Thursday Bird Droppings
by 2632 on May 12, 2011 8:26 AM EDT
in Open Threads
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PrintAre All Divisions Created Equal? Team WAR (2002-2010) - Camden Depot
Tackling the age old question of whether we could compete if we played in a different division.
The Rise and Fall and Rise and (I Give Up) of Buck Showalter - Soap Box Sports Byte
Wow. This is a lot of words on Buck and the O's from someone who isn't even an Orioles fan.
Orioles Prospect Hoes Slowly Seeing Progress -PressBox
Checking in on our 2008 3rd round pick, L.J. Hoes.
Did Pie defuse disaster or just avoid a bruise? - The Olympian
Some discussion of beanball etiquette and a trip down memory lane to when all hell broke loose a pair of incidents with the M's involving former O's Mike Mussina and Harold Reynolds.
The BUH DARD deal yielded Adam Jones, Chris Tillman, George Sherrill, Kam Mickolio and Tony Butler. When will we really know the full potential of Jones and Tillman?
Earl Weaver Headlines 2011 All-Star Game Fan Fest - WBOC-TV 16
There is so much here to find mildly hilarious, and I'm not even sure why. Maybe Duck can go and give Earl a "Duck is my Homeboy" t-shirt while he's there.
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Is it the weekend yet?
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
One of my wrestlers bought one of those shirts
And wore it to school yesterday.
The world is a ridiculous place.
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
by duck on May 12, 2011 8:54 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
I just looked. Hysterical.
I guess your secret’s out.
by Stacey on May 12, 2011 9:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Today i woke up in an amazing mood because the orioles won
and we have a productive JJ Hardy back. I love that guy.
"I don't have an on-deck circle for ideas. It's just 'Batter up!!' Even though they're bad" - Mike Birbiglia
by Parkinglotninja on May 12, 2011 9:36 AM EDT reply actions
OK
After last night, I’m pretty comfortable arguing that Tillman should be kept in the rotation all season, regardless of results, just so that we can see for good or ill what we have in him.
Arguments against?
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
At least half a dozen more starts
but man, that straight slow fastball still gives me pause.
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
Me too
But cost controlled back end starters have a lot of value, and velocity isn’t everything, even for a right hander, as Shaun Marcum demonstrates.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
If he mixes his pitches as much as he did last night
He could be a solid #5. But I have my doubts if he can survive as a MLB starter with that fastball.
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
I mean he still is only 23.
Probably won’t add anymore velocity at this point but maybe he can figure out how to add some more movement.
"maybe its just me but i think if the os cant get more rbis they arenever going to win why not get zito or another proven veteran in hear" - zknower
by Emperor Lrrr on May 12, 2011 11:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
bruce chen disagrees with you
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Bruce Chen then reminds you that he's left handed.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
Um...
Jeff Ballard
Jamie Moyer
Bob Milacki disagrees with you.
Oh wait, he didn’t really survive long, did he?
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Did he throw real slow?
His ERA+ of 92 doesn’t put up much of an argument…
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
I mean
I guess, he’s the one that has to stay in the rotation.
But I’m not forgetting his shitfest the rest of the season based on pitching a QS against a AAA offense.
Hopefully we know more about him in the next 6 weeks. I like the guy, and he has been constantly dicked by the organization but damn… like Duck says those meatballs are going to be punished by real hitters.
by Wieters Wieners on May 12, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I am going with maturation
As I said before, when Matusz gets back Bergy to the pen and we take the ups and downs with Tillman in this rotation. I think once he matures into a ML pitcher he will be good. If the fastball is what it is, then as he develops he will know when and where to use it.
I don't see why not
Having a rotation of Guts, Matusz, Britton, Arrieta, and Tillman all year is fine by me. What is the risk of letting him go out there every 5th day? We’re taking starts away from Berg? Maybe Duch gets healthy and we take away the 3 starts he could make before going back on the DL?
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
No argument against here
In the off-season, I was against shopping for another veteran starter, thinking this was the year to run out our young guys and really, truly find out what we have. Then with that knowledge concrete, think about what to do next. I’m still on-board with that plan, after taking some of the expected lumps.
Like a bad, suave dude. You know what I'm sayin'. COOL. SC 7/24/08
Agreed
although I"m nervous we’re gonna get another 2008 where we decided to keep throwing Daniel Cabrera or Radhames Liz or Adam Loewen or Garrett Olsen just to see what they’ve got.
God we’ve been so bad for so long.
"Initially thought I had BieberFever but turns out I have pneumonia."
-Guts
I agree for the most part
Unless his ERA is sitting around 8 or 9 and it’s obvious he can’t work on stuff at the big league level w/o going to 2-3 innings and giving up 8 runs. But I’m for letting him struggle at the big league level to a certain degree.
Folksy literate type.
Velocity
Last night, Jim Palmer said that the Orioles thought they were getting a pitcher who could dial it up to the mid 90s. Has anyone explained what happened to Tillman’s velocity? As to his straight fastball, can the pitching coaches teach Tillman how to move the ball by changing his grip, arm angle, or stride? I don’t have a clue.
He never had much velocity
What he had was projectibility – people thought he’d add velocity as he grew into his frame.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Are you sure?
I’m pretty sure I remember Keith Law saying that he saw Tillman throw in the minors, at 92-93 regularly and able to dial up to 95-96.
"Your most precious possessions on offense are your twenty-seven outs." -- Earl Weaver
I don't think I've ever seen him throw that hard.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on May 12, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
"Topping out at 93"
Law’s blog from a while back:
Like a bad, suave dude. You know what I'm sayin'. COOL. SC 7/24/08
I can't remember the last time Chris Tillman hit 93
Actually I just checked Brooks Baseball and he maxed out at 92.2 last night, looks like he hit it twice. But he’s been sitting at 89-90 all year.
His velocity is down a touch so far
But it is early in the year and he’s also throwing fewer fastballs than ever before.
Average fastball velocity for each season, from Fangraphs:
2009: 92.0
2010: 90.5
2011: 89.3
All those averages indicate he’s getting a fair number of his fastballs in the 91-92 mph range.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Well, sure
But the velocity is still there. Maybe he’s lost a little bit, maybe he’s taking a bit off so that his four seam is harder to distinguish from his cutter. It is hard to say. But it isn’t like he used to throw harder and now there’s a big dropoff.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Maybe, but given that his FB has lacked movement this year you need every bit of velocity you can get.
(note, I know next to nothing about pitching)
Sure
I don’t think any of us would argue that Tillman has developed as we hoped he would, or as he might have. But he can still be a useful starter in the majors. He’s had more success with his fastball this season than in his previous two years, and his changeup has been quite good for his career. If he improves his curveball location and continues to show a strong change, he can be a solid starter with an average fastball.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
agreed
and I certainly think he should be given every chance this season. But it’s hard watching him pitch sometimes.
When B-Rob is 1-33, I don't think Tillman is what is hard to watch
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
No. Only one Oriole can be hard to watch at a time
In all seriousness, Tillman is looking pretty good to me so far. He’s not lighting the world on fire, but this is as good as he’s looked.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Only one Oriole is hard to watch at a time.
Brian Roberts is hard to watch. Then Nick Markakis bats and he’s hard to watch. Then Derrek Lee bats and he’s hard to watch. Then someone comes out to pitch…
"What the hell is a Baltimore knot?" "I don't know, but it's never the same thing twice." - The Wire
by Eat More Esskay on May 12, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
You know who's not hard to watch?
J.J. Hardy.
by Stacey on May 12, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well, he's hard to watch...
…in the sense that he’s seldom healthy enough to play!
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
I doubt very much
that those extra 2-3 mph make any significant difference if the pitches lack movement, are poorly located, and/or are used incorrectly (i.e. without changing sppeds to keep hitters off balance). MLB hitters ought to be able handle a flat 92 mph fastball without much trouble. OTOH, if his pitch selection and location are good, an 88 mph fastball, mixed up with a 79 mph changeup or other off-speed stuff, ought to be fine.
by fishoutawata on May 12, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Disagree completely
the difference between 89 and 92 is huge. Those other factors that you mention are very important, but so are the 2-3 mph. The additional 2-3 mph allow you to get away with slacking in the other areas much more.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
Averaging 89 is not nearly the same as sitting 91-93.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
I saw 93 on the tv last night
I was gonna say something but I wasn’t on the game thread.
"Initially thought I had BieberFever but turns out I have pneumonia."
-Guts
cuz I don't love you guys anymore
or something like that.
"Initially thought I had BieberFever but turns out I have pneumonia."
-Guts
Is he?
He’s been right in the upper 80’s/lower 90’s…….that’s not 91-93
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on May 12, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes but part of it is he's intentionally throwing slower for control.
At least, he has said that repeatedly.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Interesting post on this topic today....
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
It would be great if he was actually getting control.
"What the hell is a Baltimore knot?" "I don't know, but it's never the same thing twice." - The Wire
by Eat More Esskay on May 12, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I've got a bridge in brooklyn I'm taking offers on...
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
Fastball: Tillman sat anywhere from 90-93 in his pro debut last season, occasionally touching 94 or 95, which could ultimately become his average fastball. (March 2007)
Link.
