Wednesday Bird Droppings
by duck on Dec 16, 2009 7:00 AM EST
in Open Threads
Email
PrintOrioles interested in Matt Capps after all
"The Orioles have expressed interest in free-agent closer Matt Capps, who was non-tendered by the Pirates over the weekend. Agent Paul Kinzer expects to talk to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail later (Tuesday) or today." -duck
Roch throws names against a MASN wall
"Buck Martinez's departure from MASN has left an empty seat in the broadcast booth for about half the games on the Orioles' 2010 schedule, and the network could choose to go in a few directions." I really just included this link so the millions, uh, thousands, OK, hundreds of CC readers will go and beg for John Lowenstein to come back. Because that would be awesome. -duck
Zrebiec: Koji and friend?
"The Orioles met with the agents of Japanese pitcher Hisanori Takahashi at last week’s winter meetings, but it’s too early to tell how serious their interest is." Takahasi is good friends with Koji Uehara. And he's left-handed. -duck
Stockstill takes stock of Chapman
"John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of international scouting, is flying back flew to Baltimore tonight last night after watching Aroldis Chapman's bullpen session earlier today Tuesday in Houston and also meeting with the Cuban left-hander's representatives." Stockstill estimated that Chapman threw 75 pitches, with representatives for 20-25 clubs in attendance. -duck
White Sox get Pierre from Dodgers
"The Chicago White Sox have acquired outfielder Juan Pierre and cash from the Los Angeles Dodgers for two players to be named." And the earth shook at the importance of such a move... -duck
Selig's new committee has Maryland flavor -- baltimoresun.com
"Baseball commissioner Bud Selig on Tuesday announced the establishment of a new committee to examine on-field issues such as video replay reviews and pace of game. The group will consist of several well-respected baseball men, including Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, Orioles Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson and native Marylanders, Mark Shapiro, the Cleveland Indians' general manager, and Atlanta Braves president John Schuerholz." -duck
Chapman's former agent sues his new reps
"Even before he has a contract to play in the major leagues, Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman is in the middle of a lawsuit." So, he's being introduced to American culture rather quickly, I see. -duck
New targets flying low on O's radar, for now -
"President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said his front office has contacted the representatives of several players who were not tendered contracts by their previous clubs at Saturday's deadline. That group includes corner infielders Garrett Atkins, Ryan Garko and Mike Jacobs and closers Matt Capps and Mike MacDougal." None of those names exactly send my heart aflutter. -duck
Japanese Female Phenom Knuckleball Pitcher Eri Yoshida Joins Arizona Winter League - OurSports Central - Independent and Minor League Sports News
Yoshida, 17, made headlines and impressed the baseball world last summer when she became the first female to play professionally in Japan. Equipped with a sidearm knuckleball that is considered almost unhittable when she is on, she debuted for the Kobe Cruise 9 of the Kansai League in Japan on opening day as she walked one and struck out one in front of 12,000 fans. She began playing baseball in the 2nd grade and credits Tim Wakefield as the inspiration for her 50 mph knuckleball delivered from her 5 foot 1 inch, 114 lb frame. -zk
Heralded Chapman works out for MLB scouts | orioles.com: News
[Chapman] threw a bullpen session in the morning for about 50 Major League scouts, impressing them with his size and velocity....."The kid's got a great arm," Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade said of the 6-foot-4 Chapman. "He's a physical specimen. He's left-handed. He throws hard. Obviously, anybody would be interested in an arm like this. He's got some great stuff. The early feedback from our guys, and everybody else, is he's a tremendous talent."...."He's a hard thrower from the left side," said David Lakey, national cross checker for the New York Mets. "I think they said [he hit 96 mph]. That kind of arm is hard to find from the left side." -zk
AND IN OTHER NEWS
Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax To Tour Together | Billboard.com
"Heavy metal's Big Four -- Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax -- will ride together in 2010. In Europe, at least." So, I gotta get a passport, mortgage the house, buy plane tickets, and find a ticket scalper. At least I have a few months. -duck
Thy leaves are green in summer's prime,
Thy leaves are green at Christmas time.
O Open Thread, O Open Thread,
Thy leaves are green forever.
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Today's idiotic Baltimore Sun headline
“Kevin Cowherd: Orioles’ Millwood deal isn’t enough”
No shit, Sherlock. I can’t believe that this paper allows so much valuable space to be taken up by inane columns from the wonder twins, Messrs. Cowherd and Schmuck. No wonder the medium is dying.
"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
LOL
Good point. Millwood is here.. the Yanks and BoSox might as well just shut it down NOW.
