Dumply Lay Dink 2/2/07: What day is it?

Yay spring!!

he saw his shadow. that means spring is near.

(btw, what a crappy job. i'm not talking about the guy who pulls the groundhog out of the ground each year, no, I'm talking about phil the groundhog who gets yanked out of a warm hole in the ground each year at the @%$#%$ of dawn so that 15,000 people standing around can figure out if it's going to still be cold or if spring will be coming soon. dude, look at a calendar, spring comes the same time every year....)

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Feb 2, 2007 8:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

No, he DIDN'T see his shadow!

Let's start the baseball season now!

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 8:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Longtime handler Bill Deeley retired and was replaced Friday by Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle members John Griffiths and Ben Hughes.

When the city of Punxsutawney negotiates Phil's next contract, however, they will include language that bars members of his inner circle from entering the clubhouse...

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 8:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Phil

can get Boras to be his agent.

"Will you go out with me? Oh yeah, your just what I've been waiting for my whole life--a slut and a gold digger."--Salvatore

by osuSwisher on Feb 2, 2007 9:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Is it just me or...

..has that groundhog suddenly got HUGE?

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Feb 2, 2007 2:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

lol

Didn't you see the groundhog hanging out by Barry Bonds' locker last season? Dude, that rodent has bulked up!

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Feb 2, 2007 6:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Barry's Locker?

No way. It was from the guy next to Bond's locker. Remember?

Of course I'm a nihilist. What else is there to do? Graham Coxon

by mlleaimee on Feb 2, 2007 6:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hope they don't have ground-hog day in Siberia

where the snow is like the Giants' locker-room ... orange and smelly.

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Feb 2, 2007 8:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Myers' is why Yakov Smirnoff loves this country

A $27 million extension is certainly a strong message against spousal abuse . . .

No word yet on whether Myers celebrated his extension by kicking the crap out of his wife and biting the head off a puppy.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Feb 2, 2007 8:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Dear Poppy,

HOLY! MOTHER! OF! GOD!

I love you.

Jennifer

"i was not told that this blog would involve math."

by Jennifer on Feb 2, 2007 8:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yaaaaaaaaaayyy!

<snerk>

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 8:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Umm, I don't get it

Wha happen?

See the latest dumbass thing I've done -- camUra

by hunter on Feb 2, 2007 1:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm irresistable

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 7:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oic

See the latest dumbass thing I've done -- camUra

by hunter on Feb 3, 2007 2:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you mind if I share photos?

"i was not told that this blog would involve math."

by Jennifer on Feb 5, 2007 10:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Please do!

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is a sad sign of the times

by ArakSOT on Feb 5, 2007 12:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NOT photos of Poppy, btw.

"i was not told that this blog would involve math."

by Jennifer on Feb 5, 2007 12:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh

rats

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is a sad sign of the times

by ArakSOT on Feb 5, 2007 12:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Photos of rats?

Sign me up!

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 5, 2007 1:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Of course not, as long as they're not photos of me... which, unless you're alarmingly sneaky, they aren't... ;)

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 5, 2007 5:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

WOOHOO!

Poppy sent me the greatest birthday card EV. ER.

I'm still smiling.

"i was not told that this blog would involve math."

by Jennifer on Feb 5, 2007 8:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, you know...

When he dropped by my house and asked me to mail that for him, how could I say no? He's such a sweetheart. He apparently also thinks you're 5 years old. ;)

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 6, 2007 6:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"...also thinks you're 5 years old."

Yeah, I get that a lot.

"i was not told that this blog would involve math."

by Jennifer on Feb 6, 2007 10:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ooooohhhh, I'm so jealous!

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Feb 6, 2007 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Angels Totebag lawsuit dismissed

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BBA_ANGELS_DISCRIMINATION_SUIT?SITE=CAOAK&SECTION=SPORTS& amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

I can't believe valuable time and money was spent on such a stupid thing. Actually, sadly, I can.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Feb 2, 2007 8:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Aw heck

so much for my lawsuit against the A's for alarm clock day being kids only. (BTW, why the hell does a kid need an alarm clock anyway? It makes just about as much sense as making Welcome Mat day Kids only.) I'll just go ahead and fire off a complaint letter and assume 4 alarm clocks will be headed my way.

