That's right, I said "diary," bitches.

Another solid game by the indubitably indomitable Endy Chavez. Cryptonomobaseballicon! Suck it with yo face, Morris!

I am never ever up in time to post a normal OT thread, and I just visited these PGTs that I've been told are so magical, and ...they aren't. So here's the weekender.

Anyone have Sonos?  http://www.sonos.com/search/sonos?gclid=CIXG5_LGy6oCFYio4AodriI92A

Just picked it up tonight, because my Logitech Squeezebox Booms are not going to be able to play Spotify. Pretty excited, but I only did about 7 hours of research, and I am pretty mediocre on the audiophile gear, so if I am making a mistake, please chime in.

Also, if anyone wants to provide some handy tips on Spotify and Google+ and (sweet jesus please) Sonos usage, I will have many cocktails at the ready for you and yours during the tailgate. Ask Tball or Scoop-they can vouch. I might could use a ride home from a Fort Worth LSBer that night, as well. There is absolutely no requirement that says we have to go straight home either. In fact, I would strongly discourage that course of action.

One last thing. I move we boycott H&S Hats off Tex. They have unjustly and outrageously put the kibosh on all my good spirited #HatsOffTEX tweets. Last i checked, this was still the United States. OF AMERICA!!

In Endy i trust!

Regardless of your political viewpoints, you should be proud to be an American today.

We are the first country in the western world to have a person of color on the ballot for highest political office. Ever. Look it up.

Fujimori, a Japanese-Peruvian, is the only possible exception. But I think, since the slavery factor is removed, we can all agree this is a singular event.

So we can parse words, but the larger point, that the country of 300 years of slavery, and Jim Crow, and lynchings, and separate drinking fountains and lunch counters, and get your ass to the back of the bus, and all the myriad other bullshit that persons of color have had to endure, has made a quantum leap forward, at least in the electoral process.

And that is obviously a good thing; praise America.

I don't mean for this to launch any kind of political food fight. Obviously, Adam will delete it if he thinks it is inappropriate.

40 years ago MLK was slain.

Today, a man of color has a 50% chance to be leader of the free world in 8 months.

Think on that.

"Wrongfully convicted of a double murder, Grace Caldwell breaks parole to hunt down the real killer. Even when she finds herself being framed *yet again--*she won't relent, which is driving FBI Special Agent Breed Grayhawk just a little nuts."

That sounds like the the dumbest, most ridiculously asanine book ever conceived. The ol' "double frame," who hasn't had that happen to em?

Breed Grayhawk. Lolers.

PAGE-TURNING JUSTICE-TEXAS STYLE!!!

They must think we're idiots with taste buds in our sphincter.

Carry on...

"Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, speaking to a local Iowa radio station, said that terrorists would dance in the streets if Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, is elected president -- precisely because of not only Obama's position on withdrawing US troops from Iraq, but because Obama's middle name is "Hussein," his father's Muslim roots, and his appearance -- or "optics," as King put it."

His "appearance." In other words, he be a darky.

The audio:

http://www.radioiowa.com/podcast/feed/A6AFFF9D-C09F-1E1C-6BE13276F8998390/article/8EF58000-A398-BDDA -F45FB09147E7FDF8/audio/8EF580F9-9F7F-50C4-D14E96F96A22BA60/KingOnKICD.mp3

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003722255

Ugh. This fear mongering crap has gotten so damn tiresome. And it simply blows my mind that elected leaders can pass off racist rhetoric like this as legitimate discourse. Some other links:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/08/gop-congressman-says-terrorists-would-celebrate-obam a-win/

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/03/republican-cong.html

A good example of the disgusting morons that help promote this myth is found in the comments of this link:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1982410/posts (note the picture)

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d805db597&template=with-video&confirm=true

Three pokes on the ist team, 2 on the 2nd.

A few thoughts:

The only selections I have any real problem with are 1st team RB and Al Harris. LT rode in on his rep this time, gold glove style.