Haha.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
Cowherd is just despicable
He’s the dirt on the bottom of the shoe of sports media. He’s like a boring, even more obnoxious version of Jim Rome (who I can’t stand either).
by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Dec 16, 2009 9:45 AM EST up reply actions
Kevin Cowherd writes for the Sun
Colin Cowherd is the dirt on the bottom of the shoe of sports media. Colin hosts “The Herd” on ESPNRadio and some stupid afternoon show on ESPN; Kevin is a hack writer for the Sun. I’ve gotten them confused myself.
Duh.
My bad. It’s Colin who is the object of my burning hatred. Kevin I don’t know, though the article sounds pretty stupid.
by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Dec 16, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Also, laughing out loud at the White Sox
Kenny Williams is a real piece of work. If you’re feeling antsy about MacPhail’s deliberate pace, take a look at the moves that the ChiSox have made:
Signed Mark Kotsay, Omar Vizquel, Andruw Jones, JJ Putz.
Traded for Mark Teahen and Juan Pierre.
The thing that makes me ill is that they’ll still be contenders in that watered-down AL Central.
"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
That's the biggest bummer to me
Put us in the AL Central or the NL West and we’re almost legit contenders.
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
+1
O’s Record vs. AL Central by Year Since the Losing Streak Began
2009: 17-18
2008: 20-18
2007: 16-19
2006: 17-17
(The 2006 ALCS Champion Detroit Tigers finished 16-17 against the A.L. East.)
2005 13-22
2004 21-15
2003 14-18
2002 18-14
2001 16-16
2000 24-24
1999 27-22
1998 29-25
Not complete nonsense
The O’s wouldn’t win the Central necessarily, but they certainly wouldn’t have 12 straight losing seasons like they do now, along with the associated negative perception that currently weighs down the franchise. They may not be legit contenders, but they would be perceived contenders which means more fans in the stands, less difficulty attracting free agents, etc.
Plus, we wouldn’t have to deal with Yankees and Red Sox fans invading Camden Yards several times each year. And that alone would make life in Baltimore more enjoyable each summer.
I didn't mean the info was nonsense
I meant the fact that we’re so competitive against them and yet a laughingstock in our own division is nonsense. It’s just not right that if you put any of those teams in the AL East and THEY’D be the laughingstock, not us.
PS
something I reveled in/was pissed off about during the playoffs
The Twins 2009:
AL Central
White Sox 12-6
Indians 10-8
Tigers 12-7
Royals 12-6
Total: 46-27 (.630)
NL
Cubs 2-1
Astros 1-2
Brewers 5-1
Pirates 2-1
Cardinals 2-1
Total: 12-6 (.667)
Yankees 0-7
Red Sox 2-4
Orioles 2-3
Blue Jays 3-5
Rays 3-3
Angels 4-6
Mariners 5-5
Athletics 4-6
Rangers 6-4
Total: 29-43 (.403)
Your AL Central champions, ladies and gentlemen! Of course, they were who we all thought they were once they got to the playoffs. But still, they got there.
Wow
I’d gladly take on the role of pretend contenders. At least I’d have a “Baltimore Orioles – AL Central Champions” T-shirt to show for it. It’s a sad state of affairs.
I go back and forth
On one hand, I’d also love the role of pretend contenders. On the other hand, I love that if/when the Orioles do get to the top, no one will be able to have this discussion about them. Whenever people seriously talk about realignment I get my feathers ruffled because I don’t just want to be at the top of the division, I want to be better than the Yankees and the Red Sox because they’re the best teams.
I would rather be in a good division than a bad one
But I would like to alleviate this sort of thing:
Split W L RS RA WP
BOS 2 16 68 130 .111
NYY 5 13 81 120 .278
TBR 8 10 82 88 .444
TOR 9 9 88 88 .500
Kevin Millwood, Matt Capps and/or Garrett Atkins aren’t going to fix this.
by CoachOfEarl on Dec 16, 2009 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
I'm excited about the youth movement
But we need a big corner bat to help them out. They can’t do it on their own. I’m not excited about playing scrubs until we figure out if/when Snyder and Bell are going to be ready. I was told there would be bats purchased.
I’m not completely knocking Millwood, btw, and I’m not saying we should have signed Lackey, because pitching is our development strength.
by CoachOfEarl on Dec 16, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
Well it's not
like there are any really, truly outstanding bats out there right now. There’s no Prince Fielder, no Adrian Gonzalez, there’s no cleanup hitters at all. You can’t buy what isn’t for sale.