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Feb 2, 2007 10:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The front page of

CNN.com has this story with the headline: "Report: Warming is real, man to blame." My first thought was, "Let's find that one bastard and beat the snot out of him!" Then I read the story and learned that by "man" they meant "mankind." Unfortunately, I don't have the time to beat the snot out of mankind.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 2, 2007 9:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

or the stature, really

unless you start with the infants and work your way up

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is a sad sign of the times

by ArakSOT on Feb 2, 2007 9:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And even then, five year olds

with rudimentary karate skill from watching Power Rangers are a demographic I don't wish to mess with.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 2, 2007 9:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

fret not

i think those 5yr olds have more likely grown to be 13 yr olds with "rudimentary karate skill from watching Power Rangers" and newly smelling armpits.

"I'd like to reference a brilliant post from Left Coast Lumber today" - notsellingjeans

by methodrampage on Feb 2, 2007 10:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Can I help?

I'd be available & capable of beating the snot out of all mankind for, say, a few days each month.

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 9:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kenny Rogers would push mankind over.

And AJ Pierszynski will fight mankind next week on RAW.

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Feb 2, 2007 2:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

actually, women are to blame for global warming

maybe we can get brett myers to beat the snot out of em...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Feb 2, 2007 9:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought it was the...

...methane producing cows from Great Britain that were responsible. Either those or the heffers along I-5 from Stockton to Sacramento!

Geez, and just 20 years ago, it was the "nuclear winter" that had me worried.

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Feb 2, 2007 10:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm....

Someone should post the exact same Link Dump for the next three weeks.

Just for fun.

by theblackpearl on Feb 2, 2007 9:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

You're cruel.

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 9:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're cruel, too.

by Zonis on Feb 2, 2007 8:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oops, that was supposed to be

I think it's a great idea.

gotta brush up on my Groundhog day.

by Zonis on Feb 2, 2007 8:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Jebus!

'bout damn time!

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 8:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"I got you Babe"

by easyraider on Feb 2, 2007 9:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ned Ryerson!

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Feb 2, 2007 10:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

True story

Ned Ryerson recorded me a voicemail message. I placed third in a contest, so I missed out on going to his birthday party or having dinner with him, but he recorded me a just swell voicemail message that freaked the hell out of my mother in law.

"You remember, Needlenose Ned? Ned the Head? Leave a message after the tone - BING!"

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Feb 2, 2007 2:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

also in this same vein,

you all should visit some of the more academic/theological dissections of that film, it really does have a timeless quality to it (pun intended)

http://www.groundhogdaythemovie.com

NPR's show from 2/2/2006:
http://www.radioopensource.org/groundhog-day/

also a good read:
http://www.transparencynow.com/groundhog.htm

by popcornjames on Feb 2, 2007 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hardball Times

Well, most of you already have this book, but I just got my first copy of the Hardball Times (instead of the Bill James 07) and I love it. It's a great book, I am very happy with the purchase and recommend it to anyone that might be thinking about getting it.
My only complaint is that I wish they had small color commentary blurbs about the players. My main use is to take a look at the stat book and try to familiarize myself with the non A's players.

This year, I also bought the Ron Shandler Forecaster instead of BP.

"Choosing between Milledge and Gomez is like choosing between Mozart and Beethoven" --NY Mets Message Boards

by apilgrim on Feb 2, 2007 9:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

FIRE LARRY DAVIS NOW!!!

I think I've found his replacement: Deborah Edgerly.

a happy interloper in the world, bringing a pornographic insouciance to everyone's dull day ~ Tim Goodman @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 2, 2007 9:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Note to self:

plan six-foot wall in middle of escape route.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 2, 2007 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So they can catch you?