Scouting report: He’s a big, projectable right-hander with a fastball that runs up to 94 mph and sits comfortably in the low 90s. (Dec 2008).
Link.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Not true at all
Scouting report: He’s a big, projectable right-hander with a fastball that runs up to 94 mph and sits comfortably in the low 90s. Also has an above-average curve and a changeup — which has a chance, but lags behind his other two pitches. Has good mechanics and mound presence and keeps the ball down in the zone.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/prospects/y2009/profile.jsp?t=p_top&pid=501957
At 6′5", Tillman, drafted out of high school in the 2nd round of the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft by the Mariners, throws downhill with a fastball that sits 92-94 MPH.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
Tillman has taken the Phil Hughes Memorial Exit from the phenom highway.
Personal theory: these guys throw a bunch of heat in high-school and then the minors, because it’s what gets them drafted and then advanced. They hit the big leagues, and their arms are worn out.
I also suspect the radar guns aren’t all that accurate that they use in HS and the minors, and that the clubs hype their prospects by fudging the velocity numbers.
So, three pet theories, but whatever.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Well
the first theory may have some merit (although I think it’s just that some guys get hurt/tired and some don’t), but the 2nd one isn’t the case for any prospect who is being scouted by professional scouts. Generally scouts are outfitted with very good radar guns so they don’t end up drafting/signing anybody that doesn’t actually throw hard. The scouting report figures quoted above aren’t relying on Orioles scouts or FO types who have an interest in drumming up their prospects.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
Alternative theory
Scouts look for velocity, because you can’t teach it. HS/MiLB pitchers rely on it (even with iffy control), because HS/MiLB batters can’t hit it. They arrive at the big dance, and it’s like—whoah! I can’t blow these guys away even with my best stuff! Time to learn to pitch, son. In the process of developing an actual repertoire of pitches, they (a) concentrate on location and control in a way they never have before (e.g. Tillman), and (b) they mess with their mechanics in order to master a broader repertoire or pick up a new out pitch (since the FB clearly doesn’t do it). Either way, velocity drops.
by fishoutawata on May 12, 2011 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
b might have some merit
but I don’t believe a) for a second.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
Re Bedard Trade:
I think we’re seeing basically what we’re going to get with Jones, Tillman’s ceiling is still unknown.
Also, we should consider whatever Bell becomes as another possible bonus of that trade.
Any way you chop it, it was a great trade for the Birds with the potential to be epic.
epic?
I don’t know, man. We dodged a bullet, that’s for sure, with Bedard going straight down the tube with injuries etc. after the trade. But nobody we picked up has proven all that incredible as of yet. We’re in our 4th year of AJ now folks – and he’s yet to be anything more than a slightly above average offensive player. Sherrill was no great shakes in ’08, although he improved considerably in ’09 and did net us Bell. Tillman is still a big question mark. Mickolio never amounted to much.
So yes, it was undoubtedly a good trade for us in that it made Bedard’s future health issues someone else’s problem while giving us options. It’s just that none of those options have really been all that great yet.
Fan-dabby-dozy.....tastic.....
I would argue
that Jones has been an above-average defensive player for half of his time here. Last year, of course, being the aberration.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
you're right,
epic is a bit strong. however, Jones is entering his prime (age-wise) and Tillman still has a high ceiling. In a best-case-scenario, Tillman being a solid #2 and Jones producing ToriI Hunter-like numbers, the trade would prove extremely lopsided.
Tillman will never be a good second starter, or even a passable facsimile of a good #2.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Tillman's FIP is currently 3.45
His xFIP is a more pedestrian 4.45, because he’s been lucky with HR balls. But he’s only 23 and has plenty of room to improve with command and whatnot.
Tillman’s never going to be that ace that we hoped (and as he was hyped), so that’s a drag. He could end up being an inning-eater, #4-type guy, though, and while he’s cheap that has value.
Jones is not going to be an impact player, which is also a shortfall on his expectations, but he’s an OK everyday player.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Good morning gang.
In honor of the outing to OPACY on May 21, all CC T-shirts are on sale. We’ve removed commission pricing so they are as cheap as we can make ’em, the cheapest ones being just over $10.
Let’s make the CC block a sea of “Where Everyone is Rick Dempsey’s Nephew” and “Please Drink…. …..Responsibly” shirts. And let’s give duck a legion of homeboys.
If you have questions, hit me up in reply to this. I’ll be in and out today and tomorrow.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Usher lady at PG County Stadium yesterday
read my shirt and said “Camden Chat… oh, isn’t that cute.”
You too can be ‘cute’
Like a bad, suave dude. You know what I'm sayin'. COOL. SC 7/24/08
Oy vey
which one were you wearing?
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
maybe we should make the design more RUGGED.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
I'd love to add a design or two
We should run another contest sometime this summer.
Maybe we could all buy some “Out with the old, in with the Reimold” shirts and go cheer Nolan on in Norfolk.
ahahaha
I’ll fit ’em in. Just stay on my case. :)
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
That's what she said.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on May 12, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
It would be good to figure out shirts for Matusz, Wieters, and Zach
But I also think some of the best shirts are CC lore/collective wisdom: Lollygagger, drink responsibly, rick dempsey’s nephew, etc.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Smitten with Britton?
"What the hell is a Baltimore knot?" "I don't know, but it's never the same thing twice." - The Wire
by Eat More Esskay on May 12, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Orrrr
HypnoToad with “There Is No Troy Patton” underneath.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Baltimore, do as I tell you to.
who?
"I don't have an on-deck circle for ideas. It's just 'Batter up!!' Even though they're bad" - Mike Birbiglia
by Parkinglotninja on May 12, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
i know who the hynotoad is (big futurama fan)
it was this troy patton fellow im not so sure about.
"I don't have an on-deck circle for ideas. It's just 'Batter up!!' Even though they're bad" - Mike Birbiglia
by Parkinglotninja on May 12, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I bet Emperor Lrrr would buy one
And so would I.
Like a bad, suave dude. You know what I'm sayin'. COOL. SC 7/24/08
I like this.
But maybe “Smitton with Britton”
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Zach Attackkkkkkkkk (with a mixture of backward ks in there).
by Wieters Wieners on May 12, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
How about just Zach Attackk then? (with one backwards k)?
Or ‘Great Britton of Groundballs’
I’m done.
by Wieters Wieners on May 12, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
We could have CC on the front
and “one of the most disappointing prospects of all time.” on the back. Which is the same as a bust.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
ugh
It’s Luke holding a picture of severed dear heads.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
You knew them personally?
"Your most precious possessions on offense are your twenty-seven outs." -- Earl Weaver
ahahaha
ISWYDT
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
*deer
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
They aren't severed
the men are showing the faces of the deer that they killed. Their bodies are still attached, you just cant see them (except the one on the right). It’s still disgusting.
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
also,
he’s grinning like a maniac. which is a little unsettling, I suppose.
"Initially thought I had BieberFever but turns out I have pneumonia."
-Guts
Would you expect any different?
He is a maniac.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
I don't have any issues with hunting
But I still don’t want to see any bloody carcasses. When my family goes hunting and then hangs the deer up to drain…ugh, I cannot be around that. It turns my stomach.
Sorry for going down this road again
but it’s disgusting because killing anything for fun is fucked up. I eat meat, and I get some people hunt to feed their families. But hunting because it’s fun is as fucked up as strolling down the street and knifing the neighbor’s kitty for a laugh.
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
I don't know anyone who hunts simply for fun
And I live in a hunting mecca. Everyone I know eats what they kill.
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
Sure, most people eat what they kill
that doesn’t change the fact that they get enjoyment from killing the animal. I’m not saying the things are mutually exclusive. If someone enjoys killing animals, even if they eat them afterwards, it’s still pretty fucked up.
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
I'm not a big hunter ...
… having just a couple of pheasants, three doves and one quail (plus a rabbit, which I found out I couldn’t eat because of some nasty parasite they have out here) to my credit.
But killing was never the reason I ever went out. I don’t believe I know anyone who hunts for the joy of killing. Some hunters do like the trophy aspect of hunting. That never appealed to me, but I don’t criticize others for it.
While democracy must have its organization and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.
- Charles Evans Hughes
Not trying to sound like a jerk
but killing is kinda central to the idea of hunting. If you did it for the nature, you could hike. If you did it for the shooting, you could go to the range, and if you did it for the thrill of the hunt, you could stop as soon as you had the kill shot lined up (or in your case just become a bird watcher). People do it because they get a thrill out of shooting an animal. It gives a sense of accomplishment. If people didn’t get some kind of thrill from the kill, they wouldn’t do it.
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
Don't worry about sounding like a jerk.
You don’t.
I can’t speak for any one else, but I never got a thrill out of killing any animal. Just the opposite. There is the feeling of making a good shot, followed by a slight feeling of – well not sadness – don’t really know how to phrase it. I’m not into pretending I believe in any sort of Native American like mystical oneness with all creatures thing.
The reason I’m pretty much only interested in upland bird hunting these days is that I don’t have to see a single bird to enjoy it. Just walking the fields and watching the dog work is enjoyment enough. Taking a shot at a bird is because I like eating them.
I certainly understand why someone would have no interest in hunting as a direct result of the killing aspect. There is nothing about killing that makes one special. I do challenge someone who thinks that their own choice on the subject is superior or make assumptions about others who engage in an activity they don’t. You may not have meant it that way – if fact I’m fairly sure you didn’t – but when you call an activity that millions of people get involved with disgusting, that’s pretty much the message you send out.
On a lighter subject – how many people here do you think would object to hunting Derek Jeter? And if they got him, would they have to eat him?
While democracy must have its organization and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.
- Charles Evans Hughes
I could totally deal with being a hypocrite
if it meant I got to put down Jeter.
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
Seriously?
Lots of people take significant pleasure in the kill.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
I guess Dick Cheney isn't a neighbor then?
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Now that's not fair
We don’t know what Cheney’s intentions were for that guy who survived a face full of birdshot
"Fairy tales start 'once upon a time...'. Fishing stories start 'now this ain't no bullshit...'."
- Cap'n Phil Harris
I knife kittens for a living!
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on May 12, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Let's not get started on kittens.
It’s only a short jump from there to chickens.
While democracy must have its organization and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.
- Charles Evans Hughes
Deer hunting is disgusting?
I can see someone having that opinion if they are a vegeterian.
Otherwise it’s like saying killing one’s food is ok so long as someone else does it.
While democracy must have its organization and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.
- Charles Evans Hughes
Killing for fun or personal enjoyment isn't ok
it’s as simple as that.
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
by daveh873 on May 12, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Just bought an It's Always Next Year Here shirtt.
Lost around 28 pounds so far and figure this is a good reward. The duck is my homeboy shirt is also tempting.
"maybe its just me but i think if the os cant get more rbis they arenever going to win why not get zito or another proven veteran in hear" - zknower
by Emperor Lrrr on May 12, 2011 11:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
there we go! get the ball rolling!
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
Mixed bag for me this morning
Late last night I’m watching a Simpsons rerun on a local station & Flanders is humming a song from Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – and now I’M humming the bloody thing all morning. Lloyd-Webber songs are the snakehead fish of the mind. Once they’re in there, you can’t get them out!
But here’s something to brighten my day – Mike Lupica, who’s been a writer at the NY Daily News since John McCain was a cadet started a new radio show this week, and while he’s talking to Bill Simmons, Mariano decides to call in & say hi, so Simmons gets cut off mid-interview. Nothing less then that prick deserves.
"Fairy tales start 'once upon a time...'. Fishing stories start 'now this ain't no bullshit...'."
- Cap'n Phil Harris
Are All Divisions Created Equal?
Short Answer: No
5 Teams in the AL East – 4 in the West
The Unbalanced schedule is a mess and unfair considering the Wild Card situation.
But it won’t change because MLB has the worst commissioner in organized sports.
"Have a good time...all the time." - Viv Savage
Hard to say we have the worst commish
When the NFL has the players locked out and the NBA is about to do the same.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
And the NHL recently skipped a whole season
"Initially thought I had BieberFever but turns out I have pneumonia."
-Guts
Also is Bettman's insane sunbelt strategy
because they LOVE their hockey in Atlanta, Nashville & Carolina
"Fairy tales start 'once upon a time...'. Fishing stories start 'now this ain't no bullshit...'."
- Cap'n Phil Harris
With the exception of Atlanta, it isn't a poor strategy.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on May 12, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
there are a few too many
but I do like the idea of giving hockey a broader audience.
It seems like Phoenix might be moving back to Winnipeg. I’d get rid of the Florida Panthers too, or at least move them back to Miami.
"Initially thought I had BieberFever but turns out I have pneumonia."
-Guts
Attendence blips up when the teams do well
But I don’t think most of these places can sustain hockey teams for very long. Florida makes some sense because you have the northeast transplants on the Atlantic side (NY, Bos, Phi) and the midwest/Canadian transplants on the Gulf side (Det, Chi, Tor).
But way back when Gretzky was traded to the Kings & they changed their uniform colours & suddenly all the young people were wearing LA Kings gear, Bettman decided to base his entire relocation/expansion strategy on a passing fad.
"Fairy tales start 'once upon a time...'. Fishing stories start 'now this ain't no bullshit...'."
- Cap'n Phil Harris
Speaking as a Carolinian...
People do love the Hurricanes here on the eastern part of the state, WAY more support than anything the Thrashers get in Atlanta.
I've noticed that
I live about 30 min south of Raleigh and there is great love for the Canes around here. Not near as much as for the Sabres when I lived near Buffalo, but the Raleigh area does seem to get pretty excited over hockey.
"I could no more abandon my Orioles than I could repudiate my family, or my native heath, or my own childhood—even though I know it is a devotion that can now bring only grief." - David Bentley Hart
by Gorilla Bird on May 12, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Carolina's doing fine
Nashville is slowly starting to come around, but maybe too little too late. Atlanta is basically dead, the Panthers had an okay run awhile back but are showing no signs of life. Phoenix is a textbook case of Bettman not wanting to admit he went to one place too many, Dallas is doing okay except for the whole bankrupt owner thing, and the Lightning are doing okay as well, but that comes with having a competitive team more years than not.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Baltimore, do as I tell you to.
He killed the national pastime
You can compare Budster with others if you like. I don’t follow hockey and no offense to you fans but it doesn’t have the reach of the other sports. Three words – The Outdoor Channel.
If Goodell doesn’t stop acting like a bystander and act soon he’ll be up there. Stern has gone from the model to a game that is in SERIOUS financial trouble.
-turned blind eye to STERIODS forever tarnishing a decade plus of the sports
-All Star Game determine home field in the WS? Dumbest idea ever. It’s an exhibition.
-Playoffs in November?
-World Baseball Classic
and on and on.
He’s a former owner. Why would you expect someone unbiased?
"Have a good time...all the time." - Viv Savage
Thats not really the comissioner's fault
Its a function of the number of teams. Without either a huge increase in interleague games, or a 2 team expansion followed by a massive reorganization of divisions, there’s no way to balance the divisions. Neither of those proposals would be very popular or necessarily beneficial for the league.
Well if you contract you're down to 2 14-team conferences
which is either 1 big single table, or 2 7-team divisions, which is almost as awkward. going up to 32 gives you a NFL-like setup, which would work better but it means diluting the talent pool further
If they wanted to space out interleague play
instead of trying to make it an event or something, they could go to to two 15 team divisions. They’d just have to have one interleague series going all the time.
I haven't looked at it that closely
but i think you’d still need to increase the number of interleague games by some degree to make it work. Maybe not though.
well I'm bad at math, but it seems do-able
Right now every AL team plays 18 interleague games a year, six three-game series. That’s 252 games.
No, it doesn't...
I imagine expansion is actually more viable than contraction at this point. Frankly, as the number of people living grows, so too does the number of potential fans of the game, as does the potential talent base for players. And the world population is just increasing.
Now, is baseball doing all it can to attract these viewers and talent? Of course not. It’s made a bunch of big missteps there.
But contraction is not the answer. Contraction removes potential viewers from your pool, by taking a team away from them, which tends to leave feelings of anger and bitterness.
The best thing to do would be to get rid of divisions entirely and go back to just two conferences with 15 teams and have the top 4 teams from each division make it to the playoffs.
So we get the Brewers back in the AL?
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
Potential expansion sites?
I had this conversation the other day with a friend and i think we settled on Indianapolis and Charlotte.
Portland and Las Vegas are the ones I always hear about
Portland is the most populated metro area without a baseball team, while Vegas is the 4th and has a large tourist intake which should help a bit. Charlotte and Indianapolis are both below them in population, though not by much, and would probably be more palatable to MLB than a Vegas team though.
It'll be interesting to see what pro league takes the plunge first and puts a team in Vegas
The gambling issue is definitely a factor, but i think theres a lot of questions regarding how much support the team would receive. Even the native population of Vegas is largely from elsewhere and may not be supportive of a new team, and I’m not sure how much a pro franchise could rely on tourists to fill the stadium.
It would also fit in nicely in the AL West
Make it a real division
"The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers." - Earl of Baltimore
by J(O's)elskIL on May 12, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, this is true
There are a lot of questions, but I have a feeling they’d be incredibly popular to gamble on. And I think people would enjoy putting a wager on a Vegas team and then going to watch them play the same night.
Of course, that’s the main problem the leagues have; gambling on their sports. Especially from players and coaches.
And considering the mayhem that occured at the NBA All-Star game in Vegas
I think a pro sports team would be wary of having its players in Vegas so frequently. I’d give it a few months before a player gets in over his head in even non-sports-related gambling debt.
Everyone in Vegas thought the NBA would come here.
the Las Vegas mayor, Oscar Goodman, pushed for it continually during his years in office. But it never got past the discussion stage because of the gaming issue. The NBA was adamant that if the NBA located to Las Vegas, there could be no wagering whatsoever on basketball, and not just on the local team. And now that Goodman is leaving because he’s term limited, it’s probably going to be a dead issue.
The other issue, for years, was whether or not a major sports franchise would relocate if the money was spent to build a stadium. The land has basically already been picked out, just west of the old downtown area. But with the economy tanking, all hope went down the drain to find financing. And since Las Veags was probably the hardest hit city nationwide due to the residential housing market collapse, and both the city and county having huge budget deficets, it ain’t gonna happen.
There was even a plan a few years ago to build a major league spring training facility here in hopes of attracting a team for spring training. Again, it never happened.
You have any idea who you are voting for in the mayor race?
I’m hoping Chris G. wins
I got mad hits, like I was Rod Carew.
by WestcoastO'sFan on May 13, 2011 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Portland has been trying for a team for some time.
I personally don’t see it.
The current stadium in NW Portland is a nice place to catch a AAA game. Pretty easy to get to, especially with light rail, but no parking. It isn’t suitable for a ML park simply because there isn’t sufficient room to expand.
There are’t any really good locations downtown. Maybe along the SW waterfront or possible a location on the east side of the river where the Portland School District offices are currently located.
The biggest reason I don’t see MLB in Portland is I don’t think it is really a baseball town. In the 20 some years I’ve lived out here just about every baseball fan I knew originally came from somewhere else. I suspect the reason folks in the NW are not particularly huge fans is due to a) the rain – you have to get into July before the weather can be considered baseball weather and b) there are just two many other outdoor activities to do. Not too many places where you can be skiing in the morning up on Mount Hood and wind surfing in the Gorge or white water rafting on the Salmon River the same afternoon and still get back into town for a nice dinner downtown.
The coast is an hour away in one direction and the mountains an hour away in the other. Drive a little further east and you are in high desert. Fans would likely support a team if it were successful, but it would always be a small market team with a thin base in my estimation. Besides, it’s not that difficult to drive or take the train up to Seattle to watch a game in one of the nicest ballparks in the country.
While democracy must have its organization and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.
- Charles Evans Hughes
It won't ever happen but it should
Leagues are always looking at gaining more viewers and expanding into new markets. I know Contraction won’t ever happen.
But there is something to be said about – less is more.
The conference idea is at least more equitable. But I still have a problem with say the O’s competing against the Twins for a Wild Card spot and having to play the Yankees and Red Sox more times.
But the MLB has shown time and again that while they want more fans they care only about the big markets.
"Have a good time...all the time." - Viv Savage
Contraction is not a good idea
There are 3 times when contraction occurs:
1) The league is failing and contracts to stave off failing. This usually doesn’t work and the league fails anyway.
2) The league is fledgling and expanded too far, too quick. It has several highly popular and successful franchises, but the lesser ones are too big a drain and have to be cut away for the league to survive.
3) A league is being absorbed by a larger, more successful league and thus eliminates teams in competing markets and/or less successful ones that the merging league doesn’t want.
MLB is in none of those states and should not contract. Contraction would provide no tangible benefit to the game.
And with the conference idea, there is no Wild Card. There are 4 playoff spots and the top 4 teams all go to the playoffs. You play everyone in your conference the same number of times.
I Know it Won't Happen
You seem to have missed that. So let’s see what else his highness could do.
I also said that it didn’t show much foresight to have a system in place that is inherently unfair to all teams.
It’s an easy fix. Move the Brewers back to the AL. That gives you an equal amount of teams in each league and division. Your schedule needs to be fixed to scale back Inter-League play (the novelty has worn off- at least for me)
In a Conference situation you can do whatever you want playoff wise – top four or six. At least with that each team would play the others they compete against the same number of times.
"Have a good time...all the time." - Viv Savage
I like toast.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on May 12, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Buttered cinnamon raisin toast rocks my world.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on May 12, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
You're not alone...
"They're throwing bottles at your house...Come on, let's go break their arms." - Henry Fool
by Fahrenheit 451 on May 12, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Did anyone see this story on MASN's ratings?
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/zontv/2011/05/orioles_tv_ratings_are_up_on_m.html
The O’s ratings are up 24% from last year, but this quote caught my attention:
“The audience is 55 percent larger than it was last year for all viewers 18 to 34. One thing that indicates: More young women are watching.”
Stacey deserves some credit for this, right?
I don't know that I deserve the credit, but I'll certainly take it
I mean, I take credit for Rob Dibble getting fired, so why not?
OT: Would anyone consider this Jaime Garcia guy from STL a complete stud?
by Wieters Wieners on May 12, 2011 12:00 PM EDT reply actions
I generally don't look at guys that way
maybe Stacey could help you out with that one :)
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
Guy is a BEAST
Unless I’m missing something.
Looks like he’s gonna make me some of my KING FELIX STUPID TAX back from last night.
by Wieters Wieners on May 12, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
680th overall in the draft that we got Garret Olson and Brandon Snyder. unfair.
"I have fear, but I am not afraid."
Damn it feels good to be a contributor, Music City Miracles.
by danielreese05 on May 12, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Does the back say "I've figured out walks mean I don't have to run" ?
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Baltimore, do as I tell you to.
“I’m not anti-rap. In fact, like Bret Baier, I know the lyrics to ’Rapper’s Delight,’ too
Yes, Sarah Palin. Knowing the lyrics to a 30 year old song really means you’re plugged into the hip-hop community.
Did you see the Daily Show last night?
He did a great bit showing the Fox News jerkoffs freaking out about a poem they misinterpreted by Common and then standing by Ted Nugent after he was screaming about wanting Obama and HIllary to suck on/sit on his machine guns. Pretty hilarious.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
Beyond never wanting to hear Jon Stewart rap again, I did think it was pretty great
Especially contrasting Johnny Cash being given some award by Bush (who also invited freakin Eazy-E to the White House, which i can’t remember if they mentioned)
yeah that was awful
just to be clear it was W who invited Johnny Cash and his pops who invited Eazy-E right? Eazy-E died in 1995…
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
Had this conversation with one of my classes this year
Two kids were talking about lyrics, and how white people aren’t as hard as black people. I asked, “You know who Johnny Cash is?” One or two said yes, and I said “Listen to this. He wrote it in the 1950s, and he sang it live in a prison in California in 1968.”
And I played “Folsom Prison Blues”.
When it got to "When I was just a baby… My momma told me, “Son… always be a good boy. Don’t ever play with gun.”… But I shot a man in Reno – just to watch him die…" then three kids responded the same way – “Damn, Duck. That’s hard.”
I rested my case. And didn’t even need Slayer to do it.
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
Strange thing is
given the reasons Cash gave for wearing black, he probably wasn’t a big fan of the Bush Crime Family.
"Fairy tales start 'once upon a time...'. Fishing stories start 'now this ain't no bullshit...'."
- Cap'n Phil Harris
You could throw Steve Earle in there too at some point.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Baltimore, do as I tell you to.
whoa, my email works but as far as the internet goes, only camdenchat works for me. no other pages will load for me.
Folksy literate type.
Good... good!
Everything that has transpired has done so according to my design…
"Your most precious possessions on offense are your twenty-seven outs." -- Earl Weaver
porn, duh.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on May 12, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
well with the current direction the fanposts are taking
CamdenChat could soon be filling all your internet-related needs
Yea....some of the links from the hottie polls are getting rather NSFW
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on May 12, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Those are the only fanposts I can think of that might be filling all internet-related needs ;-)
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on May 12, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Go ducks!
Looks like I’m going to UO for the next four one to four years.
I got mad hits, like I was Rod Carew.
by WestcoastO'sFan on May 12, 2011 3:19 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Wait, what?
Oh, I thought you meant the Long Island minor league team.
Seriously, good luck with that. Now I’m sure you’ll be getting lots of sound advice before you go off to college. And I’d give some, but there are 1 or 2 things about college I don’t remember too clearly. Things like 1987, 1988, etc…
"Fairy tales start 'once upon a time...'. Fishing stories start 'now this ain't no bullshit...'."
- Cap'n Phil Harris
The best advice I could give
don’t major in history.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
It worked ok for me.
But then that could be due to getting my degree from Maryland.
While democracy must have its organization and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.
- Charles Evans Hughes
by timg56 on May 12, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Congratulations on getting in.
While democracy must have its organization and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.
- Charles Evans Hughes
Congrats
Make sure to take a business class on how to use Microsoft Office. It amazes me how many college kids can’t make spreadsheets and charts.
Folksy literate type.
This!
Mostly what I was getting at with my history major comment. Take some practical things.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
haha I loved getting my history degree
But always thought that if I could go back I’d get a degree in a field that has a job title in it like nursing or engineering or something. That way I’d know what job to get.
Dont' get me wrong
I loved being a history major and regularly re-read books that I read for class, but I wish I had taken some practical stuff and like you maybe learned some things that might have informed my career decisions a bit.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
I love how many people here majored in history
and yet the one person who didn’t (me) gets to teach it. :)
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
I'm amazed by how many college graduates can't write.
Just about any career field puts great value on the ability to communicate.
While democracy must have its organization and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.
- Charles Evans Hughes
by timg56 on May 12, 2011 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
this is true
history helped me a lot with writing and communication in general
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
mazel tov!
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
ugh, reply fail.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and a little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
SABR conference in LA
Ooo la la. $20… I might have to take a day off from work and check this out.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/fangraphs-live-at-sabr41-in-la/
Folksy literate type.
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