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
True
but that doesn’t mean we should expect the bottom of the barrel. Maybe I’m just being impatient. But I think we could get AGonz without giving up too many pieces, rather than let the PHN have him.
by CoachOfEarl on Dec 16, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
remember that some of it fixes itself
not all of those teams will be as good this year as they were last year
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
It's actually a slight improvement over 2008
O’s Wins vs AL East, by year:
2007: 34
2008: 22
2009: 24
Trading Bedard and Tejada really did us in, and hopefully Jones and Matusz and the rest of the kids will bring us back. But if Wiggy and Aubrey are our starters, no dice.
by CoachOfEarl on Dec 16, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
i don't want realignment
I just want a balanced schedule again.
the unbalanced schedule is the worst thing to happen to baseball in a loooong time.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
Wow
I had some time at work and just read the entire Who’s Who at Camden Chat blog…
Im nervous, lol.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 9:12 AM EST reply actions
This just in:
For their first official act under their new titles, MacPhail and Robinson declare video review be instituted as of 1995. The first major change to history is the Jeffery Maier play.
The Orioles are happy to announce they have retroactively won 4 world series since then.
Xbox 360, baby
Been annoying the wife for 2 years to get that gift….
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
is that the best one tho?
or is the ps3 better?
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
I have more friends with Xbox
that I can borrow games from. :)
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
PS3 has Blu-Ray built in
So there’s that.
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
Everyone I know has an XBox
This one dude bought a PS3, but didn’t have anyone to play Call of Duty with, so he broke down and bought an XBox, too.
personally, I love my PS3
its the greatest thing Ive ever gotten in my life. I had an xbox 360 for 3 days and returned it.
Then again, I watch blu ray movies and was the first of my friends to get a new system, so they all have ps3’s as well. Also, I dont like having to pay extra money to play online, so theres that.
But yea, ya gotta get what your friends have or it’ll be lame.
I got one of my gifts early
My gf got me a Kindle DX. I pretty much love it. Did you know that you can subscribe to Camden Chat on the Kindle? It costs $1.99 a month, you can only read “articles” (ie Open Threads do not show up), and you cannot view or make comments.
There’s a 14-day trial that I signed up for. I don’t think I’ll be re-subscribing, but I still think it’s kind of cool.
That's neat
My brother has a kindle. I always thought I wouldn’t like it but when he came to visit this past summer he showed it to me and it really is awesome.
so these are some of Guts' cleats
I would wear them without hesitation.
"I'd like to do something. We all would here," he added. "As I've said before, you just don't want to do anything stupid that you're thinking in May, 'What in the God's green earth was I thinking about?'" - Andy MacPhail 12/8/09
Request!
You know how every year someone says, “hey, does anyone know where the tankeray/whatever picture is?” One of my off season projects is going to be to compile all of our awesome images and put them on one page so that if anyone ever wants them it’ll be an easy find.
I’ve found several already: Tankeray, This guy looks like he works on a fuckin’ ship, and a few others. I’ll probably go through some game threads to see what others I can find. But if any of you created or saved any that you think would be a good fit, can you give them to me? You can post them in the open thread, or if you only have them on your computer you can email them to me.
Thanks!
didn't someone have a webpage that had all those pictures on it?
I think it was dayzd_toe but I’m not sure. I remember going to the site, though.
dayzd created a page once
I’m not sure if it was every pic, but I know that he has lost ton of stuff when he switched service providers.
Martinez's Replacement
Personally, I think its incumbent on the Orioles to find a non-white replacement for Martinez, to put it bluntly. Not doing so is bordering on socially irresponsible. The club plays in a majority African-American city and also in one of the most ethnically diverse regions of the United States, yet the on air talent is decidedly caucasian across the board.
Now, if we had a cadre of television talent with the skills of say former O’s play-by-play man Jon Miller, who all happened to be white, then perhaps the casting choices would be more acceptable. But we don’t.
They truly need to showcase some diversity on air.
I've been saying
go pry Ken Singleton away from the Yankees. That shit just makes too much sense.
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
I kind of want Dave Johnson, who is white
Obama made America transcend race, so really, it shouldn’t matter which color he is.
The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST
by the fix is in on Dec 16, 2009 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
both i think
how about little richard?
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
Kevin Clash
Dunno if he’s still local, but I’d sure like to hear some O’s commentary coming from Elmo.
I'm with you on Dave Johnson though...
…he is very much a local guy.
I say fire somebody else they currently have on like, oh, I don’t know, anyone and bring on Johnson and a non-white guy. When you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose.
word
or Palmer
or Dempsey
or Hunter
or Amber – that’s right. I said it.
Honestly, you cannot lose when you lose one of these clowns. How about getting someone who’s funny? Or entertaining? These broadcasts are as dry as the steak at Ponderosa.
false
amber will not be fired. good day sir.
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
reply fail
that was meant as a reply to JP
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
I mean
even though I don’t care for her, she does seem to inspire some loyal fans – unlike any other broadcaster MASN employs. So with that alone she should be the last to go.
how can you not care for her?
as far as sideline reporting goes she’s not terrible and of course there’s the obvious…
I agree wholeheartedly.
Who started the whole Amber is incompetent thing!??! She does a fine job and is always cheery and friendly with the fans.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
She sucks.
Her voice gives me a headache and she’s not hot. You guys just have low standards. I’ve been through this a million times on this blog over the years so that’s my piece on it. If you want to know more please use the search function. Thank you.
Please share more your wisdom...
… on all things Amber. Could you tell me where I could find this search function!?! “Not hot” – and my comments are “ill thought-out”. LMAO – what a joke. I hate to say this, but Im farely sure I know that you are one of these “diverse” people in which you speak, which, I’d be fairly certain is part of what is driving your mudslinging at the current orioles staff. I actually like Rick Dempsey and Amber, and Buck didn’t bother me much either. And guess what, I like Adam Jones and Cesar Izturis too!!
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
From the Who's Who....
“I’m Juanita
A saucy, hotblooded heartbreaker from South of the Border. I first fell in love with O’s when my ex-boyfriend, Rodrigo Lopez started pitching for the team.”
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
I hate to say this, but Im farely sure I know that you are one of these "diverse" people in which you speak, which, I’d be fairly certain is part of what is driving your mudslinging at the current orioles staff.
This comment says a lot more about you than about JP.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
Just frustrated.
My apologies if it came off more offensive than I intended. Just frustrates me everyone talks about having a “colorblind” world and then we get on the topic of firing who I believe is a competent WHITE girl (in Amber) and hire someone with more ‘color’. Sorry but that offends me slightly.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed...
Ill post my pic with her and her competent glasses wearing self when I get home.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
I do find it kinda fucked up
when someone says something that amounts to “we need more people of color, so fire some white people”. I mean, if you dont care for them, whatever. But we are talking about someone’s livelyhood. I’m sure if you got fired because your company was trying to be more diverse, you’d be pissed.
seriosuly, JP never said this.
everyone look above and reread.
suggesting someone’s replacement be of color and usggesting other people being fired because they suck are TWO SEPARATE THINGS.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
i think it's all context and who you're talking to
I personally hate the term “of color” and find it mildly offensive. Like I don’t have any color? I’m not monochormatic.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
Not funny
Sorry, personal peeve. It’s why I have to take my son to Johns Hopkins vision clinic once a year and why he’ll never drive at night and never have depth perception and why his eyes move back and forth every moment he’s awake.
Sorry, personal crusade on my part.
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
My apologies
The term was “non-white”.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
that makes it sound like
the person is a lesser being b/c they are “non-white”
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
they're all fraught terms
Ask someone what “person of color” means, and they’ll say, “not white”. So the term “person of color” itself preserves a notion that somehow “white” is superior.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
Look, heres the thing...
Im all about diversity. But Im all about give the best man for the job the job. Give the best man for the promotion the promotion. When you start saying “sorry, I cant give you the job, we are looking for a ‘non-white’”, thats offensive to me. Imagine if the situation where flipped and I said we are looking for a “non-black” or a “non-hispanic” regardless of what the rest of the office looked like… that would be offensive to that sect.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
This is disingenuous...
Again, look at the current staff. They are monochromatic – and many are also not very good at their jobs in my opinion. The status quo is a problem in my mind, particularly in a town that plays in a very ethnically diverse area. This is what needs to be addressed. Not the other way around. What you’re kicking and screaming about seems like defensiveness to me. We’d have a much healthier discussion if you could admit that the status quo in the on air staff is questionable at best. Could MASN really not find one single non-white person qualified for a job on air? Plenty of non-white people play and coach baseball. Again, I just see your argument as disingenuous.
Ummm.
You’re really reading stuff into this that isn’t there.
JP never mentioned Amber’s race, nor said she should be fired for her race. He just said Amber sucks and should be fired.
He said Buck’s replacement (not firing someone) should be someone who better reflects the local population, which is a valid point, whether you agree or not.
To take those two statements and somehow connect them the way you did to this:
we get on the topic of firing who I believe is a competent WHITE girl (in Amber) and hire someone with more ‘color’
… suggests an agenda to me. Sorry if I’m reading you wrong.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
Direct Quote
“I say fire somebody else they currently have on like, oh, I don’t know, anyone and bring on Johnson and a non-white guy.”
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
This is ONE sentence..
Not two separate thoughts.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you.
I think its fairly obvious to anyone that followed the conversation this was the idea.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
sorry, you fail.
There is an existing opening. JP suggested in a different place that the opening be filled with a person of color.
The other guys suck. JP suggested they should be fired because they suck.
Johnson is white and would be replacing a white guy. Someone else who is not white would be filling an open position.
Nowhere, NOWHERE does this equate to “fire a white guy and hire someone of color”. NOWHERE. Unless someone is looking for it and trying to twist it into that.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
Respectfully...
Because you type “you fail” doesn’t necessarily lend your argument to a higher degree of logic.
Here is the sentence:
“"I say fire somebody else they currently have on like, oh, I don’t know, anyone and bring on Johnson and a non-white guy."”
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
you typed that same sentence above
and I just refuted your logic.
you re-typing it doesn’t change anything.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
*respectfully.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
You disagreeing...
…. isn’t synonymous with “refuting”.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions
I knew how you were going to argue that sentence but I think it can be read both ways. I read it like WW did the first time.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
if you read it out of context, sure
but if you read what JP had said upthread, no way.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
Dear www.context.com
Could you give me this context?
"All of you are certifiably insane…
…and have low standards in broadcasting. But hey, you’re O’s fans. So low standards are not a big surprise!"
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions
lol.
no i couldn’t.
because there is no context for that remark apart from its face value.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
And for the record
I believe I have the proper context along with at least a few others in this conversation who agreed.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
it's true though...
….and Z, I like you much better as an advocate than an adversary. :)
This is exactly what I was saying – and rather tongue in cheek at that. But I do feel that much of the staff should be fired because they suck and that the staff needs more diversity.
just don't tell them about our secret trysts, juanita.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
Not to mention...
… this comment gets me going:
“All of you are certifiably insane…
…and have low standards in broadcasting. But hey, you’re O’s fans. So low standards are not a big surprise!”
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
Im pretty sure...
those on this board I’ve met would say I need to take life a little more seriously.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
The only thing I know about WW
is that he turns my upper deck ticket into lower box behind home plate by smooth talking the usher, and that makes him all right in my book.
And actually gets nicer as he gets drunker.
That’s a tough trick to pull off.
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
Well, a tad bit intimidating
but it may have been more of I appreciated your brand of humor more as the night went on…
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
LOL
I like that explanation better. I liked you from the get-go for what it’s worth!
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions
I gotta admit
the Blackwater shirt was a negative to me, until you explained you wore it with the expressed purpose to piss people off. That I can appreciate. It’s like when I wear my Obama shirt to the gun range.
OK, I’ve never actually done that, but I fully intend to.
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
LOL
Im in the military and my buddy was recruited by them and gave me the shirt. Im big pro-military so I dont have a big problem with the job they do in general. Of course there are rogue examples, but having been over there and knowing some of them I wouldnt say its like the movie “State of Play” portrays it. I wont wear it next time though. LOL
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
AND I CHANGED!!!
Remember… into my fresh Koji shirt… haha
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
Although you were tempted by the strip club shirt
Cry havoc and unleash the Esskay hot dogs of war! - The Wayward Oriole, Opening Day 2008
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 16, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
Haha...
You have a good memory! I forgot about those shirts.
Scores right?
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions
I don't remember which one
You and Grove were the ones who actually talked to the strippers.
Cry havoc and unleash the Esskay hot dogs of war! - The Wayward Oriole, Opening Day 2008
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 16, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
SHHHHHHHH!!!!
What happens @ Camden STAYS at Camden NARC! lol
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't know your wife would be reading :)
Cry havoc and unleash the Esskay hot dogs of war! - The Wayward Oriole, Opening Day 2008
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 16, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
nothing like
waking up christmas morning with a half swollen eye, the faint smell of cheap perfume, glitter all over your shirt, no elastic on your boxers, and a pounding headache.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
I just said
you got nicer as the night went on. :)
And I’m pro-military, too. I just don’t think hiring mercenaries who don’t have to follow the UMCJ is the way to support our military.
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
Here we go...
Im in the military and was deployed with them as they work side by side with alot of our “boys” (soldiers). Im just saying I appreciated the work alot of them did as the vast majority of them are in fact ex-military just paid much better.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
This article is FAR from balanced.
I’ve seen firsthand alot of good things they did getting our marines out of some shit at times. In any case, I dont think Im going to sit here and argue this point the rest of my day. I know from my experience alot of the good that was done over there.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
There's good people..