You have to think Romo would have made 2nd team if he hadn't stumbled so much in the last month.

If we could money whip Samuels (or Trufant) into signing w/ us next year, how big of a leap could we make? Draft another CB or FS and a receiver in the 1st rd, and we'd be sans holes.

And all those Leonard Davis signing poo-pooers look pretty stupid now (actually, they've looked dumb for months).

That is all...

Slow day at the office. Searching for some Rex Hudler anecdotes about Saint Ersty, I stumbled across further proof of the epic dimwittedness of Angels fans:

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/1906/rex.html

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/1906/

I actually think this guy is serious. I could be wrong, but if I am, I'd say this guy's tounge is planted a little too firmly in cheek. It's a fabulous little tribute, either way.

Unfortunately, much to my chagrin, the "chat" link was disabled. Damn.

Then I went to Rex Hudler's personal site:

http://rexhudler.com/

While I find the very idea of rexhudler.com pretty fucking funny, I found this particularly gutbusting: "Rex hudler is in demand as a motivational speaker."

That's not a typo of mine. Ol' wonderdog actually hasn't noticed that his own name isn't capitalized. On his personal website. Put aside the typo, though, and take a moment of silence to savor the ludicrous irony of that statement.

And speaking of irony, one of the chief attaboys Rex got for speaking comes from this man:

 David R. Engwall
Vice President, Sales
Advanced Sterilization Products, a Johnson & Johnson company

A grown damn man who actively encourages and promotes himself as "The Wonderdog."

Evidently, The Rev and some of his peeps aren't big fans either. I quote:

"ASSHOLE UNCONSCIOUS RACIST AMATEUR DICKLESS DOLTS."

http://www.halosheaven.com/story/2005/8/11/1452/77939

And here's one more, just for the haters:

http://sports.intertext.com/archives/001293.html

Have a good 4 day weekend everybody. Even you, Longhorn. Having a date for New Year's Eve is overrated, bro.

Poll to your right...

Biggest game of the year. Already told El Jefe not to expect me in too early tomorrow.

If interested, I stumbled across another "what an all-american good kid Tony Romo is" article, a good one.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d804971a0&template=with-video&confirm=true

Among other things, it says, contrary to the media's incessant claims, that John "My electric toothbrush has to be kickstarted" Elway, not Brett Favre, was his favorite QB growing up.

I have no idea how this game is gonna pan out. There's a kind of lame poll to your right.

Boldass predictions welcome on this thread...

As discussed nearly ad nauseum here at LSB, our center field future and the upcoming FA market, coupled with the current rebuilding effort, pose a real dilemma. In fact, it's no stretch to call it a mystery. A mystery wrapped around a riddle, inside an enigma, no doubt, with conundrums standing watch, vigilantly. And there's most likely a quandary tapping the phone lines.

Instead of this asserting "no way on Hunter/Rowand/etc, he'll cost us 6/92.33,"  why doesn't everybody just name a figure/# of years they would be comfortable with?

Because it seems to me that a few of these figures fellas are floating might be nothing more than Buster Olney ass-extraction.

I just have a really hard time seeing how Torii rates 95 million and Cameron might only cost 18, I guess, is my belated point.

The proposal: everyone hi/low some figures for the 08 crop: Hunter, Jones, Rowand, Cameron, etc., and support the feasibility.

Also, two questions:

Why is Ben's nickname "scoonie?"

Has Longhorn ever been laid (with a woman, I mean)?

Discuss.

Not surprisingly, Scooter's entire prison sentence has been commuted by our Commander-in-Chief.

He will still have the felony conviction on his record, which means he will most likely be disbarred, and his fine remains 250K, so this isn't technically a pardon. But Bush declared that the Republican special prosecutor and Republican judge he appointed were way off base with the 30 month prison sentence.

