Comments and articles herein are the intellectual property and opinions of the writers and may not be copied without permission of the writers.
by Gil in Mechanicsville
As we approach that magic time when pitchers an catchers report, I thought I would throw (no pun intended) a few more names for the good denizens of our blog to ponder over. Now to be truthful, most of the players mentioned will most likely be spending time in Atlanta on the Gwinnett roster in 2009 but you know, it never hurts to be apprised of the talents waiting in the wings. Uh… another bad pun eh?
Todd Redmond, age 23 appeared in 28 games for the Mississippi Braves in 2008 and was named the Southern League pitcher of the year. Todd, a right hander, put up a record of 13-5 with an ERA of 3.52 in 166.1 innings pitched. He gave up 164 hits, 65 earned runs and struck out 133 while walking only 33. Folks, that is better than a 4/1 ratio of strike-outs to walks and indicates pretty good control. He is said to have a low 90s fastball, a slider and a curve but his best pitch is a change. His weakness is his tendency to pitch up in the strike zone. Sounds a bit like a right handed Chuck James but I suspect he is better than that.
Redmond came to the Braves from the Pirates via a trade for Tyler Yates. One thing we have learned is the Pittsburgh organization seems to have a plethora of good young arms at their disposal. Makes one wonder why they can’t seem to climb out of the cellar of the N.L. Central but that is a discussion to be left for another day. Now most folks seem to covet the young stud who can bring it at 95-96 MPH but I remember a guy by the name of Greg Maddux who never possessed great speed but made a pretty good living by knowing how to pitch.
The one thing I like about this kid is he has a knack for winning. Funny how some guys can pitch great but lose games and other guys “just win baby”… I doubt he will be a number one but he projects to be a pretty solid 3 or 4 guy in the line up. That folks is enough for me. Some of you guys in the Atlanta area should make the trek to Gwinnett several times this year because I suspect they are going to have a dynamite pitching staff.
Luiz Valdez – not to be confused with Juan the coffe
e guy and not the same Luiz Valdez who pitched in winter ball in the Dominican this year. I discovered that Valdez is Spanish for Doe…. Lots of them are playing baseball too. Anyway, Luiz was another Mississippi Brave last year. More of a relief specialist, he appeared in 55 games, amassing 65.1 innings and notching 28 saves and a record of 4-3. His ERA was a sparking 2.76. In 2008 he gave up 48 hits while surrendering only 3 home runs. His strike-out to walk ration was about 2 to 1 as he struck out 77 and walked 36. Luiz, another product of the Pirates organization, was signed as a minor league free agent in the fall of 2007. Valdez has a 97-98 MPH fastball so we can get an idea of what he brings to the table. A right hander, he projects to be a middle relief guy or possible a set up man. He is still pretty young at only 24, he has a chance to make it to Atlanta in 2009 as a mid-season call up.
I already mentioned Eric Cordier in an earlier post. He was not invited to the big camp this spring but folks, keep an ear out for that name. I predict he will be in the majors in the next couple of years.
I will leave it to some of you folks who actually live in Atlanta to evaluate some of the up and comers in the Braves organization this year. I regret I will not have the opportunity to actually see these guys as they make their way up the organizational ladder but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
It is an exciting time to be a Braves fan as good young pitching is on the way. Just be patient and try not to get caught up in the hype. I don’t remember Tom Glavine, John Smoltz or Greg Maddux being phenoms either when they first came up but you can get a gist of what a young player is capable of if you look close enough.
~Gil~
Braves & Stuff 
And Chris, it’s still your birthday so enjoy and CL.. Hurry back
LikeLike
More good research, insight and another fine post by Gil. Man, you’re really getting good with those. Now, if you just had a fly reporter to assist. 😆
Yea, you never know how these kids are gonna turn out with so many factors involved in their ultimate success or failure. With pitching especially, the best strategy is to have lots of young talent at every stage in the pipeline and every level in the minors. Almost a hedge your bets, law of average, survival of the fittest thing. Even then, you don’t really know what you have in most case until they have a few years in the Bigs.
There can’t be enough emphasis and value put on scouting, recruiting, player development and good coaching. Those guys are the unsung stars.
LikeLike
If it was that birthday boy Klobber that served CL those, uh, umbrella drinks last night in her post-op condition, he’s got some ‘splainin’ to do.
So does she. 😛
LikeLike
Some pretty good pitching seen the first couple of days of the Caribbean world series.
LikeLike
Richmond passed a hurdle yesterday when the General Assembly approved a plan which would allow any sales taxes generated by the development to go towards the financing of a new ballpark. Not a bad deal really if you consider that nothing exist in the area at present. I suspect it will be a couple of years before anything takes place. That’s okay, I’m going to plant a garden this summer anyway.
LikeLike
Thanks for all the warm birthday wishes!
As my wife told me this morning as she was walking out the door, “You’re halfway to 90!”
Damn, I feel old!
LikeLike
Um, that’s because you are old.
Sure beats the alternative. Remember… growing old is not for wimps. In the meantime, have a Knob Creek on me. It’s right behind the bar, uh, over there under the Klobber’s Saloon sign. 😀
LikeLike
Only 45… A child in my eyes Chris. Make the most of it while you can, it goes by faster and faster and before you know it, your kids are 45…
By the way, I think I have settled on a motel on the Isle of Palms when I stop in Charleston in March. There must be something happening around that time because there is little available downtown.
The construction crew showed up yesterday to start the addition on the house. If all goes as planned, they will finish before Jo and I leave for vacation.
LikeLike
And oh by the way… You don’t know what old feels like… trust me, it sucks… Thank goodness for Darvon, alcohol and Advil….
LikeLike
Save me a seat, I’m hittin’ the showers to thaw out after re-covering all the plants with sheets. That arctic hurricane we had today blew everything all over the place. I should’a put a coat on to go out there and do that. Brrrr…
LikeLike
We were lucky SG, we did get some of the cold air but not the strong winds you experienced. The snow went to our north and today stayed to the south. I bet we get it the last week of February about the time we leave for points south.
LikeLike
Hey, y’all.
Great lead, Gil!! Thanks!! You really ARE good at writing!
Thanks to all for your prayers and thoughts! I just staggered in here for a minute – I’m not having any fun, believe me!!
In addition to regular anesthesia, they did a ‘nerve block’ that didn’t wear off until the wee hours of this morning – which was a blessing! Not so good today but at least it will improve and there is relief at the end of the road. I just gotta get from here to there! 🙂 Gil, you did not exaggerate!
Sweet Kelly is doing a great job of taking care of both me and her grandmother!! She truly is special!!
Did I mention that I love Percoset?? Couldn’t make it without that every 4 hours! Plus aspirin. (Surgery was 2:25)
The nerve block thing affects the diaphragm, as well, and I had trouble breathing for a while afterward. Supplemental oxygen kept me at 96%, but it was a struggle for that left lung to function. Glad it is all behind me!!
Strange thing happened, though. I found a little tiny umbrella on the bedside table this morning. Have no idea how it came to be there!
LikeLike
And most importantly: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRIS!!!!!
LikeLike
Glad you are up and about CL… Just remember my favorite adage, pain is not therapeutic..
LikeLike
Strange thing happened, though. I found a little tiny umbrella on the bedside table this morning. Have no idea how it came to be there!
Percoset side effects?!? 😛
Hey, Gil! If you’re headed to Isle of Palms, you’ll be just around the corner from Klobber! I miss Isle of Palms…many hours spent there…many, many, many! Memories! 😆
LikeLike
Salty, in what part of Georgia do you reside?
LikeLike
CL, it’s great to see you. Glad you’re doing better and hope you’ll be able to join us regularly again soon. Oh by the way, how would you like to settle your tab at the saloon? You may need to speak to your banker about a home equity home or second mortgage!
Gil, first of all, great lead. You know I’m a fan of minor league ball and really enjoy reading about the kids. It’s funny sometimes the guys that make it that you would never think would and the “can’t miss” guys that flame out in AA. Oops, perhaps I should have said “Double A”, instead. ‘Course, lots of folks flame out in AA too.
Gil, what day of the week are you going to be in the area? Friday and Saturday night that time of year is very busy as it is the beginning of the spring tourista season.
LikeLike
Don’t know if any of you have seen this article. It’s on SI.com’s front page and is about French Onion Soup. Pretty telling article.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/02/04/francoeur.bounceback/index.html
LikeLike
Chris, I’m not sure if it will be Sunday the 8th or Monday the 9th. It kind of depends on when we leave Sarasota, I’ll keep you posted.
LikeLike
Good article by the way.
LikeLike
Excellent lead as usual! Need some warm thoughts of baseball, when it’s in the 20’s! Glad there are some live arms if/when folks flame out this year.
LikeLike
And CL! Good seeing you back! You sure type well with one hand!!!
LikeLike
Just read the article, very interesting. Sure hope for a lot of reasons he can turn it around this year.
LikeLike
I hope he turns it around too and not just because the Braves need him to do so. As I’ve said before, I’ve met him several times and he is a genuinely nice person. You want to root for him.
LikeLike
Gil…i’m in Woodstock, 1/2 hour north of Atlanta.
LikeLike
You live in Woodstock. Did you see The Who play there in 69?
(Hey, the jukebox in the saloon is hungry. SG hasn’t been feeding it much lately.)
LikeLike
Excellent work as always, Gil.
I think it will be a pretty easy drive for us to Gwinnett, so I hope we’ll see plenty of games there ( one of these years…sigh).
Good to see our fearless leader check in. I bet Kelly sleeps well tonight, it’s a lot of work to be “mom”.
LikeLike
Windy & cold here too, SG. Dad & I brought in/ wrapped up all the orchids again. Probably not what he would choose to do on his birthday but it had to be done. I guess there’s been a good bit of snow in Tiger & it won’t melt anytime soon.
LikeLike
Good article, Chris. I like Frenchy & it was painful watching him last year. Yeah, we need him to do better but it’s also just fun to watch him when he’s having fun. He & Mac are like overgrown Little Leaguers out there.
LikeLike
And now for something completely different……
http://wcbstv.com/politics/executive.pay.limits.2.927082.html
I’m no socialist, not by a long shot. However, I have to agree with the new Homeboy Upstairs in DC that these knuckleheads have to be reined in. His proposal will essentially put a salary cap on the execs at the companies that the citizens (and future, unborn citizens) of the good ol’ US of A are bailing out. Should we really be concerned with whether or not the city of NY is going to get pinched by this? Shouldn’t we really be concerned about the entire country, not just one state?
Seriously, I know it’s hard to get by on $500k per year, what with the payments coming due on the house in the Hamptons and the ski cabin in Vermont but what about the rest of us? There are millions of Americans all around the country that are out of work and struggling to put food on their table every day? Should we really be concerned about all the restaurants in NY that serve $75 steaks and the limo companies? Really?
Before you answer that question, I’ll ask another. Aren’t these idiots at least partially culpable for the financial problems that exist in this country today?
LikeLike
He & Mac are like overgrown Little Leaguers out there.
That statement is right on. It really was fun to watch the two of them together back in 05 and 06. Mac was/is still having fun but it was hard to watch the Frenchman last year.
When I put myself in his shoes (or leotard, if you will), I can imagine how hard it must be. He’s been the best player on every team he’s played on since he was a child. Even in little league, the good players get lots of love. Suddenly, he’s struggling. He is no longer the best player (or the player with the best potential) and that’s got to be a tremendous blow to his ego. How do you deal with that?
LikeLike
I think it was a huge shock to him. It’s obvious that he’s always been the BMOC in every setting.
LikeLike
Since we are now paying them, I have no problem not allowing any raises on already obscene salaries.
LikeLike
FBG, how many red velvet cakes could you make for $500k? 🙂
LikeLike
$18 per cake… a lot.
LikeLike
27,777 cakes plus a cupcake or two .
LikeLike
I’m not sure if the truck that SG and I have is big enough to move that many cakes. We may have to rent a couple (or ten) trucks from Hertz to help you distribute all those cakes.
LikeLike
Well, it would take me a while to make that many cakes ( they are from scratch, after all). So it could be spread out over time.
LikeLike
I think I’m gonna need a bigger oven.
LikeLike
FLB, there will be all kinds of free money that will be out there soon. You’ll get a bigger oven. Just need a lobbiest. Perhaps the invisible man??? 😛
LikeLike
Where’s the V man??? Well, a quick show of Jefferson’s temps as of 8 AM, 15.4 F, no doubt out working in the yard….
LikeLike
12.6 F in Tiger. That .6 makes all the difference in the world, folks are no doubt working on their tans today! 😀
LikeLike
I saw a blurb yesterday on how global warming is responsible for the cold weather… More double speak if you ask me. Still, it’s pretty cold here too. Many years ago, a local amateur meteorologist predicted cold weather based on volcanic eruptions. He was always accurate within 24 hours. The local paper would post his projections for the year and everyone would post them. Often as not snow would accompany the cold.
He tried in vain to sell his formula to the national weather service but they refused. From what I understand, he left his formula with his daughter when he died but little has been heard from her. The man’s name was Louis Rubin. So, the global warming nuts may have a point, it is the hot earth causing the cold earth…
LikeLike
15 degrees here this morning. I sure wish everyone in my neighborhood would go and buy big SUV’s so we could warm this place up…
LikeLike
My question is, how did the earth ever come out of the ice age without big “carbon footprints” to make it happen? And how arrogant is it for us to try to make a judgment on the earth’s decline using only about 100 or so years of recorded data out of millions of years of existence.
LikeLike
I have to agree with the new Homeboy Upstairs in DC that these knuckleheads have to be reined in.
Reined in? Yes. Do they need to operate responsibly? Absolutely. Should there be accountability? You bet. But capping their income potential will not fix the problem. It only serves to make the “capper” look like he’s taking a big ol’ hickory switch to the “evil rich”.
Think about it. You have enormous corporations, with great economic impact, in trouble and needing the absolute best leadership to guide them back. But you’ve now told them, “You can’t pay your leader what the solvent company down the road will.” So Mr. Capable Executive leaves the struggling company that needs him to go and make more money from the solvent company that has no restrictions. What has that solved? Nothing. It has created the Yankees of industry where a few corporations will now have the best executives making all the money, with the struggling companies settling for the leftovers.
Think public defender here. Would you rather place your future in the hands of a low paid public defender, or a high priced country club dwelling attorney? Same theory applies.
Punish the corporations for their irresponsible actions and deter future improprieties. Don’t hamstring them before the game even starts.
Anyway, that’s my opinion – for what it’s worth.
LikeLike
Great article on Francois… I am really pulling hard for him to have a solid season and prove his detractors wrong.
LikeLike
I have no idea whether or not Global Warming is responsible, but it was 7 below here last night. Warmth would be a welcome addition (at least warmth that wasn’t costing $2.50 a gallon.
LikeLike
VOR-I’m not thinking that limiting failed CEO’s to a half mil in salary is not hamstringing much more than the Gold plated hardware in their bathrooms, or perhaps a Monet or two.
Just got my taxes back yesterday and waved goodbye to the equivalent of three and a half times what the poverty level in salary is. I’m sorry, but if I’m footing the bill to that extent, I have the right to limit what they spend and what they spend it on. They were not forced to take the bailout. If they’d like, they are more than welcome to the consequences of their failed policies-let them go out of business and look for new jobs. I will not shed a tear.
LikeLike
Thw Gwinnett ballpark is coming along:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/gen/milb/photogallery/standard/year_2009/month_02/day_02/cf504043.html
LikeLike
Wow…
Kotsay has more back surgery:
http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view/2009_02_05_Mark_Kotsay_has_back_surgery/
Too bad… 😐
LikeLike
Aw Sheet!
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090205&content_id=3801488&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp&partnerId=rss_mlb
LikeLike
I understand where Chris, Lew and Mr. Raisins is coming from.
Vote Berigan in 2010! 😀
LikeLike
I guess I should have said, I know where Chris, Lew and Mr. Raisins are coming from.
LikeLike
Sean Hannity is about to blow a gasket over what Senator Stabenow and what she said about talk radio earlier today…
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/seton-motley/2009/02/05/politico-sen-stabenow-wants-hearings-radio-accountability-talks-fairne
She’s going to regret talking about this, He’s very whiny! 😛
LikeLike
Jon Heyman, SI:
• Texas, Philly, Atlanta and both New York teams are among teams thought to have some interest in Andruw Jones, who went from superstar to clueless hitter in two short years. The Yankees offered a non-roster spot and were turned down. Texas looks like a better fit. Jones probably needs a top hitting coach to get his swing back to where it was in 2006. Kevin Long would have worked in New York, and so would Rudy Jaramillo in Texas.
In other words, Pendleton sux as a hitting coach. 😆
LikeLike
More Heyman:
• The Yankees seem to think they’re more likely to find a taker for Nick Swisher than Xavier Nady. But the $21 million over three years left on Swisher’s deal will probably make things tricky in this ever-tightening market. The Braves, Nationals and Mariners are among teams seeking a corner outfielder, and there are plenty of choices with Garret Anderson and Hall-bound Ken Griffey Jr. out there, as well as Abreu and Dunn.
• The White Sox do not look like a fit for Abreu (not with Jermaine Dye there), but someone will get a steal on Abreu, who is a terrific player.
LikeLike
Good afternoon all, Gee, aren’t we glad the Braves didn’t go after Sheets? Anytime you see the words torn and elbow in the same sentence it’s a good idea to be very leery.
Too bad for Kotsay, I liked him, he was a good player for the Braves in the short while they had him. Baseball could use a few more like him.
I would not worry to much about talk radio, they will just find employment on TV…. Folks should be very careful what they ask for, they might just get it.
LikeLike
But capping their income potential will not fix the problem. It only serves to make the “capper” look like he’s taking a big ol’ hickory switch to the “evil rich”. Raisins
With all due respect, I couldn’t disagree more. Most Americans think these idiots that got this country in trouble need to be punished. It’s not the “rich” part that bothers most of us, it’s the “evil” part. This selfish, greedy behavior can not be tolerated, especially when it affects so many people as negatively as it has.
Punish the corporations for their irresponsible actions and deter future improprieties.
How do you propose the corporations be punished? I really don’t know how to do this. Fining them hurts their profitability and thus their stock value, thus hurting investors that are already reeling.
LikeLike
Punish those responsible??? They just gave them a super majority in the Congress and put them in the White House…
Punish them by putting them under house arrest in a $7 million dollar penthouse?
We have met the enemy and it is us….
LikeLike
I’m no economics expert, but I do know that when the government can step in and tell private businesses how they are to run their businesses, we are all in trouble.
It was the feds who mandated that lenders “loosen” their lending standards in order to prevent “discriminating” lending practices. It was government who formed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as clearinghouses so that lenders could write loans to anyone, then assign the debt to another agency and hold zero liability, while profiting form the loan origination. In fact, the more loans they originated, good or bad, the more money they made. All with no accountability. It was government who ignored the warnings by the agency watchdogs and allowed the problems to continue. And it’s government who now is pouring billions of dollars into a broken system in order to placate the masses. It was the feds who had a hand in the ruination, and the same government cheese-heads think they know best how to fix it. The billions of newly created dollars is nothing but a big band-aid covering a still festering sore. Only this time, the infection is devaluing the US dollar even more, and setting us up for inflation like we haven’t seen since Jimmy Carter.
Now that the feds have paid for their newfound position of corporate power, they have a say in the running of the show. It’s all a very slippery slope from which we won’t recover in our generation.
LikeLike
Sigh…. So many decisions to be made, should I spend all my money before it becomes worthless or should I just wait and join the masses who will be lined up at the soup kitchens?
Uh.. what’s left of my money anyway…
LikeLike
should I spend all my money before it becomes worthless?
Gil, you can always burn it to keep warm. Get small bills, you’ll get more burn for your buck!
Raisins, the government is partially responsible for this mess. There are a lot of individuals out there that made a lot of money in a way that they knew was morally (and probably legally) wrong and we’re now having to pay the price for it. I can’t see rewarding these people with MORE of our money. Just my opinion.
LikeLike
Klobber, I don’t want to reward anyone either. I just cringe at the thought of government meddling in the private sector… that’s all.
LikeLike
I get what you’re saying, VOR, but if they took gov’t money they should expect some gov’t “meddling”.
LikeLike
Hope Kotsay recovers quick. He seems like a good guy.
I know you’re all completely shocked, as am I, that Ben Sheets is injured. 🙄
LikeLike
Raisins, I’m not crazy about it either but really, is it still the private sector if the government has to step in and give you zillions of dollars to stay solvent? Shouldn’t there be some responsibility to the government and the citizens of this country?
I have very, very mixed feelings about this whole bailout issue. There are so many small businesses around the U.S. that have either gone out of business or are on the verge of doing so. Where’s their bailout? They aren’t going to get one because they aren’t powerful enough in DC, even collectively. Many of these folks are solid business people whose businesses have been impacted negatively by our current economic situation, a situation that they had nothing to do with. Yet the knuckleheads who screwed the entire global economy are being handed bags of cash. Makes no sense to me.
Trust me, I’m no socialist. I believe firmly in our capitalistic system but I have a huge problem with the way this is being handled.
LikeLike
I’m not crazy about it either but really, is it still the private sector if the government has to step in?
Exactly. And that’s where we hit the slippery slope. Those that failed should have been allowed to fail. The feds “bought and paid for” their right to now intervene. That is where my problem with the whole mess begins. You asked how we punish those who mismanaged? Let ’em go under. That’s how. Is that harsh? You bet. Reality hurts…
LikeLike
Guess what. My business is hanging on by a thread. I haven’t paid myself in 4 weeks. If it goes under, then it goes under. I hate it for those that work for me, but that’s reality. Am I a victim of mismanagement? I guess you can argue that. But whether I did it or if I am a victim of the real estate market going under, the reality is that my business may not exist much longer. I swear I’ll fold it before any government authority steps in to tell me how to run it.
LikeLike
OK… perhaps there was a little personal frustration bubbling over there… my apologies… Gil or CL, you have my permission to remove all of my rants on this subject…
LikeLike
V, sorry to hear that! I don’t really want to go in it, but I just lost about half my VERY meager online income this week. 😦
LikeLike
Why would we want to do that Raisins? You make valid points. If I were still looking for property I would contact you… The wife, however, says she does not want two homes right now so I have put my extra cash back into this place.
Times are just tough for a lot of folks and the only people buying right now are the bottom feeders like me looking for bargains. My sister-in-law’s siter died a few months ago. She owned a very nice 2 bedroom condo in Gainsville Fla. She paid $189,000 for it. When she became ill, she put it on the market for $139,000. Not one nibble. When she passed, the balance on the mortgage was $115,00… The family could not even get that. So, they defaulted and let the bank have it…
I remember back in the 70s and 80s going through recessions, some worse than others. Sometimes we are just victims of bad timing. That is what happened to me in the 70s when I had a business fail.
Sometimes you just have to have faith that if it is what the Lord wants you to do, things will work out for you.
LikeLike
Raisins, I don’t think we really differ that much on this subject. My business is suffering too, mainly because almost all of my clients are on the verge of bankruptcy or have already shut their doors.
Where’s the love for the small business owner?
LikeLike
Yes, it’s frustrating when you do everything right and you get caught up by the circumstances. However, at least you know it’s not your business model that is flawed. It may not be your fault the ship hit the iceberg but you still need to man the lifeboats.
So, next time you will catch a ride on a safer boat… But the ship has not sunk yet.
Personally, I am still upset they bailed out a bunch of reckless banks. Someone would have absorbed them for pennies on the dollar. At least it would not come out of my tax money.
LikeLike
And baseball…. Uh Oh… Andruw turned down an offer from the Yankees… Means he still on the market…
And will Ohman pitch for the Mets? That bothers me a little bit.
LikeLike
I will be happy when the rosters are set, this hot stove thing is getting to be a bit bothersome.
LikeLike
IF companies, would only do the right thing. If greedy arses hadn’t worked people 70 hours a week, 6 days a week , there wouldn’t be a need for unions.
Now, some unions do such a good job, (i.e, the autoworkers unions) that retired workers make nearly what current workers make. Great! Well, great for them, not so good for the future health of the big 3, or the current and future employees of said 3.
We all know the mob has a big stake in many unions. And we know a certain political party gets block voting from many unions as well. Wonder if there’s any chance both groups would like to see millions of new union members??? 🙄
And now there is a lot talk of doing away with secret-ballot voting to join a union. Unions would then be able to go door to door and pressure folks to join unions.
V’s workers might just decide to become a unionized, even though it’s a small company. Of course, he can decide to fold the company at that point as well.
And now some workers are going to have to pay union fees, even though they never joined a union….
http://www.nrtw.org/en/press/2009/02/state-court-refuses-enforce-georgia02042009
LikeLike
Man… a rant from Raisins is like a calm walk in the park for me. 😆
Raisins, it’s tough out there for sure. “Out there” meaning here, there and everywhere. Sorry to hear about your biz, bro. Hang in there. You’ll make it even if you have to downsize and work alone for a bit, or maybe put your best folks on a sub-contractor status on an as-needed basis for a while. Anyway, prayers for you and all of us in these difficult times.
Seems you and Klobber really aren’t that far off from each other. Hey, if the government buys it, they control it… and we pay for it. Sad but true. The socialists were elected and I’m not a bit surprised that they are trying to ram massive socialist pork down our throats under the premise of “stimulous”. I’m so disgusted with every blatant thing that’s coming out of Washington and Wall Street that I won’t even go there, except to say one thing:
This country is at a historic crossroad. We will become socialist or the Republicans will find their backbone and fight. Regardless of the election, most of the country has conservative values. If the people can get behind an articulate, conservative leader they will revolt. It may not be pretty.
I remember posting on this blog, during the first bailout, how the dubious and smirking group of Dodd, Frank, Schumer and a few Rino’s came out from their lair (chambers) to announce the bailout. I commented that they looked like the cats that just ate the canary. They were in the process of pulling one over on the country. Rino Judd Greg was in that group. Now, you see how he is being rewarded with a cabinet post.
Mark my words; there is something very dubious going on with the Dems and the new socialist regime behind closed doors. There is no way that so many can be so ignorant of the past (FDR) and there can’t be so many that are too stupid to know that global warming (now “climate change) is a way to separate you from your money and too many that don’t seem to know of the massive welfare and voter fraud are killing this country.
Never thought this until the past few months; there is a conspiracy. There has to be. Yes, there are sheep and yes, there are ‘useful idiots’ and unwitting do-gooders, but that many people that vote for socialism cannot possibly be that stupid. Tax cheats and liars are brought into the administration because they have no ethics and will go along with further lying, theft and what I’d consider treason. They are propped up by the socialist media, the ignorant public and the apathy and greed for power by those on both sides of the aisle in Washington.
People, your freedom and your money are about to get stolen out from under your noses, unless the minority party can find a way to rally the people. That is questionable. Two classes will emerge: the elite upper class and the poor. Middle class goes down in this scenario.
Well, there I go again… said I wasn’t gonna go there. Oh, well, there it is. Ok, enough revolution. back to work for me. Quarter in the jukebox.
Remember what happened in Boston with all that tea?
LikeLike
And Gil, from what I remember you mentioning a few months back, it sounded like you had a union that should have been the model nation wide….
LikeLike
SG, hear, hear!!!! You will have to meet my friend in Pembroke someday, two peas in pod if you ask me!
I must still be sleepy, I danced around, but never quite got to my point in the longish post above. We wouldn’t have the specter of socialism hanging over us, if the bankers had done the right thing all along. if congress had not forced bad loans on banks and lenders. But, they never do, do they??? Are they just all pure evil? Purely stupid?? Purely greedy??? A combo of all above???? In theory, they should be just like us…more or less…. our neighbors, friends, family….
I think the elites in power now think the European socialism model is fine and dandy, not thinking for a minute about the problems those nations are having today because of this, and how those countries became that way over decades, not in a few years.
Also Europe for decade had us paying billions to guard them from the U.S.S.R., and whenever I saw lists in the past of countries giving to underprivileged nations, we were always number one with a bullet. And they have much more protectionism in place for their companies, something we never are allowed to have….
LikeLike
There is no way that so many can be so ignorant of the past (FDR)
Really SG???? Hell, I JUST heard for the first time, on a documentary on Presidents on the history channel, that unemployment was 20% in 1940, after 2 terms of the new deal. And that was with many fewer women in the workplace.
Roosevelt still won, didn’t he???
But, my point is, I never heard things were that bad, that late. In school, it was just the economy didn’t completely recover til WW2. 1 in 5 workers not having a job is a disaster.
Drudge had a big headline about the latest unemployment numbers being 7.6 percent.
I could be wrong, but I don’t recall reading about Japanese Americans being locked up in internment camps til I was out of school either.
In fact, every negative thing I ever heard about FDR was when I was an adult.
Did you know he had a Jewish advisor(or cabinet member) that pleaded with him to have the allies bomb the railways leading into concentration camps,(People knew they were bad, but still didn’t quite know to the extent they did after the war) and his answer was, they will just rebuild them!
Eleanor was the really open minded one, he could have done much to improve the plight of African-Americans, but chose not to. How many people know he tried to pack the supreme court???
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judiciary_Reorganization_Bill_of_1937
To most people, FDR is simply a great president, who did many wonderful things for our nation.
LikeLike
Now to the Braves economics…
Ken Rosenthal has a pretty good piece on the state of the Braves:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9185168/Will-Glavine-return-to-Braves?-Nothing%27s-certain%3FCMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49
He makes some great points, and the more thought I give to it, the more I’m inclined to lean away from TommyG. That’s a really tough call. He makes one simple statement, though, that I think sums it up – “The Braves, in greater need of another outfielder than another starting pitcher, might not be in position to add both.”
I am so glad I don’t have to make that decision…
LikeLike
VOR-I understand your frustration, but when a “private business” either sells shares in the company to raise cash, or takes massive amounts of $$$$ from the Feds to stay in business (which demise was occasioned by those accepting this “public” money), then they are answerable to those who forked over the cash. Just the way it is, whether stockholder, banking institution, or Federal Government. A lender is a lender, no matter who it is doing the lending. If you borrow from a bank do you not have terms and provisions? The real fly in the soup is that stockholders should be dictating what those CEO’s pull down salary wise, too-might have saved a bit of trouble.
Sorry your business is in the tank-believe me, the Art sales business ain’t all that great either-but you’re not taking Government (read that OUR money) to compensate for any business inadequacies you might have. No one is asking you to settle for a mere $500,000. Take Tax dollars and that would, of necessity, change-just as if you had borrowed it from a bank and been subject to THEIR provisions-whether or not salary caps were part of the deal.
LikeLike
Berigan-Re: your 10:07- In addition to the facts you site, Reagan (who many here and throughout the country) consider a great Pres (I’m not really one of them, but…..) oversaw quite high unemployment rates two to three years into his own administration, as a holdover from the mess at the end of the Carter Admin.. I think we all need to realize that a. This is NOT a Depression-nowhere near it, even with 8% unemployment (nowhere near the 20-25% experienced during the Depression) and b. It ain’t going to leave quickly, no matter what the present Administration does..
LikeLike
Funny you should say that Berigan, many did not feel that way at WeSaySo… Anyway, I remember something said to me many years ago by a good friend and mentor. “It is useless to trade the tyranny of Big Business for the tyranny of Big Labor”.
I always kept that in mind. Folks just have to do what is right for them. For the most part, many small businesses could not survive unionization because they have to be able to adapt quickly to market changes. That said, when the owner is a guy who is working along side of you, there is a bond that develops. Everybody has a vested interest.
When the boss is many levels removed from the average worker, many self serving folks can blur the lines of communications both ways and while the “boss” and the workers may be on the same page, folks with their own agendas might swap out the book….
Every organization is dependent on the intelligence of it’s members. Unfortunately, some folks are afraid to hire people as smart as they are for fear of losing their position. I always tried to surround myself with the smartest people I could find and then absorbed every bit of knowledge I could. After all, why should I continue to invent the wheel when I could draw on someone else’s knowledge and experience.
I love the old Dale Carnegie axiom of “The smartest man I know thinks I’m a genius”..
I’m a firm beliver in making someone else’s success is tied to my being successful. Give folks an incentive don’t you think.
LikeLike
SG-If there was a time for the Republicans to really put their philosophies into action, the time was 8 years ago and coming forward. To spend like they did during the Bush Admin. and cutting all those taxes, coupled with the destruction of the the surplus lead to where we are now. Those same philosophies aren’t going to work now that we’re mired in the Tar Pits. We’ve already seen where massive tax cuts got us. If we still had the surplus that was projected, we would NOT be in this mess now.
Time to quit acting like George W was not a True Republican or that the Republican Congress was anything other than a rubber stamp for him, his spending proposals and his policies. The horse is out of the barn and ran down the highway a while back. You won’t get him back into the barn-especially since you don’t even know where to look.
LikeLike
History is written by the victors.
LikeLike
Yes Lew, W let us down in many ways. I think the Republicans lost sight of what they were suppose to do. That said, all is not lost quite yet. We survived LBJ and Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter and … well you get the idea…
Perhaps we should remember the words of Thomas Jefferson when he said “Democracy is to precious to leave it in the hands of the masses”.
LikeLike
Lew, in my book, everyone in the government is to blame. The surplus we had during the Clinton administration?? Who was in control of congress from 1994 on??? Republicans! That was as close to having the Republicans act like Republicans as we will ever have, it appears.
Presidents propose budgets, but congress passes them, correct??? Well, since 2000, Republicans have spent like drunken sailors, but I sure haven’t seen Democrats talk about cutting any spending since then,(outside of defense) have you??? I know you have said you are not at all happy about this stimulus package, but it’s going to pass, with tons of pork to buy votes for Democratic and republican congressmen and women.
I could dig up a post I made on the Jazz board I frequent that showed the tax cuts added to the federal coffers the last several years, but it’s still a moot point if spending still outstrips what comes in.
I think I mentioned this a few weeks ago. We pay 400 billion a year, just on interest for our debt. Now, everyone wants to double our annual output, add trillion or so to the budget. How the ___ is that possibly going to be sustainable????
And now China is showing less and less interest in buying our debt, what the bleep happens then???
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/07/business/yuan.php
LikeLike
Berigan-No matter who was to blame, the projections for ten years out (right about now) had the Bush tax cuts not been implemented, the surplus should be somewhere in the $10 trillion range. Which means that a. we would not be in this mess now b.we would no longer HAVE a National debt c.we could have rescued the financial instituions d. we could have paid for the fiasco in Iraq e. we could stimulate the economy with no real trouble (had it even needed it)and f. we could afford to pay for new energy production not relying on the terrorist Nations for it.
Yes, there is blame to go around but, I’m just sitting here laughing my fat rear end off whenever I hear how George W. wasn’t a real conservative and how those who rubber stamped his budgets and policies now have the answer to all our ills. Yeah. Right.
LikeLike
Here are the numbers from the treasury in 2000, then in 2007
Click to access mts0900.pdf
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1213.htm
This is what I said to the guy who runs the board on November 1st…
Jim, did you know the treasury brought in more money in 2007, than it did in 2000??? 2.5 Trillion in receipts last year, 2 trillion in 2000. Of course the outlay in 2000 was 1.8 Trillion, and in 2007, it was 2.7 Trillion!!! Republicans and Democrats cannot stop spending more and more each and every year, yet we seem to have nothing really to show for it.
Where is the 700 billion for the package that democrats and republicans voted for going to come from??? Good question! It’s not going to come from contracting government in any way, shape or form
LikeLike
Okay… Looks like we are in agreement… The Braves need to sign Tommy Glavine uh I mean.. The Braves need to add a proven hitter to the outfield.. uh… well we don’t know what we want but we want someone to make the right decision and we want it to be the one we want them to make….
So, what will the Braves do? Whatever they want to do, they have just figured out that it makes no sense to air it out in the papers… Keeps everyone off balance a little bit I think.
LikeLike
One man’s pork is another man’s ham….
LikeLike
Gil, I don’t even know what “we” should do anymore. Well, the more I think about it, a lefty starter makes a lot of sense, but I really wouldn’t mind a Diaz/Anderson , Schafer 1-2, but I don’t think that would happen.
And IF Frenchy doesn’t come back, we only have 2 guys with any power, and we all know Chipper and McCann will miss 30+ games this year. Which means NO power in the line-up on those days. Hmmm, I guess we do need a power hitting left fielder.
LikeLike
I want lunch.
LikeLike
I think a southpaw slice of ham between 2 right handed hitting pieces of bread along with some leadoff cheese ought to do it.
LikeLike
…leadoff cheese… First on blog?
LikeLike
First anywhere?
LikeLike
YEP!!! CONGRATS V!!!!!!
LikeLike
A President that went to war against a violent, sadistic despot and the threat of terror and WMD’s in Iraq, when almost every country… even France and the UN (Kerry and Clinton), said Saddam had WMD’s and was a threat to the Middle East and the world.
The same President who, thanks to the belated insurgence strategy and execution by Gen. Petraeus and our brave fighters… despite horrible pre-planning, the President virtually won the war in Iraq and protected us from further terrorist attacks. The same President that gave more to fight AIDS in Africa than any individual, corporation or country. The same President that, with the help of like-minded idiots in Washington, wrecked the economy by spending too much and allowing too much political and corporate graft.
Dubya may as well have been FDR’s clone. Bush could walk but not talk and Roosevelt could talk but not walk. Saddam and Bin Laden, Mussolini and Hitler. Similar Presidents, similar enemies, similar social and economic policies… but different. History repeats itself.
And now our government has pushed back the digital TV conversion. The “stimulus” pork package includes big money to buy digital boxes for those that cannot afford to buy them and can’t survive without their TV. Politicians realize that certain demographics must not be without their daily dose of socialist propaganda. Chicken in every pot time again. History repeats.
Very Huxley-Orwell like… these days.
Lunch now. Feeling faint… must eat.
LikeLike
Nice Aldous Huxley reference. I read that book in High School. I need to read it again. I need to make my son read it. I need to go eat lunch.
LikeLike
Sign Glav and Ohman. Wait for a deal on a bopper in LF and play the kids. If we are competitive by the All Star break, a big bat will want to join.
LikeLike
And let’s not completely dismiss Brandon Jones. He hit with some moderate power all through the minors, and played with a wrist injury most of last season. He could surprise in Spring…
I think it’s only prudent at this point to fully assess what we already have, and then fully assess the market after it shapes up in order to fill whatever needs still exist.
LikeLike
Boy will the 2010 offseason be fun. Derek Jeter, Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins all become FA’s after 2010. What will those guys command on the open market? Of course, Jeter is already “old”, but Reyes and Rollins? They might make more then the commish… 😀
LikeLike
SG-That’s one way of looking at it. Sure isn’t the only opinion.
LikeLike
If Big Brother is watching you, SG, it wasn’t the Dems who entitled him.
LikeLike
Here…read:http://www.sonecon.com/blog/
Scroll down to the January 14 entry. Ironically, you’ll note in the past week some Republican congressmen proposed something similar. Interesting thing about economics…it’s somewhat apolitical…just different views. Point is…next time the belly-aching about jobs going overseas reaches the fever pitch…take a gander at tax policy.
LikeLike
What the 2010 free agents can command depends on how many baseball clubs survive in 2009. Don’t think a down economy doesn’t have an effect on everyone. I expect that TV viewership might well be up in 2009 as few and fewer folks feel that baseball is a vital part of their overall budget.
Folks, I’ll bet y’all don’t realize it but I am 130 miles closer to Boston than I am to Atlanta. Gives you an idea of the impact a minor league team has on the fan base.
I was going to go to Washington last summer to see the Braves play the Nationals until I found out what the ticket prices were. Yep, like the wife says, for the price for the two of us to go Atlanta and be miserable in the stands we can buy a large HDTV and watch all the games.
LikeLike
Hmmm, from a very long Starks article…
Jones-ing it: It will be fascinating to see whether Andruw Jones winds up spending his spring with the Braves. A friend of Bobby Cox told Rumblings the manager is lobbying harder for Jones than the rest of the baseball operation. Jones has several other teams with cautious interest (including the Rangers and Phillies), but none appears to be offering what he’s really looking for — playing time, to rebuild his market value.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings090206&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines
LikeLike
He needs to worry more about his swing mechanics and less about his market value…
LikeLike
I really need to go eat lunch…
LikeLike
Interesting, B, from the Stark story:
In the meantime, the Braves seem to have emerged as the club most interested in Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher. But there are indications the teams got hung up when the Braves asked the Yankees to eat some of the $22.05 million Swisher has coming over the next three years — and got turned down flat.
Does this mean they had agreed on players? Hmmm…
LikeLike
Salty, if our tax policy was different, we’d attract all those many trillions (many trillions) that left to come back here and “stimulate” the economy by hiring people, building things, buying stuff and “spreading the wealth” in an honest, good old fashioned capitalist way.
Wonder if Raisins ever ate lunch or if he just starved right there at the keyboard?
LikeLike
Y’all get used to the idea that Lew’s opinion is the only one that is right and the only one that matters. Everything, up to and including toe fungus, is the fault of Republicans, conservative Republicans in particular.
Did I mention that Percoset is my new best friend??
I’ve tried to post some photos of what a torn rotator looks like, but wp is in ‘stall’ mode. Will post it whenever the stupid server gets itself in gear. Doc gave me a set of pics from the ‘scope camera. Really neat!
LikeLike
Since my opinion is obviously not welcome, then there’s no reason for me to comment further. Is there?
LikeLike
Here are the surgery pics:
https://bravesandstuff.wordpress.com/our-own-candid-cameras/carolina-ladys-photos/
LikeLike
Come on Lew, you know you are welcome to put your two cents in. Just that you are the minority party here…. But that’s okay, it’s a big world and room for everybody. 🙂
On that note…. I pumped a little more of my hard earned cash into the economy today. Gave the builder another project and then took the wife out for lunch. I figure that when I run out of money, I will be able to apply for food stamps. I hear the the peanut butter is going real cheap down at the food bank.
So, Andruw thinks he will get more playing time if he signs with the Braves…. Might be so if he would adjust his attitude. Perhaps the Braves could put in some type of incentive clause that he would get extra for every ball he hits to right field and subtracts all outs made to left.
LikeLike
And CL… That’s the naked truth… The pictures of your shoulder that is…
LikeLike
And did I mention I spent a couple of hundred at Tractor Supply? I figured I may as well support those folks as throw it away at the casinos. At least I have something to show for my money.
LikeLike
Lew isn’t entirely wrong any more than I’m entirely right! He could, however, be a bit more humble…you know, like…just a tad.
SG.. on the link I posted, isn’t that essentially the point?
LikeLike
Actually there’s a few people on here who think their opinions are the only ones that are right & that matter. Everything, in their opinion, is the fault of liberals. If you dare to disagree, even in a civil manner, you get treated like dirt. This is why so many bloggers have left permanently & others drop in on a very occasional basis.
LikeLike
FBG…you rock! 😆
LikeLike
I would like to apologize to everyone on the blog for bringing this subject up in the first place. It was foolish to do so. The last thing that I want is for anyone to feel as they should not visit this blog.
FBG, you are very right in your 8.39 post.
Again, apologies to everyone. You call all rest assured that there will be absolutely no political commentary from me going forward.
LikeLike
I didn’t mean you, Chris. You are able to discuss the subject reasonably.
I don’t expect everyone to agree but please please don’t be rude to those who disagree with you.
LikeLike
Okay… I know the answer… It’s all Miky’s fault…
Oh no FBG… Not the scarlet letter.. not the “L” word?
I think we are all adult enought to disagree… Hey, I’m rooting for Andruw to return to pre 2005 form. Does that mean a diet? And Friday night TV blows… Watching reruns of Moonlight. Why do the TV nerds always cancel the shows I like? Am I that out of touch?
LikeLike
FBG, I know you didn’t mean me. Nonetheless, I feel responsible.
Perhaps politics is a topic that shouldn’t be broached in the future.
LikeLike
Oh, my… a few people here that think only their opinions are right?
Well, I suppose since there are only a few people here, so would that be most of us think only our opinions are right?
All opinions matter… but not all opinions are correct. That is a fact.
Don’t most intelligent adults have opinions? If so, are their opinions based on life experiences, reading, research and learning on any given subject or do they just follow the popular view of Hollywood or the masses or those they watch on television? If we have an opinion, should we not think our opinion is the only one that is right? If not, it wouldn’t be an opinion, it would be a passing idea or a half-baked or borrowed thought.
Should people not have firm opinions? Should we consider our own learned opinions to be valid? If we have an opinion that differs from someone else, should we change our opinion or feel that their opinion is just as correct as ours? Are opinions interchangeable?
Speaking of opinions, it is my opinion that no regular in Stuffville treats anyone like dirt. I’ve never seen it happen. Not sure where that comment came from, but I’d love to hear a specific example of someone here treating another like dirt. The folks here are gentlemen and ladies.
As far as the bloggers that have left permanently because of being treated like “dirt”? Well FBG, looks like we’ll have to disagree on that opinion of yours.
If some bloggers have left because they don’t like the opinions they read here, then my sentiment is… good. They should stay away because they either don’t agree with the opinions here, which is just fine, or they don’t have any opinions of their own and feel threatened with discussion of anything other than baseball, or they are just not open minded or they aren’t curious of other points of view than their own or they aren’t knowledgeable enough to discuss issues or they can’t seem to just scroll by to avoid political, spiritual or philosophical discussions or debate opinions they don’t agree with in a civil, respectful, intelligent way.
If that commentary seems uncivil or like dirt, then I’m just filthy and uncivil by some standards, but not my own. My opinions are earned by learning and my opinions are born from a foundation of core beliefs. My morals, ethics and value system guide me to my opinions, not arbitrary or trendy notions and certainly not to make false friends that can’t be told the truth.
That’s my opinion on opinions.
LikeLike
Salty, yes… I was agreeing with the tax point even though I didn’t see the link.
Is there a full moon tonight?
LikeLike
Sigh… If a blogger blogs in the wilderness, does anyone care? 🙂
Later y’all. Catch up in the morning
LikeLike
Wow… Frank sure rolled out the welcome mat for Glav.
This offer made by Wren earlier this week is believed to have been a one-year Major League contract worth between $1 million and $2 million. With no incentive clauses included, it currently stands as an offer Glavine is hesitant to accept.
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090206&content_id=3805792&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
I imagine he’s saving his available $$$ for LF… and Ohman.
Can’t say as I blame him…
LikeLike
Well, V… I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Javy or Lowe end up missing some significant time this year(They are overdue) and giving Glavine 3-4 mil seems like a small price to pay for some protection, IMHO. IMHO, which as we all know, doesn’t mean diddly squat! 😛
I don’t know what we are going to do about left, but Swisher means 3 years tied up in left. But, as I have said before, I like his energy.
LikeLike
Great, I killed the blog. That’s just fantastic. 😦
LikeLike
Naw Chris… It would take a lot more than one little spat to kill BS…
I am going to wait by my mail box for the money to start flowing in now that the Senate has passed its version of the bill. I feel so stimulated
LikeLike
And baseball. If I were Tom Glavine I would feel very insulted… Really… He is much more deserving than what was reportedly offered. The guy has a warrior’s heart.
LikeLike
And besides… there is always the scroll button on top of the mouse to speed past any possible offensive remarks. I use that feature extensively when I visit across the street.
But one final comment on political discourse. It is good to have discussions about topics which are controversial. Some are more passionate than others but look at what dogma and stiff rhetoric bring forth, two examples are the Spanish Inquisitions and today’s Islamic Jihads. Pretty extreme I know but absolute silence often leads to extremism.
Now if friends can’t have a civil discussion about world events then maybe we aren’t as friendly as we think.
I enjoy discussions about various topics because it expands my views. Sometimes it causes me to look at things through someone else’s eyes. It often makes me think about things I may not have previously considered.
Therefore, take from this or any other blog what you will and leave what you wish others to know. We may or may not change our minds but at least we may think about what is being said and that is a good thing.
LikeLike
And Berigan, Swisher can also play first. I still think the Brave should give a serious offer to Glavine. I know, $2 million should be serious but not to baseball. If they can pay an idiot like Bud 17 odd million to do stupid things like screw up the all-star game then surely they can offer Glavine some incentives.
I am still amazed that some folks across the street blame Tom for all the union ills of the world like he was responsible for everything bad in the world. I liken it to some guy being mad because he got sued and the other guy had a better lawyer than he.
Tom Glavine was respected by his peers enough to have him be the front man for professional baseball. I can assure you, Tom Glavine did not nor could he ever cause a strike on his own volition. If you have never worked in a large factory or for a big company which always had deep pockets for litigation but never for the rank and file you would not understand.
Now, does that mean I agree with everything the baseball union does? Heck no… but I understand where they are coming from…
LikeLike
Gee, it’s so easy to dominate on the off shift, Now I remember what I liked about working midnights.
LikeLike
are the Spanish Inquisitions
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
LikeLike
The Mets keep bringing in left-handed bullpen candidates, but they are now likely to stay away from recognizable names. Though GM Omar Minaya spoke with the agent for former Brave Will Ohman this week, a person familiar with the club’s plans said the Mets don’t want to stifle bullpen competition in spring training by adding a guaranteed contract. That means the Mets aren’t likely to pursue Ohman, who appears headed back to Atlanta, or another proven lefty reliever such as ex-Dodger Joe Beimel to fill the final spot in the bullpen.
New York Post
LikeLike
Chris, the LAST thing you did, is kill the blog! It could have been Me, Raisins, Salty, Gil, SG, CL, anyone of us could have said something to get folks dander up. It just happened. We all know that the sour economy is likely to make folks a bit testy. That, and moving towards Socialism.
I’d hate to see this just become a B without S forum. Just isn’t enough B 12 months out of the year.
LikeLike
Now if friends can’t have a civil discussion about world events then maybe we aren’t as friendly as we think.
Well put Gil!
LikeLike
Good Morning Stuffville!
Ahhh… no papers or proposals to write, no urgent emails, no phone conferences, the coffee is hot and tastes better than usual, it’s already 45 degrees and the sun is burning the fog off of the landscape. TGIS.
Friends and neighbors, lately it’s been way too busy for this guy. Work is seriously cutting into my playtime. Keeping up with the blog has been difficult too. Read a few, hit and run, read a few more, etc. Makes it hard to see the nuance and follow the flow of conversation. Plus, after spending 10 hours each day for the last few weeks writing business stuff on deadline my eyes cross and, when the day is done, I’ve completely run out of words. No words left. Gone. Speechless in Savannah. Yes, I know… hard to believe. 😀
Well, there are a few words left and I was just reminded of one; unfledged. Has a nice ring to it. A blog first?
I digress. So, after catching up on Ye Olde Blogge, I must comment on a few things. A little sumpin’ for everyone. I’ll try to keep opinions light and fluffy. 😆
Everything, in their opinion, is the fault of liberals.
Not true. Only the bad stuff.
Lew isn’t entirely wrong any more than I’m entirely right!
Salty has been appointed Stuffville Diplomat. The word ‘diplomat’ stems from the Greek word “diploma”, which literally means ‘folded in two’… which is what I did after reading your comment. 😆
CL, those pictures of planet Carolina were cool. Looked like Saturn, only different. Reminded me of some pictures I had taken a few years back. Arthroscopic meniscus removal and repair job. Your planet photos were prettier than mine. I hope you have Smoltz-like recovery. But please don’t move to Boston when you can pitch again… unless they, uh, pay you $3-5 million with incentives. If so, hello Green Monster!
Percoset is my new best friend??
Just don’t be lulled into thinking you can throw that sidearmed lollapalooza curve too soon. Pain pills lie. We like how they lie, but they can convince us that we’re ready to toe the mound before it’s time and then they keep us on the DL longer (ala Hampton?).
That’s one way of looking at it. Sure isn’t the only opinion.
Lew my friend, like you have said on opinions; everybody has one, like certain body parts… only different. Thing is, since mine are fact based and not ‘feeling based’ like the libs they are always correct. That’s my opinion and I’m stickin’ with it. And if Big Brother sees some of my posts this year, I’m in deep dookie. 😆
By the way Lew, your opinion is always welcome in my book. Don’t get ruffled if somebody puts one high and inside after you stand over the plate, spit toward the mound and snarl like that. 😆
Great, I killed the blog.
Klobber, I’ve now caught up on the blog and think I grasp the ebb and flow of conversations and such, but for the life of me I just don’t get the drift of your concern or your comment. Maybe I’m dense… have I missed sumpin’? Nothing but baseball and stuff and polite discourse as far as I can tell.
now that the Senate has passed its version of the bill. I feel so stimulated
Oh my… I spoke too soon. Gil, wash your mouth out with soap. 😆
wants playing time, to rebuild his market value.
Bear, it was his playing time that crashed AJ’s market value. He needs a shrink and playing time in the minors if he’s ever going to return with anything worth putting in the big game.
I imagine he’s saving his available $$$ for LF… and Ohman.
Raisins, I’m glad you got food yesterday. Was worried. Now, pitching: To offer between one and two million bucks to Glavine is fair enough under the circumstances, but no incentives? That’s just plain stupid. Wren, like JS has evidently just insulted him with that lowball offer. I’d offer heavy incentives and hope that he pitches well and earns every last penny of those incentives. Then, Glavine would be a bargain, no?
Wren is an unfledged little bird.
LikeLike
Spanish Inquisition. 😆
Now, now Klobber… you know that’s gonna get Raisins dander up!
LikeLike
Some thought it was dead, but the blog is alive! 😛
Chris, you almost think the Mets had won the division the last 2 years, wouldn’t you??
What have they done to improve themselves??? Not lose Oliver Perez??? (Hindsight being 20/20 if the Braves brass knew they could get him for 3 years 36 mil, we should have signed him instead of the guy from Japan, would have really hurt the Mets-I know the guy from Japan was cheaper-how is this for a way too long, run on sentence in parenthesis? )
They have a 2nd baseman with bad knees, a 1st baseman who starts off slow, and looked done early last year, a likely platoon in left, Ryan Church in right…the light hitting Brian Schneider behind the plate. Does that seem like a scary team to you???
Plus, a brand new park, and the Yankees spending like crazy, and they don’t want Dunn or Abreu??? Not really complaining mind you, just very strange.
LikeLike
I thought I had a long post, then I see what SG wrote…sigh….for him, words flow out like, like…something, something…for me, not the same.
LikeLike
ARod is a cheater?
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090207&content_id=3806844&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
LikeLike
Jukebox has been too quiet. Some fave oldie goldies:
Unfledged.
Anuther perty song.
A song for everbudy in Stuffville.
Last quarter.
LikeLike
Don’t get ruffled if somebody puts one high and inside after you stand over the plate
That may be the quote of the day…
LikeLike
Yes, methinks (where have we heard that before) that Wren should have offered the incentives. To me it’s a win/win situation…
I think Chipper should see the handwriting on the wall. And he had better hope for a turn-around in the economy.
AJ may want a major league deal but I have a sneaky suspicion a minor league deal from the Braves will be his best offer. The ball would certainly be in his court.
And what about the Padres cutting ties with their former number one pick, Matt Bush? Man, you are just not suppose to get it that wrong when you have the first pick in the entire draft. Unfortunately Bush is another head case. A shame really.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/06/1s6bush03277-padres-cut-ties-matt-bush/?padres
LikeLike
Look, I just want people to stop fighting.
LikeLike
I have no problem with a civil discussion of politics, baseball, cars, music, food, whatever. Just please remember the civil part. Don’t pick fights with people & don’t rant. SG, I’m sure you think you don’t do that but it often comes across that way. I truly hope it is not intentional because I consider you a friend & respect you greatly.
LikeLike
Gil, I agree with your comment about Glavine. I really feel like he’s getting the John Smoltz treatment here. Yes, they made him an offer but frankly, I think it’s insulting.
That’s a shame about Bush too. He may become only the second #1 overall draft choice to never reach the major leagues. Anyone want to take a guess at who the other one was?
LikeLike
I hate reading about idiots like Matt Bush that just absolutely waste their God given talents, and for what??? So he can get drunk instead??? Hope NO ONE signs him this year, but you know someone will…
LikeLike
Does this mean nobody wants to guess?
LikeLike
OK… I’ll guess.
Al Batross?
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
Don’t pick fights with people & don’t rant. SG, I’m sure you think you don’t do that but it often comes across that way.
FBG, fights? Really? Where? Again… no specifics. Please show me the error of my ways. We’re family here. I can take it. If you tell me that I’m a long-winded, guy that thinks someone may actually give a damn about his opinions or be entertained by his overindulgent, sermon-like preachy vents, then I’d have to say that I couldn’t argue with you there. But pick fights? No way. Life is too short.
Methinks the fight (or fear of fights) may only be within yourself due to the way you’re reading my posts. Dear, let not your tender, innocent heart be troubled. You really shouldn’t personalize my eclectic subjects, my impassioned points of view, philosophical and political opines and such. Characterize them as “rants” if you like, but if you’ll look at them a bit differently than you apparently have, you’ll notice that they are not directed at anyone… especially not towards you.
My posts, unless I’m naming someone, are typically directed towards the blog world at large or anyone interested in hearing my thoughts about the crazy and wonderful world we live in. If they agree with me, great… we have found commonality. If they disagree, fine… we just have a difference of opinion. If they disagree with me in a civil manner and back up their opinion with facts and prove me wrong or show me another way of looking at the issue and convince me with their reasonable ideas, then they have just taught me something and by doing so, handed me a gold coin.
We can learn many things when we talk and listen… or on a blog, read. In addition to being teachers, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters… we are students of life. If we ever stop being students, we stop improving as human beings.
Perhaps I shouldn’t use this blog as a sounding board for my views outside of baseball or, uh, whatever else you said was on the acceptable list. I really wouldn’t post political, social, spiritual views if I thought that others here felt the same way that you do. Then again, if that were the case, I’m certain that I would not waste my time even visiting this blog. I’ve never been one to want to be where I’m not wanted.
It is possible that some overly sensitive or politically opposed types have left the blog due to my posts, but honestly, I could care less. It’s not that I’m not caring… it’s probably more that I don’t have time or inclination to worry about self centered folks that think the world revolves around themselves or cater to those that are only interested in subjects that they deem acceptable or tiptoe around so as not to offend or post shallow little niceties that everyone agrees with just to fill up space on the string.
There may be folks that have been offended by something I said even when they didn’t have a clue what I actually meant. That could only mean that I wasn’t clear (quite possible) or they just didn’t read or understand what was written. Then again, some folks may walk on eggshells as a way of life, jump out of their skin at a loud whisper or spontaneously combust if they see a letter from the IRS in their mailbox… but again, I don’t even consider those unfortunate personalities when I think, talk or write. I can’t relate to those dispositions, therefore I can’t write to them. Even so, I never “fight” or attack anyone or put anyone down unless they begin the process and persist. Even then, my weapon of choice is truth or (attempted) wit, not personal… ever. Not even when I suspect my conversation is with one that could never possibly relate to my world perspective or point of view.
So, forgive me if I’ve inadvertently offended you or someone else or seemed to be attacking. It certainly was not my intention and not at all my nature. If my occasional vents or “rants” offend, then perhaps it is the gap of information or the vastly opposing ideas or values that are causing them to “feel” the way they feel before they leave.
If I have caused someone to dislike me for my ideals or political views, then they can feel better knowing they are not alone. So be it. I can live with that.
So, cheer up FBG… this ain’t a dress rehearsal. This is life, this is a good blog and all is well with Stuffville. Some of us enjoy posting quick little tidbits, some like idle chitchat, some like cathartic pontifications and howling at the moon (one of my favorites). It’s all good and all perfect in its imperfection.
So, once again, with this way too long post that is so typical of my rambling self, you have either been enlightened, entertained, bored, aggravated or disgusted… but I promise you one thing… you have been told the truth which may seem unnecessary, unpleasant or not what you wanted to hear, but in my book, the truth told to clarify something to those we care about may take a while, but it is never, ever a waste of time.
Now, can we be silly again? I just used up all my serious words. Whoops… gotta feed the racoons. Little buggers eat like horses.
LikeLike
By the way, set’em up Klobber. I’m buyin’. Free cupcakes too.
Uh oh… Raisins is about to go full Monty…
LikeLike
No I’m not!
LikeLike
Hmmm…
LikeLike
No I’m not!
LikeLike
Better…
LikeLike
Butter.
Arguing just ain’t what it used to be.
Yes it is. No it’s not. I’m beside myself. No you’re not. Yes I am…
LikeLike
And it seems like I just got here…
LikeLike
Butter.
No, Parkay
LikeLike
I hear butter goes well on Swordfish
LikeLike
Bet this doesn’t work….
man this is way too hard to do, how the bleep you guys do this every time????
LikeLike
Hey, whatya know, it did work! Do you guys save the tags somewhere, or are you guys just blessed with photographic memories???? I had to spend several minutes going back and forth to type it all out in an email, then put the link I wanted in it, then copy it….
Thats a jazz clip I put up a few months ago….
LikeLike
Now, must get serious again…
Just ridin’ around Stuffville… killin’ time.
LikeLike
Good evening all, busy Saturday for me with dueling birthdays and a NASCAR race to boot.. Almost a sensory overload…. Fun though. 🙂
LikeLike
While reading an mlb.com article about Hudson I came across this little nugget….
During the early days of Spring Training, Hudson, Chipper Jones, who now stands as the club’s longest-tenured player, and Brian McCann plan to let some of the younger players know that some of the lackadaisical attitudes that have been displayed over the past few years won’t be tolerated.
For the past several years it has been reported by journalists and denizens alike that the workouts seemed to lack fire which has led to a poor start for the team. Hopefully this new attitude will encourage everyone to work harder this spring.
LikeLike
In spite of the overwhelming amount of interest in the trivia question I posed on Saturday, I think I will hold off on giving the correct answer until later Sunday. 🙂
LikeLike
Anyone want to take a guess at who the other one was?
Too easy… Ken Griffey.
LikeLike
Prize?
LikeLike
For all the No. 1s in the history of the draft, only two have failed to appear in the majors. Steve Chilcott, a high-school catcher from California picked by the Mets in 1966, was the first. Brien Taylor, a prep pitcher from North Carolina tabbed by the Yankees in ’91, was the other.
So, it was a trick question…
LikeLike
Yea… what Gil said.
Split prize?
LikeLike
A-Rod. What a chump. Another example of bad character eventually showing through. It touches everything. Maybe he enjoyed his 15 minutes with Madonna.
LikeLike
sigh….Will we battle the mutts for 2nd or the marlins for 3rd???
Braves Out On Will Ohman?
By Tim Dierkes [February 8 at 12:28am CST]
According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves are no longer pursuing lefty reliever Will Ohman. The Braves made an early offer to Ohman and left it on the table for much of the winter. There have been varying reports on the Phillies’ interest; it seems they’d like to sign him cheaply. The Mets also have Ohman on the radar, if he’s a bargain.
LikeLike
Just read that too, Bear. Not good. One step forward, two steps back. Maybe we’ll battle Florida for 4th.
Maybe that means a big bopper in LF? Or maybe that means Liberty wants to put up just enough to sell tickets and be pretenders for a few months? From what I hear, many Chick-fil-A sammiches are being sold, so we could see another chopping cow. McDonalds is doing pretty well too. Golden arches in LF?
LikeLike
Golden arches in LF?
IF we are doing this(and giving Glavine a chump change offer) to come up with enough for Abreu, ok….
But, if the Phillies or Mutts get him, he is going to hurt us this year, no doubt.
His arm will thank him for the Braves not signing him.
LikeLike
Will Adam Dunn head to the Nats?
LikeLike
If he does, that gives them way too many outfielders. Any we would want though??? Willy Mo Vaughn is a righty ! 😛
LikeLike
Wait, that ain’t his name, is it??? I know it’s Willy Mo, something….
Should I just blatantly rip off a guys classic handle on mlbtraderumors and make it mine???
.
Wait for it…..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Wren_and_Stimpy 😯 😀 😛
I love it!!!
LikeLike
Come on Mr. Raisins, give us you positive, uplifting spin!
Tell us that Boone Logan is this years Ohman!
Tell us how dopes like me didn’t think much of Ohman before the season started!
Tell us his career.304 BAA and 5.87 ERA are not issues at all!
Well, tell us the first two things at least…. 😕
LikeLike
Classic Ber….
LikeLike
Willy Mo Pena….and I didn’t even have to look it up! Of course I combined his name with another former Red Sox player the first time, but still….
LikeLike
Sounds to me like the Braves are trying to free up payroll for the outfield. Maybe they think Frency will win his arbitration… Hey, it could happen…
And Oh Man, That has to be a blow…. I suspect he will land with a contender. He did not hurt his chances last year.
How much longer does Liberty have to hold on to the Braves before they sell? Anybody???
And is it ever beautiful this morning, thank God for the Climate Change…
LikeLike
Willy Mo is a beast… HUGE strike zone. He was hurt much of last year
LikeLike
I wondered why some team didn’t just stick him at first(Or DH) and just see what he could do over a full season. Used to be teams stuck really lousy guys in left for several years for no good reason. There definatey is more overall talent in the game know, than say the 70’s, IMHO. Better steroids as well. 😕
But hey, under TP’s tutelage (B&S frst?) he will be well on his way to his post baseball career.
LikeLike
And Gil, it’s really nice here as well! Our optimistic thermometer says it’s 62!!!
LikeLike
Gil, I’ve wondered that same thing about how long Liberty needs to sell or how long they are required to hold the team, whatever. I’m too lazy to look it up. Quicker and easier to just gripe. 😀
This is not exactly the economy to be selling a ball club. Maybe the future of baseball in the near term (2-10 years) is that 6-8 large market clubs will dominate and the rest will provide a decent level of competition so that fans can be entertained. Once in a while, during the recession/depression, a team with the best scouting and player development will sneak in. Otherwise, it’s 22-24 teams being used as cannon fodder.
But, Hope is in the air… Change is coming. Surely a Braves stimulus package is in the works.
LikeLike
Rangers strongly considering Andruw
Slugger worked out with Texas hitting coach Jaramillo recently
Slugger???
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090207&content_id=3807756&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp&partnerId=rss_mlb
LikeLike
Wiffer??? 😛
Well, if there was a team to go to, that would be the team, you just hit in that uniform. Might have something to do with having a good hitting coach.
Sounds like most teams, far too many guys out there. That Brandon Boggs looked legit last year when he was on a tear(But then again, what hitter doesn’t when he’s hitting?)
They have 3 young, talented catchers that seem to all be ML ready, Hank Blalock at 1st, Milton Bradley is not a DH anymore. They need to made some trades. Again, any outfielder that makes sense to us???? I guess we could make room for Josh Hamilton, if he doesn’t mind platooning with a kid in CF ….
LikeLike
just seeing if anyone was paying attention….
LikeLike
I wish Andruw well, where ever he ends up. He may have frustrated the fan base his last year and a half with the Braves but his defensive prowess in the outfield likely lowered the ERA of quite a few pitchers for Atlanta.
I guess that is the frustrating thing about him now, you know he has the potential to be so much more.
LikeLike
And Willy Mo Vaughn… Stevie Ray’s illegitimate brother.. right?
LikeLike
And CL… glad to see you are still among the living.. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Gil. Trying hard. I absolutely do not see how or why people want to go around drugged all the time. It sure messes you up! But!! As long as it keeps the pain somewhat at bay, it will continue to be close at hand! Reading makes me dizzy….
LikeLike
And Willy Mo Vaughn… Stevie Ray’s illegitimate brother.. right?
😀
LikeLike
CL, first you get dizzy, then, next thing you know, the Democrats will start to making sense to you!!!! 😛 😛 😛
I’ll find the keys to the doghouse, might as well just give me my own copy.
LikeLike
Looks like we won’t have Andruw to kick around any more, he signed a minor league deal with the Rangers. Hope he enjoys the work outs, might even help him…
LikeLike
Come on Mr. Raisins, give us your positive, uplifting spin!
Well, since you asked for it, I will…
Prior to last season, who would have been clamoring for Wil Ohman? His numbers were not all that impressive, especially at home in Wrigley. Granted, that’s a hitter friendly park, but most are nowadays. Secondly, he faded down the stretch due to his heavy workload, which brings me to my next point. The need for a bullpen horse is lessened this year due to the front office concentration on “innings eating” pitchers.
So who are Boone Logan and Eric O’Flaherty? They will take the baton and hopefully run with it. They are Wil Ohman of 2007. Don’t forget Jeff Ridgway, who is another viable candidate.
I know, you all are thinking I’m crazy to equate these relative unknowns to Wil Ohman, but I never heard of Ohman prior to his trade to Atlanta… so there ya go.
It’d be nice to sign everybody, but I think it is just like the Glavine situation. What does Atlanta need more, another bullpen arm or a left fielder? If the remaining salary allotment is fully concentrated on solving that offensive need, we shouldn’t complain. If not, I’ll lead the revolt…
LikeLike
How can one be so positive and uplifting when, in essence, they are a dried up old grape? 😆
Actually, I’m with you there. Seems if all things go as advertised with the “inning eating starter” strategy, then Ohman becomes less critical than he was. Still, I hate to see him go to one of or division rivals. Not sure I’m as optimistic as you are with replacing one formerly unknown for two formerly unknowns tho. Well, there’s two instead of one so I s’poze the odds are better. So, we’ll see if Daniel Boone and Eric the Red get the job done as well as Ohman did… hopefully without getting overused in the process.
I’m still hoping the work something out with Tommy. I have a good feeling about what he could provide to the club and on the mound eating his fair share of innings as well.
LikeLike
Stumbled over something FBG might like. Sorta. Maybe… dunno.
Ain’t figger… kinda cool tho.
LikeLike
To quote William Bendix, “What a revolting development this turn out to be.”
It was such a pretty afternoon, I decided to take the 4-wheeler for a spin. On the surface that is not much of a stretch but when you ride about a mile from home and run out of gas…. well, you get the picture. It was a nice day for a walk too I guess…
Only thing I can think of is someone is using a long green credit card at my expense….
Yes, having to pay Hudson this year out a hurting on the Braves as far as payroll flexibility it would seem. Okay, here’s the deal. Sign Orlando Hudson, move Kelly Johnson to left. Win/win…
Or.. Trade for Nady/Swisher, play him in left field
Or.. Play Diory Hernandez at second, move Kelly Johnson to left field, offer Tom Glavine some incentives to go with that low ball offer…
LikeLike
Today was amazing. 75 degrees, sunny. Last of the ice melted today from the sprinkler I left on at night during the cold blast. Does a body good to be out in that. Heard it was nice in the big city too. Looks like a thaw out week coming up.
The gnats were out in full force… acting like they weren’t phased by the cold.
LikeLike
Or… give Lil Bridge another try, stick him at second and play KJ in LF.
Did Brent show signs of life when he got sent down? Man, I had high hopes for that kid. Like another Biggio in the making. Good hands, quick, can steal some bases, seemed to swing well but just wasn’t ready for prime time. Maybe he’s got enough playing time under his belt and could be ready. Ya jus neva kno.
Could’a just needed some maturing. Maybe now he looks 18 instead of 14.
LikeLike
Going to be tough playing Lillibridge, he was traded to the White Sox in the deal for Valquez
LikeLike
I hope he makes it though, I never did figure out what happened to him between 2007 and 2008. Terry Pendleton maybe…
LikeLike
Oh gee whizzers, that’s right… what am I thinking. I hope he excels there… I’m betting he does.
I usually keep up a little better than that. Hey, maybe we could just use Blauser at second.
LikeLike
Funny thing, I have yet to hear of a single player giving Terry credit for improving their hitting. Has anyone else?
LikeLike
I always liked TP a lot and loved what he brought to the Braves on the field… between the lines and in the club. As a player… not as a coach.
LikeLike
An observation.. Katie Couric gives dumb blondes a bad rap.. Geezz, she is dumber than a box of rocks…
LikeLike
Yes SG, a great player, as a hitting coach, not so great…
LikeLike
I’m surprised Katie didn’t ask Sully about the Airline Doctrine just to trip him up. Sully interview was interesting. The man is a machine. A flying android. We know, because we’ve been told that he’s a great, rock steady pilot. The kind of guy you want manning the controls in a tough situation. Must say though, I’m disappointed that he didn’t give at least some credit where credit was due. I don’t judge him… maybe he’s a very spiritual man and keeps it hidden. Still…
Man o man… Bono and U2 still rock the house after all these rockin’ years they’ve had. Coliseum rock at it’s best.
LikeLike
May DVR the grammys so I can fast forward through Justine Timberlake and some gangsta rappas, assorted riffraff and such.
Al Green… now, that man has sung some classics.
LikeLike
I stopped watching awards shows, I have discovered that I am pretty far outside today’s mainstream. I still like music to sound as such.
Dropped in next door to catch up on the Braves happenings, same old same old…
We have a weak cold front moving into the area tonight, only 60s tomorrow but then warming up Tuesday and Wednesday. YES!!!! I hate cold weather…
LikeLike
Ha! You guys noticed she isn’t the sharpest tack in the tackle box, is she??? She probably had someone else write the tough questions she had for Palin. My Dad kept insulting her on the TV, I finally had to say, just watch the show, we are missing what Sully was saying! 😛
LikeLike
That first sentence of that last post…that’s a keeper! 🙄
LikeLike
Katie Couric’s best attribute is the fact that she’s attractive. She’s awful as a journalist.
LikeLike
I gave up watching awards shows. I do, however, enjoy playing playing fashion police & checking out what everyone wore on the red carpet. Just looked at some Grammy pics… 😯 . You’d think people with that much money could find decent-looking clothes. Some of ’em would have been better off wrapping themselves in the red carpet.
LikeLike
I wonder how you get to be a “Hollywood stylist”? They get paid obscene salaries & I could do a whole lot better job than it appears most of them are capable of. Unless of course the object is to make your clients look ugly and/or like freaks.
LikeLike
Lew is a stubborn SOB, of that I am certain.
But from three years of reading damn near all y’all’s (correct use?) posts, I can say, with little doubt, that he isn’t any more set in his ways, CL, SG, Berigan, than you folks are in yours.
I have my own beliefs. I also know that I will be wrong; On occasion, many times, most of the time? I wish there was more of that.
VOR, I absolutely agree, “those that failed should’ve been allowed to fail.” That is capitalism. That is free-market.
And, it seems to me, that both the right and the left, in our government, are for this bailout, and for those that came before.
CL, SG, Berigan, Lew, please forgive my feelings. Lew, don’t stay away this time.
LikeLike
For the record, I’m a thirty-one year old child drinking a 40 ounce Budweiser. It is highly unlikely that anything I say is relevant.
LikeLike
Good morning all, Yes FBG, It’s the outrageous who get their pictures posted. Their motto, The only bad publicity is no publicity…
My feeling about Hollywood in particular and actors in general is so far from being politically correct that I would likely be banned in blogs in 49 states….
BAS… Where you been hiding bro? How much ink has the local press been dispensing over the possibility of Manny bringing his circus to your town?
Last word on Katie… I liked her on the Today Show, she was perfect for the fluff pieces they do. Hard for me to take her seriously as a news anchor. Bob Schieffer is much more believable. Then again, CBS has just not been a serious news organization since Uncle Walter left.
LikeLike
For the record, I’m a thirty-one year old child drinking a 40 ounce Budweiser. It is highly unlikely that anything I say is relevant.
Steve…you really need to broaden your tastes! 😛
Then again, CBS has just not been a serious news organization since Uncle Walter left. 😯
Gil…where’s the love for our man, Dan? 😕
Do we not remember this golden moment?
LikeLike
Katie Couric? Who’s that? Is she a somebody? Sounds very irrelevant to me…
LikeLike
Why V, how can you say that??? She’s paid millions of dollars a year for CBS to come in last place. Just like it did before she got there. I REALLY need a gig like that.
LikeLike
Why V, how can you say that??? She’s paid millions of dollars a year for CBS to come in last place.
There are lot of folks paid alot of money who are completely irrelevant. I won’t even begin to list any because they aren’t worth my time – Ms. Couric included.
LikeLike
Yep, paid $15 million a year and can’t even pitch…. Well, not pitch a baseball…
LikeLike
…at least not until June. 😀
LikeLike
(Can you believe I actually took a swipe at Johnny Sox?) 😯
LikeLike
CL, SG, Berigan, Lew, please forgive my feelings.
Bay Area Steve, feelings don’t need forgiving and neither do you. Well, except for the feeling that you get from drinking the Budweiser part. There are many good beers in San Francisco. Try to broaden your horizons, young man.
Yes, many are set in their ways and, depending on whether our ‘ways’ have a positive or negative influence in our lives and the lives of those we touch, they are good or bad. Being set in your ways means one has discovered ways that work or are too damn stubborn or rebellious to care. Anyway, set in our ways tends to happen, oh, say around 31 for some.
When life experience, hypothesis, influence, experimentation and research all merge or collide with our education and our unique upbringing, it all comes together to provide us either an underpinning or a contradiction to our core beliefs and values.
Now, little grasshopper… before that alignment happens sometime during this, the 31st year of your life, you best switch from Budweiser. It ain’t right.
LikeLike
Now, before I return to my set ways of working too much lately, sigh… I’ll pass along an email that provided a chuckle or two on this fine morning.
A little spice and once a pun a thyme:
The roundest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.
I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
She was only a whisky maker, but he loved her still.
A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.
The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.
No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery.
A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, ‘You stay here, I’ll go on a-head.’
A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: ‘Keep off the Grass.’
A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, ‘No change yet.’
The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium, at large.
The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
Don’t join dangerous cults, practice safe sects!
LikeLike
SG, those are pretty good! 🙂
LikeLike
😆
LikeLike
So… do ya think Glav will sign for $2MM + small incentives? ( I read somewhere that there are actually some small appearance based incentives that can max out the value at $3MM) I think he will.
LikeLike
Also, with ST only a few days away, will the remaining FA’s begin a signing spree this week? I think that’s a real possibility too.
LikeLike
Raisins, it’s hard to predict of Glavine will sign. He might look at what Smoltz got, and being the good union man that he is, he may think that the Braves’ offer is very underwhelming. Then again, he may decide that the extra money, which he doesn’t really need, isn’t worth leaving his family.
I read somewhere that the player’s union is considering having a spring training camp for all the guys that haven’t found jobs yet. That’s probably a pretty good idea. If a team signs a player at the end of spring it would be helpful if they weren’t a month behind everyone else.
LikeLike
Was looking for something else, but came across this clip of a guy aping the swings of cubs hitters past and present. The old ones really cracked me up, it was just like watching a cubs game circa 1989!
LikeLike
V, I don’t know…like Chris said, it’s what, about 30% of Smoltz’s offer with incentives??? I don’t get that. Offer him just a couple of million but with the provision that if he pitches X number of starts or 150 + innings, he gets a few more million….Just has that take it or leave it ring.
LikeLike
Now, little grasshopper… before that alignment happens sometime during this, the 31st year of your life, you best switch from Budweiser. It ain’t right.
Uh…he’s in his 32nd year. I know, I know…semantics! In fact, likely antics I’ve used before! 🙄
LikeLike
Just has that take it or leave it ring.
I have no problem with that. The union and the player agents have no problem taking that tactic with clubs, I have no problem with clubs taking the same stand. I prefer to do business on an up front basis with no game-playing.
LikeLike
Did I ever tell you all I have a chunk of Ernie Johnson’s “last” game??? Yep, recorded it when it really seemed he would do any more games. Mainly the post game awards and stuff.
Anyway, someday I’ll put it up on youtube….It’ll take forever though. Upload speeds suck, and you can’t have clips more than 10 minutes, otherwise I’d just start it when I went to bed, and wake up with it all up there.
Here is a very brief CNN sports hightligh clip I found on a VHS tape of a Cubs-Giants game from 1989 with at least 2 one time Braves in it…can you name both of them???
LikeLike
When it seemed he wouldn’t do any more games…
LikeLike
Of course Bedrock..
I did not remember that Jerome Walton spent a little time in ’96 with the Bravos…
LikeLike
I guess he was here the entire ’96 season, appearing in just 37 games, but I can’t even remember it.
LikeLike
Now that the Rangers have a glut of outfielders, wonder if the Braves will call about any of them…
LikeLike
So… how many press will be packed into the Yanks Tampa ST site next week what with the new A-Rod revelations? Like they needed any more rings in that circus…
LikeLike
V, I didn’t remember that either! I just dug around to see what year this clip was from, and figured it had to be 1989 because of the players, and saw he played for us in 1996.
LikeLike
Great, GREAT, article from the esteemed Peter Gammons. It is a must read:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3892618&name=gammons_peter
LikeLike
The Marlins are taking a wait-and-see approach with manager Fredi Gonzalez, who hasn’t been offered an extension as he enters the last year of a three-year contract. ”I don’t even worry about it,” said Gonzalez, who was 71-91 in 2007 and 84-77 last year.
”With what Fredi has done with that roster — I mean, winning 84 games last year and they played only 161 — that he wouldn’t get an extension is mind-boggling to me,” said Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, a Marlins fan and friend of Gonzalez. “It was one of the best managerial jobs done in baseball last year, if not the best.”
Gonzalez, named Sporting News NL Manager of the Year in ’08, lives in Atlanta during the offseason, and the Braves (his former employer) could have interest when Bobby Cox retires. In recent years, the Marlins gave long-term contracts to key executives but only one player ( Hanley Ramirez). ”Whenever [ Jeffrey Loria] decides he wants to address it, he’ll address it,” Marlins president David Samson said. “We’re obviously happy Fredi has been here.” — Miami Herald
Now isn’t THAT interesting?
LikeLike
Hello? Is there anybody in there?
LikeLike
The burning shell of an unfinished, 44-story luxury hotel lit the night sky over downtown Beijing on Monday after being showered with sparks from fireworks set off during China’s biggest holiday.
http://www.ajc.com/hp/content/shared-gen/ap/Asia/AS_China_Hotel_Fire.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Oops!
Check out the video:
http://www.ajc.com/video/content/video/?bcpid=1659825399&bclid=1717763749&bctid=10514100001
LikeLike
WOW!!! A-Rod admits to using PEDS from 2001-2003!!!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3894847
LikeLike
Barney Frank: TARP’s comp curbs could be extended to all businesses
http://www.financialweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090203/REG/902039977/1003/TOC&template=printart
Who didn’t see this coming?
LikeLike
More on BFrank: “He said the compensation restrictions would apply to all financial institutions and might be extended to include all U.S. companies.”
The slippery slope I spoke of. It’s real, folks.
LikeLike
Left or right, Dem or Rep, how can anyone be comfortable with this?
LikeLike
I would say what Barney Frank could do with his suggestions but he would only enjoy it…
LikeLike
…and might be extended to include all U.S. companies.
Well, hell…just burn the Constitution while he’s at it, then! He’s talking pure blather…still, if America wants to sit idly by and let a legislator spew ‘and idiocy’ and not be challenged from the grassroots on up, then WYSIWYG! The crumbling of an empire starts with the removal of but a single brick!
LikeLike
Problem is, he is trying to do the same thing to CEOs. Look for more companies to exit the US and head to friendlier shores.
I care not how much another man earns, I do care when it is due to a created monopoly.
LikeLike
A-Rod: the guy doesn’t get much public sympathy, ’cause he simply lacks the personality to engage people. That said, it is patently unfair that his name…his alone, was leaked. If I’m A-Rod and Boras, there’s a massive lawsuit coming down the pike. If something is to be confidential, then it should be. If it’s not, then name everyone.
That said, no one should be surprised and, by and large, no one should care. Steroids is a part of the era…selectively singling out players to throw under the bus is wrong. On the whole, we all ‘dug the longball’, and didn’t care one whit why they came in droves. Now, the rules have changed and real skill may come back into play.
I guess I’m ‘and idiot’, but MLB’s acquiescence of steroids was the standard and we the fans signed on with our fannies in the seats. It’s done…let’s move on.
LikeLike
Just dropped in for a quick minute. What is this world coming to? Well, we actually know full well what it is and we’ve seen it coming for quite a while.
Gil is correct about Barney Frank… and the fact that he would enjoy said rolled up and aptly placed suggestion. When he was running his little gay brothel out of his home and fixing parking tickets for friends he was relatively harmless. That is not the case with his newfound power. Incredible… he has more power now than ever when he should be sitting in jail for what he’s done with Freddie Mae.
Salty is also right on about singling out players in the roid scandal. I thought the same thing about everyone in the Congressional witch hunt/lynching. Otherwise, in addition to ‘Needle’ Clemens, Barroid and A-Roid, half of MLB would be tried and convicted. I’ve never cared for A-Rod, but this is ridiculous. It’s also being reported that the Players Union would tip off certain players (like A-Rod) prior to testing. How screwed up is that???
Henry Waxman is not happy unless he’s acting like the fascist that he is and lording over everyone in his kangaroo court. There are no winners in the MLB with all of this and there are only an elite few winners with the new regime in Washington.
If this idiocy and corruption keeps up with Congress and the government continues on their disastrous course of taking our freedom and our money, there will be flags flying upside down and there will be a revolution.
So, that’s America and baseball. What next… apple pie banished?
LikeLike
Wonder if I can blog from Costa Rica? Virgin Islands? Turks and Caicos? Swiss Alps? Bora Bora? Samoa? Chile is good!!! Hmmm… many choices.
LikeLike
MLB’s acquiescence of steroids was the standard and we the fans signed on with our fannies in the seats
Not me! I stayed at home and watched on TV. I really enjoyed the ol’ 6-4-3 twin kill!
😀
LikeLike
So, that’s America and baseball. What next… apple pie banished?
Well, need we talk about Chevrolet?
And I refuse to give my hot dogs! All beef ones. Well, not the ones with 18g of fat per dog, but the lite ones. And not the turkey ones either. Bleh! 😡 Those taste awful. But the lite beef… those are pretty good. Especially cooked on the grill. Saute up a few onions and peppers… man that’s good eatin’. What were we talkin’ about?
LikeLike
Chile dogs are good, too.
😀
LikeLike
Chile? Like chili, only…different? 😛
Not me! I stayed at home and watched on TV. I really enjoyed the ol’ 6-4-3 twin kill!
Uh…me, too…actually…for the most part…as in…I think I’ve been to four or five in over ten years. But…I digress…I meant collective America. Collective America? 😯 Freudian slip? Creeping socialism? Oh, dear! 😳
Wonder if I can blog from Costa Rica? Virgin Islands? Turks and Caicos?
Internet, baby…internet…and blog away! 😆 Oh…don’t forget Panama…seriously. If you haven’t looked into it…do so…very, very favorable, dollar-based (ok,maybe not so favorable…TBD). Gil…you like warm…Panama got warm! 😆
LikeLike
Creeping socialism?
I find most of the new aristocracy – Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Waxman, etc. – to be pretty creepy.
LikeLike
Now baseball:
Interesting tidbit on Ty Wigginton. Apparently all was not what it appeared. He is having to be further examined by Baltimore’s doctors… hmmm…
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/2009/02/orioles_lets_get_physical.html
LikeLike
Anyone watching Glenn Beck??? Lousy time to have a show, 5 pm, but very interesting. Talking about the census control going from the Commerce Department, to the White house and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel….all the stuff folks worried about Bush, seems to be a reality with Obama’s gang.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/02/09/gop-sounds-alarm-obama-decision-census-white-house/
LikeLike
And that wasn’t even the reason I was going to mention the show.
If/when you get the chance, please read the transcript of the
his morning show, with guest Thomas Woods, the author of Meltdown. He talks a bit about the depression of 1920, that no one ever talks about. And what was done at the time, to combat it….
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/196/21242/
LikeLike
Don’t think I haven’t thought about it… Only problem is I cannot understand Spanish… Perhaps some English speaking island. I do love the Caribbean. Only 18 more days until I push south… Okay, drive south.. same ..but different…
LikeLike
Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Waxman.. As infamous gang of four as the world has ever seen…
LikeLike
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
LikeLike
The President will take over the air waves tonight at 8PM to pimp the stimulus, fortunately, I’m an old guy and can find quality alternative programing by watching Antique Roadshow. Hurrah for PBS,, 🙂 Is that irony or what?
LikeLike
They speak lots of English in Panama. Then again, lots of English is spoken all over the world…although on a percentage basis, less year over year in Los Estados Unidos!
LikeLike
From DO’B’s blog: By the way, this will be the last blog on this outdated format we’ve used for a few years. We’re going high-tech, moving to WordPress for our next edition blog later this week.
😯
Uh…anyone want to tell ’em about the WordPress gremlins, or…Nah….let ’em experience it for themselves! 😆
LikeLike
When someone tries so hard to sell me something that it seems like a desperate campaign, I walk away. When someone tells me that I have to make a quick decision and “buy now” or it’ll be too late to save (insert something here) or that the cost will go way up later if I don’t “accept now” or if I’m handed some other old huckster/ponzi line, I walk away.
When that snake oil is being hawked by politicians, especially today’s crooked bunch of liars, cheats and thieves, I run.
LikeLike
So…The AJC is getting “high tech” by coming to WordPress…. Amazing, we are ahead of our time….
Hey CL… Interested in a consulting job? They AJC will need one soon.
LikeLike
Does this mean our avatars will transfer? 🙂
I’m thinking of making a change, the turtle loses something in the translation…
LikeLike
A turtle??? Sure looks like a boobie to me! I know, dirty mind…
Perhaps there is a wordpress you pay for???
There were several things I was going to comment on here, but got distracted somehow, so just consider them commented on in the usual brilliance that I always bring to the table. 😀
LikeLike
WARNING: Political rant. Remember the scroll button. Is there a scroll button?
If half of this piece of socialist trash being erroneously and dubiously marketed as the ‘Stimulus Package’ goes through as the dynamic duo of Pelosi and Reid have crafted it, “Stimulus” will be for Obama what ‘WMD’ came to mean for Bush. Those that doubt it now will see. His only salvation is the media. They cannot let him fail after all they’ve invested in him.
Someone needs to let him know that 54% is not a landslide or a mandate. This will get ugly.
Obama says “he won’t employ the same failed policies of the last eight years”. That’s good. Bush spent like a drunken sailor. Trouble is, Obama means to far outspend Bush. That’s bad.
On that note, I’ve never heard a President trash the prior President like we see every single day with the anointed one. I believe Bush was a failed Presidency but there is no reason to do that and no international good can come from it.
Obama does not have a single clue about our economy and he has no clue about the war on terror. He is a one issue politician. That issue is building the government as large as possible, making the middle class become lower class so that they will need the government and, by doing so, insure a socialist country that will take generations to undo.
As I sit and watch our new President give his first ‘address’ and Q&A from the White House, I’m once again amazed how he can spin such a long, winding way around questions and give no substantive answer. Just manipulative, parsing, condescending, smokescreen politics and propaganda at it’s worst.
Words… just words. No meaning, just words to the ignorant, slobbering, malleable masses.
If you don’t like what you are seeing in America and want to do something…
then do something. Call, write.
If you do like what is happening and you want to congratulate your local House and Senate reps for their work in saving the earth… go here.
LikeLike
A turtle??? Sure looks like a boobie to me! I know, dirty mind…
Funny… I thought the same thing Bear. That is, uh, boobie, not dirty mind. 😆
LikeLike
Sure looks like a boobie to me!
Not that there’s anything wrong with that!
LikeLike
Chris! tsk, tsk
Politics alert, eh, SG? I like it. Kinda like putting “Spoiler Alert” on a post on my skating board for people who see the broadcast taped & don’t want to know the results before they watch it.
Now a little reminder for you gentlemen – Valentine’s Day is Saturday. If you have not yet bought the gift/flowers/chocolate/card, it’s time to get with the program. This public service announcement is brought to you on behalf of the queens of your respective hearts (because I don’t want any of y’all to have to sleep on the couch).
LikeLike
FBG, I can’t help myself here and I will apologize in advance. But shouldn’t the message really be f you have not yet bought the baked good from Sugar Plums Bakery
gift/flowers/chocolate/card, it’s time to get with the program. Marketing, baby, marketing. Never underestimate the power of it.LikeLike
Already have 2 orders for that day, though one is actually a birthday cake.
LikeLike
Heart-shaped iced & decorated sugar cookies. Aaannd… a Lemon Buttercream Strawberry-filled Torte. It is incredibly good if I do say so myself.
LikeLike
That’s right FBG. Sell it!
LikeLike
SG, I have to agree this:
“When life experience, hypothesis, influence, experimentation and research all merge or collide with our education and our unique upbringing, it all comes together to provide us either an underpinning or a contradiction to our core beliefs and values.”
I would say that no one can disagree with this. I think that if you were me, you would believe as I do, and that if I were you, I would believe as you do. Anything less is apathy, and perhaps the only thing worse than being wrong is to not care.
My only purpose in posting was to say that I didn’t need to “get used to the idea that Lew’s opinion is the only one that is right and the only one that matters.” I am used to that idea, and I believe the same concept applies to many of you here, at least as it relates to politics.
However, I’m a thirty-one year old child drinking the cheapest whiskey available, so I would encourage substantial use of the scroll-wheel.
LikeLike
BAS! Hi!
LikeLike
I apologize, Miss Velvet; please insert a belated “Politics Alert” before my last.
LikeLike
Have a cookie (or whatever baked good goes with whiskey?).
LikeLike
No apology necessary, Steve. I would call that a philisophical post rather than a political one.
LikeLike
Hiya FBG, and I’m fairly certain I can make a cookie go with anything.
LikeLike
All baked goods go with whiskey!
BAS, what’s up?
LikeLike
philOsophical
LikeLike
I’ll take your word for it. Is it like pairing food with wine?
LikeLike
However, I cannot make philosophy go with whiskey….too much acid, I think. Perhaps a seasoned saloon-keeper like Chris Klobagladyou’rebackski could concoct a mixed drink of some type.
LikeLike
People think that whiskey and philosophy go together. To an extent they do. However, too much of either isn’t any good for the other.
And BAS, I don’t recommend acid and alcohol. Not a good combination. Seriously. Of course, it did wonders for the musical careers of groups like the Stones, The Who, and many others.
LikeLike
Hey, CK. My selfish behind is glad to see that things have calmed down enough for you that you can post again.
LikeLike
BAS, thank you for the kind words. My selfish behind is glad for that too. Things ain’t great, but they’re better. Almost better to write a blog lead, but not quite. Hey, you should try it one time. CL would really appreciate it.
LikeLike
How about dark chocolate truffles? They might go better with a drink than something more sugary-sweet.
LikeLike
I’ll bet dark chocolate would match up well with a long-aged bourbon. Probably wouldn’t match up well with any of that Canadian crap though. 🙂
LikeLike
Miss Velvet is a tease. A big, gigantic tease.
You should have one of those dollar bill thingies. (Impressive vocabulary, huh?)
No less that two of our fellow B&Sians has offered transportation for your unbelievable baked goods…and, yet….
LikeLike
He who mocks the Canadian Crap shall be denied entry to……something.
LikeLike
Denied entry to Canada?
And you are completely correct in saying that the offer has been on the table for a loooong time to help certain bakers establish distribute baked goods throughout the southeast to no avail.
LikeLike
It’s been a year, and I still secretly wish that Berigan and Gil have back pain, and wake up in the night so that they will entertain me.
Damn, I’m an asshole.
(And, I’m also hoping that CL’s Percoset wears off, even though I KNOW that’s me being an asshole, and that she’ll be upset with me)
LikeLike
Damn, either you have no life or you really are a SOB! 🙂
What’s going on in the City these days?
LikeLike
Uh oh, two a*** got through. Sorry, CL, I thought I’d get the censor. Who’s got the keys? And is drinking allowed in the doghouse? If so, you should make extra copies of the keys.
LikeLike
Not to worry BAS. There are usually more of us in the doghouse than not. Just try not to snore too loudly.
LikeLike
A whole lotta both, CK (64% SOB).
And I’m quite a ways south of SF (although I’ve noted the jokes, Berigan).
I can say, with much certainty, that there is not much going on in the city, at least when one has no life.
LikeLike
I’m only one girl, without even a real business set up & no way to package fresh-baked goodies for shipping. Dreaming big for me is hoping that one day I could have a little bakery/sweet shop in downtown Clayton. Even considered registering Sugarplums as a domain name but I’d have to pay for it & wouldn’t use it anytime soon.
LikeLike
BAS, what town do you live in?
FBG, you should be able to register Sugarplums at godaddy for less than $20/year. Better grab it before someone else does.
LikeLike
Miss Velvet, I must’ve offended you with the “tease” comment. Please know it was just my adolescent mind thinking it was funny. Come back and offer snack foods.
And skating: I do like the womens’ costumes. The men should be shot. I’m against cruel and unusual, but I’m ok in this area.
LikeLike
And it’s time for me to snooze. Gonna try making fondant roses tomorrow. If I master that, it will greatly expand my cake-decorating options. You boys try not to get into too much trouble.
LikeLike
Trouble? How much trouble can I get in? I’m hitting the sack too!
LikeLike
Your innocence is quite appealing, Miss Velvet.
We know it’s not rational, we just want the cookies.
Palo Alto, CK.
LikeLike
Really? That’s cheaper than what I looked at. I’ll think about it.
Steve, snarking on everyone’s costumes is one of my sister’s & my favorite aspects of watching skating. We deduct points for bad ones in our own scoring system.
OK, now I’m really going.
LikeLike
I have to make a comment about the Arod situation. I love baseball more than any other sport. Way more than any other sport. In fact, all the other sports can go away and I’d be fine with it.
That being said, I am absolutely disgusted with baseball for the steroid situation. I hold the player’s union and mlb at fault for allowing this to happen. Everyone was getting paid big bucks so everything was cool with whatever was making the dollars roll in. Didn’t matter if the sport that was formerly known as the most popular sort in America got crapped on along the way. That really sickens me. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Bud Selig and Don Fehr (along with Gene Orza, allegedly) should all be fired in the most disgraceful way possible. They allowed steroids to take over the game. They are an embarassment to the great game of baseball.
With respect to Arod, I was pleased to see him take ownership for his mistakes. Under the circumstances, that was the best course of action he could have taken. America is a forgiving country. Don’t lie to us and you shall be forgiven. Just ask Pete Rose, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens. Or ask Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi or any other player named in the Mitchell Report that came clean.
I’ll never accept what these guys did but I understand the reasons why they did it. Greed, power, and status are very powerful motivators and these men are but mere mortals. My heart really goes out to the guys that stayed clean and never got their chance because they had to compete against guys that were cheating. The dream of being a mlb player goes all the way back to childhood and to have that dream robbed by cheaters is unforgivable.
LikeLike
Okay, now that that’s off my chest I’m going to bed too.
LikeLike
My ears were burning, did someone mention my name???
LikeLike
No Gil, your ears really are burning! Josie told you those long ear hairs were a fire hazard! 😛
LikeLike
Geez, talk to my BFF for 2 hours, and miss out on all the fun! 😥
I didn’t get to rag on FLB for saying philisophical (Sharing whiskey with ol’ BAS? 😛 )
Didn’t get to say to Chris, I agree with most everything he said in the A-Rod post.
Well, I guess I did get to say it, just a bit late…..A-Roid, you just know someone besides me has thought that new nickname up….
LikeLike
Of course the truth be told, 90% of the players of the roid era were on something. Nobody cares that football players were roid freaks, part of the game I guess.
Anyone remember Lil’ Abner? For a movie that was now 40 years old, they were spot on with their satire.
LikeLike
All I recall about the movie was Julie Newmar! Hubba hubba, as the kids today say.
How come I have never heard about a hockey player or a Basketball player busted for using them??? Do they just not bother testing them???
LikeLike
FBG, I want you to check out a company called Southern Supreme. They started out making fruitcakes. Very small outfit that grew because they had a dynamite product. They sell lots of things now by mail order but honest to goodness the make absolutely the best fruitcake you have ever eaten.
http://www.southernsupreme.com/
They started out making fruitcakes for customers of her beauty salon at Christmas, her husband sold wood stoves at the local hardware store and got laid off. They built the business up to a 5000 square foot bakery and some of the most delightful products you ever ate. I buy the gift baskets for business associates every year and they are always a huge hit. You just have to have perseverance and a dream.
LikeLike
Ber, Basketball players have their own problems, always seems that cocaine is the drug of choice. I just don’t think that bulking up would be beneficial to enhance one’s basketball skills. After all, it is a “non-contact” sport wink wink..
Don’t know about hockey, again, I think it depends more on agility than strength. (bulk)
LikeLike
Yep. Julie Newmar as Stupefyin’ Jones…
LikeLike
For all you kids, this is what (whom) we are talking about…
http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/2907-GRATUITOUSLY-SEXY-PHOTO-OF-THE-WEEK-JULIE-NEWMAR-IN-LIL-ABNER.html
LikeLike
Pretty tame by today’s standards but some dish… HUBBA HUBBA… 🙂
LikeLike
Yep, two old friends I miss today, Pogo and Lil’ Abner… Scary part is they would still be relevant today.
LikeLike
I look to Pogo for philosophical enlightenment. It’s a much quicker read than SG’s tomes! 😛 Same thing…only different!
LikeLike
Gil was attacked by Cat Woman last night. Holy fishnet stockings, Batman!
LikeLike
Yes Salty… Pogo was a much quicker read (and wittier and more humorous, biting, sardonic, palatable and…). But then, he had drawings of his little characters to help tell his story, make his points or drop his jokes in. Then, if the story or joke was bad, he could just blame it on the character. 😆
Much like a Fly getting blamed for silly reports… only different.
Where is that silly little bugger anyway?
LikeLike
Read this one to see what your medical future holds!
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_mccaughey&sid=aLzfDxfbwhzs
LikeLike
CL, that’s depressing.
LikeLike
Holy fishnet stockings, Batman!
How do you know when fishnet stockings have a hole in them?
LikeLike
Now, baseball:
Why would the Cards release Adam Kennedy just like that? Crazy if you ask me. He’s no all-star, but he’s solid. Hey, the guy hit .280 last season. Are they gonna go after Orlando Hudson? They say they’re gonna fill it from within. I just don’t know.
I really expect alot of signing/trade activity this week. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the Braves active.
How about a poll of the fine Stuffians regarding Glav. Does he sign or not? I say he does.
Yes: 1
No: ?
LikeLike
yes. 2
LikeLike
By jove… I believe that was the shortest post I’ve ever made. 😆
LikeLike
Raisins, I find the Kennedy release odd too. They still owe him $4m. I heard that LaRussa didn’t want him on the team but I don’t know why not.
Still on the fence about Glavine.
LikeLike
Mom already on food stamps before having octuplets
Taxpayers are already footing part of the bill for a situation he (the LA fertility specialist) helped create. [Nadia] Suleman receives $490 a month in food stamps, and three of her first six children are disabled and receiving federal benefits. Moreover, Kaiser Permanente Hospital in suburban Bellflower has asked California’s health plan for the poor to cover the cost for the eight premature infants in its care, according to multiple sources familiar with the case.
Suleman’s publicist, Michael Furtney, confirmed the information about the food stamps and federal supplemental security income after two sources informed the Times of the benefits. Three sources told the Times that Kaiser has requested Medi-Cal reimbursement for care of the octuplets, which is estimated to run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Furtney declined to confirm the Medi-Cal coverage and referred the question to Kaiser, which also declined comment. excerpt from LA Times
She has a friggin’ publicist?!? Who the #=!! is paying for that?!? 😡
LikeLike
Interesting. Mets asked JoSan to withdraw from the WBC, and he did.
I hate it that Chipper and Mac are playing for the US. I think having this thing in March is ridiculous. Have it after October. It’s the World Baseball Championship, anyway. Have it somewhere that’s warm in November. Then you’ll find out who really wants to play for their country.
Chipper only has so many games in those legs. Mac, too, but for different reasons. I prefer they play ’em for the Braves.
LikeLike
Beautiful photo Ber found and sent to me of a wild animal in the Australian fires:
https://bravesandstuff.wordpress.com/our-own-candid-cameras/carolina-ladys-photos/
LikeLike
That’s a great picture!
LikeLike
I guess you might call this the silver lining of our current economy……
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/10/immigrants.economy/index.html
LikeLike
She has a friggin’ publicist?!? Who the #=!! is paying for that?!?
Who do you think is paying for it? I could see one other possibility though, and that is that it’s pro bono work. The publicist is going to get plenty of publicity hizzoneself. Gotta be good for business.
LikeLike
Nothing like a little blog domination on a Tuesday afternoon!
Couple of tidbits from mlbtraderumors.com that I found interesting:
Will Ohman’s agent Page Odle spoke of a “real good positive conversation” with the Phillies over the past week, but GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the dollars would have to be “extremely modest.” Odle said Ohman is open to a one-year deal with a contender. The Mets are the other main suitor, but they are also in bargain mode.
Also this, from a different entry:
According to the Chicago Tribune, the White Sox signed first baseman Ben Broussard to a minor league deal.
Broussard signed for $3.85MM with the Rangers in January of ’08, but was designated for assignment on May 8th. After that he played mostly at Triple A for the Cubs and Yankees. Can you believe that a year later Bobby Abreu could end up with a similar contract?
LikeLike
V, good question about why the WBC isn’t later!!! Could it be that they play later in the year down south???
LikeLike
Baseball Prospectus has the Braves winning 88 games in 2009 and tied for the NL Wild Card with Philly.
See here: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/index.php?sessionstatus=notloggedin
LikeLike
Happy Hour!
Raisins, after such a long season with so many games, to predict within 5 games between first and second place teams is pretty incredible. Not that they are correct, mind you… just incredible that they would try.
Five games can be won or lost by simple fluke or many one run losses due to an overused pen or having a tougher interleague schedule or an injury or a long spell of bad weather during a home stretch or the ball bouncing the wrong way a few times or any number of quirky, intangible things and odd occurrences that happen during competition on the field of play.
Lady Luck controls at least 10 games a year. Managers win or lose at least 10 games a year. I counted approximately 10 games last year that our esteemed manager pretty much lost, due to this move or that oddball decision.
So, if you’re buying any of that, wouldn’t it then be fair to deduce that, out of 162 games, as many as 25 games are not predictable (not that any are). That’s more than a 20% error rate.
Tied for second, or Wild Card with the Phillies? Logic or not, I’ll take it. I’d rather see the Mets melt down into third place, but again… on paper they have it.
Call me crazy, but that’s the way I see it. Wonder if some Sabermetric/odds expert has any compilations on that angle?
LikeLike
After months of full-time, painstaking calculation and analysis, based on aforementioned parameters, my 2009 season predictions are:
Phillies – 92 wins
Mutts – 89 wins
Braves – 86 wins
Whoops, forgot to override certain calculations and add in hopes, Lady Luck, Cox finding a Memory Loss medicine, Cox discovering Red Bull and a few other proprietary analytical tools, therefore:
Braves – 94 wins
Phillies – 93 wins
Mutts – 86 wins.
There. All better. 😆
LikeLike
Chris, I imagine the Porkulus package will bring many more “undocumented” workers back into the fold…
LikeLike
I see that the Angels might be interested in Abreu….What does that give them, 7-8 outfielders if they sign him??? Anyone besides Rivera we might have interest in???
LikeLike
ESPN – The Worldwide Leader in Selling Out:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/columnists/20090210_Gonzo___ESPN_dances_to_Selig_s_tune.html
DUH duh DUH… DUH duh DUH
LikeLike
V, that really sucks! 😡
LikeLike
Greetings y’all… Looks like Wall Street didn’t think much of the stimulus bill. Bright side, I now qualify for a reduction in my real estate taxes….
Things are still pretty busy around here. I am hoping the contractor will finish up in a couple of days. Nothing like being inside a house while people are hammering on it.
I am thinking about going back to school. Community College stuff. Something like small engine repair or real estate. Same but different. Not planning to use it to make money, just my natural curiosity to learn new things.
And why shouldn’t ESPN give in to Bud, NBC did it for Obama….
LikeLike
Aside from batting left handed, I still like Garret Anderson.
LikeLike
Gil, Anderson’s name hasn’t been mentioned much, but it should be. He’s as good an offensive player as Swisher or Abreu.
And I think your going to school is awesome.
LikeLike
(from email)
The Visit
My dad, Angelo, was in the hospital in Tacoma, Washington. A former Marine and veteran of the Korean War, he was having his third knee replacement surgery.
A long and very painful operation was going to be made even worse, because dad was going through it alone. There was no one to hold his hand, no familiar soft voices to reassure him. His wife was ill and unable to accompany him or even visit during his weeklong stay. My sisters and brother lived in California, and I lived even farther away in Indiana. There wasn’t even anyone to drive him to the hospital, so he had arrived that morning by cab.
The thought of my dad lying there alone was more than I could stand. But what could I do from here?
I picked up the phone and called information for the Puyallup, Washington Marine Corps recruiting station, where I joined the Marines ten years before. I thought if I could talk to a Marine and explain the situation, maybe one of them would visit my dad.
I called the number. A man answered the phone and in a very confident voice said, “United States Marines, Sergeant Vanes. May I help you?”
Feeling just as certain, I replied, “Sergeant Vanes, you may find this request a little strange, but this is why I’m calling.” I proceeded to tell him who I was and that my father was also a former Marine and 100 percent disabled from the Korean War. I explained that he was in the hospital, alone, without anyone to visit and asked if Sergeant Vanes would please go and see him.
Without hesitation, he answered, “Absolutely.”
Then I asked, “If I send flowers to the recruiting station, would you deliver them to my dad when you go to the hospital?”
“Ma’am, I will be happy to take the flowers to your dad. I’ll give you my address. You send them, and I will make sure he receives them,” he replied.
The next morning, I sent the flowers to Sergeant Vane’s office just as we had planned. I went to work, and that evening, I returned home and phoned my dad to inquire about his surprise visitor.
If you have ever talked with a small child after that child has just seen Santa Claus, you will understand the glee I heard in my dad’s voice. “I was just waking up when I thought I saw two Marines in their dress blue uniforms standing at the foot of my bed,” he told me excitedly. “I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. But they were really there!”
I began to laugh, partly at his excitement, but also because he didn’t even mention his operation. He felt so honored. Two Marines he had never met took time out to visit an old Marine like him. He told me again and again how sharp they looked and how all the nurses thought he was so important. “But how did you ever get them to do that?” he asked me.
“It was easy. We are all Marines, Dad, past and present. It’s the bond.”
After hanging up with my dad, I called Sergeant Vanes to thank him for visiting my dad. And to thank him for the extra things he did to make it special: wearing his dress blue uniform and bringing another Marine along. He even took a digital camera with him. He had pictures taken of the two Marines with my dad right beside his bed. That evening, he e-mailed them to me so that I could see for myself that my dad was not alone and he was going to be okay.
As for the flowers, they hardly mattered, but I was glad for the opportunity to express my feelings. The card read, “Daddy, I didn’t want just anyone bringing you flowers, so I sent the world’s finest. Semper Fi.”
–Tre’ M. Barron
LikeLike
CL, what a touching story. The world’s finest, indeed.
LikeLike
Very nice story CL!
LikeLike
CL, that is a great story. Thank you for sharing it.
Gil, congrats on going back to school. Lots of retired folks (like my Dad, unfortunately) are content to sit on their rears and get old. Glad to hear you’re not one of them.
LikeLike
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_djgssszshgM/SYXCzpR0MbI/AAAAAAAAAyY/VYle3udsueo/s1600-h/CalvinHobbs.BMP
Does this seem familiar to anyone? BTW, it’s from fifteen years ago.
LikeLike
This week’s sign that PETA has lost its mind:
http://www.faniq.com/blog/PETA-Dress-In-KKK-Garb-Outside-Westminster-Dog-Show-In-New-York-Blog-19121
LikeLike
Chris, I had a friend ask me today why I stopped teaching, especially he said since I was so good at it. My reply was, because it became boring. Funny, it actually pays well today. However, it was never about the money for me. I love to learn. I like to know a lot of things about a lot of stuff.
Now, looks like I am going to have to wait until around May to get into anything but I can start a lot of things on my own.
I took advantage of being a Union Director while at WeSaySo and was assigned to days by taking computer classes in Microsoft Office, best $500 the company ever spent… 🙂 Became proficient in Word, Excel, Access and Power Point and used it to beat the company to death with it….
There was a reason the elite did not want to educate the masses, Knowledge is Power. Never forget that….
I have been unable to do a lot of things because of my disability, doesn’t mean I need to get dumber too. Of course, the last adult education class I started was on the War of Northern Aggression. I stopped attending after the instructor told the class that the war was over slavery. What an idiot. Slavery did not become an issue until 1863 when Lincoln needed some to stimulate the Union. it almost cost him the election of 1864.
Anyway, the man lost all credibility with me.
So, I will find something. I need something that will fill the baseball void for me in Richmond this summer.
By the way, I might have to grow older but I don’t have to sit still for it….
LikeLike
Good grief Chris! PETA members must have mad cow disease, or something!
LikeLike
Gil, I can’t speak for Va. but SC teachers are not well paid. Fortunately the benefits are good and there is lots of time off.
The first year I graduated from college I took a position running a restaurant in downtown Charleston. I made more money that year than my mother who had been teaching special education and resource for over twenty years. Oh yeah, she has a masters degree in her field too.
Things have gotten better since then, but not much.
It amazes me that so many people think that the Civil War (actually nothing was civil about it) was solely about slavery. That played a part in it I think, but it wasn’t the sole reason. Of course, my son’s sixth grade science teacher showed them the Al Gore movie about global warming so that will tell you how much credibility the education system has that continues to fill our childrens’s heads with untruths and revisionist history.
LikeLike
PETA = self-important publicity-seeking idiots
Someone really doing something for animals = the gentleman pictured in CL’s earlier post
They actually think show dogs are mistreated in some way?! They live like furry royalty!
LikeLike
Chris, to say that they have lost their minds you must first assume they had a brain to begin with, I digress that their antics leave it open to debate they possess a brain cell amonst them…
As a corollary, I must say that having supporter pose nude while perhaps risque’ is not nearly as crude and tasteless as donning a sheet and pointed hat.
If I were a dog, I think I would bite them as a matter of principle.
LikeLike
Just a little bit of enlightenment if you folks care to indulge.
http://www.pointsouth.com/csanet/confederate_flag.htm
LikeLike
Okay, time for me to call it a night. Play safe….
LikeLike
If they wanted to do something useful to help animals, they should volunteer at shelters & donate to pay for spay/neuter & shots. But that wouldn’t get them in the press. 🙄
LikeLike
VOR, I vote yes on Glavine. I don’t think he wants leave home again. But then again I thought Smoltz would never ever leave…
LikeLike
Gil, I really enjoyed that article and have bookmarked it for future use. I can’t tell you how many times I have responded to some idiot saying that the Confederate flag represents slavery with a comment about how the US flag must stand for slavery too since slavery was legal in the US for much longer than the CSA existed.
LikeLike
The boys are being rude, FBG…but I’ll say ‘Hi’ to ya! Good evening!
BAS should be along soon to take over the vampire shift! Myself…it’s bedtime!
LikeLike
Thank you, Salty, but I don’t need y’all to make a fuss when I enter the room.
LikeLike
Man, I hate it when this happens… Sleep for a few hours and then wide awake.
LikeLike
Today is a big day for TommyG and the Braves:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9204712/Sources:-Braves,-Glavine-set-to-meet
LikeLike
Let us hope Frank Wren realizes you cannot have too many good pitchers. I hope Tommy is willing to give a little bit too. I think he would mean 5 plus games for the Braves in 2009.
LikeLike
And not to be prejudice but is it just me or does anyone else see the resemblance between the first lady and Aunt Ester?
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=aunt+esther+from+sanford+and+son&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=99SSSYGvD9e4twfozeTQCw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#
LikeLike
the NY Post has Andruw’s contract details:
The Rangers New York Rangers finalized their minor league contract with Andruw Jones that will pay him $500,000 if he reaches the majors.
But the Post has learned that Jones can request his release after March 20 if he is not on the 40-man roster within 24 hours of his request.
In addition, Jones would earn $200,000 if he is voted Comeback Player of the Year.
Jones also would make $75,000 for 340 and 380 plate appearances; $125,000 for 420, 460, 500 and 540 plate appearances; and $175,000 for 580 and 620 plate appearances.
He also can make $100,000 if he wins the MVP, $50,000 for being the World Series MVP or an All-Star, and $25,000 for LCS MVP, Gold Glove or Silver Slugger.
Maybe he can work with a real hitting coach for a few weeks, then rejoin the Braves. 😀
LikeLike
Not hard to see why the Braves couldn’t afford him…. 😛
LikeLike
Here’s a very sad, disturbing story…….
$15M Lawsuit claims ex-Met Roberto Alomar had sex knowing he had AIDS
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/02/10/2009-02-10_15m_lawsuit_claims_exmet_roberto_alomar_.html
LikeLike
Wow… 😯
LikeLike
Chuck Schumer in a classic foot-in mouth moment:
“And let me say this to all of the chattering class that so much focuses on those little, tiny, yes, porky amendments, the American people really don’t care.”
http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0209/Schumer_People_dont_care_about_porky_bills.html
A revealing statement from the new world order.
LikeLike
Actual photo of “the end of the rainbow”:
http://sciencedude.freedomblogging.com/2009/02/08/rare-photo-of-the-end-of-the-rainbow
Guess what… there’s no pot of gold.
In a related story, the Senate is expected to pass the “stimulus” bill today.
LikeLike
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick:
Free agent lefty Tom Glavine is likely to make a decision within 36-48 hours on whether to take the Braves’ offer or move on.
Sources said the Braves have offered Glavine a $1MM base salary, another $1MM if he’s on the Opening Day roster, and an additional $1MM after 60 days. Glavine is believed to be looking for some incentives that could kick in and increase the value of the deal if he’s able to make at least 25-30 starts. Glavine is also apparently willing to defer some salary to make a deal work with Atlanta.
I think Glavine’s desires are very reasonable. If he is able to make 25 starts, his value is definitely higher. Performance based incentives plus salary deferral? I think it makes sense for both parties.
LikeLike
Abreu is off the table:
http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/49261-angels-sign-abreu-to-one-year-deal
LikeLike
Folks across the street are stressing hard over their forced change to WordPress.
They’ll be OK, though… except Salty, who will continue to be filtered. 😀
LikeLike
According to Schumer and his cronies, we are the “chattering masses”. They are the elite, we are the uneducated, unwashed, bible-thumping, gun-toting riffraff. According to Obama in his tele-prompter aided press conferences and Ruler Addresses , conservative radio and Fox News is “chattering cable”.
New Dem talking points buzzwords (and their original meaning):
Stimulus (not bailout) – Education (not indoctrination) – The Same Old Failed Tax Cuts and Failed Policies of the last Eight Years (not, we will take from you, keep what we want and give the crumbs to those that don’t want to work) – Community Support (not ACORN will be funded to continue their fraud) – Climate Change (not global warming) – Bipartisan (not, “we only got 3 Rino’s” but that should do it) – The People (not, those we deem worthy of our welfare and handouts) – Republican (not, “who are these politicians that finally seem to have a fiscal conservative, capitalist backbone?”) – Democrats (not, socialists) – Innocent Mistakes (not tax cheats) – Chattering (not freedom of speech or other points of view) – Masses (people in red states and cities that are inept) – Passionate and Wide Awake (not, “after facelifts and so much botox her eyes are stuck wide open) – Secretary Paulsen (not, the crook in cahoots with cronies and crooks) – Hope (not, welfare) – We Can Believe In (not, our media will drill this message into you and you will eventually believe in our lies and succumb) – Change (we will make Americans lose everything they’ve saved and therefore become dependent on my regime, uh, government).
Part of Change is changing the Declaration of Independence, the tossing away the Constitution, redistributing the wealth, changing the history books (see FDR and Weimar Republic) and, with all the new talking points ad buzzwords, they’re even changing the dictionary. Words will have new meanings.
Words… just words.
LikeLike
Alomar. Oh, the humanity!
He is a tragic member of that proud baseball family.
LikeLike
Another big baseball family: Alou.
You got Felipe, Jesus, Matty and Bob.
A talented bunch.
LikeLike
Brett Favre to retire from the Jets. (Or does he?)
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/02/11/favre.retirement/index.html?cnn=yes
LikeLike
Bob Alou was definitely my most favorite one of the bunch.
Don’t forget the Boone family: Ray, Bob, Aaron, Bret, Matt, and Daniel.
LikeLike
Daniel could swing a mean Ax!!! 😛
LikeLike
That Alomar story….man is that sick! And not that it really matters, but she is a babe and a half…
LikeLike
Yes, Klobber, Bob was a favorite but now nobody even remembers him. He was not the most talented Alou, but a good kid, had good hands and played hard. Had a short career but his OBP was good. Maybe he was just too short for MLB or just marched to the beat of his own drum… dunno.
Here’s how he played when he broke in.
LikeLike
A Drudge fashing siren….
Obama: Caterpillar will rehire if stimulus passes
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D969FVVO2&show_article=1
LikeLike
Wow, if the US gets those 22k jobs back everything will be okay!
LikeLike
All-Star Tejada pleads guilty to lying to Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) _ All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional baseball. Tejada was the American League’s Most Valuable Player in 2002 while playing for Oakland. He now plays for the Houston Astros.
LikeLike
Warning: Christian music. Those offended by same should just keep on walking! 🙂
“Somebody’s Been Praying For Me”
LikeLike
It’s a shame about Tejada. At one time he was considered to be one of the greats of the game. I wonder what his punishment will be. One side of me says that he’ll only be given probation but the other sides thinks that the Feds are sick and tired of these filthy rich ball players lying to them (not to mention the cheating) and they may want to make an example out of him.
LikeLike
In case you haven’t heard, there are some really, really kooky folks in San Fran(Glad to hear BAS is from somewhere that wasn’t San Fran, what was the name of it?? Oakland???)
American Apparel done in by ‘magic’
I swung by the 900 block of San Francisco’s Valencia Street on Monday, where the by now infamous American Apparel Inc. store was planning to open. That was before San Francisco’s Planning Commission gave it a thumbs down last week, largely at the behest of residents who insisted the chain store would spoil what some called the “magic” of the neighborhood.
Bottom Line
* Enhancing corporate IT departments 02.11.09
* American Apparel store done in by ‘magic’ 02.10.09
* Stimulus plan for San Francisco 02.08.09
* Help for Californians facing tax trouble 02.06.09
More Bottom Line »
Valencia, in the Mission District, has 27 vacant storefronts, Chronicle editorial page writer Caille Millner noted in her column on the subject. Four of them, I discovered, are in the 900 block. Well, six if you count two additional rotting storefronts belonging to La Rondalla, a Mexican restaurant, which, for the past 18 months, has had signs saying it’s “closed for renovation.” This, along with the shabby appearance of much of the block, suggests magic is in short supply. But not, apparently, to at least one Planning Commission member, who told me his “no” vote rested on the L.A. company’s “failure to show that its presence would be ‘necessary or desirable’ as required of businesses seeking (the commission’s permission).”
More of the article magically will appear if you click on the link below…
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/09/BUPT15Q905.DTL
LikeLike
but the other sides thinks that the Feds are sick and tired of these filthy rich ball players lying to them (not to mention the cheating) and they may want to make an example out of him.
1. Why are the feds sticking their noses in baseball’s biz? We didn’t elect them for that.
2. Baseball can deem what a cheater is or isn’t…and we fans can help. As it is, we watched the games, cheered the players, and confined our concept of cheater to ‘the player(s) on the other teams’…we see what we want to see.
3. Laws are not to be used to ‘make examples’, nor should sentences be applied to ‘example’ standards.
Tejada is a baseball issue…not a Federal issue. I guess baseball is what our elected officials understand…governing…they’re not nearly so competent!
Thus concludes today’s rant! 😆
LikeLike
Hear, hear, Salty!
Waxman wants to wield his power wherever he can. It’s a Fascist Inquisition. Wait until they get through with baseball and turn their gaze toward other groups and individuals that they want to “conform”(punish). It’s the new order.
I guess that was a rant addendum. 😀
LikeLike
Folks, it;s only been two weeks. Don’t worry, the enlighten few will turn on the Dems faster than you can say Hillary who when folks see what “change” really means.
Chattering masses, nattering nabobs… Same, but different….
LikeLike
A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon we are going to be talking about real money….
Reminds me of a trick I learned for submitting budget request. Always ask for more money than the folks in the room can comprehend. They think you must know what you are talking about or you wouldn’t ask for such an outrages sum.
Folks are up in arms over what the banks spend for their junkets but don’t care about “porky” amendments… Only a liberal Democrat would see the rational in that.
LikeLike
A friend of a friend told me some guys like the SI swimsuit edition.
Heres some race car driver with a name similar to the guy who used to be on espn…
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/models/danica-patrick/index2.html
LikeLike
Fast cars, fast women… well.. you know…..
LikeLike
Danica Patrick can drive me anytime….
LikeLike
(from email)
Pending Legislation – Americans With No Abilities Act
Washington, DC – Congress is considering sweeping legislation that will provide new benefits for many Americans: The Americans With No Abilities Act.
(AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislative goal by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or ambition.
‘Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society,’ said California Senator Barbara Boxer. ‘We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they have some idea of what they are doing.’
In a Capitol Hill press conference, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) pointed to the success of the U.S. Postal Service, which has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance. Approximately 74 percent of postal employees
lack any job skills, making this agency the single largest U.S. employer of Persons of Inability.
Private-sector industries with good records of non-discrimination against the Inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%), and home improvement ‘warehouse’ stores (65%). At the state government level, the Department of Motor Vehicles also has an excellent record of hiring Persons of Inability (a whopping 83%).
Under The Americans With No Abilities Act, more than 25 million ‘middle man’ positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance.
Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given so as to guarantee upward mobility for even the most inept employees. The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations that promote a significant number of Persons of Inability into middle-management positions,
and gives a tax credit to small and medium-sized businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires.
Finally, the AWNAA contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the Non-abled, banning, for example, discriminatory interview questions such as, ‘Do you have any skills or experience that relate to this job?’
‘As a Non-abled person, I can’t be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them,’ said Mary Lou Gertz, who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint, Michigan, due to her inability to remember ‘rightey tightey, lefty loosey.’ ‘This new law should be real good for people like me,’ Gertz added. With the passage of this bill, Gertz and millions of other untalented citizens will finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL): ‘As a Senator with no abilities, I believe the same privileges that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every American with no abilities. It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every American citizen, regardless of his or her inadequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation and a good salary for doing so.’
LikeLike
Said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL): ‘As a Senator with no abilities, I believe the same privileges that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every American with no abilities. 😯
Alright!!! No Social Security…nosireee!!! We get the same sweetheart retirement program that they get!!! Oh, happy day. Keep this up and I just may come to like this socialism thingie!!! 😛
Uh…Gil……does Josie know you call your truck ‘Danica’? 😆 I wouldn’t want your words misconstrued! Drive on, dude!
LikeLike
Oooooo…. Great suggestion… 🙂
LikeLike
Well, if you ever needed a reason to stop smoking left handed cigarettes, here is a good one…
http://blogs.usatoday.com/betterlife/2009/02/testicular-canc.html
LikeLike
You know, I didn’t read the Abreu signing info right away…5Mil??? Up to 8 with incentives??? Man, Braves can’t come up with that much???
Well, Apparently not if we are to believe this story….
Crasnick says the Angels and Abreu have reached a preliminary agreement. It’ll be a done deal once he passes his physical and the Angels remove Nick Green from the 40-man to make room. Crasnick says the total could be near $8MM if Abreu hits his incentives. Also:
The Braves have also expressed serious interest in Abreu, but sources said Atlanta’s budget is so tight that general manager Frank Wren would have to stretch to give him a $5MM salary.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3899641
LikeLike
1. Why are the feds sticking their noses in baseball’s biz? We didn’t elect them for that. I didn’t say we did. But for whatever reason they chose to do so. And frankly, I’m glad they did. Baseball wasn’t going to do it. Face it, the game is a travesty of a mockery of a sham and I am embarrassed for it. My eleven-year old, baseball loving son walked in the room as the news was breaking about A-Rod. He’s always liked Arod and is really disturbed about it. I hate that these people have put themselves above the game.
2. Baseball can deem what a cheater is or isn’t…and we fans can help. As it is, we watched the games, cheered the players, and confined our concept of cheater to ‘the player(s) on the other teams’…we see what we want to see. Uh, huh. See how well that worked out? MLB and especially the players union fought tooth and nail against testing. Where are we now? The game is a disgrace. Every day there is something about baseball and steroids in the news. It’s disgusting. It is VERY clear that Donald Fehr, Bud Selig et al were EVER going to do anything to clean the game up. Someone had to do it. It’s just too bad that a buffoon like Canseco had to write a tell-all book to get someone’s attention. I still contend that one day he’ll be regarded as the guy that did what Fehr and Selig couldn’t/wouldn’t do and I think history will be somewhat kinder to him.
3. Laws are not to be used to ‘make examples’, nor should sentences be applied to ‘example’ standards. Couldn’t agree more. However it happens all the time. Happened to a young man I know here. Did something dumb where thankfully no one was hurt. He was facing 25 years in a Level 3 (max. security) prison and plead it down to “only” 10 (not elibible for parole for 8 and a half). The solicitor all but said that he was setting an example to all white kids that they couldn’t expect to get away with that behavior. Oh, right after that same solicitor was re-elected to office, she offered a plea to a guy charged with Felony DUI with a death. He got three years and won’t serve all of that. Should it happen? Hell no! But it does every day.
Tejada is a baseball issue…not a Federal issue. Negative, Ghostrider. Tejada made himself a Federal issue by lying to the feds. Plain and simple. Lie to the feds and get caught? You deserve to have the book thrown at you. Especially a guy like Tejada that grew up dirt poor in the DR. I read a story about when the A’s first found him they had to feed him because he was so undernourished. This is a man that owes everything he has in his life to the United States of America and to MLB and this is how he repays us? There should be a hell of a lot more outrage about this situation but I guess it’s not as sexy as ARod or Joe Torre’s book.
Believe me, I’m all for less government in our lives but you can’t poke the monkey with a stick and not expect to have poo slung on you!
Okay, deep breath. End of counter-rant.
LikeLike
Cow urine, it’s the real thing!!!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article5707554.ece
LikeLike
Wow! 😯
Klobber… did you switch to rooskies? 😆
Excellent post. Lead worthy. Get Salty to add a few more comments, you add yours, mix’em up together and, voila… a lead.
LikeLike
Sorry guys, I get a little fired up from time to time. And Salty, nothing personal was directed to you. I’m just fed up with baseball and the steroids issue and the other major sports, especially football, getting a pass whenever someone tests positive.
Rooskies? Nah, haven’t had anything (yet). 🙂
LikeLike
Great work Chris, y’all keep it up and you may change my mind about all this…..
LikeLike
Still upset about breech of trust issues… Also think John Rocker is telling the truth. I think the Doctor will lie his butt off to save his own skin but I have little doubt he was a conspirator in this. You see, it’s true, steroids like any other drug can be safely used under the right conditions.
More later
LikeLike
Gil, the breech of trust issue is big for me too. I assume you’re talking about the initial round of testing where 104 players tested positive. Why was only one name leaked?
How ticked off would you be if you were a player in 03 and subject to the test and you know that you never did anything illegal. You are not guilty by association with ARod and the other 103. I don’t know what grounds a suit could be filed but I’d love to see someone try to file suit to have the other names released so that the innocent test takers could have their names cleared.
LikeLike
Klobber…I know you directed nothing at me, nor I you…none whatsoever.
My singular point on baseball: it can kill, or resurrect, itself. MLB chose to accept certain behavior and a lot of fans went along for the ride. Those who are innocent had to make a choice…and they did, they continued to play, cleanly, or supplementally. Once rules were instituted, then actions became illegal…go forward from that point. Baseball can govern itself…the fans will dictate by showing up…or not. Baseball isn’t life.
On sentencing to set an example: that it exists doesn’t make it right. That’s the sad part…we’re all becoming numb to the unequal application of law, such as in sentencing, and ignoring that, supposedly, law creation is to insure equal treatment under the law. Not sure I phrased my intention properly, but I’ll take a flyer that the sharper tools in Stuff-ville’s shed will catch my drift! 😛
LikeLike
Glavine, Braves Have ‘Positive’ Meeting
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090211&content_id=3817790&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl&partnerId=rss_atl
LikeLike
Salty,
My singular point on baseball: it can kill, or resurrect, itself.
You are absolutely correct and this is what bothers me so. I just hate to see what is going on in baseball today.
Once rules were instituted, then actions became illegal
Actually, steroid use has been against baseball rules since 1991. Unfortunately, there was no penalty for using them, therefore, the rule had no teeth. HOWEVER, it is illegal against federal and state law to possess steroids.
The Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990 became law on November 29, 1990, when former President Bush signed the Omnibus Crime Control Bill. The law applies in every Federal court across the country. It places steroids in the same legal class – Schedule III — as barbiturates, LSD precursors, veterinary tranquilizers like ketamine and narcotic painkillers like Vicodin. Simple possession of any Schedule III substance is a federal offense punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a minimum fine of $1,000. Simple possession by a person with a previous conviction for certain offenses, including any drug or narcotic crimes, must get imprisonment of at least 15 days and up to two years, and a minimum fine of $2,500.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/legalmuscle3.htm
Do the Feds have every right under the law to get involved wherever illegal steroid use is taking place? You betcha!
As for your final paragraph of your last post, I mostly agree with you. I’m not saying it’s right but what you are suggesting is theory and, unfortunately, not reality. Politics play a huge role in our court system. District Attorney’s are elected officials and they always want to look good in the papers.
but I’ll take a flyer that the sharper tools in Stuff-ville’s shed will catch my drift!
So now you’re saying that I’m not one of the sharper tools? Bo, them’s fightin’ words! 😉
LikeLike
As long as we’re talking about ‘roids, here’s an article with an interesting take. Guys like these are the real victims of the Steroid Era. And I’d be willing to bet that there are plenty more guys like these two out there that got cheated out of their dream.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3554767
LikeLike
Sam Miller of the OC Register has tied Gary Matthews, Jr. to the Braves, now that Abreu is on board with the Angels. Interesting scenario. Check out the article:
http://fromthedugout.freedomblogging.com/2009/02/11/some-angels-could-fit-as-trade-bait/13648/
LikeLike
He says of Matthews:
A pretty solid defender at a corner who can play center field in a pinch, and — believe it or not — probably now underrated as a hitter. Basically, he’s about the same player Garret Anderson is now, and his bad reputation is more about his contract than his role. (Obviously, the Angels would have to swallow most of the contract.) Fits on a team like the Astros, Braves, Mariners.
LikeLike
SG, as the daughter of a 37-year veteran of the USPS, I can assure you that those people mentioned are all in management. They are why my dad retired as soon as he was age-eligible.
Very shocked & saddened to read that about Alomar.
LikeLike
Hi FBG.
LikeLike
That’s interesting Raisins. How much of that contract would they have to eat? I’m guessing quite a bit because he’s earning $10m this year and $11m and $12 m the next two. He’s not worth near that amount.
Does anyone remember that he went to ST with the Braves about four or five years ago?
LikeLike
Hi, VOR. Did Salty tell you to do that? 🙂
LikeLike
Matthews’ numbers from last year are pretty ugly… I won’t even bother to post ’em. 😐
LikeLike
I remember that, Chris. He’s had a very um… uneven career.
LikeLike
Uneven is a good way to put it. As I recall there has also been some steroid controversy surrounding him too. Maybe he parlayed a few shots into $50m. Hmmm, seems like a pretty good deal to me!
LikeLike
I believe Gil was correct earlier on Garret Anderson. He’s actually a better fit than Abreu in that he is a true LF and better defensively. He hit .293/.325/.433 with 15 HR’s and 84 RBI. He could capably hold down the cleanup spot. The only drawback is that he is not the right hander many believe we need. I think we need a hitter… period.
I like Anderson. He’s still available. He would probably fit into the remaining salary spot. And he would be a positive veteran presence for the youngsters. I’d offer him a 2 yr. deal with an option on the 3rd.
LikeLike
I agree, VOR. We need someone reliable help Chipper & Mac.
LikeLike
to help…
Memo to self: Proofread!
LikeLike
Crap… I have to be up in 5 1/2 hours. I guess I better go find my pillow…
G’night all. Maybe by the weekend we’ll have both Glavine and Anderson.
Hey, I’m almost asleep. The dreamin’ just came a little early. 😀
LikeLike
Sweet dreams,VOR!
LikeLike
The more I think about it, the better I think Garrett Anderson would be for the Braves.
One, he would satisfy Terrence Moore’s incessant whining for the need of the Brave to have a positive role model for the African American community. Yes, I realize that sounds racist but face facts folks, many black people are racist, they just call it something else.
Two, He really is a good player. He is a solid hitter with a good work effort. I think he would set a good example for a lot of the youngsters.
Three, he is not a defensive liability. He is not going to give up more runs than he is going to produce. He still has decent range and a average arm and would fit well into the scheme of things for the Bravos.
Four, He is affordable, I doubt his contract demands would exceed 4 million in today’s market.
Five, he is temporary. He is not going to be a long time block on the talent coming through the pipeline for the Braves.
Of course, what do I know. I am just one of those fans who likes to see his name in lights….
LikeLike
And a wicked wind is blowing tonight…. Really whistling outside. I think I will stay up for a little while…
LikeLike
I lost two more hardwoods to the wind today. Pretty soon I am going to have to clear the bottom they were located in before they become a fire hazard… 😦 Way too much brush is starting to build up.
LikeLike
I remember Sarge Jr as well. Was always a fan of his pop, and what little I saw of him in the past, I liked a lot, remember being PO’ed that he couldn’t even make it out of spring training with the club. Must have been the year we went with Raul Mondesi or some other stud like that….
Sigh, we have tried to compete with some real crappola in left and sometimes even right field, haven’t we???
LikeLike
Gil, I am fine with Garrett Anderson, he has been a bit injury prone, but we have plenty of folks to fill in….I really get the feeling they aren’t going to do anything, and are going to scratch their heads when the braves are a .500 by June, and lose a lot of 3-2, 2-1 games….
LikeLike
You could be right Ber. At some point you wonder how hard Frank Wren is trying.
We keep hearing rumors of Swisher or Nady but also hear the Braves are cash strapped. I don’t think the Yankees will eat salary because the don’t have to. That would mean the difference would have to come from some place else.
Would that mean trading a player who makes 5 million? Who would fit that description?
LikeLike
By the way, I think Glavine is being pretty reasonable in his salary demands and the offer to defer money over 5 or 6 years.
LikeLike
Gil, you or V mentioned Soriano to the Yankees awhile back…Had no idea what his contract for this year is…just looked, 6.1 Mil. Hmm, have him pitch in spring training and April then trade to them???
I guess sitting back on your heals and seeing how things turn out isn’t the worst strategy in the world, but sometimes he who hesitates is lost and all that…I always remember meeting the CEO of Borders Books and music…well, me and about 30 new Assistant managers. Seemed like a pretty sharp guy. He was talking about how a lot of folks were wondering why Borders didn’t yet have a web presence. He talked about all the growing pains Amazon and Barnes and Noble had, and how they wanted to have all the bugs worked out, and have a very smooth running web site. At the time(1998), that made a lot of sense, but looking back, not so much. Ever been to Borders web site??? Well, they waited so long no one went to it so they ended up partnering with Amazon. The website said borders at the top, but it was just amazons site. Then they decided to part ways. Now Borders has another swell stand alone website. And a stock that is worth about 60 cents a share.
LikeLike
Good action in Stuffville last night. Catchin’ up a bit:
I can assure you that those people mentioned are all in management.
Yes FBG, it’s usually… almost always management, particularly with government jobs. They are the tools. Dull tools at that. They work for the sharp tools in Congress. Symbiotic relationship.
So much discussion of tools. I don’t think there are any tools in Stuffville. Is it better to be a plain “tool”, a dull tool or a sharp tool? Do we need a tool store in Stuffville? Ace is the place. Or True Value. Maybe Salty has a preference.
I’d rather be a hammer than a nail. Yes I would… if I only could, I surely would. Mmm hmm.
Speaking of hardware, Garrett Anderson has some pretty hard wear. There was a time… a few years ago, I would’a jumped all over him for LF. Wait, lemme rephrase that. I’d would’a signed him up in a minute. He was a decent defensive guy and always a home run threat. The guy can hit… still, what is he, 40? Not sure he’s got enough “wow” in him to fill the slot just yet when we can platoon some pretty darned good kids in LF until a one year monster comes along at a good price.
I’d rather be a forest than a tree… yes I would, if I only could, I surely would. Umm hmmm…
LikeLike
Garret Anderson will be 37 in June. His departure from LAofA was purely a salary dump. They could pay him $12MM to play, or $3MM to go. That $3MM plus the max Abreu can achieve of $6MM is still $3MM less than they began with. They simply save $$$.
Now Anderson is most likely looking at a deal less than or the same as Abreu got. Upon further review, I like Anderson better.
In 2008, he hit .293/.325/.433 with 15 HR’s and 84 RBI. His numbers vs. RHP and LHP are virtually the same. He has batted cleanup far and away more in his career than any other spot in the order. He has 147 post-season AB’s in 8 post seasons. He is still very good defensively.
I think he is the best fit still available, including the much mentioned Nick Swisher.
Somebody get Frank on the line for me, would ya?
LikeLike
Here’s a pearl to ponder:
Do I want Tom Glavine more than I want Garret Anderson?
NO.
Do I want Tom Glavine more than I want Matt Diaz?
Uh, YES.
There is much tinkering to be done before April 5 in Philly…
LikeLike
By the way, isn’t it ironic how much “Traitor” Tom, as many still like to call him, is making the effort to work with Braves management to come to an agreement that works for both parties, and “Icon” John bolted in a NY minute? No slight intended to anyone… just an observation.
LikeLike
Must work now… 😦
LikeLike
Yes, there are still a few option left in the toolbox for Mr Wren as far as outfield help. Plus, perhaps it will make more sense to wait a few weeks before adding someone else to the roster and dropping someone else. At least the Braves would have the opportunity to have a good look at all the prospects.
It’s going to be a great opportunity for someone to shine at third base while Chipper is away.
And what of the frenchman? If he comes to spring training with a new found confidence and hitting stroke, does that not put less pressure on the Braves to add a power bat?
LikeLike
Yes, Gil, Chipper even said it. If FrenchKiss can bring a consistent bat and power threat back to his game, he could ideally be the cleanup hitter to stick between Chipper and Mac. I’m not counting that very elusive chicken before it hatches, though.
LikeLike
Just how secure IS your browser, anyway?? This will show you. I just ran mine and found 2 vulnerabilities.
http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/index.php
LikeLike
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, Seattle is progressing in talks with Griffey and have “stepped up the pace in negotiations”.
This is good for the Braves in that Seattle is the only other team being connected with GA a/k/a Garret Anderson.
We need GA in Ga.
LikeLike
Hi CL!!! 😀
How’re you feeling?
LikeLike
Good morning y’all! Mom & Dad headed for Tiger at 5 am so I have some peace, quiet & computer time. Of course I have to make 3 dozen sugar cookies & a somewhat elaborate cake today so I’ll pop in around that.
I hope Jr. does go back to Seattle, not just because it might help the Braves, but also because it seems right for him to finish up where he started.
LikeLike
FLB, I agree….Griffey will be a draw there, they have the DH…just seems to make sense.
LikeLike
Rosenthal’s latest on the Braves:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9207946/Braves-still-talking-to-Glavine,-eying-outfielders?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49
LikeLike
Excerpt:
“Club officials, major-league sources say, would prefer a left-handed hitter, and are checking into the remaining free agents — Garret Anderson, Luis Gonzalez, Jim Edmonds and Ken Griffey Jr.”
Wha? 😯
When did that change of course happen?
LikeLike
I always liked him. It’s a shame he’s had so many injuries. I thought he’d be the one holding the HR record now, which would be so much better than the Giant Evil Head.
LikeLike
Hmmm. I’m not crazy about Edmonds but that’s just personal distaste for his showing off. Always liked Gonzalez but how old is he now?
LikeLike
WTF??? (What the fudge is what I assume that stands for) A leftie?? I do believe there was a left handed guy out there that had driven in 100 runs every year, has a very high OBP, and just signed for 5 mil for another team. Wouldn’t even have to give up any draft pick for him, since the Yankees didn’t offer arbitration for him.
I wonder if this is Bobby’s doing. “Matty will do just fine this year, why not just sign that other Gonzo and have a cheap, swell platoon???”
LikeLike
Time to make the cake.
LikeLike
Hi, Raisins!! Sorry for thr slow response time; had to go have the external stitches removed. (ouch). They sprayed it with some kind of glue believe it or not, and put those little white tape strips in place.
Doc: ‘Continue PT for 5 more weeks and come back Mar 19.’ OK.
All I want is to be able to SLEEP at night. 😦
But! Every passing day puts me that much closer to being well. And I am more than ready to get off this medical hamster wheel I’ve been stuck on for the last year or so!! One thing right after the other!
I appreciate you asking! Thanks!!
LikeLike
VOR and BII,
My guess is that since all of the big name, everyday LF bats are gone, the preference is to find a cheap left-handed alternative for a Diaz platoon. No sense in going after a middle-to-lower tier right handed bat at this point since you’ve already got Diaz on the books for over $1mill.
I guess what I’m trying to say is if we’re going cheap, then we need to go cheap and left-handed. If we’re going for something big, get whatever you can get your hands on.
LikeLike
Hi, CL! I know that couldn’t have been fun but at least it’s progress.
LikeLike
Jason Whitlock is a damn idiot. That’s all I have to say. I’m not even going to post a quote or a link to the article because I don’t want you guys to give him any extra page hits. I’m not even going to say why I think he’s an ass, because that would just feed his purpose. He’s an A-hole…simple as that. Just figured I’d share that thought with y’all.
LikeLike
AARON MAY BE REINSTATED AS HR KING
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,491644,00.html
Howdy, FBG!!
HB, you need to tell us what you really think! 😆
LikeLike
IMO Henry Aaron never stopped being the HR King. I don’t acknowledge the one who cheated his way past.
LikeLike
Just ducking my head in the door for a minute. Hope everybody is well. Things here are good, just ready for winter to be over and baseball season to begin once again.
Still think this team is one bat away from being a favorite to win the East, but if the pitching staff delivers the quality innings it should be able to bring to the bump most nights, the Braves are not going to need a ton of runs. And this is, for the most part, a good defensive team with a very solid bullpen.
I’m excited about what this team COULD do. Not sure it will, but with a bounce-back from Frenchy, a return to the Matt Diaz of 2006-07, and good health from the starters (not to mention Soriano and Moylan in the pen, too), the Braves should be in the race most of the summer, poised to steal it at the finish perhaps.
All here is good. Dad’s treatments are going well. Radiation is done; now it’s full-blown chemo every third week. Docs are upbeat and we are, too. Work is very busy, but I’m working, so I’m certainly not complaining. The blog is going well. Kids are well; coaching their Little League squad this season, so that should be fun.
Will be more of a visitor as we ramp up toward Opening Night in Philly on April 5.
The Scribe abides.
–30–
LikeLike
‘sup scribe? 😀
LikeLike
Scribe, it’s about time you got yourself over here!! Don’t forget old friends! 🙂 Glad all is well with you.
LikeLike
test
LikeLike
😦 F-
LikeLike
More Terry Fator
LikeLike
So, how’d the test go??? I see it went from an F- to just a frown, so improvement???
LikeLike
(from email)
Why Men Don’t Have Advice Columns
Dear Walter,
I hope you can help me. The other day, I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn’t driven more than a mile down the road when the engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband’s help. When I got home I couldn’t believe my eyes. He was in our living room hugging and kissing the neighbor’s wife. We have been happily married for ten years. I’m so upset.
When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that they had been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. He won’t go to counseling and I’m afraid I can’t get through to him anymore.
Can you please help?
Sincerely, Sheila
******************************
Dear Sheila:
A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors.
I hope this helps.
Walter
LikeLike
Yo CL… Thanks to the link to Terry Fator. That was an hour well spent… 🙂
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Gil! I LOVE watching that guy!
Just saw that ajc has their new blog up – w/DOB’s pic at the top. Maybe it’s just me, but that is one strange looking dude. 😯
Kinda creepy….. but, again, that’s just my take.
They are using a different setup than is available to us freebies. Hope it works well for them.
Hey! I can almost get my left hand to the keyboard! Maybe it won’t be long now! 😆
LikeLike
Great new avatar, Gil!
LikeLike
Glad to hear you’re doing better CL!
LikeLike
Thanks, Chris! I was off checking on possible new formats for us. Found a couple of possibilities. Will have to make a new banner if/when they ever get the team put together; would be a good time to freshen up our site a bit.
LikeLike
I hope the new banner includes that sketch of Mr. Aaron. Providing, of course, that the artist grants permission to use it.
LikeLike
I have some thoughts drifting through my mind on it, but nothing determined yet.
LikeLike
I have some
thoughtspercoset drifting through my mind on it, but nothing determined yet. :-OLikeLike
Well that figures. Everytime I try to crack a funny I screw it up. Let me try again. 😳
I have some
thoughtsdrifting through my mind on it, but nothing determined yet.You’re right. Wasn’t any funnier second time around.
LikeLike
But you’re right!!! 😆
(In fact, it about time for yet another one, and very shortly after, bedtime for Bonzo!) 😀
LikeLike
You know, one of my “Diet Cokes” with that perky will make you sleep really well!
LikeLike
Sounds like a winner! I’ve never had Diet Cokes like you make them anywhere else! Amazing!
LikeLike
A terrifying sight: Kelly approaching with a brush in one hand, a hair drier in the other, and a BIIIIIG grin on her face!!! Oh, mercy!!!
😆 (Can’t do my hair myself…)
LikeLike
Goooooooood night! 🙂
LikeLike
Good night CL. Hope Kelly didn’t pull too many hairs out!
BTW, my secret ingredient in your drinks is the little umbrellas! 🙂
LikeLike
Ah! The perfect touch, Chris!! 😀
Sleep well!!
LikeLike
Francoeur Not Budging In Arb Case
By Drew Silva [February 12 at 7:32pm CST]
According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, “there is a growing belief” that the Braves will not be able to avoid arbitration with Jeff Francoeur.
Francoeur’s hearing is currently scheduled for Friday, February 20. He requested a salary of $3.95MM and the Braves countered with $2.8MM. Bowman does a fine job explaining the Braves’ thinking:
Simply making an uncomfortable salary concession to avoid having to air dirty laundry in front of an arbitrator would further diminish the available funds Braves general manager Frank Wren is attempting to utilize while satisfying his roster needs.
Francoeur, 25, hit just .239/.294/.359 with 11 home runs and 71 RBI in 599 at-bats last season.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/braves-might-no.html
LikeLike
Ol’ French bread should just take the small offer after a terrible year….
LikeLike
“small” offer 🙄
LikeLike
Berigan, seriously now, could you get by on a mere $2.8m per year? Of course, you only have to work part of the year to earn it, but still?
I’d love to see him take the “small” offer and reprove himself. Of course that will never happen.
LikeLike
Just wrote a longish post & WordPress logged me out when I hit submit. 😡
LikeLike
I hate when that happens!
LikeLike
backup a page or two, see if its still there…
LikeLike
Take 2-
I like Frenchy. He seems like a nice, hard-working kid and I want him to have a fabulous comeback this year. But I don’t see how he can ask for 1 million+ more than the Braves are offering. He should just accept the offer & be glad to get that much. The way he acts with money/contract issues concerns me.
LikeLike
Scribe sighting! Glad to hear all is well. We’ve missed you.
CL, just one more incentive to really grind at the PT : protect your crowning glory. 😉
LikeLike
FBG… It’s just the business side of the game. Most of it is posturing. Like high speed chicken but with money instead of cars… Really not much to lose on either one’s part. Not like Ryan Howard and the Phillies… 🙂
The work on the house here is going pretty well but I think the contractor under bid the job. No real problem, not like he is going to lose a lot of money, just not make as much as he would like. That’s okay, I have already given him three more leads.
Amazing what you can do with an extra room… 🙂
Tomorrow is my mom’s 90th birthday. We are going to throw her a little party. She has requested coconut cake… And balloons… I told my brother that would be a pretty easy request to fill.
LikeLike
90 sounds like a good reason to have a party.
LikeLike
Hopefully that means you have genetics on your side. Both sides of my family tend to be long-lived so I figure this world is likely stuck with me for quite a while.
LikeLike
Happy Birthday to Mom, Gil!
LikeLike
I am planning to live to be a hundred or when the money runs out, whichever come first… 🙂
LikeLike
Okay, time to try to sleep… Later y’all
LikeLike
Happy Birthday to Mom, Gil!
What he said!
LikeLike
My brief thoughts on FrenchTwist are this:
I personally am rooting for the guy to get his groove back. As crazy as he drove me last season, I wasn’t one to trash him or boo him or any of that other nonsense. I pulled for the kid all season, and have been all off-season as well. Wanna know why? Because he’s just “likable”.
One of the things, though, that makes him so stinkin’ likable is his apparent love of the game. He just looks like a big ol’ kid out on the field havin’ fun. I like that. It shows a certain perspective.
Now, his hard stance on this salary issue shows a different side… a side I don’t like so much. In reality, he sucked last year. We know it, he knows it. I don’t mind the whole “business” part of the arb process. It is a part of the process. I know each side submits a figure on the extreme end of the scale. But when a “big ol’ kid” comes off the season he had, is aware of his team’s needs and the salary constraints in which they are trying to fill said needs, and still wants to hold the team up in arb, he becomes a greedy grown man in just another business. His likability dwindles tremendously. In fact, it fades into the background of the other greedy grown men making too damn much money playing a kid’s game.
If he takes this to arb, I hope the Braves win, and they trade his sorry
ass… nevermind. 😡I’m sorry, but the longer I wrote on this, the madder I got…
LikeLike
There is a reason many companies do not want employees discussing salaries Raisins, it’s what you said….
I don’t think the million dollar difference is going to make or break either party. Whatever the stats, I don’t think it will tell the whole story. I’ll bet Jeff’s agent cites the number of jerseys with number 7 on the back as part of his push for more money.
Now what I really think is it’s all about egos… Frank Wren evidently has a very big one… So does Frenchy.
LikeLike
All that being said, it really sucks that we have the type of distant ownership that imposes rigid guidelines that do not allow the team to deal with their players on an individual basis, rather as just another impersonal piece to one big puzzle…
LikeLike
Now what I really think is it’s all about egos…
Absolutely correct.
IMO, it all started when Mac got his deal, and FrenchLace got left out…
(His hissy fit about his “demotion” last season probably has a little to do with the attitudes on both sides as well.)
LikeLike
Must tend to work now… 😦
LikeLike
Of course the flip side is Jeff was offered the same deal as McCann and he turned it down. Now the economy is in the dumper. Tough thing, timing the market.
On MLB last night they did an interview with Tori Hunter. That dude is a funny guy. He spoke basically about the same thing of how free agents last year were in a much different place than those signing this spring.
LikeLike
Alright, let’s play a prediction game before P&C’s report. We played this on Chopnation last year and nobody won. You get one pick. Who will be the first to have Tommy John Surgery? Anybody in the league, but you can’t pick somebody that is already showing signs of elbow trouble or discomfort and you can’t pick someone else’s choice.
I don’t know if there’s any way that CL can work her WordPress Magic to develop a way to keep up with everybody’s predictions, but we’ll figure something out. I’ll wait a little while before I pick to give y’all first shot at your choices. Swing away.
LikeLike
Javy Vasquez, followed soon by D. Lowe!
LikeLike
😛
Mr. Sunshine I am…..
LikeLike
There is a reason many companies do not want employees discussing salaries
That, and to low ball folks, and have you think you have gotten a special deal. My always smiling onetime hippy chick boss at borders acted like she had gone the extra mile to get me an extra 1K when I became an Assistant Manager(Long story short all store trainers became managers at one point-and you all would laugh yourself silly if you found out how very little one was paid to manage a 12+ million dollar store-from a company run by rich liberals)
Then, when they gathered us all together for training, everyone talked about what they were offered. What I was told was the very bottom baseline. And my store, out of about 160, was a top ten store in volume.
But, I am not still bitter in the least, 10 years later. 😕
LikeLike
Long story short all store trainers became managers at
one pointAt the same time…LikeLike
Here’s a really good article about the game we all love. The author was my best friend in high school. How he got to Gainseville, Georgia from Smackover, Arkansas, I’ll never know. Check it out if the link works.
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/14741/
LikeLike
gotta love this…
HURRY, FELLAS, LET’S VOTE, I AM OFF TO ROME!
Fri Feb 13 2009 09:18:52 ET
Rep. John Culberson, TX claims the “stimulus” bill must be urgently voted on today — because Speaker Nancy Pelosi is leaving at 6:00 PM for an 8 day trip to Europe!
Culberson made the charge on Houston’s KSEV radio.
Pelosi is hoping to lead a delegation to Europe; there’s a meeting with the Pope and an award from an Italian legislative group.
Calls to Pelosi’s spokesman went unreturned.
In the rushing, Democrats have now broken their promise to have the public see the $790 billion bill for 48 hours before any vote.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) predicted that none of his Senate colleagues would ‘have the chance’ to read the entire final version of the 1,071-page bill before it comes up for a final vote.
http://drudgereport.com/flashpr.htm
LikeLike
Thanks for that cheery thought at 10:58, Ber.
Frenchy could’ve gotten the same deal as Mac but he wanted more $$$. I agree with VOR, this side of him concerns me & seems at odds with the rest of what we see from him.
LikeLike
That was really good, Hillbilly. My compliments to your friend. Gainesville is the closest larger town to Tiger so we’ll be going there to shop & dine out. I think VOR lives pretty close to it too, I’ll have to meet up with him someday.
LikeLike
Plan for 100 & stay busy, Gil. Knowing you, that won’t be a problem. Just take care of yourself. My great-grandmother lived to 105 & the only thing wrong with her was that she was deaf. Pretty good example for me to follow, huh?
LikeLike
Wow, 105??? I take you were still alive when she reached that age???
LikeLike
That woman that cried in front of Obama and was given a free house???
Is it really surprising she has turned down free housing before, if it meant job training????
http://www.winknews.com/news/local/39518252.html
LikeLike
Yes, but I never got to meet her. She lived in upstate NY.
Heart-shaped brownies, anyone? I’ve got ’em in the oven.
LikeLike
Most likely TJ surgery?
How about K-Rod, the Mutts new closer.
😀
LikeLike
Can’t have had previous arm trouble… Well, I guess that leaves out Peavy…
Let’s see.. who was over used last year, Jair? the entire Marlins staff… ? Let’s see, needs to be a manager who does not like pitchers… Yankees staff? Tough one there Hillbilly, so many likely candidates…
LikeLike
Ber… Retail + manager = work you as many hours as we want to without paying you overtime….. Only way to agree to being a manager or assistant manager is to get a percentage of the gross for the store to make up for the 100 hours a week you put in…
Been there done that… Why I unionized….
LikeLike
I never had a problem with making my boss rich as long as the feeling was reciprocal.
LikeLike
Got to be a National League pitcher who is not already showing signs of elbow problems…. Barry Zito count?
LikeLike
Zito would count. Americal League pitchers count, too. I picked Felix Hernandez last year, but I’m thinking of going with someone different this time around.
LikeLike
I’m thinking I’ll go with Matt Garza
LikeLike
Has Santana had elbow surgery before???
LikeLike
Prominent Orchard Park man charged with beheading his wife
By Gene Warner
Orchard Park police are investigating a particularly gruesome killing, the beheading of a woman, after her husband — an influential member of the local Muslim community — reported her death to police Thursday.
Police identified the victim as Aasiya Z. Hassan, 37. Detectives have charged her husband, Muzzammil Hassan, 44, with second-degree murder.
“He came to the police station at 6:20 p.m. [Thursday] and told us that she was dead,” Orchard Park Police Chief Andrew Benz said late this morning.
Muzzammil Hassan told police that his wife was at his business, Bridges TV, on Thorn Avenue in the village. Officers went to that location and discovered her body.
Muzzammil Hassan is the founder and chief executive officer of Bridges TV, which he launched in 2004, amid hopes that it would help portray Muslims in a more positive light.
The killing apparently occurred some time late Thursday afternoon. Detectives still are looking for the murder weapon.
“Obviously, this is the worst form of domestic violence possible,” Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III said today.
Authorities say Aasiya Hassan recently had filed for divorce from her husband.
“She had an order of protection that had him out of the home as of Friday the 6th [of February],” Benz said.
Muzzammil Hassan was arraigned before Village Justice Deborah Chimes and sent to the Erie County Holding Center.
http://www.buffalonews.com/494/story/578644.html
LikeLike
One last question Hillbilly, does it have to be a pitcher on the 40 man roster or the 25 man roster on opening day? I’m still thinking Barry Zito had a very Tim Hudson kind of year in 2008. Look for a guy who’s velocity has dropped for no apparent reason…
So does the time start from the beginning of spring training or the beginning of the major league season?
LikeLike
Ber, Are you aware of the murder that took place last week at Va Tech? Chinese graduate student beheaded his girlfriend while at the student center. It was said when the police arrived a few minutes after they were called, the guy was holding the woman’s head by the hair. Said he used a kitchen knife. Man, that’s rage…
LikeLike
😯 That’s just scary. How could anyone do that to another person?
LikeLike
Not to sound flippant about a horrible situation, but I don’t feel so bad about being single on Valentine’s Day now.
LikeLike
I see from pics on ajc that Mac, Frenchy, Lowe & Kawakami are already in camp. My boy looks a lot trimmer around the middle.
LikeLike
Howdy, all! Turning in early tonight. Last night was a “2 Percoset night”, and today at PT I was absolutely in tears by half-way through. I have experienced pain before, but I don’t recall anything like that! One more day crossed off the calendar.
See y’all tomorrow! 🙂
LikeLike
Poor CL!!!! 😦
LikeLike
Wow, CL! I think you need one of my special Diet Cokes with Two Umbrellas!
LikeLike
😦 Unfortunately there will probably be more days like that. Just remember how much better you’re going to feel when it’s all healed.
LikeLike
Much talk of Tommy John candidates. It would be nice to see a year or two without any pitcher going down with that. If bad luck or law of average has anything to do with it, the Braves should be fine for a few years after getting it all out of their system last year. A decade’s worth.
PT seems like Physical Torture at times. Gotta keep that scar tissue broken up to keep a full range of movement, rebuild muscle and such. I feel your pain CL. Just remember the range… you wanna be able to throw that slider, mix in a three-quarter delivery and snap off that split-finger fastball.
It’s a rainy day in Georgia. Seems like it’s raining all over the world.
LikeLike
Good morning all.. Well, I went to upload Berigan’s new lead this morning and it was gone… Nothing in the que.. nada, nil, ziltch…. POOF, gone…
So, Ber, if you could resend it to CL I would greatly appreciate it.
In other news, pitchers and catchers in camp and McCann looks really good… Married life must really agree with him… He might even become a base stealing threat… Well, maybe not.. but he still looks sharp. Just like a real athlete…
LikeLike
As long as there is baseball being played, there will be Tommy John surgery, that is until everyone learns how to pitch a 90 mph fastball underhand.
And so the rains move in to go along with the arrival of the players…
LikeLike
Yes Gil, as sure a day turns into night, there will be injuries, rain delays and spilt beer going for a foul balls in the stands… like that couple in the 8th row from Waycross. For now, it’s safe to walk the dog.
LikeLike
Okay folks, I’m off, looking for adventure, heading for the highway… Josie and I are going to fetch a Guinea Pig for one of the grand daughters this morning. I’m not sure what else she has planned but I know she will think of something. Later…
LikeLike
Gil is planning a luau?
558 posts… wow! No wonder this blog is slow.
Just went over and saw DOB has the new WordPress format on his blog. Seems too spaced out or something… and sterile. I liked the old format better over there than what they have now. I prefer our look and format over either of ajc’s. Braves and Stuff is easier to read and I like that every other post here has the light tan background. Easy to follow and easy on the eyes. The layout/format comparison makes me appreciate even more what CL designed and put together.
Wonder if, by having ads, the blog format selection is more limited? Maybe we should have a sponsor too. What national brand wouldn’t want to have the eyeballs, loyalty and patronage of, what… eight or ten of us? 😆
Also noticed that Bisher, Bradley, Moore and Shultz have the same ajc format that DOB used to have. What’s up with that? Maybe DOB is making a move away from ajc, building his own blog brand that would follow him when he leaves. Hmmm…
Something is afoot with DOB, ajc and the Braves beat… you heard it here first. There’s more to this change than arbitrary blog platform switching, re-formatting, masthead re-design and blog renaming.
LikeLike
Happy VD!
LikeLike
LikeLike
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Conspiracy theory, SG? Actually ajc seems to be going to the new format a little at a time. The American Idol blog switched over a while ago.
LikeLike
“Married life must really agree with him.” Ashley must not let him live on junk food, which I’m sure was the staple in the bachelor pad.
Seriously, I know he worked really hard this offseason to take the weight. I’m proud of him.
LikeLike
…take the weight off
Wish we had an edit function like on my skating board.
LikeLike
I found it, Gil; much of it had to do with working on it while I was CUI. ‘Computing under the influence’ of Percoset and had it misnumbered. Sorry! 😳
NEW BLOG IS UP!!
LikeLike