Christmas Again.
by the red baron on Dec 22, 2010 2:53 PM EST
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I have to admit, the holiday season has managed to sneak up on me this year. Ordinarily I begin my Christmas shopping sometime in about mid-September, picking up and picking out gifts that strike me for a full quarter of the year. (And generally grinning idiotically most of that time period as well.) In 2010, though, that hasn't been the case at all. This year I'll be one of those poor saps in the stores on the 24th, trying desperately to pick up one last nail care gift set before the salesgirl makes her sighing, irritated announcement that the time is now 5:54 and we will be closing in six minutes.
The spirit has largely eluded me this year as well. Why I can't quite say, but there it is. My tree is up and decorated, the lights on the outside of my house are happily sucking up money and electricity, and the stockings are tacked to the door in the living room. (I have one and each of my two cats has their own. It is perhaps my most significant bit of authentically crazy cat-lady behaviour.) All the same, the magic I normally feel so strongly this time of year just isn't there.
The religious would tell me I'm suffering from entropy of the soul, a hollowness that can only be filled by the embrace of a higher power to give life meaning. A pragmatist would tell me I'm just too old and too childless to geek out over a holiday geared toward those who are young, those who are fruitful, and those who are god-inclined. I'm sure both explanations have some validity, but this is who I am and have always been, yet this is the first time I can remember my holiday spirit being at such a low ebb.
So I don't have much in the way of cheer to bring you this year, and that bothers me more than I like to admit. I've made a writing career out of being, as one of our more notable posters recently put it, charming and wistful, and I just can't seem to muster up much of either at the moment. Then again, as the saying goes, you do the best you can with what you have when you have it, so here is my Christmas wish to all of you: I hope you have something to look forward to when you wake up and something to keep you warm when you go to sleep. If you have those things, the rest of life generally just falls into place. If you lack those things, well, I suppose you could put self-pity to paper for baseball fans to read at Christmas. Don't expect me to just let you hone in on my racket, though.
Oh, and whoever asked Santa Clause for a more competitive, pitching-rich NL Central, I have nothing but contempt for you. Congratulations, we now get to see Zack Greinke kick the Cardinals' collective ass four or five times a season. Great wish, jerk.
Happy Christmas, everyone. Be happy and be safe.
The Baron's Playlist for the 22nd of December, 2010
"Fairytale of New York" - the Pogues
"Alan Parsons in a Winter Wonderland" - Grandaddy
"A Change at Christmas (Say It Isn't So)" - the Flaming Lips
"Merry Xmas Everybody" - Slade
"Blue Christmas" - Elvis Presley
"White Christmas" - the Drifters
"Christmas TV" - Slow Club
"Happy Xmas (War is Over)" - John Lennon
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It may be the last few days before Christmas
when the hype has you worn down. Hopefully the spirit will return for you in a couple of days!
I want more... More baaaacon!
Jim Gaffigan
Maybe Santa will
bring RB a new toaster.
by swmofan on Dec 22, 2010 3:14 PM EST reply actions 8 recs
Well played, sirrah.
I doff my cap.
Semper fidelis tyrannosaurus!
by the red baron on Dec 22, 2010 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
Pardon me but...
I doff my cap.
Is not that what got you into trouble with the toaster? Doffing?
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
Contra to your Christmas song list
I’m listening to Quiet Riot in my cube to drown out the music from the 24-hour-a-day lite rock station that plays all Christmas music all the time played by the middle aged woman in the next cube.
Repeal The LaRussa Tax.
by Michael_68_1999 on Dec 22, 2010 3:18 PM EST reply actions
My secretary has insisted on keeping the local sap slinger station that starts Christmas 24-7 the day after Halloween
tuned in since the day after Halloween.
If I never, ever hear " Do You Hear what I Hear" or that damn John Lennon (sorry RB) song in any incarnation ever again it’ll be too soon.
by RollBirdsRoll on Dec 22, 2010 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
and worse, even, she'll put it back on country December 26. Ugh.
by RollBirdsRoll on Dec 22, 2010 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
Buy her a set of earbuds for Christmas
The Mang does more than Milton can
To justify God's ways to man.
Or,
RollBirdsRoll could him- or her-self a set of earbuds for Christmas. Either works.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I usually just close my office door, and turn on my ipod.
by RollBirdsRoll on Dec 22, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
That'll work, too.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Yeah, I'm tired of "Do You Hear..." as well.
Other Christmas songs that need to go away for a while:
Any version of “Happy Holidays” that isn’t Bing Crosby singing it in Holiday Inn.
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (don’t know why I dislike this one so much)
That one by Mariah Carey (don’t say its name! It can hear you, it’s waiting and gathering power)
Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
You’ve got a deep seeded hatred of Burl Ives?
Agree on the Mariah Carey one. It’s played on our all Christmas song station every time I’ve been in the car since Thanksgiving I am not making that up. Even when I jumping stations, I’ll cycle past it and there it is.
Brendan Ryan is no longer a St. Louis Cardinal.
Fortunately, Aaron Miles isn't either.
SBN ate my punctuation, so here it is:
.
Brendan Ryan is no longer a St. Louis Cardinal.
Fortunately, Aaron Miles isn't either.
"Do you hear" is actual one of my favs
but they do wear them out.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
agreed, agreed, agreed, agreed, agreed
I could stand some more of that Bowie, Crosby “Little Drummer Boy, Peace on Earth” one, and that’s about it.
Wait…one rendition of Blue Christmas, thankyouverymuch
Every time Skip adjusts his gloves while batting, I die a little inside. -DJ 12-15-10
Have you see this...
Make sure you watch it ALL the way through to the end.
Boog would have made that play.
More of Ray Charles' version of
Merry Christmas, Baby, please. Oh, and I love the Vince Guaraldi cd from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. All of it. Especially Linus and Lucy and Christmas Time is Here.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Dec 22, 2010 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
I love Christmas music and the Beatles
and every time I hear Wonderful Christmastime, I want to punch an elf. Terrible, terrible song and they play it into the ground.
Boog woulda.
by The Continental on Dec 22, 2010 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
I once heard a cover of it in a store at the mall
It was some really cheesy modern cover, with this singer who sounded like he was completely unaware of how silly the song is. I mean, at least Paul McCartney’s version doesn’t take itself very seriously, but this cover somehow managed to take itself seriously. The worst part was that in the chorus, instead of just going “simply, haaaving, a wonderful Christmastime!” it went “simply, haaaving, [rest rest] [slightly slower rhythm to drag it out] a wonderful Christmastime!”
I really wanted to burn down a building after a couple minutes of that.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I heard that if you backmask Quiet Riot
It just repeatedly says “PROVEN VETERANS!” again and again throughout the entire album.
by Merry CRasmus on Dec 22, 2010 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
I think I have to be out of retail for as many years as I worked it in order to enjoy Christmas music again.
I’m going to need at least two more Christmases.
Retail
Has ruined Christmas for me forever.
Greatest line this year the Sunday before Christmas. Shopper: “do you have boxes”? Employee: “sorry we are all out now”. Shopper: “well that was poor planning!” No, shopper it was not our poor planning but yours that kept you from getting a box for Timmy’s stupid shirt.
Good-bye Boog, we hardly knew thee.
Keep those socks high, the stache long, and the shoulder wet.
Well, from the perspective of having enough boxes to sell next year,
you can always talk with me offline about buying the lovely pre-printed and plain white Christmas boxes that my division makes. Made in America, with cute designs (on the printed ones) and sturdy materials!
Ms Bitters (Invader Zim): Children, your performance was miserable. Your parents will all receive phone calls instructing them to love you less now.
If I ever get involved in a fight to the death
I want Christmas music playing to fuel my rage
by FlimtotheFlam on Dec 22, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
I can see it now
A Slow-motion cinematic view of me pummeling a man to death with my bare hands with a “Little Drummer Boy” playing in the background. Than I pull him up the collar with blood pouring off his mouth. Then he smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
by FlimtotheFlam on Dec 22, 2010 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
The best one I've heard is Emmylou Harris
makes me teary but apparently I can only find 30 secs of it.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Dec 22, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions
So I take it that you despise Christmas?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
I despise forced gift giving and receiving
by FlimtotheFlam on Dec 22, 2010 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
and rampant materialism?
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
Not as much materialism as
The accepted notion that is good to spend beyond your means
by FlimtotheFlam on Dec 22, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
ruben amaro, jr. flagged this comment.
"We were men - flesh and blood - and we played baseball in the sunshine. We hit doubles off the wall, slid hard into second base. We had fights, and we made love. We sang songs and prayed on Sundays. . . . We felt pain. And we felt joy. There was a lot wrong with the world. But we weren't sad, man. We had the times of our lives." Buck O'Neil, from "The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America."
by tom s. on Dec 22, 2010 4:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 5 recs
Ah, after the comment about the people talking about Jesus,
I just figured you hated the whole thing, period.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
gotta pay off those credit cards in the lame months I guess
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
I'm so glad my family hasn't ever gotten into that.
We may do some things really nice some years, but we don’t do more than we can. That’s just lunacy.
Modern Christmas is stupidity on crack.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
I've just started buying earlier so that I can buy a little at a time
so I don’t charge anything
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 5:03 PM EST up reply actions
a man after my own heart.
I’ve never owned a credit card in my life and that’s paid off very well for me. “Pay as you go”, that’s my motto. I owe nothing except my mortgage…and that’s plenty.
As far as Christmas, my feeling is that the gift thing should be confined to gifts for the little ones, for the most part. Let them have all that Christmas magic when they’re little. It’s a lot of fun. But the constant bombardment from retail during the holidays is nothing short of disgusting. If I succumb to the whole capitalist idea of Christmas, and buy a gift for someone, I feel like I’m feeding the pig.
And to have all the retailers either wringing their hands or salivating over what should be a religious holiday leaves a bad taste in my mouth that lasts from thanksgiving till Dec 26th.
We put “In God We Trust” on our money and link our economy to the Christmas shopping season. That just seems wrong to me.
On the other hand, to each his own.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
I had credit cards when I was younger and I would just abuse them
now I just want to do the pay as you go thing, don’t spend what you don’t have. saw my parents ruin their financial situation by charging too much stuff. but they were shopping addicts too, which makes it much worse.
my fondest memories are my dad working late on xmas eve only to come home with the newest nintendo or whatever was cool at xmas that year.
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
the chicken or the egg?
which came first, the shopping addiction or the credit card?
I find it hard to understand how so may people can accumulate so much cc debt. If you don’t have the money for something then you simply can’t afford it. A frill now and then is manageable but credit as a lifestyle only plays into the grand scheme.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
I personally buy used
When ever I want a new toy. I have to sell an old one
by FlimtotheFlam on Dec 22, 2010 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
good way to go
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
Out of curiosity,
what did you sell before you bought the OBGYN table?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
cool.
Second point of curiosity, and you may not want to answer this, but was it yours?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
by RiverRat on Dec 22, 2010 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Credit cards are fine if used properly
I charge almost everything on a card and get 2% back in cash each month. I do make sure that I don’t charge anything that I can’t pay off each month. As long as you pay them off and don’t carry a balance, the cards are fine and a useful tool. It carrying balances and paying the ridiculous interest rates that gets people in trouble.
yeah, it's fine if you have discipline heh
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 5:45 PM EST up reply actions
and truthfully they are important for increasing your credit score
i got a better interest rate on my house simply because I had three credit cards that i’ve had for several years that all carry very low or no balances.
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
Ya...the credit rating game is a scam.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
it was more bothersome before i started getting all these cool cashback/rewards things
i’ve gotten tons of free gift cards and frequent flier miles for using a card then paying it off every month. i mean, there are some benefits.
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
It's not a perfect measurement
But bad credit scores correlate with a whole lot of bad things.
Not afraid to nitpick
not establishing credit is one of them.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 6:45 PM EST up reply actions
That's part of the big problem...
they are important for increasing your credit score
. I find it strange that a person rates high by living on credit, and that if you don’t “need” credit then you’re high risk. Seems backward to me.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm better off
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
this frightens them
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 7:08 PM EST up reply actions
More like
it makes them think you’re not worth the investment, right?
Or are we talking emotional need? What if our customers don’t really like us??? They do keep hanging up the phone when we call them with exciting new offers for airline rewards bonus flyer mile card accounts, maybe they just don’t like talking to us?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I dunno
if you don’t buy their goods, they think the marketing campaign, etc is not successful and their all like wut. but yeah, they are probably not exactly frightened.
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 7:25 PM EST up reply actions
Heh
Although it would be interesting to see if an anti-credit card movement ever could get going. I understand the usefulness of a credit card but I don’t understand the usefulness of making it a primary way of paying for stuff, especially when there are debit cards.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
...
I can’t even begin to understand the thought process that goes into making them the primary method of payment (when you aren’t paying it off every month). How on earth is it palatable for anyone to pay 15% APR on top of the price of everything you buy? That concept just blows my mind.
Not afraid to nitpick
Exactly
I mean, why not just take out loans all the time? The rates are usually better aren’t they?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
it is a loan...it's credit
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 11:00 PM EST up reply actions
I'd rather forgo the 2%
and not feed that system. Once we all operate on credit then it’s GAME OVER. I think that’s the goal. It will be a debtor’s prison. We’ll all be working to pay for what we already have instead what we want to buy…always in debt.
I’ll take a loan for a house, a vehicle or a hot water heater/refrigerator but not my groceries, gas, clothes or toys, etc. I’m holding out as long as I can but eventually they’ll get me…kicking and screaming.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
if you buy stuff
before you have the money for it then you’re in debt till you pay it off. It buying with pre-earning instead of post-earning. That’s what I mean by being in eternal debt. If the earnings stop suddenly you’re in the whole immediately.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:02 AM EST up reply actions
what joker24 is talking about
is he uses his credit card the exact same way as a checking account. He has the money in his checking acct that he spends on his credit card, then pays it off every month. It’s the exact same thing as paying with your checking acct, but you get rewards. He’s not living in perpetual debt
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
That's what we do
Run the card as credit, get some rewards, never spend more than we have, keep paying it off every month. The problem is that a lot of people apparently can’t figure this out.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
GAME OVER?
Ultimately, credit or debit cards are the most modern form of money. Few people still use primarily cash or checks. It’s simpler and because of the way CC companies charge fees on both ends they can give free stuff to disciplined people.
Enter vivaelpujols
My great wit allows me to interject that by assuming the partakers of this conversation are inbedded and perhaps romantically entangled, rather than indeed, the truthful observation that they are both platonic and standing upright. Great comedy may be produced!! -Aranathor
by hazel on Dec 22, 2010 11:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don't know a lot about this
But I would think straight debit cards would be the way to go.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 11:36 PM EST up reply actions
Paying off a credit card (in full) every month is the way to go
Better credit ratings, same effect as debit card and you get free stuff.
Not afraid to nitpick
this is true
but many banks have the same rewards now for debit cards, even ones with no annual fee.
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
Don't you still have to pay interest?
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 11:42 PM EST up reply actions
Oh
Well I mean do people actually pay all of they monthly bills?
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
I do
Last I checked about 40% of people do, though I would bet that has risen out of necessity.
Not afraid to nitpick
I pump a bunch of bills through credit cards and pay them off monthly.
I get the rewards, pay no interest and I know the bill got paid instead of losing a check in the mail.
Hell, I even pay my health insurance that way.
Boog woulda.
by The Continental on Dec 22, 2010 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
that's what makes it such a
fucked up system. If you want a good credit score (the ability to buy something) then you must have “a good credit score”.
If you live your life on credit cards and I pay as I go, and we both accumulate $100k in the bank,
we each want to buy a house that cost $100k.
You will be more easily able to buy the house than me, even though our income is the same and I have never owed anybody for anything…..because I didn’t use their services I will not have a good rating.
how screwed up is that? is that control?
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
It's screwed up
And that’s a pretty big flaw in the credit rating system, but on the whole, the ratings legitimately do matter, it’s just not a perfect correlation. You aren’t going to get a perfect system.
Though like I’ve been saying “using their services” in smart way is basically taking advantage of them.
Not afraid to nitpick
damn!
we can agree on something involving numbers.
debit is better than credit, and Ryan is better than Theriot.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:16 AM EST up reply actions
Well joker convinced me that properly using credit is better than debit
But I agree that the idea behind credit cards over debit cards is detrimental to society.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
Debit card and online banking can't be simpler.
BUT….I don’t worry as much about my credit score any more. I have an excellent rating based on several loans & payoffs, two prior mortgage payoffs and I’m older than a lot of folks who use their cards. They need to play the game more than I do to build a rating I’m probably in my last house and I don’t buy new cars, so I don’t need the rating. That could all change tomorrow, though.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:38 AM EST up reply actions
Credit card and online banking probably adds 10 seconds a month to my schedule
Not afraid to nitpick
"an unlikely friendship formed
between a sabernut and an old-school fan that almost never was. They were brought together by the discrimination of a happy go-lucky player they both adored. They never expected the bond that came after…"
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 23, 2010 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
It must be Christmas!
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:30 AM EST up reply actions
So....
Ryan has more value than he gets credit for.
Case closed.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:31 AM EST up reply actions
wait what?
i’m not getting into that – i didn’t mean to bring that up again… i was simply stating what brought you and VEP together for a heartwarming mom’s basement family Christmas plotline for a potential blockbuster movie that is inevitably directed by Christopher Nolan that critics and fans love but VEP thinks is overrated…. it’s destiny
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 23, 2010 12:34 AM EST up reply actions
If it's directed by Tarrantino that it would be cool
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
yeah i love his movies too
you seem the type to bore easy (based on your movie reviews…)
i saw Inglorious Basterds with my friends and I loved it but they all thought it was so boring
your take?
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 23, 2010 12:40 AM EST up reply actions
Loved it
It’s definitely in my top 5 ever.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
If you want an actor
that looks like me…(I’m embarrassed), it would be Cheech Marin.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:41 AM EST up reply actions
wow i always just pictured you as a
prototypical grandpa with barely visibile white hair – no offense
are you a Mexican-American?
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 23, 2010 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
you're not too far off.
I have mostly invisible hair but what is visible is gray.
I’m not mexican but I have had a mustache since I was 18 and a round face. I use to be a pretty decent looking guy but the older I get the more I look like cheech.
Good thing I found my wife 25 years ago!
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 1:14 AM EST up reply actions
Get the fuck out
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
I think there's a bigger picture.
It’s about controlling the masses by forcing everybody to live on borrowed money. It’s that concept that I want to avoid.
Before credit cards people lived more within their means…in general, and the banks didn’t “own” as many people. By establishing credit as the general way of life the banks get fat. I’d rather pay as I go and not use their services.
I think it goes beyond what credit cards do for you personally but more what it does to us as a whole.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:12 AM EST up reply actions
This makes sense
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
The way most people use credit cards is beyond idiotic
But using them responsibly is basically cheating the system: you get free stuff, better credit ratings, you get to keep your money in interest earning accounts a month longer and it costs nothing.
Not afraid to nitpick
You'll never cheat the system
or a used car dealer. They always get you in the end….literally.
Free stuff is cool, but Lexmark will almost give you a printer in order to sell you the ink.
I get it that responsible cc users don’t feed the pig as much. It’s the concept of credit as a lifestyle, as a basis for our economy that I’m opposed to. It’s just not healthy.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:52 AM EST up reply actions
That's just paranoia
There’s literally no possible downside to having the money in the checking account, using the credit card over the month, and paying it off. That’s not a “debt lifestyle”. It’s exactly the same as debit, except with a bunch of fringe benefits.
Not afraid to nitpick
ok
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 1:17 AM EST up reply actions
Oh
So you don’t like the commercials where the sugar daddy buys his trophy wife a Lexus for Christmas, wrapped up in a nice little bow? Or the sappy jewelry commercials where a guy hands his SO a $10,000 diamond ring, as they sit by the fireplace?
by Merry CRasmus on Dec 22, 2010 5:56 PM EST up reply actions
jewelry commercials are by far the worst
make me sick
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think so,
I saw a commercial that was hawking a quart of oil as a great stocking stuffer.
All of the ordinary shit becomes a great gift idea after the end of Oct.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
yeah, but the jewelry commercials commodify everything
weird, sbn is telling me that I spelled commodify wrong
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 7:09 PM EST up reply actions
commodify!
thanx! I just boosted my vocabulary. I love it when that happens.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
The jewelry commercials
are pretty pathetic all right. They prey on human vanity. IMO people that buy it deserve to get absolutely hosed.
But how about the company that shows a little baby and tells you you have a lot riding on your tires? There is no bottom to their lowness. (yea, it’s not a Christmas commercial, but it’s still disgusting).
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 11:29 PM EST up reply actions
sex, guilt and fear all sell.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
What a stupid question
Replacing a daughter involves something that is a lot of fun, Tire Stores on the other hand….
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
by TomCat009 on Dec 23, 2010 2:55 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
My family doesn't do gifts anymore
We’re enlightened.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 7:28 PM EST up reply actions
I would be both relieved and I'd miss it
I’m thinking we should buy gifts every other year
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
that'd kick ass
you could save up, get real gifts instead of dvds and books
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:01 PM EST up reply actions
We play games.
The biggest one is everybody brings a gift and then you draw a number. first person goes to the pile picks one out unwraps it then next person can either steal that one or open one. We play unlimited steals. We have, on occasion, gone for an hour without having opened another gift cuz it’s more fun to take the gift your brother or sister has. Especially if they actually like it. It’s a helluva lot more fun than just trying to buy something that each person likes. Just buy one really cool gift and sit back and have a good time.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 8:40 PM EST up reply actions
awesome
I just went to a party like that with my artist friends. a woman named Sandrine from France got my painting, which she liked. I ended up with some candle holders with cinnamon candles. regifting is fun.
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
My church group does white elephant gifts.
It can get to be hysterical. This may sound trite and cliche, but Christmas really is what you put into it. I’m not talking about the materialistic side. I realize that a lot of people don’t have what I have, a big, fun-loving family, and I feel very sorry for those people. We have a good time just being together. If you choose to let yourself get mired in the BS the world tries to make you think you need, then odds are you’ll take that same view towards the season itself. Even if the true nature of the season couldn’t be further from it.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
don't feel sorry for me, the hate is all i know
normal happy families freak me out
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
Oh, believe me, I'm not sure normal we are.
We have a couple of serious malcontents and a couple that keep inventing new and improved ways to make life harder than it needs to be.
I just hope that at some point, you don’t have to feel that way, gdm.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
My family is great and loving and all too. Even my in-laws are fantastic.
I still have an uncle in prison right now, an uncle whose whereabouts are unknown because he’s got schizophrenia and decided he was done taking his meds years ago, an aunt I’ve never met, etc. There’s one in every family, or three or four or whatever.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
sounds like my mom's side of the family
there’s a lot of mental illness over there. it’s not easy to deal with at all
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
thanks, i appreciate it a lot
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
normal
is an imaginary concept.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 11:42 PM EST up reply actions
i've had a lot of friends in the past who had very normal families
i’ve spent many holidays around them & you wouldn’t believe how out of place i was
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
i bet i've been to parties
where you would be normal.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
it's been a long time since i was at one of those
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
hang out with artists and musicians.
there is no norm there, in fact it’s usually avoided.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 12:56 AM EST up reply actions
i don't really know a lot of those up here anymore
i used to, but they all moved away
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
so...
you’re on the Group W bench?
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 1:33 AM EST up reply actions
no i wouldn't say that
i just got let behind when all the crap with my dad happened & i haven’t been able to catch up
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
yeah, I'm lucky enough to have a very understanding family
we’re all pretty tight knit. that’s what the holiday is all about for me, just chilling with my mom and siblings, nephew, niece, etc. the gifts are just a fun extra
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 9:53 PM EST up reply actions
just once in my life
I’d like to have Christmas at home, to OUR house…or they can stay home and have Christmas at their house. I’m tired of the traveling every year. The family are all great, but I see them all throughout the year. I’d rather stay home with the wife and some wine and a fire in the fireplace. She can play with her new Kindle and I can play with whatever she gets me that I probably wouldn’t have bought for myself.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 11:52 PM EST up reply actions
soooo....
do it
If your family is worth anything at all I’m sure they’ll understand that you just want to spend christmas with your wife for once
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
or demand to host it
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 23, 2010 12:11 AM EST up reply actions
that sounds awful
get off my lawn! and my couch! and my dining room chairs!
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
our families would never come visit us
we always had to go back to mizzou & arkansas if we wanted to see them. they only came up for graduations, my sisters wedding & when my dad was sick. other than that they never came to visit. not even for the holidays.
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
let me know how that works out.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 1:03 AM EST up reply actions
You'd have to know my wife's family.
I tried that once. My wife and her sister and brother all went to spend Christmas with their parents. I stayed home with the dog…..and 3 bottles of wine.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 1:01 AM EST up reply actions
replace bourbon for the wine & that sounds awesome
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
I wish my family would come to Chicago and visit us whenever
but we always have to go back to the quad cities since no one ever visits
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 23, 2010 12:11 AM EST up reply actions
us = my brother and I
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 23, 2010 12:12 AM EST up reply actions
rec
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 11:41 PM EST up reply actions
I've played that with the extended family before and it's lots of fun
I’ve heard it referred to a “White Elephant” game, since everybody know what gift they personally wrapped, and there are obviously gifts that certain people prefer once they see them, and they have to keep cool about it lest they give it away and get it stolen out of spite or something. Hence, the white elephant(s) in the room.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I wish a would have stolen this one gift
this one lady got a popcorn maker and two dvd collections: alfred hitchcock and some 70s drive thru collection
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
We used to do that at a company party
except there was a limit (three?) as to how many times a gift could be stolen. That really adds some strategy to the game.
by ArkansasTravs on Dec 22, 2010 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
We've played with a limit.
And when we have the big family party(all my aunts, uncle, cousins), that’s how we do it. Otherwise it would take forever.lol
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 23, 2010 12:25 AM EST up reply actions
draw names each year and set a limit on price.
everybody would be relieved…..i’d bet on it.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
my family doesn't either
but my wife’s family does. It’s become an ordeal. They live about 200 miles away and the whole family treks there EVERY %*@%ing YEAR!! (done in my best Sam Kinneson).
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
I do!!!!!
yes, Christmas as we know it, I despise.
Yadi4 said
Retail has ruined Christmas for me forever.That’s me.
Christmas, Christmas music and winter are things that I can do without and never miss.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
good read, RB
I agree, the older I get the more weird Christmas gets. my lack of a significant other only makes it seem more lame, I am starting to get why Christmas can be a very trying time of year. at least I still have some of my family left, need to appreciate them!
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 3:43 PM EST reply actions
All I want for Christmas
is for Pujols, Holliday, Berkman, and Rasmus to become the four horsemen of the offensive apocalypse and lay waste to sinners all over the National League.
So, not much.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I'll settle for...
“No one has wreaked this much havoc since the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse.”
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
why are there five of them?
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
Because even the Four Horsemen need a manager?
Who else will distract the referee while someone gets a steel chair or a wrench from beneath the ring?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
That's SOP.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
WOOooo! (holds up right and palm in with thumb folded in as well)
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
I can't help it so here goes...
That would make them real Christmas Cards!
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 5:40 PM EST up reply actions
Matthew Carruth of Fangraphs
Speculates that the Cards are logically the main NL suitor for Adrian Beltre. He is not claiming actual info, he’s just saying they make sense. I don’t see them spending that kind of cash right now, but it’s an interesting thought. The Cards are the only NL team he mentions as a place for Beltre could end up. I think, anyway, I was skimming the article.
Linky.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
What does making sense
have to do with the real world moves made by the Cardinals? Matt Carruth needs to get with the times.
Yeah, I know
Lance Berkman? Everybody thought about it and decided we were gonna do that in advance, right? Not to mention the obvious “Cliff Lee to the Phillies” thing.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
...Make it so, Number One
Your 2011 St. Louis Cardinals: The Riot 4, Rasmus 8, Pujols 3, Holliday 9, Berkman 7, Freese/Craig 5, Molina 2, pitcher, Greene 6
does he think the payroll is going up by leaps and bounds?
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
He says that money is the main reason they wouldn't
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
There is no logical place. . .
for Adrian Beltre if he wants 4-5 years.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Dec 22, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
Five might be okay...
you get him for his age 32-36 seasons. It could get ugly, but the glove should hold up.
Sign Carl Pavano!!!
hopefully the hold up with Beltre
is Boras is waiting to see what the Cardinals sign Pujols for and if the Birds have any money left for Beltre who desperately wishes to be a Cardinal.
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
i think he'll end up overpaid
no way he has another MVP type year. especially outside of fenway
Stand inside an empty tuxedo with grapes in my mouth, waiting for Ada
twatter
Well he was like a 7 WAR player last year
He could be a 4 WAR player next year and still be worth a pretty hefty contract. He’s as good or better than Werth and only a little older.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 7:34 PM EST up reply actions
He'd be an awesome pick up for us
- makes theriot a better shortstop addresses weak 3b situation
-
- big righthanded bat If Albert leaves, we have Berkman at 1b, Beltre at 3B, rasmus in CF and Holliday in LF
-- not too shabby if albert signs, you let Berkman go
-
- should get him for some very productive seasons if we don’t go more than 5 years will feast on NL pitching
-
Great win now signing but unlikely
Just win
bermans contract is up at the same time as alberts
Your team is incompetently run by baseball equivalent of the captain from the Caine Mutiny -DiscoJer
er berkman
Your team is incompetently run by baseball equivalent of the captain from the Caine Mutiny -DiscoJer
berman is sounding really rough these days
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 23, 2010 2:55 AM EST up reply actions
unless they actually re-sign Albert in the offseason like they want to
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 23, 2010 2:54 AM EST up reply actions
that would be nice
but the idea that berkman is here as insurance to albert leaving is preposterous
Your team is incompetently run by baseball equivalent of the captain from the Caine Mutiny -DiscoJer
if we can't have an elite shortstop then
this is exactly the kind of win-now signing we should be doing.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Dec 22, 2010 6:44 PM EST up reply actions
i'm assuming if we get him
it’s for one or two years for a high AAV otherwise i don’t see this happening
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
this post sorta depressed me
thanks VEB. good thing I have work to look forward to the rest of the afternoon.
haha
yeah, me too. without the depressing side though, the happy side is just horseshit.
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
i had such high hopes for this christmas season, and now of course,,,
everything really hit me hard today, so i feel your pain red, i really do
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
Christmas, the most soulcrushing season of the year
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
i'm just trying to stay positive
it’s hard though when friday happened & the family hates me as much as they do & blames me for all the money problems. gotta keep fighting though, can’t give up
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
just say that everyone has money problems and that you love them
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
at this point we just need to never see each other for the rest of our lives
i hate to say that, but it’s gotten to that point
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
Here is a picture of a bear with a snowball.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
by RiverRat on Dec 22, 2010 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The bear looks kind of wistful too.
Almost as if life in the zoo just isn’t as fulfilling as in the bear’s youth. Children had more fun at the zoo and cared more about animals back then, and cared less about the internet or TMZ or the latest stupid Kesha song. And furthermore, the bear doesn’t have a mate right now and doesn’t have any cubs, so the holidays just aren’t the same anymore…
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Dec 22, 2010 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
so that bear and myself are almost the same
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
That bear is sighing and thinking sad thoughts
You’re in denial!
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
"I wonder if santa got the letter where I wished
The door to my pen and the door to the seal tank would get “accidentally” left open again."
"We were men - flesh and blood - and we played baseball in the sunshine. We hit doubles off the wall, slid hard into second base. We had fights, and we made love. We sang songs and prayed on Sundays. . . . We felt pain. And we felt joy. There was a lot wrong with the world. But we weren't sad, man. We had the times of our lives." Buck O'Neil, from "The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America."
by tom s. on Dec 23, 2010 12:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
this actually makes me feel better.
that is an awesome fucking picture.
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
That bear...
is dreaming of chasing Joe Thurston around a car on a hot summers day…
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
it's always a quick chase, he never makes it to second
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
Why, because he forgets to touch first and has to back track?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
So apparently I've appointed myself "baseball conversation starter" today
Anyway. Adrian Beltre is at 50 or so WAR according to Fangraphs, and 42 or so per Rally’s WAR. Will he be a legitimate HOF candidate by the end of his career?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Discuss, while citing specific reasons for your choice.
You have 45 minutes to complete your essay. When the proctor indicates your time is over, YOU MUST PUT DOWN YOUR PENCIL AND STOP WRITING. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN A SCORE OF “0” FOR YOUR ESSAY AND WILL GREATLY REDUCE YOUR SCORE—
Wait, sorry. I thought this was a standardized test for a minute.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
now that is a big discrepancy
is Rally’s WAR baseball reference WAR?
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 5:20 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, it's the same (I think)
I think discrepancies like that are more common for players who get lots of value from defense, but don’t quote me on that cause I’m not sure.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
yeah, that's gotta be why
defensive value is hard to quantify, but everyone knows when a player is really good defensively, so they should be valued much higher than equal hitters of lesser defense.
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 5:24 PM EST up reply actions
not if heyman still has a say
his numbers may warrant it to the basement dwellers, but the lack of flash, all-time records, mythical stat plateaus, MVP finishes, world series wins, etc will be tough to overcome for the actual voters.
pencils down.
I wonder how WAR accounts
for pitcher like Morris who “pitch to the score”? That must be really hard to work into the formula.
Actually it's very easy.
You just calculate everyones score normally and then add zero because that skill doesn’t fucking exist.
Enter vivaelpujols
My great wit allows me to interject that by assuming the partakers of this conversation are inbedded and perhaps romantically entangled, rather than indeed, the truthful observation that they are both platonic and standing upright. Great comedy may be produced!! -Aranathor
by hazel on Dec 22, 2010 11:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
And because Morris didn't have it
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2010/12/21/1889045/the-rest-of-the-nl-central#55028602
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
I virtually guarantee that skill does exist to some extent
Except a ton of guys show that split just as you would expect. Gibson career had a 2.78 ERA 0-2 runs of support, and 3.22 with 6+ runs of support. Clemens 3.05 vs 3.46, Pedro 2.81 vs 3.27, Randy 3.00 vs. 3.57, Maddux 3.01 vs. 3.28.
Most pitchers pitch differently when they know they can give up a run or two and still have the game locked up, I’d imagine a solid majority of pitchers have that sort of a split without looking it up.
Not afraid to nitpick
The issue isn't whether there is a split or not
It’s whether or not that split shows skill.
You’d have to either have sizable spread in the population or some semblance of a year to year correlation to demonstrate that there is a skill involved in the split. Otherwise you have to assume that the split is just random variation.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
Without looking it up
I would bet that the fact that the 5 best pitchers I could think of off the top of my head each had significant splits like that over several thousand innings makes it statistically significant that their ERAs were legitimately different and not random variation.
Minus the stats, starting pitchers obviously “pace themselves” and gear up above/below that pace at different times, but in a 10 run game they aren’t going to do that. Plus the different defensive strategies, it just makes sense that pitchers are “worse” with a big lead vs. a tie game.
Whether there’s any difference in skill among the population is a different question, but it’s not crazy to say that some pitchers do pitch to the score moreso than others IMO. People have different attention spans, competitiveness, motivation etc.
That said, it couldn’t possibly be a big enough asset to really sway things too much, and that Blyleven was better than Morris in EVERY situation makes the argument in that case especially dumb as fuckity fuck.
A priori I would actually guess pitchers give up the fewest runs with a 2-4 run lead.
Not afraid to nitpick
Minus the stats, starting pitchers obviously "pace themselves" and gear up above/below that pace at different times, but in a 10 run game they aren’t going to do that.
I don’t disagree with the concept that pitchers may try to pitch to the score. I think you’re conflating the pitcher doing something different and that different something having a real effect on the game. The former is something I suspect alot of pitchers will say and the latter hasn’t been found by statistical analysis. I’m inclined to think that even if pitchers are trying to make a change based on the score, it’s so inconsequential that it doesn’t really matter.
Silly humans, this world is for robots.
I don't have the database to test any of this
But I would guess it is statistically significant if not practically significant. I really should teach myself computer programming…
Not afraid to nitpick
I used to know how to program :(
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 1:07 AM EST up reply actions
Except that "pitching to the score" can just as easily be called,
“being lazy when your team is winning” or “your manager puts in the better defense when your team is ahead by a small margin.” Not only do you have to prove that it exists, you also would have to prove that it’s not the opposite of skill (letting up and taking it easy while ahead, better defense, random variation).
Enter vivaelpujols
My great wit allows me to interject that by assuming the partakers of this conversation are inbedded and perhaps romantically entangled, rather than indeed, the truthful observation that they are both platonic and standing upright. Great comedy may be produced!! -Aranathor
and to be honest
i don’t necessarily disagree. i think every HOF player should have something eye-popping about them, either style of play or stats… e.g. something memorable or at least noteworthy. it is the HOF, not the HOG (Great). going to cooperstown to see beltre’s statline doesn’t really get me going.
He does have those two MVP quality years, but I get what you're saying
Not the usual peak, but consistent quality. I think he’ll be a very interesting case when his time comes.
Blyleven, on the other hand (speaking of that stuff) doesn’t have anything eye-popping other than being one of the best pitchers of all time.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
He had a 10 WAR season
That’s “fame”, Pujols hasn’t even done that.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
I think the problem with Beltre is that he never had a real peak of consistent greatness
wherein he could be considered a superstar. Just a few great years here and there.
Fire John Mozeliak
by purple_haze on Dec 23, 2010 12:02 AM EST up reply actions
He will I think
Hopefully by that time voters will start to actually look at stuff like defense. Beltre could end up with 70 career WAR and be an average hitter over his career.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 7:35 PM EST up reply actions
Cheers for your playlist RB
I made my sister-in-law a christmas cd recently, most of those songs made the final cut. The Drifters “White Christmas” is so good.
Mike Shannon: "That strikeout was brought to you by...by...well, I don't know what it was brought to you by!"
John Rooney: "It wasn't brought to you by anything Mike."
Additionally another cheers to you RB
52 Wednesdays ago (December 23rd), your post entitled “T’was the Wednesday Before Christmas”, was the first post I ever read at VEB. I think I’ve been back (although not a member) everyday since that post.
Mike Shannon: "That strikeout was brought to you by...by...well, I don't know what it was brought to you by!"
John Rooney: "It wasn't brought to you by anything Mike."
T'was a good post, for certain.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 5:26 PM EST up reply actions
I'm typically sick of Christmas by mid-June
but that’s because we (my division, including Solanus) make Christmas gift boxes through a good deal of the year. Actually able to take a couple weeks off finally after a long production and shipping run. I normally get no non-Holliday weekdays off from April to mid-December. Be sure to buy some of our boxes from Wal-Mart or Walgreens!
Ms Bitters (Invader Zim): Children, your performance was miserable. Your parents will all receive phone calls instructing them to love you less now.
heh
you wrote Holliday. high five Cards fan
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
I don't know what the hell i was doing last night
But i’m fairly certain its illegal in 27 countries
then you know you had a good time
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
by my count
it’s illegal in 82 countries
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
Do we want to know how you know that?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 8:42 PM EST up reply actions
umm
1. I’m funny
2. I googled it
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
Heh
I was just jerking your chain, btw.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 9:36 PM EST up reply actions
Why would it be illegal in Iran if they don't even have it there?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
maybe it's kinda like the way they don't have a nuclear program
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
You mean the "power plant"?
Funny that it takes weapon’s grade material to run it. Wouldn’t you say?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 10:04 PM EST up reply actions
about as funny as unlawful sexuality i supppose
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
The old Etats Unis has several unlawful sexual acts on the books
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
yes that is true
but not in the same way it is in countries where you can be imprisoned or killed for just being “gay”
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
actually
i just discovered that’s not true. lawrence v. texas made those types of laws unconstitutional in 2003
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
well that covers Homosexuality
animals, corpses, or multiple wives will still get you jailed
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
well technically
the Unites States doesn’t have any such laws. 20 individual states outlaw necrophilia, and 30 outlaw zoophilia. Each state has varying categorization of seriousness for each crime. (sources wikipedia) Polygyny isn’t really a particular sexual act, but more of a cultural/religious practice.
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
still if it did not have a sexual element there is no way
it is outlawed. I meant within the borders of the united states rather than from the federal government.
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
i partially agree with your subject line
but I would say the law’s roots are not sexual in nature but rooted in our country’s historic Christian moral structure. If enough people fought for equal rights for polygynysts, made a big enough fuss, elected the right legislators in the right political climate they could probably change the law.
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
right but the sexual element is at the core of the law
the reason for the objection from the christian churches is the deviation from monogamy in any format. That is the reason for the laws against adultery, polygamy, sodomy, prostitution, bestiality or even obscenity all are based on the monogamous belief structure.
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
Here's to Rasmus and berkman putting up 4.5 WAR seasons
Holliday putting up 6 WAR. and Albert putting up 27 WAR, effectively pricing him out of every ML teams’s budget, making it to where only Qatar can afford him.
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
RIP Boog. FIRE TLR NOW
by VolsnCards5 on Dec 22, 2010 6:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions
i'm kinda curious how well he'd have to hit over 600/pa to accumulate 27 WAR
wOBA of something like .940
by YesWeOquendo on Dec 22, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions
maybe he could also be aided by a quirky UZR error
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
ha!
yeah like an extra zero
albert pujols: +190 defender
by YesWeOquendo on Dec 22, 2010 7:36 PM EST up reply actions
This seems like it could be a joke
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 7:37 PM EST up reply actions
it's funny because it's true
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 7:40 PM EST up reply actions
well
if he had a .700 wOBA (with a league average of .333), he’d be worth 223.4 runs above average offensively
with a .700 wOBA, you need to be a +37 UZR defender…..it could happen…..
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:10 PM EST up reply actions
I'm guessing that wOBA to WAR transformation is highly unlinear at the extremes
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 9:11 PM EST up reply actions
explain
that went right past my head
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:16 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, nevermind I was wrong
WAR is context neutral, so the run environment has nothing to do with it. But the conversion of runs to wins would. Okay, so think of it this way. A player with a .700 wOBA would add 220 runs to his team. Those 220 runs wouldn’t translate to 22 wins though because the run to win conversion isn’t linear if you added 220 runs to an average team, they wouldn’t win 22 more games (probably less). But WAR is supposed to be context neutral, so that isn’t really a factor.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 9:32 PM EST up reply actions
much easier than VEP's explanation (no offense VEP)
it looks like wOBA in relation to WAR at first has a correlation of nearly 1.0 so how high does the wOBA have to be for the correlation to start trending closer to like 0.5
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
That was a totally made up MSPaint graph
But aside from that, it does not demonstrate correlation at all.
Not afraid to nitpick
Well I was trying to explain to you why it was the case
I thought that’s what you wanted to know.
I doubt that jokers graph is meant to be accurate, it’s just meant to show what non-linear means.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 9:46 PM EST up reply actions
oh ok i got it
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
In answer to your question...
Let’s say you add a guy with a .700 wOBA to an average team. His .700 wOBA would translate to about 220 runs per 600 PA because the rest of the team would be average so wOBA “works” in that case (it really is a cool stat). Of course 600 PA would not equal 150 games like it usually does because the team with a .700 wOBA guy would bat around more… but that’s a different question.
Those 220 runs, however, would not equate to 22 extra wins for a an average team. If you take a team that scores 750 runs and gives up 750, they would win 81 games. According to the Pythag formula Add 220 runs, they would win a little over 20 more games – not 22 more.
So the real graph looks like this:
And that’s probably wrong because it doesn’t include the PA thing. A guy who has a .860 wOBA never makes outs, so his team has more plate appearances and thus they score more runs. But the per PA thing shouldn’t change.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
I believe once you cross .720 it would just make more sense to walk the guy every PA
Not afraid to nitpick
hence Bonds being walked with the bases loaded
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
How is it that I always need Advil after reading your comments?
My head didn’t hurt that bad in college.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 9:38 PM EST up reply actions
That was actually a much easier concept to explain that how I did it
I think I’m getting dumber.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 9:43 PM EST up reply actions
well if i remember correctly
you are stoned right now so it makes sense – i’m getting this from “going to bake…”
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
Actually I'm not, I was just making a joke
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
are you planning on it tonight?
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
Well I have to buy a lighter first, cause I can't find mine
I’m taking that as a sign from god that I shouldn’t tonight.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, I think it's more the realization that a high-school kid knows more than I do.
That shit gets rather humbling after a while.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
Well, Bonds had those four years of consecutive .500+ wOBA
and he walked something like 30% of the time for those years. So yeah, you’d get walked a lot.
OMG Bonds stat of the day: In 2001, his ISO was .546. HOLY FUCK.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Dec 22, 2010 9:49 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Damn it. It was .536, that was a typo.
Still.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
How about this one?
2004, 617 PAs, 232 BBs, 120 of which were intentional! Bonds holds the top 3 spots for BBs in a season…Ruth’s 170 in 1923 is the next closest player.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Dec 22, 2010 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
pretty amazing
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
that shit is insane
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
Firefox is now available for droid....
sweet!
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
ughhhhhhhhhhh
only 2.5 more months until i get a new phone.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Dec 22, 2010 6:28 PM EST up reply actions
I just downloaded it and am playing with it.
It’s still Beta 4, ver. 3. I so far like it better than the default browser.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
at the risk of SBN... Abbamondi nooooooo.
http://twitter.com/MatthewHLeach/status/17674013195108352 → http://twitter.com/dgoold/status/17667324001656832
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
on the bright side, an in for mysterui.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
He's the next Isaiah Thomas!
Brendan Ryan is no longer a St. Louis Cardinal.
Fortunately, Aaron Miles isn't either.
i agree with you on the christmas thing, rb
i got back to school on thanksgiving break and wanted nothing to do with christmas yet, as it would put in the wrong state of mind and not allow me to concentrate on impending finals, etc. well, that’s exactly what i did. and it worked. but i got home and everything was all about christmas and christmas music was everywhere. it was december 17th, i couldn’t avoid it any longer and had managed to pretty much mentally skip christmas in my mind.
i blame school. and mysterui.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Dec 22, 2010 6:30 PM EST reply actions
well...
i blame school. and mysterui.
Don’t forget Wal-Mart.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 22, 2010 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
that too.
fuck you, wal mart.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Dec 22, 2010 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
toughen up RB
lots of charming and playful bloggers in the unemployment line that would love to have a VEB mod job for the 100K a year you earn, the national acclaim you receive, and the hot and cold running female groupies in your little black book
Just win
yea, things could be worse
This Squeaky Wheel And I Are Pulling An All-
Nighter
BY A HAMSTER
DECEMBER 9, 2010 | ISSUE 46•49
Okay, okay, no more screwing around. Let’s get serious
here. I’ve been putting off running on this squeaky, plastic
wheel all day long, and now it’s—Christ, is that clock right?
Is it 10:30 already? Man oh man, it is way later than I
thought. Looks like I got myself a long, long night of
spinning a noisy wheel around in a circle here.
All right, squeaky wheel. From now till dawn, it’s you and
me, buddy. We’ve gotta burn some midnight oil.
I’d love to just pass out right here in this pile of wood shavings, but this bad
boy ain’t going to spin itself, you know what I’m saying? Do I wish I’d gotten
a head start on the wheel- running this morning instead of making a nest out
of hair and paper scraps and curling up inside of it for five hours? Sure, of
course. But hey, what’s the use of worrying about “what if” when there’s
work to be done? Hell, I spin better at night anyway.
Okay, game plan: Before I hop on, I’m going to need to warm up with some
scratching. I’m talking the real, full-body kind of scratching where my back
leg thumps against the bottom of the cage in rapid succession for like 10
minutes. Naturally, I’m going to need to loudly nestle around for a while after
that. Maybe munch on some seeds, so I’ve got some fuel in me. Then I’m
just going to attack this wheel, man. Like, full-on. Attack it like never before.
I figure if I start hitting it now, I can go straight through until morning and
then just totally crash out. Tomorrow will be a complete waste, but screw it. I’ve got no choice,
right?
I’ve pulled all-nighters on the wheel before, and the key is to stay focused and alert. Trust me,
when it’s 4:30 a.m. and you’ve been going at it hard, the night deadly silent but for the incessant
squeak of that wheel, it takes a lot of effort not to become delirious. A lot of effort. My secret is I
block out little breaks for myself, just to recharge. I’ll run on the wheel for about an hour or so, but
then I’ll take a breather and hit the water drip. It’s like a little reward for myself. Next I’ll spend a
few minutes running frantically in a circle around my cage to gather my thoughts and then it’s back
to the wheel. If I just keep repeating that pattern for the next, oh, 10 hours or so, I should be
good.
Is it going to be the best wheel-spinning I’ve ever done? Definitely not, but it’s down to the wire
now and I’ve just got to power through. If I second-guess myself about how fast I’m spinning, or
all the little mistakes I’m making along the way, it’s just going to slow me down. We’re not talking
about some award-winning running-on-a-wheel performance that’ll blow everyone away here. It
doesn’t have to be perfect, you know? It just has to get done.
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
by sportsman on Dec 22, 2010 9:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Xmas List
Dear Santa,
Please send us two middle infielders with some punch (no not the Nolan Ryan on Robin Vetura kind) and if its not too much to ask can they field too. Also can you please make sure we get a bench that can actually hit. Finally, will you pleae tell Tony at the pitcher 9th.
Thanks
or at least one
oh wait, he’s on the braves
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
I think I know how you feel RB
something about this year is different. I’m not upset that Christmas is coming, I don’t hate Christmas, I just simply can’t generate any enthusiasm at all. I agree w/ mattybobo, the bear is definitely wistful and thinking sad thoughts.
Ah crap, I guess I’m just in one of those period where the depression is a bit deeper and I’ve allowed it to take over. On the bright side, I do have things to look forward to when I wake up, I’m in better financial shape than last year, etc. So, I just need to kick myself in the rear and decide to not be depressed (it sometimes works).
Or maybe I just need to drink more.
or all of the above
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 7:22 PM EST up reply actions
yep, all of the above and then some
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
got to see this guitarist in August
cool show http://vimeo.com/16131174
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 7:34 PM EST reply actions
So Abbamondi leaving is more evidence that Tony has control over this clubhouse
He was a very pro-saber, pro-progressive evaluation guy.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
or maybe he got a better job
Stand inside an empty tuxedo with grapes in my mouth, waiting for Ada
twatter
That's possible also
I’m just sayin…
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 7:44 PM EST up reply actions
he's the second guy in the FO to leave this month
this is not a good thing, i don’t care how anyone tries to spin it
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
wasn't he the contract guy?
apu’s must have scared him off
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
who else left?
Every time Skip adjusts his gloves while batting, I die a little inside. -DJ 12-15-10
by mattyfrommo on Dec 22, 2010 8:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
who else left?
Every time Skip adjusts his gloves while batting, I die a little inside. -DJ 12-15-10
by mattyfrommo on Dec 22, 2010 8:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
who else left?
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Where'd everybody go?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Where'd everybody go?
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
spin it a certain way.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Dec 22, 2010 9:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
and cut
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
VP of the Padres
i’d say that’s a better job
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
i doubt anything bad could happen
football players have consistently proven they are both professional and gentlemanly on and off the field.
by YesWeOquendo on Dec 22, 2010 7:49 PM EST up reply actions
that is fucking awesome.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Dec 22, 2010 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
nice one
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 8:45 PM EST up reply actions
Atogwe's a safety
i had to say it… (unless CB means something else)
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
not new news
they’ve been dating for a couple years now
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
the fact that they are getting married IS news
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:46 PM EST up reply actions
yeah
was referring to flim’s comment.
How about our HC saying yesterday that he knew who the starting QB was for this weekend and then our OC, who is in charge of the game plan, comes out today and says that he doesn’t know who the starter is going to be. I’m afraid the biggest problem we have is lies in our coaching staff. Bring on Mike Holmgren!
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
well that has the makings of an excellent coaching staff i'm sure
it is always great when your OC and HC are not in sync…. anyway if the Rams lose to the 49ers, I’ll rationalize it with the fact that the Rams are getting what they deserve and actually should have a worse record than they do and they’ll get a higher draft pick
oh and i’ll probably break my hand from punching the wall
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
Getting a better OLB or Green/Jones
Vs. getting Bradford playoff reps. It’s win-win!
Not afraid to nitpick
Blyleven's 9th best season was better than Morris' best
According to WAR.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
I have almost completely eliminated "right click and open in new tab" from my automatic mouse movements
¡Viva el Scroll Wheel Button!
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
welcome to the cool kids' club
Stand inside an empty tuxedo with grapes in my mouth, waiting for Ada
twatter
I don't think my life will ever be the same
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
fanfreakintastic
thanks
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
Scroll buttons get ill like a heart attack.