…in all walks of life. I don’t think any of us would argue against that. I think the problem with Blackwater or what was Blackwater is systemic, not personal.
re:
…the vast majority of them are in fact ex-military just paid much better.
This is my main problem with them. The fact that they get paid 3, 4, 5 times as much as someone in the military who could and should be doing the same work.
That and the civilian massacre, and the payoffs etc. But they’re defunct now, technically, so I guess it’s water under the bridge.
He tends to stick around
on topics that spark his interest
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
Sure a lot of them are ex-military.
I just don’t think that if you’re fond of the military you have to also be fond of soldiers of fortune.
that’s a great steve earle song
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
by BPinOK on Dec 16, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
At the risk of getting...
… 1000 Abu Gharib/civilian abuse type jokes.
I think they are the best at what they do. And I appreciate the excellence.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
It would
be a tough business to operate if they didn’t turn a profit…i’m just guessing.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
Sure thing!
But some of us probably don’t like the idea of war being a business in which profits are made.
i think that's
just the reality. i think you’d probably feel a lot better about it if you just didn’t know that sort of thing ever happened.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
So ignorance is the answer?
How about just only fighting wars that are a) essential, and b) that we are actually equiped to fight? Then blackwater would be doing other things.
for you
it might be. i’m not as upset about some of this as you are.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
Its rare examples that prove the rule.
Been over there almost 8 years and an average of 140,000 boots on the ground at any given time and you have a handful of examples. Keep watching MSNBC and you will think this is the common practice of what we who signed that blank check to this country are trained to do.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
I have no idea what this is in response to.
But I have the utmost respect for our military and fully support them everywhere they are. I don’t know where you got the impression that I didn’t.
What I’m not a fan of is sending them off to fight and die in unnecessary wars that we are so ill equiped for that we have to hire soldiers of fortune to assist us. Not to mention all the shadiness of our leaders at the time getting rich off their stock in said solider of fortune companies…
Here's the answer
A fish rots from the head down. I read somewhere that FDR promised that there would be no war profiteers making millions off of WWII.
We got no such assurances from Emperor Cheney & his simian sidekick.
You can't fix stupid. Stupid is forever.
Where do you think we buy everything from?
You really think Boeing, Northrup and all these agencies aren’t making money left and right off of war?
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
“But some of us probably don’t like the idea of war being a business in which profits are made.”
This is all I was addressing on that point.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
"Tinfoil on my head" guy.
Today we salute you….
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
re:
… 1000 Abu Gharib/civilian abuse type jokes.
The thing is, it’s not a joke. These types of abuse are what fuel insurgencies. They’re like recruiting PR stunts for terrorists – on top of the whole immorality issue. Add to that the fact that the entire world looks at us like we’re the modern day #1 violator of human rights when they hear this and you see how destructive this stuff can get.
PS - what do you care?
You ask that Marine in the foxhole getting his ass saved by a handful of blackwater boys if he gives a rats ass how much that guy gets paid. They are the very best at what they do. Most highly recruited ex-special force guys. That takes a certain degree of something inside you that may be prone to snap given what you’ve seen and been through. But sometimes that is whats necessary to get a difficult job done (Few Good Men speech, lol) Lets be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater because of some rogue examples.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
It's my tax money...
…for one thing. That’s what I care.
Secondly, I’d rather pay regular troops more and eliminate contractors’ outrageous salaries.
And spare me the Few Good Men stuff. I know the world is a rough place and these are rough situations. That’s why they need to be managed intelligently, which means not overpaying mercenaries and underpaying the military.
you should take
some comfort in knowing that they make so much more and your tax money is spread so thin that you really aren’t paying them at all. In fact, with the increasing deficits it seems like they are doing it on credit.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
Seriously...
I have alot more things to say that would breech the harrassment barriers in the rules section of this.
But lets send over 140,000 troops in the highest stress environment in the world and expect no stories to emerge of nutjobs doing nutty things. To ME, this is rogue stuff, NOT systemic. If you really think this is what our military and civilian counterparts are about at the core, than yeah, I have alot more to say to you.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
re:
I have alot more things to say that would breech the harrassment barriers in the rules section of this.
Try to carry on a discussion without this bullshit. Seriously, it’s just immature. It would be helpful if you could carry on a discussion with your mind rather than gut emotions as you have in this and the racial stuff you were attempting to argue this morning.
There is no question abuses will always occur in war. Always. Overall I agree they are outliers, both with contractors and military personnel. But the systemic issue is when we send mercenaries who are not accountable to any authority to do our dirty work.
You in the military are accountable to the military justice system. Blackwater was not accountable to either the military nor civilian courts and if you cannot see the problem with that, then I have nothing more to say to you.