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 9:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I got hops, baby.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 2, 2007 9:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Great

Now all we need is some barley malt, water, and a little yeast.

In the stands the home crowd scatters For the turnstiles

by andeux on Feb 2, 2007 9:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The "baby"

wasn't an exclamation, it's the second item I've got. Combined with your list, we'll have an excellent baby beer.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 2, 2007 9:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

easier to make

then five year olds with rudimentary karate skill from watching Power Rangers bber

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is a sad sign of the times

by ArakSOT on Feb 2, 2007 10:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Tastes better, too

{makes skunky five year olds with rudimentary karate skill from watching Power Rangers beer face}

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 10:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

better than puer gravy?

"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Feb 2, 2007 2:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

you're thinking of baby beer batter

a happy interloper in the world, bringing a pornographic insouciance to everyone's dull day ~ Tim Goodman @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 2, 2007 4:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Litmus test

If I can do it, and they're eliminating it for being too strenuous, that's not a good thing.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Feb 2, 2007 11:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Have you SEEN Deborah Edgerly?

By comparison, Larry Davis is the Greek God of Fitness.

"If your athame is a spork, you might be a Discordian."

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Feb 2, 2007 10:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I guessed that was the case

ChipJo kind of skirted the issue in his column.

Is DebEdg really so powerful that no one in Oaktown will go on record as describing her or her duaghter as fat?

a happy interloper in the world, bringing a pornographic insouciance to everyone's dull day ~ Tim Goodman @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 2, 2007 10:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

... or me as a shoddy typist?

"daughter"

a happy interloper in the world, bringing a pornographic insouciance to everyone's dull day ~ Tim Goodman @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 2, 2007 10:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Or at least "zaftig"

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 10:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"Rubenesque"

... or, depending on their taste in sandwiches, "Reubenesque" ...

a happy interloper in the world, bringing a pornographic insouciance to everyone's dull day ~ Tim Goodman @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 2, 2007 10:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

chad johnson questioned about shooting death

he's not a suspect, but more bad publicity for the NFL
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/02/02/johnson.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Feb 2, 2007 9:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The interrogation is over already?

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Feb 2, 2007 10:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

at what point

is the NFL just going to vote the Bengals off the island?

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Feb 2, 2007 10:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

17% of the Bengals' roster

has been arrested in the last year.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Feb 2, 2007 11:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, they're a bunch of thugs

but i'm not sure chad johnson did anything wrong here. i kinda like ocho cinco. actually, i really like him. he's entertaining and funny, and he has a good attitude.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Feb 2, 2007 11:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Me too.

I would not want to see Ocho Clinko.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Feb 2, 2007 2:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

From the joke book vault

Why is ocho afraid of siete?

"WTF is wrong with you people TASTELESS COMMENTS. I'm disgusted. Mocking a 10 year old's horrible painful death." --eshock

by rubin sierra on Feb 2, 2007 11:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

College Baseball underway

Tonight's marquee matchup is Stanford vs. CSU Fullerton at 7pm on the Big West sports channel.
Future A's pitcher Wes Roemer will be in action tonight.

Big West baseball schedule

In honor of this, I hearby post this link featuring pachyderms(then and now) Suzuki and Windsor, who together won the 2004 NCAA national title against Texas. A sign of things to come!!

Windsor complete game, Suzuki clutch hit in sweep of Texas

"Choosing between Milledge and Gomez is like choosing between Mozart and Beethoven" --NY Mets Message Boards

by apilgrim on Feb 2, 2007 10:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Cal plays too

Not so much a marquee matchup, but Cal is at home against UC Irvine this afternoon. If you get a chance, go to see Cal pitcher Tyson Ross. I saw him pitch early last year as a freshman, and he was already pretty impressive. Apparently he's quickly gotten even better, as he made the pre-season watch list for the award for the top player in college baseball.

In the stands the home crowd scatters For the turnstiles

by andeux on Feb 2, 2007 10:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Go Tree!