Sorry, Strongbad flashback.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Jeff Francouer has averaged 666 PA
since his first season in the bigs. Coincidence?
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
who's better
Ankiel or Francy?
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:31 PM EST up reply actions
Royals go from bad acquisition to horrible acquisition
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
They arent trying to win this year
granted, the money would be better invested in draft picks or International FA’s. Moore is just getting players who are fun to watch until they maybe have a chance in a couple of years – but maybe im giving him too much credit.
by Redbird99_98 on Dec 23, 2010 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
it's his devil may care attitude
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
going to bake some mac and cheese
dinner rulz
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:33 PM EST reply actions
going to bake...
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
and I'll be cooking a steak afterwards.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I think I figured out a dish for VEB
baked 3 cheese macaroni with pretzel cracker topping
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
viva el bar
heh
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:55 PM EST up reply actions
that'd be pretty kickass though
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:55 PM EST up reply actions
you do put bacon in you're mac and cheese, right?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I should
consider it part of the recipe, but I’m baconless at this point. this weekend though I will have plenty of farm fresh bacon
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
I'm actually prepping
for a prime rib I’m making tomorrow for a work pot luck. Garlic is roasting in the oven, and it smells so good.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
ah damn
sounds really good. going to make some pot roasts this weekend with carrots and onions. one of my favorites.
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
I think garlic would be a good addition
except my stepdad cannot eat it
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 22, 2010 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
i coat the roast with roasted garlic and rosemary.
SOOOOOO good.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
and here i thought i was the only one on the planet who couldn't eat garlic
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
what happens if you eat it?
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
It kills him
for the same reason he can’t leave the basement. At least, he can’t leave the basement when the sun it out.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Dec 22, 2010 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
great, now the world knows my weakness
thanks pal
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
He's a vampire?
(I don’t like garlic either)
by ArkansasTravs on Dec 23, 2010 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
Wow, I know 5/8 of the artists
personal record for RB’s playists
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
bored (naturally)
so I decided to take Albert’s best K rate, best BB rate, highest BABIP, most homers, doubles, and triples, and his best UZR rating and what I came up with was
700 PAs, 207 hits, 115 BBs, 10 HBPs, 49 HRs, 51 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 62 Ks – .362/.474/.718/1.192 – .356 ISO, .502 wOBA, +24.7 – 13.9 WAR (for position and replacement, i used fangraphs ’11 projection)
that would be a 16.4% BB rate (‘09), .340 BABIP (’08), 8.8% K rate (‘04), 49 HRs (’06), 51 2Bs (‘03, ’04), 4 3Bs (’01), +24.7 fielding courtesy of ’07
so I used a stat from every year except 2002 and 2010, uncoincidentally his two worst seasons in the MLB according to fWAR
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
ignore the WAR i don't know how to figure that out if it's non-linear
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 9:49 PM EST up reply actions
Don't worry about it, it's not a big deal
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 22, 2010 10:19 PM EST up reply actions
I was about to post something like "geez, where are all the VEB late-nighters?"
Then I remembered it’s only 9:42 and it’s not late yet, I’m just the type who usually goes to bed by ten.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
i usually go to be at 2
pretty much regardless of when i’m waking up – and yes i know it’s unhealthy
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 22, 2010 10:44 PM EST up reply actions
it's not late night
until someone shows up drunk and yet able to type
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Dec 22, 2010 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
I can type drunkenly, if that would help speed the timetable up a bit.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 22, 2010 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
give me a few more minutes.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
aren't you watching the zags?
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
ya, I should be tuned up by half time.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
HOLY CRAP
stupid nuts, hope the ink was worth it dumb asses
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
Yea I heard that too
our local sportcast ended with that note. Since Pryor explicitly stated that he paid for his, it would make me suspicious that some did not. Amazing how stupid these guys can be sometimes.
by ArkansasTravs on Dec 23, 2010 12:11 AM EST up reply actions
how's the hype for the game down there?
everyone up here totally expects it to be a big OSU win. i don’t know what they’re smoking.
prior did say that, but the IRS & FBI is involved, and if there are no receipts they are all screwed. there’s like 15 star players who got ink at this place & the place all ratted them out to cut a deal with the feds. this isn’t going away any time soon.
although how they can all get in trouble & cam newton can’t i’ll never understand
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
Yea, it seems obvious that the Newton situation
was a case of not killing a great story. From what I’ve heard, the investigation is not completely over and they may, yet, find something to change the ruling (although the initial ruling did seem questionable too). I wonder if Newton will declare for the draft this year to take away any suspense about next year.
RE: Sugar Bowl – of course everyone is excited, talking about it, etc. Most folks, I think, deep down know that it will be a fight and that OSU will be favored. Some, of course, say they (OSU) didn’t play as tough a schedule, are overrated, etc. I could see the game going being anything from an Arkansas blowout to an OSU blowout. Really, anything could happen, but I most expect a close, hard-fought game decided by 10 points or less and I’m not sure which team I would say is favored.
Of course if the tattoo issue make several stars ineligible, especially Prior, I think I’d definitely put my money (were I to do so, which I won’t) on the Hogs.
by ArkansasTravs on Dec 23, 2010 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
such a stupid rule.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
Mizzou 75, Ill 63
Braggin’ Rights! Go Tigahs!
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Dec 22, 2010 11:22 PM EST reply actions
It was a lot closer than the score shows.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
shut up.
easy 12 point win.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Dec 22, 2010 11:27 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I either misread it
or they changed the score, because now they’re saying it was only an 11-pt. win, 75-64.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Dec 22, 2010 11:29 PM EST up reply actions
Since they closed the comments in that one before I got this off...
I don’t even need to find a call like that:
Your point is that “he made absolutely no effort to play the ball. shoved him with two hands in the back.”……a “no effort to play the ball” foul happens in 95% of games at the end. Whether it’s on a shot or not, who cares. If that’s the criteria for calling that an intentional, it’s wrong based upon how that rule is called in every other game played. There are no such thing as “intentional” fouls anymore, it should just be called flagrant.
If you are playing the safety thing, then you have to factor in that Tisdale nudged him halfway off-balance so it wasn’t even unsafe. Yeah I am saying that it should be results oriented in a game situation like that.
If that was a real how-they-actually-call-it intentional foul, Bowers is not making that layup.
Not afraid to nitpick
so, the spurs are kicking some ass
Stand inside an empty tuxedo with grapes in my mouth, waiting for Ada
twatter
25-3!
come on work with me, there are no interesting sports right now
Stand inside an empty tuxedo with grapes in my mouth, waiting for Ada
twatter
sorry man, but that includes the nba
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
that's kind of what i was saying wasn't it
Stand inside an empty tuxedo with grapes in my mouth, waiting for Ada
twatter
by prophetjohn on Dec 23, 2010 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
yes.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Who in the fuck does that?
Idiot parents.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
if that's not a girl, the parents are hush....
obviously
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 23, 2010 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
Douche move for sure
But I mean who knows how bad the girl actually was. There would be a certain level of bad where that is just uncalled for and douchey and not total asshole.
Not afraid to nitpick
Well the coach didn't say anything
And the girl has played since she was 4. And it’s a league for 12 year olds. I doubt she was that bad.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:15 AM EST up reply actions
Either way it's a 12 year old hockey league
It should be the parents right to try to weed out bad players.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
shouldn't
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
Right
It’s bad, but hypothetically say the girl really was single handedly losing games for the team, that’s gonna ruin the fun for every other kid on the team and maybe the coach didn’t have the balls to say something. Still a cocksucker, but yeah.
Not afraid to nitpick
very well spoken for her age
i think in the long run, though this is tragic and a terrible thing, this experience will benefit her. She seems very mature for a 12 year old. Much moreso than the lawyer who wrote the agenda, actually
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
Dude oughta be knee-capped.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 23, 2010 12:36 AM EST up reply actions
With a hockey stick!
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
Where's the douche?
If she’s not good enough to play with the boys, why shouldn’t she play with the girls?
I don’t have a problem with people playing up or over, but I have seen parents push kids who aren’t good enough into it and it just ends up being stupid and frustrating. When my son was in 1st grade he had a pre-K kid on the team (I don’t know how) who couldn’t hit or catch. The kid was there because his dad thought playing up was good for him, when in truth it was a waste of everyone’s time.
I’m dealing with this now with my younger son in soccer. He’s one of the best players in the grade, but he got put on the B tea for political reasons and had a great time. I’m going to keep him on the B team so that he can build up his skills and his confidence. He’ll move up in 7th grade, but not yet.
Boog would have made that play.
unbelievable
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 1:40 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You'll learn about this when you grow up and have kids of your own
If you play up or over, you’re going to have a target on your back because you’re going to be taking playing time from an older kid.
As a result, you had better be damn good.
Evidently, the girl in question wasn’t.
While this situation wasn’t handled very well, I don’t have a problem with one of the parents having a problem with a weaker player playing over. I’ve been there myself and it’s a waste of everyone’s time.
What you don’t seem to understand is that there are parents out there who will…
1. Push their to kids play sports that they don’t want to play simply because the parents like the experience (hanging out of the sidelines and being part of the team even if the kid doesn’t want to be there and makes it obvious by not even trying at practice).
2. Have their kids play up because they think it’s good for them even when it’s obvious to everyone but the parent that it’s not.
Parents often do things for status and other reasons that aren’t good for their kids.
Also, the situation would have been different if there wasn’t a girls team, but since there was a girls team, I get where the parents on the boys team are coming from (even if I wish they had handled this better). I’d like to know who let the girl on the boys team and why she wasn’t assessed better.
Boog would have made that play.
by thepainguy on Dec 23, 2010 1:56 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I will go right out on this limb with you Chris
they should never allow a boy to play in girls league, like the boy who was dominating the girls field hockey last season. With that logic in my head I have a hard time understanding why this coach should be put in the position of having to either face discrimination charges, or continue to have a player on his team that is not necessarily up to the competitive level of those around them.
If it was my daughter I would have watched her play with the boys in open skate, if she was holding her own I would fight to have her at this level of play, if she was not up to it I would have found a team more at her level.
The locker room issue is an interesting one, I can’t understand why she would be in the same room as boys who are changing clothes no matter the context.
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
THEY ARE 12 FUCKING YEARS OLD
And only one person thinks she was too incompetent to play on the team.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 3:40 AM EST up reply actions
well one person said it, which especially in this situation does not mean only
one person thought it. Did you ever play competitive sports?
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
Yes, I've fucking played competitive sports
And it shouldn’t matter either way. And only one person saying it does not mean that others thought it.
The key point is neither the coach or the other parents vocalized a problem with the girl, meaning that it was deemed reasonable for a player of her gender or whatever her ability to play on the team. This douchebag parent decides to take the law into his own hands, in the process likely destroying a little girls self-esteem.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 4:00 AM EST up reply actions
He sent a note to the coach
it isn’t like he tacked it up on the locker room wall. If she decided to quit because one parent wrote some suggestions on how they could hide her on the ice better that is her choice.
You seem to be saying that since they are 12 anyone should play in any league and to say otherwise is sick and wrong.
If you had lost playing time to someone who was obviously over matched and was not improving would you sit quietly and say ‘oh well I am twelve so it doesn’t matter"?
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
I'm saying that if someone is playing in a 12 year old league
and are generally good enough to not fall down, they should be allowed to play on the team and let the coach designate playing time. Considering the fact that this girl has been playing since she was 4, I highly doubt she was grossly overmatched to the point where she was clearly on an inferior level to the other little 12 year olds. So it’s all moot.
But yes, I believe that kids should have the freedom to challenge themselves and try to play beyond their natural abilities when they are 12 fucking years old. That is unless you think it’s a generally good idea for society to be run as a talent based caste system from birth. I bet you were a big jock growing up, huh? Probably was really good at baseball and beat up the kid with glasses for stepping on your field.
In my first year of little league, actually, I was the second best hitter on the team, yet the coaches son batted third every single game (he got one hit the entire season). I sure wish my daddy had drafted an agenda to get the coaches kid kicked off the team.
On another note, what did you think of Hitler? I mean that guy had it tough – all them genetically inferior Jews takin’ up his air.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 4:24 AM EST up reply actions
The Hitler comparison might have been a bit much
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 4:40 AM EST up reply actions
I don't know I think you are like a shark and swimming
if you stop engaging in hyperbole you pass out
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
And I don't have a clever analogy for you style
But I would say that I am diametrically opposed to your stances in 95% of your comments.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 4:45 AM EST up reply actions
Well if you didn't disagree with me you wouldn't have to be wrong
also you seem to contradict just about everyone on every blog you post on
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
Bullshit
It’s true that I have occasionally gone to FanGraphs to argue with the idiots (who hasn’t?), but I don’t actively set out to start arguments.
Who do you think your talking to? I’ve been a front page author for three different SBNation blogs. I have 50 articles published at the freaking Hardball Times. I’ve talked with several baseball teams. I care about this stuff and have spent countless hours reading and researching and generally know what I’m talking about.
You on the other hand, come in here and start spewing your uniformed and 100% opinionated drivel on FIP, UZR, and such. Of course I argue with you.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 5:17 AM EST up reply actions
Very good you have not developed a reputation
for jumping peoples shit, engaging in over the top hyperbole and caustic discourse good to know I will write that down.
As for my belief that the current metrics and models have vast room for improvement while it may not be as wonky as your own, it is pretty widely held.
I have no problem with any advanced metric being used as a piece of the puzzle when trying to paint a picture of past outcomes I have a real problem with them being held up as a picture unto themselves.
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
What, what and what?
Your opinion’s on the validity of the metrics are ill informed because you have not read jack shit about them.
Of course they “have room for improvement”, but you have used to buoy up any completely subjective claim you have (FIP isn’t perfect, therefore I think Ubaldo Jimenez is better than it). You have little idea where stuff like FIP and UZR fail (and if you do, you haven’t shown it), and thus you cannot legitimately argue your positions.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 5:36 AM EST up reply actions
see you are an expert in something so
it behooves you to believe in it and promote it to the exclusion of other answers. My FIP arguments centered around Matt Cain, Jason Hammel, and Chris Carpenter.
You seem to take any disagreement with your ever so enlightened view personally and are usually personally attacking anyone who disagrees with you within a few comments.
I don’t have any problem with your belief in the superiority advanced metrics too, and when you disagree with my viewpoint it doesn’t make me want to attack you personally, but when you accuse me of being a bully or a Nazi I truly understand how young and immature you and your viewpoint are.
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
I don't personally attack people who I respect
Try to see it from my position. I’ve cared enough about this subject to read and research about it, and not to brag, become a very, very good sabermetrician.
I then am confronted with a person who has not done any of the research I have, who is not as well informed as I am, using anecdotal and fallacious arguments against me, all well acting as though he is entitled to have as strong an opinion as someone who knows a lot more about the subject than him. I would argue that you are the one being immature in that regard.
I wouldn’t be so personally arguing with you if you had done as much work as I had, or if you expressed yourself in a more timid and questioning way. But you choose to do neither.
If you want to call me a troll for picking fights with people, that you have to accept that you are a flamer.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 6:08 AM EST up reply actions
And I disagree with the notion
That I have learned all there is to learn about stuff. I just don’t take lessons from a guy who doesn’t have anything reasonable to back up his opinion (anecdotal evidence is not reasonable).
If you were provide legitimate counterpoints to my point of view, I would listen. That’s happened 100’s of other times on this blog.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 6:15 AM EST up reply actions
Dude there really isn't anything to say
to someone who’s idea of a discussion is a round of logical fallacy bingo, if you want to defend the things you do that weaken your position have at it.
If your argument is that once you don’t respect someone attacking them personally is fine, discussing something with you is pointless.
You know a lot about things like Pitch F/X and WAR but you know jack shit about interacting like a human being, nobody owes you a subservient attitude.
As far as you listening I will believe it when I see it
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
by TomCat009 on Dec 23, 2010 1:30 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Whatever man, you didn't read my post
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
Look I don't have any problem with
you as a person, I do have a huge problem with your tone, and your tactics.
This is called a discussion board where people come to learn from and entertain each other and I believe you add a lot in both of those areas.
Unfortunately you are also a bully, you jump down the throat of anyone who’s frame of reference does not meet your criteria, you use your expansive knowledge as a weapon instead of a tool.
The SABR movement was never about trying to shout down opposing viewpoints, and it sure as hell was never to accept an argument as settled the second it was measured by an advanced metric.
Things like value and predictive power are nebulous concepts that even as they are redefined are found lacking.
There is a phrase you should become familiar with as you move out of your bubble and into the world “an area where intelligent people can disagree”
When I disagree with your premise I am not calling you dumb, I am attempting to highlight flaws in an argument you are making by examining your argument I am attempting either come to a better understanding of what you are putting forward, or to flush out my own argument by defending it. Nothing anywhere in that process calls for you to use an agressive tone or foul language in an attempt to dismiss me without settling the point.
I forget how young you are, and how sure I was of myself at that age, what I learned is that while
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
I knew a lot about a subject
especially the shape, design, and inputs I lacked the understanding of it that came from experience.
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
...How is "predictive power" a nebulous concept?
That, out of anything, should show that you probably don’t have the knowledge on the subject to debate it
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
The best any advanced metric can do
is attempt to neutralize outside factors in order to get a clearer picture of what happened, they cannot “predict” any better than I can because when dealing with past performance there are two many factors involved(injury, run environment, lineup changes, random variation) to accurately “predict” the future outcomes.
If your idea of predicting future outcomes is replaying last year in a neutral environment then fine there is some predictive power.
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
Then you worded it poorly in the original post
Because none of that addresses how the predictive power of a stat is a nebulous concept
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
yeah I worded it poorly
I am saying that too often these things like xFIP are presented as conclusive evidence that a player will not perform at the same level the next year, the nebulous part is how xFIP may show how well a pitcher like Matt Cain performed against the model, but at some point his performance points to a flaw in xFIP’s predictive power
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
Also pointing out his youngness is incredibly condescending
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
vep combined Tu Quoqua
Ad Hominem and Appeal to Authority into a single argument that speaks to an undeveloped style of argumentation.
Bringing up his youth is a way of letting him off the hook for the Hitler reference if he was 40 he would be beyond hope.
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
Look man
I don’t set out to shutdown your viewpoint. I shut down your viewpoints, in certain instances, because I disagree with them and have evidence to back up my disagreements.
If you are uniformed on a subject (how UZR works, how FIP works, how statistics as a field in general works, what the limitations of the stats are, what the strengths are, etc.) you should not have as strong an opinion on the matter as somehow who does know those things. You should be listening to me when we disagree, not shutting out opposing arguments under the “intelligent people can disagree” justification. I don’t get the feeling that you have ever had your viewpoint on any matter changed (at least in my interactions with you), even in the face of extensive evidence.
The little girl thing is more personal and I was high last night, so you can please excuse me for the Hitler comparisons.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Of course I can forgive anything man
I just think that when you get to college you should take a logic course, and learn to frame your arguments in a productive way. As I said above I think you have given me a whole new perspective on UZR and on how it could be improved(something along the track of crowdsourcing the individual plays would be a good start). I think I have drawn a lot from our discussions, a lot of the points you have made are fantastic, and I have immensely enjoyed the few civil discourses we have had (by the way this was posted on PR regarding sOPS and the way Rockies players are effected by the Home/Road issue). There is world between disagreeing with people, and attacking them, their character, and mocking their position.
Spants is a very good example of someone I would say is very good at making her point without engaging in over the top rhetoric, and her positions are stronger for it.
I don’t argue with you in order to piss you off I argue with you to better explore your position on a subject, it is nothing personal
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
Also, hyperbole is much less of sin than bullshit
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 5:40 AM EST up reply actions
Yep saying that a girl who is overmatched on a boys team would
likely enjoy herself more playing on a team that is more her level is the same thing as Hitler, that is the dumbest thing you have ever said, the dumbest comparison you have ever made and believe me it has some stiff competition.
As far as being a big dumb jock growing up I did have a size advantage and an athletic advantage over a lot of my age group but as far as beating up the weak that is as fucking specious as any of the stupid things you have said.
My argument is that it is a parents job to decide whether their child is physically up for competing at the level you are placing them in, I have played in co-ed basketball and softball leagues with women who were superior athletes, who I was happy to lose playing time too, they were more likely to help the team win and winning mattered enough to me to view my skills honestly
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
You're right
It’s up to the parents of the kid in question to make the judgement (along with the kid of course). If those parents decide that the kid has the requisite skills and, most importantly, desire to work hard and to participate in the league, then he/she should be allowed to participate. If he/she truly is grossly overmatched and not improving, than any parties concerned should contact that parents, make this information clear and then have that inform their decision (along with the kids input of course).
And let’s not pretend that this parent did it for the good of the girl. He probably did it because his kid was losing playing time to her.
What he did was cold and bureaucratic and stepped beyond his rights: “I formally draft this paper requesting a change in the usage patterns for this obviously inferior girl – if she does not comply with the change in usage patterns she should be moved to a different league”.
Defending this action, especially taking place at such an early age and stage in developmental process, is a defense of a caste based system of merit. While that’s obviously the way things eventually turn out, you do not want to encourage that at a young age. You don’t not want to encourage kids not to challenge themselves. And, A FUCKING THIRD PARTY WITH OBVIOUSLY NO REGARD TO THE WELFARE OF THE GIRL, should have absolutely no say in beating her down. Well that lawyer won. The girl is now playing in an all girls league and presumably a little part of her has died (I’ll take that oscar now, thanks).
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 5:07 AM EST up reply actions
If it was a twelve year old boy would you be this upset
if a 12 year old boy was being exposed as a defenseman, and was not playing at the level of his teammates and on of the other parents wrote to the coach to suggest they move him to wing or have him drop down a level to where he could develop his skillset would you be so righteously indignant?
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
Yes I would still be indignant
My arguments, you’ll notice, have nothing to do with gender discrimination and everything to do with talent based casting. To restate my position:
Kids should not be discouraged (more than they already are) to try to improve themselves. They should be given every opportunity to do what they want to do, until gross incompetence forces the kid and the parents to make a decision. No kid is going to continue to do something if they are terrible at it for a long period of time. They will either get better or quit.
What Atis did that is so egregious is that he took into into his own hands to say the kid should not be allowed to challenge herself. That’s not even approaching the realm of his role.
What makes it more egregious is that Atis is clearly not concerned with the girl’s welfare, but rather with his son’s “the teams”. It’s not like the girl was even a massive detriment to the team – she had been playing since she was 4 and the team was a shitty team anyway. The coach, the man mutually put in charge of arbitrating talent, said she wasn’t that much worse than the others.
Disgusting business all around. And no, I wouldn’t have been so vocally indignant about this if you two hadn’t started defending his actions, but I would have felt the same way. I was the one who posted the article in the first place.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 5:32 AM EST up reply actions
I don't think I would ever have written that letter
I understand your argument, you seem to be saying that unless this girl was allowed to continue to play defenseman on this team she will never get better.
I don’t think he should have addressed it in agenda form at a meeting I think it should have been privately with the coach, the locker room thing I really don’t get, when the hell is it okay to be in the locker room of the opposite sex when they are changing?
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
Not exactly
I’m saying that the girl and her parents should decide what league she should be in, and the coach should decide what position she should play. All should be done based on a combination of talent and want, and should be done towards a combination of individual happiness and team welfare. How you should weigh those things is a different discussion, but generally you should discourage a kid from trying to play beyond her talent.
In no way, shape or form does another parent have the right to complain that a kid is underperforming for obviously selfish reasons, and to actually write a letter requesting an obviously selfish solution is beyond ridiculous.
I don’t know about the lockeroom thing. I mean I doubt there were fully changing in the open. it’s not like the boys would mind much either. “Oh noes, a girl is exposing herself in front of my little boys.” if it was a problem the parents of the girl would obviously the most pissed.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 5:59 AM EST up reply actions
somebody who is good with prospects - is this hyperbole or pretty much true?
All of these prospects are going to be studs. If I were handing out stars, they would all be five (out of five, with five being the highest) star prospects. We’re talking the best right-handed pitching prospect to come out of the system, maybe ever, apologies to Tommy Hanson and Adam Wainwright. The best left-handed starter since Tom Glavine. The best closer since Mark Wohlers, and maybe the best first base prospect we’ve ever produced. Oh, and another right-handed pitching prospect as good as Tommy Hanson. This group of five is absolutely ridiculous, and the best part is they’re all going to be in the Majors at some point this season. THE FUTURE IS NOW!
link – never heard of Wohlers and he had a career ERA+ of 108 so I’m not sure that I’m impressed by the best closer since Wohlers comment – anyone if it’s true then that’s a fucking amazing farm
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
Obviously it's hyperbole and probably bullshit
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:09 AM EST up reply actions
well i'm pretty sure Teheran is a Top 10 prospect - at least Top 5 SP
so it’s not a stretch to say he’s better than Waino – don’t remember how Hanson was as a prospect but again I know he is one of the best pitchers so Hanson pretty much had to be the best to beat him so that’s not a stretch
Glavine? give me a break on that one – he’s a fucking Hall-of-Famer -
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 23, 2010 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
That's way overblown.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Teheran is going to be an absolute beast and the Braves have a great farm, but those other guys all have some significant flaws, in addition to not being proven.
Freeman is the absolute worst offender of hyperbole. He has good defense and contact, but he is nowhere near ready to be a great player. He has great potential, but the power isn’t there yet, and at some point, he has to prove it in the majors before I believe anything. His minor league stats may be great, (Completely disregarding his SSS of MLB bats), but MLB is something else.
Delgado is mostly based on potential, he has a nice repertoire of pitches, but they aren’t fully developed yet, and his walk numbers are something to be looked at. He coudl turn out well, but it’s not clear if he will yet.
Kimbrell has pretty significant control problems with his high speed (ala Chapman), and to say he is going to be a great closer is short-sighted.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
to be fair to him
he was probably just way over-generalizing everybody and coming up with the absolute best case scenario in each case
i don’t like when people write that way though because it is misleading and I never did get his true opinion of where he thinks they’ll end up (and if he thinks like he wrote, he will be in for a rough surprise)
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 23, 2010 12:19 AM EST up reply actions
I agree with everything you say, no doubt about it.
Optimism is great, but expecting them to be stars in their first year is a little odd.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
this is a very good group
but c’mon. Freddie Freeman is gonna be a decent starter but I doubt he’ll be a star. Mike Minor has had just one season pitching at his current level.
Actually, I am having difficulties coming up with criticisms for this group. This is a straight up great set of prospects.
Fire John Mozeliak
by purple_haze on Dec 23, 2010 12:36 AM EST up reply actions
The only one I don't particularly care for as much is Freddie Freeman
and, of course, Kimbrel is just a reliever. Also, Teheran is a touch scrawny for my tastes. But these are all pretty minor nitpicks. Obviously, Waino/Glavine/Hanson are perfect world situations and “all of these prospects are going to be studs” is never a phrase that should be uttered ever but there’s plenty of reason for enthusiasm here.
Fire John Mozeliak
by purple_haze on Dec 23, 2010 12:41 AM EST up reply actions
Worst. economist. ever.
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/the-baseball-economist-answers-your-questions/
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
i... i don't understand
franceour would have been more valuable with less PAs? The only way that is true is if he was worth negative value and his system has him for like $2 million
also it seems the author was in on the joke that Bradbury is by saying “thanks for playing along” which seemed in jest….
you’ve said this at least five times btw.. i couldn’t even read half the stuff that he was saying, it was brutal
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Dec 23, 2010 12:31 AM EST up reply actions
He doesn't believe in replacement level
He also, at one point, staunchly defended Jeff Francouer being worth 12 million:
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/francoeur/
I think he’s the kind of guy who you are actually dumber for having read.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Dec 23, 2010 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
The Boras theory is just asinine
If you had Boras as your agent, knowing he had the track record that he does, why wouldn’t you trust him?
Not afraid to nitpick
because you could end up like Felipe Lopez?
Fire John Mozeliak
by purple_haze on Dec 23, 2010 12:44 AM EST up reply actions
I just watched Les Paul:Live in New York.
That guy is a fucking master guitar player. That is all there is to say. Ninety years old and could play like that…fuck me.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 23, 2010 12:30 AM EST reply actions
he did make the damn things
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 23, 2010 2:07 AM EST up reply actions
Yes, but it was getting to hear the man in a live setting. I'd never done that before.
Plus, the guy is 90 yrs old. I know 70 yr old people that barely know who they are let alone play a guitar like that.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 23, 2010 8:54 AM EST up reply actions
forgive my not knowing his music
I didn’t mean to seem flippant, was jokin around. I did get to see some of his first guitars on display at the Experience Music Project in seattle. cool place.
also, it’s always amazing to see how differently people age. playing music is scientifically proven to increase health (as with any exercise I suppose). it’s a lot of fun, and he’s really good at it, and has much insight into the nuances of the instrument.
turn it up to '11
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Dec 23, 2010 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
It's all good, Chitown.
I know you like the harder styles of music, but you could really appreciate what he can do. I’d always heard his recorded stuff and an occasional live spot, but nothing like him in a nightclub just playing. He also had a bunch of who’s who guests sit in with him. I’ve just started to really appreciate jazz. It was always too disconnected sounding to me.
I used to play trumpet, but got away from it as I got older. Just didn’t have the time to put in it. But now I find myself being drawn to the dobro. I think it suits me better. I’ve tried playing before with a pick and it was a little to restricting. I like the finger picking style, similar to spanish guitar playing.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 23, 2010 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
I can't use a pick either.
it lasts about 2 minutes until I throw it down and use my fingers.
Do you have long nails on one hand and short one on the other hand? I do and it looks weird sometimes but those are my picks.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 9:17 PM EST up reply actions
No. I use finger picks.
Your fingers don’t get as sore.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 23, 2010 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
meant to say.
I try to keep my nails short. They just bug the shit out of me if they get too long.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 23, 2010 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
The guy is the definition of Maestro
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
AWWWWW MANNN!!!
I wish I would have seen that. Was it on TV or are you saying you saw him live?
I’m always amazed by Les Paul. He leaves me speechless.
I’m also amazed how some musicians that old, like Eube Blake on a piano can avoid arthritis or how they can play with arthritis.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 23, 2010 5:42 PM EST up reply actions
It was on PBS.
They had his Live show, it was from earlier this year, I think. Then they had a Jeff Beck tribute to Les Paul after that. I haven’t watched it yet, but it is Tivo’d.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 23, 2010 8:26 PM EST up reply actions
I was wrong.
it was from 2005. You might could find it on the PBS website.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Dec 23, 2010 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
Thanx a bunch.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Dec 24, 2010 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
this is so not what i want for xmas
of course i don’t speak for Aranathor or mattyfrommo
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
my OCD and germaphobia forbids me from having that kinda "relations"
Skip Schumaker fields like a goat wearing capes
So what do you get when you take Rui and Aranathor away from VEB latenight?
Necrophilia, Zoophilia, Polygyny, and 12 year olds
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
thanks to you now all in one comment
well this board just got on to a whole new watchlist
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
my work here is done
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
why are you still up late? aren't you done with school for the year?
All I've got is a broken heart, memories & dreams that I can't drink away
Dammit I can save this
Yep I love all of those beers Necrophilia IPA “Its better cold”, Zoophilia Amber Ale “for the animal inside you” and Polygamy Porter “Why have just one?”(that one is real, wasatch brewing FTW)
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
and...
O’Douls “the beer for 12 year olds”
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
I think my first two were so dirty I couldn't bring myself to add 12 year old anywhere in the comment
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
Red Baron an amazing playlist as always
Recced for the Fairytale of New York, that video was shot when Matt Dillon was at the height of his fame. Apparently the Cait O’Riordan the bass player for the Pogues kicked old Matt in the bollox when he was hitting on her, Irish girls are temperamental.
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
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