Basically, stressful environment or not, if someone goes ballistic and decides to smoke a group of civilians in the middle of Baghdad for no discernible reason, there need to be consequences. Blackwater was immune from consequences and while they might not have abused that regularly, the abuses they did carry out were enough to seriously jeopardize our affairs in Iraq and cause all sorts of trouble for this country.
by Jonny Pops on Dec 16, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Looks like we have our next..
… Secretary of Defense all lined up.
Way to go guy.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions
I honestly believe you have no clue what you are talking about.
So for the sake of other’s ears on this board, I will bow out of this discussion. Claim it as a victory if you would like.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
LOL
97.43% of your posts are contentious and YOU are calling ME out for ‘random insults’ saying I dont think he knows at all what he is talking about. And I could probably punch out an 8,000 word paper on this in no time but Im sure thats not what most people on the board are here for so I said I would bow out of the discussion for their sake and that he could put a slash in his win column if it made him feel better. If you would like to carry this discussion on offline I would be happy to. That is if you have any interest in actually having a discussion rather than just being contentious, which I highly doubt.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
You're not following.
97.43% of my points may be contentious, but they are at least arguments. They are not me just insulting people.
If you don’t have time to discuss it that’s fine, but calling him the next secretary of defense and saying things like “Way to go, guy” is just stupid bullshit. Make an argument or don’t.
re:
I honestly believe you have no clue what you are talking about.
We’re all entitled to our beliefs, no matter how far fetched they are. Great thing about this country.
ha
this coming from the guy told us we’re all insane and should try to follow your ways of life as they’re better than ours.
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions
+1
Im done… now Im not on company time anymore.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
If you want Ill send you a shirt too...
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
Hey!
How come I didn’t get offered a shirt?
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
Cuz you'll wear it to a Cindy Sheehan rally...
haha
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't rule it out...
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
Her voice gives me a headache and she’s not hot. You guys just have low standards.
Care to post pics of your ex-girlfriends/current girlfriend?
Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.
She already said:
Her ex is Rodrigo Lopez… shes ‘Juanita’ and self-described saucey number from South of the Border.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
I've dated better...
…and I’ve dated worse looking women than Amber. But that’s not really my point.
My point is, IMO, she is not the bombshell many people on here make her out to be. I don’t want to trash her too hard, because she doesn’t deserve it. Nobody does. But I think a lot of the OOoooooohing and Ahhhhhhing over her is misplaced. If she was Erin Andrews you guys might have a point. But she’s not…not in my opinion at least.
Amber very successfully pulls off the
sideline-reporter-next-door look, and I like that. That may not be one of your kinks, but that doesn’t make her less desirable to others.
I have a sideline-reporter-next-door
fetish. LOL
This is awesome.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
Why do you have to be clear about other people's interests?
Everyone is different, and there’s no need to “other” people by insinuating their tastes are somehow less valid than yours.
My point is, IMO, she is not the bombshell many people on here make her out to be.
Now that I agree with. But you said she’s not hot and we have “low standards”! If dating somehow who looks like her represents low standards, well, damn, who hell are you dating?!
Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.
not to mention that is a kinda rude comment
to anyone who is dating someone who looks like her
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
hey, she’s plenty hot enough for me. she’s not anne hathaway hot, but plenty attractive enough for me. and certainly attractive enough for masn.
Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.
I call a vote!
Thumbs up or down on Anne Hathaway?!
Thumbs up for me.
Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.
She's pretty
I wouldn’t call her “hot” and I wouldn’t drop my aw if I saw her, but thats some side boob.
To keep it on sports...
….I’ll say Erin Andrews, Maria Sharapova and that college soccer chick from NM who was beating the shit of people in that clip last month.
That soccer chick was way hot
but totally in a girl-next-door sort of way. She was totally plain Jane! But fortunately, I really like plain Jane. Especially when she’s putting the hurt on somebody.
she was not that hot
although iirc, some of the players around her were quite attractive
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
we will agree to disagree
She sort of reminded me of Leelee Sobieski, who is someone I find really, really attractive.
I've always had a thing for
Jenny Finch. But that’s partly because I just imagine the ridiculous baseball players we could produce…
Jenny Finch
USA pitcher… I think thats her name.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
I need to grow more thumbs
so they could all point up.
I direct you to the opening 15 minutes of the movie “Havoc” if you have any questions.
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
JP
To each his own. That’s what makes the world go round. It’s not indicative of low standards to think Anne Hathaway is hot; it’s indicative of personal taste.
I'm just saying
Anne Hathaway IS hot. That’s imperical fact.