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Feb 2, 2007 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dirtbags at SC tonight

Killer opening three weeks for Long Beach - SC, Texas, Rice...

by easyraider on Feb 2, 2007 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

weee

I'm going to the home opener tomorrow afternoon :)

"I never saw a hooligan I did like. They're like left-handed pitchers, they all have a screw loose somewhere." - The Asphalt Jungle

by drmmerchk on Feb 2, 2007 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I am heading down

to the CSU Fullerton vs Stanford game tonight,
This guy sounds like an A:
From the Farm Authority:

Cal State Fullerton RHP Wes Roemer

Class DOB Ht Wt B T
Junior 10/7/86 6′0″ 200 R R

Repertoire: High-80s fastball, curveball, slider, changeup
Year     W     L     G     GS     CG     SH     SV     IP     ERA     H9     HR9     BB9     K9     WHIP
2005     7     3     21     10     0     0     1     90.00     3.80     8.6     0.1     1.5     7.1     1.12
2006     13     2     21     20     3     2     1     155.00     2.38     7.3     0.5     0.4     8.4     0.86

Roemer, a pre-season All-American, will take the ball every Friday for Fullerton, so expect plenty of opportunities to compete against every opponent's top starter. He might not possess the overpowering stuff one would expect out of a first round selection. But he more than makes up for it with his control. In 155 innings pitched for the Titans, he walked just 7 hitters while striking out 145. His small frame, incredible control, and bulldog mentality have led to comparisons to Greg Maddux. Much like most of these Focus prospects, Roemer pitched for the US National team going 2-0 in 4 appearances (22.33IP) allowing 15 hits, 8 runs (5 earned), 6 walks while striking out 18. He left the team midway through the competition due to a death in the family.

Roemer at #6 would be far too early. But he's likely to be first round selection in 2007.

Couple of things make me think he will go in the second round, especially the fastball velocity and the size-maybe he is 5'10" or shorter.

"Choosing between Milledge and Gomez is like choosing between Mozart and Beethoven" --NY Mets Message Boards

by apilgrim on Feb 2, 2007 5:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Go Whoever-is-playing-stanfurd!!!

Down with the trees!

by calgbear on Feb 2, 2007 5:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Scouting Report

Well, just got back from the game and took a couple notes on Roemer. Lots of scouts at the game, stands were full for opening night-interest in college baseball is picking up. I was standing behind home plate for the 1-2 innings so got a good look at Roemer. Scouts are funny, they play all kinds of little mental games with each other-talking a guy up or down. The scouts were impressed, but its hard to tell how genuine they are. They kept rambling about his height at 6' being too small as well.

So, Roemer: He dominates RHB, struck out 7 of them and lots of looking strikes. He looked pretty bad against the LHB. Several tagged balls to the warning track, and they put up 3 runs on him with 4 straight LHB. In the 2nd inning, 2 LHB reached. Lots of these were dinks that got through the infield on the right so I think this can be defended against in the majors. Stanford starting hitting everyone left against him-was like 7 left and 2 right the second time through the line up.

Roemer uses 9-11 arm slots. From his 9 slot he throws some kind of cutter and a letters fastball he throws at LHB alot. I think hes going to have to nix those 9 oclock pitches, seemed too predictable.
He's a great fielder, he is fast to the ball and makes accurate throws to first. Always in good fielding position after a pitch. Has excellent balance and pitching motion. Smooth with a long arm to the plate. Very good at holding runners on with a fast pick off move. Has a sidearm motion on his pick off throws which worries me, but it was very accurate tonight.
I can't guess velocity by sight, but it was major league velocity, looked very fast from both behind the plate and 3rd base view. If he has a good change-up, I missed it. I saw his CU get hit foul a lot.
He has nice control. Against RHB he pounded it at will on their hands and on the inside of the plate, it was brilliant. He didn't put a single ball in the dirt. Nice hook as well.
He's a major league talent, but those LHB tore him up. Gonna say 2-3rd round on this guy at the moment.

