A very quick and Angry post.

by the red baron on Dec 19, 2007 11:42 AM EST in St. Louis Cardinals News

I had a big article typed up, mostly about the current state of sports media. Then, when I went to post it, poof. Gone. I have no idea what the hell happened, and now I don't have time to do it all over again. Son of a bitch.

Anyway, here's a very abbreviated post.

Yesterday, Lboros's calculations had an error in the original version. Thanks to SleepyCA for helping to find the problem; the revised version is here. The new numbers look quite a bit better; anyone on the ledge should check them out before they go ahead and jump.

John Marecek announced two weeks ago that he will no longer be a part of KFNS (590) as of the first of the year. I don't know if any of you are fans of the Inside Pitch, the Sunday morning show he hosts along with Rick Hummel, but you should check it out. It's really the only sports talk radio I'm capable of listening to anymore. The rest is all sound and fury, signifying nothing. The Inside pitch is on every Sunday at 8 am; if you've never heard it, give it a listen. I don't know if it will continue after Mr. Marecek leaves, but I have a sneaking suspicion it won't. If not, I literally won't have a reason to keep 590 on the AM preset on the radio anymore. I would like to wish Mr. Marecek the best of luck in his future endeavors; he's one of the classiest individuals left in an increasingly crass medium.

You know, when I first heard about the Edmonds deal, I was devastated. Jimmy has been one of my personal favourites since he got here, and I can't bear the thought of him finishing up in someone else's jersey. I guess the head can't always beat the heart. It was a nice move by Mozeliak, and he's looking more and more as if he has a really great plan for building the next great Cardinal team, and I hate it. Oh well. The greatest enemies of progress are those who only cheer until they find it at their doorstep.

If I don't speak to you all again before the holiday, have a very Happy Christmas. This has always been my favourite time of year, all the wasted expenditures of time, money and energy. Myself, I spend too much of all three every year, trying to find just the right gifts to show the people I care about what they mean to me. I know that's not what it's all supposed to be about, and I'm sure it says something very unpleasant about my mental and emotional condition, but hey, you work with what you've got.

Once again, I'm sorry for the crappy, rushed post, but I've got to get out of here, and my original is gone. I suppose I should just be glad I successfully resisted the urge to toss my computer out of the window. Sigh.

Happy Christmas, everybody. Take care of yourselves.

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For future reference...

...I've had problems like that on some boards out there. One way to avoid it is, before you post, copy the entire post on to the clipboard. Then if something goes wrong in posting the thread, you haven't lost anything. :) D.GOOCH

Cardinals, Cardinals, Cardinals!

by GOOCH24 on Dec 19, 2007 11:27 AM EST reply actions

Word

Or if I was doing this kind of blogging I would be typing it in word or at least wordpad first and then coping over from there.

by StLHugo on Dec 19, 2007 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

Concur

Really sorry to hear about your literary loss, TRB. I can truly empathise. (My "circular file" steel trash can here at work still has a huge dent from when I kicked it across the office after a browser ate 90 minutes of my work. Despite its irregular shape, I keep it around 1) to remind me never to compose anything in a browser again, and 2) to remind me that I should always use my powers for good.)

I never type ANYTHING substantial in a browser anymore. Been burned too many times. Instead, I now use Word with Autosave turned on, backing things up automatically every 5 minutes. Autosave = fewer ulcers and fewer irregularly shaped steel trash cans in your office.

For the record, I, too, was shocked and devastated at hearing that Edmonds had been traded. But it was clearly a good move for the team...and for Jimmy, it would appear, assuming he gets more playing time in SD and stays in CF. After all, his only real chance for the Hall is to rebound and put up another couple of excellent years. I wish him the best, but will his newly opened restaurant remain open, I wonder?

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

by Mr Clean on Dec 19, 2007 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

I concur

This is what I did both when I was regularly updating my sports blog and what I still do now on my other blog, which is just getting started. I've lost too many posts that have been wiped out either by having a very unfortunate time to lose internet or something else happening that wiped out what I worked on for a good chunk of time.

The feeling sucks. I fully understand.

by mtalken on Dec 20, 2007 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

1380, 550, 590

I have issues with all 3 of the sports stations that I have listened too so far. 550 is mostly news but has sports before and after games, why do they cover games anyway? In the end I only listen to 550 for Cards games or the Busch chat with TLR on Sunday mornings during the season. 590 just can't keep me interested at all, I like Frank Cusimano, but I didn't know about that inside pitch show. 1380 just did a reorg and is no longer ESPN affiliated, they also have a VERY weak signal, but I really like listening to Bernie and Randy mainly because they get some good guests.

by StLHugo on Dec 19, 2007 11:40 AM EST reply actions

your post

pretty much sums up my radio listening habits to a T (though I seem to like the roll home more than most here).

Also KMOX is dead to me since they lost the Cards

by jealousblues on Dec 19, 2007 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

1380 wised up

and dropped the putrid lineup that is now on ESPN radio. The only four hours worth listening to during the week are when Van Pelt is on Tirico's show(which is beyond awful otherwise). Mike and Mike have become nothing more than another Morning Zoo type of radio show(if I wanted that, I'd listen to either Bob and Tom or John-Boy and Billy) Herd thinks he's Stern, Limbaugh, and O'Reilly all rolled into one, and therefore thinks his shit doesn't stink; and the late afternoon show, whatever it's called this week, is just unlistenable.
The lineup on 590 seems to change more than I change my socks, except for that moron Kevin Slaten, so who cares about them, and 550 is only good for Cards games.

"It's always about the money. Anyone who says it's not is lying."- Gene Simmons

by cardsrul on Dec 19, 2007 12:44 PM EST reply actions

"Morning Zoo"?

What do you mean by that?

by saladdays on Dec 19, 2007 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

Morning Zoo

is a term that has been around at least as far back as when my father was a DJ in the 60s(no, he didn't have that kind of program. He was on adult contemporary station). It usually refers to the "crazy, wacky" DJs, a la the two programs I mentioned, or Lex and Terry, Bob Rivers(the Twisted Christmas songs guy), anything in that vain.

"It's always about the money. Anyone who says it's not is lying."- Gene Simmons

by cardsrul on Dec 19, 2007 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know why you think

Mike and Mike is like that. Some of it gets a bit off topic (but all sports radio shows do), but they have tons of good interviews and other stuff they do on the show.

by saladdays on Dec 19, 2007 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with you both

ESPN Radio, now without Patrick, lost a lot. Kuselius (sp?) is pretty good on the radio as well, but the Herd is total garbage.

I do like Mike and Mike still though, and personally my local ESPN is ESPN1000 out of Chicago, which has their own guys on from arounsd 2-6 and they're pretty funny. It's a lot of Cubs and Bears talk, but they're pretty funny, and there's a lot of "Ditka" talk, which after having seen "Superfans" on SNL as many times as I have, still never gets old to me.

The national programs for ESPN, sans Mike and Mike, are pretty bad these days though.

by mtalken on Dec 20, 2007 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe LB could host

a new show called "VEB Radio"? A show where the hosts would talk about VORP, WARP3 and BABIP without rolling their eyes?

I'm only half-kidding.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Dec 19, 2007 1:00 PM EST reply actions

There'd be a market for that

esp. as a podcast. Problem? You'd have to do it for free for quite a while before somehow getting a sponsor.

by sdrone on Dec 19, 2007 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

A VEB podcast

is a fantastic idea.

My boys need nothing.

by Alxfritz on Dec 19, 2007 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

+1

but i wouldnt know how to start one although i know there a lot smarter people than i am on here...

"Back in the day when I played, a pitcher had 3 pitches: a fastball, a curveball, a slider, a changeup and a good sinker pitch." - Mike Shannon

by nomar34 on Dec 19, 2007 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

i might be ready to try this

the idea's been floating around out there. . . . . anybody know anything about podcasting?

by lboros on Dec 19, 2007 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

I know the basics

As I stated in my post below this I know from listening how others do it. Using Skype you can set up a conference call, and with some sort of software you record that call, then you just yap as if you were in the same room (have an agenda, a set host, etc.), you could get guests to call in and you can use prerecorded voicemails. Later you edit out certain parts to clean it up and then you post it, if you post it via ITunes then users of that can subscribe to it, I don't like ITunes but it is one way to get a fast listener audience.

by StLHugo on Dec 19, 2007 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

Besides

the fact that you should lead in with "The Heat is On" before every show, sadly, no I don't.

My boys need nothing.

by Alxfritz on Dec 19, 2007 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Or "danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins

for fans of the '87 team

by tdawg on Dec 19, 2007 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

Kool and the Gang

Celebration

Surprisingly, no. I'm free, I'm unfettered.

by liam on Dec 19, 2007 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

Or perhaps...

A carefully crafted medley of all THREE of them. How awesome would THAT be?

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

by Mr Clean on Dec 19, 2007 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

was that

the top gun song...?

by jealousblues on Dec 19, 2007 7:36 PM EST up reply actions

"hi, fans, lboros here...

....coming at you from ARizona in lower case."

by sdrone on Dec 19, 2007 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

This podcast can only exist

if, the morning after a transaction is made by the team, larry goes to the Axlfritz Commentary on Front Office Moves, followed by an audio clip of him saying:

Fuck.

I will be boxer briefs

by Hardcore Legend on Dec 19, 2007 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

i've looked into it

the stuff it takes is more $/time then i have right now.

here's a start

http://radio.about.com/od/podcastin1/a/aa030805a.htm

Fritz's boys need a house

by erik on Dec 19, 2007 1:40 PM EST up reply actions

I can help

I sent an email, so as not to divulge my glamorous, super-secret, real-life identity.

Surprisingly, no. I'm free, I'm unfettered.

by liam on Dec 19, 2007 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

Stuff from google

how to record a podcast

how to record a podcast interview

how to podcast with skype

how to record skype conversations

by sdrone on Dec 19, 2007 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

David Pinto does this

The problem is, podcasts take so much time to listen to and don't really give much information that isn't already written on the site. Of course I've only listened in a couple of times...

Christmas lights are an extremely efficient method for converting Christmas Spirit into heat. -anon

by SleepyCA on Dec 19, 2007 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

I love BP 's podcasts

BA's too. I haven't got into too many others. a veb podcast of course would be like a super terrific happy fun time hour for me.

Fritz's boys need a house

by erik on Dec 19, 2007 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

LB

Every Day Should Be Saturday is a college football (mostly SEC) blog I visit every day as well as this one, and they do a weekly podcast. I'm sure Orson would be more than happy to give you some pointers and tips about it, and I'm sure I'd be more than happy to listen in weekly.

Cardinal fan in War Eagle land

by Mr Redbird on Dec 19, 2007 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

podcast

Larry, check out this link:
http://www.audioblog.com/

$10 per month, you can just call in via telephone and this company's system is supposed to convert that to a podcast. I assume you could have another person on the line who you are interviewing and 3-way into the podcast phone line. I know nothing about the company other than what I read on the web site.

by jjray on Dec 19, 2007 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting idea

I would be willing to help look at logistics but I doubt I could do much as far as hosting. I know that the Harry Potter (yes I am a geek) podcasts (at least MuggleCast) use Skype to connect them all and allows them to keep voicemails, so they can answer those on air instead of live calls. Once they record it they edit it and release it though I think you could do a live show or a faster turnaround (record on Saturday night and post on Sunday). Getting sponsors might not be an issue either, the Cards might want to advertise the prime seat club or just regular tickets, plus I am sure the PD might want in on it as well, except that their writers work for the radio stations as well.

by StLHugo on Dec 19, 2007 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

I've never listened to a podcast in my life...

I fear change, but if this idea gets legs...

The only thing between me and you is a thin layer of gabardine...

by silent_bob on Dec 19, 2007 6:27 PM EST up reply actions

What is a podcast?

by jillsinmo on Dec 19, 2007 11:31 PM EST up reply actions

prerecorded radio

Basically a "Pod"cast is a radio cast that can be listened to on your iPod or other MP3 player. It is prerecorded and must be downloaded by each user.

by StLHugo on Dec 19, 2007 11:38 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, I know what a podcast is........

I was making a joke. Thanks anyway.

by jillsinmo on Dec 19, 2007 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

That would be great...

I'd love a VEB podcast. Maybe on slow weeks you could have some lessons on using all the crazy acronyms that are used around here for those who don't know. If there is anything I can do to help, I'd love to.

by davethebutcher on Dec 19, 2007 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

heres a suggestion

ok, im dumb and when I read a lot of these blogs I see stats I dont "get"

most of them make sense VORP

but some ive never heard before.

I wonder if someone (I could probibly do it if i knew what the hell i was talking about) could make a key to put at the top of the page (or a link on the right) that would explain some of these stats to morons like me who dont understand.

by jealousblues on Dec 19, 2007 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

there are hundreds

Best way to figure them out is to google them. For instance, SNLVAR.

The hard(er) part is figuring out which stats are relevant when. There always seems to be fine print.

Christmas lights are an extremely efficient method for converting Christmas Spirit into heat. -anon

by SleepyCA on Dec 20, 2007 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

Yesterdays projections

Here are the pythagorean records going by runs allowed:

Zips:
650 = .549 89 wins
700 = .516 84
750 = .484 78
800 = .456 73

Chone:
650 = .594 96 wins
700 = .559 90
750 = .525 85
800 = .493 80

Last years Runs Allowed:

San Diego - 666
AZ - 732
MIL - 776
STL - 829

Even IF they improve to league average pitching which would be over a 50 run improvement, they'd still be around a 83 win team per CHONE and a 76ish win team per ZIPS.

Have fun in 08.

"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"

by rocKStark5 on Dec 19, 2007 3:35 PM EST reply actions

The greatest enemies of progress...

Wow, searched google to see where you got this quote from and VEB was the first site that came up, well said.

by davethebutcher on Dec 19, 2007 4:00 PM EST reply actions

Well, thank you, Dave.

I must admit, I was rather proud of the way it sounded after I typed it. It wasn't in the original, either, so I suppose some good came out of my failure to plan ahead at all.

Punch. Drink. Cry.

by the red baron on Dec 20, 2007 7:16 AM EST up reply actions

Didn't think this was Diary Worthy

but it's about matt cain...
I always thought the poor guy was a stud, but this is just rediculous

http://mvn.com/mlb-stats/2007/12/14/poor-matt-cain/

I still love you Scotty Ro : )

by Dttl89 on Dec 19, 2007 4:28 PM EST reply actions

DAng

interesting article.

by sdrone on Dec 19, 2007 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

Matt Cain's stats

show just how sucktastic the Giants were last year. Would they give us Cain for Duncan?

by cardsgirl95 on Dec 19, 2007 5:10 PM EST up reply actions

If progress is...

dumping a long time player due to low production due to injury (and who showed signs of recovery), and then using the money saved to sign the likes of Cesar Izturis and D'Angelo Jimenez, then call me a Luddite.

by DiscoJer on Dec 19, 2007 4:55 PM EST reply actions

Wrong

The money from Edmonds was not used for Izturis or Jimenez, Eckstein and Miles paid those contracts, the savings from Edmonds hasn't been allocated yet, at least not in my mind.

by StLHugo on Dec 19, 2007 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

Izturis & Jimenez

Hell, re-signing So and Miles may have cost the same as Izturis and Jimenez. The 10+ million spent on Edmonds and Eckstein is still in the bank.

Surprisingly, no. I'm free, I'm unfettered.

by liam on Dec 19, 2007 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

Yes

I fail to see the reasoning behind DiscoJer's statements (this time or the half a dozen or so times he's said it since the trade).

by saladdays on Dec 19, 2007 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

not to sound like a jerk

but Edmonds wanted to be traded.
How is that a dump?

by jealousblues on Dec 19, 2007 7:35 PM EST up reply actions

There is progress...

I have been a long time reader of VEB but never bothered to set up an account before. I just wanted to point out that the D'Angelo Jimenez signing improves the pitching. He tossed 1.1 unblemished innings for the Padres in 2002. No hits, no runs and no BOB. Progress over Miles.

by RBird on Dec 19, 2007 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Edmonds/Eckstein...

Go to insidestl.com and listen to the podcasts of 1380's interviews with Edmonds on Monday, Mozeliak on Tuesday, and TLR on Wednesday. There are also some clips from an interview Eckstein did with a reporter from Ch. 5(KSDK). Interesting stuff, and it definitely sheds some light on the two deals.

"It's always about the money. Anyone who says it's not is lying."- Gene Simmons

by cardsrul on Dec 20, 2007 2:04 AM EST reply actions

Dammit...

The URL I posted is screwed. Here it is:
http://www.insidestl.com/morningafter

"It's always about the money. Anyone who says it's not is lying."- Gene Simmons

by cardsrul on Dec 20, 2007 2:06 AM EST up reply actions

Another LONG time reader of VEB here

who never bothered to get an account. I love the site Lboros and also appreciate all the other informative input that's posted here. I also agree with what jealousblues suggested earlier about posting something explaining all of the statistical lingo that comes up on here. Well thanks everybody for lots of interesting reads!!

by soccerfreak on Dec 20, 2007 5:55 AM EST reply actions