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
I like Alba myself
Along with a “MYRIAD” (hope I spelled that right and used it properly) of others!
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
No, he's 50% right
I did have a misspelling.
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
Haha
That does cause alot of errors.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
Anne Hathaway IS hot. That’s empirical fact.
that’s probably the society wide consensus. but i think all of us like to be contrarian at times. i take pride in my disgust for pam anderson while i think kelly clarkson is super hawt.
Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.
Are we actually supposed to think Pam Anderson is hot?
I always thought that was a joke since she’s such a cartoon character.
most people think she's hot
You know who else isn’t all that hot? Elin Woods.
Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.
I LIKE HER ALL THE MORRRRE!!!!
Haha…. But I think Finch takes it as my #1 athlete chick ever.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
PS
I hate the Steelers with all my heart, but I like Big Cheeseburger’s sister on the athlete scale as well.
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Hey - as far as sideline reporters go
she’s not that bad. Look at the Nats’ woman, if you want to talk about awful. I don’t know about anywhere else, but it seems like a lot of teams don’t use sideline reporters (outside of national coverage, where it’s usually Ken Robothaul).
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
I don't think the
broadcasts are that bad. Amber is ok but she doesn’t hold a candle to the COL girl from a couple of years ago. Wish I could find the pic.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
i actually like masn
i dont however like gary thorne gushing about the red sox every time we play them tho. him i could do without. i’m a fan of hunter and palmer.
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
All of you are certifiably insane...
…and have low standards in broadcasting. But hey, you’re O’s fans. So low standards are not a big surprise!
you're on an orioles blog
pretty certain you’ll find orioles fans there. glad you made that connection tho
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If you could
lay out some of your personal standards I’ll try harder to be like you.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
Feel free....
…but in the meantime, while you’re getting up to speed, don’t let your broadcast standards bring down my tv viewing experience. If the team is going to suck they could at least make the broadcasts more fun.
You seem like the "moon bounce" kid
on the MASN commercials. Is that your favorite part of going to the games too? Is that ‘fun’?
by Wieters Wieners on Dec 16, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
JP stirring up shit :-)
Gary Thorne doesn’t really have the knowledge I’d like him to (pitch recognition especially). He has the voice and the temperament of a great announcer. And he has a great rapport with Jim Palmer; it’s obvious Palmer respects him.
Palmer is an arrogant SOB, but he’s go the goods to back it up. He’s part of Orioles history and he’s no homer. I could listen to him talk about pitching all day long.
Hunter is a homer. I could take or leave him. Dempsey is an idiot, but he’s our idiot.
MASN does all right by me. Granted I don’t have extra innings and haven’t lived anywhere else so I don’t have much to compare. I only have national baseball announcers who are pretty much the worst things ever.
It's convenient
because Palmer could talk about pitching all day long.
I was joking with my girlfriend that I was happy Brian Bass got non-tendered just so I wouldn’t have to hear 3 Drinks Gary call him “Kevin Bass” anymore.
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
i'm with JP
I detest the Orioles’ TV broadcasts.
Palmer is the only one who knows anything, and he’s unbearab;e. The rest of them are certifiable idiots. Dempsey in the booth makes my hair hurt.
Only solution is to turn up the radio, which unfortunately doesn’t work well when you watch half of your games or more over the internet.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
Who's better?
I’m honestly curious. Like I said I haven’t had much exposure to other teams’ broadcasts. When I get the free Extra Innings at the start of the season I try to listen to some other guys but it’s not enough to really know.
I don't know who's better.
I don’t watch a lot of other teams’ games.
I just know ours are bad.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic
Well I can tell you
the Nats are a hell of a lot worse. Fucking Dibble cheering like a rally monkey whenever the Nats score a run…
broadcasting is so easy
a caveman could do it
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
amen
bob carpenter is only slightly better than rob dibble, which speaks volumes about the shittiness of their broadcasts
by twistedlogic on Dec 16, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
Hate to say it...
…YES is better. Much better. And I hate those assholes, but it is a way superior product.
Nope...
….it’s just bad. But there is plenty of bad out there, true. Honestly though I don’t see even the McFox Sports Channels having the weird lulls and lack of chemistry you find all across MASN. Some of those Thorne-Palmer conversations border on the bizarre and it’s always just so…lame. Why can’t we get anyone cool on there? Is Eddie Murray available? How about Al Bumbry, I know he hangs around in the MASN suite.
I'm eating peanuts right now.
Which type of peanuts should I like? Salted? Un-salted? Honey roasted? Should I even enjoy the crunchy taste of a peanut?
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
Un-salted.
And you should have them boiled.
"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic