throwing each other right now in order to sharpen our skills so we can better take on the Mets trolls and the And Idiots. Thankfully none visit here but ya never know. So we are training just in case.
flbravesgirl, nice call.
too much booger talk here of late. not enough stomach linings. ugh! queasy again. feeling faint . . .
let’s talk baseball instead! a case can be made for dale murphy if a case is made for pedro. and dale murphy does not do chicken fights. and does having a seal for a pet qualify one for the hof? famous ballplayer from way back had a seal companion. anybody know who? prize from carolina lady if can name.
Braveheart-You still want to go a couple rounds? You really might want to re-evaluate that stance . Really you might. You haven’t even seen my right cross yet.
Lew,
I thought you were a lefty!
jjs, Joe Dimaggio? He played for the Seals. Howzabout Heidi Klum? She has a seal for a companion.
Will you two please chill?
Time for me to go start making dinner. If I come back tonight to find that y’all are meeting at dawn with pistols I’ll make sure Chris & SG leave you off the cake delivery route.
jimmy smith has found out what upset chop seal . . . a certain baseball player is using a sealskin glove this season. chop seal could not remain in camp. could be a relative. could be a writer, or an inventor. could be any seal. chop seal is coming home. angry, upset, confused. being a beet writer was tough enough – having a sealskin glove staring chop seal in the whiskers is too much. with a bit of therapy chop seal should be ready to talk baseball with us again in a few days. not sure if chop seal is with scribe and sons yet or if chop seal will come straight home. bloggers must understand the sealskin made chop seal queasy . . . much like all the talk of stomach linings (ugh!) has made jimmy smith queasy. feeling faint . . .
http://www.journalistjimmysmith.com
Flange-I’m not. It will never get to pistols. I can take him out well before it comes to that. Do not doubt that. Count on it.
Lew, I have never thought of myself as smarter than you or of you as smarter than me. I really don’t know where that comes from. You state your opinions. I state mine. I am what I am, I think what I think, I say what I say, I do what I do without thinking of myself in comparison to others.
If you don’t act emotionally and just say what you mean and you call your friends feeble minded pissants and actually mean it, then, well, that is a difference between me and you.
I have said alot of unfortunate and regretful things in my life – including to many on here – that I said in emotionally impulsive moments where I got carried away. Savannah, Bob, Jimmy, Paladin all have legit gripes with me due to past words and acts from myself.
You, on the other hand, I have never done anything regretful towards other than to point out how much of a homer you are – which I think you already know or should know about yourself. I can’t think of any other slight I have ever given you. If you reflect back, you know I am right about that.
Just because someone disagrees or points out flaws in your argument does not make them stupid and it does not mean they are personally attacking you.
I crashed and burned, but personally walked away without a scratch. That is not a message I would have liked to, or been able to, type in my flying days. ‘Course it was this pesky computer. And having to go bail my guru out of jail. That and having to go outside to smoke whilst he was “working” because of the 180% environment. Anyway, he’s gone; I’m up; and all is semi-right with the world. Now a ring-side seat at the Pedro-hater and the pissant fight. Is the betting window still open?
You are entitled to your opinion. I do not now nor have I seen it that way in the past. You really do not want to carry this further. You really do not.
paladin, don’t sit too close. Could get messy!
Klobber; CL is going to come in any minute and take ‘em both to the woodshed.
oh, the humanity! carolina lady must return soon! and until then . . . a little percy sledge:
I found a woman
I felt I truely loved
She was everything
I’d ever been dreaming of
But she was bad, I didn’t know it
Her pretty smile never did show it
All I knew is what I could see
And I knew I wanted her for me
I took her home to mama
Mama wanted to see my future bride
Well she looked at us both
Then she called me to her side
She said, son, take time to know her
It’s not an overnight fhing
Take time to know her
Please don’t rush into this thing
But I didn’t listen to mama
I went straight to the church
I just couldn’t wait to have a little girl of mine
When I got off from work
The preacher was there
So was my future bride
He looked at us both and then he called me to his side
Take time to know her
Its not an overnight fling
You better take time to know her
Please Please don’t rush into this thing
When it look like every thing was gonna turn out all right
And then I came home a little early one night
And there she was cookin’ puddin’ for another man
Now I know what mama meant when she took me by the hand
And said son, take time to know her
Its not an overnight fling
Take time to know her
Please don’t rush into this thing
Take time to know her
Its not an overnight fling
Take time to know her
Thank God I got back when I did. Otherwise, if I had seen all of these song lyrics I would have thought I was on the other blog.
Alright, I’m outta here. I don’t get how this got so out of hand. But whatever. Just came for a visit. Stated my opinion. And, well, this is a good place and I’m not gonna ruin CL’s place with this nonsense. If you wanna carry it further, you know where and how to reach me. We’re just not gonna do it here. Don’t really know what needs to be carried further except that you are a Koufax guy and I am a Pedro guy (despite hating Pedro’s guts myself) and somehow you turned it into this ugliness merely because someone disagreed with you.
Com’on nephew lets go have a brew. In the meantime, Lew can soak his feet/toes and then we’ll all hug and make up. And to put y’alls argument into propective: 10 billion Chinamen(and women)don’t give a rats azz either way.
Greetings denizens…. “And invective filled the air”…
All and all a good afternoon for me, didn’t have a score today but made a couple of nice buys. You meet the most interesting people at auctions…
A point of order to made here. Pedro was a very good pitcher, for a time he was a peer of Maddux, Johnson, Clemons et al.
Kofax was indeed peerless… Only other pitchers who could be mentioned in the same breath with him might be Bob Gibson during his time. Just a fact…
However, different era, different game. Baseball players trained on hotdogs and worked during the off season. Weight training was for body builders.
Personally, I doubt Pedro would get in the HOF based on his current stats. He might get a majority of the voters but I do not think he could garner 75% of the votes. I am not say this is right or wrong, just my opinion.
There are some pretty good ball players not in the hall of fame, there are some that make it on longevity. I don’t make the rules, it just is what it is.
Enjoy the game for what it is. We admire players who are great because most of us know how hard it really is to throw a 98 mph fastball much less hit one. I thought Mark Fydrich was one of the greatest phenoms to come along in a great while. Lasted one season… Kerry Wood… one season.
It is too early to talk about the hall of fame for Pedro, let’s see if he can come back first.
where is miss manners? did miss manners come over from that other blog? is miss manners still over there? carolina lady, please send an invitation to miss manners. need miss manners over hear now!
and lyrics . . . no cowboys or dyin’ – just a little cryin’.
and paladin, the only thing missing from that other blog is your and idiot.
bloggers must remember that this is a kinder, gentler blog. mellow. soothing. like pepto bismol to an irritated stomach lining. oh, the humanity! getting queasy. feeling faint . . .
and who started this stomach lining talk?
jimmy smith has asked another celebrity blogger to blog hear and that blogger should be hear soon to deflect some of the tension away. purely coincidental when the celebrity blogger shows hear at 7:00 p.m.
I hope I can stay up late enough to meet jjs’ celebrity blogger. Ritalin! That’ll do it.
Had nothing whatsoever to do with either Pedro, Koufax or differences of opinion. Tone is everything.
jjj brings up a good point about the days of yesteryear when the Brave were the (pick one) Marlins, Nationals, Pirates, Orioles, all of the above. It was a sad time to be a Braves fan…. When Michael Jackson and Braves both wore a glove on one hand for no apparent reason.
As a fanatic… I can live with my team losing. That is, if the opponent possesses superior skills and talent. What I cannot abide by is when a team gives up before the first pitch is thrown. Then they are truly losers.
Sigh…. The wife has informed me we will be viewing Idol tonight…. Alas, televise baseball games cannot come soon enough…
Lew, go back and read the 2:03, 2:47, 2:55 and tell me where this was due to my tone.
I stated my opinions and supported them with facts.
You then started slinging around the whole nonsense of I know more than you little kid, I am a better debater than you feeble minded pissant, you should know better than to argue with me, blah, blah, blah.
Gimme a break, Lew.
jjs has a photo some may require:
http://bravesandstuff.wordpress.com/our-own-candid-cameras/jimmy-smiths-photos/
Raisins, I like the one with the microphone. VOICE of Raisins.
BLOG RULES: NO ATTACKS AND KEEP IT CLEAN.
1. Everybody is entitled to an opinion whether anybody agrees with it or not.
2. Everybody is entitled to express that opinion here without being called names or belittled.
3. We’re on a level playing field here and we’re all equal.
4. Courtesy and respect are expected at all times.
5. Disagreements will be conducted by private email only, not here in public.
And order is restored to the universe…
One shoe has fallen, fellows. Don’t make her drop the other one.
Considering that I argued all afternoon, siting facts and figures, stating my position and then responding to someone else’s with no problem whatsoever and THEN got upset, one of two things can be inferred. One, either I am an entirely irrational person with no connection to reality, or two that someone said something I was not happy with or did not care for the tone thereof. Y’all decide whatever one y’all think is appropriate. That choice also is yours to make.
As for the email-I have not checked mine in a week and will not be checking it for another ten days or so.
Yes,courtesy and respect are expected at all times and sometimes I just do not feel that is always extended in my direction.
As for any suspected irrationality, the other party here has been blogging on the nameless site all afternoon, as have I- never posted to his reference there at all and I have been carrying on quite normal, rational, conversations with many there. Maybe it was something that was said or the way it was said..
Well put CL!!!
I do feel the need to chime in, since I KNOW everyone wants to know my take!!!
1. Sandy Kolfax, who I never saw, was the best pitcher…next to Walter Johnson!
I’ve even heard that he tipped off his fastball and curve by the way he gripped them in the glove, and it didn’t matter!!!
2. Sadly, I have to say Pedro is a HOF. But, that career 2.80 ERA makes it so. I don’t like his headhunting ways. Always a first class hot dog. Perhaps his supreme confidence has a role in his success. And I don’t quite get saying he wasn’t dominant after 2000. In 2002 he was 20-4 with a 2.26 ERA. Yeah, he only pitched 199 innings, but 144 hits allowed?? That is dominant! In 2003, he pitched 186 Innings, and allowed 147 hits, and 2.22 ERA
And here is something to think about(Haven’t read the Gammons article yet, so don’t know if he mentioned this) Pedro put up that 2.80 ERA against ‘roid rage filled hitters! 6 out of his 7 years in Fenway and the softball league were years with ERA’s under 3.00 which is quite impressive. Last year was the first year he had more hits allowed then innings pitched….Anyway, his past has next to nothing to do with any success he will have in the future. I doubt they can count on him pitching more than 150 innings…..
Anyways, onwards and upwards and all that…
Which team do you all think improved themselves the most this offseason???
Tigers? Diamondbacks???
JJS,
GREAT PICTURES!!!!! I laughed out loud on quite a few of them.
Thanks!
I realize I am almost an hour early but I am a celebrity and I write the rules. My name is Met Amucil and I am your new celebrity blogger. I think Roger McDowell is a plant. Yes, Roger McDowell. Can you believe he landed a job as Braves pitching coach? Roger McDowell is a MET! Just like me. And Roger McDowell was responsible for Mark Redman. How many games did Mark Redman lose before succumbing to a TOE injury? How many games out did the Braves finish? Hmmm……. 11.63 ERA? Hmmm……..
And if any of you weasel boys on this blog don’t like the METS . . . well bring it on!
This may be a Braves blog but I am a Mets blogger and I am available on shelves all over the world. Yes, that is right . . . I am Met Amucil. I can bring some fiber to this blog – and this blog needs some fiber. There are some highly irregular folks blogging here.
I would like to say that Pedro is feeling better and his toe seems to be a strong point now rather than a weakness. Toes are often used in chicken fights to toe the chickens. Look it up.
Well, all you loosers, I am Met Amucil and you are not. I hope this controvesial post will not offend Carolina Lady.
Your Celebrity Pal,
Met Amucil
oh, the humanity! a mets trole.
“Bob, you don’t forget things, you simply misremember them” … I’ll take that as a compliment so long as you spell my name right, but that’s a different mask … nothin’ simple about Bob, journalist, he be complex.
Congratulations again, Mister Gil, on another fine effort … I’m envious … lots of folks try hard like me and get “E” for effort and “F” on their report card but you always come away with an A+ … Well Done, mon ami, well done indeed!
The road is indeed well paved and well traveled … but I don’t want folks to think my intentions were good or that I was misremembering … I was just flat out lying, especially the part about that Bishop fellow being a preacher!
The part about them red trees being big was true … really big … those who ain’t never seen them, or climbed up on the trunk of a fallen one should take the time to so do … an eerie feeling, being in the land of the Giants, though these aren’t to be found in uptown New York or San Fransisco.
And I did have a friend named Earl, that part was true too … unlike me, he was real popular … played football and baseball too … but Earl was like me in that he wasn’t very smart … in fact, in the ninth grade, our history teacher, in her infinite wisdom, asked the class to be tolerant of Earl because he only had an 85 IQ … with him sitting right beside me. She was serious … and I am too.
I lost touch with Earl when we moved from Atlanta … but some may remember one of two of the stories I’ve told … like, 20 years later when a big long chauffeured Cadillac Limousine drove up and a fellow sporting a new Hickey Freeman and smoking a Mac got out … some remember that one … that was Earl!
We sometimes kid about IQs … but bona fide members of the three digit club don’t make fun of those not eligible to join … we chide those who call others idiots or complete fools, usually with humor … for hopefully it’s more a case of mistaken identity than the pot calling the kettle purple.
Methinks laughter is indeed the most powerful of all medicines and those like Jimmy Smith should be called doctors rather than journalists … while others like myself should be fined or put in jail for practicing without a license.
I give Lew an “E” for effort too … imagine suggesting that David O’Brien is an elusive creature with the cheesy fish breath goodness!
Those who accuse me of misremembering have no idea … when Carol read what I wrote about our visit to Berlin … that was her immediate and singular reaction … “We went to Berlin from Copenhagen … we went to
Paris from Spain … can’t you remember our trips any better than that?!”
Women! I told her it didn’t matter, nobody was going to read it and those who did wouldn’t know the difference … “no, but you and I will!” … like I said, women!
The trips were all good … hard to say which one was best … going to Ladies room in Catherine’s Palace and getting lost in the Louvre were two magic moments I wish I could misremember. We’ve indeed have some scary moments in our travels over the years, mostly when we were lost … sometimes in our own backyard.
I don’t always lie … I was born in Atlanta and I loved my Mama … Daddy too … still do!
Speaking of misremembering … who said “Baseball is baseball … I can adjust”? Misremembering … or lying?
JJS… It appears the Met’s troll is an avatar stealer too….
Thank you Bob.J…. I tried to give a better effort this time. So many good bloggers here set the bar pretty high, makes everyone better.
CELEBRITY BLOGGER NEXT: STAND BACK!
Okay, I am back. Met Amucil. Lowers cholesterol. Heart healthy. Good source of dietary fiber. Cleans the pipes, so to speak.
I’d like to talk some Mets baseball about now. Pedro has gained weight. Fried Chicken fingers. Pedro could use some Metamucil.
Yes, blogging here is going to suit me just fine. Trolling. Trole.
And where are the angry retorts? And where are the tasty tortes? Maybe FlMetsgirl can bake an order of tortes and have them shipped to me here at Shea.
Controversy. Uh, I live for this!
Gil-It is a good effort, but….It is Mercer University,not College.. I graduated from there and got married on the campus,so I’m pretty sure I know. You need to change it. After all, I am an irrational person. There’s no telling what I might do. Maybe I will insult you or take a bad tone with you. I’m unpredictable.
I didn’t mean to start nothing by fessing up and admitting I was a liar … bandwagon effect … now Lew’s at it, telling the truth about himself and all ,,, well not all … who’s next?!
Gil at this rate, you may break 1,000!
Duty calls … see you on the night shift … maybe, i could be lying or fall asleep.
well, this is a most unsavory trole. jimmy smith asked for celebrity blogger dick cheney and looks like we got met amucil instead. well, soon many bloggers will be here arguing with met amucil and this blog can experience some disharmony. “what?”
“what, diane lane? already disharmony on here today?” journalist must have misremembered.
well, chipper is talking phillies and mets, too. this from paul newberry: “It really doesn’t bother me,” Jones said. “They are the last two division champions. They can talk all they want. We did it for 14 straight years. We know what it takes.
“The core of guys is still here. We’ve just got to get these young guys used to having that killer instinct and getting back on top of the NL East to stay again.”
killer instinct? like when smoltz shamed chipper into uh, playing?
hmmmm, can it be both?????
http://www.mercer.com/mercercollege
“And where are the angry retorts? … same place as the angry retards … ask John Rocker.
Poor Chipper … “The core of guys is still here. We’ve just got to get these young guys used to having that killer instinct and getting back on top of the NL East to stay again.”
Dr. Smith, did he really say that?
yes, journalist bob . . . journalist paul newberry appears to quote chipper accurately. no polishing the apple. doesn’t have a pet name for chipper, either.
“it’s good to be seen down.”
it is good to read paul newberry.
Don’t give Lew a hard time … he may have attended Mercer … I noticed they of have a college of art for liberals … and a lot of good Baptists go there.
journalist must be away for a few minutes. have to check on the eclipse and see if the navy shoots down that satellite. will be out in the yard with the blue werms.
This multitasking has to cease … foods burning … and in addition to lost in my travels, we also get it on TV tonight … later!
Dr. that’s wonderful … pure wonderful … later!
Berigan-Not the same place.Mercer University is in Macon and they have a secondary campus in Atlanta, as well. They also have a Law School, a Medical School, a Pharmacy School and an Engineering School (never saw the trains, though. Bob is correct. It is Baptist affiliated and is probably second only to Emory as far as private Universities in Georgia.
It was also the alma mater of John Birch, who actually had nothing to do with the society named for him. He was working with a Christian ministry in China, where he was killed. He was considered by that particular group which took his name, to ne the first American killed by Communists-or some such thing. The group was always a bit too Lunatic Fringe (don’t you just love Ole Teddy Roosevelt’s terminology?) for my tastes.
TheJackAss certainly is no debator…TheJackAss prefers to land forty pounds of prime boot leather directly into the pieholes of ignorant A$sClowns!…ignorant A$sClowns that constantly argue about nothing of importance…and disrupt TheJackAss’ pleasant blogging experience, along with his digestion…”but you’ve lost your edge mrjackass sir”, they say…well be careful that edge doesn’t show up and slice some of you ignorant posers to bits…bits and pieces…
Man, where is my head…I meant to say earlier than not only was Gil’s blog excellent, it was Awesome! I say that so I can say that henceforth, I will refer to you asAwesome Gil, from Mechanicsville!!!!!
Ok, perhaps not mrgreen worthy, but dangit, it cracks me up for some reason….
And if you are going to open a piehole at least make it red velvet.
“We’ve just got to get these young guys used to having that killer instinct and getting back on top of the NL East to stay again.” – uh, hoss
this would seem to validate the earlier comments made by jimmy smith alluding to a team’s mind-set that the top prize is the division.
well, top prize is not the division no matter the p.r. ploy. the little signs are made by the braves – not by the league.
the pennant is made by the league and presented to the league champion.
why not seek a pennant? and a w.s. ring?
yes, gil, is right . . . a team that wins the division is not a loser. still, there are many that would consider a team that folds to the wild card or is swept in the nlcs to be a looser. yes, a looser.
if chipper aspires only to win the division . . . maybe it is because the playoffs coincide with huntin’ openin’ day. call it killer instinct.
Friend-in-trouble alert! Bobj is on the way to the hospital – for him this time, not Carol.
Need some Major League prayer, guys! Will advise when I receive any news.
CL, that’s terrible! I will say a prayer for Bob….
yes, prayers for bob.
Some of you people are going to have to give out road maps so we can reach the core, the essence, of your posts. A lot of us, like me, are purportedly educated and we are unable to follow all of this academic alacity followed by periods of ???. Give us a break.
TheJackAss can only imagine what it sounds like to be on a big ol’ ranch, on a big game hunt, with the big league player and hunter Chipper “Hooter” Jones…probably sounds a bit like this…..”uh”………BOOM!!!…
CL… please edit the lead to reflect the proper designation for Mercer University. My apologies to Lew, I will not make that mistake again…
I am very distressed to learn of Bob’s sudden need for medical attention. Please Lord, watch over him….
Thank You Mr Gil. I appreciate your due diligence.Good Ole Mercer. Also the college home of John Rocker. We blame it all on the smell from the pulp mills. Affects your brain.
What is wrong with Bob? Sure hope he’s all right.
I just saw the news about BobJ. Blessed Lord, take your faithful servant Bob into your arms and nourish him. And return him to us, if that be your will. We need him.
Maybe if some of you had an actual education instead of a ‘purported’ education you would understand that a dictionary is what you need instead of a road map…and I believe you meant “alacrity”…
Thoughts and prayers for Bob and Carol tonight…….
SJA; Why don’t you stop being, or trying to be, the big bad boogey man that everyone is supposed to tremble about? I centainly don’t. And what I said, as is most I say, was in jest. Now, why don’t you pray for Bobj, and we’ll deal with this later. I’ll be here.
Must be the eclipsed full moon.
“centainly” instead of “certainly”. “Alacity” instead of “Alacrity”. So sue me.
I’,m going to bed. When I get down on my knees, and I do, I will pray for BobJ. I hope everyone will. Goodnight.
Morning, all…I’m beat. Hope Bob’s ok. I will appeal to my pagan idols. I’m sure he won’t mind what direction help comes from.
No news yet.
We are thinking of you Bob J!!!
No news. From the little info I received, I rather expect there would be immediate surgery so we may not know anything until morning. Bear in mind that is MY supposition. Will post as soon as I know anything.
I’m just sitting here thinking. A little after 7, Bob was posting, jesting, enjoying himself and :30 minutes later he was being rushed off to the hospital (Vanderbilt) in a frightening situation.
We meet here at our electronic neighborhood – chat, laugh, discuss, pick on each other, have fun, get on each other’s nerves at times. But we should never leave with ill feelings or ill will towards any other. ‘Cause who ever knows if that will be the very last communication sent or received. It happens so suddenly and so unexpectedly. We have to remember that.
You’re absolutely right, CL. I’ve seen this several times in my family over the past few years. Y’all, make sure the people you care about know it. Don’t keep your love a secret from family & friends.
So very true. For reasons I never understood, never felt all that comfortable saying I love you to loved ones, at least beyond Christmas and Birthdays. When my Mom’s health started to go downhill, and I knew she wasn’t indeed going to be around for a whole lot longer , it became something I said every night, and now I say it every night to my Dad….
Deep down, we know it but we don’t accept it….that when people we care about are no longer with us, they really are gone for good….at least in this world.
It’s 2:45 AM and I can’t sleep because I am worrying about Bob… It’s even tougher sometimes when you are a 1000 miles away. Yes, CL… we all develop a special bond I think from the interactions we share. I think we all know each other pretty well, just through our postings although some might not think that to be true. I have found in my lifetime that you can get a pretty good gauge on a person just in how the express themselves in their writings.
I don’t know what happened with Bob, but I do pray it is not serious and he will be back with us soon. The suddenness of it all leads me to suspect a heart attack but let’s all hope it is just a case of indigestion.
Were rooting for you Bob….
Man, let’s leave the morbitity alone (and I’m about as morbid as they come, when necc.). Let us, instead, toast the living AND the dead. Nobody wants to be remembered with a shake of the head and a hastily composed Catullus-and-water eulogy. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. That poem was not hastily composed, nor at the last minute. Our feelings for one another should be as strong now as they ever were, and our lives celebrated in living as in death. Hoo-ah.
Well, we’re home … I haven’t yet read the posts but do see that My Lady let folks know that I had an emergency and that several have responded with well wishes, prayers and comments … thanks all, more than you can imagine!
Interestingly, Gil, my first thought was to let Most Honorable, My Lady, and family know … Apologies to them for having shared the gory details … especially My Lady … I was kinda in a hurry and a panic.
Hopefully, the crisis is over … God is good! No, he’s better than that!!
I’m not sure what caused the problem … or what the future holds … further diagnostic tests and evaluation will be scheduled for next week sometime … but, I’m home and feeling pretty good … no, better than that!
If I’ve been a pain to some, I sincerely apologize … and while I’m an admitted liar, this is one time I ain’t so doing! Can say?
With sincere apologies, I do feel that one thing needs to be said which may be misinterpreted … the result of a long, troubling and frightening day … I would hope that it will be understood and pardoned as an overreaction by those who don’t.
I consider all of you my friends, including those with whom I on occasion cross swords, regardless of frequency. I truly appreciate all of your concerns relative to my well being but, I do not consider it appropriate for anyone, and I truly mean anyone, to publicly dress down one of my very special friends relative to their behavior as it relates to concern for my well being.
I truly appreciate Paladin’s concerns and his prayers … they’re special, sincere and mean a lot, especially given our history … and I’m sure he had no such intent in his remarks of 8:12 toward my very special friend The Southern Jackass, Most Honorable … who may not have so felt … but, for some reason I received them that way and feel that it may well have hurt him … he’ll never so say or so suggest … it’s not his way … but let there be no mistake, but he prays for Carol and me … with great feeling and conviction … daily … and has for a long, long time. Your SJA may not be Gunga Din, but he’s a better man than I!
Good night and God Bless!
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Bob is back!!!!!
Thanks Smiley!
Hope you are gettin’ some sleep now! Take it easy already! And don’t strain yourself bolding names!!!
You’re welcome Bob!
Err, I mean, you’re welcome Bob!!!!!
Well, I’ll try to take your advice into consideration … never have been known for taking advice but I always do consider it!!!!!
Why are you up?
Your Lead Blog may have gotten off to a slow start, but it sure took off … Congrats!!
Bob, that is a very good question, why am I up??? I have been so tired that I couldn’t possibly ride my stationary bike…..said that to myself since around midnight! :rolleyes: perhaps a bit peeved at myself for forgetting my gym card(24 hour gym) I went out in the rain….for no reason it appears.
And like Gil, was a bit worried about a certain fellow on this here board!
journalist is glad to welcome bob back to the blog. bob gave all bloggers a scare last night and this journalist did not feel much like blogging while worrying about bob. now that bob is back and appearing fiesty, this journalist will only say that toes are not to be trifled with.
now, baseball . . . it appears that tom glavine has feelings about the replacement for bobby cox: “I feel bad for the guy taking his place.”
well, jimmy smith agrees. imagine being brought into that! journalist would suggest a new desk and all-new tables and chairs and a general disinfecting of the entire office and dugout areas. call it a booger sweep. can say that, carolina lady?
and more baseball . . . mud rubbing is going on in earnest in the grapefruit league. chop seal made some extra money before leaving town preparing baseballs for game action. mud rubbing with flippers is an inexact science but seems to work well for an intelligent seal like chop seal. other beet writers could not seem to get it right – ingesting a good bit of mud with their cheese snacks.
Thanks, I appreciate the sentiments … yours, Gils, everyone’s! I was more than a little worried … still am, I guess, at least a bit … but, for whatever reason God seems to watch over me … at least, when I get myself in trouble, I remember his phone number … maybe it’s because I stay in trouble that I remember.
I’m still a little anxious … maybe that why I’m up too … but, being the good doctor that you are … I am just this once, going to take your advice and try to get some rest. I was hoping to contact Most Honorable before going to bed, but he hasn’t been on line since I returned … but, I did email both he and MyLady.
That’s as good as any for being up I guess …stay dry … this flu is catching a lot of folks … don’t seem to matter whether your Democrat or Republican.
Dr. Jimmy, I wasn’t meaning to step on no toes … or trifle with them either … really wasn’t. Is mud rubbing still hand done?
Hey Bob…
Looks like I missed you … and now you’ve gone … got your email … thanks for having our back as always.
Take care, mon ami … I’m going to try to catch a few winks … Carol sends her regards and love.
Later!
Glad to see that Bob will be getting older. I guess it just shows how ridiculous pettiness can be. Braveheart-Love ya Dude. Let’s be buddies again. Got to head out to the Land of Mickey and Goofy. Will report later. May get photos today.
Damned if you do; damned if you don’t. Anyway, welcome back Bobj and I am truly happy that you are well, at least for the moment.(I HOPE that it is much longer than that!) I feel our prayers were answered even the ones to the pagan idols.
Bob, J
Catching up on the overnight excitement…you had quite a night…and the blogdom’s well-wishers hit the speed-dial to God (or their ‘cornerman’ of choice!) on your behalf! It worked!
Now…burning question: Why ask Berigan at 5:09 why he’s up…why were/are you? Get some rest! I’m pretty confident those were the marching orders from the doctor…time to take advice to heart! At least do it for Carol. OK…enough lecturing, sorry!
Get well!
Well, I take leave from the blog to go to my weekly band rehearsal, get home very late, wake up and get the kids off to school so that I can come home and catch up on 15 hours of B&S. Then I roll across the 7:52 post that my friend Bob is in trouble. I then experience the 9 hours of tension in the next 5 minutes it takes to roll up to Bob’s return post.
I am most thankful that you are OK today Bob. And even though my prayers were a few hours late, I hastily said them none the less. I will continue to do so until the clouds have passed. Amen!
Oh, and g’morning all! (And a good morning it is…)
By the way, I am most thankful for a community of friends, most of whom have never had interaction away from our small electronic world, that can put everything aside and come together when one of us is in need. It says alot and it means alot. Diet Coke for everyone, right CL?
You are all awesome and I am most happy to be a citizen amongst you.
Avatar poll (pole?): The primaries are completed and we have a runoff. Which raisin wins: the guitar raisin or the microphone raisin? Guitar dude won the most delegates (even with the creepy eyes), but CL is a super-delegate and prefers the microphone dude. Final input, please…
yes, this is a much different blog than that to which bloggers were once accustomed – and that is good. it is really good.
now, baseball . . . and how many canadians in braves camp this year, eh?
and the poultice has been mailed. if the container holds up in transit, the poultice should be used in moderation. if the container does not hold up in transit, please disavow any knowledge of the sender of the poultice. thank you.
and more stuff . . . as a youth this journalist volunteered to work in a presidential campaign. jimmy smith thought the candidate offered more leadership ability than others – and that the candidate had positions founded in reality and substance. contrast that with this motley group . . .
oh, the humanity! politics! and from jimmy smith! never mind.
and bobby cox’s speech . . . powerful stuff! wear the uniform right – delivered lovingly. “ok, sweets, wear all your socks pulled up.” was anyone here expecting eloquence? with a finger in the nose? and a booger on the finger? sorry, carolina lady.
and the caption to jimmy smith’s most recent photo has been lost! that’s right, lost! has something to do with queasy, though.
and chop seal has not been heard from in awhile. has scribe seen chop seal?
Could this have anything to do with Chop Seal’s disappearance?
Did y’all see the story where freed Burmese pythons are proliferating in the Fla/Ga swamps? They are eating squirrels, muskrats, deer and seals(?), among other things. Jimmy, get chop seal north of the gnat line, immediately!
What a God we serve! No one can ever convince me that united prayer isn’t effective!! Without invading Bob’s privacy, I’ll just tell you that that kind of symptom does not “go away” without immediate intervention. Lord, we thank you for hearing us and for restoring our friend to his family and to his friends!
Very little sleep last night – there will be a nap in my near future! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Amen, CL, amen!
Morning, Paladin! Yes, I’ve read about that! Dumb people!
Raisins, you pick the avatar YOU like!
Great news about Bob! See, prayer DOES work! I know you’re probably sleeping now but I look forward to blogging with you later today and in the future!
Welcome back, Bob. Well wishes and a speedy recovery to you.
JJS,
El Duque trifled and now he has a short toe.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-spmnotes225587405feb22,0,4303627.story?track=rss
Hmmm… toe problem and tooth problem… Related?
Hoof in mouth disease?
Amen CL….
Bob, I is really good to have you back….
Raisins… Both are good, change back and forth to fit your mood. The Mic one is kewl but the guitar avatar is da bomb…. You might even find more of those little guys if you search for them.
I would like to recommend a book to folks. It is Michael Crichton’s, State of Fear. It is a work of fiction but like Tom Clancy, he researches extensively. A fairly easy read, take it for what it is. I think however, it should give people pause to think about how people strive to get out their own agenda.
As for the pythons, yet another sensationalize story with wild speculations that “space cadets” will grab hold of. The introduction of non native species into any environment can be dangerous.
toes are not to be trifled with. it appears pedro has trifled with toes.
Once again my attempt to interject some “humor” i.e., the “possibility” of a snake eating chop seal is taken semi-literally and I am branded as a “space cadet” and possibly as non native to this blog community. So much for farcial humor.
Change for the sake of change can lead to bigger change than wanted. Will the old “good intentions” line have to be rolled out by the media in 2009? Running this country is a bit like herding cats. Be careful what you wish for, you might get it….
Berigan, Thanks for the props…
I am just trying to keep up with the folks at the top of the rotation….
paladin… No way was I referring to you as a “Space cadet, I am sorry if you took it that way…
The introduction of non native species into any environment can be dangerous.
Like a Mets troll?
Jimmy, that was Hernandez with the toe problem… I think he goes to the same witch doctor as Hoss…
There is a reason that trolls live under bridges. Poor social skills and lack of breeding make it difficult for them to interact with polite company. Like Pit Bulls, they can be domesticated and be very loyal to their handlers but you never can really trust one of them.
Morning All!
VOR, I love the guitar playing dude..He is the man.
Bob J, We are thankful you are home, hope all is well.
Thanks to CL for the updates!
JJS will Chop Seal stop off in Charleston at the Calabash for some tasty seafood? Maybe even a sandwich of some kind?
flange1 out!
Okay folks, I am off to slay a few dragons this morning, keep the faith.
jjs, if chop seal is indeed coming to Charleston please let me know so that I can procure some fresh squid before his arrival. Also, let him know that the Calabash seafood restaurants are in Myrtle Beach, which is another hour and a half or so north of me.
Calabash isn’t seafood!
But, to each his/her own!
Bob is back!!!!!
Yaaaaayyyy!!! Don’t scare us like that anymore, Sir Bob.
VOR, you could alternate the Raisins.
I may “away” some today. The cable dude is supposed to come see why my connection keeps wandering off. So if Bob is back on while I’m not here, give him this : ((((HUG)))) .
I may be away…
Mrgil; Sorry I mistood[sic] you. Besides, I have been called worse things than “Space Cadet”–on this blog.
High flyin’ fighter pilot…space cadet. Works for me!
Chris,
Thanks for the help with Calabash! I thought it was Charleston…
Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets,
So love the people who treat you right,
forget about the ones that don’t,
and believe that everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance, take it.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy,
Just that it would be worth it!
Anonymous
Berigan, wasn’t it you who asked about a pop-under ad blocker some time back? Found something you may be interested in:
http://www.ideasoft.com/Products/utilities/pop_up.aspx
Amen paladin, amen.
Ok that was pretty quick & easy. New modem; hope that takes care of the problem.
Why do all the computer guys appear to be 17 years old? He called me “ma’am”!
Nobody does that. Most people assume I’m much younger than I actually am. That was weird.
flbravesgirl,
Some of us southern folks just say m’am to everyone! My dad was so adamant about us saying Yes Sir and yes M’am that I am 49 years old and still say yes sir and yes m’am to people younger and older than me!!!
FBG, One hour? You’re lucky. Usually when I have a service tech come out they give me a window of “sometime between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.” Then I have to sit around all day and wait on them, because they always show up later.
Now, stuff.
Can you believe that a coin flip today can help define the future of our Atlanta NFL franchise? Crazy…
VOR, I hope they don’t pick my home-state man, Darren McFadden. After all the bashing the University of Arkansas (not just Petrino…the school in general) received from Falcons players, I don’t wish that fate on any Razorback. Especially one with his potential. I’d just assume that he not ever be associated with the ones than ran his school into the ground only a few months ago. JMO.
Raisins; Knowing the Falcons they will probably call “edge”.
Raisins…the other ‘methods’ haven’t worked…may as well resort to the flip of a coin!
yes, el duque – but the photo was of pedro -also a known toe trifler. jimmy smith is confused today. seafood is a favorite of jimmy smith and chop seal. calabash seafood is a favorite of rr apparently. nothing sinister there – just a google search. asked for it. then complained.
and whatever happened to j-u-l-i-a? and chop seal has not called this journalist today. may have stopped off at another s.t. camp. not sure.
Wow!
They defied the odds, well, their history anyway, and actually won the first toss. They pick 3rd.
FlBraves girl; Consider yourself lucky: They call me “man” or “dude”. Of course I am both, but people 30 to 40 years younger have not earned the right to call me anything but “Mr.” and “Sir”—when they are, at least temporarily, in my employ.
Hillbilly, I hope they pass on McFadden as well. No slight to DMc, but they have more pressing needs on both lines of scrimmage, not to mention QB. I wouldn’t take a QB at 3, though, unless Ryan is still there. And while I believe he is a franchise type QB, I’m still inclined to go line. Tough call for me if Ryan is around at 3. Glad it isn’t my call.
Is clipping your toenails considered “trifling”? OK, if you use a machete. But, how about otherwise?
waiters and waitresses somethimes call jimmy smith and diane lane “you guys” at restaurants. diane lane is no guy. but, alas, diane lane cannot make a good pudding. pudding classes have been no help.
Paladin,
I was at the Taco Bell drive-through the other day, and the guy at the pick-up window asked me:
“What-up, Pimp? Do you want Hot, Mild, or Fire Sauce?”
WTH is up with that?
bob berry. bring back bob berry. or bob lee. any old bob will do if there is no blocking.
Raisins and Hillbilly; Ryan will not be around, and if he is they CAN’T take him. Too many other needs. But, if McFadden is there, they HAVE to take him, or trade down for multiple picks.
the last jimmy smith post was stuff – not baseball. falcons are so much stuff. stuff. stuffy. stuffy nose. nose. nostril. finger. thumb. b-o-o-g-e-r!! oh, the humanity! sure to be banned.
VOR, I think either one of those picks (qb or lineman) would be a wise decision. I don’t follow football as close as I do baseball, but I have my fingers crossed hoping to see D-Mac put his facemask right between D-Hall’s numbers and then step on him as he continues forward up the field. Am I holding a grudge here or what?
FBG, I realized I had ‘turned a corner’ when I was no longer addressed as ‘Miss”!
Paladin, I agree with you on the under 40’s. Problem is that most of them have never been taught their manners and respect. Anyone older than I am is addressed by me as “Ma’am” and “Sir.” To anyone, regardless of age, “Please” and “Thank you.”
jjs, sorry, I just realized I forgot the caption. Will repair asap!
It’s ok jjs, it’s a bug that’s going ’round. Here’s a hankie.
Whatever happen to Miss Julia? Haven’t heard from her in awhile. Hope she didn’t take up with RR in Myrtle Beach and is visiting Calabash daily for sandwiches.
If so, she must have a heck of a pooch….
Where is my eraser?? It was just here a minute ago. jjs, do you know anything about it’s whereabouts??
I am going and do a “little” work, eat lunch and take a nap. Maybe in that order; maybe not. See y’all later.
I’m not ready to turn any corners yet, CL. Guess I have a babyface, every once in a while someone will think I’m still in school. Uh no, high school was a while ago.
Don’t like “you guys” either. Especially when it’s Mom, Sis & I in a restaurant. We are not guys.
Hillbilly, re: your 12:09, Are you serious?!?
That’s reeeaallly bad.
I’m not sure that I really turned the corner or if manners have just gotten that bad!
I’m blessed with excellent genes! People don’t even come close to guessing my age. In stores Kelly is asked by clerks how she got out of school for the day. YEA, genes!!! 
‘Course jjs tried to spill the beans with his Kitty Hawk references!
FBG, You get what you pay for, i guess. Service with a smile, and 7 times out of 10, a screwed-up order to boot.
What up pimps and pimpettes!!!!
:rolleyes:
Flb, the “you guys” is regional talk I’m afraid. My Mom said her relatives in Oregon said that a lot, and I find this former midwesterner says it from time to time. Usually if there is a mixed group of men and women. What else can you call a gaggle of people, anyway?? “What are you peeps going to do today?”
:rolleyes: <—-ain’t this a emoticon of ours???
And now stuff….. Those damn squirrels are at it again. I put out a suet cake yesterday late afternoon. Less than 24 hours later it’s gone! The birds love it, especially the woodpeckers but also bluebirds, wrens, mocking birds and others. The fat helps keep them warm in the winter.
I keep hoping that the little rodents in my yard will all have high cholesterol from the beef fat and then die of heart attacks but it hasn’t happened yet!
oh…too many letters!!! D’oh!!!
Try giving them fast food, Chris. That ought to do it.
I won the gene pool too, CL. Barring any unforeseen problems/accidents, not only should I age fairly gracefully but this world is likely stuck with me for a looong time.
Smiley/Berigan, a group of people is “y’all”, of course.
I should do just fine – as long as I stay off ladders!
Aaron took my tall ladder. Said if I need it, I should call.
Left the short 3-step Cosco ladder with the side rails and wide steps….
Hey, everybody… I’m trying to actually work today. That and Mrs. Raisins is at home sick with the proverbial “flu-like symptoms” so I’m trying to help out in that regard as well. Of course, she’s mostly sleeping, so…
Anyway, just bringin’ a drive-by “Howdy”, you all pimps and pimpettes!
y’all is correct. plural only. in the movies it is often made singular.
and y’all is used incorrectly by those educated in kansas.
dorothy and toto were educated in kansas.
bob dole recalls that bob dole was educated in kansas.
anybody else?
and cold ringfinger, anyone?
and yes, julia would have a considerable pooch by now. too many of the shrimp sandwiches. can say that here? pooch and stomach are synonymous- and stomach talk brings up stomach linings again. oh, the humanity! such a horrid subject – who first brought it up? ugh! getting queasy. feeling faint . . .
a giraffe with a ladder? not tall enough already? whoa!
COMMENTARY – a blog needs a signature item. this blog has considered what that signature item might be. some blogs craft a tee shirt as a signature item but never deliver a real tee shirt. other blogs have bobble heads and tomahawks – and some have jelly beans. jelly beans are a favorite of many and bring wide acceptance. it seems jelly beans would be a good signature item for braves and stuffy blog. to that end, jimmy smith has been in touch with ellie at jelly belly to inquire as to a signature flavor for this blog. ellie, described ellie’s self as “a long-time reader, not yet a contributing blogger”. in fact, ellie was so familiar with this blog that ellie did not feel a new flavor to be necessary. ellie said jelly belly already produces the perfect flavor for the braves and stuffy baseball blog. jimmy smith thinks ellie is talking banana pudding flavor but cannot be certain. more later (unless banned by then).
Now how did I know there was a giraffe reference coming??
Forget the jelly beans!!!
A nap will be perfect right about now. Bob keeps later hours than I normally do. See y’all later!
Ellie from Jelly Belly? Is that Ellie Morelli?
You’re on thin ice there, jimmy!
Here, I’ll volunteer a signature item.>>>>>>>>>
Let me talk about this one more time. I promise. It was ironic after my earlier comments about the Burmese pythons that the picture on the front page of our newspaper here in rural TN, showed an individual “exercising” his 13 foot BP. If that thing ends up in or around one of our lakes I will be in court with him; not as the attorney but as the sue(er).
How does a python “exercise”? Scale-ups? He’s like one long “ab”, right?
Looks to me as though he does like Rosanne Barr: He just lies there and looks fat and ugly.
Actually, the picture shows the guy pulling this thing by its tail. Which is a lot smarter than pulling it by the other end.
I forgot my promise. Ten thousand gomen asais
[i]Voice of Raisins Says:
February 22, 2008 at 2:36 pm
How does a python “exercise”? Scale-ups? He’s like one long “ab”, right? [/i]
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.
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No toes to trifle with. That’s for sure.
My Mama taught me to say “sir” and “ma’am” and I’ve got the scars to remind me that she was serious … never said nothing about age neither … nosiree Bob!
Now Ron McGuire called his folks “you guys” and that didn’t seems right but they didn’t seem to notice … or if they did, they didn’t seem to mind … they were from Middletown, Ohio.
I sorta expected the prayers, concerns and well wishes from “you guys” ’cause that’s the kind of “sirs” and “ma’ams” you are … some might think it’s “madams”, but I don’t dare with this crowd … and I appreciated all the welcomes back too! I sorta expected some of that as well … but the “hug” was a surprise ma’am, and very special … better than fried corn, country ham and buttermilk … much obliged!!
I’ve got chores to do, calls and appointments to make … and a phone that don’t work … then maybe some more sleep … take care and God Bless!
VOR, like the avatar, very relaxing colors….liked the first raisin as well…more than you did, apparently
Flb, I feel funny saying y’all….something about being born and raised in the midwest…I feel fake saying it. Well, off to the gym, later…you all.
Now, baseball.
Roger Clemens has repeatedly denied being at Jose Canseco’s house for that 1998 party. But a young man has a photo of Clemens at the party, according to the New York Daily News. The man was just 11 years old at the time of the party, taking photos of various baseball players in attendance.
Uh, maybe he just mis-remembered…
Smiley; Difficult or not, you will always be a flat-land furiner until you learn to say “ya’ll”, and use it properly. As jjs pointed out earlier, it is ALWAYS plural; you NEVER call an individual, “ya’ll”. And it must roll smoothly off the tongue. It is NEVER spoken as “you all”. That’s a quick primer, but most importantly you must assimilate yourself into your surroundings. When in Rome…? Arrivederchi, ya’ll.
And males who write in blue are not to be trusted…in the shower.
Goodness! We truly can’t hide behind the mask, can we? … we are what we are.
Here is a VERY interesting and applicable article that you Cons should read. Libs do so at your own risk. I hope this will come off; I’m just half-smart when it comes to computers.
Click here: Aspen Times News for Aspen Colorado – Aspen Times Weekly Opinion
It won’t work. So google it on your own.
Paladin, are you talking about the “Angry White Man” article?
pal(adin): If you had written in blue, it would have worked…
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/2008198091324
Not male, but I agree with every bit of it. Thanks for the find, Paladin.
Raisins;
Klobber; Yes
Got to go make dinner. The guy I work for is a stickler.
Raisins, I like the avatar!
Ma’am; I said nothing about males or females. I said “Cons” (conservatives) and “libs” (liberals). I am already a space cadet, don’t make me chauvinist, too.
Ma’am-I got Kelly her Javy autograph today. Expect a package after I get back in a week or so with it and a signed Smoltz award.-After you send me your address again-Lost it when I dumped WebTV.
Almost 90 degrees here today. Glad I brought the sunblock.
JJS-Got a Chino Cadahia signed baseball today. Also met and talked to Buster Olney today. Turns out he’s from Vermont and his family lives two miles from our house. Nice guy and a good writer.
Hubbell is a good baseball name, Carl once won 24 consecutive games, he wasn’t too angry about that … speaking of misremembering … did I relate the story of the the little girl who, when visiting the South for the first time, was severely chastised for drinking the colored water … she didn’t understand all the fuss … but was disappointed … it was white too.
I guess my worst case of baseball misremembering is Hank and 715 … I wasn’t at the game but saw it on TV and heard Milo say “There’s a new home run champion of all time, and his name is Henry Aaron” … at least that’s what I’ve always thought I heard … I can close my eyes and hear him now … but, when I hear the clip, that’s not what he said … I guess I misremembered … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z57uJv9Mxp4 … still, it’s a good memory … and a clear one, even if it’s wrong.
Also talked to Head Grounds Wizard Ed Mangan for about fifteen minutes today. An exceptionally good guy. Says the Turner playing field is sand right now. They coukld not water all fall and winter due to the water crisis. He owns a sod farm and will fix it up right before the season starts. He always does such a great job, I have no doubt it will be in as good a shape as ever when he’s done..
Paladin, was referring to the title of the article on Angry White Men.
Lew, she’ll be totally thrilled. Thank you!
As will I. Thank you again.
Bobj, I can’t tell you how good it is to have you here blogging with us again!
Carl Hubbell-Had a wicked screwball. He threw it so much, his wrist was almost turned inside out . A bit before my time, but my stepfather told me stories-between beatings.
Ma’am-You’re as welcome as a cranky white man can make you. Kelly, too.
I think a more appropriate title for that article would have been Angry Americans because I know many who are male and are not ‘white’ who feel the same way.
Well, let me tell you what I did today … no, best not … I did let the tub overflow but, I didn’t sleep in a Holiday Inn last night.
Paladin, I could be wrong but methinks MyLady knew what your
“Cons” and “Libs” meant … though I’m a bit surprised she hadn’t seen Hubbell’s piece … my bad.
Thanks sweetheart, you’re special!
Bobj; You are snipping at me again. Let it go.
Lew, I have long liked Buster Olney…always glad to hear folks I like are ok!
There is a story about a guy(not an idiot savant)that can be told a date and he can remember the signicaant event and WHAT he was doing. Sheet! I can’t even remember what I had for dinner last night. It ain’t fair.
Well, I see where it is going to be another of those times where no one will speak; waiting instead for the night shift to come on. OK. I leave you with A domani and ciao.
Paladin-I’m kindof here. Tired as all get out and waiting for the Grinch to arrive. At last report he was about to Valdosta.
From the ‘Some Things Never Change’ department:
The Fort Wayne Sentinel, 15 Dec 1909 –
WASHINGTON, DC – Dec 9 –
“It has been decided by the classification committee of the post office department that the words “not to be opened until Christmas Day” or similar inscriptions may be written only on such parcels as bear postage at first class rates. Packages that are mailed third and fourth class rates may bear the same inscriptions provided it is printed of stamped on them. When written on the parcel with pen or pencil the words are held to be a personal communication from the sender to the addressee, thus making the matter subject to first class rates.”
Knuckle-headedness has deep roots!
Were in luck. I doubt many folks are around today that can actually communicate in any form of writing. Most can only print at best…. Sad but true….
CL… I worked for folks just like that everyday for 35 years. Very frustrating….
Lew. I keep looking for you in the AJC spring training photos but you are obviously camera shy.
Good link that, Paladin. If I didn’t know better I would have thought our friend the SJA had expressed those very sentiments.
Hey, Gil! And that article was over 100 years ago!
I’m going to leave it in your capable hands, MrGil! Going to see if I can catch up on last night’s lost sleep!
I am trying to figure out why my legs keep hurting… It is starting to make me angry too…
Nice avatar Gil.
Needed a change…. The rooster just wasn’t cutting it… Maybe I will send it to Pedro.
Nah, he’ll just kill it.
I think most of the reporters have taken the day off, little new information in the fishwraps….
I think I will try to get some sleep tonight. Catch up with all of you folks tomorrow. Later Chris…
watch those legs Gil, one sick blogger a week is all we allow, and even he had to get better or there’d be heck to pay…
“Bobj; You are snipping at me again. Let it go” … You cand do better that that. Paladin, I’m not sure what you mean by “it” or “let it go” … but your so positing doesn’t make it fact … nonetheless, I wasn’t snipping at you … I was addressing you humorously … laughing with you, not at … or was so attempting.
Apologies, for I wrote that about 5:25 or so and got interrupted and was delayed in posting so the timing was less than ideal.
If we look for ways to feel persecuted, we will always find them … regardless of who’s behind the pen … we are what we are … no reason for me to be snipping and should you mean sniping … were I to so do, it would be better concealed or relative to something of greater consequence, I assure you.
How ya feelin’ bob?
Hi Chris!
Persecuted!
Persecuted? Well, that’s better than the alternative!
No, I’m a bit tired but better than this time yesterday! Honestly, I feel right well!
How could you help but feel great with everyone being so nice … you can’t really appreciate it until it happens to you and folks are there when you need them!
Just laughing at myself a bit … ’tis better and I am too … me and my keyboard need new batteries!
I’m glad you’re feeling better. I got more good news from my sick friend in Florida today. He’s doing much better too!
The Grinch has arrived.
Gil-I talked to some AJC camera guy today-showed him artwork and everything. He said he would come back later and photograph it and me, but never showed up. He didn’t seem overly trustworthy.
Lew, consider the source.
Also, make sure that Grinchie’s not drinking that cheap Old Smuggler stuff too!
Thanks Chris … good news about your friend too … Hubbell’s story brought you to mind, mon ami. He was a screwball and a pitcher too!
The Grinch has arrived! … I said that a long time ago about The Grinch, but it’s good to know he’s there safe and is okay … I would sound but, but I wanted to be accurate.
Sir Bob, nice to see you online.
Lew, glad to hear Grinch is safely there. I was concerned about him being on the roads with the hordes of elderly snowbirds.
Hubbell’s story brought you to mind, mon ami. He was a screwball….
Not quite sure how to take that one……..:?
“said sound” but I didn’t … that’s humor!
Chris, maybe that’s what the fellow for the AJC did … Hi Lew</b. … I’m just snipping at you … no, just teasing … too punch drunk from feeling good to snip or snipe!.
Chris, I think you do! … my shift and I are no longer friends.
Thanks, young lady!
I’m using that “Reload Every” Firefox option … and it does … but it doesn’t!
That is to say, it shows the “working” animated icon and resets the page but doesn’t update … anyone else use tha t feature? Make that anyone know how to make it work properly?
At least I now know how to answer a business phone … now all I need is a phone that works and a job!
Bob, if you ever meet one that says it has a job, it is no doubt a phony……..
sorry about that!
As for the auto refresh. Nope. I read about it, and I know I would get mad in the middle of my typical great posts, as they were lost to the universe.
That was supposed to be the shift key with whom my friendship has ended … I’m not mad at anyone else … where did everybody go?
You’re welcome, Bob. I’m very relieved to see you posting in your usual cheery fashion.
Bob, did you know you can buy keyboards sans the computer????
Smiley. no reason to apologize … unintended humor within humor is always the best!
I was afraid of that too … figured I’d open two browsers … activate the refresh on one and write posts in the other … but, when this “refreshes”, it doesn’t erase what’s in the text box … of course, it’s not updating either.
I can understand your not wanting to lose any of your great posts … were mine any good, I’d feel the same way!
Do you know the name of thet “auto refresh” option that you considered?
I’m sorry to post and run, gentlemen, but it seems to be time to put the computer to bed. ‘Night y’all!
chino cadahia and grinch in one day . . . very exciting times for lew. and the ajc reporter that promised to come back . . . what is not understood about a-j-c? c’mon lew.
Bob, no…same thing you are using that CL mentioned a few days ago. I guess the best bet would be to write a post in an email, copy it there, and past it here…not much fun I know, but something I used to do on a jazz forum when I used to write long posts there….
Past it, or paste it here…sigh…
“Bob, did you know you can buy keyboards sans the computer???? ” … smile all you want … it’s the sans what’s in the keyboard that’s the problem, me thinks … that, and the coke and the grease.
I know I can (took three tries to capitalize too eyes) … but I just bought this one.
I’ve got to run … but, assumed that Steve would be here … nice fellow methinks … good wit …
Lew. always had and always will have lots of love for ya. And I never stopped thinking we were good buddies – even during that nonsense yesterday.
Sorry I did not respond to you earlier in the day. I slept all day trying to shake off this horrendous fever and sinus congestion. Finally woke up a few hours go with the fever finally having been broken and with me feeling great. So I just saw your post.
Bob, glad to hear you are home safe and sound after last night’s scare.
losers! Posers!!!! No one can hang with…Smiley the Emoticon!
Can hang Berigan. Can even dominate on rare occasion.
Lew, Braveheart: Very nice to see the reconciliation. I’m glad that there are no lasting issues, although it was entertaining at times.
Bob: I’m happier than I ever realized I could be for someone I’ve never known. Beautiful to see you in your “usual cheery fashion,” as Velvet so eloquently put it earlier.
And your 1:16 was an exceptionally nice thing to say, if I understood it correctly. Between my difficulties with comprehension, and the many times I’ve been called a half-wit, I’m a little wary.
Very nice link Paladin. I am left of center on some issues, but thought it was excellent. Although, I appreciate the warning. It definitely had an SJA feel; good call, Gil.
I’m with CL, I think the premise can be extended to most Americans. And I took some issue with the closing, in that it seems the piece was written hoping Hillary wins the nomination, so that Angry White Men can vote against her. It occurs to me that some women would vote against her, for many of the same reasons. It was written, in my opinion, as though women will blindly support her. I think that degrades women a small bit, and also think if it were true, Obama would have had to concede several weeks ago.
For my own political beliefs, I feel compelled to state that the second paragraph of the article states the entire problem with our system. As long as our politicians must pander to interest groups to get elected, and stay elected (this translates to me as sell out to somebody), solving America’s problems is the last thing these folks are worried about.
Yet, this is the greatest nation there has ever been. I am proud to live here. I just wish I had solutions, instead of the ability to whine about all the problems.
well said BAS!! zzzzz now…I still may have won 3 hours ahead ….I am the walrus!!!!Goo goo g’joob g’goo goo g’joob g’goo.
After much consideration, no less than nine sarcastic seconds, I’ve decided that it’s wrong to wish back pain upon others so that I have someone to blog with. Sleep well, all of you.
Random public service announcement: It’s going to be quite hard for me to refrain from calling all of you pimps and pimpettes. Great story, Hillbilly; I’ve been laughing all day. Occasionally, someone’s behavior is so ridiculous that, while offensive, is extremely funny. I almost wish….no, I do wish that had happened to me.
Hopefully Berigan, you don’t see this until much later, which might mean you’ve had a good night’s sleep. But, thank you, although I’ve no idea what the tail end of that post meant.
I also am concerned for ChOp sEEl. My marine biology knowledge is limited; actually, it’s right in line with the rest of my knowledge. But do walruses and seals and beet writers get along? And what of Bonaner, and Diane Lane? Walruses are not to be trifled with. Oh, the walrusity.
In the final analysis, I’ve come to the conclusion that while it’s not ok to wish pain on my fellow bloggers, it is acceptable to hope that they immediately wake up, feeling better than they ever have, and that they instantly post to the blog to keep me entertained when I should be in bed.
IshouldbeinbedbutIlovecheckingtheblog.com
journalistjimmysmith.com
Domination.
All of you folks are ridiculously intelligent. Yet, you haven’t figured out the secret to blogging. If one blogs alone, he or she is always right, fellowship be damned. I mean, I agree with at least five of the last six posts. The individual, or group responsible for the recent posts is as close to perfection as I have ever witnessed.
Domination.
Ifindthisfunnybutamreasonablycertainthedenizenswont.com
WARNING: I am not in a good mood this morning and I am about to have a heart-to-heart with Bobj so skip on by if you haven’t had your coffee.
Bobj. Many, if not most, on this blog revere you because of your age (70s?), the fact that your wife(bless her heart)is ill, and now because of your own health issues. Well, I’m 73, I’ve already lost my wife, and I have had a heart attack and 2 strokes. So, I have no reason to take your c–p, nor will I.
You mentioned yesterday, “our issues”. generally our issues have been due to you sticking your nose into mine and someone else’s business. When I get into a squabble between others, it is to act as a neutral trying to “josh” them into a settlement, not as a pro-protagonist pouring fuel on the fire. You and SJA are good at the latter. I can’t speak for others, but the best way to stay out of the fray with me is to stay out of my face and off my case.
Now, I have had my “say” and by pre-agreement with management, despite what you may say, my only answer will be “Have a good day”.
And once again, my best to your Lady; and I hope your health issues will be resolved successfully and soon.
ww; Perhaps you could draft a Septuagenarian’s Rules of Engagement.
BAS
Yet, this is the greatest nation there has ever been. I am proud to live here. I just wish I had solutions, instead of the ability to whine about all the problems.
You do, but we/b> must do something about: As long as our politicians must pander to interest groups to get elected, and stay elected this point.
We are the only special interest group that matters. Most likely, we come from opposite ends of the political spectrum, but that’s a detail. We share love of country, and respect for each other. Do our politicians respect,/b> us?
Oh, well…there’s a message in there somewhere!
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Mr Clemens, did you attend a party at Jose Canseco’s house in Miami in 1998?
Clemens: No, I did not.
HCOGR: Are you sure?
Clemens: Yes, I am sure.
HCOGR: Are you positive?
Clemens: Yes, I am positive.
HCOGR: I want to remind you that you are under oath. Were you at that party?
Clemens: No, I was not.
HCOGR: I’ll ask you one last time. Were you there?
Clemens: No.
HCOGR: Mr. Clemens, we have a picture of you at that party. What do you have to say about that?
Clemens: Oh, that party!
Klobber; He disremembered and now he is being dissed for remembering?
Bring back Pogo…we have him a story.
Yesterday, about this time, I said I was going in to do a “little” work, eat lunch and take a nap. Sounds like a plan.
CAUTION: BEHIND BATTING CAGE COMMENTARY
Oh, my…Sir Paladin and Sir Bob having words. Nah… they are just fencing with rubber tips. Just word sport and such. Mehopes. They are my favorite old guys on the blog (wink here). Two fine gents in my book.
Braves and Stuff is such a small blog with so few denizens, yet the denizens here all seem to be really good folks with the best of intentions. Well, except for that one weird fella (kidding). Sometimes good folks get cranky and other times we simply misinterpret each other. Happens all the time.
Misunderstanding is prevalent on blogs, as written words don’t always convey the true meanings and intent of the writer. Sometimes when we think we’re being clever we are actually being cryptic. Sometimes when the tongue is firmly in cheek, we come across as sarcastic or snide… even when we don’t intend to.
Snideness may be the leitmotif (first on blog?) that predominates most blogs, yet more often than not, in person… where voice inflection, winks, nods, humorous glares and sly grins are virtually undetectable (even with good writers), our choice and arrangement of words may come across as harsh, cutting, pointed, condescending, etcetera and so forth.
If we in this group were standing in front of each other saying the same exact things to each other that has rankled us in the past, we would instantly see that no slight was intended. Not a hurtful slight anyway… maybe a prod.
Chances are we would be more apt to “get” the intended message and, even when we were being prodded (as all people, friends and all siblings do), we would realize that the norm would be not only acceptable, but also fun. That is, if we don’t take ourselves too seriously and we’re able to laugh at ourselves on occasion. Personally, if I could laugh at my own stupid stuff, which is incredibly rare (wink), I’d be miserable most of the time.
Not that we should be lax about our writing either. Words are instructional, insightful or insipid and hurtful. There are prods and there are attacks. There are impassioned speeches (uh, my bad habit) and there are rude impassioned speeches. There is laughing with and laughing at (both fine with good measure and intent). There is good etiquette and crass boorishness. Sometimes a word or two can change one to the other… or so it may seem. But then, we here don’t have that problem of being mistaken. Right? Wrong.
Granted, pound for pound, this particular blog sets a benchmark for sports blog literacy and behavior (age?). Pound for pound, our blog denizens probably outweigh other blog denizens too (big wink here and rolling-eye thingy here). Even the brightest among us forget that sometimes. I don’t consider myself the brightest or the best writer among us (not serious… just practicing being humble), (wink and smiley face here), but I’ve been guilty of being sarcastic and innocent of cruel intention at the same time. If you don’t believe that, well, just bite me (did you noticed I winked again when I said that?).
Now, all of this over-qualifying everything with parens will stop (almost), and with sincerity and seriousness aside, I couldn’t help but to answer Paladin’s call (before WW gets here and scoops me) for an addition to the Rookie Rules of Engagement. If you don’t find this clever, disarming and funny, your and idiot of the biggest and wurst kind (see… no wink necessary). Here goes:
Septuagenarians Intending Pugilism –
Gratuitous Engagement Rules In Times Of Ludicrousness
Acronym: SIP GERITOL
Only one Braves and Stuff blog rule of engagement needed for Septuagenarians, baby boomers, Gen X’s, Y’s and Z’s and all human inhabitants of the earth: It is always Golden.
Don’t you just love my Saturday sermons?
Methinksbayareasteveishilariousandrulestheblogwhenalonelateatnight.com
as the mighty grinch would say during those one, two posts a week….good morning!!!!
I was thinking, we haven’t seen Jerseygil in awhile…did he mention a trip or something??? And what happened to joebrave????
http://www.journalistjimmysmith.com – pandering? shameless pandering. visit http://www.journalistjimmysmith.com anyway. and carolina lady knows from the blog stats that http://www.journalistjimmysmith.com is getting plenty of hits.
and now, the old guys . . . let their be piece among the bloggers hear.
and grinch and lew are at spring training together. grinch is the procurer: “come look at the etchings . . .” and lew is the closer. soon, the entire baseball camp will be under contract to lew.
and whatever (whither) happened to jersey gil? mad at this journalist or maybe at someone else? undercover? clandestine?
and could bob’s problems be from all that soaking?
and did chino cadahia get new pants for the spring? must ask lew. and mackie is back in town.
Oh, the shark has pretty teeth dear
And he shows ‘em, pearly white
Just a jack knife has Macheath dear
And he keeps it way out of sight
When that shark bites with his teeth, dear
Scarlet billows begin to spread
Fancy gloves though has Macheath dear
So there’s never, never a trace of red
On the sidewalk, one Sunday morning
Lies a body, oozin’ life
Someone’s sneaking ’round the corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife
From a tugboat, on the river going slow
A cement bag is dropping on down
You know that cement is for the weight dear
You can make a large bet Mackie’s back in town
oh, the humanity! two jersey gil thoughts at the same time! hope jersey gil is alright!
Ha! Great minds…something, something…. a wise whatyacallit once said….
SIP GERITOL….Now that’s funny, I don’t care who you are.
I suspect Paladin could still kick by behind, though I’m forty plus years his junior. Thank the internet gods for the anonymity.
Be careful Bat Area Steve, Paladin has a jet (rusty but works) and a GPS… ruffle his feathers and he may just bomb the whole bay area with water balloons. Uh, is that Tampa or San Francisco?
We haven’t been formally introduced and I’ve been taking a little respite from the blog, but I’ve enjoyed your posts here. Welcome aboard. Now, if I may borrow a line or two:
jimmysmithdoeshaveaveryniceandfunnywebsite.com
Off to the moovies now you loosers.
Now TheJackAss will have his say…TheJackAss left the AJC’s David O’Brien blog because of his inhuman treatment of a friend…this blog was created as a place where those who “orchestrated” the “exodus” over there could come to escape the O’Brien and the trash that supported him…well now that same trash is here…along with the fence straddlers who don’t have the balls to takes sides on ANY issue…TheJackAss doesn’t need to constant affirmation from strangers on a blog to enrich his ego…and I sure as hell don’t need to tolerate anymore of this childish drama…have at it!…
…and yes paladin, you probably found a few typing errors there…
Just returned from my nap to find SG’s tome waiting for me. Wish I had read it BEFORE my nap. Might be later now. Anyway, I don[t know what that boy does in his day job, but if he gets paid by the word, he must be a millionaire. And I’m glad he is not a TV weatherguy; we would all be killed by tornadoes while he was still in his preamble.
Welcome back, my sometimes foil and always friend. we have missed your wit and eruditeness. Also, thanks for making my point about when interjecting yourself into other’s…do so with neutrality and in an attempt to “josh” them into a settlement. Sounds like something I wish I had said.
I see some other “writing” at the 2:11 and 2:13 mark but I have sworn off anything having to do with hooves, cloven or otherwise.
“Have a good day”, just somes gooder than others.
foil/foiler/foilee you get my point.
No Country for Old Men matinee cancelled… only showing once a day, at 9:40pm. That’s past my going to movie time, so I’ll just have to rent the DVD or catch it in Atlanta. That’s movie life in Old Savannah. Oh, well… many chores to do.
Thanks SG… My thoughts exactly, I just did not feel like saying it this morning. I certainly could not have said it as well as you.
I had to make the drive to Mother’s this morning so I am worn out now.
A nap sounds like a good suggestion. Peace out dudes…
Just in case someone would want to talk with, or at, me I’m be gone for a while. I’m going to the store to get the rest of the fixins for my Saturday nite steak dinner. I say the rest ’cause the fillet is already aging in the fridge. Better take it out and let it begin its journey to room temp. Then, when it is lying there fat, dumb and happy I’ll grab it up and plop it in the pan. ‘Course when I wrap that slab of bacon round it, it may get a clue about its fate. Also, the marinade in which it will be laying might also raise its suspicions. ‘Nuff about my nefarious treatment treatment of meat…to horse!
And you ain’t “lived” until you have been treated treated.
Quickly some BASEBALL!! Did y’all see where Phillie’s closer Lidge did a Hampton and injured himself of his first pitch? It was the old “catch your spike in the mound” trick. Don’t know how serious it is but it points out what this coming season is about. The team–Braves, Phillies, Mets–that stays the healthiest will probably be the winner.
Just when I thought it safe to slip back into the water…
Fair notice to denizens: negative post ahead. Carolina Lady, even if I could have emailed this I would not have because it was in the street when I found it.
SJA, at your invitation I will “have at it” with either what needs to be said or what you evidently need to hear. I’ll try not to straddle. It’s only public because you made it such. Why do I feel like my movie is being ruined because a bully sitting three aisles in front of me is smacking someone on the back of the head repeatedly, trying to pick a fight?
C’mon JackAss… get a damn grip, man! Let the bitterness go. Seems your definition of inhumane and mine must be worlds apart. I can’t imagine words on a sports blog that would classify as inhumane or deserve so much of my waking hours… for months on end. I don’t buy your premise of “orchestration” and “exodus”, but since you obviously do, what kind of music are you trying to “orchestrate” now, a sanctimonious, holier than thou opera? Grudge rock? Only a chosen few are worthy of being here sonata? You’re out of tune mister and I’m tired of hearing it. Makes this place not so enjoyable.
I understand you’re a good guy with a big heart and I’ve enjoyed reading many of your posts over time… some not so much when you’re ranting. I’ll admit that I’m confounded by your attitude, but I’m not amused. I’ve had enough negative innuendo, crude, violent and boorish behavior. Stop it.
Would you wish to make this place as negative as you claim other blogs are with your unnecessary and crass unpleasantness? I don’t think you would purposely do that, so please give it a break. You have no enemies here. It has been quite a peaceable kingdom.
If this place is your cathartic dumping ground, perhaps you’d just go ahead and stop beating around the bush and tell us who you dislike… then, those folks will know to either avoid you, ignore you, apologize (to you?), publicly announce the errors of their ways or beg forgiveness. Perhaps some will, if so inclined, be a glutton for punishment or a better man than I and address your issues in private email.
You anger and disappoint me when you attack or berate my friends. I’m sure you of all people can understand that. Right? Look, I know you have a lot of smart, fun good and colorful stuff to contribute other than this old song. The way I see it, you owe the blog an apology. After that…
Peace. All things must pass. Live and let live. Forgive. Just lighten up.
Please feel free to correct me if you believe I’m wrong… I’ll apologize if I am.
I aM baCk! I weNt bacK to camP beCauze I am noT a quiTTEr and becAuse GrINch is herE. I thiNk I sAw GrinCh and LeW buT I am not sUre. It iS rainIng and rainIng hear. Look whAt anoTher beet wriTer wrotE – I thinK it is funnee. “Teixeira attended Georgia Tech University.” ThAt shoWs you hoW sTupId soME beeT writERs arE. I aM pRetTy ShY buT I aM goinG oveR to talK wiTh LeW and GriNCh noW. Uh, oh, thEre is aNotHer beeT WriteR on The waY ovEr therE. HaMpton iS not hURt yet. ChiPPer is fishin’ anD golfin’ and looKs okay excePt duMb. I’ll bee back latEr.
Oh, yEah, I waS met Amucil, Celebritee Bloggger.
ShOUld be fiXed noW.
I personally think “Georgia Tech University” sounds better than “Georgia Tech Institute of Taxidermy” but maybe that’s just me.
After re-reading the overnights I heartily agree with BAS(sometimes mistakenly called BLAB
)that blogging alone is fun. I am the most amusing conversationalist that I know(borrowing from SG. wink wink)and why mess up a good thing. I’ll just talk to myself, as I am doing now. I just might award myself a “Kelly”. Sssh, don’t tell Lew, yet. He has enough work now keeping Grinch in booze and disposing of the bodies.
Now, I’ll do “lyrics”.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
how does your garden grow?
In silver bells and cockleshells
and one big friggin eggplant.
OK, I have pushed the envelope. This will probably end up in CL’s circular file. I think I will hide for a while.
Kinda interesting..what I am about to post from Ken Rosenthal….how is this possible????
Now batting for the Phils … the Astros’ prez
Astros club president Tal Smith presented the Phillies’ case against Howard, a conflict of interest that could have left him in an especially awkward position if the arbitrators had ruled in the Phillies’ favor.
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The Phillies, after offering Howard $7 million, stood to save $3 million by winning the case. They could have used that $3 million to add a player during the season — a player who, in theory, could have helped them prevail over the Astros for the wild card or in the race for postseason seedings.
Granted, Smith worked in the best interests of all clubs by arguing that Howard should be given the lower salary, but Astros fans likely would not have accepted such an explanation if the Phillies had edged their team for a postseason berth.
Smith has been president of Tal Smith Enterprises, a company that helps prepare arbitration cases, since 1981. According to the Astros’ Web site, he has tried more than 150 cases for major-league clubs. He became the Astros president on Nov. 22, 1994.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7830284/Notebook:-Reds-fill-rotation-with-cheap-labor?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49
jimmy, would you please return the key to the doghouse?
Just drop it by my place, jjs. It will save us both some mileage.
Your Honor: On behalf of my client I would just point out that while the word he used might never be heard from the pulpit, it is decidedly easier on the ear and senses than the ones having to do with nasal secretions, etc. Those words were used (frequently) on this blog by an unindicted co-potty mouth who we shall call the “seal-keeper”. We throw ourselves on the mercy of the court.
carolina lady, the key to the doghouse is in the mail. journalist is sorry to have kept the key to the doghouse for so long after jimmy smith was allowed to leave the doghouse by carolina lady. the reason for the delay is that jimmy smith had to have the doghouse key surgically removed from jimmy smith’s nostril. yes, that’s right, surgically removed from jimmy smith’s nostril! carolina lady may remember that jimmy smith was talking boogers which got jimmy smith into trouble in the first place. well, jimmy smith realized that the doghouse key was just a bit longer than jimmy smith’s longest finger and that there was a booger that the doghouse key probably could reach right in jimmy smith’s nose. so, jimmy smith inserted that key and when jimmy smith tried to pull the key (and the booger) out the key would not budge! well, this story ends well because surgeons were able to remove the key with no lasting damage to the nose of jimmy smith. carolina lady should have the key back on monday or maybe tuesday. what blogger is in the doghouse now?
See?! See?!!
I will not accept that key until it has been scrupulously sanitized and wears the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. Come to think of it, I’m going to have to google and see if those seals are related. Nepotism is a possibility.
Journalist Jimmy Smith may need to just, uh… hold onto that key. Maybe take to an auto body shop for ring depth gauge attachment. Arc welded in place.
CL may need to build several Dog Houses. Dog condos with many short (safe) keys. Mondo condos. Many condos each with a woof.
Carolina Lady, perhaps you should just have an extra copy of the doghouse key made. Let journalist jimmy smith keep the one he has, for several obvious reasons.
Also, you might want to consider expanding the doghouse. Do you know a good contractor?
Klobber…you beat me to just that very point!
Not that I have any intention of visiting the doghouse…au contraire…my wife has to let me out of hers first! I don’t yet have visitation rights…in or out! 
Salty, looks like SG beat us both. Great minds think alike?
oh, don’t worry . . . the key is on its way back to carolina lady – and jimmy smith sent carolina lady some cupcakes in that same box. the cupcakes are a peace offering to carolina lady for jimmy smith’s bad behavior last week talking jelly beans and boogers.
jimmy smith has turned over a new leaf and will only talk boogers now when bobby cox is also mentioned.
now, baseball . . . mark derosa was taken from the field today on a stretcher – irregularity.
not sure if jimmy smith should quote sweet lou on this or not but here goes: Manager Lou Piniella reiterated Tuesday that Pie is ”a head and a nose in front” of Sam Fuld as the job battle begins.
so much nose talk. sure to be banned.
Well-All I can say is I didn’t start this one.
Went to Clearwater today with The Grinch to scope the competition. Unfortunately they heard we were coming and orfered up a monsoon. Never did see the players. Did, however, get to see family friednd, The Asst. Gm. Good breeding in that boy. Quite a wonderful person, just like his Dad. He has offered to comp some Phillies’ tickets. Maybe Kathy and I can meet Jersey and Mrs. Jersey Gil for some Phillies’ baseball in Philly this summer.
Got to pass on Scribe’s message to Ruben-Good luck in the Wild Card Race. He appreciated our concern, but agreed with Grinch and Myself that the Mets should be road kill. Like I said-Good Young Man, this Phillies ‘Asst. GM.
On the trip today we also had calls from FBG and Savannah Guy, who hopefully can make it to the game Wednesday with Mrs, SG, who we hope is doing well.
This has been a great trip. Settle down y’all before you end up like me-Old and Cranky-but talented.
Did someone say Pie?
Mr. Gil-Some potential Minor League news-Talking to Ruben about his older brother David, we found out David’s son Robert Amaro is being heavily scouted. This would make four generations of Pro Ball Playing Amaros. Ruben Sr.’s Dad played in the Mexican Leagues, Ruben Sr. with the Phillies and Yankees, Ruben Jr. with the Angels and Phillies and now nephew Robert. Let’s keep our eyes open and see how it turns out for the young man.
My only comment about my dinner: Ummmm! Now a(nother) glass of chianti with chocolates and a cigar. Beats the Hades out of a sip of geritol(?) or metamucal(?).
Very nice Mr. P. So, what accompanied the bacon-wrapped filet?
a baked potato w/sour cream, chives and bacon bits, a salad with buttermilk ranch dressing, crusty french bread, and copious quanities of chianti. As Granda Jones would have said on the old Hee Haw: Yum! Yum!
BTW BAS, you can get away, on the left coast, spelling it “filet”. On this coast, and particularly out here in the sticks, I have to spell it “fillet” or I get corrected.
Hello!! Has everyone gone home…again?
And of course I missed Lew. Darn it! Need to ask him about his & El Grincho’s schedule for the week.
I’m going to write more rhymmmes!
Hello FlBraveetc. Ma’am, I’ll tell you what. I’ll trade you a corn-fattened(no offense to anyone)sow for one of your signature pies. I’ll ride said sow down there to get said pie and catch a ride back with Grinch. Deal?
And what exactly would I do with a pig?
I’m going to bed. You people ar no fun at all! I’m sure my azz will be nipped a time or two and none of you will take my back, but I’ll clean up the mess in the morning. But, I want you to know that I have achieved one of my lifetime goals. I am now a full-fledged curmudgeon. Deal with it!
A good quote… I know it’s good, cuz my head hurts after reading it!
Sometimes it’s necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly.
— Edward Albee
hear that??? Crickets snoring…..
WAKE UP, JIMINY!!!!!!!
Some baseball news….Lidge has hurt his knee, on the very first pitch off a mound!!!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2008/news/story?id=3260676
FBG-Monday-Braves’ Practice. Tuesday-Braves’ practice. Wednesday-Braves/UGA game. Thursday and Friday-Pack and get stuff ready to ship to Vermont. Saturday-Fly home.
Wattabuncha wooses goin ta bed early on a Saturday night and all… Paladin just can’t handle that Italian vino any more. But then, he can’t handle it any less either. By the way P… I got’cher tome right here. Next time you need a nap let me know and I’ll bang out a long opine for you. Cheaper and safer than Ambien (smiley winky thing here lest he come after me with water bombs).
Speaking of Tome, is he on a roster this year? I’ll have to look it up.
And yes, talked with the Grinch and Lew on the phone today. Those boys are ridin’ on the wind, foot loose and fancy free. I’m trying to jam in a trip next week. I think they were headed to a biker bar to see if any Mets fans were around. Could get dangerous. Be careful guys.
Maybe also can see Journalist Jimmy Smith and help him look for the awol seal.
Now, baseball: Yunel, KJ, Chipper, Tex, McCann, Kotsay, Frenchy, Diaz. In that order. Call me crazy. It’s like two batting orders in a row.
Berigan… you are of course not included in the wuss column for late nights.
And Lidge hurt the knee again. Not good. The last team standing in the NL East will take the title. We’ve got the talent… just need a little luck and some conditioning/stretching and such. There’s a lot of parity in the league this year. And more than a few old bones.
Friday-Pack and get stuff ready to ship to Vermont. Saturday-Fly home.
No Lew, hate to correct your post but Fly will not be home Saturday. He’s with the team until they all head north.
Out of the blue… one of my favorites of Robert that I’ve been listinin’ to:
A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall
Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains,
I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways,
I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests,
I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans,
I’ve been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard,
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard,
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it,
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin’,
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin’,
I saw a white ladder all covered with water,
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken,
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children,
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard,
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin’,
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world,
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin’,
Heard ten thousand whisperin’ and nobody listenin’,
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin’,
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter,
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley,
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard,
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.
Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony,
I met a white man who walked a black dog,
I met a young woman whose body was burning,
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow,
I met one man who was wounded in love,
I met another man who was wounded with hatred,
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard,
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.
Oh, what’ll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what’ll you do now, my darling young one?
I’m a-goin’ back out ‘fore the rain starts a-fallin’,
I’ll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest,
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty,
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters,
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison,
Where the executioner’s face is always well hidden,
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten,
Where black is the color, where none is the number,
And I’ll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it,
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it,
Then I’ll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin’,
But I’ll know my song well before I start singin’,
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard,
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.
Blog rule number 17:
After 4 consecutive posts, give it a rest. After 5 , run for cover. But wait… did I ever tell you guys about the time… ahh, nevermind. Baton is passed.
SG…one wuss here answering roll call!
Glad I could break your streak!
Blog rule number 18:
If you break rule number 17 and nobody notices, you can push the edge of the envelope and go one more… but it had better be good.
Here’s good.
Salty!!! What are you doing up? Well, the streak is broken and the baton is passed. Can you hold the fort for a bit? I’ve gotta attend to some stuff.
SG, can that possibly be real?????? Amazing if real!!! Seems too dangerous where they are doing it as well….IF real…
Hmm, that makes it a little trickier for me. I know Tues. is not good. I was thinking maybe go over Wed. afternoon, stay at Disney & see y’all Thurs. but if that’s not good for you… Not sure what to do now.
Lew, glad you passed my message along and glad Ruben enjoyed it. Couldn’t resist firing a shot across the bow. All joking aside, I’d love to hit mid-September with the Mets about 10 games back, in third place, looking up at the Braves and Phillies. Hope you and Grinch enjoy yourselves down there. I’m already counting the days until I’m there with you next year …
OK, off to bed. Short post, I know. Been chasing the kids around ChuckECheese for two hours and I’m wiped out, that after working all day to pack up stuff and buy stuff for the new house and fix some things in the old house. Take care of yourselves, denizens; life’s too short to be fighting all the time.
The Scribe abides.
–30–
SG, as the kids might say, “That is straight-up whack, yo”! Can you imagine what was going thru the minds of the people in the cars he buzzed!
life’s too short to be fighting all the time.
Truth… you got that right brother. Especially after ChuckECheese. On the other hand, I don’t believe you were just chasing the kids around. C’mon… fess up. You were winning quarters (or chores for quarters) off the kids all night tossin’ hoops.
Speaking of life being short…
FBG: Like Nike… just do it. Go for it. Meet the guys, make the drive, even if it’s just a day trip. Otherwise, you’ll regret it all summer. Bring plenty of, uh… you know.
I’m trying, SG. Got to work around a dentist appt., a work-related event & of course I don’t want mess up something they’ve already planned.
Klobber, The folks in the cars probably thought it was a missle going by. As much of a thrill as that must be, it’s one of the most dangerous sports I’ve ever seen, especially as close to walls as they come. A jet fighter who drinks chianti sent this to me recently.
I’ve decided to give it a try… after I’ve done the other 10,000 things on my list.
Just reschedule the dentist and crash the party. Remember… one life on earth. They will be disappointed if you don’t show.
Lest I begin another game of solitaire, I’ll bid you all a good evening and pleasant dreams. May the bluebird of happiness land on your nose.
Hello. everyone! Well, I spent the day playin’ and hangin’ with the family. I returned to the blog tonight, and have spent the last hour or so catching up on all the activity.
Sniping and snipping, griping and gripping. And in between, mention of pie. I love pie.
Now, stuff.
I gotta give props to my hometown Jefferson Dragons high school wrestling team. Tonight, the Dragons won their 8th consecutive traditional region 1A state wrestling title.
First, they qualified all 14 of their wrestlers for the state tournament by each finishing 4th or better at the area qualifier (most taking 1st.) Then, through the course of the 4 day state tournament, they sent 11 of their 14 to the finals. They finished with 6 state champions, 5 second placers and 2 thirds. Only 1 wrestler failed to bring home an individual medal. The final team score was 267 team points, 120 points better than the 2nd place team. Sheer domination. This capped a season in which they went undefeated in duals competition all year, with many of those duals meets against 4A and 5A teams. They earlier had won the state region 1A duals championship for the 7th consecutive year. (That tournament has only been held for 7 years.) Do I sound proud of them? I am. This being a small town community, I know many of those fine young men well, and I know their fine coach very well. Great folks on and off the mat.
Very impressive, VOR. Good for them.
Sigh…..
Time to go to bed, catch y’all in the AM…
If any of y’all have any argument with each other, keep it private.
NOBODY wants to read verbal fights here.
NO PUBLIC FIGHTS ON THIS BLOG! NONE!
I hate it when people I love fight with each other – especially when most of us don’t know what it’s about!
Sorry, but sometimes, editing/deleting is the only option I have left.
I’ll add this: if you don’t have someone’s email address, send your comments to me and I will forward them for you.
Howdy, CL… I am very tired and not here for long. Just thought I’d say hello…
Hey, Raisins! I’m ’bout ready to turn in myself! Good to hear from you! Rest well and see ya tomorrow! (Did I tell you that I like the new avatar?)
Morning, all! If any of my words come out without spaces between them, it’s this Hassidic keyboard at Lew’s house. Space bar works about as well as his kidneys. Anyhoo, the lightweights in Orlando have gone to bed (despite no morning plans) and this Grinch is up drinking and munching, as Grinches are wont to do. What’s with the nasty post that just got deleted? This is not the Falcons blog.
AAAAAAAUUUUGGH! I’m logged in as Lew! Oh, the mistakidentity!
Hi, (and good night?), CL!
Gee, Grinch, you’re even starting to look like Lew.
Hey, Grinch!! Glad you had a safe trip! How’s it going??
I just checked the blog email (I keep forgetting) and there were over 100 prizes/lotteries/money things that I have “won”. Which league do we want to buy??
Hey, FBG! I was just leaving and caught your greeting! These very early mornings necessitate a fairly early bedtime.
So, Grinch, how can you tell if a keyboard is kosher?
How ’bout getting one of the luxury suites at the Ted for us, CL?
You got it, FBG! Will take care of that first thing in the morning!
I think naming rights at Turner Field would be pretty cool. Braves and Stuff Field. It has a ring to it…
And to log in as myself I had to get a new password (like I’m gonna remember my old one) and now it’s incomprehensible. %$@#. Oh, well.
FBG, I’m actually wearing one of his t-shirts now.
CL, doing well; thanks. And yourself? Besides the snipping? By the way, I love you. Not sure if I’ve told you lately or not.
You’ve been remiss in that department, Grinch. So watch it, OK??
Raisins, this one has definitely not been blessed by a Rabbi. Unless he was about to convert. Now, pastrami…
Maybe we could just buy the Braves?!
Ah, there he is in all his greeness.
Yes, Ma’am! I’m guilty of thinking it more than saying it…yeah, well; you’ve probably heard it all before.
Hey Grinch, does a kosher keyboard have an “oy vey” button on it or do you have to spell it out?
Sounds like y’all have a couple of fun days lined up. Hope you enjoy them!
I’mnot fully green yet; I’m working on it.
Sure, no problem with buying the Braves! I think the Irish Lottery wins alone would take care of that with plenty to spa