Any pundit that alleges the fine means anything is a liar. Libbey will be compensated 10 or 20 times over for taking one for the team, and I don't really have a problem with that. He was just Cheney's hatchet man, after all. Don't get me wrong, this whole deal is reprehensible, but Scooter was just being a loyal soldier.

Flame away, Bush apologists and haters of OT diaries...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19570081/

Bush's full explanation (he and his entire staff ducked any Q&A):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19570172/

p.s. If you are interested in a pretty comprehensive breakdown of the Libby case, David Schuster is hosting Hardball right now (7-8 EST).

Last show ever. Pretty exciting.

I wanted to do a lengthy diary on questions I had about the various seasons, as well as a favorite moments aspect. For example, in season 4/epis. 1, was that cop that Christofa killed really his father's murderer, or was Tony playing him to, as he put it (paraphrasing), bond Chrissy to him irreparably.

Unfortunately, I just got back from a road trip. Stupid I-95.

So, instead, open thread w/ trivia:

1. Name every character w/ a speaking part that has been thought to be a rat.
2. Speaking of rats, what did Pussy get caught doing?
3. What was the name of the drug dealer that was thrown into Patterson Falls? Who did he work for, who threw him, and why?
4. What was the name of the bar Chris gave to Adriana? Bonus portion: A football bet lost to the family was the reason he won the club. What happened in that football game?
5. What prominent official did Junior write alot of letters to this season?
6. Livia's oft repeated phrase to young Tony was what?
7. For what reason did Junior break up w/ his girlfriend in season 2? Where did they vacation?
8. What is Tony's kid sister's name?
9. How were Tony and Christofa related?
10. How were the 2 Tonys related?
11. What is Janice's son's name?
12. What is Tony's nickname for Phil?
13. What was the class of 2004? Be specific, w/ a conclusive list of names.
14. What were the circumstances of Bobby Baccalieri's father's death? What excellent actor played him?
15. What is the name of the rival NY family?
16. What was the name of the retirement home where Livia stayed?
17. What stock was being pushed in Season 2 in a scam, and what is the term for that scam?
18. What NFL players have acted in the series?
19. Which family capo is under house arrest? What is his brother's name?
20. What did Corrado have done to Chrisofa in Season 1 because of the truck hijack his best friend committed? What was his friend's name?
21. How was Chucky Signore killed?
22. How was Jack Masarone killed, and why?
23. Why did Tony and Zellman have a falling out?

Guilty on 4 of 5 counts. More elaboration to come:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17479718/

And the vast, left-wing liberal conspiracy marches on... *Update:* This is an interesting angle to the story that hasn't got much attention in the mainstream news coverage:.............................. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1596642,00.html........................... Apparently, Libby was obsessed with Chris Mathews and "Hardball.".......................... The edit diary function isn't working out too well for me.................

Penalty box worthy? Perhaps. But of all the analysis on talk radio I heard last week, the SNL crew beats em all. Give it a shot. Really.                                                                                                                

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjtVnqZCndo                                                                                                                                                  

The scary neighbor diary got me to thinking. Specifically, T-Ball and myself debating the relative merits of man-mauling hyenas did. Props, T., you muse, you.

Essentially, my personal home protection theory that you haven't heard boils down to this: The Guard Gorilla.

Frankly, I've never understood why someone hasn't tried it before. If you can teach Koko 600 different words, why can't you train a reasonably reliable silverback to faithfully guard your property?

Ever see that show To Catch a Thief (not the Hitchcock one)? Without fail, all the dumbass dogs ever do is wag their tails and follow along curiously. Dumbasses. Man's best friend my bright white Irish ass.

Before you poo-poo all over my little gem, ask yourself this one salient question: If I was a burglar/jealous-jilted-ex-psycho-bat-wielding-homocidal-whackjob, upon discovery of said "Guard Gorilla" (trademarked), would I
a) Continue on w/ normal operations
b) 86 myself w/ extreme prejudice
c) Deuce my pants w/ extreme prejudice followed by step b

Think about it. Who is gonna fuck w/ a Guard Gorilla? Even bullets probably won't drop him.

Beware of the Dog? Sneered at. Beware of Guard Gorilla? There's no sneering going on. Sneer-free signage, I'm thinking.

Also, this answers the gun-control nutjobs who are always boring us w/ all those "40 times more likely to kill a loved one statistics." Blah blah yack yack. What are the chances your Guard Gorilla accidentally goes off and shoots Junior? Slim and none? I concur.

Plus, as I mentioned previously, the Guard Gorilla is SMART. He could take out the trash. You could show him pictures of your enemies and friends, then give him pop quizzes later. Your misleadingly named "guard dog" finds intruders on the lawn, they merely climb a tree. I think we all know what happens w/ a Guard Gorilla.

As a bonus, I thought of a few "advanced features" for the more experienced Guard Gorilla (TM) owners. Logically, I plan on outfitting my Guard Gorilla w/ a custom-tailored bulletproof vest and combat helmet. My Guard Gorilla will sneer at your silly little "firearm."

And, for the "piece de resistance," A 96 ounce, 73.5 inch aluminum baseball bat. I call it "The Sackshrinker." Either that or "The Braingolfer(tee em up)."

The B. Carter Thomas Academy and Stable of Worldwide Personal Home Protection/odd-jobbing Guard Gorillas LLC. Sounds good to me...

Poll at right.

I feel bad for old boy, I really do, but this is still pretty damn funny.

"A former handyman from North Providence who won more than $400,000 in a lawsuit over a malfunctioning penile implant may not get the money after a judge dismissed his claim."

I wonder how much extra his tailor charges...

"Superior Court Judge Edward C. Clifton on Monday granted a request by the implant manufacturer's insurer to dismiss Charles "Chick" Lennon's claim, which his lawyers say will amount to $1 million with interest included."

"The implant has caused Lennon to have an erection for 10 years."

10 frickin years.

And you thought you were hard up.

"Charles "Chick" Lennon, 68, received the steel and plastic implant in 1996, about two years before Viagra went on the market. The Dura-II is designed to allow impotent men to position the penis upward for sex, then lower it."

How many times has he probably uttered this lamentation? TWO DAMN YEARS. I wait just 2 more damn years and...

I remember reading a book about mob boss Paul Castellano, the Gambino capo who Gotti famously hit in front of the Sparks Steak House, which detailed how he had one of these operations so he could have sex w/ his guatemalan maid/mistress. Supposedly worked out well for him, but he described it as "hydraulics."

"But Lennon could not position his penis downward. He said he could no longer hug people, ride a bike, swim or wear bathing trunks because of the pain and embarrassment. He has become a recluse and is uncomfortable being around his grandchildren, his lawyer said."

I'll wager Mrs. Lennon is a little less bitchy.

"In 2004, a jury awarded him $750,000. A judge called that excessive and reduced it to $400,000. On Friday, the Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed that award in a ruling that turned on a procedural matter."

Excessive?

How about a hug, Bob?

Eh, a handshake'll do, thanks much.

"I'm suffering with it right now," he told The Providence Journal during a recent interview. "It never stops. It's like a constant headache."

I kid, but that has got to truly suck, especially when you are 68. Please forgive my corny jokes-irresistable.

My cutting and pasting might be a little off, so if you want to get the whole story, check these 2 links:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15018869/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13509704/

Please participate in the poll to your right, and remember, be careful what you wish for...

Drew Bledsoe?

Loser-ass quarterback?

Or biggest loser-ass QB ever?

Also, Pat Watkins, I never, ever thought I'd see the day when I missed Keith Davis in the starting lineup. Thanks for that.

What's next? I'm lamenting the loss of Rob Pettitti?

Few things displease me more than the thought of a stadium full of phillypansy-mullet-phags laughing at our ass. Seriously, what's more annoying than that?

What a lame, lame loss. I wonder how TO rationalizes his sally-ass, limp-wristed performance?

I typically like to add a poll at the end of a diary, mostly for comedy's sake. I can't think of a damn thing funny right now.

At least "The Wire" comes on in a hour or so. It doesn't get any better than that.....

The prison term is to be stayed while they appeal. The judge claimed his hands were tied.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/17/EDG6BL5MF91.DTL

This really bothers me, because even though this is a sports issue, it is also about a strong press, something vitally important. I heard on ESPN radio that even though Bush commended the reporters actions, saying they had done a great service, his AG Alberto said their actions "violated the sanctity of the grand jury."

The sad fact of the matter is, these reporters could end up doing more time than the original culprits. And that's pretty ass-backward, if you ask me.

Here is a really good argument for the reporters, although it is made by their boss:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/17/EDG6BL5MF91.DTL

  What was the agreement/understanding when Hicks officially promoted Daniels? Theoretically, Buck works for Daniels, and its almost always the GM's perogative to fire anyone below him (just like its Hicks' and in some situations, Buck's), be it the manager, an advance scout, or whoever is involved in the baseball aspect of operations. Obviously, this is not your typical case since a) Buck was here first, b) JD's youth/amount of experience, and c) JD was an internal hire.

  I don't see how the fact that the Mullet is signed through 2009 is that important a detail, because I think the owner will eat the cost if he's either convinced that Showalter needs to go, or that it is JD's right to fire his people.

  So, I think it's issue "c" that is the real problem here, because since he was an internal hire and a 1st time GM, the question of autonomy may very well not have come up. Which, of course, it definitely would if either of those 2 things weren't true.

  And that leads me back to wondering two more things: Just because its obvious to all of us armchair cognoscenti that the little nazi has GOT TO GO, has Daniels come to that conclusion? And, knowing what a two-faced, backstabbing politicker our manager is, is he wary of that fact and already beginning the old backdoor rope-a-dope on JD?

  There is a poll at right, and it allows multiple selections.

  Most of the time, I'm a pretty middle of the road fan. I don't hate Buck nearly as much as many. Same goes for Hicks, even more so, in fact. There's way, way worse owners we could have. The NBA playoffs has pissed me off, but not nearly as much as some seem to be.

  But that is not to say I'm not passionate. I just read these 2 articles in the San Diego paper today, and it reminded of me how much I hate a certain ex-Rangers pitcher (and like Grady):

  "When Fuson worked for the Rangers, he got to know minor league pitcher John Hudgins (well, he should have known him, he drafted him, Scoop) and pushed for the Padres to trade for him. He told Hudgins he was overthrowing his fastball; throttling down, Hudgins has become more accurate, posting a 2.95 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 15 walks in 392/3 innings."

  Wow. Did Hudgins ever come close to a K per inning with us?

  And how's this for tremendously irritating and laughable at the same time? Same page, same stellar writer, different article:

  "Young (as in Eric) said that opposing hitters describe Chan Ho Park as ace-caliber.

  I don't know what number he is in our rotation, but he can be a No. 1, and that's coming from opposing players.

  Young was a Dodgers teammate of Park's when the South Korean was in the midst of winning 75 games over a five-year span. He said Park's body language appears more assertive this season than in any of Park's best years with Los Angeles."

  I'd love to hear EY's take on Ho when they were on that other team together. How was his body language then, Eric?

  That Ho punk? I don't really like that dude too much. In fact, since I live in San Diego, maybe, one day, I'll get a chance to share my feelings with him.

  I know, I know, he's a black belt. That's even better. I can take a couple of scissor-kicks to the head, then SUE HIS THIEVING ASS OFF. Get back some unearned money from an earned-run-Sally.

  There is a poll to your right...

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20060619-9999-1s19padnotes.html

   I am a TV junkie. I watch way too much television. I have every channel DirecTV offers. I have the baseball package in the summer and the football package in the fall, which makes my monthly bill typically hover around 120 bucks. I believe TiVo is the best invention since the internet. Seriously, what's better than TiVo?

   My wife is from New Zealand, where TV and the movies are no big deal. Consequently, guess what we fight about primarily? After one fight, I came home to find that she had enscribed this little phrase in big bold letters on my happy box: BRIAN'S REAL WIFE.

   All that being said, there is a current TV phenomenon that has been going on for 5 years now that has me baffled: American Idol.

   Evidently, the finale was last night, and apparently it was one of the most watched shows in television history. Better than some Super Bowls. Ken Tucker, EW's preeminent TV critic, called it "the only thing that matters" in a recent article. MSNBC, a station I generally find has the most hard, relevant news, just devoted nearly 20 minutes to the subject. The clown who won, some gray-haired hick, had a coliseum full of his supporters in his hometown elatedly cheering him on to victory. I repeat, this was so important to them that they CONGREGATED IN A COLISEUM just to watch.

   I just don't get it. At all. Can someone please enlighten me?

   Oh, and by the way, Skilling and Lay just got nailed, the little weasels...

   The Barrett-Pierzynski brouhahaha yesterday got me to thinking.

    What this game needs is a few more bench-clearing brawls. The sad fact of the matter is that we rarely see such well-connected punches. And I've figured out why: not enough practice.

  If we want to see truly artful, inspired fights as baseball fans then we need to "tweak" the rules a little. Sort of like the NFL opening up the game for more offense.

  I say even the umpires are fair game. I'd like to see Blalock put some cocky ump in a headlock, exclaiming "painted the corner MY ASS, take it back, ump, take it back!" Questec? Nah, how 'bout Fistec?

  Strike the rule that calls for ejections when fights occur. We need more fear factor. In fact, if a hitter gets plunked, it should be mandatory that he charge the mound. Eject his little nancyass for NOT charging.

  All of this will help to, you know, add a little flavor to the party...

  This story has nothing to do with baseball or the Rangers. Because of that, I debated whether it deserved posting, but in the end, it was just too damn funny not to share. Enjoy:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002979449_bushfish08.html

WASHINGTON -- President Bush says his best moment as president was the time he caught a 7 ½-pound largemouth bass.

During his more than five years in office, Bush has traveled to the world's most impressive cities, met with world leaders and entertained celebrities.

But when the German newspaper Bild asked him to name his best and worst moments as president, Bush gave an offbeat answer about the best moment, while giving a more predictable response about his worst.

"The most awful moment was September the 11th, 2001," Bush said, adding that it took time to understand the depth of the terrorist attacks on the United States. "I would say the toughest moment of all was after the whole reality sunk in and I was trying to help the nation understand what was going on, and at the same time, be empathetic for those who had lost lives."

Bush admitted it was not easy to pick a best moment because "I've had a lot of great moments," according to a transcript of the Friday interview released Sunday.

"I would say the best moment was when I caught a 7 ½-pound largemouth bass on my lake," Bush said eventually.

It also was reminiscent of a 2004 press conference when Bush was asked to name his biggest mistake, and he couldn't come up with any.

"At least this is balanced," said Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. "He can't think of the worst mistakes or his best moments. Maybe that's how he survives.  

Bush also said Sunday he gained a glimpse into German Chancellor Angela Merkel's soul when they met in Washington last week.

His comments about Merkel's soul echo ones he made about Russian President Vladimir Putin five years ago. "I was able to get a sense of his soul, a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country," Bush said then.

His relations with Putin have since soured as Washington has grown increasingly critical of the Russian leader's record on democracy, human rights and press freedom.

Compiled from The Associated Press, the New York Daily News and Reuters

  Classic. I am relieved to know he is once again relying on the tried and true soul-glimpsing technique that has served him so well in the past.

 I stole this poll from MSNBC.

    Ok, first he claims that HOOSIERS, that's right, HOOSIERS, is one of the best movies of all time, simultaneously dismissing the excellence of (Fuck you, that's why) Glengarry Glenross. But, all right, everybody is entitled to a couple of mistakes when they are speaking out of their field, even egregious ones.

   Now tonight, after the Mench paraphrase of Grumpy/ier Old Men, ( a phrase that delights my wife every time it passes my lips), which he rightfully attributes to the immortal Burgess Meredith, Grieve doles out this immortal line:

TG: Burgess Meredith. Uh, no, he wasn't in that movie. Who was it? William Matthau, right? Walter Matthau.

  Come on Tom, he only stole every scene he was in.

  And while I'm blathering on, I'd like to recommend a movie, and since I have never reccommended a movie before, its obviously the best movie I've seen all year: Match Point. If you haven't heard, its a Woody Allen film, but whether he is to your taste or not, if you like detailed, multilayered movies that keep you thinking long after they are over, give it a shot, you would be hard-pressed to recognize his fingerprints beforehand, although they are still there, oh-so-subtly.

  I'll skip the synopsis, because you can always google it, and you might prefer going in fresh anyway, Costanza-style.

  I just got the latest ESPN mag and this caught my attention (I'm not taking sides in the Delmon Young debate):

  The striking MILB umps were asking for a bump in per diem from 25 to 40 dollars. Mgmt. counteroffered with a 1 dollar bump in per diem and $100 monthly raise. They had a graph which I can't reproduce, but it gave these figures: min. MILB salary: 9500/MLB 84K
max. MILB salary/17000 (17 fucking thousand?) MLB/350K.

  Forgive the format, I am a 2-fingered typist, and no sizzle-fingers at that. These guys must have to travel a lot, so it has to be their main jobs, unlike the NFL. What a miserable living they are squeaking by on (even if they love the work). Many of us travel in our jobs, myself included, and 25 dollars is bullshit for per diem. 40 isn't asking a lot, is it?

   Likewise, even if I am delivering pizza, I'm not getting my dick up about a 25 dollar-a-week raise. So, all I'm saying is, sorry for the right-to-work apologists, but these guys are getting bent the hell over.

  I'm reading John Schuerholz's book, "Built to Win: Inside Stories and Leadership Strategies From Baseball's Winningest GM," and early in the book he tells the story of how Barry Bonds was a Brave for 15 hours. Apparently, Schuerholz agreed on a deal with the Pirates in '91, the year before Bonds was to be a free agent, only to have the Pirates GM renege because Jim Leyland kicked up such a stink.

  What is most interesting to me is, Schuerholz remarks confidently that they could sign him long term (and also pointedly states that he would make it clear to he-of-the-huge head [literally or figuratively, you pick] that he would not enjoy any of the special perks like jewelry in uniform or a Lazy-Boy in the clubhouse), but says that doing so would definitely keep him from signing Greg Maddux the following year.

  So, of course, that leads me to the obvious question: Would the Braves have been better off with Hugehead or the brightest pitcher of the modern era?  

  I live in Southern California. While there are many things I love and a few that I loathe about the area, its definitely different. One common sight never ceases to astonish me in its ludicrousness, and that is the surprisingly common appearance of a 45-year-old man on a skateboard. I don't know about anyone else, but it is just pretty damn silly in my mind.

  Watching the game last night, I found myself cussing that oblivious boob who stole the foul ball from Teixeira (way to apologize for him Tom Grieve, there is such a thing as being too nice. And by the way Tom, I lost a little respect for you when you said Glengarry Glen Ross was one of the two worst movies ever ["Coffee is for closers] and your favorite movie was Hoosiers).

  And that brings me to my point. In my humble opinion, there is something embarassingly wrong with a grown damn man carrying a baseball glove to a game. There is one exception: when you have brought your young son or daughter.

  So, essentially, what I am asking is, am I alone in this thought? And as a side note, am I alone in thinking Glengarry Glen Ross is a classic?

   This the best Rangers news I've read all week:

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060319&content_id=1355924&vke y=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

   The club announced today that several of its top young players are skipping short season ball. "Among the pitchers will be left-handers Michael Kirkman and Zach Phillips, 19, and right-hander Omar Poveda, 18, from the Dominican Republic." Whittleman and Vallejo are bypassing Spokane as well.

   The philosophy of aggressively pushing prospects is one I am in total agreement with. I liked Fuson, but I never bought his plan of having them master one level at a time. I think young players learn best when they are out of their comfort zone. If they are going to thrive at the MLB level, then they need to be succeeding when they are one of the youngest players in the league, like Arias has.

   Hopefully, we'll see Johnny Whittleman finish next year at AA, and Christian Santana finish in Clinton. You never know....

    Joe Sheehan has an article at BP discussing his breakout candidates for 2006. Check this out:

"Take one very good, underrated hitter and move him from the second-best pitchers' park in the game to the second-best hitters' park. Add water, bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, cool and serve.
Mmmm...baked goods...

Oh, Wilkerson. The guy can flat-out hit. Even if the minor injuries that have sapped his power continue to nag him, he'll be a productive center fielder in the Rusty Greer mode. If the power comes back--and he's reportedly healthy--I could see an MVP-caliber year, a .300/.400/.540 season with plus defense. Wilkerson is the best outfielder the Rangers have had since Juan Gonzalez's first tour."

   I'd be happy with a line of .300/.400/.540. Would that be an "MVP-caliber" season? Doubtful. There are probaly 4 or 5 outfielders that will put up a line like that, not to mention players.

   I've never seen BW play. How good is his defense?

  He had 1 year left on his contract. Man, their new owner didn't waste any time. He definitely had some hits and misses (forgive the choice of metaphor), but I always liked him.
  Wonder if he or the Rangers would have any interest in a position back with his old club. If anyone less lazy than me would take the time to break down all his moves, I'd sure be interested. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2303211

 My friends and I are buying our tickets to the WBC semis and final today. We have to wait and see who can talk their wife in to letting them spend 300 bucks on 3 baseball games. No problem here-I just tell her I'm spending 75.
  Here is the bracket:
Pool A: Japan, Korea, China, Chinese Taipei
Pool B: US, Canada, Mexico, S. Africa
Pool C: Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama, Netherlands
Pool D: Dominican R., Venezuela, Australia, Italy

  The play takes place over 3 weeks. To get to the finals a team would have to play 7 games, not necessarily winning all of them. Each round (1,2, and semifinal-final) takes place over 3-4 day period. Winners and runnerups of Pools A and B meet in round 2 (and C and D obviously). One glitch: as of now Uncle Sam is not letting Cuba play.
  I think most would agree who the clear favorites in pools A and B are. Pool C is interesting. Apparently, the Netherlands are a baseball powerhouse. Puerto Rico will be good. And Cuba, if they play, should be good, although I know of no way, nor do I have the time to look it up (just like with the Asian countries).
  And Pool D has the 2 scariest teams IMO. Venezuela might have the best 3 starter/closer combo: Santana, C. Zambrano, Freddy Garcia, K-Rod. The DR, as most of you well know, has the best lineup, bar none: Pujols, Vlad, Manny, Ortiz, Tejada, Soriano (don't say it)etc., not to mention Polanco, Willie Mo Pena, and Beltre.
  I won't bother to name all the US players.
  One more thing. Those of you who travel to Surprise might want to schedule it the w/e of March 7. Thats where the US plays it opening round.    
  So, who do you think is the favorite? Who wins each bracket? Could we fail to get by Japan (thos $120 tickets won't feel so sweet then, eh)?