The Standford pitcher, Noel Gallagher is a big young man. He looks taller than 6'3". He keeps the ball down. Unfortunately he gave up 7 runs in 3 innings. Got tagged all over the park. He was followed by a freshman that got tagged all over the park as well.

"Choosing between Milledge and Gomez is like choosing between Mozart and Beethoven" --NY Mets Message Boards

by apilgrim on Feb 2, 2007 10:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Caribbean series starts today

Link. Looks like you might be able to watch the games online.

Durazo (Mexico), Tejada (Dominican Republic), and Ramon Hernandez (Venezuela) are all playing according to the folks at BTF. I assume Scutaro is too, but I don't see rosters anywhere.

In the stands the home crowd scatters For the turnstiles

by andeux on Feb 2, 2007 10:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ah, yes

gettin' my baseball fix on. Dominican Republic vs. Venzuela. Dominicans just tied it up, 2-2, with a homer. top of the 7th. mlb.tv doesn't look too bad and being at work and in the middle of winter, it's looking pretty darn great.

Athletics fans have always defied the pessimists and seen our faith in Beanedom redeemed. ~ Monkeyball

by Kid Hyphy on Feb 2, 2007 2:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yea i agree

for the price too your gonna get all the spring training games as well as their archive. Im thinking about getting the package on MLB.com during the regular season, but ive heard about blackouts. I live in the north bay, Do you know how many A's games would be blacked out on MLB.com during the regular season?

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch

Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Feb 2, 2007 5:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty much all of them.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 2, 2007 5:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

wow

Bummer, there goes that idea. At least with this package I have right now im getting the carabian world series, and I should get all spring training games. Good deal for 15 bucks.

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch

Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Feb 2, 2007 8:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Another ex-Athletic

Luis Polonia!! 43 years old, DHing and batting second for the Dominican Republic.

by Soaker on Feb 2, 2007 2:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

More DirecTV madness.

I pay for the "sports package", which is really nothing more than the regional fox programs from around the country. Having taken my money and finding out that I like baseball, they block the Carribean WS. Of course. That just makes sense. In another gesture that makes no sense, they don't block the spanish language broadcasts. So I am watching the American past time being played in Latin America and broadcast in staccato spanish. The world is an upside down place. And yes, these guys still make more sense than Joe Morgan and Rex Hudler.

Another thing, are the Venezuelan people genetically capable of producing a female less than a seven?

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Feb 2, 2007 2:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Where do you live?

I have my local Comast Sports Net channel with DirecTV, and I'm seeing the English broadcast on it. At least I think that's what it is... it's in the 17th inning...

by snakecharmer on Feb 2, 2007 5:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fresno,

and I finally found the English version on Fox net alternate channel.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Feb 2, 2007 7:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's disappointing...

apparently Scutaro was not asked by the Venezuela team to join them for the series. what's up with that? does that mean i need to switch sides, root for the Dominicans?

Athletics fans have always defied the pessimists and seen our faith in Beanedom redeemed. ~ Monkeyball

by Kid Hyphy on Feb 2, 2007 3:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and thanks for putting up the link

i got into this last year and was looking forward to this years' series and nearly almost forgot.

Athletics fans have always defied the pessimists and seen our faith in Beanedom redeemed. ~ Monkeyball

by Kid Hyphy on Feb 2, 2007 3:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Steve Torrealba?

Is he brother to Yorvit? If so, that's a sort of an odd swing between unconventional and conventional naming. (I mean, really, who names their kid Steve?)

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 2, 2007 3:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pablo Torrealba

does.

Steve and Yorvit were born five months apart, so apparently they're not brothers, and B-R doesn't show Yorvit as being related to the other two at all.

In the stands the home crowd scatters For the turnstiles

by andeux on Feb 2, 2007 3:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else disappointed with Silverman sitcom?

The Tim Goodman review got my expectations way up, but the show had a far too high stupid-to-outrageous ratio for my tastes.

"If your athame is a spork, you might be a Discordian."

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Feb 2, 2007 10:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to give it a few more episodes...

...but I wasn't wowed, either.

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 10:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

STO

aka Dennis Rodman Syndrome

a happy interloper in the world, bringing a pornographic insouciance to everyone's dull day ~ Tim Goodman @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 2, 2007 10:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That Kimmel fellow

sours me on Silverman.

But School of Rock was great!!!

by mikeA on Feb 2, 2007 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

SoR

is among my all-time most-watchable movies. btw, mikeA, check your email -- it appears we may go back farther than we think.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 2, 2007 12:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

you're wrong, Sal

The sacred texts indicated that you and MikeA only go back 4,000 (or, depending on more current interpretations, 10,000) years.

a happy interloper in the world, bringing a pornographic insouciance to everyone's dull day ~ Tim Goodman @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 2, 2007 12:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

school of rock was funny

i liked the rock blackboard

http://www.hearsay.demon.co.uk/filmMusic/blackboardOrig.png

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Feb 2, 2007 4:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn, I had class last night

I wanted to see it. Was it that bad?

"You can't arrest me, I'm a basketball player." - Gilbert Arenas

by JLaff on Feb 2, 2007 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not awful, just disappointing

I've liked the little I've seen of Sarah Silverman. Her "cute gal who says outrageously raunchy things" schtick works well...I thought she told one of the very best Aristocrats jokes in that movie. But the pilot drew too much from the Beavis and Butthead school of outrage. I'll give it another chance, though; Tim Goodman's accounts of the Black God character are worth that much at least.

"If your athame is a spork, you might be a Discordian."

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Feb 2, 2007 11:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Check Comcast SportsNet for the Caribbean WS games

Some of the Caribbean WS games are on Comcast SportsNet West (DirecTV channel 656). I don't know if they are any of the other Comcast SportsNet channels.

by Dr Pez on Feb 2, 2007 10:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

It's on regular cable, here in Sac!

Read my latest articles

by devo on Feb 2, 2007 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What's lame ...

is that they're only showing the late game, so since it's delayed, because the early game just won't end, I'm watching some dumb crap about the NY marathon.

Read my latest articles

by devo on Feb 2, 2007 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

CSN West joined the broadcast at 5 p.m.

Venezuela-Dominican Republic now in the top of the 16th. Ha, the umpires are wearing shirts with the DirecTV logo on the back (here's a stick in the eye, baseballgirl and others).

by Soaker on Feb 2, 2007 5:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it's awesome ...

I'm watching something that fairly closely resembles Major League Baseball ... beeeeeeeUtiful

Read my latest articles

by devo on Feb 2, 2007 5:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

baseball on tv!!!

no scutaro?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Feb 2, 2007 5:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i see it's the 18th inning

so how does this latin american version of baseball work, like 50 inning games or something?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Feb 2, 2007 6:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

scoot would've finished it in 12

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Feb 4, 2007 9:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

in 5 with the world baseball classic mercy rule

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Feb 4, 2007 10:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Stavin' Gavin Watch, Day 2

link

But "it will require extra discipline and applying lessons learned -- and the recognition that you are going to be measuring progress in inches," Lehane said.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Gavin's problem precisely that he has been measuring progress in inches?

a happy interloper in the world, bringing a pornographic insouciance to everyone's dull day ~ Tim Goodman @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 2, 2007 11:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

{rolls eyes}

Sleazy as hell, but it just doesn't freak me out so much. What's wrong with me?

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 12:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

can we answer that in monthly installments?

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is a sad sign of the times

by ArakSOT on Feb 2, 2007 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Only if they are QOTMly installments

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Feb 2, 2007 12:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And each month's payment...

...will not be accepted until after the last day of the month.

"I can't believe you guys like that (Swisher) doesn't wear underwear..." ~ Mark Ellis

by Poppy on Feb 2, 2007 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing.

We've been conditioned to expect such behavior from politicians, so when it happens, it fails to elicit much of a response.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Feb 2, 2007 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Or men.

Maybe this is why my wife won't let me run for the school board.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Feb 2, 2007 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

bp

projects swisher as number 5 al 1b by vorp for 07

teixeira
morneau
konerko
sexon
swisher

as i understand it though he will be primarily a leftfielder in 07. anyway, thats some good company - lets hope it comes to pass.

by Backspin on Feb 2, 2007 12:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

speaking of morneau

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-twinsmoves&prov=ap&type=lgns

says he signed a $4.5M 1-yr contract. That sounds insane to me. He was only asking for $5M in arbitration too. Doesn't being AL MVP get you a little more financial pull than that?

by Apricot on Feb 2, 2007 12:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

not

when you only have a couple years of service time. pre-free agency is really only all about how many years you've been in the league. of course being mvp and not a 220 hitting bum probably made him worth a few more mil. but he could win the mvp again and still not make the big bucks until he hits free agency.

by Backspin on Feb 2, 2007 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Following a long line of questionable recipients

(previously discussed here) the Legacy Law Foundation has nominated Rush Limbaugh for the Nobel peace prize !

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Feb 2, 2007 12:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

You know what this reminds me of?

Remember how Dan Haren was eligible to play for the Netherlands team in last year's World Baseball Classic, even though he has no Dutch in his ancestry?

This is kinda like that.

by Philip Christy on Feb 2, 2007 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting.

Since Danny didn't have Dutch ancestry the eligibility had to be based on his "Amsterdam" blood, so by analogy hydrocodone must be the national drug of Norway. Or something.

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Feb 2, 2007 1:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

limbaugh deserves it

after all he's done to advance the rights of viagra smugglers.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Feb 2, 2007 1:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Limbaugh is no fan of immigration...

...and in my book, this should be an automatic disqualifier.

4 8 15 16 23 42

by LowcountryJoe on Feb 3, 2007 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

suzuki 13th among catching prospects

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5839

his biggest problem is that his last name doesn't begin with M...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Feb 2, 2007 1:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

lucky #13

I like it.

"Choosing between Milledge and Gomez is like choosing between Mozart and Beethoven" --NY Mets Message Boards

by apilgrim on Feb 2, 2007 2:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Uh...

...Magowan comes of as - what's the word? - funless in this letter to Giants season ticket holders:

In the letter, which was confirmed by SI.com, Magowan wrote of the decision to re-sign Bonds: "This decision was not taken lightly and we spent significant time evaluating all of the elements and circumstances surrounding the negotiations before we made a final determination to move forward."

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 2, 2007 3:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Full letter

here:

You may also be interested to know that even with the signing of the 42-year-old Bonds, the average age of the 2007 Giants will be 30.7 years versus 32.7 in 2006. So we have gotten younger and presumably healthier as we stated we would try to do when the 2006 season ended.

by mikeA on Feb 2, 2007 3:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's a neat trick.

If your bench gets younger, I guess the overall age of the team decreases.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Feb 2, 2007 4:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sauerbeck signs

AN favorite Scott Sauerbeck signed a minor-league deal with the Astros.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Feb 2, 2007 3:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

tejada batting in the bottom of the 18th

now they're walking him. bases loaded, one out.
where's the game thread??

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Feb 2, 2007 6:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Mexico at Puerto Rico, starting shortly!

After 11:30 p.m. Puerto Rico time following the 18-inning Venezuela-Dominican Republic opener.

Mexico:
CF Alfredo Amezaga
LF Jon Weber
DH Erubiel Durazo
RF Luis A. Garcia
1B Juan Canizalez
C Geronimo Gil
3B Vinny Castilla
SS Jose Luis Sandoval
2B Carlos Alberto Gastelum
---
P Elmer Dessens

Puerto Rico:
3B Alex Cora
SS Luis R. Figueroa
LF Hiram Bocachica
DH Juan Gonzalez
1B Javier Valentin
RF Armando Rios
C Yadier Molina
2B Ruben Gotay
CF Luis Matos
---
P Carlos Alvarado

by Soaker on Feb 2, 2007 7:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs