Link Dump 12/16: Where is the <kRaZeE wAnD aCtIoN>?

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 8:53 AM PST

When Big Games Get Going, Nervous Executives Get Lost
<Joe Morgan>Apparently, Ernie Accorsi is too much of a wimp to watch the Giants play. How can a general manager NOT WATCH HIS OWN TEAM PLAY?! He's not a real football man. I think it's pretty obvious that Accorsi doesn't even like football. He sucks. Jerry West and Billy Beane suck too.</Joe Morgan>

"When I was sitting upstairs in the press box, I felt chained to my chair," Accorsi said recently. "It just got tougher and tougher to watch up there. And then it's enclosed, it's surreal. I felt, well, imprisoned. So last summer I was having dinner with Pat Williams - an old friend, we were in school together at Wake Forest in the early '60s and he had been the general manager of four N.B.A. teams.

"I was telling Pat my problem, about watching games in the press box, and he told me to get out of there, as he had. He'd never watch his team play. Made him crazy, though he'd sometimes listened to the game on his transistor radio."

Williams recalled that conversation. "Ernie told me he was retiring," Williams said. "I asked why. He said, 'I can't handle it anymore.' I said: 'Your ownership wants you. Just don't watch the games.' I told him I used to go to a workout room, or read a book."

Williams also told Accorsi that Jerry West stopped watching games when he was general manager of the championship-winning Los Angeles Lakers. And that Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's and the man made famous by the book "Moneyball," doesn't watch his team, either.

Andy Marte has a torn UCL. Or not.

Reports were circulating at the winter meetings that Marte had a tear of his UCL, but his agent, Don Mitchell, emphatically denied any health issue for Marte.
"There have been no doctor visits, no surgeries, no sore elbow, no anything," Mitchell said. "He's been playing in the Dominican (Republic's winter league), he's been hitting, he's been throwing and he's been having no physical problems whatsoever." . . . "

A-rod will not be participating in the WBC.

"After thoughtful deliberations with my family, I am announcing my decision to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic," A-Rod told The Post from Miami. "When faced with the decision to choose between my country, the United States of America, and my Dominican heritage, I decided I will not dishonor either."

The Orioles have joined the Red Sox, Yankees, and Dodgers in the Johnny Damon race. Jim Duquette says that the team has yet to make an offer.

Boston is lining up trades in case Damon does not sign with them. They offered Matt Clement for Jeremy Reed, and the Mariners have countered with a Bronson Arroyo/Jeremy Reed deal. The Red Sox have also inquired about Cleveland's Coco Crisp. Trade Reed to Oakland. We need another centerfielder. And no, Bavasi...he's not enough to get you Zito.

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My favorite part

of the NYT article:

Beane recalled an interleague game between the A's and the Padres in San Diego, with the contest building to a critical moment in the ninth inning. "Too much tension," said Beane, who had been watching the game in a suite. "I got up and walked outside. And who was coming out of his suite? Kevin Towers."

Towers is general manager of the Padres.

"We looked at each other," Beane said.

"Nope," Towers recalled, "I couldn't watch it, either."

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 8:58 AM PST reply actions

Those two are extremely competitive

with each other.

I remember reading that they take the A's/Padres spring training games very seriously.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 9:02 AM PST up reply actions

I love the Joe Morgan tags!

That's awesome. :D

"I like Band Camp. He hits things." ~ Kyli (9/24/05)

by AsGirl on Dec 16, 2005 9:00 AM PST reply actions

Whenever somebody mentions

the WBC, I think of rootbeer. Does anybody know why?

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 9:05 AM PST reply actions

IBC?

but WBC makes me think of lab tests, blood counts... White Blood Cells... fighting infections...

I'd rather think of root beer...

"Don't go getting all Alexander Haig on me," Beane told Forst.

by Poppy on Dec 16, 2005 9:08 AM PST up reply actions

Ah.

I was confusing WBC with IBC. All makes sense now. Thanks, I'm not going crazy.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 9:12 AM PST up reply actions

now it's making me think of boxing

WBC
IBC

Go A's -- Nebraska

by Ryan Armbrust on Dec 16, 2005 10:18 AM PST up reply actions

WBA IBF NABF

In Boxing everyone can be a champion, they have more federations than boxers.

by theblackpearl on Dec 16, 2005 10:24 AM PST up reply actions

hold on, there...

I never said you weren't going crazy.

"Don't go getting all Alexander Haig on me," Beane told Forst.

by Poppy on Dec 16, 2005 10:32 AM PST up reply actions

I really tossed you a softball

there, didn't I?

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 10:36 AM PST up reply actions

did your arm fall off?

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:56 AM PST up reply actions

Rotoworld Pitcher Keepers Pt 2

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/story.asp?sport=MLB&storyid=18259

Includes:
Rich Harden, Dan Haren and Barry Zito...

There are only two races in Baseball, Right Handers and Left Handers.

by Zonis on Dec 16, 2005 9:06 AM PST reply actions

But put down the big weights, boy!

Complacency isn't in Harden's program

Who knew?

"Don't go getting all Alexander Haig on me," Beane told Forst.

by Poppy on Dec 16, 2005 9:11 AM PST reply actions

So...

did he ever throw another changeup after his lat injury last year?

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 9:17 AM PST up reply actions

Macha is going to have him throw

all changeups in his first start.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 9:40 AM PST up reply actions

That sounds fun!

I can't wait until his arm falls off! WOOHOO!

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 9:58 AM PST up reply actions

Let's predict when, where, and how.

Tomorrow, in his kitchen, reaching for a box of cereal.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:09 AM PST up reply actions

Tonight

In Jennofer's basement, struggling with the duck tape.

by ArakSOT on Dec 16, 2005 10:10 AM PST up reply actions

lol

today, in his yard, waving to a neighbor

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:16 AM PST up reply actions

I like this game

Mr. Peacock, in the drawing room, with a candlestick

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 10:11 AM PST up reply actions

I'm in...

Christmas day, in his mommy's livingroom, ripping the paper off of his new GI Joe action figure.

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 10:30 AM PST up reply actions

yes

Then the other one falls off when he's making snow angels later that day.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:33 AM PST up reply actions

Then he shoots his

eye out with a Red Ryder Ranger Model Air Rifle. This results in an altered depth perception that actually adds movement to his "ghost pitch."

Unfortunately, he has no arms with which to throw.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 10:35 AM PST up reply actions

Dude...

One of the companies I work for makes those BB guns. But you don't know that.

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 10:39 AM PST up reply actions

I smell a LAWSUIT!

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:42 AM PST up reply actions

Of course I don't.

And what's with this "companies I work for?" Do you have 7 different jobs?

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 10:42 AM PST up reply actions

1 for each personality

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:43 AM PST up reply actions

We hate you.

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

Does Keith like HIS job?

And was that Jennifer who was going to get fired? :P

"I like Band Camp. He hits things." ~ Kyli (9/24/05)

by AsGirl on Dec 16, 2005 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

None of my personalities are getting fired...

WOOHOO! We were, however, scolded for turning our mileage expenses in late.

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 10:51 AM PST up reply actions

and remember ...

... you can expense meals for yourself while on the road, but not for the drifters you pick up along the highway.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:54 AM PST up reply actions

It's precisely that attitude, young lady

... that's standing in the way of your career advancement here at Amalgamated Firepower and Blandishments, Inc.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:50 AM PST up reply actions

No...

Sorry, that's confusing. The owners own three companies (two gun manufacturing companies, one greeting card company. Strange, I know.). I work in the central payroll office.

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 10:45 AM PST up reply actions

Happy Birthday!

<bang!>

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:47 AM PST up reply actions

I believe it's actually

{bang}

'Our condolences in your time of loss ...'

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Dec 16, 2005 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

So...

...Macha tries to attach the GI Joe's arms to Rich with his gum, but they won't stay on.

The A's decide to let him try to pitch anyway.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:40 AM PST up reply actions

But not the changeup, right?

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 10:42 AM PST up reply actions

They let him throw the changeup.

But he misses his next three starts.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:45 AM PST up reply actions

A's official injury report

lists Harden as being out with a minor olecranon fossa dismemberment. Will Carroll's head explodes.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 10:49 AM PST up reply actions

But he'll only miss just three more starts!

That's it! I swear!

hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!! <my head explodes>

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:57 AM PST up reply actions

damn you to hell!!!

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:59 AM PST up reply actions

and then the A's announce ...

... that Will Carroll will only miss three starts ...

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:58 AM PST up reply actions

Not three starts...

...but three weeks. And it's true. Carroll is able to write again after three weeks of rest, but while writing his first word his head explodes again.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 11:01 AM PST up reply actions

you forgot to mention ...

... that between the two head explosions, the A's had Will fly cross-country four times.

In the unpressurized cargo hold.

In a cage with three schnauzers.

Slathered in bacon grease.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 11:05 AM PST up reply actions

Next to Mark Kotsay's bad back

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 11:06 AM PST up reply actions

which fell out mid-game ...

... when Kotsay, pissed off about a 4-game losing streak, shoved Bobby Crosby aside to take a popup at the pitcher's mound.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 11:10 AM PST up reply actions

Crosby + bacon grease + schnauzers?

Dude. That's hot.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder

by Kyli on Dec 16, 2005 11:09 AM PST up reply actions

That would certainly dirty the sheets.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 11:13 AM PST up reply actions

Andy and Ben?

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 11:14 AM PST up reply actions

Break out the plastic sheets!

<thud>

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 11:15 AM PST up reply actions

the bacon grease

would make it really slippery

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 11:18 AM PST up reply actions

I also didn't mention...

...that after witnessing the most gruesome head explosion they'de ever seen, the A's signed Carroll to a three-year, $32 million contract.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 11:11 AM PST up reply actions

they'd

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 11:12 AM PST up reply actions

uh...

Why were the schnauzers slathered in bacon grease? That's just mean.

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 11:12 AM PST up reply actions

Keeps 'em from sticking to the pan

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 11:15 AM PST up reply actions

dammit Sal ...

I'm at work and I've got tears in my eyes from laughing so hard ... this is very unprofessional.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Dec 16, 2005 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

Oh, I'm soooo

sorry devo. :)

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 1:16 PM PST up reply actions

Anyway, this is good for you

after last night's pissing contest with oaktoon.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 1:20 PM PST up reply actions

It's just a flesh wound!

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 10:37 AM PST up reply actions

Not GI Joe

Stretch Armstrong

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Dec 16, 2005 10:36 AM PST up reply actions

and then ...

... while playing with Stretch by grabbing the torso in his mouth and an arm with one foot, Rich bursts Stretch open, swallows the green goo inside, and dies.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:43 AM PST up reply actions

Then the A's release a statement

that says Rich will miss three more starts.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

tee-hee!

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:51 AM PST up reply actions

Someone get out the duct tape and staple gun.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder

by Kyli on Dec 16, 2005 10:34 AM PST up reply actions

actually ...

... arakSOT was right, even if it's counterintuitive: it is in fact "duck tape" and not "duct tape."

"Duck" as in the cotton canvas weave.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:41 AM PST up reply actions

What the flock

is up with this duck talk? It's not all it's quacked up to be.

"Put a Milo on him." -Billy Beane

by kaweahkaweah on Dec 16, 2005 10:44 AM PST up reply actions

I thought it was "duct"...

becuase it's used to seal heating and air-conditioning ducts, and that "Duck" was a brand of tape....

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

Hence "counterintuitive"

There should be a word for terms such as "duck tape" that accrete more-plausible origin stories.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:53 AM PST up reply actions

Ah...

Because of these properties, it was also used to quickly repair military equipment, including jeeps, guns, and aircraft. Because the original tape was made of cotton duck fabric, and it repelled moisture like "water off a duck's back", it was originally referred to as "duck tape". The original term came into modern usage with the introduction of "Duck Tape", a registered trademark of Duck Products.

http://www.answers.com/duct+tape&r=67

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 10:53 AM PST up reply actions

interesting

and to think I was vilified on these very pages a month ago for talking about Duck Tape. Sad, really. But the humiliation drove me to become the supervillian I am today, and to found my alternative sports blog, Blue Gray Sky.

by Apricot on Dec 16, 2005 11:02 AM PST up reply actions

Vilified?

It was more of a gentle reminder. Besides, I'm a convert. Can't I be your villianous sidekick?

by ArakSOT on Dec 16, 2005 11:06 AM PST up reply actions

...That's it.

Let's forget these duck/duct questions and just eliminate the problem and the sticky residue on Harden (not THAT kind).

We can reattach the arm with gaffer's tape!

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder

by Kyli on Dec 16, 2005 10:53 AM PST up reply actions

i prefer ...

... best boy's tape.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

this is the perfect time

for Jennifer's crazy wand.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

I think it's still covered with ...

... sticky residue.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

insert crazy wand action here...

...no not there!

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:58 AM PST up reply actions

ew!

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 10:59 AM PST up reply actions

What?!

Your <kRaZeE wAnD aCtIoN> needs some practice.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 11:03 AM PST up reply actions

I put the kRaZEe wAnD in ...

... Sal's pants!

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 11:00 AM PST up reply actions

<snicker>

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 11:01 AM PST up reply actions

OK

I put a Snickers bar in Sal's pants!

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 11:03 AM PST up reply actions

lol

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 11:04 AM PST up reply actions

I tell you,

I'll have neither Jennifer's voodoo witchery nor monkeyball's primate mastication in my pantaloons! </Monty Burns>

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 11:06 AM PST up reply actions

You know, just now,

I really felt how much you like me.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Dec 16, 2005 11:09 AM PST up reply actions

Um, ???

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 11:12 AM PST up reply actions

Sorry, too obscure

I'll help you out.

Sal: <reaches down towards pants>
Nick: Come on! I don't want to see it! <Sal pulls Snickers out of his pocket>. Oh. Sorry if I embarrassed you.
Sal: I'm not embarrassed. Chocolate snacks are a priority in my life.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Dec 16, 2005 11:15 AM PST up reply actions

Actually, that was ...

... the earthquake in Richmond you felt ...

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 11:12 AM PST up reply actions

Was this before or after

Sal crapped his pants?

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 11:07 AM PST up reply actions

NOOOOOOOOO!

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder

by Kyli on Dec 16, 2005 10:56 AM PST up reply actions

<sob>

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 10:58 AM PST up reply actions

<Jennifer's arm falls off>

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 10:59 AM PST up reply actions

I'm not playing Diary Cop, but ...

... we did talk about this yesterday -- only providing link to include all comments in the discussion, not to say it shouldn't be discussed here.

My thinking is that Curt Young needs to tell Poppa to keep his mitts of Sonny in-season.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 9:35 AM PST up reply actions

Mitts of Sonny

Not bad for an early-80s prog-rock band - but a little too weird for me.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 9:37 AM PST up reply actions

wayback machine

Prog was pretty much dead by then, unless you count Rush and Yes, which by the early '80s had both morphed into proto-Def Leppard keyboard-driven pop/hair metal.

"Mitts of Sonny" sounds to me like a Drag City early '90s indie-rock band -- named after, of course, Sonny Liston.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 9:41 AM PST up reply actions

I'm not an embarrassed AN-er

I just play one online.

sorry... :( didn't see it yesterday...

"Don't go getting all Alexander Haig on me," Beane told Forst.

by Poppy on Dec 16, 2005 10:34 AM PST up reply actions

this is exactly the kind of carelessness

that is DRIVING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DAILY away from AN right into the arms of Blue Gray Sky.

<sob>

by Apricot on Dec 16, 2005 10:47 AM PST up reply actions

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

Did you just mention the blog that-shall-not-be-mentioned?
AAAAHHHHHHH!

"I like Band Camp. He hits things." ~ Kyli (9/24/05)

by AsGirl on Dec 16, 2005 10:49 AM PST up reply actions

I heard

that Alyssa Milano posts there.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Dec 16, 2005 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

Sssshhh!

Don't tell GNGG!

"I like Band Camp. He hits things." ~ Kyli (9/24/05)

by AsGirl on Dec 16, 2005 10:57 AM PST up reply actions

which one?

You mean Blue Grey Sky?

by Apricot on Dec 16, 2005 11:00 AM PST up reply actions

For all Gary Radnich haters, Mychael Urban is

hosting with Dave Fleming on KNBR.

by theblackpearl on Dec 16, 2005 9:46 AM PST reply actions

Royals continue

to accumulate a semblance of a major-league team:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5173210

The Royals have signed free-agent second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, right-hander Scott Elarton and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, FOXSports.com has learn

For a fan's perspective: http://www.royalsreview.com/story/2005/12/16/124455/73
This might be the best Paul Bako has ever looked. He should walk around with Doug Mientkiewicz all the time.

For an analyst's perspective:
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/royals_flailed_wildly/
Congratulations Allard, you've blown the Royals' offseason wad in order to turn a 62-100 team into a 64-98 team. Grudzielanek is the only one that really has any kind of value to the Royals. To the teams lamenting that they can't get Jonny Gomes from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays - the Royals just released Matt Diaz, who can probably be the next Gomes. Mientkiewicz has no utility to this team and Elarton and Bako are terrible. Thumbs up for Grudz, who's probably a 25-run improvement over Gotay in the field. Thumbs way down for the rest, in the gladiator games sense.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 10:05 AM PST reply actions

It's amazing

From what I understand, they had enough money that they could begin to turn the team around. Maybe not this year or next, but soon enough. And then, they go and blow their wad of dough on a bunch of expensive, mediocre players. I pity Royals fans who could once cheer for a proud and winning organization and now have to look at this mess.

"Put a Milo on him." -Billy Beane

by kaweahkaweah on Dec 16, 2005 10:12 AM PST up reply actions

one of the reasons

I'm an A's fan, and not a Royals fan. They have been mediocre to awful over the past 15 years or so.

Go A's -- Nebraska

by Ryan Armbrust on Dec 16, 2005 10:28 AM PST up reply actions

Are you getting nervous?

I am.

According to lonestarball via the Newberg report, the Rangers have signed D'Angelo Jiminez, who is exactly the kind of underappreciated/overlooked player a smart GM will go after.

Yes, the Rangers need pitching. But in a larger sense, Jon Daniels is proving himself to be a smart GM who will one day make the Rangers into an annually competetive team.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 10:45 AM PST reply actions

But he's only 2 years old.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

And he's a stat geek

He'll never make it in this world.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 10:50 AM PST up reply actions

I bet he doesn't even watch the games.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 10:52 AM PST up reply actions

He wouldn't know a baseball

if it hit him in the head.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 16, 2005 10:53 AM PST up reply actions

<Chirp>

Why is it so quiet here all of a sudden? No one has posted in about half an hour. Is that a new record?

"I like Band Camp. He hits things." ~ Kyli (9/24/05)

by AsGirl on Dec 16, 2005 11:42 AM PST reply actions

Jennifer's boss ...

... is roaming the cubicles with a thirty-aught-six in one hand and a "Hang in there"-kitten get-well card in the other.

We're all hiding under our desks.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 11:48 AM PST up reply actions

Ok, now I'm REALLY lost

<Whispers>
When did you get out of the cage?

"I like Band Camp. He hits things." ~ Kyli (9/24/05)

by AsGirl on Dec 16, 2005 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

<sotto voce>

When Sal put the bacon-grease-slathered schnauzers in the cage, I slipped out.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 12:00 PM PST up reply actions

"...a thirty-aught-six in one hand..."

This is extremely amusing to me.

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

The big gun is just for show

He doesn't have to be able to fire it -- he just flashes the "Hang in there" card to disable his perceived enemies.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 12:34 PM PST up reply actions

Most competitive sport

A formal journal article on which sport is most competitive was posted on arxiv.org (a pre-print server for scientific journal articles, meaning that posting there does not require peer review, hence "pre").

What is the most competitive sport?

You can read the full article by following the link; it is only two pages long.
The brief summary is that superficially, MLB has the most parity among NBA, NFL, NHL, and the English Premier League (soccer). The greater number of games that are played in a baseball season, however, mean a greater number of upset games increase the apparent parity.

The authors correct for this effect using a statistical model of favorites vs. underdogs and find that soccer and baseball are the first and second most competitive sports. However, looking historically, soccer is getting less competitive over time, while American football and baseball are becoming more so.
--
Pascal

by mickelsp on Dec 16, 2005 12:15 PM PST reply actions

Donovon has a new single out

Appraising BB's latest moves:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Au6zv2CM5JiePP3rTK4MsNcRvLYF?slug=cnnsi-arealheadscratc&pr ov=cnnsi&type=lgns

"Macha, Howe...whatever." --salb918

by BruceBochte on Dec 16, 2005 1:58 PM PST reply actions

Here come those

Mariners, close to signing washburn from what I've heard.

The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.-W. M. Lewis

by doublehustle22 on Dec 16, 2005 3:30 PM PST reply actions

OK, boys ...

... this should cure you (ok, most of you) once and for all of your Anna Benson fantasies.

WARNING: I'd advise against actually clicking through to Anna's site itself, b/c (a) it takes a long time to load, even on work DSL; (b) it's not entirely work-safe; (c) it's LOUD (in both senses of the term); and (d) it takes some digging to find the actual quotes.

DISCLAIMER: Tom Watson's diatribe (no, not "the" Tom Watson) is itself unfair, inflammatory, and ad feminem.

DISCLAIMER 2: I'm no fan of Moore myself, but this stuff is egregious.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 3:54 PM PST reply actions

ooooooKAY!

That's just...

{8-|

Sorry, words fail me.

As to what she said about our soldiers: "...they would love to strip you naked in the streets..."

Seriously, Mrs. Benson, try to control your sleazy fantasies.

"Don't go getting all Alexander Haig on me," Beane told Forst.

by Poppy on Dec 16, 2005 4:32 PM PST up reply actions

I KNEW

there was a reason she does nothing for me.

by Apricot on Dec 16, 2005 4:57 PM PST up reply actions

do you watch Curb Your Enthusiasm

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2005 5:24 PM PST up reply actions

Yuck!

by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2005 6:33 PM PST up reply actions

uh...

...holy cow.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Dec 16, 2005 7:45 PM PST up reply actions

Stark's Zito Trades

I didn't see this earlier, but here are Stark's mock Zito trades:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2261063

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Dec 16, 2005 8:17 PM PST reply actions

In other news...

Ex-A Jason Grabowski has apparently been released by the Dodgers. Over/under on him somehow ending up with the Orioles, AKA the Island of Misfit Athletics?

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder

by Kyli on Dec 16, 2005 10:56 PM PST reply actions